South Africa: Economic growth facing challenges - Godongwana

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says international and local challenges continue to pose as obstacles in the growth of the economy.

This as real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by some 1.6% in the third quarter of 2022.

Speaking at the Pre-World Economic Forum (WEF) business breakfast held in Johannesburg on Thursday, the Minister said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and investment continue to have an impact on growth and warned that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine could have a devastating impact.

The theme [for the WEF meeting], Cooperation in a Fragmented World, captures the combination of economic, geo-political and social challenges that are facing the world. Our common challenges here at home are being compounded by all these risks.

If the Europeans continue to impose more sanctions on Russia and the war does not come to an end, we are all likely to face a recession.

In the face of all of these challenges, this government has been clear that rebuilding investor confidence and mobilising investment, is among the chief priorities this government must achieve for growing our economy, he said.

Minister Godongwana said coupled with these international challenges, economic growth is also facing challenges closer to home.

Theres a tendency in South Africa to debatemacro-economic theory and which theory is right. You can have the best policy on paper but if you cant provide electricity, its useless. If you cant deal with crime, your policy cant workand similarly with the logistics challenges, particularly Transnet, he said.

Regarding Eskom, the Minister said an announcement is due to be made next month.

We want to resolve the Eskom issues as soon as possible. Part of that resolution is to make sure that they have a healthy balance sheet so that they should be able to do what they should do best.

In my humble view they should be prioritising what they do havein making sure that [of] the 48 000MW at least 32 000MW are working. That is why it is critical for us to clear that balance sheet and we will make an appropriate announcement on the 22nd of February, he said.

The Minister said some of these challenges have led to National Treasury to project a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1.6% until 2025 which is revised downwards from 1.8% in last years budget speech.

Everybody wants investment, no doubt about that. It is critical for growth. Together we can achieve a greater growth provided we can deal with some of the issues raised.

We have Operation Vulindlela whose main focus is structural reforms. Of particular focus on those structural reforms is networking industries. In addition, it is to deal with red tape. We are engaging these issues. I have referred to the electricity challenge and some work is being done to deal with those issues, he said.

The Minister urged the business people who will be part of South Africas delegation at the WEF to work with government to resolve the challenges facing the country.

We have got to find a solution together. Im saying that even as we go to Davos, we must begin to say how we work together on all of these things. All these areas Ive mentioned, there should be a possibility that we could work together, Godongwana said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Vietnam, Laos determined to boost special solidarity and all-around cooperation

Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers have reaffirmed both nations' consistent policy of attaching great importance to and giving the top priority to the consolidation and cultivation of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.









PMs Pham Minh Chinh and Sonexay Siphandone witness the signing of an MoU on the establishment of friendship and cooperative ties between Quang Tri and Champasak provinces on January 11. (Photo: VNA)





Talks were held between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone immediately after a welcome ceremony held for the Vietnamese Government leader on January 11 in Vientiane.



During the talks, PM Pham Minh Chinh expressed his elation at the first official visit to Laos as the Vietnamese Government chief and the first guest of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.



PM Chinh conveyed the greetings of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to the Lao PM.



The Vietnamese cabinet leader congratulated Laos on its COVID-19 containment efforts and socio-economic recovery and development. Chinh said he believes that Laos will continue to successfully implement the goals of the 9th five-year socio-economic development plan.



PM Sonexay Siphandone, in turn, conveyed the greetings of General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Chairman of the countrys National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane to Vietnamese leaders.





He congratulated the great and comprehensive achievements Vietnam has recorded in the cause of national construction, development and international integration, especially the rapid recovery and socio-economic development after the pandemic that has helped raise the nations role and position in the international arena.









At the talks





The two sides noted with satisfaction the strong development of bilateral cooperation in all fields with increasing political trust.



During the past year, they exchanged many delegations via all channels, while continuing to promote the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and successfully organizing hundreds of major activities as part of the Year of Friendship and Solidarity between Vietnam and Laos in both countries.



Notably, economic, trade and investment cooperation has been increasingly promoted. Trade was a bright spot last year with the total bilateral turnover reaching nearly US$1.7 billion, up more than 21% compared to 2021.



The two PMs agreed to continue to constantly consolidate political trust, step up security, defence and economic cooperation, support each other in recovering from the pandemic, build a socialist-oriented market economy, and ensure independence, self-reliance, associated with extensive and effective international integration.



They also underlined the need to continue working together to improve the business and investment environment; strengthen the effective connection between the two economies in order to maintain stable trade growth of 10-15% per year or more.



This is addition to constantly expanding investment cooperation, improving the effectiveness of cooperation in education and training, justice, science and technology, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation among localities, especially those in border areas.



Both sides consented continue augmenting cooperation in information and communication, and paying greater attention to educating both nations young generations about the tradition of special relations between Vietnam and Laos.



Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, the two sides concurred to boost closer coordination, enhance information exchange, and offer mutual support at regional and international multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
The Border provinces of Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan have been facing attacks by the terror outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) after the revocation of a peace treaty between them, Pakistan vernacular media Jang reported, adding the attacks claimed the lives of 419 civilians and defence personnel. The Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) claimed there were 262 terror attacks launched by the TTP and other terror groups active on the Afghan -Pakistan border during the past year. The PIPS report claimed that 419 Pakistanis were killed and 734 injured in these attacks. Pakistan authorities believed to be close to Afghanistan's Taliban at some point in history now face a two-sided battle. As they have been involved in a tussle for quite some time now with TTP on one side and the Afghan Taliban on the other. Now as the situation gets worse on both fronts day by day, these successive attacks by the terror outfit TTP have once again put the spotlight on the presence of good and bad Taliban in Pakistan, according to an American defence and political analyst based in Moscow, the Jang reported. The analyst, Andrew Koribko, said this in an interview with American media, citing the report in the Jang. The same media report quoted the Madsen Center for International Affairs Chief Executive Geoffrey who told the American news agency that the TTP demands that the status of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) - a semi-autonomous tribal region in north-western Pakistan- be resolved and the fence built on the Afghan border be removed. Although, Pakistan's government recently vowed to crack down on terrorism without discrimination. To which the TTP replied by threatening to attack two of the leading political parties of Pakistan. At the 40th National Security Committee meeting in December last year, Pakistan vowed to show 'zero tolerance' for terrorism amid the spurt in terrorist strikes by banned TTP and a rise in cross-border terrorism on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This zero-tolerance stance on terrorism comes at a time when the peace agreement between the TTP and the Pakistan administration was revoked. And recently Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said despite the agreement, Afghanistan's soil is being used for attacks against his country. Asif also pointed out that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 58 per cent of all terrorist incidents in Pakistan, with some of them also occurring in Balochistan. The TTP recently issued a warning to the top leaders of the ruling parties, urging them not to appease the United States by "announcing a war against the outfit". Pakistani political parties leaders from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) received threats from the terror outfit for waging war against them. TTP cautioned the religious and political groups in their letter to refrain from taking action against the terrorist group. The outlawed group allegedly desired 'harmony' between the TTP and the religious groups. (ANI)
Both the United States and Japan consider China to be the greatest shared strategic challenge that Washington, Tokyo, and their allies currently face, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said after the 2+2 ministerial meeting with Japanese counterparts. "We agree that the PRC [the People's Republic of China] is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face," Blinken said on Wednesday during a press briefing in Washington. "We stand together with Ukraine against (Russian) President Putin's war," he added. US top diplomat and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomed their counterparts Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada for the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting to discuss a broad range of security-related issues. The foreign and defence officials of the two countries agreed that China's growing power poses the "greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, Japan's Kyodo News reported. The two sides also promised to reinforce deterrence as well as expand the scope of their security treaty even into space. Japanese Foreign Minister agreed with his US counterpart and said that China's foreign policy is aimed at establishing an international order that would serve Beijing's interests and that is a great concern for the US-Japan alliance . Hayashi added that the United States and Japan strongly oppose China's unlawful claims and coercive and provocative actions in the South China Sea. The meeting between the two sides took place just weeks after Japan endorsed new security and defence strategy documents putting Tokyo on a path to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities. "The ministers concurred that China's foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order to its benefit and to employ China's growing political, economic, military and technological power to that end," a joint statement said, as quoted by Kyodo News. "This behaviour is of serious concern to the alliance and the entire international community." (ANI)
The White House on Wednesday (local time) said it has not seen evidence of a cyber attack being the cause of a system outage at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that has caused hundreds of flights to be delayed. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that "there is no evidence of a cyber attack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes." The overnight outage caused widespread inconvenience, with thousands of flights throughout the country delayed. Meanwhile, the FAA removed its order to halt all domestic aircraft departures across the United States on Wednesday after restoring the system that provides pilots with pre-flight safety notices, CNN reported. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden was briefed on the outage and spoke with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday morning. "They don't know what the cause is," Biden told reporters, adding, "I told them to report directly to me when they find out. Aircraft can still land safely, just not take off right now. They don't know what the cause of it is, they expect in a couple of hours they'll have a good sense of what caused it and will respond at that time." It was the latest snag to hit air travel in the country, coming roughly two weeks after Southwest Airlines cancelled more than half of its flights over a three-day period after Christmas, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The US regulatory body, FAA, had put a ground stop order in place after its NOTAM -- or Notice to Air Missions -- system failed. The FAA lifted the order shortly before 9 am (local time) and the agency said normal air traffic operations have resumed across the country. It said it was still trying to determine the cause of the problem, according to CNN. Earlier, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed all flight operators about the airspace system failure, as all flights across US were grounded after a technical glitch in the computer system of the FAA. As per the report, over 400 flights were delayed. US-based United air said in a statement, "The FAA system that sends out important real-time flight hazards & restrictions to all commercial airline pilots - Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) - is currently suffering a nationwide outage. United has temporarily delayed all domestic flights and will issue an update when we learn more from the FAA." (ANI)
Sergei Surovikin on Wednesday was removed from his role as head of Russia's war in Ukraine only three months into the job, reported CNN. He has been replaced by chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov, who is head of the Russian military. The right-hand man of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gerasimov was one of only three, including the president and defence minister, who were in charge of plotting the invasion of Ukraine, reported Sky News. He is a veteran commander from the second Chechen war, previously serving as a deputy for General Nikolai Makarov. Gerasimov reportedly visited the frontline in the eastern Donbas region back in May -- as troops were apparently suffering from low morale and heavy losses, reported Sky News. Russia's Defense Ministry announced the realignment of the commanders leading the war in Ukraine, as criticism mounts over its handling of the stalled campaign. Surovikin was only appointed as the overall commander of what the Kremlin euphemistically calls the 'Special Military Operation' in October, reported CNN. "Generals are moved, shuffled from the Front to the Headquarters. From Headquarters to the Front," Russian television commentator Sergey Markov said Wednesday on Telegram. "Surovikin is not punished and Gerasimov is not punished. It's all one team. Well, of course with competition, which always happens among the top dogs," he added. In terms of the bureaucratic hierarchy, the announcement is hardly an upheaval. Surovikin already reported to Gerasimov, reported CNN. Surovikin was put in overall charge of the Ukraine operations last October. He will stay on as Gerasimov's deputy. The defence ministry said the changes were designed to increase the effectiveness of military operations in Ukraine and "the need to organize closer interaction between the types and arms of the troops". Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia have been locked in an information war as well as a deadly struggle on the ground in Soledar, a salt mining town in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, at the end of the 46th week of the war, reported Al Jazeera. The Wagner Group's mercenaries have been fighting to take Soledar for weeks in an apparent effort to encircle Bakhmut, 10km (four miles) to the south, which has been the focus of Russian offensive operations since September. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin announced his forces had succeeded -- even as he asserted the battle was continuing. "Units of the Wagner PMC have taken control of the entire territory of Soledar. A cauldron has been formed in the centre of the city, in which urban battles are being fought," he said, using a common Russian military term for an enclave of defenders. "I want to emphasise that no units except for the fighters of the Wagner PMC took part in the assault on Soledar," said Prigozhin, who has recently highlighted the role of his 50,000 mercenaries over regular army units. Prigozhin published a photograph of himself allegedly taken in the salt mines of Soledar, standing next to Wagner fighters, reported Al Jazeera. Notably, Surovikin is also a key ally of Yevgeny Prigozhin. (ANI)
Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali met with the Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Delhi on Thursday. Ali was in India to attend the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). During his India visit, the Guyanese President attended several programmes in Agra, Kanpur, Bengaluru and Mumbai. President Ali also met with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on the sidelines of the PBD, in Indore on January 10. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the possibility of working together in the trade and industry sectors. CM Chouhan also gifted tribal paintings of Madhya Pradesh to the Guyanese president. Ali also agreed to enter into agreements as part of which Madhya Pradesh and Guyana would be joint partners in food processing, agriculture and irrigation sectors. They also proposed to work jointly using innovative technology in these areas, according to a statement by the Department of Public Relations of MP. Ali during this visit to India also met with President Droupadi Murmu. On his meeting with President Murmu, the Secretariat of the Guyanese President had earlier tweeted "President Droupadi Murmu held wide-ranging discussions with President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 of Guyana in Indore on the sidelines of the 17th PBD Convention. They discussed enhancing cooperation in various sectors including oil and gas, healthcare, training, and capacity building." President Murmu presided over the valedictory session of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore, in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. She was received by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The Convention is the flagship event of the Union government that provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians and enable the diaspora to interact with each other. The theme for this year's PBD Convention was 'Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal'. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 countries registered for the PBD Convention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a postal stamp dedicated to safe and legal migration on the sidelines of the flagship event. The Ministry of External Affairs, too, launched the 'Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen' (Go Safe, Go Trained) campaign on the sidelines of the Convention. The campaign aims at raising public awareness on the importance of using safe and legal channels while travelling for overseas employment so that well-informed migrants are able to integrate and have a safe and productive stay abroad seamlessly. (ANI)
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Wednesday at the 13th meeting of the US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington emphasized that the TPF is contributing directly to the strength of U.S.-India bilateral relations by providing a structure for constructive dialogue on trade policy matters. Tai and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal convened the 13th meeting of the US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington. "The meeting provided the two ministers with the opportunity to review the work that has taken place, since the re-launch of the TPF in November 2021, under the Forum's working groups, and to provide their guidance on priorities to pursue as part of the TPF's 2023 work program," read a statement by Ambassador Tai. At the conclusion of Thursday's meeting, the ministers issued a Joint Statement reflecting the results of the discussion. Tai noted the tremendous potential for growth between our economies, and the equally significant potential to ensure that bilateral trade brings a positive impact to working people in both countries, added the statement. She also highlighted the commitment of both President Joe Biden and herself to ensure that bilateral trade dialogue contributes directly to helping the United States and India respond to shared challenges in the global economy. Ambassador Tai also highlighted the creation of a new TPF Working Group on Resilient Trade. "Building on common ground achieved at the 12th TPF, this new Working Group will provide a structured framework for trade-focused bilateral discussion of issues of mutual interest including trade facilitation, labor, environment, and good regulatory practices, all with a view towards building a more resilient future for our economies," she said. Ambassador Tai welcomed India's G-20 Presidency and said the United States looks forward to working together in the Trade and Investment Working Group. Meanwhile, Goyal appreciated that bilateral trade in goods and services continued to rise rapidly and reached about USD 160 billion in 2021 while recognizing that significant potential remains unfulfilled and expressed their mutual desire to further enhance engagement with the goal of continuing to increase and diversify bilateral trade. The ministers welcomed the intensified negotiations so far and further engagement on outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries to arrive at satisfactory outcomes in the coming months. India appreciated the resumption of inspections by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), asking the US side to also resume inspections of new facilities and non-priority areas at the earliest. "The ministers welcomed the finalisation of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) design. The collaboration between India and the United States to expedite the TED trials will ensure that the TEDs are effective in minimizing the impact of fishing on sea turtle populations and restore market access for India's export of wild-caught shrimp," read the Ministry of Commerce press release. Moreover, India highlighted its interest in the restoration of its beneficiary status under the US Generalized System of Preferences programme. The US noted that this could be considered, as warranted, in relation to the eligibility criteria determined by the Congress. The ministers acknowledged the ongoing discussions on a Social Security totalization agreement and supported intensifying the work to achieve early outcomes in the matter. They encouraged their regulatory bodies to engage in discussions on exchanges of knowledge, capacity building, and recognition of qualifications to further enhance trade in professional services. The ministers also noted greater cooperation in the Fintech sector. They also discussed the potential of digital health, particularly telemedicine services as an element in continuity of care during health emergencies, read the press release. The ministers launched a new working group on 'Resilient Trade' to deepen bilateral dialogue on a range of issues that can enhance the resiliency and sustainability of the trade relationship including trade facilitation, benefitting workers and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, and common sustainability challenges including mobilization of sustainable finance, scaling up of innovative clean technologies, circular economy approaches and promotion of sustainable lifestyle choices. Both ministers also looked forward to working together to strengthen resilience in global supply chains, especially in the critical sectors that underpin the two economies and to look forward to working on these issues in coordination and cooperation with our trusted partners through the new working group, added the release. (ANI)
China's hegemonic desires in the South China Sea have resulted in a significant downfall in the relations between Manila and Beijing with increased hostilities, reported The HK Post. Beijing unilaterally attempted to alter regional stability by asserting its claim over the South China Sea in 2009, the report said, adding that the move has since then strained China's bilateral relations with not only the Philippines but also with other Southeast nations as well. Manila has been amongst the handful of nations that have stood up to China's assertive behaviour in the volatile region, reported The HK Post. Since its assertion in the South China Sea, China has prevented the Philippines from initiating oil and gas developmental projects and has limited Manila's fishing expeditions in the disputed region. Moreover, China's forceful assertion over the waters has included Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) formed by the Philippines thus leading to a case for arbitral proceedings against China's obnoxious claims, it added. The decision of the tribunal has since then been rejected by China, which went against Chinese claims over the region. Far less from easing tensions, China has been intensifying its forceful assertiveness over the South China Sea provoking diplomatic tensions between the two nations, reported The HK Post. The geographically strategic region of the South China sea encompasses 3.5 million sq km of area and is adjoined by seven nations including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and China. It presents the shortest shipping route between the Indian Ocean and Northeast Asia, thus signifying its strategic value. The Philippines have claimed that China, in its attempt to allegedly alter the status quo, has developed disputed reefs into artificial islands with permanent structures. The artificial islands in the debate around China's hegemonic aspirations have been understood to be fortified as military bases over not only international waters but much worse, over sovereign waterways of the Philippines state, the report said. This unilateral alteration of persisting understandings is in clear violation of the sovereignty of China's neighbouring countries, it added. The dispute with the Philippines in particular has been aggressive, especially with regard to the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal, over which Beijing claims territorial dominance, reported The HK Post. Chinese maritime forces have been accused of igniting conflicts with their Filipino counterparts by regularly harassing fishing boats and fishermen from the Philippines over the unilaterally invoked disputed region. The Chinese navy has also been blockading supply dispatched for BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship, which currently serves as an outpost of the Philippine Marine Corps to assert its sovereignty over the disputed ownership of the Spratly Islands, the report claimed. Most recently, the Philippines military claimed that the Chinese coast guard forcibly seized Chinese rocket debris that the Filipino navy had recovered from the South China Sea near the Thithu islands. In order to subvert the issue, Chinese officials had claimed that no such seizure was conducted, reported The HK Post. The incident occurred hours prior to a historic visit by Kamala Harris, US Vice President, to the Philippines for increased security cooperation talks between the two long-term allies. More so, the Thithu islands, which is also referred to as Pagasa, is home to a large Filipino fishing community and is located very close to Subi, which is one of the seven disputed reefs in the South China Sea. Such unilateral actions in the form of the altercation between the coast guard and navy of the two countries can be predicted to have taken shape in light of Filipino President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr's visit to China that was underway very recently. Such brazen acts of aggression have also been contested by the Philippine government and rebutted diplomatically by filing protests against China over aggressive actions in the South China Sea while also vehemently rejecting Chinese claims of its sovereign territory, the report claimed. (ANI)
The United States on Wednesday welcomed India's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity (IPEF). US and India held the 13th Ministerial-level meeting of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington, which was co-chaired by US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. Both leaders discussed several issues of mutual interest and explored how complementarities can further forge robust trade and investment ties to strengthen the multifaceted partnership. "Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal fully support the IPEF initiative and believe that deepening economic engagement among partner countries is crucial for continued growth, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, adding that the IPEF will bring tangible benefits to the region," read the joint statement on the United States-India Trade Policy Forum. The ministers underlined the significance of the TPF in forging robust bilateral trade ties and enhancing the bilateral economic relationship to benefit working people in both countries. "They appreciated that bilateral trade in goods and services continued to rise rapidly and reached about USD 160 billion in 2021," the statement added. The ministers highlighted the work undertaken through the TPF working groups since the 12th TPF Ministerial. They reiterated the importance to India and the United States of specific trade issues enumerated in the 2021 TPF Joint Statement and directed that work be maintained to advance those issues towards resolution, with regular stock-taking of progress by the ministers and their senior officials. They also welcomed the results achieved at the WTO's Twelfth Ministerial Conference and expressed their shared intention to continue to work constructively at the WTO, including on WTO Ministerial Decisions, to achieve tangible, realistic, and meaningful outcomes. "Recalling the foundational principles of the WTO, they noted that WTO reform should build trust in the multilateral trading system and enable the WTO to better advance its foundational objectives and respond to the needs of all of our people," read the statement. Ambassador Tai welcomed India's G-20 Presidency saying the United States looks forward to working together with India in the Trade and Investment Working Group. She noted that the G-20 can be a useful forum for initiating constructive dialogue and seeking to enhance coordination and cooperation among member countries on global trade issues, added the joint statement. The US appreciated India's initial public consultation on the draft Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Act. The Ministers welcomed the finalisation of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) design with the technical support of NOAA. The collaboration between India and the United States to expedite the TED trials will ensure that the TEDs are effective in minimising the impact of fishing on sea turtle population, read the statement further. The ministers also welcomed continued engagement on intellectual property (IP) and reiterated that the protection and enforcement of IP contribute to the promotion of innovation as well as bilateral trade and investment in IP-intensive industries. The two nations underlined the importance of continuing to engage on the provisions of the copyright in view of commitments under the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and World Intellectual Property Organization Performance and Phonogram Treaty, added the statement. The ministers also acknowledged the positive impact of Trade Margin Rationalization (TMR) on patient access to affordable medical devices during the Covid Pandemic while agreeing to continue exchanging views on pricing issues for cardiac stents and knee implants that would facilitate access to cutting-edge medical technology at affordable prices for the patients. They further acknowledged the remaining work to be done to finalise access to certain agricultural products of interest to both sides. The ministers said they also "intend to increase dialogue on food and agricultural trade issues in 2023 and to continue work to address bilateral issues in the relationship through the Agriculture Working Groups, as well as the relevant sub-groups". "They noted that the movement of professional and skilled workers, students, investors and business travellers between the countries contributes immensely to enhancing bilateral economic and technological partnerships. India acknowledged the steps being taken by the United States to augment the processing of visa applications. Both sides decided to continue close monitoring of visa issues with the shared resolve to facilitate the movement of professionals, skilled workers, experts, and scientific personnel," read the statement. The ministers noted the potential of enhancing trade in professional services between the two countries. They acknowledged that well-functioning pathways for recognition of qualifications in professional services, and deeper dialogue between the professional bodies of the two countries can facilitate this growth. They intend to encourage their regulatory bodies to engage in discussions on exchanges of knowledge, capacity building, and recognition of qualifications to further enhance trade in professional services. The ministers also noted that greater cooperation in the Fintech sector could contribute to further expansion of the bilateral trade relationship, and intend to continue engagement in this area. They also discussed the importance of electronic payment services to furthering the trade relationship and both sides expressed their intention to continue engagement in this area. "The ministers concluded by directing the TPF Working Groups to reconvene quarterly, either in person or virtually, and identify specific trade outcomes to ensure that the trade relationship begins to reach its full potential. They also instructed senior officials to hold an inter-sessional TPF meeting by mid-2023 and agreed to reconvene the TPF at the Ministerial level before the end of 2023," added the statement. (ANI)
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda, a moniker he earned when he led a Maoist insurgency against the Nepalese monarchy, has grabbed the Prime Ministerial chair for the third time. Dahal's pre-poll alliance fell apart yet he was able to forge a new coalition with the parties he ran against in the run-up. As per the arrangement, Dahal will be the Prime Minister for the fir st half of the five-year Prime Ministerial term with the remaining two and half years going to his alliance partner, the former Nepali Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli. Internal wranglings, alliance break-ups, and the political instability they cause have remained one of the major causes of concern for Nepali voters since 2008 when Nepal abolished its monarchy and declared itself a federal democratic republic. The political battles have also taken a toll on the economic indicators of the country as Nepal has barely lived up to people's and financial bodies' expectations. Although Dahal has made a commitment to double the per capita income of his country in the next decade, Nepal's economy finds itself in a tight spot. Several observers have said that Nepal needs to introduce radical changes to its economic policies. "I think Nepal should not engage in any geopolitical tensions or geopolitical conflicts. It should engage with all major powers only on the economic front because that serves our national interest", says Political Commentator, Kamal Dev Bhattarai. Another critical issue for Nepal is its foreign policy. The country's foreign policy has primarily progressed on the principle of tapping India-China trade and investment rivalry in the country to gain a strategic advantage in the region. Dahal, an avowed communist said immediately after his swearing-in as Prime Minister that he would maintain friendly ties with both India and China. Observers, however, believe that Kathmandu may have to abandon its past strategy for an alliance with expansionist China is not sustainable. Beijing's diplomacy in relation to its ties with smaller nations has been expansionist, coercive and exploitative. This Chinese-Nepalese dynamic led China to allegedly take control of a Nepalese village in 2020. India, however, which has already diversified both its assistance and investment in Nepal, is a natural option for Kathmandu to align itself with. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said that he was looking forward to further strengthening bilateral ties under the current Nepalese regime. Over the years, India has empowered Nepal and has provided many forms of assistance, including financial and technological assistance. According to a study by the Indian think tank, Observers Research Foundation, over 150 Indian ventures were in operation in Nepal in the first quarter of 2022. India has invested in manufacturing, banking, insurance, education, telecom, power, and tourism in the country. India and Nepal share a deep historical, political, and cultural connection with the people of the two countries not requiring any visa or prior permission to visit either country. The two countries also inaugurated their first-ever passenger railway link in 2022, providing another boost to their ties. Nepal's new government may have its ideological leanings similar to China, however, the country would be wise to remain wary of Chinese diplomacy, which usually results in smaller countries falling into China's debt-trap policy. "Beijing obviously wants to influence Kathmandu's decisions. Over the past few years, what we have seen is that China has expanded its political influence in Nepal. China is openly saying that it prefers a communist party-led government in Kathmandu", says Bhattarai. Allegedly, China has even tried to stall development work that was to be pursued in the country with the United States 500 million USD assistance. Will Nepal continue to choose to align itself with an expansionist China, or will Nepal embrace a model that is pro-people and is genuinely independent and sovereign in nature? With new leadership at the helm, it remains to be seen how Nepal moves ahead from here. (ANI)
China's ESG scores are among the lowest in the world which could become a concern for investors who wish to increase their exposure to the country's economic revival after the COVID-19 pandemic, AsianInvestor reported. As per the news report, China's Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) rating and its obfuscation on ethnic repression and forced labour in the western regions of the country are the issues faced by the country. The sudden opening up of China after the severe lockdowns and mass migration taking place ahead of the Chinese New Year also poses serious questions about health security, as per the news report. Aidan Yao, the senior emerging Asia economist at AXA Investment Managers in Hong Kong, has called the lack of pandemic data a cause for concern for the market. Yao stressed that the termination of daily data on COVID-19 cases and deaths has left the market in the dark. Aidan Yao further said, "the economy is living its darkest hours. Q4 GDP, due out in two weeks' time, should show a distressing end for the economy in 2022," according to an AsianInvestor report. Yao further stated that financial markets seem undeterred by the current economic struggles. As per the news report, investor confidence has been buoyed by the prospect of reopening and signs of an economic bottoming in regions that have passed the peak of COVID-19 cases. Reports of foreign businesses moving their supply chains out of China and the closure of small and medium-sized enterprises have also emerged. Aiden Yao said that China would struggle to restore growth to pre-pandemic levels if trend growth has been reduced by the pandemic. USB economists are forecasting China's GDP will expand 4.9 per cent in 2023. UBS CEO Ralph Hamers has said that it might not turn "big bounce back" which is predicted by some. However, Hamers termed it "healthy growth." David Carruthers, the principal consultant at Melbourne-based Frontier Advisers, said that when they look at China, they see only "risk" with what is happening with the government and its COVID-19 policy. "China's equities is a really interesting asset class at the minute," AsianInvestor quoted David Carruthers as saying. One of the key trends in the ESG sector over the past year has been the call for greater scrutiny in applying the ESG investment policy, the report said. Investors have been pressurised to make more efforts to make a positive change within their portfolio companies, as per the AsianInvestor report. Furthermore, Index providers, research and rating agency have been pressurised to improve their data and validations. According to UK-based human rights monitoring group Hong Kong Watch, pension funds might be passively investing in at least 13 China-based companies where there is evidence of involvement in Uyghur forced labour programs and setting up internment camps in Xinjiang, the report said. The AsianInvestor report further said that passive investors and asset managers, including BlackRock, UBS and Schroders benchmarking against indices like MSCI's Emerging Markets Index, and All World Index were particularly facing risk. Johnny Patterson, co-founder and a research fellow at Hong Kong Watch said, "This raises serious questions about how seriously financial institutions take international human rights obligations," according to the AsianInvestor report. Patterson called it "unacceptable" that a large amount of money of pensioners was being used in companies that are "known to use for forced labour." (ANI)
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has been appointed as the President-designate for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported on Thursday. Al Jaber's appointment came under the directive of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the PresPhotoidential court, especially at a time when the world is dealing with difficulties related to energy, food, and water security. The declaration highlights the UAE's leadership in climate action in the area and its function as a global proponent of renewable energy. Notably, Al Jaber is Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), has served as Special Envoy for Climate Change for two terms (2010-2016, 2020-present), and played a proactive participatory role at over ten COPs, including the historic Paris COP21 in 2015. He was instrumental in establishing the nation's renewable energy trajectory, making him the first CEO to ever hold the position of COP President. As the founding CEO of Masdar, he has overseen its mandate to accelerate the adoption of renewables within the UAE, across the region, and globally. The UAE has spent more than USD 50 billion in renewable energy projects across 70 nations, with plans to invest at least another USD 50 billion over the next ten years. It is home to three of the largest and most affordable solar installations in the world, the state media agency, WAM reported. Dedicated to enhancing ambition in this crucial decade for climate action as the first nation in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, UAE was the first nation to commit to a reduction in emissions across the economy, and the first to declare a Net Zero by 2050 strategic strategy. Following the official announcement of the UAE as the host of COP28, a National Higher Committee was formed on June 23, 2022, to oversee preparations for the conference. The Committee is chaired by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and includes senior officials from several authorities, according to WAM. Al Jaber is the Vice Chairman of the Committee that is responsible for supervising COP28 preparations through a comprehensive and integrated plan in line with the UAE's focus on sustainable development, collaboration, and cooperation with the international community. Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Razan Al Mubarak, the President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), will join Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber's COP28 UAE team as the Youth Climate Champion and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, WAM reported. The UAE will host the annual climate summit at Expo City, Dubai, from November 30-December 12, 2023, the official statement of the state media agency read. The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27) was held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt from November 6-18 in 2022 in an effort to build on previous successes and pave the way for effectively tackling global climate change. The COP27 summit was crucial in the backdrop of several extreme weather events like typhoons in Bangladesh, unprecedented floods in Pakistan, heatwaves in Europe, wildfires in North America, dry rivers in China, and droughts in Africa. (ANI)
The Pakistan government on Wednesday revealed that 90 per cent of the USD 10 billion promised as aid by the International community at Geneva, would be projected loans to be rolled out in three years, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. "Almost 90 per cent of the pledges made by the international community at the donors' conference in Geneva for flood-hit Pakistan were project loans that will be rolled out over the next three years," said Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar at a joint press conference with the prime minister, a day after returning from Geneva. This comes after the Pakistan government called the Geneva conference a big success of the ruling coalition. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the money will only be spent on the victims of the recent flash floods that hit the country. The Geneva conference was co-hosted by Pakistan and the UN to seek assistance from some 40 countries, private donors and international financial institutions for the rehabilitation of flood-hit people in Pakistan. According to Ishaq Dar, project loan financing had already crossed USD 8 billion, which included commitments from the Islamic Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the World Bank. "I am not incorporating the pledge made by the Saudi Development Bank on purpose here because it is not clear whether their announcement of USD 1 billion pertains to programme lending or project loan," Dar said, as quoted by Dawn newspaper. Dar in response to a question on how he expects the pledges to turn into actual inflows said that it "depends on us". "The faster we can design and create feasibilities and impress them [donors], the faster these pledges will materialize," he said. Pakistan on Monday received commitments worth more than USD 8 billion as part of the UN conference on climate to help the country recover from damage incurred in the devastating floods last year. "USAID USD 100 million, France USD 345 million, total USD 8.57 billion, in line with the collaborative vision of coalition of willing," Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted after the first plenary of the day-long conference culminated in Geneva to secure support for Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022. The USD 8.57 billion commitments include generous funds from the European Union, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other members of the international community. The International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, co-hosted by the UN brought together governments, leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society to secure international support for Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022. Addressing the Geneva moot, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sought "massive investments" for Pakistan to help it recover from damage caused by devastating floods. Guterres made this appeal in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the south Asian country continues to reel from the impact of disastrous floods that submerged more than one-third of the country. (ANI)
Islamist forces hostile to China are set to increase their attacks in Afghanistan after Beijing signed an oil extradition deal with Afghanistan. The Islamists are not happy with China's increasing footprint in Afghanistan, according to Washington D.C.-based independent media group Global Strat View. The Islamist forces do not support China's commercial exploitation of Afghanistan. The charges of persecution of minority Uyghur Muslims in China have added to the country's concerns. Islamist forces have a strong presence in Afghanistan and the Middle East, where China faces opposition and its citizens and projects are attacked. Militant attacks on Chinese citizens and projects have also been reported from neighbouring Pakistan despite China being the biggest foreign investor in the country, reported Global Strat View. Pakistan's citizens have been protesting against China due to the country's over-exploitation of Pakistan's natural resources and its economic and military influence in the country. According to Islamist forces, similar developments have been taking place in Afghanistan as China tries to take advantage of the US leaving the country. China has clear objectives of exploiting the vast mineral wealth in Afghanistan. But its intentions to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan has become an issue of concern. ISIS-K, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, recently, blamed China's Belt Road Initiative (BRI) for throwing third-world countries into the "vicious cycle of debt and default" and infringing upon their sovereignty, reported Global Strat View. According to an article in the magazine Voice of Khorasan in September 2022, China may be using loan schemes to weaken third-world countries and to further strengthen China's influence in these countries. ISIS-K recently slammed China for having its hands soaked in the blood of innocent Uyghurs. The Islamic State group also warned China of considerable losses to the BRI and other projects. According to Global Strat View, Islamic State, its affiliates, and its supporter militant groups have been carrying out kidnappings and killing of Chinese citizens, besides bombing Chinese projects. Recently, the media reported that after the initial fanfare about Chinese projects in South-Asian countries, the much-touted infrastructure deals in nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal are reportedly stuck in limbo by delays, complications and increased costs. China's highly-touted Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seems to be losing its sheen everywhere, as various issues including work at slow pace and terror attacks slow down the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's (CPEC) progress. Beijing is much concerned about the CPEC, which is the centrepiece of the BRI. The sluggish pace of work, frequent terror attacks, and incidences of corruption have slowed it down. (ANI)
Archil Dzuliashvili, ambassador of Georgia to India said that the Government of India initiated hosting a special and important event, the Voice of Global South Summit. The ambassador told ANI that India's G20 Presidency provides a strong opportunity to many countries to bring their voice and ideas into the dialogue and discussions of the G20. "Government of India initiated hosting a special and important event, Voice of Global South Summit. India's G20 Presidency provides a strong opportunity to many countries to bring their voice and ideas into the dialogue and discussions of the G20," Dzuliashvili said during an interview with ANI. He said that in view of the global challenges and regional conflicts that we are experiencing today, it becomes more important to maintain peace and stability and that is the main priority of most countries around the world. "The minister of foreign affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili is delighted to bring to our attention the importance of global dialogue in order to create a peaceful, safe and stable environment," Dzuliashvili said. "Georgia is working on better connectivity between the east and the west," he added. Ibrahim Shaheeb the High Commissioner of Maldives to India congratulated India for assuming the presidency of G20 and also welcomed the initiative by India to convene the Voice of Global South Summit. "Let me first congratulate India for assuming the presidency of G20 and also welcome the initiative by India to convene the Voice of Global South Summit," Shaheeb said in an interview with ANI. He said that the global south contributes to more than half of the global economy and makes up much of the world that we live in. "The timely summit creates an opportunity for us to raise the concerns central to the global south. With India's G-20 priorities aligning with our national priorities, we are confident that our voice will be heard," Shaheeb said. India is hosting 'The Voice of Global South' Summit from January 12-13. Ten to 20 countries will be part of one session and two lead sessions will be hosted by Prime Minister Modi. "We will be hosting a special virtual summit on 12th and 13th January 2023. This summit will be called the Voice of Global South Summit under the theme Unity of Voice and Unity of purpose," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had said during a special briefing. "It essentially envisages bringing together countries of the global south and sharing their perspective and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues," he added. This initiative is inspired by PM Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. It is also underpinned by India's philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Kwatra said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the importance of the 'equivalent voice' of the Global South on the international platform and reiterated that their voice is the voice of India, and their priorities are India's too. Speaking virtually at the inaugural leaders' session of 'Voice of Global South: For human-centric development', PM Modi said, "We supported each other in the fight against foreign rule and we can do it again in this century to create a new world order that will ensure the welfare of our citizens. Your voice is India's voice and your priorities are India's priorities." (ANI)
After attempting to set fire to it, unidentified assailants used hand grenades to attack the home of a journalist based in Parachinar, The Nation, an English daily based in Lahore quoted police as saying on Wednesday. Mohammad Ali Turi, the producer of a private TV channel and a local radio was attacked and different sections of the house including rooms, doors, windowpanes, and a vehicle parked inside the house were damaged during the attack. The unidentified attackers, in a bid to put the house on fire also put wood and other equipment on fire. Speaking to the media at Mohammad Ali Turi's home, the District Police Officer (DPO), Kurram, said that an FIR of the incident had been registered and that a joint committee had also been formed for conducting an investigation into the incident on modern lines. He also promised that the perpetrators would be apprehended shortly, Lahore based, The Nation reported. Ali Afzal Afzaal, president of the Kurram Press Club, and Azmat Alizai, president of the Kurram Union of Journalists, both strongly denounced the occurrence and call for the arrest of those responsible as well as the provision of protection for journalists, according to the The Nation. (ANI)
Dominican Ambassador to India David Puig said that the Voice of Global South Summit shows India's "long-standing and concrete engagement" with countries of the global south. Speaking to ANI, Puig called it an honour for Dominica to have been invited to participate in the Voice of Global South Summit. "It is a big honour for the Dominican Republic to have been invited to participate in the Voice of Global South Summit. Our Minister of External Affairs, His Excellency Roberto Alvarez will be sharing his views in ministerial segment priorities of the global south," David Puig told ANI. David Puig further said, "This important initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects the long-standing and concrete engagement of India with countries of the global south. With the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, this engagement has been growing over the past decade." David Puig stressed that the opening of two resident missions in Latin America and the Caribbean shows India's desire to strengthen its ties with the region. He called for addressing the global issues in an "inclusive manner" and added that the health pandemic, climate change and security crisis need to be resolved by regional consensus among nations. "The opening in 2021 of two new resident missions in Latin America and the Caribbean, one in Paraguay and second in my country, the Dominican Republic reflects the desire of India to strengthen its engagement and cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean region," David Puig said. He added, "Global issues need to be addressed in an inclusive manner. Common challenges such as health pandemics, climate change, and economic and security crises need to be resolved consulting all the relevant stakeholders and regional consensus amongst them." Speaking to ANI, David Puig wished India a successful G20 presidency and expressed gratitude to the Indian government for using global leadership to bring to the table the positions, aspirations and priorities of the global south. David Puig said, "Wishing India a successful presidency of G20, I would like to sincerely thank the vision of Indian authorities for using their global leadership for bringing to the table the positions, aspirations and priorities of the global south of my region, Latin America and the Caribbean and my country Dominican Republic." Notably, India is hosting the Voice of Global South Summit on January 12 and 13 to bring together countries of the global south and share their perspective on a common platform. This summit is being held under the theme of "Unity of Voice and Unity of Purpose.' Over 120 countries are being invited to the summit inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas' and Sabka Prayas'. It is also underpinned by India's philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. (ANI)
The US Congress should investigate President Joe Biden's alleged mishandling of sensitive materials following the discovery of classified documents at two separate locations, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday. "I see it could go from that committee or others, but I think Congress has to investigate this," McCarthy said during a press conference, as quoted by US-based NBC news. "We don't think there needs to be a special prosecutor, but I think Congress has a role to look," he added. McCarthy compared Biden's handling of classified documents to former US President Donald Trump's. The House Speaker added that he didn't see the difference between the two situations, despite Trump's months of stonewalling investigators efforts to retrieve them. "From one standpoint they knew the documents were there -- they actually asked President Trump to put another lock on it, so they were locked," McCarthy said. On Monday, US media reported that the president's personal attorneys discovered 10 classified documents pertaining to Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom at a Biden think-tank office, prompting a federal probe into the matter. Several of President Joe Biden's aides from his vice presidency have been interviewed by US federal authorities in connection to the ongoing review of his mishandling of classified government documents, NBC reported on Thursday citing two people familiar with the matter. The report said those aides who were asked to be interviewed by federal authorities complied immediately. The report said, according to a source, that the people who boxed up Biden's office at the end of his vice presidency were not aware there was anything in there that should not have left the White House. One of Biden's former aides who was interviewed by federal authorities is Kathy Chung, who now serves as the deputy director of protocol for US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the report said. Earlier on Thursday, US President Joe Biden confirmed that his lawyers found a "small number" of classified documents at his home and personal library in Wilmington, Delaware. (ANI)
The Pakistani Foreign Office on Thursday said it is looking into reports of an incident of "indecent behaviour" by a Pakistani official at their mission in New Delhi. Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said all their diplomatic staff are strictly instructed to conduct themselves professionally. "We attach high importance to proper etiquette and behaviour towards all visa and consular applicants. All our diplomatic staff is under strict instructions to conduct themselves professionally," said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson in response to media queries regarding reports in sections of Indian media. This response comes after it was reported that a female educationist had levelled charges of sexual advances by some staff members of the Pakistani mission in India. The incident reportedly took place when she visited to apply for a visa at the New Delhi office. Mumtaz Baloch said robust mechanisms are in place to redress all public grievances. She added that there is zero tolerance for misbehaviour and mistreatment of individuals visiting our Missions. "While we are looking into this case, we are surprised at its timing and the manner in which it has been raised. There are robust mechanisms in place for redressal of all public grievances. There is zero tolerance for misbehaviour and mistreatment of individuals visiting our Missions," the Pakistani foreign office spokesperson said. (ANI)
The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution banning the sale of oil from the United States' Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China as the stockpile reaches historic lows. The House passed the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act along bipartisan lines in a vote of 331-97, The Hill newspaper reported. The report said 113 Democrats joined all Republicans who voted in passing the measure. "More than 100 House Democrats just voted with Republicans to pass a bill banning Biden's sales of America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China. Will Senate Democrats and Biden block this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation?" House Majority Leader Steve Scalise asked in a tweet. The legislation bans the sale of petroleum products from the reserve to any entity under the ownership, control or influence of the Chinese Communist Party, except on the condition that the products will not be exported to China, according to the bill text. "Over the past two years, President (Joe]) Biden has drained our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to distract from his war on American energy, weakening our economic and national security," Steve Scalise said in a statement on the bill. "Worse still, the Biden administration sold oil from our strategic reserves to the Chinese Communist Party, which now has the largest government-controlled reserve of oil in the world," he added. The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since 1983, Scalise noted. He added that the US cannot allow the Biden administration to bolster China's national security at its own expense. The US Energy Department has drawn more than 200 million barrels from the strategic reserve since November 2021 by order of Biden in an effort to stabilize energy market supplies and prices. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has defended its use of the SPR. "The Biden administration, like administrations of both parties have historically done, rightly authorized emergency use of the SPR mission to address supply disruptions -providing relief to American families and refineries when needed the most. Treasury estimated that the Biden administration's releases reduced prices at the pump by up to USD 0.40/gallon," the Energy Department recently told The Hill in an emailed statement. (ANI)
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday in The Villages.

The governor spoke after 10 a.m. from the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center on Buena Vista Boulevard.

Read: Happening Today: FEMA assistance deadline for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian

DeSantis was joined by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

Photos: Have you seen them? These 113 people are missing from Central Florida

Channel 9 will have a crew at the event and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Watch: More questions than answers: U.S. Dept. of Transportation investigating cause of FAA system outage

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Daily Beast

University of WashingtonThe Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is a massive fault line stretching from Vancouver Island to Northern Californiaand its the source of the vast majority of earthquakes and tsunamis in the region. In fact, scientists believe that the fault line will likely be the source of the next Big One, an anticipated megathrust earthquake so powerful itll wreak death and destruction the likes of which weve never seen before from a geological event.So, it goes without saying that
A methamphetamine ring run by inmates in South Carolina prisons was broken up by a multi-agency investigation, the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office announced Thursday.

Long time drug traffickers  using cell phones smuggled into prisons  coordinated a multi-state drug smuggling ring from behind bars, according to the attorney generals office. Using their contraband phones, they allegedly coordinated with accomplices and Mexican cartels to transport methamphetamine from Atlanta to the South Carolina Upstate, according to the attorney generals office.

It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a statement.

A state grand jury indictment, unsealed Thursday, brings 170 charges against 43 defendants for the trafficking of more that 25 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The multi-year investigation, which involved state and local law enforcement as well as investigators from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, was named Las Senoritas for the group of women at the center of the investigation.

The so-called Senoritas allegedly coordinated with inmates who ran command and control for the entire operation from inside prison, Wilson said at a Thursday news conference. Communicating via contraband cell phones, the inmates directed the women to deliver drugs, primarily methamphetamine, from Atlanta to the Upstate via the I-85 corridor.

The women are believed to have fled to Mexico, according to Wilson. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, according to the attorney generals office. Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly and Kelli Edwards allegedly fled to Mexico in 2022, followed by Michael Pardi last month, according to the statement.

One of the women is believed to have married a cartel member, Wilson said.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, surrounded by law enforcement officials from around the state, announces a major investigation related to Mexican drug cartels on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2023.

Thirty-four of the people named in the indictment have been arrested since Jan. 3, whileseven defendants are believed to have fled to Mexico. They are throught to be hiding with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to Wilson.

Story continues

Among those named in the indictment are inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. a/k/a DJ,and Matthew David McCoy. The brothers have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011 and have been in prison since 2015, according to the attorney generals office.

At bond hearings last week, the McCoys were notified that the state intends to seek prison sentences of life without parole.

The co-conspirators are charged with trafficking more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.

Cellphones continue to plague SC Prisons

For S.C. Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling and Attorney General Alan Wilson, Thursdays news conference was the latest public event over several years in which they spoke outabout the problems of illegal cell phones used by inmates in state prisons.

Since 2015, the corrections department has confiscated more 35,000 cellphones and related accessories from inmates. The highest number was in 2016, when 7,226 were confiscated. In 2022, 2,446 were confiscated.

The lack of strong federal laws and regulations that would allow state prison systems to jam contraband cellphones frustrates state prison officials around the country, Stirling said.

In recent years, South Carolina inmates have used contraband cellphones to arrange illegal schemes involving everything from drugs to sex to assassination.

Bryan Stirling discusses how cell phones inside prisons were used in a major drug operation related to Mexican drug cartels on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2023.

In 2018, state law enforcement officials revealed they had uncovered a sextortion ring run by South Carolina inmates using cellphones to blackmail more than 400 military service members around the country.

In 2019, a S.C. prison inmate, Michael Young, was sentenced to 43 years in prison for trying to hire a hit man on the internets dark web to send a mail-order bomb to his ex-wife. Unknown to the inmate, the hit man was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Each year, the Department of Corrections confiscates several thousand illegal cellphones around the states 21 prisons. Inmates will pay some $3,500 to buy a smart phone they can use behind prison walls, officers said at Thursdays news conference.

We have all been barking about this for several years, Wilson said. We continually keep going back to the same problem.

While the Department of Corrections has taken steps to eliminate cellphones, including installing full body scanners, law enforcement officials at the news conference described the ingenious ways that inmates smuggled in cellphones, from simply tossing them over the fence to using drones or hiding them in bins collected by inmates who maintained the grounds of the State House.

Preventing phones from getting into prisons is nearly impossible, according to Stirling. All it takes is one corrupt staff member, Stirling said.

Instead, he called on the FCC to pass the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, which would allow state prison systems to jam cellphone signals. The proposed law has never received a hearing.

Stirling said his agency has already coordinated with five major wireless carriers to implement this program at the Lee Correctional Institution were the law to be passed.

The Department of Corrections could have every cellphone in the prison shut down in five days, according to Stirling.

Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation, Stirling said.

John Monk contributed reporting to this story.
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Our favorite is the Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit for its weather-resistant materials and great fire performance.

Hannah Freedman

Wood-burning fire pits are a great way to recreate a campfire in the comfort of your own home. Not only do they add warmth on cool days, but also create ambiance that elevates the experience of gathering with friends or family.

According to Gary McCoy, Lowes Store Manager serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market, the most important factors when choosing a wood-burning fire pit are quality, safety, function, and smell. To determine the best wood-burning fire pits on the market, we tested 18 different models and evaluated them based on that criteria and more.

Our top pick is the Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit for its impeccable style, incredible functionality, and the fact that it was designed to withstand the elements.

Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit

Best Overall Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Who its for: People who want a firepit that is functional and decorative.

Who it isnt for: People who want a fire pit that is portable.

Our tester really liked how this fire pit manages to be both stylish and functional. The raised copper basin and elegant iron gate elevates this product to being a piece of home decor in addition to a vessel that keeps you warm. The fire pit has been tested against extreme heat and weather, so you can keep it outside safely when not in use and not worry about the materials significantly wearing down over time. In fact, when examining the fire pit, our tester told us that the materials seem sturdy enough to last for years to come, and could last through a windy day without any pieces blowing away.

This firepit is quite large, measuring 40 inches wide and able to hold logs up to two feet long. Our tester liked that the wide basin allows people to customize the size of the fire they want (we used five logs but found there was room for many more). They also liked that the firepit was big enough to fit at least five Adirondack chairs around it with plenty more room for other guests. Just take note that this fire pit should not be placed on a wooden deck or other flammable surfaces.

Story continues

Price at time of publish: $649

Product Details:

Material: Copper basin and powder-coated iron base

Diameter: 40 inches

Weight: 66 pounds

Jodi Espinosa

Solo Stove Yukon 2.0

Best Smokeless Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Who its for: People who are sensitive to smoke.

Who it isnt for: People who want a fire pit that is larger than 30 inches in diameter.

People who are sensitive to the smoke produced from a wood-burning fire pit will delight in this smokeless option from Solo Stove. Its important to know that smokeless fire pits do still produce some smoke, but its significantly less than your average wood-burning fire pit. Our testing revealed that the Yukon 2.0 lived up to its promise, with our tester saying that they could barely see smoke while the fire was going, nor could they smell it. They attributed this success to the way the mechanism is designed, which includes plenty of ventilation holes for airflow.

Our tester also liked that this fire pit comes with a removable ash pan, making cleaning much easier, as well as its classy look. Although this Solo Stove model is priced higher than other fire pits on the market, our tester believes its definitely worth the cost. Its a great fire pit that doesnt get your clothes or hair smelly with that campy smell that usually comes with a bonfire, they said. I also feel like itll last forever due to the way its built and the materials.

Price at time of publish: $450

Product Details:

Material: Stainless steel

Diameter: 27 inches

Weight: 41.6 pounds

Jennifer May

Real Flame Anson Wood Burning Fire Pit

Best Steel Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Who its for: People who want a large fire pit that can withstand the elements.

Who it isnt for: People who want a lightweight fire pit.

Steel is considered to be one of the strongest metals, so you can expect this firepit to last for several years. The Real Flame Anson Fire Pit is powder-coated to protect it from wear caused by the outdoors, making it rust-resistant and UV-resistant. Our tester was able to fit ten logs in the pit, which produced a heat distribution that they called perfect from side to side. They liked how deep the fire bowl was as well as the included accessories: a poker, a grate, a spark screen that worked very well, and a vinyl cover to put over the pit when not in use. The latter is not a common accessory thats included with purchase, adding to this fire pits overall value.

They also told us they didnt have any issues with smoke and loved the pits contemporary design. The one complaint they had is that the base and the bowl are not connected. And considering its so heavy, it takes more than one person to move if need be. Still, our tester said the pit has been a welcome addition to their backyard and considers it to be a worthwhile investment.

Price at time of publish: $370

Product Details:

Material: Powder-coated stainless steel

Diameter: 31.75 inches

Weight: 59 pounds

Dera Burreson

:

Tiki 25-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit

Best Small Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Who its for: People who have limited outdoor space.

Who it isnt for: People who want a portable fire pit.

This fire pit is great for people who have limited outdoor space but dont want to sacrifice the ambiance that an outdoor fire pit brings. Although comparatively small, this fire pit is powerful, able to heat up to a 4-foot radius around it. Our tester said that it produced a very enjoyable heating performance. You can use the included pellets, which produce a smokeless fire for 30 minutes, or wood. Our tester said that the timing listed on the pellet bag was exact, producing a fire that roared for about 15 minutes then slowly died down for the remaining 15. When using wood, they said the pit was able to heat up to a 5-foot radius.

The Tiki Smokeless Fire Pit comes with a lid to further cover it from the conditions of the outdoors, a feature our tester really appreciated. They noted that it is above the median price for your average fire pit, but they found it to be worth the extra money. I think this fire pit hits pretty much every feature you want, they said. The design of this fire pit is very beautiful and would complement any backyard and it has high quality materials that should last a very long time.

Price at time of publish: $395

Product Details:

Material: Powder-coated stainless steel

Diameter: 25 inches

Weight: 45 pounds

Emma Tollefson

:

Solo Stove Mesa

Best Tabletop Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Buy at Amazon.com

Who its for: People who want a small, portable fire pit.

Who it isnt for: People who want a firepit that can keep them warm in very cold temperatures.

Dont have space for a fire pit? Solo Stove says no problem. As long as your outdoor space has a table, you and your loved ones can gather around a fire. This super cool product is just over six inches tall and weighs less than 1.5 pounds, so you very easily take it inside (in the included nylon bag) for safe storage. The Mesa can burn pellets (sold separately) or even small pieces of firewood.

Our tester was surprised by how much heat it produced for such a small mechanism. The flame is bigger than I thought it would be, they said. However, dont expect it to be able to adequately heat a group of people in bitterly cold conditions. This would be nice on a crisp fall day around 50 degrees when you just need a bit of extra warmth and a nice ambiance, they said.

The pellets produced only about 10 minutes of a fire, although you can add more pellets during burning and the fire will continue going. Just make sure to add one by one or the fire will go out completely. When using wood, our tester said there was smoke present, but not an overwhelming amount.

Price at time of publish: $105

Product Details:

Material: Stainless steel, ceramic

Diameter: 5.1 inches

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Hannah Freedman

Yaheetech Square Fire Pit

Best Wood-Burning Fire Pit for Grilling

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Who its for: People who are looking for a large yet portable fire pit.

Who it isnt for: People who dont plan to use their fire pit for grilling.

This wood-burning firepit from Yaheetech offers an incredible value for the price. In addition to being able to create a fire in your outdoor space, you can also grill on it. The two removable grates and the mesh cover make this possible. Our tester told us that they enjoyed using this fire pit, telling us that it looked attractive in their backyard and functioned well. It can hold about eight pieces of firewood, produce an expected amount of smoke when lit, and is easy to control once the fire starts going. However, our tester said they could easily see how the fire could get out of control when putting in too much wood.

The Yaheetech Square Fire Pit also comes with a poker that doubles as a tool to lift up the cover of the fireplace. You can have this live in your backyard or, according to our tester, take it with you on a camping trip since its relatively low in weight. With all that this fire pit has to offer, our tester didnt expect it to be priced so low. As such, theyd recommend this to people looking for an affordable, portable fire pit.

Price at time of publish: $116

Product Details:

Material: Iron

Diameter: 32 inches

Weight: 22 pounds

Ashley Bayley

Barebones Living Cowboy 23-Inch Fire Pit & Grill

Best Stylish Wood-Burning Fire Pit

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Buy at Huckberry.com

Who its for: People who frequently entertain in their outdoor space.

Who it isnt for: People who want a fire pit that can survive when exposed to wet conditions.

Our tester called this versatile fire pit a masterwork of design, differing from others in more ways than one. First, its sleek and modern design makes it far more attractive than most wood-burning fire pits on the market. In fact, our tester told us that they wouldnt want to use this fire pit every day because its so chic and elegant. This fire pit also comes with attachments that make it easy to cook food. This includes a half grate that you can conveniently maneuver up and down without getting your hands super close to the fire.

Our tester said that the wood burned evenly, and they also found the fire pit to be sturdy overall. They told us that they would recommend this to people who like to entertain outdoors, particularly those who will use it for both grilling and creating a fire. If you plan to use it just as a fire pit, they didnt think the high price was worth it. Plus, unless you have the space to store it or an adequate cover, it will rust when exposed to wet conditions.

Price at time of publish: $349

Product Details:

Material: Steel

Diameter: 23 inches

Weight: 30 pounds

:

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit for its striking good looks, weather-resistant materials, and its ability to hold a lot of logs. You can create a fire as small or as big as you like and theres enough room around the pit for multiple chairs, making it great for gatherings.

Our Testing Process

We tested 18 wood-burning fire pits and evaluated them on setup, heating performance, design, smoke control, and value. We first had our testers set up the fire pits and assess how easy assembly was, including how long it took to put the fire pit together. We then had them set up a fire following the manufacturers instructions, using standard sized firewood that measured 16 inches long. Once the fire was started using the pits ignition system, we asked them to burn the fire for an hour three times over the period of the month. During this time, we asked them to note how easy it was to produce a flame and maintain it, how well the pit maintained sparks and embers, and if the additional tools included proved to be helpful.

For low smoke or smokeless fire pits, we recorded how much smoke was detected. For fire pits with a grill grate, we made sure that the included grill grates fit properly and then cooked a hot dog or hamburger on them. Finally, we asked our testers to clean the fire pit and note if it was easy or difficult. We took all this information to come up with the best wood burning fire pits.

More Wood-Burning Fire Pits to Consider

Hampton Bay Piedmont Fire Pit: Our tester, who told us their family has owned several fire pits over the last nine years in a range of prices and styles, told us that this one is the best so far. They said they would recommend this fire pit for its style and sturdiness but didnt like that rust started to form after leaving it outside.

Novogratz Asher Fire Pit: This modern and relatively small fire pit was able to provide even heat distribution during our testing. Our tester liked this product for its unconventional design and lack of smoke, but didnt like the shallow bowl, which was only able to produce a fire for up to 30 minutes without needing more wood.

Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit: Our tester told us that the value of this fire pit is spot on for its size, good looks, the amount of heat it produces, and low smoke output, so much so that theyd feel safe having their asthmatic kids around it. Still, its on the very high end.

How to Shop for Wood-Burning Fire Pits Like a Pro

Smoke vs. Smokeless

Smokeless fire pits may be confusing to people who are unfamiliar with the term. Just because a fire pit is deemed as smokeless doesnt mean that it will produce no smoke. You should expect some smoke, but it should be significantly less than a regular wood-burning fire pit. This is all due to the design of the fire pit.

A smokeless wood-burning fire pit uses a technology (which varies by product) that redirects airflow to keep smoke away from you and your guests, says McCoy. The smokeless fire pits we tested did just this. Our testers told us that they saw and smelled less smoke from the smokeless models, as compared to traditional wood-burning fire pits. They also reported that their clothes or hair didnt smell like smoke either after the fire finished burning. A smokeless fire pit is great for someone who doesnt want to deal with the effects of being close to smoke, or people who are sensitive to smoke.

Materials

McCoy told us that powder-coated steel is the best material for wood-burning fire pits. Powder-coated steel allows for the longest usable life of the product, preventing rust and decay, he says. Stainless steel is the second best of materials, but whether it rusts and corrodes overtime depends on the type of the stainless steel, which isnt usually made known to the consumer.

Steel and iron that has no protective coating, will rust when exposed to water. If you dont mind adequately covering or storing your wood-burning fire pit inside during inclement weather, you can get away with owning a stainless steel, iron, or steel wood-burning fire pit. However, if you dont want to deal with that hassle, go with something made of powder-coated steel.

Weight

Even if you plan to leave your fire pit outside, its still important to know what youre getting into in terms of weight. You might need to take your fire pit inside due to inclement weather, want to eventually move it to another spot in your backyard, or want to take it with you on a camping trip. Our top picks ranged from 22 to 66 pounds, although some can weigh more than that. A handful of our testers said that some of the fire pits were so heavy, they needed an extra set of hands to just put it together. Keep this in mind before you buy.

Questions You Might Ask

Do smokeless fire pits really produce no smoke?

No. Smokeless fire pits can be misleading because when you have any fire, there will be smoke. The difference between a smokeless fire pit and a regular one is simply that there will be less. This is due to the design of the ventilation. When using a smokeless fire pit, you should be able to see less smoke, smell less smoke, and your hair and clothes shouldnt smell like it after the fact.

Where is the best place to put my wood-burning fire pit?

According to McCoy, wood-burning fire pits should be placed at least 10 feet from your house and other structures. You should also allow for 20 feet of overhead clearance to avoid burning tree branches. Additionally, different areas have different regulations, so be sure to check your local laws and ordinances when choosing where to place your new fire pit, he says. Regardless, you should never place your fire pit under a covered patio and always on even ground.

Make sure to verify where you can safely place your wood-burning fire pit before you buy. More often than not, brands advise not putting a wood-burning fire pit on a deck made of wood, or any flammable materials. You can buy pads and matts to put underneath your wood-burning fire pit for added safety, but make sure its compatible with your product before you buy. An accessory that McCoy highly recommends getting is a mesh screen, which keeps sparks and embers contained and helps prevent accidents.

Is there any maintenance for wood-burning fire pits?

Yes. McCoy told us that the biggest mistake he sees people making with wood-burning fire pits is not knowing that they require routine maintenance due to the ash produced in burning.

Because gas fire pits are so popular and require less maintenance (due to the absence of ash), many consumers assume the same when it comes to wood-burning fire pits. However, thats far from the truth, he says. Instead, you need to clean these regularly by removing the ash after each fire (and once the ashes are completely cool). You should also take out any large pieces of wood that remain after a fire. If youre not down to do this dirty work, a wood-burning fire pit may not be worth the investment.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best wood-burning fire pits and tested 18 of the most popular options with real world testers, evaluating them on setup, heating performance, design, smoke control, and value. We also sought the advice of Gary McCoy, Lowes Store Manager serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our teamput through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. If that's the case, we test the product just like we test anything we buy, but we also disclose that we received it for free to be as transparent with you as possible.

Love our recommendations?

Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.



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Read the original article on Real Simple.
Days into their control of the House of Representatives, Republican lawmakers approved two abortion-related bills on Wednesday, including a measure fuelled by a falsehood that infants are often born alive during an abortion attempt and killed by providers.

The misleadingly titled Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act prohibits the intentional killing of a born-alive child, which is already illegal, and would impose heavy fines and up to five years in prison against providers who do not act to preserve the life and health of the child.

The measure has been widely criticised by abortion rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who argued that Republicans have painted a misleading image of botched abortion care and the difficult family circumstances involving abortions that are inconsistent with deeply personal healthcare decisions involving nonviable pregnancies.

The rights of infants born by any method, including after vanishingly rare instances after an attempted abortion, already are protected under bipartisan legislation from 2002. In reality, as with most abortions performed late enough in pregnancy for survival to be possible, such cases involved abortion care to protect the life of the pregnant patient or because of lethal fetal anomalies.

The bill will not survive a vote in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Democratic House Whip Katherine Clarks office said the bill unnecessarily restates current law requiring a doctor to provide the same standard of medical care for an infant born during an abortion procedure as they would for any other infant.

It is a crime now to kill a child born alive, Democratic US Rep Madeleine Dean told lawmakers on 11 January. Either my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are unaware of the existing crime  or this is another extreme political stunt.

Republicans are not interested in medical truths but in scaring people, according to Ms Dean. Politicians have no business making unsound medical decisions. We are legislators, not doctors, she said.

Story continues

Democratic US Rep Jerry Nadler said the ill-conceived Republican bill, which did not receive any committee testimony or input from medical experts before it was offered up for a vote, puts infants and pregnant people at greater risk in service of politics.

In November, voters in Montana rejected a similar referendum from the states Republican lawmakers that would require physicians to take necessary actions to preserve the life of a born-alive infant or face up to 20 years in jail and a $50,000 fine.

But anyone who purposely, knowingly, or negligently causes the death of a premature infant born alive, if the infant is viable already faces criminal penalties under the law. Opponents said the proposal, intended to draw support for an anti-abortion agenda, raised a baseless claim among anti-abortion activists that children are born alive after failed abortions and then killed.

A statement signed by more than 700 providers in the state said the measure amounts to government-mandated aggressive treatment for newborns for whom no amount of medical care will save, and may instead prolong suffering and severely disrupt families grieving process and deny those families the choice to spend precious time with their infant, even to provide spiritual care.

This has nothing to do with abortion, they wrote. The reality is that this represents government interference in the patient-physician relationship at times when families need compassionate care and trust in their health care professionals the most.

House Republicans also passed a largely ceremonial resolution on Wednesday to condemn attacks on pro-life facilities, groups and churches. The resolution passed 222-209.

Newly elected Democratic US Rep Maxwell Frost, in his first remarks on the House floor, called the resolution a one-sided decree meant to fan the flames of anti-abortion, anti-freedom sentiment.

The resolution notably does not condemn violence towards abortion providers and clinics. Abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America has collected 7,200 reported acts of violence towards abortion providers since 1975, including 42 bombings, 185 arson attacks, and thousands of death threats. The group reported 11 murders and 26 attempted murders between 1993 and 2016.

Mr Frost said Republicans have sent a very dangerous message that will embolden actors behind them.

Mr Nadler called the measure tacit acquiescence to extremist violence against abortion providers and a transparent political exercise intended to lay the groundwork for a total abortion ban.

These bills make it plain: House Republicans are patently rejecting the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans who voted to support legal abortion in November, NARAL Pro-Choice America president Mini Timmaraju said in a statement. Meanwhile, our Democratic reproductive freedom champions in the House are ready and willing to fight to restore and expand access to abortion  and we thank them for that.

Both measures were introduced ahead of the 50th anniversary of the landmark US Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade, which the nations high court reversed in June of 2022 in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization that revoked a constitutional right to abortion care.

Abortion rights dominated midterm election campaigns, and abortion rights prevailed in several states where abortion issues were directly proposed to voters.

If you look at the midterms theres a reason why we have a very slim majority, Republican US Rep Nancy Mace told reporters on Tuesday. I think womens issues are a problem we need to address. We need to be more open, more transparent and more compassionate to women.
KABUL (Reuters) - The head of a major aid group that suspended work in Afghanistan after the Taliban banned female NGO workers said on Thursday he would write to the the administration's senior figures in Kandahar and ask them to change the policy.

Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Reuters it was crucial to engage with the leadership in the southern city, home to the Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada.

"The letter I'm drafting will say: We know you, we worked in ... areas controlled by the Taliban for many years. You know us.

"You know that our female staff have always used the hijab. They've had ... a male chaperone on longer travel. Your people are suffering because of your ban on female workers. "

The Taliban administration last month ordered all local and foreign aid groups to stop letting female staff work until further notice.

It said the move, which was condemned globally, was justified because some women had not adhered to the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic dress code.

Many NGOs suspended operations in response, saying they needed female workers to reach women in the conservative country.

Egeland, who visited the capital Kabul this week, said officials there had told him they were in favour of women working at NGOs, but that the order had come from Kandahar. Spokespeople for the Taliban administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Egeland said he had arranged meetings in Kandahar with the Ulema Council, made up of religious scholars, and the provincial governor, as it was not possible for foreign humanitarian agencies to meet directly with Akhundzada.

But after bad weather halted flights, he said he would write instead and try to arrange online meetings.

He said he welcomed some signs of flexibility in health and others areas, where some female and male workers worked alongside each other. But he called for a full reversal of the ban.

"Our male staff cannot go to widows, single mothers and their children, to all of the vulnerable female groups here and thereby were prevented from doing all work," he said.

(Reporting by Kabul bureau; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty (Getty Images)

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) told AL.com on Tuesday that women and pregnant people who use abortion pills in the state could be prosecuted. Marshall said he would pursue such cases not under Alabamas abortion ban, but under a chemical endangerment law that was never intended to apply to pregnant people.

It marked the first time Marshall had targeted pregnant people, rather than abortion providers or helpers, the outlet noted. His statement is a big deal and, accordingly, the original story spread like wildfire; its been shared more than 6,000 times.

Read more

But on Wednesday, the AGs office seemingly wanted to clarify those remarks. When the Washington Post sought an interview with Marshall, his deputy communications director Cameron Mixon declined to make him available and told the paper: The Attorney Generals beef is with illegal providers, not women.

The Post characterized this response as Marshall appear[ing] to back away from endorsing the prosecution of abortion seekersbut Marshall didnt say that. Rather, Mixons statement is only clarifying in the sense that it shows Marshall wants to threaten women and pregnant people with prosecution so that they snitch on the doctors and activists who provide abortion pills to people in states with bans.

Anti-abortion groups swear up and down that they dont want to prosecute people who have abortions. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, told the Post that statements like the one Marshall issued lead to confusion about what the pro-life movements goals and objectives are...Were focusing on the cartel. Were focusing on the manufacturers and the distributors of these dangerous drugs.

But as Robin Marty, director of operations at West Alabama Womens Center in Tuscaloosa, pointed out on Twitter, all Marshall did was say the quiet part out loud: States need to weaponize the threat of criminalization if they want to prevent self-managed abortions with pills.

Story continues

The Attorney General is clearly trying to evoke the pre-Roe days when women were interrogated in hospitals and forced into giving up the names of their illegal providers with threat of arrest or exposure, Marty told Jezebel in a statement. Without this weapon, theres no ability to arrest anyone over an illegal abortion and no real way to stop someone from just ordering pills, receiving them at home, and taking care of themselves. Marshall needs a threat to give this ban teeth, since providers like us have been following the law explicitly. Theres nothing that frightens him more in this situation than women having autonomy and power.

Marty told the Post that Marshalls original comment is intended to scare people out of obtaining abortion pills. While WAWC no longer provides abortions because of the states ban, the clinic remains open to provide other reproductive services, including caring for people following miscarriages or self-managed abortions.

More from Jezebel

Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Medication abortions, which involve taking a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, are considered very safe. Bill Greenblatt / Contributor / Getty Images

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he'd prosecute people who take abortion pills.

A day later, Marshall walked back his remarks and said only abortion providers would be prosecuted.

He's "really hungry for headlines," said Stephen Stetson, director of Planned Parenthood Southeast.

In a stern statement released Tuesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he would prosecute people who seek out and take abortion pills, despite a green light from the federal government for retail pharmacies to distribute them to the public.

The declaration shocked reproductive justice advocates. Then just a day later, Marshall walked back his remarks, saying he only intended to target providers, not patients.

Prosecuting people for taking abortion pills would not have been legal in the state of Alabama, civil-rights experts told Insider.

"The strategy is to intimidate women and create a culture of fear, such that women are afraid to even try to seek abortion medication," said Emma Roth, staff attorney at Pregnancy Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for reproductive rights.

Marshall originally said he would rely on the chemical-endangerment law  originally passed in 2006 with the intention of protecting children from meth fumes  to seek and enforce prosecution against people who take abortion pills in the state, according to a statement given to AL.com.

His original statement followed a regulatory change from the Food and Drug Administration that went into effect last week. The FDA authorized brick-and-mortar pharmacies across the country to pursue certification to carry abortion pills, a move that could expand abortion access nationwide. Several large pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS have already said they'd be pursuing certification in states where abortion is legal.

After the FDA's regulatory change, the US Department of Justice said Postal Service workers could deliver the pills to states with abortion bans. Alabama is one of the most restrictive states on abortion rights, according to data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that studies reproductive rights.

Story continues

Marshall, however, said he wouldn't allow that.

"Elective abortionincluding abortion pillsis illegal in Alabama," Marshall said in his statement. "Nothing about the Justice Department's guidance changes that."

Alabama has a law that shields people who get abortions from criminalization. The Human Life Protection Act, signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2019, specifically says abortion providers can be held criminally liable, but people who get abortions cannot be.

The Act, Marshall said, "does not provide an across-the-board exemption from all criminal laws," like the chemical-endangerment law.

On Wednesday, Marshall suddenly walked back his original statement, saying only abortion providers would be held criminally liable.

"Again, not targeting the woman herself, but in fact, targeting those providers to induce the abortion," Marshall said, according to NBC affiliate WSFA. "There is a very specific provision in the law the legislator passed just a few years ago that specifically exempts the woman from criminal prosecution. It does target those who are providers."

Marshall is "really hungry for headlines"

Roth said Marshall cannot prosecute people in Alabama for taking abortion pills.

"This is a blatantly illegal interpretation of the law. Any effort to prosecute women who had received abortion medication under the Chemical Endangerment Act would be unprecedented and would be vigorously opposed and found unlawful," Roth said in an interview with Insider. "And that is because the legislature has already made its intent clear that it has chosen not to criminalize women for receiving abortion medication or seeking abortions."

The chemical-endangerment law was passed in response to a rise in methamphetamine use and overdose in the state, but has since been used by prosecutors against pregnant women they allege have used drugs during pregnancy, according to Roth.

The Alabama Supreme Court has said a fetus can be considered a child under that law, leading to a rise in the number of chemical endangerment prosecutions brought against pregnant people.

"That said, the decision had nothing to do with abortion or seeking abortion medication," Roth said.

But even the threat of punishment is enough to make life difficult for abortion seekers.

"Somebody living in a state like Alabama who experiences an unwanted pregnancy is in an incredibly vulnerable position," Roth added. "By creating this atmosphere of fear, he's trying to chill women from exercising their rights and scare them into thinking they could go to jail."

Stephen Stetson, the Alabama director of Planned Parenthood Southeast, said Marshall is trying to repurpose an old law in a "misapplied" way because he is "really hungry for headlines."

Marshall's office did not return Insider's call asking for comment on his statement.

A July poll released by the Pew Research Center found that most Americans living in states with abortion bans disapproved of the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

"So this is kind of an end run around public opinion to reach into the toolbox and see if you can use a screwdriver as a hammer," Stetson said. "I mean, it's an experiment. And if it doesn't work, they'll try something else. But for now, it's sufficient to get some public attention."

Reproductive justice organizations like Pregnancy Justice and Planned Parenthood Southeast are gearing up to ward off similar attempts at stoking fear among the public.

"Even though Marshall is the first AG to make this sort of announcement, he's not going to be the last," said Olivia Cappello, manager of state communications campaigns at Planned Parenthood.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- A federal regulator has certified an upstart unions election victory last year at an Amazon.com Inc. facility in New York  a ruling that the company intends to keep fighting.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In the ruling Wednesday, National Labor Relations Board regional director Cornele Overstreet rejected a slew of objections from the e-commerce company, which has sought to overturn the Amazon Labor Unions win at a Staten Island site last April.

The Amazon Labor Union won the upset victory among about 8,000 workers at the JFK8 fulfillment center. Amazon had appealed the outcome, arguing that the labor board violated its rules in such a way that it implied a government endorsement of the ALU.

Despite the unions latest win, the battle with Amazon isnt over. The Seattle-based company can now appeal the ruling to labor board members in Washington, where Democrats hold a majority. If it loses that appeal, it could simply refuse to negotiate with the union, setting in motion another series of complaints and appeals that could take months or years to play out.

Were ecstatic right now, ALU interim President Chris Smalls said Wednesday. This is very historic for workers.

The ALU leader urged Amazon to start negotiating with the union, as the regional directors order requires. If theyre a good company, and in good faith, and they listen to their workers, and their workers are asking them to come to the table, then they should come to the table, he said. But thats still to be determined. Whatever move they make, well have a move to make as a counter.

In a statement, Amazon said it plans to appeal. As weve said since the beginning, we dont believe this election process was fair, legitimate or representative of the majority of what our team wants, the company said.

Story continues

Even without a collective bargaining agreement, official certification provides workers with protections like the ability to bring a witness to meetings that could lead to discipline, and restricts the company from unilaterally changing working conditions, ALU attorney Seth Goldstein said.

The Amazon Labor Union  a grassroots effort co-founded by Smalls, a fired employee  has lost some momentum since the Staten Island win. The group was defeated in two subsequent elections by wide margins, one at a smaller facility across the street from the original warehouse, and a second one at a site outside Albany, New York.

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, meanwhile, is seeking to represent workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. Federal officials determined that Amazons conduct during a vote there in 2021 made a fair election impossible, but a rerun election hinges on contested ballots.

--With assistance from Spencer Soper.

(Updates with Amazon comment in seventh paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Ukraines Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, has denied reports about Turkeys alleged delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine and called it nothing more than gossip.

Bodnar told the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency on Jan. 11 that such claims are made in an attempt to damage Ukraine-Turkish relations, as well as the international image of these two countries. According to Bodnar, the reports could be part of a Russian propaganda campaign targeting Ukraine and Turkey.

The diplomat also noted that international law prohibits the use of cluster munitions, and that Ukraine adheres to international law.

Earlier on Jan. 11, U.S. news publication Foreign Policy reported, citing unnamed current and former U.S. and European officials familiar with the matter, that Turkey began sending artillery-fired cluster munitions to Ukraine in late 2022.
During his visit to Kazakhstan on September 14, Chinas President Xi Jinping asserted that China supports Kazakhstans territorial integrity and independence, and opposes any interference in Kazakhstans internal affairs. Xi's remarks sounded like a thinly veiled warning to Russia. Moscow has ramped up its aggressive rhetoric against Astana over its refusal to support Russias military invasion of Ukraine, which Kazakhstan has interpreted as a possible Russian threat to its territorial integrity. Chinas explicit support for Kazakhstan should also be considered against the backdrop of Russias recent military defeats in Ukraine, which have exposed multiple military weaknesses.

BACKGROUND: Xi Jinpings trip to Kazakhstan was his first foreign state visit since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China. Xi and Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also discussed several important bilateral issues such as trade, energy and interconnectivity. However, Xis statement on Chinas support for Kazakhstans sovereignty received the most attention: No matter how the international situation changes, we will continue to resolutely support Kazakhstan in protecting its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly support your ongoing reforms to ensure stability and development, and categorically oppose the interference of any forces in the internal affairs of your country.

President Xis remarks come amidst heightened tensions between Moscow and Astana over the war in Ukraine, and hostile rhetoric coming from Russian politicians and propagandists against Kazakhstans territorial integrity. Several decisions of Kazakhstans leadership, which are at odds with Russian interests, have recently drawn Moscows ire. The Kremlin has been furious over Astanas refusal to support Russias military invasion of Ukraine and its attempts to circumvent Western sanctions. The same goes for Kazakhstans attempts to bypass Russia in its oil and gas exports to Europe, and to attract Western companies that are exiting the Russian market.

On August 2, a post attributed to Dmitry Medvedev, Russias former president and current deputy head of the Security Council, was published on the VKontaktie social network, in which the author declared that territories of northern Kazakhstan historically belong to Russia. Although the post was quickly deleted and was attributed to hacking, it was widely viewed as a thinly veiled threat that Moscow might take these lands by force. Moreover, prominent Russian media personalities took aim at Kazakhstan when its leadership decided not to organize the World War II Victory Parade this year. In late April, Tigran Keosayan, a well-known Russian television talk show anchor and one of the most prominent Russian propagandists, posted a tirade on his YouTube channel where he called Kazakhstan ungrateful and threatened that it might share Ukraines fate. MP Konstantin Zatulin issued similar threats in June this year.

Although Russia has regarded Kazakhstan as one of its closest allies, similar rhetoric has permeated the Russian political elite and media for years. The Kremlin has frequently referred to Kazakhstans ethnic Russian minority, which comprises 18 percent of its population, in order to put pressure on Astana. However, Russias war in Ukraine has had significant ramifications for the security situation in Eurasia, increasing fears that Kazakhstan could be Moscows next target as Astana seeks to chart its own policy course. In addition, there is a widespread opinion among Russian political elite and pundits that Astana is ungrateful for Russias help in suppressing the violent uprising against President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier this year. In this context, several observers saw Xis words as a warning to Russia not to meddle in Kazakhstans internal affairs.

IMPLICATIONS: The war in Ukraine is the main cause of disagreement between Moscow and Astana. Kazakhstan has strived to remain neutral in the conflict and declined to send troops or provide other military assistance to support Russia, which is experiencing severe manpower shortages in its army. In effect, Vladimir Putin had to announce a risky partial mobilization on September 21  the first since World War II  causing a wave of discontent and protests among Russians, many of whom fled abroad to avoid the draft.

Moreover, Moscow was infuriated by Astanas refusal to recognize Ukraines breakaway territories of Lugansk and Donetsk, which President Tokayev explicitly and publicly reiterated in Putins presence during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June this year. Astana also refused to recognize Russias annexation of the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions through illegal referendums held on September 23-27.

Neither is Kazakhstan eager to assist Russia and Belarus  its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union  in circumventing Western sanctions. Astana has been working with the U.S. and the EU to comply with the sanctions regime in order to avoid being hit by secondary sanctions. For this purpose, Kazakhstan on September 20 imposed additional demands on Russian and Belarusian freight shippers barred from entering the EU, but carrying goods to Europe through Kazakhstans territory. Kazakhstans largest bank, Halyk Bank, suspended transactions through Russias payment system Mir after the U.S. Treasury Department issued a warning about secondary sanctions that can hit institutions using Mir outside Russia.

Astana also seeks to attract companies willing to relocate from Russia due to sanctions, and has already been in talks with dozens of firms willing to move their headquarters and production facilities to Kazakhstan. Finally yet importantly, in July Kazakhstan announced that it would seek options for exporting its hydrocarbons to Europe, bypassing Russia, in order to help stabilize the European market, which is currently struggling with a severe energy crisis. In immediate connection with this announcement, a Russian court ordered a temporary closure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortiums oil terminal at Novorossiysk, which is responsible for transferring about two-thirds of Kazakhstans total oil output to European markets via Russia. The order was based on alleged environmental violations and was reversed after two days, but this incident is yet another example of how tense Russo-Kazakh relations have recently become.

The deteriorating relations and Russias hostile rhetoric against Kazakhstan have alarmed China. Kazakhstan has long been strategically important for Beijing as a significant hydrocarbon supplier, and a corridor linking China with the Caspian Sea and Europe. So far, relations between China and Kazakhstan have focused on economy and interconnectivity. However, Beijing and Astana also have ambitions to develop cooperation in the security and defense spheres, which will include bilateral military drills. This is a signal to Russia that its role as a security guarantor in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia could soon start to decline.

Moreover, sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus have severely disrupted logistics through the Northern Corridor linking China with Europe through Russia. China has therefore turned its attention to the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) as an alternative connection to Europe bypassing Russia. Kazakhstan is a vital part of this route and has already started working with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to increase both capacity and efficiency of the Middle Corridor to improve its transit capabilities.

CONCLUSIONS: The war in Ukraine has affected Chinas economy by hurting its investments in the country, disrupting trade routes and driving up prices for hydrocarbons and foodstuffs. Thus, China is now under pressure to find alternative overland trade routes to Europe  particularly important due to its economic dependence on commodity exports. The prospect of a prolonged war in Ukraine concerns Beijing, which has warned the Kremlin against destabilizing other countries in Eurasia  especially Kazakhstan, which is of particular strategic importance to China. While Russia currently does not have the military capabilities to attack Kazakhstan, Astanas pursuit of an independent policy could motivate Moscow to destabilize the country through non-military means. Yet this would endanger relations with China, on which Russia is becoming increasingly dependent due to Western sanctions. China has signaled its interests regarding Kazakhstan, which has thereby gained increased room for geopolitical maneuver vis-a-vis Russia and the means to avoid entanglement in Russias risky confrontation with Ukraine and the West.

Natalia Konarzewska ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) is a graduate of the University of Warsaw and a freelance expert and analyst with a focus on political and economic developments in the post-Soviet space.
A woman accused of stealing a car and twin 5-month-old boys in Columbus last month plead guilty to a separate charge in Indianapolis Wednesday.

Nalah Jackson, 24, was taken into custody in Indianapolis on Dec. 22. Marion Superior Court records show that Jackson has been charged with battery of bodily waste

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman accused of kidnapping 5-month-old twins charged in Indiana

Jackson is accused of spitting on an officer in Indianapolis while being processed into jail.

According to court records, a plea agreement was reached and Jackson was sentenced to one year in county jail with 305 days of her sentence suspended.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: There was a lapse of communication; Columbus Police provide new details to AMBER Alert case

Records said that she has just ten days left to serve at the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis.

Jackson also currently faces two counts of kidnapping in Columbus, News Center 7 previously reported.








An American imprisoned in Russia for nine months was released Thursday after lengthy, private negotiations brokered by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the politicians foundation announced.

U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, 35, had crossed the border from Poland into Russian-controlled Kaliningrad last year  inadvertently, he said at the time. He was detained by Russian authorities.

The U.S. never considered Dudley as wrongfully detained, which set his case apart from high-profile releases such as WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed. There was no swap for Dudleys release as there had been for the other two, and the family had requested privacy while his freedom was secured.

After six months of intensive work, its great to see this release of Taylor Dudley happen, Richardson told CNN. We worked it hard in Moscow and Kaliningrad and first raised it during our meetings with Russian officials on Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed.

Lansing, Mich. authorities reported Dudley missing last year after he traveled to Europe, went to a music festival in Poland and strayed across the border into the Moscow-governed Russian exclave that lies between Poland and Lithuania. There, Russian border patrol police nabbed him in April 2022. Negotiations took six months.

Dudley was back in Poland on Thursday, where he was handed over to U.S. custody. The State Department did not comment other than to say it knew of reports that Russia had deported an American citizen. Privacy concerns kept the department from elaborating.

The nonprofit Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which the former governor funds, led the negotiations, Jonathan Franks, a family spokesperson, told CNN.

Richardson said several diplomats in the U.S. embassies in Warsaw and Moscow had worked toward the release. The six-month effort, he added, was conducted discreetly and with engagement on the ground in both Moscow and Kaliningrad and with full support from Taylors family back in the United States.

With News Wire Services
An image taken from a video camera worn by a Los Angeles Police officer shows Takar Smith, whom police killed after he grabbed a knife. (LAPD)

When Shameka Smith called Los Angeles police one afternoon last week to report her estranged husband had violated a restraining order by showing up at her apartment and grown violent, she mentioned several times that he hadn't been taking his medication to treat schizophrenia.

It was for this exact type of call that years ago the Los Angeles Police Department created its Mental Evaluation Unit, which pairs officers with county social workers trained in de-escalating standoffs with people thought to be mentally ill. But when a group of patrol officers dispatched to the apartment building in the city's Rampart neighborhood huddled outside to devise a plan, no one suggested calling the unit.

Instead, they confronted 45-year-old Takar Smith on their own, engaging in a tense back-and-forth with the incoherent man that ended when two officers opened fire, killing Smith as he knelt on the kitchen floor holding a knife.

On Wednesday, police Chief Michel Moore took the unusual step of publicly second-guessing the officers' handling of the incident before an investigation has been done, indicating he believes they should have tried to summon a team from the mental health unit. He added that he also had concerns about the "initial actions" officers took when Smith's wife first went to an LAPD station seeking help.

At a news conference, Moore said he had "concern relative to the communications operator who took information from this victim ... as well as the actions of our officers and supervisors not acting on information regarding this individual's prior mental health issues or current mental health issues."

At no point during this call was our mental assessment team, also known as SMART, called to the scene to assist in this investigation over the course of the ordeal," he told reporters. "At times youll see the officers on their body worn video attempt to verbally de-escalate the encounter. However, I also have concerns regarding the final moments leading up to the shooting. Well be looking closely at this investigation as its completed.

Story continues

Moore made his comments as the department released video footage of Smith's killing captured by cameras worn by officers, as well as video of two other deadly encounters that occurred last week.

In one, police fatally shot a man in South L.A. who had been throwing objects at passing cars and, according to an LAPD account, was holding a sharp piece of metal when confronted by police. In the other incident, a man suspected of causing a car accident in Venice while driving under the influence died several hours after an officer stunned him repeatedly with a Taser.

The death of the man in the car accident, Keenan Anderson, drew significant attention when Patrisse Cullors, the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter organization, announced he was her cousin and accused the officers of using unnecessary force that killed him.

Under department rules, the LAPD releases videos of police shootings within 45 days of an incident. But as recent incidents garnered increasing attention, Moore decided to move more quickly.

Included in the video of Smith's killing was audio of the call his wife made to a nonemergency number given to her by an officer at the LAPD's Rampart station. In it, she requested help from police to remove her husband from her apartment, saying she had a restraining order against him, that he had been violent with her in the past and that he had been throwing things around the apartment.

She warned that he had threatened to fight police if they were called and that there was a knife in the kitchen. But she also relayed that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was not taking his medication.

"He's acting crazy and he's supposed to take medication because he has like a mental illness," she said.

Police arrived and tried to convince Takar Smith to leave with them, the video shows. When he refused, they followed him into the apartment. After about 15 minutes of back-and-forth, during which Smith was verbally combative and often sounded incoherent, the officers cornered him in the kitchen. They struck him with Tasers after he picked up the knife, causing him to drop the blade, the body camera footage shows. When he picked it back up and raised it up while on his knees, the officers opened fire.

Moore said that Officers Joseph Zizzo and Nicolas Alejandre fired seven total rounds between them: two by one officer and five by the other.

After the videos' release, Mayor Karen Bass released a statement saying she had "grave concerns about the deeply disturbing tapes."

Full investigations are underway, and I pledge that the City's investigations into these deaths will be transparent and will reflect the values of Los Angeles," the statement said. "I will ensure that the Citys investigations will drive only toward truth and accountability. Furthermore, the officers involved must be placed on immediate leave."

Several mental health experts said that the presence of a SMART unit may have helped avert the deadly outcome.

Kathleen Crowley, executive director of ProCovery Institute, said after watching the video that she was troubled by the officers' response. The officers, she said, possibly missed multiple opportunities to end the call without resorting to violence.

Basically they didnt seem to understand or identify that he was in psychiatric distress and they did nothing to minimize it," said Crowley. Someone should have spoken softly to him, they should have listened to him, they should have repeated what he said even if it felt like gibberish to him. They shouldve asked if he was OK. They shouldve offered to call anyone that he wanted to help.

The situation wasn't so clear cut to Ed Obayashi, a Northern California deputy and police lawyer who advises law enforcement agencies on proper responses to use-of-force incidents.

Could they have done something else? Youre always going to have that question, but you know I think under the circumstances these officers did the best they could," Obayashi said.

Nor, he said, did it seem appropriate to request the presence of a SMART unit, although he acknowledged he isnt familiar with the departments policies on its deployment. Given the apartments cramped quarters and the information suggesting that Smith wanted to fight police, it would have been unsafe to send in an unarmed civilian, even one trained to deal with someone in crisis, he said.

The deadly encounters have shaken public confidence in the department as Moore is seeking a second term as chief.

After the chief briefly outlined the incidents at a meeting Tuesday of the department's civilian Police Commission, several people called into the meeting to decry what they said were the department's continued failures to curb police violence  something that some felt precluded Moore from being considered for a second five-year term.

Moore has defended his record and rejected the characterization of his department by some critics as being particularly violent, saying the number of deadly encounters is down from years past through various policies and training.

Last year, the department had 31 shootings, 14 of which were fatal, down from 37 shootings in 2021.

Times staff writers Richard Winton, Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yes, flying may be faster. But when youre not a rush, a ride on Amtrak can be pleasant. Whether your journey is just a few hours, or youre doing a long haul from coast to coast, its the perfect opportunity to relax.

Passengers on board a train going to Florida from Virginia this week were probably hoping for just that. But fate derailed those plans. Quite literally.

According to Business Insider, passengers were stranded in South Carolina after their train took a detour due to another train derailing. Fresh out of patience, some passengers called the police.

Journalist Sam Sweeney shared a post on Twitter about the incident.

Everything Seemed Fine At First

Business Insider explained the train in question left Virginia at 5 PM on Monday, and was supposed to reach Florida by 10 AM.

But when a freight train crashed into a vehicle in South Carolina, the Amtrak train was taken off its normal route.

Things Only Went Downhill From There

The train was stalled in South Carolina, leaving passengers irritated.

ABC News explained, they had to wait for a certified backup crew to arrive because there are specific crews who can operate Auto Trains. Additionally, safety laws control how many hours train employees are allowed to work. 

Not only were passengers inconvenienced, but according to Sweeneys post, dogs werent allowed outside to relieve themselves.

Passengers Worried They Were Being Held Against Their Will

In the video Sweeney posted, the conductor tells passengers they arent being held hostage.

Presumably, the police investigated after several passengers called them.

The conductor said, for those of you that are calling the police, we are not holding you hostage. We are giving you all the information which we have. We are sorry about the inconvenience. As soon as more information is available, we will let you know shortly.

Friends, Family And Others Lit Amtrak Up On Social Media

Amtrak issued a statement, but social media wasnt having it.

Caitlyn Crowley tagged Amtrak and wrote, my parents have been stuck on the auto train that left Lorton yesterday around 5pm. Need some answers  food is limited, bathroom facilities are gross, and children/elderly are aboard. They were supposed to arrive almost 12 hours ago!

A woman with in-laws on board the train said, Amtrak is reporting that passengers were provided meals and snacks. My elderly in-laws were given 2 oz of dinty Moore stew and stale crackers for lunch. For dinner, they each got a snack size of pretzels and brownie brittle. This is not acceptable!
Boston Globe

The Massachusetts man whose wife mysteriously vanished on New Years Day was taught to lie and hide as a child, his now-missing spouse said in a 2021 letter trying to keep the convicted art fraudster out of prison.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old real estate executive who went missing after leaving her familys Cohasset home on Jan. 1, submitted the letter to the court in support of her husband Brian, detailing what she claimed was a horrific childhood. She said she saw suffering in his life when they first met, attributing his fragile mental state to his upbringing.

He was taught to lie and hide, Ana wrote. He was told that he was a loser, that his parents should not have had him, that he had no chances of making anything of himself in life, and that he was a lost cause. A deep sense of shame governed his life.

The trauma has been ever-present in her husbands life, brought deep sadness for years, and was the determining factor for how he showed up for himself and others in the past, the letter said. Others who knew Walshe described him as a sociopath.

Art Dealer Scammed by Missing Execs Hubby Speaks Out: Hes Very Calculated

As a student at Carnegie Mellon University, Walshe checked himself into a psychiatric in-patient treatment facility for depression, anxiety, and anger that left him unable to function, his psychiatrist wrote to the judge. However, it says Walshe was forced to leave early when his parents each thought the other should pay for his treatment and neither one of them would. He subsequently dropped out of school and never finished.

Brian felt neglected, unloved, and emotionally damaged from being used as a pawn by his parents in their acrimonious marital relationship, Anas letter said.

Walshe was arrested earlier this week on charges of impeding a police investigation into Anas sudden, unexplained disappearance. He had been under home confinement for several months while awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in 2021 to selling a pair of fake Andy Warhol paintings to an unsuspecting art dealer in Los Angeles. He is now jailed on $500,000 bond.

Story continues

In a separate letter submitted to the judge on behalf of Walshe by his defense lawyers in the art fraud case, the convicted con artists upbringing was laid out in detail. He has lived with the impediment of having a mental illness since the age of 7 as a result of his being born into a dysfunctional family situation, it says. Walshes late father was a well-respected Boston neurologist who enjoyed partying with mere acquaintances, according to the letter, while his mother, who was described in the letter as a recluse with a strong distrust of strangers, remains totally dependent on her son for her emotional and physical needs.

Walshes mom, Diana could be confrontative, a close family friend told The Daily Beast, conceding, There were aggressions sometimes. However, the friend said, I never heard of [the household] being violent.

After allegedly stealing more than $800,000 from his father, Walshe and the older man became estranged. In his absence, Walshe began doting on his mother, who lived nearby, his lawyers letter reveals.

Brian forgave his mother for her shortcomings and became her lifeline, it says. Although Brian changed, his mother did not. She remains a recluse and is totally dependent on her son for her emotional and physical needs.

In her own letter to the court, Diana Walshe wrote, My son is the only reason I get up in the morning. He is the ONLY person to take care of me and is always there for me.

Diana said in court filings that she does not have a good relationship with her daughter-in-law Ana Walshe, saying the tensions were perhaps due to cultural differences, without further explanation.

Walshe has in the past apparently acted out in a number of ways, including an episode in which Walshe was incredibly rude to a server while out to dinner with his yoga instructor, states a letter the man sent to the court that same month in support of his friend and student.

When I met Brian, he very much seemed to be a man in transition, the teacher wrote. At the time of our meeting, he had spent many years in the fast-paced business world, and I was initially surprised to discover that he had decided to engage in yoga at all.

Walshe has since made improvements, although his journey has not always been linear (few journeys to overcome mental illnesses are) but took a sharp turn for the better after having participated in a self-reflection, self-improvement program through Boston Breakthrough Academy in 2020, the letter continues. Since that time, Brian Walshe has devoted himself to his family, including his mother with whom he had a difficult relationship in his youth, and his three young children, and to others by raising much needed funds for worthy charities providing food and shelter to people hard hit by the Covid epidemic.

On the other side of the coin, prosecutors filed a memo during the proceedings citing passages from Walshes personal diaries, which, they argued, showed his longstanding intent to betray the people who trusted him.

Walshe has a history of swindling family and friends that goes back to 2011, according to prosecutors in the art fraud case. The fake art he sold in 2016 began with the theft of real art, which he stole from a close friend with whom he was staying in Seoul. He then had them copied by an art forger in New York City, sold the real pieces to a collector in France, and fobbed off the fakes on Ron Rivlin, a Los Angeles gallery owner. (Rivlin described Walshe to The Daily Beast in an earlier interview as very calculated.

Ana Walshes whereabouts are still unknown. On Wednesday, the New York Post published photographs of a note she wrote to her husband before disappearing.

Wow! 2022What a year! it read. And yet, we are still here and together! Lets make 2023 the best one yet! We are the authors of our livescourage, love, perseverance, compassion, and joy. Love, Ana.

Walshes attorney, Tracy Miner, declined to comment to The Daily Beast, saying in an email that her focus is on defending Mr. Walshe in court.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Romanian authorities have announced fresh raids in the investigation against Andrew Tate as seven homes are searched.

DIICOT, the prosecutors overseeing the case announced that seven homes were searched on Thursday morning in Bucharest, Ilfov counties and Prahova.

It comes after Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan this week lost their appeal against a judges decision to extend his arrest period from 24 hours to 30 days on charges of being part of an organised crime group, human trafficking and rape.

Andrew Tate leaving court after losing his appeal this week (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romanian anti-organised crime agency DIICOT, said a Bucharest appeals court late on Tuesday rejected an appeal by Tate, his co-accused brother Tristan and two Romanian women arrested in the same police operation.

In a statement on Thursday morning, DIICOT said: This morning, the prosecutors of DIICOT - Central Structure, in the continuation of the investigations in the case regarding the commission of the crimes of constituting an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape, implement seven home search warrants, within the radius of Bucharest municipality and Ilfov counties and Prahova.

Judicial activities are carried out together with police officers from BCCO Bucharest and SCCO Ilfov.

Andrew Tate, center, and his brother Tristan, leave after appearing at the Court of Appeal, in Bucharest, Romania (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

We make it clear that during the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence.

The four suspects in the case have denied wrongdoing and their lawyers have claimed there is no evidence against them  though authorities said they had made the arrests based on accounts from six women.

Ioan Gliga, one of the defence lawyers, said: Prosecutors arguments were that they have evidence. Naturally, our arguments were that there isnt evidence.

A small group of supporters of Tate, a controversial 36-year-old social media influencer with more than 4.4 million Twitter followers, gathered outside the court for the hearing on Tuesday.

Story continues

Tate was initially detained on 29 December in an area north of Bucharest along with the other three suspects.

Eugen Vidineac, a Romanian defence lawyer representing the defendants, said after Tuesdays hearing that all four of the accused have made statements and that the lawyers pleas were listened to entirely.

DIICOT said after making the arrests that it had identified six victims in the case who were subjected by the group to acts of physical violence and mental coercion and were sexually exploited by group members.

More follows...
Rep-elect George Santos speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 19, 2022. David Becker/Washington Post via Getty Images

Republican Rep. George Santos admitted to lying about his accolades during his campaign.

He's facing calls to resign and potential legal trouble.

Insider annotated a copy of his resume obtained by The New York Times.

Rep. George Santos admitted that he started his political career by fabricating details of his education, life, and experiences.

The New York Times obtained a copy of his error-riddled resume which he sent to the Nassau County Republican Committee in 2020 after showing interest in running for office.

"He answered the questions  obviously not truthfully  but at that time we trusted him," Joseph G. Cairo Jr., the chairman of the Nassau committee, said according to The Times. Cairo said it was critical to set up a better process to check the credibility of potential candidates: "We were duped here."

The Republican congressman now faces calls to resign and looming legal trouble.

"I was elected to serve the people of #NY03 not the party & politicians, I remain committed to doing that and regret to hear that local officials refuse to work with my office to deliver results to keep our community safe and lower the cost of living. I will NOT resign!" Santos wrote on Twitter Wednesday.

His resume offers a window into his previously unchecked deception that led to his candidacy and inauguration.

A summary of his skills includes "coin counter."

George Santos resume Nassau County Republican Committee/The New York Times

Santos, like many people, opened up his resume with his name, contact information, and a summary of his experiences.

"Enthusiastic leader able to provide a high level of service and enthusiasm for building positive experiences with a history of transforming inefficient, underperforming operations into successful enterprises," his resume summary reads.

It goes on to list a multitude of his skills including "currency and coin counter."

His work experience includes companies he did not work at.

George Santos Resume Nassau County Republican Committee/New York Times

Over the span of two unpolished pages, Santos's resume lists four companies that he claimed to have worked at between February 2011 to when he submitted his resume to the committee in 2020. But, according to the Times, Santos was not employed at CitiGroup at any point between February 2011 to January 2014 or at Goldman Sachs from January 2017 to August 2017.

Story continues

His education includes two colleges he never attended.

Nassau County Republican Committee/The New York Times

Santos falsely claimed to have graduated from "Baruch College (CUNY" in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in "Economics/Finance" and "NYU New York University" in 2013 with an MBA in International Business. He recently admitted that he never graduated from college.

He also says on the resume that he achieved a 3.89 GPA from Baruch College, which recently said Santos never attended.

A spokesman for NYU told The Times they had no attendance records that matched his name and birth date.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's government will convene extraordinary sessions of Congress to discuss the impeachment of members of the Supreme Court of Justice among other bills, the presidential spokeswoman said on Thursday.

President Alberto Fernandez is seeking to impeach four members of the country's highest court, after a clash with the judiciary last month over a court decision to award more state funds to the opposition-ruled city of Buenos Aires.

The ruling Peronist coalition would need at least two-thirds of the votes in both houses of Congress to achieve its goal - a threshold it falls well short of after losing seats in the country's 2021 mid-term elections.

Gabriela Cerruti, the presidential spokesperson, told a news conference the sessions would run from Jan. 23 to Feb. 28.

(Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Alistair Bell)
An Arizona man has been busted for allegedly sex trafficking his live-in housekeeper after convincing her to travel to Arizona with him.

Steven Hurry, 61, allegedly sex trafficked his victim to multiple men, filmed her sexual assaults without her consent and confiscated her legal documents to prevent her from leaving, Scottsdale Police Department said. He was charged with sex trafficking, pandering, sexual abuse and aggravated assault, as well as misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

Police say they were called to a Scottsdale home on Dec. 26 after a neighbor reported hearing Hurry telling the victim he would punch her and she was screaming, according to local news channel KTVK.

The neighbor observed a male and female arguing outside a home and recognized that something seemed off with the couple, the Scottsdale Police Department said in their statement on Jan. 10. When officers arrived, the woman told them that Hurry had been trafficking her, and he was arrested near the scene.

A police handout of Steven Hurry

Steven Hurry Photo: Scottsdale Police Department

Following Hurrys arrest, authorities recovered more evidence that allegedly implicated him in sex trafficking, The Arizona Republic reported.

In court documents obtained by Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ, authorities contend that Hurry hired the victim as a housekeeper and she moved into his California home in May 2022. On May 25, he asked her to accompany him to Arizona for a money-making opportunity.

When they arrived in Tucson, officials said in court records, Hurry then pressured the woman into posing for photos to allow him to post a classified ad offering her sexual services to other men.

RELATED: Georgia Man Allegedly Kidnapped South Carolina Woman, Raped Her For Months

"She described making $700 the first time for sexual intercourse in 20 minutes with an unknown male subject, and the defendant took the entire $700, court documents stated, according to KSAZ. After this, the defendant collected the victim's birth certificate, Social Security card and other forms of ID and credentials and secured them in a box.

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Investigators ultimately located conversations on his mobile device in which Hurry and the victim appeared to argue over him trafficking her, as well as messages in which he advised her about appointments he had set up for her, including dates, times, acts she was required to perform and the amount of money she needed to collect, Fox News reported.

Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen

The woman allegedly told police that Hurry would restrain her and whip her on her genitals if she failed to even just place the money in the spot he designated, according to the Arizona Republic.

Hurry and the victim then moved to Scottsdale in late November, first living at a motel and then at an Airbnb, according to court records.

"The defendant created and posted ads containing the victim's photographs and advertising sex in the exchange of money, which included $350 per hour for full sex or a quick visit, 15 minutes, for $120," police alleged, according to KSAZ.

RELATED: Serial Killer Leonard Lakes Wife Said She Thought He Was Living This Very Active Fantasy

Authorities allege he filmed about four to six forced sexual encounters a week in Scottsdale involving the unidentified woman and the men to whom he trafficked her, without the consent of anyone on the videos.The footage was allegedly found on a USB drive seized at the Scottsdale Airbnb, per The Arizona Republic.

On December, Hurry allegedly told his victim that he was having car trouble and suggested he would take the money she'd earned that day to pay for it, according to court documents obtained by KSAZ. That's when she said couldnt take anymore and wanted to leave. She also failed to count the money from Hurry's last client, and he began threatening her  which is when the neighbor called 911.

However, before police arrived, Hurry allegedly pushed the victim up against the home's refrigerator and lifted her up by her neck, making it hard for her to breathe. He allegedly then forced her to perform a sex act to get him to stop.

Oxy App

Hurry left to fix his car before police arrived, but was located and arrested in the neighborhood.

In interviews, the victim also allegedly accused Hurry of raping her on Christmas Day.

In addition to the USB drive allegedly containing video evidence of his victim being trafficked, police found the woman's documents, including her marriage certificate  which she did not realize he had.

"A written document laying out the details between master and slave was located in the defendant's computer bag," a police report stated, per the Arizona Republic. That document was unsigned.

Hurry denied all of the allegations in police interviews.

Court records reviewed by Oxygen.com indicate that Hurry was released on bond on Dec. 29. His bond had been set at $50,000, according to court records cited by the Arizona Republic, though prosecutors had asked for $150,000.

His original arraignment hearing is set for Thursday, according to court records reviewed by Oxygen.com.
Within hours of being sworn in as the new governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order Tuesday banning the term "Latinx" from official use in the state government.

It is one of the first, if not the first, executive order of its kind, Tabitha Bonilla, an associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University, told NBC News.

It was one of seven orders signed by Sanders, a Republican, right after taking the oath. The other ones focused on prohibiting Arkansas schools from teaching critical race theory, budgeting and spending as well as other government affairs.

Most of these executive orders are consistent with the rhetoric Sanders campaigned on  except for the one banning Latinx, a gender-neutral alternative to Hispanic or Latino.

"That was nothing that I had seen from her until then. So, it felt surprising," Bonilla said.

For Ed Morales, the author of the book Latinx: The New Force in American Politics and Culture, the governors seemingly sudden interest to ban the term Latinx  which is often derided by conservatives and debated among some Latinos  speaks to "this anti-woke agenda" the Republican Party has increasingly adopted.

"It is something that seems to be tied to things that they object to, which is really anything that prioritizes marginalized people and marginalized points of view," Morales said.

Bonilla said that what's even more unexpected is that Sanders signed such an executive order on her first day in office.

"That sets the tone for the type of governance that you want to enact, of what you think is the priority, and the types of decision-making you'll do at an office," Bonilla said.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks after taking the oath outside the Arkansas Capitol on Jan. 10, 2023, in Little Rock. (Will Newton / AP)

Sanders cited a 2020 Pew Research report that found that only 3% of the Hispanic population nationwide uses the term. She also cited the Real Academia Espanola, a Madrid-based cultural institution dedicated to the linguistic regularization of the Spanish-language, which rejects the use of x as an alternative to o and a.

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She used the findings of both institutions to eliminate what she considers "ethnically insensitive" and "pejorative language," according to the executive order.

Morales said Sanders appears to have tried to use "the one Pew Hispanic report as evidence that people find it offensive or that they reject it" without considering that there have been subsequent studies that point to a small rise in the use of the term and the emergence of other gender neutral alternatives such as "Latine."

When citing the Pew report in the executive order, Sanders did not say the study also found that 76% of Hispanics had not even heard of the term "Latinx" before, Bonilla pointed out.

"She's offering these justifications, and it just seems to me like she's been trying to portray data and information in a way that really is about pandering," Bonilla said.

Nearly 4% of the eligible voting population in Arkansas is Hispanic, according to Pew. But "pandering" to Latino voters on cultural issues that may be considered divisive among some Hispanics could be on Sanders' radar if she's aspiring to venture out as a vice presidential or presidential candidate in the future, Bonilla added.

The executive order also calls on all state offices, departments and agencies to submit written reviews regarding their current use of the term Latinx and revert to using Latino, Latina or Hispanic.

I cant think that it would show up very frequently in most government documents, Bonilla said. My biggest question is: Who does this affect the most?

Sanders' new executive order seems to be part of an increasing number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the nation, since "Latinx" is often considered a more LGBTQ inclusive term. The vast majority of these bills have been introduced by Republicans.

"Its really about transgender individuals and nonbinary individuals," Bonilla said. "And in the language, its also portrayed as being about the Latino community."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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The Telegraph

The precise veracity of the large cache of intelligence documents that have apparently been leaked from the Pentagon might be open to question, but there can be little doubt about the negative impact that they are having on Ukraines war effort. Even if the release of the documents turns out to be part of a clever disinformation campaign by the Kremlins cyber-trolls, it could nevertheless prompt Ukraines high command to rethink its long-planned counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Newly elected Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders banned critical race theory in K12 public schools on Tuesday as one of her first actions in office.

On the campaign trail, Sanders pledged to restore a quality education for children, one without politicized curricula and pedagogy. In her inaugural address, she said schools need to return to teaching reading, writing, math, and science, not training in progressive frameworks like critical race theory and gender ideology.

Sanderss executive order was signed just after she was inaugurated as the first woman to hold the governorship in the state. It directs the secretary of the states Department of Education to review rules, policies, and regulations that could indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as CRT, that conflict with the principle of equal protection under the law or encourage students to discriminate against someone based on characteristics protected by federal or state law. A copy of the order was obtained by the Heritage Foundation.

If materials are found to be in violation of this standard, the secretary is instructed to amend, annul, or alter them to remove the prohibited indoctrination.

Critical race theory argues that white supremacy is intrinsic to Americas national character and that positive discrimination against privileged identity groups is necessary to rectify historical racial injustice.

As long as I am governor, our schools will focus on the skills our children need to get ahead in the modern world, not brainwashing our children with a left-wing political agenda, Sanders said in her speech.

The order upheld parental rights in education, stating that government policies must empower parents to be the primary stakeholders in their childrens education and promote curriculum transparency in classrooms.

Parents are the cornerstone of a good education, Sanders told the crowd. Our public schools do not belong to education bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. , they belong to you.

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Sanders also promised that her administration would fight for school choice, so that students wouldnt be trapped in a failing school or sentenced to a lifetime of poverty.

More from National Review
A mother drew a gun to drive off two people who were trying to abduct her son in a Des Moines skywalk outside her office, according to police reports.

Shay Lindberg, manager of the Hubbell Tower Apartments, was armed when Laurie Potter, 56, and Michael Ross, 43, allegedly tried to take the child Jan. 5.

According to an incident report, the incident occurred at 904 Walnut St. in downtown Des Moines, where the skywalk passes through the Hubbell Tower Apartments building. Potter and Ross are charged with felony child stealing.

Lindberg did not know Potter and Ross, who are homeless, according to a report. She was in her office getting ready to leave when she saw Potter and Ross walking back and forth in front of her door. Potter was waving at her son.

Thinking they just wanted to apply for a job, Lindberg decided to leave.

That's when Potter started telling Lindberg to give her back her son and crouched down to the child, saying she was his real mother, according to the report. Potter said the boy's real father was Thor, then grabbed the child by the arm and started to run away, the report said.

Lindberg pulled out her gun and told the two to leave the building.

Lindberg could not be reached for comment.

"In this case, the display of a handgun had the desired effect, and a mother was able to protect her child," Des Moines spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

More: Iowa's top court upholds Keokuk school director's sex abuse conviction on second appeal

Skywalk security guard helped track suspects

Will Hunter, a site supervisor with Per Mar Security Services who patrols the skywalk, told the Register he got a call around 4:30 p.m. Jan. 5 from Lindberg. He and his partner reached the scene in less than 5 minutes.

Earlier that morning, Hunter said he came across Ross sitting with Potter and smoking a cigarette near Bank of America in the skywalk. Hunter took a picture of Ross smoking that was later used to identify him.

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He said he noticed Potter because she had been repeatedly trying to set up camp inside the skywalk the past week.

After the incident, Hunter said he saw Potter and Ross appearing "super agitated."

Hunter followed the two as they left the skywalk until Des Moines police officers arrived, watching as they took off east on DART's D-Line bus. Officials were able to get the bus rerouted so that officers could arrest them.

"It was an ideal outcome. At the end of the day, the kid is safe," Hunter said. "Shay used a legal concealed carry as a deterrent and no shots were fired, no mess."

Potter and Ross were arrested nearby and taken to Polk County Jail. Each was held on a $50,000 cash bond. A no-contact order was issued barring Potter and Ross from having contact with the child.

"This incident, and other recent events involving self-defense with a firearm, should send a strong message to criminals. The risk of being seriously injured or killed while committing a crime is very real," Parizek said.

A preliminary hearing for Potter and Ross is set for 8 a.m. Friday.

More: Iowa's chief justice warns state's indigent defense system could collapse

'Concrete compassion' guides security's interactions with homeless individuals in skywalk

Hunter said people don't get kicked out of the skywalk system unless they are doing something "egregious" such as smoking indoors or trying to set up camp.

He said he tries to reach out to homeless individuals and provide them with resources for shelter and food.

Hunter said a common misconception is the skywalk is like a mall, where security can kick out people or deny entry, but unless someone is breaking the law, security personnel can't ask anyone to leave.

Instead, Hunter said he keeps an extensive record of those in the homeless community who cause trouble and are chronic offenders, trying to hold them accountable after the fact.

"What we're doing now is kind of a middle ground that I'm hoping everyone attaches to," he said. "I call it concrete compassion, where we're gonna be sympathetic and we're going out of our way to get you to the place you can actually have resources to fix your situation."

For those who may be concerned for their safety in the skywalk, Hunter said free 24-hour escorts are available to walk people to their car, and "all building managers and property managers have skywalk's 24/7 number."

More: Iowa Supreme Court revives police shooting lawsuit, clarifying disputed law

Des Moines Register reporter Francesca Block contributed to this report.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter at @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How an armed mother fought off child abduction in Des Moines skywalk
Authorities are searching for a Boston woman they say was last seen in November 2022 after being dropped off in Somerville.

Reyna Morales Rojas, 41, of East Boston, is described as a 55, 145lb Hispanic woman with black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen entering a vehicle on Bennington Street in East Boston and was dropped off on Allston Street in Somerville on November 26, according to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office.

The Boston Police Department and State Police Detectives assigned to the DAs Office are actively investigating.

Anyone with information about Rojass whereabouts is asked to contact police.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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(Reuters) - An opposition politician who stood against long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko in the controversial 2020 presidential election has been detained, his team said.

Andrei Dmitriev, 41, an activist who leads an anti-Lukashenko social movement was detained in the capital Minsk on Wednesday, according to a message posted on his Facebook page.

The reason for his custody was not yet known, it added.

There was no comment from authorities in Belarus on the detention.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, claimed victory in the 2020 vote, which was marred by claims of voter fraud and harsh repression of the opposition by authorities loyal to Lukashenko.

His announcement of victory over leading opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya triggered weeks of mass protests in which hundreds of thousands of Belarusians took to the streets urging Lukashenko to step aside.

Dmitriev came fourth in the election with 1.2% of votes cast, the official results showed.

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, violently quashed the protests and has since stepped up a campaign of repression to silence domestic political opposition.

Rights groups estimate there are about 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus as a result of the crackdown.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
State and federal health officials are frustrated that thousands of seniors have landed in the hospital with Covid-19 since the holidays  despite the widespread availability of a vaccine designed to prevent exactly that.

Less than 40 percent of people over 65 have taken the updated booster shot that became available in the fall, according to the CDC, leaving millions with little protection against the latest strain sweeping the U.S.

The paltry uptake among seniors, who remain most at risk of dying from the virus, underscores the Biden administrations challenge of beating back a third winter wave when so many Americans are either unaware or uninterested in another shot.





The Biden administration  which is growing frustrated with the low vaccination rates in nursing homes  is forwarding lists of senior facilities with zero people vaccinated to state regulators for review and possible penalties, which could include fines. The administration is also contacting governors to push them to boost their immunization rates.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 cases are surging across the country. More than 470,000 new infections were reported over the last week, a 50 percent increase since Thanksgiving, and nearly 3,200 people over age 70 are being admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 on average every day.

The surge, fueled, in part, by holiday gatherings and the new, rapidly transmissible variant XBB.1.5 are concerning enough to White House officials that they plan to make a renewed push in the coming month targeted at older Americans who they view as particularly vulnerable to the virus after a six-week push leading up to New Years produced modest results.



Obviously, people are tired of Covid, said White House Covid response coordinator Ashish Jha. A lot of people I know say, Ive gotten three or four shots, why do I need another one?

Despite a concerted White House effort to raise the number of people over age 65 who have gotten their updated booster ahead of the holidays, only 38 percent of seniors have taken the shot, according to CDC data, compared with 94 percent of seniors who have received their first two shots.

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The numbers are far worse in the southeast, where less than a quarter of seniors in several states have gotten their updated booster.

You have a conundrum where, on one hand, it has never been easier to get a shot in the U.S. You can walk into any pharmacy and get it for free  and we know thats not going to be the case forever. On the other hand, the bivalent booster is just not getting the interest and uptake that we think it should, said Joseph Kanter, Louisianas state health officer. But its tough for folks. Everyones traumatized. People respond in different ways.

Nursing homes, which were key to disseminating shots when they were first available, are a particular concern for state and federal officials. While 86 percent of nursing home residents received their initial shots, fewer than half are up to date on their vaccinations, according to CMS data.

Federal health officials are taking a carrot-and-stick approach to boost those vaccination rates: For instance, implementing a policy to allow nursing homes to vaccinate their residents while also calling state regulators attention to nursing homes where no one is vaccinated. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure also wrote to governors in the states with the five lowest nursing home vaccination rates asking them to step up.

While their vaccination rate is three times that of the general public, the nursing home industry has acknowledged that it still has more work to do, sharing an all-hands-on-deck strategy to do so with the Biden administration in November.

Nursing home providers are making every effort to encourage residents to roll up their sleeves, but increasing uptake requires a collective endeavor by public health officials, other health care providers, and the general public, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living said in a statement. We remain focused on continuing our education efforts, combatting misinformation and COVID fatigue, and partnering with Administration officials and other stakeholders to improve bivalent booster rates in nursing homes.

The administration is also pressing hospitals and nursing homes to more proactively offer the shots, such as giving them to people who came into the hospital for other ailments before they are discharged and ramping up home deliveries.

At the same time, the White House is seeking ways to push the vaccines through a network of advocacy organizations that work with older Americans, like the AARP and the nonprofit LeadingAge. The administration has also sought more money for senior centers through various federal programs to better target its vaccination campaign  including $125 million for accessible vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations and $350 million for health centers to host vaccine events.

Meanwhile, 70 percent of new daily hospital admissions of patients with confirmed Covid-19 on average over the last week were aged 60 and up, according to CDC data. And people over age 65  who have long been at risk for the most serious health outcomes from the virus  account for the greatest share of Covid-19 deaths than they have at any other point in the pandemic, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

It seems like were in this cycle where we havent learned from whats happened before, said Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease doctor and chair of the Infectious Diseases Society of Americas global health committee. "People want to get back to normal and so I think that is part of it. I also do think that people tend to not remember  three years going into the fourth year of the pandemic  how bad it was at the beginning.

Federal and state health officials said a fresh wave of misinformation  coupled with ongoing disinformation about the Covid vaccine  has complicated efforts to increase the number of people who have gotten the updated booster as XBB 1.5 proliferates.

All the evidence so far suggests that it is the most immune-evasive version of the virus we have seen, and it may be more contagious, Jha said. Is it concerning? Yes. But the fundamental issue in my mind is that its not a cause for fear, its a cause for action.



In Mississippi, where 1 in 5 seniors has received the updated booster, the lowest rate of any state, health officials maintain the issue isnt availability  its interest.

One of the biggest issues we hear is that individuals and families are not interested in receiving additional vaccinations, said Paul Byers, the states epidemiologist. We are working through several efforts to increase the understanding of the importance of receiving the updated booster, especially for individuals in long-term care and those 65 and older.

In Louisiana, where uptake of the bivalent booster is slightly higher than Mississippi, Kanter blamed a combination of intense focus on flu vaccinations, diminishing federal resources and institutional fatigue for the low vaccination rates.

Our nursing homes have done a really good job of getting the booster out, but theres still a lot of work to do, Kanter said. To be honest, people have fatigue. Some of the messaging has been confusing, and we also highly prioritized flu vaccines this season, for good reason, but its tough for folks.

And in South Carolina, Brannon Traxler, director of public health at the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, said the state is focusing on ensuring seniors and those in long-term care facilities have the information to make an educated decision and then also access to a shot should they want it.

Booster rates, while theyre better among that older population, they still are not what we would like to see and, really, what would make such a difference in these hospitalizations and severe cases among that population, Traxler said.

Health officials are also equally  if not more concerned  by the lower-than-hoped-for uptake of Covid therapeutics, such as Paxlovid. In a tacit acknowledgment that the Biden administration is running out of ways to boost the vaccination rate, federal officials are also planning to step up their promotion of treatments like Paxlovid as an alternative capable of keeping people out of the hospital.

Both state and federal health officials view Paxlovid as a key tool to mitigating Covid-19s impact for those reluctant to get the vaccine.

People may not make the choice to do the prevention, but when they test positive, especially if they're in a high-risk category  we want them to get access to Paxlovid quickly, said North Carolina Health Secretary Kody Kinsley. This is an endurance challenge at this point.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will host Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the White House on Tuesday for talks that are expected to center on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby in announcing the meeting called the Netherlands a very key supporter of security assistance in Ukraine.

The Netherlands has already contributed $3 billion to support Ukraine and has committed to spending $1 billion more.

Kirby said the two leaders also plan to discuss the Summit for Democracy, which they are co-hosting with Costa Rica, South Korea and Zambia in late March.

Biden hosted the inaugural democracy summit in December 2021, which the administration billed as the start of a global conversation about how best to halt the backsliding of democracy.
Biden aides have discovered two batches of classified documents from when he was vice president.

While there are differences with the Mar-a-Lago raid, the cases are similar enough for Trump supporters to pounce.

It's all providing fodder for Republicans, particularly the MAGA wing of the party.

The discovery that President Joe Biden held classified documents at his post-vice presidential office and home has opened up a fresh line of attack for defenders of former President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, right-wing figures on social media circulated a video of Biden defending himself for holding classified materials for years in his garage next to his Corvette. Taylor Budowich, head of MAGA Inc., called the revelations a "national disgrace" on Twitter.

The latest information marks a turnaround for Trump supporters and many rank and file Republicans from just a few months ago. Congressional Republicans were caught flat-footed over how to respond as details of the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago unfolded, making it clear Trump was holding top-secret documents.

Some downplayed the investigation while others accused Biden of weaponizing the Justice Department and even rallied around the former president. Trump is facing a criminal investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith related to his hoarding of classified materials.

Now that Biden was also holding classified materials, however, Republicans can take a whole new approach in their attacks.

Lawyers for the president discovered 10 documents at one of Biden's post-vice presidential office in the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, DC, just days before the 2022 midterm elections, but only made it public on Monday.

Biden aides found a second batch in Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, garage on December 20. The president has said he doesn't know what's in the files.

Story continues

"How did they get there? How did Biden 'forget' them? Is he just that careless? Was he hiding them? How were they there for so long? Who had access to these documents?" Tommy Pigott, the Republican National Committee's rapid response director, said in an email to reporters.

Based on the limited information the White House has released so far, the investigations into Trump and Biden's mishandling of documents have some differences, though improperly handling such documents is considered a serious matter that's potentially damaging to national security.

Trump resisted turning over hundreds of documents, according to court records, which led to a subpoena, and then to the FBI raiding Mar-a-Lago to recover them. In contrast, Biden's team has said that aides immediately called the National Archives when they discovered the documents.

Still, the documents present a political embarrassment for Biden, who called Trump "irresponsible" on CBS "60 Minutes" after a staged photo from the Justice Department showed folders of the document the ex-president was holding at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump previously downplayed his keeping of documents, saying that other former presidents such as Barack Obama had done the same. The National Archives disputed Trump's claims, countering that Obama sent the documents to a federal government center, sorted through them, then sent some materials to Obama's presidential library.

Now, Trump has a salient target in Biden. The ex-president seized on the similarities to cast federal officials as unfair.

"When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified," Trump wrote Monday on his social media platform, Truth Social.

President Joe Biden. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Document findings fuel GOP investigations

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to review Biden's case, but Republicans in Congress are making their own moves.

Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin sent a letter to Biden's lawyer on Wednesday and made several demands, including that the White House disclose the level of classification of the records, and asking for the names and reasons for lawyers packing up the DC office documents.

Over in the US House Republicans have already launched an investigation. GOP Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to security officials on Wednesday.

GOP Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, chair of the House Oversight Committee, sent letters to the National Archives and the White House demanding information about the documents and called the Biden documents' discovery "ironic" after the administration criticized Trump.

Trump is the only person to have announced a 2024 campaign for the White House, but his campaign has been off to a slow start. John Thomas, a GOP strategist, pointed out that Trump is still facing numerous legal challenges.

"It's almost on brand for Trump to be thown a lifeline just as things are not looking good," Thomas, who's founder and president of Thomas Partners Strategies, told Insider. But the main lifeline, he said, was to Republicans in Congress who've been arguing that the federal government has been weaponized.

The latest news will "fuel investigations," he said, and if Trump ends up being the 2024 GOP nominee then "this makes him a more viable nominee against Joe Biden."

The discovery is also raising a new round of questions from Republican insiders when it comes to other investigations the GOP has underway. Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump supporter who is co-founder and CEO of the political consulting group X Strategies, asked whether Hunter Biden's Chinese business partners had access to the documents and made renewed calls for Biden to release the visitor logs from his home.

"We deserve to know the truth," he told Insider.

Some commentators even predicted that the perception of a double standard around the Biden documents investigation would derail a potential Trump indictment.

"It's done," Megyn Kelly, host of the podcast "The Megyn Kelly Show" on Sirius XM and former attorney, wrote on Twitter. "No indictment for Trump. They can't now."

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Joe Biden, left, and former President Donald Trump, right, in a composite image. Getty Images

The DOJ is investigating Biden's handling of classified docs after aides discovered government records in at least two locations since November.

The discoveries raise serious questions about the counterintelligence risks, but ex-prosecutors warn against conflating the Trump and Biden cases.

Trump's former White House lawyer told Insider that AG Garland should appoint a special counsel to investigate Biden.

President Joe Biden's aides have discovered classified records improperly stored in at least two locations since November, according to the White House and media outlets. The Justice Department is reviewing the matter, and former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pounced on the revelations, accusing Biden of having committed a "crime" and calling for him to be prosecuted.

DOJ veterans say that while the timing of the White House's disclosure raises serious questions  it came more than two months after the first batch of documents was discovered and turned over  it's unlikely that Biden is facing criminal liability, based on emerging accounts of the investigation. That said, some legal experts say it's time for Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to look into the Biden case.

First, an important caveat: most of what we know about the Biden case is based on the very little information the White House has released to the public. The president's team said on Monday that a "small" batch of documents was found in November in a "locked closet" at Biden's old office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, DC.

CNN reported that Biden wasn't aware the documents were there, and didn't become aware of that fact until his personal attorneys notified the White House counsel's office. The report also said Biden and the White House's legal team don't know what's in the documents.

On Wednesday, NBC News reported that Biden's aides discovered a second batch of classified material at another location as part of an exhaustive search that's been underway since the first cache was found in November.

Story continues

Garland tapped John Lausch, the Trump-appointed US attorney in Chicago, to look into the matter, according to CBS News, and Lausch been investigating it since November. A source familiar with the matter told CNN that Lausch has finished the initial part of his investigation and presented his preliminary findings to Garland.

Asked about the timing of the White House's disclosure, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office said that "this is an ongoing process under review by DOJ, so we are going to be limited in what we can say at this time. But we are committed to doing this the right way, and we will provide further details when and as appropriate."

Matt Miller, a former Justice Department spokesperson under Barack Obama, told Insider the Biden White House was under no obligation to publicize the matter.

"This kind of inadvertent spillage of classified information happens fairly frequently, and it is typically handled administratively  the individual self-reports, the relevant agency conducts a damage assessment, and the employee responsible might get some sort of reprimand or flag for their clearance," Miller said.

"This kind of thing unfortunately happens a lot, and I'm struggling to think of previous examples where the government agency informed the public, absent some sort of egregious spill, major disciplinary action, etc.," he added.

Ty Cobb, who served as White House special counsel under former President Donald Trump, echoed that view.

"You could go into any presidency, years after their service, and probably in every presidential library there's a handful of things that were classified at the time that they were taken," Cobb told Insider.

Still, he criticized the White House for waiting more than two months to disclose the existence of the inquiry.

"If Trump had done the same thing, people would have been going crazy," Cobb said.

"The question that's really front and center for the AG right now is the appointment of a special counsel, which frankly is required under the statute," he added.

'The aggravating factors'

Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks to reporters on August 11. Susan Walsh/AP

Trump  who is himself facing a criminal investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith related to his hoarding of classified materials  seized on the first Biden revelation, writing on Truth Social, "When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified."

But legal scholars cautioned against conflating the two inquiries based on what's currently known, saying that while the Biden matter should be scrutinized through a criminal and counterintelligence lens, there are key differences between that and the Mar-a-Lago documents case in terms of both scale and scope.

"This only seems like a big deal because of the Trump issue, when in fact it shares characteristics not with Trump's fact set, but with all the other incidents the public never hears about," Miller said.

In Trump's case, US officials tried for 18 months to recover hundreds of pages of sensitive documents stored at his Mar-a-Lago residence, and the former president repeatedly resisted turning them over. Trump and his lawyers ignored a grand jury subpoena when they turned over some, but not all, of the classified records at Mar-a-Lago. US officials finally recovered all the documents after executing a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago in August. Garland confirmed the search after Trump announced it to the public.

In Biden's case, his lawyers uncovered about ten documents bearing classification markings at his old office on November 2 and notified NARA as soon as they discovered the materials. NARA collected the records the next day. CNN reported that among them were US intelligence memos and briefing materials related to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK.

Barbara McQuade, the former US attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, told Insider that it's important for the Justice Department to investigate the Biden case.

A counterintelligence probe would help determine whether any sensitive information was disclosed to US adversaries, and if any sources or methods were compromised. And a criminal investigation would determine if anyone broke the law.

For the latter, prosecutors would need to establish a chain of custody to determine who stored the documents, and whether it was Biden himself who retained them, McQuade said. She added that the Justice Department typically doesn't prosecute cases involving mishandling of classified documents in the absence of aggravating factors such as a willful violation, storage in a manner that exposes secrets to the public, obstruction of justice, or disloyalty to the United States.

Biden's case "seems to be different from the case involving Donald Trump and the documents found at Mar-a-Lago because of those aggravating factors," McQuade told Insider. "It appears that at least two of the aggravating factors, obstruction and willfulness, are present in the Trump case, but absent in the Biden case."

Andrew Weissmann, the FBI's former general counsel, echoed that view, writing on Twitter that "it's not a crime to accidentally take and retain govt docs. If upon learning that you have docs, you return them, there is no crime. That is not what Trump did. If he had simply returned everything this [would] have been a nonstory."

But Randall Eliason, a law professor at George Washington University and former federal prosecutor in Washington, DC, said that while the Trump and Biden cases are "nowhere near equivalent," it's "still a serious matter to have Top Secret documents in your personal desk."

Cobb, Trump's former White House counsel, went further, saying that drawing a distinction between the two cases is akin to "putting lipstick on a pig."

"As a matter of law, they're in the same situation," he told Insider.

That said, Cobb added that he believes the Justice Department is more likely to take legal action against the former president than against Biden  just not for the classified documents case.

"Trump faces more liability in connection to the January 6 investigation," he said. "A lot of those things are unprecedented in American history. There is no whataboutism that haunts that case, because no one else has done anything as egregious or unconstitutional as that."

Correspondent Nicole Gaudiano contributed reporting.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In a Reddit AMA on Wednesday, Bill Gates said he doesn't think Web3 or the metaverse alone is "revolutionary," but he does think that AI is. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Bill Gates said artificial intelligence is "quite revolutionary" in his annual Reddit AMA session.

In contrast, the Microsoft cofounder appeared lukewarm about Web3 and the metaverse.

He also said he was impressed with OpenAI's ChatGPT platform, which has been making waves recently.

Bill Gates has weighed in on some of the buzziest concepts in tech, revealing he's tepid about Web3 and the metaverse, but thinks artificial intelligence, or AI, is "quite revolutionary."

The Microsoft cofounder was giving his take on tech trends at his annual Ask Me Anything session on Reddit, where he answered a handful of questions posed by Reddit users on a variety of subjects.

One Reddit user asked, "Many years ago, I think around 2000, I heard you say something on TV like, 'People are vastly overestimating what the internet will be like in 5 years, and vastly underestimating what it will be like in 10 years.' Is any mammoth technology shift at a similar stage right now?"

Gates replied: "AI is the big one. I don't think Web3 was that big or that metaverse stuff alone was revolutionary but AI is quite revolutionary."

Gates appeared particularly keen about generative AI  that is artificial intelligence that can create content  saying "I am quite impressed with the rate of improvement in these AIs. I think they will have a huge impact."

Gates was responding to a Reddit user who asked for his views on generative AI and how he thinks it will impact he world.

"Thinking of it in the Gates Foundation context we want to have tutors that help kids learn math and stay interested. We want medical help for people in Africa who can't access a Doctor," Gates added. "I still work with Microsoft some so I am following this very closely."

Gates was also asked about what he thought about the hugely popular ChatGPT platform, which has been making waves recently, as it's able to generate written human-like text.

"It gives a glimpse of what is to come. I am impressed with this whole approach and the rate of innovation," Gates replied.

Microsoft is in talks to invest about $10 billion into OpenAI, the owner of the popular ChatGPT chatbot, per a Thursday Semafor report, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By CorpGov Editorial Staff

The Twitter bot scandal at PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) may entangle another senior executive.

This week, company founder William J. Pultes grandson Bill Pulte filed a subpoena in Palm Beach County, Florida requesting Elon Musks Twitter release details on the activity of General Counsel Todd Sheldon.

The subpoena, which does not indicate PulteGroup itself or Mr. Sheldon are targets of any lawsuit, comes a few weeks after the company fired incoming Chief Operating Officer Brandon Jones just days before he was to assume the role. His termination was apparently as a result of a lawsuit against him alleging he used Twitter bots to stalk, harass and defame the Pulte family.

Neither PulteGroups spokesman nor Mr. Sheldon responded to requests for comment from CorpGov.

Bill Pulte, who was formerly an independent director of the company, said in December that the family filed the suit in order to protect the legacy of Pulte Homes, my grandfather who was my mentor and partner, as well as my own reputation and to prevent Jones from doing irreparable harm through his continued spreading of vicious lies.

The lawsuit comes after years of tension between the Pulte family and Mr. Jones. Bill Pulte led the opposition to an expedited promotion of Mr. Jones in late 2018, successfully securing unanimous board approval against CEO Ryan Marshalls request.

Mr. Jones was named Chief Operating Officer of PulteGroup in October and was expected to begin in the role formally on Jan. 1, 2023.

Mr. Jones had served as Senior Vice President  Field Operations until his dismissal. Mr. Sheldon has been General Counsel at PulteGroup since 2017.

Contact:

CorpGov

www.CorpGov.ocm

Editor@CorpGov.com

The post Bill Pulte Subpoenas PulteGroup General Counsels Twitter Activity in Bot Scandal appeared first on CorpGov.
By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has not received any specific requests from Brazil over the storming of Brazil's top institutions in Brasilia by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

"We've not received any specific requests from Brazilian authorities. Of course, if and when we do, we'll work expeditiously to respond," said Blinken, speaking at a news conference at the State Department.

The far-right former Brazilian president flew to Florida two days before his term ended on Jan. 1, having challenged the results of the Oct. 30 runoff election that he narrowly lost to leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

On Sunday a violent movement of election-denying Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court, marking the worst attack on the country's institutions in decades.

After supporters of former U.S. leader Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol two years ago, Democratic President Joe Biden is now facing mounting pressure to remove Bolsonaro from his self-imposed exile in suburban Orlando, Florida.

But Blinken declined to comment on Bolsonaro's specific case. "With regard to individuals, we're talking now about people who are private citizens ... It's not appropriate for us to comment on any individual's visa status," he said.

Bolsonaro said on social media that he would return to Brazil earlier than planned for medical reasons.

He faces several investigations before the Supreme Court in Brazil and his future in the United States, where he traveled with a visa issued to heads of state, diplomats and other government officials, is in question.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday said anyone in the United States on an A-1 visa no longer engaged in official business must depart the country within 30 days, or apply for a change of immigration status. Price said he could not comment on an individual's visa status, but was speaking in general terms about visa rules.

Blinken repeated that Washington stands with Brazil's democracy and its institutions. "President will have an opportunity to confer directly and closely with President Lula when he visits Washington in early February," Blinken added.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis)
By Agustin Marcarian and Monica Machicao

PAILAS, Bolivia (Reuters) - Javier Monasterio, a rancher in Bolivia's lowland area of Santa Cruz, is feeling the economic hit of weeks-long protests and blockades since the dramatic arrest of the region's governor that has snarled domestic transport of grains and meat.

The tensions were sparked by the arrest of Santa Cruz's local elected leader Luis Camacho last month over an alleged coup in 2019 against then-President Evo Morales, a complex period of Bolivia's history that sharply divides opinion.

Protests against the central government have seen buildings and cars burned, while blockades have prevented transport of food and grains from the key producing region, a bid by local leaders to pressure La Paz by squeezing domestic supply.

The tension has seen Monasterio's plans to double the number of cattle on his farm put on hold, but he remains resolute that the region needs to fight back against what many locally see as a political attack by La Paz.

"This affects us because a good part of our production goes to markets in the interior," Monasterio told Reuters at his farm, adding though that he respected the "popular movement" that he hoped would bring longer-term benefits to the country.

"It's worth the sacrifice, it's worth suffering, it's worth it even in these difficult times... we're going to win."

The tensions underscore a sharpening of a deep-seated rivalry between Santa Cruz and La Paz - Bolivia's farming hub and the political capital respectively - that have long butted heads over politics and resources.

Santa Cruz is a conservative, Catholic region with a significant white European descent community. La Paz is an Andean stronghold with a large indigenous population that has traditionally titled towards the ruling socialist MAS party.

The government in La Paz says the arrest of Camacho was justice for stirring up protests as a civic leader in 2019 that led to the resignation of Morales under widespread pressure and ushered in a divisive interim right-wing government. Camacho denies the charges.

Story continues

After winning 2020 elections, Morales' MAS party, now headed by his former economy chief Luis Arce, returned to office and has gone after rivals, including Camacho and interim president Jeanine Anez, also currently in jail.

Economy Minister Marcelo Montenegro said Santa Cruz would struggle to put pressure on the capital, arguing that while it was a key food producer, other regions could take the slack and that it needed state fuel subsidies and domestic buyers.

"They can't resist on their own", said Montenegro, adding the rising economic pressures would force Santa Cruz producers to re-start supply within the country.

"It is a very complex bet. What we understand is that there is an economic rationality, but well, we don't see it being that strong. They are going to have to somehow go back to depending on national consumption."

The stand-off between the two cities has sparked calls in Santa Cruz for a federal model to gain more autonomy and some more extreme groups demanding independence. Many still remain determined to keep protests going.

"We are going to rise up to our faith," said Victor Hugo, at a church in Santa Cruz, a region where Christian iconography is prominent from the streets to offices of local civic groups.

"The situation is critical for each one of us, but I am with this fight, I prefer to fight today and live calmly tomorrow. Every Santa Cruz person has to fight, all Bolivians must fight for the well-being of Bolivia, for freedom."

(Reporting by Agustin Marcarian and Monica Machicao; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Marguerita Choy)
State border guards have killed a group of fighters from the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) using mortar fire in Soledar, Donetsk Oblast.

Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Quote: "Ukrainian border guards together with units of the Defence Forces are repelling enemy attacks on the Bakhmut front.

In particular, a border guard mortar unit has carried out a high-precision attack on the occupiers."

Details: The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has pointed out that mercenaries of the Russian PMC were moving forward to a building in the city in small groups. Their infantry was gathering in one of the courtyards.

The border guards opened fire at the Wagnerites using 82-mm calibre mortars. It is noted that the invaders suffered losses in manpower and had to retreat.

Background: Heavy fighting continues in Soledar against the Russian invaders. Border guards have released a video of the killing of a group of the occupiers' infantry, who came under "bountiful crossfire".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






The Boston City Council on Wednesday filed over 40 motions, orders and resolutions that will shape the bodys hearing calendar and agenda as it moves into the new year. Among them order to establish a climate change curriculum in Boston Public Schools, put up contraception and menstrual product vending machines throughout the city, and to diversify Bostons cannabis business models.

Most of the matters were refiles that did not get completed last year, council president Ed Flynn said.

Though there was not much discussion at a council meeting, Flynn reminded members of the council several times that there would be opportunity for conversation at hearings and work sessions.

Councilors Erin Murphy and Michael Flaherty filed a new hearing order to ensure that the Boston Police and School Safety officers work together to ensure a safe environment for all our students and staff in the Boston Public Schools.

Acts of violence in Boston Public Schools, including physical assaults, bullying, and sexual assaults are on the rise and students, families and school staff do not feel that the district is handling these attacks appropriately, the order says, citing 440 reported incidents of bullying and 744 sexual assaults reported last school year.

On January 4, 2023, the first day back from winter break, a teacher from Young Achievers School was escorting her student from the building at dismissal because the student, a seventh grader, asked for her help to walk her home because she was afraid, said Councilor Murphy. The teacher and student were jumped by a group of girls and elementary school-aged students, as young as fourth grade, witnessed this attack. They were being punched and kicked repeatedly. As the teacher shielded the student on the ground, one of the girls jumped on her head, knocking her unconscious and causing severe damage to her face and eyes.

The hearing is intended to examine how the Boston Police Department, BPS school safety officers and the districts administration can work together to enforce a policy that ensures all our students are safe.

Story continues

Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, who said her niece attends the Young Achievers School, said the hearing should center on what families of students want when it comes to school safety.

I talk to a parent at the Young Achievers every single day about whats happening there, and I just want to say that if we are talking about how to ensure the safety of the children there, limiting that conversation to one about police officers and resource officers is not the way forward, Louijeune said. Im not saying this conversation cant happen, but it is extremely shortsighted for us to have it in a way that is not discussing what the parents of students in the school are talking about every day when it comes to public safety. "

On her refiling of a hearing order on diversifying the citys cannabis business model, Councilor Julia Meija said, If were really serious about meeting this moment then we need to be serious about how we are going to change the way we do business.

The hearing order seeks to examine the idea of having leased commercial kitchens where cannabis producers could make products.

Barriers to opening a brick-and-mortar storefront still exist, especially for individuals interested in opening up a cannabis dispensary in the City of Boston; and WHEREAS, States across the country, including Colorado, have individuals to produce and sell edibles made in leased commercial kitchens, the order says.

Im looking forward to really having a conversation of what it looks like when were really serious about social equity licenses and things of that nature. We have seen so many folks come in and out of these spaces trying to build their businesses and we need to start thinking outside of the box in terms of how we diversify the cannabis industry here in the city of Boston, Mejia said.

Other orders that were filed Wednesday concerned ventilation systems in schools to reduce the spread of COVID-19, exploring using municipal bonds to increase affordable housing, and amending Bostons zoning code to allow residents and businesses to host honey bee hives.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is actively considering proscribing Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation but has not reached a final decision on the matter, foreign office minister Leo Docherty told parliament on Thursday.

"It would be wrong of me to speculate ... about the outcome of the government's current consideration of this issue, which is active," Docherty said during a debate on the situation in Iran during which some lawmakers had called for proscription.

"But I can say that I think the calls right across the house, and the unity with which these calls are being made on all sides will be noted by the government and this is something that we regard as extremely serious."

Proscribing Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group would mean that it would become a criminal offence in Britain to belong to the group, attend its meetings, and carry its logo in public.

The organisation is already subject to British sanctions.

(Reporting by William James, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
BELFAST (Reuters) - Britain's Northern Ireland Minister said on Thursday that he would take time to decide whether to call fresh elections as talks continue between London and Brussels on revising post-Brexit trade rules for the region.

The British government in November pushed back a deadline to hold what would be the second election within a year to the Northern Ireland assembly to provide space for progress in the talks between Britain and the European Union.

Under legislation introduced at the time, a 12-week clock to hold the election starts on Jan. 19 and Chris Heaton-Harris said he would not be calling an election next week.

"I have 12 weeks to reflect on what I need to do," Heaton-Harris told reporters after talks with Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.

Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing government since the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) began a boycott last February in protest at post-Brexit checks on some goods moving from the rest of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland.

They refused to return after an election in May made Irish nationalists Sinn Fein the largest party for the first time.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin in Dublin)
Suspected quadruple killer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court with cuts on his face as he waived his right to a speedy trial on charges of murdering four Idaho students.

The 28-year-old criminology PhD student made a brief appearance in Latah County Courthouse in Moscow on Thursday morning for a status hearing in his murder case.

Dressed in an orange t-shirt and with unexplained marks on his face, Mr Kohberger spoke only to answer yes when asked if he understood his rights to a speedy preliminary hearing within the next 14 days and if he agreed to waive those rights.

Mr Kohbergers public defender Anne Taylor then requested that his next court date be pushed back until June.

The prosecution agreed to the request and the judge scheduled the preliminary hearing for the week beginning 26 June.

The entire week has been set aside for the hearing  when evidence of the case against Mr Kohberger will be laid out for the first time in court and he is likely to enter a plea on the charges.

His request for a delay before the next court appearance came after the defence asked the prosecution to hand over all discovery in the case in the next 14 days - including witness statements, digital media and police reports.

Now, the families of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin will have to wait six more months to face their childrens accused killer in the court.

Until then, Mr Kohberger will be held behind bars at Latah County Jail after he was ordered to be held on no bail for a second time.

Bryan Kohberger appears to have scratches on his face as he attends his status hearing on Thursday (WFLA)

Mr Kohberger did not enter a plea at Thursdays hearing  his second appearance in an Idaho court since being extradited from Pennsylvania last week.

However, he is said to be planning to fight against the allegations that he broke into a student home in Moscow in the early hours of 13 November and stabbed the four students to death in a savage knife attack.

Jason LaBar, the attorney who represented in Pennsylvania, said that Mr Kohberger was eager to be exonerated.

Story continues

He was formally arraigned on four counts of murder and one count of burglary at his first court appearance in Idaho on 5 January.

His latest court appearance coincides with the start of the spring semester at the University of Idaho, with many students returning to campus this week for the first time since the brutal murders.

Several students spoke out about their relief that the suspect is now behind bars.

Sphomore Ryder Paslay told KXLY that he breathed [a] sigh of relief when news broke of Mr Kohbergers arrest back on 30 December.

I think a lot of people are a lot happier and in better spirits, he said.

When I heard the news, I was sitting around the living room with my family, watching the report about it.

We all looked [at] each other [and thought] Well, they got somebody who they think it is, and I breathed [a] sigh of relief and Im pretty sure my mom did the same thing.

While Mr Kohberger has so far remained tightlipped about the murders in his court appearances, sources have spoken out to reveal that he made offhand comments about the murders before and after his arrest.

Mr Kohbergers neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told CBS News that Mr Kohberger spoke to him about the quadruple homicide just days on from the 13 November attack.

He brought it up in conversation, they said.

[He] asked if I had heard about the murders, which I did. And then he said, Yeah, seems like they have no leads. Seems like it was a crime of passion. At the time of our conversation, it was only a few days after it happened so there wasnt much details out.

During his extradition from Pennsylvania to Moscow, he also reportedly made an offhand comment about the murders to officers.

Bryan Kohberger seen in court in Idaho for the first time on 5 January (AP)

He did say, Its really sad what happened to them, but he didnt say anything more. Hes smarter than that, a law enforcement source told People.

Mr Kohberger seemed really nervous during the journey back to Moscow and spoke aloud to himself in an apparent effort to reassure himself, the source added.

He seemed really nervous. He was narrating to himself everything that was happening, they said.

At one point, he was saying something to himself like Im fine, this is okay. Like he was reassuring himself that this whole thing wasnt awful.

The motive for the murders is unknown and it remains unclear why Mr Kohberger allegedly targeted the victims.

An attorney representing Goncalves family said that no connection had been found between the four students and the suspect.

However, cellphone data suggests that Mr Kohberger stalked the student home at least 12 times in the run-up to the night of the murders, according to the affidavit.

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together before their murders (Instagram)

The exact dates and times of these instances were not revealed in the affidavit, which was released last week, but all bar one were in the late evening or early morning hours.

One incident was identified on 21 August, when the suspect was stopped by police just minutes from the home where he allegedly knifed the four students to death three months later.

A citation from Latah County Sheriffs Office, obtained by The Independent, reveals that the traffic stop took place at around 11.40pm at the intersection of West Pullman Road and Farm Road in Moscow.

At the time of the murders, investigators believe Mr Kohberger turned his cellphone off in order to try to avoid detection.

However, cellphone data places him close to the home on King Road at around 9am on 13 November  suggesting that he returned to the scene of the crime just hours after allegedly murdering the four victims at around 4am.

As well as cellphone data, the affidavit reveals that other evidence also led them to arrest Mr Kohberger for the student murders.

Police said that his DNA was found on a knife sheath left behind at the scene by the killer.

A white Hyundai Elantra spotted at the crime scene at the time of the murders was also traced back to the suspect, the affidavit reveals.

One of the victims surviving roommates was also able to partially describe the killer to investigators after she came face to face with him in the aftermath of the murders.

Investigators believe the murders unfolded between 4am and 4.25am on 13 November when all four students had returned from nights out.

Two other roommates were also in the student home at the time of the attack but were left unharmed.

At around midday the next day, a 911 call was made from the phone of one of the surviving roommates alerting police to the bloody crime scene.

Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found dead in her bedroom on the second floor (Jazzmin Kernodle)

The affidavit has now revealed for the first time that one of the surviving roommates  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer as he left the home after killing her four friends.

In her terrifying account to investigators, she revealed that she heard the killer inside the home and heard what sounded like crying coming from one of her roommates.

At one point she heard a womans voice  believed to be either Goncalves or Kernodle  saying something to the effect of theres someone here, before hearing a mans voice saying its ok, Im going to help you.

She then had a lucky escape as she opened her door to see what was happening and witnessed a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the persons mouth and nose walking towards her.

The man walked right past her and headed toward the back sliding glass door of the home.

The description she gave  a male with bushy eyebrows who was around 5 foot 10 tall or taller and was not very muscular but athletically built  helped lead investigators to Mr Kohberger.

The Washington State University PHD student and teaching assistant was arrested on 30 December in an early-morning raid on his family home in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, where he had gone to spend the holidays.

He was extradited back to Idaho last week to face charges and his white Hyundai Elantra was seized by investigators.

The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  is yet to be found.

As a criminal justice PhD student at Washington State University, he lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

He had moved there from Pennsylvania in August and has just completed his first semester.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University  first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.

While there, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.

Now, he is facing life in prison or the death penalty for the murders that have rocked the small college town of Moscow and hit headlines around the globe.
SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian prosecutors have launched an investigation into alleged illegal activities conducted by cryptocurrency lender Nexo, they said on Thursday, raiding more than 15 sites in the capital Sofia.

The announcement comes after Nexo said in December it would phase out its U.S. products and services over the coming months due to clashes with regulators.

"In Sofia, active steps are being carried out as part of a pre-trial investigation aimed at neutralising an illegal criminal activity of crypto lender Nexo," Siyka Mileva, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors' office, told reporters.

"It has been established that the main organisers of the international platform are Bulgarian citizens and the main activities are from Bulgarian territory," she said.

Mileva said over 300 investigators, police officers and security officers were involved in the operation. They are investigating the setting up of an organised crime group, tax crimes, money laundering, banking activity without a licence and computer fraud.

Prosecutors said Nexo has been operating through many companies, many of which were just "post boxes".

A Nexo public relations official told Reuters by email that Bulgarian authorities were at one of its offices, but said the entity "only has operational expense-related functions - payroll, customer support, back office".

Crypto lenders act like banks for the crypto world, offering customers interest on cryptocurrencies they deposit with the platform.

According to Bulgarian prosecutors $94 billion has gone through the Nexo platform in the past five years.

They said they have also established that a person officially found to have financed terrorist activities had used the platform to transfer cryptocurrencies, without elaborating.

Lawmakers around the world have stepped up calls for regulation of crypto firms following the collapse of major exchange FTX last year.

The firms grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as crypto markets slumped last year various crypto lenders froze withdrawals, leaving customers with large losses. Major U.S.-based lenders Celsius, Voyager Digital Ltd and BlockFi all filed for bankruptcy last year.

(Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova, writing by Alan Charlish; editing by Jane Merriman and Jason Neely)
Matthew Hernandez, 8, holds a sign with a picture of his uncle, Daniel Hernandez, during a family news conference in 2020. Daniel Hernandez was fatally shot by LAPD Officer Toni McBride. The shooting was recently ruled justified by the California attorney general's office. (Luis Sinco)

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office recently cleared a well-connected Los Angeles police officer of wrongdoing in a deadly shooting from 2020 based in part on the "expert opinion" of a police use-of-force consultant whose work has been criticized as illegitimate for years.

Other experts and legal observers said this week they were surprised Bonta's office would use such a controversial figure to analyze such a high-profile case  calling it an easily avoidable blunder by a state office that has been entrusted with increased power in recent years to independently investigate police shootings.

"Once this goes public, they're going to walk into a buzz saw" of criticism, said Jonathan Smith, a former chief of special litigation in the U.S. Department of Justice's civil rights division who helped oversee federal investigations of police departments under the Obama administration.

Bonta's office took over the legal review of Officer Toni McBride's shooting of 38-year-old Daniel Hernandez to avoid claims of bias after then-L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey agreed to recuse her office from handling the case due to a conflict of interest.

McBride is the daughter of Jamie McBride, an influential leader at the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which was one of Lacey's largest campaign donors.

However, the state's reliance on psychologist William J. Lewinski is now raising its own concerns, given his track record. Lewinski has been accused of using "pseudoscience" to justify questionable police shootings across the country through his for-hire Force Science Institute.

"I was shocked that Bonta used Lewinski," said Arnoldo Casillas, an attorney for the Hernandez family, which is suing McBride and the city of L.A. in federal court.

Lewinski, who did not respond to a request for comment, has for years defended the decisions of police officers to shoot people, including by putting forward unproven and generalized theories about the threat suspects pose from a distance. He has also claimed officers are unable to process what is happening right in front of them  such as a threat diminishing based on a suspect's position  while also focusing on tasks like aiming their firearm and preparing to shoot.

Story continues

McBride fired six shots in less than seven seconds in the middle of a chaotic crash scene involving several badly injured motorists whose vehicles had been struck by a truck driven by Hernandez. Hernandez had methamphetamine in his system at the time, according to a toxicology report, and witnesses at the scene said he had been threatening to kill himself with a box cutter before approaching McBride.

McBride, a trained sharpshooter, repeatedly commanded Hernandez to drop the weapon. She then shot him in three bursts of two shots each  the first as he advanced toward her, which made him fall to the ground; the second as he got back to his hands and knees as if to advance again; and the third while he was rolling on the ground.

The incident was captured by McBride's body-camera and by witnesses with smartphones.

Police officials including Chief Michel Moore defended McBride's actions as appropriate, but the Los Angeles Police Commission ruled that her last two shots  including one to Hernandez's head, which his family says killed him  violated department policy.

In its report issued last month, Bonta's office sided with Moore, ruling that McBride had "reasonably believed that she needed to use deadly force to protect herself and others" when she opened fire on Hernandez, and had "used only that force which was necessary to guard against that threat."

The report included an analysis of McBride's six shots by Lewinski, which leaned heavily on theories he has been criticized for using in the past. Among them were estimates of the threat Hernandez posed based on the distance he was from McBride and other bystanders and of assumed limits on McBride's capacity to evaluate the situation playing out in front of her while also reacting to it physically.

Lewinski determined McBride had to initially shoot Hernandez when he was nearly 40 feet away from her because an "average person" can close that distance "in under 3 seconds," so she "had only seconds to protect herself and even less time to protect others who were closer."

Lewinski also concluded that McBride "could not have detected" the fact that Hernandez no longer represented a threat when she shot him the last two times while he was on the ground because she would have been "attentionally focused" instead on "shooting accurately."

Such analyses have been questioned in the past by other academics in the field of psychology who have studied people's ability to process multiple pieces of information at once. They've also been criticized by experts in the field of policing who have studied using time and space to de-escalate tense situations, and by civil rights attorneys who have studied the law around police use of force.

"It's junk science," said Smith, who is now executive director of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. "Throughout the law enforcement community and [among] other people who are paying attention to what's going on with regard to policing, Lewinski is not only very controversial, but increasingly discredited."

Multiple police agencies, including the LAPD, have pulled back from working with Lewinski and his group or relying on their theories in officer training precisely because of the criticisms of his work from others in the field.

Lewinski has defended his work in the past, including to The Times, saying his institute "trains investigators, attorneys, and police trainers to recognize and consider the impact that human performance has on policing" and hopes that its research "will be able to help the agency, the courts, and the community to fairly assess the judgment and conduct of those involved."

Capt. Kelly Muniz, an LAPD spokeswoman, said the department was aware of Bonta's report but declined to comment on it. She said McBride is currently assigned to patrol in the department's Northeast Division.

The office of current L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon also declined to comment on the report. Gascon had called on Bonta's office to take over the case when he was running against Lacey.

McBride's father, Jamie McBride, the police union director, said his daughter was "relieved" by Bonta's decision but did not want to comment on the report. Her father said she did everything right under the circumstances and received no special treatment because of his union connections.

Jamie McBride blasted the Police Commission, which had faulted his daughter's last two shots, as having "absolutely zero law enforcement experience." And he noted that Bonta's conclusion with Lewinski  that all of her shots were justified  mirrored the findings of LAPD's own use-of-force experts, Chief Moore, other outside experts such as Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force advisor to a statewide association of police training officers, and most recently a federal district court judge.

The federal judge tossed the Hernandez family's civil lawsuit after finding McBride's actions were reasonable and that she was protected from such litigation by the legal doctrine of qualified immunity, which shields police officers from legal claims based on their actions taken at work. The family has appealed the judge's decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jamie McBride said his daughter has been put through hell  and suffered stress-induced medical issues  because of harassment from activists who call her a murderer and accuse her of glorifying gun violence and showing no remorse for having killed Hernandez, in part because of her online persona as a dolled-up sharpshooter.

He said the focus should not be on his daughter's actions, her online persona or Lewinski's credentials, but on the actions of Hernandez himself.

"Everything that happened was a direct result of his actions, bottom line," he said. "Everything else was a reaction."

Bonta's office has stood by the findings clearing McBride in the shooting. But in response to questions from The Times about Lewinski's role, it said it is "assessing whether such analysis from the Force Science Institute is appropriate or necessary for any such future reviews by our office."

That assessment began after "concerns were raised" about Lewinski during an "internal review" of the office's work on the case, it said.

"However, given the totality of the circumstances in the matter, our office ultimately determined that his analysis was sufficiently reliable for the purposes of this review," Bonta's office said.

Casillas, the Hernandez family's attorney, questioned that decision and the legitimacy of the report given Lewinski's involvement.

"He has a cottage industry based on his studies of police officer reaction, perception, and responses, and you'll find now across the country police officers talking about their perceptions instead of what they actually saw and did," Casillas said. "But any sort of twisted perception-reaction analysis can't justify shooting a man when he's on the ground nearly prone."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jan. 11Chili chefs from around the area are invited to test their skills at the Carver Community Center's 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off scheduled for 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, in the center's meeting area.

Recreation Leader Derwin Perry said the deadline for entering the competition has been extended to Friday.

The cost to sample all of the chilis is $2. A bowl of chili can be purchased for $5.

Mayor Jack Draper, City Manager Steven Folks and council member Demetric Roberts will serve as judges for the competition.

"All of the proceeds will go towards programs we have here at the center," Perry said. "Half of the cost of a bowl purchase will come back to the center, but most of them usually donate the entire amount back to the center."

Those funds help the center to provide items such as summer programs, basketballs, study classes, after school snacks and "having good fun things for our kids to do."

"This is also an opportunity for everyone to meet and greet these city officials," Perry said. "You can share your concerns or just say hello. We are a city where fellowship is the main thing."

If you would like to be a chili contestant, contact Perry at (256) 231-7630.

Staff Writer Brian Graves: 256-236-1551.
ADRIAN TWP.  A 9-year-old girl is in stable condition after being struck by a car Wednesday afternoon, Adrian Township police said Thursday.

The incident happened at about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, a news release said. Adrian Township police and firefighters were dispatched to the area of M-52 and Shepherd Road to a report of a pedestrian who had been struck by a car.

The investigation showed a 9-year-old girl was trying to cross M-52 from the west side of the road to get to a residence on the east of the road when she was struck by a northbound vehicle, the release said. The driver tried to take evasive action but was unable to avoid striking the girl.

The girl was transported to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor where she was in stable condition Thursday, police said.

The Adrian Township Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Adrian Township Fire Department, Raisin Township Police Department, Raisin Township Fire Department, Lenawee County Sheriff's Office, Lenawee County Accident Investigation Team, and Michigan Department of Transportation, the release said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Child struck by vehicle while crossing M-52 in Adrian Township
BEIJING (Reuters) - China strongly condemns the Kabul attack and hopes the Afghan government can protect citizens from all countries, including Chinese nationals, the Chinese foreign ministry said at a regular daily briefing on Thursday.

According to Reuters, a suicide bomber killed at least five people outside the Afghan foreign ministry on Wednesday, police said, and a nearby hospital said over 40 people were wounded.

"As far as we know, there were no Chinese citizens killed or injured in this terrorist attack, (we) hope the Afghan side will take resolute and effective measures, earnestly protect citizens and institutions from all countries, including the Chinese side, that are in Afghanistan," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin when asked about the blast that reportedly was targeting a Chinese delegation.

(This story has been corrected to change the quote to show Wang said "no Chinese citizens were killed or injured", and not "not many were killed or injured" in in paragraph three)

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
A satellite image taken on Jan. 3, 2022, shows a funeral home in Huzhou with a packed parking lot. An image taken in January of last year features far fewer cars. Credit - Maxar

Recent satellite images taken of funeral homes and crematoriums in several Chinese cities show a marked increase in activity, as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the country and as reliable numbers on the death toll have become hard to find.

In early December, following mass unrest, China shifted drastically from its harsh zero-COVID policy to a massive reopening. Experts had warned that an exit wave of cases could result in as many as a million casualties, due to apparent shortcomings in the populations immunity against infectious variants. Official data records 37 COVID-19 related deaths between Dec. 7 to Jan. 8though photos and videos of scenes at funeral homes and burials shared on social media have suggested the actual count is higher.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Beijing has been accused of hiding its actual COVID-19 figures, especially as neighboring Hong Kong, which also pursued zero-COVID policies, recorded some 1.5% of adults aged 80 and up dying from the disease by the end of its fifth wave of infection. Hong Kong and mainland China similarly struggled in vaccinating its elderly population, and Hong Kongs infections spiked in early 2022 after an outbreak of the Omicron variant.

Read More: Why China Cant Just End Its Zero-COVID Policy

While an uptick in overall deaths in the country during the winter season is not uncommon, more than 30 images obtained by TIME from space technology firm Maxar offer insights into the unique present situation through historical comparisons. An increase in foot traffic in crematoriums and funeral homes this winter can be seen, compared to snapshots from the same periods in prior years.

Chinawhich once touted the worlds lowest COVID-related death toll, attributed by the Communist Party to the prolonged enforcement of testing, quarantines, and lockdowns under its zero-COVID approachnow faces criticism from the World Health Organization for allegedly underreporting the countrys current number of fatalities.

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Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a China expert and professor emeritus at Hong Kong Baptist University, tells TIME that the satellite images demonstrate that the number of deaths is much higher than what the authorities are saying.

What do the satellite images show?

Snapshots of the Tongzhou District Funeral Home in the capital Beijing suggest the new creation of a parking lot by Dec. 24, 2022, where dozens of vehicles are pictured. The lot did not exist in a snapshot taken less than three weeks earlier.

The Tongzhou Funeral Home in Beijing on Dec. 24, 2022. Maxar

The Tongzhou Funeral Home in Beijing on Dec. 6, 2022. Maxar

In the eastern Jiangsu province, dozens of vehicles can be seen queued outside and parked beside the Nanjing Funeral Home complex, based on a Jan. 3 snapshot. The vehicles were not captured in a previous image taken on Nov. 9, 2022.

Roads around the Nanjing Funeral Home in Jiangsu province on Jan. 3, 2023. Maxar

Roads around the Nanjing Funeral Home in Jiangsu province on Nov. 9, 2022. Maxar

In Chengdu, in the province of Sichuan, satellite images show many vehicles, including white ones resembling the vans commonly used as hearses, surrounding the Donglin Funeral Home. A photo of the area taken a year earlier on Dec. 18, 2021, shows hardly any vehicles in the area.

The vicinity of the Donglin Funeral Home in Chengdu on Dec. 21, 2022. Maxar

The vicinity of the Donglin Funeral Home in Chengdu on Dec. 18, 2021. Maxar

Why is China not releasing figures?

China has not updated its daily COVID-19 reports for three days, an abrupt change in practice, casting doubts over the countrys transparency on the public health situation.

Senior Chinese health officials on Wednesday claimed it is too early for an accurate COVID-19 death and infection tally, according to state-run paper China Daily. China also only counts deaths from pneumonia and respiratory failure as COVID-related fatalities, while other governments use different metrics.

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control, said the Center plans to release excess mortality data to allay concerns over the veracity of their statistics. There is no set date when this data will be available.

Cabestan, the emeritus professor, says the lack of credible information on Chinas COVID-19 situation may damage peoples trust in authorities. This whole blackout in terms of information is backfiring [on] the government, he tells TIME.

But China is not likely to become transparent with figures anytime soon, as the government, Cabestan explains, likely believes keeping silent will protect its image and that, even as funeral homes see high demand, most citizens will focus on returning to normal life and will forget about policy hiccups.

Its a political decision, Cabestan says.
Biden and Kishida: A relationship far from flagging. Eugene Hoshiko/Getty Images

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to sit down with President Joe Biden at the White House on Jan. 13, 2023.

The bilateral meeting in the U.S. is the final stop for Kishida in a five-day tour of allies that has also seen him visit France, Italy, the U.K. and Canada. It comes as Japan takes over the presidency of the G-7, with leaders of the seven largest economies due to meet in Hiroshima in May.

It also marks the first visit to the White House by a Japanese prime minister since the country revamped its defense priorities with the release of its National Security Strategy in December 2022. The new strategy supports a more robust and assertive security stance by Japan in the face of shifting geopolitical and domestic realities. The new defense plan forms the backdrop to the meeting with Biden.

As an expert on U.S.-Japan relations, I believe the National Security Strategy is the lens through which the meeting should be viewed, with a focus on four key items.

1. Underscoring the US-Japan alliance

The preeminent goal of the leaders meeting will be to emphasize the strength and importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, both rhetorically and in substance.

The two governments will likely seek to display to both foreign and domestic audiences that Japan and the U.S. are in lockstep on foreign policy priorities. Both countries have framed democracy and the rule of law as common values underpinning the U.S.-Japan alliance, and there is no reason to believe that Biden or Kishida will deviate from that line, especially regarding their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Given the context of the meeting, such rhetoric can have substantive consequences and shed some light on how the alliance is being positioned within, and may evolve after, Japans latest shift in its defense strategy. Japans National Security Strategy is ambitious in its development of new strategic capabilities, including counterstrike measures, and represents unprecedented financial commitments from the Japanese government. Yet Japan can only achieve its new defense goals in close cooperation with the U.S. As a result, Japan will be looking for Bidens fulsome show of support for both the bilateral alliance and Japans new defense strategy.

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But the meeting isnt all about satisfying Japanese concerns  framing the U.S.-Japan alliance as solid and stable supports Bidens objective of reinvigorating relationships with U.S. allies and acts as a deterrence to any country seeking to disrupt the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region.

2. Addressing regional tensions

Over the past decade, the security environment in Asia has become more dangerous.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this is even more so the case. North Korea has become emboldened, knowing that Russia and China are unlikely to act against its provocations in the current geopolitical environment. It is telling that North Korea tested more missiles in 2022 than in any previous year.

Meanwhile, Chinese president Xi Jinping has reasserted his desire of reuniting Taiwan with the mainland during his tenure, holding large-scale military exercises around the island mere days before the U.S.-Japan meeting.

The U.S. views the steps being laid out in Japans new defense strategy to be important for regional security as a form of deterrence against aggression from China and North Korea and as a means for the U.S. and Japanese militaries to work together more seamlessly in the event of conflict in the region. The White House meeting provides an opportunity for Biden and Kishida to reiterate their common regional concerns and display a united resolve against any saber-rattling in the region.

3. Confronting Russian aggression

As both the current G-7 president and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2023-24, Japan will have to confront the main geopolitical drama playing out on the global stage: the Russian war in Ukraine. The new National Security Strategy illustrates how the Japanese governments view of Russia has shifted, from a potential strategic partner to a strategic threat. Japan has also voiced concerns that Russia could join forces with China in ways that undermine regional security.

These changes in the Japanese governments perception of Russia bring it more in line with the U.S. position and will likely be reflected in the way in which the Russian invasion of Ukraine is addressed between the two leaders at the White House meeting.

4. Economic security

In 2021, Japan created a cabinet-level post of economic security minister, and the importance of insulating the economy from outside threats was reiterated in the National Security Strategy.

A priority is working toward securing supply chain resilience in the face of existing  or potential  disruptions from pandemics, climate change, military conflict or politically motivated actions, such as withholding needed goods or services by other governments.

Both the U.S. and Japan have emphasized that a crucial part of supply chain resilience is partnering with like-minded nations. As such, a plan for enhanced economic and technological cooperation is among the topics likely to be discussed by the two leaders.

 so how much of this is about China?

The U.S.-Japan bilateral summit is not all about China  conspicuously, China was not mentioned by name in either the White House announcement of the planned content of Fridays meeting between Biden and Kishida or in the White House overview of the two leaders last meeting in Cambodia in November 2022.

Yet, China looms large for the U.S. and Japan in each of these four areas, as both seek to enhance the two nations defense, diplomatic and economic ties  and will likely never be far from the surface of what is being discussed.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Mary M. McCarthy, Drake University.

Read more:



Mary M. McCarthy has received funding from: Mansfield Foundation Bridging the Divide Program in South Korea (2018) Guest Lecture Support Grant, The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (2017) East-West Center in Washington Japan Studies Fellowship (2014) Mansfield Foundation US-Japan Network for the Future Scholar (2012-2014) Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation Grant for traveling atomic bomb exhibit (2010) Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leader (2006, 2005) Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (2004-2005, 2000-2001) Mary McCarthy is currently or has been a member of: American Political Science Association ASIANetwork Association of Asian Studies International Studies Association Memory Studies Association
By Bernard Orr and Eduardo Baptista

BEIJING (Reuters) - People in China worried on Thursday about spreading COVID-19 to aged relatives as they planned returns to their home towns for holidays that the World Health Organization warns could inflame a raging outbreak.

The Lunar New Year holiday, which officially starts on Jan. 21, comes after China last month abandoned a strict anti-virus regime of mass lockdowns that prompted widespread frustration and boiled over into historic protests.

That abrupt U-turn unleashed COVID on a population of 1.4 billion which lacks natural immunity, having been shielded from the virus since it first erupted in late 2019, and includes many elderly who are not fully vaccinated.

The outbreak spreading from China's mega-cities to rural areas with weaker medical resources is overwhelming some hospitals and crematoriums.

With scant official data from China, the WHO on Wednesday said it would be challenging to manage the virus over a holiday period considered the world's largest annual migration of people.

Other warnings from top Chinese health experts for people to avoid aged relatives during the holidays shot to the most-read item on China's Twitter-like Weibo on Thursday.

"This is a very pertinent suggestion, return to the home town ... or put the health of the elderly first," wrote one user. Another user said they did not dare visit their grandmother and would leave gifts for her on the doorstep.

"This is almost the New Year and I'm afraid that she will be lonely," the user wrote.

More than two billion trips are expected across China over the broader Lunar New Year period, which started on Jan. 7 and runs for 40 days, according to the transport ministry. That is double last year's trips and 70% of those seen in 2019 before the pandemic emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

"I will stay at home and avoid going to very crowded places," said Chen, a 27-year-old documentary filmmaker in Beijing who plans to visit her home town in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

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Chen said she would disinfect her hands before meeting elderly relatives, such as her grandmother, who has managed to avoid infection.

LACK OF DATA CRITICISED

The WHO and foreign governments have criticised China for not being forthright about the scale and severity of its outbreak, which has led several countries to impose restrictions on Chinese travellers.

China has been reporting five or fewer deaths a day over the past month, numbers that are inconsistent with the long queues seen at funeral homes. The country did not report COVID deaths data on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Liang Wannian, the head of a COVID expert panel under the national health authority, told reporters that deaths could only be accurately counted after the pandemic was over.

Although international health experts have predicted at least a million COVID-related deaths this year, China has reported just over 5,000 since the pandemic began, a fraction of what other countries have reported as they removed restrictions.

Looking beyond the death toll, investors are betting that China's reopening will reinvigorate a $17 trillion economy suffering its lowest growth in nearly half a century.

That has lifted Asian stocks to a seven-month peak, strengthened China's yuan currency against the U.S. dollar and bolstered global oil prices on hopes of fresh demand from the world's top importer.

China's growth is likely to rebound to 4.9% in 2023, according to a Reuters poll of economists released on Thursday. GDP likely grew just 2.8% in 2022 as lockdowns weighed on activity and confidence, according to the poll, braking sharply from 8.4% growth in 2021.

TRAVEL CHALLENGES

After three years of isolation from the outside world, China on Sunday dropped quarantine mandates for inbound visitors in a move expected to eventually also stimulate outbound travel.

But concerns about China's outbreak has prompted more than a dozen countries to demand negative COVID test results from people arriving from China.

Among them, South Korea and Japan have also limited flights and require tests on arrival, with passengers showing up as positive being sent to quarantine.

In a deepening spat between the regional rivals, China has in turn stopped issuing short-term visas and suspended transit visa exemptions for South Korean and Japanese nationals.

Despite Beijing's lifting of travel curbs, outbound flight bookings from China were at only 15% of pre-pandemic levels in the week after the country announced it would reopen its borders, travel data firm ForwardKeys said on Thursday.

Low airline capacity, high air fares, new pre-flight COVID-19 testing requirements by many countries and a backlog of passport and visa applications pose challenges as the industry looks to recovery, ForwardKeys Vice President Insights Olivier Ponti said in a statement.

Hong Kong Airlines on Thursday said it does not expect to return to capacity until mid-2024.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr, Liz Lee, Eduardo Baptista and Jing Wang in Beijing; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Nick Macfie)
[Source]

Before you read:

The Chinese man accused of murdering his Nigerian ex-girlfriend in a stabbing says he had spent around 60 million naira (approximately $132,705) on her while they were dating.

Geng Quanrong, who has been charged with culpable homicide, made the claim at the Kano High Court Number 16 on Thursday, according to Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust. The amount appears to be the total of various expenses, which reportedly included wedding dresses worth 1.5 million naira (approximately $3,318).

I bought her [a] house worth N4 million (approximately $8,847) [and] a car worth N10 million (approximately $22,118), Geng told the court. N18 million (approximately $39,812) as capital to start business, and spent N500,000 (approximately $1,106) worth of bags and shoes on her new shop and N1 million (approximately $2,212) worth of laces and wrappers and a house in Abuja which she started building.

More from NextShark: Rishi Sunak to become UKs first British Asian prime minister

Ummukulsum Ummita Buhari, 22, was stabbed to death in her shared home in Janbulo quarters, Kano state, on Sept. 16, 2022.

Her mother, Fatima Zubairu, claimed to have witnessed the gruesome incident:

He always comes around wanting to see her and she has been refusing. This time around when he came, he kept knocking on the door. When I was fed up of [sic] him hitting the door loudly, I opened the door and he pushed me aside and got in and started stabbing her with a knife. More from NextShark: Woman wanted in fatal New Years Day hit-and-run in Michigan

Earlier reports said Geng confessed to the crime, saying Buhari had broken her promise to marry him after he had spent so much money on her.

However, the textile businessman pleaded not guilty to the crime in late October last year.

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On Thursday, Geng claimed that he had also spent 5 million naira (approximately $11,059) on Buharis gold wears, 6 million naira (approximately $13,271) for the processing of her certificate at Sokoto University and 1 million naira to install a solar power system in their house. When they began to plan their wedding, he allegedly spent 1.5 million naira (approximately $3,318) on dresses and 700,000 naira (approximately $1,548) for spraying on their wedding day.

More from NextShark: Chinese Drug Trafficker Escapes Death Row Using a Screw Driver, Crawling Through Sewage Pipe

On the 13th September 2022, she requested some money to be used in the house she is building in Abuja but I didnt give her because I dont have money then, Geng claimed. Since then, she stopped answering my calls because she thought I am broke.

Buhari reportedly married another man, who divorced her sometime later.

Geng said even after Buhari got married, she continued to ask him for money.

More from NextShark: North Korea urges citizens to eat less until 2025, resorting to black swans for meat

Zubairu, who also testified in court on Thursday, said she saw 11 wounds on her daughter after Geng killed her.

Related stories:
[Source]

Reddit users criticized a tourist after he accidentally crashed his drone into the worlds second tallest building, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Chinese vlogger shared the mishap in a video uploaded to the Chinese video sharing website Bilibili on Sunday, which was then clipped and reposted on the r/Malaysia subreddit by a user named u/UniverseSphere on Tuesday.

In the full video, the man is surprised to see that the building is under construction, but he still pushes through.

More from NextShark: Oldest Asian America beauty pageant crowns Lisa Yan, Angella Lee as winners

He walks around and finds two workers relaxing by the road. He then asks them for permission to fly his small aircraft.

After receiving the green light and arriving at his destination, the vlogger takes out his device and begins flying it hundreds of feet above the ground. The resulting video gives a spectacular view of the building, which is expected to open sometime in mid-2023.

Tragedy suddenly strikes, however, when the man loses connection to his drone. The small aircraft, with its video camera still recording, can be seen hurtling towards a window of the Merdeka 118 before falling to the streets below.

More from NextShark: Catholic Priest Has 'No Remorse' for Using 'China Virus', Gets COVID-19

Panicking, the man tries to run in an attempt to reconnect his remote to the device.

"Game over. This drone is going to be destroyed," the man says in the video, as translated by video captions.

Oh, Im a real pig. Its over. Its over, he adds while running. I cant connect my drone.

More from NextShark: Extremely Rare Blastoise Pokemon Card Sells for $360,000 at Auction

After the clip made its way to Reddit, several users condemned the man for his actions.

Irresponsible drone pilot, one user commented. Should not be flying at that height over public places (with people underneath). This is the kinda shit that makes us other responsible pilots look bad. F*cking sh*t head.

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Fallen objects from that height is no joke, someone could very easily die, another Reddit user wrote. F*cker thinks its a funny video, wait till someone rats him out to the authorities. Also im not sure how steady the window panels are vs the impact of the drone, but I cannot imagine the harm it will cause if the panel falls down.

More from NextShark: I really want to meet Hanako!: Grief-stricken mother remembers daughter killed in SF hit-and-run in first Obon festival without her

To legally fly a drone in Kuala Lumpur, the person operating it must first obtain a permit from the Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia, which costs 50 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $11.40).

Before applying for the drone permit, the operator must first receive permission from the landowner of the establishment. Failure to obtain a permit before flying may result in a fine of up to 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $11,440) or imprisonment for a maximum of three years.

Related stories:
Photo: The Canadian Press Mohammed Mesmarian appears in court during his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. Mesmarian, 34, has been jailed since his arrest last Thursday in the attack at the solar array northeast of Las Vegas. He is accused of breaking through a fence and setting a vehicle afire next to an electric transformer serving several Las Vegas Strip resorts owned by MGM Resorts International. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

A Colorado dentist accused of setting a fire that damaged a transformer at a solar power array outside Las Vegas last week told investigators he wanted to send a message supporting clean energy and denied his intention was sabotage, police said in an arrest report obtained Wednesday.

I burned it, Mohammed Reza Mesmarian told police detectives during questioning following his arrest Jan. 5 at a trailer home parked at a campsite near Lake Mead, the Colorado River reservoir outside Las Vegas.

Mesmarian admitted he knew setting a vehicle on fire could cause damage to the (transformer) unit, but stated he did it for the big message, larger picture, greater good, his arrest report said. He explained the greater good was clean energy.

Mesmarian, 34, remains jailed without bail pending mental health evaluations and a court hearing Feb. 1. If he is found fit for trial, he could face felony terrorism, arson and other charges that could get him decades in state prison.

He told police the fire early Jan. 4 that damaged Chicago-based Invenergy's Mega Solar Array represented moving forward in the world, the report said.

Mesmarian told police he had been in Las Vegas for several days during the New Year holiday, thought the solar farm about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas was a Tesla facility, and he believed the transformer was connected to the network.

The solar array provides electricity by contract with several Las Vegas Strip properties operated by MGM Resorts International. When Invenergy shut it down, the casino company switched to the statewide electric grid. An MGM Resorts official said there was no effect at Strip properties.

Mesmarian told police he was born in Iran. His attorney, Nick Pitaro, said Wednesday his client is a U.S. citizen and a college graduate. His first name is spelled Mohammad in public records in Colorado. His online professional profile said he attended the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Pitaro declined additional comment about Mesmarian's case pending the mental competency hearing in state court in Las Vegas.

Mesmarian's arrest in Nevada followed several attacks and arrests involving electrical substations in states including Washington, Oregon and North Carolina, and an order by federal regulators for a review of security standards at the nations electricity transmission network.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also issued a national terrorism advisory bulletin, listing U.S. critical infrastructure among possible targets of violence.

Allegations against Mesmarian bear similarities to a Utah case involving a man arrested in 2016 and later sentenced to federal prison for using a rifle to damage an electric substation, causing a power outage in rural Kane and Garfield counties.

The man, Stephen Plato McRae, spent several months before his arrest targeting power facilities in remote parts of Utah and Nevada as part of what he described as a master plan to shut down power in the West, according to court documents.

McRae told an informant that he was stopping global warming, and he railed against fossil fuels. The court papers said he was planning another act of sabotage  the grandmomma as he described it  to disable a larger power substation in Nevada.

In Mesmarian's case, Las Vegas police found an iPhone linked to Mesmarian and laptop computers in a burned Toyota Camry registered to his mother, who lives in Idaho.

Mesmarian was seen on security video positioning the car, rigging it to burn, and sitting and watching the fire for about 15 minutes before walking away, according to his arrest report. Mesmarian told police he felt peace and had no regrets.

No employees were at the sprawling facility at the time. Damage was discovered after they arrived the following morning.

Mesmarian also faces escape charges after police said he tried twice to slip the grasp of arresting officers. He later told police he wanted to experience the feeling of what Black Lives Matter protesters felt when they were tazed by police." Police did not report using a stun gun on Mesmarian.

Repeated phone calls Wednesday to Mesmarians child dentistry and braces practice in Aurora, Colorado, went to busy signals.

Records show that Mesmarians dentist license is active but was restricted last July by the Colorado Dental Board, and that Mesmarian filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy last Oct. 5.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court records show he claimed $1.4 million in liabilities, mostly business debts related to equipment leases, but also a student loan debt of about $20,000. He claimed $17,601 in personal assets.

Dental Board discipline stemmed from a complaint about potential unsanitary conditions including improper disposal of infectious waste and uncapped syringes at Mesmarians practice, dating to October 2021.

The board called for Mesmarian to complete continuing education courses over the course of 12 months. A Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies official said Wednesday it was not clear if he had done so. The attorney who represented Mesmarian in the case said he no longer represents him.

An attorney who represented Mesmarian in the bankruptcy case did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press.
By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) - City National Bank has agreed to pay $31 million to settle lending discrimination allegations with the U.S. Justice Department, the agency said on Thursday.

A complaint filed in federal court on Thursday alleged that from 2017 through at least 2020, the Los Angeles-based bank received fewer applications in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Los Angeles County compared with other banks, and in the past 20 years opened only one branch in a majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhood.

In a statement, City National Bank said it disagreed with the allegations, but was supportive of the Justice Department's efforts to "ensure equal access to credit for all consumers, regardless of race."

As part of the settlement, City National Bank has agreed to invest $29.5 million in a loan subsidy fund for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Los Angeles County and to open a bank branch in one of those neighborhoods.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
[Source]

A university student has developed an app that can detect if a written work was authored by the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer).

ChatGPT, which was launched by AI research lab OpenAI in November, immediately gained global attention for its ability to craft detailed and articulate responses to human queries.

The tool utilizes OpenAIs GPT-3, a language-processing AI model capable of generating human-like text. Users have since been creating a variety of short content, including poems, songs, essays, story prompts and even code.

The apps uneven factual accuracy in relaying information, cited by observers as its major significant drawback, has not prevented users from creating full-length research papers and articles with it.

More from NextShark: How many K-Pop fans do you know personally?: British DJ sparks outrage after calling K-Pop fans suspicious

Anticipating the potential increase in AI plagiarism, Princeton University senior Edward Tian created an app that can "quickly and efficiently" detect if an essay or report was written using ChatGPT.

The 22-year-old computer science major, who is minoring in journalism, developed the app called GPTZero during his winter break and launched it for public use on Jan. 2.

I spent New Years building GPTZero  an app that can quickly and efficiently detect whether an essay is ChatGPT or human written More from NextShark: We prayed for death: 2 American veterans freed from Russian captivity in Ukraine describe torture  Edward Tian (@edward_the6) January 3, 2023

In a Twitter thread for GPTZero, Tian wrote: "there's so much chatgpt hype going around. is this and that written by AI? we as humans deserve to know!"

Story continues

More from NextShark: Chinese news outlet accidentally posts censorship instructions on Russia-Ukraine coverage

in short, there's so much chatgpt hype going around. is this and that written by AI? we as humans deserve to know!  Edward Tian (@edward_the6) January 3, 2023

More from NextShark: Asian Commuter Trolls Woman Who Covered Her Face After Seeing Her

Within a week since its launch, over 30,000 people have reportedly used GPTZero. Teachers who have used the bot to sort out dishonest students have reached out to Tian to share that they have achieved positive results.

According to GPTZeros website, its bot implements the same technology used to build ChatGPT to identify AI-created work.

GPTZero, which also has a beta version hosted here, measures the complexity of a written work by how much it perplexes the bot. A higher complexity suggests that it was written by a human while a lower complexity due to the bots familiarity with the text (being trained on similar data) indicates AI involvement.

The tool also measures the burstiness of a works varied sentences. Human-written texts are a mix of long or complex sentences and short ones, while AI sentences are usually uniform in length and composition.

In video demonstrations that compared the app's analysis of a New Yorker article and one written by ChatGPT, GPTZero was able to correctly identify which one was written by a human and which was done by AI.

here's a demo with @nandoodles's Linkedin post that used ChatGPT to successfully respond to Danish programmer David Hansson's opinions pic.twitter.com/5szgLIQdeN  Edward Tian (@edward_the6) January 3, 2023

The site noted that it is committed to keeping a version of GPTZero classic permanently free and accessible for any human to use.

Tian, who aims to bring transparency to AI, shared that he is still improving his bot in response to some users feedback on its accuracy.

"For so long, AI has been a black box where we really don't know what's going on inside," he said. "And with GPTZero, I wanted to start pushing back and fighting against that."

According to Tian, while he is not opposed to the use of ChatGPT and other similar tools, he wants some safeguards to be in place and for users to adopt the technology more responsibly.

Related stories:
The Columbus Police Department is asking for your help to find a woman and her son who disappeared Wednesday.

A Matties Call was issued for Olivia Renee Landrum, 32. Police said she was last seen on Wednesday morning at 502 Brown Avenue.

Landrum is missing along with her 4-year-old son, Quavion Landrum.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Landrum is 57, weighing 120 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black leggings with white roses on them, and black shoes.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police said she may be traveling on foot.

If you see Landrum and/or her son, contact Columbus police at 706-653-3449.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A commission of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation headed by the commander-in-chief of the ground forces, Oleg Salyukov, has arrived in Belarus to inspect the military.

Source: Press service of the Ministry of Defence of Belarus

Details: It has been reported that military units and subunits of the Russian group of troops located at Military Training Grounds in Belarus have been inspected.

The quality of combat coordination training was also checked. The commission assessed their readiness to "perform their assigned tasks in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Union state."

Background:

On 11 January, it became known that another military train from Russia, which consists of 15 passenger carriages and 10 goods wagons, as well as 15 open goods wagons carrying wheeled and tracked vehicles, arrived at the Cepina railway station in the Vitebsk Oblast of Belarus.

British Intelligence reported that although Russia holds a significant number of troops in Belarus, they are unlikely to constitute a real offensive force, and the new deployment of Russian aircraft is not a preparation for any additional offensive operations against Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Poke has become popular far beyond Hawaii. Alex Bitter/Insider

Poke has become popular around the world, with restaurants popping up far beyond its home of Hawaii. The US market for poke is expected to grow by $782 million, or 71%, between 2021 and 2026, according to market research firm Technavio.

I tried poke on the US mainland and compared it with what's available in Hawaii.

The Hawaii poke was simpler but tasted better to me since it wasn't cluttered with toppings.

Poke, or marinated raw fish, has become popular around the US  and the world.

A poke bowl with kimchi. Getty

Restaurants that serve the dish have popped up everywhere from Manhattan to European capitals.

Diners at a poke restaurant in London. Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images

You can't get a can of Pepsi or a Big Mac in Moscow anymore, but a quick search suggests you can choose between several poke restaurants in the Russian capital.

A map showing poke restaurants in and around Moscow. Alex Bitter/Insider

I grew up in Hawaii eating poke, so I decided to try poke in Washington, DC, and compare it with what I could find in Hawaii.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I started my comparison with a visit to Poke Papa, a restaurant in Washington's Chinatown.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Poke Papa has roughly 1,100 reviews on Google, with an average rating of 4.7. That makes it the most reviewed poke shop in Washington, as well as one of the highest-rated.

Alex Bitter/Insider

At the counter, the first thing that caught my eye was the variety of toppings you could add to your poke. Examples were corn, mango, pineapple, and seaweed salad.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Poke Papa guests can choose from a list of pre-built "signature" bowls.

Alex Bitter/Insider

They can also create their own custom bowls, with more-traditional options like spicy tuna and furikake (a mix of dried seaweed, fish, and sesame seeds), as well as unconventional additions such as crab salad and carrot.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I ordered three of Poke Papa's signature bowls, each of which came with a few additional-topping options free of charge. The bowls were about $15 each.

Alex Bitter/Insider

One of the bowls was the "onolicious," which uses ahi (yellowfin tuna) in a soy sauce as its base. I added seaweed salad, mango, and pineapple as optional toppings.

Alex Bitter/Insider

The pineapple and mango were odd additions to the bowl. Ultimately, it was my choice to add them, but I wondered what on the menu, if anything, they would complement.

Story continues

Alex Bitter/Insider

The fish wasn't fresh, but I liked the sauce on it the best out of the three bowls I ordered. It reminded me most of the poke I had growing up in Hawaii.

Alex Bitter/insider

I also ordered the sakura-salmon bowl, which included salmon marinated in a sauce of cilantro, jalapeno, and yuzu, a citrus fruit that tastes like a cross between a lemon and a grapefruit. I added crab salad, seaweed salad, and corn as optional toppings.

Alex Bitter/Insider

The yuzu sauce mixed together flavors that didn't work well together, let alone on poke. Meanwhile, the fish itself didn't taste much like salmon.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Overall, each of the three bowls felt like an odd mix of flavors. The mismatch was most pronounced with the fruit and vegetable toppings, but the sauces also disappointed me, especially the yuzu marinate on the salmon.

Alex Bitter/Insider

After leaving Poke Papa, I headed a few blocks down the street to get something I would find more satisfying for dinner.

Alex Bitter/Insider

A few days later, I met up with some friends who had also grown up in Hawaii to visit another local poke restaurant: Hilo Poke & Sushi in Washington's Adams Morgan neighborhood.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I scanned the picture menu posted outside before entering. Like Poke Papa, the choices seemed to contain several toppings each.

Alex Bitter/Insider

And like Poke Papa, Hilo's menu gave diners a lot of choices when it came to toppings. This time, though, I stuck to the restaurant's signature bowls and did not add any extra toppings.

Alex Bitter/Insider

The poke bowls at Hilo contained a dollop or two of fish. The "toppings," meanwhile, made up the majority of what was in the bowls.

Alex Bitter/Insider

A great example was a bowl called "R. House" on the menu. It contained more cubed cream cheese, which I already thought was an odd choice, than poke.

Alex Bitter/Insider

One of my friends said that the wide variety of toppings reminded him more of Chipotle or Cava fare than authentic poke from Hawaii, which tends to include few, if any, additions.

A Chipotle order. Grace Dean/Insider

I agreed. By this point, it was obvious that a lot of mainland poke restaurants were serving something very different from traditional poke from Hawaii.

Alex Bitter/Insider

So I flew to the real Hilo, Hawaii, to visit my parents for the holidays  and get some Hawaii poke to compare with what I had on the mainland.

Alex Bitter/Insider

My destination was a Hawaii supermarket chain called Sack N Save, which operates a store near my family's house.

Alex Bitter/Insider

While there are many great restaurants in Hawaii that serve poke, Sack N Save and its sister chain, Foodland, have stores on the most populous Hawaiian islands, making it an easy place to stop for poke.

Francis Dean/Corbis via Getty Images

Sack N Save and Foodland have built a reputation as a place to get poke, as demonstrated by these reusable bags I found near the front of the store.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I headed to the back of the grocery store to get to the seafood department and the poke counter.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I could choose from several kinds of poke, including spicy ahi and octopus.

Alex Bitter/Insider

There were almost no toppings, just different prices for different poke options. The only add-ons were cucumber kimchi and imitation crab, according to the menu.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Shoppers can also buy poke by the pound, a popular choice in Hawaii if you're headed to a party or plan on serving multiple people.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I kept it simple and ordered a bowl with just spicy ahi, white rice, and furikake.

Alex Bitter/Insider

At $7.50, it was half the price of the poke bowls I had ordered in Washington  partially because it came from a grocery-store counter.

Alex Bitter/Insider

While the entire bowl wasn't as big as the ones I got in Washington, there was a lot more fish than in any of the bowls that I had ordered at Poke Papa or Hilo.

Alex Bitter/Insider

The fish itself tasted fresher than anything I had in Washington.

Alex Bitter/Insider

The furikake provided a seaweed-flavored kick to the bowl without overpowering the poke itself.

Alex Bitter/Insider

This grocery-store poke was simple, but to me, it was superior to anything I ordered at the restaurants in Washington.

Alex Bitter/Insider

I wanted to understand the disparity between poke on the mainland and in Hawaii, so I talked to Akina Harada, who grew up on the island of Oahu and founded Abunai Poke, a restaurant with locations in Washington and Philadelphia.

Akina Harada, the founder of Abunai Poke. Akina Harada

Harada serves poke similar to what you can find in Hawaii, which means her poke doesn't come with toppings like mango or pineapple. "If you want something less traditional, per se, then there's other options," she said.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Getting quality fish is a challenge outside Hawaii, Harada said. Abunai sources its ahi from farms on the East Coast, a higher-quality, more-expensive option than the frozen fish that many poke restaurants use, she said.

Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Image

Those two differences  fresh fish and fewer toppings  made the poke I had in Hawaii much better than the copy-cat versions I tried on the mainland.

Alex Bitter/Insider

Before I left Hawaii, I made sure to eat as much good poke as I could. The cluttered poke bowls of the mainland just didn't hit the spot for me.

Alex Bitter/Insider

If you can't get to Hawaii but like poke, I recommend ordering ahi or salmon marinated in spicy mayo or soy sauce. And, most importantly, skip the toppings.

Poke from Koloa Fish Market on the island of Kauai. Michelle Mishina

Read the original article on Business Insider
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP)  A 29-year-old Connecticut man pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal terrorism charge, more than three years after he was arrested at an airport while trying to travel to Syria to help the Islamic State group, officials said.

Kevin McCormick, of Hamden, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries up to 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Sentencing was set for April 6.

A public defender for McCormick, who has been detained since his arrest on Oct. 21, 2019, did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday.

Federal authorities said McCormick, a former contract driver for a large company, told several people he wanted to fight for the Islamic State group in Syria. He also pledged his allegiance to the IS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, who took his own life on Oct. 27, 2019, as U.S. commandos closed in on him in northern Syria.

It's gotta be like Syria, McCormick told a witness, according to federal prosecutors. Where ISIL is at ... whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people, bro.

In September 2019, McCormick tried to buy a firearm and a knife in Washington state, but a clerk refused because McCormick was acting strange, authorities said. On Oct. 12, 2019, he tried to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, where he planned catch another flight on his way to Syria, but Homeland Security officials would not let him on the plane, prosecutors said.

McCormick was arrested at a small, private airport in Connecticut, where he expected to board a plane to Canada and then fly to Jordan, prosecutors said.

During the criminal case, McCormick was ruled incompetent to stand trial, but was later ruled competent after receiving treatment at a federal prison.
While the pandemic and inflation have changed the nation's economic outlook, Connecticut has stood by a pre-existing plan to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Now that its 2023, the minimum wage will increase from $14 to $15 in June under that plan. Some are concerned about small businesses affording the increase. Others say raising the minimum wage doesn't do enough for workers on its own, and people need to earn a "living wage" to keep up with rent and other expenses.

Here's what local players expect from the new minimum wage, including what it means for businesses on the state line with Rhode Island, and what wages will look like going forward.

Starting from $10.10 in 2019, Connecticut has been steadily increasing its minimum wage. In June, it will be $15 an hour.

When did Connecticut decide to raise the state's minimum wage, and how?

In May 2019, Governor Ned Lamont signed a law that first raised Connecticuts minimum wage from $10.10 to $11 that October. The minimum wage has gone up by $1 every 11 months since, until it hits the $15 mark in June.

Its been implemented in a timely fashion that has helped out a lot of workers across the state, said state Sen. Cathy Osten, who represents Connecticut's 19th District.

Cannabis sales in CTNo more 'looking over your shoulder.' Legal adult-use cannabis sales begin in Connecticut

Next year, the states minimum wage will be indexed to the U.S. Department of Labors employment cost index, which means it will automatically adjust going forward, without the need for a political debate, Osten said.

Due to the ongoing worker shortage, many businesses are paying more than the minimum wage anyhow, she said.

What does minimum wage buy?

People making $15 per hour still won't be able to reasonably afford rent.

Efforts to raise minimum wage are a step in the right direction, said Andrew Aurand, vice president of research for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, but they dont do enough on their own.

A person is considered "rent-burdened" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if that person spends more than 30% income on a rental. Someone would have to work 64 hours a week at minimum wage to afford a one-bedroom apartment at the current $14 minimum wage, according to the coalition's Out of Reach report data, or make over $22.50 at a normal 40-hour work week.

Story continues

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People working minimum wage jobs may be trying to support families on that money, so increasing the minimum wage is an important step. However, low-wage workers will still need rental assistance as rental costs continue to increase.

Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is an important improvement, but it doesnt solve the housing affordability problem for low-wage workers, Aurand said.

Like Aurand, Osten also acknowledges that $15 an hour isnt a living wage but said it will at least improve conditions for people in janitorial, hospitality and entry-level jobs.

There also needs to be more subsidized housing, Aurand said, and more vouchers for low-income renters to access spaces in the private market.

Some of the legislation Osten said shes working on involves job training, eliminating the tax break cliff for pensions and annuities for seniors, and improving compensation for early childhood care workers.

Plainfield lawsuitLawsuit against Plainfield claims COVID-19 policies violated First Amendment rights

We require a number of those workers to have degrees, and their rate of pay is at that minimum wage level, she said about early childhood care workers.

Could the minimum wage hike entice Rhode Island residents to work in Connecticut?

Neighboring Rhode Island, which borders both Windham and New London counties in Connecticut, is going through a similar transitional wage increase. The state brought its minimum wage to $13 an hour with the new year and plans to make it $15 an hour in two years, according to Rhode Island's website.

Well take them, we have jobs, Osten said.

In Eastern Connecticut, some of the main sectors still looking for workers include casinos, restaurants and advanced manufacturing, Osten said.

Killingly student mental healthExplained: Rapid-fire legal actions ahead of Killingly's student mental health inquiry

Are businesses able to pay $15 an hour?

While larger businesses can take the hit, smaller businesses will need to adjust, said Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut President Tony Sheridan.

Its not easy for a lot of people, but its law and Im not sure what you do about it at this point, he said.

There were concerns from the business community when it was passed in 2019. Even a small recession would make things tough for businesses needing to pay at least $15 an hour, Sheridan said.

You want everyone to be able to earn a living, he said. By the same token, if it makes the difference between having a job or no job, it becomes a whole different issue.

Theres also a trickle up effect that could happen, resulting in another issue for businesses, said Betti Kuszaj, executive director of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

If the person at the bottom rung get the increase, those higher up on the rung feel they should get the increase as well, she said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Rent, small businesses impact of a $15 CT minimum wage by June
Consumers who have a personality that scores high in terms of openness  such as being open to new adventures and intellectually curious  have better success at spotting fake reviews than other personality types, according to our recently published research. To reach these conclusions, we compiled reviews from a unique data set of 1,600 Chicago hotel reviews, marked as either fake or real, that was compiled by artificial intelligence engineer and researcher Myle Ott and his team for peer-reviewed research they published in 2011 and 2013. Each participant was assigned a hotel, read eight reviews about it, guessed at which ones were fake and explained why they seemed fake or real.
Photo: Contributed Corey Nislow a cell biologist at the University of British Columbia, holds up a sample of baker's yeast recently returned from 25 days in space aboard the Artemis-1 Orion capsule. Scientists hope the test will help them develop countermeasures to protect humans against cosmic radiation.STEFAN LABBE/GLACIER MEDIA

On Dec. 14, 1972, geologist Jack Schmitt packed 110 kilograms of rock into Apollo 17s lunar lander. Mission Commander Eugene A. Cernan gazed out onto the pockmarked lunar surface and radioed back to mission control in Houston, Texas.

"We leave as we came, and, God willing, we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind, said Cernan.

Fifty years later, human beings are finally preparing to step foot on the moon again. In November, NASAs most powerful rocket ever built blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, launching the Orion spacecraft on a moonshot many hope will mark the start of a new push to explore deep space.

The plan includes putting the first woman and person of colour onto the moon, and building a base on the lunar surface to train for longer missions to Mars and beyond.

Theres just one problem: like the rest of life on Earth, humans have evolved with the magnetic protection produced by the planet's iron core. That magnetic field (known as the magnetosphere) shields life from cosmic radiation  high-energy particles ejected from stars during the fusion process.

Astronauts living on the International Space Station still get that magnetic protection. But leave lower Earth orbit, and that radiation quickly starts to rise to dangerous levels.

Apollo 17, which holds the record as the longest manned mission to the moon, only lasted 12 days. Colonizing the lunar surface and setting off to other celestial bodies would likely require exposure to cosmic radiation for months, if not years.

Such levels of radiation could lead to gruesome results. Neurons are some of the first cells to get damaged. Blood vessels start to leak as micro bleeding spreads throughout the circulatory system. As time goes by, the radiation starts to damage your DNA, leading to blood cancers, tumours, and ultimately, death.

If you're on the moon for more than six months, you've now exceeded your lifetime dose of radiation, said Corey Nislow, a cell biologist at the University of British Columbia.

This is challenge number one.

On Dec. 11, 2022, Nislow remembers sitting at home watching TV for news of Artemis-1 and furiously texting his colleagues in Durham, North Carolina.

It hit the upper atmosphere, heated up, then bounced upward, he said. So it's like, oh geez, it's just gonna burn up.

To Nislow's relief, the Orion capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere, splashing down off Baja California with several scientific payloads intact.

Nislow had spent years leading a team investigating how to protect people from the deadly effects of cosmic radiation. To do that he has turned to baker's yeast, a key ingredient in bread and beer, and something he likes to describe as the oldest domesticated organism.

Bakers yeast diverged from humans roughly a billion years ago, but its rapid life cycle and genetic makeup make it the perfect stand-in to test interventions to protect humans against cosmic radiation.

The the mind-blowing thing is that [for] up to 70 per cent of the genes in yeast  if I remove the yeast gene, and I put in a human version, those yeast will thrive, said Nislow.

In the lead up to the Artemis-1 launch, Nislow and his team devised a payload of 6,000 mutant yeast strains. The researchers packed the yeast into growth bags filled with a liquid medium, and everything was kept warm by small heaters powered by nine-volt batteries.

A second payload, meanwhile, contained chlamydomonas reinhardtii, an oval-shaped, hydrogen-producing algae found all over the world.

Nislow says he was racked with anxiety after the spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific. The capsule along with the experiments inside had been shipped on a flat-bed truck from San Diego to the Kennedy Space Center.

After getting delayed by a snowstorm, Nislow arrived at NASAs Cape Canaveral facility to pick up his payloads on Dec. 31.

Inside, billions of yeast cells had exploded across 15 generations, the microgravity turning the medium into a cream colour.

We knew immediately it worked, he said, a smile spreading across his face.

Back at the University of British Columbia, Nislow stood in front images of the early universe taken last year by the James Webb Telescope. He wore a white T-shirt with a printout of the Artemitis-1 mission and joked, My yeast went to the moon and back and all I got was this T-shirt.

On a table in front of him sat 12 centrifuge tubes, each filled with a yellow suspension containing a billion yeast cells each.

Its not yet clear which of the 6,000 mutant yeast strains were damaged and which survived the 25 days of cosmic radiation. Nislow and his team still need to sequence the yeast's DNA to detect which have been damaged where.

Next, they plan to introduce a number of countermeasures to help damaged yeast DNA repair itself and act as a test case to develop anti-cosmic radiation treatments for future astronauts.

On the simple end, those treatments could include introducing vitamin C or different acids to absorb free radicals. Others interventions could mean administering a drug that would bolster mutant genes so they can survive a solar onslaught.

The mRNA technology pioneered in COVID-19 vaccines already teaches cells how to fight off threats from SAR-CoV-2.

In the case of the cosmic radiation, an mRNA countermeasure could act as a blueprint to ramp up the production of certain repair enzymes, Nislow says.

Cells already have a hyper-repair system, he said. We can sidestep modifying the DNA, inject or deliver RNA to you or me or a crew member. That RNA will make the protein that we want cranked up.

Unlike gene therapy, the mRNA treatment could easily be turned off.

We can have it destroy itself after a month, a day, a year. Those are non-permanent changes. It would be no more deleterious than taking an oral medication, Nislow said.

There are already some treatments doctors give cancer patients to help them heal genes damaged by radiation therapy, and Nislow says his work on protecting future astronauts will inevitably have medical applications on Earth.

To protect a deep-space astronaut from cosmic radiation means protecting his or her progeny as well. Thats because beyond being deadly, the damage cosmic radiation does to DNA can be passed on to children.

If we want to go to the next possible habitable planet, we're going to have to have crew members who give birth and their children grow up and give birth on these multi-generational missions, Nislow said.

Deep-space missions need more than protection from solar radiation, added Nislow, holding up a Petri dish with a colony of algae that only weeks earlier had circled the moon aboard Artemis-1.

The algae absorbs carbon dioxide, can be eaten as a source of carbohydrates and if properly coaxed, could act as a renewable source of hydrogen fuel on long trips.

Everything that you need is going to have to be on board, he said.

Thats decades in the future, but were already planning.
The cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors died after being tasered by a police officer in Los Angeles following a traffic accident.

Keenan Darnell Anderson, 31, died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, after suffering a cardiac arrest following the 3 January incident.

Ms Cullors told NBC News that Anderson, a Black man, had flagged down police and was asking for help following the accident in the Venice neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

LAPD released officer body-camera footage of Andersons arrest on Wednesday.

Authorities say that an officer was flagged down after a crash took place, and the officer stated that Anderson was acting erratically and running in the middle of the street.

The bodycam footage of the incident shows Anderson telling the officer Please help me before he takes off running.

He then told the officer that someone was trying to kill him, eventually putting his hands up in the air and telling the officer, I didnt mean to.

When additional officers arrived at the scene, Anderson again took off running, LAPD spokesperson Kelly Muniz said in a video statement.

The officers gave chase and ordered Anderson to stop. Anderson ultimately stopped and was ordered to get on the ground. As the officers attempted to take Anderson into custody, he became increasingly agitated, uncooperative, and resisted the officers, she said.

Anderson was eventually pinned down on the floor by an officer, and shouted, Theyre trying to George Floyd me, in reference to the Black man killed by police officers during a May 2020 incident in Minnesota.

As a struggle developed between officers and Anderson, one officer deployed his taser weapon. Anderson was then handcuffed and taken to the hospital where he died.

LAPD chief Michael Moore said that Anderson had committed a felony hit-and-run and attempted to get into another persons car without their permission.

The departments toxicology report showed the victim tested positive for cocaine metabolite and cannabinoids, according to Ms Muniz

The Los Angeles County Coroner has not yet issued an official cause of death.

Our family can never know what truly happened that day because we werent there. What we do know is that Keenan was in a supposed accident and he asked for help and in that process, he died, added Ms Cullors. How did this result in his death?
Russian has a new top commander of its forces in Ukraine in another shake-up of military leadership as Moscow struggles to retake ground and major losses in the conflict.

Well share what we know about the new general and what led to the change, plus details about a second batch of classified documents belonging to President Biden reportedly found by aides.

This is Defense & National Security, your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Ellen Mitchell. Subscribe here.

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Putin replaces commander of Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday appointed a new top commander of his forces in Ukraine in another shake-up of military leadership.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Gen. Valery Gerasimov will be the next commander of the Joint Group of Forces in Ukraine, replacing Gen. Sergey Surovikin, who was appointed to the position in October.

Why the switch?: In a Telegram post, the Defense Ministry cited the need to organize closer interaction between branches of the armed forces and for improving the quality of all types of support and the effectiveness of commanding Russian troops.

What happened to the last defense chief?: Surovikin  who oversaw campaigns in Syria and was known for his ruthlessness  was demoted to a deputy overseeing aerospace forces under Gerasimov.

More on Gerasimov: Gerasimov has served as the chief of general staff of Russias armed forces since 2012. He is a veteran commander of the second Chechen war and is considered a key figure in Russian military planning.

Trying to turn the tide: Since launching its invasion of Ukraine last February, Russia has faced heavy losses and numerous setbacks in the war.

Russian forces are currently engaged in deadly fighting with Ukraine in the eastern region of the country and appears to be on the precipice of making its most significant gain on the battlefield since August, having almost taken control of a small mining town called Soledar.

Story continues

Read the full story here





WHO IS VALERY GERASIMOV, NEW LEADER OF RUSSIAS WAR IN UKRAINE?

The West is scrambling to find out more on Gen. Valery Gerasimov the new top commander of Russian forces in Ukraine who does not make many public appearances.

Military history: The BBC reported in 2012 that Gerasimov joined the military of the Soviet Union in 1977, becoming a member of the Northern Group of Forces stationed in Poland.

He then served in the Far Eastern and Baltic military districts before becoming chief of staff of the 58th Army in the Northern Caucasus Military District in 1999, according to BBC.

The Second Chechen War began later that year when fighting broke out between separatists from the Russian province of Chechnya and Russian forces.

Gerasimov served as the chief of staff of the Far Eastern Military District, where he was reprimanded for a large outbreak of illness among the soldiers, from 2003 to 2005. He also served as the commander of military districts for St. Petersburg and Moscow and the Central Military District, which makes up a large part of central Russia.

Read more here



Second batch of classified Biden docs found

A second batch of classified documents belonging to President Biden was reportedly discovered by White House aides, days after the discovery of documents from a former private office of the presidents became public.

The new batch was found in separate location from the first, NBC News first reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

An earlier discovery: The first batch was found in a University of Pennsylvania office in Washington, D.C., that once belonged to Biden between his time as vice president and his 2020 presidential campaign.

Since then, White House aides have been looking for any additional classified documents in other locations, NBC reported.

No comment: Earlier on Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparred with reporters over the discovery of the first batch of documents, avoiding answering questions on why the administration didnt inform the public sooner when attorneys for Biden made the discovery on Nov. 2, just six days ahead of crucial midterm elections.

She said the situation was under review by the Department of Justice and would not comment on it further.

Read the rest here

Also from The Hill:

White House spars with reporters over Biden classified documents questions





ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Christopher Grady delivers remarks at the third and final day of the Surface Navy Associations 35th National Symposium, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a hybrid event to discuss U.S.-China relations in the Indo-Pacific beginning at 8 a.m.

The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Northern Virginia Chapter will hold its 2023 NOVA Army IT Day forum, with Army Undersecretary Gabriel Camarillo and Lt. Gen. John Morrison, deputy chief of staff of the Army for command, control, communications, cyber operations, and networks, among other officials, at 8 a.m.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies will host a livestream event on Rising Tensions in the West Bank at 12 p.m.

U.K. Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce will speak virtually at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m.







WHAT WERE READING

OP-EDS IN THE HILL

Thats it for today! Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A group of 46 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday demanding former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's diplomatic visa be canceled in the wake of the rampage in Brazil's capital by his supporters.

We request that you reassess his status in the country to ascertain whether there is a legal basis for his stay and revoke any such diplomatic visa he may hold, said the letter. It continued: The United States must not provide shelter for him, or any authoritarian who has inspired such violence against democratic institutions.

The letter was led by Reps. Joaquin Castro of Texas, Gregory Meeks of New York, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Chuy Garcia of Illinois and Susan Wild of Pennsylvania.

It isn't certain which visa Bolsonaro used to enter the United States on Dec. 30, just before the end of his presidential term. He is staying in a home outside Orlando, Florida, and video has shown him snapping photos with supporters in the gated community and walking around inside a supermarket.

Asked about Bolsonaro's entry, State Department spokesman Ned Price declined Monday to provide specifics about the former president's visa status, citing privacy concerns. He said, however, that anyone entering the U.S. on a so-called A-1 visa reserved for sitting heads of state would have 30 days to either leave the country or adjust their status with the Department of Homeland Security upon conclusion of their term of office.

Following the Oct. 30 election, many of Bolsonaro's die-hard supporters claimed the election was fraudulent. They blocked highways nationwide and began camping outside army buildings, demanding military intervention to overturn the election and keep Bolsonaro in power. Then on Sunday, they trashed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace.

The lawmakers letter contends Bolsonaro is responsible for the mayhem, citing his insistent claims that electronic voting machines were susceptible to fraud and the fact he never conceded defeat nor asked supporters to respect results.

Story continues

Instead, Bolsonaro and his party petitioned the electoral authority to nullify millions of votes cast on the majority of voting machines that featured a software bug. The request didnt say how the bug might affect results, and independent experts said it would not undermine reliability in any way. The electoral authoritys president swiftly dismissed the request and imposed a multimillion-dollar fine on the party for what he called a bad-faith effort.

"The unlawful and violent attack on January 8 against Brazilian government institutions was built upon months of pre- and post-election fabrications by Mr. Bolsonaro and his allies," the lawmakers said in the letter.

In the wake of the attack, Bolsonaro said on Twitter that peaceful protests form part of democracy, but destroying public buildings crosses the line.
A Georgia deputy is suspended after hes accused of posting racially-charged comments on social media, according to the Newton County Sheriffs Office.

An investigation into deputy Clay Stevens was launched after the sheriffs office was alerted to the online comments, according to a statement posted on Facebook.

Screenshots shared by concerned citizens showed racist remarks reportedly posted by Stevens about Black Newton County residents.

The Office of the Sheriff does not condone this behavior, the office wrote on Facebook. We thank those who have reached out to our agency with information regarding this incident.

In response to one residents complaint about a group of young Black men seen walking the neighborhood, Stevens advised that he should tell them to move back to Decatur ASAP, according to screenshots shared online. Decatur sits just east of downtown Atlanta and is home to about 25,000 residents  15% of whom identify as Black or African-American, U.S. census data shows.

Additional information about the investigation wasnt immediately available.

Newton County is about 40 miles southeast of Atlanta.

TikTokers capture mans anti-Asian rant at California In-N-Out. We are in danger

ABCs In Memoriam mourned Migos member  but the wrong one. We dont all look alike

Boss joked about shooting Black people, and worker who complained was fired, feds say
Exterior of the Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center in Sisseton, South Dakota. (Photo: IHS Dental Careers Facebook Page)

SISSETON, S.D.  A former Indian Health Service (IHS) doctor who worked at a clinic on the Lake Traverse Reservation until last week is being extradited to California to face four criminal charges from October 2017 of lewd acts with a minor.

The doctor, Cesar Bartell, 47, was hired as an optometrist at the Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center in Sisseton, South Dakota, in April 2019. The IHS facility serves citizens of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe as well as other eligible American Indians. In a background check, Bartell did not have a restricted or revoked medical license in either South Dakota or California, an IHS spokesperson told Native News Online.

On Dec. 27, 2022, Bartell was pulled over by South Dakota highway patrol in a routine traffic stop, Roberts County Sheriff Tyler Appel told Native News Online. Although no citation was filed from the stop, highway patrol ran Bartells plates and discovered an extraditable warrant out for his arrest in California, Appel said.

Bartell, whose name is spelled Bartel in the extradition order for reasons that are unclear, was booked into Roberts County Jail on Dec. 27. He remained there as of Jan. 12 while he awaits transfer to California to face charges, Appel said.

IHS became aware of Dr. Bartells arrest on Dec. 28, according to the agency. Upon learning this information, IHS reported it to the South Dakota and California licensure boards, as well as the HHS Office of the Inspector General.

On Jan. 5, Bartell appeared in Roberts County court solely on the issue of extradition, Roberts County State Attorney Dylan Kirchmeier told Native News Online. Bartell signed a waiver of extradition where he ...freely and voluntarily agree[d] to go to the state of California accompanied by a peace officer thereof, for the purpose of answering criminal charges there pending against me, according to court documents obtained by Native News Online.

Court documents show that, in addition to four felony charges of lewd acts with a child under 14 years old from 2017, an additional complaint was filed against Bartell in California court in December 2021.

Story continues

Bartells attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

"These serious criminal charges brought against a physician who worked at an IHS facility in South Dakota are deeply troubling," an IHS spokesperson said in a statement. "We are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all children under our care."

According to the IHS, Bartell underwent the agency's full investigation process, including a criminal background check, as part of his hiring process in 2019. He was credentialed and privileged in April 2019 and re-credentialed in April 2021.

All incoming IHS providers go through an investigation process, according to the IHS, including inquiries with the individual's references; a review of the individual's places of employment and education; an FBI fingerprint check; and inquiries to state and tribal law enforcement agencies for the previous five years of residence. Employees who have regular contact with or control over Indian children are also subject to a background investigation and determination of eligibility for employment with IHS.

Bartells alleged crimes against children contribute to the grim history of the IHS employing pedophile doctors. In 2020, Stanley Patrick Weber, a former doctor who worked on reservations in South Dakota and Montana, was convicted of sexually abusing boys for decades, and sentenced to five consecutive life sentences.

As a result of the Weber scandal, IHS commissioned an independent review of its handling of allegations of sexual abuse. The report, published in January 2020, found that IHS management willfully ignored or actively suppressed any efforts to address the dangers themselves. In a case study of Weber, the report also noted that Reporting physician misconduct was neither prioritized nor encouraged by a management structure more dedicated to ignoring problems than correcting them.

Bartells employment at Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center ended on Jan. 4, the IHS confirmed  the day before he appeared in court.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with a statement from the IHS and additional information about its protocols for hiring, background checks and reporting.

About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a staff reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is also the publication's lead reporter on stories related to Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Tribal Business News, Smithsonian Magazine, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New York."

Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com
Doctor and patient. (Getty Images)

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that protected abortion rights, medical professionals say they have seen a drastic increase in vasectomies.

Vasectomies offer a form of permanent birth control for men, and roughly 500,000 are performed every year in the United States.

There was an increase of basically 100% in the number of vasectomies from the moment Roe v. Wade was overturned, Dr. Esgar Guarin, the co-founder of SimpleVas Medical Clinic, told Yahoo News.

Guarin, a doctor in Des Moines, Iowa, who trained in maternal, child and reproductive health, says interest from male patients in learning more about the procedure increased after the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe.

Within only 48 hours, we signed up 50% of the patients that we normally sign up in a month, just immediately after June 24, and that trend continued, he said.

In November, a Planned Parenthood office in St. Louis also noted a spike in vasectomies in an interview with Live Action. Since the Dobbs decision, we have seen an increasing number of male-bodied people coming and requesting this service [vasectomies], Dr. Margaret Baum of Planned Parenthood said. We performed 142 vasectomies in 2021. Already this year, weve done close to 200 in 2022.

But doctors say this isn't the only major event that has pushed men to seek a permanent form of contraception.

During the Great Recession, there was a marked increase in requests for vasectomies, because people felt that the economy was such that they couldn't afford to have children, Marc Goldstein, professor of reproductive medicine and urology at Weill Cornell Medical College, told Yahoo News.

Between 2007 and 2009, an estimated 150,000 to 180,000 additional men received a vasectomy, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

And we're seeing exactly the same thing happening now, Goldstein said. We've seen a doubling or tripling overall in the number of vasectomies, and they marked a drop in the number of reversals since Roe v. Wade.

Story continues

Abortion rights activists at a protest in Los Angeles on June 24, 2022. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Doctors note a slight increase in the number of patients younger than 30 with no children seeking a vasectomy, with the largest increase among in men in their mid- to late 30s.

We saw a bump up of about 20% to 25% from 35- to 37-year-old men who had decided not to have any children in years prior, but had done nothing about it, and were purely relying on the partner for their contraception, Guarin said.

As abortion rights are restricted nationwide, experts say vasectomies do not provide a replacement for access to abortion.

Contraception is an integral part of ensuring reproductive justice, freedom and autonomy, but it always has to exist with access to other pregnancy outcomes, including access to abortion, Katrina Kimport, professor of reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, told Yahoo News.

Even though medical professionals say vasectomies are cheaper, safer and faster, more women get their tubes tied. Vasectomies are an outpatient procedure with a low risk of complications and take less than an hour to complete.

Tubal ligation and other procedures for women are options, but they usually have a higher risk of complications and may cost more, Dr. Nicholas Toepfer, a UCHealth urologist, said in a UCHealth article.

There has never been a single death from a vasectomy ever. In tubal ligation every single year in this country alone, 25 to 30 women die from getting a tubal ligation, because it requires a general anesthetic, Goldstein said.

Since vasectomies have rarely been the popular choice, women have often carried the burden of preventing pregnancies.

Women and people who can get pregnant are largely expected to prevent pregnancy on their own for 30 years or more. And there's not enough public recognition for how hard that is, Krystale Littlejohn, associate professor of sociology at the University of Oregon, told Yahoo News. Responsibility for preventing pregnancy shouldn't be a stopgap effort for men, and it shouldn't be something that is done periodically. It is a long-term commitment to their partners and to themselves.

Doctors suggest that men could step up more often. It's sad to see that it took restricting the rights of an individual to choose about her own body for the counterparts to say, 'You know what, I probably should be doing something, because I cannot rely on the very last option, because it's no longer available,' Guarin said.
To hear Republicans react to reports that attorneys working for President Joe Biden had discovered  and promptly reported  the presence of documents bearing classification markings at a Washington DC think tank where he kept an office before launching his 2020 presidential campaign, one might think Christmas came early in the new year.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch defender of former president Donald Trump, immediately took to right-wing host Tucker Carlsons Fox News programme to declare that Attorney General Merrick Garland should be impeached if Mr Garland fails to treat Mr Biden the way Mr Trump was treated after he refused to return classified documents that hed taken to his Florida home before leaving office.

Since his term ended in January 2021, the National Archives and the Justice Department have been pushing Mr Trump to return documents that he took from the White House, some of which have been reported to be classified at top secret levels or higher.

The back-and-forth culminated in the FBIs search of Mr Trumps Florida home on 8 August, at which point special agents recovered more than 100 such documents. Between the documents found during the search, another tranche turned over in response to a grand jury subpoena, and the contents of 15 other boxes returned to the National Archives in January 2022, Mr Trump has allegedly had possession of more than 300 classified documents long after his ability to legally possess national defence information expired.

A Department of Justice special counsel, Jack Smith, is overseeing a probe into whether Mr Trump violated US laws governing handling of national defence information by hoarding the documents.

Most legal experts and intelligence veterans believe the ex-president faces considerable legal peril from Mr Smiths probe.

And while the GOP has not been willing to criticise Mr Trump, they are jumping on the news of the discovery of roughly a dozen intelligence memoranda and briefing documents at an office Mr Biden used at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank in Washington. A second set of documents was reportedly recovered at another location linked to the president in a follow-up search, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Story continues

Republicans have painted the Biden discoveries as an equivilent offence that can be used to argue that Mr Trump is being singled out for political reasons.

The ex-presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, expressed the line many Republicans have taken in the wake of the revelations in a Tuesday post on Twitter, writing: Biden kept classified documents from the Obama administration that he as VP would not have had the ability to declassify and I have yet to hear about the FBI Hostage Rescue Team raiding one of his homes? Why the double standard?

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, suggested that the media is already giving Mr Biden kid glove treatment over the matter during a Tuesday press conference.

The image included in a US Justice Department court filing on Tuesday against Donald Trump (US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE/AFP via)

If then-Vice President Biden took classified documents with him, and held them for years, and criticised former President Trump during that same time that he had those classified documents  I wonder why the press isnt asking the same questions of him, he said.

In fact, the press did ask questions about the matter when Mr Biden appeared for a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Mexico City, but the president declined to answer their queries.

Another top Republican, incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner of Ohio, asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to conduct an assessment as to whether the discovery of documents at Mr Bidens former office indicates any damage to US interests.

In a letter to DNI Avril Haines, Mr Turner warned that Mr Biden could be in potential violation of laws protecting national security, such the Espionage Act and Presidential Records Act.

Those entrusted with access to classified information have a duty and an obligation to protect it. This issue demands a full and thorough review, he said.

Yet despite the seemingly gleeful way Republicans are reacting to the news that Mr Biden or someone working for him may have packed classified documents in a locked office closet six years ago, theres a key difference they are missing.

When Mr Bidens made their discovery on 2 November, their first call was to the National Archives, which under the Presidential Records Act would have been the proper custodian of any Obama-Biden administration records.

According to Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber, the Archives retrieved the documents the very next day.

Joe Biden with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Legal experts say that fact alone not only differentiates Mr Bidens case from that of Mr Trump, but it actually makes it far more likely that Mr Trump will face indictment for his conduct.

Mr Trump never once attempted to notify the Archives as to what he had taken to his Florida home upon leaving office. It took Nara a full year after the end of his term to reach an agreement for the ex-president to return 15 boxes of materials, and only then did archivists discover classified documents among what had been brought back from Florida.

According to court documents, Mr Trump and his aides actively resisted returning more documents until presented with a grand jury subpoena, then turned over another tranche last June.

But the resistance to returning what was rightfully government property continued for months, leading the Justice Department to ask a magistrate judge for a warrant to search the ex-presidents home after developing evidence showing that hed lied about having turned it all over to the government.

Whereas Mr Bidens lawyers promptly notified the government that theyd discovered potential national defence information among papers in his former office, Mr Trump refused to return similar information after being asked to return it.

Its that refusal that experts say could leave the ex-president on the hook for violating a criminal statute which makes anyone who willfully retains national defence information and fails to deliver it on demand to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it at risk of imprisonment for ten years on each count.

In an interview with Insider, national security law attorney Bradley Moss said Mr Bidens lawyers did exactly what you're supposed to do if you discover documents bearing classification markings.

When you find improperly stored classified documents, you immediately notify the government  and you turn it over immediately, he said. "The reason Donald Trump is in criminal jeopardy right now isn't just because of the documents being improperly stored. It was the obstruction  that is why it has gotten to the point it has, where we're looking at the real possibility of a criminal indictment.
AFF Cup final match tours launched

Many Vietnamese travel companies have launched tours to Thailand for the AFF Cup Final between Thailand and Vietnam on January 16.

Vietnam will play the first leg final against Thailand at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi at 7.30pm on January 13. The two teams will then clash in the second leg final at Thammasat Stadium at 7.30pm on January 16.

Cong Hau, 29, from the northern province of Hung Yen said he and some of his friends had booked a tour. This is also their first overseas trip after Covid-19 restrictions had been loosened.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Federal prosecutors are expected to outline their case Thursday against former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants, who are charged with seditious conspiracy in one of the most consequential cases to emerge from the Capitol riot.

Opening statements in federal court would come just more than two years after Proud Boys members stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as part of what prosecutors say was a desperate plot to keep Democrat Joe Biden out of the White House after he defeated President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

The trial is another huge test for the Justice Department, which recently secured the seditious conspiracy convictions of two leaders of another extremist group, the Oath Keepers. Tarrio is one of the most high-profile defendants in the sprawling Jan. 6 prosecution and the trial will provide an in-depth look at the far-right group that remains a force in mainstream Republican circles.

The department has charged nearly 1,000 people across the United States and its Jan. 6 investigation continues to grow.

It's the first major trial to begin since the House committee investigating the insurrection urged the department to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and associates who were behind his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

While the criminal referral has no real legal standing, it adds to political pressure already on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Jack Smith, the special counsel he appointed who is conducting an investigation into Jan. 6 and Trumps actions.

Jury selection in the case took two weeks as a slew of potential jurors said they associated the Proud Boys with hate groups or white nationalism. The Capitol can be seen in the distance from parts of the courthouse, where a second group of Oath Keepers are also currently on trial for seditious conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years behind bars.

Tensions bubbled over at times as jury selection slowed to a crawl and defense lawyers complained that too many potential jurors were biased against the Proud Boys. Defense attorneys challenged jurors who expressed support for causes such as Black Lives Matter, saying that could indicate prejudice against the Proud Boys.

Lawyers and the judge clashed during sometimes chaotic pretrial legal wrangling to the point where two defense attorneys threatened to withdraw from the case. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, lashed out after defense lawyers repeatedly interrupted and talked over him on Wednesday, warning that he would find them in contempt if it continued.

Defense lawyers have said there was never any plan to go into the Capitol or stop Congress' certification of the electoral vote won by Biden. They have accused prosecutors of trying to silence potential defense witnesses  including a Washington police officer in communication with Tarrio in the run-up to the riot  by threatening them with possible charges. Prosecutors have strongly denied those claims.

Tarrio's lawyers have not said whether he will take the stand in his defense.

Tarrios co-defendants are Ethan Nordean of Auburn, Washington, who was a Proud Boys chapter president; Joseph Biggs of Ormond Beach, Florida, a self-described Proud Boys organizer; Zachary Rehl, who president of the Proud Boys chapter in Philadelphia; and Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boy member from Rochester, New York.

Tarrio, who's from Miami, wasn't in Washington on Jan. 6 because he was arrested two days before the riot and charged with vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church during a protest in December 2020. He was ordered to leave the capital, but prosecutors say he remained engaged in the extremist group's planning for Jan. 6.

Prosecutors are expected to tell jurors that as the Proud Boys' anger over the election grew, they also began to turn against police over Tarrio's arrest and over the failure to bring charges in the stabbing of another Proud Boy during clashes the month before the riot.

Communications cited in court papers show the Proud Boys discussing storming the Capitol in the days before the riot. On Jan. 3, someone suggested in a group chat that the main operating theater be in front of the Capitol. I didnt hear this voice note until now, you want to storm the Capitol, Tarrio said the next day in the same chat.

Tarrio's lieutenants were part of the first wave of rioters to push onto Capitol grounds and charge past police barricades toward the building, according to prosecutors. Pezzola used a riot shield he stole from a Capitol Police officer to break a window, allowing the first rioters to enter the building, prosecutors allege.

Prosecutors say Tarrio cheered on the actions of the Proud Boys on the ground as he watched from afar.

Do what must be done. #WeThePeople." he wrote on social media as the riot unfolded. Dont (expletive) leave, Tarrio wrote in another post.
Duke Energy Progress has reached a comprehensive settlement with all groups involved in its proposed $90 million rate hike in South Carolina and hopes to file details with the S.C. Public Service Commission on Thursday.

Duke Energy Corp. and the intervenors reached by the Charlotte Business Journal declined to discuss details of the settlement until it is filed. It is certain to reduce Dukes initial request, but how much of a reduction is not clear at this point.

ALSO READ: Duke Energy on rolling blackouts: We are sorry for what our customers experienced

For instance, the Office of Regulatory Staff, South Carolinas utility customer advocate and a party to the settlement, had proposed Dukes rate hike should be no more than $49.2 million, roughly 55% of the increase Duke asked for.

Duke sought a 10.2% return on equity in its initial proposal. That is well above the 9.5% return on equity it is now allowed. And the ORS had proposed it should be 9.4%. That difference alone would have made millions of dollars worth of difference in the increase.

Keep reading here.

(WATCH BELOW: Free Duke Energy program can help you save on air conditioning bill)




Shoppers can expect to spend less time wandering dealer lots in the future. Maskot/Getty Images

After Tesla eschewed the dealership, EVs are poised to change the way we shop for cars.

Younger shoppers won't have patience for long trips to the dealership.

Changes to the car-buying experience won't be limited to EV buying.

Electric cars are changing the way we shop for and purchase vehicles, and dealerships are scrambling to adapt.

When Elon Musk's Tesla started selling its cars through stores rather than dealerships a decade ago, the industry was skeptical of the move. The dealership model, in which retailers buy from automakers and sell vehicles to consumers, has been protected for nearly a century by robust franchise laws. It's how you sold cars in America.

Tesla spent years beating back these laws, with some success. Startups like Rivian and Lucid have mimicked the model, selling without dealer networks in place after Tesla set the precedent for EV buying.

Then, car shopping in the pandemic and a prolonged chip shortage that strained inventory trained more buyers to order vehicles from the factory and wait rather than driving off the lot that day in a new set of wheels. This has led car manufacturers and dealers alike to operate on lower volumes and do more build-to-order business.

The role of the dealer is changing as a result. Thanks to the disruption caused by EVs, car shoppers of all kinds can expect to spend less time wandering dealership lots, talking with salespeople, and haggling over pricing.

"This is a movement that is going to happen within car purchasing  all car purchasing," said Karl Brauer, executive analyst for iSeeCars. "It will be more critical to EV sales and more expected from EV customers, but will start to migrate as younger and younger buyers enter the market."

Younger shoppers have become accustomed to buying anything they want online, and won't have patience for long visits to brick-and-mortar stores, he said.

Dealerships are already changing

For car companies, there are pros and cons to both the direct sales and dealerships. The direct-to-consumer sales model used by startups like Tesla and Rivian create a more streamlined approach to automotive retail and gives the company more control over pricing and customer experience.

Story continues

However, without an established retail network, Tesla in particular has struggled with vehicle maintenance and repairs. Newer startups like Rivian and Lucid are discovering that the messy business of putting a car in a customer's driveway could cost them revenue in the short term.

Companies like GM and Ford are trying to strike a balance between direct sales and the dealership model. At Ford, that has meant implementing no-haggle EV sales standards for dealerships to agree to before they can begin selling popular cars like the Mustang Mach-e and F-150 Lightning.

This approach, which requires a minimum buy-in of $500,000 from dealers, has courted some controversy. A lawsuit filed by New York dealers late last year accuses Ford of violating franchise laws with illegal pricing requirements and unlawful allocation systems. Still, two-thirds of Ford dealers have signed on for the program, according to CEO Jim Farley.

"We want to work with our dealers, but there are certain things our customers want that are non-negotiable," Farley said at a conference in December, referring to an increasing preference among car shoppers to buy without haggling.

With the launch of the Cadillac Lyric, GM used a digital retail network that allows car shoppers to complete transactions entirely online, in the dealership, or a hybrid of both. GM rolled out the platform en masse with Cadillac and will expand to other brands as more EVs arrive, president Mark Reuss said in a recent interview.

"If you want to go see it or touch it, or drive it, you can still do that," Reuss said. "Whether you buy it that way or not is up to you."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for the Met Museum/Vogue)

Twitter owner and CEO Elon Musk waded into a discussion about COVID-19 boosters in a tweet on Wednesday, with the billionaire claiming that it isnt clear whether, all things considered, a second booster helps or hurts.

Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide and waning immunity against the disease, Musks remark comes at a time when less than 40% of people age 65 and older have received a bivalent booster, according to the CDC, with officials blaming misinformation for the low number of vaccinations.

Is a second COVID-19 booster effective?

Updated bivalent boosters designed to protect against both the original coronavirus strain and circulating Omicron variants became available in September for people 12 and older, in October for children 5-11 and in December for children 6 months to 4 years old who completed the Moderna vaccine primary series.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations for who should get a second booster  or fourth inoculation of an mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccine  vary depending on age and whether a person is moderately or severely immunocompromised. Available data suggests that while bivalent boosters may not offer strong protection against breakthrough infections, they do help protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death  especially in vulnerable populations.

Prior to the approval of the bivalent booster, World Health Organization experts said in a statement last August that there is increasing evidence on the benefits of a second booster dose of vaccines in terms of restoring waning vaccine effectiveness.

Evolving evidence from studies suggests that additional protection of the most vulnerable populations, at least for several months, is likely to be achieved through administration of a second booster dose, although follow-up time for these studies is limited, the statement continued.

With the new bivalent boosters targeting the COVID-19 strain responsible for a majority of cases in the U.S., experts had hoped they could better protect against infection. However, two studies, one by researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan and the other by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, found that the bivalent boosters produced an antibody response comparable to but not better than the original monovalent vaccines  meaning they reduced incidence of death from COVID as well as the severity of illness, but did not reduce the likelihood of transmission.

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But for older, more vulnerable populations, a bivalent booster may be effective at reducing severe outcomes from infection. An Israeli study on Pfizer bivalent boosters that was published last week but has not yet been peer-reviewed found that participants 65 and older who received the bivalent vaccine had significantly lower hospitalization and mortality rates from COVID-19 up to 70 days after vaccination than those who did not get boosted.

A study involving nursing home residents published in September found that receipt of a second mRNA COVID-19 booster dose during circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants was 74% effective at 60 days against severe COVID-19-related outcomes (including hospitalization or death) and 90% against death alone compared with receipt of a single booster dose.

For adults 18 and older, a report by the CDC found that bivalent booster doses provided additional protection against COVID-19-associated emergency department/urgent care encounters and hospitalizations in persons who previously received 2, 3, or 4 monovalent vaccine doses.

Are the COVID boosters safe?

President Biden receiving his third COVID-19 booster, Oct. 25, 2022. (Tom Brenner for the Washington Post)

Common side effects reported after getting a booster are similar to those reported after a primary shot, and are usually mild and temporary, including fatigue or pain at the injection site. The CDC says serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely rare following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination.

When bivalent boosters were first given emergency-use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, some were concerned about the lack of human clinical trial data, but updated information from clinical trials has since become available. In November, Pfizer released data showing that the bivalent boosters safety in human adults was favorable and similar to its original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna reported in November that it had no new safety concerns in its human clinical trials.

A recent study funded by the European Research Council also supported the safety of a second Pfizer booster, and found that the second booster was not associated with any of the 25 adverse events investigated.

Health officials have been trying to overcome vaccine hesitancy since the beginning of the pandemic, a problem that has been exacerbated by an uptick in misinformation on Twitter. Shortly after Musk acquired the social media platform, the company announced that as of Nov. 23 it would no longer enforce the companys COVID-19 misleading-information policy, which involved labeling or removing content with misinformation about COVID vaccines. Though Musk opposes vaccine mandates, he told Time magazine in 2021 that he and his eligible children were vaccinated and that the science is unequivocal.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is set to visit Krakow, Poland, and Berlin this month as part of the Biden administrations efforts to combat antisemitism.

Emhoff will travel to Krakow on Jan. 26 and visit the Memorial and Museum at Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 27, communications director Liza Acevedo announced early Thursday. At the museum, he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony and attend the annual commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The trip builds on Emhoffs work to condemn upticks in hateful rhetoric against Jewish people in the U.S. He hosted a roundtable last month at the White House, during which he warned of an epidemic of hate facing our country.

Emhoff, who is Jewish, will be joined by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the administrations special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, on his trip to Krakow and Berlin.

The Berlin leg of the trip will start on Jan. 30, and Emhoff will attend a meeting of special envoys and coordinators working to combat antisemitism.

In Krakow and Berlin, Emhoff will also engage with local Jewish communities and civil society representatives, as well as visit historical and cultural sites, Acevedo said.

Emhoff increased his focus on combating antisemitism after concerns over it rose following former President Trumps dinner with rapper Ye and Nick Fuentes, an avowed white nationalist and Holocaust denier, at his Florida home in November.

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, also went on Alex Joness right-wing radio show and espoused antisemitic rhetoric attacking Jewish people and expressing appreciation for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Emory Goizueta Launches New MS In Business Analytics (xMSBA) For Working Professionals

Ramnath Chellappa, professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, teaches a class at Emorys Goizueta Business School. Goizueta is launching a new MS in Business Analytics for working professionals. Courtesy photo

Six years after launching its popular MS in Business Analytics, Emory Universitys Goizueta Business School announced a new version geared to working professionals. Emorys Master of Science in Business Analytics for Working Professionals (xMSBA) will welcome its first cohort in Fall 2023 with in-person and live virtual classes on weeknights and weekends.

The school is also introducing a new AI in Business track for students in the current full-time program.

We have observed a need in the industry from current working professionals in the areas of business, technology, and data, and what we are offering is fundamentally different than other possibilities that these people have right now, says Ramnath Chellappa, associate dean and academic director of Goizuetas MSBA.

Our xMSBA has been fine tuned to provide immediate benefits to how working professionals work in their organizations, he tells Poets&Quants. We hope that not only will individuals see this as an opportunity, but firms will see this as an opportunity to almost get free consulting from professors. It is their employees who are going to be solving these data problems.

The xMSBA is geared to people with five or more years of work experience in business analytics or related fields and already possess basic data and programming skills. The goal is not only to upskill the students core abilities, but to also provide better understanding of how the advanced topics of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing can be applied to problems their industry and company might face.

Emory Goizueta Launches New MS In Business Analytics (xMSBA) For Working Professionals

Ramnath Chellappa

In the programs analytics practicum, students will work on a real data intensive business problem faced within their organizations.

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Firms that send employees will have the opportunity to unravel a particular real-world problem theyre facing, using their own data. Often, the legal teams at large organizations roadblock access to this proprietary data due to liability and intellectual property concerns. However, through the xMSBA, only the students from that firm will have access to the data, and they will be guided through the process by the expert hand of MSBA faculty members and Managing Director Scott Radcliffe, says Chellappa.

Poets&Quants spoke with Chellappa, professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, about Goizuetas new xMSBA and its new AI in Business track. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Goizueta launched its full-time MSBA in 2017. What kind of demand have you seen that led to the expansion of the program?

It used to be that back in the day, there was a business guy and a tech guy, and they could never talk to each other. The story soon became that theres a business person, a tech person, and a data person, and those three people cant talk to each other. MSBA programs across many universities really stemmed from the business school rather than the engineering or computer sciences focus to address that very particular problem.

We developed our program from scratch with the idea that we will be as technical as a computer science program, and we will be as quantitative as a data science program, but never forgetting that, first and foremost, we solve business problems. That defines what we do with the MSBA program Emory. If you think of a Venn diagram with three circles  business, data, and technology  where they meet in the middle fundamentally speaks to the goal of our program.

We are in our sixth year, and weve been very successful. We normally take about 45 to 50 students, but we get close to 600 applications. Weve always had 100% job placement, and the median salary now is close to $100K, even though the majority of our students do not have work experience.

Its a 10 month program, and its fairly technical, so we need students to be prepared coming in. We also developed a joint dual degree program where undergrads in the BBA program could go on to do the MSBA in their senior year.

Has industry demanded more MSBA candidates as well?

I would say the crown jewel of the program is what we call the analytics practicum, or the capstone project. We work with a number of different industries, and we do projects in any functional area: from HR to marketing to finance. These are not play projects. We only engage with firms that actually want a real project to be done because we operate like a consulting firm.

During that process, one of the things that we observed is that even firms that have acquired good amounts of data are having a hard time putting it to work. Say, for example, you rent a thriller movie from Amazon. Back in the day, they might have used cross-product selling and segmentation to suggest that you might like a horror movie next. Now, if you look at Amazons recommendations, basically it says people who have bought this thing have bought this other stuff as well. Theyre not trying to explain, theyre not trying to get into the whys of it so much as they are letting the data speak.

What we are observing is that even HR firms, which used to be primarily a touchy feely kind of subject, are realizing that they need to use data they generate to better aid decision making. Sometimes data might provide a perspective that is different from what the gut feel suggests, or they might validate. On the whole, firms are realizing that even for very well established functional domains, data machine learning and all these other techniques can provide valuable recommendations and insight.

Who are you targeting for the new xMSBA?

The xMSBA is for people who are working in business analytics or related fields and who are looking at their firms problems maybe somewhat in a traditional way. We have developed, based on our extraordinarily successful curriculum, a format that works for the working professional. We want to attract those that have at least five to seven plus years of experience, and who already have some basic data and programming skills.

Our goal is to do business analytics. Data science is the way to do business analytics, and programming is required to do data science. Were not a software engineering program, so we dont necessarily teach programming.

Normally people with this level of work experience would go on to do an MBA, which is more about people management. Our goal in the MSBA program continues to be for those folks who want to go up an organization, but continue to want to be hands-on involved in these types of analytics projects. One of the ways in which we approach the client problem is that students take a business problem, convert it to a data problem, come up with a data solution, and then convert it back to a business solution. That is the formalized process that we actually teach in the program.

What is the format of the program?

The format is set up to not disrupt their work life too much. Classes will be offered on alternate Wednesday and Friday evenings, and on Saturdays. We start and end with a six-day residency in Atlanta, and we have two international residencies in between. So essentially, it means that the people who are working dont need to take off more than six to seven days in a calendar year.

Its a 10-month program, so who we attract is very important. It is very targeted. The goal is for people working in an organization to learn the relevant skills that can make a difference in that organization. In the summer and fall, theyll primarily learn the techniques and tools, and the spring semester will all be about the application of those in the capstone project.

We find that, with a lot of these purely online programs that are distributed across many semesters, many students dont even finish. So, its an intensive program over 10 months.

Emory Goizueta Launches New MS In Business Analytics (xMSBA) For Working Professionals

Emory Goizueta students in Prof. Chellappas class. The xMSBA program is for students with five or more years of work experience in business analytics or related fields and already possess basic data and programming skills. The goal is not only to upskill the students core abilities, but to also provide better understanding of how the advanced topics of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing can be applied to problems their industry and company might face. Courtesy photo

Is it mostly synchronous classes, or a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous content?

Primarily, its synchronous. We have realized that in order to accomplish a program this intensive, you require synchronous learning. While there is some prep time and asynchronous component to it, the program is synchronous. We expect we will have a number of folks coming in from Atlanta, so they will be coming in person. We are also developing a target audience in South America who are in the same basic time zone who can attend online.

Our strategy is to promise firms that we will do your data projects for you for free. You send two or three people to the program, and only they will have access to your data. Faculty members will advise them but wont contribute to the intellectual property, so the IP is owned by the firm. We end up solving those firms problems through their employees, while our faculty provides the intellectual kind of input into how it should be done.

I read that youre also targeting students in Mexico City, Mexico, and Bogota, Columbia, where companies have expressed interest in the program. These students will utilize the Goizuetas Global Classrooms to join their cohort. What are the advantages to having a cross-cultural cohort in an MSBA?

We believe that a very critical component of learning comes from students understanding, interacting, and learning of how other firms are thinking about data. The advantage with data based decision making is that language is not a component. Neither is technology, because these countries all use the same Google, the same technology, the same ad strategy to acquire. The idea is to see how they think about integrating data into their service offerings.

Everythings a global firm these days, even if you sell something within your own country. As we saw from COVID, our supply chain has spread all across the globe.

Emory Goizueta Launches New MS In Business Analytics (xMSBA) For Working Professionals

Emory Goizuetas Global Classrooms are designed to accommodate both in-person and virtual students to encourage class interaction and discussion.

What are some of the distinguishing factors of this program compared to some similar programs out there?

I would say that there are very few programs that seem to have thought about it in the same fashion as we have. We have realized that there is ample amount of content available on Coursera, Udemy, etc., but doing a lot of this education in a purely asynchronous fashion doesnt bring one of the key elements of the business school into perspective. Business School is not just about content. Its about experience and application.

Our goal is to guide the students to think about these problems in a new fashion. With that in mind, we have been fairly faithful to the full time MSBA curriculum, while understanding that the flexibility in the format that is necessary for the working professionals is different. We want to accommodate the working professionals time commitment while in no way reducing the intellectual component of our program. We want to maintain that experiential element, and I think the in-person and live education is critical to maintaining that experience.This is not an engineering degree. This is not a science degree. This is a business school degree.

I dont know that there are any other schools that have designed it in this particular fashion. I know at least a couple of schools that do offer MSBA for working professionals, but those are primarily asynchronous with small residencies.

I think the overall summary is that this is a very new field which means that people have come to the place that they are in within the organization from very traditional objectives and thinking. I think our consulting approach to solving the business problem should allow students and organizations to see benefits quite immediately. That is the whole purpose of doing this degree within the year.

As I always tell my students, we have the Googles and the Facebooks and the Netflixes, and then we have real firms. Firms that are still struggling with putting together data to make complicated and sophisticated decisions. They are not in the place of thinking about very advanced AI techniques. We want to address that immediately.

Switching gears, tell me about the purpose and need behind the new AI track for the fulltime MSBA.

In the full time program, we heard from some of our students  when you look at the Venn Diagram of business, data, and technology  who want to be more in the data and the technology dimension as well. In other words, they want to go to the Googles and the Facebooks. So that requires introducing some more advanced materials, particularly in the area of deep learning and reinforcement learning.

Emory Goizueta Launches New MS In Business Analytics (xMSBA) For Working Professionals

The AI in Business track, starting in Fall 2023, builds upon the core curriculum of the MSBA degree while diving more deeply in advanced techniques in applying artificial intelligence to business. Courtesy photos

We dont expect this to make up the larger part of our MSBA students, but we certainly want to cater to those who may otherwise think perhaps engineering is the only way to go. We want to say, Yes, you can learn these advanced techniques in a business school in an applied fashion.

We never want to backtrack on the goal of solving a business problem, so that is why we created this track. And the applied practicum that we will design for them will solve business problems that require the knowledge of those advanced techniques.

What are some examples of those advanced techniques?

I think there are three important topics: deep learning, reinforcement learning, and network analytics. The idea behind these is: How can you automate some of the learning itself? How do you automate the tweaking and the iteration so that the techniques youve developed can continuously get an infusion of data and go on to learn one particular individuals or one particular divisions design? If you think about Alexa and the Google assistants, there is a continuous learning that acquires individual level inputs and constant reiteration.

Explain Emorys AI.Humanity Initiative, and how does it relate to this new AI track?

AI.Humanity is an initiative by our provost, Ravi V. Bellamkonda, launched early this year. Emory is not an engineering university; We are full of professional schools that are all about applying AI techniques to some aspect of the humanities. So in the business school, we think of ourselves as addressing aspects of business and society.

Our MSBA program was the first STEM program from the business school, and its tied in very nicely to this initiative. When the new provost came in, he asked, How are we contributing to humanity through the use and development of AI? Certainly, on the research component, we were already doing this in the business school.

But what is really interesting is that, from the pedagogy perspective, our goal resonates with the applied nature of what Ai.Humanity aims to do  and that is taking this to the workplace. We talk a lot about AI based on the one or two or three firms that are always in the news. But, just this morning, our entire airline system came to a standstill. How could AI help manage problems like that? What do I do when my shipment of hardware has not reached my store? How do I use data to predict and forecast? How do I reassign my resources to handle that?

Those very fundamental problems are very much a part of application of AI, and very much in line with what the provost is thinking about.

DONT MISS: Meet Emory Goizuetas MBA Class Of 2024 AND NYU Sterns One-Year Fashion & Luxury MBA Is One Of A Kind

The post Emory Goizueta Launches New Business Analytics Masters appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Enys Men is a real curio  a folk horror film with all the desperate mystery of a message in a bottle, or a garbled SOS call. Its a film that demands some deciphering, viewers dropped in like detectives. A daunting task, maybe, but Enys Men is so rich with symbolism that theres a real satisfaction to be gained from rifling through the clues. I wished only that I could get my own hands on it  to cut it up and rearrange it until something new blossomed in front of me.

It follows a woman, named only The Volunteer (Mary Woodvine), who is stationed on a remote outcrop (the films title is Cornish for stone island). Her sole task is to monitor the growth and condition of a patch of flowers. Time seems to bend around her. A radio broadcast mentions a monument erected half a century ago in May 1973, but The Volunteers notes are all dated to April of that year. She finds a piece of wreckage from a boat thats yet to sink, and places it on her mantle. Her home crumbles into decay yet, in between scenes, seems to rebuild itself.

This reality is slippery. A seagull dips into the ocean with the sound of breaking glass. Rocks seem to sport human faces. The Volunteer begins to see figures, spectral only in the sense that weve been assured shes alone on the island. She sees fishermen. Miners. An old lover. A girl who might really be her younger self. The radio talks of a monument erected as a symbol of collective grief for those lost at sea. Is The Volunteer being haunted by those who share that fate? Is The Volunteer herself one of the victims, a ghost retreading the path to her own annihilation?

Whatever the truth, there seems to be a deep, physical connection between the Cornish earth and its people  the Volunteer notes that lichen has started to grow on the flowers, only to lift up her shirt and see the same organism nestled alongside the scar on her belly.

Enys Men is directed by Mark Jenkin, whos also responsible for its script, its editing, its cinematography, its sound, and its score. As with his previous film, 2019s Bait  a portrait of gentrification on the Cornish coast  its shot on 16mm and uses sound added entirely in post-production. The overall effect has the scratchy but hyper-pigmented quality of dreams.

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Cryptic as it might be, though, his follow-up is surprisingly embedded in traditional horror. The maidens in white that skip through The Volunteers line of sight seem eerie because weve been trained to see them that way, thanks to the heretical bloodlust depicted in Blood on Satans Claw (1971). The Volunteers red, plastic raincoat must undoubtedly be borrowed from Dont Look Now (1973). Would Jenkin ever be tempted to play his hand in Hollywood? Maybe with an A24 joint, a la Midsommar (2019) or The Lighthouse (2019), but I highly doubt it. Like the lichen peppered across The Volunteers flesh, Cornwall is just too much a part of him.

Dir: Mark Jenkin. Starring: Mary Woodvine, Flo Crowe, John Woodvine, and Edward Rowe. 15, 90 minutes.

Enys Men is in cinemas from 13 January
Scientists have set out to innovate a new type of ammonia that could help create greener fertilizer  and minimize the climate impacts of a ubiquitous but energy-intensive compound.

Industrial production of ammonia  a key ingredient in fertilizers  creates one of the worlds biggest chemical commodities but also takes a heavy toll on the environment.

Ammonia manufacturing consumes about 1 percent of all fossil fuels and unleashes 1 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, chemists at the University of California, Berkeley, warned.

One major obstacle thus far has been the huge amount of energy required to separate ammonia from the reactants  mainly nitrogen and hydrogen  involved in ammonia production, according to the scientists.

The process involves large temperature and pressure swings, which has also necessitated enormous inputs of energy, the chemists explained.

While the initial reaction needs to take place at extremely high temperatures, the ammonia must be removed by cooling the gas to well below freezing  at which point it condenses into a liquid.

But the UC Berkeley team designed porous materials that are capable of binding and releasing ammonia at more moderate pressures and temperatures, a mechanism the scientists revealed on Wednesday in Nature.

You dont want to have to put a lot of heat in your material to force the ammonia to come off, lead author Benjamin Snyder, a UC Berkeley postdoctoral fellow, said in a statement.

Likewise, when the ammonia absorbs, you dont want that to generate a lot of waste heat, Synder added.

Because the process operates at lower temperatures and pressures, the production of ammonia  and therefore fertilizer  could potentially occur at smaller facilities located closer to farmers, the authors noted.

The dream here would be enabling a technology where a farmer in some economically disadvantaged area of the world now has much more ready access to the ammonia that they need to grow their crops, Snyder added.





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Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Were Saul Elbein and Sharon Udasin. Subscribe here.

Today well follow the storm that battered California as it crosses the country. Then, well look at how European oil sanctions have been impacting Russia, followed by a toxic side effect of the Gulf Coast gas export boom.

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Storms making way across country

A new line of storms will batter the Pacific Northwest through Thursday, pummeling as-yet-unscathed areas with heavy rains and strong winds, according to the National Weather Service.

An enormous cyclone sitting off the West Coast will send heavy precipitation and gusty winds into northern California.



By Thursday storms could bring a few inches of rain to Washingtons Olympic Peninsula.

U.S. tour: As this new storm system gathers strength, the storm that began battering California earlier this week will be heading inland, according to the weather service.

Thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes are expected in the southern U.S. later in the week following a powerful slow-moving weather system.



The Eastern Seaboard is expected to face showers and thunderstorms, with the low pressure system hitting New England early Friday, according to the weather service.

One good note: The repeated torrents of atmospheric rivers pouring into California are replenishing snowpack and slowly filling up depleted reservoirs, The Associated Press reported.

The hydrological benefits of the storms have particularly favored the same region its winds and floodwaters have ravaged: Californias Central Valley.



Reservoirs in this heavily agricultural region provide water for crops like almonds, rice and tomatoes  as well as cities downstream.

The state snowpack stood high above average for much of the Sierra Nevada  ranging from 184 percent of the yearly average in the Northern Sierra, and a staggering 269 percent for the Southern Sierra, according to the state Department of Water Resources.

Too soon to tell: But even with the recent flooding, Northern California could easily end the winter with average precipitation levels  or even ones below average, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorologist Brad Pugh told The Wall Street Journal.

Big bucket to fill: Its going to be really hard to recover, Richard Heim, another NOAA meteorologist, told the Journal regarding the states legacy of drought.

I want to say, Yay! in the short term. But we need morea lot morein the long term, Heim said.



Drought is not just what happened last week or what happened last month, he added.





Putting a price tag on sanctions against Russian oil

The European Unions ban on crude oil imports from Russia and its price cap on the countrys oil are costing Moscow about $172 million per day, a new report has found.

An extraordinary step: Russias losses could rise to roughly $300 million per day (280 million euros) on Feb. 5, when the EU is will be implementing further restrictions, according to the report, published by the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

The EU ban on Russian oil was an extraordinary step taken to axe the funds from Europe financing Putins war, a statement from the authors said.



But the authors described current measures as too lenient and called upon Western nations to further choke off Russias funding for the war.

Rolling out sanctions: This past June, the European Council adopted a sanctions package to prohibit the purchase, import or maritime transport of Russian crude oil by Dec. 5.

These measures will expand to include other refined petroleum products on Feb. 5.



The EU and the Group of Seven countries  including the U.S.  also imposed a price cap on Russian oil last month, limiting sales to $60 per barrel.

A partial effect: Yet other countries such as China and India have continued to import Russian oil, with Moscows fossil fuel exports earning the country $688 million per day, according to the report.

A drop in shipment volumes and prices for Russian crude cut revenues by $194 million per day, while Germanys pipeline halt cost another more than $21 million, the authors acknowledged.



But Moscow was able to claw back more than $21 million daily by boosting refined oil exports to the EU and the rest of the world, the researchers found.

Read more here



Group: LNG expansion could hurt Louisiana coast

A planned expansion of natural gas export facilities could wreck large swaths of the Louisiana coast, a local citizen group warned on Tuesday.

Case study: Two liquified natural gas (LNG) export plants at opposite ends of a southern Louisiana lake have continuously released greenhouse gasses and toxic chemicals into the air, according to a report from the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.

The Brigade is a civil society group that represents communities near industrial sites.

Emissions problem: The report accuses Venture Globals Calcasieu Pass terminal and Sempra Energys Cameron LNG gas export facilities of consistently releasing illegal levels of toxic chemicals like benzene and sulfur dioxide.

In addition to dozens of listed reports, the two plants have also frequently released climate-warming or toxic chemicals without notifying state regulators, according to the Brigade.



Unless federal officials take action, the report warns, commercial fishing and outdoor recreation activities will become impossible in Cameron Parish.

Proposed expansion: Federal and state officials are backing plans to build a fleet of new LNG export terminals across the Gulf Coast, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Construction is already ongoing or will soon begin on 11 such facilities, FERC reported.

In Cameron Parish alone, two new plants are under construction, with two more proposed.



Several others, including the Venture and Sempra plants, have big plans for expansion.

Flares in the dark: But while some local residents are pleased with the growth in the tax base, the continued venting from existing plants worries others.

Neighbors of the plants also described nearly continuous incidents of flaring, in which the facility burns off the potent greenhouse gas methane.



These residents report that the nights above Calcasieu Lake are often lit up with burning gas flares, often going on for days with little or no break, and at all hours, according to the Brigade.

Threat to fishing: They come and take over everything. Its really like an invasion. Theres no life for fishermen if this is done, local commercial fisherman Travis Dardar said at a press conference, referring to the planned expansion.

They say theyll respectfully build through oyster reefs but how can you do it respectfully? If they build this here then it will be the end of commercial fishing, Dardar added.

For the rest of the story, please click here.





MANY CAR OWNERS WOULD BENEFIT FROM EV SWITCH: STUDY

More than 90 percent of car-owning families could reduce both the amount they pay to power their vehicles and their household emissions by going electric, a new study has found.

At the same time, however, more than half of the lowest-income U.S. households  about 8.3 million  would still incur significant expenses when fueling their vehicles, according to the study, published in Environmental Research Letters.

For most, big savings: For 60 percent of car-owning households in the U.S., the money and emissions saved by switching to an electric vehicle (EV) would be considered moderate to high, the authors determined.

The regions where families stand to benefit the most are the American West and parts of the Northeast.



The authors attribute these potential gains to cleaner electricity grids, temperature-related impacts on fuel efficiency and lower electricity costs, relative to gas prices.

Energy burdens, emissions: The authors calculated census tract-level transportation energy burdens  the amount of money spent on fuel or electric charge  of both new EVs and international combustion engine vehicles.

They also estimated lifetime greenhouse gas emissions for each set of vehicles based on the same census information.

What did they find? Switching to an EV would more than double the percentage of U.S. households  to 80 percent of all U.S. households  that enjoy a low transportation energy burden, the authors found.

They defined a low burden as spending less than 2 percent of household income on fuel annually.



But more than half of the lowest-income households in the country would still have a high EV energy burden  or more than 4 percent of their income spent on fuel annually.

EVs are not equal: EV ownership in the U.S. has thus far been dominated by households with higher incomes and education levels, leaving the most vulnerable populations behind, co-author Joshua Newell, of the University of Michigan, said in a statement.

Policy interventions are needed to increase EV accessibility so that all Americans can benefit from the EV transition, he added.

To read the full story, please click here.





Wildlife Wednesday

Manatees are doing better but not yet out of danger, a landmark wildlife bill could rise from the ashes and how national parks can help elk cope with climate change.

Florida manatee deaths decrease, but concerns remain

Florida manatee deaths in 2022 fell from a record high the previous year, but officials are concerned about chronic starvation caused by pollution, The Associated Press reported. Statistics released by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission showed 800 manatee deaths last year, in comparison to 1,100 in 2021, according to the AP.

Congress could still pass a major wildlife bill in 2023

Environmental campaigners are trying to resurrect the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act  which cleared the House and Senate last year only to die during the congressional budget process, Vox reported. While the nearly $13-billion landmark wildlife protection bill had wide bipartisan support, members of Congress failed to agree on how to pay for it.

To amplify conservation impacts of national parks, connect them

Connecting national parks by means of migration corridors could help save many iconic American mammal species from extinction, according to a report published on Wednesday in Scientific Reports. Such pathways would allow species like elk and moose to grow populations beyond what is possible in a single park, while shifting their ranges to better cope with climate change, the researchers found.





Please visit The Hills Sustainability section online for more and check out other newsletters here. Well see you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Vice President Mike Pence hasnt publicly announced whether he will run for president in 2024, but he is sounding many of the notes of a would-be candidate.

In an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, Pence addressed last weeks discord among House Republicans during the Speakership election, the role abortion played in Novembers disappointing midterms for the GOP and his considerations as he mulls his political future.

The former vice president has spent the last several months keeping an aggressive travel schedule that includes multiple stops in early primary states, where he has promoted his new book and the policy proposals put forward by his political advocacy group.

Over the coming months, were going to continue to travel, Pence said in his Washington, D.C., office. Were going to continue to listen very intently, and well make a decision Im sure that in the months ahead about what role we might play, whether it be as a national candidate or as a voice for our conservative values.

Pences political future in many ways hinges on how voters view him in connection to former President Trump. Pence served as Trumps unflinchingly loyal vice president for four years, but the two have drifted apart after Pence refused Trumps pressure campaign to overturn the 2020 election results.

In Wednesdays interview, Pence was careful not to overtly criticize Trump even in areas where the two disagree, though he made clear he believes the GOP will have other, better choices in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump is the only declared candidate in the 2024 GOP field, but his campaign thus far has been marked by a lack of activity, with the former president rarely traveling outside of Florida or holding public events. Pence on Wednesday said Trumps decision to jump into the race early will have no bearing on his own 2024 plans.

At the end of the day, I think its a new day, Pence said. I think it calls for new leadership. And I have every confidence that the American people and Republican voters will have better choices come 2024.

Story continues

Pence has increasingly broken with his former boss on certain issues, most notably the events around the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The former vice president on Wednesday put daylight between himself and Trump on another issue: the role of abortion in election results.

Trump last week wrote on Truth Social that it was the abortion issue, poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters.

But Pence, who is staunchly opposed to abortion, disagreed, saying GOP candidates who expressed a clear view on protecting the rights of unborn children outperformed those Republicans who shied away from the topic in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

I think going forward, its going to be incumbent on the men and women on our party to stand without apology for the sanctity of human life, to stand on that principle of the unalienable right to life, but also to express compassion for women that are facing crisis pregnancies, Pence said.

Pence spoke from his office down the street from the Capitol, where a new Republican House majority was sworn in over the weekend following a chaotic, days-long intraparty fight that culminated in Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) being elected Speaker.

The former vice president, who served for 12 years in the House and at times challenged party leaders, downplayed any long-term rift between the roughly 20 conservatives who blocked McCarthys ascension in the first several rounds of voting and the rest of the House GOP conference in the months to come.

I for one am confident that this new energetic conservative majority showed last week that theyre willing to stand for what they believe in, but also able to come together and move forward solutions that will really put our country back on track not just for economic growth, but for the kind of fiscal responsibility that that will put us on a pathway to a balanced federal budget again, Pence said.

Many observers have expressed concern about how the fractious House GOP conference will handle contentious issues like raising the debt ceiling, which is required to avoid a government default.

Pence called it an obligation for the nation to uphold its credit, but argued that House Republicans would do well to use that opportunity to demand that Democrats in the Senate and the Biden administration step forward with the kind of reforms that will begin us on a process of solving the problems the American people are living in every day.

The White House has warned that Republicans will look to cut Medicare and Social Security spending or reduce the defense budget in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. Pence on Wednesday said balancing the budget while maintaining those programs that seniors rely on will require visionary reforms.

The former vice president also expressed support for House Republicans using their investigative powers to hold the Biden administration accountable, including by looking into the presidents son Hunter Biden. Pence said Congress should deeply examine how information from Hunter Bidens laptop was suppressed in the weeks before the 2020 election.

House Republicans earlier Wednesday officially opened an investigation into the president and his family, requesting information from the Treasury Department and Twitter executives ahead of potential public hearings.

The American people deserve that check and balance in our system that a new House Republican majority can provide, Pence said. But that being said, I dont think thats to the exclusion of producing policies thatll get the economy back on track, set us back on a strong fiscal footing, secure our border and bring real solutions to the American people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: The Canadian Press Ukrainian army rocket launcher fires at Russian positions on the frontline near Soledar, Wednesday.

Russia said Thursday that its forces are edging closer to capturing a salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine, which would mark an elusive victory for the Kremlin but come at the cost of heavy Russian casualties and extensive destruction of the territory they claim.

More than 100 Russian troops were killed in the battle for Soledar over the past 24 hours, Ukraines Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said in televised remarks.

The Russians have literally marched on the bodies of their own soldiers, burning everything on their way, Kyrylenko said while reporting that Russian forces had shelled a dozen towns and villages in the region in the past day.

Russian forces are using mortars and rockets to bombard Soledar in an unrelenting assault, struggling for a breakthrough after military setbacks have turned what the Kremlin hoped would be a fast victory into a grinding war of attrition that has dragged on for nearly 11 months with no end in sight.

Civilians are trying to survive amid that bloodbath as the Russians are pressing their attacks, Kyrylenko said.

Soledars fall would be a prize for a Kremlin starved of good battlefield news in recent months, after losing the significant city of Kherson in December. It would also offer Russian troops a springboard to conquer other areas of the eastern Donetsk province that remain under Ukrainian control, particularly the nearby strategic city of Bakhmut.

The Russians' tactic in the assault on Soledar is to send one or two waves of soldiers, many from the private Russian military contractor Wagner Group who take heavy casualties as they probe the Ukrainian defenses, a Ukrainian officer near Soledar told The Associated Press. When Ukrainian troops suffer casualties and are exhausted, the Russians send in another wave of highly-trained soldiers, paratroopers or special forces, to get a new toehold on the battlefield, said the Ukrainian officer, who insisted on anonymity for security reasons.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the selfless and courageous action of Russian troops, which he said is helping them to press forward in Soledar.

Gigantic work has been done in Soledar, he said.

Peskov, however, stopped short of confirming a claim by Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin, who boasted about capturing Soledar on Wednesday.

There is still a lot to be done and its too early to stop and rub our hands, the main work is still ahead," he said in a conference call with reporters.

Meanwhile, Ukraines deputy defense minister, Hanna Malyar, said at a briefing Thursday: The enemy continues the assaults, but suffers significant losses and is not successful.

The AP was unable to verify the claims made by either side.

Russias Defense Ministry made no mention of Soledar in its daily briefing on Thursday. The ministry announced Wednesday that the countrys top military officer  the chief of the militarys General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov  was put in charge of the military operation in Ukraine. He replaces Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who was demoted to deputy only three months after he was installed in that job.

Ukrainian officials also said they were taking note of personnel changes at the top levels of the Russian military command, describing them as a sign that Moscow isn't achieving what it had hoped.

Personnel changes would not occur with such frequency if they were doing well, a senior Ukrainian military official, Brig. Gen. Oleksiy Hromov, said.

Fighting continued elsewhere in Ukraine.

The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, reported Thursday that two civilians were killed and a further eight were wounded in Russian attacks on Wednesday.

Citing data from regional officials, Tymoshenko said that one civilian died and five were wounded in the southern Kherson province, where shells hit a maternity hospital, private houses and apartment buildings, while one person was killed in Donetsk.

Two people were wounded in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia province, with one further civilian sustaining injuries in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk province.
Scientists at oil giant ExxonMobil accurately forecast present-day climate change going back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new study has found.

The findings by Harvard and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research are the nail-in-the-coffin of ExxonMobils claims that it has been falsely accused of climate malfeasance, lead author Geoffrey Supran, a research associate at Harvard, asserted in a statement.

The majority of the companys internal climate predictions prepared during that period  between 63 and 83 percent of Exxons files  have closely matched actual global warming, according to the paper set to be published on Thursday in Environmental Research Letters.

We find that most of their projections accurately forecast warming consistent with subsequent observations, the report states. Their projections were also consistent with, and at least as skillful as, those of independent academic and government models.

The research assesses 32 internal documents produced by ExxonMobil scientists between 1977 and 2002, as well as 72 peer-reviewed scientific publications authored or co-authored by ExxonMobil scientists between 1982 and 2014.

In some cases, that research was better quality than far more influential studies by government scientists, according to the Harvard and Potsdam researchers analyses of Exxons predictive skill scores, or how their predictions matched what actually happened.

For example, when NASA scientist James Hansen presented his global warming predictions to Congress in 1988  helping launch the modern climate movement  his studies matched subsequent warming by up to 66 percent, according to the Harvard and Potsdam researchers.

At the same time, Exxon scientists were producing climate research with an average skill score of 75 percent, the study found.

In the 1990s, the oil giant turned away from funding climate science and pivoted to a campaign raising broad-based doubt over the quality of those findings.

Story continues

Lets face it: The science of climate change is too uncertain to mandate a plan of action that could plunge economies into turmoil, stated one Exxon ad, addressing proposals in the late 1990s for the U.S. to join the Kyoto Protocols, a climate accord the country nearly joined more than 15 years before the pivotal 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Scientists cannot predict with certainty if temperatures will increase, by how much and where changes will occur, Exxon copywriters claimed.

In a statement to The Hill, Exxon spokesperson Todd Spitler sought to cast the report as part of a broader ginned-up campaign by the companies critics to portray well intended, internal policy debates as an attempted company disinformation campaign.

This issue has come up several times in recent years and, in each case, our answer is the same: those who talk about how Exxon Knew are wrong in their conclusions, Spitler said. ExxonMobil is committed to being part of the solution to climate change and the risks it poses.

Exxon Knew is an activist campaign that accuses the company of spending millions to cast doubt on scientific findings that its principal products  oil and gas  would lead to potentially dangerous levels of warming.

Just as Big Tobacco lied about the risks of addiction and cancer, Exxon orchestrated a campaign of doubt and deception, making hundreds of billions at the cost of peoples lives, the campaigners wrote.

Exxon has repeatedly pushed back on the efforts, calling it an orchestrated campaign from activist organizations that seeks to delegitimize ExxonMobil by misrepresenting our position on climate change and related research to the public.

Exxon spokespeople now charge that allegations the company misled the public are ignoring that there was scientific dispute within the company  even if a broad majority of company scientists turned out data supporting the role of fossil fuel burning in climate change.

Currently, the scientific evidence is inconclusive as to whether human activities are having a significant effect on the global climate, Then-Exxon CEO Lee Raymond told the Economic Club of Detroit in 1996, according to Inside Climate News.

The following year, he said in a speech that many people, politicians and the public alike, believe that global warming is a rock-solid certainty. But its not.

In 1998 Exxon highlighted those uncertainties as part of a campaign that helped keep the U.S. out of the Kyoto Protocols, which would have committed the country to reduce carbon emissions, as PBS reported.

The Harvard study comes as part of a larger debate over Exxons role in contributing to historical climate change, which is itself a subset of an ever more significant dispute over the role of planet-heating fossil fuels in a rapidly warming world.

The U.S. oil industry currently faces at least 20 lawsuits by U.S. cities and towns that say it should help pay for ongoing climate damage and adaptation, PBS reported.

Exxon has sought to cast itself as an enthusiastic partner in the campaign to keep global temperatures from rising below dangerous levels. The company is committed to being part of the solution to climate change and the risks it poses, Spitler told The Hill.

As such, the company has announced a wide range of policies that it says are helping it to support a net zero future.

The company recently touted its plans to spend $17 billion on lower-emission initiatives through 2027, and highlighted cuts to its methane emissions of 40 percent and nearly 10 percent cuts in the carbon intensity of its operations.

It hopes to carve out a future for the fossil fuel industry through carbon capture technology, which it claims will drop the carbon cost of the industry, as CNBC reported.

But while the company is cutting the carbon cost of each barrel of oil it produces, it is also fighting Securities and Exchange Commission climate reporting rules that could see it forced to account for the carbon released when customers burn its oil and gas  rather than just when the company produces it.

Critics maintain that these investments do not change the fact that the companys primary products remain centered around fossil fuel.

ExxonMobil accurately foresaw the threat of human-caused global warming, both prior and parallel to orchestrating lobbying and propaganda campaigns to delay climate action, the Harvard authors wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Actor Ezra Miller is expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge of trespassing in Vermont after he was accused of stealing several bottles of alcohol from someone's home.

Miller, who uses they/them pronouns, was alleged to have stolen the bottles just before 5 p.m. May 1 from a house in Stamford, police said in August. They were later charged with unlawful trespassing, two charges of burglary in an unoccupied dwelling and petit larceny.

A clerk for Vermont Superior Court confirmed that the parties have agreed to drop the burglary and larceny charges.

Miller is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Bennington County Superior Criminal Court.

Court documents show prosecutors are proposing that Miller face 89 to 90 days in a suspended sentence, as well as a years probation and a $500 fine.

The maximum sentence for the burglary charge would have been 25 years, according to the charging document.

A representative for Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Miller, best known for their role as "The Flash" in the DC Comics film franchise, has been embroiled in a series of criminal cases over recent years.

They pleaded no contest to a count of disorderly conduct and paid a $500 fine in Hilo, Hawaii, last year after they yelled obscenities at patrons as they sang karaoke and grabbed a microphone from a 23-year-old woman.

In another case in Hawaii, Miller was alleged to have thrown a chair at a 26-year-old woman at a private get-together in Pahoa. The outcome of that incident was not immediately clear.

A Massachusetts woman was granted a temporary order of protection against Miller in June. The order, which was requested on behalf of the womans 12-year-old child, was granted after the judge found the child faced substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment.

Miller publicly apologized for their actions in August, saying they were committed to returning to "a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.

Story continues

Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment, Miller, 29, said in a statement through their spokesperson.

Despite an online campaign to remove Miller from the DC Comics franchise, "The Flash" is expected to be released in June.

Actor, writer and producer Issa Rae criticized the industry for its reaction to Miller. Rae, the star of "Insecure," called the situation a "microcosm of Hollywood" in an interview with Elle magazine in October.

"Theres this person whos a repeat offender, whos been behaving atrociously, and as opposed to shutting them down and shutting the production down, theres an effort to save the movie and them," Rae said. "That is a clear example of the lengths that Hollywood will go to to save itself and to protect offenders."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Handout / Getty Images

The Flash star Ezra Miller took a plea deal Friday to avoid jail time for their alleged break-in at a Vermont home last May.

A plea deal filed with the Vermont Superior Court showed that the 30-year-old actor agreed to a suspended jail sentence of 89 to 90 days for the misdemeanor of unlawful trespass in exchange for pleading guilty. They also face a $500 fine and a $192 surcharge and are set to be on probation for a year.

Officers located Miller on Aug. 7 and issued a citation after the actor broke into a residence on May 1 and stole "several bottles of alcohol" from the property when the homeowners were absent, according to the police report. They pleaded not guilty to the charges in October.

Millers attorney, Lisa Shelkrot, confirmed in a statement to BuzzFeed News that Miller pleaded guilty in court Friday.

"Ezra would like to thank the court and the community for their trust and patience throughout this process, and would once again like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health," Shelkrot wrote.

BuzzFeed News has reached out to Bennington County state's attorneys office for comment.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower actor has faced other legal troubles including two arrests last year in Hawaii  one for disorderly conduct and one for assault after allegedly throwing a chair at a woman and striking her head.

Miller was also accused of abusing teenage environmental activist Tokata Iron Eyes by her parents, who filed a protection order against Miller in June 2022. Iron Eyes has denied the accusations, telling Insider that the allegations were "a disgusting and irresponsible smear campaign" against the actor.

That same month, a court granted a temporary harassment prevention order against Miller to a mother and her 12-year-old child. The mother accused the actor of behaving inappropriately toward the child, who is nonbinary, the Daily Beast reported.

Story continues

Miller has also been involved in incidents in Germany and Iceland. They apologized for their behavior in a statement in August.

"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment," Miller said.

Despite the controversies surrounding the actor, The Flash is scheduled for release on June 16, starring Miller as Barry Allen. Miller has previously played the superhero character in DC films, including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.

At the Warner Bros. Discovery quarterly earnings call on Aug. 4, 2022, CEO David Zaslav named The Flash film as one of the upcoming projects he was excited about.

More on this
(Reuters) -Authorities around the world are still imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China after COVID-19 cases surged there following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules. China has rejected criticism of its COVID data and said severe cases have fallen and its current surge of infections is nearing an end.

PLACES IMPOSING CURBS

FRANCE

France extended mandatory COVID tests for travellers from China until Feb. 15, according to a government decree published on Saturday.

France had required travellers from China to provide a negative COVID test result less than 48 hours before departure.

The country is carrying out random PCR COVID tests upon arrival on travellers coming from China. France has urged all 26 other European Union member states to test Chinese travellers for COVID.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea said it will continue to restrict the entry of short-term travellers from China through the end of February over concerns that the spread of COVID-19 in China may worsen following the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, media reported according to the Global Times.

South Korea had required travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong to provide negative COVID test results before departure.

SWEDEN

The Swedish government decided to extend coronavirus entry restrictions on travellers from China for another 20 days, until Feb. 18, after an evaluation that the rate of infections in the country remains concerning, according to local media.

Sweden had required travellers from China to show a negative COVID test before they entered the country, the government said.

UNITED STATES

The United States imposed mandatory COVID-19 tests on travellers from China beginning Jan. 5. All air passengers aged two and older will require a negative result from a test no more than two days before departure from China, Hong Kong or Macau. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said U.S. citizens should reconsider travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Story continues

EU

European Union government officials recommended on Wednesday that passengers flying from China to the EU should have a negative COVID-19 test before they board. They also suggested all passengers on flights to and from China should wear face masks, that EU governments introduce random testing of passengers arriving from China and that they test wastewater in airports with international flights and planes arriving from China.

CZECH REPUBLIC

From Jan. 16, the Czech Republic will require travellers from China to show a negative coronavirus test taken up to 48 hours prior to boarding flights. There are no direct flights but this applies to travellers changing in various hubs. The obligation does not apply to Czech citizens and their families.

CYPRUS

Negative COVID-19 tests will be required for people travelling by air from China to Cyprus from Jan. 15, the island's health ministry said.

LATVIA

All travellers that use international flights to and from China are recommended to wear medical masks during flights; for international travellers arriving from China or travelling to this country are advised to follow strict hygiene and health measures, according to Baltic News Network.

GERMANY

Germany is working to implement new entry rules for travellers from China as soon as possible, but it is not possible to say when the first flight will be affected, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Thursday.

GREECE

Air travellers to Greece from China must show they have tested negative for COVID-19 48 hours before arrival, a new requirement that will be announced shortly, two government officials said on Thursday.

BRITAIN

The UK will require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test for passengers from China as of Jan. 5, the Department of Health said on Friday.

AUSTRALIA

Travellers from China to Australia will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test from Jan. 5, Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said.

INDIA

The country has mandated a COVID-19 negative test report for travellers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Passengers from those countries will be quarantined if they show symptoms or test positive.

CANADA

Air travellers to Canada from China must test negative for COVID-19 no more than two days before departure, Ottawa said.

JAPAN

The country will require negative coronavirus test results within 72 hours of passengers boarding direct flights from China, the prime minister said on Jan. 4. That is in addition to an existing regulation that passengers who had been in China in the seven days prior to their flight will be subject to a COVID-19 test on arrival in Japan. Those who test positive will be required to quarantine for seven days.

ITALY

Italy has ordered COVID-19 antigen swabs and virus sequencing for all travellers from China. Milan's main airport, Malpensa, has already started testing passengers arriving from Beijing and Shanghai.

SPAIN

Spain will require a negative COVID-19 test or a full course of vaccination against the disease upon arrival for travellers from China.

MALAYSIA

Malaysia will screen all inbound travellers for fever and test wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for COVID-19.

TAIWAN

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre this month began requiring all passengers coming from China to take PCR tests upon arrival.

MOROCCO

Morocco will impose a ban on people arriving from China, whatever their nationality, from Jan. 3.

QATAR

Qatar will require travellers arriving from China from Jan. 3 to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of departure, state news agency QNA said.

BELGIUM

Belgium will test wastewater from planes arriving from China for new COVID variants as part of new steps against the spread of the coronavirus, the government announced last Monday.

ISRAEL

Newly appointed Health Minister Aryeh Deri announced new COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers from China, joining other nations imposing restrictions because of a surge of infections, according to the Times of Israel.

NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands will require travellers from China to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test before they can enter the country, the Dutch government said on Friday. The requirement will be enforced from Tuesday.

PORTUGAL

Portugal will require air travellers from China to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test done no more than two days before departure, its health ministry said on Friday.

The requirement took effect on Sunday and Portugal said passengers from China on Saturday could be subject to random testing "for genomic sequencing of the variants in circulation, in order to contribute to an adequate assessment of the epidemiological situation".

THAILAND

Thailand rescinded on Monday measures announced by its aviation regulator a day prior requiring international travellers to show proof of full COVID vaccination or letter certifying recovery from the virus before flying into the country.

The health minister said on Monday that proof of vaccination was not needed as there was sufficient immunisation globally, while those not vaccinated would be granted entry without restriction.

PLACES MONITORING SITUATION

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines sees a need to intensify monitoring and implementation of border controls for incoming individuals especially from China, Manila's health ministry said.

(Compiled by Bernard Orr and Liz Lee; Editing by Neil Fullick and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
U.S. school leaders feel increasingly hampered in their ability to curb student misbehavior, according to federal data made public Thursday. Inadequate training in classroom management, pushback from parents, and fear of student retaliation were all cited as greater obstacles than they were before the pandemic.

The revelations came from the latest release of the School Pulse Panel, an ongoing data collection effort led by the National Center for Education Statistics. And while the results dont include data on the number or rate of behavioral problems observed by school staff, they illustrate the methods that educators are embracing to address those problems and their sense of their own effectiveness.

Related: In a Year of Abysmal Student Behavior, Ed Dept. Seeks Discipline Overhaul

Especially during a period when many teachers say they are dealing with more violence and disorder among their pupils than in the pre-COVID era  last weeks shooting of a Virginia teacher by her six-year-old student stands out as the latest and most extreme example  the findings will likely influence discussions on school discipline at local, state, and federal levels.

Thurston Domina, a professor of educational leadership at the University of North Carolina, said that he believed that behavioral struggles have become more acute in the last few years both as kids have returned to full-time, in-person instruction and as schools have come to grapple with the effects of controversial disciplinary strategies like student suspensions.

Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where a teacher was shot by a six-year-old student in early January. (Jay Paul/Getty Image)

These data suggest two things: First, that schools are facing substantial behavioral challenges, and second, that they dont feel confident about the strategies they have to address them, Domina wrote in an email.

The School Pulse Panel solicits survey responses from school officials (primarily principals) around the country, periodically circulating findings to paint a picture of COVIDs impact on K12 schools. Thursdays update presented responses gathered from over 1,000 public schools last November, each relating to school safety, attitudes toward security personnel, and the post-COVID classroom environment.

Story continues

Those school responses are of particular interest in that they can be directly compared with answers to similar questions from another authoritative NCES report from before the pandemic: the 201718 School Survey on Crime and Safety, which also quizzed school leaders on the disciplinary climate of their institutions and the strategies they employed to improve it.

Notably, 50 percent or more of all respondents to the panel survey said that they were limited in either major or minor ways by a wide array of hindrances. Nearly three-quarters of participants said they were constrained by a lack of alternative placements or programs for disruptive students, while majorities said the same of inadequate funding (61 percent), lack of parental support (60 percent), insufficient teacher training in classroom management (60 percent), and likelihood of complaints from parents (50 percent).

Less numerous, but perhaps more disturbing, were the minorities who said they were held back by lack of support from teachers themselves (40 percent), or by teachers own fears of retaliation from students (32 percent).

In most cases, these factors were cited significantly more than they were in the report from five years ago. For example, while just 6 percent and 33 percent of 201718 respondents said that they were limited (in either a major or minor way) by lack of teacher training in classroom management, 12 percent and 48 percent said the same thing last November.

The apparent desire for increased training stands out particularly given that it was one of the only behavioral and safety strategies listed in the survey that is not offered more frequently by schools than it was five years ago. By contrast, significantly higher percentages of schools now report engaging in positive behavioral intervention strategies (93 percent), crisis intervention (84 percent), recognizing self-harm or suicidal tendencies (84 percent), and recognizing bullying (84 percent).

In a development that reflects the national and local efforts to reduce the use of what some detractors call exclusionary disciplinary policies, a significantly lower percentage of schools reported using out-of-school suspensions than did in 201718 (69 percent versus 74 percent). The widespread move to curtail the practice has come as federal authorities, including Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, have explicitly urged schools to keep kids in class as much as possible.

Related: Feds Urge Schools to Redouble Efforts to Keep Students with Disabilities in Class

Matthew Steinberg, a professor of education at George Mason University who has conducted prior research on the effects of school discipline reforms, noted that Thursdays release didnt clearly show that behavioral conditions were deteriorating inside American schools. Still, he added, the documented decrease in exclusionary discipline and the lack of new guidance suggests that schools arent providing the necessary supports for teachers and educators to address student behavioral issues in the classroom.

The question is whether or not student behavior and misconduct have gotten worse in the wake of COVID, independent of whether suspension is used as a disciplinary consequence, Steinberg said. A reduction in suspensions might result in the presence of more students exhibiting COVID-related behavioral problems, he added  which might, in turn, adversely affect the environment within classrooms, with potentially important implications for student learning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a corrupted database file was the reason behind the nationwide grounding of nearly 10,000 flights for the first time in two decades.

Preliminary findings traced the cause to a damaged database file, ruling out earlier speculation of a cyberattack. The same file reportedly corrupted both the main system and its backup.

An engineer replaced one file with another without realising the mistake, a senior official briefed on the internal review told ABC News.

It was an honest mistake that cost the country millions.

A key system used to notify pilots and ground staff of hazards and alerts suffered a major failure on Tuesday night. The fault lay with the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system, which keeps pilots and other airport staff updated about aviation hazards and airport facilities.

The FAA was able to lift the ground stop at around 9am on the East Coast, but the damage had been done to schedules for the day.

Most airlines are waiving fees for passengers to rebook travel.

Key points

Corrupted file blamed for nationwide flight delays

FAA systems outage leave passengers stuck and fuming

White House says no evidence of cyberattack

Same system briefly malfunctions in Canada

Corrupted file blamed for flight delays

05:18 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a corrupted database file was the reason behind the nationwide grounding of nearly 10,000 flights for the first time in two decades.

Preliminary findings traced the cause to a damaged database file, ruling out earlier speculation of a cyberattack. The same file reportedly corrupted both the main system and its backup.

An engineer replaced one file with another without realising the mistake, a senior official briefed on the internal review told ABC News.

Corrupted file blamed for taking down US flight system and causing delays

Pilot association encourages patience as airlines get back on schedule

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Story continues

The Air Line Pilots Association released the following statement after the resumption of air traffic operations this morning.

We are in regular contact with [the FAA] and will continue to work with them and airline managements to ensure our aviation system continues to be as safe as possible, it reads. Airline pilots are #TrainedForLife to handle unique situations such as this.

Later the group added: We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.

We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.  Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) January 11, 2023

What to do if your flight was cancelled or delayed

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Thousands of travelers were stranded at US airports on Wednesday due to an hours-long computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 1,000 US flights were cancelled early in the day and almost 7,000 flights were delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware. That number continued to climb in the afternoon.

Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight plans are disrupted, experts say.

Heres some of their advice for dealing with a flight delay or cancellation:

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share advice

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad explains how US airports ground to a halt this morning.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

Watch: FAA lifts grounding order on flights after computer outage

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Recap: Flights grounded across US following major FAA system outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Flights grounded across US following major FAA outage

Delta expects minimal disruption tomorrow

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta expects minimal impact to operations tomorrow (assuming there are no further computer issues) pic.twitter.com/5FHF9NyKMI  Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) January 11, 2023

Airlines hope for return to normal operations on Thursday

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The US aviation sector was struggling to return to normal following a nationwide ground stop imposed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early on Wednesday over a computer issue that forced a 90-minute halt to all US departing flights.

More than 10,300 flights have been delayed so far and over 1,300 canceled according to FlightAware in the first national grounding of flights in about two decades, industry officials said. Many officials compared the grounding to what occurred after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.

The total number of flights was still rising but airline officials expressed confidence that normal operations could largely return by Thursday, absent new issues.

The cause of the problem with a pilot-alerting messaging system was unclear, but U.S. officials said they had so far found no evidence of a cyberattack. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said an issue with safety messages sent to pilots prompted the outage.

Reuters

No evidence of a cyber attack says White House after outage grounded flights across US

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:59 , Oliver O'Connell

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden had a full briefing on the matter. She further explained that the FAA has no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, and said Mr Biden has directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes.

Andrew Feinberg has the latest from Washington, DC.

White House says no evidence of a cyber attack after outage grounded flights

Watch: Passengers walk back to gate after boarding due to FAA computer outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Pilot association encourages patience as airlines get back on schedule

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:22 , Oliver O'Connell

The Air Line Pilots Association released the following statement after the resumption of air traffic operations this morning.

We are in regular contact with [the FAA] and will continue to work with them and airline managements to ensure our aviation system continues to be as safe as possible, it reads. Airline pilots are #TrainedForLife to handle unique situations such as this.

Later the group added: We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.

We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.  Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) January 11, 2023

More than 10,000 flights impacted by outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:14 , Oliver O'Connell

By 4pm ET the total number of flights impacted by the FAA outage topped 10,000.

The total number of flights delayed within, into, or out of the US stood at 8,783, while the total number of cancellations was 1,276, according to FlightAware.

Nevertheless, the FlightAware MiseryMap showed some improvement. Most airports that had earlier recorded delays or cancellations to more than three-quarters of their flights had improved to around half of their flights being impacted. There are still notable problems in Charlotte, the DC area, and in Denver.

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share some advice

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Thousands of travelers were stranded at US airports on Wednesday due to an hours-long computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 1,000 US flights were cancelled early in the day and almost 7,000 flights were delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware. That number continued to climb in the afternoon.

Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight plans are disrupted, experts say.

Heres some of their advice for dealing with a flight delay or cancellation:

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share some advice

White House stands behind Buttigieg

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:56 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden remains confident in US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg following recent air travel disruptions, including a 90-minute nationwide order to ground all US departing flights and thousands of complaints in the fallout of Southwest Airlines holiday travel chaos.

The president respects the secretary and the work that he has been doing to hold airlines accountable, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on 11 January.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House stands behind Buttigieg after fallout from airline disruptions

Canada suffers same mysterious air system outage as US

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Canadas air traffic system suffered a similar outage to the one that occurred in the US for a brief period on Wednesday.

US air travel was badly disrupted by the failure of the Federal Aviation Administrations Notice to Air Missions system (NOTAM) overnight on Tuesday, forcing a full ground stop of domestic aviation on Wednesday morning.

Nav Canada, the Canadian national air navigation service provider, released a statement just after 12.30pm as US airlines struggled to resume normal service.

Read more:

Canada suffers same mysterious air system outage as US, delaying more flights

Buttigieg says ground stop was right call'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The cause of the problem with a pilot-alerting NOTAM system is unclear, but US officials said they had so far found no evidence of a cyberattack.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN an issue with overnight irregularities with safety messages sent to pilots prompted the outage.

He said the ground stop was the "right call" to make sure messages were moving correctly and there is no direct evidence of cyberattack.

The outage occurred at a typically slow time after the holiday travel season, but demand remains strong as travel continues to recover to near pre-pandemic levels.

Reuters

House committee chair wants to know how this can prevented in future

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Representative Sam Graves, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he had many questions concerning the outage and the subsequent problems caused.

I expect the FAA to provide a full briefing to members of Congress as soon as they learn more, he said.

Mr Graves added that he also expected the Transportation Department to do right by passengers it has wronged.

The committee, he said wanted to make sure that we know what went wrong, whos responsible, and how this is going to be prevented in the future.

Senate Commerce committee to investigate FAA computer outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:57 , Oliver O'Connell

A US Senate panel will review the cause of a Federal Aviation Administration computer system outage that sparked a nationwide ground stop and delayed or canceled more than 7,000 US flights, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said on Wednesday.

The outage occurred overnight on Tuesday and US flights were slowly beginning to resume departures on Wednesday.

"We will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages. The public needs a resilient air transportation system," Ms Cantwell said. The ground stop was lifted by the FAA shortly before 9am ET.

Many lawmakers from both parties urged action to prevent a future disruption.

Reuters

Boebert calls Buttigieg clueless' and not qualified. Twitter reacts.

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Lauren Boebert has hit out at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the Federal Aviation Administrations decision to order a groundstop at US airports this morning.

The Republican lawmaker from Colorado tweeted: Every plane in America is currently grounded due to a system error.

Mayor Pete, bravo, she added. This is what happens when you hire clueless liberals for jobs they arent qualified to do.

Every plane in America is currently grounded due to a system error.



Mayor Pete, bravo.



This is what happens when you hire clueless liberals for jobs they arent qualified to do.  Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 11, 2023

Other Twitter users were not impressed with Ms Boebert jab at Mr Buttigieg with many pointing out her own limited qualifications, accusing her of making a cheap attack, and calling her an attention seeker and a fraud.

TV host and producer Andy Cohen shot back: Hiring a clueless wingnut is certainly paying off for your constituents, you psychopath.

Tired of airport disruption? Why not try the train?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Nightmare as passengers believed they were hostages after 29-hour Amtrak delay

Which airlines and airports are worst affected by the delays?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

As of 2.00pm per FlightAware :

Major airlines, from most impacted to least: Southwest (48 per cent of flights delayed), American Airlines (44 per cent), Spirit (40 per cent), Delta (37 per cent), United (36 per cent), and JetBlue (31 per cent). West coast-focussed airlines such as Alaskan and Hawaiian show a modest number of delays as the outage occurred at a time when they have a lower number of scheduled flights.

The worst affected airports for delays are Baltimore (49 per cent of flights delayed); LaGuardia (44 per cent); Atlanta, Chicago Midway and Orlando (39 per cent); Denver and Nashville 37 per cent; and Reagan National, Austin, and Tampa (36 per cent).

Almost every major airport now has more than 25 per cent of its flights delayed.

If you are travelling today, check the status of your flight with your airline, as airports will be busier than usual.

Problems in Canada?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:01 , Oliver O'Connell

NAV Canada, the countrys air navigation service provider, has tweeted out a message stating that its own NOTAM system is experiencing an outage affecting newly issued notices.

So far no delays are reported relating to the outage.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill today?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad explains how todays air travel turmoil came about.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

Schumer: no clear evidence of outside interference'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he has spoken to Secretary Buttigieg about the restoration of air travel.

He adds: While at this moment theres no clear evidence of outside interference, the FAA needs to get to root causes so this doesnt happen again.

I just spoke with @SecretaryPete again and learned the system is back in order and flights are being restored.



While at this moment theres no clear evidence of outside interference, the FAA needs to get to root causes so this doesnt happen again.  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 11, 2023

American offers passenger option to rebook with no fees

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

In a statement regarding the resumption of operations, American Airlines says that more than 950 mainline and regional flights have departed, but some 450 have been cancelled and another 850 have been delayed.

American has resumed operations now that the Federal Aviation Administration's nationwide ground stop has ended. We continue to closely monitor the situation, which impacts all airlines, and are working to minimize further disruption to our customers and operation. To support our customers whose travel was affected by the FAA system issue, we're providing additional flexibility to rebook their travel plans today and tomorrow without any additional fees.

Buttigieg rejects suggestion FAA should reimburse passengers.

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has rejected the suggestion that the Federal Aviation Administration should reimburse affected travellers who have had flights cancelled or delayed by the decision to order a ground stop.

He told MSNBC: Were not a for-profit company selling tickets ... Were always going to err on the side of safety.

.@SecretaryPete rejects suggestion FAA should reimburse travelers for flight delays because of computer issue telling @MSNBC: "We're not a for-profit company selling tickets...We're always going to err on the side of safety"  davidshepardson (@davidshepardson) January 11, 2023

Watch: Biden says cause of outage unknown

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta issues fare difference waiver to delayed customers

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta Air Lines says it remains connected with the FAA as it works to mitigate the impact of the ground stop the agency implemented earlier today.

A fare difference waiver will give customers additional flexibility even if their flight isnt delayed or cancelled, the airline says.

One of the immediate concerns for airlines will be congestion within airports making getting things back on track more difficult. The move by Delta allows passengers to switch flights and avoid airports completely today even if their flight is not affected.

. @Delta remains connected with the FAA as we work to mitigate the impact of the ground stop the agency implemented earlier today. A fare difference waiver will give customers additional flexibility even if their flight isnt delayed or canceled. https://t.co/u0jjaCfz5x  Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) January 11, 2023

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Ranking Democrat Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen of Washington state issued the following statement regarding the FAA-ordered ground stop today:

"This morning, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an order pausing all domestic flight traffic due to a disruption to their Notice to Air Missions system," Ranking Member Larsen said. "I spoke with Secretary Buttigieg about this development and will continue to monitor this disruption to our air travel system until it is resolved."

"I spoke with @SecretaryPete about this development and will continue to monitor this disruption to our air travel system until it is resolved."



Read Ranking Member @RepRickLarsens full statement on the disruption to the Notice to Air Missions system. https://t.co/KR7VCXQuEg  Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (@TransportDems) January 11, 2023

Latest headache for US travellers just weeks after winter storms and Southwest Airlines meltdown

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Todays delays are just the latest in a series of headaches for airline passengers in the US who faced flight cancellations over the holidays amid winter storms and a breakdown with staffing technology at Southwest Airlines.

The preceding summer wasnt much better, with long lines, lost baggage, and cancellations and delays as travel demand roared back from the Covid-19 pandemic and ran into staffing cutbacks at airports and airlines in both the US and Europe.

The Independents Simon Calder wrote about the troubles faced by Southwest over the holiday period  just a few weeks ago. Today the airline again has delays impacting almost half of its scheduled flights.

Can Southwest Airlines recover from a holiday meltdown of its own making?

Which airlines and airports are worst affected by the delays?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

As of 11.30am per FlightAware:

Major airlines, from most impacted to least: Southwest (46 per cent of flights delayed), American Airlines (34 per cent), Delta (33 per cent), Spirit (32 per cent), United (29 per cent), and JetBlue (both 25 per cent). West coast-focussed airlines such as Alaskan and Hawaiian show a modest number of delays as the outage occurred at a time when they have a lower number of scheduled flights.

The worst affected airports for delays are Baltimore (45 per cent of flights delayed); LaGuardia (39 per cent); Chicago Midway (39 per cent); Houstons William P Hobby, Tampa and Orlando (35 per cent); and Atlanta and Detroit (34 per cent).

Airports with between one-third and a quarter of flights delayed: Nashville, St Louis, Austin, Kansas City, Dallas Love Field, Reagan National, New Orleans, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas Fort-Worth, Houston Bush, Charlotte, Sacramento, Chicago OHare, Miami, Las Vegas, New York JFK, and Minneapolis.

If you are travelling today, check the status of your flight with your airline as airports will be busier than usual.

What is NOTAM and what happened?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The outage has revealed how dependent the US is on air travel, and how dependent air travel is on an antiquated computer system called the Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM.

Before commencing a flight, pilots are required to consult NOTAMs, which list potential adverse impacts on flights, from runway construction to the potential for icing. The system used to be telephone-based, with pilots calling dedicated flight service stations for the information, but has moved online.

According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8.28pm ET on Tuesday preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as daytime traffic picked up it overwhelmed the telephone backup system.

The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday morning, affecting all passenger and shipping flights.

Some medical flights could get clearance and the outage did not impact any military operations or mobility.

Flights for the US militarys Air Mobility Command were not affected.

AP

Ted Cruz: Need for proven leader with substantive aviation experience at FAA

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on the Senate committee that oversees transportation has issued a statement demanding an explanation from the administration regarding todays air traffic failure.

The FAAs inability to keep an important safety system up and running in completely unacceptable and just the latest example of dysfunction within the Department of Transportation, said Mr Cruz.

The administration needs to explain to Congress what happened, and Congress should enact reforms in this years FAA reauthorisation legislation, he continued.

Taking aim at Phillip Washington, the Biden administrations nominee to lead the FAA who has been criticised for not having sufficient aviation experience, the senator said: This incident also highlights why the public needs a competent, proven leader with substantive aviation experience leading the FAA.

My statement on the FAA system failure: pic.twitter.com/tJkXz1yfzS  Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 11, 2023

US Travel Association calls for federal action on FAA failure

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell

US Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) system failure after this mornings mass delays and cancellations of flights.

Todays FAA catastrophic system failure is a clear sign that Americas transportation network desperately needs significant upgrades. Americans deserve an end-to-end travel experience that is seamless and secure. And our nations economy depends on a best-in-class air travel system. We call on federal policymakers to modernize our vital air travel infrastructure to ensure our systems are able to meet demand safely and efficiently.

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:04 , Oliver O'Connell

11am Update

Total flight delays today in the US: 6,477

Total flight cancellations today in the US: 1,021

No evidence of cyberattack, report says

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:02 , Oliver O'Connell

A senior law enforcement official has told NBC News that the FBI has seen no evidence that a cyberattack caused this mornings outage that grounded thousands of flights.

The network cites cyber security experts as saying the most common cause of such problems is a bad software update.

FAA currently without a leader

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently without a permanent leader as President Joe Bidens pick to lead the agency did not receive a confirmation hearing before the Senate last year due to concerns about his aviation experience and connections to a public corruption investigation, The New York Times reports.

Just last week, Mr Biden renominated Phillip Washington, currently the chief executive of Denver International Airport.

There has been no permanent leader of the FAA since March 2021 when former Delta Air Lines executive and Trump nominee Stephen Dickson stepped down halfway through a five-year term.

The FAA has been led on an interim basis by Billy Nolen, the agencys top safety official.

How many flights are delayed?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

According to FlightAware, as of 10am ET this morning, the total delays within, into, or out of the United States today is 5,417 flights. There are also 900 cancelled flights.

By airline in descending order of the worst impacted: Southwest (44 per cent of flights delayed), American Airlines (26 per cent), Delta (24 per cent), and United and JetBlue (both 22 per cent). West coast-focussed airlines such as Alaskan and Hawaiian show a modest number of delays as the outage occurred at a time when they have a lower number of scheduled flights.

The worst affected airports for delays are Baltimore (46 per cent of flights delayed), Chicago Midway (40 per cent), Houstons William P Hobby (33 per cent), Tampa (32 per cent), and Orlando (30 per cent).

Atlanta, Dallas Love Field, St Louis, Reagan National, LaGuardia, Nashville, Austin, Fort Lauderdale, and New Orleans all have delays ranging between 25-29 per cent of flights.

Buttigieg vows to learn root cause of problem

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has promised to get to discover the root cause of this mornings air traffic problems.

He tweeted: FAA has determined that the safety system affected by the overnight outage is fully restored, and the nationwide ground stop will be lifted effective immediately. I have directed an after-action process to determine root causes and recommend next steps.

FAA has determined that the safety system affected by the overnight outage is fully restored, and the nationwide ground stop will be lifted effective immediately. I have directed an after-action process to determine root causes and recommend next steps.  Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) January 11, 2023

How are the airlines responding?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:04 , Oliver O'Connell

With the ground stop lifted and normal air traffic operations resuming, the focus now falls on how well airlines and airports can get operations back up and running to schedule.

Airlines are warning that customers will see some delays, with JetBlue warning of busier than normal airports as the backlog clears.

We are working to safely resume normal operations, but customers may still see some delays. Please continue to monitor your flight status at https://t.co/QJ1boQBM7L or on our app, and plan on busier than normal airports. https://t.co/Hghj9g4Tm6  JetBlue (@JetBlue) January 11, 2023

Delta promises more updates as soon they are available, while American Airlines appears to be fielding enquiries via direct message as phone lines are jammed and passengers are struggling to rebook with the app.

Delta is safely focused on managing our operation during this morning's FAA ground stop for all carriers. We will provide more updates as soon as we can. We encourage customers to use the Fly Delta app and https://t.co/2s1Tq9wjpx for flight status updates. https://t.co/n0flV4pcCB  Delta (@Delta) January 11, 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is experiencing a nationwide system outage that affects all airlines. We're closely monitoring the situation and working with the FAA to minimize customer disruptions.  americanair (@AmericanAir) January 11, 2023

United has issued a travel waiver to allow those impacted by the ground stop the flexibility to change their travel plans.

If your flight this morning was delayed due to the FAA-issued ground stop, we have issued a travel waiver to allow you the freedom to change your travel plans: https://t.co/anE9hGuZ9r  United Airlines (@united) January 11, 2023

Many airports averaging departure delays of 90 minutes

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:48 , Oliver O'Connell

FlightAware data shows the following current delays at selected airports as of 9.45am ET.

Several airports are telling inbound flights to stay at their point of origin until 10am ET to allow backlogs to clear.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International

departure delays an average of 55 minutes (and increasing)

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 24 minutes (and increasing)

all inbound flights being held at their origin until Wednesday at 10:00AM EST

Boston Logan International

all inbound flights being held at their origin until Wednesday at 10:00AM EST

departure delays an average of 1 hours 24 minutes

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 2 minutes (and decreasing)

Reagan National

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 51 minutes (and increasing)

departure delays an average of 1 hours 28 minutes (and increasing)

Newark Liberty International

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 32 minutes (and increasing)

departure delays an average of 1 hours 30 minutes

John F Kennedy International

departure delays an average of 1 hours 14 minutes (and increasing).

LaGuardia

departure delays an average of 1 hours 30 minutes

all inbound flights being held at their origin until Wednesday at 10:00AM EST

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 26 minutes (and decreasing)

Orlando

departure delays an average of 1 hours 28 minutes (and increasing)

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 7 minutes (and decreasing)

Chicago OHare

departure delays an average of 1 hours 18 minutes (and increasing)

arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 1 hours 34 minutes (and increasing)

Widespread delays across east coast

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:29 , Oliver O'Connell

The knock-on effect of the ground stop has begun to ripple across the US, occurring as it did when commuter flights were beginning one of the busiest times of the day.

FlightAwares MiseryMap of delays and cancellations shows upwards of three-quarters of flights cancelled and delayed in New York, Boston, Washington Dc, Chicago, and Charlotte.

Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Detroit, and Minneapolis have also been badly impacted. As of 9.30am ET, west coast airports still appear unaffected but are also dealing with the impact of severe weather.

FlightAwares MiseryMap shows huge proportions of delays and cancellation (red) versus on time services (green) at major air travel hubs across the US (FlightAware)

Havent seen a ground stop like this since 9/11

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Gustaf Kilander explains why domestic air travel ground to a halt this morning.

FAA system outage causes airport chaos with passengers and staff left in the dark

FAA lifts nationwide ground stop

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:55 , Helen Coffey

According to the latest statement from the FAA, normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the United States following an overnight outage to the FAAs Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that provides safety information to flight crews.

The nationwide ground stop has now been lifted.

The agency continues to look into the cause of the initial problem, said an FAA statement

Cause of outage unclear, says President Biden

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:53 , Reuters

President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation into the FAA system outage that grounded flights across the country this morning.

Biden told reporters at the White House he had spoken to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and they should have a good sense in a couple of hours of what triggered the outage.

Well respond at that time, Biden said. Asked if the outage was caused by a cyberattack, he said, We dont know.

They dont know what the cause is, Biden said. Aircraft can still land safely just not take off right now. We dont know what the cause of it is.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier in a Twitter post that there was no evidence of a cyber attack at this time.

Reporting by agencies

Departures resuming at Newark and Atlanta, reports FAA

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:19 , Lucy Thackray

The Federal Aviation Administration has said that operations are resuming at two airports, Newark Liberty and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, adding that it still expects all US departures to resume from 9am EST (2pm GMT).

The FAA is making progress in restoring its Notice to Air Missions system following an overnight outage, it said in a statement.

Departures are resuming at Newark Liberty and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airports due to air traffic congestion in those areas.

We expect departures to resume at other airports at 9am Eastern Time.

Airborne flights safe to land in US, clarifies FAA

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:16 , Lucy Thackray

The FAA has clarified that all flights currently airborne and coming into the US are safe to land, despite the outage of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots to hazards on their journey.

All flights currently in the sky are safe to land, said the federal agency in a tweet.

Pilots check the NOTAM system before they fly.

A Notice to Air Missions alerts pilots about closed runways, equipment outages, and other potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the flight.

All flights currently in the sky are safe to land. Pilots check the NOTAM system before they fly. A Notice to Air Missions alerts pilots about closed runways, equipment outages, and other potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the flight.  The FAA  (@FAANews) January 11, 2023

What sort of IT outage is the FAA reporting?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:08 , Lucy Thackray

The Federal Aviation Administration this morning reported that its NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) IT system was failing to process information.

The FAA describes NOTAM as as system which indicate[s] the real-time and abnormal status of the NAS (National Air Space) impacting every user.

It notifies both pilots and airport and ground staff of a number of incidents that may affect take-offs, landings and routes.

These could include: air shows and parachute jumps, military exercises affecting airspace, volcanic ash clouds, obstacles close to airfields, significant flocks of birds likely to cause bird strikes, or closed runways and taxiways.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras told The Independent: NOTAMs are essential for the safe continuation of global air travel.

These essential notices and directives ultimately keep the worlds aviation sector, specifically flight crew and all personnel concerned with flight operations, informed and up to speed with latest air travel related directives, operational updates, security, weather and warnings.

With a system failure affecting NOTAMs, operations will be disrupted almost immediately and this will soon be felt elsewhere across the world, including for flights waiting to depart to the US.

Flights continuing to operate as planned - British Airways

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:04 , Lucy Thackray

A British Airways spokesperson has said its flights are continuing to operate as planned.

Our flights to and from the US are continuing to operate as planned. We advise customers to check ba.com for the latest flight information, said the spokesperson.

Heathrow Airports does not currently show any delayed or cancelled US flights.

Gates are currently closing on flights to Seattle, Tampa and Nashville.

No evidence of cyberattack says Press Secretary

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:53 , Lucy Thackray

The White Houses Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said there is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point on the FAAs systems, and that an investigation has been launched into the cause of the outage.

The President has been briefed by the Secretary of Transportation this morning on the FAA system outage, tweeted Ms Jean-Pierre.

There is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes. The FAA will provide regular updates.

The President has been briefed by the Secretary of Transportation this morning on the FAA system outage. There is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes. The FAA will provide regular updates.  Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) January 11, 2023

Thousands of UK passengers could miss US connections

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:44 , Simon Calder

Most British Airways flights from London Heathrow during Wednesday morning departed between two and three hours behind schedule, including flights to Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, New York JFK and Washington.

The longest delay was of an American Airlines flight to Phoenix, which was over three hours late.

Many thousands of passengers are booked on connecting flights with transfer times as low as one hour.

If a connection is missed, traveller with through tickets  such as London-Chicago-Kansas City  can expect to be booked on the next available flight, though with may planes heavily sold, seats are at a premium.

For flights to and from the US, no compensation is owed to passengers under European air passengers rights rules.

But the requirement for airlines to provide meals and, if necessary, accommodation until the traveller can reach their destination should apply to those with through tickets.

US disruption will soon be felt elsewhere across the world, says analyst

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:33 , Lucy Thackray

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras has told The Independent: NOTAMs are essential for the safe continuation of global air travel.

These essential notices and directives ultimately keep the worlds aviation sector, specifically flight crew and all personnel concerned with flight operations, informed and up to speed with latest air travel related directives, operational updates, security, weather and warnings.

With a system failure affecting NOTAMs, operations will be disrupted almost immediately and this will soon be felt elsewhere across the world, including for flights waiting to depart to the US.

On Twitter Mr Macheras predicted: Flights will be unable to resume until [the system failure is] resolved.

FAA confirmation that an outage related to NOTAMS (these are essential notices & directives for flight crew, all personnel concerned with flight operations, ATC etc) is the issue - no estimated time of restoration. Flights will be unable to resume until resolved. pic.twitter.com/GmNI18UCVH  Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) January 11, 2023

FAA is working swiftly, says Buttigieg

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:26 , Lucy Thackray

The US Secretary for Transportation Pete Buttigieg has said the FAA is working to resolve this issue swiftly, as hundreds of flights remain grounded and many more disrupted by the system outage.

I have been in touch with FAA this morning about an outage affecting a key system for providing safety information to pilots, tweeted Mr Buttigieg.

FAA is working to resolve this issue swiftly and safely so that air traffic can resume normal operations, and will continue to provide updates.

I have been in touch with FAA this morning about an outage affecting a key system for providing safety information to pilots. FAA is working to resolve this issue swiftly and safely so that air traffic can resume normal operations, and will continue to provide updates.  Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) January 11, 2023

All domestic departures paused until 9am ET, says FAA

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:22 , Lucy Thackray

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an update on the status of their NOTAM system, the failure of which has grounded and delayed flights across the US.

While some functions are beginning to come back on line, National Airspace System operations remain limited, said a spokesperson

The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9am Eastern Time [2pm GMT] to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information.

Flights grounded across US following major FAA system outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:11 , Lucy Thackray

Thousands of flights have been grounded across the US after the Federal Aviation Administrations IT system suffered a major failure.

The NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system, which keeps pilots and other airport staff updated about aviation hazards and airport facilities, has stopped processing information as of Wednesday morning.

The FAA said there was no nationwide ground stop, but confirmed the NOTAM system was down, with engineers currently working on the issue.

The FAA describes NOTAM as as system which indicate[s] the real-time and abnormal status of the NAS (National Air Space) impacting every user.

Read the full story:

Flights grounded across US following major FAA outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:08 , Helen Coffey

Good afternoon, and welcome to The Independents travel liveblog. Well be sharing all the latest updates on the system failure that has prompted the delay of hundreds of flights across the US.

Nav Canadas NOTAM system restored

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent has contacted Nav Canada for a statement and explanation.
Photo: OPP

A $100,000 reward has been issued for information leading to the whereabouts of woman who was abducted from an Ontario home exactly a year ago, police said Thursday.

Three men dressed in police gear took Elnaz Hajtamiri from a relatives house in Wasaga Beach, Ont., on Jan. 12, 2022 and loaded her into a white Lexus SUV, investigators have said.

The 37-year-old woman's ex-boyfriend has been charged in her disappearance as well as an alleged assault that took place weeks earlier. But Hajtamiri remains missing and police continue to look for the three men who abducted her.

"A female not involved in crime is literally plucked out of her house with violence and nothing has been seen or heard from her in one calendar year," Ontario Provincial Police Det. Insp. Martin Graham said at a news conference Thursday.

"That is incredibly rare."

Graham read a statement he said was provided by Hajtamiris mother, who family has said lives in Iran. She wrote it had been a "long" and painful year since she last saw her daughter.

"We open our eyes every morning thinking this will be the day she calls to tell us shes alive and safe, but that day never comes. I just want to hug our daughter," the statement read.

"We are perpetually living in a limbo of emotions and until we know what happened her, we cant break out of this endless loop and move forward with the next stage of grief: acceptance."

Police allege the three suspects  thought to be armed with a gun, wearing fake police vests, carrying imitation handcuffs, and disguised in balaclavas  abducted Hajtamiri from the Wasaga Beach home.

Her family has said she was hiding out there on the advice of police after alleged threats from an ex-boyfriend escalated.

"Someone out there knows the identity of these three suspects," Graham said.

Weeks earlier, on Dec. 20, 2021, police allege two men violently assaulted Hajtamiri with a frying pan and tried to abduct her in an underground parking lot in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Her ex-boyfriend, 35-year-old Mohamad Lilo, and two other men were arrested and charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in that attack, police said.

Police said they are aware Lilo, who is facing an abduction charge in Hajtamiri's disappearance in January, is linked to a company that transports shipping containers within Canada and abroad.

The reward in the case that was announced Thursday is being offered by Ontario Provincial Police and York Regional Police.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a corrupted database file was the reason behind the nationwide grounding of nearly 10,000 flights for the first time in two decades.

Preliminary findings traced the cause to a damaged database file, ruling out earlier speculation of a cyberattack. The same file reportedly corrupted both the main system and its backup.

An engineer replaced one file with another without realising the mistake, a senior official briefed on the internal review told ABC News.

It was an honest mistake that cost the country millions.

A key system used to notify pilots and ground staff of hazards and alerts suffered a major failure on Tuesday night. The fault lay with the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system, which keeps pilots and other airport staff updated about aviation hazards and airport facilities.

The FAA was able to lift the ground stop at around 9am on the East Coast, but the damage had been done to schedules for the day.

Most airlines are waiving fees for passengers to rebook travel.

Key points

Corrupted file blamed for nationwide flight delays

FAA systems outage leave passengers stuck and fuming

White House says no evidence of cyberattack

Same system briefly malfunctions in Canada

White House says no evidence of a cyber attack in FAA outage

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The White House said there is no evidence of a cyber attack at this point after a computer outage led the Federal Aviation Administration to halt aviation takeoffs across the US earlier in the day.

The president has directed the Department of Transportation to conduct a full investigation into the causes and provide regular updates. Again, this is incredibly important to top priority the safety of Americans who are flying. We want to make sure that theyre safe, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

White House says no evidence of a cyber attack after outage grounded flights

Story continues

Corrupted file blamed for flight delays

05:18 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a corrupted database file was the reason behind the nationwide grounding of nearly 10,000 flights for the first time in two decades.

Preliminary findings traced the cause to a damaged database file, ruling out earlier speculation of a cyberattack. The same file reportedly corrupted both the main system and its backup.

An engineer replaced one file with another without realising the mistake, a senior official briefed on the internal review told ABC News.

Corrupted file blamed for taking down US flight system and causing delays

Pilot association encourages patience as airlines get back on schedule

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Air Line Pilots Association released the following statement after the resumption of air traffic operations this morning.

We are in regular contact with [the FAA] and will continue to work with them and airline managements to ensure our aviation system continues to be as safe as possible, it reads. Airline pilots are #TrainedForLife to handle unique situations such as this.

Later the group added: We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.

We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.  Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) January 11, 2023

What to do if your flight was cancelled or delayed

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Thousands of travelers were stranded at US airports on Wednesday due to an hours-long computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 1,000 US flights were cancelled early in the day and almost 7,000 flights were delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware. That number continued to climb in the afternoon.

Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight plans are disrupted, experts say.

Heres some of their advice for dealing with a flight delay or cancellation:

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share advice

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad explains how US airports ground to a halt this morning.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

Watch: FAA lifts grounding order on flights after computer outage

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Recap: Flights grounded across US following major FAA system outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Flights grounded across US following major FAA outage

Delta expects minimal disruption tomorrow

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta expects minimal impact to operations tomorrow (assuming there are no further computer issues) pic.twitter.com/5FHF9NyKMI  Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) January 11, 2023

Airlines hope for return to normal operations on Thursday

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The US aviation sector was struggling to return to normal following a nationwide ground stop imposed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early on Wednesday over a computer issue that forced a 90-minute halt to all US departing flights.

More than 10,300 flights have been delayed so far and over 1,300 canceled according to FlightAware in the first national grounding of flights in about two decades, industry officials said. Many officials compared the grounding to what occurred after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.

The total number of flights was still rising but airline officials expressed confidence that normal operations could largely return by Thursday, absent new issues.

The cause of the problem with a pilot-alerting messaging system was unclear, but U.S. officials said they had so far found no evidence of a cyberattack. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said an issue with safety messages sent to pilots prompted the outage.

Reuters

No evidence of a cyber attack says White House after outage grounded flights across US

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:59 , Oliver O'Connell

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden had a full briefing on the matter. She further explained that the FAA has no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, and said Mr Biden has directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes.

Andrew Feinberg has the latest from Washington, DC.

White House says no evidence of a cyber attack after outage grounded flights

Watch: Passengers walk back to gate after boarding due to FAA computer outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Pilot association encourages patience as airlines get back on schedule

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:22 , Oliver O'Connell

The Air Line Pilots Association released the following statement after the resumption of air traffic operations this morning.

We are in regular contact with [the FAA] and will continue to work with them and airline managements to ensure our aviation system continues to be as safe as possible, it reads. Airline pilots are #TrainedForLife to handle unique situations such as this.

Later the group added: We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.

We understand the disruptions and frustrations this is causing and we encourage patience by all as we work to return the air transportation network to normal operations.  Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) January 11, 2023

More than 10,000 flights impacted by outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:14 , Oliver O'Connell

By 4pm ET the total number of flights impacted by the FAA outage topped 10,000.

The total number of flights delayed within, into, or out of the US stood at 8,783, while the total number of cancellations was 1,276, according to FlightAware.

Nevertheless, the FlightAware MiseryMap showed some improvement. Most airports that had earlier recorded delays or cancellations to more than three-quarters of their flights had improved to around half of their flights being impacted. There are still notable problems in Charlotte, the DC area, and in Denver.

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share some advice

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Thousands of travelers were stranded at US airports on Wednesday due to an hours-long computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 1,000 US flights were cancelled early in the day and almost 7,000 flights were delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware. That number continued to climb in the afternoon.

Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight plans are disrupted, experts say.

Heres some of their advice for dealing with a flight delay or cancellation:

Flight delayed or cancelled due to the FAA system outage? Experts share some advice

White House stands behind Buttigieg

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:56 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden remains confident in US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg following recent air travel disruptions, including a 90-minute nationwide order to ground all US departing flights and thousands of complaints in the fallout of Southwest Airlines holiday travel chaos.

The president respects the secretary and the work that he has been doing to hold airlines accountable, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on 11 January.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House stands behind Buttigieg after fallout from airline disruptions

Canada suffers same mysterious air system outage as US

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Canadas air traffic system suffered a similar outage to the one that occurred in the US for a brief period on Wednesday.

US air travel was badly disrupted by the failure of the Federal Aviation Administrations Notice to Air Missions system (NOTAM) overnight on Tuesday, forcing a full ground stop of domestic aviation on Wednesday morning.

Nav Canada, the Canadian national air navigation service provider, released a statement just after 12.30pm as US airlines struggled to resume normal service.

Read more:

Canada suffers same mysterious air system outage as US, delaying more flights

Buttigieg says ground stop was right call'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The cause of the problem with a pilot-alerting NOTAM system is unclear, but US officials said they had so far found no evidence of a cyberattack.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN an issue with overnight irregularities with safety messages sent to pilots prompted the outage.

He said the ground stop was the "right call" to make sure messages were moving correctly and there is no direct evidence of cyberattack.

The outage occurred at a typically slow time after the holiday travel season, but demand remains strong as travel continues to recover to near pre-pandemic levels.

Reuters

House committee chair wants to know how this can prevented in future

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Representative Sam Graves, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he had many questions concerning the outage and the subsequent problems caused.

I expect the FAA to provide a full briefing to members of Congress as soon as they learn more, he said.

Mr Graves added that he also expected the Transportation Department to do right by passengers it has wronged.

The committee, he said wanted to make sure that we know what went wrong, whos responsible, and how this is going to be prevented in the future.

Senate Commerce committee to investigate FAA computer outage

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:57 , Oliver O'Connell

A US Senate panel will review the cause of a Federal Aviation Administration computer system outage that sparked a nationwide ground stop and delayed or canceled more than 7,000 US flights, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said on Wednesday.

The outage occurred overnight on Tuesday and US flights were slowly beginning to resume departures on Wednesday.

"We will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages. The public needs a resilient air transportation system," Ms Cantwell said. The ground stop was lifted by the FAA shortly before 9am ET.

Many lawmakers from both parties urged action to prevent a future disruption.

Reuters

Boebert calls Buttigieg clueless' and not qualified. Twitter reacts.

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Lauren Boebert has hit out at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the Federal Aviation Administrations decision to order a groundstop at US airports this morning.

The Republican lawmaker from Colorado tweeted: Every plane in America is currently grounded due to a system error.

Mayor Pete, bravo, she added. This is what happens when you hire clueless liberals for jobs they arent qualified to do.

Every plane in America is currently grounded due to a system error.



Mayor Pete, bravo.



This is what happens when you hire clueless liberals for jobs they arent qualified to do.  Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 11, 2023

Other Twitter users were not impressed with Ms Boebert jab at Mr Buttigieg with many pointing out her own limited qualifications, accusing her of making a cheap attack, and calling her an attention seeker and a fraud.

TV host and producer Andy Cohen shot back: Hiring a clueless wingnut is certainly paying off for your constituents, you psychopath.

Tired of airport disruption? Why not try the train?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Nightmare as passengers believed they were hostages after 29-hour Amtrak delay

Which airlines and airports are worst affected by the delays?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

As of 2.00pm per FlightAware :

Major airlines, from most impacted to least: Southwest (48 per cent of flights delayed), American Airlines (44 per cent), Spirit (40 per cent), Delta (37 per cent), United (36 per cent), and JetBlue (31 per cent). West coast-focussed airlines such as Alaskan and Hawaiian show a modest number of delays as the outage occurred at a time when they have a lower number of scheduled flights.

The worst affected airports for delays are Baltimore (49 per cent of flights delayed); LaGuardia (44 per cent); Atlanta, Chicago Midway and Orlando (39 per cent); Denver and Nashville 37 per cent; and Reagan National, Austin, and Tampa (36 per cent).

Almost every major airport now has more than 25 per cent of its flights delayed.

If you are travelling today, check the status of your flight with your airline, as airports will be busier than usual.

Problems in Canada?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:01 , Oliver O'Connell

NAV Canada, the countrys air navigation service provider, has tweeted out a message stating that its own NOTAM system is experiencing an outage affecting newly issued notices.

So far no delays are reported relating to the outage.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill today?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad explains how todays air travel turmoil came about.

What brought US domestic flights to a standstill?

Schumer: no clear evidence of outside interference'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he has spoken to Secretary Buttigieg about the restoration of air travel.

He adds: While at this moment theres no clear evidence of outside interference, the FAA needs to get to root causes so this doesnt happen again.

I just spoke with @SecretaryPete again and learned the system is back in order and flights are being restored.



While at this moment theres no clear evidence of outside interference, the FAA needs to get to root causes so this doesnt happen again.  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 11, 2023

American offers passenger option to rebook with no fees

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

In a statement regarding the resumption of operations, American Airlines says that more than 950 mainline and regional flights have departed, but some 450 have been cancelled and another 850 have been delayed.

American has resumed operations now that the Federal Aviation Administration's nationwide ground stop has ended. We continue to closely monitor the situation, which impacts all airlines, and are working to minimize further disruption to our customers and operation. To support our customers whose travel was affected by the FAA system issue, we're providing additional flexibility to rebook their travel plans today and tomorrow without any additional fees.

Buttigieg rejects suggestion FAA should reimburse passengers.

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has rejected the suggestion that the Federal Aviation Administration should reimburse affected travellers who have had flights cancelled or delayed by the decision to order a ground stop.

He told MSNBC: Were not a for-profit company selling tickets ... Were always going to err on the side of safety.

.@SecretaryPete rejects suggestion FAA should reimburse travelers for flight delays because of computer issue telling @MSNBC: "We're not a for-profit company selling tickets...We're always going to err on the side of safety"  davidshepardson (@davidshepardson) January 11, 2023

Watch: Biden says cause of outage unknown

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta issues fare difference waiver to delayed customers

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Delta Air Lines says it remains connected with the FAA as it works to mitigate the impact of the ground stop the agency implemented earlier today.

A fare difference waiver will give customers additional flexibility even if their flight isnt delayed or cancelled, the airline says.

One of the immediate concerns for airlines will be congestion within airports making getting things back on track more difficult. The move by Delta allows passengers to switch flights and avoid airports completely today even if their flight is not affected.

. @Delta remains connected with the FAA as we work to mitigate the impact of the ground stop the agency implemented earlier today. A fare difference waiver will give customers additional flexibility even if their flight isnt delayed or canceled. https://t.co/u0jjaCfz5x  Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) January 11, 2023

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Ranking Democrat Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen of Washington state issued the following statement regarding the FAA-ordered ground stop today:

"This morning, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an order pausing all domestic flight traffic due to a disruption to their Notice to Air Missions system," Ranking Member Larsen said. "I spoke with Secretary Buttigieg about this development and will continue to monitor this disruption to our air travel system until it is resolved."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A group of Florida college professors on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block Gov. Ron DeSantis from requesting spending data on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory programs in state universities.

The filing comes as part of a lawsuit against the so-called Stop WOKE Act, which restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in colleges. Tallahassee U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has blocked the law, though DeSantis' office is appealing the decision.

The Republican governor in late December requested that state colleges submit spending data and other information on programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory, which examines systemic racism. The schools were asked to submit the data by Friday.

The college educators, who are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Legal Defense Fund, argue the governor's request violates the court order blocking the Stop WOKE Act.

This is just another step towards enforcing this unconstitutional law and is clearly intended to continue to chill the speech of instructors and students in Florida. We cannot allow these threats against free speech to continue, Jerry Edwards, staff attorney of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement.

DeSantis' office did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

The law prohibits teaching or business practices that contend members of one ethnic group are inherently racist and should feel guilt for past actions committed by others. It also bars the notion that a persons status as privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by their race or gender, or that discrimination is acceptable to achieve diversity.

The governor began pushing for the law late last year and the Republican-controlled Legislature passed it during the 2022 legislative session.

Critical race theory was developed during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what scholars viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. It centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nations institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.

Conservatives have rejected critical race theory, arguing the philosophy racially divides American society and aims to rewrite history to make white people believe they are inherently racist.
A former top Bucks County prosecutor who helped convict Pennsylvanias first female attorney general is poised to become its second female top law enforcement officer.

Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that he intends to name Michelle Henry, his current first deputy, to succeed him as Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Henry, 53, served in the Bucks County District Attorneys office for 21 years prosecuting some of the countys most high-profile criminal cases and briefly serving as its District Attorney.

This news organization was not immediately successful in reach Henry for comment Thursday, through the AG office.

Among her most notable wins was in the 2007 retrial of convicted murderer Richard Laird, who was sent back to death row for the 1987 hate-crime slaying of a gay man in Bristol Township.

Former Bucks County Michelle Henry will be named Pennsylvania's next Attorney General.

Michelle Henry in 2008 when she was sworn-in as Bucks County District Attorney. She is poised to become Pa's next attorney general

She was appointed as Bucks Countys District Attorney in 2008, after her predecessor, Diane Gibbons, was elected to the Common Pleas Court with two years left in her term.

Gibbons, now a senior Common Pleas Court Judge in Bucks County, expressed confidence that Henry will do well in her new job.

I worked with Michelle for a long time and am very happy for her, Gibbons said in a statement. She is an excellent attorney and should do very well.

Henry opted not to run for election to remain DA in 2009, instead she continued to prosecute high-profile cases, as the second highest ranking attorney in the office.

Among those cases were one of the youngest serial rapists in county history, Joshua Benson, who at 18 was arrested and later convicted of sexually assaulting 10 teenage girls from 2011 to 2013. She also prosecuted Dale Wakefield, who was convicted in 2014 in the stabbing and beating death of an 71-year-old homeless Army veteran at the Doylestown train station.

Henry, a former chief child abuse prosecutor, was instrumental in the founding and creation of the Childrens Advocacy Center. The nonprofit agency works with local law enforcement, victim advocates and health-care centers to investigate and treat children who have been abused.

Story continues

Henry's profile rose significantly in 2016 when she was tapped to assist the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in the prosecution of former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane on perjury and related charges.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and former Bucks County First Assistant District Attorney Michelle Henry speak to media after Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane leaves her preliminary hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse on August 24, 2015.

Less than six months after the Kane conviction, Shapiro offered Henry the job of the states first female First Deputy Attorney General. In January, 2017 she left Bucks County for Harrisburg.

In her current role, Henry is responsible for overseeing legal, criminal and civil matters in the Office of Attorney General. Henry was the first female to serve as first deputy attorney general in modern Pennsylvania history, according to Shapiros office.

Henry will assume the title of acting Attorney General on Tuesday when Shapiro is sworn in as the new governor and she will serve out the remaining two years of his term.

Why a judge won't withdraw plea Ex-Warminster cop tried to withdraw plea in child sex abuse case; here's why judge said no

Look at career of Rep. Todd StephensTodd Stephens was at the forefront of the PFAS fight in Bucks, Montco. A look back as he leaves office.

New center planned for those in crisisBucks County plans for behavioral health urgent care center at Doylestown Hospital

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Former Bucks County DA Michelle Henry to take on new top cop role
Apolstolic Christian Academy at First Apostolic Church of Maryville.

A former teacher at the Apostolic Christian Academy in Maryville has been arrested on a felony charge that he sexually abused a 14-year-old girl, Knox News has learned.

Joseph Kade" Abbott was arrested in North Carolina and taken to the Blount County jail on Monday, according to sheriff's office spokesperson Marian OBriant. Abbott is being held on a $200,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is Jan. 18.

Police began investigating Abbott in June after he was accused of sexually abusing the teenager. The case still is under investigation, OBriant said, who declined to give additional details because the investigation is ongoing and involves a juvenile.

Abbott, 26, is not listed as a school employee, but appeared on Apostolic Christian Academy's staff list as a middle school teacher as recently as August, according to a search of internet archives by Knox News. He moved two months ago to a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the arrest warrant.

The charge, sexual battery by an authority figure, is used against defendants who use their job or legal status to take advantage of their victim, or have parental or custodial authority.

A spokesperson for the school did not return a call from Knox News requesting comment. Knox News received no response to a list of questions sent to a general school inbox or to a text message sent to senior pastor Kenneth Carpenter.

The school's attorney, Alyssa Minge, did not respond to a list of questions other than to say Abbott was no longer an employee of the school.

"We cannot comment on matters involving pending litigation. Our prayers are with everyone involved," she wrote in an email to Knox News.

Apostolic Christian Academy is the school housed inside First Apostolic Church of Maryville, a mammoth building that towers over William Blount Drive.

In 2018, the school and a connected day care announced they had achieved Partner in Prevention status, a designation given by the nonprofit Darkness to Light to organizations that take extra steps to protect the children they serve by training staff to understand child sexual abuse, identify unsafe situations and react responsibly in the best interest of children.

Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Connect with Tyler by emailing him at tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone. Make our community, our society and our republic stronger by supporting robust local journalism. Subscribe online at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former teacher at Maryville Apostolic academy accused of sexual abuse
DOOR COUNTY - Primary elections will be required in four races for local government seats in Door County.

The primaries will take place Feb. 21 in Wisconsin, and along with the local races, a statewide four-way primary will be held for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court that could possibly alter the ideological makeup of what's supposed to be the nonpartisan court. In all cases, the candidates advancing from their primaries will face off for their seats in the April 4 general election.

Candidates had until Jan. 3 to file papers to run for office.

The biggest primary in Door County is in Sister Bay, where none of the three village trustees whose seats are up for election chose to seek reelection  one is running instead for village president  and seven candidates filed papers to replace them on the Village Board: Patrice Champeau, Nick Deviley, Vivian Nienow, Lilly Orozco, Andrew Torcivia, Alison Werner and Sarah White. The primary will narrow the field to six for the April election.

Meanwhile in Sister Bay, Village President Rob Zoschke is being challenged by current trustee Nate Bell.

Primaries also are required for supervisor races in the towns of Gardner, Gibraltar and Nasewaupee.

The Gardner primary is for Supervisor 2, where incumbent Mark Lentz is being challenged by Mike Marchant and Gary Schaeffer. The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the April ballot.

Gardner also will have contested races in April for its town chair and Supervisor 1 seats. Current chair Carl Waterstreet is seeking reelection against Paul DeWitt, and Supervisor Glen Merkle will face Keitha McDonald.

Gibraltar has five candidates for two supervisor seats, and the top four from the primary will face off in April. Incumbents Brian Merkel and Karl Stubenvoll (who was appointed to the seat in October) are trying to retain their seats against challengers Thomas M. Birmingham, John Selenica and Vinni Chomeau.

Voters in Gibraltar also have a contested race in April for town chair, with incumbent Steve Sohns facing current Supervisor Bill Johnson.

Story continues

The Nasewaupee Town Board decided last year to expand its government from two supervisor seats to four, and all four are up for election this spring. Three of the races are contested, and two will require a primary.

Running for Supervisor 1 are Mark Hilsabeck, Bill Krueger and Mike Martel; and up for the Supervisor 2 seat are incumbent Don Sixel, Lance Brolin, Mark Feuerstein and George Sincock. The top two in each primary will run in the April election, as will Gene LaPlante and Tim Smith for Supervisor 3.

Sister Bay is the only one of Door County's four villages to have contested races in April, and among the Peninsula's 14 towns, five have competitive races for town chair and four have contested supervisor races, counting the towns mentioned above.

This April's election still will be slightly more competitive than the 2021 election, which did not require any primaries for local government seats and had two contested races for town chair and three for town supervisor or village trustee, with all other races uncontested.

The candidate situation perhaps is most unique in the town of Sturgeon Bay, where the incumbents for town chair, its two supervisors, clerk and treasurer all chose not to see reelection and no one filed papers to run for any of those seats, so all will be determined by a write-in vote. Another write-in will become a supervisor in the town of Forestville, where both supervisor seats are up for election but only incumbent Jason Tlachac filed to run.

The town of Forestville does have a contested town chair race, however, because current Chair Roy Englebert is not seeking reelection and Kevin J. Guilette and Larry Huber, the other incumbent supervisor, are running to replace him.

Other contested town chair races are in Baileys Harbor, where incumbent Don Sitte is being challenged by David Eliot, who was appointed to that seat in 2020 but chose to not seek reelection the following spring; and Liberty Grove, with incumbent John Lowry running against Janet Johnson.

The only other contested supervisor race is in the town of Washington, with four candidates  incumbent Martin Andersen, John Jessen, Valerie Carpenter and Margaret Foss  running for two seats.

In the statewide primary, the Supreme Court race has two candidates considered to be liberal (Everett Mitchell, Janet Protasiewicz) and two considered to be conservative (Jennifer Dorow, Daniel Kelly) vying to replace the retiring Patricia Roggensack, who's generally ruled with the court's conservative bloc. Kelly was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2016 but lost his reelection bid, while the other three are circuit court judges in Waukesha (Dorow), Milwaukee (Protasiewicz) and Dane (Mitchell) counties. The top two vote-getters will face each other in the April election.

For more information, including registering to vote, polling places and what will be on your ballot, visit co.door.wi.gov, click on the "Our County" button at the top of the homepage and the "Election Results" tab, then click "Voter & Election Information" on that page.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

MORE: Peninsula Players Theatre announces 2023 winter play reading series

MORE: Door County room taxes to fund grant program for projects that benefit tourism, residents

MORE: New band of bluegrass vets plays White Gull dinner concert series

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Four primaries needed this year for local elections in Door County
By Marine Strauss

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte on Thursday weighed into the politically charged debate in France on whether to introduce compulsory school uniforms just ahead of a debate in parliament on the issue pushed by the far-right.

Uniforms in French schools have not been obligatory since 1968, but have regularly come back on the political agenda.

"It erases differences, we save time - it's time-consuming to choose how to dress in the morning - and money - compared to brands", French First Lady Brigitte Macron told Le Parisien newspaper in an interview.

A retired Latin and literature teacher of 20 years, Brigitte, who met her later husband Emmanuel in one of her after-school theatre classes, recalled wearing a uniform for fifteen years, a navy blue skirt and sweater as a student, telling the paper she coped with it well.

"So I am in favour of wearing a school uniform but with a simple and not dull outfit," Macron said.

The National Assembly is slated to debate compulsory school uniforms later on Thursday after Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) filed a motion to make wearing a uniform mandatory again.

Education minister Pap Ndiaye has previously said he was against imposing a uniform for all pupils.

For some, wearing a uniform means equality and erasing differences of social status and wealth. For others it is a debate that is not needed and is distracting from more serious issues such as discipline and harassment.

(Reporting by Marine Strauss @StraussMarine; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Charlie Javice. Charlie Javice

Visitors to Frank's website could get the mistaken impression that the company was affiliated with the federal government, the Department of Education said in 2017.

The Department argued that Frank's website was "likely to confuse consumers."

The parties settled in 2018 after the Department initiated a trademark violation action.

Years before JP Morgan Chase accused Charlie Javice of fraudulently inventing customers for her student financial aid platform Frank, the 30-year-old fintech founder settled with the federal government over claims that her company could be misleading students. The settlement documents, which were obtained by Insider, showed that Frank was forced to change the name of its website and disclose to consumers it was not affiliated with the federal government.

The Department of Education in 2017 accused Frank of violating its trademark on FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a form completed by aspiring college students and their families to determine eligibility for various grants and loans. The Department stated in a cease and desist letter that Frank could be misleading applicants looking for the government's official FAFSA website.

Frank had no official affiliation with the Department of Education, however, and was not recognized as a designated "FAFSA preparer," according to records viewed by Insider. Frank settled with the Department of Education in 2018.

Javice and Frank have come under scrutiny after the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that financial giant JP Morgan Chase, which acquired Frank in 2021, was suing Javice for inventing millions of fake customers to justify the bank's $175 million acquisition of the startup.

In another suit, filed in December in Delaware, Javice has accused JP Morgan of undermining Frank's value "by pursuing poorly conceived business plans." The bank fired her before it would have had to pay her $28 million as part of the acquisition, according to Javice's suit.

Story continues

In an email, Javice's attorney, Alex Spiro, said the settlement was related to "a trademark dispute over a trade name. Nothing more." Spiro has previously denied JP Morgan's allegations.

Even before graduating from college in 2013, Javice had been hailed as a wunderkind by a financial sector eager to remake its image in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Her focus on building financial products for people traditionally overlooked by banks  poor people and students  earned her a spot on Forbes's 2019 "30 under 30" list. A Wharton business school video called her "The Voice of a Microfinance Generation."

In 2017, Frank's website was frankfafsa.com, the settlement said. On social media and elsewhere, Frank sometimes referred to the form as "Frank's FAFSA," according to the settlement. The domain name in particular "was confusingly similar" to the Department's website, fafsa.gov, "and, therefore, was likely to confuse consumers," according to the settlement.

Students and their families can fill out the FAFSA for free on fafsa.gov. Frank offered a free service, but also tried to upsell customers on more expensive packages. For $500, for instance, students and their families could pay Frank to negotiate with schools on their behalf for more financial aid.

The settlement required Frank to issue disclaimers that it was not affiliated with the Department of Education and move to a new website, withfrank.org.

Insider obtained the settlement through college financing expert Mark Kantrowitz, who said concerns about how Frank characterized its business had prompted him to file a public records request for information about the company with the Department of Education in 2018.

In numerous media interviews, including with Insider, Javice has cast herself as a mold-breaking entrepreneur.

"I built a business and raised funds out of college, turning down a finance job, even though I was told I would fail because I didn't have business experience," she told Insider in 2021. "My impatience to achieve my goals helped me see past that 'conventional wisdom' to take a risk that landed me where I am today."

Do you have a tip or insights to share? Contact reporter Katherine Long via phone or the encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-206-375-9280) or email (klong@insider.com).

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Blandine Henault

PARIS (Reuters) - France's CGT trade union on Thursday called for strikes in the refinery sector against plans to make people work longer before they can retire and Paris metro unions said they would do "everything they can" to stop the pension reform.

The French will have to work two years longer, to age 64, before retiring, if the reform, announced by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Tuesday, is adopted by parliament. They will also need to work longer to get a full pension.

All unions have already announced a nationwide day of strike and protests for Jan. 19, but have also warned that more action will follow in different sectors.

The CGT union called on refinery workers and other staff in the petrol sector to strike on Jan. 26 for 48 hours and on Feb. 6 for 72 hours, at which date they said the strike could be further extended and include halting operations at refineries.

"One day (on Jan. 19) will not be enough to make the government back down on this reform," Eric Sellini, CGT coordinator at TotalEnergies, told BFM TV.

"If the conflict were to last, there would inevitably be consequences for refining operations, with potentially a stoppage of the installations in the weeks to come."

Last autumn, a strike at the refineries and depots of TotalEnergies and Exxon linked to wage demands led to a shortage of gasoline for several weeks in several regions.

Borne called on unions to be "responsible" and not harm the economy.

"There is a right to strike, there is a right to demonstrate, but I think it is also important not to penalise the French," she said.

(Additional reporting by Benjamin Mallet and Forrest Crellin; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Nick Macfie)
Frontier Airlines is offering free flights to individuals who are willing to adopt three adorable stray kittens. According to the Independent, the babies are currently housed at the Animal Foundation, a Nevada veterinary clinic and pet shelter.

The foundation has named the kittens after three U.S. airlinesFrontier, Delta, and Spirit. The kitties are believed to be a few weeks old. The shelter Tweeted a photo of the kittens with a caption reading Meet the newest additions to our kitten nursery!

Spirits name used to be Southwest, but due to recent events, our marketing team requested we change it, continued the Tweet, speaking of the mass cancelations that took place over the holidays. The airline canceled more than 15,000 flights, which the airline attributed to weather conditions. Tens of thousands of travelers were left stranded in the ordeal.

Frontiers offer

When Frontier became aware of the kittens, it took to Twitter offering free flights to those who adopt the kittens.

This is so sweet! Thank you for the honor, @animalfndlv! said the post. Wed love to donate two flight vouchers each to the people who adopt @Delta and @Spirit; and four vouchers to the person who adopts Frontier.

For persons who adopt kittens Spirit and Delta, they will each receive two vouchers valued at $250 for a total of $500 in vouchers per pet parent, the airline told The Independent.

For the person who adopts kitten Frontier, that individual will receive four vouchers valued at $250 each for a total value of $1,000 in vouchers.

We were delighted the rescue organization decided to name these three adorable kitties after airlines, including ours. Underscoring the plight of animals is near and dear to us, Frontier said.

Every one of our aircraft features an animal on its tail with a name and special backstory with many of them from threatened or endangered species. We were more than happy to provide a little extra incentive to encourage the adoption of these three precious kittens.

Story continues

For travelers looking to adopt the stray kittens

Other users soon began to respond to The Animal Foundations posts, expressing interest:

Where and when can they be adopted? asked one.

OMG I want them without the free flight! said another.

The foundation addressed the many inquiries regarding when the kittens would be able to be adopted, saying, These little kittens are going to be with their mom until they reach 1.5 lbs in weight and are cleared by our medical team. We will post them on our adoptions page when they are ready.

Another airline, another adoption

Last month, Travel Noire reported another story involving an airline and a pet in need of a home. In August, a six-month-old German Shepherd arriving in San Francisco from China was abandoned when his owner could not furnish proper documentation for the pup.

The dog was barred from entering the country due to the CDCs strict restrictions on animals arriving from countries with a high risk of rabies. The initial options presented were to send the dog back to China, where he would be put down upon arrival, or to euthanize it locally.

Fortunately, neither had to occur. Captain William Dale, a United Airlines pilot ended up adopting the dog, who had been named Polaris, after the airlines business class. He gained a new pet and Polaris gained a new family and forever home.

While staff members of the airline were happy to see Polaris go to one of their own workers, they reminded Dale to make sure he took good care of him.

More than one employee said to me, You better take good care of himor else, Dale told the Washington Post. There was even a wag of a finger.

53 Dogs Survived Crash In Which Planes Wings Were Ripped Off
Photo: Richmond News

A Richmond man has been sentenced to an eight-month conditional sentence for posting intimate photos of a woman on social media using a fake account he created in her name.

Tony Hirmuz, 22, appeared at Richmond Provincial Court on Wednesday to receive his sentence.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to posting intimate photos of a woman without her consent. An earlier charge of sexual assault was stayed by the Crown.

Judge Glenn Lee said in his decision that publishing intimate images online without someones consent, which could exist publicly in perpetuity, is extremely harmful, vindictive and mean.

This is extremely traumatic for victims. Resulting consequences include the violation of trust, humiliation, objectification and exploitation of the victim, as well as the possibility of shame and loss of self-esteem.

The harm and damage done to a victim is very significant.

Crown counsel Kristen Gagnon had told the court during the sentencing hearing that Hirmuz and the victim entered a problematic and ill-defined relationship after connecting online. (The victim's identity is protected by a publication ban.)

At one point during the relationship, Hirmuz told the victim he had taken photos of her while they had sex. The victim was unaware of it until then and Hirmuz later told her he had deleted the images.

Their relationship broke down after the two had an angry phone call that resulted in the victim blocking Hirmuz on all her social media platforms.

He then posted intimate photos of the victim on VSCO, a photography platform similar to Instagram. The account that posted the photos was created with the victims first and last name.

It was unclear whether Hirmuz had taken more photos of the victim when they had sex on other occasions, said Gagnon, but the photos showed the victim in at least two different sets of clothes and one even showed the side of her face.

Unlike "many other platforms," Gagnon added, VSCO does not have "privacy viewer settings" and any photos posted would become "immediately online for public viewing."

Hirmuz removed the victim's photos and renamed the VSCO account after the victim told him to take them down and threatened to call the police. In a subsequent communication between Hirmuz and the victim, Hirmuz called the victim misogynistic slurs and said, All your photos were saved, ha ha ha ha ha."

He also sent the victim a private message on Instagram via a fake account attaching one of the intimate images with the message, "lol," and attempted to add the accounts of her female friends, Gagnon told the court.

Hirmuz later apologized for posting the intimate images and said he had done so to "provoke" the victim into contacting him so he could "get closure" after being blocked from contacting her on all platforms, said Gagnon.

Case calls for custodial sentence: Judge

Crown sought a jail sentence of three to five months and a 24-month probation which would require Hirmuz to complete counselling as directed.

The court was told that Hirmuz had prior charges related to a previous partner, which were resolved by Hirmuz taking a Respectful Relationships Program just months before Hirmuz met the victim.

Hirmuz lawyer, Eric Warren, told the court the sentence should not include jail time as Hirmuz no longer represented a danger and he would not learn any lessons in jail.

However, Warren did agree that counselling would be beneficial to Hirmuz.

Warren told the court that Hirmuz believed the photos were only up for five minutes and did not think anyone else had seen them.

He also said the victim had no problem with the photos when Hirmuz showed them to her very shortly after they were taken, which gave him the impression that she was not concerned about that.

The judge questioned why the photos had to be published on a public platform, noting that the photos of the victim were very, very private" and said, It mustve been a nightmare for her.

Warren told the judge that Hirmuz actions were similar to if he had gone outside of (the victims) house and waved a flag or something because she wouldn't answer the phone.

He also told the court that Hirmuz is a person who is otherwise of good character and he underestimated a lot and made some poor judgments, but his actions were not vengeful.

When the judge suggested some people may argue that its vengeful just to put (the photos) up, Warren acknowledged that "it can be," but said Hirmuz put (the photos) up in order to get (the victims) attention.

According to Warren, Hirmuz has already "learned a lot" just by being charged and being convicted of a charge like this, it will deny him a lot of things.

He will be grouped with sexual assault predators He doesnt belong in that group, but he will be in some peoples minds forever grouped in that category, said Warren, adding that a previous article by the Richmond News which reported on Hirmuz charges has impacted his reputation.

"I don't know that the average person realizes the actual impact of having an offence like this on their record. It's quite profound. It is a punishment in itself, sometimes well beyond what the court would impose," he said.

After considering the parties submissions and the sentencing principles of denunciation and deterrence, Judge Lee said the case called for a custodial sentence.

However, rather than going to jail, Lee decided a conditional sentence served in the community would be appropriate as Hirmuz had been on bail for a considerable amount of time and did not breach his conditions. He also does not have a previous criminal record.

Conditions for Hirmuzs sentence include no contact with the victim, including on social media, and deleting all of the victims photos on his devices. He must also follow a curfew and he is also only allowed to use social media in his own name.

He was also given an 18-month probation and must pay a victim fine surcharge.
A young woman looking frustrated

Writer-director Phillip Trows short Upstairs is tense from the start, as a mom and two of her two adult children await the arrival of the familys other daughter, whos bringing her boyfriend to meet them for the first time. A sense of dread hangs heavily over the table, and it only increases as the meal continues.

To say much more would spoil this horror short before you watch it, but lets just say the familys campaign to make younger daughter Jennifer (Sorcha Groundsell) believe shes mentally unstable feels distinctly fishy as hell from the beginning. But why? What are they hiding? Whats the real story behind that recent family tragedy? And why shouldnt their dinner guest dare to venture upstairs?

Read more



Horror Short Film Upstairs | ALTER

Heres the official description of this short, which io9 found on YouTube horror platform Alter: Jennifer Saint finally receives validation that shes not delusional when her late father reaches out from beyond the grave to confirm that their dark family secret is in fact the truth.

The build-up is greatthat look the twins exchange when the boyfriend agrees to nip upstairsand the payoff is excellent. You almost wish the YouTube thumbnail didnt give away the gruesome twist, but its also an effective tease to let you know that terrors are indeed waiting at the end of Upstairs. Look how happy she is!





Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it is looking into fraud concerns over $1 billion in cash payments designed to help some of the most vulnerable Georgians.

In September, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp provided $1 billion in leftover federal aid from the American Rescue Plan, a bill he opposed.

The $350 cash cards were going to Medicaid, SNAP, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.

Channel 2 Action News first alerted you to the issues in October when viewers said they couldnt get access to their $350 cash assistance card from the state of Georgia but could tell someone was spending the money.

There has been confusion from the start about redeeming the cards. Social media channels for the state were flooded with complaints.

Now, the GBI confirms it opened an investigation into the matter in October.

RELATED STORIES:

The Georgia Department of Human Services acknowledged to us last year that fraudsters have attempted to steal from the program, telling Channel 2 Action News in a statement:

DHS and its vendors have kept a close watch on potentially fraudulent activity and taken decisive action to protect customers, their information, and their payments. Due to suspicious activity and out of an abundance of caution, a small number of Georgia gateway accounts were temporarily suspended or delinked.

DHS said phishing schemes are also targeting the $350 cash cards with Georgians receiving dangerous phishing texts and emails from scammers.

If you need help from DHS you can call 833-907-0683 to file a claim for the potential fraud, or if you did not receive your virtual card via email, you can contact 877-423-4746.

RELATED NEWS:




(Bloomberg) -- On Kyivs bustling main shopping avenues, the roar of diesel generators is a symbol of how Ukrainians are adapting to war.

Most Read from Bloomberg

After months of blackouts caused by Russian attacks against the countrys energy infrastructure, everyone from mom-and-pop companies to international retailers are keeping the lights on with machines chugging away on sidewalks and cables snaking indoors.

Inside, businesses keep Ukrainians who have no power at home warm and online with tables for students to work on laptops, power banks for charging devices, and space heaters to fight off the winter chill.

While shoppers had to trudge up and down dormant escalators and use their mobile phones flashlights to read labels when the attacks started, half of food retail chains are operating normally, and that could rise to 70% by end-February, according to Andrii Zhuk, the chairman of the Retail Association of Ukraine.

Now most stores can help the population  people can keep warm, charge their phones, Zhuk said at a briefing on Wednesday.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tanks across the border on Feb. 24 last year, his war has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians and driven millions from their homes. The wave of attacks against the power grid  aimed at crushing Ukraines fighting spirit  has often left millions of people without heat, power and water for days at a time.

Ukraine imported more than half a million generators in 2022, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. Thats evident on Kyivs main avenue, Khreshchatyk, near the site of Ukraines Maidan revolution that toppled a pro-Russian government in 2013.

Nearly every shop has a diesel generator running outside, with the added benefit of some supermarkets being underground that can also serve as shelter from Russian attacks. Nearby, one retailer has opened an ice-rink that hosts birthday parties for kids.

Story continues

The stores and shopping centers perform a great social function, Zhuk said. Now these are our points of invincibility.

--With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Republican Rep. George Santos of New York in the House chamber on January 4, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Santos dodged questions from GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz about the origin of a $705,000 loan to his campaign.

After being asked, Santos repeatedly brought up a slew of conspiracy theories.

"I'll tell you where it didn't come from. It didn't come from China, Ukraine, or Burisma," Santos said.

Rep. George Santos repeatedly sidestepped questioning from GOP colleague Rep. Matt Gaetz about the origin of the $705,000 that Santos lent his campaign.

On Thursday, Santos appeared on Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast, where Gaetz acted as a stand-in host for Bannon. While guest hosting, Gaetz brought on Santos and let the freshman congressman respond to the series of criticism he's received in the short time he's been in Congress for repeatedly lying about much of his background.

Recent reporting has also raised serious questions about Santos' campaign finances and spending. He loaned $705,000 of his own money to his 2022 campaign, a markedly higher figure than the $55,000 salary he reported earning when he ran for Congress in 2020.

A complaint filed to the Federal Election Commission by left-leaning advocacy group End Citizens United accused Santos of obtaining the money he lent his campaign through a "shell" company or from a prohibited corporate contribution.

During the podcast interview, Gaetz asked Santos asked about the origin of the $705,000 he donated to his campaign, but Santos twice dodged the question.

"I'll tell you where it didn't come from. It didn't come from China, Ukraine, or Burisma," Santos said.

"That is an answer," Gaetz responded before trying once again to get details from Santos. "When you donated that money to your campaign is there anything else you can say about the work you did that was the origin of those resources?"

Santos again demurred and instead responded by saying he's "lived an honest life."

"I've never been accused of any bad doings. It's the equity of my hardworking self," Santos said before repeating the same answer as before. "It didn't come from Burisma, it didn't come from Ukraine, Russia, China, unlike some folks that we all know get money from those sources."

Story continues

On Wednesday, a slew of New York Republican groups denounced Santos and called for him to resign. When asked by Gaetz about the calls, Santos slammed the local GOP groups and insisted he wouldn't resign.

"I came here to serve the people. Not politicians and party leaders," Santos said. I was elected by 142,000 people. Until those same 142,000 people tell me they don't want me, we'll find out in two years."

And as for the lies about his background  including about his religion, work experience, and education  which Santos called "embellishments," Gaetz joked that a bevy of members of Congress exaggerated their resumes on the campaign trail.

"I would offer that if we didn't seat people on committees who embellished their resume running for Congress, we probably wouldn't be able to make quorum on any of those committees," Gaetz said.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday he'd seat Santos on at least one committee, though not any of the top ones. Santos told Gaetz he didn't care which committee he was placed on.

"Whatever committee is thrown my way, I will deliver 110 percent because that's what I know how to do," Santos said. "I'm going to outwork any of the pundits and talking heads that are saying I should resign or am unfit for office."

Read the original article on Business Insider
German Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Jan. 12 that Berlin should not stand in the way of Poland's decision to supply German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

There is a difference between making a decision for yourself and preventing others from making a decision, Habeck said, as quoted by German newspaper Die Welt. "Accordingly, Germany should not stand in the way when other countries make decisions to support Ukraine, regardless of what decision Germany makes."

Polish President Andrzej Duda announced the delivery of a company of modern German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Jan. 11.

Since the tanks are produced in Germany, the approval of the German government is required for their export.

The lack of broader coordination among European partners has been consistently presented by Germany as the reason for not taking the lead with delivering Leopards.

On Jan 10, Politico reported that France was putting increasing pressure on Berlin to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine ahead of a Franco-German summit on Jan. 22.

Poland also exerted pressure on Germany by publicly calling for a broad coalition among Western allies to hand over Leopards.

On Jan. 9, a German government spokesman said the country had no plans to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks.

The statement came a day after Habeck told ARD that the possibility of delivering the tanks cannot be ruled out.

Ukraine has repeatedly requested to be provided with German-made Leopard 2 tanks operated by several European countries, including Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Poland currently operates around 249 Leopard 2 tanks.

These vehicles were acquired over the 2000s as a replacement for the country's Soviet-era t-72 tanks, of which over 230 have already been sent to Ukraine.
Cocoa City Councilman Alex Goins on Tuesday stood by his call that Brevard County Sheriff Office agents should wear body cams, despite revising his opinion of how deputies handled a man with autism that Sheriff Wayne Ivey said was brandishing a knife outside a Cocoa house around Christmas.

Speaking about the incident after viewing the dash cam video of the incident that left a young man tased multiple times but alive, and after talking to Ivey, Goins said: "It went from something that could have been really tragic real quick."

"This situation ended up pretty good, but at the same time, let me say that I still believe in body cameras," Goins said. "It's not just for the officers, to get them in trouble. I believe it's about transparency. It helps both the officer and the citizen," Goins added.

More:Brevard deputies say they tasered an autistic man holding a knife. So, where's the blade?

Goins' remarks came after Ivey, in a Facebook video that attacked FLORIDA TODAY's reporting on the story, released the dashboard camera footage on Monday showing part of the encounter on Dec. 22 between deputies and 23-year-old Jarquez Johnson. Ivey said in the video that Johnson, who is autistic and has a developmental disorder that his family says leaves him with a mental age of 16, was met by appropriate less-than-lethal force after he refused to heed deputies' commands to drop the knife.

While the dashcam video clearly showed Johnson holding a long, shiny object in his right hand during the initial confrontation, no knife was found at the scene. But the 9-1-1 caller, Ivey and one of the responding deputies identified the object absolutely as a knife. A second deputy said in his official report of the incident that Johnson was holding "an object in his right hand" but because it was dark, the deputy couldn't say exactly what it was. Deputies did not officially arrest Johnson and he has not been charged with any crime.

Goins, reacting to initial community concerns about the incident, had questioned BCSO training and how the encounter was handled by the responders. Deputies arrived on the scene in response to a caller report that a knife-wielding man was lurking around a house in her neighborhood.

Story continues

The dash cam footage was included in the BSCO Facebook video post in which Ivey attacked FLORIDA TODAY for a prior story that quoted a friend who witnessed the encounter and Johnson's mother, who both criticized police for using a stun gun on somebody with autism and cast doubt on the allegations that Johnson was holding a knife.

FLORIDA TODAY's initial story also quoted a police expert who said the deputies likely acted appropriately in response to such a call, but said the disappearance of the knife was puzzling.

In a Facebook video this week, Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey defended deputies who used a stun gun on a man with autism they said had a knife near Cocoa last month.

The conflicting accounts have renewed an ongoing discussion over the sheriff's office lack of body cameras, which bodycam supporters say could have shed additional light on the incident. The dash cam video released by the sheriff didn't show the full encounter. FLORIDA TODAY has requested the full dash cam video, as well as the mandatory use-of-force report and the stun gun logs, which records its usage, along with a host of related records and documents.

Goins says deputies acted appropriately

Goins said Tuesday his questions surrounding the incident had been mostly resolved by the dashcam video, which showed deputies confronting Johnson outside a friend's home in the 4000 block of Lake Circle near Cocoa.

The two-minute clip backs up case reports that said deputies found Johnson in the front yard of the home, holding an object that they believed was likely a knife. According to the video, deputies commanded Johnson at gunpoint to "drop the knife" for nearly a minute before holstering their firearms and shocking Johnson with a projectile stun gun. One of the deputies is heard on the video calling to the other to move to "less-lethal" force. The video ends as Johnson walks off the screen with deputies in pursuit.

Unterio Crawford, a friend of Johnson's who lives at the home and whose cell phone video of the incident had previously circulated on social media, can be heard in the background of the dashcam video shouting that Johnson has autism.

Jarquez Johnson, who has autism, was shocked repeatedly with a stun gun by Brevard County of deputies after they said the 23-year-old didn't comply with their commands to drop a knife he was holding. Friends and family members say Johnson never had a knife.

Crawford's clip picks up with deputies on top of Johnson around the side of the home, shocking him with the stun gun during the struggle to place him in handcuffs. Deputies used the stun gun on Johnson at least four times throughout the encounter, according to a case report.

After viewing the sheriff's video, Goins said he felt the deputies did the right thing by switching from their pistols to the stun gun. "I think the officer did a pretty good job at the transition, knowing there was an autistic person involved," he said.

More:Cocoa officer arrested after standoff denied bond, moved to Seminole County Jail

Goins previous comments drew the sheriff's ire, who called out Goins twice by name and flashed his picture on screen in the Facebook video, saying he was "taking aim" at the Cocoa councilman and called him a "so-called elected leader."

"Instead of trying to look important, try to actually be important, and pick up the phone and call me to ask what actually happened," Ivey said, directing his comments to Goins. "Here endeth your lesson."

Goins declined to comment directly on the jabs, saying he has since spoken to Ivey and cleared the air.

"Yeah, he called me out, but it's all good. It is what it is," Goins said. "He's going to do what he needs to do to protect his people."

Ivey defends deputies in Facebook video

Much of Ivey's 20-minute video was framed as an attack on FLORIDA TODAY's reporting on the incident, which noted that no knife had been found at the scene and reported skepticism from Crawford and Johnson's mother that Johnson had been holding a knife at all.

Ivey, whose office did not respond to multiple messages seeking additional information prior to the publication of the original story, used the video to disclose new details on the background of the incident, including highlighting prior training the deputies had completed in interacting with people with autism.

The sheriff also referenced sheriff's office records he said showed Johnson had previously been admitted for involuntary mental health treatment after becoming violent at least three times under Florida's Baker Act, including once being "tasered" after Ivey said he tried to hit a deputy.

Tiffany Johnson, Jarquez Johnson's mother, said Wednesday that her son had been committed for treatment for outbursts in the past, but disputed the sheriff's office account of the previous incident, saying he had not tried to hit anyone and was just acting out as a symptom of his condition. She said her son had no adult or juvenile criminal record.

Digitally enhanced dash camera footage from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office showed Jarquez Johnson holding an object Sheriff Wayne Ivey said was "clearly" a knife.

Ivey said on the video that deputies didn't find the knife because they left the scene after only a cursory search due to a large "agitated" crowd that had formed.

"In an effort to quell the situation, our deputies loaded the subject into the patrol car and left the area for a hospital for medical clearance," he said.

More:Deputy charged in shooting death pulled trigger twice on gun he thought was unloaded, report says

Crawford, who witnessed the incident, told FLORIDA TODAY he had not seen Johnson holding a knife and didn't find anything resembling a knife when he went out to clean the yard a couple of days later. Tiffany Johnson said she wasn't convinced by the sheriff's video. "What he had in his hand, it looks like a thing you could mix paint with," she said Wednesday.

Renewed discussion over body cameras

Ivey has long resisted body cameras for his agency. The sheriff has cited what he said was the high cost of the cameras and technology to support them, along with mixed research on whether the cameras lead to improved officer conduct.

Community activist Dwight Seigler said, while it was good the dashboard camera on the deputy's vehicle captured some of the incident, dashcams are no substitute for body cameras.

"What if the incident is not taking place in front of the car? The car can't be around the house and around the back of the building or inside the dwelling," Seigler said. The fact that deputies couldn't find the knife was the "perfect reason" to have had body cameras in that situation, he said.

Seigler, who is running as a Republican for the District 1 County Commission seat currently held by Rita Pritchett, said he would make getting funding for bodycams in the sheriff's office a priority if he is elected. Pritchett is not seeking reelection in 2024 due to term limits.

Bennie Jackson Jr., president of the South Brevard NAACP, said while he understood there are pros and cons related to bodycams, they go a long way toward building trust in communities.

"The communities feel more comfortable when law enforcement has body cameras," Jackson said. "It's protection on both sides. So it just seems strange to me that the sheriff would not be supportive of body cams."

Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter: @EricRogersFT.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ivey defends Brevard deputies who tasered autistic man with new video
The outside of the Supreme Court building with statue out front.



The Supreme Court will soon have the power to completely upend how companies handle third-party content on the internet.

In little more than a months time, the Alphabet-owned tech giant Google will soon be the main face of the entire tech industry defending how the internet currently exists, good and ill. The Supreme Court is gearing up to hear arguments that could completely redefine whether companies are liable for everything that gets uploaded to its various sites.

Last year, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Reynaldo Gonzalez v. Google, which centers around Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. The brief passage of the law essentially keeps tech companies from being liable for the content people create on various sites and services. Without that protection, tech companies could be open to lawsuits and even more scrutiny. Essentially, 230 stops the government from treating every website as the active publisher for third-party content disseminated on its platforms.

Read more

The first oral arguments for Gonzalez v. Google are set to drop Feb. 21.

In Googles response brief published Thursday, the company argued that ending 230 protections wouldnt just make companies liable for speech that isnt theirs, Google and other tech companies would be forced to be even more forceful in content moderation. The company argued that a lack of 230 would incentivize companies to remove legal but controversial speech on some websites and lead other websites to close their eyes to harmful or even illegal content.

The company said losing 230 would create a dystopia where providers face constant legal pressure to censor any kind of controversial content. Under such stresses, other apps and sites would simply leave up any and all content, no matter how objectionable.

Story continues

More than that, Google further argued that this would return the internet to the see-no-evil approach of tech companies in the mid-1990s which risked a proliferation of pornography, hate speech, and illegality. Of course, tech companies are still actively dealing with all those issues. For instance, major platforms like Twitter have struggled to fight back against proliferation of child sexual abuse material. Metas Facebook is constantly facing tough questions of what is allowed on the platform and what isnt.

Googles second big argument is that without 230 protections, people would be able to hold online users liable for sharing or even liking articles. The company argued that algorithmic-based content systems are the only way that modern tech companies can possibly handle the load of digital content published daily. So if people are able to target how websites sort content the internet would devolve into a disorganized mess and a litigation minefield.

The case goes back to the 2015 terror attack in Paris, France that left 130 dead and many more injured. Nohemi Gonzales was a U.S. citizen living in Paris who was killed in the attack, and her family sued Google saying YouTube was a main vehicle for radicalizing and recruiting new members to the Islamic State. The family has further argued that 230 has gone beyond the laws original intent, and has been used to shield companies from responsibility for algorithms that recommend harmful content.

Google has previously argued that it has worked to remove terrorist and other harmful content. The company has used Section 230 protections as the basis for its defense.

Content moderation is one of the most pressing tech policy issues going into the new year. There are already laws from Texas and Florida that restrict tech companies from doing any content moderation whatsoever. These laws challenging 230 are moving in the Supreme Courts direction.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
House Republicans are divided over cuts to Medicare and Social Security, setting up what could be a fierce internal clash over the future of the nations top safety net programs when Congress delves into budget fights later in the year.

Entitlements have long been a political third rail, but some in the GOP say everything is on the table and are eager to use upcoming debt ceiling negotiations to extract promises to reduce government spending, including entitlement funding.

That could pit the GOPs staunchest deficit hawks against other conservatives who insist Medicare and Social Security will be left alone and the cuts will come from elsewhere.

With a narrow GOP majority, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) can lose only four votes on any bill, and will have to find a way to placate the lawmakers calling for hard cuts.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), one of the conservative leaders who extracted a promise from McCarthy to limit new discretionary spending, insisted entitlements are safe.

It took approximately .2 seconds for everybody to be saying, Youre gonna slaughter defense  Youre gonna hurt Social Security and Medicare. Everybody calm down, Roy said in an interview with conservative radio host Jesse Kelly.

What we have been very clear about is, were not going to touch the benefits that are going to people relying on the benefits under Social Security and Medicare, he said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union.

The official rules package Republicans passed earlier this week calls for equal or greater cuts in mandatory spending to offset any new spending, but it did not specify where those cuts needed to come from.

Yet other Republicans are concerned that excluding the entitlements from the debate creates a greater threat to defense programs, which conservatives are vowing to protect.

Im all for a balanced budget, but were not going to do it on the backs of our troops and our military, Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) told Fox Business this week. If we really want to talk about the debt and spending, its the entitlement programs.

Story continues

The GOP divisions are sure to be a headache for McCarthy and other Republican leaders later in the year when both chambers are expected to consider an increase in the debt ceiling  a routine procedural move allowing the federal government to borrow money to fund obligations Congress has already approved.

Republicans are eyeing the debt ceiling vote and possible government default as a way to force Democrats into concessions.

McCarthy has not weighed in on the issue since Republicans won the House majority in Novembers midterms. But hed indicated heading into the elections that Republicans would use their new power to prioritize cuts in federal spending, and that entitlement cuts were not necessarily off the table.

The Republicans cautious approach to entitlement programs this year represents a sharp contrast to the partys position over recent decades, when GOP leaders have hammered Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as socialist initiatives  inefficient and anti-American  that threaten individual freedoms.

Ronald Reagan, even before Medicares creation in 1965, warned of the existential dangers of socialized medicine. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wanted Medicare to wither on the vine. Former president George W. Bush privatized parts of Medicare, and sought to extend that push to Social Security. And former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who had built his wonky reputation as chair of the Budget Committee, used that perch to propose annual budgets that ended traditional Medicare, turning it into a voucher program, and privatized Social Security.

The arrival of President Trump marked a stark recalibration of those long-held positions, beginning on the very first day of his candidacy in 2015 when he vowed to save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security  without cuts.

That promise was a head-snapping reversal for the GOP, but it helped the populist Trump build support from working-class voters  who benefit disproportionately from the entitlement programs, and tend to support them as a result  who ultimately ushered him into the White House.

Now, as Republican leaders are facing pressure from their right flank to slash federal spending and rein in deficits, entitlements have emerged as ground zero in that debate. Members are walking a fine line by calling for reforms in the name of keeping entitlement programs solvent, without actually labeling them cuts.

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) said Republicans should absolutely make entitlement changes a condition of raising the debt ceiling later in the year. But the goal should be to secure those programs, he said, not get rid of them.

Do you realize that Medicaid and Medicare will be insolvent by 2026? That Social Security will be insolvent by 2033? Thats why weve got to act, he said Wednesday. But our goal, our charge, should be to save and stabilize, not to cut.

Democrats and progressive groups, meanwhile, are itching for the opportunity to defend Medicare and Social Security, echoing the final days of the 2022 mid-term election. The White House has warned that they will accept nothing but a clean debt-ceiling hike  free of add-ons  and congressional Democrats are already piling on in the first days of the new Congress.

The debt ceiling shouldnt be held hostage to this sort of conversation, particularly when you participated in increased spending, said Rep. Richard Neal (Mass.), senior Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Social Security. Better to have the discussion right now. Lets set the table. Lets get to the debate over Social Security and Medicare  happy to engage.

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), another Ways and Means member, acknowledged the political pitfalls surrounding any effort to reform the popular entitlement programs. But he warned that inaction is not an option  and the only solution will require cooperation from both parties.

To simply put our heads in the sand is not going to work, he said. But what we cannot do  what we cannot do  is weaponize the issue to take down the other party.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian forces shelled Kherson Oblast 90 times on Jan. 11, killing one person and injuring five, reported Kherson Oblast Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych.

The southern region was shelled with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), artillery, mortars, and tanks, Yanushevych said, adding that the city of Kherson was attacked 27 times.

According to the governor, Russian troops targeted residential areas in Kherson, hitting a maternity hospital, residential houses, and apartment buildings.

The Russian army has been shelling the Ukrainian-held part of Kherson Oblast daily.

Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson and the western bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast on Nov. 11 after eight months of Russian occupation.
Insiders who purchased AU$1.5m worth of Grand Gulf Energy Limited (ASX:GGE) shares over the past year recouped some of their losses after price gained 53% last week. The purchase, however, has proven to be a pricey bet, with losses currently totalling AU$370k.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

See our latest analysis for Grand Gulf Energy

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Grand Gulf Energy

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Timothy Neesham for AU$1.3m worth of shares, at about AU$0.069 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than AU$0.029 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Timothy Neesham.

Timothy Neesham bought a total of 38.84m shares over the year at an average price of AU$0.039. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Grand Gulf Energy insiders own 43% of the company, currently worth about AU$19m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

Story continues

So What Does This Data Suggest About Grand Gulf Energy Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Grand Gulf Energy shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. With high insider ownership and encouraging transactions, it seems like Grand Gulf Energy insiders think the business has merit. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. When we did our research, we found 5 warning signs for Grand Gulf Energy (2 are potentially serious!) that we believe deserve your full attention.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

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.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Photo: Michel Varin / CTV News

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.

Quebec provincial police say at least three employees were missing after an explosion at a propane facility Thursday in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., north of Montreal.

Sgt. Eloise Cossette told an evening news conference that three employees of Propane Lafortune had not been seen since the explosion, describing them as "three potential victims."

Our thoughts are with the families of these people, with whom we are currently in contact," she told reporters, adding that police have started an investigation and were dealing with a large scene that would require several days to comb through.

She didn't provide any other details about the three missing people other than that they were employees and the search was ongoing. Police have not ruled out that other people could have been on site when the explosion occurred.

The fire was finally brought under control Thursday evening at the well-known business in the community.

Fire Chief Francois Thivierge said earlier that authorities were called following an explosion at 11:17 a.m., and the first units to arrive tried to intervene but had to retreat due to a risk of further explosions from the propane tanks on-site.

Thivierge said first responders were mindful of safety concerns and the environmental risk of oil or gas ending up in the nearby Achigan River.

The situation was also initially too dangerous for paramedics, said Erik Lauzon, operations director for the Lanaudiere-Laurentides ambulance service. Ambulances were on-site, he said in an interview, but they were unable to approach the scene because of the risk of explosion.

Thivierge said officials used a drone to assess the risk and were able to continue their operation once they deemed it safe. About 50 firefighters were on the scene and they were expected to remain into the night, he added. Crews from the neighbouring municipalities of Rawdon, Ste-Julienne, St-Lin-Laurentides and Repentigny were called in to help combat the blaze.

Authorities established a one-kilometre evacuation zone around the site, but by 6:30 p.m., about 50 people forced from their homes were able to return.

Stephanie Therrien, deputy director general for the Montcalm regional municipality, said earlier that three or four employees were unaccounted for. "Unfortunately, there are employees who are still missing," she said in an interview. Therrien said it was unlikely anyone was able to escape the violent fire that followed the explosion.

"There might have been witnesses who tried to get inside to help, but since the roof was collapsing, they had to come out as quickly as possible," Therrien said.

Karine Lamarche, who lives near the site, said an explosion shook her home late Thursday morning.

It was shaking, I thought something had fallen on the house, she said. It was only later, as she drove to pick up her mail, that she rounded the bend toward Propane Lafortune and saw the aftermath.

I saw the big smoke up in the sky, a lot of fire coming from the ground and going up in the air. There was a lot of black smoke, she said. Later, as she returned home, a security perimeter had been erected and some nearby homes were being evacuated.

"We know the people who work there a little bit, we heard like everyone else that people were missing," Lamarche added. "It's a shame, it's sad. It touches me, because it's a company that's right next door."

The mayor of St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Sebastien Marcil, held back tears as he spoke to reporters.

"It's the uncertainty," Marcil said. "There are three people who are unaccounted for, three of our citizens, and we're looking for them and we're waiting for answers."

In an emailed statement, the Lafortune family said it has offered its full co-operation to authorities and quickly called emergency services after the explosion and fire.

"We are deeply upset by this event and we are monitoring the situation closely," the statement said.

"This is the first time in 60 years that our company has experienced such an ordeal. Our hearts go out to our employees, their families and anyone who may be affected by this difficult situation."

Cossette said it's too early to speculate on the cause of the explosion. Residents who were displaced or traumatized by the blast were able to seek shelter and mental health services in the basement of the St-Roch-de-l'Achigan church.

Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel said on Twitter that his department is monitoring the situation and his thoughts are with the workers.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.

Quebec police say at least one worker is missing after an explosion at a propane facility in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., north of Montreal.

Municipal officials had earlier said three or four employees were unaccounted for, but provincial police Sgt. Eloise Cossette told a news conference this afternoon "at least one person" is missing and there could be more.

ORIGINAL 12:10 p.m.

Municipal officials say as many as four workers are missing after an explosion Thursday at a propane facility in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., north of Montreal.

Stephanie Therrien, deputy director general for the Montcalm regional municipality, said a search is underway because three or four employees are unaccounted for.

"Unfortunately, there are employees who are still missing," Therrien said in an interview.

The explosion occurred at about 11:17 a.m. at Propane Lafortune, a well-known business in the community. Therrien said it was unlikely people were able to escape the violent fire that followed the explosion.

"There might have been witnesses who tried to get inside to help, but since the roof was collapsing, they had to come out as quickly as possible," Therrien said.

Karine Lamarche, who lives near the site, said an explosion shook her home late Thursday morning.

It was shaking, I thought something had fallen on the house, she said. It was only later, when she got in her car to pick up her mail, that she rounded the bend toward Propane Lafortune and saw the aftermath.

I saw the big smoke up in the sky, a lot of fire coming from the ground and going up in the air. There was a lot of black smoke, she said.

Later, as she returned home, a security perimeter had been erected and some neighbouring homes were being evacuated.

Therrien said authorities established a one-kilometre evacuation zone around the site, and Quebec provincial police say evacuations are underway in the town, about 50 kilometres north of Montreal. The regional municipality said on Facebook that more explosions are possible because of the propane tanks on site and warned people to stay away.

Support was being provided in the basement of the St-Roch-de-l'Achigan church where citizens could seek shelter or mental health services.

Firefighters from the neighbouring municipalities of Rawdon, Ste-Julienne, St-Lin-Laurentides and Repentigny were called in to help combat the blaze.

Erik Lauzon, operations director for the Lanaudiere-Laurentides ambulance service, said ambulances are on site but have been unable to approach the scene because of the danger.

Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel said on Twitter that his department is monitoring the situation and his thoughts are with the workers.
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is notifying residents of blue-green algae bloom at two Orange County lakes.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Read: FAA: Corrupt file caused Wednesdays air traffic meltdown

On Thursday, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a health alert for the harmful toxins in Lake Pinelock.

See map of area below:

Officials learned of the blooms after water samples showed evidence of the possible contamination on Jan. 11.

The department also issued an alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae in Lake Mann.

See map of area below:

Read: Happening Today: FEMA assistance deadline for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian

Because blooms have the potential to produce toxins, health officials advise people to take the following precautions:

-Do not drink, swim, wade or boat in waters with a visible bloom.

-Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose or mouth

-Keep pets and livestock away from the waters where there is a bloom.

Blue-green algae is common in freshwater environments throughout Florida and can appear year-round.

Read: Groveland works to restore the communitys original Black cemetery

More information about Floridas water quality status and public health notifications can be found here.

To report an algal bloom, contact FDEP at 855-305-3903 or online.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
IPO Edge hosted a fireside chat at the 2023 ICR Conference with the Partner  Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions at Vinsons & Elkins. The in-person interview featured Sarah K. Morgan, joined by IPO Edge Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone and Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks. Watch the full recording below:

About Vinson & Elkins

For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins has provided outstanding client service across important industries that drive the global economy. Built on a strong culture of collaboration across 11 offices worldwide, V&E lawyers are committed to excellence, offering clients decades of legal experience in handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes across the globe. Learn more by visiting www.velaw.com or follow us on Twitter @VinsonandElkins or connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan co-heads V&Es Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets practice group and is a member of the firms partnership admissions committee. She is an experienced securities lawyer who focuses on capital-raising transactions for clients in the energy industry and other sectors. Sarah represents public companies, private companies, investment banks, management teams and private equity in all forms of capital-raising transactions, including IPOs, registered offerings of debt and equity securities, private placements of debt and equity securities, preferred equity investments, at-the-market continuous offering programs (ATMs), tender offers, exchange offers and private debt exchanges. She advises clients, including public companies and their boards of directors, on securities disclosure, corporate governance and compliance matters. She also plays a strategic role in advising clients on a broad range of ESG issues and related risks, including the preparation of sustainability reports and advice on other climate disclosures, the development of corporate ESG programs and related governance oversight and the establishment of net zero or other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.

Story continues

She also advises companies and private equity funds concerning mergers, acquisitions, disposition and separation transactions, including significant experience regarding combinations with Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) and spin-off transactions.

A highly skilled practitioner, Sarah has extensive knowledge of securities law and has been recognized by Chambers USA (nationwide and in Texas for Debt and Equity Capital Markets), Legal 500 US, LawDragon500 and Super Lawyers (Texas Rising Star), among others. She is known as a fierce advocate for her clients and a tremendous lawyer (Chambers interviewee comment) and has been selected to the BTI Client Service All-Stars list multiple times, as well as named Most Effective Dealmaker by Texas Lawyer.

Sarah has significant experience in the energy industry, particularly with respect to energy transition industry verticals, and was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Energy by Oil & Gas Investor. She is a member of the Houston chapter of the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable, a host for Women in Climate Finance events and was a contributing author to the Greater Houston Partnerships (GHP) Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) white paper on the Energy Transition in Houston.

Sarah serves as a sponsor member of the Houston chapter of WCD (Women Corporate Directors) and is also a member of the GHPs Executive Womens Partnership. She also serves on the executive committee and the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston.

Contact:

IPO Edge

www.IPO-Edge.com

Editor@ipo-edge.com
Jan. 11Hormel Foods Corporation will hold its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders virtually. The live webcast of the meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 via http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HRL2023 and is open to all registered stockholders or beneficial owners of the company's common stock at the close of business on Dec. 2, 2022.

Stockholders will need the 16-digit control number found on the Notice of Internet Availability, the proxy card or on the instructions that accompany the proxy materials to participate in the Annual Meeting and vote shares electronically. If the shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, the voting instructions provided by the bank, broker or other holder of record should include the 16-digit control number.

Following the business of the stockholder meeting, there will be a question-and-answer session. Stockholders may submit a question in advance of the meeting at www.proxyvote.com after logging in with the control number. Questions may be submitted during the Annual Meeting through http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HRL2023.

For those who want to attend who are not stockholders at the close of business on Dec. 2, 2022, visit http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HRL2023 and register as a guest. Guests will not be able to vote or submit a question during the meeting.

Updates and further information will be available at https://investor.hormelfoods.com/ir-home/default.aspx.

Once again, gift boxes will be available for pick up at the SPAM Museum during its regular business hours for registered stockholders or beneficial owners of the company's common stock at the close of business on Dec. 2, 2022, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1. People should have the Notice of Internet Availability, the proxy card or the voting instructions received available to receive the gift box. For SPAM Museum hours, please visit https://www.spam.com/museum. Gift boxes are only available for pickup in person and are not available to be shipped, and one gift box per registered stockholder or eligible person.
Dozens of House Democrats urged President Biden and his administration to revoke the diplomatic visa that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is using to stay in the U.S. amid the recent riots in his countrys capital.

In a letter sent Thursday, the lawmakers expressed concern about Sundays riots in Brasilia, noting the similarities between them and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol, with Bolsonaro and his administration touting false stolen elections claims and misinformation after he lost his reelection bid to current Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October.

Lawmakers said the U.S. must not allow Mr. Bolsonaro or any other former Brazilian officials to take refuge in the United States to escape justice for any crimes they may have committed when in office and must aid the Brazilian governments investigation, should it request help.

The House Democrats said the U.S. must not provide refuge to Bolsonaro or any other authoritarian figure who has inspired violent attacks against democratic institutions.

As we understand, since Mr. Bolsonaro entered the United States when he was still the President of Brazil, he may have done so on an A-1 visa that is reserved for individuals on diplomatic or official visits, the letter reads. As he is no longer the President of Brazil or currently serving as a Brazilian official, we request that you reassess his status in the country to ascertain whether there is a legal basis for his stay and revoke any such diplomatic visa he may hold.

The letter was signed by 46 House Democrats, including Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and House Minority Leader Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who is also the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed into Brazils Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on Sunday  eight days after Lulas inauguration  in protest of the results of the presidential election.

Story continues

The protest struck similarities to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, where pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop lawmakers from certifying President Bidens victory in the 2020 election.

Biden publicly condemned the protests, saying the U.S. will continue to work with Lula and his government in an effort to have the U.S. fully support the countrys democratic institutions.

The lawmakers also called the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to hold accountable any actors based in Florida who have financed or supported the Brazilian riots, asking the FBI to investigate if any actions were taking place on U.S. soil to organize the riot.

We stand with the Brazilian people as they recover from this challenging time in their democratic history, the lawmakers letter to Biden reads. As members of the United States House of Representatives, we call upon you to work with us to support the newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva and the Brazilian people in seeking justice, upholding the rule of law, and protecting democratic institutions in their country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) is set to lead the House Committee on Homeland Security, which Muslim civil rights groups say is alarming because he has a history of making Islamophobic remarks.

Green  a physician, Iraq War veteran and former GOP state senator  once said he didnt want students in Tennessee to learn about Islam and that Iraqis smelled like curry mixed with sweat. He has also made anti-LGBTQ remarks, including claiming that being transgender was a disease.

If you hold stereotypes about communities, how can you effectively move on issues that are really nuanced and require a greater understanding of the issues? said Sabina Mohyuddin, the executive director of the American Muslim Advisory Council, a Tennessee-based civic engagement organization.

Rachel Del Guidice, the communications director for Greens office, told HuffPost that some media outlets cut and spliced Greens remarks.

Rep. Green has not, and will not ever, force his religion on anyone. He believes that every American has a right to defend their country, said Del Guidice.

Having served three tours of duty overseas during the War on Terror, Rep. Green acted as a steadfast protector of everyone in this nation. Vilifying people of faith because they dont agree with progressive policies is against Americas founding principles  the very principles he fought to protect, she added.

During a 2016 tea party meeting, Green told an audience that he didnt want public school students in Tennessee to learn about the Islamic faith.

When an audience member read a passage from a textbook that correctly stated that Muslims believe in all the prophets in the Old and New Testament, Green replied, When you start teaching the pillars of Islam ... we will not tolerate that in this state.

If students did have to learn about Islam, Green added, they should only learn the history of the Ottoman Empire and the assault of Islam out into the Levant and North Africa and into Constantinople.

Story continues

Then-President Donald Trump nominated Green to be Army secretary in 2017, but Green was forced to withdraw from consideration due to his anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ comments.

Rep. Greens well-documented history of hate speech against Muslims, LGBTQ people, and immigrants made him unfit to be Secretary of the Army, and that history makes him unfit to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, said Sumayyah Waheed, senior policy counsel at Muslim Advocates, a national civil rights group based in Washington, D.C.

As chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Mark Green is a threat to Muslims  especially to those that live at the intersections of the communities he has gleefully attacked for political gain, she added.

As chair, Green is likely to clamp down on immigration at the southern border. He previously introduced legislation in favor of border wallconstruction and has earned the support of conservative border hawks.

For the sake of our national security and homeland security, ending the border crisis Biden created is our top priority, said Green in a press release published on Monday. And make no mistake, we will hold President Joe Biden and [Homeland Security] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas accountable for their complete dereliction of duty in failing to respond to this crisis.

Mohyuddin said she hopes lawmakers will push back on Greens rhetoric to help keep marginalized groups safe.

You need the checks and balances so that extreme viewpoint is not inserted in the important issues of national security, she said.

Related...
The House on Thursday passed a bill aimed at restricting sales from the countrys oil reserves to China.

The legislation bars sales of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities under the control, ownership or influence of the Chinese Communist Party, unless that oil will not be exported to China.

The bill passed in a bipartisan 331-97 vote. All 97 no votes came from Democrats, but 113 Democrats joined all Republicans who voted in passing the measure.

The bills prospects are uncertain in a Democrat-controlled Senate, but it still represents a significant window into Republican energy and foreign policy priorities for the new Congress.

Tom Kloza, the global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service, has expressed skepticism about the approach in the legislation that passed on Thursday, recently telling The Hill that it sounded pretty silly.

While some of the oil that was sold from the strategic reserve ended up in other countries, including China, Kloza said the impact on the U.S. economy would have been the same regardless of where those barrels had ended up.

It is a world market and its like water seeking its own level and when you sold oil on the incremental market whether it moved to domestic sources or whether it moved overseas it did temper the enthusiasm for high-priced oil, he said last week.

Some of the companies that were able to buy oil from the release are U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies.

Republicans argued that the Biden administrations move to sell off oil from the nations reserves last year was political  and said that if it benefitted China, it was harmful to the nations security.

Americas SPR is meant for true energy supply disruptions, like those caused by hurricanes and natural disasters, not to help China, said House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, according to a copy of her floor remarks.

Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling portions of it to China is a significant threat to our national security, she added.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Rep. Frank Pallone (N.J.) the energy panels top Democrat, said he also opposes exporting U.S. oil to China, but said the GOP measure did not adequately address that issue.

If Republicans were serious about addressing this issue, they would have brought forward a bill that banned all oil exports to China, said a copy of his remarks.

SPR barrels sold to Chinese firms represented only 2 percent of all the oil we sent to China last year. If we truly want to address China using American oil to build its reserves, lets actually take a serious look at that, rather than skirt around the issue because Republicans are scared of Big Oils wrath, he added.

Republicans are expected to soon take up a second bill targeting the countrys oil reserves after the party criticized Bidens use of the reserves amid a supply crunch this year that followed Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The Biden administration has defended its use of the SPR.

The Biden administration, like administrations of both parties have historically done, rightly authorized emergency use of the SPR mission to address supply disruptions providing relief to American families and refineries when needed the most. Treasury estimated that the Biden administrations releases reduced prices at the pump by up to $0.40/gallon, the Energy Department recently told The Hill in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, the House has also been critical of China more broadly. House Republicans, joined by a large contingent of Democrats, this week passed a resolution to create a committee focused on competition with China.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed an executive order this week banning the use of the term Latinx and its derivatives from all official Arkansas government communications.

The former Trump White House press secretary signed seven orders on her first day as governor on Tuesday, generally focused on red-meat issues like Latinx, the use of TikTok on government devices and a review on the teaching of critical race theory in schools.

Sanderss order to ban Latinx is titled Executive Order to Respect the Latino Community by Eliminating Culturally Insensitive words from Official Use in Government.

The term Latinx is a gender-neutral form of Latino or Latina that gained some traction among progressive circles as an inclusive term.

Though it failed to catch on as a term to describe the entire U.S. Hispanic community, its still popular among groups who seek to promote further LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Since its inception, though, the term has been criticized for being unpronounceable in Spanish, and some have said it diminishes Spanish language inclusion.

Sanderss executive order made reference to that criticism, by citing the Real Academia de la Lengua Espanola (RAE), the unofficial arbiter of Spanish-language usage rules worldwide.

The Real Academia Espanola, the Madrid-based institution which governs the Spanish language, has officially rejected the use of x as an alternative to o and a in Spanish, reads the order.

But the Arkansas order went further, saying one can no more easily remove gender from Spanish and other romance languages than one can remove vowels and verbs from English.

Throughout the Spanish-speaking world, efforts have been made to de-gender and sometimes to re-gender neutral words.

For instance, the neutral word presidente, or president, is now more commonly used as presidenta when referring to female presidents.

Story continues

And progressives in the Spanish-speaking world, including in the United States, often use the term Latine as a replacement for Latinx that is both gender- and language-inclusive.

The RAE has also rejected the use of an e to replace the gendered o or a endings, as the male o ending also indicates gender-neutral or plural subjects in traditional Spanish usage.

Sanderss office did not reply to a question on why her executive order did not include Latine in the list of banned terms.

Still, the executive order states that it is the policy of the Governors administration to prohibit the use of culturally insensitive words for official state government business.

The governors office did not respond to whether that included other terms disavowed by the Latino community, like illegal alien or illegal immigrant, or whether the term Latinx had ever been used in official Arkansas communications in the past.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In one of her first moves as governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an executive order that targets the teaching of race in classrooms, requiring the state to review its policies to snuff out what she says is teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies such as critical race theory.

Critical race theory is an academic concept that looks at how systematic racism has impacted American laws and institutions. The idea has been under intense fire from conservative lawmakers, who point to it as a tactic that instills anti-American values in children.

The executive order by Sanders bars teachers from talking about race in certain ways in the classroom, including the idea that one race is superior or inferior to another. The action puts the newly sworn-in governor in a long line of conservative executives and lawmakers who have sworn to squash the theory.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has emerged as one of the partys leading right-wing voices, signed into law a bill that banned critical race theory in the state in 2022. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill in 2021 that limits how teachers can talk about race in the state, aiming to ban the teaching of the theory.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality, and fairness, the executive order from Sanders said. It emphasizes skin color as a persons primary characteristic, thereby resurrecting segregationist values, which America has fought so hard to reject.

The order from Sanders is also a culmination of work from state lawmakers in Arkansas who sought and failed to pass a bill that would ban critical race theory in the state.

Sanders was sworn in as governor on Tuesday and was met with a message of encouragement from former President Trump, saying in a social media post that his former White House press secretary is a fantastic person and will be a truly incredible Governor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Hungary on Thursday branded a European Commission decision to cut off some Hungarian universities from EU funding as unacceptable, saying it had met EU requests for change.

The European Commission said in December it would hold back all 22 billion euros of EU cohesion funds for Hungary until its government met conditions related to judiciary independence, academic freedoms, LGBT rights and the asylum system.

The EU Erasmus funding sponsors thousands of students' and teachers' stays at foreign universities. The Commission said Hungary had not changed its practice of nominating politicians close to the government on to boards of 21 tertiary colleges.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, told a briefing that the Commission decision, which affects institutions run by so called "public trust foundations", was unjustified as Hungary had met Brussels' requests for change.

Gulyas said that if negotiations with Brussels did not resolve the issue, Hungary would finance the Erasmus programmes for 2024 itself.

He also said Budapest was willing to take the case to the European Court of Justice as a last resort.

"What is happening with regards to Erasmus, from the side of the Commission versus Hungary, is unacceptable," Gulyas said.

"We would like to find a fast solution," he added, saying that Tibor Navracsics, the minister in charge of EU funds, would hold talks with the Commission next week.

Gulyas said Hungary would have accepted a demand from the Commission not to have active politicians or mayors on the board running the foundations, but there was no such request.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Toby Chopra and Nick Macfie)
Read also: 3,000 ZNPP employees forced to obtain Russian passports, says General Staff

He said that the Russians are playing with fire with their continued occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)  which is why Grossi wants an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to demilitarize the plant.

"This agreement is not impossible because nobody is interested in a nuclear accident, not even the Russians," Grossi said.

Besides Zelenskyy, IAEA head plans to meet with OM Denis Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Afterwards, Grossi will visit Russia.

Read also: Gerasimov replaces Surovikin as commander of Russian forces in Ukraine

The Ukrainian station, but under Russian control is the reality, he added.

And I have to work with both of them.

Read also: IAEA to expand presence across Ukrainian nuclear facilities

Earlier it was reported that IAEA would send monitoring missions to all Ukrainian nuclear power plants to monitor safety of the facilities throughout Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

On Dec. 22, Grossi announced that negotiations with Russia about establishing a safe zone around occupied ZNPP have resumed.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The graduate student accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students remains jailed without the possibility of bail and is set to face a judge in June for a preliminary hearing.

In a short hearing in Moscow, Idaho, on Thursday morning, suspect Bryan Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial. He faces four first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20. The students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus home where most of them lived in Moscow, Idaho on Nov. 13.

Speaking directly to Kohberger, Latah County District Court Judge Megan Marshall asked if he understood what was happening during the hearing and whether he knowingly was waiving his rights.

"Yes," Kohberger responded. He did not look around the courtroom as he entered and departed under guard, wearing orange jail clothing. He spoke only to answer Marshall's questions, and has not yet entered a plea of guilty or not guilty.

The defendant has not yet spoken publicly following his arrest.

Police say DNA evidence ties him to the crime scene

Investigators say cell phone tracking shows he repeatedly visited the area

WATCH: Idaho police announce arrest in killings of four University of Idaho students

VIDEO: Idaho residents relieved after suspect's arrest

Death penalty on the table

If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty, which is legal in Idaho. Investigators have not yet revealed a potential motive behind the killings, although the father of one of the victims said he believes Kohberger was stalking her. A surviving roommate said she saw a tall, thin masked man with bushy eyebrows inside the house after hearing noises coming from another bedroom.

Marshall set the preliminary hearing for five days starting June 26. A preliminary hearing is typically the first time evidence gathered by prosecutors is presented in court, and gives the judge an opportunity to decide whether there's enough evidence to proceed to a trial.

Story continues

In a routine filing, appointed public defender Anne Taylor also asked the judge to order prosecutors to turn over their evidence, which could include photo lineups, DNA tests, surveillance or any expert witnesses they plan to call during a trial.

Classes resume at University of Idaho following slayings

The hearing came a day after students at the University of Idaho returned to class for the spring semester amid a campus that's relieved of an arrest but also still concerned for their safety. Kohberger, 28, was a doctoral student at Washington State University in Pullman, about 10 miles away from Moscow.

Univ. of Idaho students return to campus: Students go back to school in Idaho with the fatal stabbings still fresh on their minds

Idaho murders 'A perfect case study':How advances in tech allowed Idaho police to unravel mysterious student killings

Authorities say they used DNA samples and surveillance footage, cell phone tracking software, and tearing through Kohberger's trash at his family's home in Pennsylvania to identify him as the suspect, according to court documents released last week.

Investigators gained crucial information after police obtained a search warrant for Kohbergers phone records on Dec. 23. They discovered the phone had been tracked near the students' house at least 12 times in the six months before the attack, an affidavit said.

On Dec. 27, Pennsylvania police recovered trash from Kohbergers familys residence, and an Idaho state lab linked the DNA from the trash sample to the knife sheath found at the murder scene.

Marshall has previously issued a no-contact order for Kohberger with the two surviving roommates and the victims families.

Key revelations in Idaho student murders: DNA on knife sheath links suspect to mysterious Idaho student killings, roommate saw masked man, police say in new arrest documents

'Not going to show their best cards': Idaho police said the public wasn't in danger after student killings. Was that true?

Gag order prevents police, attorneys from discussing case

Last week, Marshall issued a gag order preventing authorities, attorneys and other officials from "making extrajudicial comments, written or oral, concerning this case."

Kohberger was taken into custody on Dec. 29 in his parents' home in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 2,500 miles from where the stabbings occurred. He agreed to be extradited back to the state during an initial court appearance in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania last week.

Steven Goncalves, Kaylee's father, has said he believes that Kohberger stalked his daughter and the other victims.

Dig deeper

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bryan Kohberger in court: Idaho college murders suspect remains jailed
Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger is set to appear in court today charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students in a brutal 13 November knife attack.

A status hearing for the 28-year-old criminology PhD student is scheduled for 8am PT on Thursday in Latah County Courthouse in Moscow.

His court appearance coincides with the start of the spring semester at the University of Idaho, with many students returning to campus for the first time since the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Several students spoke out about their relief that the suspect is now behind bars, with sophomore Ryder Paslay telling KXLY that he breathed [a] sigh of relief and Im pretty sure my mom did the same thing when news broke of Mr Kohbergers arrest.

The accused killer is not expected to enter a plea at Thursdays hearing but is said to be planning to fight the allegations.

During his extradition from Pennsylvania to Moscow, he reportedly made small talk about the case to officers.

He did say, Its really sad what happened to them, but he didnt say anything more. Hes smarter than that, a law enforcement source told People.

Key points

Bryan Kohberger to appear in court this week

Victims have no known connection to accused killer

Kaylee Goncalves sister brands Kohberger true evil'

Classmates reveal how suspects behaviour changed after murders

Affidavit reveals what led investigators to criminology PhD student

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit was meant to give answers. Instead, it raises these new questions

15:43 , Andrea Blanco

For nearly eight weeks, the families of four slain University of Idaho students have waited in agony for answers about the unspeakable killings.

Hopes of finally getting some clarity finally came last week with the arrest of Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student at Washington State University.

On 5 January, the probable cause affidavit outlining what led authorities to charge Mr Kohberger was made public, revealing horrifying details about the 13 November murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in the college town of Moscow.

Story continues

The Independents Rachel Sharp explores some of the questions left unanswered.

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit raises these new questions

Ethan Chapins siblings return to university of Idaho nearly two months after murders

15:09 , Andrea Blanco

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Ethan Chapins mother Stacy Wells Chapin remembered her son as a loving and carefree young man who touched countless lives before he was brutally murdered on 13 November.

Chapins girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, and her roommates, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, were also killed in the attack.

Ms Chapin also revealed that her two surviving triplets have returned to Moscow. She said she hoped they could now focus on their goals after experiencing the unthinkable tragedy and thanked law enforcement for their diligent work in supporting her family in the aftermath of the murders.

The Moscow Police Department, Idaho State Police and the FBI handled the criminal investigation that ultimately led to the Pennsylvania arrest of Washington State University criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger on 30 December.

An affidavit for Mr Kohbergers arrest, released last week after he was extradited to Idaho, revealed that law enforcement found his DNA in a knife sheath left behind next to one of the victims bodies.

The Independent has the story:

Idaho murder victims mom pens touching tribute as siblings return to university

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit was meant to give answers. Instead it raises these new questions

14:50 , Rachel Sharp

Wdid the surviving roommate wait eight hours to call 911 after seeing the killer?

Who was the intended target?

Is Bryan Kohberger the stalker Kaylee Goncalves complained about?

The Independents Rachel Sharp reports on the questions still unanswered in the case:

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit raises these new questions

Students return to Moscow relieved following arrest

14:30 , Rachel Sharp

Bryan Kohbergers court appearance this week coincides with the start of the spring semester at the University of Idaho on Wednesday, with many students returning to campus for the first time since the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Several students spoke out about their relief that the suspect is now behind bars.

Sphomore Ryder Paslay told KXLY that he breathed [a] sigh of relief when news broke of Mr Kohbergers arrest.

I think a lot of people are a lot happier and in better spirits, he said.

When I heard the news, I was sitting around the living room with my family, watching the report about it.

We all looked [at] each other [and thought] Well, they got somebody who they think it is, and I breathed [a] sigh of relief and Im pretty sure my mom did the same thing.

Bryan Kohberger gave bizarre reason for why he was in Idaho

14:10 , Rachel Sharp

Murder suspect Bryan Kohberger allegedly denied the murders when questioned in Pennsylvania prison and gave an excuse as to why he was in Idaho.

The 28-year-old was held in Pennsylvania for several days before being transferred to Idaho to face four murder charges.

At one point he was asked why he had done the crimes he is charged with, to which he replied that he had done nothing, reported NewsNation.

Then, he was asked why he had gone to Idaho.

Mr Kohberger reportedly replied: Because the shopping there is better.

Bryan Kohberger devoted his life to studying crime. The Idaho murders have turned the tables

13:50 , Rachel Sharp

Bryan Kohberger became a household name upon his 30 December arrest in Pennsylvania for the killings of four University of Idaho students.

People from his past - though shocked - build a picture of a bullied loner who could be aggressive; fellow students from his time in Idaho describe a criminology zealot who creeped people out.

As he faces trial accused of shocking crimes, The Independents Sheila Flynn asks: Who really is Bryan Kohberger?

Bryan Kohberger devoted his life to studying crime. Now, the tables have turned

Bryan Kohbergers neighbour says suspect brought up murders in conversation

13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Bryan Kohbergers neighbour has claimed that the murder suspect brought up the student killings in conversation one time.

The neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, told CBS News that Mr Kohberger spoke to him about the quadruple homicide just days on from the 13 November attack.

He brought it up in conversation, they said.

[He] asked if I had heard about the murders, which I did. And then he said, Yeah, seems like they have no leads. Seems like it was a crime of passion.

At the time of our conversation, it was only a few days after it happened so there wasnt much details out.

Bodycam shows Kaylee Goncalves three months before murders

13:10 , Rachel Sharp

Newly-released bodycam footage has revealed victim Kaylee Goncalves speaking to officers responding to a noise complaint at the student home three months before her murder.

The footage, shared by CourtTV, shows Moscow Police officers responding to the home on King Road, Moscow, on 16 August following a complaint about an apparent party.

In the video, Goncalves is seen coming out of the home to meet the officers who ask her why she thinks they have been called.

I assume noise, she replies.

The officers confirm that they are there for a noise complaint and have a brief, cordial chat with the 21-year-old who is polite throughout.

Goncalves is given a verbal warning with an officer saying that if they have to come back she will be slapped with a $300 ticket.

So Im gonna grab your info and if I have to come back here a $300-something ticket is coming your way. Id much rather you spend that $300 on beer or something fun rather than a noise ticket, he says.

Three months later, police were called to the home again to find Goncalves and her three friends murdered.

Does police bodycam video of Kalyee Goncalves in August provide any clues in the lead-up to the University of Idaho quadruple homicide just 3 months later?



WATCH NOW:https://t.co/mriVzYMRSC@ChanleyCourtTV @VinniePolitan  Court TV (@CourtTV) January 11, 2023

Ethan Chapins mother pens touching tribute to slain son

12:50 , Rachel Sharp

The mother of one of the four University of Idaho students killed in November has penned a touching post in tribute to her son.

Ethan Chapins mother Stacy Wells Chapin remembered her son as a loving and carefree young man who touched countless lives before he was brutally murdered on 13 November. Chapins girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, and her roommates, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, were also killed in the attack.

Read the full story here:

Idaho murder victims mom pens touching tribute as siblings return to university

VOICES: My father is the BTK serial killer. This is why Im speaking out about Idaho suspect Bryan Kohberger

12:39 , Rachel Sharp

In the early hours of Friday, December 30, glass shattered out of the windows of the Kohberger family home, in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, as local police and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a no-knock search warrant. Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old teaching assistant and PhD student in criminal justice at Washington State University, was apprehended while staying with his family over the holiday break.

While obtaining his masters degree in criminal justice at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Kohberger studied under Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a professor of forensic psychology and criminal justice, who teaches a course specifically on serial killers.

BTKs daughter Kerri Rawson writes for The Independent:

My father is a serial killer. This is why Im speaking out about the Idaho suspect

Potential reason for mysterious 911 call revealed

12:10 , Rachel Sharp

The 911 call alerting officers to the murders of the four students has long been shrouded in mystery after police said that the caller reported an unconscious individual.

The call was made from the cellphone of one of the surviving roommates at around 11.58am on 13 November, with the dispatcher speaking to multiple people during the call.

Questions have been asked around why the caller reported an unconscious individual when the crime scene was bloody and violent.

A potential reason for the mysterious 911 call has now been revealed in Air Mails article The Eyes of a Killer .

Civilian employees at Whitcom 9-1-1, an agency in Pullman, Washington State, handle the 911 calls to Moscow Police Department as well as several other agencies, according to the report.

The agency is severely understaffed to such an extent that the dispatchers guild has previously warned that our ability to uphold public safety is at risk.

Under standard protocol, when callers are agitated the dispatcher will often assign the call with the generic label of unconscious person rather than waste valuable time and resources trying to gather details.

In this case, it is possible that the dispatcher assigned the generic label while speaking to students who were panicked by what they saw.

Bryan Kohbergers offhand comments about Idaho student murders revealed

11:50 , Rachel Sharp

Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger made an offhand comment about the murders of the four University of Idaho students as he was extradited from Pennsylvania to Moscow to face charges in their killings, it has been revealed.

A law enforcement source told People that the 28-year-old criminology PhD student made small talk about the case to officers, saying that it was sad what happened to Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

He did say, Its really sad what happened to them, but he didnt say anything more. Hes smarter than that, said the source, who was involved in the accused killers extradition process.

Read the full story here:

Bryan Kohbergers offhand comments about Idaho student murders revealed

Will Bryan Kohberger get the death penalty?

11:10 , Rachel Sharp

Accused killer Bryan Kohberger may face the death penalty for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

The 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary over the 13 November attack.

Under Idaho state law, he faces the death penalty or life in prison on each murder charge.

Goncalves parents have already said that they support him receiving a death sentence, saying that life imprisonment is not enough for his alleged crimes.

VOICES: Online sleuths hijacked the Idaho murders case. Should we blame them?

10:50 , Rachel Sharp

The list of conspiracies surrounding the Idaho murders is endless, Rachel Sharp writes for The Independent.

But the emerging details appear even worse than the imaginations of online sleuths: a highly intelligent, seemingly high-functioning suspect with an intense interest in the criminal mind allegedly entered the home in the dead of night, dressed all in black and a mask, and stabbed the four victims multiple times each.

Even now Bryan Kohberger is in police custody, the online rumour mill shows no signs of winding down.

Read here:

Online sleuths hijacked the Idaho murders case. Should we blame them?

Bryan Kohberger to appear in court today

10:30 , Rachel Sharp

Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger is set to appear in court today charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students in a brutal 13 November knife attack.

A status hearing for the 28-year-old criminology PhD student is scheduled for 8am PST on Thursday in Latah County Courthouse in Moscow.

The accused killer is not expected to enter a plea at Wednesdays hearing but is said to be planning to fight the allegations.

The murder suspects preliminary status hearing was originally been slated for 10am PST but was rescheduled late last week.

A court order announcing the change revealed that there was a scheduling conflict with the original time.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the parties stipulated changing the time of said hearing. Therefore, with good cause, it is hereby ordered that the Preliminary Status Hearing will be held on January 12, 2023 at 8:00 am. (PST) in Courtroom I of the Latah County Courthouse, the order reads.

Mr Kohberger last appeared in court in Pennsylvania on 3 January to waive an extradition hearing to Idaho  four days after his bombshell 30 December arrest for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin

Victim's scholarship fund raises $112,000

10:10 , Rachel Sharp

A scholarship fund established by slain University of Idaho student Ethan Chapins fraternity Signa Chi has raised more than $112,000.

Chapin, his girlfriend Xana Kernodle and Kernodles roommates Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were brutally stabbed on 13 November. On 30 December, Washington State University criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection to the crime.

The scholarship, which was started last month by Chapins fraternity Sigma Chi, will be presented annually to a deserving undergraduate member of the Gamma Eta Chapter, recognizing Ethans legacy.

We join the Gamma Eta Chapter in remembering a young man who was deeply loved and respected, as well as extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of Ethan, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, a statement by Sigma Chi read.

Bryan Kohberger changed licence plates on his white Hyundai Elantra days after Idaho murders

09:50 , Rachel Sharp

The suspects car had Pennsylvania plates when it was pulled over by police in Moscow, Idaho, in August, according to a citation from the Latah County Sheriffs Office.

A review of documents on CarFax by Newsweek showed that Mr Kohberger changed the registration from Pennsylvania to Washington on 18 November, five days after four students were found stabbed to death in a Moscow home.

A public information request with the Washington State Department of Licensing by The Independent confirmed the car was registered in the state on 19 November.

The Independents Bevan Hurley has the story:

Bryan Kohberger changed licence plates on Hyundai Elantra days after Idaho murders

Alan Dershowitz shares thoughts about Bryan Kohbergers potential defence

09:00 , Andrea Blanco

In an interview with Law&Crimes Sidebar podcast, Mr Dershowitz, known for representing high-profile defendants including O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein and Julian Assange, broke down Mr Kohbergers potential defence following the release of an affidavit linking him to the murders.

The document narrows in on Kohberger, so the defences first step should be to begin developing their own evidence, Mr Dershowitz said during the podcast. You always assume your client is guilty, and then you work back from there.

He added: Im going to surprise people when I say that a good criminal defence lawyer always starts with a presumption of guilt, not a presumption of innocence.

If you assume your client is innocent, youll make mistakes. Youll allow searches. You will allow him to speak to the police. Then you always keep in mind the possibility of a plea bargain.

This is difficult in a case like this where there were so many deaths and so brutal that the lawyers, whoever they are, really have their work cut out for them.

Mr Dershowitz also said that Mr Kohbergers attorneys are tasked with explaining the physical evidence linking their client to the murders, in a way that presents the possibility of innocence or at least reasonable doubt.

Bryan Kohberger did not attend vigil, new footage shows

08:00 , Andrea Blanco

In the wake of Bryan Kohbergers arrest on charges for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, social media sleuths began scouring video of a 30 November vigil for the slain students to see if the suspect may have been present.

The armchair detectives - who have been poring over alleged clues in the case for weeks - seized on a specific clip showing the back of a tall man with brown hair, making wholly far-fetched claims that he could be Mr Kohberger.

The baseless speculation has now been discredited by new footage from Inside Edition, which appears to show the face of the same man the online commenters identified as Mr Kohberger from the back. It is clear on the outlets video that the man is not Mr Kohberger.

The vigil rumours marked the latest wild theory to go viral online, only to be swiftly debunked.

A Facebook post has many people wondering if accused killer Bryan Kohberger was secretly posing as a citizen sleuth investigating the murders of four Idaho college students. pic.twitter.com/cQqroTCgSp  Inside Edition (@InsideEdition) January 10, 2023

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit was meant to give answers. Instead, it raises these new questions

07:00 , Andrea Blanco

For nearly eight weeks, the families of four slain University of Idaho students have waited in agony for answers about the unspeakable killings.

Hopes of finally getting some clarity finally came last week with the arrest of Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student at Washington State University.

On 5 January, the probable cause affidavit outlining what led authorities to charge Mr Kohberger was made public, revealing horrifying details about the 13 November murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in the college town of Moscow.

The Independents Rachel Sharp explores some of the questions left unanswered.

Bryan Kohbergers Idaho murders arrest affidavit raises these new questions

Will Bryan Kohberger get the death penalty?

06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Accused killer Bryan Kohberger may face the death penalty for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

The 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary over the 13 November attack.

Under Idaho state law, he faces the death penalty or life in prison on each murder charge.

Goncalves parents have already said that they support him receiving a death sentence, saying that life imprisonment is not enough for his alleged crimes.

Bryan Kohberger devoted his life to studying crime. The Idaho murders have turned the tables

05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Bryan Kohberger became a household name upon his 30 December arrest in Pennsylvania for the killings of four University of Idaho students.

People from his past - though shocked - build a picture of a bullied loner who could be aggressive; fellow students from his time in Idaho describe a criminology zealot who creeped people out, Sheila Flynn writes.

The Independent has the story:

Bryan Kohberger devoted his life to studying crime. Now, the tables have turned

Victims childhood best friend says she wants answers

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Xana Kernodles childhood best friend has spoken out to say that she wants answers about her murder.

I still think there are a lot of answers that I would like. Until I get those, I still am going to be a little hung up on this. So, its just about the answers, I guess, Sydney Gribnitz told NewsNation.

Ms Gribnitz said that she was in shock when she heard that the friend she described as one of the funniest people Ive ever met had been brutally killed.

It definitely was a shock. We were really, really close in middle school, not as much recently, she said.

I guess just because I live in Florida. We were really far apart, but I always knew I could count on her. Its just a lot.

Ms Gribnitz and her father  who used to be Kernodles gymnastics coach  have now set up a fundraiser in the slain 20-year-olds honour.

Woman claims Bryan Kohberger very pushy during Tinder date years ago

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

A woman who says she once went on a Tinder date with Bryan Kohberger has claimed he was very pushy with her and said she now looks back on the incident and wonders if it could have been so much different.

In a TikTok video, Hayley claims that she matched with Mr Kohberger on the online dating app about seven years ago when she was a psychology student at Penn State Hazelton and he was studying psychology at a nearby school.

She says that she agreed to go to the movies with him one night.

My interactions with Bryan were very brief. I dont know much about him, she says in the video.

After the movie, however, she says he invited himself back to her apartment and things took a bizarre turn.

Hayley told the New York Post that Mr Kohberger kept trying to touch her and became very pushy.

He like, completely changed once we were in my dorm so Im glad I was able to get away, she said.

He was very pushy when it came to coming back in my dorm with me. But I didnt get like scary vibes or anything from that. I just thought he was a stage five clinger because he said he wanted to spend more time with me.

When she confronted him about him trying to touch me, she says he got super serious and tried to gaslight me into thinking that he didnt touch me, which is weird. Her account cant be verified.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger had no connection to victims, family lawyer says

02:00 , Andrea Blanco

The suspect arrested in the murders of four University of Idaho students had no connection with the victims, a lawyer for one of the grieving families has said.

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle did not appear to have personally met Washington State University (WSU) criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger prior to their 13 November slayings, the Goncalves family lawyer told Insider on Monday.

Read the full story here:

Bryan Kohberger had no connection to Idaho murder victims, family lawyer says

Bryan Kohberger to appear in court tomorrow

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Bryan Kohberger will appear in court on murder charges tomorrow.

The murder suspects preliminary status hearing is scheduled for 8am PST on Thursday 12 January.

It had originally been slated for 10am PST but was rescheduled late last week.

A court order announcing the change revealed that there was a scheduling conflict with the original time.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the parties stipulated to changing the time of said hearing. Therefore, with good cause, it is hereby ordered that the Preliminary Status Hearing will be held on January 12, 2023 at 8:00 am. (PST) in Courtroom I of the Latah County Courthouse, the order reads.

Ethan Chapins siblings return to University of Idaho after Bryan Kohbergers arrest

Wednesday 11 January 2023 23:30 , Andrea Blanco

The mother of one of the four University of Idaho students killed in November has penned a touching post in tribute to her son.

Ethan Chapins mother Stacy Wells Chapin remembered her son as a loving and carefree young man who touched countless lives before he was brutally murdered on 13 November. Chapins girlfriend Xana Kernodle and her roommates Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were also killed in the attack.

The Moscow Police Department, Idaho State Police and the FBI handled the criminal investigation that ultimately led to the Pennsylvania arrest of Washington State University criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger on 30 December. An affidavit for Mr Kohbergers arrest, released last week after he was extradited to Idaho, revealed that law enforcement found his DNA in a knife sheath left behind next to one of the victims bodies.

On Wednesday, Ms Chapin revealed that her two surviving triplets have returned to Moscow. She said she hoped they could now focus on their goals after experiencing the unthinkable tragedy and thanked law enforcement for their diligent work in supporting her family in the aftermath of the murders.

Yesterday, we successfully dropped them off back at the University of Idaho. Hunter was very glad to be back at the fraternity and Maizie was warming up to the idea but it was so good to hear all of the girls squeal with delight upon seeing her, Ms Chapin wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

She added: It did this mommas heart good to hear it!! The support from the University of Idaho and the MPD/ISP has been profound. Maizie and Hunter are rockstars and we couldnt be more proud of them. Their job now is just [to] be kids. Start where they left off. Keep goals and aspirations in mind.

Ethan Chapins scholarship fund raises $112,000

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:15 , Andrea Blanco

A scholarship fund established by slain University of Idaho student Ethan Chapins fraternity Signa Chi has raised more than $112,000.

Chapin, his girlfriend Xana Kernodle and Kernodles roommates Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were brutally stabbed on 13 November. On 30 December, Washington State University criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection to the crime.

The scholarship, which was started last month by Chapins fraternity Sigma Chi, will be presented annually to a deserving undergraduate member of the Gamma Eta Chapter, recognizing Ethans legacy.

We join the Gamma Eta Chapter in remembering a young man who was deeply loved and respected, as well as extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of Ethan, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, a statement by Sigma Chi read.

Bryan Kohbergers offhand comments' about Idaho student murders revealed

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:15 , Andrea Blanco

Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger made an offhand comment about the murders of the four University of Idaho students as he was extradited from Pennsylvania to Moscow to face charges in their killings, it has been revealed.

A law enforcement source told People that the 28-year-old criminology PhD student made small talk about the case to officers, saying that it was sad what happened to Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

The Independents Rachel Sharp has the story:

Bryan Kohbergers offhand comments about Idaho student murders revealed

Suspect visited murder home at least 12 times before the night of the slayings

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:45 , Andrea Blanco

Prior to the 13 November massacre, investigators believe that Bryan Kohberger stalked the victims home at least 12 times.

Cellphone records show that his phone pinged in the area of the King Road home on at least twelve occasions between 23 June and 13 November when the murders took place.

The exact dates of these instances were not revealed in the documents but all bar one were in the late evening or early morning hours.

One incident was identified on 21 August, when the suspect was stopped by police just minutes from the home where he allegedly knifed the four students to death three months later.

A citation from Latah County Sheriffs Office, obtained by The Independent earlier this week, reveals that the traffic stop took place at around 11.40pm at the intersection of West Pullman Road and Farm Road in Moscow.

The record shows he was stopped for failing to wear his seatbelt  just 1.7 miles and a five-minute drive from the victims student rental home.

On that occasion, Mr Kohbergers cellphone pinged in the area of the King Road home from around 10.34pm to 11.35pm, the affidavit shows.

Prior to her death, Kaylee Goncalves had told friends and family members that she believed she had a stalker.

The details of the stalker were unknown and, throughout the murder investigation, Moscow Police said that they had been unable to confirm or deny the claims.

It remains unclear if Mr Kohberger was the stalker Goncalves was fearful of and how long he may have been surveilling the victim or victims at the home.

Bryan Kohbergers arrest affidavit for the Idaho murders:

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:15 , Andrea Blanco

Authorities released an affidavit in support of suspect Bryan Kohbergers arrest in the murders of four Idaho university students on Thursday as he appeared in court for his arraignment.

The affidavit is filled with horror new details about the 13 November killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin - and what led investigators to identify Mr Kohberger as the suspect.

Read the full affidavit here:

Read the affidavit on Bryan Kohbergers arrest for the Idaho murders in full

Victims sister defends surviving roommate for delay in 911 call

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:45 , Andrea Blanco

The grieving sister of slain student Kaylee Goncalves has defended one of her siblings surviving roommates who has faced questions about a delay in alerting police to the murders.

Two roommates were also in the student home in Moscow, Idaho, when four students were stabbed to death in a brutal knife attack at around 4am on 13 November. The two women were left unharmed.

At around midday, a 911 call was made to report an unconscious person in the home. Police arrived to find the bloody scene.

The affidavit for Bryan Kohberger, released last Thursday, revealed that one of the surviving roommates came face to face with the masked killer as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders.

Since then, questions have arisen around why the roommate did not call 911 for another eight hours.

Goncalves sister Alivea Goncalves defended the roommate in an interview with NewsNation on Sunday.

She was probably really, really scared, she said.

Until we have any more information, I think everyone should stop passing judgments because you dont know what you would do in that situation.

Who really is Bryan Kohberger?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:15 , Andrea Blanco

Bryan Kohberger became a household name upon his 30 December arrest in Pennsylvania for the killings of four University of Idaho students.

People from his past - though shocked - build a picture of a bullied loner who could be aggressive; fellow students from his time in Idaho describe a criminology zealot who creeped people out, Sheila Flynn writes.

The Independent has the story:

Bryan Kohberger devoted his life to studying crime. Now, the tables have turned

Former friends of Bryan Kohbergere say murder suspect was a bully

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:45 , Andrea Blanco

Bryan Kohbergers former friends claim he was a bully in high school

Former high school classmates of the man accused of murdering four students at the University of Idaho have alleged that suspected killer Brian Kohberger was bullied before becoming a bully himself and allegedly using heroin.

The former classmates made the comments on an upcoming episode of 48 Hours titled The Idaho Student Murders set to premiere Saturday on Paramount+.

One former classmate knew Mr Kohberger in college at Washington State University, and recalled him being opinionated but otherwise comfortable around other people, according to a CBS News report about the episode.

He was very quick to offer his opinion and thoughts, Mr Roberts said. He would describe things in the most complicated, perhaps academic way possible.

Craig Graziosi has the story for The Independent:

Bryan Kohbergers childhood friends say he was a bully and used heroin in high school

This is the evidence linking Bryan Kohberger to the Idaho murders

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:15 , Andrea Blanco

It is currently unclear if any evidence was found on Mr Kohbergers Hyundai Elantra which was seized by authorities at the time of his arrest.

Since early December, investigators had been asking for the publics help in tracking down a white Hyundai Elantra which had been spotted at the crime scene at the time of the murders.

Investigators ultimately traced the vehicle to Mr Kohberger, with surveillance footage capturing the car driving from the direction of his home in Pullman, Washington state, to the King Road home in the early hours of 13 November  and then back again, the affidavit reveals.

The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  is yet to be found.

Other chilling details about the murders were also revealed in the affidavit, showing how cellphone records had also been used to tie Mr Kohberger to the crime.

Investigators believe that Mr Kohberger turned his cell phone off on the night of the murders in order to try to avoid detection.

However, cellphone data shows that Mr Kohberger appears to have stalked the home at least 12 times in the run-up to the 13 November attack.

The affidavit for his arrest, released on Thursday, reveals that investigators had used DNA obtained from the trash at his parents home to match Mr Kohberger to DNA evidence left behind at the crime scene.

The killer had left a tan leather Kabar knife sheath, which featured the United States Marine Corps symbol, inside the bloodied home, lying on Mogens bed next to the victims butchered body.

Male DNA on the sheath matches that of Mr Kohberger, the affidavit states.

IDAHO-HOMICIDIOS-EL SEDAN (AP)

The masked killers chilling words, revealed by the affidavit

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:45 , Andrea Blanco

A roommate who lived with the three female victims at the King Road residence told investigators that she spotted the killer and overheard him telling his victims Im going to help you before stabbing them to death, according to the affidavit released last week.

The survivor - identified as D.M. - told investigators that the four victims had all come back to the King Road home from their respective nights out at around 2am and were in their rooms by around 4am  except for Kernodle, who got up to collect a DoorDash order around that time.

D.M. said that she had gone to sleep in her bedroom on the second floor of the three-floor home and was awoken by what sounded like Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the third-floor bedrooms.

A short time later, D.M. said that she heard someone believed to be either Goncalves or Kernodle saying something to the effect of theres someone here.

Minutes later, D.M. said that she looked out of her bedroom for the first time but did not see anything.

She then opened her door for a second time when she heard what she thought was crying coming from Kernodles room, the documents state.

At that point, she said she heard a mans voice saying something to the effect of its ok, Im going to help you.

When she opened her door for a third time minutes later, she said she saw a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the persons mouth and nose walking towards her.

As she stood in a frozen shock phase, she said the man  who she did not recognise  walked past her and headed toward the back sliding glass door of the home.

The witness said that she then locked herself in her room, the affidavit continues.

Hours later, Mogen and Goncalves were both found stabbed to death together in Mogens single bed in her room on the third floor.

The bodies of young couple Kernodle and Chapin were both found in Kernodles bedroom on the second floor of the property, with the 20-year-old woman found on the floor.

Victims family friend creates tribute hoodie designs

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:15 , Andrea Blanco

A friend of Madison Mogens mother partnered with a business by the name of TaraStitches to memorialise Mogen and three other University of Idaho students brutally murdered in an off-campus home on 13 November.

All the proceeds from the sales of the hoodies, which have the design of Angel wings that Mogen had tattoed on her arm, will go to the families of the victims.

I had my heart on this design and made it come to life ... I wanted to create something special in remembrance of Kaylee, Maddie, Xana and Ethan. Thank you for supporting the U of I students, the woman wrote on the website.

On Monday, Kaylee Goncalvess mother Kristi Goncalves encouraged the public to support the business tribute to the slain students.

Alan Dershowitz shares thoughts about Bryan Kohbergers potential defence route

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:45 , Andrea Blanco

In an interview with Law&Crimes Sidebar podcast, Mr Dershowitz, known for representing high-profile defendants including O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein and Julian Assange, broke down Mr Kohbergers potential defence following the release of an affidavit linking him to the murders.

The document narrows in on Kohberger, so the defences first step should be to begin developing their own evidence, Mr Dershowitz said during the podcast. You always assume your client is guilty, and then you work back from there.

He added: Im going to surprise people when I say that a good criminal defence lawyer always starts with a presumption of guilt, not a presumption of innocence.

If you assume your client is innocent, youll make mistakes. Youll allow searches. You will allow him to speak to the police. Then you always keep in mind the possibility of a plea bargain.

This is difficult in a case like this where there were so many deaths and so brutal that the lawyers, whoever they are, really have their work cut out for them.

Mr Dershowitz also said that Mr Kohbergers attorneys are tasked with explaining the physical evidence linking their client to the murders, in a way that presents the possibility of innocence or at least reasonable doubt.

Will Bryan Kohberger get the death penalty?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:45 , Andrea Blanco

Accused killer Bryan Kohberger may face the death penalty for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

The 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary over the 13 November attack.

Under Idaho state law, he faces the death penalty or life in prison on each murder charge.

Goncalves parents have already said that they support him receiving a death sentence, saying that life imprisonment is not enough for his alleged crimes.

Bryan Kohberger was not the man in attendance at November vigil for the victims, new footage shows

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:32 , Andrea Blanco

In the wake of Bryan Kohbergers arrest on charges for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, social media sleuths began scouring video of a 30 November vigil for the slain students to see if the suspect may have been present.

The armchair detectives - who have been poring over alleged clues in the case for weeks - seized on a specific clip showing the back of a tall man with brown hair, making wholly far-fetched claims that he could be Mr Kohberger.

The baseless speculation has now been discredited by new footage from Inside Edition, which appears to show the face of the same man the online commenters identified as Mr Kohberger from the back. It is clear on the outlets video that the man is not Mr Kohberger.

The vigil rumours marked the latest wild theory to go viral online, only to be swiftly debunked.

Bryan Kohberger changed licence plates on his white Hyundai Elantra days after Idaho murders

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:59 , Andrea Blanco

The suspects car had Pennsylvania plates when it was pulled over by police in Moscow, Idaho, in August, according to a citation from the Latah County Sheriffs Office.

A review of documents on CarFax by Newsweek showed that Mr Kohberger changed the registration from Pennsylvania to Washington on 18 November, five days after four students were found stabbed to death in a Moscow home.

A public information request with the Washington State Department of Licensing by The Independent confirmed the car was registered in the state on 19 November.

The Independents Bevan Hurley has the story:

Bryan Kohberger changed licence plates on Hyundai Elantra days after Idaho murders

Victims were not familiar with murder suspect, family attorney says

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:01 , Andrea Blanco

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle did not appear to have personally met Washington State University (WSU) criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger prior to their 13 November slayings, the Goncalves family lawyer told Insider on Monday.

Following the attack that rocked the college town of Moscow, Mr Kohberger, 28, finished his semester at WSU. Weeks later, he reportedly travelled with his father from his apartment in Pullman, Washington, around nine miles west of the victims home, to Pennsylvania to spend the holidays with his family.

Law enforcement raided Mr Kohbergers family home in a surprise arrest on 30 December after weeks of mounting criticism about a lack of updates in the probe.

Mr Kohberger was charged with four counts of murder and extradited to Idaho  it was later revealed in the affidavit for his arrest that police linked him to the crime scene using genealogy DNA.

No one knew of this guy at all, attorney Shanon Gray said. It appears from the affidavit that he was in the area of the house on several occasions ... Thats all we know.

Who was the intended target?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:30 , Rachel Sharp

From the early days of the investigation, authorities said that the attack was targeted  but refused to reveal what led them to that conclusion and who or what the target was.

The 19-page affidavit reveals no details about what connection  if any  Bryan Kohberger had to his alleged victims.

The victims were all students at the University of Idaho meanwhile Mr Kohberger was a criminal justice PhD student at Washington State University.

He lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman, having moved there to begin the PhD program in August.

Despite the proximity, there is no known connection between the victims and the accused killer. It is not clear if the victims even knew who Mr Kohberger was.

An attorney for Kaylee Goncalves family has said that there is no known connection between the accused killer and the victims.

Bryan Kohbergers classmate says he fell completely silent when murders discussed in class

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:10 , Rachel Sharp

Throughout the seven-week investigation into the murders, Bryan Kohberger continued with his studies at Washington State University and completed the first semester of his criminal justice PhD.

His classmates have now revealed that they noticed a change in behaviour from the suspect during that time, with the usually chatty student falling completely silent when the killings were discussed in class.

Ben Roberts, a WSU graduate student in criminal justice studies, told the Idaho Statesman that Mr Kohberger was usually very vocal in class and would often share his opinion and challenge his classmates on the topic of the criminal mind.

He sat front and center, and was not hiding or tucking back in the back, he said.

He was right there in the middle of it.

This all changed when the murders of four Idaho students was brought up in class one day.

At that point, Mr Kohberger fell completely silent, said Mr Roberts.

Masked killers chilling words, DNA details and new timeline: Key revelations in the Bryan Kohberger affidavit

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:50 , Rachel Sharp

Stunning new details about the murders of four University of Idaho students have been revealed in an affidavit supporting the arrest of suspect Bryan Christopher Kohberger.

Mr Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology PhD student at Washington State University, has been charged in the 13 November deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21. They were killed in a rental home just blocks from the UI campus in Moscow, Idaho, right across the state border from WSU in Pullman, Washington.

The suspect was arrested in his native Pennsylvania, then extradited to Idaho, where court documents were unsealed following his first appearance before a judge in the state.

Portions were redacted but the remaining pages revealed chilling details about the murders - among them that a surviving roommate came face to face with the killer; Kohbergers cell phone record and police traffic stops indicate hed been casing the home; and DNA from a knife sheath was used to forensically connect the grad student to the crimes.

Here are the biggest revelations from the documents:

Key revelations from Bryan Kohbergers arrest affidavit

Court documents removed from website for security reasons'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Court documents about the case against Bryan Kohberger were briefly removed from the Idaho courts website for security reasons on Tuesday.

For security reasons, case information for State v. Kohberger is momentarily unavailable in the iCourt Portal, a memo from the State of Idaho Judicial Branch read on Tuesday.

To ensure public access to this information, a PDF report listing events in the case is now posted to the top of this cases entry on our Cases of Interest page.

This listing of actions will be updated daily until case information is restored through the Portal. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The nature of the security concerns was not revealed but the documents are back online now.

Bryan Kohberger to appear in court tomorrow

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:10 , Rachel Sharp

Bryan Kohberger will appear in court on murder charges tomorrow.

The murder suspects preliminary status hearing is scheduled for am PST on Thursday 12 January.

It had originally been slated for 10am PST but was rescheduled late last week.

A court order announcing the change revealed that there was a scheduling conflict with the original time.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the parties stipulated to changing the time of said hearing. Therefore, with good cause, it is hereby ordered that the Preliminary Status Hearing will be held on January 12, 2023 at 8:00 am. (PST) in Courtroom I of the Latah County Courthouse, the order reads.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger had no connection to victims, family lawyer says

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:50 , Rachel Sharp

The suspect arrested in the murders of four University of Idaho students had no connection with the victims, a lawyer for one of the grieving families has said.

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle did not appear to have personally met Washington State University (WSU) criminal justice PhD student Bryan Kohberger prior to their 13 November slayings, the Goncalves family lawyer told Insider on Monday.

Read the full story here:

Bryan Kohberger had no connection to Idaho murder victims, family lawyer says

Xana Kernodles childhood best friend says she wants answers

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Xana Kernodles childhood best friend has spoken out to say that she wants answers about her murder.

I still think there are a lot of answers that I would like. Until I get those, I still am going to be a little hung up on this. So, its just about the answers, I guess, Sydney Gribnitz told NewsNation.

Ms Gribnitz said that she was in shock when she heard that the friend she described as one of the funniest people Ive ever met had been brutally killed.

It definitely was a shock. We were really, really close in middle school, not as much recently, she said.

I guess just because I live in Florida. We were really far apart, but I always knew I could count on her. Its just a lot.

Ms Gribnitz and her father  who used to be Kernodles gymnastics coach  have now set up a fundraiser in the slain 20-year-olds honour.

Will Bryan Kohberger get the death penalty?

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:10 , Rachel Sharp

Accused killer Bryan Kohberger may face the death penalty for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

The 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary over the 13 November attack.

Under Idaho state law, he faces the death penalty or life in prison on each murder charge.

Goncalves parents have already said that they support him receiving a death sentence, saying that life imprisonment is not enough for his alleged crimes.

Bryan Kohberger was not the man in attendance at November vigil for the victims, new footage shows

Wednesday 11 January 2023 11:50 , Rachel Sharp

In the wake of Bryan Kohbergers arrest on charges for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, social media sleuths began scouring video of a 30 November vigil for the slain students to see if the suspect may have been present.

The armchair detectives - who have been poring over alleged clues in the case for weeks - seized on a specific clip showing the back of a tall man with brown hair, making wholly far-fetched claims that he could be Mr Kohberger.

The baseless speculation has now been discredited by new footage from Inside Edition, which appears to show the face of the same man the online commenters identified as Mr Kohberger from the back. It is clear on the outlets video that the man is not Mr Kohberger.

The vigil rumours marked the latest wild theory to go viral online, only to be swiftly debunked.
The man charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students will have a preliminary hearing in late June, when prosecutors will try to show a judge that they have enough evidence to justify the felony charges.

Bryan Kohberger waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing during a status conference Thursday morning. The 28-year-old Washington State University graduate student is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary, and has not yet entered a plea and is waiting to learn whether prosecutors in the high-profile case will pursue the death penalty.

>>Bryan Kohberger, suspect in Idaho murders, booked into Idaho jail

He appeared in court wearing an orange t-shirt and pants, and gave the judge short one-word answers when she asked him if he understood his rights during the roughly five-minute-long hearing.

Kohbergers attorney, Anne Taylor, told Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall that Kohberger was willing to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, which would have required that it be held within two weeks. The hearing itself will likely take four or five days, Taylor said.

Hes willing to waive timeliness to allow us time to obtain discovery in the case and be prepared, Taylor told the judge.

>>TIMELINE: DNA, video lead officials to Idaho suspect

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said he had no objection to waiting until June or even July for the preliminary hearing.

Marshall set the preliminary hearing for June 26 at 9 a.m., expecting it to last for five days.

The Nov. 13 slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin left the rural community in Moscow, Idaho, grief-stricken and afraid, prompting nearly half of the universitys students to leave town for the perceived safety of online courses.

Weeks went by without a named suspect and few details were released, but on Dec. 30 Kohberger, a graduate student studying criminology from the university located just 10 miles away  was arrested at his parents home in eastern Pennsylvania. Kohberger was extradited to Idaho last week.

Story continues

University of Idaho students returned from winter break to start classes on Wednesday, many of them coming together for the first time since news of the attack spread across campus.

A general feeling of relief was in the air, university spokesperson Jodi Walker said on Wednesday.

The students are back and enrollments are looking good, Walker said. I think everybodys happy to be back under the circumstances. Theyre relieved that an arrest has been made, and ready to focus on the semester.

At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor will be expected to show the magistrate judge that he has enough evidence to justify moving forward with the felony charges, and the defense will try to point out holes in the prosecutors case to show that the charges should be dropped.

If the magistrate judge agrees that there is evidence to justify the charges, the case will be bound over into Idahos 2nd District Court, and a district judge will take over. Then Kohberger will have a chance to enter a plea. If he pleads not guilty, the case will begin working toward a trial. If he pleads guilty, a sentencing hearing will be set.

Thompson has 60 days from the time Kohberger enters a plea to say if he will seek the death penalty.
Karin Stortz, a former patient of obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Vernon Cannon, appears with attorney Michael Mertz during a press conference at the Chicago law firm Hurley McKenna & Mertz on Jan. 11, 2023, a day after misconduct lawsuits were filed. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Seven women are suing an obstetrician/gynecologist and his former employer, Duly Health and Care, alleging the doctor cared for patients while drunk and, in some cases, committed medical and sexual battery.

Most of the lawsuits allege that Dr. Vernon Cannon was intoxicated while performing patient exams. One alleges he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient. Another alleges he performed an irreversible sterilization procedure on a patient without the patients consent. And another lawsuit alleges sexual battery of a patient during an exam.

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The lawsuits allege that Duly, formerly called DuPage Medical Group, was negligent in keeping Cannon employed and not supervising him adequately. At the time he worked for the medical group, he saw patients at offices located in Naperville and Bloomingdale.

Duly said in a statement Wednesday that Cannon has not been with the medical group since 2020. A Duly spokesperson declined to answer questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure.

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Patient care and safety are our top priorities, Duly said in the statement. We take any and all allegations of misconduct seriously. Due to the nature of these matters and out of respect for the parties involved, we will not comment further on these legal proceedings.

Attempts to reach Cannon and his attorney were also not immediately successful Wednesday afternoon.

State records show that Cannons medical license isnt due to expire until July of this year, and he has no disciplinary record with the state medical board.

Chicago law firm Hurley McKenna & Mertz is representing the women, five of whom filed their lawsuits Tuesday and Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court. One woman filed a lawsuit in August and another filed in 2020 in Cook County Circuit Court. The lawsuits are related to Cannons work in offices in Wheaton and Bartlett, attorneys said.

The first lawsuit, filed anonymously under the name Jane Doe in 2020, alleges Cannon sexually battered the woman during a medical appointment in 2018.

In the lawsuits filed this week, three of the women, Karin Stortz, Mary McKay and Maryann Bretana, allege that Cannon examined them while he appeared intoxicated, with one incident in March 2019, another in August 2019 and a third in 2017. Stortz and McKay allege that when they went to see Cannon for a routine prenatal checkup, he smelled of alcohol. Bretana alleges he slurred his words and used altered, halting speech during her appointment.

I kind of minimized it, Stortz said during a news conference Wednesday, of her initial reaction to his behavior. She decided to come forward and take action after hearing about the woman who sued Cannon in 2020. I told myself, Youre hormonal, youre pregnant, you have anxiety, just let it go. But the truth is, my gut was right.

Several of the lawsuits allege that Duly had received multiple complaints from patients in 2018 and in January and July of 2019 that Cannon was slurring his words while talking with patients. But Duly, did not address any of these Complaints in any meaningful way until October of 2019, at the earliest. At that time, for reasons that remain unclear to Plaintiff, Dr. Cannon was temporarily placed on leave, the lawsuits allege.

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Another lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff Wednesday alleges that following a visit to Cannon in 2016, Cannon began texting her, seeking a sexual encounter. The patient ultimately met Cannon at a hotel in Schaumburg where the two had sex and Cannon left her hundreds of dollars afterward, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit alleges that Cannon inflicted emotional distress on the patient, and, Given the well-known ethical rules promulgated by (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and given the widely accepted risks posed by physician-patient relationships, VERNON CANNON, M.D., owed a duty to his patients, including JANE DOE, to refrain from engaging in any romantic or sexual relationships.

In another lawsuit filed Tuesday, Elizabeth OLeary said she experienced a stillbirth in 2016, and when Cannon delivered the baby, he didnt say anything to OLeary or her husband or make eye contact with them.

After the stillbirth, VERNON T. CANNON, M.D., did (not) make any effort to discuss the stillbirth, its cause, or potential future complications with either Plaintiff or her husband, the lawsuit alleges. Instead, VERNON T. CANNON, M.D., handed the baby to a nurse, turned around and left the room without any further communication with the Plaintiff or her husband.

The woman alleges his behavior violated standards set forth by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and negligently inflicted emotional distress on her.

In the lawsuit filed last year, Ashly Barrett alleges that Cannon convinced her to undergo a bilateral tubal ligation, a sterilization procedure, on the day of her cesarean section in 2017. But instead of performing a tubal ligation, Cannon allegedly performed a bilateral salpingectomy, which is when both fallopian tubes are removed.

Barrett later sought to have her tubal ligation reversed only to discover that Cannon had performed a bilateral salpingectomy, which cannot be reversed, according to the lawsuit.

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When Barrett asked Cannon, through his staff, why he had done that procedure, she was told that when she consented to one sterilization procedure, she consented to them all, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuits all seek damages exceeding $50,000.
The exterior of the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence.

An incarcerated man being held at the Arizona State Penitentiary Eyman Complex in Florence died Tuesday after being found unresponsive.

George Morando, 46, died at Florence Hospital in Florence after being found unresponsive in his cell with a cloth sheet tied around his neck, according to a statement from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.

Staff attempted life-saving measures on Morando until fire department personnel and paramedics arrived onsite and took him to the hospital while he was unconscious, according to the corrections department.

Morando was pronounced dead later that evening with asphyxiation to the brain as his listed cause of death, according to the department.

An internal criminal investigation was underway. According to ADCRR, inmate deaths are investigated in conjunction with the County Medical Examiner's Office.

Morando was serving a second-degree murder and unlawful imprisonment conviction since 2007, according to the department.

Also on Tuesday, a man being held at Pima County Jail was found dead in his cell. According to the Pima County Sheriff's Office, Yunan Mohammed Altib Tutu, 26, had refused to eat.

Tutu's death is the second one at the county jail in as many months. Robert Tsalabounis, 38, was found unresponsive in his cell on Dec. 16 and later died.

Authorities said neither man showed signs of trauma and there were no suspicious circumstances.

Advocates and criminal-justice experts say discrepancies in reporting and investigating these in-custody deaths make it difficult to know how widespread a problem they are or to address the underlying causes.

The Arizona Republic found that statewide at least once a month, someone dies during an arrest or in a county jail  64 cases between Jan. 1, 2017, and Aug. 4, 2020.

Reporter Angela Cordoba Perez contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Incarcerated man dies after being found unresponsive at Florence prison
By Rupam Jain and Kanupriya Kapoor

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - For the first time in her life, Asha, a street cleaner in the Indian city of Jammu, will be allowed to vote in upcoming local elections. And she's in no doubt who will get her ballot.

Asha plans to reward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for scrapping policies in place for decades that denied her and a million more people in the region of Jammu and Kashmir many of the same rights as other Indians.

"We have faced the humiliation silently, but Modi-ji has changed our lives forever," she said, leaning on her broom. "It's not just me and my children, future generations from our community in Jammu and Kashmir will vote for the BJP."

The Hindu nationalist party is counting on Asha's vote as it pushes to take control of India's part of the Himalayan region that is hotly contested by neighbouring Pakistan and has been governed almost exclusively by Muslim chief ministers.

The BJP hopes the addition of up to a million mostly Hindu voters to the electoral roll, new electoral boundaries, seven more seats in the regional assembly and the reservation of nine for groups likely to back the BJP will give it a fighting chance of becoming the biggest party in the 90-seat legislature.

Reuters has interviewed three dozen federal and state officials, six groups representing disenfranchised residents, and analysed the latest data to lay out for the first time the scale of the BJP's push in Kashmir - and why it may succeed.

A BJP majority would be a seismic shift and even talk of a strong showing underlines how Modi has trampled on old taboos to push his agenda in every corner of the country of 1.4 billion people.

The 72-year-old, who is set to run for a third term in 2024, has combined promises of prosperity and social mobility with a robust Hindu-first agenda to dominate Indian politics.

A BJP victory in the disputed region could consolidate India's claim over the territory on the global stage.

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"We have taken a pledge to cross 50-plus seats to form the next government with a thumping majority," the BJP's president for Jammu and Kashmir, Ravinder Raina, told Reuters. "The next chief minister will be from our party."

For many of Jammu and Kashmir's Muslims, the BJP's policies upending decades of autonomy and privilege represent a dangerous new phase in what they see as a nationwide push to champion the rights of the Hindu majority over minority groups.

GRAPHIC - Bharatiya Janata Partys vote share over time

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/INDIA-KASHMIR/dwpkdaaawvm/graphic.jpg

'ILLEGAL OCCUPATION'

Pakistan has claimed Kashmir since the partition of India in 1947 and the countries have fought two wars over the region, which is also partially claimed by China. Pakistan accuses India of trying to marginalise Muslims there with its policies.

"India is following a strategy to perpetuate its illegal occupation by disenfranchisement of Kashmiris by altering the demographic structure of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir from a Muslim majority to a Hindu-dominated territory," Pakistan's government said in a statement to Reuters.

Jammu and Kashmir is divided in two. Jammu has about 5.3 million inhabitants, 62% of whom are Hindu while Kashmir Valley has 6.7 million, 97% of them Muslim, according to a 2011 census. Estimates from survey officials and senior bureaucrats suggest the population stood at 15.5 million in 2021.

From 1954, the Indian region enjoyed special status under India's constitution.

The shift in the political landscape came in 2019 when the BJP-led parliament in New Delhi revoked this status, which had denied rights to many Hindu communities not considered indigenous to the region.

Since 2020, the BJP has required everyone in Jammu and Kashmir to apply for domicile certificates that allow them to vote in local elections, buy agricultural land and permanent homes, as well as apply for state universities and jobs.

According to the regional government and associations representing six previously disenfranchised groups, just over a million people have the right to vote in local elections for the first time - and 96% are from castes within the Hindu hierarchy.

Out of those people, 698,800 had received domicile certificates as of December, official records seen by Reuters show. Government data showed a further 7,346 retired bureaucrats and army officers had signed up.

Reuters spoke to 36 people who now enjoy full citizenship. All said they would vote for the BJP in assembly elections.

Asha, a Hindu who has gone by a single name since her divorce, said only good had come of the changes.

On the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system, her family had been stuck in menial work since they were invited from Punjab in 1957 to fill in for striking sanitation workers. Now, her two children are studying to become teachers.

"No one will ever understand how it feels when an educated child is told they should sweep the streets," she said.

SPECIAL STATUS

Until the region's special status was revoked, secular left-of-centre parties with Muslim leaders had controlled the local assembly and whoever governed India from New Delhi tended not to dabble in the region's political autonomy.

The assembly, which controls the state budget, spending, employment, education and economic activity, was dissolved and a lieutenant governor appointed to run the region until local elections can be held - which could be as early as this spring.

In anticipation of protests after the move, the authorities imposed a curfew, cut the internet, tightened security and put hundreds of Muslims and other opposition leaders under house arrest for months. They have since been released.

An Islamist militant uprising and public protests against Indian rule has killed thousands of people, mostly in the 1990s when the violence peaked.

Since the special status was revoked, scores more civilians, security personnel and militants have been killed.

Many Muslims have yet to sign up for domicile certificates, wary of the BJP's ultimate aims, although some say they may have to if their refusal leads to problems.

Previously unreported official records show just over 5.3 million certificates had been issued as of September.

The government has not said what will happen to those who don't join the scheme, though they can still vote in local elections using permanent residency cards.

"All these laws like domicile and delimitation (boundary changes) have served only one purpose: that's to change the Muslim majority character of the state," said Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir once allied with the BJP. She was detained without charge in 2019 and released the following year.

GRAPHIC - Outcome of the delimitation commission's report

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/INDIA-KASHMIR/xmvjklllzpr/graphic.jpg

OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

The BJP's Raina said Modi's policies had ended the injustice suffered by tens of thousands who had been living in the region for decades and, in the case of some families, centuries.

A 46-year-old native of Jammu, he said the process was aimed at levelling the playing field rather than securing votes, although that could be a by-product.

"The BJP is not working to dilute the power of the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, but it is our duty to empower every citizen of India. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, they just happen to be Hindus."

The BJP has sought to push home its advantage.

Nine of the 90 seats - six in Kashmir and three in Jammu - are now reserved for marginalised communities for the first time, and they are likely to back the BJP.

The party also launched a door-to-door campaign in 2020 involving hundreds of officials to identify those who would benefit from domicile certificates - and potentially vote for the BJP.

Mohammed Iqbal was one of the officials. The "tehsildar", or executive magistrate and tax collector for the Pulwama region near Srinagar, held educational gatherings in the hilly terrain and organised visits to ensure people signed up.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic the work did not stop. Isolation tents were set up so people could apply for certificates while lockdown restrictions and social distancing rules were in place. Now the process has moved largely online.

"We are under direct instruction from the government to finish the issuance of domicile certificates at a fast pace," Iqbal said.

By early December, about 70% of the 600,000 people in Iqbal's region had received certificates, though only a minority would be gaining new rights, he said.

The BJP has also strengthened its hand thanks to the redrawing of boundaries by a government panel and a new way of allocating assembly seats.

Under the new structure, Hindu-dominated Jammu will get six more seats, taking its representation to 43, while Muslim-dominated Kashmir would increase by one to 47 seats.

Marginalised groups such as Asha's "sweepers" and the West Pakistan Refugees group of Hindus who settled in Jammu and Kashmir after partition, are among those who will gain full citizenship for the first time.

The refugee community alone numbers more than 650,000.

"We now stand eligible to cast our votes and finally enjoy all the fundamental rights. We thank the Modi government for making this a reality," said Labharam Gandhi, president of the association representing West Pakistan refugees.

GRAPHIC - Bharatiya Janata Partys standing in Jammu and Kashmir

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/INDIA-KASHMIR/znpnbzzkkpl/graphic.jpg

(Reporting by Rupam Jain in Jammu and Srinagar, Kanupriya Kapoor in Singapore; Additional reporting by Fayaz Bukhari in Srinagar and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam in Islamabad; Editing by Mike Collett-White and David Clarke)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Lawyers for Tesla shareholders suing the electric vehicle maker's CEO Elon Musk over a misleading tweet are urging a federal judge to reject the billionaire's request to move an upcoming trial to Texas from California.

Musk contends he will be treated unfairly by potential jurors in the San Francisco federal court where the 4-year-old case was filed.

But in a Wednesday filing, the Tesla shareholders' attorneys asserted there aren't any legal grounds to move the upcoming trial that revolves around an Aug. 7, 2018 tweet in which Musk indicated he had lined up financing for a Tesla buyout  a deal that never materialized and resulted in a $40 million settlement with U.S. securities regulators.

The lawyers also argued Musk only has himself to blame for any negative perceptions, largely because of his frequent activity on Twitter, the social media platform that he now owns and runs.

For better or worse, Musk is a celebrity who garners attention from the media around the globe," the shareholders' attorneys wrote in their 19-page opposition to the transfer request. His footprint on Twitter alone is partially to blame for that. If negative attention was all that was required to disqualify a jury pool, Musk would effectively be untriable before a jury given his knack for attracting 'negative coverage."

The filing comes less than a week after Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, asked U.S. District Judge Edward Chen to transfer the case to Texas, the state where Musk moved Tesla's headquarters in 2021 after spending nearly 20 years in its original Silicon Valley home. If the trial isn't transferred, Spiro is pushing for a delay of the start of jury selection, currently scheduled for Tuesday.

The shareholders' attorneys noted that their lawsuit, filed in 2018, would have never been allowed in a Texas federal court at that time because Musk's buyout tweet occurred while Tesla was based in Palo Alto, California. What's more, a list of witnesses includes several former Tesla executives living in California who would be improperly inconvenienced if the trial were moved to Texas.

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Chen has scheduled a hearing for Friday to hear further arguments about Musk's effort to move or delay the trial. The judge already has determined that Musk's buyout tweet was false, leaving it to a jury to decide whether he acted recklessly by posting it and whether it caused financial harm to Tesla shareholders. After adjusting for two stock splits made since 2018, Tesla's shares are now worth nearly six times more than at the time of Musk's tweets about the bogus buyout.

Although Musk for years has been hailed in the San Francisco Bay Area as a technology visionary, Spiro believes his reputation has been badly tarnished throughout the region by negative media coverage since he completed his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October. Since then, Musk has laid off or pushed away more than half of Twitter's workforce, while alienating the services users with policies that critics contend have dismantled the services guardrails against misinformation and hateful content.

The backlash to those actions, which Musk has defended as moves to pare Twitter's losses and protect free-speech rights, increased the chances potential jurors will be biases against him, according to Spiro. Among other factors, Spiro cited the possibility that potential jurors drawn from the San Francisco Bay Area may have been recently laid off at Twitter or may know someone who lost their job after Musk's takeover.

The shareholders' attorneys cited the roughly 200 jury questionnaires that have been turned into Chen to rebut that argument. Only two or three of the potential jurors acknowledged knowing someone who works at Twitter, according to the attorneys.
Read also: Israel to help Ukraine with humanitarian aid, but not arms supplies

The article states that Israel has provided Ukraine with food, medicine, water, and other humanitarian aid, but is yet to offer any significant military support.

Israeli Foreign Minister El Cohen said last week that his government will continue to balance the situation and try to make fewer public statements about the conflict.

Experts suggest that Syria is the reason for this delicate balancing act.

On one hand, Iran provides Russia with drones, but at the same time, Russia has allowed Israel to face Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, said Raffaella A. Del Sarto, a Professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies.

Read also: US, Israel discussing ways to prevent Iran from supplying drones to Russia

Thus, this arrangement could be threatened if Israel helped Ukraine in the war against Russia, so Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team are unlikely to change course.

Theres no change in the Israeli policy vis-a-vis Ukraine, said an Israeli official.

Read also: Russia threatens retaliation if Israel supplies Ukraine with weapons via third parties

Israel will continue to resist global calls for military assistance to Ukraine, even as some countries promote the idea of the Iron Dome air defense system making its way to the war zone.

Del Sarto stated that the Iron Dome would be military aid even if it's a defensive weapon, and Israel doesnt want to upset Russia.

Read also: Russia reportedly asked Israel not to hold up transfer of equipment from Syria to Ukraine

At the same time, the article claims that inaction on the military front remains an awkward decision for Jerusalem, especially considering that Iran is transferring drones to Russia, which are then used to attack Ukraines civilian infrastructure.

Once those Iranian drones started showing up in Ukraine, it became pretty alarming for them (Israeli officials), said Nicole M. Ford, a political science and international studies professor at the University of Tampa.

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Furthermore, the report says U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss Iran-related issues with Israeli officials during their next trips to Jerusalem. However, it is unclear whether they will seek to persuade the new government to increase support for Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraines ambassador to the U.S. explains how Western notions of Ukraine have changed over course of full-scale

Experts believe that Israel would support Ukraine more if Washington stopped criticizing Israeli ongoing abuses against the Palestinians. But the Biden administration has pledged to denounce Israeli human rights abuses.

Read also: Incoming Israeli foreign minister signals Russian detente

Earlier, The Times of Israel reported that the cabinet of the newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated a change in policy towards Ukraine.

According to Walla News journalist Barak Ravid, Cohen hinted that he wouldnt publicly denounce Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, the minister promised to continue humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Annabel Lee gave birth at home twice. Annabel Lee

Annabel Lee gave birth to two children in her home in Oxfordshire, UK, with two midwives.

The first time around, a home birth wasn't planned; the second time was a bit more complicated.

Lee found the births rewarding and recommends lots of towels for those who want to do the same.

My first home birth was unplanned because my labor progressed quickly, and I didn't want to drive to the birthing center in the middle of it. Despite not being my plan, I was open-minded about home birth after learning about the role the environment has on labor. While you can't control what happens when you give birth, I liked the idea of at least being familiar with the environment I would be in. With my second child, I opted for a home birth, but it was a bit more complicated.

In the UK, only 2% of pregnant people gave birth at home in 2020, according to the Office of National Statistics, and it's often seen as unconventional. After giving birth to my two children in the comfort of my own home, I learned home birth might not be right for everyone, but for low-risk pregnancies, it can be a good option to consider.

For me, giving birth at home was wonderful but slightly chaotic

When I was pregnant for the first time in 2016, I met a few of my local community midwives in Oxfordshire and discussed home birth with them. I decided I would drive 30 minutes to my nearest midwife-led birthing center because it was my first baby, and I wanted to be cautious.

But when my labor got started and progressed quickly, I realized sitting down anywhere, especially in a car, would be unbearable. I was having strong contractions that I found a lot more painful when I was sitting or lying down.

When we called the midwife and explained the situation, she offered to come over, assess where I was in labor, and discuss the options. After she arrived and told me I was nearly fully dilated, I realized I'd rather stay at home than travel to the birthing center.

Because the decision to have a home birth was made late, the midwife wasn't there for long before the baby arrived. Once I was nearly ready, she called a colleague so there were two midwives in case the baby or I needed help.

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Even though it was unplanned, my first experience of home birth was wonderful. For most of my labor, I relied on distractions like watching my favorite shows, listening to music, and using a TENS machine, which delivers electrical impulses to stimulate nerves, to help calm me. I'd recommend saving a series or movie you really want to watch for early labor. For me, "Game of Thrones" was a great distraction.

Even on such short notice, I was able to create a nice environment that was helpful for labor. At points, it did feel a little chaotic in my house. There were people coming and going and making sure the right equipment was where it was needed.

After the success of my first, I got pregnant with my second baby in 2019 and decided to do another home birth. I knew what to expect and how to prepare, but the birth itself wasn't as straightforward. My labor took longer, and I needed more help from the midwives. My baby got stuck briefly, and I thought I needed more medical help than my midwives would've been able to offer me in my own home. Luckily, I didn't, but if I had needed more assistance, I would have quickly been taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Despite some complications, both experiences were still positive. They taught me that while you can have a plan, birth is uncontrollable, and no two experiences are the same.

If you want to have a home birth, too, then be ready for the mess

It's true  towels are essential if you're having a baby at home. We used every single one in our house, including the beach towels. The second time around, I bought some in dark colors. Blankets or dressing gowns were also useful for keeping me and the baby warm.

Lots of people worry about the mess of home birth. It can definitely be messy, but hopefully your birth partner will manage most of the cleaning up. My midwives also brought waterproof, absorbent sheets that are useful to put on the floor, and I recommend stocking up on puppy training pads or waterproof sheets. Just be prepared for the laundry pile to get bigger.

Beyond the need for towels, I also recommend packing a hospital bag in case you need to transfer. I overpacked my hospital bag with various changes of clothes and toiletries  none of which I needed in the end, but it felt good to be prepared. You should pack a separate bag with anything that might help you during labor, including drinks and snacks.

You don't necessarily need a birthing pool

I didn't have a birthing pool either time. I tried getting into the bathtub, but it wasn't helpful for me. This might be important for you, and you can rent or buy one if you want, but you can also use the bath or shower at home.

I gave birth on the floor both times. Many think home births are in the tub or in your bed, but if you're having an active labor, like me, you might end up anywhere in your house.

Afterward, you get to be at home with your new baby

After both my babies were born, I got straight into bed while they were checked and measured. My midwives stayed for an hour or so after birth to check if we were both OK. If I needed any extra help afterward, they would have arranged to take us to the hospital for additional care.

After they left, I was amazed that I had become a parent to a new child, without even leaving the house. I felt warm and cozy and was able to relax into the newborn bubble without any distractions. I was also exhausted, so knowing that I didn't need to interact with anyone except the new baby or deal with any admin was a huge relief.

I had everything I needed: my own bed, a cup of tea, and my new babies.

Read the original article on Insider
I love to pick up delicious foods like Park Street Deli's street-corn dip and Kirkwood's chicken fillets. Matthew Lesky

I've worked at Aldi for four years, so I've narrowed down the best items to pick up from the chain.

The Winking Owl wine and Park Street Deli's street-corn dip shouldn't be overlooked.

Kirkwood's breaded chicken breast and Barissimo's coffee creamers are staples in my house.

Barissimo's mocha iced coffee is delicious.

Barissimo's iced coffee gives me the caffeine boost I need. Matthew Lesky

There are a lot of contenders in the world of sweet premade iced coffee, but Barissimo's mocha iced coffee takes the cake, in my book.

Personally, and ironically, I like caffeine but not the coffee flavor. The Barissimo iced coffee checks all the boxes: sweet, chocolaty, caffeinated, and, most importantly, a dirt-cheap price when compared with its Starbucks competitor on the shelf above it.

You can grab a carton for $3.

The Specially Selected brioche buns make any sandwich classier.

These brioche buns upgrade any sandwich. Matthew Lesky

Brioche buns seem to cost a pretty penny no matter where you get them, but at Aldi, they tend to run at least $2 to $3 cheaper than at other stores.

The Specially Selected buns are big enough for even the largest burgers, durable enough to support sauces and spreads, and subtly sweet enough to add flavor to a sandwich.

You can pick up a pack of six buns for $4.

The Specially Selected pita chips have the right amount of crunch.

The Specially Selected pita chips come in a variety of flavors. Matthew Lesky

I love eating dips and I've tested a lot of different vessels, like tortilla chips, bagel chips, and pretzel crisps. But by far, my favorite have to be the Specially Selected pita chips, particularly the sea-salt flavor.

They're the perfect size, texture, saltiness, and crunch for delivering your favorite dips, or just for snacking in general.

You can pick up a bag for $4.40.

Park Street Deli's street-corn dip is tasty and perfect for snacking.

Park Street Deli's street-corn dip has just the right amount of spice for me. Matthew Lesky

Park Street Deli's street-corn dip made waves with its debut a few years back.

If you're a fan of truly spicy elote, this might be a bit of a bust for you, and I'd recommend adding chili powder or Tajin to spice it up.

For my Midwestern taste buds, it's just spicy enough, and I'm always tempted to eat a whole container by myself. I recommend pairing it with the Specially Selected pita chips.

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Grab a container for $3.30.

Barissimo's coffee creamers are morning-time staples.

Barissimo's creamers come in flavors like caramel macchiato and Italian sweet cream. Matthew Lesky

Because I like my coffee sweet, all flavors of the Barissimo refrigerated coffee creamer are staples in both my extended family's home and my own place.

Any flavor can be a hit, but I'm a fan of the vanilla sweet cream. Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal peppermint varieties, too.

Additionally, Aldi offers sugar-free versions that don't skimp on flavor, which I'm told are some of the best in the business.

Each creamer costs $2.65.

The LiveGfree gluten-free white bread is a great buy.

Customers seem to love the gluten-free products at Aldi. Matthew Lesky

I'm not someone who needs gluten-free bread, but let me tell you, in my time at Aldi, there's not a more-consistent seller than a loaf from LiveGfree.

Customers always tell me how much they adore the bread, which comes in both white and wheat flavors, along with the rest of our gluten-free options. The brand seems to have avoided the flavorless, coarse-textured pitfalls that gluten-free bread sometimes falls victim to.

Pick up a loaf for $6.50.

Burman's ketchup seems to compete with top-rated competitors.

I don't think many customers can tell the difference between Burman's ketchup and other brands. Matthew Lesky

When it comes to ketchup, brand loyalty is important because everyone thinks they have a favorite that's clearly different from other versions.

But at Aldi, and on TikTok promoting the store's products, I have found most people can't tell the difference between Burman's ketchup and top competitors like Heinz and Kraft.

At a significantly lower price point, it makes dollars and sense to go with the product from Aldi. Burman's ketchup costs $1.75.

Winking Owl wine is a tried-and-true favorite.

The most tried-and-true wine that Aldi carries is the Winking Owl brand. Matthew Lesky

If I had to crown a top Aldi product, it might be the Winking Owl wine. Aldi's domestic and international wines continually beat out more-expensive bottles, topping the charts and winning awards for flavor.

Winking Owl offers a bottle of almost every type of grape, and the dirt-cheap price will make you do a double take.

I've made my self-professed wine-snob friends taste test Winking Owl, and they always swear it tastes more like a $20 bottle than a $3 bottle. I've even seen customers buy whole cases to cater weddings. If Aldi can't sell wine in your state, it might be time for a road trip.

Each bottle is only $3.

Choceur's peanut-butter cups are perfectly sweet.

Aldi's bagged peanut-butter cups are the be-all and end-all for guilty-pleasure snacking. Matthew Lesky

If you have a sweet tooth like me, Choceur's peanut-butter cups are it. They're perfectly bite-size with a creamy center, to the point where the satisfaction I get from the peanut butter bursting in my mouth should be studied.

To me, Choceur's candy is light-years ahead of Reese's. Plus, they're already unwrapped in the bag, just waiting to be devoured and regretted later.

Each bag retails for $4.

Kirkwood's chicken is one of my holy grails.

Kirkwood's chicken is a staple in my freezer. Matthew Lesky

Kirkwood's "red bag" chicken might be what people refer to as a holy-grail product at Aldi. The thick-cut, breaded, and juicy chicken-breast portions instantly class up any sandwich.

Think of a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich but better because you can eat it on Sundays, too.

They're not precooked, but when they're ready to serve, they don't taste like they were frozen chicken breasts. These went out of stock for a few months a couple of years ago, and if I had a dollar for every customer that asked when they were returning, I could've retired from Aldi for good.

You can grab a bag of breaded chicken fillets for $8.

Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Insider
Father-and-son owners of Jacksonville construction businesses are facing federal prison time for dodging about $5.6 million in payroll taxes their companies owed, largely for wages of immigrants working illegally.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Raul Solis to 33 months behind bars and Raul Solis-Martinez to 21 months after the pair pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and employ immigrants who werent allowed to hold jobs.

The men owned and operated Solis Brothers Company LLC and Duval Framing LLC, both companies that other businesses subcontracted for work on building projects.

Plea agreements the men reached last year said they knew a lot of their employees couldnt work legally in the United States.

They made some payments in cash that was off the books and paid the rest in checks that understated workers real wages and led to less money being spent on Social Security and Medicare contributions that workers and employers both pay into through payroll taxes.

About $22.2 million from the companies payroll went unreported to the IRS between 2014 and 2019, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release after the sentencing this week.

This father and son criminal team profited financially by perpetrating fraud against the United States and private industry, while taking advantage of the countrys workforce, K. Jim Phillips, assistant special agent in charge of homeland security investigations at the Jacksonville office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The cash payments also helped the companies lower their premiums for workers compensation insurance and contracted payroll services that businesses pay for based on their payroll.

In this instance, greed drove the defendants to cheat their competitors and steal from both their employees and the American public, Ronald A. Loecker, acting IRS special agent in charge of criminal investigations in the Tampa area, said in a statement. He said the sentencing demonstrates that you cant expect integrity and loyalty from an employer who would do anything for money.

Story continues

Solis, 52, founded Solis Brothers in 2006 and had entrusted his son, now 33, to work on tasks including payroll since 2014, according to court records.

The men had faced a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Payroll fraud with illegal crews puts Jacksonville builders in prison
Shubham Chandra, returning home to New York from Cancun, Mexico, takes an anonymous COVID tests for study purposes after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Jan. 4, 2023. Chandra knows how dangerous the coronavirus can be: He lost his father during the pandemic. So when he cleared customs and saw people offering anonymous COVID-19 testing, he was happy to volunteer. (Shelby Lum / AP)

Medical experts say the new COVID-19 mutation dubbed kraken is the most contagious subvariant of the virus to emerge since the pandemic began  and its becoming the dominant strain in the United States.

As cases of this latest subvariant, known as XBB.1.5, surge across the northeastern section of the nation, local physicians are urging Chicago-area residents to get their booster shots and stock up on COVID tests. They are predicting that a wave will soon hit the Midwest.

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While the so-called kraken subvariant only accounts for about 7% of cases in Chicago, the citys top doctor forecast that its prevalence will likely be increasing here in the coming weeks.

We are seeing the emergence of more infectious omicron subvariants and XBB.1.5.  It is the most contagious of COVID yet, said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, during a Facebook Live session earlier this week. Given prior experience, I expect that this  will probably be getting into the Midwest and Chicago over the next few weeks, and we probably will see an increase in cases.

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The Biden administration on Wednesday extended the COVID-19 public health emergency another 90 days, amid the spread of this highly infectious subvariant; the White House has renewed the COVID emergency declaration every 90 days since January 2020.

Arwady explained that XBB.1.5 is a fusion of two existing subvariants of the omicron variant of the virus. The name kraken was coined by a Canadian biology professor, reportedly named after a sea monster from Scandinavian folklore.

I would be the most worried if we had a new variant of concern, meaning a new letter of the Greek alphabet, Arwady said.

Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health, speaks on COVID-19 on Nov. 22, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

While the substrain doesnt appear to make individuals sicker than other forms of omicron, it does seem to be more transmissible, she said.

Cases of XBB.1.5 spiked following the holidays, primarily in Northeastern states, where the CDC estimates the substrain accounts for more than 70% of all COVID cases.

It went from 4% of sequences to 40% in just a few weeks, said Dr. Ashish Jha, White House COVID-19 response coordinator, on Twitter last week. Thats a stunning increase.

But he added that all evidence suggests that COVID tests work to detect the latest subvariant and that COVID treatments like Paxlovid and molnupiravir should work fine based on what we know.

This comes as the nation faces a tripledemic this winter season, as rising rates of flu, RSV and COVID collide at the same time.

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But Dr. Elizabeth McNally, director of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Center for Genetic Medicine, had a generally optimistic outlook about the COVID landscape, noting that things look much better this year than they did last year at this same time.

In early January 2022, Illinois saw record highs in COVID cases and hospitalizations; four of the states 11 health care regions had a half-dozen or fewer ICU beds available at the time.

The situation is far less dire this year. Chicago remains at medium community levels of COVID, though the western section of Illinois  including the Quincy area and Springfield  have reached high levels, according to the CDC. Chicago most recently reported an average of 349 new cases a day, down from 405 the previous week, and hospitalizations are down slightly from an average of 29 last week to 27 this week, according to city data.

I dont think we need to be pressing the panic button since case numbers over the last 14 days have been only modestly up or steady, McNally said. Its true we each may know people who got COVID recently, but many of these people had only mild cold symptoms.

She explained that the XBB.1.5 subvariant has many differences in its spike protein and other parts of the virus compared with other versions of COVID, which can render some antibodies less effective at neutralizing it.

But she added that there is still a good deal of immunity across the U.S., so that is why many people have only mild symptoms.

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For more vulnerable populations like older Americans and individuals with reduced immunity, she recommended taking greater precautions such as masking when in large crowds or around other people in tight, indoor settings.

Last month, officials in New York and Los Angeles strongly recommended residents wear masks indoors. Chicago officials have said they will issue a mask advisory if the city reaches high levels of COVID, though residents can always opt to wear masks on their own.

Both Arwady and McNally urged Chicago residents to get the bivalent booster shot, which provides best protection against serious illness and hospitalization. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month authorized the update booster for children as young as 6 months.

Yet uptake of bivalent booster shots has remained low nationwide, with a little more than 15% of Americans over the age of 5 and about 38% of those aged 65 and older having received an updated booster dose, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Arwady noted that Chicago residents who were unvaccinated have been nearly three times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID as those who were up to date on vaccines and booster shots.

If you got your original vaccines, thats wonderful, she said. But if you havent had a COVID vaccine since Labor Day, you are not up to date and you dont have the best protection against omicron, and you should come up to date.

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Arwady encouraged residents to order free at-home COVID tests from the federal government at covid.gov/tests. She also offered tips on making indoor air circulation safer during gatherings, from cracking open windows to installing air filtration systems to turning on exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and leaving them on an hour after guests leave.

Bringing fresh air into your home helps, even if its only a few minutes every hour, she said.

eleventis@chicagotribune.com
The unusual weather in Atlanta last month had a negative effect on Patchwork City Farms and their crops.

TV personality and urban farmer Jamila Norman has shared that 90% of her Patchwork City Farms was decimated due to a winter storm hitting Atlanta.

The host of the Magnolia Networks Homegrown on HBO Max took to her social media accounts on Wednesday to share the devastating news with her followers. The polar storm that came through Atlanta has decimated 90% of Patchwork City Farms crops, the post reads. Because of this, we will not be at Market, and the online Farm shop will be closed for a while.

Pictured: Jamila Norman

Screenshot via YouTube: Homegrown  Official Trailer | Magnolia Network

The post also details that while they are, absolutely devastated, they are, currently working overtime with our team to replant crops and could use your help to get the Farm back up and running.

Patchwork City Farms is an independently owned urban farm right in Atlanta, per the official website. With a focus on Certified Naturally Grown produce that is safe and nutritious, the farm consists of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.

Most of the United States was hit with abnormally arctic temperatures that descended during the holiday season last month, theGrio previously reported. The weather was so dangerously cold last month that Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for the area.

The end of the post contains ways that people can help Patchwork City Farms rebuild and get back to normal, including donating here, and commenting and sharing the post across social media platforms.

Every little bit counts, and we really appreciate you, the caption concludes. Thank you so much for supporting Patchwork City Farms!

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Jamila Norman of Homegrown reveals her farm was decimated after Atlanta winter storm appeared first on TheGrio.
By Steve Scherer and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Japan will send a delegation to meet with Canadian battery and mining companies early this year, while Canada is planning a trade mission to Japan later in October, the leaders of both countries announced on Thursday after meeting in Ottawa.

As this year's host of the Group of Seven (G7), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida came to Canada to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before continuing onto Washington, where he will sit down with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.

"This spring, we're... looking forward to hosting an important business delegation from Japan," Trudeau said. "They're planning to be meeting with Canadian battery and mining companies and potential partners."

The two leaders hosted a lunch meeting with Canadian business leaders where "they highlighted the growing and exciting business potential between the two countries," according to a statement from Trudeau's office.

Canada has been seeking to woo foreign investment the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, in particular in mining and processing its abundant critical minerals used in EV batteries, especially for countries who want to reduce their dependence on China for those materials.

Earlier in the day, Kishida said that Japan is looking to Canada to "play a major role, as a resource-rich country" on energy.

Japan's Mitsubishi Corp, through a subsidiary, owns a 15% stake in the LNG Canada joint venture led by Shell, which Trudeau said was the "largest private investment in Canada." The liquefied natural gas terminal is being built in British Columbia to supply Canadian natural gas to Asia.

The two leaders agreed that "China is a central challenge," Kishida said during the news conference, and both reiterated their support for the dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

To counter China's influence in the region and increase its own strategic sway, Canada launched an Indo-Pacific strategy in November.

Story continues

Kishida welcomed Canada's diplomatic pivot toward Asia and its efforts to deepen ties with a fast-growing Indo-Pacific region of 40 countries accounting for almost C$47 trillion ($35.2 trillion) in economic activity.

"The two leaders discussed their concerns about China's actions in the region and agreed on the importance of a coordinated approach to security in the Indo-Pacific," Trudeau's office said in a statement.

($1 = 1.3360 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and Ismail Shakil in OttawaEditing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is looking to Canada to help his country wean itself off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

Kishida is in Ottawa Thursday for his first visit as Japans head of government, as part of a tour of other Group of Seven countries.

Japan holds the G-7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the worlds richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to coordinate with other states on economic management and punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida arrived late Wednesday in Ottawa from London, and is expected to head to Washington, D.C. later Thursday.

The visit comes during a time of geopolitical alignment between Japan and Canada, both of which have recently singled out China as a threat to stability in the region.

Kishidas arrival marks the first visit to Canada by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance Beijings influence.

A new Japanese defense strategy unveiled last month included working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and made it legal for Japan to conduct military strikes against enemy bases. Tokyo is boosting its military spending by 26% in just one year.

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade with each others markets. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada has increased its exports of pork and oil to Japan, while it has brought in more imports of Japanese machinery and auto parts.

Trade is booming between our two countries, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a Thursday lunch he hosted for Kishida and corporate executives.

We share a vision for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.

Story continues

Kishida told guests that liquefied natural gas will play a crucial role in Japans energy transition, and that Canadas looming LNG export terminal is one example of multiple ways Ottawa can help.

On science, technology and innovation, (digital transformation) and startups, I am very keen to further strengthen co-operation between industry, government and academia in both countries, Kishida told participants in Japanese, through an English interpreter.

Nuclear power will also play a key role, and we look forward to working together to make the nuclear supply chain more resilient.

The Canadian government will lead a trade delegation to Japan this fall, Trudeau said, and Japanese companies interested in mining and electric-vehicle battery components aim to visit Canada in the spring.
The new head of House Democrats said Thursday that the fate of embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is for GOP leaders to resolve.

Santos, a Long Island freshman, has come under fire for a host of scandals swirling around his campaign. Revelations that hed fabricated large parts of his resume and questions about his campaign funding are leading to calls for his resignation or expulsion from Congress.

But Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the House minority leader, said any disciplinary measures are the responsibility of GOP leaders  not Democrats  to institute.

Hes a complete and total fraud. [He] lied to the voters of the 3rd Congressional District in New York, deceived and connived his way into Congress, and its now the responsibility of House Republicans to do something about it, Jeffries told reporters in the Capitol.

Jeffries noted that officials in Albany, as well as in Queens and in Nassau County, have launched investigations into Santos, while the Brazilian government has reopened a probe into charges that Santos had written back checks there years ago.

Separately, a pair of Democrats this week urged the House Ethics Committee to open its own investigation into Santoss alleged misdeeds  an idea thats already won the endorsement of top House Republicans.

I was well-aware of their decision to do so, Jeffries said. But any matters before the Ethics Committee are before the Ethics Committee, and should be resolved by members of the Ethics Committee.

Jeffries, as minority leader, has certain tools at his disposal to force votes on measures to discipline Santos. But he said its not the responsibility of Democrats to bail out Republicans.

This is not a partisan issue, but it is an issue that Republicans need to handle, he said. Clean up your house. You can start with George Santos.

The decision by Democratic leaders to keep their distance from the Santos saga has a practical component, since the minority Democrats no longer control the floor or the committees. But they also have a political reason to steer clear, as Santos has been an embarrassing distraction for Republicans just as theyre taking control of the House  and could continue to be so for as long as he remains in his seat.

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Santos was part of the red wave that hit New York during the November midterms, picking up the Nassau County seat vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D), who retired, and helping Republicans win a slight House majority in the new Congress. In the process Santos made history, becoming the first openly gay Republican to win a House seat without the advantage of incumbency.

Yet Santos has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks following a New York Times investigation that raised questions about the accuracy of the life history he had boasted on the campaign trail. Santos had, at various times, told voters that hed graduated Baruch College; worked with Citigroup and Goldman Sachs; and managed a small, family-based real estate empire.

Santos has since acknowledged that none of those claims are true, though he has remained defiant in vowing to continue to serve in Congress.

The pressure on Santos to step down increased dramatically on Wednesday, when GOP leaders in both Albany and Nassau County called for his resignation  a plea Santos quickly rejected.

At least four sitting House Republicans  New York Reps. Anthony DEsposito, Nick Langworthy, Nick LaLota and Brandon Williams  have also called for Santos to resign.

Yet GOP leaders have rallied behind Santos, saying he earned his seat when New York voters sent him to Washington.

I try to stick by the Constitution. The voters elected him to serve. If there is a concern, and he has to go through the Ethics, let him move through that, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Wednesday.

He will continue to serve.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jill Biden walks out of the White House ahead of her surgery on Jan. 11, 2023. Susan Walsh / AP

First lady Jill Biden underwent surgery Wednesday to remove cancerous lesions above her right eye and on her chest.

In a White House memo, Kevin O'Connor, the physician to the president, said all cancerous tissue was successfully removed during the procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. An additional lesion on her left eyelid was also excised and is being examined.

"As anticipated, the First Lady is experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but is in good spirits and is feeling well," O'Connor wrote. "She will return to the White House later today."

The procedure, commonly known as Mohs surgery, confirmed that a small lesion above the first lady's right eye, as well as a lesion on the left side of her chest, were basal cell carcinomas, a common type of skin cancer. O'Connor said both lesions were completely excised and the margins were "clear of any residual skin cancer cells."

Basal cell carcinomas typically don't spread like other more serious types of skin cancers, the physician said.

The lesion above Biden's right eye was found during a routine skin cancer screening, the White House said last week. The additional lesion on her chest was identified during her preoperative consultation.
Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson headline the highly-anticipated movie version of Judy Blume's teen classic, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. (Photo: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

Judy Blume has waited over 50 years to see her 1970 teen novel, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret get the big-screen treatment. And to say she's pleased with the result would be an understatement. Appearing on Today to introduce the first trailer for the movie version  which premieres in theaters on April 28  the bestselling author couldn't hold back her enthusiasm.

"I love the movie," Blume raved. "How many authors of the book can say, 'I think that movie is better than the book'?"

Watch the first trailer for Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret below:

Blume also revealed that there was a strong possibility that her beloved book would never get the Hollywood treatment. "I said to my agent, 'Margaret is off the table; I'm not selling Margaret," she recalled. But then she received a letter from writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig that changed her stance. "[She wrote] a remarkable and passionate and funny, intimate letter," Blume said. "She was very persuasive."

It helped that the author had seen and "really liked" Craig's debut feature, The Edge of Seventeen, an acclaimed 2016 coming-of-age story starring Hailee Steinfeld that had its own Blume vibes. While that movie is set in the present day, the trailer for Margaret confirms that the film will keep the novel's 1970s setting as it depicts the title character's first brush with puberty. Newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson plays Margaret, while Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie portray her parents, who are clearly unprepared for the whirl of teen hormones about to descend on their house.

From l to r: McAdams, Benny Safdie and Fortson in Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. (Photo: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

The trailer also makes it clear that Craig will keep the realism of Blume's book intact, dealing honestly with Margaret's fears  and hopes  as her body changes. Upon its initial publication in 1970, Are You There, God? became one of the first books aimed at young adults to directly address female menstruation and other signs of puberty. Blume went on to write about teen life with similar honesty in subsequent books like Then Again, Maybe I Won't and Forever..., the latter of which is being made into a Netflix series.

Story continues

But that honesty didn't please all readers. In the 1980s, Blume's YA books were pulled from library shelves among waves of conservative-led book banning campaigns. And the author remarked on Today that those campaigns are now back with a vengeance. "[They think] if my kid doesn't read about it, it's never going to happen," Blume said. "Today, it's even worse. ... Book banning is back in a huge way, and a really frightening and destructive way, because it's become uber-political."

Fortunately, Blume's book has multiple generations of fans who are guaranteed to show up for the movie version, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive Twitter reactions to the trailer.

This adaption of Judy Blumes brilliant Are you there God? Its me, Margaret looks a treat!https://t.co/wbSmIVleTK  Jared Laurie (@JaredLaurie) January 12, 2023

The "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." trailer looks so good and I am so happy.  Kelly Lawler (@klawls) January 12, 2023

Are You There God? Its Me Margaret by Judy Judy was one of my favorite books growing up. https://t.co/xePO2FPsY7  Indigo Toussaint (@IndigoSolTribe) January 12, 2023

Are You There God, Its Me Margaret? looks so fucking good, Judy Blume on the big screen by way of Kelly Fremon Craig is a dream come true  Grace Carbone (@ODguitar) January 12, 2023

Judy Blume was on @TODAYshow for the new Are you There God, its Me Margaret movie and no one asked the hard questions-

did she update it to be about tampons instead of those 60s belt maxi pads? Bc that confused me even in the 80s.  Wendi Freeman (@DFWendi) January 12, 2023

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret premieres April 28 in theaters.
The airline just added flights to Curacao from a major hub.

Tim Drivas/Getty Images

JetBlue is making it even easier to get to the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao with the launch of additional flights from a major hub.

Starting April 6, JetBlue will be adding two more flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), the Curacao Tourist Board announced recently in a press release.

Currently, JetBlues JFK to Curacao schedule includes flights three days a week but will be increased to five days a week with flights departing JFK at 8:00 a.m. and arriving in Curacao (CUR) at 1:25 p.m. Travelers returning to JFK will depart Curacao at 2:25 p.m. and land at 6:29 p.m.

2022 was a record-breaking year. As of November, total US arrivals exceeded our goals, achieving 152 percent of our target visitors out of the US market and we are confident this upcoming year will continue on that path," the press release read, noting that the tourism board is projecting a significant, 20% increase in visitors.

The boom of visitors to the destination is thought to be due to recent openings, rebranding, and renovations of several properties in Curacao including Sandals Royal Curacao, Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton, and Kunuku Aqua Resort.

Since opening last summer, Sandals Royal Curacao has celebrated many milestones including new arrival records for the island, while enjoying record occupancy throughout the past six months, Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International told Travel + Leisure.

The addition of airlift into the island speaks volumes as it relates to a growing interest in this most captivating corner of the Dutch Caribbean, and Sandals Royal Curacao is proud to play a part in inviting international travelers from around the globe who will be inspired to return again and again," he said.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Jan. 11An El Paso County man accused of strangling a teenage escort and burying her in the backyard of his parents' farm on top of a rotting horse carcass will plead not guilty to the charges next month, his attorney said Wednesday.

Joel Hollendorfer was scheduled to enter a plea this week, but defense attorney Jennifer Cox asked for a continuance to allow for more time on Hollendorfer's speedy trial clock, which is a defendant's right to a trial within six months of entering a plea.

Cox indicated that she expected the judge to set Hollendorfer's trial for June. Hollendorfer is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in the death of 19-year-old Kara Nichols, who was reported missing in October 2012.

The case went cold for nearly 10 years until detectives reinterviewed Hollendorfer's ex-wife, who had initially been uncooperative with the investigation. Hollendorfer told his ex-wife that he accidently killed an escort and buried her body at his family's farm near Black Forest, according to testimony presented at Hollendorfer's preliminary hearing.

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Nichols' remains were later found on the property.

Hollendorfer is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 8, and he is being held at the El Paso County jail without bond.
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP)  Fifth-seeded Daria Kasatkina has defeated No. 12 Petra Kvitova to reach the semifinals of the Adelaide International. Kasatkina won 6-3, 7-6 (5) on Thursday over the two-time former Wimbledon champion.

Paula Badosa also advanced and will face Kasatkina after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-6 (5), 7-5. Badosa is seeded No. 9.

Kasatkina has won two of three previous matches against Badosa.

Kasatkina said she was satisfied with her victory  and her first "win over Kvitova. They met on clay in 2018 with Kvitova winning 6-4. 6-0.

I'm really happy with my performance, Kasatkina said, the way I was able to keep my focus in the tiebreak."" ___

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
kathleen-turner-chandler-friends-transgender-parent.jpg

The beloved, iconic sitcom Friends dominated viewer ratings during its 10-year run from 1994-2004, but certain aspects of the show havent aged as well in modern times.

One aspect comes down to the portrayal of main character Chandler Bings father. Depicted on the show as a drag queen named Helena Handbasket who performs in Las Vegas, co-creator Marta Kauffman later confirmed the character was actually transgender and expressed regret as to how they handled Helenas misgendering.

Ive learned a lot in the last 20 years, Kauffman told the Los Angeles Times in regard to the shows lack of diversity. Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. Its painful looking at yourself in the mirror. Im embarrassed I didnt know better 25 years ago.

Kathleen Turner, the actress who took on the role, acknowledged ways in which the show hasnt aged well and told Gay Times in 2018, It was a 30-minute sitcom. It became a phenomenon, but no one ever took it seriously as a social comment.

Despite the show playing host to one of the first on-air lesbian couples, many believe that was more to appease the male audience because, at the time, lesbians were viewed as borderline cool and unique. With that in mind, homophobia and transphobia remain among the main issues modern-day watchers of the show call it out for.

In regard to accepting the role of Chandlers trans parent, Turner said, How they approached me with it, was would you like to be the first woman playing a man playing a woman? I said yes, because there werent many drag/trans people on television at the time.

Turner recently discussed the role with The Guardian, where she said, There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen  it was never considered. It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone.

When asked if shed take the role again if offered today, she said, Probably not. But I certainly dont regret having taken it. It was a challenge!

Story continues

She also previously told Andy Cohen the same thing on Watch What Happens Live, saying she wouldnt do it because there would be real people able to do it.

RELATED | Finding Prince Charming's Robert Sepulveda Spews Blatant Transphobia
Guitarist Jeff Beck performs at the Louisiana Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans on April 29, 2011. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

NEW YORK  Jeff Beck, a guitar virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of blues, jazz and rock n roll, influencing generations of shredders along the way and becoming known as the guitar players guitar player, has died. He was 78.

Beck died Tuesday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, his representatives said in a statement released Wednesday. The location was not immediately known.

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Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player  there will never be another Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, guitarist for Black Sabbath wrote on Twitter.

Kiss Paul Stanley called Beck one of the all-time guitar masters: Play on now and forever, he tweeted, while Stanleys bandmate Gene Simmons added: No one played guitar like Jeff Beck.

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Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera. He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

Jeff Beck is the best guitar player on the planet, Joe Perry, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, told The New York Times in 2010. He is head, hands and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two.

Beck was among the rock-guitarist pantheon from the late 60s that included Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. Beck won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice  once with the Yardbirds in 1992 and again as a solo artist in 2009. He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazines list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Jeff could channel music from the ethereal, Page tweeted Wednesday.

Beck played guitar with vocalists as varied as Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Joss Stone, Imelda May, Cyndi Lauper, Wynonna Judd, Buddy Guy and Johnny Depp. He made two records with Rod Stewart  1968s Truth and 1969s Beck-Ola  and one with a 64-piece orchestra, Emotion & Commotion.

I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you dont have too much of it. Its got to be in balance. I just saw Cirque du Soleil, and it struck me as complete organized chaos, he told Guitar World in 2014. If I could turn that into music, its not far away from what my ultimate goal would be, which is to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.

Beck career highlights include joining with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice to create the power trio that released Beck, Bogert and Appice in 1973, tours with Brian Wilson and Buddy Guy and a tribute album to the late guitarist Les Paul, Rock n Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul).

Geoffrey Arnold Beck was born in Surrey, England, and attended Wimbledon Art College. His father was an accountant, and his mother worked in a chocolate factory. As a boy, he built his first instrument, using a cigar box, a picture frame for the neck and string from a radio-controlled toy airplane.

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He was in a few bands  including Nightshift and The Tridents  before joining the Yardbirds in 1965, replacing Clapton but only a year later giving way to Page. During his tenure, the band created the memorable singles Heart Full of Soul, Im a Man and Shapes of Things.

Becks first hit single was 1967s instrumental Becks Bolero, which featured future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and future Who drummer Keith Moon. The Jeff Beck Group  with Stewart singing  was later booked to play the 1969 Woodstock music festival but their appearance was canceled. Beck later said there was unrest in the band.

I could see the end of the tunnel, he told Rolling Stone in 2010.

Beck was friends with Hendrix and they performed together. Before Hendrix, most rock guitar players concentrated on a similar style and technical vocabulary. Hendrix blew that apart.

He came along and reset all of the rules in one evening, Beck told Guitar World.

Beck teamed up with legendary producer George Martin  a.k.a. the fifth Beatle  to help him fashion the genre-melding, jazz-fusion classic Blow by Blow (1975) and Wired (1976). He teamed up with Seal on the Hendrix tribute Stone Free, created a jazz-fusion group led by synthesizer player Jan Hammer and honored rockabilly guitarist Cliff Gallup with the album Crazy Legs. He put out Loud Hailer in 2016.

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Becks guitar work can be heard on the soundtracks of such films as Stomp the Yard, Shallow Hal, Casino, Honeymoon in Vegas, Twins, Observe and Report and Little Big League. Beck recently completed a tour supporting his album with Depp, 18.

Becks career never hit the commercial highs of Clapton. A perfectionist, he preferred to make critically well-received instrumental records and left the limelight for long stretches, enjoying his time restoring vintage automobiles. He and Clapton had a tense relationship early on but became friends in later life and toured together.

Why did the two wait some four decades to tour together?

Because we were all trying to be big bananas, Beck told Rolling Stone in 2010. Except I didnt have the luxury of the hit songs Erics got.

Beck is survived by his wife, Sandra.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday endorsed Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) in her bid to run for the U.S. Senate in 2024.

Porter became the first candidate to throw her hat in the ring for the seat currently held by 89-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has said she will announce a decision on whether she will pursue another term at the appropriate time. Porter told CNN she hasnt had the opportunity to chat with Feinstein about her bid.

Warren said the progressive California Democrat was her student in consumer law at Harvard Law School, adding that the two have known each other long before any of them ran for Congress.

Shes smart and she has a backbone made out of steel, Warren said in a video posted on Twitter. She stands up to Wall Street and Big Pharma. She holds fossil fuel companies accountable.

Even as a young student in my consumer law class, @KatiePorterOC showed a deep-down commitment to making a difference in peoples lives. Since then, shes taken on Wall Street and giant corporations that cheat families. She delivers. And Im very happy to endorse her for Senate. pic.twitter.com/XU8TAHXMAu  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 12, 2023

Warren also made reference to Porters use of a whiteboard during congressional hearings to grill powerful people on Capitol Hill, which has earned her viral clips on social media.

We need her and her whiteboard in the United States Senate, Warren said.

Warrens endorsement marks Porters first big show of support ahead of what is shaping up to be a tough race.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has reportedly told colleagues she is planning to run, while Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is also thought to be mulling joining the race.

Porter held out on endorsing Warren in her run for president for several months as now-Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Porter also considers a mentor, was in the race. But the California Democrat ultimately served as a co-chair for Warrens 2020 presidential campaign.

Related...
[Source]

Before you read:

Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom star Ke Huy Quan wants to return as Short Round in a spin-off.

On Tuesday, the Golden Globe-winning actor joined host Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. During their hour-long conversation, Quan revisited fond memories of filming the Steven Spielberg-directed Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom.

In the iconic 1984 adventure film, Quan made his film debut at the age of 12 as Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) sidekick Short Round, who has a notable comedic role and saves Jones' life multiple times.

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The entire experience was amazing, the Vietnamese American actor, who is now 51, began. I have nothing but fond memories of that shoot and that is also one of the reasons why I love acting so much.

Being on the set with Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas is incredible, Quan continued. To this day, I love these 3 men.

Horowitz then asked if Quan would be willing to return to the role.

More from NextShark: K-pop boy group BLANK2Y drop fiery sophomore EP K2Y II: PASSION [FUEGO]

Short Round Disney Plus show. How is this going to happen? Are you in? Where is Short Round today?, the podcast host asked.

Amidst his laughter, Quan confessed, I love the character Short Round. He is so awesome, Hes funny. Hes courageous. He saves Indys ass.

If Disney or Lucasfilm ever come[s] to me and say, You know, we want to do a Short Round spin-off or challenge, Im there, man, the actor confirmed.

More from NextShark: Actor Regina Ting Chen joins Netflix's Stranger Things for Season 4

It would just be incredible to revisit that character many years later.

Story continues

Quan also spoke about how his acting career slowed into a hiatus as the roles got smaller and opportunities got fewer.

It was a gradual decline, the actor stated. I would wait for another year before I would get another opportunity to audition. Forget about getting a job.

More from NextShark: These are the top 10 K-drama actors of 2022, according to S. Koreans

What was painful for me was  my family, Quan revealed with tears in his eyes.

After auditioning and getting rejected for an Asian role with just two lines, Quan decided it was time to step away from the world of acting.

I was just wasting my time, the actor stated.

However, upon receiving the script for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Quan described his initial reaction as elated.

It was a script that I waited to read for a long long time, he expressed. When they offered me the role, I could not believe it. It was like beyond anything that I could have ever imagined.

See the full interview below:

Related stories:
FREEHOLD - A Keansburg man has been found guilty of possessing large caches of child sexual abuse material, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Thursday.

Jose Gabe Veras, 34, was convicted of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for the possession of more than 1,000 items of child sexual abuse material, Santiago said, for crimes that took place on different dates between July 2019 and February 2020.

The investigation  led by the Monmouth County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force  began with a tip that was received through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, according to the news release. Veras had used a cloud-storage application to store child sexual abuse material on various electronics in his home.

Veras was arrested without incident in February 2020, at his home on Manning Place in Keansburg, said Santiago. He was indicted in October 2021 and tried before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. OMalley starting earlier this month.

Pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for May 19, Veras remains in the Monmouth County jail, the announcement said. He will face a term of up to 10 years in prison.

Similar case:Jackson man had more than 500 images of child porn, prosecutor says

Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Keansburg NJ man found guilty of child porn possession
EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Harts Die Hart series is being refashioned as a movie for Prime Video.

The satirical action-comedy, starring Hart, John Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel, Josh Hartnett, and Jean Reno, will launch worldwide on February 24 and screen in select cinemas in South Africa via distributor Empire.

More from Deadline

The movie is a condensed version of the Hartbeat-produced series which follows Ride Along and Fatherhood star Hart playing a fictionalized version of himself, as he sets out to pivot away from being pigeon-holed as a comedy wingman to being taken seriously as an action movie star. Kevin Hart attends action hero school run by Ron Wilcox, played by Travolta, where he attempts to learn the ropes on how to become one of the industrys most coveted action stars.

The original 10-episode series launched on Quibi in the U.S. back in 2020. Roku picked up those rights when it acquired Quibi assets and the streamer is now in production on series Die Hart 2: Die Harter, which will also star John Cena, Ben Schwartz and Paula Pell.

The reimagined movie for Amazon is also directed by series director Eric Appel (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and written by series writer Derek Kolstad (John Wick: Chapter 1, 2 & 3).

We truly love this movie and cant wait to share it with our customers, said Chris Mansolillo, Director, Content Acquisition, Prime Video. Kevin Hart is one of the worlds most talented entertainers and were so pleased to work with him and Hartbeat to be the exclusive home for this brilliant film.

We are excited to team up with Prime Video, to share with viewers a new Die Hart experience through its release as a feature length film, said Jeff Clanagan, Hartbeats Chief Distribution Officer and Die Hart producer. Die Hart has become a powerhouse franchise for Hartbeat and an incredible crowd pleaser that unites audiences around the world through laughter. We are thrilled to partner with Prime Video and Empire to bring Die Hart the movie to both audiences at home worldwide and cinema goers in South Africa, furthering its growing impact on a global stage.

Story continues

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Click here to read the full article.
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

When Tennessee legislators passed a tough third-grade reading law during their 2021 special session on education, they didnt seek the input of many educators.

But theyre hearing a lot of feedback now, as the laws stricter retention policy kicks in with this years class of third graders. Educators are warning about the potential for thousands of students to be held back because of low reading scores, along with a slew of logistical challenges created by the law.

Revisiting the controversial third-grade reading law is expected to top the list of education priorities heading into this years 113th General Assembly, beginning Tuesday in Nashville.

Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Bill Lee will unveil details of his legislative agenda and proposed budget several weeks after being sworn in for his second term on Jan. 21.

Outside of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville , Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Last year, no education issue seemed too big or small for the GOP-controlled legislature to take up  from passing Lees sweeping rewrite of the states K-12 funding formula to authorizing teachers to confiscate students cellphones if theyre deemed a distraction in class. Lawmakers also asserted state power over several matters traditionally handled at the local or school level, including which books are OK for libraries and how to resolve a dispute between two cities over school properties.

This year, the GOP may flex its supermajority power again on socially divisive issues, including one bill that seeks to limit health treatment for transgender youth.

But whether charter school advocates will try again to pass charter-friendly legislation is still uncertain after several Republican-sponsored proposals sputtered last year and the fallout over charter applications linked to Michigans Hillsdale College galvanized supporters of traditional public schools.

As for the Democrats, their minority status limits their influence over legislation. But expect them to hammer their messaging around themes of restoring local control over education and the potential fiscal effects of expanding Tennessees charter school sector and private school voucher programs.

Story continues

Here are five things to watch for as the General Assembly convenes:

Expect a quieter year from Lees administration

During his first term, the governor spent significant political capital to pass major education laws  launching a private school voucher program, creating a powerful state commission to oversee charter school growth, expanding vocational education options for middle and high school students, and replacing the states 30-year-old resource-based funding formula with a student-centered one called Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA.

Last fall, Lee suggested the dizzying pace would continue, with a campaign pledge to teachers and parents that he would make the most of the next four years.

Representatives stand and applaud during the swearing in of House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, during the General Assembly, at Tennessee state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

But legislative leaders working closely with his administration say this years education focus will be to execute whats already passed  not introduce new major initiatives.

Weve done a lot, and I think its going to be a quieter year on education, said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, who carries bills on the governors behalf.

Specifically, he said, Lee wants to monitor this years rollout of the funding formula and third-grade retention policy. We may need some tweaks and improvements on those but, in terms of any new broad initiatives, I dont anticipate anything from the administration, Johnson told Chalkbeat.

Lee pledged more money for K-12 education

When Lee pressed last year for an education funding overhaul, he pledged an additional $1 billion annually for students if TISA passed, beginning with the budget that takes effect this July 1. With state revenues continuing to exceed expenses, the expectation is that hell make good on that promise.

On other budgetary matters, Lee has said he wants to continue upping teacher pay. Hell also likely set aside money so the all-volunteer state textbook commission can hire staff to manage a new library book appeals process authorized by the legislature in 2022. And hes expected to propose more funding for the state agency for childrens services, which is severely understaffed and short of beds for abused, neglected, or foster children who are taken into state custody.

Meanwhile, the legislature will review ways to continue tapping state or federal dollars for perennial educational wants, from more social services for schools to expanded access to pre-kindergarten and early child care.

Lawmakers will revisit third-grade retention policy

Vowing to stop the cycle of letting students who cant read move up to the next grade, Lee pressed for the new third-grade reading law, which tightens state retention policies that generally havent been enforced under a 2011 law.

The 2021 law made it more likely that schools will hold back students who arent considered proficient in reading by the end of third grade, based on the results of annual state tests this spring. It also authorized new summer school and after-school tutoring programs that can help struggling third graders avoid being held back.

But with only a third of Tennessee third graders projected to test proficient in reading, educators insist that state test results dont tell the full story about a students reading ability. They want more local input that takes into account the results of periodic benchmark tests administered throughout the year.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, who is the speaker of the state Senate, during the start of the 113th Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

This is the No. 1 concern Im hearing across the state with superintendents, school boards, and parents, said House Education Committee Chairman Mark White, who says hes open to adding benchmark test results into the calculations. We cannot ignore it.

Expect other legislative proposals to try to improve the quality of education before third grade, especially to support literacy.

Rep. Scott Cepicky, for instance, is looking at raising the minimum age to begin kindergarten. Currently, Tennessee law requires children entering kindergarten to be at least 5 years old on or before Aug. 15 of the school year theyre entering.

His proposal is based on a recent analysis by the state comptrollers office, which found that Tennessee students who were older at kindergarten enrollment performed better on third-grade literacy tests than their peers.

School voucher program could expand

After overcoming a string of court challenges, private school vouchers became available this school year in Memphis and Nashville. Now Sen. Todd Gardenhire is looking to expand the pilot program to Hamilton County, where he lives.

The Chattanooga Republican had voted against education savings accounts in 2019, but said hes changed his mind since the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the controversial law last spring. Hes also frustrated that Hamilton County Schools has abandoned a $20 million school improvement plan for its lowest-performing schools.

Gardenhire filed his bill last month and recruited White to co-sponsor the measure in the House.

Meanwhile, the law continues to face legal challenges. Metro Nashville and Shelby County governments gave notice last month that theyll appeal a lower courts dismissal of their remaining legal claims to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

The state comptrollers first report on the programs efficacy isnt due until Jan. 1, 2026.

Efforts to attract and keep teachers grow

Both state and national data suggest that teacher shortages are limited to certain districts, schools, and subjects, not an across-the-board problem. But with the churn of educators and school staff worsening during the pandemic, expect several new proposals to try to strengthen teacher pipelines beyond Tennessees existing grow-your-own programs, as well as to support those already in classrooms.

The Tennessee School Boards Association is urging the legislature to incentivize potential teacher candidates by reimbursing those who pass the Praxis exam, which measures knowledge and skills needed to be a teacher. The test generally costs about $120. (The State Board of Education is also considering dropping EdTPA, another licensing test required currently of about 900 job-embedded candidates, who make up about a third of the states teacher pipeline.)

Cepicky and Sen. Joey Hensley have filed a bill to provide teachers with $500 annually to pay for classroom supplies, instead of the current $200, so that theyre not counting on charity or personal funds to cover those costs.

But for many districts, an even bigger staffing issue is hiring enough support staff.

South of Nashville, Williamson County Schools has only three-fourths of the school bus drivers needed by the suburban district and is also understaffed for teacher aides for special education students.

Every little tool you can give us in our toolbox, if it can fill one or two spots, its worth it, Superintendent Jason Golden told his local legislative delegation during a weekend workshop.

Were looking at it, responded Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican. We know its a big issue.

To find legislators, track bills, and livestream legislative business, visit the Tennessee General Assembly website.

Marta Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Key education issues to watch as Tennessee lawmakers return
Emergency crews work to clean up the largest U.S. crude oil spill in nearly a decade, following the leak at the Keystone pipeline operated by TC Energy in rural Washington County, Kansas, U.S., December 9, 2022. REUTERS/Drone Base

TC Energys (TRP.TO)(TRP) Keystone crude oil pipeline may be unsaleable in 2023 after its 14,000-barrel spill last year. Thats according to a RBC Capital Markets analyst calling for management to double or triple the size of the company's plan to sell off billions in assets this year.

On Monday, the Calgary-based energy and infrastructure firm said its too early to estimate the cost of the Dec. 7 pipeline rupture, as clean-up efforts continue in Kansas. While the 622,000 barrel-per-day artery resumed service in late December, RBCs Robert Kwan says the incident could put Keystone out of the picture as TC Energy looks to sell $5 billion in assets.

We wonder if the Keystone spill will effectively render that asset as unsaleable in 2023, he wrote in a note to clients on Wednesday. Instead, we turn our attention to selling a 49 per cent stake in NGTL (the Nova Gas Transmission Line).

Speaking at TC Energys investor day in December, chief executive officer Francois Poirier said there are no sacred cows when it comes to shedding assets to bankroll growth and pay down debt in 2023.

While the company is best-known for its Keystone oil pipeline system, a Canada-U.S. artery that grabbed headlines for an expansion project that ultimately failed, natural gas distribution is a larger part of TC Energys business.

Kwan says selling a 49 per cent non-controlling stake in NGTL could be worth $12 billion. According to TC Energy, the 24,494 km line connects most of the natural gas production in western Canada to domestic and export markets.

We think the time has come to go big and leave no doubt, and based on our discussions with investors, we believe this may be a path to share price outperformance in 2023, he wrote. We believe an asset monetization program in the $10 to $15 billion range could provide numerous benefits to the company.

Toronto-listed TC Energy shares added 1.51 per cent on Thursday to 56.64 at 12:29 p.m. ET. The stock has fallen about 10 per cent in the past 12 months, bucking the trend as Canadian energy stocks benefited from higher commodity prices in 2022.

Story continues

Kwan maintains an outperform rating on TC Energys stock, with a $73 per share price target.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
At Barberellas in White Center, theres a sign on the counter that reads, cash is king.

Its kind of the old-school way of barber shops, said barber Heather Peterman.

They take cards but prefer cash, which avoids processing fees.

We have a lot of older clients that come in here, and a lot of them dont like to use a card; they use cash, Peterman said.

Other businesses are moving away from cash.

Sports stadiums made the switch because of COVID.

Some small businesses go cashless, hoping to prevent robberies.

But Metropolitan King County Council member Jeanne Kohl-Welles says no-cash policies leave some people out.

Many people in low-income, marginalized communities do not have credit cards, Kohl-Welles said.

An FDIC survey found two percent of people in Washington are unbanked.

Kohl-Welles wants to require businesses in unincorporated King County to accept cash on purchases of up to $250.

Everybody should have access to the economy. Everybody should be able to buy a quart of milk or a loaf of bread or some kind of service, Kohl-Welles said.

This requirement on cash is silly, and it creates a civil penalty. You can sue somebody if they dont accept cash, said King County councilmember Reagan Dunn, who spoke against the proposal on the Jason Rantz Show on AM 770 KTTH.

It just doesnt make any sense. Its a woke sort of policy being pushed forward on some equitable principle, Dunn said. Progress in the future is cashless, sorry folks.

Kohl-Welles proposal is now in a council committee.
By Jarrett Renshaw

(Reuters) - Here is a timeline of what has been disclosed about the classified documents that ended up in a temporary office used by President Joe Biden and at his home in Wilmington, Delaware:

2017

Biden begins working periodically at the Penn Biden Center, a nonprofit think tank in Washington run by the University of Pennsylvania

NOV. 2, 2022

Biden attorneys discover a "small number" of records inside the office at the think tank. They inform the U.S. National Archives of their discovery, turn over the materials, and begin cooperating with the Archives and the Justice Department.

NOV. 9, 2022

The FBI begins an investigation to determine whether classified information was mishandled and whether any federal laws were broken.

NOV. 14, 2022

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland assigns John Lausch, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to the investigation and asks him to determine whether a special counsel is warranted.

DEC. 20, 2022

Bidens personal counsel informs the Department of Justice that additional documents with classification markings were found in the presidents private library, attached to his garage at his home in Wilmington.

JAN. 5, 2023

Lausch briefs Garland on the investigation and recommends the appointment of a special counsel.

JAN. 9, 2023

The White House discloses publicly that it discovered classified documents at Biden's temporary office at the University of Pennsylvania and says it is cooperating with investigators.

JAN. 12, 2023

Bidens personal counsel informs the Justice Department that a document with classification markings was discovered in the presidents home in Wilmington.

Garland appoints Robert Hur, the former Trump-era U.S. attorney for the district of Maryland, as special counsel. (This story has been corrected to change the description of the number of classified records at Biden's campus office to "small number" in paragraph 3)

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Scott Malone and Howard Goller)
[Source]

Despite initial demands for Japanese reparations, South Korea has proposed a plan to compensate Koreans who were victims of forced labor during World War II via a domestic fund.

The plan on was introduced on Thursday in a public hearing by Seouls Foreign Ministry. The announcement was derided by victims and their legal representatives, who demanded the original 2018 agreement must be maintained.

In 2018, South Koreas Supreme Court upheld the lower courts 2013 ruling on Korean victim reparations from Japanese companies responsible. These companies were identified as Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Nippon Steel was ordered to pay 100 million won (approximately $88,000 at the time) in compensation to each of the four victims, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was ordered to pay a maximum of 150 million won (approximately $133,510 at the time) to each of the 28 victims or their families. The lawsuit carried through despite the 1965 Korea-Japan Normalization Treaty  which established normal diplomatic relations and $800 million for reparations  as victims maintained the right to damages suits for forced labor.

In 2020, Nippon Steel attempted an appeal of the ruling to prevent the seizure of their assets but was unsuccessful. South Korean courts began liquidizing seized assets of the companies a year later to begin compensation.

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In addition to monetary compensation, victims have also demanded official apologies from the Japanese companies responsible.

The compensation addresses the forced labor and enslavement of approximately 780,000 Koreans during the violent Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 until the end of WWII.

However, the compensation solely addresses victims of forced labor, not other crimes such as the sexual enslavement of comfort women.

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The news of South Korean compensation and reparations comes as officials attempt to repair relations with Tokyo in light of North Korean aggression.

Story continues

During the National Assembly public hearing, South Korean Foreign Ministry official Seo Min-jung justified the introduced plan by pointing out that the governments priority is to compensate the forced labor victims as soon as possible. With the event taking place a century ago, a majority of victims have died or are in their 90s.

Further, Seo claimed full compensation from the responsible Japanese companies would not be possible due to a lack of assets, as Japanese economic activity has been declining in South Korea.

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Adding to the victims frustrations, Seo declared it impossible for Japanese companies to issue a formal apology regarding the event. Instead, the minister emphasized the importance of "accept[ing] the tone of apology expressed in the past and move on," KBS News reports.

The domestic fund would come from the Seoul-based Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, which would be funded by South Korean firms that have a history of Japanese economic assistance.

Sim Gyu-sun, the foundation's chairman, agreed with Seos perspective on Japanese compensation, stating, the victims who have been fighting for a long time know this is impossible.

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In response, Lim Jae-Sung  the victims' legal representative since 2018  argued the South Korean government was ignoring the victims voices for their personal agendas.

The South Korean governments plan is to use the money by South Korean companies like POSCO to remove the rights of the victims, Lim stated. Japan does not take on any responsibilities or burdens.

We demand an apology from Japan, the lawyer continued. Even if we make a joint fund, we should have 50% of Japans financial resources.

His reaction to the South Korean officials plan was supported by the victims, who displayed clear opposition by yelling at the panelists during the hearing. The victims also stated these decisions should require multiple public discussions rather than sudden declarations made by government officials.

Further, Lim revealed ongoing similar cases against Japanese companies could result in a total compensation amount of over 15 billion won (approximately $12.1 billion). The lawyer questioned if Korean companies would be required to pay this complete settlement originally required from Japan.

Lee Won-duk, professor of the Department of Japanese Studies at Kookmin University, compared the current issue with that of the 2015 Comfort Women Agreement, which continues to stand despite the victims wishes.

If the consent of the victims is not premised, if Japanese companies do not participate, or if the victims refuse to receive the (compensation money) paid by the foundation, a complete solution is impossible, Lee argued.

Park Hong-gyu, professor of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University, stated in agreement: The government has tried speaking for the victims against Japan. Its no longer about persuading Japan, but a place to persuade domestic victims.

Both professors were met with strong disagreement from victims and the hearing's audience, who shouted traitor at the professors and requested that they stop speaking.

Protestors also took a stand against the South Korean officials plan.

This money is not the main issue. We need an apology from Japan, a representative strongly stated.

Is this all our ancestors blood is worth? another protestor asked the panelists of the public hearing.

Related stories:
First lady Jill Biden walks out of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, as she and President Joe Biden prepare to board Marine One. Jill Biden is having surgery to remove a small lesion found above her right eye during a routine skin cancer screening. (Susan Walsh/AP)

WASHINGTON  Surgeons removed a cancerous lesion above first lady Jill Bidens right eye and one on her chest, the White House said Wednesday, while a third lesion on her left eyelid was being examined.

Dr. Kevin OConnor, the physician to President Joe Biden, said examinations showed that the lesion over Jill Bidens right eye and one newly discovered on her chest were both confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. The lesion on her left eyelid was fully excised, with margins, and was sent for standard microscopic examination, according to OConnors report.

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Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, but also the most curable form. Its considered highly treatable, especially when caught early. It is a slow-growing cancer that usually is confined to the surface of skin  doctors almost always can remove it all with a shallow incision  and seldom causes serious complications or becomes life-threatening.

The Bidens spent the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where the 71-year-old first lady underwent a common outpatient procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove and examine the lesions. After nearly nine hours at the hospital, the president returned to the White House solo; the first lady was expected to follow later in the evening.

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OConnor said she was experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but was in good spirits and is feeling well.

Basal cell carcinoma is so common there arent good counts. The American Cancer Society lumps them in with another easily treated type called squamous cell cancers. About 3.3 million Americans get one of those two types each year and the vast majority are basal cell, according to the organization.

The first ladys office announced a week ago, through a Jan. 4 memo from OConnor, that doctors had discovered the lesion above her right eye during a recent routine skin cancer screening. The lesions removed from her chest and left eyelid were discovered on Wednesday.

The Mohs surgery involves cutting away thin layers of skin and examining each layer for signs of cancer. Doctors keep removing and examining layers of skin until there are no signs of cancer.

Doctors recommended removing the lesion from above Jill Bidens right eye in an abundance of caution, OConnor wrote in the memo.

The Skin Cancer Foundation said the delicate skin around the eyes is especially vulnerable to damage from the suns ultraviolet rays. Sun exposure is the main risk for basal cell carcinoma.

Jill Biden had the procedure the morning after she and the president returned from Mexico City, where he held two days of talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, and she kept a separate schedule of meetings with women, children and her counterparts from both countries.

Biden accompanied the first lady to the hospital, as he has done for some of her past medical appointments since he became president.

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Today is about his wife, that is the focus for the president right now, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about Bidens activities at the hospital while doctors cared for the first lady. This is about the president supporting his wife of 45 years.

Biden accompanied his wife to an outpatient center near the campus of George Washington University in April 2021 for a medical procedure the White House described only as common.

He also went with her to Walter Reed in July 2021 for outpatient treatment after she punctured her left foot while walking on a beach in Hawaii. She had stopped there on her way back to Washington from the Tokyo Olympics.

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard and AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Last year was the world's joint fifth-warmest on record and the last nine years were the nine warmest since pre-industrial times, putting the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5C in serious jeopardy, U.S. scientists said on Thursday.

Last year tied with 2015 as the fifth-warmest year since record-keeping began in 1880, NASA said. That was despite the presence of the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean, which generally lowers global temperatures slightly.

The world's average global temperature is now 1.1C to 1.2C higher than in pre-industrial times.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Thursday it had ranked 2022 as the sixth warmest since 1880. European Union scientists this week said 2022 was the fifth warmest year in their records.

Climate assessments produce slightly different rankings depending on the data sources used and the way records account for minor data alterations over time, for example, a weather station being moved to a new location.

NASA said temperatures were increasing by more than 0.2C per decade, putting the world on track to blow past the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5C to avoid its most devastating consequences.

"At the rate that we're going, it's not going to take more than two decades to get us to that. And the only way that we're not going to do that is if we stop putting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere," said Gavin Schmidt, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Schmidt said he expected 2023 to be slightly warmer than 2022, due to a weaker La Nina cooling phenomenon.

"The global mean temperature will be even higher in 10 years from now," said ETH Zurich climate scientist Sonia Seneviratne, adding that unless countries stopped burning CO2-emitting fossil fuels temperatures would continue to climb.

WEATHER EXTREMES

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The changing climate fuelled weather extremes across the planet in 2022. Europe suffered its hottest summer on record, while in Pakistan floods killed 1,700 people and wrecked infrastructure, drought ravaged crops in Uganda and wildfires ripped through Mediterranean countries.

Despite most of the world's major emitters pledging to eventually slash their net emissions to zero, global CO2 emissions continue to rise.

Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere last year reached levels not experienced on earth for 3 million years, Schmidt said.

At this year's COP28 climate conference, countries will formally assess their progress towards the Paris Agreement's 1.5C goal - and the far faster emissions cuts needed to meet it.

COP28 host the United Arab Emirates on Thursday appointed the head of its state-owned oil company as president of the conference, sparking concerns among campaigners and scientists about the fossil fuel industry's influence in the talks.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Alex Richardson)
City Hall is reflected on windows near the entrance to the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters in downtown L.A. (Nick Agro / For The Times)

To the editor: Kudos to The Times for this important investigation about private donations to a foundation that supports the Los Angeles Police Department.

As an L.A. taxpayer, I don't necessarily have a problem with philanthropic foundations raising money to support law enforcement. But there does seem to be something unseemly about a police chief giving special access to wealthy donors. And, naming rights for LAPD facilities seems odd at best.

The police department is not a political organization, nor are the chief and other department leaders politicians. The LAPD it is a public organization funded by millions of taxpayers and billions of taxpayer dollars.

Reading The Times' investigation, I got the strong sense that there was something covert going on, especially given the reluctance of the foundation to be transparent about who participates and who may get special access to LAPD officials. So, from the perspective of a non-wealthy taxpayer, the philanthropic efforts do not seem to meet the smell test.

It doesn't necessarily stink to high heavens, but there is a need for more transparency from both the LAPD and the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Further, it does seem that citizens can properly fund our police department without a scenario in which wealthy individuals and organizations obtain special access to the LAPD.

Loren Mark, Eagle Rock

.,.

To the editor: Investigative reporting is a wonderful and valuable service to help us all understand what is going on in areas to which we have low exposure. Thus, I found the article on funding for the Los Angeles Police Foundation so interesting.

Based on the headline, I expected some nefarious activity that would buy favoritism for a select few. But I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this foundation is doing some really valuable work helping the Los Angeles community at large.

The support for the LAPD in areas of technology and training is terrific. The foundation appears to provide a valuable support system without inserting itself into community policing politics.

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Dudley Johnson, Costa Mesa

..

To the editor: Many years ago, when Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker was the top cop for the Los Angeles Police Department in the San Fernando Valley, a few of his friends wanted to raise money to buy Thanksgiving turkeys for our region's police officers.

Mark thanked us, but told us it would be inappropriate to raise money from the public for the police, much as he appreciated the idea.

My, how times have changed.

Marty Cooper, Encino

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, has called for the provision of long-range ATACMS missiles and Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Source: Landsbergis on Twitter; European Pravda

Quote: "Putin is betting on more delays. He must lose that bet. Ukraine has more than earned our support and respect. It's time to send ATACMS missiles and unleash the Leopards," Landsbergis wrote. .

Putin is betting on more delays. He must lose that bet. Ukraine has more than earned our support and respect. It's time to send ATACMS  and unleash the Leopards   Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) January 11, 2023

Background:

Earlier, the media reported that Ukraine has asked the USA to hand over ATACMS long-range missile systems with the condition of agreeing on the targets that will be hit by these missiles.

Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia would consider the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine to be a step tantamount to the USA joining the war.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Editors note: Deadlines Read the Screenplay series debuts and celebrates the scripts of films that will factor in this years movie awards races.

For his acclaimed Sony Pictures Classics drama Living starring Golden Globe winner Bill Nighy, director Oliver Hermanus adapted Ikiru, the classic 1952 film from Akira Kurosawa.

More from Deadline

Hermanus has explained over various stops at Deadlines festival studios that the project started with a script by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro (Never Let Me Go), which was written as a vehicle for Nighy. Pic tells the story of the veteran civil servant Mr. Williams, who finds himself an impotent cog within Londons bureaucracy as the city struggles to rebuild following World War II. Buried under paperwork at the office and lonely at home, his life has long felt empty and meaningless. Then, a shattering medical diagnosis forces him to take stock  and to try and grasp fulfillment before it goes beyond reach.

When Nighy was approached for the project, he gravitated quickly to the idea of playing the quiet, decent man at its center. Theres a challenge there, but also [in playing] someone who was institutionalized in grief and lossand in this extreme situation that the film puts him in, and also just the whole institution that he works in, which is a kind of monument to procrastination, the actor told Deadline in a virtual appearance at Sundance. Because of what happens to him, he has a short amount of time to bring some kind of meaning to a life thats been spent avoiding stuff.

Hermanus notes that he had to meet with the films writer and pass the Ishiguro test before landing the opportunity to direct the pic. He and its producer Stephen Woolley were suchbig [fans] of the original film, he remembers, that they were being very particular about who they were going to choose to direct.

Story continues

After coming aboard to helm the feature about finding meaning in ones final days, Harmanus would be challenged grappling with the logistics of filming for the first time outside his native South Africa. I was also immersing myself in a world which was very, very period, so from a creative point of view, this was quite a big bite for me, said Hermanus. But I think that I loved it and it was wonderful, and I sort of thrived in being out of my comfort zone in basically every way.

World premiering at Sundance 2022 before going on to play Venice, Telluride and Toronto, Living today landed Nighy his first solo nomination from the SAG Awards. Woolley was joined as a producer on the pic by Elizabeth Karlsen, with Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp and Tom Burke amongst those rounding out the cast.

Ishiguros script will contend for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, having also been recognized with a nom at the British Independent Film Awards.

Click below to read it.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Leaders of the far-right Proud Boys loyal to then-President Donald Trump mounted a sophisticated effort to stop the transfer of power to then-President-elect Joe Biden that culminated in an organized push to breach the Capitol, prosecutors argued Thursday.

Proud Boys chair Enrique Tarrio and four allies took cues from Trumps refusal to cede the election to Biden and inspiration from his debate-stage call for the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough said. He urged jurors to convict the five men of seditious conspiracy  a plot to use force to prevent Biden from taking office.

These lords of war joined together to stop the transfer of presidential power, McCullough said during opening arguments, citing the Proud Boys own description of themselves sent in messages prior to Jan. 6, 2021.

The trial is the most significant to emerge from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Though prosecutors had already won a conviction in a separate seditious conspiracy trial against Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the far-right Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys have long been seen as more central to the Capitol attack.

Prosecutors have theorized that the Proud Boys developed a plan to violently stop the transfer of power at any cost, and used tactics they had honed over the years to influence the pro-Trump crowd  normies, as the Proud Boys described them  to overtake police at crucial points around the Capitol. They also helped remove some of the barriers that allowed the mob to advance closer to the building.

Members of the group marched on the Capitol well before Trump finished addressing a rally that morning and were present at nearly every significant breach of police lines. Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boy from New York who is on trial alongside Tarrio, was the first to breach the building, when he smashed two Capitol windows with a stolen police riot shield.

Their presence at these breach points was no accident, McCullough contended. The group, under Tarrios leadership, had formed a new fighting force  dubbed the Ministry of Self Defense. That group took additional inspiration from Trumps Dec. 19, 2020, tweet urging supporters to descend on Washington for a wild protest against the election results. Proud Boys, prosecutors said, took that tweet as a call to action.

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These men did not stand back. They did not stand by. They mobilized, McCullough said.

During pretrial arguments, defense attorneys contended that prosecutors have overstated the groups role in the Capitol attack and criminalized their political support for Trump. While members of the group were present at the Capitol, they argued, it wasnt part of a broader conspiracy to prevent the incoming Biden administration from assuming power.

Tarrios attorney, Sabino Jauregui, laid the blame for the violence at the Capitol squarely at Trumps feet, calling his client a scapegoat.

President Trump told these people the election was stolen, Jauregui said. Trump told them to go there on January 6th. And it was Trump in his speech on January 6th that unleashed this mob over there to the Capitol. But hes not on trial here today.

Trump will be a looming presence in the background of the trial. The House Jan. 6 select committees report underscored his influence on the group, while some of the former presidents closest allies  like longtime confidant Roger Stone  maintained relationships with Tarrio and other key leaders. The panels report showed that Tarrios co-defendants Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs maintained contact with pro-Trump figures like Alex Jones and his InfoWars associate Owen Shroyer in the days leading up to Jan. 6.

Prosecutors portrayed Tarrio as the mastermind of the group, masterful at shielding his men from scrutiny while quietly turning them from a notorious drinking club that clashed on the streets with antifa into a more organized and militarized group.

Enrique Tarrio believed that a Biden presidency was a threat to the Proud Boys existence, McCullough said.

Alongside Tarrio and Pezzola in court were Nordean, of Seattle; Biggs, a Floridian; and Zachary Rehl, of Pennsylvania  three of the Proud Boys prosecutors say led the attack.

Nordean led the group on the ground, prosecutors say, while Tarrio  who wasnt in Washington because of a court order to stay out of the city  kept in touch from a Baltimore hotel.

President Trump was still speaking at 12:45 when Ethan Nordean mustered the men, McCullough said, noting that Nordean appeared to have a specific plan in place.

Prosecutors also introduced jurors to North Carolinas Jeremy Bertino, who has pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and is expected to be a crucial witness in the trial. Bertino previously testified to the Jan. 6 select committee. And they referenced Charles Donohoe, also of North Carolina, who was charged alongside the five men until he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct Congress Jan. 6 session. Both men, McCullough said, played key roles instigating the mob attack on the Capitol and directing movements at key breach points.

Prosecutors noted that within minutes of the attack, Tarrio texted allies taking credit for the attack, prosecutors noted. Make no mistake, Tarrio wrote, we did this.

Others sent similar celebratory remarks. Im proud as fuck at what we accomplished yesterday, Rehl texted associates.

Attorneys for other Proud Boys contended that prosecutors overstated their case and that there was no grand plan within the group to storm the Capitol. Cooperating witnesses told prosecutors there was no predetermined plan to attack or breach the Capitol building.

Over and over and over and over the government has been told by witnesses, there was no plan for January 6th, said Nicholas Smith, Nordeans attorney.

He highlighted statements from the governments cooperating witnesses underscoring the point.

We did not ever pre-plan any attack or breach of the Capitol building, John Stewart, a Proud Boy known as Blackbeard, told prosecutors.

Smith agreed with prosecutors that Jan. 6 was a disgrace, an embarrassment to the country, a historic embarrassment. But he said the evidence the government would show to underscore that point would stir up emotions and anger that should not factor into the jurys decision-making.

He urged them to set aside emotions, anger, politics and make something like a scientific diagnosis.

Pezzolas attorney, Roger Roots, sought to cast the entire attack on the Capitol as little more than a six-hour delay of Congress. He argued that Pezzola smashed the window only after another rioter had already damaged it with a wooden pole and that a video of Pezzola celebrating inside the Capitol with a cigar should be dubbed the not-guilty video for reasons that were unclear.


LOS ANGELES (AP)  The Los Angeles police chief said Wednesday he is concerned about two recent fatal police shootings, including one in which officers failed to call for a specially trained mental health team during an interaction with a man in crisis.

Chief Michel Moore said Wednesday that he is deeply concerned by the deaths of those men, as well as a third, over two days  two fatally shot by officers and one who went into cardiac arrest hours after police used a stun gun during a struggle.

The Los Angeles County coroners office is still investigating the cases of Keenan Anderson, the cardiac arrest patient who is related to a Black Lives Matter co-founder, and Oscar Sanchez. The office has not yet ruled on the cause and manner of their deaths. Both died on Jan. 3.

Takar Smiths death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wounds, which is standard procedure following fatal police shootings. His wife had sought help from police for a restraining order violation on Jan. 2 and warned the LAPD of her husband's mental health condition.

The shootings occurred amid clamor for nationwide law enforcement reform  particularly when officers interact with people who have mental illnesses  and increased scrutiny on fatal police shootings.

Smith, 45, was fatally shot after raising a 10-inch (25-centimeter) butcher-style knife above his head after officers used a stun gun and pepper spray. The LAPD said Officer Joseph Zizzo and Officer Nicolas Alejandre opened fire.

Smith's killing has already prompted Moore to order additional training for officers. The LAPD on Wednesday released body-worn video footage of the three instances, well ahead of the typical 45-day deadline. By department policy, officers involved in fatal shootings are taken out of the field for at least two weeks.

Smiths wife initially sought help from officers at a nearby police station. She then told a dispatcher that her husband had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but had not been taking his medication and would likely fight anyone who intervened.

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Hes not in his right mind, she told the dispatcher.

A police officer at the scene summoned additional officers and a supervisor. However, none of the departments specialized mental health teams, which are paired with clinicians, were called to his wife's apartment after her initial report or during the roughly 15-minute interaction with police, during which Moore said Smith showed signs of mental illness.

The officers initially attempted to de-escalate the situation but pulled out their weapons  including a stun gun and a less-lethal projectile launcher  after Smith brandished a chair, body-worn camera footage shows. The officers later warned him they would be lethal when he went into the units kitchen despite their commands.

Increasingly agitated and incoherent, Smith grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter, the footage shows. Officers pepper sprayed him and used a stun gun repeatedly while yelling drop the knife as Smith was on his knees in the corner of the kitchen and screaming get away!

He dropped but then picked up the knife and raised it over his head. Two officers fired seven rounds in total, striking Smith as he knelt. Another officer continued to use the stun gun on Smith as he lay face down on the floor. He was pronounced dead at the scene and the knife was found under his body.

The shootings came in the days after Moore applied for a second five-year term as the head of the police department. The city's new mayor, Karen Bass, has not yet said whether she supports Moore's reappointment, which will be voted on by the five-member civilian police commission. The City Council can overrule the commission's decision with 10 veto votes.

The department has been criticized in recent years for a rise in police shootings, as well as other high-profile failures.

Bass echoed Moore's concerns and called the videos of all three incidents deeply disturbing.

Especially as a former health care professional, I am deeply troubled that mental health experts were not called in, even when there was a documented history of past mental health crisis," Bass said in a statement, addressing Smith's death. When there is no immediate risk to others, law enforcement must not be the first responder when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. I believe officers and Angelenos agree on this.

Black Lives Matter supporters protested the officers' actions in Anderson's death outside the LAPD headquarters on Wednesday as Moore held his news conference inside.

Anderson's cousin Patrisse Cullors said in an Instagram post on Sunday that Anderson was an English teacher who worked with high schoolers.

Keenan deserves to be alive right now, his child deserves to be raised by his father, Cullors wrote. Keenan we will fight for you and for all of our loved ones impacted by state violence.

Anderson was the suspect in a hit-and-run traffic collision in Venice, Moore said, and initially complied with officers' orders as they investigated whether he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He later fled and officers chased him into the middle of the street.

They used physical force and a stun gun during a confrontation lasting several minutes, during which Anderson screamed for help and struggled.

They're trying to kill me, he yelled.

Police body camera footage showed that at one point an officer's elbow was pushed into Anderson's neck. The same officer's forearm also pressed against his chest and another officer said, watch your elbow, partner.

They're trying to George Floyd me, Anderson said as an officer threatened to use a stun gun, which was repeatedly deployed seconds later as Anderson was face down on the pavement and begged for help, saying, I'm not resisting.

After he was subdued, Anderson was transported to a hospital, where he died more than four hours later.

"It's unclear what role the officers played in Anderson's death, Moore said. The officers were not named in the department's news release.

An LAPD toxicology test found cocaine and cannabis in Anderson's body, although those results are separate from the coroner's independent report, the chief said.

In Sanchez's case, Moore said the 35-year-old man brandished what appeared to be a makeshift spear at officers. It was the stem of a motorized scooter with a 3-inch (7.62-centimeter) spike attached to the end.

Police initially received a report of a man throwing a metal object at a passing vehicle around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. The driver pulled over and allegedly was confronted by Sanchez, who threatened him with a knife, the department said in a statement.

Officers later found Sanchez on the second-story landing of a home and ordered him, in Spanish and English, to come down the stairs. When police went upstairs after about 10 minutes of negotiations, Sanchez allegedly confronted them with the weapon.

Officers Diego Bracamontes and Christopher Guerrero fired a total of six bullets, striking Sanchez multiple times in the torso and legs, as another officer fired a single, less-lethal round, the LAPD said.

The officers used a shield to protect themselves as they went up the stairs, which blocked one officer's body camera during the gunfire. Another officer's camera angle was obscured by the less-lethal projectile launcher during the shooting.

Sanchez was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Vietnam posts all-time high auto imports in 2022

Vietnam posted an all-time high import of automobiles with 173,467 units valued at US$3.84 billion last year, surpassing the previous record of about 160,000 units in 2021, reported the General Department of Vietnam Customs.









Customs officials check imported cars at Hiep Phuoc Port in HCM City. Last year, Vietnam imported 173,467 units valued at US$3.84 billion, surpassing the previous record of about 160,000 units in 2021.  Photo courtersy of haiquanonline.com.vn



The figures represented an increase of 8.5 per cent in volume and 5.1 per cent in value year-on-year.



In December alone, a total of 21,896 units worth $431.55 million were imported, marking the second biggest import in the year, behind November with roughly 23,000 units.



Indonesia and Thailand were the biggest auto exporters of Viet Nam. Indonesia surpassed Thailand to become the biggest seller in terms of volume but Thailand still ranked first in value.



Specifically, Vietnam bought 72,671 units from Indonesia with a total value of over $1.05 billion. Meanwhile, auto imports from Thailand hit 72,032 units worth $1.43 billion.



The third biggest seller was China with 17,340 units valued at $714.5 million.



With a combined 162,043 units, the above three markets accounted for 93.4 per cent of the countrys total auto imports. The figure was also higher than the total auto imports recorded in 2021.



Imported cars still enjoy zero tax



The Prime Minister has signed and issued Decree No.126/2022/N-CP stipulating Vietnams special preferential import tariff to implement the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) for the 2022-27 period. Accordingly, Vietnam will continue to exempt import tax on CBU cars from ASEAN countries until the end of 2027.



Article 4 of Decree 126 and the attached appendix stipulate the conditions for applying special preferential import tax rates under ATIGA. Cars must fully meet some conditions.



Imports from countries that must be ATIGA members, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.



Cars must meet regulations on origin of goods (including regulations on direct shipping) and have a Certificate of Origin (C/O) Form D or a certificate of origin in accordance with the provisions of ATIGA and current regulations of law.



Therefore, vehicles from ASEAN, mainly Thailand and Indonesia, will continue to have a competitive advantage over locally assembled cars.



Previously, according to ATIGA, from January 1, 2018, CBU cars imported within ASEAN were exempt from import tax provided that the products have a localisation rate of over 40 per cent.



In the 2018-22 period, the implementation of ATIGA paved the way for many types of cars from ASEAN, mainly from Thailand and Indonesia, to enter Vietnam, accounting for about 70-80 per cent of total imported cars and 30-35 per cent of total automobile sales each year.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks with members of the press before attending a House Republican Steering Committee meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 11, 2023. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

WASHINGTON  With Washington in a state of divided government, newly empowered House Republicans are all but certain to be unable to enact their legislative agenda into law. Instead, they have made it clear that their primary mission in the 118th Congress will be investigating the Biden administration, including inquiries they say could lead to the potential impeachment of President Joe Biden and several Cabinet members.

Preparing to use their new subpoena power, Republicans have already created three special investigative committees or subcommittees, but they expect to carry out many more inquiries under existing committees they now control. Some of the investigations may involve multiple panels, and top Republicans are jockeying for the biggest and most prominent pieces.

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While Speaker Kevin McCarthy said last year that he had not yet seen grounds for impeaching Biden, Republicans have already introduced a host of impeachment articles against the president and members of his Cabinet, and some influential members on the right have said they relish the prospect of trying him for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Here is a road map of the investigations:

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The weaponization of government

What committee is involved: A special subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Substantive policy questions: This remains to be seen. The text of the resolution establishing the subcommittee gives the panel essentially open-ended jurisdiction to scrutinize any issue related to civil liberties or to examine how any agency of the federal government has collected, analyzed and used information about Americans  including ongoing criminal investigations. It also gives the subcommittee the authority to obtain classified information typically only provided to the Intelligence Committee, including some of the governments most protected secrets.

Political agenda: During the 2022 campaign, Republicans promised to use their new power in Congress to scrutinize what they said was a concerted effort by the government to silence and punish conservatives at all levels, from protesters at school board meetings to former President Donald Trump. The panel could become a venue for targeting federal workers accused of carrying out a partisan agenda. It could also re-litigate revelations about Trumps conduct, including the facts surrounding his effort to overturn the 2020 election or his removal of classified material from the White House, and failure to return it.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the minority leader, called the new panel the Select Committee on Insurrection Protection.

Biden family businesses

What committees are involved: The Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is led by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and potentially the new Judiciary subcommittee.

Substantive policy questions: The Oversight Committee says the purpose of its inquiry is to inform legislation to strengthen federal ethics laws and to ensure that financial institutions have the proper internal controls and compliance programs to alert federal agencies of potential money laundering activity.

Political agenda: Comer has pledged for months to investigate Bidens family and its business connections. His staff has already obtained the contents of a laptop owned by Hunter Biden, the presidents son, whose business activities are under federal investigation. Comer and Jordan held a news conference on Capitol Hill detailing their plans to take the inquirys focus beyond the younger Biden. This is an investigation of Joe Biden, Comer has said.

Origins of the COVID pandemic

What committees are involved: A special subcommittee of the Oversight Committee, and the Energy and Commerce Committee, led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.

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Substantive policy questions: Lawmakers say they want to explore whether the U.S. government should be funding so-called gain-of-function research, a narrow sliver of scientific inquiry that can involve tinkering with viruses in a way that could make them more dangerous. Such research is at the heart of Republican assertions that the pandemic may have been caused by a laboratory leak  a suggestion disputed by scientists whose research shows the outbreak most likely originated at a live animal market in Wuhan, China.

Political agenda: Republicans including Comer and Jordan have asserted, without evidence, that Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bidens former medical adviser, covered up a lab leak that they allege may have caused the pandemic. They have said repeatedly that they will investigate Fauci, who is a political target for Republicans seeking to woo Trump voters. Fauci has said that he has a completely open mind about whether the outbreak originated in a lab, but that the preponderance of evidence shows it was a natural occurrence.

China competitiveness

What committee is involved: A new select committee focused on the strategic competition between the United States and the Chinese government, led by Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

Substantive policy questions: The committees purpose is to investigate the Chinese governments economic, technological and security progress, and its competition with the United States. It will examine many topics, including the economic dependence of the United States on Chinese supply chains, the nations security assistance to Taiwan and lobbying efforts by the Chinese government to influence local and state government, as well as academic institutions. The panel will then make recommendations for how the United States can avoid being overtaken by China in those areas.

Political agenda: This committee received bipartisan support and is unlikely to become as politically charged as other Republican-led investigations. Still, some Democrats worried that an intense focus on China could lead to xenophobic rhetoric intensifying anti-Asian sentiment in the United States.

The withdrawal from Afghanistan

What committees are involved: The Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas; the Armed Services Committee, led by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.; and the Oversight Committee.

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Substantive policy questions: Republicans on McCauls committee have already released an interim report titled A Strategic Failure: Assessing the Administrations Afghanistan Withdrawal, and he plans to continue the investigation, now with subpoena power. It is expected to focus on planning in the run-up to the evacuation, botched efforts to extract Afghan interpreters and contractors who aided the U.S. government, and the consequences of the withdrawal.

Political agenda: Seen as among the House Republicans most serious investigations, the inquiry can also be used to undermine faith in the Biden administrations competency.

Border enforcement

What committees are involved: The Homeland Security Committee, led by Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.; the Judiciary Committee; and the Oversight Committee.

Substantive policy questions: Investigating the Biden administrations approach to the border will be a large focus of Republicans efforts for the next two years, but it is yet to be determined what policy recommendations they will make. With Congress in a state of divided power, any immigration legislation is unlikely to pass.

Political agenda: The investigations are aimed at countering the record-breaking surges of migration at the southern border that have strained resources as the Biden administration scrambles to address what members of both parties call a crisis.

At the same time, Republicans have sought to use Bidens border policies as a political weapon against him and Democrats, blaming them for crime and capitalizing on fears among some in their hard-right base that immigrants of color will dilute their voting power. They have called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. McCarthy has said that Jordan and Comer would lead an investigation into Mayorkas to determine whether to begin an impeachment inquiry.

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Treatment of Jan. 6 defendants

What committees are involved: Unclear. Most likely the Oversight Committee or the Judiciary Committee and its new subcommittee.

Substantive policy questions: In a closed-door meeting in November, right-wing lawmakers including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia extracted a promise that their leaders would investigate former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Justice Department for the treatment of defendants jailed in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Greene has released a report on conditions at the D.C. jail, and local officials have acknowledged there are long-standing issues at the facility.

Political agenda: The topic has been a focus for hard-right Republicans in Congress, who have tried to downplay or distort what happened during the deadly assault, saying that the real victims are the ordinary people who entered the Capitol and, they say, are being persecuted for their political beliefs. Many of them want retribution for Democrats extensive investigation into the riot, which laid out in a series of public hearings and a voluminous report the extent of Trumps plot to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election, with help from allies inside and outside Congress.

But some Republicans would prefer not to focus on the topic, which would inevitably involve rehashing what happened during the assault and their roles in Trumps election subversion efforts.

Were focused on a lot of investigations, Comer told reporters recently, adding, That wasnt one of them.

Jordan has been vague about whether he would pursue that angle in his investigation. Were focused on how political our Justice Department has become, he said.

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c.2022 The New York Times Company
By Joyce Zhou

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scores of mainland Chinese travellers are rushing to Hong Kong to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which are not available on the Chinese mainland, as the country grapples with a torrent of infections which have overwhelmed its health system.

A private hospital in the special Chinese administrative region of Hong Kong welcomed the first batch of mainland customers on Thursday, just five days after China reopened its borders for the first time in three years, allowing quarantine free travel.

Yoyo Liang, a 36-year old Beijing resident, was one of the first customers at the Virtus Medical Centre where she paid HK$ 1,888 ($241) for her first BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Liang had received three domestically developed vaccine doses from China's Sinovac over the past two years but said she took Pfizer-BioNtech's bivalent booster vaccine to better protect herself against the virus.

"I was very tempted to get the vaccine because of the border reopening. There is no bivalent vaccine available in mainland Chin," she explained after she received her jab.

Virtus, which has received more than 300 inquiries so far about the vaccines, is expecting more mainland customers to come to Hong Kong in the coming weeks and months, the company's chief medical officer Samuel Kwok told reporters.

However, due to a large number of people already infected, many would wait before taking a booster shot, he said.

"Demand is increasing but we understand that there are a lot of people who got infected recently... they cannot get... a booster dose immediately so they have to wait for at least three months."

China, home to 1.4 billion people, abruptly abandoned its zero-COVID policy last month and infections are surging across a population with little immunity after being shielded since the virus emerged three years ago in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

(Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
By Mei Mei Chu

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia said on Thursday it could stop exporting palm oil to the European Union in response to a new EU law aimed at protecting forests by strictly regulating sale of the product.

Commodities Minister Fadillah Yusof said Malaysia and Indonesia would discuss the law, which bans sale of palm oil and other commodities linked to deforestation unless importers can show that production of their specific goods has not damaged forests.

The EU is a major palm oil importer and the law, agreed to in December, has raised an outcry from Indonesia and Malaysia, the top producers.

"If we need to engage experts from overseas to counter whatever move by EU, we have to do it," Fadillah told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on Thursday.

"Or the option could be we just stop exports to Europe, just focus on other countries if they (the EU) are giving us all a difficult time to export to them."

Environmental activists blame the palm oil industry for rampant clearing of Southeast Asian rainforests, though Indonesia and Malaysia have created sustainability certification standards mandatory for all plantations.

Fadillah, who is also deputy prime minister, urged the members of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to work together against the new law and to combat "baseless allegations" made by the EU and United States about the sustainability of palm oil.

CPOPC, which is led by Indonesia and Malaysia, has previously accused the EU of unfairly targeting palm oil.

Responding to Fadillah, the EU's ambassador to Malaysia said it was not banning any imports of palm oil from the country and denied that its deforestation law created barriers to Malaysian exports.

"(The law) applies equally to commodities produced in any country, including EU member states, and aims to ensure that commodity production does not drive further deforestation and forest degradation," EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas told Reuters.

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Rokas added that he looked forward to meeting Fadillah to ease Malaysia's concerns.

EU demand for palm oil was expected to decline significantly over the next 10 years even before the new law was agreed to. In 2018, an EU renewable-energy directive required the phasing out of palm-based transportation fuels by 2030 because of their perceived link to deforestation.

Indonesia and Malaysia have launched separate cases with the WTO, saying the fuels measure is discriminatory and constitutes a trade barrier.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this week agreed to "fight discrimination against palm oil" and strengthen cooperation through CPOPC.

The EU is the world's third-largest palm oil consumer, according to Malaysian Palm Oil Board data. It accounts for 9.4% of palm oil exports from Malaysia, taking 1.47 million tonnes in 2022, down 10.5% from a year earlier.

(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Naveen Thukral, Bradley Perrett and Nick Macfie)
A suspect is in custody after a stabbing Thursday that left a man dead, the Dallas Police Department said.

Officers responded to a stabbing call around 2:25 a.m. in the 4800 block of Elsie Fay Heggins Street, where they found Johnnie Morgan, 52, suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to Dallas police.

Dallas Fire-Rescue transported Morgan to a hospital, where he died.

Jerry Massey, 34, was arrested and faces a murder charge in the homicide case, police said in a news release.

The investigation is ongoing.
Douglas County E-911 Operators got a call around 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday about a flipped tractor trailer.

Emergency units from the Douglas County Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department, along with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office went out to the scene of N. Burnt Hickory Road at Connally Trail, near the Paulding County border.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When they got to the scene, they discovered a large box truck had overturned and the driver was trapped.

Firefighters were able to successfully get the driver out and get him to a landing zone to be airlifted to a hospital.

The intersection of N. Burnt Hickory Rd. at Connally Trail was closed for a few hours, earlier.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Mark Pocan

The Congressional Equality Caucus announced this week that Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin has become its chair for the 118th Congress.

Founded in 2008, the Equality Caucus  formerly the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus  promotes LGBTQ-inclusive legislation.

The chair, who is an out member of Congress and sets the caucuss agenda, rotates every Congress between the queer lawmakers based on seniority, according to a news release. Other LGBTQ+ members of the caucus serve as cochairs.

Democratic Rhode Island U.S. Rep. David Cicilline served as the chair for the 117th Congress. Hell return to the current Congress as a cochair.

In the announcement, Pocan said that the Equality Caucus would work to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation brought by extremist anti-LGBTQI+ politicians this Congress, especially those targeting our transgender and nonbinary community members.

We are witnessing a dangerous increase in anti-LGBTQI+ hate, legislation, and violence that we must forcibly push back against and defeat, Pocan said in the statement. As we push back on these attacks, we will also continue to push forward a positive vision for full inclusivity and equality of LGBTQI+ people in this country.

The caucus said in the announcement that Pocan has led on legislation targeting bullying and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Pocan said that he was grateful to Cicilline for his work as the previous chair. Likewise, Cicilline said the caucus was in great hands with Pocan as chair, specifically pointing to Pocans experience on the House Appropriations Committee, fighting for inclusive government funding legislation and his recent introduction of bills to create a National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture are a testament to his dedication to being a representative for all people in this country.

The announcement also highlighted the work of the Equality Caucus in the last Congress, including passing 10 Equality Caucus-endorsed bills in the House  of which four became law. The caucus lauded Cicillines leadership in supporting the Equality Act, introducing the Global Respect Act, and co-leading the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act that codified federal protections for marriage equality, including same-sex and interracial marriages, and repealed the Defense of Marriage Act.
The multi-day "Continuing the Dream" tour will take place from Feb. 17-20 and be led by several of Kings family members, including Martin Luther King III, his oldest son.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

On Monday, the country will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a national holiday dedicated to his birthday. And next month, travelers can walk in his footsteps with a 3-day tour through Washington D.C. hosted by his family.

The multi-day "Continuing the Dream" tour will take place from Feb. 17-20 and be led by several of Kings family members, including Martin Luther King III, his oldest son.

We invite you to spend the weekend traversing the landmarks that memorialize MLKs vision, through a unique, three day, Washington D.C. tour, hosted by MLKs legacy, his son, Martin Luther King III, his wife Arndrea and their daughter Yolanda, according to the trips description, which added the spirit of Kings I Have a Dream speech is sewn into the foundational fabric of D.C.s institutions, art, memorials and monuments, embodying the very ethos of Dr. Kings speech.

The trip will start with a visit to the MLK Memorial and a walking tour of the National Mall before embarking on a Black history tour of the Capitol building grounds. Participants will then head to a welcome reception with Kings family.

Eva Hambach/Getty Images National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

George Rose/Getty Images National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

The tour will include stops at several historic and cultural institutions celebrating Black American history, including the MLK Library, the National Cathedral (along with a discussion of Dr. Kings final sermon), and the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture. The trip will also include several different walking tours like a Georgetown African American walking tour and a tour of Howard University, a Historically Black College and University.

On the final night, guests will have the opportunity to sit down to a farewell dinner hosted by the King family.

The trip starts at $1,899 per person for a double occupancy room, and varies depending on which hotel travelers choose to stay at.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
WFP Executive director Beasley attends a news conference in Geneva

The World Food Programme (WFP) Executive director David Beasley attends a news conference on the food security in Yemen at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, December 4, 2018. Credit - Denis BalibouseReuters

David Beasley, the head of the World Food Programme, talked to TIME about why he is worried about 2023.

A decade ago TIME asked your predecessor whether the planet would always able to produce enough food for everyone. She said yes. Do you feel that way?

I think we will struggle with having enough food in the future. We may not have enough food for everybody in 2023. Theres no doubt we can produce enough food for the worlds population; humanitys strategic enough to achieve that. The question is whetherbecause of war and conflict and corruption and destabilizationwe do. Look, 200 years ago, there were 1.1 billion people on planet earth, and 95% of them lived in extreme poverty. Today, less than 10% are in extreme poverty. But in the last five years, were absolutely going backwardsand its not just a little bit, either. That should frighten the hell out of anybody.

Why are we going backwards?

When I took this job, six years ago, there were 80 million people marching to starvation. That number went to 135 million right before COVID, [because of] man-made conflict and climate shocks. COVID comes along and the number goes to 276 million. Thats before Ethiopia. Thats before Afghanistan. Thats before Ukraine. Ukraine grows enough food to feed 400 million people. It went from the biggest breadbasket of the world to the longest breadlines. Compounded by fertilizer pricing, droughts, supply-chain disruption, fuel costs, food costs, shipping costs, we now have 349 million people marching to starvation.

Your term expires in April 2023. What must you get done before you go?

Ive worked to awaken the worlds leaders to the reality that food security is the crisis of modern times. If you want to know which countries over the next 12 to 18 months could have destabilization and mass migration, start with the 49 knocking on famines door right now. And the new numbers are coming in on wheat production, grain production, cereal production in India, Argentina, Brazil, and its down, down, down, down. The question now is how to move that forward. Because its not a quick fix.

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Do you ever get annoyed that the U.S. has sent $17.5 billion to Ukraine, and not even half that to help the hundreds of millions of people who are starving?

Leaders do not have enough money to fund every need. Theyve got to prioritize whats critical to stability on earth, things that are in their national security interest. A lot of leaders say, Why should I send money to Guatemala or Chad when Ive got infrastructure, education, health care needs in Michigan or Bavaria? I say a child from Guatemala or Honduras who is in a shelter on the U.S. border costs $4,000 per week. With $1 to $2 a week per child, I can build a resilience program so that child has food security at home.

Would you like to see a negotiated settlement in Ukraine?

I am very upset with world leaders. Theyre all running around playing Whac-a-Mole and not solving serious problems in the world. Slow down, solve Yemen, solve Ethiopia, solve Ukrainejust solve one of them.

You argue that if we ensure food security, people will stay where they are and its less destabilizing. Does that hold up in the face of climate change?

If you do analytics on places like Somalia and the SahelNiger, Mali, Chad, Burkina Fasowhere weve been able to do resilience programs, the impact on those communities of recent shocks is less, and they require less support. We can stabilize the population. That also applies to government leaders. Ive been trying to get donors to give development dollars to, say, Syria. If I can create food security for the smallholder farmers, theyre more selfsufficient and can make independent decisions about their futures.

Isnt climate change still going to send Somalis off their farms?

We cant blame the -Somalis for that, although we can blame them for a lot of other things. I tell leaders, if you honestly believe that industrialized nations have contributed to climate change, then you have a moral obligation to provide solutions on the ground for adaptation. Do you believe what youre saying or not? And if you dont, be prepared for mass migration thats going to cost a thousand times more.
A drunken motorist with no insurance drove the wrong way down a one-way Cragin street and slammed into at least 15 parked cars  totaling some and sparking anger among neighbors during a wild situation early Sunday, police and victims say.

Juan M. Medina, 41, was released from police custody about six hours after the crashes in the 5300 block of West Wellington Avenue, Chicago police said.

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Medinas run-in with the law began just after midnight Sunday when homeowner and neighbors heard loud crashes and went to investigate, according to David Huerta.

I ran outside, basically the whole block was outside, said Huerta, whose 2015 Nissan Altima was among those hit. It was a big commotion.

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Medina lost at least one front wheel of the 2003 Ford Explorer he was driving east on Wellington, which is one way going west, when he rammed into at least 15 parked cars on the north and south side of Wellington, police said.

Medina finally came to a stop  without front wheels  but still revving the engine and apparently trying to leave after jumping the curb at Wellington and Lockwood Avenue, said Huerta.

He was trying to get away but he was stuck and he was so completely out of it that he didnt realize his wheels were gone, Huerta said.

Several neighbors began to try to approach Medina as he stayed in the SUV with tinted windows but held back until police arrived.

He was revving it back and forth, back and forth, Huerta said.

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Luckily, Huertas Altima didnt have that much damage after Medina sideswiped it  taking out the front light on the side of his car  but some of the 15 were a total loss.

It was a crazy night, Huerta said.

No one was injured and Medina, who declined medical attention and who could not be reached for comment Thursday, was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a crash and reckless driving, all misdemeanors.

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Medina, of the 4600 block of West Altgeld Street, was also given tickets for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving the wrong way down a one-way street, police said.

Another victim, a woman who owns a 2003 Mitsubishi damaged in the incident who didnt want to be identified, said shes not sure yet how much money she will need to come up with for repairs.

Of course, everybody is upset. How are we going to get the cars fixed?

Medina is due in traffic court Feb. 14.
Elon Musk should take note of a recent major privacy fine for Meta before forging ahead with any plan to force behavioral ads on Twitter users in the European Union.

To wit: In remarks today, following the publication of two final decisions against Meta by EU privacy regulators applying the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to Facebook and Instagram -- decisions which include a total of around $410 million in fines (still with a third decision against WhatsApp due shortly), along with orders to correct its unlawful data processing within three months -- the European Data Protection Board (EPBD) has issued a clear warning to other businesses that seek to ignore EU data protection rules by not providing users with a choice over being subject to tracking for behavioural advertising.

The EDPB binding decisions clarify that Meta unlawfully processed personal data for behavioural advertising. Such advertising is not necessary for the performance of an alleged contract with Facebook and Instagram users. These decisions may also have an important impact on other platforms that have behavioural ads at the centre of their business model, said EDPB chair, Andrea Jelinek, in a statement.

The Board also dubbed the relationship between Meta and its users "imbalanced", citing "grave breaches" of transparency obligations it said had "impacted the reasonable expectations of the users", as well as criticizing the tech giant for presenting its services to users "in a misleading manner" -- which led to the EDPB also finding a breach of the GDPR's fairness principle as well as transparency failings.

The supervisory body oversees application of the EU's GDPR with the aim of ensuring consistency in how the law is applied by regulators in Member States. And it was ultimately responsible for striking down Meta's bogus claim of contractual necessity for behavioral ads -- issuing a binding decision that forced the company's lead data protection regulator for the GDPR, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), to reverse a conclusion it had arrived at in its 2021 draft decision and find that Meta's practice of forcing consent to tracking ads through a claim of contractual necessity is unlawful.

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Behavioral advertising refers to a form of targeted advertising whereby the choice of ad served is determined as a result of tracking and profiling individual users via their online activity (and sometimes also by combining offline data-sets to further enrich these per-user profiles) -- so, in EU data protection law terms, by processing personal data -- an activity that requires a valid legal basis. Other types of targeted advertising which do not require processing personal data (such as contextually targeted advertising) are available. Hence Meta's claim that intrusive tracking and profiling of individuals is a necessary core component of its services also failed to pass muster with the Board.

The EDPB's remarks today -- of the "important impact" the Meta ads decision could have on other platforms -- also look relevant for TikTok which last year sought to remove users' ability to refuse its tracking-ads -- saying it planned to change the legal base for "personalized" advertising from consent to legitimate interest -- before quickly freezing the move in the face of warnings from privacy regulators.

Any move by TikTok now to revive such a switch -- with these two major GDPR decisions against Meta's 'forced consent' standing -- would only invite swift regulatory scrutiny so such a shift to its claimed legal basis is surely highly unlikely (not least as the video sharing platform is busy trying to burnish its image in front of EU lawmakers -- as the Commission starts applying new oversight powers on digital platforms under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA)).

So just because Facebook has -- for years -- processed and profited off of Europeans' data by running unlawful ads does not mean other ad-funded platforms are going to get the same free ride from the bloc's regulators. Enforcement is here at last.

(For the record, Meta has said it will appeal the two GDPR decisions. It also denies they mean it has no option but to ask European users for their consent to its behavioral ads -- pointing out that the regulation allows for "a range" of legal bases but without specifying which of these limited (and bounded) alternatives to consent might fly... So, er, public interest behavioral Facebook ads anyone?!)

Twitter, meanwhile, has also just announced its iOS app will default to a 'For you' algorithmic content feed -- requiring users to actively swipe to view their usual chronological feed -- which could raise questions over the legal basis the company is relying upon to push content personalization in front of users who may not want it. So there's no shortage of interesting considerations flowing from Meta's GDPR spanking.

This new GDPR enforcement dynamic (if we dare call it that) presents regional opportunities for other approaches (and innovation) in the area of lawful targeted advertising -- whether that's tracking based ads with valid user consent. Or forms of ad targeting that don't involve any processing of personal data. (Or, well, which seek to claim they don't.)

And we're already seeing some high level moves to capitalize on the slow decline/demise of lawless behavioral ads, such as Google's plan to switch away from individual-level ad targeting to alternative 'privacy-sandboxing' interest-targeting ads -- or a new proposal by European telcos to band together on a joint venture to offer opt-in ad targeting of mobile users (which the carriers say would limit targeting to first party data and gather explicit user consent to the ads per advertiser/brand).

How Meta gets its ad-targeting operation in legal order, meanwhile, remains to be seen. But, well, fixing infrastructure that's never cared to comply seems like it could be very expensive...

The EDPB's press release today also addresses the reason why it instructed the DPC to investigate Meta's processing of sensitive data -- something that has led the Irish regulator to accuse the Board of jurisdictional overreach and announce that it's taking legal action to try to annul that component of its instruction.

On this, the Board said it examined whether the complaints against the legality of Meta's ads had been addressed with due diligence by the DPC.

"The complainant had raised the fact that sensitive data is processed by Meta IE [Ireland]. However, the IE DPA [aka the DPC] did not assess processing of sensitive data and therefore, the EDPB did not have sufficient factual evidence to enable it to make findings on any possible infringement of the controllers obligations under Art. 9 GDPR [which deals with the processing of special category data]," it writes. "As a result, the EDPB disagreed with the IE DPAs proposed conclusion that Meta IE is not legally obliged to rely on consent to carry out the processing activities involved in the delivery of its Facebook and Instagram services, as this could not be categorically concluded without further investigations. Therefore, the EDPB decided that the IE DPA must carry out a new investigation."

The DPC has frequently been accused of 'fiddling round the edges' of GDPR complaints -- such as by opening narrower enquiries than complainants had called for (or not opening a probe at all). It is also being sued for inaction (and has even faced allegations of criminal corruption) in a couple of cases. So it's certainly notable (and awkward for Ireland) that the EDPB's binding decision concludes the Irish regulator failed to investigate elements of Meta's data processing it says were required for it to reach its proposed conclusion that Meta was not legally obliged to rely on consent.

As black marks against the DPC's approach to GDPR enforcement go, this schooling from the Board is a major addition to Dublin's tally.

Still, the EDPB's instruction that the DPC open a whole new investigation of Meta's data processing has invited some quizzical attention -- given EU law provides for the independence of data protection authorities.

On this, noyb's honorary chairman, Max Schrems -- a long time critic of (especially) the DPC's approach to GDPR enforcement but also, more generally, how poorly resources EU DPAs are and how difficult it is for Europeans to exercise their rights -- suggests it still shows the system does not work.

Few would say GDPR enforcement is smooth sailing -- but heading towards the fifth birthday of the regulation coming into application (this May) there is now a regular flow of decisions, including some major ones with implications for rights hostile business models. So the needle appears to be moving -- even though the story rarely ends at a final decision (since years of legal appeals can follow).

A lot of attention to regulatory-working in the EU this year will also swivel onto the European Commission -- to see how it enforces two newer regulations on larger digital platforms (the aforementioned DSA and DMA); a new centralized enforcement structure devised by the bloc's lawmakers that was undoubtedly informed by years of criticism of slow and weak GDPR enforcement.

So the legacy of Meta's lawless ads, and Ireland's dilly-dallying to enforce against its consentless tracking-and-profiling, is already a lasting one.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's president said Thursday that plagiarism allegations plaguing one of Mexico's top judges were born out of political scheming by his opponents, a day after the judge's alma mater said she copied "a substantial part" of her thesis.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador cast doubt on the verdict, and criticized the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one of Latin America's most prestigious universities, for failing to rule if the judge's degree was now void.

"Regardless of plagiarism... whether it was carried out or not... This issue is closely linked to politics," he said at a daily news conference.

He said it was hypocritical that his political opponents were now "flying the flag for ethics", though stressed that plagiarism was always unacceptable and that the education ministry would now take over to resolve the case.

Justice Yasmin Esquivel has been embroiled in the controversy since December when local news outlet Latinus published claims she had plagiarized her 1987 thesis from another student, as she stood as a candidate to become the new head of the country's top court.

Esquivel, who has repeatedly denied the accusations, lost a vote at the beginning of the month to justice Norma Pina, who became Mexico's first female Supreme Court president.

The university ruled Wednesday that Esquivel had copied from another student's work presented a year earlier after an extended probe by an academic integrity committee.

The president had previously sidestepped questions about whether Esquivel should be removed from her post, and last month lashed out at those criticizing Esquivel.

"All of those who are asking for the justice to be punished have committed worse crimes," he said.

(Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez, Writing by Isabel Woodford; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and David Gregorio)
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A buck-toothed cartoon version of Mexico's president constitutes an "electoral violation," the country's electoral tribunal ruled Wednesday, arguing use of the popular caricature in official propaganda gave party candidates an unfair advantage.

The tribunal said it was sanctioning President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's ruling Morena party for "using the caricature of the President of the Republic in its propaganda, which violates the constitutional principles of neutrality and fair contest."

Designed by Mexican caricaturist Jose Hernandez, the image of the 69-year-old head of state with tousled gray hair, two large, protruding front teeth and an affable childlike grin giving a thumbs-up gesture, was popularized during Lopez Obrador's first presidential bid ahead of the 2006 elections.

Affectionately known as "Amlito" - a diminutive reference to the president's initials, AMLO - the cartoon has since been reproduced on dolls, key chains, baked goods, banners and, crucially, a May 2022 post on Morena's Twitter account promoting six party candidates for local gubernatorial elections.

The tribunal's upper chamber ruled there was "constitutional and legal basis" to sanction the message, arguing the image of the popular head of state should not have been used as propaganda for a contest in which he was not a candidate.

It argued "capitalizing on the image" of the president, whose approval rating hovers around 60%, gave his party's candidates an undue advantage.

The chamber called on "political-electoral propaganda campaigns" to limit themselves to candidates, their proposals, party ideology and platforms. Morena had earlier appealed, arguing there was no legal ban in force on using the caricature.

"Now the (electoral tribunal) has confirmed the action was illegal and sanctioned them," Jorge Alvarez, an opposition party organizer who filed the complaint, said in a tweet. "We will continue the fight through legal channels."

(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Milwaukee Police Chief, Jeffrey Norman (center) discusses the 2022 Milwaukee crime numbers, next to Milwaukee Mayor, Cavalier Johnson (left), and Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention director, Ashanti Hamilton during a press conference at the Police Administration Building in Milwaukee on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. When compared to 2021 numbers, overall serious crime in the city was down by a combined 15%.

Overall violent crime and other forms of serious offenses such as burglary and car theft in Milwaukee dropped 7% in 2022, despite historic levels of homicide increasing by 11%, Milwaukee police reported Thursday.

Its a trend that appears to be the opposite of whats happening nationally. And at a Thursday press conference discussing the numbers, officials pointed to the easy access to firearms, and a less developed infrastructure for violence prevention compared to other cities, as reasons why.

We dont control those laws, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, referring to gun laws. When we talk about (working with) partners, its not just partners in the community or partners in law enforcement. We need partners at other levels of government.

Although the nation is still dealing with an elevated homicide rate ever since an unprecedented increase in 2020, homicides have since leveled off and appear to have decreased last year. Meanwhile, according to a study of 29 cities by the Council on Criminal Justice halfway through 2022, other serious violent offenses and property crimes were on the rise.

The report asserted those trends could be a sign of some of the major influences on violent crime  the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout of the murder of George Floyd  were giving way to the return of normal living conditions.

But in Milwaukee, those trends are reversed. The city broke its homicide record for the third year in a row and nonfatal shootings stayed flat from the year before. Offenses like aggravated assault, rape, theft and car theft dropped between 5% and 23% in 2022.

Car crashes fell 13% despite traffic deaths increasing 14%.

Johnson was joined Thursday by Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Office of Violence Prevention Director Ashanti Hamilton. None of them patted themselves on the back for any of the improved numbers while the citys elevated gun violence continued.

This is not something to be proud of, Norman said.

When asked about the opposing trends, Hamilton focused his comments on the infrastructure in place to address gun violence as a public health issue, which is part of the mission of the Office of Violence Prevention.

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Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention director, Ashanti Hamilton (left), discusses the 2022 Milwaukee crime numbers, next to Milwaukee Mayor, Cavalier Johnson during a press conference at the Police Administration Building in Milwaukee on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. When compared to 2021 numbers, overall serious crime in the city was down by a combined 15%.

That office launched in 2008, is small and contracts with the Medical College of Wisconsin to deploy a modest-sized team of violence interrupters. Hamilton said Milwaukee is still behind other cities for building out that infrastructure.

There are some cities that are a little further into their development of their violence prevention efforts, he said.

That work continues this year with a focus on expanding a summer 2022 initiative to train residents in conflict mediation and make that training available through culturally-based community groups. He said he hopes that infrastructure will be in place around springtime.

But Hamilton also indicated that cities following national crime trends are often in states with stronger gun control laws.

In most major cities that are, politically, in a place that allow for easy access to firearms, (they) are seeing the same type of trends that youre seeing here in Milwaukee, he said.

Officials locally and nationally have tied together the widespread disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and the record-setting gun buying that occurred at the same time as a factor in the nations increased homicide rate.

On Thursday, Norman again said that increased gun carrying in Milwaukee is leading to more arguments that spill over into lethal violence. Arguments are the most commonly identified primary factor behind homicides and nonfatal shootings in the city.

According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths. Fourteen states the nonprofit labeled as failures for not having basic protections in place have nearly three times as many gun deaths as eight states identified as gun safety leaders.

The research ranked Wisconsin 23rd in its strength of gun laws, while its gun death rate ranked 15th . It was labeled as one of nine states with missing key laws.

Since 2020, guns in Wisconsin have also been shown to turn up at crime scenes faster after being bought at a retailer.

That year, there was an 83% increase in the number of guns recovered by police within one year of purchase, according to the federal governments time-to-crime stats. The number of guns recovered within three months of purchase more than doubled.

Those numbers worsened in 2021, the latest data available. Guns recovered by law enforcement within a year of purchase jumped again by 31%, while guns recovered within three months increased more than 8%.

About half of the guns recovered by police in Wisconsin every year are recovered in Milwaukee.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee sees overall violent crime drop 7% despite rise in homicides
U.S. air travel returned mostly to normal Thursday, a day after a computer system that sends safety information to pilots broke down and grounded traffic from coast to coast.

By midafternoon on the East Coast, about 150 flights had been canceled and more than 3,700 delayed  much lower figures than on Wednesday, when more than 1,300 flights were scrubbed and 11,000 delayed.

Attention turned to the federal agency where the technology failure apparently started hours before it inconvenienced more than 1 million travelers.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a damaged database file appeared to have caused the outage in the safety-alert system. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg promised a thorough examination to avoid another major failure.

Our immediate focus is technical  understanding exactly how this happened, why the redundancies and the backups that were build into the system were not able to prevent the level of disruption that we saw, Buttigieg told reporters.

Buttigieg said there was no indication that the outage was caused by a cyberattack but that officials would not rule that out until they know more.

The FAA said late Thursday that a preliminary analysis showed the breakdown came after a data file was damaged by personnel who failed to follow procedures.

The massive disruption was the latest black eye for the agency, which has traded blame with airlines over who has inconvenienced passengers more. Critics, including airline and tourism leaders, say agency technology is underfunded.

Investment is going to be required, no doubt, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told CNBC. Its going to be billions of dollars, and its not something that is done overnight.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has been critical of the FAA on a variety of issues, including staffing of air traffic controllers. He says the agency makes a heroic effort and does well most of the time but can be overwhelmed during busy travel times.

Story continues

They need more investment for technology, Kirby said at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event in September. They have been saying it."

Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington state, the top Democrat on a House aviation subcommittee, said the outage shows the weakness of the FAA's technology and that the agency needs to make significant improvements.

It's one thing to get things up and going on the old software, Larsen said in an interview. It's another thing to invest in the new software platforms that are necessary to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Mike McCormick, a former FAA manager of airspace security who retired in 2017 after about 35 years at the agency, was more confident in FAA technology. He said the agency modernized computer systems over the past 15 years and is 95% up to date, having upgraded to next-generation satellite-based systems for navigation, flight tracking and communication.

Software, hardware, the final upgrades, were completed in the last three years, so now theyre actually working on the next generation beyond that and the enhancements to the systems, said McCormick, who now teaches air-traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The system that generates NOTAMs  or Notice to Air Missions  also was upgraded, but the outage happened as an engineer was working on the main system and the database somehow became corrupted, McCormick said, citing conversations with people at the FAA.

When they switched to the backup system, its database also was corrupted, McCormick said. The system then had to be rebooted.

Things can still go wrong, McCormick said. You can still have human error, you can still have procedural errors, you can still have technological errors.

Michael Huerta, FAA administrator from 2013 to 2018, said the systems need to be updated constantly to keep up with technology. Nothing in the FAA system is so old that it's in danger of failing, he said, especially the system that tracks and communicates with planes.

The public should definitely be confident that the air traffic control system is safe, he said.

But the NOTAM system is about a decade old when systems reach the point where vendors don't support it or the platform that it runs on has been upgraded.

It's not a one-and-done type of event, he said. It's not very many years that go by before you have to upgrade it.

The outage came at a bad time for both the FAA and Buttigieg.

The FAA is trying to repair its reputation after being widely criticized for the way it approved the Boeing 737 Max without fully understanding a flight-control system that malfunctioned and played a key role in two crashes that killed 346 people. The agency took a more hands-on approach when considering  and eventually improving  changes that Boeing made to get the plane back in the air.

The meltdown at an agency overseen by the Transportation Department could also undercut Buttigiegs moral authority to chastise airlines when they cancel or delay flights. He has gone after the airlines since last summer, most recently over disruptions at Southwest Airlines.

Wednesday's breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on the computer system that generates NOTAMs.

Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight. The system was once telephone-based but moved online years ago.

Buttigieg said when the system broke down Tuesday night, a backup system went into effect. The FAA tried a complete reboot of the main system Wednesday morning, but that failed, leading the FAA to take the rare step of preventing planes from taking off.
Thank you for checking out Basketball Across Minnesota, my weekly look at some of the state's top hoops stories, from preps to pros.  Marcus Fuller

The first designs of a basketball practice device now known as Dr. Dish started in a Minnesota garage with Doug Campbell's family wanting to make training easier  for volleyball.

The Northern Iowa graduate did not know the idea would turn into a machine used worldwide by thousands of basketball teams, including the Gophers, Tommies, Timberwolves and Lynx.

"Minnesota as a state has really become a basketball powerhouse and produces some really talented kids," said Campbell, the CEO of Dr. Dish and Airborne Athletics Inc. "It's just fun for us if we can play a small part somehow."

When his brother's AirCat Volleyball machine debuted in the early 2000s, Campbell was thinking up ways to get his basketball concept off the ground. He enjoyed watching his kids fall in love with hoops. His son played at Delano and briefly at St. John's.

In 2016, Campbell hired Jefferson Mason, a former Robbinsdale Cooper and Minnesota State Mankato star, to assist with expanding Dr. Dish's reach outside Minnesota. They built relationships they never expected.

Scott Drew won an NCAA men's title at Baylor in 2021, four years after his program began using Dr. Dish. Mason and Campbell went on a tour of teams in North Carolina in 2017, and then-Tar Heels coach Roy Williams fell in love with it. UNC won a national title that year, and Duke began using the machine, too.

Dr. Dish has a large net that catches made and missed shots. An automated motor system funnels those balls, turning them into passes, which can go anywhere it's programmed, enabling players to take thousands of shots per hour. The machine also has hundreds of gamelike interactive workouts and drills with a monitor producing analytic feedback.

Traveling the country, displaying the shooting device at practices and clinics, Mason saw thumbs-up picture posts on social media and glowing testimonials from big names, creating an even bigger buzz.

Story continues

"In the matter of a year or two, the company exploded," Mason said. "It went from not many people in the basketball community knowing it to where we're one of the bigger brands in the basketball world."

After Campbell moved the headquarters to Bloomington, Twin Cities high school and youth players began training with Mason at the facility with the machine.

Dr. Dish has partnered with FIBA and the national wheelchair basketball association. The newer home machines are helping some of the world's best players become even better on their own.

During the pandemic, the NBA's current leading scorer, Luka Doncic, had a Dr. Dish sent to his home in Slovenia. This season, he delivered a 60-point, triple-double for the Dallas Mavericks.

Providence Academy freshman guard Maddyn Greenway, who leads Minnesota in scoring with 30 points per game, increased her confidence to be a consistent three-point threat after using Dr. Dish at home last year. "I never want to be satisfied with who I am as a player," she said in a video.

What once started as a volleyball apparatus for the Campbells to dig, hit and set is now changing how basketball players shoot around the world.

"It forces them to get more reps up and forces them to have more concentration," Campbell said. "You have really talented athletes who work hard, and it's fun to see those guys train."

Fuller's Five ballers

Daniel Freitag, Bloomington Jefferson

The state's top Class of 2024 guard dominated in Jefferson's 75-66 win at Minneapolis South on Jan. 6 with 41 points. The 6-3 junior followed it up with 28 points the next day in a 74-52 win over Burnsville.

Gabe Kalscheur, Iowa State

The former Gophers and DeLaSalle guard had 15 points, including the game-winning three-pointer for the Cyclones in a 69-67 upset against No. 17 TCU on Jan. 7. Kalscheur also had 25 points and seven rebounds in Tuesday's win vs. Texas Tech.

Brooke Olson, Minnesota Duluth

The 6-2 senior had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Bulldogs in a 78-75 win against fifth-ranked Minnesota State Mankato on Jan. 7. She was named NCAA Division II player of the week.

Olivia Olson, Benilde-St. Margaret's

The Michigan recruit and junior guard went off against St. Paul Como Park with a season-high 39 points, 12 steals and 10 rebounds in an 83-66 win Jan. 5.

Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors

The ex-Apple Valley star scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games from Dec. 27 to Jan. 6, including 35 points vs. Phoenix, 32 vs. Indiana and 27 vs. New York.

Statistically speaking

42  Combined points for the Jones brothers, Tyus and Tre, when they faced off as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113 on Monday. They also combined for 13 assists.

29  Points per game, a mark seven Minnesota boys high school players had reached through Tuesday, including three averaging more than 31.

7  Consecutive games in double figures scoring for former Eastview big man Steven Crowl with the Wisconsin Badgers, including 17 points in a win vs. the Gophers.

Basketball Across Minnesota will be published weekly on startribune.com. Don't be a stranger on Twitter after reading, as chatting about these stories makes them even more fun to share. Thanks, Marcus (@Marcus_R_Fuller on Twitter)
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu is crowned Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel, on December 13, 2021. MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

The 71st annual Miss Universe pageant will be held in New Orleans on January 14.

The pageant will begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on the Roku Channel and Telemundo.

R'Bonney Gabriel, who hails from Texas, will represent the USA in the competition.

It's time to crown the next Miss Universe.

The 71st annual Miss Universe competition will take place on January 14 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

It will stream live on the Roku Channel at 8 p.m. ET and can be watched for free on the Roku Channel website. It can also be viewed on Telemundo in Spanish. The Miss Universe national costume show can be streamed on the Miss Universe YouTube channel on Wednesday.

This year, 86 women, including Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel, will compete for the title of Miss Universe. The winner will be crowned by current Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu, who took home the crown for India in December 2021.

There will be performances by New Orleans legends like Big Freedia and Big Sam's Funky Nation. Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo will host the show alongside "The Real" star Jeannine Mai Jenkins. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and "Access Hollywood" correspondent Zuri Hall, who has hosted the last two Miss USA competitions, will give commentary backstage.

This year's show marks the first time in five years that Miss Universe won't be hosted by Steve Harvey, who famously announced the wrong winner in 2015 and had Sandhu meow onstage in 2021.

Steve Harvey asks Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu the final question during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant on December 13, 2021. MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Amy Emmerich, the CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, told Variety that, after the organization's five-year contract with Harvey and Fox came to an end this year, she wanted to "make sure we led with a female lens this next go-around."

"It was a rare opportunity to be able to kind of restart in a whole new place," she added.

This year's Miss Universe will also be the first led by new owner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip and her Thailand-based company, JKN Global Group.

It was announced in October 2022 that Jakrajutatip would become the first woman to own Miss Universe. She is the third richest transgender person in the world with an estimated worth of $210 million, according to Bangkok Post.

Story continues

"The first woman to own the brand, that's going to be a change in and of itself for 70 years," Emmerich told Variety. "And I think especially because of Anne's backstory, and what she feels transformational leadership is and how she can really fight for a future borne by women a little bit more than possibly a man at IMG could."

It's been a controversial few months for the pageant community. Shortly after Gabriel won Miss USA in October, contestants claimed that the pageant had been rigged in her favor. An investigation was launched and Miss USA president Crystle Stewart was suspended indefinitely.

Many Miss USA 2022 contestants also said the organization gave them no mental-health support during the pageant despite pledging to make it a priority following Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst's death in January 2022.

Read the original article on Insider
In the 1960s, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spent much time visiting  and at one point renting a home in  Chicago to help with open housing initiatives and the civil rights movement in the city. Here, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta pose with neighborhood children in their new apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin in Chicago on Jan. 26, 1966. (Tom Kinahan / Chicago Tribune)

Fifty-seven years ago this month, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. moved to Chicago with plans to target public and private institutions that have created infamous slum conditions directly responsible for the involuntary enslavement of millions of Black men, women and children.

Yet for generations of Chicagoans born after Kings murder in 1968, the civil rights leader may be more recognizable for the national holiday named in his honor than for his leadership of what he called the first significant freedom movement in the North.

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Local author Jonathan Eig's new book is "King: A Life." (Jennifer Tescher )

Local author Jonathan Eig  who has profiled Muhammad Ali, Al Capone, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig and the birth control pill  took on Kings story for his next book, King: A Life, which will be released May 16. Signed copies can be purchased through Unabridged Books.

We forget that King really did challenge us to rethink the whole structure of American society and was pushing us to really go farther, Eig said. He was a lot more radical and a lot more courageous than we give him credit for.

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Eig answered questions about Kings time in Chicago during a recent phone interview. (This conversation has been edited for clarity.)

So take me back. King moved to Chicago in 1966. This is something I didnt learn in school. Why did he come here?

Well, they really should teach it in (Chicago Public Schools) because a big part of the reason he came here was because of CPS. Initially, he was recruited to help integrate Chicago schools. There was a big push in the early and mid-1960s to work on better integrating the Chicago school system because schools were just terribly segregated and predominantly Black schools were getting inferior service, inferior infrastructure and the citys Black leaders were really pushing hard. They wanted the superintendent of schools (Benjamin Willis) to resign. So, thats what initially got King interested in Chicago.

[ What were 'Willis wagons' that got Bernie Sanders arrested in 1963? ]

[ Photo gallery: Bernie Sanders and the Willis wagon protests of 1963 ]

He came to Chicago often to speak and join protests, not just around the schools, but segregated housing as well. He felt that Chicago was pretty well organized and that he would be able to quickly get a strong movement assembled here.

Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta, talk to reporters outside their apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin Ave. in Chicago on the day when they moved into the apartment, Jan. 26, 1966. (Tom Kinahan / Chicago Tribune)

He felt like it was time to do something in the North. It was time to show that racism and segregation were not limited to places such as Selma and Montgomery (in Alabama). He could have chosen a lot of different cities  Cleveland and Philadelphia were considered. He never really seriously considered New York because the politics there were messy.

Chicago won out, in part, because of guys like Al Raby, who was already doing a terrific job rallying the troops.

[ Al Raby held no elective office during his lifetime. But he had a profound influence on those who did. ]

I didnt know the support system here was already so strong.

Yeah, that was a big part of it and Chicagoans were asking him to come. People like Al Raby felt like King would bring the kind of national media attention that they needed to push (Mayor Richard J. Daley) and Superintendent Willis to take action.

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[ Rare photos of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s time in Chicago ]

When King arrived here in January 1966, how was he treated?

The question is, by whom? He was treated very well by the Black community and by the organizers who brought him here. Some of the Chicago gangs organized to try to help protect him. Mahalia Jackson cooked for him and his family. But he was not very well received by the white establishment and, in particular, by Mayor Daley who saw him as an outsider, a troublemaker and a threat to his regime.

[ Tribune story from March 26, 1966: King says he is not leading anti-Daley bid ]

At the time, Tribune editorials about King were not kind.

The Tribune made a big deal about the fact that Coretta Scott King wore a fur-lined collar  they were trying to make her look like a hoity-toity woman. She definitely was not. They treated King terribly. So, sad to say the Tribune did not win any prizes for its open-mindedness when King came to town. The Trib was also really brutal in its editorials.

Tribune editorial from July 12, 1966: Marches and demonstrations have become tiresome, and the Rev. Mr. Kings rhetoric about filling up the jails of Chicago to end slums is becoming stale.

Tribune editorial from July 16, 1966: Chicago is no place for rioters, and the sooner they learn it, the better.

Where did he stay?

When King came to town he lived in an apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin Ave. in North Lawndale. The rent was $90 a month, which comes out to something close to $800 today. That goes to show that even in the poor neighborhoods where this terrible apartment was  that needed massive repairs and renovations  lots of landlords were gouging their low-income tenants.

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How successful was King in trying to make any lasting changes here in Chicago?

Oh, thats a great question. A lot of people view his Chicago campaign as a failure. He did not win the kind of deep and lasting structural changes that he sought. And the way people tend to portray that is that he was outsmarted or outmaneuvered by Daley. I think theres another way of looking at it.

[ Aug. 5, 1966: MLK's march in Marquette Park turned violent, exposed hate ]

Martin Luther King gave Daley and Chicago a path forward. He showed them in concrete terms how we could improve the citys race relations, fight poverty, integrate neighborhoods and schools. He offered a blueprint and Chicago turned it down and walked away from it. Thats how I would perceive it. I dont think it was a failure  I think it was stiff-necked, stubborn opposition from the people who were clinging to the status quo.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks in front of Friendship Baptist Church, 844 W. 71st St., on Aug. 5, 1966. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

As part of your research for the book, were you able to find anything about Kings time in Chicago that was surprising or maybe unexpected?

Well, he tended to spend three or four days out of each week here. I wouldnt call him a real Chicago resident during those times. He didnt have time to get to know the neighborhoods, catch a ballgame or anything fun. He was under a lot of stress, a lot of pressure and was being called back down to the South. He was under attack not only from Daley but from (FBI director) J. Edgar Hoover and (President Lyndon Johnson) over Kings growing opposition to the Vietnam War. King didnt get the chance to know Chicago the way he could have under better circumstances.

That said, he did get to meet and work with a lot of people like Al Raby, like Timuel Black. He organized a lot of volunteers from the University of Chicago including people like Bernardine Dohrn. He touched a lot of peoples lives.

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[ Rick Kogan: Chicago has celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.  but it wasnt always so when he was alive ]

Even some of the Vice Lords gang leaders who met with King were really struck by how patient he was, how much time he spent getting to know them. He would sit up for hours in his apartment and just meet with anybody who came by unannounced. He tended to sit on the floor. He didnt want to assume a position of superiority. I think people in Chicago were really impressed with his humility.

You wrote a book about Muhammad Ali and now a biography about King. They have something in common, right?

Ali and King were almost born on the same date (Kings birthday is Jan. 15 and Alis birthday is Jan. 17).

I was surprised, when doing a little bit of research, that Ali was living in Chicago at the same time as King. Did they ever get to meet up in Chicago? I cant find anything in the Tribune archives that puts Ali and King in the same place at the same time.

No, not in Chicago. I dont think they ever crossed paths in Chicago. They did meet a couple of times  once in Louisville (Kentucky) and once in New York. They seemed to get along great.

Theres a wonderful video of a news conference in Louisville where, first of all, Ali interrupts Martin Luther King  who else would have the nerve to interrupt Martin Luther King  and hes got King just cracking up. Its really one of my favorite moments with the two men, but I dont think they ever connected in Chicago.

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Its just incredible to me that these two massive figures in history were living here in Chicago at the same time.

Dont forget  you had (Nation of Islam leader) Elijah Muhammad, too. Malcolm X was not living here, but because of his connection to the Nation of Islam, Chicago was really at the center of this great struggle during the 1960s.

It really makes me wonder what Chicago could have become.

Yeah, and its true for the whole country. Really, think about what happened after the March on Washington. The country had this opportunity. It was this beautiful moment where everybody said, Wow, this could work. Maybe were past the worst of the fighting in Montgomery and Birmingham and maybe were evolving as a country. Maybe its time to put our racist ways behind us.

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

And King was leading the way. But then, inevitably, there was this resistance and people in the establishment from Daley to Hoover to Johnson, they werent ready to make big structural changes. They werent ready to share power.

[ Dahleen Glanton: For shame, Chicago. Why have you not fulfilled King's Dream? ]

Why did you decide to write this book and why do you think we need it now?

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For one thing, weve turned King into not just a national holiday, but a monument and even a cliche in many ways. Weve sugarcoated his story  we only talk about I Have a Dream and content of character. We forget that he really did challenge us to rethink the whole structure of American society and was pushing us to really go farther. He was a lot more radical and a lot more courageous than we give him credit for.

So, I wanted to write a book that would not only remind people of how truly revolutionary he was, but also I wanted to write a book that would humanize him because I think weve forgotten that he was a person. In making him a holiday, weve kind of lost sight of his humanity. And when you forget that he was a person with weaknesses, with flaws, with bad news, with dark hours, then its really hard to even think about acting on his dream. Its hard to think about emulating him because you treat him like hes some kind of a superhero. I wanted to provide a more intimate portrait.

krumore@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @rumormill

Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter for more from Chicagos past.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  TikTok will be banned from all Mississippi-issued government devices and the states network, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday in a letter to department and agency heads.

The Republican said he issued the directive to safeguard sensitive information from the popular social media app, which is owned by private Chinese company ByteDance Ltd. The apps ownership has raised fears that Beijing could use it to scoop up user data or push pro-China narratives or misinformation.

Reeves cited concerns over extensive tracking of user data and the potential access and transfer of this data to the Chinese government.

Its no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans personal information," Reeves said in a news release. Mississippi isnt going to sit around waiting for the Chinese Communist Party to steal our state government data."

TikTok has said it prioritizes its communitys privacy and security and that it is working to address security concerns raised by the U.S.

Similar moves to prohibit TikTok on government devices have been made by top officials in about one-third of U.S. states, a large share of them Republicans. On Jan. 6, Wisconsin's Democratic governor announced he plans to introduce a ban on the use of TikTok on state phones. Kansas' Democratic governor has also issued a ban.

Congress recently banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

Reeves' directive would compel state agencies to ensure no state employees download or use TikTok or other software applications developed by ByteDance on state-issued devices. He also directed the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to block access to TikTok from the state network.

Mississippi state employees have been directed to remove, delete and uninstall all relevant applications from state-issued devices by Jan. 31.

___

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mikergoldberg.
Ro'im Rachok students at Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono. The IDF blurred some parts of the image, citing the need to obscure classified information. Israel Defense Forces/ Insider

Inside the program encouraging autistic volunteers to join

the Israel Defense Forces.

TEL AVIV, Israel  Each day, Sgt. I. scours the internet to find elusive intelligence that could help Israel fight its enemies.

He is a web specialist for an elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces, focused on open-source research that informs high-level decision-making and can even reach the prime minister's desk.

He is also autistic.

Sgt. I., like some 150 others, isn't in the IDF by chance. He signed up to serve through Ro'im Rachok, a first-of-its-kind program that places autistic people in the military to utilize their valuable skills.

Speaking to Insider from inside HaKirya, the sprawling headquarters of the IDF, he said he was able to cope with long, exhausting intelligence work better than many others and that he was most productive when given to-do lists.

He couldn't elaborate on the specifics of what he does. The IDF and Ro'im Rachok members spoke on the condition that Insider use initials or only their first names, citing the secrecy of their work.

A typical IDF open-source project might involve trawling social media and obscure sites for intel on everything from the effect of sanctions on the Iranian economy to the size of Hezbollah's arsenal.

An IDF minder sat in the meeting room throughout, ready to intervene if Sgt. I. accidentally divulged anything classified.

On occasion, Sgt. I. said, his daily work routine is interrupted by "stimming"  a behavior often associated with autism that can involve repeating words, sounds, or movements to cope with stress.

Sgt. I. tends to flap his hands when he's excited or overwhelmed. "It's an urge, like blinking," he said.

He'd always been taught in special-education settings, so he wasn't self-conscious about doing this before he joined the IDF and started working in an office alongside neurotypical soldiers. "So, yes, I've had to adapt," he said.

Many autistic teenagers are exempt from military service

Sgt. I. is a graduate of Ro'im Rachok  an innovative Israeli program founded in 2013 to match young adults on the autism spectrum with military professions that need manpower.

Story continues

Unlike most Jewish Israelis who are conscripted to join the army, usually at 18, many autistic teenagers are exempt.

Ro'im Rachok, however, allows them to sign up as volunteers.

Speaking to Insider from his office at the Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono, Tal Vardi, a Mossad veteran who helped found the program, said he wanted to make something clear: It's not an act of charity.

"Nobody wants somebody to do them a favor," Vardi said, describing the program as mutually beneficial for the IDF, people with autism, and their families.

Tal Vardi, the cofounder of Ro'im Rachok, in front of a banner for the program. Israel Defense Forces/ Insider

Autistic volunteers are assigned to units where they are deemed to have a comparative advantage  usually military intelligence.

Though military intelligence and analysis are vital to every modern army, Israel places a particularly high value on it, Nimrod Goren, a senior fellow for Israeli affairs at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, told Insider.

Countries like Israel that "feel that they're under existential threat" put a premium on intelligence-gathering, he said, so skilled recruits are highly coveted.

In return for volunteering, recruits with autism are offered the skills and connections that could help ease them into an independent future working in civilian professions.

"The idea is to put together real needs with real capabilities to create this win-win," Vardi said.

Military divisions in the UK, the US, and Singapore, as well as civilian industries in Israel, have shown interest in developing the model, he added.

So far, more than 300 soldiers have been recruited from the program to the IDF and serve across 27 different units.

Unit 9900 is the 'eye of the country'

The first unit to recruit from the program was the classified Unit 9900  a prestigious visual-intelligence outfit.

Unit 9900's Maj. R. was approached a decade ago about including graduates of Ro'im Rachok's aerial-photo-analysis course.

He said he agreed even though he didn't really know what autism was at the time. His unit, he said, needed strong photo analyzers to support its secretive work.

Maj. R. described his unit as "the eye of the country." Unit 9900 collects, analyzes, and interprets visual intelligence and provides it to commanders on the field and other security forces.

These images can come from satellite images, drone footage, and reconnaissance flights over areas like the Gaza Strip and Syria, The Jerusalem Post reported.

An IDF spokesperson told Insider that the unit played a part in Operation Breaking Dawn  the Israeli name for the Gaza-Israel clashes in August 2022.

During this three-day operation, 49 Palestinians in Gaza were killed, at least 22 of whom were civilians, and around 360 Palestinians injured, per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Israeli authorities said that 70 Israelis were injured by mortars and rockets launched by Palestinian militants.

The IDF spokesperson said Unit 9900 "helped protect civilians" and provided operational support in the clashes. Amnesty International described the operation as unleashing "fresh trauma and destruction" on Palestinians.

Smoke billows from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on August 7, 2022. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Maj. R. said he noticed early on that many autistic soldiers seemed to have a natural aptitude for aerial-photo analysis.

His neurotypical soldiers easily got distracted, he said, whereas the autistic soldiers seemed able to hyperfocus on the tasks at hand.

Research from the Wellcome Trust indicates that many people with autism have a "higher perceptual capacity" and show an increased ability to focus their attention on certain tasks.

"Most of them aren't interested in their surroundings. They don't want to talk to their friends, they want to sit and work," Maj. R. said. "They are very focused on what they are doing."

Intensive training

Although Ro'im Rachok's first training course was in photo analysis, it now offers courses in data tagging, GIS mapping, and electronics.

Each course sets up students to serve in specific IDF units, but at this stage, they participate in the training courses as civilians.

Insider was granted rare access to the electronics course of Ro'im Rachok's intensive training program, which lasts up to four months at Ono Academic College.

Ro'im Rachok students sit in a circle during a class at Ono Academic College. The IDF blurred some parts of the image, citing the need to obscure classified information. Israel Defense Forces/ Insider

It's November, and students of the Ro'im Rachok electronics course are approaching the final month of their training.

Sitting in a circle, surrounded by computers and maps of Israel, the students are reflecting on why they signed up for the training program, which, if completed successfully, will allow them to become full-fledged members of the IDF.

There's unanimous agreement that employability plays a big part. Even though it's technically illegal for an employer to ask directly about military experience, in practice, it does matter.

"If not for the army, it would be very difficult to make a future, get a job, make rent, buy an apartment," says Natir, an 18-year-old from Holon, as his classmates nod.

Roni, a 19-year-old from Rishon LeZion, raises her hand to speak. "I'm joining the IDF to have better chances in the future," she says.

It's not only the addition to her resume that will make her more employable, she adds, but also the skills she and her classmates develop along the way. "It makes a lot of people more confident in what we're doing and more communicative in language," she says.

A commander speaks with a Ro'im Rachok student at Ono Academic College. The IDF blurred some parts of the image, citing the need to obscure classified information. Israel Defense Forces/ Insider

Ron, an 18-year-old from Givatayim, says the course has helped him work on his "short fuse" and has been vital to his personal development.

The skills and unique perspectives that autistic people can bring to the table are advantageous to the army because "we see the world in a different way," he says, "that offers creative solutions."

For example, Ron says his intense and highly focused interests, which are common among people with autism, make him a dedicated worker and a quick learner.

"I know when I'm fixated on something, when something really gets my interest, it's hard for me to stop thinking about it and enjoying it," he adds.

Cmdr. A., Unit 9900

The training program can be challenging for students, said Cmdr. A of Unit 9900.

"At their schools or home, many of them were getting adjustments," he said. "Here, we're not making it easier for them. I can't change the whole army, so I need to face it with them."

This could involve bracing them for situations they haven't encountered before, from teaching would-be recruits how to navigate public transportation to preparing them for possible interrogation by enemy forces.

Students in the program work with therapists to help them understand and embrace their autism. Some students were diagnosed with autism when they received a military exemption; others have known for most of their life.

Roughly 10% of students in each course don't graduate. But the vast majority go on to take part in a four-month-trial period with the IDF before being formally recruited.

Usually, for conscripted soldiers, men are expected to serve for a minimum of 32 months, and women are expected to serve for at least 24 months. But because Ro'im Rachok enlistees are volunteers, they can drop out after a year.

Cmdr. A. looks at a map in Ono Academic College's classroom. Israel Defense Forces/ Insider

Pvt. E., an autistic soldier in Unit 9900, has been in the IDF longer than a year and decided to continue.

He said that he finds his work for the IDF enjoyable, and it's easier for him than many of his neurotypical colleagues.

"I don't want to say I'm slightly superior, because that's condescending, but it sometimes really is annoying when you can clearly see something that others don't," he said.

Sgt. I.

Sgt. I., the web specialist in the open-source-research unit, also said he finds specific tasks easier than his neurotypical colleagues, but that's balanced out by things he struggles with.

"If the average person has things that they're good at and bad at that, then for a person with autism, it's more extreme," he explained.

His strengths, Sgt. I. said, involve following long lists and instructions. "My brain works best when there's this sort of structure and order," he said. "No matter how tiring it can be for someone else, like some of my coworkers, I would have an easier time on average."

However, he said he doesn't think his skills are exceptional or that he's a "super genius"  a "dehumanizing" stereotype that "others" autistic people.

"To be honest, I don't really feel like I have a special skill set that is so incredible that I need to be like some grand asset," he said. "I'm just another soldier."

Read the original article on Business Insider
MUNCIE, Ind.  A mother whose children became seriously ill from exhaust fumes entering their family's vehicle has received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to neglect-of-dependent charges.

Brittany C.E. Rogers, 27, was arrested last Feb. 4 after her two children, ages 8 and 2, were left in their family's car, with its engine running, while Rogers and their father went into the Walmart store, at 4801 W. Clara Lane, for about 30 minutes.

Exhaust fumes left the children "unconscious and completely unresponsive," according to an affidavit. They were taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

Muncie Fire Department officials said the carbon monoxide level in the vehicle  considered dangerous at seven parts per million  measured at 500 parts per million.

More:Police: Mother's boyfriend shot children with airsoft gun as 'punishment'

Rogers reportedly told investigators she was aware the car was having exhaust-related issues, and that the vehicle's catalytic converter had been stolen.

After negotiating a deal with prosecutors, Rogers in recent days pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, Level 3 felonies carrying up to 16 years in prison.

Delaware Circuit Court 5 Judge Thomas Cannon Jr. imposed a pair of six-year sentences, both of which were suspended.

Rogers  listed in court documents at addresses both in Oklahoma and rural Muncie  also received a suspended one-year sentence for a theft conviction.

Rogers and the children's father  Antonio Kendrell Davis, 42  stole merchandize while in the store, police said.

In August, a Circuit Court 5 jury found Davis not guilty of neglect charges. He was convicted of the theft count.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Mother draws suspended sentence in neglect case stemming from car exhaust
West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force outreach worker Roger Stiff, center, demonstrates how to place Narcan into the nose as he provides training on how to respond to an overdose to Towanda Thigpen, left, and Darryl Holmes on Chicago's West Side on Jan. 6, 2023. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

A few people stood bundled up near West Roosevelt and South Pulaski roads with clipboards and little black baggies looking to talk to people about drug overdose and harm reduction.

Jackie Musgray was waiting for a bus nearby when one of the members of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force approached. They offered her information about signs of overdose as well as its antidote, naloxone, which she said she would be comfortable using to help someone if needed.

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Musgray said she has been around here, so she knows the signs of overdose and would know when to use the overdose-reversing naloxone.

A lot of people out here use drugs and stuff, Musgray told the Tribune. If a friend can help or a stranger can help to save a life, thats actually pretty cool. They explained how it works and it has the guide inside as well if you forget. Its awesome if it helps save lives.

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The task force holds overdose trainings like the one last week, traveling around Chicagos West Side six days a week. Members of the task force hit the streets to teach people how to use Narcan, a lifesaving nasal spray of naloxone, and the needle-and-vial equivalent as well as providing community resources such as counseling, job searching, housing, ways to secure an identification card and more.

The task force tries to find hot spots, or where drug activity is more common, said Gail Richardson, who works on the task force. In her three years of doing the work, she said shes reversed four overdoses herself.

Richardson said preliminary data released by the Cook County medical examiners office earlier this month showing opioid deaths had gone up in 2022 increased her faith in the need for the task force overdose trainings.

West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force outreach worker Roger Stiff provides training on how to respond to overdoses to passersby at Roosevelt and Pulaski roads on Jan. 6, 2023. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

The medical examiners office confirmed as of Wednesday that over 1,600 opioid-related deaths happened in 2022, but hundreds of autopsies from last year are still yet to be completed. Roughly 400 of the pending cases are expected to be opioid-related, which would put the 2022s final number over 2,000, the medical examiners office reported.

The data found that while homicides in Cook County fell by more than 15%, opioid overdose deaths in 2022 are on pace to break 2021s record of 1,936.

Something has to be done, Richardson said. Lets not just talk about it. Lets be out here and do something about it. Put forth some effort.

Towanda Thigpen stopped by the task force table near Roosevelt and Pulaski with her husband and said she knows a lot of people who could overdose and need naloxone, including herself. She said she wants to keep the overdose reversal medicine on her and make sure that she and her husband know how to use it.

I want to take my life back and get better, she said. Im tired.

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Thigpen started using drugs when she was 17, she said, and she realizes the way to get her life back after over 30 years of drug use is by asking for help.

Richardson, a nearly-lifelong West Side resident, said she is a recovering addict herself and about to celebrate 20 years of sobriety in February.

We have to tell them our stories, Richardson said. Im a recovering addict and so are some of the other people that I work with. Were actually people that have walked the streets.

Sherri Keyes and Michael Ferguson work with Family Guidance Centers, a partner organization of the task force that offers treatment for substance abuse. Both recovering addicts themselves, they said their backgrounds helped them get into this work and give others their lives back.

Keyes, who said shell be 10 years clean in February, said she has to hold back tears at times when signing up people for treatment on the streets because its hard to see someone in a position she was once familiar with, especially when the person is relatively young.

This work, its rewarding, but it can be very heartbreaking at the same time, she said. We actually lost someone that we signed up, someone that really touched my heart. I believe he was 28. We signed him up, but maybe a couple months later, he was found outside. He had died. So, its rewarding, but you have to have tough skin.

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Roger Stiff, a West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force outreach worker, talks with Jackie Musgray about how to respond to an overdose as she waits for her bus on Jan. 6, 2023. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Ferguson is about to be four years clean on Jan. 21, he said. He used heroin for about 20 years, he said, and had to have a hip replacement due to the effects of drug use.

Lost my whole hip at 37 years old, he said. That was enough to scare the life out of me where I didnt want to do it anymore.

He said he was homeless and living on Lower Wacker for over 10 years while struggling with addiction, and now he gets to enjoy helping people and watching them succeed in their own addiction battle, just like he did.

I still struggle, I just dont use anymore, Ferguson said. Its still difficult. Some days are better than others, but any day sober is better than any day getting high. I think its just a waste of life. Theres one thing that you can never take back, and thats time. Thats about the biggest regret I have. I dont regret who I am, but you realize it just doesnt make any sense. Why would I want to waste any more time than Ive already lost?

The task force interacts with about 60 people a day through the overdose trainings, she said. They provide everyone with the naloxone nasal spray and the vial and needle for injecting, both of which are legally allowed to be carried at all times in Illinois.

The Chicago Department of Public Health stocked over 50 libraries across the city with Narcan last year in an effort to make the lifesaving medication more accessible as overdoses became more common.

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Richardson said signs of an overdose include shortness of breath, unresponsiveness, discoloration of the skin, pinpoint pupils, purplish lips and eyes rolling to the back of their head.

Anyone who sees an overdose happening should call 911 and administer naloxone if they have it on hand. Once paramedics arrive, let them know if any naloxone has been given and how much.

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The nasal spray and the naloxone through a needle are equally as effective, Richardson said, but people can react to one faster than the other also depending on how much theyve taken. Richardson said people tend to prefer the nasal spray because of issues with needles.

West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force outreach worker Roger Stiff demonstrates how to place Narcan into a person's nose. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

The nasal spray is used by plugging one nostril of the person in needs nose while inserting the tip into the other nostril and pushing the plunger. Each Narcan comes with two doses of naloxone, and Richardson said a second dose can be given if the person doesnt respond to the first dose in about two minutes. The second dose should be given via the nostril that didnt take the first dose.

The needle method is naloxone injected in a fatty area of the body, Richardson said. Draw the medicine from the vial, and insert the needle into the persons upper arm or thigh. Again, if the person doesnt respond to the first dose within two minutes, you give them another dose in a different fatty part of the arm or leg.

Richardson said to turn the person on their side after administering the medicine so that if they do respond and wake up needing to throw up, they dont choke.

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The task force also provides drug testing kits, which can tell someone if the drug they have is laced with fentanyl or something else.

If you or anyone you know is dealing with addiction, help is available 24/7 by calling 833-234-6343 and asking for MAR (medication-assisted recovery) NOW, a free and accessible hotline through the Illinois Department of Human Services that connects a person directly and immediately to a treatment provider. All Chicago residents are eligible, regardless of insurance status, documentation or ability to pay for treatment. People can also text HELP to 833234 to connect with the hotline.

sahmad@chicagotribune.com
A Fresno man is being held on a $1 million bail following the gruesome slaying of slaying of his girlfriend, whose body was found dismembered, according to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office.

Cameron Wright, 22, was identified as the murder suspect and booked Wednesday into the Fresno County Jail.

Sheriffs spokesman Tony Botti said that about 10 p.m. Monday night, deputies went to the 8300 block of South Hayes Avenue after dispatchers received a report of a domestic violence incident.

After contacting Wright, deputies developed evidence that the girlfriend might be deceased.

Upon conducting a search about two miles away, they found the girlfriends body, which had been dismembered in an orchard near Raisin City.

Botti said the victim is believed to be Samantha Sharp, 24, of Porterville, but the identity has not been confirmed through a forensic process.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact detective Oscar Iniguez at 559-600-8201 or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.
Gas stove Davide Bonaldo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Despite what some commissioners may have suggested, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has no plans to ban gas stoves, chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric said Wednesday. "Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards," he said. "But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so."

President Biden "does not support banning gas stoves," White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa added on Wednesday.

The safety commission "is researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address health risks," as well as "actively engaged in strengthening voluntary safety standards for gas stoves," Hoehn-Saric said. "This is part of our product safety mission  learning about hazards and working to make products safer."

The idea of a gas stove ban was broached by CPSC commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. in an interview with Bloomberg News published Monday. The indoor pollution from gas stoves "is a hidden hazard," he said. "Any option is on the table. Products that can't be made safe can be banned."

Trumka responded to concerns about his comments on Monday afternoon. "To be clear, CPSC isn't coming for anyone's gas stoves. Regulations apply to new products," he tweeted. "For Americans who CHOOSE to switch from gas to electric," there's a federal rebate of up to $840.

About 35 percent of U.S. households have gas stoves, and that number is closer to 70 percent in states like California and New Jersey, CBS News reports. Some cooks prefer cooking with gas  and have been encouraged in that preference by the natural gas industry since the 1930s, The Washington Post notes  and while induction stoves are equally responsive and much cleaner and safer to use, they are typically more expensive than gas or traditional electric stoves.

"There is this misconception that if you want to do fine-dining kind of cooking it has to be done on gas," Trumka told Bloomberg. "It's a carefully manicured myth."

Story continues

The American Gas Association said a ban on gas stoves, or residential natural gas more generally, would be costly for consumers. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers advises that people using gas stoves turn on the vent hood, crack the windows, or utilize another form of ventilation.

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Nearly 1 in 4 patients who are admitted to hospitals in the U.S. will experience harm, according to a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The stark findings underscore that, despite decades of effort, U.S. hospitals still have a long way to go to improve patient safety, experts say.

These numbers are disappointing, but not shocking, said lead study author Dr. David Bates, the chief of general medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital and the medical director of clinical and quality analysis for Mass General Brigham in Boston. They do show we still have lots of work to do.

The research looked at the medical records of 2,809 patients who were hospitalized in 11 Boston-area hospitals in 2018. The study excluded people who were admitted for observation only or for hospice, rehabilitation, addiction treatment or psychiatric care.

Hospital data showed that 663 of the patients  about 24%  experienced at least one event during their stays that negatively affected their health, even temporarily.

A total of 222 adverse events were considered preventable, meaning errors resulted in patient harm. That translates to about 7% of the total admissions the researchers analyzed. Twenty-nine people, or 1% of the total of those admitted, experienced serious preventable adverse events that resulted in serious harm. One death was considered preventable.

The majority of the bad outcomes, however, were deemed unpreventable. They can include known side effects from certain medications or known risks associated with surgery.

The most common adverse events overall (nearly 40%) were related to medications given in the hospital. Surgery and other procedures accounted for just over 30%, followed by what the study authors called patient-care events, at 15%. They include falls and bedsores, both of which are considered preventable.

One bright spot, experts said, was that infections acquired in the hospital accounted for only about 12% of the adverse events  a significant decrease from a 1991 study that found infections were the second-most-common adverse event.

Story continues

The 1991 study, called the Harvard Medical Practice Study I, is considered landmark research. Using data from patients hospitalized in New York state in 1984, it found that only about 4% of hospitalized patients experienced harm. However, the study looked for a smaller range of adverse events than the current research, and hospitals have become much better at reporting harm when it does occur.

Its clear that, at least, the rate is not going down and that harm continues to be a really serious issue, Bates said.

Dr. Albert Wu, the director of the Center for Health Services and Research Outcomes at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in an email that while progress has been made in some areas, new risks have emerged as medicine has advanced.

Although we have eliminated some causes of harm, there are new kinds of harm that have been created, associated with potent new medications and new procedures, said Wu, who wasnt involved with the new research.

For example, drug companies have made significant advances over the three decades since the last report was published, but with an abundance of available drugs comes more opportunity for medication-related errors.

There are many more medications available today compared to 1991, and some of the medicines have a smaller therapeutic margin, which is the gap between the therapeutic effect and dangerous dose, said Dr. Donald Berwick, the president emeritus and a senior fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Boston. Berwick wrote an editorial that was published Wednesday alongside the new study.

Even the technologies implemented to prevent medication errors can create new opportunities for mishaps.

New technologies are always double-edged and you need to have intense surveillance to monitor them. You need to anticipate what can go wrong and build dykes around the hazards, Berwick said.

Linda Aiken, a professor and the founding director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at Penn Nursing in Philadelphia, said that at the heart of the patient safety issue is staffing.

Since weve been doing research on patient safety, we consistently find that one of the major explanations for poor patient outcomes is insufficient numbers of nurses at the bedside, she said. Having a sufficient number of nurses is a building block for safety.

In a 2018 study published in the journal Health Affairs, Aiken and her team interviewed nurses at 535 hospitals in the U.S. Sixty percent reported that there werent enough nurses at their hospitals to provide safe care. The pandemic exasperated already stressed nursing staff, leading to strikes.

Just one state, California, has legal criteria regarding the minimum number of staff members needed for safety in hospitals. One nurse cannot care for more than five patients at a time.

If you actually implemented a standard like this, you could save a lot of lives that fall under patient safety, Aiken said. These are preventable, but there are too few nurses there to provide the type of care that would prevent those adverse events from happening.

Experts said efforts must also be made to prevent the harms that were categorized as unpreventable, as well.

Practices evolve so that nonpreventable errors can be prevented by changes in practice, Wu said. For example, if you completely stop using a medication that [has a] high rate of nonpreventable adverse effects, those adverse effects wont happen anymore.

Dr. Peter Pronovost, the chief quality and clinical transformation officer at University Hospitals in Cleveland, used to work on preventing bloodstream infections, which were once considered inevitable rather than preventable.

When we changed that narrative, and used checklists, we reduced these infections that used to kill more people than breast or prostate cancer by 80%, he wrote in an email.

Wu said patients should keep in mind that there is the potential for harm while being hospitalized. He encouraged patients to strive to be active parts of their health care teams, telling hospital workers about what diagnoses they have, medications they are taking, allergies they have and care theyve gotten elsewhere.

If you think something might be wrong, speak up! he said.

Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A neighbor of Bryan Kohberger's in Pullman, Washington, said the suspect in the murder of four University of Idaho students spoke to him about the killings days after they occurred. The neighbor asked not to be identified.

"He brought it up in conversation," the neighbor exclusively told CBS News on Wednesday. "[He] asked if I had heard about the murders, which I did. And then he said, 'Yeah, seems like they have no leads. Seems like it was a crime of passion.'"

"At the time of our conversation, it was only a few days after it happened so there wasn't much details out," the neighbor added.

The search warrant for Kohberger's apartment in Pullman, Washington, has been temporarily sealed by an Idaho judge. The judge said the details could "prematurely end the investigation" and "create a threat to public safety."

Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, who were stabbed at the women's off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho.

Few details were released about the investigation into the murders until after Kohberger was arrested at his family's home in Pennsylvania in late December  more than a month after the Nov. 13 murders. An affidavit detailing how police tracked down the suspect was unsealed after he was extradited to Idaho.

Kohberger appeared in court Thursday.

University of Idaho students are returning to class for the first time since Kohberger's arrest. Many, like Madeline Paulik, are expressing relief.

"I was kind of glad to see a lot of cops around, just in case something did happen, they would be there," she said. "But it just feels very relieving knowing he's behind bars."

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Suspended Dover Mayor Richard Homrighausen, second from left, meets with family, supporters, and attorneys after being convicted of theft in office. A judge has rejected his bid for a new trial.

NEW PHILADELPHIA  A judge has rejected the request of suspended Dover Mayor Richard P. Homrighausen to set aside two guilty verdicts from his criminal trial or grant a new trial.

Defense attorneys Mark R. DeVan and William C. Livingston had asked that Homrighausen be acquitted of theft in office and dereliction of duty on grounds that they are mutually exclusive of four guilty verdicts for soliciting improper compensation.

The request:Homrighausen asks judge to throw out 2 convictions or grant new trial

In a judgment entry filed Wednesday, Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos wrote that she was not persuaded by the defendant's argument.

A jury found the eight-term mayor guilty Nov. 16 of theft in office, four counts of soliciting improper compensation and dereliction of duty. The charges stem from his acceptance of fees for performing four wedding ceremonies. In the theft charge, the jury found that the amount was less than $1,000. The dereliction of duty conviction related to Homrighausen failing to deposit the payments in the city treasury.

The judge also rejected the defense argument that the state law under which Homrighausen was convicted applies only to money collected in mayor's court.

She wrote that the defendant failed to show that there is insufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict.

"(T)he court further FINDS that there was sufficient evidence in the record from which a rational trier of fact could have found all of the essential elements of the independent crimes of theft in office, dereliction of duty and soliciting or accepting improper compensation beyond a reasonable doubt," Thomakos wrote.

Thomakos is scheduled to sentence Homrighausen Tuesday. The theft in office conviction bars him from holding public office for life. The ban is expected to take effect at sentencing.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Richard Homrighausen fails in attempt to get verdicts overturned
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico, the United States and Canada plan to produce in North America 25% of what they currently import from Asia under a new drive to promote the integration of the region's economy, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday.

Ebrard was speaking about the outcome of meetings this week in Mexico City between U.S. President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Ebrard said four representatives from each country will work on the import substitution scheme previously outlined by Lopez Obrador on Tuesday. He did not say how quickly the region planned to achieve the target.

Mexico will need to invest in order to accelerate the process, Ebrard said, noting that such investments would increase the country's growth by two percentage points.

Ebrard also said that the United States and Canada will participate in Mexico's plans to boost solar energy output and develop industry in the northern border state of Sonora.

Leaders from the three countries vowed on Tuesday to tighten economic ties, produce more goods regionally and boost semiconductor output after meeting in Mexico City.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Mark Porter)
MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell chided the networks senior Capitol Hill correspondent, Garrett Haake, on Thursday for using the term pro-life during an on-air discussion of the Republican-backed Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act.

The bill, which requires that medical professionals care for infants born after botched abortions, passed the House along largely partisan lines on Wednesday, with only one House Democrat, Henry Cuellar of Texas, voting with Republicans.

At the end of the day she was, as she described herself, pro-life, and that she felt that it was important to vote for these measures despite their potentially politically damaging or politically unappealing appearance, Haake said, referring to Representative Nancy Maces (R., N.C.) support for the bill.

Mitchell interjected during Haakes response to correct his terminology.

Let me just interrupt and say that pro-life is a term that theyan entire group wants to usebut thats not an accurate description.

I am using it because that is the term she used to describe herself, Andrea, Haake shot back.

The bill requires that medical practitioners preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. After such care, they must ensure that the child born alive is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.

Jerrold Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee who steered floor debate Wednesday, argued that the bill would actually endanger infants, rather than protecting them.

The problem with this bill is not that itprovides any new protections for infants, Nadler said. The problem with this bill is that it endangers some infants [born alive] by stating that that infant must immediately be brought to the hospital.

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, a nonprofit pro-life organization, Only 18 states have laws offering robust protections to babies who survive abortions, although others have recently taken steps to strengthen their laws.

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Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will be joining the US Senate. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will be joining the US Senate.

Ricketts' family owns the Chicago Cubs and has broadly supported conservative causes.

Ricketts will replace former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse who left the chamber.

Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will be joining the US Senate, an appointment that caps his political comeback and cements his family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, as one of the most powerful forces in American politics.

On Thursday morning, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that Ricketts was his pick to replace former Sen. Ben Sasse, who left the chamber to lead the University of Florida. Ricketts will serve until 2024 when he will face Nebraskans in a special election to finish out the remainder of Sasse's term. Ricketts pledged to run for a full term in 2026 as well. Sen. Deb Fischer, a two-term Republican incumbent and loyal ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is also up for reelection then too.

Along with owning the Cubs, the Ricketts family has long been among the biggest funders of Republican campaigns.

Joe Ricketts, the founder of what is now TD Ameritrade, donated at least $1 million to Trump after opposing him in the GOP primary. Before their rapprochement, Trump threatened the family by saying, "They better be careful, they have a lot to hide!" Todd Ricketts, one of the governor's brothers, was later named finance chair for the Republican National Committee. Laura Ricketts, the governor's sister, is the one major exception to the family's largely conservative views. She is a major Democratic donor and was a bundler for former President Barack Obama.

As governor, Ricketts used his status as a multi-millionaire to buck up his policies and punish those who crossed him. His most successful endeavor was pushing for the state to bring back the death penalty after the Nebraska legislature overrode Ricketts' veto to end the death penalty. BuzzFeed estimated that Ricketts and his family spent over $400,000 on a ballot initiative to restore the death penalty that was ultimately successful.

Story continues

"Supporting candidates is a manner of free speech. Can you have too much free speech?," Ricketts said in a recent interview with the Omaha World-Herald when asked about his strategy. "I'm exercising my free speech rights. Every American should be able to do that."

Ricketts was instrumental in Pillen's comeback to win the Nebraska gubernatorial primary over the Trump-backed Charles Herbster. Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Ricketts as a "RINO" for crossing him in the primary. McConnell also made it clear that he wanted Ricketts to replace Sasse, making Thursday's announcement one of the worst-kept secrets in Nebraska. Pillen denied that there was anything untoward about his selection of Ricketts.

Then-Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson drubbed Ricketts in 2006, a rough start to his political career. Ricketts then founded a conservative think-tank, his family purchased the Cubs, and then the Nebraskan rebranded himself as a "very bold and very bald conservative" before winning the governorship in 2014. He was term-limited out of office, leaving his political future uncertain before his appointment.

Pillen told reporters that he interviewed nine people for the job before selecting Ricketts. None of the nine were Democrats. Of the remaining list, the most well-known are former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, who Pillen also beat in the gubernatorial primary, and Sid Dinsdale, who lost to Sasse and other hopefuls in the 2014 US Senate primary.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will speak with reporters on Thursday afternoon.

The media availability comes after the Chicago Public Schools inspector general opened an investigation into an attempt by her reelection campaign to solicit students as political volunteers.

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The uproar began earlier this week after Lightfoots political team asked CPS teachers to help recruit their students for her reelection campaign in exchange for class credit  a practice that the incumbent mayors campaign later vowed to stop after her challengers blasted it as crossing ethical boundaries.

[ Mayor Lightfoot says campaign recruitment emails to CPS teachers should not have happened after watchdog launches investigation ]

Lightfoot is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. Watch live below.

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The Indiana General Assembly has an unprecedented opportunity to implement the most promising educational reform theyve yet to try: universal school choice.

Its time for Indiana to move beyond the limited choice program we have now and create a genuine free market in which schools compete for students, and parents choose what is best for their families, with options ranging from home schools to special needs and vocational programs to traditional college prep academies.

This is what Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman pushed for in 1955 when he wrote, The Role of Government in Education. He observed, Government has appropriately financed general education for citizenship, but in the process it has been led also to administer most of the schools that provide such education. Yet, as we have seen, the administration of schools is neither required by the financing of education nor justifiable in its own right in a predominantly free enterprise society.

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Friedman, writing prior to the modern educational reform movement, blamed lack of consumer choice for low achievement and declining test scores.

Much has happened in the years since, including the release in 1983 of A Nation at Risk, which bemoaned the state of Americas public schools. In response, federal and state legislators lurched from one reform idea to another in an effort to make the system work, and they have met with nothing but failure. The trends were exacerbated by the COVID pandemics closing of schools and shift to remote instruction:

Math and language arts scores on the ISTEP and ILEARN assessments have fallen precipitously since 2011, with only 28% of Hoosier students achieving proficiency in both.

At fourth grade and eighth grade levels, Indiana math and reading scores on the NAEP test  the nations so-called report card  not only dropped last year but have fallen from their highs. This is especially notable considering that math and reading have been a singular focus of elementary schools since Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, pushing performance-based evaluations of schools and teachers.

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Only half of Indiana high school juniors tested as college-ready in reading and writing on the 2022 SAT test, and only one-third met readiness standards for math.

Model legislation for educational freedom can be found in Arizona, where parents choose between a public-sector school or an Educational Savings Account, worth about $7,000. Families can use that money for private school tuition, home school curriculum, online academies, and micro-schools. These are smaller learning communities, often created by parents and tailored to the specific needs of a student or group of students.

Indiana lawmakers could fund ESAs in the upcoming session using state dollars but eventually will need to address the fact that 30% of school funding continues to come from local property taxes ($3.7 billion in 2021). A reworking of the funding formula to ensure statewide equity is in order. Unlike our current voucher system, educational accounts should have few strings attached. A reasonable requirement for a school to qualify for ESA dollars would be proof of core curriculum, a condition similar to what Friedman recommended in his 1955 essay.

Indianas path

Indiana was a pioneer in school choice in the early 1990s when J. Patrick Rooney of Golden Rule Insurance funded scholarships for low-income Indianapolis children to attend private schools. Rooney died in 2008, but the success of his program led the legislature to adopt a variety of choice initiatives.

Today, 21% of Hoosier students take advantage of some form of choice: public charter or magnet schools, home schools, inter-district transfer, and vouchers to help pay private school tuition of students whose households meet certain income criteria. As of this year, Indiana also offers an Education Savings Account program, limited to students with special needs to be used to pay for private school tuition or individualized services. Unlike vouchers, which function as scholarships, ESAs allow parents to apply allocated state dollars to a variety of education expenses.

There has never been a better moment for educational freedom, said Robert C. Enlow, president and CEO of EdChoice. Under our current choice options, he noted, Twenty percent are taking charge. Society is failing the other 80%.

Indeed, parents satisfaction with their childrens education has dropped from 51% in 2019 to 42% today, according to Gallup.

With super majorities in both the Indiana House and Senate, a mandate from voters, and the infrastructure already in place for ESAs, Republican lawmakers should seize the moment and bring educational freedom to all Hoosier families.

Andrea Neal is an adjunct scholar with the Indiana Policy Review and a former member of the State Board of Education.

Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.
The daughter of an aid worker murdered by the Isis Beatles has voiced outrage after it emerged that one of the members of the notorious terror cell has vanished from the US prison system.

Alexanda Kotey  who earned the nickname Jihadi George  is listed as not in BOP custody on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website, with his release date unknown.

The 39-year-old from London is currently serving a life sentence for the abduction, torture and beheadings of Isis hostages in Syria including four American journalists and aid workers.

He pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges in 2021 and had been serving his sentence at the notorious, high-security Canaan prison in Pennsylvania.

But now his current location is no longer publicly available.

A BOP spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that Kotey is not currently in BOP custody but did not reveal where he is or why he has been moved.

However, the spokesperson said that there are several reasons why an inmate may be referred to as not in BOP custody.

Inmates who were previously in BOP custody and who have not completed their sentence may be outside BOP custody for a period of time for court hearings, medical treatment or for other reasons, he said.

We do not provide specific information on the status of inmates who are not in the custody of the BOP for safety, security, or privacy reasons.

British man David Haines was beheaded by the terror cell while working as an aid worker in Syria.

David Haines was murdered by terror cell in Syria

His daughter Bethany Haines has hit out at Koteys sudden relocation  and the lack of transparency from the BOP  saying that she wonders if he is assisting authorities.

She told Scotlands Daily Record that it doesnt seem right that the convicted terrorist could be having an easy time outside of jail instead of being locked up in his Pennsylvania prison cell.

I dont want to think that he has managed to negotiate his way into any kind of easy treatment on the basis of him assisting authorities or anything else, she said.

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She added: I dont think it is right that he can just disappear from the system and the families whose lives were devastated by his actions are left to wonder where he is.

Ms Haines came face to face with her fathers killer last year, during a jailhouse meeting where he admitting to abducting her father and watching his torture and beheading.

The meeting was part of a plea deal to grant Kotey a transfer from US prison to UK custody after serving 15 years of his sentence.

Alexanda Kotey is currently serving a life sentence for the abduction, torture and beheadings of ISIS hostages in Syria including four American journalists and aid workers (PA Media)

Under the deal, he also agreed to cooperation requirements and was housed in Canaan instead of the notorious ADX Florence prison in Colorado  which is unfavourably known as the Alcatraz of the Rockies.

Ms Haines said that, in the jailhouse meeting, she realised that he could not be rehabilitated.

When I met Kotey and looked into his eyes I realised there will be no rehabilitating a man like that. He refused to apologise for what he did to my dad, she said.

She told The Mirror that Kotey also couldnt seem to bring himself to apologise to for killing her father.

He refused to apologise for what he did to my dad. He did make an apology in a roundabout way for the ongoing suffering that my family has to endure, but he couldnt find it within himself to say he was sorry for kidnapping, torturing and beheading my father, she said.

Ms Haines said she thinks the most likely explanation for his apparent disappearance is that he is somewhere in the US prison system offering assistance to authorities.

Im aware of the saying in prison circles that snitches get ditches  if thats the case it will be a situation he brought on himself, he said.

Mr Haines was among some 27 people thought to have been murdered by the so-called Isis Beatles, whose other members included Mohammed Emwazi, Aine Davis and El Shafee Elsheikh.

The terror cell, which earned the Beatles nickname because of the groups British accents, broadcast their horrific murders online, sparking headlines and outrage around the world.

Kotey and Elsheikh were both captured in Syria in 2018 while trying to flee to Turkey.

In 2021, Kotey pleaded guilty to eight charges including lethal hostage-taking and conspiracy to support terrorists.

He also admitted involvement in the deaths of four Americans  journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig  and was sentenced to life in prison.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Pakistan's prime minister said Thursday that the United Arab Emirates agreed to extend a $2 billion loan to his country and provide an additional $1 billion as his nation struggles to recover from devastating floods this summer and a dire economic crisis.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's office made the announcement after he met with the leader of the UAE, Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It said Sheikh Mohammed agreed to the loan extension and the new loan, desperately needed as foreign currency reserves in the nation have plummeted to $5.5 billion  enough money for just under a month of imports.

Both sides agreed to deepen the investment cooperation, stimulate partnerships and enable investment integration opportunities between the two countries, Sharif's office said.

The Emirates did not immediately acknowledge the rollover of the loan and the granting of the additional billion. It said the meeting at Abu Dhabi's Al Shati Palace saw the two leaders discuss the historical relations between the UAE and Pakistan and ways to enhance joint cooperation and expand its horizons in a way that serves the mutual interests of the two countries.

Sharif's visit to the UAE marks his third since becoming premier last April. The seven sheikhdoms of the Emirates are home to some 1.7 million Pakistanis, many manual laborers that power its economy and send money back to their nation.

Stung by food and fuel increases caused by Russia's war on Ukraine, Pakistan also has been struggling to cut into its government spending as well as inflation grows. That's worsened the economic crisis gripping a country where authorities have ordered malls to shut earlier to save on energy costs. The International Monetary Fund released a crucial tranche of $1.1 billion to Pakistan in August but talks have stalled since.

Saudi Arabia earlier this week floated investing $10 billion in Pakistan and increasing its deposits in the State Bank of Pakistan to $5 billion there.

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On Wednesday, Sharif said several countries and some of the worlds institutions have pledged $9.7 billion to help Pakistan rebuild from the summers catastrophic flood that killed 1,739 people. That's far above the pledges  which have gone unfulfilled in other similar international conferences.

The floods destroyed more than 2 million homes and caused more than $30 billion in damage.

___

Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
By Emily Rose

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Three Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers during raids that sparked clashes in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said on Thursday.

One was killed during an army raid in the Qalandia refugee camp.

The Israeli military said it had been conducting arrests and confiscating weapons throughout the West Bank. At one location in Qalandia, it said, soldiers came under attack by locals and responded with dispersal methods and live fire.

Later in the area of Jenin, where witnesses reported a firefight, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The Israeli army said troops there apprehended a suspect over "involvement in terrorist activity and planning attacks."

Soldiers opened fire, it said, after being shot at and a "violent riot" erupted.

The West Bank, among areas where Palestinians seek a state, has seen a surge of violence since Israel stepped up the operations in response to a series of street attacks in its cities last year.

In the first two weeks of 2023, eight Palestinians have been killed in the raids, including three teenagers, according to Palestinian officials. No Israeli soldiers have been killed in the operations.

Separately, on Wednesday, in the southern West Bank, a Palestinian stabbed a Jewish settler at a farm and was shot dead, Yochai Damri, the head of local settlements, told Israel's Army Radio. It was not clear whether the wounded settler or someone else fired the shots, he said.

Israel says the raids are a security measure targeting suspected militants. Palestinians consider the raids a form of collective punishment and say they are fighting against decades of Israeli occupation.

Addressing a U.N. Security Council meeting on the rule of law on Thursday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said 2022 had been a deadly year for both Palestinians and Israelis and condemned all "unlawful killings and acts by extremists."

"At the same time, the expansion of settlements by Israel, as well as home demolitions and evictions, are driving anger and despair," Guterres said. "I am also very concerned by the unilateral initiatives that we have seen in recent days."

(Reporting by Emily Rose, Ali Sawafta, Michelle NicholsEditing by Frank Jack Daniel, Frances Kerry, Alexandra Hudson)
JERUSALEM (AP)  The Israeli military shot and killed three Palestinians during arrest raids in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, Palestinian health officials said, the latest bloodshed in months of rising violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

The military, which has been carrying out near-nightly raids in the territory since early last year, said soldiers who entered the Qalandia refugee camp before dawn were bombarded by rocks and cement blocks. In response, the military said troops opened fire at Palestinians throwing objects from rooftops. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the man killed as Samir Aslan, 41.

Aslan's sister, Noura Aslan, said Israeli security forces broke into their house at 2:30 a.m. to arrest his 18-year-old son, Ramzi. As Ramzi was being hauled away, his father sprinted to the rooftop to see what was happening, she said. Within moments, an Israeli sniper shot him in the back.

Aslan's wife called an ambulance, but Noura said the army initially prevented medics from reaching the house. As Aslan was bleeding, his family dragged his body down the stairs and called for help. An ambulance picked him up some 20 minutes later, Noura said.

The Israeli army also raided the northern occupied West Bank on Thursday, entering the village of Qabatiya south of the flash point city of Jenin and surrounding a house in the town. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces fatally shot 25-year-old Habib Kamil and 18-year-old Abdel Hadi Nazal.

The Israeli army said security forces entered Qabatiya to arrest Muhammad Alauna, a Palestinian suspected of planning militant attacks. The army said soldiers shot at a number of Palestinians during the raid, including a man who tried to flee the scene with Alauna, a gunman who fired at the forces from inside his car as well as a group of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli troops. It was not immediately clear what Kamil was doing when he was shot.

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The deaths on Thursday bring the total number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year to nine, including two Palestinians killed Wednesday in separate incidents in the West Bank. One was killed during an Israeli military arrest raid in the territorys north and another after stabbing and wounding an Israeli man in a southern settlement.

Israel ramped up its military raids last spring, after a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis killed 19 people. Israel says the operations are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks. The Palestinians see them as further entrenchment of Israel's 55-year, open-ended occupation of land they seek for their future state.

The raids sharply escalated tensions and helped fuel another wave of Palestinian attacks in the fall that killed 10 Israelis. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 2022, Israeli rights group B'Tselem reported, making last year the deadliest since 2004.

The heightened violence comes as Israel's new ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government  it's most right-wing ever  is charting its legislative agenda, one that is expected to take a tough line against the Palestinians and drive up settlement construction in the West Bank.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, territories the Palestinians want for their future independent state. Israel has since settled 500,000 people in about 130 settlements across the West Bank, which the Palestinians and much of the international community view as an obstacle to peace.
A rendering of The Village SF development, which is slated to open in 2025 and will be one of the largest community spaces for urban Indians in the nation. (Courtesy photo)

In one of her last acts as Speaker of the House, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) secured $750,000 for an urban Indian development that will provide housing, healthcare, community gathering space, and social services for the more than 9,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives living in San Francisco.

The funding, which was part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill, is for The Village SF, a project of Friendship House, the oldest urban Indian services organization in the U.S. Slated to open in 2025, The Village SF will be a six-story building in the heart of the Mission District, located alongside an existing Friendship House building. The two buildings will share a courtyard, and create a space of gathering and services for San Franciscos Native peoples.

The Village SF is a vision by and for Indian people, Friendship House Executive Director Gabriel Pimentel (Chiricahua Apache) said in a statement. So many of our community members have been displaced by centuries of harmful policy. This is our answer to providing a community for the thousands of Native peoples who call San Francisco home.

The Village SF is a holistic response to the needs of San Franciscos urban Indians. It will include: workforce development; nutrition services; transitional housing; traditional and western medicine; community space; substance use recovery, including the Womens Lodge dedicated to keeping mothers and children together during treatment; youth center; elders gathering place; and a rooftop farm.

Speaker Pelosi has been a longtime champion of Friendship House, Pimentel said. Our founder, Helen Waukazoo, and the Speaker forged a powerful collaboration, and we are deeply grateful for her dedication to our vision and work.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Former Vice President Mike Pence in an exclusive interview called on the Biden administration to reinstate and provide back pay to members of the military who were discharged for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine now that the mandate for the shot has been lifted.

Pence, in a Wednesday interview with The Hill, called it unconscionable that some troops were put in a position to decide between serving their country and complying with the vaccine mandate, which was instituted in August 2021. The mandate was rescinded through a bipartisan defense policy bill signed into law late last year.

I think it was unconscionable that the Biden administration mandated the vaccine on members of the armed forces of the United States, and I celebrate Congresss recent decision to rescind that mandate, but that doesnt go far enough, Pence said.

I think now that Secretary Austin has implemented what Congress passed into law, lifting the vaccine mandate on members of our armed forces, now Im calling on the Biden administration and the Pentagon to reinstate every man and woman that was discharged from our armed forces because they refused to take the vaccine, and give them 100 percent back pay for the time after they were discharged, Pence continued.

The overwhelming majority of the nations service members got the COVID-19 vaccination before or after it became a requirement. More than 8,000 were discharged for refusing the shot, however. Most were discharged under terms that allowed them to continue to receive veterans benefits.

In a memo announcing the mandate had been dropped, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said those who were discharged can petition for a change in the characterization of their discharge in personnel records.

The Department will continue to promote and encourage COVID-19 vaccination for all service members, Austin wrote in the memo. Vaccination enhances operational readiness and protects the force.

Opposition to the vaccine mandate became a rallying cry for conservatives, who have for the last two years opposed attempts by the Biden administration to require the COVID-19 shot for workers and troops.

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Pence credited the Supreme Court with striking down a policy that would require large companies to have employees either get vaccinated or tested for COVID-19, though it left in place a mandate for health care workers to get vaccinated.

The former vice president led the White House COVID-19 task force during the Trump administration, and he argued that officials during the last administration did not support mandates.

Pence was a major proponent of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, and he got his shot on camera in the final weeks of his vice presidency to promote its safety.

Some conservatives have expressed skepticism about the vaccine, raising questions about its effectiveness. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a potential 2024 presidential candidate, late last month asked a state grand jury to investigate the COVID-19 vaccines and whether the public was misled about their efficacy.

Former President Trump did not get his shot on camera, and he has tip-toed around making direct calls for his supporters to get vaccinated.

Pence, who is also viewed as a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate, did not directly address DeSantiss comments on Wednesday. He expressed pride in the work that was done during the Trump administration to develop the vaccine, but he argued some of the skepticism about the shots can be attributed to mandates that were put in place.

We never supported a vaccine mandate, Pence said. And I understand the concern that people in this country have about the vaccines, but I really believe it ultimately finds its origins in the fact that a vaccine mandate came along and people were required to take it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Visitors tour past military vehicles carrying the Dong Feng 41 and DF-17 ballistic missiles at an exhibition highlighting President Xi Jinping and his China's achievements under his leadership, at the Beijing Exhibition Hall in Beijing on Oct. 12, 2022. (Andy Wong / AP)

In an annual exercise since 1947, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists sets its Doomsday Clock to provide an educated guess of how close humanity is to the apocalypse. The organization will announce its 2023 clock this month, and I expect the outlook is bleaker.

If the United States responds to rising nuclear danger with more arms control instead of more weapons, it could help push the clocks hands back again.

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Last year was a reminder that the nuclear threat most of us spend little time worrying about is only one obstinate autocrat away. Vladimir Putins saber rattling is the most immediate escalation but not the only one.

The deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons isnt even on life support anymore. North Korea spent 2022 firing a record number of missile tests, and Kim Jong Un has promised to expand his countrys nuclear capabilities exponentially in the new year.

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China merits the greatest concern in the long term though. Historically it has maintained a no-first-use policy, keeping a small nuclear arsenal for deterrence, only sufficient to retaliate if attacked, and has not kept its weapons ready to launch, in contrast to the United States and Russia.

But under President Xi Jinping, Chinas nuclear posture is changing. It is reportedly on track to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035, which would put China on par with the limits that the United States and Russia have agreed to in the New START treaty. China is also building new delivery systems and a network of new silos to house intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The knee-jerk reaction to an increasingly dangerous world is to arm oneself against it even further, and many nuclear hawks are arguing for just that.

But a safer approach would be to avoid a nuclear arms race, not to aim to win it. After all, there are no winners in nuclear conflagration.

The case for expanding the U.S. nuclear arsenal is based on the belief that it is necessary to hedge against opportunistic aggression by increasingly dangerous foes. But more nuclear weapons arent needed to deter such aggression, and expanding our arsenal will only encourage our foes to do the same.

Americas combined conventional and nuclear weapons capabilities are already an effective deterrent to a nuclear strike, as they dwarf the next contender.

Russia today simply isnt the same foe that the Soviet Union was before, when it held nearly twice as many nuclear warheads as the United States, and we believed the Soviet Union had an advantage in conventional war capabilities in Europe as well. The decline of its relative combat power is on display in Ukraine, as is the deterrent effect of U.S. conventional power, which has kept Russia from striking our allies, even as supply lines from NATO countries bolster Ukraines defense.

North Korea and Iran might be nuclear bogeymen, but using them as an excuse to grow our own large nuclear arsenal would be like buying more guns to deter fire ants, when your boot would do the job just fine if needed. If North Korea dared launch a first strike against South Korea, highly accurate U.S. and South Korean precision conventional missiles would be enough to defeat North Korea conventionally.

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Even if Iran secures nuclear capabilities, it still lacks the ability to project power into the Gulf or existentially threaten a nuclear-capable Israel, and the promised U.S. response to any nuclear use would quickly wipe out any first-strike advantage Iran could secure.

China is a far more serious foe, but its growing nuclear and conventional capacity still doesnt merit a growing U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Yet Chinas rapidly growing nuclear arsenal does call for action to limit future risks. The safest and most sensible action is arms control. If the United States presses for arms control and agrees to limits itself, it could convince others to follow suit. If it chooses to build up more instead, others will follow suit as well, only increasing the danger presented by either outright aggression or accident.

The United States has done so before successfully too. During the Cold War, the arms race created the danger. The U.S. and the Soviet Union managed and reduced that danger through communication, hard-fought diplomacy, and transparency.

The two super powers began negotiating arms control in the 1970s, beginning with the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and as recently as 2021, the United States and Russia extended the New START Treaty.

The United States must press Russia to return to the constructive role it has played in nonproliferation before and must bring China to the table too. The latter goal could help with the former, as China has more leverage with Russia today than any other country.

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President Joe Bidens meeting with Xi in November, which touched on nuclear policy, was a small start. But making progress diplomatically on hard issues requires concessions. The United States wont get them unless it makes some of its own.

Working together with adversaries is hard, but a mutual benefit makes it possible. If we cant find common ground here though, mutually assured destruction becomes more likely as the Doomsday Clock speeds up.

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 and is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Phoenix police.

Phoenix police asked the public's help to identify a man whose body was found set on fire in December, near Seventh Avenue and Grant Street.

On Dec. 1, officers in the area saw smoke and found a small fire which they extinguished. After the fire was out, officers saw what appeared to be the body of a man who was "severely burned," according to Phoenix police. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The remains were turned over to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, police said on Wednesday.

The man could have been between 20 and 60 years old, was about 5 inches 8 feet tall and weighed about 130 pounds. He was possibly wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, according to a police bulletin.

Detectives released a composite sketch of the man, and asked anyone who recognized it to contact the Phoenix Police Department, or Silent Witness if they want to remain anonymous (480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish Speakers).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police seek public help in identifying man killed, set on fire
TORONTO (AP)  Canadian police are asking victims to come forward after a group of eight to 10 teenage girls randomly assaulted several people at subway stations in Toronto on the same night police say eight teenage girls stabbed and killed a homeless man outside a station.

Toronto police said in a short release on Wednesday that they are seeking the publics help to identify victims who were assaulted at five downtown subway stations between 10 p.m. and 12. a.m. on Dec. 17, hours before 59-year-old Ken Lee was killed near Union Station.

Toronto police would not say whether the suspects in the killing are the same teen girls suspected in the assaults and cited a court publication ban in the case for not providing more information.

Police say Lee died in hospital after he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of eight teenage girls in mid-December. Three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds and two 16-year-olds face second-degree murder charges.

Police said they believe the girls met on social media and are from homes across the Greater Toronto Area. They said three had previous interactions with police, while five others did not.

Canadian authorities cant identify them because theyre minors. One was granted bail last month, while the rest await hearings.

Investigators have said they think the girls were trying to take a bottle of alcohol from the man. They also said the same girls got into an altercation earlier that night, taking part in a swarming, which is unheard of among girls, Toronto Police Sgt. Terry Browne said last month.

For a time decades ago in Toronto, young teen boys would swarm people as they tried to steal Dr. Martens boots or Air Jordan shoes, but the crimes faded away, he said.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  A man accused of assaulting several people at a mobile home park was fatally shot by police after a long standoff when he rushed at officers with a knife, police said.

Two officers fired at Jordan Pruyn, 28, Wednesday night, Columbia Police spokesman Christian Tabak said at a news conference Thursday.

Officers initially responded to a report that a man had assaulted several people near the Stonegate Mobile Home Community. Tabak said Pruyn discarded a firearm when officers arrived but efforts to deescalate the situation were unsuccessful and he barricaded himself inside a mobile home.

Pruyn stopped communicating for several hours, but then came out and ran toward officers with a knife, Tabak said. He was declared dead at a hospital.

Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones said one of the officers has 18 years of experience and the other about four years.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will investigate the shooting and Columbia police will conduct an internal investigation, the chief said.
Jan. 11MIAMI COUNTY  The Indiana State Police say one of their own, along with some other Good Samaritans, helped save a Macy boy's life after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Peru.

According to an ISP media release, officers were dispatched to the area of Old U.S. 31 and 1000 North a little before 8 a.m. Tuesday in reference to the crash.

Preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that Kristy Berggren, 31, of Macy, was driving her 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander westbound on 1000 North when she stopped for a stop sign at Old U.S. 31, per the release.

Berggren then proceeded into the intersection, police stated in the release, when she was struck in the passenger side by a southbound 2002 Ford F-250 driven by Derek Bradley, 38, of Rochester.

Authorities noted Bradley had the right-of-way and was not required to stop.

Police state that ISP Capt. Jeremy Kelly was one of the first officers to arrive on scene.

After his arrival, Kelly located 8-month-old Gunner Berggren inside the Outlander. The boy was not breathing and also did not have a pulse, per the release.

Along with some Good Samaritans, Kelly initiated CPR on Gunner, and police say the boy regained a pulse before being transported to a nearby hospital.

Two other occupants in the Outlander, Kristy Berggren and 5-year-old Lilliana Stroud, of Macy, were also injured and transported to area hospitals.

Their conditions are unknown at this time.

Authorities state Bradley was not injured in the incident.

The crash is still under investigation, but police do not believe drugs or alcohol were contributing factors, the release stated.

Assisting ISP at the scene were the Macy Fire Department, the Miami County Sheriff's Department, the Miami County Emergency Management Agency and Lutheran EMS.
LUETZERATH, Germany (AP)  Police pressed ahead Thursday with the clearance of a condemned village in western Germany, where activists are vowing to hold out against its demolition to make way for the expansion of a coal mine.

Officers resumed their effort after working into the night to bring down activists from the roof of an abandoned farm warehouse in Luetzerath and disentangle another from the remains of a car.

Aachen police chief Dirk Weinspach, whose force is in charge of the operation, told ZDF television that more than 200 activists had already left the site voluntarily. The clearance of the hamlet's warehouses should be concluded on Thursday, then police can tackle tree houses built by the protesters and Luetzerath's remaining houses, he added.

This will go step by step and with great calm and prudence, Weinspach said.

The operation to evict climate activists holed up in Luetzerath kicked off on Wednesday morning, with some stones, fireworks and other objects thrown at advancing officers but no major violence. Most of the protest was peaceful.

Luetzerath has become a flashpoint of debate over Germany's climate efforts.

Environmentalists say bulldozing the village to expand the nearby Garzweiler coal mine would result in huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The government and utility company RWE argue the coal is needed to ensure Germanys energy security.

Some protesters complained of undue force by police and others said the scale of the police response, with officers brought in from across the country and water cannons on standby, was itself a form of escalation not justified by the peaceful protest.

The regional and national governments  both of which include the environmentalist Green party  reached a deal with RWE last year allowing it to destroy the abandoned village in return for ending coal use by 2030, rather than 2038.
A sign outside the fire station in the 1000 block of North Orleans Street in Chicago. A newborn who was left in a duffel bag at the building died in 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

The NBC series Chicago Fire is under fire from safe haven law advocates worried that viewers might be misled by a recent episode involving a baby box. The problem, as they see it, is that while some states allow the boxes, Illinois doesnt.

But the problem with safe haven laws is far more serious. As experts on infanticide, weve watched every state enact some version of a safe haven as a way to save newborns who might otherwise be abandoned in dumpsters. Our research made us skeptical that the laws were reaching their target. Then that target expanded. In striking down Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court opined that by permitting anonymous drop-offs, safe havens sufficiently address the problem of unwanted children.

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Knowing that abortion bans will lead to more infant abandonment, we set out to understand how safe havens work. We found chaos. Nobody is collecting the information needed to safeguard infants and their parents, let alone confront the societal forces leading people to use these havens in the first place.

Safe haven surrenders happen in the shadows. In part, this is because state laws lack uniformity. Some require infants be surrendered within 72 hours of birth; others allow up to 90 days. Some send infants into foster care; others fast-track adoptions. Some restrict safe havens to settings with health care providers; others allow drop-offs at crisis pregnancy centers or in high-tech baby boxes.

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There is no standardized, mandatory training for those working in designated safe havens, who might be firefighters, pastors or volunteers. Many locations do not even realize they are legally designated as safe havens and lack any plan should an infant arrive.

The death last year of a newborn abandoned in a duffel bag outside a Chicago fire station was a tragedy but not a surprise, given the realities informing safe haven surrenders.

Heather Burner, who runs the National Safe Haven Alliance hotline, and her team field calls from parents contemplating surrendering their newborns. Burners four-person staff works long hours, helping victims of trafficking return home and identifying local drug treatment programs and affordable mental health care. Some callers are in violent relationships or are struggling to find housing or kick drugs. Some cant fathom paying for day care while struggling to support the families they already have. Some are teenagers concealing pregnancies, fearful of family rejection. All are in crisis.

One of Burners biggest challenges is helping callers navigate the countrys wildly inconsistent laws. Rather than safeguarding this vulnerable population, safe haven policies lack even minimal oversight to ensure surrenders are fully voluntary. There is no requirement that parents be informed of the public and private support that might permit them to make a different choice. Nor are they warned that, in an era of widespread genetic testing, the signal promise of anonymity is a farce. Surrendered children may eventually uncover their parents identities, but the police might beat them to it.

Safe haven laws provide only qualified immunity, shielding parents from prosecution for the crime of infant abandonment. No immunity exists if the child shows signs of abuse: A woman who struggles with addiction might make the heartbreaking choice to surrender her newborn, only to be charged for using drugs during pregnancy.

Should parents regret their decision, few safe haven laws support a path to reunification. Unlike those placing children for adoption, whose decisions arent finalized for days or even weeks, safe haven parents typically must petition to reclaim custody. Instead of working to promote the alternative of open adoption, which is better for babies and birthparents alike, many states make zero-contact handoff the norm.

Safe havens arent even safeguarding babies. There are no data-driven best practices because nobody is tracking outcomes. The only evidence-based response comes from Dr. Micah Orliss, who leads the Safe Surrender program at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which offers a multidisciplinary approach for managing the constellation of special needs and developmental challenges his team has identified in surrendered infants. His clinic  unique in the country  provides ongoing care, at no expense to adoptive parents.

Surely a just society should do more than set out heated drop boxes where untrained personnel collect the babies of our most vulnerable parents. But if we are settling for safe abandonment, lets at least fix the system.

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The best way forward is to bring safe havens out of the shadows. Protecting newborns requires tying safe havens to trained medical providers and using adoption over foster care. Beyond this, we need evidence-based protocols, informed by a national system for tracking safe surrenders.

We must also protect those who surrender newborns, ensuring they are not given false promises. Rather than criminalizing infant abandonment, we must work to offset it by fighting root causes such as the opioid epidemic, the mental health crisis and a lack of affordable housing.

Without these reforms, our safe havens operate not as a system for protecting newborns but rather as a tool for separating vulnerable parents from their children.

Clara Lewis teaches at Dartmouth College and is the author of the forthcoming book American Infanticide: Sexism, Science, and the Politics of Sympathy. Michelle Oberman teaches at Santa Clara University and is author of When Mothers Kill: Interviews from Prison and Her Body, Our Laws: On the Frontline of the Abortion War.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A local high school student hasnt been seen in over a week and now authorities are asking for the publics help to find her.

Lorraine Springer-Aidoo, 17, was last seen walking out of Manchester West High School at 12:10 p.m. on January 4, according to Manchester Police.

She is 54, 150 pounds and has long white and black hair with red-rimmed glasses. Officials say Springer-Aidoo was last seen carrying a red backpack and a dark colored jacket walking east across Main Street near the high school.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact police.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The Moscow, Idaho, home where four University of Idaho students were killed on November 13. David Ryder/Getty Images

Police were called to the site of the Idaho killings three times since August.

There were frequent parties at the home, according to neighbors and police reports.

On December 30, Bryan Kohberger was charged with murder in the killings of four students at the home.

MOSCOW, Idaho  In the months leading up to the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students in November, Moscow police repeatedly responded to complaints of loud parties at the off-campus house where most of them lived.

Police reports from the neighborhood describe young people coming to and going from the house, where they drank and listened to music. After police spoke with some of the home's residents  Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20  they left the scene without citing the students.

The young women, along with the 20-year-old Ethan Chapin, who did not live there, were brutally killed at the home just before 4:30 a.m. on November 13, though a surviving roommate, Dylan Mortensen, didn't place a 911 call reporting an "unconscious person" until noon.

Later, after police found the bodies, Mortensen told police she had opened her door in the middle of the night after hearing noises and a male voice. She said she saw a man she didn't recognize  "a figure clad in black clothing" wearing a mask that covered his mouth and nose, according to a police affidavit in the case.

She told police the man walked past her as she stood in a "frozen shock" and then locked herself in her bedroom as the man stepped toward a sliding-glass back entrance.

The timing of the first 911 call, hours after police say the four students were each stabbed multiple times, has raised questions about why nobody alerted authorities sooner.

Police reports obtained by Insider and interviews with local residents show the home was often noisy and frequented by unfamiliar faces.

Several residents of a large brick apartment building next door described disruptive late-night parties with loud music and numerous visitors coming and going through an unlocked door.

Story continues

Vincent Sheetz, a Lyft driver, told Insider he started refusing to pick up or drop off anyone in the area of the victims' home on party nights because his car had been vomited on and struck with objects there.

He said he previously worked as a caterer at several University of Idaho fraternity and sorority houses and couldn't take it.

"The amount of drugs and alcohol in this was mind-fucking-boggling," he told Insider. "So I quit."

Goncalves was a member of Alpha Phi sorority, and Kernodle and Mogen were members of Pi Beta Phi.

Both sororities are on probation at the university for "health and safety violations."

The off-campus house. Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images

Country music and spiked seltzers

Police were asked to respond to a noise complaint at 1122 King Road at 5:40 p.m. on August 16, about five days before the fall semester kicked off at the university, according to the report obtained by Insider.

When an officer arrived at the door that night, Goncalves answered and told him she was a college senior.

He told her he had "nothing against" parties as long as everyone was of age but that the music was disturbing the peace and needed to be turned down.

If he was called back after the warning, he said he would have to give them a ticket and a hefty fine.

Law & Crime published a video of that call online.

"If I do come back, a $300-something ticket is coming your way," the officer said. "I'd much rather you spend that $300 bucks on beer or something fun."

Police returned to the house for another noise complaint on September 1 just after 8:30 p.m.

As officers approached, they heard music and saw some young women walking down the street. While asking the women whether they knew who lived at the house, officers witnessed other women "flee the scene," the report said.

"As I approached the home, I observed a black backpack and a case of Truly Seltzers on the ground outside of the home," the officer wrote.

When a woman answered the door and said she would get a resident of the house to talk to them, officers waited around for 10 minutes before several unnamed men came to the door.

They told the officers they would call Mogen, who lived there. A black backpack stuffed with White Claw seltzers was left behind by fleeing partygoers, the report said.

"I explained to Mogen about the noise complaint. I stated she would need to contact her friends at her home and advise them to keep to the noise down," the officer wrote in his report. "Mogen understood and was apologetic. Before I cleared, I emptied the contents of the abandoned alcoholic beverages on scene."

Another call came in 4  hours later. Police were back at the house at 12:30 a.m. on September 2 for another noise complaint  this time for loud country music.

One of the officers asked people on the back porch of the house to turn off the music and to speak with a resident of the home, according to the report.

Kernodle came to the door. The officer asked Kernodle whether she spoke with Mogen, and she said no. The officer told her this was the second time police were responding to house party there and that if they had to come back, the residents would be cited, according to the report. Kernodle understood and said she would "kick" everyone out of the home, the report said.

Bryan Kohberger during a hearing in Latah County District Court on January 5. Ted S. Warren/Pool via Reuters TPX Images of the Day

Finally, an arrest

Matthew Moye, 22, whose house overlooks the victims' home, told Insider he called in the September 1 noise complaint because he had an early morning the next day.

He said he and Goncalves once walked their dogs together and that she was friendly with Mortensen, the surviving roommate. Moye said the three women and their two roommates were pleasant but had a penchant for throwing parties where country music was blasted throughout the neighborhood.



"It sounded purely like everybody was having a good time all the time," he said. "They were sweet girls who liked having fun."

On December 3o, after a search lasting more than a month, police arrested a 28-year-old criminology graduate student, Bryan Kohberger and charged him with four counts of murder and one count of burglary.

Prosecutors say Kohberger had driven from his Pullman, Washington, home  about 10 minutes away  12 times before the killings. A knife sheath left at the grisly scene contained DNA that was matched to trash at his parents' home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

Kohberger is being held without bail and awaiting trial.

Read the original article on Insider
(Bloomberg) -- The Polish government will struggle to push through a law that would alleviate its dispute with the European Union and unlock billions in funding, the European affairs minister said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, the Polish cabinet minister who helped negotiate a deal last month to release 35.4 billion ($38.1 billion) in post-pandemic funding by reversing changes to the judiciary, said the ruling Law & Justice party faces opposition from across the political establishment in Warsaw.

This will be a very difficult process, Szynkowski vel Sek said in an interview late Wednesday, as lawmakers began working on a draft proposal in line with the December agreement. Last months deal wont even get us halfway through toward success, he said.

Law & Justice had sought to use one of its last tools to bring an end a years-long legal battle with the Commission, the EUs executive arm, over rule-of-law standards. The legislation would reverse changes to the justice system that the EU said politicized an institution that should be free from meddling.

But the deal with the EU immediately hit a roadblock from within the governing coalition, as lawmakers close to eurosceptic Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro dismissed the accord as unconstitutional. Opposition lawmakers, who have pilloried the judicial overhaul and could ease passage, introduced changes that the ruling party has rejected.

Polands president, Andrzej Duda, pledged to veto the bill if it doesnt meet his prerogatives on appointing judges. He hasnt weighed in on the draft legislation, but urged lawmakers to introduce changes.

The deadlock has political implications for the ruling party nine months ahead of elections. Despite reversing a judicial overhaul, Law & Justice views the released EU funds as critical to regaining sagging support as Poles confront soaring energy costs and a teetering economy.

Story continues

Not even everyone in the Law & Justice party welcomes the changes with enthusiasm, Szynkowski vel Sek said. But the compromises with the EU are necessary given that we have a higher strategic goal in mind of strengthening Poland thanks to European funds, he said.

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Prince Harrys new memoir Spare is reportedly being shared on WhatsApp for free.

The Duke of Sussexs book, released on Tuesday, has already become the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever, according to its publishers Transworld Penguin Random House.

But a number of Twitter users have said they have been sent a PDF of the memoir on the social messaging app, potentially costing the prince lost sales, and it is not uncommon for books to be shared on illegal torrenting sites after publication.

Spare went on sale on Tuesday but there are claims it is being shared for free (PA Wire)

Despite this though, Spare has sold 1.4 million in just two days of release.

Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House said the only books to ever have sold more copies on the first release day are those starring another Harry.

Mr Finlay said: We always knew this book would fly but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations.

As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter).

Spare is full of detail about Harrys private life alongside criticisms of the royal family and the press.

Prince Harry shares details about his personal life and his family in his new book (AP2007)

Ghostwritten by JR Moehringer, the book charts Harrys younger years, including his memories of his late mother, Diana, along with his struggles dealing with press intrusion, dating while in the public eye and his years serving in Afghanistan.

Later, he details his first dates with Meghan Markle and the growing tensions between him and his older brother William, now Prince of Wales.

The Duke of Sussex opens up about how various labels such as cheat and thicko affected him, as well as the tag spare to the heir.

The royal first announced the lucrative multi-book deal with Penguin Random House in July 2021.

Hundreds of thousands of copies have been sold so far (EPA)

While no figure has been officially confirmed, publisher Penguin Random House is rumoured to have paid Harry a $20m (17m) advance for Spare, the BBC reports. ET Canada, has reported that Prince Harrys book deal consists of four editions, with a $35m-$40m (28m-33m) price tag.

Story continues

Prince Harry is expected to donate proceeds from the book sales to charity, People reports.

The royal announced that a portion of the proceeds would be going to Sentebale, an organisation he founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children affected by HIV in Africa.

This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations, and Im grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it, he said in a statement.
After more than 30 years writing a column about celebs and pop culture at the London Daily Mail, Baz Bamigboye moved to Deadline and today, we launch Breaking Baz. This will be a regular column of scoops and perspective from Bazs London-centric perch. What better way to start than with Spare, the biting memoir by Prince Harry. The gossipy revelations have been spilled here and everywhere. Bamigboye is uniquely positioned to comment on this Royal rumble, the pressure to dig up dirt and the complicity of Fleet Street and Buckingham Palace played in the daily scrum that led to the death of Harry and Williams mother Princess Diana, and created the rupture between Harry and his family that led to their exit to California, and to spill the tea in unprecedented fashion.

The call came from an editor on the night news desk in London. It was about Randy Andy. Prince Andrew would later be known by his formal title the Duke of York, but in 1982 this was his tabloid handle, long before he was disgraced by his association with paedo Jeffrey Epstein. The caller said that Randy Andy was headed to the Caribbean with an actress named Koo Stark. And a rival tabloid, the Daily Express, was on that plane with them.

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My assignment: fly over and find them, and take a monkey with me. That was what they called their photographers back then, but you wouldnt do that now, quite rightly. There was no reason for my editor to add that I had better scoop the competition. That was a given, as were the unspoken marching orders: do whatever necessary, without getting arrested.

Related Story

Wedding Dress Texts, Racism Allegations & The Villainous Queen Consort: Key Takeaways From New Prince Harry Memoir Spare

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Prince Harry Draws Largest Audience For 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' In More Than 2 Years

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Prince Harry Tells Stephen Colbert That British Press Accounts Of Afghanistan Kill Count Are "A Dangerous Lie"

It was fall in New York, where I was based at the time. I scrambled out of my fifth-floor walk-up on Greenwich Avenue, grabbed a taxi and headed for JFK. By the time we reached Barbados, my editors at the Sun learned that the prince and his showgirl, booked under the alias of Mr. and Mrs. Cambridge, had touched down in Antigua and were now en route to Barbados. The betting was they were headed to the private island of Mustique. Nestled in the Grenadines, this was the holiday hideaway often used by Andrews aunt, Princess Margaret, sister of Andrews mother, Queen Elizabeth.

We were told that wed be denied entry if we flew to Mustique. I decided to pool resources with the Daily Mails U.S. correspondent, whod also taken that red-eye from New York. It was a tight fit on the yacht we chartered. We bunked in small quarters, packed like sardines. I still remember the indescribable odour of the Daily Mail snappers feet wafting up my nostrils. So glamorous.

The local police informed us that we could either row a boat or swim from the yacht to eat and drink at the famous Mustique haunt, Basils Bar. But we had to sleep on the yacht. And stay away from Andrew and the actress. Well jail you if we catch you, the cops warned, and they werent kidding.

A day or so later, a flotilla of charters bobbed away at Basils hangout. Instead of going back to the yacht after breakfast, a few of us slipped away to where wed heard Mr. and Mrs. Cambridge were holed up. The place had a high fence and security patrols. Im not well suited for crawling around in undergrowth. Im 62 tall, and my hair was long and bushy, like Michael Jackson wore his. I could feel bugs tagging along to find their way to chew on my scalp. And mosquitoes? They just loved the taste of my regal Nigerian blood.

It all seemed for naught, as there was no sign of our quarry. We were spending heaps of money at Basils, and to show his appreciation, the owner went over to nearby Bequia by boat to collect a suckling pig to roast in a pit for us. That little piglet was delicious. We ate, we drank, told stories, we belched.

But not all of us were doing that. The plan was for two of the photographers, working with me and for the Mail, to scoot off into the night and bury themselves by the house where we believed Andrew and Koo were ensconced. The other journos at Basils shindig wouldnt notice. They were all blotto.

Next morning as I rowed over early to Basils, I started to hear rumours that our photogs had somewhat appropriately been caught up in a tree, taking pictures. Along with the Mail reporter, I raced to the jail to try and get our guys released. My heart was beating because I was praying that hed gotten more of a result than getting arrested.

The self-satisfied officers at the islands tiny police station told us that after searching the photographers, they found two rolls of film and exposed them, ruining whatever photos they took.

I asked what it would take to get them released. Could one of us speak to them?

I nudged the Mails chap outta the way and I was escorted to a cell. They looked forlorn.

The Daily Mail photographer kept scratching the front of his shorts. I had some insect repellent cream in my bag and asked permission to give it to him.

As I approached the cell with the cream, Peter reached through the bars and cupped my hands in appreciation. As I withdrew them, I realized hed snuck a roll of film into my hands. I quickly pocketed it along with the cream and told our photographers Id be back later to get them released.

The Mails guy asked if Id been given anything. I confessed that his photog had given me some film and the reporter demanded I hand it over because, strictly speaking, it was taken by his photographer.

Trouble is, it was in my pocket and there was no way I was handing it over. His guy had given the film to me. Nonetheless we agreed to share the results. We concocted a story about needing to go to Barbados to help secure the release of the photographers. Once there, we found an agency stringer, who developed the film while we stood guard over him. Wed spent too many thousands of our newspapers dollars to get screwed now. The photos were not good. But there was one grainy long-lens shot of Andrew and Koo. Randy Andy was bare-chested and Koo wore a swimsuit, amid bushes and trees. It was clear enough where, despite his protestations he does not sweat, Andrew seemed to be glistening in the heat. The solo photo was wired to the Mail and the Suns picture desks and I cobbled together some copy.

The Sun carried the photo on the front page with the blaring headline: Me Tarzan, You Koo.

The Mail decided to play it safe and held back. Not wanting to be accused of stalking, they deliberately waited for the Sun to publish. Extremely generous considering that Id borrowed their exclusive photo.

All hell broke out. The prince was ordered back to London by the palace and Koo swiftly departed for Miami. Along with other members of Her Majestys press, I accompanied the prince back to Blighty. I and other journalists asked Randy Andy if he cared to comment. Bugger off, came the not so polite response.

Through a spokesman, Andrew later complained that his holiday had been ruined by photographers who stalked him everywhere, and lurked about in the bushes. As I came out of customs and into the arrivals area at Heathrow, one of the waiting TV news folk asked me to justify having spoiled the war heros well-deserved holiday, since Andrew was a helicopter pilot in the Falklands, and was on a five-month leave. I opened my gap-toothed mouth and smiled.

I could weakly justify that it was taxpayer money that enabled Andrew to jet off to Mustique. Certainly, his security was paid for by us. Pompously, I could add that as the U.S. reporter for the Sun  at the time Britains biggest selling daily newspaper  I represented the British taxpayer.

I cant deny that it felt good to step into the Suns newsroom to see the Mails photo scoop on the Suns front page. I received a nice hero-gram from the news desk and a pat on the back from colleagues. The managing editor grumbled something about the cost of the yacht. Couldnt I have booked a row boat to sleep on, he wondered? I figured he was joking but somehow sensed that he wasnt. I gave him my best baby Bamigboye gleaming smile which seemed to mollify him. I can only imagine his reaction when he saw my full expense submission. Luckily, by then I was mid-air on my way back to NYC.

I did several further tours of duty chasing Andrew as he island-hopped around the Caribbean. There were trips to Canada and later on, one to Newport.

Ive thought about those heady days, the visceral thrill that the chase left me with as a young man, and how little thought I had that my victory came at the expense of a Royal who was unmarried at the time, and had the audacity to date a pretty starlet. Ive pondered this again after just reading Spare, Prince Harrys memoir of a damaged man born into this fishbowl life, and whose shrapnel includes losing his mother in a tragic car crash, and now his relationship with his brother, father and the monarchy. All because of the crushing pressure exacerbated by the kind of thing I did back then, and reporters do every day.

My Randy Andy-Koo scoop came pre-internet, when Fleet Street was thriving, competition was fierce, and delivering that surveillance photo meant the difference of which tabloid commuters bought that day. Dish on Royals sold as many newspapers as dirt on movie and TV stars.

Today the landscape is different. The Daily Mail, where I moved and spent the bulk of my career, is now the UKs biggest newspaper, selling over 1 million copies and double that on weekends. The Sun no longer publishes its circulation figures, but they are rumored to be under 1 million a day, far below its 1980s heyday of 3 million-4 million.

The internet rules now, click, click, click all day and all night. Thats what tabloid owners want from its readers, to click on that story about Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, doing, well, anything.

I think it was the New York Posts Steve Dunleavy who, back in the early 1980s, told me to always look for the most arresting photo to grab the readers attention. He explained that you want the man of the house to look at the front page, swallow his pipe, and shout out to his wife, Hey, Martha, come and look at this!! Now it would be, Hey, Martha, look at this story Ive clicked on about, why oh why does Meghan Markle wear impractical white clothes? Or, Why did Meghan Markle make Kate, Prince Williams wife, burst into tears?

The media slakes that thirst every second of the day, or someone else takes those pounds and shillings that come with the clicks.

The landscape has changed dramatically in the relationship between Fleet Street and Buckingham Palace.

The comment from Andrews reps in 1982 was I should Bugger off. They are more complicit now, writing books, doing TV interviews and serving those tabloid audiences by telling their stories to generate their own Hey, Martha clicks. Harrys memoir has been all over the news and the accompanying excerpts and interview revelations have become the steady diet for Martha and her husband.

In Harrys mind, the book exposes the toxic swirl of Buckingham Palace and the story-planters there. He was unable to save his mother, but he was not going to watch the cycle consume his wife Meghan, and their children, from being forced to live under those conditions, even if they are not chased by paparazzi into a tunnel in Paris. In Spare, Harry takes aim at Fleet Street and its murky co-dependent relationship with Buckingham Palace, where pearl-clutching reactions of story subjects are done with the full understanding that some leverage-seeking insider was the source. Harry takes potshots at his father, King Charles, his brother Prince William and his stepmother Camilla, the Queen Consort who replaced his mother at Charles side.

Sure he insists that he loves them, but hes not very nice about them. And he did cash a check of $20 million or more to ensure he, Meghan and their offspring are no longer dependent upon the Palace for income and a security staff.

As a former vet of this symbiotic relationship, I find myself thinking this could have been a seminal moment for Harry to use Spare to shine a spotlight on the unholy alliance between the royals and the press, particularly concerning matters of race. Spare brings some transparency, but lacks the detail necessary to be considered a direct hit. The palace and the press emerge with mere flesh wounds. Harry and Meghan remain in the crosshairs of Fleet Street, perhaps more so because declaring war on the media makes one more of a target.

They will want revenge.

The war continues.

Peace may not come in our time.

Whats In A Column Name

In a roundabout way, Breaking Baz was Baz Luhrmanns idea.

For a while Id been searching for the right name for this column that launches today.

My helpful friends, colleagues and other associates offered suggestions like these: Theres no Bazness Like Showbazness. Um, hell no!

Then, someone came up with Showbaz, which happens to be my Instagram handle. My wife hates it, so no go.

What about Lunch with Baz, Brunch with Baz, Cocktails with Baz, Dish with Baz, All that Baz, Showbiz with Baz? And there were titles that conveyed all sorts of things you could do to poor Baz which must remain unprintable in this space. For my own protection, you understand.

One night I opened a message from my Deadline colleague Damon Wise. Hey, what about Breaking Baz?

I liked the sound of that. But what if I came up empty and had zero to write about? Would the page become Blank with Baz?

Mrs. B went full Walter White on me and objected on the grounds that people might think I was flogging narcotics like the bloke in the TV show Breaking Bad.

I caught up with Luhrmann in Los Angeles after an event for Elvis. I read out the various titles for the column, since, after all, how many of us go by the name Baz?

His eyes twinkled when I came to Breaking Baz. Let me mull it over, he said.

Weeks later we bumped into each other in London. Had I sorted out the name, he asked?

Before I could answer, he said hed been doing some thinking and liked the sound of Breaking Baz.

Its got somejuice, he declared.

Go with Breaking Baz, as endorsed by Baz, he decreed.

And here we are.

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Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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The tech industry relies on skilled-work visas for foreign hires in a system critics say is broken.

Now the USCIS is proposing fee hikes for visa applications, at a time when it's already challenging.

It would be another hurdle on top of recent tech layoffs and scarce visa availability, experts say.

Strict rules around the system for H-1B visas  which the tech industry relies on to hire skilled foreign workers to fill critical roles in fields like engineering and data science  already stymie the American tech industry's ability to remain competitive on the global stage, especially amid the recent wave of layoffs.

Now, US Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to hike the fees that companies have to pay to sponsor those visas by as much as $600 an applicant. It would be the first such fee increase since 2016, but experts and industry insiders say that the timing couldn't be worse, likening the situation to pouring gasoline on a burning fire.

"We are already operating in an environment where there are very, very few jobs. We're already existing in an environment where jobs are at risk," Hiba Mona Anver, an immigration attorney at Erickson Immigration Group, said. "We are really hoping that things will start to get better, but this sort of increase in filing fees is only going to be another step in discouraging companies from sponsoring foreign talent."

While the proposed fee hikes are presented as a solution to end backlogs and address bureaucratic headaches, experts say they would make it more difficult to hire foreign talent. That would especially affect smaller companies, universities, and startups, which would, in turn, undermine Silicon Valley's innovation pipeline.

The proposal is in the middle of a 60-day comment period for people to officially weigh in on the idea. Immigration lawyers are encouraging their corporate clients to submit comments about how this would hurt their ability to hire people on these skilled-work visas.

Story continues

"Businesses are getting back to normal right now right after COVID, and really, I think this could impact the amount of workforce and potentially foreign employees that they want to hire," Cristina Perez, an immigration lawyer at the law firm Leech Tishman, said. "I think that's not a good thing. There's study after study that shows H-1B beneficiaries really are a benefit to this country."

Why the USCIS wants to raise fees  and why experts are skeptical

Experts aren't surprised that the USCIS wants to raise fees, especially since it's been so long since the last increase.

Under President Donald Trump's administration, the USCIS attempted to dramatically raise fees for naturalization and looked to collect $50 from asylum seekers. The changes would have also ended many fee-waiver programs for low-income visa applicants. Those changes were blocked in federal court in 2020.

The Biden administration is taking a different approach, with the USCIS now saying that it intends to use the $600 in additional fees for specialized visa programs like H-1B to keep the process free for those seeking asylum at the border.

Critics say the fee hikes wouldn't solve any problems

Critics say the planned fee increase would make life harder for visa seekers, without addressing any of the problems with the immigration process, including the massive backlog of visa applicants.

"Our system is definitely not working. It is not efficient. It is riddled with inconsistencies," Perez said. "Fix the problem first, then raise the fees."

Some in the industry hope it starts a discussion about what it takes to retain global talent. Sunny Shuoyang Zhang, a founding partner at Born Global Ventures, said she hoped this could be used to educate employers about what it takes to keep global talent in the US, when they have the option to go places with friendlier immigration policies, like Canada.

Manan Mehta of Unshackled Ventures, which helps immigrants found companies, had a more-positive outlook. He said given that people on H-1B and other specialized visas often earned high salaries, the fee hikes for visa applications could just be factored into that overall cost.

The timing of it all is what presents a challenge, given the state of the economy. Additionally, lawyers are skeptical that the USCIS would be able to turn things around and fix broken systems with the additional money it would be bringing in.

"I just don't see how this breaks the vicious cycle that we're in right now," Anver of Erickson Immigration Group said.

Are you an H-1B visa holder and have a story to share? Contact this reporter via email at pzaveri@insider.com or Signal at 925-364-4258. (PR pitches by email only, please.)

Read the original article on Business Insider
A mother who left her three young children home alone last month to go Christmas shopping  a choice that could have turned deadly when a kitchen fire left their southeast Wichita home filled with smoke  has been formally charged with three counts of aggravated child endangerment.

Luck led two Wichita police officers to rescue Dekilah N. Sellers children before smoke completely overtook the house and the fire spread; they noticed her 4-year-old son standing on the porch crying at the closed front door while headed to a domestic violence report at a different house and stopped to see what was wrong.

Initially, the officers thought the boy had been locked out of the home and couldnt get back inside, Wichita police have said. They found him outside shortly before 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 while on their way to the 4400 block of East Bayley, near Lincoln and Oliver.

But when they opened the door, the officers were met immediately with a cloud of black smoke caused by a fire that had ignited in the kitchen, police have said.

The officers rescued a 2-year-old boy who was sitting on the couch inside the house and a 3-month-old girl lying alone in a back room.

Each of the three children needed treatment for smoke inhalation, the most severe of which required a trip to the hospital for the baby.

Sellers, 24, didnt show up at the house for 45 minutes after the officers rescued her children, Wichita police have said. Its unclear why she didnt leave them with a babysitter or take them with her.

The criminal complaint filed in Sedgwick County District Court against Sellers alleges she unlawfully and recklessly caused her each of her children to be placed in a situation in which the childs life, body or health is endangered. Aggravated endangering a child is a felony crime in Kansas.

Sellers made a first appearance in court on Monday, where a judge set her bond at $25,000 and ordered her to return for another hearing on Jan. 23, court records show. Brad Sylvester, chief public defender in the Sedgwick County Conflicts Office, confirmed by email that his office has been appointed by the court to represent Sellers but declined to comment because the case is pending.

The judge on Monday also ordered Sellers to have no contact whatsoever with her children and any other witnesses in the case, records say.
LIMA, Peru (AP)  Protests against Peruvian President Dina Boluartes government that have left 48 people dead since they began a month ago spread through the south of the Andean country on Wednesday with new clashes reported in the tourist city of Cusco.

Health officials in Cusco said 37 civilians and six police officers were injured after protesters tried to take over the citys airport, where many foreign tourists arrive to see sites including the nearby Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.

Protests and road blockades against Boluarte and in support of ousted President Pedro Castillo were also seen in 41 provinces, mainly in Perus south.

The unrest began in early December following the destitution and arrest of Castillo, Perus first president of humble, rural roots, following his widely condemned attempt to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

The protest, mainly in neglected rural areas of the country still loyal to Castillo, are seeking immediate elections, Boluartes resignation, Castillos release and justice for the protesters killed in clashes with police.

Some of the worst protest violence came on Monday when 17 people were killed in clashes with police in the city Juliaca near Lake Titicaca and protesters later attacked and burned a police officer to death.

On Wednesday, health officials in Cusco said that a civilian died after being hit by gunfire.

Earlier, Perus Ombudsmans Office had said that 39 civilians had been killed in clashes with police and another seven died in traffic accidents related to road blockades, as well as the fallen police officer. Wednesday's death increases the toll to 48,

On Tuesday, Peru's government announced a three-day curfew from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. in Puno.

The National Prosecutors Office said it has requested information from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the defense and interior ministries for an investigation it has opened against Boluarte and other officials for the protest deaths.

Story continues

In Juliaca, in Puno province, a crowd marched alongside the coffins of the 17 people killed in Mondays protests.

Dina killed me with bullets, said a piece of paper attached to the coffin of Eberth Mamani Arqui, in a reference to Perus current president.

This democracy is no longer a democracy, chanted the relatives of the victims.

As they passed a police station, which was guarded by dozens of officers, the marchers yelled: Murderers!

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights began a visit to Peru on to look into the protests and the police response.

Boluarte was Castillos former running mate before taking over the presidency. She has said she supports a plan to push up to 2024 elections for president and congress originally scheduled for 2026. Shes also expressed support for judicial investigations into whether security forces acted with excessive force.

But such moves have so far failed to quell the unrest, which after a short respite around the Christmas and New Years holidays have resumed with force in some of Perus poorest areas.

Castillo, a political novice who lived in a two-story adobe home in the Andean highlands before moving to the presidential palace, eked out a narrow victory in elections in 2021 that rocked Perus political establishment and laid bare the deep divisions between residents of the capital, Lima, and the long-neglected countryside.
Enrique Tarrio, a leader of the Proud Boys, joins tens of thousands of Trump supporters to rally and march to declare the 2020 Presidential election results a fraud and the true winner to be President Trump, on November 14, 2020 in downtown Washington, DC. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

An attorney for the Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio blamed Trump for the January 6, 2021, riot.

Trump "unleashed this mob on the Capitol," the attorney argued on Thursday.

The Justice Department has charged Tarrio with seditious conspiracy in connection with January 6.

Former President Donald Trump was responsible for the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, a lawyer representing the Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio argued in a high-profile trial on Thursday.

"Trump told these people that the election was stolen. Trump told them to go there on January 6," Tarrio's attorney, Sabino Jauregui, told jurors in federal district court in Washington, DC, during his opening statement. "And it was Trump, with his speech on January 6, that unleashed this mob on the Capitol."

The Justice Department has charged Tarrio with seditious conspiracy, alleging that under his leadership, members of the Proud Boys stormed the Capitol on January 6 to stop Congress from certifying then-President-elect Joe Biden's 2020 victory. Tarrio is on trial along with four other Proud Boys members: Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, all of whom have pleaded not guilty.

Trump, who's denied any responsibility over the riot, held a rally the morning of January 6. Toward the end of his speech, the ex-president told the crowd of thousands of his supporters to "fight like hell"  a phrase that the now-dissolved House select committee investigating the riot has said is evidence that Trump incited an insurrection.

Tarrio's lawyer noted the line in court on Thursday, saying Trump was "the one that told them march over to the Capitol and fight like hell."

"Enrique didn't say that," Jauregui told jurors. "Enrique didn't say anything to anybody on the grounds of the Capitol on January 6, but he just happens to be the leader of the Proud Boys."

Jauregui argued that Tarrio has been made a "scapegoat" for the violence that unfolded on January 6, despite not being on the ground that day. Tarrio had been arrested two days earlier for an unrelated incident  burning a "Black Lives Matter" flag at a historic church in Washington, DC.

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But Tarrio, as the longtime Proud Boys chairman, directed the group to band together and stop the peaceful transfer of power from Trump to Biden on January 6, federal prosecutors said in opening statements on Thursday. The DOJ made its case that Tarrio sought to obstruct Congress' certification of the election results in part by sharing public and private messages they said he sent in the days before and on January 6.

"Make no mistake," read one text from Tarrio sent at 2:40 p.m. after rioters broke into the Capitol, according to prosecutors. "We did this," read another text.

Jauregui pushed back on the DOJ's allegations against his client, accusing the government of cherry-picking evidence.

"You will never see a message from Enrique Tarrio advocating to storm the Capitol," Jauregui said. "It's not gonna happen."

In his opening statements, Jauregui also defended the Proud Boys, an organization founded in 2016 that calls itself "Western-chauvinist." The group gained national attention in 2020 during protests in Washington, DC, and has aligned itself with Trump, who told them to "stand back and stand by" during a 2020 presidential debate when asked to condemn white-supremacists and militia groups. Watchdog groups have labeled the Proud Boys as extremist and a hate group.

"The Proud Boys are not a racist, sexist, homophobic organization. It's simply not true," Jauregui said, adding that they're basically "a drinking club."

"Chauvinist simply means that they think their side is the best," he added. "The Proud Boys think that America is the best."

The trial is expected to last more than a month. In another high-profile January 6 trial last fall, the Oath Keepers founder, Elmer Stewart Rhodes, and a group member, Kelly Meggs, were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Pueblo police are seeking the community's help in locating a homicide suspect.

Police are seeking Austin Aragon, 26, in connection to a December shooting in which 32-year-old Alonzo Valdez was killed and another person injured.

Just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 2, officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Sixth Street on a report of a shooting and arrived to find a man, later identified as Valdez, had been killed. Officers also located a female victim who was taken to a local hospital and treated for life-threatening injuries.

An arrest warrant was issued for Aragon on Dec. 19. He is wanted on suspicion of second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

Pueblo police have refused to comment on any aspect of the investigation, including the circumstances leading up to the shooting or the current condition of the surviving victim.

Aragon is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds with brown hair andhazel eyes. Anyone with information on Aragon's whereabouts is encouraged by Pueblo PD to contact Detective Jose Medina at 719-320-6006. To remain anonymous, contact Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-542-STOP (719-542-7867) or visit pueblocrimestoppers.com.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter@jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo police searching for homicide suspect
Aldermen in Chicago are considering a law that would require mandatory inspections of all apartments every five years. The invasiveness of such inspections cannot be overstated.

Government officials will enter homes and view the most intimate details of a renters life  their childrens rooms, medications, holy books, political affiliations, immigration status, sexual orientation and gender identity. Things no one would ever share with a stranger, let alone a government official who can report what they see to law enforcement. And while the ostensible goal of ensuring tenant safety sounds noble, aldermen should look 48 miles north to Zion to see how such a law is ripe for abuse.

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At the end of December, in a major victory for privacy rights, a federal judge ratified a consent decree that mandates that the city of Zion can no longer punish renters or landlords who refuse to open their homes for similar warrantless inspections. Under Zions old law, landlords would be subjected to $750 daily fines if their tenants decided to assert their Fourth Amendment rights and not let inspectors in without a warrant. These fines could, and did, quickly climb into astonishing six-figure bills, crippling landlords d like such as Josefina Lozano and threatening the security of her former tenants Robert and Dorice Pierce.

The Pierces lived in a home they rented from Lozano for nearly two decades. That home was their castle  where the Pierces cherished their personal privacy and protected their most intimate family spaces. When Zion inspectors demanded warrantless entrance into that home in 2019, the Pierces rightly refused and asked the inspector to come back with a search warrant. They knew the property was safe and well-maintained, so they felt no need to have government officials conduct wall-to-wall searches of their home without their permission  and without any suspicion that something was wrong inside.

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Instead of returning with a warrant to conduct a search and make sure everything was up to snuff in the Pierces home, the city sent threatening letters to Lozano, demanding that she let the inspectors into the Pierces home  or face attendant fines in the five or six figures. It does not take a hardened cynic to see dollar signs overshadowing public health and safety.

Lozano did not want to force her tenants to sacrifice their constitutional rights simply because they rented the home from her. She knew what so many cities forget: The property rights guaranteed by the Constitution to homeowners apply with equal force to renters. After all, no government entity in the country would dare conduct wall-to-wall searches of all owner-occupied homes. So, the Pierces and Lozano teamed up with the Institute for Justice, the public interest law firm where I work, to file a lawsuit challenging the warrantless inspection law. The consent decree, which protects the basic privacy rights of renters in Zion, is the culmination of the lawsuit.

Tenants now have the right to turn down an inspection or demand the inspector get a warrant before entering a home. The city can no longer fine landlords and threaten tenants with illegal occupancy because their tenants assert their constitutional rights.

Lawsuits like this  the Institute for Justice won a similar challenge to a Park Forest law in the 1990s  are not challenges to health and safety code provisions. Tenants who feel their living conditions are dangerous or that their landlord is neglecting the property can still let inspectors in to take a look. This strikes the perfect balance of respecting the Fourth Amendment rights of tenants who dont want inspectors snooping around their personal spaces while still ensuring homes that are in disrepair get inspected to protect tenant safety.

If safety is the chief concern of policymakers, having the fire department pass out free smoke detectors and batteries to deal with one of the most common code violations would do far more good than having government agents randomly examine all tenants homes.

The push for mandatory rental inspections in Chicago is eerily similar to the unconstitutional, misguided law Zion used to have on the books. Tenants should be empowered to report troubles with their homes. But those who have no problems with their living arrangements, such as the Pierces in Zion, should not be forced to let city officials snoop around their home.

Chicagoans who own their homes would not be forced to open their doors to these warrantless inspections, and renters shouldnt lose their Fourth Amendment rights simply because they rent a home instead of owning it.

Chicago aldermen can strike the proper balance between respecting privacy rights and protecting tenants from dangerous living arrangements  but only if they learn the lesson from Zion.

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Rob Peccola is an attorney at the Institute for Justice who opposed Zions warrantless rental inspection law.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian military's General Staff, September 13, 2021. Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russia named a new chief of its forces in Ukraine on Wednesday.

The new boss, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, is taking over just three months after his predecessor.

Putin is likely moving to silence critics with this move as he fights an internal power struggle, analysts say.

The decision to demote the commander of Russia's forces in Ukraine just three months after he was tapped for the job is a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is contending with an internal "power struggle," according to a new assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russia's Ministry of Defense on Wednesday said it was replacing Gen. Sergei Surovikin as commander of its forces in Ukraine with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff  the nation's highest-ranking military officer.

The move was "highly likely to have been in part a political decision to reassert the primacy of the Russian MoD in an internal Russian power struggle," ISW said, explaining that Surovikin is a "favorite" of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group who has been critical of Gerasmiov and the Russian Ministry of Defense that oversees most of the Russian forces fighting. Ukrainian intelligence has also suggested that Surovkin is a rival of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, ISW said.

Gerasimov's assignment is likely an effort to weaken the influence of critics of the Russian Ministry of Defense and "a signal for Prigozhin and other actors to reduce their criticism of the MoD," per ISW's assessment. Their pointed and public criticism of Russia's military commanders has undermined the mass mobilization ordered by Putin, with a possibility it could put the lie to officially sanctioned accounts of the war and even lead to conflict between the well-connected elites upon which Putin's rule depends.

ISW said Gerasimov's appointment was also designed to "support an intended decisive Russian military effort in 2023, likely in the form of resumed Russian offensive operations." Other security analysts who focus on Russia, such as Mark Galeotti, have offered similar assessments.

Story continues

Gerasmiov being named commander of Russia's forces in Ukraine is "confirmation, if we needed it, that there will be serious offensives coming" from Russia, Galeotti said in tweets, adding that he suspects Putin "has unrealistic expectations again."

Russian leaders expected a swift victory in Ukraine, but instead has suffered staggering losses over nearly 11 months and seen its military embarrassed and downgraded on the global stage.

After failing to take Kyiv in the early months of the war, Russia turned its attention to Ukraine's east. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in August that saw it regain significant chunks of occupied territory over the weeks that followed, and by November saw Russian forces retreat from Kherson  the first major city Russia captured after invading.

Russia has since focused much of its efforts on taking the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, leading to heavy, fierce fighting. The pace of the fighting has slowed significantly since the initial days of the invasion, with the conflict morphing into a grinding war of attrition. It's unclear whether the recent change in leadership in Ukraine will drastically alter Russia's narrowing options on the battlefield.

"Gerasimov will likely preside over a disorganized command structure plagued by endemic, persistent, and self-reinforcing failures that he largely set into motion in his initial role before the invasion of Ukraine," ISW said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As the Russia-Ukraine war nears the end of its first year, Moscow is struggling to find leverage to wear down Western resolve to aid Kyiv.

With its battlefield wins now few and far between, an economy crippled by harsh sanctions, and increasing international isolation, Russian President Vladimir Putin is running out of options to expand its provocations beyond Ukraine to chip away at international support for Ukraines resistance, experts say.

The Kremlin has basically lost on all fronts in terms of trying to exhaust and create fractures in the coalition between Ukraine and its Western allies, according to Joseph Dresen, a Russia expert at the Woodrow Wilson Centers Kennan Institute. I think Russia is in a bad situation. Its been bad for a while. Its only getting worse.

When Moscow rolled its forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russia expected the country to quickly surrender, failing to anticipate a mountain of resistance. Among the roadblocks for Moscow was the resolve of the Ukrainian people, the leadership of the then-untested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the ill-prepared Kremlin troops.

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Whats more, the former Soviet nation quickly galvanized Western support, with the U.S. and Europe funneling tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons and humanitarian aid to the embattled country.

Youve heard us say over and over again that were going to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. And from everything that I can see from our allies and partners, they feel the same way, Defense Secretary Llyod Austin told reporters Wednesday. We remain united in our efforts.

Moscow has tried to weaken global resolve to aid Kyiv, using cyberattacks, shipping blockades to prevent crucial grain exports, freezing gas supplies for Europe and threatening to halt all energy imports, a move Putin said would cause the continent to freeze.

Story continues

But a warm winter combined with an international community that has collectively responded to each Russian threat with its own pushback  either through bolstered cyber defenses, energy replacements or economic sanctions  has kept Putin on his back foot.

Now, after more than 320 days of a conflict the Russian leader initially claimed would last less than a week, Moscow is all but out of ways to wreak havoc outside of Ukraine.

I just dont think they have the bandwidth to project power anyplace else right now, Brian Whitmore, a Russian expert with the Atlantic Council, told The Hill.

I think their play was effectively freezing out Europe and making them suffer through the winter. Thats clearly not going to work right now, Whitmore said. Theyre counting on the Wests resolve being diminished, and thats not happened yet.  I dont think were gonna get there, quite frankly.

Further limiting Putins options was Russias swift loss of economic relations with the West, a forfeiture of decades of painstakingly cultivated ties and an ousting from an information network Moscow can no longer use to its advantage.

Their ability to project nonkinetic power was based on the fact that they were integrated into our financial system, Whitmore said. They were deep inside of our information space. Sanctions has really changed that, and their capacity to make trouble has been diminished as a result.

Case in point: The European Unions (EU) ban on crude oil imports from Russia and its price cap on the countrys oil are costing Moscow about $172 million per day, a figure that is only expected to rise higher when the EU implements further restrictions next month, according to a new report published by the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

The EU ban on Russian oil was an extraordinary step taken to axe the funds from Europe financing Putins war, the independent research organization said in a statement released Wednesday.

Russia has move to replace lost ties by growing closer with other mega-powers including China and India. But those relationships are likely to fray over time as the war continues, Whitmore added.

While China and India continue to import Russian oil  with Moscows fossil fuel exports earning the country $688 million per day and helping to offset its loses  small cracks are beginning to appear in the relationships.

When Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over video conference in late December, Beijings leader pointed to the complicated and quite controversial international situation.

Russia has long been seen as a menacing cyber actor. However, even that threat has diminished, as experts say the West now knows what to look for after multiple attempts out of Moscow.

With cyber, once you use it, you sort of tip your hand as to what your tactics are, what your strengths are, and your targets are better prepared to encounter and defend against future attacks, Dresen said. I think cyberattacks are less of a weapon for Russia than it otherwise might have been.

For now, Russia appears focused on its brutal military campaign in Ukraine heading into 2023, attempting to take back small patches of land in the east following humiliating losses this past fall.

Fighting in particular is raging in and around Bakhmut, a major battleground since the summer. Should the eastern city fall to Russian forces, it would allow for further advances in the Donetsk region but would be unlikely to turn the tide of the wider war.

The difficult slog in Ukraine has experts confident that Russia wont seek to try its military power elsewhere, even as it may continue with nuclear saber-rattling.

Im really not that worried. I think we have to keep our eyes open and be vigilant, but I think its highly unlikely that they will try to make trouble or someplace else, whether it be in the former Soviet space or elsewhere, Whitmore said.

People think if Ukraine wins, then [Putin is] going to do something horrible. And he certainly would like us to think that to deter us. But history shows theres this myth out there that Putin never backs down. And he does when faced with superior force over and over and over.

Steven Pifer, an expert with Brookings, told The Hill that the Kremlin is likely being careful to not make sure its saber-rattling doesnt turn into something theyre not prepared to take on.

In terms of bellicose actions on the conventional level, its really hard for me to see what the Russians could do, Pifer said. They really cant poke in the Baltics. The last thing the Russian general staff wants now would be to have to take on NATO in a conventional fight. So I just think that their options are pretty limited.

All three experts The Hill spoke to predicted Putin would play the waiting game rather than take new, potentially disastrous, risks.

I think Putin has now begun to try to prepare the Russian public for a longer war, and hes prepared to see if he can stick it out and just hope that with time Europeans begin to sort of get tired of this, Pifer said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Claire Barrow, left, pictured with her mother, Heather Barrow, and Mia have found others with the same rare health conditions thanks to social media. (Courtesy of Claire and Heather Barrow and Mia)

Thanks to social media, a growing number of people have found that health conditions they were once told were rare aren't that uncommon after all.

One such person is 39-year-old Mia, who posted on TikTok about experiencing painful Bartholin's cysts. In a video that's been liked nearly 53,000 times, Mia, who asked that her last name not be shared, said that she spent weeks trying to get a proper diagnosis after developing severe pain along her vulva. Mia tells Yahoo Life that she finally was diagnosed correctly after her second trip to the ER, and was told at the time that Bartholin's cysts happen in only about 2% of women. But the comments section on Mia's post was flooded with messages from other women who said they experienced the same thing.

"I've had several Bartholin's cysts, and they are excruciatingly painful," one commenter shared. "The moment you said 'hard lump,' I knew it was Bartholin's cyst," another wrote, before noting that they "had it three times."

"I read that it only happens to 2% of women, but I have a feeling now that it's more," Mia says. "I saw quite a few women go, 'Wow, I finally have a name for this thing I've been dealing with.'"

Claire Barrow, 15, understands how important it is to connect with others who are experiencing the same rare health issues. Barrow tells Yahoo Life that she wanted to help connect people with rare conditions after she was diagnosed with hypophosphatasia, an inherited disorder that affects the development of bones and teeth, in 2019. So, she co-created Rare Guru, a platform where people with rare diseases can find each other. "I was lucky enough to connect with someone a little older than me who had the same condition, hypophosphatasia," she says. "Her experience was extremely similar to mine. ... Hearing her story really made me feel seen."

The term "rare" is a little confusing in the medical community. While a doctor may use it to describe something they don't see often or that happens much less often than other conditions, there is an actual definition that not everyone follows. Debbie Drell, director of membership at the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), tells Yahoo Life that NORD takes its cue for what qualifies as a "rare" disease from part of the Orphan Drug Act, which states that a rare disease is one that "affects fewer than 200,000 persons in the United States."

Story continues

But Drell stresses that having a rare disease or condition doesn't mean that no one else has it. "My sister Alex was diagnosed with a rare disease, pulmonary hypertension, in 1998 and at the time, it felt like no one else had this disease," she shares. "No one in our family, not one of her friends, no one in her small town in Texas knew about this disease  let alone was diagnosed with it." But, Drell says, "in reality, thousands of people were living with this rare disease in the country at the time  she just didn't know about them."

Drell says that it's now "so common" for people with a health condition to search online about what they're experiencing. "There is a lot of value in connecting with other people living with rare diseases," she says. Drell notes that it can help combat the natural feeling of isolation that can come with having a health condition that's not well known. "Connecting with other people helped my sister to feel less afraid of her disease," Drell says. "She could see how other people were living their best lives, and she learned new hacks and life skills for managing her specific issues."

When people with the same health condition connect with each other, says Drell, they form a community  and that can lead to sharing information about research, clinical trials and treatments. "A community is powerful in that knowledge is shared, support is provided and advocacy can come to fruition," she says. "A group is the precursor to the formation of a nonprofit organization  and with this organizational infrastructure, a community can more efficiently amplify their voice to be heard by policymakers, clinicians, researchers and developers."

After her diagnosis, Mia says she was "so desperate" to find someone else who had a similar experience. "I found one support group, gave women my phone number and said, 'Call me,'" she says. "It was important to me to try to help share what I had learned, and it was also nice to connect with people who just understood."

Drell offers this advice for people with rare conditions: "Don't go it alone."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
[Source]

A TikTok user found herself on the receiving end of a racist rant at a tram station in Australia.

On Wednesday, Hazel Chan (@siewngap) posted a short video on TikTok of a woman harassing her and her friends.

The nine-second clip begins with the woman aggressively stating, My vaginas all over the internet, you idiot.

The woman continues her rant by saying, I just want to know why Asians have to take over the entire coun  before the video cuts off.

More from NextShark: Panic buying triggered as Shanghai residents are fenced behind metal barriers for hard quarantine

@siewngap We were sitting at a tram stop and got approached by her, we ignored her and she continued so I recorded her to make her stop but this was what we got   original sound - hazey

We were sitting at a tram stop and got approached by her, we ignored her and she continued so I recorded her to make her stop but this was what we got," Chan wrote in her post's caption.

According to signs visible in the video, the incident occurred in Melbourne, Australia.

More from NextShark: American Born Chinese Disney Plus series to be helmed by 'Shang-Chi' director Destin Daniel Cretton

On Thursday, Chan posted a longer clip on TikTok of the woman ranting for almost two minutes.

The clip is purportedly a reupload of a previous video that went viral on TikTok with over half a million views.

"Reupload cause it got removed by tiktok at 600k PLEASEEEE do not report #victim," Chan wrote in the video's caption.

More from NextShark: Fitness Guru Chloe Ting Claps Back After Bodybuilder Posts Over 60 Instagram Stories Against Her

The recent video shows the woman making more offensive statements, such as "I would rather look like me than you. I think everybody would rather look like me than you," "I've seen Asians with eye contact lenses [to make them] have blue eyes. Do you know how artificial and tacky that looks?" and "I don't want to look like you ever, I would rather die than look like you."

Story continues

Throughout the video, Chan and her friends can be heard laughing in disbelief and refuting the woman's statements.

"Nobody wants to look like you either," they reply in one instance.

More from NextShark: Chinese Zodiac Killer revealed to be school bus driver with multiple guns, messages for the FBI at home

Near the end of the video, the woman can be heard asking, "Are you a brain surgeon? You have Asian parents, they hit you to make sure you do better, yeah?" and "Why do you need one-child policy?"

"We're not from China!" Chan retorts.

"Where are you from? Where are you from?" the woman asks right before the clips cuts off.

In response to both clips, which have already garnered almost 14,000 views in total, TikTok users commented on the womans appalling behavior.

I lost brain cells listening to her argument, one user declared.

"God this is so manic and scary, im [sic] so sorry you had to go through this," another user said.

"I wanna know how an individual can have so much hate inside of them," another wrote.

Related stories:
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was considered a top contender for a potential appointment to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein if the senator were to vacate her seat before her term expires. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, a seasoned progressive with more than three decades immersed in California politics, on Wednesday told congressional colleagues she plans to run for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat in 2024.

Lee announced her intentions during a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus, receiving a standing ovation, but has not officially confirmed she is running or formed an official Senate committee to start raising money in a race expected to be both costly and intensely competitive.

Lee's private disclosure comes just a day after Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) launched her campaign to replace Feinstein, 89, who has yet to disclose whether she intends to retire at the end of her term. As one of the most coveted posts in California politics, Feinstein's Senate seat is widely expected to spur interest from some of the state's most ambitious and prominent elected leaders.

Lee's announcement was confirmed by a source close to the congresswoman who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak on her political plans. The source cautioned that the congresswoman didn't announce a Senate campaign  only her intention to run. The news was first reported by Politico.

First elected to Congress in 1998 after nearly a decade in the California Legislature, Lee is a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She sought to join House Democratic leadership three times in the last decade without success.

Lee cast the lone no vote against the authorization of use of military force after the Sept. 11 attacks. Lee also has been a strong advocate for expanding access to abortion by repealing what is known as the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for abortion except when necessary to save a woman's life or in cases of rape or incest.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.), head of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, praised Lee as a member of Congress who "knows how to deliver and get things done" and who possesses a firm grasp of how Washington works, skills he said would serve her well in the Senate.

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Her reputation is that shes the fighter for the little guy. Shes a voice for the voiceless, and shes fearless," Meeks said. "They look at her as a person who will do as she believes but yet still knows how to work across the lines to help her people.

Meeks said the Congressional Black Caucus PAC would "absolutely" support her bid for the Senate.

Other potential Senate candidates from California's congressional delegation include Reps. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) and Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin).

Schiff backed off a potential leadership run in the House after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) announced she was stepping down, paving the way for Hakeem Jeffries of New York to become the top Democrat. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) also promised to remove Schiff from the House Intelligence Committee, a panel he chaired before Republicans took over the chamber this month.

Khanna, who has been encouraged by allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to run for president, has said he'll decide on a Senate run in the next few months.

Although Lee's liberal track record would appeal to a segment of California voters, she does face some substantial head winds. At 76 years old, Lee may encounter resistance from voters if they are seeking generational change in Washington, said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at UC San Diego.

"If the argument for abandoning one of the most distinguished, formidable and loved California politicians in Dianne Feinstein is simply her age, then I think people will be looking for a much younger replacement," Kousser said.

Lee also could struggle to win over moderate Californians, a pivotal vote in a state with the top-two primary system that can favor politicians who hew more toward the middle.

"Barbara Lee has a more progressive profile than" other Democrats expected to vie for the seat, said Kim Nalder, a political science professor at Sacramento State. "It's an advantage for a subset of Californians but not necessarily for the voters you would need in a top-two system in which you're likely to have two Democrats in the general election in that race."

Additionally, Lee does not have the fundraising history of other Democrats in the race or who are weighing a run. In a state with some of the most expensive media markets in the country, the ability to raise tens of millions of dollars will be essential.

"It makes a huge difference. We're not Wyoming, where you can practically knock on every door to win a Senate race," Nalder said. "In California, you absolutely need a major media campaign and ground game. It's insane how much money you need in California."

Lee ended her most recent reelection campaign with less than $55,000 cash on hand, according to federal campaign filings. Khanna has more than $5 million in the bank, while Porter launched her Senate bid with nearly $8 million in her campaign account and Schiff has more than $20 million.

Porter, one of the most prodigious fundraisers in Congress, also raised $1.3 million online for the primary in the first 24 hours after her launch, according to her campaign.

Fresh off a competitive reelection to her Orange County district, Porter announced a Senate bid Tuesday morning, becoming the first major candidate to enter the field. But she drew criticism from potential rivals for her timing, which came as Californians are grappling with deadly winter storms that have killed at least 19 people.

Vice President Kamala Harris' election in 2020 led to her Senate seat becoming vacant and the upper chamber without a single Black woman. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed former California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to replace Harris. Padilla, the first Latino to represent the state in the Senate, in November was elected to a full six-year Senate term.

Newsom has said he would appoint a Black woman to replace Feinstein if she were to vacate her seat early, and Lee was widely seen as a top contender for an appointment. But Feinstein has repeatedly said she intends to serve her full term, which expires in early 2025.

Feinstein, first elected in a 1992 special election, has not said whether she intends to seek reelection or retire. She told The Times last month that she would probably announce her intentions by this spring.

The Senate race promises to have a substantial impact on California's 2024 congressional campaigns. Porter narrowly won her Orange County district, and Republicans had already identified it as one they hope to win next year. Republican Scott Baugh, who lost to Porter in November, said on social media that he plans to try again next year. Lee, Schiff and Khanna represent safe Democratic districts, but the vacancies could set off some fierce intraparty competition.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photo: Brandon Bell (Getty Images)

Its been well over a year now since Texas enacted its citizen-enforced abortion ban, S.B. 8, which offers no exceptions for rape. In September 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott famously defended this by proclaiming that he would simply eliminate all rapists from the streets, ostensibly by giving more funding to the same police officers who do little to nothing to prevent sexual violenceand often perpetrate it themselves.



And now, in the wake of some Texas Republicans expressing openness to adding a rape exception to the states abortion laws ahead of the 2023 legislative session, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick (R) opted to give a revisionist history lesson on the issue on the podcast Yallitics this week. Specifically, Patrick suggested Democrats are actually to blame for the cruelty that abortion bans inflict on rape victims. Our original law thats on the books now was written by Democratsall Democrats, Patrick said. We had few Republicans back then, few Republicans in the state. They did not put in an exception for rape or incest when they passed that law.

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Patrick is referring to pre-Roe abortion bans and laws criminalizing abortion from the 1920s and as far back as the 1850syou know, before the political realignment spurred by the New Deal era.

Because apparently it needs to be said, political parties took radically different stances 100 years ago! Today, Texas Democrats are challenging abortion bans and Republicans are upholding themits not complicated.

Insipid as Patricks comments were (including his claim that a child who is born should not be another victim of that crime, referring to rape-induced pregnancies), what else, really, could he say? For over a year now, Texas Republicanslike anti-abortion lawmakers everywherehave stumbled around talking about abortion and rape, relying on obfuscation, misinformation, and tough-on-crime rhetoric disregarding how law enforcement and the criminal legal system have historically victimized survivors, because they cant justify their positions.

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A GOP state senator said he would consider a carve out to the Texas #abortion law for victims of rape or incest.



With the legislative session starting Tuesday, would Lt. Gov. @Dan Patrick consider it, as well?#txlege pic.twitter.com/lTPBIpHY5O  Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) January 8, 2023

In recent months, Republican politicians have claimed people cant be impregnated by rape because they control that intake of semen. Last year, Jezebel reported on a Michigan Republican candidate who said he told his daughters, If rape is inevitable, you should just lie back and enjoy it. An Ohio Republican in the state legislature called pregnancy from rape an opportunity. Notably, in post-Roe Ohio, a 10-year-old rape victim was forced to travel across state lines for abortion, prompting top Republicans in Ohio and Indiana to terrorize and investigate the doctor who provided her care for months.

In June, then-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) outright admitted that the states total abortion ban, which lacks a rape exception, could force rape survivors as young as 13 to carry their rapists babiesbut he also refused to do anything about it. I would prefer a different outcome than that, but thats not the debate today in Arkansas. It might be in the future, but for now, the law triggered with only one exception ... in the case of the life of the mother.

I truly cant over-state that rape exceptions to abortion bans are almost worthless in practice, since the majority of victims dont report their rapes, and any and all abortion bans already amount to state gender-based violencebeing denied abortion places someone at greater risk of domestic violence. The top cause of death for pregnant people is homicide, often by abusive partners.

The only way to grant pregnant rape victims dignity and agency is to not ban abortion at all or subject survivors to extensive, retraumatizing verification processes to prove their rape to law enforcement. Yet, where anti-abortion lawmakers once overwhelmingly supported rape exceptionsto present themselves as moderatenearly all abortion bans post-Roe now lack them. Because why pretend to care about pregnant people and rape survivors when you can just lie and blame the Democrats?

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Its nice when the boss remembers your birthday or inquires after your health. But that doesnt make us less incredulous over a Wednesday Chicago Sun-Times report that Ald. Derrick Curtis, 18th, a famously enthusiastic supporter of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is rethinking his political support for Lightfoot because of a variety of personal slights, including a failure to call him when he was stuck in hospital, reportedly due to a low blood count.

If we were in a relationship, she should have contacted me, the paper quotes Curtis as saying. I deserved some type of call or conversation just to see how I was doing. Just checking in on me. Thats what friends do.

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We wish Ald. Curtis the best of health. But we have news for the alderman. He is not in a relationship with the mayor that requires her to call him and stay in constant touch with his personal feelings.

As the elected representative for 18th Ward voters, Curtis should offer his political support to the candidate for mayor he believes best represents the interests of his constituents and the city as a whole. Whether the current officeholder calls him before the nurse checks up on him is, shall we say, not germane to the peoples business. And its the people who are Curtis real boss.

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Lightfoot, whose staff later insisted that the mayor and the alderman are good pals who swap photos of each others grilling exploits, may have cooled on being too chummy with Curtis after the Chicago Board of Ethics slapped the alderman with a $1,000 fine last summer. And its not exactly breaking news that Lightfoot is not always the touchiest and feeliest of politicians. Curtis should count himself lucky the two have apparently bonded over deep-fried turkey.

Given that this is a political season, the story likely suggests more than first meets the eye. Still, if we take Curtis comments at face value, its a reminder of how much babying some aldermen seem to expect from the mayor, often as a condition of their political support.

Tending to the feelings of aldermen hardly is Lightfoots first responsibility. She has a city to run.

Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
On Richard Bernstein's campaign trail, Ronnie Waters said he took to heart the Michigan Supreme Court Justice's promises to be fair, to work for equal justice under the law, to not discriminate against those who have been formerly incarcerated.

"It was all a blatant lie," said Waters, a former juvenile-lifer who was released from prison in 2020 after over 40 years of incarceration. "Judge Bernstein made it clear that everybody that smiles in your face does not hold your values, even when they say they do."

Bernstein, who was reelected in November, drew uproar from advocates for returning citizens after he strongly criticized his colleague, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden in an interview with the Detroit News, just days after she was sworn in as Michigan's first Black woman on the state Supreme Court. Bolden hired Pete Martel as her law clerk. Martel had been convicted of robbery and shooting at a police officer in 1994, but had gone on to become a fierce advocate for the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated and worked for the State Appellate Defender Office after his 2008 parole.

Bernstein said he believes in rehabilitation, but that Martel should not be working for the court because of his past, prompting Martel to resign. Bernstein has since apologized to Bolden for interfering in her staffing decisions and to Martel for not considering his privacy.

Ronnie Waters of Safe & Just, a former juvenile-lifer who was released from prison in 2020 after over 40 years of incarceration, speaks as community organizers advocating for the formerly incarcerated while calling for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to make amends with the community, condemning his comments about Justice Kyra Bolden's hiring of law clerk Peter Martel during a press conference at the Tapestry Event Hall in Southfield on January 12, 2023. Martel, who once served 14 years in prison for robbing a Flint-area store and shooting at police officers, quickly resigned after Bernstein said he was "disgusted" by the hire.

But for returning citizens like Waters, 60, of West Bloomfield, the apology was insufficient. The damage has been done, Waters said. Several returning citizens say they feel betrayed and insulted. Many have been organizing around Bernstein's comments in sadness and anger, strongly condemning them, and some even urging Bernstein to resign from his position.

"I thought he was in agreement with Justice Bolden when she said she really believes that if people do the time, come home and demonstrate that they changed their life, they deserve a second chance. Never did I ever expect him to blindside a Justice that he was in lockstep with for the whole summer and the whole fall," Waters said, of Bernstein, who campaigned with Bolden.

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"As returning citizens, we know you have to put the work in to earn the trust of the community. Justice Bernstein also has to put the work in to regain the trust of the community."

And for returning citizens like Booker T. Walker, an organizer with Michigan Liberation  a criminal justice reform group that campaigned for and endorsed Bolden and Bernstein  Bernstein's statements felt "like a sucker punch."

Walker, 66, of Detroit, and other returning citizens knocked on thousands of doors for Bolden and Bernstein and organized a town hall for the justices to connect with the criminal justice community, including returning citizens.

Booker T. Walker, an organizer with Michigan Liberation, a criminal justice organization that campaigned for and endorsed Bolden and Bernstein, speaks as community organizers advocating for the formerly incarcerated called for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to make amends with the community, condemning his comments about Justice Kyra Bolden's hiring of law clerk Peter Martel during a press conference at the Tapestry Event Hall in Southfield on January 12, 2023. Martel, who once served 14 years in prison for robbing a Flint-area store and shooting at police officers, quickly resigned after Bernstein said he was "disgusted" by the hire.

"He's hoodwinking the community, bamboozling the community," Walker said. "It's more lies. Politicians say whatever they'll say to get elected."

Walker and Stephanie Crider, a community advocate, spoke of long-standing feelings among Black and brown communities that political parties use people in their communities to provide labor to help their campaigns and get votes, and in return, "we feel betrayed," Crider said.

Daryl Woods Sr., another organizer and returning citizen, had helped organize a visit with the advocacy group Nation Outside for pretrial detainees in Genesee County and judicial candidates, including Bernstein.

"He spoke to the inmates there about how fair and just he is, and encouraging them to vote for him. ... And he had returning citizens supporting him in droves," Woods Sr. said.

"I believed in him. To hear those words come out of his mouth, I was absolutely shocked. I was traumatized by it. His words were very hurtful, and I feel like they were hateful as well."

Bolden declined comment out of respect for Martel.

The Free Press reached out to Bernstein for comment and was told by John Nevin, communications director for the Michigan Supreme Court, that the justice is not doing interviews. Attempts to reach Martel were unsuccessful.

Daryl Woods Sr., center, organizer and returning citizen, of Outside Nation, speaks as community organizers advocating for the formerly incarcerated called for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to make amends with the community, condemning his comments about Justice Kyra Bolden's hiring of law clerk Peter Martel during a press conference at the Tapestry Event Hall in Southfield on January 12, 2023. Martel, who once served 14 years in prison for robbing a Flint-area store and shooting at police officers, quickly resigned after Bernstein said he was "disgusted" by the hire.

Numerous community organizers who advocate for the formerly incarcerated formed a coalition and held a news conference in Southfield on Thursday that emphasized respect for Black women and returning citizens.The coalition made a list of demands for Bernstein, including that he acknowledge the insensitivity of his comments to returning citizens; participate in a town hall discussion and an advisory committee with returning citizens; hire returning citizens into his staff; fundraise $1 million dollars for Bolden, and invest $50,000 toward Black women and community efforts for every year he holds his Justice position.

Advocates: Bernstein's comments have broader impact

It wasn't just that Bernstein criticized Bolden's hiring of Martel, returning citizens and community organizers told the Free Press. Also at issue are his statements to the Detroit News regarding police.

Bernstein called himself "intensely pro-law enforcement" while suggesting Martel should not be in a position of helping to make decisions on cases involving police officers. Advocates have called out his statements as hypocritical.

"He is on the highest court in our state making decisions that are supposed to be unbiased, when he's clearly biased. Thats the part thats probably the most troubling," said Rick Speck, 52, of Romeo, another returning citizen.

Jimmy Thomas of Wyandotte holds a sign stating "Richard Bernstein Resign Now" as Stephanie Crider of Agape Social Justice speaks while community organizers advocating for the formerly incarcerated call for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to make amends with the community, condemning his comments about Justice Kyra Bolden's hiring of law clerk Peter Martel, who once served 14 years in prison for robbing a Flint-area store and shooting at police officers during a press conference at the Tapestry Event Hall in Southfield on January 12, 2023. Martel quickly resigned after Bernstein said he was "disgusted" by the hire.

"Hes already shown to me, and my community, that he cant be impartial. The harm that he's caused can't be undone."

Ken Nixon, 36, of Detroit, who was exonerated in 2021, believes Bernstein shouldn't be involved in cases involving law enforcement..

"Is he going to recuse himself from all cases involving officer misconduct?" Nixon asked.

"It's funny to me that Richard Bernstein was so vocal on this specific situation, when just a few months ago we saw a Grand Rapids police officer shoot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head, on camera, and Justice Bernstein was completely silent on that situation."

More:Christopher Schurr charged with second-degree murder in shooting of Patrick Lyoya

Community organizers like Alexandria Hughes noted that pro-law enforcement biases impact the courts in ways that shield police officers from accountability.

Hughes also perceived Bernstein's actions as an on "attack on Black women."

The Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan wrote in a news release: "It is highly doubtful that Justice Bernstein would have made public comments about the hiring practices of one of his caucasian colleagues on the bench. However, we appreciate him unbridling his tongue to reveal his true nature."

Stephanie Crider, right, of Agape Social Justice speaks while community organizers advocating for the formerly incarcerated call for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to make amends with the community, condemning his comments about Justice Kyra Bolden's hiring of law clerk Peter Martel during a press conference at the Tapestry Event Hall in Southfield on January 12, 2023. Martel, who once served 14 years in prison for robbing a Flint-area store and shooting at police officers, quickly resigned after Bernstein said he was "disgusted" by the hire.

The association also took issue with Bernstein saying in the Detroit News article he is "no longer talking" to Bolden and that they "don't share the same values." The group said the remarks create a hostile work environment for Bolden.

In Bernstein's apology to Bolden, he said he was committed to working with his colleague.

The association further expressed concern that Bernstein's comments about Martel show implicit and explicit bias, "which is contrary to the Judicial Code of Conduct."

On Tuesday evening, the Rev. Wendell Anthony of the NAACP spoke directly to Bernstein's statements at a monthly meeting of the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee.

"We should support people who succeed at redemption," Anthony said. "Many of us were troubled by the recent declarations of Justice Richard Bernstein. ... Many of us here have supported him."

Anthony ended with a prayer analogizing Bernstein as a crow, and Bolden as an eagle soaring above him.

Politics Editor Emily Lawler contributed to this report.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Returning citizens feel betrayed after Bernstein blasts clerk hire
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Forty-one Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives asked President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday to cooperate with Brazil's investigation into violent protests in Brasilia and revoke any U.S. visas held by former President Jair Bolsonaro.

They sent a letter calling on the administration to support democracy and the rule of law in Brazil. "Furthermore, we must not allow Mr. Bolsonaro or any other former Brazilian officials to take refuge in the United States to escape justice for any crimes they may have committed when in office," the letter said.

Far-right Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on Jan. 1 and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office.

Supporters of Bolsonaro ransacked Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on Sunday, calling for a military coup to overturn the October election that Lula won.

State Department and White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

The State Department has said repeatedly its policy is not to discuss specific visa cases. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washington had not received any specific requests from Brazil over Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro has said on social media that he would return to Brazil earlier than planned for medical reasons. He has denied inciting his supporters and said the rioters "crossed the line."

The letter was led by U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Joaquin Castro, Ruben Gallego, Chuy Garcia and Susan Wild.

Biden joined other world leaders in condemning Sunday's violence in Brazil.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Nana Mori and Natsuki Deguchi star in Netflixs new Japanese series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.

Nana Mori and Natsuki Deguchi star as characters Kiyo and Sumire in the new manga adaptation series <em>The Makanai</em>. Credit - Netflix

Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is no stranger to international acclaim as the countrys most prominent auteur. Two of his works earned awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival: a Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son (2013), and the festivals grand Palme dOr prize for Shoplifters (2018)which was also nominated at the 2019 Oscars and Golden Globes for Best Foreign Language Film.

Now, hes turning his focus to the small screen, as showrunner, writer, and director of the new Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, which premiered globally on Jan. 12 and is based on a popular manga in Japan.

The nine-episode series tells the fictional modern-day story of 16-year-old Kiyo, a northern Japanese native who heads south to Kyoto to become a maiko, a young geikothe Kyoto-specific term for geisha, Japanese traditional professional entertainers. The geiko mentors deem Kiyo unfit as a maiko due to her clumsiness, but she earns their hearts as the in-house cook, or the makanai.

In an interview with TIME, Kore-eda says he had little idea before making the show about the heavily-guarded culture of geiko and maiko, only having preconceived notions based on classical Japanese directors portrayals of the art performers in films.

When I researched the all-women, communal living quarters, known as yakata, in Kyoto, where this story takes place, I was fascinated by how the women call each other mothers and sisters despite having no blood relations, Kore-eda says. Their way of life inspired me to recreate this world for the screen.

The Makanai is a product of the manga moment

Thanks to the power of the internet in enabling increasingly global audiences to find content from around the world, manga (Japanese comics) has seen a rise in popularity among non-Japanese readers. Polygon reports that sales of the top 50 manga titles in the U.S. tripled in 2021. And live-action adaptations are not a new phenomenon. South Korean director Park Chan-wooks 2003 film Oldboy is loosely based on a Japanese manga of the same name by Garon Tsuchiya. Edge of Tomorrow, the 2014 Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt sci-fi action flick, was based on the manga All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.

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Manga adaptations geared toward Western audiences, however, have proven to be hit-or-miss. Spike Lees 2013 remake of Oldboy was a box-office flop. Netflixs 2017 live-action movie Death Note was almost universally panned by critics. The 2017 blockbuster Ghost In the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson, sparked controversy for white-washing. And the 2009 adaptation of Dragonball is often listed among the worst films of the early 2000s.

The Makanai is based on a best-selling manga by Aiko Kayama entitled Maiko-san chi no makanai-san, first published in 2016. Kayamas comic won one of Japans time-hallowed manga awards, the Shogakukan Manga Award, in 2020, and has sold over 2.7 million copies. Because of its domestic popularity, the manga already had an anime series adaptation, which aired on Japanese national broadcaster NHK World in 2021.

Mass medias problematic past depicting the lives of geisha

The lives of Japans locally-revered artisans are shrouded in secrecy. Geiko and maiko as occupations date back to the 1600s. But the geisha population, some 80,000 in the 1920s, is now on the decline, even more so after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. There are estimated to be fewer than 1,000 geisha in Japan today.

In 1997, the world had a rarefied window into geisha life through Sayuri: Memoirs of a Geisha, an English novel by Arthur Golden, which eventually became a 2005 major motion picture by Rob Marshall that controversially starred non-Japanese women in Japanese roles. But the source material itself stirred controversy, too: retired geiko Mineko Iwasaki, whom Golden interviewed to write the novel, filed a suit against him and his publisher for supposedly breaking the code of silence about her community. The two eventually settled out of court.

If there was anything Mineko lamented most, it was the novels highly-sexualized depiction of geiko. For years, Western media have conflated geisha activity with dalliance and highly-stylized prostitution. Following the success of Goldens novel, tourists fled to geisha districts in Japan, book in hand, wanting to catch a glimpse of the women. Soon, geiko in Kyotos Gion reported instances of harassment from tourists who wanted pictures (among other cultural taboos), prompting the district to enforce a ban on taking photographs in 2019.

Kore-eda is aware of the past controversy and hopes that his series will do better, though he also hopes that people dont confuse fiction for reality once again, he says. There are no teenage makanai, like the character Kiyo, for example. I heard that due to the influence of Sayuri: Memoirs of a Geisha, many tourists from overseas misunderstood that all maiko have been sold by their parents, Kore-eda tells TIME. Perhaps this series will at least dispel such misconceptions, although I never intended on it.

The Makanai humanizes geisha culture mostly through Sumire, Kiyos best friend who trains to be a one-in-a-million maiko, and her other housemates, illustrating the effort and work required to be a maiko, the practices and rules and even superstitions they followdown to the use of phones and lucky charms, while also shining light on the relatable aspects of their lives like having crushes, maintaining friendships, and navigating romantic relationships.

The Makanai is ultimately a story about food

As a story about the house makanaiwhich means both the cook and the meal served in a boarding houseKore-edas team indulged in detailed food scenes. Food is a grounding device in many of the directors films, often used to propel narratives about family. His 2008 feature Still Walking begins with a mother and daughter preparing vegetables together. In a cramped shanty in Shoplifters, a motley band of thieves share dinner cooked from stolen groceries.

The other directors working with Kore-eda on the show see it as a celebration of Japans food culture. Audiences will be treated to Kiyos excitement over produce, and her joy after seeing people react to food she prepared. Fellow director Takuma Sato says the series is also a reflection of the wisdom of finding joy in the change of food, clothes, and seasons.

Hiroshi Okayuma, another director of the series, had read the manga source material and had found it influencing his own cooking. I was trying to imitate Kiyos cooking and choosing the better quality ingredients, Hiroshi tells TIME.

Both Hiroshi and Takuma hope whoever watches Makanai will enjoy how food in Japan is treated. Says Takuma: I would be happy if the audience would pay attention to the aspects of eating that can excite and relax people, and inspire them to think what to cook or what to eat.
Justin Roiland, co-creator and star of "Rick and Morty." Leon Bennett / WireImage

"Rick and Morty" co-creator and star Justin Roiland has been charged with felony domestic violence.

A criminal complaint was filed in May 2020, and Roiland pleaded not guilty in October 2020, according to court records.

Roiland, 42, appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing Thursday, NBC reported.

"Rick and Morty" co-creator and star Justin Roiland has been charged with felony domestic violence in Orange County, California, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC News and online court records.

Roiland, 42, appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing on Thursday, NBC News first reported.

The complaint, also reviewed by Insider, was filed in May 2020 by the Orange County District Attorney, and much of the case remains sealed.

According to Orange County, California, court records available online and viewed by Insider, the case ties back to an incident that prosecutors say occurred in January 2020.

Court records show Roiland has been charged with one felony count of domestic battery on spouse/cohabitant with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment effected by violence, menace, fraud, or deceit.

Roiland was arrested and released on $50,000 bail on August 13, 2020, and later pleaded not guilty to both counts in October 2020, according to the court records.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

"Not only is Justin innocent but we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney's office has completed its methodical review of the evidence," T. Edward Welbourn, an attorney for Roiland, told Insider in a statement. "We look forward to clearing Justin's name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible."

NBC and Variety reported that the complaint was made by a woman whom Roiland was dating who has not been publicly named.

Roiland's next scheduled pre-trial hearing is April 27, 2023, court records show.

The "Rick and Morty" co-creator voices many characters on the hit Adult Swim show, including the two titular protagonists. Roiland has also voiced characters on shows like Hulu's "Solar Opposites" as well as "Gravity Falls," and founded a video game studio Squanch Games.

Read the original article on Insider
Attorney GeneralMerrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to look into why batches of classified documents were stored at President Joe Bidens former think tank office and Delaware home, setting up a sensitive probe just as the 2024 presidential election begins in earnest.

The man Mr Garland has tapped to lead the investigation is Robert Kyoung Hur, a former top federal prosecutor in Maryland who has since moved into private practice in Washington, DC.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment, Mr Hur said in a statement released by the Department of Justice. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service.

Robert Hur, pictured in 2019, said he would investigate the circumstances around the discovery of classified documents without fear or favor (AP)

Mr Hur, born 50 years ago in New York City, is a Republican appointee with a long record of service as a prosecutor.

A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School, Mr Hur clerked for former Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and served as a special assistant to now-FBI director Christopher Wray in the attorney generals office before joining being appointed an Assistant US Attorney in the District of Maryland.

Mr Hur served in that role from 2007 to 2014, working on a range of investigations from corporate fraud and counterterrorism.

After a brief stint in private practice, he was nominated by former president Donald Trump for the position of US Attorney for the District of Maryland in 2017. He was sworn in to that role in April of 2018 and resigned in February of 2021, just after the beginning of Mr Bidens first term as president.

After leaving the US Attorneys office in Maryland, Mr Hur has worked at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher  an international firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers working in more than 20 offices around the world.

Mr Garland initially tasked John Lausch, the US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, with conducting a review of the matter after the first batch of documents was found at Mr Bidens think tank office. Mr Lausch then quickly recommended that Mr Garland appoint a special counsel.

In his annoucement of his selection of Mr Hur to lead the investigation into the Biden documents on Thursday, Mr Garland said that Mr Hur has had a long and distinguished career as a prosecutor.

As US attorney, he supervised some of the departments more important national security, public corruption and other high-profile matters, Mr Garland said. I will ensure that Mr. Hur receives all the resources he needs to conduct his work.
Romanian authorities announced Thursday the raid of seven additional homes tied to the criminal investigation into social media influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate.

The raids took place residences in the neighboring counties of Bucharest, Ilfov, and Prahova, according to Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for the countrys law enforcement agency that focuses on organized crime and terrorism (DIICOT).

Authorities were seeking to obtain further evidence in the case against the 36-year-old British-U.S. citizen, Bolla said.

Tate was arrested late last month in a suburb of the Romanian capital, Bucharest, alongside his brother, Tristan, and two other women.

The Tate brothers were detained on charges of human trafficking and rape, which they deny. Authorities said they ran an organized crime group that held women against their will and forced them to film pornographic videos.

Thursdays announcement came a day after the controversial internet celebrity lost an appeal in a Bucharest court where he challenged the seizure of his assets by prosecutors.

Earlier this week, a court in Bucharest ruled that authorities can hold the two brothers for 30 days.

Following their Dec. 30 arrest, prosecutors seized several luxury cars and properties owned by the Tate brothers or companies registered to them. On Thursday, Bolla said the court decided that the seizures are legal and the goods remain at our disposal.

If prosecutors are able to prove the two brothers made their alleged millions through human trafficking, the assets could be used to provide compensation for victims and to cover expenses linked to the investigation, she added.

At least six alleged victims in the human trafficking case have been identified. They were subjected to acts of physical violence and mental coercion, Romanian authorities said in a Thursday statement.

Tate, who has reportedly lived in Romania since 2017, first made international news in 2016 after he was removed from the U.K. version of the reality television show Big Brother. The move followed the release of a video that appeared to show him slapping a woman. He disputed the claims, saying at the time that the video was edited and a total lie trying to make me look bad, according to the BBC.

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The former kickboxing world champion has been banned from several social media platforms over his misogynistic views, though his Twitter account was reinstated in November.

On Wednesday, a shocking new report alleged that Tate texted I love raping you to a woman who accused him of a 2013 rape.

With News Wire Services
HOPEWELL  Police are looking for the man they say robbed the Roses department store in Cavalier Square Wednesday night.

An email from Hopewell Police said the masked robber made his way into the store around 8:30 p.m. while employees were closing it. The suspect assaulted an employee and held them at gunpoint as he went into the store office and grabbed money that had just been pulled from the registers.

The suspect then ran from the store in an unknown direction, police said.

The only description of the suspect was that he was of medium build and wore dark clothing. Employees told police he carried a green and black handgun.

The assaulted employee was not seriously injured.

Anyone who may have information about the suspect or the robbery is asked to contact Hopewell Police at (804) 541-2284 or Crime Solvers at (804) 541-2202; or use the P3Tips mobile app.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell Police look for suspect in department store robbery
By Felix Light

TBILISI (Reuters) -Russia blamed Armenia on Thursday for a breakdown in peace talks with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, in the latest sign of friction between allies Moscow and Yerevan over the conflict.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have for months been in talks to broker a peace deal over Nagorno-Karabakh - a breakaway enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but home to a mainly Armenian population.

For the past month, Azeris claiming to be environmental activists have blocked transport along the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia in what Yerevan has called a government-endorsed blockade. Baku says the protesters have legitimate concerns over illegal Armenian mining, and have denied that the region is under blockade.

In a statement on Thursday, Russia blamed Armenia for cancelling peace talks between the two sides and called on Yerevan to come back to the negotiating table.

"It is difficult to assess Yerevan's position when their official statements differ so significantly," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She said Yerevan's decision to pull out of peace talks set for last month in Moscow "prevented us from discussing the peace treaty", adding: "If our Armenian partners are really interested in solving these problems ... then instead of engaging in scholasticism, it is necessary to continue working together."

ANGER

Officials in Yerevan have grown increasingly angry at Russia - formally an ally through a mutual self defence treaty - for not doing more to end the blockade.

Nagorno-Karabakh won de facto independence from Baku after a lengthy war in the early 1990s. After a second war in 2020, Azerbaijan retook territory in and around the enclave. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire saw Russian peacekeepers deployed in the Lachin corridor linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia says Azerbaijan is not abiding by the ceasefire's provision for free movement along the Lachin corridor and wants Russian peacekeepers to do more to dislodge the protesters. Moscow has said it is doing everything it can to help.

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said last month that Russian peacekeepers were not fulfilling their obligations under the 2020 ceasefire, and that, if they were unable to do so, they should make way for a United Nations peacekeeping mssion.

At a news conference on Thursday marking a month since the start of the blockade, senior Nagorno-Karabakh separatist official Ruben Vardanyan distanced himself from Pashinyan's comments, saying that "futile" criticism of Moscow's peacekeepers only helped Azerbaijan.

"The situation would obviously have been much harder if the Russian peacekeepers were not here," Vardanyan said, adding that he wanted the peacekeepers to remain in the area for "decades" and that their numbers should be increased.

(Additional reporting by Jake Cordell; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Gareth Jones)
Roger Krahl, owner of R-Guns, at his store in Carpentersville on Jan. 11, 2023. Theres not a whole lot left that will be enough to support a business. I think that the state has just put a lot of hardworking people out of business and on the unemployment line, he said. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The business landscape for gun sellers across Illinois changed with the stroke of a pen Tuesday night as Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, in one of the first acts of his second term, signed into law a sweeping ban on the sale of a wide range of semi-automatic firearms.

The measure, which also immediately bans the delivery, sale or purchase ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds for rifles or shotguns and 15 rounds for handguns, took effect just a few hours after it received final approval on the last day of the state legislatures lame-duck session.

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Business owners who sell guns and ammunition thats now banned were predictably angry.

Roger Krahl, who owns R-Guns in Carpentersville, said Wednesday that it is a tragedy that the new law affects law-abiding Illinoisans. His shop specializes in selling the kind of guns banned under the new law.

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Gun stores still will be permitted to sell the otherwise-banned weapons to a list of exempted customers, including law enforcement and armed security personnel. The banned guns could also be sold to the federal government and sold or transferred to out-of-state buyers.

But they essentially killed our retail or sales within the state, Krahl said.

Theres not a whole lot left that will be enough to support a business. I think that the state has just put a lot of hardworking people out of business and on the unemployment line, he said.

A customer at R-Guns store on Jan. 11, 2023, in Carpentersville. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Pritzker and Democrats who control the General Assembly pushed the ban in response to the deadly mass shooting at Highland Parks Fourth of July parade, where an assailant allegedly used a semi-automatic rifle and high-capacity magazines to kill seven people and wound dozens more.

Krahl said the new law makes what he described as the most popular rifle in American history, the AR-15, illegal along with tens of millions of ammo magazines that already exist in the state. He strongly criticized Illinois Democrats for passing what he believes is an attack on Second Amendment rights granted by the Constitution.

Like many gun rights supporters, Krahl, a board member of Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois, an organization that advocates for Illinois firearm dealers, predicted the law will not withstand legal challenges. The group is already drafting a legal challenge to the new law and expects to file it early next week, he said.

And believe me, Im not the only group thats going to be filing a lawsuit, he said. People are pissed. They are going to be held accountable.

Pritzker and other supporters believe the measure, which is similar to existing laws in eight other states, will withstand legal scrutiny.

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Obviously things will go through the courts and theyll make their determinations, but I feel very confident, Pritzker said after signing the legislation late Tuesday in Springfield.

If the law does remain in place after potential court challenges, Krahl said he might need to lay off half his staff.

At BAT Arms in Plano, in-state sales of semi-automatic weapons and other newly banned items account for about half of owner Barry Torphys business, he said Wednesday.

We do have ... internet presence, obviously, across North America, but I would tell you that we dont see a significant volume from that, that it would keep the doors open just based on out-of-state orders, Torphy said

Ben Bastone, left, Bat Arms manager Daniel Benitez, center, and Jeff Nix chat about the gun bill signed Tuesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Jan. 11, 2023. The new law bans the sale of military-style firearms. Bat Arms, in downtown Plano, has been open for eight years. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Barry Soskin, owner of Lombard Gun Shop, predicted a less severe fallout. He said he doesnt expect the ban to severely impact many Chicago-area stores because many have already adapted to Cook County and Chicago restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He said his business can get by without selling so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

We abide by the laws, whether we like them or not, he said.

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Still, the new law frustrates Soskin, who has owned his gun store, also known as Article II range, for 45 years.

I dont think its right, he said. Im sure that its going to go to court and well see what the result is.

New Lenoxs Kee Firearms and Training was busy with customers making last-minute purchases Tuesday, but stopped selling military-style firearms and accessories Wednesday, owner Jeff Regnier said.

When we wake up in the morning, we have a legal business. By the time we go to bed, we have inventory thats no good to anybody and we cant sell, he said. Its devastating.

Regnier, who last year ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for Congress in the 1st District, said he is unsure of what to do with the 3,000 guns in his inventory that fall under the ban.

The state hasnt even given us direction on what we can and cannot do as a licensed dealer. Weve halted sales of the things that are on the list, because of the spirit of the law, until we can get some clarification, Regnier said.

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The law, in fact, does provide some guidance on that issue. In addition to sales to exempted individuals or to shops in states where the guns remain legal, the law allows gun shops to sell banned guns back to the manufacturers.

Several gun store owners across the area declined to comment on the new law Wednesday. That might be because gun dealers fear drawing attention from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Lyon Montalvo of Lyons Guns in Westchester.

We already feel like theres a target on our back, he said.

Montalvo tried to open a bricks-and-mortar gun store two years ago but wound up not doing so because of the strict regulations in place for such businesses, he said. His business focuses on firearm training and legally coordinating firearms transfers.

I dont think were in any position to wave our finger at firearms when weve done so little and are plagued so much by firearms that are not on this ban. Our extreme gun violence is due to handguns, Montalvo said.

Rifles, rifle accessories and rifle ammo combine to form a major portion of the business for Chicago-area gun stores because many gun owners in the urban and suburban areas buy as enthusiasts or for home defense, he said.

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Were not hunters, Montalvo said.

A selection of AR-15-style rifles on a wall at R-Guns in Carpentersville. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Supporters of the ban acknowledged that gun violence is a multifaceted problem and that the new measures alone wont end shootings in Chicago or across the state, but they called it an important step in the right direction.

We do believe its going to make a significant impact in reducing these weapons on the street, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, a Hillside Democrat, said Tuesday. And if it saves just one life  just one  it was successful. But we believe its going to save many more than that.

Daily Southtowns Alexandra Kukulka contributed.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
MOSCOW (AP)  Russia will send up a new capsule next month to bring back three space station crew members whose original ride home was damaged, officials said Wednesday.

The two Russians and one American will stay several extra months at the International Space Station as a result of the capsule switch, possibly pushing their mission to close to a year, NASA and Russian space officials told reporters.

Cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Demitri Petelin, and astronaut Frank Rubio were supposed to return in March in the same Soyuz capsule that took them up last September. But that capsule was hit by a tiny meteoroid on Dec. 14, creating a small hole in the exterior radiator and sending coolant spewing into space.

Sergei Krikalev, head of human spaceflight for the Russian Space Agency, said barring an emergency at the space station, it would be too dangerous for the crew to use that capsule to return to Earth.

Although Russian engineers believe the capsule could survive reentry and land safely, the cabin temperature could reach the low 40s Celsius (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) with high humidity because it couldn't shed heat generated by a computer and other electronics, noted Krikalev, a former cosmonaut.

The new Soyuz capsule will be launched from Kazakhstan on Feb. 20, a month earlier than planned. No one will be on board; the capsule will fly in automatic mode, Russian Space Agency chief Yuri Borisov announced earlier in the day. The original plan was to launch this new Soyuz in March with two Russians and one American, replacements for the three already up there. This new crew will now have to wait until late summer or fall to fly when another capsule is ready for them.

Russia will eventually bring back the damaged capsule with only science samples on board.

NASA took part in all the discussions and agreed with the plan.

Right now, the crew is safe on board space station, said NASA's space station program manager Joel Montalbano. Theres no immediate need for the crew to come home today.

Story continues

Backup plans are in the works, according to Montalbano and Krikalev, in case an emergency forces the seven space station residents to flee before the new Soyuz can be launched  like a fire or decompression. NASA is looking at the possibility of adding extra crew to the SpaceX capsule currently docked at the station.

Neither Krikalev nor Montalbano could recall a similar case in which a substitute spacecraft needed to be quickly launched.

Borisov said analysis confirmed the leak was caused by a micrometeoroid, not a piece of spacecraft debris or manufacturing defect. The resulting hole was about 1 millimeter in size or less than one-tenth of an inch.

Montalbano said the three crew members took the news in stride.

I may have to find some more ice cream to reward them" on future cargo deliveries, he told reporters.

Besides Prokopyev, Petelin and Rubio, the space station is home to NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada; Russian Anna Kikina and Japan's Koichi Wakata. The four rode up on a SpaceX capsule last October.

___

Dunn reported from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Read also: Ukrainian troops defending Bakhmut, Soledar to get everything they need, Zelenskyy says

It is impossible to say the exact losses the Russian army has on this axis, Podolyak said. But it's not a thousand or two, it's 10,000, 15,000 or even 20,000 (troops) over the entire time of hostilities at Bakhmut and Soledar. They don't count losses there.

The official was presumably talking about total combat losses  including wounded soldiers  and not just those killed in action.

According to him, Russians threw on Soledar practically all combat-ready units they had, including the remnants of their professional army  paratroopers and Wagner mercenraies.

Read also: Over 100 Russian troops killed in Ukrainian attack near Soledar, General Staff says (video)

Podolyak argues that the occupation of the won't help Moscow turn the tide of the war.

"I only feel sorry for the number of our guys who have to hold an assault rifle in their hands 24 hours a day in a -17-degree Celsius weather, he added.

Read also: Russia no longer attacking military targets, its all for murder  Podolyak

It's tough; we're losing our people, too.

Read also: Owner of Wagner mercenary group could become Putin's successor, analyst says

Earlier, Ukraines Operational Command East spokesman Serhiy Cherevyi reported that Russia had deployed the bulk of its, including Wagner's mercenaries, near Soledar in Donetsk Oblast.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the start of the full-scale invasion, total combat losses of the Russian military are at 113,390 troops.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia is likely preparing to conduct a massive hybrid attack on Ukraine in the near future, using missiles and Iranian-made drones.

Source: Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South), on air during a broadcast by Kyiv municipal television channel on 12 January

Quote: "Presumably, such an attack is being prepared, because the intervals of preparation of the occupiers' troops are exactly the same: they need about 10-12-14 days to reorganise after the [previous] massive attack they carried out on the territory of Ukraine.

Since they have now made friends with this practice, so to speak, and they enjoy it  it is likely that they are preparing a similar attack. And perhaps it will be the one of a mixed type, when air- and sea-launched missiles and kamikaze drones are used".

Details: Humeniuk explained that Russias stockpile of missiles is already exceeding the limit of their inviolable stockpile, so they might use "mixed practices".

In addition, she believes that the Russians are concerned about the quality of Ukrainian air defence, so they are trying to use "wave-like tactics" to identify air defence positions and attack them as well.

Humeniuk also noted the increased activity of Russian reconnaissance aircraft.

Background: Russia has been attacking Ukraine's power system since the beginning of autumn: the first strike was in Kharkiv and Poltava oblasts on 11 September, and the first massive attack throughout Ukrainian territory occurred on 10 October. Since then, Russian forces have been launching missile strikes or attacking Ukrainian energy facilities using kamikaze drones (loitering munitions) every week or two.

The last massive missile strike was carried out by the Russian Federation on 31 December (12 out of more than 20 missiles have been shot down), drone attacks took place on New Year's Eve (45 Shahed UAVs were shot down), and on the night of 1-2 January, about 40 drones were shot down.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
An American and Navy veteran detained in Russia since April was released Thursday, his family said in a statement.

Taylor Dudley, 35, was backpacking in Europe when he crossed the border from Poland into Russia and was taken into custody. On Thursday he was released at the Polish border to former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson and a representative of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, family spokesman Jonathan Franks said in a statement.

"The Richardson Center worked ... diligently and quietly for more than 6 months with significant assistance from the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, from Hostage U.S., and from the James Foley Foundation," the statement said. "The family will be forever grateful for the work of all three."

Richardson said in a statement that he continues to work for the release of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine detained in Russia four years ago. Whelan was convicted of espionage in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Ukrainian servicemen repair a tank near Kreminna, Lugansk region, on Jan. 12, 2023.

HELP ON THE WAY: US to send Bradley vehicles to Ukraine: Updates

Other developments:

Russian forces probably will try to capture all of Donetsk soon, Ukrainian General Staff Deputy Chief Oleksii Hromov said. The enemys main goal remains the seizure of our countrys entire territory and the destruction of Ukraines statehood, Hromov said.

Two civilians were killed and eight wounded in Russian attacks Wednesday, Ukraines presidential office said Thursday.

'WE HAVE TO BE JUDICIOUS': Top US senator backs sending long-range missiles to Ukraine

Game changer? Ukraine could soon get Western tanks

A crucial decision on whether the West will provide Ukraine with modern tanks could come within days after Poland's president said he was ready to send a company of 14 German-made Leopard tanks.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, on a visit to the Ukrainian city of Lviv, said the move would be possible if an international coalition supported the effort. Ukraine now relies on aging Soviet-made tanks.

Story continues

"There are very positive signals," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "I think it will happen."

The U.S., Germany and other Western supporters of Ukraine have balked at providing the tanks, concerned that doing so would mark an escalation in the war. But earlier this week, Britain said it was considering a plan to send Challenger II tanks. Ukraine also seeks U.S.-made Abrams tanks. Last week, the Biden administration agreed to send 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to its embattled ally.

"One state cannot help us with Leopards because we are fighting against thousands of tanks of the Russian Federation," Zelenskyy said. "Our people have already shown that they are stronger even than Russian tanks."

Russia paying high price for push to take Soledar

Russia said Thursday that its forces were close to capturing the strategic Donetsk region town of Soledar. But more than 100 Russian troops were killed in the battle for Soledar over the past 24 hours alone, Ukraines Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said in televised remarks late Wednesday.

The Russians have literally marched on the bodies of their own soldiers, burning everything on their way, Kyrylenko said.

Andrey Bayevsky, militia colonel in the Russian-recognized Donetsk Peoples Republic, said claiming Soledar would allow the Russian military to focus troops and weaponry on Bakhmut as the Kremlin presses its effort to control the region.

RUSSIA SEEKS FIRST WIN SINCE SUMMER: Russians demote general who retreated from Kherson: Updates

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine live updates: Russia releases American Taylor Dudley
By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Russia on Thursday released a U.S. citizen who had crossed into its Kaliningrad exclave in the first weeks of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last February, former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who met the man at the border in Poland, said in a statement.

U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, 35, was backpacking in Europe when he crossed the Polish-Russian border in April, Jonathan Franks, a lawyer who represents families of Americans detained overseas, said in an email to reporters.

Dudley's circumstances while in Russia were unclear and his case had not been previously publicized.

The U.S. State Department was aware of reports that an American citizen had been deported from Russia, said a spokesperson who declined to comment further on the case, citing privacy considerations.

Russia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Polish foreign ministry declined to comment on the case.

Dudley's release at the Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing comes as relations between Moscow and Washington remain fractured after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24, 2022.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was released by Russia last month in a swap for Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout after talks between U.S. and Russian officials, but former Marine Paul Whelan remains in a Russian prison camp.

Richardson, a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former New Mexico governor who has helped free Americans detained abroad, met Dudley at the border and worked on the case for months, according to attorney Franks and a statement from the Richardson Center for Global Engagement.

"The negotiations and work to secure Taylors safe return were done discreetly and with engagement on the ground in both Moscow and Kaliningrad and with full support from Taylors family back in the United States," the Richardson Center said.

Story continues

A U.S. embassy representative in Warsaw was also present at Dudley's release, according to Franks, and the Richardson Center thanked U.S. officials, as well as businessman Steve Menzies, for helping secure Dudley's return.

Kaliningrad is a Russian province sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania and is the headquarters of the Russian navy's Baltic Fleet.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk; additional reporting by Alan Charlish in Warsaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
(Reuters) - Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova said on Thursday that both Moscow and Kyiv are interested in future contacts between their rights commissioners, the TASS news agency reported.

Following a meeting this week in Turkey with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, Moskalkova said she believed Ukraine had adopted a pragmatic approach to ongoing discussions between the two sides, TASS reported.

At that meeting, the pair agreed the latest prisoner exchange between the two sides, with each releasing another 40 captured fighters.

"They have taken a pragmatic approach and are ready for dialogue," Moskalkova said on Thursday, speaking of her Ukrainian counterparts.

"We already have concrete results on the search for missing people, and return of children to their families. I hope the dialogue is continued. The most important thing is that it should not be politicised, but based exclusively on humanitarian and human rights principles," TASS quoted her as saying.

(Reporting by Reuters)
(Reuters) - Russia sees no dangers from Beijing's relaxation of measures to fight COVID-19 and will not impose extra restrictions on people arriving from China, Tass news agency cited a senior official as saying on Thursday.

China last month abandoned a strict anti-virus regime of mass lockdowns, prompting a rise in the number of reported infections. As the outbreak spread, more than a dozen countries have demanded negative test results from travelers arriving from China.

"We do not expect any special dangers here today," Tass cited Anna Popova, head of the consumer safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, as telling state television. "We are not introducing any additional measures against people arriving from China."

Beijing on Sunday dropped quarantine mandates for inbound visitors in a move expected to eventually also stimulate outbound travel.

Russia and China are ready to resume mutual travel as soon as possible and deepen their strategic cooperation, China's ambassador to Russia said in remarks published on Wednesday.

Since sending troops into Ukraine in February, Russia has turned its back on Western powers and instead courted the rising global power of long-time rival China.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Russia has started to send injured soldiers back to the front without doctors permission.

Source: Russian news outlet Agentstvo quoting Valentina Melnikova, secretary responsible for the Russian Union of Committees of Soldiers Mothers

Quote from the news outlet: "It is common practice in Russia that injured military servicemen are sent to a combat zone without a decision of the military medical board. Soldiers with shrapnel in their body or punctured lungs are being returned to the front. Lawyers and human rights activists state that this is a violation of the law."

Details: Melnikova has said that since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine started, commanders of units often send soldiers after they have been in hospital to the front, bypassing a military medical board that decides on categories of fitness for service.

This board can give a conclusion about temporary or full unfitness. But the injured do not undergo [the assessment  ed.].

Melnikova has stated that soldiers who have recovered from severe lung injuries, with fragments of shells in their bodies, and those who have suffered from heart attacks or strokes are sent back to the front.

The Russian Union of Committees of Soldiers Mothers has announced that the Russian Defence Ministry had prepared instructions on medical examination during conscription in 2022, where it is stated that "medical examinations of citizens called up for military service under mobilisation are conducted as per column III of the schedule of diseases." Melnikova says that this is the column under which "everyone is fit" for service.

Human rights activists have declared these actions by the command unlawful and illegal, and that the injured Russian soldiers can refuse to go to war and write an official report based on this.

The news outlet has pointed out that unwillingness of the military leadership to send the injured to the medical board may mean that the authorities want to save funds on payments to soldiers, as those soldiers who have suffered an injury could claim several payments.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Since the start of January 2023, Russia has almost certainly allocated elements of the 76th Guards Air Landing Division of the VDV (airborne forces) to reinforce the Kreminna front line, after assessing the sector was significantly vulnerable, the department said in its daily summary.

Read also: Russians are fleeing occupied Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast, says regional governor

UK intelligence said that until November 2022, Russia committed almost the whole of the deployable VDV as long-term, ground-holding troops along the front line in the Kherson area.

Read also: Luhansk military administration reports ongoing fighting near Kreminna

Now redeployed to the Donbas and southern Ukraine, commanders are likely attempting to employ the VDV more in line with their supposed doctrinal role as a relatively elite rapid reaction force, the report says.

Read also: Ukrainian military liberating areas toward Svatove-Kreminna, says Luhansk governor

The agency reiterated that over the last two days, heavy fighting has continued both around the town of Soledar, Donetsk Oblast, and on the approaches to Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast.

Read also: Close-quarters combat ongoing near Svatove in Luhansk Oblast, says governor

Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Hayday said on Jan. 6 that Ukrainian forces are advancing in the direction of Svatove  Kreminna, but the situation is complicated by the fact that the territory is heavily mined by the Russian invaders.

Read also: Invaders may blow up dam near Svatove, National Resistance Center claims

U.S. newspaper the New York Times said in a report on Dec. 27 that retaking Kreminna and other towns nearby would expand the Ukrainians foothold in the region and give them control of major roads leading to Severodonetsk and Lysychansk.

Read also: Full liberation of Luhansk Oblast to start with Kreminna and Svatove, says governor

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A court in the Russian city of Ufa has sentenced a 24-year-old corporal to five years in prison for refusing to fight in Ukraine.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza; united press office of the courts of the Republic of Bashkortostan on Telegram

Details: According to court materials, Corporal Marcel Kandarov has been charged with evading military service for more than one month during the mobilisation period.

Reportedly, Kandarov, who did not want to participate in the war against Ukraine, did not report for duty in May 2022.

Kandarov was detained by the police in September 2022.

The court found Kandarov guilty of evading military service. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and will serve his time in a general security regime prison.

Background:

Aleksandr Leshkov, a mobilised serviceman, has been sentenced to 5.5 years at a high-security penal colony in Russia for "beating an officer" during a military inspection, when the serviceman was outraged by the poor training and provision of fellow conscripts.

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2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition draws to successful close in Hohhot, N China's Inner Mongolia

People's Daily Online) 17:17, January 11, 2023

The 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition came to a successful conclusion in Huhhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2023.

The international competition is hosted by the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and organized by People's Daily Online, the Hohhot Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the Hohhot Municipal Government.

Photo shows the final round of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition, in Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

The competition has been held for three consecutive years since 2020.

The 2022 competition drew the participation of nearly 3,000 contestants from over 70 countries and regions. After two rounds of selections, 10 top winners moved onto the final round. The finalists come from Afghanistan, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, Germany, Cameroon, Russia, India, Spain, and the U.S.

During the final round of the competition, each finalist delivered a seven-minute speech on the theme of Yi in Chinese, an ancient Chinese philosophical concept that represents kindheartedness and justice in Confucianism, and morality and righteousness in Mohism.

Photo shows the final round of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition, in Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

Six judges scored each of the speeches based on the core message behind their stories, expressiveness, Chinese language speaking abilities, and how their stories can promote exchanges between different civilizations.

Seyi Essobo Pascal Axyan from Cameroon emerged as the ultimate winner to take the grand prize.

From the preliminary round to the final round, I worked hard with my teacher, and we contestants encouraged each other. The grand prize is indeed a hard-won honor, he said, The Chinese character and Chinese culture are steeped in history. Yi represents precious values, and reflects a love for the world and a sense of responsibility for life. I will do more that can be counted as Yi in the future.

According to the CPAFFC, the 2022 competition aims to promote communication and mutual learning between different civilizations around the world, fostering synergy to march towards a shared future.

Seyi Essobo Pascal Axyan, winner of the grand prize of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition, poses for a photo in Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

Li Xikui, vice president of the CPAFFC, said the millennia-old philosophy of Yi, as a quintessential element of traditional Chinese culture, permeates the soul of the Chinese nation.

It has evolved to become a basic norm and code of conduct for Chinese people to exercise self-cultivation and deal with social relations. Yi reflects the cultural tradition and spiritual traits of the Chinese nation, which features commitment to good faith, emphasis on friendship, insistence on justice, and respect for morality, Li added, The theme of this competition is Yi, a symbol of traditional Chinese wisdom, and is expected to provide some inspiration for us to address current common challenges and to work out a path ahead.

Luo Hua, editor-in-chief of People's Daily Online, said, From a speech contest to a comprehensive public diplomacy activity, My Story of Chinese Hanzi, together with contestants from around the world, offers a glimpse into the spiritual traits and cultural values of Chinese civilization, and writes a chapter in friendly exchanges, mutual understanding and affinity among different civilizations.

Xu Shouji, deputy mayor of Hohhot, said, Hohhot boasts the Chinese nations cultural gene of Yi, which lays a strong emphasis on morality and honesty. Over the past thousands of years since its establishment, the city has witnessed exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups, a stronger sense of a community of the Chinese nation, and also the growing solidarity and development of the Chinese nation.

With the competition concluded, contestants have been scheduled to visit some landmarks in Hohhot, such as the Zhaojun Museum, Saishang Old Street, Yili Modern Smart Health Valley and the Inner Mongolia Museum, to get a deeper understanding of the unique local culture.

Contestants of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition take photos at Saishang Old Street, Yuquan district, Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

Contestants of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition visit the Zhaojun Museum in Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

Contestants of the 2022 My Story of Chinese Hanzi international competition visit the Zhaojun Museum in Hohhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo/Ding Genhou)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Jan. 10, 2023. The new 103rd General Assembly was formally inaugurated on Wednesday. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

SPRINGFIELD  Every two years, when a new Illinois General Assembly is inaugurated, the leadership offers rhetoric filled with hope, bipartisanship and a message of unity in which both political parties promise to work together for the states residents.

But it traditionally is a short-lived kumbaya moment that soon gives way to a political climate filled with contentious social issues and sharp partisan divisions in a legislature that in recent years has been dominated by Democrats with little need for Republican input. And then it all leads up to the next election season less than two years away.

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Such was the case on Wednesday, as the new 103rd General Assembly was formally inaugurated with a record 78 Democrats in the House, compared with 40 Republicans, while a 40-19 Democratic majority was sworn into the Senate. Democrats picked up five House seats in the Nov. 8 election, while Republicans picked up a lone Senate seat.

Democratic Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park, reelected to a two-year term as leader, made a symbolic show of bipartisanship by casting his vote for president not for himself, but for new Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove, at the Senates inauguration ceremony at the Old State Capitol.

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State Senate President Don Harmon speaks on Dec. 14, 2022, during an event at the National Hellenic Museum to celebrate the completion of construction on the Jane Byrne Interchange. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

In the University of Illinois Springfield auditorium, where the House inaugural was held, Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch of Hillside, who was reelected to the leadership post, urged members and the audience to applaud new Republican leader Tony McCombie of Savanna as the first woman to head a House partisan caucus.

Turnover and change was the backdrop for the inaugural, where 16 new senators and 24 new representatives were sworn in  with two House vacancies yet to be filled  as several veteran lawmakers in both parties departed due to resignation or election losses.

Harmon took note of the elevation of Curran and McCombie to membership in the four tops  the top four partisan leaders in the House and Senate  as well as Welchs just-completed first term as speaker after replacing scandal-tarred veteran Speaker Michael Madigan, who is under federal indictment.

I am  a bit surprised by the reality that, as of today, with a whopping tenure of not quite three years, I am now the longest-serving legislative leader in the General Assembly, Harmon said.

Acknowledging the overwhelming Democratic majorities they face and the potential for Republican irrelevancy, Curran and McCombie each urged Harmon and Welch to allow Republican voices and ideas to play a role in the legislative process.

Illinois is better served when our public policies are crafted from two, not one, participating parties, Curran said. There are millions of Illinoisans who support the Republican principles of freedom and economic opportunity for all. It is my job as leader to ensure their votes and their voices are represented.

From left, State Sen. John Curran talks with State Sen. Scott Bennett shortly before the Senate passed changes to the controversial criminal justice law known as the SAFE-T Act at the Illinois state Capitol building in Springfield on Dec. 1, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Yet Curran also acknowledged problems within the state GOP that has created a schism between social moderates and a hard-line, far-right downstate core allied with former President Donald Trump, who has twice lost Illinois by 17 percentage points, and saw its Trump-backed governor candidate, Darren Bailey, lose to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker by almost 13 percentage points.

It has been a long, difficult road for our party, our state and our world, said Curran, succeeding state Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods, who is remaining in the legislature. But the only way to move forward is to move on. Today, Jan. 11, 2023, the Illinois Senate Republicans are proudly facing the future.

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Harmon remarked that the Old State Capitol inauguration site, chosen because the Senate chamber in the current Statehouse is under renovation, was a place of fresh starts and new beginnings. It was the site of Abraham Lincolns 1858 House Divided speech that helped propel him to the presidency and Barack Obamas announcement speech that he was running for president in 2008, and it has regularly hosted naturalization ceremonies.

Welch was complimentary of McCombie, who is succeeding nine-year House GOP leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs, who retired.

If youve ever watched any of our floor debates, you know Leader McCombie and I have disagreed. And while we will certainly have more disagreements, it is my hope that even our disagreements can be productive and we remember that the reasons why were doing the work are very similar, said Welch.

House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch speaks in support of the legislation banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines before it passed on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Im ready to work. The House Democratic caucus is ready to do the work. Together, Leader McCombie, were ready to do the work, he said. Some people are going to say that we cant work together. But I ask you to join me in saying, Yes, we did.

But Welch warned that any interest in working with Republicans involves only those who value civility and respect.

Those who choose discord, those whose blind allegiance to extreme ideology that would dismantle our fundamental institutions, those who would derail the work people have sent us here to do, they will find that this House will not waste the peoples time on any of their games, he said.

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State Rep. Tony McCombie inside former state Rep. Jim Durkins office on Nov. 22, 2022, in Chicago. House Republicans elected three-term state Rep. McCombie to replace state Rep. Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, who retired. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In her remarks, McCombie painted an unflattering picture of Illinois political landscape from her perspective, lamenting the one-party Democratic control of state government and how its system of checks and balances is unbalanced and unhealthy for us all, Republicans, Democrats and independents.

We have an opportunity with leadership changes to reimagine what we expect from our state government, she said. We must prioritize the coequal nature of our government and prioritize fulfilling a constitutional, a constitutional  she shouted the word  duty, one which supersedes party loyalty or providing those checks and balances.

She also insisted that Welch be more inclusive of the Republicans.

Republicans here represent a part of all 102 counties, McCombie said. So I ask you, Speaker Welch, dont be afraid, bring us to the table. We are problem solvers, so use our knowledge. Benefit from our talent and hear our hearts. Let us show you that any preconceived notions about Republicans is false.

We want to govern, she said to applause. So I ask you, please dont disregard our value.

But the stark partisan divide was brought to the forefront when state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez of Cicero, the chair of the state Democratic Party, gave a nominating speech for Welch for speaker and lauded his work unifying Democrats against rising Republican extremism.

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Standing at a lectern in front of seated House GOP members, her comments led to a few groans in the crowded auditorium.

Well, we won, she said before an eruption of applause. Five additional seats.

And not only did (Welch) keep us in the super, super House majority, he was highly instrumental in the victory of the two (Illinois) Supreme Court and statewide constitutional races, she said.

Amid the sometimes rosy optimistic portrayals of the future, Harmon used his inauguration acceptance speech as a warning to lawmakers actions in a General Assembly socked by scandals, investigations, federal indictments and convictions.

He did not name Madigan, the nations longest-serving legislative leader until he was dislodged from power two years ago and had pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges. But Harmon alluded to how weve all unfortunately witnessed the sweeping tarnish that comes when even one elected official strays.

Reciting the words of new state Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochfords father, James Rochford, who served as Chicago police superintendent from a 1976 police graduation ceremony, Harmon said: If you lack integrity, get out  get out now  because you will be found out. Too sorry is too late. If you remember the esteem in which you are held by your family and friends, many of whom are in this hall, you will save them the eventual shame and heartbreak.

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If you arent here to do whats right for the people of Illinois, Harmon said, then I would suggest you take Mr. Rochfords advice. The people of Illinois deserve better and it is up to us to deliver.

rap30@aol.com

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
Russian assault squads, disguised in the military uniform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, were spotted in Luhansk Oblast. The occupiers can prepare provocations and crimes under a "false flag".

Source: Press service of National Resistance Center (NRC)

Quote: "The use of the Ukrainian pixel [a camouflage pattern- ed.] by Russian assault units was recorded on the Kreminna front.

The Russians can also plan operations under a "false flag" to discredit the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Demonstrative acts of violence against the civilian population are possible."

Details: The NRC states that the occupiers use red, white or blue ribbons on their legs to distinguish each other from the Ukrainian military.



Background: On 10 January, the NRC reported that Russias military was planning to attack a hospital in the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk Oblast to discredit the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russian President Vladimir Putin (l) and Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board in Moscow, Russia, on December 21, 2021. Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russia appointed a new general in charge of Ukraine war, replacing predecessor after just 3 months.

Experts told Insider this could mean Russia is set to escalate its war further.

Even so, Gen. Valery Gerasimov has inherited a role that could quickly see him fall out of favor.

Russia's new general in charge of Ukraine is inheriting a poisoned chalice, leaving him likely to escalate the war as Russia tries to bounce back after a string of military defeats, according to experts.

Russia's Ministry of Defense on Wednesday announced that Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the longtime chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, was appointed the overall head of war in Ukraine after his high-profile predecessor, who was supposed to turn the tide, lasted just three months.

The ministry described Gerasimov not as a simple replacement, but as occupying a new role with even greater oversight over Russia's war in Ukraine.

His appointment  coming after months of Russian losses  is a potential sign that Russia is gearing up to escalate its efforts to snatch victory from defeat, experts told Insider.

"Gerasimov has more access, more control, more resources at his fingertips than any subsidiary commander, which could mean increased levels of violence, more joint effort, and a full-scale, full-scope war on all fronts," William Alberque, director of strategy, technology, and arms control at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Insider.

Potential new escalation

Gerasimov was reportedly one of the military leaders who came up with Russia's initial invasion plan. He has been criticized by Russian nationalists as well as military bloggers for how the war has progressed.

Jade McGylnn, a Russia expert at the Department of War Studies, King's College London, said that this puts additional pressure on Gerasimov, as he "messed up the initial invasion  the so-called Phase One of the war  so this appointment is a poisoned chalice."

He also takes over as Russia appears ready to escalate its invasion.

Story continues

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Moscow, Russia, on December 21, 2020. Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Ukraine has said that it expects a fresh Russian offensive in the Spring, with Ukrainian intelligence warning that Russia plans to mobilize 500,000 additional troops from mid-January  a significantly larger number than the 300,000 soldiers Russia mobilized in September. Russia says 150,000 of those troops have been sent to Ukraine so far.

McGlynn said Gerasimov's appointment "is definitely a commitment to keep fighting. It is supposed to show that Putin is in Ukraine for the long run and that he will outlast the West's support for Ukraine."

Gerasimov's newer, larger role than his predecessor also suggests Russia is "expanding the war effort more generally, taking a whole-of-society approach," she said.

Alberque, meanwhile, said that Gerasimov's background suggests that Russia is ready to ramp things up.

"I'm actually very concerned that this means an escalation."

Time is ticking for Gerasimov

Mark Galeotti, a senior associate fellow with the Royal United Services Institute, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that Gerasimov's appointment is "a kind of demotion, or at least the most poisoned of chalices."

He added that Gerasimov's future is now hanging by a thread. "I don't think this is intended to create a pretext to sack him as the war is too important and Putin can sack who he wants. But he needs some kind of win or a career ends in ignominy."

Gerasimov's predecessor, known for his brutal tactics and named "General Armageddon" by former colleagues, did not change the war much in his three months in charge.

Colonel General Sergei Surovikin speaks with a map of Syria projected on the screen in the back, at a briefing in the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia, Friday, June 9, 2017. AP/Pavel Golovkin, File

Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed in October, arrived with a fearsome reputation for targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools in Syria, Insider's Charles R. Davis previously reported.

He pushed the tactic of firing projectiles across Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and repeatedly plunging millions of Ukrainians into darkness.

But though Ukraine had to scramble to provide water, power, and heat, Russia's military situation did not improve.

In fact, Russia has continued to cede territory to Ukrainian forces, including the city of Kherson, the largest urban area that Russia was ever able to capture in its invasion.

An impossible task

Gerasimov now inherits a war that has seen Russian forces regularly humiliated, with Ukraine taking back vast swathes of territory and now preparing to receive its most advanced weapons yet from Western allies.

McGlynn said Gerasimov's appointment "leaves him in an impossible situation and one that is only likely to get worse."

This is, she said, because the war is "unwinnable" for Russia.

Gerasimov is loyal to Putin and will not "challenge the poor political decisions and analysis driving military objectives," she added

Others agree. Dara Massicot, senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation in Washington, told The New York Times on Wednesday that Russia had taken "someone who is competent and replaced him with someone who is incompetent, but who has been there a long time and who has shown that he is loyal."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) - Ukraine pleaded on Thursday for the West to finally send it heavy tanks as the defence chiefs of the United States and Germany headed for a showdown over weapons that Kyiv says could decide the fate of the war.

DIPLOMACY

* U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met Germany's new Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday to press Berlin to allow the transfer of German-made tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, as the two allies remained at loggerheads over the issue.

* A U.S. official said the Biden administration was set to approve a new aid package to Ukraine, worth more than $2 billion, which would likely include Stryker armoured vehicles for Kyiv, but not M1 Abrams tanks.

* Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos that Western supplies of tanks and air defence units should come more quickly and before Russia mounted fresh missile and armoured assaults.

* The Kremlin said that the sooner Ukraine accepted Russia's demands, the sooner the conflict there could end.

* The Swedish government announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine that will include armoured infantry fighting vehicles and the Archer artillery system.

CONFLICT

* The Kremlin said Ukrainian strikes on Russian-annexed Crimea would be "extremely dangerous", after the New York Times reported that U.S. officials were warming to the idea of helping Kyiv attack the peninsula.

* Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that the defeat of Russia in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear war.

* The founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin said his forces had taken the village of Klishchiivka, on the edge of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, but said that Ukrainian forces could not be forced from Bakhmut swiftly.

Reuters could not verify battlefield reports.

(Compiled by Angus MacSwan; editing by John Stonestreet)
By Chris Prentice, Angus Berwick and Luc Cohen

(Reuters) - The father of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has retained a New York attorney in recent weeks, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, as prosecutors probe Bankman-Fried's alleged cryptocurrency fraud scheme.

Joseph Bankman, a tax law professor at Stanford Law School, has tapped Sean Hecker of Kaplan Hecker and Fink LLP, the source said.

Hecker, who focuses on white collar crime, previously represented a former top foreign exchange trader at Barclays accused of an alleged multi-billion-dollar fraud scheme. In a rare move, a federal judge tossed out that case immediately after prosecutors presented it.

Bankman had closely advised his son ever since Bankman-Fried launched his hedge fund Alameda Research in 2017, according to three former FTX executives. In his later consulting work for FTX, Bankman helped arrange meetings in Washington for his son, the sources said.

Bankman is cooperating with prosecutors, the source said, without elaborating. Reuters could not determine what information, if any, Bankman had given prosecutors. A spokesperson for Bankman declined to comment for this article. Bankman could not be reached for comment by phone and email.

While it is unclear if prosecutors view Bankman as having any personal liability in the alleged fraud scheme, the scrutiny of the case highlights that the net of individuals caught up in the FTX scandal is wide. Bankman-Fried, who was arrested and released on bail, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges and is due to go to trial in October.

A spokeperson for the DOJ declined to comment about Bankman.

The Justice Department, Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed charges against Bankman-Fried last month. He is accused of diverting billions of dollars in FTX client deposits to Alameda to bankroll venture investments, luxury real estate purchases, and political donations.

He clinched a bail deal with prosecutors late last month that saw him released from jail in exchange for a $250-million bond, secured against his parents' property. The deal required Bankman-Fried to remain in confinement with Bankman and his mother Barbara Fried at their home in Palo Alto, California.

Story continues

Two other former top associates, former Alameda chief executive Caroline Ellison and former FTX chief technology officer Gary Wang, have both pleaded guilty to defrauding investors and agreed to cooperate.

Bankman was closely involved at Alameda and FTX, the former executives said. In 2017, he personally recruited Daniel Friedberg, who became FTX's long-time top lawyer, one of the people said. Reuters reported last week that Friedberg had cooperated with prosecutors. He also accompanied Bankman-Fried in the Bahamas in early November while his son tried to secure emergency funding.

Both Bankman-Fried's parents, as well as senior executives of the failed crypto exchange, bought properties in the Bahamas over the last two years, Reuters has previously reported. At the time, a spokesperson for the two said only that they had been trying to return the property to FTX.

Bankman's spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the status of those properties.

(Reporting by Angus Berwick in London and Chris Prentice and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Megan Davies and Anna Driver)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a famous American actor, appeared in a new Kalush Orchestra (a Ukrainian music band that won Eurovision-2022  ed.) music video, Shchedryi Vechir. [Shchedryi Vechir or Generous Evening is one of the traditional Christmas holidays in Ukraine  ed.]

Source: the bands music video on YouTube, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: At the beginning of the video, Schwarzenegger (voice-over) addresses Ukrainians, saying, "Especially now, in these very difficult times. Everyone can have a dream and can make it come true".

At the end of the music video, he is standing together with the band members and pronounces the song title, Shchedryi Vechir, in Ukrainian.

Quote from Oleh Psiuk, frontman of Kalush Orchestra: "When we were in the USA on tour, we shot a music video for one of our songs. We were just having fun, and we could not even imagine it would turn out to be such a dope music video. Earlier, we were running down these streets virtually in GTASan Andreas, and now we shot a music video for our interpretation of Carol of the Bells there and paid Arnold Schwarzenegger a visit."

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Shiok Meats Shrimp Dumpling

Shrimp dumplings using lab grown Shiok Meats. Credit - Courtesy Shiok Meats

Sandhya Sriram is impatient. The stem-cell scientist wanted to put her knowledge to use developing cultivated seafood, but no one was doing that in Singapore. So four years ago, she set up a company to create lab-grown crustacean meat. Eagerly, she registered her company, Shiok Meats, at 3 a.m. in August 2018. Nobody was doing crustaceans, says Sriram, Shioks Group CEO and co-founder. What do Asians eat the most? Seafood. It was a simple answer  And theyre so delicious. A lifelong vegetarian, she had never tried real shrimp, but she sampled it the week she registered the company. Today, the results of her enthusiasm can be seen at Shiok Meats headquarters, in an industrial Singapore neighborhood. During a fall 2022 visit, a bespectacled bioprocess engineer clad in personal protective gear peered into a microscope. He had taken samples from a bioreactor in the room next door, where the company is culturing crustacean cells. Under the lens, he was checking to see if the cells were ready to harvest.

Shiok Meats has already unveiled shrimp, lobster, and crab prototypes to a select group of tasters, and it plans to seek regulatory approval to sell its lab-grown shrimp by April 2023. That could make it the first in the world to bring cultivated shrimp to diners, putting it at the forefront of the cultivated-meat race. As of this writing, only one company has gained regulatory approval to sell lab-grown animal-protein products: Eat Justs cultured chicken is availablebut only in Singapore. Shiok Meats still needs to submit all the paperwork necessary and get regulatory approval, but the company hopes to see its products in restaurants by mid-2024, offering foodies a cruelty-free and more environmentally friendly option than crustaceans from farms.

But even if that ambitious timeline is met, it will likely be a while before the average person is eating cultivated crustaceans. It will require not just regulatory approval but also more funding and a bigger factory, along with persuading consumers and governments around the world to accept lab-grown seafood. Were at an interesting stage of a startup; its called the Valley of Death, says Sriram. We are in the space where we havent submitted for regulatory approval yet, but were looking to commercialize in the next two years. Nevertheless, the impatient entrepreneur is optimistic. Sriram hopes to have the companys next manufacturing plant ready by the end of 2023, where a 500-liter and a 2,000-liter bioreactor will be a major scale up from its current 50- and 200-liter bioreactors. The goal is for her products to enter the mainstream in Singapore in five to seven years.

Story continues

Popularizing these products could help tackle some of the environmental impacts of crustacean production. Organic waste, chemicals, and antibiotics from seafood farms can pollute groundwater and coastal estuaries. Hatcheries are often in places that may otherwise be home to mangroves that can sequester carbon and protect vulnerable coastlines from storms, says Sriram. A 2018 Nature study found that production of crustaceansmeasured by the weight of edible proteincan result in carbon emissions comparable to beef and lamb. Thats in part because of how much fuel is used in fishing boats proportional to the end-product amount of protein obtained. And although shrimp and lobster accounted for only 6% of seafood (based on 2011 data), the study found they represented 22% of the industrys carbon emissions. Shiok Meats says the way it produces crustacean meat minimizes animal cruelty, as growing protein in a lab helps avoid killing animals. Trawling vessels that ensnare bycatch are also avoided. And cultivating shrimp closer to where its consumed cuts emissions from fishing-boat fuel and shipping products around the world.

Sandhya Sriram, Group CEO ands Co-Founder of Shiok Meats, seen here in their R&D laboratory on Nov. 11. Mindy Tan for TIME

Asia consumes more seafood than any other region. Several food-tech companies are tapping into this demand, including a Hong Kong company making lab-grown fish maw, a Chinese delicacy, and a South Korean company also developing cultivated crustaceans. But Shiok may have a first-mover advantage. In 2018, it filed for a patent covering how to use stem cells from crustaceans to make foodwhich its hoping to receive in the next year or so; it could then license its technology to other companies. Diversifying how and where the world gets its seafood will be crucial for feeding Asias fast-growing population, which is expected to increase by 250 million by 2030. Singapores authorities, at least, are keenly aware of the challenge. The Southeast Asian city-statewhich lacks farmland and imports 90% of its foodis aiming to produce enough food to meet 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030 (up from less than 10% in 2021). Hoping to become Asias food-tech capital, Singapore is focusing on innovations like plant- and cell-based proteins; these require far less space and resources to produce the same amount of food as traditional food sources, Bernice Tay, director of food manufacturing at Enterprise Singapore, a government agency that supports small businesses, told Nikkei Asia. In December 2020, Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meatthe chicken product from Eat Justto the public.

Sriram says the government has helped Shiok with grants, in matching venture-capital funding, and in hiring foreign talent. The company has raised about $30 million, with backers like the Netherlands-based aquaculture investment fund Aqua-Spark, South Korean food giant CJ Cheil-Jedang, and Vietnamese seafood company Vinh Hoan. Fundraising is challenging, says Sriram, and its expensive to scale up manufacturingwhich is being hampered by a global shortage of stainless steel, needed for the bioreactors.

Ultimately, the companys goal of feeding the world will be contingent on other governments getting on board with lab-grown meat. Then theres the need to persuade consumers to eat the stuff. Price is also a barrier. Shiok shrimps launch price will be about $50 for 2 lb., nearly two to four times the price for fresh or frozen prawns at the grocery store. Sriram envisions launching Shioks crustacean meat as a premium product at first, where some restaurants could offer it in select dishes to diners willing to pay the price. She also plans to work with food manufacturers like CJ CheilJedang to create ready-to-eat products like dumplings. The vision, she says, is to have sustainable, delicious, healthy food for everybody, without animal cruelty.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged crypto exchange Gemini and crypto lender Genesis Global Capital sold unregistered securities in a lawsuit filed late Thursday.

The investment regulator took aim at Gemini Earn, the troubled yield-bearing product that hundreds of thousands of U.S. investors entrusted with their crypto. Gemini generated yield on billions of dollars in crypto by loaning deposits to Genesis, which loaned them out again.

But Genesis November closing of lending withdrawals left some 340,000 Gemini Earn customers and about $900 million in crypto in limbo, the SEC said. (Genesis is owned by Digital Currency Group, which also owns CoinDesk). The regulator accused the popular program of being an unregistered security.

Defendants offered and sold the Gemini Earn Agreements through the Gemini Earn Program without registering with securities regulators, the complaint said. As a result, investors lacked material information about the Gemini Earn program that would have been relevant to their investment decisions.

The lawsuit is the latest twist in a high-stakes CEO battle pitting the Winklevoss twins of Gemini against Barry Silbert, head of DCG. The Winklevoss twins, shaken by the fall of their popular yield product, have accused Silbert of fraud in his companys management of Genesis; Silbert calls the brothers' accusations a publicity stunt.

The lawsuit is a "manufactured parking ticket," said Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss, responding in a Twitter thread. He noted that his company had been in discussions with the SEC over the Earn product for nearly 17 months and the agency "never raised the prospect of any enforcement action until AFTER Genesis paused withdrawals on November 16th."

Read more: DCG's Barry Silbert Talks About Genesis in Letter to Shareholders

UPDATE (Jan. 13, 2023 13:00 UTC): Adds Tyler Winklevoss' comments.












Three Senate Democrats are raising alarms about the growth of U.S.-based paramilitary groups along the border with Mexico, and the lack of federal government oversight to regulate them.

Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) called on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to crack down on vigilante groups that undermine the rule of law, as well as the rights and safety of migrants, according to a statement by the senators.

For years, unlawful paramilitary organizations have engaged in unofficial border missions  reminiscent of Ku Klux Klan border patrols  intended to illegally detain and harass immigrants. These activities undermine legitimate government authority and threaten public safety, wrote the senators in a letter to Garland and Mayorkas.

Recently, many paramilitary groups have stepped up their efforts, creating an escalating crisis that must be a priority for both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The existence of paramilitary groups along the U.S.-Mexico border has been a headache for immigrant communities in that region ever since the two countries established a binational border, and more so since the annexation of Texas and the Mexican Cession, which established much of the current shared border.

The U.S. Border Patrol itself is a historical offshoot of the Chinese Inspectors, a mounted paramilitary group tasked with enforcing the racial immigration laws of the late 19th century, which often collaborated with local and state law enforcement to patrol the border.

The senators focused their concerns on two groups, Veterans on Patrol (VOP) and Patriots for America (PFA), both of which the senators say have been collaborating with authorities to capture migrants, despite not being legally authorized to do so.

Since 2021, VOP has been intercepting unaccompanied minors near the border in Arizona, surveilling U.S.-based sponsors, and in some cases, confronting, or helping others confront, the sponsors at their homes. VOP has also disguised its desert campsites as water stations  meant to mimic those placed by faith-based organizations such as Humane Borders  in order to lure migrants; VOP then turns them over to CBP, the lawmakers wrote.

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The senators cited the Texas ACLU in saying PFA has collaborated with the Kinney County Sheriffs Office and, at least on one occasion, with the Texas National Guard.

Alarmingly, there is also evidence of open collaboration with federal agents. In May 2021, a video uploaded to Facebook depicted a Border Patrol agent meeting with VOP members and praising their activities before collecting drone footage from the group, they wrote.

Modern border militias rose to prominence in the mid-2000s, as a group calling itself the Minuteman Project made headlines with both praise and criticism from politicians on both sides of the border, before essentially disappearing due to internal strife.

While militias and paramilitary groups have been present along the border for its entire history as a binational demarcation line, advocates worry that incensed rhetoric, coupled with heavy firepower in private hands and rising migration could end in tragedy.

Theyre a big issue when they apprehend people and actually carry out sort of citizens arrests, especially when those people are unaccompanied children, said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America.

A lot of what they do just seems to be lurking around the desert and looking tough. The concern there is that they could hurt somebody, he added, noting that there arent any real federal, state or local efforts to control these guys or even keep a close eye on what theyre doing.

Its a so many things could go wrong kind of situation, but were lucky that they havent yet.

Late last month, a man in El Paso threatened migrants with a gun, sending many into a panic.

The man, identified by police as Steven Driscoll, was later arrested and claimed he was doing it for America, according to a report by local station KTSM.

KTSM and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar.

Though organized armed groups have so far not openly attacked migrants, they have been known to sabotage water stations in the desert, and for decades migrant assistant programs have had to work around the groups presence to give aid to migrants.

And in 2019, a man claiming to be motivated by a Hispanic invasion killed 23 people at an El Paso Walmart and injured 23 more in the largest anti-Hispanic mass shooting of the 21st century.

The senators wrote a laundry list of requests to the administration, including asking for information on authorities collaborating with armed groups and militias.

The official [Border Patrol] line in every sector, of course, is that we dont work with them, wed rather not have them around, but they have a legal right to be where they are, said Isacson.

There are cases of individual agents maintaining contact with them and being very sort of friendly with them, he added.

DHS did not immediately return a request for comment on this story.

The lawmakers wrote that absent federal action to curb and regulate any illicit action by the militias  and any federal agents who collaborate with them  the threat of violence against migrants will endure.

Absent federal action cracking down on their unauthorized behavior, vigilante groups will continue to operate and weaken the governments ability to maintain migrant safety, protect human rights, and defend the rule of law at the border.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Seth Rogen has described a bizarre meeting he had with Tom Cruise, in which the actor allegedly tried to convince him of the merits of Scientology.

In an interview on Howard Sterns radio show, Rogen recounted some of the stranger Hollywood experiences documented in his forthcoming book of essays, Yearbook, including a trip to Cruises house around 2006.

The actor began what he called his bizarre story by explaining that approximately 15 years ago, at the peak of Cruise mania, he and film director Judd Apatow were invited to visit the actors Los Angeles home to talk about films.

The visit took place shortly after the birth of Cruise and his then-wife Katie Holmess daughter, Suri. Rogen said he thought Holmes had a vague please rescue me from this place look on her face.

Calling the encounter very absurd, Rogan revealed that the topic of Scientology came up, and more specifically how weird Cruise had been looking in the press lately.

Cruise allegedly told Rogen: I think the pharmaceutical industry is making me look bad.

Rogen said he thought that was an odd conjecture to make.

The Superbad star claimed that Cruise then started to talk to him and Apatow about the appeal of his religion, saying: Its like with Scientology. If you let me just tell you what it was really about... just give me like 20 minutes to really just tell you what it was about, you would say, No f***ing way. No f***ing way.

In response, Rogen said he and Apatow gave each other a look as if to say, Is he gonna bite? Am I gonna bite? Can we come out of this? Are we strong enough to have him do this to us and not be converted?

Rogen added that he was very grateful the filmmaker was with him at the time because he sees himself as a generally weak-willed, weak-minded person. He added: Thank god Judd was like, Eh, I think were good. Lets just talk about movies and stuff.

He said that Cruises pitch was tempting and if I was there alone, I would be singing a very different tune right now but he had managed to dodge that bullet.

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Cruise is one of Scientologys most famous followers, having described the religion as beautiful. He has followed Scientology since being introduced to the organisation by his first wife Mimi Rogers in 1986.

The Independent has contacted Cruises representatives for comment.

Rogen is appearing in the new Hulu series Pam & Tommy, which is set to tell the story of Pamela Andersons marriage to musician Tommy Lee when their sex tape was stolen and publicly leaked.

Rogen, whose memoir Yearbook is out now, has been cast in the show alongside Lily James and Sebastian Stan, whose respective transformations into the former married couple have left people in awe. Rogen is playing Rand Gauthier, the man who stole the tape.

It turns out that all Rogen had to do to make himself equally as unrecognisable was to shave off his beard and grow a mullet.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot greets cheering supporters as she goes into the ballot office to file nominating petitions for her 2023 mayoral election on Nov. 28, 2022, in downtown Chicago. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Lori Lightfoots political team this week asked Chicago Public Schools teachers to help recruit their students for her reelection campaign in exchange for class credit  a practice that the incumbent mayors campaign later vowed to stop after her challengers blasted it as crossing ethical boundaries.

An email obtained by the Tribune that was sent to a CPS work account Tuesday included a message titled Externship Program Opportunity. Its unclear how many teachers received the emails, which were first reported by WTTW News. The email asked CPS staff members to please share this opportunity with your students and included a link to a Google form to sign up for the 12-hour-a-week program.

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[ UPDATE: CPS watchdog to investigate Lightfoot campaign recruitment emails ]

Lightfoot for Chicago is seeking resumes from any volunteer interested in campaign politics and eager to gain experience in the field, the email read. The ideal volunteer will be efficient, well organized and enthusiastic about joining a dynamic team. A strong commitment to Democratic ideals is essential.  Were simply looking for enthusiastic, curious and hard-working young people eager to help Mayor Lightfoot win this spring.

Lightfoots campaign denied wrongdoing and characterized it as a typical learning opportunity offered by campaigns. But the team later released an amended statement saying it would stop contacting teachers.

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Out of an abundance of caution, we will cease contact with CPS employees, the statement added.

The original statement noted, Our campaign has been blessed with enthusiastic support from young people across the city. From the very start, weve been intentional in our efforts to provide young people with the opportunity to engage with our campaign, learn more about the importance of civic engagement, and participate in the most American of processes.

This is a common practice that has been utilized in city, state, and federal level campaigns for decades, and has given countless high school and college students the opportunity to learn more about the election process, Lightfoot said. All of our recruitment was done using publicly available contact information.

Lightfoots team later released another updated statement that added that all campaign staff members have been reminded about the solid wall that must exist between campaign and official activities and that contacts with any city of Chicago, or other sister agency employees, including CPS employees, even through publicly available sources is off limits. Period.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson with Chicago Public Schools attempted to distance the district from the controversy.

As a rule, the District does not coordinate with any political candidates or campaigns, the spokesperson said, noting that CPS email addresses are public information. It has not done so to date and will not be doing so.

Further, CPS has ethics guidelines for employees posted online that state that a political campaign should not be using the CPS email system to solicit volunteers and donations. Please report the behavior and forward the emails to the Ethics Advisor.

The program was advertised as a volunteer gig and includes eligibility to earn class credit, according to the email. Tasks include the finance and communications aspects of the campaign as well as voter outreach, attending events and more.

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The message immediately drew reproach from Lightfoots challengers, who said it was improper. Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Teachers Unions candidate of choice, described the email as outrageous, desperate, & downright unethical.

Mayor Lightfoot has failed our students  now shes exploiting young people for political gain, Johnson tweeted. Chicago needs a leader whos focused on fully funding our public schools  not someone blatantly abusing the power of her office.

Another mayoral candidate, U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, similarly condemned the move.

Looks like desperate times call for desperate measures, Garcia tweeted. The Mayor should be more concerned about fully funding Chicago Public Schools than using them as a recruiting pipeline of free labor for her re-election campaign. This is deeply problematic.

Another challenger, 4th Ward Ald. Sophia King, released a statement that she was flabbergasted by the email recruitment attempt.

This is pay-to-play except with unsuspecting and vulnerable victims. There is no lens that makes this ethical. As a teacher, Id give her an F. Actually shed be expelled. This is the lack of transparency I want to change for Chicago. And our collaborative approach to building better government is gaining traction, King said.

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The citys current ethics ordinance stipulates that no official, employee, or candidate for City office shall intentionally use any City property or resources of the City in connection with any prohibited political activity, which includes soliciting votes on behalf of a candidate for elective office, as well as other campaign activity like distributing materials or otherwise working on a campaign for elective office.

Just when you think Chicagos storied history of political patronage and machine corruption is breaking down, Lori Lightfoot proves shes keeping it alive, mayoral candidate and state Rep. Kambium Kam Buckner said in a statement, which also called for an inspector general investigation and ethics board review. Instead of recognizing the mistake, her campaign doubled down because Lori Lightfoot is incapable of recognizing right from wrong.

Another challenger, 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer, said in a release that Lightfoot wanted to make public employees and our children her personal campaign resource. This is completely unethical, a hypocritical contradiction to her campaign promises of better government, and a disgraceful exploitation of public school students.

I dont know what kind of lesson Lightfoot believes she is teaching, but the extra credit must be in government corruption, Sawyer said.

Activist and candidate JaMal Green tweeted: How about you support teachers instead of expecting them to support you mayor.

Candidate Paul Vallas called the revelation deeply troubling and completely unethical and called for a joint investigation by city and CPS inspectors general.

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In a statement sent to all CTU members Wednesday, union leadership described the campaign recruitment outreach as unethical and wrong on so many levels  not least of which is our concern that CTU members who decline to volunteer for the mayors campaign or encourage their students to do so could face retaliation. This is the same Mayor who promised to clean up corruption and make good ethics an anchor in her administration. This latest scheme shows shes a rank hypocrite on ethics issues  including her attempt to use our schools and students as her campaign tools.

The union said Johnson, their endorsed candidate, would at last bring honest, principled governance to the City of Chicago and her people.

Friction with the CTU has been a defining feature of Lightfoots time as mayor, including the 2019 strike that put students out for more than two weeks of classes and bitter standoffs over the reopening of schools after the pandemics arrival.

Lightfoot has repeatedly blamed her disputes with the teachers union on electoral politics, noting CTU leaders backed her opponent in the 2019 election and have been recurring critics of her administration. She complained in a national interview that the union wants to take over running the city government, for instance, and told an alderman that the union will bad-mouth her until I beat them again in the next election.

This latest incident is likely to inflame union leaders, as some members will see it as an untoward attempt to pressure workers into supporting the boss.
This story originally published Jan. 11, 2023, on Idaho Reports.

Fourth District Judge Jason Scott has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Idaho Legislature by a former legislative intern who was raped by ex-Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, a result of a $200,000 settlement in the case.

The lawsuits stipulation to dismiss does not specify many details, other than stating that both parties agreed on Nov. 18 and will bear the cost of their own attorney fees.

Naylor and Hales PC law firm in Boise represented the Idaho House of Representatives in the litigation. The Idaho Controllers Office has record of a Nov. 3 payment of $200,000 to the firm in trust of a person who shares victim Jane Does initials. Idaho Reports, the Idaho Statesman and other media outlets continue to refer to the woman as Jane Doe, per policy to not identify victims of sexual crimes.

The lawsuit also does not name the woman.

A records request sent to the Idaho controller found that the invoice description of the payment calls the $200,000 expense a liability settlement /Doe. The money came from the retained risk account of the risk management liability coverage fund, according to Transparent Idaho, the state controllers website.

Idaho Reports made multiple efforts to contact Naylor and Hales but did not receive a response.

When asked last week, Does attorney, Erika Birch, told Idaho Reports that all she could say was the matter has been resolved.

An Ada County jury convicted von Ehlinger of felony rape in April 2022. The Republican was sentenced in August to serve up to 20 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after eight. He is incarcerated at the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino.

Von Ehlinger, 40, of Juliaetta, resigned from the House following a public ethics hearing in 2021.

The victim, who was 19 years old at the time of the rape, filed a lawsuit against the Idaho Legislature in September 2021. Her complaint said lawmakers violated the Legislatures respectful workplace policy. It alleged that the Legislature knew or should have known about a pattern of sexually inappropriate and/or gender-based behaviors perpetrated by elected officials on females working at the Legislature/conducting legislative business at the Legislature.

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The Legislature, including members in leadership, knew that von Ehlinger had engaged in inappropriate behavior with young women whom he worked with or had contact with via his work as an elected official.

The complaint argued that the Legislature acted with reckless disregard and with deliberate indifference to the rights of women in general and Ms. Doe in particular.

The judge dismissed the lawsuit on Nov. 25 with prejudice, which means Doe may not bring back a similar lawsuit on the same grounds.
Jan. 12Across the country there are many unwanted dogs.

There are rescues and shelters are crammed to capacity, and many have been forced to euthanize dogs and cats as they run out of space, adopters and rescues willing to transport dogs. Cara Sue Achterberg wants to change that  by letting people know  even if it's one shelter at a time.

Achterberg and photographer Nancy Slattery were in Sanford on Wednesday visiting Carolina Animal Rescue and Adopt, to talk about their passion  a national nonprofit named Who Will Let The Dogs Out  of which both are board members. This week, the pair has been traveling across North Carolina visiting shelters and rescues to shine a light on them, their needs and how the local community can get involved.

Achterberg is the author of several books about the subject of rescues and shelters including "One Hundred Dogs & Counting," and "Another Good Dog: One Family & Fifty Foster Dogs."

"This is our 100th visit to a shelter," Achterberg said. "It started when I went out on my book tour, and I discovered what was happening and I was horrified and embarrassed that I didn't know it was like it was. I had no idea. So, then I started going back  I took a group  I went to 11 shelters that first trip in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. I went back with volunteers, and we spent a day at each shelter volunteering."

Achterberg said the five people who traveled with her the first time are now heavily involved in volunteering at shelters and rescues.

"They had no idea," she said. "Most of those people were from Virginia and Maryland. Then I went back down and thought, 'How can I get more people to know this is happening?' So, I brought my son as a photographer. We went to a dog pound in Tennessee that was an incredible shock. It looked like a dog pound from the 1950s, with cement holding pens where they hold them for a certain number of days and then if the owners don't come and get them, they euthanize them."

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Later, she invited Slattery to come along to document the stories.

"We went to 15 shelters that trip," Achterberg said. After that trip, we decided to start a nonprofit so we could get a bigger microphone and get it spread out further. That's how Who Will Let The Dogs Out started."

The group now has volunteers across the country working to help shelters and rescues.

"Every shelter we visit is given a shelter liaison and we track them," Achterberg said. "We look at what they're doing. If you do something really clever, we'll add it to our resource guide on our website. It's full of fundraising and volunteer stuff."

Achterberg said their website, WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org, shares the good and bad from the visits.

"Shelters can access it," she said. "It's free. We also have a grant writer. She's a professional grant writer, who volunteers, that will work with any shelter that take us up on it. We can help them find grants, write grants and follow up with them."

Achterberg noted that she would be following up with CARA on grants and things they can do to help the animals here in Lee County.

"We're working with these shelters to raise awareness because this is such a fixable problem," she said. "A lot of people just don't know  many will help when they find out."

Achterberg shared a story from Tennessee where a large county shelter was a kill shelter and numbers were very high. The shelter was euthanizing up to 70% of the dogs and the numbers for cats were even worse.

"The dogs were on cement," she said. "There were no volunteers, it was a horrible, horrible place. This was in a nice little town  it was crazy."

Achterberg then wrote a blog post and shared it wherever she could. She also called a nonprofit from the same town.

"Just this summer, we heard from the person that runs the nonprofit shelter that as the result of that article got a group of people together and went to the county commissioners and said, 'This is not acceptable,' and one of the followers of the shelter was a wealthy man," Achterberg said. "He told them that if the county was willing to invest, he'd match it up to half a million dollars. So, the county said yes. They're now getting a $1 million shelter. That's a big win, but that's what we're trying to do. We keep telling the story because you never know who's going to hear it."

The ultimate goal is that awareness and community involvement.

"We post on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and we have a blog," Achterberg said. "We tag every organization so people are aware of the organizations. Sometimes it really helps."

After the visit, Achterberg urged people to volunteer or help with funding for medical needs, repairs, supplies and anything that is needed for local shelters. She and Slattery then left for visits and to spend the night in Moore County.
Guitarist Jeff Beck performs July 20, 2018, at The Stars Align Tour at Five Points Amphitheatre in Irvine, California.

Guitarist Jeff Beck performs July 20, 2018, at The Stars Align Tour at Five Points Amphitheatre in Irvine, California.

The rock world was stunned on Wednesday by news of the sudden death of guitar legend Jeff Beck.

Becks family announced that the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died Tuesday after a short battle with bacterial meningitis.

He was 78.

Beck, who had just completed an album and concert tour with actor Johnny Depp, was one of the most influential guitarists of all time, playing across genres including rock, jazz, blues and metal.

Rod Stewart, who rose to fame as vocalist of the Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960s, said the guitarist was on another planet.

He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond, he wrote on Twitter. Jeff, you were the greatest, my man.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who was also part of the Jeff Beck Group, also paid tribute on Twitter:

Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and Im going to dearly miss him. Im sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9  Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

Joe Perry of Aerosmith called Beck the Salvador Dali of guitar.

To see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own, he wrote on Twitter. With his passing, the world is a poorer place.

Gene Simmons of KISS called the news heartbreaking.

No one played guitar like Jeff, he wrote on Twitter. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness.

Other rockers also took to Twitter to pay tribute:

Im heartbroken he looked in fine shape to me. Playing great he was in great shape. Im shocked and bewilderedDeepest sympathy to his wife friends close ones Im bewildered Jeff Beck it dont make sense I dont get it. He was a good friend and a great guitar player  Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) January 11, 2023

The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff. - Team BG pic.twitter.com/579qviqPSc  Buddy Guy (@TheRealBuddyGuy) January 12, 2023

I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.

Pollys and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.

He will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX  David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023

Peace and love, Jeff Beck. pic.twitter.com/jVmAloJJVT  Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) January 12, 2023

With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7  Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023

Jeff Beck- Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Brush With The Blues) (Live performance... https://t.co/ZwxU4mcwlC

 GOAT SUPREME.  Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) January 12, 2023

The great Jeff Beck has taken his genius and gone home. My guitar idol since age 15. For the uninitiated, check out his amazing work on (where do I begin) Roger Waters Amused to Death. His gift was impossible to copy and wont be repeated. Thankful for huge legacy. God speed JB pic.twitter.com/oXiw04jfKu  Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) January 11, 2023

Im so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was Danny Boy  we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeffs family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt  Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023

The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal.  Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) January 11, 2023

His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest in Peace.https://t.co/4h1DfXXmWI  Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) January 11, 2023

I cant express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusics passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9.

Long live #JeffBeckpic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij  Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023

I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Becks passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player - there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony pic.twitter.com/i6BGdqTUKU  Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) January 11, 2023

Shocked to hear of the sudden death of Jeff Beck. Truly one of the greats. First time I saw him was in 1966 with the Yardbirds. Brilliant, unique guitarist. RIP pic.twitter.com/qaeJHGJymM  Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) January 11, 2023

So, now when someone asks me Whos your favorite guitarist  living or dead? I will say what I always say: I cant answer that. But my very short list will include Jeff. There will never be another Jeff Beck. RIP. pic.twitter.com/upQSSaJVQj  Warren Haynes (@thewarrenhaynes) January 12, 2023

Absolutely one of my favorite guitarist of all time! The "Truth" album changed my life. As a singer and guitarist, I wanted to be Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart rolled into one we all did. What a loss. We will all miss Jeff. My love and condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/0AgQsCHN76  Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) January 11, 2023

RIP Jeff Beck. Having trouble processing this. Not only was he a major influence, and his genius an infinite source of joy my entire lifetime, he was in great spirits when we spoke a few weeks ago having done a flawless show with Johnny the night before at the Capitol. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/D9g9mY8cNC  Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) January 12, 2023

OMG this is just horrible. Im stunned. Ive been obsessed with Jeff Beck since I was a young teenager https://t.co/FR1oPP4fxO  Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) January 11, 2023

WOW. What awful news. Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died. From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever. @jeffbeckmusicpic.twitter.com/8LVeq47wxx  Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 11, 2023

An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him. From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique. Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us. #jeffBeck@jeffbeckmusicpic.twitter.com/kfeTDaPSdR  Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) January 11, 2023

Devastating news about the loss of much loved, influential guitar legend Jeff Beck. He made the electric guitar sing a powerful influence on myself and many others.  Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) January 11, 2023

@jeffbeckmusic Was the Picasso of Rock & Roll. Unlike every other guitar player, he created music that literally sounded as if he was an alien,following no rules, no cliches,a true master of the instrument. I am shocked and saddened by his passing RIP Jeff Beck. pic.twitter.com/rE4QQ2EspE  Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) January 11, 2023

Oh, My HeartRIP, JeffI miss you already



Jeff Beck, Guitar Virtuoso and Blues-Rock Innovator, Dead at 78  Rolling Stone https://t.co/oJ2O1vqbDk  David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) January 11, 2023

We mourn the loss of Jeff Beck, a brilliant musician and friend. Our tours with Jeff were delights from both personal and sonic perspectives. We're thankful that we were privileged to share so many stages with him over the years and will truly miss his artistry and personality. pic.twitter.com/Dfum1hYG9R  ZZ Top (@ZZTop) January 12, 2023

RIP Jeff Beck. A pioneer and one of the all time greats. #jeffbeckpic.twitter.com/h7bTL3ZaxA  Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) January 11, 2023

Jeff Beck Dead at 78. My forever guitar hero has gone.

I cant even begin to tell you all how much his music inspires me and millions of others.

Beck was the king. All of my love to his family and loved ones. #RIPJeffBeckhttps://t.co/GUCYkZc3XY  Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) January 11, 2023

RIP Jeff Beck. Im so sad  #  Mick Mars (@mrmickmars) January 11, 2023
Depression looks different in Black women, according to a recent study.

Depression looks different in Black women, according to a recent study.

Depression is a disorder that affects millions of Americans each year, but diagnosing it isnt the same for everyone.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is commonly diagnosed using a set of criteria laid out in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, often referred to as the DSM.

While these criteria have saved lives and improved many peoples mental health, they also have their limits.

Historically, we use something like the DSM to diagnose  thats kind of the holy grail when youre talking about behavioral health, said Lauren Carson, founder and executive director of Black Girls Smile, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the mental health of Black young women. But she said the text is predominantly written by older white men, and the data that forms the basis of its diagnostic criteria comes largely from studies on white men, too.

A lot of the information that we receive when it comes to diagnosing ... doesnt always fit these marginalized demographic groups, Carson said.

Many are working to make the mental health field more racially and ethnically inclusive, and the industry has made strides in recent years, but it has a ways to go.

Studies have shown that marginalized groups like Black people are at higher risk of depression. A new study gives some insight into what that looks like  and how depression in Black women doesnt always present in the traditional ways.

Self-critical symptoms are more common in Black women with depression.

In a paper published last month in the journal Nursing Research, researchers at New York University and Columbia University found that Black women are more likely to report self-criticism, self-blame, trouble sleeping, an inability to experience pleasure and irritability than the more widely recognized symptoms of depression like feeling sad or hopeless.

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Meghan Watson, the founder and clinical director of Bloom Psychology and Wellness in Toronto, said in her work shes seen depression present as some of the symptoms the study reported  self-criticism, self-blame  in addition to other behaviors that are not associated with depression, like people-pleasing.

I think a lot of the reasons I attribute [people-pleasing] to depression is that from my understanding in talking to Black women regularly, its not emotionally safe to simply be sad or hopeless, which are some of the hallmark symptoms of depression, Watson said.

She added that stereotypes of the strong and resilient Black woman may also keep Black people from leaning into sadness or anything that could be seen as weak.

Physical symptoms like a low libido were also reported.

Participants in the study, which tracked data in 227 Black women, also reported somatic symptoms, meaning physical symptoms such as a lower sex drive. Carson agreed with this finding based on her work with patients.

We are more likely as Black women and girls to experience whats called psychosomatic symptoms, so manifesting stress, anxiety or trauma in our bodies, Carson said.

She noted that Black women with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety report higher rates of headaches, migraines, muscle tension, backaches and gastrointestinal issues.

Carson added that when many Black women go to the doctor for headaches or gastrointestinal issues, providers often immediately look to treat those symptoms rather than getting a full understanding of the persons stress or anxiety levels. This leads to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis in many people in the Black community, she said.

Nicole Perez, the studys lead author and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and postdoctoral associate at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, acknowledged this, too.

Based on our findings, its possible that health care providers may miss depression symptoms in Black women, resulting in underdiagnosis and undertreatment, Perez said in an NYU press release.

If you feel like you're experiencing depression, it's important to lean on people in your community for support.

If you feel like you're experiencing depression, it's important to lean on people in your community for support.

Symptoms wont look the same from person to person, though.

Due to the large number of ways people can experience depression, its worth noting that not all Black women will experience these exact symptoms.

Additionally, the people who participated in the study were generally younger Black women with lower levels of depression  so depression may look different in older Black people or those with more severe depression.

Depression is a very nuanced disorder. ... There are over 1,500 different permutations of how depression can ultimately show up in someone, Watson said. You may have two people that have totally different symptoms that dont overlap with each other  thats not even factoring in culture, ethnicity, race and how that can impact the way that depression shows up generationally, intergenerationally, culturally, emotionally. So its validating to see research showing just the depth of that nuance.

Additional signs of depression include loss of appetite, feeling sad, getting frustrated easily, and loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If you feel you are exhibiting these symptoms, seek professional help.

Both Watson and Carson stressed the importance of getting mental health support if you think you are suffering from any of these symptoms.

If you can, if you have the resources, if you have the ability, seek out providers who look like you, Watson said. Work with therapists who exist in an intersectional identity  maybe theyre Black, maybe theyre Black and queer, maybe theyre faith-based.

Carson added that pastoral counseling is another good option for those looking to go the spiritual route in their treatment.

Finding a therapist who directly understands your experience and beliefs can help create a sense of safety and, in turn, help you open up to your therapist, Watson said.

If youre not sure where to start, try a simple Google search with terms that match your criteria along with the name of the area where you live  like therapists in Boston. You also can use Psychology Todays nationwide database to find a provider in your area, search the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collectives online wellness resource for a therapist, or try an online therapy provider.

Or lean on your community.

A lot of us turn to community first, whether thats friends, family, co-workers, the church ... and there is strength in that, Carson said.

When leaning on your community, its important to seek out people who are supportive and noncritical, she noted. So, if you have a sibling who gives you advice like just deal with it, theyre not someone you should turn to in this situation.

Carson explained that leaning on community doesnt just mean having people to confide in. Instead, you can ask your community to support you in physical ways too  like asking someone to help with a task on your to-do list.

Watson also stressed the importance of community for folks suffering from depression. Anything that brings you closer to social connectedness, because depression is an incredibly isolating experience and it pushes us into the shadows of society and within ourselves.

But Carson cautioned that while community is important as part of your treatment plan  its not the whole thing. If youre able, getting professional help is also important.

There are providers who are well-versed in the signs of depression in Black people who are ready to help you feel better.

Youre not alone, Watson said. Its isolating to feel like you are underwater and sad and overwhelmed, but youre not alone.

Related...
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow has lost his last bid to prosecute the Tianna Arata case.

The California Supreme Court decided Wednesday that it will not hear arguments regarding whether Dows office should be allowed to prosecute Arata and six other Black Lives Matter protesters, meaning Dow has no further avenues to stay on the case.

It marks the end of a more than two-year legal battle that began in December 2020 when Dow was first kicked off the case by San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Matthew Guerrero, who ruled a campaign email sent by Dows wife, Wendy Dow, on his behalf that said he was leading the fight against the wacky defund police movement was a clear conflict of interest.

The email was sent in September 2020, following local and nationwide protests against racism and police brutality sparked by George Floyds murder by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020.

Arata, Robert Lastra, Samuel Grocott, Jerad Hill, Marcus Montgomery, Amman Asfaw and Joshua Powell were all charged with multiple crimes following a July 21, 2020, rally during which protesters marched onto Highway 101 and clashed with motorists. Arata faces 13 misdemeanors related to the protest  including counts of false imprisonment, obstructing a public thoroughfare and resisting arrest.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow speaks at an Oct. 13, 2020, New California State event in Pismo Beach that featured controversial conservative activist Candace Owens.

Dow appealed the decision to the California Court of Appeal, alleging the email did not show bias against Black Lives Matter protesters. The office also argued the decision infringed on Dows First Amendment rights and opened doors for prosecutors to be taken off any case where a defendant disagreed with their political ideology.

Court of Appeal Justices Arthur Gilbert, Kenneth Yeagan and now-retired Steven Perren reaffirmed Guerreros decision on Aug. 31, agreeing with Guerreros finding that the targeted fundraising email created a conflict of interest in the case and him removing Dow from the case was a deliberate and logical application of the law.

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The judges also published the opinion into citable case law, meaning it can be used as a legal basis for future similar cases, on Sept. 29.

When someone is running for office on the basis of going after somebody for doing something wrong, in all probability being elected on that, and then actually doing it  it just seems ... to taint the whole judicial system, Gilbert told California Deputy Attorney General Christopher Lee, who argued on behalf of the District Attorneys Office, during oral arguments in June.

This taints the whole process, and it hurts you as a prosecutor, your office, everyone, he said.

Dows office appealed the decision to the states highest court in November, asking it to hear the case in order to establish a clear legal precedent.

In a time of extreme political and social divisions, these questions about the parameters of disqualification are important ones that are likely to recur, the petition said.

The DAs Office filed a second petition with the California Supreme Court later that month, asking it to depublish the Court of Appeals opinion so that it could not be used in future cases.

The high court denied both petitions.

Curtis Briggs, one of Tianna Aratas attorneys, speaks to supporters during a rally on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, outside the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse. They were there to protest the court hearing for organizer Tianna Arata and others facing misdemeanor charges over a July 21 protest in San Luis Obispo.

I always felt that Dan Dow was fairly delusional to think that the (state) Supreme Court was going to hear this case anyways, and this just affirms that they (the court) wasnt interested in his arguments, Aratas attorney, Curtis Briggs, told The Tribune.

Briggs said the high courts decision shows that the appellate court had sound legal reasoning and vindicates Judge Guerrero, whose legal reasoning had been politely attacked by Dows office throughout the entire appeals process.

Dan Dow was completely wrong. Dan Dow should have been disqualified, Briggs said. There is absolutely no justification for what Dan Dow did and Dan Dow now needs to take responsibility.

The goal was to get the case to trial in front of a jury, and now that the decision to keep Dow off the case is final, that can finally happen, Briggs said.

The District Attorneys Office did not respond immediately to request for comment via call, text and email as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The California Attorneys General Office will prosecute the case as it moves to trial. A pretrial conference is scheduled to take place Feb. 2 at San Luis Obispo Superior Court.
The Lazy King is ready to put on a lazy show for lazy people.

With a record of 15-1, Abdoul Abdouraguimov is viewed by many as potentially MMAs best prospect outside of a major promotion, if someone with 16 professional fights can be even considered a prospect.

Born in Dagestan, Abdouraguimov has made it a priority to become fluent in English, cut promos, put on exciting fights, finish opponents, and display his quirky personality. So why isnt he the UFC?

This is the real question, Abdouraguimov recently told MMA Junkie. Myself, even everyone around me, we dont know. UFC is a private company. They do what they want. Honestly, I dont know why. Today, its a business. You have to know some good people in the world to get past. Today, I dont have this kind of connection, those strong connections. Thats why with waiting. Im a guy, I want to stay positive. Ill do my job and well see if the opportunities are going to come to us after each fight. Its always something new that comes, so well see. Were very positive. Lets see what happens.

Recap #02:

Le jeudi 3 fevrier 2022 avait lieu #ARES3:

Abdoul Abdouraguimov -Godofredo Pepey

Le combat pour le titre a 77kg a tenu ses (courtes) promesses.

Victoire par soumission a 2:54min de la fin du premier round.

Bravo @LazyKingMMA qui passe a (14-1) pic.twitter.com/6NT2M4KNJ7  French MMA (@FrenchMma_) February 7, 2022

In a day and age where the new breed of mixed martial artists, fighters who started practicing at a young age, is spotlighted, Abdouraguimov is a rare exception. While he wrestled since 16, he began his MMA fighter path at 21. Within two weeks, he was a blue belt. He turned pro without any amateur bouts.

Story continues

Abdouraguimov credits much of his swift success to an unusual fighter attribute that earned him his nickname: laziness. Dont get it twisted, Abdouraguimov puts in the work, but only when he feels like it, when its necessary.

I have a lazy character, Abdouraguimov said. Its lazy but smart. Im ready to work. Im ready to work hard and all this stuff, but if it isnt efficient, I dont want it. For me, it must be efficient and optimized. Im smart-lazy.  To be lazy, youre going to get less injured. Too much work is never good. Too much of anything is never good. I see some amateur fighters. They train more than me. They train four or five times a day.

From Dagestan to Germany to France, Abdouraguimov has been around the world. Thats why he doesnt like to single out one specific region, location, or group of people he represents. But he does understand the value in connecting with fans through language and personality.

Just check out the time he stole the show  from the crowd  during a potential No. 1 contender fight for his ARES FC welterweight title.

During this break, Abdoul Abdouraguimov warms up the audience in the dome  #ARES9 pic.twitter.com/1ZruDDsTpm  ARES Fighting Championship (@ares_fighting) November 3, 2022

Multilingual, Abdouraguimov is currently pushed as the face of ARES, a France-based promotion. Already a star among fans in the region, Abdouraguimov seemed to many to be a shoo-in for the UFCs debut in Paris this past September.

Despite a Submission of the Year candidate triangle against UFC alum Godofredo Pepey, and a one-sided mauling of Bellator alum Karl Ammosou that led to a doctor stoppage, the call from the UFC never came. Abdouraguimov attended the event as a fan instead  all swagged out, of course.

As he walked the streets of Paris in the hours prior to the event, Abdouraguimov had a chance encounter with a very important player in the grand scheme of things, UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard.

I went to talk with him a little bit and he said, Yes, I know you, but he doesnt have the power to make (those) decisions, Abdouraguimov said.

Maynard is in charge of the UFC womens divisions, as well as mens flyweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Sean Shelby heads the welterweight divisions matchmaking and is the one Abdouraguimov wouldve preferred to run into.

Vous connaissez tous ma propagande acharnee pour Abdoul , vous pensez vraiment que jallais laisser Mick Maynard  (recruteur ufc) . Ce balade tranquillement dans la capitale ?  Cest mal connaitre MMAPropagande .. #ABDOULATUFC

Trad en com au cas ou  pic.twitter.com/uEhDGLQKBV  MMA PROPAGANDE  (@MMAPropagande) September 4, 2022

Until the UFC opportunity comes, however, Abdouraguimov plans to keep doing what hes good at: winning. Meanwhile, his supporters will continue their campaign of decorating the UFCs comment sections with crown and koala emojis, an ode to Abdouraguimovs impromptu upside-down victory celebration.

Le Lazy show

 pic.twitter.com/Jj6NYo6129  ABDOUL ABDOURAGUIMOV (@LazyKingMMA) February 17, 2022

With 12 finishes in 15 pro appearances, Abdouraguimov has already captured one title and will go for a second divisions strap Jan. 20 at ARES FC 11 vs. Rafal Haratyk (16-4-2). If the call comes thereafter, Abdouraguimov will still be ready.

Its obvious Ill bring the lazy show to the American people, Abdouraguimov said. Im the Lazy King and Im making the lazy show. There are not many fighters who can make a fight and who can make a show. I can make both. I can talk in English. Show me a lot of fighters who came from Dagestan, Russia who can talk English and who are not shy to talk. Im not shy to talk. Im not shy to make a show, a performance. Im not shy to fight, also.

Even in my fights, I dont know how its going to be finished. I, myself, in one of my last fights, was surprised I hit an inverted triangle choke. I had never done it in my life. Im very creative and you can expect the unexpected. Ill put on a Lazy King show.

Check out MMA Junkies full interview with The Lazy King below:

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
The Republicans are back in control in the US House of Representatives, and that means members are once again allowed to smoke inside the building.

The Republican majority has made the rule change despite the fact that smoking indoors is banned in Washington, DC and generally considered to have negative effects on peoples health. The House and Senate are federal property, governed by rules largely left up to House and Senate leadership.

Washington, D.C., law bans smoking in all indoor spaces, but it does not apply to the private offices of members of Congress, never has.  Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) January 11, 2023

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi banned smoking from much of the House premises when she took control in 2007, but members were still allowed to smoke inside their offices.

Rep Tom Cole of Oklahoma took full advantage of the new rules earlier this week, much to the chagrin of a number of reporters stationed near his office.

There has indeed been some cigar hotboxing happening in a certain Rules Committee chairmans office, which is nearby the House press gallery.



And the smell is strong https://t.co/8Or0RhRtzp  Ursula Perano (@UrsulaPerano) January 11, 2023

Laura Davison of Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the first attempt to curtail the practice of smoking in Congress came more than 150 years ago, when Speaker James G Blaine of Maine banned smoking in the galleries and on the floor of the House while in legislative session. The Senate banned smoking in its chamber in 1914.

Bill Clinton banned smoking in a number of federal buildings during his presidency, but only those under the control of the executive branch. In the House, where Kevin McCarthy was finally elected Speaker and leader of the new, slim Republican majority after 15 rounds of balloting, the majority makes many of its own rules.

Story continues

Under Mr McCarthys leadership, the House remains one of a select few office buildings in the country that still allows smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the country.

Over 16 million people live with at least one disease caused by smoking, and 58 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke, the CDC website reads.

Under Republican House leadership, those numbers appear set to increase.
Story at a glance

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found a connection between social isolation among older adults and dementia.

Researchers examined health data on more than 5,000 older adults in the United States with a mean age of 76 and published their findings in the Journal of American Geriatric Society.

Socially isolated adults have a 28 percent greater risk of getting dementia than their more social peers.

Social isolation among older adults has been linked to a greater risk of developing dementia, according to a new study.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University examined data on 5,022 older adults with a mean age of 76 in the United States, 1,172 of whom were socially isolated.

Most of the older adults in the study were non-Hispanic white women with more than a college education.

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.

As a result, researchers found that socially isolated older adults had an almost 28 percent greater chance of developing dementia over nine years compared to their socialized peers.

The findings of the researchers analysis were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society on Wednesday.

Having little social interaction is, unfortunately, common among older adults with more than one out of every adult 65 and older considered to be socially isolated, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Study crafters wanted to find out the connection between social isolation and dementia and whether race and ethnicity contributed in some way to the relationship between the two.

However, researchers did not observe a significant difference in social isolation and incidents of dementia among older adults of different races and ethnicities.

The study adds to the growing body of research connecting social isolation among older adults and negative health outcomes.

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One recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that social isolation and loneliness increase the chances of heart attack or stroke among older adults by 30 percent.

Future research on social isolation and dementia should investigate racial and ethnic disparities and investigate screening for social isolation as means of reducing the risk of dementia in older adults, the study authors wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
50 Cent, left, and Soulja Boy, right, both made statements after Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion, center. (Andy Kropa / Invision / AP, left; Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP; Jordan Strauss / Invision /AP)

Soulja Boy has defended and 50 Cent has apologized to fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion after Tory Lanez was found guilty last month of shooting the "Savage" hitmaker in 2020.

In a Wednesday interview with radio host Big Boy, 50 Cent accepted the guilty verdict and explained why he didn't believe Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, before the trial. The "Candy Shop" performer previously shared multiple tweets and memes mocking and doubting the "Traumazine" artist's allegations against Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson.

On Dec. 23, a Los Angeles jury found that Canadian rapper Lanez fired a gun at Megan Thee Stallion's feet in a fit of rage after attending a party in the Hollywood Hills. After reporting Lanez to police and speaking up about the incident on social media, Megan Thee Stallion suffered a wave of harassment and misogynoir from the hip-hop community and beyond.

"I'm gonna apologize to Megan Thee Stallion," 50 Cent said Wednesday. "I said some things ... on social media I posted things."

The "In Da Club" rapper added that he didn't believe Megan Thee Stallion at first  citing a 2022 interview with CBS' Gayle King in which the Grammy winner expressed her pain and denied having a sexual relationship with Lanez. She later said in court that she and Lanez did occasionally have a sexual relationship prior to the shooting.

"At that point, I knew she was lying," 50 Cent told Big Boy. "It wouldn't be no reason for them to be around each other then. From that, it felt like she was lying  to me. ... I wasn't being supportive of her at that point."

However, after a phone conversation between Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion's former friend Kelsey Harris  who was there the night of the shooting  leaked online, 50 Cent said he changed his mind. During the call, placed by Lanez from jail to Harris  who said she was at the hospital with Megan Thee Stallion  Lanez told Harris he was "deeply sorry" for something he did and knew Megan Thee Stallion was probably "never ever gonna talk to" him again. The same conversation was played during the trial.

Story continues

"The only reason why I felt like ... I should apologize to her is because ... I heard the phone conversation," 50 Cent continued. "That made me feel like, 'Oh, s, now I know that this is what happened' ... And I'm sure that that was probably what would sway people in court too."

In an Instagram Live video earlier this month, Soulja Boy bashed Lanez and called other rappers out for not sticking up for Megan Thee Stallion.

"Y'all ... shooting b out here now, and ain't nobody saying nothing?" the "Crank That" artist said.

"I'm the only n in the whole rap game that's gonna say something? OK, cool. Well, f you, Tory Lanez."

Lanez faces more than 20 years in prison for his crimes.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa wants an investigation into a "disturbing" video allegedly showing one of its soldiers present while bodies were being burned on a pile of rubble in Mozambique, President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman said.

South African soldiers are part of a Southern African regional force helping Mozambique fight an Islamic State-linked insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since 2017.

The video went viral on social media this week, prompting a statement from the South African National Defence Force that the incident was believed to have happened in November 2022 and anyone found guilty of the acts seen in the clip would be punished.

Reuters has not been able to verify the contents of the video.

The Southern African regional force SAMIM has launched an investigation.

"We are anxious to understand what really happened," Ramaphosa's spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, told reporters on Thursday.

Amnesty International said on Thursday that security in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province, where the insurgency is concentrated, "must not come at the cost of human rights violations".

It said the video "gives a glimpse of what is going on ... in this forgotten war".

The Mozambican government has yet to comment on the video.

Hage Geingob, Namibia's president and the current chair of the Southern African Development Community's politics, defence and security organ, said this week that the regional bloc would take measures in line with the law of armed conflict once the investigation is complete.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning and Nick Macfie)
Controversy escalated Thursday surrounding recruitment emails sent by Mayor Lori Lightfoots campaign seeking Chicago Public Schools students to work on her reelection campaign, with the schools top watchdog launching an investigation and the mayor publicly apologizing.

But even as Lightfoot worked to make amends for the scandal, new revelations raised more questions about the mayors campaign efforts to recruit students from educational institutions that she controls from City Hall.

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At issue is an effort by Lightfoot campaign staffers to recruit students from CPS and City Colleges of Chicago  city sister agencies whose leadership is appointed by the mayor  by emailing faculty at the institutions to offer extra credit for students in exchange for volunteer work.

This should not have happened, Lightfoot said at an afternoon news conference where she repeatedly called the emails a mistake by a staff member and said she didnt know her campaign had contacted CPS teachers at work until Wednesday, at which point she said she put an immediate stop to it.

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I have always held myself to a high ethical standard, Lightfoot said.

A statement released by City Colleges of Chicago shortly after the mayors news conference, however, raised new questions. It said college officials had told the Lightfoot campaign previously that they do not coordinate with political campaigns.

After receiving a campaign email in August seeking student volunteers, City Colleges staff notified its Ethics Department. Following the departments guidance, City Colleges notified the campaign of CCCs ethics policy and purged the emails from CCC accounts, the colleges said in a statement.

Lightfoot, for her part, portrayed the effort to recruit students as a single staffers well-intentioned but wrong idea. The Lightfoot campaign did not immediately explain why it would contact CPS teachers in January when City Colleges had raised issues in the summer.

CPS Inspector General Will Fletcher confirmed Thursday that his office has opened an investigation into emails sent by Lightfoots reelection team to CPS teachers, asking them to solicit their students to volunteer on the campaign trial.

CPS OIG has opened an investigation into this matter and we are currently gathering information to determine which, if any, policies have been violated, Fletcher said in an emailed statement.

City Inspector General Deborah Witzburgs office said it is aware of the public reporting on this matter and is in contact with Fletcher, whom Lightfoot appointed in 2020.

Thursday, Lightfoot again nodded to the fact that she ran four years ago as an avowed reformer. She cited an expanded ethics law and curbs in aldermanic privilege among her accomplishments.

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But critics have said her record on openness, ethics and political reform has been mixed. The revised ethics ordinance she got passed early in her term did not go as far as the ethics board wanted. Her efforts on curbing aldermanic prerogative have meanwhile been symbolic, and the old-time privilege of council members having major control over matters in their wards remains intact.

Good-government advocates also point to transparency failures such as the mayors offices efforts to suppress a video showing police conducting a wrongful raid on the home of Anjanette Young.

Lightfoot had also called for an independent commission for the once-a-decade redrawing of ward boundaries, but that didnt happen, nor were voters given the chance to decide on a new map.

The uproar began earlier this week after Lightfoots political team asked CPS teachers to help recruit their students for her reelection campaign in exchange for class credit  a practice that the incumbent mayors campaign later vowed to stop after her challengers blasted it as crossing ethical boundaries.

An email obtained by the Tribune that was sent to a CPS work account Tuesday included a message titled Externship Program Opportunity. Its unclear how many teachers received the emails, which were first reported by WTTW-Ch. 11. The email asked CPS staff members to please share this opportunity with your students and included a link to a Google form to sign up for the 12-hour-a-week program.

Lightfoot for Chicago is seeking resumes from any volunteer interested in campaign politics and eager to gain experience in the field, the email read. The ideal volunteer will be efficient, well organized and enthusiastic about joining a dynamic team. A strong commitment to Democratic ideals is essential.  Were simply looking for enthusiastic, curious and hard-working young people eager to help Mayor Lightfoot win this spring.

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In a series of statements, Lightfoots campaign first denied wrongdoing and characterized it as a typical learning opportunity offered by campaigns.

But the team later released an amended statement saying it would stop contacting teachers and noting that all campaign staff members have been reminded about the solid wall that must exist between campaign and official activities and that contacts with any city of Chicago, or other sister agency employees, including CPS employees, even through publicly available sources is off limits. Period.

The message immediately drew reproach from Lightfoots challengers, who said it was improper. On Thursday, ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell, said the email is inappropriately coercive and raises First Amendment concerns.

The Supreme Court has made clear that government officials cannot use their office or power to coerce participation or to punish for lack of participation in political campaigns. Federal courts affirmed that principle in an ACLU of Illinois case (OHare Truck Service, Incorporated v. City of Northlake), Connell said. Because the mayor has the ultimate authority over the Chicago schools, teachers may feel coercion in this ask from the mayors campaign or fear negative consequences for lack of participation.

Connell called on Lightfoot to personally and publicly renounce this infraction in strong, explicit language, making clear that no one in Chicago should feel compelled to participate in her reelection campaign.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot discusses the campaign recruitment emails issue with reporters Thursday in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

At the news conference, Lightfoot said she did not intend to fire the staff member who sent the emails after apparently finding the teachers email addresses online. Lightfoot called the actions well-intentioned but said guardrails have been put in place to prevent it from happening again.

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The city ethics ordinance requires a clear separation between governmental and political activities. It stipulates that no official, employee, or candidate for city office shall intentionally use any city property or resources of the city in connection with any prohibited political activity, which includes soliciting votes on behalf of a candidate for elective office, as well as other campaign activity like distributing materials or otherwise working on a campaign for elective office.

CPS ethics guidelines for employees also state that a political campaign should not be using the CPS email system to solicit volunteers and donations. Please report the behavior and forward the emails to the Ethics Advisor.

Lightfoots opponents in the Feb. 28 election expressed outrage over the emails, with some calling for investigations and others accusing her of trying to coerce teachers into helping her campaign.

Asked at the news conference about why the emails offered class credit to campaign volunteers, Lightfoot said she couldnt answer the specific question but noted some professors encourage students in political science classes to do campaign volunteer work.

Later, Lightfoot said there was zero conversation between her office or campaign and the school district.

There was zero, zero, zero coordination, coercion or anything else between the campaign and CPS on this issue, zero, Lightfoot said. I want that to be abundantly clear.

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gpratt@chicagotribune.com

smacaraeg@chicagotribune.com
Gov. Kristi Noem called Tuesday for using the states surplus to eliminate the tax charged on groceries and lower other taxes in a State of the State address that steered clear of the hot-button topic of abortion.

The Republican governor, who is seen as a potential contender for the 2024 White House, delivered her address as the Legislatures nine-week session began. All eyes are on what lawmakers might do with the states $423 million surplus.

Noem said that shoppers are astonished" when they arrive at the checkout line to pay for their groceries. She said it is so costly that she has watched many shoppers have to put items back on the shelves because they don't have enough money to purchase them.

South Dakotans need this relief," said Noem, whose executive budget calls for repealing the states 4.5% sales tax on groceries, a move that would save taxpayers $100 million.

Noem was critical of a proposal to repeal the state grocery tax during the final days of the legislative session in March, but this fall, she changed course and made it a centerpiece of her reelection campaign. She has called repealing the tax her top priority for 2023, arguing that the states surplus would cover the revenue loss.

While minority Democrats support the idea, a number of staunch Republicans oppose it, questioning whether the state can absorb the lost revenue.

We will help every single family in the state," she said. And then they have the freedom to decide how to use those dollars to meet their needs in their family.

Sen. Casey Crabtree, the Republican caucus leader, said he also anticipates sales and property tax reduction proposals. He was vague about the legislation's prospects of success.

Well see where it all ends up, he said.

House GOP leader Rep. Will Mortenson said several tax reduction proposals, including the proposed grocery tax cut, will be the subject of debate.

Of course, as a conservative, I would prefer that no one pay any tax," he said. But given that we have limited budget resources, well need to be weighing all these proposals against each other.

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Budget-setting during most of Noems first term was filled with state revenues swollen by consumer spending and federal pandemic relief. Lawmakers are also cautioning that those years of plenty  when millions of dollars went to upgrading university campuses and other projects  could soon be over.

Noem also highlighted workforce shortages, noting that the state has 23,000 open jobs. To address that, she called for updating licensing requirements for professional jobs. She said that other states like Arizona that have taken steps to recognize out-of-state licenses have added thousands of workers.

Thats the kind of drastic workforce boost that we need right here in South Dakota, she said.

Noem is also calling for improving paid family leave and creating a way for childcare workers to get benefits.

Under her family leave proposal, state employees could get their entire salary paid for 12 weeks, instead of the 60% that is currently offered for eight weeks. The new policy would cover new births or adoptions, as well as taking care of a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition, or a situation where a spouse is called to active-duty military service.

Her plan also calls for allowing private sector companies to be a part of the states risk pool, which would make it cheaper for them to offer the benefit, and providing $20 million in grants to incentivize them to participate.

Those proposals are key pieces of her goal of supporting families alongside a bid to uphold the states abortion ban, which was triggered by the U.S. Supreme Courts June ruling. Noem, an ardent abortion opponent, faces a challenge to the ban through a citizen-proposed constitutional amendment that could appear on the 2024 ballot. She never discussed the issue directly in her address, though.

Democratic Sen. Reynold Nesiba was critical of Noem for bypassing the issue.

At the moment that a woman needs access to reproductive health care, it is far easier for them to simply go somewhere else if they have the means to do that," Nesiba said. But one shouldnt have to leave the state to be able to have access to reproductive health care.

Noem also notably stepped up her rhetoric against China, touting legislation that would create a board that would review the sale or lease of agricultural land to non-Americans. The move came after she blocked the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from state devices in November 2022 and ordered a review of Chinese investments.

We cant allow Chinese interests to purchase any South Dakota ag land, much less any land near any military base or critical state infrastructure, she said.

____

Associated Press writer Amancai Biraben contributed to this report.
Mailboxes along Brady Place in South Kitsap near the scene of a shooting that left a Puyallup man dead on Monday night.

A South Kitsap man charged with first-degree murder for chasing down and killing the driver of a vehicle whose occupants he suspected of stealing mail said he acted in self-defense after attempting to block their vehicle in a cul-de-sac near his home.

Chad Michael Landon Wilson, 39, was found at his residence a short distance from the scene of the shooting in South Kitsap by Kitsap County sheriff's detectives. The shooting on the 5200 block of Brady Place was reported at about 10:56 p.m. on Monday. Richard Utaifeau Taii, 31, of Puyallup, released two hours prior to the shooting from the Kitsap County Jail, was found dead in the driver's seat of a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe from a bullet wound to his head.

Wilson appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. His bail was set at $1 million.

Investigators:Fatal shooting may be connected to mail thefts in South Kitsap neighborhood

Wilson told investigators he saw a white SUV pull onto his street and drive slowly as a passenger opened mailboxes. At first he tried to hail the SUV on foot, but then drove his pickup truck after the SUV, worrying that a $1,500 check for which he had been waiting had been stolen, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Wilson said he attempted to block the SUV in a cul-de-sac and exited the truck with his 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun.

With the gun in hand, he began waving both of his arms over his head in an attempt get (sic) the vehicle to stop, a Kitsap County sheriffs detective wrote. Chad said the SUV drove at him at a high rate of speed, causing him to fear for his life, so he shot one round into the SUV as it passed by him approximately two feet from where he was standing."

Wilson returned to his truck and drove home.

Deputies obtained surveillance video from multiple homes on Brady Place that showed the incident, according to court documents.

As the Tahoe begins to pass the truck, a males voice is heard yelling assertively something similar to Give me my (expletive) mail back, a detective wrote. Immediately following the command is what sounds like a single gunshot. The Tahoe continues past the truck and comes to rest where patrol located it.

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Investigators began searching the area for a truck and found one in the driveway of Wilson's home. Wilson spoke to investigators and described the incident and provided a combination to a safe at his home, where they found the handgun.

Investigators also spoke to Taii's girlfriend, who was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting and said she took the wheel after he was shot. The SUV continued rolling and stopped after crashing into a bank of mailboxes.

The woman said that after she and another woman had picked up Taii from the Kitsap County Jail earlier that evening, they drove first to Walmart and then to 7-Eleven for pizza and scratch tickets before driving to the neighborhood where Taii was shot.

Taiis girlfriend said she had opened a mailbox but claimed that no other mailboxes were opened by her or others in the vehicle. "At least" one piece of mail from the neighborhood was visible in the SUV, and a deputy found that the mailbox at Wilsons home on Chasewood Court and others on the street were open, according to court documents.

Taii was being held on $25,000 bail for two counts of second-degree burglary and one count of first-degree theft. He had been accused of stealing from storage units in the summer of 2021, according to court documents.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: South Kitsap man who killed suspected thief claims self-defense
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) -The South Korean government unveiled a plan on Thursday to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labour through its own public foundation - instead of using funds from Japanese companies - prompting backlash from victims and their families.

South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to pay reparations to former forced labourers. Although 15 South Koreans have won such cases, none has been compensated.

The plan proposed by South Korea's foreign ministry at a public hearing would compensate them using a foundation funded by businesses that benefited from a 1965 treaty in which South Korea received a package of $300 million in economic aid and $500 million in loans from Japan.

The Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan said it has secured initial donations from steelmaker POSCO totalling 4 billion won ($3.2 million). POSCO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"We've reviewed that it is possible for a third party to make payment as legal bonds on behalf of the defendant Japanese company," said Seo Min-jung, the ministry's director-general for Asia Pacific affairs, adding a "creative approach" was needed.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Tokyos top spokesperson, declined to comment on Seouls compensation plan or its public hearing, saying they were domestic matters within South Korea.

The foundation's chief, Shim Kyu-sun, said he would encourage South Korean companies to donate "from the perspective of social responsibility".

The unresolved legacy of Japan's colonisation in 1910-45, including restitution for Koreans forced to work at Japanese firms and in military brothels, has long been a source of contention between the two countries.

Relations plunged to their lowest point in decades after the 2018 ruling, with the row spilling into a trade dispute. Japan says the compensation issue was settled under the treaty, and Seo said most of the Japanese companies named in the ruling have withdrawn assets from South Korea to avoid forced seizure.

Story continues

Seo said that the government would consult with victims and their families before making a decision, but that the proposal was meant to prioritise compensating victims.

But some victims immediately resisted, saying the plan would relieve Japan of its obligation to pay and apologise.

"It's an idea where Japan does not bear any burdens at all," Lim Jae-sung, a lawyer for several victims, told the hearing, accusing the ministry of ignoring the victims and "wrecking trust" between both sides.

Kim Young-hwan, who also works with the labour victims, said: "They want an apology, and compensation as a proof of apology, because they have no other ways to be compensated for their lost youth."

Seo did not reply to them at the hearing, and the ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Some attendees held slogans saying "Apologise Japan" and jeered at officials.

A group of activists also staged a rally outside the National Assembly, where the hearing was held, criticising Japan's refusal to provide compensation and the South Korean government's proposal.

Under the 1965 deal, South Korea was required to consider all pre-treaty compensation issues settled. The economic aid and loans were largely spent to rebuild its infrastructure and economy after the 1950-53 Korean War. Former forced labourers began to demand compensation in the 1990s.

The rows over wartime history have fuelled concern over efforts to step up cooperation between the two key U.S. allies to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has vowed to boost bilateral ties with Japan and held the two countries' first summit since 2019 in September. Separately, Japan's Matsuno said the visit of a group of Korean lawmakers led by Chung Jin-suk to Tokyo on Thursday is a "significant move underpinning our bilateral relations."

($1=1,245.96 won)

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin. Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang and Kantaro Komiya. Editing by Gerry Doyle and Neil Fullick)
If you want to know who really controls Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (KLSE:SIMEPLT), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are sovereign wealth funds with 56% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Meanwhile, institutions make up 32% of the companys shareholders. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Sime Darby Plantation Berhad.

Check out our latest analysis for Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sime Darby Plantation Berhad?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Sime Darby Plantation Berhad already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. 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 Sime Darby Plantation Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Sime Darby Plantation Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. Our data shows that Permodalan Nasional Berhad is the largest shareholder with 56% of shares outstanding. This implies that they have majority interest control of the future of the company. With 14% and 6.7% of the shares outstanding respectively, Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia and Kumpulan Wang Persaraan are the second and third largest shareholders.

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While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that Sime Darby Plantation Berhad insiders own under 1% of the company. It's a big company, so even a small proportional interest can create alignment between the board and shareholders. In this case insiders own RM88k worth of shares. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 12% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Sime Darby Plantation Berhad. 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:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (including 1 which is potentially serious) .

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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.

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MADRID (AP)  A Spanish judge has dropped sedition charges against former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont for his role in the regions illegal secession push in 2017 that brought Spains most serious political crisis for decades.

Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena took the step, which also included four other Catalan separatists involved in the events of 2017, because changes to Spains sedition law that have taken effect mean it no longer covers their alleged wrongdoing, the court said in a statement Thursday.

However, the judge maintained the charges of embezzlement and disobedience, the court said.

That means that Puigdemont and his associates who fled the country five years ago would still have to stand trial if they return, albeit for crimes that carry a lower sentence. Puigdemont lives in Belgium where he is a European Parliament member.

Spanish government efforts to extradite him have failed so far, and it's unclear if the changes made by Llarena could increase the chances of him being sent back by Belgian officials.

Last month, Spanish lawmakers approved controversial reforms to the crimes of sedition and embezzlement in a move by Spains ruling center-left coalition to retain the parliamentary support of a pro-independence Catalan party and ease tensions in the wealthy northeastern region.

Sedition and embezzlement were among the main charges against nine of 12 pro-independence Catalan activists and politicians who were convicted over their roles in a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain issued on Oct. 27, 2017, following an illegal secession referendum earlier that month.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez issued partial pardons of the nine separatists last year, releasing them from prison in Spain after they had spent three years behind bars serving sentences that ranged between nine and 15 years.
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Supreme Court on Thursday dropped sedition charges against the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence, Carles Puigdemont, after a reform of the country's penal code abolished the crime.

Puigdemont, who is in self-imposed exile in Belgium to avoid prosecution in Spain, still faces charges of disobedience and embezzlement, which carry jail terms of up to eight years. Sedition carried a maximum jail term of 15 years.

Spain's previous bids to have Puigdemont extradited during his stays in Germany, Belgium and Italy have failed.

Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena said in a statement on Thursday he would submit a new extradition request to Belgian authorities for him to face trial on the lesser charges depending on European Union courts' rulings on whether Puigdemont has immunity and whether extradition can be requested multiple times.

Puigdemont posted a video on Twitter in which he vowed to fight "to the end" against his extradition in European courts.

"I will not return in handcuffs nor surrender myself to a Spanish judge's leniency. I will fight to return a free man," he said.

Puigdemont's attorney, Gonzalo Boye, said Llarena had a "fundamental rights and political persecution problem".

"These are my criminal charges. If you don't like them, I have others," Boye added, in a reference to a quote widely attributed to comedian Groucho Marx.

Spain amended its penal code late last year to , under which some separatist politicians were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after their 2017 bid for the region's independence resulted in a constitutional crisis.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who later pardoned those convicted over the events, said the move should further allay the political conflict between Madrid and the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia.

Opposition parties said it was designed to assure Sanchez's socialist-led coalition of the continued support of independence parties in contentious parliamentary votes.

Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since late 2017 and served as a member of the European Parliament since 2019.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and David Latona, editing by Alexandra Hudson and Himani Sarkar)
Just before Harvest Davidson walked out of a correctional facility for the first time in almost seven years, a guard said to him something hell remember:

Davidson, you better take good care of your mother, the correctional officer in Delano told him.

And when he walked out, there she was.

Tina Perry rushed to hug her son. They cried together, and laughed as they thanked God for helping them to see through the dark times.

Their embrace that day marked the end of Davidsons confinement in connection with a long-running criminal case in El Dorado County in which half a dozen defendants faced charges in the death of Dennis Spike Wright, who was shot and killed in a dispute after a 2016 drug deal went bad.

All of the defendants were people of color facing charges in a mostly white community. The defendants, including Davidson, have alleged they were mistreated by the El Dorado County District Attorneys Office with lengthy trial delays that they interpreted as tactics meant to raise pressure on them.

Davidson in particular gained support from groups like Black Lives Matter and the NAACP because he was accused of playing a lesser role in the incidents that led up to Wrights death. He was not at the scene of the immediate shooting, but prosecutors believed he was in position as a getaway driver in a conspiracy to rob Wright.

Davidsons supporters felt differently, seeing a young man who had no power to stop the shooting that took Wrights life.

I was hurt deep in my core because I went through what Harvest went through, said Henry Ortiz, founder of Community Healers, a social justice organization. I see the way the system plays games through manipulation causing generational pain to our families.

Perry was her sons fiercest advocate through the years. She sought attorneys to take up his case and pressed for his release. She said she struggled to sleep through his confinement. She called the years he spent awaiting trial unconstitutional.

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She held a party for home when he finally left custody. He arrived to find the aroma of his favorite food, an enormous pot of gumbo, and loved ones who missed him.

Davidson believes he was mistreated throughout his time in jail. His case was delayed in part by COVID-19, but he said he saw something else: an intentional effort to lynch a Black man through modern day tactics.

They still have a sign out that says Hangtown, said Davidson about Placerville, which houses the El Dorado County Jail. They tend to turn a blind eye and focus on all these African Americansbecause it fits what theyre about, racism and injustice.

Harvest Davidson, 27, center, stands with his mom Cottina Perry and brother Caleb Falla, 13, in Sacramento on Dec. 20. Harvest Davidson spent seven years in an El Dorado County jail cell awaiting trial for a South Lake Tahoe homicide he was accused of.

What happened in January 2016?

Davidson, 27, was one of six men from the Bay Area and Sacramento region who drove to South Lake Tahoe in January 2016 in a prearranged marijuana deal with Wright.

The deal fell apart. One of the men from Davidsons group, Dion Vaccaro, later attempted to rob Wright in a hotel parking lot, according to court documents. An altercation ensued. Vaccaro and co-defendant Andrew Adams shot Wright in front of Wrights girlfriend, according to local media coverage of their trials.

Davidson, parked in a car near the planned robbery, maintained that he wasnt close enough to prevent the shooting.

Four of Davidsons co-defendants, including Vaccaro and Adams, received sentences of up to life in prison. One is still in trial. Davidson took a plea agreement in September. He pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to eight years in prison, most of which he had already served.

Davidson declined to talk in detail about the night of Wrights death because one defendant is still awaiting trial and Davidson could be called to testify.

Sheriffs deputies spent months tracking down the defendants in the case. Shooter Adams was the last one taken into custody; he was arrested eight months after the shooting.

Officers and prosecutors said they are proud of the results in court, pointing to the convictions and the severity of the crime.

In an email to The Sacramento Bee, El Dorado County Chief Assistant District Attorney Joe Alexander discredited Davidson and his supporters saying their allegations about mistreatment in court are completely false and unsupported by any evidence.

In 2016, Mr. Davidson was a major participant in an armed robbery. When the victim resisted, he was shot and killed by one of Mr. Davidsons crime partners. Mr. Davidson admitted his involvement at sentencing and was treated leniently by our office given the fact his exposure at trial was a life sentence. Instead, he pled to two counts of robbery and admitted that a principal was armed during that robbery. Although this is an older case, Mr. Davidson still had time left to serve on that sentence at the time of his plea, said Alexander.

Tina Perry, of Sacramento pleads for justice in her in front of the El Dorado County District Attorneys Office in Placerville on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, for her son Harvest Davidsons case who has been in jail in El Dorado County for six years.

Davidson shares his experience in the system

In general, state prisons offer inmates more rehabilitative services than county jails. Davidsons long wait for a trial meant he spent years in El Dorado County Jail with little to do.

The COVID-19 pandemic represented another setback, leading to deputies to heighten security and further restrict inmates activities.

At times he felt disrespected by officers through being verbally abused and even physically assaulted on one occasion. He believed officers wanted to break him.

Every time I go to court, they want to push it off. Theres no trial. Seven years is a long time to sit in a county jail to be scrutinized, pestered and disrespected by officers, racist officers, said Davidson.

On one occasion, he said a deputy assaulted him. It began when a female officer questioned why he had two shampoo and conditioner bottles. She called for backup, saying Davidson was being noncompliant.

Thats when she ordered him to face a wall in his cell, when he did so, he said she attacked him.

She immediately jumped on my back, tackled me to the floor and tried to arrest me, said Davidson. (She) ended up hitting me in the back of the head for no apparent reason then they put in cuffs and slammed me into the wall.

The El Dorado Sheriffs Office did not respond to a request for comment regarding Davidsons allegations.

As he reflects on his experience, Davidson cannot put the life-changing events behind him.

I probably would have lost my mind a long time ago, but God has a purpose for each and every person. I think my purpose was to keep fighting because people need to hear stories like this, said Davidson.

Davidson went from El Dorado County Jail to North Kern State Prison on Dec. 6 to serve a seven-year, four-month sentence for two counts of second degree robbery with enhancements for being armed with a firearm.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, he received 2,904 days of pre-sentencing credits due to the time he served while awaiting trial. He was released to parole supervision on Dec. 11.

Harvest Davidson, 27, talks at his moms home in Sacramento on Dec. 20, about his experience awaiting trial for seven years in El Dorado County jail.

Whats next for Davidson?

Since his release, Davidson has taken steps to connect with the Anti Recidivism Coalition and apply for a reentry program that would have him utilize the knowledge and skills hes developed while being incarcerated.

Davidson said gained an understanding of the law, writing legislation, and the power of community.

You have to get connected, not with just one group, but with everyone such as The Village, Community Healers, Justice Reform Coalition, Anti Recidivism Coalition, the NAACP (because) with unity, we are stronger than everybody, said Davidson.

He plans to earn a degree and eventually go to law school.

There needs to be more attorneys that can relate to what Ive been through, that will bend over backwards for their client, that wont take shady deals behind peoples backs, said Davidson. I want to fight not only for their life, but their sanity.

Perry is in his corner. She expressed gratitude for her son being free, but said its not a full victory.

Im grateful that God opened the door for (Harvest) to come home, said Perry. But I still believe that El Dorado County has to be held accountable for the things that they have done to my son and the others.
The legal saga of the South Bend "police tapes" took another turn this week as a ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court makes possible a trial to finally decide whether the long-sought-after-records can be released.

On Thursday, the state's supreme court announced it won't hear the case, meaning the case will move back to St. Joseph County on the authority of an Indiana Court of Appeals ruling in June. That ruling held that a group of current and former South Bend police officers did, in fact, have legal standing to challenge the South Bend Common Council's subpoena of the tapes.

The tapes, which supposedly contain racist comments and discussions of illegal activity, were created in the winter of 2011 and led to former Mayor Pete Buttigieg demoting Darryl Boykins, the police chief at the time, in 2012, and involved questions of whether the tapes violated the federal wiretapping act.

The matter had been set for a trial in May 2021, but attorneys for the city council argued at the last minute before trial that the officers didn't have legal standing to be parties in the case. A local judge agreed and called off the trial, leading to more delays as the officers filed an appeal and the council appealed the decision of the appeals court.

'Because I'm innocent':Elkhart woman says she was wrongfully imprisoned for 17 years

Now, the case will likely be returned to St. Joseph County, where the parties would either seek to settle the matter or prepare for a trial to determine the legality of releasing the tapes. When the case will move forward locally, however, is unclear.

In total, the "police tapes" saga is now entering its 12th year.

History of the tapes

The state supreme court denying to hear the case is the latest turn in a long legal struggle over the tapes that has led to a federal criminal investigation, generated multiple related lawsuits and became a topic in the presidential campaign of Buttigieg, who now serves as the U.S. Transportation Secretary.

Story continues

The issue dates back to the winter of 2011, when a former communications director with the South Bend Police Department came across recorded phone calls on the line of Brian Young, a captain at the time, while she was troubleshooting equipment. Young had unknowingly inherited a telephone line that previous officers used to record calls.

The then-communications director, Karen DePaepe, has indicated some of the recordings contain racist language and comments that are disturbing and possibly liable to the police department, according to city and court records. She alerted then-police chief Darryl Boykins to the calls about two weeks later, at which point he allowed the recording to continue.

The existence of the recordings became public in early 2012, when Buttigieg demoted Boykins and fired DePaepe amid a federal investigation into possible violations of the Federal Wiretap Act. The Common Council demanded the recordings, but the city administration has refused to hand them over unless a court ruled it would not be illegal to release them.

The council sued and the officers counter-sued to block the disclosure of the recordings. The former officers are Brian Young, Tim Corbett, David Wells, Steve Richmond, Sheldon Scott, James Taylor and Scott Hanley. Corbett formerly served as commander of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, while Wells and Richmond served as assistant commanders on the unit before it disbanded at the start of 2022.

After nine years of bouncing between courts and procedural delays, the case was set to go before a jury in May 2021. However, in filings shortly before the trial date, the council argued that some officers settled their claims in the case while the rest lacked standing because testimony from DePaepe indicated they werent on the tapes.

A St. Joseph County judge agreed with the council and with no one left to challenge the councils subpoena, he ruled the tapes should be handed over; however, the central question of whether it would be legal to release those tapes was not solved.

The officers appealed a few months later, and the decision from the court of appeals by Judge Terry Crone in June reversed all of the local judges key findings. Namely, Crone's opinion agreed with the officers' interpretation of events that they although they accepted a monetary settlement in exchange for the case to be dismissed, they also reserved the right to remain as parties to attempt to prevent the tapes from being disclosed.

In its appeal, lawyers for the council argue against Crone's ruling, saying it goes against legal precedent and that the settlement the officers entered into should have dismissed their claims in their entirety.

The council made its request for the Indiana Supreme Court to take the case in August and the court Thursday said it decided by unanimous vote not to hear the case.

Email Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@sbtinfo.com. Follow him on Twitter: @marek_mazurek

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Trial possible in South Bend 'police tapes' case after supreme court order
Phyllis Monks and Ryan Martin of the Crete Historical Society stand with the church bell that once tolled over Crete Congregational Church, which was built in 1853. The bell will return this spring to the church, which is planned to become the Crete History Museum. (Paul Eisenberg / Daily Southtown)

A church bell thats believed to be one of the first to toll over the village of Crete will find its way home this spring after a deal worked out between the Crete Historical Society and Crete Township officials.

The bell, with clapper still attached, has been mounted on a frame outside the Crete Township office on Wood Street, a couple of blocks in from the towns main crossroads of Main and Exchange streets.

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Once the historical society purchased an old antiques store along Exchange, it was fitting the bell should be brought over, said Ryan Martin, the historical societys president. After all, before it was an antiques store, part of the building was the 1853 Crete Congregational Church, where the bell marked the start of services for generations of churchgoers.

A cast iron bell that welcomed generations of churchgoers to the 1853 Crete Congregational Church will be returned to the church, which is slated to become the Crete History Museum. (Paul Eisenberg / Daily Southtown)

The church operated in the building for 110 years, with the congregation moving out in 1963 and selling it to private owners. A few businesses operated out of the church building in subsequent years, including Marketplace Antiques, which owned the place in the 1980s when a roofing project necessitated the removal of the old belfry, and with it, the bell.

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It sat out front of the antiques store for months, Martin said. It was for sale.

The Crete Lions Club ensured this artifact from the villages earliest days didnt leave town, coming up with $500 that Phyllis Monks, past president of the historical society, used to bargain with the antiques dealers for its acquisition.

We didnt know what it was worth, Monks said. And they werent about to give it away to us.

The historical society didnt want it to leave Crete and go somewhere where they didnt even know the province of it, Martin said.

Society members earmarked the bell for the town historical museum, which did not yet exist but seemed like a near-future possibility as the village marked its sesquicentennial in 1986. The near future stretched into the far future and the bell ended up in front of the Crete Township office, with a nice informational plaque but a location away from the main drag.

Ryan Martin and Phyllis Monks, of the Crete Historical Society, examine the top of a bell thought to be one of the first to toll in the village. The cast iron bell is marked with the number 32 at its crest. (Paul Eisenberg / Daily Southtown)

Then, last year, the reinvigorated Crete Historical Society used some of the funds it had raised decades ago to purchase the shuttered antiques store, an conglomeration of connected structures that combined the old Congregational Church as well as an early train depot. It was time to bring the bell home.

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Historical society members met with Crete Township Supervisor Michael Liccar, who agreed to the bells move, albeit with a stipulation the township will retain ownership of it.

If we ever go under, God forbid, then it goes back to the township, Martin said. As long as the bell comes back home, its OK that the township owns it. It should be owned by everyone who lives in Crete Township.

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Monks said she is elated the bell will return to its original home.

This is fabulous, she said, really, its a miracle.

The future Crete History Museum still needs a lot of work before it can open, and an architectural survey is planned later this month. Martin said depending on what is needed, the opening could be more than a year away, though certain portions of the building could open sooner.

Eventually, hed like to install a belfry back on the church, but for now theyre planning a spot out front along Exchange, where the bell can be the first exhibit to introduce new generations to one of the oldest sounds in town.

peisenberg@tribpub.com
DENVER (AP)  Exxon Mobils scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists' conclusions, a new study says.

The study in the journal Science Thursday looked at research that Exxon funded that didnt just confirm what climate scientists were saying, but used more than a dozen different computer models that forecast the coming warming with precision equal to or better than government and academic scientists.

This was during the same time that the oil giant publicly doubted that warming was real and dismissed climate models accuracy. Exxon said its understanding of climate change evolved over the years and that critics are misunderstanding its earlier research.

Scientists, governments, activists and news sites, including Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times, several years ago reported that Exxon knew about the science of climate change since about 1977 all while publicly casting doubt. What the new study does is detail how accurate Exxon funded research was. From 63% to 83% of those projections fit strict standards for accuracy and generally predicted correctly that the globe would warm about .36 degrees (.2 degrees Celsius) a decade.

The Exxon-funded science was actually astonishing in its precision and accuracy, said study co-author Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard science history professor. But she added so was the hypocrisy because so much of the Exxon Mobil disinformation for so many years ... was the claim that climate models werent reliable.

Study lead author Geoffrey Supran, who started the work at Harvard and now is a environmental science professor at the University of Miami, said this is different than what was previously found in documents about the oil company.

Weve dug into not just to the language, the rhetoric in these documents, but also the data. And Id say in that sense, our analysis really seals the deal on Exxon knew, Supran said. It gives us airtight evidence that Exxon Mobil accurately predicted global warming years before, then turned around and attacked the science underlying it.

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The paper quoted then-Exxon CEO Lee Raymond in 1999 as saying future climate projections are based on completely unproven climate models, or more often, sheer speculation," while his successor in 2013 called models not competent."

Exxons understanding of climate science developed along with the broader scientific community, and its four decades of research in climate science resulted in more than 150 papers, including 50 peer-reviewed publications, said company spokesman Todd Spitler.

This issue has come up several times in recent years and, in each case, our answer is the same: those who talk about how Exxon Knew are wrong in their conclusions, Spitler said in an emailed statement. Some have sought to misrepresent facts and Exxon Mobils position on climate science, and its support for effective policy solutions, by recasting well intended, internal policy debates as an attempted company disinformation campaign.

Exxon, one of the worlds largest oil and gas companies, has been the target of numerous lawsuits that claim the company knew about the damage its oil and gas would cause to the climate, but misled the public by sowing doubt about climate change. In the latest such lawsuit, New Jersey accused five oil and gas companies including Exxon of deceiving the public for decades while knowing about the harmful toll fossil fuels take on the climate.

Similar lawsuits from New York to California have claimed that Exxon and other oil and gas companies launched public relations campaigns to stir doubts about climate change. In one, then-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Exxons public relations efforts were  reminiscent of the tobacco industrys long denial campaign about the dangerous effects of cigarettes.

Oreskes acknowledged in the study that she has been a paid consultant in the past for a law firm suing Exxon, while Supran has gotten a grant from the Rockefeller Family Foundation, which has also helped fund groups that were suing Exxon. The Associated Press receives some foundation support from Rockefeller and maintains full control of editorial content.

Oil giants including Exxon and Shell were accused in congressional hearings in 2021 of spreading misinformation about climate, but executives from the companies denied the accusations.

University of Illinois atmospheric scientist professor emeritus Donald Wuebbles told The Associated Press that in the 1980s he worked with Exxon-funded scientists and wasnt surprised by what the company knew or the models. Its what science and people who examined the issue knew.

It was clear that Exxon Mobil knew what was going on, Wuebbles said. The problem is at the same time they were paying people to put out misinformation. Thats the big issue.

There's a difference between the hype and spin that companies do to get you to buy a product or politicians do to get your vote and an outright lie ... misrepresenting factual information and that's what Exxon did, Oreskes said.

Several outside scientists and activists said what the study showed about Exxon actions is serious.

The harm caused by Exxon has been huge, said University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck. They knew that fossil fuels, including oil and natural gas, would greatly alter the planets climate in ways that would be costly in terms of lives, human suffering and economic impacts. And yet, despite this understanding they choose to publicly downplay the problem of climate change and the dangers it poses to people and the planet.

Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald asked: How many thousands (or more) of lives have been lost or adversely impacted by Exxon Mobils deliberate campaign to obscure the science?

Critics say Exxons past actions on climate change undermine its claims that its committed to reducing emissions.

After tracking Exxon's and hundreds of other companies' corporate lobbying on climate change policies, InfluenceMap, a firm that analyzes data on how companies are impacting the climate crisis, concluded that Exxon is lobbying overall in opposition to the goals of the Paris Agreement and that it's currently among the most negative and influential corporations holding back climate policy.

All the research we have suggests that effort to thwart climate action continues to this day, prioritizing the oil and gas industry value chain from the potentially existential threat of climate change, rather than the other way around, said Faye Holder, program manager for InfluenceMap.

The messages of denial and delay may look different, but the intention is the same.

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Bussewitz reported from New York.

___

Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

___

Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears and Cathy Bussewitz at @cbussewitz

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Soldiers prepare for deployment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (AFP via Getty Images)

The drug culture that exists behind the scenes at Americas military bases was thrust back into the spotlight this week after a massive sting at Fort Bragg led to more than a dozen service members being questioned and seeking legal counsel.

A spokesperson for the Army has confirmed that 15 people were questioned as a result of a sting operation launched by the Armys criminal investigations division (CID). Two were cleared immediately of wrongdoing, while the remaining 13 requested legal representation.

"The U.S. Army Special Operations Command is aware of the allegations of drug involvement from Soldiers assigned to USASOC units on Fort Bragg," said US special operations command public affairs officer Lt Col Mike Burns.

We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the Criminal Investigation Division, Lt Col Burns added.

But Connecting Vets, a publication that caters to current and ex-military, discovered that the situation extends far past simple allegations of drug use.

According to Connecting Vets, the sting operation launched this week was the result of evidence gathered from the arrests of two other members of special forces last month. One Green Beret is accused of sex trafficking underage girls at local drug-fueled parties, and was caught as the result of another undercover sting operation.

It all ended with the latest round of suspects being rounded up, one by one, at Fort Braggs main gate.

It was a trail of tears and douchebag cars, one unnamed special forces member told Connecting Vets.

Others who spoke to the news outlet described a flurry of personally-waged coverup attempts breaking out across the base as individual service members hid or destroyed stashes of drugs.

Its just the latest signs of wild and often criminal cultures developing among Americas enlisted, and in particular among the elite units chosen for the most dangerous and important missions under the US militarys purview.

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A New York Times investigation last fall conducted after the death of a Navy SEAL at a training facility discovered an undercurrent of drug use, particularly steroids. In 2017, other Navy SEALs told CBS News that even more serious drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine were being used by special forces units in the field during missions. Another case that ended in 2019 ended in sentences for four members of special operations charged with the hazing murder of a fifth member.

People that we know of, that we hear about have tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, one told CBS News.

On Reddit, news of the latest findings were received with little surprise on military-themed boards.

I have a sibling who was in 3rd group. Can confirm. 3rd is wild. No one seemed to give [a f**k] about anything, one commenter responded, referring to the 3rd Special Operations Group to which the scrutinised servicemembers belong.

Man, the [special forces] community has been off the wall for a while now. There have been briefings, sensing sessions, and all kinds of things to figure out a solution. Near as I can tell, everyone has just been kicking the can down the road, wrote another.

Ironically, base commanders at Fort Bragg were quoted in a local newspaper (the Fayetteville Observer) just last month about a supposed no-tolerance policy for drug use among enlisted soldiers.

Special Operations Command insisted in its statement that the vast majority of special operations units and service members follow US military rules and regulations regarding drug use.

"The overwhelming majority of Army Special Operations Soldiers live the SOF values every day. The use of illegal drugs or any other illegal activity goes directly against these values and does not reflect the behavior we demand from every Soldier in our formation," said USASOC.

"USASOC maintains a strict policy against the use of any illegal drugs. Illegal drug use is not acceptable nor is it tolerated. We are taking measures at every level to ensure the health and welfare of our Soldiers and to reduce these harmful behaviors in our formation."
(Reuters) - Sandwich chain Subway is exploring a sale of its business, a source told Reuters on Wednesday.

The sale could value the sandwich chain at more than $10 billion, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

The process, which is at an early stage, is expected to attract potential corporate buyers and private-equity firms, the report said, adding that it is possible there won't be a sale or other deal.

"As a privately held company, we don't comment on ownership structure and business plans," a company spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Subway, one of the world's largest quick-service restaurant brands, has more than 37,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. The Milford, Conn.-based company, known for its foot-long sandwiches, has been owned by its two founding families for more than five decades.

In 2021, media reports said Subway was tidying itself up for a sale, but the restaurant chain had denied it.

(Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru and Abigail Summerville in New York; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Dhanya Ann Thoppil)
DES MOINES, Iowa  A suspected ransomware attack on Iowa's largest school district has closed schools for two days as technicians work to restore the computer system and protect data, district officials said Tuesday.

District officials said they made significant progress in restoring systems after they discovered the cybersecurity breach Monday, including regaining access to the district's student information portal and ensuring phones are operational.

"When our system is down, it impacts every aspect of our organization," said Des Moines school district's interim superintendent, Matt Smith, noting everything from school bus routes to lunch menus is controlled through the computer system.

But the 30,000 students in Des Moines Public Schools are being told to expect an offline learning experience until further notice, with limited access to the internet and networked resources and no wi-fi.

With classes canceled Tuesday and Wednesday, Smith said students will need to make up the days missed. The district announced that schools would reopen Thursday.

The cyberattack has put Des Moines schools on a growing list of school districts in Iowa and around the country that have been targeted.

Here is what we know:

When did Des Moines Public Schools find the cybersecurity attack?

The district's information technology staff was first alerted to a problem Monday morning, Smith said during a Tuesday news conference. The IT staff shut down the district's servers, internet, and network to limit the impact.

Officials also believe that the payroll system is safe and that the district's nearly 5,000 teachers and staff can be paid, according to Smith.

Was this a ransomware attack?

While the investigation is ongoing, officials with Des Moines Public Schools are treating the incident as a ransomware attack. There is no timeline for when the investigation will be concluded.

"It was a cybersecurity event that we can't confirm yet until we run through all of our diagnostics and all of our protocols to get the forensics back to understand that specifically," Smith said. "What I can tell you is we are operating as if it is a ransomware attack just to be sure."

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Evidence has been turned over to the district's cyber insurance company, according to Smith.

LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS ALSO HIT BY CYBERATTACK: Los Angeles school district hit by ransomware cyberattack over Labor Day weekend

In some cases of ransomware, business and schools end up paying a ransom to regain control of their systems or to keep personal information from being released.

District officials have not said if the district received a ransom demand or if a ransom was paid.

Who is helping investigate the attack?

District IT staff is working with its cyber insurance company and the local offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security.

Was any data stolen?

Officials will not know until the type of attack the district's systems underwent is identified.

MICHIGAN SCHOOLS: Ransomware attack closes schools in two Michigan counties for third consecutive day

Why were classes canceled?

Classes were canceled for two days because taking the district's servers and internet network offline affected classes, bus routing, and food and nutrition systems, as well as access to important student documents.

"We are working to make sure that we can safely get (the network) back up. All of these areas are potentially compromised," Smith said.

Have other school districts dealt with cybersecurity attacks?

Des Moines schools join a growing list of Iowa schools that have experienced cybersecurity attacks, including Glenwood Community School District, Cedar Rapids Community School District, the Linn-Mar Community School District, and the Davenport Community School District.

In July 2019, Glenwood paid $10,000 in ransom after hackers encrypted student data that included schedules and contact and demographic information, making it inaccessible to administrators.

More notably, the Los Angeles Unified School District  the second largest in the nation  had a ransomware attack last September. Cyberattacks have become a growing threat to U.S. schools, with several high-profile incidents reported since 2021 due to an increase in pandemic-forced reliance on technology.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Iowa school officials cancel class for second day after cyberattack
BOSTON  A former Sutton financial adviser was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for scams that robbed clients of more than $2.8 million.

James K. Couture, 42, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Besides a 100-month sentence, federal Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton ordered Couture to pay restitution of nearly $2 million.

The sentencing follows guilty pleas by Couture in September. He pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of investment adviser fraud and one count of witness tampering.

The office of U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins announced the sentencing.

According to the authorities, Couture's deceptive practices, for more than a decade into 2020, cost his clients a total of $2.8 million. Prosecutors said in court documents that Couture, while working for a national financial services company, convinced some of his clients to transfer assets to a separate company he created called Legacy Financial LLC.

Couture did not tell those clients that Legacy was a shell company he created that offered no investment products, authorities said.

When clients asked for payouts from the accounts, authorities have said, Couture got them the money by using money he stole from others and disguising the source.

In one case, authorities allege, Couture liquidated one victims variable annuities valued at more than $900,000 to pay another client, while in another, he sold two mutual funds in a victims retirement account to come up with cash.

Authorities said Couture's deceitful ways continued after he was initially charged. He tried to convince one of his earlier victims that he never stole their money and was continuing to invest it.

He ultimately acknowledged that the gains he once touted never existed.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Sutton financial advisor James Coture's deceitful ways yield 8-plus years in prison
FBI agents with combat gear stand by a vehicle during a standoff with Dwight Watson, a former military policeman of North Carolina, who drove his tractor into a pond at the National Mall March 18, 2003 in Washington, DC

A little-known policing app credited with helping more than 60 law enforcement departments conduct multi-agency raids may have leaked confidential data about those raids, suspects not yet convicted of crimes, and, in some cases, the very officers involved in the operations, to the open internet.

The leaks, according to a Wednesday Wired report, involve an app called SweepWizard developed by ODIN Intelligence. SweepWizard may have leaked personally identifying information on hundreds of officers and thousands of suspects. Those details include the time of raids, geographic coordinates of suspects homes, individuals demographic information, and, in some cases, suspects Social Security numbers. When combined, the report notes, those and other details could potentially be used to tip off suspects to a potential raid. Gizmodo could not independently verify Wireds findings.

Read more

In total, the report claims SweepWizard may have exposed the locations and names of 5,770 suspects. Social Security numbers were reportedly included for around 1,000 of those suspects. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of hundreds of officers and details of around 200 operations, meanwhile, were also implicated. Wired reports that data on the app was available as far back as 2011 and as recently as December 2022 was available. All of that exposure was made possible due to a flaw in the apps API that allowed any users with an exact URL to find supposedly confidential data on the app from a web browser, all without logging in.

ODIN Intelligence did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment. Gizmodo was unable to access SweepWizards website and app from Apples App Store. The tool appears to have been pulled offline. ODIN Intelligences website claims it partners with an assortment of law enforcement collectives, including the National Sherriffs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the American Correctional Association, amongst others.

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ODIN Intelligence Inc. takes security very seriously. ODIN Intelligence CEO, Erik McCauley said in a statement sent to Wired. We have and are thoroughly investigating these claims. Thus far, we have been unable to reproduce the alleged security compromise to any ODIN system. In the event that any evidence of a compromise of ODIN or SweepWizard security has occurred, we will take appropriate action.

Multiple law enforcement agencies determined to have previously used free trials of SweepWizard now say they are investigating their use of the app. The Los Angeles Police Department, which reportedly used the app last year in a massive sex offender operation dubbed, Operation Protect the Innocent, told Wired it has since suspended its use of SweepWizard pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.

The alleged SweepWizard exposure highlights the potential pitfalls of an increasingly common law enforcement practice: outsourcing policing efforts to small, private companies. From local police to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, agencies have shown a willingness to collect location and other personal data for a price, a practice some privacy advocates describe as a legal loophole.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Last June, a team of female doctors and nurses drove six hours across mountains, dry riverbeds and on unpaved roads to reach victims of a massive earthquake that had just hit eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 1,000 people.

When they got there, a day after the earthquake hit, they found the men had been treated, but the women had not. In Afghanistans deeply conservative society, the women had stayed inside their tents, unable to come out to get medical help and other assistance because there were no women aid workers.

The women still had blood on them, said Samira Sayed-Rahman, from the aid agency International Rescue Committee. It was only after she met local elders to tell them about the arrival of a female medical team that women came out to get treatment. Thats not just the situation in emergencies; in many parts of the country, women dont go out to get aid, she said.

Its an example, Sayed-Rahman said, of how vital women workers are to humanitarian operations in Afghanistan  and shows the impact that will be felt after the Taliban last month barred Afghan women from working in non-governmental organizations.

The ban, announced Dec. 24, forced a widespread shutdown of many aid operations by organizations that said they cannot and would not work without their female staff. Aid agencies warn that hundreds of thousands are already hurt by the halt in services and that, if the ban continues, the dire and even deadly consequences will spiral wider for a population battered by decades of war, deteriorating living conditions and economic hardship.

Aid agencies and NGOs have been keeping Afghanistan alive since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. The takeover triggered a halt in international financing, a freeze in currency reserves and a cut-off from global banking, collapsing the already fragile economy. NGOs have stepped into the breach, and providing everything from food provisions to basic services like health care and education.

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After the ban, 11 major international aid groups along with some smaller ones suspended their operations completely, saying they cannot operate without their women workers. Many others have reduced their work dramatically. A post-ban survey of 151 local and international NGOs found that only about 14% were still operating at full capacity, according to U.N. Women.

U.N. agencies have continued working  most vitally to largely maintain the food lifeline that is keeping millions of Afghans out of starvation. Despite the ban, the World Food Programme provided food staples or cash transfers for food to 13 million people in December and the first week of January  more than a quarter of Afghanistans population of some 40 million.

The extent of the bans implementation and enforcement is unclear. In some places, some women have been able to continue working in the field.

Still, the impact is already great, agencies say.

The International Rescue Committee, which has suspended all its operations, estimates that around 165,000 people missed out on its health services between Dec. 24 and Jan. 9. It warned of an increase of death and disease because of the ban and an increased burden on Afghanistans health system, which it said is already fragile, near-to-collapse, and NGO-dependent.

IRC supports more than 100 health facilities in 11 provinces, including 30 mobile health teams, in some cases delivering lifesaving help to remote areas that had no humanitarian aid of any kind.

Its the only healthcare that some women have access to, said Sayed-Rahman of the mobile teams. Parts of Afghanistan still dont have hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. With each day that passes, the suspension has a huge impact on the amount of aid being delivered.

IRC also helps families displaced by war and natural disaster, providing clean water, tents, cash and other necessities. Overall, IRC programs helped 6.18 million people between 2021-2022  more than double the number in the previous one-year period.

While the bulk of food aid has continued to flow, important nutritional programs have stopped.

Save The Children is among the agencies that completely suspended its activities on Dec. 25. As a result, tens of thousands have not received nutritional support.

Last month before the ban came into effect, Save the Children helped nearly 30,000 children and nearly 32,000 adults with nutrition, including providing calorie- and vitamin-packed peanut paste to babies and children and porridge for women. The halt has also interrupted cash transfers to 5,077 families, who received one round of money in December but none of the further planned rounds - funds they rely on for food and other supplies.

Child malnutrition numbers are high and rising in Afghanistan, with a 50% increase over the past year. Around a million children under the age of 5 will likely face the most severe form of malnutrition this year, according to U.N. figures. Almost half of Afghanistans 41 million people are projected to be acutely food insecure between November 2022 and March 2023, including more than 6 million people on the brink of famine, according to the World Food Programme.

Childrens lives (in Afghanistan) are hanging in the balance, said Keyan Salarkia from Save the Children.

If you dont get the right type of food in the first 100 days, then that has a knock-on effect for the rest of your life, he said. In cases of severe acute malnutrition, after 10 days you start slipping into loss of life, he said.

Salarkia said the ban will affect almost everyone in Afghanistan one way or another. Save the Children was also providing classes for children, immunization and child protection. Its cash grants helped families feel they didnt have to sell their children into marriage or labor. Without that support, more children will be married off or forced to work.

The ripple effects of this will be huge, which is why we hope to see it reversed as soon as possible.

Salarkia recalled the impact when Save the Children briefly stopped work for security reasons after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The pause only lasted a couple of weeks, but workers on mobile health teams said some children they had seen regularly before never returned.

Thats how quickly the situation changes, he said.
Tatjana Patitz, pictured in December 2006. (Fabian Bimmer / Associated Press)

Supermodel Tatjana Patitz, who graced the pages of magazines including British Vogue during the 1980s and 90s, has died. She was 56.

"Today, our beauty Tatjana Patitz, passed away," Patitz's agency, the Model CoOp, announced Wednesday on Instagram. "As one of the original Supers and through her work with Patrick Demarchelier, Herb Ritts, and Peter Lindbergh, Tatjanas career in the fashion industry stands apart."

Patitz died of metastatic breast cancer, Model CoOp director Corinne Nicolas confirmed to The Times on Wednesday.

Born in Germany and raised in Sweden, Patitz began her modeling career in the late 80s and rose to fame as one of the original supermodels.

Her breakout appearance came via British Vogue's January 1990 cover, which featured Peter Lindberghs "White Shirts: Six Supermodels, Malibu." The famed cover photo also featured modeling icons Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford.

Shortly after, Patitz and her co-models starred in the music video for George Michael's "Freedom!"

She also appeared in music videos for Duran Duran and films including "Rising Sun," "Ready to Wear" and "Restraining Order."

Id rather do smaller parts with a good cast and director that I believe in, she told The Times in 1993. Im taking every day as it comes. To think of all the possible outcomes, I would drive myself insane.

Paying tribute to Patitz on Wednesday was Crawford, who recalled on Instagram her time with the model.

"We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together. We were in so many shoots together and backstage at shows," Crawford captioned a picture of her and Patitz.

"I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes. Her love of animals and nature was infectious. Sending my condolences to her family  especially the son she adored. RIP."

Fashion photographer Nigel Barker tweeted Wednesday that he "will never forget her."

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On Twitter, the Peter Lindbergh Foundation remembered Patitz for her "kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence."

In Vogue's tribute published Wednesday, global editorial director Anna Wintour celebrated Patitz.

"Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti, she said. She was far less visible than her peers  more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable  and that had its own appeal.

Patitz is survived by son Jonah, 19; her sister; and her parents. To honor Patitz, as well as her support for the conservation of wild horses, supporters can donate to equine sanctuary Return to Freedom.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Elgin's 2022 crime statistics report, released Thursday, shows there was an overall 6% increase in serious crime last year but a 12% decrease in gunfire incidents. (Gloria Casas / The Courier-News)

Elgin saw an increase in serious crime in 2022 but a 12% decrease in gunfire incidents compared to 2021, according to the annual report released Thursday.

There was a 6% increase in crimes designated as Part I, which includes such things as murder, robbery, sexual assault and aggravated assault, but when viewed over the last three decades, such crimes have gone dramatically in the city, Police Chief Ana Lalley said.

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In 1989, there were 4,905 cases classified as Part 1 crimes in Elgin. Last year, the number was 1,374, Lalley said, which is a 72% drop.

Elgin had three homicides last year, down from six in 2021. Robberies decreased from 36 in 2021 to 33 in 2022, data shows.

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However, aggravated assaults increased from 158 in 2021 to 204 last year and sexual assaults climbed from 74 to 79, according to the statistics. Burglaries increased from 104 to 141 and burglaries to motor vehicles jumped from 187 to 298, data shows.

But the number of gunfire incidents went from a high of 66 in 2021 to 58 last year. Seven of those incidents resulted in five injuries and two deaths, Lalley said. Overall, there was a 25% decrease in the number of gunshot victims.

The police chief attributed the overall drop to the establishment of a new detail assigned to just those types of cases and to making sure officers were aware that reducing those gunfire cases was a priority. The department also worked with the Kane County Sheriffs Office and Illinois State Police to get firearms off the street and seized 73 guns in 2022, she said.

Additionally, police continuously pushed the message to the community that (gunfire) is unacceptable, Lalley said. Residents were invaluable in terms of providing information about gunfire cases, which is key to investigations, she said.

In 2023, we will continue our focus of reducing these incidents, keeping the community informed when they occur and working with our community to solve these incidents, Lalley said.

The number of arrests increased by 15% last year, with most related to outstanding warrants, domestic battery incidents and driving under the influence of alcohol situations, according to the report.

Of the 2,144 people arrested, 1,010 were Hispanics, 564 Black, 516 white, 22 Asian/Pacific Islander, 10 Middle Eastern, and 22 who listed their race as other. Out of the total number of arrests, 44 required officers to respond to resistance and 60 resulted in show of force, meaning an officer pulled out a stun gun or handgun, Lalley said.

When compared to the number of arrests, use and show of force is such a small portion, she said said. We are still in a downward trend.

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Other report highlights cited the departments continued focus on promoting mental health and fitness for department members, which was reinforced with the addition of a new health and wellness coordinator; ongoing work on department accreditation, which should be completed in a few months; and implementation of new emergency radio and in-car camera systems.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Tatjana Patitz is being remembered by her fellow supermodels after her death at age 56. (Photo: REUTERS/Christian Charisius)

Tatjana Patitz, one of the most famous supermodels in the world in the 80s and 90s, is being remembered by her peers, including Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, after her death at age 56.

Patitz's agent of three decades, Corinne Nicolas, announced the news on Wednesday. She called the German-born, Sweden-raised catwalker and fashion magazine cover girl  who was among the iconic group of models in in George Michael's "Freedom! 90" video  as "an exceptional beauty" and "an exceptional human being."

Tatjana Patitz walks the runway at the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1991-1992 fashion show during the Paris Fashion Week. (Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Nicolas said the cause of death was illness, but did not provide further details.

Patitz, who died in the Santa Barbara, Calif., area, was survived by a 19-year-old son, Jonah. Mother and son recently appeared on the red carpet together, on Oct. 5, at an event in Germany.

Tatjana Patitz and Jonah Patitz attend the Tribute to Bambi 2022 at Hotel Berlin Central District on October 5, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)

The news immediately drew reactions on social media from those within that close-knit group of the original supermodels who dominated the industry in that era.

Crawford, sharing an old modeling photo of them, recalled being "babies" in the industry who "grew up together" as they navigated shoots and shows. "I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes," wrote the 56-year-old. She sent "condolences to her family  especially the son she adored."

Campbell, 52, recalled meeting Patitz when she was 16. She said it was the first time she visited L.A. and that Patitz drove her around in her red Volkswagen convertible. She called her late friend an "earth angel" who was "kind, generous, shy" and loved animals "sometimes more than people." She said she had "goddess energy that we were all drawn to."

Claudia Schiffer, 52, called her a "true member of the supermodel gang." She said she was always a "joy" to work alongside as someone who was "grounded yet always elevated.

Story continues

Christy Turlington Burns, 54, said Patitz "embodied, to me, European sophistication and style" when they met in 1985. She said they became fast friends as young models in France as young models as they drank mini bar champagne, ate Toblerone chocolates and smoked cigarettes. She said she learned so much from her friend, who was "always a vision" and "glamorous, sophisticated and warm, once she let you in. I could have watched her smoke cigarettes and speak in any of the many languages she was fluent in all day. Who needed to work? I was learning how an international woman behaved and moved in the world in real time."

Paulina Porizkova, 57, recalled them working together, but not getting to know each other until 30 years later when they chatted all night, spilling their most intimate secrets. She said she "got to know this beautiful woman, get a sense of her fragility and her full heart. Her love for animals, her horses and dogs, nature and art (yes, she painted) and most of all the love for her little son. It was an in-depth dive into our souls from which I walked away filled with genuine affection, tenderness and respect for her."

Stephanie Seymour, 54, wrote, "Theres no word that describes Tatjana more than ethereal."

Helena Christensen, 54, remembered her friend as "a divine spirit." She said she was "grateful we kept in touch till the end" and would treasure their text messages talking about nature. "I hope youre riding on a horse in endless meadows with that smile on your face and the wind blowing in your hair," Christensen wrote.

Here are some more tributes from Milla Jovovich, Carre Otis, Elaine Irwin, Shalom Harlow, Niki Taylor and Frederique van der Wal:

Shalom Harlow wrote in her Instagram stories that Patitz's "deep, penetrating gaze" will always be with her.
By Tom Hals

(Reuters) - A lawsuit alleging Elon Musk manipulated Tesla Inc's stock in 2018 should go to trial next week and he will be able to find unbiased jurors in San Francisco, despite local animosity, said a court filing by shareholders who are suing him for billions of dollars.

Tesla shareholders argued it would be unfair to move the trial to Texas as requested by Musk, who has outraged many in Northern California with the steep job cuts he ordered at Twitter, a San Francisco company he bought in October.

"What they refer to as 'biased' coverage is, in fact, factual reporting about his management of Twitter, Inc., and has no bearing on the jurys ability to render a fair verdict," said the court filing by the shareholders.

Musk's lawyers requested on Jan. 6 that the federal judge delay or move the trial to Texas due to media coverage of Twitter's job cuts that was "inflammatory" compared with balanced reporting on layoffs at other companies in the city like Lyft Inc.

Videos of an audience booing Musk during a surprise appearance at a Dave Chappelle show in San Francisco in December were circulated online. It sounds like some of the people you fired are in the audience," the comedian said in the clip.

Musk later admitted it was "a lot of boos" and added in a now-deleted tweet: "It's almost as if I've offended SF's unhinged leftists ... but nahhh."

Tesla moved its headquarters from the San Francisco area to Texas in 2021.

The trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 17 and feature testimony from Musk about his behind-the-scenes efforts in 2018 to line up financing to buy out the electric vehicle maker.

The judge will hear arguments on the requested venue change on Friday.

Shareholders accuse Musk of causing billions of dollars in losses for investors by making false and misleading statements to artificially inflate the stock price. Musk tweeted in August 2018 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private, sparking 10 days of volatile trading in its stock shares, bonds and options.

Story continues

Defendants, which also include Tesla and its board at the time, will make their case that Musk was not misleading investors in a material way. Musk had met Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the managing director of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, on multiple occasions, according to the court filing, which also said Al-Rumayyan had urged Musk to take Tesla private and offered up to $60 billion in backing.

Al-Rumayyan is among the witnesses expected to testify along with Oracle Corp co-founder Larry Ellison and James Murdoch, son of Fox Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch, according to court filings.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen determined in May that the 2018 tweets were untrue and reckless. The jury will determine if the statements actually impacted Tesla's share prices, whether Musk acted knowingly and whether to award damages and in what amount.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Del.; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
For Elon Musk, its not new year, new me. Rather, its new year, new Tesla gigafactorywell, sort of.

The EV maker is planning a $775 million expansion of its manufacturing hub and global headquarters in Austin, Texas, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. Regulatory filings seen by the newspaper cover facilities to make and test batteries and other aspects of Tesla cars. (Tesla didnt immediately respond to the WSJs request for comment.)

More from Robb Report

Right now, the Austin outpost, which covers 2,500 acres along the Colorado River, produces the Tesla Model Y crossover. The marque has also said it plans to build its long-delayed Cybertruck at the plant starting this year.

At its current size and levels of production, the 10 million-square-foot factory can make more than 250,000 vehicles. The expansion would help Musk reach his goal of selling 20 million vehicles by the end of the decade, the WSJ noted. The mercurial CEO has said in the past that Tesla might open 10 to 12 new factories to aid in that dream, and just last month he said the company was getting close to choosing a location for at least one new facility. We are applying capital at pretty close to the fastest rate we can spend capital and not be wasteful, Musk told the WSJ.

The news comes at a time when Tesla is facing a bit of a crisis. The automakers stock had its worst year ever in 2022, dropping a massive 65 percent thanks to demand concerns and worries that Musk was turning too much of his attention to his recent acquisition of Twitter. Also last year, reported vehicle deliveries didnt meet Wall Streets expectations, and the company offered end-of-year deals to get drivers to buy its battery-powered rides.

Story continues

Despite those bleak signalswhich are compounded by increased competition as more and more companies enter the EV marketTesla did increase deliveries by 40 percent in 2022, to 1.31 million vehicles. And its expected to post a record annual profit when it announces its fourth-quarter results later this month.

Musk is likely hoping that the Texas expansion will help keep that sort of good news coming. With work on the plant possibly starting as early as this month, hes also probably hoping that good news comes sooner rather than later.

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The controversial tweets that landed Waymond Wesley under fire were posted in 2015 and 2016 from a now-deleted account.

A Houston-based TikTok chef posted pictures of his meals hoping to increase his following, but instead, he started to gain notoriety for resurfaced remarks he made on Twitter regarding Black women with dark skin.

According to The Houston Chronicle, Waymond Wesley, known as Chef Way on the video-sharing platform, has also been a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorneys Office since March 2021.

The controversial tweets that landed him at the center of backlash were posted in 2015 and 2016 from the @WaymoTheGod account, consisting of disparaging comments about Black womens bodies and appearance.

Waymond Wesley, known as Chef Way on TikTok, is also a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorneys Office. Chef Way came under fire after several racially offensive tweets from years past in which he insulted Black women came to light. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/Tastemade)

Wesley used his social media outlets to address the offensive words, even after deleting the offending account and remarks, saying he is deeply sorry, and blaming alcoholism for his behavior.

That was a moment in my life where I was sick in more ways than one, Wesley shared, The Chronicle reported. Cooking saved me. You have watched a flawed man heal, and who will continue to heal and learn. Thanks for being along for the journey.

The comment sections on Wesleys public Instagram and TikTok apologies are disabled. However, on Twitter, where comments are enabled, the posts replies and retweets are filled with people making fun of Wesleys apology and how he claimed that cooking was able to change his outlook.

I call . Its funny how people are only apologetic when their character is being put on display for the world to see! https://t.co/GMM0c5ER0j  Daye (@DayeTheVirgo) January 12, 2023

Did u post up any praise of BW in the last few years ??? If not, you didnt change. Have your preferences support you. https://t.co/d6yx0qHL18  Ms.Sherell (@sherell_ms) January 12, 2023

Chef Way has more than 250,000 followers on TikTok and numerous sponsorships with food companies.

Story continues

KPRC Click2Houston reported that Wesley appears to have lost one brand partnership due to the resurfaced tweets. Stephen Svajian, chief executive officer of Anova Culinary, shared via Twitter that they were cutting ties with Wesley immediately because he didnt uphold the companys principles. A subsequent tweet from Anova Culinarys account announcing the chefs firing states We hope our former partner has some moments of deep introspection and makes the necessary strides to become an anti-racist ally. Hate has no home at Anova and we remain committed to listening to marginalized voices, and deeply value diversity.

Kim Ogg, the district attorney for Harris County, indicated in a statement on Tuesday that she supports Wesley. Although she believes the remarks from almost seven years ago were inappropriate, offensive and did not represent her values or those of the D.A.s Office, Ogg said, she believes in second chances.

Mr. Wesley has explained that these posts came during a period in which he was struggling with serious personal issues, including alcohol addiction, said Ogg, KPRC2 reported. Prior to joining our office, Mr. Wesley went through treatment and has worked with the State Bar of Texas to resolve his issues. His recovery is ongoing. I am a believer in second chances, and Mr. Wesley has conducted himself professionally since joining our staff. I am confident that will continue.

TheGrio has reached out to Wesley for comment.

Joe Stinebaker, director of communications for the D.A.s office, said they were unaware of the now-deleted account or its contents before the backlash, The Chronicle reported. He said the offices background checks include analyzing active and public social media accounts.

Stinebaker added that Wesley is continuing his work as the D.A.s office carefully investigates all claims of bias against any employee.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Texas prosecutor, TikTok Chef Way blames alcohol for racist tweets about Black women with dark skin appeared first on TheGrio.
Judge Brad L. Hillyer, who retired Monday, sits for a portrait in his courtroom at the Tuscarawas County Court/Southern District in Uhrichsville.

UHRICHSVILLE  Brad Hillyer estimates that 95% of his time during the years he served as a judge in Tuscarawas County Court/Southern District was spent on criminal cases involving drugs.

"I spend all my time dealing with people that have recurrent issues of drug addiction," he said.

"I'm not afraid to tell a drug addicted person that you're either going to jail or you're going to treatment," he added. "If you leave treatment, you're going back to jail. We have some success with that."

More crime:Case against three men allegedly involved in accidental shooting death goes to grand jury

Hillyer, 66, retired Monday as judge in what is commonly known as Southern District Court, serving a total of 22 years and nine days. He served six days longer than his late father, William Hudson "Hud" Hillyer, served in the same position. Brad Hillyer was elected as judge in 2000 when Hud Hillyer retired.

"There's been a Hillyer on the bench for 44 years," said Brad Hillyer, who was in the middle of his fourth term as judge.

Asked why he wanted to become a judge, he said, "I had been involved with the mock trial program and spent a lot of time in the courtroom, and I thought I could make a difference with some of our local folks."

Court report:COVID affects drug addiction and deaths in Tuscarawas County

Tuscarawas County Court/Southern District is located at 336 E. Third St. (in a building opened in 2006 during Hillyer's tenure as judge) and serves Clay, Mill, Oxford, Perry, Rush, Salem, Union, Warwick and Washington townships, including Uhrichsville, Dennison, Gnadenhutten, Port Washington, Newcomerstown, Tuscarawas and portions of Midvale and Roswell.

According to the court's website, the criminal/traffic division handles all misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings on felony cases and traffic misdemeanors occurring in the territorial jurisdiction of the court. The court hears civil matters when the amount in dispute is $15,000 or less, as well as evictions and landlord/tenant matters. There is also a small claims division.

Story continues

Judge Brad L. Hillyer, who retired Monday, talks about memorable cases while in his office at the Tuscarawas County Court/Southern District in Uhrichsville.

Judge Brad L. Hillyer: 'I've never believed a word a person with drug addiction has ever told me.'

In a typical year, Southern District Court handles about 6,000 cases. About 6% of those are criminal cases, and most of them involve people addicted to drugs or alcohol.

To help Hillyer deal with those cases, he took advanced training at the National Judicial Training Center in Reno, Nevada.

"They train all of the judges nationwide, a fabulous program, very intense weeklong programs. I've learned a lot about drug addiction that I didn't know," he said.

All people with drug problems who appeared in his court were given a chart listing the substances that caused drug deaths in Tuscarawas County in 2020 and 2021. Fentanyl was the leading cause.

"When somebody comes in that has fentanyl or cocaine or amphetamine in their system, I make them sign that form, and every time they come back, they must bring that," Hillyer said. "I call that their 'Stay Alive' card. It's just a constant reminder that their life is on the line, especially with fentanyl."

Tuscarawas County court news:Uhrichsville couple released on their own recognizance in tainted cookie case

He made it a practice of taking away the phones of repeat drug offenders.

"The cellphone is the ticket to addiction," he said. "We had drug problems in the '80s. The difference was, if I wanted to get cocaine or I wanted to get heroin, I had to call my drug dealer. He had to be home. We had to meet and he had to give me the drug. Now they go on the internet and they go on TikTok and they make their drug deal."

He added, "I've never believed a word a person with drug addiction has ever told me. I said, 'I want to see action. I don't want you lying, so I'd rather you not say anything. Just do what you need to do. Get help.'"

To assist in getting help for addicts, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties pays for a drug and alcohol counselor, Derek Grella, to providing counseling for defendants.

Gavels are seen in the office of Judge Brad L. Hillyer at the Tuscarawas County Court/Southern District in Uhrichsville.

Hillyer proud of community service program

Hillyer said he is proud of his court's community service program. Each year, people sentenced in his court performed around 10,000 hours of community service, doing such things as getting the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum's Polar Express ready to run each December, as well as cleaning up communities and townships in the area.

His court also worked to help people restore their Ohio driver's licenses.

"Ohio has the worst driver's license law in America. We have 2 million people with no driver's license," Hillyer said.

His court restored about 20 licenses a week.

He said he has been pushing his nephew, state Rep. Brett Hillyer, R-Uhrichsville, to pass a law that would require motorists to show they have car insurance before they get their license.

"We have so many people that want to work that can't get to work, or can't get to work legally," he said. "They get rides for awhile, and then their rides don't show up, and then they drive and they get in trouble and then they're right back in the system. If we would just require them to have insurance right out of the gate, it would be so much better long-term."

He recalls memorable cases

He recalled two memorable cases he handled during his career.

One occurred shortly after he became a judge. Some college-age men were throwing rocks off a bridge over Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County near Newcomerstown. As part of their plea agreement, he made them stand on the bridge all day with a sign reading, "I will not throw things off bridges again."

The other was an attempted armed robbery and shooting in Oxford Township in December 2018. The suspects planned to rob a man during a drug deal on Liberty Road southeast of Newcomerstown. At least five shots were fired during the robbery attempt, and a 17-year-old, who was a passenger in a red SUV driven by a man who was the target of the robbery, was wounded when two masked assailants began shooting.

Hillyer presided over the initial hearing in the case before the suspects were bound over to the grand jury.

Brad Hillyer column:My ordeal with coronavirus

Because Hillyer has two years left on his current term as judge, Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint his replacement. In the meantime, Magistrate Jason Jackson will serve as the day-to-day judge and retired Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Edward O'Farrell will act as administrative judge and make any major decisions.

Hillyer is a 1974 graduate of Claymont High School. He earned a degree in economics from the Ohio State University in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Toledo in 1980. He is a member of the law firm of Connolly, Hillyer & Ong in Uhrichsville, where handles oil and gas work.

He and his wife, Kim, have three children  Katie Hilliker, a registered nurse who is a wound care specialist at Trinity Hospital Twin City in Dennison; Jake, who runs the Bowerston Shale plant in Hanover, Ohio, near Newark; and Alec, who owns a pond maintenance company.

His future plans include doing volunteer work and possibly serving as a visiting judge.

Hillyer said he thought that now was a good time to retire.

"I think it's time to give other people an opportunity," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Brad Hillyer retires after 22 years as Tuscarawas County Court judge
Three middle school students are facing criminal charges after shooting at classmates with a pellet gun in Auburn, Massachusetts.

Police were called by several concerned parents of Auburn Middle School students who stated their kids were shot by gel pellets after they got off the bus and were walking home, according to police.

Officers searched the area of Briarcliff Dr. and Bryn Mawr Ave. where they say the calls came from. Once reviewing neighboring surveillance video they were able to narrow down the suspected vehicle to a four-door white sedan.

Police say one of the victims identified one of the suspects, while the vehicle matching the description was located, parked at Auburn High School. Officers looked into the back seat of the sedan and found the Orbeez gel gun with orange gel balls, which matched the gel balls left behind at the scene.

Officers were able to locate the suspect and said he quickly admitted to what had occurred and was able to identify the others involved.

All parents of the suspects came into the station and were notified of the criminal charges. At this time all three juveniles, are being charged with nine counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The Superintendent of Schools, Beth Chamberland was notified.

Just before 3pm today, dispatch started receiving calls from parents of Auburn Middle School students who stated they... Posted by Auburn MA Police Department on Wednesday, January 11, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
TikTok: @vapersianprincess

A racial justice advocate who compiled damning data on her local police ticketing people of colorbefore being pulled over herself in what became a deeply ironic and viral TikTok videosays shes not backing down in the face of what she believes is a campaign of intimidation.

In the clip, posted Sunday, the woman is pulled over by a cop who she alleged specifically preyed on Black and brown folks. Charlotte Carter then reads the cop to filth for the alleged racial discrimination.

Mr. Scott, you pull over 80 percent Black people. I went through all of your tickets for six monthsonly 20 percent of the population of Chesterfield [County] is Black, Carter tells the officer standing next to her window. I dont know how you managed to ticket 80 percent minorities.

Carter laughs as she fills out her information after receiving a ticket, accusing him of being gung-ho in his alleged commitment to targeting people of color.

The last six months, you had ticketedfrom when I did this about a month or two agoyou had ticketed 250 people in Chesterfield that had gone to Chesterfield court, she says in the clip, adding that she compared Scott to another officer who had allegedly only ticketed 240 people in an entire year.

But you, I only had to go back six months. You sure do write a lot of tickets, Carter laughs as she hands back the signed ticket to the officer.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast, Carter said that the officer followed her for two to three miles before stopping her for allegedly illegally turning right on red.

Carter, who is Iranian American, claimed police in Virginia first turned their attention to her in the spring of 2022 after she started questioning an alleged child abuse case that involved her sons biracial friend. She said she noticed the child was bruised and severely underweight so, as a nurse, she was obligated to report the situation. But she believes the local police were slow to act and didnt take the childs welfare seriously because his father was Black, so she kept following up on the case.

Story continues

While police eventually arrested someone in the matter, Carter said she felt they didnt take it seriously until she posted a TikTok about the alleged abuse in March. The video has received nearly 5 million views.

After that, Carter said the Chesterfield police suddenly began popping up everywhere in her life.

I ended up trying to file for emergency custody, but the police began falsely arresting me, she said.

In April, police arrested her for trespassing on her own property.

They also added on three additional charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor for each one of my three children because I encouraged them to trespass into our home, she said.

The episode prompted Carter to start researching policing practices of Chesterfield, or Arrestifield as some social media users call it.

Carter provided documents to The Daily Beast that she compiled using the publicly accessible Chesterfield District Court website, which showed the arrest demographics of Scott, the officer she encountered in the TikTok video. According to that data, which she also included in a TikTok video, the officer had stopped 53 drivers in six months, largely in October. The district court website displays the race of each traffic or criminal court defendant. Most of the drivers30were Black, and 13 were white. The race of 10 were unclear but their last names appeared either Hispanic or Arabic. Carter said she looked into Scott and another officer at random just to see the racial makeup of recorded stops within the area.

In October, 8News Richmond reported that most drivers pulled over in Virginia are Black or Latino, who are overrepresented.

According to the Chesterfield County 2020 census, 67 percent of the towns population is white, 25 percent is Black, and 10 percent identified as Latino.

Since she began repeatedly criticizing the police on her TikTok, Carter told The Daily Beast she has been stopped by the police about 10 timeswith the most recent being the incredibly fortuitous stop she filmed involving Officer Scott. (Chesterfield General District Court records show Carter has been apprehended on five occasions, but she received multiple charges on those dates. The records confirm Carter was charged with contributing to the delinquency of three minors on the same day she was charged for trespassing on April 28.) She has since created a GoFundMe page to help finance legal costs.

While she said getting pulled over on Sunday could have been a coincidence after all her anti-racism work, she could hardly believe it when she looked at the officers badge.

As I was going to sign the ticket, I saw his name was S. Scott, Carter said. And when I saw S. Scott on that paper, I just turned my camera on record.

California Police Departments Racist Texts Scandal Gets Even More Fucked Up

Her theory of being on the polices radar was only solidified to her when she was the subject of a less-than-subtle Facebook post by Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffrey Katz in April.

A number of people have messaged me to share a series of TikTok videos created by a member of our community who really seems to enjoy the attention shes getting by claiming our department is indifferent to a child abuse allegation, Katz wrote. Ultimately, at the conclusion of our investigation, we made an arrest in this case.

I dont want to give this person additional notoriety, he continued, but I wont stand by passively while someone sits behind a keyboard and attempts to disparage the work our people do to keep the children in our community safe.

The Chesterfield County Police Department did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request Thursday for comment on Carters arrests, or her allegations of racial profiling by officers.

When 8News reported on the issue in October, Katz, who is also the president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, claimed racial profiling was not a factor in the departments traffic stops. Rather than addressing the statistics, he said, There is a great disproportionality of Black and Hispanic drivers who die behind the wheel in Virginia.

Before moving to Chesterfield, Katz was the chief of police in Boynton Beach, Florida. In 2017, four Boynton Beach officers were federally charged for beating an unarmed Black man, The Miami Times reported, spurring allegations of racism within the force that led local leaders to call for Katz termination.

Despite her arrests racking up, Carter said it was empowering to call the cops out for their behavior and shes not going to stop.

The wheels of justice are very, very slow, and it takes patience and persistence and not giving up, Carter told The Daily Beast. I stand for what I believe in at all costs. Im willing to die on this hill.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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24-month-old Sunday Kramer has won the hearts of millions with her TikTok candle reviews. Bri Kramer/TikTok

24-month-old Sunday Kramer keeps going viral with her reviews of candles on TikTok.

Some viewers are even requesting her parents give her different scents to test out.

Sunday's mom told Insider she was not expecting her videos to be this popular.

A toddler called Sunday has become a TikTok sensation after videos of her smelling candles and reviewing them keep going viral.



The videos, posted by TikTok user Bri Kramer, based in Dallas, Texas, depict her 24-month-old daughter Sunday, smelling all sorts of candles  from Bath & Body Works' $26.95 Mahogany Teakwood to Jo Malone's $135 Glowing Embers. Many of the candle-smelling videos have garnered the attention of millions, with the most popular ringing in at 10.7 million views.

In the TikToks, Sunday's parents take her to different retail stores, ranging from Neiman Marcus to Anthropologie. After being introduced to a scent, the toddler typically responds with a simple yet emphatic "yes" or "no," or with the occasional rave review: "Oh, nice!"



As the videos gained popularity, viewers began making requests to have Sunday smell certain scents such as Yankee Candle's Sugar Plum Fairy and Tata Harper's Into The Forest.

Viewers appear to trust her reviews, with many suggesting brands should too. "The 'no' brands better put their crisis management plan into play STAT," one commenter wrote, while another said Sunday's was "the only review I trust."

Fans are calling on candle companies to get Sunday's seal of approval, and some brands are trying to get ahead of the curve. "We've got some scents she might like," the HomeGoods TikTok account commented under one video.

In a recent video of Sunday, her mom tells her she has 100,000 followers on TikTok. "Yes!" Sunday says, with the caption reading "More candle reviews in 2023."

According to Kramer, Sunday's affinity for scents started at around six months of age, when she started to smell seasonings in the pantry and "really loved it."



Before Sunday was born, Kramer told Insider she and her husband, King, had a routine of going to their favorite candle shop every month and picking out a candle. Once Sunday became interested in scents, they started taking her to the candle shop, where they began filming her opinions  never thinking it would lead to anything.



"I actually posted it right before I was going to bed one night, and then I woke up the next morning to all of the notifications," Kramer said of the first video. "I was like, 'I was not expecting this.'"



Kramer even hinted at potential brand deals or business ventures that could arise from Sunday's popularity, telling Insider fans should "stay tuned." She said the Kramers are happy with the success so far though.

Story continues

"We're just a little family smelling candles," Kramer said. "If it's funny to people, then we're happy about it."

It's common for children to go viral on social media for appearing wise beyond their years. In 2022, a toddler called Willow gained popularity for running a 'diner', and a seven-year-old boy named Tariq was dubbed the "corn kid" after his enthusiasm for the vegetable gained millions of views.

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Starting Monday, if you have a hankering for an Italian beef, char-grilled Polish or slab of chocolate cake from Portillos, American currency will not get you what you want  at least not if youre going through the drive-thru lane.

The business is going cash free outside, and only credit cards, debit cards and Portillos gift cards will be accepted.

Advertisement

This is safer for our team members, and it creates a faster, smoother service for our guests, according to the companys website, www.portillos.com/service/faq.

Cash will still work if orders are placed inside all Portillos locations.

Advertisement

The companys been spreading the word by posting signs outside its restaurants, which locally include locations at Randall and Bowes roads in Elgin, Batavia, St. Charles and Streamwood.

A sign outside a Portillo's restaurant notifies customers about the Jan. 16 switch to a cashless system in which only credit cards, debit cards and Portillo's gift cards will be accepted as payment for drive-thru orders. Currency can still be used for in-restaurant purchases. (Mike Danahey / The Courier-News)

The shift did not come as a surprise to Tony Lucenko, director of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerces Elgin Development Group, although he questioned if it might not pose problems for some customers.

Theres obviously been a longtime push for everything to go cashless, but I would think that not everyone is in a financial position to have credit or debit cards, Lucenko said.

That said, many people did get into the habit of using credit and debit cards more regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some businesses stopped accepting cash because of concerns about handling money, he said. He also noted that a coin shortage during the pandemic contributed to more places going cashless or at least rounding up costs to the next dime or dollar.

During peak hours, Portillos posts staff outside to take orders and payments from drive-thru lane customers. Doing away with taking cash and making change should streamline the ordering and paying process and eliminate the risk of potential robberies.

A vast majority of the companys sales come from drive-thru orders, according to QSR Magazine. It reported in November that each Portillos restaurant averaged $4.9 million in drive-thru sales between July 2020 and June 2021, compared to $1.9 million in dine-in sales and $850,000 from delivery sales.

The business dates back to 1963, when Dick Portillo launched it out of a trailer called The Dog House in Villa Park. He sold the chain In 2014 to equity firm Berkshire Partners, reportedly for about $1 billion, but remains the landlord of many of locations, published reports said.

Now a publicly traded company, the Oak Brook-based chain now has more than 70 locations across nine states.

Advertisement

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Curious how to make your own cured fish at home? Chef Melissa King shares her top tips, and a recipe. (Photos: Alaska Seafood)

Cured fish is a popular item at breakfast buffets and brunches across the globe, but making it at home may bring a bit of anxiety into the kitchen. How do you cure your own fish at home and, more importantly, what can a home cook do to make sure their home-cured fish creations turn out well?

Top Chef alum Melissa King, host of the new docuseries Tasting Wild, says curing fish was one of her first tasks in a professional kitchen. "It was one of my first jobs when I was younger," she tells Yahoo Life. "I worked at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and I was an events and banquets chef. We had to make cured lox in the morning for the breakfast banquets, so I remember curing a big piece of salmon and just finding it really fascinating and quite easy to do."

What is cured fish?

King says in the winter months, when typical appliances like stoves and ovens are often overrun in preparation for holiday meals, curing fish works great, as the cooking method doesn't require any form of heat.

"I love it because you really don't have to do much," says King. "You don't have to turn on the stove or have any kind of fire ... cured fish is a preservation method where you use salt to preserve  and essentially cook  a piece of fish."

"It's a very traditional way of preparing fish  it actually extracts the moisture and creates a natural brine, then essentially cooks the fish," she continues. "I think a lot of people get a bit intimidated by cured fish, so they outsource it and purchase it pre-done, but  it's quite easy to do."

How to cure fish

King also says most people already have the ingredients for making beautiful and impressive cured fish at home sitting right in their pantries. "Everyone has salt and sugar at home, and it really is a 50/50 ratio of salt and sugar that you just pack on top of the fish," she explains. "It just takes time, you just sit and wait and let time do the work. It results in a really beautiful product the next day."

Story continues

Salt and sugar may seem like simple staples, but different types and styles of the two, combined with your favorite flavors, can create something unique and delicious.

King says a good cured fish starts with salt and sugar, then gets enhanced by the chef's favorite flavor combinations. (Photo: Alaska Seafood)

"It really starts with your base of salt and sugar," says King. "You can play around with the types of sugars and then from there, think of the spices you enjoy or herbs or even citrus notes. You can add in lemon zest, lime zest or orange zest, or you can bring it more towards an herbaceous direction and [use] dill or thyme. You can really have fun with it and play with different spices like coriander  basically all the things you have in your staple pantry at home, you can utilize this technique with."

King says, when experimenting with cured fish, she likes to infuse flavors she's always loved from her heritage.

"I am always looking to intertwine the Asian pantry into the recipes I am trying to create," she says, "so I took a fairly traditional cured salmon recipe  the base technique  and added in tamarind and lemongrass, as well as Thai chilies and palm sugar, to really amplify the Asian pantry and add a unique twist to the original lox."

How to choose the perfect fish for curing

Of course, under the salt, sugar and seasonings, the most important part is a great cut of fish. "Look for clear eyes if it's a whole fish," says King. "Also, the skin: Make sure it doesn't look slimy, and that it's pristine and really clean. And the smell  follow your nose. It shouldn't smell fishy at all."

"Seafood comes from the ocean but it should have a nice clean smell to it," she explains, "and red gills if you do have the head intact. And just look for beautiful cuts  make sure it's not handled improperly."

King, who spoke with Yahoo Life on behalf of her partnership with Alaska Seafood, shares a few more tips for getting the perfect piece of fish. "I think for myself, whenever I'm looking to source, or just [shopping] at a grocery store nearby, I'm always picking up Alaskan seafood," she says. "It's kind of guaranteed that your fish will be wild and sustainable when you see that mark at the grocery store."

Melissa King's top fish-curing tips

Once the fish is selected and the perfect flavor blend has been created, King says there are a few insider tips that can help to make the fish-curing process simpler, while also producing a better final product.

"I think the most important thing is to press it: I always emphasize when you're making any kind of cured fish to weigh it down," says King. "Get some cans from your pantry and put those heavy tomato cans right on top  or wine bottles  anything you have to weigh down the fish."

"It will help extract more moisture from the fish to create a better product," King explains, "and I usually put it in a taller baking dish because it will leach out liquid. Also, I like to plastic wrap it completely, so that the liquid brine is still touching the surface of the fish, which really helps to draw the moisture out."

Once the fish is ready to eat, King says the sky's the limit when it comes to serving options. "I love [cured fish] on top of a latke: the potato cakes. You can just pan fry them and crisp them up and slice the lox right on top," she says. "You can do scrambled eggs or eat it even just plain with a little creme fraiche and capers, and call it a day. Really it's so versatile and simple."

Want to try curing fish at home? King shares a recipe below.

Tamarind Lemongrass Cured Alaska Salmon

Courtesy of chef Melissa King and Alaska Seafood

(Photo: Melissa King for Alaska Seafood)

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 fillet (side) wild Alaska king or sockeye salmon (about 3 to 4lbs) skin on, scales and pin bones removed

1 cup kosher salt

1 cup granulated palm sugar or light brown sugar

2 stalks lemongrass, fragrant root parts only, finely chopped

5 Thai chilis, finely chopped

Grated zest from 3 limes

Grated zest from 2 oranges

1 ounce unflavored vodka

4 ounces jarred tamarind puree

Instructions:

Prep the salmon: Pat the salmon dry on both sides. Place the salmon flesh side up on top of a double layer of plastic wrap. Make the salt cure mixture: In a medium bowl, combine kosher salt, sugar, lemongrass, chilis and zest together and mix well. Rub the salmon with the mixture until completely covered and packed on the fillet. In a small bowl, stir the vodka together with the tamarind paste. It should be a pourable consistency similar to thin runny honey. Add a tiny bit more vodka if necessary. Drizzle the vodka/tamarind mixture evenly onto the salmon with the salt and sugar mixture until all of it is absorbed into the salt. Cure the salmon: Wrap and cover the salmon in the double layer of plastic wrap. Place onto a sheet tray and weigh the fish down with flat, heavy items on top (e.g., baking dish with food cans). Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight. Baste with the juices every 12 hours or so and return to the refrigerator. The flesh will become translucent, slightly firm and ready to serve by the second day. Slice and serve: Remove salmon from wrappings. Wipe off any remaining salt cure mixture and discard. Pat the salmon really well until dry. Slice thinly at an angle to serve, leaving the skin behind.

Serving suggestions: Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche, Alaska salmon roe, crispy shallots and cilantro.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Sign up here.
A trail of blood found Wednesday leading from a staff break room at Stanford Elementary School to the parking lot was from a custodian who had accidentally shot himself, police said.

Law enforcement officials were dispatched to Stanford Elementary School Wednesday where school staff had discovered what appeared to be blood leading from a staff break room out to the parking lot, according to a news release from Lincoln County Schools.

Officers responded to meet with school officials and investigate the incident. The building was quickly searched and cleared as investigators were able to determine what had occurred. Stanford police said the custodian has resigned from their position, the investigation remains active and potential charges are pending.

The staff member had non-life-threatening injuries from the shooting which took place the night before, school district officials said.

We appreciate the prompt response from (the Stanford Police Department) and (Kentucky State Police) this morning and quickly determining the campus safe for school, Lincoln County School officials said in a news release.

At approximately 11 p.m. a staff member of Stanford Elementary, who was working second shift maintenance at the school, had an accidental discharge of a firearm that resulted in accidental self injury.

The staff member then exited the building and left the premises.

No other person(s) are implicated in this incident as it appears at this point in the investigation that no other parties (staff, students, any other person) were on the school premises at the time of the incident, the news release said.

It was clear that the incident that occurred last night around 11:00 pm was over shortly after 11:00 pm and there was no active threat to the students or staff,  the statement said. Nobody, except for the individual involved, was aware of the situation until the staff entered the building this morning. As soon as it was discovered, Law Enforcement was notified.

At no point were the students or staff of Stanford Elementary believed to be unsafe, police said. Officers were on scene prior to student arrival and the school was deemed safe for operations. Officers remained on campus throughout the day.

At this time, Stanford police are not releasing the identity of the individual involved.
Former President Donald Trump is planning to hold the first public campaign event of his 2024 White House bid in the early-voting state of South Carolina.

Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Associated Press on Thursday that Trump will visit South Carolina later this month. No other details were immediately announced.

Since announcing his latest presidential run in November, Trump has limited his public campaign appearances to events at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida before an invited crowd or in a virtual setting.

ALSO READ: Gov. Henry McMaster begins historic term in South Carolina

The South Carolina visit, first reported by Politico, comes as Trumps campaign has faced criticism, even among some longtime allies, for its low profile since the announcement.

Trump remained popular in South Carolina throughout his term in office after his decisive 2016 primary victory in the state helped cement his status atop a wide field of rivals. Heading into the 2024 campaign, its unclear how broad his support is in the state, although he has at least one high-level backer among the South Carolinas GOP leadership.

The night that Trump announced his 2024 bid, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster  who, as lieutenant governor in 2016 was the first statewide-elected official in the country to endorse Trump  said he would again support the former president.

ALSO READ: EXPLAINER: How do parties and states set presidential votes?

A spokesman for McMasters campaign didnt immediately return a message Thursday regarding whether the governor would attend Trumps event or was part of the planning for it. The governors spokesman said he would wait for an official announcement from the Trump campaign to comment.

Trumps visit to South Carolina comes as two of the states top Republicans mull 2024 bids of their own.

Nikki Haley, a former governor and onetime U.N. ambassador, said she would take the holiday season to consider a White House campaign, though she told the AP in 2021 that she wouldnt seek the presidency if Trump were already in the race.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, recently reelected to what he has said will be his final Senate term, has been making visits in other early-voting states and launched a political action committee that could become a presidential campaign vehicle.

(WATCH BELOW: Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions passes House)
Some of the controlled drugs and drug paraphernalia recovered from a 17-year-old student in the vicinity of Jurong West Street 93 in a CNB operation conducted on 10 January 2023. (PHOTO: CNB)

SINGAPORE  Two brothers - a 17-year-old student and his 25-year-old sibling - were arrested by Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers for suspected drug activities on Tuesday (10 January).

CNB said in a media release on Thursday that drugs with an estimated street value of $124,000 were seized during the Singaporean duo's arrest.

They include 1,073 grams of cannabis, 85g of "Ice", 43g of ketamine, 310g of Ecstasy tablets, 538 Erimin-5 tablets and 198 LSD stamps.

CNB said its officers arrested the student around Jurong West Street 93 on Tuesday evening. They recovered about 446g of cannabis, 18g of "Ice", 5g of ketamine, 5g of Ecstasy tablets, 90 Ermin-5 tablets and various drug paraphernalia from the teenager.

He was escorted to his residence in the same vicinity, and his brother was arrested within the unit.

About 627g of cannabis, 67g of "Ice", 38g of ketamine, 305g of Ecstasy tablets, 448 Erimin-5 tablets and 198 LSD stamps were seized from the residential unit.

Investigations into the drug activities are ongoing.

Transactions might have been conducted on Telegram

Preliminary investigations revealed that the controlled drugs seized may be linked to drug transactions conducted on Telegram.

CNB said it is aware that some drug offenders and syndicates have been leveraging on encrypted messaging applications like Telegram to conduct their drug activities.

"These drug offenders may think that such applications can offer them a certain level of anonymity to carry out their illegal activities, and evade CNBs surveillance," it said in the media release.

"CNB is monitoring such developments closely, and has been taking regular enforcement actions against drug offenders who use the Telegram platform for their activities.

"Regardless of the platform or tactics used in an attempt to evade detection, there is no safe haven for drug offenders in Singapore."

Members of the public who would like to report on suspicious drug-related activities may submit it to CNA's website, or call the CNB hotline at 1800-3256666.

Story continues

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
Two Illinois EMS workers have been charged with murder in connection with the death of a 35-year-old man in their care, whom they are alleged to have strapped facedown on a stretcher.

Peter Cadigan, 50, and Peggy Finley, 44, emergency medical workers for LifeStar, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of Earl L. Moore Jr. on Dec. 18, Sangamon County States Attorney Dan Wright announced Tuesday.

Moore died after he was put in an ambulance in a prone position, meaning facedown, and straps were placed on his back and lower body to keep him on the stretcher, Wright said.

Paramedics load Earl Moore into an ambulance on Dec. 18, 2022, in Springfield, Ill. (Sangamon County Government)

Police had responded to a home on North 11th street in Springfield, the state capital, around 2 a.m. after they got a call about people inside with firearms. When officers arrived, a resident said the person who made the 911 call was suffering from hallucinations due to alcohol withdrawal, police said in a news release.

Officers found the person, Moore, and quickly realized that the patient was in need of medical assistance, police said.

An ambulance arrived at 2:18 a.m.

A female paramedic instructed Moore to walk to the ambulance, but body camera video, also released Tuesday, showed he was not able to walk and the medical personnel were not offering any assistance, police said.

The three police officers helped Moore through the home onto a stretcher outside.

Officer body camera video showed the EMS workers placing Moore onto a stretcher in a prone position, police said.

Moore died at the hospital at 3:14 a.m., Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said at the news conference Tuesday.

An autopsy determined that Moore's cause of death was compressional and positional asphyxia "due to prone face-down restraint on a paramedic transportation cot/stretcher by tightened straps across the back, Allmon said.

His death was classified as a homicide.

When police were notified that Moore had died, Chief Ken Scarlette requested an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Story continues

Wright said that based on the findings of the ongoing ISP investigation and the autopsy report, he filed first-degree murder charges against Cadigan and Finley.

They were being detained in the Sangamon County jail on bail of $1 million each.

Wright read out the charges to reporters, saying the defendants "did act without lawful justification" in transporting Moore in the prone position and by placing "tightened restraints" on his back and lower body.

He said they should have known, "based upon their training, experience and the surrounding circumstances, that such acts would create a substantial probability of great bodily harm or death.

Wright said they face 20 to 60 years in prison if they are convicted. It was not immediately clear whether they have lawyers.

An attorney for the pair did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Their next court date is set for Jan. 19.

LifeStar Ambulance Service did not respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Columbus police cruiser

A North Linden mother and her boyfriend have been charged with murder in the death of an 8-month-old boy in what is the second reported death of a child this week due to alleged child abuse, according to court documents.

Columbus police charged Savanna Dawn Dawson, 23, and Kyrios March Jr., 24, on Wednesday in the death of Marquel Smith, who died as the result of blunt force trauma, court records show.

Neither suspect has been arrested and it is possible they have fled the Columbus area, police said Thursday.

Police said Dawson is Smith's mother and March is her boyfriend but not the boy's father.

Around 6:50 p.m. Monday, police were called to the couple's home on the 2400 block of Hiawatha Street on a report of an 8-month-old baby who wasn't breathing. Paramedics took the infant to Nationwide Children's Hospital where he died.

Homicide detectives were notified after doctors discovered and an autopsy confirmed the boy had multiple broken bones and healing fractures.

Doctors told detectives Marquel had a brain bleed and bruises on his skull. Additionally, police said his broken bones were consistent with abuse and not accidental.

Police initially detained and questioned March and Dawson, who both said they did not know how the child got the injuries. They suggested another child living in the home may have caused the injuries.

Anyone with information on March and Dawson's location is asked to call police at 614-645-4545. Dawson has ties to Michigan as well as Ohio.

Case is second death of a child this week from alleged child abuse

Columbus police on Monday charged Saado Adam, 44, of the city's Minerva Park neighborhood, with felony child endangerment after medical staff at Nationwide Children's Hospital told detectives that her 5-year-old son died from prolonged starvation or massively inadequate feeding, with either situation representing life-threatening medical neglect.

The boy, whom police did not identify by name, was pronounced deceased around 1 p.m. Monday at Nationwide Children's.

Story continues

In court documents, detectives allege that Adam told them in an interview that the child was sick for several weeks and had not been walking since November. Detectives allege that Adam told them she had not sought medical treatment for her child because voices in her head told her not to take him to the doctor.

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Two North Linden residents charged with murder in death of infant boy
By Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Representative George Santos said on Thursday he would vacate his seat only if he loses the next election, clarifying an earlier statement that he would resign if "142 people" asked him to because of a string of false claims he made about his work and personal background.

His initial remark about potentially bowing out came as he hurriedly exited his Capitol Hill office and entered an elevator on Thursday. "If 142 people ask for me to resign, I will resign," he said.

The first-term Republican congressman later clarified that he would only leave office if the more than 142,000 people who elected him in November vote him out in the next election in 2024.

"I was elected by 142,000 people. Until those same 142,000 people tell me they don't want me, we'll find out in two years," Santos said on a podcast, adding he would not bend to the demands of politicians and party leaders seeking his resignation.

Santos has repeatedly said he will not resign, even as pressure has grown within his own party for him to do so.

On Wednesday, more than a dozen Republicans officials, many of them from Santos' New York City-area district, demanded the newly elected congressman's resignation. By Thursday, six of his fellow Republican representatives from New York had also joined the calls for him to resign.

But House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters on Thursday that he would leave Santos' fate up to the Ethics Committee and voters, echoing comments made the previous day.

An online petition calling for Santos' resignation has been started by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit ethics watchdog organization.

Santos has admitted to fabricating much of his resume, including that he holds degrees from New York University and Baruch College and that he had worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. He also claimed he was a Jew whose grandparents escaped the Nazis during World War Two.

"He's a complete and total fraud. Lied to the voters of the 3rd Congressional District in New York. Deceived and connived his way into Congress," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also from New York, told reporters.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton; editing by Colleen Jenkins, Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman)
By Maha El Dahan and Gloria Dickie

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that the head of state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company would lead this year's COP28 climate summit, fuelling activists' worries that big industry is hijacking the global response to environmental crisis.

Sultan al-Jaber, also UAE's minister of industry and technology and its climate envoy, will help shape the conference's agenda and intergovernmental negotiations to build consensus, his office said in a statement.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted that the COP president is chosen by the host country with no involvement of the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres or the Secretariat of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"The science is extremely clear. We are losing the battle to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis," Dujarric told reporters in New York. "The Secretary-General reaffirms that there is no way to avoid such a climate catastrophe without ending our addiction to fossil fuels."

The UAE, a major OPEC oil exporter, will be the second Arab state to host the climate conference after Egypt in 2022.

Campaigners and some delegates criticised COP27, saying fossil fuel producers had watered down emission reduction ambitions and benefited from sympathetic treatment from Egypt, a natural gas exporter and frequent recipient of Gulf funds.

The Egyptian presidency denied that.

Global Witness called Jaber's appointment a "harsh blow" to weaning the world off fossil fuels.

"Like last year's summit, we're increasingly seeing fossil fuel interests taking control of the process and shaping it to meet their own needs," added Teresa Anderson, global lead of climate justice at ActionAid, in a statement.

More than 600 fossil fuel lobbyists were present at the climate talks in Sharm el-Sheikh.

"Putting an oil CEO in charge of the negotiations for COP28 is clearly a conflict of interest," said Lisa Schipper, an environmental geographer who served as lead author on last year's U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on climate adaptation.

Story continues

However, as founding CEO of Abu Dhabi's renewable energy firm Masdar, in which ADNOC has a 24% stake, Jaber does have green credentials, having overseen its mandate to adopt renewables in the UAE.

He is also overseeing an acceleration of ADNOC's low-carbon growth strategy approved late last year.

The UAE and other Gulf producers have called for a realistic transition in which hydrocarbons would keep a role in energy security while making commitments to decarbonisation.

Demands for governments and companies to leave oil and gas in the ground have gained less traction since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year and Europe's energy crisis.

The UAE, the first country in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The Nov. 30-Dec. 12 COP28 conference will be the first global stocktake since the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015.

Jaber, who according to the statement would be the first CEO to serve as COP president, said the UAE would bring "a pragmatic, realistic and solutions-oriented approach".

"We will take an inclusive approach that engages all stakeholders," he added.

European Union climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said he would meet Jaber this week.

"As incoming Presidency, the UAE has a crucial role in shaping the global response to the climate crisis," he said on Twitter, adding "we need to pick up speed".

(Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Additional reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels, Gloria Dickie in London and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Andrew Cawthorne and Marguerita Choy)
(Bloomberg) --

Most Read from Bloomberg

The United Arab Emirates has named Sultan al Jaber, head of the national oil company, as president for the COP28 climate summit that will be held in Dubai later this year.

Al Jaber is also the UAEs special envoy on climate change and key to the OPEC members goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The UAE was the first nation in the oil- and gas-rich Persian Gulf to set such a target.

COP28 will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. The president has a crucial role in setting the agenda and forging a consensus among the different nations.

Bigger Say

The UAE and neighboring Saudi Arabia have argued that oil-producing companies and states should be given a bigger say in global climate talks. Theyve also blamed the surge in fossil fuel prices in the past two years partly on western nations discouraging investments in new projects.

The UAE will take an inclusive approach that engages all stakeholders from the public and private sector, al Jaber said in a statement. The UAE is well-positioned to build bridges, foster consensus and bring the world together in one shared mission to keep 1.5C alive, he said, referring to the ambition of capping global warming by that amount.

Al Jabers appointment may be controversial for many in the climate world because he is chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. The company pumps almost all the crude in the UAE, which produces about 3.2 million barrels a day.

He will remain CEO of Adnoc, according to people familiar with the matter.

Al Jaber is also chairman of the UAEs biggest renewable-energy company, Masdar. The Abu Dhabi-based firm can produce 20 gigawatts of clean power and plans to invest billions of dollars to increase its capacity to 100 gigawatts globally this decade. Thats about double the renewable-energy that the UK is able to produce today.

Story continues

The announcement was made on Thursday by the UAEs ruler, Mohammed bin Zayed. Egypt hosted last years COP27 summit and it made its foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, president.

--With assistance from Nayla Razzouk.

(Updates from first paragraph with context.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Colleagues applaud state Rep. Bob Morgan after the passage of a gun bill banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Morgan, a sponsor of the bill, was present at the Highland Park mass shooting on July 4, 2022. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP) (Brian Cassella/AP)

When Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an assault weapons ban into law on Tuesday, it spurred celebration and relief for supporters in Lake County, while local opponents argued it is unconstitutional and anticipated stiff legal challenges in response.

The conversation around assault weapons has gripped Lake County in particular after a gunman fired at least 80 rounds from an AR-15 style rifle at Highland Parks Fourth of July parade last summer, killing seven people and injuring dozens.

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Highland Park politicians such as Mayor Nancy Rotering, State. Rep. Bob Morgan  who co-sponsored the successful bill  and Lake County Board members Paul Frank and Paras Parekh have frequently vocalized their desire for state and federal lawmakers to enact an assault weapons ban, and make other changes to laws around firearms in the months following the shooting.

Frank told the News-Sun that the assault weapons issue is now very personal for Highland Park residents and also expressed confidence that Illinois new ban could withstand court challenges, as Highland Parks municipal assault weapons ban has remained intact.

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Our Founding Fathers never imagined that a citizen of our country would take a weapon of war, a semi-automatic, high-powered rifle designed specifically to kill as many people as possible, that a teenager would have a weapon like that and go into a school, a church, a synagogue to kill fellow citizens senselessly, Frank said. Thats not what freedom is about. People are losing their freedom because of the prevalence of these weapons of war.

State Rep. Mary Flowers and state Rep. Bob Morgan celebrate after the passage of a gun bill banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Morgan, a sponsor of the bill, was present at the Highland Park mass shooting on July 4th. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Rotering called on the U.S. Congress to follow Illinois lead after the bans advanced from the General Assembly to Pritzkers desk on Tuesday, writing that Illinois has signaled to the federal government that we need continued bold action to address mass shootings across our nation.

The bills passage into law immediately prompted defiant responses from gun rights supporters, including from the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Former state representative Ed Sullivan of Libertyville, a lobbyist for the ISRA, said the bill, flies in the direct face of the (New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc v. Bruen) decision, the (District of Columbia v. Heller) decision and the (McDonald v. City of Chicago) decision and is patently unconstitutional.

Unfortunately, Illinois Democrats dont have lawyers that can read case law, Sullivan said.

Sullivan echoed ISRA executive director Richard Pearsons challenge accepted statement from Tuesday, noting that lawsuits are on the way. He said gun rights advocates will seek an injunction halting the implementation of the law, and that legal precedents show the law is unconstitutional.

One of the things (Illinois Senate President Don) Harmon had said is, Courts change, and thats why they want to move forward with this, Sullivan said. Which is fine. Its a complete waste of money. Were just here to try and protect our rights.

Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart praised the ban as, one of the ways we can reduce the risk of gun violence.

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We have a national problem with gun violence, Rinehart said. We are one of the few countries on the planet that has that problem.

He said the move by state legislators shows that, advocacy and arguments matter.

We can take legislative action to make ourselves safer, Rinehart said. And I think thats one of the reasons why this is so important. We see an entire community with Highland Park coming together to advocate for change. Many Lake County leaders, separate from people directly impacted by Highland Park, believe in this change.

Mayors across Lake County have offered their support for an assault weapons ban, including North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., who spoke before the County Board about gun violence last summer.

Rockingham, Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor, Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman, Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit, Lake Bluff Village President Regis Charlot and Deerfield Mayor Dan Shapiro each signed onto a letter urging lawmakers to pass the ban.

As the new laws take effect, gun retailers around Lake County are starting to wonder what their new normal will look like.

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Mike Quist, who operates Vintage Arms of Illinois in Gages Lake but does not primarily deal with assault weapons, said he received an email from the Illinois State Police on Tuesday night communicating the passage of the law.

They tried to explain it in very broad strokes, as best as they could, but ultimately they said, Go read the bill, Quist said. Which is pretty funny because I doubt most of the people who worked on the bill, or passed the bill, read the bill.

Quist said he is concerned with how a business could be in jeopardy if you do something by mistake, and that the law could, make felons out of a bunch of law-abiding people for no valid reason.

He said he believes requirements for gun owners to register their weapons and share its serial numbers with Illinois State Police could conflict with federal legal precedent, and that the ban would not decrease gun violence.

The only people that are going to comply with it are people that werent going to break the law in the first place, Quist said.

He said firearms dealers in Illinois are already subjected to more scrutiny than most people would ever realize, citing turnaround times on background checks, FOID card requirements and red flag laws.

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Clinton Hartford, director of operations at 5 Star Firearms in Zion, said 5 Star Firearms has reached out to the Illinois State Police for clarification about what exactly the law will mean for the shop and shooting ranges daily operations.

I dont really have any straight comment because were still trying to figure things out this morning ourselves, Hartford said.

Gun violence prevention advocate Sara Knizhnik, who recently won the District 18 seat on the Lake County Board, said the legislation would not have been possible without more than a decade of intense advocacy following the Sandy Hook mass shooting in 2012.

When I first started, people advised me to never use the word ban because if I did, no one would ever listen to me, including legislators, Knizhnik said. I just keep thinking about that and reflecting on how far weve come with the grassroots gun violence prevention movement in Illinois.

Sullivan believes advocates praising the bill as one of the most stringent weapons bans in the country may come to regret that label.

Good for them, Sullivan said. Just makes it easier to knock it down in the courts.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The United Arab Emirates on Thursday named the CEO of a state-run oil company who also oversees renewable energy projects to be the president of the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Dubai, drawing criticism from activists and highlighting the balancing act ahead for this crude-producing nation.

Authorities nominated Sultan al-Jaber, a trusted confidant of UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who leads the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. That firm pumps some 4 million barrels of crude a day and hopes to expand to 5 million daily.

Those revenues fuel the ambitions of this federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula  as well as the production of more of the heat-trapping carbon dioxide that the U.N. negotiations hope to limit.

But al-Jaber also once led a once-ambitious project to have a $22 billion "carbon-neutral city on Abu Dhabi's outskirts  an effort later pared back after the global financial crisis that struck the Emirates hard beginning in 2008. Even today, he serves as the chairman of Masdar, a clean energy company that grew out of the project.

Sultan al-Jaber has the credentials and background to lean into trends that are already on going, said Ryan Bohl, a Mideast analyst for a risk-intelligence firm called the RANE Network. Him being an oilman, I dont think that will be that big of a risk for him.

The Emirates' state-run WAM quoted al-Jaber, a 49-year-old longtime climate envoy, as calling for a pragmatic, realistic and solutions-oriented approach" to limit global warming to just 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2050. Scientists say that limit can avoid or at least lessen some of the most catastrophic future climate change harms.

Al-Jaber's nomination, however, drew immediate criticism. Harjeet Singh, who is the head of Global Political Strategy at Climate Action Network International, said al-Jaber being an oil company CEO posed an unprecedented and alarming conflict of interest.

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There can be no place for polluters at a climate conference, least of all presiding over a COP, Singh said.

Alice Harrison of Global Witness put it even more bluntly: You wouldnt invite arms dealers to lead peace talks. So why let oil executives lead climate talks? Greenpeace said it was deeply alarmed by al-Jaber's appointment, adding: This sets a dangerous precedent, risking the credibility of the UAE and the trust that has been placed in them.

Each year, the country hosting the U.N. negotiations known as the Conference of the Parties  where COP gets its name  nominates a person to chair the talks. Hosts typically pick a veteran diplomat as the talks can be incredibly difficult to steer between competing nations and their interests. The nominees position as COP president is confirmed by delegates at the start of the talks, usually without objections.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked about whether Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thinks someone involved with fossil fuels should head COP28, stressed that the United Nations has absolutely no involvement in the selection.

Having said so, the science is extremely clear: We are losing the battle to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis, Dujarric said. The secretary-general reaffirms that there is no way to avoid such a climate catastrophe without ending our addiction to fossil fuels.

The caliber of COP presidents has varied over the years. Observers widely saw Britains Alok Sharma as energetic and committed to achieving an ambitious result.

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, on the other hand, faced criticism by some for the chaotic and at times non-transparent way he presided over last year's meeting.

A call by countries, including India and the United States, for a phase down of oil and natural gas, for instance, never reached a public discussion during the meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where Shoukry controlled the agenda.

Activists worry that COP being held in a Mideast nation reliant on fossil fuel sales for a second year in a row could see something similar happen in the Emirates.

WAM said the Emirates had invested more than $50 billion in renewable energy projects across 70 countries, with plans to invest a minimum of $50 billion over the next decade.

Masdar said early Friday it has invested or committed $30 billion in renewable projects. Mubadala, Abu Dhabis sovereign wealth fund, has invested some $3.9 billion since 2018 in renewable energy, according to the New York-based research firm Global SWF.

By comparison, Mubadala invested $9.8 billion over the same period in oil and gas projects, Global SWF said.

The UAE is home to a massive solar park in Dubai, as well as the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which is the Arabian Peninsula's only atomic energy source. But it also requires vast amounts of energy to run the desalination plants that brought green golf courses to its desert expanses, power the air conditioners cooling its cavernous malls in the heat of the summer and power heavy industries like aluminum smelters.

The UAE's clean energy policies grew in the mid-2000s as Dubai's real-estate boom saw it constructing the world's tallest building and massive, palm-shaped archipelagos off its coast. The World Wildlife Fund at the time estimated the UAE had the world's largest ecological footprint per capita  meaning that each of its residents used more resources on average than those living in any other nation. The UAE still ranks high on similar lists.

The Masdar City project grew out of that concern of being tarnished, before being pared back.

By us actually doing it and investing money, we had access to lessons learned that no one had access to, al-Jaber told The Associated Press in 2010. We have to learn, adjust, adapt and move forward. We cant be rigid.

The UAE then pivoted Masdar City into a campus now hosting the U.N.'s International Renewable Energy Agency and the firm itself into investing into renewables at home and abroad. Joe Biden, just before leaving office as America's vice president, even visited Masdar City in 2016.

Analysts believe the Emirates is trying to maximize its profits before the world increasingly turns to renewables. The Emirates itself has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050  a target that remains difficult to assess and one that authorities havent fully explained how theyll reach.

The UAE have made no bones about being a major oil and gas producer and presumably he is very well connected to rulers in the country, said Alden Meyer of the environmental think tank E3G. "I hope (al-Jaber) has good diplomatic and negotiation skills and the ability to build consensus and compromise.

COP28 will be held at Dubai's Expo City from Nov. 30 through Dec. 12.

___

Associated Press writers Frank Jordans in Berlin and Sibi Arasu in New Delhi contributed to this report.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  UFC President Dana White took responsibility in a news conference Wednesday for slapping his wife, Anne, on New Year's Eve.

There are no excuses for it, he said. "It's something I'm going to have to deal with and live with for the rest of my life.

There's no defense for this, and people should not be defending me over this thing, no matter what. All the criticism I have received this week is 100% warranted and will receive in the future.

White was caught on video made public by TMZ slapping his wife while they vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The video shows his slap came as a retaliation after she slapped him first. Others at the party then intervened.

White said he would not self-impose a punishment.

What should the repercussions be? he asked, rhetorically. I take 30 days off? How does that hurt me? ... Me leaving hurts the company, hurts my employees, hurts the fighters. It doesn't hurt me.

White said he was especially disappointed in himself because he has been advocate against violence on women.

I was very opinionated on this and I still am," he said. It's crazy that I'm even sitting here having this conversation with you guys.

Anne White previously said in a statement to TMZ that the slap was out of character.

Nothing like this has ever happened before, she said. "Unfortunately, we were both drinking too much on New Years Eve and things got out of control on both sides. Weve talked this through as a family and apologized to each other.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
After tough negotiations and with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ukraine has already managed to bring back 54 bodies of defenders from Olenivka.

Source: Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories



Details: It is reported that DNA examinations are currently ongoing, which in this case is time-consuming. The families of the victims are worried about how soon the identification process will be completed.

Ivan Anhelin, a representative from the Office of the Commissioner for Missing Persons, explained the DNA examination algorithm and the reasons for the lengthy process:



Quote: "After bringing back the bodies of the fallen heroes, we hand them over to specialised institutions for forensic examination. Then the investigator reports information about the deceased directly to the relatives. The lengthy DNA examination is linked to the investigation of other aspects of the crime in Olenivka."

More details: The issue of identification of the bodies was discussed at a meeting of the Coordination Staff on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, where family members of the military were also present.

The participants at the meeting agreed to take measures to speed up the process of identification of bodies and in particular to find an opportunity to increase the number of relevant laboratories.

Background:

On 29 July, Russian media reported the shelling of a penal colony in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian prisoners were being held. Propagandists claimed that there were at least 53 killed.

The General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces states that the Russians were trying to hide the torture and murder of prisoners. Ukraines Defence Intelligence believes that the killing of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka in Donetsk Oblast was organised by the Wagner Group [a Russian private military company] on the personal instructions of Yevgeny Prigozhin, without coordination with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

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One of the reasons why the EU has not punished Belarus on par with Russia in the latest sanctions packages is the request of Ukraine itself.

Source: Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Liberty correspondent, European Pravda reports

Quote: "One of the reasons why Belarus hasn't been sanctioned together with Russia in the EU's last sanctions packages is that Ukraine has requested that Minsk is to be kept out."

one of the reasons why #Belarus hasn't been sanctioned together with #Russia in the EU's last sanctions packages is that #Ukraine has requested that Minsk is to be kept out. https://t.co/MWMvHspALA  Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) January 12, 2023

Details: As reported, Brussels has accelerated the work on the tenth package of sanctions against Russia; the member states intend to adopt a new package before the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv, scheduled for early February.

Belarus will also face new sanctions for continuing to support Russia's military actions against Ukraine. In this case, according to one of the diplomats, it is about "synchronisation of Belarusian sanctions with the Russian ones, especially sectoral sanctions in those areas where Minsk cooperates with Moscow militarily".

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Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, on Jan. 12 denied media reports that Ukraine had asked the EU to exempt Belarus from the latest sanctions package imposed for the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, RFE/RL journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, that Belarus had not been included in the latest EU sanctions package at Kyiv's request.

Belarus has participated in Russia's aggression by allowing Russian troops to use its territory for attacks against Ukraine.

Nikolenko said that a number of Belarusian individuals involved in Russia's aggression against Ukraine had been sanctioned in the previous rounds of sanctions.

"Ukraine and its partners are now actively working to make the tenth EU sanctions package as meaningful as possible," he said.

He said that Kyiv is aware of the discussion between the EU member states regarding further synchronization of sanctions imposed on Russia.

He added that there is currently no consensus within the bloc.









On Jan. 9, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine expects the EU to impose sanctions on Russia's nuclear industry, specifically the state nuclear operator Rosatom, in its next package of measures against the country.

The most recent package of EU sanctions against Russia, which was approved in December, includes restrictions in the export, banking, broadcasting, consulting services, energy, and mining sectors, as well as individual sanctions.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, has discussed the military needs of his country with his Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu.

Source: Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on Twitter

Quote: "In our call, Urmas Reinsalu and I discussed the military needs of Ukraine which can be covered by Estonia.

Im looking forward to some good news."

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More than a hundred Russian soldiers were killed in the battle of Soledar after Ukrainian forces launched a missile at a grouping of troops.

The grouping of Russian soldiers was identified by Ukraine's Special Operations Forces, according to the special ops command. Artillery was directed at the concentration of troops, followed by a Tochka-U missile, killing the Russian soldiers in the area, the command said.

Along with 100 soldiers, the strike destroyed Russian military equipment.

There are fierce battles underway between Ukrainian forces and the regular Russian army and the private mercenary Wagner Group-the latter two claiming that Russia controls the town. Ukraine has denied the salt-mining town has fallen to Russia.


By Max Hunder

VOLYN REGION, Ukraine (Reuters) -Burst river banks, thick mud and waterlogged fields could be seen for miles around northwest Ukraine's border with Belarus on Thursday, making the prospect of a Russian assault from across the border unlikely for now despite recent warnings from Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials have warned of a new looming Russian assault, with Belarus to the north named as one possible launchpad, as Moscow seeks to revive its faltering invasion.

Russia and its close ally Belarus have beefed up their joint military grouping in Belarus and plan to hold joint aviation drills there from next Monday.

Against this backdrop, the borderland's thick forests and treacherous swamps are guarded by the Volyn territorial defence brigade, one of hundreds of Ukrainian units recruited from local people willing to defend their communities.

On the sidelines of training exercises several kilometres south of the Russian border, soldiers and officers from the unit told Reuters how the unusually mild winter had given them a considerable tactical advantage.

"On your own land, everything will help you to defend it - the landscape, lots of rivers, which have burst their banks this year," said Viktor Rokun, one of the brigade's deputy commanders. The fields and trees around him were submerged in murky lakes of cold water.

The unit's spokesman, Serhiy Khominskyi, said that help in making the terrain unpassable had also come from an unlikely ally: the local beaver population.

"When they build their dams normally people destroy them, but they didn't this year because of the war, so now there is water everywhere," he said.

'GATHERING FORCES'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Tuesday that Russia was "gathering forces for another escalation" of the nearly 11-month war between the two countries.

Ukraine's top general warned in December that one of the possible directions of a new assault could be Belarus, where Ukraine's military estimates the presence of 15,000 Russian troops, while military analysts put the figure at 10-12,000.

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Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko allowed Moscow to use his country as one of the launchpads to invade Ukraine last February, when Russian forces were beaten back in an attempt to take the capital Kyiv.

Across the border on Thursday, the deputy commander of what Moscow calls its "special military operation" inspected Russian forces in Belarus. On the Ukrainian side, the Volyn brigade was busy practicing indoor combat and coming under artillery fire.

Analyst Konrad Muzyka, who runs defence consultancy Rochan Consulting, told Reuters that although a Russian troop build-up could be observed in Belarus, an attack into north-west Ukraine from Belarus would face enormous difficulties.

"It's a horrible place to conduct an offensive operation. There are many watercourses there, very few roads," he said.

"This makes it easy for Ukrainian forces to channel the movement of Russian forces into specific areas where they would be shelled by artillery."

(Reporting by Max Hunder; editing by Tom Balmforth)
KYIV (Reuters) - Russia is building up its forces in Ukraine but Ukrainian forces are holding out in fierce fighting for the eastern town of Soledar, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Thursday.

She told a news briefing that the number of Russian military units in Ukraine had risen to 280 from 250 a week earlier as Moscow tried to gain the "strategic initiative".

"Fighting is fierce in the Soledar direction," Malyar said. "They (the Russians) are moving over their own corpses."

"Russia is driving its own people to the slaughter by the thousands, but we are holding on," she said.

Another senior military official, Brigadier General Oleksiy Gromov, told the briefing that the military situation in Ukraine remained "difficult", with the heaviest fighting on the eastern front.

Russian forces were trying to cut through Ukrainian lines and surround Ukrainian troops, he said.

Gromov also said the danger of an attack being launched from Belarus, a Russian ally to the north of Ukraine, would remain throughout this year.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Residents in a swath of Lake County stretching in a rugged crescent from Barrington to Zion have new representation in the state legislature as three newly elected lawmakers took their oaths of office.

State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, and state Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Inverness, took their seats in the Illinois General Assembly Wednesday in Springfield ready to serve their constituents.

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Edly-Allen, a longtime teacher of English as second language who speaks Spanish fluently, returns to Springfield as a senator after serving a term as a representative. She won a close race in 2018, and lost the seat in another tight contest in 2020. She got 56.8% of the vote in 2022.

I feel really good to be coming back, Edly-Allen said. I know the process. I can renew relationships, and build new ones. The time I spent there will make me a better legislator.

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Aside from her earlier time in Springfield, Edly-Allen taught English as a second language to elementary school students in Grayslake. Now, she instructs adults part time at Mundelein High School. She plans to continue doing that two nights a week. It will help her do her job better, she said.

Representing a more diverse district than she did two years ago, Edly-Allen said there is a significant Spanish-speaking population. When she teaches native Spanish speakers the English language, she said she gets to know them and their needs.

It makes me more accessible to them, Edly-Allen said. I want to protect my immigrant families and hear their issues.

Mayors and village presidents in her district can expect to hear from Edly-Allen during her first month in office. She said she wants to get to know them, learn their needs and what she can do to help.

Replacing former state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, Edly-Allen said she will be using the same Grayslake office location as her predecessor. She hopes to have satellite offices in the Round Lake area and Zion.

The 31st State Senate District consists of all or part of Antioch, Beach Park, Grayslake, Gurnee, Hainesville, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, Old Mill Creek, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Third Lake, Volo, Wadsworth, Wauconda, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.

Dias, a former Grayslake trustee and a Chicago public schoolteacher before moving to the district five years ago, said she plans to attend local meetings and events in the 62nd House District to get to know local officials and learn what constituents think.

I want to learn what different organizations are doing, she said. I want to learn whats important so I can help people in every way I can.

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Laura Faver Dias. - Original Credit: News-Sun (Laura Faver Dias / HANDOUT)

With the College of Lake County located in the district, Dias said she wants to know more about what the school is doing, and reach out to officials there to ascertain their needs and how she can help.

Believing the budget of any government is a moral document, she said she looks forward to playing a role. Education and business development are two priorities among others she intends to pursue. She wants to see more state funding for schools

Education is a big issue for me, Dias said. I (also) want to help grow our economic base in the district, and find out what companies need.

The 62nd State House District includes all or parts of Grayslake, the Round Lake area, Libertyville and Waukegan.

Syed, 23, is one of the youngest women ever to serve in the legislature. State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, was the youngest when she was elected eight years ago at 22, according to information provided by the General Assembly.

A 2021 graduate of the University of California in Berkeley with a political science major, Syed went to work for a not-for-profit organization doing digital strategy for voting rights, gender equity and sexual assault. Now she is a full-time legislator.

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After her election team knocked on approximately 50,000 doors  she did around 20,000 herself  during the general election campaign, she said she intends to continue her grassroots strategy with constituent outreach.

Nabeela Syed. - Original Credit: News-Sun (Nabeela Syed / HANDOUT)

This year, my (plan) is to engage constituents on the legislative side by continuing to knock on their doors, and asking how I can be a champion for them in Springfield, she said. I want to be accessible and open.

Not only will Syed be listening to the people in her district to learn their needs, she will be paying close attention to what her colleagues say as she starts her freshman term in the legislature.

Im going to keep my ears open, and learn everything I can, she said. Ninety percent of the job is listening.

The 51st House District includes parts of Barrington, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Killdeer, Deer Park and Vernon Hills in Lake County, as well as portions of Cook County.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Ombudsman, held the third round of talks with Tatyana Moskalkova, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation. During the talks, the Russian side, in particular, denied the deaths of 23 Ukrainians who were considered dead.

Source: Lubinets on Telegram

Quote: "The third round of negotiations with Tatyana Moskalkova, Human Rights Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, has taken place! We discussed a wide range of issues related, first of all, to the protection of civilians.

There are already cases where our citizens and heroes, who were considered dead, were verified alive by the Russian side, in particular, 23 of our guys. This is a huge positive development."

Details: Dmytro Lubinets has stressed that the Russian side probably came with proposals for the first time. As Lubinets states, there is no "breakthrough", but at least technical work (exchanging lists, providing information) has begun.

Background:

On 2 January, Dmytro Lubinets reported that he planned to meet Moskalkova to discuss the release of prisoners, including civilians.

On 7 January, Dmytro Lubinets added that he planned to meet with Tatyana Moskalkova, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, in Turkey in a few days.

On 10 January, it became known that Lubinets' meeting with Moskalkova on the release of prisoners will be held in Ankara in an expanded format with the participation of the Turkish side.

On 11 January, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Ombudsman, held talks with Tatyana Moskalkova.

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While being extradited back to Idaho, murder suspect Bryan Kohberger allegedly referenced the brutal killings of four University of Idaho college students, saying it was really sad what happened to them.

The 28-year-old PhD student has been accused of breaking into an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 and fatally stabbing four of the occupants inside.

Although hes remained relatively quiet since his arrest on Dec. 30 at his parents Pennsylvania home, Kohberger seemingly referenced the grisly crime while being transported back to Idaho last week, according to a report.

He did say, Its really sad what happened to them, but he didnt say anything more, a police source involved in the transport told People. Hes smarter than that.

RELATED: West Virginia Woman Charged In Fatal Stabbing Of Boyfriend's 20-Year-Old Daughter

According to the source, Kohberger seemed really nervous during the extradition process.

He was narrating to himself everything that was happening, the source said. At one point, he was saying something to himself like, Im fine, this is okay. Like he was reassuring himself that this whole thing wasnt awful.

Bryan Kohberger

Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is escorted to an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pa., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Photo: AP

Kohberger is currently being held without bond at the Latah County Jail and is expected to appear in court Thursday for a preliminary status hearing, according to court documents obtained by Oxygen.com.

After he was initially taken into custody late last month, attorney Jason LaBar  who represented Kohberger during the extradition process  told Law & Crime that Kohberger initially agreed to waive his Miranda rights and speak with law enforcement officers at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks before later invoking his right to an attorney.

RELATED: No One Knew This Guy At All: Lawyer Says University Of Idaho Victims Didnt Know Suspected Killer

According to LaBar, police had asked Kohberger at the time whether he understood what was happening and he replied, Yes, certainly Im aware of whats going on. Im 10 miles away from this.

Story continues

Police have alleged that Kohberger, a PhD student in criminal justice at the nearby Washington State University, snuck into the off-campus residence at 1122 King Road around 4 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 13 and killed college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Ethan Chapin, 20; and Xana Kernodle, 20, according to an affidavit obtained by Oxygen.com.

All four had been stabbed to death multiple times, police said.

Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen

Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen Photo: Instagram

Kohberger was linked to the crime after investigators discovered DNA on a leather knife sheath left behind on Mogens bed, according to the affidavit. Authorities also uncovered surveillance footage showing a white Hyundai Elantra, matching the description of Kohbergers vehicle, circling the neighborhood that morning and attempting to park in front of the property before its seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed around 4:20 a.m., authorities said.

Police have yet to release a motive in the killings, but authorities have said there is evidence to suggest he may have been stalking some of the victims. Phone records showed he had been near the King Road home on at least twelve occasions before the murders, the affidavit alleges.

Shanon Gray, an attorney for Goncalves' family, told Insider that the victims did not appear to know Kohberger before their deaths.

Oxy App

No one knew of this guy at all, the lawyer said.

Goncalves' sister Alivea Goncalves also told NewsNation the family and her sister had "no idea" anyone may have been casing the home.

"I had no idea that true evil was genuinely watching," she said.

Kohberger is facing four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. Hes yet to enter a plea to the criminal charges against him.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday warned Congress: Businesses are fed up with gridlock.

The nations largest business lobbying group made it clear, during its annual conference, that corporate America wants results out of a divided legislative branch, encouraging bipartisan breakthroughs on immigration, permitting, the debt ceiling and other key issues.

The message comes as lawmakers worry that the Senate and House will struggle to reach consensus on must-pass spending bills, let alone bolder legislative efforts.

The polarization, the gridlock, the overreach, and the inability to act smartly and strategically for our future is making it harder for all of us to do our jobs, fulfill our roles, and move this country forward, U.S. Chamber CEO Suzanne Clark said.

Business lobby fears debt ceiling crisis

The debt limit came up throughout the Chambers conference, highlighting the business communitys concern about the prospect of a historic default that would devastate the U.S. economy.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has pledged to couple any debt limit increase with spending cuts as part of his agreement with GOP opponents to win the gavel, raising the risk of a dangerous standoff later this year.

We had dinner with a bunch of business leaders and our board members last night talking about their priorities. And there was fear, empathic emotion around the need to not default on our debt, to not play chicken with the true faith and credit of the United States, Clark told reporters.

Still, Chamber officials said they share Republicans concerns about the national debt and pointed to potential overhauls to entitlement programs.

This isnt some binary choice. We can find a way though bipartisan solutions for both, and the consequences for failing to do so have to be unacceptable to everyone, Neil Bradley, the Chambers top lobbyist, told reporters.

The U.S. is rapidly closing in on its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit. As soon as this month, the Treasury Department will have to take extraordinary measures to free up cash and pay borrowers, measures that will likely last until July or August.

Story continues

In an interview with the Chambers Evan Jenkins, a former GOP congressman, Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) called his caucuss debt limit strategy disconcerting.

These are debts that are due and owing. Weve incurred them, and now we need to honor those debts, Joyce said, adding that debates over federal spending should be hashed out in the appropriations process.

Experts say a default would ruin confidence in the U.S. political system, send interest rates soaring and cost millions of Americans their jobs.

Any difference of ideology, any difference of politics, thats an argument to have  but risking the economic standing of the United States, risking default, risking economic catastrophe is something that is not a tenable option, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) said in an interview with the Chamber at Thursdays event.

Chamber makes overtures to House GOP

Clark on Thursday leaned into some of McCarthys top priorities, including cracking down on crime, fixing the southern border crisis and countering China, in addition to highlighting the importance of reducing government spending as part of a debt limit deal.

Her remarks come as the Chamber finds itself on the outs with McCarthy despite being closely aligned with House Republicans on economic issues. That relationship deteriorated when the traditionally GOP-allied Chamber endorsed a slate of vulnerable House Democrats in the 2020 election.

We work all day long with House Republicans in every part of that conference, sat next to House Republicans at dinner last night, talked to one on the way into work this morning, Clark said.

Clark called on lawmakers to secure the southern border, stating that the Chambers partners in the region describe a humanitarian crisis gripping their towns with little to no help from the federal government. She said that could be part of a broader immigration reform package to help address worker shortages.

When a border crisis allows millions to cross illegally into our country, but we cant get visas processed for engineers and nurses that businesses are desperate to hire and communities need  government isnt working, she said.

Clark cheered House Republicans select committee to investigate China, which was approved this week with substantial bipartisan support, saying it could be a powerful tool to crack down on Beijings human rights abuses and intellectual property theft.

She also denounced crime in major cities, a common GOP talking point and key part of McCarthys agenda.

And what about the scourge of crime sweeping major American cities? Clark said in her prepared remarks. Customers wont patronize businesses where they dont feel safe. Businesses wont open or stay in communities where the threat is high. Corporations wont invest in cities where lawlessness is left unchecked.

Bradley, meanwhile, noted that the Chambers 2022 endorsements overwhelmingly went toward Republican candidates.

House Republicans have distanced themselves from corporate America in recent years over large companies social and political stances.

While the Chamber has close connections with many House Republicans, getting through to leadership may be more of a challenge.

In November, McCarthy privately called on the Chambers board to replace Clark with a new leader, which the business group swiftly rejected. House Majority Leader Steve Scalises (R-La.) previously told The Hill that he wouldnt take a meeting with the Chamber.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu condemned Russia's war and expressed support for Ukraine during a press conference in Washington on Jan. 11.

"We stand with Ukraine against President Putin's war, which threatens the principles that underlie the rules-based international order - including that all nations should be able to determine their own path and have the right to sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity."

Hayashi told the press conference that Russian aggression against Ukraine "shakes the foundations of the international order" as Russia resorts to "reckless nuclear rhetoric and attacks on civilian infrastructure" and said the parties had agreed on the need to "continue strong support for Ukraine."

He also said that Japan and the U.S. share a common concern in the strengthening cooperation between China and Russia.

Earlier on Dec. 31, a U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concerns about China's "alignment with Russia as Moscow continues its brutal and unlawful invasion of Ukraine."

Beijing claims to be neutral, but its behavior makes clear it is still investing in close ties to Russia, the spokesperson told CNN, adding that those that side with Moscow in this unjust war will inevitably find themselves on the wrong side of history.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Minister of Defense of Japan Yasukazu Hamada took part in the meeting.

Read also: Japan plans to invite Zelenskyy to join G7 summit online  media reports

According to the statement, the United States and Japan recognize that Russias violation of the UN Charter and its attempts to unilaterally change borders by force, including through its ongoing aggression against Ukraine, represent a serious security threat to the European region.

Read also: U.S. authorizes transactions for Russian oil supplies to Japan, several EU countries

We stand together with Ukraine against President Putins war, which threatens the principles at the heart of the international rules-based order  including that all nations should be able to chart their own path, and have their sovereignty, their independence, their territorial integrity respected, Blinken said at a joint press conference following the meeting.

Read also: Ukrainian army to get US Bradley IFVs within a few weeks, Pentagon says

He said there was a need for cooperation between the United States and Japan, emphasizing that we and our people are always stronger and more secure together.

In turn, Hayashi said that Japan and the United States were united in their condemnation of Russias aggression against Ukraine.

Read also: US hopes increased military aid will help Ukraine counterattack before Russian offensive

On Russia, we reaffirmed our notion that aggression of Ukraine shakes the foundations of international order; condemned Russia for its reckless nuclear rhetoric and attacks against civilian infrastructure; and agreed to continue our strong support to Ukraine, he said.

At the same time, Hayashi stressed that Japan and the United States shared their concern over the enhanced military cooperation between China and Russia.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The US military has received hundreds of new UFO reports in recent years, a new intelligence report reveals.

Half of the new reported incidents are suspected to be balloons, drones, and random clutter.

Some reports are unknown, and some had "unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities."

The US military has received hundreds of new UFO reports, a newly published intelligence report revealed. And while some of the objects have been identified, others remain unknown.

Since March 2021, a special task force that was established by the Department of Defense has received 247 new unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)  or more commonly unidentified flying object (UFO)  reports, according to an unclassified analysis by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) that was released on Thursday.

The March 2021 date represents the end of a preliminary assessment period by ODNI that spanned 17 years, during which there were 144 UAP reports. Since that date, another 119 incidents that took place before March 2021 but weren't included in the preliminary assessment were also reported  bringing the total number of reports to 510 as of late August 2022.

The Pentagon task force  called the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)  conducted an initial analysis and characterization of the 366 new reports not included in ODNI's preliminary assessment and found that over half of the objects were "exhibiting unremarkable characteristics."

According to the ODNI analysis, 26 objects were determined to be drones or drone-like entities, 163 were characterized as balloons or balloon-like entities, and another six were attributed to "clutter." This, for example, could mean birds, plastic bags, airborne debris, or weather events.

American officials have attributed a number of UFO incidents to foreign drones engaged in spying or airborne trash, The New York Times reported last October.

Still, ODNI cautioned in its report that these initial characterizations don't mean "positively resolved or unidentified." These observations simply help the US obtain the necessary resources to approach the remaining 171 new reports that have gone uncharacterized.

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"Some of these uncharacterized UAP appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis," ODNI wrote.

A majority of UAP reports come from US Air Force and Navy personnel, who have witnessed the objects during their regular duties, ODNI said. Although the UAPs can potentially pose a safety hazard for aircraft, there have been no reported incidents between US planes and the UAPs.

"The safety of our service personnel, our bases and installations, and the protection of US operations security on land, in the skies, seas, and space are paramount," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a Thursday statement about the new ODNI analysis. "We take reports of incursions into our designated space, land, sea, or airspaces seriously and examine each one."

Last May, Congress held its first hearing on UFOs in decades, though it ended without any notable revelations. Defense officials testified that although the incidents may be strange, nothing has suggested any extraterrestrial characteristics.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US Navy veteran Taylor Dudley has been released after almost a year in Russian detention.

The 35-year-old was released on Thursday after negotiations led by former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson lasting months, CNN reported.

Mr Dudley, from Lansing Michigan, was taken into custody by Russian border patrol in April of last year after he crossed the border from Poland into Kaliningrad  a Russian enclave between Poland and Lithuania.

The veteran was attending a music festival in Poland and it remains unclear why he moved across the Russian border.

The US government hasnt categorized the detention of Mr Dudley as wrongful or claimed that it was arbitrary or based on discrimination. The detention hadnt been publicized on a wide scale ahead of Thursdays release  the family wanted the release talks to stay private, CNN notes.

More follows...
BREVARD, Fla.  NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin are faced with extending their stay aboard the International Space Station by several months and will require a new ride home after their Russian MS-22 Soyuz spacecraft sprang a leak last month.

The trio was supposed to use that spacecraft to return to Earth in March. Wednesday, NASA and Russian space officials unveiled a plan to launch an empty Soyuz capsule to the ISS to ferry them back instead. That means the three men will spend several more months at the ISS.

During a briefing with reporters, NASA's Joel Montalbano, manager of the International Space Station program, said that NASA is not considering the move-up in the MS-23 Soyuz launch a rescue mission. "We're not calling it a rescue Soyuz," said Montalbano. "Right now, the crew is safe onboard the space station."

"I'm calling it a replacement Soyuz," he said. "There's no immediate need for the crew to come home today."

Extended space stay

Initially set to fly the next rotation of Russian cosmonauts to the station in mid-March, the MS-23 Soyuz spacecraft is now being repurposed to launch as an empty lifeboat to ferry the MS-22 crew home later this year. The empty spacecraft is set to launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Feb. 20.

Flying the MS-23 crew up as previously planned would have left the ISS in the same situation, with more people on board than available seats on functioning spacecraft to evacuate back to Earth in the unlikely event of a catastrophe.

WHAT IS PLANET TOI 700 E LIKE?: NASA just found a planet almost the size of Earth and it's in the habitable zone of a star

That means that Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will need to extend their space stay until September or until Roscosmos can build another Soyuz spacecraft to launch its next rotation of crew members, which are now stuck grounded for longer than anticipated.

According to Montalbano, the space station remains safe, and the crew members are healthy enough to remain in space while this plan plays out.

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"They're prepared to stay until the September launch date, if that's the case," said Montalbano. "If that launch date moves up earlier, then they're prepared to come home earlier."

Jokingly, he said: "I may have to find some more ice cream to reward them."

"The awesome thing about our crews are they're willing to help wherever we ask," he said. "They are ready to go with whatever decision that we give them."

Expedition 68 crew members Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos, top, Frank Rubio of NASA, and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, bottom, wave farewell prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

A Russian space leak

The MS-22 Russian Soyuz spacecraft that transported Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin to the station back in September sprang a leak on Dec. 14. Coolant from an external coolant loop and radiator on the spacecraft spewed into space for hours just as Prokopyev and Petelin were preparing to conduct a spacewalk. Out of an abundance of caution to prevent any exposure to the leaking substance, the spacewalk was canceled.

On Dec. 18, NASA used the stations robotic arm, Canadarm2, to provide images and conduct an additional external inspection of the damaged spacecraft.

After a joint investigation conducted by NASA and Roscosmos, the space agencies are confident that the damage was caused by a micrometeoroid impact that resulted in a hole of about one millimeter in diameter in the coolant loop.

While it was determined that the leak posed no immediate threat to the station or crew, it left the MS-22 Soyuz spacecraft incapable of returning the trio of astronauts home safely.

The damaged coolant loop meant that the temperature and humidity inside the cabin of the Soyuz spacecraft could skyrocket, making for a very uncomfortable and claustrophobic return trip home, typically taking about six hours to complete.

The Russian Soyuz MS-22 crew ship is pictured on Oct. 8, 2022, in the foreground docked to the Rassvet module as the International Space Station orbited 264 miles above Europe.

The path forward

Instead of returning crew as expected, roughly two weeks after the replacement MS-23 Soyuz docks at the station, the damaged MS-22 spacecraft will be outfitted as a cargo transport ship. NASA and Roscosmos intend to collect data about the conditions inside the cabin as the spacecraft makes its trip back for a landing in Kazakhstan in mid-to-late March.

"On the returning Soyuz, we'll be taking some temperature measurements to measure how the vehicle does in this scenario such that if we ever had a need in the future, we have some additional data," said Montalbano. "We're going to fully use this vehicle all the way till it lands back on Earth."

Also speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sergei Krikalev, Roscosmos director of human space flight, said, "At this point, we have calculations and thermal scenarios, but we want to prove this calculation with the result (in) real-time."

FACT CHECK: NASA says Earth is a globe, uses 'flat and non-rotating' model in equations

Going forward, this will most likely impact the busy schedule of crew and cargo missions to the station for the rest of this year. How it impacts specific mission launch dates, such as NASA's next crewed mission, SpaceX's Crew-6, which was to launch from Kennedy Space Center in mid-February, has yet to be fully determined.

"We're going to take the next couple of weeks to kind of lay out the plan," said Montalbano. The shift is expected to impact at least four crewed missions and two cargo resupply missions to the station through at least September.

"Laying everything out is what we're going to plan now. We just need a couple more weeks to lay all that out," Montalbano said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Astronaut crew needs new Russian spacecraft to come home after damage
Dino Vlahakis, left, and Dave Loomos stand inside the main auditorium of the Pickwick Theatre on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Park Ridge. The brother-in-laws have been operating the iconic movie theater for several decades. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

The owners of Park Ridges much-loved Pickwick Theatre had planned a Jan. 12 announcement of the new tenant who will operate the theater, but said early that day they were delaying that news.

Co-owners Dino Vlahakis and Dave Loomos, who plan to step down from operating the theater, said they are still making arrangements with a prospective tenant.

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It was such a short window and as everybody knows, this is a big deal, Vlahakis said. Its probably going to take a little longer... its going to be a couple of weeks down the line.

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Vlahakis and Loomos had hoped to announce the heir to the PIckwicks 900-seat, 1928-vintage auditorium and four smaller theaters at their final screening of Gone With the Wind, set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

But Vlahakis said a final agreement will take a little longer than theyd hoped.

He and Loomos announced Dec. 6 that they were closing the theater. They have said they plan to retain ownership of the building, which has 24 other tenants, and after evaluating a number of offers to lease the movie facilities, Vlahakis said theyre still approaching the finish line with a tenant.

You want to make sure to dot the is, you want to make sure the wording is correct, Vlahakis said. A few words can mean different things, so weve got to be very careful how stuff is worded.

A person walks outside the Pickwick Theatre Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 in Park Ridge. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The Pickwicks general manger, Kathryn Tobias, will run the movie operation until April 1, Vlahakis said.

Tobias, 39, has worked at the Pickwick since she was 17  starting out as a candy and concessions worker and eventually becoming the general manager. She said shes excited to run the program at the theater for the next few months.

I hope that people will come out and still support us, Tobias said. Im really looking forward to the 2023 movie lineup. And I love movies. Movies are an escape. Theyre like a dream.

Tobias said she plans to continue hosting the Park Ridge Classic Films series, hosted by Park Ridge Library employee Matthew Hoffman, while shes in charge of the theater.

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[ Readers share Pickwick Theatre memories: it will always hold a special place in our hearts ]

She also has a few pictures in mind for while shes programming the theater, including 80 for Brady and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Shes also hoping to show some movies that will be brand new to the Pickwick.

Im looking into some other movies that weve never played in the past; weve never played the Scream movies or Creed, she said.

Creed III opens March 3; Scream 6 opens March 10.

As for what the new operators will bring to the building, which is both a local landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tobias said she hoped movies would still show in the space but said she realizes the next chapter could bring change.

I would love it if it was still a movie theater, but I dont know what the future holds, she said.

Vlahakis said he hopes to see the new tenants take over the theater by April 1, but said that date isnt a firm deadline.
Ohio State Highway Patrol released body camera footage Wednesday on social media that shows their troopers locating a missing 4-year-old girl from Michigan and arrest a suspect.

The video shows troopers from the Wapakoneta post attempting a traffic stop on a car Tuesday night that was associated with a missing endangered child out of Marysville, Michigan.

Both hands! Both hands! Are you alone? a trooper shouts at the suspect as he exits the car.

Another trooper said they can see someone in the backseat.

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The troopers continue to instruct the suspect to back up toward them as they take him into custody at gunpoint.

Troopers find the 4-year-old girl in the backseat who begins to cry as officers pick her up.

Youre okay sweetie, youre okay, the trooper repeats.

We saw you coming and then I was scared, the girl tells troopers through tears.

Crews were able to return the child to her mother, according to a social media post.

The suspect, was identified by Michigan State Police as Eric Nardlini, the childs non-custodial father.

Missing child Last night, troopers were made aware of a vehicle transporting a Missing and Endangered Child from Marysville, Michigan, that could possibly be passing through Ohio. At approximately 8:44 p.m., troopers from our Wapakoneta Post located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, which resulted in an arrest of the suspect and the child being returned home safely. Posted by Ohio State Highway Patrol on Wednesday, January 11, 2023




COHASSET  A vigil will be held Thursday for Cohasset mother of three Ana Walshe as investigators continue to search for her.

Walshe, who has not been seen since early New Year's Day, was reported missing on Jan. 4. by her employer in Washington, D.C., when she didn't report to work. Her husband, Brian Walshe, is charged with misleading the investigation into his wife's disappearance and is in state custody.

Religious leaders in the South Shore town have organized a vigil on the town common for 4:30 p.m. for the community to come together and pray as one.

Meanwhile, some of Ana Walshe's friends are working to get her children, ages 2, 4 and 6, out of the custody of the state Department of Children and Families.

"I am proposing to keep them together. In our community, we have quite a few families," Natasha Sky, founder of the Sky International Center, a social-business network in Newton, said. "I'm offering my house for them to stay since I am a mother and I have a 9-year-old."

Investigators have conducted an extensive search for the missing mother spanning several Massachusetts communities.

Blood and a knife were found earlier this week in the basement of the home the family rented in Cohasset, prosecutors said.

The investigation has included searches of a transfer station in Peabody and a waste-to-energy facility in East Wareham. 5 Investigates has learned that evidence found at the transfer station near the home of Brian Walshe's mother included a hacksaw and a rug with blood on it.

Brian Walshe, 47, was arraigned Monday in Quincy District Court on a charge of misleading a police investigation in connection with the disappearance. A police report indicates that he told officers his wife was leaving for Washington, D.C., early on the morning of Jan. 1.

"Police were notified around Jan. 4 by her employees in Washington, D.C., that she had not shown up for work on Jan. 4. That was the first time that (anyone) was notified that she was missing," Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Lynn Beland said in court Monday. "She actually had a plane ticket for Jan. 3 that she did not use and did not show up at the airport."

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Prosecutors said during Brian Walshe's court appearance that blood and a bloody knife were found in the basement of the family's Cohasset home shortly after he spent about $450 on cleaning supplies. Police said he wore a surgical mask and gloves at the store, and used cash to pay for the purchase.

Brian Walshe is awaiting sentencing in a federal case involving fake Andy Warhol paintings, and he is supposed to request permission to leave his home and specify the time required for each trip.

Ana Walshe is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion and speaks with an eastern European accent.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Harrison Schmidt at 781-383-1055 ext. 6108 or email hschmidt@cohassetpolice.com.

Cohasset police have also set up a new email for tips at tips@cohassetpolice.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Vigil to be held for missing Cohasset woman as search continues
After a visit to Ukraine with three European colleagues, Gergely Karacsony, the Mayor of Budapest, recorded a video address in which he explains why Ukraine's victory in the war is important.

Source: Hungarian news portal Telex, reported European Pravda

Details: Karacsony visited a military hospital in Kyiv and a children's hospital, as well as the sites of war crimes committed by the Russian military in Bucha.

Quote: "If someone has lost their moral compass and cannot see the difference between a victim and an aggressor, if someone has forgotten what Hungaria people experienced in the 20th century, I advise you to come here, to Bucha and Kyiv, and look into the eyes of those who survived. Then it will be clear that it is not just a fight between two countries in this war, but an evil force is trying to occupy another country," he emphasised.

Gergely Karacsony said that Hungary not only has a moral obligation to support Ukrainians, but it is also about its own interests, so that they do not have to think about which country will be the next victim of aggression.

"This war must end only with the victory of Ukraine and conclusions from such terrible war crimes as, for example, in Bucha," the Mayor of Budapest emphasised.

Background: Karacsony came to Kyiv together with three other mayors of the Visegrad Group. On December, the Budapest Transport Privately Held Corporation (BKV) handed over 15 buses for the needs of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
An avatar of Martin Luther King, Jr., as seen in the VR experience "The March 360." Credit -

Martin Luther King Jr.s 1963 I Have A Dream speech is too often reduced to just that one emblematic line: a hazy wish for a distant, racism-free future. In reality, Kings speech, like many of his orations, was blistering and urgent, dealing not in dreams but cold, hard realities about America.

A new project from TIME Studios, released on Thursday Jan. 12, allows users to explore the relevance and power of Kings Dream speech sixty years later through virtual reality. The project, an interactive experience called MLK: Now Is The Time, drills down into some of Kings themes, showing how the same injustices he railed against still oppress BIPOC people in America. Now Is The Time follows a previous TIME Studios project, The March 360, which is now also available on Meta Quest, and enables viewers to see Kings speech as if they were standing on the National Mall in Washington D.C. As a whole, the experiences make the case that Kings famous speech isnt just a series of vague platitudes or the eulogy for a racist American past, but a set of unresolved grievances that have only grown in relevance.

As a user, I came away from the experiences both impressed and frustrated: I found them thematically and viscerally powerful in parts, but was also distracted by its uncanny valley visualsthe eerie feeling that I was watching avatars very close to human, but not quite the real thing.

Both experiences are accessed through Meta Quest headsets. The first, MLK: Now Is The Time, can be downloaded from the Quest store. Its an interactive experience that uses Kings words as entry points into conversations about how racist housing, voting and policing policies have resulted in the entrenchment of the countrys racial inequalities. While its one thing to read about voter suppression, its another to try to grab a ballot that floats out of reach, or play Monopoly with the deck stacked against youboth of which are elements of the interactive experience.

Story continues

Limbert Fabian, the projects director, chose to draw primarily not from the more famous second half of Kings speech about his dream, but its more scathing first half, which describes the many specific systemic injustices faced by African-Americans. MLK was upset, and he was telling us, We should be upset. We need to act better and do better, Fabian tells TIME. I thought there was a potential to take the part that comes off a little angry and demanding, and make that tangible.

Read More: Dont Forget That Martin Luther King Jr. Was Once Denounced as an Extremist

The most harrowing part of the experience places you inside a car after you are pulled over by a police officer. The section draws on Kings condemnation of police brutality: Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality, he said in the speech. You have been the veterans of creative suffering.

In the VR experience, youre sitting in the dark, with the red police light flashing ominously on your windshield, and told to keep your hands on the wheel. But if you move your actual hands from this position, youre immediately swarmed by policemen, who shine flashlights in your eyes, grip the guns on their belts and shout that it looks like youre reaching for something. I wanted to put the audience in a place so they get a sense of what it feels like to be in that moment, Fabian says. I wanted to make it a very internal thing looking out.

A screenshot from the VR experience "MLK: Now Is the Time" Courtesy Meta

The second experience, The March 360, is an adaptation of the interactive experience and museum exhibit that debuted two years ago in Chicago. It can be accessed by searching for it in the Quest TV app, and will also appear periodically on Horizon Venues, which is the live events wing of Metas social media metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. The experience transports you to Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963, placing you at various vantage points in the crowd of 250,000.

When you watch these stories, theyre more powerfulbecause youre actually experiencing them instead of reading about them, Alton Glass, who co-created The March with TIMEs Mia Tramz, told TIME in 2020.

Read More: How TIME Re-created the 1963 March on Washington in Virtual Reality

Personally, however, I found this experience less effective than MLK: Now Is The Time. While painstaking work went into rendering hundreds of protesters with era-appropriate dress and body-language, they looked and moved like extras, their arms hovering over their stomachs. Kings facsimile looked impressively photographic from some angles. From others, however, he looked like a character in a video game: His eyes beady, his forehead shiny, and his speech slightly out of sync from his mouth. The small discrepancies removed me from the reality of the historical event as opposed to immersing me more deeply in it.

While I didnt find watching the speech in this VR re-creation better than simply watching the grainy footage of the speech on YouTube, it still offers a technologically innovative way to galvanize widespread interest in a crucial historical moment, and could be a good way to spark the curiosity of a new generation. Fabian says he hopes MLK: Now Is the Time will be used in classrooms, and that it will help forge a direct link between Kingoften defined solely for his pacifismand Black Lives Matter, which has often been denounced as radical.

I really dont want this to be a surrogate for activism, but maybe it could be a peek at how you could participate if youre interested in this conversation, he says. Hopefully, were bringing awareness that the people on the frontlines engaging and trying to make change for all of us are fueled by the thoughtful and intelligent approach of a person like Dr. King.
Wells Fargo & Co., one of the Charlotte areas largest mortgage lenders, has outlined its strategy on how the bank aims to pull back from that market  a significant shift that it began discussing last year.

The San Francisco-based bank yesterday announced that it plans to reduce its home-lending business by slimming its mortgage servicing portfolio and closing its correspondence business. Wells Fargo will now primarily focus on its wealth management customers as well as borrowers in minority communities, the company said in a news release.

ALSO READ: Wells Fargo to pay $3.7B over consumer loan violations

Mortgage is an important relationship product, and our goal is to continue to be the primary mortgage lender to Wells Fargo bank customers as well as minority homebuyers, said Kleber Santos, CEO of consumer lending. We are making the decision to continue to reduce risk in the mortgage business by reducing its size and narrowing its focus.

As the largest bank lender to Black and Hispanic families for the last decade, we remain deeply committed to advancing racial equity in homeownership, he added.

Keep reading here.
A mechanic. Illustrated | Getty Images

Is your John Deere tractor broken down? Fix it yourself.

Under a new agreement with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the company will allow farmers to mend their own machines instead of requiring them to use officially authorized parts or service facilities. The agreement is a victory for the "grassroots right-to-repair movement that has been putting pressure on manufacturers to allow customers and independent repair shops to fix their devices," the BBC reports. It's not just an issue in agriculture: Companies like Tesla and Apple have tangled with activists who want to fix their broken stuff. What is the "right to repair" (RTR) movement? Here's everything you need to know:

What is the "right to repair" movement?

"It's simple. You bought it, you should own it. Period," The Repair Association, an RTR advocacy group, says on its website. It's slightly more complicated than that. RTR advocates acknowledge that today's machines  filled with chips and software that require a specialist's knowledge to fix or modify  are much more complicated than they used to be. But they also argue that big companies restrict information about how to fix their products, forcing customers to either take broken stuff to expensive "authorized" repair shops or just give up and go buy a new version entirely. (This apparently happens quite often with laptops, smartphones, and even kitchen appliances.) The RTR movement wants those companies to make repair manuals, parts, and tools more widely available, and even to design products more simply so that consumers can fix their stuff more easily.

What is the benefit of RTR?

"There is the hope that with increased repairability, the world will see less e-waste," Wirecutter reports. It takes more than 23 million tons of raw material just to make all the smartphones that Americans buy each year, the Public Institute Research Group (PIRG) argues: "Continuing to extract, produce and consume electronics at this rate is simply not sustainable." Making it easier for people to repair their own stuff  and passing laws that require companies to let that happen  is "good for the planet."

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Why do companies resist the "right to repair"?

Intellectual property is a big reason. The New York Times reports some companies say that "the computer code that drives the device remains the property of the manufacturer, not the consumer," so they're not eager to let their customers poke around in the device software and discover important trade secrets in the process. Before the new John Deere agreement, for example, tractor owners were prohibited from even looking at the software code used to operate the machines. The consequence? A possible breach-of-contract lawsuit. Tesla in 2020 urged its customers to vote against a Massachusetts RTR measure, arguing "it potentially jeopardizes vehicle and data security." In the face of public pressure, though, some notable holdouts are backing down, if only a bit. In November 2021, Apple  seen as one of the biggest opponents of RTR  announced a new "self-service repair program" that includes repair manuals and access to parts.

What states have "right to repair" laws?

"Currently only two states  New York and Colorado  have active right-to-repair laws, the latter of which is hyper-specific and only relates to powered wheelchairs," Gizmodo reports. That understates the breadth of the movement. In recent years, New York points out, 41 states have at least contemplated some sort of RTR legislation. And RTR advocates have some backing at the federal level: In 2021, President Biden signed a series of anti-monopoly executive orders that included an initiative to "guarantee farmers and motorists the right to repair their own vehicles without voiding warranty protections," Politico reports. The president sold the move as a victory for capitalism: "Denying the right to repair raises prices for consumers, means independent repair shops can't compete for your business," Biden said in February 2022. Those state and federal actions may have compelled Apple and John Deere to make accommodations with the movement.

What's next?

There's movement on a number of fronts. The RTR movement is international: The European Union in 2022 gave initial approval to "right to repair" legislation, though the final shape of the regulations is emerging more slowly than advocates prefer. And even where laws have been passed and agreements signed, RTR advocates want more. The new New York law, for example, goes into effect on July 1  but with amendments that exclude home appliances, cars, and medical devices from RTR requirements. Advocates will probably push to expand the law, PIRG's Nathan Proctor told Bloomberg Law. The new regulation "kind of raises the floor, and then I think there's still a question on what the ceiling is for this topic."

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Failure by the Gary Common Council to approve a redistricting plan required by state statute in the wake of the 2020 decennial census by the Dec. 31 deadline has prompted the Prince Administration to seek assistance from the state legislature to rectify the situation.

Mayor Jerome Prince said he has reached out to State Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Mishawaka, chairman of the House Elections Committee and State Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Wayne Township, ranking minority member of the Senate Elections Committee to seek a legislative solution to the failure to redistrict.

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He said he does not know what that solution may look like but could possibly include an extended deadline for the council to act and complete the map.

Prince said he also has reached out to the members of the Northwest Indiana delegation sharing his concerns and asking for their support.

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I reached out to the election committee leadership in the House and the Senate to try and get their support helping us address what I consider to be a missed opportunity, Prince said, adding the city has a statutory responsibility to complete the redistricting.

Prince said he is unsure why the council did not act on the redistricting.

The redistricting is a state requirement that occurs every 10 years after new population numbers are realized in the decennial U.S. Census.

Council Vice President Tai Adkins, D-4, chaired the redistricting committee with the assistance of Council President William Godwin, D-1. Adkins presented the proposed changes to the council in a Dec. 5 committee meeting. The matter did not come before the council at its regular meeting Dec. 6. Following that meeting Adkins said the matter would be considered at the Dec. 20 regular meeting. The matter was not considered at that meeting, the last regular meeting of 2022.

The proposal presented during the redistricting committee meeting called for moving precinct G4-28 from the fourth district and G6-07 from the sixth district into the fifth district in an effort to more evenly balance the population while keeping the districts compact and contiguous.

Currently District 1 has 12,437 residents; District 2 has 12,153; District 3 has 12,009; District 4 has 11,607, District 5 has 9,651 and District 6 has 11,250.

Under the proposal to be considered by the council, Districts 1, 2 and 3 would remain unchanged. The updated District 4 would be reduced by 70 to 11,537 residents while the updated District 6 would be reduced by 994 to 10,256; all of those residents would shift to District 5.

The updated District 5 would increase by 1,064 to 10,715 residents, according to the plan provided by Adkins in December.

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Godwin said following the Dec. 5 Redistricting Committee meeting, 6th District precinct committeemen raised concerns about disenfranchising the 6th District by reducing its population by nearly 1,000 residents. Currently the 5th and 6th Districts have the lowest populations. District 6 has 1,599 more residents than the 5th District. If the map were approved, District 5 would wind up with 459 more residents than the 6th District.

Godwin said during the meeting he discussed how the 2018 state-led precinct consolidations in Gary have now made it extremely difficult to shift precincts without causing major disruption to neighborhoods and communities while also keeping each districts population as equal as possible.

The city had more than 100 precincts when it was last redistricted in 2010 compared to 49 larger precincts today, he said.

When the precincts were smaller, it was much less disruptive to move precincts between districts, while also considering issues related to long standing neighborhood boundaries and the residency of currently elected Precinct Committeemen and incumbent council members, Godwin wrote.

Ultimately the Redistricting Committee decided not to move forward with any changes to the citys map, which is the same decision made by neighboring Hammond which also made no changes to their map last year, he said.

In his letter to the Northwest Indiana Delegation, Prince called the matter troubling.

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This has resulted in a situation in which the City Council districts were neither recertified nor redrawn to account for population changes, which could negatively impact voter representation, Prince wrote to the delegation.

Prince told local legislators he reached out to the chairs of the election committees to ask for assistance in resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

As they consider solutions, I would ask for your support as a unified Northwest Indiana delegation to seek a quick and reasonable solution that assures that all Gary voters are fairly represented in the upcoming municipal elections, Prince wrote.

Michelle Fajman, director of the Lake County Board of Elections, said since a new map was not filed, nothing will change.

Right now, we will proceed as the districts were 10 years ago, Fajman said.

Gary is the only local unit that required redistricting that did not submit a map. Some bodies, such as Hammond, did not have large population shifts and resubmitted the existing maps without changes.

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Matthew Kochevar, co-general counsel for the Indiana Elections Division, said the new redistricting law that went into effect in 2022 requires city and town councils with voting districts to redistrict following the decennial census. Municipalities had until Dec. 31 to pass their redistricting maps and another 30 days to present that map the clerks office.

After that. The law says you cannot redistrict until the next census, Kochevar said. A court order or General Assembly action could create an opportunity to redistrict outside of the decennial census cycle. A special census due to a significant population change prior to the decennial census could also trigger redistricting.

The time to redistrict based on the 2020 Census has passed under state law, Kochevar said.

If a governing unit does not pass a new redistricting ordinance in the allotted time, the existing ordinance would remain in effect, he said.

Kochevar said according to state statutes, second class cities such as Gary need districts that are generally contiguous, reasonably compact and do not cross precinct lines. Those districts also need to contain as equal population as possible. What equal population means can be subjective, but generally, he said precincts should have about 10% deviation.

Thats the general rule of thumb that I have always seen used. You need to try to get under a 10% deviation, he said.

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If any person believes the ordinance is not in compliance with state law or established court precedents, a way to argue those things or see a remedy if they want it is to go into state court, Kochevar said.

Prince said it appears statute does not specific any punitive action when a body does not follow the redistricting process, but he is concerned by the legal ramifications and the impact on voters.

I think it opens us up and makes us vulnerable to some type of litigation, Prince said. The ultimate goal is to make sure Gary voters are represented.

Godwin said he was unaware the administration had any concerns about the redistricting and did not receive any communication, concern or direction from the mayors office, the citys corporation council or the councils attorney alerting the council they were required to recertify the existing map via ordinance if no changes were made.

The council could recertify the existing map effective retroactive to Dec 31, 2022 at its Jan. 20 council meeting, he said.

I am not sure what the state legislature can or will do; we are open to potential solutions, Godwin said.

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Former Gary resident Christopher Harris served as one of nine commissioners in the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission was formed in 2021 through a coalition of not-for-profit organization All IN for Democracy led by Common Cause Indiana. Harris consulted with Adkins during the redistricting process and attended the Dec. 5 committee meeting.

With a population of 69,093 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, ideally each district now should have a population of 11,515. Garys 5th District, which primarily consists of Black Oak, University Park and Midtown communities, has experienced significant population decline decreasing from 12,722 to 9,651, a loss of 3,071 residents.

Population deviation in 2010 between districts was about 8%.

Communities can recertify their previous legislative boundaries so long as their population deviation is less than 10%. That is the key, Harris said.

Leaving the legislative maps the same in Gary creates an approximate 24% population deviation among districts in violation of state statute requiring a population deviation of less than 10%.

Gary residents deserve to have a fair and transparent redistricting process free of political spin or bias from either side of this avoidable spectacle, Harris said.

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cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
Caroline Jeon said she was pleasantly shocked when on Tuesday Michelle Yeoh, who took home the Golden Globe award for best actress, ordered the exit music to stop playing after it interrupted her speech.

Shut up, please. I can beat you up, OK? And Im serious, Yeoh laughed, before continuing.

Jeon, a 26-year-old Korean American based in New York City, said shes used to seeing older white male actors defiantly run out the clock onstage. Yeoh's moment was refreshing for Jeon, a self-proclaimed assertive Asian American woman.

For her to be confident but also playful about it  its reassuring and encouraging and mostly affirming for me to see, Jeon said.

Host Jerrod Carmichael clarified during the ceremony that the exit music came from a pre-recorded track, rather than from live pianist Chloe Flowers, who performed TV and movie theme songs as the show transitioned to commercial breaks.

The moment immediately went viral. And for Asian women, who contend with historical pressures from within the community and beyond to make themselves small, Yeohs quip had a deeper meaning.

We saw Michelle Yeoh take up space and insist on using her voice, said Catherine Ceniza Choy, author of Asian American Histories of the United States. We have to live with these stereotypes and expectations of being demure and diminutive on the daily. So to witness that on such a big stage of something like the Golden Globes was profound.

Yeoh  who during her speech opened up about the racism she witnessed in her early days in Hollywood, as well as the dwindling opportunities for aging actresses  represents Asian women across a spectrum of personalities, said Nadia Kim, professor of sociology and Asian and Asian American studies at Loyola Marymount University. With her use of humor, Yeoh appealed to those who are more reserved by reflecting an elegance, Kim said. She simultaneously represented other Asian women who are more compelled to speak their minds.

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Jeon, for example, said that she has often been reminded by loved ones to tone down her personality in spaces within the Asian American community. And in professional networking situations that are dominated by white peers, she said she is conscious of the judgment she may get as the loud Asian girl. But Yeoh appears to masterfully move through the world.

Even though she has that fiery ... side of her that weve seen in films and also in instances like this, she still has that quiet, regal elegance, Jeon said. She navigates those two sides of her persona befitting the situation.

Kim added that the humorous clapback is also meaningful in the context of women of color often being told to be content and thankful for what they have. Yeoh, she said, recognized what she deserved and did not allow for the moment to be robbed from her.

There is that you should be a grateful minority trope that people expect, especially in a realm which is mostly white. At the end of the day, most roles go mostly to white actors, Kim said. She was dignified throughout a career in which she was denied opportunities. And really, her career has exploded more recently in mainstream Hollywood. And thats something shes acknowledged.

Yeohs I could beat you up statement, experts added, wasnt so much a physical threat as it was an unconstrained recognition of her own martial arts skills. While many women are taught to downplay their strengths, particularly in front of men, Yeoh flexed her might in those five words.

Yeohs refusal to get off the stage also wasnt just about making a personal statement herself  she wanted her message on behalf of the community to be heard. By sharing stories about painful brushes with racism in Hollywood like being asked if she spoke English, Yeoh was giving the audience a glimpse of the realities of those in the racial group.

This was such a rare moment that they were playing exit music on. I think she was acknowledging it, not just for her, but for all Asian and Asian American or Asian diasporic actors, said Kim, who called Yeohs speech extremely political. How often have we seen a lead actress or actor award go to someone who looks like her?

Indeed, Yeohs last words onstage paid homage to those of Asian descent.

This is also for all the shoulders that I stand on, all who came before me, who look like me and all who are going on this journey with me forward, Yeoh said in her speech. So thank you for believing in us, thank you so much.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hundreds of thousands of acres burned in New Mexico last spring as its two biggest wildfires ever were allegedly lit purposefully, but got out of control.

This year, New Mexico Sen. Ron Griggs (R-34) of Alamogordo hoped to curb threats of devastating blazes during what he said was peak fire season by introducing a bill to ban prescribed burns  purposefully set as a means of forest management  between March and May of each year.

The Calf Canyon Hermits Peak Fire started April 19, 2022, burning up to 340,980 acres in northern New Mexico through San Miguel, Santa Fe, Mora, Taos and Colfax counties, according to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

More:Forest Service rebuilding after New Mexico wildfires devastate lands, threaten flooding

That fire was attributed to a prescribed burn set by the National Forest Service that was stoked by heavy winds, amid seasonally parched conditions following New Mexicos typically dry winter.

That was followed by the Black Fire in southwest New Mexico which started on May 13, burning 325,156 acres, records show, in Catron, Grant and Sierra counties in Gila National Forest, with the latest reports citing it as human caused although the precise cause of the fire remained under investigation.

While no deaths were reported in either of those fires, the McBride Fire turned deadly after it started April 12, 2022, burning just 6,159 acres in the Ruidoso area and Lincoln National Forest but claiming the lives of two residents.

More:Flood water laden with debris from McBride Fire burn scar flows in Ruidoso

Griggs, whose district includes portions of the Lincoln National Forest said his bill, pre-filed in the New Mexico Senate for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session was needed to improve fire safety throughout the state and raise awareness for the most dangerous time of year.

If approved, the bill would add language to state law governing prescribed burns to place a ban on the practice between March 1 and May 31 of any year for private landowners, along with federal, state, local or Indigenous governments.

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The whole purpose is to let folks know the spring is a dangerous time to do it, so lets just not do it, Griggs said. When that wind starts blowing, it has been deadly to people in our state and to the land.

More:Stansbury, Heinrich move drought bills through Congress amid New Mexico wildfires

He said the bill wasnt just in response to the historic blazes in 2022. Griggs said New Mexico has a history of dangerous, uncontrollable fires in the spring months.

He said the Forest Service was the main entity conducting the fires, but the bill was also intended to address fires set by other agencies and landowners.

We cant stand by and count on them to take of business. Theyve proven they cant, Griggs said of those conducting prescribed burns. We cant do prescribed burning in the spring.

The winds are worse in the spring, yet thats when they choose to do burns. Its proven to be problematic.

More:Wildfires in southeast New Mexico contained after being lit by lightning strikes

New Mexico drought sets the stage for wildfires

Drought conditions are also usually dire in spring throughout New Mexico, records show, when temperatures begin to heat up after minimal precipitation in the winter which follows the monsoon typically in summer and fall.

Those heavy summer rains can cause vegetation to grow and then dry out, providing fuel for fires.

As spring 2022 developed, New Mexicos conditions did get dryer, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

More:'There's a lot of risk': Southeast region braces for wildfires as blazes burn New Mexico

The Monitors report from March 1, 2022, showed about 3 percent of the state was in the exceptional drought status  the highest class of drought characterized by widespread water shortages leading to emergencies.

By the end of the season, the Drought Monitor showed exceptional drought conditions increased by more than 15 times as about 46 percent of the state was listed as exceptional drought as of May 31, 2022.

Exceptional drought continued to grow in the months after that, peaking at about 58 percent on June 28, records show, and then declining steadily for the rest of the year.

More:New Mexico wildfires prompt congressional action from Democrats and Republicans

This combined with increased vegetation brought on by heavy summer rains can create conditions apt to fires starting and growing quickly, said Ric Gatewood, fire ecologist for the National Park Service stationed at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, amid last years fire season.

It has a lot to do with the fuel build up over the past several years. That coupled with the drought and this unusual weather pattern. Theres a ton of fuel, Gatewood said.

He said heavy rains during the summer monsoon are often followed by a perilous fire season the following spring, when high winds can quickly stoke a blaze and send it out of control.

Its extremely dry, we have a lot of winds. We have winds that last a longer time, Gatewood said. Coupled with the fact that we had a lot of moisture last year. Those factors set the stage for a lot of fire growth this year.

More:'We need rain': Southeast New Mexico wildfire risk grows as northern region burns

In response to the fires in New Mexico and nationwide, the U.S. Forest Service last year placed a 90-day moratorium on prescribed burning from May 20 to September 2022, conducting a national review in the interim to devise better management practices.

Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said that while prescribed burns play a key role in reducing overgrown vegetation that can fuel fires, the practice must be conducted in consideration of worsening aridification across the U.S.

Prescribed fire plays a vital role in creating healthy, resilient landscapes and reducing the risk of catastrophic fire to the American people and the lands entrusted to our care. We must work together to reduce the risks of catastrophic wildfire and confront the wildfire crisis across the country, Moore said in a statement.

To Griggs, his bill halting the fires in spring months was a way to protect the people of New Mexico from the devastation fires brought to the state last year.

Lots of people lost their homes. Its been tragic for folks in New Mexico, he said. We just have to do better.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Bill to ban prescribed burns during spring New Mexico wildfire season
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin and North Carolina on Thursday became the latest states to ban the use of TikTok on state phones and other devices, a move that comes after nearly half of the states nationwide have blocked the popular social media app owned by a Chinese company.

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered the ban, which also includes WeChat, after he said he consulted with the FBI and emergency management officials. He cited potential risks to privacy, safety and security. Evers order applies to most state agencies, with some exceptions like criminal investigators who may be using the app to track certain people.

Defending our states technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting digital privacy will continue to be a top priority, Evers tweeted when he announced the ban.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who like Evers was under pressure from Republicans to enact a ban, cited similar concerns.

Its important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks against the United States, Cooper said. Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy, and success of our state and its people.

The University of Wisconsin System, which employs 40,000 faculty and staff, is also exempt. But UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch said despite the exemption, the university was conducting a review and moving toward placing restrictions on the app being used on devices in order to protect against serious cybersecurity risks.

UW has numerous official TikTok accounts like one for the women's volleyball team, which has more than 41,000 followers. Universities often use TikTok accounts as a recruiting tool to connect with high school students.

The ban will be enforced by the state's technology division, which already restricts what apps state employees can access on their government phones.

Only about 12 state phones have TikTok on them, according to Evers.

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Evers himself does not have a personal or official TikTok account, but he did maintain an account supporting his reelection campaign earlier this year. His office has said that account was not used on any state-issued devices.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020. It has been targeted by critics who say the Chinese government could access user data, such as browsing history and location. U.S. armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices.

TikTok is consumed by two-thirds of American teens and has become the second-most popular domain in the world. But there has long been bipartisan concern in Washington that Beijing would use legal and regulatory power to seize American user data or try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation.

Fears were stoked by news reports last year that a China-based team improperly accessed data of U.S. TikTok users, including two journalists, as part of a covert surveillance program to ferret out the source of leaks to the press.

There are also concerns that the company is sending masses of user data to China, in breach of stringent European privacy rules.

Were disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok," Jamal Brown, a spokesperson for TikTok, said in an emailed statement.

TikTok is developing security and data privacy plans as part of an ongoing national security review by President Joe Bidens administration.

At least 22 other states, including, Ohio, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and South Dakota, have instituted bans on the use of TikTok on government devices. Congress last month banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, of Wisconsin, and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, introduced a bipartisan bill in December to ban TikTok from operating in the United States. Gallagher this week became chairman of a new House committee created with broad bipartisan support to investigate strategic competition between the U.S. and China.

___

Associated Press/Report for America writer Hannah Schoenbaum in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  The woman known to jurors only as Jane Doe shook her head Thursday when her lawyer asked her a question she knew was coming but clearly dreaded  could she describe the injuries she suffered during five years in a Virginia-based sex trafficking ring?

Her voice trembled as she described indignities suffered at the hands of clients of the prostitution ring. Eventually she broke down and sobbed uncontrollably  the words I'm so ashamed barely audible between the cries  forcing a temporary halt to the trial of Doe's civil lawsuit against a former police chief and three other officers.

It was the most dramatic moment thus far in a trial focused on blockbuster allegations that the former police chief in Fairfax County and the three officers were clients of the prostitution ring and that they served as its protectors by tipping off the head of the enterprise, Hazel Sanchez, when stings and undercover police would be in the area.

The former chief, Ed Roessler, and the other three officers all deny the allegations, though two former officers, Michael Barbazette and Jason Mardocco, admitted they were clients of Sanchez and resigned from the force after their phone numbers were found on Sanchez's phone.

So far, the jury has heard testimony from Doe and another woman who says she was trafficked. Both identified all four officers as men they had seen in the various hotels and apartments in northern Virginia where Sanchez would set up shop.

They jury also heard from a decorated former officer, William Woolf, who was assigned to investigate sex trafficking as part of a multi-jurisdictional task force. Woolf testified that Barbazette, his supervisor, interfered in his investigations and that another senior officer who is the fourth defendant, James Baumstark, was indifferent when Woolf expressed concerns about how he was being managed.

Baumstark is now a deputy police chief in Asheville, North Carolina.

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While there is strong evidence that Doe and the women in Sanchez's operation suffered horribly, jurors in the civil trial in U.S. District Court in Alexandria face the much tougher question of whether the four officers abetted Doe's trafficking.

They are with the force of the law. They're her to protect us. They have to not be clients, Doe said Thursday, after she regained her composure and the trial resumed.

On cross-examination, though, defense lawyers raised doubts about whether the women accurately identified the four officers as clients.

The allegations have evolved since the lawsuit was filed in 2021. The lawsuit initially did not identify any of the officers by name. Barbazette and Mardocco were added to the lawsuit after Doe's attorney, Victor Glasberg, learned that they had resigned after the FBI turned over the results of an investigation into Sanchez's prostitution ring, and that those findings prompted their resignations.

Roessler and Baumstark were added to the lawsuit initially on allegations that they were helping to cover up officers' misdeeds. It was not until the trial began on Tuesday that Roessler and Baumstark were publicly accused of being actual clients of Sanchez, who was convicted of running a prostitution ring in federal court and sentenced to prison.

Kim Baucom, the lawyer for Roessler and Baumstark, called the allegations against them preposterous" and made up out of whole cloth."

Roessler retired as chief of Fairfax County, a populous suburb of the nation's capital, in January 2021  years after the collapse of Sanchezs ring and before Does lawsuit was filed. There is no indication that the allegations played any role in his decision to retire.

Defense lawyers have cited evidence they say demonstrates that Doe was not a trafficking victim but a willing prostitute.

Doe has acknowledged that when she was recruited to come to the U.S. from Costa Rica in 2010 that she was willing to have sex for money.

But Doe said Sanchez's recruiter told her that she would primarily be doing nanny work and housekeeping in the U.S. Work as an escort would be a side gig, and she would go on dates with wealthy clients and could choose whether to have sex with any particular client, she said.

Both Doe and the other woman who testified were also questioned extensively on why they returned to work for Sanchez on multiple trips back and forth between Costa Rica and the U.S.

Both women testified that Sanchez threatened their families, showing them pictures of their children at home and at school, and implying that she had operatives in Costa Rica who could harm them. Both women also said they did not believe they could flee to police because they believed police were protecting Sanchez.

The trial is ongoing. Lawyers for the four officers have not yet presented their case.
A Madera woman was charged with elections fraud for attempting to run for an elected seat in Fresno County, the Fresno County District Attorneys Office said Thursday.

Amanda Fleming, who also goes by Amanda Speakes, ran for the Firebaugh city clerks seat last year while using the address of her business in town, Ag & Industrial Supply, despite her actual residence being in Madera, prosecutors said in a news release.

Fleming also allegedly voted in elections in Fresno in 2022, the release said.

As a Madera County resident, she would be disqualified from voting or running in Fresno County.

A man at Ag & Industrial Supply, who identified himself over the phone as her brother on Thursday morning, told The Bee that she declined to comment.

The district attorneys office filed three felony counts on Thursday: elections fraud, voter fraud and perjury, the release said.

Fleming faces potential fines and up to five years and four months in state prison, prosecutors said.

She remained out of custody and her first court date was not set as of Thursday, the release said.

Fleming also ran an unsuccessful campaign as a Republican for the Assembly District 27 seat captured last year by Esmeralda Soria.
PHOENIX  An Arizona woman who used medicinal cannabis to combat morning sickness during her pregnancy will have her name removed from the state's child-abuse registry.

The order from the Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday means Lindsay Ridgell will no longer be listed on the Confidential Registry, which limited her job prospects since she was placed on it in 2019. It also could have broader implications, as medicinal cannabis use is less likely to be treated legally as a form of child neglect.

"It's so magnificent," Ridgell's attorney, Julie Gunnigle, said of the single-page order from the high court. "My client has been suffering for four years, fighting the uncertainty of this case.

The Arizona Supreme Court declined to accept an appeal from the state Department of Child Safety, which defended its decision to list Ridgell on the registry after her newborn tested positive for cannabis in February 2019. The department was on the losing side of an unanimous decision from the Arizona Court of Appeals last April. The three-judge panel found Ridgell's cannabis use was lawful and did not amount to child neglect.

Pot for pain relief? What cannabis can (and cant) do for chronic pain.

Nation: Justice Department clears Postal Service to deliver abortion pills even in restrictive states

Ridgell worked for Arizona's Department of Child Safety at the time of her pregnancy, and found herself not only accused of child neglect but also out of a job as a result.

Neglect and abuse charges can trigger a person's placement on the registry, which employers use as part of background checks on staff who work with vulnerable children and adults. Anyone placed on the list remains on it for 25 years, which has prompted critics to label it as a "black list."

Ridgell argued that she had a medicinal cannabis card issued by her doctor, who knew she was pregnant. Ridgell said she used the substance to ease morning-sickness symptoms.

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The appeals court noted that Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act says cannabis use "must be considered the equivalent of the use of any other medication under the direction of a physician" and concluded Ridgell did nothing wrong. That ruling last year reversed a string of previous legal decisions that had found Ridgell had neglected her child.

'This is of national import'

Ridgell was not immediately available for comment Thursday. But in an interview last year, she said her son was doing well and that, since being placed on the registry, she was having a hard time finding a job.

Gunnigle said Thursday's order should make it easier for Ridgell to find work.

It also sets a higher standard for the Department of Child Safety if it wants to claim neglect when a pregnant woman uses medical marijuana under the rules established by state law, she said. For example, the Department of Child Safety would have to prove marijuana was used irresponsibly and put a child in harm's way, she said.

This is of national import," Gunnigle added. While other states have had medicinal cannabis issues related to child welfare cases, none of them have won a court ruling as clear as that handed up by the Arizona Court of Appeals, she said.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

Dozens of group filed a friend of the court brief in support of Ridgell, from National Advocates for Pregnant Women, the Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction, the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, numerous doctors and the comedian and actress Amy Schumer, who has spoken out about marijuana use during pregnancy.

Follow reporter Mary Jo Pitzl on Twitter @maryjpitzl.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Medical marijuana use in pregnancy is not child abuse: Arizona court
Nancy Jaquins was following doctors orders last July when she drove her partner to the emergency department at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.

His hemoglobin level had crashed, she said, and his doctor, affiliated with the HCA-owned hospital, said he needed to get there as soon as possible for a blood transfusion. A heart condition made his situation urgent.

Once inside the Mission emergency department, however, they found it crowded and understaffed, with people sleeping or sitting on the floor, said Jaquins, a former psychiatric and cardiac nurse. The couple was told to take a seat, she said.

Fourteen hours later her partner finally got a bed, Jaquins said; another five hours went by before the hospital found him a room. Once there, he received five units of blood, she added, staying in the hospital for four days.

Although her partner ended up OK, the long delay in treatment was abhorrent and unconscionable, Jaquins said.

Mission Hospital used to be where everyone would go if they wanted good care, Jaquins said, reflecting on her previous experiences with the health care system. But that dynamic changed in 2019, she added, when HCA Healthcare, the nations largest for-profit hospital chain, bought Mission Health Systems six hospitals in western North Carolina.

Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. (NBC News)

Because Jaquins partner did not want to identify himself, a Mission spokeswoman said in an email that she could not check the specifics of the patients experience. She noted, however, that there are several reasons which lead us to believe that this particular story does not portray an accurate picture, she said. For example, she added, receiving 5 units would be exceptionally unusual in such a case.

HCA is a health care juggernaut, employing 284,000 people in 182 hospitals and 125 surgery centers across the country and in the U.K. Operating in 20 U.S. states, HCA generated almost $7 billion in earnings in 2021, double that of the prior year, securities filings show. In the first nine months of last year, it earned $4.2 billion.

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Investors are pleased with this performance  HCAs shares were down only 6.6% in 2022 versus the 19.4% decline of the Standard & Poors 500 stock index.

But some HCA workers are concerned the companys profit focus is imperiling patient safety and care. Health care providers throughout the U.S. are experiencing hiring challenges. Still, 11 current and six former HCA employees in five states told NBC News they believe the company understaffs its hospitals as a practice, helping to keep earnings high but increasing the risks of adverse patient outcomes.

Buttressing this view is a new study of HCAs staffing by a union representing some of its employees. It found the companys overall staffing levels recently were below the average for other hospitals in 19 of the 20 states where it provided care.

Sue Fischer is a longtime HCA employee whos concerned about patient care in her facility. A 17-year registered nurse in a cardiology unit at the hospital that treated Jaquins partner, Fischer has worked at Mission both before and after the HCA buyout. Not long after the takeover, she told NBC News, patient-to-staff ratios rose and ancillary staff disappeared. As the burden on nurses increased, often requiring them to do the non-nursing work of those whose jobs were cut, patient care suffered, Fischer said.

Eleven other current and former Mission employees echoed Fischers views.

Jodie Becker is vice president for quality at HCAs North Carolina Division, which includes Mission Health. A registered nurse, she has worked at Mission since 2012 and disputed criticism of its care and staffing.

We were a great system as Mission Health and were an even better system as HCA Mission Health, she said. When there are concerns, we look at those very seriously, we treat each one individually and make sure that we put processes in place that will protect our patients and our team. We treat over 2 million people a year, we get cards and letters and phone calls every day talking about the outstanding work that our caregivers give.

HCAs corporate spokesman, Harlow Sumerford, said it is the companys goal to provide its 35 million patients with high-quality care they want and deserve. Sumerford said that more than 4 out of 5 HCA hospitals rated by Leapfrog, a national patient safety organization, received an A or B grade, adding, We are not satisfied and we are continuously looking for ways to improve. HCA supports its caregivers through investments in cutting-edge technology and automation, expanded training and education programs, and research designed to drive better outcomes for our patients, he said.

Sumerford declined to comment on various criticisms raised by HCA employees, including that the company cuts ancillary staff and requires nurses to pick up the slack.

He did note that HCA gives back to its communities. In 2021, the company provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care totaling approximately $3.3 billion. Because HCA Healthcare is a for-profit, tax-paying company, it is not required to provide charity care as nonprofit hospitals are.

Still, the companys securities filings acknowledge that in 2021, HCA didnt come close to meeting its own internal patient care benchmark  what the company calls the Care Experience. The measure is based on how HCAs inpatients and patients in its emergency departments rate their interactions with the company.

Rublas Ruiz (Courtesy Rublas Ruiz)

Because the company fell short of the Care Experience benchmark, HCA Chief Executive Samuel N. Hazen received zero performance pay related to the metric in 2021, company filings show. Hazen still received $20.6 million in compensation for the year.

Rublas Ruiz is a 10-year veteran at HCA Florida Kendall in Miami and works as a nurse in the intensive care unit. Ruiz said his workplace is so understaffed that he and other nurses have to leave the ICU to deliver patients to other areas of the hospital for CT scans or MRIs, a job usually performed by patient transporters.

This is a major patient safety issue, he told NBC News. When we play this role, the rest of the nurses in the unit are left with even more responsibility because there are less nurses watching the patients.

'A very efficient level'

As at any hospital, staffing is a big expense for HCA  salaries and benefits accounted for 46% of the companys revenues in the first nine months of 2022, its securities filings show.

Efficiencies in staff can translate to higher earnings at a facility but inadequate staffing can result in inferior patient outcomes, academic research shows, including higher mortality rates.

HCA management highlights its staffing effectiveness. Our productivity is at a very efficient level when it comes to employees per patient, CEO Hazen told Wall Street analysts last April on an earnings call.

But this efficiency may be contributing to patient care problems, according to an in-depth study of HCAs staffing practices commissioned by the Service Employees International Union, which represents some HCA employees. After examining Medicare cost report data, hospital inspection reports and lawsuits, the SEIU researchers found what they called strong evidence of staffing-related quality breakdowns in HCA hospitals.

In 2020, HCAs weighted average state staffing ratios were lower in 19 out of 20 states in which they operated (SEIU)

By 2020, HCA staffed its hospitals about 30% below the national average, the analysis found. In 19 of the 20 states in which it operated hospitals, HCA staffing ratios were 8% to 41% lower than the average for all other hospitals, the report says. Medicare cost report data shows staffing levels routinely and precipitously drop after HCA acquires a hospital, the report added. It cited examples of patient harm linked to low staff levels, such as missed nursing assessments, delays in patient treatment and patient falls.

While some hospitals cut staff to stay solvent, the report noted, HCAs profits mean it could afford to invest in workers rather than buying back its own stock, for example. HCA repurchased $5.45 billion in stock in the first nine months of 2022, its securities filings show.

This incredibly powerful corporation can afford to provide front-line workers with the resources they need to provide the care that patients deserve, said Mary Kay Henry, SEIUs international president.

Sumerford, HCAs spokesman, accused the union of having cherry-picked data and anecdotes that seem to support their accusations and ignoring the data and anecdotes that do not. The reality is, against the backdrop of a national nursing shortage exacerbated by a pandemic and continuing patient surges, HCA Healthcares staffing is safe, appropriate, in line with other community hospitals, and in compliance with applicable regulations.

A national day of action by National Nurses United to demand employers, Biden administration protect RNs and health care workers in Ashville, N.C., on Jan. 13, 2022. (National Nurses United)

The company makes large investments in its people, he added. In the past year, we invested almost half a billion dollars in additional compensation for our frontline caregivers and support staff, he said in the statement, doubled down on our efforts to hire more nurses and other caregivers, and opened five nursing schools whose graduates can work anywhere.

All of the current and former HCA employees interviewed by NBC News  12 at Mission and five at other facilities  said they consider the companys staffing inadequate. Twelve of the workers are represented by unions  either National Nurses United or SEIU.

For the past 18 years, Jody Domineck has worked at HCA, most recently as a pediatric nurse at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, a facility owned by HCA.

Jody Domineck (Courtesy Jody Domineck)

Domineck says she loves what she does and the young people she serves. But her increased patient loads make her worried for their safety, she said. When I go from four patients to six patients, every patient gets less time, less explanation, less education, Domineck said. That makes it more dangerous for all of them.

A few years ago, Domineck was expecting a child of her own and made an interesting choice: to deliver at a nearby hospital thats not owned by HCA. A lower patient-to-staff ratio at the rival hospital was the determining factor, Domineck said.

My daughter was one of two babies per nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, she told NBC News, not five like at the HCA hospital.

'Waiting days for an MRI'

As the nations largest hospital company, HCA has been hit hard by the ongoing shortage of health care professionals, especially nurses. Research published in Health Affairs last April, showed that 100,000 nurses left the profession in 2021, the first decline in four decades.

A study by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing cited three main reasons for the shortage: Not enough nursing school faculty to keep up with program enrollments, a significant portion of the workforce nearing retirement age and insufficient staffing at health care facilities thats driving many nurses to leave the profession.

The HCA spokesman characterized this situation as especially challenging for hospitals and caregivers. Last year HCA Healthcare added more than 4,000 support positions, Licensed Practical Nurses/Patient Care Technicians, to assist our Registered Nurses and allow them to practice at the top of their licenses, Sumerford said in the statement.

The current and former HCA employees told NBC News that the companys lean staffing practices make it tougher to hire and keep health care workers. When staffing levels are low, nurses said they fear they wont be able to care adequately for patients and could lose their licenses if an adverse event took place. This makes potential workers less likely to stay on at an understaffed facility.

Michelle Harvey is a surgical technologist at an HCA hospital in El Paso, Texas, who works 12-hour shifts assisting ER doctors with so-called night trauma cases. She told NBC News she is seeing new nurses at her facility, who received sign-on bonuses to join, leave before their contract periods were up.

In late 2020, RNs and other health care professionals at the HCA-owned West Hills hospital in California held informational pickets urging the company to improve safety measures. (SEIU)

They dont even finish the contract term, Harvey said. They have to give back a portion of the bonus, but they dont want to put their licenses on the line.

To combat the threats that lean staffing can pose to patients, some states require hospitals to maintain minimum worker-to-patient ratios. For example, California requires hospitals to maintain specified staff-to-patient ratios and Massachusetts has a law stating that intensive care units must keep staff at certain levels.

HCAs financial filings note that its revenues would be hurt if other states in which it operates implemented mandatory staffing ratios. NBC News asked HCA to provide average staffing ratios both at Mission Hospital and across its facilities nationwide; it declined.

Monique Hernandez (Courtesy Monique Hernandez)

In 2021, NBC Bay Area reported that CMS had produced a 65-page analysis on failures at HCAs Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California. Among the reports findings: The hospitals nurse-to-patient staffing ratios did not comply with state requirements.

HCAs spokesman declined to comment on that report. At the time, the hospitals spokesperson told NBC Bay Area: "We addressed every issue noted by CMS and we are ensuring Good Samaritan is in full compliance."

Monique Hernandez has been a nurse for 13 years at Riverside Community Hospital, an HCA-owned facility in Riverside, California. She told NBC News that her facility is often out of ratio, meaning that mandated levels arent met.

Delays in care is the biggest patient care issue I see because of staffing, Hernandez said. You have people waiting two days for an echocardiogram, patients waiting days for an MRI or CT scan.

'Constantly putting profits over patients'

In North Carolina, HCA is under rising scrutiny. Last year, an antitrust lawsuit filed in state court against HCA and Mission was allowed to proceed; it accused the system of cutting staff and monopolistic conduct that left Western North Carolinians with increasingly bad health care at an ever-growing price.

Medicare cost data from 2018 through 2021 show that the number of full-time employees at Mission Hospital has declined by 37% since HCA took the system. Missions spokeswoman said that drop counted employees in administrative positions that still work at Mission but are now counted as HCA employees given the takeover.

But the positions the spokeswoman said had been transferred to corporate headquarters  information technology, human resources, marketing and finance  would likely total less than 5% of its full-time employees, according to average hospital employment figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even if all the hospitals office and administrative support jobs had been shifted as well to HCA headquarters, the combined total would likely account for a decline of just 7%, the BLS figures suggest.

HCAs spokesman noted that since fall 2021, Mission Hospital has received an "A" safety grade from Leapfrog. It also received Magnet status, a nursing certification received by 9.9% of hospitals in the United States.

According to the CMS ranking system, Mission Hospital currently holds an above-average overall quality rating  four stars out of a possible five. But its CMS patient survey rating, compiled from recently discharged patients, is two stars.

On the 10 key questions in the patient survey, Mission ranked below both national and state averages, the CMS website shows; for example, only 47% of Mission patients reported that they had always received help when they wanted at the hospital. This compares with the national average of 66% and the state average of 63%.

Dale Folwell (Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP)

Dale Folwell, North Carolinas state treasurer, oversees the state employees health insurance program and pays its bills, totaling $3.5 billion a year. He said since the HCA takeover, he has watched costs at Mission Health rise significantly while care has declined, a constant refrain he hears from his constituents. On costs, Folwells analysts concluded that Mission Health charged privately insured patients more than 300% of Medicare, on average.

I think that HCA is constantly putting profits over patients, Folwell told NBC News. This has been a disaster for the people of western North Carolina.

Becker, who oversees quality at Mission Health, said Folwells views were absolutely not true, adding, Thats not been my experience over the last several years.

To remedy the situation, Folwell recently asked HCA to sell the hospital system back to the community. The company has not responded to his request, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NEW YORK  The New York City nurses strike ended early Thursday after their union reached tentative contract agreements overnight with Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center.

Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, called the new deals a historic victory  both for the citys nurses and nurses across the country.

Through our unity and by putting it all on the line, we won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore and Mount Sinai where nurses went on strike for patient care, she said in a statement. Today, we can return to work with our heads held high, knowing that our victory means safer care for our patients and more sustainable jobs for our profession.





Over 7,000 nurses from the two hospitals went on strike Monday after failing to reach agreements with the hospitals on new contracts that met their demands for nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and a binding way to enforce them. The nurses previous contracts with the hospitals expired Dec. 31.

Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, Montefiores president and CEO, touted the new deals wage increases, benefits and staffing provisions.

We came to these bargaining sessions with great respect for our nurses and with proposals that reflect their priorities in terms of wages, benefits, safety, and staffing, he said. We are pleased to offer a 19% wage increase, benefits that match or exceed those of our peer institutions, more than 170 new nursing positions and a generous plan to address recruitment and retention.

A Mount Sinai spokesperson said the proposed agreement is similar to deals previously reached between NYSNA and eight other private hospitals across the city.

It is fair and responsible, and it puts patients first, the spokesperson said of the deal.

Mount Sinai also thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, her staff and other unnamed elected officials for their leadership and support throughout the negotiation process.

Hochul greeted returning nurses Thursday morning at Mount Sinai.
By Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'Brien

NEW YORK (Reuters) -More than 7,000 nurses in New York City ended a three-day strike and returned to work on Thursday after reaching tentative deals with hospitals over staffing levels and pay increases, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) said.

Nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan had taken to picket lines on Monday saying they were more concerned with patient safety than higher wages.

As news of the deals spread in the early hours of Thursday morning, including a guarantee of better ratios of staff to patients and compound pay increases of 19.2% over three years, nurses in scrubs cheered and embraced each other outside the hospital buildings.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said in a statement that the new contracts would ensure "there will always be enough nurses at the bedside to provide safe patient care, not just on paper."

She said hospitals had struggled to retain nurses because of working conditions, which became particularly grueling after the COVID-19 pandemic reached New York in early 2020.

At Montefiore, management agreed that a nurse in the emergency department would care for no more than two patients at a time, and no more than five patients at a time in acute care, Hagans said. If staffing drops below those ratios, the hospital will pay financial penalties to nurses.

Montefiore also agreed to nurse-student partnerships to recruit local Bronx nurses to stay as union nurses at the hospital for the long-run, the association said.

Management at both hospitals, who had said the strike disrupted patient care and strained doctors, residents and non-union nurses who were asked to do longer shifts, released statements saying they were pleased to have reached a deal.

Montefiore said its focus was to ensure nurses "have the best possible working environment." When the strike began Monday, the hospital had been forced to reschedule all elective surgeries and procedures and to postpone appointments.

Story continues

Mount Sinai said the proposed deal was similar to those between the NYSNA labor union, which represents 72,000 members, and eight other city hospitals, calling it "fair and responsible, and it puts patients first."

New York Governor Kathleen Hochul, whose office assisted the negotiations, praised the deal "to get thousands of nurses back on the job where they want to be" to aid patients.

Hochul said the three-year contract could help the state address the healthcare workforce shortage with better wages and conditions that could draw more workers, adding: "Know you are respected, know you are appreciated."

Union officials and members also praised the settlement, calling it a "historic contract" that recognized nurses' work, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

Even as healthcare employment growth has outpaced overall U.S. job growth in the last decade, growing by nearly 16% compared with 13.8%, employment at hospitals - a top source of nursing jobs - has notably lagged, increasing by just 10.2% in that span, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra, Chizu Nomiyama, Bernadette Baum and Aurora Ellis)
Global tourism industry to get boost from Chinese travelers, says WTTC CEO

08:20, January 12, 2023 By Martina Fuchs ( Xinhua

Chinese passengers are welcomed by Thai officials at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

"Before the pandemic, travel and tourism used to represent one in 10 jobs globally and one in 10 U.S. dollars that were made globally," said Simpson.

GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is bullish about the sector's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and expects exponential growth over the next decade mainly thanks to a boost from Chinese outbound travelers and foreign visitors to China.

"I have been there (China) many times ... and it's wonderful that the world would be able to open its arms and welcome Chinese visitors again," Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, told Xinhua in a recent video interview.

Passengers queue for security check at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

In early December 2022, China decided to optimize its COVID-19 response with new prevention and control measures to ease the restrictions on travel and visits to public venues. Then, on Jan. 8, the Civil Aviation Administration of China relaxed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights.

"Before the pandemic, travel and tourism used to represent one in 10 jobs globally and one in 10 U.S. dollars that were made globally. It's a really significant sector, which brings a lot of economic benefits and a lot of jobs," Simpson said.

World Travel &Tourism Council (WTTC) president and CEO Julia Simpson speaks onstage during the WTTC Global Summit in Pasay City, the Philippines on April 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

According to a survey conducted last November of more than 26,000 consumers in 25 countries by YouGov for the WTTC, the appetite for international travel was at its highest point since the start of the pandemic with 63 percent of respondents planning a leisure trip in the next 12 months.

It came as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in November said international tourism was on track to reach 65 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 as the sector continued to bounce back.

"We all know that our sector was severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the good news is that travel and tourism are going to bounce back and will grow over the next 10 years almost double the rate of global gross domestic product (GDP)," she said.

A group of Chinese tourists pose for a photo at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, March 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"REVENGE TRAVEL"

As a non-profit organization, WTTC's members include over 200 CEOs, chairpersons and presidents of the world's leading private sector travel and tourism businesses.

Simpson said that after nearly three years, the phenomenon of "revenge travel", which means traveling to make up for lost time during the pandemic, is expected to lift tourism and boost businesses.

"What we tend to see when people reopen their borders post-pandemic is that you have a lot of pent-up demand for travel. The first such demand comes from family and friends ... such as students working in another part of the world," she said.

Outbound Chinese visitors to the rest of the world were "among the most valuable in an economic sense," Simpson said.

In 2019, those Chinese visitors spent 253 billion U.S. dollars globally, which represented 15 percent of the grand total, according to WTTC.

This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2023 shows the sunrise scenery at the Simatai section of the Great Wall in Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

TOP DESTINATIONS

For travelers from China, Simpson said Maldives and Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the U.S. lead the bucket lists of top destinations.

"I'm almost describing here the whole of the world because, actually, Chinese visitors are now everywhere," she said.

The favorite attractions for foreign travelers to China may include the Great Wall, and the sights like Chengdu or Guilin, said the CEO.

"People also like to do mountain walking, go shopping, and they love to understand the culture of China," she said.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
Japan's capital Tokyo is planning to bolster its English language education for high school students by offering them more chances to converse in English and opportunities for overseas exchanges, local media reported Wednesday.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's draft budget for fiscal 2023 (April 2023-March 2024) to be announced towards the end of January has earmarked 600 million yen (4.52 million U.S. dollars) for global exchange programs for high school students in the city.

A further 100 million yen (754,000 dollars) will be allocated to fund programs to invite high school-age students from foreign countries to visit Japan to participate in language activities, an article in the Mainichi Shimbun's online edition said Wednesday.

To fund high schools students in Tokyo taking part in English presentation competitions, the metropolitan government has provisionally assigned 40 million yen (301,810 dollars), while 20 million yen (150,905 dollars) has been set aside for 120 students to attend a two-day boot camp at an interactive facility in the capital, the newspaper said.

The boot camp is aimed at helping the attendees improve their English proficiency without them having to leave the company, the article said.

Following the announcement of the budget, once its scale is decided, it will be submitted to the first regular session of the metropolitan assembly.

The metropolitan government's plans for young Tokyoites to improve their English comes as Japan ranks 80th out of 111 countries and regions, according to Swiss-based education company EF Education First.

Japan ranks below a number of other Asian countries in what EF Education First describes as the world's largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills, based on test results of 2.1 million adults in 111 countries and regions.

Countries ranked higher than Japan in terms of English skills include South Korea, China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Pakistan, among a number of others, according to the 2022 survey.
(Reuters) -Ukrainian forces in the eastern city of Soledar are holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on Russia troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address on Thursday.

A Russian-installed official in Ukraine's Donetsk region earlier said "pockets of resistance" remained in Soledar, undermining claims that the town had been captured.

Zelenskiy thanked two Ukrainian units in Soledar which he said "are holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy." He did not give more details.

Zelenskiy also said he had met senior Ukrainian commanders on Thursday and analyzed in detail what reinforcements were needed in the fight for Soledar and nearby towns and what steps should be taken in the coming days.

"We also discussed the situation regarding the supply of weapons and ammunition to the troops and the relevant cooperation with our partners," he continued.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Ron Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler)
The UK and Japan will allow military forces to be deployed to one anothers territory, as Tokyo expands bilateral cooperation with other US allies amid concerns about Chinas rise.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a major defense agreement during a meeting Wednesday in London with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. The pact  the most significant deal of its type between the two countries in more than a century  allows planning and delivery of larger, more complex military exercises, according to a UK government statement.

Japans foreign ministry said, Signing this important security agreement takes Japan-UK cooperation in security and defense to new heights, in a statement following the signing. It will also bring further progress toward making a free and open Indo-Pacific a reality.

The agreement simplifies the procedures required for port visits and joint exercises, allowing for more active exchanges, the ministry said. ...continue reading
Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines.
Thirty-seven dwellings in Prosser, Neb., including the village hall (shown), are outfitted with RO filters to reduce nitrates in drinking water. Water comes in through the existing line and is filtered into the far right cylinder, then through the reverse osmosis membrane (center) before reaching a sediment filter in on the left. The water also goes through an activated carbon filter to help with the taste. Two gallons of filtered water can be stored in a pressurized tank (front). Each system costs about $350.
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Rebels in the Tigray region have begun handing in their heavy weapons, a key part of an agreement signed in November last year to end a grueling conflict in northern Ethiopia, a spokesman for the rebel authorities said.

The disarmament is a key part of the peace deal signed two months ago between the government and the rebel group. The handover in the town of Agulae, about 30km northeast of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, was overseen by a monitoring team comprising members of the two sides and a regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The terms of a peace agreement signed include restoring federal authority, reopening access and communications to the region, which has been cut off since mid-2021, and disarming rebel forces

We are operating with the belief that if we are to have peace, all things that open the door for provocation must not be there. Peace is vital for us all, Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) representative Mulugeta Gebrechristos said at the handover ceremony. A subsequent 12 November deal on the implementation of the peace agreement said the disarmament of heavy Tigrayan weapons would take place at the same time as the withdrawal of foreign and non-federal forces. While the precise toll of the conflict, which was largely fought amid media restrictions, is unknown, it has been described as one of the deadliest in the world by the International Crisis Group think tank and rights group Amnesty International.
Turkiye's cultural and financial heart, Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning Europe and Asia, is preparing for the arrival of Chinese tourists.

Soon after China downgraded its COVID-19 measures on Jan. 8, easing international travel, tourism representatives in the city started discussing ways to attract more Chinese travelers with a wide range of promotional activities.

"The opening of the Chinese market is essential to us," Murat Arslan, general manager of CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel, told Xinhua in an interview. "We know Chinese people travel a lot in Istanbul. Rather than sea, sand, and sun, they have a more cultural and gastronomic experience-oriented travel understanding," Arslan noted.

According to Arslan, Istanbul offers a lot for Chinese tourists, including boat tours on the Bosphorus Strait flowing between the European and Asian sides; the historical peninsula of Sultanahmet; ancient palaces, churches and mosques; and a vivid nightlife with numerous restaurants and bars.

The hotel manager said travel representatives have sped up efforts to offer a unique experience to Chinese visitors to the city.

Meanwhile, Arslan's teams are updating the hotel's menus to introduce a wide range of Turkish delicacies.

"We are also considering a trip to China soon. Again, we continue to work nonstop on Turkish tourism to get a larger share of the cake from China's market," he said.

Ali Can Aksu, head of the Turkish Hotel Managers Association, told Xinhua that the Chinese travelers are significant for global tourism.

"The entire world measures the needs of Chinese tourists and acts accordingly. It is also followed very closely by Turkiye," Aksu said.

In Aksu's view, the Chinese should not be perceived as tourists. They have the spirit of a traveler. "They have a different understanding of tourism and want to explore new adventures and discover new places, areas, and destinations. So, as a country, we attach great importance to them."

According to Aksu, Turkiye's tourism sector wants to attract 1 million travelers from China.

After hosting over 420,000 Chinese tourists in 2019, Turkiye had initially projected to attract nearly 1 million by the end of 2020. However, most activities were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are waiting for our Chinese brothers and sisters, and we intend to give them a taste of Turkiye's vast unexplored paradise," Aksu said. "We are doing all our preparations for them."
Djibouti has inked a preliminary technological cooperation agreement with Chinese multinational Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to build a $1bn satellite and rocket launch site which could see the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent.

The deal with the Hong Kong-based company, which was signed by Djiboutis President Ismail Omar Guelleh, includes the construction of port infrastructure and highways in the northern Obock region to ensure the reliable routing of aerospace materials coming from China. The construction works could be completed as early as 2027 and infrastructure will be handed over to Djibouti upon the completion of a 30-year co-management contract with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology, the president said. I am delighted to see our country involved in this promising technological and energy development project, said Guelleh.

The Chinese multinational firm says it is Hong Kongs first commercial aerospace enterprise focusing on satellite network engineering and precise satellite manufacturing. Hong Kong Aero Tech owns five technical centers and manufacturing bases, including a satellite manufacturing centre and a centre for satellite data. Located relatively close to the equator, Djibouti is an attractive destination for the launch of satellites which can take advantage of the Earths rotational speed, ensuring savings on the amount of fuel required to get rockets into space. In 2022, African nations allocated a total of $534.9m for the operation of their respective space programs, and 13 African nations have manufactured a total of 48 satellites.
Constitutional Court in Uganda on Tuesday removed a key part of a controversial communications law, which rights groups charged has been used to prosecute government critics, journalists and writers, including two who fled to exile in Germany.

The Constitutional Court found the article in the 2011 law contravened the East African countrys constitution and was null and void, said Justice Kenneth Kakuru when announcing the ruling of the courts five-judge panel. A section of the Computer Misuse Act made it an offense for anyone to use electronic communication to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication. Describing the article as overly vague, Kakuru said that he himself found that the impugned section is unjustifiable as it curtails the freedom of speech in a free and democratic society.

Rights activists have long complained of Ugandas various communications laws enacted by the current government of President Yoweri Museveni, with Amnesty International having slammed the amendment for being draconian. Critics say the laws are indiscriminately broad, disguised censorship and have mostly been used to punish opponents of Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. The government has yet to say if it will appeal the ruling, which was hailed by rights campaigners.
Ties between Morocco and Spain are ushering a new era as they have become stronger than ever thanks to a clear-cut road map, said King Felipe VI of Spain.

With Morocco, we have ushered in a new era that allows us to make progress on a more solid basis, said the Spanish king, who lauded the road map adopted last April during a visit to Morocco by Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez.

The Spanish king was speaking at the end of a conference bringing together Spanish ambassadors serving abroad.

Speaking about Spains southern neighborhood in general, the King said this region is the basis of our security and prosperity. That is why it is vital to step up efforts in the southern neighborhood.

Relations between Morocco and Spain improved significantly after Madrid acknowledged the autonomy plan as the only solution to the Sahara conflict, ending decades of ambiguity and opening new prospects in bilateral cooperation at the economic, security and cultural levels.
MAADEN, a Saudi state-owned mining company headquartered in Riyadh, is planning to invest in the Egyptian mining sector, as part of strategies by the Gulfs largest miner to invest in mining assets around world.

The announcement was made by Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla told Asharq Business in an interview.

Representative from the Riyadh-based company will visit Egypt within 10 days to explore the available opportunities for investment in the sector, El Molla also announced.

The mining sector accounts for less than 0.5% of Egypts gross domestic product (GDP) according to the official. The government is willing to increase the contribution to 5 per cent by 2030.

The petroleum ministry is looking forward to attracting annual investment of $1 billion into the sector of gold prospecting, El Molla also revealed.

MAADEN had announced an agreement with the kingdoms sovereign wealth fund (PIF) to set a joint venture in view of investing in assets globally, Reuters reported.

The company said it will own 51 per cent in the venture while PIF will control remaining 49 per cent.
If Algerias Chief of Staff, Army General Said Chengriha is not seen to be changing, he is likely to be removed and President Tebboune will not stand by Chengriha if the army turns against him, said a London-based Think-tank in its latest report on the ruling military regime in Algeria.

The radical cut to the armys budget and the renegotiation and/or cancellation of several arms contracts with Russia, Tebbounes reprobation of Wagner Groups presence in the Sahel and the postponement or even possible cancellation of Tebbounes planned visit to Moscow  were all the result of US pressure on the regime to cut or reduce its fraternization with President Vladimir Putins Russia, said the analysis of Menas Associates.

The American pressure has also pushed the Algerian junta to cancel the Desert Shield joint military exercises with Russian forces near Bechar last November.

According to the British think-tank which provides actionable intelligence, the key questions now are not only what next but also how do these developments affect the Algerian army  especially its Chief Gen. Chengriha  and the regime as a whole?

The army, and especially Chengriha, will be perceived as very weak unless both are seen to be more aligned to the West. If Chengriha does not change, he risks removal, said the report of Menas Associates, noting that there are many imponderables that will have a bearing on the mood within the army and the regime as a whole.

On the international front, Russias war against Ukraine, especially the way in which it comes to an end, will be telling. The way in which US-China relations develop over the next couple of years could also have a major influence.

The major determinants, however, are domestic. Although the international oil price will be as important as always, the biggest problem facing Algeria lies within the regime itself, underlined the British political risk consultancy.

The biggest and most delicate problem is the fact that 35 generals, many of whom held powerful positions, are currently in prison. Their continued imprisonment on highly questionable charges, such as the case of the dismissal of Major General Djamel Hadj Laaroussi, could become explosive, while their release could open up equally dangerous and wholly unpredictable recriminatory actions.

Furthermore, a large question mark hangs over the future of General Mohamed Kaidi. He was generally regarded as the logical successor to the late General Ahmed Gaid Salah as the Chief of Army Staff. However, he was dismissed in November 2021, presumably on the orders of General Chengriha, and was arrested a month later, since when he has been held in some form of detention.

Kaidis release and reinstatement was one of the key demands made by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman during her 10 March 2022 visit to Algiers, and again by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his 30 March visit to Algiers, said the report.

Citing reliable sources, Menas Associates said that General Kaidi has been released though no announcement has been made. His return to his job will largely depend on how Chengriha reacts over the next few days and weeks.
The Greater Omaha Chambers new chief executive says she learned from past experience that big-city folks in rural states need to get out of town.

Veta Jeffery, president and CEO of Nebraskas largest chamber of commerce since May, was one of four Omaha chamber leaders who visited North Platte Wednesday to get to know their local counterparts.

They ate lunch and had a listening session at the downtown Cedar Room restaurant with about two dozen North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. board and economic development committee members, local chamber President and CEO Gary Person said.

Other Omaha chamber leaders with Jeffery were board Chairman Mickey Anderson; public policy vice president Jenn Creager; and former Nebraska Secretary of State Scott Moore, public policy chairman for the chamber and Union Pacific Railroads chief administrative officer and senior vice president of corporate relations.

Jeffery said the Omaha chamber delegation had a similar session Wednesday morning in Scottsbluff. Plans to visit Kearney the same day were scrubbed, though they plan similar trips across the state, she said.

Im here because I understand the importance of communities working together for the good of the state, she said.

So we wanted to take time out and come and listen to hear what are some of the (local) pain points, what are some of the things people are excited about and how we may build stronger bridges for working together collaboratively.

Jeffery, who lived in St. Louis before moving to Omaha, said she came to appreciate the need for such trips as an aide to former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

As she and the governor traveled through rural Missouri, she saw we are really more alike than we are different, she said.

Once we stopped to listen, we learned we could learn a lot from each other and (theres) a lot we could learn by working together.

North Platte leaders spoke much Wednesday about the need to build up child care resources and recruit more workers. Those are also issues in Omaha and statewide, Jeffery said.

Her team also saw that Nebraska is a great place to live, work, do business and call home no matter where one lives in the state, she added.

Its equally important for North Platte to work together with Omaha and Lincoln leaders, Person said. A lot of the housing developers and investors in our projects are from that eastern area, so thats why these relationships are important.

Person and chamber board Vice Chairman Cory Johanson hosted Wednesdays lunch and listening session.

Welcomes were given by chamber board Chairman Bill Troshynski; Lincoln County Board Chairman Chris Bruns; Pat Keenan, the North Platte chambers representative on the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and City Councilman Pete Volz for Mayor Brandon Kelliher, who was ill.
State senators on opposite sides of Nebraskas re-energized abortion debate revealed their initial cards Wednesday for what likely will be the 2023 Legislatures seminal showdown.

More than 25 senators opposing abortion held a press conference in the rotunda of Lincolns State Capitol to discuss what North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson called a two-bill grand compromise to be introduced before weeks end.

He told The Telegraph after the press session that 33 of the Legislatures 49 members are lined up as co-sponsors  exactly the number needed to break a promised filibuster by opposing senators.

Id say youd struggle to get 25 votes, let alone 33 votes, for a constitutional amendment that allows abortion, Jacobson said.

The press conference followed the introduction Wednesday of a trio of proposed state constitutional amendments by senators supporting abortion rights. Two would protect reproductive freedom, with the other aimed at protecting individual privacy.

The abortion opponents main bill, to be called the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, would require physicians to perform an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion test for a fetal heartbeat, which is typically detected around six weeks past fertilization. It would generally prohibit doctors from performing an abortion if one is detected.

This bill would be significantly stricter than Nebraskas current law banning abortions at 20 weeks past fertilization, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

But it would not criminalize patients seeking abortions or doctors performing them, based on draft language obtained by the Nebraska Examiner and verified by Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht, who will be the packages chief sponsor.

Doctors, however, would lose their medical licenses if they performed an abortion after an ultrasound finds a heartbeat or if they performed an abortion without the required ultrasound.

Albrecht was the main sponsor of the 2022 sessions Legislative Bill 933, which fell two votes short of breaking a filibuster last April. That was two months before the U.S. Supreme Courts reversal of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

As Jacobson told The Telegraph for a pre-session story Jan. 1, the main bills draft language contains exceptions for rape, incest and medical threats to a mothers life. It spells out protections for in vitro fertilization and procedures after miscarriages.

I think the fetal-heartbeat bill is a very common-sense bill that polling shows the majority of Nebraskans support, he said Wednesday.

LB 933 had fewer exceptions to its proposed tightening of abortion restrictions. Albrecht said she would have preferred to keep that approach.

But she and other supporters of additional abortion restrictions acknowledged the political reality of recent polling that indicated a majority of Nebraskans favor neither extreme on abortion.

Jacobson said the lawmakers really listened to the objections that the other side has raised, and weve put all these exceptions into the bill.

Albrechts main bill would rely on the existing medical licensing structure at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to enforce the law, including review by a panel of medical peers, Nebraska Examiner reported.

The other bill in Albrechts package would offer a tax credit to individual, group and corporate donors to pregnancy support organizations that do not perform abortions. That would include the Womens Resource Center in North Platte, Jacobson said.

These nonprofit groups, which the bill requires to be verified by the Nebraska Department of Revenue as legitimate, provide services that include counseling, housing, job training, diapers and baby formula.

Albrecht said the second bill, if passed, would make sure there is more help available for pregnant women. Pro-life senators heard that concern also after LB 933s failure, Jacobson said.

We heard from Nebraskans and those who opposed the bill last year, What are you doing to care for them? he said. Thats a fair concern, and that was my concern as well.

Opponents to Albrechts main bill have already criticized it for being a thinly veiled attempt to ban all abortions, the World-Herald reported.

Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who led the filibuster that killed the full abortion ban proposed last year, noted that most women dont even realize they are pregnant until after the legislation would prohibit abortions.

This bill is about banning abortion, plain and simple, Hunt said in a tweet. It would ban abortions before most people even know theyre pregnant.

Albrecht was pressed on this issue, and said she hopes that women will understand the bill before it becomes law and will know to seek medical help if they suspect they are pregnant and are considering an abortion.

Hunt Wednesday introduced Legislative Resolutions 18CA and 19CA, both aimed at protecting current abortion rights, and co-sponsored an intended right-to-privacy constitutional amendment (LR 20CA) with Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha.

LR 18CA would simply add the words reproductive freedom to Article I of the state constitution, which borrows the Declaration of Independences listing of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the first inherent and inalienable rights enjoyed by all Nebraskans. The amendment would insert reproductive freedom before pursuit of happiness.

Hunts LR 19CA would take a different approach, adding a new section to Article I that would begin: Every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy 

The amendments language lists abortion care after prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception and sterilization and before miscarriage management and infertility care.

LR 19CA also says the state shall not penalize, prosecute or otherwise take adverse action against an individual based on the individuals actual, potential, perceived or alleged pregnancy outcomes or someone who aids or assists a pregnant woman in exercising such individuals right to reproductive freedom with such individuals voluntary consent.

Conrads amendment, LR 20CA, would amend Article I to say: The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest.

Nebraska voters would have to approve any or all of the three abortion-rights amendments if they should be approved by the Legislature.

Jacobson said Wednesday that the commitment of two-thirds of all senators to Albrechts package makes that unlikely.

The packages group of expected co-sponsors includes all 32 of the Legislatures registered Republicans, as well as Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell, one of the 17 registered Democrats.

We expect we will get other Democrats to sign onto this, too, because its a reasonable bill, Jacobson told The Telegraph.

This report includes material from reporters Erin Bamer and Martha Stoddard of the Omaha World-Herald and Aaron Sanderford of Nebraska Examiner.
State Sens. Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Tom Brewer of Gordon have co-sponsored a bill to steer $30 million in state help toward rebuilding the incinerated Nebraska 4-H Camp in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey.

Legislative Bill 281, introduced Wednesday, resembles the original 2021 legislation that enabled Lincoln County leaders to win $30 million in state matching funds to develop an industrial rail park outside Hershey.

Jacobson, whose District 42 now includes the Thomas County part of the hand-planted Sandhills forest, is lead sponsor of LB 281. Brewers District 43 included all the forest before a 2021 redistricting bill and still includes the Blaine County portion.

The Oct. 2-10 Bovee Fire burned nearly 19,000 acres on both sides of Nebraska Highway 2 west of Halsey. The 1959 4-H camp was wiped out by the flames, which also consumed one-fourth of the hand-planted forest and gutted its iconic lookout tower.

LB 281 would set aside $50 million for any qualifying nonprofit organization for building or renovating youth outdoor education camp facilities. Such a group would have to cover at least 25% of the cost in private or other money.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development would handle the grant process, as it does with the rail-park aid that senators unanimously approved in 2021 and modified in 2022.

Like the rail-park program, LB 281 says no successful applicant can receive more than $30 million. The $50 million overall pot also matches the original appropriation for rail parks before senators added more last year.

DED, the Jacobson-Brewer bill adds, shall give preference to any applicant that intends to use the grant to rebuild a youth outdoor education camp facility that was damaged due to a natural or manmade disaster.

Thats the language, Jacobson said Wednesday, that would give reconstruction of the Halsey camp a leg up for state help without violating the Nebraska Constitutions ban on special legislation benefiting just one entity.

The way you avoid special legislation is to write it broad enough that it doesnt limit others from qualifying, he said. But you can set the parameters tight enough so certain communities could qualify.

A $30 million cap per recipient would leave about 40% of the $50 million pot for other nonprofits that operate youth camps, Jacobson said. He mentioned Easterseals Nebraska as one such group.

Jacobson said he might seek to amend LB 281 later to allow the Halsey camp to serve more than just youths.

I think we need more than just a residential camp, he said. Id like to see it develop like the Lied Lodge, the Nebraska City restaurant and hotel at that citys nonprofit Arbor Day Farm.

Among other recently introduced bills potentially affecting western Nebraska:

A bill introduced by Brewer Tuesday (LB 253) would expand the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center by adding a second campus at Scottsbluff. Senators have talked in recent sessions about the need to grow or renovate the Grand Island center, which trains and certifies many of the states law enforcement officers.

Jacobson and Brewer are among five co-sponsors of Fremont Sen. Lynne Walzs LB 234, which would require Nebraskas railroads to annually report complaints about and locations of blocked railroad crossings to the state Public Service Commission. Its an ongoing frustration and a safety issue, said Jacobson, who has introduced LB 31 to require train crews of at least two people.
A briefing on China's COVID-19 policy held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC) in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the IDCPC]

The International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC) hosted a briefing on Tuesday to explain China's optimization of its COVID-19 response, boosting confidence among the foreign business community in bilateral and multilateral trade and economic cooperation.



Nearly 170 representatives of more than 120 business associations and well-known enterprises from over 30 countries and regions attended the event in Beijing.

At the briefing, officials from the National Health Commission (NHC), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the General Administration of Customs, the National Immigration Administration, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) introduced the optimized COVID-19 measures and answered questions.

Coordinating COVID-19 measures with socioeconomic development

Qian Hongshan, vice minister of the IDCPC, said that over the past three years, China has been coordinating epidemic prevention and control with socioeconomic development, protecting people's lives while minimizing the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic.

Liang Wannian, head of the COVID-19 response expert panel under the NHC, said China has effectively coped with over 100 outbreaks of COVID-19, avoided widespread infections from the original strain and the delta variant, which are relatively more pathogenic than other variants, and managed to maintain low rates of severe illness and mortality.

These steps bought precious time for the development and application of vaccines and medicines as well as the preparation of medical resources, Liang said.

China was the only major economy to achieve positive growth in the pandemic-ravaged year of 2020, and its GDP expanded 8.1% year on year to 114.37 trillion yuan ($16.89 trillion) in 2021, which put the two-year average growth at 5.1%. The country's annual GDP is expected to have exceeded 120 trillion yuan last year.



Tang Song, second-level inspector at the Department of Foreign Investment Administration of the MOC, said China's actual use of foreign capital has expanded over the past three years.

Tang said that in the first 11 months of 2022, foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 9.9% year on year to nearly 1.16 trillion yuan.

Yuval Ben Sadeh, chairman of IsCham, was impressed by how swiftly and effectively China responded to the pandemic while keeping the economy moving forward.

He said: "When the pandemic started, it was great to see how China changed from facing a shortage of masks and equipment to supplying the rest of the world with medical aid in a very short period of time. I still remember some special flights to Israel that came with the equipment."

"I was here [in China] almost during all the time of the pandemic and I think we could see how the economy continued to work. It had some distractions, but still it has continued to grow."

A briefing on China's COVID-19 policy held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC) in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the IDCPC]



A new phase in the COVID-19 response

On Jan. 8, China started managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating category B infectious diseases, instead of category A infectious diseases.

Liang said the optimization would make China's COVID-19 response more science-based, targeted and efficient.

He explained that the current focus of China's COVID-19 response is shifting from infection prevention to "health protection and severe illness prevention," and the country is improving its medical treatment, stepping up protection for key groups, strengthening epidemic response in key places and rural areas, and increasing the supply of medicines and other materials.

In line with the optimized COVID-19 strategy, adjustments have been made to facilitate the safe and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals and international exchange and cooperation.

According to the briefing, China has now canceled nucleic acid tests for international arrivals, and inbound travelers to the country are advised to take a nucleic acid test within 48 hours before their departure.

Meanwhile, measures have been taken to improve the application process for exit documents by mainland residents, the handling of entry, exit, stay and residence for foreigners, and customs clearance services, said the briefing.

Liang Nan, director of the Transport Department of the CAAC, said that the administration is promoting the safe and smooth resumption of international passenger flights.

"The CAAC started to accept the flight plan applications of Chinese and foreign airlines on Jan. 8," Liang said. "Nearly 40 Chinese and foreign airlines have submitted applications for about 700 passenger flights involving 34 countries per week. Most of the flights are scheduled to resume operations from late January to February."

Representatives of foreign business associations and enterprises ask questions at a briefing on China's COVID-19 policy held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC) in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the IDCPC]



A future full of promise

China's fine-tuning of its COVID-19 response has bolstered people's confidence in the country's improved growth momentum, increased opening-up and greater contributions to the global economic recovery.

According to Tang, during the MOC's one-on-one visits, many foreign-funded enterprises and international business associations said the optimized measures were "timely and exciting," "solved the major problem of foreign nationals coming to China" and "made their development expectations in China more stable."

A number of foreign companies are making plans for their senior executives to visit China, and promoting the resumption of relevant projects, Tang said.

Lu Hai, director of Public Affairs at MexCham, said the adjusted measures would promote economic and trade cooperation between China and Mexico, particularly in the tourism sector.

"In 2019, Mexico received more than 100,000 Chinese tourists," he said. "We expect that from the second quarter to the second half of this year, the tourism exchanges between China and Mexico and other Latin American countries will further recover. We are looking forward to it."

Pierre Mirochnikoff, vice president of the French Chamber of Commerce in China, highlighted the importance of cooperation between Europe and China and said that now is the time to work together to create better business relationships.

Qian Hongshan said that as a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, China will open up more sectors of the economy in a more thorough way to increase space for win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
Kat Tenbarge was trending alongside Camille Vasquez because of all the trolls attacking her.

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Also, her shit-eating grin in that photo is infuriating.

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she seriously has the most obnoxious face.

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They stay a shit network

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hope she gets fired soon 

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Sad but not surprised to see people's jealousy jumping out. She's smart and extremely driven, and won one of the highest profile legal cases of last year, one that was an uphill battle from the start since Depp was guilty. I can see how that might intimidate people.



The campaign to get that one anchor fired is pathetic too. Dumb to start with and they only got 1,500 signatures anyway lol.

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I hope this is satire

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this is the sad result of what happens to brains of people who listen to too much red scare

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I think you're confusing disdain for her open misogyny with jealousy. They're very different things. I don't think the people that are complaining are jealous of the harm she's done to victims and survivors of domestic violence as much as they are outraged that she's capitalizing on that very harm and the desire for women who will readily defend predatory men to be in places where they can easily disseminate their misogyny.



After all, how smart do you need to be to use the same abuse myths and negative stereotypes that have been harming women and protecting men for millennia?

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oh my god you are just the absolute worst

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possiblewerf Sad but not surprised to see people's jealousy jumping out. She's smart and extremely driven, and won one of the highest profile legal cases of last year, one that was an uphill battle from the start since Depp was guilty. I can see how that might intimidate people.

The campaign to get that one anchor fired is pathetic too. Dumb to start with and they only got 1,500 signatures anyway lol.





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"sad but not surprised to see people's jealousy jumping out"

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i understand trolling, but with this much effort. why

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Sad but not surprised to see your idiocy jumping out.



Edited at 2023-01-12 09:00 pm (UTC)

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An attorney who uses shady tactics and bad faith arguments is still bad even if they win. Next youll be calling Casey Anthonys attorney a legal genius.



Its also not that hard for people actually trained in law to trick an untrained jury.

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Here is your well deserved thumbs down.

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That you're commending someone for winning a case in favour of the guilty party says everything about you.

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Jealousy?? Really. Is that what you're going for here. Alright.

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I suspected it for ages but now I know for sure youre one of those who was banned during the trial posts for your bullshit takes. Sneaking back in under another account - Im sure you wont last much longer with this kind of arseholery.

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Dude....I was just starting to like you...or maybe it was just your icon.



Edited at 2023-01-13 12:26 am (UTC)

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Did your brain fall out?

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The "you're all just jealous" line. How very florals for spring of you.



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Voted off the ONTD island.

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Is anyone surprised? This is the network that protected Matt Lauer and Harvey Weinstein for years.

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On that note, I wanna thump Matt ala Whac A Mole whenever he puts out stories about "Matt is so sad & lonely at his home. He can't bring himself to go out. And worse, Katie betrayed him for no reason! He would love to come back one day, on his own terms. Cough cough. "



Edited at 2023-01-12 08:39 pm (UTC)

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Her face makes me so angry

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The dislike 

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Adding a note of concern to that personnel file.

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the user is a terf troll lol they're literally just making comments to mock how they perceive ONTD

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I was so lost for a second I thought you were referring to MY dislike of the lawyer lmao I was like EXCUSE ME?

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that's just your jealousy speaking, honeeeeyyyyyy

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obvs not a lawyer, but can she really provide any insightful viewpoints on this, like is this even her area of law expertise?

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She's a contract lawyer. 

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Between Matt Lauer being a sexual predator, Ann Curry being bullied and forced out like yesterdays trash, giving Megyn Kelley her own damn show, and now hiring Camille Vasquez, youd think a rival networks news division was calling the shots at NBC.

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I replaced her picture in my ONTDU Law School Seminar post with Erin Brockovich

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I wanna smack that stupid smirk on her face every time I see it

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I think how all networks acted with the Depp case means this doesn't surprise me.



News networks don't seem to be interested in morals.

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I wonder what Brian Williams thinks about this. He seems to be a good egg unless there is something I missed.

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he lied about something 9/11/iraq war related... like being shot at in a plane or something, then confessed to it like 15 years later and his daughter is annoying, but other than that he's not too bad.

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@ the Mods - has anyone submitted Kat's latest story re: Rick and Morty?



If not I'll make one

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*googles* somehow that does not surprise me one whit.

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I saw it on Deadline's IG, I think. I was shocked that something finally came out since that one video came out.

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oh whats happening?

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Although China does not have a claim to the field itself, it does have fishing rights nearby and is notoriously protective of all its claims in the South China Sea.

The field lies between Indonesia and Vietnam, meaning the development will involve the Indonesian navy and will have serious geopolitical implications.

Last week, Indonesia's government approved an offshore gas project with a price tag of over $3 billion. On the surface, that's just business as usual. Below the surface, the move is a direct challenge to China's territorial claims because the gas block is in the South China Sea.

The Tuna block, Reuters reported last week, lies in the waters between Indonesia and Vietnam. The Indonesian oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, says the block could see peak production of 115 million cubic feet daily by 2027. The gas will be exported to Vietnam, per an earlier statement by the Indonesian energy minister.

"There will be activity in the border area which is one of the world's geopolitical hot spots," the chairman of the oil and gas regulator, Dwi Soetjipto, said. "The Indonesian navy will also participate in securing the upstream oil and gas project so that economically and politically, it becomes an affirmation of Indonesia's sovereignty."

The challenge, then, is a perfectly deliberate decision that could put Indonesia on a collision course with China, with the latter known to flex its military muscles in the South China Sea whenever another country in the basin dares try to establish a presence for oil and gas production purposes.

Related: $4.2 Billion Oil Tanker Merger Falls Through



The South China Sea is seen by many, including in China, as a vast untapped oil and gas reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey in the 1990s estimated these reserves at some 28 billion barrels of crude, but a 2019 report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration put these at 11 billion barrels, both proven and probable.

Natural gas reserves are also quite significant, at an estimated 190 trillion cubic feet, per the EIA, also proven and probable. But there may be a lot more oil and gas in as-of-yet undiscovered deposits under the waters of the South China Sea, according to a USGS study from 2010. To be more precise, the USGS estimates these at between 5 and 22 billion barrels of crude and 70 and 290 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Now, as the EIA notes in its report about the South China Sea reserves, most of the discovered oil and gas is in undisputed waters. This, however, is not really the case with the Tuna block, which lies near the Natuna Islands.

Although China does not have a claim to the islands themselves, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that it does have a claim to part of the waters around them, including fishing rights. And there have already been clashes between Indonesia and China in this area.

In 2016, the WSJ recalls, Chinese coast guards stopped the Indonesian authorities from detaining a Chinese fishing boat in the waters around the Natuna Islands. Then, in 2021, when the Indonesians sent a rig to the Tune block for some exploratory drilling, the Chinese sent the coast guard.

According to an exclusive report by Reuters from that time, Beijing had also demanded that Jakarta stop drilling in the block because its ownership is under dispute. Jakarta, however, refused. Drilling at the Tuna block ended successfully.

The situation, however, is tricky. As Reuters noted in its 2021 report, China is Indonesia's biggest trade partner and the place where a lot of investments in Indonesia come from. Yet Indonesia also considers the development of fields like the Tuna a strategic goal. And, apparently, it is ready to confront its bigger, intimidating neighbor to advance that goal.

ADVERTISEMENT

"While China may return for another round of harassment, I don't expect Indonesia will be cowed by anything short of physical force," the director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Gregory Poling, told the WSJ. The question, then, is whether China is prepared to use physical force to advance its claim to most of the South China Sea.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Swedens refusal to share information about the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines is puzzling, and withholding the results of the investigation means that Swedish authorities are hiding something, Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

Traces of explosives were found near the sites of the explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, Sweden said in November, noting that the incident is gross sabotage.

Gas leaks in each of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were discovered at the end of September from the infrastructure just outside Swedish and Danish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.

An investigation launched by the Swedish authorities concluded that the leaks were the result of detonations, likely the result of serious sabotage.

Sweden, Denmark, and Germany are also jointly investigating the incident with the gas pipelines built to carry Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea.

Nord Stream 2 was never put into operation after Germany axed the certification process following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia, for its part, shut down Nord Stream 1 indefinitely in early September, claiming an inability to repair gas turbines because of the Western sanctions.

Today, Russia criticized Swedens refusal to share information about the findings of the investigation with Russia, and Zakharova said that Russian experts in the course of an objective investigation may come to uncomfortable conclusions and, finally, reveal to the public the ugly truth about who committed these acts of sabotage and terrorist attacks, as carried by Russian news agency TASS.

The hiding of facts is evidence of the obvious: the Swedish authorities are hiding something, Zakharova added.

Last year, Russia accused the UK Navy of being involved in the explosions that put the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines out of commission.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
On July 19, 2022, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russian gas company Gazprom worth close to $40 billion. The deal was signed by the CEOs of both companies during a virtual ceremony on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran for a summit with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, July 19, 2022). The expansion of the Kish and North Pars gas fields, enhancement of the South Pars field, development of six new oil fields, increased gas and product swaps, completion of various liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, construction of gas export pipelines, as well as other scientific and technological cooperation are among the most important highlights of the memorandum (Shana, July 19, 2022). Among the mentioned items, Russian investment in Irans oil and gas fields is especially crucial for Tehran.

During the presidency of the reformist politician Mohammad Khatami (19972005), Tehran succeeded in attracting the participation and investment of international oil and gas companies, including Frances Total and Malaysias Petronas, into Irans oil and gas industries. Increased investments led to the significant development of the largest natural gas field in the world, the South Pars in Asaluyeh in southern Iran. But after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power and the United Nations Security Council imposed nuclear sanctions against Iran (20062015), these international companies began to leave Iran.

Related: Platts Survey: OPEC+ Oil Production Rose By 140,000 Bpd In December



Even so, after the moderate government of Hassan Rouhani came to power in August 2013, the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015 and the lifting of sanctions by the UN Security Council, conditions in Iran once again provided for the participation and investment of foreign oil and gas companies, including from Russia, China and India. However, the United States unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, coupled with the policy of maximum pressure and unilateral US sanctions adopted by the Trump administration, caused foreign investment in Iranian oil and gas to stop again. Under such circumstances, Lukoil, Russias second-largest oil producer, which had been in talks with Iran over the development of the Abe Timur and Mansuri oil fields, announced it had decided not to go ahead with plans to develop projects in Iran at the moment due to the threat of US sanctions (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, May 31, 2018). Furthermore, Russian state oil giant Rosneft has reportedly canceled its plans to invest in joint projects worth up to $30 billion with the NIOC over fear of US sanctions (The Moscow Times, December 13, 2018).

This process continued despite the election of US President Joe Biden, as negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear agreement and return the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action did not reach a clear conclusion (see EDM, December 13, 2022). But when extensive Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow in response to Russias military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, cooperation between Iran and Russia entered a new stage as both countries now had critical sectors, including oil and gas, under sanctions. Since Iran has suffered heavy losses in the development of its oil and gas industry, especially regarding the joint oil and gas fields with Iraq and Qatar, during the long period of UN (20062015) and unilateral US (starting in 2018) sanctions, one key clause of the MoU signed between the NIOC and Gazprom refers to increased Russian investments for the express purpose of further developing Irans oil and gas fields (Shana, July 19, 2022). Now, Russian companies are involved in the development of the Kopal, Cheshmeh Khosh, Dalperi, Paydar Sharq (eastern Paydar), Aban and Paydar Gharb (western Paydar) fields in Irans south.

In this regard, the head of the NIOC, Mohsen Khojasteh-Mehr, pointed out that Russia is one of the largest crude oil producing countries and their expertise is in producing oil in very harsh and difficult climates. The capabilities and technology of Russian companies in oil production are very high, and as a result, they will undoubtedly be able to cope with the development of Irans oil and gas fields (Nioc.ir, July 23, 2022).

However, some Iranian experts are cynical in this regard, asserting that current agreements between Iran and Russia are memoranda, not contracts, and therefore, Russian companies will not be legally obligated to fully implement their commitments (Iraninlt.com, September 26, 2022). For this reason, if the revival of the JCPOA fails completely and Irans nuclear program is once again under UN Security Council sanctions, it is possible that Russian companies will leave Iran again. In addition, Russias approach to global oil markets after the launch of its war against Ukraine and the sale of Russian oil to some of Irans traditional customers, such as China, and India, at a lower price have caused some Iranian experts to postulate that strengthening the production capacity of Irans oil fields and increasing Iranian oil exports will not benefit Russiawhich means Moscow will be slow to send assistance.

Yet, in response to these criticisms, Khojasteh-Mehr argued that according to the background of the $40 billion agreement with the Russians and their operations in the fields of Iran, Naturally, there should be no doubt about the determination of the parties to convert the memorandum into a contract. Indeed, sanctions do not affect this memorandum and the signing of its contracts because Iran and Russia have decided to define strategic relations between each other under the conditions of sanctions (Nioc.ir, July 23, 2022).

In general, under the current conditions of sanctions, which have stopped foreign investment in Irans oil and gas industries, Tehran hopes it can capitalize on the postwar conditions in Russia following the end of the Ukraine conflict and the extensive Western sanctions against Moscow to attract additional investments from the Kremlin. In this regard, Iran aims to be able to partially compensate for the lack of other foreign investments and the significant lag in the development of its energy resources. The signing of the $40 billion agreement between the NIOC and Gazprom can stand as a prelude to the return of other major Russian oil and gas companies, such as Rosneft and Lukoil, to Iran. Nevertheless, this process will undoubtedly be influenced by critical external factors, including the future of the Ukraine war and Western sanctions, the future revitalization of the JCPOA and the overall developments in the global oil and gas markets.

By The Jamestown Foundation

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Full EU storage and lackluster demand in the U.S. could keep gas prices capped in the short term.

U.S. natural gas prices are back to reflecting the domestic supply and demand balances, shaking off  for now  the geopolitical premium that ruled the energy and natural gas markets throughout most of 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

U.S. weather forecasts for the winter, storage levels, and production trends were the biggest drivers of natural gas at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, and will continue to be such in the coming months, analysts and forecasters say.

This year and next, U.S. natural gas prices will average slightly less than $5 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), down by 25% compared to the 2022 average, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its first monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) for 2023 on Tuesday. Rising U.S. natural gas production, relatively flat LNG exports, and declining domestic consumption in the power generation and industrial sectors will limit upward pressure on prices in 2023, the EIA notes.

The U.S. benchmark price at Henry Hub tumbled in the first trading days of 2023 to the lowest level in a year, falling below the $4/MMBtu mark due to a mild start to January after the Winter Storm Elliott on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Last year, prices saw huge volatility, as did all energy commodities, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine roiled markets. The U.S. benchmark natural gas prices spiked to as high as nearly $10/MMBtu in August, when European natural gas prices were hitting records. The geopolitical premium was adding $2 to $3 per MMBtu to the U.S. natural gas prices at various points in 2022, Christopher Louney, a commodity analyst at RBC Capital Markets, told The Wall Street Journal this week.

Related: China Jet Fuel Demand Set To Soar Ahead Of Lunar New Year



By the autumn and at the beginning of the winter, U.S. prices had fallen back to $5/MMBtu or below as they returned to reflect the American supply and demand fundamentals. Storage levels recovering back to the five-year average and warmer-than-usual weathermeaning low or very low demandset the trend in prices at the start of 2023.

Natural gas demand is expected to be low to very low over the next two weeks amid higher temperatures, with stronger consumption expected at the end of January as a colder spell is set to begin on January 24, according to NatGasWeather.

It certainly seemed like yesterdays 11% spike higher was overdone when considering theres still nearly 2-weeks of record light national demand to trudge through. And now that overnight Feb23 prices are back to $3.74, $4 suddenly seems far away, NatGasWeather said on Tuesday.

Natural gas prices globally are now more connected than ever due to the high American LNG exports, but even at record exports, LNG shipments out of the U.S. account for around 9% of Americas natural gas production.

With European gas storage at a comfortable 82% full level as of January 9, compared to just over 50% at this time last year, the short-term outlook of U.S. natural gas prices looks bearish.

Thats also due to milder weather in most of the northern hemisphere at the beginning of 2023, rising U.S. gas production, and expected stable U.S. LNG exports.

Gas prices are still very much influenced by the regional forces affecting weather and storage levels. Throughout much of 2022, storage in both the United States and Canada had been trailing the five-year average, but levels have now reached the five-year average in the United States and have almost reached that point in Canada, Deloitte Canada said in its latest energy, oil, and gas price forecast.

The abundance of supply that can be brought to market and seasonally average storage levels mean that prices in North America will not likely reach elevated levels for long, if at all.

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According to the EIAs STEO out this week, Despite our expectation that new LNG export facilities and expansion projects will come online in 2024 we expect natural gas prices to be relatively flatwith the possibility of lower pricesdue to continued increases in U.S. natural gas production.

We expect production in both the Permian region in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico and in the Haynesville region in Louisiana and East Texas to continue to grow with the completion of new pipeline infrastructure expansions in 2023 and 2024.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Biden isnt ruling out more releases from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserves, U.S. Presidents economic advisor Cecilia Rouse said on Thursday.

The SPR, Rouse added, is still at half of capacity.

President Joe Biden moved in April last year to release 180 million barrels from the nations SPR from April to September 2022. At the time the announcement was made, the SPR held more than 564 million barrels of crude oil. Today, that figure has shrunk to 371 million barrels and is the lowest volume in the SPR since 1983.

President Biden had promised to refill the SPR, but a February tender to purchase oil to replenish inventories was canceled by the Administration, which found the bids unacceptable.

The US Department of Energy pointed out at the end of 2022 that it doesnt make sense to release crude oil from the SPR while they are also trying to fill it. It said at the time that it was looking to cancel or delay sales from the SPR from 2024 to 2027, ostensibly to give the Administration time to replenish.

Crude oil inventories in the United States grew last week by 19 million barrels, swinging commercial inventories back above the five-year average.

Commercial inventories grew by 28 million barrels total throughout 2022, while SPR crude inventories shrank by 221 million barrels. The steep sell-off in strategic stockpiles drew criticism from opponents who argued that the SPR should be saved in case of emergencies, while others lauded the Administrations efforts to bring down gasoline prices.

OPEC+ managed, however, to throw a wrench into the Administrations plans by cutting production while SPR inventories were being released, somewhat muting the effects on prices at the pump.

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Gasoline prices have come down 3 cents on a year over year basis.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Electricity shortages are possible in the Netherlands by the end of this decade, Dutch power grid operator TenneT said on Thursday, in what is just the latest forecast for power outages.

While media has spoke of near-term power outages in Europe that could hit this winter or next, TenneT is eyeing energy shortfalls near the end of the decadea side effect of the ongoing switch away from fossil fuels and towards renewables.

TenneT said that while the switch away from fossil fuels will drive power demand, power generation is growing increasingly weather dependent, with disruptions likely.

As production processes switch to electric and Europe sees to the closure of many of its flexible power plants that run on fossil fuels, including coal, international supply will become more uncertain, TenneT said on Thursday, according to Reuters.

TenneT sees domestic supply as sufficient to meet the demand for the next couple of years. But towards the end of the decade, the power landscape looks increasingly shaky.

Tennet said these shortages could be prevented by increasing the flexibility of electricity supply and demand, for starters. Other measures that will be required to stave off power outages are technological advancements in finding ways to store power from renewable energy such as wind and solar, and expanding connections with British and Scandinavian grids.

The Dutch Council of Ministers approved plans to build two new nuclear power plans last month, with completion scheduled for 2035. The nuclear power additions are expected to supply between 9 and 13% of the Netherlands total electricity needs. The plants have a combined price tag of $5.34 billion. The notion of small modular reactors in the Netherlands also hasnt been entirely dismissed.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Egypt exported some 8 million tons of liquefied natural gas last year, worth $8 to $8.5 billion, the countrys mineral resources ministry said this week, noting the price rally in liquefied natural gas that helped drive revenues higher.

The North African country has solid ambitions in natural gas development, planning to become one of the biggest players in the region. The ambition took shape after the 2015 discovery of the giant Zohr field by Italys Eni. Zohr has reserves estimated at 850 billion cubic meters of gas.

To that end, earlier this week, Egypt granted Exxon oil and gas exploration rights to two offshore blocks in the outer Nile Delta.

Exploration in the blocks is slated to begin later this year, with Exxon having full operatorship of both with a 100% stake. The blocks cover 11,000 square kilometers.

Last month, Egypt announced a gas discovery in its section of the Mediterranean, in a block operated by Chevron. The discovery could hold some 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Egypt has some 2.21 trillion cubic meters of proven gas reserves and produced over 95 billion cubic meters as of 2021, with exports at 12 billion cubic meters in that year, which was an annual increase of 58 percent. Exports increased further last year, thanks especially to the gas shortage in Europe, with most of Egypts LNG exports going to that continent.

In the eight years to 2022, Egypts gas export revenues have increased 13 times, with exports themselves swelling four times in the period. Production in the eight years to 2022 increased by over 66 percent.

Last year, Egypt signed a deal with Israel and the European Union to boost gas deliveries from the two formers to the latter, with the EU encouraging EU-based energy companies to participate in exploration projects in Egypt and Israel.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Swedish mining company LKAB said on Thursday that it had identified significant deposits of rare earth elements in the Kiruna area in Sweden in what is the largest known deposit of its kind in Europe.

After a successful exploration stage, LKAB found that mineral resources of rare earth elements in the area exceed 1 million tons of rare earth oxides.

This is the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in our part of the world, and it could become a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition. We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles, LKABs President and Group CEO, Jan Mostrom, said in a statement.

Europe doesnt currently have mining operations for rare earth elements, leaving the continent to rely heavily on imports, especially from China.

Electrification, the EUs self-sufficiency and independence from Russia and China will begin in the mine. We need to strengthen industrial value chains in Europe and create real opportunities for the electrification of our societies, said Swedens Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, Ebba Busch.

Despite the large deposit found in Kiruna, LKAB admits it faces a long road ahead in mining for those rare earth elements. The company plans to apply for an exploitation concession this year.

If we look at how other permit processes have worked within our industry, it will be at least 10-15 years before we can actually begin mining and deliver raw materials to the market, Mostrom said, calling for a change in the permitting processes to ensure increased mining of this type of raw material in Europe.

Last year, Europe started taking steps to reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals and rare earth elements crucial to the energy transition. According to the European Commission, China provides 98% of the EUs supply of rare earth elements.

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The EU has created the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), which aims to make Europe economically more resilient by diversifying its supply chains, creating jobs, and attracting investments to the raw materials value chain. By 2030, ERMAs activities are expected to increase the production of raw and advanced materials.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday urged efforts to strengthen the accountability for work safety and step up the implementation of work safety measures.

China's work safety situation remained generally stable in 2022, but there are still many challenges and risks, Li made the remarks while instructing a national video teleconference held by the State Council.

The premier underlined efforts to enhance supervision and assessment and management of safety hazards in transportation, mines, construction, hazardous chemicals, firefighting and other key industries.

Liu He, Chinese vice premier and head of the Work Safety Committee of the State Council, attended the teleconference with State Councilors Wang Yong and Zhao Kezhi, who are both deputy heads of the committee.

Noting that the resumption of work and production, as well as the consumption revival are speeding up, bringing many uncertainties, the meeting urged related departments to remain clear-headed.

It also highlighted the need to ensure work safety in every link, including the planning, construction, production and operation parts.

Efforts should also be made to improve contingency plans and precautions during the Spring Festival holiday, the "two sessions," and other important time periods, according to the meeting
Russias Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has replaced the commander in charge of Moscow's war in Ukraine, appointing the current Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, in place of General Sergey Surovikin.

Now Surovikin will be a deputy to the new commander, Gerasimov, and will remain in charge of the air force. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the reshuffle reflects the expansion of the operations goals and the need for closer cooperation between different parts of the army.

Surovikin was put in charge of the operation last October and immediately initiated strikes on Ukraines electric grid and power generation infrastructure, plunging much of the country into the dark.

As a result of the strikes, Ukrainians were urged to conserve electricity until the damage is repaired. However, given the extent of this damaged and the continued Russian strikes, conservation will likely extend as a means of ensuring power supply.

"In the near future, a significant drop in temperature is expected, which will lead to a rapid increase in consumption," Ukrenergo, the countrys grid operator, said in a Telegram statement earlier this month, as temperatures began to drop after an unseasonably warm spell.

"The energy system is currently unable to fully cover it due to the damage and the enemy's occupation of a number of power plants that produce electricity, in particular, and the most powerful - the Zaporizhzhia NPP (nuclear power plant)," the company also said, as quoted by Reuters.

The EU has pledged to help with the repairs of damaged infrastructure but the task will not be easy. Ukraines power plants and grid have not been upgraded since the fall of the Soviet Union. Repairs, therefore, would require a lot of equipment that appears to not be readily available right now, and a lot of time.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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South Korea will rely more on nuclear power generation in its efforts to reach net zero by 2050, according to its latest plan, which envisages a lower share of renewable power generation in the electricity mix.

South Korea will aim to have nuclear energy account for nearly one-third of its electricity generation capacity by 2030, while renewables are set to meet 21.6% of power demand, down from a previous forecast of just over 30%, per government documents released on Thursday and quoted by Bloomberg.

In earlier plans, South Korea was targeting a 24% share of nuclear power generation capacity.

Currently, 25 reactors provide about one-third of South Koreas electricity from 23 GWe of plant, according to the World Nuclear Association.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, elected in March 2022, scrapped his predecessors policy to phase out nuclear energy over some 45 years. The new president has set a target for nuclear to provide at least 30% of the countrys electricity in 2030.

South Koreas latest plan also calls for a lower share of LNG in the power generation mix as part of the countrys net-zero targets, as many countries have moved to bolster their energy security after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the market turmoil that followed.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Western allies of the U.S. and the EU have stepped up efforts to ensure energy security and depend less on energy commodities. Many of those have chosen to rely more on nuclear energy.

Just this week, Swedens government proposed changes in the current legislation to allow the construction and operation of more nuclear reactors as it looks to strengthen its energy security.

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Even Japan is bringing back nuclear power as a key energy source, looking to protect its energy security in the crisis that has led to surging fossil fuel prices. The Japanese government confirmed in December a new policy for nuclear energy, which the country had mostly abandoned since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. A panel of experts under the Japanese Ministry of Industry decided that Japan would allow the development of new nuclear reactors and allow available reactors to operate after the current limit of 60 years.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Thursday a bill that looks to ban the sale of crude oil from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.

The new legislation bans all sales of crude oil from the United States SPR to any entity under the influence, control, or ownership of Chinas Communist Partyunless that oil isnt exported to China.

The billH.R. 22, Protecting Americas Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, did more than just squeak by along party lines. The legislation passed 331 to 97, with 113 Democrats voting to ban crude SPR sales to China.

The current process allows for crude oil sales from the nations SPR to companies who make the highest offer, which includes U.S. subsidiaries of foreign oil companies, which could then export that crude oil overseas.

Some of last years emergency SPR sales did go to Chinese-owned companies, including to Unipec Americawhich is wholly owned by Sinopec, Chinas state-run oil company.

The practice drew criticism over the summer when domestic gasoline prices were running at uncomfortable highs, with some arguing that shipping crude oil from the SPR out of the country did little to bring down gasoline prices at home.

House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers argued that Americas SPR is meant for true energy supply disruptions, like those caused by hurricanes and natural disasters, not to help China, according to copies of her floor remarks, while Tom Kloza, head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service told The Hill last week that the legislation sounded pretty silly.

It is a world market and its like water seeking its own level and when you sold oil on the incremental market whether it moved to domestic sources or whether it moved overseas it did temper the enthusiasm for high-priced oil, Kloza said.

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Others, like Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, criticized the bill for not outright banning all crude oil sales to China.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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LINCOLN  Omaha and Lincoln would have to create citizen police oversight boards with staff investigators under a bill introduced in the Legislature Wednesday.

Legislative Bill 284 would also require college degrees for law enforcement officers, tighten up requirements for no-knock warrants and bar law enforcement from keeping lists of purported gang members.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he introduced the bill because he believes changes are needed in law enforcement. The measure addresses several concerns raised in recent years, particularly after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in 2020.

Its not to demonize police, he said. I think we need real police accountability in the state of Nebraska.

McKinney said citizen police oversight boards are needed so the public has a place to take complaints and concerns other than the police departments themselves or the city administration.

Under the bill, the boards would be charged with investigating police-involved shootings, allegations of police mistreatment or misconduct and complaints from the public, as well as allegations from police employees about discrimination or sexual harassment on the job. The boards also would monitor and evaluate policing standards, patterns and practices.

In addition, LB 284 would require that new law enforcement trainees have a college degree and that existing officers get a college degree by 2037. The bill would prohibit law enforcement from collecting or keeping lists of people suspected of gang membership and would require them to delete existing lists.

McKinney said gang membership lists are not accurate and people have no way of knowing if they have been put on a list or how they can get off one.

LB 284 was among 59 bills and four proposed constitutional amendments tossed into the legislative hopper Wednesday. Among them:

Death penalty. Legislative Resolution 17CA, introduced by McKinney, would amend the Nebraska Constitution to prohibit the death penalty and convert existing death sentences to life imprisonment. Former Sen. Ernie Chambers, who held the same seat as McKinney for more than four decades, tried for years to eliminate Nebraskas death penalty.

Child tax credit. Low- and middle-income parents would get refundable income tax credits worth up to $1,000 per child under LB 294, introduced by Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. An estimated 896,000 Nebraskans, including 478,000 children, would qualify for the credits. The credits would phase out as parents income increases. Nine states now have such credits.

Conrad also introduced LB 295, which would increase the refundable income tax credits provided through the existing Earned Income Tax Credit program. Such credits are available to lower-income working people and currently are equal to 10% of federal EITC credits. LB 295 would increase them to 17% of the federal credits.

Suicide and guns. Firearms dealers would be required to give information to gun buyers about suicide prevention, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline number, under LB 314. The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. John Fredrickson of Omaha and Tom Brewer of Gordon. It also would add suicide prevention information to the training required for people getting permits to carry concealed weapons.

School aid. LB 320, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, would boost state support for schools by making use of unclaimed property tax credit funds. The bill would guarantee schools that at least 10% of their basic funding needs would be covered through a new state trust fund. The trust would be created with money left unclaimed under a program that provides property owners with refundable income tax credits to offset a portion of school property taxes. Some 30% to 40% of the credits were left on the table in the programs first two years.

Needle program. Public health programs that distribute hypodermic needles to prevent infectious diseases would be exempt from state statutes outlawing drug paraphernalia under LB 307, introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha.

Big lake. Authorities could not use eminent domain to acquire land for a proposed lake development along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln under LB 292, introduced by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha. Lawmakers launched a study of the lake proposal last year.

Cocktail taxes. LB 301, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, would nearly quadruple the tax on ready-to-drink cocktails. The bill would increase the tax from 95 cents per gallon to $3.75 per gallon.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
LINCOLN  A Nebraska state senator introduced a bill Thursday aimed at limiting education on subject matter commonly referred to by conservatives as critical race theory.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil introduced Legislative Bill 374, dubbed the Parents Bill of Rights and Academic Transparency Act. It was one of 84 bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature Thursday.

Murman, a Republican farmer, was elected last week to be chair of the Legislatures Education Committee, replacing Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, a Democrat and former teacher. Last year, Murman led a Republican effort calling for a probe into the State Department of Education over an alleged promotion of critical race theory through the departments website.

The bill Murman introduced Thursday would expand parents opportunities to challenge schools about learning materials they consider inappropriate.

Though the words critical race theory were not included in the bill, the bill uses language frequently used by conservative advocates to describe critical race theory. Although that description often doesnt line up with the official definition of the term.

One part of the bill prohibits instruction that promotes that members of a specific race are inherently inferior or superior, or bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race.

(The bill) wont allow racism to be taught in schools, Murman said.

The official definition of critical race theory defines it as an academic concept based on the idea that racism is a social construct embedded in the nations legal systems and policies, rather than stemming from individual prejudice. The concept is most commonly taught in law schools, not K-12 schools.

Murman claimed that critical race theory is taught in Nebraskas public schools, though he refrained from describing it as a prominent issue. He declined to give any specific examples.

LB 374 shares similarities with another bill, LB 71, which was introduced last week and was co-signed by Murman. The bill would require that public schools disclose instructional materials to parents and allow parents to request that their child be excused from certain lessons or activities.

Murman said LB 374 is a broader version of the other bill. It would require schools adopt a policy giving parents access to review all learning materials the school uses, and give parents an opportunity to object and withdraw their students from lessons or activities in which materials are used that conflict with the parents firmly held beliefs, values, or principles.

Many of the processes suggested in LB 374 are already in place in most public schools.

The bill outlines the right of a parent, student or teacher to sue their school if they believe the school has violated the bills regulations. Parents would also have the ability to submit a complaint to the Nebraska Department of Education if their school refuses to remove library content deemed inappropriate.

Other noteworthy bills Thursday included another Murman measure, which would prohibit individuals under 19 from attending drag shows, along with legislation to reduce maximum sentences for juvenile convictions and a bill expanding options for mail-in voting.

One bill that has yet to be introduced is an attempt to further restrict Nebraskas abortion access. On Wednesday Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston announced her intent to introduce the bill, which would prohibit all abortions once embryonic cardiac activity can be detected  typically around six weeks past fertilization.

Heres a roundup of the bills that did get introduced Thursday:

Drag shows: LB 371, also introduced by Murman, would prohibit individuals under 19 from attending drag shows. Jane Seu, ACLU of Nebraska legal and policy counsel, described the bill as unconstitutional censorship in an effort to silence members of the LGBTQ community. Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha has already introduced a motion to indefinitely postpone the bill.

Juvenile corrections: LB 339 would reduce maximum sentences for juvenile convictions, would protect the identities of juveniles prior to a criminal conviction, and would prohibit juveniles from being held out of state prior to their conviction. The bills introducer, Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, called Nebraskas current juvenile corrections system horrible, and said it contributes to the states ongoing prison overcrowding problem.

Mail-in voting: LB 365, introduced by Hunt, would allow all Nebraska counties to hold elections solely through mail-in votes, regardless of population. Some smaller counties already do this. Hunts bill directly conflicts with LB 228, introduced by Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, which would effectively eliminate almost all mail-in voting in Nebraska.

Tax credits: LB 370, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, would require that a red slip of paper be included with every tax statement notifying residents of available tax credits.

Pregnancy: LB 391 would provide criminal and civil immunity for individuals who end their pregnancy either intentionally or unintentionally. The bills introducer, Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, has opposed previous attempts to restrict abortion access in Nebraska.

Postpartum: LB 419 would extended the states Medicaid and Medicare postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 20 other state senators.

Teachers: LB 385, introduced by Linehan, would establish a State Department of Education grant with a $10 million cap in an effort to recruit and retain teachers. Teachers who apply would receive $5,000 under the bill. The Nebraska Department of Education reported that 14% of teacher positions across the states 143 school districts were unfilled during the 2021-22 school year.

LB 413, introduced by Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, would establish the Interstate Teaching Mobility Compact, which would help teachers maintain their licenses through multiple states.

Pheasants: LB 400 would establish the Nest Predator Bounty Program, adding a $10,000 bounty for badgers, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, red foxes and striped skunks harvested between March 1 and July 1 in an effort to protect Nebraskas pheasant population. Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon introduced the bill.

Israel: LB 343, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, would prohibit public entities from entering into contracts with companies that boycott Israel, a likely reference to the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed widespread expectations Thursday when he announced former Gov. Pete Ricketts as the person for the job to fill Nebraskas vacancy in the U.S. Senate.

Ricketts, a major Pillen supporter, will replace Ben Sasse, who officially resigned from the Senate on Sunday to become the next president of the University of Florida. Ricketts will be sworn in when the Senate reconvenes Jan. 23.

Ricketts said he expects to continue Sasses conservative voting record, especially on judicial nominees, and plans to prioritize making government work better and having a strong national defense, particularly against China.

I am very grateful for this unexpected opportunity to continue to serve the people of Nebraska, Ricketts said. I wont let you down.

Nebraskas senior senator, Republican Deb Fischer, joined 30 state lawmakers and the states top elected officials for the announcement. Ricketts wife, Susanne Shore, and his son, Roscoe, also attended.

Ricketts is Pillens predecessor, serving as Nebraskas governor for eight years up until last week, when Pillen was sworn in. Before he left office, Ricketts announced he was applying for the position. Ricketts previously sought a Senate seat in 2006, but was defeated by the incumbent, Democrat Ben Nelson.

On Thursday, Pillen said that 111 people applied for the job and that he interviewed nine candidates over the last three days, including former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and Sid Dinsdale, chairman of Pinnacle Bank.

Among the more than 100 applicants who didnt get an interview were Ann Ashford, widow of former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford of Omaha, and TV and radio talk show host Tom Becka of Omaha.

Pillen said the choice was very, very obvious.

The governor said he looked for someone who would represent the values and ideology important to Nebraskans, have a servants heart for public service and be a God-fearing person of incredible faith. He also looked for someone who believes in less government and fiscal accountability, who would defend Nebraska and the nation and who understands the importance of agriculture to Nebraska.

Its really, really important this nominee knows Nebraska really well, Pillen said.

But the appointment didnt sit well with one Nebraska Republican. Charles W. Herbster, who came in second to Pillen in last Mays GOP primary, tweeted his criticism of both the former and current governors Thursday.

The lengths to which Pete Ricketts went to assure his handpicked successor for governor were, by all standards, unprecedented, Herbster said. Today it is clear why it was so important for Pete Ricketts to fight my candidacy in the 2022 primary election.

In making his announcement, Pillen made clear that he did not want to name a placeholder, a person who would fill the vacancy until the next election and then step aside. He said that seniority is important and that a person who did not plan to seek election would not have the same accountability to Nebraskans.

Pillen said Ricketts assured him that he would run in 2024, when an election will be held to fill the remaining two years of Sasses term, and he would turn down any other job offers. The seat will be up for election again in 2026, at which point candidates will be seeking a full six-year term.

Hes committed to this seat, and he and Susanne are committed to winning elections for a minimum of 10 years, Pillen said.

Fischer praised the appointment, saying that Ricketts knows and loves Nebraska and will be a quick learner as he confronts a broader array of issues.

I look forward to working together in this new capacity and forging a strong partnership in the U.S. Senate, she said. We will continue to fight every day for a stronger Nebraska and a more secure nation.

State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams was optimistic about the choice. He said he expects Ricketts will spend more time meeting and talking with Nebraskans while in office than Sasse did. He also said Ricketts will benefit from his experiences and contacts made during numerous trade missions.

Both Pillen and Ricketts addressed criticisms that the appointment was a done deal because of Ricketts role in getting Pillen elected. One critic, Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said Thursday that Pillen choosing Ricketts was evidence of the most blatant pay to play scheme weve seen in our state.

Ricketts was a key supporter of Pillens gubernatorial campaign, adding credibility to Pillens bid both through name recognition and financial support. The former governor donated $100,000 directly to Pillens campaign, and he and his family gave more than $1.4 million to the political action committee Conservative Nebraska, which ran attack ads against Pillens top opponents in the hotly contested GOP primary election.

Pillen has repeatedly denied the selection was pre-determined, and said Ricketts campaign support played no role in the appointment.

Anybody who knows me, thats just not part of my DNA, Pillen said. Integrity of the process and commitment to the process was my highest priority.

For his part, Ricketts said it should be no surprise that he and Pillen share the same political philosophy. He said he was proud to have supported Pillen in the campaign and believes he will be a good governor.

Even before Ricketts announced he was applying, there were murmurs that he was Pillens top candidate. After Ricketts announcement, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon seemed to confirm the rumors on Twitter.

We look forward to hazing the junior member of the delegation, Bacon wrote in a since-deleted tweet referencing Ricketts.

Despite multiple requests from The World-Herald and other news media, Pillen refused to release the list of applicants for the role before Thursdays announcement. His office released the full list of names Thursday afternoon, almost three weeks after the application deadline.

On Thursday, he also named the eight other people who were interviewed. They were: Dinsdale, Lindstrom, former 1st District congressional candidate John Weaver, former Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, AmeriFirst managing director Don Kluthe, RBC Wealth Management financial adviser John Buzz Garlock, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce President Bryan Slone and Don Eckles, co-founder and chairman of Scooters Coffee. All are Republicans save for Slone, who is an independent.

Pillen said he doesnt support the current Democratic administration and doesnt believe it would be fair to name someone who would become part of the Democratic caucus in the Senate.

Photos: Jim Pillen appoints Pete Ricketts to the Senate
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the world's second-wealthiest person, is now the official record holder for the largest loss of personal fortune in history, according to Guinness World Records, which cited Forbes' estimation of the drop in Musk's net worth.

According to Guinness World Records, Musk has lost $182 billion since November 2021.

The previous record holder was Korean-Japanese billionaire and Softbank founder Masayoshi Son, whose total wealth dipped by $58.6 billion in 2000, going from $78 billion in February to $19.4 billion in July.

Guinness said Musk's net worth slumped from a peak of $320 billion in 2021 to $138 billion in January 2023, putting him behind France's Bernard Arnault, who swapped places with him on the richest person list in December last year and whose net worth, as of Jan. 10, 2023, stands at $196.6 billion.

While the majority of Musk's fortune is tied up in Tesla stock, the decline in his wealth, as per Guinness, began after his acquisition of Twitter, which he bought in October 2022 for $44 billion.

The Twitter takeover and its new owner's behavior have been cited as reasons contributing to the biggest Tesla stock-off since 2010, when the company went public. Despite this, Tesla continues to be the world's most valuable car company, and its market cap is more than $100 billion larger than that of its closest competitor, Toyota.

Photos: Elon Musk through the years
BLOOMINGTON  State Farm announced Thursday the insurer will outsource information technology services to HCLTech, an IT company based in Noida, India. The move is expected to lead to layoffs.

According to a news release from HCLTech, the company will reimagine State Farms IT service desk and infrastructure operation to accelerate the modernization of its hybrid cloud environment for State Farm.

State Farm spokesman Chris Pilcic said HCLTech will handle the day-to-day IT Help Desk and infrastructure service work, managing the hardware, software and network connections for State Farm, beginning in early 2023.

An exact timeline for this transition was not provided.

State Farm declined to specify how many employees will be affected as a result of this decision, but the company said Bloomington-based employees will be among those affected.

Many employees will be offered opportunities to join HCLTech in similar roles supporting State Farm, Pilcic wrote in a statement. "Employees joining HCLTech are being offered similar work arrangements and roles in their current locations. A small number of employees will no longer be associated with State Farm. "

HCLTech also said some State Farm employees will transfer to the Indian company to continue their important role in delivering cutting-edge technology services to State Farm, but the company did not indicate how many employees would transfer.

State Farm is Bloomington-Normals largest employer with 14,436 workers, according to a 2022 report from the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.

We did not make this unique decision lightly, Pilcic wrote. State Farm considers the best interest of customers, employees, and agents when adapting to the ever-changing business environment to meet evolving needs. Were committed to continuously improving processes, departments, and structure to better serve our customers.

State Farm will also organize "an in-house team to manage the relationship and work with HCLTech.

HCLTech was selected because of its reputation in supporting Fortune 500 companies, said Ashley Pettit, senior vice president and chief information officer for State Farm, in a statement.

State Farm, the leading auto, home and commercial insurance provider in North America, made the unique decision to utilize HCLTech, a global tech company, after a review of the IT Help Desk and infrastructure services work, Pilcic said.

This new relationship allows State Farm to focus on critical technology priorities, addresses recruiting and retention challenges, and helps deliver quick, efficient, and consistent tech support to customers, agents, and employees, he wrote.
BLOOMINGTON  BloNos live music scene is starting off 2023 on the right note.

January is delivering heady jams twice in the Twin Cities this weekend. It starts Saturday with an intimate solo set by Central Illinois ace Americana songwriter, Edward David Anderson, and closes out Sunday with legacy jazz master of piano Chuchito Valdes.

No matter what beat you follow, musicians and promoters in Bloomington-Normal aim to leave you speechless.

Pitch-perfectly aged

Last I spoke with Anderson in summer 2022, his band Backyard Tire Fire had released single track Little Wren, expressing how much he cherishes his Havana family.

Now hes looking toward spending winter at home instead of on a tour bus. Anderson said that means hes exploring new opportunities to keep himself busy, including potentially scoring theme music for a television show being pitched to the Public Broadcasting Service.

Although there are times where Anderson fiercely misses the adventures of going on tour, he said he did that for a very long time. Aside from planning shows in Havana, Anderson said hes looking at spring dates to take his band back to Colorado.

But first, he and his wife, Kim Anderson, through their Black Dirt Music label have booked four shows as part of the TourBus Concert Series at Destihl Brewery and Beer Hall. It launches Saturday with a solo performance by Edward David Anderson at the Normal brewery.

With capacity of 150 to 175 seats, hes hoping to transform the brewerys barrel room into a listening room, where people truly tune into the performers songs and stories.

The stage will be set before a backdrop of wooden barrels. So instead of getting lost in the sauce, or an alcoholic beverage, you can and should lose yourself to a song.

Anderson said hes considering running a pre-show announcement that politely asks attendees to refrain from conversation and power off their cellphones during the performance, to keep distractions from the artists and audience members. He heard a similar announcement at one of his shows at Chicago City Winery, and noted that kind of environment fosters a level of vulnerability for a performer and makes the audience completely invested.

To me, that is the most magical place that you can get to, where theres complete freedom and comfort, said Anderson. He added when people do want to be quiet and hang onto an artists every word and note, its as good as it gets for a performer.

Up second and third in the Tourbus series are two Nashville performers. Phoebe Hunt will sing and play fiddle on Feb. 4, a combined talent thats rare to Andersons ears. Hunt fashions on her strings sophisticated melodies to old-time Appalachian folk music and Texas swing.

Also hailing from the Music City is Will Kimbrough, who arrives March 25 at Destihl. Last year, Anderson said he helped produced Shemekia Copelands Grammy-nominated record Done Come Too Far. Kimbrough has also collaborated with Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris and Todd Snider, and was named 2004 Instrumentalist of the Year by the Americana Music Association.

Beth Bombara closes out the series April 14. Anderson said she's the thread that does it all. She can rock out with a full band or as a soloist.

He mentioned early in the pandemic, Bombaras band released a video cover of Tom Pettys Love Is a Long Road, and they knocked it out of the park.

Tickets for the series start at $25. VIP tables for six, priced at $275, are also being sold and include a 12-pack of Destihls Black Dirt India Pale Ale line.

Although Anderson said hes more a light-beer drinker, his preferences are all over the place, and theres no Desthil-brewed beers that he doesnt like.

Cuban keys

Keys will get flying Sunday evening as Afro-Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes returns to Jazz Upfront.

Bar owner James Gaston said he feels fortunate to host Valdes again, noting it was special opportunity. He said he had checked Valdes website and saw he was already booked for Saturday, Jan. 14, in Indianapolis. They were able to work out a deal to bring him to Bloomington.

Valdes comes from a lineage of greatly talented musicians. Gaston said between Chuchito Valdes, his grandfather, Bebo Valdes, and father, Chucho Valdes, theyve collectively won dozens of Grammy awards.

Gaston said he tries to book both blues and jazz performers each week at his bar. But sometimes, the jazz gets so good, he said he has to line up three jazz sets in a row.

Weekend music lineup 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 WHAT: First Tourbus concert series with Edward David Anderson WHERE: Destihl Brewery, 1200 Greenbriar Drive, Normal. TICKETS: Start at $25, available online at eventbrite.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 WHAT: Chuchito Valdes band WHERE: 107 W. Front St., Bloomington. TICKETS: Start at $20, available online at goodnewsent.biz.

David Bowie: The life story you may not know Intro 1947: Born in Brixton 1960-1962: Learning to play sax, getting punched 1962: Debut of the Kon-Rads 1966: Davy Jones becomes David Bowie 1969: Release of Space Oddity 1970: Marrying Angela Barnett 1970: A trip to America 1971: A son is born 1972: The Rise of Ziggy Stardust 1972: Producing Lou Reed, Iggy, Mott the Hoople 1972: Coming out in an interview 1975: Young Americans, collaboration with John Lennon 1976: The Man Who Fell to Earth 1977: Christmas with Bing Crosby 1977-1979: Living, working in Berlin 1978: Narrating Peter and the Wolf 1980: A divorce and a Broadway show 1981: Collaborating with Queen 1983: Lets Dance sells millions 1992: Marrying model Iman 1996: Hall of Fame induction 2001: A tribute to New York 2004: A heart attack onstage 2016: Death from cancer 2016: Ashes spread in Bali
Three years into its arduous fight against COVID-19, China is making headway toward restoring vitality to the lives of over 1.4 billion people.

People across the country are preparing for the annual travel rush and reunion with their loved ones, restaurants and eateries are reopening, and business representatives are booking charter flights to Europe and beyond in search of new business opportunities.

With China now entering a new phase of COVID response, the normalcy of hustle and bustle is trickling back to the world's second-largest economy.

Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, China has achieved economic and social development over the past three years, while protecting the lives and health of the Chinese people to the greatest extent.

The miracle can be decoded into five keywords: "fight," "prevention," "coordination," "optimization" -- with the goal of returning to "normalcy."

Behind those five words is the CPC's people-centered philosophy, which has led the Chinese to the light of hope and will continue to guide the country through future challenges.

Fight: the spirit of resolve and courage

A typical morning in Wuhan always starts with a bowl of hot dry noodles.

"It is the taste of home," said Zhao Lei, a 27-year-old Wuhan resident who often enjoys the noodles at a street stand or an outdoor restaurant.

For Zhao and many others in the central Chinese city, these moments of peace are like the rainbow after a storm. They would not have had the pleasure of enjoying this traditional noodle dish in such a leisurely fashion, had an uphill battle not been won against the fast-spreading novel coronavirus.

The Chinese phrase for "anti-epidemic" contains the character "kang," meaning "fight" or "combat." In China, this word has been spoken to muster nationwide courage and solidarity to fight invaders, devastating floods or calamitous earthquakes.

It was used again when an epidemic erupted in Wuhan about three years ago. Initially identified as a pneumonia with an unknown cause, COVID-19 soon became, in Xi's words, the fastest spreading, most extensive and most challenging public health emergency the country had encountered since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China declared war against the virus to protect lives, with Xi stressing that people's lives are "heavier than Mount Tai" and must be protected "at any cost."

The CPC's approach to tackling the raging pandemic was resolute. Through dozens of meetings of the central Party leadership, the Party mobilized the entire country to support the battle in Wuhan and the province of Hubei.

Unprecedented and brave steps were taken in China. Wuhan suspended all outbound trains and flights to slow down virus transmission. Gyms and exhibition centers were converted into temporary wards. Doctors and experts raced against time to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the previously unknown disease.

Strong central leadership ensured the orderly supply of water, electricity, heating, telecommunications and other essential materials and services for over 1.4 billion people, in the face of a fierce onslaught from the epidemic.

The nation's solidarity can be seen clearly in its anti-virus battle. Tens of thousands of medical workers rushed to the front line, postponing weddings, cutting short their time with their families, and even sacrificing their own lives.

Among these medical workers was Zhang Dingyu, both a patient and a doctor. Zhang had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), yet he saved the lives of many patients as the head of the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, one of the major battlefields during the Wuhan epidemic.

"I tried to run faster to save time and more patients," said Zhang, who was often seen staggering between hospital wards.

The heroic medics were not fighting alone as the nation pulled together in its anti-virus drive. Tens of thousands of workers constructed the Leishenshan and Huoshenshan hospitals in just two weeks. Hundreds of millions of people answered the government's call to remain in their local areas during the Spring Festival over the past three years.

China was also not fighting alone in the battle against COVID-19. The Chinese people still remember the planes carrying aid materials from Russia, the decision by Pakistan to donate entire inventories of masks, and the 30,000 sheep sent by Mongolia as a token of support, among the many acts of friendship and solidarity from other countries.

As the world's largest developing country, China also extended helping hands to other countries, even when it was still reeling from the domestic outbreak. So far, China has sent teams of medical experts to 34 countries to fight the pandemic, and has offered over 120 nations and international organizations 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

China's communication with the world has been timely and candid. On Jan. 9, 2020, one day after Chinese experts initially identified the novel coronavirus as the cause of the epidemic, China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the epidemic, sharing its initial progress in pathogen identification.

On Jan. 12, 2020, China submitted to the WHO the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus. China's plans for treatment, as well as epidemic control and prevention, were also published for other countries to review.

Placing lives above all, national unity, heroism, selflessness, respect for science and solidarity with the international community -- these values have all been etched into China's spirit in its fight against the pandemic, and will be a national psyche to inspire many future generations.

Prevention: a defense line by the people

When people in some Western countries still hesitated to wear a facial mask, China has taken solid actions in firmly preventing COVID-19 infections, making it a proactive and vital strategy in the country's battle against the virus.

Concerted efforts were made by the country, such as conducting large-scale nucleic acid testing and promoting use of a health code, among others.

Conscious actions were also taken by the people, such as wearing masks and voluntarily avoiding the gathering of crowds.

In Chinese, prevention indicates taking an active response, similar to "nipping it in the bud" in English. Such a mindset was built based on the valuable experience gained in the head-to-head fight with the virus.

Prevention has a prominent position in China's battle against COVID-19, given that the country is a vast land with a large number of vulnerable people, unbalanced development among regions, and insufficient medical resources, not to mention the possibility of constant mutation of the virus.

The power of prevention hinges on the strength of a "people's line of defense."

From promoting vaccination and checking nucleic acid testing results to distributing epidemic prevention and control materials, together with residents, more than 4 million urban and rural community staffers across the country have been working around the clock to hold the defense line in communities over the past three years.

With over 2,600 community-level hospitals, nearly 600,000 village clinics, and nearly a million primary-level healthcare institutions, a closely collaborative and efficient public health system has been formed, injecting strong confidence into the people's line of defense.

China's COVID-19 fight offers the world three important pieces of experience: talk to the public, slow the transmission of the disease, and prepare health systems for a spike in demand, according to London-based magazine The Economist.

The essence of prevention relies on a scientific and targeted approach.

After announcing the optimized COVID response measures, China ended the services of its digital itinerary code tracking of individuals' cross-city travels, which was put into use in 2020 as part of the country's COVID-19 prevention and control measures and provided services for over 89 billion inquiries.

The code was an epitome of China's science-based and targeted epidemic prevention and control measures.

At the time of the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, China promptly established a joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19, and actively carried out a society-wide prevention and control effort.

Thanks to a series of targeted prevention and control measures, community transmissions were stopped within two weeks in the Ejina Banner of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region when the Delta variant wreaked havoc in the area. Amid a sudden attack of the Omicron variant in Shanghai, a bubble tea shop became the smallest "risk area" in the country due to targeted and science-based measures.

Continuous efforts were made to improve China's capability in fighting the epidemic in science-based and targeted approaches with differentiated measures. The country switched from stressing early detection, quarantine and treatment to defining medium and high-risk regions and containing groups at risk in a science-based manner. It also moved from highlighting the prevention of inbound cases and domestic resurgences, to shifting the management of COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases from Class A.

Such endeavors enable the country to withstand the impact of multiple rounds of global pandemics, and more importantly, establish the defense line of immunity for the whole population.

After the outbreak of the epidemic, China boosted the research and development of vaccines. By the end of 2020, the country's first vaccine against COVID-19 was given conditional approval for general public use.

By the end of last year, more than 3.46 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered on the Chinese mainland, with over 90 percent of the population fully vaccinated.

Based on active evaluation and dynamic adjustment of the epidemic response measures, China has rolled out 10 editions of COVID-19 control protocols in the past three years, revealing the spirit of seeking truth from facts in the country's epidemic response policies.

Coordination: the synergy between COVID response and development

Striking a balance between imposing COVID controls and ensuring development is a thorny problem for all countries. It requires overall planning for both the present and the long term, and a section and the whole, always under difficult situations.

In its three-year-long COVID fight, China has explored a way that successfully kept the epidemic under control, and the economy sustaining growth, without compromising security.

With companies racing to complete orders, foreign investors still confident and the economy gaining momentum, China's three years of efforts to coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development needs have borne fruit.

Despite the COVID impact, China waged and won a critical battle against poverty and hosted as scheduled the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Previously, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed due to the pandemic.

If there was a gold medal for epidemic prevention and control, China should have gotten one, Belgium's Para Alpine skier Linda Le Bon said.

In its effort of coordination, China ensured stability in financial operations, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and expectations, as well as security in terms of jobs, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments.

In the middle of the fierce battle against COVID last year, a leading auto parts manufacturer in Shanghai, 30 percent of whose production capacity was for European and U.S. markets, spared no effort to ensure supply of urgent and export orders, with 1,200 employees living in the factory.

Thanks to its effective coordination in the past three years, China effectively handled the impact of five rounds of global pandemic outbreaks and maintained an average annual growth rate of about 4.5 percent, significantly higher than the world average.

China's coordination also meant concerted efforts nationwide.

With unified central command and fulfilled local responsibilities, China has fully demonstrated its ability to mobilize resources to accomplish major initiatives.

The best doctors, the most advanced equipment, and the most urgently needed resources were sent to the hardest-hit places.

To control the COVID spread, oil refiners moved to produce medical masks and green channels were opened for epidemic-fighting materials. Export-related businesses were added to the white list to stabilize industrial and supply chains.

To ensure people's livelihood, multiple measures were taken to shore up employment, particularly for graduates and migrant workers, so that no one would be left behind.

China never had to choose between epidemic response and development. Foreign media outlets noted that China had taken strict COVID measures, while also repairing its economy.

"Regardless, China, like the rest of the world, is likely to gradually come out of the shadow of COVID-19, which had been a major hindrance to the vitality of the economic powerhouse. The world will eventually benefit from the resurgence of China's economy, too," said an article published on the website of Forbes.

Optimization: adapting to changing realities

Early on Sunday, a man surnamed Li held up a handwritten "welcome home" banner at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport as he waited for his daughter to return home.

"It's been three years since we saw her. We don't want to wait for even one more day," Li said.

The joy evident at the arrivals areas of all ports of entry across China marks a "new phase" in the optimization of the country's COVID response.

Starting from Jan. 8, China has dropped centralized quarantine targeting inbound travelers.

Contrary to speculation by some Western media and politicians who labeled the recent policy shift as "a U-turn," the latest optimization was a result of China's scientific assessment of the current pandemic and based on prudent planning, as well as a timely response to the yearnings of the people.

Over the past three years, China has continuously adjusted its COVID prevention and control measures in light of new developments in the epidemic situation.

To guide the fight against COVID-19, Chinese health authorities have issued 10 editions of diagnosis and treatment protocols.

In the latest protocol, published last week, quarantine measures against people with COVID-19 infection were dropped, and their close contacts are no longer required to be identified. Hospitals will no longer tally suspected cases, and the standard used for discharging patients from hospitals has also been adjusted.

Since the release of China's first version of the diagnosis and treatment protocol in January 2020, each updated edition has seen noticeable changes, but the main thing they all have in common is dealing with the uncertainty of the epidemic in accordance with the time and situation.

As a result, when the weakening pathogenicity of the Omicron variant, combined with China's relatively strong immunity barrier built through mass vaccination, and its growing accumulative experience in epidemic response, presented a critical "window of opportunity" late last year, China took the initiative to further refine its COVID response measures.

China is fighting a well-prepared battle this time. As the virus weakens, the Chinese people have become better equipped to combat it.

Authorities have been continually fine-tuning the allocation of medical resources and ensuring sufficient supplies of medicines to the public. Machines are humming around the clock in the workshops of Chinese pharmaceutical companies.

In December last year, the daily output of ibuprofen and paracetamol, key drugs for fighting pain and fevers, expanded more than four times within a month, while the daily production capacity of COVID-19 antigen test kits grew from about 60 million to some 110 million during this period.

Across the country, the average occupancy rate of hospital beds for severe cases has not yet reached the 80 percent mark.

"China has done well to safeguard the lives and health of its people over the past three years, and has rightly lifted the restrictions now so that it can also help protect their livelihoods and promote economic development," said Mario Cavolo, an American writer who has been living in China for over 20 years.

Today, as China shows strong signs of recovery, the world is excited. China's economic rebound, as widely predicted by investment institutions, will act as a "counterweight" to a potential global recession.

Following the most recent round of COVID policy optimization steps, business opportunities and activities are also picking up steam in China.

According to investors and analysts, China is starting the year with a "brighter outlook," as the possibility of a faster and stronger economic recovery grows.

A report by German media outlet FOCUS Online said Germany will benefit from China's recent adjustments to anti-virus measures in three respects: Products like cars are likely to become cheaper in Germany; German companies and investors will earn more profits as more customers flock to their stores in China; and jobs in German companies will become more stable.

"China's performance in both health and economy during the pandemic is in international comparative terms little short of a miracle -- above all in comparison to the Western countries," said John Ross, former director of Economic and Business Policy of London.

Normalcy: everything looks normal yet fresh

For many people, getting back to their normal lives is their common wish for the new year.

This wish is beginning to come true.

It can be felt at reception halls of the exit and entry administration bureaus across the country, which are getting much busier in the past few days as more and more people are planning to visit friends, do business and study abroad.

As China enters a new phase of COVID response, it has downgraded the management of COVID-19 starting from Jan. 8.

A series of changes have taken place as a result: The processing and approval of ordinary passports applied for by Chinese citizens for traveling abroad have been resumed, medical institutions no longer triage patients based on the results of their nucleic acid tests, testing and centralized quarantine targeting inbound travelers have been dropped, and imported cold chain foods are not sampled for testing anymore.

Lei Zhenglong, an official from the National Health Commission, said that emergency prevention and control measures are generally not needed at this stage of normalized COVID response.

China's optimization of its COVID response doesn't mean letting go of the virus, nor is it equivalent to a so-called "full opening" or a "lying flat" approach. Instead, it ensures that resources are always allocated to areas where they are needed the most.

Cities such as Beijing are regaining their vitality. In the metropolises, the once-empty subway trains are again crowded with mask-wearing commuters. Travel plans that had been shelved are now back on people's agendas. With the start of the Spring Festival travel rush, the largest human migration in the world is once again kicking off in China.

Normalcy does not mark an end, but a beginning.

More people have become accustomed to seeing doctors in internet hospitals, while business opportunities "on the cloud" have boosted the economy.

China has now built the world's largest online direct reporting system for infectious diseases and public health emergencies, reducing the average reporting time to less than four hours. The country has also established a system capable of detecting more than 300 pathogens within 72 hours.

Everything is back to normal, but that doesn't mean the virus has disappeared. In fact, it's still here, but it's no longer that frightening as China now has a stronger medical treatment capacity, a better level of governance at the grassroots level, and greater social tolerance.

More importantly, people are calmer and more confident in dealing with the virus.

Behind the five keywords -- "fight," "prevention," "coordination," "optimization" and "normalcy" -- are the CPC's people-centered governance philosophy and China's institutional advantage of pooling resources to accomplish major undertakings.

They also demonstrate the great power of striving in unity, the fine characters cultivated by traditional Chinese culture, and China's sense of responsibility for the shared future of all humanity.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man has been charged with violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act, a Class 2 felony.

Reginald L. Nix, 37, of Bloomington, was arrested Tuesday by Bloomington police.

According to a probable cause statement, the prosecution said Nix was ordered to register on Jan. 6 but arrived to register on Jan. 10, saying he had forgotten the correct date.

Nix was convicted of sex abuse in Umatilla County, Oregon, in 2006 and, according to the prosecution, has been convicted of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act twice, once in 2012 and again in 2014, with both convictions resulting in sentences with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Nix must post $535 to be released from the McLean County Jail, and his next court date is 9 a.m. Jan. 27.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson
NORMAL  McLean County Unit 5 voters will again see a referendum question on the April ballot, after rejecting the same question in November.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Unit 5 board members said they had heard continued confusion over the referendum even after the election, including uncertainty about what the necessary cuts would look like if it were not passed.

Board member Jeremy DeHaai said he had heard a lot of questions about what the alternative to passing the referendum was.

"I got a lot of feedback that they didn't know what the 'or' was, so I think we need to be very, very specific as we go forward the next couple months (...) that we lay out the 'or' very, very clearly," he said.

Voters rejected the November referendum by about 54% to 46%.

"Just because the vote failed in November does not mean that our $11 million-plus deficit for the current school year has gone away, and it's going to likely increase," said board president Barry Hitchins.

If passed, the referendum would allow the district to levy up to $3.60 per $100 equalized assessed value for the education fund. The fund rate is at $2.72 now, and represents the largest share of the $5.51 per $100 EAV overall rate in Unit 5, according to numbers provided by the district on Wednesday.

The change would increase the amount going toward the education fund by about $20.4 million, from $63.2 million to $83.6 million, according to the ballot language approved Wednesday afternoon. The 88 cents per $100 EAV is equal to around $586.67 for a $200,000 property.

However, district staff say that residents could see an overall tax decrease in coming years. Increases in the education fund would be offset by decreases in the bonds and interest fund. The current levy for bonds and interest is $1.47 due to building bonds and working cash bonds which the district has used to cover its deficit. Payments on both are expected to taper off in coming years, leading to decreases in the overall rate.

The district estimates this would lead to a net decrease of around $354 on a $200,000 property, with a net rate change of around 59 cents per $100 EAV by 2026.

The referendum would give the board authority to raise the education fund tax rate, but would not require it to do so.

Board member Amy Roser said having the taxes go to the education fund is a better use of the money than going to working cash bonds, which carry interest.

"I don't support continuing to utilize working cash bonds; we use those in an interim situation to plug the hole, but it is not a cost-effective measure plugging the hole, because you pay interest on those working cash bonds," she said.

Unit 5 board candidate Brad Wurth was the only member of the public to speak at the meeting. He urged the board not to put the referendum on the ballot again.

"I'm sure you're looking to put that referendum back on the ballot, I'm here to ask today that you reconsider. I think the community has spoken; it has spoken very clearly," Wurth said.

Wurth was among the candidates inspired to run in part by the referendum, he said. That mirrors comments made by candidates to The Pantagraph last month, with financials one of the top issues for most of the candidates.

"Through that process, through the signing of petitions, getting hundreds of signatures from citizens around the community, we heard pretty clearly from the community that this referendum is not something that the community supports. I think we heard that again in November," Wurth said.

District officials anticipate having further public information sessions before the election, including both in-person and online, Superintendent Kristen Weikle said.

After the meeting, Hitchins said he anticipates the district will consider priorities outlined by the public during community engagement sessions last year when deciding what cuts might look like. The public engagement included creating a list of funding priorities, and what community members felt could go first.

The boards next regularly scheduled board meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Normal West High School. Weikle said she anticipates conversations about what cuts could be made if the referendum does not pass could begin as soon as next weeks meeting.
BLOOMINGTON  McLean County advocates who have fought for gun violence prevention are celebrating a win after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation banning the sale and possession of semi-automatic firearms.

No one law solves our gun violence problem in and of itself, but this omnibus bill  will save lives, said Sarah Breeden, who served as legislative lead for the McLean County Moms Demand Action for the last four years. Thats the main takeaway: It will save lives.

The legislation, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, was in part driven by the Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park last summer, in which seven people were killed.

The legislation bans several specific brands and types of rifles and handguns, .50-caliber guns, attachments and rapid-firing devices. High-capacity magazines were also banned, drawing the line at 10 rounds for rifles and 15 rounds for handguns.

Those who already own the newly-banned weapons will have to register them with the Illinois State Police. The new law enables merchants to sell out of state or return current stock, and Illinois-based manufacturers can sell their wares outside Illinois or to law enforcement.

The legislation moved quickly through the statehouse this week with a 34-20 vote in the Senate and 68-41 vote in the House.

Pritzker signed the bill into law Tuesday night, calling it the strongest and most effective gun violence legislation they could pass.

I couldnt be prouder to say that we got it done. And we will keep fighting  bill by bill, vote by vote, and protest by protest  to ensure that future generations only hear about massacres like Highland Park, Sandy Hook, and Uvalde in their textbooks, Pritzker said.

Patrick Cortesi, chairman of the McLean County Democratic Party, said he and his party were thankful for the strong leadership of Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, House Speaker Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, calling this legislation an important first step in making our communities safer.

Were just awful glad that were able to be in a position to make this happen. This is why elections are so important, Cortesi said, adding his thanks for the tireless hard work of advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action.

Karla Bailey-Smith, a gun safety advocate, said she was pushed to advocacy after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary and pushed to run for office by the lack of local representation that showed interest in gun safety legislation.

If youre not happy with the people who are in places where decisions are being made, just like President Obama said  get a clipboard, get the signatures and get on the ballot. Make a difference that way, she said. Bailey-Smith lost in the 2020 election to former state Rep. Keith Sommer and in the 2021 primary to Sharon Chung, who was sworn in Wednesday as representative for District 91.

Diane White, a co-leader of McLean County Moms Demand Action, said group leaders are thrilled and delighted to see this legislation pass, echoing the belief that it will save lives.

Groups like Moms Demand Action and March for Our Lives have advocated for further gun legislation for several years, standing beside Pritzker in his efforts.

(Pritzker) has been such a continued support for common sense gun laws, White said, adding that they are thankful the ban takes effect immediately. We are grateful for Gov. Pritzker; without him and his support, this would not have been possible.

Members of Moms Demand Action have put hours and hours and hours of work in  calling, canvassing, going to Springfield, White said. Weve been at the forefront of advocating for this law.

Breeden said this legislation is supported by data that has shown a significant increase in gun deaths since the federal Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act expired in 2004, which for 10 years prohibited the manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines for civilian use.

Understanding that this type of weapon is not about protecting oneself, not about hunting. ... This is about killing as many people as fast as possible, she said of the semi-automatic firearms subject to the Illinois ban.

Bailey-Smith called the newly-banned firearms weapons of mass murder and weapons of war.

There is no reason an ordinary citizen should own a weapon of war privately. Those are not for deer hunting, she said. ... I have not heard one single argument for owning a weapon like that privately that made sense. These are weapons that are commonly used when many, many people are killed in a short amount of time.

Breeden also noted the firearms restraining order element  commonly called the red flag law  was expanded with this legislation. The red flag law is a measure that allows relatives and police to seek a court-approved firearm restraining order to remove access to guns for people who could be a danger to themselves or others.

The time frame expanded from six months to 12 months, to give more time for (the situation) to be addressed and resolved in such a way that the person is no longer a risk to themselves or others, Breeden said.

Of course, theres due process. This isnt about infringing on anyones Second Amendment rights, she added.

Guns rights advocates and lawmakers have indicated this legislation will be taken to court, calling it an unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment.

Cortesi said he trusts that the bill sponsors and state leaders already thought of that before they wrote this bill  and they will see this thing through.

With eight other states already with similar bans in place, Any time theyve been taken to court, those laws are still in place, Breeden said. As more and more states do this, I am hopeful and confident that we will reach a federal ban again.

Moms Demand Action focuses on gun violence prevention, not gun control, and welcomes law-abiding gun owners as members, Breeden said.

Its easy to fall into This is about two sides: gun control and gun rights. But there are layers to this, Breeden said. We can recognize gun rights at the same time as advocating for gun violence prevention.

She said this legislation is just one step in preventing gun violence, as it can also be related to domestic violence and suicide.

This is very much a both and situation that will not be solved with a single piece of legislation, Breeden said. Its about getting to the root causes and working to address the issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

States where gun sales have increased the most since 2011 Gun sales on the rise #25. Texas #24. Missouri #23. Washington #22. Mississippi #21. Oklahoma #20. Vermont #19. Colorado #18. New Mexico #17. Tennessee #16. Wisconsin #15. South Carolina #14. Illinois #13. Georgia #12. Oregon #11. Idaho #10. Rhode Island #9. Ohio #8. Virginia #7. Arizona #6. Maryland #5. Alabama #4. Delaware #3. Florida #2. New Jersey #1. Washington DC
BLOOMINGTON  The McLean County Museum of History will offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

The free admission comes as part of the McLean County Historical Society's mission to be an essential element in the cultural and education fabric of the museum, a news release explained. The museum seeks to remove barriers to visitors by offering free admission every Tuesday, and this latest offering is an extension of that effort.

Those who plan to attend can visit the museum's "Challenges, Choices & Change" exhibit, a 5,000-square-foot space in four galleries that explores the experience of living, working, farming and creating community in McLean County. The exhibit tells the diverse stories of past generations as well as new and growing communities, providing opportunities for public reflection on the heritage of hopes, triumphs and failures.

"The free admission days remove barriers for adults, with families in mind," said Jeff Woodard, director of marketing and community relations at the museum. "As a school holiday, we want to also encourage parents to come out with their kids and reflect."

Students and children ages 12 and younger always receive free admission to the museum.

Contact 309-827-0428 or visit mchistory.org for more information.

Photos: Old-Time Music jam in downtown Bloomington Old Time Music jam 1 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 2 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 3 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 4 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 5 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 6 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 7 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 8 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 9 091322.JPG Old Time Music jam 10 091322.JPG
BLOOMINGTON  Home Sweet Home Ministries and Trinity Lutheran Church will host the seventh annual "Night in a Car" event on Friday, Feb. 3.

The event serves as an opportunity for the community to experience homelessness for a night. Participants have the option to participate at Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 S. Madison St. in Bloomington, or virtually from their own driveways.

Night in a Car is a simulation that shines a spotlight on a hidden aspect of homelessness that many in the community face: living in their cars. Participants will live out of their cars during the overnight hours starting at 7 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday. Trinity Lutheran Church will have opportunities for participants to go inside for bottled water, prepackaged snacks and restroom breaks throughout the night.

Nearly 300 participants participated in the event last year, including individuals, families and church groups. The event raised over $175,000. This year's goal is to reach $200,000.

Visit nightinacar.org for more information.

Photos: Families build Christmas tradition at Home Sweet Home 122619-blm-loc-4christmas Family tradition 122619-blm-loc-2christmas 122619-blm-loc-3christmas 122619-blm-loc-5christmas 122619-blm-loc-6christmas 122619-blm-loc-7christmas 122619-blm-loc-8christmas 122619-blm-loc-9christmas
BENTONVILLE, Ark.  Central Illinois Walmart stores will host a Wellness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Residents can receive free glucose, cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure screenings as well as affordable immunizations like COVID-19, flu, tetanus, hepatitis, HPV and more from local pharmacists.

Central Illinois stores participating in the event include Bloomington, Normal, Lincoln, Pontiac, Peoria, East Peoria, Washington, Morton, Pekin, Decatur, Springfield, Mattoon, Charleston, Shelbyville and Taylorville.

Some stores will also be offering vision screenings, in-store giveaways and demos of nutrition, lifestyle and wellness products. The event aims to encourage families to prioritize their health by helping them know and understand their numbers, but also providing the tools and resources to seek care, and improve and maintain healthy lifestyles, according to a news release from Walmart.

More than 4,600 Walmart pharmacies across the country will be participating in the Walmart Wellness Day on Saturday.

Walmart pharmacies have hosted Wellness Days since 2014, contributing more than 5 million free health screenings for customers. More than 4,000 Walmart stores are in medically underserved areas, which means Walmart is often their stop for health care.

Visit Walmart.com/wellnesshub for a complete list of sites hosting Wellness Days.
SPRINGFIELD  Following two years of consequential legislating that went up to the very last day, Illinois lawmakers were sworn in for new terms Wednesday.

The once-every-two-years event, held at two separate ceremonies in the capital city, bookends a week of action that started with Gov. J.B. Pritzker's inauguration and saw lawmakers make Illinois the ninth state in the country to enact a ban on semiautomatic weapons.

In this new blank canvas, supermajority Democrats will wield even more power  expanding their majority to 78-40 over Republicans in the House, the largest share of seats since the mid-1960s, while maintaining a 40-19 advantage in the Senate.

House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, were each reelected leaders of their respective chambers.

State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savana, was elected House minority leader, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

State Sen. John Curran was elected Senate minority leader.

"As legislators, were going to disagree on how to achieve a goal, or when is the right time to do it," Welch told the crowd gathered in the Sangamon Auditorium at the University of Illinois Springfield. "But more often than not, our why is very much the same."

"We want to help people," he said. "We want to use the opportunities afforded to us to create more opportunities for those who come after us."

The new General Assembly features many firsts, including the first two Muslim Americans  state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Justice, and Nabeela Syed, D-Iverness  ever elected to chamber.

State Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, is the youngest member ever elected at 22-years-old. He's also the first born in the 21st century.

State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, became the first Asian American person to represent McLean County in the General Assembly.

And state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, was sworn in to her first full term after becoming the first Black person to be elected to represent Decatur and Springfield in the statehouse.

I was appointed to this seat in February of 2021 and I dove right in and it was refreshing and interesting but now it's a whole different feeling because Im elected " Turner told Lee Enterprises. "The people of the 48th District actually chose me to be their senator.

As a 10-year-old, I would walk past (the Capitol building) and say oh wow, one day I want to work there, Turner said. Everyday when I walk in that chamber, I have the same feeling that I had as a 10-year-old.

Welch, the first Black House speaker, gave McCombie a shoutout for being the first woman to lead a House caucus, leading to a rousing round of applause.

McCombie, leading the smallest House Republican caucus in more than 50 years, promised that "we will claw back in the wake of the worst gerrymandered maps of the country." Until then, she had a request of Welch: "Don't be afraid to bring us to the table."

"We are problem solvers," McCombie said. "So use our knowledge, benefit from our talents and hear our hearts. Let us show you that any preconceived notions about Republicans is false. We want to govern. So, I ask you, please don't disregard our value."

The Senate ceremony, typically held in their Capitol chamber, was moved the the Old State Capitol  the spot of former President Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" speech  due to renovations.

Truth be told, back in the day it was delivered, the speech bombed, Harmon said. His friends and advisors warned him that it was far too radical for the times. That probably sounds familiar to you on both sides of the aisle.

But Lincoln gave it because "there was an important message that people needed to hear," Harmon said, adding that senators should take that example and "think deeply about why it is that we find ourselves here, and what we wish to accomplish for the people of Illinois in the days, weeks, months and years ahead."

Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham swore in the senators while Justice Elizabeth Rochford administered the oath for House members.

Welch was sworn in for his second term as speaker by his wife, Cook County Circuit Court Judge ShawnTe Raines-Welch, with their two children looking on.

"Mr. Speaker, are you ready to take the oath of office for the House? And by the House, as the Welch children said, we mean the one here down the street with a golden roof," Raines-Welch said jokingly before administering the oath.

Several new downstate members were sworn in Wednesday.

In the House, this included Chung, state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton; state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline; state Rep. Kevin Schmidt, R-Millstadt; and state Rep. Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamora.

State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R-Morrisionville, returns to the House after an eight-year hiatus.

In the Senate, new downstate members include state Sen. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, who was appointed to replace former state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, following his resignation.

Other new members include state Sen. Paul Faraci, D-Champaign, who fills the term of the late state Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign; state Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Moline, who moved up from the House; and state Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, the only Republican to defeat an incumbent Democratic senator last year.

Close Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives are sworn in during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, looks on during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Jan. 11. State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline, votes for Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, votes for Tony McCombie, R-Savana, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, votes for Tony McCombie, R-Savana, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, is sworn in as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, hugs new Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savana, during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Sue Scherer applauds during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, hugs family after being sworn in as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Tony McCombie, R-Savana, speaks after being elected Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias makes the declaration of the order of business during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. House members take the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday at the start of inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield. Democrat Sharon Chung of Bloomington reacts after being sworn in Wednesday as representative for the Illinois House 91st District during inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield. Photos: Illinois lawmakers sworn in for 103rd General Assembly Illinois lawmakers were sworn in for new terms Wednesday. Scenes from the day: Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives are sworn in during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, looks on during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Jan. 11. State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline, votes for Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, votes for Tony McCombie, R-Savana, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, votes for Tony McCombie, R-Savana, to be Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, is sworn in as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, hugs new Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savana, during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. State Rep. Sue Scherer applauds during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, hugs family after being sworn in as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Tony McCombie, R-Savana, speaks after being elected Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias makes the declaration of the order of business during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. Emanuel Chris Welch speaks after being elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the Inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday. House members take the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday at the start of inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield. Democrat Sharon Chung of Bloomington reacts after being sworn in Wednesday as representative for the Illinois House 91st District during inauguration of the 103rd General Assembly at the University of Illinois Springfield.
This story originally was published on Jan. 12, 2017.

It was called the Missouri Miracle. For once, a screaming headline was an understatement.

On January 12, 2007, FBI agents and police officers entered a small apartment in Kirkwood to cap their search for Ben Ownby, a boy who had been snatched four days before from a rural school bus stop in Franklin County. Sitting quietly on a sofa was a second boy, a teenager.

He was Shawn Hornbeck, who had disappeared more than four years earlier from his own rural neighborhood in Washington County. He was still listed as a missing person, and almost everyone but his family had given up hope of finding him alive.

The man who kidnapped them both was Michael J. Devo Devlin, 41, a portly social misfit and pizza-restaurant manager in Kirkwood who grew up in neighboring Webster Groves. He lived in a cluttered one-bedroom apartment in the 400 block of South Holmes Avenue, near the Union Pacific rail line.

On the day of the second kidnapping, another boys good memory of seeing a beat-up white pickup near the scene led investigators to Devlin, then to his apartment  and to the miracle double discovery.

Gary Toelke, then the Franklin County sheriff, made the announcement outside his office in Union as cold rain fell: We have some good news for you and probably some unbelievable news. We located Ben this afternoon in the city of Kirkwood and we also located Shawn Hornbeck, who was at the same residence.

A short time earlier, Devlin had confessed to investigators, saying, Im a bad person.

74 life sentences

On that day  Jan. 12, 2007  the news flashed worldwide, quickly inspiring the enduring headline. Grateful families were reunited. The boy with the good memory, Mitchell Hults of Franklin County, was rewarded with a bounty that included a new pickup, even though at 15 he wasnt quite of driving age.

That fall, Devlin pleaded guilty in four courthouses of multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault, and was sentenced to 74 life sentences in Missouri prison and 170 years of federal time. He remains in a protective-custody wing of the state Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, in northwestern Missouri.

Almost strangled

Shawn was 11 and riding his bike alone on Oct. 6, 2002, when Devlin, who had been patrolling quiet roads for months in search of a young victim, spotted him. Devlin, driving his white pickup, knocked Shawn off his bike and drove off with him.

Devlin kept Shawn tied up for a month in his Kirkwood apartment. At one point, he tried to strangle the boy but stopped after Shawn promised he would never tell anyone.

For the next four years, with Shawn believing his family would be harmed if he fled, the two lived alternately as father and son or just family friends.

Devlin eventually let Shawn hang out with buddies, get a cellphone and go on dates. He didnt go to school. Shawn said nothing, and nobody in Kirkwood noticed he was the missing boy from Richwoods, 50 miles away. Inside the apartment was a childs hell of sexual abuse.

His parents created the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation to help search for missing children. On Oct. 6, 2006, the fourth anniversary of their sons disappearance, they circulated a computer-generated photo of what an older Shawn might look like.

Devlin would later tell FBI agents that he began looking for another boy because Shawn was getting too old. That led him on Jan. 8, 2007, to Beaufort, in western Franklin County, where he kidnapped Ben Ownby from the bus stop. Shawn was with him in the pickup.

Mitchell, a truck enthusiast who happened to be nearby, got a good look at the 1991 Nissan, giving Toelke and the FBI a solid lead.

Three days later, two Kirkwood police officers answered a call at Devlins apartment building for an unrelated complaint. Preparing to leave, Officer Gary Wagster asked his partner, Chris Nelson, Are you seeing what Im seeing?

It was a pickup of the sort on the bulletins, down to Mitchells description of dirt and rust. Devlin appeared, taking out his trash. The officers knew him from the Imos restaurant where he worked, around the corner from the police station. They asked questions; Devlin would not let them search his apartment.

Police zeroed in. Officers kept watch on the apartment and Devlin, whom investigators confronted the next morning at Imos. Finally confessing to Bens kidnapping, he stunned his questioners by saying he also had Shawn.

Toelke was in his office at the Franklin County Jail as officers down the hall began talking about the stunning possibility.

At first, I thought it was some kind of sick police joke, Toelke later recalled. Then Roland [Corvington of the FBI] came in and said its true. The command post erupted.

People talk about life-changing events, he continued. Thats what it was.

Finding Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby Reunited with family Post-Dispatch front page, Jan. 14, 2007 Signs of welcome Missing poster adjustment Reunions with friends Press attention Neighbors react Michael Devlin in May 2007 Appearance on Oprah's television show Family comforts Pam Akers Search for Hornbeck An empty chair at graduation Students hand out fliers Vigil for Ben Ownby Signed jersey Hults meet with Ben Shawn Hornbeck talks about missing women found in Cleveland Shawn Hornbeck talks about missing women found in Cleveland
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana has been ranked number 1 in Customer Experience in the third edition of the KPMG Ghana Banking Industry Customer Experience (BICX) Survey.



The survey which aims to understand customers' banking experiences and their expectations from banks was conducted in 2022 surveying all 23 Banks in the Country. It covered Retail, SME and Corporate Banking customers. The survey used the six pillars of Customer Experience namely: Integrity, Empathy, Resolution, Personalization, Time and Effort as well as Expectations.



You will recall that last year, the international financial magazine, Global Finance named United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana among the Worlds safest banks in its 2022 rankings. UBA placed 4th position in Africa and was the only bank in Ghana to make it into the prestigious list of banks selected by three rating Agencies - Moodys, Standard & Poors and Fitch.



Commenting on the recognition by KPMG, Chris Ofikulu, Managing Director & CEO of UBA Ghana said, This recognition is a great honour for the bank and a validation of our Customer First Philosophy. We are humbled and at the same take tremendous pride to have been the only bank to score above 80% in the Retail customer experience survey. He expressed his immense gratitude to the entire team at UBA Ghana for living up to their mandate of putting the Customers first.



This number 1 ranking is a clear indication of the hard work and dedication of our customer service representatives across our offices, who consistently go the extra mile and beyond to provide outstanding customer service.



He added that UBA Ghana will not relent but will strengthen its commitment to improving and delivering the highest level of customer experience and satisfaction that would meet the customers expectations and banking needs.



According to the report released in January 2023, UBA topped the list of banks in Ghana with the highest score of 81.40 percent.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Inbound passengers arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's civil aviation authority is reviewing applications for the resumption of international flights by Chinese and foreign airlines after the nation's recent optimization of COVID-19 control policies, an official from the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Tuesday.

Liang Nan, director of the administration's department of transportation, said international travel is expected to accelerate in the second half of this year.

"If the market recovers well, the number of international flights (to and from China) by the end of the year is expected to reach about 80 percent of the level before the COVID-19 pandemic, with about 7,300 flights per week," she said.

Liang made the remarks during a policy briefing in Beijing organized by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee to introduce the optimization of the country's COVID control policies to international business executives.

"Chinese and foreign airlines are optimistic about the resumption of international flights," she said, with nearly 40 domestic and overseas carriers having submitted applications so far to schedule about 700 passenger flights each week to and from 34 countries.

Most flights are scheduled to resume operations in late January and early February, and the administration is processing the applications, she added.

Meanwhile, the administration has resumed accepting applications for international passenger charter flights to meet the needs of business travelers, she said.

Liang also said the resumption of international flights will be slower than that of domestic ones.

"It (the international market) will take longer to recover, considering that the resumption of international flights is affected by multiple factors such as market demand, transportation capacity arrangements, time coordination and approval from domestic and foreign civil aviation authorities," she said.

Moreover, with the impact of the pandemic over the past three years, it will still take some time for passengers to prepare to travel abroad again, Liang added.

This week, 563 international flights are scheduled, she said. The number is expected to increase to 1,000 per week by the end of February, and, by late March, to 1,300 to 2,300 each week.

The administration will maintain communication with Chinese and foreign airlines to ensure they understand the updated policy, Liang said.

China recently optimized its policies on COVID management and cross-border travel, dropping measures such as closed-loop management and quarantine requirements. Nucleic acid test results are required for inbound flight crews and staff.

The move was welcomed by the industry and many countries.

"Lifting certain control measures for inbound international flights and removing quarantine for inbound passengers is a positive step for China," said Xie Xingquan, regional vice-president for North Asia at the International Air Transport Association.

Li Xiaojin, a professor of aviation economics at Civil Aviation University in Tianjin, said the policy adjustment will boost the growth of the aviation market and the national economy.

"The policy adjustment will greatly release demand to cross the border, which has been restrained for three years," he said.

Although China is making efforts to promote the resumption of international flights with other countries, some nations, such as South Korea and Japan, have recently imposed restrictions targeting Chinese travelers, including mandatory COVID testing upon arrival.

Earlier in this month, Willie Walsh, the International Air Transport Association's director general, said in a statement that COVID-19 testing requirements and other measures for travelers from China have proved ineffective, and he called for governments to base their decisions on "science facts" rather than "science politics".

"Several countries are introducing COVID-19 testing and other measures for travelers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders," Walsh said. "It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years."
The attention of Friends of Horma Akaisi Miezah (FOHAM) has been drawn to a misleading statement purported to be coming from Messers Ebenezer Cudjoean d David Oscar Amoah, who served as the Party's 2020 NPP collation agents for parliamentary and presidentialelections respecti vely in Essikado-Ketan Constituency (EKC) and are also lead campaigners for her opponent, Charles Bissue.



In sum, they allege that Ms. Horma Miezah was caught in a leaked tape alluding that the NPP manipulated the 2020 parliamentary elections in favor of the incumbent MP, Hon. Joe Ghartey, during her engagement with some constituency polling station executives and electoral area coordinators between December 27, 2022 and January 2, 2023. As a result, we deem it appropriate to respond accordingly, as it borders on matters of Truth, Honesty, Misrepresentation, Party (NPP) cohesion and Image at large.



To start with, we condemn any attempts by both internal and external political detractors to bring down her hard-won and enviable reputation to the mud. It will not and cannot wash. Hence, we entreat her cherished and loyal supporters, the rank and file of the Party, especially those in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency and the general public to disregard and treat with the utmost contempt such a sinking and baseless allegation. This allegation is purely untrue, concocted and disingenuous just to cause disaffection and resentment against her very good self andher political ambition to contest for the Essikado-Ketan parliamentary seat in 2024 when nominations are opened. We say on authority, that this smear campaign is engineered and sponsored by her potential contender for Essikado-Ketan, the embattled Mr. Charles Bissue and spearheaded by the Deputy Constituency Secretary, Mr. David Oscar Amoah who is his lead campaigner. We wish to, emphatically, state that their allegations against Ms. Horma, the Deputy Director General for the National Lottery Authority (NLA), the Western Regional Treasurer, NPP and parliamentary hopeful is and remains the figment of the imagination of her political opponents and detractors in and outside the constituency.



To this end, we present the substance of the issue at stake:



1. Ms. Horma, in a spirit of Party fraternity and the yuletide, held a public gathering to share some Christmas gifts to our hard working Party faithfuls in the Essikado-Ketan constituency in her personal capacity.



2. At the said gathering, she took the opportunity to address the participants for more than 45 minutes.



3. During her address as the Party's Regional treasurer, she reminded them, among others, on how the Party nearly lost the Essikado-Ketan constituency seat but for the vigilance of some Party hierarchies in the constituency and the region like herself.



4. In her speech, she recounted how the constituencyvoted massively for Nana Akufo-Addo but the same could not be said of the parliamentary candidate.



5. In 2019, she was part of those tasked by the regional body to coordinate Sekondi, Wassa East, Shama and the Essikado-Ketan constituencies. She was in fact the leader of the regional team that worked tirelessly in the listed constituencies to help retain the parliamentary seats for the NPP.



From the foregoing, we want to emphasize and clarify the thrust of her message with the following facts and figures from the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election results:



 Elections Total Votes % of Total Votes



Presidential- H.E. Akufo-Addo (NPP)  3 3,561   63.32%



H.E John D. Mahama (NDC) 16,330  32.76%.



Parliamentary- Hon. Joe Ghartey (NPP) 26,701  51.49%



Dr. Grace Ayensu (NDC) 24,527  47.30%.



This Ms. Horma reiterated to buttress her point on the need for the party to choose a solid candidate that can help maximize the parliamentary votes going into the 2024 elections. So we are at a loss as to how anybody can attribute such statements to mean that she was stating that the NPP manipulated the 2020 parliamentary elections in Essikado-Ketan constituency.



We therefore call on those detractors to produce the said audio in their possession in which Ms. Horma is to have categorically stated that the NPP manipulated the 2020 parliamentary elections in favor of Hon. Joe Ghartey. Or they should desist from such evil and unhealthy internal Party discourse and campaign, which has already failed and pronounced dead on arrival. Even their said leaked tape attributed to Ms. Horma, as the basis of their unsubstantiated claims, is 1 minute 54 seconds in which there is not the slightest hint of their frivolous allegations. The said meeting was public and Ms. Horma entreated party faithfuls on the need to eschew petty bickering,work hard together and choose the right candidate for the constituency in 2024 to enable the NPP break the 8.



Furthermore, we also know the campaign of theirpromise and fail candidate in the constituency has flopped and therefore the reason why his campaigners have resorted to evil machinations and vilification against the obvious choice of the people in the constituency.



The press release dated January 8, 2023, which was signed by Oscar Amoah the assistant constituency secretary and lead campaigner for Charles Bissue is bogus, lacks merit and is not the true representation of the constituency executives as our investigations have revealed that none of the executives were aware of his malicious agenda to destroy the hard earned reputation of the Regional Treasurer and also cause disaffection to her and the party in general. We therefore call on the Constituency and Regional Party to immediately commence investigations into his actions and ensure the necessary sanctions are meted out to deter party executives from bringing the name of the party into disrepute for personal gains.



Finally, we wish to bring the attention of the people of Essikado-Ketan, Westerners and Ghanaians that the NDCs joining her internal political detractors to sing that baseless and discordant allegation chorus against her knowing very well that they had even withdrawn their petition in court due to lack of evidence, is evident of their fear that the candidature of Ms. Horma Miezah will spell doom for them in 2024. Hence supporting the candidature of an NPP candidate whose reputation has been heavily dented to make their work and campaign easy. Rest assured, the NPP, a party of repute, will not allow any candidate who in his pursuit for power will go to all ends, using dubious means such as even discreditingthe party and people he hopes to serve to lead any campaign in his name.



Long Live Obaatanpa Horma Akaisi Miezah, Long Live the Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Long Live the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Long Live Ghana.



.....Signed.....



Friends of Horma Akaisi Miezah, FOHAM



Yaw Marvin- 0543251687 (Communicator for Team Horma)



Rahmatu Ibrahim- 0242356317 (Constituency Executive, EKC)



Emmanuel Kofi Baidoo-0543993992 (Polling Station Executive, EKC)



Sampson Owusu-0245858691 (Polling Station Executive, EKC)



Alhassan Suleiman-0540678276 (Polling Station Executive, EKC)

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has asked investors in London to come to Ghana and take advantage of the numerous opportunities in Ghanas upstream petroleum industry.



Dr. Prempeh who leads the Ghanaian delegation is seeking to put on show six (6) available oil blocks for massive investment which are the Deep Water Cape Three Points Block, Offshore Cape Three Points South Block, Shallow Water Cape Three Points Block and Southwest Saltpond Block. It also include the Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) Block, and Offshore Cape Three Points South (OCTPS) Block



At a strategic roadshow event at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London Dr. Prempeh said Ghana has four Sedimentary basins of significance to oil and gas namely; Western, Central, Eastern and the Voltaian. He said the Western basin has Ghanas three actively producing deepwater oil and gas fields. Dr. Prempeh added that the Voltaian basin is onshore and the remaining two are largely offshore. Most parts of the offshore basins are open for E&P activities.



GNPC is currently exploring the Voltaian Basin to establish its prospectivity, following which the basin will be open to investors, he said.



The Minister who is also Member of Parliament for Manhyia South told investors that the Jubilee Field became Ghanas first commercial deepwater discovery which further deepened the interest for deepwater exploration in Ghana.



Having fast-tracked the development of the Jubilee Field, first commercial oil production commenced in December 2010, barely 40 months from discovery, he added



He continued two new fields (Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) Field and Sankofa - Gye Nyame Field) have since been brought onstream for production in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The three producing (3) fields currently provide an average daily production of about 150,000 bbl/d from a peak production rate approximately 200,000 bbl/d.



Three of the six available blocks are available for farm-in opportunities. These are Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) currently operated by Base Energy Ghana Limited, Deep-Water Cape Three Points (DWCTP) originally operated by ExxonMobil, but now operated by Goil Upstream Limited. The third of these is the Offshore South-West Tano, operated by OSWT & EK Operating Company Limited, he added



He further stated that Ghanas stable political and business climate, our highly prospective sedimentary basin with its commensurate high exploration success rate, its guaranteed and attractive fiscal terms and the well-defined legal and regulatory framework.



He also highlighted the availability of an existing architecture to support infrastructure-led exploration, which shortens the time between exploration and production. He thus urged investors to find in Ghana a friend and partner.



It may be recalled that Dr. Prempeh in September last year led similar road shows in Houston and Aberdeen, all in a move to position Ghanas upstream sector strategically for the needed investment.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Ethiopian security forces in the southern part of the country have intensified a hunt to arrest hundreds of inmates who escaped a prison in Bule Hora town, more than 450km (280 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa, following an attack by armed men.



''Government forces are still searching,'' deputy mayor of the town Girja Urago told the BBC.



The prison was home to notorious inmates, including members of rebel groups who were arrested following military operations.



The attack, which happened early in the morning on Sunday, left five police prison guards and one civilian dead, authorities told the BBC.



''All of them have escaped. We estimate there were more than 480 inmates,'' the official said.



Oromo Liberation Army rebels have been blamed for the attack but there is no immediate comment from the group.



In the past, militant groups have claimed to have released ''political prisoners'' from other jails in the populous region of Oromia - home to Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Source: BBC









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Malawi police have arrested two women in their mid-20s after they used kwacha bank notes as decorations for a cake they had baked and posted it on social media.



A police spokesman said the pair had posted the image of the cake festooned with 70 500-kwacha notes - worth $35 (28) on social media as they advertised their cake-making business.



The accused have not commented on their arrest but police say they will be charged with an offence of damaging and unlawful use of currency.



In the past, Malawis central bank has said it incurs huge costs printing new bank notes to replace worn out ones and blamed improper use of banknotes as one of reasons the notes have to be regularly replaced.



The offence of damaging and unlawful use of currency carries a large maximum fine.





Akutitu Police in Blantyre are keeping in custody two cake bakers atapanga decorate cake ndima k500 bank notes okwana sate fafu sazande (mwk35,000). My question is, cholinga nkukhala chani ma cake bakers wo? pic.twitter.com/rpj9LDq7FG  Kessie Tha Certified (@Kessie_Dr) January 11, 2023

Source: BBC









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The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has stated that the first consignment of affordable fuel will arrive in Ghana next week.



The minister expressed optimism when he told journalists, We are thinking of next week if Im not exaggerating.



However, the Minister of Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, earlier, according to myjoyonline.com reports, said the cheaper fuel will likely arrive on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of January.



In October 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that the government was working to secure reliable and regular sources of affordable petroleum products for the Ghanaian market in a bid to stabilise fuel prices.



He said this will halt the escalation of fuel prices and bring relief to us all.



After the announcement of the fuel deal with Abu Dhabi, several analysts cast doubt over its success.



Executive Director at the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, said I dont know who is advising the Energy Minister, because the venture they are undertaking is far from possibility. This is not how the energy sector works, so they should be careful.



He was also concerned that governments decision to secure a deal for cheaper petroleum products was not an attempt to waste the countrys meagre resources or an attempt to enrich a few people to the detriment of over 30 million Ghanaians or a deliberate attempt to grow the energy sector debt.



But the IES boss indicated that should the negotiations go according to plan, government must declare the full discount value which was agreed upon.



They must tell Ghanaians what they also gave in return for that favour. And also, we must be very careful, our fear as IES is that they could be giving out something for free in order to get that discount," he stressed.



If there is a market that can give you a cheap discount to beat all the markets all over the world, I am sure the BDCs would have gone for it. So let us be careful of the venture that we are undertaking, the IES executive director warned.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanten, has stated that the Ghanaian economy is now fragile, vulnerable, and susceptible to both external and domestic shocks.



He made this statement in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.



During the address, he officially announced his intention to run for the presidential nomination on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and also announced the transformational plans he intends to roll out when he is given the nod to become president for the people of Ghana, which he termed GTP.



Mr. Kyeremanten stated that Ghana has been to the International Monetary Fund, IMF for seventeen times though the current government promised not to go back to the IMF again. He explained that the recent development for which Ghana has gone back to the IMF is due to the fact that Ghanas economy is fragile and vulnerable to both external and domestic shocks.



He added that the vulnerability of the countrys economy is because we are so dependent on the exportation of commodities with no or little value added.



This is the seventeenth time that we have gone to the IMF over the last 57 years. We promised never to go back but we have gone back. One of the lessons that we have learnt from the recent developments is that Ghanas economy is still fragile, vulnerable and susceptible to both external and domestic shocks. This primarily is as a result of the fact that our economy is highly dependent on the export of commodities with little or no value addition, he said.



Mr. Kyeremanten expressed his gratitude to the President for the opportunity given him to serve in his cabinet as minister responsible for trade and industries for the past six years.



He also added that the president has built a very strong foundation for the socioeconomic development of Ghana, which will help his vision to build a superstructure that will bring prosperity to the country.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo is expected to attend the funeral rites of His Eminence Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr, M.AFR, which commenced on Wednesday, January 11.



The body was conveyed from the Upper West Regional Hospital Morgue at 14 hours Wednesday, to the Malik Jabri Park in Wa, after a short prayer service.



The itinerary, made available to the Ghana News Agency, indicates that the President would address the funeral on Thursday before the mortal remains of the Cardinal were interred at the St. Andrews Catholic Cathedral.



There would be a requiem mass at 1000 hours on Thursday, followed by tributes from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, the family, and Missionaries of Africa, to which the late Cardinal belonged.



The Wa Diocesan Priests Association, the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, and Most Rev. Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodznski, the Apostolic Nuncio of Ghana, would all pay tributes.



Well-wishers at the funeral would also be allowed to file past to pay their last respect.



His Eminence Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr, M.AFR was the Bishop of Wa before he was nominated by Pope Francis as a Cardinal among 21 Catholic Priests on 29th May 2022.



He was elected the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) on July 30, the eve of the Eucharistic celebration to mark the conclusion of the 19th Plenary Assembly of SECAM in Accra.



He was born on 21st June 1959 and had served as a priest since 1987 before he passed on to glory on Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Rome.





Source: GNA









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The Police on Wednesday prayed an Accra Circuit Court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Patricia Asiedua aka Nana Agradaa, self-acclaimed evangelist, for failing to appear in court.



At an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday, Superintendent of Police Sylvester Asare informed the Court that since Nana Agradaa was granted bail with conditions set out by the Court, she has defied the courts order and that efforts to make her comply by the courts order had been difficult.



According to prosecution, Nana Agradaa aka Evangelist Mama Pat, founder of Heaven Champions International Ministry, was not cooperating with the Police. Prosecution said the accused person was to appear before Circuit Court 10 today (Wednesday), but she did not turn up.



It said the Police received information at another Circuit Court that the accused person was unaware of the next adjourned date, however her representative was aware of the date, and he (agent) turned up in court.



The prosecution submitted that the only way to compel the accused person to appear in court was for the Court to issue a bench warrant.



Mr Paul Asibi Abariga, counsel for Nana Agradaa, said he has filed a document before the court, indicating that his client was unwell.



Mr Abariga therefore prayed the court to disregard the prosecutions submissions, inviting the Court to issue a bench warrant.



The Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah urged defence counsel to advice Nana.



Nana Agradaa has three different cases before three Circuit Courts in Accra. Before the Circuit Court 9, she is being held on six counts of defrauding by false pretences and charlatanic advertisement in the media.



Nana Agradaa has denied the charges and is on bail.



She said to have advertised on Todays Television and other social media platforms on October 5, 2022, that she could double money.



The accused person in the said advert invited members of the public to attend an all-night service at her church at Weija, near Accra for the alleged money doubling.



Prosecution said over 1,000 people visited the church and handed over their money to the accused, but she failed to double the money as promised.



The Prosecution said the Police commenced investigations into the matter and accused was arrested on October 9, 2022.



It said during interrogation, accused person confirmed the case of the six complainants.









Source: GNA









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Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid,the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has urged Ghanaians to refrain from bastardizing the country and rededicate themselves to its development.



He also advised public officers to stop shortchanging the country for their selfish gains as the country offered more opportunities in education than the advanced countries of America and Britain.



Dr Abdul-Hamid who made the call at the unveiling of a refurbished conference room for the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (BRCC) in Sunyani said the privileges were created by successive governments since Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and expressed worry that beneficiaries of such pro poor educational policies were not showing gratitude to the country.



For instance, Dr Abdul-Hamid said many Ghanaians had benefited from the Northern scholarship scheme, free basic education, the current free Senior High School programme, tertiary educational loans and scholarships from the GETFund and Scholarship Secretariat to study abroad.



He said many of the beneficiaries had failed to pay back the loans while others had refused to return to Ghana after completing their sponsored studies and instead of lauding Ghana for making them who they were such people were rather badmouthing the country.



The conference room was refurbished by the NPA as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility upon a request by the BRCC.



The conference room, which is used for Regional Security Council Meetings, conferences and workshops, was in a poor state as the desks and seats were broken, window glasses smashed and curtains faded and torn.



Using himself as an example, the NPA Boss said he could not have been who he was today but for the educational opportunities he enjoyed, such as the Northern Education Scholarship Scheme, and the low cost of tertiary education from the First Degree through to PhD.



He said many youth in America and Britain could not attain tertiary education because it cost more than $100,,000 to finish First Degrees.



Dr Abdul-Hamid said many people who ventured to pursue tertiary education in America and Britain were saddled with loans that they pay for the rest of their lives.



However, he said, the cost of tertiary education in Ghana was far less and people were being paid for pursuing nursing and teacher training courses.



This country is a blessing. We have no choice as Ghanaian people but to contribute whatever we can and the little we can in whatever corner we find ourselves for the betterment of our country, he said.



In her address, the Bono Regional Minister, Ms Justina Owusu Banahene, said the poor state of the conference room compelled the Council to rent conference rooms to hold Regional Coordinating Council meetings and conferences.



That, she said, was a drain on the Councils limited finances aside the security threat it posed.



Ms Banahene thanked the NPA, especially Dr Abdul-Hamid for spearheading the refurbishment of the conference room in a record time, and promised to maintain it for present and future use.



The NPA team included a Board Member, Ms Diana Mogre, and the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Maria Oquaye.





Source: GNA









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A 35-year-old Assistant Headteacher of Ekumfi Akra Methodist Basic School in the Central Region, Shadrach Frimpong has been shot while easing himself in a bush near the Teachers Bangalow which has no toilet facility.



The incident happened on Wednesday, December 11, 2023 around 5:30am.



Bullets fired missed him by a whisker and rather hit a tree infront of him saving the victim from being shot dead instantly.



The bullets, however, ricocheted and hit his left eye and hand.



He was rushed to the Mankessim Roman Hospital for treatment by some teachers who heard him screaming for help and went to his aid.



The father of the victim, Richard Anaman in an interview with Kasapa News, Yaw Boagyan suspects the assailant had tried killing his son for canning a student.



He revealed that his son had a misunderstanding recently with some parents for canning a student for misconduct but the issue has been settled.



The case has been reported to the Ekumfi Essiohyia Police for an investigation.









Source: kasapaonline









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Passengers queue up to go through entry procedures at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has changed its COVID response in light of the evolving situation, coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development.

The optimization of China's COVID response policies is science-based, effective and consistent with the country's reality, overseas experts and scholars have told Xinhua.

They also said that China, in the past three years, has made remarkable achievements in fighting the epidemic, making significant contributions to the global battle against the virus.

Achievements in anti-COVID battle

Since COVID-19 struck, China has put its people and lives first, doing its utmost to protect people's lives and health.

China's anti-COVID experience offers important lessons for many countries, and its optimized COVID-19 strategy is in the right direction, said Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva.

"When the pandemic emerged in Wuhan, the response from the Chinese authorities was quite good," Flahault told Xinhua in a video interview. "The Chinese government did apply very strict and effective measures at the time to tackle the pandemic and to avoid its spread all over the country."

In the past three years, China has effectively responded to global COVID waves and avoided widespread infections with the original strain and the Delta variant, which are relatively more pathogenic than the other variants. The country has kept its severe COVID-19 cases and death rates among the lowest in the world.

Meanwhile, China's average annual economic growth rate over the past three years was approximately 4.5 percent, higher than the global average and making significant contributions to global economic growth.

Faced with the COVID-19 outbreak, China took all necessary measures to stop the rapid spread of the virus, which ensured people's health and enabled the country to play its role in stabilizing the world economy, said Gu Qingyang, director of Chinese Executive Education and associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore.

"The pandemic lashed global growth, while China, as the world's second-largest economy, has managed to maintain the stability of the global supply chain with its massive trade, even in 2022 when the Omicron variation hit the country," said Gu, whose research interests lie in Chinese economy, Singapore public policy and urban development.

Science-based COVID response

Omicron is much less pathogenic and deadly, and China's treatment, testing and vaccination capacity are steadily rising.

Against such backdrop, China has made an array of active adjustments to its COVID-19 response, including 20 measures in November last year, 10 new measures in December and changing the Chinese term for COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection."

Bilal Ahmad, a public health scientist at Pakistan's Central Care, an international non-governmental organization working in health and education, said that countries must be flexible and adaptable in their approach to preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Ahmad said that China adhered to a scientific approach against the virus since the beginning of the outbreak while employing strong economic fundamentals and measures to stimulate demand.

As China downgraded its management of COVID-19 starting this past Sunday, would-be travelers have been flocking to travel websites, which have seen a surge in inbound and outbound orders. On Monday, Thailand welcomed the arrival of thousands of Chinese tourists in its capital of Bangkok.

However, a few countries have imposed discriminatory entry requirements on travelers from China, which experts and scholars widely opposed.

Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization, has urged countries to take science-based precautionary COVID-19 entry restrictions that are proportionate and non-discriminatory.

"For those countries in our region introducing precautionary travel measures at this time, we are calling for such to be rooted in science, to be proportionate and non-discriminatory," Kluge said.

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly also said in a letter to the country's health minister that he does not believe that "there is sufficient public health rationale to impose any restriction or additional requirements on travellers from China."

Health officials in Australian states and New Zealand have reached a "strong consensus" that imposing restrictions on travelers from China was "inconsistent with the current national approach to the management of COVID-19 and disproportionate to the risk," Kelly wrote.

Economic rebound

Currently, China's COVID situation is improving, some provinces and cities have passed their infection peaks, and life and work are returning to normal at an accelerated pace.

Many experts expressed their confidence that China is returning to its pre-epidemic hustle and bustle, unleashing more economic vitality and opportunities for the world.

"As China has adjusted its pandemic prevention policies, outbound Chinese tourists will fuel the global tourism industry, and China-related industrial and supply chains will become more stable," Gu said, adding that robust trade with China will bring more vitality to global growth.

"Some international study institutions downgraded the growth forecasts of major economies in 2023, but they are optimistic about China's potential. Their attitude shows that the Chinese economy will be a major power to boost market confidence and global economic recovery," the scholar told Xinhua.

Bambang Suryono, chairman of Indonesia's think tank Asia Innovation Study Center, said China is Indonesia's largest export market, with the two economies highly interrelated and complementary.

China's economic recovery will boost Indonesia's exports to China, Suryono said, adding that the number of Chinese tourists to Indonesia is expected to jump.

Andrei Ostrovsky, chief researcher of the Center for China Socio-Economic Research at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the adjustment of China's COVID response policies would benefit Russia-China trade and personnel exchanges, and facilitate its contacts with the rest of the world.
Fifi Kwetey, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the Volta Region must cement its place as an unmovable bastion for the Party.



He said the Regions hold as the fortress for the NDC had weakened in recent times as indigenes had become increasingly discouraged from identifying with the Party, while strongholds of the main political opponent, the NPP, remained fruitful.



Mr Kwetey was opening a regional retreat for Regional Executives of the Party at Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, which is on the theme Empowering Our Base for Victory in 2024.



He said the Volta Region remained the birthplace and base of the NDC and should be maintained as the Party lost its monopoly over the northern parts of the country.



Volta is the region, where saviours of the nation come from as far as this country is concerned but we need to know who we are, and somehow, we know, who we are, and we need to start appreciating who we are.



Volta must appreciate NDC and back it no matter what. It should become like a religion. We need to let our people appreciate that this is what we are. And I believe if we knew who we were, the situation where the love for this party would start dwindling in this Region should not happen.



He said a careful watch of what happens in Ashanti Region, and the Eastern Region, indicates that no matter how poor the NPP may perform, they understand that their Party is the NPP, and nothing changes that.



Because somehow, they appreciate it, and believe in their party as a religion. Your Religion may not be the best religion, yet that is your religion. It is your responsibility to make sure you fix it, and you change it.



The General Secretary went on to say, that we need to let our people appreciate that this is who we are. There is nothing shameful about it. You talk to some of our young people from Volta and they think it is something of pride to say yea, we are not like our forefathers and uncles, and we believe that we should not continue with that.



He alleged that NPP had managed to discourage natives of the region from adopting the Party and was robbing the region of its political lineage.



It is our job to ensure that our children remain loyal to this foundation to make it better. The NDC should be much more than a Party for us. It should be a religion.



Mr Kwetey called for better coordination to be able work towards the Partys needs, adding that Voltarians remained the most faithful to the Party, and sustained its popularity across the Country.



He said the Region must therefore become more creative to be able to lead the Party, and that the Party should work closer with the diaspora, and ensure such communities duly benefited from power.



The four-day retreat would help strategise towards the coming general elections which the Party hopes to win, and present are some National and Regional Executives and some Members of Parliament from the Region.



Mr Dan Agbodakpi, Chairman of the National Council of Elders who chaired the opening said Party executives must work in unity with MPs and other stakeholders particularly the grassroots to be able to remain formidable.





Source: GNA









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Lecturer and political communication analyst, Dr. Etse Sikanku has lauded the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his immense contributions to the Office of the Vice President, which he said, has significantly transformed the hitherto dormant office.



In a write up released on Wednesday, the revered scholar, noted that the Office of the Vice President used to be docile, but Dr. Bawumia has demonstrated leadership qualities and transformed the office "to bring about observable change in the lives of the people."



"Dr. Bawumia has succeeded in transforming the Vice Presidency from one of docility to activism, symbolic representation to policy implementation and from mysticism to realism. When the history of democratic politics is written in Ghana, Dr. Bawumia will occupy a special place because of the courage, unorthodoxy and agression that he brought to the position," Dr. Sikanku wrote in his analytic piece.



"Time and again, he has been at the receiving end of jokes and criticism due to his overwhelming focus on digitization, but he has remained resolute and unwavering in his digital ambitions for Ghana. His political beliefs are rooted in pragmatism, realism and the idea that to seize the moment in a fast-moving world, this country needs to embrace digital know-how in order to improve the economy and better the lives of citizens."



He continued: "Bawumias approach is therefore data-driven and action-oriented with an eye on innovation and reformation. A crucial element in political leadership is the ability to act through the courage of ones convictions. By remaining unalterably committed to a cause and persevering despite the odds, VP Bawumia exhibits one of the greatest qualities of leadership: political courage."



"Through his courage and persistence, he has used the position of the Vice Presidency to bring about observable change in the lives of the people particularly through the framework of digitization. No one can deny the passion and attachment he has demonstrated in making sure Ghana is not left behind in human development, making sure that the gospel of digitization is not only preached but permeates every aspect of Ghanaian life."



The respected communications lecturer pointed out the effects of Dr. Bawumias efforts as Vice President "can be seen in areas such as the digitalization of the operations of the DVLA, much needed enhancements in the school feeding program, the use of drones for the delivery of critical health needs such as blood and medicines, the new lease of life at the ports through the paperless port system, the full operationalization of the Ghana National Electronic Pharmacy."



The extensive article, which wholistically looked at the making of Dr. Bawumia as a modern Vice President, delved into his background as a revered banker and economist and his meteoric rise as a running mate to an impactful Vice President.



Click link below for full article:



Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia And The Making Of The Modern Vice Presidency

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Emerging music star Larry Prince says his Afrobeat style combines Ghanaian Hiplife, House Music with a feel of the Ivorian coupe-decale genre to produce an amusing tune.



According to the music prodigy, his new upcoming single "Saachikin Rami" would explore a different kind of Afrobeat vibe that would become a household anthem.



Speaking in an interview ahead of the release on January 16, 2023, the talented musician was optimistic that his new Afrobeat rhythm would be accepted not only by Ghanaians but by the world at large.



"My Afrobeat blends various rhythms, from Ghanaian Hiplife to Ivorian coupe-decale, and I hope to blow music fans' minds, especially considering my relatable lyrics."



"Music is my life, and I look to offer music lovers the best of sounds that depict the real sounds of Africa, and they should expect more banging tunes from me this year," he said.



The upcoming single "Saachikin Rami," produced by "Horrofix Umagar," is a well-curated masterpiece that will be available across streaming on its due date of release.



Larry Prince has released several songs, including "Koomigb3" "Body Pump," "You Fine," "Digital Hustle," and "Rukia," which became groundbreaking hits in the music industry.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Hiplife and Highlife artiste, Pure Akan says the first human being created by God wasn't Adam as it's widely known by many people, particularly Christians.



The artiste refuted the scriptural account that Adam was the first made by God in His image and likeness during an interview with host Abeiku Santana on Okay FM's "Ekwanso Dwoodwoo" Thursday evening.



According to Pure Akan, the first person who came into the world is an African who dwelled in one of the African countries.



He added that it is proven that Africans were the first to appear on earth and travelled overseas transforming into White people.



Pure Akan corroborated his claim by explaining that it was possible for the Africans to turn into White people due to the weather abroad.



Pure Akan performed at this year's "Land of the Spirits" concert and made libation on stage, the first of its kind.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Reuters

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has begun evaluating at least five potential bidders interested in picking up a majority stake in state-owned IDBI Bank Ltd, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Prem Watsa-backed CSB Bank and Emirates NBD are among those that have submitted expressions of interest, two of the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential. The RBI, Finance Ministry, IDBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, CSB Bank and Emirates Bank did not respond to requests for comment.
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Schematic workflow of the software CAPTAIN (Conservation Area Prioritisation Through Artificial INtelligence), consisting of a simulated natural system (a cell-binned matrix consisting of various biological and environmental variables, with possible expansion into socio-economic or other parameters of relevance) and an agent (the machine learning representation of a policymaker that learns from the natural system how to make the best decisions in conservation planning). The agent extracts information from the simulated system through a monitoring policy that defines how frequently and how accurately biodiversity data are obtained from the system. Through a reinforcement learning algorithm, CAPTAIN optimizes a protection policy that maximizes a pre-specified reward, such as protecting the maximum number of species, the largest possible area, or the highest total economic value of the species protected. The task optimized is which areas should be protected (the black boxes in the bottom left part of the figure) in order to maximize the biodiversity outcome pursued and within the constraints of a limited budget. Adapted from Silvestro et al. (2022). Credit: Plants, People, Planet (2022). DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10337

A few yearsor sometimes even just a few weekscan be all it takes for a plant or animal to acquire "endangered species" status. For instance, when a new road is built through a forest, the chainsaws come out and a rare species of amphibian may be decimated as a result. Multiplied and amplified by climate change, extreme weather eventsdrought and forest firescan devastate a whole population of animals or plants in the space of less than one season.

Biodiversity crises often occur more abruptly than one might expectand they are happening at an increasing rate. To counter this, an alarm must be sounded as early as possible. That's the aim of Daniele Silvestro. In the journal Plants, People, Planet, the scientist from the University of Fribourg outlines an approach that combines artificial intelligence, aerial images and assistance from citizen scientists. He sees this as the best way to make the right decisionsand to do so faster.

Mobile phones and citizen science

The researcher is developing an AI system that can integrate a number of different types of environmental informationdatabases, images, surveys. He plans to optimize it in order to analyze satellite or aerial images. Deforestation, reforestation, changes in vegetation cover, new penguin colonies in the Antarctic, recently built infrastructureaerial views of all these phenomena reveal vast quantities of information.

"Thanks to artificial intelligence, we can analyze millions of images within a short time," Daniele Silvestro explains. "The human eye could do the same thing, but the fast pace of machine learning takes us to a level higher. It's really a sort of live survey of the planet."

To complete the system, Daniele Silvestro proposes including a citizen science component. His vision: volunteers use their mobile phones to provide pictures taken on the groundon wasteland, in forests or in marshland. An app could be used to automatically identify the species presente.g. tree types by the hundred in a small sample of tropical forest. Such information, especially if hidden beneath a thick canopy or in the soil, is impossible to capture from the heights at which drones and satellites operate.

"Mobile phones open up huge potential that has remained largely untapped," says Daniele Silvestro. "In most places where you find people you also find mobile phones, and almost all of them are equipped with cameras and GPS for precise localization."

Simulating a catastrophe

Thanks to all the data received, AI's role would expand beyond mere monitoring. It could anticipate problems, identify high-risk areas and even propose strategies for avoiding ecological catastrophes. To achieve this, the team from Fribourg has adapted an engine often used by apps for games such as Chess and Go. Daniele Silvestro explains: "We literally get our AI to play a game, but instead of neutralizing an adversary on the chessboard it learns strategies for predicting and preventing biodiversity loss."

In his study, the researcher shows that the images taken from above and the data obtained on the ground can enable AI to perform a live reclassification of the species' extinction risk. This would be a big plus, because when species slide into the danger zone, there is no time to lose.

For example, when Australia was ravaged by forest fires in 2020, wild koala populations were decimated within just a few weeks, causing them to be reclassified as an endangered species. Daniele Silvestro is mainly focusing on the development of his open-source engine, known as CAPTAIN (Conservation Area Prioritization Through Artificial INtelligence). He is currently in discussions with several institutions and companies with a view to giving his vision of an early warning system a more concrete form.

More information: Alexandre Antonelli et al, Integrating machine learning, remote sensing and citizen science to create an early warning system for biodiversity, Plants, People, Planet (2022). DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10337
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Skull. Credit: Sergey V. Semenov

The movement of people across the Bering Sea from North Asia to North America is a well-known phenomenon in early human history. Nevertheless, the genetic makeup of the people who lived in North Asia during this time has remained mysterious due to a limited number of ancient genomes analyzed from this region. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on January 12 describe genomes from ten individuals up to 7,500 years old that help to fill the gap and show gene flow from people moving in the opposite direction from North America to North Asia.

Their analysis reveals a previously undescribed group of early Holocene Siberian people that lived in the Neolithic Altai-Sayan region, near to where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan come together. The genetic data show they were descendants of both paleo-Siberian and Ancient North Eurasian (ANE) people.

"We describe a previously unknown hunter-gatherer population in the Altai as early as 7,500 years old, which is a mixture between two distinct groups that lived in Siberia during the last Ice Age," says Cosimo Posth at the University of Tubingen, Germany, and senior author of the study. "The Altai hunter-gatherer group contributed to many contemporaneous and subsequent populations across North Asia, showing how great the mobility of those foraging communities was."

Posth notes that the Altai region is known in the media as the location where a new archaic hominin group, the Denisovans, was discovered. But the region also has importance in human history as a crossroad for population movements between northern Siberia, Central Asia, and East Asia over millennia.

Posth and colleagues report that the unique gene pool they uncovered may represent an optimal source for the inferred ANE-related population that contributed to Bronze Age groups from North and Inner Asia, such as Lake Baikal hunter-gatherers, Okunevo-associated pastoralists, and Tarim Basin mummies. They uncovered Ancient Northeast Asian (ANA) ancestry as wellwhich had initially been described in Neolithic hunter-gatherers from the Russian Far Eastin another Neolithic Altai-Sayan individual associated with distinct cultural features.

Photo of grave. Credit: Nadezhda F. Stepanova

The findings reveal the spread of ANA ancestry about 1,500 kilometers farther to the west than previously observed. In the Russian Far East, they also identified 7,000-year-old individuals with Jomon-associated ancestry, indicating links with hunter-gatherer groups from the Japanese Archipelago.

The data also are consistent with multiple phases of gene flow from North America to northeastern Asia over the last 5,000 years, reaching the Kamchatka Peninsula and central Siberia. The researchers note that the findings highlight a largely interconnected population throughout North Asia from the early Holocene onwards.

"The finding that surprised me the most is from an individual dated to a similar period as the other Altai hunter-gatherers but with a completely different genetic profile, showing genetic affinities to populations located in the Russian Far East," says Ke Wang at Fudan University, China, and lead author of the study. "Interestingly, the Nizhnetytkesken individual was found in a cave containing rich burial goods with a religious costume and objects interpreted as possible representation of shamanism."

Wang says the finding implies that individuals with very different profiles and backgrounds were living in the same region around the same time.

"It is not clear if the Nizhnetytkesken individual came from far away or the population from which he derived was located close by," she says. "However, his grave goods appear different than other local archeological contexts implying mobility of both culturally and genetically diverse individuals into the Altai region."

The genetic data from the Altai show that North Asia harbored highly connected groups as early as 10,000 years ago, across long geographic distances. "This suggests that human migrations and admixtures were the norm and not the exception also for ancient hunter-gatherer societies," Posth says.
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Labeled X-ray and optical images of SDSS J011522.18+001518.5 and SDSS J155627.74+241758.9. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/D. Kim et al.; Optical/IR: Legacy Surveys/D. Lang (Perimeter Institute)

Hundreds of black holes previously hidden, or buried, have been found using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This result helps give astronomers a more accurate census of black holes in the universe.

The black holes in this new study are the supermassive variety that contain millions or even billions of times the mass of the sun. While astronomers think that almost all large galaxies harbor giant black holes in their centers, only some of the black holes will be actively pulling in material that produces radiation, and some will be buried underneath dust and gas.

By combining data from the Chandra Source Cataloga public repository including hundreds of thousands of X-ray sources detected by the observatory over its first 15 yearsand optical data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), a team of astronomers was able to identify hundreds of black holes that had previously been hidden. They are in galaxies not previously identified to contain quasars, extremely bright objects with rapidly growing supermassive black holes.

"Astronomers have already identified huge numbers of black holes, but many remain elusive," said Dong-Woo Kim of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA), who led the study. "Our research has uncovered a missing population and helped us understand how they are behaving."

For about 40 years scientists have known about galaxies that look normal in optical lightwith light from stars and gas but not the distinctive optical signatures of a quasarbut shine brightly in X-rays. They refer to these objects as "X-ray-bright, optically normal galaxies," or "XBONGs."

By systematically combing through the deep Chandra Source Catalog and comparing to SDSS optical data, the researchers identified 817 XBONG candidates, more than ten times the number known before Chandra was in operation. Chandra's sharp images, matching the quality of those from SDSS, and the large amount of data in the Chandra Source Catalog made it possible to detect this many XBONG candidates. Further study revealed that about half of these XBONGs represent a population of previously hidden black holes. Credit: Chandra X-ray Center

"These results show how powerful it is to compare X-ray and optical data mines," said co-author Amanda Malnati, an undergraduate student at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. "The Chandra Source Catalog is a growing treasure that will help astronomers make discoveries for years to come."

X-rays are particularly useful to search for rapidly growing black holes because material swirling around them is superheated to millions of degrees and glows strongly in X-ray wavelengths. A thick cocoon of gas and dust surrounding a black hole will block most or all the light at optical wavelengths. X-rays, however, pass through the cocoon much more easily to be detected by Chandra.

After studying the amount of X-rays detected at different energies for each source, the team concluded that about half the XBONG candidates involve X-ray sources that are buried under thick gas because relatively small amounts of low-energy X-rays were detected. Such X-rays are blocked more easily by layers of surrounding gas than higher-energy ones.

These X-ray sources are so bright that almost all of them must be from material surrounding rapidly growing supermassive black holes. Data from NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer provided additional evidence that about half of the XBONGs are buried, growing supermassive black holes. These black holes range in distances between 550 million and 7.8 billion light-years from Earth.

"It's not every day that you can say you discovered a black hole," said co-author Alyssa Cassity, a graduate student at the University of British Columbia. "So, it's very exciting to realize that we have discovered hundreds of them."

The explanation for the XBONGs that are not buried underneath thick gas is less clear. About 100 of the X-ray sources may not be single points of X-rays , but instead appear spread out. Some of these may be galaxies in previously unidentified groups or clusters of galaxies, which are known to contain large quantities of hot, X-ray emitting gas. No more than about 20% of the XBONGs can be categorized this way. The remaining 30% may contain some supermassive black holes located in galaxies where the optical signals from the supermassive black holes are diluted by relatively bright light from stars. Scientists will need additional research to sort out the true nature of these XBONGs.

Dong-Woo Kim presented these results at the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle.
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Credit: Northeastern University

Why are Black people three to four times more likely than white people to be arrested in Portland and South Portland, Maine?

That question arises from new Northeastern research led by Jack McDevitt, emeritus professor of the practice, in partnership with the Roux Institute. McDevitt believes the study is a first step that can help resolve the issues of racial disparitiesand offer far-reaching solutions that may be applied throughout Maine.

Inspired in part by the ongoing study of its largest metro area, Maine has tendered legislation that would require all agencies throughout the state to collect data on disparities in traffic enforcement.

It all stems from a 2020 query by the South Portland police chief amid the national protests ignited by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

"He said, 'I'm reading all this stuff about racial profiling, and I don't know whether my officers are involved in it. Could you help me analyze my data?'" McDevitt recalls.

The outreach was highly unusual, says McDevitt, who has studied hundreds of U.S. police departments over the past 20 yearsoften without the blessing of the police themselves.

"Most of the time when we get calls, it's because there's been a horrendous case in the media of an officer who misbehaved or there's been a state statute [ordering a study]," McDevitt says. "This was a nice beginning because they were looking to see if they had problems."

The voluntary study of traffic stops and arrests found evidence of racial and ethnic disparities. Though Black people comprise 3.5% of the state's population, they accounted for 15% of arrests involving Maine residents in South Portland from 2018 through 2020.

And yet, says McDevitt, the data offered no evidence of widespread bias by police.

"What we've usually found in the past is that it's generally a small number of officers who might be involved in bias-based policing," says McDevitt, who partnered on the Maine research with Carlos Cuevas, a Northeastern professor of criminology and criminal justice, and the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine. "I haven't found many places where it's widespread across a whole department."

McDevitt says police departments themselves are often best able to identify officers who are acting outside the norms and address the behavior.

"They weren't sure where to look," McDevitt said of the Portland and South Portland police departments. "So we identified places in the city and types of stops where racial and ethnic disparities existed and encouraged them to see if in fact bias-based policing was being practiced by their officers."

"The question was: How do we use the power of data science and analytics for the betterment of the community?" says Michael Pollastri, senior vice provost and academic lead of the Roux Institute. "The breadth of how the tools of analytics, data science, machine learning and AI can be applied is far greater than I anticipatedit's useful for life sciences, it's useful for finance and now it's useful for policing."

There are two next steps. The first is to work with the police departments in Portland and South Portland to analyze and resolve the racial disparities uncovered by the report.

The other step is to apply the methodology to the rest of Maine with the backing of $1.15 million offered annually to each state that agrees to collect and analyze traffic-stop data to reduce racial profiling as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

McDevitt notes that the current study was completed amid a period of administrative turnover.

"Over the three years we had two police chiefs in Portland and four police chiefs in South Portland," McDevitt said. "That was really difficult because the two chiefs who started it were both gone. And now a new chief walks in and says, 'What is this study and why are we doing it?' We had to keep telling new chiefs about it, and building trust that we were going to do a fair job and not do anything outside of what the data could show."

More information: Assessing arrest & traffic stop patterns in Portland, ME: cloudup.com/cZKsh_mMGoi
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A color rendition of NGC 6302, the Butterfly Nebula, created from black-and-white exposures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2019 and 2020. In the violet-colored regions, strong stellar winds are actively reshaping the nebular wings over the past 900 years. The other features range in age from 1200 to 2300 years. Credit: Bruce Balick/University of Washington/Joel Kastner/Paula Baez Moraga/Rochester Institute of Technology/Space Telescope Science Institute

Planetary nebulae form when red giant stars expel their outermost layers as they run out of helium fuelbecoming hot, dense white dwarf stars that are roughly the size of Earth. The material that was shed, enriched in carbon, forms dazzling patterns as it is blown gently into the interstellar medium.

Most planetary nebulae are roughly circular, but a few have an hourglass or wing-like shape, like the aptly named "Butterfly Nebula." These shapes are likely formed by the gravitational tug of a second star orbiting the nebula's "parent" star, causing the material to expand into a pair of nebular lobes, or "wings." Like an expanding balloon, the wings grow over time without changing their original shape.

Yet new research shows that something is amiss in the Butterfly Nebula. When a team led by astronomers at the University of Washington compared two exposures of the Butterfly Nebula taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009 and 2020, they saw dramatic changes in the material within the wings. As they will report on Jan. 12 at the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle, powerful winds are driving complex alterations of material within the nebula's wings. They want to understand how such activity is possible from what should be a "sputtering, largely moribund star with no remaining fuel."

"The Butterfly Nebula is extreme for the mass, speed and complexity of its ejections from its central star, whose temperature is more than 200 times hotter than the sun yet is just slightly larger than the Earth," said team leader Bruce Balick, a UW professor emeritus of astronomy. "I've been comparing Hubble images for years and I've never seen anything quite like it."

The team compared high-quality Hubble images taken 11 years apart to chart the speeds and growth patterns of features within the nebula's wings. The bulk of the analysis was performed by Lars Borchert, a graduate student at Aarhus University in Denmark who participated in this study as a UW undergraduate student.

Structural changes within the Butterfly Nebula between 2009 and 2020. Various features have moved from the black regions into the white ones during the 11-year interval. The image reveals the surprisingly complex growth patterns caused by multiple ejections from the nebulas unseen central star in the past two millennia. Credit: Lars Borchert and Bruce Balick/University of Washington

Borchert discovered roughly half a dozen "jets"beginning about 2,300 years ago and ending 900 years agopushing material out in a series of asymmetrical outflows. Material in the outer portions of the nebula is moving rapidly, at about 500 miles per second, while material closer to the hidden central star is expanding much more slowly, at about a tenth of that speed. Paths of the jets cross one another, forming "messy" structures and growth patterns within the wings.

The nebula's multi-polar and swiftly changing interior structure is not easy to explain using existing models of how planetary nebulae form and evolve, according to Balick. The star at the center of the nebula, which is hidden by dust and debris, could have merged with a companion star or drew off material from a nearby star, creating complex magnetic fields and generating the jets.

"At this point, these are all just hypotheses," said Balick. "What this shows us is that we don't fully understand the full range of shaping processes at work when planetary nebulae form. The next step is to image the nebular center using the James Webb Space Telescope, since infrared light from the star can penetrate through the dust."

Stars like our sun will swell into a red giant and form planetary nebulae someday, expelling carbon and other relatively heavy elements into the interstellar medium to form star systems and planets in the far future. This new research, and other "time-lapse" analyses of planetary nebulae, can help illustrate not just how the materials for the star systems of tomorrow will take shape, but also how the building blocks of our own oasis were produced and gathered billions of years ago.

"It's a creation story that is happening over and over again in our universe," said Balick. "The shaping processes provide key insight into the history and impacts of the stellar activity."

Other team members are Joel Kastner of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Adam Frank of the University of Rochester.

More information: Abstract title: "The Tempestuous Life of the Butterfly Nebula, NGC 6302"
Travelers arrive at the Lok Ma Chau control point by Mass Transit Railway (MTR) in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 8, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Tuesday that the situation of border reopening with the Chinese mainland at various control points in the past two days has been smooth, safe and orderly.

Lee told the press ahead of an executive council meeting that the current 50,000 daily quota at land crossings for Hong Kong residents heading to the mainland remains sufficient.

In the next two or three days, there are still 30 percent to 40 percent of the quotas at land control points available for reservation, he said, adding that more than 90 percent of the quota has been taken up on January 20, which is only two days away from the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year.

Lee said the booking rate for the coming eight weeks overall is only about 17 percent, indicating that the current 50,000 daily quota at land control points is in line with the actual demand.

The HKSAR government will, in light of the actual situation, communicate and coordinate with relevant mainland authorities to monitor the situation to see if there is a need to adjust, he said.

Lee described the border reopening as a benefit for family reunion and reflecting the aspiration of the people, which also helps boost Hong Kong's economy.
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Four coral species were tracked across 10 different temperatures in the National Sea Simulatora technically challenging feat. Credit: Juan Ortiz

Scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have found some fast-growing coral species on the Great Barrier Reef slow down their growth rates when exposed to warm water.

The study, published recently in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, show they are likely to experience a double whammy with high mortality during acute heat stress events and significant reductions in growth due to an increasingly warming ocean.

Fast growing coral species, such as the ones examined for this study, are common on the Great Barrier Reef, providing essential shelter for other marine life. But they are some of the most susceptible to marine heat waves, bleach easily and can break during storms.

Recent surveys for AIMS' Long Term Monitoring Program found that increases in hard coral cover in northern and central regions were largely driven by these species.

"Our results demonstrate that these fast-growing table corals, critical for reef recovery, have evolved strategies that are perfect to maximize growth in their current environment," said Dr. Juan Ortiz, senior author of the study.

"But these initial findings may indicate that they have limited potential for adaptation to future hotter conditions."

The study is the first to take such a deep dive into quantifying the relationship between coral growth and temperature. The growth of four coral species from one reef on the central Great Barrier Reef were tracked over a month across 10 different temperatures between 19C and 31C in AIMS' National Sea Simulator.

Dr. Mariana Alvarez Noriega, lead author of the study, was surprised by how consistently individual colonies of the same coral species responded to temperature.

"We were expecting different species to have different responses and we confirmed that, but we were not expecting to find such a consistent thermal response between individuals of the same species," she said.

While individuals of the same species grew at vastly different rates, the temperature at which they grew fastest was remarkably similar.

Dr. Ortiz added, "Low variability in their response to temperature could make it harder for corals to naturally evolve higher thermal tolerance.

"This was a technically challenging and ambitious study made possible by the unique facilities and controlled environment of the National Sea Simulator. We are looking forward to expanding our initial investigations across more coral species from different parts of the Reef later this year," continued Dr. Ortiz.

"To gain more insights, we need to understand what is happening at a bigger scale and across more species."

The study was completed as part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) which aims to develop a toolkit of interventions to help the Reef survive climate change. Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program Executive Director Dr. Cedric Robillot said the Reef is under threat from climate change.

"While the world works to address emissions reduction, it is imperative that we research and implement solutions not only to protect existing coral reefs and their biodiversity from the acute impact of climate change, but also help them adapt to the rapid pace of change.

"Research insights like this, are a critical step on the journey to developing safe and effective solutions to help our Reef recover and adapt from the impacts of climate change."

Dr. Ortiz added, "These results, together with the follow up experiments are critical to develop models that will help us predict the future state of the Reef under different climate change scenarios. This work will also help us understand the potential benefits of different interventions."

More information: Mariana Alvarez-Noriega et al, Highly conserved thermal performance strategies may limit adaptive potential in corals, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1703 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Provided by Australian Institute of Marine Science
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A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S., working with members of The Anson Street African Burial Ground Project, have discovered some of the history behind some of the enslaved people buried in 18th century Charleston, South Carolinahome to one of the busiest slave ports in American history.

In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes how they collected tissue samples from as many of the skeletons in the cemetery as possible and what analysis of their DNA revealed about their history.

Starting in the early 1500s, as part of a larger slave trade, white Europeans brought indigenous Africans by force to work as slaves in the colonial America. They continued to do so for the following three hundred years. Many of those slaves began their life in America in Charleston South Carolina.

Approximately half of all such slaves arrived at the port there and were summarily sold. In this new effort, the researchers conducted a DNA analysis of skeletons of slaves who had been buried in an unmarked burial ground during the 18th century near the heart of the city.

The cemetery was discovered back in 2013 and since that time, efforts have been made to identify those who were buried there. In all, 36 skeletons were found in the cemetery but only 18 had tissue samples suitable for use in a genetic study. Prior work on the project showed that all of the people in the cemetery had been placed in coffins prior to burial and that most had artifacts in the coffin with them, such as pipes, beads or even coins.

In looking at the DNA, the researchers found that all but one of the slaves had come directly from Africa, or had ancestors that had. They also found that slave ancestry was not confined to the west coast of Africasome of the slaves had been taken from parts of sub-Saharan areas. The team found that 13 of them had been born in West Africa, the rest likely in the U.S. The researchers also found that none of the people buried in the cemetery were related to any othera sign that suggests family members were separated upon arrival.

The researchers also found that one person in the cemetery had Native American maternal lineage, which they suggest highlights the multigenerational aspect of the American slave trade.

More information: Raquel E. Fleskes et al, Community-engaged ancient DNA project reveals diverse origins of 18th-century African descendants in Charleston, South Carolina, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201620120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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In the face of dramatic and accelerating consequences of climate change, the many, often separate disciplines within ecology and environmental science need to come together to find answers and solutions to address and adapt to the increasingly complex shifts in our environment.

To meet the enormous challenge, more than 100 members of the environmental research community convened to organize and prioritize themes and issues to create a unified front in synthesis research.

"Over the next decade we will be facing huge environmental challenges and need to galvanize global efforts to address them," said ecologist Ben Halpern, who led the large group through a virtual workshop at UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis. "We brought together a diverse community of ecologists and environmental scientistsabout 120 peopleto share ideas and key questions and help boil all that down into a set of priorities to guide the research community in the coming decade. We hope that people can use this work to support their efforts to pursue pressing research needs."

Their results are published in the journal Ecosphere.

The group identified several priority topics: diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; coupled human-natural systems; actionable and use-inspired science; scale; generality, complexity and resilience; and predictabilityall issues that become more significant as the opportunities for synthesis science grow with the increasing scope, scale and speed of data collection.

"There was a large emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice as both a focal point for synthesis research and a change in the process of how synthesis is done," Halpern said. By lowering the barriers to the diversity of participants, according to the researchers, synthesis scientists would be able to better define and answer research questions that would result in policies that are more relevant and impactful for broader communities.

The other priorities, Halpern noted, "include ones that have been key issues for decades and remain unresolved and high priorities, as well as new topics." The workshop group, which consisted of members from a wide array of career stages, institutions, backgrounds and geographies, noted issues such as how human values and decisions affect environmental outcomes; how to embrace local, Indigenous and experiential knowledge; and how to approach the complexity that emerges as shifts in one system drives major changes in others.

Meanwhile, synthesis science must also incorporate understanding across spatial and temporal scales, while acquiring sufficient replication and avoiding bias in its search for general principles to explain patterns and processes. Importantly, according to the researchers, in addressing pressing environmental questions, scientists must adopt an approach in which predictions are iteratively tested and updated with continuous feedback, as opposed to reaching for "perfect" forecasts in a world with constantly changing variables.

In the process and practice of synthesis science, the group identified two common threads: expanding participation and increasing the availability of data. Efforts must be made to support representation and integration of diverse scientists and perspectives, and to engage with marginalized communities, they said, while generating, integrating and providing access to high-quality data.

While the rate of climate change is increasing with effects that may seem daunting at times to the researchers who study them, Halpern is encouraged by the willingness of the workshop participants to come forward and share ideasa model which he hopes becomes a way forward for synthesis research.

"I have never led a paper with so many coauthors, and in a way that prioritized equal voice and participation," he said. "This work was truly a collaborative effort at a scale I never imagined possible. It was really inspiring to engage so many people, and I learned so much from hearing the feedback and revisions and conversations that ensued during the process of writing and revising this paper."

More information: Benjamin S. Halpern et al, Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science, Ecosphere (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4342 Journal information: Ecosphere
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News organizations labeling false or misleading information as fake news may be backfiring  undermining public trust while doing little to improve audiences ability to recognize genuine stories, according to research by Emily Van Duyn, a professor of communication at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

Emily Van Duyn is a professor of communication at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and co-wrote recent studies that examined the effects of labeling information "fake news" on public perceptions of journalists' and news organizations' credibility. Van Duyn spoke with News Bureau research editor Sharita Forrest about this trend.

When politicians use the phrase 'fake news,' does it have a greater negative impact on the public's perceptions of the media's credibility than if media label what they believe is false or misleading information that way?

The source matters a great deal as to whether the phrase has an effect. We found that when the phrase "fake news" was used by a politicianeven an imaginary oneto describe a news article on social media, people saw the news organization and its journalists as less credible compared with the news organization itself using that phrase.

This is a difficult finding for news organizations since they have little control over how politiciansor anyone, for that matterdescribe their coverage. Still, it suggests that news media should work to counteract or respond to accusations that their work is fake news on social media, given the damaging effects this language can have on their perceived credibility.

Your study discusses the weaponization of the term fake news and suggests that the use of this phrase can damage a media outlet's brand if they use it in their coverage or their advertising. What's a better strategy for newsrooms to use?

Since we find that exposure to the phrase fake news can have disproportionate effects on how credible people find a news organization and its journalists, we suggest that media refrain from using the term.

We make this suggestion in light of advertising campaigns like those from The Wall Street Journal or CNN that try to distinguish themselves as "real news" while inevitably invoking the term fake news.

When referring to false information, we suggest that journalists use the terms "misinformation" or "disinformation," depending on the intent with which the information was spread, as these terms are less likely to have a backfire effect on the perceived credibility of the journalist or their news organization.

In a prior study, you and your co-author found that elites'politicians and media organizations calling attention to fake news had a priming effect that may be doing more harm than exposure to fake news itself. How so?

We wanted to know if exposure to the phrase affects people's skepticism of and trust in real news and their ability to identify false news. We ran an experiment where we had participants look through a set of tweets. A random half of participants read tweets that contained the phrase fake news, which primed them to think about fake news for the rest of the study.

The other halfour control groupread tweets about the federal budget that did not contain that phrase. Then both groups viewed several real news articles and several false news articles, and we asked them whether they thought the articles were real or fake. We also asked both groups how much they trusted the news media in general.

Those primed with the phrase fake news were more likely to think the real news articles were fake, yet they were not more accurate in identifying the fake articles compared with the control group. The participants primed with the phrase also reported lower levels of trust in the news media.

This told us that exposure to the phrase may not be improving people's accuracy at judging what sources are real and which are false. Instead, this may have a backfire effect on people's belief and trust in real news sources.

With the public's faith in news media at a record lowwith just 32% of people professing 'a great deal or fair amount' of faith in news organizations' fairness and accuracy, according to your study, how can media outlets build and sustain trust with audiences?

There are proactive measures that journalists and news organizations can take to build trust with their audience without connoting or referencing fake news.

While our study focused on what news organizations should not do in order to limit negative effects on credibility, there is other research that offers suggestions for news media looking to build or enhance trust with their audiences.

For instance, one study found that news organizations that are transparent about the journalistic processe.g., why and how a story was written, details about the author, etc.are perceived as more credible than those that do not offer this level of transparency.

Similarly, other research shows that news organizations that engage with their audience in some wayfor example, through online comment sections or audience story suggestionstend to have higher levels of trust and perceived credibility.

More information: Jessica R. Collier et al, Fake news by any other name: phrases for false content and effects on public perceptions of U.S. news media, Journal of Applied Communication Research (2022). DOI: 10.1080/00909882.2022.2148487 Emily Van Duyn et al, Priming and Fake News: The Effects of Elite Discourse on Evaluations of News Media, Mass Communication and Society (2018). DOI: 10.1080/15205436.2018.1511807 Journal information: Mass Communication and Society
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While some people are concerned about America's falling birth rate, a new study suggests young people don't need to be convinced to have more children.

In fact, young Americans haven't changed the number of children they intend to have in decades.

Women born in 1995-1999 wanted to have 2.1 children on average when they were 20-24 years oldessentially the same as the 2.2 children that women born in 1965-1969 wanted at the same age, the study found.

Still, the total fertility rate in the United States was 1.71 in 2019, the lowest level since the 1970s.

What's going on?

The results suggest that today's young adults may be having a more difficult time achieving their goals of having children, said Sarah Hayford, co-author of the study and professor of sociology at The Ohio State University.

The data in the study can't explain why, but the results fit evidence indicating that young people today don't think now is a good time for them to have children.

"It's hard to have children in the United States right now," said Hayford, who is also director of Ohio State's Institute for Population Research.

"People feel more worried about the future than they might have been several decades ago. They worry about the economy, child care and whether they can afford to have children."

Hayford conducted the study with Karen Benjamin Guzzo, professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Carolina Population Center. Their results were published online Jan. 10, 2023 in the journal Population and Development Review.

The researchers used data from the National Survey of Family Growth, which has been asking people about their childbearing goals and behaviors for several decades.

The NSFG doesn't interview the same people each time, but it allowed the researchers to track a group of people born around the same timea cohort, as scientists call these groupsas they passed through their childbearing years.

They looked at 13 cohorts of women and 10 cohorts of men born between the 1960s and the 2000s. They were all asked how many children they intended to have, if any.

"Americans have been pretty consistent with how many children they say they want to have from the 60s to the 2000s," Hayford said. "Men generally say they want slightly fewer children than women do, but, like women, their preferred number of children hasn't changed much."

The percentage of people who said they don't plan to have any children has increased, from about 5-8% in the 1960s and 1970s to 8-16% in the 1990s and 2000s. But that alone can't explain the decline in the number of babies being born.

Hayford noted that the number of unintended births, especially among people in their 20s, has declined in recent decades, which has helped reduce the birth rate.

"But that doesn't change the fact that people aren't having as many children as they say they want, especially at earlier ages," Hayford said.

"It may be that they're going to have those kids when they're 35, but maybe they won't."

For example, the study found some evidence that people are reducing the number of children they say they intend to have as they get older.

"As they age, they may be realizing how hard it is to have kids and raise kids in the United States and they're saying they only want to have the one child, and don't want a second one," she said.

In addition, would-be parents may have more difficult conceiving as they get older.

Larger economic and social forces are also having an impact on birth rates.

The birth rate declined significantly during the Great Recession that started in 2008, which is a typical response to an economic downturn. However, the birth rate continued to decline even after the recession was over, Hayford said.

This study ended before COVID-19, but the pandemic served as another fertility shock, at least at first.

"It remains to be seen whether fertility will be able to rebound not just from the Great Recession, but from the pandemic as well," she said.

For those who are concerned about America's dropping birth rates, this study suggests that there is no need to pressure young people into wanting more kids, Hayford said.

"We need to make it easier for people to have the children that they want to have," she said. "There are clear barriers to having children in the United States that revolve around economics, around child care, around health insurance."

More information: Karen Benjamin Guzzo et al, Evolving Fertility Goals and Behaviors in Current U.S. Childbearing Cohorts, Population and Development Review (2023). DOI: 10.1111/padr.12535 Journal information: Population and Development Review
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Turritopsis dohrnii. Credit: Daniel Maeso Miguel and Maria Pascual Torner

Achieving immortality is something that has driven human beings throughout much of their history. Many peculiar legends and fables have been told about the search for the elixirs of life. Medieval alchemists worked tirelessly to find the formula for the philosopher's stone, which granted rejuvenating powers. Another well-known story is the travels of Juan Ponce de Leon, who, while conquering the New World, searched for the mysterious fountain of youth.

But to this day no one has succeeded in discovering the keys to eternal life. There is, however, one exceptiona creature no more than four millimeters in size Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as "the immortal jellyfish".

Biological immortality, within reach of a jellyfish

Unlike the vast majority of living organisms, Turritopsis dohrnii is capable of rejuvenation and biological immortality. This challenges our perception of aging, but how does it do so?

Let's start by understanding the generic life cycle of a "mortal jellyfish". It reproduces sexually: the male's sperm fertilizes the female's eggs and the zygote is formed. The zygote grows as a larva and drifts until it attaches itself to the seabed. Once settled, it grows into a polyp and, when ready, it reproduces asexually. To do this, it releases tiny jellyfish from its own body, which then grow to the adult stage and reproduce, before dying.

The immortal jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii, also follows this cycle, but after reproducing it does not always die: it can choose an alternative path and reverse its life cycle. Along the path, its jellyfish body shrinks to form something like a sphere, called a "cysto". This drifts until it sticks to the bottom, and then generates a new polyp, which in turn gives rise to new jellyfish, thus entering the cycle again.

This process can occur endlessly and allows the jellyfish to escape death.

Deciphering the immortal jellyfish genome

The keys to the immortality of Turritopsis dohrnii are written in its DNA, but discovering them has been no easy task.

Our research team led by Carlos Lopez Otin at the University of Oviedo has contributed to deciphering the genome of this immortal jellyfish. The results have been published in the journal PNAS. This was done by reading letter-by-letter and writing out gene-by-gene all its DNA as if it were a huge instruction book.

Life cycle of Turritopsis dohrnii with the alternative rejuvenation path. Credit: Daniel Maeso Miguel and Maria Pascual Torner

This huge book contains all the information needed for cells to carry out their vital functions. As a result, several genomic clues have been defined that contribute to understanding the extraordinary longevity of the immortal jellyfish.

Using various bioinformatics tools and comparative genomics (the comparison of the genetic book between species), it has been discovered that Turritopsis dohrnii possesses a number of genetic variations that contribute to its biological plasticity and longevity.

The genes found are associated with different keys to aging such as DNA repair and replication, renewal of the stem cell population, cell-to-cell communication and reduction of the oxidative cellular environment that damages cells, as well as the maintenance of telomeres (chromosome ends).

All these processes are associated with longevity and healthy aging in humans.

In addition, by studying each stage of their rejuvenation in detail, a series of changes in gene expression have been identified that are necessary for the cells to transform, through a process known as dedifferentiation. This allows the Turritopsis dohrnii to effectively reset its own biological clock.

All these mechanisms act synergistically as a whole, thus orchestrating the process to ensure the successful rejuvenation of the immortal jellyfish.

The true secret of immortality

If Juan Ponce de Leon had known the secrets kept by Turritopsis dohrnii during his search for the fountain of youth, he would have been left parched. And the alchemists would not have found the philosopher's stone they so longed for. That's because, unfortunately, it wouldn't be possible for a human body to replicate what the jellyfish does. Perhaps the only way to find such a fountain or stone is to realize that there is no life without death. That every system, like humanity or our own body, needs the death of some of its parts to remain in balance and survive.

From the fascinating exploits of Turritopsis dohrnii we have learned the keys and limits of cellular plasticity, and from this knowledge we hope to find better answers to the many aging-related diseases that trouble us today.

Nonetheless, the dream of biological immortality for humans remains just that: a dream. Humans have at least discovered how to be immortal in another wayby making their contribution to history through art and knowledge.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Spatial distribution of tRFMO catch and effort data. tRFMO mean annual shark catch (count, A), effort associated with shark catch (hooks, B) and shark CPUE (count/hook, C) from publicly available longline data between 20122020. Data from each tRFMO were scaled independently using quantiles between 0 and 1 at 0.1 increments. Blue colors indicate areas of low shark catch, effort, and CPUE, while red colors indicate areas of high shark catch, effort, and CPUE. Black lines indicate tRFMO boundaries. Credit: Frontiers in Marine Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.1062447

The ocean can be a dangerous place, even for a shark. Despite sitting at the top of the food chain, these predators are now reeling from destructive human activities like overfishing, pollution and climate change.

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara focused on a particularly troublesome issue for sharks: tangles with the longline tuna fishery. Using data from regional fisheries management organizations and machine learning algorithms, the scientists were able to map out hotspots where shark species face the greatest threat from longline fishing. The findings, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, highlight key regions where sharks can be protected with minimal impact on tuna fisheries.

Offshore longline fisheries take an especially heavy toll on ocean life. The non-selective technique has the highest rate of shark bycatch. "Longline fishing gear is exactly what it sounds like: a long line with lots of hooks attached to it that are baited. And they can be left in the water, waiting for fish to bite, for a very long time," explained co-lead author Darcy Bradley, who heads UC Santa Barbara's Ocean & Fisheries Program at the Environmental Markets Lab (emLab). These baited hooks catch predators like tuna, but many nearby sharks will also converge on the bait.

Rather than simply report how many sharks were caught and where, the authors aimed to assess the relative risk sharks faced across different areas of the ocean. "One of the main questions was 'Where is the risk for catching sharks the highest, and does that overlap with fishing effort?'" said co-lead author Echelle Burns, a project scientist at emLab.

To answer this, Burns, Bradley and co-author Lennon Thomas (also at emLab) went hunting for data on longline fisheries. They sourced publicly available data from tuna regional fisheries management organizations. These intergovernmental institutions manage, collect data and perform scientific assessments for tuna and tuna-like species.

The authors compiled data on shark catch from industrial longline fishing across all the world's tuna fisheries into one comprehensive resource. This was quite a task. Each fisheries management organization operates differently, meaning their data isn't always in the same format. "Now anyone who's interested in shark catches and other happenings in these global longline fisheries has access to that information," Bradley said.

The authors paired spatial shark catch data with environmental data like sea-surface temperature and factors correlated with food abundance. They also included economic data like ex vessel pricethe price that fishers receive directly for their catchfor different shark species each year. "Because you can't catch a shark where it doesn't live," Bradley added, "we used species distribution models to delineate where different sharks actually live in the ocean to inform our risk assessment."

Still, there were a lot of unknowns. Not every fishing vessel has an impartial observer recording catch for the fisheries management organizations. And not every report is completely accurate. So Burns, Bradley and Thomas used a model to fill in the gaps, recognize trends and draw conclusions from this incomplete data. "The whole reason to use a model is because we have imperfect data," Bradley said. "If we knew everything we wouldn't need a model."

This was a new approach to estimating the interactions between fisheries and marine species. Using machine learning enabled the team to extrapolate trends from their messy datasets. First, the model assessed whether a shark species was present in an area, and if so, how likely it was to be caught there. Then it looked at how many sharks of each species were caught in an area.

The authors prioritized predictive power in this study. "Our goal was to identify where sharks are at the highest risk of being caught by tuna longline fisheries," Bradley explained. "For this study, we were not trying to understand the extent to which various factors influence this risk."

The authors used a random forest model, which combines the outputs of many decision trees. Each decision tree considers a different variable, and its outcome is a vote for the final prediction. "The basic idea is that a bunch of poor decisionmakers, the trees, can share information to ultimately make a better decision: the forest," Bradley said. While this method doesn't provide a clear picture of how each factor influences the system, it is very good at making sense of messy and incomplete datasets. What emerged was a map of catch risk for shark populations across the globe.

Tunas and sharks are both predators and target similar prey, so they're often found together. But while they may share some traits, sharks and tunas are fundamentally different types of animals. Tunas grow quickly and produce many offspring, while sharks mature relatively late and reproduce slowly. As a result, tuna can withstand much higher fishing pressures than sharks, and even a small impact on shark numbers can affect the population of a threatened species.

Fortunately, the scientists found that hotspots for longline-shark interactions didn't correspond with preferred fishing grounds. "This suggests that we can design management strategies that can protect vulnerable and threatened shark species without having to close the most productive tuna fishing grounds," Bradley said. The team found this particularly heartening, since it could encourage actions that help sharks while appealing to fishers as well.

The difference between hotspots and good fishing grounds could stem from those differences between tuna and sharks. "For example, we noticed that some of the shark catch hotspots overlap with areas that play a critical role in a shark's life cycle," Thomas added. Take the ocean off the coast of Namibia, a well-known nursery habitat and juvenile feeding ground for blue sharks.

In fact, blue sharks dominated interactions with longline fishing fleets. This common and widespread species contributed over 78% of the total shark catch reported by tuna regional fisheries management organizations between 2012 and 2020. As a result, the majority of the paper's findings for sharks as a whole are driven by blue shark catch in particular. This was one reason the authors investigated hotspots for 12 species individually in their supplementary materials.

The team is working on a follow-up study estimating global shark mortality due to fishing as a wholenot just longline. They also plan to assess whether regulations have helped prevent shark catch. What's more, this paper's random forest model can provide insights on other species threatened by overfishing.

Better data will allow the team to improve their model, but it's already providing useful lessons. For instance, we can design management strategies to protect vulnerable and threatened shark species without disrupting prime tuna fishing grounds. "Making small adjustments to tuna fishing regulations to avoid shark catch hotspots could make a huge difference for shark populations in the future," Burns said, "while also ensuring that the tuna fisheries remain successful."

More information: Echelle S. Burns et al, Global hotspots of shark interactions with industrial longline fisheries, Frontiers in Marine Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.1062447 Journal information: Frontiers in Marine Science
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Submarine volcanic activity along a section of the Kolumbo crater on the seafloor, observed with SANTORY monitoring equipment. Credit: SANTORY

Using a novel imaging technique for volcanoes that produces high-resolution pictures of seismic wave properties, a new study reveals a large, previously undetected body of mobile magma underneath Kolumbo, an active submarine volcano near Santorini, Greece. The presence of the magma chamber increases the chances of a future eruption, prompting the researchers to recommend real-time hazard monitoring stations near other active submarine volcanoes to improve estimations of when an eruption might be likely to occur.

Nearly four hundred years ago, in 1650 C.E., Kolumbo breached the sea surface and erupted, killing 70 people in Santorini. This eruption, not to be confused with the catastrophic Thera (Santorini) volcanic eruption that occurred around 1600 B.C.E., was triggered by growing magma reservoirs beneath the surface of Kolumbo. Now researchers say the molten rock in the chamber is reaching a similar volume.

The study, published in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, was the first to use full-waveform inversion seismic imaging to look for changes in magmatic activity beneath the surface of submarine volcanoes along the Hellenic Arc, where Kolumbo is located.

Full-waveform inversion technology is applied to seismic profilesrecordings of ground motions along kilometers-long linesand assesses differences in wave velocities that may indicate subsurface anomalies. The study showed that full-waveform inversion technology can be used in volcanic regions to find potential locations, sizes and melt rates of mobile magma bodies. Seismic profiles were constructed after the researchers fired air-gun shots from aboard a research vessel cruising over the volcanic region, triggering seismic waves that were recorded by ocean bottom seismometers located along the arc.

"Full-waveform inversion is similar to a medical ultrasound," said M. Paulatto, a volcanologist at Imperial College London and second author of the study. "It uses sound waves to construct an image of the underground structure of a volcano."

According to the study, a significantly decreased velocity of seismic waves that travel beneath the seafloor indicates the presence of a mobile magma chamber underneath Kolumbo. The characteristics of the wave anomalies were used to develop a better idea of the potential hazards the magma chamber may present.

According to Kajetan Chrapkiewicz, geophysicist at Imperial College London and lead author of the study, existing data for submarine volcanoes in the region were sparse and blurry, but the dense array of seismic profiles and full-waveform inversion has allowed them to obtain much sharper images than before. These were used to identify a large magma chamber that has been growing at an average rate of roughly 4 million cubic meters per year since Kolumbo's last eruption in 1650 C.E.

The total volume of melt that has accumulated in the magma reservoir beneath Kolumbo is 1.4 cubic kilometers, the study found. According to Chrapkiewicz, if the current rate of magma chamber growth continues, sometime in the next 150 years Kolumbo could reach the 2 cubic kilometers of melt volume that was estimated to be ejected during the 1650 C.E. eruption. Although volcanic melt volumes can be estimated, there is no way to tell for sure when Kolumbo will erupt next.

Data-misfit across iterations. (a) Objective function defined as L2-norm misfit of normalized waveforms, averaged over ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs), shown as a black line between 1 gray bounds; stations 177 and 178 with the largest misfit, along with a more typical station 105, are highlighted in color; inset: phase residual of four OBSs (annotated stars) at 3 Hz for starting (top) and final (bottom) model. (b) Observed versus synthetic waveforms at OBS 105, line 27 for starting (top) and final (bottom) model; reduction velocity on the vertical axis is 5 km/s. Credit: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GC010475

Preparing for submarine explosive events

The characteristics of the magmatic system at Kolumbo indicates a highly explosive eruption, similar but of a lesser magnitude than the recent Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption in the future, according to the study's authors. Although danger doesn't appear to be imminent, an explosion at the Kolumbo volcano could be more disastrous than the Tongan eruption due to its proximity to the population center of Santorini, Greece, located only 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the volcano.

Kolumbo is found in a relatively shallow part of the Mediterranean Sea at around 500 meters (1600 feet) deep, which according to current estimations, is likely to enhance its explosivity. A tsunami and an eruptive column tens of kilometers high with large amounts of ashfall are predicted to occur when Kolumbo erupts.

Jens Karstens, a geophysicist at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel who was not involved in the study, underscored the importance of the recent findings. "With studies like this, we can learn more about how volcanic structures work, what to expect and where to expect it, and can use that to design monitoring systems for underwater volcanoes."

The study adds to the growing knowledge base of Kolumbothe most active submarine volcano in the Mediterraneanand the hazards it poses. According to the researchers, full-waveform inversion technology can be used to identify similar magma reservoirs hiding beneath other active submarine volcanoes, but it can be a spatially restrictive and time-consuming process that would be best used in combination with other techniques, such as volcanic sediment drilling and seismographic monitoring, to help form a better idea of what's really going on under submarine volcanoes.

Over the last several years, an international team of scientists has been working on establishing SANTORini's seafloor volcanic observatorY, or SANTORY, a seafloor observatory outfitted with scientific instruments that will be able to measure progressions in Kolumbo's volcanic activity. SANTORY is still under development, but according to Chrapkiewicz, it is a good example of what a submarine volcanic monitoring station can potentially look like.

As Paulatto points out, there are more land-based monitoring stations for continental volcanoes than there are for submarine volcanoes. Monitoring volcanic activity underneath the ocean surface is more complicated and expensive than it is on land. However, that doesn't make it less important, Paulatto said. The researchers hope that this study, in combination with the data collected by SANTORY and the International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 sediment drilling cruise, will help convince policymakers of the critical importance for real-time monitoring stations on submarine volcanoes.

"We need better data on what's actually beneath these volcanoes," Chrapkiewicz said. "Continuous monitoring systems would allow us to have a better estimation of when an eruption might occur. With these systems, we would likely know about an eruption a few days before it happens, and people would be able to evacuate and stay safe."

More information: K. Chrapkiewicz et al, Magma Chamber Detected Beneath an Arc Volcano With FullWaveform Inversion of ActiveSource Seismic Data, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GC010475
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Tissint meteorite photograph courtesy of Kurt Kracher, Natural History Museum Vienna. Credit: Kurt Kracher, Natural History Museum Vienna.

The Martian meteorite Tissint contains a huge diversity of organic compounds, found an international team of researchers led by Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich's Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin and including Carnegie's Andrew Steele. Their work is published in Science Advances.

Tissint, which crash landed in Morocco more than 11 years ago, is one of only five Martian meteorites that have been observed as they fell to Earth. Pieces of it were found scattered around the desert about 30 miles from the town after which it is named.

This sample of Martian rock was formed hundreds of millions of years ago on our next-door planetary neighbor and was launched into space by a violent event. Unraveling the origin stories of the Tissint meteorite's organic compounds can help scientists understand whether the Red Planet ever hosted life, as well as Earth's geologic history.

"Mars and Earth share many aspects of their evolution," said lead author Schmitt-Kopplin. "And while life arose and thrived on our home planet, the question of whether it ever existed on Mars is a very hot research topic that requires deeper knowledge of our neighboring planet's water, organic molecules, and reactive surfaces."

Organic molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and sometimes other elements. Organic compounds are commonly associated with life, although previous Martian meteorite research demonstrated that they can be created by non-biological processes, referred to as abiotic organic chemistry.

Tissint meteorite photograph courtesy of Ludovic Ferriere (a co-author on the paper), Natural History Museum Vienna. Credit: Ludovic Ferriere, Natural History Museum Vienna.

"Understanding the processes and sequence of events that shaped this rich organic bounty will reveal new details about Mars' habitability and potentially about the reactions that could lead to the formation of life," added Steele, who has done extensive research on organic material in Martian meteorites, including Tissint, and is a member of both the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers' science teams.

The researchers were able to thoroughly analyze the meteorite's organic inventory, revealing a link between the type and diversity of organic molecules and specific mineralogy. Their efforts resulted in the most comprehensive catalog ever made of the diversity of organic compounds found in a Martian meteorite or in a sample collected and analyzed by a rover. This work uncovered details about how the processes occurring in Mars' mantle and crust evolved, especially with regard to abiotic organics that formed from water-rock interactions.

Of particular interest was the abundance of organic magnesium compounds, a suite of organic molecules not previously seen on Mars, which offer new insights about the high-pressure, high-temperature geochemistry that shaped the Red Planet's deep interior and indicate a connection between its carbon cycle and its mineral evolution.

The researchers say that samples returned from Mars by future missions should provide an unprecedented amount of information about the formation, stability and dynamics of organic compounds in real Martian environments.

More information: Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin et al, Complex carbonaceous matter in Tissint martian meteorites give insights into the diversity of organic geochemistry on Mars, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add6439 Journal information: Science Advances
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A post-2022-midterm survey by Bright Line Watch shows higher public confidence in the health of US democracy than a similar survey conducted before the elections. The rise in confidence was especially notable among Republicans who responded to the survey, despite worse-than-expected results for many GOP candidates. Credit: Bright Line Watch

According to the most recent Bright Line Watch survey, titled "Rebound in Confidence: American Democracy and the 2022 Midterm Elections," which was fielded right after the 2022 November elections, more voters in the United States now trust the integrity and fairness of elections than they did prior to the midterms, according to previous Bright Line Watch polls.

The post-election survey, conducted by a team of academics who have been polling experts and the public since 2017 at regular intervals about the health of U.S. democracy, finds a notable increase in trust from before to after the 2022 midterm elections among Republican votersfrom 68 to 78 percent in terms of their individual votes, and from 67 to 73 percent in terms of all votes in statewide elections. Confidence in the national vote among Republicans, which was already much lower than the confidence level of Democrats, rose slightly from 49 percent in October to 51 percent in November.

"I am heartened by the fact that those red lines for Republicans are not tilting downward the way they did in 2020 before and after the election when we saw a real decline in Republican confidence," says Bright Line Watch cofounder Gretchen Helmke, a political science professor and the faculty director of the Democracy Center at the University of Rochester. That came despite the fact that Republican candidates didn't perform as well in the midterms as anticipated, says Helmke, who studies political instability, constitutional crises, the rule of law, and Latin American politics. "Confidence did not decrease. To me, that was surprising and really encouraging."

But US democracy isn't out of the woods yet. While the numbers are indeed "encouraging," there's still reason to be concerned, says Bright Line Watch cofounder Brendan Nyhan, a professor of government at Dartmouth College. Nyhan, who researches political scandal and corruption, conspiracy theories, and political communications and the media, cautions that those slightly lower levels of perceived voter fraud in the November data are "still uncomfortably high" and continue to "vastly outstrip any credible estimates [of voter fraud], based on expert judgments or criminal proceedings."

The same post-election survey also finds that the majority of polled political scientists see the Democratic Party's strategy of supporting election denier candidates in the GOP primaries as ultimately a threat to democracy, even as those election deniers ended up underperforming in the midterm elections.

Bright Line Watch's key findings in the post-midterm poll:

The public's confidence that votes were counted accurately at the local, state, and national levels has increased.

The public's belief in voter and election fraud has decreased. The largest changes in belief were generally among voters who identify as Republicans.

Both the expert respondents and the public see an improvement in the overall performance of American democracy after the midterm elections.

Both experts and the public view the prospects of US democracy in the future more favorably, though improvements in public perceptions were concentrated among Democrats.

Supporters of both parties expect the health of democracy to decline if the other side wins in 2024.

Experts regard the prospect of Donald Trump's capturing the GOP nomination again in 2024 as a profound threat to American democracy and expect major declines in the integrity of American democracy if he wins. A majority of the public shares this view.

A majority of experts sees the Democratic strategy of supporting election deniers in GOP primaries as a threat to democracy.

In sharp contrast with previous Bright Line Watch surveys, the polled experts evaluated major events before and after the midterm elections as largely a return to traditional democratic norms.

For this survey, Bright Line Watch polled 707 political scientists (the experts) and a representative sample of 2,750 Americans (the public) between November 22 through December 2, 2022.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Raising the minimum age threshold for trophy hunted male lions to eight years to account for errors in aging estimates by professional hunters could increase hunting sustainability, suggests a modeling study published in Scientific Reports.

Trophy hunting is widely practiced in Africa as a conservation strategy, but its use can be contentious. Although the minimum age threshold for hunted male lions is typically six years, previous research has suggested that lions aged between four and seven years old are often estimated to be older than they actually are. In addition, lions are also at risk from poaching and conflict with livestock owners.

Andrew Loveridge and colleagues modeled the impacts of poaching, conflict with humans, and trophy hunting using a range of age thresholds on a simulated population of 500 lions in 40 prides, which was developed using data from a 20-year study of lions in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. The authors found that trophy hunting younger males and higher levels of poaching or conflict led to severe population declines, but that restricting hunting to older males was more sustainable.

Under conditions with low levels of conflict (with 0.4% monthly mortality) and high levels of hunting (a quota of 18 lions per year), minimum age thresholds of at least seven or eight years were required to maintain stable populations, with a threshold of eight years being the most sustainable.

These results were replicated when hunter aging estimate errors were incorporated into the simulations. Simulations involving conflict and a hunting age threshold of six years or older led to population declines of more than 30% over 45 years. Moderate levels of poaching or conflict (with 0.8% monthly mortality) and minimum hunting age thresholds of five years or older resulted in population declines to extinction.

The authors conclude that trophy hunting should be limited to older male lions and that a precautionary approach should be taken when setting hunting quotas for large carnivore populations affected by poaching and conflict with livestock owners.

More information: Andrew Loveridge, Anthropogenic edge effects and aging errors by hunters can affect the sustainability of lion trophy hunting, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25020-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-25020-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. Continuing the planet's long-term warming trend, global temperatures in 2022 were 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.89 degrees Celsius) above the average for NASA's baseline period (1951-1980), scientists from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York reported.

"This warming trend is alarming," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Our warming climate is already making a mark: Forest fires are intensifying; hurricanes are getting stronger; droughts are wreaking havoc and sea levels are rising. NASA is deepening our commitment to do our part in addressing climate change. Our Earth System Observatory will provide state-of-the-art data to support our climate modeling, analysis and predictions to help humanity confront our planet's changing climate."

The past nine years have been the warmest years since modern recordkeeping began in 1880. This means Earth in 2022 was about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 1.11 degrees Celsius) warmer than the late 19th century average.

"The reason for the warming trend is that human activities continue to pump enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the long-term planetary impacts will also continue," said Gavin Schmidt, director of GISS, NASA's leading center for climate modeling.

Human-driven greenhouse gas emissions have rebounded following a short-lived dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, NASA scientists, as well as international scientists, determined carbon dioxide emissions were the highest on record in 2022. NASA also identified some super-emitters of methaneanother powerful greenhouse gasusing the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation instrument that launched to the International Space Station earlier this year.

The Arctic region continues to experience the strongest warming trendsclose to four times the global averageaccording to GISS research presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, as well as a separate study. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Communities around the world are experiencing impacts scientists see as connected to the warming atmosphere and ocean. Climate change has intensified rainfall and tropical storms, deepened the severity of droughts, and increased the impact of storm surges. Last year brought torrential monsoon rains that devastated Pakistan and a persistent megadrought in the U.S. Southwest. In September, Hurricane Ian became one of the strongest and costliest hurricanes to strike the continental U.S.

Tracking our changing planet

NASA's global temperature analysis is drawn from data collected by weather stations and Antarctic research stations, as well as instruments mounted on ships and ocean buoys. NASA scientists analyze these measurements to account for uncertainties in the data and to maintain consistent methods for calculating global average surface temperature differences for every year. These ground-based measurements of surface temperature are consistent with satellite data collected since 2002 by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on NASA's Aqua satellite and with other estimates.

NASA uses the period from 1951-1980 as a baseline to understand how global temperatures change over time. That baseline includes climate patterns such as La Nina and El Nino, as well as unusually hot or cold years due to other factors, ensuring it encompasses natural variations in Earth's temperature.

Many factors can affect the average temperature in any given year. For example, 2022 was one of the warmest on record despite a third consecutive year of La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean. NASA scientists estimate that La Nina's cooling influence may have lowered global temperatures slightly (about 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.06 degrees Celsius) from what the average would have been under more typical ocean conditions.

A separate, independent analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that the global surface temperature for 2022 was the sixth highest since 1880. NOAA scientists use much of the same raw temperature data in their analysis and have a different baseline period (1901-2000) and methodology. Although rankings for specific years can differ slightly between the records, they are in broad agreement and both reflect ongoing long-term warming.
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Authorities have positively identified the remains of an Army Air Forces pilot from Ohio who died when his plane was shot down over Germany during World War II, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

On May 29, 1944, 1st Lt. Carl Nesbitt was the pilot of a B-17G Flying Fortress bomber during a huge bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. German fighters attacked the bomber's formation roughly 28 miles northeast of Leipzig, and the plane was shot down.

Six of the 10 crew members were able to escape the plane before it crashed near Horst, while Nesbitt and the rest were killed. Their bodies were believed to have been buried in a local cemetery and, after the war ended, there was no evidence of Nesbitt being a prisoner of war or having survived.

Nesbitt, 23, of Lima, Ohio, was assigned to the 569th Bombardment Squadron, 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 13th Bombardment Wing, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force.

The American Graves Registration Command, which worked to recover fallen service members in Europe after the war, found the remains of a crew member buried in a cemetery in Horst during a search in September 1946. But after 1950, worsening diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, which then controlled that part of Germany, prevented the AGRC from investigating further, and Nesbitt was declared nonrecoverable on April 21, 1953.

In July 2012, an investigation team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, a DPAA predecessor, found the crash site and recovered evidence of a B-17 crash. In 2015, the landowner allowed DPAA to excavate, and the work was done during the summer 2019. Crews recovered possible material evidence and possible remains, which were eventually sent to a lab at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, mitochondrial DNA analysis and circumstantial and material evidence to identify Nesbitt's remains. He will be buried May 15 in Annville, Pennsylvania.

Nesbitt was accounted for last September, DPAA officials said, but his family only recently received their full briefing on the case.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Overview of experimental design and visualization of old and young datasets. Credit: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01958-x

The male reproductive system serves as a hotspot for the emergence of new genes. Perhaps that explains why more new mutations are inherited from fathers than from mothers. It doesn't, however, clarify why older fathers pass on more mutations than younger ones do. The mechanisms that might underlie these well-documented trends have long remained a mystery.

Now, a new study in Nature Ecology & Evolution by Rockefeller University scientists describes why older male fruit flies are more likely to pass mutations onto their offspring, potentially shining a light on inherited-disease risk in humans.

Researchers in Li Zhao's lab studied mutations that occur during the production of sperm from germline cells, known as spermatogenesis. They found that mutations are common in the testes of both young and old fruit flies, but more abundant in older flies from the outset. Moreover, many of these mutations seem to be removed in younger fruit flies during spermatogenesis by the body's genomic repair mechanismsbut they fail to be fixed in the testes of older flies.

"We were trying to test whether the older germline is less efficient at mutation repair, or whether the older germline just starts out more mutated," says first author Ewan Witt, a former graduate student in the lab and now a computational biologist at Biomarin Pharmaceuticals. "Our results indicate that it's actually both. At every stage of spermatogenesis, there are more mutations per RNA molecule in older flies than in younger flies."

Self-care at the genetic level

Genomes keep themselves tidy using a handful of repair mechanisms. When it comes to testes, they have to work overtime; testes have the highest rate of gene expression of any organ. Moreover, genes that are highly expressed in spermatogenesis tend to have fewer mutations than those that are not. This sounds counterintuitive, but it makes sense: One theory to explain why the testes express so many genes holds that it might be a sort of genomic surveillance mechanisma way to reveal, and then weed out, problematic mutations.

But when it comes to older sperm, the researchers found, the weed-whacker apparently sputters out. Previous research suggests that a faulty transcription-coupled repair mechanism, which only fixes transcribed genes, could be to blame.

Inherited or new mutations?

To get these results, scientists in the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics did single-cell sequencing on the RNA from the testes of about 300 fruit flies, roughly half of them young (48 hours old) and half old (25 days old), advancing a line of inquiry they began in 2019. In order to understand whether the mutations they detected were somatic, or inherited from the flies' parents, or de novoarising in the individual fly's germlinethey then sequenced the genome of each fly.

They were able to document that each mutation was a true original. "We can directly say this mutation was not present in the DNA of that same fly in its somatic cells," says Witt. "We know that it's a de novo mutation."

This unconventional approachinferring genomic mutations from single-cell RNA sequencing and then comparing them to the genomic dataallowed the researchers to match mutations to the cell type in which they occurred. "It's a good way to compare mutational load between cell types, because you can follow them throughout spermatogenesis," Witt says.

The human connection

The next step is to expand the analysis to more age groups of flies and test whether or not this transcription repair mechanism can occurand if it does, identify the pathways responsible, Witt says. "What genes," he wonders, "are really driving the difference between old and young flies in terms of mutation repair?"

Because fruit flies have a high reproductive rate, investigating their mutation patterns can offer new insights into the effect of new mutations in human health and evolution, says Zhao.

Witt adds, "It's largely unknown whether a more mutated male germline is more or less fertile than a less mutated one. There's not been very much research on it except for at a population level. And if people inherit more mutations from aging fathers, that increases the odds of de novo genetic disorders or certain types of cancers."
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Most of the island tortoises of the Indian Ocean are now extinct (pictured in grey), with the majority of the remainder on the verge of being wiped out. Credit: Michal Roessler and photo  Massimo Delfino

Southwestern Madagascar was once a tortoise hotspot, with multiple species of the giant reptiles roaming alongside their much smaller cousins.

We can now add a new species to that picture. Estimated by the team to have had a carapace measuring around 50 centimeters long, Astrochelys rogerbouri would have been one of the island's large tortoises.

Though the fossilized leg bone of the species from which its description was based was discovered more than 100 years ago, its intermediate size meant it was identified as the juvenile of the giant tortoise Aldabrachelys abrupta.

Only a DNA analysis recently carried out on the fossil revealed that the extinct reptile was a species in its own right, with researchers naming the species in honor of a former colleague.

Dr. Sandra Chapman, a co-author on the paper and the Museum's former Curator of Fossil Reptiles and Birds, says, "I am honored to pay tribute to the late paleontologist Roger Bour as part of this project, which named the new species Astrochelys rogerbouri after him."

"I met Roger on several occasions when he was a frequent visitor to the Museum's turtle collections in the early 2000s."

Like many other Indian Ocean tortoises, Astrochelys rogerbouri was likely driven to extinction by the arrival of humans on the islands, either during the arrival of Madagascar's first inhabitants from Southeast Asia or more recently by European colonists.

The description of the new species is part of a larger study, published in the journal Science Advances, which reveals that the tortoises living across the Indian Ocean evolved during two separate dispersals, with turtles found in the Seychelles only distantly related to those formerly found on Mauritius.

The tortoises of the Indian Ocean

The first tortoises to colonize the islands of the Indian Ocean are believed to have evolved around 40 million years ago on the African mainland. The animals are believed to have dispersed by floating in the sea, with living giant tortoises sometimes found washed up on beaches today.

Some Madagascan baobas have struggled with spreading their seeds following the extinction of tortoise species. Credit: Vaclav Sebek/Shutterstock

Though Madagascar is closer to the African mainland, the researchers' genetic analysis of tortoise remains suggests that the reptiles reached the more distant Mascarene islands first. The Cylindraspis tortoises colonized the now submerged islands such as Saya de Malha, before island hopping south until they reached Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion.

It would be more than 10 million years later that the first tortoises would arrive in Madagascar. One group of the Aldabrachelys tortoises would later make the 2,000-kilometer journey north to the Seychelles, and then across to the island of Aldabra.

These tortoises would dominate the islands of the Indian Ocean for millions of years. With no humans or large carnivores to contend with, giant tortoises with shells measuring over a meter long would have roamed the islands alongside other species around a tenth of their size.

Although all these species were herbivores and found in large numbers, they were able to coexist. The researchers believe that the 'exceptional' diversity that would have been seen in southwest Madagascar, where as many as five species were living alongside one another, is because they consumed different types of plant and so occupied different niches.

These tortoises were keystones of the ecosystem, and are believed to have helped maintain the mixture of forest and savannah by trampling seedlings, reduced the risk of fire through grazing, and helped to spread the large seeds of native baobabs.

The arrival of humans would change all this. While debate on when people first arrived on the island is still ongoing with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 1,500 years ago, it is agreed that people from what is now Indonesia and Malaysia were the first to settle.

By around 1,000 years ago, most of Madagascar's unique megafauna which included gorilla-sized lemurs and pygmy hippos, were driven to extinction. A combination of human hunting, creation of farmland and drought have all been suggested as causes.

Giant tortoises were also under threat, with Astrochelys rogerbouri thought to have become extinct during this time period along with other large species such as Aldabrachelys grandidieri and Aldabrachelys abrupta.

The Cylindraspis tortoises of the Mascarene islands hung on until the arrival of Europeans in the 1600s, with all species believed to have been driven to extinction by the 1840s as they were harvested for food by passing sailors.

"We often think that humans only started to wipe out species in recent times," says co-author and research team leader Professor Uwe Fritz. "In reality, humans exploited local food resources and changed their environment early on."

"As a result, most of the giant tortoise species in the western Indian Ocean disappeared, leading to a major disturbance of the natural balance of these islands."

Reintroducing the Aldabra giant tortoise to Madagascar could help to restore its ecosystems. Credit: Mathee Suwannarak/Shutterstock

What threats do Madagascar's tortoises face?

While the Mascarenes are now without any native tortoises, Madagascar still has five species remaining today which live in different areas of the island. Though one species, Bell's hinged tortoise, is found across central Africa and is considered to be of low extinction risk, the other four species are classed as Critically Endangered.

Habitat loss for agriculture has driven these species to the edge of extinction, with the ploughshare tortoise estimated to number just 400 individuals in the wild. The scarcity of these tortoises has driven demand from collectors, with wild tortoises being illegally captured for the exotic pet trade.

If these threats can be brought under control, then tortoises could play a significant role in helping to restore Madagascar's biodiversity. For example, while fire poses a major issue in conservation on the island, the tortoises could help to control this threat by selective grazing and clearing out potentially flammable vegetation.

Some studies have also suggested introducing the Aldabra giant tortoise to the island to aid with this, as the species shares the same ancestors as Madagascar's extinct giant turtles.

This follows a similar project on the island of Rodrigues which has been credited with restoring seed dispersal routes and tackling invasive species without harming native flora.

Understanding where extinct tortoises used to live could aid with any future reintroduction projects by identifying which sites may be suitable for tortoises to be moved into.

Patrick Campbell, Senior Curator of Reptiles at the Museum, says, "Conserving the species we have today is one of the main reasons we carry out this kind of research. Giant tortoises are important for the ecosystem and they support other groups such as certain trees by part digesting the outer shell of seeds."

"This assists with their dispersal and germination, and without them, there would probably be fewer trees on these islands."

The researchers have called for further genetic analysis of tortoise remains to help build a more detailed picture of where these gentle giants used to live.

More information: Christian Kehlmaier et al, Ancient DNA elucidates the lost world of western Indian Ocean giant tortoises and reveals a new extinct species from Madagascar, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2574 Journal information: Science Advances

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Tackling nutrient pollution in the Gulf of Mexico is a big job, requiring coordination between dozens of states whose waters flow into the Mississippi. Although a 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency memo set a framework for each state to reduce its nutrient load, it was up to the states to set their own policies in motion.

More than a decade on, critics have questioned the effectiveness of state nutrient reduction strategies, noting the still-massive hypoxic dead zones in the Gulf. In a new University of Illinois-led study, social scientists looked at the process that states took to develop and implement their strategies, identifying key strengths and challenges that can inform other large-scale cooperative efforts.

The study is published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.

Interviewing personnel involved in the planning and execution of nutrient reduction strategies in seven upper Mississippi River Basin states, the research team found the EPA memo spurred initial energy.

"States really took advantage of the policy window opened by the EPA memo and its directive to create nutrient reduction strategies at the state level. After 2011, when groups started meeting, there was a lot of energy across the region to bring people together and try to come up with innovative new solutions. Ten years later, that energy is more dispersed. So, utilizing that policy window is a key lesson for other multi-state planning processes," says Chloe Wardropper, assistant professor of natural resource policy in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at U of I and lead author on the study.

Wardropper adds that the initial planning process was crucial in terms of inclusivity, bringing together stakeholders with many different perspectives. She says, "Planning processes might seem boring, but they are one of the most important ways that democracy functions and they can significantly impact policies that are developed."

The researchers also identified a trend across states: Framing nutrient reduction in terms of its effects on local water bodies was more motivating than talking about effects in the far-away Gulf of Mexico.

"Roughly 40% of the land area in the continental United States drains to the Mississippi River. It is a huge watershed and hard for people to connect their actions in the Upper Midwest to negative impacts far away in the Gulf of Mexico," notes Ken Genskow, a professor of environmental planning and policy at the University of Wisconsin Madison and one of the article's co-authors.

While important to keep that distant goal in mind, the authors add that emphasizing impacts on local lakes and streams is an important strategy for catalyzing action. For example, Wardropper says Ohioans are more aware of and concerned about harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie than about hypoxic zones in the Gulf of Mexico. And across the region, stakeholders were more motivated by similar local concerns.

States faced common challenges in implementing nutrient reduction strategies, specifically the voluntary nature of most programs and the sheer scale of implementation needed to achieve significant results. Wardropper says that scale is one significant reason why nutrient loads continue to exceed ideal limits heading into the Gulf.

"It's going to take a really long time to see big changes because of the biophysical dynamics of such a huge watershed," she says.

Although water quality improvement in the Gulf of Mexico remains difficult to measure, the researchers conclude that the approachleveraging federal influence to drive policy discussions and engagement across a regionachieved a measure of success and can be used as a model for coordinated action on environmental issues across states.

More information: C.B. Wardropper et al, Policy process and problem framing for state Nutrient Reduction Strategies in the US Upper Mississippi River Basin, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (2023). DOI: 10.2489/jswc.2023.00025 Journal information: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
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Morphological and structural characterization of CN and SA-Cu-CN. Credit: Yang Dandan

A research team led by Prof. Kong Lingtao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of of Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a pre-assembly strategy to anchor single atoms on carbon nitride nanosheets. They prepared a series of single atom-loaded carbon nitride Fenton-like catalysts for the degradation of tetracycline pollutants in water, which increased the catalytic activity by one to two orders of magnitude.

The study was published in Separation and Purification Technology.

The Fenton-like process is a radical dominated reaction. H 2 O 2 and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) are two commonly used Fenton-like oxidants, and reducing the reactive species' migratory distance to the pollutant molecules is desirable for performance enhancement because the reactive species produced from H 2 O 2 and PMS activation have a very short half-life.

Single-atom materials have a better activation effect on oxidants. Due to the arranged nanosheet structure, tunable surface area, benign biocompatibility and high stability in harsh environments, graphitic carbon nitride (CN) can serve as a promising support material for radical confinement.

At the same time, its abundant nitrogen can provide ideal sites for the embedding of metal ions, forming unique coordination structures and electronic configurations. Therefore, the immobilization of metal atoms on carbon nitride nanosheets can confine the free radicals near the contaminants, and effectively improve the Fenton-like catalytic efficiency.

In this study, the researchers proposed a pyrolytic coordination polymerization pre-assembly strategy with broad-spectrum versatility. They anchored single atoms on carbon nitride nanosheets and demonstrated versatility in Fenton-like catalysis.

As a proof of concept, the SA-Cu-CN was chosen as a model material for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) and mechanistic elaboration. The Fenton-like catalytic activity of SA-Cu-CN could reach one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of the control materials.

According to the researchers, in the catalytic system, hydroxyl radical and sulfate radical generation played a crucial role in the degradation of TC. Combining Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry analysis with Discrete Fourier Transform theoretical calculations, the degradation pathways and product toxicity of TC were analyzed and characterized. The SA-Cu-CN Fenton-like catalyst showed a great ability to treat organic pollutants in depth.

In addition, a series of single-atom catalysts such as SA-Fe-CN, SA-Co-CN and SA-Mn-CN were synthesized by the same preparation method. They all showed good Fenton-like catalytic activity.

This study is of great importance for the development of Fenton-like catalysts and their applications in water treatment, according to Yang Dandan, first author of the study.

More information: Dandan Yang et al, Preassembly strategy to anchor single atoms on carbon nitride layers achieving versatile Fenton-like catalysis, Separation and Purification Technology (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122955
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Graphical abstract. Credit: Environmental Science & Technology (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04126

A chemical used in the production of toilet paper and 'forever chemicals' have been found in the bodies of orcas in B.C. , including the endangered southern resident killer whales.

The Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries at UBC, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists analyzed tissue samples from six southern resident killer whales and six Bigg's whales stranded along the coast of B.C. from 2006 to 2018, according to a recent study. They discovered that chemical pollutants are prevalent in killer whales, with a chemical often found in toilet paper one of the most prevalent in the samples studied, accounting for 46 percent of the total pollutants identified.

Called 4-nonylphenol or 4NP, the compound is listed as a toxic substance in Canada and can interact with the nervous system and influence cognitive function, the authors say. "This research is a wake-up call. Southern residents are an endangered population and it could be that contaminants are contributing to their population decline. We can't wait to protect this species," said co-author Dr. Juan Jose Alava, principal investigator of the ocean pollution research unit at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF).

4NP is often used in pulp and paper processing, as well as in soap, detergents and textile processing. It can leak into the ocean via sewage treatment plants and industrial runoffs, where it is ingested by smaller organisms and moves up the food chain to reach top predators such as killer whales. It's known as a 'contaminant of emerging concern' or CEC, which are pollutants found in the environment that are not well-studied and so, regulated.

"Very little is known of both the prevalence and health implications of 4NP as it has been studied in few marine mammals. This study is the first to find 4NP in killer whales," said first author Kiah Lee, who undertook the research as an undergraduate at UBC.

"This investigation is another example of an approach that takes into account the health of people, animals and the environment, using killer whales as a case study to better understand the potential impacts of these and other compounds to animal and ecosystem health," said co-author Dr. Stephen Raverty, IOF adjunct professor and veterinary pathologist with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

'Forever chemicals'

Just over half the pollutants identified by the researchers belong to a group of compounds known as 'forever chemicals' because they last for a long time in the environment. They are widely used in food-packaging materials, stain and water-repellent fabrics, cookware, and fire extinguishers. Many are listed as new Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These are toxic substances released into the environment through human activities that adversely affect the health of humans and animals. Many are banned in Canada.

The most common pollutant of this group the researchers found was 7:3-fluorotelomer carboxylic acid, or 7:3 FTCA. There are currently no restrictions on the production and use of 7:3 FTCA but one of its potential parent chemicals is on a list of toxic substances proposed to be recognized as new POPs by the European Chemical Agency under an international agreement, the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

"This compound has not been found in B.C. before and it was found in killer whales, which are top predators. That means the contaminants are making their way through the food system," says Dr. Alava.

Mother-to-fetus transfer

The researchers were also the first to look at the transfer of pollutants from mother to fetus in one southern resident pair. They found that all the pollutants identified were transferred in the womb, and 95 percent of 4NP transferred from mother to fetus.

Governments can help protect the southern residents and other marine life by halting production of the chemicals of concern, including 4NP and emerging POPs like 7:3 FTCA, as well as identifying and addressing potential sources of marine pollution in B.C. and Canada.

It's not just the killer whales that are affected, said Dr. Alava. "We are mammals, we eat Pacific salmon as well, so we need to think about how this could affect our health as well as other seafood that we consume."

More information: Kiah Lee et al, Emerging Contaminants and New POPs (PFAS and HBCDD) in Endangered Southern Resident and Bigg's (Transient) Killer Whales (Orcinus orca): In Utero Maternal Transfer and Pollution Management Implications, Environmental Science & Technology (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04126 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

In this undated photo provided by Virgin Orbit on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, Virgin Atlantic Cosmic Girl, a repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft that will carry a rocket, is parked at Spaceport Cornwall, at Cornwall Airport in Newquay, England. Engineers are making final preparations for the first satellite launch from the U.K. later Monday, when a repurposed passenger plane is expected to release a Virgin Orbit rocket carrying several small satellites into space. Credit: Virgin Orbit via AP

Virgin Orbit said Thursday its first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from the U.K. failed after its rocket's upper stage prematurely shut down.

The U.S.-based company used a modified Boeing 747 plane to carry one of its rockets from Cornwall in southwestern England over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. The plane released the rocket, which carried nine small satellites, but the rocket failed to reach orbit.

In a statement Thursday, Virgin Orbit said initial data indicated that the first stage of the rocket performed as expected. It said the rocket reached space altitudes, and that stage separation and ignition of the upper stage occurred in line with the mission plan.

But it said that later in the mission, at an altitude of approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles), "the upper stage experienced an anomaly. This anomaly prematurely ended the first burn of the upper stage," the company said.

The plane, piloted by a Royal Air Force pilot, returned to Cornwall. The rocket components and the satellites were destroyed.

The launch failure was a disappointment to the company and U.K. space officials, who had high hopes that the missionthe first such one to be attempted from Europewould be the beginning of more commercial space launch ventures.

A repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft, named Cosmic Girl, carrying Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket, takes off from Spaceport Cornwall at Cornwall Airport, Newquay, England, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The plane will carry the rocket to 35,000 feet where it will be released over the Atlantic Ocean to the south of Ireland, as part of the Start Me Up mission and the first rocket launch from U.K. The rocket will take multiple small satellites, with a variety of civil and defence applications, into orbit. Credit: Ben Birchall/PA via AP

Virgin Orbit, which was founded by British billionaire Richard Branson in 2017, began commercial launching services in 2021. It had previously successfully completed four similar launches from California, carrying payloads for businesses and governmental agencies into orbit.

The company has launched an investigation into the source of the second stage failure on Monday. It said it plans to carry out its next mission from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, and that it is in talks with officials and businesses to return to the U.K. for another potential launch "as soon as later this year."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CAMBRIDGE  A Cambridge man is accused of possessing child pornography.

State police arrested Damian J. Waterman, 28, on felony charges of promoting a sexual performance by a child and criminal possession of a sexual performance by a child.

Waterman is accused of possessing and promoting images consistent with child sexual exploitation via a mobile device. His arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant on his home in Cambridge on Wednesday by the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.

The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip received through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Waterman was processed at the state police station in Greenwich and arraigned at the Washington County Centralized Arraignment Court. He was sent to Washington County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
ATLANTIC CITY  American Legion Post 61 and discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot partnered to deliver about 1,440 winter coats to local veterans Wednesday.

Veterans lined up at the Legion post at New Hope Baptist Church on Lexington Avenue to receive a new mens or womens winter coat from among a variety of sizes and styles.

Veterans are our first priority, said Jim Scanlon, chairman of New Jersey Affordable Housing for At Risk/Homeless Veterans and consultant for the American Legions National Commission on Homelessness. Were continuing our effort to combat homelessness and give back to the people less fortunate.

First responders took a box filled with coats to pass out to anyone else in need. Local nonprofits and community organizations were also able to pick up boxes of coats to distribute.

Bryan Gates, a representative for Ocean State Job Lot and the founder of Project Freedom Village, said the donated coats came from Ocean States Buy-Give-Get program.

The program encouraged shoppers at Ocean State Job Lot, which has stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Rhode Island, to pay $40 for a coat to be donated to a veteran.

Customers who took part in the program then received a $40 gift card for a future purchase.

From October to December, about 200,000 winter coats have been given to veterans in need, Gates said.

The military served us, said Gates. Now its time for us to serve them, and the less fortunate.

GALLERY: Coats for veterans
ATLANTIC CITY  A city man was arrested Tuesday morning after he allegedly burglarized properties and was seen wielding a stolen toy rifle in public.

Victor Martinez, 51, was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of an imitation firearm, creating a false public alarm and receiving stolen property, and was sent to the Atlantic County jail.

A 911 caller in the 300 block of North Indiana Avenue informed police at 9:12 a.m. that a man was attempting to break into a shed, providing officers both a suspect photograph and description, police said Thursday in a news release.

At 10:40 a.m., another caller, this time in the 1900 block of Bacharach Boulevard, reported that Martinez was carrying a rifle. Responding officers were given a description that matched that of the one provided by the Indiana Avenue caller, police said.

Minutes later, officers spotted Martinez near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Hummock Avenue carrying the rifle over his shoulder, arresting him and discovering the firearm was fake, police said.

Martinez was searched and found to be in possession of property unrelated to the original caller. Detectives learned both the unidentified property and toy gun belonged to a separate residence in the 300 block of Indiana Avenue, police said, adding that property was also burglarized.
An Egg Harbor Township man admitted conspiring to distribute cocaine in Philadelphia and South Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Thursday.

Lester Santana, 52, pleaded guilty in Camden federal court to conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

He faces 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 18.

According to court documents, Santana admitted that from March 2019 to August 2020, on several occasions, he and his conspirators flew from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on commercial flights to Philadelphia International Airport.

Santana and his conspirators purchased multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from wholesale drug suppliers in San Juan in exchange for cash. Santana and the others then shipped the cocaine by overnight delivery from U.S. post offices in San Juan to various addresses in Philadelphia and South Jersey, including Santanas residence.

After the shipments were made, a conspirator resold the cocaine to other drug dealers in the Philadelphia area. Santana admitted he was jointly responsible for the possession with intent to distribute and the distribution of 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine.

Santana is the third person in the case to plead guilty. Two conspirators, Jose Gonzalez and Iran Soler, both of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 30, and Soler is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 6.
ATLANTIC CITY  Police arrested a Philadelphia man Friday who is accused of hitting a woman with a brick wrapped in a T-shirt.

Officers were called to the 2700 block of the Boardwalk at 4:08 p.m. They found Samuel Cooper, 43, still holding the shirt that was used in the alleged assault, police said Wednesday in a news release. The officers confiscated the shirt holding the brick.

The woman, who was only identified as being 67 years old, was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, for bleeding from her head, police said.

Witnesses told police they watched Cooper strike the woman. A bystander intervened, ending the attack.

Based on their investigation, police said the woman does not know Cooper.

Cooper was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was taken to the Atlantic County jail.
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VENTNOR  A plan to redevelop the Ventnor Plaza shopping center is being criticized by residents who live near it.

At least 20 residents from Little Rock and Victoria avenues attended the citys Planning Board meeting Wednesday, where a discussion of improvements to the plaza took place.

Residents living around the property said the proposal will change their neighborhood. Part of the concern centers on the paving of a street to the south of the plaza. The citys 2019 redevelopment plan for the area calls for traffic changes and road improvements to Little Rock and No Name Street, which is technically the backyard of neighbors living on North Victoria Avenue.

We just dont want that street there, said Adam Valentino, a Victoria Avenue resident, who worried about increased traffic.

Mark Greco, owner and developer of the plaza, said the issue with the road has nothing to do with his plans for the plaza.

The main issue, as I understand it today, is the city street, and thats not really a Ventnor Plaza issue, said Greco. Thats an issue with some resolution and redevelopment established years before.

Ventnor Plaza owner plans revitalization for the offseason VENTNOR  The Ventnor Plaza will get a much needed facelift during the offseason, as its new

Grecos plans for the shopping center include repaving the parking lot, adding ornamental lighting and giving the largely barren property a touch of green. He said he also wants to add solar panels and three electric vehicle charging stations.

Site plans for the plaza showed a Burger King and Starbucks in the underused parking lot across from Island Gym, as well as an unnamed restaurant adjacent to the AutoZone. Greco said three new restaurant pad sites would be included in the redevelopment project, including a PJ Buckets that currently has a location on Dorset Avenue.

The board agreed to put together a committee to revisit the road issue. The committee will include city residents, police, officials and Greco.

In addition to the issue with the street, residents living in the area also expressed concerns about flooding, traffic, increased crime, the visual impact of trees Greco plans to plant to reduce lights from traffic into residents homes, and drunken driving due to a restaurant pad site with a liquor license that is proposed for the location.

Some residents said they were not properly notified about the boards Oct. 24 meeting on the project.

Only 11 of the 33 residents living within a 200-foot radius of the project were notified of the October public hearing on the plans for the shopping center, they said.

With anniversary of groundbreaking near, ShopRite insists plans for Atlantic City store progressing ATLANTIC CITY  If a plan falls apart and no one is willing to talk about it, does it make a sound?

I find it hard to believe that those qualified people from the tax office did not list us, said Gene Latoria, a resident of North Victoria Avenue. Because they have no problem finding us to send our tax bills, or to send our water bills. So, I find this whole crew suspect, to say the least.

City officials attributed the matter to a computer issue.

Unfortunately, the rest of us did not get a letter, and we cant go back in time, said Chris Cristodio, a Victoria Avenue resident who attended the meeting Wednesday. So thats why were here, and thats why I think a lot of the residents are unhappy right now. Because you guys unfortunately dropped the ball.
For now, customers can still get snapper soup with sherry on the side at the Cherry Hill Diner, a place where servers call you hon if they dont know your name.

The possibility that the Route 38 landmark will be replaced by a car wash isnt going over well in a town where some residents are cheering the recent demise of a controversial proposal for a new Wawa.

One Cherry Hill United member posted on the groups Facebook page: How many ... car washes do we need? The township has at least seven, including one perhaps 200 feet from the diner.

Dimitrios Jimmy Manetas, 67, who has owned the Cherry Hill Diner for 20 years, confirmed in a brief telephone interview that he and two partners intend to sell the business.

Sometimes called the Diner King of New Jersey, Manetas emigrated from Greece in 1961, got his start as a kitchen worker and eventually became the owner of the fabled Trenton-area institution called Mastoris, which he sold in 2018. Mastoris closed last year. Manetas owns other diners elsewhere in the state.

New Jersey: A pioneer of diners

Miss New Jersey Augostina Mallous' journey to Miss America stage Being Miss New Jersey for the past few months has helped mold Augostina Mallous into the per

New Jersey is widely credited with pioneering the diner format early in the 20th century. The state once was home to a half-dozen manufacturers that built and sold prefabricated, railroad car-inspired diners across the country. And New Jersey pretty much perfected the sprawling, neon-bedecked, breakfast-anytime eating places that still offer comfort food along the states highways.

But the diner business faces challenges from new breakfast cafe competitors, staffing shortages, and the skyrocketing cost of menu staples, like eggs. Although diners such as Olgas in Marlton have emerged from oblivion with new incarnations, and the Diamond Diner on Route 70 in Cherry Hill was moved to Route 38 in Hainesport, parts of the outdated list at njdiners.com reads like a roll call of the dead.

New Jersey is the diner state, and were losing the good ones, said Lisa Soley, a Cherry Hill resident, West Philly native, and longtime diner fan. Im not a food snob. But theres a difference between franchise food and mom-and-pop food.

John Smarkola lives within walking distance and has patronized the Cherry Hill Diner since the early 1970s, when it was known as the Windsor. We need another car wash like we need another Wawa, he said.

In an application filed with the township in October, PJ Land Development LLC of Farmingdale, N.Y., is asking to demolish the diner and construct a 3,620-square-foot car wash on the property. While the site is zoned for commercial uses, including car washes, the applicant is seeking at least six variances and 11 design waivers.

A Cherry Hill Planning Board hearing is scheduled to be conducted remotely at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Middle Township says no to second cannabis business MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  A month after the township supported one license application for a cannabi

The bulk variances requested include one for nine additional parking spaces above the 20 that are permitted, said Cosmas Diamantis, Cherry Hills director of community development. Most of the design waivers are technical and have to do with landscaping, lighting, and off-street loading and parking.

The original Windsor Diner was built during the townships development boom of the 1960s, when the Cherry Hill Mall, Latin Casino, and stylish hotels like the Cherry Hill Inn helped transform a township once synonymous with farming into a leisure destination.

Diners are disappearing

With their bright lights, big portions, and elaborate displays of desserts baked on the premises, diners along the highways of the township and the state became synonymous with New Jerseys driving culture.

But in recent decades once-popular diners including the Country Club in Voorhees and the Penn Queen in Pennsauken have closed, often to make way for drugstore chains, convenience stores, and urgent care centers. Even in Center City Philadelphia, where 24-hour diners once were fixtures, many have called it quits.

In New Jersey, diners are a still a very vibrant industry. The diners with good operators are doing very well, said Robert Diner Bob Gillis, a licensed agent with Bielat Santore & Co.

Others are selling because generally, diners have good locations, an acre or more of land, and are great development sites, said Gillis, who writes about diners for food and beverage industry publications such as Estiator.

He also noted that shorter hours of operation are becoming more common due to a decline in the once lively early morning trade represented by young clubgoers and other revelers.

And family owned diners are finding it difficult to interest younger generations in the often-grueling demands of the business, Gillis said.

Smarkola and Soley are sorry to see a traditional diner disappear.

I feel like were seeing the end of an era, said Soley.

Cherry Hill is losing its heritage, said Smarkola.

The losses are compounded for Cherry Hill Diner employees like Diane Becker and Lindsay Altitonante.

Im going to miss my customers  and my job, said Becker, 60, of Maple Shade, whos served food at the diner for 14 years. The thought of starting over at another place isnt making me happy.

Said Altitonante, a server there for the last four years: The work just clicks with me. I have a lot of regulars that come to see me, and I like to see them leave happy and full.

There are so many of us here who love what we do.
Riga  Today, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) launches its new office in Riga, Latvia. Announced in March 2022 after the forced closure of RFE/RLs Moscow bureau following the Kremlins decades-long assault on independent media in Russia, the new office is part of RFE/RLs efforts to counter Kremlin disinformation and provide Russian speaking audiences with trusted news and objective reporting.

At an event commemorating the launch at the Latvian National Museum of Art, RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly will be joined by Latvian President Egils Levits, Latvian Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile, and distinguished members of the government of Latvia.

I am honored that RFE/RL journalists have been welcomed here in Riga by the Latvian government and community, said Fly. Having historically served Latvian audiences during a difficult period in Latvias history, we are excited to be able to work together to tackle Russias malign influence and provide hope to those who are still denied freedom.

RFE/RLs Riga office will eventually be one of the companys largest reporting hubs, with state-of-the-art facilities for Current Time -- a 24/7 Russian-language news platform -- and Russian Service journalists forced out of Russia in March 2022. The office will produce expanded Russian-language content offerings, including investigative journalism and non-news programming for the soon-to-be-launched streaming platform Votvot. Current Times popular morning show, which frequently trends number one on Russian YouTube, will be produced from Riga, along with the Russian Services signature YouTube news shows.

In addition to meeting the demand for independent news within Russia, RFE/RLs Riga office will produce Russian-language content for audiences in the Baltics, wider Europe, and beyond. A new daily news program will cover the Baltic region, providing an important counterpoint to disinformation about the three EU members and the freedoms enjoyed by their citizens.

A Digital Innovation Lab will test new storytelling formats that are scalable and replicable at RFE/RL and within the broader media community. In partnership with the Open Technology Fund, the Digital Innovation Lab will examine new ways to respond to Russian censorship and disinformation across RFE/RLs markets.

Since the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, traffic to RFE/RL websites from within Russia has increased to record numbers despite significant Kremlin censorship. Both at the wars start and at key moments, video views from within Russia surged, demonstrating the immense appetite of Russian-language audiences to know the truth. RFE/RLs award-winning coverage is meeting this demand with extensive reporting on Russian atrocities, conscription, and more.

Earlier this week, RFE/RL also opened a new office in Vilnius, Lithuania to reach growing Belarusian- and Russian-language audiences in Belarus in response to state propaganda and censorship.

For decades, the people of Latvia and Lithuania have been enthusiastic consumers of and contributors to RFE/RLs reporting -- both from RFE/RLs Latvian and Lithuanian services, which operated from 1975 to 2004, and more recently from Current Time. These new offices mark RFE/RLs physical return to Riga and Vilnius, where the services maintained bureaus from 1992 to 2004.

About RFE/RL

RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

---

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Victoria Benner in Washington, D.C. (bennerv@rferl.org, +1.202.993.0875)

Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074)
This week, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) opened new offices in Vilnius, Lithuania and Riga, Latvia. Announced in March 2022, these offices are critical parts of a comprehensive strategy to counter disinformation and reach new audiences in Belarus and Russia with trusted, independent news and information.



At an event commemorating the Vilnius launch, RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly was joined by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Speaker of the Parliament Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, exiled Belarusian leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Robert S. Gilchrist, former RFE/RL president and member of the RFE/RL Board of Directors Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin, and other esteemed guests. At an event in Riga, Fly was joined by Latvian President Egils Levits, Latvian Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile, members of Parliament, and media and civil society partners.



I am honored that RFE/RL journalists have been welcomed in Riga and Vilnius by the Latvian and Lithuanian governments and local communities, said Fly. Having served Latvian and Lithuanian audiences during difficult periods in their histories, we are excited to be able to return now to work together to provide new generations who are still denied freedom with access to unbiased reporting.



RFE/RLs Riga office will become one of the companys largest reporting hubs, with state-of-the-art facilities. It will host journalists from Current Time -- a 24/7 Russian-language news platform -- and the Russian Service who were forced out of Russia in March 2022, as well as new staff hired in Latvia. The office will produce Russian-language content offerings, including investigative journalism and non-news programming for RFE/RLs soon-to-be-launched streaming platform Votvot. Current Times popular morning show, which frequently trends number one on Russian YouTube, will be produced from Riga, along with the Russian Services signature YouTube news shows.



In addition to meeting the demand for independent news within Russia, RFE/RLs Riga office will produce Russian-language content for audiences in the Baltics, wider Europe, and beyond. A new daily news program will cover the Baltic region, providing an important counterpoint to disinformation about the three EU members and the freedoms enjoyed by their citizens.



A Digital Innovation Lab in the Riga office will develop new reporting tools, storytelling formats, and distribution processes that are replicable at RFE/RL and within the broader media community. In partnership with the Open Technology Fund, the Digital Innovation Lab will examine new ways to respond to Russian censorship and disinformation across RFE/RLs markets.



RFE/RLs new Vilnius office will host journalists exiled from Belarus in the aftermath of Alyaksandr Lukashenkas fraudulent 2020 re-election. However, the Vilnius office is more than a haven. Current Time will create new video products from Vilnius for Russian-speaking audiences in Belarus as alternatives to Kremlin and other state propaganda. RFE/RLs Minsk bureau was raided and sealed, and the Belarus Services websites were blocked in July 2021. In December 2021, RFE/RL was designated an extremist organization, a label that criminalized both the reporting and consumption of RFE/RL content. Two Belarus Service journalists  Ihar Losik and Andrey Kuznechyk  remain unjustly imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime.



While in Lithuania, Fly met with Speaker of Parliament Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Deputy Foreign Minister Mantas Adomenas, Deputy Chancellor of the Government Rolandas Krisciunas, Head of International Relations and EU Group Kestutis Vaskelevicius, and members of Belarusian civil society. In Latvia, Fly met with President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, and other officials for productive discussions about challenges to media freedom in the region.



Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, traffic to RFE/RL websites from within Russia has increased to record numbers despite significant Kremlin censorship. Both at the wars start and at key moments, video views from within Russia surged, demonstrating the immense appetite of Russian-language audiences to know the truth. RFE/RLs award-winning coverage is meeting this demand with extensive reporting on Russian atrocities, conscription, and more.



For decades, the people of Latvia and Lithuania have been enthusiastic consumers of and contributors to RFE/RLs reporting -- both from RFE/RLs Latvian and Lithuanian services, which operated from 1975 to 2004, and more recently from Current Time. These new offices mark RFE/RLs physical return to Riga and Vilnius, where the services maintained bureaus from 1992 to 2004.



About RFE/RL

RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

---

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Victoria Benner in Washington, D.C. (bennerv@rferl.org, +1.202.993.0875)

Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074)
#NEWDELHI A trial court in Uttar Pradesh, which is hearing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, has informed the Supreme Court (SC) that it might take five years to complete the trial in a normal course. The case involves Ashish Mishra as the prime accused, who is son of Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and V Ramasubramanian noted that the sessions judge says that in normal course, it may take five years.

The sessions judge, in a letter sent to the apex court, said there are 208 prosecution witnesses, 171 documents, and 27 forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports in the case. The top court was hearing a bail plea filed by Ashish Mishra. During the hearing, the top court asked the Uttar Pradesh government counsel to confirm whether four accused in a separate case lodged over the killing of three occupants of the car, which allegedly mowed down farmers, are still in custody.

IANS
Chinese FM meets Ethiopian Deputy PM

Xinhua) 09:01, January 12, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (L) shakes hands with African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat after the eighth China-African Union (AU) Strategic Dialogue at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Tuesday.

Mekonnen said that the Chinese Foreign Minister's first visit to Ethiopia at the beginning of the new year is of great significance to bilateral relations as well as the wider Africa-China relations.

Ethiopia and China enjoy traditional friendship. The two countries have always respected each other and enjoyed strong bilateral relations, said Mekonnen as he emphasized that China has provided vital assistance to Ethiopia in overcoming challenges and achieving economic and social development.

He said China has upheld principles and spoken out for justice in international affairs, and firmly supported Ethiopia in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ethiopia will bear this in mind and look forward to upgrading bilateral relations in all aspects and expanding practical cooperation with China in fields including digital economy, agriculture and capacity-building, he said.

Qin said that his visit to Africa and Ethiopia on his first overseas trip after taking office reflects the special importance of Africa and China-Ethiopia relations in China's diplomacy.

Noting that China and Ethiopia are comprehensive strategic partners of cooperation, Qin said since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two sides have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and major concerns and exploring development paths suited to their national conditions, with strategic mutual trust steadily growing.

Thanks to the solid political foundation and profound public support of both sides, Qin said, the cooperation between China and Ethiopia in various fields has developed rapidly and yielded fruitful results.

He said Ethiopia has actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative and that China has been Ethiopia's largest source of foreign direct investment and largest trading partner for many years running.

Qin noted that a large number of key cooperation projects, such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, the Addis Ababa Light Rail, the Addis Ababa Riverside Green Development Project and the African Leadership Academy, have been completed or implemented smoothly.

Qin suggested that the two sides should take the implementation of the "Nine Projects" put forward at the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in November 2021, and the outcomes of the Belt and Road Initiative as opportunities to synergize their development strategies, expand cooperation in various fields, create more new growth areas and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents, including a memorandum of understanding on political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Pune Mirrors Citizen Forum for Potholes/Roads Solutions first neighbourhood meet to be held in Aundh on Saturday

The Pune Mirrors Citizen Forum for Potholes/Roads Solutions (CFPRS) gears up for its second meeting in Aundh on Saturday, with a neighhourhood-centric theme. After the first general meeting held last month, wherein the CFPRS sent recommendations to municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar to ensure pothole-free roads by the monsoon of 2023, the meeting on Saturday will discuss specific roads and potholes that are causing inconvenience to the residents of Aundh. The CFPRS will campaign for the same by making recommendations at the end of the meeting.

The CFPRS will follow up with the ward officer of the area as well as with the municipal commissioner. On request of residents, the meeting on Saturday will also take up other issues that are relevant to the area. Nitin Joshi, a member of the CFPRS who is a resident of Aundh and is also a Rotarian, has graciously volunteered to host the meeting. Joshi said, It is very important for citizens to proactively take up issues with the relevant authorities. It is the only way of helping to make your neighbourhood and city a better place to live in.

I congratulate Pune Mirror for taking up such an important campaign. Joshi has taken it upon himself to make all arrangements, in order to make the meeting successful. Pune Mirror invites citizens from across the city, particularly from Aundh and nearby areas of Baner and Balewadi to attend in large numbers. The timing of the meeting is from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Saturday (January 14). The venue is Avik Polychem, 116, Profile Garnet, Vishvaraj Gate, Anand Park, Aundh. (The Google map will direct you the way). Let us come together to form a formidable citizen group of the city.

TIME: 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm DATE: January 14, 2023 (Saturday) VENUE: Avik Polychem, 116, Profile Garnet, Vishvaraj Gate, Anand Park, Aundh

Please register by emailing to vinita.deshmukh@ punemirror.com or WhatsApp to 9850932379. Registration is free but it is mandatory.
Civic body hits upon novel idea as people, firms behind illegal hoardings, posters and bills evade paying fines

Be it beautification of heritage structures, widening of roads and attractive streetlights, the G20 Summit has surely come as a blessing in disguise for the city. Above all, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will ensure that these areas will not be defaced by banners, posters and hoardings among other things. Offenders will be fined through their property tax, as per a decision taken by municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar.

On the one hand the civic staff is working around the clock to spruce up the city to welcome international delegates for the summit, but on the other, people are spoiling it. Those found installing illegal hoardings and pasting bills are penalised. Most of them are commercial establishments and the fines are not paid. Hence, the penalty will be collected from the property of offenders, assistant municipal commissioner Ashish Mahadalkar of the Kasba-Vishrambaug ward office said.

Illegal flexes, banners and posters not only deface areas but also result in losses of public money. The civic body spends around Rs 1.25 crore on removing such advertising material every year. The civic officials have claimed that they have fined such advertisers, and even filed criminal offences.

Mahadalkar said the beautified and painted structures are used to put up illegal posters and bills by advertisers. Not all of them have their own property from where they do their business, but the property is definitely owned by someone. The civic staff will go and meet these people and ask them to pay the fines, which will be collected from their property tax.

The official said that even if a firm or person does not own the property where they put up posters, the owner of that property will be questioned. This will build up pressure on the person/firm putting up illegal hoardings.

Another senior civic official said people indulge in illegal activities at night. The team has been working till midnight for the G20 summit to make sure the image of the city is not spoiled. However, around 1 am, after our staff have left for home, these people come and start putting up illegal banners, hoardings and pasting bills. A newly painted wall was defaced by the culprits at night recently, just two hours after it was painted. It was after that incident that we decided to file a police complaint, added the official.

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TIGHTENING THE NOOSE

The PMC has undertaken a drive in the city against handbills and posters at bus stops, public toilets, interior and exterior of subways, flyovers and electric feeders and poles amongst others. On Tuesday, the PMCs Kasba-Vishrambaug ward office filed police cases against nine people for putting up flex banners and pamphlets illegally.
"Punes RFD is well researched, scientifically backed and tested by experts. It got environmental clearance, NOCs from the irrigation department and the NGT before the DPR was made

The BJP leader claims that the consultant of the project was involved in projects like Sabarmati Riverfront, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Central Vista. Such company cannot mess the city up

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has always created obstacles in the path of Punes development, but it ensured that their selected few elected members got development funds, former leader of the House in the PMC Ganesh Bidkar told Avinash Rajput.

The NCP has blamed BJP for implementing projects under pressure from the Centre and the latest one being RFD after Metro and Smart City. How would you respond to that allegation?

First, their (NCP) city president speaks without any knowledge or research. Second, it should be the last party to talk about Punes development as they have never done anything in that regard. That party believes in supporting individuals and funding them to carry the work restricted to their wards. We have classic examples like Wanawadi, Hadapsar and Baner. Without naming any particular corporator, I can surely say that NCP ignored their other party members and favored a handful of individuals when they were in power.

Let us talk about RFD in particular. The NCP now says let BJP take credit, but if the project fails we will drag them to court. What has gone wrong now, since they supported the project in the civic general body meeting?

Let me tell you very honestly, the NCP has never supported any developmental project thats futuristic. Let me give you an example. The BRTS is the only one in the entire world which has a mixed corridor and not a closed one. Where the project stands now is an open secret. The same thing has happened to their ambitious BDP plans. The NCP opposed the RFD project and stopped it when the MVA government was in power. It was only after the new government was formed that the sample stretch work kicked off.

So where does the project stand now? Will it continue or will there be a delay?

The existing work will continue after western zone branch of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has allowed works for which orders have already been issued and directed the civic body not to issue new work orders for construction of any kind till amended environment clearances are obtained for the project. Hence, no new work order will be given, but the existing work will continue.

So in the current political scenario, if the RFD project is a hit or failure, the BJP will be solely responsible?

We have backed and supported the project since it is pan Pune and our developmental aim is to develop Pune as a whole and not in pockets. The RFD project is well researched, scientifically backed and tested by experts. The project had got environmental clearance, NOCs from the irrigation department and the NGT before the DPR was made. The consultant of the project was involved in projects like Sabarmati Riverfront, Kashi Vishwanath Corridorand Central Vista. Do you think he will come to Pune just to mess the city up? The NCP is thinking small and wants to indulge in cheap political games thinking it would gain them mileage. The BJP has shown a political will to back a project that will change the face of Pune.

The NCP city president, Prashant Jagtap, said he would write to the CM and Dy CM and request them to wait for one monsoon and check its impact on the sample stretch of the project before allowing any other phase. You think that makes sense?

Who is he? Is he qualified to challenge the research of the experts who studied all aspects of the project? There are qualified IAS officers who can take a call on what could be done and there is no need for a layman to give his expert opinion, just to gain popularity.
Hardly could anyone imagine that a septuagenarian, staying next door, could be a pervert lying in wait for your child to come out of home and pounce on him or her. This is exactly what happened in a locality in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Tuesday. An 11-year-old girl, who had gone to bring coriander leaves, was sexually assaulted by her 75-year-old neighbour. The incident happened only a day after a man was sentenced to 15-year rigorous imprisonment by the sessions court in Pune.

The man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said senior inspector Varsharani Patil of the Dehu Road police station. The officer said that action was taken soon after the childs mother lodged a complaint. The accused was produced in a local court on Wednesday and remanded to judicial custody. According to the police, the suspect, Dhondiba Bhalekar, allegedly offered guava to the girl when she was returning home after buying coriander leaves inside his house.

The complainant has stated that the accused always came to their house and her daughter knew him well and trusted him. Around noon on Tuesday, the girls mother was preparing food in the house and sent her daughter to buy the vegetable from a nearby shop. While she was on her way back home, the suspect was standing at the door of his house. The police said that the accused told the girl to come inside his house and have guava. When she entered the accused house, no one was in the house, the accused locked the main door and took the girl into the room.

He told her that they would play a game, following which she would get guava and money too. He then removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her. The police said that when the child started crying, the accused threatened her that he would kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone. Shocked and sobbing, the girl went home and told her mother about what happened to her. The complainant was shocked and called her husband home, and both of them approached the police.
Following Monday's incident, a teen was detained, and two minors were arrested. Pune has seen an increase in reports of juvenile gangs, now known as Koyta gangs, terrorising city residents with koytas

Police claimed a teenager was detained and two juveniles were apprehended after they vandalised shops and beat people with sticks and machetes in Pune's busy Tapkir Galli mobile market Monday evening, the latest instance in which teenagers have created dread among city residents. The accused were produced in front of the court on Tuesday.

According to Shabbir Sayyed, Senior Police Inspector at Faraskhana police station, several store owners chased and apprehended the rioters before turning them over to the police. "The detained teen has been identified as Haidar Shaikh, (18, of Patil Estate). Two minors were also captured they caused the incident while under the influence of alcohol, he added.

According to the police, the youngsters entered the busy market off Shivaji Road around 6.30 p.m., with their faces covered with handkerchiefs, and began smashing shops and beating up customers. CCTV footage from several of the stores reveals that the incident caused a disturbance in the neighbourhood, and shop owners swiftly began putting down shutters to protect their merchandise.

Pune is increasingly reporting incidences in which groups of youngsters, now known as Koyta gangs, wield machetes to terrorise city residents. Previously, such instances were restricted to Pune's outskirts, but in recent weeks, major metropolitan neighbourhoods, notably Bhavani Peth and now Budhwar Peth, have experienced such incidents.
Expert view: The project will do more harm than good to the lifelines of Pune

By: Sarang Yadwadkar (Architect, member of the planning committee, Development Plan of Pune city)

In our Indian culture, we say: Rivers are Mothers of Civilisation. The Mula and Mutha are indeed our mothers. However, they are extremely unwell and not in good shape. The question is: Should we take them to a beauty parlour or hospital? Well, the answer is obvious: The ailing water bodies need treatment, not make-up. But who will raise this question? Surprisingly, very few.

Everybody knows Pune is one of the fastest growing cities in the country because of its good climate and availability of water in abundance.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Pune used to be the city of bicycles. clean air and sparkling river waters were among the gifts by Mother Nature to the citizens for decades. The situation now needs no explanation. None would agree that Pune is the same clean and green city it used to be. Every natural asset has deteriorated in the last two to three decades. If this is not stopped, the next generations will definitely curse us.

While the population of the city has exploded, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), despite availability of funds, has failed to install sewage treatment plants (STPs). Almost 70% of the sewage generated in Pune is released into the rivers without any treatment. The bureaucrats and leaders do not seem to be willing to discuss this aspect seriously.

Another serious factor is the menace of illegal encroachment on riverbeds, leading to an increase in floods every year. In 2019, only 45,474 cusec of water was discharged from the Khadakwasla dam, but it breached the blue line defined for 60,000 cusec.

Rivers are strong and capable enough to become healthy and lively on their own. Today, they are begging for minimal anthropogenic interference. On the pretext of beautifying them, we are interfering more and more with their natural flows. We and the decision makers forget that the laws of nature are far more superior, as well as stronger, than us.

Just like the narrowing of a road leads to traffic jams, the narrowing of rivers will lead to floods. A river is a haven for thousands of species of flora and fauna, while man-made canals are lifeless waterways. Unfortunately, the decision makers are ignoring this vital difference and converting the precious rivers into lifeless canals.

We have tried innumerable times to discuss with the authorities concerned on logical and scientific grounds.

Through the medium of Pune Mirror, we again invite them to debate with us on any open forum on the River Front Development (RFD) project. Let the truth come out.

Today it is Joshimath in the news for land subsidence and tomorrow it could be Pune for floods. The monsoons have been erratic, with sudden downpours or cloudbursts.

And here the PMC is reducing the river width by 40 percent. They say that they have studied it, got the requird clearances and approvals. They also claim that floods will recede by pinching rivers. Every single word is a hogwash.

Their studies are based on unverified assumptions as they say. Their clearances are fraudulent and approvals a farce.

Ultimately, by paying for the city's river project, the common citizen of Pune is buying his own death.

The consultants, contractors, bureaucrats and even the corporators will wash their hands of responsibility in case of any untoward incident. The common citizen will be the victim.
Area residents say cant afford it, threaten stir; NHAI officials vow to take them into confidence; industry wants better infra

The resumption of the Moshi toll operation in Pimpri-Chinchwad has been put on hold after local residents have objected to it. They have threatened to launch a protest against the administrations decision to restart the toll plaza.

Daily commuters using this road will suffer because they cannot afford to pay toll every day while going to work and while coming home, said locals. Industry members of Chakan MIDC have also joined the protest chorus, demanding a proper road infrastructure before starting the toll collection. They said the road sees heavy traffic jams during peak hours and resumption of toll operation will increase traffic congestion.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials have decided to hold talks with local residents and assured to restart the toll operation only after taking the locals into confidence. The Moshi toll operation was closed in October 2021 by IRB Infrastructure Developers. The NHAI is supposed to operate it now.

The area residents held a meeting to decide their plan of action on January 8. They have threatened to launch a protest against the administration if the decision to restart the toll operation is not withdrawn in the next 10 days. They have already written letters to the public representatives of the area and several ministers with their demands.

Nikhil Borhate, a local resident, said, If the officials do not take a call on withdrawing their decision of restarting the toll, we will launch the protest. Not only residents of Moshi but even the residents of nearby areas, who use the road, are supporting us. The department concerned should first focus on building a proper service road and widening of the present road as heavy traffic jams take place during the peak hours here. They can think of collecting money from people at the toll once they are done dealing with these issues.

We have decided to first send letters to the public representatives and officials concerned on the matter. If this is not resolved within the next few days, we will have no option but to strongly protest against it, Dhananjay Alhat said.

Nitin Saste, another resident, said, There is no point in restarting the toll as local people will suffer as they travel on this road every day. There are many development works that are pending here. Hence, there is no point in asking us to pay a toll when the administration has not even completed their job.

Rehan Shaikh, a Pimpri-Chinchwad resident, said, I take this route daily to commute to my workplace. It is wrong to ask us to pay the toll charges every day while crossing from here. There are many daily wagers who work in the industrial area and travel on the same route. Their earning is very less. Hence, they cannot afford to pay the toll every day.

Not only residents but even industry officials have opposed the decision. This road sees heavy traffic jams due to a lack of infrastructure. Most of the employees from our industry and even owners come from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. If the administration starts collecting the toll charges, it will increase traffic congestion here, which is already a major issue. We are ready to pay the toll but only after the required infrastructure is built and our vehicles use this stretch without any traffic congestion, Abhay Bhor, president, Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, told Mirror.

The toll was supposed to start from January 5, but following the protest by the locals, the decision to restart it has been kept on hold. We are holding meetings with various stakeholders. We will start the operation only after taking the locals into confidence, Anil Gorad, technical manager, NHAI, told Mirror.

The Moshi toll booth was operated by IRB till October 2021. It has been closed since then. However, the NHAI recently decided to restart it and started the installation of the system. The toll is supposed to be operated by the NHAI. Officials suspect that the forceful inauguration of the toll can lead to heavy protests in the area. The government has spent heavy expenses on the system installation; the administration cannot take a risk of restarting it without taking locals into confidence.
A Davenport man is accused of exposing himself to a child and soliciting the child to engage in a sex act, Davenport Police said.

Eric Lloyd See, 47, is charged with one count of lascivious acts with a child. The charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

See also is charged with indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Evan Obert, on Jan. 1, 2022, Davenport Police began investigating a complaint of sexual abuse that occurred at a home in the 1800 block of West 68th Street.

The alleged abuse occurred about 4 a.m. on Dec. 26, 2021.

See exposed himself to the child and also solicited the child to engage in a sex act.

A warrant for Sees arrest was issued July 12, 2022. See was arrested Wednesday.

During a first appearance on the charges Wednesday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Eric Syverud scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Jan. 20.

See was released from the Scott County Jail after posting the $6,000 bond.

Sees criminal history includes a conviction for manufacturing meth. In that case, See was arrested Oct. 31, 2013, for manufacturing meth in a trailer on his property in the 1800 block of West 68th Street.

Initially charged with a Class B felony, See pleaded guilty to a Class C felony charge of possession with the intent to distribute meth, which carries a 10-year prison sentence. He also pleaded guilty of possession of a precursor, a Class D felony that carries a five-year prison sentence.

On March 13, 2014, See was sentenced to serve three years on supervised probation. Because of his compliance, See was satisfactorily discharged early from probation.
New housing and retail occupants likely are on their way to a 104-acre parcel north of Veterans Memorial Parkway in Davenport.

The Davenport City Council on Wednesday voted for a second time to approve the rezoning of the property from agriculture to residential.

Its probably some of the most-coveted development land in the Quad-Cities right now, At-Large Alderman Kyle Gripp said.

Concept plans for the development show 33 acres of single-family homes, 20 acres of denser single-family homes and duplexes, 35 acres of multi-family housing, including an apartment complex, and 16 acres for commercial.

The rezoning will go before the council for one more two-week cycle for final approval. Then, the developer will need to bring official plans before the zoning commission and council.

This is an interesting development, because it is mixed use, Gripp said. Its not all single-family or all commercial; theres multi-family, theres single-family homes, and theres commercial. Its this kind of mixed-use development that is becoming more popular but is also more profitable for cities. Its walkable, and I think, overall, its a good thing.

In 2015, the 104 acres sold for $3.3 million to Shamrock LC, a company owned by the Duffy family, which also operates Per Mar Security Services in Davenport.

Scott County has some of the most expensive farmland in Iowa  averaging $15,968 per acre, according to the 2022 Iowa State University Farmland Value Study. But that the land off Veterans Memorial sold for about $31,800 per acre, which was about three times the average value in the county at the time.

Cedar Rapids-based High Development Corp is on the project, with engineering by Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants, according to city council documents.

More roundabouts

Under current concept plans, the development would bring two more roundabouts to Veterans Memorial Parkway.

The city already planned to put in a roundabout at Eastern Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway, according to Gripp. The developer will be responsible for a second roundabout just a few blocks east, at an entrance to the development on Veterans.

The city heard concerns from nearby homeowners during a series of neighborhood meetings this summer and in advance of a planning and zoning commission meeting. Traffic congestion and the proximity of businesses and an apartment complex to less-dense neighborhoods were among the concerns.

Armed with public feedback, Gripp said, city staff will require the developer to add another exit from the development to Eastern Avenue to ease traffic concerns.

A pocket park will be required in the development as well as landscaping berms to act as a buffer between neighborhoods south of Veterans Memorial Parkway and the commercial development.

One concern the council cannot abate is the loss of another large acreage of farmland.

I hate to see farmland go, said Ald. Judith Lee, 8th ward. Its one thats hard for me, but if the zoning board has said it matches our zoning plans and Laura Berkley (planning administrator) says it matches, theres not much we can do.

In other zoning news

A group of residents on Bridge Avenue in Davenport are asking the city council to turn down a request to rezone a former adult daycare that would allow for a multi-family housing building.

The current zoning, R4C, allows for dense single-family homes and duplexes. Rezoning to residential multi-family would allow for up to 13 units at the property.

But the owners, affordable housing nonprofit Ecumenical Housing, plan to remodel the property into just a three-unit building.

Although Ecumenical Housing wants to complete just three units, neighbors say they fear rezoning could allow a future owner to build a large apartment building without needing approval from the city council, or that less scrupulous owners could use the same rezoning tool to spur more investment rental properties as opposed to owner-occupied single-family houses.

Representatives from Ecumenical Housing say they need the third unit to reach a threshold required for a $10 million federal grant.

We ask you to consider the impact that this will have for the preservation of affordable housing in this community, the improvement of all these units, but also the quality of life that brings to our disabled residents, Sam Moyer, director of Ecumenical Housing Development Group, said to council members on Wednesday.

And, in a report, Davenport city staff said they recommended a condition that no more than four units be allowed at the property and the building could be no more than 35 feet tall. City staff cited other nearby apartment buildings in justifying its recommendation that a multi-family zoning would not be outside of the character of the neighborhood.

In two weeks of city council meetings, residents said they disagreed with the staffs assessment.

Several told council members they want the city to stick to the zoning established at that property, citing concerns that a slippery slope of allowing up-zoning for much denser housing could erode the character of the neighborhood.

My fear is that if the council allows this property to become multifamily, it will bring a domino effect, Eileen Yeates, a Davenport resident who lives near the property, said. Itll become easier and easier to turn other homes into multi-family units. This will add to the population density of the neighborhood and could erode the character of our neighborhood.

Resident Lamar Buckelew said he supports Ecumenical Housings mission to provide affordable housing and is happy to have the nonprofit as his neighbor.

But, he argued, approving the rezoning request could open the door for less reputable owners to turn owner-occupied houses into a higher density neighborhood, attracting investment rental properties that may not be as well maintained. He cited Davenport redoing its zoning code in 2018 that aimed to create more continuity in older neighborhoods.

The zoning definition is intended to preserve and protect Davenports dense centrally located, established urban residential neighborhoods. And thats what that property is, Buckelew said. Now its R4C. When you go to multi-family then, even though theres an apartment complex across the road, there are other apartment complexes in the neighborhood, those were there and those were needed in the neighborhood in the city, and thats fine.

But once you start allowing this up-zoning, then whats to say that not just in our neighborhood, but in any neighborhood in Davenport, that a developer cant say, We want to change this here as well. So if you start doing that, then youre gonna lose that continuity that the city spent so much money on and so much time trying to get clarification around.

Ald. Marion Meginnis, Ward 3, said she would offer an amendment next week but declined to supply details.

Ald. Tim Kelly, Ward 5, took issue with one resident at last weeks meeting implying that rental housing spurred crime.

Ive sat on this council now going on a year and all Ive talked about was affordable housing, so I want to see the amendment and I want to be able to work with you guys, but Im not understanding why folks are (talking about) the detriment of the neighborhood, Kelly said last week. One gentleman said there was a duplex that was a drug dealers house. Is his duplex going to be a drug dealers house? You guys, be careful with the words that you use because, as a long-term 5th Ward resident, some of that stuff can sting.

Other neighbors disavowed the residents comment and said theyd welcome duplexes and Ecumenical Housing as an owner.

Wednesday was the first reading of the proposed rezoning. All nine aldermen present voted to advance the rezoning request. Itll go through four more weeks of discussion and votes.
In Real Time

Treat yourself to the power and glory of big band jazz on Sunday when the POLYRHYTHMS Third Sunday Jazz Workshop and Matinee series welcomes Mike Conrad and the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra in Becherer Hall at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf. There will be a workshop at 2 p.m. followed by a matinee concert beginning at 5 p.m.

Admission to the workshop session is $5 for adults and free for youth. General admission for the concert is $15 or $20 for reserved seating. For ticket information, call 309 373-0790.

On A Date

Improv comedy and alcohol crash together into one hilarious evening of comedy when the Nightcaps Improv Comedy Troupe presents, Shots 'n' Giggles this weekend. From made-up alcohol shots to toasts with the audience, this is one party no one wants to miss.

The fun will take place starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday at The Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. There also will be shows on Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and 18 and March 4 and 18.

Admission is $10 in advance or $12 on the day of show. To purchase tickets, call 309-786-7733 ext. 2. Participants must be 21 years or older to attend. For more information, visit www.thecirca21speakeasy.com.

Just For Fun

The family-friendly outdoor winter event, Icestravaganza, returns to downtown Davenport this weekend showcasing more than 36,000 pounds worth of beautiful ice carvings on display all three days at the Freight House Farmers Market, 421 W. River Drive.

Favorite monuments carved out of ice will be viewable on the boardwalk or at the drive-through display on Beiderbecke Drive in LeClaire Park. Sculptures are lit up each night from dusk until 10 p.m. Farmers' Market vendors as well as local beer and food also will be available for purchase.

The event opens at 5 p.m. on Friday with a warming station featuring free hot chocolate and a fire pit until 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, things kickoff at 10 a.m. Activities will include the warming station and a live carving demonstration from 3-5 p.m. as well as an Afterglow Party with live carving demonstrations with black lights, light show and deejay from 6-8 p.m. The extravaganza runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday with the warming station from 4-5:30 p.m.

Admission is free. More information can be found at www.downtowndavenport.com/icestravaganza.

With the Family

The Putnam Museum and Science Center's popular exhibit featuring Keva Planks, "Build! Create! Innovate! Winter Edition," is back. This hands-on exhibit allows guests of all ages to unleash creativity using mathematics, physics and design.

This time the exhibit will feature a fun wintertime twist and includes 3,600-square feet of building space and over 15,000 planks, along with a pre-built castle, snowflakes, sleds and more. Precision-cut, identical construction blocks, the planks are about -inch thick, -inch wide and 4 -inches long and stack with surprising stability, without glue or connectors. Using only gravity, visitors can engage with physics to achieve balance, optimum proportion and a steady structure. Everyone is encouraged to create everything from sleds and snowflakes to full winter scenes.

Exhibit admission is included in the price of general museum admission: $9 adults, $8 youth 3-18 years/senior citizens/college students/military. Through the museum's For All program, admission is $1 per person for households with the presentation of an EBT card. Admission is free for members.

The museum is located at 1717 W. 12th St. in Davenport. The museum will be closed on Thursday-Friday, Jan. 12-13. For more information, visit https://www.putnam.org/exhibits/BuildCreateInnovate.

Dine and Drink

Celebrate the new year and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with favorite toppings on Saturday when Chocolate Manor in downtown Davenport hosts a Hot Chocolate Bar. The bar will offer classic hot cocoa, made with whole milk and Belgian chocolate, as well as a toppings bar that will include a house-made caramel sauce, made from scratch marshmallows, real whipped cream and more.

The hot chocolate bar will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with cups of hot chocolate and the toppings bar available for $4 before tax.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/chocolatemanorcandy/events.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced a new $15 million round of funding to expand the states Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Program in her Condition of the State address Tuesday.

The new funding will support more programs to help meet the high demands of Iowas health care workforce  expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities to include EMTs, registered nurses, behavioral health and substance abuse specialists, direct support professionals and other areas.

The state first piloted its Health Careers RA Program last year, with a focus on helping students pursue nursing pathways.

This new grant opportunity builds on the success we initiated last year and expands the number of available pathways Iowans can take to gain critical experience in one of the most important sectors of our economy, Reynolds said.

The deadline to apply for this years grant program is noon Tuesday, March 9. Applications are now being accepted on IowaGrants.gov  grant documents and more information on how to apply can be found at www.earnandlearniowa.gov on the Iowa Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Program webpage.

Funding priority and preference will be given to partnerships involving private or public accredited Iowa high schools.

Officials will also hold a webinar about the programs application process and answer questions at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Those interested can find the RSVP link on www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov or by emailing communications@iwd.iowa.gov.

Health care and social assistance industries continue to have the highest number of job openings on IowaWorks.gov. As of this week, these areas had four of the top 10 job postings on the site.

Iowa is always looking to open more doorways to new careers, and registered apprenticeships are proving that this is possible even in the highest-demand fields, Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said. Research shows that most apprentices will pursue careers in the same fields as their apprenticeships, so we welcome any applicants who are ready to help us expand the number of health care career options in Iowa.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9beee1a6-9b5a-43c2-9d5e-17f50541a655

Close Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber on Jan. 10 at the State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Photos: Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers the condition of the state address Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber on Jan. 10 at the State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines.
Iowa state Treasurer Roby Smith was formally sworn in to the role at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday.

The former Davenport state senator is the states first Republican treasurer in 40 years, taking over for Democrat Michael Fitzgerald after defeating him in the November election. His term officially began Jan. 1.

Smith reiterated points he made during the election, saying he would use the role to protect taxpayer money.

As your state treasurer, I will advocate for the taxpayer, keep the money safe, and stand up to any overreach by the federal government or the IRS. It is an honor to be your state bank, he said.

Smith also thanked his family and Gov. Kim Reynolds, as well as other statewide Republican elected officials for helping him along the finish line in the November election.

When youre in politics, its a team effort, he said. No one wins by themselves.

He was joined by three of his children as he took the oath of office, and he was sworn in by Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas Waterman, also from Davenport.

Smith also thanked Fitzgerald, saying he has been nothing but gracious during the transition.

In an interview with the Quad City Times this month, Smith said he would take a deep dive into the treasurers offices programs and see if any changes are needed. He said he wanted to set up a savings program that allows Iowans to save tax-free to buy a home.

Erin Murphy of the Gazette Des Moines Bureau contributed.
With Iowa in its 177th year of statehood (Dec. 28, 1846), by now we should have our ducks in a row. But, we are one of six states still in the dark ages when it comes to the primary election process.

Iowa, along with Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Wyoming operate their primary elections, which selects candidates before the general election, under a process referred to as partially open. This system permits voters to cross party lines, but they are required to change their party affiliation.

Thirty-two percent of Iowa voters have proclaimed they purposely do not want to be affiliated with the Democrats or Republicans. Free-spirited souls, arent they?

Specifically, as of Jan., 2023, 31.2% of Iowa registered voters declared their political party of preference as a no party independent. Another 0.9% picked other as their choice.

Should these liberated and unconstrained citizens want to vote in Iowas primary election, they must declare being affiliated with a party they want nothing to do with. Of course, after the primary, they could go back to the court house and re-declare their unfettered political preference, but what a pain in the . . . buttocks.

Whats wrong about the six states  like Iowa  who have a partially open primary or other states who embrace a similar closed system? Very simply, it permits the far-right wing and far-left wing candidates and their respective extremist minions to protect and elect oddballs to run for office. Meanwhile, the truly independent voters are left on the sideline without much say.

Partisan primaries  like in Iowa  disenfranchise voters. Its a form of voter suppression and dissuades independents from voting. Low primary turnout means fewer voters are choosing their representatives, giving disproportionate influence to a small subset of voters.

If you wonder why we have so many wacko and out-of-touch elected officials representing us in Iowas Capitol (or in D.C. for that matter), look no further than Iowas primary election process. The phrase from the War of 1812 is apropos: we have met the enemy and he is us.

Fifteen states (i.e., Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Caroline, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin) have an open primary.

The open primary system permits a citizen to cast a vote across party lines and their election privacy is assured. Open primaries increase voter participation as there are no barriers or restraints placed upon their participation. Open primaries permit independents to become more involved in the election process, which is good for our democracy. And, an open primary is election integrity at its zenith.

Opponents to the open primary system note it is unconstitutional because it violates their freedom of association. However, the U.S. Constitution does not mention political parties.

Voting is an American principle and a basic democratic right that should be protected, promoted and practiced. Iowas partially open primary system creates unnecessary voting difficulties and is discriminatory to over 600,000 Iowans who do not want to be associated as a Democrat or Republican.

As Charles Darwin once said, it is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

Iowa needs to get out of the dark ages and change to an open primary system, which would give its 36.4% registered Republicans, 31.5% registered Democrats, 31.2% no party independents and 0.9% other maximum flexibility and maintain their party affiliation or no party affiliation privacy.

All Iowans  versus a small subset of voters  should participate in our primary election process. Lets embrace change and restore integrity to our primary election procedure by becoming an open primary state.
Friday the 13th will bring good luck and good eating for local foodies. This years Downtown Restaurant Week starts Friday and continues through Jan. 22, highlighting more than a dozen Rapid City eateries.

Downtown Restaurant Week features specials at a variety of restaurants, tasting rooms, breweries and more, including Enigma, Alternative Fuel and Coffee House, Essence of Coffee, Gold Bison Grill, Marys Mountain Cookies, Murphys Pub and Grill, Vertex Sky Bar, Que Pasa Cantina, Tallys Silver Spoon, Firehouse Brewing Company, Independent Ale House, Thirstys, Delmonico Grill and Hay Camp Brewing Company.

Each participating restaurant will create and serve specials to celebrate Rapid City and all things South Dakota. The specials range from warm winter coffees and beverages to appetizers and cocktails to gourmet entrees and desserts.

A new twist to Downtown Restaurant Week is that the specials feature prices that pay homage to Rapid City and South Dakota -- $6.05 (South Dakotas only area code), $20.11 (the year Main Street Square opened downtown), $43 (in honor of the 43 life-sized bronze presidents throughout downtown) and $72 (to commemorate the 1972 flood).

Diners can find a full list of the participating restaurants and their specials on the Bandwango Restaurant Week pass, which is another new addition to Downtown Restaurant Week. The pass is web-based and no app download is required. Go to https://www.visitrapidcity.com/restaurant-week to sign up for the Downtown Restaurant Week Bandwango Pass.

The mobile-friendly pass allows users to check in to places they eat during Downtown Restaurant Week. The more places checked in, the higher the chances of winning one of two prizes  a $300 downtown gift card and a one-night stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown, or a $200 downtown gift card.

Through our new Bandwango Restaurant Week pass, users can review the specials at all participating destinations, said Kelsy Peterson, digital marketing manager for Visit Rapid City. Plus, participants will have the chance to eat and win, which adds a fun component to the week, all while encouraging folks to support Rapid Citys local businesses.

Downtown Restaurant Week is a partnership between Visit Rapid City and Downtown Rapid City.

Close Prepared dishes wait to be tabled at the Gold Bison Grill Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday to highlight foods his restaraunt will offer at the upcoming restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, shows off dishes Wednesday prepared as a preview for his restaurant's offerings at the upcoming restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday in preparation for restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday in preparation for restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Golden Bison Grill, prepares Buffalo New York Strip with a caramelized onion and mushroom confit and a garlic rosemary Yukon potato Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares Buffalo New York Strip with a caramelized onion and mushroom confit and a garlic rosemary Yukon potato Wednesday. Nazli Clark, line chef at Golden Bison Grill, plates a Boursin scalloped potato Wednesday. Gabriel Kilgore, sous chef at Gold Bison Grill, eyes dishes prepared Wednesday in preparation for Rapid City's Restaurant Week. Parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City. Buffalo New York Strip topped with a caramelized onion and wild mushroom confit and Cabernet wine reduction served with garlic and rosemary Yukon potatoes and herb grilled vegetables is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City. Pork Flat Iron topped with a chipotle cream cheese and served with Boursin scalloped potatoes and herb grilled vegetables is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City. PHOTOS: Downtown Restaurant Week starts Friday Golden Bison Grill Executive Chef Ben Venables showed off some of the dishes his restaurant will be offering as part of downtown Rapid City's Restaurant Week. Prepared dishes wait to be tabled at the Gold Bison Grill Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday to highlight foods his restaraunt will offer at the upcoming restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, shows off dishes Wednesday prepared as a preview for his restaurant's offerings at the upcoming restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday in preparation for restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares food Wednesday in preparation for restaurant week. Ben Venables, executive chef at Golden Bison Grill, prepares Buffalo New York Strip with a caramelized onion and mushroom confit and a garlic rosemary Yukon potato Wednesday. Ben Venables, executive chef at Gold Bison Grill, prepares Buffalo New York Strip with a caramelized onion and mushroom confit and a garlic rosemary Yukon potato Wednesday. Nazli Clark, line chef at Golden Bison Grill, plates a Boursin scalloped potato Wednesday. Gabriel Kilgore, sous chef at Gold Bison Grill, eyes dishes prepared Wednesday in preparation for Rapid City's Restaurant Week. Parmesan crusted deviled eggs finished with applewood smoked bacon and white truffle oil is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City. Buffalo New York Strip topped with a caramelized onion and wild mushroom confit and Cabernet wine reduction served with garlic and rosemary Yukon potatoes and herb grilled vegetables is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City. Pork Flat Iron topped with a chipotle cream cheese and served with Boursin scalloped potatoes and herb grilled vegetables is one of the dishes offered for restaurant week at Golden Bison Grill in downtown Rapid City.
Arnson Absolu's defense attorney pointed out Wednesday that his client's DNA and fingerprints were missing from the crime scenes from an August 2020 triple murder case after the lead investigator testified to evidence the state says links the 37-year-old Bronx, New York man to the three deaths.

Wednesday was the second day that Rapid City Police Department Sgt. Barry Young took the stand during the trial for the deaths of Charles Red Willow, 26, of Rapid City, Ashley Nagy, 29, of Greeley, Colo. and Dakota Zaiser, 22, of Rapid City.

Police found Red Willow and Nagy shot dead on Aug. 24, 2020 in a Chevy Tahoe at Thomson Park in Rapid City after a nearby resident called 911 reporting hearing six gunshots at about 10:40 p.m. that evening. Police described the scene as gruesome.

Zaiser was initially identified as a possible witness in the deaths of Red Willow and Nagy. He was found in a shallow grave on Sept. 24, 2020 in a forested area north of Sheridan Lake. The state's case is that Zaiser was killed at a woman's Rapid City apartment where Absolu stayed and a man named Shamar Bennett helped hide evidence and move the body from Absolu's trunk.

According to Assistant Attorney General Trevor Thielen, who is on the prosecution team, Absolu would enlist people to sell drugs in Rapid City and Red Willow's murder was over a drug debt, Nagy was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Zaiser was killed because he wouldn't be able to keep quiet.

Young revealed during his testimony that Zaiser was considered a possible suspect during the investigation before Bennett led him and another investigator to the body after Bennett had a conversation with Pennington County State's Attorney Mark Vargo.

As Senior Deputy State's Attorney Roxanne Hammond questioned Young, he walked through what led to Absolu's arrest, which ultimately boiled down to the blue Chevy Malibu Absolu rented from Casey's Auto on Fifth Street. The car had a GPS tracker on it, which led police to him.

Young testified the Malibu appeared in footage shown in court, including near Thomson Park and at the woman's apartment.

The state also presented pieces of black plastic found next to a stump near Zaiser's makeshift burial that Young testified matched black plastic in the undercarriage of the Malibu. Both the broken pieces and the undercarriage were brought into the courtroom on Wednesday.

Timothy Rensch, Absolu's defense attorney, worked on sowing doubt in the 17-person jury when he asked Young if there was any blood evidence found in the trunk of the Malibu or at the apartment or if his client's DNA was found anywhere at either scene, on shell casings or on a .40 gun found in Rapid Creek near the fairgrounds.

Young admitted that none of Absolu's DNA was found, and there indeed were no positive results showing blood at the apartment where the state says Zaiser was killed.

Young declined to get into details of DNA testing, saying he is not a DNA expert. The state plans to bring in forensic experts to testify later in the trial.
A federal judge issued a ruling Wednesday that permanently bans the state of South Dakota from enforcing a law that would have required ballot petition workers to publicly disclose their personal identification information.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol made the injunction official Wednesday after the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld in November his decision to block portions of Senate Bill 180.

The Republican-controlled Legislature in 2020 passed a law that would have required paid ballot measure circulators to list their personal information, including phone number, residential address, email address and driver's license information, in a directory. The law was just one attempt by lawmakers in recent years to add barriers to ballot measures.

Circuit Judge Steven Grasz wrote in a Nov. 1, 2021 opinion for a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that being forced to disclose the information would be chilling in today's world and the law would violate the First Amendment.

Piersol issued his final directive on Wednesday that the state of South Dakota is permanently barred from enforcing the law.

Dakotans for Health, an organization that was formed around a ballot measure to expand Medicaid eligibility, sued to have the law overturned. The organization is now focused on placing a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot to codify abortion rights.

"This is another great win for direct democracy and the citizen initiative process, and it is our hope that the South Dakota State Legislature will stop trying to cripple the peoples right to use citizen initiatives to pass laws and amend our states constitution, said Rick Weiland, the director of Dakotans for Health.

Weiland said that the injunction allows the initiated petition method to keep lawmakers in check.

When the Legislature is completely out of step with the voters on critical issues of concern and continually fails to be responsive to their needs, our rich tradition of being able to bypass them by using citizen initiatives gives the voters the opportunity to make laws and amend the constitution," Weiland said. "Laws like SB180 which attack free speech need to be rejected and they have been rejected by Judge Piersol and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals."

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the presence of documents with classified marking found at President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at an office in Washington.

The announcement followed Biden's acknowledgement Thursday morning that a document with classified markings from his time as vice president was found in his personal library, along with other documents found in his garage. Garland said Biden's lawyers informed the Justice Department Thursday morning of the discovery of a classified document at Biden's home, after FBI agents first retrieved other documents from the garage in December. It was disclosed on Monday that sensitive documents were found at the office of his former institute in Washington.

Robert Hur, the former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland, will lead the investigation, taking over from the top Justice Department prosecutor in Chicago, John Lausch, who was earlier assigned by the department to investigate the matter and who recommended to Garland last week that a special counsel be appointed. Hur is to begin his work soon.

"The extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a special counsel for this matter," Garland said, adding that Hur is authorized to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law.

"This appointment underscores for the public the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law.," Garland said.

Biden told reporters at the White House that he was "cooperating fully and completely" with a Justice Department investigation into how classified information and government records were stored.

"We have cooperated closely with the Justice Department throughout its review, and we will continue that cooperation with the special counsel," said Richard Sauber, himself a special counsel to the president. "We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake."

Biden's lawyers found the first set of documents in a locked closet in the offices of the Biden Penn Center in Washington on Nov. 2, just before the midterm elections, but publicly revealed that development only on Monday.

Sauber said that after Biden's personal lawyers found the initial documents, they examined other locations where records might have been shipped after Biden left the vice presidency in 2017.

Biden did not say when the latest documents were found at his home, only that his lawyers' review of potential storage locations was completed Wednesday night.

Sauber said a "small number" with classified markings were found in a storage space in Biden's garage in Wilmington, with one document being located in an adjacent room. Biden later revealed that the other location was his personal library.

Garland said Biden attorneys located documents in the Wilmington garage on Dec. 20 and that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents took custody of them shortly thereafter. The Justice Department was informed only on Thursday of the latest found by Biden's lawyers.

The appointment of yet another special counsel to investigate the handling of classified documents is a remarkable turn of events, legally and politically, for a Justice Department that has spent months looking into the retention by Donald Trump of more than 300 documents with classification markings found at the former president's Florida estate.

Though the situations are factually and legally different, the discovery of classified documents at two separate locations tied to Biden  as well as the appointment of a new special counsel  would almost certainly complicate any prosecution that the department might bring against Trump.

Hur was a close ally of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a key figure in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and contacts between then-candidate Trump's associates and Russian officials. He also worked as an adviser to FBI Director Christopher Wray in the Justice Department.

"I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial and dispassionate judgment," he said in a statement after his appointment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service."

New House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said of the latest news: "I think Congress has to investigate this."

"Here's an individual that sat on '60 Minutes' that was so concerned about President Trump's documents locked in behind, and now we find that this is a vice president keeping it for years out in the open in different locations."

Contradicting several fellow Republicans, he said, "We don't think there needs to be a special prosecutor."

The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee has requested that intelligence agencies conduct a "damage assessment" of potentially classified documents. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner on Thursday also requested briefings from Attorney General Merrick Garland and the director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, on their reviews by Jan. 26.

"The presence of classified information at these separate locations could implicate the President in the mishandling, potential misuse, and exposure of classified information," Turner wrote the officials.

The revelation that additional classified documents were uncovered by Biden's team came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Biden's handling of classified information and the West Wing's management of the discovery.

She had said Wednesday that the White House was committed to handling the matter in the "right way," pointing to Biden's personal attorneys' immediate notification of the National Archives.

But she refused to say when Biden himself had been briefed, whether there were any more classified documents potentially located at other unauthorized locations, and why the White House waited more than two months to reveal the discovery of the initial batch of documents.

Biden has said he was "surprised to learn that there are any government records that were taken there to that office" but his lawyers "did what they should have done" when they immediately called the National Archives.

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In Montanas backcountry, as well as along some well-traveled highways and railroads, avalanches are a cause for concern.

Scientists have been working for decades to better understand these natural phenomena for a number of reasons  the biggest being to save lives. At the same time, national forests have created avalanche forecasting services to provide daily information to backcountry snowmobilers, snowshoers, skiers and snowboard about weather and avalanche conditions. Combined with newer cellphone apps, beacons, airbag backpacks and avalanche safety courses, backcountry users can be better prepared than ever for winter outings.

Despite all of this work, avalanche fatalities continue to capture headlines. The most recent in Montana was the death of a Washington man snowmobiling outside Cooke City.

To learn more, I spoke with Billings Gazette Outdoors Editor Brett French.

This podcast is created in partnership across five newsrooms  the Billings Gazette, the Helena Independent Record, the Missoulian, the Montana Standard and the Ravalli-Republic. You can support this podcast and our efforts by subscribing. Visit any of these newspapers websites, and click on the Become a Member button at the top of the home page. We appreciate your support of local journalism.
The worlds largest aircraft fleet was grounded for hours by a cascading outage in a government system that delayed or canceled thousands of flights across the U.S. on Wednesday.

The White House initially said that there was no evidence of a cyberattack behind the outage that ruined travel plans for millions of passengers. President Joe Biden said Wednesday morning that hes directed the Department of Transportation to investigate.

Whatever the cause, the outage revealed how dependent the worlds largest economy is on air travel, and how dependent air travel is on an antiquated computer system called the Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM.

Before commencing a flight, pilots are required to consult NOTAMs, which list potential adverse impacts on flights, from runway construction to the potential for icing. The system used to be telephone-based, with pilots calling dedicated flight service stations for the information, but has moved online.

The NOTAM system broke down late Tuesday, leading to more than 1,100 flight cancelations and 7,700 delayed flights by midday Wednesday, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.

The chaos is expected to grow as backups compound. More than 21,000 flights were scheduled to take off in the U.S. Wednesday, mostly domestic trips, and about 1,840 international flights expected to fly to the U.S., according to aviation data firm Cirium.

Airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta were seeing between 30% and 40% of flights delayed.

Monitoring the status of RIC flights (124 scheduled for today), we see five cancellations and 30 delays of at least one hour as of 10:30AM.  Richmond Airport RIC (@Flack4RIC) January 11, 2023

We are going to see the ripple effects from that, this mornings delays through the system during the day, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in an interview on CNN. Now we have to understand how this could have happened in the first place. Why the usual redundancies that would stop it from being that disruptive did not stop it from being disruptive this time.

Longtime aviation insiders could not recall an outage of such magnitude caused by a technology breakdown. Some compared it to the nationwide shutdown of airspace after the terror attacks of September 2001.

Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically, said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis.

Campbell said there has long been concern about the Federal Aviation Administrations technology, and not just the NOTAM system.

So much of their systems are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable but they are out of date, he said.

John Cox, a former airline pilot and aviation safety expert, said there has been talk in the aviation industry for years about trying to modernize the NOTAM system, but he did not know the age of the servers that the FAA uses.

He couldnt say whether a cyberattack was possible.

Ive been flying 53 years. Ive never heard the system go down like this, Cox said. So something unusual happened.

According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8:28 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as daytime traffic picked up it overwhelmed the telephone backup system.

The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday morning, affecting all passenger and shipping flights.

Some medical flights could get clearance and the outage did not impact any military operations or mobility.

Flights for the U.S. militarys Air Mobility Command were not affected.

Biden said Wednesday morning that he was briefed by Buttigieg.

I just spoke to Buttigieg. They dont know what the cause is. But I was on the phone with him about 10 minutes, Biden said. I told him to report directly to me when they find out.

Buttigieg said on CNN that the order to ground all departing flights was done out of an abundance of caution, but said mass disruptions to U.S. air travel are not acceptable.

We need to design a system that does not have this kind of vulnerability, Buttigieg said.

About 30 Richmond International Airport flights out 124 on Wednesday were delayed, and five had been cancelled, an airport spokesman said. He added that while the delays were probably connected to the FAA order, he could not definitively link the two.

Julia Macpherson was on a United Airlines flight from Sydney to Los Angeles on Wednesday when she learned of possible delays.

As I was up in the air I got news from my friend who was also traveling overseas that there was a power outage, said Macpherson, who was returning to Florida from Hobart, Tasmania. Once she lands in Los Angeles, she still has a connection in Denver on her flight to Jacksonville, Florida.

She said there have been no announcements on the flight about the FAA issue.

Macpherson said she had already experienced a delay in her travels because her original flight from Melbourne to San Francisco was canceled and she rebooked a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles.

Similar stories came out of Chicago, Washington, Atlanta and other major U.S. airports.

European flights into the U.S. appeared to be largely unaffected. Carriers from Irelands Aer Lingus to Germanys Lufthansa said there was no impact on their schedules.

It was the latest headache for travelers in the U.S. who faced flight cancelations over the holidays amid winter storms and a breakdown with staffing technology at Southwest Airlines. They also ran into long lines, lost baggage, and cancelations and delays over the summer as travel demand roared back from the COVID-19 pandemic and ran into staffing cutbacks at airports and airlines in the U.S. and Europe.
One person died Thursday after a car went into a pond in the Mount Blanco neighborhood of Chesterfield County.

The crash was at around 10:17 a.m. in the 1900 block of Mount Blanco Road.

Police said witnesses reported the vehicle went into the pond, but the driver never came out. The person died at a hospital.

Authorities are waiting to release the persons name until family members are notified, Chesterfield police said.

Top 5 weekend events: Butcher Brown & Symphony, Brown Ballerinas & Richmond Jewish Food Festival Richmond Jewish Food Festival Butcher Brown and the Richmond Symphony Brown Ballerinas for Change and Richmond Symphony The Hot Seats Comedy at The Park RVA
 Flash

The chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is bullish about the sector's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and expects exponential growth over the next decade mainly thanks to a boost from Chinese outbound travelers and foreign visitors to China.



"I have been there (China) many times ... and it's wonderful that the world would be able to open its arms and welcome Chinese visitors again," Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, told Xinhua in a recent video interview.

In early December 2022, China decided to optimize its COVID-19 response with new prevention and control measures to ease the restrictions on travel and visits to public venues. Then, on Jan. 8, the Civil Aviation Administration of China relaxed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights.

"Before the pandemic, travel and tourism used to represent one in 10 jobs globally and one in 10 U.S. dollars that were made globally. It's a really significant sector, which brings a lot of economic benefits and a lot of jobs," Simpson said.

According to a survey conducted last November of more than 26,000 consumers in 25 countries by YouGov for the WTTC, the appetite for international travel was at its highest point since the start of the pandemic with 63 percent of respondents planning a leisure trip in the next 12 months.

It came as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in November said international tourism was on track to reach 65 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 as the sector continued to bounce back.

"We all know that our sector was severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the good news is that travel and tourism are going to bounce back and will grow over the next 10 years almost double the rate of global gross domestic product (GDP)," she said.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) president and CEO Julia Simpson speaks onstage during the WTTC Global Summit in Pasay City, the Philippines on April 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

"Revenge Travel"

As a non-profit organization, WTTC's members include over 200 CEOs, chairpersons and presidents of the world's leading private sector travel and tourism businesses.

Simpson said that after nearly three years, the phenomenon of "revenge travel", which means traveling to make up for lost time during the pandemic, is expected to lift tourism and boost businesses.

"What we tend to see when people reopen their borders post-pandemic is that you have a lot of pent-up demand for travel. The first such demand comes from family and friends ... such as students working in another part of the world," she said.

Outbound Chinese visitors to the rest of the world were "among the most valuable in an economic sense," Simpson said.

In 2019, those Chinese visitors spent 253 billion U.S. dollars globally, which represented 15 percent of the grand total, according to WTTC.

Top Destination

For travelers from China, Simpson said Maldives and Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the U.S. lead the bucket lists of top destinations.

"I'm almost describing here the whole of the world because, actually, Chinese visitors are now everywhere," she said.

The favorite attractions for foreign travelers to China may include the Great Wall, and the sights like Chengdu or Guilin, said the CEO.

"People also like to do mountain walking, go shopping, and they love to understand the culture of China," she said.




Police never searched a Chesterfield County apartment belonging to Austin Lee Edwards, the law enforcement officer who killed three relatives of a 15-year-old Riverside, California, girl whom police say he catfished online.

A judge on Wednesday approved Edwards eviction from that apartment. Now that the eviction is official, any evidence that might exist within could be removed or destroyed, if it has not been already.

In addition to the Riverside 15-year-old he kidnapped, Edwards pursued at least one other child, a 13-year-old girl whom he solicited nude photos from even after she disclosed her age. Experts say many predators have multiple victims and that any evidence, especially technology or paper files, could aid police in learning about other children or abusers.

But the Riverside Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the killings, did not see a need to search the apartment.

We did not need to in relation to our investigation, said Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the department, in a statement. Officials already had items seized from his [Saltville] house that are relevant to our murder investigation, Railsback added.

Riverside police only searched Edwards newly purchased white Cape Cod-style home in Saltville, Virginia, which he bought shortly before the killings. The Smyth County Sheriffs Department helped execute that search on Nov. 26, the day after the slayings.

The Chesterfield police department and sheriffs office did not search Edwards apartment either, officials there said.

At some point, police will want to secure a warrant and conduct a search to determine if there is any evidence to suggest if Edwards abused other victims, said William Pelfrey, a professor of criminal justice at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Wilder School of Government. He is dead. So there is no case to be made against him. But if there were other victims or firearms, that seems like something police would want to know, he said.

Police may be reluctant to search Edwards apartment because having an officer commit murder and pursue children sexually is not a good look for law enforcement, Pelfrey said.

There may be little interest among police to pursue information about other victims, he added. He noted that if Edwards landlord told authorities that the apartment was vacant, then the police would not need to search the residence.

A visit to Edwards apartment Wednesday indicated that at least some items belonging to him may still be inside. The blinds to the two-story apartment were mostly closed, and a reporter could see only part of the kitchen, which appeared to be empty. What appeared to be a shirt tag dated February 2022 from Flying Cross, a company that sells law enforcement uniforms, was visible through the sliding glass door in the back.

A blue and green ball, which appeared to be a cat toy, was also visible through the glass door. Edwards owned a female cat for years.

The blinds on Edwards second-floor window were broken and two pieces of mail were attached to the front door knob with rubber bands. One was an envelope that appeared to be an eviction notice. The second was a notice asking tenants to keep their porches clean. A worn pair of black Air Jordans could be seen on the ground outside the front door. The back patio was empty.

Asked in an email whether Edwards landlord told Riverside police if his apartment was vacant, Railsback replied: If there is any relevance to our investigation, the local authorities will contact our detectives.

The local authorities  Chesterfield police  are not involved in the Edwards investigation, said Elizabeth Caroon, a spokesperson for the department, in an email.

Samantha Pallett, chief operating officer for Levco Management, declined to comment when a reporter asked by phone if the company had been inside Edwards apartment or if it had spoken with police in Riverside. Per our company policy, I am not able to comment on the matter, said Pallett, who hung up when the reporter asked her to detail the policy.

Police should search Edwards apartment for evidence that could shed light on the killings or identify other victims who may need services, Jane Manning, a former New York City sex crimes prosecutor and current director of the Womens Equal Justice Project, told the Los Angles Times. Any electronic devices he used to communicate with other predators could be especially useful, she added.

The possession and use of child pornography and the abuse of real children can overlap, said Manning, adding that its common for predators to share child pornography. Some predators use pornography to groom children, she said. Some predators use pornography to facilitate their own planning of the crimes they want to commit.

Edwards is not someone who acted on a sudden impulse that he quickly regretted, she added. This is someone who sought out and groomed an underaged kid. He engaged in this conduct on multiple occasions. This suggests that he was deeply committed to abusing kids. It is virtually certain there are more victims.

Police may have already missed their window to search the residence, however. Before the slayings, Edwards fell behind on rent and his landlord moved to evict him.

Court records indicate that Edwards owed $804 for November rent, $80.40 in late fees, $61 for court costs, a $150 attorney fee and $90 in damages for utilities and trash, according to Chesterfield General District Court Civil Supervisor Lynn Cosner.

At the Wednesday hearing, Judge Keith Hurley dismissed the case, citing Edwards death.

Speaking to an attorney representing the property management company, Hurley said, You know who that is, right? The attorney said she did, and both noted the presence of a reporter in the courtroom.

Both law enforcement agencies that employed Edwards have faced intense scrutiny for hiring him. Edwards worked for Virginia State Police for nine months last year. He joined the Washington County Sheriffs Office as a deputy nine days before the Riverside killings.

Last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the states inspector general to probe the state polices hiring of Edwards. Edwards told the state police when he applied that he had voluntarily checked himself into a mental health facility in 2016. That disclosure should have prompted further investigation, but it didnt, wrote Gary Settle, the state police superintendent, in a Dec. 30 letter. State police did not search databases for Edwards mental health history before hiring him as an officer, Settle wrote.

Two deputies from the Washington County Sheriffs Office removed items from his home in a neighboring county the day before the official search. Authorities there have defended the search, saying they acted to protect the public. There is no indication that the Sheriffs Office is under investigation.
A 37-year-old man has become the fourth inmate in 10 months to die at the Richmond City Justice Center, which has had chronic understaffing and other issues.

The cause of death for Steven Andrew Carey has not been released.

Carey was booked into the jail almost a year ago on charges of attempted murder, eluding police and firearm possession by a violent felon. He had pleaded guilty to the eluding charge and was set for a jury trial on Jan. 23 for the possession charge, with a hearing regarding the murder charge set for February.

Carey was being represented by Ashley Shapiro, a lawyer with the Richmond City Public Defenders office. Shapiro said she had been preparing Careys case for trial for the better part of a year, and she hopes his death will be fully investigated.

I am very concerned for the safety and health of our clients who are incarcerated at the Richmond City Jail, Shapiro said.

With the news of his death, Shapiro said they are awaiting the commonwealths decision on how they will proceed with his case.

The other fatalities are Dantron Lamarco Harris, who died of an overdose in March, and Nina Hill and Vance Holloway, who died in October and December, respectively, but whose causes of death have not yet been released.

Officials have not released details on when Carey died.

At a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff Antionette Irving was asked about concerns around the state of the jail, staffing levels and the flow of drugs to inmates.

It has been in our institution just like it has been in all institutions. We do our best to make sure that they dont come in through the back door or the front door, Irving said. As it has been, Ive been in this business over 30 years, and we can say that it has been in all institutions, as long as someone feels the need to have a narcotic.

Irving added that people can get drugs into the jail if they get creative.

Irving said she didnt know if drugs were involved in the incident. Her medical staff administered Narcan twice, which she said can be done safely regardless of whether an inmate has actually overdosed.

According to Irving, staffing levels dropped to 170 deputies, with more retirements coming at the start of 2023.

Irving said she has been able to remain compliant with Department of Justice standards, which require deputies to make rounds of jail pods to check on the wellbeing of inmates.

Carey was found by a combination of inmates and staff, Irving said.

Irving ran against former Sheriff CT Woody, beating him in 2018 after Woody oversaw a string of inmate deaths, including three in 2015.

Woody didnt have to deal with fentanyl, said Irving, referencing the powerful new synthetic opioid derivative that is lethal even in small doses.

Oversight of Virginias jails is conducted by the Virginia Board of Local and Regional Jails. The group, housed in the Department of Corrections, conducts audits and investigates inmate deaths to determine whether the jail was at fault.

Irving said no investigators from those agencies have visited the jail since Hills death in October and that shed sent them video and reports for their investigations.

The Richmond City Justice Center has weathered months of criticism by public officials. Recently, City Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who leads the Public Safety Standing Committee, delivered a letter to state Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Robert Mosier, but said she had been so far disappointed by a lack of response from Mosier and the Board of Corrections.

These are peoples loved ones and youre gonna sit there and dismiss this? Trammell said, noting that the jail had gone out of control.

If anyone cant see it then theyre damned blind, Trammell said.
A Henrico County man pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration out of $1.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds by filing fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans on behalf of two non-operational businesses he formed.

Kortney T. Kelley, 45, spent at least $142,711 of the stolen proceeds at various casinos and for gaming purposes, and transferred at least $834,077 in additional funds to his personal brokerage accounts, according to a statement of facts filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office. The scheme was carried out between April 8, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2021.

The purpose of the scheme was for the defendant to unlawfully enrich himself by obtaining disaster-related benefits in the form of PPP loan proceeds under false and misleading pretenses; [and] submitting false statements, false certifications and forged documents in connection with four separate PPA loan applications to [the Bank of America] and the SBA, wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth in laying out the governments case.

Authorized by Congress through the CARES Act, the PPP is a federal SBA program that provided forgivable loans through participating financial institutions to small businesses for job retention and other expenses during the pandemic.

During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Judge David J. Novak convicted Kelley on his guilty plea to wire fraud and set sentencing for May 31. As part of his plea agreement, Kelley will be required to make restitution in the amount of $1,143,224 to the SBA.

Kelley is the third Richmond-area resident to be convicted of stealing more than $1 million in government funds designated to assist businesses and their employees and unemployed Virginians during the pandemic.

Sadie Mitchell, 30, a state employee, was sentenced in September to nearly seven years in prison for using her position to bilk Virginia and the U.S. out of $1.2 million in coronavirus relief funds. Moe Mathews, 51, a local real estate developer and investor, was sentenced in October to 3.4 years for defrauding the SBA and associated financial institutions out of $1.1 million.

In Kelleys case, the government said Kelley filed at least four fraudulent applications for PPP loans on behalf of two defunct companiesFocused Resources LLC and IntelliNest Solutions LLCwhich he formed in October 2018 and January 2019, respectively. Neither business had monthly payroll expenses and were operational enterprises. Kelley was the sole owner of both businesses, which were registered Virginia LLCs.

The loan applications Kelley filed contained numerous false statements and certifications. For example, Kelley falsely certified that IntelliNest had more than 140 workers and paid out more than $220,000 in monthly payroll expenses. He also falsely certified that the loan proceeds would be used exclusively for eligible business expenses, federal prosecutors said in their statement of facts.

In an example cited by the government in how the funds were misused, on Feb. 22, 2021  10 days after Kelley received a second draw PPP loan for IntelliNesthe spent $9,352 of the proceeds at Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, W.Va. Then on March 2, Kelley transferred $254,377 in PPP loan funds to his personal brokerage account.

Kelley submitted a separate loan forgiveness application in each of his four PPP loan applications, resulting in the SBA completely discharging the defendants PPP loan obligations, prosecutors noted in court documents.

In addition to the PPP loan funds, Kelley filed false unemployment insurance claims with the Virginia Employment Commission throughout 2020 and 2021, claiming he was laid off as a sales manager at Focused Resources, a business the defendant solely owned. He claimed he did not apply for or receive any PPP funds.

Lastly, Kelley also submitted a false application through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program on behalf of IntelliNest, resulting in the SBA disbursing a $10,000 advance to the bank account designated by Kelley.
A Richmond man was sentenced Wednesday to serve 19 years in prison for fatally shooting an innocent party in a dispute over a stolen backpack. The victim was in the wrong place at the wrong time and had nothing to do with the events that led to his death, a Richmond prosecutor said.

In describing the series of tragic events as a cascading set of dominos the defendant could have stopped, Richmond Circuit Judge Jacqueline S. McClenney sentenced Elijah Evans, 24, to 58 years in prison with 33 suspended on his convictions of second-degree murder, maliciously discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and two counts of felony use of a firearm.

Man wrongly accused of planning Richmond mass shooting says he was attacked in jail Former Richmond police Chief Gerald Smith resigned in October under scrutiny over his public comments about the alleged mass shooting.

Angered over the theft of his backpack several days earlier, Evans fired 13 shots through the door of a Southwood Apartments unit on June 21, 2021, killing Saul Alejandro Martinez Barrera, 22. His intended target, Luis Lemus, who had taken the backpack, escaped serious injury after running inside. He was shot in a finger.

People are being shot on a daily basis, killed on a daily basis, shooting at others in broad daylight where there are children outside because of this behavior where you just act and react with firearms. Because that is your automatic go-to solution  versus calling the police or talking it out or maybe even the old-school [way] of fighting it out, Assistant Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Katherine Groover told the court in urging a active prison term of 24 years.

But now youve armed yourself, and youll do whatever it takes to [settle] your problem with that firearm, regardless of any concern for life, Groover said. And unfortunately in this case, the person whose life was taken was completely innocent.

The judge opted for punishment near the mid-point of discretionary state sentencing guidelines, which for Evans was calculated at between 14 years and one month at the low end, and 23 years and seven months at the high end. In comments from the bench, the judge used a domino analogy to describe the events that led to Barreras killing.

When, how and under what conditions to confront people in a situation either causes all the dominos to fall, or stops them, McClenney said. Unfortunately in this situation, all the dominos fell. I believe, Mr. Evans, that decisions are made in an instant. And theyre often made out of anger, frustration. But the choices to remove the domino or keep it going (can be made more difficult depending on the circumstances).

After a two-day trial in October, a Richmond jury found Evans guilty of second-degree murder, reduced from first-degree, but acquitted him of maliciously wounding Lemus.

According to the prosecutions summary of evidence, Richmond police responded about 7 p.m. to the scene of the shooting at 1429 Treehaven Drive in Southwood Apartments and discovered Barrera on the floor in a bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Soon after, police were notified that another man  later identified as Lemus  was being treated at Chippenham Hospital for a gunshot wound to his finger. Lemus told officers that he had been at the apartment with Barrera and both were shot by Evans.

Detectives later learned that several days earlier, Lemus had taken an backpack belonging to Evans that contained a gun, a passport and another form of identification. Then on June 21, 2021, Evans went to the Treehaven Drive apartment looking for Lemus and the backpack.

Lemus was outside the apartment when Evans approached him and demanded the bag. Evans was armed with a handgun and made that known to Lemus.

Lemus told Evans that the bag was inside the apartment and he would go inside and retrieve it for him. Evans was angry and asked someone on the sidewalk to call his brother.

Within a few minutes, a man Lemus believed was Evans brother grabbed Lemus by the throat. Lemus was able to break free and attempted to run into the apartment, shutting the door on Evans and the other man.

Once inside, Lemus called out to Barrera, his friend, and asked him to help hold the door because Evans and the other man were trying to push their way inside. When Barrera came to Lemus aid, Evans began shooting through the door, striking Barrera in the chest, shoulder and buttocks.

At the time of the shooting, two young girls were riding their bikes on the street outside the apartment and observed Evans fire the gun before running, Groover said in her summary. Lemus identified Evans as the shooter in a photo lineup and again at trial.

Neither Barrera nor Lemus lived at the apartment; Groover said they were hanging out with friends there.

Evans attorney, Ali Amirshahi, acknowledged in remarks to the court that Barrera was innocent and blameless. But his family knows that Luis Lemus is the one that set the train of consequences into motion that resulted in their loved ones death, the attorney said.

Im not taking away my clients responsibility for what happened, Amirshahi said. But the main point here is that he didnt start this. The person that started this is free, walking the streets  despite stealing, lying to police and lying to Mr. Evans.

How gas prices have changed in Richmond in the last week How gas prices have changed in Richmond in the last week
Months after Gov. Glenn Youngkin tapped them to work on abortion legislation, Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, and Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, filed bills to ban most of the procedures after 15 weeks of gestation.

Physicians who violate the law could be charged with a Class 4 felony  punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Delegate Kathy Byron made good on Governor Glenn Youngkins promise to try to ban abortion in Virginia by introducing this proposed legislation, said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia president Jamie Lockhart in a statement before Newmans bill was filed.

She added that the proposed ban would hurt Virginians and put politicians where they dont belong: in control of peoples private medical decisions.

In keeping with Youngkins position, Byrons bill and Newmans include exceptions for rape, incest and when the physician determines that continuing the pregnancy will result in the death of the woman or substantially and irreversibly impair one or more of such womans major bodily functions, not including psychological or emotional conditions.

Organizations that oppose abortion celebrated Byrons bill.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, thanked Byron, Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, and Youngkin in a release Wednesday.

We are ready to fight to protect babies from the pain of abortion and lawmakers will have to tell the voters where they stand, she wrote.

Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House of Delegates and Democrats hold a 22-18 edge in the state Senate after flipping a Senate seat Tuesday night in a special election in Virginia Beach.

Youngkin briefly addressed the abortion measures Wednesday nearly an hour into his State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the General Assembly.

When it comes to unborn children we can come together. We can choose life, he said.

This session I have asked the General Assembly to come together to protect life at 15 weeks, he said, asserting that is the point a baby can feel pain.

It is clear, Youngkin said, Virginians want fewer abortions, not more.

House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said this week that with divided control of the legislative chambers he does not expect substantive abortion measures to pass the legislature this year.

Youngkin named Byron and Newman to work on abortion legislation alongside Del. Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland, and Sen. Siobahn Dunnavant, R-Henrico.

The Byron and Newman bills are among a handful of measures aimed at restricting or banning abortions. With the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, which federally protected access to the procedure for 49 years, states nationwide are seeking or already enacting bans and restrictions.

All 140 legislative seats are up for election in November. Though there might not be movement on abortion restrictions this session, by 2024 there could be, pending the election results.

Thats why Democratic legislators are proposing a constitutional amendment that could protect abortion access. A proposed constitutional amendment must pass both legislative chambers in consecutive years, with an election in between before appearing as on ballots in a statewide referendum.

Such an amendment appears unlikely to pass with Republicans in control of the House. Meantime, Senate Democrats say they are holding the line to block abortion bills that clear the House.
A Republican delegate from the Fredericksburg area has proposed to eliminate Virginias personal income tax, an idea that Gov. Glenn Youngkin initially embraced as a candidate for governor two years ago.

Del. Phil Scott, R-Spotsylvania, introduced House Bill 1863 on Monday, two days before the General Assembly convened for a 46-day legislative session that will consider Youngkins budget plan to cut $1 billion in taxes on personal and corporate income.

Individual income tax accounts for 70% of the revenues that pay for core government services in the state general fund budget, but Scott wants to phase out the tax, beginning in 2025, and replace it with higher levies on sales, motor vehicles and fuels, cigarettes and the emerging marijuana market.

Like the governor, Scott thinks lowering taxes would help Virginias economic competitiveness with states, such as Florida and Tennessee, which dont have an income tax.

The first-term delegate said Wednesday that he has not discussed his proposal with Youngkin, who said in a radio interview early in his gubernatorial campaign, We are absolutely focused on not just getting our state income tax down, but how can we in fact eliminate it?

Scott quipped, Great minds think alike.

Youngkins comment initially might have hurt his credibility as a first-time state candidate, but he quickly jettisoned the idea in favor of a Day One tax-cut package two months before the election that jump-started his campaign and helped him defeat former Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Scotts proposal would phase out the income tax beginning on Jan. 1, 2025. It would raise the state sales tax in phases, beginning in 2024, from 5.3% to 9.3% by 2028; the motor vehicle sales tax by 1% a year to an additional 5% in the same period; the motor fuels tax by 5 cents per gallon each year, beginning in 2024, for an additional 25 cents per gallon by 2028; and increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

In his first year as governor, Youngkin won approval of a $4 billion tax package that raised the standard deduction by 80% for income tax filers who dont itemize deductions, exempted up to $40,000 in military retirement income over four years, repealed the state portion of the grocery tax and gave tax rebates of $250 for individuals and $500 for couples filing jointly. Senate Democrats rejected his proposals to temporarily roll back or suspend the gas tax three times.

Last month, the governor introduced a revised two-year budget that would include $1 billion in tax cuts, including raising the standard deduction to twice its previous level, lowering the retirement age for the military retirement income exemption, cutting the corporate income tax by 1% and reducing the top tax rate for personal income taxes.

Youngkin dropped attempts to suspend the gas tax or repeal the portion of the grocery tax that goes directly to local governments to help them pay for core public services.

After nine straight years of Virginians leaving the commonwealth for states with lower taxes and a lower cost of living, the governor remains focused on changes to Virginias tax code that will reverse this trend, incentivize Virginians to remain in the commonwealth, attract world-class companies to make their next investment right here, spokesperson Macaulay Porter said Wednesday.

He has put forward his plan and wants to build consensus around the plan, Porter said.

House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said no one had talked to him about eliminating the personal income tax.

We have to run state government, Knight said. We have to have a certain amount of money. If you cut money somewhere, you have to raise it somewhere else.

In an interview, Scott said the state also should compensate for income tax revenue by taxing the sale of marijuana. What we really need to do is focus on that industry, he said.

Knight predicted fierce headwinds in the Senate, controlled by Democrats, against Scotts proposal, but wouldnt say how it would fare in his committee. The House has not assigned the bill to committee yet.

If it gets here, well take a look at it, he said.

Democrats already are concerned about the regressive structure of the state income tax, which a study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission suggested last fall should be changed to ensure that people pay a tax rate that better reflects their income.

Currently, taxpayers earning more than $17,000 a year pay the top rate of 5.75%, which Youngkin wants to lower to 5.5% in the second year of the budget, if state revenues are sufficient. The governor has acknowledged that the states current income tax is essentially a flat tax for most filers.

If Virginia eliminated the personal income tax, you end up with something that is not based on income and the assets people have, said Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, co-chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Barker noted that JLARC had commended the assembly and governor for making the tax code more progressive last year by raising the standard deduction and eliminating the state portion of the grocery tax.

We need to have taxes that are transparent and equitable across the board, he said.

Scott knows his bill isnt likely to pass. This session, probably not, he said. We need to start the conversation.
The 2023 General Assembly launched Wednesday with a prayer in the House of Delegates for less.

Give us less anger and divisiveness, less pride ... less empty words, prayed the Rev. Brad Burke of the Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market.

Give us less bitterness and pettiness, he added.

It was not the usual House invocation, said Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. Though hes not a member of Burkes church, he enjoys worshiping there.

And Burkes hopes for the session are what Gilbert wants, too.

His wish list for the session, for instance, focuses on addressing the learning losses K-12 students suffered during the height of the pandemic, supporting teachers and police and providing tax relief for Virginians.

I would hope that everyone would agree on putting more money back in Virginians pockets, Gilbert said.

Democrats are likely to battle on that last issue, as Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said Virginia has too many unmet meets to go along with Gov. Glenn Youngkins $1 billion tax relief program.

But while Gilbert complained that Democrats want to fight culture wars this session, the House GOP caucus priorities list did not include one longstanding flash point. It said nothing about limiting the access to abortion now provided in Virginia law.

I can count to 21 and 51, Gilbert said, referring to the numbers needed for majorities in the Senate and in the House.

During the several recesses that always mark the Assemblys first day, as the House and state Senate get organized, House Republicans and Democrats ambled across the chambers aisle to chat with one another.

Were friends, said House Appropriations Committee chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, lounging in one of the armchairs in the back of the camber with his predecessor, Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William.

We worked together when he was my chairman, Knight said. And we work together now that Im his.

Absolutely, Torian agreed, as his Virginia Beach colleague teased about their similar watches and dissimilar cars.

A few yards away, Del Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, sat in earnest conversation with two 2nd Amendment Republicans, Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell, and seatmate Del. James Edmunds, R-Halifax.

I think its fair to say that he and Edmunds have sharply different views on gun rights than Filler-Corn, Fariss said.

But the two wanted to hear what Filler-Corn had to say about her proposal to require all firearms sold in Virginia beginning in 2025 to be microstamp-enabled so that they would stamp unique ID codes onto cartridge casings when the gun is fired. Filler-Corn says that would allow police to link a gun with a crime, even if the gun had not been left at the scene of the crime.

I was very impressed, Edmunds said.

I think its a way to do something about gun violence, and thats something every Virginian can get behind, Fariss said.

Filler-Corn said that kind of conversation across the partisan divide happens more often than outsiders think.

And, she said, it is how people start from different points of view to find common ground on ways to help Virginians.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin used his annual state of the state speech Wednesday to push back against Democrats resistance to his proposed $1 billion in additional tax relief and his call for new limits on abortion.

And, raising a new concern, he called on the General Assembly to bar Chinese Communist Party-affiliated enterprises from buying Virginia farmland.

After the speech, Youngkin, an economic development enthusiast, said Virginia passed on a proposed Ford plant that would have incorporated Chinese battery technology and that he said would have acted as a front for China.

Virginias tax rates now are holding the states economy back, he said.

The writing on the wall couldnt be more simple  the people of Virginia are overtaxed, he told a joint session of lawmakers in the House chamber on the first day of the 46-day session.

Its their money, not the governments, and they are voting with their feet and their wallets.

He said his $1 billion of tax cuts  a cut in the top individual income rate, an increase in the standard deduction, as well as business tax cuts  on top of last years $4 billion of cuts, would save a typical family more than $1,900.

Youngkin, kicking off his second year in office, will try to get measures passed in a divided legislature. Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House of Delegates. Democrats now hold a 22-18 edge in the state Senate after picking up a seat in Hampton Roads in a special election Tuesday night. All 140 legislative seats are up for election in November.

House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, said Youngkins proposed tax cuts are a nonstarter because of years of underfunding of key public services, from schools to public safety to mental health.

I think the speech shows he is a very stubborn man, Scott said, adding that the election Tuesday of Aaron Rouse, in a Hampton Roads state Senate district that Youngkin had carried strongly, shows that Virginians are rejecting his stance on abortion.

Although Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, has said the split between a Republican-led House and the Democratic state Senate means any substantive abortion legislation is unlikely in 2023, Youngkin called for action during his speech.

When it comes to unborn children, we can come together, he said. We can choose life ... I have asked the General Assembly to protect life at 15 weeks, he said, asserting that is the point when a baby can feel pain.

Youngkin called on legislators to put aside partisan differences, but as is usual for state of the commonwealth speeches, almost all his applause lines drew standing ovations only from his own party.

Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, was unswayed by Youngkins call for bipartisan support for his program.

The speech should have started once upon a time,  Saslaw said.

Youngkin also said that if it reaches his desk he would sign legislation making the sale of drugs that resulted in the death of a user felony homicide, as well as a measure to bar tech companies from selling data of minors.

For schools, he asked the General Assembly to support his request for expanding Virginias reading specialists to fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms, as well as for math specialists for struggling schools.

We must teach our children all of our history, the good and the bad, he said, touching on a subject where he and Democrats have been at loggerheads.

With his program on workforce development, his proposals to prepare business-ready sites for businesses moving to Virginia or expanding here, and his proposed tax cuts, Youngkin said its time to press the accelerator. Virginians dont have time for political posturing or foot dragging.

They want results now. Not next year, but now.
Mexico and Canada discuss indigenous and economic matters at X Summit

Mexico City, Mexico  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador affirmed that Mexico and Canada strengthened their relationship through talks and joint work during the visit with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

We are neighbors, friends, and we are working together, Lopez Obrador said Wednesday. After the bilateral meeting with the Canadian government, he announced that economic and energy issues were discussed.

He stressed that Canadian investment in Mexico is growing like never before, one of which is a gas pipeline that is under construction in the Gulf of Mexico.

It is a large investment and it is very important because it will mean supplying gas to the southeast, he said.

President Lopez Obrador, Prime Minister Trudeau and their entourage also addressed the operation of Canadian mining companies and companies in the electricity sector.

In this regard, Lopez Obrador said that we are also seeking to resolve problems, differences, which logically arise when it comes to these economic and commercial relations, and also in boom times, such as the current one.

He reaffirmed the commitment with Prime Minister Trudeau to meet with representatives of companies that have pending issues with the Government of Mexico, adding that we are always open to dialogue.

He stated that migration and recognition of native peoples were also priority issues on the agenda.

The leaders of Mexico and Canada served as honorary witnesses of the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) and the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

The document was signed by the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon and the Minister of Foreign Relations, Melanie Joly.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your very warm welcome. () We are, both countries, progressive, who respect opportunity, justice, equality for all, jobs for the middle class and those who strive to unite, environmental protection and support for indigenous peoples at the center of our vision for each of our countries, and that puts it at the center of our vision for a more prosperous North America as well, Trudeau said during the X Summit meeting in Mexico City.

He stressed that in recent years, economic and business ties have been consolidated, which will seek to increase by virtue of the friendship and alliance that both nations maintain.
Rideshare company Uber legally authorized to offer services in Cancun

Cancun, Q.R.  The rideshare company Uber has been given a green light to operate in Cancun after years of legal battles. On Wednesday, the Third Collegiate Court of the Judiciary of the Federation determined that since the company is a public service and not private, it can operate without the need for a concession.

During the Wednesday hearing, hundreds of taxi drivers across the state readied to react to the official outcome of the legal battle that has been ongoing since 2016.

Quintana Roo taxi drivers have continually referred to Uber as unfair competition and demanded that they require a concession to be able to operate, the same concession taxi drivers have to obtain to be able to operate.

However on Wednesday, a Cancun judge ruled in favor of Uber being able to legally operate across the state. With Cancun, the rideshare service is now available in 66 cities across Mexico.
 Flash

A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to provide more targeted support and assistance for peace and sustainable development in West Africa and the Sahel.

West Africa and the Sahel has made important achievements in maintaining common security, restoring socio-economic development, and strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the face of the complex and severe international and regional situation, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Strategically located and rich in energy resources, the region has great development potential. The international community and the Security Council should gain a deeper understanding of the difficult challenges and real needs of the countries in the region, make great efforts to address the root causes, and provide more targeted support and assistance for regional peace and sustainable development, he told the Security Council.

He called for more vigorous support for regional cooperation so as to build a collective security shield.

"China supports regional countries in strengthening the concept of security community, deepening communication and coordination on security affairs, advancing the construction of regional joint anti-terrorism forces and other security mechanisms, and strive to enhance their capacity in maintaining stability and fighting terrorism," said Dai. "The international community, especially traditional partners, should maintain their investment in regional security and provide greater support to the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger) and other front-line countries in the areas of funding, equipment, intelligence and logistical supplies to build a solid defense against terrorism."

Dai also asked for more vigorous support for political consultation and dialogue so as to maintain the overall situation of peace and stability in the region.

This year, a number of countries in the region will have election agendas. China hopes that the political forces of the countries concerned will strengthen dialogue, forge consensus, and steadily advance their political agendas so as to make positive contributions to the stable development of their countries, he said.

There is a need for more vigorous support for regional development in order to build a firm foundation for long-term peace and security. Developed countries should fulfill their development assistance commitments and increase financial and technical support in poverty reduction, infrastructure, food security and climate change, he said.

As a good brother and partner of African countries, China has always stood firmly with countries in West Africa and the Sahel and is willing to contribute to regional peace, stability, unity and self-improvement, he said.
Seventh former Mexico City government official arrested for espionage

Mexico City, Mexico  The Mexico City Attorney Generals Office has captured a seventh person accused of being a spy in the Sterling Case. On Wednesday, authorities in Mexico City arrested Jorge N from city streets.

He is the seventh former official of the Mexico City government to be charged in the espionage network. He was picked up Wednesday on an outstanding arrest warrant. Six others before him, all also former government officials, have already been arrested and charged.

The seven arrested so far are being charged with espionage after an investigation, which began in 2020, lead authorities to learn a group of 30 former government officials acted as spies. They are accused of spying via wiretapping and the interception of messages and emails in the active monitoring of political figures and journalists.

Among those spied on are the current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and the current head of Government of CDMX, Claudia Sheinbaum.
State to promote Maya Train project at upcoming tourism fair

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Governor Mara Lezama says the state will promote the Maya Train project during the upcoming International Tourism Fair (FITUR). She says the project will be promoted to attract more investment, employment and development opportunities in Quintana Roo.

At the most important tourism fair in the world we will present one of the most important projects which will bring great benefits of mobility, tourism and visibility to the Mayan world, generating well-being and prosperity in the Mexican southeast regions of the state that need it most, she said.

Lezama, along with Javier May, the General Director of the National Tourism Fund (FONATUR), met to review the trains construction progress as well as the details to promote the project to Spanish businessmen, tour operators and tourism professionals.

The Maya Train, which she says is one of the most important projects of the Government of Mexico, will interconnect the main cities and tourist areas of five states in the southeast of the country and will allow the mobility of tourists, visitors and inhabitants.

The International Tourism Fair (FITUR) runs from January 18 to 22.
Two Americans who arrived at Cancun International charged with illegal possession

Cancun, Q.R.  Two Americans caught entering the country with illegal items in their luggage have been charged. On Wednesday, the Public Ministry of the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) in Quintana Roo announced the charges.

According to the agency, two people of American nationality have been formally charged with entering Mexico with a gun and ammunition. Both arrests were made in separate incidences.

American Abby S from California was detained at the Cancun International Airport after landing on a flight from Salt Lake City. During a luggage inspection, she was found in possession of a 9mm caliber squad-type firearm inside her suitcase and three stocked magazines of the same caliber.

A second American, Riker G, was arrested in Terminal Three of the Cancun International Airport after landing on a flight coming from Austin, Texas. An x-ray of his luggage revealed a stocked magazine with eleven 5.56 mm caliber cartridges.

It is illegal to bring guns or cartridges into Mexico or to be in possession of them without a permit. Both remain imprisoned at the CERESO in the City of Cancun.

Kristi D was arrested and charged after being found entering Mexico with gun at Cancun International

Last week, American Kristi D was charged with entering the country with a handgun after airport agents located it in her luggage. In December, American Ellijah Q was taken into custody from terminal three.

He was arrested at the Cancun International Airport after authorities located a 9 mm pistol inside his suitcase with a stocked magazine.
Police charged a 51-year-old man with murder Wednesday night after another man was shot and killed in northwest Roanoke.

The fatal shooting is the second reported by city police this year. The last gun-related homicide occurred Jan. 8 on 30th Street Northwest.

At about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Roanoke police were summoned by a 911 call about a person with a gunshot wound to the 2300 block of Delaware Avenue Northwest in the Villa Heights neighborhood, the department said in a press release Thursday.

Officers found an unresponsive adult male with what appeared to be a critical gunshot wound inside a residence, police said. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel pronounced him dead.

Officers also located another man, Marcus De Leon Williamson, of Roanoke, on the scene. He matched the description of a suspect, police said.

Williamson engaged in a brief physical altercation with police before he was arrested and taken to the Roanoke police department to talk to detectives.

The victim of the fatal shooting has not been identified by police, who said they will share his name after his family is properly notified.

No further details can be shared at this time and this remains an ongoing homicide investigation, the police press release concluded.

Williamson is being held at the Roanoke City Jail without bond.
Heres a nugget of news thats received little if any attention so far. Its about some recent changes to the board that governs elections in Roanoke. That three-person panel is known as the Roanoke City Electoral Board.

Each county and city in Virginia has one. Appointed members serve staggered three-year terms. When Virginias governor is a Republican, there are two Republicans on each local electoral board, and vice-versa when the governors a Democrat.

Local political parties choose board nominees, and customarily, the chief judge of the localitys circuit court rubber-stamps the nominees to formalize their appointments.

Thats how Republican Al Bedrosian became the newest face on the Roanoke City Electoral Board. He was sworn in late in December. His term began Jan. 1. And his name might be a familiar one.

From 2014 to 2017, Bedrosian served on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, representing the Hollins District (Bedrosian moved to the Deyerle section of Roanoke about 18 months ago). One could say he gained a measure of notoriety before winning that seat and with certain statements and actions once he was installed into office.

For example, as a supervisor, Bedrosian once opined to this newspaper that if the decision was left to him, only Christian prayers would be allowed to open Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meetings.

When someone once offered a Hindu invocation in advance of a May 2017 board meeting, Bedrosian stayed seated while everybody else in the room stood.

Agree with the snub or not, it seemed perfectly consistent with an essay Bedrosian penned for this newspaper in 2007, under the headline Christianity is Americas true faith.

That ended with: The name Jesus is what makes us a Christian people and a Christian nation. This is why we must continue our heritage as a Christian nation and remove all other gods.

The Hindu prayer wasnt the only time Bedrosian refused to stand for a board of supervisors invocation.

The other occasion happened when then-pastor Joe Cobb of the Metropolitan Community Church was invited to offer the prayer. The MCCs a Christian denomination that welcomes gay, transgender people and bisexuals. (Cobb, whos gay, was subsequently elected to the Roanoke City Council, on which he still serves.)

In that case, according to Cobb, Bedrosian approached him before the invocation and informed Cobb he would not be standing because Bedrosian doesnt approve of the homosexual lifestyle.

Everyone in the room stood except him, Cobb told me Wednesday.

Though most of Bedrosians positions as supervisor hewed toward far-right conservatism and libertarianism, it wasnt until President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021 that Bedrosian dipped his toes into the movement we now call election denialism.

That occurred during a Jan. 26, 2021 podcast with former Roanoke Tea Party leader Greg Aldridge. They recorded it five days after Biden moved into the White House and 20 days after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Heres what Bedrosian said at 14:36 of that show, which was still on YouTube Wednesday:

In years past, I think there have been a lot of elections that have been frauded elections. They just put [in] the person they want. Never before in the history of America do I remember seeing a million people come to Washington because they are not happy about the fraud.

Not that anything was done, because it just seemed, like pushed over, Bedrosian said. But we are not dumb anymore. Our eyes are open to an extent.

Wednesday when I asked Bedrosian about that statement, he said he doesnt recall the podcast with perfect clarity.

So I read him the quote from the 2021 podcast, and Bedrosian, 61, attempted to walk back his use of the term fraud. (Thats understandable, because having an election denier on the citys electoral board does not exactly inspire confidence in future elections.)

I think the [election] system is definitely broken, Bedrosian said. There are so many inconsistencies.

Bedrosian added that it goes back years, to the Kennedy and Johnson elections. The Kennedy-Nixon race in 1960 was a nail-biter thats fueled suspicions for decades. But the 1964 election of Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater wasnt even close. Johnson ran away with it, with 61% of the vote. And both Nixon and Goldwater conceded.

The other interesting thing about Bedrosians appointment was that few people in Roanokes government seemed aware of it Wednesday. One reason may be that the city of Roanoke hasnt yet changed its website to reflect the change. Last years board members are still listed on the website.

I just learned about it from you, Cobb told me Wednesday. I have concerns that [Bedrosian] will have a clear, objective and fair perspective.

He wasnt the only one. Another was City Councilman Peter Volosin, elected in November. (Like Cobb, Volosins a Democrat.)

It is unfortunate that Mr. Bedrosian has been appointed to the electoral board after expressing his view that I think there have been a lot of elections that have been frauded elections, Volosin said.

I hope that he can focus on the facts, that our elections are free and fair, and put aside debunked claims of election fraud in past elections. He will soon find out on the electoral board that there are many policies and procedures to ensure Roanoke City elections are fair.

Stay tuned.
Correction Jan. 12, 2023, 6:30 p.m.: The originally published version of this article, which has been updated, incorrectly reported a projected revenue increase in the upcoming fiscal year as a budget surplus. The article also incorrectly reported the connection between enrollment averages and expenditures.

Roanoke City Public Schools officials are expecting to go into the 2023-24 school year with an increase in revenue, despite a projected drop in student enrollment.

According to Kathleen Jackson, the school divisions chief financial officer, the increase is currently expected to hover somewhere around $5 million, though that number could vary depending on what enrollment estimate is used while budgeting for the upcoming school year.

Jackson said that, from the previous school year to this one, the district saw an enrollment decline of 96 students. However, the Virginia Department of Education estimates the school divisions enrollment decline for 2023-24 to be 275 students.

Im not sure where that estimate comes from, Jackson said. We may use a more local estimate for funding predictions, and of course, using local estimates is fairly common.

However, even if a drop occurs at the level predicted by the states department of education, Jackson said that she would still expect a revenue increase from the city and state.

If we were to expect that big a dip, it would be substantial, but we would still see a year-over-year increase, just a more modest one.

All Virginia school districts are required to approve budgets for the upcoming school year no later than April, and Jackson said that, between now and the deadline, the revenue estimate may increase as the district receives new guidelines from the state legislature.
A familys dog died in a house fire in northwest Roanoke Thursday morning, and now the residents are displaced.

Crews responded to the blaze in the 5500 block of Green Ridge Road Northwest at 6:55 a.m., the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department said in a press release.

The first units on scene found heavy fire and black smoke on the rear side of the home, the department said.

Crews from the Salem Fire and EMS Department also responded to the scene, and the fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes.

Rachel Hale, fire department public information officer, said at about 10:15 a.m. that units had completed their work and cleared the scene.

No residents or firefighters sustained injuries during the incident, but one dog perished in the fire, the department said.

The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced family, whose home is a total loss, according to estimates from the Fire Marshals Office.

Officials have determined that the fire was an accident.
RICHMOND  A state commission investigating the 2019 mass shooting in Virginia Beach hopes to review any useful information gleaned from a laptop allegedly found in the gunmans condo.

Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, who previously announced that the laptop had come into her possession, told the group at its Wednesday meeting in Richmond that she was unable to help. The Virginia Beach Democrat said the laptop was given to the Department of Justice.

Her lawyer, Joseph Sherman, in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot later clarified that he had planned to send the laptop to the DOJs Civil Rights Division prior to the start of the General Assemblys session, but decided to wait because of the volume of people calling to provide more information.

Sherman took the blame for the breakdown in communication, saying he didnt want to mention new developments to Convirs-Fowler while she was preparing for the first day of the legislative session.

Sherman said their intent is to provide a compelling package of evidence, which Convirs-Fowler has been compiling for years, to take to the Civil Rights Division along with the laptop. Theyre inviting those with information about the workplace culture within the city government to come forward.

The laptop is secured off site, Sherman said, and neither he nor Convirs-Fowler have made further efforts to verify its authenticity.

The investigations performed by the city leave a lot to be desired from the stakeholders, and so were seeking an honest review of the factors contributing to the murders, and thats going to require someone to investigate the city, its culture, its workplace environment, and perceived or actual systemic failures, Sherman said. The federal government represents the most powerful protector of civil rights, and it can exercise its authority to help this community.

(Convirs-Fowlers) constituency wants more transparency and less obstruction on behalf of the city into determining why the murderer felt motivated to attack his managers and superiors.

Sherman said the attorney for the victims families, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, has not formally requested the laptop beyond asking that it be turned over to his client, Debbie Borato, the sister of shooting victim Michelle Missy Langer.

Convirs-Fowler told the commission she gave a copy of the laptops contents to Fairfax, which he confirmed last week.

A copy of it is in the hands of the attorney representing the families  so if a copy is wanted by this commission, I suggest reaching out to the families or the attorney, she said.

Convirs-Fowler told the commission Wednesday she had no other information to provide.

For my own safety, I want to make it clear that I do not have this laptop (anymore), she said. Ive had people come to my home  I am getting threats on Facebook, on messenger.

Ryant Washington, the commission chair, said the group was not in the position to demand the device but would send a letter appealing for information.

David Cariens, another commission member, said he had serious concerns about the laptops previous whereabouts.

If I recall correctly, the Virginia Beach police, when they did the search of the shooters condo, said they found no laptop, he said. So this is a major question  why did it turn up now? Who had it?

Cariens said he would like to review the Virginia Beach polices inventory of everything found during their search of the condo, as well as any photographs taken by investigators.

Borato, a Florida resident, obtained the shooters Virginia Beach condo following a wrongful death lawsuit against the administrator of his estate. She and her friend, Beth Mann, said they initially found the laptop on Nov. 22 while they were cleaning the condo preparing for its sale. With Boratos permission, Mann turned the laptop over to Convirs-Fowler.

Convirs-Fowler is one of two legislators who pushed to create the commission, which is tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the tragedy.

The gunman, a disgruntled city employee, fatally shot 12 people May 31, 2019, at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center before he was killed by police.
RICHMOND  Gov. Glenn Youngkin used his annual state of the state speech Wednesday to push back against Democrats' resistance to his proposed $1 billion in additional tax relief and his call for new limits on abortion.

And, raising a new concern, he called on the General Assembly to bar Chinese Communist Party-affiliated enterprises from buying Virginia farmland.

After the speech, Youngkin, an economic development enthusiast, said Virginia passed on a proposed Ford plant that would have incorporated Chinese battery technology and that he said would have acted as a front for China.

Virginia's tax rates now are holding the state's economy back, he said.

"The writing on the wall couldn't be more simple  the people of Virginia are overtaxed," he told a joint session of lawmakers in the House chamber on the first day of the 46-day session.

"It's their money, not the government's, and they are voting with their feet and their wallets."

He said his $1 billion of tax cuts  a cut in the top individual income rate, an increase in the standard deduction, as well as business tax cuts  on top of last year's $4 billion of cuts, would save a typical family more than $1,900.

Youngkin, kicking off his second year in office, will try to get measures passed in a divided legislature. Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House of Delegates. Democrats now hold a 22-18 edge in the state Senate after picking up a seat in Hampton Roads in a special election Tuesday night. All 140 legislative seats are up for election in November.

House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, said Youngkin's proposed tax cuts are a nonstarter because of years of underfunding of key public services, from schools to public safety to mental health.

"I think the speech shows he is a very stubborn man," Scott said, adding that the election Tuesday of Aaron Rouse, in a Hampton Roads state Senate district that Youngkin had carried strongly, shows that Virginians are rejecting his stance on abortion.

Although Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, has said the split between a Republican-led House and the Democratic state Senate means any substantive abortion legislation is unlikely in 2023, Youngkin called for action during his speech.

"When it comes to unborn children, we can come together," he said. "We can choose life ... I have asked the General Assembly to protect life at 15 weeks," he said, asserting that is "the point when a baby can feel pain."

Youngkin called on legislators to put aside partisan differences, but as is usual for state of the commonwealth speeches, almost all his applause lines drew standing ovations only from his own party.

Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, was unswayed by Youngkin's call for bipartisan support for his program.

"The speech should have started 'once upon a time,' " Saslaw said.

Youngkin also said that if it reaches his desk he would sign legislation making the sale of drugs that resulted in the death of a user felony homicide, as well as a measure to bar tech companies from selling data of minors.

For schools, he asked the General Assembly to support his request for expanding Virginia's reading specialists to 4th and 5th grade classrooms, as well as for math specialists for struggling schools

"We must teach our children all of our history, the good and the bad," he said, touching on a subject where he and Democrats have been at loggerheads.

With his program on workforce development, his proposals to prepare business-ready sites for businesses moving to Virginia or expanding here, and his proposed tax cuts, Youngkin said "it's time to press the accelerator. Virginians don't have time for political posturing or foot dragging.

"They want results now. Not next year, but now."
 Flash

Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues.

Hundreds of nurses wearing red hats continued to line both sides of Madison Avenue near the entrance of Mount Sinai Hospital on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, another smaller group of nurses rallied at the 5th Avenue on another side of Mount Sinai Hospital complex.

Nurses called for more nurses and enforcement of safe staffing requirements while complaining heft salaries and bonuses for management of the hospitals.

Minna Scott, a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Xinhua, "99 percent of nurses have voted to authorize the strike and we're all out here rallying on the street."

Mount Sinai is a private hospital, so it is not under the laws of the New York State to enforce any of the labor laws including that on staffing ratio, according to Scott.

Currently, there are over 500 vacancies of nurses and nurses have to work overtime because of short staffing, said Scott.

"Every day there are more nurses leaving the hospital, not only because they are tired, not because they have enough, but because they are refusing to practice under unsafe labor," added Scott.

"Nurses do not get paid enough. The head of this hospital, according to the Internal Revenue Service, makes 12,437,000 dollars a year. Sure, they could support the nurses and give them raises," said Lorraine Skeen, a retired teacher, who came out in solidarity with nurses.

It's reported that around 7,000 nurses from the two hospitals joined the strike while Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West reached a tentative agreement with the state nursing union on a new contract Sunday with a strike avoided.

The strike will continue until agreements can be reached and the key sticking point in negotiations is making sure there are enough nurses at the bedside to safely care for patients, said a release by the New York State Nurses Association on Wednesday.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  District 63 Rep. Jay Jordans top priorities in this legislative session are abortion restrictions, workforce development and law and order.

Jordan, an attorney from Florence, has represented District 63 since 2015.

The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down the states ban on abortion after six weeks, ruling the restriction violates a state constitutional right to privacy.

The Supreme Courts 3-2 decision comes nearly two years after Gov. Henry McMaster signed the Heartbeat bill into law. The ban after cardiac activity was detected included exceptions for pregnancies by rape or incest or pregnancies that endanger patients life. It immediately drew lawsuits.

The legislature must address pro-life issues, Jordan said during a Jan 9 meeting with the media at the state Capitol.

South Carolina has a history of being an incredibly pro-life state. We will have to take up that issue and create a law that is constitutional, but also protects life as effectively as we can, Jordan said.

Attention has been focused on the abortion issue since June 24, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, a landmark ruling that made access to an abortion a federal right in the United States for 50 years. Many states, including South Carolina, had trigger laws in place that went into effect when Roe V. Wade was overturned.

I think Heartbeat was a very good bill that put a good clear legal line on when life begins. When the heartbeat is detected, Jordan said.

Now, the state legislature will look at other legislation to restrict abortion and follow the rights guaranteed in the states Consitution.

I think there will be a tremendous appetite within the House and the Senate to address the issue, Jordan said. We have essentially reverted back to the Pain Capable Act that was the prior legislation deal, and now we have taken several steps backwards. Workforce development also is priority for Jordan. Workforce development will help South Carolinas economy to keep growing, the Florence representative said.

We have had tremendous success in South Carolina with economic development, particularly in Florence, and in my mind the next step of that progress is workforce development. Great new industries are coming to the state and the region. We need to make sure that the people are prepared to engage in these industries that are coming, Jordan said.

Workforce development means Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University need funding to invest in campus buildings and prepare students for the jobs that are coming to Florence and South Carolina. It will require collaboration among universities, technical colleges and school districts to ensure prepare students for the workforce.

Jordan said he also want to make sure law enforcement is adequately funded, along with bond reform and other law and order bills.

We need bond reform because for too long we are having people who keep getting in trouble with the law and get out on bond and then commit another crime, but this is not an easy issue. Justice is probably the hardest thing we tackle here, he said.

Fentanyl is another big problem in the state. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. It is 50 times stronger than heroin. It is a major cause of fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses in the United States.

It is a terrible drug, Jordan said. The government needs to fully understand how dangerous it is and determine ways to fight it from a law standpoint.

Besides those issues, we need to make sure our law enforcement has the resources and tools they need to defend us, he said.
Rev. A.J. Malone, of New St. James Baptist Church, along with the church's Praise team gets the crowd moving with uplifting music at the start of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 in Central Park.
The San Antonio Food Banks Mobile Mercado (seen here) appears this week at the Seguin Public Library with free produce and information for attendees.
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 Prison Journalism Project taking a deep dive into "The Graying of Americas Prisons" | Main | US Sentencing Commissions publishes proposed guideline amendments and issues for comment 

I keep noting this post from earlier this year discussing the Council of Criminal Justice's impressive Task Force on Long Sentences. That Task Force keeps producing all sorts of interesting documents about long sentences (see prior posts here and here), and this latest report is authored by Avinash Bhati and titled "The Public Safety Impact of Shortening Lengthy Prison Terms." This press release about the report provides this background and some particulars:

Shortening Illinois prison sentences of 10 years or more by modest amounts would result in very few additional arrests, cutting the state prison population significantly without jeopardizing public safety, according to a new analysis for a Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) task force.

Reducing lengthy prison terms by as much as 30% would result in a virtually undetectable increase (less than one tenth of one percent) in annual arrests statewide, according to the report for CCJs Task Force on Long Sentences, which was produced in partnership with the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC). Most additional arrests would be for drug, property, and other nonviolent crimes.

More than 1,100 people were released from Illinois prisons during the three-year study period, after serving a decade or more; the group served an average of nearly 19 years. While any additional arrests are cause for concern, the research estimates that reducing prison time served by those in the study group by one, two, or three years would result in between 11 and 37 additional arrests; in 2020, there were 89,173 total index crime and drug arrests in Illinois. No individual in the study group was estimated to have more than one additional arrest....

The research was conducted by the data analytics firm Maxarth LLC, which analyzed detailed arrest history data for the 1,127 people released from Illinois prisons between June 2016 and June 2019. For those who had served 10 years or more, researchers then created microsimulations to estimate the number of arrests that were averted due to the individuals long prison stays. (Details on the calculations and analysis can be found in the report methodology.)

Reductions in the size of the prison population, the analysis found, would range from a 2.4% drop if prison terms were trimmed by 10% (or 1.9 years), to a 7.2% cut if sentences were shortened by 30% (or 5.7 years). Such reductions represent potential cost savings. A separate 2021 analysis by SPAC found that a 3,000-person reduction in the average daily prison population, along with a reduction in staffing, could represent nearly $148 million in annual state correctional appropriations. Saltmarsh said that while these reductions in and of themselves would not automatically produce cost savings for Illinois, they could lead legislators to make different choices about how to fund IDOCs general operations.
 "Just for Kids? How the Youth Decarceration Discourse Endorses Adult Incarceration" | Main | Council on Criminal Justice releases Illinois analysis of "The Public Safety Impact of Shortening Lengthy Prison Terms" 

January 11, 2023

Prison Journalism Project taking a deep dive into "The Graying of Americas Prisons"

The Prison Journalism Project, which aspires to bring "transparency to the world of mass incarceration from the inside and training incarcerated writers to be journalists," this week is debuting a new "special project on Americas graying prison system." This introductory article is fully titled "The Graying of Americas Prisons: In a first-of-its-kind project, PJP contributors chronicle the now ubiquitous experience of growing old behind bars." This article starts, and sets the tone for the special project, in this way (links from the original):

Prison makes an awful elderly care facility, yet more prisons are rapidly becoming just that. Thanks in large part to longer prison sentences and decreasing rates of parole, the number of incarcerated people 55 and older has climbed from 48,000 to 160,000 over the last two decades. In 2019, this age cohort made up 63% of state prison deaths for the first time since figures were tracked, according to the most recent data available. Thats why Prison Journalism Project is debuting a special project on Americas graying prison system. Over the coming weeks, well publish stories every Tuesday and Thursday from incarcerated writers that chronicle different facets of growing old behind bars. We will collect the stories below as they appear on the website. Eric Finley brings us the first essay in the series, in which he explains the explosion of older people inside the Florida Department of Corrections. In the weeks to come, writers Mithrellas Curtis and Chanell Burnette will share stories on the legal battle for adequate senior health care inside their Virginia prison.

January 11, 2023 at 06:05 PM | Permalink

Comments

Legislators and conservative pundits failed to consider the effects of lengthy prison sentences when legislatures passed "hard-on-crime" bills in the 90s. We now have a growing population of incarcerated geriatrics that require greater medical care which costs taxpayers millions of dollars. State legislatures must pass laws reducing criminal penalties for non-violent and violent crimes. A life sentence should only be reserved for murder and LWOP only for a particularly gruesome murder.

Posted by: Anon | Jan 12, 2023 10:47:43 PM

Post a comment
H&M Malaysia has filed a police report amid concerns that footage from hidden cameras in changing rooms in its Kuala Lumpur stores was being sold online.

Our customers safety is of utmost importance to us. All findings about the recent concerns about hidden cameras in H&M fitting rooms to date have been reported to the police, and investigations are currently ongoing, the clothing retail chain wrote in a statement shared on Twitter.

Local media had earlier reported on allegations that footage from hidden cameras inside changing rooms at the retail chains stores were being sold online.

In response to recent concerns about hidden cameras in H&M fitting rooms, we have conducted an inspection of the fitting rooms in all H&M stores in Malaysia and are working to ensure that there are no security breaches that will compromise the privacy of our customers, H&M Malaysias statement further said.

On social media, the retail chain faced outrage. Several consumers accused H&M Malaysia of being negligent. Many others demanded the company be sued by victims.

Someone should file a case against your company. Especially with this acknowledgement of your negligence, wrote one user.

Some consumers have also threatened to boycott the retail chain.

Assistant police commissioner Noor Dellhan Yahaya said the security manager of one of the outlets on Jalan Imbi, a major road in capital Kuala Lumpur, made a report on Monday afternoon after seeing a message about the video being circulated on WhatsApp.

An 11-second video from the hidden camera was uploaded to Twitter, he said in a statement on the platform on Monday.

H&M Malaysia says it has inspected fitting rooms at all its stores in Malaysia, as police probe claims of a hidden camera in a fitting room of a mall KL.



"We are working to ensure that there are no security breaches that will compromise the privacy of our customers," H&M said. https://t.co/mNfQ9lLTbq pic.twitter.com/MeU2rHjkN6  BFM News (@NewsBFM) January 12, 2023

We sent our personnel there to investigate and could not find the camera. We believe it happened at another location.

Story continues

But I want to assure the public that we are taking this matter seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice, he added.

The statement has since been deleted.

The issue was first highlighted by Twitter user @meleisgw on 8 January. She later posted an update in which the victim claimed to have recognised herself in the video.

The victim also said the recording might have been taken in October last year.
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Five civilians have been confirmed dead and some sustained injuries as a blast rocked the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.

"A blast took place on a road leading to foreign ministry at around 04:00 a.m. local time today, (and) unfortunately, claimed five lives of civilians and injured few others," Zadran told Xinhua.

The official said an investigation had been initiated, without providing more details.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier, some media outlets reported 20 dead in the blast. However, Zadran rejected the report, saying "five of our civilian compatriots were martyred and few more injured in the blast."
SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man who fled from police has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for illegal possession of a gun.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rimmer led Sioux City police officers attempting to perform a traffic stop on a pursuit before his vehicle became disabled. He then fled on foot and an officer observed him holding a black object in his hand. Rimmer was arrested after scuffling with officers. Police found a handgun on the path Rimmer had fled. The firearm was listed as stolen.
SIOUX CITY  Western Iowa Community College announced Wednesday morning it received a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

According to Western Iowa Tech, the federal money is intended to: help retain arts and sciences students, improve pathways to four-year schools, promote a culture of equity and train employees on matters of equity, diversity and inclusion.

The grant is expected to cover a five-year stretch and the initial time period will involve hiring additional staff to aid in the retention plan. Western Iowa Tech also said there would be a greater focus on the retention of minority students.

Following that phase, Western Iowa Tech said it plans to focus on the fostering of a "culture of equity by funding a Center for Diversity Enrichment within the college." Such a center would include student and community resources.

"By improving the Colleges cultural competency as well as retention and completion through the grant, WITCC will build a campus where every learner is supported, provide degrees to more students, and ultimately increase educational attainment in our community," the school said.
SIOUX CITY  Although COVID-19 transmission remains "low" in Woodbury County, the number of tests coming back positive for the virus is on the rise, according to the most recent report from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The data, which was last updated on Tuesday, shows 95 positive COVID-19 tests in the county, which is up from 84 positive tests reported on Jan. 3 and 74 positive tests reported on Dec. 27.

COVID-19 is circulating in the community, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which generally causes mild cold-like symptoms, influenza and other respiratory viruses.

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa reported 243 cases of RSV in Iowa from Dec. 25 to 31, down from 840 cases and 1,205 cases the previous two weeks. Overall state-wide flu activity was "high," according to the respiratory virus surveillance report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID Data Tracker rates Woodbury County's COVID-19 community transmission level as low. That level was calculated on Jan. 5 using data from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3.

A new subvariant of omicron now accounts for more than 27% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the CDC. The dominant variant, BQ.1.1, currently accounts for just over 34% of the cases.

When community transmission is low, the CDC recommends that individuals stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. Wearing a mask is advised on public transportation and when a person has symptoms, tests positive for the virus, or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The CDC says individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
On this version of Hot off the Wire:

 Local Republican leaders in New York are calling for the immediate resignation of their new GOP congressman George Santos. Santos is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family heritage.

 Planes were stuck on the ground for hours across the United States on Wednesday, leading to thousands of canceled and delayed flights after a government system used to give pilots safety and other information broke down overnight.

 Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been released from a hospital in Buffalo after his doctors said they completed a series of tests a little over a week after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati.

 The first lady's office says Jill Biden's surgery to remove a potentially cancerous lesion above her right eye is proceeding well and as expected.

 Around 25,000 U.K. ambulance workers have gone on strike as they walked out for the second time since December in an ongoing dispute with the government over pay.

 Russia will send up a new capsule next month to bring back three space station astronauts whose original ride home was damaged. The switch in capsules means the two Russians and one American will remain several extra months at the International Space Station.

 House Republicans have opened their long-promised investigation into President Joe Biden and his family. They are wielding the power of their majority to demand information from the Treasury Department and former Twitter executives as they lay the groundwork for public hearings.

 Harvey Weinstein is asking New Yorks highest court to overturn his 2020 rape conviction, arguing that the judge betrayed his right to a fair trial by succumbing to the pressure of the #MeToo movement.

 The Supreme Court is allowing New York to continue to enforce for now a sweeping new law banning guns from sensitive places such as schools, playgrounds and Times Square and increasing training requirements.
SOUTH BELOIT, Ill.  Less than half a mile south of the Wisconsin border in Illinois, the Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary bustles with activity. Cars with license plates from Wisconsin, Minnesota and other pot-banning states slide in and out of the shops expansive parking lot.

The bright and airy retail store is an easy hop off Interstate 90, which spans the nations entire northern tier. For many westbound customers, Sunnyside is the last chance to legally buy recreational, or adult-use, marijuana products until Montana, more than 900 miles away.

And heading south from this truck-stop town to the small Illinois city of Metropolis, dispensaries likewise hug the Prairie States boundaries with Indiana, Iowa and Kentucky, where pot sales are outlawed.

State lines delineate the vastly varying marijuana regulations across the Midwest. Illinois, Michigan and, since December, Missouri allow recreational marijuana, while neighboring states have some of the strictest laws in the nation.

The contrasting statutes create some law enforcement concerns in states where marijuana is outlawed  when residents legally use marijuana just across the border or bring it back home. But many elected officials in those states say the larger problem is the loss of potential revenue from an industry that could bring visitors, jobs and tax dollars.

Public support for the liberalization of marijuana laws in this region is growing, following national trends. Much of the debate is economic, as restrictive states see their residents paying marijuana sales and excise taxes to neighboring states.

In Illinois, which legalized adult-use marijuana in 2019, out-of-state residents account for 30% of recreational marijuana sales, according to state filings. Sales in the state have risen from just more than $400 million in fiscal 2020 to more than $1.5 billion in fiscal 2022.

Tax disbursements to local Illinois governments in fiscal 2022 reached $146.2 million, a 77% increase over 2021.

Illinois law mandates that a fourth of marijuana tax revenue be used to support communities that are economically distressed, experience high rates of violence, and have been disproportionately impacted by drug criminalization.

The significant revenue is a big pull for states that outlaw marijuana to consider changing their policies. But some opponents to legalized cannabis worry about what other effects marijuana sales could have on their communities.

On a misty Saturday morning in Niles, Michigan, nearly 20 cars waited for the 10 a.m. opening in bar-coded parking spots outside Green Stem Provisioning, which offers medical and adult-use products.

License plates were nearly evenly divided between Michigan and Indiana at the dispensary, which is five miles north of South Bend, Indiana.

Staffers at the family-run dispensary delivered a wide range of products, from flower, the traditional form of recreational pot, to edibles, tinctures and baking ingredients such as Sugar Rush, which offers bakers 100 milligrams of THC. Customers ranged in age from young adults in their 20s to those over 65, who receive a 10% discount.

While some out-of-state residents were reluctant to discuss their trip to Michigan for marijuana purchases, H.L., who arrived from Indiana, agreed to speak if not fully identified.

He said hes been buying marijuana in Michigan for about eight months. Despite reports that Indiana police might be watching the border for those returning from Michigan, H.L. said, Ive had no trouble. No problems.

Driving while using is barred by Michigan law, and drivers found under the influence face steep criminal penalties.

Indiana, which has some of the nations toughest marijuana laws, borders two states (Illinois and Michigan) with recreational sales.

I try to enforce the laws as best I can based on what Indiana wants us to do, said Ken Cotter, prosecutor for St. Joseph County, Indiana, along the Michigan border. The region is known as Michiana.

I was worried that if Michigan legalizes marijuana, folks from Indiana might want to go to Michigan, get the marijuana and drive back  that's one thing. But if they then went to Michigan, legally smoked it there and then drove (under the influence), that's a whole different ball game, Cotter said.

Cotter, a Democrat, said there has not been an increase in marijuana possession cases in his jurisdiction since Michigan legalized recreational sales in 2018, but that marijuana-based DUI charges have increased dramatically.

But Cotter was cautious not to draw broader conclusions from his jurisdiction of 270,000 residents, stressing that more data and reporting is a pressing public safety need.

Thats in line with an expansive 2021 report from the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank based in Washington, D.C., suggesting its too soon to know all the effects of the changing laws. The report noted that early studies, including those on public safety, have varied conclusions, and that data comparisons at this point can be problematic.

A recent survey by a national law firm finds some Midwestern states among those least favorable to the cannabis industry.

Indianas laws rank 49th among states and the District of Columbia in receptiveness to cannabis, according to Thompson Coburn, a national law firm that has a cannabis practice. Wisconsin stands 47th, Kentucky 41st and Iowa 38th. In Wisconsin, for example, the first conviction for a small amount of marijuana possession is a misdemeanor, but any subsequent possession charge is a felony.

But public opinion in some of those states is changing, and they see neighbors cashing in on the trend.

Michigan, for example, allows municipalities to opt in or out of the marijuana business. As of November, 130 municipalities have opted into the adult-use side, and 1,377 have opted out, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

In Michigan, 15% of excise tax revenue goes to counties and another 15% to municipalities that opt-in with retail stores or other marijuana-related business. The lions share goes statewide to K-12 education (35%) and roads and bridges (35%). Adult sales during 2022 were projected to top $2.28 billion, raising more than $335 million in excise and sales taxes.

Michigan does not track sales figures by non-residents, but some border dispensaries report that about half their sales are to out-of-staters.

Those dollars are hard to ignore.

In Minnesota, where Democrats now control the governorship and both chambers of the legislature, lawmakers introduced an adult-use bill on Jan. 5. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz quickly tweeted his support: It's time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota. Im ready to sign it into law.

And in Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers told Wisconsin Public Radio in December that recreational marijuana will be in the budget, but that a hostile GOP-led legislature stands in the way.

"Even though the people of Wisconsin by huge numbers in polling support recreational marijuana in the state of Wisconsin, I just don't know if the Republicans are there yet," Evers told WPR. "All I know is that there is talk on the Republican side, from what I've heard, around medicinal."

A 2022 poll by the Marquette Law School found 61% of Wisconsin voters favor legalization.

Iowa appears unlikely to move toward liberalization of its marijuana laws, despite a Des Moines Register poll from 2021 showing 54% of Iowans supporting the legalization of adult-use products.

This is wildly popular. There are tax benefits. There are opportunities for economic growth in the state, not losing revenue to other states, said Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst, according to RadioIowa. Im just getting the sense that theres not a lot of appetite for it at the leadership level or in the governors office.

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds opposes recreational marijuana, and the GOP controls the state legislature. House Speaker Pat Grassley told RadioIowa that legalization was not a campaign issue in 2022.

That is not what we heard from Iowans in this election, Grassley told the outlet.

But as more states move to legalize adult-use marijuana, the windfall for the early adopters will likely diminish, according to a 2017 working paper by Benjamin Hansen, Keaton Miller and Caroline Weber from the University of Oregon. They noted that sales at Washington dispensaries near the Oregon border fell by 36% when Oregon began adult-use sales.

These cross-border incentives may create a race to legalize, they wrote.

New state laws take effect in 2023 Abortion Abortion After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling in June, abortion access became a state issue. Laws in place in 13 states, most of them controlled by Republicans, ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with varying exceptions. Meanwhile, more liberal states have been extending abortion protections. Laws taking effect in January are not wholesale policy changes but are intended to make abortion more accessible in California and New York. Abortion already is legal in those states through viability, which is about 24 weeks gestational age. California will allow trained nurse practitioners, midwives and physician assistants to provide abortions without supervision from a physician. In New York, a law dealing with multiple facets of health care requires private insurers that cover births to also cover abortion services, without requiring co-payments or co-insurance. A new Tennessee law, adopted in May, will bar dispensing abortion pills by mail or at pharmacies, instead requiring them to be given with a physician present. But advocates on both sides of the issue believe the effect will be minimal because a ban on abortions throughout pregnancy went into effect after the Supreme Court's ruling. Taxes Thanks to large budget surpluses, about two-thirds of the states approved permanent tax cuts or one-time rebates last year. Several of those will take effect in January. Income tax cuts mean less money will be withheld from workers' paychecks in Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina. An Arizona income tax rate reduction to a flat 2.5% also will take effect in January, a year before originally scheduled because of strong state revenues. Iowa will revamp its income tax brackets as a first step toward an eventual flat tax, and it will stop taxing retirement income. Kansas will reduce its sales tax on groceries. Virginia will lower the tax on groceries and personal hygiene products. Colorado also will remove taxes from hygiene products, but will impose a 10-cent fee on plastic bags as a precursor to their elimination in 2024. Other states are providing tax incentives for law-and-order professions. Rhode Island will exempt military pensions from tax. Georgia will offer a tax credit for donations to local law enforcement foundations. But not all taxes will be going down. A voter-approved "millionaire tax" will take effect in Massachusetts, imposing a 4% surcharge on income of more than $1 million. Wyoming is taking steps to collect taxes more quickly. Producers of coal, oil, gas and uranium will have to pay taxes monthly, instead of up to 18 months after extraction. The change comes after some counties had difficulty collecting millions of dollars owed by coal companies that went bankrupt. Wages Minimum wage workers will get a pay raise in 23 states as a result of laws passed in previous years, some of which provide annual inflationary adjustments. The increases range from an extra 23 cents in Michigan to an additional $1.50 in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved in November will raise the minimum wage from $8 to $9.50 an hour. The gap continues to grow between the 20 states following the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and the 30 others requiring more. The highest state minimum wage now will be $15.74 an hour in Washington  more than double the federal rate. Another law taking effect with the new year will require employers in Washington to include salary and benefits information in job postings, rather than waiting until a job offer to reveal such information. Similar salary transparency laws are in place in half a dozen other states. Workers in Colorado and Oregon will start seeing paycheck deductions in January to fund new paid family leave programs. But Oregon residents will have to wait until September and Colorado residents until 2024 before they can claim paid time off following a serious illness in their family, the arrival of new children or recovery from sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking. Ohio will offer a new way for people to spend their paychecks. Sports betting will become legal, joining more than 30 states that have adopted similar laws since a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said it was OK. Criminal justice Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Cash bail will be eliminated for people accused of crimes in Illinois. Requiring bonds to be posted has long been a way to ensure people who are arrested show up for their trials, but critics say the system penalizes the poor. Eliminating cash bail puts Illinois in a group of states including California, Indiana, New Jersey, Nebraska and New York that have prohibited or restricted the practice. Another area where social justice meets criminal justice is relaxing marijuana laws. In November, voters made Maryland the 21st state to legalize recreational use by adults. That begins on July 1, 2023. As an interim step at the start of the year, possession by adults of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis will become a civil offense punishable with a maximum fine of $100. In Connecticut, some provisions of a 2021 law that legalized recreational marijuana also kick in, including automatic expungement of convictions for possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana that were imposed from 2000 through September 2015. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, 21 other states have expungement laws. Alabama will become the 25th state where it will be legal to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. A new Missouri law will prohibit homeless people from sleeping on state land without permission. Violators could face up to 15 days in jail and a $500 fine after an initial warning. The law also prohibits state funding from being used for permanent housing for homeless people, instead directing it toward temporary shelters and assistance with substance use and mental health treatment.
WATERLOO  Attorneys for a Waterloo man accused of killing a man working on a motorcycle in 2020 are asking the court to disallow testimony from a witness who has since died.

Robert Lee Williams Jr., 33, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Vincent Hemenway.

Prosecutors allege Robert Williams and his brother, Ralpheal Williams, had planned to rob a drug stash house on Aug. 15, 2020, but then turned their attention to Hemenway who was fixing a motorcycle in an Adrian Street garage with friends near the original target.

Hemenway was shot and killed and authorities allege Robert Williams pulled the trigger.

Also arrested in the crime was Ana Berinobis-McLemore, who was Robert Willliams ex-girlfriend and had allegedly assisted with planning. She and Ralpheal Williams were charged with robbery.

Ralpheal Williams went on trial in April 2022, and the state called Berinobis as a witness. He was convicted of first-degree robbery and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Berinobis, 26, remained free on bond while her case was pending.

Then in the early morning hours of May 22, 2022, someone opened fire on a car in the 300 block of Manson Street. Berinobis, a passenger in the vehicle, was shot and killed. No arrests have been made in her death. Authorities said they dont believe the slaying was related to the Adrian Street homicide.

Now prosecutors want to use Berinobis testimony from the April 2022 robbery trial in Robert Williams murder trial, which is tentatively set for this month.

Defense attorneys are objecting to the use of her testimony. They point out that they werent able to cross-examine Berinobis and attorneys for Ralpheal Williams werent focusing on their Robert Williams case during the robbery trial.

Counsel in that case had the motive of asking questions that would most benefit their client, Ralpheal Williams. Their motive had nothing to do with whether their questions or lack of questions would benefit Robert Williams, defense attorney Kimberly DePalma wrote in court records.

Cases against two others charges in the robbery  Tamra Lynnette Williams and Tonkeya Vaniece Jackson  remain pending.

Photos: Homicide Aug. 15, 2020 081820jr-adrian-homicide-1 081620jr-homicide-search-1 081620jr-homicide-search-2 081620jr-homicide-search-3 081620jr-homicide-search-4 040622jr-robbery-trial-2 040622jr-robbery-trial-1 040622jr-robbery-trial-3 040622jr-robbery-trial-4 040622jr-robbery-trial-5 040722jr-robbery-trial-1 040722jr-robbery-trial-3 040822jr-robbery-verdict-1
DES MOINES  Iowa lawmakers are set to move quickly on a bill proposed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to designate millions in public funding to pay for students to attend private schools, setting the bill up for subcommittee hearings in the next week.

Reynolds proposal would allow parents to set up an education savings account that would receive $7,598 from the state  a students full per-pupil funding at a public school  that can be used used for tuition, supplies and other expenses at a private school. Reynolds office estimates the bill would cost $106.9 million in the first year.

The House Education Reform Committee, a new committee specifically for the purpose of considering the legislation, will hold a public hearing on the measure on Jan. 17. In the Senate, a subcommittee will consider the legislation on Thursday.

Leaders in both the House and the Senate signaled as the session began this week that they wanted to move quickly on the legislation, which opponents say would be detrimental to public schools, especially those in rural areas with already strained budgets.

Supporters say the program would give parents more choice in education, help students find schools that best fit their needs, and improve the quality of both public and private education.

Republican Ken Rozenboom of Oskaloosa, the chair of the Senate Education Committee, said he supports the measure and will work with the rest of the Senate Republicans to resolve any issues with the bill. He did not say when he expects the bill to move to a full floor vote.

Im generally supportive, he said. I have not had the chance to get through all the details of it. I have questions, like everyone should have.

While recording this weekends episode of Iowa Press on Iowa PBS, Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford said the legislation will see a vote in the Iowa House, and he thinks it has the support to pass. Grassley chairs the Education Reform Committee.

I feel confident we'll have the support, but theres going to be a vote in the House either way, he said. Iowans are going to get to see where their legislator stands on this issue.

Grassley also didnt say when the bill will go before the full House for a vote, but he said it will be a top priority for the chamber.

Were going to continue to follow the committee process, follow all the things that are tied to it with the calendars and things, he said. But if and when the support is there, as it moves forward, were obviously going to want to take action.

011223-qc-iowa-senedcommittee The Senate Education Committee meets on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Spectators gathered in expectation of a controversial bill that would direct

Whats in the bill

The top-line item from Reynolds bill is the education savings accounts, which would devote $7,598 from the state that parents can use for educational expenses.

For some schools, that amounts to more than the cost of tuition: The average cost for a Catholic school in Iowa last year was between $2,800 and $4,000 for K-8 school, and $9,000 for high school, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference Tom Chapman said.

For protestant Christian schools, the average is $5,938 for elementary, $6,138 for middle, and $7,592 for high school, according to the Iowa Association of Christian Schools.

Beyond tuition, the money can be spent on:

textbooks

fees or payments for educational therapies

curriculum fees, software, and materials for a course

tuition for vocational and life skills education

education materials and services for students with disabilities

standardized test fees, and test fees associated with college admissions

Unspent funds in one year would roll over to the following year. Once a student graduates from high school, unspent funds in their education savings account would be returned to the state general fund.

The bill also includes measures that supporters say will allow public schools to compete with private schools and address some concerns opponents have.

School districts would get $1,250 in funding from the state for each student that lives in the district but attends a private school. Additionally, it allows unspent funds in teacher leadership initiatives and professional development programs to be used to increase teacher salaries.

During the first year of the program, an education savings account would be available to any student enrolled in a public school, students starting kindergarten, and families with students enrolled in a private school making less than 300% of the poverty line.

By the third year, all students, both public and private, would be eligible, regardless of income.

The cost of the program would be $106.9 million in the first year, according to estimates from the governors office.

One concern opponents have raised is the lack of options for some parents in areas where there are no private schools. According to Department of Education data, there are 40 counties with no private schools, nearly all of them rural counties. There are 185 private schools in total with 33,413 students enrolled in the 2022-2023 school year.

Grassley said the proposal could expand the market for private schools, meaning new schools could open in those areas that currently have no private schools.

We've already seen expansion of current private school systems we have without a program like this, he said during the taping of Iowa Press. So there may be more of those being created around the state from a program like this.

Democrats, opponents push back

Despite having no opportunity for public comment on Wednesday, spectators packed committee rooms in the Capitol, many wearing America Needs Public Schools T-shirts and expressing opposition to Reynolds plan.

Tiffany Welch, a mother of two from Clive, was there to advocate against the proposal. She said she wants to see public money remain in public schools.

Welch moved from California to Iowa when she was pregnant with her first child, partly because she knew it had good schools. Now, shes worried the school choice program will detract from that.

Ive seen firsthand with my own children and my own experience, how a quality public education has really impacted my life, she said. And I want the same for my kids.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, said private schools have less oversight over who they allow in and who they employ, and that most families will not benefit from private school assistance. The ISEA represents public school teachers in Iowa.

The ISEA stands firmly in support of Iowas excellent public education employees, our students, and our public schools. A strong public education system is the foundation of a healthy and prosperous state and should be guaranteed to all and fully funded, Beranek said.

Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic House leader, said shes happy the Education Reform Committee will have a public hearing on the bill. While Grassley remains confident the bill will pass, Konfrst said she doesnt think the support is locked in.

I think its important that we have transparency behind this process, she said. And because Iowans overwhelmingly oppose school vouchers, Im thrilled that theres going to be a public hearing.

In the Senate, Democratic Whip and member of the Senate Education Committee Sarah Trone Garriott of Windsor Heights said the proposal would hurt the vast majority of Iowa students in public schools.

I want to make sure that for the parents of the 511,000 kids, Pre-K through 12 in our state, that their choices are respected and supported as well, she said. Any proposal that takes away from our public schools will hurt our kids.

Erin Murphy and Tom Barton of The Gazette Des Moines Bureau contributed.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is looking to make good on the promises she made on the campaign trail, coming into the office as Iowas first Republican attorney general since 1979.

In an interview on Tuesday, Bird said she wants to put a focus on crime and victim advocacy in the office. She ran her campaign promising to stand by law enforcement and back the blue. How that looks in practice is putting a focus on the areas of the office that deal with crime, victim services and prosecution.

She took over as attorney general on Jan. 3 from Democrat Tom Miller, who held the office for a combined 40 years between 1979 and 2023, taking off one term after an unsuccessful run for governor.

Bird announced last week she was performing a top down and bottom up audit of the offices Victim Services division. In that audit, Bird said she wants to find out the kind of accommodations made to victims of crimes and the services the office could be providing.

In Birds experience as a prosecutor, she said victims had expressed a need for counseling, a place to live or help replacing property that was destroyed. The audit process will involve holding listening sessions around the state, speaking with advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement about how the office can better serve victims.

Bird was most recently the county attorney for Guthrie County, and she has also been the county attorney in Fremont and Audubon counties. Before assuming public office, she worked as counsel and chief of staff to former Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King, and was former Republican Gov. Terry Branstads chief counsel from 2011 to 2015.

I want to sit down and talk directly with the people who were affected and providing the services to see how we can do better, she said.

In addition to hiring two new prosecutors, Bird said she plans to build a cold case unit and a special victims unit. The special victims unit would deal with cases involving especially vulnerable people, including the disabled, the elderly and children. She said the office would work on training prosecutors and law enforcement to deal with those crimes.

Some of those cases that I was able to work on as a prosecutor were some of the toughest I worked on, but they were very rewarding, she said. Because I know that when a child molester goes to prison, it means that we are preventing future children from being victimized by that person.

Proposing legislation

Bird has proposed legislation in the Iowa Legislature that would increase the penalty for selling most controlled substances when the substance causes a death or serious injury.

With no specific statute covering sale of drugs that leads to death, prosecutors can usually get a Class D felony conviction, which carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison. Bird wants to raise that to Class B, which carries a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Around 25 states have laws making it a specific crime to sell a drug resulting in death to another person. Federal law also carries a 20-year minimum sentence for the sale of a drug resulting in death or serious injury.

State law does not adequately address that, we need to hold those people accountable, she said.  As a prosecutor, when I would have an opioid death in my county, I would do everything I could to see if the U.S. Attorneys Office, if the federal government could take that case because they could get justice for the victim, where, at the state level I just dont think the penalty matches the crime.

Bird also said she wants to introduce legal changes that would improve conditions for crime victims, pointing to issues prosecutors have brought up to her.

While she didnt name specifics, she said the proposal would include some changes that would make the process a little bit better for a crime victim.

Lawsuits

On her first day in office, the Republican made good on another promise from her campaign: Suing President Joe Bidens administration. She entered legal battles against the presidents student loan forgiveness program, vaccine mandates, and a provision in the American Rescue Plan that blocks states from using federal funds to cut taxes. Bird characterized the decision as pushing back against federal overreach.

There will be other lawsuits, new ones, that we will join and file as things develop, she said. Whether its the federal government going too far and violating the laws and constitution, or something that needs to be done here in the state to enforce the law.

Bird also began representing the state in a bid before the Iowa Supreme Court from Gov. Kim Reynolds to reinstate the so-called fetal heartbeat law, which would ban abortions in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. The law was blocked when a 2019 court found it unconstitutional. Since then, the legal standard for abortion restrictions has changed in both the state and the country, and states have much broader authority to regulate abortion.

The Office of the Consumer Advocate, a division of the attorney generals office, represents Iowa consumers in utility issues. The office has been arguing in front of the Iowa Utilities Board for more than a year asking controversial carbon dioxide pipeline projects to have more safety requirements and asking the board to hold off on permitting the pipelines until new federal safety standards are established.

The previous consumer advocate stepped down when Bird assumed office, and she said shes in the process of appointing a new consumer advocate. She did not say how the offices approach to pipeline issues would change with a new consumer advocate at the helm.

What Im looking for is someone who understands energy here in Iowa, and who understands the needs of consumers, she said. That consumers need affordable energy because weve all seen our utility bills going up."

In the long term, Bird said she isnt angling to beat Millers 40-year record in the office. While she didnt say how many terms she hopes to serve, she said she wants to follow through on the campaign promises made during this term.

At the end of my term, I want to know that Iowa is safer, that I helped crime victims, that we built those relationships with law enforcement, she said.

Close Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber on Jan. 10 at the State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Photos: Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers the condition of the state address Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber on Jan. 10 at the State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines.
OMAHA -- Ponca Hills still is one of Omahas most picturesque outskirts. One of its least known, too.

Its history has been rarely chronicled, which adds to its cloak of mystery. What has transpired in the area northwest of the Mormon Bridge on Interstate 680?

It was home for Natives, primarily the Omaha. It was where the first hangings in Nebraska Territory took place. It once was a magnificent forest of red oaks.

Now, its a community nestled in the valleys or perched on the ridges. Its an area known for its two primary business, the Alpine Inn and the Forgot Store along Calhoun Road, and its parks, Hummel and Neale Woods.

How did Ponca Hills get its name? The Poncas never were known to be in the area. But Ponca Creek shows up on territorial-era maps. Rockport Hills, referring to the defunct river town that supplied Omaha with much of its early lumber and bricks, is one early name given to the area.

Evidently inspired by the hill rising from the creek on the Florence-to-Fort Calhoun road, Ponca Hill began gaining usage. But the plural version was seldom used until 1948. Its when Ponca Hills, the name Henry B. Neef, president of Gate City Iron Works, gave to the home he built. His was one of the first around to use solar power as a heating option.

Along the Calhoun road, horse thieves Harvey Braden and John Daley met with frontier justice on Jan. 8, 1859. They were in the Douglas County jail awaiting trial for stealing four horses from a Mr. Conner of Fort Calhoun and taking them to Shelby County, Iowa. A mob, including some notable citizens of Omaha and Florence, went to the jail, got the key, grabbed the prisoners and hauled them by wagon to a spot two miles north of Florence. The county sheriff the next day found the men hanging from a stout oak tree.

Early days saw claim jumping. Tales were told of Steve Neale, of the Neale Woods family, lashed 60 times by the Omaha Claim Club at Florence, then 40 more after his attackers rubbed cayenne pepper under his nose to see whether he was still alive, and then held under water in the pond on Mill Creek. Friends broke him out of confinement before he was forced to sell his claim.

Perhaps the largest landowners in Ponca Hills was the Thomas Price family. At one time, they had 1,400 acres. They donated land for the District 21 school (now Ponca Elementary in OPS) probably twice, and for churches.

Prices son, Tom, and World-Herald writer Howard Erickson in 1939 recalled how much of Ponca Hills had been part of Omahas Black Forest.

From an editors note: In the steep hills north of Florence running beyond Ponca Creek and inland from the Missouri River as far as the Omaha Country Clubs grounds on 72nd Street, there was once upon a time a black forest which was a hunters and trappers paradise. Much of it has been logged off for railroad ties and firewood, drought years have taken a heavy toll on some varieties of trees, but when October 1 comes it offers as beautiful a color vista as can be found anywhere in the world according to naturalists.

The densest portion of the forest was along Ponca Creek. Then came the building of a railroad from Omaha to Sioux City in the early 1880s. They wanted timber for ties and they wanted it quick, Erickson wrote. The farmers and land owners wanted to cut down and deliver the timber as fast as they could. The red oak, according to Price, was easy to cut down, being softer than the bur oak, for instance.

The red oaks were cut down by the thousands, and the rich lands were cleared of what Tom Price considers the most beautiful of trees. The trees rotted out in a few years and had to be replace with more durable wood. Burr oak was used for replacement, still furthering reducing the forest.

Ponca Creek runs into the Missouri River north of N.P. Dodge Park. Until 1960, it was three miles longer. The city Parks and Recreation Department had the creek diverted. The city marina now occupies the lower part of the old creek bed.

The Forgot Store dates to possibly 1894. (It) must be a source of joy to the farmer who has been to town to make purchases and who, when on the way home, finds that he has forgotten somethings that the folks at the farm need badly, The World-Herald wrote in 1904. It has a sign, and a crude one, compared to some of the city signs, that tells one it is the Forgot Store.

The Forgot Store has forgotten merchandise for a while. Its become a bar and grill, with Junior Mathiesen its newest owner. In the 1970s, a Billboard No. 1 hit was penned there  Convoy, by Chip Davis and Bill Fries. Davis gold record is hanging on a wall.

The Alpine Inn started as the Washington Inn  Washington Highway was an early national designation for U.S. Hwy. 73/Calhoun Road  in 1930. Thirty years later, new owners renamed it and the place became popular for its chicken. And, of course, the raccoons and other wildlife attracted by the chicken bones set outside.

Another longtime Ponca Hills restaurant was the A-Ri-Rang Club near Hummel Park. Earl S. Ben and family served Asian cuisine from 1949 to 1994. It was a membership club (fee $6 in 1974) at times. A fire of suspicious origin gutted the vacant building in 2010 and it was later razed.

The Omaha Public Schools history of Ponca School starts with the first building a one-room log structure donated by Thomas Price in 1871. It opened with eight students. After the log school was destroyed by fire, a new school was built in 1882 for 10 grades in one room.

The OPS history doesnt have this, but Ponca School was the scene of an accidental shooting stemming from a snowball fight in 1883. A bullet from a .45-caliber needle gun, fired carelessly by a young man as his group of three were driving away, went through the arm of a 5-year-old girl, left a powder mark on a 11-year-old girls upper lip and went through the thigh of the 5-year-olds brother. The young man expressed deep remorse.

Nor does its history have this: Teachers wanted to be at Ponca School even though they were paid less than at other nearby country schools. The school was famous, a local resident told The World-Herald in 1908, from the rumor that any young woman who taught there was married inside a year. Fact. They do! Lots of em marry the young men around here and settle down here and send their children to Ponca school. We get swamped with applications.

The 1882 building was added to twice, then a larger one-room school was built in 1899. After several additions were made, and it became part of OPS in 1959, a new school opened at 11300 North Post Road in 1963 and the Ponca Volunteer Fire Department built on the vacated site.

With an area this vast, the history of Ponca Hills and its secrets must spill over to another installment. Next week, its an early resort, a cave of many possible origins and a possible extended stay by Jesse James and his gang.

The Lincoln Journal Star's top photos from 2022
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged congratulations with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi pointed out in his message that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, China and Angola have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, worked hand in hand, and understood and supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

At present, China-Angola relations enjoy a sound development momentum, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi noted.

Noting that he highly values the development of bilateral relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Lourenco to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people friendship and write a new chapter in the robust development of the China-Angola strategic partnership.

For his part, Lourenco said since the establishment of bilateral ties, Angola-China relations have seen continuous development, and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has scored major achievements with satisfactory results.

Noting the two countries agree with each other on many international issues, he said Angola is willing to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China, build a shared win-win future, as well as achieve common progress, prosperity and development, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.
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A busy wife, mom and owner of Hong Kong Supermarket, Peggy La doesn't consider herself much of a foodie.

"I know what I know but I'm certainly no expert in food," she explained, inside of the 501 W. Seventh St. grocery store.

In fact, La said it was her husband John Keoasa who is the real cook in the family.

"Even though John is Laotian, he specializes in Cajun food," she said. "I'm Chinese and I'm smart enough to leave John alone in the kitchen."

Peggy La spring rolls Hong Kong Supermarket owner Peggy La displays some of the ingredients used in making a spring roll. La, along with Western Iowa Tech Community

Peggy La spring rolls Even though she's been surrounded by food her entire life, Hong Kong Supermarket owner Peggy La said her husband John Keoasa is the real cook 

Yet La does know how to make a mean spring roll. She'll be demonstrating her culinary acumen during a live radio show featuring Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) Culinary Arts Chef Michael Gasaway as well as "Sioux City Foodie" Adrian Kolbo.

"We'll be going live from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the (WITCC) culinary arts kitchen on Siouxland Public Media," said Kolbo, who started the Sioux City Foodie blog (facebook.com/siouxcityfoodie) more than five years ago.

Even though he came up with the name of the website, Kolbo doesn't consider himself Sioux City's sole foodie.

"No, there are a lot of foodies out there who are far more knowledgeable than I," he insisted.

Peggy La spring rolls Peggy La talks about a spring roll recipe that she, "Sioux City Foodie" Adrian Kolbo and Western Iowa Tech Community College culinary program 

Peggy La spring rolls Peggy La, displays some of the ingredients that are part of a spring roll recipe that she, "Sioux City Foodie" Adrian Kolbo and Western Iowa T

Indeed, Kolbo said the original mission of the blog was "to highlight the time-tested, trusted and locally-touted food spots that one might not want to miss."

"Sioux City has so many small, independently owned restaurants that may have a unique cuisine or may have just flown under everybody's radar," he explained. "I wanted to put the spotlight on them."

When the Sioux City Foodie blog began, Kolbo was able to profile local eateries like Shahi Palace India Grill, Diamond Thai and Pierce Street Coffee Works.

Taking a long hiatus from the site, he decided to give Sioux City Foodie a more timely, post-COVID spin.

"During the pandemic, people became more isolated out of necessity," Kolbo said. "They couldn't eat at their favorite restaurant yet they continued to miss the food."

Sioux City Foodie A website created by Adrian Kolbo, Sioux City Foodie highlights local food spots and personalities. Kolbo will be taking the format to radio f

At the height of COVID, the sale of cookbooks and home kitchen equipment skyrocketed.

Bringing back the Sioux City Foodie franchise, Kolbo wanted to incorporate a greater DIY aspect.

"Food should be delicious to eat," he reasoned. "But it also can be accessible enough to make at home."

Which is why WITCC's Chef Gasaway will be around for "Sioux City Foodie Live," offering a tutorial on spring roll making.

"I call it cracking the code," Kolbo said. "People will have a better appreciation of their favorite dish if they knew the steps that went into its making."

After that, conversations will start flowing.

"People love talking about food," Kolbo said. "Whether it is talking about our family or a favorite holiday, food has a way of entering the conversation."

Sioux City Foodie A website created by Adrian Kolbo, Sioux City Foodie highlights local food spots and personalities. Kolbo will be taking the format to radio f

Ultimately, that is what Sioux City Foodie is all about.

"We're all foodies, whether we know it or not," Kolbo said. "If you enjoy eating, you're a foodie."

This is a sentiment that La also shares.

Growing up in the grocery industry, she was always surrounded by food.

To better serve her customers, La needed to supply products she was familiar with.

"We sell food product from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, you name it," she said. "Our customers demand it."

Over time, La said, she's seen traditionally Asian ingredients like sriracha, Thai chilis and ramen become American pantry staples.

Through the popularity of Korean pop (K-pop) groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, she's also seen a customer base that is becoming younger and trendier.

"As soon as we see an online food challenge like eating spicy (Korean) Samyang Ramen, we know young people will be asking for it," La said with a smile.

However as foreign as certain foods can be, there are also plenty of similarities.

"Asians may put different types of ingredients in a spring roll or use different types of dipping sauces," La said. "But if you can fold a burrito, you can also fold a spring roll."

"Different foods from different countries," she continued. "But they are also very similar."

That is also another example of cracking the food code, Kolbo said.

"Once you think about it, food isn't very mysterious," he said. "Around the world, we all eat things that are sweet, salty and savory. Ingredients may differ but the foods have a similarity."

Those are the types of things that Kolbo want people to take away from Sioux City Foodie.

"The main requirement to being a foodie is a love of food," he said.
Its been nearly 99 years since Max Brod began the immense project of disobeying the literary will of his friend Franz Kafka, who died of tuberculosis shortly before his 41st birthday. Since then, Kafka has become the unwitting voice of the entire modernist genre, and Brod, who a hundred years ago was a more famous writer than his friend, is now primarily known as a literary executor.

We celebrate Brod for that historical act of disobedience, which midwifed his friends genius into the literary universe. But Brod also heavily edited Kafkas now-famous stories and novels and, most interestingly, bowdlerized his diaries. While it was no small task to extract Kafkas journals from the shopping lists, story snippets, and letter draftsKafka famously piled all of his writing into the same notebookBrod didnt stop at cleaning up Kafkas grammar and spelling. He also redacted a trove of prose he found unbecoming, including unflattering remarks about prominent individuals (e.g., Brod himself), as well as Kafkas more lurid sexual passagesespecially anything that might have been deemed what we would now call pan-curious.

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Thanks to a blistering new translation by acclaimed translator and writer Ross Benjamin, the NC-17 Diaries of Franz Kafka are, for the first time, available to the English-speaking world. Anglophone Kafka fans are about to find out that the author of The Trial also once fantasized in great detail about a friend stuffing his giant member into women. He remains the voice of interwar alienation and discontent many of us grew up with, but, like all of us, he had an imperfect and sometimes raunchy imagination. I recently spoke with Benjamin about weirdo Franz Kafka scribbling away in his gross journals. Very much unlike this 700-page behemothwhich contains the exact contents of Kafkas notebooks, in orderour conversation has been edited for length.

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Rebecca Schuman: When people read a translated work, they often forget that the words they are reading are not actually the words the author wrote, you know? What were some of the most challenging elements of Kafkas language to render as natively as possible into English while still somehow preserving Kafkas voice?

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Ross Benjamin: One of the most challenging elements was the fragmentary, unpolished nature of the original text. The German critical edition of the diaries is a faithful transcription of Kafkas handwritten notebooks. As such, it leaves untouched all the rough edges and idiosyncrasies of the writing. In my translation, I resisted any temptation to tidy up the prose, reproducing his misspellings, sparse and unorthodox punctuation, slips of the pen, and occasionally muddled syntax.

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What were the primary risks of preserving rawness like this?

It meant rendering in English even hastily scribbled stray thoughts that sometimes barely verged on sense. Its possible that, like many diarists, Kafka himself didnt know exactly what was going on inside his head until he set his pen to the page to find out. This was one of the most difficult tasks for me: to translate so much that I found baffling, and to translate as precisely as possible what I found baffling about it.

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Can you give us a few spoilers about the fully realized Kafka that may surprise some of the more pearl-clutching of his English-speaking readership?

If you thought of Kafka as a pure, ascetic literary saint, elevated above the carnal, you might not want to read his diary entries on visits to brothels, in which prostitutes are subjected to the diarists lewd gaze: Hair runs thickly from her navel to her private parts. I dont know why anyone would be particularly invested in Kafka being attracted only to women, but passages in the diaries that were censored in the previous edition suggest he had homoerotic desires too, such as this note he jotted down during his stay at a nudist sanatorium: 2 beautiful Swedish boys with long legs, which are so formed and taut that one could really only run ones tongue along them.

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Wow, Kafka sounds a little bit freaky. What else should we (possibly) brace ourselves for?

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Well, theres this formerly deleted line from his description of a fellow train passenger in the travel diaries: His apparently sizable member makes a large bulge in his pants. And in an entry about his father suffering a bout of anxiety about his business, theres a line that had been left out, presumably to spare readers who might feel squeamish about it: Later I thought, he is lying beside my mother, let him press himself against her, close kindred flesh must be soothing.

Youve said you want to present these Diaries as a workshop or laboratory that shows readers how Kafka wrought and wrestled his now-iconic literary sensibility into being. Why?

What I seek to bring out in any translation is what most strikes me in the original work as singular, important, appealing, exciting, or even strange and mystifying. Generally, Im far less interested in a smooth flow as a value in itself than in how the text to be translated flows, smoothly or otherwise. Kafkas diaries, of course, are not a cohesive work but a disarray of disparate scraps of writinga staccato, scattershot succession of abortive attempts to externalize what Kafka called the tremendous world I have in my head.

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Has your opinion of Kafka changed during this project?

Its definitely more complicated after translating the diaries. To give just one example, I am less wedded to a picture of Kafka as emblematic of the authentic tortured artist. Thats not to say that I dont think his inner struggles were real and sincerely felt, but that translating his diaries made me keenly aware of his always-present impulse to give literary form to what he set down on the page. Theres a letter he drafted in his diary, to his boss, in which he even appears to be doing the tortured artist shtick as a disarming, somewhat manipulative tactic to excuse his absence from the office. Now, even when I read his most soul-baring passages, I can see him poetizing, inventing an aesthetic and a persona. To call it shtick might sound trivializing, but the Yiddish word is perhaps apt, because theres a certain Jewish inheritance of anxiety and suffering that goes hand in hand with the performance of anxiety and suffering. Kafka made an art of kvetching, comic and emotional self-dramatization.

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The Kafka world has a fraught relationship with Max Brod. On the one hand, we owe Brod the existence of Kafka as the representative genius of the modern age (as you put it). But the liberties he took with the work warped it in a way that may be indelible, despite decades of labor to remove his imprint. Tell me a little bit about the pressure you, in turn, have felt as essentially the sole facilitator of the unsanitized Kafka into the English-speaking world.

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Thankfully, I didnt quite have that sense of myself, which might have been incapacitating. Brod himself, despite having used his position as literary executor to shape Kafkas legacy according to agendas that we may now challenge, recognized that there would be later editions, prepared with more scholarly rigor, to supplant his own. So do I expect the reconsideration and reinvention of Kafka to go on beyond my own contribution. But even though I didnt regard myself as the sole facilitator, the pressure I felt was daunting. It mostly came from the desire to do justice to the diaries without becoming an intrusive, usurping presence, without narrowing the range of interpretive possibilities opened up by the original text. Over the past eight years, there were many times when I wondered how translating a repository of stabs in the dark could amount to anything but a potentially interminable process of taking stabs in the dark.

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Eight years! Why, thats almost as long as Kafka spent tortured by the composition of The Trial. Luckily you didnt have to die to stop working on this?

No, but when I finally delivered the manuscript to my publisher, Id just turned 40, Kafkas age when he died in 1924.

Was that expected, or did you end up blowing a bunch of deadlines?

The latter. It was a rather Kafka-like predicament: By striving so obsessively for certainty where none was attainable, I inevitably found myself caught in perpetual spirals of doubt, endlessly circling back to revisit unresolved conundrums. Then Id come to a line in the diaries like, My doubts stand in a circle around every word, I see them before I see the word, and had to laugh. For some time my children thought Kafka was what my job was called: Mommy is a teacher, and Daddy does Kafka.
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here.

Dear Prudence,

My husband and I were married seven years before he unexpectedly died. He was from overseas and told me he didnt have much in the way of family since his parents died. He lied.

Months after the funeral, I finally mustered up enough courage to go through his old boxes. In a box of books, I found photos, letters, and documents. My husband had been married and then divorced in his home country. Worse, there were pictures of him with his five children. The man that I loved, that was trying to build a family with, left his five young kids behind without a look back. He never breathed a word about them to me. He certainly never financially supported them.

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The entire foundations of my world have been shaken. I havent told anyone yet. I dont know hownot without answers. Is it wrong to go looking for his family? The oldest two children should be adults, and I have names and locations from some of the documents. I tell myself I could offer financial assistance, but I wonder if I am being selfish here. Please advise.

 Questions

Dear Questions,

Put his family on the back burner for a second here. What about YOU? This is really difficult news to absorb. It throws into question everything you knew about the man you loved and the relationship you had, and youll never be able to confront him about it or get closure. Thats a lot! So, before you decide what to do with respect to his kids, take some time to simply sit with what youve learned (in a therapists office if at all possible). And please, tell a friend or two.

You dont need to have all the details before you open up to someone you trust about this earth-shattering revelation and the effect its having on you. Remember that you didnt do anything wrong and you dont have anything to be ashamed about. Dont keep this secret.

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On to the children: Youre not obligated to do anything (again, you did nothing wrong), but I can see how you could be thinking I had their father for seven years and they didnt. I owe them. Or maybe you just feel for these kids who grew up without a dad. You said you can offer financial assistance, so it sounds like you have enough money that you could easily part with some. If that is true and, after taking the time to process this yourself, you still want to help them outhire a private investigator to identify them and figure out a way to get them the cash anonymously. Do not, I repeat, do not, reach out and tell them about the life their father was living while ignoring them. I cant imagine how this would be anything other than hurtful, and it may open you up to unpredictable entanglements that you dont need right now.

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New Year, Same Problems

For an upcoming special edition of Dear Prudence, we want to hear about the messy situations plaguing you that youd like to shed in the new year. A mother-in-law who is slowly poisoning you? An underground diaper operation thats driving you mad? A poorly named horse? Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.)

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Dear Prudence,

My boyfriend, Alec, has friends who are big moochers. He made a few of these pals through work, and he has even invited them to his familys vacation home. But since then, theyve gotten very comfortable asking him to use the house for themselves. Theyre not gracious about staying there, either: One of their girlfriends blatantly told Alec that they were only friends with him for the beach house! Another threw a party and left the place a mess.

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I grew up in a working-class family of six, and I cannot imagine treating a friend like this. I told Alec that I find these people rude and entitled. The last straw, for me, was when we went on a group outing together. His friends ordered extras and only paid small fractions of the bill, walking out and leaving Alec and I with a tab of almost $300. (Two of them ignored my Venmo requests.) I have no desire to hang out with them again, but Alec is torn, and after all, they are his friends. How should we handle this?

 Who Raised These People?

Dear These People,

This sounds really bad, and I wish Alec had better friends. The part of it that is your business is the part that involves getting stuck with a tab when the moochers walk outwho does that? Do not put yourself in a group dining situation with them again.

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The part that is Alecs business and nor yours is that part that involves people who told him they were using him. The phrase sorry that wont be possible this time is available to him any time he wants to say no to a request to use the beach house. I dont know whats stopping him from using itand the fact that he wont stand up for himself here is something you should make a small note of as you decide whether to make your relationship with him any more serious than it is but its not up to you.

Get Dear Prudence in Your Inbox 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.

Dear Prudence,

I am an elementary school teacher. I recently became aware that a mother and a father of two of my students are dating. A colleague is Facebook friends with the mother, Carrie, through a non-school-related connection, and pieced together that Carrie is in a newly (?) open marriage and dating the father, Tom, who is divorced. Their children, my students, are best friends, which is great in terms of their current situation, because they are all spending a lot of time together (sometimes with Carries husband, sometimes not). What two consenting adults do in their personal lives is none of my business, and Im not entirely sure what my students understanding of the situation is, but I imagine they know their parents are special friends. My concern is that this relationship will run its course and that my students will be forced to sever a close friendship due to the interpersonal politics of their parents. True, maybe theyll make it as a throuple or whatever this is for years to come, but all adults involved seem somewhat volatile, so my hunch is that this will end, and likely not on good terms.

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If things do get weird or bad, is there anything I can do to support my students (if they are still in my care at the time)? Or if their classmates find out that their parents are dating but Carrie still has a husband, which even for our fairly liberal area is a little out-there for young kids to rationalize? Normally, as long as children are safe and taken care of (which these students definitely are), I dont pay any mind to home life quirks, but this situation feels like it has the potential to bleed into the classroom in a negative way.

 Want to Mind My Business

Dear Mind My Business,

Its sweet that you care about these kids so much. A teacher who is spending their free time trying to mind their business but worrying about how to soften the potential emotional blows in students futures is honestly what every child deserves. Theyre lucky to have you.

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If things do get hard for them at some point, because of a parent breakup, or gossip, or teasing, or whatever, the best thing someone in your role can be is a trusted adult to talk to who is consistent and listens to them. Maybe you can set the stage for that now, and I actually have a practical idea about how to do so. Stop me if Im just putting more work on your plate, or if this is impossible in the age of teaching to the standardized test. But when I was in third grade, each student had a little journal that we would write in (my entries were 100 percent about my pet rat, Peanut, and gymnastics class), and we would hand them to our teacher, Ms. Uyeda, and she would respond to what we said and ask us questions. It was a delight and it felt so special and validating to hear directly from a teacher. Could you start a practice like thateven if you only write back a couple of times a month? If you feel these kids are struggling, you could use your entries to affirm and encourage them. You cant control what happens in their lives which, again, I can only imagine is incredibly tough for youbut you can be one more person in their world who loves and cares about them and explicitly lets them know.

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How to Get Advice From Prudie

Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon (and submit your comments) here.

Dear Prudence,

Our 30-year-old son met a 25-year-old Russian woman via Instagram. Their only in-person interactions have been vacations in Serbia, Mexico, Istanbul, and London, for which he has paid. We met her in person at Christmas in London with our other two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. She showed no interest in spending time with us. How best do we discuss our concerns with our son?

 From Russia With Issues

Dear From Russia With Issues,

You dont.

Its not that your concerns (which you havent really laid out explicitly, but which I assume are shes using him for his money and potentially citizenship) are totally invalid. Theres just no world in which a man who is having a passionate international love affair with a beautiful woman is going to stop because his parents took him aside and mentioned that, from their perspective, the vibes are off. This might be an authentic relationship between two people from different continents, one of whom has more money and picks up the vacation tab.

And it might be a 90 Day Fiance-style disaster. Either way, I dont see you having the power to change its course. Your ability to keep your son from dating people you dont approve of ended when he was about 15, probably closer to 12. Which is hard, because your love and concern for him didnt end thenI get it.

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So what you can do is to channel that love into simply being there for him; dont attempt to guide his choices but just exist as a loving figure in his life. You can do that now, by being happy for him that hes happy in his new relationship and remembering that its not her job to be interested in spending time with her boyfriends parents. And you can plan to continue to be there for him if (when?) the shit hits the fan, and hes left broke and heartbroken. And hey, stay positive, the worst might never hittheyve met in person, so at least we know shes not a catfish!

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Dear Prudence Uncensored

You cant talk anyone out of believing theyre in love.

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Jenee Desmond-Harris and friends discuss a letter in this weeks Dear Prudence Uncensoredonly for Slate Plus members.

Dear Prudence,

Cheryl and I are both writers who connected through the internet. Weve never met in real life, but we have common interests and enjoy each others writing. However, recently, she sent me a piece that had some pretty major issues that I considered uncharacteristic of her. I sent her a long list of grievances I had with the piece, and perhaps I was a little less tactful than I could have been. She neither accepted the critique happily nor negatively, but merely sent me a curt note back acknowledging receipt. I feel incredibly awkward now. It would almost be preferable if she had called me a bitch and told me to go screw myself. I didnt respond, as Im completely caught off guard and have no idea how to move forward. Do I ask if everythings OK? Change the subject and talk about something else entirely? Say nothing and wait for her to email me again? Help!

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 Kill Your Darlings



Dear Kill Your Darlings,

Grievances?? You feel awkward  now? You didnt feel awkward when you were typing up that email full of feedback that, at least as you frame it in your letter, she did not give a single indication she wanted from you? Come on! If Im reading you correctly that feedback like this hasnt been a norm in your correspondence, it sounds like she was kinder to you than you deserved. Also, you are killing me. None of the options you suggest include saying youre sorry! How do you even function in the world dealing with people like this? Anyway, okay, Im supposed to be giving you advice, not yelling at you. You should reach out and say this:

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I owe you an apology. Im realizing I gave you feedback that you didnt ask for, and it was probably insulting. I wouldnt have wanted someone to treat me that way and honestly, I dont even know why my critique would matter to you. Im embarrassed and I dont know why I did it. I would love to move forward and continue our friendshipwith a commitment to be more thoughtful and sensitive, and less arrogant which I really need to work onif you can accept my apology, but I will leave you alone if I dont hear back from you.

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And then you really need to work on those things. Like, seriously. Or youll just find yourself in this kind of situation again, wondering why someone hasnt responded well to your being a complete jerk to them.

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Give Prudie a Hand in Were Prudence

Sometimes even Prudence needs a little help. This weeks tricky situation is below. Join the conversation about it on Twitter with Jenee @jdesmondharris, and then look back for the final answer here on Friday.

Dear Prudence

I, my husband, and my childhood friend Mia are all in our early forties. Mia lives with and supports her niece Hope, who is in her mid-twenties. Hope has an IQ just slightly too high to qualify for disability, but for various reasons is unable to live independently. Hope was mostly raised by Mias parents (her grandparents), who are now dead. Her mother, Mias sister and only sibling, is also dead and her fathers whereabouts are unknown.

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Their family tends to have very poor health, and Mia already has the health and mobility of an elderly person. Shes worried what will happen to Hope when she dies, since they have no other relatives theyre in touch with. Nor does Mia expect to leave much money. She earns less than $30,000 a year and Hope less than $10,000. They rent, have minimal savings, and just barely cover their present needs. So as Mias closest remaining friend, she has asked me if I and my husband will take Hope in upon her death.

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Should I agree to this? We own a three-bedroom house and could provide Hope with a room and food, but Im concerned about our responsibility for anything beyond that, since were far from well-off either (which ironically is the main reason we decided not to have kids). Were not related to Hope and would have no formal guardianship, since she has never been declared incompetent. If we had to take her for needed health care or call an ambulance for her, would those bills be on her, as an adult (even with no money, insurance or credit history), or on us? If she developed mobility issues such that we couldnt care for her at home, where else could we take her, and could they come after us for payment? Wed appreciate any and all advice you can give.

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 Hesitant Helper

Dear Prudence,

Let me start off by saying I love animals. I have two dogs at the moment, but have had dogs, cats, and horses in my life. While I love animals, I love my children more. I have three children: two older teens and a newborn. My sister has three as well: two grown and one in middle school.

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Our mom is local and lives on a large property with a pond. Every holiday and get-together, my sister has taken to bringing her dog, who has plenty of other opportunities to run around at parks and lakes (and does!). My mom also has a dog, a shelter mix, who bit my eldest son once for being loud. Both of them treat their dogs like their children. Neither has been around a baby.

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Over Thanksgiving, we brought our newborn to my moms place for the first time. My sister brought her dog, and my moms dog was there. Both dogs were eyeing my son in a way that made us nervous. When he cried, the dogs seemed agitated and at one point I felt my moms dog was acting aggressive (but I did not allow her near him). My mom said the dogs were not used to a baby and that his cry bothered them. As my eldest was bitten for making a loud noise, this is an obvious concern.

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My sister agreed, just for Christmas, to leave her dog at home. My stepdad put their dog in his truck, as she would have destroyed the house if they tried to leave her in a bedroom. So, the situation was resolved for one event, but I am concerned as to what I should do going forward. My sister wants to bring her dog to future events, and my moms dog still lives there. As my son starts getting more mobile, I dont know what to do. Am I being unreasonable to ask them to leave their dogs at home/put away during events? How do I approach this in a way that doesnt make everyone mad at me, while keeping my son safe?

 Kids Before Canines

Dear Kids Before Canines,

When it comes to protecting your son from being attacked by a dog, you have to deprioritize being seen as unreasonable or making people mad. This means making the decision for yourself first: I am not going to have my son somewhere where he might get bitten. And then share that information with your family. You can do this very nicely, in a way that doesnt make them feel bullied and gives them a way out. Heres your script for the group text:

Hi, so I know the dog situation was resolved just for Christmas, and I am really grateful. I wanted to ask whether keeping Muffin at home and Marley in the truck could be a permanent solution at family events. After what happened when my Older Son was bitten, I just dont think Ill ever be able to feel comfortablealthough I know they are good dogs, they have shown some discomfort around Younger Son, and I simply couldnt live with myself if he was ever harmed because I didnt protect him. However, I know both of the dogs are members of the family too, so if this doesnt work for you, I understand and Ill either join you for events outside the house or try to make an appearance via Zoom or FaceTime. Let me know what you think.

Classic Prudie

My girlfriend is the chef and owner of a local restaurant thats recently become extremely popular. Wed been friends for a few years before we started dating months ago. Shes been named best chef in both the city and state, her restaurant has won awards, and she gets regular requests to compete on cooking shows. We are getting more serious, and Im not sure how to deal with her current fame. Everybody in our city knows who she is. I know that once I tell people that were dating, they are going to ask if I can get them free food
Each week, Prudie discusses a tricky letter with a colleague or friend, just for Slate Plus members. This week Jenee discusses From Russia With Issues with her husband and fellow Slatester Joel Anderson.

Dear Prudence,

Our 30-year-old son met a 25-year-old Russian woman via Instagram. Their only in-person interactions have been vacations in Serbia, Mexico, Istanbul, and London, for which he has paid. We met her in person at Christmas in London with our other two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. She showed no interest in spending time with us. How best do we discuss our concerns with our son?

 From Russia With Issues

Read Prudies original response to this letter.

Jenee Desmond-Harris: I feel like were both experts on these types of situations because I always have you watching Catfish or Love After Lockup (Although not 90 Day Fiance, which you inexplicably think is too sad) or some similar show about people who insist upon dating despite massive red flags. There is always a scene where their friends and family express concern and guess what? They never care!

Joel Anderson: They never, ever care. And even before we binged hundreds of episodes of Catfish and Love After Lockup together, I had learned at least one thing from watching family members and friends introduce their partners to loved ones: You cant talk anyone out of believing theyre in love.



Theyve already caught the bug. So unfortunately, From Russia, pretty much all you can do is wait until it passes. Or, hey, maybe theyll live happily ever after! You never know. Like you said, theyve at least met already and see each other regularly.

Brief aside: I think theres lots of sad people who appear on Catfish and we often avoid those episodes that you know I wont be able to stomach! Love After Lockup? I know its probably wrong to enjoy so much but, hey, Im human.

Second brief aside: Current geopolitical events and decades of domestic red-baiting aside, its kinda funny how people use Russia as a descriptor thats supposed to tell us something lol. Like, if she was Peruvian or Canadian, would this person be suspicious?

Jenee: And you know, re-reading the letter, there arent even that many red flags. People are allowed to be from Russia. And yeah, the son paid for trips but so do lots of boyfriends. Im not hearing that he sends her tons of money every month or something. What do they think her plan is? Going on vacations with someone she doesnt love until the end of time?

Joel: Well, and heres something thats uncomfortable and might require some honesty and deep, deep introspection: Has the LW thought about the possibility that their sons partner is simply responding to things hes said about them, or even the way he treats them himself? It could be that shes simply following his lead.

Also, we dont know anything about how theyve all handled previous relationships.

Like, Im reading their concerns and theyre not really registering as red flags. Maybe hes learned theyre not going to be fair or reasonable about any of this anyway, and theyre just carrying on accordingly.

Jenee: Also! Someone who was really scheming to marry for money or whatever WOULD show interest in sucking up to her boyfriends parents, right? Maybe her being authentic (authentically not at all interested in them) is a good thing 

Joel: Absolutely. Like, shes clearly not pressed. Maybe its a good thing? Ok, other thing: How much have the LW and her partner extended themselves to this Russian IG girlfriend? Have they tried to learn about her and her background and interests? Did they ever even pretend to be interested in getting to know her as something other than a foreign scammer?

The LW didnt say, and maybe theyre not the best judge of their own interactions here. But it might help if instead of bringing concerns to her son, she just asked very general questions about her and the relationship. Then, hey, she might learn something!

Jenee: Good advice. Tell us all about her! How is she doing? and What do you love most about her are better than Son, were worried youre being scammed.

Joel: My dad literally asked me a couple months ago: So why did you choose Jenee? It was very much out of the blue. But it was so touching. I gave him what I considered a thoughtful response, and I feel like I might never forget him asking me that for the rest of my life.

Jenee: Thats so sweet! I would ask you to repeat the answer for a public ego boost but I already demanded it and heard it in person. Also  wait  do you think your dad thinks Im a scammer?

Joel: We both agree youre more likely to be the scammee than the scammer.

Jenee: I mean, I did give up all my personal info in the last Slate email phishing challenge so thats fair.
In a move seen as a major policy shift, President Joe Biden announced last week that asylum-seekers from four countriesCuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haitiwill be turned away if they cross the border illegally.

Migrants from those countries will now have to request asylum before arriving at the U.S. border so Customs and Border Protection have time to prepare for their arrival. Its an effort to slow down record high illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico borderCBP reported over 2 million encounters with migrants in fiscal year 2022, a significant rise from the prior two years, when the pandemic slowed migration.

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At the same time, the White House is trying to encourage legal immigration from these four countries by introducing a new parole program. As many as 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti each will be able to migrate legally to the U.S. if they can prove theyre able to buy a plane ticket, get a sponsor in the U.S., download a CBP mobile app, and pass a background check, among other requirements. Theyll be allowed to stay in the U.S. for two years with work authorizationbut they wont have a path to permanent status in the U.S. Many immigration advocates and lawmakers are not thrilled with Bidens new policy, arguing it undermines the U.S. asylum processat a time when the U.S. has been taking in a record-low number of refugees. At the same time, others believe this could actually be one of the largest expansions in legal migration in decadesduring his tenure, Donald Trump reduced legal immigration to the U.S. by 63 percentbut its success will largely depend on how its executed.

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The new policy also isnt meant to be an end-all solution to illegal immigrationthe White House punted to Congress, emphasizing that unless comprehensive immigration reform legislation is passed, the United States broken immigration system will indeed remain broken.

Whats driving this policy shift right now, and why does it focus on these four countries? I spoke with Julia Gelatt, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute who has spent years studying how U.S. policies impact immigrants. Heres our conversation, lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Shirin Ali: Why is Biden narrowing in on Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti specifically?

Julia Gelatt: These are countries that have had high numbers of border arrivals in recent months and quickly growing numbers of border arrivals. Normally, the countries that send the most people to the U.S.-Mexico border are, of course Mexico, but also Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. But in recent months there have been more migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela than from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Weve seen a real shift in whos coming to the border, so I think this policy is addressed toward those newer border flows.

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Why do you think Biden chose this moment to introduce a new border policy?

I think partly, the administration implemented a similar policy just for Venezuela in October and had seen success in their mind in terms of much lower numbers of people coming from Venezuela in the subsequent months. So I think partly theyre building on that experience. I suspect that there are also political motivations, addressing what has been a big criticism of President Biden: that he hadnt been to the border and that he wasnt taking the border seriously. Now hes wanting to be seen as being proactive on the issue.

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What was the Venezuelan policy?

Its very similar. Basically, the administration announced that it would start applying Title 42 at the border to Venezuelans. So very quickly expelling Venezuelans back to Mexico. Then they also announced that there was a new parole program for Venezuelans who had a sponsor and who flew to the United States to get humanitarian parole. They said there would be a cap of 24,000 Venezuelans who could get parole. Now that theyve announced this new program, its kind of wrapped Venezuelans into the new announcement. And so that 24,000 cap is no longer binding. Theres now the new 30,000 per month cap.

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Speaking of, Biden is trying to open up access to legal immigration by allowing up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti each to enter the U.S. if they meet certain criteria. What do you think of this concession?

This is a pretty big pathway to the United States. If there really are 30,000 people a month able to take advantage of this, thats 360,000 people over the course of the year. Thats a really big number receiving humanitarian parole. Its a pretty wide pathway for people who are coming from countries where many people are experiencing extreme poverty and violence and repressive governments. Its an open question whether the people who can take advantage of the parole program are the same migrants who might have come to the U.S.-Mexico border. Since the migrants have to have a U.S. sponsor, a valid passport, and they have to buy a plane ticket to the United States, theres some concern that it will be wealthier, better-off migrants who are able to take advantage of the parole program. And those might be different people than the people who were fleeing through Mexico towards the United States.

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Do you expect Bidens new policy will actually lower the number of people trying to cross the U.S. southern border?

Its a good question. As the administration pointed out, the number of Venezuelans coming to the border dropped very sharply after they announced the program for Venezuelans. But whether theres that same impact for these other groups remains to be seen. Cubans can travel fairly easily to Nicaragua, while Nicaraguans are in the region and theres a shorter and more straightforward trip to Mexico and toward the United States for those groups than there was for Venezuelans. They have to make the whole trip from South America all the way through Central America through the really dangerous Darien Gap in Panama to get to the United States. I think its an open question how much this will affect border arrivals, and some people were already somewhere in their trip or had already decided to travel to the U.S. and may continue, despite the announcement of the new policy.

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Bidens new policy announcement also mentioned that migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti would be barred from seeking legal entry into the U.S. if they dont first apply for asylum at a U.S.-Mexico port of entry. How will this work, exactly?

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Right now, the policy is that Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who approach the border are likely to be expelled under Title 42 to Mexico. However, there is a cap on expulsions to Mexico because Mexico controls who comes in across their border, as well. Under Bidens new policy, Mexico has agreed to take in up to 30,000 people [per month] expelled under Title 42 from these four countries. So its possible that some people from these four countries may be able to get into the United States anyway, once that 30,000 cap is reached.

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The second thing that the administration announced is that they would expand the use of expedited removal, which was considered a standard process before Title 42. Under expedited removal, someone who crosses the border illegally is put into very rapid removal proceedings where they will be removed quickly from the United States unless they say that they have a fear of returning to their home country and they pass something called a credible fear interview. Its people who are moved through that process that are subject to the five-year ban on re-entry to the United States.

Then the third thing that they announced is that theyre going to put forward a regulation sometime in the futureand this will take at least several months for them to put into placeto ban people from getting asylum between ports of entry if they have crossed through another country on the way to the U.S. and didnt take advantage of asylum opportunities there first.

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It sounds like Title 42 is this exception thats woven into Bidens new policy, is that true?

If people are subjected to Title 42, theyre returned to their home country. But because theres no formal removal under U.S. immigration law, theres really no consequences. Theres no ban thats attached to being expelled under Title 42. Thats why you see people who are expelled, they often try right away again to recross into the United States and see if they have better luck on their second or third try. Bottom line, expedited removal happens under regular, non-Title 42 processing.

Title 42 is a pretty contentious immigration policy thats been locked in legal fightsTrump implemented it, but Biden has denounced it. Yet, it still standswhy?

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Its pretty interesting. President Biden said in his statement, I dont like Title 42, at the same time that he was announcing an expansion of the use of Title 42 to more nationalities. This really encapsulates the contradiction of the administration. They took a while before they decided to try to end Title 42.

Once they tried to end it, they were blocked in court, and it seems like they have been okay with Title 42 continuing because it is a convenient border management tool. It takes a lot less time for the Border Patrol to return someone under Title 42 than it takes for them to process through other means, like expedited removal or processing them into the United States to be put into removal proceedings from within the U.S. So, officially, the administration wants to end the policy, but they seem to have found it a helpful tool to use while the litigation continues.

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Do you think Bidens new immigration policy is a step in the right direction?

I think that the administration is in a really tough place with not a lot of good options. This could be a helpful step in trying to lower border arrival numbers in the service of buying some time to implement the broader changes that are really needed. Ultimately, we need deeper reforms to how the border is managed, and also to how asylum claims are managed in the United States. Those changes are difficult to make when there are so many people coming to the border. I think the goal is to try to lower the numbers in the short term to buy some time for longer-term changes. There are also concerns particularly about the forthcoming proposed rule on asylum and whether there will be meaningful access to asylum at the border under those new plans. So I think there is a lot to see about how all of this plays out.
Since the midterms, everyone has wondered where the GOP will go next on abortion, and this week, House Republicans offered an answer. The bill, called the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, passed with uniform support from the House GOP. It would require doctors to offer the same care after abortion that is available to any child of the same gestational age, and it prescribes fines and prison time for doctors who violate it. With Democrats in control of the Senate, the new bill isnt going anywhere, but thats not what House Republicans are aiming for. Theyre trying to send a message about what the GOP has to offer, in 2024 and beyond.

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If the Born-Alive Act is a messaging bill, its best read as a distress signal from a party that doesnt know what to do with the abortion issue.

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Roe v. Wade is gone, which means, in theory, that anything goes. Anti-abortion groups have proposals teed up, and many would like to see the GOP advance a ban at six weeks (if not earlier). House Republicans have to worry about disappointing base voters who share the movements priorities. On the other hand, doing something meaningful to restrict abortion may strike House Republicans as even more politically risky. The GOP is still smarting after a bruising midterm that saw Democrats maintain control of the Senate, win six of six abortion-related ballot initiatives, and hold even House Republicans to the worst modern midterm result for a party out of power in decades. House Republicans have set an impossible task for themselves: pleasing a base that wants nothing less than a national ban without offending the majority of voters who dont like what the GOP has to say about abortion.

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What theyve offered are bills to shore up a status quo that took shape while Roe was still good law. House Republicans plan a vote to make the Hyde Amendment, a ban on Medicaid reimbursement for abortion, permanent. At present, the Hyde Amendment gets sneaked into annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, but it has been impossible to dislodge since it first passed in 1976.

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And then theres the Born-Alive Act, which would hardly produce a radical change. Born-alive strategies harken back to a series of high-profile cases in the 1970s when physicians faced manslaughter prosecutions for allegedly withholding care or harming infants born alive after abortion. Never mind that the techniques that made a live birth possible (though exceedingly rare) were abandoned over the next few decades: Anti-abortion activists still found the idea of a born-alive bill compelling. In the late 1990s, Hadley Arkes, an activist and professor, proposed a bill that would change the meaning of the word person in federal criminal law to include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive. Arkes thought that a born-alive bill would make it easier to justify bans on abortion later in pregnancy and serve as an important step in establishing, as Arkes wrote, that the claim of the child to protection of the law does not pivot on the question of whether anyone happens to want her.

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That bill passed in 2002, but it wasnt exactly a major game-changer: The acts Arkes wanted to prohibit were already illegal. The vast majority of abortions take place early in pregnancy, and the safest and most common second-trimester procedure, dilation and evacuation, all but precludes a live birth. Still, incrementalism and caution were necessary while the federal courts still recognized a right to abortion.

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Not so much anymore. Theres nothing stopping the House from passing a bill recognizing fetal personhood and banning all abortionsthe ultimate goal of the anti-abortion movement since the 1960s. Even the 15-week abortion ban proposed in the Senate by Lindsey Graham would be closer to what the anti-abortion movement wants than this bill.

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The House GOP seems nostalgic for the world we all lived in a year agoone that already had both a born-alive law and a Hyde Amendment, one in which Republicans routinely railed against the evils of abortion without having to do anything concrete. But the Overton window has shifted, partly thanks to the GOP itself. Anti-abortion activists are not content with the bans theyve already passed: Theyre pressing for measures that target out-of-state providers and the people who help those seeking abortion, and many are gunning for a national ban. Republicans spent decades pledging their support for personhood, and the anti-abortion movement expects them to deliver, especially since state legislators in places like Texas and Missouri seem more than happy to oblige.

House Republicans seem to know theyve created a political monsterputting reproductive rights and justice at the center of our politics and fueling a series of bans that even many conservatives and independents reject. But getting themselves out of harms way wont be easy. The born-alive strategy isnt a messaging bill. Its a cry for help.
Airbus announces a subsidiary in Slovakia, a new Liptov sauna.

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Good evening. Here is the Thursday, January 12 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Explained: Increase in households' energy bills

Government regulations with regard to the extraordinary subsidy measures supercede URSO's decisions on regulated prices. (Source: SME archive)

Uncertainty in households revolving around energy bills for this year has vanished after a regulator published final prices in recent days, but anxiety is not disappearing as prices across the board continue to grow in Slovakia.



However, government regulations with regard to the extraordinary subsidy measures supercede the regulator's decisions on regulated prices.

Here's how much more Slovak households will pay for gas, electricity, and heat in 2023.

Related: Almost a quarter of Slovaks (23.9 per cent) plan to significantly limit energy consumption, a survey for the Home Credit company shows. At the same time, people were controlling the energy consumption in their home more than a year ago.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Eurobarometer: While the average EU citizen thinks of increasing poverty and social exclusion as a greater threat to their society, Slovaks consider the war in Ukraine crossing the country's borders a more urgent issue.

While the average EU citizen thinks of increasing poverty and social exclusion as a greater threat to their society, Slovaks consider the war in Ukraine crossing the country's borders a more urgent issue. Roma: Roma people stood up against far-right politician Marian Kotleba at last week's gathering honouring a murdered nurse.

Roma people stood up against far-right politician Marian Kotleba at last week's gathering honouring a murdered nurse. Politics: The biggest parliamentary party, OLaNO, might lose some of its well-known faces, including Interim PM Eduard Heger.

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TRAVEL STORY FOR THURSDAY

New sauna in Liptov valley

A sauna in the Cutkovska Dolina valley. (Source: Romana Vicianova)

A self-service sauna concept with capacity for up to six people has popped up in the Cutkovska Dolina valley.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"If we do agree on anything, it will always be with the aim of minimising the mafia's chance of returning to power and maximising the chance of success for the entire anti-mafia grouping of parties," OLaNO chair Igor Matovic said about PM Eduard Heger's rumoured departure from the party .

. In the coming summer season, Piestany Airport should offer a direct connection to Israel's Tel Aviv.

Airbus is establishing a subsidiary in Slovakia that will support the projects of the Interior Ministry. Airbus has been its partner since 1998 and provides Tetrapol technology for SITNO, the national professional digital radio communication network and its infrastructure, which is used daily by Slovak security units. (SITA)

Thank you for reading The Slovak Spectator.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
With all the drama surrounding Floridas class of 2023 quarterback signee Jaden Rashada, Gator Nation has to be breathing some sigh of relief that 2024 five-star quarterback DJ Lagway seems as committed to the program as ever.

Lagway will be back on campus Jan. 28, according to Swamp247. The Gators are hosting weekend groups of visitors once the contact period opens back up instead of a massive Junior Day, as some programs do. One of Lagways primary reasons for committing early was to get started on recruiting a strong class around him, so seeing him come in for one of these visit groups makes perfect sense.

The Gators only have a handful of players set to come in for that final weekend in January, but Lagways very public announcement may turn some maybes into yeses. The recruiting staff still has over two weeks to plan out that visit too, so it could end up being a big weekend if things start to snowball.

Lagway is ranked No. 24 overall on the 247Sports composite and is No. 6 among quarterbacks in the class of 2024. On3 is even more bullish on the Willis, Texas native, ranking him at No. 7 overall and No. 2 at his position on the sites standalone list, but they also only consider him a four-star talent for now.

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Two Gators among ESPN's top 32 prospects in 2023 NFL draft Here's where Florida lands in ESPN's final 2022 season SP+ rankings Final CBS Sports' re-rank of 2022 has Florida in top 50 Gators finish outside top 60 in USA TODAY Sports' final 2022 re-rank Top transfer portal offensive lineman commits to the Florida Gators

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Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/100-billion-not-enough-gop-lawmakers-blast-fellow-republicans-bid-to-erect-bust-to-zelensky-1106260937.html

'$100+ Billion Not Enough?' GOP Lawmakers Blast Fellow Republicans Bid to Erect Bust to Zelensky

'$100+ Billion Not Enough?' GOP Lawmakers Blast Fellow Republicans Bid to Erect Bust to Zelensky

With progressive Democrats falling in line with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer's orders on votes to send aid to Ukraine, it has fallen to a small group of Republicans to reject their partys leaders and vote no on further support to Kiev.

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South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilsons proposal to erect a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked backlash from the pro-Trump wing of the Republican Party, with lawmakers piling onto Wilson to accuse him of idiocy.I wanted to believe this legislation was satire from @TheBabylonBee, but its not, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky tweeted in response to Wilsons proposal, which was filed on Monday and titled "Directing the Fine Arts Board to obtain a bust of the President of Ukrainefor display in the House of Representatives wing of the United States Capitol."The Kentucky congressmans sentiments were echoed by Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona, who asked whether the $100+ billion the US has already committed to Ukraine was not enough?Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene also slammed the resolution, tweeting that US lawmakers are supposed to serve America, and not Ukraine.Fox News host Tucker Carlson also predictably slammed Wilson over his insane idea, accusing Zelensky of being dictatorial, banning opposition parties and trying to ban an entire Christian denomination" (a reference to Kievs recent series of crackdowns on the pro-Moscow denomination of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).The legislation [Wilson] is putting forward would ensure that Zelenskys bust is on display in a suitable permanent location in the House of Representatives wing so we can worship him daily. This is crazy. Lets hope we pull back, Carlson urged.Ordinary Republicans also lashed out at the bill, appealing to Wilson via his Twitter handle and asking why hes decided to start p***ing away all our hard earned tax money on a bust, and whether it had anything to do with the laundering of funds through the military-industrial complex for use in his next reelection campaign. Others suggested that if Wilson wanted a bust of Zelensky, he should pay for it with his own money and keep it at his house. Others argued that Wilsons shenanigans were proof that there is a lot of work to do in the next primary season.Several dozen House Republicans and about a dozen GOP senators have voted against consecutive Ukraine aid packages since last spring, citing the need to fix domestic problems and Americas gargantuan federal debt. House Republicans held up moderate Republican Kevin McCarthys speakership for 15 rounds last week to force him into making several concessions, which could include an unprecedented $75 billion cut in defense spending, and a $130 billion total cut in discretionary spending to try and get debt levels under control. If approved, the defense cuts would be the largest single year cut since the end of World War II, and the largest cumulative cut since the brief post-Cold War shrinkage in Pentagon expenditures observed in the mid-1990s.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230107/zelensky-congratulates-new-us-house-speaker-calls-washingtons-aid-vital-for-ukraine-1106115012.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230110/chaotic-way-mccarthy-became-us-house-speaker-sets-dangerous-precedent---senior-democrat-1106206733.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/alexander-hamilton-who-was-the-unlikely-broadway-hero-and-what-is-his-legacy-1106225586.html

Alexander Hamilton: Who Was the Unlikely Broadway Hero and What is His legacy?

Alexander Hamilton: Who Was the Unlikely Broadway Hero and What is His legacy?

Alexander Hamilton gained fame 250 years after his birth as the subject of an unlikely hip-hop musical. But who was the young Revolutionary War soldier who died in a politically-charged pistol duel, and what is his legacy today?

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Who was Alexander Hamilton? Thanks to the musical of his name, the popular image of the one-time US treasury secretary has somewhat improbably become that of a rapper in knee britches and frock-coat.On the anniversary of his birth, we must separate the colorful fiction from the often boring reality to find the true history of this important figure.Hamilton was born on January 11, 1755 (or 1757 according to other sources) on the Caribbean island of Nevis to Scotsman James Hamilton and Rachel Faucette, who fled her marriage in the Danish colony of St. Croix. He and his brother James Jr. were excluded from the local Church of England school as they were born out of legal wedlock.After his father left and mother died of yellow fever, he was taken in by a local merchant for whom he worked for several years before catching a ship to Boston and then New York in 1772. There, he enrolled in King's College and became renowned for his skill in polemical writing, including political tracts for the cause of independence from Britain.At the outbreak of the American War of Independence in 1875, a gaggle of Kings College students formed their own militia dubbed 'The Corsicans' and later 'The Heart of Oak.' The next year, Hamilton - barely 20 years old - was able to pull strings among his friends in the New York legislature to be commissioned as an officer in the unit, now an artillery battery after capturing several cannon.He served as an aide de camp to general George Washington, but the lust for glory led him to make repeated requests to be transferred to a line regiment, until he finally used a minor disagreement as pretext for his resignation from Washington's staff. Eventually in 1781, Washington gave Hamilton his own command after the young officer threatened to resign his commission, and he ended the war with the rank of general.Hamilton's military and political career was further helped by his marriage in 1780 to Elizabeth, the daughter of general and congressman Philip Schuyler.Democracy? No Thanks!As a member of the Federalist party that dominated US politics until 1801, Hamilton favoured a strong central government that could pass federal legislation that superseded the statutes of the individual states  something which has always eluded US politics except in the murky realms of foreign policy and defence.He was also opposed to directly electing a president by simple majority. The 68th essay published in The Federalist series of political screeds in 1788  widely attributed to Hamilton  argued in favor of the still-controversial Electoral College system of appointed electors from each state choosing the nation's leader. He had, after all, written the first draft of the US Constitution.He wrote that "men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station" of the presidency must mediate between the voters and the executive to prevent the election of anyone "not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications."That essay would later resurface with noel ramifications the 21st century. Hamilton's name hit the headlines again in 2016 following Donald Trump's victory over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in that year's election. A rump of state-appointed members of the Electoral College, calling themselves the 'Hamilton Electors', attempted to usurp the result and cast their votes for Clinton, rather than Trump as mandated. The 'faithless electors' eventually backed down.Treasury TroublesHamilton was appointed the first US secretary of the Treasury by then-President George Washington in 1789, a position he held for six years.In order to raise money to pay off debts of $54 million run up by the federal government during the war, Hamilton persuaded Congress to levy a tax on whiskey. The move was immediately unpopular, including among war veterans who fought against 'taxation without representation', and with farmers in the western states who made extra income from distilling their own liquor. Attempts to collect tax sparked a series of riots dubbed the 'Whisky rebellion' that raged from 1791 to 1794, forcing president Washington to call out the troops. Hamilton's 'Second Report on Public Credit' in December 1790 called for the creation of the national central bank modeled on the Bank of England. That was enacted in 1791 despite objections by Congressman James Madison, later US president, on that basis that it was unconstitutional. The First Bank of the United States founded as a result was the forerunner of the present-day Federal Reserve.Row-By ShootingPerhaps the most interesting part of Hamilton's life story is his death in a duel with former Vice President Aaron Burr.Burr was Thomas Jefferson's running-mate on the Democratic-Republican Party ticket in the close-run 1800 election, but made a secret deal with Hamilton's Federalist Party to use their votes in the same Electoral College system  which Hamilton had co-authored  to make him president with Jefferson as his VP.A refusal by just two Federalists to play along led to months of deadlock in the House of Representatives, leading to a run-off 'contingent' election between the two party-mates. Jefferson won and Burr was made vice president, but the two were at odds from then on and Jefferson replaced Burr with George Clinton on his successful 1804 ticket.Burr, undaunted, ran for governor of New York in 1804. The Albany Register newspaper promptly published a letter, originally sent by doctor, lawyer and Democratic-Republican politician Charles D. Cooper to Hamilton's father-in-law and former senator Philip Schuyler.In his letter, Cooper described Burr as a "dangerous man, and one who ought not be trusted with the reins of government," and claimed he could describe in detail "a still more despicable opinion which General Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr" at a dinner party they had recently attended together.In a series of private letters, Burr repeatedly demanded that Hamilton deny he had voiced the "despicable" slur. In his replies, Hamilton protested that Cooper had mentioned no specific quote by him and that he could not be held responsible for Cooper's 'interpretation' of his words. He concluded that he would "abide the consequences" if Burr was not satisfied  an apparent invitation to be challenged to a duel.The men agreed to meet on July 12, 1804, in woodland across the Hudson river from New York in Weehawken, New Jersey. Forebodingly, that was was the same spot where Hamilton's 19-year-old son Philip had been shot dead just over two years earlier in a duel with another Democratic-Republican figure, George Eacker.Eacker had reportedly said in an 1801 speech that Hamilton was not averse to overthrowing President Jefferson by force. Months later, Philip and his friend Stephen Price saw Eacker at a theatre performance and entered his private box to confront him. Eacker called the youths "damned rascals," and on that basis they both challenged him to settle the matter with pistols. Price's duel ended with both men unscathed after firing two shots each, and the elder Hamilton fatally advised his son to 'delope' or deliberately miss his shot. The two men stood motionless for a minute, but when Eacker finally raised his pistol, Philip followed suit and Eacker shot him in the hip, mortally wounding him. Historians sympathetic to Hamilton, along with the musical's authors, have claimed he told friends he also intended to delope in the duel, and that Burr fired first. That is contradicted by the account that Hamilton shot down a tree branch over Burr's head before being hit in return and collapsing. Some have even ventured that Hamilton's death was a form of honorable suicide at another man's hand.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/biden-may-get-off-easy-for-mishandling-secret-docs-once-media-falls-in-line-experts-predict-1106240638.html

Biden May Get Off Easy for Mishandling Secret Docs Once Media Falls in Line, Experts Predict

Biden May Get Off Easy for Mishandling Secret Docs Once Media Falls in Line, Experts Predict

President Joe Biden is unlikely to face any serious consequences for mishandling classified government records because the US mainstream media will eventually back the White House narrative, experts told Sputnik.

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Biden's lawyers found a second batch of classified documents from his vice presidency, and at a new location, US media reported on Wednesday, a day after the president said he was "surprised" when briefed about the first set of records discovered in his private office. Among the first batch of documents, now under Justice Department review, are classified materials related to Ukraine and Iran, among other security issues, media reported. The findings have drawn comparisons to the discovery of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida home after an FBI raid in August. Trump said he wondered when US authorities would raid Biden's home while a MAGA spokesperson called for a special counsel. The US media so far has been quick to underscore differences between the two cases, saying Biden freely handed over the documents, for starters, while Trump refused repeated government requests. Nevertheless, the controversy might complicate the issue of pursuing a probe into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified official documents, Buckley acknowledged. University of Illinois Professor of Law Francis Boyle also indicated nothing would come out of the discoveries, and even suggested the stories are meant to distract the public from the conflict in Ukraine and the pandemic. Meanwhile, so far, little has been said or reported about the seriousness of the violations and potential security risks. Southwestern University Law School Professor Rachel VanLandingham said the level of seriousness depends on the facts of each instance - ranging from noncriminal carelessness to Trump's "seemingly criminal acts," of obstructing the return of classified material. Biden's lawyers found the documents while clearing his office at the Penn Center, a Washington-based think tank, in November. White House special counsel said they immediately contacted the US National Archives who forwarded the information to the Justice Department. A US federal prosecutor has been assigned to review the classified materials.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/biden-aides-reportedly-uncover-second-batch-of-classified-docs-in-potus-private-office-1106234806.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/bidens-classified-memo-saga-shows-us-internal-political-crisis-is-worsening-observers-say-1106245182.html

Biden's Classified Memo Saga Shows US Internal Political Crisis is Worsening, Observers Say

Biden's Classified Memo Saga Shows US Internal Political Crisis is Worsening, Observers Say

US President Joe Bidens aides have reportedly found a second batch of classified documents at a new location, according to NBC News. On January 9, White House... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

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"These successive disclosures are very damaging for a president who is weak and heavily criticized even among Democrats, whose majority does not want him to run for a second term," Come Carpentier de Gourdon, the convener of the editorial board of World Affairs, told Sputnik. "Biden's policies are generally unsuccessful and left-wing Democrats feel betrayed by his very traditional economic measures. There is growing fatigue about and opposition to vast financial expenses on Ukraine."Earlier this month, White House lawyer Richard Sauber told news outlets in a statement that on 2 November 2022, Joe Biden's private lawyers had found a batch of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a think tank affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, where Biden worked between 2017 and 2019. The president's lawyers immediately informed the National Archives and Records Administration about the trove.The memos in question reportedly originated from the Obama administration, and included intelligence on Ukraine, Iran, and the UK. Still, the discovery wasn't made public before the November midterms, which saw the Democratic Party's defeat in the lower chamber of the US Congress. Attorney General Merrick Garland has reportedly assigned the US attorney in Chicago to review the files. Joe Biden said he was unaware that the classified materials had been kept at the think tank.Following Sauber's statement, US media reported about yet another cache of classified documents found at a separate location by Biden aides. According to the US press, the classification level, number, and precise location of the additional batch were not immediately clear. It also remains unclear when the files were discovered and whether the search for any other classified materials Biden may have from the Obama administration is complete.Classified Docs: Biden and Trump CasesUS conservative outlets immediately drew parallels between Biden's classified memo drama and the fuss over Donald Trump keeping classified documents at his premises in Mar-a-Lago. Last year, Trump voluntarily turned over a number of government files he had stored after leaving the Oval Office. Nonetheless, after that, the FBI carried out a raid on Trump's house on August 8, 2022 and grabbed 13,000 documents from the location. Just 103 of them turned out to be classified and 18 were marked "top secret." The former president, however, maintained that he had declassified the files before he left office. AG Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the case of Trump's classified documents.The Republicans recently called on Garland to appoint a special counsel for Biden too, after it turned out that the former vice president had kept secret government materials at the Penn Biden Center and other presumably unprotected locations. Some US conservative outlets have raised the alarm over the possibility that foreign spies could have had access to the files withheld by Biden.According to Kasonta, Biden was reckless and his case should be criminally investigated. He does not believe that the president knew nothing about the recently discovered classified Obama administration memos."[L]egal experts () said the documents were found in a locked closet in Bidens former office, inside three or four boxes along with unclassified documents, which, they claimed, 'suggests routine misplacement.' But this does not explain how the documents got there in the first place," said Sandhya Jain, political analyst and independent researcher, masters in political science from the University of Delhi, India.She believes that the discovery of documents in Bidens former office "will certainly impact the probe into Trumps mishandling of documents."Attempts to Shield the Bidens in 2023 May FailThe timing of the disclosure concerning Biden's classified documents saga speaks volumes, according to the international observers.Meanwhile, it appears that the Biden administration's attempts to cover up the issue before the 2022 midterms is strikingly similar to the efforts to suppress the story about Joe Biden's son, Hunter, and his "laptop from hell" ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Elon Musk's Twitter Files recently demonstrated that the US intelligence community arranged nothing short of a "damage control" operation in 2020 to shield the Democratic presidential nominee from the scandal."There is evidence of a policy in the US administration to stop or delay the release of any information unfavorable to the President personally and his family," said de Gourdon. "The major security agencies seem to be acting in keeping with that 'damage control' and cover-up process meant to limit bad publicity and loss of public support for the Biden administration. Most Democrat office holders will not turn against their president and will try to minimize the facts by claiming that it is all partisan propaganda from the other side."However, now that the GOP has taken the House of Representatives, it will be hard for Democrats and their apparent allies in US federal agencies to cover these cases up. De Gourdon expects that "more damaging information will come out about Hunter Biden and his father's association with him for corrupt business deals and influence peddling." In addition to the GOP's ongoing investigations into the Bidens, the Republican lawmakers may also initiate impeachment proceedings against the incumbent president, according to the scholar.For his part, Graziani believes that the discovery of Biden's documents and emerging bad publicity associated with the case shows that "the US political crisis is worsening."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/brazils-police-say-over-1800-participants-of-anti-government-protests-detained-1106242548.html

Brazil's Police Say Over 1,800 Participants of Anti-Government Protests Detained

Brazil's Police Say Over 1,800 Participants of Anti-Government Protests Detained

Brazil's Federal Police said on Wednesday that a total of 1,843 participants of anti-government protests, held by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro

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The police added that 1,159 of those detained have been identified, interrogated, and arrested. They have been handed over to the country's civil police for medical examination and further distribution in penitentiary facilities. Some 209 people were arrested on the day of the protests. The police said, after the last 57 hours of sustained work and the mobilization of some 550 police officers, that it was the largest judicial operation in history. Bolsonaro lost the presidential election in Brazil in October and left for the United States in late December. He did not participate in the inauguration of his successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on January 1. Bolsonaro's supporters, rallying against the election results since their announcement, stepped up the protest last week and attempted to storm several government buildings on Sunday. Police regained control of the buildings by the evening.

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over 1,800 protesters detained in brazil, police detains 1,800 bolsonaro supporters, riots in brazil, pro-bolsonaro protests, mass demonstrations in brasilia
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/eu-vows-to-keep-sanctioning-countries-helping-russia-in-ukraine-op-including-iran-and-belarus-1106254131.html

EU Vows to Keep Sanctioning Countries 'Helping Russia' in Ukraine Op, Including Iran and Belarus

EU Vows to Keep Sanctioning Countries 'Helping Russia' in Ukraine Op, Including Iran and Belarus

The European Union will continue to sanction those suspected of assisting Russia in its military operation in Ukraine

2023-01-12T13:32+0000

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The spokesman also noted that EU member states have prerogatives to decide whether to impose sanctions on Belarus for its alleged assistance to Russia's efforts in the Ukrainian conflict. Western countries have repeatedly accused Iran of supplying combat drones to Russia for hostilities in Ukraine. No concrete evidence proving such claim has been presented yet, with both Moscow and Tehran rejecting the allegation. The West has also accused Minsk of supporting Moscow in its military operation in Ukraine, in particular by allowing Russian troops and aircraft to enter Ukraine from the territory of Belarus and stationing Russian missile launchers. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in October that Minsk had no intention of participating in hostilities in Ukraine, especially since there have been no such requests.

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eu vows sanctions against iran and belarus, eu sanctions on iran, eu sanctions on belarus, eu sanctions on russia, russia-ukraine war
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/faa-systems-go-down-biden-classified-documents-and-democrats-defend-the-intelligence-agencies-1106236642.html

FAA Systems Go Down, Biden Classified Documents, and Democrats Defend the Intelligence Agencies

FAA Systems Go Down, Biden Classified Documents, and Democrats Defend the Intelligence Agencies

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including General Valery Gerasimov being appointed to lead the Russian... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T09:18+0000

2023-01-12T09:18+0000

2023-02-03T08:35+0000

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FAA Systems Go Down, Biden Classified Documents, and Democrats Defend the Intelligence Agencies On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including General Valery Gerasimov being appointed to lead the Russian military in Ukraine, and Uranium found at Heathrow airport.

Ian Shilling - Geopolitical Analyst, Researcher, and Blogger | Propaganda Surrounding China, Rothschild Film Rumors, and President Zelensky Gets Celebrated by HollywoodThom Nickels - Author, Journalist | The 2016 DNC Convention, Biden's Connection to Philadelphia, and Language WarsIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Ian Shilling about China's economy, all wars are bankers' wars, and the NHS nurse shortage. Ian spoke about the American trade routes and how China's economy has grown over the decades. Ian commented on Prince Harry's media tour and his wife's accusations against the Royal family.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Thom Nickels about the leftists obsessed with gay marriage, race relations in 2023, and the Democrat party of Philadelphia. Thom talked about his experience at the 2016 DNC convention and how Bernie Sanders supporters were shunned by the media. Thom commented on the pronoun war in America and how Joe Biden is connected to Philadelphia.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/how-could-mccarthy-led-house-influence-bidens-foreign--domestic-strategy-1106256660.html

How Could McCarthy-Led House Influence Biden's Foreign & Domestic Strategy?

How Could McCarthy-Led House Influence Biden's Foreign & Domestic Strategy?

Kevin McCarthy won the House speakers gavel on the 15th attempt amid opposition within his party. US media is speculating about a list of concessions... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T16:28+0000

2023-01-12T16:28+0000

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"Taking 15 votes to select the Speaker was certainly historic, but in the long run was not particularly important by itself," Timothy M. Hagle, an associate professor at the University of Iowa and a specialist on US politics, told Sputnik. "It is, however, a signal that there are 20 or so Republican members of Congress who are serious about certain reforms that they wanted to see happen. McCarthy agreed to several of these."Alleged Three-Page List of ConcessionsThe existence of a "secret three-page addendum" listing McCarthy's concessions to the US conservative Freedom Caucus was first reported on by Punchbowl News on January 9. However, many GOP members said that they had not seen the document, while the others refused to talk about the matter with the press.According to the US mainstream media, the alleged list includes a new House rules package that was approved on a 220213 vote earlier this week.In particular, the new House rules lower the threshold of lawmakers needed to oust the speaker. It also increases the amount of time lawmakers get to review a bill before its brought to the floor to 72 hours. (The latter measure is seen as a reaction to recent Democratic-led spending packages which required quick passage and were rammed through the US Congress.) The rules also resume the right of individual House members to offer amendments to legislation from the floor.The alleged list of concessions also envisages the creation of a new subcommittee to investigate the so-called "weaponization of the FBI," as per reports. According to the US media, the initiative will grant GOP lawmakers extensive powers to subpoena the White House and will give them access to highly sensitive information from the House Intelligence Committee.Yet another concession, allegedly made by McCarthy, would allow the GOP-led House to pass a budget resolution (that includes a debt limit increase) only if some major spending cuts are made in exchange.The US media is also speculating that the new GOP majority would get more seats on the powerful House Rules Committee, which decides when and if a bill can be debated and whether amendments can be allowed. According to the press, this could mean that "big House rules changes are coming."The much-discussed concessions have prompted a storm of criticism in the US left-leaning press, which laments the fact that the House has come under control of "radical" Make American Great Again (MAGA) lawmakers.US Foreign Policy: Russia and ChinaMeanwhile, it is unclear whether the GOP majority in the House of Representatives might in any way change Washington's foreign agenda, according to Hagle.Even though Kevin McCarthy and some other House Republicans have been critical of the Biden administration's multi-billion military aid to Ukraine, it is unlikely that the funding will end any time soon, according to the professor.Washington has stepped up military assistance to the Kiev regime following the beginning of Russia's special operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine."Democrats still support the flow of money to Ukraine and enough Republicans still do as well that the support certainly won't stop immediately," Hagle said. "On the other hand, Republicans have long complained about out-of-control spending and many are also skeptical of spending huge amounts of money in this conflict. At this point, it's likely more members of Congress will be raising questions about it, but the support will likely continue for the time being."At the same time, McCarthy's hawkish approach to China has already borne fruit in the form of a new select committee to address "the multifaceted threats" that Beijing allegedly poses to the US. All Republicans and 146 Democrats voted for the creation of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the US and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Tuesday. The panel is set to investigate the CCP's supposed strategy "to undermine American leadership and American sovereignty."The political scientist believes that the apparent shift in the lower chamber could prompt Biden to encourage Kiev to negotiate with Russia, "pointing out that he has to compromise on some issues with the House.""Hopefully, this will help lead to a resolution of the conflict," Tures suggested.Still, one should not expect any dramatic changes after McCarthy got his speaker's gavel, according to the observers: the crux of the matter is that the Senate and the White House are still controlled by the Democratic Party.Indeed, one may expect a whole set of new GOP investigations, targeting Joe Biden's son Hunter and his alleged influence peddling schemes; the handling of COVID by Anthony Fauci, former chief medical advisor to the president of United States; the US' botched withdrawal from Afghanistan; as well as alleged political bias by the US Department of Justice and the FBI, to name but a few. Earlier, some House Republicans even threatened to launch impeachment proceedings against Biden, who is likely to be acquitted in any case, given the Dems' control of the upper chamber.Time will tell how the MAGA-inspired probes and the GOP's leverage over the budget ceiling will influence the Biden administration's ability to pursue its domestic and foreign policy agenda.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/house-oversights-new-gop-chair-asks-treasury-twitter-for-files-on-hunter-biden-business-deals-1106233785.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230110/house-gop-made-no-official-list-of-detailed-concessions-mccarthy-made-to-become-speaker-reports-say-1106204577.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230109/penny-wise-pound-foolish-us-embargo-driving-china-to-pioneer-own-semiconductor-industry-1106173244.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/japan-starts-construction-of-military-base-on-kagoshimas-uninhabited-island-reports-say-1106243716.html

Japan Starts Construction of Military Base on Kagoshima's Uninhabited Island, Reports Say

Japan Starts Construction of Military Base on Kagoshima's Uninhabited Island, Reports Say

Japan has started a construction of the Self-Defense Forces military base on an uninhabited island in southwestern prefecture Kagoshima to relocate military exercises using US carrier-borne fighter jets

2023-01-12T06:40+0000

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The Japanese government is planning to build runways and ammunition storage facilities on Mageshima island within two next years, which are expected to pave the way for the relocation of the practice site for US fighter jets from Iwoto Island after the completion of works on the eight-square-kilometers island, the report said. On Thursday, the Japanese authorities published an environmental assessment report, which said that the construction would take about four years, the report said. It added that Tokyo was also set to take measures for relocation of amphibian, reptile and rare fish species to an area with similar conditions and for limiting the number of vessels entering the island's waters. Mageshima Island is located 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) away from the US military base in Iwakuni. The Japanese government and the countrys Taston Airport company reached an agreement on the islands sale for 16 billion yen ($146 million) in 2019.

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japan starts construction of military base in kagoshima, japan wants new military base on mageshima island
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/jesus-fing-christ-guardian-staffers-melt-down-after-hearing-their-personal-data-was-hacked-1106240982.html

Jesus F***ing Christ!: Guardian Staffers Melt Down After Hearing Their Personal Data Was Hacked

Jesus F***ing Christ!: Guardian Staffers Melt Down After Hearing Their Personal Data Was Hacked

Some staffers were reportedly less-than-impressed with managements slow response to the seizure of their most personal information after someone at the... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

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2023-01-12T03:52+0000

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British newspaper the Guardian is reeling after a ransomware attack reportedly compromised the bank details and passport information of their staff.Its clear that we experienced a highly sophisticated cyber attack involving unauthorized third-party access to parts of our network, which appears to have been triggered by a phishing attack, the Guardians Chief Executive Officer Anna Bateson and editor-in-chief Katharine Viner reportedly told staff in an email.The attack affected many of our key systems, our IT network and some of our data.Operations at the Guardians offices have been suspended since the outlet reported the attack three weeks ago. Per the email by Bateson and Viner, workers wont be able to return until at least February.We realize this news may be very worrying for everyone, and we want to say how sorry we are for any anxiety this may now cause, the duo wrote. But now that we have confirmed there is a risk, we will do everything we can to support staff.According to journalist Max Tani, the compromised data included names, addresses, bank account information, salaries, and passport documents of Guardian reporters.The reporter said he spoke to a number of staffers who expressed outrage at the Guardians apparent incompetence.One pointed out that while Wednesdays memo included a list of suggestions for better information security, the Guardians own systems made them difficult to follow, Tani wrote Wednesday.The Guardian staffer noted that while the company suggested regularly changing passwords, many staff had not altered their passwords in several years because they are required to file a special request to the companys IT department in order to alter login information, he continued.Another staffers response to the news was reportedly somewhat simpler but perhaps more to-the-point: Jesus f***ing christ!!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/over-90-of-brazilians-condemn-storming-of-government-buildings-by-protesters-poll-finds-1106240801.html

Over 90% of Brazilians Condemn Storming of Government Buildings by Protesters, Poll Finds

Over 90% of Brazilians Condemn Storming of Government Buildings by Protesters, Poll Finds

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - More than 90% of Brazilian nationals have condemned the storming of government buildings by former President Jair Bolsonaro's... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T03:44+0000

2023-01-12T03:44+0000

2023-01-12T03:38+0000

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jair bolsonaro

brazil

poll

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bolsonaro supporters riot in brazil's capital

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According to the report, 93% of Brazilians condemned "the terrorist attack" by Bolsonaro's supporters against government buildings. At the same time, only 3% of nationals supported anti-government protests, 2% claimed they were not interested in what happened, and 1% were undecided as to the answers to the questions they were asked. Moreover, 46% of Brazilians said protesters must be arrested, the pollster showed. A total of 1,214 respondents aged over 16 participated in the poll, with the margin of error not exceeding 3%. Bolsonaro lost the presidential election in Brazil in October and left for the United States on December 30, a day before his term ended, thus avoiding the inauguration of his successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's supporters, rallying against the election results since their announcement, stepped up their protests last week and attempted to storm several government buildings on Sunday. Police regained control of the buildings by the evening and arrested over 400 protesters. The ex-president, who was hospitalized with abdominal pain in Florida on Monday and left the hospital on the following day, said that he planned to return home earlier as Brazilian doctors had a better picture of his condition. It comes a day after Brazilian Senator Renan Calheiros sent a request to Brazil's Federal Supreme Court Judge, Alexandre de Moraes, to seek Bolsonaro's immediate extradition from the US. According to the senator, the former head of state is responsible for the unrest in Brazil. In addition, Brazilian Deputy Prosecutor General Lucas Rocha Furtado has asked a court to freeze Bolsonaros assets. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday that the US has not received any official request for Bolsonaro's extradition, but if it does, Washington will review it carefully,

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/white-house-us-has-received-no-formal-request-for-bolsonaro-extradition-1106240510.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/president-biden-found-to-have-classified-documents-battle-for-soledar-faa-outage-1106236953.html

President Biden Found to Have Classified Documents; Battle for Soledar; FAA Outage

President Biden Found to Have Classified Documents; Battle for Soledar; FAA Outage

The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into the discovery of classified documents at President Biden's private office. 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T09:17+0000

2023-01-12T09:17+0000

2023-01-12T09:17+0000

the critical hour

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mexico

joe biden

pmc wagner

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President Biden Found to Have Classified Documents; Soledar Falls to Wagner Group; FAA Outage The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into the discovery of classified documents at President Biden's private office.

Dr. David Oualaalou, international geopolitical consultant, veteran, and author of many books, including "The Dynamics of Russia's Geopolitics: Remaking the Global Order," international security analyst, and host of the "Geopolitics in Conflict" Show on YT, joins us to discuss foreign policy. The Wagner Group appears to have taken control of the city of Soledar in the Donetsk region. Also, the neocons are fighting in Ukraine to maintain world hegemony.Yolian Ogbu, member of the Black Alliance for Peace and Horn of Africa Pan-Africans for Liberation and Solidarity, joins us to discuss Africa. The White House is delivering millions of dollars worth of weapons to Somalia. Also, Tigray forces surrender their arms, and France wants to maintain control of Burkina Faso.Micaela Ovelar, Venezuelan Political Scientist in Sao Paulo, joins us to discuss Brazil's riots. The people of Brazil have taken back their nation despite the right-wing riots.Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents, joins us to discuss domestic politics. Progressives are embarrassed that populist Republicans demonstrated the power of pushing back against the establishment. Also, we discuss the FBI attack on the Uhuru movement.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss how Western sanctions hurt US chip manufacturers. Also, neocon think tanks are running biased war games.Jamarl Thomas, Co-host of Fault Lines, joins us to discuss immigration. Jamarl Thomas is in Mexico reporting on the Biden-Obrador meeting and issues regarding the border and immigration.Jim Kavanagh, writer at thepolemicist.net and CounterPunch, and author of "Danger in Society: Against Vaccine Passports," joins us to discuss Russia Gate. Evidence rapidly surfaced, demonstrating the RussiaGate operation as a hoax perpetrated by the national security state.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss President Biden and classified documents. The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into the discovery of classified documents at President Biden's private office.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/russia-to-seek-sputnik-lithuania-editors-release-via-international-organizations-1106250637.html

Russia to Seek Sputnik Lithuania Editor's Release Via International Organizations

Russia to Seek Sputnik Lithuania Editor's Release Via International Organizations

Russia will seek the release of Sputnik Lithuania editor Marat Kasem, who was arrested in Latvia, through relevant international organizations, including the UN and the OSCE, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

2023-01-12T11:52+0000

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2023-01-12T11:52+0000

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"We will work to involve relevant international organizations, including the UN and UNESCO, in the release of the Sputnik Lithuania editor. I'm not sure if there's anything glimmering in the OSCE, but we will also accuse the OSCE of inaction. If this structure still positions itself in some capacity, it must produce a result," Zakharova told reporters.Russia expects "that human rights non-governmental organizations will react accordingly to the politically motivated persecution of Marat Kasem," she added.Kasem, a Latvian national working at Sputnik Lithuania editorial desk in Moscow-based international media group Rossiya Segodnya, was detained during a trip to the Latvian capital on January 3 and sent to the Riga Central Prison two days later on accusation of having violated EU sanctions against Russia as well as of espionage  an offense punished by up to 20 years in prison. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the detention was an act of revenge against the Russian media, adding that the journalist felt politically persecuted and spoke about it often.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230108/sputnik-editors-espionage-charges-aim-to-cover-up-latvia-limiting-free-speech-lawyer-1106132751.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/snowden-says-biden-seems-to-have-absconded-with-more-classified-docs-than-whistleblowers-1106250975.html

Snowden: Biden Seems to Have 'Absconded' With More Classified Docs Than Whistleblowers

Snowden: Biden Seems to Have 'Absconded' With More Classified Docs Than Whistleblowers

Edward Snowden commented on Twitter that US President Joe Biden seems to have 'absconded' with more classified documents than whistleblowers.

2023-01-12T12:48+0000

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2023-01-12T13:19+0000

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Former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden offered some scathing comment on Joe Bidens classified document scandal. The man who himself blew the lid on a widely-cast net of cyber espionage organized by the US ironized on his Twitter feed that the US President appeared to have "absconded with more classified documents than many whistleblowers."He cited the case of US National Security Agency whistleblower Reality Winner, sentenced to five years in a federal prison in August 2018 for leaking a classified report about the Russiagate investigation. Meanwhile, Snowden wrote, "Biden, Trump, Clinton, Petraeus... these guys have dozens, hundreds [of documents]. No jail." According to Snowden, the real scandal wasn't that the 46th POTUS had "classified documents coming out of his socks," but that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) found out about it a week prior to the November 2022 midterm elections, but opted to "suppress the story."Edward Snowden has every right to take a sardonic view of the situation regarding the Biden classified documents row. Back in June 2013, Snowden was charged by the US Justice Department with violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and government property theft, after he exposed classified data to the press. The data in question showed that US intelligence services and their allies were spying on US citizens and foreign leaders on a grand scale. Following this, Snowden fled the US. As he was heading to South America, the whistleblower had his passport revoked, and was forced to spend a month in Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport until the Russian government granted him asylum. Edward Snowden in early December officially became a Russian citizen, taking an oath of allegiance and receiving a Russian passport, after a September decree by President Vladimir Putin granted him Russian citizenship. Successive disclosures earlier in the week by US media revealed that several classified files had been found in Bidens private offices dated 2013-2016 and hailing back to his vice presidency. Biden's lawyers ostensibly found the documents while clearing his office at the Penn Center, a Washington-based think tank, in November 2022, and other presumably unprotected locations. According to the White House special counsel, they had immediately contacted the US National Archives who forwarded the information to the Justice Department. Among the first batch of documents, now under the Justice Department's review, were purportedly classified materials related to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK, among other security issues. Despite confidants coming across the docs on the eve of the midterm elections in early November 2022, the US DOJ chose to remain silent about the story.The scandal prompted conservative outlets to draw parallels between the current classified memo drama and the uproar over ex-POTUS Donald Trump keeping classified documents at his premises in Mar-a-Lago. Last year, despite Trump voluntarily turning over a number of government files he had stored after leaving the Oval Office, the FBI carried out a raid on his residence on August 8, 2022 and seized 13,000 documents from the location. Just 103 of them turned out to be classified and 18 were marked "top secret." The 45th US president maintained that he had declassified the files before he left office. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the case of Trump's classified documents, with Republicans recently calling on the AG to appoint a special counsel for Biden too.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/bidens-classified-memo-saga-shows-us-internal-political-crisis-is-worsening-observers-say-1106245182.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/biden-may-get-off-easy-for-mishandling-secret-docs-once-media-falls-in-line-experts-predict-1106240638.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221212/us-judge-dismisses-trump-lawsuit-challenging-mar-a-lago-documents-search-1105393999.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/south-korean-presidents-office-refutes-statements-about-possible-nuclear-weapon-acquisition-1106250824.html

South Korean President's Office Refutes Statements About Possible Nuclear Weapon Acquisition

South Korean President's Office Refutes Statements About Possible Nuclear Weapon Acquisition

The South Korean government's position regarding the implementation of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains unchanged, and President Yoon Suk-yeols words about the possibility of obtaining nuclear weapons by South Korea are "theoretical."

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"President Yoon Suk-yeol has taken a theoretical stance meaning that it is necessary to respond decisively to the North Korean nuclear threat. There is no change in that [South Korea] fundamentally abides by the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The government is focused on strengthening the extended deterrence of South Korea and the United States to effectively contain the threat from North Korea," the presidential office said. On Wednesday, the South Korean leader said that his country could host foreign nuclear weapons or create its own if the threat from North Korea grows. He also noted that Seoul and Washington were now discussing joint deterrence planning, potentially involving US nuclear assets. The situation on the Korean Peninsula became more tense in December 2022, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile system to conduct a quick nuclear retaliatory strike. He also said that the United States, under the pretext of strengthening cooperation with South Korea and Japan, was creating an "Asian version of NATO." In response, Seoul said that measures announced by Pyongyang were "absurd" and would only worsen the situation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230105/north-korean-drone-flew-directly-into-no-fly-zone-around-south-koreas-presidential-palace-1106067474.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/surveillance-footage-shows-how-self-driving-tesla-caused-devastating-8-car-pile-up-1106241255.html

Surveillance Footage Shows How Self-Driving Tesla Caused Devastating 8-Car Pile-Up

Surveillance Footage Shows How Self-Driving Tesla Caused Devastating 8-Car Pile-Up

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also heads Twitter among other companies, announced in November that Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta is now available to anyone in... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T04:10+0000

2023-01-12T04:10+0000

2023-01-12T04:05+0000

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A video of an eight-car pile-up on the Bay Bridge on Thanksgiving of 2022 was shared to social media on Tuesday. The driver said his Teslas FSD software was to blame for suddenly stopping at a high speed. The Model S was allegedly in FSD mode when it engaged its left indicator and switched lanes before suddenly hitting its brakes and coming to a complete stop.The exact cause of the horrific pile-up is still under investigation.However, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has assigned a Special Crash Investigation team to look into how it occurred, they are currently occupied with dozens of other accidents caused by Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in Volvos, Cadillacs, Hyundai, Genesis and Cruise, and of course Tesla, which make up a majority of these incidents.The FSD software for Tesla is sold as a $15,000 add-on by the company.There have also been a number of complaints of phantom braking incidents from Tesla owners which have been going on for years. Two Tesla owners in North Carolina filed a class-action lawsuit against the company after their own cars experienced the phantom braking incident. The owners allege that while the malfunctions are frightening and dangerous it also decreases the value of their vehicles.Tesla argues its FSD software still requires active diver supervision," and that its vehicles "are not autonomous but drivers disagree, saying Tesla has exaggerated the features of its software.Yet Elon Musk decided to make Teslas Full Self-Driving available to anyone in North America, despite knowing about hundreds of critical safety defects.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/trump-calls-on-congress-to-investigate-how-the-deep-state-censored-americans-1106240165.html

Trump Calls on Congress to Investigate How the Deep State Censored Americans

Trump Calls on Congress to Investigate How the Deep State Censored Americans

As new batches of Twitter Files continue to demonstrate the extent to which Big Tech is working with US intelligence agencies to censor and ban those accused... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T03:26+0000

2023-01-12T03:26+0000

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Former US President Donald Trump is calling on leaders in Congress to look into the ways the FBI and other government agencies colluded with Big Tech companies to stifle Americans free speech.Congressional leaders should promptly issue subpoenas in furtherance of this goal.In addition, Trump called for a 7-year cooling off period before any employee of these powerful agencies is allowed to take a job at a major platform.The message came just a day after the House of Representatives voted along party lines to create the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, an effort that has drawn comparisons to the famed Church Committee that investigated the CIA in the 1970s.The panel will probe the extent to which US government agencies worked to collect, compile, analyze, use, or disseminate information about citizens of the United States, including any unconstitutional, illegal, or unethical activities committed against citizens of the United States.Trump's call to action made frequent reference to the Twitter Files, an ongoing series of reports into collusion between the social media giant and the US government.Documents published in the course of the mammoth investigation have shown the FBI paid Twitter millions of dollars to suspend the accounts of users it accused of violating the platforms policies.As recent reporting shows, the FBI and other rogue agencies have been systematically colluding with former national security officials placed in high positions  at Twitter and, very likely, other companies  to advance their censorship regime and steal an election, Trump noted in his address.The now-famous 'Twitter Files' have proven beyond all doubt that the corrupt officials at the FBI have been coordinating a massive censorship, surveillance, and propaganda campaign against the American People and, frankly, against me, the former president said.The revelations also highlight why my proposal to end the revolving door between the deep state and the tech tyrants, is so important.And there is a deep state, indeed, Trump noted. I wasnt a believer but everybodys a believer right now.In the most recent and notorious example, the FBI worked to stop the truth from being told about the Biden familys criminality.They didn't want any bad information to come out about the Biden family, Trump continued. The fix was in. The election was rigged. But the censorship of the Laptop from Hell is only the beginning of the story about the weaponization of government against free speech.On Wednesday, James Comer (R-KY), the new chairman of the powerful Oversight committee, formally requested that the US Treasury Department provide the body with information on the Biden familys business dealings.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/us-house-establishes-panel-to-investigate-potential-weaponization-of-federal-government-1106212870.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/twitter-files-us-government-media-peddled-russia-bot-hoax-despite-pushback-from-platform-1106261342.html

Twitter Files: US Government, Media Peddled Russia Bot Hoax Despite Pushback From Platform

Twitter Files: US Government, Media Peddled Russia Bot Hoax Despite Pushback From Platform

US government officials and media outlets promoted conspiracies about Russian bot activity on Twitter despite pushback and evidence to the contrary from the social media company, reporter Matt Taibbi said on Thursday in the latest release of the so-called Twitter Files.

2023-01-12T18:35+0000

2023-01-12T18:35+0000

2023-01-12T18:35+0000

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us

russia

bots

hoax

twitter

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In January 2018, Twitter users began posting the hashtag "ReleaseTheMemo" in support of the declassification of a memorandum by then-Congressman Devin Nunes, which detailed flaws in the FBIs investigation of alleged collusion between former President Donald Trump and Russia. In response, Democrats denounced the memorandum, claiming it was boosted by Russian "bots" and not an organic social media movement, even after Twitter informed the lawmakers that they found no signs that the movement was affiliated with Russia. Nevertheless, Twitter went on to follow a pattern of not challenging the claims regarding Russia on the record, Taibbi said. Consequently, a number of US media outlets continued to push the Russian bots narrative despite a lack of evidence, Taibbi added. The lawmakers contributed to one of the "greatest outbreaks of mass delusion in US history" by spreading the Russian collusion hoax and attempting to discredit Nunes memorandum, the congressman said in a statement. The contents of Nunes memorandum were verified in a December 2019 report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. The Twitter Files are based on internal information and released in coordination with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who committed to reforming the social media company after acquiring it last year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/house-oversights-new-gop-chair-asks-treasury-twitter-for-files-on-hunter-biden-business-deals-1106233785.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/two-french-staff-members-of-un-peacekeeping-mission-arrested-in-car-1106256085.html

Two French Staff Members of UN Peacekeeping Mission Arrested in CAR

Two French Staff Members of UN Peacekeeping Mission Arrested in CAR

This article is about the detention of two French employees of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.

2023-01-12T17:57+0000

2023-01-12T17:57+0000

2023-01-12T17:57+0000

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Two French employees of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic have been arrested, the peacekeeping mission announced on Thursday.According to MINUSCA, the two employees were detained on January 10 upon their arrival at Bangui M'Poko International Airport, located seven kilometers northwest of the CAR capital.In the meanwhile, Central African radio station Ndeke Luka reported that the detainees were two French soldiers who did not have a CAR visa at the time of arrival. They were arrested by border guards.The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic was established by a decision of the UN Security Council in the spring of 2014. Its task is primarily to protect the civilian population of the country in the center of Africa.To date, the mission has more than 14,500 staff members, including 12,870 military personnel and 2,000 police officers. Many UN-member states have sent military contingents to MINUSCA. Rwanda, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and Zambia are among the top military contributors to the peacekeeping mission.On December 15, 2022, Frances Defense Ministry announced the withdrawal of the last unit of the French Armed Forces from the territory of the CAR. The French unit was part of a logistics mission based at the capital's airport. The decision to suspend direct military assistance to the Central African Republic was made by the French leadership in the summer of 2021.Authorities in Bangui said that the country did not expel the French military from its territory, but that Paris independently decided to withdraw the contingent.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/uk-royal-navy-tracking-russias-admiral-gorshkov-frigate-in-north-sea-1106238214.html

UK Royal Navy Tracking Russia's Admiral Gorshkov Frigate in North Sea

UK Royal Navy Tracking Russia's Admiral Gorshkov Frigate in North Sea

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - HMS Portland, a frigate of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy, was monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T00:56+0000

2023-01-12T00:56+0000

2023-01-12T00:51+0000

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"HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK. The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea," the service said."Portland with her specialist Merlin helicopter embarked  both equipped with cutting-edge sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations  is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the North Sea." Commander Ed Moss-Ward, the commanding officer of Portland, said in the statement that "escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy." He added that the Royal Navy's presence and visibility ensure compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect the kingdom's interests. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in mid-December that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, equipped with advanced hypersonic cruise missiles Zircon, would be put into operation in early January. He added that it was planned to continue equipping Russia's strategic forces with the latest types of weapons.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/us-japan-military-buildup-in-asia-pacific-shatters-regional-stability-scholars-warn-1106260516.html

US-Japan Military Buildup in Asia-Pacific Shatters Regional Stability, Scholars Warn

US-Japan Military Buildup in Asia-Pacific Shatters Regional Stability, Scholars Warn

US President Joe Biden is due to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on January 13 to discuss North Korea, Ukraine, China's tensions... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T17:54+0000

2023-01-12T17:54+0000

2023-01-12T17:54+0000

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"The Biden-Kishida meeting is aimed at discussing concrete steps to solidify the key role of the Japanese-American alliance in the 'web of coalitions' built around Beijing, into which Australia, Great Britain, South Korea, and some of the ASEAN powers have joined already," Oleg Paramonov, senior researcher at the East Asia and SCO Research Center at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, told Sputnik. "At the same time, space, cyberspace, value chains, free trade zones, technological standards, etc. are becoming new 'battlefields' in addition to the 'classic' military tools."Paramonov highlighted that in contrast with the previous "two-plus-two" talks between US and Japanese foreign and defense ministers in Washington, which was largely focused on military affairs, the forthcoming meeting's scope is expected to be much broader.In particular, Tokyo hopes to raise the issue of the US return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which was unilaterally torn up by Joe Biden's predecessor, according to the researcher. Nonetheless, military issues will play an important role at the summit, he added."In particular, the American president is interested in the details of the synchronization of the American strategy in the Indo-Pacific region and Japan's plans to give the Self-Defense Forces new military capabilities, which were announced in December by Tokyo in new documents (National Security Strategy, etc.)," Paramonov said.Japan's New RearmamentTokyo's post-WW2 security policy was regarded as largely pacifist, as it capped the country's defense spending at about 1% of GDP and downgraded its offensive capabilities. However, over the last decade Japan has been gradually revising its military strategy.Last month, the nation unveiled a bold new military plan that envisages doubling its defense expenditures within the next five years. The new funding, amounting to roughly $320 billion, is set to ensure Japan's largest military build-up since the Second World War. In particular, the new strategy includes the acquisition of Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US, and the development of Japan's own hypersonic weapons."Japans postwar pacifist, then self-defense constitution has slowly been debauched over the last 20 years at the insistence of Uncle Sam, of course to add pressure on China," Jeff J. Brown, author of The China Trilogy, editor at China Rising Radio Sinoland, and curator of the Bioweapon Truth Commission, told Sputnik. "Having Japan involved in a theater war with China would greatly complicate Beijings planning and strategies."According to Brown, Japan changing its laws and constitution to have an offensive military weighs heavily on Chinas memories. Japan's Imperial Army "brutally occupied China during the first half of the last century and will not allow a repeat scenario," the author underscored.Still, Brown emphasized that China is a hard nut to crack: "China has the regions biggest army and air force, the largest and most sophisticated missile arsenal, including hypersonic ICBMs, and the worlds largest deepwater navy, all of which have supply lines measured in hundreds of kilometers, whereas the USA has to bring its military 11,000 km across the Pacific," he said.Tokyo's Military Buildup Triggers ConcernsThe Biden administration has been escalating tensions with China over the past few years on multiple fronts. Joe Biden's repeated "blunders" with regard to the US' readiness to "protect" the island of Taiwan coupled with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial trip to Taipei last year rang the alarm bells for Beijing.On January 8, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) held military exercises in Taiwanese waters and airspace in order to test the combat effectiveness of Chinese troops, said Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command. The island is seen by Beijing as an inalienable part of China. According to Brown, in the event of a conflict with China, the US will be eager to throw Japanese soldiers into battle to serve Washington's interests.Meanwhile, Japan is constructing a new military base in Kagoshima Prefecture. The nation's government is planning to build runways and ammunition storage facilities on Mageshima island within two next years. The new base will serve for the relocation of the practice site for US fighter jets from Iwoto island.In addition, the Americans are seeking to strengthen the capabilities of their Marine Corps located in Japan by equipping it, in particular, with anti-ship missiles, according to the Russian researcher."The creation of an air force training base in Kagoshima Prefecture indicates that the allies are planning to 'move' their aircraft closer to the Taiwan Strait," Paramonov underscored. "As for plans to purchase new weapons from the United States for the Self-Defense Forces, it is expected that at the summit, Kishida will raise the issue of Washington's supplies of Tomahawk missiles capable of reaching China (timing, delivery volumes, etc.)."According to the Russian scholar, the forthcoming US-Japan summit will pour more gasoline on the flames of the already fragile regional security environment. He noted that both Beijing and Moscow are concerned not only about a possible escalation in the Taiwan Strait, but also Japan's recent military buildup and revision of its post-WW2 defense strategy. These developments contradict the spirit of the Japanese constitution, which has become an important element of the regional status quo, the researcher concluded.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/white-house-us-has-received-no-formal-request-for-bolsonaro-extradition-1106240510.html

White House: US Has Received No Formal Request for Bolsonaro Extradition

White House: US Has Received No Formal Request for Bolsonaro Extradition

he United States has not received any official request for an extradition of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , but if it does, Washington will review it carefully

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I am not aware of an official request for information of or extradition from the Brazilian government, though, of course if we were to receive one , we treat it seriously and examine it carefully as generally do for such requests,Jean-Pierre said. Bolsonaro, who was hospitalized with abdominal pain in Florida on Monday and left the hospital on the following day, said that he planned to return home earlier as Brazilian doctors had a better picture of his condition. The development also comes a day after Brazilian Senator Renan Calheiros sent a request to Brazil's Federal Supreme Court Judge, Alexandre de Moraes, to seek Bolsonaro's immediate extradition from the US. According to the senator, the former head of state is responsible for the unrest in Brazil. In addition, Brazilian Deputy Prosecutor General Lucas Rocha Furtado has asked a court to freeze Bolsonaros assets. Bolsonaro lost the presidential election in Brazil in October and left for the United States on December 30, a day before his term ended, thus avoiding the inauguration of his successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. His supporters, rallying against the election results since their announcement, stepped up their protests last week and attempted to storm several government buildings on Sunday. Police regained control of the buildings by the evening and arrested over 400 protesters.

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For the third time in as many years, a North Carolina solar power developer is attempting to build a 149-megawatt plant on private agricultural land along the high-power Dominion transmission line in the Stevensburg District of Culpeper County.

For the third time, the Culpeper County Planning Commission, at its meeting Wednesday, recommended denial of the Maroon Solar project. The company is seeking to construct 671 acres of solar panels on nearly 1,900 acres of timberland along Raccoon Ford and Mount Pony roads. Current county solar policy limits projects to 300 acres.

The size of the project of Durham-based Strata Solar, concerns about managing water at the site and neighborhood impacts during construction of the 18-24-month project continued to emerge as primary concerns.

The planning commission voted around 10 p.m., unanimously, to deny the companys third application for a special use permit, finding it was not in accord with the comprehensive plan. Prior to the vote, neighbors spoke for around an hour at the public hearing, mostly in opposition.

First submitted in late 2020 by Strata Solar, the company pulled the application soon after hearing intense pushback from residents. The Board of Supervisors denied a second application in 2021 and last year, Strata resubmitted, this time with a $4 million siting deal, in exchange for approval.

The latest application was officially resubmitted in October and after review, Culpeper County Planning & Zoning staff also recommended denial.

Strata project developer Dan Michaud made the case for the project Wednesday night saying it would be well-hidden with limited road frontage, large setbacks and vegetative buffers.

Strata has been working almost five years on this projectour landowner partners have stuck with us, he said.

One of those landowners, Willie Crenshaw, spoke with the minority at the public hearing in favor of the project, as his parents own 130 acres at the proposed Maroon Solar site.

I stand for my parents who are elderly, he said, noting the solar project will produce needed income. I believe the company has done a wonderful job. I understand the people around it, but we are the people who own it. We are satisfied and we support this project.

Stevensburg resident Bill Madden spoke in favor of it as well saying his property is so rurally located they have to pump in the sunlight.

I would like to see a project like this on my property, if you are looking for an alternative, he said.

Maroon Solar layout avoids cultural resources as well as wetlands and streams, Michaud said. Nearly 600 acres will remain open space, he said.

Major project changes since 2021, according to Michaud, is a reduction of 299 acres under panels, an expedited construction timeline, eliminating construction traffic from Mount Pony Road and a substation located at least 3,000 feet from the nearest home. Michaud said the project would create $16.6 million in direct revenue to the county through 2035.

Strata has successfully built 12 projects in Virginia with dozens more under construction, he said. Its a family-owned company with 400 professional staff and 1,000 in construction, the project developer said.

We need to do a good job, be in compliance and be good neighbors, Michaud said. We are not developing to flip and walk away. We hope to be here for a good (length of) time.

He expressed the company would take the scrutiny.

Culpeper has an opportunity here to set a really high bar for solar projects across Virginia, Michaud said. You can set the standard, if approved.

In recommending denial, staff cited project size and environmental issues related to erosion and sediment control and stormwater management.

Several people mentioned solar panels being impervious surfaces and steps to minimize impacts during heavy rain events. Strata submitted a floodplain analysis with its application along with a stormwater management plan. The project avoids FEMA flood and wetland areas, Culpeper County Planning Director Sam McLearen said.

Neighbors will notice when the project is being built, he added, of the potential for blasting at the site and pile driving for installing rack systems and solar panels. Because of the size of the property, McLearen acknowledged valid concerns about proximity to a Civil War Study Area, two National Historic Registry sites and a floodplain. Poorly draining soil at the site and having adequate ground cover are also concerns, he said.

The solar panels will stretch to 18-feet at their tallest while county policy recommends no taller than 12-feet, pointed out Planning Commission member Keith Price. Strata officials responded that was to provide flexibility for panel orientation.

Price further asked if Strata would be willing to wait to build its project until another nearby project already approved, Greenwood Solar, was substantially underway. That way, officials could have the benefit of lessons learned from construction of Greenwood, the first utility scale project in Culpeper County, Price said. Michaud said they were open to discuss the schedule.

Planning Commission member Doug Grover stated Stratas estimate to disassemble the project at lifes end had changed since the last submittal from $35 million to $9 million. Michaud responded it was a consultants spreadsheet error, that the earlier number was fat-fingered and grossly overestimated.

The technology of decommissioning solar projects is still emerging, he added, as not many large solar projects have yet reached the lifespan. Michaud said the decommission figure would be reevaluated every few years.

Well find out more about that in the future, he said.

Neighbors of the project asked the planning commission to reject the application, including William Foshay, owner of Greenville, asserting water runoff from the project would be ruinous.

Former Planning Commission member Laura Rogers said Stevensburg has a big target on its back due to its location close to the transmission line along with the cheap, flat land thats available. Maroon Solar will have massive quantities of stormwater ponds, she said.

Its not what we envisioned, Rogers said, asking members to listen to the citizens. Stop industrializing our farmland.

The project has already been denied twice, said Susan Ralston.

Here we are again with essentially the same footprint, she said.

Its a power plant and should be on industrial land, said Ralston, founder, Citizens for Responsible Solar.

Take a hintkeep Culpeper rural, she said.

A youngster, Josiah Wilkes, part of the Brandy Station farming family, spoke at the hearing.

I dont know why you would want to put big metal solar panels across Culpeper land because of money, he said. Can we keep our farmland for the cows and crops and trees?

Michael Baudhuin, owner of Sumerduck near Raccoon Ford, said his property fronts on the Maroon Solar project and hes never once been contacted by anybody from Strata Solar. He said the company is motivated by profit and acts with arrogance.

Baudhuin loosely quoted Cicero in asking the planning commission, How long are they going to allow these people to abuse our patience and our lifestyle?

If approved, Maroon Solar will denigrate, desecrate and defile the land he claimed. I ask you againto deny it, Baudhuin said.

The case now goes back before the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors for a final vote. Maroon Solar is hosting an open house 5-8 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Dept.
A former Zen Buddhist monk and Charlottesville resident will release her new book which focuses on the concept of mindfulness.

Caverly Morgan will appear at the New Dominion Bookstore on Saturday to present her new book, The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together.

Morgan said her book is an exploration of how meditation, mindfulness and contemplative technologies, designed for the realization of personal freedom, can and should be applied collectively.

The book offers a wealth of teachings and reflections, solo and group exercises, and personal stories that inspire us to put our values into action. It invites us to connect with the deepest truth of who we are, and then use this understanding to transform our own lives and the world we share, she stated.

Morgans personal story began as a search for happiness, which led her to meditation as a means of achieving her goal. Finding that it benefitted her in many ways, she continued to explore meditation which eventually lead her to spend over 7 years in a silent Zen monastery beginning in 1995.

During that time, Morgan found that she had only scratched the surface of what mediation could potentially offer.

I could place my attention where I wanted it to be. I could learn to have my attention in the present moment, rather than always being in the past or the future. It was empowering to feel more present in my life, she said. I also learned that it was possible to be happy and that there was a path that could lead me to this experience.

Once Morgan left the monastery she was left with the question: How can an individuals spiritual practice make a tangible difference to the world? She set about attempting to answer that question and, in 2001, became a meditation teacher where she led retreats, workshops and online classes dedicated to using meditation as a road to mindfulness.

Morgan also founded some groups dedicated to the ideas of mindfulness, such as Peace In Schools, a nonprofit which advocates mindfulness teaching and runs classes in public high schools. Morgan is also a founder of the Presence Collective, which is dedicated to personal and collective transformation.

All of these steps led her to a career as an author, her first book titled A Kids Book About Mindfulness is her philosophy told more simply, Morgan said.

Her new book takes a more in depth look at the concepts of mindfulness. The heart of truth can be found in all things, in all circumstances, in all times. The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together is about acting in the world on behalf of this truth. Its about reconciling our personal desire for truth and freedom with our desire to relieve suffering in the world. Our suffering is not separate from the suffering of the world. Our liberation is not separate from the liberation of the world. Our liberation is the act of being. Our liberation is love itself.

Splitting her time between Charlottesville and Portland, Oregon, Morgan plans to expand her offerings. According to her assistant Chris Johnson, she will start hosting a monthly, in-person book club as well as an online book collective beginning in early spring. The intention for the collective, according to Johnson, is to take a closer look at the exercises offered in The Heart of Who We Are.

Morgan will appear at the New Dominion Bookshop at 404 East Main Street in Charlottesville from 7-8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Western Nebraskas two senior state senators have introduced bills reflecting several topics advocated by a variety of conservative advocates.

District 47 Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard Tuesday offered a pair of bills to carry out the voter ID initiative voters approved Nov. 8 (Legislative Bill 230) but also require in-person Election Day voting and greatly restrict early voting (LB 228).

Erdman, who last week renewed his push to replace most state taxes with a consumption tax, introduced an unrelated bill Monday (LB 177) to provide state funds for students to attend private K-12 schools.

Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer and Erdman Tuesday cosponsored LB 255, which would block Nebraskas largest electric utilities from building or acquiring renewable energy facilities or using eminent domain to do so.

Brewer Tuesday also reintroduced a 2022 bill, dubbed the First Freedom Act, that would keep the state from restricting religious services more strictly than other groups during a state of emergency.

The District 43 lawmakers LB 277 has 19 cosponsors, including Erdman and freshman District 48 Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering. Hardin had expressed interest before the session in introducing a similar bill on his own.

Wednesday will mark the halfway point of the 2023 Legislatures 10-day bill introduction period. Additional bills or constitutional amendments can be offered through Jan. 18.

Following are more details of the bills noted above:

Voter ID and elections

Erdmans LB 228 would undo most of the evolution in Nebraskas election practices as computerized ballots, vote-counting machines and greater ability to fill out ballots at home became common.

Except for registered military personnel and people living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, Nebraskans would have to vote in person at their polling place on the day of primary or general elections with an approved photographic ID card.

All ballots shall be counted on the day of the election and shall be counted at the precinct level, according to the bills text.

If passed, LB 228 also would add Nebraskas primary and general election days to the list of state holidays.

Military members and people at nursing homes or assisted-living facilities could still vote by mail, but the ballot envelope would have to be postmarked prior to Election Day.

LB 230 lays out more details related to implementing the 2022 voter ID initiative. It also would abolish all-mail special elections and alter the rules for provisional ballots, which are cast at polling places by registered voters whose current address doesnt match their voter registration records.

Among other things, the bill would define valid photographic identification for voting as a state drivers license, ID card, photographic voter identification or U.S. passport that hasnt expired or has been expired for less than 60 days. Valid tribal identification by a recognized Indian tribe also would be accepted.

Nebraskans wouldnt have to pay for state ID cards if they dont have drivers licenses, will be at least 18 by the next statewide election and are seeking the card for voting purposes. It also couldnt charge for a certified copy of a birth record obtained to get such a card.

LB 230 also says polling place officials must direct registered voters whose name isnt on their precinct list to the right polling place to vote.

People intending to fill out a provisional ballot but who dont present valid photographic ID would have to present it at their countys election office by the Tuesday after the election for their vote to count.

Unlike LB 228, Erdmans LB 230 would limit early voting to people who are handicapped with a qualifying condition or are members of the U.S. armed forces or National Guard.

People who live in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities arent mentioned. Handicapped Nebraskans likewise arent mentioned in LB 228.

My Student, My Choice Act

LB 177, Erdmans educational funding bill, is distinct from his consumption tax constitutional amendments (Legislative Resolutions 6CA and 7CA) and enabling bill (LB 79).

It would establish the Follow the Student Fund, which would be funded by an annual amount equal to 55% of the previous years average K-12 per-pupil cost multiplied by enrollment.

That money would be divided among Nebraskas enrolled students to pay for tuition, school fees, textbooks and a variety of other education-related services at private K-12 schools.

Parents or legal guardians of minors would have to apply for a student account annually with the state and would be the only ones allowed to withdraw money from it. Students who are 19 or older or who are emancipated would apply for and use the account themselves.

Up to 35% of the new Follow the Student Fund would be used to equalize funding to the public schools, using Nebraskas current state K-12 school aid formula.

LB 177 would limit school district property tax income to 45% of a districts average per-pupil cost multiplied by its enrollment. School boards would be limited to tax-request increases of 2.5% per year.

Erdmans consumption tax package would abolish property, sales, income and inheritance taxes and replace them with state and possibly separate local consumption taxes. It also would end the current systems of state aid to K-12 districts and community colleges.

Wind, solar and public power

Erdman and Brewer, who together represent most of the Panhandle and part of the Sandhills, target the Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District and Lincoln Electric System in LB 255.

The bill would forbid the three public power districts from applying to build solar or wind farms or plants that generate electricity with biomass, landfill or methane gas, hydropower, fuel cells or microturbines.

NPPD, which developed and operates a wind farm near Ainsworth, has been under rural fire for a decade for its proposed R-Project transmission line. Sandhills foes say it would serve and open the door to wind turbines that would damage the fragile Sandhills, among other things.

LB 255 also would block NPPD, OPPD and LES from pursuing community-based energy development projects meant to sell renewable energy to Nebraska electric utilities. NPPD has developed community solar farms in Scottsbluff, Ogallala and other communities.

First Freedom Act

The Brewer-led LB 277 says state action generally shall not substantially burden a persons right to the exercise of religion or restrict a religious organization from operating and engaging in religious services during a state of emergency to a greater extent than other organizations or businesses are restricted.

Many Nebraska churches and places of worship were closed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. A few churches, such as North Platte Baptist Church, continued to meet while most other churches switched to offering worship online.

LB 277 would allow people or religious organizations to sue if their exercise of religion or religious service has been or likely would be burdened or restricted.

The bill also would allow students who belong to an indigenous tribe of the United States or another country to wear tribal regalia at K-12, college or university functions. Brewer is a registered Oglala Sioux Tribe member.
State Sens. Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Tom Brewer of Gordon have cosponsored a bill to steer $30 million in state help toward rebuilding the fire-destroyed Nebraska 4-H Camp in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey.

Legislative Bill 281, introduced Wednesday, resembles the original 2021 legislation that enabled Lincoln County leaders to win $30 million in state matching funds to develop an industrial rail park outside Hershey.

Jacobson, whose District 42 now includes the Thomas County part of the hand-planted Sandhills forest, is lead sponsor of LB 281. Brewers District 43 included all the forest before a 2021 redistricting bill and still includes the Blaine County portion.

The Oct. 2-10 Bovee Fire burned nearly 19,000 acres on both sides of Nebraska Highway 2 west of Halsey. The 1959 4-H camp was wiped out by the flames, which also consumed one-fourth of the hand-planted forest and gutted its iconic lookout tower.

LB 281 would set aside $50 million for any qualifying nonprofit organization for building or renovating youth outdoor education camp facilities. Such a group would have to cover at least 25% of the cost in private or other money.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development would handle the grant process, as it does with the rail-park aid that senators unanimously approved in 2021 and modified in 2022.

Like the rail-park program, LB 281 says no successful applicant can receive more than $30 million. The $50 million overall pot also matches the original appropriation for rail parks before senators added more last year.

DED, the Jacobson-Brewer bill adds, shall give preference to any applicant that intends to use the grant to rebuild a youth outdoor education camp facility that was damaged due to a natural or manmade disaster.

Thats the language, Jacobson said Wednesday, that would give reconstruction of the Halsey camp a leg up for state help without violating the Nebraska Constitutions ban on special legislation benefiting just one entity.

The way you avoid special legislation is to write it broad enough that it doesnt limit others from qualifying, he said. But you can set the parameters tight enough so certain communities could qualify.

A $30 million cap per recipient would leave about 40% of the $50 million pot for other nonprofits that operate youth camps, Jacobson said. He mentioned Easterseals Nebraska as one such group.

Jacobson said he might seek to amend LB 281 later to allow the Halsey camp to serve more than just youths.

I think we need more than just a residential camp, he said. Id like to see it develop like the Lied Lodge, the Nebraska City restaurant and hotel at that citys nonprofit Arbor Day Farm.

Among other recently introduced bills potentially affecting western Nebraska:

A bill introduced by Brewer Tuesday (LB 253) would expand the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center by adding a second campus at Scottsbluff. Senators have talked in recent sessions about the need to grow or renovate the Grand Island center, which trains and certifies many of the states law enforcement officers. vob

Jacobson and Brewer are among five cosponsors of Fremont Sen. Lynne Walzs LB 234, which would require Nebraskas railroads to annually report complaints about and locations of blocked railroad crossings to the state Public Service Commission. Its an ongoing frustration and a safety issue, said Jacobson, who has introduced LB 31 to require train crews of at least two people.
The struggle to elect a new speaker shows the bitter divisions in U.S. politics

By Tom Fowdy (China.org.cn) 09:31, January 12, 2023

U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy (C) is seen in the House chamber as the House meets to elect a speaker in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Kevin McCarthy was recently elected as the new speaker of the United States House of Representatives. The passing of the baton comes with the exit of Nancy Pelosi, who left her position following Republicans taking control of the House in the November 2022 mid-term elections. While one might have assumed the election of McCarthy was a formality, it proved to be anything but. The party's narrow majority, combined with bitter internal politics, saw McCarthy lose 14 bids to be elected as the speaker due to a cohort of rebel legislators, led by Trump loyalist Matt Gaetz, who sought to impose several political conditionalities for his support, resulting in the group blocking his election again and again. Eventually, on the 15th try, McCarthy was elected to the post.

Never since the American Civil War, in the mid-19th century, had the election of a U.S. House speaker been so contentious. Although he prevailed, as Reuters notes, it comes at a "cost," one which involved "making extensive concessions to right-wing hardliners that raised questions about the party's ability to govern." This speaks volumes about the current polarization of American politics, not least in the Republican Party, wherein the legacy of the former president has caused large-scale division both across the spectrum and within his own party, which has increasingly eroded the political center ground.

The Republican Party has been in a civil war of sorts, wherein moderate or "NeoConservative"-leaning Republicans have found themselves at odds with the "Trump" or "MAGA" faction, which espouses economic protectionism and hard-line nationalism. The former looks at the latter as being morally flawed and repulsive, while the latter sees the former as part of a corrupt establishment who do not vouch for the interests of ordinary people. This has led to a continual battle for influence in internal Republican party elections, such as primaries and nominations for various positions. When the GOP performed less well than expected in the 2022 mid-terms, including having lost the senate to the Democrats, the reaction of many was to blame the Trump faction for its perceived malign influence.

But that hasn't settled the argument. On at least winning the House of Representatives, the Trumpian loyalists sought to undermine any attempt for a so-called moderate Republican in Kevin McCarthy to become Speaker of the House, taking no hesitation to undermine their own party in the first place. In doing so, this small faction of rebels is utilizing a tactic famously used in legislatures when the leading party only has a small majority, leveraging their numbers to strong-arm the ruling majority into taking on board their own political demands.

This makes the ruling majority "conditional," a phenomenon that has regularly been seen in the United Kingdom. For example, when the Conservative Party had a small ruling majority in the 1990s and from 2016-2019, pro-Brexit rebels repeatedly undermined the government. This effect is amplified when the political climate of a given country is polarized, and thus the "fringe" rebels have more backing in areas of public opinion to be able to politically gain from undermining the status quo. This reflects the current state of American democracy, which is increasingly contentious, bitter, and divided.

The result is that Kevin McCarthy has been elected as a vastly weakened speaker. The Trumpian rebels will be able to force their demands and agenda onto various bills and items more successfully, which will have a destabilizing effect on American politics. This spells trouble for the Biden administration, who, while having gained the senate, will almost certainly find himself in contention with the House and a speaker who is forced to cater more to the party's right wing. This will also spell further disruption to U.S.-China relations, as Trump-supporting representatives will be able to push anti-China items and influence the foreign policy of the U.S. in negative ways, irrespective of what the administration wants.

The phenomenon of "congressional gridlock," whereby the relationship between the executive and the legislature is defined by endless confrontation and frustration, is not a new thing in America, with every preceding president having faced it. However, a key is that in the increasingly divided and polarized environment of U.S. politics, this trend is only going to get worse and have more adverse effects. One simply has to look back at how Nancy Pelosi's House of Representatives imposed the largest government shutdown ever in a conflict with the Trump administration over funding for his "wall" in 2018-2019. Keeping these previous events in mind, it looks as if American politics will face further bumpy roads ahead.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
Mitchell Community College will host a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event Friday at noon in Shearer Hall on the Statesville campus to celebrate the civil rights leaders life and legacy. College faculty, staff and students will take part in the program.

The college also welcomes the programs keynote speaker, Dr. Tracy Moore, associate vice president for student engagement at Central Piedmont Community College. As an advocate for social justice education, Moore educates students year after year about the legacy of Dr. King, providing positive energy and intentional focus on the well-being of a dynamic community of learners.

Mitchell invites its students, faculty, staff and the community to attend.
In gratitude of the generosity of the Kutteh family, Mitchell Community College dedicated the Health Sciences Building on its Statesville campus on Friday in honor of Dr. Hanna and Ann Kutteh, and in recognition of the Kutteh familys significant contributions to the college and the community.

Honoring the legacy of Dr. Hanna and Ann Kutteh, the Kutteh family recently made the charitable decision to establish two endowed gifts to Mitchell Community College in the amount of $660,000 to create two funding opportunities: one that will assist students in Workforce Development programs and one that will help students on a path to success through the Office of Student Services at Mitchell.

Dr. Kutteh dedicated his entire medical career as an obstetrician-gynecologist for five decades, Mitchell President Dr. Tim Brewer said during the ceremony. In fact, that career started on this very site, where Davis Hospital was once located.

The Health Sciences Building was constructed where the former Davis Hospital once stood and served the community; this is the exact location where Dr. Hannah Kutteh started his medical career when he moved to Statesville in the 1950s. In modern day, Mitchells Health Sciences building continues a legacy of providing health care education for Iredell County and the addition of these endowed gifts extend that legacy forward.

By his side and throughout was his wife Ann. They made an awesome team, and together they raised a family, built a medical practice, and generously served this community and beyond by supporting many philanthropic causes, Brewer added.

The Kuttehs four children, Robert, William, Elaine and Costi, were at the dedication ceremony, surrounded by a crowded room of family, friends, college officials and local government leaders.

Our parents valued medicine. They valued education. And they valued Statesville, said Costi Kutteh, Statesville mayor and Mitchell board of trustee, as he spoke on behalf of his siblings. Youll never know how much this means to us.
My current top picks:



Here is a list of the criteria I use to pick the best options. Each app may not have all of these characteristics, but the more that the app has of these in the list the better it will score. Testing is done on both Android and iOS when possible. See my testing setup.

This list is focused on instant messaging and chatting as the primary usage of the app

Apps without trackers given preference

Clients on multiple platforms preferred

Does not expose personal information (for example phone number or email) to other users

Does not leak data (pictures or other data saved unencrypted in browseable folders)

Has ephemeral messages (encryption keys destroyed after a set time)

Has contact verification through key fingerprint or other method

Scoring system:

Beside each application you will see 4 numbers in colored boxes. The meaning of these numbers follows:



1 This is the lowest score, which means the application does not provide any protection in this category.

2 This score means the application provides some protection in this category.

3 This score means the application provides protection for many items in this category.

4 This score means the application provides complete or almost complete protection in this category.



The 4 categories used are:

Privacy of your messages: This means that the contents of your encrypted message are safe from being decrypted by anyone who does not have the decryption key, and they are protected from future brute force decryption.

Privacy of your identity: Information which may reveal your true identity is not exposed by using the application.

Integrity of the system: The infrastructure that the application runs on is trustworthy and messages can be verified to be unaltered.

Resistance to disruption: It would be difficult for any one agent to disable the messaging system, for example by targeting the system's servers.

Country of Jurisdiction:

Another aspect of each messenger to consider is the legal jurisdiction each app is subject to. This is usually determined by the incorporated status and country of the organization that controls the servers and codebase for the messaging system. Physical server location is not always a factor, for example a server located anywhere in the world is still considered under the jurisdiction of the country where the controlling organization is incorporated.

There are various international intelligence sharing agreements, the most well known being the so called "5 eyes", "9 eyes" and "14 eyes" countries. If your data is protected well enough (encryption) and you are able to remain anonymous online then the country of jurisdiction may not be the primary deciding factor for everyday citizens. But if you require extra security the jurisdiction may be more important. You can read more about the "eyes" at https://restoreprivacy.com/5-eyes-9-eyes-14-eyes/.

Level 1: Beginner Welcome to your new journey into privacy. Everyone should install Signal as the first step towards a more private lifestyle.

Easy and secure Signal (iOS) or Molly (Android) 4 Privacy of your messages 2 Privacy of your identity 3 Integrity of the system 2 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: USA [5 Eyes] Signal offers excellent end to end encryption between Signal users. One draw back of Signal is that everyone you connect with will know your phone number, but for people you are comfortable knowing your phone number that is fine. The encryption protocol Signal and Molly use is very robust and proven secure after many years of use. Many other secure messaging apps have even adopted Signal's protocol for exchanging messages. Molly is a fork of Signal for Android that adds a few features. There are two flavors of the app, one with Google Firebase and Maps and one without so this provides an additional option for more privacy from Google.

Pros: One of the most advanced cryptography protocols

Easy to use, simple replacement for your phone's default SMS app

All data is encrypted locally on the phone

Lots of features

Open source

Messages can be set to disappear up to 4 weeks

Foolproof (cannot send regular non-encrypted SMS messages) Cons: A phone number is required, phone numbers are used to add other contacts

Optionally uses your address book to look for people you know who may use Signal

Reliant on one server controlled by the Signal organisation

Based in the USA Other features: Send photos, videos, audio clips, files, contacts, location

Delivery and read receipts in individual chats

Contact verification through safety number comparison

Alert when a contact's key changes

Re-registration PIN lock

Lock app with PIN or fingerprint

Molly only- SOCKS proxy and Tor support Pros:Cons:Other features: Other Signal reviews: Restore Privacy Kuketz Blog Install Signal

Install Molly

Detailed Review of Signal Detailed Review of Molly





Level 2: More anonymous, but centralized

Best choice: Threema 3 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 4 Integrity of the system 2 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: Switzerland Threema is a messenger from Switzerland that is very easy use yet is very secure and private. The enterprise version of Threema has been chosen by the Swiss government as their secure messaging platform.

Pros: Very nice look, lots of features, easy to use

Communicate with text, voice or group text chat

Based in Switzerland (great privacy laws)

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed to create an account Cons: No Perfect Forward Secrecy or ephemeral messages

No option for automatic deletion of messages

Can only be used on one device Other features: One on one video chat available

Send photos, videos, audio clips, files, contacts and location

Create polls

Draw on a photo before sending it

Quote prior messages

Search for words in a chat

Mention other participants

Thumbs up/down on messages in individual chats

Delivery and read receipts in individual chats

Up to 100 participants per group chat

Contact verification through key fingerprint comparison

Optional perfect forward secrecy per contact Pros:Cons:Other features: Other reviews: Kuketz Blog Restore Privacy Install Threema

Detailed Review of Threema Alternative: BBMe 3 Privacy of your messages 2 Privacy of your identity 3 Integrity of the system 1 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: Canada [5 Eyes] BlackBerry Messenger is an app which has it's primary focus on enterprise messaging but it is also available for use by individuals for a very low fee. It is a reasonable alternative to Threema if you are looking for a few specific features, such as using one account on multiple devices, using it on a desktop computer or if you need video chat with more than one other person.

Pros: Communicate with text, audio (15 max) and video (15 max) group chat

ID does not contain personal information

Perfect forward secrecy

Use on multiple devices including phones and desktop computers

Choose whether to save photos to the mobile device gallery or not Cons: Need an email to signup

Based in Canada

Small fee of US $5 per year, paid through Google Store or iOS App Store Other features: Send photos, videos, audio clips, files, contacts and location

Search for words in a chat

Add messages to a favorites list

Quote and forward messages

Retract a message to delete it from all participants' devices

Clear all messages from a chat or restract the entire chat

Use up to 5 devices with one account

Contact verification by comparing session key or QR code Pros:Cons:Other features: Install BBMe

Detailed Review of BBMe





Level 3: Peer to Peer or Decentralized

Proxied Peer to Peer: SimpleX Chat 4 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 4 Integrity of the system 4 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: None (Peer to peer) SimpleX Chat is a newer messenger that has a unique design. For each contact you make you create a unique message queue just for them to send you messages to on a server. They also create a unique message queue for you to send to them. There are no user names to identify specific users of the app, all you know is the location of their messaging queue (which is only for your use). It is like a peer to peer messaging app except that there is a server with a messaging queue in the middle acting as a proxy. This design has several advantages, including being able to send messages to someone even when they are offline. You send a message to their queue (which is always online) and they then retrieve the message right away if they are online, or they pick it up the next time the come online. This also protects the network connection details of the devices themselves, since only the server address is ever known. This is such a simple yet effective design. The messenger also uses good proven encryption methods with the NaCL library, Diffie Hellman ECC key exchange and XSalsa20 encryption. The local database is also encrypted with SQLCipher and I have not detected any data leaks into common storage on Android. The features are limited with texts chats, image and file sending, and group chats. But if you want a really secure and private messenger this is looking very promising.

Pros: No identifying information required

Works like peer to peer but you can still exchange messages while offline

You can host your own message queue server

Mobile and desktop platform clients

Proven end to end encryption methods

Can optionally use the Tor network

Optional ephemeral "burn on read" messages Cons: Limited chatting features

Need to use a second messaging channel to send an initial invite code to connect with someone and for remote contact verification

A newer app, still has some bugs Other features: Reply to messages

Contact verification via a hash code

Delete messages on both sides

Audio and video calling Pros:Cons:Other features: Install SimpleX Chat

Detailed Review of Simplex Chat Easy to use: TwinMe 3 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 2 Integrity of the system 2 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: France [9 Eyes] TwinMe uses proven TLS encryption to make a direct Peer to Peer connection between devices. The only server involved is a signaling server that helps devices find each other to be able to connect. Messages are sent direct from device to device without going though a server. There is no information needed to signup, you don't have any account at all just an ID on your device that is randomly generated. Connecting with others is accomplished by sharing your device ID. This means though that if you do change devices your old ID will no longer work and any contacts you have made you will need to send the ID of your new device and reconnect with them.

Pros: Communicate with text, voice, video and group text chat

Connections are made directly between your device and your chat partner's device, no server acts as the middle man

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed to create an account Cons: No option for automatic deletion of messages

You can't make a backup or export your keys or messages to move to another device

No contact verification Other features: Create multiple profiles in the app

Send photos, videos, audio clips, files and streaming music

Manually delete a message including from all participants' devices

Delivery and read receipts in individual chats Pros:Cons:Other features: Install TwinMe

Detailed Review of TwinMe





Level 4: Alternative Networks

Android or Linux over Tor: Briar Project 4 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 4 Integrity of the system 4 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: None (Tor peer to peer network) Briar is a peer to peer secure messenger that uses the Tor network for connecting devices. Each Briar device has a unique onion address on the Tor network and there are no servers (besides the standard Tor infrastructure) needed to connect to other Briar users. The app has fewer features than many messengers and is only available for Android but if you need secure communications this will provide that without unnecessary frills.

Pros: Communicate with text or photos in one-on-one chats, private groups, forums and post on your own blog

Connections are made directly between your device and your chat partner's device, no server acts as the middle man

Uses the Tor secure network protocol

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed to run Briar. There is not even any controlling server where you need to create any account.

Available on F-Droid

Does not require Google Play Services

Can communicate with other Briar users over WiFi, BlueTooth and Tor

Optional setting to delete messages in private chats after 7 days Cons: Linux app is one-on-one text messaging only

Higher battery usage than most messengers

You can't make a backup or export your keys or messages to move to another device Other features: Private Groups are chat rooms which are invite-only by the group creator

Forums are chat rooms where any members can add any of their own contacts

You have your own blog where you can write posts, and your contacts will see these posts in a blog feed

"Introductions" lets you give two people in your contact list each other's contact info so they can make their own connection in Briar

Online status indicator

Delivery and read receipts in individual chats Pros:Cons:Other features: Other reviews: Kuketz Blog Install Briar Project

Detailed Review of Briar Project Private ad-hoc conversations over Tor: OnionShare 4 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 2 Integrity of the system 4 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: None (Tor peer to peer network) OnionShare is a chat server that runs over the Tor network. It is very easy to start a new chat server on any Linux, MacOS or Windows home PC. Using the Tor netowrk provides all the privacy and security features of Tor. The Tor Browser is used as a client to connect to the server. This system is great for creating a chat session to use at a specific time when all participants can be online.

Pros: Very easy deployment- for server just run OnionShare on a desktop PC, for cleint just install Tor Browser

Multiple platforms supported- Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android

Connection from client to server over Tor

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed

Messages are not stored to disk and are destoyed as soon as the client browser tab closes Cons: Participants must be online to receive messages

No contact verification features

Android user interface is small, disconnects from server as soon as you go to another application

No message notifications

Text messages only Other features: You see the names of all other connected client sessions Pros:Cons:Other features: Install OnionShare

Detailed Review of OnionShare





Level 5: Experimental (know what you're doing)

Decentralized private network: Session 3 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 4 Integrity of the system 3 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: None (Lokinet peer to peer network) Session runs on top of the onion routing network Lokinet to provide a decentralized messaging system. It uses the Signal protocol for end to end message encryption. This is a new project so is still considered experimental and there will be bugs in the apps. However in testing the app it has been overall a great experience and I think is one of the best prospects for becoming an offical recommendation on my list.

Pros: Send text, photos and files in individual or group chats

The Lokinet system ensures your messages are not stored on any single server while in transit

Set emphemeral message timeout for up to one week

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed to create an account

Available for iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS and Windows

Battery usage on mobile devices is better than some other onion routing based apps

Multi-device support Cons: No perfect forward secrecy on messages (removed recently to enable multi-device support)

Still new, bugs exists and features may change

Files are temporarily stored on a central server (encrypted) until the recipients retrieve them Other features: Add contacts via a QR code

Typing indicators and read receipts (can be turned on or off)

Create closed private groups or open public groups

Mobile app has lockout feature

Disable link previews in messages

Turn notification via Google notification servers on or off

Automatically delete older messages after a specific number per conversation Pros:Cons:Other features: Install Session

Detailed Review of Session Built on DAT: Cabal 2 Privacy of your messages 4 Privacy of your identity 2 Integrity of the system 4 Resistance to disruption Country jurisdiction: None (Tor peer to peer network) Cabal is a new messenger which is built on top of the Dat protocol which uses symmetric keys to validate data and provide access to encrypted dat files. You create a Cabal which is essentially an encrypted database which is replicated with anyone you provide the public key to. This is a very early project so it is yet to be seen what the final security of the system will be, so do not use this for anything truly private.

Pros: Communicate with text in any number of channels created in a single Cabal

Connections are made directly between your device and everyone else connected to the Cabal, no server acts as the middle man

Uses the Dat protocol

No personal information such as an email address or phone number is needed to create a Cabal or join one.

Available for Linux, MacOS and Windows Cons: Text only right now but sending photos is being worked on

If someone knows your public key they can join and get all history

No option for automatic deletion of messages Other features: You can be connected to multiple Cabals at once Pros:Cons:Other features: Install Cabal



Details on scores for each app:

App Privacy of Messages Privacy of Identity Integrity of the System Resistance to Disruption EM Ephemeral messages FP Foolproof DL No data leaks DR Data not recoverable PFS Perfect Forward Secrecy Total ID ID doesn't have personal info EP Does not require email/phone NT No trackers Total Au Audits done CV Contact Verification GC Good Country KC Key Change Alerts Total PD P2P or Decentralized OS Open Source SH Self Hosted NP Number of platforms Total Signal      4  2    3 Client 2 2 Molly      4  2    3 Client 1 2 Threema     3    4    N/A 4 Client 2 2 BBMe    3  2   3 4 1 SimpleX Chat      4    4    N/A 4    5 4 TwinMe     3    4 N/A 2  2 2 Snikket (XMPP)  2    4   3    All 4 Briar Project      4    4    N/A 4    1 4 OnionShare      4    4  N/A 2    Many 4 Session     3    4    N/A 4   5 3 Cabal  ?  2    4  N/A 2    3 4 Key to columns: EM - Ephemeral messages

FP - Foolproof

DL - No data leaks

DR - Data not recoverable

PFS - Perfect Forward Secrecy ID - ID doesn't have personal info

EP - Does not require email or phone

NT - No trackers Au - Audits

CV - Contact Verification

GC - Good Country

KC - Key Change Alerts

("N/A" means the key cannot change) PD - P2P or Decentralized

OS - Open Source

SH - Self Hosted

NP - Number of platforms

Some other apps that are worth considering:

BabelNet - Very nice syncing between multiple devices, based outside of the 14 eyes [User interface needs clarified wording, trouble connecting with LineageOS, 1 tracker]

Snikket - A package of clients for iOS and Android and an XMPP server designed to all work well together. Easy to self host a server

Blabber.im - A fork of Conversations that has a simpler interface

Quicksy (XMPP) - A fork of Conversations that makes it easy to signup, your phone number is used as your ID.

In a world of encrypted services, a potential solution could be to go back a few decades. Its relatively easy for a service provider to silently add a law enforcement participant to a group chat or call . The service provider usually controls the identity system and so really decides whos who and which devices are involved - theyre usually involved in introducing the parties to a chat or call. You end up with everything still being end-to-end encrypted, but theres an extra end on this particular communication. This sort of solution seems to be no more intrusive than the virtual crocodile clips that our democratically elected representatives and judiciary authorise today in traditional voice intercept solutions and certainly doesnt give any government power they shouldnt have.



Were not talking about weakening encryption or defeating the end-to-end nature of the service. In a solution like this, were normally talking about suppressing a notification on a targets device , and only on the device of the target and possibly those they communicate with. Thats a very different proposition to discuss and you dont even have to touch the encryption.

-Ian Levy is the technical director of the National Cyber Security Centre, a part of GCHQ.

-Crispin Robinson is the technical director for cryptanalysis at GCHQ.

The new law, which has been pushed for since at least 2017, requires that companies provide a way to get at encrypted communications and data via a warrant process. It also imposes fines of up to A$10 million for companies that do not comply and A$50,000 for individuals who do not comply. In short, the law thwarts (or at least tries to thwart) strong encryption.



Companies who receive one of these warrants have the option of either complying with the government or waiting for a court order. However, by default, the orders are secret, so companies would not be able to tell the public that they had received one.

Notes within [brackets] are potential negative attributesDecember 2018: Recently there have been some troubling laws passed and articles written in the UK and Australia (part of the 5 eyes countries ) that may cause issues with trust in applications developed in those countries. Both countries now seem to be pushing for backdoor access for government surveillance to be built into secure messaging applications. Not only will this weaken or break End to End security, but apps that are not open source from those countries may no longer be trusted and may be used for a mass surveillance program. Here are some recent articles.
More than a dozen patients and staff members at Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Marion are on the mend after experiencing irritation and difficulty breathing from being sprayed with a fire extinguisher Tuesday evening, a spokesperson said.

Lauren Cunningham with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services said a patient at the facility gained access the extinguisher and sprayed several patients and staff members.

Of those sprayed with the substance, eight patients and nine staff members were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Smyth County Emergency Services Coordinator Curtis Crawford said most experienced mild respiratory issues.

By Wednesday, Cunningham said all patients were returned to the care of SWVMHI and eight of the nine staff members had been released. One staff member was still receiving follow up treatment on Wednesday, she said.

Crews with Marion Fire-EMS, Chilhowie Fire-EMS and Sugar Grove Lifesaving Crew responded. Crawford said no reports of a fire were made.

We are incredibly grateful to SWVMHI staff, local fire and EMS, and local hospital and emergency department staff for quick and efficient response to this situation, Cunningham said. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incident, and with the staff members and patients who were injured.

Cunningham said SWVMHI is conducting an investigation into how the patient was able to access the fire extinguisher.
Months after Gov. Glenn Youngkin tapped them to work on abortion legislation, Del. Kathy Byron, R- Bedford, and Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, filed bills to ban most of the procedures after 15 weeks of gestation.

Physicians who violate the law could be charged with a Class 4 felony  punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Delegate Kathy Byron made good on Governor Glenn Youngkins promise to try to ban abortion in Virginia by introducing this proposed legislation, said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia president Jamie Lockhart in a statement before Newmans bill was filed.

She added that the proposed ban would hurt Virginians and put politicians where they dont belong: in control of peoples private medical decisions.

In keeping with Youngkins position Byrons bill and Newmans include exceptions for rape, incest and when the physician determines that continuing the pregnancy will result in the death of the woman or substantially and irreversibly impair one or more of such womans major bodily functions, not including psychological or emotional conditions.

Organizations that oppose abortion celebrated Byrons bill.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America thanked Byron, Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, and Youngkin in a release Wednesday.

We are ready to fight to protect babies from the pain of abortion and lawmakers will have to tell the voters where they stand, she wrote.

Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House of Delegates and Democrats hold a 22-18 edge in the state Senate after flipping a Senate seat Tuesday night in a special election in Virginia Beach.

House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said this week that with divided control of the legislative chambers he does not expect substantive abortion measures to pass the legislature this year.

Youngkin named Byron and Newman to work on abortion legislation alongside Del. Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland and Sen. Siobahn Dunnavant, R-Henrico.

The Byron and Newman bills are among a handful of measures aimed at restricting or banning abortions. With the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, which federally protected access to the procedure for 49 years, states nationwide are seeking or already enacting bans and restrictions.

All 140 legislative seats are up for election in November. Though there might not be movement on abortion restrictions this session, by 2024 there could be, pending the election results.

Thats why Democratic legislators are proposing a constitutional amendment that could protect abortion access. A proposed constitutional amendment must pass both legislative chambers in consecutive years, with an election in between before appearing as on ballots in a statewide referendum.

Such an amendment appears unlikely to pass with Republicans in control of the House. Meantime, Senate Democrats say they are holding the line to block abortion bills that clear the House.
A Castle Rock couple is set to go to trial in connection to an August shooting in which a 44-year-old man was wounded in the face.

Christopher Alan Drumheller, 43, and Jacquelyn Charlotte Linson, 43, both from Castle Rock, were indicted with first-degree assault with a firearm and making false statements. Linson initially told investigators she shot the victim in self-defense only to recant her statement and pin the shooting on her boyfriend.

Police arrived at roughly 8:27 p.m., on Aug. 5 on the 1900 block of Teresa Way near Kelso. As stated in the probable cause statement, Linson said to the arriving officers she shot the victim after he lunged at multiple people.

Linson then told Kelso Police Officer Roy W. Slaven that the victim was out of his mind, threatening to kill her dog, and lunging at people who were approximately 20 feet away, according to a report.

She reportedly said, at times, she left the scene while the victim was acting crazy for hours before she pulled the trigger  only to later admit she lied and that Drumheller, a convicted felon, shot the victim with her gun.

During Drumhellers police interview, he allegedly said that the victim had been destroying his tools, making threats toward him and his dog, and hit his girlfriend. He reportedly told police the victim charged at Linson while holding a soda can and armed with a knife.

After he heard Linson told police he was the gunman, Drumheller allegedly changed his story and said he shot the man in self-defense. Drumheller told police the victim was aggressive, lunging at people and wouldnt exit Drumhellers car.

Police say the victim was sent to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver and was placed on a ventilator after sustaining a gun wound that nicked his carotid and vertebral arteries.

Drumheller is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm because he is a convicted felon, according to court records. A Feb. 2 trial date has been scheduled for him.

Linson is not only charged in the shooting, but also with intimidating a witness. Court documents say on Nov. 14 she allegedly intimidated a material witness when she reportedly said to them, You better not go to court if you know whats good for ya.

Linson is expected to appear before a Cowlitz County Superior Court on Jan. 19, for a pre-trial management hearing and make her first appearance on the intimidation charge. Her trial involving the shooting is set for March 14.
COLUMBIA COUNTY  A 55-year-old Columbia County Jail inmate died Wednesday after authorities say the person was found unresponsive, according to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities did not provide details regarding the inmates medical status or identity, only that the inmate was discovered sometime after 9:55 a.m. during a routine check.

Columbia County Sheriffs deputies provided chest compressions on the inmate until medical personnel arrived, but they failed to revive the person.

Columbia County Jail said on its Facebook page that medical staff and Columbia River Fire Rescue paramedics responded to the scene.

The Columbia County District Attorneys Office was notified and will oversee the inquiry, and the Oregon State Police will investigate the circumstances of the inmates death.
It took a few days longer than expected for Washingtons newest member of Congress to take office.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez came to Washington D.C. with her husband and young son Jan. 3 so they could see her get sworn into the House of Representatives. Instead, the congresswoman was stuck in the first rounds of a four-day, 15-vote stalemate over the Speaker of the House election.

I was honestly expecting a little bit of a circus but that exceeded my expectations, Gluesenkamp Perez said in an interview Wednesday.

Gluesenkamp Perez was eligible to vote on who would become Speaker, but could not fully be sworn into office until that was finalized. In between her multiple votes for Dem. Hakeem Jeffries to become the Speaker, Gluesenkamp Perez said she spent those days talking to both fellow Democrats and moderate Republicans in the House about what was going to happen next. She was one of a handful of representatives who said they might support a moderate, bipartisan candidate for the role.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy eventually won a majority after midnight Saturday morning by wearing down the resistance of the far right-wing House Freedom Caucus. Despite the chaos of last week, Gluesenkamp Perez was still optimistic that she could find ways to work on bipartisan issues as the full session ramped up.

I am still hopeful that reasonable people on both sides of the aisle can build a team. When the Freedom Caucus holds people hostage and holds the body hostage, its important that moderate Democrats are there to offer an off-ramp, Gluesenkamp Perez said.

Kent announces campaign

The new representative may already have to start thinking about the 2024 election. On Wednesday morning, last years leading Republican candidate Joe Kent announced that he was running for the House seat again in 2024 with a statement criticizing the first few votes Gluesenkamp Perez made as a House member.

The moderate mask has fallen off and revealed a woke extremist, Kent said.

Gluesenkamp Perez responded that she expected Kent to run the same campaign of political extremism and division. She won the Republican-leaning district in a narrow upset of Kent in November.

When the votes for Speaker wrapped up, Gluesenkamp Perez flew back to Washington to spend the weekend mudding with her family.

The final step for new House members is getting assigned to House committees. Gluesenkamp Perez said she was most interested in the agriculture and small business committees, both of which tied in to her roots in Skamania County. One of her big-picture was working on a Right to Repair bill that would make sure individuals and small businesses could repair their own vehicles instead of going through corporate owners.

Before her swearing-in, Gluesenkamp Perez was cited for her support of one of the last actions by her predecessor in the 3rd District, Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler. In December their offices and Sen. Maria Cantwell announced that the federal government was transferring 23 acres of land to Skamania County to help the local economy.
Editors note: This is the second of two stories about Woodlands efforts to expand its land-use planning ability. The first story was published on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

WOODLAND  Woodland and Cowlitz County are working out a new land-use planning agreement jump started by City Council action the county sued to overturn.

Partially located in Clark County, Woodland plans for future growth under the states Growth Management Act, while Cowlitz County does not. Operating under two different planning regulations has put the city and Cowlitz County at odds.

Woodland wants to expand its urban growth area to include the Woodland Bottoms  the mostly agricultural land outside the city between Interstate 5, the Columbia River and the Lewis River. The change would allow it to better plan for and accommodate development in unincorporated Cowlitz County that affects Woodland infrastructure, city officials say.

Chicken or the egg

After attempts to expand the urban growth area in 2018 failed, city staff began looking again in 2021, ahead of Woodlands periodic comprehensive plan review due in 2025 by the state, said Travis Goddard, community development director.

In September, the City Council approved an ordinance expanding the urban growth boundary to include the entire Woodland Bottoms, with development on hold in agricultural land until the comprehensive plan is updated. The council approved creating an agriculture zone in early October.

On Oct. 20, Cowlitz County filed a lawsuit challenging the ordinances and appealed the citys actions to the Washington State Growth Management Hearing Board on Nov. 21.

The lawsuit states Woodland didnt include the county in its renewed efforts to establish the agricultural zone and expand the urban growth area. The citys actions circumvented environmental review, violated policies and didnt include proper public or county participation, the lawsuit states.

On Dec. 19 the council voted 4-1 to rescind the ordinances to avoid a costly and unnecessary legal battle, according to the staff report. The lawsuit and the appeal to the state board were dismissed Monday.

Goddard said the ordinances were part of an effort to plan ahead before requesting the county to change its comprehensive plan to match.

Its kind of a chicken and egg situation, Goddard said. We want to know how big we want to grow and ask the county to accommodate that, when the county felt we need to justify how big we need to grow.

Moving forward

The city hopes the county will now take the lead on the master planning process; however, any plans need to comply with the Growth Management Act or the city wont be able to use them, Goddard said.

Woodland officials hope the discussions with the county will lead to a joint agreement, as well as expanding the urban growth area, a specific plan for the Bottoms, and the county mitigating development impacts on the city.

Cowlitz County Commissioner Dennis Weber said the county wants to be at the table with Woodland to figure out the right growth management tools for the area and allow them to take the steps they want, while also paying attention to folks who dont want to annex into the city.

Weber said he can sympathize with Woodland, as the city has to plan for utility use 20 years in advance under the Growth Management Act.

They have to basically borrow money today to build for a customer base that doesnt live inside the city yet, he said.

County Commissioner Arne Mortensen said in general, he would support a plan the residents of the area want, but added the attempts to expand the boundary seem to boil down to a quest for money. In 2019, Woodland officials renewed requests that the county adopt development fees to help pay for the effects of growth outside city limits.

Im a little optimistic now weve gotten some pretty reasonable effort to get together and figure out what should be done, that something should be worked out, Mortensen said.

Goddard said the citys efforts to expand the urban growth area is not a money grab or a power grab, but a way to plan for unavoidable impacts of development on the city.

Woodland is wrestling with problems were not solely responsible for, he said. Its difficult and unfair for the citizens to shoulder that burden and not necessarily be treated as equals for the process.
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German engineering group Bosch on Thursday unveiled plans to invest around $1.0 billion in a research and development centre in China for electromobility and automated driving.

The company said in a statement that the first phase of the multi-year project in the eastern city of Suzhou would be completed by mid-2024 and have a 300,000-square-metre (3.2-million-square-foot) site upon completion.

A company spokeswoman told AFP the centre would be finished in 10 years.

Bosch said the centre would "develop and manufacture electromobility components, mainly for Chinese automakers".

CEO Stefan Hartung called the investment "an important step for the mobility of the future in the world's biggest auto market".

Bosch, which has been active in China for more than a century, already has four factories in Suzhou employing nearly 10,000 people.

The announcement comes amid growing fears in Germany about an over-reliance on Beijing economically, and critical infrastructure and know-how falling into the hands of Chinese state-linked companies.

In particular, the microchip industry has come under scrutiny, as it produces key components used across industry from consumer electronics to battery-powered vehicles.

 2023 AFP
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Rare earth minerals are crucial to the manufacture of magnets used in industries of the future, like wind turbines and electric cars.

Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth elements, essential for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, has been discovered in Sweden's far north, boosting Europe's hopes of cutting its dependence on China.

Swedish mining group LKAB said Thursday the newly-explored deposit, found right next to its iron ore mine, contained more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides.

"This is the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in our part of the world, and it could become a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition," LKAB's chief executive Jan Mostrom said in a statement.

"We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles," Mostrom added.

While the find is believed to be the biggest in Europe, it remains small on a global scale, representing less than one percent of the 120 million tonnes estimated worldwide by the US Geological Survey.

In 2021, the European Commission said that 98 percent of the rare earths used in the EU were imported from China, prompting Brussels to urge member states to develop their own extraction capacities.

LKAB's find was presented as a delegation from the European Commission visited Sweden, which took over the rotating EU presidency at the start of the year.

"Today, the EU is way too dependent on other countries for these materials," Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference, pointing specifically to Russia and China.

"This must change. We must take responsibility for the raw material supply needed for the (green) transition," she added.

Trade not enough

The European Union has agreed to phase out new CO 2 -emitting vehicles by 2035, effectively banning combustion engine cars, meaning the need for rare earth materials will only increase.

In the short term, Busch said the EU needed to "diversify" its trade.

"But in the long run, we cannot rely on trade agreements only," she said.

Mostrom said the full extent of the deposit had yet to be established.

"We are continuing to conduct exploration to see how big this is," Mostrom told AFP, adding that LKAB was also still in the process of figuring out how the new deposit could be mined.

Mostrom said it was difficult to accurately gauge the impact of the discovery on reducing Europe's dependence on Chinese imports.

But he said he was confident "it will have a huge impact."

Asked during a press conference when the deposit could actually be mined and deliver raw materials to the market, Mostrom said it would largely depend on how quickly permits could be secured.

But based on experience, it would likely be "10 to 15 years", he said.

According to LKAB, the rare earth elements found in the Per Geijer deposit occurred "in what is mainly an iron ore deposit and which may therefore be produced as by-products," creating new opportunities for potentially "competitive mining."

From magnets to lenses

Rare earth minerals with names like neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium are crucial to the manufacture of magnets used in industries of the future, like wind turbines and electric cars.

They are also present in consumer goods such as smartphones, computer screens and telescopic lenses.

Others have more traditional uses, like cerium for glass polishing and lanthanum for car catalysts or optical lenses.

Sweden is one of the EU's biggest mining countries.

More than 90 percent of the EU's iron ore production comes from the Scandinavian country, which also has the bloc's largest lead and zinc production, the second largest silver production, and among the highest gold and copper production, according to the Geological Survey of Sweden.

 2023 AFP
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Researchers from Pusan National University in Korea have conducted an in-depth study exploring the use of collaborative AI models to create new designs and the engagement of complex systems. This encourages human-AI collaborative designing which increases efficiency and improves sustainability. Credit: Yoon Kyung Lee from Pusan National University

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fashion industry has grown significantly in recent years. AI is being used for tasks such as personalizing fashion recommendations for customers, optimizing supply chain management, automating processes, and improving sustainability to reduce waste.

However, creative processes in fashion designing continue to be human driven, mostly, and not a lot of research exists in the realm of using AI for designing in fashion. Moreover, studies are generally done with data scientists, who build the AI platforms and are involved with the technologic aspect of the process. However, the other side of this equation, i.e., designers themselves, are not roped into research often.

To investigate the practical applicability of AI models to implement creative designs and work with human designers, Assistant Professor Prof. Yoon Kyung Lee from Pusan National University in Korea conducted an in-depth study. Her study was published in Thinking Skills and Creativity.

"At a time when AI is so deeply ingrained into our lives, this study started instead with considering what a human can do better than AI," says Prof. Lee, explaining her motivation behind the study. "Could there be an effective collaboration between humans and AI for the purpose of creative design?"

Prof. Lee started with generating new textile designs using deep convolution generative adversarial networks (DC-GANs) and cycle-GANs. The outputs from these models were compared to similar designs produced by design students.

The comparison revealed that though designs produced by both were similar, the biggest difference was the uniqueness and originality seen in the human designs, which came from the person's experiences. However, the use of AI in repetitive tasks can improve the efficiency of designers and frees up their time to focus on more high-difficulty creative work.

AI-generated designs can also be used as a learning tool for people who lack expertise in fashion want to explore their creativity. These people can create designs with assistance from AI. Thus, Prof. Lee proposes a human-AI collaborative network that integrates GANs with human creativity to produce designs.

The professor also defined and studied the various elements of a complex system that are involved in human-AI collaborated design. She also went on to establish a human-AI model in which the designer collaborates with AI to create a novel design idea. The model is built in such a way that if the designer shares their creative process and ideas with others, the system can interconnect and evolve, thereby improving its designs.

The fashion industry can leverage this to foresee changes in the fashion industry and offer recommendations and co-creation services. Setting objectives, variables, and limits is part of the designer's job in the Human-AI collaborative design environment. Therefore, their work should go beyond only the visual aspect and instead cover a variety of disciplines.

"In the future, everybody will be able to be a creator or designer with the help of AI models. So far, only professional fashion designers have been able to design and showcase clothes. But in the future, it will be possible for anyone to design the clothes they want and showcase their creativity," concludes Prof. Lee.

More information: Yoon Kyung Lee, How complex systems get engaged in fashion design creation: Using artificial intelligence, Thinking Skills and Creativity (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101137

Provided by Pusan National University
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Passenger jets are seen on the tarmac at Logan International Airport, Jan. 11, 2023, in Boston. Thousands of flight delays and cancellations rippled across the U.S. early Wednesday after computer outage led to a grounding order by the Federal Aviation Administration. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Until Wednesday, few travelers had ever heard of a Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, nor did they know that the system used to generate those notices could cause widespread travel misery.

As they arrived at airports in the morning, they quickly found out.

The Federal Aviation Administration computer system that compiles and distributes essential safety information for pilots went kaput. That temporarily grounded all flights nationwide and touched off a cascading air traffic jam that will take at least a day to unclog. More than 1,300 flights were canceled and 9,000 delayed by early evening on the East Coast because of the outage, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

The system has been around for more than a half century and it has evolved from paper to computers. It's in the process of being updated.

WHAT ARE NOTAMs?

They are compilations of essential preflight information for pilots, airline dispatchers and others that include details about things such as potential bad weather on the route, runway and taxiway changes at airports and closed airspace that must be avoided. The notices began in 1947 and were modeled after a system used to warn ship captains of hazards on the seas.

A pilot can't legally take off until he or she has reviewed the information. John Hansman, an aeronautics professor at MIT, said most airlines subscribe to services that gather NOTAM information from the FAA and package it for each flight. Airline dispatch centers relay it to pilots. In this case, the services couldn't get the information because the FAA system malfunctioned, he said.

A Southwest Airlines passenger jet takes off from Chicago's Midway Airport as flight delays stemming from a computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration brought departures to a standstill across the U.S earlier Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Chicago. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM?

The FAA said preliminary indications "traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.

The system stopped working at 8:28 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, but because there weren't many departures at that hour, pilots were able to get the information verbally. At daybreak in the East, the system was still out, and there were too many flights leaving to brief pilots individually.

It's likely that the main system had a problem, and the backup didn't work correctly. The FAA rebooted the main system around 5 a.m., but it took a while to verify that all the information was validated and available, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. So the FAA ordered all flights grounded Wednesday morning and planes were stuck for hours "to make absolutely sure the messages were moving correctly and the information for safety purposes is working the way it should," Buttigieg said.

Longtime aviation insiders could not recall a systemwide FAA outage of this magnitude caused by a technology breakdown.

People check into their flights at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. The world's largest aircraft fleet was grounded for hours by a cascading outage in a government system that delayed or canceled thousands of flights across the U.S. Credit: AP Photo/John Locher

HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONDING?

Buttigieg said that the NOTAM system is constantly being updated, and a key question is whether it's outdated.

"We will not allow anything to take place that is not safe," Buttigieg told reporters. "This is precisely why our focus right now is on understanding, identifying and correcting anything related to the root cause of how this happened in the first place."

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., said the NOTAM malfunction is inexcusable, and a result of a Transportation Department and FAA "failure to properly maintain and operate the air traffic control system."

Graves, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said the FAA has been without a permanent leader for nearly a year. He said he expects a full briefing on the outage.

HAS THERE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM BEFORE THIS?

Not of this magnitude. "Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically," said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis. While the cause of Tuesday's breakdown was not immediately clear, Campbell said there was concern about FAA's technology, and not just the NOTAM system.

People pass through Salt Lake City International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Salt Lake City. The world's largest aircraft fleet was grounded for hours by a cascading outage in a government system that delayed or canceled thousands of flights across the U.S. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Other FAA technology also is aging, Campbell said. "So much of their systems are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable but they are out of date," he said.

The bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year allocated $25 billion to airports, with roughly $5 billion for air traffic control facilities. Congressional staffers said some of that money could be spent on equipment. But Buttigieg said any NOTAM upgrade may have to wait for a new FAA funding bill.

"I think this gives us a really important data point and a really important moment to understand what we're going to need moving forward," he said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has criticized the way NOTAMs are presented after an Air Canada jet nearly landed on four other planes waiting to take off from San Francisco International Airport in 2017. Pilots had missed information about a closed runway that was buried among numerous notices.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO COMPENSATE PASSENGERS?

Airlines will be on the hook for refunds and other compensation, even though the FAA was at fault for the outage. Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline executive, said passengers are entitled to a full refund if an airline cancels a flight for any reason.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, speaks after speaking to the Transportation Research Board in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The world's largest aircraft fleet was grounded for hours by a cascading outage in a government system that delayed or canceled thousands of flights across the U.S. on Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Major airlines including Delta, American, Southwest and United were waiving change fees for Wednesday flightsand, in some cases, Thursday flightsto make it easier for passengers to change their travel plans.

The government has no legal obligation to reimburse travelers, which is maddening, said Brett Snyder, a travel agent and author of the "Cranky Flier" travel blog.

"Secretary Buttigieg should set the right example here and reimburse people directly from the government coffers," he said.

COULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?

Not clear. Congress already was going to look into aviation technology after Southwest Airlines' crew-scheduling system went haywire during the holidays, leading to nearly 17,000 canceled flights in the last 10 days of December. Now the system that sends NOTAMs, and backup systems, will be part of the inquiry.

"We will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages," Sen. Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said in a statement. "The public needs a resilient air transportation system."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Gyalrong textbook. Credit: University of Sheffield

A Chinese language at risk of extinction is being kept alive for future generations with the help of Department of Computer Science research.

Using natural language processing (NLP)computational processes designed to understand speech and text as humans canthe Gyalrong language and the rich cultural history it carries are being preserved.

Gyalrong, which is spoken by a very limited population in China's Sichuan Province, is estimated to date back over 1,000 years but is now thought to have fewer than 33,000 speakers.

Most native speakers are elderly and with many young people leaving the villages in which it is spoken to seek work in urban areas, fewer and fewer people have the opportunity to learn the language from elders.

It is estimated that the decline of the languagewhich has little in the way of written records and is considered very difficult to learnwill become irreversible over the next few decades.

Xutan Peng, a Ph.D. student at the University's Department of Computer Science, is using his research to speed up the production of a textbook to teach the endangered language to local schoolchildren.

"Many people say language is the DNA of a culture," said Xutan.

"If the language dies the memory of this rich culture is in danger of being lost forever. Things such as old stories passed to their children and grandchildren by elders will be no more, and it will be impossible for future generations to learn the culture and traditions."

His technique takes Gyalrong texts and summarizes them into Mandarin using an automated process. As such, language documentation work that could take a linguist months or years by immersing themselves in the culture can be done far more rapidly.

"One way to imagine it is that there are two libraries, side by side, with the same architecture and layout but with one exclusively supplying Mandarin texts, and the other Gyalrong," said Xutan.

"If two similar books, covering similar subject matter, are in the corresponding location in both libraries and you move both buildings into one location, you can align the two to identify patterns.

"So, as long as we're able to master certain frequently used words, we can use this technique to make educated guesses to piece the jigsaw together."

You can read more about the process, known as cross-lingual word embedding (CLWE), in the papers "Cross-Lingual Word Embedding Refinement by 1 Norm Optimisation" and "Understanding Linearity of Cross-Lingual Word Embedding Mappings." The technique used on documenting Gyalrong also draws on research from Xutan's earlier paper, "Summarising Historical Text in Modern Languages."

The results of Xutan's work are already bearing fruit, with a small group of Chinese schoolchildren, whose families can speak at least some Gyalrong, learning from and providing feedback on a textbook. It is hoped this first version will be followed by further volumes as more data is collected.

Its success has even caught the attention of documentary makers, who've featured the story on China Central Television.

"It's a unique and very satisfying project to work on," Xutan added.

"And although it may be limited in scope, we're making a real impact on society. It also suggests a very bright future for this type of technique in helping to preserve endangered languages."

Xutan plans to explore how the technique could be adapted to help document other endangered languages.

Dr. Mark Stevenson, a senior lecturer in the natural language processing research group, said, "Endangered languages, like Gyalrong, face a real risk of extinction. This project shows how NLP, including work carried out within Sheffield's NLP research group, can help preserve them for future generations."
Shirley Hammond, the Director of Education at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, announced her retirement Friday after 21 years at the Bush Library.

During her time at the Bush Library, Hammond helped create new programs aligned with the Texas Education Knowledge and Skills curriculum and used primary sources of the Bush Presidential Records to make lesson plans, according to a release. Hammond also oversaw education docents and Texas A&M student interns of the Education Department.

She also worked with former first lady Barbara Bush to create the Reading Discovery Distance Learning Program, which was held annually at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center as local and area students participated as well as a guest author or speaker, according to a release.

The release also noted that Hammond had a hand in other annual programs at the Bush Library, including the Art and Essay Contest, high school days, Juneteenth celebration, Presidents Day, summer camps, Constitution celebration, Bush Library Storytellers Guild and the Chemistry Road Show.

Hammond holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.
Roofing company coming to Bryan

CertainTeed Roofing will build a manufacturing facility and distribution center in the Texas Triangle Park in north Bryan, the city of Bryan and Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday.

Certain Teed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a French corporation that produces exterior and interior building products. Construction of the distribution center is expected to begin later this year and take several years to complete, according to the city of Bryan.

Exceptional global companies, like CertainTeed, are investing in Texas because we offer unmatched business operating advantages, including a world-class business climate, highly skilled workforce, reasonable regulations and lower taxes, Gov. Abbott said in a statement. Located in the heart of the Texas Triangle, Bryan is a prime location for CertainTeeds new manufacturing and distribution facility. The future of Texas is bright, and I look forward to an ongoing partnership with CertainTeed as we continue to expand opportunity for all Texans.

The facility is expected to bring 130 new jobs and create around $140 million in capital investment. CertainTeed has been given a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $546,000 and has been offered a $1,000 veteran created job bonus.

Our new manufacturing facility and distribution center symbolizes our commitment to our customers in the southern United States, to the State of Texas, and to the City of Bryan and its citizens, Carmen Bodden, CertainTeeds vice president and general manager, said in a statement. As a leader in light and sustainable construction, this new facility will ensure our business has the materials necessary to continue serving our customers while remaining focused on minimizing our environmental footprint.

This will be the first new construction of a CertainTeed roofing plant in the United States since 2017, according to the city of Bryan. There are 14 CertainTeed roofing plants in the U.S., including one in Ennis.

We are proud that CertainTeed recognized Bryan as the place to grow their global business and we welcome them, Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez said in a statement. Past investments and partnerships in TTP have helped bring this world-class company to our community that will provide for tremendous economic diversification and impact.

Were thrilled to have this environmentally responsible partner coming to our city. Their presence will benefit not only the City of Bryan and Brazos County but also Bryan ISD, our local workforce and the entire Brazos Valley.

Jury sentences man to life

Mark Mason, formerly of Cameron, was found guilty Wednesday of continuous sexual abuse of a young child, a first-degree felony, by a Milam County jury and sentenced to life in prison without being eligible for parole.

The jury took less than 30 minutes to return its guilty verdict of Mason, 51, and then needed only 90 minutes to return with the life sentence.

First Assistant District Attorney Brian Price prosecuted the states case.

Eagle staff report
WASHINGTON  For two years, Republicans have clamored for President Joe Biden to visit the border with Mexico. He finally did on Sunday  and it has brought no respite from allegations that his policies have triggered an unprecedented crisis of migration.

Instead of El Paso, he should have gone to South Texas, they said. He wasnt there long enough. He averted his eyes from the worst of it, they said, condemning the visit as a half-hearted and long overdue recognition of a crisis of his own making. Others claimed the White House orchestrated a cleanup of the city so that Biden wouldnt be confronted with any semblance of a migrant crisis.

Rep. Michael Burgess hit Biden for having the  audacity to pose for photos by Trumps border wall  which he defunded.

No one was more scathing than Sen. Ted Cruz, who devoted his latest podcast to the presidents border visit Sunday afternoon.

Its about damn time, he said, calling Bidens visit infuriating because he still doesnt intend to fix the problem. He doesnt care. This is 100% politics. This is 100% optics. This is to get his lapdogs in the corporate media just to say oh, now the border is fine. ... It wasnt a problem yesterday. But today its magically fixed.

If he cared, he wouldnt just go to El Paso. Hed come to the Rio Grande Valley and meet with ranchers who regularly find dead migrants on their land, including women and children, the senator said. This is an absolute crisis. And if the president cared at all, he would want to see  the human misery.

Biden counseled patience.

Our problems at the border didnt arise overnight. And they wont be solved overnight, he said after leaving El Paso.

Trust me, he is not blinded one bit, said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, defending Bidens visit. The congressman joined Biden in El Paso with fellow Democratic Reps. Veronica Escobar of El Paso and Henry Cuellar of Laredo.

He got to see a very clear picture of what weve been dealing with on our border for many years, even before he ever came to office, Gonzalez said in an interview after returning from the border. And its not like he doesnt know whats going on already, thanks to regular reports from lawmakers, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and others.

With Republicans accusing Biden of staging a shallow photo-op, Gonzalez countered that thats exactly what Cruz and other Republicans have done for years, using the border as a backdrop to gin up votes and donations.

Its almost like they dont want to fix it because its the gift that keeps on giving, he said.

Gov. Greg Abbott has steered $4 billion in state funds to border security. He began sending bus loads of migrants to Washington last April as migration spiked, hoping to prod the White House to tighten the border.

On Sunday, he handed Biden a letter on the tarmac in El Paso reiterating his complaints and demands.

This chaos is the direct result of your failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted, it read. On behalf of all Americans, I implore you: Secure our border by enforcing Congress immigration laws.

Gonzalez was standing nearby as Abbott and Biden spoke.

Tell me where the results are of all these billions in taxpayers dollars that hes put on the border?  Its nothing but talking points for his next election, he said of Abbott. Thats a perfect, perfect example of someone who was there for a photo op and political purposes.

In El Paso, Biden spoke with law enforcement, local officials and nonprofit leaders who work with migrants.

He was able to talk to us, learn from us, Gonzalez said. Hes open-minded to tweaking the ideas he has and improving them. I dont see that for people who come down here for just a political photo ops  including many, he said, from districts with higher crime rates than exist along the border.

Travel agent

From El Paso, Biden flew to Mexico City for two days of meetings with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the border tour informed conversations with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador about ways to curb the flow of fentanyl and migrants.

It gave him a more granular view of something he very deeply understood at a policy level, but theres just no substitute for being able to have the engagement with those service providers on the front lines, Sullivan said.

Last week, Biden announced a carrot-and-stick policy aimed at easing pressure at the border, allowing 30,000 asylum seekers a month from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti, but barring anyone who showed up first at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cruz described the new apply-from-home app as a way to make it easier than ever for migrants to enter the U.S.

They want to release people faster. They want to put in place the most efficient logistical network ever seen, Cruz said, mocking Biden as travel agent in chief.

The two-term senator has hosted GOP colleagues at the border, sometimes posting video of immigrants brazenly crossing the river in view of senators and Border Patrol agents.

Ive been down there and had multiple groups of illegal immigrants turn themselves in to me. They just look for the first American they can find to turn themselves in, because they know Joe Biden will get them where they want to go, he said on his podcast.

On one tour with 19 senators, Cruz said, We encountered a dead body floating in the river, one of roughly 800 migrant deaths last year. He is literally creating a line of body bags. And yet Joe Biden cant be bothered to look at the people his policies are killing.

Other Texas Republicans were just as scathing.

Bidens dog-and-pony show is nothing but a box-checking exercise combined with propaganda. It will do nothing to stop the flood at our border, Rep. Chip Roy said.

Rep. Brian Babin called the visit a complete waste of time. He must be held accountable for overseeing the worst border crisis in history.

Wrong spot?

While Biden was at the western tip of the state, Republican National Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was far downriver in Mission with former Rep. Mayra Flores, who lost to Gonzalez in November.

McDaniel blasted Biden for overlooking South Texas, and for a visit that she said was too brief to compensate for two years of misguided policies.

Two hours in El Paso is not solving any real problems, she told reporters.

Biden actually spent six hours in El Paso  still not enough to satisfy adversaries, among them his predecessor.

So interesting to see that people are talking about the Border, Donald Trump said in a prepared statement Tuesday, boasting that in the 2016 campaign when he vowed to build a wall, I was the only one talking about it, and then in 2020, there was nothing to talk about because  I fixed it. Its amazing what has happened in two years.

Gonzalez took issue with the charge that Biden averted his eyes from the worst of the border situation, because the epicenter shifted away from South Texas in the last year.

El Paso is dealing with what we did in the Rio Grande Valley a few years ago, he said.
With his hand on a historic, tattered brown Quran, Salman Bhojani was sworn in on Tuesday as one of the first Muslim representatives in the Texas Legislature, along with Rep. Suleman Lalani.

The first English copy to be printed in the Americas, Bhojanis copy of the Quran is displayed in his office. He imagines he will pass the text down to Muslim lawmakers that follow him.

Theres a lot of responsibility on my shoulders to make sure I can inspire the next generation of youth and South Asians or Muslims and just generally minorities and immigrant communities that dont think that they can achieve this, Bhojani said. But if I can do it, they can do an even better job because Im just the first generation.

Over a year after the Texas Legislature wrapped its third special legislative session in October 2021, it welcomed the return of elected politicians, along with their family members, staffers and advocates for the first day of the 2023 session. And after midday, the two chambers convened and swore in 181 state representatives and senators, including dozens of new members.

Bhojani, a Democrat who represents parts of Tarrant County, is a history maker among the 26 new House representatives who have now been sworn in. Another legislator in this category is Caroline Harris, who is the youngest Republican woman state representative in Texas, having been 28 years old when she won her 2022 election. And John Lujan, R-San Antonio, will finally participate in his inaugural legislative session. Lujan previously won two special elections for a seat in the House, but never served during a legislative session.

Bhojani had just gotten the keys to his office over the weekend. Its tucked in a part of the Capitol reserved for newer lawmakers. His staff moved out two filing cabinets left behind from the former occupant. They still have more boxes to unpack and desks to move in.

When he arrived Tuesday, he found that his desk was piled with granola bars, bananas and water for his supporters. Hundreds of Capitol visitors had come out from across the state and country to see the swearing-in ceremony.

One 14-year-old said he skipped school to visit the state Capitol with his dad: This is more important, the boy told Bhojanis wife, Nima.

Bhojani said many of his South Asian constituents do not get involved with politics nor do they understand the inner workings of state government. But he hopes to offer them a glimpse into the political world.

Youre up next, he said to a young constituent after the swearing-in ceremony, urging the teen to think about entering politics.

Our community generally does not get really politically involved. So we dont know who our elected officials are, Bhojani said to supporters in the overflow room he booked for the viewing party. I want to be building a bridge for people and just connecting them with the right people to make things happen.

Bhojani and Lalani, a Democrat from Sugar Land, are entering a legislature that has been heavily influenced by Christian nationalism in recent years.

But Bhojani insisted state lawmakers can and should think about the commonalities among Texans of different faiths. At an interfaith service on the Texas Capitol steps Tuesday morning, Bhojani preached about righting injustice and leading with compassion.

During his term, Bhojani wants to focus on kitchen table issues that every family cares about such as building a strong economy and prioritizing early childhood education.

Still, theres a lot to learn for the freshman lawmaker. For example, before he files a bill, he needs to check if a more senior member is working on similar legislation so as to not step on anyones toes.

He will also need to learn the shortcuts in and around the capitol  in the fervor of the first day, he took a wrong turn on his way back to his office.

Harris, whose recently redrawn and redder district covers parts of Williamson County, wont have that problem.

Prior to her election, she already has worked for several years as a staffer, bouncing through four offices across the state Capitol including one in the basement and another on the fourth floor that overlooks Congress Avenue and sees a steady crowd of tourists from around the world.

I do know where the bathrooms are, so thats very helpful, she said with a laugh.

Harris woke up Tuesday morning thinking about her volunteers and voters.

No one can do this on their own, the Round Rock resident said during an interview in her new office. It almost brought me to tears thinking about the incredible people on my team, including the voters.

Tucked away from her offices lobby where her grandparents, parents and almost all of her 10 siblings were gathering ahead of the ceremony, Harris room is adorned with family photos and a brown cow-patterned rug that she had brought from home.

Presents sit on her new desk  including a jar full of red, white and blue M&Ms with her face printed on them, as well as a gift bag from state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, that includes containers of green pepper jelly and honey.

Im hoping that along with all the good policies Ill be able to put in place, Ill also be able to serve as an inspiration to younger people getting involved, and also to women from all walks of life, she added.

Harris most recently served as the policy adviser for state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, who authored major conservative legislation in 2021, including laws that restrict voting processes and establish a near-total ban on abortions in Texas.

I have been at the tip of the spear when it comes to getting conservative legislation passed in Texas and know what it takes to hit the ground running on day one and be successful, she wrote in Ballotpedias survey during her campaign.

An hour after the interview, Harris and other state representatives took an oath of office for the 88th Texas Legislature. Standing next to her grandfather on the House floor, she gave him a hug and dabbed away tears.

This is a building where you can get involved at a young age, you can make a big difference at a young age, she reflected before the ceremony on her time in the state Capitol.

Now, Harris is planning to use this foundation to push for her priorities including lowering property taxes, securing the border, increasing transparency in health care as well as improving womens services.

In addition, she wants to be part of the Appropriations Committee, a standing committee that discusses issues concerning the state budget. Newly reelected House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, is likely to make committee appointments in the coming weeks.

As a freshman, you dont have quite the capacity to carry a lot of bills as someone whos been here longer, Harris said. Id love to start there and learn the budget process because I think that that will give me a really good footing moving forward.

Lujan has twice held office as a state representative. But after finally clinching a victory in a general election last year, the Republican will finally represent San Antonio in a legislative session.

I just didnt want to be like a little footnote in Texas history as the guy that can win specials but couldnt win a general election, Lujan said. Im really, really excited about serving our community.

And after eight years since he won his first special election, Lujan is ready to get started. He says hes bad with names, so he set a goal for himself to memorize the names and faces of all 150 House members. He made virtual flashcards, which he used to quiz himself on the drive from San Antonio to Austin on Sunday evening.

Driving up here all the way from San Antonio, I put the cruise control on. Im just swiping right. By the time I got here, I was 146 out of 150, Lujan said, with a proud smile. It makes me feel good. So I can say I know folks.

Its hard for freshmen to have a say in the committees theyd like to be a part of. Lujan calls himself a team player. He said hell be happy to join the committees Phelan asks him to join. But Lujan, a retired San Antonio firefighter and a longtime Sunday school teacher, also has his eyes on his community. He wants to move the needle on job creation in Bexar County, particularly in the technology sectors. He wants to expand the role churches have in housing children in foster care.

Though he sits squarely in the freshman class, he has seniority as a sitting member. He moved into his office in mid-December. Hes had time to draft legislation. When the House convened on Tuesday, he spoke in support of Phelan leading the chamber.

Im a freshman when I need to be. And Im not freshman when I dont need to be, Lujan said. I even have more time than some people that were elected last year. So I moved up the seniority chart quick. And so I dont know how Im going to use it yet. But I like wheeling and dealing.
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The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources capped off the year by placing several artificial fish habitats around Smith Mountain Lake as part of its ongoing effort to improve fish populations.

More than 30 habitats were placed between channel markers B9 and B24 in December, adding to more than 300 already placed around the lake since the program began in 2017. Funding is provided each year by Appalachian Power Co.

Daniel Wilson, fisheries biologist for DWR, has been overseeing the program since it started. He oversees the purchase of the artificial fish habitats each year, which he changes annually based on what he has found that the fish like.

We havent put the same thing in for two years in a row yet, Wilson said.

The main goal of the fish habitats is to provide a place for young fish under a year old to hide from larger predators. Wilson said natural habitats created from trees or brush sinking into the lake are harder to find as larger portions of the lakefront are developed.

So far, Wilson has found that young bluegill and largemouth bass use the habitats the most, but other fish can be found there as well. Crappie also use them if they are abundant in the area of the lake.

That first year is the most problematic, Wilson said of the fish he hopes use the habitat. Its the period when we lose the most fish.

Wilson said larger bass, crappie, catfish and striped bass will eat the young fish. The habitats slightly increase a fishs odds for survival.

Wilson did say that any signs of improvement in the fish population will be slow and over a extended amount of time as the program continues. The idea is as we do this over a 30-year period it starts making a difference, he said.

Each summer Wilson inspects the habitats to see how they are doing to get a better idea of what is working. The habitats stretch from the Smith Mountain Lake State Park on the Roanoke River portion of the lake to much of the Blackwater River portion.

While any noticeable improvements to the fish population from the fish habitats may be decades away, Wilson said the current status of Smith Mountain Lakes fish population is good. He said the largemouth, smallmount and striped bass populations in the lake are doing well.

Right now, things are going pretty good, he said.
Small Town Famous, which opened in downtown Grand Island last April, is closing its doors. The store, located at 301 W. Third St., will close on Sunday. Small Town Famous will continue to operate in downtown Hastings, where it's moving into a new, larger location.
The Grand Island City Council Tuesday night paid tribute to Robert Falldorf, who is retiring as the citys police chief Friday.

Falldorf, who has been chief for six and a half years, was presented with a plaque by Mayor Roger Steele.

Steele said Falldorf has been an excellent role model for the department and the community. Citizens can be proud that theyve had a top police officer like you in charge of the department, Steele said.

Referring to one of the chiefs hobbies, Steele expressed hope that Falldorf catches a lot of fish in retirement. After receiving the plaque, Falldorf received a standing ovation from council members, staff members and others present.

Falldorf thanked council members for opportunities and guidance given to the department. The Police Department has faced some challenges over the last two or three years, but the council has been very supportive, he said.

A new salary structure approved last year will be incredible in drawing some new officers and new talent to the city, Falldorf said.

Falldorf also thanked his department, saying he cant say enough about the men and women that I work with.

Many people have come and gone over the years, but hes worked with some great people and weve got a top-notch group right now.

Right now, the staff is shorthanded. But they still show up, and they still do the job. And I cant say enough about what theyre accomplishing, being short-staffed. Theyre really true to my heart and thats probably what Ill miss the most, Falldorf said.

He said the city has some great department directors. Going forward, I have no doubt that theyll continue to excel.

Before Falldorf sat down, Steele added one last compliment.

Following the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we were concerned in Grand Island that we might have trouble. We didnt. We had peaceful protests, Steele said.

But in driving around town during those gatherings, Id always see Chief Falldorf out with his officers to make sure that the peace was held. I admired that so much because as the chief of police you were on the frontline, Steele said.

Whenever Steele saw people gathered, You would be there. And you were engaging and talking to the people who were there to protest.

Steele appreciated those actions. You could have let somebody else do that, but you were there, he said to Falldorf.

Later in Tuesdays meeting, the board hired a recruiting firm to help fill the city administrator and public works director/city engineer positions.

Grand Island will pay a total of $37,000 to Government Professional Solutions of Monument, Colo. Of that amount, $21,500 will go toward the city administrator search. The search for the city engineer/public works director will cost $15,500. Each amount will be paid in three installments.

The public works director/city engineer position has been vacant since May of 2022, when John Collins left the job. Efforts to find a new Public Works Director/City Engineer have been unsuccessful despite multiple recruiting efforts, said the meetings information packet.

Also at Tuesday nights meeting, council members expressed a desire to have someone fill the city administrator job on a long-term basis. Councilman Chuck Haase said he believes the turnover is the result of switching from a city manager form of government.

In addition, the council approved an agreement with Foxster Opco to provide transit scheduling software for its Crane Public Transit buses. The city will pay the North Carolina company $181,150.

The cost will be paid for with CARES funding.

Also at the meeting, the board approved an amendment for the North Moores Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank. The project will determine the feasibility of a wetland bank on an 80-acre parcel the city currently owns just north of Eagle Scout Lake, which Moores Creek drains through. The project will permit future city wetland impacts to be offset and potentially permit the sale of wetland credits if desired, says the council agenda packet. The area is also likely to provide additional detention capacity for the Moores Creek system allowing the removal of several weir structures to encourage faster flow through town.

The cost of the amendment is $116,515, payable to Felsburg Holt & Ullevig of Omaha.
If you like 20th century B&W photography: Oren recommended a recent remainder to mefriend o' TOP Keith F. Davis's The Life and Work of Sid Grossman, co-published in 2016 by Steidl in Germany and Howard Greenberg Gallery in New York. I'm sorry I didn't know about it early enough that Keith and the publishers could benefit from sales, but you can get it for fifteen bucks from Hamilton Books.

Sid Grossman was an interesting character. In essence a teacher, he was one of the founders of New York's Photo League. (I believe the last surviving member of the old Photo League just died, but I've lost the reference.) Sid died younghe was only 42. His friend N. Jay Jaffee said his attitude was "arrogant and aggressive." He was a social activist who was denounced as a communist in the '40swhich also eventually spelled the end of the Photo League. His widow, Miriam Grossman Cohen, said that his inclusion in the show "The Radical Camera" at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, in 2013, "has pleased my bruised heart. At last he was vindicated. He was not a Communist spy. He was not anything but a brilliant photographer, a beautiful teacher and a good guy to those who loved him."

Sid Grossman, Aguadulce, Panama, c. 1945, from the back cover of the book



His tonal palette is grimy, darkish, and blurry, and his compositions are claustrophobicin many of the pictures in the book he crowds the edges till you get a feeling like you're getting jostled on the subway. When the book arrived I made a conscious effort to put away my old categorizing prejudices and look at the work with "new eyes." I found pictures that have a lot of life and movement and care for people in them, and a faith in the odd moments that flash past; they feel like glances, which was in fact his stated aim.

A few resources: The Steidl page is still up; Sid's artist page at Howard Greenberg; and there's a brief bio at The National Gallery, now archived. Perhaps his best-known picture is his portrait of Woody Guthrie.

Surprisingly, this is the first book ever published on Sid Grossman. Oren points out that a bonus in the book is several portraits of Sid by none other than our (his and my) old friend David Vestal. More on the book, which is of fine physical quality, after I read the essay, perhaps.

Mike

(Thanks to Oren Grad)



Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Shelley Stallings: "Mike, one of the many reasons I read TOP every morning while drinking my coffee is your dedication to sharing the work of other, often unknown to me, photographers. Sid Grossman is one of those previously 'unknowns' for me. Now he is not, and when Keith F. Davis's book, The Life and Work of Sid Grossman, shows up on my doorstep in a few days (from Amazon, as it seems to be sold out at Hamilton Books), I will get a chance to become much more acquainted with the life and photography of Sid Grossman. Thank you again for all you do to promote the love and knowledge of our chosen expression of art. Written from a rainforest island off the coast of Southeast Alaska, where light is elusive this time of year."

Kenneth Tanaka: "This is an excellent book, well worth getting if you're at all interested in that period of mid-century New York street/social photography. The Radical Camera, the catalog associated with the show Mike mentioned, is also worth reading for a good contextual overview of Grossman's world in those years. Grossman's rep as a 'teacher' was perhaps not terribly well anchored in actual performance practice. He charged worshippers a few bucks to listen to him aimlessly rant sometimes for hours. He had some real issues. Better with a camera, at least for a few years, than with people.

"As an aside, may I recommend the late Helen Gee's book Limelight for a rich depiction of Grossman and so many other New York photo characters of the mid-century. Gee established the first gallery / coffee house devoted solely to photography in New York, and the book is her account of those years. I recently finished my second reading of Limelight. I think many TOP readers might enjoy it, too."

Matt Haber: "Almost on topic...my mother's cousin Sonia Handelman Meyer was a member of the Photo League, and died this past September, at 102. Maybe she was the last surviving member?"

Mike replies: I was aware of Sonia (and sorry for your family's loss), but I think there was another who died even more recently. A reader sent me a link to the obituary. I just can't find it now.

Scott Kirkpatrick: "All of the folk singer portraits that turn up at your Woody Guthrie link are worth a look. It's practically the Great American Songbook, right there. The names are familiar (if you like that music), but pictures are not easy to find, and these are clear and not over-dramatized."

Steve Wilcox: "I just picked up the Sid Grossman book at a used book shop in London. Great book of an otherwise lesser known mid-century photographer. But, Sid was listed in the seminal The New York School book by Jane Livingston and Sid is listed and covered as one of the leading personalities of that movement. Saul Leiter was also covered in this book which was way ahead of it's time. It was printed in 1992. It is the one photo book I would likely keep above all others."

Mike replies: That is a pretty fabulous book if you like that sort of thing. But John Gossage made up the idea of the "New York School"David Vestal, who is one of the photographers included, said none of them ever called themselves that or thought of themselves that way. Still, it's defensible to group artists together like that even when they didn't think of themselves as a group. The book is beautiful.
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.
MARION  Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois saw no issues on Wednesday morning as thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed after a government system that offers safety and other information to pilots broke down.

Airport Director Doug Kimmel said Cape Airs first flight, which leaves the airport at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning for St. Louis, departed before Cape Air received notification of a problem and the nationwide grounding of flights.

Everything was lifted and they were able to go again, Kimmel said.

The grounding of flights was lifted at about 8 a.m. Central time, which allowed the airlines second flight, also to St. Louis, to depart on time at 8:48 a.m. Cape Airs flight to Nashville was to leave on time at 11:11 a.m. as well.

However, some flights at larger airports were expected to be stranded on the ground or delayed for hours.

Kimmel was away from the airport on Wednesday, but kept in touch with staff at the airport.

The breakdown was in a somewhat antiquated computer system that generates alerts called NOTAM or Notice to Air Missions. Before a flight takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about weather, runway closures or construction and other information that could affect the flight.

NOTAM is like an electronic bulletin board that posts information for pilots to see, Kimmel said. It is a way to disseminate reliable information for pilots.

According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday, preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as daytime traffic picked up, the phone system became overwhelmed.

The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday morning, affecting all passenger and cargo flights. Some medical flights could get clearance, and the outage did not affect any military operations.

More than 1,200 flights were cancelled and more than 8,500 flights were delayed by early afternoon on the East Coast, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta saw 30% to 40% of flights delayed.

There was a systems issue overnight that led to a ground stop because of the way safety information was moving through the system, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a news conference. Although the problem was soon fixed, he warned that travelers could expect to see some effects rippling through the system.

Buttigieg said his agency would now try to learn why the NOTAM system went down.

Buttigieg emphasized that safety is going to be our north star, as it always is.

We are now pivoting to focus on understanding the causes of the issue, he said.

Southern Illinois Airport does not have commercial flights, so it had no issues.
SouthernCarolina Alliance Development Director John Fleming announced that an existing industry is planning to expand in Bamberg County.

We are excited to open 2023 with an expansion project in Bamberg County. We are working on another expansion within the county. We have projects that are looking. We actually are showing property this weekend in Bamberg County," Fleming said during Mondays Bamberg County Council meeting.

SCA is an economic development group serving Bamberg and six other counties.

The expanding industry is being discussed under the code name Project Homegrown. Fleming said it will bring a $2.8 million capital investment and up to 30 jobs.

County Administrator Joey Preston said, They've already got $3 million invested.

Fleming said, So this is a major expansion for them, $2.8 million additional dollars. It is an existing industry ultimately that'll have about 19 additional jobs to get them up to about 30 jobs and $2.8 million.

This was an expansion that could have gone other places. They did look around the state, but ultimately felt like that Bamberg was a place they wanted to stay, he said.

Council gave first reading approval to an ordinance authorizing an infrastructure credit agreement, including special source revenue credits, between Project Homegrown and the county.

Fleming said the company name will be revealed at final, third reading of the ordinance.

Council also approved a resolution amending the master agreement for the establishment of the Quad-County Industrial Park between Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale and Hampton counties to include additional property in Bamberg County for the inclusion of Project Homegrown.

Under the revenue-sharing agreement among the counties, the host county for the incoming industry will receive 70 percent of the tax revenues, with the remaining three counties receiving 10 percent.

Fleming said the company has equipment ready to be ordered.

This does include construction of a new building. ... They are already talking with contractors about that, he said.

Also during his report, he updated council on the countys Wolfe industrial site.

We continue to move forward with that with the county's assistance. (With) part of the grant that we had, we've obtained the property. Now we're starting to look at more infrastructure to the property and finishing the due diligence on that property," Fleming said.

New chairman

County Probate Judge Donna B. Brown swore in re-elected council members, including District 2 Councilwoman Sharon Hammond and District 6 Councilman Evert Comer Jr. Re-elected District 3 Councilman Larry Haynes, who was absent from the meeting, was sworn in on Jan. 6.

There was also the changing of the gavel from past chairman and District 4 Councilman Spencer Donaldson to District 5 Councilman Dr. Jonathan Goodman II. Comer was selected to serve as vice chairman.

Goodman presented Donaldson with a service award for his work as chairman.

I want to thank Chairman Donaldson for everything he's done over the past year, Goodman said.

Administrator's report

Preston said the Lower Savannah Council of Governments will be conducting community needs assessment hearings in its service region, including Bamberg County.

A public hearing will be held for citizens to outline the community's needs at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the County Council Chambers located at 1234 North St. in Bamberg.

It's an opportunity for anyone in the community, anyone in the county to come forward and just talk about what they consider are needs, he said.

LSCOG Executive Director Dr. William Molnar said the needs assessments are done annually.

With that information, what we're able to do is turn around and look for funding and let the federal and the state governments know that when we're applying for those specific funds, that these are the needs that have been expressed by the communities. It's a pathway to making sure that you can receive those kinds of funds, Molnar said.

Preston said, I've gotten a lot of phone calls lately about needing additional broadband. If people can come and talk to that, I think that will help us kind of move forward as we apply for grants in the future.

The administrator also updated council on the countys transformation of its defunct hospital into a multi-service complex. He said furniture is scheduled to arrive at the law enforcement center portion of the complex in the second or third week of February.

Hopefully by then, the exterior renovations are going to be completed enough to where we can schedule an opening for the sheriff sometime at the end of February, first of March. I'm going to keep you posted on that, the administrator said.

He also reported that the county has several C Fund Committee projects underway, with the largest being the improvement of roads within Denmark Technical College.

Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. is when the bids will be in for the C-fund paving projects. ... They're working on scheduling a C-Fund Committee meeting. ... I'll keep you posted on that," he said, noting that he wanted council members to submit road-paving projects to him for the committee's consideration.

The administrator also reported on the county courthouse renovation project.

We have completed the removal of all the hazardous materials in the building. The only thing we haven't completed is the roof. That'll come when weve got to replace the roof, Preston said.

Now you're going to see a lot of activity over there concerning the foundation work on the building. That'll be the next phase, he said, noting that the county is receiving bids for the foundation work.

After the foundation work is done, that's when you'll see the bids go out for the rest of the project, Preston said.

He also reported that the county audit was complete at the earliest time it has ever been.

That's because things are in order, and you can audit books when they're in order. That's a big deal. So you'll be seeing a presentation on that, Preston said.

Finance

County Treasurer Alice Johnson gave the November financial report, stating the county had $989,685.41 in income and expenditures of $879,538.41, leaving a positive balance of $110,147.

When the negative bank balance at the end of October ($146,104.90) was added, the countys regular account stood at a negative $35,957.90.

County Controller Gina Smith said, We know we'll see the balance in that account go up as tax revenues continue to come in.

County Finance Director T.M. Thomas reported the general fund had year-to-date revenues as of the end of November of $2,598,754, with expenses coming in at $3,464,936, for a negative general fund balance of $866,182.

Tax notices went out and hopefully should drum up revenues in December, as well as January, Thomas said, noting that county departments continued to operate within their budgets.

Other business

Council appointed Jerry Bell to the LSCOG board and Rena Riddle to the Thoroughbred Country Tourism Advisory Committee.
Orangeburg County

Sheriffs Office

A Holly Hill woman reported on Monday that someone broke into her home while she was in the hospital, according to an incident report.

She reported that when she returned home, her front door had been kicked in and there as a hole in the wall. In the living room, several pairs of sneakers, clothes and a ceiling fan were missing.

The value of the stolen items is $9,000.

In other reports:

 Someone stole money from an Orangeburg stores safe on Tuesday, according to an incident report.

Deputies reviewed surveillance video recorded at the Citgo gas station, located at 1093 Five Chop Road.

The video allegedly shows someone opening the safe and removing what appears to be money, the report states.

 Someone stole the catalytic converter from a 2003 Jeep Cherokee that was parked at the intersection of Tee Vee Road and Cleveland Street. The theft was reported Tuesday.

The value of the catalytic converter is $500.

 Someone stole a disabled 2015 silver Hyundai Sonata that was parked on the shoulder of Interstate 26 east near Exit 165, in Bowman. The theft was reported Tuesday.

The Sonata is valued at $5,000.

Orangeburg

Department

of Public Safety

An 18-year-old woman reported on Monday that she believes someone sexually assaulted her sometime late Sunday night and into Monday morning, according to an incident report.

Her body hurt when she woke up Monday morning, the report said.

Officers collected a couple of used disposable cups and bed linens from the residence as potential evidence.

The woman went to the Regional Medical Center to undergo a special exam for individuals who report sexual assaults.
Gov. Henry McMaster touted South Carolina's economic growth and pledged educational advancement and environmental conservation in his inaugural address on Wednesday as he entered what could be a historic final term.

Already the oldest person to hold his position, McMaster could become South Carolina's longest-serving chief executive. Upon completion of his second full term, the Republican will have logged an unprecedented 10 years in office after finishing the final two years of former Gov. Nikki Haley's tenure.

With that legacy taking shape, McMaster outlined his vision for the next four years and beyond in a speech lasting nearly 20 minutes and filled with soaring references to the state's history and natural landscape.

The question today is: Will anyone recognize our South Carolina in 100 years? Will we allow our state's culturally and environmentally significant structures, monuments, lands, islands and waterways to be lost forever  to overdevelopment, mismanagement, flooding, erosion or from storm damage? McMaster told the crowd gathered under partly-cloudy blue skies on the south side of the Statehouse.

Or will we preserve and protect our history and our environment, and the public's access to them? This is our moment to act, while we still can.

McMaster listed his administration's actions over the past six years: the state's largest income tax cut, an overhauled school funding formula, and a new cabinet agency to marshal disaster recovery efforts, among others.

The message echoed his pitch this past fall to voters, who sent him back to the Governor's mansion with the largest margin of victory a South Carolina gubernatorial election has seen in over three decades: business is booming. He noted the record $10 billion in capital investments last calendar year recently announced by the South Carolina Department of Commerce  the most in state history.

South Carolina is seeing record rates of teacher vacancies amid a nationwide educator shortage. McMaster again Wednesday said he would raise the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 by 2026 and place resource officers in every school.

But one of McMasters top priorities entering office recently suffered a blow when the South Carolina Supreme Court last Thursday struck down the states six-week abortion ban. The governor has vowed he would work with lawmakers to correct what he called the justices error.

McMaster did not explicitly mention abortion in his inauguration speech. Instead, he made a veiled reference to the decision by adding his voice to the increased scrutiny around the state's judicial selection process. South Carolina is one of two states where legislators pick judges. Lawmakers choose judges from a candidate pool deemed qualified by a selection commission.

We must also ensure that the public has confidence in whom and how all our judges are selected  by making the processes more transparent and accountable; so that every South Carolinian, born and unborn, may enjoy life, liberty and happiness, McMaster said to much applause.

McMaster has been credited for developing a strong relationship with the General Assembly. In a welcome address kicking off the ceremony, Senate President Thomas Alexander thanked McMaster for his collaborative leadership style.

In his speech, McMaster directed state lawmakers' attention to several other priorities. The governor called for changes to the bail system and laws that would keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and juveniles.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and other state officers, including new Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver, were also sworn into office Wednesday. Two fighter jets flew over the Statehouse grounds shortly after McMaster took the oath of office.

Five former governors attended the ceremony. McMaster's longevity contrasts with recent occupants who ascended to national profiles in the governors mansion on their way to other posts.

McMasters predecessors both assumed federal office and have considered or pursued the White House. Haley resigned in 2017 to join then-President Donald Trumps administration as United Nations ambassador and is mulling a possible 2024 run. Mark Sanford launched an unsuccessful primary challenge to Trump in 2020 after his eight years as governor were bookended by separate three-term stints in U.S. Congress.

He was not using South Carolina as a political stepping stone, said Bob McAlister, a Columbia-area public relations consultant who has supported McMaster. He has always said that the governorship was his calling and its what he wanted to do.

Wednesday's inauguration capped a long public service career spanning several generations of Republican leaders. McMaster's online biography notes that in 1981 he became the first U.S. attorney appointed by then-President Ronald Reagan. As lieutenant governor, McMaster shocked the state's GOP establishment in 2016 when he became the first statewide officeholder to endorse Trump's presidential candidacy. McMaster has already endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, announcing his support just hours after the former president launched his bid.

His political career has also witnessed the GOP takeover of South Carolina government. McMaster lost the 1986 U.S. Senate race to incumbent Sen. Fritz Hollings, the last Democrat to represent the state in U.S. Senate. McMaster has since chaired the South Carolina Republican Party and was twice elected the state's attorney general.

McMaster, 75, is the 3rd oldest governor in the U.S. behind Alabamas Kay Ivey, 78, and Ohios Mike DeWine, 76. McMaster, who was the first Columbia native to serve as governor in a century, began inauguration day with a prayer service at First Presbyterian Church, where he regularly attends.
The S.C. Law Enforcement Division continues to investigate claims that two Orangeburg County residents trafficked a minor.

We believe there are additional victims in this case that we will be following up on, SLED Victims Advocate Charlene Mooneyhan said during a bond hearing held Saturday.

The S.C. Department of Social Services is also involved in the case, she said.

John Richard Ricky Williams, 61, of 6317 Kips Lane, Orangeburg, and Alana Ann Westbury, 32, of 3920 Homestead Road, Bowman, are each facing one count of first-offense trafficking in a person under age 18 years of age.

Williams is also facing the charge of first-offense, first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under age 11.

Westbury is facing three counts of unlawful conduct of a child.

The T&D obtained an audio recording of their bond hearings, which were held on Saturday morning, through a S.C. Freedom of Information Act request.

The Bowman Police Department asked SLED to investigate the case, SLED Special Agent Melissa Allen told Orangeburg County Magistrate James Rickenbacker.

Allen alleged, The defendant did solicit the minor victim from the co-defendant in this case and did attempt, ask, that he be allowed to engage in criminal sexual conduct with her. I believe the price was between $200 and $500.

Allen said Westbury is facing three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child because she allegedly allowed Williams to engage in first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under age 11 and because two minors were possibly present when she and Williams engaged in sexual activity.

She admitted to us that she engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money with the co-defendant in the home where the children couldve possibly seen what was going on, Allen said of Westbury.

Attorney David Williams represented Ricky Williams for the bond hearing only. The two are not related.

David Williams said Ricky Williams and Westbury had been in a relationship with each other just over seven years ago.

Ricky Williams runs Williams Auto Electric, an Orangeburg business, David Williams said.

He also said Ricky Williams served as a reserve deputy with the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office at one point.

According to the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy, Ricky Williams worked at the sheriffs office from July 14, 2003 until Nov. 28, 2005. His class one law enforcement officer certification expired in 2007.

Rickenbacker didnt set bond on Ricky Williams first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under age 11 charge because South Carolina law doesnt let magistrate judges set bond on such charge.

A circuit judge may consider setting bond at a later date.

When it came time for Rickenbacker to set Westburys bond, he directed a question to SLED.

Whats yalls recommendation on bond? Rickenbacker asked.

Mooneyhan said, Due to the nature of the charges, we ask that a surety bond be put in place.

After a brief pause, Rickenbacker said to Westbury, Im going to give you a PR bond now.

PR is an abbreviation for personal recognizance. That means that a judge releases the defendant from custody without the defendant having to pay a bond to get out of jail.

Rickenbacker set a total of $20,000  or $5,000 for each charge  for Westburys bond, but released her on her personal recognizance.

She cant have any contact with Ricky Williams. She also cant have contact, including phone calls, with her children unless DSS is present. Shes not allowed in the general area of any other children.

Westburys voice cracked with emotion at times during the hearing.

She told the court that shes been a stay-at-home mom and wife for the past eight years.

When Rickenbacker asked if she had any questions, she tearfully asked, Can I still contact my husband?

Yes maam, you can contact your husband, Rickenbacker said. I cant take that away. Hes not involved in this case.
(TBTCO) - Sau mot nam chay ua theo con uong hau nhu khong bi can tro e at uoc muc lai suat cao hon, FED ang phai oi mat voi o ga lon au tien khi cac quyet inh uoc ua ra trong hang tram cac quyet inh ieu hanh tien te se cong lai - hoac khong - dan en su hon loan trong hoat ong cua ngan hang ang inh vi lai nen kinh te.
BUFFALO (WNE)  The city of Buffalo will consider amending an ordinance that would prohibit residents from feeding wild turkeys.

Both the city and Wyoming Game and Fish Department have received complaints about the number of turkeys congregating both in people's yards and on city streets, sometimes disrupting traffic and leaving droppings and messes in their wake.

Aside from passing an ordinance to prevent residents from feeding turkeys, the city does not have authority over the animals because they are considered game, according to previous Bulletin reporting.

And Game and Fish's only option is trapping and relocating them, which the agency's public information officer Christina Schmidt called a last resort.

Buffalo is one of a few Wyoming cities that has a no-feeding ordinance for big game, though it specifies fur-bearing animals.

Per city ordinance, it is unlawful to make contact with big game animals within city limits, which includes administering food or liquids or any other action that would diminish the capacity of said wildlife to subsequently survive in the wild independent of human aid and subsistence.

The amended ordinance would include game birds.

Artificial feeding causes the turkeys to congregate in groups of up to 40 turkeys, according to Terry Asay, the city's building inspector and head of the planning department.

Such behavior, while annoying to humans, could also spread disease or parasites among the animals, especially as highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to spread and kill birds. In the past year, 13 wild turkeys have died from HPAI, including three southwest of Buffalo.

Congregating animals can also lure predators, such as coyotes or mountain lions, into the area. And turkey feces, specifically, is uniquely harmful for dogs.

"It doesn't benefit (the turkeys), Schmidt said of artificial feeding. It can sometimes harm them, which is not what folks want.
CHEYENNE  A bill to restrict some of the secretary of states powers is being proposed again after an initial effort to push such legislation following the primary elections floundered.

Laramie Democrat and University of Wyoming law professor Rep. Kenneth Chestek, a freshman lawmaker, is sponsoring a bill that would transfer elections administration duties from the secretary of state to the Wyoming state canvassing board, which reviews vote totals in elections and either certifies them or calls for a recount.

An additional member would be appointed to the board, which is made up of the governor, the secretary of state, the state auditor and the state treasurer, to keep the body nonpartisan. If the majority of the state canvassing board members are from the same political party, then the House and Senate floor leaders would jointly appoint a member from the largest political party outside of the one that the majority of members are affiliated with. Otherwise, the governor would appoint the additional member.

House Bill 115 is based on legislation that Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, proposed back in August after Secretary of State Chuck Gray won the Republican primary election. Since Gray didnt have an opponent in the general election, it was almost a given at that point that he would become the next secretary of state.

Gray, the former representative of House District 57, is a 2020 presidential election skeptic who ran primarily on a platform that focused on rooting out voter fraud and getting rid of ballot drop boxes.

Those who back Gray see him as a champion of honest and fair elections, Park County GOP Chairman Martin Kimmet previously told the Star-Tribune. But critics see Grays narrative of widespread voter fraud as a serious threat to fair elections.

Zwonitzer voiced that concern in his pitch for the potential legislation during the Joint Corporations Committee meeting in August.

I do have some concerns that the most likely person who will be our next chief elections officer, our secretary of state, has alleged that there may be nefarious activities at the ballot box in Wyoming, which I dont agree exist, he said. I think our elections are safe and secure, probably more than any other state in this country.

The Joint Corporations Committee agreed to have the Legislative Service Office draft a bill that would transfer elections administration duties from the secretary of state position to a separate agency with an appointed director. But Zwonitzer ended up dropping the bill before the next meeting because it didnt appear likely that it would gain much traction among lawmakers.

Chestek, who beat out Republican opponent Wayne Pinch by roughly 20 points in the November elections, said in a phone call with the Star-Tribune on Jan. 6 that he was disappointed Zwonitzers bill had been dropped, and so decided to carry a similar bill on his own for the session. Those who ended up cosponsoring his legislation are Zwonitzer himself and Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie.

Chestek was in the process of trying to gain more Republican cosponsors when the Star-Tribune first spoke to him. He said that effort was partly meant to signal that the legislation isnt intended to be political.

It will be spun by some people as a political retribution thing, but its not intended to be. Its intended to be good government, he said, adding that whatever body is responsible for elections administration duties should be scrupulously nonpartisan.

Having a partisan elected official running a nonpartisan office doesnt look good.

Stiff opposition

But if the reaction to Zwonitzers pitch for the initial bill back in August is any indication, its likely that Chesteks proposed legislation will face fierce opposition from some in the Legislature  and from Gray himself, who staunchly opposed Zwonitzers attempt to bring the bill to committee.

He expressed similar sentiment regarding Chesteks bill.

Its more petty, liberal, unconstitutional behavior from individuals who are attempting to violate the will of the voters, Gray said in a text to the Star-Tribune Thursday.

During the August Joint Corporations Committee meeting when the topic of transferring those duties from the secretary of state to another body first came up, Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, said that those who voted for Gray would rightfully feel insulted if the committee tried to restrict the secretary of states responsibilities before the guys even had a chance.

Chestek, however, told the Star-Tribune on Tuesday that he hopes to actually win Gray over on this piece of legislation.

I think theres a legitimate argument that he can get on board with me here, he said. He ran on election integrity, and this is how you do election integrity. This is a step forward for election integrity.

Chestek said in a text to the Star-Tribune Thursday afternoon that he hasnt yet met with Gray to discuss the bill.

Legality

Scott, the Casper lawmaker, also brought up at the August corporations meeting concerns that the bill might run up against legal problems.

Weve been down this road before in the education area, he said, referring to Senate File 104, a bill that removed the state superintendent of public instruction from general management of the Wyoming Department of Education, shifting those duties to a director appointed by the governor instead. Then-gov. Matt Mead signed the legislation into law in January 2013.

That bill came amid legislators strained relationship with then-state superintendent Cindy Hill, who ended up challenging the legislations constitutionality in a successful lawsuit.

Chestek said on Tuesday that he has checked the legality of his bill and believes that theres not a problem of any sort with the its constitutionality.

He cited provisions in the Wyoming Constitution which state that the Legislature shall pass laws to secure the purity of elections, and guard against abuses of the elective franchise, and that the secretary of states powers and duties shall be as prescribed by law.

It says that elections shall be free and fair and impartial, and the body thats charged with that responsibility is the Legislature, not the secretary of state, its the Legislature that has control over our elections, Chestek argued.

He said, on the other hand, that he believes the Wyoming Supreme Courts decision on the so-called Cindy Hill Bill was correct because the Wyoming Constitution has a provision explicitly stating that the general supervision of the public schools shall be entrusted to the state superintendent of public instruction, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law.

There were other outcries against Zwonitzers original proposed bill to strip elections administration duties from the secretary of state that came from outside of the Legislature as well. In September, the Wyoming GOP State Central Committee put its stamp of approval on a resolution that in part denounced Zwonitzers effort to push forward such a bill.

On top of this potential pushback, bills that are sponsored by a single lawmaker rather than a whole committee typically have lower success rates in general.

I know its a heavy lift, Chestek said on Tuesday, adding that he would be satisfied if discussion of the secretary of states duties at least became an interim topic.

The legislative session started Tuesday.

This article has been updated.

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PHOTOS: Opening day of the 67th Wyoming Legislative Session 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins Rep. Jeanette Ward 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins
Many Wyomingites are likely familiar with mule deer and their staggering migrations.

In western Wyoming, one mule deer herd migrates more than 150 miles each way from the Red Desert to the mountains around Hoback Basin near Jackson as they search for forage and ideal seasonal conditions.

But deer, pronghorn, elk and other species face a number of obstacles that challenge their historic migrations.

Research out the University of Wyoming and other institutions has shown that housing development, energy extraction, recreation and roadways all impact the migrations of ungulates, or hoofed mammals, like deer and elk.

In response, scientists and wildlife managers have increasingly turned to mapping those migration corridors to inform conservation.

UW researchers alongside their partners from the U.S. Geological Surveys Corridor Mapping Team have been working since 2018 to chart key ungulate migration corridors across the West.

Last month, they released their third installment in a series of reports, adding maps and migration summaries for 45 herds of mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and pronghorn across Wyoming, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.

The goal is to map the migrations and then provide that information to wildlife managers, land managers [and] conservation groups so that we can use all the tools in the toolbox to maintain the functionality of those corridors, said Matthew Kauffman, the lead author on the report and a UW wildlife ecologist who heads the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, which has led the mapping effort. The goal is to keep the migration corridors open and free enough from disturbance that the animals can still move unimpeded and forage along the way and respond to snow.

In Wyoming, the new report charts the migrations of the South Rock Springs and the Jackson mule deer herds. It also maps the movement of the Medicine Bow pronghorn herd and Sierra Madre and South Rock Springs elk herds.

The report, which follows two released in 2020 and 2022, also includes the first mule deer migration maps for the Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico.

Across the three studies, the U.S. Geological Surveys Corridor Mapping Team, which includes tribal, state and federal scientists and wildlife agencies, has documented the migrations and seasonal ranges for more than 150 herds across the West.

Those efforts are critical amid the changing landscapes of the region, Kauffman said.

The American West is growing and in some places growing quite rapidly. Increasing traffic, fences, oil and gas, wind, solar, housing development, all these things make migrations more difficult, Kauffman said. The mapping allows you to solve that problem because if you have a detailed map of the migration corridor then you can more clearly see where the risks are, where the problem fences are, where development might be being planned, which could be tweaked to minimize the impact.

While the most recent round of maps builds on the previous work of the mapping team and decades long efforts by federal, state and tribal agencies to use GPS collars to track the animals, the report released last month marks a significant shift.

Rather than focusing on the potential of the maps to inform conservation, the report highlights how the maps are actively being applied for on-the ground conservation, Kauffman said.

Theyre being used to guide road crossings, fence removals to make fences more wildlife friendly. The land trusts are using them to guide where they do their private land conservation, Kauffman said. Solar, oil and gas, theres examples in all of those cases where the migration maps can be used and are being used to do smarter planning to minimize the disruption.

A long history

Its no accident that the University of Wyoming and the state more broadly have helped to lead the way on migration corridor mapping.

Frank and John Craighead created the first detailed maps of ungulate migrations documenting the movement of elk in and out of Yellowstone National Park in the 1960s, according to the mapping teams first report.

The Craigheads used color-banded neck collars, allowing them to spot the elk as they moved to their summer range.

As GPS technology has developed to allow wildlife researchers and managers to track deer and other ungulate species more accurately, Wyoming has remained a leader in migration monitoring, and UW has become a key hub of migration research.

State wildlife managers have long recognized the importance of migration among Wyomings animals, Kauffman said, but their efforts to extensively document those corridors were launched in part by booming natural resource development in the state.

It was really the recognition of the migrations intersecting with rapid oil and gas development in southwest Wyoming that lead wildlife managers and then us as researchers to recognize [that] we need better maps so that we can inform oil and gas planning as its happening, Kauffman said.

With dozens of migration maps now covering herds in Wyoming and beginning to inform conservation, the next step for researchers is to study the extent to which various forms of development impact migrations.

Landscapes in Wyoming do not have to be pristine for animals to migrate, but scientists are only beginning to study how the growth of natural resource extraction and green energy production, such as solar, are affecting the migrations of big-game species, Kauffman said.

A study led by former UW Ph.D. student Ellen Aikens published in October found that natural gas development disrupted mule deer migrations and caused the animals to miss out on some of the best springtime forage.

The results of continued migration research will be especially crucial for mule deer, which make some of the longest and most predictable migrations but can also have migration corridors that are just a mile wide, Kauffman said.

Though there is still much work to be done, Kauffman said Wyomings wildlife managers and scientists continue to pave the way as a model for migration research and conservation.

Were putting the science on the ground and developing policy around it. That has all been proven in Wyoming and in a very real sense that [science and policy] is now being exported to Western states, Kauffman said.

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Photos: Collaring Wyoming mule deer for migration study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study Deer Collaring Study
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will today turn the sod for the construction of the 112 mega watt (MWac) solar project.

The sod-turning comes almost three years after the consortium of bpTT and Shell were selected as the preferred bidder on the project which has caused an escalation in cost to taxpayers.
A relative of one of the two men killed along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway in Piarco, on Monday night, heard the gunshots that ended their lives and saw the vehicle they were in pull to the side of the road.

The dead men are Shamba Chandler, a resident of Maracas/St Joseph and Mt DOr Road, Champs Fleurs, and Carlsbury Lewis, also known as Berry, of Mohammed Street, St Augustine.
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As I get older, I am starting to understand my grandparents better. I have seen things grow 
Richard Thomas would proudly put up the role of Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkins To Kill A Mockingbird to any of Shakespeares great characters.

Sorkin also gets props from Thomas for the plays language in another comparison to the great Bard.

His ear for the Southern music and cadences, it was so easy to learn this great part because it just drops into your ear and sensibilities so easily. The language is really delicious, said Thomas, who plays the lawyer/father Atticus Finch in the Broadway tour of To Kill A Mockingbird; it comes to Centennial Hall with Broadway In Tucson for a six-day run beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Sorkin wrote the play based on Harper Lees Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name that tells the story of a small-town Southern lawyer defending a Black man wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch lives by an unmovable set of virtues and sense of right and wrong in the pursuit of justice. His work, though, often leaves little time for and plenty of disconnect with his two children, daughter Scout and son Jem.

In the novel, Lee casts Scout as the narrator and antagonist, recalling the memory of her widowed father defending the Black fieldhand Tom Robinson in the fictional small and racist Southern town of Macomb. The story was loosely based on Lees memories of her own father, a small town Southern lawyer who often took on cases of African-Americans.

In his 2018 play, Sorkin shifts the antagonist role to Finch, which Thomas said adds layers of humanity beyond what we saw in the Academy Award-winning 1962 film starring Gregory Peck.

In the film, he appears not only a little bit unknown but also unteachable because he has these unassailable virtues that carry him through. So what Aaron decided to do is to make Atticus the protagonist of the play and give him a journey, the 71-year-old Thomas explained.   What he did so beautifully was that he took all these beautiful unassailable virtues that we associate with Atticus Finch and interrogated every one of them. His idealism. His sense of what community is. His feelings about the essential goodness of people. His idea of how institutions work and his sense of nobility, which is replaced by a character who has a great deal of modesty and humility and  maybe its the stage animal in me  hes given him a wonderful sense of humor, the most welcome thing of all. Its very funny in many ways, especially in the first act. And hes given Atticus some very dry, Southern sense of humor, which an actor can use to bring the audience closer.

Sorkin also lets us see and feel more from Tom Robinson (played by Yaegel T. Welch) and the Finch family cook Calpurnia (Jacqueline Williams), who is, in essence, co-parenting Scout and Jem with Atticus in the absence of his wife. And in some way, we also get to see what drives the townfolk who stand in judgement of Robinson.

(Sorkins) dialect is so sharp and so brilliant. He has given the antagonists their own arguments. He is explaining ways about how they are also products of their society and they have grievances, particularly the daughter. So hes humanized them, said Thomas, who calls New Mexico home. Aaron has done an amazing job of maintaining the spirit of Harper Lee, but really looking at the story through our lens. ... When you are reinterpreting a classic of any kind you are going to bring a contemporary lens into it.

This is Thomass third Broadway show tour and he admits Atticus Finch is one of his favorite characters.

He (Sorkin) has certainly created a wonderful and fantastic role in Atticus Finch. Its big, its complicated. Its grueling and its exhilarating. It really takes the audience to the bases. Its a beautiful role, said Thomas, who started his career in the early 1970s playing John Boy on the CBS series The Waltons and has appeared in a number of stage productions including lead roles in works by Shakespeare.

In addition to Welch and Williams, Thomas is supported by an impressive cast that includes Broadway and TV regulars Melanie Moore as Scout Finch, Justin Mark as Jem Finch, Steven Lee Johnson as Dill Harris and Mary Badham, an Oscar nominee for playing Scout in the 1962 To Kill a Mockingbird film, as Mrs. Dubose.

Everybody is so excellent. Its such a deep bench and absolutely worthy of (a Broadway premiere), said Thomas.

This is the first time Thomas will take a Tucson stage since he appeared with his Waltons costar Michael Learned in Confidentially, Chaikovski with Chamber Music Plus in 2013.
Longtime Tucsonan John Spaulding is one of nine writers named winners of the annual Literary Awards Writing Contest sponsored by the Tucson Festival of Books.

The festival received 621 submissions from across the nation and a number of countries overseas, said Program Manager Meg Files. Submissions were invited in three genres: fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

The top three entrants in each category will receive prize money totaling $5,250 and free scholarships to the festivals Masters Writing Workshop March 6-7.

Spaulding, a psychologist with Indian Health Services in Tucson for the last 20 years, is a well-known local poet. He received a second-place award for a poem titled Some Dark Corner.

Valentina Gnup of Oakland won first place in the poetry competition with A Fat Encyclopedia of Astounding Mistakes.

Jonathan Fink of Pensacola, Florida, was awarded third place with his poem, Something Useful. Other contest winners were:

Fiction

Body Memory by Kathleen Furin of Philadelphia

Anchors Aweigh by Anna Bergquist of Medford, Massachusetts

Sun Damage by Thea Chacamaty of Portland, Oregon

Nonfiction

Sugaring: A Memoir by Jen Parsons of Telluride, Colorado

Proxemics by Jonathan Gleason of Columbus, Ohio

Malinches Legacy by Marianna Marlowe of Ross, California

The 14th annual Tucson Festival of Books will be held March 4-5 at the University of Arizona.
An inmate at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Eyman has died after he was found with a sheet tied around his neck on Tuesday.

Prison staff found George Morando, 46, unresponsive in his housing unit with a cloth sheet tied around his neck, a news release from Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said. Morando was taken to the Florence Hospital alive but was unconscious when he left the prison.

Morando was later pronounced dead at the hospital due to asphyxiation to the brain, the news release said. An investigation is being conducted by criminal investigators with the prisons department.

Morando was sent to prison in 2007 after he was sentenced in Pima County for second-degree murder and unlawful imprisonment, the news release said.

According to a previous story published by the Arizona Daily Star, Morando was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he killed Mary Garcia, his girlfriend, by throwing her off a bridge.
Sixto O. Molina Jr.s prominent career in Tucson-area law enforcement began while he was a student at C.E. Rose Elementary School.

He became a member of the Junior Safety Patrol there and hoped to help create a safe and secure environment for others.

Molina had been born to Sixto Sr. and Alice Molina in 1951 in Safford. The family eventually relocated to San Manuel, where his dad worked as a truck driver for the Magma Copper Mine and at times for the Teamsters Union. His father shared stories of serving in World War II under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific Theater with his young son, inspiring his interest in community service.

The family moved to Tucson in 1959, although his father continued to make the drive to San Manuel five days a week.

From Rose Elementary, Molina went on to Wakefield Junior High and then, in 1965, to Pueblo High School.

Did you know? Pueblo's Warrior Pueblo High School, on South 12th Avenue near Ajo Way, was constructed just to the northeast of the old Tucson Indian Training School. During Pueblo's construction in 1955, future students of the high school  which would open in April 1956  after a series of elections had narrowed the potential nicknames of the school to be the Indians, Braves, Warriors or Pioneers. The Pioneers name is believed to have been a suggestion by a newspaper columnist rather than the students themselves. The nearby Indian School and its sports teams, at this point, bore the nickname the Braves but were sometimes referred to as the Indians," facts that likely eliminated those two names as choices for the new high school. The Pueblo student body chose Warriors. The connection between the two schools appears to have begun early, at least in an indirect way. For example, in February 1957, a play was put on by the new high schools drama class, entitled Recess at an Indian School in the Southwest. This play was part of the annual Indian Silver Tea and Indian Exposition run by the Tucson Womens Club at the Clubhouse, 317 W. Alameda St. The theme in 1957 was Pueblo Indians of the Southwest, with a special emphasis on the Hopi, a Pueblo tribe of the Four Corners area of Arizona. This was followed, in the fall of 1957, by the first known transfer of a Native American student from the Tucson Indian Training School to Pueblo High School. This student, who was Hopi, was likely Madeline Lomakema. When the Indian Training School closed in 1960, all of its high school aged students transferred to nearby Pueblo. An original sketch of the Pueblo High Warrior in 1955 may have been based on a student or students' perceived image of a Pueblo warrior from the Hopi, Zuni, Acoma or Laguna tribes.  David Leighton

At Pueblo Molina joined the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) program, through which he worked at Saccanis Department Store in Southgate Shopping Center on South Sixth Avenue for educational credit and pay.

The DECA program became even more valuable when the miners went on strike at the San Manuel mine, his father lost his income, and Molina had to help his family.

One of the other things that really helped us get through this tough financial time was Joe Y. Wey, the owner of Joes Super Market, a Chinese grocer on the southwest corner of 12th Avenue and Irvington Road, letting us buy food on IOU, Molina shared. Joe would ring up our order and if we didnt have enough money to pay, we would sign the back of the receipt and it would be placed in the cash register. When we had some money we would come in and pay it off. He did this for many families to help them, he said.

In March 1972, after graduating from Pueblo and continuing to work at Saccanis, Molina got hired by the South Tucson Police Department as the police and fire dispatcher and jailer. He typed up the booking sheet for the prisoners incarcerated in one of the two cells.

He was hired by the Tucson Police Department in August 1972 and attended its academy at 3100 N. Silverbell Road.

After graduation he was assigned to a rookie field training squad and worked on all sides of town: Adam Sector (north side, downtown and west side), Baker Sector (midtown), Charlie Sector (east side) and David Sector (south side). The names of the sectors today are referred to as operations divisions; for example Charlie Sector is now Operations Division East.

In 1973, after completing the probation period, he was assigned to Adam Sector. The following year he became one of the original members of the Adam-1 Team, comprised of 13 bilingual officers and one sergeant.

The team was created because the relationship between police and west-side residents was strained. Residents had been complaining that when they called for help it took too long for officers to show up, he recalls, and this was during a period when heroine deaths, particularly among youths, was a serious issue.

The teams work resulted in improved response times to emergencies, which decreased crime rates and also helped community relations, Molina says.

In 1976, while assigned to the west-side Adam-1 Team, he was dispatched to investigate an apartment burglary. The 21-year-old daughter of the victim was also there when Molina arrived. During his investigation the daughter, a nurse, offered him a cup of coffee, then another and another. They seemed to connect very well and soon after went on their first date, to Spaghetti Factory. They wed in 1979 and have been married for 43 years.

Molina became a detective in 1979 and was assigned to assault detail, where he dealt with felony assault cases in which the victim was badly beaten or a knife or gun was used but the victim didnt die.

While in this unit, he noticed a pattern of assaults that were indicative of big city street gangs, which werent really known in Tucson until this point.

One case he investigated involved a group of young Chicanos in multiple vehicles that blocked a single vehicle. Several individuals jumped out of these cars and assaulted the driver and smashed the windows out. In other cases they carried out drive-by shootings.

There had been Chicano street gangs in Tucson in the 1960s like the Drifters, Bumpers and Los Chucos crews, but they had fought old school, using their fists and occasionally a knife, and people rarely died, Molina says.

As a result of Molinas suspicion a type of more violent gang was emerging in Tucson, police Chief William J. Gilkinson formed the Street Gang Task Force in March 1980. It was comprised of Molina, Eugene M. Gene Gonzales, and James Coburn, who were tasked with determining if there was a street gang issue.

It became apparent to the task force members that the sudden rise in street gang numbers and in violence was due, at least in part, to the film Boulevards Nights that had come out the year before.

Interview with actor Danny de la Paz When a Tucson Police Department formed a task force in 1980 to investigate a sudden rise in street gang numbers and violence, its members quickly realized the increase was due, at least in part, to the film Boulevards Nights that had come out the year before. Boulevards Nights was about two brothers, Raymond Avila (Richard Yniguez), a car clubber who is trying to protect his younger brother Chuco Avila (Danny De La Paz), a Chicano gang (VGV) member, from getting in too deep, while at the same time attempting to hold onto his girl, Shady Landeros (Marta DuBois). It was set against a backdrop of an impoverished East Los Angeles neighborhood where hope of a better life faded into the nights on Whittier Boulevard. Warner Bros., which had the worldwide distribution rights to this independently financed film, advertised it as, A story of love and loyalty set against the turbulent background of a Mexican American community. But it was unable to avoid the comparisons to another recently released film, The Warriors, which was about New York street gangs and had seen violence at its movie premieres. Both motion pictures directly or indirectly glamourized gang life. Boulevard Nights especially appealed to Mexican American youths in places like Tucson, where some began acting out scenes from it but with real life deadly consequences and ruined lives, police said. Danny de la Paz, the main character in Boulevard Nights, who also played Big Puppet in the Edward James Olmos film American Me, was recently interviewed by the author of the Arizona Daily Star's Street Smarts column. He stated: The year 1979 was a year of street gang films with movies like The Warriors, Walk Proud and Boulevard Nights. The Warriors, in my opinion, was like a comic book and was not realistic at all. And Walk Proud, I will call it what it was, brown face, an actor (Robby Benson) pretending to be Chicano. My character (Chuco Avila) is a young man without a father, a role being filled by my older brother, (Raymond Avila), and is looking to belong while at the same time trying to find his own individual identity, in the only world he has ever known, in the fictitious Varrio Grande Vista, a neighborhood in the real East Los Angeles. The Boulevard Nights script was about what effect this environment had on these two brothers in this period in their lives. The unintentional effect was that it glorified gangs and helped them grow. Although this is what movies do. When I was very young I saw a film and immediately went home and tried to mimic the main characters actions. Its the effect films have on some people. In regard to the protesters, who picketed outside the theaters that played Boulevard Nights, most of them likely never saw the film. They read about it or heard about it from a friend and just reacted without understanding it. One other effect this movie had was, within a few months after it came out, cruising Whittier Boulevard, which is where the film took place got so out of control, law enforcement outlawed it, for a while anyways. The Tucson Police Department Street Gang Unit was formed, which included detective Sixto O. Molina Jr.  David Leighton

The Tucson Police Department Street Gang Unit was formed, which included Molina and Gonzales.

By October 1986, Molina was transferred to homicide detail, this time as a sergeant, with a team of four detectives under his watch. He and his team responded to all homicides, suicides and deaths that were suspicious in nature. They also handled missing persons cases, which numbered in the hundreds.

In 1994 he began a new assignment as supervisor of the Tucson Police Department school resource officer unit for the elementary and middle schools on the west side of town.

During the one school year he did this job he supervised eight officers assigned to the educational institutions. The officers sometimes had to deal with preliminary child abuse reports or reports of teachers molesting students. At times they received reports of students bringing weapons to school.

In 1997, at the suggestion of TPD Officer Joe Curran, Case Enterprises, a partner in the Civano project on South Houghton Road, asked Tucsonans to suggest names of locals who had done positive things for the community so they could be honored with a street name in the new housing development. Molina was nominated and soon after, Sixto Molina Lane street signs went up.

In 1997 he was hired as chief of police for the city of South Tucson. His main duty was crime control, with the principal issues he confronted at the onset being narcotics and prostitution.

He also dealt with a police car fleet on its last hubcaps, until the department was able to buy new vehicles in about 2002. The words In Memory of Ofc. John Valenzuela (namesake of the John A. Valenzuela Youth Center in South Tucson) were written on the side to honor Valenzuela, the only South Tucson Police officer killed in the line of duty. Today, the cars instead carry Valenzuelas badge number, 225, on a decal.

By 2007 Molina had endured several years of budget cuts and had gone from 26 officer positions to about 18. He felt that was inadequate for safe streets.

In late 2007 he became school district security coordinator for Sunnyside Unified School District. He worked with other officials to develop a school security program, which included updating the school dress code and the student code of conduct. Both updates were related to gang issues and bullying.

In 2017, South Tucson, under new leadership, offered him the city manager position, which he accepted. He had the responsibility of overseeing every city department as well as presenting a balanced budget to the mayor and council for approval. He essentially carried out the wishes of the mayor and council. After a year and a half he resigned when the council that hired him left office.

Today, Molina can be found volunteering as the campaign chairman for his choice for mayor, independent candidate Ed Ackerley.
After industry backlash and bipartisan condemnation, Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric said on Wednesday his agency is not looking to ban gas stoves.

In a Jan. 9 interview with Bloomberg, Commissioner Richard Trumka, a Democrat, said the independent agency would consider a ban on gas stoves in order to address indoor air pollution, referring to it as a hidden hazard. However, in a statement acknowledging Trumkas comments had received considerable attention, Hoehn-Saric, also a Democrat, said a ban is not forthcoming.

Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards, Hoehn-Saric said. But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.

This spring, the CPSC is expected to solicit public comment for information on how to make the appliances safer. Gas stoves are estimated to be installed in at least 40 million U.S. residences.

The comments from Trumka, previously a staffer for the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, drew immediate pushback from lawmakers. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Joe Manchin III, D-West Virginia, said in a statement that any regulation would be a recipe for disaster.

The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner, said Manchin. If this is the greatest concern that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has for American consumers, I think we need to reevaluate the commission.

House Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, said it was the latest in a long line of power grabs.

It is not about public safety, said Rodgers. It is about telling the American people the federal government knows best and will decide what kind of car they can drive, how they can heat their house, and now how theyre allowed to cook food for their families.

Also on Wednesday, Republican Reps. Bill Huizenga of Michigan and Alex X. Mooney of West Virginia introduced legislation that would prohibit any federal agency from proposing, implementing or finalizing a rule that bans or restricts gas-powered stoves or cooktops.

Americans should have the ability to choose the most affordable and most available way to cook food in their own home, Huizenga said in a statement accompanying the draft bill. It is absolutely ridiculous how out of control and out of touch the nanny state in Washington has become.

While some treated the ban as imminent, Trumka had previously pushed for greater regulation of gas stoves with little success. In October, he called for the agency to direct staff to initiate rulemaking pertaining to gas stoves, but that proposed amendment to the agencys fiscal 2023 operating plan did not receive support from any other commissioner. He then introduced a second amendment calling for staff to issue a request for information to receive public input.

Gas dangers

Studies have found that gas stoves emit significant levels of nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter and other pollution that, without proper ventilation, can raise indoor concentrations to unsafe levels.

A study led by the environmental think tank RMI that was published last month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that gas stoves are responsible for 12.7 percent of childhood asthma cases nationwide, a similar risk to exposure to secondhand smoke.

After the study was published, Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Virginia, led a letter to Hoehn-Saric encouraging the commission to consider additional regulations, including that gas stoves be sold with range hoods that meet mandatory performance standards.

The American Gas Association has pushed back against the conclusions of this study, arguing the researchers ignored relevant literature and examples of real-life appliance usage, and said the CPSC and other regulators should not rely on the data.

Attempts to generate consumer fears with baseless allegations to justify the banning of natural gas is a misguided agenda that will not improve the environment or the health of consumers and would saddle vulnerable populations with significant costs, the AGA said in a statement.

Debates over the future of gas stoves and other gas-powered appliances have raged on the state and local levels in recent years. Some liberal jurisdictions have instituted bans on new natural gas hookups as part of a wider push towards electrification in response to climate change. However, in response many Republican-led states have instituted their own laws that prohibit localities from implementing such regulations.
NEW YORK  Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed Wednesday after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed, and the government launched an investigation into the breakdown, which grounded some planes for hours.

The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications "traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.

The breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on the computer system that generates alerts called NOTAMs  or Notice to Air Missions.

Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about bad weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight. The system was once telephone-based but moved online years ago.

The system broke down late Tuesday and was not fixed until midmorning Wednesday. The FAA took the rare step of preventing any planes from taking off for a time, and the cascading chaos led to more than 1,300 flight cancellations and 9,000 delays by early evening on the East Coast, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a news conference that the problems "led to a ground stop because of the way safety information was moving through the system."

After the failures were fixed, he warned that travelers could continue to see some effects "rippling through the system."

Buttigieg said his agency would try to learn why the system went down.

Longtime aviation insiders could not recall an outage of such magnitude caused by a technology failure. Some compared it in scope to the nationwide shutdown of airspace after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically," said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis.

Campbell said there has long been concern about the FAA's technology, not just the NOTAM system. Many of those systems "are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable, but they are out of date," he said.

John Cox, a former airline pilot and aviation safety expert, said the aviation industry has talked for years about trying to modernize the NOTAM system, but he did not know the age of the servers that the FAA uses.

"I've been flying 53 years. I've never heard the system go down like this," Cox said. "So something unusual happened."

According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday, preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as air traffic picked up in the morning, the phone system was overwhelmed.

The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday, affecting all passenger and cargo flights. Some medical flights could get clearance, and the outage did not affect military operations.

President Joe Biden said he was briefed by Buttigieg.

"We are now pivoting to focus on understanding the causes of the issue," Buttigieg said.

Pilots and safety officials have complained about NOTAMs for years, saying there are too many of them and that some are unnecessary and written in cryptic abbreviations.

The National Transportation Safety Board highlighted the large number of notices in its investigation of a near-disaster in 2017 in San Francisco. An Air Canada jet whose pilots overlooked a NOTAM about a closed runway nearly landed by mistake on a parallel taxiway. They skimmed just over the tops of four other airliners waiting to take off.

The safety board's chairman at the time, Robert Sumwalt, noted that the closed runway was mentioned on the eighth of 27 pages of notices for the San Francisco airport, and the entry was written in an arcane fashion.

"That's what NOTAMs are. They are a bunch of garbage that no one pays any attention to," he said.

The FAA said in a 2020 report that it modernized the distribution of the notices through a standardized digital format that was to be completed in July of that year.

As the extent of Wednesday's breakdown became clear and airlines delayed more flights, passengers scrambled to rearrange trips. Many said they had trouble finding out how long the delays would last.

"There is just a lot of frustration, a lot of confusion," said Ryan Ososki, who was trying to fly from Washington, D.C., to California for a conference.

Julia Macpherson was on a United flight from Sydney to Los Angeles when she learned of possible delays.

"As I was up in the air, I got news from my friend who was also traveling overseas that there was a power outage," said Macpherson, who was returning to Jacksonville, Florida, from Tasmania.

Passengers at airports in Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere reported similar experiences.

European flights into the U.S. appeared to be largely unaffected.
DENVER  Javier Guillen just wanted to get to the United States as he endured a three-month trek from Venezuela, hiking through Central American jungles and spending four days clinging to the roof of a Mexican train known as the beast to avoid police and kidnappers.

But when he finally arrived in El Paso last week, the 32-year-old settled on a new destination, only one relatively cheap bus ride away  Denver, an additional 680 miles north from the border.

Its the easiest place, closest to Texas, and there are people wholl help immigrants here, Guillen said before making his way to one of a network of shelters the city has scrambled to set up.

Over the past month, nearly 4,000 immigrants, almost all Venezuelans, have arrived unannounced in icy Denver, with nowhere to stay and sometimes dressed in nothing more than T-shirts and flip-flops. The influx took city officials by surprise as they grappled with a spate of winter storms that plunged temperatures to record lows and disrupted transit out of the area.

When they appealed to the state to open new shelters, Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who had allocated $4 million to help care for the migrants, arranged for those who wanted to travel onward to go by bus to Chicago and New York. That led New York Mayor Eric Adams, also a Democrat, who had already warned his city was being overwhelmed by new migrants, to complain about the transfers from Denver.

The situation illustrates how record numbers crossing the southern border are reverberating northward to cities like Denver, New York and Washington that have long been destinations for immigrants  but not busloads of them showing up all at once, straight from the border and with no resources.

They are getting a taste of what border cities have been facing, said Julia Gelatt, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. The fact that people are showing up in groups with a need for basic services really is new for northern cities.

In some instances, Republican governors  primarily Texas Gov. Greg Abbott  have tried to drive home that message by transporting immigrants straight from the border to New York or near Vice President Kamala Harris Washington residence in the nations capital. Last year Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also sent some to the resort island of Marthas Vineyard.

Its not clear precisely how Denver became a new destination for Venezuelans fleeing their countrys economic and political chaos. Advocates had detected small numbers arriving from the border earlier in 2022 and warned the route was becoming increasingly popular.

Then, last fall, many traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border in hopes the Biden administration would end a pandemic regulation that lets the country automatically return asylum seekers to Mexico. Instead, President Joe Biden added Venezuelans to the nationalities covered by the rule in October. Venezuelan crossings dropped at the border, but then something changed in Denver.

Whatever the trigger, the number of migrants arriving in the city spiked dramatically in December to sometimes 200 a day, just as a bitter winter freeze and record low temperatures swept through. The storms snarled roads out of the city and canceled several scheduled bus trips to points east, stranding many in a city already struggling to shelter its homeless population.

In response, Denver converted three recreation centers into emergency shelters for migrants and paid for families with children to stay at hotels, allocating $3 million to deal with the influx. It reassigned workers to process the new arrivals, assign them to shelters and help them get on buses. Residents donated piles of winter clothing.

Cities and states are ill-equipped to deal with this, Mayor Michael Hancock said in an interview. Whether youre on the border or in Denver, Colorado, cities are not set up for this.

Amelia Iraheta, a city public health employee reassigned to work with the migrants, said one man reported walking from the border and arrived with a broken foot. One woman, who reached Denver barefoot, still had her feet covered with cactus spines after walking through the borderland desert. Most wore just the clothes on their back  woefully insufficient for the subzero temperatures.

Coming into Denver in the peak of winter, conditions were not exactly what I think they had been expecting, Iraheta said.

Most werent intending to stay long. The city and state say about 70% of the more than 3,800 migrants whove come to Denver since they began tracking on Dec. 9 planned to go elsewhere ultimately. More than 1,600, the city says, already left town.

The city has set a 14-day limit on stays in the emergency shelters and is talking to other agencies and nonprofits about opening longer-term facilities. Its unclear how Bidens new immigration policy, which opens an additional 30,000 monthly slots for asylum applicants from Venezuela and three other Latin American nations, will affect the flow into Denver.
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

Students who work while enrolled in college are about 20% less likely to complete their degrees than similar peers who dont work, a large and meaningful decrease in predicted graduation rates. Among those who do graduate, working students take an average 0.6 of a semester longer to finish. This is mainly because students who work large amounts  over 15 hours a week  take fewer college credits per semester.

These findings come from a new study in AERA Open, a peer-reviewed open-access journal published by the American Education Research Association.

Nearly half of all full-time college students also work. SDI Productions via Getty Images

To learn more about how work might affect a students chances of graduation, we examined 17 years of data  2001 to 2017  from the state of Tennessee. We matched college student records to employment records for about 600,000 students. We compared working students with those who did not work but were otherwise similar in terms of family income, high school GPA, location and demographic characteristics. We also looked at college progress for students who worked during some semesters but not in others, to see whether they were more successful in completing their classes in semesters when they did not work.

Ultimately, we found that working students signed up for about one less credit on average per semester than students who dont work. This is likely because they had less time available for classes. Students who worked were every bit as successful in their classes after signing up, with similar course completion rates and similar GPAs. But because they signed up for fewer courses, their progression through college was slower, and they were less likely to graduate.

Notably, we did not see a decrease in graduation rates among students who worked smaller amounts, especially less than eight hours per week. These students signed up for similar numbers of credits as their nonworking classmates, and they completed their degrees at similar rates. This suggests that smaller amounts of work may not affect a students progress toward graduation.

Why it matters

Working while in college is very common, especially with the rising price of college tuition and the burden of student loan debt.

Recent estimates show that 43% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students work while enrolled in college. In Tennessee, we found that working is especially common among community college students, first-generation students and students returning to college as adults.

With so many students trying to juggle work and school, colleges and policymakers could take more steps to support working students and help them meet their needs.

If working students take longer to complete college, policymakers could extend access to financial aid for longer periods if needed. For example, students can access federal Pell Grants for only 12 semesters. This may leave some students without an important source of aid if their work causes them to take longer to finish their degree.

Students should be aware of the challenges that work might pose in their college journey. Work may be crucial for paying bills and creating opportunities for professional development. However, when students work 15 hours or more, they could have a more difficult time earning a college degree, which can ultimately enable a person to get a higher-paying job in the future.

What still isnt known

One important question is whether certain jobs may work better for college students than others. Some research suggests on-campus jobs might be more convenient and help keep students focused on their classes. Students working in a job related to their major might find real-world connections between their jobs and classes  like a nursing student working in a hospital. Given that work is a necessity for many students, educators can do more to guide students to jobs that might work best for their college success.

Celeste K. Carruthers, associate professor of economics, University of Tennessee, received funding from an anonymous foundation to support this research.

Carolyn Heinrich, professor of public policy, education and economics, Vanderbilt University, and Walter G. Ecton, assistant professor of education policy, Florida State University, 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.
DENVER  A judge on Wednesday denied an attempt to punish authorities after the media obtained documents showing detailed allegations about the suspect in the Colorado gay nightclub shooting previously plotting to be the next mass killer" in an old case that was sealed at the time.

Lawyers for Anderson Aldrich, who is charged with killing five people and wounding 17 others at Club Q in Colorado Springs in November, accused the El Paso County Sheriff's Office of leaking documents in the old case to the media. They asked Judge Robin Chittum to hold the office in contempt and order it to pay $10,000 in fines and train staff on the records sealing law.

But Chittum, siding with lawyers for the sheriff's office, said the defense had not presented facts that showed that the sheriff's office was the source of the information.

It is just speculation. I can't make an assumption that it was, she said.

She noted that a Dec. 6 Associated Press story cited by the defense about the documents, which were obtained earlier by Colorado Springs television station KKTV, said the documents had been confirmed as authentic to the AP by a law enforcement official who was granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the sealed case. Chittum said that could have been done by members of a number of local or national law enforcement agencies.

In 2021, Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, according to court filings, was arrested after their grandparents told authorities that Aldrich threatened to kill them after becoming upset about their plans to move and get in the way of Aldrich's alleged plan to stockpile guns, ammunition, body armor and a homemade bomb.

You guys die today and Im taking you with me, they quoted Aldrich as saying. Im loaded and ready.

The charges filed against Aldrich in the 2021 case were dropped after the grandparents refused to cooperate with prosecutors and testify. The court file was sealed under a state law aimed at preventing people from having their lives ruined if cases are dismissed and never prosecuted.
Amanda Shelley was sitting in her dentist's waiting room when she received a call from the police. A local teenage girl had been sexually assaulted and needed an exam.

Shelley, a nurse in rural Eagle County, Colorado, went to her car and called a telehealth company to arrange an appointment with a sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE. The nurse examiners have extensive training in how to care for assault survivors and collect evidence for possible criminal prosecution.

About an hour later, Shelley met the patient at the Colorado Mountain Medical urgent care clinic in the small town of Avon. She used a tablet to connect by video with a SANE about 2,000 miles away, in New Hampshire.

The remote nurse used the video technology to speak with the patient and guide Shelley through each step of a two-hour exam. One of those steps was a colposcopy, in which Shelley used a magnifying device to closely examine the vagina and cervix. The remote nurse saw, in real time, what Shelley could see, with the help of a video camera attached to the machine.

The service, known as "teleSANE," is new at Shelley's hospital. Before, sexual assault patients faced mountains of obstacles  literally  when they had to travel to a hospital in another county for care.

"We're asking them to drive maybe over snowy passes and then (be there) three to four hours for this exam and then drive back home  it's disheartening for them," Shelley said. "They want to start the healing process and go home and shower."

To avoid this scenario, teleSANE services are expanding across the country in rural, sparsely populated areas. Research shows SANE programs encourage psychological healing, provide comprehensive health care, allow for professional evidence collection and improve the chance of a successful prosecution.

Jennifer Pierce-Weeks is CEO of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, which created the national standards and certification programs for sexual assault nurse examiners. She said every sexual assault survivor faces health consequences. Assaults can cause physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and mental health conditions that can lead to suicide attempts and drug and alcohol misuse.

"If they are cared for on the front end, all of the risks of those things can be reduced dramatically with the right intervention," Pierce-Weeks said.

Pierce-Weeks said there's no comprehensive national data on the number and location of health care professionals with SANE training. But she said studies show there's a nationwide shortage, especially in rural areas.

Some rural hospitals struggle to create or maintain in-person SANE programs because of staffing and funding shortfalls, Pierce-Weeks said.

Training costs money and takes time. If rural hospitals train nurses, they still might not have enough to provide round-the-clock coverage. And nurses in rural areas can't practice their skills as often as those who work in busy urban hospitals.

Some hospitals without SANE programs refer sexual assault survivors elsewhere because they don't feel qualified to help and aren't always legally required to provide comprehensive treatment and evidence collection.

Avel eCare, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been providing telehealth services since 1993. It recently added teleSANE to its offerings.

Avel provides this service to 43 mostly rural and small-town hospitals across five states and is expanding to Indian Health Service hospitals in the Great Plains. Native Americans face high rates of sexual assault and might have to travel hours for care if they live in one of the region's large, rural reservations.

Jen Canton, who oversees Avel's teleSANE program, said arriving at a local hospital and being referred elsewhere can be devastating for sexual assault survivors. "You just went through what is potentially the worst moment of your life, and then you have to travel two, three hours away to another facility," Canton said. "It takes a lot of courage to even come into the first hospital and say what happened to you and ask for help."

Patients who receive care at hospitals without SANE programs might not receive trauma-informed care, which focuses on identifying sources of trauma, determining how those experiences may affect people's health, and preventing the retraumatizing of patients. Emergency department staffers may not have experience with internal exams or evidence collection. They also might not know about patients' options for involving police.

Patients who travel to a second hospital might struggle to arrange for and afford transportation or child care. Other patients don't have the emotional bandwidth to make the trip and retell their stories.

That's why some survivors, like Ada Sapp, don't have an exam.

Sapp, a health care executive at Colorado Mountain Medical, was assaulted before the hospital system began its SANE program. She was shocked to learn she would need to drive 45 minutes to another county for an exam. "I didn't feel comfortable doing that by myself," Sapp said. "So, my husband would have had to come with me, or a friend. The logistics made it feel insurmountable."

Sapp's experience inspired her to help bring SANE services to Colorado Mountain Medical.

Shelley and several other of the hospital system's nurses have SANE training but appreciate having telehealth support from the remote nurses with more experience. "We are a rural community and we're not doing these every single day," Shelley said.

A remote "second set of eyes" increases the confidence of the in-person nurse and is reassuring to patients, she said.

A brief look at American health cares long, complicated history A brief look at American health cares long, complicated history 1781: First medical society established 1865: Medical division of Freedmen's Bureau is established 1929: First employer-sponsored health care plan in the US is made available to teachers 1943: IRS makes employer-sponsored health insurance tax-free 1945: Harry Trumans proposal for a national health insurance fails 1950-1960s: American Medical Association lobbies against single-payer systems 1965: Medicare and Medicaid programs established 1970s: First bills for single-payer system are proposed in Congress 1996: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passes 2010: Affordable Care Act passes
WASHINGTON  Surgeons removed a cancerous lesion above first lady Jill Biden's right eye Wednesday, as well as another cancerous lesion on her chest, the White House said, while a third lesion on her left eyelid was being examined.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician, said examinations showed the lesion over Biden's left eye and one newly discovered on her chest were both confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. The lesion on her right eye was "fully excised, with margins, and was sent for standard microscopic examination."

Biden and her husband, President Joe Biden, spent the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, while she underwent the scheduled outpatient procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove and examine the lesions.

O'Connor said the first lady was "experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but is in good spirits and is feeling well." She was expected to return to the White House Wednesday evening.

The first lady's office announced a week ago that doctors had discovered the lesion during a recent routine skin cancer screening. She was to have a "common outpatient procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove and definitively examine the tissue," O'Connor said in a Jan. 4 memo released last week.

That surgery involves cutting away thin layers of skin and examining each layer for signs of cancer, according to a fact sheet from the Mayo Clinic. Doctors keep removing layers of skin and examining them until there are no signs of cancer. The procedure takes less than four hours for most people, and they can go home afterward.

Doctors recommended removing the lesion from the 71-year-old first lady "in an abundance of caution," O'Connor wrote in the memo.

The Skin Cancer Foundation said the delicate skin around the eyes is especially vulnerable to damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

The surgery was arranged for the morning after the Bidens returned from Mexico City, where the president held two days of talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada and the first lady met with women, children and her North American counterparts.

In April 2021, the first lady had a medical procedure that the White House described only as "common." Details were not provided. The president accompanied her to an outpatient center near the campus of George Washington University, and they returned to the White House after about two hours.
GENEVA  The Swiss town of Davos will host 52 heads of state and government and nearly 600 CEOs as the World Economic Forum hosts its annual meeting in the Alps next week, organizers said.

Forum organizers said their latest lineup for the elite gathering of political leaders, business executives, cultural trend-setters and international organization chiefs will tackle issues facing a divided world as 2023 begins, with war and conflict, economic pressures and climate change in focus.

There is no doubt that our 53rd annual meeting in Davos will happen against the most complex geopolitical and economic backdrop in decades, said forum President Borge Brende, pointing to challenges like the threat of global recession, soaring energy and food prices, and the need to better address global warming.

Russias nearly yearlong war in Ukraine and COVID-19 restrictions and now a wave of infections in China have helped weaken the global economy.

Brende pointed to record participation of 52 heads of state and government, more than half of them from Europe, as well as some recently elected leaders including President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines. Nearly 300 government ministers were expected to take part.

The forum president said some delegations asked for the names of their participants not to be shared right away for security reasons. Brende said, for example, that unspecified high-level delegations from China and Ukraine would attend.

The U.S. will be represented by Biden administration officials including presidential climate envoy John Kerry, head of national intelligence Avril Haines and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, as well as several governors and congressional lawmakers.

The meeting offers a grab-bag of issues discussed in hundreds of public sessions as well as in more secretive backroom deal-making by business leaders in the upscale hotels along Davos Promenade, near the conference center that hosts the gathering.

The agenda is stacked with discussions about ideas, innovations and the search for public-private cooperation on issues like energy, climate, investment, trade, future technologies, jobs, health and social mobility, among others.

Its hard to predict if the high-minded discussions will yield substantial announcements that make headway on the worlds most pressing challenges. The event has been criticized for hosting wealthy executives who sometimes fly in on emissions-spewing corporate jets.
Dana Rengel sells vanilla ice cream at her new food cart Blondies Ice Cream, but she doesnt have chocolate. Not strawberry either.

Instead, Rengel innovates fun flavors  twists on childhood desserts and hard-to-find flavors like sweet potato pie, orange creamsicle and vegan snickerdoodle.

Ice cream is so nostalgic for a lot of people. I think hitting on those nostalgic flavors, like creamsicle, that you maybe dont see as often is a huge selling point, she says. You may not see chocolate (on the Blondies menu), but youll see chocolate in elements of other flavors. You might think, I really enjoyed butterscotch as a kid, maybe Ill try the butterscotch bourbon.

I think it pushes people to get something outside of their comfort zone, Rengel says.

Its also a matter of space  Blondies Ice Cream, owned by Rengel and her partner Tim Hart, operates out of a tiny recently-renovated 1973 horse trailer. Theres only space for six flavors, so Rengel wants to showcase the special ones.

Blondies was born out a pandemic hobby when Rengel lived in Portland, Oregon. With an ice cream machine and all the time in the world, Rengel started dabbling in the kitchen  a space shes not unfamiliar with.

By trade, Rengel is a pastry chef. She was able to use her pastry knowledge to get started on the fundamentals of the ice cream machine, followed by books that taught her more.

I just kinda fell deeply in love with it, she says. Its kinda the perfect blank canvas to do your magic.

Though Rengel still experiments a lot, it took about three months for her to perfect her methods. Theres a lot of research and development  and a lot of trial and error  that happens behind the doors of Decibel Coffee Works, where Rengel works as the bakery manager (and where you can also find her ice cream).

Im really dedicated to being happy with what Im putting out, she says. It passes my bar first.

For now, you can find Blondies Ice Cream at events around town (or for catering), set up in the cutest orange trailer you may ever see. When Rengel bought it in Portland, it had been sitting in the same spot for about a decade.

Tim used to outfit camper vans, so he pretty much applied everything he learned there for our cart, she says. We tore it apart, cleaned out literal horse crap from it and put it together. I couldnt be happier with it. He did such a stupid good job with it.

Its nostalgic  thats the word I keep coming back to, she says. Its bright and happy.

One big bonus: the trailer doesnt need any electrical hookups. It runs entirely on solar, thanks to Hart.

We havent done an event in almost a month and its sitting in my driveway running on Arizona sun power, Rengel says. My freezer is cold, my water heater works.

Rengels ice creams are also sold at Decibel, 267 S. Avenida del Convento in the MSA Annex, with a slightly different menu than the one you'll find at Blondies. There, the ice cream is available for your affogato or by the scoop in classics like chocolate and vanilla, plus a Tucson take on rainbow sherbet (hint: it has prickly pear in it).

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So far, the fan favorite at Decibel is the rainbow sherbet, a flavor meant to rotate but has been so popular that its been a semi-permanent edition. The Parent Trap, sold at Blondies, is also popular. It's inspired by Lindsay Lohans characters in the movie The Parent Trap  who eat their Oreos with peanut butter.

We did our first event and we were saying, this is actually a double name, because kids will see the description of it and say, 'I have to get that one!' So its like trapping the parents into buying a scoop of ice cream, Rengel says.

Rengels current favorite flavor is lemon meringue, with its pucker from the sour cream and the lemon curd she can eat alone with a spoon. Its currently on rotation at Decibel.

Im a dessert-aholic, Rengel says. Im a dessert person through and through so I like to play this mental game of: how can I transfer this into a dessert?

She likes to gather around the table with her pastry friends back in Portland, talking about flavors, inviting feedback on how she could improve. One shes trying to perfect right now  root beer.

I did a couple renditions of a root beer flavor and we would sit around and be like, This tastes too much like corn syrup, or This one doesnt have the sparkle, she says.

Its my white whale at the moment.

To keep up with Blondie's Ice Cream and see where they'll be next, check out their Instagram page. Decibel Coffee Works, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

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Tulsa-based McElroy Manufacturing, a global engineering and manufacturing company, is expanding into Broken Arrow.

McElroy will adapt a 173,000-square-foot facility that it purchased from oil field services company Baker Hughes, which last year announced that it would close operations at 3000 N. Hemlock Circle in 2023.

McElroy Manufacturing President Chip McElroy acknowledged the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corp.s help in finding a suitable campus in the city.

They were instrumental from day one in helping us get through the door here after what had been a very daunting and difficult search over the previous year to find our next facility, McElroy said in a statement.

McElroy Manufacturing makes innovative fusion equipment for thermoplastic pipe installations and fintube equipment for air cooler and heat exchanger applications. It purchased the 22 acres from Baker Hughes for $16,090,000, according to property records.

We are pleased to announce this facility is going to become McElroy Manufacturings fourth campus in the greater Tulsa area, Chip McElroy said. We are humbled by our growth through the years but could not be more excited to have the opportunity to call Broken Arrow home for this facility.  We are a quiet force that happens to be the worldwide leader in the products that we build.

McElroy Manufacturing began in Art McElroys Tulsa garage in 1954.

Roughly 100 people are expected to be working in the Broken Arrow facility when it opens in mid-2024, coinciding with the companys 70th anniversary. Committed to keeping McElroy local, the family said 100 additional jobs are expected to be created within the next three to five years.

The firm, which also has two sites in north Tulsa and another in east Tulsa, will begin reconfiguring the Broken Arrow facility in the coming months as Baker Hughes winds down its operations there.

We will miss our Baker Hughes family because they were in our community for 38 years, Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee said in a statement. But we are so excited about their partnership with McElroy and the new job opportunities it will bring to our city and look forward to celebrating your 70th anniversary.

Michael Spurgeon, Broken Arrows city manager, said that to have the McElroy family here in Broken Arrow is a tremendous honor, so, on behalf of the 116,000 residents, all city employees, everyone here is looking forward to a long-lasting relationship with your family.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  In one of his first acts as state superintendent, Ryan Walters directed state education staff to pursue revoking the teaching certificates of two educators who expressed frustrations with a law that limits instruction on race and gender.

Walters instructed the State Department of Education to take steps to revoke the teaching licenses of Tulsa Public Schools teacher Tyler Wrynn and former Norman Public Schools teacher Summer Boismier, said spokesman Matt Langston.

A Rogers Middle School English teacher, Wrynn made headlines after a national conservative group released a video in which he described himself as an anarchist and said there are ways to subtly introduce into the classroom race and gender concepts banned by House Bill 1775.

Tulsa Public Schools said the video was heavily edited and was obtained under fraudulent pretenses, and TPS noted that the conservative group that released the content is known for unethical and deceptive practices.

Boismier, a former Norman High School English teacher, resigned after controversy arose over her covering of some books in her classroom because they might have violated House Bill 1775, a law that bans educators from teaching certain concepts on race and sex. After covering the titles with a sign that said, Books the state doesnt want you to read, Boismier shared a QR code for the Brooklyn Public Library, which has a digital collection of banned books.

She has since moved to New York for a job at the Brooklyn Public Library.

On the campaign trail, Walters said both teachers should be stripped of their teaching credentials. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, Walters said he is working toward that end, although he did not mention the teachers by name.

I have instructed my staff to immediately begin the process to hold the two teachers accountable who actively violated state law, admitted to violating state law, to indoctrinate our kids, he said. We will not allow the indoctrination of Oklahoma students here in the state of Oklahoma.

It was not immediately clear where the State Department of Education is in the process of trying to revoke the teaching licenses. State education rules stipulate that an educator must be given the opportunity for a hearing before the teachers license can be revoked.

A teaching certificate can be revoked following a willful violation of state or federal law, breach of a Board of Education or U.S. Department of Education rule, a conviction for certain crimes, or other misconduct or cause.

In addition to receiving a salary for serving as state superintendent, Walters also will be compensated for continuing to serve as secretary of education. Gov. Kevin Stitt reappointed him this week to that position, which requires Senate confirmation.

As superintendent, Walters will be paid $124,373 annually. He will be paid an additional $40,000 a year to serve as a Cabinet secretary, according to the Governors Office.

Featured video: Oklahoma executive branch officials taking oath of office
About 2,000 medical marijuana licenses have been identified by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as potentially unlawful, an agency spokesman says.

Mark Woodward of the OBNDD said those licenses are suspected of either having been obtained fraudulently or are being used to mask illegal operations selling most or all of their cannabis on the black market.

Weve got close to 2,000 under investigation, said Woodward. Were working with our partners to identify the criminal networks involved.

Woodward said the recent murders of four people on a marijuana farm in Kingfisher County cant be considered an isolated incident.

We are aware of other homicides that havent gotten the attention, he said.

Woodward said he didnt not know an exact number but that OBNDD has heard of such cases from other law enforcement agencies.

Whats concerning is that well never know the extent of them because nobody is missing them, he said, a reference to the fact that those working at illegal grows, including the four in Kingfisher County, tend to be foreign nationals.

Woodward said the homicides and attention surrounding them have not really opened any new investigative avenues.

The only thing it did was it shined a light on something weve been saying for the last four years, he said. Its the same violent criminal organizations.

Woodward said about 200 grow operations have been closed by law enforcement. Meanwhile, the agency and its partners are trying to trace the criminal enterprises behind them to their source.

Something not talked about much is that the legitimate (medical marijuana) industry is bleeding to death because of the illegal activity, Woodward said.

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authoritys Dec. 7 licensing report included 7,086 growers, down from about 9,400 grow licenses reported in December 2021. A moratorium on new licenses is currently in effect.

Low costs and minimal regulation turned the state into a center for marijuana activity shortly after voters legalized medicinal use in 2018. Many law enforcement agency officials say most of the marijuana being produced in the state is sold illegally, even if it is grown by licensed operators.

Criminal enterprises most common dodge is using Oklahoma residents as fronts to circumvent state ownership requirements for medical marijuana businesses. Two Oklahoma law firms have been charged with assisting out-of-state interests in setting up such operations.

10 things that are still illegal under Oklahoma's medical marijuana laws Cant get a prescription for marijuana Cant use marijuana in the workplace or be impaired on the job Cant transport marijuana across state lines Can't get a doctor's recommendation inside a dispensary Can't try the product while shopping Cant smoke marijuana where tobacco also prohibited Can't give marijuana away Cant drive while impaired on marijuana Cant possess an excessive amount of marijuana Can't smoke where you're told not to Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
OKLAHOMA CITY  The states new attorney general, Gentner Drummond, has a lot on his agenda after taking the oath of office on Monday.

Native American relations, illegal marijuana growing operations, and openness and transparency in government are the three big rocks I am 100% focused on, Drummond told the Tulsa World in an interview Wednesday.

I believe public records belong to the public, said Drummond, a Republican.

He said he met with his staff Wednesday morning to work through the records requests in his office, which are legion, in the next 90 days.

He took over from Republican John OConnor, who was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt after Mike Hunter abruptly left the position.

Then I will turn my attention to other state actors and enforce the open records laws irrespective of position, election or appointment, Drummond said.

Marijuana: He said he has met with state law enforcement agencies concerning illegal marijuana growing operations. The operations became a big issue after voters legalized medical marijuana in 2018. In a March 7 special election this year, voters will get to decide whether recreational marijuana should be legal in Oklahoma.

I will lead our state in the enforcement of our laws to drive illegal operators out of the state, Drummond said. It will require some additional legislation.

Tribal relations: Stitt has had a very rocky relationship with the states tribes over gaming compacts, hunting and fishing licenses, and implementation of the McGirt ruling. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling found that the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to try tribal members for major crimes committed on certain tribes reservations.

Drummond said he has spent more than 80 hours with tribal leaders and attorneys and has more meetings planned.

It is profoundly important to me to restore this partnership between the tribes and state  show proper respect to our neighbors, he said.

He said that would include aggressively working to recognize the sovereignty of the tribes and what each group does best.

The state investigates, prosecutes and jails more effectively than any other entity, he said.

He said he hopes an agreement can be reached that the state assumes that role with the appropriate parameters required by each of the tribes.

Government investigations: Drummond said he will also look into the states contract with ClassWallet, where the state provided millions of dollars for the vendor to distribute in pandemic relief funds for education.

In a summer audit report, the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Inspector General was highly critical of the situation, saying Oklahoma may be forced to repay about $635,000 in federal pandemic relief funds that auditors said was misspent by families on noneducation items such as televisions, washers, dryers, air conditioners and Christmas trees.

Then-Education Secretary Ryan Walters, who is now state superintendent, blamed the problems on the vendor, but the audit said Walters declined to use a control that the company offered that would have limited the items available for purchase to only those it had preapproved as education-related.

The state sued ClassWallet, but the lawsuit was never served.

Drummond said he is aware of the litigation and that the papers were never served.

Frankly, without addressing any matter specifically, I would say I have strong feelings when it comes to protecting tax dollars, Drummond said. I will hold accountable any person or vendor who engages in wrongdoing.

If the suit was filed for political purposes, he will dismiss it, Drummond said. But if it was filed for substantive purposes, he will prosecute it, he said.

He expects to reach a decision before Jan. 30, he said.

Likewise, he is aware of the problems at the Commissioners of the Land Office.

An internal auditor of the agency, which oversees $2.7 billion in real estate and other investments for public schools, was fired after looking into conflict of interest concerns concerning then CLO Secretary Elliot Chambers. Chambers later resigned.

The fired auditor was able to receive back pay plus a lump sum payment of about $25,000 from the state, which was required to pay her attorney $15,000.

I am aware of the allegations of impropriety and will be engaged in the investigatory process, Drummond said.

Featured video: Oklahoma executive branch officials take oath of office
Related content Drummond takes leadership of AG's Office with a full agenda

Oklahomas newly elected attorney general says he will be seeking jail time and full restitution in the prosecution of Epic Charter Schools founders.

In a Tulsa World interview on Wednesday, Gentner Drummond was asked: Are you going to push for convictions in the Epic case, or are you more interested in recouping funds for the state, possibly through some settlement or plea deal? Could a preliminary hearing be set soon?

As you are aware, I have taken that case back from the Oklahoma County DA. We will spend exhaustive resources to make a determination, and that direct response to your two-part question is yes and yes, Drummond responded.

Then he added:

If you break the law and you are rich, under my administration, you dont get to pay half of it back and go home. If you break the law, I am going to put you in jail. Part of that recovery will be restoration to the state of 100 percent.

After a years-long probe by the state, Epic co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris and their longtime chief financial officer, Josh Brock, were arrested and charged in June in Oklahoma County District Court with a host of criminal charges under the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as RICO.

They were booked into the Oklahoma County jail and then released on bonds of $250,000 each.

Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, whose office delivered damning findings in an October 2020 investigative audit of Epic, has called the case the largest abuse of taxpayer funds in the history of this state.

I offer the meticulous research and documentation of the audit workpapers to Attorney General Drummond in the prosecution of the felony counts against Harris, Chaney, and Brock, Byrd said Wednesday in a prepared statement. These men misappropriated millions in taxpayer dollars. This scheme has been exposed and it is now time to hold the bad actors accountable.

In a letter sent Tuesday, Drummond notified Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna that he would be taking back control of the prosecution of the case, which his predecessor, John OConnor, relinquished in February 2022.

In the felony racketeering case, prosecutors have alleged that the trio of Chaney, Harris and Brock bilked one of Oklahomas largest public schools out of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars by falsely inflating enrollment with ghost students, falsifying invoices and fraudulently using credit cards paid for with school funds to cover personal and out-of-state charter school expenses and even political contributions to help conceal their scheme.

The charges cover more than $22 million in reported losses to taxpayers.

A court affidavit filed alongside the criminal charges revealed that investigators have records showing that public school funds were used to cover the costs of extensive political contributions made with private credit cards, including an attack advertising campaign with false claims about then state Sen. Ron Sharps legislative voting record to unseat him during his 2020 reelection bid.

That allegation included the detail that $20,000 went to a powerful GOP consulting firm owned by Fount Holland called Campaign Advocacy Management Professionals, which did extensive work for Drummond in his 2022 election.

Holland is the former business partner of Drummonds newly hired chief of staff, Trebor Worthen, who worked as a campaign consultant for years after serving District 87 for two terms in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Worthens partnership with Holland in a previous company ended in 2016.

Asked whether there is any conflict of interest in the Epic case for Drummonds office because of his use of CAMP for work on his campaign or because of his chief of staffs past business partnership with CAMP owner Holland, Drummond responded to the Tulsa World: I dont consider it relevant or applicable to this to the successful prosecution of Epic.
At least two of the four state Veterans Commission members relieved of duty by Gov. Kevin Stitt as he starts his second term said Wednesday that they had not been notified of the change and questioned whether the statutory process for filling commission vacancies has been followed.

In an email, a spokeswoman for Stitt said the administration has fully complied with state law.

But some veterans and service organizations disagree. Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Jeremy Owen said his organization was not consulted one bit. The governor did what he wanted. Hes breaking state law.

Another service organization, the Oklahoma Military Order of the Purple Heart, has a pending lawsuit against the state that makes the same argument.

Gary Miles of Ponca City, who has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars representative on the commission, said he learned of his dismissal by reading it in the Tulsa World.

Jerletta Halford-Pandos of Kellyville, who has represented the Disabled American Veterans, said she first heard about the change from an acquaintance Tuesday night.

The changes  four dismissals and three appointments  were announced by the Governors Office in a 5:15 p.m. Tuesday press release.

Contacted by telephone, Halford-Pandos excoriated Stitt and his secretary of veterans affairs, John Nash.

The minute anybody says anything against them, it gets back to (Stitt), she said. Ive called them out for having meetings behind closed doors. Thats why my head is on the chopping block.

I was just put on the commission in July, Halford-Pandos said. But because I didnt follow (Stitts) rules and John Nashs rules, Im out. Well, I wont be controlled.

Miles and Halford-Pandos said they believe the commission is being set up to fire Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Joel Kintsel. Under state law, only the commission can hire and fire the executive director, and despite several changes by Stitt in the boards makeup, to this point it has refused to dismiss Kintsell.

Im sorry to no longer be on the commission, but Im not going to let anybody tell me what to do, Miles said by telephone.

We kept supporting (Kintsell), Miles said. Theres not a commissioner I know of that would have voted to get rid of Joel Kintsel. Hes a fine man. When we didnt get rid of him  the new guys do what theyre told, obviously. We dont.

Miles and Halford-Pandos said they attribute the Stitt administrations efforts to oust Kintsel to his and the commissions opposition to privatizing the states seven veterans homes, which are operated by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and Kintsels decision to challenge Stitt in last years Republican gubernatorial primary.

Oh, my God. He ran against the governor. Oh, my God! Halford-Pandos said sarcastically.

Hes a citizen of the United States, isnt he? she said.

Two other commission members, Bill Kokendoffer of the Paralyzed American Veterans and Jerry Ball of the American Legion, were also dropped.

Three replacements were named.

The nine-member commission is composed of six spots designated for service organizations such as the VFW and American Legion and three at-large members chosen by the governor.

All members must be veterans.

According to state law, the process for appointing service organization representatives involves each of the relevant organizations submitting five names, from which the governor chooses one to submit to the state Senate.

But Owen and Miles say the VFW never submitted any names to the Governors Office and that the person named by Stitt to represent their organization, Oklahoma City businessman and veteran Daniel Orr, is unknown to them.

Similarly, Halford-Pandos says her replacement, Ted Perry of Oklahoma City, does not seem to be a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Stitt and the administration are already involved in two lawsuits stemming from his dismissal of two members last summer. In one, the Oklahoma Military Order of the Purple Heart contends that its representative, Larry Van Schuyver, was replaced by someone who was not a member of the organization and whom the order had not proposed.

Last week, Oklahoma County District Judge Anthony Bonner ruled that the Purple Heart organizations argument may be valid but that it didnt have standing to bring suit.

That, said Bonner, could be done only by an attorney general, a district attorney or a contestant for the office.

That ruling potentially puts the Stitt administration in opposition to new Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who defeated Stitts handpicked choice for that office in last years Republican primary.
Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger 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

McALESTER  Scott Eizember was executed by lethal injection Thursday in the 2003 home invasion slayings of an elderly couple in their Creek County home while stalking his ex-girlfriend in their neighborhood.

His time of death was 10:15 a.m.

After also shooting his ex-girlfriends teenage son and beating her mother, he became the subject of one of the largest manhunts in Oklahoma history, eluding law enforcement for 37 days.

From the small town of Depew located along Route 66, to Arkansas and finally Texas, he left a trail of burglaries and other shootings and beatings of innocent bystanders and good Samaritans who offered him help.

Eizember, 62, had been on death row at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary since 2005, when a Canadian County jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the beating death of A.J. Cantrell, 76; second-degree murder in the shooting death of Patsy Cantrell, 70; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in the beating of his ex-girlfriends mother; shooting with intent to kill his ex-girlfriends son; and two counts of burglary for breaking into the two Depew houses where those attacks occurred. The death penalty was imposed only for A.J. Cantrells death.

The trial venue was moved out of Creek County because of the extensive publicity and community participation in the manhunt.

Evidence and testimony presented at his trial showed that Eizembers crime spree began as a plot to seek revenge against his ex-girlfriend Kathy Biggs, now Smith.

She had accused him of holding her hostage and raping her in her Tulsa apartment before she obtained a protective order against him and fled to her parents home in Depew.

While lying in wait for her on Oct. 18, 2003, Eizember broke into the home of the Cantrells, two elderly and ailing neighbors of Biggs mother, before crossing the street to Biggs mothers home and shooting Biggs 16-year-old son and badly beating the boys grandmother with a shotgun.

He also reportedly stole cars from and shot at or beat numerous other people over the next hours, days and weeks, over a 500-mile trail until his capture in Texas.

Eizembers execution began at 10:01 a.m. Thursday. The state of Oklahoma currently employs a three-chemical cocktail for lethal injection: midazolam for sedation, rocuronium bromide for halting respiration and potassium chloride for stopping the heart.

Earlier this week, Eizembers attorneys successfully won access into the execution chamber for his priest and anti-death penalty activist, Jeffrey Hood, of the Old Catholic denomination.

After microphones inside the death chamber cut out, Eizember could be seen exchanging final words with Hood that were inaudible to those in witness rooms. Corrections officials said later that Hood offered Eizember words of support, telling Eizember he loved him and that he was also loved by many fellow death-row inmates.

Eizember lifted his head a few times to make eye contact with a few witnesses who were there for him, and he nodded at them. Two were attorneys, and one appeared to be a relative.

Hood prayed over Eizember as he lay dying, and 14 minutes after the execution process began, a medical doctor checked him one last time and declared Eizember dead at 10:15 a.m.

Afterward, a large group of Cantrell relatives who were present came to the prison media center, where reporters were gathered.

Justin Wyatt, a grandson of the Cantrells, said it was hard to put into words what Eizembers execution represented to his family.

I dont know if today was justice. I dont know if today was closure.  I do know I am glad the enemy is dead, he said. I believe this was the only way to end this nightmare my family has endured for all these years.

The Cantrells nephew Johnny Melton said he spoke for the entire family when he asked the public to honor their losses by educating their daughters about domestic violence and even helping abusers seek help while theyre young.

He shared that the family has actually lost three members to domestic violence-motivated homicide, as A.J. and Patsys daughter Linda Cantrell was killed by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide in early 2005.

Our prayer is that God can create something good from all of this darkness and sadness that surrounds us, Melton said. Statistically, Oklahoma is one of the states leading the nation in deaths as a result of domestic violence. One in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. It must stop!

Newly sworn-in Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond witnessed Eizembers execution, calling it his solemn duty.

After nearly 20 years, justice is served. I understand that nothing can ever lessen the pain of a loved ones death, but I pray that today brings closure and some measure of peace to the Cantrell family, he said in a statement.

Eizembers last-ditch attempt at avoiding the death penalty failed in December, when the state Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to deny him clemency. Debra Wyatt, the Cantrells oldest daughter, said at the hearing that she has forgiven Eizember but believed justice still needed to be done.

This is torture, she said. It is torture, and I will never get over it. My life will never be the same.

Eizember addressed the board, saying he profoundly apologized to all involved and believed he could help other prisoners better themselves from what he had learned about himself and through academic study during his imprisonment.

I make no excuses, Eizember told the board. I belong in prison.

In his last statement Thursday morning, Eizember said to witnesses: I told the truth. I cannot convince everyone that I told the truth, obviously. The court also said I told the truth. So, for those people out there who dont seem to want to tell the truth, thats on them. Thats on their head. Im at peace. My conscience is clear, completely.

I love my children.

Eizember is the 203rd person to be executed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary since 1915, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. The states current death-row population now numbers 39 men and one woman.
Amid a dip in COVID-19 cases and influenza-related hospital admissions, a Tulsa-based data expert said Thursday that all indications are we may be done with the flu season this year.

Dr. David Kendrick, CEO of My Health Data Network, in an update Thursday said the numbers were a good sign were coming out of this flu peak.

Flu positivity, currently around 9%, has declined in the past two weeks from about 14%, according to state health data released Thursday, while Oklahoma recorded 11 more flu deaths.

A total of 46 Oklahomans, including 10 from Tulsa County, have died with influenza so far this season.

Four of the recently reported flu deaths were Tulsa County residents, according to the state dashboard, updated for the week ending Jan. 7. Seventeen of the flu deaths so far this year were of northeastern Oklahoma residents outside Tulsa County.

The most vulnerable population for flu deaths remains those 65 and older; nine more fatal cases were recorded in that age group since Dec. 24.

The number of Tulsa County patients who have been treated in area hospitals for influenza rose from 498 over the past two weeks to 567. Across the state, this season has resulted in 2,686 total flu hospitalizations as of the week ending Jan. 7.

Active COVID-19 infections, about 9,600 currently, have increased only slightly since Christmas, with the three-day average for COVID-related ICU patients also remaining fairly static in the past two weeks. The seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases reported to state health officials has dipped about 10% since the Jan. 5 update.

We have a case count thats remaining in a manageable range, Kendrick said Thursday, noting a decline after the surge that began in November.

In addition to getting up to date on vaccinations, state and local health officials urge frequent handwashing, covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and staying home when sick.

Featured video:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday morning that DaNa Carlis is the newly named director of NOAAs National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman.

Carlis is a third-generation Oklahoman, a native Tulsan and a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He is excited to return to his home state after living in Boulder, Colorado, for the past two years and working as the deputy director at NOAAs Global Systems Laboratory.

It means everything to me to return home. It is such a full-circle moment, Carlis said in a Tulsa World interview. When I left Oklahoma at the age of 17, I like to say I took Oklahoma with me. Everyone that knows me knows that I am from Oklahoma and from Tulsa. I love my home state.

As the newly named director, Carlis said he cant wait to get started at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is a federal research laboratory under NOAAs domain. The lab conducts research on such weather phenomena and technology as weather radar, tornadoes, flash flooding, lightning, damaging winds, hail and winter storms. Observing, understanding and forecasting severe thunderstorms is a large part of the research.

Im excited about the opportunity to lead this team of dedicated and accomplished scientists, Carlis said. Im looking forward to getting out into the field to see the research that has been making a real difference in peoples daily lives.

According to Steve Thur, NOAA assistant administrator for oceanic and atmospheric research, Carlis has guided a variety of NOAA projects that have furthered the forecasting within the organization and aided in earlier warnings for natural disasters.

His leadership experience and passion for research will help NSSL continue to fulfill its mission to help forecasters provide advance warnings of extreme weather and save lives, Thur said.

Carlis also brings a wealth of knowledge when it comes to leading NOAAs efforts on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization. This includes co-founding NOAAs Diversity and Professional Advancement Working Group in 2014.

I never shy away from those difficult conversations, Carlis said. Having those conversations with senior leadership and working to hire and recruit from diverse backgrounds are a priority for me.

After earning a bachelors of science in chemistry at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Carlis went on to obtain a masters degree and a doctorate in atmospheric sciences and meteorology, also from Howard.

He begins his new role at the end of the month.

Featured video: Fresh cyclone to hit California after historic storms kill at least 17
Travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City have urged the municipal authorities to early work out plans and products to welcome back Chinese tourists in an appropriate and safe manner. At a conference held on Tuesday to review the performance of the citys tourism in 2022 and discuss key missions for 2023, the citys tourism was reported to recover quickly with its typical tourism products. To date, up to 17 out of 22 districts and Thu Duc City have launched their own tourism products. According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the city will this year continue to develop its typical tourism products and connect tours to create key product groups. At the conference, Nguyen Ngoc Tan, general director of Saco Travel, proposed the city continue fostering the connectivity among districts to create typical products. The program in which every district offers at least a typical product should be boosted. The company expects the city will map out strategies to exploit foreign markets, specifically discussing ways to welcome Chinese travelers, Tan said. He also suggested enterprise supporting programs, such as reducing taxes and loan interest, should be maintained. Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of Vietravel, said Ho Chi Minh City welcomed a high number of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourists in 2022. However, most of these visitors stayed in the city for one night. Therefore, the city should this year seek ways to extend their stay. To reach the target, the city should focus on three factors: synchronicity, promptness, and continuation to help enterprises introduce and promote their products to customers, Hoang noted. The Vietravel representative also proposed central agencies review visa policies and make them as friendly as those in other countries in the region. As for Chinese tourists, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said Chinese visitors made up a large proportion of foreign tourists of the city and the country as a whole before the COVID-19 pandemic. After two years of being affected by the pandemic, the citys tourism sector will restructure the local and international markets and determine China as a key source market. Nevertheless, the city will focus on middle- and high-end tourists, entrepreneurs, and investors in this market, mainly in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. The city will introduce itself as a safe destination which is willing to welcome Chinese travelers. Chinese tourists prefer modern destinations with cultural products and shopping. The city and enterprises will prepare Chinese-speaking tour guides to serve Chinese customers in the coming time, Hoa told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Ho Chi Minh City welcomed over 3.46 million international visitors in 2022, a 100-percent surge over 2021 and meeting 99 percent of the target. In addition, it served more than 31 million domestic arrivals, soaring 234 percent year on year and exceeding the target by 24.9 percent. The city earned VND131.1 trillion (US$5.6 billion) in tourism revenue, rocketing 196.4 percent year on year. The city set a target to serve five million international tourists and 35 million domestic visitors this year, generating revenue of VND160 trillion ($6.8 billion), news site Vietnamplus reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City have urged the municipal authorities to early work out plans and products to welcome back Chinese tourists in an appropriate and safe manner.

At a conference held on Tuesday to review the performance of the citys tourism in 2022 and discuss key missions for 2023, the citys tourism was reported to recover quickly with its typical tourism products.

To date, up to 17 out of 22 districts and Thu Duc City have launched their own tourism products.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the city will this year continue to develop its typical tourism products and connect tours to create key product groups.

At the conference, Nguyen Ngoc Tan, general director of Saco Travel, proposed the city continue fostering the connectivity among districts to create typical products. The program in which every district offers at least a typical product should be boosted.

The company expects the city will map out strategies to exploit foreign markets, specifically discussing ways to welcome Chinese travelers, Tan said.

He also suggested enterprise supporting programs, such as reducing taxes and loan interest, should be maintained.

Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of Vietravel, said Ho Chi Minh City welcomed a high number of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourists in 2022.

However, most of these visitors stayed in the city for one night. Therefore, the city should this year seek ways to extend their stay.

To reach the target, the city should focus on three factors: synchronicity, promptness, and continuation to help enterprises introduce and promote their products to customers, Hoang noted.

The Vietravel representative also proposed central agencies review visa policies and make them as friendly as those in other countries in the region.

As for Chinese tourists, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said Chinese visitors made up a large proportion of foreign tourists of the city and the country as a whole before the COVID-19 pandemic.

After two years of being affected by the pandemic, the citys tourism sector will restructure the local and international markets and determine China as a key source market.

Nevertheless, the city will focus on middle- and high-end tourists, entrepreneurs, and investors in this market, mainly in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen.

The city will introduce itself as a safe destination which is willing to welcome Chinese travelers.

Chinese tourists prefer modern destinations with cultural products and shopping. The city and enterprises will prepare Chinese-speaking tour guides to serve Chinese customers in the coming time, Hoa told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Ho Chi Minh City welcomed over 3.46 million international visitors in 2022, a 100-percent surge over 2021 and meeting 99 percent of the target.

In addition, it served more than 31 million domestic arrivals, soaring 234 percent year on year and exceeding the target by 24.9 percent.

The city earned VND131.1 trillion (US$5.6 billion) in tourism revenue, rocketing 196.4 percent year on year.

The city set a target to serve five million international tourists and 35 million domestic visitors this year, generating revenue of VND160 trillion ($6.8 billion), news site Vietnamplus reported.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The sea has already swallowed the village graveyard in Togoru, Fiji, and long-time resident Lavenia McGoon is dreading the day it claims her house. She piles old rubber car tyres under the coconut trees that line the beachfront, hoping this makeshift seawall will at least buy some time. The 70-year-old believes climate change, and the creeping ocean, will inevitably force her family to leave. "Nobody can stop it," she tells AFP, as the tide sweeps in and crabs scuttle over the headstones. "Nobody can stop water." Togoru is a small settlement on the south coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu. It is one of dozens of coastal villages in the Pacific archipelago now confronting the reality of climate change. McGoon, called "Big Nana" by locals, has spent almost 60 years here -- living on the shoreline in a basic wooden house without power or running water. "We used to have a plantation right in front," McGoon says, pointing towards the sea. "After 20 to 30 years we have lost almost 55 metres (60 yards) of land." This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows an aerial view of submerged tombs in a village graveyard, now underwater due to the effects of climate change, in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP About 200 people were once buried in the Togoru graveyard, but McGoon says most of the remains have since been moved inland. For now she refuses to follow, clinging on to her small piece of paradise. "Relocation to me at this age, it's a bit too... sickening," she says. 'A big difference' Fiji has been meticulously preparing for the day it needs to relocate coastal villages because of climate change. The scale of the challenge is enormous -- the government estimates more than 600 communities could be forced to move, including 42 villages under urgent threat. More than 70 percent of the country's 900,000 people live within five kilometres (three miles) of the coast. According to Australia's Monash University, sea levels have been rising in the western Pacific Ocean two to three times faster than the global average. Entire low-lying nations such as Kiribati and Tuvalu could become uninhabitable within the next 30 years. Fiji is fortunate that its highland regions make relocation a feasible option. The settlement of Vunidogoloa, on the northern island of Vanua Levu, moved to higher ground in 2014 -- making it one of the first villages in the world to relocate because of rising sea levels. Other villages, such as Veivatuloa, are exhausting their options for adaptation before abandoning their homes. Veivatuloa lies about 40 kilometres west of the capital Suva and has a population of around 200 people. The village's stilted houses sit in rows facing the water, while decaying wooden planks bridge the pools of seawater collecting on the ground at low tide. The corrosive sea salt has eaten small holes into the walls of some buildings. This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows a youth walking on the trunk of a coconut palm past erosion at a village in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP Veivatuloa has been lobbying the Fijian government to strengthen its old seawall, which is now regularly breached by waves. Provincial spokesman Sairusi Qaranivalu says relocation is a painful idea for a village such as Veivatuloa, where customs are linked to the land. "Once we take them away from the villages, it's like we are disconnecting them from the traditional duties they have to perform to their chiefs," he tells AFP. "It's like deconstructing the traditional living and the way we live together." The ocean is inching closer to the village, but elder Leone Nairuwai says he has to travel further out to sea to catch fish. "When you used to go out to the sea you just go, I think, 20 yards (and) you catch the fish," he says. "But now you take the outboard, it's a mile, and then you'll get a fish. There's a big difference." Shrinking catch About half of Fiji's rural population relies on fishing for survival, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. But the country's fisheries are under pressure on multiple fronts. Warmer seas are disrupting coastal ecosystems, while stocks of valuable species such as tuna have been plundered by foreign vessels. This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows a submerged tomb in a village graveyard, now underwater due to the effects of climate change, in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP Local guide and subsistence fisherman Abaitia Rosivulavula ekes out a living selling his catch to the restaurants around Pacific Harbour, a tourist hotspot dotted with luxury resorts. He uses the sawn-off bottom of a plastic milk bottle to scoop water from his fibreglass boat before gunning the outboard motor towards a nearby reef. Most of his bait is taken by sharks, and the handful of fish he manages to reel in before sunset are too small to get his hopes up. "Before, it's plenty (of) fish," he tells AFP before casting his line again. "Before, the size of the fish is big, now it's just like this," he adds, making a shrinking gesture with his hands. Fiji is ranked 12 on the Nature Conservancy's Fisheries at Risk Index, which looks at "climate-related risk to coastal fisheries" in 143 countries. Four other Pacific nations -- Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga -- sit inside the top 10. Back in the settlement of Togoru, "Big Nana" McGoon says small countries like Fiji are being left to foot the bill while others refuse to reduce their emissions. "They only think of money coming in," she says. "They never think of other people, the ones who will be suffering." While McGoon wants to stay next to the sea for as long as she can, she's resigned to watching her grandchildren leave. "I love this place. It's beautiful," she says. "The only thing I'm telling my grandchildren... go to school and achieve your goals. Aim for overseas. "Because the water will always take its course."

The sea has already swallowed the village graveyard in Togoru, Fiji, and long-time resident Lavenia McGoon is dreading the day it claims her house.

She piles old rubber car tyres under the coconut trees that line the beachfront, hoping this makeshift seawall will at least buy some time.

The 70-year-old believes climate change, and the creeping ocean, will inevitably force her family to leave.

"Nobody can stop it," she tells AFP, as the tide sweeps in and crabs scuttle over the headstones.

"Nobody can stop water."

Togoru is a small settlement on the south coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu.

It is one of dozens of coastal villages in the Pacific archipelago now confronting the reality of climate change.

McGoon, called "Big Nana" by locals, has spent almost 60 years here -- living on the shoreline in a basic wooden house without power or running water.

"We used to have a plantation right in front," McGoon says, pointing towards the sea.

"After 20 to 30 years we have lost almost 55 metres (60 yards) of land."

This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows an aerial view of submerged tombs in a village graveyard, now underwater due to the effects of climate change, in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP

About 200 people were once buried in the Togoru graveyard, but McGoon says most of the remains have since been moved inland.

For now she refuses to follow, clinging on to her small piece of paradise.

"Relocation to me at this age, it's a bit too... sickening," she says.

'A big difference'

Fiji has been meticulously preparing for the day it needs to relocate coastal villages because of climate change.

The scale of the challenge is enormous -- the government estimates more than 600 communities could be forced to move, including 42 villages under urgent threat.

More than 70 percent of the country's 900,000 people live within five kilometres (three miles) of the coast.

According to Australia's Monash University, sea levels have been rising in the western Pacific Ocean two to three times faster than the global average.

Entire low-lying nations such as Kiribati and Tuvalu could become uninhabitable within the next 30 years.

Fiji is fortunate that its highland regions make relocation a feasible option.

The settlement of Vunidogoloa, on the northern island of Vanua Levu, moved to higher ground in 2014 -- making it one of the first villages in the world to relocate because of rising sea levels.

Other villages, such as Veivatuloa, are exhausting their options for adaptation before abandoning their homes.

Veivatuloa lies about 40 kilometres west of the capital Suva and has a population of around 200 people.

The village's stilted houses sit in rows facing the water, while decaying wooden planks bridge the pools of seawater collecting on the ground at low tide.

The corrosive sea salt has eaten small holes into the walls of some buildings.

This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows a youth walking on the trunk of a coconut palm past erosion at a village in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP

Veivatuloa has been lobbying the Fijian government to strengthen its old seawall, which is now regularly breached by waves.

Provincial spokesman Sairusi Qaranivalu says relocation is a painful idea for a village such as Veivatuloa, where customs are linked to the land.

"Once we take them away from the villages, it's like we are disconnecting them from the traditional duties they have to perform to their chiefs," he tells AFP.

"It's like deconstructing the traditional living and the way we live together."

The ocean is inching closer to the village, but elder Leone Nairuwai says he has to travel further out to sea to catch fish.

"When you used to go out to the sea you just go, I think, 20 yards (and) you catch the fish," he says.

"But now you take the outboard, it's a mile, and then you'll get a fish. There's a big difference."

Shrinking catch

About half of Fiji's rural population relies on fishing for survival, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

But the country's fisheries are under pressure on multiple fronts.

Warmer seas are disrupting coastal ecosystems, while stocks of valuable species such as tuna have been plundered by foreign vessels.

This picture taken on December 13, 2022 shows a submerged tomb in a village graveyard, now underwater due to the effects of climate change, in the coastal town of Togoru, some 35 kilometres from Fijis capital city Suva. Photo: AFP

Local guide and subsistence fisherman Abaitia Rosivulavula ekes out a living selling his catch to the restaurants around Pacific Harbour, a tourist hotspot dotted with luxury resorts.

He uses the sawn-off bottom of a plastic milk bottle to scoop water from his fibreglass boat before gunning the outboard motor towards a nearby reef.

Most of his bait is taken by sharks, and the handful of fish he manages to reel in before sunset are too small to get his hopes up.

"Before, it's plenty (of) fish," he tells AFP before casting his line again.

"Before, the size of the fish is big, now it's just like this," he adds, making a shrinking gesture with his hands.

Fiji is ranked 12 on the Nature Conservancy's Fisheries at Risk Index, which looks at "climate-related risk to coastal fisheries" in 143 countries.

Four other Pacific nations -- Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga -- sit inside the top 10.

Back in the settlement of Togoru, "Big Nana" McGoon says small countries like Fiji are being left to foot the bill while others refuse to reduce their emissions.

"They only think of money coming in," she says. "They never think of other people, the ones who will be suffering."

While McGoon wants to stay next to the sea for as long as she can, she's resigned to watching her grandchildren leave.

"I love this place. It's beautiful," she says.

"The only thing I'm telling my grandchildren... go to school and achieve your goals. Aim for overseas.

"Because the water will always take its course."
On Benin's national voodoo holiday, performers dressed as guardians of the night swirled in costumes resembling technicolour haystacks, delighting worshippers and tourists alike. Over a thousand people gathered in the small Atlantic coast town of Ouidah on Tuesday, once an important port in the slave trade, to watch the elaborate annual rituals of dance and drumming to honour the 500-year-old religion's panoply of gods and spirits. "They come in increasing numbers because voodoo is no longer considered sorcery, it is no longer considered barbarism," said voodoo spiritual leader Daagbo Hounon Houna II, adorned in colourful beads and a top hat. Voodoo is practiced by around 12% of the West African country's population of 13 million people, but the authorities also want to use these deep spiritual roots and spectacular customs to attract more tourists and boost the agriculture-dependent economy. Devotees perform as they take part in the annual celebration of Voodoo festival in Ouidah, Benin January 10, 2023. Photo: Reuters In Ouidah, dance groups move to spellbound drumming and chants as spectators watched and shot videos on their phones. Nigerian therapist Flora Domenis, 44, travelled to the festival with friends from the Caribbean, who she said had a special interest in these kind of traditions due to their shared African heritage. "For them, there is a lot of interest in discovering the roots of our ancestors, the African roots," she said. Spectator Jean Marie Ngondjibangangte from Cameroon was particularly impressed by the multi-coloured masks and female dancers' intricate footwork. Voodoo "is extraordinary and we as Africans must do everything we can to promote this culture," he said. Devotees perform as they take part in the annual celebration of Voodoo festival in Cotonou, Benin January 10, 2023. Photo: Reuters As part of its development plan, the government has set aside a stretch of beachfront between the main city Cotonou and Ouidah as a special tourism zone for visitors, who it hopes will also be keen to visit historical slave sites, pre-colonial palaces, and tour the natural wonders of Benin's interior. There is a way to go. Only around 350,000 tourists visited Benin in 2020, although numbers have been rising steadily since 292,000 visited in 2016, according to the most recent annual data from the World Tourism Organization. French tourist Elodie Wine, 23, said seeing the group dances and fantastical costumes of the Ouidah festival was likely to be the highlight of her trip to Benin. "It was beautiful. We didn't think there would be so many people here, but it's awesome to see," the trainee midwife said.

On Benin's national voodoo holiday, performers dressed as guardians of the night swirled in costumes resembling technicolour haystacks, delighting worshippers and tourists alike.

Over a thousand people gathered in the small Atlantic coast town of Ouidah on Tuesday, once an important port in the slave trade, to watch the elaborate annual rituals of dance and drumming to honour the 500-year-old religion's panoply of gods and spirits.

"They come in increasing numbers because voodoo is no longer considered sorcery, it is no longer considered barbarism," said voodoo spiritual leader Daagbo Hounon Houna II, adorned in colourful beads and a top hat.

Voodoo is practiced by around 12% of the West African country's population of 13 million people, but the authorities also want to use these deep spiritual roots and spectacular customs to attract more tourists and boost the agriculture-dependent economy.

Devotees perform as they take part in the annual celebration of Voodoo festival in Ouidah, Benin January 10, 2023. Photo: Reuters

In Ouidah, dance groups move to spellbound drumming and chants as spectators watched and shot videos on their phones.

Nigerian therapist Flora Domenis, 44, travelled to the festival with friends from the Caribbean, who she said had a special interest in these kind of traditions due to their shared African heritage.

"For them, there is a lot of interest in discovering the roots of our ancestors, the African roots," she said.

Spectator Jean Marie Ngondjibangangte from Cameroon was particularly impressed by the multi-coloured masks and female dancers' intricate footwork.

Voodoo "is extraordinary and we as Africans must do everything we can to promote this culture," he said.

Devotees perform as they take part in the annual celebration of Voodoo festival in Cotonou, Benin January 10, 2023. Photo: Reuters

As part of its development plan, the government has set aside a stretch of beachfront between the main city Cotonou and Ouidah as a special tourism zone for visitors, who it hopes will also be keen to visit historical slave sites, pre-colonial palaces, and tour the natural wonders of Benin's interior.

There is a way to go. Only around 350,000 tourists visited Benin in 2020, although numbers have been rising steadily since 292,000 visited in 2016, according to the most recent annual data from the World Tourism Organization.

French tourist Elodie Wine, 23, said seeing the group dances and fantastical costumes of the Ouidah festival was likely to be the highlight of her trip to Benin.

"It was beautiful. We didn't think there would be so many people here, but it's awesome to see," the trainee midwife said.
Xinjiang launches all-cargo air route, linking with Kazakhstan

Xinhua) 10:15, January 12, 2023

URUMQI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- An all-cargo aircraft on Tuesday night took off from Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bound for Aktobe in Kazakhstan.

It marked the official opening of the cross-border e-commerce all-cargo air route, linking Urumqi with Kazakhstan.

The batch of goods totaled 15 tonnes, with a value of over 24.74 million yuan (about 3.65 million U.S. dollars), mainly including daily necessities such as clothes, shoes, and bags.

The carrier of the air route, an energy development company in northwest China's Gansu Province, will operate two special flights before the Spring Festival which falls on Jan. 22 this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Check out the news you should not miss today: Politics -- U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper visited the National Road 9 Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri, central Vietnam, for the first time during a working trip on Wednesday. Society -- Doctors from Hue Central Hospital said on Wednesday that they had successfully treated a five-year-old patient who had neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in nerve cells, using the stem cell transplantation technique. -- Police in Ca Mau Province, southernmost Vietnam, arrested a 24-year-old man for stabbing another man to death over conflict during a party last weekend. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport announced a detailed plan of rerouting traffic on several streets in District 1 on Wednesday in order to remodel the area in front of Ben Thanh Market. -- Workers are rushing to wrap up preparations for the Lunar New Year (Tet) flower festival at Tao Dan Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City as the opening day is nearing. -- Doctors from Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital, north-central Vietnam, said on Wednesday that they had successfully treated pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the area between the lung and the chest wall, at a 13-month-old baby for the first time. World News -- Illinois has banned the sale of many common kinds of semiautomatic guns with immediate effect in response to a massacre at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park last year and other mass shootings, Reuters reported on Wednesday. -- Aides to U.S. President Joe Biden have discovered at least one more batch of classified documents in a location separate from a think tank office he used after serving as vice president, news outlets reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, Reuters reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Check out the news you should not miss today:

Politics

-- U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper visited the National Road 9 Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri, central Vietnam, for the first time during a working trip on Wednesday.

Society

-- Doctors from Hue Central Hospital said on Wednesday that they had successfully treated a five-year-old patient who had neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in nerve cells, using the stem cell transplantation technique.

-- Police in Ca Mau Province, southernmost Vietnam, arrested a 24-year-old man for stabbing another man to death over conflict during a party last weekend.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport announced a detailed plan of rerouting traffic on several streets in District 1 on Wednesday in order to remodel the area in front of Ben Thanh Market.

-- Workers are rushing to wrap up preparations for the Lunar New Year (Tet) flower festival at Tao Dan Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City as the opening day is nearing.

-- Doctors from Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital, north-central Vietnam, said on Wednesday that they had successfully treated pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the area between the lung and the chest wall, at a 13-month-old baby for the first time.

World News

-- Illinois has banned the sale of many common kinds of semiautomatic guns with immediate effect in response to a massacre at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park last year and other mass shootings, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

-- Aides to U.S. President Joe Biden have discovered at least one more batch of classified documents in a location separate from a think tank office he used after serving as vice president, news outlets reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, Reuters reported.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Hanoi said on Wednesday that they had arrested a 32-year-old local man for using a knife to rob four convenience stores in the Vietnamese capital city the previous day. Officers launched an investigation and managed to capture Dang Dinh Tuyen, 32, living in Chuong My District, following the report of property robbery made by two Circle K stores in Thanh Xuan District on Tuesday. At the police station, Tuyen admitted to stealing a chefs knife from a noodle shop on Luong The Vinh Street in the same district at around 2:00 am Tuesday before using it to threaten a cashier at a Circle K store on the same street and taking away all cash in the cash drawer. This CCTV footage shows Dang Dinh Tuyen robbing a convenience store with a knife in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, January 10, 2023. The man went on to rob two other Circle K stores on Le Van Luong Street and Le Van Thiem Street in Thanh Xuan and one Red Mart store on Me Tri Thuong Street in Nam Tu Liem District by holding their employees at knifepoint within the next two hours. He then threw the knife and his coat away along his way home by motorbike. Tuyen kept the cash amount of more than VND15 million (US$640) and three mobile phones that he had robbed in a wardrobe and went to sleep before being arrested by police in Thanh Xuan District at about 9:30 am the same day. He also confessed to causing one robbery and one theft in the same district on September 20, 2022 and November 24, 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Police in Hanoi said on Wednesday that they had arrested a 32-year-old local man for using a knife to rob four convenience stores in the Vietnamese capital city the previous day.

Officers launched an investigation and managed to capture Dang Dinh Tuyen, 32, living in Chuong My District, following the report of property robbery made by two Circle K stores in Thanh Xuan District on Tuesday.

At the police station, Tuyen admitted to stealing a chefs knife from a noodle shop on Luong The Vinh Street in the same district at around 2:00 am Tuesday before using it to threaten a cashier at a Circle K store on the same street and taking away all cash in the cash drawer.

This CCTV footage shows Dang Dinh Tuyen robbing a convenience store with a knife in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, January 10, 2023.

The man went on to rob two other Circle K stores on Le Van Luong Street and Le Van Thiem Street in Thanh Xuan and one Red Mart store on Me Tri Thuong Street in Nam Tu Liem District by holding their employees at knifepoint within the next two hours.

He then threw the knife and his coat away along his way home by motorbike.

Tuyen kept the cash amount of more than VND15 million (US$640) and three mobile phones that he had robbed in a wardrobe and went to sleep before being arrested by police in Thanh Xuan District at about 9:30 am the same day.

He also confessed to causing one robbery and one theft in the same district on September 20, 2022 and November 24, 2022.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested Dang Viet Ha, head of the Vietnam Register, which is in charge of vehicle registration, for allegedly receiving bribes. The move is part of an investigation into alleged violations at vehicle registration centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, and Ben Tre. At a press conference on Wednesday to unveil violations at the vehicle registration centers, Major Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy head of the criminal police division under the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department, said directors of the vehicle registration and inspection centers had given hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong (VND100 million = US$4,298) per month to Ha and leaders of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division at the Vietnam Register. City police will continue expanding the probe into the case in the coming time. Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thi Kim Ly, head of the office of the Ho Chi Minh City police, provides information about alleged irregularities at vehicle registration centers. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang late last week assigned Nguyen Vu Hai, deputy head of the Vietnam Register, to take charge of the agency while Ha was involved in the investigation. On the same day, investigators from the police in Ho Chi Minh Citys outlying district of Hoc Mon also filed charges against Hoang Tan Luc, director of the 50-14D auto registration center in the district, Be Binh Duong, deputy director of the center, and five employees of the center for allegedly receiving bribes. At the press conference, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thi Kim Ly, head of the office of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department, said 84 people have been prosecuted for being involved in the case on charges of bribe brokering, giving and taking, and document falsification. Of the total, 80 are directors, deputy directors, and employees of vehicle registration centers and brokers. Three of them are officials at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division under the Vietnam Register, including Tran Anh Quan, acting head of the division, Dang Tran Khanh, deputy head of the division, and Pham Duc Ngoc, an employee of the division. Major Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy head of the criminal police division under the Ho Chi Minh City Police, speaks at the press conference. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Police in Ho Chi Minh City have raided eight vehicle registration and inspection centers in the city and five others in the Mekong Delta provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, and Soc Trang. These centers have been found to breach regulations. They certified over 70,000 vehicles which failed to meet technical and environmental standards as meeting the standards to illegally earn tens of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND10 billion = $430,077). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested Dang Viet Ha, head of the Vietnam Register, which is in charge of vehicle registration, for allegedly receiving bribes.

The move is part of an investigation into alleged violations at vehicle registration centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, and Ben Tre.

At a press conference on Wednesday to unveil violations at the vehicle registration centers, Major Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy head of the criminal police division under the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department, said directors of the vehicle registration and inspection centers had given hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong (VND100 million = US$4,298) per month to Ha and leaders of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division at the Vietnam Register.

City police will continue expanding the probe into the case in the coming time.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thi Kim Ly, head of the office of the Ho Chi Minh City police, provides information about alleged irregularities at vehicle registration centers. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang late last week assigned Nguyen Vu Hai, deputy head of the Vietnam Register, to take charge of the agency while Ha was involved in the investigation.

On the same day, investigators from the police in Ho Chi Minh Citys outlying district of Hoc Mon also filed charges against Hoang Tan Luc, director of the 50-14D auto registration center in the district, Be Binh Duong, deputy director of the center, and five employees of the center for allegedly receiving bribes.

At the press conference, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thi Kim Ly, head of the office of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department, said 84 people have been prosecuted for being involved in the case on charges of bribe brokering, giving and taking, and document falsification.

Of the total, 80 are directors, deputy directors, and employees of vehicle registration centers and brokers.

Three of them are officials at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division under the Vietnam Register, including Tran Anh Quan, acting head of the division, Dang Tran Khanh, deputy head of the division, and Pham Duc Ngoc, an employee of the division.

Major Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy head of the criminal police division under the Ho Chi Minh City Police, speaks at the press conference. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have raided eight vehicle registration and inspection centers in the city and five others in the Mekong Delta provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, and Soc Trang.

These centers have been found to breach regulations.

They certified over 70,000 vehicles which failed to meet technical and environmental standards as meeting the standards to illegally earn tens of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND10 billion = $430,077).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A day after three Golden Globe wins, Abbott Elementary has been renewed for a third season.

The series follows a group of dedicated, passionate teachers  and a slightly tone-deaf principal  in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do  even if they dont love the school districts less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The series is currently in its second season, averaging of 9.1m viewers per episode in 35 day viewing on ABC.

This renewal is a richly deserved feather in the cap of Quinta Brunson, Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, and Randall Einhorn, as well as the rest of the cast and crew of Abbott Elementary. Each week, this talented group of artists celebrates true unsung heroes  public school teachers. And for some extra icing on the renewal cake, our favourite group of teachers was honuored this morning with two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and last night with three Golden Globe Awards. Abbott Elementary is the gift that keeps on giving, and I look forward to many more magnificent episodes of this brilliant, authentic, and just plain funny series, said Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group.

Three Golden Globe wins went to creator and star Quinta Brunson plus Tyler James Williams, who feature alongside Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Abbott Elementary screens in Australia on Disney+.

Source: Deadline
A flawed individual would be a something of an understatement to describe UK politician John Stonehouse.

In politics from 1957  1974, he fell from grace by the late 1960s when PM Harold Wilson first confronted him about allegations he had been spying for Czechoslovakia. By 1974 his creative accounting drew the attention of authorities.

Within a year he faked his own death and tried to disappear by fleeing to Melbourne.

Across the years he also had an affair with his secretary and little regard for his wife and children.

All of which makes for a juicy subject by writer John Preston and a 3 part miniseries by BritBox.

In the title role is the consummate Matthew Macfadyen (Succession, Pride & Prejudice) whose real wife Keeley Hawes takes on the role of his aspirational screen wife, Barbara Stonehouse.

While Barbara was proud of her husband rising through the political ranks, little did she know the extent of her husbands dark secrets, which began following his routine visit to Czechoslovakia as a junior minister of Aviation. There, he was blackmailed into supplying the state with information from Wilsons Labour government, which was soon clinging to power by a slim majority.

Stonehouse even persuaded the Czechs to pay him for information, and began to enjoy the high life of sporty cars, flashy gifts and multiple hidden bank accounts

Life becomes less conventional and more murky when Sheila Buckley (Emer Heatley) arrives as his attractive young secretary, with Stonehouse even overlooking her odd speech impediment.

Needless to say as the heat ramps up, Stonehouse embarks on a farcical plot to fake his own death on a beach in Miami. He resurfaced in Melbourne under the name of Clive Mildoon but not everything went to plan.

Macfadyen gobbles up this role with so much wickedness, matched by the catch-me-if-you-can tone of the production by director Jon S. Baird. In the cool 60s / 70s its anything goes, when wrapped in a bouncy soundtrack and fetching fashions.

Macfadyen smirks and skulks on cue as Stonehouses antics veer from clandestine affairs to coming under scrutiny, whether from his wife or the authorities.

Keeley Hawes has the more difficult role of the oblivious Barbara, endeavouring to keep family together, swallowing the excuses of her husband, in an era and class system when women were expected to be too-often subservient.

Kevin McNally plays PM Harold Wilson, desperate to cling to power despite the unacceptable actions of his minister. Many of his scenes are unfortunately whittled down to consultations with Government Whip Betty Boothroyd (Dorothy Atkinson).

Naturally I was keen to see how the Melbourne scenes shaped up here. Filmed in Spain, its unlikely to be very passable to Aussies but an international audience will be none the wiser (eucalyptus trees, and driving on the left of the road should suffice, right?).

As a character study, Stonehouse revels in the mans brazen and feeble schemes but leaves little room for sympathy when it comes to family commitments. Macfadyen never puts a foot wrong over the three hours of dramatisation, but Im not sure the writing ever offers a satisfactory justification for his flaws only that he spiralled more and more into the romance of it all.

Nevertheless in the hands of fine performers, Stonehouse is easily entertaining and at 3 hours doesnt outstay its welcome.

Stonehouse screens Tuesday January 17 on BritBox.
Veteran US performer Carole Cook, best known for The Lucy Show, Heres Lucy, Sixteen Candles and American Gigolo has died, aged 98.

Cook was a protege of Lucille Ball. She began her acting career in 1959 when Ball requested she appear in The Desilu Revue. She enjoyed guest roles on The Lucy Show from 1963-68 and Heres Lucy from 1969-74.

Cook created the role of Maggie Jones in the stage musical 42nd Street, originated the role of Blanche Daly in Romantic Comedy and, in 1965, followed Carol Channing as the second actor to portray Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! Many stage credits would follow -including in Australia.

She would guest star on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, U.S. Marshal, Daniel Boone, My World and Welcome to It, That Girl, Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, Charlies Angels, Knight Rider, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote and Greys Anatomy.

In films, Cook was known for her role as Molly Ringwalds Grandma Helen in Sixteen Candles. She also appeared in The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Palm Springs Weekend, American Gigolo, The Gauntlet, Grandview, U.S.A., Summer Lovers and A Very Sordid Wedding.

In 2018 then-94 year old Carole Cook made a joke suggesting that President Trump be assassinated, telling an interviewer from TMZ, Where is John Wilkes Booth when you need him? and consequently attracting worlwide headlines.

Cook recently paid tribute to Ball in the documentary, Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy., which screened on New Years Eve on SBS.

Source: Variety
Andrew Forrest, Australian billionaire and Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Metals Group do not undermine the drive for clean energy alternatives such as green hydrogen in London

By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest called on Thursday for an overhaul of a $20 billion-plus project to send solar power from Australia to Singapore, which collapsed after he and tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes split over funding plans.

Singapore-based Sun Cable, largely owned by Forrest's private firm Squadron Energy and Cannon-Brookes' private firm Grok, appointed voluntary administrators this week less than a year after raising A$210 million for the Australia-Asia PowerLink project.

In Squadron's first public comments since the collapse was announced on Wednesday, the firm said the project "requires vision and precise execution".

"Squadron Energy believes in the vision but believes the manner in which the project is delivered needs urgent change," Squadron Chairman John Hartman said in an emailed statement.

The project involves building a 20 gigawatt (GW) solar farm, the world's biggest energy storage facility and the world's longest undersea cable, 4,200 kilometres (2,610 miles) long, to deliver power to Singapore and Indonesia.

"Exceptional governance practices and world-class project delivery expertise, as well as pursuing bankable technologies, will be required to make the project a reality," Hartman said.

He was not available for further comment.

Co-owner Cannon-Brookes, who in 2019 called the project "completely batshit insane" when he first invested in it, on Wednesday said he still fully backed the project's ambition and team.

Australia's energy minister, Chris Bowen, on Thursday, also expressed confidence the project would eventually go ahead with a new funding structure after having spoken to "very senior people" in Sun Cable.

"I remain very upbeat and excited about Sun Cable's future," Bowen told reporters.

He said Sun Cable, which had hoped to begin construction in 2024, is crucial to Australia's ambition to become a major renewable energy exporter.

Story continues

The administrators of Sun Cable at FTI Consulting declined to comment. On Wednesday they said the next steps would likely involve seeking expressions of interest to recapitalise or to sell the business.

(1 = 1.4445 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Vladimir Putin with Valery Gerasimov, who has just been given overall command in Ukraine (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

The UK is considering a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine , and Poland wants to pass on a dozen or so of their Leopard 2 tanks  if the German Government gives permission to export.

The debate about sending heavy armour is now overshadowed by the upheavals in the Russian command of the war in Moscow and in Donbas. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of defence and alleged architect of the whole chaotic Ukraine invasion project, has now been given overall command.

It smells of desperation by Putin  throwing the entire defence and military apparatus to salvage the Ukraine campaign and possibly his own survival as leader.

It would take some time for the tanks to be battle-ready in Ukraine  the logistical support and training required for the Challengers could take us to the late spring.

The request and delivery of modern Nato tanks  French Le Clerqs and US Abrams are also on the shopping list  have a significance beyond their potency on the battlefield.

Predictably Moscow has said the arrival of Challenger and Abrams would mark a major escalation. This has been picked up by a surprising array of critics from Berlin to the Gulf  now the major conduit of Russian broadcast propaganda -- and the nationalist wing of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives.

A German commentator tweeted yesterday that the arrival of such hardware from Poland would level up the contest on the battlefield.

This is precisely the point. Nato and the western alliance in general needs to determine a strategy to support President Zelensky and his country to win their life-threatening war, not merely to survive. To allow matters to muddle along into another year  and some predict this as being a three-year war at least  invites the worst of all possible outcomes for all concerned.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the Commons Defence Committee and former soldier, General Lord David Richards, former Defence Chief, have argued for a properly stated plan of support, a strategy. It doesnt have to be a Grand Strategy on the lines of Churchill and Roosevelts push for unconditional surrender. It should be a simple, down to earth, practical plan and policy to save Ukraine, contain Russian fantasy-conquest plans, and a subsequent scheme of reconstruction and assurance for like-minded allies, very likely including Moldova and Georgia.

Story continues

The stakes have been raised by the turn of events this week in Donbas round the salt mine settlement of Soledar and the battleground of Bakhmut.

Troops of the Wagner Group claim to have seized the salt mine complex  and have been showing images of their leader and founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in one of the galleries of the mine. Prigozhin has claimed that Wagner has done most of the fighting round Bakhmut, which is still disputed.

Wagner has almost become a separate entity, a state within a state. It has spread across North and Sub Saharan Africa, playing a pivotal role in Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, where it runs an extensive gold mining franchise.

Prigozhin has been a persistent critic of Russian operations in Ukraine. He is believed to have forged a powerful alliance with Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen warlord, and General Sergei Surovikin, appointed three months ago to take charge in Ukraine and now demoted.

Putins dramatic move to put Gerasimov in charge, demote Surovikin, and rein in Wagner has the strong whiff of a power struggle at the top. Gerasimov has long been credited as an original military thinker  of inventing a new form of warfare by stealth, or non-obvious warfare as it is sometimes termed. This proved successful with the seizure of Crimea in 2014 by troops in anonymous uniforms  the little green men.

But he is also the architect of the haphazard, and rather old-fashioned plan of attack on Ukraine of last February, which he now has to make good. He has very little time to turn things round. Delaying and raising and training another army is a huge risk, as he and his political boss Putin know.

An excellent lead article in the current Foreign Affairs journal looks at three scenarios: victory for Russia, victory for Ukraine and stalemate. Stalemate  a continuation of where we are now would be damaging all round, eroding trust, encouraging violence, and proliferating the threats in communications and cyber space.

More will be heard of the pro-Russian sympathies of the hard right and left in Germany and Italy and their strange bedfellows of the Republican isolationists in Congress. It is no time to follow the focus groups but deliver decisive leadership  perhaps Emmanuel Macron has something here to impart on this to his fellow leaders.
Joshua Powell , Author provided

South Koreas successful restoration of a wild Asiatic black bear population to Jirisan National Park is a huge conservation success story. But the fortune of this wild population stands in contrast to the plight of more than 300 captive bears that remain on bear farms across the country, often in extremely poor conditions.

A series of major policy changes during the past year have included the announcement of a joint declaration between the South Korean government, bear farmers and NGOs to ban bear farming in the country by the start of 2026. After almost 30 years of policy deadlock over the fate of captive bears in South Korea, the joint declaration sets out a clear pathway towards the end of bear farming in the country.

Bear farms, which are also found in other countries in Asia, including China, Vietnam and North Korea, were originally established as a source of bear bile and body parts for traditional medicine and bear meat for food. However, the practice of bear farming has been criticised for failing to alleviate pressure on wild bear populations and its consequences for animal welfare.

While the agreement to ban bear farming is a major success for South Koreas environmental movement, I wanted to see how the captive bears on a farm I first visited in 2021 were faring, so in late October 2022, I travelled to the mountains of Gangwon province, just south of the demilitarised zone that divides North and South Korea.

Furry and friendly-looking bear

While this farm no longer actively harvested its bears, when I first visited in 2021, the animals languished in small cages, malnourished and lacking regular access to water. This state of affairs is not unusual; although a 2007 study found that many South Korean bear farmers wanted to see an end to bear farming, the captive bears themselves had previously been largely overlooked by government attempts to regulate the industry.

Improved conditions

The change in the past year was scarcely believable. A new outside enclosure had been constructed by a team of volunteers from two Korean NGOs, Project Moon Bear and Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), featuring a pool and enrichment (items that provide stimulation for captive animals). Hollow logs lined with honey and nuts were a particular favourite.

Story continues

Two bears behind bars

While you could still see abnormal repetitive behaviours in some of the bears (a sign of long-term stress), they appeared in much better physical condition and were benefiting from a new, improved diet, provided for them by the NGOs. Specialist animal trainers had even taught the bears to accept hand vaccinations from veterinarians, something which allows captive animals to be treated without the need for heightened stress or sedatives.

These bears could never be released into the wild, as they are too used to being fed by humans. Some may not even be the native Asiatic black bear, given that a number of different species were originally imported to stock South Koreas bear farms.

Bear walks over rocky ground

However, bear sanctuaries in Europe have shown how captive animals that cannot be released into the wild can still be provided with much improved welfare conditions. The Libearty Brown Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, Romania is one of the largest and houses bears that have been rescued from entertainment facilities and animal shows, including circuses, restaurants and hotels.

The changes by Project Moon Bear and KARA to the farm in Gangwon province have made life better for the bears. But they also illustrate the expertise in captive bear management that is needed to successfully rehouse potentially hundreds of bears from farms across the country.

Hundreds of bears still captive

In order to make an end to bear farming in South Korea a reality, there are also legislative and budgetary hurdles to be overcome. Then there is the question of whether the planned public sanctuaries will have sufficient capacity (the current target is 120 animals) for the number of bears they might be expected to hold.

There are currently 322 captive bears spread across 20 farms in South Korea. While Project Moon Bear and KARA plan to build a private sanctuary to help address the shortfall, it is estimated that this will cost as much as US$2.25 million (1.85 million). That is on top of the governments current expectation that the NGOs will help buy animals from bear farms.

Bear steps out of cage

Despite the clear challenges ahead if South Korea is to fulfil its stated aim to end bear farming by 2026, the outlook for captive bears in the country now looks much brighter. Conservationists and policy makers in other countries where bear farming occurs will undoubtedly be watching with interest.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Joshua Powell receives funding from the London NERC DTP. In 2021-22, he was a visiting research student at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He was invited to visit a bear farm with Project Moon Bear.
Requiring fossil fuel companies to pay to clean up their carbon emissions could help curb dangerous global warming at a relatively affordable cost, a study says.

The approach, which holds producers responsible for the waste generated by the products they sell, already exists in other areas such as plastic packaging or electrical goods.

It can even be compared to the water sector, where companies have to invest in and consumers pay for the treatment and disposal of waste water.

Applying the approach to energy would mean that the emissions from all fossil fuels extracted or imported into a region, country or bloc such as the EU would be offset by storing the same amount of carbon back underground.

The studys authors say it could be phased in with a requirement for a rising percentage of fossil fuel emissions to be recaptured, so that it would reach the requirement of storing 100% of carbon from fossil fuels by 2050.

Fossil fuel companies would have to invest in technology that captures carbon dioxide when fuels are burned and then stores it underground, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) or directly capturing it from the air for storage, which is called direct air capture (DAC).

The authors warn that analysis shows without dramatic reductions in global demand for energy this decade  which is not happening  storing carbon emissions underground will be needed to meet targets to keep temperature rises to 1.5C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

And the world cannot rely just on using nature-based solutions such as planting trees, as landscapes will be needed for other things such as food production, they add.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, comes as Russias invasion of Ukraine has pushed up energy prices to exorbitant highs, and left governments scrambling to secure supplies of fossil fuels  including turning to more domestic production in spite of climate goals.

In the water sector, companies have to invest in and consumers pay for the treatment and disposal of waste water (Alamy/PA)

Study author Stuart Jenkins, from the University of Oxford, said the world had to dramatically scale up geological carbon storage.

Story continues

The approach which the study describes as a carbon takeback obligation would help overcome the energy trilemma  the choice between energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability.

Unfortunately when governments are forced to choose they often forgo that latter obligation, he said.

A carbon takeback obligation provides a simple and predictable regulation ensuring the fossil fuel industry cleans up after its activities and products without government subsidies, he said.

He said the policy was a backstop to other policies to reduce demand for fossil fuels, such as scaling up renewables, and should not be used as an excuse for continued production.

But, he added: It does add to the cost of fossil fuel production, and so its not an incentive to continue production by any means.

Quizzed on how the obligation  which would eat into fossil fuel profits or be passed onto consumers  could be promoted when energy prices are high, the authors said costs would start low, as only a small proportion of emissions would need to be captured initially, and would be spread across all users.

Dr Hugh Helferty, who used to work for ExxonMobil in North America, said: It makes sense that the producer and consumer should pay rather than the taxpayer should pay, and that puts the drive to reduce costs in the right place.

He also said the industry was capable of delivering carbon storage, but it needed regulation to do so.

Professor Myles Allen, from the University of Oxford, said that ending fossil fuel use was going to be hard, warning that a lot of the reaction to current very high fossil fuel prices has been to increase supply not to reduce demand.

So were going to have to stop fossil fuels from causing global warming before the world stops using fossil fuels.

He said prices for gas had shot up from less than 3p per kilowatt hour (kWh) three years ago to more than 10p now, while the cost of extracting and delivering gas had not changed.

The cost of capturing the carbon dioxide from that gas and storing it under the North Sea with todays technology was around 4p per kWh, he said.

We need to start a conversation about how we redirect this colossal amount of money that is currently simply being injected into what we call fossil fuel rents to addressing the climate problem, he said.

The paper says implementing the obligation could reduce and ultimately prevent further global warming from fossil fuels at an affordable cost relative to conventional solutions.

The costs of cutting emissions to net zero, including the use of a carbon takeback obligation and spending on clean energy, could be around 10 trillion US dollars (8.2 trillion) a year by 2050, the study estimates  similar or less than using conventional policies that set a global price for carbon pollution.

But the world spent 13 trillion US dollars (10.7 trillion) on energy last year, mostly on fossil fuels and with a substantial fraction going into rents or profits, taxes and royalties. With the global economy expected to double by 2050, the net zero cost would be less than half of last years energy costs as a proportion of global GDP, the study authors say.
By Caroline Pailliez and Yiming Woo

PARIS (Reuters) - Guillaume Konrad's job is to carry out and supervise emergency cleaning and repair work on Paris' sprawling sewage system. He loves it. But it's tough and takes its toll. And the 38-year old is not OK with the government's new plan to make him work longer.

Because the work is so taxing - often crouching in dark, ancient, narrow, rat-infested tunnels - under current rules Konrad's team now retire at 52, if they had enough years on the job. But because as a supervisor he does not go down as often as his team his retirement age, like for most French, is 62. Being told now he will have to work two more years, according to pension reform plans announced on Tuesday, simply seems too much.

"It's a dangerous job in a hostile environment, where you risk falling, contamination, getting injured, you're in contact with viruses, bacteria, toxic products. All that carries a risk for our health," he said.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Tuesday that the retirement age will be progressively increased to 64, and starting from 2027 one will need to have worked 43 years to get a full pension.

The government says this is necessary to balance the accounts.

Trade unions reject the argument and vow a tough fight on the streets to block the reform, which still needs parliament's approval.

Konrad will be among those who take to the streets in a nationwide day of strikes on Jan.19.

So will 53-year-old Stephane Rouanoux, who has worked in Paris' 24/7 emergency sewage repair team for 25 years, most of that without a protective mask, which is required now.

"Adding two years is very hard to take, with all we go through," said Rouanoux, an army veteran who joined Paris sewage cleaner team when he returned to civilian life and still needs to put on more years to retire.

"We often need to crouch ... to clean out blockages of fecal matter and grease," he said.

Story continues

Rouanoux said the reform plans made him and his colleagues angry and they would march against it.

The key question, for the government and for unions, will be how many join them.

One of the quirks of the French pension system, and one that Macron's reform will not change, is that depending on who they work for and in which city, some sewer workers in France benefit from early retirement while others do not.

So while Rouanoux can retire early, Konrad cannot, even though he still goes down in the sewing system three to four times a week. Both find it absurd.

(Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned the Swedish ambassador to Iran to protest "meddlesome" remarks by certain European officials, according to the ministry's website.

During the meeting with Swedish ambassador Mattias Lentz, whose country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Director General of the Western Europe department at the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned any interference in Iran's internal affairs, stressing that justifying insults to religious and national values of other nations on the ground of freedom is a betrayal of the sacred concept of freedom and cruelty to human beings and human rights.

Turning to some European states' roles in promoting violence and hate-mongering in other countries, the Iranian diplomat said interference in other states' internal affairs is in contradiction with all international rules and regulations and will not be tolerated by Iran.

The official also called on the Swedish ambassador to urge the European sides to stop their "destructive" approach of interference in Iran's domestic affairs.

Over the past weeks, different senior officials of some European states have slammed Iran's handling of the recent protests in the country that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She died in a Tehran hospital on Sept. 16, 2022, a few days after her collapse at a police station.

Iran has accused the United States and some other Western countries of "inciting riots and supporting terrorists" in the country, and has executed some of the "rioters" over the past weeks, which has also been criticized by some European states.

As the latest instance of such criticisms by European officials, a few days ago, the EU condemned the execution of two men, named Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini, who were charged with "killing a member of the Basij volunteer force during the riots." 
The week before the University of North Georgia (UNG) spring semester started, about 25 incoming cadets experienced Freshmen Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week. During Jan. 4-8, the group experienced activities and programs that acclimated them to life as UNG cadets.

They learned about the expectations of the Corps of Cadets from cadre, UNG staff, and their peers.

Under the leadership of brigade commander cadet Col. Warren Walker and battalion commanders cadet Lt. Col. Christian Brooks and cadet Lt. Col. Allyson Smith, the FROGs started their days before sunrise and ended with taps at 10 p.m. They took part in arduous physical activity and learned everything there is to know about being a cadet, from recognizing ranks to dorm-room standards.

"Not only was I able to observe all of the hard work from my command team and thorough planning from my staff, but I was able to see how that hard work helps to shape the new FROGs into promising cadets in less than a week," Walker said.
SEOUL  Businesses from the Republic of Korea (RoK) see Viet Nam as a highly potential market for growth, as they have already begun to dominate in certain sectors within the Southeast Asian nation.

The RoKs largest trade surplus in 2022 was with Viet Nam, at US$34.25 billion. It was the first year Viet Nam ranked No 1 in this regard, according to the RoKs Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, cited by the Joongang Ilbo newspaper.

The main exports to Viet Nam include semiconductors, flat-screen monitors, and petroleum products. Besides, food, fashion items, and beauty products also greatly contributed to the RoKs shipments to the Southeast Asian country, according to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and relevant industries.

Fast food chain Lotteria runs 270 stores in Viet Nam, ranking first among similar chains. Its 2022 revenue topped 100 billion KRW ($80.5 million), surpassing the figure in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

With 38 stores, Tous les Jours of CJ Foodville also holds the top position among the bakery chains in Viet Nam.

In 2021, soju products of Hite Jinro also dominated the local distilled alcoholic beverage market. The third Jinro BBQ restaurant opened in Ha Nois Cau Giay District in February 2022.

Last year, Orion Vina, a subsidiary of Orion in Viet Nam, earned over 400 billion KRW in annual revenue for the first time since its establishment. Compared to Viet Nams confectionary market worth 130 billion KRW, that figure indicates Orion is currently dominating the market.

Korean cosmetic products are also popular in Viet Nam. Local media reported that such products from the RoK hold the biggest market share, 30 per cent, compared to similar items from the EU (23 per cent) and Japan (17 per cent), which also have many high-end brands.

Data from KITA show that thanks to Hallyu (Korean Wave), the RoKs cosmetics exports to Viet Nam reached $230 million in 2020.

Likewise, Korean fashion is also a magnet in the Vietnamese market.

Hazzys, a fashion company LF brand, operates seven stores in Viet Nam and recorded its 2022 revenue doubling that in 2021. Fashion and retail firm E-Land also witnessed last years sales here rising over 10 per cent.

In May and June 2022, the KITA branch in HCM City interviewed 956 Vietnamese adults about South Korean products they planned to buy. The items grabbing their attention included cosmetics (37.9 per cent), food (27.7 per cent), and electronics (15.1 per cent). Asked about potential South Korean products in the future, they selected cosmetics (50.7 per cent), electronics (38.9 per cent), food (32.2 per cent), and healthy food (23.3 per cent).

KITA said that with a population of 100 million and good economic growth, Viet Nam is a production hub replacing China and one of the fastest-moving consumption markets after the COVID-19 pandemic.  VNS
QUANG TRI  US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E. Knapper had a working session in the central province of Quang Tri on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in handling war consequences.

Receiving the diplomat, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Vo Van Hung thanked the US Government for the practical and meaningful support for Quang Tri through the embassy.

The area of land contaminated with landmines in Quang Tri remains large, he noted, calling for further remediation assistance from the US so that the province can realise its goal of becoming the first locality in Viet Nam to ensure mine safety by 2025.

He suggested the US Department of State continue to support the implementation of projects benefiting people with disabilities and those infected with Agent Orange/dioxin. Quang Tri wants to further receive the US humanitarian programmes and projects that aid its rural socio-economic development, the official added.

Hung hoped the diplomat will introduce Quang Tris potential in wind, solar and gas-fuelled thermal power to potential US firms, pledging the best conditions possible for US investors to make fact-finding trips and conduct feasibility studies for their projects.

Knapper said the embassy highly appreciated the close and effective cooperation between the provincial authorities and non-governmental organisations in projects to remove unexploded ordnance and overcome the consequences of war. Quang Tri has made great contributions to the reconciliation and increasing mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and American people, he added.

The ambassador affirmed that the US Government is committed to dealing with the war consequences and healing the wounds on both sides, based on the principle of being honest with the past and working together towards a prosperous future.

While in Quang Tri, Knapper also visited a mine disposal site in Trieu Phong District, attended the inauguration ceremony of Trieu ai Kindergarten and offered incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery.

According to the provincial People's Committee, since 1996, the US Government has supported Quang Tri to implement programmes and projects in the field of war consequence settlement such as demining, assisting people with disabilities, building schools, health stations, and natural disaster prevention and mitigation. The US' funding for mine clearance in the locality is estimated at about US$91 million. VNS
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China appreciates Papua New Guinea (PNG) for closing its trade office in Taiwan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Thursday.

Wang made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a relevant query.

"China highly recognizes and applauds it," Wang said, adding that it proves again that following the one-China principle is an internationally popular trend. 
VIENTIANE  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao host Sonexay Siphandone co-chaired the 45th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee in Vientiane on Thursday.

The two sides agree to put into action the conclusions of the two Politburos and the agreement on the 2023 cooperation plan to boost collaboration across spheres, from politics, diplomacy, and national defence-security to investment and trade.

They will also work to create changes in partnerships in economy, culture, education, health care, and science-technology, raise the efficiency of investment, and promote socio-economic infrastructure development in Laos.

The two sides noted the comprehensive cooperation outcomes recorded in 2022, saying the bilateral trade surpassed the set target to reach US$1.73 billion, up 24 per cent from the previous year.

Viet Nams investment in Laos last year also exceeded $180 million, a year-on-year rise of 52.5 per cent.

The two countries agreed to focus on implementing joint statements and agreements reached by the two Politburos and others, including the one inked at the 45th meeting.

They will also step up political, diplomatic, national defence-security, investment and trade ties, striving to raise the two-way trade by 10-15 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The sides consented to expand collaboration in personnel training, invest in transport projects, and join hands in the sustainable use of water resources and other natural resources.

Greater efforts will be made to deal with obstacles to projects funded by Viet Nam and invested by Vietnamese firms in Laos, encouraging ministries, agencies and localities to expand relations and support each other.

In the spirit of mutual trust, the two countries will provide mutual support and cooperate at regional and international organisations and forums.

Siphandone suggested the two sides continue delegation exchanges at all levels and through all channels to constantly consolidate their political relations, intensify the exchange of political theory, coordinate in ensuring security and social order and safety, and forge cooperation in national defence and security.

He said bilateral economic cooperation should be further advanced, calling for joint efforts to improve the investment environment and enhance economic connectivity, including infrastructure in transport, telecoms and energy.

In his remarks, Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, Government and people consider their Lao counterparts close, reliable comrades and brothers.

Therefore, he said, the main task lies in enhancing connectivity and supporting each other in building an economy of independence and self-reliance, which integrates into the world intensively, extensively, pragmatically and effectively.

He said the two sides should facilitate the operations of their businesses, asking both sides' ministries, agencies and localities to play a more active part, especially in settling roadblocks to projects.

The Vietnamese Government will drastically instruct ministries, agencies, localities and enterprises to coordinate with the Lao side to materialise commitments made at the meeting effectively, the leader pledged.

The meeting is expected to create new momentum, making the bilateral collaboration more substantive and effective and contributing to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Before the meeting, the leaders visited a photo exhibition on the land and people of the two countries, and their relations, especially in finance, banking, energy, telecoms, agriculture and forestry.

The Vietnam News Agency and the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment jointly held the event.

Viet Nam-Laos investment co-operation

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone also co-chaired a conference on Viet Nam-Laos investment cooperation on Thursday.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone committed that Laos will create favourable conditions for big Vietnamese investors to invest in Laos fields of strength and potential, such as green and hi-tech agriculture, renewable energy, service, logistics and tourism.

According to the conference, the total registered investment capital of Viet Nam to Laos has reached US$5.34 billion.

Laos maintains the first position among 79 countries and territories where Vietnamese enterprises invest. Viet Nam is in the top three countries with the largest direct investment in Laos.

Laos currently has ten investment projects in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of over $71 million. Vietnamese authorities facilitate Lao enterprises operating in Viet Nam regarding investment and business.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised Vietnamese and Lao businesses for overcoming challenges in recent times, contributing to each country's economic and social development.

He praised the institutions of the two governments for consistently implementing policies so businesses feel secure in making investments.

He said that the two countries need to create an open investment environment suitable for each period and launch incentive and priority mechanisms for sectors that need growth promotion.

He said that the two governments need to share, coordinate and support each other to build an independent and self-reliant economy associated with active, extensive and effective international integration.

He highlighted the necessity to build transport and socio-cultural infrastructure connecting the two countries.

He said Vietnamese businesses in Laos need to compete reasonably and do business following the law.

Besides production and business mission to make profits, the Vietnamese enterprises must perform political and social security tasks and foster solidarity and friendship between the two countries, he said.

He said harmony among states, people and business communities and risk sharing are key to Viet Nam-Laos cooperation.  VNS
HA NOI  In a shocking discovery, authorities in the northern province of Thai Nguyen have uncovered a widespread illegal operation involving the production, storage, transportation, and sale of homemade firecrackers among students between the ages of 12 and 16.

According to police, the students bought materials and made the firecrackers following instructions they found on the Internet. In addition to burning the firecrackers for fun, some also make large quantities of them to sell and earn money.

Le Van Luong, captain of a police team in Vo Nhai District, said 13 suspects had been arrested, including four secondary students.

The police also seized more than 40kg of firecrackers and hundreds of kg of materials to make firecrackers, he said.

The students were found to make their own firecrackers which weigh up to 2kg and 10cm in diameter, he added.

The activities of making homemade firecrackers are dangerous, and could have serious consequences, he said.

Any individual illegally producing firecrackers is liable to receive an administrative sanction from the authorities or could be charged with a criminal offence, he said.

Police said three students named T.H.T, L.N.T.T and P.V.Q, studying in a secondary school in ong Hy District, Thai Nguyen Province, were arrested while transporting home-made firecrackers to sell.

The police seized 216 homemade firecrackers weighing a total of 18.5kg.

Along with the risk of insecurity and disorder, children making their own firecrackers could lead to accidents, police warned.

Early this month, D.Q.T., a 14-year-old student residing in La Hien Commune, Vo Nhai District, was found ordering materials to make firecrackers through an e-commerce platform.

He was using a mortar to crush materials to make his firecrackers, as instructions on the Internet, when suddenly the materials exploded, causing him third-degree burns on both his hands and face.

Then he was treated at Thai Nguyen Central Hospital.

T. said he found the recipe to make firecrackers online. He ordered the ingredients and invited his two friends, D.Q.T and L.V.H, to make the firecrackers together.

The two friends were also treated in the hospital for burns to their hands, jaws and faces.

Doctor Hoang Van Dzung, head of the Trauma and Orthopaedics Department at the hospital, said the number of patients taken to the hospital with injuries caused by firecrackers this year increased sharply compared to the previous year.

More than 20 students were hospitalised because of injuries caused by firecrackers, he said.

According to doctors, injuries caused by firecrackers often depend on the combustion size and the firecracker's nature.

Firecrackers can cause burns, poisoning, and respiratory burns. Exploding firecrackers can cause soft tissue injuries, lacerations of the skin, multiple traumas to the brain, chest, and abdomen, and often leave many aesthetic sequels, even if there are permanent, irreparable parts such as damage to the eyes, arms and legs.

Captain Luong said the community, schools and especially families must strengthen measures to educate their children on the consequences of making firecrackers at home.

The authorities have also been asked to strengthen the handling of malicious content, including instructions for self-made firecrackers online, in the hopes it will limit the number of occurrences.  VNS
Amazon Security Lake manages data throughout its lifecycle with customisable data retention settings, converts incoming security data to the efficient Apache Parquet format, and conforms it to the Open Cybersecurity Schema Framework open standard to make it easier to automatically normalise security data from AWS and combine it with dozens of pre-integrated third-party enterprise security data sources.

Security analysts and engineers can use Amazon Security Lake to aggregate, manage, and optimise large volumes of disparate log and event data to enable faster threat detection, investigation, and incident response to effectively address potential issues quickly while continuing to utilise their preferred analytics tools.

Customers want greater visibility into security activity across their organisations to proactively identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, assess security alerts, respond accordingly, and help prevent future security events. Most organisations rely on log and event data from many different sources (e.g., applications, firewalls, and identity systems) running in the cloud and on-premises, each using a unique and often incompatible data format.

To uncover security-related insights, like spotting unauthorised external data transfers for sensitive information or identifying the installation of malware across employee devices, organisations must first aggregate and normalise all this data into a consistent format. Once the data is formatted consistently, customers can analyse it and understand the current level of vulnerability, and then correlate and monitor threats for improved observability.

Customers typically use different security solutions to address specific use cases, such as incident response and security analytics, which often means they duplicate and process the same data multiple times because each solution has its own data stores and format. This is time-consuming and costly, slowing security teams' ability to detect and respond to issues.

As customers add new users, tools, and data sources, security teams must also manage a complex set of data-access rules and security policies to track how data is used and ensure people can get the information they need. Some security teams create a central repository for all their security data in a data lake, but these systems require specialised skills and can take months to build due to a large amount of log data from different sources, which run to petabyte scale.

Amazon Security Lake is a purpose-built security data lake that can be created in just a few clicks and enables customers to aggregate, normalise, and store data so they can respond to security events faster using their preferred tools. After setup and connections to selected data sources, Amazon Security Lake automatically builds a security data lake in a customer-selected region, which can help customers meet regional data compliance requirements.

After customers choose their data sources, Amazon Security Lake automatically aggregates and normalises data from AWS, combines it with third-party sources and optimises it into a easy format to store and query.

Amazon Security Lake automatically orchestrates the end-to-end process from data lake creation and data aggregation to normalisation and integration. The new service builds the security data lake using Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and AWS Lake Formation to automatically set up security data lake infrastructure in a customers AWS account, providing full control and ownership over security data.

Once ingested and normalised, customers can use their preferred security and analytics tools, including Amazon Athena, Amazon OpenSearch, and Amazon SageMaker, along with leading third-party solutions (e.g., IBM, Splunk, or Sumo Logic) to make it faster and easier to capture broader and deeper analytics from AWS and more than 50 third-party (e.g., Cisco, CrowdStrike, and Palo Alto Networks) and customer data sources. As a result, Amazon Security Lake helps customers improve their overall security posture, provides greater visibility for security teams to identify and understand events, and reduces the time to resolve security issues.

Customers must be able to quickly detect and respond to security risks to take swift action to secure data and networks, but the data they need for analysis is often spread across multiple sources and stored in various formats. Customers tell us they want to take action on this data faster to improve their security posture, but the process of collecting, normalising, storing, and managing this data is complex and time-consuming, said Jon Ramsey, vice president for Security Services at AWS. Amazon Security Lake lets customers of all sizes securely set up a security data lake with just a few clicks to aggregate logs and event data from dozens of sources, normalise it to conform with the OCSF standards, and make it more broadly usable so customers can take action quickly using their security tools of choice. With Amazon Security Lake, customers get superior visibility and control, with help from the largest security partners and solutions ecosystem.

Amazon Security Lake is available in preview today in US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (Oregon), Asia Pacific (Sydney), Asia Pacific (Tokyo), Europe (Frankfurt), and Europe (Ireland), with availability in additional AWS Regions coming soon.

FINRA is a government-authorised not-for-profit organization that oversees U.S. broker-dealers to protect investors and ensure the markets integrity.

Every investor in America relies on fair financial markets. FINRA enables investors and firms to participate in the market with confidence by safeguarding its integrity. To do this successfully, we use a wide variety of the best security tools to secure our AWS environment and ensure market data security, said Eric Pickersgill, chief information security officer at FINRA. Amazon Security Lake makes it easier to gather all of our security data in the OCSF format, saving our security engineers substantial time and effort in deriving value from log and event data.

Salesforce, the global CRM leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to transform and create a 360-degree view of their customers digitally.

Salesforce builds security into everything we do. As we scale to support the growth of our global customer base, our Detection and Response teams analyse petabytes of security logs to catch malicious activity and protect customer data, said Vikram Rao, chief trust officer at Salesforce. Amazon Security Lake streamlines that work by unifying security logs and events from AWS and other cloud providersreducing time spent on log onboarding and coverage so that our engineers can focus on proactive prevention and incident response.

Tinder is the worlds most popular app for meeting new people. Available in 190 countries and more than 40 languages, its been downloaded more than 530 million times and led to more than 75 billion matches.

Because our users entrust Tinder with their information, the security of our application and the privacy of our customers data is our top priority. Ensuring that we maintain a robust, transparent, and accountable security program is core to our commitment to our customers, said Jonathan Walker, DevSecOps manager II at Tinder. Amazon Security Lake has drastically reduced time and money in our efforts to query security events at scale across regions, sources, and events. This has allowed our team to shift our focus from data engineering to analysing security events within the cloud.

Amazon SageMaker benefits tens of thousands of customers Amazon SageMaker has opened the dawn of a new era in machine learning since its launch in 2017, helping tens of thousands of customers create millions of models, training models with billions of parameters, and generating hundreds of billions of monthly predictions.

AWS announces new innovations With a number of new innovations announced, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has affirmed its strong partnership with the global business community in digital transformation.
BOE Technology Group plans to invest $400 million in Vietnam

BOE Technology is negotiating to rent approximately 100 hectares in an industrial park in a northern province. The company will develop a 20-ha remote control equipment production factory worth $150 million in addition to a 50-ha display production factory with a total investment capital of $250 million. The remaining 30-ha area will be set aside for its vendors.

BOE will focus on producing sophisticated organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens at the site rather than liquid-crystal displays. Apple primarily uses OLED displays for its latest iPhones and BOE officially become one of Apples vendors in 2021.

However, according to Reuters, both Apple and BOE declined to comment on the information.

The northern provinces have attracted significant investment from electronics giants in recent years, becoming a major hub for the production of smartphones, computers, and cameras, including flagship goods from Apple and Samsung. Some of these manufacturers include Luxshares, Foxconn, Pegatron, and Qisda.

Almost all of them have plans to expand their operations in Vietnam to better serve their customers. Notably, Apple plans to start producing MacBooks in Vietnam for the first time early this year. Apple has tapped its top supplier, Taiwan's Foxconn, to start making the laptops in the country, possibly as early as May.

Along with this, many other big manufacturers such as OPPO, HP, and Brose are also studying plans to relocate their production facilities into Vietnam.

Foxconn plans to pour additional $300 million into a new factory in Vietnam Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn, plans to lease 50.5 hectares of land in Quang Chau Industrial Park in the northern province of Bac Giang to develop a new project with an investment of $300 million.

Taiwanese investors ready to invest in Vietnam A delegation of nine Taiwanese investors made a business trip to Vietnam to survey investment opportunities in many cities and provinces and intensify bilateral cooperation.

LG to invest additional $4 billion in Vietnam LG Corporation will invest an additional $4 billion in Vietnam and plans to make the nation its production hub for smartphone camera products.
These criteria have garnered interest from various audiences, providing the impetus for organisations efforts to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in practice. Investors, banks, insurers, and regulators are increasingly looking to invest in good companies for sustainable investment. Consumers prefer to purchase goods and services from such companies with a sustainability orientation. Environmentally, socially, and economically responsible business practices are no longer an option but a must for the company in pursuing sustainable development and capital attraction.

Vu Thi Thinh - LNT and Partners and Nguyen Van Hai Dang - LNT and Partners

According to a report on ESG readiness in Vietnam in 2022 by PwC and VIOD, two-thirds of enterprises are implementing ESG programmes, a quarter have a clear governance structure, 35 per cent have active board involvement on ESG issues, 28 per cent have clear ESG risk metrics to track progress, and 71 per cent lack understanding of the data required for reporting.

As it turns out, ESG implementation in Vietnam remains relatively low and directionless. Despite initial scepticism, businesses in Vietnam have come to see the merits of implementation. Nevertheless, it can be challenging for businesses to accomplish their goals without a solid governance framework.

Role of ESG and CDM

ESG facilitates enterprises access to finance and attracts investors with financial incentives. Disclosure of ESG information is a prerequisite for companies to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in Vietnam. ESG also offers opportunities to Vietnamese enterprises to perform IPOs in global markets, resulting in significant efficiency when attracting investment.

Furthermore, through adopting an initiative to promote ESG practices, small and emerging companies can obtain technical support packages or further assistance from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Many companies are now aiming to be stronger in sustainability for their employees and not just for profit, Photo Le Toan

Some investment firms are increasingly applying ESG compliance as a prerequisite for funding. Dragon Capital has upgraded its ESG strategy and created a grading mechanism for listed companies back in 2015. Tundra Frontier, a frontier market fund, prioritises ESG-related investing and AFC Vietnam Fund announced that it would start applying eight ESG criteria from 2021 to evaluate investment opportunities in businesses.

Businesses implementing ESG are eligible for financial incentives, especially those with environmentally beneficial initiatives or on the green classification list. Accordingly, investors will have access to green credit. In addition, such businesses can obtain money by issuing green bonds and benefit from preferential service rates in the securities sector and other preferential policies in compliance with the legislation.

In addition to ESG, various initiatives have been undertaken in the united endeavour to foster sustainable development. While ESG serves as a measurement tool in investment decision-making, a clean development mechanism (CDM) is an incentive mechanism for enterprises, assuring climate change mitigation while fostering economic efficiency and advancing energy transition. CDM has become a tool for implementing national environmental policies in many countries participating in the Kyoto Protocol, and Vietnam began issuing official decision on the matter back in 2007.

A CDM project uses innovative, sophisticated, and environmentally friendly technology, resulting in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions approved for registration by the International Executive Committee on CDM (EB), and granted Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs). When the project comes into operation, its benefits are exchanged through CERs and profits will be obtained from the purchase, sale and exchange of CERs between developing and developed countries.

The scope of CDM projects covers prominent fields such as energy production and transmission, agriculture, construction, waste treatment, chemicals, and manufacturing. In order to encourage enterprises to participate, the government has introduced incentives for CDM projects, notably incentives for corporate income tax, land rent, or use fees; import tax exemption; giving priority to product consumption; and lending support for those that have been approved for registration by EB and countersigned CERs purchase contracts.

The Vietnam Environment Protection Fund also subsidises products, including electricity generated from wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal. Electricity is generated from methane recovery from landfills and coal mines when the products simultaneously meet the subsidy conditions. Project owners are also exempt from tax on income from the first sale/transfer of CERs.

CDM project application

To get certified as a CDM project, a company needs to firstly appraise the project through a designated organisation by EB, ensuring that the project will reduce emissions with quantifiable emissions in the long term.

Secondly, the company will register the project with EB to be awarded CERs, then the company needs to apply for a letter of approval issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to be recognised to contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

In 2016, Vietnam ranked fourth in the world in terms of the number of projects, with more than 250 CDM projects recognised by EB. Meanwhile, emissions reduction ranked 11th in the world with more than 10 million tonnes. As of July 2019, the total amount of fees collected for selling/transferring CERs is VND45.5 billion ($1.98 million) from more than 56 CDM schemes.

Since 2016, the implementation of CDM has slowed due to problems relating to administrative processes in granting letters of confirmation and letters of approval for projects. Additionally, businesses also encounter difficulties in obtaining favoured conditions under Decision No.130/2007/QD-TTg due to policy incoherence.

Firstly, participants have experienced difficulties in obtaining financial support for the preparation of project design documents (PDDs). By implementing the project, the participants are financially supported up to 30 per cent of the total investment to prepare PDDs. However, this financial support shall be returned to the environmental protection fund upon selling CERs. Additionally, gathering the documents for evidencing the projects expenses is somewhat burdensome as several documents are required to conform with foreign forms and regulations.

Secondly, participants have difficulties gaining access to tax incentives. Even though the preferable conditions for CDM project implementation are established in Decision 130, the applicable tax laws do not provide specifics or guidelines for this subject, constraining the project implementers access to tax impetus.

Thirdly, the administrative procedures relating to the implementation of CDM or access to its incentives are still overly burdensome and costly. Additionally, there is a lack of practical and comprehensive guidance for participants.

One of the initial steps to tackle these existing hurdles is to develop comprehensive guidance for businesses conducting CDM projects to ensure their access to incentives and curtail redundant administrative procedures for CDM development.

Besides this, the development and amendment of regulations on CDM must consider the newly promulgated regulations on the carbon credit market under Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and its implementing Decree No.06/2022/ND-CP. Only then can policy coherence be assured.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has announced that 2023 would be the year of the digital database.

Developing an integrated platform and sharing national data on the national scale will be a task to increase connectivity and efficient data sharing among state agencies to exploit national databases in compliance with Vietnams e-government framework, said MIC Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long.

The other tasks are to develop a database for development of digital economy and society, while studying and developing mechanisms and policies for the sharing of infrastructure among post and telecoms operators.

Telemedicine is just one area which can benefit from strengthened data sharing, Photo: Shutterstock

Moreover, the ministry will give guidelines and urge ministries, agencies, and provinces to develop national databases and share local databases with stronger connections.

The industry aims to have at least 860 million transactions made through the national data-sharing integrated platform reached by the end of this year, while 60 per cent of state agencies will provide open databases. The rates will be increased to over 860 million transactions and 80 per cent in 2024.

Data sharing is an issue of concern among domestic and international companies in Vietnam, including CMC Telecoms and FPT.

According to Nguyen Trung Chinh, CEO of CMC, Vietnam should encourage investment in digital infrastructure such as data centres and cloud computing to develop the digital economy. Last August, the company opened the CMC Data Centre Tan Thuan, the countrys most modern facility of its kind.

The country should have the highest possible incentive policies on land, tax, capital, and procedures for businesses and investors to attract domestic and foreign investors in digital infrastructure, he said.

Alain Cany, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said last year that Vietnam should facilitate the growth of European and global digital businesses and their integration with Vietnams digital economy.

This can be achieved through legislation, regulations, and industry standards that allow for the free flow and exchange of data. These regulations should comply with international digital business practices, including removing data localisation requirements, Cany said.

Similarly, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) said Vietnam had already experienced strong growth in e-commerce, fintech, edtech, and the creative economy. To reach its full potential, Vietnam must ensure an enabling regulatory environment. The free flow of data is critical to continue the rapid development of Vietnams digital economy, said Adam Sitkoff from AmCham in Hanoi.

As issues remain in data sharing and flow, industries cannot tap into their full potential. The VBF associate chambers cited an example in telemedicine services as an example.

To support telemedicine services, it is essential to build a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources patient/health database with necessary data protection methods, accessible by all medical establishments  whether public or private, or domestic or foreign-invested.

The lack of such a database makes it difficult to share patient data across hospitals and requires patients repeating the same diagnostic and/ or imaging tests when visiting a hospital, said the VBF associate chambers.

According to the MIC, last year it submitted a directive on data development for socioeconomic development and national digital transformation to the prime minister.

It also organised the implementation of data sharing integration platform on a national scale. The data-sharing integration platform has connected with a network of 90 agencies, organisations, and businesses.

The ministry, however, admitted that the connection and sharing of a 2-year database from the information system of ministries, agencies, and provinces with national databases remains problematic due to different readiness levels. As a result, sharing of databases among state agencies remains somewhat ineffective. The rate of state agencies providing open databases remains low, at 9 per cent.

Online real estate databases is booming in Vietnam Online real estate databases are booming in Vietnam thanks to growing residential demand.

National database to serve asset and income management to be developed Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on March 28 signed Decision No. 390/QD-TTg approving a project to build a national database on asset and income, aiming to promote digitalisation and modernisation in the management of assets and incomes.
According to Vu Quoc Huy, director of Vietnams National Innovation Centre (NIC), retail, financial services, healthcare, and education are the sectors that attracted the most capital inflows in the past year.

Trusting Social, a fintech startup based on AI, raised $65 million; OnPoint, a platform providing solutions to support e-commerce development, raised $50 million; and Finhay Financial Startup, which owns a personal investment app with more than 2.7 million users, raised $25 million, Huy said. These were some of the biggest deals of 2022.

New businesses are being urged to seek a network of experienced help to assist them in their profit quest, Photo: Shutterstock

Vinnie Lauria, founder and managing partner of Golden Gate Ventures, said Vietnam brings a combination of leading tech talent, an entrepreneurial culture, and a fast-growing domestic market. Vietnam is assessed as the latest gemstone of Southeast Asia, and its emergence comes as a result of its markets attractiveness to investors and the governments support for the startup ecosystem, he said.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung also emphasised that innovative startups in Vietnam are increasingly attracting the attention of international and regional investors. In the first half of 2022, the number of successful deals in Vietnam accounted for around one-fifth of the total deals in the Southeast Asia region, with nearly $500 million in investment in technology fields.

Up to now, Vietnam has 20 private innovative startup investment funds established, with a total charter capital of more than $4.2 million.

In order to promote innovative startups, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will study the possibility of developing a law that covers venture investment. At the same time, we will propose a mechanism to establish a fund to support innovation with funding mobilised from social capital sources instead of the state budget, Minister Dung said.

Within the framework of Vietnam Venture Summit late last year, around 40 funds committed a total of $1.5 billion of investment over the next two years. According to the NIC, the total value of Vietnams innovative startup investment in the 2023-2025 period is expected to reach $5 billion.

However, the actual success rate of new startups is estimated at only 3-5 per cent. Experts assessed that Vietnamese startups, while facing the same common challenges as the rest of the region such as lack of capital, experience, and a clear strategy, have yet to make the most use of available resources to support their business operations and development.

New businesses need to equip themselves not only with the necessary skills in business, but also in technology. They need to know how to use technology as a tool to drive their business growth, from market research to product development and business scaling, said Nguyen Quynh Tram, general director of Microsoft Vietnam.

They must also build for themselves a network of experienced professionals in the business field so that they can be consulted, oriented and commented on their development strategies, Tram added.

According to Le Hoang Uyen Vy, co-founder of Do Ventures, the first nine months of 2022 saw a decrease of 17.9 per cent in total investment compared to the same period last year, reaching $494 million with 94 deals.

However, this is not a big decrease compared to other countries, and a good sign is that the number of transactions reaching $10-50 million is almost equal to the whole year of 2021. This means companies that entered pre-Series A and Series A last year have grown to the next stage, Vy assessed.

Although there is a certain decrease in capital in 2022, I do not view it negatively, as businesses will pay more attention to product development strategies as well as their long-term future, she added.

According to the Vietnam Open Innovation Ecosystem Report 2022 by BambuUP, Vietnam ranks 54th out of 100 in the global startup ecosystem, with about 3,800 active startups. VNG, VNLife, and MoMo have attained unicorn status, while tech startups reaching the same level include Tiki, Trusting Social, Kyber Network, KiotViet, Amanotes, and a few others. There are just over 200 venture capital funds operating and investing in startups in Vietnam, including nearly 40 domestic investment funds. The number of angel investors in Vietnam is small but increasing. The average investment in an early-stage deal is about $1.15 million, reaching $9.5 million in the middle and late stages. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City accounted for around half of the total number of newly established businesses in 2022.

Blockchain startups widen scope to survive winter Despite an oddly quiet market, a number of Vietnamese blockchain projects are scrambling to remain attractive in foreign investors eyes by diversifying their offerings or seeking fresh funding arenas.

Funding for climate tech startups in Southeast Asia hits record high in 2022 Climate tech startups are creating a buzz in the Southeast Asia region thanks to a trend towards sustainable development.
The average monthly rent for Grade A office buildings in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Saigon Center, Diamond Plaza, and Bitexco Financial Tower, has seen a climb of 15-20 per cent since the beginning of last year, to $57.73 per square metre. Despite the rise in rents, the capacity of these buildings is consistently 80-85 per cent.

Meanwhile, Grade B office rents remain unchanged at $33.78 per sq.m/month, with capacity over 90 per cent, while Grade C has consistently had the highest rates of occupancy at 96 per cent.

According to analysts, the rental market has been controlled by lessors for a particularly long time owing to the lack of available space. Beginning this year, however, as supply grows, the market should see a change as renters begin to gain power over landlords.

Knight Frank Vietnam Property Services noted in recent research that office tenants could dominate contract discussions in 2023 as Ho Chi Minh City builds over 300,000sq.m of extra Grade A and B office space over the next two years. The first projects are anticipated to become functional in the second quarter of 2023, with particular focus on the market entry of two projects in Thu Thiem and one in District 1.

According to Leo Nguyen of Knight Frank, the two sites in Thu Thiem, together with a number of other high-end buildings in the city centre, will contribute to a change in the market that should favour tenants.

Nguyen expects that Grade A office rent in the city has fallen by around $2 per sq.m/month. Prices should fall to $55.5 per sq m/month by the end of 2024, while vacancy rates may skyrocket to 20 per cent. Guests are now paying $33.68 per sq.m/month for Grade B office space, but by this time next year, rents may have fallen to around $27 per sq.m/month.

Improving experience

The shifting sands of the market have compelled commercial landlords, particularly in Grades A and B, to engage in vigorous competition. Le Viet Hoa, the owner of a network of three office buildings for lease in Districts 1 and 3, said that regardless of how advantageous office leasing activities had been in 2022, the pressure to win clients will rise dramatically this year.

According to Hoa, landlords used to have the power to choose their tenants based on who could meet stringent conditions, such as the requirement of tenants to pay several months' rent in advance. However, the market now demands workplaces offering attractive amenities, contract flexibility, and comprehensive services, and it is leaving many lessors feeling disconcerted.

"Offices and workspaces will be a factor in companies retaining talent and, more significantly, establishing a pleasant and convenient working environment for staff to work productively," Hoa said. "As a result, when new buildings join the market, it will be the responsibility of property managers in the near future to update the facilities to improve tenant retention."

Offices and workspaces will be a factor in companies retaining talent and, more significantly, establishing a pleasant and convenient working environment for staff to work productively.

"In addition to upgrading and maintaining the structure," Hoa continued, "building owners need to consider dropping the rent or offering discounts."

A number of office buildings that are due to open this year have included a variety of competitive features, providing tenants with greater flexibility.

"In order to compete with other buildings due to open at the same time, we are offering various favourable policies, such as exemptions and rent reductions, in the first few months, based on a preliminary assessment of the requirements of tenants," said Hoa.

The Nexus, The Hallmark, and The Crest Tower B are all planned for this year, while The Sun Tower, The Pearl, and IFC One Saigon are set to launch in 2024, according to Cushman & Wakefield (C&W).

So far, the southern part of the city has led the way in terms of renewed supply, but 2023 will be the year that the east emerges with a plentiful amount of Grade A office space. Together with excellent transportation links to the city centre, this will provide ideal circumstances for the east of the city to become a magnet for high-end firms and investment, added C&W.

Nevertheless, in the near future, there will be a number of changing trends in the commercial property market, such as remodelling older buildings to meet environmental requirements, with many historic buildings in desirable locations having already begun the process of refurbishment.

OfficeHaus complex attracts tenants in Ho Chi Minh City OfficeHaus, a newly built complex in Celadon City, is attracting interest from companies shifting from traditional central business districts.

Unveiling bright spots in the property market Capital bottlenecks, liquidity losses, and regulatory limitations make 2023 property market predictions difficult. But there are a number of clear positives.
The Waco Symphony Orchestra will offer some new music for the eyes in its upcoming Jan. 19 concert.

Not only will Pablo Urbina, the first of four conductor candidates leading the WSO in its next concerts, lead the symphony, but the programs centerpiece work, Ferde Grofes Grand Canyon Suite, will have an accompanying multimedia piece, Grand Canyon Country.

Photographer and multimedia artist Nicholas Bardonnay provides the latter, one of 16 multimedia concert pieces hes created for live symphonic accompaniment by the likes of orchestras across the United States.

His Grand Canyon Country, projected on a three-panel panorama screen above an orchestra, marries a shifting flow of images from the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River and the Colorado Plateau to the music of Grofes five-movement work.

Grofes programmatic work with thematic movements of Sunrise, Painted Desert, Sunset, Cloudburst and the famous clip-clopping On the Trail evokes scenes on its own, but Bardonnay says the visual component isnt confined to a literal visual interpretation of those movements.

While On the Trail may have listeners thinking of a mule train plodding down into the canyon, seeing footage of one for that length of time loses its appeal. In person, (a mule ride) is exciting, but its not exciting over the course of three or four minutes, he said.

Instead, the photographer and video director uses his images to create moods that mirror those of the music. In addition to eye-filling vistas of canyons, rock formations and horizons, Grand Canyon Suite includes ones of rafting down the Colorado River and scenes from a small-town rodeo.

In what Bardonnay calls video choreography, he controls three projectors located in the audience and mixes the sequence of images live as the conductor directs. Such live coordination is essential: a prerecorded sequence set to specific timing or rhythm track can go disastrously out of sync should a conductor or musicians decide to milk a tempo for dramatic effect.

Grand Canyon Country, commissioned in 2011 by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony for Arizonas centennial, now sits in a library of multimedia works by Bardonnay and Westwater Arts that match striking visuals to classical compositions. Their visual concertos, set to pieces by 26 composers, include Magico, about Mexico; National Park Suite; No Mans Land and Citizen Soldier, tributes to World Wars I and II; Sagaland, on Iceland; and Pacifica, on the Pacific Northwest.

Bardonnay also crafts smaller, site-specific community pieces to fit organizational anniversaries and dedications. Hes currently working on an inaugural piece for the new Groton Hill Music Center in Groton, Massachusetts.

Symphony orchestras that once raised eyebrows on any visual interpretation of concert music are now more open to the idea, particularly as a means to pull in new supporters, Bardonnay noted. Were a very visual society and have been for sometime, he said.

Conductor finalist

The balance of the Jan. 19 program falls to Urbina, a London-based conductor whos one of the four finalists to succeed longtime WSO Music Director Stephen Heyde, who retired last year.

The Spanish-born Urbina, principal conductor of Londons Orchestra Vitae since 2019 and past music director of the London City Orchestra, chose the pieces filling out the program around the Grand Canyon Suite: Elmer Bernsteins The Magnificent Seven Suite, Missy Mazzolis This World In Us and Aaron Coplands El Salon Mexico.

All had personal connections for the 34-year-old conductor, who has led orchestras across Europe and the United States, placing as a semifinalist of the Maestro Solti International Conducting Competition.

His selections have an American sound to his ear, but in different ways. He was exposed to Bernsteins movie music while a student at the University of Southern California, including a concert directed by Bernsteins son, and hes an advocate of including film music in an orchestras repertoire. Its important to break that taboo where film music and classical music should not mix, he said in a recent phone interview from Madrid, Spain, where he was visiting family.

Hes a longtime fan of American composer Copland and has programmed Copland works into his concert seasons in London and Europe. The contemporary Mazzoli represents new works, also in an American vein, and Urbina is an advocate for introducing fresh work into the classical canon. It doesnt hurt, either, that his wife Dani Howard, whom he married this summer after a COVID-19 delayed engagement, is a well-known composer in London.

Baylor University assistant professor of horn Kristy Morrell, a former instructor and mentor during Urbinas college days, advised him of the WSO opening. He said hed welcome a chance to return to the United States, where he spent some of his formative years, and work with the Waco orchestra and its high level of play.

Making it as a finalist is an honor in itself, he said. Im very aware that any of us four candidates are extremely qualified. I wish them very well, he said.
McLennan County deputies shot a woman armed with a shotgun Tuesday after she ignored calls to drop the weapon during a disturbance, according to sheriffs office affidavits.

The woman, Aurora Victoria Whitman, also known as Steinhauer, was ignoring commands given to drop the weapon when deputies fired their duty weapon(s), the affidavits say.

Chief Deputy David Kilcrease confirmed at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday that Whitman remained in an area hospital recovering from her post-shooting surgery.

After the incident Tuesday, the sheriffs office charged Whitman, 59, of Moody, with two first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon a public servant. A day before the shooting, Whitman had pleaded guilty in Wacos 54th State District Court to aggravated assault of a public servant in a 2019 case involving a jail nurse.

Deputies were responding at 10 a.m. Tuesday to a call reporting a disturbance at 300 Freedman Drive in China Spring.

In the affidavit, the lead detective wrote the person who called in the disturbance told deputies Whitman was at the address and she was tearing up the house, being very violent. The reporting person left the home in China Spring and met with deputies elsewhere, the affidavit says.

Reporting party told deputies the female had a shotgun, swords and knifes in the house, she stated she is not going to jail and will hurt officers, the affidavit says.

Uniformed deputies arrived at the home in marked vehicles and saw Whitman outside the home walking towards them wearing a shirt holding a shotgun in her hands. The deputies gave verbal commands to drop the weapon, the affidavit says.

As Whitman walked toward deputies, ignoring commands given to drop the weapon, (she) continued to display the gun in a threatening manner. The deputies fired their duty weapon(s) striking Aurora, the affidavit says.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said Tuesday that emergency medical services took Whitman to an area hospital where she survived surgery.

Procedure in cases with injured suspects calls for the hospital to treat them and give medical clearance before authorities book them into jail. When medically cleared, Whitman will be taken to McLennan County Jail, booked and receive a bail hearing.

The guilty plea Whitman entered Monday on stems from a July 2019 incident in which officials say Whitman kicked a jail nurse who was tending to her. She also has a felony conviction in August 2008 for burglary of a habitation.

Whitman entered the guilty plea Monday as an open plea to the court, without any sentencing recommendation from the prosecutor, Kristi DeCluitt, with the McLennan County District Attorneys Office.

Judge Susan Kelly of the 54th State District Court accepted the plea, set conditions of bond and ordered a pre-sentencing investigation.

The Texas Penal Code calls for a sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison for an offender convicted of assault of a public servant charges at trial. By entering a guilty plea, Whitman was allowed to apply for probation.

Whitman could face 5 to 99 years if convicted of the aggravated assault charges she faces after her Tuesday confrontation with deputies.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for efforts to push for the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Over the past year, the people of Colombia have made progress in political dialogue and nation-building, ushering in a new chapter of peace, development and reconciliation, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The new Colombian government under President Gustavo Petro and other relevant parties has been fully engaged in implementing the provisions of the agreement, which deserves to be highly recognized, Dai said.

However, the implementation of the peace accord is a long-term and systematic undertaking, which requires continued efforts by society as a whole, he said, adding that the international community should continue to pay close attention to the process and provide sustained political support.

Dai also called for efforts to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, saying Colombia ended the conflict with FARC through dialogue and started peacebuilding through negotiations, setting a good example for the political settlement of disputes.

"We hope that relevant parties will reach durable ceasefires," he said, and durable peace should be promoted through sustainable development.

Inclusive development is the fundamental approach to addressing the root causes of conflicts, and China appreciates the governance approach -- ensuring peace through development -- adopted by the Colombian government, Dai said.

Furthermore, he appealed for efforts to improve security in Colombia as certain areas in the country are still unstable and armed groups remain rampant in former conflict areas and remote regions.

China hopes the international community will continue to provide necessary support to the peace process in Colombia so that more positive results can be achieved, said Dai. 
A McLennan County judge in the murder retrial of Marian Fraser lifted an order Wednesday that blocked basic news reporting on the decade-old case.

The order issued Monday by Visiting Judge David Hodges in the 19th State District Court violated free speech rights and would have been struck down on appeal, First Amendment advocates said.

Prior restraint on the press is antithetical to a democratic republic, Texas Press Association Executive Vice President Donnis Baggett said in criticizing the order. Sometimes the right to a free press and the right to a fair trial grind up against each other, but the First Amendment rights are the preeminent rights.

Hodges maintained a gag order also issued Monday on attorneys and witnesses in the case, citing a clear and present danger that pretrial publicity could impinge upon the defendants right to a fair trial.

Last week, he delayed a ruling on Frasers request to move the trial out of McLennan County because of publicity surrounding the case. The court will conduct jury selection, and Hodges could grant the request to move the trial if there is difficulty in finding an impartial jury in McLennan County.

Gag orders are common against parties in a legal action, but not against the press. Judges attempts at imposing prior restraint against the news media have been ruled unconstitutional in numerous cases, including the U.S. Supreme Court decisions Near v. Minnesota in 1931 and New York Times Co. v. United States in 1971.

Hodges order Monday directed all media and reporting outlets to refrain from reporting on basic aspects of the case: testimony or evidence from Frasers 2015 trial, the fact that she was convicted in that trial, the fact that she won a retrial and the reasons for that reversal, any pretrial rulings made herein, and the exact nature of the specific restrictions ordered herein.

The order would only be lifted after a jury had been impaneled and sworn, which Hodges rescheduled for Feb. 27.

The order caused the Tribune-Herald to scrap plans to report the rescheduling of the trial Monday. Hodges did not respond to numerous requests for comment this week.

Local TV station KWTX reported Wednesday that its attorneys submitted a three-page letter to the court in response to Mondays order, convincing Hodges it was unconstitutional.

Texas advocates for freedom of information and journalism said Hodges decision to amend his order was the correct one.

Its good the judge removed the provision of this order that would have placed a prior restraint on the press and would have infringed on First Amendment rights, Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, said in a Wednesday email to the Tribune-Herald.

Shannon said journalists have a right and a duty to cover what goes on at the courthouse, and the public has the right to know that information.

Its understandable that the judge wants to ensure a fair trial and try to select a local jury, but attempting to restrain what the news media reports is not the answer, Shannon said. Of course, judges do have the power to limit what attorneys in the case can say publicly during a trial.

Baggett, the Texas Press Association official who formerly served as a publisher at the Tribune-Herald and other Texas newspapers, said gag orders on attorneys and witnesses are often upheld on appeal, but not so with prior restraints on journalists.

The judge made the right decision in vacating the section of his order that would have forbidden news coverage, Baggett said. A prior restraint order on news organizations would have been a breach of the First Amendment and almost certainly would have been struck down on appeal.

Fraser was convicted of murder in the 19th District Court in 2015 and sentenced to 50 years in prison. She was accused of causing the 2013 death of 4-month-old Clara Felton by giving the infant Benadryl at her Waco day care. Fraser, 59, has said she did not give the girl Benadryl.

A state appeals court in 2017 reversed the conviction, the first of a long series of appellate actions that ended with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals effectively awarding her a retrial in 2020.

Former District Attorney Abel Reyna recused himself and the McLennan County District Attorneys Office from the case because of personal connections to it. However, last year outgoing District Attorney Barry Johnson assigned prosecutors to the case, and this year his successor, Josh Tetens, continued to have prosecutors work on it.

Hodges, a former McLennan County court-at-law judge, was appointed to replace 19th District Court Judge Thomas West when he recused himself in the retrial due to personal connections. In the original trial 54th District Court Judge Matt Johnson recused himself and 19th District Court Judge Ralph Strother presided. Judge Johnson now sits on the 10th Court of Appeals, and Strother has retired.

Pretrial rulings this month have reset the trial start date for Feb. 27, and excluded certain evidence from the first trial.

In connection with the excluded evidence, Hodges also ruled that attorneys wishing to bring testimony from other parents whose children stayed in Frasers day care at the time Clara died must first have hearings out of the presence of the jury for the judge to rule on the admissibility of such testimony.
WAHOO  When Mike Collins started ME Collins Contracting in 1977, it wasnt on a whim. But it was a quick decision, according to his wife, Linda.

Dont let him tell you that we discussed it, she said with a laugh during the companys holiday party on Jan. 6 at the Wahoo State Bank Shed in Wahoo.

Linda Collins said her husband went to the bank and came back and told her they were starting a construction company. Although a bit shocked, she wasnt surprised by Mike Collins decision to become a business owner either.

He always had this vision, she said.

Since 1977, the company has grown to 100 employees and has the capacity to continue to expand.

Right now I feel we have all the tools we need to build, Collins told his employees. If we dont, then we are capable of getting the tools.

The employee-owned company specializes in heavy highway and civil construction in a three-state region that includes Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.

The 14 crews operating for ME Collins are led by superintendents that have an average of 22 years experience with the company. Among the most senior employees is Dan Ludvik, who runs a crew that does paving in the warmer months and recycles concrete during the cold season.

Ludvik was just out of high school and bagging groceries at Safeway in Wahoo when he heard about an opening at a new construction company in town.

Having grown up on a farm south of Wahoo, Ludvik was a jack of all trades, he said. He started out with Collins as a laborer and over the next 45 years did a little bit of everything, including installing box culverts before switching to paving. He moved up in the company and became a superintendent.

A superintendent with ME Collins Contracting is not someone who sits in their truck all day. Mike Collins expects his superintendents to be on the ground coordinating the job or running a piece of equipment.

We all work here, he told his employees. Thats kind of unusual in some companies, and thats why were successful.

Even after more than four decades of working in construction, Ludvik is still happy to go to work every day not only because he loves being outdoors.

I still like doing what Im doing, he said.

Ludvik said ME Collins Contracting is a good place to work.

If youre willing to stay over the long haul, youre going to make a pretty good living here, he said.

As for his boss, Ludvik said Mike Collins is a great businessman.

He made a lot of good calls and hes very successful, he said.

Working for ME Collins Contracting is like a family, because the employees are close-knit, Ludvik said. Johnny Polivka, a superintendent for another Collins crew, agreed.

Polivka started out as a laborer and concrete finisher when he was first hired in 1981. Over the years, he worked on pipeline crews, ran equipment and installed pipe culverts, eventually ending up overseeing a box culvert crew.

We started out building small (box culverts), and then worked up to really big ones, he said.

Polivka said he is always eager try something different when it comes to construction. One of the jobs Polivka is most proud of involves a walking bridge near Louisville. His crew built the abutments for the bridge. The bridge was fully-constructed and then set on the abutments with two cranes. The measurements had to be exact for the bridge to fit on the abutments. Every one of Polivkas abutments were within 100th to 200th of an inch of the specifications.

Polivka also takes pride in training every member of his crew to know all of the tasks their coworkers do.

I train the crew so everybody can do the next guy ups job, he said.

Cross-training is also how many of Collins superintendents worked their way up in the company  by working for other superintendents and picking up skills along the way.

Polivka tells new employees that ME Collins profit-sharing program, benefits and sense of family are reasons to stay with the company.

Theyve always treated us right, he said.

Jeff Sousek has been with the company for 28 years. The Prague native is a mechanic for the companys heavy equipment.

Sousek likes the variety of tasks he is assigned.

Its something different every day, he said.

He also likes the family atmosphere at the company.

Mike pretty much knows us all by our first name, Sousek said.

Knowing their names and caring about his employees is something Mike Collins is known for. Back in 2008, when the country was in a recession and constructions jobs were scarce, Collins worried about how his employees would make ends meet, his wife said.

The most important thing about ME Collins Contracting for him is all of you and your families, Linda Collins told the employees. Thats really what he thinks about.
NEW HAMPTON  A former New Hampton man who was serving life for a 2005 sexual assault has died in prison.

Rick Anthony Brandes was pronounced dead due to natural causes at approximately 8:10 a.m. Sunday, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections. He was 60.

Brandes had been serving a life sentence for first-degree kidnapping, starting his term in March 2006.

Authorities said Brandes and Travis Alve met a woman at a New Hampton bar in May 2005. They held her at Brandes apartment for hours, threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her.

During trial, Brandes argued diminished capacity.

Alve pleaded guilty in to four counts of sexual abuse as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
CEDAR FALLS  A Cedar Falls man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a store where he used to work on Christmas.

Police arrested Jordan Robert Messerer-Mettlin, 25, of 7706 Jade Road, on Thursday on one count of third-degree burglary. Bond was set at $5,000.

Authorities allege Messerer-Mettlin and another person broke in to Green Leaf Tobacco, 5901 University Ave., around 9:40 p.m. on Dec. 25 by using a key and turning off the alarm. They then began taking tobacco products and other items.

The stores manager was alerted to the burglary and watched it live through a security camera. He notified police, but the suspects had fled before officers arrived.

The manager recognized Messerer-Mettlin as a former employee at the shop, and investigators were able to identify him on the video from his hairstyle and a cast on his right arm that he also had while working at the store earlier, according to court records.
WATERLOO  Days after Timothy Aaron Williams was told he was being evicted, a fire broke out in his West Fourth Street apartment.

Prosecutors say Williams was the person who set the fire.

Williams, 40, is charged with second-degree arson. Testimony in his trial began Wednesday with his landlord detailing how she had given him a notice to pay his late rent. When the money didnt arrive, she went to court and obtained a hearing date that he didnt attend.

An Oct. 7 date was set for him to be out. Around 12:30 p.m. that day, firefighters were called to the apartment building at 828 W. Fourth St. for a report of smoke.

Police said they found other residents evacuating the building and a small blaze smoldering in the back outside wall under a window to Williams apartment.

Inside the apartment, they found Williams trying to wheel out a grocery cart filled with his belongings. He was detained when officers discovered a torch lighter.

Officer Jamie Sullivan said he interviewed Williams, who said he had used the lighter to burn around the window. He also said he had tried to kill a scorpion by burning it.

Fire damage was limited to the area where it started, and no injuries were reported.

WATCH NOW: Courier fire videos Former church fire, Waverly, Iowa, Dec. 19, 2016 VIDEO: House Fire, Gable St., Waterloo, Iowa 120319 Apartment fire, Jefferson St., Feb. 19, 2016 Duplex Fire, Western Ave., Feb. 9. 2016 Fire, Beaver Ridge Trail, Cedar Falls, Iowa Feb. 5, 2018 Garage/house fire, Seneca Ave., Waterloo, Iowa Dec. 11, 2017 House Fire, W. Second St., Waterloo, Iowa, Oct. 20, 2016 House fire, Marion St., Evansdale, Iowa June 6, 2018 House fire, W. 2nd St., Waterloo, Iowa July 7, 2017
One touched on the process for the evaluation and termination of employees while the other three discussed the achievement gap between differe
WATERLOO  The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 66 proposed an 11% across-the-board salary increase Wednesday during an initial bargaining session with the city of Waterloo.

Union representatives called for a four-year contract starting in July for the 99 employees who are covered. After the initial bump in wages, the union is proposing a 6% increase on both July 1 2024 and July 1 2025. For the fiscal year starting July 1 2026, the wage discussion would be reopened.

Annual salaries for those represented by the union currently range from $55,258 to $98,987, according to a city document, depending on the position.

Hourly wages, based on a 40-hour week, are $26.57 for first-year firefighters, $36.72 for starting fire engineers, $37.26 for first-year paramedics, and $39.68 for starting medical officer. Base hourly wages are $29.52 for a 24-hour lieutenant and $39.12 for a 40-hour lieutenant or fire inspector. Hourly wages range from $42.68 to $47.59 for the positions of training officer, fire marshal, captain and medical supervisor

The union is also wants to adjust the rate of pay for probationary firefighters who are working as paramedics during the probationary paramedic period. The contract currently states that those firefighters performing paramedic duties are limited to out-of-rank payments of $2.50 an hour until they have completed the probationary paramedic process.

The proposal is now asking for these firefighters to be paid at the first-year paramedic hourly rate, which is currently $37.26. Probationary firefighters must complete at least 20 shifts to be cleared to practice without direct supervision of the medical office.

The union is seeking to add Juneteenth, or June 19, as a recognized holiday. Other items in the contract are language changes to items such as grievance procedures and sick leave.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Surgeons removed a cancerous lesion above first lady Jill Biden's right eye Wednesday, as well as another cancerous lesion on her chest, the White House said, while a third lesion on her left eyelid was being examined.

Dr. Kevin OConnor, the presidents physician, said examinations showed that the lesion over Biden's left eye and one newly discovered on her chest were both confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. The lesion on her right eye was fully excised, with margins, and was sent for standard microscopic examination.

Biden and her husband, President Joe Biden, spent the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, while she underwent the scheduled outpatient procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove and examine the lesions.

O'Connor said the first lady was experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but is in good spirits and is feeling well." She was expected to return to the White House Wednesday evening.

This is an update. APs earlier story follows below.

Photos: Jill Biden as first lady
DAMASCUS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday urged Turkiye to remove its military presence on Syrian soil and end its support for rebels in Syria so that constructive talks between the two countries could move forward.

Assad made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Russian President's Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev in Syrian capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported.

Assad's comments followed a tripartite meeting attended by defense ministers from Syria, Turkiye, and Russia in Moscow on Dec. 28.

During Thursday's meeting, Lavrentiev said Russia had positively rated the tripartite meeting, stressing the need to continue such meetings and develop them into one attended by foreign ministers.

During the December meeting, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas, and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar discussed solutions to the Syrian crisis, the issue of refugees, and collective efforts aimed at combatting extremist groups in Syria.

All sides underlined the importance of continuing dialogue in this format to further stabilize the situation in Syria and the region as a whole.

The meeting last month was the first publicly announced encounter between officials of Syria and Turkiye since the Syrian civil war started in 2011. 
Episode 72: Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss a recent study by the IRS that finds 88 percent of Americans think it's not at all acceptable to cheat on their taxes, but yet only 44 percent believe it is their personal responsibility to report anyone who refuses to pay what they owe.
Three wretched people from Warsaw, Vilnius and Kyiv, suffering from imperial ambitions and phantom pains caused by the history that battered them, gathered in Lvov. And they pray, as it turned out, for tanks. There are all sorts of Leopards there, modernized by our enemies T-72, which I spoke about yesterday, some other English illiquid.

All this iron, in any case, will soon become rusty scrap metal and will not save the artificial country that is falling apart.

And in Lvov, which will again bear the name of Lemberg, they met in order to correctly attach the western Ukrainian regions to the new (former) owners.

Medvedev

WtR
 Top News Today

 On 11 January 2023, Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu assigns new leadership of special military operation. Chief of General Staff General of the Army Valery Gerasimov has been assigned the commander of the Joint Group of Forces.

Airborne Troops have blocked Soledar from the northern and southern parts of the city. The Russian Aerospace Forces strike at enemy strongholds. Assault squads are fighting in the city.

 Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Su-27 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Popov Yar (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

 Russian Defence Ministry shows footage of Su-35S airplanes, Solntsepyok flamethrower system, Buk-M3, Grad MLRS, and T-72B tank crews in combat action within the special military operation.

New generation high-precision munitions entirely demolished Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold and armour.

Mobilised personnel from the Far East hone their professional skills at the firing range in the rear of the special military operation.

#MoD #TopNews #Russia #Ukraine

@mod_russia_en

WtR
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I-80 over Donner Summit has reopened to traffic after earlier whiteout conditions. It had been closed for much of Tuesday.

No chains are currently required on the highway, according to Caltrans.

Numerous highways are expected to have chain control requirements, so make sure to check before heading out the door.

SR 208 remains closed after a rock slide near Yerington in the Smith Valley. There's no current estimate on when the roadway will reopen. More below.

0:40 +4 NDOT to Open Portion of SR 208 Through Wilson Canyon in Lyon County In coming weeks, NDOT will work to open the section of highway to travel during additional daytime hours.

Meanwhile, California saw little relief from drenching rains Tuesday as the latest in a relentless string of storms swamped roads, turned rivers into gushing flood zones and forced thousands of people to flee from towns with histories of deadly mudslides. At least 14 people have died since last week.

The storm prompted a few tornado warnings early Tuesday and brought heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada a day after dumping up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain at higher elevations in central and Southern California.

Miles of Sierra highways were subject to chain requirements and closures due to whiteout conditions, and avalanche warnings were posted in the backcountry. The Eastern Sierra's Mammoth Mountain ski resort reported 4.5 to 5.5 feet (1.4-1.7 meters) of snow, with more expected.

After a brief respite, another storm was expected to barrel into parts of the state beginning Wednesday, adding to the misery and further saturating areas already at risk of flooding.

The storms threatened coastal and riverside towns and left more than 200,000 homes and businesses without power early Tuesday, according to the website poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.

The weather service issued a flood watch through Tuesday for the entire San Francisco Bay Area, along with Sacramento Valley and Monterey Bay. Areas hit by wildfires in recent years faced the possibility of mud and debris sliding off denuded hillsides that have yet to fully recover their protective layer of vegetation.

The storm  the latest extreme weather event to kick off 2023  was expected to bring enough rain to exacerbate ongoing flooding and heighten the risk of mudslides, forecasters said.

Forecasters also warned that southwestern California could see 60 mph (97 kph) wind gusts at the peak of the storm, while some areas could receive up to a half-inch (13 millimeters) of rain per hour.

The death toll from the storms that began last week climbed from 12 to 14 on Monday, after two people were killed by falling trees, state officials said.

California state highway authorities said late Monday that parts of U.S. and state highways were closed because of flooding, mud or rockslides, heavy snow or car spinouts and truck crashes. The closures included northbound lanes of U.S. 101, a key coastal route.

Evacuation orders were issued in Santa Cruz County for about 32,000 residents living near rain-swollen rivers and creeks. The San Lorenzo River rose to flood stage, and drone footage showed numerous homes sitting in muddy brown water, the top halves of autos peeking out.

A 5-year-old boy vanished in floodwaters Monday on the central coast. The boys mother was driving a truck when it became stranded near Paso Robles. Bystanders managed to pull her free, but the boy was swept out of the truck and carried away, probably into a river, said Tom Swanson, assistant chief of the Cal Fire/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.

A roughly seven-hour search for the missing boy turned up only his shoe before officials called it off as water levels became too dangerous for divers, officials said. The boy had not been declared dead, said spokesperson Tony Cipolla of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office.

About 130 miles (209 kilometers) to the south, about 10,000 people were ordered to evacuate in Santa Barbara County.

The entire seaside community of Montecito  home to Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities  was ordered to flee on the fifth anniversary of a mudslide that killed 23 people and destroyed more than 100 homes in the coastal enclave.

County officials ordered 20 homes evacuated in the area of Orcutt after flooding and a sinkhole damaged up to 15 homes.

Jamie McLeods property was under the Montecito evacuation order, but she said there was no way for her to get off the mountain with a rushing creek on one side and a mudslide on the other. The 60-year-old owner of the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary said one of her employees came to make a weekly food delivery and also became stuck.

McLeod said she feels fortunate because her home sits on high ground and the power is still on. But she tires of the frequent evacuation orders since the massive wildfire followed by the deadly landslide five years ago.

It is not easy to relocate, McLeod said. I totally love it, except in catastrophe.

Ellen DeGeneres shared an Instagram video of herself standing in front of a raging creek near the Montecito home where she lives with her wife, actor Portia de Rossi. She said in the post that they were told to shelter in place because they are on high ground.

Some miles down the coast another town, La Conchita in Ventura County, was ordered evacuated. A mudslide killed 10 people there in 2005.

In Ventura County, the Ventura River reached its highest level on record at more than 25 feet (8 meters) on Monday. Firefighters using helicopters rescued more than a dozen people trapped on an island in the surging waters. The water level quickly dropped to minor flood stage levels overnight.

The storm also washed 3 feet (1 meter) of mud and rock onto State Highway 126, stranding a long line cars and big-rig trucks. Crews worked into the night to pull them free.

In Los Angeles, a sinkhole swallowed two cars Monday night in the Chatsworth area. Two people escaped by themselves, and firefighters rescued two others who had minor injuries, authorities said.

The National Weather Service warned of a relentless parade of atmospheric rivers  long plumes of moisture stretching out into the Pacific that can drop staggering amounts of rain and snow. The precipitation expected over the next couple of days comes after storms last week knocked out power, flooded streets, and battered the coastline.

President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration Monday to support storm response and relief efforts in more than a dozen counties.

Much of California remains in severe to extreme drought, though the storms have helped fill depleted reservoirs.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
The parcel is off Highway 50 near the airport. It's a move the Northern Nevada Development Authority says could benefit the region as a whole.
LUANDA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said Wednesday that his country is interested in investing in Angola's Lobito refinery, which is under construction in the central Benguela province.

Hichilema, during an official visit to Angola, said it makes no sense to import fuel from other parts of the world when there is a neighboring producer.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco said the construction work of the Lobito refinery will be concluded in 2026, stressing the importance of carrying out other projects to better serve the neighboring country in terms of fuel.

Lourenco added that the Lobito refinery construction work had been resumed, and other projects are due to be carried out, namely the construction of the Luacano/Jimbe railroad channel to transport fuel from the Lobito refinery to Zambia. 
CARPENTARIA-3H HYDRAULIC STIMULATION AND CARPENTARIA-4V DRILLING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED. FLOW TESTING PROGRAM UNDERWAY



Beetaloo Operations Update

Sydney, Jan 12, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Ltd ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) report that the Carpentaria-3H (C-3H) has been successfully stimulated, significantly below budget, delivering all 40 planned stages across 1,989 metres (6,526 feet) of horizontal well bore.



Total estimated cost of $17.3 million is approximately $3.6 million below the risked budget, bringing the total cost of drilling and stimulating C-3H to $27.3 million, approximately $5.9 million below the risked budget.



Flow back to commence imminently with gas flow rates expected in the coming weeks.



Carpentaria-4V (C-4V) has been successfully drilled to a depth of 2,000 metres (6,562 feet).



The well encountered the thick, gas charged Velkerri shales according to pre-drill prognosis.

The shales are ~150 metres deeper than at the C-3H location, providing additional pressure support to drive enhanced gas flow rates in future development scenarios.



C-4V was drilled for $9.8 million including mobilisation, demobilisation, casing, cementing and formation evaluation, which exceeded the risked estimate by $0.8 million due to weather related delays.



C-4V formation evaluation results to be incorporated into new independent resource assessment expected later in Q1 2023.



Current cash balance is $23 million and the new $15 million credit facility remains undrawn.



Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood:



"The team has again delivered great results with the execution of the C-3H hydraulic stimulation and C-4V drilling program significantly under budget. Empire continues to be the Beetaloo's drilling, hydraulic stimulation and cost leader.



Flow testing at C-3H will commence imminently, with initial gas flow rates expected in the coming weeks. Empire will then recommence flow testing on C-2H, following a period of shut-in to monitor pressure build up. C-4V has confirmed that the Velkerri shales continue through to the Carpentaria East fault block with consistent thickness and ~150 metres additional depth. We anticipate a significant uplift in independently assessed contingent resources later this Quarter.



Front end engineering and design work continues for the Carpentaria Pilot Project alongside gas sales and pipeline connection negotiations.



These results further increase the team's confidence as we drive towards early commercialisation.



The strong cost performance of this program leaves Empire well-funded for the critical upcoming work required to make a Final Investment Decision."



Carpentaria-3H Update



Empire completed hydraulic stimulation operations at C-3H on 11 January 2023. 40 hydraulic stimulation stages were executed along an effective 1,989 metre (6,526 foot) section of the 2,632 metre (8,635 foot) horizontal wellbore. Of these 40 stages, 35 were executed in the B Shale target window along an effective 1,655 metre (5,430 foot) section. An additional 5 stages were executed in other intervals of lower mud gas over the remaining 334 metres (1,096 feet) to assess those intervals' deliverability. A total of 12.8 million lbs of proppant was placed averaging 319,000 lbs per stage and 1,956 lbs per foot along the wellbore. Leveraging the knowledge gained during C-2H operations, a selection of hydraulic stimulation fluids was utilised, specifically 16 Crosslink stages, 3 Slickwater stages and 21 hybrid (Slickwater and Crosslink) stages. Completion strategies were also further refined, including perforation technique, pumping plan and proppant concentration.



Wellbore clean out operations using coiled tubing have commenced, with flow back of hydraulic stimulation fluids to be undertaken shortly. Empire will then commence a 90-day Extended Production Test (EPT). Flowback and production testing will be managed to establish long term reservoir deliverability for future development planning and will be incorporated into the planning and design for the planned pilot project which aims to supply first commercial gas from the Beetaloo.



The forecast total cost for the C-3H hydraulic stimulation operations and EPT is $17.3 million, which is $3.6 million below the risked budget of $20.9 million. Empire has paid $8.9 million of the forecast total cost to date and the C-3H hydraulic stimulation operations are expected to benefit from grant proceeds under the Australian Government's Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program.



Carpentaria-4V Update



The vertical appraisal C-4V well, which commenced drilling on 15 December 2023, reached a total depth of 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) in 12 days on 27 December 2023. The well targeted and intersected the same stacked Velkerri Formation shales as the Carpentaria-1 (C-1) and Carpentaria-2 (C-2) wells. Following an extensive wireline formation evaluation program, that included rotary sidewall cores, the well was plugged back to surface casing for potential future horizontal development drilling. The drilling program concluded on 5 January 2023 and the rig has been released for demobilisation.



The thickness and depths of each of the target shales (A, B and C and hybrid Intra A/B) was as prognosed pre-drill, reconfirming Empire's subsurface modeling. Elevated mud gas was observed through the target shales as anticipated and as encountered in the C-1, C-2 / 2H and C-3H wells.



The intersected stacked shale sequences have demonstrated consistent thickness throughout the Carpentaria resource area of EP187, with the C-4V well intersecting moderately drier gas than C-1 and C-2 due to greater depth of burial. The shales are ~150 metres deeper than at the C-3H location, which will have a positive impact on gas storage and provide additional pressure support to drive enhanced gas flow rates in future development scenarios.



During the first quarter of 2023, Empire's technical team will further analyse well data to mature Prospective Resources to Contingent Resources in the Carpentaria East Area, where C-4V is located, and to advance resource characterisation for development planning. Empire will also source an updated independent resource assessment for EP187.



The forecast total cost for the drilling of C-4V as described above is $9.8 million which exceeded the risked estimate by $0.8 million due to weather related delays. Empire has paid $5.1 million of the forecast total cost to date and C-4V drilling is expected to benefit from grant proceeds under the Australian Government's Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program. The cost of C-4V access tracks and wellpad construction completed earlier in 2022 was $1.6 million which was $0.4 million under the risked budget. These access tracks and wellpad costs are once-off and several wells can be established on the wellpad in future development scenarios.



Notwithstanding a delay in the rig move between C-3H and C-4V due to wet weather, the combined C-3H and C-4V work program is forecast to be under risked budget by approximately $5.5 million.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/E6BLDX16





About Empire Energy Group Ltd





Empire Energy (ASX:EEG) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds over 14.5 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur and Beetaloo Basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds 80% has very considerable conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo sub-Basin, in which Empire holds a substantial position, has independently assessed world class hydrocarbon volumes in place with a major ramp up in industry activity underway to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators.

Empire Energy is an experienced conventional oil and gas producer with operations in the Appalachia region (New York and Pennsylvania). Empire has been successfully developing and producing oil and gas since 2006.
New Mexico is a unique melting pot of multiple cultures. Beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, the Corrales Historical Society is hosting Los Arabes of New Mexico by Monika Ghattas as part of its speaker series.

The event will be held at the Old San Ysidro Church, 966 Old Church Road in Corrales.

Ghattas is a retired history professor and the discussion will detail how the first Arab peddlers arrived in New Mexico in the late 1880s via the train from the East or came north from Mexico.

These immigrants easily blended into New Mexican communities with some of their descendants becoming prominent citizens in this state.

I think they enriched New Mexico culture, as there are some testimonials about that in various literature of the period or at least in the 1930s, Ghattas said. But they were a small group and some of them sell themselves as people from the Holy Land as Lebanon and Syria was at that time, all one and that whole Eastern Mediterranean, so they brought with them what sold best, which were religious artifacts.

The men were listed in census records and other documents as Arabs, Turks, Ottomans and Syrians.

One question that has not fully been answered was why did they immigrate to New Mexico of all places?

I asked myself that question too, for a long time, and tried to get to the bottom of it, Ghattas said. There was no reason that the train came to Albuquerque in 1880 and these were young people escaping from the environment which were very patriarchal and very conservative.

A majority of these immigrants were young men in their early twenties, who were related and came from the same village in Mount Lebanon.

A lot of things came together and then there was this image of America, which was fabulously wealthy and wonderful with all kinds of opportunities, Ghattas said. Some of them were as young as 18 but they came with an older brother, or cousin or a neighbor, or whatever, they always came in groups of three or four, and they continued to come here until the outbreak of World War One in 1914.

Upon settling in Hispanic villages in New Mexico, the peddlers went to work.

The immigrants arrived in the outlying Hispanic villages of New Mexico and in the thriving mining communities of that period. Eventually they settled down and opened general stores in many New Mexico villages and small towns. Some opened businesses in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

They took advantage of what they found here, such as working in the mining areas as there was a lot of mining at the turn of the century in New Mexico, Ghattas said. They didnt all go into the mines, but some established the shops, for what the miners and locals needed.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The UN Children's Fund, or UNICEF, on Thursday appealed for 272.3 million U.S. dollars to provide humanitarian services to 3 million people in Somalia, including 2 million children in 2023.

The UN agency said the funds will help it expand the delivery of essential multisectoral services, with a focus on hard-to-reach areas as well as strengthen its leadership role in cluster coordination.

"Children in Somalia are disproportionately affected by the harsh drought; 1.8 million children under age 5 are expected to experience wasting by July 2023," UNICEF said in its humanitarian appeal update released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

UNICEF said its Level 3 Scale-Up Activation for the Horn of Africa, in conjunction with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee System-Wide Scale-Up, aims to respond in Somalia to an estimated 7.7 million people, including 5.1 million children, 4.4 million girls and women who will need humanitarian assistance in 2023. These needs stem from the impact of the ongoing drought, conflict, displacement and the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

Somalia is currently experiencing a historic dry spell with a predicted fifth consecutive failed rainy season, a situation not witnessed in more than four decades.

More than 90 percent of the country is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions which have combined increased conflict and high food prices to worsen the humanitarian situation, the UN said.

According to UNICEF, an estimated 6.7 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity, including 2.2 million people who are estimated to be in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 4 (emergency levels) and at least 300,000 people in Phase 5 (catastrophe levels). It said the drought, insecurity and conflict have further degraded children's access to education and their protective environment. 
Julian Nunez keeps busy with film and TV projects across the borderlands.

When he released the short film, De La Luz, he never expected Canela Media to reach out.

They were looking for something similar, he says. They asked me to write and produce a TV series about whats going on south of the border.

The result is the three-part series, Between Borders/Entre Fronteras.

The series is about a group of immigrants and their journey to the United States. The production is a collaboration of aspiring filmmakers, actors and crew members from both sides of the border including Las Cruces, El Paso, Juarez and Mexico City.

Nunez says the story follows three main characters who are involved in the immigration process in different ways.

As the group of immigrants travel to the border, they encounter obstacles that will forever change their lives.

This new series Between Borders or Entre Fronteras is a familiar story we have witnessed firsthand growing up on both sides of the border, he says. We have family members, friends and colleagues who have or are currently experiencing immigration issues. We feel compelled to tell their stories and Canela is the perfect station to reach our audience. APonle Canela!

Production began in July and filmed in Juarez.

Nunez says production took place right near the border wall, and the actors and crew crossed the border regularly during production.

The outpouring of community support for the project was immediate, he says. With the backing from local businesses and Drew Mayer-Oakes from the El Paso Film & Creative Industries, the filming process went smoothly and stayed on track.

Nunez says the series picked up a Grand Jury prize at the New York International Film Festival. The series will also premiere at the Las Cruces International Film Festival this year.

Were speaking with the networks to develop more projects, Nunez says. Its a compelling story and immigration is always a hot-button issue. We cant wait to share it locally.

Canela Media is a free streaming service in Spanish and English offering live channels, video on demand and original programs to viewers. The series can be viewed at canela.tv/feature/entre-fronteras.

This production was the most challenging and rewarding project we have worked on so far, said Tony Marquez, director of photography. We were able to try new things, take bigger chances, and showcase our piece of the Southwest, capture it on camera and share it with the world.

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.
Kerr Smith has never been afraid to take chances.

In fact, he enjoys being challenged with each role.

Smith broke out in Hollywood with his roles in the late-1990s TV series Dawsons Creek and the film Final Destination in the early 2000s.

His most recent role is on the CW hit, Riverdale, where he played Principal Holden Honey.

It comes in waves, he says of roles and projects. But Ive been fortunate to find roles that I really connect with.

Smith will travel to New Mexico to take part in the 13th annual Albuquerque Comic Con beginning Friday, Jan. 13. The three-day event runs through Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Smith will lead a panel at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, inside the Kiva Room.

The trip will mark Smiths second comic convention, as well as his first trip back to New Mexico in nearly 10 years.

Ive only done one other comic convention, Smith says. The last time I was in New Mexico was for a film.

Smith starred in the TV film, An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky, which was put out under the American Girl dolls umbrella.

I got to play the father, he says. It was a fun little movie. At the time, my nieces were obsessed with the American Girl dolls, which made me look really cool to them.

As Smith has navigated his way through the industry, he has become aware of himself and what kind of projects he would like to do.

Sci-fi, he says enthusiastically. Ive never been cast in a film or TV series that is in this genre. Im a big sci-fi fan and would love to find a project where I fit in.

While on the set of Riverdale, Smith had his own a-ha moment.

He was cast to play Principal Holden Honey and describes his time on set as surreal.

This show was very much like Dawsons Creek with a different story line, he says. This time around, I was on the adult side. I remember filming Dawsons Creek and feeling like the parents were so old. Then I show up to this set and Im the old guy. Its a very weird switch.

Smith didnt have to audition for the role as he was asked by series creator Greg Berlanti to join the cast.

Ive worked with Greg before, he says. I thought Holden was really cool and went for it.

Smith is looking forward to his second convention because he gets opportunities to interact with fans.

Ive been lucky to have a great career in film and TV, he says. A lot of my roles, Ive been on projects that have a following. Its special. Its really nice to be able to interact with the fans.
The Mango Cakes are cooking up some fresh original music.

The Albuquerque-based act is primarily known as a cover band around town, performing at local establishments, weddings and corporate gigs.

I think the motto has always been for us: live music for everyone, said Jabez Ledres, bassist. Entertaining a crowd or making them feel a certain moment is our goal.

Ledres and drummer Tina Marquez started the band before the pandemic with the intention to just jam and appease an audience, but had to call off their first scheduled show  it was slated for right around the time the lockdown in New Mexico began.

A slew of cancellations followed, but unfortunate timing didnt deter the group; it allowed the members to prepare more and learn the process of playing the local circuit and, in turn, build their confidence.

Thinking back, Im so glad we didnt go out that first show, Marquez said.

The band prioritizes preparation for each live performance, from sound to set list. The organization even goes as far as spreadsheets and strategies on how to alter the planned playlist in the moment based on audience reaction.

They cover the likes of Bruno Mars, Sublime, Beyonce and The Beatles. The group has a broad range of musical interests and can execute any genre flawlessly. This is due to the fact that theyre trained musicians.

We can play anything if we just practice it, so thats an obstacle thats gone, Ledres said.

Marquez added, The goal was just to have live music that we can start gigging with, and obviously, once you get into that realm, people want more and more of it.

Now, theyre ready to use their talents to transition from playing the songs people know and love to giving them new favorites.

Ledres explained, Our intentions are to slim down the covers and up the ratio of original music, but  how do you incorporate that feeling with original music?  I think thats a really good challenge for us.

The group released its first single last year, Bad Girl, and the track is soulful and rhythmic. The bands members display their musical prowess by writing a catchy song that could not only seamlessly filter into their current set list, but also parallels the structure and rhythm of the Top 40 songs they cover.

The Mango Cakes continue to perfect their own unique sound and are developing a catalog that will best represent their voice as a group. There are currently nine members in the band, so the process can be difficult as they mesh styles and interests.

Were creative enough to make them different every time if we want it, Marquez said.

Ledres and Marquez added that the band hopes to release a few more songs early this year. Saturday, Jan. 14, they open for Sweet Roll at Sister and they said the set list will feature an almost even ratio of covers and originals.

Either way, The Mango Cakes remain adamant in making sure the audience is entertained.

At the end of the day, we are just so hungry to put on a killer show, Marquez said. We want to entertain.
By many measures, the educational results produced by New Mexicos public schools are among the worst in the country and are not improving. Nearly every year, the Legislature appropriates more money for public schools, frequently attaching a label implying education reform or education improvement to the incremental spending, but achieving no measurable improved results. Now, New Mexicos spending per student exceeds that of most states, which is notable for a state with per capita income in the bottom two or three in the nation.

There is, however, a possible solution to this longstanding problem that has succeeded elsewhere, and which has not been tried here and does not require additional funding. Until a decade ago, Mississippi was consistently near the bottom of almost any list of achievement in the public schools. In 2013, it adopted what it called the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, which has been a remarkable success. Instead of holding its traditional rank of 48th or 50th in lists of educational achievement, Mississippi now ranks about 40th or better by many measures, and appears to be climbing.

Mississippi is an interesting role model for New Mexico. It has some challenges similar to those of New Mexico. Both states have low per-capita income and many children in poverty. Both states have many children whose parents are unable to devote much time at home to assisting with their childrens education.

The essence of the Mississippi reform is a heavy emphasis on developing reading skills in early grades, with an emphasis on phonics. In addition, students cannot be promoted to fourth grade without acceptable reading skills. The program changes are not expensive. Mississippi spends much less per student than New Mexico. A readable description of the Mississippi program and its success is set out in The New York Times, Oct. 6, 2022. (In Mississippi, A Broad Effort to Improve Literacy is Yielding Results)

Legislators and the governor should not be dissuaded from pursuing this program merely because similar changes were proposed by Gov. Susana Martinez about 10 years ago. If the Mississippi program is adopted and is successful, the current governor and legislators will deserve credit for making progress on one of New Mexicos most important and most persistent problems. If it fails, they still will deserve credit for pursuing a promising and evidence-based solution.

While it may seem undesirable to hold back students in the third grade, it may be more undesirable to pass them if they cannot read. Absent reading skills, they will get a much less substantial education than their classmates. Their ability to access information in all subjects will be hindered. Also, their classmates education necessarily will be impaired if the class must be slowed to accommodate non-readers.

It is significant that, in Mississippi, students performance in mathematics has improved after adoption of the reading intensive curriculum. It seems that mathematics should be one of the subjects least responsive to reading proficiency.

Most current legislators and the current governor are not responsible for 20 years of deterioration in our public school system. However, no one should claim credit for future reforms that primarily increase funding with no improvement in educational results.
In his decades-long legal career, Sam Bregman has represented police and corrections officers in controversial criminal cases and litigated lawsuits that alleged wrongdoing and negligence by police. Hes now going to need to work closely with law enforcement agencies hes crossed paths with many times as Bernalillo Countys top prosecutor.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last week appointed Bregman to finish the term of former DA Raul Torrez, who was sworn in as state attorney general early this month. Bregman and Lujan Grisham have a longstanding relationship, at least according to campaign finance records.

Bregman Livestock Company LLC, owned by Bregman, made a whopping $10,400 donation in August 2021 to the New Mexicans for Michelle campaign committee. Bregmans law firm donated $10,900 to Lujan Grishams 2018 gubernatorial campaign. He subsequently became the chairman on the Governors Task Force on Crime. Bregman also donated money on several occasions to Lujan Grishams congressional campaigns. His donor list reads like a whos who in New Mexico politics.

Hes certainly well-connected, if not compromised.

Bregman says there is no possible conflict as he gives up his private practice and focuses on being DA for two years. He says he feels liberated by his decision not to run for the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys office in 2024.

Bregman knows courtrooms, judges and police. He plans to prosecute cases himself, something Torrez didnt do as DA.

Bregman also knows controversy. Back in 2014, Bregman and others were accused in a federal lawsuit of conspiracy to publish emails stolen from a campaign account of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

The stolen emails, some of which were receipts for undergarment purchases, were allegedly given to Bregman and other political operatives and were publicly distributed. A former political operative claimed Bregman directed him to distribute the emails and that Bregman wanted him to cover it up when the FBI began investigating. Bregman and the other defendants denied the allegations in the civil lawsuit, which attorneys on both sides agreed to dismiss two years later, without comment.

The governor cited Bregmans extensive experience as a litigator and said he will bring fresh perspective to the job. He also brings a lot of baggage and his appointment reeks of political patronage. His success as DA will hinge on whether his legal experience and talent outweigh his baggage.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
New Mexico is on a mission for the new year: To increase its support for youth in school cafeterias across the state. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced her healthy school meals for all initiative, coupled with the additional resources to ensure those meals are packed with such healthy ingredients as fresh, scratch-cooked and locally grown foods. As a school nutrition professional in New Mexico, I can tell you firsthand that getting healthy meals to all students fuels their learning, while addressing student hunger and reducing stigma around free lunch.

Gov. Lujan Grisham is building upon a legacy of student nutrition investments in New Mexico. She championed legislation in 2020 that eliminates student co-pays for reduced-price school meals and, in 2017, the state passed the nations first lunch-shaming legislation. While New Mexico child poverty rates have declined slightly in recent years  and food insecurity rates continue to improve  work to assure healthy, balanced school meals for all students, no matter their income, remains critical.

As it stands, New Mexican school districts face different financial challenges with regard to school meals. Many receive funding from grants, including the New Mexico Grown Grant, which allows for schools to purchase food grown, raised or harvested in New Mexico. But how school districts are using the funds to make school meals and how families pay for those meals varies as some districts continue to face a hefty school meal debt. Thankfully, this initiative will level the playing field for school districts and families.

The state is taking this one step further by encouraging school nutrition departments to purchase even more local, high-quality and healthy ingredients, and requiring more scratch cooking. As we all know, New Mexico is bejeweled with farms and ranches that can provide locally grown fruits, vegetables and livestock. Connecting with these growers is a huge win for the health of future generations of New Mexicans and strengthening local economies, diversifying supply chains, and building resilient, equitable, culturally informed local and regional food systems. For school districts that already have relationships with their local farming community, the new proposal will amplify this work and yield more menu items made from scratch. As I write this, I am hopeful knowing our youth will be healthier, stronger and better supported as a result.

During the pandemic, federal free school meals waivers allowed all students in all schools to freely access breakfast and lunch throughout remote learning, and ongoing labor, economic, supply chain and other pandemic-related challenges. This helped so many families, only for it to be taken away this past fall.

New Mexico needs the governors proposal to pass. Making school meals for all a permanent program in the state advances equity amid students and food producers, and harmonizes our local economy to serve families in the most efficient and healthy way. I, along with many of my peers, parents, and food and nutrition advocates across the state, implore the New Mexico State Legislature to pass the governors proposal to permanently invest in critical nutrition support for youth in schools. It is a step in the right direction to ensuring New Mexicos future is bright.

Marie Johnson is president of the NM Student Nutrition Association and Student Nutrition Program Coordinator for Farmington Municipal School District.
New Mexico State Universitys Southwest Outreach Academic Research Evaluation & Policy Center (SOAR) annual teacher vacancy report shows the number of teacher vacancies across the state has dropped more than 30% since 2021.

This is promising data after our state saw an increase in vacant teacher positions during the pandemic, but we need to do more. While we are moving in a positive direction for 2023, we must continue to focus on recruiting, developing and supporting quality teachers. We cannot stop until we cover the ground needed to close the gap.

Quality teachers are built from extensive education, training and experience. The Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching prepares future educators who reflect the experiences of the students they will eventually serve. We know from over 30 years of experience that, if teachers are recruited from the community and return to the community to teach, they are more likely to stay and better prepare the next generation of students. In fact, 82% of scholars from our teacher preparation program remain in the profession for more than five years, a higher retention rate than any other teaching preparation program.

In 2022, 35 New Mexico students from across the state joined our Scholars program, beginning their journey to become highly qualified educators. They represent a diverse spectrum of rural and urban communities, representing nearly every higher education institution, and two high schools.

Once they become licensed teachers, they plan to go back and teach in their home communities. All of our scholars will receive extensive training, financial assistance and mentorship to be highly successful teachers. Perhaps most importantly, by returning to their home communities, these educators bring lived experiences and culturally relevant perspectives to the classroom and to their students.

The 2022 report from NMSU is encouraging and promising, but New Mexico still needs top-notch teachers. Making continued progress in this effort will require state agencies, philanthropic organizations, nonprofits and community resources to work together. The Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching is heartened about how the state has embraced the recruitment and preparation of great teachers. To support that progress, we are currently recruiting high school seniors through college sophomores to be part of the next cohort of Golden Apple Scholars.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

It was a daring, predawn rescue mission to save a kidnapped American being held hostage in West Africa, and then-Capt. Kyle Konkolics, who was piloting one of the CV-22s in the Oct. 31, 2020, extraction, said things would just start going wrong, right from the start.

Over the course of 11 hours, Konkolics and other airmen and Navy commandos in eight aircraft had their instruments stop working, battled weather and hypoxia, were required to refuel mid-flight multiple times, dodged obstacles and faced other challenges in order to pull off the most long-distance rescue in a single night in Department of Defense history.

Konkolics and four other airmen who were part of the mission received prestigious Air Force medals at Kirtland Air Force Base on Wednesday. The ceremony was held at the base in Albuquerque because the five airmen are currently working as instructors at the bases 58th Special Operations Wing, which prepares airmen for special operations and combat search-and-rescue missions.

Konkolics, now a major, received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The other airmen who received awards are:

 Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Reedy received the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

 Tech. Sgt. Robert Duck received the Air Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster).

 Tech. Sgt. Thomas Morgan received the Air Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster).

 Staff Sgt. Christin Springs received the Air Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

It was a fast-paced rescue effort that started to take shape not long after Philip Walton, an American citizen, was kidnapped from his home in Niger and held for ransom, according to previous reporting by The Associated Press and other news agencies. Walton was taken to neighboring Nigeria.

The citations for the airmen state the mission was completed just 48 hours after the military was notified of the situation, which gave the operators minimal time to plan for all contingencies.

One of the challenges, Konkolics said in an interview, was that CV-22s  tilt-rotar aircraft that are almost like a combination of a helicopter and plane  are not pressurized and the mission required them to fly at high altitude.

Ducks citation credits him with recognizing signs of hypoxia and sharing his oxygen mask with the Navy commandos, whom The Associated Press identified as being members of SEAL Team 6.

Konkolics said the pilots kept their oxygen masks and the other operators in the CV-22s shared oxygen. At one point, his wingmans displays stopped working and Konkolics led the aircraft to safety before rejoining the mission, which required an additional in-air refuel.

He single-handedly led his disabled wingman to a remote operating base and developed a single-ship contingency plan to rejoin with the formation, ultimately ensuring the operation continued to meet critical timelines and minimum force requirements, his citation states.

A spokesperson for the Air Force Special Operations Command said in an email that the mission was the longest time a CV-22 ever flew at high altitude.

As a result of this mission, we better understand the factors that impact our operators on extremely long flights, like the one for this mission, and can adjust planning factors accordingly, the spokesperson said.

Springs, who was flying in a MC-130J Loadmaster, is credited in her citation with battling communication problems and assisting in the refueling efforts.

Ultimately, Navy commandos parachuted to the ground and hiked 3 miles to where Walton was being held. The Navy team killed the half-dozen or so kidnappers, other than one who escaped. Walton and the team hiked to a landing zone and were whisked to safety, according to previous reporting by The New York Times. No U.S. military personnel were hurt.

Finding your courage is probably the hardest part, and every airman on that flight had to find their courage, Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the commander of the 19th Air Force, said during the medal ceremony.

The medals were pinned on the airmens uniforms in front of their families and other military members.

Konkolics said it was fitting to have the ceremony at Kirtland. The 37-year-old, who is originally from New Jersey, said hes trained and worked as an instructor at Kirtland off and on since he was 19 years old, and many of his old instructors attended the ceremony.

It all kind of starts here, right? Like, this is where the training starts in order to fly these types of missions and to execute them, he said. Theyre long days for these guys. They get beat up pretty good. Some guys fail out. Other guys pass. But, you know, theres reasons for all that.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

Come Feb. 1, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, New Mexicos largest health system, plans to turn over its emergency department and hospitalist staffing at its Santa Fe Medical Center to a national private equity-backed staffing company.

More than a dozen physicians at the 4-year-old hospitals emergency room and inpatient medical unit received termination notices several months ago. They are being offered positions with the Tacoma, Washington-based Sound Physicians firm, which will furnish physicians to the hospital and be responsible for billing patients.

Outsourcing of medical care is already happening elsewhere in the country and at Presbyterians Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho, but the decision to contract with the for-profit Sound Physicians for Presbyterians hospital in Santa Fe is significant, said Jerry Harrison, executive director of New Mexico Health Resources, a private nonprofit devoted to recruiting and retaining health care providers in New Mexico.

Its a reflection of the introduction of Wall Street into health care, said Harrison, a former New Mexico hospital administrator.

The national staffing firm has been in operation for two decades, but in 2013, Sound Physicians agreed to pay a $14.5 million settlement amid allegations of Medicare fraud. More recently, the Better Business Bureau reported numerous complaints of aggressive and exploitative billing practices.

A spokeswoman for Sound Physicians told the Journal in an email last week that the company has improved its consumer communications since then and is committed to providing the best care to patients and their families in the communities we serve.

Presbyterian officials wouldnt agree to be interviewed by the Journal but issued a statement in response to written questions.

In a statement, Tim Johnsen, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Presbyterian Delivery System, told the Journal, At Presbyterian, like many hospitals across our state and nation, we use staffing agencies and external partners in our facilities to ensure that the community has access to care when they need it most.

With this in mind, were partnering with Sound Physicians, a physician staffing firm with a 20-year track record in recruiting, developing and retaining clinicians for health systems across the country, so that we can continue to consistently provide physician coverage in our Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center Emergency Department and hospitalist services.

Johnsen said the company has been providing hospital-based services at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho and at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

Since calendar year 2018, Sound Physicians has been paid about $10.4 million each year for physician services, according to Presbyterians 990 tax forms for the years 2018 to 2020.

This new partnership will allow SFMCs recruitment efforts to focus on adding more specialists to our team to meet the unique needs of the community, Johnsens statement said. We anticipate that this partnership will not result in increased costs for our patients.

Harrison, who helps recruit physicians, dentists and other medical professionals to New Mexico, said such outsourcing can be attractive to hospitals because it lowers costs and spreads out liability.

Just as a longtime observer and a former hospital administrator, these kind of decisions are made on finance; theyre not made on quality of service. It could be in Presbyterians interest if they have a lot of long-term expensive physicians to contract that service out.

The 36-bed Santa Fe hospital, one of nine Presbyterian hospitals in New Mexico, was mentioned in a Moodys Investors Service financial rating less than a year ago as having continued weak performance.

Moodys gave a favorable rating outlook to the health system, assuming health care operations statewide will continue to grow and operations at Santa Fe will reach breakeven.

Its emergency room volume was rated low by the Medicare.gov website, which defined low as up to 19,999 patients a year. The website reported an average of 4% of patients left the ER before being served in the most recent year examined, compared to an average of 2% nationally and in New Mexico.

Staffing changes, buyout

Presbyterian officials wouldnt say how many physicians or other medical providers at its Santa Fe hospital received termination notices, or how many have quit rather than go to work for the private staffing firm.

But a spokeswoman for the staffing company told the Journal in an email, Sound Physicians, in close collaboration with Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center leadership, is well on its way to initiating emergency department and hospital medicine and advance practice provider services. With few exceptions, the current, outstanding Presbyterian Santa Fe emergency physicians, hospital medicine physicians, and associated advance practice providers plan to join Sound and continue their careers at the hospital.

The Better Business Bureau website gives Sound Physicians a rating of F, after receiving 194 complaints within the prior three years.

On February 16, 2021, BBB recognized a pattern of complaints from consumers regarding billing, collections, and customer service issues. Consumers allege that the business is sending unpaid balances to collections without prior notification to consumers, as billing statements are not received. Consumers further allege that charges being sent to collections are for services not provided, balances that were not billed to insurance companies, and for balances that were previously paid. Consumers allege that the business does not answer multiple phone call attempts and/or voicemails, resulting in consumers unable to inquire about charges being sent to collections incorrectly.

Anni Lange, vice president of marketing and communications for Sound Physicians, told the Journal last week in an email that the company updated its patient billing communications in February 2021.

Sound Physicians takes customer complaints very seriously and were committed to providing the best care to patients and their families in the communities we serve. Since implementing updates  weve seen far fewer patient complaints.

Back in 2013, the Tacoma-based company, then named Sound Inpatient Physicians Inc., agreed to pay $14.5 million to settle allegations that it overbilled Medicare and other federal health care programs. The allegations covered the time period between 2004 and 2012, according to a press release by the U.S. Justice Department.

Five years after the settlement, Sound Physicians was purchased by Summit Partners, a global alternative investment firm.

Profits vs patients

A study by researchers at Texas A&M University in 2021 found that two-thirds of emergency departments in the U.S. use some sort of outsourcing through contracts with separate companies called contract management groups.

Some of those groups are owned by private equity firms that claim to streamline the recruiting and credentialing of emergency department staff to relieve hospitals of these tasks, and, hopefully, lower costs.

But the elephant in the room for emergency medicine and other medical specialties is that a profit-maximizing goal can conflict with prioritizing the well-being of patients and medical staff, the studys authors reported.

Such contracting groups often have aggressive patient-per-hour quotas and provide incentives for medical staff to order more procedures and tests  even if theyre not warranted.

In one study, more than a third of emergency physicians employed by these groups said they had concerns about losing their job if they raised questions about overtesting, quality of care, or patient treatment  roughly double the rate for doctors employed by hospitals.

Such outside groups, according to the study, have also contributed to surprise billing and excessive collections.

Presbyterian officials have said that Presbyterian will monitor contract performance, including billing practices.

New Mexico Health Resources Harrison told the Journal that Sound Physicians might require more productivity from its providers than what Presbyterian demanded, in terms of the number of patients seen, and the procedures performed.

But the bottom line for patients is whether Sound Physicians can provide the number of physicians that are needed at the hospitals, he said.

If they are, Im all for them.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

The newly formed three-member Public Regulation Commission began work Wednesday, but only two of the governors appointees took the bench to preside over this years first open public meeting.

Thats because James F. Ellison Jr. must still be sworn in after the governor selected him on Tuesday to replace Brian Moore, a previous appointee who resigned because he lacks the college degree required to become a commissioner.

The other two commissioners, Gabriel Aguilera and Patrick OConnell, both took the oath of office early this year, after the prior five-member PRC disbanded under a constitutional amendment that has now converted the previously elected commission to a three-member body that is chosen by the governor, pending confirmation from the state Senate.

Once sworn in, the commissioners have legal authority to conduct commission affairs, said PRC spokesman Patrick Rodriguez.

Its like cabinet secretaries who take office once the governor appoints them, even though they must still receive Senate confirmation, Rodriguez told the Journal. They do have immediate authority to rule on cases and make judgments.

Since a legal quorum requires only two commissioners, OConnell and Aguilera conducted the first weekly meeting of 2023 Wednesday morning, with Ellison unofficially participating online. In their first official action, the two elected OConnell this years PRC chairman. But they postponed most other administrative decisions until next week, when Ellison is expected to join the bench for the first time.

All three, including Ellison, expressed some of their hopes and aspirations for the PRC going forward, addressing in particular public concerns about making sure all regions of New Mexico are represented adequately in PRC decisions under the commissions new statutory structure, which replaced direct elections for commissioners in five specific districts with statewide appointees.

OConnell, a professional engineer, said hes spent his career working in and around regulated utilities, which provide essential services that must remain reliable and affordable for all.

Were in a moment of transition, OConnell said. Each of us is now responsible for representing the entire state.

Aguilera appealed for all individuals and communities to provide their perspectives directly in proceedings at the PRC.

Its the best way to make sure your views are considered in commission decisions, Aguilera said.

Community organizations have voiced particular concern about loss of direct representation from Native American tribes, especially from the Navajo Nation, which has been hard hit by efforts to replace coal with renewable generation in the Four Corners as the PRC oversees utility transition to non-carbon electric resources under the states Energy Transition Act.

To address those concerns, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an order in December to create a new, four-member tribal advisory council with one representative each from the Navajo Nation, the Apache tribes, and both the eight northern and 10 southern pueblos.

The commissioners will choose a point person next week to communicate with the governor as she selects tribal representatives. And they pledged to work closely with the advisory council, which OConnell said could become a model for other communities nationwide in ensuring transparency and inclusion in regulatory practices.

Ellison  a Sandia National Laboratories employee with three decades of experience in electric utility operations and power markets  said the states foundational transition to non-carbon generation motivated him to seek appointment to the commission.

I do believe New Mexico is at a critical juncture, Ellison said. The PRC is tasked with ensuring that the transition to renewables takes place, while preserving reliability and ensuring the cost of power be as low as reasonably possible  I pledge to represent all of New Mexico, to be fair and open in seeking tribal council input, and to listen to the viewpoints of all stakeholders.
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Looking at an iconic twin tower sitting on a once derelict land full of garbage in the southern suburbs of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, local resident Wakjira Totofa said: "It's really like a dream."

"We never thought we would see such a magnificent building in a short period," said Totofa, a civil servant who lives in the neighborhood of the building hosting the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Totofa has witnessed the dramatic change from "nothing to something" on his daily commute. The first phase of the project, started in December 2020 by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, was completed on Wednesday.

Gao Jiajia, project manager of the construction team, said that since the start of the project, only a few of the 330 Chinese workers on the site have taken leave. They chose to race against time even though the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in northern Ethiopia have brought unpredictable challenges to the construction of the project.

"I feel immensely honored that we have fulfilled China's solemn commitment," Gao said.

UPGRADING AFRICAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

To Ewnetu Ferede, a senior structural engineer who has worked with his Chinese peers on other major projects, the new Africa CDC headquarters has multiple positive implications.

The Africa CDC has played a vital role during the pandemic though it only had a small office. "Its capacity and size have increased exponentially, which requires a fully-fledged facility," Ferede said.

Totofa said his friends and family were thrilled when they heard the Africa CDC headquarters has been built.

"As an Ethiopian and an African, I have been afraid of diseases since I was a child, because malaria, for example, has taken the lives of some of my relatives. Every time we contracted an infectious disease, we couldn't get treatment as early as the rest of the world; when an outbreak occurred, we couldn't get a vaccine in the first place," he said.

Aschalew Worku, a health expert at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, said the ability of a resilient health system to sustain routine healthcare services during a public health emergency is an important lesson that the pandemic has taught the world.

With the highest concentration of developing countries, Africa is a weak link in the global public health system. Malaria, cholera, yellow fever, and other infectious diseases have plagued Africa all year round, seriously threatening the lives and health of the people.

So the new Africa CDC headquarters will help all the African nations share data, knowledge, human resources and laboratories, and coordinate potential response to infectious diseases, Worku said.

Benjamin Djoudalbaye, head of Policy and Health Diplomacy at the Africa CDC, believed the facility will upgrade the African healthcare agency.

"Africa is in urgent need of improving its disease control system, into which the timely completion of the Africa CDC headquarters project is expected to inject much-needed momentum," he said.

Monique Nsanzabaganwa, deputy chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, told Xinhua that the project will enable the Africa CDC to play its role of coordination better, as well as mobilization, and emergency management in public health. "It is a huge project; it is really commendable of China to support our agency in that manner."

MORE HEALTH COOPERATION

According to several local experts, the completion of the Africa CDC can lead to more Africa-China health cooperation.

Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, a professor of public policy at the Addis Ababa University, said Africa has a long history of poor health conditions and weak medical systems, and dealing with diseases has placed a heavy burden on governments and severely constrained the continent's sustainable economic and social development in the long run.

"Fortunately, China is helping Africa improve its public health system through its aid in building the Africa CDC headquarters," he said.

China-Africa public health cooperation dates back to 1963 when China sent its first medical team to Algeria. Since then, the Chinese medical teams have been dispatched to different areas of the vast African land, fighting malaria, cholera, Ebola and other major infectious diseases together with local medical staff.

The shape of the Africa CDC twin tower is like a pair of hands, perfectly echoing the Africa CDC emblem that symbolizes unity, fraternity and strength, Gao told Xinhua.

Noting that the Chinese are always on the Africans' side, Teruneh Zenna, Ethiopia's former ambassador to the United Nations, said: "The project adds a rosy future to the relationship between Africa and China. I am looking forward to more cooperation between Africa and China in the field of public health." 
SANTA FE  Retired Army Col. Donnie Quintana was appointed Thursday to lead the state Department of Veterans Services as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham enters her second term.

Quintana has served as a deputy secretary and run the agency on an interim basis since Sonya Smith left the post late last year. He also has worked in the state departments of Finance and Administration and Economic Development.

His military experience includes time as brigade commander in the New Mexico National Guard and as senior mentor to the Afghan national army during U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan.

Lujan Grisham said Quintanas broad experience in state government and the military makes him a good fit for the job.

As a native New Mexican, a veteran, and a well-respected public servant, his background with both the constituents he serves and the intricacies of state government services will be invaluable, the governor said in a written statement.

Quintanas appointment will require confirmation from the state Senate, though he can begin his new job right away.

Also up for confirmation will be newly appointed Cabinet secretaries Patrick Allen of Health, Wayne Propst of Finance and Administration, Sarita Nair of Workforce Solution and others.

The governor didnt immediately release Quintanas salary, but Cabinet secretaries typically make $169,600 a year.
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The late Greece royal, who also happened to be Prince William's godfather, has passed away at the age of 82 after he was admitted to hospital with breathing issues.

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Greece's last King Constantine II has passed away aged 82. The late royal - a cousin of Britain's King Charles - died on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 in intensive care in an Athens hospital after being hospitalised a number of times in recent months.

He was taken to hospital last week with breathing problems and had recently been suffering from heart and mobility issues.

The former king was last seen in public in Athens in 2022 when he was in a wheelchair with nasal catheters in. He was alongside his sister, former Queen of Spain Sofia, and other members of his family.

Constantine - who is Prince William's godfather - ascended to the throne in 1964 aged 23 after winning a gold medal in sailing in the 1960 Rome Olympics. However, his popularity would later wane when there was a military coup in 1967.

After an attempted counter-coup, Constantine was forced to go into exile abroad. The monarchy was later abolished in 1973 after nearly 70 per cent of Greeks voted for it to end in a referendum, meaning Constantine was the last king of Greece.

In 1994, the Greek socialist government stripped the king of his citizenship and he won 12 million in 2002 after taking legal action at the European court of human rights, despite seeking 500 million.

Constantine was married to Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark. The couple had five children, Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora, and Philippos together, and nine grandchildren. He travelled with a Danish passport after being stripped of his Greek citizenship.

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The German model is remembered as the 'European symbol of chic' by Vogue's editorial director shortly after it was announced she died at the age of 56.

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tatjana Patitz has passed away at the age of 56. The sad news was confirmed by the model's agent at The Model CoOp in New York City to DailyMail.com. Her cause of death, however, has not yet been revealed.

Patitz was hailed as the "European symbol of chic" by Anna Wintour, the chief content officer of Conde Nast and the global editorial director of Vogue. "She was far less visible than her peers - more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable - and that had its own appeal," she told Vogue.

Vogue was the first outlet to announce the news and the publication actually played a huge role in Patitz's career, helping to launch her on the path to stardom in the 80s.

Patitz was born in Germany and raised in Sweden and she made her first foray into the industry at the age of 17 when she competed in a modelling contest. However, her career really took off in 1988, when she posed for the acclaimed photographer Peter Lindbergh.

Thereafter, Patitz's modelling career went from strength to strength, leading to her becoming one of the so-called 'Big Five' supermodels. In 1990, she actually starred in the music video for George Michael's hit song "Freedom! '90". The catwalk star appeared in the video alongside fellow models Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista.

Patitz modelled for the likes of Chanel, Donna Karan, and Vivienne Westwood during her career and she also often appeared in the pages of American and British Vogue. She made her last catwalk appearance at Milan Fashion Week in 2019 when she modelled items from Etro's autumn/winter collection.

The catwalk star is survived by her 19-year-old son Jonah.

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In a resurfaced clip, the 'Superbad' actor recalls how the 'Top Gun: Maverick' star approached him and told him that he would be surprised if he knew what the religion 'was really about.'

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Seth Rogen's story about dodging Tom Cruise's attempt to recruit him to Scientology got people's attention. In a resurfaced clip, the "Superbad" actor talked about how the "Top Gun: Maverick" star approached him.

"He said, 'If you let me just tell you what it was really about  If you let me - just give me like, 20 minutes to like, really just tell you what it was about, you would say, 'No f**king way! No f**king way!' ' " Seth shared during an SiriusXM interview with Howard Stern back in 2021 that resurfaced online on Wednesday, January 11.

The "This Is the End" star went on to say, "I remember being like, the wording was like, 'Is that a good thing to be saying?' " He revealed that Judd Apatow was also present at the meeting with Tom, and they looked at each other in that "very loaded moment," wondering if they could "come out of this" without being converted.

"I don't know if I am - I'm generally a weak-willed, weak-minded person - I would assume on the grand scale of people. If they got him, what chance do I have?" Seth added. He noted that he was be able to dodge it thanks to Judd as he recalled, "Thank God Judd was like, 'I think we're good, let's just talk about movies and stuff.' Woof. Dodged that bullet."

The clip gained attention after being reposted by @moviemaniacs on TikTok. The post has been viewed almost 2 million times. Fans quickly poked fun at Tom over his failed pitch with one commenting, "Tom Cruise got those 1997 marketing skills." Someone added, "Every pyramid scheme pitch ever."

The post arrived after host Jerrod Carmichael mocked Tom at the 2023 Golden Globes on Tuesday night. While standing on stage at the Beverly Hilton with three Golden Globe trophies in his arms, he said that he "found" the trophies that Tom had returned in 2021 when the action star protested the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's lack of black members.

The comedian later joked about the alleged disappearance of Scientologist Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige. "Look, I'm just a host briefly or whatever, but I have a pitch: I think maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige," Jerrod said, earning a mixed reaction from the crowd.

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HiDoraah and Lil Gotit distance themselves from the 'Drip Too Hard' emcee after he showed support for Thugger in his first Instagram post since his release from jail.

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - YSL big family will never be the same following the sweeping RICO Indictment that caught Young Thug and Gunna in the web. While Gunna has walked free after accepting a plea deal, Thugger remains incarcerated and is facing trial for eight charges.

Though the YSL Records founder has not said a word about Gunna's release, his family apparently has had some resentment toward Wunna. Thugger's sister HiDoraah has unfollowed the "Turks" hitmaker on social media as a trial in the RICO case has begun.

HiDoraah seemingly stopped following Gunna after he made his first Instagram post following his release from jail. On Tuesday, January 11, he showed support for Thugger as he wrote, "N***as acting like they switching to a side But it's only one side."

"#YslTheLabel #FreeThug&Yak GUNNA BACC!!!!!" he added. In a Twitter post, Gunna also remembered Lil Keed as he wrote, "R.I.P KEED ILY & IMY TWIN."

HiDoraah isn't the only one who refused to be associated with Gunna. Lil Gotit, who is Lil Keed's brother, has also unfollowed Gunna as he wrote on his Stories, "N***as need to stop that cap" and "Don't call me twin." He later sent a message through a video, writing over it, "Don't call me. Don't @ me. Don't speak on me."

Thug's brother Unfoonk, who has also accepted a plea deal in the YSL RICO case, appeared to throw shade at Gunna as well. "All Dat Internet S**t Not P," he wrote on his Instagram Story, using Gunna's signature P emoji before adding, "I'm been humble with u n****s."

Thug's other sister Dolly White previously defended Gunna after he took the plea deal. "Can y'all please stop saying that people ratted, and people this-and-that?" she said in a December 15 video. "It's not making anybody better, it's not making nothing good, bro. Nothing that's going on is...helping my brother."

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Chloe Flower denies that she was the one trying to play off winners during speeches, saying that she was able to patch things up with Yeoh after the 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' actress told her to 'shut up.'

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Musician Chloe Flower suddenly almost gained a bad reputation following her gig at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards. The pianist was hired to play music during the live telecast, but she ended up trending on Twitter because viewers assumed she was playing winners off during their speeches.

It all began when Michelle Yeoh accepted the prize for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once". She just started talking about the movie when the "wrap it up" piano played.

Getting sassy, Yeoh turned to Flower, who was at the piano, and jokingly threatened her, "Shut up, please. I can beat you up, OK? I'm serious." The actress went on thanking those who worked with her in the comedy film.

Speaking to Variety one day after the event, Flower denied that she was the one playing the music and was able to clear things up with Yeoh at the ceremony. Saying that the only time she was playing music was when she was on camera, she explained, "My job was to bring everybody back from commercial break with a performance, so I don't know how that got lost in translation."

The 41-year-old detailed an off-camera moment that she shared with Yeoh after the actress' acceptance speech. "After she won her award, she walked past the piano and I spoke to her," she said. "We embraced. We touched and we held hands. I said, 'I would never disrespect you and play during your speech.' She was so lovely and nice." Flower added there were no hard feelings.

Another actor who responded with a jab when he was being played off was Austin Butler, who won Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for playing Elvis Presley in "Elvis". "You could at least play 'Suspicious Minds' or something," he jested.

Flower said she had a chance to speak to the actor too. "I spoke to him too. He walked past me and I said, 'Hey, congratulations, that wasn't me playing,' " she recalled.

Flower also addressed the intimate setting of the Golden Globes, which could've led to the confusion over where the music came from during the winners' speeches. "I don't think viewers were aware of how small it really is," Flower said. "I think everyone was looking in my direction because I was on a piano, and I became the face of sound."

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Flower expressed the frustration for having no control over the situation. "It was definitely a stressful moment, but I wasn't playing, so there's nothing else I can really do or say. I was there to represent iconic movie and TV film scores. I prepped for so long. I canceled my holiday so that I could prep," she divulged.

"That's someone else doing that. I have no control," the pianist stressed. "That's not anything that they discussed with me or was discussed with me at all because that's beyond my role."

Following the confusion, Flower tweeted on Tuesday night, "I would never play piano over people's speeches!! I'm only playing when you see me on camera! #goldenglobes." She said she put her phone away for the rest of the night and woke up feeling good about herself.

Golden Globes pianist Chloe Flower denied playing winners off during their speeches.

"We were able to deliver the music," she said with pride after having had several hours to reflect. "I had a great time." She added of her feeling in the next morning, "I'm feeling great."

In addition to iconic tunes, Flower got to play some of her own original music for the commercial intros and outros, the opening theme song and the closing scene of the 80th Golden Globe Awards.

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The Duke of Sussex also further explains on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' about his penis protector this week, admitting a 'lovely lady' had handcrafted the padding for his piece.

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry took a specially-made penis pillow to the South Pole after suffering a frostbitten member during a charity trek to the North Pole. The 38-year-old royal was left with a chilly willy after a 200-mile Walking with the Wounded charity expedition in March 2011, but he was so desperate not to suffer from Baltic bits a second time, one of his good pals hired a seamstress to make him his very own "c**k cushion" ahead of the hike.

In his memoir "Spare", the Duke of Sussex wrote, "People warned me that the South Pole was even colder than the North. I laughed. How could that be possible? I'd already frozen my penis, mate - wasn't that the very definition of worst-case scenario? Also, this time I'd know how to take proper precautions - snugger underwear, more padding, etc. Better yet, one very close mate hired a seamstress to make me a bespoke c**k cushion."

Harry has told how his special member mat was made from the "softest fleece," and it appeared to do the business in ensuring he wasn't left with a wintry wand for the second time in his life. He added, "Square, supportive, it was sewn from pieces of the softest fleece and ... enough said."

Harry explained further about his penis protector this week, admitting a "lovely lady" had handcrafted the padding for his piece. Speaking on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", he said it gave him extra padding for his "man-piece, my johnson, my wilson, my todger, my willy," which fortunately "didn't turn into an icicle."

Elsewhere in his memoir, Harry told how he was suffering from a frostbitten penis during his brother's wedding following the North Pole trek, which raised 2 million for charity. Prince William and Harry's sister-in-law Duchess Catherine's nuptials took place in April 2011, a month after the duke's expedition, and he was still having issues with his polar privates.

He wrote, "Upon arriving home I'd been horrified to discover that my nether regions were frostnipped as well, and while the ears and cheeks were already healing, the todger wasn't. It was becoming more of an issue by the day."

Harry admitted his father Prince Charles, 74, was very "sympathetic" about his frostbitten ears and cheeks following the trek. He added, "Pa was very interested, and sympathetic about the discomfort of my frostnipped ears and cheeks, and it was an effort not to overshare and tell him also about my equally tender penis."

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The music executive sets the record straight as he and his family faced backlash following the Migos star's death, especially after they held a memorial at the location where the rapper was killed.

Jan 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - J. Prince is clearing up his son's name. The music executive has defended J. Prince Jr. amid allegations that the latter abandoned Takeoff's body after the shooting incident in Texas.

The 58-year-old offered his two cents when appearing on the "Givin Them the Business" podcast. He claimed the viral video of his son walking by the late Migos member was just a small glimpse at what was really going on.

"You know one of the biggest lies that was told - he walked by Takeoff body as if he was heartless and didn't care," the CEO and co-founder of Rap-A-Lot explained. "And in reality, Junior, my cousin Michael that's here with me, they was there with TakeOff from the beginning to the end."

"Even when they walked by, they took three seconds of an hour and some situation when Mike and Junior was walking by," J. Prince continued. "He actually went in the restroom to wash blood off his hands [from] when he had reached up under Takeoff head to pick him up and his fingers went in it."

J. Prince and his family have drawn backlash following Takeoff's death, especially after they held a memorial at the location where the rapper was killed. One Twitter user in particular argued, "You would've thought J Prince Jr died but no. This entire memorial is BS."

"J Prince should be ashamed of himself," another raged. "why tf would you put y'all name in flowers at a Takeoff memorial site? Go tf to hell!!!"

J. Prince did not attend Takeoff's funeral. However, he honored the emcee by placing hundreds of roses outside 810 Billiards and Bowling. Doves were also released in the latter's honor.

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Column Inches  a renowned full-fledged Public Relations Agency in India has recently announced that it has bagged the PR mandate for Mufin Finance  Indias first listed NBFC dedicated to EV financing. As part of the mandate, the agency becomes an official PR partner for carrying out all media activities for the brand including strategic media planning, brand building, PR activities, product launches, press events and other outreach activities.

The agency will also be in charge of formulating effective media engagement strategies to amplify Mufin Finances presence across print and digital media.

Commenting on the association,Mr. Kapil Garg, Managing Director of Mufin Finance said, We are pleased to have Column Inches on board and hoping their efforts will help us strengthen our reach and fulfil our business communication objectives. We are impressed by the work they have done for renowned startups in this highly competitive market landscape. We are certain that Mufin Finance is in the right hands and hope it turns out to be a long-term and healthy association with them.

Delighted with the win, Sanya Bajaj - Founder & CEO of Column Inches said, We are grateful to the team of Mufin Finance for entrusting us with their PR mandate. We strive to make valuable contributions to the brands business growth and visibility and look forward to exceeding their expectations with our value and data-driven approach.

PR can provide a unique touchpoint to brands that are actually competent and have the potential of exponential growth. We devise strategies that add value to the brand from increasing its visibility to assisting with its sales process. Overall, PR creates a win-win scenario for all, she added.

Headquartered in Gurugram (Delhi/NCR), Column Inches handles an impressive portfolio of tech-led brands across industries in India. Started in 2015, it has helped over 400+startups achieve their corporate communications goals by delivering results-oriented and value-driven solutions.
The NCLAT declined to grant Google an interim stay on the competition watchdog's $936.44 crore penalty for abusing its dominant position.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Rakesh Kumar and Alok Srivastava issued notices to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and other respondents and posted the matter for hearing on April 17, 2023.

A CCI order imposed a penalty of 1,337.76 crores on Google for anti-competitive practices regarding Android mobile devices, which was also declined by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) last week.

Google was fined over 2,200 crores in two CCI rulings less than a week apart in October, marking a setback for the tech titan in one of the most promising digital markets globally.

On October 25, CCI slapped a penalty of 936.44 crores on Google for abusing its dominant position concerning its Play Store policies.

The regulator has also directed the company to cease unfair business practices and carry out various measures to address the anti-competitive issues within a defined timeline.

In the wake of the recent ruling by the CCI, Google had subsequently said it was "pausing" enforcement of the requirement for developers to purchase digital goods and services using Play's billing system in India while it reviewed its legal options.

"Following the CCI's recent ruling, we are pausing enforcement of the requirement for developers to use Google Play's billing system for the purchase of digital goods and services for transactions by users in India while we review our legal options and ensure we can continue to invest in Android and Play," Google said in an update on help center page.

Software developers using its app store are required to use its proprietary in-app payment system, which charges a commission of up to 30 percent on purchases made on the app.

Google is also facing a separate probe into its business conduct in India's news content and Smart TV market.

The Competition Commission had also slapped a penalty of 1,337.76 crores on the tech major for anti-competitive practices concerning Android mobile devices.

Google had filed appeals before the NCLAT against the two orders of CCI in October.

On January 4, while hearing the appeal in the Android matter, the appellate tribunal refused an interim stay on the competition regulator imposing a 1,337-crore penalty and asked the US tech giant to deposit 10 percent of the amount.

NCLAT admitted the search giant's challenge to the CCI slapping 1,337.76-crore fine for abusing the dominant position of its Android smartphone operating system in the country.
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Libreville, Gabon, Jan. 12, 2023. (Gabonese Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

LIBREVILLE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba on Thursday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Libreville, the Gabonese capital.

Qin conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to the Gabonese president, noting that the China-Gabon relations, which were jointly forged by leaders of older generations of the two countries, have withstood the test of time and remained rock solid.

China and Gabon firmly support each other on issues concerning the core interests and major concerns of the two countries, safeguard the basic norms governing international relations, and uphold international fairness and justice, highlighted Qin.

The Chinese side stands ready to work with Gabon to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate mutual strategic trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation and elevate China-Gabon comprehensive cooperative partnership to a higher level, Qin said.

Qin also explained the essential requirements and characteristics of Chinese modernization, stressing that China will continue to support Gabon in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, enhancing the sharing of governance experience and synergizing development strategies, jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, and helping Gabon advance the Strategic Plan for an Emerging Gabon to realize win-win cooperation and common development for the two countries.

The Gabonese president asked Qin to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping, while thanking China for its all-round and firm support of Gabon's socioeconomic development.

The Gabon-China friendship has emerged stronger as the two countries promote common development and safeguard common interests, said the Gabonese president.

Gabon highly agrees with China's development philosophy, and looks forward to deepening cooperation with China, to create more benefits for the people of both countries, he said, commending China for speaking up for justice in the international arena and shouldering responsibilities as a major country.

Gabon has always been a reliable friend of China, and is willing to deepen coordination with China, in order to jointly defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and enhance Africa's voice in global governance, he said.

During his visit, Qin also held talks with Gabonese Foreign Minister Michael Moussa-Adamo. The two sides agreed to continue mutual support, tap potentials and achieve more highlights in their cooperation. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang holds talks with Gabonese Foreign Minister Michael Moussa Adamo in Libreville, Gabon, Jan. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)
PokerBaazi, Indias biggest poker platform in its journey to drive the ever-burgeoning start-up ecosystem of India has partnered with Sony LIV for the Shark Tank India Season 2 as co-powered by sponsor.

Poker is closely linked with entrepreneurship as it teaches you so much based on calculative analysis and skills. PokerBaazi has been at the forefront of leading the growth of the skill-based sport in India and therefore, this official partnership with Shark Tank India is in complete sync.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Navkiran Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Baazi Games said, We believe that the alignment of what defines Poker as a skill-based sport cannot have an association better than Shark Tank India. In life and entrepreneurship, you need to keep making the right decisions over time and Shark Tank is one such medium that reflects the same ideology and that is why we choose to officially associate with the property.

He also added, We want to thank the entire team of Sony LIV who has brought a larger-than-life concept to life and showcased that anything is possible if we have a dream with the right set of skills and want to pursue it wholeheartedly.

Ranjana Mangla, Head Ad Sales Revenue, Sony LIV, said, We are pleased to associate with PokerBaazi. Sony LIV focuses on novel approaches for each of its partners to create synergies between the brand and its target audience. The show provides a highly credible environment for marketers to tell their brand stories, drive focused and clutter-breaking advertising for both emerging and established brands.

PokerBaazi is also celebrating the Shark Tank Season on social media with several unique social media initiatives like #PokerTank which is being led by PokerBaazi Team Pro  Abhishek Goindi and Muskan Sethi. #PokerTank will be an edutainment series across social media platforms of PokerBaazi showcasing similarities between concepts of Poker and decision making in entrepreneurial life, helping the masses to resonate with Poker beyond the technicalities of the sport.
Urbanrise (an Alliance Group company), South Indias Largest Real Estate Developer, today announced that the company has welcomed Actor Trisha Krishnan, as its Brand Ambassador. The announcement of partnering with Trisha acts in sync with the brands effort to communicate its vision of delivering innovative and best in class residential projects to its customers, taking into account the perfect fit of the brand values and consonance between the actor and Urbanrise.

Commenting on the announcement Mr. Manoj Namburu, Chairman and Managing Director of Urbanrise & Alliance Group, said, "Donning many strong roles in the Indian cinema such as Kundaivai in Ponniyin Selvan Trisha has always been well-liked and appreciated by millions in South India, and enjoys a solid connection with the common man. Trisha has always been known for being an extremely friendly, down to earth, warm, and helping person and that synergizes with our brands customer first philosophy. Being a trusted and credible name in the industry, this partnership with Trisha will enable us to reach consumers across spectrums and reinforce our brands mission of offering our customers superior quality projects with the best amenities

Speaking on the association, Trisha Krishnan said, "I am extremely happy to be part of the Urbanrise family as their brand ambassador. Having set many benchmarks in the realty sector, Urbanrise has carved a niche for itself and has become a household brand in South India. Through this partnership, I am happy to bridge Urbanrises endeavor to offer consumers the best of homes and transform their home-buying dream into reality.

The company has planned an innovative 360-degree campaign across multiple channels. The marketing campaign includes print advertisements, intriguing series of Television commercials, and Digital campaigns featuring Trisha.
Television series and films produced by the divisions of Warner Bros. Discovery combined to earn eight wins tonight at the 80th Golden Globe Awards. The Company was recognized in all three of the Television Program categories, including Best Drama Series for HBOs House of the Dragon, Best Television Series  Musical or Comedy for Warner Bros. Televisions Abbott Elementary, and Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie for HBOs The White Lotus. With three wins, WBTVs Abbott Elementary was the most-honored television program.

Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery scored acting wins by Austin Butler for Warner Bros. Pictures Elvis, Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams for Abbott Elementary, Zendaya for HBOs Euphoria, and Jennifer Coolidge for The White Lotus.

HBO Max received four Golden Globes across three HBO Original series: Euphoria, House of the Dragon, and The White Lotus. Warner Bros. Television won three awards for Abbott Elementary, and Warner Bros. Pictures earned one for Elvis.

Following is a complete list of winners.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES  DRAMA

House of the Dragon | HBO Original

BEST TELEVISION SERIES  MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Abbott Elementary | Warner Bros. Television

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

The White Lotus | HBO Original

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE  DRAMA

Austin Butler, Elvis | Warner Bros. Pictures

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES  MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary | Warner Bros. Television

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES  DRAMA

Zendaya, Euphoria | HBO Original

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus | HBO Original

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL-COMEDY OR DRAMA TELEVISION SERIES

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary | Warner Bros. Television
Chinas Type 052D destroyer gets upgraded propulsion system

By Liu Xuanzun (Global Times) 10:15, January 12, 2023

The comprehensive supply ship Chaganhu (Hull 967) executes underway replenishment-at-sea alongside with the guided-missile destroyer Nanning(Hull 162) during a four-day-long realistic-combat training exercise in waters of the South China Sea recently. They are attached to a destroyer flotilla with the navy under the PLA Southern Theater Command. (Photo: eng.chinamil.com.cn)

China's independently developed Type 052D destroyer has reportedly received an upgraded propulsion system, a move analysts said on Wednesday is a normal progression with the technological development and the continued production of ships of this class.

The 43rd escort task force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy set out on Tuesday from a naval port in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province for the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali to succeed the mission of the 42nd escort task force, the PLA Navy said in a statement on the day.

The flotilla is composed of the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Nanning, the Type 054A guided missile frigate Sanya, and the Type 903 comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu, with two helicopters and dozens of special operation soldiers among a total of more than 700 sailors on board, according to the statement attached with photos.

It is the first time the Nanningwill join an escort mission, the PLA Navy said.

The Nanning, a destroyer independently developed by China, received an upgraded propulsion system among many other modifications, the PLA Navy statement reads.

Since its commissioning, the Nanninghas joined dozens of major exercise missions including far sea training and combat alert patrols, during which it conducted live-fire missile launches several times, the PLA Navy revealed.

The Nanningmade its public debut in June 2021in an exercise in the South China Sea, and judging from its appearance, it is an upgraded variation of the Type 052D destroyer with an extended helicopter flight deck to host the newly developed Z-20 utility helicopter and a new anti-stealth radar to counter stealth aircraft, media reported at the time.

As the PLA Navy's main type of surface combatant, the Type 052D destroyer has been constructed and commissioned in large numbers, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.

During the decade-long production of Type 052Ds, it is quite normal that new technologies are implemented in newer ships, the expert said. "The Type 052D will become more powerful with these new technologies and experiences previous ships have gathered."

According to publicly available information and media reports, the first Type 052D, the Kunming, was commissioned in 2014, and 25 have been launched since. Additional hulls were spotted under construction in August 2022.

The Type 052D is very reliable and uses mature technologies, making it suitable for mass production, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times in a previous interview.

China also displayed the export version of Type 052DE destroyer at Airshow China 2022 held in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
CANBERRA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Australian report has warned that global warming is changing the global water cycle.

The Global Water Monitor Consortium, led by the Australian National University (ANU), on Thursday released its first report, warning that flash droughts will become more common in the short-term future.

According to the report, the water cycle in 2022 was dominated by warmer-than-average ocean waters in the western Pacific and eastern and northern Indian Ocean, driving severe heat waves in South Asia and a severe monsoon that caused flooding in Pakistan.

In Europe and China, it said heat waves caused droughts to develop rapidly while a third consecutive La Nina event caused catastrophic flooding in Australia but exacerbated droughts in North and South America.

Overall air temperature over land followed the long-term warming trend in 2022 while humidity declined.

"This means that nature, crops and people will need more water to stay healthy, which compounds the problem," Albert van Dijk, lead author of the report from the Centre for Water and Landscape Dynamics at ANU's Fenner School of Environment and Society, said in a media release.

"It is a safe prediction that we will see more and more of these heatwaves and flash droughts. We also see evidence of the impact of global warming on glaciers and the water cycle in cold regions, and in fact melting glaciers contributed to the Pakistan floods. That will continue until those glaciers are gone."

The first-of-its-kind report was compiled using water measurements made at thousands of ground stations and by satellites.

It forecast that dry conditions would intensify droughts in the Americas, Asia and the Horn of Africa in 2023 but said unwinding La Nina conditions could offer some respite.

Van Dijk said it was too early to tell if the three consecutive La Nina years were a coincidence or an indication of a trend.

"If La Nina or El Nino patterns are going to stay around longer in future, that is going to cause a lot of trouble, with worse, longer droughts and worse floods alike," he said. 
TOKYO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japan posted a current account surplus of 1.8 trillion yen (13.67 billion U.S. dollars) in November, marking the first surplus registered in eight months, the government said in a report on Thursday.

The latest figure was a record for the month and comes as a comparatively weak yen helped raise the primary income to hit an all-time high, even as soaring imports led to the country's biggest trade deficit.

According to the Finance Ministry, the latest reading marks a rise of 16.4 percent from a year earlier.

The ministry also said in its preliminary report that the country had a goods trade deficit of 1.54 trillion yen (11.70 billion U.S. dollars), in the recording period, as resource-poor Japan imported more than it exported in value terms.

Imports climbed 33.8 percent from a year earlier to 10.55 trillion yen (80.13 billion U.S. dollars), the ministry's data showed, owing to Japan's need for energy products from overseas, including crude oil, coal and liquefied natural gas, the soaring prices of which have been further inflated by the yen's weakness.

Exports, in the recording period, were up 20.7 percent to 9.01 trillion yen (68.43 billion U.S. dollars), the ministry said, owing to solid shipments of cars, as well as construction and mining machinery, the ministry said.

Japan's primary income, which reflects returns on investments made overseas, surged almost 54 percent from a year earlier to 3.72 trillion yen (28.25 billion U.S. dollars), the ministry's data also showed.

The travel balance, a gauge of money spent by foreign visitors to Japan minus the amount of money spent by Japanese residents overseas, totaled a 95-billion-yen (721.74-million-U.S. dollars) surplus, compared to 15.2 billion yen (115.47 million U.S. dollars) logged a year earlier.

The country's service trade deficit came in at 166.4 billion yen (1.26 billion U.S. dollars) in November, meanwhile, the ministry also said.

Japan's current account surplus is one of the broadest measure of its trade with the rest of the world.

The data is keenly eyed by the Bank of Japan and the Finance Ministry ahead of new potential policy changes or monetary easing or tapering measures.

In Japan, the current account surplus increases the nation's net foreign assets by the corresponding amount, and a current account deficit does the reverse.

Both the Japanese government and private payments are included in the calculation, and it is called the current account because goods and services are generally consumed in the current period. 
BANGKOK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- As the major economic powerhouse in Asia, China's optimized COVID-19 strategy would foster its cooperation and exchanges with Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, creating fresh economic opportunities in the region, said Pinij Jarusombat, Thailand's former deputy prime minister.

"As a Thai, I am very happy to hear the news," said Pinij when commenting on China's optimization of the COVID-19 response and the resumption of cross-border travel.

"Many of us have waited for so long to visit our friends in China and looking forward to taking the China-Laos Railway all the way to China," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The Thai government and business sectors are getting ready to welcome Chinese tourists. It is also more convenient now for investors from both countries to communicate. Many Thai companies are eager to meet their Chinese counterparts to promote cooperation," he said.

Commenting on China's COVID-19 response since the beginning of the pandemic, Pinij said that given its vast territory and large population, China's decisive and swift approach has contained the outbreak, limiting COVID-19's impact on China to the greatest extent.

"The Chinese government has put the people's interests first -- nothing being more precious than people's lives, and has tried its best to take care of the Chinese people," he said.

He also noted that China has significantly contributed to the global effort against the pandemic by carrying forward the international humanitarian spirit.

"Since the very beginning of the pandemic, China has been helping other countries by providing vaccines, medical equipment and even Chinese traditional therapy. Thailand is one of the beneficiaries," he said.

As China is one of major economies in the Asia-Pacific and the world, China's optimized COVID-19 strategy would facilitate the recovery of the global economy, he noted.

Pinij, who is also the chairman of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Relationship Council, has been playing an active role in promoting economic ties between Thailand and China. He is looking forward to greater cooperation between the two countries. 
VIENTIANE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The value of imports and exports of Laos in December 2022 was 1.08 billion U.S. dollars, according to the latest figures from the Lao Trade Portal website.

Laos' exports in December totaled 532 million U.S. dollars and 556 million U.S. dollars were imports. The country recorded a trade deficit of 24 million U.S. dollars, according to a report issued Wednesday on the Lao Trade Portal website.

Laos' main export products included mixed and bar gold, cassava, paper and paper products, rubber, salt, pulp and paper scrap, copper ore, sugar, clothing and bananas.

Meanwhile, the country's main imports included diesel, mechanical equipment, land vehicles, iron and steel products, beverages, gasoline, auto parts, wood pulp and paper, plastic appliances, electrical appliances and equipment.

China remains the top export destination for Laos, followed by Vietnam and Thailand.

The main importing countries of Laos include Thailand, China, Vietnam, the United States and Japan, according to the report. 
I have taught high school English in the public schools for twenty years in three states, including two red states and a deep blue state. I have taught mainstream English, honors English, and remedial English. Ive worked in alternative schools, high-poverty schools, large high schools serving mostly English learners, and predominantly white, middle-class schools.

Last month I let my teaching license expire. For the first time since 1998, I am no longer qualified to be a teacher in my home state of Kansas. When I consider the public education landscape not only in the Midwest, but across the country, it is with sadness that I think, Not qualified to teach secondary English anymore? Youre right.

Im not qualified to deliver counseling services to the legions of broken, fatherless, emotionally stunted students who walk through our classroom doors every day. Im not qualified to engage in behavior modification with dysregulated, angry kids who exhibit no impulse control, zero empathy for others. Students have talked about killing me, threatened to hit me in the face. Upon writing up these incidents, I have been blamed, told I need to work on building relationships with students, or offered more training on working with students dealing with trauma and abuse. Administrators pass off these students comments with, Oh, he didnt mean it...  I talked to him...  or Think about what may have occurred in your class that provoked this behavior. There are minimal consequences for students who verbally and physically assault teachers. Its open season on public school staff. I am not alone.

Im not qualified to instruct near-adults in the basics of third-grade reading, grammar, and spelling skills. It's become increasingly impossible to teach high-school level literature, let alone the classics. I used to be able to hand a seventeen-year-old Anna Karenina, Lord of the Flies, The Good Earth, or a Shakespearean play not read in class, and the student could read and understand it. Today, nearly half of students cannot read at grade level. Efforts to teach literature have devolved into my reading most of the book aloud in class should I wish to foster a class discussion around a complex piece of fiction or any long-form text that requires reflection, analysis, and the ability to hold multiple plot structures in ones mind. Rather than uphold standards for even the most basic high school English courses, administrators ask that I modify my curriculum and provide a veritable three-dimensional chess game of accommodations for students so that they can achieve a passing grade in my class without having moved the needle on their literacy skills one bit. If I wanted to teach elementary-level skills, I would have become an elementary-school teacher.

Im not qualified to compete with cell phones, vacuous TikTok videos, never-ending rabbit holes of YouTube videos and games that deliver cheap dopamine hits to students starved psyches and groom their self-doubt, self-loathing, and ever-shortened attention spans. I am not qualified to teach delayed gratification to cohorts of students raised on cheap technological fare consisting of constantly flickering videos, short sound bites, and mere snippets of cogent English sentences.

Ive opted out of the sleepless nights, the weapons-grade emotional exhaustion, the constant second guessing of myself and every assignment I create, teach, and grade. Ive opted out of the blame from parents, administration, and entitled students. I am done feeling that I never work hard enough, that I can never sacrifice enough of my weekends, evenings, and holidays to remediate students, teach them some semblance of grade-level work, and serve as a family therapist, social-emotional services director, or anger-management group leader. Ive opted out of tiptoeing around the subtle political indoctrination thats increasingly present in the approved curriculum and with which I do not agree. Ive opted out of feeling that my biggest crime teaching English in the public schools is that I actually teach English in the public schools.

Im a simple English teacher. Im not the best teacher out there, but Im not the worst. I care that my students are literate, thoughtful, and that they leave my class prepared for college-level work. Or that they at least possess the work ethic and resilience to enter this brave new world weve created for them. Ive tried not to give up on this career into which Ive invested money, emotion, my free time, the bulk of my youth, really. I look back on the years when I had fun creating and teaching challenging curriculum with a sense of autonomy and support from most parents and administrators as a wind at my back. Those days are long gone. The schoolhouse of twenty years ago is not todays schoolhouse.

Kansas State Department of Education, youre right: when it comes to teaching in what passes for todays public classroom, Im no longer qualified.

Amie Adamson is a child of God, hiker, ultrarunner, friend, daughter, sister, and recovering public school teacher. She lives in southeast Kansas, where she enjoys greeting the sunrise each morning while out running the dirt roads around her hometown. She is the author of the book Walking Out: One Teachers Reflections on Walking Out of the Classroom to Walk America, which can be found on Amazon. She hopes to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this spring, where she plans to write more about her backpacking -- and probably teaching -- experiences and ponder what career steps to take next.

Image: Arthur T. LaBar
A couple of days back, the discovery of classified documents at Joe Biden's former office at his university think-tank made headlines.

This discovery was made on Nov. 2, 2022, a few days prior to the midterms. Yet the information was buried by the agencies to protect the Democrats from any electoral harm.

This is more proof of how compromised and politicized various government agencies are.

Instead of being watchdogs for the people, they have devolved into tail-wagging lapdogs for the Democrats.

When norms are frequently violated, they cease to cause shock among the public, and it almost becomes a new standard.

Hence, it's important to state how scandalous it is that government agencies that have a duty to serve citizens are instead suppressing vital information from citizens prior to the midterms that could inform their voting decisions. The agencies once again interfered in national elections to help the Democrats.

Unexpectedly, various Democrat mouthpieces in the subsequent media coverage were even critical of their boss, Joe Biden.

Following the unprecedented Mar-a-Lago raid, NBC's "presidential historian" implied that President Trump deserved the death penalty, despite the fact there was no claim or proof that Trump was in possession of classified documents at that time.

Rosenbergs were convicted for giving U.S. nuclear secrets to Moscow, and were executed June 1953: pic.twitter.com/0Ox1JXoNDf  Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) August 12, 2022

A retired general and a former director of the CIA and the NSA appeared to concur with the "historian's" murderous fantasy.

Sounds about right. https://t.co/hJCjxhN2BQ  Gen Michael Hayden (@GenMhayden) August 12, 2022

Neither of these pundits has tweeted a word about Biden's mishandling of classified material. The "historian" is trolling Republicans. The general is displaying his insensitivity by retweeting ludicrous claims about the recently departed Trump-supporter Lynette Hardaway, AKA "Diamond" of Diamond and Silk.

A few astute observers were baffled that Biden, who is among the least thoughtful individuals in America, could run a think-tank. The purpose of the think-tank became clear when it revealed that it had received $54.6 million from Chinese donors.

All reports about Biden's blunder made sure to state that Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents was graver. They attributed Trump's action to malice and even attributed traitorous motives, while Biden's mishandling was an inadvertent and rare mistake.

Well, that claim is now melting into thin air.

Earlier today, NBC News reported that aides to Biden discovered another batch of classified documents at a location other than his think-tank office. [Update: It was in a garage. Whether it was a locked garage is unknown.] Also, since the discovery of classified documents last November, Biden's aides have been searching for other locations he used for possible classified materials from his tenure as vice president.

This time, the White House has declined to comment on the situation.

Hence, details of the classification level, number, and all the precise locations of these recently discovered documents[, despite the garage revelation,] remain unclear. It is also unclear if the search for other classified materials is in progress or complete.

Biden's press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, refused to answer questions about the scandal when, surprisingly, the news media apart from Peter Doocy attempted to hold the Biden administration accountable.

"These documents were discovered on November 2nd...this didn't become public until...more than two months later. Why was the public not informed while the White House prepared its PR response for two months?"



KJP: "I'm not going to go beyond what the president shared yesterday." pic.twitter.com/7pFg7thQyG  Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 11, 2023

And:

KJP gets testy with a reporter:



"We work very well together. We don't need to have this kind of confrontation." pic.twitter.com/g4rX8xV5aJ  Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 11, 2023

Yet, Doocy left Jean-Pierre momentarily speechless when he reminded her of Biden's words calling Trump "irresponsible" after the Mar-a-Lago raid.

Peter Doocy: "How could anyone be that irresponsible? Isn't that what this president says about mishandling classified documents?"



WH press sec: "He believes that classified documents and information should be taken seriously. He takes them seriously..." pic.twitter.com/C7VNvtueeV  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 11, 2023

And:

Fox's Peter Doocy on Biden's lawyers finding classified documents at an old office: How can President Biden be trusted, moving forward, with Americas secrets?



WH Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre: His team did the right thing  They turned it over to the [National] Archives. pic.twitter.com/SFrzIzSSA0  The Recount (@therecount) January 11, 2023

What is unusual is that, despite government agencies and the news media being loyal Democrat terriers, the discovery of these classified documents that were a result of Biden's dereliction of duty was eventually made public by agencies yet covered by the news media.

Why did they reveal information that made Biden look bad when they could have suppressed the information forever, and nobody would have known?

Perhaps the fact that Democrats lost far fewer seats under Biden during the midterms than they did under Obama and Clinton has deluded Biden about his abilities and popularity? Perhaps the Democrat leadership via government agencies is putting Biden back in his place?

Perhaps the Democrat leadership doesn't want Biden to run in 2024 and this is their method of coercion?

Maybe the GOP winning back the House has something to do with it? Perhaps they feared that their cover-up would be discovered?

Back to the documents.

The fact that they were left lying around at unsecured locations for a prolonged period of time makes the risks very grave.

Perhaps these documents were accessed and copied by unauthorized personnel or hostile foreign adversaries. Perhaps they were taken out for the purpose of being shared. Perhaps Hunter Biden came into possession of the documents which means their contents are already known to the CCP.

What is also surprising is that Biden's aides and not the DOJ or FBI agents are conducting the search for the possible remaining classified documents.

Biden's lawyers discovering the classified documents on two occasions was itself a breach because they did not have security clearance to access these documents. Should they discover more, it will be a further violation. But nobody, including the DOJ, seems to care.

It also raises questions regarding the management of classified documents by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Ideally, they should have details of each and every classified document, including their location. Classified documents should not be allowed beyond secure premises. This raises questions of whether every individual is subjected to the same scrutiny and checking prior to leaving secure premises.

If classified documents go missing, the National Archives and Records Administration should launch a focused hunt to recover them. The fact that the documents were discovered by lawyers after at least six years raises serious concerns. Clearly, they do not have proper records of classified documents.

Yet, after the Mar-a-Lago raids, these Democrats and their media proxies delivered numerous sanctimonious spiels regarding federal officeholders being required by law to relinquish classified records when their government service ends.

They were making it appear that Trump was both careless and traitorous and was looking to sell the documents to foreign powers.

After the raid on Mar-a-Lago, U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland said that he personally approved the decision for the FBI to execute a search warrant at President Trump's Florida residence.

Garland sanctimoniously proclaimed:

Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our democracy. Upholding the rule of law means applying the law evenly without fear or favor. Under my watch, that is precisely what the Justice Department is doing.

Will Garland enforce the laws against Biden and raid all his properties to recover possible classified documents?

Obviously not.

Biden won't suffer the consequences of his actions.

Perhaps one of Biden's staffers will take the fall for Biden's mistake and will be pardoned by Biden after that.

Late last year, Garland appointed special counsel Jack Smith to probe President Trump's alleged mishandling of classified records.

Will he also be appointing a special counsel to investigate Biden's mishandling of classified records?

A cornerstone of a civilized democracy is fair elections, where citizens have all information right up to the last minute prior.

Another fundamental tenet of a civilized democracy is that all citizens, irrespective of their position, power, and wealth, are equal before the law.

Those seemingly inviolable principles are rapidly eroding before our eyes.

The mishandling of classified information, the cover-up that followed prior to the elections, and the lack of any punitive actions against Biden all deserve to be investigated.

Will the GOP be brave, meticulous, and focused this time?

Image: David Lienemann, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Boy, oh, boy, does this stink, and it's a story that cruised relatively under the radar.

According to reporter Tom Loftus, writing for the Kentucky Lantern, Pfizer "donated" a whopping one million dollars last month to the Republican Party of Kentucky Building Fund. To put that into perspective, the same fund raised only $6,000 in the first three quarters.

For what, you might ask?

According to Loftus:

In response to questions ... Sean Southard, spokesman for the Republican Party of Kentucky, released a statement Monday that said in part 'the Republican Party purchased the lot next door to our Frankfort headquarters and is planning an expansion project.' ... A sign identifies the party headquarters as the Mitch McConnell Building[.]

The pharmaceutical giant "donated" the money? Yeah, right. Seems more plausible that Pfizer took a cue from BlackRock's Laurence Fink and bought the Kentucky turncoat's political favor. Fink recently gifted Zelensky with "pro bono" advice on how to implement a "special patronage" system in Ukraine, which currently sees municipalities, buildings, really whatever auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Or perhaps it was payment for McConnell's rabidly aggressive push in favor of the COVID-19 vaccine? After all, as Loftus notes:

Fueled by sales of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer's revenue doubled [emphasis added[ to $81.3 billion from 2020 to 2021. ... For the first three quarters of 2022, Pfizer reported $76 billion in revenues.

From an NBC News piece in August of 2021:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has filmed a public service announcement to encourage people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, a 30-second video shot and distributed by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. The PSA begins with a voice-over, then turns to McConnell speaking directly to the camera saying: 'As a boy, I fought polio. Today, America's ben polio-free for 40 years  thanks to vaccinations. We'll beat Covid-19 with vaccines, too. Protect yourself and your family. Get vaccinated.' The PSA is just another example of McConnell's push for Americans to get vaccinated. Just last month, he launched radio ads in Kentucky to promote vaccine efforts in the state. The ad has been made available to stations across the country, but it has aired over 100 times in local TV markets in Kentucky, a spokesman for McConnell tells NBC News. McConnell's office approached the National Association of Broadcasters about doing the PSA.

Interesting...McConnell approached the radio station? Seems as if a FOIA ought to be in order...

Generally, people tend to frown upon a system that sees large corporations buy votes or political favor via a patronage system. Apparently not Mitch McConnell or his swamp cronies, though!

In a strange and aggravating way, McConnell is perhaps the most loyal congressman in the Senate, albeit his allegiances lie with corporations and foreign nations, not the American people.

Image: DonkeyHotey, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Scott Pelley: When you saw the photograph of the top -secret documents laid out on the floor at Mar-a-Lago, what did you think to yourself looking at that image?

Joe Biden: How could  anyone [Trump] could be that irresponsible?  It's just totally irresponsible.

-CBS, 60 Minutes, September 2022

A stash of classified and top-secret documents, some with the sensitive compartmented information designation, has just been found at Joe Bidens private office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania and, just breaking, at least one additional batch has been found at other locations.

Unfortunately, the administration that boasts Highest Standards of Transparency has not condescended to say where the new stash has been found, the peasants having no right to know. Quite surprisingly (or maybe not), the reaction to this from just about everybody in what passes for our news media was completely different from the reaction to Trumps classified and top-secret documents at his guarded compound in Mar-a-Lago, which was raided last August. In Trumps case no distinctions, no qualifications, no nuance needed to be considered. Trump was guilty of putting our national security at risk. Hes going to get us all killed!

Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian with no history degree and a dependable virtue-signaling Democrat party groupie, suggested that Trump deserved the death penalty for retaining classified documents. Former CIA Director Michael Hayden, who has been accused of lying to Congress, agreed, saying, sounds about right. CNNs Laura Coates, atypically at a loss for words, said she simply does not know what to say about the seriousness of [Trumps] threats to national security. Carl Bernstein, who was fortunate to be standing beside Bob Woodward when the latter brought down Nixon, said that Trump has played fast and loose with American national security." Nicole Wallace, who used to pretend to be a Republican until MSNBC made her an offer she couldnt refuse, described the situation as a national security crisis. Joy Reid of MSNBC was deeply upset with the extreme risk Trump was willing to take with our national security and so on. Biden himself, prompted by Pellys invitation to trash Trump, was very clear that there could be no excuse whatsoever for a presidents taking classified documents when they left office.

Quite surprisingly, once Biden was found in possession of classified and top-secret documents, all sorts of excuses have suddenly materialized.

There were not as many classified documents found in Bidens possession. Bidens lawyers voluntarily disclosed the existence of the documents after they found them rummaging through his closets at the University of Pennsylvania, in an amazing coincidence, just before the Republicans were predicted to take over the House and just after the November 2022 election had been concluded. Biden did not know anything about the documents and is, therefore, as innocent as a new born babe (or a senile octogenarian). Biden has been instructed by his lawyers not even to ask what is in the documents so he can maintain his blissful ignorance, for which he seems to have a peculiar knack, and what passes for our news media readily agreed to that request (almost as if they are an arm of the Democrat Party).

Unfortunately, none of these arguments are convincing.

In response to the first argument, the number of classified documents is not the issue. The issue is what is in the documents. One extremely sensitive classified or top-secret document could do far more damage if it falls into the hands of our enemies than a plethora of classified or top-secret documents that deal with outdated matters.

In response to the second argument, the fact that Bidens lawyers voluntarily disclosed the existence of the documents (at a politically convenient time) does not negate the fact that national security secrets could already have been compromised. Indeed, Biden himself, to Pelly, stated that there was no excuse for a president having such documents in his possession after he left office.

In response to the third argument, it may be true that Biden does not seem to know much about what is going on about anything, a fact that is evident to many of us, but that does not absolve him of the fact that it is his responsibility to know what classified and top-secret documents are in his possession.

In response the fourth (bizarre) argument, that Biden has been instructed by his lawyers not even to ask what is in the documents, Biden and what passes for our news media appear to have forgotten that the present imperative is not to keep the man who had promised to be the most transparent president ever in a state of blissful ignorance but to explain to the American people what damage may have been done to their national security.

Further, there are numerous reasons why the Biden classified documents story is, arguably, considerably worse than the corresponding Trump story.

First, since Trump left office in early 2021 the classified documents were in his possession only about two years before the FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago compound with guns drawn, whereas since Biden left office in 2016, his classified documents were in that think tank at the University of Pennsylvania for about six years before they were found at a politically convenient time, giving malicious actors much more time to access them and damage the nation.

Second, since the ultimate right to declassify documents belongs to the president, not the vice president, Trump has the right to declassify virtually any documents he pleased while he was in office whereas Biden, as a mere vice president, had no authority to declassify them.

Third, since all presidents are protected by the Secret Service for the remainder of their lives after they leave office, and since the documents in Trumps possession were at his Mar-a-Lago compound, Trumps walled compound with locked gates and rooms in the presence of the Secret Service, those documents were extremely well protected.

By contrast, since Bidens classified and top-secret documents were kept at think tank at the University of Pennsylvania funded by $22 million from anonymous sources in China, there is plenty of reason to worry that the Biden documents may have been accessed by China, the greatest threat to the U.S., according to FBI Director Christopher Wray. One would have thought that anyone with a modicum of common sense would not have kept the documents in such a compromised location in the first place. One can only wonder why this never occurred to Biden, specifically, whether the fact that his son Hunter has pocketed $31 million from Chinese elites had anything to do with his memory lapse.

Theyre [the Chinese] not bad folks, folks.  Theyre not competition for us. Joe Biden, Campaign event, Iowa, 2019

Although the continuing refrain from the Democrat-Media Collusion Team has been that Trump has put the national security at risk, the real threat to our national security is a news media that shamelessly protects Biden and Democrat incompetence and malfeasance.

Note: Beschloss and Hayden have not yet called for Bidens execution.

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0
Back in 1986, Hollywood gave us Three Amigos, a silly, often funny movie about three "gringos" mistaken for real heroes. The story is how they try stop a "bandido" known as "El Guapo," or the handsome one. As I recall, the reaction in Mexico was not good.

Now the "three amigos" are P.M. Justin Trudeau, President Joe Biden, and host Presidente Andres Lopez-Obrador. How did the "amigos" get along? According to one story, the Mexican amigo wants the American amigo to do more for Latin America. This is the story:

The bilateral meeting between Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday, Jan. 9, ahead of Tuesday's North American Leaders' Summit (NALS) with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, got off with a bit of a rocky start after Lopez Obrador told Biden that the United States government has done little to support Latin America. "This is the moment for us to determine to do away with this abandonment, this disdain and this forgetfulness for Latin America and the Caribbean," AMLO said. "This is opposed to the good-neighbor policy of that titan of freedom that was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt." Biden took issue with Lopez Obrador's statement, and replied  evidently going off script and straying from his prepared remarks  that on the contrary, the United States has spent "tens of billions of dollars in the hemisphere," over the past 15 years, adding that his government had secured agreements from G-7 countries to support infrastructure projects in Latin America. "The United States provides more foreign aid than every other country, just about combined, in the world  to not just the hemisphere, but around the world," Biden told Lopez Obrador. "Unfortunately, our response just doesn't end in the Western hemisphere: it's in Central Europe. It's in Asia. It's in the Middle East. It's in Africa. I wish we could just have one focus."

Glad that President Biden took issue with President AMLO's silly comment. Latin America has a lot of problems, and leaders like AMLO in Mexico, Lula in Brazil, Maduro in Venezuela, and Raul Castro in Cuba are the real problems.

Let's look at Mexico and the 2022 Index of Economic Freedom:

Mexico's economic freedom score is 63.7, making its economy the 67th freest in the 2022 Index. Mexico is ranked 14th among 32 countries in the Americas region, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages. The Mexican economy grew slowly in 2017 and 2018, contracted in 2019 and more deeply in 2020, and returned to growth in 2021. During those five years, a trend of middling economic freedom has continued. With minor score changes across all 12 indicators, Mexico has recorded a negligible 0.1-point overall gain of economic freedom since 2017 and remains trapped in the middle ranks of the "Moderately Unfree" countries. Fiscal health, trade freedom, and investment freedom are relatively strong, but Mexico's long-time, very feeble rule of law does not befit the second-largest economy in Latin America.

Feeble rule of law? Where have we heard that before?

The U.S. has not forgotten Latin America. U.S. companies do business with all countries, and U.S. tourists keep the resorts going. So don't let AMLO get away with telling anyone to remember the continent.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: RawPixel.
A new Vermont bill seeks to ban so-called "paramilitary training camps."

Vermont's 2022 elections secured a stronger-than-ever progressive supermajority in the state Legislature, and the one-party Progressives are wasting no time pushing their agenda.

The proposed bill implicates more than just gun rights; it squarely attacks the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly.

S.3, "an act relating to banning paramilitary training camps," targets the rights of citizens with shared interests to join together for legal militia training, an activity that by definition necessitates group gatherings. The statute's wording attacks freedom of expression by targeting specific categories of "instruction." The bill would exempt police and formal military training by government, as well as "an active shooter drill conducted by a Vermont school district" (which has been proven to cause trauma to young children).

Sponsored by English teacher and fiction writer Phil Baruth, the effort reflects the usual progressive disdain for basic constitutional guarantees. A previous effort in Vermont sought to close the supposed "Charleston loophole" by imposing a 30-day waiting period on gun purchases, followed by denial of purchase as default, with no right of appeal (AKA "Due Process").

S.3 is similarly deaf as to basic state and federal legal protections and sounds as if it was written by a fiction novelist who skipped researching the legal parameters of his subject. It calls for up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for any person who owns or operates "a paramilitary training camp or facility":

As used in this section: (1) "Paramilitary training" means instruction: (A) that is designed to prepare a person for combat through the simulation of military training and tactics; (B) that involves staged or simulated attacks on buildings, vehicles, or persons; or (C) in the use of explosives[.]

Government here is seeking to regulate specific knowledge, central to the rights of free speech and to freely assemble. It is also unconstitutionally vague: will police arrest a gun club or shooting range owner who talks about coordinated gunfire, or who uses an old junk car for target practice? Is the teaching of gun use for hunting in groups permitted, but not for mutual self-defense?

Vermont's constitution (Chapter 1, Article 16) provides "[t]hat the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State[.]" Article 20 states "[t]hat the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good[.]" Baruth's effort attacks both provisions simultaneously. When the government comes for one's rights, it is a sign that one must heel in government  or at least rogue legislators like Baruth.

In Thomas v. Collins, the U.S. Supreme Court held that it was a prior restraint on both speech and assembly for Texas to restrict a speaker's rights, stating:

[A]ny attempt to restrict those liberties must be justified by clear public interest, threatened not doubtfully or remotely, but by clear and present danger. ... [W]hatever occasion would restrain orderly discussion and persuasion, at appropriate time and place, must have clear support in public danger, actual or impending. Only the gravest abuses, endangering paramount interests, give occasion for permissible limitation. It is therefore in our tradition to allow the widest room for discussion, the narrowest range for its restriction, particularly when this right is exercised in conjunction with peaceable assembly.

The Supreme Court also struck down efforts to enjoin KKK members from meeting. On what legal basis, then, does Baruth propose to stop peaceable Vermonters from meeting to learn how to defend themselves as a group from potential future enemies, foreign and domestic?

The right to assemble even for controversial topics has long been preserved in America:

Albert Wright's 1883 Exposition of the Constitution of the United States observed that under the right of assembly, "any number of people may come together in any sort of societies, religious, social or political, or even in treasonous conspiracies[.]"

Much like the effort to sensationalize semi-automatic rifles as "assault weapons," Vermont's statute percolates fearful left-wing alarmism over ill defined "paramilitary training" that is completely protected under longstanding constitutional law.

When drafting fiction, Senator Baruth should stick to his pulp novels.

Image: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress via RawPixel, CC0 public domain.
Following the recent passage of the $1.7-trillion omnibus spending bill by our Congress and the subsequent signing of it into law by our president, details of this massive spending frenzy were provided by Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.)'s office.

Thankfully, Congressman Bishop and his staff were able to provide the citizens of our country with details on the 4,155-page out-of-control spending bill, highlighting such things as $3 million for "bee-friendly highways," $50 million to research North Atlantic Right Whales, and $410 million to "remain available to Reimburse ('Reimburse'?) Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt Tunisia and Oman for enhanced border security (what?!)."

Simultaneously, we all continue to see ads on television soliciting donations for Tunnels to Towers and for Wounded Warriors.

For those of you reading this who are unaware of these reputable organizations, simply put, they provide support and specialty mortgage-free housing for many of our wounded and disabled former members of our military  our national heroes.

If not for the successful leadership of Frank Siller (Tunnels to Towers) and Mike Linnington (Wounded Warriors), many of our disabled soldiers, sailors, airmen, and their families would be saddled with unimaginable additional challenges and financial stress throughout the remainder of their lives. Thankfully, these two organizations, in addition to others, exist through the continued support from thousands of private citizens.

So, the question is "Why?" After our Congress and president just spent $1.7 trillion, why do these organizations have to exist at all?

Obviously, the money is there for all sorts of things.

Why do private citizens need to provide this type of support for our disabled heroes? After all, support to these organizations, through monetary donations, is coming from those who are already over-taxed (see the $1.7-trillion tax bill!). Where is the support from our Congress? Where is the support from our president?

Seeing nothing in a $1.7-trillion tax bill that would provide the type of support that is provided by these two organizations, among others, for our disabled military heroes is not only wrong, but beyond nauseating! A small fraction of this spending-spree bill, directed to these two organizations, would have had an amazing, positive impact on what could be done for these heroes.

Without this support, every member of Congress who voted for this spending spree, and our president who signed it, is nothing more than just another disgusting politician.

For all of you who fall into this category, you have found it to be worthwhile to provide billions to Ukraine and countless other pet spending projects, but not to your own disabled military (without whom you would not even exist!)?

My question to those of you is  "you're grown men and women  what's wrong with you?" Thank God (yes, God!) for these organizations, because we certainly can't thank God for most of our politicians.

Image: Virginia State Parks via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia "positively assesses" China's decision to optimize its COVID-19 response policies, including those regarding cross-border movement of people and freight, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"We are interested in a strong, dynamically developing China and interested in strengthening and diversifying our multifaceted practical ties," the ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said at her weekly briefing when answering a question about the prospects for China's economic development after the adjustment of COVID-19 response policies.

"We are ready to cooperate with our partners to ensure the further intensification of Russian-Chinese trade and economic cooperation as well as the resumption of coordinated large-scale exchanges between the people of our countries," she added. 
Microsoft founder Bill Gates revealed last year that he uses Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 3 as his primary smartphone. He said that in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session in May 2022. The billionaire philanthropist has now expectedly upgraded to a new phone. And no prizes for guessing what he is using now. Gates has upgraded to none other than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. He revealed that in a similar Reddit AMA yesterday.

Bill Gates uses the Galaxy Z Fold 4 because of its big screen

According to Gates, Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong gifted him the Galaxy Z Fold 4 during his South Korea visit last year. The duo met in August, shortly after the Korean firm launched its latest foldables. Lee must have seen the Windows founder holding the 2021 model and decided to present him with the new one. And as amusing as the internet is, a Redditor was quick to point out that Bill Gates traveled to the Samsung HQ and got his phone upgraded directly from the tech behemoths Chairman.

Fun aside, the Microsoft founder shared some insights into his decision to stick with Samsungs premier foldables. According to him, the Galaxy Z Fold 4s big screen (unfolded) allows him to use the device as a tablet when needed, something he said last year as well. The latest Samsung foldable features a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1812 x 2176 pixels resolution, and 1200 nits of peak brightness. It can comfortably double up as a premium Android tablet.

Bill Gates said he frequently uses the Galaxy Z Fold 4 for checking his emails on Outlook. He also uses several other Microsoft apps on the foldable. Microsoft involves me in some of the research and product plans, he said. Apart from the foldable smartphone-cum-tablet, Gates carries a Windows-powered portable computer. He uses the Windows Surface Studio as his desktop computer. Microsofts Surface Hub whiteboard is another of his favorite tech gadgets.

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Galaxy Z Fold 5 rumors have already started coming in

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 4 in August last year, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Watch 5 series, and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. We are expecting the company to unveil its next-gen foldables in the same month this year. But rumors about those have already started coming in. The latest we have is that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be thicker and heavier than the 2022 model.

While that may not be the best piece of news for those looking forward to the new foldable, the added weight and thickness are due to Samsung offering a built-in S Pen with it. If only the company could figure out a way to make the device slimmer and lighter. We will keep you posted with all the latest information about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Early rumors about Samsungs upcoming Galaxy A24 suggested the phone will be a massive downgrade over its predecessor, the Galaxy A23. We were told that the new mid-range smartphone will come with an outdated processor, a smaller battery, and more downgrades from the 2022 model. Some of the claims were so wild that we genuinely doubted their authenticity. Looks like our doubts werent unfounded. A more reliable source recently shared some specs of the Galaxy A24 and they instantly feel accurate.

According to reputed Samsung insiders at GalaxyClub, the Galaxy A24 will retain the 5,000mAh battery from its predecessor, with 25W fast charging support. The previous rumor mentioned a laughable 4,000mAh power unit with 15W fast charging in this mid-range phone. The new device will also retain the 50MP primary camera at the back, unlike what we heard before (48MP). It will be flanked by a 5MP ultrawide lens and possibly a 2MP macro camera, The Galaxy A24 doesnt have a depth sensor. Samsung is removing it from its entire mid-range lineup this year.

On the front, the Galaxy A24 upgrades to a 13MP selfie shooter from an 8MP unit. Once again, it differs from the previous rumor of a 16MP selfie camera. While that is all we have for now, the earlier claim of the phone featuring the Exynos 7904 chipset should be incorrect. This is an outdated processor that isnt fit for a 2024 mid-range smartphone. We should get to hear more about the device in the coming weeks as Samsung prepares for its launch. The Galaxy A23 debuted in March last year. We expect the Galaxy A24 to arrive around the same time this year.

The Galaxy A24 may not get a successor next year

Samsung may have yet to launch the Galaxy A24, but rumors about its successor are already here. And the very first rumor is that there will be no successor at all. Yes, the Korean firm reportedly doesnt plan to launch a Galaxy A25 next year. The upcoming device will be the last in the Galaxy A2x series.

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If true, this would further trim Samsungs Galaxy A lineup. Since revamping its low-cost smartphone portfolio in 2019, the company has gone on to discontinue the Galaxy A9x, Galaxy A8x, and Galaxy A4x series. It is also said to stop making Galaxy A7x phones this year. Rumors have it that there will be no Galaxy A74. Samsung seems to be streamlining its mid-range smartphone portfolio to focus on quality improvements. We will let you know as soon as we have confirmation about these rumors.
Google Docs is gaining the ability to show non-printing characters. You can now choose to see line breaks, section breaks, paragraph breaks, page breaks, column breaks, tabs, spaces, and other non-printing characters while viewing or editing a document. These are represented by symbols or text, the company explained in a post on the Google Workspace Updates blog earlier this week.

Markers for non-printing characters may not be of much use to most Google Docs users, but its a critical feature for some. It helps make editing a document easier by letting you see the formatting. You can quickly check whether a large space is a tab or multiple spaces. Likewise, you can easily differentiate between a paragraph break and a skipped line. Long story short, this feature gives you better control over the formatting of a document.

Unsurprisingly, it was one of the most requested features by Google Docs users. Googles IssueTracker platform has had dozens of people asking for it for several years now. Their frustration is understandable considering that Microsoft Word has been showing non-printing characters for decades. Google Docs somehow didnt have this feature all this while, forcing users to rely on third-party add-ons to see those markers. But as they say, better late than never. Google Docs can now show non-printing characters.

This feature provides a visual representation of what controls the formatting in a document, allowing you to make appropriate edits much easier, Google said.

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Google Docs finally starts showing non-printing characters

According to Google, this feature will be available to all Google Workspace customers, legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, and users with personal Google Accounts. It may take about a month to reach all eligible users globally, though. The rollout began for users on Rapid Release domains this Monday. Those on Scheduled Release domains will be able to see non-printing characters on Google Docs starting on January 23, 2023. Everyone should have it by the first week of February.

There is no admin control for this feature. It will be available by default for eligible users once Google completes the rollout. You will see a new Show non-printing characters option in the View menu on Docs on the web. Clicking on it will add various symbols and text representing non-printing characters to your document. You can click on it again to hide the characters. Note that this feature is not available on the Google Docs Android app.
Leaks have surfaced with official marketing photos of the Galaxy S23, Samsungs next flagship smartphone. While its unmistakably a Galaxy device, Samsung appears to have altered the phone design in a few notable ways. The Galaxy S23 photo leaks come from Roland Quandt of WinFuture, and they showcase the device comes in four new colors.

Although the images are not particularly high-res, you still get a good look at the phone from all sides. The first change in design that will probably catch your eye is the rear camera array. On past devices like the Galaxy S22, Samsung has used a rectangular bar to surround the camera sensors. That isnt the case anymore, though. With the Galaxy S23, Samsung has removed the rectangular camera bar entirely. So now each camera sensor appears separated from the others.

Judging from the side image, this also looks to have potentially decreased the size of the camera bump.

The Galaxy S23 leaks in four new colors

This isnt the first leak regarding the colors, or at least their names. But according to Quandt the colors for the Galaxy S23 will be Phantom Black, Botanic Green, Misty Lilac, and Cotton Flower. Which lines up with a past leak about the device colors.

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It also looks like Samsung is using the same color for the rounded edges of the aluminum frame. Which gives the whole device a cleaner, more premium look. In addition to the photos, the leak states that these are the same colors that will be used for the higher end models of the Galaxy S23. Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S23 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1.
Sony today has revealed a new Walkman model called the Walkman NW-A306, and it boasts improved battery life for longer enjoyment of your favorite digital music.

You might find yourself asking why youd want a dedicated music player like the Sony Walkman NW-A306. Especially when your smartphone already serves as a digital music player. Both for locally stored MP3 files and for streaming using services like Spotify, YouTube Music and more.

The answer, quite simply, is because you can expect noticeably higher quality sounding audio. Theres certainly nothing wrong with enjoying your music on one singular device. And if thats what you prefer, then your phone is the obvious choice there. But for audiophiles a dedicated device might be better suited. Thats who Sony made this device for. People who want their music to sound better and are willing to use a totally different device for it.

Among the improvements over previous Walkman devices, Sony says this one will last for up to 36 hours on a single charge. So you should be able to get at least two to three days out of it. Though realistically, a lot longer if youre not listening to music on it for 10+ hours a day.

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The Sony Walkman NW-A306 delivers high quality sound

Theres at least a couple of bigger reasons why this device can deliver better quality audio for your music. Firstly, Sony designed the device case using a premium aluminum milled frame. Which the company says provides superior rigidity for low impedance and clear, stable sound and solid bass.

The NW-A306 also uses what Sony is calling the DSEE Ultimate (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to upscale compressed digital music files. On top of this the DSEE Ultimate is designed to work perfectly with both downloaded music or streaming music. As well as with wireless headphones.

Sony plans to launch the Walkman NW-A306 in the UK and Europe this month for 350 and 400 respectively. Theres no confirmation yet on whether this will launch in the US or other regions.
(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 12 - Associations representing Italy's gas stations said Thursday that their members will strike on January 25 and 26 to protest against reports of allegedly speculative price hikes at petrol pumps after the government ended a reduction in fuel duties at the turn of the new year.

"The associations of (gas-station) operators have together taken the decision to proclaim a state of protest throughout the network to put an end to this 'wave of mud' against a group of honest workers and try to re-establish the truth," read a statement by the Faib-Confesercenti, Fegica, Figisc-Confcommercio associations.

The statement said the associations would also stage a demonstration outside the Lower House in Rome.

After the announcement, Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto said was the "legitimate right" of the associations to call a strike.

Petrol and diesel prices have risen significantly since the end of the duties reduction.

Prosecutors and the antitrust authority are looking into the increases after consumer association complaints.

Premier Giorgia Meloni's cabinet on Tuesday approved a decree to boost the transparency of fuel prices to stop speculative hikes.

Under the decree, gas stations will have to show the average national price for the fuel alongside their own prices.

There will also be a cap on how high fuel prices can be set at stations on motorways. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 11 - President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday received Iran's new ambassador to Italy Mohammad Reza Sabouri for the presentation of his credentials and voiced Italy's firm condemnation and his own personal indignation at the brutal repression of demonstrations and the death penalties and executions of many demonstrators in the Asian country in protests spawned by the death in hijab police custody of 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in mid-September, the presidential palace said.

Mattarella asked Sabour to convey to his government the urgency of immediately putting an end to the violence against the population and said "the respect with which Italy looks to its international partners and their laws finds an insurmountable limit in the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", the president's office said.

Italian officials including Premier Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani have repeatedly condemned the brutal repression of the protests by the Tehran regime, with teenagers executed and a girl as young as 14 allegedly raped and killed by police. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 12 - There has been no change in Iran's brutal repression of protests spawned by the death in hijab patrol custody of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in Mid September despite President Sergio Mattarella's call to end the violence, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday.

"We asked Tehran for a real change but the signal we requested has not come," said the foreign minister a day after Mattarella voiced his personal indignation to Iran's new ambassador to Rome.

Tajani told a joint session of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees that he had himself protested to the then ambassador-designate at the end of December.

"What is happening in Iran is unacceptable," Tajani reiterated, rebuffing a call by the ambassador earlier Thursday for Italy not to interfere with Iran's "culture".

The Italian diplomatic chief said that Italy "continues to request the immediate cessation of the repression and an immediate moratorium on the death penalty," under which dozens of protesters have been executed. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 12 - Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri had a meeting lasting almost one hour with Pope Francis on Thursday to discuss preparations for the Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee, sources said.

The mayor illustrated a government decree making it possible to get going with public works for the event to the pontiff.

Areas around the Vatican are set to be modernised, mobility will be improved and security systems bolstered, among other things.

Gualtieri then took part in a press conference with Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano to present the government's Jubilee decree.

He said a total of around four billion euros will be spent on works for the Jubilee when one also accounts for those in a second decree that is in the pipeline.

"I thank the government for working speedily (on the Jubilee) after taking office (in October)," Gualtieri said.

"This made it possible for us to present a programme that we are capable of realizing".

Mantovano said that: "there lots of work to do but I'm quite confident.

"Despite everything they say and the rows, in the end Rome and Italy serve up pleasant surprises," he added.

"There were some negative forecasts about the funeral of the pope emeritus (Benedict XVI) but it took place with order, without disruption and with approval that went beyond the national borders.

"I am confident Rome will be at the centre of the world's attention and will be so in the best possible way". (ANSA).


PARIS - CGT unions in the oil sector have announced they will strike for several days against a pension reform promoted by President Emmanuel Macron. In particular, they will strike on January 19 and 26 and on February 6. "If necessary", unions have also called for a "halt of refineries", according to a statement issued by Eric Sellini, the national coordinator of the union for TotalEnergies. The walkout will begin with a first 24-hour strike on January 19, which will coincide with the day of national mobilization against the pension reform organized by unions. On January 26, CGT has planned a 48-hour strike and a 72-hour strike starting on February 6.



Last Tuesday, Premier Elisabeth Borne presented a draft pension reform including the controversial raise of retirement age from 62 to 64 years, a prospect opposed by France's eight main unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, Solidaires, FSU) as well as several opposition parties, including France Insoumise and Rassemblement National. They are united for the first time in 12 years.




France: unions announce three strikes against pension reform On January 19, 26 and February 6

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, 12 GEN - CGT unions in the oil sector have announced they will strike for several days against a pension reform promoted by President Emmanuel Macron. In particular, they will strike on January 19 and 26 and on February 6. "If necessary", unions have also called for a "halt of refineries", according to a statement issued by Eric Sellini, the national coordinator of the union for TotalEnergies. The walkout will begin with a first 24-hour strike on January 19, which will coincide with the day of national mobilization against the pension reform organized by unions. On January 26, CGT has planned a 48-hour strike and a 72-hour strike starting on February 6.



Last Tuesday, Premier Elisabeth Borne presented a draft pension reform including the controversial raise of retirement age from 62 to 64 years, a prospect opposed by France's eight main unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, Solidaires, FSU) as well as several opposition parties, including France Insoumise and Rassemblement National. They are united for the first time in 12 years. (ANSAmed).




LISBONA - The Italian cultural institute in Lisbon has cooperated with the organization of the exhibit 'Imagining and Designing Cities' by Italian artist Valerio Morabito, which will be inaugurated on Friday, January 13, at the Galeria Antecamara.



The show will run until February 10. The exhibit showcases drawings representing cities from around the world.



"Some of them - Morabito said - are part of drawings that I have made on American cities at the American Academy in Rome in 2022. Others are drawings on Lisbon made for this show - cities I visited many years ago". He went on to say that "my cities are collections of details reused to imagine and plan ideas and shapes of unexpected cities. No drawings in this show represent a city that was designed while being observed in person: they are all interpretations, translations and combinations of many locations, stories and different books. These drawings are born from a work of abstraction", he noted, rather than a "representation of shapes".



Morabito also highlighted that "drawings are still lives of cities without a function, delineating an idea of city that is devoid of any geometrical influence. Even though cities are represented with the colour technique of oil on canvas, they are still drawings; drawings of cities representing an effort to search for design ideas, imagining what could be and isn't".




Italy aims for accords with migrants' countries of departure MSF-run Geo Barents reaches Ancona

(ANSAmed) - ROME, 12 GEN - Adverse sea conditions has led to a slowdown in landings after an intense weekend during which nearly 4,000 arrivals were registered. But the dossier on migrants remains key for the government of Premier Giorgia Meloni which is aiming to forge agreements with the countries of departure of migrants. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is expected to travel to Tunisia, Turkey and Libya as part of these efforts. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has also planned a series of visits, starting with Turkey. And Europe is at the centre of the agenda: Meloni is expected to attend on February 9-10 an EU Council on immigration.



Tajani on Tuesday also held talks with his Tunisian counterpart Othman Jerandi. "I asked the Tunisian government for reassurances that more controls will be carried out on the departure of migrants", explained the minister. "We are working and pushing Europe towards common choices, also to make investments in Africa". More investments in African countries are thus being reportedly pledged in exchange for a stronger commitment in the fight against human traffickers operating boats that travel to Italy. It is not an easy objective in Tunisia, a country rocked by a serious economic crisis, as well as in Libya, where it is hard to find trustworthy institutional interlocutors.



Meanwhile, migrant-rescue vessel Geo Barents, operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reached on Wednesday morning the Adriatic port of Ancona, delayed by the rough sea. MSF, along with the NGO Sos Mediterranee, whose vessel Ocean Viking reached the Marche port on Tuesday night, complained about the "useless suffering" endured by passengers which could have been spared if institutions had assigned a closer port.



The Ocean Viking's 37 passengers were moved to hosting facilities, including 12 minors, in addition to six others who said on Wednesday morning that they were under 18 and who will undergo further examinations. Sos Mediterranee's ship on Tuesday departed again, sailing south. (ANSAmed)
West Bank: Palestinian killed in clashes with Israeli forces 'Stones' against soldiers; man killed while 'trying to free' son

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 12 GEN - A Palestinian has been killed during an operation carried out by the Israeli army in the refugee camp of Qaladiya near Ramallah, in the West Bank.



According to the Palestinian health ministry, the man - who was identified as Samir Awni Harbi Aslan, 41 - was shot in the "chest while he was trying to free his son, Ramzi, from the soldiers of occupation during his arrest". An Israeli military spokesman said that "during an operation to arrest six suspects", "rocks and blocks" of stone were thrown from roofs against soldiers underneath "endangering their lives".



(ANSAmed).




BRUSSELS - Democratic Left (PD) MEP Andrea Cozzolino has asked the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) to withdraw amendments previously presented to the resolution 'The role of cohesion policy in addressing multidimensional environmental challenges in the Mediterranean basin", which should be voted by the committee soon, according to an internal communication of REGI viewed by ANSA.



The amendments presented by the team of the Italian MEP, who is implicated in the so-called Qatargate scandal, for which a withdrawal has been requested are number 12, 13, 35, 62, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 84, 100, 101 and 102 concerning the "fruitful relations with Tunisia, Morocco" and "cooperation with Maghreb".
**adds names of police officer in second last par following updated statement from PSNI

Concern has been expressed over the strip searching of children by police in Northern Ireland.

Amnesty International has called on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to end the practice.

It comes following a report by The Detail, an investigative journalism website, that in 2021, a total of 27 children were strip searched  meaning they were asked to remove their clothing by officers.

The report also stated that of the 27 only one was accompanied by an appropriate adult, and items of interest were only found three times  drugs on two occasions and on one a mobile phone.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland programme director, said the use of strip searches on children is a serious violation of their human rights and dignity.

This ongoing practice raises serious questions about the PSNIs commitment to human rights and the UKs obligations under international human rights law to uphold the rights of the child, despite concerns raised by Policing Board members and childrens rights organisations, he said.

Strip searching children is just one area where we have concerns about the PSNIs use of intrusive policing powers, alongside their use of spit and bite guards, and stop and search.

Rather than establishing a panel to review each case of a child being strip searched, the PSNI should simply end this shocking practice immediately.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd, head of operational support department, said: There are occasions when it is necessary and proportionate for police officers to conduct strip searches of under-18s.

Police may lawfully conduct these searches if they believe an individual has on their person an item hidden under clothes or inside the body that cause themselves or others harm.

Searches are only conducted when authorised by a custody sergeant.

This is not a routine activity and, on those occasions such searches are deemed necessary, they are conducted in line with the law and in accordance with our code of conduct.
A Conservative MP has encouraged the Government to consider withholding funding from Transport for London (TfL) unless plans to expand the citys ultra-low emission zone are dropped.

Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington, hit out at Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, calling the plan appalling and a cash grab during a question in the House of Commons.

He asked if ministers could be encouraged to withhold funds from TfL until the Labour mayor decides to withdraw this insane plan.

Speaking during a session of questions related to the business of the House, Mr Bacon said: Its something that would do nothing to improve air quality and will be economically disastrous for poorer people, both in outer London constituencies like my own of Orpington, but also in terms of people living outside Greater London.

Its simply a cash grab. The mayor has no mandate to do it and its overwhelmingly opposed by people in outer London.

So could my right honourable friend encourage colleagues across Government to consider withholding funds from Transport for London until he decides to withdraw this insane plan?

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt replied: Whatever the merits or otherwise of setting up such a scheme, to do it at a time when businesses are recovering from a pandemic, and its not obviously just businesses in London, its also in surrounding areas, tradesmen and others that would be coming in for materials or to do jobs.

I know it has had a hugely detrimental impact on many firms and I will certainly raise this with the Secretary of State.

Mr Khan announced plans last year to extend Londons ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover the whole of the capital from August 29 2023 in an effort to boost air quality.

TfL estimates that on an average day about 160,000 cars and 42,000 vans that use Londons roads would be liable for the 12.50 Ulez fee.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: Toxic air is a matter of life and death. Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to the toxic air in our city and the mayor makes no apology for making the tough decision to expand the ultra-low emission zone, which will bring cleaner air to five million more Londoners.

85% of vehicles in outer London are already Ulez compliant and, for those that arent, the mayor has announced the biggest scrappage scheme yet  110 million  to help the Londoners who need it most amid the cost-of-living crisis, including low-income and disabled Londoners.

The aim of the Ulez is, and has always been, to reduce emissions from road transport in order to reduce the health impacts of air pollution and the related cost to the NHS and businesses.

All of the net revenue is spent on improving public transport and active travel options in London. The Ulez is proven to be effective  reducing toxic air pollution by nearly half in central London.
Industrial action set to cause more disruption in days and weeks ahead

Industrial action in different sectors is continuing to cause disruption across the UK in 2023.

Services from transport to health are being hit by walkouts this month and beyond.

Here are some of the strikes planned:

 January 13

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) staff to continue their walkout.

Ambulance workers on the picket line outside London Ambulance Service NHS Trust control room in Waterloo, London (Nina Lloyd/PA)

 January 16

EIS to stage a national strike for 16 consecutive days until February 2, which will see members in two local authorities strike each day.

London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.

 January 18

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England will strike.

 January 19

London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.

RCN members in England will continue their strike.

 January 23

Unison members working for five ambulance services in England will stage another walkout.

Unite ambulance workers will also strike.

 January 25

London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.

 January 26

London bus workers at Abellio will continue strike.

Physiotherapists will strike in a dispute over pay and staffing.

 February 1

A strike by 100,000 civil servants will go ahead after a meeting with the Government was described as a total farce by the PCS union.

 February 9

Physiotherapists will continue their strike.

 February to March

More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK will strike for 18 days between February and March in disputes over pay, conditions and pensions. The precise dates are expected to be confirmed next week.
King impressed by plaque made to mark his visit to community facility

The King said he was very impressed as he was presented with a plaque made to commemorate his visit to community groups in Aberdeenshire.

Charles visited the Mid-Deeside Community Shed, near Aboyne, on Thursday to meet representatives of organisations working across the region.

He also drank tea with members of the Aboyne Mens Shed, which is housed in the community shed, and watched craft skills including wood and stone carving in action.

Charles, dressed in a hunting Stewart tartan kilt, then unveiled the plaque, made by Mens Shed member Tony Atherton, to a round of applause and said: I am very impressed.

The plaque reads: This plaque was unveiled to commemorate the visit of His Majesty King Charles III to Aboyne Mens Shed on Thursday 12th January.

After admiring it, Charles quipped: Has he spelt it all right?

The visit was the Kings first public engagement since the Duke of Sussexs memoir Spare hit the shops.

Charles talks to Mens Shed member Tony Atherton (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Tipped by industry experts to be one of the years biggest-selling books, it contains a series of revelations about royal life.

According to the publisher, the English language edition of Spare sold more than 1,430,000 units in all formats and editions in the United States, Canada and the UK on January 10 when it first hit bookshop shelves.

On arrival at the community shed, Charles was greeted by Lord Lieutenant Sandy Manson before meeting with members of the public gathered outside.

Scotland The Brave rang out on the pipes, played by pipe major James Cooper, 23, of Ballater & District Pipe Band.

Sandra Charles, from Australia, managed to have a quick chat with the King during her holiday to Aberdeenshire (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Sandra Charles, 64, who is visiting from Australia, said she had been tipped off about the Kings visit by a friend in Aberdeen.

I thought while I am over here why not come along and see if I can get the chance to meet him, she said, minutes before Charles spoke to her.

Speaking after her interaction with the King, she added: I was waving and he came up and I said I was from Australia. He said to say hello to everyone back in Australia. When he came back out, he remembered me and said are you still here?, and then said we cant do without the Aussies.

The King was given a tour of the Aboyne Mens Shed, which is part of an international network of Mens Sheds providing community spaces for men to connect.

The Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed houses various local projects and groups (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The venue features antique machinery and tools, the majority of which were donated by a Scot called Hugh Gibson who supported the cause.

Shed member John Stodter, in his 60s, spoke with Charles as he toured the room.

He was very interested in a post box that we have which is a George V one, he said.

Each King and Queen has their own royal cypher, and this one has George Vs. Its distinctive because he used GR, and the one we have also has a crown on it.

I have seen some of these post boxes go for a fair bit of money one was 1,800.

Charles met with well-wishers, and their pets, outside the community facility (Andrew Milligan/PA)

He (Charles) said it would make a good bird box.

The King then sat down to drink tea, served to him in a special teacup, with members of the Shed.

Mr Stodter added: When he (Charles) sat down, apparently he looked around the table and said I think were all the same age.

The King was also presented with a swift box by the Sheds chairman Mike Brooks, during which he could be heard uttering I love swifts followed by thank-you very much, thats very kind.

Speaking about his interaction with Charles, Mr Brooks said: He was just very interested in what we are doing. He spoke to everyone, shook their hands and looked at the crafts.

We presented him with a swift box because we know he has them at Balmoral, and these boxes are very special.

Charles unveiled a plaque made to commemorate his visit (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Mr Brooks added: The day went really well.

It was great to see the King come to this Shed.

A lot of men are on their own, and find themselves with no-one, and it can be very lonely, and this place is all about getting men chatting together.

Charles then visited representatives from other charities and voluntary groups in an upstairs part of the Shed, including the Inverurie-based Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, Gordon Rural Action and Young at Heart Deeside.

After the visit, a spokesman for the King said he had made a personal donation of a community fridge to an Aberdeenshire foodbank.

The fridge would be used to store food donated by members of public for those from local communities facing hardship.
A rail union leader says they expect employers to present them with a very tight proposal that offers a way below inflation pay package.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union general secretary Mick Lynch arrived at the offices of FirstGroup in Paddington, London, on Thursday for a meeting with the Rail Delivery Group over the ongoing job security and pay dispute.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Lynch said: We will be having further talks today with the Rail Delivery Group and the suggestion and the idea is that theyre going to make a revised proposal.

But well have to see. You know, I dont know what theyre going to tell me when I get in the room and at some stage a new written proposal will be put to us.

I dont know whether that will take a long time or whether it will be very quick. But the idea of this meeting is that will be revised proposals.

Mr Lynch said they expect to get a very tight proposal with a way below inflation pay offer.

This is a three-pronged package. Its about job security  not having compulsory redundancies, its about the conditions of work and pay is the third part of that element, he said.

It will be a very tight proposal. It will not be generous. It will be way below inflation and it will have very onerous conditions on it.

The three things are intrinsically linked. You cant have one without the other. You cant have a job security package without the conditions. You cant have a pay package without the conditions.

Mr Lynch said the rail employers are not in a position to give the unions a clean pay proposal and have been instructed by the Government not to do so.

He also said they expect to receive a big document that they will need to consider and put to their members to see what they think.

When (a proposal is) in a position to vote on, there will be a vote of our members, he said.

The only way this dispute is going to be resolved is if our members accept the proposals from Network Rail and the train operators in a referendum. Its the only way well resolve it.

Luke Chester, organising director at the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), also said they expect to see a fresh set of negotiations ahead of a meeting with rail employers at the same offices later on Thursday afternoon.

Luke Chester, from the TSSA, speaks to the media (Aaron Chown/PA)

Mr Chester said: We are expecting a fresh set of negotiations hopefully, a fresh offer, something better than was previously on the table.

Thats not going to be very difficult because what was previously put on the table was totally unacceptable.

Speaking about what they are looking for, he said: Its about more job security, its about a far pay offer that reflects the current cost-of-living crisis, and it is about protecting our members terms and conditions of employment.

So we want to see an offer that meets all those three critical matters in dispute.
Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether he would cross any picket line at Parliament, when around 100,000 civil servants go on strike next month.

The Labour leader, taking questions from the media during a visit to Belfast to meet with political parties in Northern Ireland, was pressed on whether he would cross a picket line if some staff on the parliamentary estate joined the walk-out.

He has warned off frontbenchers from joining picket lines, with Sam Tarry sacked as shadow transport minister in July for giving unauthorised media interviews from an RMT demonstration.

The one-day strike by the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is set to go ahead on February 1.

Sir Keir did not give a direct answer to the question, telling reporters: I have made it very clear, I dont want to see this industrial action.

I want to lead a government that resolves these issues. Under the last Labour government, you didnt have a national strike for nurses. You had fair pay for nurses and we think we should be in the room negotiating, sorting out these problems.
Rishi Sunak will use a visit to Scotland to highlight the benefits of remaining in the United Kingdom as he seeks to counter Nicola Sturgeons push for independence.

The Prime Minister will meet the Scottish First Minister behind closed doors on Thursday evening, before the pair jointly announce millions in UK Government funding on Friday.

The money will create thousands of high-skilled green jobs, drive growth, potentially bring in billions of private sector investment and provide opportunities for people across Scotland, Downing Street said.

The Daily Telegraph reported that this will involve the announcement of two new green freeports expected to be near Edinburgh and Inverness.

Rishi Sunak and Nicola Sturgeon with Michael Gove at the British-Irish Council Summit in November (PA)

In their informal face-to-face talks, Mr Sunak and Ms Sturgeon are expected to discuss the shared challenges that people in Scotland and across the rest of the UK face and cooperation between both governments, according to No 10.

The UK Governments relationship with Ms Sturgeons administration in Scotland has been strained not only by the independence issue but also the potential for Westminster to block Holyroods gender recognition laws.

MSPs last month passed the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, approving charges which will allow trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate without the need for a medical diagnosis.

Downing Street said no decision has yet been made on whether to invoke section 35 of the Scotland Act, which would block royal assent.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the move is still being looked at ahead of a deadline next week, adding: There is a process to consider it and then he will be given advice to make a decision, thats still taking place.

LGBT groups have written to the Prime Minister urging him not to block Holyroods gender recognition legislation (PA)

During his two-day visit, Mr Sunak is also set to meet search and rescue workers and a community group.

It will be his first trip to Scotland as Prime Minister, although he has held talks with Ms Sturgeon before and the pair met at the British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool in November.

At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said he wants to work with the Scottish Government on the issue of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

But he claimed Ms Sturgeons Government dont want to support the Scottish energy industry and the 200,000 jobs that it produces.

He was responding to SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who said Scotlands membership of the UK union simply doesnt add up.

Mr Sunak said: Im keen to work with the Scottish Government to support the North Sea because its something that were all very proud of in the UK.

According to The Telegraph, the new freeports will be at Cromarty Firth, near Inverness, and on the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh.

The green freeports are aimed at boosting investment and growth through the use of tax incentives.
Rishi Sunak insisted Scotlands NHS is benefiting from extra investment thanks to the UK Government, as he used a trip north of the border to highlight the benefits of staying in the UK.

The Prime Minister, who was meeting Nicola Sturgeon for the second time since moving into Number 10 in October, insisted he was looking to strengthen his working relationship with the SNP leader.

He will meet the Scottish First Minister behind closed doors on Thursday evening, before the pair jointly announce millions in UK Government funding on Friday.

That cash will create thousands of high-skilled green jobs, drive growth, potentially bring in billions of private sector investment and provide opportunities for people across Scotland, Downing Street said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited the Coastguard search and rescue base at Inverness Airport (Andrew MIlligan/PA)

The Daily Telegraph reported that this will involve the announcement of two new green freeports expected to be near Edinburgh and Inverness.

But ahead of that, the two leaders will share an informal and private working dinner during Mr Sunaks visit to Inverness.

Prior to that he met some sea scouts, who he toasted marshmallows and made smores with, and visited a helicopter search and rescue base on what was his first visit to Scotland since becoming prime minister.

The Conservative leader said he was looking forward to seeing Ms Sturgeon to strengthen our working relationship and continue discussing our shared challenges and our joint efforts to deliver for people here in Scotland.

And he insisted the NHS north of the border was benefiting from extra cash, thanks to the UK Government.

Mr Sunak also spoke of his hope that ministers would be able to find a way through and end the disputes which have seen both nurses and ambulance crews south of the border take strike action.

Nurses in Scotland have voted for action  but so far no dates for this have been announced.

Mr Sunak stressed: I come from an NHS family, so I am passionately committed to protecting the NHS and I proud that we have invested record sums into the NHS, and of course the Scotland health service is benefiting from that extra investment.

And what were doing is talking to union leaders, the Health Secretary is engaged in those conversations and I very much hope we can find a way through.

On Twitter, Mr Sunak said he sat down with Ms Sturgeon to discuss the challenges we jointly face and how best to deliver for communities across the UK.

His visit, however, comes at a time when the UK Governments relationship with the devolved administration at Holyrood has been strained not only by Ms Sturgeons continued push for independence, but the potential for Westminster to block Holyroods gender recognition laws.

It was great to be in Inverness today meeting rescue services and hearing more about the life-saving work they do every day. I also sat down with First Minister @NicolaSturgeon to discuss the challenges we jointly face and how best to deliver for communities across the UK. pic.twitter.com/CTuqMAXkgM  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 12, 2023

MSPs last month passed the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, approving changes which will allow trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate without the need for a medical diagnosis.

Downing Street said no decision has yet been made on whether to invoke section 35 of the Scotland Act, which would block royal assent.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the move is still being looked at ahead of a deadline next week, adding: There is a process to consider it and then we will be given advice to make a decision, thats still taking place.

LGBT groups have written to the Prime Minister urging him not to block Holyroods gender recognition legislation (David Cheskin/PA)

Meanwhile at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said he wants to work with the Scottish Government on the issue of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

But he claimed Ms Sturgeons Government dont want to support the Scottish energy industry and the 200,000 jobs that it produces.

Scottish Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said earlier this week that North Sea oil and gas production should effectively end in the next 20 years  while Mr Sunak has in contrast sought to highlight his wholehearted support for the sector.

He stated: Im keen to work with the Scottish Government to support the North Sea because its something that were all very proud of in the UK.

According to The Telegraph, the new freeports will be at Cromarty Firth, near Inverness, and on the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh.

The green freeports are aimed at boosting investment and growth through the use of tax incentives.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he hopes the decision to exclude Mary Lou McDonald from a meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is not a new precedent.

The Sinn Fein leader was told she could not attend the meeting to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Stormont political deadlock.

Mr Cleverly insisted Sinn Fein were not excluded from a meeting with him in Belfast, stating that the party vice president Michelle ONeill was invited to attend but opted not to.

The party withdrew from the roundtable talks with Mr Cleverly on Wednesday.

Sinn Fein Party leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) with Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (Peter Morrison/PA)

The decision to exclude Ms McDonald from the talks was criticised by the Irish government, with Mr Varadkar saying it is not usual practice to tell other parties who should be on their delegation.

I know when I visit Northern Ireland tomorrow (Thursday) to meet with the different political parties, Deputy McDonald will be part of the Sinn Fein delegation, Mr Varadkar said on Wednesday evening.

Its never been our practice to tell other people who should be on their delegation.

If you ask to meet somebody or somebody comes to meet you, it really should be for them to decide whos on their delegation and who leads it.

Thats the approach that we take, it had been the approach that the British Government took in the past, so I hope this was a one off and that doesnt represent a change of policy.

Mr Cleverly defended the decision, stating that the meeting was to hear from political representatives in Northern Ireland and he would meet Irish politicians in the near future.

Deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin said the decision by his British counterpart was unfortunate.

Mr Martin said: I dont know the background to it at all, but that said I dont think it will be an impediment.

I had a good discussion with Michelle ONeill earlier in the week.

I think everyone is up for working constructively to try and resolve these issues and get the Executive up and running.

Our objective of this government is to have the mandate that was given in the last Assembly elections fulfilled in terms of the Assembly being convened and also the Executive being established in line with the results of the election.

I would hope that, notwithstanding what happened today, that it will not act as an impediment. I dont think it will.

The two leaders will travel to Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Mr Varadkar is to meet with representatives of Stormonts five political parties, while Mr Martin will hold talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
The idea of excluding party leaders from meetings over the Northern Ireland Protocol needs to be knocked on the head now, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted.

She was speaking after Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris defended a decision not to invite her this week to roundtable talks with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, which also discussed the Stormont powersharing crisis.

Mr Heaton-Harris said it may not have been wise to have the Sinn Fein president, who is the leader of the opposition in the Republic, because she is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

The UK Government and EU are involved in negotiations to resolve differences over the protocol.

The row led to Sinn Fein and the SDLP refusing to attend the meeting on Wednesday and has overshadowed a series of talks to discuss how to resolve issues caused by the post-Brexit trading arrangement.

The Government has also suggested that, due to diplomatic protocol, Mr Cleverly could not meet Mrs McDonald before he had met his counterpart in Ireland, Micheal Martin.

But Mr Martin said he would have had no issue with the Sinn Fein leader attending the meeting.

The row led DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to query who leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland.

He said: If in the future Mary Lou McDonald became taoiseach and we had Michelle ONeill as first minister, whos the boss? Whos in charge?

If we have meetings on a north-south basis, whos in charge? And I think these are issues that Sinn Fein need to work out.

I dont need to have a minder with me every time I go to a meeting as the leader of the DUP, so who leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, is it Mary Lou McDonald or is it not?

Speaking on Thursday, Mrs McDonald said: All of us know that the way that we make progress is together, thats how this works, thats what the history of the last 25 years reflects, so any idea of excluding anybody, excluding the leader of any party, needs to be scotched and knocked on the head now.

She also confirmed she had written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the issue.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has suggested it might not have been wise to invite the Sinn Fein leader to a meeting to discuss the NI Protocol (Brian Lawless/PA)

Responding to the controversy, Mr Heaton-Harris said: Sinn Fein were invited, it is a shame (Sinn Fein vice president) Michelle (ONeill) didnt come along because it was an update on the protocol discussions.

There are many factors which go into the thought process. One, to be quite frank, is that the UK Government is negotiating with the European Union.

We wanted to update Northern Ireland parties on that negotiation and, with the greatest of respect, Mary Lou is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

That might not have been seen as a wise thing to do.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he had extended an invite to dinner to Mrs McDonald.

What happened yesterday, happened yesterday. Im much more focused on the big ticket items.

Responding to the dinner invitation, Ms ONeill said: Were not interested in dinner.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said he did not know in advance about the decision not to invite Mary Lou McDonald to a political leaders meeting (Brian Lawless/PA)

Speaking about the row following a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Martin said: We certainly got no heads-up in relation to that at all, and I think it needs to be stated.

I would have had no difficulty that Mary Lou McDonald was at that meeting but thats a matter for the Foreign Secretary.

Alliance Party deputy leader, Stephen Farry, was asked about Mr Heaton-Harriss contention that it would have been unwise to invite Mrs McDonald to Wednesdays meeting.

Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry said the Government had made a mistake (Brian Lawless/PA)

I think he needs to back down from that, he said.

The Government made a mistake in terms of how they handled the talks yesterday, their position on that is not tenable.

They need to recognise the subtleties of the situation in Northern Ireland and the reality that Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis.

The Government need to de-escalate their language and they need to climb down and find a means of ensuring that we have proper inclusive talks at the next opportunity.

UUP leader Doug Beattie said he hoped all parties would attend future talks (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said he hoped that all political parties from Northern Ireland would take part in future talks with the Government.

I wanted Sinn Fein to be there and I wanted the SDLP to be there.

I wanted to hear what they had to say. I wanted us all to work together.

And Ive said this before, boycotts do not work of any shape or form. So whether its the DUP boycotting the executive or any other party boycotting talks, it simply wont work.

Colum Eastwood, leader of the SDLP, said the British Government had created an absolute mess (Liam McBurney/PA)

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood accused the British Government of being responsible for an absolute mess.

He said When you are in a hole, stop digging, that is my advice to the Secretary of State.
jetcityimage / iStock.com

Formerly known as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most important anti-hunger initiative in America. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP provided food security to about 41.5 million people in 2021, with an average benefit of $218.14 per person.

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Recipients use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to receive funds and make purchases, and they can use those cards to buy a whole lot more than just standard groceries. Here's a look at some of the more unusual things that SNAP will pay for.

Twin Design / Shutterstock.com

Energy Drinks -- Some, at Least

You can use SNAP funds to buy energy drinks, but only if they meet the USDA's strict standards. If the energy drink has a "nutritional facts" label, it makes the cut, according to New York SNAP EBT. If it has a "supplemental facts" label, it's considered a supplement and cannot be purchased with EBT. That means Red Bull, Rockstar and Starbucks Double Shot make the grade, but 5 Hour Energy, Bang Shot and Tweaker do not.

Take Our Poll: Are You In Favor of More Inflation Relief in 2023?

Feyyaz Alacam / Shutterstock.com

Coffee and Tea -- the Kind You Make Yourself

You can use SNAP to buy packaged coffee -- not to mention creamer -- and that includes Keurig-style K-cups. You cannot, however, buy coffee that's ready to drink. If you're thinking that you'll make your own coffee at home and just switch to tea when you're out, that won't work either. Tea, too, is limited to packaged and unbrewed because the USDA doesn't allow SNAP funds to be used to buy any hot beverages.

CSNafzger / Shutterstock.com

Hunting and Fishing Gear -- But You Have to Live Way, Way Out There

Even if you live in a rural area and kill what you eat, you can't just swipe your EBT card to pick up a new fiberglass rod at Bass Pro Shops -- but hunting and fishing gear is SNAP-eligible for a very specific and very tiny population. According to the USDA, some residents in the most remote parts of Alaska rely almost exclusively on hunting and fishing to feed their households because of the extreme difficulty involved with buying food at stores.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services gives qualifying households special identification cards. They can't buy guns and ammo, but they can buy things such as nets, rods, harpoons, lines and knives.

hapabapa / iStock.com

Restaurant Meals -- for Certain People in Certain Places

You can't use SNAP to pay for dine-in restaurant meals -- unless you qualify for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and live in a state that participates in it. RMP serves vulnerable populations like the elderly, people experiencing homelessness and the disabled.

Participating restaurants must offer meals at "concessional prices" to qualifying diners.

While it's not as limited as Alaska's subsistence hunting program, very few states participate in RMP. It's available all over California, Arizona, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia, as well as in select counties in Rhode Island.

Kyselova Inna / Shutterstock.com

Seeds and Plants

The USDA allows SNAP recipients to buy edible plants like basil or food-producing plants like tomato plants with their EBT cards, as well as seeds for growing their own food. The USDA says you can grow $25 worth of produce for every dollar spent on seeds and fertilizer, yet Modern Farmer says this important inclusion is one of the least known parts of the whole SNAP program.

You can use your EBT card to get seeds and plants at any SNAP-approved retailer, including farmer's markets.

Walmart.com

Gift Baskets -- Depending on What's Inside

The USDA allows you to spend SNAP funds on gift baskets and similar purchases as long as at least half of what's inside is edible. Even if they contain eligible edibles, nonfood items such as toys, stockings and tins don't count if "the value of the non-food part of the item clearly accounts for more than 50% of the purchase price," according to the USDA. The agency gives the example of a stuffed holiday bear that comes with a small package of chocolate: That won't count. A gift basket containing mostly meat and cheese, however, would be acceptable.

Stephanie Botkin / Shutterstock.com

Live Lobsters

Like tobacco, alcohol, vitamins and medicine, live animals are on the USDA's list of items that you can't buy with SNAP benefits. There are, however, a few rare exceptions, including shellfish, "fish removed from the water" and "animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store."

That means that, while you can't use your EBT card to buy a puppy from a pet store, you can use SNAP to buy a lobster to bring home to meet its unfortunate fate on your kitchen stovetop.

dontree_m / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Snacks of All Kinds

Most people probably know that SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to buy household grocery staples such as meat, milk, eggs, vegetables and bread, but what's not as well known is the long list of snacks that are on the USDA's approved list. It includes everything from marshmallows and marzipan to pudding and popsicles.

Cakes, pies, doughnuts, muffins, pastries and all sorts of other things cakey and flaky make the list, as do chips, crisps, popcorn and finger food of all stripes. Ice cream, candy, chocolate, custard, scones, churros and much, much more all get a pass from the USDA -- in fact, if a kid can dream of it, chances are good SNAP will pay for it.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Surprising Things You Can Buy With Food Stamps
Curious how to make your own cured fish at home? Chef Melissa King shares her top tips, and a recipe. (Photos: Alaska Seafood)

Cured fish is a popular item at breakfast buffets and brunches across the globe, but making it at home may bring a bit of anxiety into the kitchen. How do you cure your own fish at home and, more importantly, what can a home cook do to make sure their home-cured fish creations turn out well?

Top Chef alum Melissa King, host of the new docuseries Tasting Wild, says curing fish was one of her first tasks in a professional kitchen. "It was one of my first jobs when I was younger," she tells Yahoo Life. "I worked at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and I was an events and banquets chef. We had to make cured lox in the morning for the breakfast banquets, so I remember curing a big piece of salmon and just finding it really fascinating and quite easy to do."

What is cured fish?

King says in the winter months, when typical appliances like stoves and ovens are often overrun in preparation for holiday meals, curing fish works great, as the cooking method doesn't require any form of heat.

"I love it because you really don't have to do much," says King. "You don't have to turn on the stove or have any kind of fire ... cured fish is a preservation method where you use salt to preserve  and essentially cook  a piece of fish."

"It's a very traditional way of preparing fish  it actually extracts the moisture and creates a natural brine, then essentially cooks the fish," she continues. "I think a lot of people get a bit intimidated by cured fish, so they outsource it and purchase it pre-done, but  it's quite easy to do."

How to cure fish

King also says most people already have the ingredients for making beautiful and impressive cured fish at home sitting right in their pantries. "Everyone has salt and sugar at home, and it really is a 50/50 ratio of salt and sugar that you just pack on top of the fish," she explains. "It just takes time, you just sit and wait and let time do the work. It results in a really beautiful product the next day."

Salt and sugar may seem like simple staples, but different types and styles of the two, combined with your favorite flavors, can create something unique and delicious.

King says a good cured fish starts with salt and sugar, then gets enhanced by the chef's favorite flavor combinations. (Photo: Alaska Seafood)

"It really starts with your base of salt and sugar," says King. "You can play around with the types of sugars and then from there, think of the spices you enjoy or herbs or even citrus notes. You can add in lemon zest, lime zest or orange zest, or you can bring it more towards an herbaceous direction and [use] dill or thyme. You can really have fun with it and play with different spices like coriander  basically all the things you have in your staple pantry at home, you can utilize this technique with."

King says, when experimenting with cured fish, she likes to infuse flavors she's always loved from her heritage.

"I am always looking to intertwine the Asian pantry into the recipes I am trying to create," she says, "so I took a fairly traditional cured salmon recipe  the base technique  and added in tamarind and lemongrass, as well as Thai chilies and palm sugar, to really amplify the Asian pantry and add a unique twist to the original lox."

How to choose the perfect fish for curing

Of course, under the salt, sugar and seasonings, the most important part is a great cut of fish. "Look for clear eyes if it's a whole fish," says King. "Also, the skin: Make sure it doesn't look slimy, and that it's pristine and really clean. And the smell  follow your nose. It shouldn't smell fishy at all."

"Seafood comes from the ocean but it should have a nice clean smell to it," she explains, "and red gills if you do have the head intact. And just look for beautiful cuts  make sure it's not handled improperly."

King, who spoke with Yahoo Life on behalf of her partnership with Alaska Seafood, shares a few more tips for getting the perfect piece of fish. "I think for myself, whenever I'm looking to source, or just [shopping] at a grocery store nearby, I'm always picking up Alaskan seafood," she says. "It's kind of guaranteed that your fish will be wild and sustainable when you see that mark at the grocery store."

Melissa King's top fish-curing tips

Once the fish is selected and the perfect flavor blend has been created, King says there are a few insider tips that can help to make the fish-curing process simpler, while also producing a better final product.

"I think the most important thing is to press it: I always emphasize when you're making any kind of cured fish to weigh it down," says King. "Get some cans from your pantry and put those heavy tomato cans right on top  or wine bottles  anything you have to weigh down the fish."

"It will help extract more moisture from the fish to create a better product," King explains, "and I usually put it in a taller baking dish because it will leach out liquid. Also, I like to plastic wrap it completely, so that the liquid brine is still touching the surface of the fish, which really helps to draw the moisture out."

Once the fish is ready to eat, King says the sky's the limit when it comes to serving options. "I love [cured fish] on top of a latke: the potato cakes. You can just pan fry them and crisp them up and slice the lox right on top," she says. "You can do scrambled eggs or eat it even just plain with a little creme fraiche and capers, and call it a day. Really it's so versatile and simple."

Want to try curing fish at home? King shares a recipe below.

Tamarind Lemongrass Cured Alaska Salmon

Courtesy of chef Melissa King and Alaska Seafood

(Photo: Melissa King for Alaska Seafood)

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 fillet (side) wild Alaska king or sockeye salmon (about 3 to 4lbs) skin on, scales and pin bones removed

1 cup kosher salt

1 cup granulated palm sugar or light brown sugar

2 stalks lemongrass, fragrant root parts only, finely chopped

5 Thai chilis, finely chopped

Grated zest from 3 limes

Grated zest from 2 oranges

1 ounce unflavored vodka

4 ounces jarred tamarind puree

Instructions:

Prep the salmon: Pat the salmon dry on both sides. Place the salmon flesh side up on top of a double layer of plastic wrap. Make the salt cure mixture: In a medium bowl, combine kosher salt, sugar, lemongrass, chilis and zest together and mix well. Rub the salmon with the mixture until completely covered and packed on the fillet. In a small bowl, stir the vodka together with the tamarind paste. It should be a pourable consistency similar to thin runny honey. Add a tiny bit more vodka if necessary. Drizzle the vodka/tamarind mixture evenly onto the salmon with the salt and sugar mixture until all of it is absorbed into the salt. Cure the salmon: Wrap and cover the salmon in the double layer of plastic wrap. Place onto a sheet tray and weigh the fish down with flat, heavy items on top (e.g., baking dish with food cans). Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight. Baste with the juices every 12 hours or so and return to the refrigerator. The flesh will become translucent, slightly firm and ready to serve by the second day. Slice and serve: Remove salmon from wrappings. Wipe off any remaining salt cure mixture and discard. Pat the salmon really well until dry. Slice thinly at an angle to serve, leaving the skin behind.

Serving suggestions: Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche, Alaska salmon roe, crispy shallots and cilantro.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Sign up here.
Editors note: Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) is calling on Santos to resign. His quotation in an earlier version of this story was mis-transcribed.

Six House Republicans are calling on Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to resign from Congress amid revelations that the first-term lawmaker misrepresented parts of his resume and biography.

The group  five of whom are first-term lawmakers hailing from New York  pointed to the mistruths Santos pushed on the campaign trail, arguing that he should step aside and allow someone else to represent the Empire States 3rd Congressional District.

The group released statements after local GOP officials from Nassau County urged the congressman to immediately resign in a press conference on Wednesday. The New York Republican came under fire following reports that he misled voters about his education, employment and religion. He has since admitted to embellishing his resume.

Santos, however, is remaining defiant despite the pressure to leave his seat, vowing not to step down. And Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Wednesday said the first-term lawmaker will continue to serve.

Here are the House Republicans who have called on Santos to resign.

Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.)

Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.)

DEsposito was the first House Republican to call on Santos to resign, writing in a statement that his lies had irreparably broken the trust between the congressman and his constituents.

When public servants deceive and mislead those they are tasked with serving, they are no longer fit to work for the people, DEsposito wrote. It has become clear that Congressman George Santos many hurtful lies and mistruths surrounding his history have irreparably broken the trust of the residents he is sworn in to serve.

For his betrayal of the publics trust, I call on Congressman George Santos to resign, he added.

DEsposito, who represents the district next to Santoss, appeared virtually at the Nassau County GOP press conference Wednesday, where he denounced his colleague. I join with you, and I join with my colleagues, in saying that George Santos does not have the ability to serve here in the House of Representatives and should resign, he said at the press conference.

Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.)

Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.)

Langworthy, the chairman of the New York State Republican Committee, issued a statement on Wednesday backing the call from Nassau County Republicans for Santos to resign.

The congressman said Santos has proved he is unable to be an effective representative.

I support the Nassau Republicans decision today to request the resignation of George Santos, Langworthy said. Its clear that he cannot be an effective representative and it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to have new leadership.



I will continue working with our local elected officials to ensure that trust and dignity are restored to the 3rd congressional district, he added.

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.)

LaLota said Santos should resign in a statement on Wednesday, pointing to his outrageously substandard conduct. The first-term lawmaker also cited accusations that Santos, while voting on the House floor last week, flashed a white-power symbol.

With Santos neither taking ownership of his lies nor demonstrating respect for the office he fraudulently obtained  as evidenced by Santos flashing a White Power sign on the House floor last week  I am now calling on Santos to resign, LaLota said.

Santos resignation will help pave New Yorkers a path to having a Representative in Congress with integrity and respect and will give House Republicans an opportunity to govern without this shame and distraction, he added.

LaLotas call for resignation came after the New York Republican last month said the House Ethics Committee should conduct a full investigation into Santos.

On Wednesday, he said such a probe is necessary to understand the depth of the Santos controversy.

Three weeks ago, I condemned George Santos campaign of lies and deceit by calling for a House Ethics investigation into his outrageously substandard conduct. Such an investigation is necessary for New Yorkers to fully comprehend the depth of Santos scam and to hold him accountable, LaLota said.

Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.)

Williams on Wednesday said Santos should resign because voters elected him to serve in Washington in part due to his biographical exaggerations and apparent deceptions. As more revelations become public, I concur with the Nassau Republicans decision to request George Santoss resignation, Williams wrote in a statement. Their constituents in NY-3 elected Representative Santos in party due to his biographical exaggerations and apparent deceptions.

He must resign, he added.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.)

Lawler called on Santos to resign on Thursday, writing in a statement it is clear that his colleague from New York has lost the confidence and support of his party, his constituents, and his colleagues.

With the extent and severity of the allegations against him, his inability to take full responsibility for his conduct, and the numerous investigations underway, I believe he is unable to fulfill his duties and should resign.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.)

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.)

Mace, a second-term congresswoman from South Carolina, joined the New York freshmen on Monday in backing the call for Santos to resign.

I do, actually, she told CNNs Anderson Cooper when asked if she thought Santos should step down.

This is an individual that fabricated their entire life story, their entire resume, to get elected. If you want to talk about election fraud then we could look no further than New Yorks third Congressional District right now, she added.

Mace noted, however, that everyone is allowed due process. She also expressed support for an ethics investigation and floated the possibility of needing a criminal investigation, pointing to some suspicious activity in his campaign finance files.

I believe the process will work itself out, likely through an investigation  criminal or ethics or otherwise  but itll take a couple of months, it wont happen overnight, and as Ive said before that every individual deserves the right to due process, as does he, but this is an issue, she said.

His own Republican Party called for his resignation today, there are Republican members from his delegation in New York that are calling for his resignation on both sides of the aisle. It is a problem. We want to sow trust in the work we do in Congress, and this is, you know, one of the places where we gotta start, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Seventy-six people have been charged in a "massive drug trafficking investigation," according to a newly unsealed federal indictment that is the "largest ever" in southern Georgia.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Georgia on Wednesday announced the defendants were involed in a conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl and other illegal drugs in the greater Glynn County area.

Two of the defendants were charged with distributing illegal drugs  fentanyl and methamphetamine  that resulted in the overdose deaths of three people, the office said in a press release.

The indictment comes days after President Joe Biden met with Mexican officials to discuss how to stop illicit drugs from coming through the southern border amid a new wave of the deadly fentanyl crisis.

Biden is in Mexico City. His first action? Asking the Mexican president for help with fentanyl

U.S. Attorney David Estes speaks to reporters in Brunswick, Ga., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at a news conference announcing the indictment of 76 people on federal drug charges in southern Georgia.

The charges are the culmination for more than two years of work from multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that tracked the "sprawling drug trafficking network" operating in south Georgia counties, the state's attorney's office said.

According to the indictment, the conspiracy "operated inside and outside state prison facilities with assistance from at least one compromised corrections officer, who worked with a leader of the conspiracy who is serving a life sentence for murder."

The defendants include members of multiple gangs, including a "white supremacist criminal street gang" and a neo-Nazi prison gang, the indictment said.

Authorities also seized 43 firearms, one vehicle and more than $53,000 in cash in the investigation.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in district court in Brunswick, Georgia, this week. More than three dozen others also face prosecution on state charges, the office said.

Biden talks fentanyl crisis in Mexico: What experts say should be done to stop overdose deaths

Meanwhile, the Justice Department announced several other indictments Wednesday in gun and drug trafficking operations.

"The actions taken today represent the work that is being done by this Department every single day to disrupt violent crime, combat gun violence, and get deadly fentanyl out of our communities," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Thirty-four people from Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia were indicted on charges related to the sale of fentanyl, heroin and other drugs tied to a spike in overdoses in the region, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia said.

Two Baltimore-based drug trafficking organizations supplied fentanyl to West Virginia and caused at least two deaths, the office said.

"Fentanyl continues to be the number one threat to public safety in the region and much of it flows here from Baltimore," U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said in a statement.

In New York, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York unsealed a seven-count indictment charging four gun traffickers with selling more than 50 firearms in Brooklyn, including one also charged with trafficking fentanyl.

In a statement, the Justice Department noted the New York indictment is "the first in the state and among the first in the country" to charge the gun trafficking provisions of the landmark bipartisan gun deal passed this summer.

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: Senate passes bipartisan gun deal for the first time in three decades

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drug trafficking conspiracy tied to overdose deaths in Georgia: DOJ
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday that he is appointing Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney from Maryland, as special prosecutor to oversee the Justice Departments investigation into the discovery of classified documents found in two locations associated with President Biden.

I strongly believe that the normal processes of this department can handle all investigations with integrity, Garland said in a statement delivered from DOJ headquarters in Washington, D.C. But under the regulations, the extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a special counsel for this matter.

Garland had initially assigned John R. Lausch Jr., a U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to oversee the case. But he said Lausch informed him that he will be leaving the Justice Department early this year, prompting Garland to appoint Hur to lead the probe. Lausch also informed Garland that further investigation by a special counsel was warranted.

I am confident that Mr. Hur will carry out his responsibility in an evenhanded and urgent manner and in accordance with the highest traditions of this department, Garland added.

Former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur. (Michael A. McCoy/Reuters)

Earlier this week, the White House confirmed reports that a small number of classified documents from Bidens time as vice president had been found in his former office at the Penn Biden Center, a Washington, D.C., think tank, on Nov. 2. According to the White House, Bidens personal lawyers immediately notified the National Archives and Records Administration after they discovered the first batch of documents while packing up his former office in Washington.

On Wednesday, NBC News reported that additional Obama-era documents had been discovered at a separate location. The New York Times reported Thursday that the second batch of documents, also classified, had been found in a storage space in the garage of Bidens home in Wilmington, Del.

It was not immediately clear when the second set of documents was located, but at Thursdays press conference, Garland said Bidens personal counsel had notified Lausch of the documents found in the garage in Wilmington on Dec. 20.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announcing on Thursday the appointment of a special counsel to probe President Biden's alleged mishandling of classified documents. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Garland also said Bidens attorneys had called Lausch on Thursday morning to inform him that an additional document with classification markings had been found in Bidens personal residence in Wilmington.

Neither the White House nor Bidens attorneys have provided details on the exact number of documents, their classification level or what type of information they contained. At a press conference in Mexico City on Tuesday, Biden said he was surprised to learn about the classified documents found at his former office, and said, I dont know whats in the documents.

He was asked about the newly discovered documents by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy on Thursday.

Mr. President, classified material next to your Corvette. What were you thinking? Doocy asked.

Im going to get a chance to speak on this, God willing, soon. By the way, my Corvette is in a locked garage, its not like they're sitting out on the street, Biden replied. People know I take classified documents and classified materials seriously.

He added that he is "cooperating fully and completely" with the DOJ's investigation.

At a briefing Thursday afternoon, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre relayed a statement from Richard Sauber, Biden's White House counsel, saying, We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon the discovery of this mistake.

Jean-Pierre bristled at questions surrounding the White House's transparency with the public about the probe.

Many conservatives quickly drew comparisons between the documents discovered by Bidens attorneys and the several boxes of classified materials that former President Donald Trump took with him after leaving the White House, which prompted a criminal inquiry and a raid by federal agents on his South Florida residence last summer.

Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump's residence in Palm Beach, Fla. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Justice Department, FBI agents were sent to search Mar-a-Lago only after attorneys for Trump repeatedly failed to return presidential records, including dozens of classified documents, that had been removed from the White House following the end of his term in January 2021  allegedly failing to turn them over even after receiving a grand jury subpoena in May 2022. Attorneys for the government have said the documents recovered during the Mar-a-Lago raid were likely concealed and removed from a storage room as part of an effort to obstruct the governments investigation into the potential mishandling of classified materials.

In November, Garland announced he had appointed a special counsel,veteran prosecutor Jack Smith, to oversee the departments investigations involving Trump, including the classified documents probe.

Trump responded to news of the special prosecutors appointment in the Biden case in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

Merrick Garland has to immediately end [the] Special Counsel investigation into anything related to me because I did everything right, and appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Joe Biden who hates Biden as much as Jack Smith hates me, the former president wrote.
The chairman of the new Republican-led House Oversight Committee has issued a flurry of letters as part of the panel's first formal steps toward a long-promised investigation targeting President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and social media companies that they allege sought to suppress negative stories about the president's son that they claim could have impacted the 2020 presidential election.

The letters, issued by Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and obtained by ABC News, request testimony from multiple former Twitter executives who were involved in the company's handling of news reporting that surfaced from leaked data obtained from a laptop reportedly belonging to Hunter Biden.

The panel is also requesting financial information from the Department of Treasury regarding Hunter Biden and his associates.

In a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Comer requested records related to potential suspicious activity reports, or SARs, on Hunter Biden and other members of the president's family, as well as multiple businesses and business partners. SARs are reports filed by financial institutions to flag questionable banking transactions, but do not amount to allegations of crimes.

In response to the letters, a White House spokesperson told ABC News, "In their first week as a governing majority, House Republicans have not taken any meaningful action to address inflation and lower Americans' costs, yet they're jumping out of the gate with political stunts driven by the most extreme MAGA members of their caucus in an effort to get attention on Fox News."

"The President is going to continue focusing on the important issues the American people want their leaders to work together on, and we hope House Republicans will join him," the statement said.

A representative for the Treasury Department declined to comment when contacted by ABC News, and representatives for Hunter Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Beyond their interest in Hunter Biden and his business endeavors, the panel's primary focus is finding out whether his father, President Biden, was more involved in those dealings than previously known.

PHOTO: Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Rep. James Comer (R-KY) speaks to reporters on his way to a closed-door GOP caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol January 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

"The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating President Biden's involvement in his family's foreign business practices and international influence peddling schemes," Comer wrote in the letter to Yellen.

Comer has previously claimed that the Treasury Department was providing "cover for the Biden family" after the department rejected Comer's request last year for the same information when Republicans were in the minority. Noting in his letter to Yellen that the agency previously told him it would only respond to requests from committee chairs, Comer wrote, "I now make these requests pursuant to my authority as Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability."

Comer sent letters to former top Twitter employees including former Twitter lawyer Vijaya Gadde, former head of trust and safety Yoel Roth, and former deputy general counsel James Baker, requesting that they testify at a public hearing during the week of Feb. 6.

"Your attendance is necessary because of your role in suppressing Americans' access to information about the Biden family on Twitter shortly before the 2020 election," Comer wrote to the former employees.

Baker declined to comment when contacted by ABC News, while Gadde and Roth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MORE: What to expect if Republicans take the House in the midterms: Investigations, possible impeachments

The letters come about a month after a series of document releases authorized by new Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who has sought to bolster claims that the social media giant, under previous management, suppressed or otherwise aimed to influence discourse around controversial political subjects to advantage of Democrats. Critics, in turn, have accused Musk of employing prominent media figures masquerading as independent journalists in order to advance a narrative that takes many of the private messages out of context.

The Justice Department, meanwhile, has been examining whether Hunter Biden paid adequate taxes on millions of dollars of personal income, including money he made during business pursuits in China and Ukraine.

Hunter Biden has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, ethically or criminally, but has acknowledged that his family ties likely bolstered his career. He has not been charged with any crimes.

Republicans have long signaled that investigating President Biden and his family would be a main priority in the new Congress. The day after clinching the majority in the House, Republicans held a press conference announcing they would be ramping up the probe into the Biden family.

In a statement to ABC News, Comer called the Biden probe a "top priority for House Republicans during the 118th Congress."

"The American people must know the extent of Joe Biden's involvement in his family's shady business deals and if these deals threaten national security and his decision-making as president," Comer said.

The committee also plans to hold a hearing on COVID-19 pandemic spending fraud, according to a source familiar with the panel's thinking.

Ranking Oversight Committee member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., lauded those plans but blasted Comer for seeking to probe the president and his family.

"Two days ago, Chairman Comer said the Committee's first hearing would continue our work from the 117th Congress to examine the waste, fraud, and abuse of COVID relief funds, but that was then and this is now," Raskin said in a statement. "Conspiracy theories and disinformation are already at a fever pitch in the new Congress. Committee Democrats stand ready to work with our Republican colleagues when they get serious about tackling the problems that affect the American people."

GOP-led Oversight Committee issues flurry of letters to begin probe of Biden, Twitter originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
An Ada County judge on Wednesday granted a motion to dismiss a trespassing charge against a Meridian woman who refused to leave a closed public playground, saying the court had no power to prosecute if the attorney generals office did not want to move forward with it.

Newly elected Attorney General Raul Labrador filed a special prosecutors motion to dismiss on Jan. 5, three days after he took office. The motion maintained that, while Sara Walton Brady did trespass in 2020, the state did not have a strong enough case to win a jury trial, which was set to begin on Jan. 24.

In a news release, Labrador characterized Walton Bradys arrest as a sign of significant government overreach.

Going forward, we will focus the peoples resources on prosecuting child exploiters and other serious criminals  not mothers who take their kids to the park, Labrador said.

Walton Brady was an outspoken supporter of Labradors attorney general campaign, according to social media posts.

The court took the matter under advisement and set a status conference for Jan. 12. One day before that hearing was to take place, Magistrate Judge Adam Kimball issued an order to grant the dismissal.

In a situation where the state no longer wishes to prosecute a case, the court has little to do, Kimball wrote in his nine-page order. It could deny the motion to dismiss and leave the case set for trial. The reality is, however, that the court does not call witnesses or make arguments. Those tasks alone rest with the state and defense in our adversarial system of justice.

The judge noted that, under Idaho Criminal Rule 48, he could dismiss a case for any reason if the court concludes that dismissal will serve the ends of justice and the effective administration of the courts business.

Kimball said administrative challenges could arise if the court did not dismiss Walton Bradys case.

Not dismissing a case the state seeks to dismiss would impose an unnecessary and undue burden upon the panel of potential jurors, courthouse staff, and the public, Kimball wrote. Requiring those impositions to occur in a case the state will not prosecute is contrary to the effective administration of the courts business.

The judge said dismissing the case serves the end of justice because if the state will not prosecute a case, then the ends of justice require that the accused no longer be held to answer or remain in jeopardy.

Labrador told the Idaho Statesman he was grateful for the judges decision.

It validates the unanimous recommendation by all prosecutors assigned to the case, which the attorney general took seriously, Labrador said in an email. We agree with the court; dismissal serves the ends of justice.

Sara Brady, left, and Kirsten Lucas, right, pose for a photograph with Idaho attorney general elect Raul Labrador on election night in Boise on Nov. 8, 2022.

Labrador: A profound waste of resources

In a news release last week, Labrador said Walton Bradys case should never have been prosecuted.

It has been a profound waste of precious taxpayer resources, Labrador said. Going forward, we will focus the peoples resources on prosecuting child exploiters and other serious criminals  not mothers who take their kids to the park.

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison spoke out against Labradors motion.

The attorney generals apparent philosophy to selectively dismiss cases of his choosing and endorse illegal behavior is abhorrent, Simison said in a statement. I support the peoples right to assemble for peaceful protest, but that right does not include ignoring lawful orders or being free from the legal ramifications of those actions.

Trespassing charges go back nearly two years

Walton Brady was arrested on April 21, 2020, at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian and charged with a misdemeanor for first offense of trespassing. The Boise city attorneys office identified a conflict of interest and the case was reassigned to the Idaho attorney general for prosecution, according to Kimballs order.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemics arrival in Idaho, Meridian closed public parks and taped off playground equipment. In April 2020, Walton Brady and other families organized a gathering at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. Walton Brady is an activist for parental medical rights and ran a Facebook page called Idahoans for Vaccine Freedom at the time of her arrest, according to previous Statesman reporting.

A police officer informed those gathered that the playground structure was closed, and that they were welcome to use open areas of the park, the Statesman reported.

Walton Brady, who was using Facebook Live, was seen arguing as several police officers repeatedly asked the group to leave. When she refused, Walton Brady was arrested.

A video of Walton Bradys arrest went viral on social media and prompted a flood of hundreds of calls to Ada County emergency dispatch. Many callers hurled insults and threats at dispatch operators, public records showed. A group of people, including former gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy, gathered outside the home of the arresting officer.

Characterizing the incident as tyranny and vowing to fight back, she pleaded not guilty in July 2020.

In a text message, Walton Brady told the Statesman on Thursday that she was happy and relieved, and that she never spoke with Labrador about her case,

The emotional and financial toll this has taken on myself and family is something that no one should have to go through, she said, but Im thankful that Ive maintained my innocence, and thats the true win.
La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos

Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California.

In one of her first orders of business, new Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders banned the term Latinx from state documents, marking a new battle in the culture war over the gender-neutral term.

The term, meant to be inclusive, has not caught on among most Latinos. A quarter of Hispanic use the term, but only 3% use it, according to a 2020 Pew Research report.

The term is embraced by the LGBTQ community and some liberal Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom. But native and older Spanish speakers are typically adverse to its use. The California Latino Caucus, an influential organization in the Legislature, has made no indication of recommending the term.

Sanders ban may be another example of Republicans aiming to take advantage of a rightward trend among working-class Latino voters. But some see it as an attack on the growing Hispanic community in her state.

Shes calling out a culture war with those very residents of her state that are central to its economic future, said Sonja Diaz, director of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute.

Diaz cited her institutes recent report on the growth of the U.S. Latino population from 2020 to 2020. In Arkansas, the Latino population increased by 162%.

Diaz also called the ban a failure to evolve from the Trump White House. Sanders served as the press secretary for former President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019.

Shes creating an administration defined by exclusion, said Diaz. There are so many things to be thinking about right now, with the climate crisis, with infrastructure opportunity, with what it means to have a female governor of Arkansas and instead shes using her first day in office to essentially continue forward with a culture war.

Sanders justified the ban by citing the Pew Research report in her executive order.

Ethnically insensitive and pejorative language has no place in official government documents or government employee titles, Sanders executive order states. The government has a responsibility to respect its citizens and use ethnically appropriate language, particularly when referring to ethnic minorities.

Arkansas state agencies and departments will now have 60 days to revise written materials and replace the term Latinx with Hispanic, Latino, or Latina.

Sanders signed six other executive orders after taking her oath of office including banning critical race theory in public schools and prohibiting the use of TikTok on state devices.
Early on in No Bears, his brilliant, furious and despairing new movie, the Iranian writer-director Jafar Panahi draws a line in the sand. Under cover of darkness, Panahi, here playing a semi-fictional version of himself, arrives on a hill near Irans northwestern edge, so close that he can see the lights of a Turkish city beckoning from a short distance. The temptation to cross over is unmistakable; his colleague (Reza Heydari) urges him to do it, assuring him, with an almost Mephistophelian impishness, that no harm will befall him. But Panahi refuses. Realizing that he is in fact standing on the border itself, he backs away as though stung, unable or unwilling to embrace the freedom that has slipped all too briefly into view.

Its a piercing moment, not least because the real Panahi has, since 2010, been forbidden to leave or travel outside his home country. His situation has only worsened in recent months: In July he was arrested and imprisoned, not long before mass protests erupted across Iran and fueled the countrys most sustained wave of civil unrest in years. No Bears, first shown in September at the Venice International Film Festival, was completed well before those events began. But like most of Panahis movies, it is preternaturally attuned to the systemic realities  misogyny, rigid traditionalism, religious fundamentalism  that set this and other Iranian protest movements in motion.

With Panahi now serving a six-year prison sentence, No Bears is likely to be his last cinematic dispatch for some time. But part of the point hes making in this movie is that his constraints have never been purely physical, and neither are his means of resistance. Cinema, like the world itself, is full of invisible boundaries, governed by rules and assumptions that Panahi has long challenged with extraordinary resourcefulness and good-natured cunning. Since 2010, when the Iranian government subjected him to a 20-year ban from filmmaking, he has managed to direct no fewer than five features. Personal and playful, often shot in secret and made under tight restrictions, these movies have found their director turning increasingly inward. Gamely stepping into the role of his own alter ego  a genial but embattled film director who also happens to be named Jafar Panahi  he muses wryly on the nature of his confinement, and also on the contradictions and complexities of an art form that he cant seem to quit even or especially under the direst circumstances.

The first of his post-ban movies, cheekily titled This Is Not a Film (2011), was a video diary shot while Panahi was under house arrest in Tehran. No Bears, the fifth and latest, finds his protagonist wandering far from home. This imaginary Panahi  lets call him Panahi Prime  has come to this remote village to be as close as possible to his latest film production, which is shooting in that Turkish city nearby. Its an inconvenient, far-from-ideal setup; for one thing, the WiFi signal is virtually nonexistent, making it difficult for the director to communicate with his cast and crew. At the same time, you suspect that hes in it partly for the inconvenience, or at least for the rustic charm and isolation that come with it.

The locals looking after him during his stay  an obsequious host, Ghanbar (Vahid Mobasheri), and his mother (Narjes Delaram) cheerily serving meals out of an underground oven  are friendly and attentive, sometimes to a fault. And Panahi Prime can be an entitled and sometimes inconsiderate houseguest. But he will pay for their hospitality and then some. Before long he finds himself embroiled in a small-town drama partly of his own making, set in motion by a simple act  the snapping of a photograph  that will have absurd and deeply troubling consequences.

At the heart of the matter is a romantic triangle ensnaring an earnest young woman named Gozal (Darya Alei); her stern-faced fiance, Jacob (Javad Siyahi); and Solduz (Amir Davari), the man she may really love. I say may because No Bears, ingeniously constructed so as to continually reveal new layers of suspense and surprise, delights in withholding information and booby-trapping our assumptions. A kind of tense, chilling comedy ensues as the villagers friendly smiles and lavish manners gradually subside, revealing latent hostility, a fearsome mob mentality and an insatiable hunger for scandal. (And also a talent for obfuscation: The title debunks a local lie about bears in the area, used to scare people from straying away from the village at night.)

The townspeople are convinced that their visiting filmmaker took  and still has in his possession  an incriminating photograph of Gozal and Solduz together. But he refuses to corroborate their suspicions, stating repeatedly  and in response to increasingly harsh public questioning  that he never took such a photo in the first place. Did he or didnt he? The movie isnt saying. Its point seems to be that it hardly matters, given how thoroughly convinced the villagers are of the righteousness of their cause, the guilt of the accused and the complicity of this visitor from the big city. But there are many forms of complicity, and one of the strengths of No Bears is that it refuses to let anyone, even its ostensible hero, off the hook.

If Panahi Prime is innocent in this affair, he is considerably less so with regard to the Turkish film production hes directing from afar. That movie-within-a-movie, shot in sharply composed single takes that offset it from the rest of the action, tells the story of another couple, Zara (Mina Kavani) and Bakhtiar (Bakhtiar Panjei), who seek refuge abroad using fake passports. And so we are back in the realm of troubled romance, and also in the zone of illegal border crossings and human trafficking. Complicating matters further is the fact that Zara and Bakhtiar are not merely actors; they are subjects in a kind of docu-fiction hybrid, enacting, in real time, a dramatic version of their own experience. And in telling their story, the filmmaker runs the risk of endangering their safety and selling them out.

The captured image, in other words, can cause an awful lot of trouble. Panahi may be operating worlds away from either Steven Spielberg or Jordan Peele, but its fascinating that all three filmmakers have made movies in the past year  the others are Spielbergs The Fabelmans and Peeles Nope  that express a certain pessimism about the very medium they inhabit. The history of filmmaking, it bears reminding, is also a history of exploitation and abuse. A still photograph or a snippet of footage can bring hidden truths to light, but it can also distort those truths beyond recognition. Film directors, at least like the one Panahi plays here, often operate at a lofty, privileged remove, treating their collaborators like property and eagerly thrusting their cameras in where they seldom belong.

Panahi seems to relish taking himself and his chosen art form to task. But he isnt really condemning cinema so much as quarreling with it, interrogating it, poking around in its moral gray zones and inviting us to see what he sees. He loves the movies too much  and theyve clearly sustained him through far too much  for him to entirely dismiss their power. And No Bears, steadily darkening as it builds to a climax that feels both inevitable and shattering, is as much an affirmation of that power as a critique of it.

That ending, marked by tragedy and tears, hits even harder when you consider Panahis uncertain future and that of the country now imprisoning him  a place that, as that early scene at the border suggests, he would have difficulty leaving even if he could. The realities of the situation are grim enough that a lesser work might have paled into insignificance, but No Bears  the best and bravest new feature I saw last year, a work of extraordinary emotional power, conceptual ingenuity and critical force  somehow manages the opposite. Panahi has made, paradoxically, a great movie about a medium that often falls short of greatness. You long to see him free, not least so he can make another.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HONG KONG  Satellite images taken over multiple cities in China show heightened activity outside crematoriums and funeral homes, appearing to contradict the countrys low official Covid-19 death figures and illustrating the severity of the outbreak in the worlds most populous nation.

The images, taken by Maxar in late December and early January and shared with NBC News, show a new parking lot has been built since early December at a funeral home in Tongzhou on the outskirts of Beijing, the capital. Other images from cities around the country show a greater number of cars parked outside funeral homes compared with similar periods in past years.

The satellite images are consistent with firsthand NBC News reporting in Beijing, where officials say the outbreak has already peaked.

Construction equipment was visible at the Tongzhou funeral home during a visit on Dec. 22, while workers in white hazmat suits could be seen unloading caskets from a steady stream of vans at the Dongjiao funeral home during multiple visits that week. Police were patrolling both places.

Elsewhere in Beijing, crematoriums have been operating 24/7, with one major funeral home telling NBC News the wait time for a cremation slot was up to two weeks. With some funeral homes no longer allowing memorial services, reporters have witnessed families instead holding them at hospitals, where empty caskets are being stored outside in alleys.

Satellite images show the addition of parking spaces at a funeral home in Tangshan, China. (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies)

While the Chinese government says the outbreak is predictable and under control, the World Health Organization says that official Chinese data underrepresents the current number of Covid hospitalizations and deaths and that it cannot form a clear picture of the outbreak without more information.

China has reported fewer than 40 Covid-related deaths since Dec. 7, when officials abruptly lifted zero-Covid restrictions that had largely shielded Chinas 1.4 billion people from the virus for the past three years but fueled rare widespread protests. The countrys official death toll is about 5,270 since the start of the pandemic, but international experts say the true number of deaths could reach 1 million or more in the coming months  about the same as in the United States.

Chinas older population, which has a relatively low vaccination rate, is expected to be especially affected. Experts also predict the virus will spread beyond major cities into rural areas as people return to their hometowns to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Commenters on Chinese social media have also questioned the governments reporting, pointing to the recent deaths of prominent artists, scientists and academics, some of whose obituaries named Covid as the cause, as well as the experience of their own families.

Its the sixth day since my grandfather left, and I still cant stop crying, a commenter in Sichuan province wrote on the social media platform Weibo, adding: I hate Covid and this inexplicable decision to lift all the restrictions  to hell with you, false death data!

Satellite images show an increase in the number of cars parked outside a funeral house in Huzhou, China. (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Chinese officials reject criticism of the data they have provided and say the true death toll will become clearer after analysis of excess deaths.

Dr. Liang Wannian, an epidemiologist and senior adviser to the Chinese government, said Wednesday that the priority at the moment should be treating severe cases.

Until the pandemic is over, it is impossible to identify the exact death rate, he said at a news conference in Beijing.

He also defended the way China determines whether a death was Covid-related  counting only those that involve respiratory failure  a definition the WHO has criticized as too narrow.

There is no global consensus on how to define Covid deaths, Liang said, so each country has their own individual way of calculating.

China briefed all WHO member states on its Covid outbreak last week, and has provided additional information on its response, said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs Covid-19 technical lead.

However, there are some very important information gaps that we are working with China to fill, she said at a news briefing on Wednesday.

Citing the lack of data on Chinas outbreak, the United States and other countries have imposed restrictions on travelers from China in recent weeks. Beijing calls the measures unscientific, excessive and discriminatory, taking the first of its promised countermeasures on Tuesday with the suspension of short-term visas for citizens of South Korea and Japan.

Japan has lodged a protest to China over the suspension, while South Korea says its Covid border measures are based on science and that Chinas response is very regrettable.

Chinas new foreign minister, Qin Gang, who is visiting Ethiopia, told Phoenix TV in an interview Wednesday that the South Korean and Japanese restrictions had hindered Chinas personnel exchanges with the two countries, so we, the Chinese side, have a reason to respond.

Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong, and Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Beijing.
Tatjana Patitz, pictured in December 2006. (Fabian Bimmer / Associated Press)

Supermodel Tatjana Patitz, who graced the pages of magazines including British Vogue during the 1980s and 90s, has died. She was 56.

"Today, our beauty Tatjana Patitz, passed away," Patitz's agency, the Model CoOp, announced Wednesday on Instagram. "As one of the original Supers and through her work with Patrick Demarchelier, Herb Ritts, and Peter Lindbergh, Tatjanas career in the fashion industry stands apart."

Patitz died of metastatic breast cancer, Model CoOp director Corinne Nicolas confirmed to The Times on Wednesday.

Born in Germany and raised in Sweden, Patitz began her modeling career in the late 80s and rose to fame as one of the original supermodels.

Her breakout appearance came via British Vogue's January 1990 cover, which featured Peter Lindberghs "White Shirts: Six Supermodels, Malibu." The famed cover photo also featured modeling icons Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford.

Shortly after, Patitz and her co-models starred in the music video for George Michael's "Freedom!"

She also appeared in music videos for Duran Duran and films including "Rising Sun," "Ready to Wear" and "Restraining Order."

Id rather do smaller parts with a good cast and director that I believe in, she told The Times in 1993. Im taking every day as it comes. To think of all the possible outcomes, I would drive myself insane.

Paying tribute to Patitz on Wednesday was Crawford, who recalled on Instagram her time with the model.

"We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together. We were in so many shoots together and backstage at shows," Crawford captioned a picture of her and Patitz.

"I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes. Her love of animals and nature was infectious. Sending my condolences to her family  especially the son she adored. RIP."

Fashion photographer Nigel Barker tweeted Wednesday that he "will never forget her."

On Twitter, the Peter Lindbergh Foundation remembered Patitz for her "kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence."

In Vogue's tribute published Wednesday, global editorial director Anna Wintour celebrated Patitz.

"Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti, she said. She was far less visible than her peers  more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable  and that had its own appeal.

Patitz is survived by son Jonah, 19; her sister; and her parents. To honor Patitz, as well as her support for the conservation of wild horses, supporters can donate to equine sanctuary Return to Freedom.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Then President Donald Trump, right, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sentosa Island, in Singapore, Dec. 20, 2018. (Evan Vucci/AP)

WASHINGTON  Behind closed doors in 2017, President Donald Trump discussed the idea of using a nuclear weapon against North Korea and suggested he could blame a U.S. strike against the communist regime on another country, according to a new section of a book that details key events of his administration.

Trump's alleged comments, reported for the first time in a new afterword to a book by New York Times Washington correspondent Michael Schmidt, came as tensions between the U.S. and North Koreas Kim Jong-un escalated, alarming then-White House chief of staff John Kelly.

The new section of "Donald Trump v. the United States," obtained by NBC News ahead of its publication in paperback Tuesday, offers an extensive examination of Kellys life and tenure as Trump's chief of staff from July 2017 to January 2019. Kelly previously was Trump's secretary of homeland security. For the account, Schmidt cites in part dozens of interviews on background with former Trump administration officials and others who worked with Kelly.

Eight days after Kelly arrived at the White House as chief of staff, Trump warned that North Korea would be "met with fire and fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before." When Trump delivered his first speech to the U.N. General Assembly in September 2017, he threatened to "totally destroy North Korea" if Kim, whom he referred to as "Rocket Man," continued his military threats.

Later that month, Trump continued to goad North Korea through his tweets. But Kelly was more concerned about what Trump was saying privately, Schmidt reports.

He cavalierly discussed the idea of using a nuclear weapon against North Korea, saying that if he took such an action, the administration could blame someone else for it to absolve itself of responsibility.Extract from 'Donald Trump v. the United States'

"What scared Kelly even more than the tweets was the fact that behind closed doors in the Oval Office, Trump continued to talk as if he wanted to go to war. He cavalierly discussed the idea of using a nuclear weapon against North Korea, saying that if he took such an action, the administration could blame someone else for it to absolve itself of responsibility," according to the new section of the book.

Kelly tried to use reason to explain to Trump why that would not work, Schmidt continues.

"Itd be tough to not have the finger pointed at us," Kelly told the president, according to the afterword.

Kelly brought the militarys top leaders to the White House to brief Trump about how war between the U.S. and North Korea could easily break out, as well as the enormous consequences of such a conflict. But the argument about how many people could be killed had "no impact on Trump," Schmidt writes.

Kelly then tried to point out that there would be economic repercussions, but the argument held Trumps attention for only so long, according to the afterword.

Then, Trump "would turn back to the possibility of war, including at one point raising to Kelly the possibility of launching a preemptive military attack against North Korea," Schmidt said.

Kelly warned that Trump would need congressional approval for a pre-emptive strike, which "baffled and annoyed" Trump, according to the afterword.

Trump tweeted in early January 2018: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Then President Donald Trump, left, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Schmidt also writes that it was well-known among senior U.S. officials for several decades that North Korea sought to spy on U.S. decision-makers. So White House aides were alarmed "that Trump would repeatedly talk on unclassified phones, with friends and confidants outside the government, about how he wanted to use military force against North Korea."

Schmidt writes that there is no indication North Korea had a source in the White House, but he said it "was well within the realm of American intelligence assessment" that it could have been listening to Trumps calls.

"Kelly would have to remind Trump that he could not share classified information with his friends," Schmidt writes.

According to the new section, Kelly came up with a plan he believes ultimately prompted Trump to dial back the rhetoric in spring 2018: appealing directly to Trumps "narcissism."

Kelly convinced the president he could prove he was the "greatest salesman in the world" by trying to strike a diplomatic relationship, Schmidt writes, thereby preventing a nuclear conflict that Kelly and other top military leaders saw as a more immediate threat than most realized at the time.

The situation with North Korea consumed Kelly almost immediately upon his taking the job at the White House, which he had not actually committed to do before Trump tweeted that the post was his, according to the new section.

Holy s  oh, I gotta call Karen, Kelly said, referring to his wife, according to the afterword.

"Three days later, on Monday morning, Kelly met with his aides in a large conference room at a Department of Homeland Security office building a few blocks from the White House. Kelly was solemn. 'This is a great job,' he said, referring to the cabinet position he was leaving. 'Thats not a great job. But the president has asked me to do it.'"
WASHINGTON  In the midst of implementing its own controversial new program for dealing with the flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border, the White House on Wednesday criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida for deploying the National Guard to handle the arrival of undocumented immigrants from Cuba.

We are talking about people who are coming from countries, who are dealing with political strife, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Wednesdays press briefing. Theyre trying to find asylum  and hes treating them like pawns.

She charged that DeSantis was not dealing with the problem. Hes actually creating a problem.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Republican Jewish Coalition on Nov. 19 in Las Vegas. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Last week, DeSantis deployed the National Guard to deal with what his office described as an alarming influx of migrants landing in the Florida Keys, though it was unclear just what the Guards role would be.

According to the governors office, 300 migrants fleeing Cuba and other countries landed at Dry Tortugas National Park last week, and another 45 made landfall at Key West.

DeSantiss office did not answer a Yahoo News request for comment. But when he deployed the Guard, the governor lambasted the White House.

As the negative impacts of Bidens lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administrations failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis, he said.

The governors move came after President Biden announced a new parole plan that would allow up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti to receive asylum in the United States, provided they applied from their home countries via smartphone app, without making a perilous overland journey to the border. The plan also includes an agreement from Mexico to accept 30,000 deportees from those countries apprehended in the United States.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a briefing on Wednesday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

In announcing his plan, Biden blamed congressional inaction for the lack of a comprehensive immigration reform plan. Although the presidents new parole plan has been criticized by progressives and conservatives alike, it reflects what the administration believes to be a humane and orderly approach to a seemingly intractable problem.

On Wednesday, the White House was content to focus on DeSantis, who has battled the Biden administration over pandemic-related measures like masking and vaccination, and whom many liberals seem to regard with the same antipathy they once reserved for the governors political benefactor, Donald Trump.

Immigration is emerging as a point of intense contention between the two men, who could face each other in next years presidential election (neither has declared his intention to run so far, but both are expected to do so).

Weve seen Gov. DeSantis do political stunts, Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday. She appeared to be referencing an episode in September when DeSantis transported migrants who had entered the United States without authorization to Marthas Vineyard, a liberal enclave.

She also accused the Florida governor of making a mockery of Bidens good-faith attempts to at least partly address the migration crisis.

DeSantis is suing the Biden administration for allegedly not doing enough to stop the flow of unauthorized migrants into the United States. Proceedings in the case began earlier this week.
It would not have been wise to invite Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to a political meeting about the Northern Ireland Protocol because she is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said.

The row over the exclusion of the Sinn Fein president from a political meeting with the Foreign Secretary rumbled on as Irish premier Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were all holding talks in Northern Ireland as part of efforts to resolve the dispute over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The Taoiseach and Sir Keir are meeting with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock over the protocol, which the DUP has cited as its reason for boycotting Northern Irelands devolved institutions since May.

Sir Keir began his two-day visit to Northern Ireland by meeting business leaders in Belfast before travelling to Stormont.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, left, and Peter Kyle, shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, during a Brexit Business Working Group breakfast at KPMG offices in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr Martin held talks with Mr Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough.

However, the row over Mrs McDonalds exclusion, which led to Sinn Fein and the SDLP refusing to join roundtable talks with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Mr Heaton-Harris earlier this week, has continued to overshadow the meetings.

Asked about it following a meeting with Mr Martin on Thursday, Mr Heaton-Harris said: Sinn Fein were invited, it is a shame Michelle (ONeill) didnt come along because it was an update on the protocol discussions.

There are many factors which go into the thought process. One, to be quite frank, is that the UK Government is negotiating with the European Union.

We wanted to update Northern Ireland parties on that negotiation and, with the greatest of respect, Mary Lou is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

That might not have been seen as a wise thing to do.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he had extended an invite to dinner to Mrs McDonald.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media at Belfast City Hall (Peter Morrison/PA)

The Sinn Fein president, who is the leader of the opposition in the Republic, confirmed she has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the issue.

One of the reasons given for the failure to invite Mrs McDonald to the talks was that Mr Cleverly could not meet with her until he had met his counterpart in Ireland, Mr Martin.

Asked if he would have had any issue with Mr Cleverly meeting with Mrs McDonald, Mr Martin said: We certainly got no heads-up in relation to that at all, and I think it needs to be stated.

I would have had no difficulty that Mary Lou McDonald was at that meeting, but thats a matter for the Foreign Secretary.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin arrives to speak to media as he leaves Hillsborough Castle after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)

Hopes of a deal over the contentious protocol were raised this week when the EU and UK reached agreement on sharing customs data.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: There has been a tiny bit of progress made in talks with the European Union.

There is still a way to go, but we are talking in good faith, and as I stand here now there are talks going on, so lets see where they get to.

We have another assessment next Monday where I will be with the Foreign Secretary and Maros Sefcovic going through the progress that has been made this week.

Mrs McDonald said her party had a very constructive meeting with Taoiseach Mr Varadkar in Belfast.

We have reflected our absolute determination that government must be restored here in the north  its unacceptable that we stagger on without an executive, she told media.

We have also shared our strong view that a deal on the protocol is possible  and we believe that the window we now have has to be grasped with both hands.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in Belfast to discuss the impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday (Peter Morrison/PA)

But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed a deal was still some way off.

He told the BBC: At the moment, while some progress has been made on some technical issues, there are major political issues in those negotiations that have not yet been addressed.

I dont think we are anywhere close to a deal.

That was clear yesterday from James Cleverlys report to the political parties that we arent close to a deal at this stage.

There is still a lot of ground to be covered before we get to that point.

The protocol has become a contentious political issue, with the DUP refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

Unionists oppose the trade barriers it has created between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The UK-based family of an Iranian teenager sentenced to death has appealed to ministers to help save his life.

MPs heard Mehdi Mohammadi Fard has been tortured, beaten and kept in solitary confinement in a rat-infested cell after taking part in protests against the Iranian regime.

He was tried in court without legal representation and sentenced to death for corruption on earth and war against God, the House of Commons was told.

Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South, said she represents a family member of the detained 19-year-old who wants to meet the UK Government and see what help can be offered.

Protests erupted in Iran in mid-September following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died after being arrested by Irans morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic Republics strict dress code.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands arrested during demonstrations over the circumstances of her death.

At least four people are known to have been executed since the demonstrations began.

Ms Greenwood told the Commons: The cousin of one of my constituents is amongst those facing the death penalty in Iran, and Id like to use this opportunity to say a little about him and to ask the minister to do all he can to support my constituent and her family.

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard is just 19 years old. It was his birthday last Thursday.

He normally works in a salon as a hairstylist and a tattoo artist, his passion since he was a young teenager.

Mehdi has suffered poor mental health in recent months for which hes been receiving treatment prior to whats happened, but three months ago Mehdi was amongst a group of young people involved in the protests.

Ten days later he was arrested and imprisoned.

Mehdi has been tortured, beaten, kept in solitary confinement in a rat-infested cell with nothing to lie on and nothing to eat for several days.

Ms Greenwood said the teenager has required hospital treatment for his injuries, which include a broken nose.

She added: Three weeks ago Mehdi was tried in court without legal representation. Ive been told notes from his psychiatrist regarding his mental state were completely disregarded and hes been sentenced to death for corruption on earth and war against God.

Whilst he does now have a lawyer and an appeal has been lodged, his family  both in Iran and here in the UK  are of course terrified for Mehdi and need our help.

I ask the minister to do everything he can to support my constituent and to try to save the life of this young man, and I hope he will agree to meet with me and my constituent to discuss the case further and what the Government can and will do to help him.

Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty thanked Ms Greenwood for movingly raising the case.

Mr Docherty said he expected his ministerial colleague, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, will meet her and her constituent to see what action can be made.

Elsewhere in the debate, Mr Docherty confirmed the UK had appealed to Irans most senior British-based diplomat for clemency for a British-Iranian dual national facing execution.

Alireza Akbari is an Iranian former deputy defence minister who was arrested in 2019 and accused of espionage for MI6 related to past nuclear talks between Iran and western nations, according to reports.

He has denied the charge and said he was tortured and forced to confess on camera to crimes he did not commit, BBC Persian reported.

Mr Docherty told MPs: Following the scheduling of his forthcoming execution from the Iranian regime, the Foreign Secretary did release a statement and Lord Ahmad called in the Iranian charge daffaires to issue a very strong call for clemency and for the release of Mr Akbari.

We continue to offer support to the family, we have no news today and itd be wrong for me to speculate as to any future activities, but its right to say also through our ambassador in Tehran we continue to make extremely strong calls for his release.

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the UK should consider withdrawing its ambassador from Iran if Mr Akbari is executed.

Shadow Foreign Office minister Bambos Charalambous condemned the Iranian regime for executing protesters and read out a list of names of people at risk of execution.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are to travel to Belfast on Thursday as efforts to resolve the dispute over the protocol ramp up.

The Taoiseach and Sir Keir are to meet with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock over the post-Brexit protocol, which the DUP party has cited as its reason for boycotting Northern Irelands devolved institutions since May.

Sir Keir has planned a two-day visit to the region, his first since June.

It comes after a row broke out ahead of a meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and the five main parties on Wednesday, which Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was not allowed in to.

Sinn Fein subsequently refused to attend the meeting at all, as did the other main nationalist party, the SDLP.

Unionist representatives suggested it was a diplomatic issue that led to the snub, that Mr Cleverly could not meet Irish opposition leader Ms McDonald before his Irish counterpart.

Sinn Fein Party leader Mary Lou McDonald (Peter Morrison/PA)

The meeting was overshadowed by the dispute, after being convened to discuss how to resolve the stalemate over the protocol, a set of post-Brexit trade rules agreed by the EU and UK aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.

The protocol has become a contentious political issue, with the DUP refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

But several recent developments have indicated a breakthrough may be possible, including a customs data-sharing agreement between the EU and UK, which has been hailed as a positive step.

Another indication of goodwill was the admission made by Mr Varadkar that weve all made mistakes in the handling of Brexit after he returned to the office of Taoiseach in December.

He also said he understands unionist concerns that the treaty has made them feel less British, striking a conciliatory tone at the start of his premiership.

Mr Varadkars visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday is his first since taking over from Micheal Martin as Taoiseach.

Mr Martin, now Irelands deputy leader and foreign affairs minister, is also due to take part in several engagements in Northern Ireland on Thursday, including a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough.

The Tanaiste will travel to Armagh to visit the secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council, established under the Good Friday Agreement, which has not met since November 2021.

Mr Martin is also to launch a new Shared Island Civic Society Fund and due to meet with victims and survivors of Troubles-related violence.

The Irish government has emphasised that scheduling the two visits on the same day is a sign of its commitment to resolving the row over the Northern Ireland protocol.

Pressure to restore the Stormont Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive are particularly pronounced ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April, where a visit from the US President Joe Biden is possible.


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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) State Minister Ruben Vardanyan says the struggle of the people of Artsakh in conditions of the blockade of Lachin Corridor is not simply a struggle against the blockade, but rather a struggle for their most important right  the right to live on their own land.

We are blockaded for already 32 days, Vardanyan said during a Stepanakert-Yerevan video bridge press conference. This means that we have problems, related to food, infrastructures, healthcare and other issues. Unfortunately there are those who died, and we cant bury them, Vardanyan said.

Addressing the false statements from Azerbaijan claiming that there are no problems in Artsakh, Vardanyan said that the Azeri side simply doesnt want to accept reality. By Azeri estimates, 400 vehicles passed along the corridor during the past month, whereas before the blockade more vehicles were passing in a single day. Thus, with its own statements the Azeri side is confirming that Artsakh is in crisis, Vardanyan said. He said that many families remain separated due to the blockade.

But at the same time Id like to say that this all has united us even more. The people and the state are united in these difficult times. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the spirit of overcoming hardships awakened in us. The December 25 rally, and the preceding meetings in regions showed that the people are ready to stand with us and withstand all this. This is not a struggle against the blockade, but rather a struggle for our most important right, that we have the right to live on our land, in our homeland, with our laws, our values, and we must not obey the terms of others. The decisiveness over this matter is growing stronger day by day among our people, Vardanyan said.

The Lachin Corridor is blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. The corridor is the only travel and supply route for the 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). The blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essential products such as food and medicine prompted Nagorno Karabakh authorities to introduce rationing. Hospitals are keeping planned surgeries on hold. 1,100 residents of Nagorno Karabakh, including 270 children who were in Armenia when the road was blocked are unable to return to their homes. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has barred repair crews from accessing the area where the only high-voltage power line supplying Artsakh with electricity from Armenia was damaged on January 9.
Major flight safety failures of the past must be remembered and analysed to ensure that they dont recur

The Indian Aircraft Act 1934 was enacted to make better provisions for control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft. It is clearly the Magna Carta for all aviation ops, whose primary focus should be passenger flight safety. The makers of the Indian Constitution had incorporated aviation in Schedule Seven, in the Union List, whose item 29 is airways; aircraft and air navigation  aerodromes, entrusting the responsibility of regulating aviation to the Central government.

This makes it clear that every airline or aircraft operator, whether state-owned or private, must be subject to the governments control. Aviation being a capital, labour, fuel, technology-intensive and high-risk sector, passengers lives and flight safety can never be left exclusively in the hands of profit-seeking businessmen -- whether they run airlines or airport operations. Thus, while ensuring flight safety, from take-off to touch-down, remains the job of those who run airlines, the government of the day, of whatever party or political complexion, cannot avoid its liability and responsibility.

Understandably, major flight safety failures of the past must be remembered and analysed to ensure that they dont recur. Thus, on December 17, 2003, at the Aeronautical Society of Indias century celebration of aviation in Bengaluru, this writer, as one of three keynote speakers, emphasised that the foremost mission of aviation, both civil and military, stands on flight safety, and that can never be compromised, no matter what the financial cost.

Therefore, two recent civil aviation-related news items drew ones attention. First, the submission by the pilots unions of now privately-run Air India which alleged that working conditions are hostile at the airline as the pilots are intimidated to accept flights with total disregard to Air Indias flight-duty-time-limitation (FDTL) due to pilot shortage. True or untrue, FDTL is a flight safety matter. Its because no pilot can operate (or rather, must not be allowed to operate) beyond the mandatorily stipulated flying hours per-day. Flying isnt like driving a car or riding a bicycle where the driver or rider can take a break any time if he or shes tired. Aviation is a challenging profession where several hundred lives depend on two expert pilots on each and every flight. Thus, without a minimum period of rest, where pilots and flight crews can get refreshed, things can end tragically as theres no dearth of accidents due to flight safety failures in the Indian sky.

Contextually, therefore, a few major air disasters of the past must be remembered. May 31, 1973 Indian Airlines 440 Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Delhi runway 28-10; January 1, 1978 Air India 855 Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea within 90 seconds after take-off from Mumbai runway 27-09; October 19, 1988 Indian Airlines 113 Boeing 737 crashed on the final approach of Ahmadabad runway 23; February 14, 1990 Indian Airlines 605 Airbus 320 made a short-landing, at the old Bangalore runway 09; August 16, 1991 Indian Airlines 257 Boeing 737 hit the hills outside Imphal airport during descent. Indeed, the saddest was when one of the most respected and dynamic civil aviation ministers of India, the late Madhavrao Scindia, resigned on his own

after gross flight safety failures over an avoidable pilot error of Indian Airlines wet-leased Uzbek Airlines aircraft on a zero-visibility foggy Saturday morning, January 9, 1993, on Delhi runway 28-10. The conscientious minister couldnt take the flight safety failures of others, and quit on moral grounds, and strangely enough, died in a plane crash on September 30, 2001.

Since flight accidents can only be of two types -- avoidable or unavoidable, advance flight safety planning constitutes the core

competence of every carrier. Thus, the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must be prepared for all eventualities as they are empowered to strictly implement aviation law.

This brings us to Air Indias mega aircraft order worth over $100 billion. While this is an excellent news for India, theres a curious twist: a number of Boeing-737-MAX going to Air India were previously earmarked for Chinese airlines, where Boeing still awaits re-certification owing to two avoidable fatal crashes: Indonesias Lion Air (2018) and Ethiopian Airlines (2019). Bloomberg also noted in a October 2022 report: Boeing is trying to offload some roughly 140 aircraft it is currently not allowed to deliver. One only hopes that due diligence has been done in matters regarding the safety of the carriers new aircraft, under the watchful eyes of the ministry and the DGCA.

Its true that the 106-year-old Boeing has an incredible record of quality products, yet in the last three years there has been a severe erosion of the plane-makers credibility and reputation due to two avoidable crashes of its fastest selling 737-MAX. The Financial Times reported on September 16, 2020: Sweeping failures by Boeing engineers, deception by company and significant errors in government oversight led to two fatal 737-MAX crashes, US congressional investigators concluded in a 245-page report. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, under Chairman Peter DeFazio, found it mind-boggling that Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration concluded that the planes design had complied with regulations in spite of crashes.

Now, in December 2022, the same US Congress which had given a scathing 2020 report on the Boeing-737-MAX flighty safety mechanism, however, gave Boeing a last-minute reprieve on 737-MAX, moving away from its earlier stand on flight safety, for which it passed the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability Act 2020, which required all planes, certified by the FAA after December 27, 2022, to have updated crew-alerting systems that conformed to the latest safety standards. Clearly, Boeings intense lobbying for months convinced US legislators.

What appeared to have worked on the US legislators were job losses, reputation, credibility, market and filling of the vacuum by Boeings key rival Airbus and the advent of Chinas COMAC-made narrow-body passenger jet C-919, which poses a challenge to both Europe and the United States.

This is why aircraft orders cant be left solely to Air India. The DGCA and the civil aviation ministry must step in to examine the issue threadbare as both aviation law and the Constitution requires the Central government to oversee all fight safety matters, which should be the key factor.

Post-Script: The Pee-gate matter involving Air Indias Flight AI-102 wasnt just scandalous, but a potential flight safety hazard too. The DGCA and the government must come down hard on the private carrier to focus more on flight safety issue than simply trying to monopolise and maximise profits. An airline founded by the legendary aviator J.R.D. Tata can certainly do better for its image, credibility and reputation.
Analysis by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed the syrups contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol

The World Health Organization on Wednesday recommended that two Indian cough syrups - Ambronol and DOK-1 Max - should not be used for children in Uzbekistan. (Representational image: PTI)

The World Health Organization on Wednesday recommended that two Indian cough syrups - Ambronol and DOK-1 Max - should not be used for children in Uzbekistan.

Analysis by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed the syrups contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol, and were administered in doses higher than the standard for children, either by their parents, who mistook it for an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists.

The manufacturer of both these products, which have been linked to deaths of 19 children in the country, is India-based Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd. So far, Marion has not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products, the agency said in its statement.

Marion Biotech could not immediately be reached for a comment.
The World Health Organisation is sounding the alarm: Infections are bound to rise during Lunar New Year holidays. Although the authorities are not providing data, unofficial indicators point to an unprecedented number of deaths among seniors. Xi Jinping now risks losing face (and power).

Beijing (AsiaNews)  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the pandemic crisis in China will worsen with the Lunar New Year festivities, putting some 200 million seniors at risk, since most have not even been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on 21 January, traditionally involves the movement of hundreds of millions of Chinese.

This comes just weeks after Xi Jinping abrupt scrapped his zero-Covid policy. Chinese authorities lifted draconian health restrictions in early December, spurred on by unusual popular protests.

Although no official data have been provided, the picture is very complicated. Hospitals are swamped with patients, especially in the less equipped rural areas, a situation aggravated by the lack of staff because they too are infected.

Pharmacies have run out of flu drugs (or sell them at exorbitant prices), while few civil society groups can help with volunteer activities.

Observers note that since restrictions were lifted the number of deaths among seniors is at an all-time high, as evinced by the long queues outside crematoria. The same occurred at the start of the pandemic in Wuhan (Hubei) where the pulmonary disease first appeared.

Unofficial figures are available thanks to information provided by local work units (Danwei), university bulletin boards and the Internet; for example, the number of deaths among retired teachers is substantial.

As Nikkei Asia reported, lawyers in various parts of the country have petitioned the authorities to save the elderly population. They are calling for mass imports of effective medicines and for domestic production to be boosted.

Foreign vaccines, which are more effective than domestic ones, and a more extensive vaccination campaign are needed.

The World Health Organisation has not spared the Chinese government from its criticism over the lack of accurate data and transparency; however, this reflects Beijings attitude since the start of the pandemic when it denied there was a health emergency in the country.

According to official statistics, China reported just over 10 million deaths in 2021. While last year's numbers are not yet in, some studies conducted outside China predict over a million deaths from COVID-19 in 2023.

Analysts note that the Chinese government wants to save face at any cost. Its power is also based on the consent of the majority of the population, who directly or indirectly contribute to the implementation of national policies.

Without public support, Xi and his associates could not survive politically, and to maintain it they must achieve concrete results.

A humanitarian catastrophe caused by COVID-19 at a time when economic recovery is still faltering would have a major impact on Chinese society, as did Maos disasters: the Great Leap Forward (1958-61) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-76).

RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE.
Chinese villages gear up for Spring Festival with experience from earlier infection peak

By Xu Keyue in Baoding, Zhang Changyue and Zhang Han in Beijing (Global Times) 10:57, January 12, 2023

Photo: Li Hao/GT

Are China's vast rural areas ready to cope with the COVID contagion in the exit wave?

This question has been frequently asked since China's major change in COVID response strategy and the ongoing Spring Festival travel rush added to those concerns, as the mass migration is not only imbued with the joy of family reunion, but also carries risks of shocks to China's relatively weak rural medical system.

One month into the implementation of the "new 10 measures," Global Times reporters found the first batch of villages and counties to adopt the policy relaxation have withstood the first wave of infections and orderly preparations are being made in terms of medicines, equipment and personnel, for future waves including infections brought about by the Spring Festival travel rush, known as chunyun in Chinese, a period that lasts for 40 days.

Photo: Li Hao/GT

1st hard battle

At the hospital in Yixian county of Baoding, north China's Hebei Province, Tian Baili, an emergency room physician, told the Global Times that they have passed the hardest time - the outpatient department is seeing fewer visitors and 50 out of 650 beds are unoccupied.

Baoding was one of the earliest places to confront "an epidemic tsunami" after the relaxation of COVID-19 controls.

At the peak of the COVID wave, more than two-thirds of inpatients had COVID, but now it has dropped to about a third, Tian said.

The Global Times reporter learned from Caiyu county hospital in Daxing, Beijing that outpatient numbers have almost halved since January 5 from the New Year peak of 1,300 a day. During that time, 30 out of 100 CT images showed pneumonia symptoms so the hospital opened its wards to expand its capacity to offer drips and oxygen treatment.

The hospital coordinates with 43 village medical centers. Now it has sufficient fever and cough medicines, and 50 boxes of anti-viral drug Paxlovid. At two medical centers, the Global Times reporter saw very few patients in contrast to pharmacies full of medicines.

Many patients are coming to get medicine for pre-existing diseases, not COVID, Shi Chuang, the deputy director of the hospital, told the Global Times.

Photo: Li Hao/GT

Data from Central China's Henan Province suggests that with its large rural population, it had an overall infection rate of 89 percent, 89.1 percent in urban areas and 88.9 percent in rural areas, as of January 6.The Global Times learned from a medical center at Xihuaying township of Zhoukou in Henan that the number of new fever patients has dropped a lot since late December.

"The central hall was crowded with people struggling to get pills or get a drip. Now there are even empty seats," a township resident surnamed Mu told the Global Times.

Tian Baili from Yixian county in Hebei recalled that during the hardest time, the shortage was acute because many doctors and nurses were infected and were too ill to work, and doctors of all different departments came to aid the emergency and respiratory departments.

A village doctor surnamed Zhao under Yixian county has treated more than 100 COVID patients since the policy change in December 2022, more than 30 were above 60 years old. All of them were given medicines and two were transferred to a county-level hospital or above.

Unlike some claims that rural China was unprepared for the coronavirus wave, Yixian county has allocated 5 million yuan ($740,000) to its public medical institutions to upgrade fever clinics and equipment. It allocated 3 million yuan to enhance it stocks of medicines, including fever pills and anti-virus medicines ahead of the national strategic change and the surge of infections.

The Global Times reporters shared the impression that the tiered medical care system played an important role in categorizing patients and giving treatment according to the need to minimize the strains on the system.

Village medical centers distribute pills for people with light symptoms and more serious patients go to township and county hospitals if they need drips or oxygen treatment. Some county hospitals have ICUs and respirators, and if they cannot handle the situation, the patient is transferred to better equipped hospitals in larger urban areas.

Tian's hospital is part of a medical complex which includes a handful of hospitals, 27 township hospitals and 469 village medical centers. Medical resources are coordinated within the complex.

Training was held routinely to enhance grassroots medics' skills, and the internet played a role in accurate diagnosis. "Patients can get a CT scan at township hospitals and some better-equipped village centers. Our doctors view the CT image via virtual link, taking the patient's age and other health indicators into consideration, then decide whether the patient can stay for treatment or needs to be transferred," Tian said.

China optimized its COVID response on December 7, 2022 with 10 prevention and control measures. The same day, China's top COVID response coordination unit, the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism, issued a notice guiding both urban and rural areas, via the "medical complex" structure, to better implement the tiered diagnosis and treatment system.

Since then, the top coordination unit has issued at least five documents targeting rural epidemic control and the National Health Commission (NHC) held multiple meetings to assign related work.

Liang Wannian, head of the COVID-19 response expert panel under the NHC, said at a public health eventon Wednesday that China's infection peak is declining, but the medical system is still at a critical time in regard to the treatment of serious illnesses, the prevention and control of rural epidemics, and the protection of key populations.

Photo: Li Hao/GT

New challenges

Different places confronted the infection peak at different times. An investigation by the Farmers' Daily of 16 villages in 10 provinces and regions - Hunan, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Shandong, Gansu and Shaanxi - found 60 to 80 percent of the villagers have been infected.

The shortage of medicine has eased a lot as of Saturday.

Now, cities, towns and villages across the nation are gearing up for the Spring Festival travel rush which could cause another round of contagion.

Liang on Wednesday put forward three priorities for epidemic prevention in rural areas of China. First, ensuring that rural areas have medications and supplies; second, early intervention and treatment for rural populations, especially the large number of vulnerable groups and high-risk groups; third, increasing the capability and resilience of local healthcare systems.

On January 7, the first day of the travel rush, the joint prevention and control mechanism held a press briefing to update the latest situation and assign related work.

Officials said at the press conference that "early management" is a major part of China's rural and grassroots epidemic prevention and control work, including early identification of infections and those with severe illness, and early intervention by providing necessary oxygen-related equipment and adequate treatments.

Localities should contact and provide services at least twice a week with key groups including seniors above 65 years old, pregnant women, children and the disabled.

Shi Chuang from Caiyu county told the Global Times they have surveyed more than 7,000 people aged above 65 about their basic health conditions. For key groups including seniors who live alone, a medic will contact them routinely to ensure their health situation.

Grassroots authorities are also required to expand emergency transport capacity as each rural and township clinic should be equipped with at least one ambulance, and make sure that emergency calls can be received 24 hours a day and vehicles can be dispatched quickly, according to the Saturday press briefing.

Also, 98.7 percent of rural clinics and community health service centers have so far opened fever clinics, accounting for over 60 percent of the country's total fever clinics, playing a key role as the "first defense line."

The NHC is deploying 15 working groups to different parts of the country to guide rural epidemic prevention by enhancing tiered diagnosis and treatment and increasing grassroots services capabilities.

To tackle shortage of medical resources in some places, the joint prevention and control mechanism also established a daily dispatching system by ensuring supplies, especially prioritizing medical supplies to rural areas and using both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

The Global Times learned from Nanchengsi township county hospital in Baoding, Hebei, that the hospital had stockpiled five times the usual stocks of Western medicine and 35 percent more than the normal amount of traditional Chinese medicine which was already at a high level.

Frontline medics told the Global Times that there are and there will be problems and challenges, but more sufficient resources, richer experience and smoother coordination over the past month give them the confidence to fight a prolonged battle against the virus.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
by Nirmala Carvalho

Card Pell, who served as archbishop of Sydney and of Melbourne as well as prefect of the Vatican dicastery for the economy, died suddenly yesterday in Rome at the age of 81. He spent more than 400 days in prison following a conviction based on slanderous charges of paedophilia, which were overturned by Australias High Court. The archbishop of Bombay remembers him. The two met last September in India to discuss the family, which to him was extremely important for the revitalisation of Christian life. He was still talking about the future, not the past.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  Many Catholic Churches in Asia are remembering with emotion the figure of Australian Cardinal George Pell, prefect emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican, who passed away yesterday evening in Rome at the age of 81.

The cardinal, who died from complications following a hip replacement after he attended the funeral of Benedict XVI on 5 January, served as archbishop of Sydney from 2001 to 2014.

Appointed first as auxiliary bishop and then archbishop of Melbourne, he also headed Caritas Australia. In all these roles, he had the opportunity to cast his attentive gaze on the journey of the peoples of Asia.

Called to Rome by Pope Francis, he was tasked with reforming the Secretariat for the Economy, but his work was abruptly interrupted by slanderous charges of paedophilia dating back to the time when he was parish priest in his hometown of Ballarat.

In order to face these charges and defend himself, he left the Vatican office to return to his homeland proclaiming his innocence.

In 2018, the District Court of the State of Victoria convicted him giving him a six-year prison sentence. Only after more than 400 days behind bars did the High Court of Australia (the countrys final court of appeal) exonerate him in April 2020 by a unanimous decision.

Card Pell described the sad affairs in a memoir titled Prison Journal: The High Court Frees an Innocent Man. Pope Francis publicly thanked him for this testimony.

His many strengths were widely recognized, both in Australia and around the world, reads a statement signed by Mgr Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference.

From Mumbai, Card Oswald Gracias also remembers him, the two having worked together for a long time in the Council of Cardinals, and before that, in the Vox Clara commission, which Pell chaired, producing the latest translation of the Missal into English between 2000 and 2002.

For the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Pell was a good friend, a man of vision, dedicated to his people. What is more, I was personally convinced, knowing him, that the accusations [against him] are false."

Card Pell was in Mumbai last September at a meeting on the future of family and marriage in Asia sponsored by the Austin Institute, which is dedicated to the study of the family and culture.

"Pell wanted to strengthen tradition. That was his whole philosophy, theology and spirituality. He would always go back to the roots and insist on that, Card Gracias explained.

Likewise, he focused on the family, of course, the family was extremely important for the revitalisation of Christian life. [. . .] The meeting was held in Bombay (Mumbai) at his suggestion.

With respect to his legal woes, He was not a man to be frightened. When he came to Mumbai, he did not speak about his problems at all; he had overcome that. He was talking about the future, the work of the Church.

Above all, He was not bitter at all about his experience. [. . .] He struck me as a man of God, a man of prayer, a man of faith, [. . .] a man without bitterness, [. .. ] a man of determination who rose above it. He had overcome the past completely and had moved ahead. [. . .] I was personally impressed by that.
Today's headlines: India will buy portable defence missiles to be deployed against China; Beijing stops communicating case numbers on the pandemic; an airstrike by the Burmese coup junta crosses into India; after years as a stateless person a young Syrian is granted Canadian citizenship; Turkmenistan signs a partnership agreement with Chinese media.

AFGHANISTAN

A suicide attack in front of the Foreign Ministry in Kabul yesterday left at least 20 people dead, a Taliban official estimated. The attack was claimed by Is-K, the local group affiliated with the Islamic State. The bomber had tried to enter the building but was stopped.

INDIA

India will purchase portable air defence missiles to be deployed along its border with China. The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, authorised the purchase of short-range missiles that can be carried by troops, like those sent to Ukraine by the US. The militarisation of the region continues after the June 2020 clashes in which some 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers died.

CHINA

China has stopped updating its daily reports on the number of Covid-19 cases since three days ago, creating a further information gap on the pandemic's progress. Yesterday, the World Health Organisation stressed the need to share information not on the number of cases but on the strains circulating.

MYANMAR

An air strike by the Burmese junta killed five ethnic Chin resistance fighters, including two women. Army jets dropped five bombs on Mt. Victoria, the headquarters of the Chin National Army, the armed wing of the Chin National Front (CNF), the first ethnic armed organisation to join the Government of National Unity. One of the bombs fell in the Indian state of Mizoram, which borders the state of Chin.

SYRIA - CANADA

In 2018, Hassan al-Kontar found himself stranded for months without a passport in Malaysia, at Kuala Lumpur airport. Syrian by birth, he was working in the United Arab Emirates and in 2011, when his work visa expired, he did not want to return to his country because war had just broken out. For years he remained stateless, but in recent days he obtained Canadian citizenship.

TURKMENISTAN - CHINA

Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov paid an official visit to China, meeting with Xi Jinping and signing several memoranda, including an agreement on media cooperation between Turkmenistan's state information agency and China's 'Xinhua', as well as with several publications and TV channels in Beijing.

GEORGIA

Compulsory military service, eliminated after Soviet times, has been reintroduced in Georgia, which the Ministry of Defence will implement from 2025 to 'form a strong war reserve, in light of recent events and Russia's war in Ukraine', commented Prime Minister Garibasvili.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The peacekeeping contingent of the Russians is unable to avoid clashes between Yerevan and Baku over the pro-Armenian separatist region. Moscow would like to replace Armenian PM Pasinyan with its own oligarch. The Kremlin seems increasingly weak in the Caucasus, an effect of the war in Ukraine.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The recent protests in front of a Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia, are a sign that another phase of open conflict is approaching in Nagorno-Karabakh, disputed by Yerevan and Baku. The risk is a 'third war' after the 1992-1994 war and the 44-day war of 2020, as many observers, both Armenian and Azerbaijani, and neutral observers claim.

As Guseinbala Salimov writes in Zerkalo.az, 'it is now clear that the peacekeeping contingent of the Russians is unable to fulfil its mission'. The parties are actually not ready for military escalation while the conflict in Ukraine is ongoing, and Russia regards Karabakh 'as the 11th finger of the hand'. Armenia 'does not want to calm down', notes the Azerbaijani political scientist, and 'continues to organise provocations', such as the one in Gyumri. Ereven would try in this way to rebalance Russia's policy with the influence of the West, especially the US and France.

Armenian Prime Minister Pasinyan, after all, is a figure disliked by the Kremlin, which regards him as 'an outsider' and only tolerates him 'in order to offload all the negative effects of Caucasian tensions onto him'. According to the majority of commentators on politics in the region, Moscow is preparing an alternative to the prime minister of Yerevan: there is talk of Ruben Vardanyan, a Russian billionaire oligarch with Armenian citizenship, minister of the separatist republic of Artsakh, the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh. Vardanyan is a very popular figure in Armenia, thanks also to the many humanitarian and welfare initiatives he inspired and organised.

Even in Azerbaijan, the situation is certainly not quiet, also considering the ideological front opened with Iran for the recognition of the so-called 'southern Azerbaijan' to be composed with the 'western' one linked to the conflict with Armenia, and the control of the Zangezur corridor (Lachin for Armenians).

The re-kindling of the Armenian conflict would not only result in a pile of new victims on both sides, but could shake Russia out of its apparent torpor, to make up for the Ukrainian disappointments in the Caucasus. So far Baku has managed to appease Moscow, but 'to everything there is a limit'.

So far Russia, while formally supporting Armenia, has always agreed on the need to assign part of the disputed territory to Azerbaijan in order to keep both countries in its sphere of influence. If Moscow's weakness returned the Caucasian landscape to what it was 30 years ago, this would affect the Russians' ability to assert themselves throughout the former Soviet space of East and West, already severely tested by the tragic conflict in Ukraine.

Putin must now decide whether to punish the Armenians for the increasingly frequent anti-Russian demonstrations, supporting the change of power and liquidating the 'people's revolutionary' Pasinyan, but at the same time trying not to antagonise the opinion of the majority of the country's population. The third Karabakh war may eventually become inevitable, when internal and external relations are now entrusted only to arms.
by Steve Suwannarat

The sentence for assault - not murder - against Prema Naraynasamy came six years after the death of 24-year-old maid Piang Ngaih Don. Due to the physical and psychological abuse, the girl, originally from Myanamar, weighed 24 kilos. But in the city-state it is widely believed that some nationalities are more prone to submission.

Singapore (AsiaNews) - Six years after the death of a 24-year-old maid of Burmese origin named Piang Ngaih Don, the sentence has come down on the woman responsible for starving, torturing and segregating the girl along with her daughter.

The case has turned the media and public spotlight on the fate of thousands of domestic helpers and caregivers who suffer from the stereotypes with which especially foreign female workers are viewed and received in Singapore. It is believed, for example, that some nationalities, including Burmese, have a greater attitude to submission.

64-year-old Prema S. Naraynasamy, also avoiding indictment for murder, was sentenced on 9 January for assault to 14 years in prison, counted from the date of her arrest on 26 July 2016.

Her 41-year-old daughter, Gaiyathiri Naraynasamy, the legal employer of Piang Ngaih Don, a housewife and former policeman's wife, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on 22 June 2021. The ex-husband, who divorced Gaiyathiri in 2020 after being suspended from duty in 2016, also faces several charges in connection with the case.

The investigation and trial revealed circumstances that, as Deputy Public Prosecutor Senthilkumaran Sabapathy himself confirmed, make it one of the worst cases of abuse of a foreign worker.

The brutal abuse of the Burmese maid began in October 2015, shortly after her arrival, with a crescendo of physical and psychological assaults that led to her death: deprived of the possibility of feeding and resting properly, she had been prevented from washing and had been forced to use the toilets always with the door open.

Every day she was subjected to beatings. "Dragged around the house like a rag doll," the prosecution confirmed, her life was "little short of a waking nightmare and for this Prema is largely responsible."

During the last 15 days of her life, Piang Ngaih Don had also been tied to a window grate in her room and forced to sleep on the floor. At the time of her death, which was due to severe neck trauma, she weighed 24 kilos, 15 kilos less than when she was hired.

It is difficult to understand the reasons for such doggedness, if not for a sense of possession and impunity that exacerbated problems already present in the family. Piang Ngaih Don's fate has been affected by the misconceptions of which many foreigners who come to Singapore to work as domestic servants are victims, allowing local families to pursue careers and prosperity, but with serious difficulties in asserting their rights, both in their country of origin and destination.
Documents show that General Min Aung Hlaing's son and daughter own condo and bank accounts. Thai authorities were investigating Tun Min Latt, a businessman friend of the general. Thailand has never condemned the coup and so far has not seized assets linked to Myanmars military.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Thai authorities raided the home of a Myanmar businessman suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering. Among the items found were assets that belong to two adult children of General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military junta.

Tun Min Latt, 53, runs hotels, owns mines, and is involved in energy-related businesses. He was arrested last September along with three Thai associates, and is now in custody in Bangkok.

He has long been closely associated with Myanmars military, providing military equipment. His holding, the Star Sapphire Group of companies, brokered the imports of Israeli reconnaissance drones and aircraft parts for the Myanmar Air Force.

Star Sapphire is also a partner of two military-controlled enterprises, Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd and Myanmar Economic Corporation.

Myanmars military ousted the countrys civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, setting off a civil war and violent repression against civilians that show no sign of stopping soon.

Documents found by police at Tun Min Latt's home in Belle Grand Rama 9 condominium, in the Thai capital, show that General Min Aung Hlaings children, son Aung Pyae Sone and daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon, own a luxury apartment (worth almost one million dollars) and hold two accounts with the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).

Both, along with their father, were placed under sanctions by the United States and Canada after the coup, but, according to people familiar with the case, they will not face any legal action as Thai authorities do not consider them relevant to the investigation against Tun Min Latt.

During the September raid, assets (cars, watches and over 0,000 in cash) worth US$ 8.96 million were confiscated. Khin Thiri Thet Mon's bank account was closed but it was not possible to determine by whom or when.

A spokesperson for human rights group Justice for Myanmar, which obtained and reviewed the seized records, called on the Thai government to take urgent action to prevent it from becoming a haven for Myanmar war criminals by blocking the illegitimate Myanmar junta and its members from accessing Thai banks and property and by freezing stolen assets that belong to the people of Myanmar.

Thailand shares a land border with Myanmar that stretches more than 2,000 kilometres but so far has never openly condemned the military coup; on the contrary, it has continued to invite Myanmar representatives to regional summits.

General Min Aung Hlaing maintains good personal relations with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, another army general who came to power in a coup and is now running for re-election in May.
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Since both of them are pretty much identical beneath the skin to the latest C 63 , and the regular models to the C-Class for that matter, they will pack the same electrified powertrain, which came to replace the old V8. This is big news if you lived under a rock until now, and something that petrolheads have known for quite some time now.Breathing air from behind the Panamericana grille is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is anything but sonorous, especially at low speeds. The gasoline burner is backed up by a rear-mounted electric motor, in turn fed by a 6.1battery pack. And the good news is that the entire assembly works together to develop a very impressive 670 hp (680 ps/500) and 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm) of torque.Thats how much the new C 63 has on tap, and we suspect that the two GLC 63 models, namely the  (crossover) and Coupe (fastback), will boast too. Since they will be slightly heavier, they should also be a bit slower to 62 mph (100 kph). The super sedan , which guns for the likes of the BMW M3, does the sprint in 3.4 seconds, and the high-riders will probably be one or two tenths of a second slower. Top speed might be capped at 174 mph (280 kph).As for the latest GLC 63 prototype caught by our spies, it was snapped in a parking lot in Sweden, close to the Arctic Circle. You are looking at the Mercedes-GLC 63 Coupe, which will visually distance itself from the Benz variants by featuring a large grille with vertical slats, sportier front and rear bumpers, and beefier side skirts. A retuned chassis will be part of the upgrades, with stiffer suspension, and it will get uprated brakes, exclusive wheels, and the AMG badging all around.A pair of bucket seats will be found inside, wrapped in exclusive upholstery, just like the rest of the interior, next to dedicated sub-menus and load screens for the digital dials and infotainment system, and other gizmos that will further separate it from the lesser versions.When will we see the GLC 63 Coupe without any camouflage in an official environment? Probably in a few months, and likely before the end of the year, the rumor mill suggests. Chances are that by the time it starts arriving at dealers, it will be a 2024 model
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Pictured on Michelin rubber boots mounted on black-finished wheels, the newcomer flaunts more prominent vertical supports in the lower intake. We also notice a more pronounced front splitter. The egg crate panel on top of the grille most likely hides a revised grille. Mercedes-vehicles feature the so-called Panamericana grille, which takes its name from the Carrera Panamericana. The 1952 edition saw the Panamericana-grilled W194 of Kling and Hans Klenk win despite a pretty nasty incident involving a vulture.Building on the 2022 model year update, the 2024 refresh further boasts revised fender vents. The rear end wears only a little bit of camouflage, and we also notice a work-in-progress exhaust system with thermal wrap around the pipes. Two pipes, that is, not four as you would expect.The prototypes interior doesnt appear to feature any camouflage at all, but chances are that a software update is in the offing. The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) touchscreen infotainment system is often considered one of the best infotainments in the business, but given the neck-snapping rate of development in this particular field of the automotive industry, a software update seems likely. The rear end of the camouflaged prototype and that of the uncamouflaged prototype both feature charging port doors. On that note, its time to talk about oily bits.The charging port is there for juicing up a 6.1-battery that weighs 89 kilograms (196 pounds) in the 63 S E Performance, the range-topping variant of the GT 4-Door Coupe. The driving range inmode is absolutely pathetic, but then again, the mad professors in Affalterbach developed the 63 S E Performance for well performance rather than being boring. How much performance? How about 843 ps (831 horsepower) and 1,470 Nm (1,084 pound-feet) of twist? Seems plenty enough, alright!Torquier than heavy-duty pickup trucks, the most extreme take on the GT 4-Door Coupe is much obliged to reach 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in 2.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 316 kilometers per hour (196 miles per hour), which is pretty darn good for something this heavy. 2,380 kilos (5,247 pounds) heavy, that is, according to Mercedes.The beating heart of the 63 S E Performance is shared with the internal combustion-only 63 series , namely the M177 twin-turbo V8. Closely related to the dry-sump M178 in the now-discontinued GT Coupe and GT Roadster, the M177 uses a conventional wet sump. Lower still, the 53, 50, and 43 feature a turbocharged straight-six engine with different output levels. Regardless of powertrain choice, all GT4DCs come with
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PHEV

Introduced in late 2010 both in Japan and the United States, the compact five-door hatchback quickly turned into a massive success  at least as far as those incipient EVs are concerned. As such, it naturally held the title of best-selling, for a while.But, of course, a couple of Tesla models (3 and Y) quickly took the world by storm, and somehow the Nissan Leaf fell into oblivion even faster than it attained worldwide notoriety. It does, however, remain mostly up to par with current EV offerings through subsequent updates of the second generation. Alas, even internally the Leaf is now dwelling in the shadow of the all-new Ariya compact crossoverHey, in case you did not know, the latter is embarking on a crazy adventurous journey (for any vehicle, let alone an EV), as a couple will attempt to travel from the North to the South Pole across a 27,000-km (almost 17k miles) road trip. Still, there are some fans of the Nissan Leaf left dwelling out there. Although, we should not count the good folks over at Consumer Reports among them, since they are recommending the Kia EV6 over both Teslas Model 3 and the Japanese EV hatchback.Instead, the Nissan Leaf is more beloved by the imaginative realm of virtual automotive artists rather than the real world, as it turns out. So, meet the digital car content creator better known as Theottle on social media, who is still dealing with sustainable Japanese models, and upgrades to fully electric CGI prowess now. Thus, if not long ago he was all eyes and ears for Alfa Romeos Tonale (GTA, compact Q4pickup truck, anyone?) or the Giulietta (both hatchback and sedan) revival, he recently switched back to some more Toyota Prius love  and made the Hybrid Reborn a rebadged MX-5 Miata roadster.Now, he continues to sprinkle some Prius DNA (aka larger wheels!) on top of his latest behind-the-scenes making-of video but switches his attention to a hypothetical, unofficial third-generation Nissan Leaf that might arrive for the 2024 model year across the realm of his parallel universe. Over there, his imagination traveled quite far and deep inside the new Ariyas sheet metal and mixed its novel styling with the current second-generation Leaf body.Alas, things are not so simple because the hatchback is bulkier than the streamlined EV crossover SUV. As such, the pixel master thoroughly remastered the contemporary Leaf with a lowered stance, a lengthened wheelbase, along with a more steeply raked front windscreen. The result is quite intriguing, indeed  and as far as I am concerned, it sure merits our CGI hall pass, no questions asked.
This year, NASA handed out $175,000 to no less than 14 concepts and ideas. Weve already discussed one of them, the FLUTE , and now its time for something that might sound even stranger than a massive 50-meter (164-feet) telescope cast in space: tiny levitating vehicles.Dont get all worked up, were not talking about some Jetsons-style machine for personal transport, but about pieces of hardware meant to float high up in the air to study our planets higher atmosphere.The idea for these levitating vehicles belongs to the University of Pennsylvanias Igor Bargatin and has nothing to do with some piece of moving hardware meant to make levitation possible. Instead, it relies on photophoretic levitation, a process that occurs when something suspended in gas starts to move up when illuminated (and heated) from below.More to the point, the researcher believes a solid mesh of some sort, capable of carrying a payload, can be heated through illumination while in the air, making it climb or maintain position in Earths mesosphere. Thats a place located between 50 and 80 km (31 to 50 miles) above the surface thats extremely tricky to study, on account of it being too rarefied to support balloon or airplane flight, but at the same time, too dense for satellites.Bargatins envisioned solution is at the time of writing just a plate under which a payload can be suspended. The scientist claims to have tested the idea on centimeter-scale plates using various air pressures and found the mesosphere is where these things perform the best.Were not told for now how big these vehicles would need to be to properly perform their duties and unlock the mesospheres secrets, but Bargatin refers to them as microflyers. A rendering provided by the author (main photo of this article) shows a cube -shaped structure attached to the mesh, with something that looks like sensors sticking out of it.If they ever become a reality, levitating vehicles powered by light could evolve into machines that could stay up there for long periods of time, getting the energy they need from the Sun. An extended presence of human-made hardware in the mesosphere would help us better understand the processes that take place there, including when it comes to temperature, CO2 concentration, and wind speeds.Alternatively, the Bargatin plates could also become means of trajectory control propulsion (of the horizontal kind) for stratospheric balloons.As with all other projects included in this years Phase I NIAC program grants, the levitating vehicles proposed by Bargatin are still a long way from becoming a reality.
Photo: Romanian Air Force

Photo: Romanian Air Force

Photo: Aerostar Romania

But apart from forming the backbone of several African and Caribbean Air Forces in the 2020s, only two militaries in the "developed world," whatever that means this week, still employ the MiG-21. We'll be sure to take a closer look at India's MiG-21 upgrade package sometime soon. But for now, this is the story of the MiG-21 LanceR (often stylized as LanceR), the Romanian Air Force's Eastern Bloc hammer.Though routinely overshadowed by more prominent Air Forces in Western Europe, Romania is home to one of the most historic and deeply rooted aviation programs outside of the United States. Merely three years after the first flight of the Wright Brothers , the Romanian inventor Traian Vuia was designing single-wing monoplanes with contemporary tractor-style propellers that made the Wright Flyer look primitive.Later still, in the Second World War, the Romanian IAR group fielded the spectacular IAR80. A sleek, powerful, and capable single-engined fighter on par with German and Japanese planes like the Bf-109 and A6M Zero but also the British Hurricane and the American Wildcat. Even into the Cold War, Romania's supported a strong domestic military aircraft sector, manufacturing planes like the IAR-93 Vultur (Eagle) ground attack jet in conjunction with Yugoslav engineers.Our point in relation to the MiG-21 is this. If there were a NATO member state best suited to pairing the most capable Soviet jet fighter of the 20th century with 21st-century hardware, Romania certainly fits the bill. The Romanians fielded their first batch of MiG-21s delivered straight from the Soviets in 1962, with another 12 of the very same F-13 models coming the following year.By the early 1990s, the Romanians fielded a fleet of over 320 MiG-21 airframes of multiple bespoke models and upgrade packages supplied by both their own R&D teams and with help from the Soviets. The relationship between Romania and the Soviet Union hadn't been on the best terms since their early 1960s political split spurred by both the death of Joseph Stalin and Romania's own dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's desire to court lucrative business deals with both the East and the West.The results of having to make due in the Air Force department with second-hand Soviet hardware that wasn't always the best on paper culminated with the MiG-21 LanceR. With help from the Israeli-based Elbit Systems, most known for their world-renowned military UAV products, a Romanian state that violently ditched communism and eventually joined NATO turned their MiG-21s into something of a pariah.This isn't the only instance where NATO has commandeered Eastern Bloc military aircraft for their own uses. Most notably, the MiG-29 Fulcrum was a stalwart of NATO aggressor squadrons designed to mimic opposing air forces in mock air battles for training purposes. In truth, the MiG-21 LanceR variant was inspired by the struggles of the Romanian government to secure spare parts and engines for their fleet of MiG-29 s and MiG-23s for the reasons stated above.But unlike the Fulcrums, which were picked up and flown pretty much as they were, the MiG-21 LanceR is the polar opposite. The LancerRs themselves are upgrades of the MiG-21 MF and UM, some of which have served with the Romanian Air Force since the fleet first arrived. A total of 110 airframes were selected for this Israeli upgrade package. One which allowed a breadth of NATO radar, avionics, and weapons to be compatible with the former flagship of the Iron Bloc's fleetWith dimensions of 15.76 m (51.7 ft) long and a 7.15-meter (23.5 ft) wingspan, the LanceR is slightly larger than the equivalent MiG-21bis variant the Soviets used up until their dissolution. The majority of this extra length is accounted for with the upgraded EL/M 2032M pulse-Doppler radar in the newer Lancer Cs built for air superiority. Or an Elta EL/M 2001B in the older LancerR A and B built for ground/close-air support.NATO-compatible radio transponders are a mundane thing for most established member-states. But implementing such tech for an entire Air Force in a very quick hurry was no small accomplishment. Nor was the installment of an ELTA EL/L 8222R electronic jamming pod that did a much better job of detecting enemy missiles than old Soviet hardware.Through natively mounted weapons pylons or with the help of adapters, the LanceR accepts weaponry from NATO and non-NATO forces. From old Soviet R-73s to Israeli Pythons and even French Matra Magics, the selection of just air-to-air missile hardware is more eclectic than even what some American fighters have regular access to.A single undercarriage pylon, once only good for fuel tanks, has been converted to carry the American-derived Mark 83 1000 lb (459 kg) low-drag unguided bombs. Or, if someone's feeling extra ex-communist, LancerRs A, B, and C can fly touting S-5 and S-24 unguided rocket pods or CL-250 cluster bombs. Powered by the archaic but powerful Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine, the MiG-21 LanceR can almost touch twice the speed of sound.Not a bad upgrade package if you ask us. All the better because the MiG-21 LanceR platform is supported by a native Romanian aerospace firm called Aerostar, based out of the City of Bacau. Apart from outfitting the Romanian variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Aerostar's other claim to fame is maintaining the entire fleet of MiG-21 LancerR in all its variants. Aerostar's refurbished and overhauled as many as 7,000 turbojet engines, according to their web page . They're some of the last people outside of Russia to claim expertise in the operation of the R-13 engine.But make no mistake, even the most skilled domestic aerospace firm in all the land can't keep the MiG-21 in the air forever. With American-built F-16s already on the way, the Romanian Military has slated the MiG-21 LanceR to serve its final calendar year in 2024. Questions regarding the structural integrity of an airframe made by a nation that no longer exists nearly 60 years ago appear to be the main impetus behind its retirement.Before too long, only the most desperate militaries around the world will be fielding MiG 21s that, at this stage, might as well be a part of ancient history. With J-20s, Su-57s, and F22s now prowling global airspace, the prospects of a MiG-21 in modern combat between Russia and NATO probably aren't all that favorable. So then, off to the museums with them. Or, more likely, the scrap heap. Over 10,000 MiG-21 airframes were built between 1959 and 1985. We can't hope to save them all.
We call the phenomenon solar wind, and its nothing more than a constant stream of charged particles (electrons, protons, and heavier ions) shooting outward from the Sun and into the solar system. We have known of it since the 1850s, when British astronomer Richard Carrington first observed it. Here on Earth, weve witnessed its effects in the atmosphere since forever, in the form of auroras, and more recently in the form of the problems it causes with our GPS and communication systems.According to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ), solar wind travels through space at speeds that reach one million miles per hour (1.6 million kph), and it does so in an even manner. By the time it reaches Earth though, it slows down to a breeze, as NASA says. Yet two questions remain: how is solar wind formed, and how does it accelerate to such speeds?Until now, the majority of scientists explained solar wind as being generated by the outward expansion of plasma [] from the Sun's corona, but that doesnt explain all that much because the specifics are not known. Others point to solar flares and coronal mass ejections as being responsible, but given how these dont take place on a constant basis, its unlikely thats so.Back in 2018, NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe , a mission to study the Sun from a very close perspective. Sure, it came into the spotlight mostly because it became the fastest spacecraft humans ever launched (it reached 430,000 mph/700,000 kph at the closest approach), but the things it observed since its departure are beginning to yield results.Scientists looking at Parker data (but also from other sources) say theyve uncovered significant new clues about the origins of the solar wind, and those origins could be the phenomena called jetlets that manifest themselves at the base of the corona.Described as small-scale jets (just hundreds of miles long, and thats tiny compared to the size of the Sun) of million-degree plasma, these things have been observed all over the Suns corona, and are now considered prime suspects in the generation of solar wind.The finding is surprising because although solar wind is constant (meaning it does not happen in bursts), jetlets take place intermittently. Yet, there are so many of them that their effects accumulate as they move away from the Sun to become one smooth stream of wind. Kind of like individual clapping sounds inside an auditorium become a constant roar, as Craig DeForest, solar physicist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, says.DeForest is co-author of a paper on the subject published by the Cornell University , while study lead is Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratorys Nour Raouafi. Hopes are the findings included in the paper will not only help us better understand the nature of solar wind, but also how it gets heated up and accelerated.For us regular Joes it may not seem that important to know these things (except if they directly impact our ability to move about and talk to one another), but you have to keep in mind given enough time, solar wind has the ability to erode and change planetary atmospheres even to a degree that they might become unhospitable to life as we know it.The jetlets theory is not yet proven, and further research into their role in wind generation is required.
EV

Tesla likes to have all the options open when choosing the location for the next gigafactory. Many countries around the world would do almost anything to have a Tesla production facility, but for now, themaker has chosen its finalists. The battle is between Canada, Mexico, India, South Korea, and Indonesia. Each one has its strong and weak spots , and all are either in Asia or North America.Based on this, we figure Tesla is looking for one location in Asia and one in North America. We can all but rule out India since the governments passive-aggressive stance toward Tesla was not to Musks liking. Thats why Indonesia and South Korea are now competing for the privilege. Both countries have been courting Tesla for a long time, and both have recently announced concessions to Tesla in a bid to become more than parts and materials suppliers.A new Bloomberg report claims Indonesia is one step closer to luring Tesla into the country. According to the report, which cites people familiar with the matter, the future plant would produce as many as one million cars per year. Its the same as Giga Shanghai, Teslas main production facility, and in line with the companys goals to have all its factories eventually reach that production capacity.The discussions include plans for multiple production facilities for vehicles and components, although a deal is not yet certain. The agreement could still fall through, people told Bloomberg while asking not to be identified as the talks are confidential. When asked about the potential deal on Wednesday, Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said that negotiations with Tesla are being led by the Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.Indonesian president Joko Widodo visited Musk in May last year and, in August, signed a $5 billion deal to supply nickel to Tesla. Widodo was open about his desire to have Tesla producing cars in the country , not just batteries and materials.Indonesia could act as a gateway to Southeast Asias 675 million consumers, although the market is dominated by the sub-$20,000 cars. If Tesla decides to locate its next gigafactory in Indonesia, it would probably choose to produce a more affordable electric vehicle , rumored to be currently in development.Elon Musk used the annual shareholder meeting in August to let everyone know that Teslas ambition is to have 10 to 12 gigafactories all over the world. At todays prices, though, Tesla would not have enough customers for that many cars. Even at its current production capacity of around two million vehicles, Tesla is struggling to find customers. The EV maker produced about 60,000 cars more than it sold in 2022, a sign that growth might become more difficult from now on.
EV

ICE

DriveElectric is one of the UK's leading electric vehicle leasing companies, and it carries out forecasts for the auto market based on the available data. Specifically, it built its forecast model from its intelligence of the UK market to estimate how many electric cars and vans are registered annually.Before I go into detail, I'd like to point out that its January 2022 forecast was quite accurate. The company predicted a 16.7% market share for BEVs in 2022, and the actual market share ended up being 16.6%. However, supply challenges lowered the total number of registrations of all cars and vans last year.DriveElectric is now predicting a 24.9% market share for BEVs this year  the figure remains the same as in the company's original forecast from 2019. Furthermore, it estimated a total market of 1.8 million registrations, of which 448,000 are BEVs.Several background issues influence the 2023 forecast. First of all, more and more EVs will become available as the industry is slowly recovering from semiconductor shortages experienced in recent years. Moreover, OEMs are improving their production and delivery capabilities, with newfactories popping up across the globe.Regarding the UK, fresh EV models are arriving, especially from Chinese brands, and the public charging network is also rapidly expanding as new operators are making their way onto the market. What's more, the UK government is supporting this growth, and businesses will be encouraged to transition to EVs.Currently, UK company car drivers receive benefit-in-kind (any non-cash benefit of monetary value that employers provide), and EVs were exempted from paying any BiK tax before 2021. The rate increased to 1% before April 2021, and one year later changed to 2%. It will remain the same until April 2025 and then increase by 1% until reaching 5% in April 2028.Even though it's rising, it's still a fraction of how much businesses have to pay for petrol, diesel, or hybrid cars, so companies are incentivized to choose EVs for their employees. On the other hand, as the Managing Director of DriveElectric, Mike Potter, said, "the risk is that retail demand will be impacted by cost of living concerns."Battery electric heavy vehicles, such as the 7.5t Tevva truck , are also being introduced, but DriveElectric believes the real challenge will be developing a charging network for them.The UK government plans to introduce a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in 2024, although many details remain unknown. The goal is to mandate manufacturers to sell more and more EVs each year, as the country is prepping for the ban on new petrol and diesel car and van sales set for 2030.DriveElectric goes even further into the future and estimates around 50% of total Uk registrations to be EVs from 2025 onwards. The 2030 ban meansvehicles will slowly lose their value, and EV prices will gradually become competitive with those of ICE cars.Besides improving air quality and having lower maintenance costs than petrol and diesel cars, a critical factor in the rapid adoption of EVs is that some people prefer the driving experience of electric vehicles compared to conventional machines.
SUV

kW

The third generation of the ubiquitous compact crossoverthat is at least in part responsible (a hero or a villain, depending on your POV) for the advent of CUVs around the world was launched in early 2021. After slowly conquering Europe with its modern looks and upgraded CMF-CD architecture shared with the latest Nissan Rogue (X-Trail) and fresh Renault Austral, Nissans Qashqai is ready to move in the land Down Under.Last years highest-selling British-built vehicle , as production takes place solely at NMUK (Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK) in Sunderland, is also known as the Nissan Rogue Sport in the United States. But the $24,960 Rogue Sport is not equally fresh, so here is hoping that after Australia, the Japanese automaker thinks about putting up North America next on Qashqais expansion chart.Anyway, in the land Down Under, the all-new third iteration of the Nissan Qashqai is promised to be roomier than ever, well motorized with a new turbo gasoline engine, and overall the small SUV thats big on everything that matters, according to Adam Paterson, Managing Director Nissan Australia. At least for now, the 2023 Nissan Qashqai for Australia is offered solely with the base 1.3-liter HR13DDT turbocharged gasoline engine that was fine-tuned to deliver 110/147.5 hp plus 250 Nm/184 lb-ft, and is hooked to a new generation X-Tronic CVT.No less than 13 hues are available, including some dual-tone combinations between Fuji Sunset Red, Ceramic Gray, Pearl Black, and Ivory Pearl matched to Pearl Black or a Gun Metallic roof. Inside the cabin, depending on trim, customers can have a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, a 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, plus a 10.8-inch HUD. The grades range from the base ST to ST+ (with or without dual-tone paint), ST-L (+/- two-tone appearance), and Ti with monotone or two-tone looks.Prices kick off at an MSRP (do not include premium paint, statutory charges or other on-road costs.) of AUD33,890  which is the equivalent of around $23,358 at the current exchange rates. The most expensive (Ti with two-tone) Qashqai, meanwhile, starts from AUD47,890/$33,010. As is habitual these days, safety is of paramount importance, and Nissan brings its class-leading Intelligent Mobility suite of safety technologies along for the ride, including the Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection or the ProPILOT driver assist system.Other noteworthy highlights, according to Nissan, are the new suspension and steering that enhance both ride comfort and handling, along with the overall increase in dimensions. The latter enhances practicality, with the new Qashqai capable of towing up to 1.5 tonnes (3,307 lbs.) and sporting a boot of 429 liters (15.15 cubic ft.) or 418L (14.76) when talking about the Ti grade that also has a standard subwoofer for the audio system.
kW

kWh

A 24m in-build 80 @SunreefYachts Power Eco has been sold by Max Bulley at @YCOyacht. The composite catamaran, building at Sunreef Yachts in Poland, is due for delivery in 2025. https://t.co/n5eElEof6x  Boat International (@boatint) January 11, 2023

It might be true that the wealthy customers who can afford million-dollar yachts are becoming increasingly eco-aware, and interested in the best green options on the market. In the case of this large catamaran that boasts an impressive electric propulsion, plus an advanced system of solar panels, theres no doubt about its commercial success.Poland-based Sunreef has a strong reputation in catamaran building, and the 80 Power Eco is the largest model available in its most innovative line. The 23.8 meter (78.7 feet) vessel boasts a state-of-the-art mix of what it claims to be an ultra-light battery bank (30% lighter than the industrys conventional batteries) with 200 square meters (2,152 square feet) of integrated solar panels. Thanks to this, the futuristic catamaran can theoretically ensure limitless range.The highly-efficient battery bank powers the cats twin 180- electric motors, while the custom-built solar panels can generate up to 40 kWp. Another 15of energy is recovered from the propeller rotation, through hydrogenation. And thats not all. The Sunreef 80 Power Eco can even be further customized with either a kite, or a hybrid propulsion system, to expand its capabilities.In addition to the zero-emission propulsion system, the new boat also features onboard systems that are entirely DC-powered, including air conditioning, water making, and water purifying ones. Plus, its built with sustainably-sourced materials, and finished with non-toxic paint on the bottom.A U.S. customer purchased a Sunreef 80 Power Eco towards the end of 2021, which is expected to be officially showcased at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this year, in the Fall. Another one was sold recently, with delivery set for 2025.At the time of the sale, it was asking for almost $9.5 million (8.8 million) but the final price varies on the customizations requested by the future owner. Although building a new yacht takes such a long time, and this green luxury cat isnt even a tried-and-true model, it looks like wealthy yacht owners are willing to take the risk and pay the price for an innovative toy.In the meantime, mammoth superyachts still get all the hate from environmentalists for their huge fuel consumption. In their case, green luxury continues to be an oxymoron. But perhaps this will steer more potential owners towards smaller, yet equally-luxurious alternatives such as the Sunreef 80 Power Eco cat. This electric yachting generation is still in its infancy, so theres time for more positive changes in a not-so-distant future.
We are also not referencing The Chevelles, the Australian power pop band formed in 1989 that toured all around the world, including the United States. Now that we have the vintage air cleared, the popular A-body model was manufactured over three generations for the 1964 through 1978 model years. And there was a lot to like, including the coupe, sedan, convertible, and station wagon body styles.But  above all  the allure derived from its special models, such as the reintroduction of the El Camino as part of the Chevelle family in 1964, or the advent of high-performance variants like the SS or Yenko Chevelle. Naturally, the nameplate now has an established (major) cult following  both in the real world as well as across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, as it turns out.As such, let us meet Emmanuel Brito, the virtual artist better known as personalizatuauto on social media, who once took us on a blazing hot, orange wishful thinking Chevy journey of the 1966 Chevelle SS Convertible variety. Well, I am not entirely sure this is the one he is currently referencing, as he sure made a lot of pretty Chevys during his CGI time. Anyway, it may be of little consequence if this is a 66 or not after you admire it in all its glory.By the way, the pixel master thinks the  wide Chevelle (he) did a while ago needs a new paint job, what color would you like to see it? But here is the positive catch. I subscribe to the fans opinion that NGL, if I owned this for real, I'd leave the paint the way it is. Looks nice with some wear and tear. I am not gonna lie, too, I would give it some nice clear-coat TLC and call it a day, as it would represent a genuinely neat statement of the passage of time and the fact that not everything needs to be sparkling to still look prim and proper.Of course, this is solely my opinion. Others might think their Chevelle SS cup of restomod tea might come steamy and something along the lines of his other Chevy project  which is actually of the CGI-to-reality variety. Thus, embedded second below  solely for comparison purposes because the design is already spoken for  is a 1970 Chevy Chevelle coupe that is as gray as the winter sky and also complete with some dark and menacing black stripes. Well, it needs them, if we are to believe the 632(ci) animal hint left in the license plates!
Political statements that make the situation even more deadlocked should be avoided because statements without a clear vision of reaching the end point are of no use, said Pashinian. And then a political conversation between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan should begin, and our partners in Nagorno-Karabakh should not allow anyone to accuse them of disrupting a constructive conversation or making such a conversation impossible.

The closure of the Lachine Corridor is a provocation the ultimate goal of which is a new military escalation, and no steps desirable for those developing the military escalation scenario should be taken, he added during a weekly session of his cabinet.

Pashinian spoke the day after Karabakhs government and main political factions criticized his statements on the conflict with Azerbaijan and, saying that they undermine the Karabakh Armenians right to self-determination. In a joint statement, they pledged to continue to fight for independence.

Davit Galstian, a Karabakh opposition leader who also signed the statement, dismissed Pashinians ensuing appeal to the authorities in Stepanakert.

He is making it very clear that he is abandoning Artsakh, Galstian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Meanwhile, Alen Simonian, the Armenian parliament speaker and a top Pashinian ally, made clear that Yerevan will not negotiate with Azerbaijan on the reopening of the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia. The Karabakh leadership negotiated with Baku shortly after Azerbaijani protesters blocked the road on December 12, he said, adding that the talks should resume.

Simonian claimed that Baku may be keen to draw the Armenian government into such discussions in order to demand that Armenia open a similar corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave.

I presume that this is what the Lachin Corridor was closed for, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

The speaker also complained that despite its repeated promises given to the Armenian side Russia is not doing enough to end the Azerbaijani blockade of the vital highway which is supposed to be controlled by Russian peacekeepers.

Other Armenian pro-government lawmakers alleged earlier that the Russians are using the blockade to try to clinch far-reaching concessions from Armenia. Moscow strongly denied that.

In Stepanakert, the Karabakh premier, Ruben Vardanyan, again dismissed on Thursday the Armenian criticism of the Russian peacekeepers and insisted that the latter stand with us.

Stop targeting the Russians in this situation, Vardanyan told Armenian reporters via video link. If you realize that you are thus helping the Azerbaijanis, just stop it.

Had it not been for the Russian peacekeepers we would not have lived here now, said the former investment banker who gave up his Russian citizenship last year.
Local residents could only access the Internet on their mobile phones. They complained that the connection is slow and erratic.

The Karabakh Telecom operator said it stopped providing the service through its fixed-line network because of a cut in a fiber-optic cable running from Armenia through Azerbaijani-controlled territory. It did not comment on the cause of the disruption.

Citing iformation received from Karabakh Telecom, Armenias human rights ombudswoman said the cable was damaged in the Lachin Corridor that has been blocked by Azerbaijani protesters since December 12.

The Internet outage came three days after a high-voltage line transmitting electricity from Armenia to Karabakh was knocked down for still unknown reasons. According to the authorities in Stepanakert, the accident occurred near the Azerbaijani-controlled town of Lachin.

The authorities say that Baku is not allowing Karabakh specialists to visit the area and repair the transmission line. They suspect that the disruption, which resulted in power shortages in Karabakh, was an act of sabotage aimed at aggravating the effects of the Azerbaijani blockade.

Local residents grappled with rolling power cuts for the third consecutive day. The blackouts are especially challenging for residents of Stepanakert and other Karabakh towns who use electricity to heat their homes.

They have also been struggling with growing shortages of food, medicine and other essential products that were imported to Karabakh from or through Armenia. Earlier this week, the Karabakh government decided to ration some of these items to ensure their even distribution to the population.
It's a day worthy of pirouettes for Kern Dance Alliance, which announced today it was awarded more than $4.2 million by the California Arts Co
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Most backyard fruit growers know there's more to yielding a bumper crop of ripe peaches, plums, nectarines or cherries than just planting a yo
We are deeply saddened by the anti-India graffiti at the gates of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mill Park, Melbourne, Australia by anti-social elements. The BAPS temple in Mill Park, like all temples of BAPS worldwide, is an abode of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values.

At this time, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has prayed for peace and unity and has appealed to all devotees and well-wishers to maintain peace.

We are thankful to the appropriate authorities, including the governments of Australia and India as well as local community organisations, for their continued support. BAPS Mandirs across Australia are symbols of a thriving multicultural society which nurture Australian values of respect, mateship and tolerance.

Let us all join in worldwide prayers, in private and at home, that God blesses and guides us all to continue to do good and think good of all.
Australian Prime Minister, Sri Lankan President, Israeli President, eight ambassadors and other dignitaries from around the world paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharajs work of fostering Hindu spirituality and culture in the Asia-Pacific region

On 11 January 2023, BAPS devotees from various countries in the Asia-Pacific region presented a creative programme titled Pacific Rangvu Chhe: BAPS Asia-Pacific Day to tens of thousands assembled in Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar. Following the special programme, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and dignitaries from around the world paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his work of inspiring spirituality, temples and humanitarian service in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired an array of humanitarian activities and fostered the spiritual and cultural heritage of thousands through 18 BAPS mandirs in the Asia-Pacific region. Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited the region for the first time in 1984 and again in 1996 when he installed the sacred images (murtis) of God and gurus in a small home declaring that, from this small beginning, BAPS activities would foster cultural and spiritual values throughout the region. Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the region in 1997, 2003, 2015 and 2018, nurturing spirituality and moral living in thousands of people through his insightful discourses and by meeting devotees and well-wishers individually. With the blessings of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the construction of a traditional stone BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu mandir is underway in Sydney, Australia.

Evening Assembly

The inspiring programme commenced at 4.45 pm with devotees from the Asia-Pacific region singing devotional hymns. Following this, various dramas, videos, dances and speeches depicted Pramukh Swami Maharajs tireless efforts in travelling, constructing mandirs, and serving and transforming the lives of thousands of devotees and volunteers around the Asia-Pacific region.

Various swamis travelling in the Asia-Pacific region shared their experiences of how Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj have inspired spiritual values amongst devotees in the region. Gunchintandas Swami spoke about the spiritual understanding they instilled in devotees, describing how a devotee suffering from terminal cancer had overcome the fear of death. Priyachintandas Swami described their efforts to inculcate moral and spiritual values like honesty, self-discipline, perseverance, spiritual wisdom, and faith among children and youths in Asia-Pacific region. Aarshpurushdas Swami provided examples of how they inspired values like compassion, love, brotherhood, and service within the devotees of the region. Paramchintandas Swami, the lead swami of the Asia-Pacific region, described how devotees practised spiritual values and inspired them in others.

Mahant Swami Maharaj said, We congratulate all the centres that came together to present a beautiful program on the occasion of Asia-Pacific Day. Pramukh Swami Maharaj had travelled to this region three times and blessed the devotees. I also have many warm memories of my visits to the region.

When we speak of painting the region with spirituality, it means to make efforts, endure hardships, and persevere through difficulties, which is what the devotees and swamis have done. This will be accomplished most rapidly if we maintain unity, fraternity and affection. While this may appear to be childs play, when you go to its roots, there is immense depth there. Moreover, our faith, staunchness in religious observances, and humility will nurture spirituality. Our faith will inspire faith, our religious observances will be respected by all, and our humility will strengthen the bonds of friendship with all. In this way, the countries of the Asia-Pacific region will be painted with spirituality. May all the devotees of this region progress in all aspects of their life.

Several esteemed dignitaries were also present to pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharajs life of selfless service.

Jain Leader His Holiness Vijay Abhaysurishwar Ji Maharaj said, Bhagwan Swaminarayan wrote the Shikshapatri which taught nonviolence and many other qualities on how to live life. Bhagwan Mahavir taught the same. If everyone follows the Shikshapatri it will ensure the complete following of the law. The real offering to Pramukh Swami Maharaj is to follow his teachings.

Jain Leader His Holiness Acharya Chandrajit Suriji Maharaj said, The intolerant and spirituality-averse live animalistic lives despite being human, but Swamis are the guiding light of humanity. We wish to confer the title Saint of the Century to Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Pramukh Swami Maharaj had a divine aura. He was not just confined to a single denomination, but he was the spiritual leader of the whole of spirituality.

H.E. Mr. Ardak Kakimzhanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India said, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the creator of the beautiful Akshardham temple in New Delhi, was deeply committed to interfaith harmony and this is reflected in BAPSs work today. Kazakhstan is committed to this as well and BAPS volunteers help take this forward. These wonderful celebrations allow people around the world to experience Pramukh Swami Maharajs messages of peace and unity.

H.E. Mr. Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia to India said, Pramukh Swami Maharaj the teachings and values that he experienced during his visit to Akshardham in New Delhi in 2019.

Mongolia and Indias long-standing ties date back 6000 years. Our history tells us that Mongolian monks and scholars used to come to India to study at Nalanda. Upon their return, they would take water from the holy Ganga River and pour it into a valley in the eastern part of Mongolia, which Mongolians revere as a sacred place.

Mongolia and India share many similarities. Mongolians refer to each other as spiritual neighbours, and we have great respect for service to others as did Pramukh Swami Maharaj. We also share the values of respect for parents, respect for teachers, and respect for knowledge. I have the deepest admiration upon seeing the selflessness and devotion of the volunteers here.

H.E. Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India said, My visit to Akshardham in New Delhi was a very spiritual moment for me. You feel togetherness regardless of nationality and religion. We invariably take Israeli high officials to visit Akshardham, so they can take some of the spirituality and togetherness with them back to Israel.

Then, H.E. Naor Gilon shared a message from the Honourable President of Israel Isaac Herzog to the assembly, Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired millions from around the world from all walks of life, including in Israel. We fondly remember his visit to our country in 1999, where he met with many religious dignitaries and political leaders including the Chief Rabbi of Israel and Prime Minister Shimon Peres. During his visit, Pramukh Swami Maharaj demonstrated his profound respect for other faiths and belief systems, offering prayers both at the Church of Nativity and at the Western Wall. His historic visit highlighted the commonality between our respective Hindu and Jewish traditions creating a legacy of tolerance and brotherhood. As you commemorate these centennial celebrations it is my sincere hope that this demonstration of peace and righteousness resonates throughout India and the global community. During this time of tension and uncertainty, Pramukh Swami Maharajs profound example of interfaith harmony and understanding remains a source of inspiration for us all.

High Commissioner David Pine of New Zealand said, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj made his first visit to New Zealand in 1996 and took great interest in our country for the rest of his life. That interest is certainly reciprocated. His centenary has been celebrated all over New Zealand, including in our Parliament. We have a wonderful, vibrant delegation of over 500 devotees who have made the long trip here from New Zealand.

The period that Pramukh Swami Maharaj took an interest in New Zealand was to see a rapid migration and expansion from India. Hindus from all over the world including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, South Africa and Fiji have made their homes in our country. Hindus are thriving in New Zealand, as it is now the second-most widely practised religion, with temples in all our major cities. We are looking forward to the next BAPS temple in Wellington.

As I went around the Nagar, I appreciated the universal lessons about the importance of hard work and prayer, which are believed by people of all faiths in all parts of the world. New Zealand is blessed with a kind and generous Indian community which includes the active support of the BAPS community following in the footsteps that Pramukh Swami Maharaj laid down more than a quarter of a century ago. Todays event is itself a testament to the energy and commitment of the BAPS community, involving the efforts of some 80,000 volunteers.

Hon. Jason Wood MP, Shadow Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Community Safety & Migrant Services of Australia, said, I thank Mahant Swami Maharaj for his invaluable leadership and guidance for the millions of devotees in India, Australia and across the world. What you have done is truly inspirational.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is loved by his devotees and by everyone for his striking humility, noble service, saintliness and selfless desire to help everyone. He created more than 1,100 BAPS mandirs across the world, which have become hallmarks of preserving culture and performing amazing social service.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived and preached the message of In the joy of others lies our own. True to his teachings, BAPS Australia has always been at the forefront of serving the community during difficult times. During the Covid-19 pandemic, you served many hundreds of thousands all across Australia with food packs, groceries and essential services. I cannot thank you enough on behalf of the Australian community. International students and parents in India would be very happy to know that their children were looked after in Australia like their own by BAPS.

India is the worlds largest democracy and one of Australias best friends. Our two nations are natural partners built on the same ideals of democracy and freedom. Today, with our trade agreement, our opportunities are boundless. An important pillar within our relationship is our Indian community in Australia, which has helped Australia become one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world and deepened its ties between our two nations. Australia is home to almost 800,000 people of Indian ancestry. The Indian Australian community has grown five-fold in the last 20 years, and we couldnt be prouder. It is now our second-largest cultural community. Indian Australians have contributed significantly to building our prosperity and harmonious society as you have succeeded in every field.

Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Education of India, said, There is no continent in the world where Pramukh Swami Maharajs work and message have not been appreciated. The words that he spoke at the United Nations during the Millennium Peace Summit of Religious Leaders more than two decades ago still resonate today. But Pramukh Swami Maharaj chose to speak more through his actions and his services to humanity around the world.

BAPS has been at the forefront of public service in various fields through its global network of more than 1,100 mandirs and 5,000 centres. Your work to foster education around the world through the setting up of schools and colleges, research centres and hostels is especially commendable. Your humanitarian relief work meets the timely needs of people in distress. You also address healthcare, environmental issues, and universal community-building. But what stands out the most are the initiatives for womens empowerment not only in India, but across the world. I wish BAPS the best so that you can continue to deliver your noble charitable efforts to make this world a better place for everyone.

H.E. Chang Jae-Bok, Ambassador of Korea to India, said Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a great spiritual leader who dedicated his entire life to serving the cause of spirituality and humanity. His life, works and teachings have universal appeal transcending geographical boundaries. I hope that Pramukh Swami Maharajs teachings are spread far and wide, and through this, the world emerges as one family, in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutmbakam, leading to peace and prosperity for all.

2023 will be momentous for India and Korea as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our two countries have made tremendous progress for the last 50 years. We have made a lot of progress in bilateral relations, as our relationship elevated to special strategic partners in 2015. We are working very hard to strengthen our bilateral relations in the years to come. As special strategic partners, Korea and India hold immense potential for further bilateral cooperation. Under the aegis of Indias, Make in India policy, Korea can serve as the best possible core partner country which can in turn lead to consolidation of relations between Korea and Gujarat.

H.E. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India said, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was truly a great leader. The unparalleled humanitarian relief work that he organised, including in Nepal during the devastating earthquake in 2015, and most recently with the donation of oxygen concentrators to support the country during the COVID pandemic is truly inspirational. His legacy of universal compassion, charity and interfaith cohesion has left a lasting impact on the world.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan as Nilkanth had travelled to Nepal and performed austerities for several months in Muktinath, which is a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists. So, Nepal and India are connected by religion, spiritualism, and people-to-people relations, but also through the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

I would conclude by commending the entire programme here, which provides life skills, education and spiritual teachings. The vision, planning and management are simply superb. This is an experience of a lifetime.

Craig Ondarchie, Former Shadow Minister of the Victoria State Government in Australia, shared, The BAPS mandir in Melbourne is near my house in Mill Park. It had a vaccination centre during the Covid-19 pandemic, not just for BAPS devotees, but for the whole community.

I have a deep love and affection for BAPS. My family and I have a special connection to you all, and especially to Mahant Swami Maharaj. On 10 February 2018, in Melbourne, I was blessed by Mahant Swami Maharaj when he said he wanted to come to my office. The next morning, Mahant Swami Maharaj came to my office and blessed it, praying for and blessing me and my family. He also blessed me for my work as a community servant. I will never ever forget this special connection with you, Mahant Swami Maharaj. Please come back to Australia. We need you. The Pacific needs you. The world needs you. We all need you. I need you.

To my many friends at BAPS, both in Australia and across the world, and to the 80,000 volunteers in this Nagar  thank you for such a wonderful job you have done here. Thank you to everyone in BAPS for your kindness, your service to our communities, your love and friendship to all peoples.

Honourable Barry OFarrell AO, Australian High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Bhutan said, Pramukh Swami Maharajs legacy of service, community, humanity and was globally appreciated as evidenced by the presence of so many here globally. His legacy is admired across Australia. We thank Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the magnificent work that BAPS has been doing for the community across Australia. We look forward to the opening of the large temple and cultural complex in Western Sydney in the near future.

Australia and India have been connected for thousands of years, geographically and demographically. We are Indian Ocean neighbours, close strategically and economically. We are both home to ancient living cultures. Modern Australia is a successful, multicultural, multifaith country. Our citizens come from more than 300 different ancestries, which is why our Foreign Minister says that when Australians look out to the world, we can see ourselves in it, and the world can see itself reflected in Australia. Australia is immensely proud of its growing Indian community.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said in a video message to the assembly, On behalf of all Australians, I send my warmest wishes to His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and the BAPS organisation for the 100th anniversary of the birth of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. I pay tribute to his legacy. His message of serving those around us is something we can all strive for. As he said, In the joy of others lies our own. This legacy lives on here in Australia. Today we are proud of the vibrant BAPS community here in Australia which through beautiful temples across our country enriches Australian society. I look forward to the completion of the large new BAPS temple in Sydney.

Australia and India share a close bond of friendship and an important contributor to this burgeoning partnership is our thriving Indian Australian community which forms a living bridge between our two communities as a signal of the interconnectedness of our communities. I was proud to hear that thousands of Australians are attending the centenary celebrations this year, and I wish BAPS every success for these celebrations.

H.E. Asoka Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India read out a special message to the assembly from the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, I extend my warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to everyone at BAPS on this auspicious occasion of Pramukh Swami Maharajs centenary celebration. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time who touched countless lives across India and the world. The words of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, In the joy of others lies our own was applied in the life he lived and the legacy that he left behind.

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was able to mobilise thousands of volunteers to support the affected during times of crisis  from earthquakes to floods. We in Sri Lanka also benefited from his support during the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, for which our country will forever be grateful.

I am certain that the life and legacy of Pramukh Swami Maharaj will continue to inspire generations to come.

Swami Mukundananda, Founder of Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog said, The devotion and spirit to serve which Pramukh Swami Maharaj has instilled within all of you is his very form. Surrendering to a guru like Pramukh Swami Maharaj means you have embraced all the teachings of the Vedas. The role of the guru is to purify and elevate devotees to a spiritual state in which they are eligible for devotion of God. At a time when worldly influences are so predominant and spiritual encouragement is limited, Pramukh Swami Maharaj taught everyone to worship God and encourage others to do so.
Cannon Beach Astronomy: the Sea Above the Oregon Coast

Published 01/11/23 at 5:19 PM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon)  A fairly sleepy little Oregon coast town  but not completely so  Cannon Beach certainly rolls up the sidewalks after a certain hour. The little artist colony-meets-upscale village is likely the last place you'd think of when trying to discover the secrets of the universe, trying to delve into astronomy. (All photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

And you're likely right.

There's certainly no radio telescopes here, aimed at the stars, hoping for a sound byte from another civilization. No supercollider. No high-altitude array mapping out quasars or black holes.

Real astronomy is a no-go here, especially with those misty Oregon coast nights. Well, usually, that is. There are times the galaxy just jumps out at you. The rest of our Milky Way can seriously come alive, certainly if you've got the right photo equipment.

Even if the clouds haven't parted to reveal the universe, cloud cover after dark shows off so many other things. Maybe even more than Oregon coast on most days, no two nights along these shores are ever the same.



Indeed, Cannon Beach is simply a wonderful little hotspot to check out the sea of stars above us on a calm, nocturnal beach, given the right conditions. Little to no light interference from the town allows more spectacular views, which just aren't seen as much these days in other inland parts of Oregon. The shot at the top shows this from the Ecola State Park end of town. That's Goonies Rock there at night (it's just a name as the rock was never in the movie).





It also yields some enormous surprises. Such as this shot, taken at the northern end, looking towards Chapman Point. Just a block and a half from the Fultano's Restaurant in Cannon Beach, long after the lovely little Italian joint has closed, Ecola Creek yields these wonders in the middle of the night. That lit orb in the distance is a fishing boat on the horizon, around 3 a.m.

Just south of town, Hug Point manages to look especially ethereal and otherworldly when another world is casting its glow upon these seas. That's a massive full moon tugging at the tides here, but also setting the ocean on fire with an intense relfection around 2 a.m. on this particular night.

Another engaging surprise is the way different light sources bounce off the gasses in the clouds of the Oregon coast. This shot was taken at the southern end of Cannon Beach, just beyond the Tolovana Area.

This is the same area with a slightly different setting on the camera, causing it view those light sources and atmospheric gasses in very different shades. As said before: there are always surprises.

No two nights on the Oregon coast ever look the same  at least to the camera. It sees things we don't, although those hours after dark may look fuzzy, secretive and largely the same to our naked eyes.





Of course, the big landmark everyone associates with Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock, though there is much more to the town than that. But for those grasping for a sense of the familiar, here is that favorite sight-seeing spot  that sense of grounding for those who might've felt a little lost in this photo essay. This is what the basalt wonder looks like at night  sometimes.

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Cape Kiwanda's Killer Views and Hues to Strange Sounds Atop Oregon Coast Landmark

Published 01/08/23 at 5:39 PM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Pacific City, Oregon)  As you round one bend of Highway 101, not long after the central coast became the north Oregon coast, and signs are starting to point to Pacific City and / or continuing along Highway 101 to Tillamook, things suddenly feel different. In fact, at one point you seem to see a giant rock of some sort looking as if it's floating in the air, just beyond a line of trees. Whoops, be careful: it makes you want to stare too long but you're driving and the road gets a little tricky here. (All photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

That thing floating in the air is Haystack Rock  the second of three along the Oregon coast. This one hangs out next to Cape Kiwanda, and that brief glimpse across the marshland and trees is your sort of preview to a rugged, craggly attraction, full of as many nooks and crannies to explore as Haystack has crinkles even at this distance. Kiwanda is complex.

Jutting out from the beach in front of Pacific City, this comparatively small headland is a land loaded with secrets. Its golden, wind chiseled features are downright alien in many spots. Perhaps Star Trek: Discovery needs to actually film out here, on the coastline it mentioned in last season's finale. The place gives way to one wild real discovery after another.

You initially tread up a fairly steep incline of about thirty feet of loose sand that makes that climb harder. It's a grind and leg cramp-inducer, but at its top lay an abundance of treasures. It starts with the viewpoints on the southern side you've just entered, with the beachfront spreading out forever to the south. Various browns, yellows and shades of gold dot the landscape in increasingly stranger forms up here, including some of the wild delights and otherworldly places that are hidden and take some exploring to find.



Kiwanda is eroding, however. This sight, taken some 22 years ago, no longer exists

Just below this main part of the headland there's a small cove with some odd surprises, including a small but long crack that occasionally spurts up ocean water out of nowhere.





Meander further to the north and you'll find a host of viewpoints where you can see the irregular shapes and colors of the features where you've just been. There are other, numerous coves in view here, where enormous waves slam against the gargantuan, golden structures with dramatic intensity no matter what the weather. This is a preview to something insane.





Take a look farther up and there's always the top of the enormous dune that hovers of the eastern portion of Cape Kiwanda, where kids of all ages enjoy running up to the top and then sliding down on boards, sleds or even tumbling down with just their bodies. That's rather amusing to watch.

There's also odd sounds that can happen up here - likely coming from the fencing with its hollow tubes and holes. The wind causes a great whirring / whistling noise: apparently the holes act like a flute. Yet the sound is strangely akin to the singing sands phenomenon, so Oregon Coast Beach Connection is not ruling that out either.

For a truly memorable treat, head down the road a mile to an unmarked little road that darts off into the forest above the beach. This is McPhillips Beach  named for the man who sold the land to the state in the '70s, and then gave away the rest to them. He's largely responsible for this Oregon coast treasure being in the public domain (believe it or not he nearly sold it to a group wanting to put a nuclear power plant here).

From here, it's almost a mile southward back to Cape Kiwanda, and this is where it gets amazing. There's a kind of oceanic canyon here. Those rocky islands separated from the larger Cape Kiwanda are seen closer at this spot, and you can watch the ocean batter and rage against them, slowly eating away.

Indeed, another chunk of rock fell off this structure a couple of years ago, creating more boulders that in term make a kind of impromptu dam, allowing you to get closer and check out the tidal craziness that happens here.

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Oregon Coast Lost Legends: Gold Mine, Sea Monster to Treasures Debunked, Coos Bay Skyjacker

Published 01/10/23 at 5:47 PM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  Getting lost in history around these parts can be one seriously fun set of rabbit holes to venture into. Yet there's plenty of tales from these beaches that are along various degrees of truth to untruth, which themselves have been lost to time. (Above: Coos Bay's hometown girl gone bad in the '70s.)

Among them: the treasure of Manzanita, sea monsters at Seal Rock, an imploding whale and even a wild international skyjacking. The Oregon coast is no shirker to surprises.

Legend of Neahkahnie Gold Chest. For a good 100 years, there has been talk on the north Oregon coast about a possible treasure buried at Neahkahnie Mountain next to Manzanita. The sleepy little village has been host to innumerable diggers and searchers over the last century or so, hoping to find gold in them thar  well, that hill, anyway. Rumors and legends have abounded, including varied incarnations, but it's likely all a bunch of hot air.



Manzanita, photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection



It doesn't help that most of Neahkahnie Mountain and the hillside below it are either owned by the State of Oregon or in private hands, like the multitude of homes there. So no one can actually go and dig anyway  and that always brings out the conspiracy nuts and goofy internet sleuths.

So legends persist, like the 300-year-old Spanish galleon wrecking there (or anchoring there, in some versions), and then some group from the crew ascends into the dark hills to bury treasure. One version has it they buried an African slave in the box to scare off local tribes.

Adding to the fluster has been the mysterious rocks with inscriptions carved on them that were found on Neahkahnie. They're cryptic, to be sure. They've even given rise to other legends that Sir Francis Drake popped over here for a time (while another legend has him dinging around the future Depoe Bay area on the central Oregon coast).

However, according to Gary Albright (director of the Tillamook Pioneer Museum) in various interviews, he can trace this talk back to only about 1912  not the days of Lewis & Clark as some have postulated. It came from a promotional booklet touting land to be bought in the area. See the Manzanita Virtual Tour

This is not unlike another treasure / shipwreck situation farther down the coast  which Oregon Coast Beach Connection will reveal in the coming months. And it's just like what happens next.

Seal Rock Sea Monster. In 1935, a run of articles appeared about a scary set of sea monsters inhabiting the rocks of what was then known as Seal Rocks  the little village south of Newport. Grand claims were made about awe-inspiring sightings that smacked of Jules Verne. Yet later historians (such as Newport's Lincoln County Historical Society) said all this was likely part of a publicity stunt by people hoping to sell more plots in the area. See the full sea monster story.

Imploding Whale of Heceta Head. Again, some legends were just forgotten by time, but this involves a whale in the Florence area that did the opposite of exploding, almost 100 years before the famed one. The story has it that a disgustingly rotted-out whale stranded near the lighthouse around 1912 or so. A lightkeeper at Heceta Head named Overton Dowell has his pretty young lady friend coming to visit from Florence (which was a major outing back then). So Mr. D. thought he'd impress his gal pal by standing on the whale carcass as she photographed him, looking all brave and debonair. The problem was, the stinky thing simply gave way under him and he fell into it with a mighty squish.

Overton was stuck in the yucky mess, and his lady  all dressed in serious finery of the times  had to help pull him out. Reportedly, she returned home with a fancy dress that looked like something out of Carrie but smelled even worse.

Did this really happen, though? Friends of Heceta Head Lighthouse have strong opinions on this legend. Before Exploding Whale, Legend of Oregon Coast's Imploding Whale

A Female DB Cooper from the South Oregon Coast? Indeed, that is the case.

In the late '60s, a young graduate from Marshfield High School named Cathy Kerkow hightailed it down to San Diego, where she met the love of her life, Roger Holder. Strangely, Holder, it turns out, had lived in Coos Bay as a young boy and they had met briefly as children.

In 1972, Holder and Kerkow had become radicalized and joined the Black Panthers. That June, they boarded a Western Airlines flight and hijacked it, demanding half a million dollars  which they eventually received. Then, they disappeared to Algiers, then moving to France. There, they were arrested in 1975 and eventually acquitted and freed. Within a couple of years, Holder returned to the U.S. to accept prosecution for hijacking.

Cathy, however, vanished. To this day, the Coos Bay native is wanted by the FBI.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection will have much more on this strange true crime tale soon.



Photo courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more



Lost Gold Mine of Port Orford. A truly odd tale is really one of many in this area (including legends of a lost civilization and a weird meteorite), and yet it's hard to tell if this one was real in the first place or not.

In the 1850s, a group of soldiers became lost a ways east of the coastline and purportedly found a rich vein of gold near their encampment. Since they were still active duty, none could do any digging here, and any plans for return were seriously delayed by the Civil War.

Eventually coming back one by one, they could not find that gold mine, and since then hundreds have gone looking. See the Port Orford history story.

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Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. talks to reporters as military chief Gen. Andres Centino listens during a command conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Jan. 12, 2022.

The Philippines new defense chief on Thursday sought to quash concerns about restiveness among the military ranks as he promised that promotions would be based on merit.

In surprise moves that shook up the defense establishments top leadership over the past several days, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Carlito Galvez Jr. as defense secretary, replacing Jose Faustino Jr., who had held the post in acting capacity and was expected to be appointed to the top job. Marcos also re-appointed Gen. Andres Centino as head of the armed forces, replacing Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who took the post five months ago.

Officials in Marcos administration, which took office only six months ago, have yet to explain why these changes were made.

Still, the twin moves have sparked concerns within the ranks of the armed forces in the Philippines, a country with a long history of military efforts to overthrow governments since the presidents late father, dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, was toppled in a people-power uprising in 1986.

Imperative is personnel and operations readiness, particularly on the AFP morale and welfare of personnel, and meritocracy on designations and promotions, Galvez told reporters, referring to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In the coming days, I will personally visit AFP commands and units to further discuss the departments overall direction.

Galvez said his priority was to see that troops spirits stay strong as they face many challenges and as the military continues to modernize.

As to what happened to Gen. Bacarro, I am not privy to that because it is a policy decision, Galvez said when asked about the reason for a change in the military command.

Speculation about a destabilization plot swirled via military and police chat groups on social media after Bacarro was replaced as the AFP chief.

Bacarro, a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military award in the Philippines, had replaced Centino  who was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2021.

Marcos swore in Centino as AFP chief Marcos on Friday and the changeover ceremony presided over by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin took place a day later.

Centino said it was the presidents prerogative to appoint the military chief.

As soldiers we have to abide. When I relinquished the AFP last year, I accepted the order of the president and waited out for my retirement. And again when I was appointed, I just had to accept the order, he said.

Centino had been waiting to reach age 56, the mandatory retirement age, on Feb. 4. It is unclear if this appointment will allow him to serve past that date.

Faustino, who submitted his resignation as chief of the Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday, said that he learned of Centinos reappointment and swearing-in through news and social media.

In an editorial earlier this week, The Philippine Star noted that it has been awhile since rumors of destabilization and military unrest circulated in this country, adding that police were investigating the source of a leaked purported memoranda placing units on high alert because of destabilization movements in the military.

The editorial said the alleged destabilization was caused by protest resignations linked to Centinos appointment.

If the destabilization rumor managed to gain some traction, it is partly because there is no clarity in the organizational changes in the AFP, the Jan. 9 editorial stated.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. salutes with Philippine military chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro before departing to Beijing, at the Villamor Air Base in Metro Manila, Jan. 3, 2023. Marcos later cut short the term of Bacarro. [Aaron Favila/AP]

Galvez, the new defense secretary, said there may be issues about the promotion of officers and assignment of military commanders, but these are being addressed by the Board of Generals and by the AFP chief.

There is no truth to unrest, Galvez said.

He described officials who attended a Thursday command conference involving defense and military leaders at Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City, and rank-and-file members of the military as happy.

We will make sure that meritocracy, inclusivity and a sense of fairness will always prevail in the professionalization of the armed forces, Galvez said, adding that there was no place for squabbling.

We would like to announce that the AFP and DND are together to ensure the success of the Marcos administration, Galvez said.

The Philippines has had a long history of coup plots against the executive branch since 1986.

When Corazon Aquino took power after the elder Marcos was ousted, she faced six coup attempts. In 2001, a military-backed popular revolt chased Joseph Estrada from office. His successor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, faced down a revolt by junior military officers.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (second from left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, Jan. 4, 2023.

Beijing says it remains committed to joint oil exploration with Manila in the disputed South China Sea despite a Philippine Supreme Court decision that declared a previous such deal, also involving China, unconstitutional.

The court this week voided a 2005 agreement with China and Vietnam because it involved wholly foreign-owned companies exploring waters for natural resources belonging to the Philippines.

During a state visit to China last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume exploration talks at an early date, after Manila had terminated negotiations in June 2022 due to Beijings territorial claims in the sea region.

On Thursday, reporters asked Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin about last weeks discussions with Marcos in light of the court ruling.

The 2005 deal was an important step by the three countries to implement the [Declaration on the Conduct of Parties] and a useful experiment for maritime cooperation between parties to the South China Sea. It played an important role in promoting stability, cooperation and development in the region, Wang said during a daily press conference.

China remains committed to properly handling maritime disputes in the South China Sea with countries directly concerned, including the Philippines, through dialogue and consultation, and to actively exploring ways for practical maritime cooperation including joint exploration, he added.

For its part, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it was still studying the Supreme Courts decision but that all its actions and policy recommendations are, at all times, anchored on the Philippine constitution and laws.

Cases decided by the Supreme Court form part of our legal system, and the Department is duty-bound to take applicable cases into consideration in any future discussion with China on oil and gas, the department said in a statement Thursday.

The Philippines depends heavily on oil imports but has had a hard time finding foreign partners to help with tapping into its offshore energy reserves because of Chinas overlapping claims.

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the ruling had made the legal parameters for a joint exploration with a foreign company clearer.

Manila, he said, could tap Beijing as a service contractor to comply with the court ruling.

The service contractor is the agent and the Philippines government is the principal, Carpio said in a message to reporters.

The Philippines will have full control of the operations under the service contract.

Manila pushed for a similar direction under Marcos immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. However, Beijing rejected it because it would have been tantamount to acknowledging Philippine sovereignty in the area, a former Department of Energy official involved in the negotiations told BenarNews on Thursday.

Under Duterte, Manila and Beijing in 2018 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development.

Last June, Duterte terminated the talks after both sides failed to resolve the issue of sovereignty over Reed Bank, the proposed exploration site, because of Beijings claims that overlap with Manilas in the South China Sea.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea on historical grounds, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Beijing also claims historic rights to areas of the waterway that overlap Indonesias exclusive economic zone

Beijing has ignored a 2016 international arbitration court ruling won by Manila that invalidated Chinas vast claims in the South China Sea.

Marcos has repeatedly stated that his government would assert the ruling. Manila already has filed 65 diplomatic protests against Beijing under Marcos leadership.

In June, when Manila terminated the exploration deal with Beijing, then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said both sides had tried their best, local media reported.

Locsin said: Three years on and we have not achieved our objective  developing oil and gas resources so critical for the Philippines but not at the price of sovereignty. Not even a particle of it.
Thai authorities who arrested a Myanmar arms broker last year confiscated assets owned by the children of junta chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, a legal watchdog has learned, prompting calls for a probe into their ties and to block their access to Thailands financial system.

Arms broker Tun Min Latt, 53, and three of his associates were arrested in dawn raids in Bangkok on Sept. 17 and indicted on Dec. 13 on drug trafficking, money laundering and transnational organized crime charges, campaign group Justice for Myanmar said in a report released Wednesday.

Following his arrest, police seized some U.S. $50 million worth of assets including cash, cars, luxury goods, and real estate, according to the seizure record.

Among the property titles confiscated by authorities was a four-bedroom condo in Bangkoks trendy Belle Rama 9 district belonging to Min Aung Hlaings son, Aung Pyae Sone, the report said. Comparable condos in the area sell for close to U.S. $1 million.

Also among the assets seized were two Siam Commercial Bank passbooks belonging to the junta leaders daughter, Khin Thiri Thet Mon, Justice for Myanmar said.

Min Aung Hlaing, who has close personal ties to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and his two children, are sanctioned by both the United States and Canada, in part due to the military regimes violent repression of the countrys people since its Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Prayuth, who himself seized power in a 2014 putsch, helps to prop up the junta through supporting Thai natural gas purchases from Myanmar.

Benefitted from crime proceeds?

Based on the findings in its report, Justice for Myanmar called on Thai authorities to investigate whether or not Min Aung Hlaings children have benefited from the proceeds of crime, and to block junta members, their families and enablers from accessing Thai banks and purchasing assets in Thailand.

Justice for Myanmar spokeswoman Yadanar Maung told the Burmese service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews, that the arrest of Tun Min Latt exposed for the first time that members of Min Aung Hlaings family are hiding assets in Thailand, enabled by an alleged drug trafficker and money launderer.

Thai authorities should immediately seize the assets of Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon and widen their investigation to them, she said.

Thailand also needs to take steps to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for war criminals from Myanmar by blocking their access to Thai banks and property and freezing their assets, she said.

According to Justice for Myanmar, Tun Min Latt is a co-owner of a military-owned casino and has brokered arms while committing the crimes he stands accused of in Thailand. Meanwhile, the group said, junta family members are parking offshore the assets theyve acquired through the militarys genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Thailand and other governments must urgently block the transfer of stolen assets from Myanmar and close access to the international financial system for junta members and their families, or risk complicity in the juntas international crimes and corruption, the group said.

Attempts by RFA to reach junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment went unanswered on Wednesday. BenarNews was also unable to contact the spokesmen for the Royal Thai Police or the office of Prayuth, despite multiple attempts to reach them by phone.

The Belle Grand Rama 9 complex in Bangkok, where Min Aung Hlaings son, Aung Pyae Sone, owns a condominium. The title deed was found in Tun Min Latts possession. [Justice For Myanmar]

Military rule will only generate chaos

Responding to Justice for Myanmars report, Charles Santiago, ASEAN Parliamentarian for Human Rights Chair and former member of parliament from Malaysia, said in a statement on Wednesday it should not come as a big surprise that Min Aung Hlaing and his relatives maintain ties with someone under investigation for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Senior officers like Min Aung Hlaing not only plunder Myanmars natural resources paying close to no taxes, but are also involved in the narcotic trade, or at the very least turn a blind eye to it and are paid for doing so, he said.

Santiago said the junta strongly resembles a criminal organization and suggested that its generals staged their coup nearly two years ago as they knew that plundering the country would become increasingly difficult as democratic institutions became increasingly consolidated under a civilian government.

ASEAN and the global community at large need to urgently wake up to these realities, and realize that a military regime in Myanmar can never guarantee stability, but only generate chaos, conflict and foster criminal activities that can easily spill over the countrys borders, he said.

The Thai authorities should conduct an investigation on the ties of Min Aung Hlaing and his family with the underworld, and make its findings public. If it is found that they have broken Thai laws, they should be charged in a Thai court.

Warm and cozy relationship

Min Lwin Oo, a Burmese human rights lawyer based in Norway, welcomed Justice for Myanmars report and urged Thailand to take concrete action against people like Tun Min Latt  whom he accused of laundering the juntas ill-gotten gains  rather than issuing empty statements.

I worry that the case could be delayed or lengthy, as the current Thai government and Min Aung Hlaing have a very warm and cozy relationship, he warned.

Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, said that the seizure of Min Aung Hlaings childrens assets in the condo of an alleged drug trafficker tells you all you need to know about the kind of criminals that surround the SAC junta commander, referring to the State Administrative Council  the official name of the military regime.

Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mons decision to invest their money in Thailand shows just how comfortable they are with the SAC junta appeasement policies of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and his military infused government, which bends over backwards to accommodate the wishes of the SAC junta leaders, he told RFA in an interview.

Translated by Kyaw Min Htun and edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster for RFA Burmese.
An East Windsor man waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty this week in Hartford federal court to production and possession of child pornography, according to federal authorities.

Mark Roman, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, for which he could be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison, up to a maximum term of 30 years in prison, and one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said Roman came under investigation after Yahoo! reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that his email account was transmitting images of child sexual abuse.

Investigators determined that Romans email account also contained voyeuristic images and videos ofchildren that appeared to be homemade, federal authorities said in a statement.

The Connecticut State Police and East Windsor Police Department executed a state search warrant at Romans residence on Nov. 2, 2021 and seized his iPhone, laptop and computer storage devices, federal authorities said.

Analysis of the seized revealed more than 1,000 images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos of Roman sexually abusing a girl who was between the ages of six and eight, federal authorities said in the statement. The seized images also included numerous voyeuristic videos that Roman secretly took of the minor victim, another minor female who was between the ages of two and four, and adult victims.

Roman has been in custody since his arrest on Nov. 29, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on April 5.

To report cases of child exploitation, visit www.cybertipline.com.
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.
A man was arrested after he allegedly fired shots at an undercover police car from his vehicle in West Haven, according to police.

Members of the West Haven Police Department Street Crime Unit were doing undercover patrols near Gilbert Street and Hinman Street on Tuesday as a part of a criminal investigation, police said. While in the area, an occupant of a gray Honda Accord allegedly fired six shots at an occupied undercover vehicle, police said.

The Honda fled the area and was located on Chapel Street in New Haven shortly after. Police poured into the area and obtained information that a suspect, identified as 28-year-old Harvey Nelson, was inside an apartment building near the vehicle.

Police determined the apartment Nelson was in and surrounded the building. He eventually surrendered to police and was taken into custody on a conspiracy to commit first-degree assault charge. He was held on a $500,000 bond.

Nelson was also served a warrant for a prior domestic dispute and was charged with second-degree stalking, second-degree assault and larceny. He was also charged with three failure-to-appear warrants stemming from cases in New Haven, Naugatuck and Bridgeport.

No civilians or police were hurt during the incident, police said.
PITTSFIELD  City officials propose giving a $250,000 grant to a local business they say is putting Pittsfield on the map in the field of electromagnetics.

Mayor Linda Tyer submitted a proposal to the City Council last week asking to use $250,000 of the citys economic development funds to support the expansion of the Electro Magnetic Applications Inc. lab in Pittsfield, provided it meets job-creation goals.

City councilors will decide if they support the mayors recommendation at the Jan. 30 meeting of the community and economic development subcommittee. A small opposition is already mounting to the move.

Glenda Wichechki, a resident who spoke during the open microphone portion of the councils Tuesday night meeting, urged the council to vote down the proposal.

I dont think the city should be purchasing equipment for private companies, Wichechki said. The common sense place for a loan of this size would be a bank.

The city is not a bank, she added.

Tyers request and a grant application by the company lay out a plan for how EMA plans to expand.

EMA, which is headquartered in Colorado, established an office at the Berkshire Innovation Center in 2019. The company was the center's first tenant.

The Pittsfield lab tested materials and equipment used on manned and unmanned spacecraft in a facility that replicates radiation conditions of outer space.

This facility helped the lab secure contracts with NASA, Department of Defense contractors and international space agencies, according to the grant application.

The company received a five-year tax increment finance agreement from the city  giving it a break on an estimated $65,774 of its personal property taxes  as well as $140,000 in economic development funds in the first year of operation.

EMA also received state tax credits from the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council.

Since opening, the full-time employee count has grown from one to eight, with the average starting salary above $60,000 per year.

The company said in its application that business has been so successful that it moved a portion of its operations into an office space at 66 West St. A report from the city's community development director included in the application said EMA grossed $7 million in revenue in 2021.

The company says its now taking steps to advance into the emerging field of "metalenses"  thin, hyper-efficient lenses used for imaging, medicine, terrain mapping, radar and augmented and virtual reality.

In the application to the city, EMA writes that over the next three years it plans to invest $3 million to build a metalenses characterization chamber in lab at the BIC.

On top of that, the company says it plans to put $150,000 toward a partnership with Berkshire Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the BIC to create a pipeline of faculty expertise and program expansion" to support the local knowledge base.

The application describes the unique public and private collaboration as an opportunity to provide a major economic and technological impact to MA based companies and establish the Commonwealth and Berkshire County as a hub for innovation and cutting edge research.

To meet this goal, Tyer wants to put $250,000 towards new equipment for the lab that EMA estimates will cost $446,000. Tyers proposal wouldnt give that entire sum to the company all at once.

If approved, the economic development fund would put $150,000 toward the purchase of the equipment initially. Six months after the company can show that it has created three new jobs with starting salaries of at least $65,000, another $50,000 would be pulled from the citys economic development fund.

The final $50,000 would be sent to the company six months after it can show another five jobs with the same starting salary range have been created.

If the company relocates, declares bankruptcy or drops to two employees within the 10-year period, the money from the economic development fund would be due back to the city.
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.
You are the owner of this article.
NORTH ADAMS  Details of proposed passenger train service between North Adams to Boston are emerging, as state transportation officials enter a second year of planning spurred by a 2019 law.

A new train station and train layover facility in North Adams would be needed as part of a potentially $2.187 billion project.

That was revealed during an online workshop presented by MassDOT Wednesday evening that drew 155 attendees, including state representatives and local officials.

Makaela Niles, the MassDOT project manager of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study, explained that the project is in the very early design phase in which ridership, rail upgrades, costs and proposed station locations are rough estimates given the information they have been able to gather so far.

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, attended the briefing, and seemed anxious to see it move forward.

When I look at the $2.1 billion cost, compared to what we have invested in roads and bridges, this to me is a very small price, Barrett said. And I think well get that money back. Its a great incentive for private investment near the stations.

State Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, agreed that the project carries a relatively low cost.

The route of the line is established on existing rails between North Adams and Boston.

Anna Barry and Paul Nelson, engineers with the HNTB Corp., which is under contract with the state to study the possible rail line, presented two alternative plans. One would cost less to build, at roughly $1.04 billion, or about $7.3 million per mile. The alternative, at about $2.18 billion, would cost roughly $15.4 million per mile.

The main difference in the cost is how much is invested in upgrading rails along the line. More upgrades will make the trip faster and smoother, and would cost about twice as much.

Their study showed that the higher-cost model would attract more ridership because the travel time would rival that of a car trip to Boston, at around three hours. The lower cost project would take more time, or nearly four hours.

Preliminary plans include stations at Boston, Fitchburg, Greenfield and North Adams. Later iterations of the proposal might include more stations, especially in the eastern zones.

The engineers forecasts of train travel showed that it could be feasible, even with existing freight train traffic.

The concept includes a new train station and passenger platform in downtown North Adams, near the Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Locations for that, and for the proposed train layover facility, have not been determined.

Potential departure times for five trains per day leaving North Adams eastbound could be 6:32 a.m., 9:32 a.m., 12:32 p.m., 3:32 p.m., and 6:32 p.m.

The project could provide faster and cheaper travel opportunities for people in Western Massachusetts with the added bonus of getting cars off the roads and lessening CO2 emissions.

Initial ridership projections showed North Adams annual boardings of up to 440 passengers, with annual boardings in Boston in the range of 20,000 to 50,000 passengers, although the consultants say those estimates could grow as the study progresses and considers more factors.

One of the economic impacts of such a project would be new private investment in commercial and residential projects near new train stations. New rail stations typically attract millions in new investment to capture dollars spent by disembarking travelers and new residents.
First Pittsfield, then Lenox and now Sheffield. Heated debates over the safety of cell towers are igniting in communities across the Berkshires. As the fifth-generation buildout of wireless communication facilities continues  and many Berkshire towns try to catch up to previous generations cell reception standards  these debates will keep popping up.

Sheffield wants to ban 5G wireless until health questions are resolved. Will the town be able to stop it? Sheffield residents filed a petition with the town last week to halt 5G until federal regulators can prove that higher radio frequency radiation is nothing to worry about.

And if theyre anything like the debates weve seen thus far, that means more headaches and scrapes for local leaders trying to navigate this thorny issue. Like their counterparts on the Pittsfield Board of Health and Lenox Planning Board, Sheffield officials are now between a rock and a hard place. Any local officials wrangling with this issue will find themselves in a similarly precarious position, caught between some folks impassioned calls for preventive measures against cell towers and a dearth of comprehensive scientific evidence on the long-term health impacts of exposure to microwave transmissions, with little procedural wiggle room.

Sheffields cell tower spat, like the ones before it and those that will inevitably follow, underscore the need for state and federal officials to give a helping hand to these outgunned municipal panels. As weve argued before, that should come in the form of a more robust and thoroughly updated regulatory framework that town planners and health boards can rely on when wireless facility opponents press their public safety case in town meetings and tower permit hearings.

Weve expressed skepticism about far-reaching claims of myriad health problems caused by the radiofrequency emissions from cell towers that make our mobile devices work. Like all substantive claims, they should require evidence demonstrating not just correlational but causal links. Meanwhile, many cell tower opponents vociferously oppose structures near their backyards or in their properties sightlines while showing little curiosity about evidence for or against their claims that might be gleaned from the nearly two-dozen other 5G nodes located across Berkshire County, many of which stand in populous areas and have garnered few if any health complaints.

Still, cell tower opponents have a point: While wireless technology has evolved rapidly in the 21st century, regulatory standards have not. Local governments seeking to restrict the number or placement of cell towers are limited by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, while the Federal Communications Commissions radio frequency emissions rules also date to the late 1990s. That means a decades-old law hamstrings municipal boards options when these debates pop up, while the only federal guidance they can cite when pressed by residents hasnt been meaningfully updated since 10 years before the invention of the iPhone. As such, local health officials and planners relying on that guidance cant really say no to their neighbors health concerns  they can only say maybe.

Even as we view the more strident cell tower health concerns with skepticism, this status quo is unfair to concerned citizens and unhelpful for the local officials trying to do right by those constituents. As with any matter with a lot of data to sift through and more heat than light shed on it, updating and expanding this regulatory guidance is a big ask. But its one that the feds owe local officials who are going to keep running into this wall as wireless network expectations expand and more powerful towers are cited. The wireless communications industry wont be thrilled with a closer and overdue examination of their operations, while some cell tower opponents are dug in enough that no amount of contrary evidence will be enough to move them. But when it comes to questions like these at the intersection of technological development and public health, the government owes citizens and local officials alike a closer look at the truth to be found somewhere between these poles.

Berkshire County is fortunate to have a powerful voice in the House of Representatives in U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, as well as a strong fighter for consumer protection representing them in the Senate in Sen. Elizabeth Warren. We call on them and the entire Massachusetts delegation to press this necessary update to the regulatory framework that affects all of us in an increasingly connected world.
The city of Hartford will distribute masks, a limited supply of thermometers and 5,000 at-home COVID-19 testing kits to Hartford residents, according to Mayor Luke Bronin.

The action is being taken as COVID cases are on the rise in the Greater Hartford area this winter, Bronin said.

The positivity rate for COVID in Connecticut rose again last week to 17.36%, up from 15.56% the previous week, according to Gov. Ned Lamont. The Dec. 1 reported rate was 9.21%. A year ago, the rate was 22.8%.

Experts have said a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus is responsible for up to 80% of new COVID-19 cases in the Northeast, and the recent bivalent booster doesnt seem to be able to stop it.

Bronin said the city had previously received a supply of test kits from the state and they are set to expire at the end of the month, so residents are encouraged to pick them up as soon as they are able, for use in the next couple of weeks.

Bronin also noted that additional free test kits may be ordered from the federal government. The four test kits will be mailed free of charge to individuals who complete the form at: www.covid.gov/tests.

With COVID-19 cases increasing this winter, we want to make sure our residents have at-home testing kits on-hand so they can get tested whenever they feel symptoms or have a close contact, Bronin said in a statement.

We want to encourage all of our residents to remain vigilant and take basic health precautions this winter, so please help keep your friends and family safe by securing your COVID-19 tests at our distribution locations or from our partner organizations, and we want to remind you to get your free test kits from www.covid.gov/tests.

Additional masks, thermometers, and testing kits have been distributed to local businesses, churches, daycares, restaurants, and other organizations over recent weeks, Bronin said.

Residents can collect testing kits at the following locations:

Albany Library: 1250 Albany Ave. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Barbour Library: 261 Barbour St. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month the library will only be open from 3-6 p.m. to accommodate Connecticut Foodshare distribution.)

Camp Field Library: 30 Campfield Ave. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Dwight Library: 7 New Park Ave. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric: 603 Park St. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
With the aid of a grant program from the state of Ohio, the Bowling Green State University College of Education and Human Development is providing tutoring services in two key content areas to fourth and fifth-grade students in partner districts across northwestern Ohio.

The after-school program, called BGSU TIME  Tutoring In Math and English/Language Arts  matches pre-service teachers from the University with students requiring additional help twice per week, both remotely and in person.

The state of Ohio awarded the University a $700,000 Statewide Math and Literacy Tutoring Grant that helps fund the program, providing districts with additional after-school resources and money to pay pre-service teachers from BGSU, who are gaining critical career experience and making connections with students.

I just love the connection I have made with my students, and I love when they feel comfortable sharing with me about their day and how they are feeling, said Kate Noonan, a junior Inclusive PreK-5 Education major. I think they have gotten so comfortable with trying to answer questions and arent afraid to try. I like being a support for them. I can tell they have learned so much and have become stronger readers.
Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 54F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight's rundown:

 Talking Points Memo: Joe Biden continues to decline with the world watching and remains out of the press reach

 Presidential Historian Larry Cook weighs in on how Bidens relationship with the press compares to past presidents

 US Special Forces have been confirmed to be in Ukraine

 OReilly describes Democrats hosting the DNC in Chicago as Crazy Arrogant

 The trial of Fox News gets underway

 58% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck even as inflation begins to cool off

 Smart Life: Utilizing Kelly Blue Book when searching for a new car

 This Day in History: FDR dies in office

 Final Thought: what to do when someone is disrespectful to you

In Case You Missed It:

 Read Bill's latest column, "Reason to Believe"

 Join 'Team Normal!' Order your gear now at BillOReilly.com!

 Pre-order Bills next bestseller Killing the Witches NOW

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In #FreshontheShelf, we round up our pick of food and beverage products that have hit the retail shelves recently.

Mijenta Tequila

Artisanal tequila brand Mijenta has made its debut in the South African market through distributor Firebrand Africa. The additive-free tequila from the highlands of Jalisco was launched in September 2020 and recently became the first tequila to receive B Corp certification from non-profit organisation B Lab.

Source: Supplied

Mijenta has three expressions in its portfolio, all with ratings of 97 points or higher. The Mijenta Blanco and Reposado are already available in South Africa and the Anejo is expected to follow in early this year.

The Blanco is defined by its aromatic, elegant and complex character, with unfolding notes of cantaloupe, honey and cinnamon. The Reposado, the brands second expression, presents a more mature and fuller taste, possessing a delicate vanilla nose with notes of bergamot, honey, preserved fruits  such as cherry and pear  and orange blossom flowers, together with a mid-palate of cacao nibs.

Mijenta Anejo, the most exclusive and refined Mijenta offering to date, is aged for 18 months and offers a more complex, intense and well-blended flavour profile.

All of Mijenta's products are carbon neutral and all packaging elements are eco-friendly. Mijenta Tequila is available at premium liquor stores including Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Checkers Liquorshop, Norman Goodfellows, Whiskey Brother and online retailers.

Red Bull Summer Edition Apricot & Strawberry

Red Bull has unveiled this years Summer Edition as Apricot & Strawberry. Every years Red Bull Summer Edition has a different taste, and the latest iteration serves up a blend of apricot and strawberry with a touch of peach taste.

Source: Supplied

This limited-time offering will be available while supplies last. In South Africa, the Red Bull Editions line also includes a line-up of flavours, including Watermelon and Coconut & Berry, which are sold alongside the original line of Red Bull Energy Drink.

Red Bull Summer Edition Apricot & Strawberry is available in 250ml cans, as well as multipacks.

Fanta Raspberry and Litchi

The anticipated #WhattheFanta mystery flavour that has kept the general public guessing for months has been revealed as Raspberry and Litchi. South Africa welcomed the #WhatTheFanta global campaign in August. The centerpiece of the interactive flavour-guessing campaign was a limited-edition, mysteriously flavoured Fanta soft drink designed to challenge consumers' senses and taste buds with contrasting flavour notes.

Source: Supplied

After an online experience of clue cracking and flavour guessing, the mystery limited-edition flavour was announced.

The #WhatTheFanta flavour is the one product in our portfolio that is literally the living embodiment of play. We had an overwhelming response to our new innovation and are thrilled to finally let the cat out of the bag, says Kwanda Dlamini, South Africa frontline marketing manager: flavours at Fanta.

The limited-edition Fanta Raspberry Litchi soft drink is available for purchase across 400ml can, 2.25L PET, 2L PET and 440ml PET pack sizes at local retailers.

Tastic Rice Chips and Rice Cakes

Household brand Tastic has introduced a new line of rice chips and cakes targeted at snack enthusiasts looking for healthier options.

Tastic Rice Chips are air-popped, pressure pressed, and have 56% less fat than South Africa's top potato chip brand, according to the company. They are available in four flavours: BBQ, Mrs. H.S. Ball's Sweet Chilli, Mrs. H.S. Ball's Chutney, and Sour Cream & Chives.

Source: Supplied

Meanwhile, Tastic Rice Cakes on the other hand are low-calorie snacks and are made from Tastic brown and white rice grains.

This latest product offering was inspired by market research findings conducted by the internal team. The research indicated that total packed food market in South Africa is valued over R300bn with savoury snacks contributing just over R20bn, making it the third biggest after dairy and confectionery. In light of this, we wanted to capitalise on this growing category by launching a product thats not just healthy but tastes good as well," explains Thembi Sehloho, Tiger Brands marketing director: rice and pasta.

Tastic Rice Chips 20g sells for R9.99, Rice Chips 85g for R22.99 and Rice Cakes 115g selling for R24.99. The ranges are available at all leading retailers.
When it was confirmed on Wednesday night that legendary British guitarist Jeff Beck died, the WRTC-FM radio station on the Trinity College campus sprung into action, programming long sets of Becks music to pay tribute and mourn his loss.

The fact that these were shows dedicated to jazz or blues rather than rock didnt matter. Beck worked in so many different genres that its possible to create an hours-long setlist in just about any style involving the electric guitar.

WRTC general manager Chris Cowles, whos been involved with the station since 1995, says when he heard about Becks passing, I just called the person who was on the air, Jim Eddington. He knew jazz and was able to find records of jazz guys doing Jeff Beck music.

Later shows on the station Wednesday night scrapped their planned playlists and started grabbing Beck albums that fit their usual formats. Jay Rule turned his three-hour Voodoobluez Mix Tape Sessions program into a Beck tribute. There was almost no planning involved, Cowles says. It was real radio, reacting to the moment.

Other radio stations in the state also changed up their programming at short notice to honor Beck. On West Hartfords WWUH, Maurice Robertson found room in his jazz and Gothic Blimp Works slots for some appropriate Beck tracks.

To a lot of people this may not be like the deaths of John Lennon or Elvis or Chuck Berry, Cowles says, but for many of us its just as big a deal.

Cowles had gotten the news of Becks death from Glastonbury-based guitarist Tom Guerra, known for his band Mambo Suns and a string of recent solo projects. Guerra once wrote songs for a never-released all-star album honoring the Yardbirds  the British pop/R&B act that launched Becks career in the 1960s.

On Jan. 4, 2004, Jeff Beck performs live onstage during An Evening With Jools Holland, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The renowned rock guitarist, best known for his work with The Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group, has died at the age of 78, his representatives said. *North and South America Rights Only*.

I saw him play five or six times over the years, Guerra says, including a tour he did with Stevie Ray Vaughn where they would alternate going on first. Not to say anything against Stevie Ray Vaughn, who was a great guitarist, but Jeff Beck was unlike anybody else. Even though he had an album called Flash, and he was a flashy player, he didnt turn guitar playing into a big dick competition.

He was not one to play it safe. He stretched himself, not just from a song perspective but in his playing. There was always a snarl to Jeff Becks playing. He wasnt just rock, wasnt just fusion. Some of the techno stuff he did was fantastic.

Asked which Beck records he reached for Wednesday, Guerra reels off a wide-ranging list that starts with Hi-Ho Silver Lining, an ill-advised commercial pop single Beck released in 1967.

He sings really badly, Guerra says, but he plays a guitar solo thats 50 years ahead of its time.

Guerra also spun Becks Bolero, the effects-laden electric guitar version of Ravels classical classic, Blue Wind from the 1976 album Wired, Freeway Jam from 1975, Going Down from the Memphis-made 1972 Jeff Beck Group album and Star Cycle from 1980s There and Back.

Beck has so many different revisions of himself, says Cowles, who is lining up interviews with those who knew Beck for his Saturday afternoon Greasy Tracks show. He wasnt a hitmaker. He didnt have FM staples. He experimented, he persevered, he changed his stripes. He played on some of the greatest Yardbirds records. Then he hooked up with Rod Stewart  what could possibly go wrong there?  before having this amazing solo career.

Hes undeniable, says Hamden-based guitarist Dean Falcone, known for his varied rock/pop tastes and the encyclopedic musical knowledge he brings to his annual Vomitorium Thanksgiving all-star pop jams at cafe nine in New Haven. I bought my first Stratocaster in 1985 because of Jeff Beck and [1970s power pop innovators] Big Star, which may sound strange but thats the point. Jeff Beck influenced everything. Led Zeppelin wouldnt have been Led Zeppelin without Jeff Beck doing You Shook Me first, or getting Jimmy Page into the Yardbirds. I saw Jeff Beck tour with Brian Wilson, as well as a couple of times solo. He could do a devastating instrumental version of Dont Talk from [The Beach Boys] Pet Sounds. He could do anything, like imitating a sitar at the beginning of Heart Full of Soul for the Yardbirds. Anybody who plays any kind of lead guitar is indebted to Jeff Beck.

Guerra and Falcone both acknowledge how, to use the common cliche, Beck could make a guitar speak.

What he does is almost vocal. It feels like the guitar is singing, Falcone says.

The last time Beck played Connecticut was in 2016 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. He also played Foxwoods (with almost entirely different setlists) in 2009, 2010 and 2014. In 2013, Beck appeared at the Oakdale with Brian Wilson.

Some of Becks earliest visits to Connecticut were in 1975 at New Haven Coliseum, 1976 at the Pinecrest Country Club in Shelton and again in 1976 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. His sole Hartford appearance was Aug. 12, 1995, at the Meadows (now the Xfinity Theatre), where the 15-song setlist ranged from Hurricane, Freeway Jam, Guitar Shop and Blue Wind to covers of songs by Syreeta, Charles Mingus and The Impressions.

Becks last world tour was just last year, featuring actor/musician Johnny Depp. That tour played Boston and New York but not Connecticut.

Wednesdays WRTC-FM shows are archived on the stations website at wrtc.streamrewind.com. The station will continue to pay tribute to Beck in the coming weeks.

Reach reporter Christopher Arnott to carnott@courant.com.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has resumed its campaign of processing and paying unemployment benefits to former teaching and general assistants in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Image source: Vitaliy Vodolazskyy  123RF.com

The campaign started in the Amajuba District Municipality area in November 2022 where the Fund disbursed R7.7m to 1,746 former educator assistants and general assistants.

The campaign subsequently proceeded to eThekwini in December 2022 where the Fund paid out R28.8m to 6,204 beneficiaries. To date, R36.5m has been paid out to 7,950 clients.

As of 9 January until 20 January 2023, the Fund will be processing and paying out claims in the Zululand District Municipality area as follows:

9-10 January 2023: Nuwe Republiek Primary School Vryheid.



11-12 January 2023: Masibumbane High School in Ulundi.



13, 16 and 17 January 2023: Bhekuzulu High School in Nongoma.



18-19 January 2023: Pongola Akademie.



20 January 2023: Paulpietersburg Primary School.

Clients are urged to bring along their Identity or valid Passport Documents, a fully charged smartphone with data, and proof of account (banking details), said the department of Employment and Labour in a statement.

The former educator assistants were employed as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), which was implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) across all nine provinces to reduce youth unemployment in the country.

When their contracts ended, the former employees qualified to claim unemployment insurance benefits from the UIF.

Due to the large volume of claims anticipated and to prevent long queues at Labour Centres, the UIF team in KwaZulu-Natal met with the Provincial Department of Education in Amajuba and agreed on a consolidated approach. This included the department availing venues while the Fund confirms the compliance of the former workers in terms of their employment history, declarations, and contributions.

The UIF in KwaZulu-Natal will be rolling out the project to other parts of the province and will announce dates and details in due course via its social media platforms and the media, the department said.
As 2023 begins in full swing, we can all be forgiven for feeling as though we have been on a seemingly endless roller coaster during the past year. However, despite the surprises and shocks, one thing remained consistent throughout 2022 and is predicted to be one of the most pressing challenges in 2023 for C-suites trying to keep up with a rapidly digitising world: there has been, and will continue to be, a chronic IT skills shortage, especially a shortage of work-ready software developers.

Jessica Hawkey, Managing Director at redAcademy

Of course, this is a tragedy because alongside the software skills shortage is a crippling unemployment rate, especially among young people; while from a business perspective, C-suites in general, and CTOs in particular, are being hamstrung in fulfilling their mandates of driving effective digital transformation in their organisations because of a dearth of talent.

A rethink around skills development will empower organisations to future-proof their succession planning. Organisations can bring in young people - who are appropriately skilled, experienced and immediately employable - into the workforce quickly.

Building the engine room

Lets start at the beginning. Software development is often associated with the IT industry. The truth could not be more different. The fourth industrial revolution has ensured that coding is not only relevant, but absolutely essential, in all industries, including financial services, telecoms, retail, healthcare, professional services, and more. Software developers are in the engine room driving digital transformation strategies.

Thats all good and well, except that when we zone in on individual businesses in all these sectors, it wont be unusual to find human resource teams unable to keep up with CTO demands of a sustainable talent pipeline. Of course, the simple reason is that there is a skills shortage made worse by the fact that in the endless rush to fill positions, many organisations dont have the time or resources to train up young graduates to get them work ready, and then onboard and retain them.

The more complex reason is that in order to future-proof digital strategies and succession planning, businesses need to invest in their technology leaders, and they must be sure that they are leading teams in an environment geared towards talent retention, growth and promotion. CTOs, under pressure to deliver on their mandates, have a mountain to climb in sourcing scarce talent and then training them for the business requirements and technology stack, only to lose them to competitors.

Traditional degrees the world over are no longer the gold standard in the industry. Graduates, while able to code, enter the workforce cold. In other words, they dont possess the soft skills essential in a fast-paced business environment. Companies around the world - including S&P 500 companies - are leaning towards hiring experienced developers who dont need to be trained to work within their technology stack. They are attracted to talent proficient in using coding languages relevant to their environments.

Image: Supplied

Fast-track young careers

An intentional pivot, driven by the private sector, and one that we are incredibly passionate about, has the potential to make a dent in the unemployment rate while providing a solution for the pressing challenges faced by C-suites daily. It is entirely possible to fast-track a young persons career from matric to a live coding environment. Not just that, it is possible to ensure this young person is equipped with skills to work within existing technology stacks, and - importantly - ready to hit the ground running with a full understanding and appreciation of the professionalism required in the workplace.

By blending theory with real-world experience on live projects over the span of a single year, companies can build work-ready junior software developers already equipped with soft skills and already on board with the company culture. Essentially, this builds a sustainable pipeline of software developers despite the skills-scarce environment. Through this innovative method of experiential learning, there is an opportunity for South Africas youth to work on your companys own IT projects, simultaneously gaining experience on your tech stack and to deliver much needed solutions to address the gap in skills and resources.

Training on live projects

By training young people on live projects, companies ensure the candidates build crucial experience on their existing workflows and technology stack. Naturally, this reduces the burden on HR and minimises the time and money spent on recruitment without interrupting a steady flow of new talent into the business. In other words, this new way of building a sustainable skills pipeline future-proofs the business while contributing positively to our countrys socioeconomic transformation mission.

None of this is theoretical, nor a pipedream. South Africas software development skills future lies in fast-paced, one-year programmes that blend theory with real-world training to develop work-ready junior developers. This solves pressing challenges for C-suites under pressure to roll out new technology while closing the experience gap for talented and young South Africans. Everyone has been fishing from the same pond - its time to build your own.
Postbank is preparing to take on the role of a state bank.

source: The Government Communication and Information System. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

The news was announced by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

The group is revamping its infrastructure with the aim of launching as a fully fledged bank.

Postbank is in the process of obtaining a banking license and plans are underway to roll out a hundred new branches.

Ntshavheni said that parliament is finalising the amendment to the Postbank Act which will see government owning Postbank.

"Currently the Postbank is owned by the Post Office. The Banking Act has a specific provision that says you cant have a state-owned entity that is not financially viable owning a bank.

"Therefore we had to change or amend the Postbank Act to remove the ownership of the Postbank from that of the Post Office, and move the ownership  (that means the shareholding of the Postbank) to government (the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is the shareholder representative in that ownership).

"That is the amendment that were waiting for parliament to finalise  and the structuring and creation of the bank holding company: so that you dont have the bank reporting to the minister.

"The bank will have a bank holding company which is regulated by the Reserve Bank," Ntshavheni said.

Ntshavheni said once Postbank has obtained its banking license, it intends to provide government-to-citizen services as well as lending activities with a focus on offering loans to smart startups, businesses and small, medium and micro-sized enterprises.

"Government has offered to stand as guarantor for businesses that need financial assistance and financial loans in case they do not have the capabilities to pay back these loans."

Postbank and social grants

Currently Postbank offers individual and stokvel accounts and pays out social grants. Every month Postbank disburses R10bn in social grants across the country. It looks set to continue paying out social grants once it gains its banking license.

Ntshavheni reminded the public that social grants "were not paid through Postbank". "It was a service provided to the post office. Social grant payments became the mandate of the Reserve Bank as from 1 October 2022, therefore Postbank can negotiate the commercial contract of payments of social grants through the Department of Social Development.

"We have made a decision (once we're licensed) that we are not going to continue paying social grants from ATMs," Ntshavheni said.

Government has offered to stand as guarantor for businesses that need financial assistance in case they do not have the capabilities to pay back these loans.

Already in November last year, Postbank advised Sassa social grant recipients using the Sassa gold cards to collect their monies at retailers due to system glitches at post office outlets.

It reiterated that withdrawals of social grants can be made at any retail outlets nationwide that provides the cashback functionality. These include Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay and Boxer.

Sassa grants recipients can also use the Sassa gold cards to make purchases at any place that accepts bank card transactions as the Sassa gold cards functions fully within the national payments system similarly to any other bank card.

The national payment system is a set of instruments, procedures and rules that enable funds to be transferred from one financial institution to another.

"By April all things that relate to the technology environment should be sorted."

Infrastructure upgrade

In the meantime, Postbank is upgrading its technology and modernising its payment system. Ntshavheni said this was in response to an It audit of Postbank - done through the Reserve Bank - which had revealed non-compliance with certain requirements of the Banking Act, particularly pertaining to its clearing system and the bank payment system.

In December 2022 The Reserve Bank extended the term of the variation notice to 31 December 2023 to meet all the requirements.

"We've committed to modernising the technology of Postbank by April 2023 at the latest, and have made significant progress on this. We have been working with the Reserve Bank through the Prudential Authority to address those challenges," Ntshavheni said. "But we are confident, given the progress we have made, that we will complete that earlier."

Source of seed funding

But how will the new state bank be funded?

"As far back as November 2018 Postbank has indicated that it has doubled the amount of capital required to operate it," Ntshavheni said.

She did not mention numbers, but commented that the president should make an announcement regarding seeding of the bank.

"Once it has obtained its license, Postbank has the means to be commercially viable without extra injection from the national treasury. We are not looking immediately on the extra seeding of the bank."

Following discussions with Darwin Zinzile Nkonki, the chairperson of Postbank board, Ntshavheni recounted his insistence that "theres no money to seed. They must go and raise money. They must go and make sure that as a business theyre profitable, and then fund their operations going forward.

"Thats why were not even planning to start with a large number of branches, but starting with 100 branches so that we give them breathing space to build on and ramp up and grow organically."
Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured the management of Fort Hare University that police are intensifying their response to the recent violent and fatal attacks at the institution.

Image source: John Roman  123RF.com

Cele on Wednesday welcomed the heightened policing interventions by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to find those responsible for a series of attacks on university staff, which have claimed two lives.

The latest was the murder of Fort Hare University (FHU) Vice Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungus protector Mboneni Vesele, who was shot and killed over the weekend.

The ministerial visit comprised Cele, Higher Education and Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele as well as State Security Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has established a multi-disciplinary team to investigate the pattern of threats on the lives of the staff members of the institution.

Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said the team, which will report directly to the office of the National Commissioner, was expected to commence its investigations into the murder of Vesele.

Mr Vesele was a close protector and driver of Fort Hare University Vice Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, he was killed while inside the Professors vehicle. The scope of the investigative team will also include other alleged attempted hits on university staff, including the murder of Fort Hare University fleet manager, Petrus Roets, who was fatally shot last year [in] March, said Themba.

Minister Cele says the high-level intervention was necessary and must produce results.

It is quite clear that the local police are just not working fast enough in making arrests and this newly established National Team through its work, must send a strong message to criminals that this government will not be threatened or shaken and will certainly not back down or co-govern with criminals, said Cele.

The multi-disciplinary team will include detectives, forensic analysts, crime intelligence, members of organised crime and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

As we start the academic year, we cant afford to have anyone, be it a student, a lecturer and even a groundsman or cleaner of this institution feel uneasy about their safety. This is why the team must work closely with university staff and the intelligence community to crack the cases that will see the culprits go to jail.

This, I am sure will guarantee that this respected institution is not turned into a killing field, said the Minister.

The high-level team of Security Cluster ministers and the SAPS management on Wednesday paid a visit to Veseles family.

The delegation also met with the Vice Chancellor of Fort Hare University, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, who expressed his appreciation for ramped up police response from the National office, to prevent combat and investigate crime within the institution, said the Police Ministry.
Transnet on Thursday said it reached an "impasse" in talks with Chinese rail equipment manufacturer CRRC E-Loco, despite last year's settlement over procurement contracts.

The two have engaged in legal battles after Transnet halted the supply of 1,064 locomotives from four original equipment suppliers, including CRRC, saying that 2014 contracts worth R54.4bn ($3.20bn) had been unlawfully awarded by the previous board and management.

On Thursday, without giving details, Transnet said CRRC had shown unwillingness to engage with South African authorities to "normalise its operations" in the country.

A CRRC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Transnet said it would issue an open tender to manufacturers in the few next weeks to repair locomotives bought from CRRC. Transnet's rail services have deteriorated, in part due to a shortage of spare parts for the locomotives.

The resolution of the matter was key to supporting Transnet's efforts to normalise operations, enhance services to customers, and boosting the economy, the logistics firm added.
Government will take on a portion of struggling state utility Eskom's debt in a staggered manner to avoid a spike in the country's debt-to-GDP ratio, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said on Thursday, 12 January.

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana speaks during his medium term budget policy statement in Cape Town. 2022. Source: Reuters/Esa Alexander

Eskom has been mired in financial crisis for years and is dependent on government bailouts. It is currently implementing some of the worst power cuts on record, a major source of public frustration with the governing African National Congress (ANC).

The National Treasury said at October's mid-term budget that it could take on between one-third and two-thirds of Eskom's R400bn debt to try to make the company financially viable.

"Whatever tranche (of Eskom debt that is taken on) must keep us at a stabilised debt to GDP (level)," he said in a Reuters interview after a meeting with the country's delegation to the World Economic Forum that kicks off in Davos next week.

The minister earlier told the delegation that an "appropriate announcement" on Eskom would be made in February, when he will present the 2023 budget.

"We want to resolve the Eskom issue soon, part of that is to make sure (it has) a healthy balance sheet," Godongwana said, adding that without electricity, the country's policy plans were useless.

Independence of central bank

Godongwana said the South African government was committed to the independence of the central bank, after an ANC conference last week resolved to expand the mandate of the bank to explicitly include job creation alongside price stability.

"(The ANC resolution) does not say its independence must be eroded," said Godongwana.

ANC officials have for years toyed with the idea of broadening the South African Reserve Bank's mandate, unnerving investors as the bank has a strong reputation for acting independently.

Altering the central bank's mandate would involve changing the Constitution, something that requires the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in the parliament.

The ANC only has about 58% of seats in the National Assembly, so it would need the backing of opposition members to do so.
2022 hit us with a flurry of buzzwords. Metaverse, NFTs, Web3, XR, 6G, and plenty more. Problem is, they don't mean much to most South African companies, who are simply trying to run their businesses more effectively, more securely and with minimal downtime. They want to cut costs and automate processes, not open a new virtual mall.

Esti Kilian, Itec SA head of product | image supplied

We see four tech trends impacting local businesses in the coming year, and none of them demand a virtual headset, yet.

1. New energy solutions and sustainability

Most South African businesses battle to ensure energy security for their operations in the face of ongoing load shedding. Often, they simply invest in backup power or alternative energy solutions without first knowing exactly how much energy they use and optimising that energy usage.

In 2023, were going to see a steady move towards sustainable power management. In this approach, businesses get total transparency into their operations, and integrate a range of energy-saving measures into their buildings, hardware, and processes, as part of a journey towards ensuring energy security and becoming sustainable green businesses. Its not just about working towards a net-zero target by 2050: its about making smarter business decisions.

2. Datafication and AI

We live in a world where were steadily transforming everything in our lives into data, using smart devices and software. Were increasingly able to automate human chores and tasks through data-driven technology. Whether thats our coffee machines at home, our smartphones, industrial machines, office applications or AI-powered appliances, data is core to how we live and work.

This brings with it untold new opportunities for South African businesses. Increasingly, companies are using AI to analyse customer behaviour and interactions to help predict demand for products and services. Theyre making better decisions about resource utilisation and supply chain dynamics. Theyre driving revenues and creating personalised experiences. Theyre even using low or no-code AI, with easy drag-and-drop interfaces, to create more intelligent processes, products and services.

3. Cybersecurity and digital trust

This is one trend thats top of mind for practically every business of every size  and its not going to go away any time soon. Like the rest of the world, South African businesses are under siege.

According to Kaspersky, ransomware attacks doubled in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021. Mimecasts State of Email Security 2022 report found that more than three out of every four SA organisations are receiving an increased number of email-based threats, with two-thirds saying theyre bracing for the fallout from an email-borne attack. Ransomware continues to plague public and private institutions.

While Cloud, IoT and hybrid working have created a real transformation opportunity for businesses, theyre increasingly having to grapple with the challenges detecting risks in real-time while providing the flexibility and the security needed to connect users to business applications and building digital trust. And you dont just have a network and laptop to protect anymore: every device you link to a network is hackable.

4. The rise of industry cloud platforms

In recent years, weve become accustomed to anything as a service (xaas) in the technology industry: software (saas), platforms (paas), and infrastructure (iaas). For many verticals, though, these as a service offering have often been frustratingly generic, and unable to solve their most pressing business challenges.

Thats changing. In 2023, were going to see a boom in industry cloud platforms, which will create real value for companies by offering specific industry solutions that talk to direct business needs and help businesses adapt in a world of volatility and disruption. The world of digital business is here. Now its up to us to seize it.
For many South African small businesses, 2022 has been a year of unprecedented change, as businesses and consumers adapt to life after the worst of Covid-19.

David Morobe, executive general manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited

As you prepare for the year ahead, says David Morobe, executive general manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, consider following these four tips to finish 2022 on a constructive note, so that youre ready to face 2023 with renewed determination.

1. Hone in on CX

In the post-pandemic world, good customer service can make or break your business, due to the hyper-competitive nature of the current small and medium enterprise (SME) landscape. Customer experience (or CX, as it has become known) has therefore been identified as one of the key ways that SMEs can set themselves apart in todays marketplace

Take this time to examine whether your CX is optimised in a way that nurtures a sale, from the beginning to the end of the sales journey, and that you make a lasting impression, says Morobe. When customers have a positive experience, they will be more likely to provide your business with a positive review, share their experience with others and return for a repeat sale. The cost of upselling to an existing customer is significantly less than onboarding a new one, so focus on building a loyal customer base in the years to come.

2. Look back

The end of the year presents the perfect opportunity to do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis on your small business. A Swot analysis is one of the oldest and most tried-and-tested methods of taking stock.

It will involve you mapping out the aspects of your business that work to your advantage  your strengths; this could be a unique product offering, exceptional after-sales service or an effective loyalty programme. Weaknesses will be anything that is currently standing in the way of your growth and could include factors such as an inefficient sales or invoicing process, outdated digital systems or poor team spirit.

Opportunities are external factors and can include any gap in the market or well-timed marketing tactic that you could take proactively to grow your business, explains Morobe. Threats are also regarded as external factors and will include any aspects that may be standing in the way of expanding your business. These could include more stringent regulations, rising material costs, changing consumer demands.

3. Look forward

One of the best ways you can gain the competitive edge in your market is to keep your finger on the pulse of latest developments. Before you end off the year, take time to research the emerging trends that are shaping the future of your sector.

In the retail industry for example, more small businesses are finding ways to adapt to the global call for sustainable production and distribution. With changing consumer demands, ensuring that your operations are cleaner and greener, may very well be what you need to get ahead of your competitors in the new year. This trend can also be applied to the manufacturing sector.

Another one of the most prominent trends in retail has been the move towards more efficiency and accessibility in the mobile payments space, says Morobe. 2023 may be the year that it makes sense for you to invest in a payment app, a digital wallet system, a buy-now-pay-later option or a QR code payment system to add a new level of convenience to your offering, with the main aim of keeping your cashflow looking healthy.

4. Review your business plan

One of the first things youll need to master as an entrepreneur is how to write a detailed business plan. You may do this to keep written detail of future plans, onboard a business partner, apply for business funding or pitch your idea to a potential investor. But your business plan shouldnt be left to stagnate once youve achieved your end goal.

As you wind down operations at the end of the year, look back at your business plan and review your strategy and goals  assess whether your forecasting has been accurate, make adjustments for market fluctuations, find ways to maximise your bottom-line and keep an eye out for any over-spending, concludes Morobe.




Hong Kong: Free vaccination scheme adjusted

The Government announced today that free COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be offered to non-Hong Kong residents under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme from January 16.

The move was made after considering the recent increase in the demand of Hong Kong residents for COVID-19 vaccination, and the gradual rollout of self-paid vaccination services by private healthcare organisations.

The adjusted arrangement was made to ensure that Hong Kong residents are accorded priority in the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines under the programme and healthcare resources are utilised prudently, the Government added.

As for individual non-Hong Kong residents, if they have received vaccines under the Government Vaccination Programme or hold an appointment registration under the Government Vaccination Programme before January 16, and have met the staying requirement, they will be required to present the relevant vaccination or appointment records when making an appointment and visiting the vaccination site for vaccination.

The staying requirement generally refers to the permitted limit of stay in Hong Kong as stated on the landing slips or extension of stay labels issued by the Immigration Department. The limit of stay must be no less than 30 days counting from the day of receiving the additional COVID-19 dose.

Those individual non-Hong Kong residents will only be arranged to receive vaccination after the relevant records have been verified.

Meanwhile, private healthcare organisations have been offering self-paid Comirnaty bivalent vaccination service since early January. Non-Hong Kong residents may receive COVID-19 vaccination service from local private doctors, clinics and hospitals which provide the self-paid service.

The Government stressed that it has all along been its policy objective to ensure a sufficient supply of vaccines for Hong Kong residents and the Government has procured sufficient vaccines for use under the Government Vaccination Programme.

Additionally, self-paid vaccination service provided by private healthcare organisations will not affect the supply of vaccines under the Government Vaccination Programme.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China's easing of COVID-19 restrictions reignites hope among Ugandan business community

Xinhua) 11:17, January 12, 2023

KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's easing of COVID-19 restrictions for international travelers has reignited hope among the Ugandan business community, which has argued that trade is going to boom after a three-year lull.

Starting Jan. 8, China canceled nucleic acid tests for international travelers after their arrival in China, even though inbound travelers to China are advised to take a PCR test within 48 hours before their departure.

Issa Sekito, the spokesperson for the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), told Xinhua in an interview Tuesday that the optimization of travel restrictions by China is going to enable Ugandan traders to go physically and import goods from China.

"As traders in Uganda we laud the Chinese government for lifting the quarantine for overseas people and even allowing our traders to physically import their goods, which will result in booming business for the two countries," Sekito said.

He said most of the traders made losses due to limited online orders and deliveries, adding that face-to-face trade is important to business people because they can order what they want instead of entirely depending on online trade.

"Already our traders are excited to go physically and import goods from China. They have been going through a lot of hurdles in terms of ordering online for the goods," he said.

Sekito said KACITA has always carried out sensitization to traders to ensure that before they travel overseas, they received all two doses of COVID-19 vaccines plus a booster.

He said traders are adhering to the government's anti-COVID direction, such as getting vaccinated.

Edith Nabatta, a trader who imports from China, told Xinhua by telephone that business is going to boom following the easing of travel restrictions to China.

Nabatta said she has been importing goods from China through online orders but sometimes her goods could be delayed and this affected her business. "Most of the small traders who buy goods we import from China expect us to be doing delivery after two weeks. But doing it online always took time. Now I am going to travel and make orders physically on the goods."

She said the restrictions had slowed down business, noting that the lifting of the protocols would bring business back to normal.

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong in an article published on Jan. 6 said the COVID-19 situation in China was generally stable and controllable.

"That is why the Chinese government has announced that starting Jan. 8, COVID-19 will be managed with measures against class B instead of the more serious class A infectious disease, in accordance with the law," Zhang said. "For visitors to China, no COVID test will be mandatory upon arrival and no centralized quarantine will be required."

Scrapping of the restrictions comes at the right time for Uganda. Effective Dec. 1, 2022, the country started enjoying zero tariff treatment for 98 percent of taxable items to China, according to the Chinese embassy. The tariff waiver was part of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Senegal in 2021, according to Zhang.

He said the Chinese embassy is willing to help the Ugandan business community to meet the market requirement and specifications.

The trade volume between the two countries in 2021 amounted to 1.07 billion U.S. dollars, registering a 28.5 percent increase year on year, against the shock waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Chinese embassy figures.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Connecticut Democrats and anti-hunger advocates are pressing state leaders to pass emergency legislation that would appropriate millions of state dollars to fund free meals for all Connecticut public school students through the end of the academic year.

Representatives and legislative supporters of the School Meals 4 All CT coalition in Hartford Thursday said that schools would need about $35 to $50 million to resume free breakfast and lunch programs in their cafeterias.

State Sens. Saud Anwar and Ceci Meher said that House and Senate leaders are in talks to issue an emergency certification to temporarily reinstate no-cost meals while the Connecticut General Assembly works to pass legislation to provide permanent funding for a state-wide free meal program later this session.

We cant afford to wait, Anwar said. A lot of our children in our state are hungry. They cannot learn, they cannot be well, and we cannot just stand by.

Democratic legislators have introduced at least three bills this session that call for free, universal school meals. If one passes, Connecticut would be the fourth state in the union to enact such legislation.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, California, Maine and Colorado have already established permanent, state-funded free meal programs. Massachusetts, Vermont and Nevada have funded universal meals for the entirety of the 2022-2023 academic year, and campaigns in nine additional states, including Connecticut, are fighting for permanent policy.

Jennifer Bove Nutrition Services Director, East Hampton Public Schools speaking about the need to fund school lunch programs in Connecticut.

Anwar said that he does not see free school meals as a partisan issue and that every Democratic colleague he has spoken to has been on-board with the concept.

As for critics who argue that districts in Connecticuts wealthiest zip codes dont need the states money, Anwar said that they are not not recognizing the fact[s].

We have our perceptions about communities, but within every community there are people who are struggling. I dont want us as a society to start to judge people based on where they live, because struggles are something and financial challenges are something that are unfortunately somewhat equal opportunity, Anwar said.

House Minority Leader Rep. Vincent Candelora said he is not opposed to universal school meals program, but the legislature will need to consider long term affordability within the state budget.

I think theres a conversation about equalizing the program statewide, Candelora said. I think we need to bifurcate it. I think we need to look at the short term but also take a look at the long term in the budget process and the sustainability of being able to afford a program like this going forward on a statewide basis. Because typically these programs have been tied to need. And whats happened now is anybody at any level of income could avail themselves of a free and reduced program.

Candelora said there should be a broader conversation about whether the state should go in the direction of offering free meals to those who can afford to buy it. At the same time, he recognized how offering free lunch to all can eliminate the stigma felt by students receiving free and reduced-price meals.

Candeloras main concern is the final price tag.

Right now its at a $30 million program, but thats not at 100% participation, Candelora said. If every district is partaking in it, its not [going to be] $30 millionwe have roughly 500,000 students in our educational system.

Lucy Nolan, the policy director at End Hunger CT! said that if districts offer free books, transportation and technology, free meals should also be a priority.

It affects all kids no matter their income level. [Free meals] level out the playing field and it creates a better culture at the school, Nolan said. If were putting money into education and we dont fund meals, were wasting the money that we put in.

During the pandemic, the federal waivers provided free breakfast and lunch for all students.

When the national program ended in June 2022, the state allocated $30 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to the School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition fund, which aimed to help families transition back to paid meals with temporary free assistance at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Now, those funds have run dry and only students who attend school in one of Connecticuts 55 Community Eligibility Provision districts, or individually meet the U.S. Department of Agricultures Child Nutrition Program threshold, can access free meals.

In order to qualify for the federal free breakfast and lunch program, a family of four needs a pre-tax income of less than $36,075. Meals at a reduced price of 30 to 40 cents kick in once a family of four makes less than $51,338. But these benefits are not automatic, families must apply, and many school nutrition coordinators say the government guidelines do not meet the needs of their hungry students.

For Hadley Hamilton-Moras, a fifth grader at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford, the impact hit her lunch table immediately.

When school meals were free in West Hartford, all of my friends ate lunch every day. Since free meals stopped, I have friends who dont eat lunch because they dont have food at home and dont have money to buy it, Hadley said.

Hadley Hamilton-Moras, a fifth grader at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford, speaks to reporters about students need for free meals at a press conference for the School Meals 4 All CT coalition, in Hartford on Thursday. Hamilton-Moras said her friends who dont have food at home also lack money to buy meals from the cafeteria.

When her friends show up to school without food, Hadley said shell buy them a snack from the cafeteria. The elementary school student is keenly aware that her act of kindness is often the only help her classmates receive.

Ill see my friends without food and its just not right, Hadley said. Its not fair that certain people get food and other people dont.

Food equity

Dr. Molly Markowitz, chair of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Committee and a doctor at Yale Pediatrics and Fair Haven Community Health Center, said that food insecurity is a harsh reality for her patients.

I was talking with a mother about ways to improve her 10-year-old sons health because he had just been diagnosed with pre-diabetes and high cholesterol, Markowitz said. The mother then shared with me that she has been doing her best to cook healthier meals at home because shes very stressed and worried about his health. However, due to financial challenges, shes not always able to afford to buy the food that she needs.

She noted that hunger does not impact all families equally.

Due to historical, structural, societal inequities, Black and brown children in Connecticut and across the U.S. are more likely to experience food insecurity and not have access to healthy food, Markowitz said. Any policy decisions regarding school meals must address this reality in order to combat inequities.

She said that nutritious food is vital to improving health outcomes for Connecticuts children and their parents, who are at risk of developing depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges due to the chronic stress that accompanies hunger.

Children who are food insecure are more likely to become ill, develop chronic diseases and have nutritional deficiencies, Markowitz said. They are also more likely to become hospitalized and have increased medical costs. Children who experience hunger have impaired learning in school are at increased risk of developmental delays and are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral challenges.

Hunger reality

Jennifer Bove, East Hamptons director of nutrition services, said that she sees the effects of hunger trickle into the classroom, ever since her district had to stop providing free meals on Dec. 1.

She shared the story of one student whose family applied, but did not qualify for the federal meal program. The boy splits his peanut butter and jelly sandwich between snack and lunch time, and often ends up acting up and landing in the principals office for lunch.

My assistant principal [said], I cant talk to him about his behavior problems. Hes hungry. Its not a behavior issue, its a hunger issue, Bove said.

Other students have started going to the nurses office for hunger and a snack.

She said that her schools have started a sharing is caring bowl with sealed, non-refrigerated items to help hungry students and reduce food waste, but Bove said its not a sustainable option.

Bove said East Hampton has received five times the number of free meal applications as it did pre pandemic, but more than 50% of those who apply are denied.

She said her program is losing money due to a 60% decrease in student breakfast participation and a 45% decrease in lunch participation.

Whats most disturbing about this is that among free and reduced students, we had a 27% decrease in participation, Bove said. That means that 27% of our students who have a documented food insecurity are not eating with us right now. When full pay students stop eating, school lunch free and reduced students stop too because of the fear of stigma.

Jennifer Bove Nutrition Services Director, East Hampton Public Schools speaking about the need to fund school lunch programs in Connecticut.

The declining participation also means that Boves kitchens are overstaffed.

Im struggling for ways to not have to cut my staff hours, Bove said. These are women who literally put their life on the line during the pandemic seven days a week to feed children, and now theyre facing a cut in hours and most of them cant afford it.

Bove said the end of free meals has left her feeling heartbroken and helpless.

Im frustrated that when I talk to parents who just wanna feed their children that theres nothing I can do to help them, and Im frustrated that so many lawmakers in our country dont see feeding children as a priority, Bove said. I told my husband the first night I came home that if lawmakers had to take the calls that I had to take that day, they would reinstate funding for this immediately.

Alison Cross can be reached at across@courant.com.
Lisa Marie Presley was hospitalized Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, just two days after she attended the Golden Globes with her mother Priscilla Presley and the Elvis movie team.

Paramedics performed CPR on Presley, 54, at her home and were able to regain her pulse before rushing her to a hospital, according to TMZ, which first reported the news. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department confirmed to Variety that officers responded to an incident involving a woman in her 50s being down in the 5900 block of Normandy Drive in the city of Calabasas. She was then transported to a local hospital for further care.

My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital. She is now receiving the best care. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world, and ask for privacy during this time, her mother, Priscilla Presley, wrote on Facebook.

Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley walked the Golden Globes carpet and were at the Elvis table Tuesday night to see Austin Butler win the Golden Globe for best lead actor in a drama. Butler thanked the two women during his emotional acceptance speech.

I also want to thank our incredible producers and Warner Bros. and the Presley family. Thank you, guys. Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me. Lisa Marie and Priscilla, I love you forever, Butler said, before joking that the Golden Globes pianist shouldve been playing Elvis Suspicious Minds while cutting his speech off. And lastly, Elvis Presley himself. You were an icon and a rebel and I love you so much. You are remembered, and I will never forget.

She also attended a party for Elvis the night before the Golden Globes at the Formosa in Hollywood with Butler and her daughter Riley Keough.

Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis only child, ran Elvis Presley Enterprises, which had been estimated at a value of $100 million. In 2005, she sold the majority of the estates business shares to Industrial Media, but retained control of Graceland, her fathers estate.

She released three studio albums in the 2000s and early 2010s, and is the mother of actor Riley Keough, who has starred in films like Zola, The Devil All the Time and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Her son Benjamin Keough died in 2020 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In addition to Riley Keough, Presley has twin girls, Finley and Harper, with her ex-husband Michael Lockwood. Before Lockwood, she was married for less than four months to Nicolas Cage, for two years to Michael Jackson and before that to musician Danny Keough.

Sources told TMZ that Danny Keough has been living with Presley and administered CPR before paramedics arrived.
Australias newest low-cost carrier Bonza has finally secured its approval to fly, 15 months after it launched its business.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted the fledgling airline its long-awaited Air Operator Certificate on Thursday. The carrier is expected to commence services from the Sunshine Coast within weeks. Its planned flight network covers 17 destinations and 27 routes including Albury, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and the Whitsunday Coast.

The airlines chief executive, Tim Jordan, said the approval was historic, and doubled down on the airlines promise to deliver low-cost airfares and unique route strategy.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan. Credit: Lindsay Moller

The excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable and the timing couldnt be better. We believe that if youre flying for about an hour your fare should be from $50. Clearly there are upward pressures on the industry, but there are also rising cost of living pressures, Jordan said.
Billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has taken a swipe at his former business partner and rival billionaire Andrew Forrest over the collapsed $35 billion Sun Cable project amid suggestions a number of new local and international investors could be sizing up the business.

In a statement on Thursday, Cannon-Brookes personal investment fund Grok said it was committed to the project and would be willing to work alongside a consortium of constructive new investors to rebuild Sun Cable after a spat between the two high-profile businessmen led to the companys collapse earlier this week.

Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest have fallen out over the Sun Cable solar power transmission project. Credit: Bloomberg, David Frish

We have made it clear in our statements that we remain committed to the company. If there is an opportunity to remain invested alongside a consortium with constructive partners it is something we would certainly consider, the spokesperson said.

Sun Cable was placed into voluntary administration this week after Forrest and fellow shareholder Cannon-Brookes were unable to agree on new funding terms to prop up the ailing business which had reportedly been bleeding cash for a number of months.
As Australians of all ages, shapes and sizes kickstart their annual fitness resolutions (again), for those whove chosen a career in the fitness industry, the satisfaction of helping clients is a year-round proposition.

When Aleksandra Boltadzija, a personal trainer from south-west Sydney, made the switch to fitness after 15 years in the disability sector, her goal was to turn a hobby into a career.

Aleksandra Boltadzija works out with a client, Jacob.

Given that she was also passionate about supporting people with a disability with life and work skills, Boltadzija decided to combine the two through SESA Fitness, a personal training business for people with a disability.

Every program is individualised based on a persons disability, health history and goals. [Plus], every session is different based on the persons health status that week, Boltadzija says.
A handful of big international art fairs are obligatory annual destinations for the worlds major collectors. Only among the second-tier fairs is there real competition, as cities compete to attract wealthy art tourists seeking something a bit different.

All these fairs dream of getting the worlds uber-galleries to participate, but the real interest lies with the local product. One can find the same high-priced, big-name artists in Basel, Miami or Hong Kong, but collectors who travel to Australia or New Zealand are willing to explore new fields, make discoveries and pick up a few bargains.

The Aotearoa Art Fair in Auckland makes a virtue of its smallness and originality. In the harbourside convention centre known as The Cloud, one finds no more than 41 galleries, mostly arranged on either side of a long corridor, with a group of emerging galleries clustered upstairs. Even the special projects section, curated by Micheal Do, is deliberately off-beat, showing conceptually based installations not affiliated with participating galleries.

Geometrical abstractions by New York artist Peter Halley.

The roll call of participating dealers is almost exclusively kiwi, allowing for a few adventurous Aussies, such as MARS gallery from Melbourne, who were showing photographs by rising star, Atong Atem; and Yavuz, with galleries in Sydney and Singapore, who showcased new paintings by Guido Maestri.
The state Supreme Court has, in its own words, ducked a ruling on the legality and health implications of the governments controversial pandemic school mask mandate, concluding in a ruling issued Thursday afternoon that since the mandate has been lifted, the issue is moot.

Our conclusion that this appeal has become moot may be viewed as anticlimactic given the passions brought to the public controversy that led to what was once a live, legal dispute, as well as the resources devoted to prosecuting and defending this action, Justice Gregory T. DAuria wrote for a unanimous court. Disappointment in this outcome can lead to claims that the court is ducking important issues.

Less cynically, the opinion continues, the plaintiffs counsel in the present case implores us to recognize that there is a need for us to police the proper boundaries of constitutional power among the branches of government. Notwithstanding these understandable sentiments, we are resolved to resist the temptation to opine on issues concerning the emergency powers of another branch of government when the need for our opinion has passed.

The challenge to the mask mandate promulgated by the state Department of Education and Gov. Ned Lamont is the last and arguably most significant of multiple state and federal legal challenges to the state governments emergency public health orders that restricted activity and shut down business at the height of the coronavirus outbreak.

Previous challenges, most involving government business closures, have been resolved in the states favor.

The court set the tone for pandemic rules in its 2020 Casey decision in which it dismissed a challenge by a Milford tavern owner forced to close by pandemic order. The court said in another unanimous opinion that the Covid-19 contagion is a serious disaster under state law and Lamonts decision to respond by suspending laws and regulations fell within the Constitutional authority of his office and was not an infringement on the powers of the Legislature as some have contended.

The mask challenge was brought by the Connecticut Freedom Alliance, a 2,100-member group of state residents, many of whom are parents of school-aged children.

The Alliance challenged mandatory school masking on four grounds, three of which questioned the legality of how the emergency pandemic orders were issued and whether the legislature unconstitutionally delegated its oversight authority to the governor by routinely extending his emergency powers.

On the enforced wearing of masks by school children, the Alliance argued that the state failed to recognize evidence that masks were unnecessary and in fact harmful to children. Lamont and then state education commissioner Miguel A. Cardona ordered the wearing of masks in June 2020 for the following school year.

Not surprisingly, feelings have run most passionately when the controversy has involved children, the Supreme Court said. As has been the case elsewhere in the nation, impassioned debate broke out throughout our state regarding whether schoolchildren should have to wear masks in school.

Norm Pattis, who sued on behalf of the Alliance, said he was disappointed in the courts decision not to address substantive legal arguments in the mask controversy.

This is moot only as to yesterdays crisis Pattis said. But there will be other crises to come. It is capable of reoccurring; indeed, the governor still asserts emergency powers. This evasion of the issue is disappointing.

Pattis, who was suspended a week ago from practicing law for six months for disclosing medical records to other lawyers in the Alex Jones Sandy Hook defamation trial last year, said he was speaking as a private citizen without an active law license in the state of Connecticut.

Pattis and the Alliance tried, but failed, to persuade the court that the debate over the school masking requirement remained an unresolved legal controversy in spite of the fact that the mandate was removed. Among their arguments was the claim that such emergency measures could be enforced again in a COVID-19 recurrence or some other public health emergency.

The court said there is no reasonable likelihood that the government measures of which the Alliance complained would be repeated in subsequent emergencies.

Once again, it is entirely speculative that the state, the nation, or the world will experience another pandemic of the same extended nature or that a governor will employ the same procedure in a future emergency, the court said.

Elsewhere in its decision, the court said, Especially in light of legal challenges to actions the governor undertook during this pandemic, the General Assembly now has the knowledge and experience to determine whether to validate or nullify executive orders that might be issued in a hypothetical future emergency of the same magnitude or length.
In his book Shots, Don Walker tells a great story about Jeff Beck playing pinball at the Bondi Lifesaver in the summer of 1977.

Sometime after midnight, fresh from torching some stage across town, the British guitar god slips into the public bar and starts thrashing the machine in the corner under the forbidding fringe of his 60s mod haircut.

He hunts alone, no entourage, acknowledges nobody and in time leaves alone too, the Cold Chisel songwriter observes from a respectful distance. Those words and that image feel like a poetic epitaph as the lone wolf electric guitar maestro makes his shock final exit this week, aged 78, after a sudden onset of bacterial meningitis.

British guitarist Jeff Beck performs in Switzerland in 2007. Credit: Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP

Ive just had a kiss of fame on the cheek and thats it, Beck told me on his next tour of Australia, a full three decades later. I wouldnt have had it any other way, really. The anonymity is not a bad thing.
Australia to sign new security pact with Papua New Guinea

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An e-scooter that caught fire at a home in Brisbanes south-west has led to five people being taken to hospital.

Emergency services were called to the home on Sigiriya Street at Darra just before 4am on Thursday.

The e-scooter caught fire in a Brisbane home. Credit: Nine News

Three firefighting crews attended the scene where they removed the e-scooter from the home and extinguished the blaze.

They then continued to ventilate the home.
The chief human resources manager at one of Queenslands leading hospitality groups could be referred to the Australian Federal Police, after the Fair Work Commission found he deliberately falsified a document.

Mantle HR chief Darren Latham.

The commission on Thursday ruled to quash an agreement made by the Mantle Group, which has been embroiled in a battle with the United Workers Union over an agreement that threw out workers penalty rates, affecting up to 700 employees across several pubs and restaurants.

Mantle Group said it would apply to have all decisions made by the commission overturned, because of bias.

Darren Latham, who heads Mantle Groups human resources, has been found by the FWC to have falsified a document in relation to the new pay deal, having previously refused to answer questions about his role in the making of the agreement, claiming self-incrimination.
A man who allegedly kidnapped his son and threatened a woman at gunpoint has been arrested in north Queensland.

Police alleged the 29-year-old Townsville man was armed with a weapon when he allegedly assaulted the woman before taking the toddler from the house about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Police swarmed the area, intercepting the mans vehicle to rescue the child unharmed.

A knife and a baseball bat were found in the car, and officers later seized a firearm from the mans home.

The woman was transported to Townsville University Hospital for assessment.
A man has been charged after a mum pushing her childs pram through a busy park in Melbournes east was allegedly sexually assaulted. A 22-year-old Doncaster East man handed himself in to police after an image was released of a man wanted in relation to the incident. He was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual assault on Thursday evening. Police allege the man approached the woman in Halliday Park on Mitcham Road and asked for a photograph of himself, a joint selfie and started forcibly kissing her about 4.30pm on January 6.

Its alleged the man chased her through the park before he allegedly assaulted her a second time. The young mother was able to get away from him, but he then followed her for about 200 metres, ran up to her again and grabbed her again and started kissing her again, Detective Senior Sergeant Rachele Ciavarella said. The woman was able to free herself after the second attack and raise the alarm. The alleged perpetrator is believed to have headed north as he walked away. At that point she did contact ... her partner to come and get her. She felt extremely unsafe. She felt that his behaviour may escalate, Ciavarella said. The man has been bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on August 11.
White supremacist Thomas Sewell has been handed an 18-month community correction order after being found guilty of assaulting a Channel Nine security guard, who was also racially abused during the attack.

Despite narrowly avoiding a custodial sentence, Sewell accused the judiciary of corruption outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, before declaring Australia for the white man and flashing a Sieg heil salute.

Magistrate Stephen Ballek said he could not be persuaded beyond reasonable doubt that the sickening attack outside Channel Nines Docklands headquarters was racially motivated or constituted a hate crime.

Thomas Sewell outside Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday. Credit: The Age

Ballek convicted Sewell of affray and recklessly causing injury, before handing down a community correction order and ordering him to serve 150 hours of community service.
VietJet to start flying to Melbourne Airport

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Port Moresby: Australia will sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea by June, as the two countries agree to move more quickly to push back on Chinas regional ambitions and address entrenched law-and-order struggles facing the Pacific nation.

On the first day of a landmark visit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterpart James Marape signed a joint statement promising negotiations on the bilateral security agreement would wrap up by April 30, with the new pact due to come into force by the middle of the year.



The treaty will follow similar Pacific agreements, including one signed with Vanuatu in December, and comes as China seeks to control sensitive infrastructure projects in PNG. Beijing is funding a new military hospital at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby, prompting fears it could establish a military presence to Australias immediate north.

A joint statement said the new agreement would enable both countries to protect and enhance their independence, sovereignty and resilience, while also addressing non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity threats, and economic coercion.
Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami says democracies such as Australia must not allow China to dominate the Asia-Pacific, warning the carnage in Ukraine could be repeated if Beijing attempted to seize control of the self-governing island of Taiwan.

Yamagami said the prospect of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan was a serious concern to Japan, which has dramatically increased defence spending and deepened ties with the United States and Australia to counter Beijings rapid military build-up.

Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami welcomed Chinas recent efforts to restore high-level diplomacy with Australia but urged Beijing to change its behaviour as well as its rhetoric. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

We live in a tough neighbourhood and we need to be prepared, Yamagami said in an interview with this masthead last month.

We have to make sure nobody feels the temptation to resort to acts of adventurism. We have to make sure our counterpart will not underestimate our will and will not overestimate their prowess.
Can bosses censor private political speech by their employees?

A jury in Hartford could get the question later this year after a federal court cleared the way for the trial of a lawsuit by a Connecticut woman who was fired from her job after posting a political meme on social media that her employer decided could be considered by some to be inappropriate or offensive.

The meme, or cartoon posted by Candice Mumma, a remotely employed personnel recruiter for a national veterinary business, featured eight photographs of people in the news beneath the headline No Wonder Liberals Are So Confused.

Beneath each of the photos was a word: Rachel Doleza  Black; Elizabeth Warren  Indian; Caitlyn Jenner  Woman; Al Sharpton  Reverend; Al Gore  Scientist; George Stephanopoulos  Journalist; Barack Obama  Presidential; and Bill Clinton  Husband.

Mumma posted the meme on her personal Facebook page in June 2020. Two days later she was summoned to a video conference with supervisors, who told her that some of her remote co-workers were offended and that, as a corporate recruiter, she needed to reflect the corporations views on diversity.

Three days after posting the meme  and after refusing a request by the company to make her personal Facebook page private  Mumma was fired.

She sued her employer, the Texas-based veterinary business now called Thrive Pet Healthcare!, claiming her termination amounts to infringement of her free speech rights. The veterinary companies succeeded in winning dismissal of much of the suit. But U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Farrish refused to dismiss Mummas principal argument  that her termination violated a nationally unique Connecticut law that protects free speech rights of employees of private businesses so long as their speech does not disrupt the business.

Farrishs ruling means that, short of a settlement, a jury will decide why Mumma was fired. Did her bosses simply dislike what they saw of her politics? Or was there reason to believe that a political statement made outside of work on her own time could disrupt her relationships with co-workers or the operation of the veterinary business?

Mumma argues that her Facebook post was sincerely held, concerned subjects of the national political debate, was neither offensive nor disruptive and had nothing to do with her job. Whats more, her lawyer said her suit should serve as a brake on a business culture that has shown a tendency to restrict speech.

I think this case is important for a lot of the reasons weve been hearing about in all these different, whatever you want to call them, cancel culture, terminations, firings across the country, Mummas lawyer, Theodore Heiser said. Im very much a proponent of the belief that people should be able to express themselves on social, political subjects without the danger of their employer taking action against them.

There should be limits, but you should be free to exercise your constitutional rights without worrying about losing your job  particularly when what you are saying is being said outside of work and is unrelated to work and not having any impact on work other than some of your coworkers might not like what you said.

Lawyers for Mummas former employer declined to discuss the case. A spokesman for Thrive said the company has won a number of pretrial rulings and if the case goes to trial, a jury will be permitted to consider the evidence and resolve any issues of fact.

According to Farrishs decision and other public court filings, Mumma describes herself as a politically conservative Christian. Her supervisors said she was an outstanding employee. One said she was very enthusiastic about  building positive cultures within our teams, and so she was happy to contribute to any of the  campaigns and the efforts we put in place to promote a positive workplace.

Not long after being hired in 2018, she got a $1,000 bonus for going above and beyond.

Mumma said in deposition testimony that making political comments on social media was common practice among her colleagues, including Shawn McVey, one of the business founders. She said co-workers regularly posted and shared politically liberal social media messages, leading her to think she was free to express opinions as well.

Dr. Christina Moore, Mummas first supervisor, testified in her deposition  parts of which are reproduced in Farrishs decision  that when she saw Mummas meme she had some concerns because she could see how people would find it offensive. She was particularly concerned about the Jenner and Warren panels in the meme, because she regarded them as potentially very offensive to protected classes of people.

Moore said use of Indian rather than Native American can be taken offensively, but she was more concerned that the goal of this meme was to question how people identify themselves. Regarding the Jenner photo, Moore said she found it personally offensive to question how a transgender person chooses to identify themselves.

Moore called Human Resources and spoke with the companys vice president for People Operations Partners.

In the meantime, Moore said Mummas coworkers had complained that her meme was offensive, hateful and derogatory, a harmful or hurtful post, as well as hateful, intolerant and anti-inclusive, specifically to our transgendered community. Moore said she became concerned that members of the team would be unable to work with Mumma, but conceded in her deposition that none of them said so directly.

When Mumma was summoned to a video conference two days after her posting, higher ups in the business explained to her why the meme had some content that can be seen as offensive.

She was told, according to the court record, that the word Indian can be seen as a negative term, even though the company owned a veterinary hospital called the Thrive Indian Land Hospital. And it was explained that putting woman beneath Jenners photograph implied that she could not be considered a woman, which could show intolerance of the transgender community.

Mumma also was told she was in a very visible role as a recruiter in which we need to be aware of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that her post of the meme  which is on a public Facebook page open to everyone  could be seen by potential candidates and in fact was seen by several employees who became upset by this content.

Asked to consider making her Facebook private, Mumma said she would not.

She was let go the following day and the corporate officers responsible had different explanations, according to Farrishs decision.

One said Mumma was fired for her Facebook posting because the Warren and Jenner panels of the meme did not comply with company standards and values and showed disregard for diversity, equity and inclusion. Another said simply that Mumma was fired because she posted something to social media that was offensive and derogatory towards multiple groups of people.

Mumma asserts in her suit that her termination was illegal on six legal grounds. Farrish rejected five, but ordered a trial on the sixth, which holds employers liable for damages when they fire employees for exercising Constitutional rights  provided such activity does not substantially or materially interfere with the employees bona fide job performance or the working relationship between the employee and the employer.

Jurors, if they get the case, will be asked to decide whether Mummas bosses didnt like her politics, or feared they were bad for business.

Anyone can take offense to anything, Heiser, Mummas lawyer, said. There are certainly people in the world right now I think looking for things to be offended by. I dont have any idea whether that is what happened in this case. But as far as on-line statements go, silly memes like that? It certainly wasnt physically threatening. There was no threatened harm at all.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed he wore a Nazi costume to his 21st birthday, delivering an emotional apology for what he described as a grave and terrible mistake.

In an extraordinary press conference, the 40-year-old told the media about the costume he rented and wore almost two decades ago after it was raised with him by one of his cabinet ministers.

When I was 21 at my 21st fancy dress party I wore a Nazi uniform. Im deeply ashamed of what I did, and Im truly sorry for the hurt and the pain that this will cause people right across our state and particularly the Jewish community and Holocaust survivors, he said.

At that age in my life, I just did not understand the gravity of what uniform meant ... it was just a naive thing to do  that was a terrible mistake from a 21-year-old who just had no depth or appreciation.
Pells personal secretary Father Joseph Hamilton declined to comment on Magisters report, telling media outlets he was more preoccupied by my grief. The Vatican has declined to comment. The memo said the political influence of Francis and the Vatican was negligible and that papal writings demonstrated an intellectual decline from the standard of St John Paul II and pope Benedict. Consistent with the memos contents, in a column submitted before his death to The Spectator and published on Thursday, Pell describes as a toxic nightmare Francis two-year canvassing of the Catholic laity about issues such as church teaching on sexuality and the role of women. The latter is expected to come to a head at a meeting of bishops in October. Pell also complains of a deepening confusion, the attack on traditional morals and the insertion into the dialogue of neo-Marxist jargon about exclusion, alienation, identity, marginalisation, the voiceless, LGBTQ as well as the displacement of Christian notions of forgiveness, sin, sacrifice, healing, redemption. Pope Francis and Cardinal George Pell worked closely on reforming the finances of the Vatican. Credit: Vatican News/AP

It said there had been no public support for the Catholic faithful in China who have been persecuted for more than 70 years nor public Vatican support for the Catholic community in Ukraine, especially Greek Catholics. Since the outset of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Francis had appeared reluctant to criticise Russia by name  although he eventually did in August. The memo accused one cardinal from northern Europe of being explicitly heretical on church teachings about sexuality and lamented the active persecution of traditionalist Catholics. It was particularly critical of the German Catholic Church for its push to embrace the LGBT community, ordain women priests and offer communion for the divorced. Despite Pell last year reaching the age limit of 80 for voting in a papal conclave, Vatican commentators believed he was poised to play an influential role in the selection of Francis successor if the Pope were to resign or die.

He had been dividing his time between Rome and Sydney after being exonerated in 2020 of allegations he molested two choirboys while archbishop of Melbourne. Australias High Court overturned an earlier court conviction, and Pell was freed after serving 404 days in solitary confinement. His home, near St Peters Square, had recently become a focal point for conservatives preparing their platform and his endorsement would most likely have played a significant role in choosing a consensus candidate for cardinals who shared his doctrinal commitments and concerns. Loading A divisive figure both in Australia and internationally, Pells legacy is tarnished by a royal commission finding in 2020 that he had known of children being sexually abused within the archdiocese of Ballarat in the 1970s, and that criticised him for not doing more to have paedophile priests removed from the church. While other conservatives have criticised Francis crackdown on traditionalists and his mercy-over-morals priorities, Pells alleged attacks on the Pope went further than any before, which will most likely be viewed as an extraordinary indictment of the current pontificate considering Pell was a one-time close collaborator.

The memo lashed Francis involvement in a big financial fraud investigation that has resulted in the prosecution of 10 people, including Pells one-time nemesis, Cardinal Angelo Becciu. Loading Outlining the priorities for a future pope, it read: The first tasks of the new pope will be to restore normality, restore doctrinal clarity in faith and morals, restore a proper respect for the [canon] law. A papal conclave selects new popes from the college of cardinals. The selection establishes the direction of the Catholic Church. Francis elevation to the role in 2013 marked a liberal shift after the conservative papacies of John-Paul II (1978 to 2005) and Benedict XVI (2005 to 2013).
Aboyne, Scotland: King Charles and Prince William have made their first public appearances since the release of Prince Harrys tell-all memoir and TV interviews in which he made accusations against his father and brother, and other royals.

King Charles III in Scotland. Credit: Getty

In his book Spare, Harry divulges that he had begged his father not to marry his second wife Camilla, now the Queen Consort. The book also delivered numerous other revelations, including that elder brother and heir to the throne William had knocked him over during a heated argument.

Harry also used promotional interviews to double down on his claims that some royals, including Camilla and William, and their aides had leaked damaging stories to tabloid papers about him or his American wife Meghan to protect themselves or enhance their reputations.

Charles chatted with well-wishers on Thursday (Friday AEDT) but made no immediate comment about the furore when he arrived for a visit to the Aboyne Community Shed in a village in Scotland to meet representatives involved with local support groups.
London: The British government has been warned against over-committing its military resources to the Indo-Pacific given the war in Ukraine.

The clarion call came as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a defence and security pact with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, at the Tower of London. Britain said the pact would cement the UKs commitment to Indo-Pacific security by allowing both forces to devise larger military exercises and deployments.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, centre, and Britains PM Rishi Sunak, right, walk through the Tower of London after signing a defence agreement. Credit: Bloomberg

The alarm over the UK over-extending itself to the Indo-Pacific was sounded by the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee ahead of a major review of the countrys strategic defence and foreign policies.

The government must guard against ... and remain wary of ... the risk of over-committing defence resources to the Indo-Pacific at a time when the European security environment is deteriorating, the committee warned in a report released on Thursdaycoinciding with Kishidas visit.
Brasilia: Skittish Brazilian authorities spared no effort to boost security on Wednesday in the face of a social media call for a mega-protest to retake power in two dozen cities. Whether because of preventative measures adopted or not, the supposed uprising was a dud.

Fewer than 10 protesters showed along Rio de Janeiros Copacabana beach; there were more journalists in attendance, plus 29 police vehicles. On Brasilias esplanade surrounded by federal government buildings, authorities had designated an area for protest and stationed police and national guard troops. Just one couple showed, dressed in the same Brazil soccer jerseys that thousands of rioters wore four days earlier.

Military police stand in front of the Brazilian Congress expecting a new protest announced by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in Brasilia, on Wednesday. Credit: AP

We were surprised to be the only ones here today, said Eunice Carvalho, a 58-year-old housewife joined by her husband. People got scared after the imprisonments, which were excessive.

Speaking to journalists in Brasilia earlier, the federal appointee who has assumed control of the capitals security said police were shutting down the main avenue to traffic, limiting pedestrian access with barricades and blocking all access to the square that was the site of Sundays mayhem.
As part of McGowan government's $2.4 billion investment in social housing and homelessness measures, a former hotel has been purchased for $5.15 million to provide supported accommodation services for people sleeping rough in the Perth CBD.

Recently operating as the Murray Hotel, the building at 718 Murray Street, West Perth will be leased to a community housing organisation to be transformed into supported accommodation to aid some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

The new service will provide 30 rooms to support people sleeping rough, and will mainly take in singles, and up to two to three couples, as part of a Housing First supported accommodation model.

Our government is focused on delivering a Housing First approach that is evidence-based and provides tangible long-term outcomes, Homelessness Minister John Carey said. As a Housing First-supported accommodation service, this accommodation option will provide intensive wrap-around supports to help people who are sleeping rough access appropriate, longer-term housing.

This is another major step forward in services for people experiencing homelessness in the Perth CBD and is all part of this government's $2.4 billion investment over four years to improve the quality and accessibility of social housing and homelessness measures across the state.

The tender process is now open for a community housing organisation to provide supported property and tenancy services at the site. The preferred proponent will also work with existing Housing First service providers to provide individualised case management and support.

Were now calling on community housing organisations, through a request for tender, to provide supported accommodation services and I encourage those in the sector to apply through Tenders WA, Carey said.

Have a thought on how to address homelessness in WA? Include it in the comments below.
Mortgage brokerage franchise Resolve Finance is celebrating after settling $1.5 billion in loans during 2022.

Resolve Finance, which has offices in Perth, Bunbury and Melbourne, attributes its success to its mortgage brokers, with more than 70% of them aged under 50 and a mix of female and multilingual franchisees joining the business. The franchise network achieved average annual growth of 67% over the past five years, which the company says was fuelled by strong organic growth and market conditions.

Resolve Finances managing director Don Crellin (pictured above left) said the traction created by having a diverse group of mortgage brokers was reflected in the success of the business, which featured a business model that enabled mortgage brokers to do broking their own way.

We are thrilled mortgage brokers are responding to our offer and looking to engage with us, so we can bring our fresh and energetic approach to more brokers Crellin said. This is a competitive space but not all offers are the same and its important that our profession is more representative of the diversity in the Australian population.

Crellin said since the franchise model started in 2017, Resolve has grown its network to more than 40 partners across Australia.

Our growth has been exponential as our teams efforts in the recruitment space and the evolution of our model has enabled us to have the capacity to service more customers which has become increasingly important in the current rising rate environment, he said.

Borrowers understand the importance of turning to their broker to find a product thats right for them and our franchise partners are here to help. To meet the demand, we continue to welcome the increased level of enquiry from prospective franchise partners as we grow our community of committed brokers to ensure we are sufficiently resourced to service Australian borrowers.

Resolve Finance Derrimut franchisee Niti Bhargava (pictured above right) is on a mission to educate women about the importance of looking after their finances.

Bhargava is originally from India and migrated to Australia 18 years ago. She told Australian Broker in December that she had worked in banking and finance for over 10 years, including as a banker at Commonwealth Bank.

During my career in the finance industry, I have seen an alarming gap in the knowledge of females lacking an understanding when it comes to their financial circumstances, especially those women who have relocated to Australia from countries in Southeast Asia, Bhargava said.

So, I decided three years ago when I started my own business that it was the perfect time to start giving back to my community.

Mortgage broker Chitra Suppiah joined Resolve Finance in 2022 after meeting with other large mortgage broking firms about opportunities to work with them.

She said the control and flexibility Resolve offered in terms of when and where she worked was very attractive, as was the ability to choose a market segment and align it to her own interests and values.

As a family, we are very actively involved in the community, so sponsoring sport and events that we are passionate about felt like a very natural way of getting involved in the community at a grass roots level, Suppiah said.

I feel very supported by Resolve, having access to a dedicated mentor and robust training program has enabled me to continue to grow my business and improve my service offering. But the culture is what makes Resolve unique and being part of a community of supportive and like-minded professionals has been great.

What do you think of Resolve Finances success in 2022? Let us know in the comments below.
With Connecticut residents suffering from soaring fuel costs, the Lamont administration presented a new energy plan Wednesday morning that seeks to supply the state with Canadian hydroelectric power and offer immediate payment assistance to low-income customers.

Gov. Ned Lamont, alongside U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, state legislators and commissioners from Connecticuts Departments of Social Services and Energy and Environmental Protection, put forth several short- and long-term changes to the states energy system, including a potential opportunity to tap into Hydro-Quebec power.

In order to get Canadian-harvested renewable energy, the state would need to forge a path through Vermont, a plan that Lamont said he will discuss with regional governors in the coming weeks.

The state and the country are going through a transition when it comes to energy and our focus here is on reliability, affordability and a carbon-free future, Lamont said.

In addition to the possible hydropower deal, Lamont also emphasized Connecticuts growing supply of good, consistent, reliable wind offshore, out of New London, calling Connecticut the Texas of wind power.

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said that the state is looking to beef up its transmission systems to bring hydro and wind power to homes and businesses. Connecticut is applying for federal grants that could fund up to 50% of the cost of transmission lines, she said. The price tag for the Hydro-Quebec transmission could be upwards of $1 billion.

This route in Vermont is quite far along in terms of being fully permanent. And so, its just a question of activating the procurement process and capturing these federal dollars that will help make these projects more affordable, Dykes said.

Ive never seen so much enthusiasm and cooperation among sister states, Dykes added. I think folks are really eager to get this done.

As Connecticut looks toward its long-term goals, the governor touted current payment relief options for the residents.

Department of Social Services Commissioner-designate Andrea Barton Reeves said that applications for the states Connecticut Energy Assistance Program are up 27% and the department predicts that more than 100,000 households will need relief this winter.

Its really clear that the need for heating assistance is pretty significant in the state, and its across the state for all families who really have a desire and a great need to stave off the cold winters that New England is known for, Barton Reeves said.

Blumenthal said that the uptick in enrollment mirrors a tough economy and rising prices of natural gas and electricity.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks to reporters about high energy costs and payment relief options for Connecticut residents in Hartford on Wednesday. Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Departments Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes look on.

A lot of families are living paycheck to paycheck. These numbers reflect the needs that this economy has imposed, Blumenthal said. People should not be forced to choose between heating and eating.

Last month, Blumenthal secured $20 million for the states CEAP fund through the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Now, eligible families can access up to $2,320 for their home heating bills, but state Republicans said that the funding is not enough.

Last year, that benefit was $4,825. The poorest families arent getting even half of what they received last year, said Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly. We welcome any and all assistance to help our families stay warm this winter. But the work is far from done and the amount of funding from Washington even with the latest addition remains insufficient to meet Connecticut families needs.

Kelly said that the party will continue to advocate for appropriate funding to help our working and middle-class families.

Sen. Ryan Fazio, ranking member of the Energy & Technology Committee, said that the Senate Republicans will release their own energy plan.

Senate Republicans will be releasing a plan that will lower rates both in the medium and long term and improve reliability for everyone, Fazio said. We are ready and willing to work with our friends on the other side of the aisle to make the change that is long overdue.

The Democratic chairs of the Energy and Technology Committee Sen. Norman Needleman and Rep. Jonathan Steinberg said that they will welcome all issues are on the table this session.

Hopefully in the near future, Connecticut in collaboration with the surrounding states  will have a plan which will lead to a little bit more energy security, a little bit more energy autonomy, and we will have agency over our energy future, Steinberg said.

Alison Cross can be reached at across@courant.com.

Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the amount of federal funding the states CEAP fund received through the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The correct amount is $20 million.


Maruti was planning to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) by 2025 and that would not be too late, he said. Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra sold more utility vehicles than Maruti Suzuki in the first half of FY23, according to data from industry body Siam. Maruti Suzuki underestimated the speed of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segments growth in the country and was now aiming to be number one in this section of the Indian car market, managing director and chief executive officer Hisashi Takeuchi said on Thursday.



The size of the total India auto market was increasing but that was largely due to the growth seen in the SUV segment, the MD and CEO of Indias largest automobile company added. During a round-table with reporters at Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Takeuchi said the company was selling small cars (mini and compact cars) quickly. Our market share in entry-level cars and compact cars is nearly 90 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. So, our market share is very high and the volumes that we are selling are also very good. We will keep this going, Takeuchi noted.



Takeuchi said Maruti had identified the SUV segment as its weak area. Therefore, last year, we introduced the next generation Brezza. We also launched a completely new product Grand Vitara, and we did some minor changes in XL6, he added. According to Siam data, Indian auto companies sold 982,456 units of utility vehicles in the first half of FY23, a 50.29 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year. On the other hand, the small cars (mini and compact cars) segment grew by just 28.56 per cent to 821,459 units in the first half of FY23.

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Our forecast (in the past) also said that the SUV segment will grow in India, just like other parts of the world, but we underestimated the speed of its growth. Our introduction of new products is a little bit delayed. We understand this delay, he said. We have a firm plan for EVs. Our plan includes local production of components. We are developing an exclusive EV platform and it will take some time to make. This is the first product, so it is taking some time, he explained. Maruti Suzuki on Thursday unveiled two new SUVs  the Fronx and Jimny  at the Auto Expo 2023. Now, sub-4-metre SUV (those with a length less than 4 metres) Fronx and Jimny have been unveiled and our line-up is getting very strong. With these two products, our aim is to get the number one position in the SUV segment. That will naturally contribute to achieving a higher overall market share in India, Takeuchi said.


As a Jan. 19 deadline approaches, the U.S. firm has asked the Supreme Court to put on hold the directives of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), arguing that they risk stalling growth of its Android ecosystem in the country. Google has been jolted after the Indian antitrust authority sought changes to how it markets its Android system, which powers 97% of smartphones in the world's second biggest mobile market.



Google has said that the changes sought by CCI would result in the most far-reaching alterations for the Android mobile platform in the last 14 to 15 years. Google licenses the system to smartphone makers, but critics say its restrictions are anti-competitive. The U.S. firm says Android provides more choice for everyone and such pacts help keep the operating system free.



* Google should not be allowed to license its Play Store, from which users download mobile apps, on condition that device manufacturers pre-install Google apps such as YouTube, Gmail or the Chrome browser. Here are the authority's 10 directives:

Also Read Google may face a third CCI fine in less than a month. Now for Android TV Google warns Android growth in India will stall due to antitrust order Indian developers benefit from Android, Play: Google on CCI penalty Google dials NCLAT against CCI's Android order, Rs 1,337-crore fine Top Headlines: RIL Q2 net flat, CCI speeds up Apple antitrust case & more India's physical rehab market likely to touch $35 billion by FY2028 Global PC demand down amid recession fears, steepest decline since mid-90s Amazon gets Pune labour commissioner notice after complaint about layoffs Reviewing govt's show cause notice on tax evasion, says Samsung India Tata Group planning to set up EV cell-manufacturing operations in Europe

* Google should be restrained from striking agreements that ensure exclusivity for its search services on smart devices. * Google should not force device makers to pre-install a bouquet of apps or decide their placement.

* Google should let users pick a search engine of choice for all relevant services when setting up a phone for the first time. * Google should not restrict smartphone users from removing its pre-installed such as Google Maps, Gmail and Youtube, which currently cannot be deleted from Android phones, on which they are supplied pre-installed.

* Google should allow third-party app stores to be hosted on Google's Play Store. * Google should not impose any curbs in India on the practice of "sideloading", or downloading apps without using its app store.

* Google should not incentivise or obligate manufacturers for not selling smart devices based on Android variants. * Competitors and app developers should not be denied access to the programming interface of Google Play services, the underlying software system that powers Android devices. This directive is meant to ensure compatibility between apps on Play Store and third-party app stores based on Android variants, the antitrust authority has said.

* The CCI asked Google not to restrict makers of Android smartphones from developing other devices, such as tablets or TVs based on modified versions of Android.




The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, has allowed the proposed scheme of amalgamation between Inox Leisure and PVR today, statements by the two companies read. They said the detailed order was awaited. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday approved the merger of multiplex operators PVR and Inox, the two chains said in separate filings to the stock exchanges.



On Thursday the NCLT, Mumbai Bench, delivered a verbal order, wherein the merger ratio of three shares of PVR for 10 shares of Inox was approved, persons in the know said. Advocates said it could take some more days for the detailed order to be made available. After that it would be filed with the Registrar of Companies and disclosed to the stock exchanges.



While stock exchanges, Sebi, shareholders and creditors approved the proposal over the past few months, the NCLTs approval was pending. On March 27, 2022, PVR and Inox, the countrys largest and second-largest cinema chains, had announced that they proposed to come together, which would result in a network of over 1,500 screens. The proposal was subject to approvals from the NCLT, stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), as well as shareholders and creditors.

Also Read PVR-INOX merger should get done by Feb next year: Director Siddharth Jain Analysts raise target on PVR post blockbuster Q1; see up to 25% upside PVR shareholders to mull Inox merger on Oct 11, creditors' meet same day Boycott Bollywood hits PVR, Inox Leisure's stocks Shareholders of PVR approve the proposed merger with Inox Leisure Mobile calls may turn pricey, providers likely to hike 4G rates: Report Cyient reports 37% surge in Q3 revenue on back of slew of acquisitions A matter of governance: When independent directors call it quits midway Google hits back in US search antitrust lawsuit, says doesn't block rivals Infosys Q3 result: IT major's revenue grows 20% YoY to Rs 38,318 cr



In a conversation with Business Standard last month, Siddharth Jain, director of the Inox group, said the NCLAT had listed the matter for February 9. We hope that somewhere in the month of February next year (2023), the proposed merger should get done, he said. A non-profit organisation called CUTS had moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against the merger, and approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) after its petition was dismissed by the CCI.



The combined entity will be named PVR Inox, with the branding of existing screens to continue as PVR and Inox. New halls opened after the merger will be branded as PVR Inox, the companies had said last year. PVR is likely to issue shares to Inox shareholders in the next few weeks, after the NCLTs detailed order is received, said persons in the know.



PVRs Joint Managing Director Sanjeev Bijli said the combined entity would have 3,000 to 4,000 screens in five years. For this, the merged entity would tap newer cities, which were unserved and had huge potential, he said. After the merger, the promoters of Inox will become co-promoters in the merged entity, along with the existing promoters of PVR. PVR promoters will have a 10.62 per cent stake, while Inox promoters will have a 16.66 per cent stake in the combined entity.

In particular, markets in the southern and eastern parts of the country would be on their radar to improve penetration, he said.


The lenders, who are planning a second round of auction for Reliance Capital on January 19, are seeking a higher valuation for the bankrupt company after Ahmedabad-based Torrent emerged as the highest bidder with an offer of Rs 8,640 crore as upfront cash. Post-auction, the Hindujas later offered Rs 9,000 crore  leading to litigation by Torrent at the NCLT.

Lenders to bankrupt Reliance Capital today informed the National Company Law Tribunal that the highest bid made by Ahmedabad based Torrent group to acquire Reliance Capital is non-compliant.



Torrent assumes that its plan is compliant, but the CoC has come to the conclusion that it is not compliant. The CoC found a discrepancy in Torrent plan and the administrator wrote to Torrent on January 4 saying the NPV of the financial proposal as submitted by Torrent in their draft resolution proposal does not match with the highest bid amount submitted by them in the challenge mechanism, Sibal said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the CoC (committee of creditors), said the challenge mechanism does not confer any rights on any resolution applicant, including the resolution applicant with the highest net present value and the CoC is not obligated to approve the resolution plan, which has the highest net present value (NPV) or scored the highest according to the evaluation matrix.



Sibal said the Hinduja group was offering Rs 1,000 crore more than Torrent and hence the lenders, including the Life Insurance Corporation and the Employee Provident Fund Office (EPFO), will be denied the higher amount  if the company is offered to the highest bidder of the first round.

Thats why the CoC found that Torrent does not even meet the threshold of the third round of the first auction. Therefore, it is non-compliant even in the third round, it could not have participated in the fourth round. When the administrator wrote to Torrent, it submitted a fresh bid on January 6 and changed its entire bid. This is shocking that Torrent did not disclose these facts to the NCLT, Sibal said.

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The NCLT recorded the CoC and the administrators submission that the second round of challenge mechanism will not be conducted prior to the next date of hearing at NCLT. The NCLT also directed that its interim order, which does not permit the administrator to place Hindujas non-compliant plan before the CoC, will remain in force.

Arguing on behalf of Torrent  the highest bidder in the first round  Daries Khambata said the administrator on the instructions of the CoC had already announced in writing on December 21 that the challenge mechanism (auction) had concluded and its bid was the highest in the challenge mechanism. Torrent also argued that the second round of auction was illegal and not permitted under the regulations and the CoC and the administrator needed to put to vote all compliant resolution plans based on the first round. To this, the CoC disagreed and requested time to file a reply in the matter and argue its case in detail at the next hearing.

Reliance was sent for debt resolution by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016, after the company defaulted on its loans worth Rs 24,000 crore.
Emphasising the importance of centuries-old traditional medicine systems, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that AYUSH possesses the potential to make India a hub of health tourism.

During his two-day Varanasi tour, the CM inaugurated the Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram Yoga and Naturopathy Research Centre. In his address, the Chief Minister said that the entire world is adopting our ancient system of medicine.

"The double engine government is working dedicatedly to promote the AYUSH system of medicine and the religious institutes should also contribute towards the same," he said.

The Chief Minister said that a capable and strong nation will be built only with a healthy body and a clean mind.

For this, India's ancient and natural medicine method is the most effective.

"Earlier people used to go to the developed countries of the world for treatment, however, today the entire world is looking towards improving health through ancient Indian knowledge and tradition," CM Yogi said.

Also Read CM Adityanath receives death threat on UP police's WhatsApp helpline Yogi Adityanath invites Tata group to participate in investor summit Transgenders in UP to get access to govt-run old age home facility CM Yogi Adityanath calls for maximum participation in G20 conferences in UP Ayush industry fastest growing sector of Indian economy: Rajesh Kotecha China increasing troops near LAC, India keeping a close vigil: Army Chief 'Women in Army have performed exceedingly well', says General Manoj Pande Bomb call grounds SpiceJet Delhi-Pune flight; all passengers safe: Police Delhi drag case: MHA asks Police to suspend those on duty in PCRs, pickets PM Modi to flag off Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat train on Sunday

Remembering Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, Yogi said that the birth of Swami Vivekananda, who informed the world about India's eternal Hindu religion, Vedas and philosophy, is being celebrated as National Youth Day.

He said that the Aghor tradition in India's Shaivite tradition is such a form of spiritual practice that, if seen from a spiritual point of view, connects with the divine while living in the world, and from a practical point of view, with social justice by uniting the society in one thread.

"Aghor tradition has contributed to building an egalitarian society by removing all kinds of discrimination in the society," CM emphasised.

The Chief Minister said that in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed the Ministry of AYUSH by combining scattered AYUSH systems.

Yogi said that during the Covid-19 period, the entire world not only adopted but also accepted the tradition of Indian Sages -- Yoga and natural medicine (AYUSH).

The Chief Minister visited the Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram Yoga and Naturopathy Research Center. The Chief Minister thanked the office bearers of the Sarveshwari Group for setting up this center on the banks of the Ganga.


The federal agency, following the case, conducted searches on Thursday at multiple premises belonging to Mayaram in Delhi and Jaipur. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a first information report against former finance secretary Arvind Mayaram for alleged irregularities in a currency printing case. He was then the secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).



The case, registered on January 10, alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating among the former bureaucrat, UK firm, and unknown officials of the finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The CBI alleged that Mayaram, in 2013, had given an illegal extension to UK-based firm De La Rue International for supplying exclusive colour shift (security thread) for Indian bank notes for a period of five years. It alleged that the undue favour Mayaram provided to the British firm resulted in it making wrongful gains at a loss to the Indian exchequer.



The contract was extended four times till December 31, 2015. The agency has alleged that the then finance minister had authorised the RBI to enter an exclusivity agreement with the suppliers of exclusive security features on behalf of the government, which was signed with De La Rue on September 4, 2004.

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The CBI found that the exclusivity agreement was signed by PK Biswas, former executive director of RBI, without verifying the patent claim of De La Rue. Enquiry has also revealed that the contract agreement did not have any termination clause, the agency said. The agreement with De La Rue International specifically mentioned that the company had developed an exclusive India-specific green to blue colour shift clear text MRT machine readable security thread for use in Indian banknote paper as a security feature and for which the company holds exclusive manufacturing rights.

The CBI found that the company had filed for the patent in India on June 28, 2004, which was published on March 13, 2009, and was granted on June 17, 2011, which shows at the time of the agreement, it did not have a valid patent. Both the RBI and the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) submitted their reports about the non-possession of the patent by the company on April 17, 2006, and September 20, 2007, respectively.



Despite non-possession of the patent, the company kept getting extensions. Enquiry has further revealed that De La Rue made false claims of holding patent and they did not have any patent for their colour shift thread at the time of presentation in 2002 and their selection in 2004, the CBI has alleged.



Mayaram never apprised the same to the then finance minister, the CBI pointed out, and he extended the expired contract to the UK firm by overruling the security clearance from home ministry and finance minister. The matter was brought to the notice of Arvind Mayaram, as secretary of the economic affairs department, in May 2013  that the contract agreement with De La Rue had expired on December 31, 2012; therefore, extension cannot be granted legally," the FIR alleged.



The CBI had registered a preliminary enquiry in 2018 on the basis of a complaint from the chief vigilance officer of the DEA. The CBI enquiry revealed that Anil Raghbeer, signatory of contract agreement from De La Rue, has received Rs 8.2 crore from offshore entities apart from the remuneration paid by De La Rue in 2011, the FIR alleged.
The Chinese PLA is increasing the number of troops in their area, near the eastern border of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Indian Army has this vital information and it is keeping a close vigil on the development. Without naming China, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that there is a slight increase in the deployment of adversary troops in the eastern border of the LAC.

India has also maintained adequate force deployment along the LAC and is ready to deal with any situation, he added. General Pande said that the situation at the northern border remains stable but unpredictable. He said one of the main challenges facing the Indian armed forces today is the situation at the northern borders.

"There is a slight increase in the number of troops opposite our Eastern command. We are keeping a close watch on the movements."

The Army Chief said the Indian Army is capable, powerful and ready to tackle any adverse situation at the international borders. The Army is creating a huge road network in our part alongside the international border. Simultaneously, India is boosting infrastructure near the India-China border. These border connecting roads will be 'all weather roads'. Tunnel and bridges are also been constructed to reach the border in the minimum time, General Pande added.

He said that India and China are holding talks at both the military and diplomatic levels to resolve the issues. Five of the seven issues have been resolved through talks. The Army Chief said that during the last 3 years, around Rs 1300 crore have been spent in Ladakh on infrastructure and habitat requirements.

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For Jammu and Kashmir, he said the ceasefire understanding with Pakistan happened in February 2021, and is going well. Though cross-border terrorism continues, so we remain alert, he added.

Speaking on the effect of the Russia-Ukraine war on India he said this war is a lesson for India. "We carried out an analysis of what lessons there are for us at the operational, strategical and tactical levels. We have to contextualise these lessons. We have incorporated them in terms of larger weapons platforms, cyberspace" he added. The Army sees this as an opportunity also.

General Pande said that they are exploring indigenous solutions to several things including spare parts.

--IANS

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A day after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar insisted about Parliamentary supremacy, Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Thursday said that the Constitution is supreme and the "V-P views may be a warning signal".

"The Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is wrong when he says that Parliament is supreme. It is the Constitution that is supreme,"Chidambaram said.

He said this may be a warning ahead, "In fact, the Hon'ble Chairman's views should warn every Constitution-loving citizen to be alert to the dangers ahead."

He said the "basic structure" doctrine was evolved in order to prevent a majoritarian-driven assault on the foundational principles of the Constitution.

"Suppose Parliament, by a majority, voted to convert the parliamentary system into a Presidential system. Or repeal the State List in Schedule VII and take away the exclusive legislative powers of the States. Would such amendments be valid? " he questioned.

"After the NJAC Act was struck down, nothing prevented the Government from introducing a new Bill. The striking down of one Act does not mean that the "basic structure" doctrine is wrong".

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday reiterated that the power of Parliament to amend the constitution and deal with legislation is not subject to any other authority and all constitutional institutions -- the judiciary, the executive and the legislature -- are required to confine to their respective domains and conform to the highest standard of propriety and decorum.

He was addressing the 83rd All India Presiding Officers' Conference at Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday here.

"Power of the Parliament to amend the constitution and deal with legislation is not subject to any other authority. This is lifeline of democracy," he said

"Democracy sustains and blossoms when the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive act in tandem and togetherness to fructify constitutional goals and realise aspirations of the people. The Judiciary cannot legislate as much as the Legislature cannot script a judicial verdict," the Vice President added.

--IANS

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the Delhi Police on Thursday to suspend all the personnel posted at three PCR vans and two pickets on the night when a 20-year-old woman was killed in the national capital after her scooter was hit by a car and she was dragged by the vehicle for 10-12 kilometres.

Officials said the MHA also directed the Delhi Police to serve show-cause notices to the supervisory officers of the PCR vans and police pickets for their alleged dereliction of duties.

The action came following a report submitted by an inquiry committee, headed by Special Commissioner Shalini Singh.

Disciplinary action will also be taken against the police personnel who were on duty on that night, the officials said.

The MHA directed the city police to file the chargesheet in the case as soon as possible so that the culprits are punished.

The gruesome incident took place at outer Delhi's Kanjhawala in the early hours of January 1.

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The victim's two-wheeler was hit by a car and her body dragged for around 10-12 kilometres from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala.

Five men travelling in the car have been arrested, along with several of their accomplices.


While Delhi's air quality, on which mainstream media focuses, improved slightly, smaller towns--Ambala, Khanna, Kurukshetra and Ludhiana--had severely polluted air (AQI over 400) on November 9, according to the air quality index bulletin published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi reached a high of 450 on November 3, and has been topping the 300 mark almost consistently between October 27 and November 8 this year. Yesterday, for the first time in 15 days, the AQI was below 300, at 260.



For one, it means that people are breathing air that has an average concentration of 250 micrograms of PM 2.5 per cubic metre (g/m3) in a day, according to the AQI-to-concentration converter. PM 2.5 refers to inhalable particulate matter that can enter the bloodstream and has several health impacts. A level of 250 g/m3 is four times the permissible amount--60 g/m3 over a 24-hour period--according to the standards defined by the CPCB. But what does having an AQI over 400 really mean?



In our #TIL explainer, we look at the methodology behind the AQI and its role in monitoring air pollution. It also means that the concentration of pollutants in the air "affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases".

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What number does the AQI report?

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 (Air Act) empowers the CPCB to lay down the standards for air pollutants. It is the mandate of the CPCB to collect data on these pollutants, while the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) enforce these standards and impose penalties on polluters as per the Air Act.



The AQI is a metric that converts the concentration of a pollutant in the atmosphere into a number that conveys the potential hazard it poses for the residents, according to Sunil Dahiya, an analyst at the Helsinki-based think-tank, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, working on effects of and solutions for air pollution. To detect pollutants, the CPCB has 883 manual monitors as on September 15, 2022, from which it records observations once a day, according to the CPCB website. With its size, population and aggravating air pollution, India needs 1,600 to 4,000 air quality monitors, we reported in December 2021.



A formula, defined under the National Air Quality Index guidelines, is used to convert the concentrations of these pollutants into a "sub-index", and the AQI uses the highest value of these sub indices, explained Tanushree Ganguly of the New Delhi-based policy research organisation, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). "To calculate the AQI, we need the concentration of any three pollutants, one of which has to be the particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10). The other two can be SOx (oxides of sulphur), NOx (oxides of nitrogen), CO (carbon monoxide) or Ozone," Dahiya explained.



Open fires in paddy fields or factories: Who is the bigger polluter? In the case of the CPCB, the AQI is based on a 24-hour average concentration of six of the 12 pollutants that the CPCB monitors. Other pollutants that the CPCB monitors are lead and ammonia on a daily basis, but these are not reported in the AQI. BenzoPyrene, Benzene, Arsenic and Nickel have annual concentration standards.



It is power plants, industry and vehicles that are the biggest emitters of PM 2.5 , SOx and NOx, found a 2021 review of emission data by CEEW. The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Act of 2009 asked that farmers sow paddy later, when the winds are calmer, to conserve groundwater. This in turn delays the harvest, after which farmers burn paddy stubble. Now this period coincides with the onset of winter, causing smog during this time, explained Ganguly. However, she said, stubble burning is not the only reason for the elevated AQI.



Because Delhi's air gets the most attention, and especially around stubble burning, other sources of pollution and the fact that large swathes of the country are affected goes largely unnoticed and unreported, says Ganguly. Of the 172 cities in India for which AQI is reported daily, PM 2.5 was the chief pollutant in 103 of the cities on November 10. Fossil fuel exhaust from vehicles is the chief source of PM 2.5, as per this 2016 paper. Power plants emit SOx and NOx, which turn into PM 2.5 on reacting with water. Stubble burning too creates PM 2.5, and its contribution to PM 2.5 emissions increases around this time of the year, but transport and industry are bigger polluters, according to Ganguly.

IndiaSpend had set up a network of low-cost real-time air quality monitors to democratise critical air quality data, and our analyses informed the discourse around air pollution and mitigation efforts (see here and here, for instance). These findings, disputed by the Delhi government at the time, were later validated by academic studies (see here).

Air pollution kills slowly and has long-term impacts In December 2015,had set up a network of low-cost real-time air quality monitors to democratise critical air quality data, and our analyses informed the discourse around air pollution and mitigation efforts (see here and here, for instance). These findings, disputed by the Delhi government at the time, were later validated by academic studies (see here).



"Air pollution is not like Covid-19, in the sense that you don't die immediately on exposure to a pollutant, unlike what we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic. It [pollution] kills you slowly," said Dahiya. Air pollution kills over 6.5 million people globally every year, according to a May 2022 Lancet study. For perspective, Covid-19 killed 6.5 million people worldwide between January 2020 and November 2022, according to the World Health Organization.



Ambient and household air pollution was found to cause diseases of the central nervous system, aggravate heart disease, cause inflammation and rupturing of the appendicitis. "PM 2.5 is small enough to enter the bloodstream and is carried to all organs from the deepest part of our lungs. They can cause respiratory illnesses, heart disease, increased cerebrovascular risk (which affects blood flow to the brain)," said Dr Poornima Prabhakaran, Director of the Centre for Environment and Health at the Public Health Foundation of India. She added that pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable as these pollutants can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes, impact foetal growth and development and affect child development.



From data to policy: How AQI sets off decisions to control air pollution "To reduce the detrimental effects of air pollution, people, especially those with COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a disease of the lungs in which the air flow to the lungs is reduced] or asthma, should be aware of the air quality and take extra measures such as reducing the time outdoor and wearing masks when necessary," said researchers from China in a 2018 study.



The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which was constituted in 2020 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is the body responsible for air quality management in Delhi and surrounding areas of Rajasthan, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. On November 3, the AQI in Delhi was 450, which is classified as "severe" on the National AQI scale. Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and other cities close to the National Capital Region too reported AQIs greater than 400, according to the CPCB bulletin.



This implementation of Stage IV of GRAP was revoked on November 6, when the AQI reached 339, as per the CPCB bulletin. On November 2, CAQM ordered the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The GRAP is a list of steps to be taken by the state governments around New Delhi when air quality starts to deteriorate. When the AQI crosses 400, state governments can call for a ban on construction and mining activities, restrict movement of vehicles that cause pollution and shut down factories.

IndiaSpend in an interview in 2019.

"The truth is that most Indian cities have bad air quality throughout the year, except during the monsoon months, and the concentrations of pollutants are several times higher than the Indian standards themselves," Dahiya told IndiaSpend. However, the benefits for any of the steps taken under GRAP are unclear: Steps like permitting cars with either odd or even number plates to ply on a day, such as that implemented by the Delhi government, will not reduce pollution, Sagnik Dey, coordinator at the Centre of Excellence for Research on Clean Air at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, toldin an interview in 2019.



Other cities are covered by the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce emissions in 122 cities by 20-30% compared to 2017 levels by 2024. The NCAP in its current form is a means to collect data on air quality with no means to implement these standards, we reported in 2020. Of the 172 cities for which the CPCB reports AQI, 21 cities' air was rated "very poor" on November 10, and that in 39 cities was rated "poor". Only 13 Indian cities reported "good" quality air on November 10, according to the CPCB bulletin.
Fair price shop dealers have opposed the government's decision to stop the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), saying that they will incur a loss of Rs 484 crore due to the move.

To compensate for their loss, they have sought an honorarium of Rs 50,000 per month for fair price shops dealers from the Finance Ministry in the forthcoming Union Budget.

All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation General Secretary, Biswambhar Basu told media persons on Thursday that the discontinuation of the scheme from January 2023 onwards, after being in existence for the past more than two and a half years, will incur a major blow to ration shop owners across the country.

He said that if their demand is not met then they will launch a "Do or Die" agitation across the country and will ensure a ration bandh for 72 hours from February 7 till February 9.

In addition to this, the dealers will also hold a rally at Ramlila Grounds here on March 20, followed by a march to Parliament, Basu added.

The government last month had announced that PMGKAY would be discontinued from January 2023 onwards while it would give free ration to beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act for a period of one year from January 1, 2023 till December 2023.

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It was also announced that the free ration scheme would be named PMGKAY.

--IANS

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The CBI booked former chairman and managing director of Amrapali Group Anil Sharma on Wednesday in connection with the eight-year-old murder case of Sharad Chand, a former secretary of Bihar-based educational institution Balika Vidyapeeth, officials said.

The CBI action came on the Patna High Court's orders issued last month.

In accordance with its procedures, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe into the FIR registered by the Lakhisarai police station in Bihar.

Sharma, who is facing a number of bank-fraud cases, has been booked on murder charges, along with Lakhisarai-based Praveen Sinha, Shyam Sundar Prasad, Rajendra Singhania, Shambhu Sharan Singh and then principal of Balika Vidyapeeth Anita Singh.

It has been alleged that Chand, the then secretary of Balika Vidyapeeth in Lakhisarai who resided at the educational institution, was shot dead while he was reading a newspaper sitting in the verandah of his residence at about 6:30 am on August 2, 2014 by the accused named in the FIR, in pursuance of a criminal conspiracy hatched for usurping land and assets of the institution.

"It has also been alleged that in August 2009, one Anil Sharma, MD of Amrapali Group, had usurped the trust of Balika Vidyapeeth with the help of Rajendra Prasad Singhania, Dr Praveen Kumar Sinha, Shyam Sunder Prasad and Shambhu Sharan Singh, and the deceased was removed forcibly and since then, a dispute was going on between both the parties," the FIR says.

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The income of Balika Vidyapeeth was also being usurped by opening a personal account that was operated by Sinha and Singh, and Chand had made complaints regarding irregularities in the functioning of the institution, the FIR alleges.

"The deceased was also regularly threatened and attacked, his house was damaged and firings were made in the past," it says.

Chand's wife had approached the high court, alleging that the investigation was not being handled properly by the state police.

The CID of the Bihar Police had told the court that not much progress was made in the case.

"In the foundation of the facts available in the writ application, complaining about the conduct of the CID in not investigating the case for all these years, this court has found that in the counter-affidavit of the CID, there is no whisper and/or an attempt to explain the reasons for the huge and inordinate delay in conduct of investigation in a murder case," Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad had said.

In a terse remark made while handing over the probe to the federal agency, the judge had said the investigation of the case was "virtually dumped" and the case diary kept "gathering dust" in the CID office as the investigating officer did not touch it for years.

"The stand of the CID at this stage is that there are ample materials against the private respondents to proceed against them. This court would have no hesitation in coming to a conclusion that the CID has failed to perform its statutory duty to conduct a free, fair and impartial investigation in this case," the judge had said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called a meeting on Thursday over the Joshimath crisis.

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, RK Singh, Bhupendra Yadav, Gajendra Shekhawat along with senior officers were present at the meeting.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, BRO and NDRF officials also participated.

Shah had sought information about the situation in the holy city in a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, and provided assurances of help.

The Home Ministry and Amit Shah have been closely monitoring the Joshimath situation.

According to sources, information regarding the relief and rescue operations being carried out in the city were shared in the meet, apart from discussing future strategies.

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NDRF and SDRF teams are present in the city in view of the increasing number of cracks appearing in buildings, the risk of landslides and land subsidence.

At the same time, a high-level central team under the leadership of Border Management Secretary Dr Dharmendra Singh Gangwar has been taking stock of the situation.

BJP national president J.P. Nadda also spoke to Dhami on the issue.

--IANS

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Om Prakash Rajbhar is not "untouchable" for BJP, Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, the party president for Uttar Pradesh, has said.

Chaudhary's remark comes in the backdrop of a recent meeting between Rajbhar, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party Chief, and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak in Lucknow.

"No one is untouchable for BJP. Whoever agrees with the views of the BJP, the party is ready to take him with it. BJP is a big ocean. Rajbhar is our old friend," Chaudhary told reporters on Wednesday, responding to BJP's prospects of an alliance with Omprakash Rajbhar's party.

Rajbhar had fought the last assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, but later parted ways. Since then his party's stand toward BJP has softened.

SBSP had fought the 2017 assembly elections in alliance with the BJP.

Rajbhar was made a cabinet minister when the government was formed. He however had broken ties with the alliance later.

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Chaudhary claimed that BJP will win all 80 seats in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He also said that the state's urban body elections can be held in April-May.

The Allahabad High Court had recently ordered the government to conduct civic polls in the state without reservation for OBCs, although the government challenged it in the Supreme Court, which stayed the High Court order.

The SC said that the matter has to be decided by a government-appointed panel within three months.

The elections to the urban bodies in the state were to be held in November-December last year.
The storming of the three main symbols of the Brazilian republic  the supreme court, the national congress and the presidential palace  is the kind of event that could shape the countrys history. While Brazil has gone through military coups and social turmoil since it became independent in 1822, never before have Brazilians witnessed such widespread disregard for political institutions.

This is a story that starts around 2018, when Jair Bolsonaro  then a lacklustre congressman known for supporting the military dictatorship and publicly praising notorious torturers  launched his presidential candidacy. In the name of God, the fatherland and traditional family values, the retired army captain vowed to drain the swamp of politics and usher in a new era for Brazil.

In his vision, state policies would no longer be necessary. Political authority would naturally stem from business people, religious leaders, armed militiamen and  above all  the presidents messianic figure.

This combination of authoritarian populism and social Darwinism is not new. It lies at the foundations of far-right movements that have gained momentum worldwide in recent years. And it sheds light on the Bolsonarist phenomenon, helping us make sense of Brazils black Sunday.

Bolsonarism is a profoundly anti-democratic movement that conflates elements of the US far-right  most notably Trumpism  and Brazils long history of social inequality and militarism into a whole new digital language. WhatsApp and social media have been key to attracting supporters that have become increasingly suspicious of the political system over the previous decade.









This popular disillusionment among certain groups has been mostly due to corruption scandals, growing urban violence and to policies under the then  and now again  president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, that favoured Brazils poorest.

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In his path to the presidency, Bolsonaro was able to tap into peoples emotions. He brought millions of Brazilians together by mobilising elements of hatred, fear and resentment, and offered them something to fight against  namely, communism.

Undermining democracy

For the start of his tenure, Bolsonaro moved decisively to undermine Brazils democratic institutions and state capacity on the grounds that he was saving the country from communism. By pitting his supporters against imaginary enemies he could successfully dodge accusations of incompetence, corruption  and even crimes against public health during the COVID pandemic which killed nearly 700,000 Brazilians.

The Bolsonaro administrations survival might be down to the loyal support of a coalition of business people, the farming lobby, evangelical leaders and members of the armed and security forces. A key element of his governing strategy was to attack whoever spoke against the interests of these groups: the supreme court, congress and the mainstream media among his favourite targets.

There have been allegations that on September 7 2021, Brazils independence day, Bolsonaro planned to summon supporters to cause turmoil in the streets across the nation. The idea was supposedly to justify a military takeover through a state of emergency. However, the higher ranks of the armed forces did not provide clear support.

This does not mean that the military are innocent when it comes to the undermining of Brazilian democracy. On the contrary, they have systematically disregarded their constitutional role by engaging in partisan politics and taking up civilian positions in the federal administration.

Bolsonaros sect of fanatical supporters seem to want Brazils far-right president to be the countrys absolute ruler even without the need for elections, following a distorted interpretation of the constitution. The military at least pretended they wanted elections to be held, but did not hesitate in joining the presidents chorus of electoral fraud.

Preparing the ground

In October 2022, Bolsonaro faced a resurgent Lula in the presidential election. Anticipating defeat, the incumbent president spent months sowing suspicion over the voting machines and questioning the integrity of the electoral process. Bolsonaros loss by a thin margin after a run-off ballot was enough for him to refuse to concede. Large numbers of his 58 million voters followed suit.

Bolsonaros silence for the two months between elections and Lulas inauguration appears to have served as a nod and a wink to rally his supporters, who blocked roads, threatened political opponents and built camps in front of army barracks, all the while calling for military intervention. Days before the inauguration, the president fled the country, flying to Florida, suggesting that his life was at risk in Brazil. His supporters seem to have interpreted this as a call to action.

With this background, it was just a matter of time before the Brazilian version of the January 6 US Capitol riot took place. It seems that coup-mongers decided to act after Lula took office and counted on the complicity and negligence of Brazils armed forces and state security.

It was both embarrassing and shocking to see police officers calmly sipping coconut water while protesters stormed into Brasilias main public buildings. Army soldiers who should have been securing the presidential palace did nothing as criminals destroyed or stole works of art, furniture and government documents.

Swift response

Lulas response has been swift. He issued a decree establishing a federal military intervention in Brasilia to stop the chaos, which has so far been responsible for the arrest of over 1,500 rioters. We are also witnessing unprecedented coordination between executive and judiciary branches to investigate who is behind the attacks on Brazilian democracy.

For Lula, it will now be crucial to identify and clamp down on the members of this violent far-right network. This does not mean only those who invaded the buildings, but also the people that funded them, who incited the protests and who created the narratives responsible for the coup-mongering of recent years.

If Lulas mission is to bring the country together again, his administration must ensure that Brazil will no longer serve as a laboratory for extremist tactics and ideologies as it did over the past few years.

Bolsonaro, meanwhile, remains in hospital in Florida after complaining of intestinal pains related to a stabbing he suffered during the 2018 election campaign. He may have distanced himself from the storming of the government buildings. But now the discussion will focus on whether  and when  he will return to Brazil and, if he does, whether he will face charges of inciting insurrection.

Guilherme Casaroes, Professor of Political Science, Sao Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV/EAESP)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.






UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a major defense agreement during a meeting Wednesday in London with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. The pact  the most significant deal of its type between the two countries in more than a century  allows planning and delivery of larger, more complex military exercises, according to a UK government statement. The UK and Japan will allow military forces to be deployed to one anothers territory, as Tokyo expands bilateral cooperation with other US allies amid concerns about Chinas rise.



The agreement simplifies the procedures required for port visits and joint exercises, allowing for more active exchanges, the ministry said. Japans foreign ministry said, Signing this important security agreement takes Japan-UK cooperation in security and defense to new heights, in a statement following the signing. It will also bring further progress toward making a free and open Indo-Pacific a reality.

US-Japan defense plans

The United States and Japan unveiled plans Wednesday to strengthen their alliance to help counter threats from North Korea and China, which they called the greatest security challenge in the region.

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In unusually blunt terms, the US and Japanese foreign and defense ministers condemned Chinas increasing aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere, called out Russia for its war with Ukraine.
British newspaper The Guardian has confirmed that hackers accessed some of its employees' data in the ransomware attack in December last year.

An internal email, seen by The Record, said that it is "now clear that we experienced a highly sophisticated cyber attack involving unauthorised third-party access to parts of our network, which appears to have been triggered by a phishing attack."

The cyber attack was described as affecting many of the company's key systems, the IT network and "some" of its data.

The Guardian said it was a criminal ransomware attack.

"We have seen no evidence that any data has been exposed online thus far and we continue to monitor this very closely," said the news organisation.

The Guardian warned UK staff that attackers had accessed their sensitive personal information.

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In December, the leading UK-based newspaper confirmed its systems have been hit by a "serious IT incident".

The publication said the cyber attack affected parts of the company's IT infrastructure.

"Online publishing is largely unaffected, with stories continuing to be written and published to the Guardian website and app," wrote the media editor at the publication.

Guardian Media Group Chief Executive Anna Bateson and Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner said in a note to employees that "We believe this to be a ransomware attack but are continuing to consider all possibilities."

In September last year, hackers breached the internal systems of US business publication Fast Company.

In October, The New York Post also confirmed that it was hacked.

--IANS

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The Federal Aviation Administration said normal air traffic operations were gradually returning as it lifted the ground stop shortly before 9 a.m. Eastern time. The disruption stemmed from problems with the Notice to Air Missions system, or Notam, which conveys advisory information essential for flight operations. Airlines began resuming flights after a system outage led US authorities to temporarily ground planes nationwide early Wednesday, a dramatic disruption to the air-traffic system expected to cause ongoing delays and cancellations.



Disruptions are likely to ripple through the aviation system for hours. The FAA imposed multiple airline-specific halts to flights as it works with carriers on restoring their operations. Based on an airline request, for example, the FAA stopped some departures for Delta Air Lines Inc. from Boston, the agency said in an advisory just before 9 a.m. The massive system failure is one of the most significant in recent decades for the FAA and comes after a year of tests of the nations air system as the return from Covid-19 stressed airlines and air-traffic operations.



United said its offering waivers to affected passengers, letting them rebook travel without having to pay a difference in fares, subject to certain conditions. Carriers including United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. said travelers should expect schedule changes, including delays and cancellations, even as flight operations began resuming. Flight-tracking website FlightAware showed 4,948 delays for US flights at 10:05 a.m.

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The computer system that shares the notices to pilots, airlines and other users began developing problems late Tuesday night and had to be completely taken down in the early hours of Wednesday, said a person familiar with FAAs actions who asked not to be identified discussing the situation as it develops. FAA technical workers have been troubleshooting the system since then, the person said. The grounding potentially could affect more than 2 million passengers who are booked on 19,621 domestic flights across various airlines, according to aviation data provider Cirium. That doesnt include travelers on 1,843 international flights set to arrive in the US Wednesday.



By early Wednesday, passengers due to fly domestically began reporting delays on social media, and United said it would temporarily ground flights. There was no indication that the outage affected the FAAs ability to track and guide aircraft, or that it caused any safety incidents.



They dont know what the cause is, Biden told reporters. President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, the White House said Wednesday in a tweet. The president ordered a full investigation, but there is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point.



We will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages, Senator Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, said in a statement. Cantwell is chairwoman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that oversees FAA. The issues drew the attention of Congress, which is set to update legislation laying out agency policy this year.



The biggest European airlines said they were largely unaffected by the disruptions, with flights from British Airways, Air France and Deutsche Lufthansa AG operating normally even as domestic US flights were halted, the carriers said. Airline stocks erased their premarket declines with the S&P Supercomposite Airlines Index up 0.9% as of 9:53 a.m. in New York. All 10 US carriers in the index traded higher.



The Notam system provides airlines with real-time safety information for flight planning. The information conveyed on Notam can be as basic as airport weather and active taxiways or as complicated as temporary airspace closures due to a space launch or presidential travel. Pilots at all stages of training and experience are drilled in relying on the data. Given the early hour of the disruption in the US, international flights were either still on the ground or nowhere near US air space, giving pilots more turnaround time to react.
Bremen-based Greensill Bank was shut down by regulator BaFin in March 2021 after it was unable to find evidence of the assets tied to GFG on its balance sheet. (Photo: Bloomberg)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that as much as 90 per cent civil work of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) is complete, and the bridge will be open for traffic in November this year.

This "longest sea bridge in the country" will be the first to have Open Road Tolling (ORT) system, an official release quoted him as saying.

Once the bridge opens for traffic, it will be possible to travel from Sewri in central Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai in 15-20 minutes, Shinde said. Vehicles won't have to stop on the bridge for paying toll thanks to the Open Tolling System, he said. This system is currently used in Singapore, officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said.

In the presence of chief minister Shinde, MMRDA successfully launched the first longest Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD) in package-2 of Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) on Wednesday, the authority said in a press release. The first longest OSD of package-2 of about 22 km long Trans-Harbour link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai is 180 meters long and weighs 2300 metric tonnes.

The release highlighted that MTHL's package 2 has 32 OSD spans and of these 15 spans have already been launched.

Of the 22 km long bridge, a 16.5 km-long-stretch is above the sea.

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The MMRDA, a Maharashtra government agency, is the implementing authority for the six-lane MTHL project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Protests against Peruvian President Dina Boluarte's government that have left 47 people dead since they began a month ago spread through the south of the Andean country on Wednesday with new clashes reported in the tourist city of Cusco.

Health officials in Cusco said 16 civilians and six police officers were injured after protesters tried to take over the city's airport, where many foreign tourists arrive to see sites including the nearby Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.

Protests and road blockades against Boluarte and in support of ousted President Pedro Castillo were also seen in 41 provinces, mainly in Peru's south.

The unrest began in early December following the destitution and arrest of Castillo, Peru's first president of humble, rural roots, following his widely condemned attempt to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

The protest, mainly in neglected rural areas of the country still loyal to Castillo, are seeking immediate elections, Boluarte's resignation, Castillo's release and justice for the protesters killed in clashes with police.

Some of the worst protest violence came on Monday when 17 people were killed in clashes with police in the city Juliaca near Lake Titicaca and protesters later attacked and burned a police officer to death.

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In total, Peru's Ombudsman's Office said that 39 civilians have been killed in clashes with police and another seven died in traffic accidents related to road blockades, as well as the fallen police officer.

Peru's government has announced a three-day curfew from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. in Puno.

The National Prosecutor's Office said it has requested information from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the defense and interior ministries for an investigation it has opened against Boluarte and other officials for the protest deaths.

In Juliaca, in Puno province, a crowd marched alongside the coffins of the 17 people killed in Monday's protests.

'Dina killed me with bullets," said a piece of paper attached to the coffin of Eberth Mamani Arqui, in a reference to Peru's current president.

"This democracy is no longer a democracy," chanted the relatives of the victims.

As they passed a police station, which was guarded by dozens of officers, the marchers yelled: Murderers!



Meanwhile, a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights began a visit to Peru on to look into the protests and the police response.

Boluarte was Castillo's former running mate before taking over the presidency. She has said she supports a plan to push up to 2024 elections for president and congress originally scheduled for 2026. She's also expressed support for judicial investigations into whether security forces acted with excessive force.

But such moves have so far failed to quell the unrest, which after a short respite around the Christmas and New Year's holidays have resumed with force in some of Peru's poorest areas.

Castillo, a political novice who lived in a two-story adobe home in the Andean highlands before moving to the presidential palace, eked out a narrow victory in elections in 2021 that rocked Peru's political establishment and laid bare the deep divisions between residents of the capital, Lima, and the long-neglected countryside.


The process is in its early stages and Subway could still decide against pursuing a sale, said the person, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public. Subway is exploring a potential sale that could value the sandwich chain at more than $10 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter.



Subway has long been a potential target for private equity firms, as well as other corporations. As a privately held company, we dont comment on ownership structure and business plans, Subway said in an email. We continue to be focused on moving the brand forward with our transformational journey to help our franchisees be successful and profitable.



Subways deliberations were reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal. The company, based in Milford, Connecticut, is one of the worlds largest quick-service restaurant chains, with about 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Its rapid growth since opening its first shop in 1965 has tapered off in recent years amid intense competition.

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Eat Fresh

Last October, Subway said it had experienced positive growth over the previous 18 months as the chain revamped its image with the Eat Fresh campaign that included new bread recipes, aimed at improving consumers perception of the chain and its ingredients. The company said that digital sales, which include orders made online and via mobile apps, have bolstered results.



Subway is one of the most recognizable names in the restaurant industry, and its more than 20,000 US locations makes it the largest by store count, dwarfing even McDonalds Corp. The companys lack of drive-throughs hurt it during the pandemic, when many dining rooms were closed. The momentum could help the company garner some interest following a difficult period in which it experienced management upheaval, criticism from franchisees and declining sales.
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Turkish coastal town looks forward to greeting Chinese guests

Xinhua) 14:00, January 12, 2023

ISTANBUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A resort town along the western Mediterranean coast of Turkiye is all geared up for the return of Chinese tourists as China eased its travel restrictions on Jan. 8.

"That's excellent news, and we were thrilled," said Celal Yildiz, owner of a travel agency in Fethiye, a district of the Mugla province famed for its valleys, beaches, and extreme sports.

The region became a top-rated and eye-catching destination for Chinese travelers after a batch of Chinese influencers visited Fethiye for a program shooting in 2015 and shared their paragliding experiences with the Chinese audience.

Touted as one of the best spots for paragliding, the 2,000-meter-high Babadag mountain stands perpendicular to the sea and provides perfect weather conditions to fly all year round. Adventurers can take off from the mountain and glide to the sandy beach of Fethiye's small town of Oludeniz.

Lots of Chinese people, especially the young generations, came here to experience the sport over the breathtaking view of the Oludeniz lagoon.

"I have friends from China, and we always chatted on WeChat," said Yildiz, emphasizing the good friendships he and Chinese visitors established.

"If everything goes on track, we will have a big explosion (in the number of Chinese guests visiting Fethiye in 2023)."

Ozgen Uysal, head of the Western Mediterranean Regional Representatives Board at the Turkish Travel Agencies Association, said that before the pandemic in 2019, the paragliding companies in Fethiye carried out approximately 166,000 flights, among which, 40 percent were done by Chinese guests.

"That is a very high figure for us," Uysal told Xinhua.

Recently, the area has started to receive increasing Chinese travelers. Among the approximate 100 flights per day, 15-20 of them were from Chinese guests, according to Uysal, who is optimistic for this year.

Mustafa Argin, the owner of three boutique hotels in Fethiye, told Xinhua that the entire region, incredibly keen on Chinese tourists, is eagerly preparing to welcome them.

"We are very familiar with the preferences of our Chinese guests," Argin told Xinhua, explaining that they filled breakfasts with food items suitable for Chinese tastes and hire about 70 percent of his staff who have an intermediate level of the Chinese language.

"Fethiye loves China, while the Chinese also love Fethiye, and the region is harmonious with them," Argin said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MG Motor India on Wednesday showcased its vision for future mobility Drive.Ahead at the Auto Expo 2023. (Twitter)

HYDERABAD: MG Motor India on Wednesday showcased its vision for future mobility  Drive.Ahead  at the Auto Expo 2023.

The company unveiled a line-up of 14 production-ready vehicles from its portfolio that communicate the brands focus on sustainable, conscious, and innovative technology as part of MGs vision in India.

Speaking at the event, Rajeev Chaba, president, and managing director, of MG Motor India, said, We believe in working towards a world that is sustainable, humane, and driven by intuitive technology. Our aim is to build an ecosystem where mindfulness and consciousness, are a way of life. Our EV and NEV range of products displayed here demonstrate MGs commitment and endeavors toward faster adoption of green and sustainable mobility in India.

The company also unveiled two technologically advanced, high-safety, and zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) supporting its stance as an Auto-tech brand during the show. The two vehicles are the MG4, a pure-electric hatchback EV, and the MG EHS, a plug-in hybrid SUV. Both these vehicles underscore MGs resolute commitment to strengthening EV adoption in the country.
The logo of G20 Summit 2023, to be held in India, displayed on the wall of the Red Fort, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec.1, 2022. (Photo: PTI)

NEW DELHI: India assumed the presidency of the G20 grouping on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a strong pitch for "fundamental mindset shift" to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation.

In an article penned for newspapers across the globe, Modi underscored the theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (One World, One Family, One Future), and listed terror, climate change, pandemic as the greatest challenges that can be best fought together.

Gone is the time to remain trapped in the same old zero-sum mindset, which has led to both scarcity and conflict, the prime minister said.

"It is time to get inspired by our spiritual traditions which advocate oneness and work together to solve global challenges," he added.

Modi said India's G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also the fellow-travellers in the Global South Asia, Africa and Latin America - whose voice often goes unheard.

"Let us join together to make India's G20 Presidency a Presidency of healing, harmony and hope. Let us work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation," he said.

The country looks forward to working on encouraging sustainable lifestyles, depoliticising the global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products among other subjects, the prime minister said.

"Unfortunately, we remain trapped in the same zero-sum mindset even today. We see it when countries fight over territory or resources. We see it when supplies of essential goods are weaponised. We see it when vaccines are hoarded by a few, even as billions remain vulnerable," he said.

If humans were inherently selfish, what would explain the lasting appeal of so many spiritual traditions that advocate the fundamental one-ness of us all, he asked.

Modi said, "One such tradition, popular in India, sees all living beings, and even inanimate things, as composed of the same five basic elements - the panch tatva of earth, water, fire, air and space. Harmony among these elements - within us and between us - is essential for our physical, social and environmental well-being."

He added, "India's G20 Presidency will work to promote this universal sense of one-ness. Hence our theme - 'One Earth, One Family, One Future".

India's G20 presidency got off to a start with G20 University Connect with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and top government officials reaching out to students of 75 universities in an interactive session to create awareness about the "watershed moment" in the country's journey.

Nagaland's famous Hornbill Festival in Kohima, which also began on Thursday, had a special focus on G20, while 100 monuments across the country, including some UNESCO heritage sites, were illuminated with the G20 logo with an invitation to citizens to post selfies on the MyGov website. Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik created sand art of India's G20 logo on Puri beach in Odisha.

Jaishankar said it would be India's endeavour to make consensus on key global issues more relevant through a wider process of consultation.

"As the mother of democracy, India's G20 presidency will be consultative, it will be collaborative and it will be decisive," he said addressing the G-20 University Connect initiative at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan here.

He said India had assumed the G20 presidency at a "very challenging time in world politics" and at an inflection point in its own history.

Jaishankar said India was well-placed to manage contradictions and divergent agendas because of its independent foreign policy and ability to find common ground with different players.

He said harmonising various interests was something that has been deeply ingrained in India's history and culture.

"We have long been a pluralistic and consultative society which have debated issues openly before we arrive at a decision. Since this is deeply ingrained in our DNA, we have never been insecure with diversity. Our essential unity is not only the basis for pluralism, but also a source of confidence for engaging the world," he said.

Addressing the G20 University Connect, P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, said holding the G20 meetings at 56 different locations in the country will ensure that the pan-India nature of event is truly showcased and every state government, Union territory and citizen can be a stakeholder in the process of India's presidency.

"G20 presidency is an opportunity to present the diversity that is India to the outside world. Universities can train students about local history and important landmarks, art-forms and other cultural traditions of their area," Mishra said.

The G 20 University Connect event was also attended by UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar, Amitabh Kant, the Sherpa for the G-20 and Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India's chief coordinator for G20.

On Thursday, India also assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of December during which it will host signature events on countering terrorism and reformed multilateralism.

India was also handed over the chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control regime, at the 26th annual plenary in Vienna in Austria.
MLAs belonging to the allies of the ruling government raise slogans against Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi before staging a walkout during his address at the first session of the year of Tamil Nadu Assembly, at Fort St George, in Chennai, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (PTI)

New Delhi/Chennai: Amidst the intense tussle between the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and Governor R N Ravi, the state government on Thursday apprised President Droupadi Murmu over the issue and submitted a memorandum, the content of which was not disclosed immediately.

DMK Parliamentary Party leader T R Baalu told reporters in New Delhi that Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy, who led a delegation, handed over to the President what state Chief Minister M K Stalin has "written," apparently implying at some kind of a memorandum.

In his brief interaction in Tamil with reporters at the national capital, he refused to divulge the content of the communication submitted to the President, repeatedly insisting it was on behalf of the government and handed over by the TN Law Minister.

"What the TN CM said has been conveyed to the President," he said, flanked by Regupathy and Lok Sabha member A Raja.

Ravi deviating from his customary address to the state Assembly on Monday and Stalin piloting a resolution against it had deepened the already strained relations between the state government and the Raj Bhavan, who have been at loggerheads over a number of issues including the NEET exemption to Tamil Nadu.

The chorus for Ravi's recall have since grown stronger in the state, especially from DMK's allies, although the BJP has backed the Governor.

Incidentally, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance had in November last year also urged President Murmu to sack Ravi, alleging he had violated the oath he took under the Constitution, while levelling a series of allegations against him.
As the court was informed by the advocate general that Dushyant Dave, senior counsel of Supreme Court, who is representing the state government in the appeals, was unwell, the court adjourned the case to next Wednesday.PTI File Image

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing to January 18, in the appeals filed by the Telangana state government challenging the single judge orders, which had transferred the poachgate case to CBI from

the SIT that was constituted by the state government.

Originally, the hearing in virtual mode was scheduled for Wednesday

afternoon before the division bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan

and Justice N. Tukaramji. As the court was informed by the advocate general

that Dushyant Dave, senior counsel of Supreme Court, who is representing the

state government in the appeals, was unwell, the court adjourned the case

to next Wednesday.
Faced with the possibility of being left behind in the shift towards EVs, Toyota has announced a radical shift in company policy and directi...
Photo: The Canadian Press A protester carries a piece of wood simulating a weapon during a protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in the Petion-Ville area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 3, 2022.The Canadian Armed Forces have sent armoured vehicles to Haiti that were purchased by Port-au-Prince. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand say the equipment will help the Haitian National Police to try containing a gang crisis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Odelyn Joseph

The Canadian Armed Forces delivered more armoured vehicles to Haiti as police in Port-au-Prince struggle to contain gang crisis.

The tanks were purchased by the Haitian government and it is the second such shipment since October.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand say the equipment will help the Haitian National Police.

Port-au-Prince has been held hostage for months by violent, feuding gangs who have shut down roads and essential services, leading to a resurgence of cholera.

Haiti's unelected Prime Minster Ariel Henry wants an international military intervention to regain control of the capital, a move controversial among Haitians.

Ottawa said it wants Haitian leaders to form a political consensus on how the West can best support the country so it can hold a credible election.
The bench comprising Justice Battu Devanand and Justice V.R.K. Krupasagar heard the PIL filed on Thursday by CPI secretary K. Ramakrishna challenging the recent GO issued by the AP government. (File Photo)

Vijayawada: A vacation bench at the Andhra Pradesh High Court has suspended till January 23 the GO-1 that had imposed curbs on public meetings on national and state highways.

In an interim order in response to a PIL, the vacation bench directed the state government to file a counter affidavit and posted the next hearing on Jan. 20. The bench comprising Justice Battu Devanand and Justice V.R.K. Krupasagar heard the PIL filed on Thursday by CPI secretary K. Ramakrishna challenging the recent GO issued by the AP government.

The bench observed that the GO was against Section 30 of the Police Act, 1861. No government had brought in such a GO in the 75 years history of independent India, the bench observed.

It asked whether India could have organised the Freedom movement had the then British government issued orders similar to GO-1. However, the bench added that it was not going into the details presented by the Advocate-General and it would do so after the counter affidavit was filed.

Petitioners counsel Aswani Kumar said that, as per GO-1, no public meeting would be permitted on national and state highways and on municipality and gram panchayat roads. The government insisting on prior permission to organise meetings and rallies was against Section 30 of IPC, he said.

Counsel told the bench that even during British rule, only Section 144 was promulgated to curb rallies. He pleaded for a stay on implementation of GO-1, saying even during the Mahatmas Non-Cooperation movement, such GOs were not issued.

Advocate-General S. Sriram raised objection to the hasty admissibility of the PIL by saying no reason was mentioned for taking up the PIL for an emergency hearing. He argued that the PIL was engineered to suit the vacation bench and said the state government was having no information about the PIL. The vacation bench should not hear the cases related to policy decisions of the state government, he said.

The A-G said that the word ban or prohibition was not mentioned anywhere in the GO and added that the state government was acting only as per the provisions of the Police Act.

Reacting to the HCs interim order, CPI secretary Ramakrishna urged the state government to withdraw the GO immediately. Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrbabu Naidu tweeted that extreme fear would turn a man a psycho and hence Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Reddy promulgated the GO-1.

Meanwhile, film producer Ram Gopal Varma, in a satirical tweet, branded Naidu as a psychiatrist doing a mind-analysis to find the reasons for the CM issuing the GO.
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Bobby Wood "on the Hill" Bobby Wood and friends Bobby and Jeanne Wood A young Bobby Wood The Woods and the Hullanders Rep. Wood with Senator Bob Corker Announcing retirement in 2004 The Woods singing at Hullander farm Bobby Wood with Senator Marsha Blackburn Previous Next

Retired State Rep. Bobby Wood, who was one of the Legislature's most beloved and respected members, passed away early Thursday morning at his Harrison, Tn. home after an extended illness.

Russell Ford, funeral director for Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, said visitation at Redemption Point Church, 3831 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, will be Monday from 4-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon when the funeral service will be held.

Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Arch Trimble IV said, Bobby was a tremendous community servant and our county will be forever in his debt. As chairman, we in the GOP owe so much to Rep. Wood and his friend Bill Bennett for starting our Republican movement. Mr. Wood had a sharp mind, someone Ive depended on since being selected chairman. I will really miss him. 

The Hamilton County Republican from the 26th legislative district served 28 years in the Tennessee General Assembly before retiring in 2004.

Rep. Wood was given the partys Tennessee Statesman of the year award in that same year. Elizabeth Dole made the presentation at a Nashville dinner.

During that event Rep. Wood said, "When I took office, I made it my goal to always make the moral choices, to always heed the voices of my constituents, and to do what I could to make Tennessee a better place to live. I hope that I have succeeded in that goal."

The late Tennessee Governor and former House Speaker Ned Ray McWherter knew Bobby Wood very well. The Democrat called him a true Tennessee statesman who loved God, his family, our state and the community he represented. I value his leadership in the House and enjoy working with him. Bobby Wood is always welcome in my office.

While Ned Ray McWherter was House Speaker, Rep. Wood, a Republican, served on the Finance Ways and Means Committee.

The conservative lawmaker sponsored legislation formulating home school policy in Tennessee that was used as a model in other states.

In 2000, Rep. Wood sponsored legislation to bring Tenncare benefits in line with the state healthcare plan. He was also the founder of the weekly Legislative Devotional. This bi-partisan Wednesday morning gathering is a revered institution on Capitol Hill.

The late Charlie Peavyhouse was a good friend of Rep. Wood.

Mr. Peavyhouse said he introduced Rep. Wood to President Ronald Reagan when he came to Chattanooga in 1987. Mr. Peavyhouse said, Rep. Wood was always ready to meet with his constituents and listen to their concerns.

Rep. Wood was a frequent visitor to the 3rd Sunday Night Red Back Hymnal Singing at his friend Hamilton County Trustee Bill Hullanders farm in Apison. Mr. Wood would lead the congregation in a hymn or two and sing in a quartet made up of those in the audience. He sang duets with his wife Jeanne.

Trustee Hullander said, Hamilton County has lost a good man, but Ive lost one of my best friends. He was so humble. We shared a common interest in the old hymns and Gospel songs; Bobby loved to sing Ill Fly Away. I will certainly miss him and that friendly smile.

Mr. Hullander said he and his wife Linda went to see Rep. Wood earlier this week and had prayer with the lawmaker. He said, Ill always remember Bobby Wood as a dedicated Christian who was a faithful member of the Ooltewah Church of God where he taught Sunday school for many years."

Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles has known Bobby Wood for nearly 50 years. Mr. Knowles said Rep. Wood was known as the conscious of the legislature; his stand on moral issues was well respected. Mr. Knowles said he was always available to talk about issues.

Clerk Knowles said, "My wife Marlene graduated with Bobby in 1953 from Central High School. Bobby and his wife have beautiful voices and provided music at the class reunions. We will miss their singing together.

Senator Bo Watson said, Rep. Wood was beloved and respected by legislators on both sides of the aisle. He served his district in Hamilton County and the state of Tennessee with the highest honor. He was committed to his faith, his family, and his community. He lived a life of public service. They just dont make them like Bobby Wood anymore. He set a high standard. Our prayers are with the family and the Harrison community.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said, Brenda and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our good friend Bobby Wood early this morning. We had the honor and privilege to know Bobby for many years, and we always appreciated our time together and the memories we created.

"Bobby faithfully served our state for 28 years in the Tennessee House of Representatives and was a conservative leader who changed our state for the better. Brenda and I will miss Bobby very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Rep. Wood wrote two Christmas plays including Christmas Comes to Detroit Louie, still used in churches during the holiday season.

The Fyfe, Ala., native worked for the Chattanooga Glass Company and later became president of Carriage Hill Insurance.

Among Rep. Woods local interests were the Golden Gloves Association and the Teen Challenge Drug Abuse Program.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.

Book and play by: Bobby G. Wood

Play #: 1280

Pages: 40 pgs

Cast: 7 m, 7 w

In this rest home-clinic setting on Christmas Eve, a group of people are waiting to see the doctor. Among them are Detroit Louie, the hard-hearted pickpocket; Harry, his dumb, but loyal right-hand man; John and Cara, who have just brought their father to be committed permanently and the Old Man, who refuses to believe his son would do such a thing. Also present are Mrs. Aiken, the hypochondriac, and the Blind Girl, who believes strongly in helping others; and Angel No. 2, who is on probation. She must make this mission count in order to get her wings back. She has permission to grant just one wish in this particular room and it is a very hard decision. A warm and humorous play, one of our most popular for many years. Performance time about 50 minutes.

Biographical Information

Married, two sons

Born September 21, 1935, Fyffe, Alabama

Church of God

President, Carriage Hill Insurance Company

Attended University of Tennessee Knoxville and University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Chicago School of Transportation

Member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Full Gospel Businessmen's Association, National Platform Speakers Association, Chattanooga Golden Gloves Association, Teen Challenge Drug Abuse Program Advisory Board, and World Trade Council

Public Office

House member of the 90th through 102nd General Assemblies

Member of Commerce, Ethics and Finance Ways and Means Committees

Community Involvement
Members of the Nokian staff, State Economic Development, Rhea County and city of Dayton just before touring the plant. From left to right are Interim Dayton City Manager Tammy Colvin, Dayton Mayor Hurley Marsh, County Executive Jim Vincent, Plant Manager David Korda, Vice President of Sales Tommi Heinomen, Sam Willis, Regional Director of Economic Development, Dennis Tumlin Chief Customer Officer for the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, who was Executive Director, Rhea/Dayton Rhea Economic and Tourism Council, John Bamber current Executive Director David Korda, plant manager, addresses audience County Executive Jim Vincent makes remarks Tommy Heinomen welcomes state and local officials Plant Manager David Korda leads tour showing components of tire Dennis Tumlin and Sam Wills observe production County Executive Jim Vincent watching storage of tires one of the many automated carriers that move product around the plant Nokian's 830,000 square feet current building. Facility parking is under the solar panels. Previous Next

In a press conference Wednesday morning Nokian officials along with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Regional Director Sam Willis, County Executive Jim Vincent, Dayton Mayor Hurley Marsh and Interim Dayton City Manager Tammy Colvin announced that Nokian Tires will create 75 new jobs at its Dayton, Tennessee factory in 2023, as the company aims to double tire capacity at the award-winning facility.

The company celebrated the start of the capacity expansion, which also includes an on-site storage warehouse, at an event on Wednesday with state, local and company officials.Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter was supposed to attend to represent Governor Bill Lee, but was grounded in Nashville due to FAA restrictions of flying because of a computer glitch.

Wes Boling, marketing communications director from Nokian served as MC of the event introducing the guest speakers.

Vice President of Sales Tommi Heinomen said, For the employees of Nokian at the factory in Dayton we would like to thank all the state officials and local and county officials for their support. We want to double our sales in North America, and we cant do it without this factory. What the factory means to me its not only the building but its the its the great product, the innovations that we are doing and its all about the people thats inside the building. What a journey this has been. But its not over yet.

Plant Manager David Korda said that Nokian is getting better and better at making the tires and now we have reached our full potential of this part of Phase I capacity. We are ready to move on to Phase II to double our capacity. This is the next logical stage in our development. We have known that this is coming for a long time. And we are announcing the 75 jobs along with the new equipment.

The equipment is just equipment. It will just sit there. The life blood of Nokian is the people. To the members of Rhea County we extend the offer to come join us in this journey we are taking together. If your willing to be challenged, to grow, to develop, work hard you can have a career here and support and grow your families here and your can grow and develop here.

County Executive Jim Vincent said, "It was such and honor to be at the announcement today. I just want to say to the Nokian team you are welcome to Rhea County and you are appreciated and you are part of the Rhea County family,

Mr. Vincent continued to say that in talking with parents in Rhea County that the Nokian plant solves a long standing problem. One of the biggest concerns is that they raise their children here, send them to school and they move off to get a job. You (Nokian) have solved this problem. And that is huge.

Mr. Vincent went on to say that he appreciates Governor Bill Lee and that he has a desire to develop rural counties in Tennessee. I really appreciate that. He told us that when he was campaigning and I want to publicly thank him," he said.

He also thanked officials with the city of Dayton, saying, It takes a team to do something this nice and beneficial, I am so thankful you are here.

The new jobs and warehouse represent a $174 million investment. A portion of that figure was included in the company's originally announced investment in Dayton, while the jobs represent additional investment in the Southeast Tennessee workforce.

The companys application portal is open and hiring will begin this spring. Starting pay for the positions ranges from $17 to $21 per hour.

When Nokian Tyres opened its North American factory in 2019, it committed to bring 400 jobs to Rhea County. As the company adds positions and equipment this year in pursuit of full capacity approaching four million tires per year, it is partnering with the state and community to raise that total number of employees to 475.

We strive to be an employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee, and that has been our focus since day one of our operations, said Dayton Factory Operations Director David Korda. As we grow, were excited about providing fulfilling opportunities for professional growth that will also help our factory and company grow.

Nokian Tyres also announced on Wednesday the construction of a 600,000-tire warehouse connected to the Dayton Factory in line with the original investment plan. The facility will join the companys nine-warehouse network throughout the U.S. and Canada and will serve the growing volume of customers in the sun belt. The company plans to bring the warehouse online by mid-2024.

The factory set production records with existing equipment in 2022, and the company has begun installing additional infrastructure inside the factory to meet its goal of producing up to four million tires per year  a milestone it plans to reach in 2024. The company makes all-season and all-weather tires at the facility, which is the epicenter of its growth plan in North America. The expansion will enable Nokian Tyres to add light truck tires to the Dayton Factorys product mix in 2023.

In its first three years of operations in Dayton, the company has earned recognition for its workplace culture, operations and sustainability. Nokian Tyres was the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Associations Company of the Year in 2021, and the company was the first in Rhea County to receive the prestigious Tennessee Governors Environmental Stewardship Award.

The Dayton Factorys production building is the only tire production facility in the world to possess LEED v4 Silver certification, and its LEED v4 Gold-certified administration building is fully powered by energy generated from onsite solar panels.

Chattanoogan.com was able to get an exclusive interview with VP of Sales Tommi Heinonen.

Questions asked Mr. Heinonen are in bold.

Why did Nokian Tyres branch out into North America?

Nokian Tyres has been in North America for 40 years. North America is a very important strategic growth area. Our market share has been relatively small here. We see tremendous opportunity to grow here and provide premium products for North American consumers.

What do you mean by premium products?

Our aim is to provide the safest tires for the market. For us, premium starts with safety and also includes sustainability. Our Dayton Factory is a great example of sustainability and safety. Thats what we consider premium  safety and sustainability is where it starts.

What kind of improvements will we make at the Dayton Factory?

In Dayton, we are installing more machinery and increasing the capacity, creating 75 new jobs there. We are also building an onsite warehouse. Thats a big thing for us. There will be 600,000 tires onsite. Its a huge warehouse and a remarkable landmark. We are reaching full capacity of up to four million tires per year and a warehouse of 600,000 tires, while employing 75 people or more.

Are you concerned with global shortages of products?

One reason we have a factory in the U.S. is we want to be closer to our customers and less dependent on global trade markets. There was a clear opportunity for us to build a factory. When most of our North American products are built in Dayton, we are less dependent on global trade. Short-term hiccups are not hurting us much in the future when we have local production. The global freight situation is not impacting us much anymore. The situation is getting better all the time. The Dayton Factory is a great benefit. It shortens lead time to our customers. Its always good to be close to our customers.

There are two places in Dayton that sell your tires.

We are working all the time to improve our retail presence. We are opening more customers all the time, and we are happy our tires are now available in Dayton.

How do you expect the factory to evolve?



From day one, it has been very important. Now it is a critical part of our growth in North America. I hope someday we have more news about Dayton. My aim is to sell more tires and make sure we need more manufacturing in Dayton.

We have felt welcome from day one. When we were searching for sites, we had 80 sites [to choose between]. From day one, we felt this place was very welcoming of business. We have felt this is the correct place to be. I always use the saying that business goes where its welcome, but stays where its appreciated. We feel appreciated in Dayton, and we are happy to be in this area. Tire factories are always built for decades, not just for a year or two. I see a bright future for our cooperation.

How have you found the workforce?

Any manufacturing facility needs skillful people. Our factory is no different. Industry is more high-tech than it used to be. We have been able to find exceptionally good people in Dayton and Rhea County. We also feel that local authorities have helped us find good people. We feel welcome and we feel people are happy working with us. We are always impressed with the talented and motivated people we are able to find in Dayton. Its mutual benefit and mutual commitment. We are happy we are in Dayton, and we definitely feel we made the right decision to build our factory in Dayton. Were happy to announce more jobs and more investment in this area. Its a mutual commitment, and its made for decades. As demand for our tires grows in the United States and Canada, our expanded Dayton Factory will supply customers with a rising number of safe, sustainable all-season and all-weather products. We are happy to see the factory provide more jobs for North American workers and more tires for North American drivers.

About the Dayton Factory

Nokian Tyres opened its North American production facility in 2019 and began producing tires there for commercial use in January 2020
Justice Louis Brandeis called individual states laboratories of democracy. States, he held, can enact their own policies regardless of the actions of other states. Seems simple enough.

Brandeis thought that by experimentation, economic practices, and institutions each state would change to meet social and economic needs. He added that the denial of the right to experiment may be fraught with serious consequences to the Nation. To sum it up: Political institutions should be capable of adapting to changing economic circumstances and social values.

Michael Greve, a constitutional scholar, differed from Brandeis. He wrote, Real federalism requires confidence in the creative energies of a free society; a healthy suspicion of interest group schemes; and a willingness to tolerate indeterminacy and variegated results.

Greve added, Economic legislation is dominated by lobbyists and their well-heeled clients, who can easily defend their special interest schemes against a mass of rationally ignorant voters. In the social arena, political entrepreneurs can usually mobilize constituencies on both sides of issues that voters readily understand and, moreover, care about.

Greve suggests that Brandeis was far from celebrating a genuinely diversified, experimental politics but rather viewed state governments as a vanguard for the national administrative state.

Enter public education. States by design should look different in education. A one size fits all model does not work. Even before Tennessee became a state, our citizens were concerned about the education of children.

With the passage of the Cession Act in 1806, the Tennessee General Assembly created academies in each of the existing counties of the state. By 1835, our new constitution stated that the general diffusion of knowledge was essential to the preservation of the states democratic institutions. In 1867, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation for the reorganization, supervision, and maintenance of common schools.

These are examples of our historical progress in Tennessee to fund education properly, and our continued struggle from the beginning. As a state, we have been fraught with various problems within education. This has been a battle since the state was founded.

Our state has adapted to changing economic circumstances and social values throughout our history. Still, the point raised by Michael Greve is valid. In education, we are looking more like a national administrative state and less like a laboratory of democracy. One constant we safeguard is that schools must be responsive to parents, not philanthropists or special interest groups. On that front, we have work to do. We need a less invasive federal education system.



We could easily argue that too many state policies are mere cut-and-paste jobs from other states. That is true in other states as well. It is problematic because each state is different and unique, with different politics and economics. No two states are the same.

We hear and see that partisan politics break connections at the family, neighborhood, and community levels. Ideological silos are commonplace on both the left and right. Whatever party controls a state government controls state-level policymaking. This is not the way to create policy, let alone sustain it. Our education policy is of great concern to many and is tied to our future economic growth. We must do better than a patchwork of confusing or conflicting laws that govern the education of K12 students. That is one reason that in 2002, Florida simply rewrote its school code.

The most critical element for good government or better public policy is an informed citizen. Advocacy is helpful. Never forget you have a First Amendment right to express an opinion to policymakers. In education, they need to hear from parents and educators regularly. That is in line with the creative energies of a free society and helps fuel the state as a laboratory of democracy.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
Life Force announced its newest capability of offering high flow oxygen therapy to patients during air medical transports. They are the first air medical team in the state of Tennessee to offer this therapy.Officials said, "High flow oxygen therapy, primarily used in a hospital setting, helps reduce the need for invasive ventilation. This method of oxygen delivery has been proven very effective and allows patients to receive oxygen while reducing strain on their body to support healing."In recent years, there have been more patients placed on this type of oxygen therapy in hospitals and studies have shown that it is extremely beneficial while remaining noninvasive. This oxygen therapy is typically delivered via a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC). High flow oxygen therapy bridges the gap between traditional noninvasive and invasive methods, is proven to be effective in improving gas exchange and decreasing the patients work of breathing with the goal of patient improvement without mechanical ventilation."The ability to offer this advanced therapy that was previously only available inside the hospital setting will greatly benefit our community by providing the right care during a critical time, said Robbie Tester, senior director of Life Force. We are excited to be able to provide this higher level of care to our community and look forward to continuing to expand our capabilities.This therapy is delivered on-board Life Force helicopters by combining a transport ventilator with a humidifier. This combination of devices provides the same functionality as those utilized in the hospital. Life Force is the only air medical provider in the state of Tennessee to carry this new advanced oxygen therapy.Life Force transports patients of all ages and medical conditions. This new therapy will allow the transport of patients who require oxygen flow rates greater than 15 liters-per-minute in cases of hypoxemia, or below-normal oxygen in their blood, caused by various disease processes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID, pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary diseases such as COPD or congestive heart failure (CHF).Life Force began operations in 1988 and currently has six bases of operations to include: Cleveland, TN, Sparta, TN, Calhoun, GA, Blue Ridge, GA, Winchester, TN and Murphy, NC. The LIFE FORCE fleet consists of four twin engine IFR helicopters and two single engine VFR helicopters. The program possesses a record of aviation excellence and safety. Life Force has also maintained accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).
Aviation is a challengingprofession where several hundred lives depend on two expert pilots on each and every flight. (Representational Image/ANI)

The Indian Aircraft Act 1934 was enacted to make better provisions for control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft. It is clearly the Magna Carta for all aviation ops, whose primary focus should be passenger flight safety. The makers of the Indian Constitution had incorporated aviation in Schedule Seven, in the Union List, whose item 29 is airways; aircraft and air navigation  aerodromes, entrusting the responsibility of regulating aviation to the Central government.

This makes it clear that every airline or aircraft operator, whether state-owned or private, must be subject to the governments control. Aviation being a capital, labour, fuel, technology-intensive and high-risk sector, passengers lives and flight safety can never be left exclusively in the hands of profit-seeking businessmen -- whether they run airlines or airport operations. Thus, while ensuring flight safety, from take-off to touch-down, remains the job of those who run airlines, the government of the day, of whatever party or political complexion, cannot avoid its liability and responsibility.

Understandably, major flight safety failures of the past must be remembered and analysed to ensure that they dont recur. Thus, on December 17, 2003, at the Aeronautical Society of Indias century celebration of aviation in Bengaluru, this writer, as one of three keynote speakers, emphasised that the foremost mission of aviation, both civil and military, stands on flight safety, and that can never be compromised, no matter what the financial cost.

Therefore, two recent civil aviation-related news items drew ones attention. First, the submission by the pilots unions of now privately-run Air India which alleged that working conditions are hostile at the airline as the pilots are intimidated to accept flights with total disregard to Air Indias flight-duty-time-limitation (FDTL) due to pilot shortage. True or untrue, FDTL is a flight safety matter. Its because no pilot can operate (or rather, must not be allowed to operate) beyond the mandatorily stipulated flying hours per-day. Flying isnt like driving a car or riding a bicycle where the driver or rider can take a break any time if he or shes tired. Aviation is a challenging profession where several hundred lives depend on two expert pilots on each and every flight. Thus, without a minimum period of rest, where pilots and flight crews can get refreshed, things can end tragically as theres no dearth of accidents due to flight safety failures in the Indian sky.

Contextually, therefore, a few major air disasters of the past must be remembered. May 31, 1973 Indian Airlines 440 Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Delhi runway 28-10; January 1, 1978 Air India 855 Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea within 90 seconds after take-off from Mumbai runway 27-09; October 19, 1988 Indian Airlines 113 Boeing 737 crashed on the final approach of Ahmadabad runway 23; February 14, 1990 Indian Airlines 605 Airbus 320 made a short-landing, at the old Bangalore runway 09; August 16, 1991 Indian Airlines 257 Boeing 737 hit the hills outside Imphal airport during descent. Indeed, the saddest was when one of the most respected and dynamic civil aviation ministers of India, the late Madhavrao Scindia, resigned on his own after gross flight safety failures over an avoidable pilot error of Indian Airlines wet-leased Uzbek Airlines aircraft on a zero-visibility foggy Saturday morning, January 9, 1993, on Delhi runway 28-10. The conscientious minister couldnt take the flight safety failures of others, and quit on moral grounds, and strangely enough, died in a plane crash on September 30, 2001.

Since flight accidents can only be of two types -- avoidable or unavoidable, advance flight safety planning constitutes the core

competence of every carrier. Thus, the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must be prepared for all eventualities as they are empowered to strictly implement aviation law.

This brings us to Air Indias mega aircraft order worth over $100 billion. While this is an excellent news for India, theres a curious twist: a number of Boeing-737-MAX going to Air India were previously earmarked for Chinese airlines, where Boeing still awaits re-certification owing to two avoidable fatal crashes: Indonesias Lion Air (2018) and Ethiopian Airlines (2019). Bloomberg also noted in a October 2022 report: Boeing is trying to offload some roughly 140 aircraft it is currently not allowed to deliver. One only hopes that due diligence has been done in matters regarding the safety of the carriers new aircraft, under the watchful eyes of the ministry and the DGCA.

Its true that the 106-year-old Boeing has an incredible record of quality products, yet in the last three years there has been a severe erosion of the plane-makers credibility and reputation due to two avoidable crashes of its fastest selling 737-MAX. The Financial Times reported on September 16, 2020: Sweeping failures by Boeing engineers, deception by company and significant errors in government oversight led to two fatal 737-MAX crashes, US congressional investigators concluded in a 245-page report. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, under Chairman Peter DeFazio, found it mind-boggling that Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration concluded that the planes design had complied with regulations in spite of crashes.

Now, in December 2022, the same US Congress which had given a scathing 2020 report on the Boeing-737-MAX flighty safety mechanism, however, gave Boeing a last-minute reprieve on 737-MAX, moving away from its earlier stand on flight safety, for which it passed the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability Act 2020, which required all planes, certified by the FAA after December 27, 2022, to have updated crew-alerting systems that conformed to the latest safety standards. Clearly, Boeings intense lobbying for months convinced US legislators.

What appeared to have worked on the US legislators were job losses, reputation, credibility, market and filling of the vacuum by Boeings key rival Airbus and the advent of Chinas COMAC-made narrow-body passenger jet C-919, which poses a challenge to both Europe and the United States.

This is why aircraft orders cant be left solely to Air India. The DGCA and the civil aviation ministry must step in to examine the issue threadbare as both aviation law and the Constitution requires the Central government to oversee all fight safety matters, which should be the key factor.

Post-Script: The Pee-gate matter involving Air Indias Flight AI-102 wasnt just scandalous, but a potential flight safety hazard too. The DGCA and the government must come down hard on the private carrier to focus more on flight safety issue than simply trying to monopolise and maximise profits. An airline founded by the legendary aviator J.R.D. Tata can certainly do better for its image, credibility and reputation.
Former State Rep. Bobby Wood served for 28 years in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Rep. Wood passed away on Thursday after battling cancer.

Rep. Wood was always open for interviews and never dodged this reporter. I first met him when he was elected to the General Assembly in 1976 and invited him to be a guest on WDODs Sunday morning Sound Off.

Rep. Wood wasnt a stranger to the audience appearing on the show 40 times. I invited him back repeatedly because he answered listeners questions and concerns about their state government. He always returned his phone calls and wasnt too busy to talk with his constituents from Nashville.

In 1985, Rep. Wood and several of his friends gave me the American Legion Post 14 Americanism Award. It should have been Mr. Wood being recognized for his patriotism and not me.

Its no wonder Bobby Wood was given the name The Conscious of the Legislature. He was a man of integrity and a devout Christian.

Rep. Wood wasnt ashamed to share his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the lawmakers favorite Bible verses was Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Our state, county and city are a better place to live because Bobby Wood not just professed but lived his Christianity every day.

Earl Freudenberg

Retired Chattanooga Broadcaster
State Senator Bo Watson took the oath of office on Tuesday in Nashville as the 113th General Assembly was gaveled in on the first day of the legislatures organization session. Senator Watson was also reappointed chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means committee. The appointment was announced by Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) on Thursday as lawmakers concluded its first week of the organizational session.

Lt. Governor McNally praised Senator Watson for his leadership on the Finance, Ways and Means committee.

Tennessees outstanding fiscal health is not a matter of luck, said Lt. Governor McNally. It is the work of dedicated public servants making smart and tough decisions. Bo Watson is one of the most critical of those servants. Bos hard work has kept Tennessees fiscal house in order under the toughest of conditions. I am proud to reappoint him.

The Finance, Ways and Means Committee is responsible for all measures relating to the budget, taxes, and the issuance of bonds.

I appreciate the confidence that Lt. Governor McNally has placed in me to continue serving as chairman of this committee, said Senator Watson. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure Tennessee continues to be among the best financially managed states in the nation.

Senator Watson was also appointed to the Health and Welfare as well as Commerce and Labor committees.

As another part of the organizational session, Senator Watson was sworn in to another four-year term in the Tennessee Senate, where he represents part of Hamilton County.

Its an honor to represent the citizens in District 11, said Senator Watson. I will work very hard to remain accessible and open to the citizens I represent. I also look forward to working with Governor Lee and my colleagues to improve opportunities for all Tennesseans.

The General Assembly will return to the State Capitol next Friday to wind up organizational details. The organizational session will conclude on Saturday, Jan. 21, with the inauguration of Governor Bill Lee to his second term on Legislative Plaza. Tennessee law declares that the governor shall take the oath of office on the first Saturday following Jan. 14.




MTVs The Challenge Season 38 continues to illuminate Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseleys issues post-relationship. The competitors got engaged on the show but later called off their engagement. Now, theyre competing against each other for the first time post-breakup  and Tori recently commented on Jordans suggestive Instagram post.

[Spoiler alert: The Challenge Season 38 spoilers ahead regarding Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseley.]

Tori Deal from MTVs The Challenge | John Lamparski/WireImage

Jordan Wiseley and Tori Deal are at odds in The Challenge Season 38. Tori had no idea that Jordan would compete this season with her best friend, Aneesa Ferreira. When Jordan entered the competition, it threw Tori for a loop. She then spent a lot of time reconnecting with Jordan, giving her hope that they could reconcile their relationship. Unfortunately, Jordan started developing feelings for rookie player Nurys Mateo, resulting in major conflict.

It looks like the exes were able to sort out their differences post-show. In January 2023, Jordan posted a series of photos to Instagram of him shirtless. Get it, Tori commented on the post with a clap emoji.

Some show fans came after Tori for her comment given the conflict between the exes on the show. But others showed their support. Dont listen to these miserables in here, we all know the love is still there between ya, a fan commented. Whichever way that goes in the future has nothing to do with anyone! Obviously, yall are in a better place after the show. Blessings.

Why did Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseley break up?

Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseley clearly still have a connection, and fans can see it in The Challenge Season 38. So, why did the couple break up?

It seems they slowly grew apart. Tori told her Instagram Live followers that Jordan was the one to break up with her, and they werent doing well for a while before he called it quits. Jordan broke up with me on Oct. 6 [2020], Tori said.   We werent doing well before Double Agents. We thought that maybe the space would help us. It didnt. So, I come home, we break up very shortly after that. My friend, Dana, picks me up on Oct. 6. I stay with her. I fly back to stay with my mom, I stay with her for two weeks.

Cheating rumors surrounded Tori post-breakup. Tori and Faysal Shafaat were spotted on vacation together, prompting suspicion. Tori and Jordan verified that Tori never cheated, but Jordan still didnt feel good about what occurred post-breakup.

The exes are at odds heading into the end of The Challenge Season 38

Aneesa's caught in the crossfire ? during tomorrow's episode of #TheChalelnge38! Don't miss it at 8/7c on @MTV! ? pic.twitter.com/ebbhYZkBPz  The Challenge (@TheChallenge) January 10, 2023

Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseley had a lot of conflict at the beginning of The Challenge Season 38. In episode 14, Tori suspects Jordan may stab her in the back, as theyre on opposing teams following T.J. Lavins twist that separated each ride-or-die pairing.

A clip from the episode shows Tori asking Aneesa whether Aneesa thinks Jordan will throw her into an elimination. Aneesa says theres no chance that Jordan will backstab Tori, but Tori still doesnt know.

Playing with Jordan and playing with Aneesa has been really interesting to navigate because theyre ride or dies, shes my best friend, hes my ex-fiance, Tori tells the camera. The communication between him and I isnt great, so sometimes I do have to go to Aneesa and kind of get that confirmation from her.

The Challenge Season 38 airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel.
SPANGLE  A Lewiston, Idaho, woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash Jan. 3 near the U.S. Highway 195 intersection at Bradshaw road.

Jeannette R. Lavance, 54, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Her passenger, Eric V. Lavance, 61, of Lewiston, Idaho, was injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital, the patrol reported.

The driver of the second vehicle, Phillip R. Provoncha, 32, of Greenacres, was uninjured, the patrol reported.

According to a Washington State Patrol report, Lavances 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer was southbound on U.S. 195 at 2:21pm.approaching Milepost 77, the patrol reported. Provoncha was northbound in a 2022 Freightliner truck.

Lavances Trailblazer crossed the centerline and struck the truck in the northbound lane, the patrol reported.

It was unknown at the time of the report if drugs or alcohol contributed to the incident.
Absentee ballot request forms for the Cherokee Nations June 3 General Election are available through several different methods, including online, email and in-person.
A report from the National Assessment of Education Progress shows declines across the board in reading and math scores and a widening inequality gap across various measures such as gender, race, and economic status.
Montana state Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, speaks on the House floor on March 21, 2013, in Helena, Mont. Regier, now a state senator, is proposing asking Congress to study alternatives to Native American reservations. The measure riddled with racial stereotypes is unlikely to pass and would have no practical effect. The draft of the bill became available on Jan. 2, 2023.
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The last time the comet passed Earth was during the Upper Paleolithic period, when Neanderthals still roamed Earth. (Photo: Twitter)

PARIS: A newly discovered comet could be visible to the naked eye as it shoots past Earth and the Sun in the coming weeks for the first time in 50,000 years, astronomers have said.

The comet is called C/2022 E3 (ZTF) after the Zwicky Transient Facility, which first spotted it passing Jupiter in March last year.

After travelling from the icy reaches of our Solar System it will come closest to the Sun on January 12 and pass nearest to Earth on February 1.

It will be easy to spot with a good pair of binoculars and likely even with the naked eye, provided the sky is not too illuminated by city lights or the Moon.

The comet "will be brightest when it is closest to the Earth", Thomas Prince, a physics professor at the California Institute of Technology who works at the Zwicky Transient Facility, told AFP.

Made of ice and dust and emitting a greenish aura, the comet is estimated to have a diameter of around a kilometre, said Nicolas Biver, an astrophysicist at the Paris Observatory.

That makes it significantly smaller than NEOWISE, the last comet visible with an unaided eye, which passed Earth in March 2020, and Hale-Bopp, which swept by in 1997 with a potentially life-ending diameter of around 60 kilometres.

But the newest visit will come closer to Earth, which "may make up for the fact that it is not very big", Biver said.

While the comet will be brightest as it passes Earth in early February, a fuller moon could make spotting it difficult.

For the Northern Hemisphere, Biver suggested the last week of January, when the comet passes between the Ursa Minor and Ursa Major constellations.

The new moon during the weekend of January 21-22 offers a good chance for stargazers, he said.

"We could also get a nice surprise and the object could be twice as bright as expected," Biver added.

Prince said another opportunity to locate the comet in the sky will come on February 10, when it passes close to Mars.

'Rare visitor'

The comet has spent most of its life "at least 2,500 times more distant than the Earth is from the Sun", Prince said.

Biver said the comet was believed to have come from the Oort Cloud, a theorised vast sphere surrounding the Solar System that is home to mysterious icy objects.

The last time the comet passed Earth was during the Upper Paleolithic period, when Neanderthals still roamed Earth.

Prince said the comet's next visit to the inner Solar System was expected in another 50,000 years.

But Biver said there was a possibility that after this visit the comet will be "permanently ejected from the Solar System".

Among those closely watching will be the James Webb Space Telescope. However, it will not take images, instead studying the comet's composition, Biver said.

The closer the comet is to Earth, the easier it is for telescopes to measure its composition "as the Sun boils off its outer layers", Prince said.

This "rare visitor" will give "us information about the inhabitants of our Solar system well beyond the most distant planets", he added.
Each winter, Sikhs and Hindus across India and around the world thank their gods for a fruitful winter harvest during the Punjabi festival of Lohri. Like on Halloween, children go door to door singing folk songs and demanding lohri or loot. In return, neighbors give out money or snacks like sesame sweets, jaggery, popcorn, puffed rice, and peanuts. Because the date of the holiday follows the Vikrami (an ancient Hindu) calendar, Lohri falls on either January 13 or 14.

The night of Lohri, family, friends, and relatives gather around a bonfire dressed up in traditional Punjabi attire and make offerings to a fire god with a small portion of the childrens loot. The party walks around the fire together, throwing sesame snacks into the blaze and praying aloud in Punjabi, Aadar aye dilather jaye (May honor come and poverty vanish) and Til sade, paap sade/jhade (As the sesame burns, thus may our sins burn/fall off). The celebration ends by eating a traditional holiday meal, performing folk dances, and singing folk songs.

Sikhism was founded around 1500 by Guru Nanak (14691539) and nine subsequent gurus developed the community and the Sikh faith. Guru Arjan, the fifth in line, compiled the Adi Granth, which is the first authorized book of Sikh scripture. Sikhs believe there is only one god, genderless and eternal, and refer to this god as Waheguru (wonderful teacher). Sikhs also believe in rebirth and karma.

Those who do not serve the True Guru [God] and who do not contemplate the Word of the Shabad [Sikh scriptures]spiritual wisdom does not enter into their hearts; they are like dead bodies in the world. They go through the cycle of 8.4 million reincarnations, and they are ruined through death and rebirth. Guru Granth Sahib 88

Sikhs make up 1.7 percent of Indias 1.4 billion population, and they are spread out all over India, with the highest percentages located in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and other nearby regions. Outside India, the Sikh community has a significant presence in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malaysia .

Do beliefs about sin and forgiveness overlap for Sikhs and Christians? Christianity Todays South Asian correspondent spoke with a Sikh leader about his understanding of sin according to their faiths scriptures and how best to understand the May our sins burn/fall off prayer.

CT also spoke with three Punjabi-background pastors, two of which were born Sikh before converting to Christianity. All three have celebrated Lohri at some point in their lives, and they explained how their experience of sin in the Sikh world corresponds to the Christian understanding of the concept.

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Devinder Pal Singh, director, Center for Understanding Sikhism, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

In my opinion, the Punjabi expression Til sade, paap sade/jhade (As the sesame burns, thus may our sins burn/fall off) is only wishful thinking rooted in cultural ethos. It has no relation with classical understanding of Sikhism. For that matter, even Lohri has no roots in Sikhism since Sikhs do not worship the sun or fire. Instead, Lohri is generally celebrated by Sikhs predominantly because of its strong connection to Punjabi culture.

In Sikhism, all sins are considered rooted in ones ego and evil impulses and desires. Sikhism considers a sin [to be] any deliberate noncompliance with hukam, the Punjabi word for Gods law, or defiance of the moral law.

Sins can only be atoned for by meditating on God and seeking union with him. According to the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, When ones intellect is polluted or sullied by sin, it can only be purified by the Love of God.

Early Sikh sources do not say anything about other forms of expiation (atonement) that the sinner or offender might have to undergo in the society to which he belonged. The concept of expiation continued to evolve throughout Sikh history and [was] first codified by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh guru, for his Khalsa (the religious order of warriors he initiated.)

This code was revised in the 18th and 20th centuries and today is mainly focused on the individual and the various ways in which the person must behave to be a good, non-sinning Sikh.

In Sikhism, expiation is summarily dealt with in the community and must involve service (seva) to it.

The exceptions are the four major sins: hukka (smoking tobacco and using all other intoxicants), hajamat (removing hair), halalo (eating meat), and haram (adultery and sexual relationships outside marriage). Violations of these may necessitate re-initiation to the community for the offender.

Richard Howell, PhD (theology) and principal of Caleb Institute, Delhi. He was born and brought up in Punjab and spent a significant part of his life preaching the gospel there.

Sikhism defines karma as the sum of a persons good and bad actions in this and previous states of existence that affects a persons future. It is not a vertical relationship, so the sin of a person is not against a holy God, but is horizontal in that it concerns other people and yourself. Hence, there are consequences. Karma determines what happens to that individuals soul in the next life, whether they go up the ladder or down. In order to progress in transmigration (the passing of a persons soul from one body to another after death), ones good deeds must outweigh the bad deeds.

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The Lohri tradition of revolving around the fire and speaking the words Til sade, paap sade/jhade can point to the evidence of the presence of guilt. Burning sesame snacks in the fire can be, on one hand, a symbolic expression of confession and realization that you have done something wrong but, on the other, can simply be an act of increasing ones good deeds.

In Christianity, sin is not merely understood as ignorance but also that people are guilty before a holy God. People have disobeyed him and declared their independence from him. That is sin, and it results in separation from the life of God because of disobedience.

Jesus brings us back in harmony with God, and it starts with his incarnation when divinity united humanity. Our confession reunites us with God because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We experience forgiveness because of the grace of God.

Jitender Jeet Singh, former Sikh priest and former national evangelist for Ambassadors for Christ, Haryana

Throwing the sesame sweets in the fire represents the sins an individual has committed throughout the year, and they get rid of them. This act is performed year after year and will continue for a lifetime.

Not so with those who place their faith in Christ Jesus. Christ has taken our sins upon himself and has set us free once and for all. There is no redoing again and again, every year. Christ gives every individual a volitional right. If we want to get rid of our sins, we will have to choose to approach Christ. And this is only once. It does not need to be repeated. There is no compulsion, and if we choose otherwise, we carry the burden of our sins to eternity.

Santar Singh, senior pastor, Khush Khabri Fellowship, Singapore. Born Sikh, he later became a Christian and studied at the Assemblies of God Bible College in Singapore. His church includes a service exclusively for Punjabis.

The Sikh understanding of sin is very different from the Christian understanding of sin. Sikhs dont believe that they have inherited sin, unlike Christians who believe that they are born in sin and spiritually dead. Sikhs dont believe that their nature is sinful; they believe that their acts make them sinners. In Christianity, a man is not a sinner because he sins; he sins because he is a sinner. What is inside a person manifests on the outside.

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Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru out of the ten Sikh gurus and founder of Sikhism, formalized the three pillars (or duties) that help followers earn salvation: Naam Japo (meditation on God and reciting and chanting of Gods name), Kirat Karo (hard work and honesty), and Vand Chakko (sharing and consuming food and wealth together).

Christians believe what is written in Ephesians 2:89: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. We do not believe in works; we believe in the grace of God and our faith in the work of Christ.
For most Christians, legalism is something to avoidexcept when were talking about the law of the land.

Consider how we usually tell the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:111). This woman was obviously a sinner. She had broken Gods commandments. But when the scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, he did not condemn her. Instead, he exposed the self-righteous hypocrisy of her accusers: Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.

The moral of the story? Mercy triumphs over judgment.

True enough. But when we set aside our religious jargon for a moment, we find ourselves telling an even more surprising storya story, it turns out, about crime and law enforcement.

I had read this passage countless times, but it was only while preparing to teach a course in prison that it occurred to me that this woman really had broken the law. Adultery may not be a crime in our world, but it was in first-century Judeaunder both Jewish and Roman law. To put it in modern terms, the adulterous woman was a criminal and Jesus helped her evade punishment.

Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone. As I thought of my students in prison, Jesus words took on a new layer of meaning. The grace Jesus offered did not just challenge the legalism of her accusers. It also challenged my own attachment to the retributive logic of law and order. Here was a story of Gods boundless love for sinners, yesbut also a story of Gods redemptive grace for those we call criminals.

Just imagine replacing adultery with a different crime, one that violates our own laws, and notice how troubling the story sounds. A man caught dealing drugs, a woman charged with credit card fraud, a teen who stole a car. Has no one condemned you? Jesus asks. Go now and leave your life of sin.

He does not say, God may forgive youbut according to the law you must be punished.

The longer I thought about it, the more surprising this passage became. Here was a story stranger and more challenging than I had ever suspected, a story that cut to the root of how Christians engage with issues of law and justice. Why had I never noticed this before?

The New Testament casts a radical vision of Gods restorative justice for all wrongdoersboth those we call sinners and those we call criminals. But modern readers often fail to see it because the lens we bring to the text is shaped by the line weve drawn between sin and crime.

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When we read the New Testament, we are typically focused on the problem of sin and the need for divine forgiveness. From this perspective, the gospel is about the damage human wrongdoing does to our relationship with God and Christs work to restore this relationship.

This is not wrong. But it leaves out an important part of the story. Sin not only affects an individuals relationship with God. It also creates ripples of harm that flow through the communities for which God created us.

Some of these sins we call crime. Yet when we confront crime, we seldom turn to the gospel. Instead, we call on the criminal justice system.

The writers of the New Testament acknowledged only one kind of justiceGods. And yet when we distinguish sin from crime, we carve out two separate and very different domains of justice: one religious, the other secular. As a result, we tend to wear two different faces. We forgive sin, but we punish crime. We decry religious legalism but advocate for law and order.

In other words, we create a conceptual firewall that fences off the realm of criminal justice from the New Testaments challenging teaching on law and mandate for mercy.

Christians havent always thought this way. The conventional distinction between sin and crime dates to the 12th century.

Prior to this, as legal historian Harold Berman writes, All major secular offenseshomicide, robbery, and the likewere also sins to be atoned for by penance; and all major ecclesiastical offensessexual and marital sins, witchcraft and magic, the breaking of vows by monks, and the likewere also crimes prohibited by the folklaw and subject to secular sanctioning.

In short, sin was crime, and crime was sin.

But as the Catholic church and Europes monarchs struggled to carve out their respective areas of jurisdiction, a boundary began to crystallize between secular and religious realms. Some acts of wrongdoing were against Gods law, but not of concern to secular authorities. These were only sins. Others violated human laws too. These came to be called crimes.

Human laws do not forbid all vices, wrote the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas, but only the more grievous vices, from which it is possible for the majority to abstain; and chiefly those that are to the hurt of others, without the prohibition of which human society could not be maintained.

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In other words, Gods law regulated matters of the heart, whereas human laws governed society. And though God might forgive sin, violations of human law must be punished.

The main problem with this distinction is that it blinds us to Jesus withering critique of the logic of law and order.

Since Jesus criticizes the Pharisees preoccupation with following the letter of the law, we decry their issue as legalism. But we tend to think of this as a strictly religious mattera question of nitpicky piety.

This misses the point. In first-century Judea, the law of Moses was not just a set of religious prescriptions but a pattern governing all aspects of life, from marriage and divorce to lease agreements and farming practices. Except where the Romans interfered, it functioned as the law of the land, guiding the judgments of local authorities. The scribes we read about in the Gospels served, in part, as lawyers, using their legal expertise to resolve disputes and draft contracts.

When Jesus reproaches them for how they enforce the law, he is not just criticizing their theologyhes also challenging their legal theory. At its heart, the running debate between Jesus and the scribes is a disagreement about the relationship between law and justicenot just the laws we think of as religious, but the very idea of law as a way of regulating human behavior and punishing wrongdoing. Does meticulous enforcement of the law satisfy Gods justice? Or does Gods justice lie deeper?

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! Jesus laments. You give a tenth of your spicesmint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the lawjustice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matt. 23:23).

Sure, he says, youve mastered the tax code. But youre missing what its all about. Theres no value in following the letter of the law if youre not fulfilling its spirit (Matt. 5:1748).

Look, the Pharisees ask him, why are your disciples harvesting grain on the Sabbath? (Mark 2:24).

Okay, says Jesus, you know the labor laws. But youve forgotten their purpose. The Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath. The point is to give weary workers a restnot stop them from having lunch.

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In Jesus eyes, Gods law points to values close to Gods heartjustice, mercy, and faithfulness. The specific regulations of Gods law are meant to serve these values. In other words, enforcing Gods law should never get in the way of practicing the redemptive justice it points toward. Neither should enforcing our own laws.

These days, we seldom have legal controversies over tithing or Sabbath observance. Still, Jesus penetrating focus on the justice-shaped center of Gods law poses a challenge to modern readers too. Gods law is a beautiful gift. And our human laws also have value. But laws are not an end in themselves. When our desire to maintain law and order distracts us from the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulnesswell, we already know what Jesus would say.

Paul, too, was wary of what happens when enforcing the law takes priority over receiving and sharing Gods grace. The letter kills, he wrote, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:6). This is a truth he knew firsthandfirst as an enforcer of the law and then as an imprisoned convict.

Pauls gospel is articulated in language that would be familiar in any courtroom: law, justice, mercy, judgment. For years I read these terms as theological jargon, while actual laws and courtrooms were the furthest things from my mind. Now Im convinced I was missing something important.

In fact, although mapped on a larger scale, Pauls gospel addresses the same fundamental problem the modern criminal justice system targets: the basic fact of human wrongdoing and harmor, as Paul calls it, sin.

The gospel, Paul says, is Gods solution to this problem. But it is not a solution based on law. No, if God were bound by law and order, we would all be lost. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). No one is innocent, not even one (Rom. 3:10). We have all violated Gods law.

And yet God issues a surprising verdict: There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1). Through the gospel, the true shape of Gods justice has been revealeda justice based not on law but rather on faith (Rom. 3:2122). God declares innocent all who put their faith in Christ.

Paul knows that some think God is soft on crime. How do sinners keep getting away with it? they ask. Why has God not yet punished them? But the answer is not, Paul writes, that God is indifferent to evil. No, God is indeed a just judge (Rom. 3:26). Its rather that Gods solution to sin is an unexpected one. Where we look for law and punishment, God addresses the problem of evil through Jesus reconciling sacrifice (Rom. 3:2425).

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Now apart from the law, Paul writes, the righteousness of God has been made known (Rom. 3:21, emphasis added; cf. Gal. 2:21). As Mark Baker and Joel Green have argued, in Romans, we see that Jesus stands in our place not by suffering the legal penalty for sin but by absorbing on our behalf its deathly consequences.

Pauls thinking about the law is famously complex, but at its heart it mirrors the priorities of Jesus. The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, he writes. Love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5:14; cf. Rom. 13:810).

Its not that Paul thinks the law is useless or wrong. No, he insists, Gods law is good (Rom. 3:31; 7:12). But when we rely on legal regulationsor works of the law, as Paul calls themand when we trust in them to resolve the problem of sin, we only make matters worse by stumbling into judgmentalism and hypocrisy.

Paul is especially troubled by the use of the law to reinforce the marginalization of Gentile believers (Gal. 2:1114; Rom. 2:173:20)a concern that should make us uncomfortable, living as we do in a nation where Black and brown Americans are much more likely to be arrested than white people, more likely to be jailed while awaiting trial, and far more likely to be incarcerated.

In Gods eyes, we are all offenders: Jews and Gentiles, police officers and felons, model citizens and gang members. No one is innocent, not even one. Thats why we all need Gods mercymercy that is not the opposite of Gods justice but its life-giving culmination.

As Bryan Stevenson has written, after decades of work among those our legal system has condemned to death, The power of just mercy is that it belongs to the undeserving. Its when mercy is least expected that its most potentstrong enough to break the cycle of victimization and victimhood, retribution, and suffering.

This is the heart of Pauls argument toothat the free gift of Gods mercy in Christ is the source of our healing and reconciliation. In Christ, God restored us to new life in a way the law never could (Rom. 8:3).

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In the end, the question is not whether we should live in a society governed by laws. Paul may not have wanted believers to take each other to court (1 Cor. 6:111), but he recognized that those in authority do have a role in punishing wrongdoing (Rom. 13:34). At their best, rulers enact the sort of justice that protects the weak and the vulnerable against those who might otherwise take advantage of them (Ps. 72:14).

Rather, the question for believers is where our allegiance lies. When confronted with sin and crime, do we find ourselves calling for law and order, or do we join Jesus in advocating for justice, mercy, and faithfulness? Are we focused on enforcing legal regulations, or are we oriented toward what Paul considered the heart of the lawloving our neighbors, both victims and offenders?

Here Christians have a mixed track record. As Aaron Griffith has noted in his recent book Gods Law and Order, no group has been as committed to caring for those in prison as evangelical Christiansand yet evangelicals have also been prominent advocates of the law-and-order ideology that has landed nearly two million Americans behind bars, including a disproportionate number of poor and Black Americans.

God forgives sin, weve preached. But crime must be punished.

In this, we risk eclipsing the fundamental message of the gospel: that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Godand yet while we were still criminals, Christ died for us.

Ryan Schellenberg is associate professor of New Testament at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. His most recent book, Abject Joy: Paul, Prison, and the Art of Making Do, is a reading of Philippians in its ancient prison context.

[ This article is also available in espanol. ]
Reading the Gospel of John through Palestinian Eyes

Yohanna Katanacho

Palestinian theologian Yohanna Katanacho describes Jesus as shaped by first-century Judaism but also as one who redefined much of what it meant to be Jewish. Katanachos commentary on John unpacks the implications of Jesus inhabiting this identity when it comes to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and the salvation of the world.

African Hermeneutics

Elizabeth Mburu

Kenyan New Testament scholar Elizabeth Mburu encourages African Christians and those ministering in an African context to explore Hebrew poetic parallelism and Pauls letters through symbols rooted in her culture. She imagines four legs of a stool as the foundations for biblical interpretation: a texts parallels to the African context, its theological context, its literary context, and its historical and cultural context.

The Wayfarer : Perspectives on Forced Migration and Transformational Community Development

Barnabe Anzuruni Msabah

A refugee himself, Barnabe Anzuruni Msabah believes that forced migration is a central theme of Scripture. Hes interested in how it has tested and refined peoples faith and how Jesus models for his followers how to care for the marginalized. His descriptions of the current struggles of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi remind readers of the urgency of his message.

Enabling Hearts: A Primer for Disability-Inclusive Churches

Edited by Leow Wen Pin

Singaporean Christian disability activist Leow Wen Pin edits this anthology of essays that challenge churches to consider whether their physical spaces, legal policies, and language from the pulpit truly welcome people with disabilities. The book also calls on church leaders to address their own ignorance; for example, one writer recounts a situation in which a priest wrongly assumed an individual with cerebral palsy was drunk.

The Plot of Salvation : Divine Presence, Human Vocation, and Cosmic Redemption

Bernardo Cho

Bernardo Cho, a second-generation Korean Brazilian scholar, wants believers to know that Gods plan for salvation exists to redeem all of creation and that the God of the Old and New Testaments is one. Translated from Portuguese, his work presents a cohesive theology of salvation throughout Scripture and rebuts theological falsehoods that circulate among his countrys Christians (and likely beyond).

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
South Carolinas largest UMC church may leave denomination over homosexuality debate

The largest United Methodist Church congregation in South Carolina is seriously considering a departure from the mainline Protestant denomination over ongoing debates on homosexuality.

Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church of Lexington, which has more than 5,000 members, began a discernment period earlier this week to consider possibly leaving the denomination, reported the Post and Courier.

We are thankful a plan, path and price has been provided for traditional churches to consider separation from the denomination, said the Rev. Jeff Kersey, senior pastor of Mt. Horeb, as quoted by the Post and Courier.

Mt. Horeb UMC falls under the jurisdiction of the UMC South Carolina Conference, a regional body of the denomination that covers all the congregations in the state.

In brief comments emailed to The Christian Post, a representative of the Conference explained that Mt. Horeb was the largest local church in the South Carolina Conference.

The Conference also noted that, although other conferences in the United States are seeing large numbers of churches leave, at present, no local church in the South Carolina Conference has voted to separate from The United Methodist Church.

The Conference spokesperson directed CP to its discernment policy, which lays out the steps that a congregation must take to possibly leave the denomination.

These steps included a church council vote, having the district superintendent call a church conference, the payment of remaining financial obligations such as apportionments and 10% of the value of the congregations property and assets, and a congregational vote in which at least two-thirds of church members present must support disaffiliation.

The Christian Post reached out to Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church for comment, however a response was not received by press time.

Over the past several years, the UMC has been involved in a divisive debate over whether the denomination should change its official stance opposing the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals.

Although theological progressives have failed to officially change these stances, many have either resisted the official positions of the UMC or have refused to enforce them.

Last May, the Global Methodist Church was launched as a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC, with hundreds of congregations in the United States voting to leave the UMC to join it.

Last month, the UMC North Georgia Conference announced that it was putting a pause on allowing congregations to pursue disaffiliation, believing that "many local churches have been misled about the disaffiliation process and have been presented with information about the process  that is factually incorrect and defamatory."

We have significant concerns about this misinformation and are well aware that it has the potential to do irreparable harm, claimed the regional body.

The North Georgia Conference had ratified the disaffiliations of 70 congregations representing 9% of the denomination's churches and 3% of its members last June, before the announcement.
Tennessee church fights back against city's order to stop operating ministry for recovering addicts

A city in Tennessee has been accused of wrongfully trying to stop a Christian ministry that helps recovering addicts from operating due to an alleged violation of a local zoning ordinance.

Attorney Steven Anderson sent a complaint letter to City of Westmoreland officials on Tuesday over the reported mistreatment of The Father's House Men's Ministry, which is tied to The Living Water Full Gospel Church.

At issue is the city's decision to send a cease-and-desist letter to the Father's House last August, claiming that the ministry unlawfully operates a residential facility on its property.

In addition to Anderson's law firm, Anderson & Reynolds PLC, The Father's House is represented by the nonprofit legal organization First Liberty Institute, which specializes in religious freedom litigation.

Anderson argues in the letter that the ministry complies with local ordinances and that the cease-and-desist letter "violates Tennessee law" by "substantially and unfairly burdening the Church's free exercise of religion."

"The City must prove both that its actions are furthering a compelling government interest and that the burden it is imposing is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest," the letter reads.

"The City cannot meet this statutory test and has not even attempted to do so before sending its 'Cease and Desist' letter."

The attorney demands that city officials withdraw the cease-and-desist letter no later than Jan. 30 and "acknowledge in writing that the Church is within its legal rights to conduct the ministry of providing housing to those in need."

According to First Liberty Institute, the facility was initially approved by the city in 1999 as a new addition for institutional use, and the citys zoning ordinances permit residential living in the attached building owned by the church. Additionally, church officials asked the city in early 2022 if additional permits were needed and were allegedly told that no additional requirements needed to be met.

The Christian Post reached out to the Westmoreland officials on Wednesday. A response was not received by press time.

First Liberty Institute Counsel Ryan Gardner said in a statement that there is "simply no basis in the zoning ordinances  nor in any applicable building code  which justifies the city's 'Cease and Desist' letter."

"The Father's House is an essential part of meeting the needs of its community," stated Gardner. "The city is violating both state and federal law by blocking The Father's House from fulfilling its religious mission."

Also known as The Father's House Men's Sober Living, the church-based residential facility aims to help men who have recently left a detox or rehab center continue their lives of sobriety.

Last November, the ministry announced that it had been designated a Certified Recovery Home via the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
The deliberate and slow eradication of Lebanon's Christians must end

Lebanons Christians face an existential crisis unprecedented in its gravity since the 1920 creation of Greater Lebanon and the subsequent independence in 1943 of the Republic of Lebanon. Even the bloody and destructive civil war between 1975 and 1990 did not threaten the very existence of the Christian community to the extent that the Islamic Republic of Iran  and its armed Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah  has.

In a report published on June 2, 2022, entitled The Invisible Jihad: The Treatment of Christians by Iran Proxies, four Arab countries under Irans de facto control are assessed as to how their Christian communities have been impacted. The report reveals that the ideology of Khomeinism, Irans official state creed, does not tolerate any semblance of pluralism and has set long-term plans to eradicate it.

In the case of Lebanons Christians, this eradication is mapped out with calm, calculated, and rational deliberation to unfold gradually over the years. It hinges on creating the conditions that will induce open-ended emigration of Christians out of the country. The report explains: Irans proxy militias in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have played a significant, though largely unrecognized, role in the dramatic decline of Christians in the region. Guided by the theocratic regimes vision of Muslim demographic purity, they labored to create conditions that forced the Christians out. In place of the wholesale murder of Christians, Irans strategy has opted for the alternative policy of eliminationism through coercive [e]migration. The report continues: Hezbollahs policy has followed Irans successful blueprint of demographic engineering  [and] these efforts have inspired the regimes proxy militias in the region.

One only needs to connect the dots of Lebanons successive recent calamities to see Hezbollahs finger in each one. How else are we to understand the unwavering protection offered by Hezbollah to Lebanons corrupt ruling-class mafia that is responsible for the impoverishing of Christians? And what about the induced political paralysis enforced by Hezbollah with no relief in sight? Or Hezbollahs prevention of any serious reforms being implemented that would start to attract the Arab and foreign capital needed to begin to rescue the collapsed country? No force except Hezbollah is persistently thwarting Lebanons chances to embark on the slow road to recovery.

For years a false narrative has gripped Christians in Syria and Lebanon. Given the stark choice between the regime of Bashar Assad and the Islamic State, Christians are better off siding with Assad who will protect them from ISIS. When Christians and other Lebanese cheered the combined efforts of Hezbollah and the Lebanese Armed Forces to subdue ISIS in the country, they didnt realize at the time that they were in fact trading the proverbial frying pan for the fire. Such ruinous choices boiled down to specific leaders ingratiating themselves with Hezbollah  their new version of dhimmitude  for their own selfish purposes of acquiring power and money.

Two successive days in the 20th century mark the apex of international measures to uphold and defend human dignity: December 10, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights came out, and December 9, 1948, when the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was proclaimed. Article II, section (c) of this Convention defines genocide in broad terms as follows: Deliberately inflicting on the [targeted] group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.

This is a direct reference to instances of the gradual and premeditated elimination of a specific community, as is happening in the case of Lebanons Christians at the hands of Hezbollah. Indeed, Hezbollahs facilitation of the recent maritime agreement between Lebanon and Israel regarding the extraction of undersea energy reserves suggests armed confrontation with Israel is less of a priority for the Iran-backed militia than to rid Lebanon of its Christian community.

If Irans own people are openly rejecting the regime that is oppressing them, by what logic will Lebanons communities, specifically the Christians and the Sunnis, accept to live under the diktat of Irans proxy, Hezbollah? So far, international, and specifically Western, responses to Lebanons deepening crisis have proven woefully inadequate; whether it is the non-starter mantra of implement reforms before we can help directed at the corrupt ruling class, or the oft-repeated Lebanon is on no ones radar, so youll have to find solutions to your predicament on your own.

Western and Arab influence in the Eastern Mediterranean is eroding irrevocably the more Iran continues to entrench itself. With so much at stake, both the West and the Arab states can certainly do much better to contain and begin to reverse, Lebanons slide towards the abyss.
Im almost afraid to hand you this, Pastor James Meeks says in handing over megachurch to Charlie Dates

Founding pastor of the 10,000-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, James Meeks, said he was almost afraid to hand over the reins of the congregation he led for the last 38 years to Pastor Charlie Dates. In an emotional retirement ceremony Sunday, he revealed he is trusting God to give his spiritual son the strength he needs to carry on the ministry.

"I'm almost afraid to hand you this because I know the burden that comes with this moment," Meeks said during a ceremonial passing of the torch before a packed church that included the attendance of dignitaries like the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who also addressed the church during the event broadcast on social media.

"I know how many nights you aren't going to sleep. I've looked the devil right in his face. I know how many times the devil is going to tempt you to jump off that pinnacle. And Charlie, the only thing I could tell you is God's word will hold you," he added.

"I know what it's like to be misunderstood. I know what it's like to walk into a group of people and smile and hug them and not even tell them what you know. I know what it is to keep a secret when a family comes to you and says, 'we know we could trust you.' And the responsibility that's getting ready to come on you is too heavy for any man to bear. I don't wish this on anybody, but I know that God will give you the grace, and you are God's man for this hour to be our next pastor," he continued. "So after 38 years of leading this church, it is with great delight, my spiritual son in the ministry, that I confer upon you the title new pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago."

Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Meeks announced Dates as his successor last June.

Meeks, who is now 65 and served three terms as a state senator, founded the church in 1985 with his wife, Jamell. The congregation grew into one of the largest black churches in the city.

"It's time for Salem to move forward. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. It's time for us to bring in new families. It's time for us to bring in young people. We need a new vision. We need new ideas. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation at the time. "And God has blessed us with our own son who has agreed, starting January 15th, 2023, to be the next pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago."

Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when the young pastor was in the fifth grade. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago.

Meeks titled his final sermon on Sunday, "I Can Never Say Goodbye." In the sermon, he compared his retirement from church leadership to St. Paul's departure from congregations in the Bible.

"Nobody could ever make me stop loving you," Meeks said. "You have followed every crazy vision ... and look where it brought us."

In accepting the charge from his spiritual father, Dates highlighted some of Meeks' accomplishments, including baptizing more than 20,000 people.

"For over 38 years, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago has grown in wisdom and in strength, guided by the caring and insight of our pastor, Rev. James T. Meeks and first lady Jamell Meeks," he said. "Now it is time for us to bless them and release them as God has given them a ministry that will take new shape and focus."
Device to detect orbital particles mounted outside China's space station

Xinhua) 14:05, January 12, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A particle detector has been installed on the extravehicular platform of China's space station to obtain key data used for the space station's safety, extravehicular activities of the astronauts, biological experiments, and the study of space material.

The energy particle detector in Wentian lab has been transported via the cargo airlock cabin, assisted by a robotic arm.

The detector used a new material called CLYC for the first time in the world that can achieve high-efficient neutron detection.

The newly-mounted device can monitor the energy and orientations of high-energy protons and electrons, heavy ions and neutrons in the space station's orbit, according to the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China, on July 24, 2022, launched the Wentian lab module, the space station's first lab, which consists of a work cabin, an airlock cabin, and a resource cabin.

The airlock cabin is equipped with a larger door, which makes it more convenient for the astronauts to enter and exit the spacecraft as well as transfer tools and maintenance equipment.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Disagreeing with prosecutor, police chief says megachurch pastor should have been tried for prostitution

Insisting the case against Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard remains strong enough to convict him of prostitution charges, Chesterfield County Police Chief, Col. Jeffrey S. Katz of Virginia, publicly disagreed with the decision of Commonwealth Attorney Stacey Davenport to drop the charges against the pastor, arguing that the case should have gone to trial.

Blanchard was among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021. The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution which are both felonies. He was arrested at a hotel where he was supposed to meet a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl.

After almost a year of legal maneuvering, the charges against Blanchard were withdrawn or nolle prossed ahead of a criminal trial in October. A case that is nolle prossed means prosecutors could potentially bring those charges again.

A report from the Chesterfield County Police Department said Davenport cited a lack of evidence in not moving forward with the case against Blanchard, WRIC reported.

In a statement posted on Facebook Tuesday, Katz revealed that he felt compelled to make a public statement about the case because Blanchards attorney filed a motion to seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case and has decided to consent to render these records unavailable to the public, which  upon approval by a judge  would make sharing of these transcripts, the report, or any other documents, previously released under FOIA a crime.

Katz called the move bewildering particularly because his investigators have presented cases with less compelling evidence that led to a conviction.

When someone: 1. Rents a car, 2. Texts a phone number posted on a known sex worker website, 3. Solicits a qv (John lingo for a quick visit), 4. Makes multiple inquiries if the person hes texting is affiliated with law enforcement, 5. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door  as directed by our undercover 17-year-old, I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability, he wrote.

Davenports decision to abandon the case, however, has deprived the public of the chance to weigh the case in court. He also insisted that Davenports decision had nothing to do with a lack of evidence.

I want to be clear; this is NOT due to a lack of evidence or a substandard investigation. We know what we are doing, we do it very well, and we will continue to proceed with such investigations in the future. Any assertion to the contrary needs to be articulated by the Commonwealth Attorney, Katz said.

Despite numerous convictions on cases with similar  and in some cases less compelling evidence  we have not been given any guidance as to where this investigation fell short of prosecutorial expectations. Moreover, the public has not been provided an explanation. As I have shared with our Commonwealths Attorney, I believe a public articulation of her rationale is warranted. Absent a reasonable explanation, any discontent associated with the handling of this case should be directed to the Commonwealth Attorneys Office, he added. We did our duty.

In an Oct. 11 statement on Facebook, Rock Church officials announced that Blanchard was cleared of all charges by prosecutors from the Chesterfield County Courthouse.

We have always believed in Johns innocence. His humility and submission to those over him during this time has been a testimony to his character, Bishop Anne Gimenez, who is currently leading the church along with Blanchards wife, Robin, said. He has spent the time in fasting and prayer and has invested much of his time in his family and education. We anticipate his resumption of church duties in the near future.

That plan, however, was interrupted when details of Blanchards arrest were shared publicly in documents online by attorney Tim Anderson. The documents show Blanchard negotiating for a quick visit in a chat he initiated by responding to an advertisement presented as a 19-year-old girl on a website that obtained pornographic images.

Rock Church, which has a weekly attendance of more than 2,000, wrote in a statement published on its website that Blanchard would voluntarily step away from ministerial duties.

Under the guidance of our legal counsel, we cannot make a statement or comment concerning the accusations against Rev. John Blanchard at this time. We are all committed to walking in integrity and truth at Rock Church International and will continue to take steps to do so, the church said. Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved.

The Christian Post reported in November that Blanchard was still preaching at Christian conferences.

Theres nothing the devil can do to steal what God has ordained for your life, Blanchard told the audience at the Global Fellowship Church in Richardson, Texas. I want you to know, you are a child of destiny.
Alleged atheist shoots pastor for trying to witness to him after funeral: police

A pastor's attempt to witness to his atheist cousin almost turned deadly in Florida on Saturday afternoon after he was shot in the neck during a dispute over Heaven and Hell after the funeral of another family member.

A report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office shows that 26-year-old veteran Ke'shawn Nesmith of Tallahassee was charged with second-degree attempted murder, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and carrying a concealed firearm after the shooting of his cousin, Pastor Jimmy McGauley, 46.

According to the report, police received a call at 2:27 p.m. Saturday about a person shot at 1221 Melson Avenue in Jacksonville.

"Investigation revealed that the victim, Jimmy McGauley, and the suspect, Ke'shawn NeSmith, became involved in an argument, after a funeral for a family member, regarding Heaven and Hell," the report explains. "The suspect did not believe in God and the victim was a pastor who was trying to witness to him."

The argument over Heaven and Hell became so heated Nesmith stepped outside the home in a rage "as other family members attempted to calm him down."

McGauley, says the report, was shot as he "exited the residence."

"Witnesses at the scene stated that the victim did not threaten the suspect in any way, and he was not armed with any weapons when he was shot. Family members detained the suspect at the scene until police arrived," the report states.

McGauley reportedly underwent surgery for his injuries. It was unclear Thursday how he is doing.

Several calls made by The Christian Post to family members went unanswered. Family members did not immediately respond. The Jacksonville Sherriff's Office also said they could not share more information on the case as it is still under investigation.

While NeSmith reportedly does not believe in God, that status in his faith may be a recent development as social media posts show him seemingly promoting prayer.

NeSmith's age, 26, would place him at the start of Generation Z, individuals born in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

And according to the "Generation Z and the Future of Faith in America" study from the American Enterprise Institute, this generation is now the least religious generation yet, with 34% identifying as religiously unaffiliated. They are also more likely to identify as atheists.

Daniel A. Cox, senior fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute, who also serves as director of the Survey Center on American Life, paints a complicated and diminished view of religion in American life.

"It's not only a lack of religious affiliation that distinguishes Generation Z. They are also far more likely to identify as atheist or agnostic," Cox said, noting that some 18% of the cohort identified as either atheist or agnostic.

He further noted that the younger generation's diminished view of religion is partly due to their parents doing less to encourage them to participate in formal worship.

"Young adults today have had entirely different religious and social experiences than previous generations. The parents of millennials and Generation Z did less to encourage regular participation in formal worship services and model religious behaviors in their children than had previous generations," Cox wrote. "Many childhood religious activities that were once common, such as saying grace, have become more of the exception than the norm."
Angela Bassett honors God after making history with Golden Globes win: 'Good things come to those who pray'

Actress Angela Bassett gave God all the glory after accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the Golden Globe Awards on Tuesday.

While accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Studios feature, Bassett emotionally quoted the late Toni Morrison, who once stated, Your life is already a miracle of chance just waiting for you to order its destiny.

But in order for that destiny to manifest, I think that it requires courage to have faith, it requires patience, as we just heard, and it requires a true sense of yourself, Bassett said.

"It's not easy because the past is circuitous, and it has many unexpected detours, but by the grace of God I stand here. I stand here grateful, grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for giving me this honor, along with Wakanda Forever.  My mother always said, good things come to those who pray. I see the truth of that every day as we welcome each new day as a family."

The 64-year-old actress previously won a Golden Globe in 1994 for Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy for her iconic portrayal of Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It." With Tuesday's win, Bassett is the first actress to win a Golden Globe for a Marvel Studios film.

According to Variety, Wakanda Forever, which was released in November, opened to $181 million and has generated $288 million in North America and $546.3 million globally to date. The film also stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan.

An outspoken Christian, Bassett often discusses her faith and how it impacts her career. In a previous interview with The Christian Post, she said she relies on the Scriptures when facing challenges in her line of work.

All things work together for good, for those who have the Lord and are called according to His purpose, she said, quoting Romans 8:28. So I have foundations and He is my rock I keep going back to.

In her speech Tuesday, Bassett applauded her Wakanda Forever costars and honored the late Chadwick Boseman, who starred in the first film in the Marvel movie franchise. Boseman died in August 2020 at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer.

"To my Marvel Disney family, Ryan Coogler, Victoria Alonzo and Nate Moore, the cast and the crew, weeping may come in the evening, but joy comes in the morning," Bassett said. "We embarked on this journey together with love, we mourned, we loved, we healed, and we were surrounded each and every day by the light and the spirit of Chadwick Boseman."

Like Basset, Boseman was a Christian who discussed his faith throughout his career.

Actor Colman Domingo, who starred alongside Boseman in his final film, Ma Raineys Black Bottom, told CP in a 2020 interview that the late actor was an undisputed man of faith.

Domingo revealed that as he and Boseman filmed their final scene, everyone present was struck with the sense that God was present  even though only a small circle knew about the actors dire health condition.

It was powerful, he recalled. And I tell you I knew that day  and these men will attest it  God was in the room. The Divine was in the room because it required that work to bring ourselves into it.
House passes bill to protect babies who survive abortion, condemns violence against pro-life clinics

With a new Republican majority, the U.S House of Representatives passed pro-life measures on Wednesday, including one aimed at protecting babies who survive an abortion and one condemning violence against pro-life charities and churches.

The lower chamber passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in a vote of 220 yeas to 210 nays. All Republicans and one Democrat  Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas  voted in favor of the measure.

Also known as House Resolution 26, if enacted, the act would require an abortion provider to try to save the life of a baby who survives an abortion procedure. Health providers would be required to exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age and ensure that such children are admitted to a hospital.

"Whoever intentionally performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive  shall be punished  for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being," reads the bill.

The bill also states that th mother of the child "may not be prosecuted" and that she "may, in a civil action against any person who committed the violation, obtain appropriate relief."

The bill is unlikely to become law as it would have to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate and even then, would likely be vetoed by Democratic President Joe Biden.

Similar legislation has failed in the past when brought before the Senate, with critics arguing that the measure is unnecessary given that there are already laws against infanticide.

The Republican majority also passed a resolution condemning the recent wave of violence and vandalism against pro-life pregnancy care centers, churches and other entities that oppose abortion.

The resolution passed with a vote of 222-219, with only three Democrats  Vicente Gonzael of Texas, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Marie Perez of Washington  joining all Republicans to condemn the violence.

The resolution also called on the Biden administration "to use all appropriate law enforcement authorities to uphold public safety and to protect the rights of pro-life facilities, groups, and churches."

The wave of vandalism and arson targeting pro-life organizations was sparked after an unknown party leaked a draft of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. JacksonWomen's Health that indicated that the highest court in the nation was going to overturn Roe v. Wade. The 1973 decision made abortion a national right.

The vandalism continued to escalate after the Supreme Court released its Dobbs opinion on June 24, in which the court overturned Roe by concluding that abortion was not a constitutional right.

Many pro-life activists and politicians believe that the Biden administration and federal investigators have not done enough to hold those who attacked and threatened pro-life groups accountable.

"Rather than supporting the organizations that are supporting our most vulnerable, Democrats and the Biden Administration are turning a blind eye to the violence targeting these places," stated an entry on Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise's website.

"It's time for the House of Representatives to condemn this violence and put the needs of women and infants ahead of the outrage machine from far-left, pro-abortion activists."

Others, including Democrat Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher of Texas, believe the resolution does not go far enough to condemn all forms of partisan violence, especially the decades of protests and acts of violence against abortion clinics and providers.

"When I was a teenager, I stood in defense of our local Planned Parenthood as anti-abortion protestors tried to chain themselves to the doors to prevent women from going in, not only to get abortion care but to get their pap smears, their birth control, HIV tests and other services," she stated on the floor.

"A few years later, a well-known anti-abortion activist drove a van through the front door of that same Planned Parenthood.  I welcome the opportunity to vote on legislation that condemns all forms of political violence."

House Republicans also defeated an effort by Democrats to advance legislation that would have significantly expanded legal access to abortion.

Known as the Women's Health Protection Act, the measure was defeated, mostly along party lines, as nearly every Republican opposed the measure and nearly every Democrat supported it.

The Republican Party took control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections last November, one of the few notable gains for an election season many conservatives considered disappointing.

The 118th Congress began on a controversial start, as it took 15 ballots to elect Republican Kevin McCarthy of California as House speaker, the first time it has taken more than one vote since 1923.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs executive order prohibiting critical race theory in schools

On her first day in office, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order declaring that critical race theory "indoctrination" should not be allowed in schools.

Shortly after being sworn in on Tuesday as Arkansas' first female governor, Sanders, the daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee and former White House press secretary, signed an "Executive Order to Prohibit Indoctrination and Critical Race Theory in Schools."

The order, one of several signed by Sanders Tuesday, declares that "CRT, discrimination, and indoctrination have no place in Arkansas classrooms."

"Critical Race Theory (CRT) is antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality, and fairness. It emphasizes skin color as a person's primary characteristic, thereby resurrecting segregationist values, which America has fought so hard to reject," reads the order.

"Government policies must empower parents to make decisions for their children and foster curriculum transparency in classrooms across the state."

The order directs the secretary of the state's Department of Education to review all materials "to identify any items that may, purposely or otherwise, promote teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as CRT, that conflict with the principle of equal protection under the law or encourage students to discriminate against someone."

"The Secretary is further instructed that if any items are found to conflict with the principle of equal protection under the law, then the Secretary is instructed to amend, annul, or alter those rules, regulations, policies, materials, or communications to remove the prohibited indoctrination," continued the order.

Sanders' order clarifies that it does not prohibit "the discussion of ideas and history of the concepts" like CRT or "prohibit the discussion of public policy issues of the day and related ideas that individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable or offensive."

"No communication by a public-school employee, public school representative, or guest speaker shall compel a person to adopt, affirm or profess an idea in violation of Title IV and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241), including that: People of one color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law are inherently superior or inferior to people of another color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law."

In a statement, the Arkansas Democratic Party commended Sanders' plans to increase teacher salaries and expand preschool but expressed concern over Sanders' CRT order.

"The beginning of Governor Sanders's term will also be remembered for attacking Arkansas schools for 'indoctrination,' a charge she has repeatedly levied against Arkansas teachers," stated the party.

"Arkansas Democrats stand with our teachers and know they are first and foremost much too busy grading papers, buying their own supplies, and making lesson plans to indoctrinate anyone."

Sanders also signed other executive orders on a host of issues, including a moratorium on hiring new state employees, a measure aimed at reducing government regulations, and a curbing of the official use of the term "Latinx" in favor of "Latino," "Latina" and "Hispanic."

Critical race theory emerged in the 1970s as activists and law students at the time responded to what they believed was the reversal of the civil rights movement gains from the 1960s.

Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic wrote in the 2001 book Critical Race Theory: An Introduction that CRT is a "movement" of "activists and scholars interested in studying and transforming the relationship among race, racism, and power."

"Unlike traditional civil rights, which embraces incrementalism and step-by-step progress, critical race theory questions the very foundations of the liberal order, including equality theory, legal reasoning, Enlightenment rationalism, and neutral principles of constitutional law," Delgado and Stefancic wrote.

While proponents have argued that CRT is necessary to better understand systemic racism and promote diversity, conservatives say it wrongfully vilifies the U.S. and is divisive.

In 2020, President Donald Trump, who Sanders once served as White House press secretary, signed an executive order banning the usage of CRT materials in federal government programs. President Joe Biden repealed the order upon taking office.
Texas Legislature to consider parental rights in education bills in response to trans indoctrination

Texas lawmakers are returning to work Tuesday for the 88th legislative session and are expected to take up a bill that would prohibit schools from teaching elementary and middle school students about sexual orientation or gender identity.

Similar to a controversial bill passed by Florida lawmakers last year, House Bill 631, introduced by Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands), would expand restrictions on teaching such curriculum by school personnel or third parties from kindergarten through the fifth grade or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.

HB 1155, authored by Frisco Republican Rep. Jared Patterson, would extend that restriction until the eighth grade.

Both bills are among several set to be taken up by lawmakers as the 88th Texas Legislature reconvenes Tuesday for its new session, including property tax relief and other proposals amid a record $32 billion budget surplus.

Much like legislation signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, both Texas bills focus on parental rights and would require school districts to notify parents in the event school officials provide services involving a students mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.

They also call for the Texas Education Agency to review and revise best practices for school counselors and educators ahead of the 2024 school year.

There is also no explicit reference to homosexuality in either HB 631 or HB 1155, similar to Floridas version.

HB 631 requires any school district which administers a well-being questionnaire or health screening form to any student in kindergarten through fifth grade to provide a copy of the form and obtain parental permission prior to doing so.

HB 1155 goes even further, prohibiting any school district employee from discouraging or prohibiting parental knowledge of or involvement in critical decisions affecting a student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.

The Christian Post was awaiting a response from both Reps. Patterson and Toth as of Tuesday afternoon.

In a tweet Tuesday, Patterson called out what he sees as the main arguments from opponents of his legislation: Opposition to my HB1155 from various far left groups? 1/ teachers wont be able to share their sex lives with kids 2/ schools wont be able to hide important health info about the kids from their parents.

Not unlike the Florida law, the American Civil Liberties Union and other progressive and LGBT activist groups have warned the language in the Texas versions as potentially harmful.

Last March, Amy Turkel, the interim executive director of the ACLU of Florida, told CP the Florida law is unconstitutional because it silences discussions about teachers' and students' LGBT family members and friends.

"Banning talk about parents serves no legitimate educational purpose and in fact, is detrimental to students," Turkel said. "All young people deserve an inclusive and accurate education, free from censorship or discrimination."

The bill was backed by the Florida Family Policy Council, which argued that the bills opponents are making deliberately false allegations about the legislations content.
'No significant letup' expected as severe California flooding leaves at least 16 dead

Severe winter storms in California have left at least 16 people dead and a child missing after heavy rains and flash flooding across the state.

Following more than three weeks of winter storms, the White House approved Gov. Gavin Newsoms request to declare a federal emergency as the death toll was pushed above the number of fatalities from wildfires in the past two years combined.

Those deaths include a 5-year-old boy swept away by floodwaters in San Luis Obispo County in central California.

Officials called off a search for the boy Monday due to extreme weather conditions, authorities told NBC News.

Four people were trapped in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles after a sinkhole swallowed their cars, fire officials said.

Two escaped, while fire crews had to extricate the two others, who suffered minor injuries.

The Los Angeles Times reports that two motorists died early Tuesday in a crash on Highway 99 in Tulare County after a tree was struck by lightning and fell onto the roadway, bringing the death toll to 16.

Newsom called on Californians to remain hyper-vigilant ahead of what are expected to be several more days of severe weather.

We need all Californians to be alert and heed the advice of emergency officials, Newsom said in a statement. We are mobilizing all available resources at every level of government to protect lives and limit storm damage.

The sheer volume of rainfall in the state is statistically massive. According to the National Weather Service, rainfall levels are as much as 600% above average across California.

Meanwhile, just under 200,000 homes and businesses were without power as of Tuesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

And while the start of 2023 has already proved devastating for California, there could be more challenges in the coming days. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rainfall across the state Tuesday and in Northern California on Wednesday, warning that no significant letup is expected anytime soon.

Evacuation orders were issued up and down the state Monday due to the threat of flash flooding and mudslides, including in the Montecito area in Santa Barbara County, which is home to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Nearly two dozen people were killed in Montecito in 2018 after a severe storm caused mudflows that forced evacuations throughout the area.
Pastor barred from execution chamber over anti-death penalty activism, arrests

An Oklahoma inmate on death row is not allowed to have his minister inside the execution chamber on Thursday when he is scheduled to receive lethal injection after the state denied the minister access over his history of anti-death penalty activism.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections denied 61-year-old Scott Eizember permission to have The Rev. Jeff Hood of Arkansas inside his execution chamber during his lethal injection as Hood's history of anti-death penalty activism includes an arrest.

"Out of respect for the families of victims, ODOC will not allow the outbursts of activists to interfere, regardless of that activist's declared role in this process," Josh Ward, a DOC spokesperson, wrote in a statement shared with media.

"The spiritual advisor, in this case, has been arrested multiple times for such outbursts in other states, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the experiences of victims' families and the solemnity of the process."

Eizember is sentenced to die at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester after his conviction for the murders of an elderly couple in eastern Oklahoma in mid-October of 2003.

Ward said Hood, an Old Catholic priest, is still allowed to meet with Eizember during the time leading up to his execution, according to The Associated Press.

Additionally, Ward said Hood could view the execution through a closed-circuit feed in a different part of the facility.

Hood and Eizember filed a lawsuit in federal district court on Monday, hoping that Eizember's execution will be held or postponed until Hood is permitted to enter the chamber. Eizember claims the DOC's decision violates his First Amendment right to religious exercise.

Hood was arrested for peacefully protesting outside a Texas prison in 2016. He said he received a deferred sentence, and the case was expunged from his record.

"We really think this is certainly not just a violation of religious liberty, but also a violation of other First Amendment protections," Hood said.

Eizember's lawyer, Randall Coyne, told The Washington Post that Hood has been arrested three times in connection with social justice activism but assured that Hood would not interfere with Eizember's execution if he is allowed to attend.

"He's never disrupted an execution," Coyne said. "There's a difference between his advocacy as a human rights activist and his work as a spiritual adviser."

States are to allow clergy to be present inside the death chamber during executions after a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a death row inmate in Alabama who was denied the presence of his pastor in the execution chamber.

Faith groups such as The Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the National Association of Evangelicals and many others issued briefs in defense of death row inmates' right to have clergy present during their executions.

Eizember's execution sentencing was upheld in 2007 by a 3-2 vote of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. AP reports that Eizember committed multiple crimes in his lifetime, including a multi-state crime spree where he became the focus of a 37-day manhunt.

Eizember was also convicted of shooting with intent to kill the then-16-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend and assault with a dangerous weapon against the mother of his ex-girlfriend.

On Nov. 23, 2003, Eizember was discovered hiding in a Depew church after a 75-year-old volunteer found him there. Eizember escaped from the church by stealing the church volunteer's vehicle.

Eizember was later captured outside Lufkin, Texas, after he kidnapped an Arkansas physician and his wife and held them hostage at gunpoint for six hours as he forced them to drive him to Texas.

The physician shot Eizember four times with a gun his wife kept in their vehicle.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 in December not to grant clemency for Eizember.

The Oklahoma appellate court produced an 84-page majority opinion upholding Eizember's sentencing written by Judge Gary Lumpkin of Madill, which rejected Eizember's claims that his death sentence should be reversed.

"It is clear from their responses, both written and oral, that each of these jurors could be a fair and impartial juror, consider all three penalty options and follow the law and instructions given by the court," reads the 2007 opinion.

In a six-page dissenting opinion, Judge Charles Chapel of Tulsa reportedly wrote that the death penalty "should be set aside" because Eizember's trial "was tainted when biased jurors who sat on his jury should have been excused."

"Biased jurors were allowed to serve on Eizember's trial, even though he requested they be removed for cause, and despite clear pretrial statements indicating their biases," the decision reads. "A capital juror must be able to fairly consider all three punishment options."

Judge Arlene Johnson of Oklahoma City joined Chapel in dissent of the execution.
Minnesota university fires art professor for showing painting of Muhammad deemed 'Islamophobic'

A Minnesota university finds itself the subject of a complaint after firing a professor for showing a painting of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as part of an art history class discussion.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, formerly known as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), filed a complaint against Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to the Higher Learning Commission last week. In the complaint, the advocacy organization maintained that the institution is not in compliance with HLCs Criteria for Accreditation section 2.D., requiring the institution to be committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression in the pursuit of truth in teaching and learning.

Hamline admits that it non-renewed an art history instructor last semester after a Muslim student complained that, during a discussion about Islamic art, the instructor facilitated an optional, in-class viewing of a renowned 14th century painting depicting the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad, which the student said offended her religious beliefs, the complaint explained.

According to the complaint, Such nonrenewal violates both HLC and Hamline policies clearly committing the university to free expression and its corollary, academic freedom for all faculty, with Hamline claiming it is committed to academic freedom and celebrates free expression for everyone. Alex Morey, FIREs director of Campus Rights Advocacy, urged the HLC to hold Hamline accountable for violating Standard 2.D.

FIREs complaint to the HLC followed an unsuccessful attempt to convince Hamline to immediately reinstate the instructor and reaffirm its commitment to academic freedom in a Dec. 27 letter. Rather than reinstate the instructor as requested, Hamline President Fayneese Miller sent an email defending the universitys decision to fire the academic, obtained by Alpha News.

To look upon an image of the prophet Muhammad, for many Muslims, is against their faith, she wrote. For those of us who have been entrusted with the responsibility of educating the next generation of leaders and engaged citizens, it was important that our Muslim students, as well as all other students, feel safe, supported, and respected both in and out of our classrooms.

Miller described the termination of the unnamed instructor as an effort to address students expressed concerns about the portrait's display in class. She insisted that Contrary to what has been reported and become the story, the adjunct instructor was teaching for the first time at Hamline, received an appointment letter for the fall semester, and taught the course until the end of the term. She concluded the email by thanking the Hamline community for their efforts to make the school a supportive and welcoming space for all.

FIRE Program Officer Sabrina Conza issued a statement in response to the filing of the complaint, suggesting that Hamline clearly doesnt understand what academic freedom means, even though it explicitly promises faculty this core right. According to Conza, Hamline has no right to dismiss an art history instructor for teaching art history.

FIRE's statement concluded with a form letter that supporters could send to Miller demanding the art history teachers reinstatement. The letter includes a quote by FIRE stating that blanket bans on displaying pedagogically relevant material are not acceptable at a university that commits to academic freedom. It also warned that the instructors dismissal will create a chilling effect among all faculty, who may now choose to censor important aspects of their teaching and deprive students of the rigorous, liberal education the university promises.

Additionally, more than 300 current and former professors representing institutions of higher education worldwide, including 12 from Hamline University, wrote a letter to the schools leadership backing FIREs call for the teachers reinstatement. The letter expressed concern that Miller and Hamline Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, David Everett, asserted in an email that respect for observant Muslim students in that classroom should have superseded academic freedom.

The professors also noted that the syllabus for the art history course made it clear that viewing the painting was optional and condemned Everetts description of the course exercise as undeniably inconsiderate, disrespectful and Islamophobic.
Virginia teacher saves entire class of students after 6-year-old shoots her in hand and chest

A first-grade teacher who managed to save her entire class after she was intentionally shot in the hand and chest by a 6-year-old student as she taught at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, has been hailed as a hero for her bravery in the face of danger.

At a press conference Monday, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said the teacher, Abigail Zwerner, 25, is hospitalized in stable condition after the shooting last Friday, but the first thing she asked him about when they met was how her students were doing.

When I met with Abigails family on Saturday, and they took me up to her [hospital] room, she asked me first question, Do you know how my students are? She was worried about them, Drew said.

And then today  she again asked me, Do you know how my students are? And that touched me, her family and her mother. Abigail wanted me to tell you all, but primarily her students and the parents of her students, she is in stable condition and she is thankful for the thoughts and prayers that have gone out to her. The people that have reached out not only here locally but across our state and across our nation. She is very, very appreciative of the support that she is getting. And continues to get, he explained.

Drew said at about 1:59 p.m. last Friday, police received a call from the school that a teacher had been shot with no other information. Officers from different areas quickly converged on the school and at 2:04 p.m., two sheriffs deputies entered the classroom where the shooting took place and found a 6-year-old male student being physically restrained by a school employee.

The child was physically combative and struck the employee that was restraining him, Drew said.

Officers then took control of him and escorted him out of the building [and] placed him in a police car with an officer inside and outside of that building. Once that had occurred there was a systematic evacuation of rooms and hallways for safety as they didnt know what they were dealing with, he said.

Police later recovered one spent shell casing, a backpack, a cell phone, and a 9mm Taurus firearm from the scene.

The firearm was recovered close to the students desk where the shooting occurred, Drew said.

Zwerner was reportedly teaching when the 6-year-old boy brandished the firearm, pointed it at her and fired one round.

There was no physical struggle or fight. She was providing instruction to her class, Drew said.

The police chief said Zwerner took a defensive position where she raised her hand after the student fired the gun at her.

The round went through her hand, exited the rear of her hand and into her upper chest, he said.

He said when police reviewed security video from the scene, Zwerners bravery was on full display.

She suffered a gunshot wound but she was still able to get all of her students out of that classroom. From the video surveillance we have of the hallway, you can see the students running out of that classroom across the hall into  about 17-20 students  of that classroom into other classrooms, Drew said. Ms. Zwerner was the last person to leave that class. She made a right turn and started down the hallway and then she stopped. She turned around. She turned around to make sure that every one of those students were safe.

Drew said police later interviewed the boy and his mother and discovered that the gun was a legally purchased firearm that he hid in his backpack and brought to school.

We determined that the firearm was in the residence where they lived and the child obtained that firearm, placed it in his backpack and brought it to school. He was brought to school that day by his mother later that morning, he explained.

As the hero teacher continues to recover, Hannah Zwerner, her twin sister, launched a GoFundMe campaign on Monday to raise $250,000 to help with her with medical and living expenses. More than $60,000 had been raised as of Tuesday.

Abby, my family, and I are humbled by the outpouring of support weve received in the days following the event. Thank you for all of the prayers, well wishes, and words of kindness, Zwerners sister said in a statement on the campaign. If you're looking for ways to help, I am creating this fund to help aid in Abby's healing. Its purpose is to cover future living expenses as Abby recovers from this tragedy.

Drew said Zwerners shooter was taken into custody for evaluation at a local hospital. He was later ordered to be temporarily detained by a judge so he can receive treatment at a medical facility while an investigation into the shooting continues.

Id like to reiterate that this shooting was not accidental. It was intentional. I believe, I told her today, I believe Ms. Zwerner, Abigail. She saved lives on Friday, Drew said. She is a trooper. She is a hero
He also finds that IoT solutions stimulate productivity in the agrarian sector by effectively analyzing data, both historical and current, to inform well thought out activities. Applications are wide-ranging and include deep sensors to help predict rainfall and drought; soil sensors to determine fertilizer application areas; storage sensors to make sure products are stored at favorable temperatures; and input tracking and logistics to reduce post-harvest losses.

Walid Gaddas is a Tunisian consultant in strategy and international development in the agritech sector. He manages STECIA International, a consulting firm in strategy and international development in agriculture that works with global partners around the world, and working with several agritech projects in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, he has observed great potential.

More countries are aware that agritech is not the agriculture of tomorrow but of today, he says. In countries such as Ivory Coast in West Africa, the government has already put in place all the strategies to digitize agriculture. Many activities are being carried out to digitalize the cocoa and rubber sectors.

Strength of creativity

One of the crucial issues that agriculture in Africa is currently solving, according to Gaddas, is a lack of water. He says that in Senegal, Tunisia and many other countries, companies are working hard on intelligent irrigation, and on how to optimize water resources that are becoming increasingly scarce, especially in the context of climate change and unpredictable rainfall.

Managing water is becoming crucial, he says. Weve met start-ups that use drones, which, through their precision devices, help to collect data that can be used by farmers, such as the levels of nitrogen from the fields, precise mapping of areas with fertiliser deficits,and others that solve plant disease problems by making diagnoses. There are also ERP systems for farm management and to know what is happening in real timethe management of inputs, fertilizers and more.

He also appreciated the digital aquaculture companies that allow for very rational management of aquaculture farms, while praising the impressive diversity of solutions.

The diversity of problems that farmers face in Africa is very wide but creativity is not the weak point of Africans, he says. Farmers also generally have issues with small plots, low yields and low productivity, so they often lack the know-how to optimize what little they have.

So these digital solutions are aimed more at small-scale farmers who are used to working like their parents or grandparents and dont necessarily have all the knowledge, so technologies can provide them with research results and tell them what they need for their crops, Gaddas says.

Coupled with these data analytics solutions and other related technologies, the most complex problems in agriculture are being solved according to computer scientist Bayisa Lulu.

Emerging technologies are solving complex problems that seemed to go unsolved in the past decades and without much user involvement, which is a very important, especially for the disadvantaged.

Success relies on tech

IT leaders are now making their mark in this transformation by helping to identify and develop solutions through implementing agritech accelerator and incubator programs to reduce pressure, risk, food safety and waste.

By doing so, they take a broad and long-term view of key issues in the agricultural space, and serve as the engine behind effecting solutions.

An operations manager can identify the problem, says Abdulai Nelson, but its up to the CIO to listen, design and develop the most appropriate technology solution.

Others agree that the development of agriculture and technology has unlimited possibilities, and its the right time to build better bridges between them so agriculture can further benefit from cutting-edge technologies quicker and on a larger scale, according to Gaddas. Education, of course, is key.

The fact that agronomists are associated with computer scientists makes all the difference because the contribution of technology to agriculture is enormous, and also the agricultural logic integrated by computer scientists transforms things, he says. They must be able to enrich each others capacities. Its great to see them working hand in hand changing things in Africa.

Also, in Tunisia where Gaddas is based, there are many schools for computer engineers geared toward agritech because its a booming sector.

In addition, its thanks to the legal framework created in Tunisia four years ago with the Startup act, a law created to encourage the development of Tunisian start-ups with several financial and fiscal support measures, he says. So theres a favorable ecosystem, evidenced by the dozens of agritech companies launched since the creation of this law.

While most experts like him believe that agriculture is capable of radical and rapid change due to technology, they also believe it transcends the difficulties that slow down the process.

But in Central Africa, for instance, things are a bit different than in other sub-regions. The transformation potential of digital innovations for agri-food systems is poorly initiated there, with less than 5% of the digital agricultural services identified in Africa coming from this region, according to the FAO. Existing barriers still need to be addressed, including the lack of rural infrastructure, funding for agriculture and investment in research and development, agri-innovation, and agricultural entrepreneurship,the specialized UN agency says.

Other observers lament digital illiteracy, limited internet access in some rural areas, and electricity difficulties.

But all these problems have solutions, according to Gaddas. Today, farmers who cant read or write receive audio messages in local languages, and messages in image form via mobile phones in order to overcome the problem of educating farmers.

For the problems of electricity and internet access, there are also many solutions such as mini solar panels, or 4G and 3G, which cover internet issues in some remote areas, he says. Hes convinced that technology is now overcoming all these difficulties. To receive market prices, for example, you just have to open your phone, he says. Even the most basic one can receive the technology and it doesnt require a PhD in computer science.
In some cases, a process is automated because the technology is there, even if automation isnt required. For example, if a process occurs very rarely, or theres a great deal of variation in the process, then the cost of setting up the automation, teaching it to handle every use case, and training employees how to use it may be more expensive and time-consuming than the old manual approach.

And putting the entire decision into the hands of data scientists, who may be far removed from the actual work, can easily send a company down a dead end, or to end users who might not know how automation works, says James Matcher, intelligent automation leader at Ernst & Young.

That recently happened at a company he worked with, a retail store chain with locations around the US.

The retailer approached people on the front lines, and employees and managers working on the shop floors, for suggestions about manual processes that should be automated.

They ended up with a long list of use cases along the lines of, How do I upload this Excel spreadsheet,' says Matcher.

But these were minor issues that didnt scale across the whole operation.

These were little tactical things that you couldnt repeat, he says. So there was no definitive value coming out the back end of the exercise.

So they spent six months going to individual stores getting ideas, wasting thousands of hours before deciding on a different approach of putting together an internal lean team, bringing in consultants, and taking a holistic, role-based approach to automation.

We spent about four months during the persona-based mapping, says Matcher. That was quite a rigorous exercise to get right. Then came two months for designing the technology, and the first use cases went into production three months later.

After all, customers have a wide range of demands and each needs different kinds of helpand different kinds of automation to serve their needs that might involve actions by different employees or different corporate systems.

Other tasks currently handled by employees could be replaced by self-service tools. For example, a customer looking to return a product could start the process on their smartphone app, eliminating the need for excessive manual data entry.

We went through the process of matching customer personas and employee personas, and got a huge amount of optimizations, he says.

One key factor to set up the right automations is to match them to the right business objective. For example, companies looking to automate in order to reduce headcount or labor costs might miss the main objective: to improve customer service and grow the business.

Matcher says he recently saw this happen with another client, a manufacturing company looking to reduce the number of customer service representatives with automation.

The business unit started the automation process last spring, then went back to the CFO for additional funding to continue the project in the summer because they were able to free up several thousand person-hours.

And the CFO says, I dont see any adjustment in your headcount in the new budget,' says Matcher. Wheres all the money I spent?'

In fact, the customer service reps used the time they saved to cross-sell and up-sell customers, and double their revenues.

Ultimately, the gross margin level is more beneficial to the organization, says Matcher. But if we hadnt shown the bridge between the two, they probably wouldnt have continued the automations in that domain. They would have looked at the ROI and stopped the program.

The when and where of automation

When it comes to automation, people become more important, not less. Forgetting this can be a big mistake.

You have to put in a lot of conscious thought, says Sanjay Srivastava, chief digital strategist at Genpact.

By automating simple, repetitive processes, enterprises still need human experts to handle complex and unusual cases, requiring upskilling. But more than that, automation can enable new business activities. For example, someone working in accounts receivable may spend less time generating routine invoices and more on solving customer problems. But theyre also in a position to recognize that a customer is spending more than usual and may be ready to buy additional products or services than they were before. That will require a different set of skills.

The operating model has to change, and thats a bigger question about business management, says Srivastava. We all know its easy to get software implemented, but its hard to get business outcomes achieved. Theres a big journey between the two and we mustnt fool ourselves that weve achieved results just because we got the software.

There are only so many productivity gains remaining to be made, he adds. But theres unlimited growth potential in finding new business opportunities made possible through automation.

For example, companies can use automation to improve existing service offerings. If you improve the stickiness, you improve the durable advantage and your competitive position, says Srivastava. And that gives you the ability to have a more sustainable business in the long run.

Next, you can use the improved relationships with customers to expand products and services or create new ones, and to cross-sell customers.

Then, youve expanded your revenues, he says.

In addition to that, there are also other downsides to removing humans from the loop prematurely.

Many models, for instance, require human supervision and training to fine tune and improve them, says Craig Le Clair, VP and principal analyst at Forrester Research, Inc., and author of a recent report about the perils of automation.

In December, for example, Hertz agreed to pay $168 million to settle disputes related to false theft reports. Customers would return a car late, Hertz automated systems would report the car stolen, and the next person who rents that car would be arrested for vehicle theft.

There were more than 360 legal claims filed against Hertz by customers related to such false arrests. In one case, according to law firm Pollock Cohen LLP, a NASA employee was pulled over, surrounded by police with guns drawn, and arrested in front of co-workers.

Heres an area where they removed humans in the loop prematurely, says Le Clair.

Another example of too much automation was Zillows plan to value homes with AI and make purchase offers they called Zestimates. When the offers came in too high because, say, there were undisclosed problems with leaky basements, human sellers would jump on it, and Zillow wound up with too many bad bets. When the AI erred the other way and offered payments that were too low, buyers would naturally go elsewhere to sell their house.

If you had a crack in your foundation, the algorithm wasnt going to pick up on that, says Le Clair. You certainly can solve a lot of problems by keeping humans in the loop.

So companies can have too much confidence in data and algorithms, he says. Just look at the online chatbots without human backups.

You dont have an easy escalation, he says. And when there are humans online to take over when problems arise, the systems often lose context of the conversation and the customer has to start over with the agent. So we dont do human well, and thats a critical element as we move forward.

In fields like medicine and finance, there are regulatory restrictions to automation, says John Carey, MD in the technology practice at consulting firm AArete.

There will be a high watermark for some automation because the legal framework needs to evolve, he says.

But even in industries without heavy regulations and compliance requirements, companies should keep an eye on ethics and standards when it comes to rolling out automation, especially when new technologies like OpenAIs ChatGPT are making AI tools dramatically more intelligent and capable. These smart tools are fantastic, says Carey. But the challenge for us is to be aware that they are double-edged swords. We have to figure out how to use and leverage them in ways that are legitimate, and build solutions that are ethical for clients and end users.
A 2020 report from McKinsey found that companies with stronger gender diversity numbers were 25% more likely to outperform their less diverse competition. Yet, while companies have placed a greater emphasis on addressing the gender gap of late, women remain largely underrepresented in IT positions.

Here, a number of factors are at play, not the least of which are IT workplace cultures that have a long way to go. A 2017 poll in the Pew Research Center report found that 50% of women said they had experienced gender discrimination at work, while only 19% of men said the same. The numbers were even higher for women with a postgraduate degree (62%), working in computer jobs (74%) or in male-dominated workplaces (78%). When asked whether their gender made it harder to succeed at work, 20% of women said yes and 36% said sexual harassment is a problem in their workplace.

While diversity still lags in the IT industry, McKinsey has found that organizations leading the way with DEI strategies are making significant gains over those that have yet to embrace diversity. Given the value diversity has for business outcomes, its more important than ever to have a serious strategy for creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, which has become a vital factor for recruiting, hiring, and retaining workers, especially women.

For IT organizations looking to make a difference on gender diversity, or for women seeking to develop rich IT careers, several nonprofits have been created to empower and uplift those who identify as women in IT, improving gender diversity in the industry, and closing the pay gap between men and women. Here are three of note.

Ada Developers Academy bridges the app-dev gender gap

Ada Developers Academy was started in 2013 as a nonprofit no-cost coding school to support women and gender-expansive adults who want to embark on careers in software development. The organization is focused on improving diversity in software development positions, of which only 25% are currently held by women, with only 3% of those women being Black and 2% Hispanic or LatinX.

The program starts with six months of training and educational courses and followed by a paid internship to gain hands-on experience. During the six-month training portion, students commit full-time to learning full-stack software development, including skills such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, and React.
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On Sunday night, March 31, 1968, Travis and I sat drinking beer and watching a black-and-white television set in an apartment in Greenwich Village. Lyndon Johnson was delivering yet another of his mournful, hound-dog addresses to the nation about Vietnam. But this time, he ended with a surprise: he would abdicate. He would remove himself from the melodrama. He would not seek reelection in 1968. He would make himself disappear. He would go away. It took a moment for this to sink in. Then Travis and I whooped, and went out to finish getting drunk.

Travis Williams was a classmate of mine from college, a black man, the son of a Durham, North Carolina barber. Travis had gone to Exeter on a scholarship and to Harvard as a National Merit Scholar. His father hated all white men and bitterly warned his son against them. Travisa tall, rollicking, complicated guy who was very smart and drank too muchhad a contrary view; or anyway, a different strategy. Many of his friends were white. He was succeeding quite handsomely in the white world; by spring of 1968, he was a reporter for Life magazine. I was a national affairs writer for Time.

LBJs abdicationcoming after the Tet offensive and after the New Hampshire primary in which Eugene McCarthy did well and after Bobby Kennedy entered the presidential racewas one of the early earthquakes of 1968. At Time, we settled down to write about Johnsons withdrawal and its aftershocks. We had our stories written or half-written by Thursday night, April 4, and a group of us national editor Mike Demarest and a few writerswent off for dinner at a Greek restaurant in the West Fifties. In half an hour, the owner bustled over with the news that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot in Memphis. We leaped up, paid the check, and by the time we were back at the office, the flash was on the AP ticker that King had died.

Travis called me up from a bar somewhere and shouted: Im getting pretty sick of this shit! He slammed down the phone.

I mention personal detailsprivate memories mixed with the publicbecause, 50 years later, the two are mingled inseparably in the mind. You locate the meaning of these things only by seeing them in both dimensionsin many dimensions. Anyway, the great public issue of race in America is always intensely personal. The dread word the N-wordcompresses, in six letters, centuries of public and private meanings (hatred, tragedy).

I first met Martin Luther King, Jr., for a moment, at a labor union convention in Buffalo in the summer of 1960. I had just finished my freshman year and was working a summer job as a reporter for the Buffalo Evening News. King gave a speech. I forget the subject. I made my way through the crowd of labor leaders, up to the stage, and I shook Kings hand and, with what were no doubt excesses of sincerity, told him how much I admired him. It was true.

One of the things that distinguished King was his air of gravity and dignity and formality (which he might pronounce gravitay and dignitay and formalitay). His body English was like his prose: stately, with restrained Biblical embellishmentsthe Moses note, by way of Ebenezer Baptist Church. There in Buffalo, he appraised me for a second (earnest white boy in horn-rims) and replied slowly, Thank you verra much!

It happened that my father, who worked for Nelson Rockefeller, knew King pretty well. My father handled Rockefellers dealings with Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference and knew not only King but his lieutenantsWyatt T. Walker, Ralph Abernathy. The Rockefeller family for many years had given money to black Baptist institutions in the South, to Spelman College, for example. King came to New York frequently, and sometimes my father lent him our Ford station wagon. I would ferry the car to King over at the house in Riverdale where he was staying. I would hand over the keys. (Thank you verra much). One time, King sheepishly returned the car with a dent in the side. He was abashed and charming. He wanted to have the dent fixed, but we would not hear of it. The dent remainedthe Martin Luther King Dent, a cherished family relic.

I admired Martin Luther King as much as I admired any American in the twentieth century. I feltstill doa reverence for him. Charisma is Greek for a gift of grace. King was a gift of grace to the United Statesa country that may have been unworthy of the gift, or else unable to understand it. Toward the end of his life, blacks had given upa biton King and his ways. With amiable humor, they called him De Lawd. Travis referred to him that way. Some even used the lethal term, Uncle Tom. The Nobel Prizea suspect apotheosis, bestowed by Whiteysubtly discredited him in contrast with black firebrands (H. Rap Brown, Stokely Carmichael) to whom satyagraha was the wrong idea: they meant to take the passive out of passive resistance. King was getting to be passe your fathers station wagon.

Few Americans have shown more courage than the civil rights workers in the South in the early 1960s: the Freedom Riders and others, those working for voter registration and access to public accommodations. One night in the summer of 1964, I was on a late shift at the old Washington Star. A long-distance call came in to the city desk from Sunflower County, Mississippi. I heard a frightened young voice coming from a house way out in the dark Mississippi countrysidea civil rights worker who told me that she just wanted someone to know that she was out there in the middle of the night and scared to death, and that now and then she heard a pickup truck. We talked for a long time. Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman had disappeared a few weeks earlier from Philadelphia, Mississippi. Their bodies would be found in the earthen dam where Klansmen buried them.

The most conspicuous and vulnerable of them all was Martin Luther King. He saw it coming (I may not get there with you), but he never stopped. His gift to the country, apart from the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, was his miraculous example of grace and courage. People associated the phrase grace under pressure with John Kennedy, but it more aptly applied to King. Along with the grace and the courage, there came with him a motif of forbearance, of forgivenessgood manners on an exalted level. Kennedy in the 1960 election made an acid remark about Richard Nixon: No class. No one in that time had more class than Martin Luther King.

Years later, in 1982, I was in Alabama to have a look at George Wallaces last gubernatorial race. Wallace, in his time, had unspeakably bad manners, especially toward black people, and the power to inflict humiliation and pain. Yet I found, to my astonishment, that, in 1982, more than a few black Alabamians supported him. They found it in themselves to forgive him. (He had apologized that time in Birmingham, they said, and anyway, he was doing a lot for the people by starting up community colleges.) That seemed to me a very definition of gracea blessing entirely unmerited but bestowed by the promptings of a good heart. There was a Southern churchy sweetness in these transactionsnot sentimentality, but goodness.

Wallace had been in a wheelchair for ten years, after being shot down and crippled in a Laurel, Maryland parking lot by an assassin during the 1972 presidential campaign. Now, on Labor Day a decade later, he sat in his wheelchair on a small flatbed metal stage in a park at Noccalula Falls, near Gadsden, and he communed with the people, white and black, who filed quietly past. He reached out his hands to them, consoling and almost, one thought, healing. I wrote in an article at the time: He has the nimbus of saint and martyror at any rate, of a celebrity who has passed through the fire and the greater world: he has come back to them from history, come back with powder burns.

Wallacethough in great pain survived his assassins bullet. Martin Luther King did not. Such outcomes are mysterious. Grace was at work: even a sinner like George Wallace might find shelter and beat least a little bitredeemed by the atmosphere of Kings example. The words Forgive them, Father, they know not what they do reverberated, as if in some obscure moral negotiation, between Memphis, Tennessee and Laurel, Maryland.

I find the entire year 1968 to be a sermon whose lesson is indecipherable, even 50 years later. There were four deaths that were decisiveto me, anyway. Two were public and two private; two were blacks, and two were whites. Nineteen sixty-eight was Moloch. These were blood sacrifices.

The public deaths: Martin Luther King, in early April; Bobby Kennedy, in early June. The private deaths: at the end of January, just at the time of the Tet offensive, my younger brother Mike, 17, died in Memorial Hospital on 68th Street of an obscure cancer that attached itself to his lung; in May, my friend Travis Williams, 28, burst a blood vessel in his brain. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in St. Vincents Hospital in the Village. We did not see that one coming.

Photo by J. Wilds/Keystone/Getty Images
Former Twitter employees finally get severance offers after months of waiting, only to find them unsatisfactory. Twitter helps drive political mayhem in Brazil. Elon Musk says that Twitter will soon allow users to post tweets that are four thousand characters in length. It may be a new year, but Musks ownership of the platform continues to generate ample controversy.

To back up a bit: Musks bid to acquire Twitter for forty-four billion dollars, which he initially filed last April, was controversial in part because of his comments about how Twitter needed to do more to protect free speech. His decision to then delay the acquisition, purportedly over concerns about fake accounts, was also widely criticized, since many believed those arguments were a ruse designed to reduce the price, as I wrote at the time for CJR. But the apprehensiveness around all this was a drop in the ocean compared with what has happened since Musk finalized his acquisition of the company in late October (after the most recent edition of this Thursday newsletter came out), getting rid of almost two-thirds of the staffincluding swaths of the teams responsible for moderating harassment and disinformation on the networkrestoring the accounts of prominent right-wing trolls, and suspending a number of journalists, seemingly because he didnt like what they were writing about.

ICYMI: What CJR is watching in 2023

Musk also stoked the flames of controversy by leaking internal Twitter documents to a number of journalists and right-wing commentators, including Bari Weiss, Matt Taibbi, and Alex Berenson, in an attempt to show that the previous management of the company colluded with the FBI and others to ban conservative accounts and to downplay information about covid and Hunter Biden, Joes son. In The Nation, Ross Barkan wrote that many mainstream journalists ignored the Twitter Files because Musk has evolved into a puerile reactionary, suspending journalist accounts at will and tossing off idiotic gibes to his 122 million followers (though Barkan concluded that the story did, nonetheless, matter). Oliver Darcy, of CNN, said that the files amounted to grossly misleading claims that were blindly amplified to millions by Fox News.

Not everything has gone according to plan for Musk, to the extent that he ever had one; he even feuded publicly with Weiss after she took issue with Musks suspension of journalists. The old regime at Twitter governed by its own whims and biases and it sure looks like the new regime has the same problem, Weiss wrote. I oppose it in both cases. And I think those journalists who were reporting on a story of public importance should be reinstated. In a Twitter reply, Musk accused Weiss of virtue-signaling to show that you are good in the eyes of the media elite to keep one foot in both worlds.

Twitter soon said that the journalists who had been suspended had been reinstated, but Micah Lee, of The Intercept, said in late December that that wasnt quite accurate. Lee was one of the journalists whose accounts were frozen after they wrote about an account thatusing publicly available informationtracked the movement of Musks private plane. Lee wrote that while many of the accounts belonging to affected journalists looked like they had been unblocked, they were still prevented from tweeting until they agreed to delete the tweets that Musk was upset about. Lee hasnt tweeted since. An early-December tweet pinned to the top of his timeline reads: Twitter is garbage and with any luck it will crash and burn before too long.

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Musk himself has described Twitter as a plane that is headed towards the ground at high speed with the engines on fire and the controls dont work. The company was losing four million dollars a day as of early November. Selling eight-dollar verification checks to users isnt filling the hole. So is Twitter dying? Or gradually becoming a larger version of right-wing troll factories like Gab, 4chan, or Parler? Or limping on as a simulacrum of its former self? Or none of the above? And what, if anything, should journalists be doing about it?

As Michael Grynbaum wrote in the New York Times last month, until now, Twitter has occupied a unique role in the news and information ecosystem, with journalists flocking there to share their reporting, develop relationships with sources, and debate issues of the day. In yesterdays edition of this newsletter, Kyle Pope, CJRs editor and publisher, wrote that while Twitter isnt dead, it is transformed, and not in a good way. But leaving is the easy part. How do newsrooms get the attention and readership they need for their work now? How do they engage their audiences in a compelling way? How do they ensure their work is relevant and noticed by the people who need to see it? None of us wants to do great journalism that no one reads.

Dan Gillmor, a journalism professor at Arizona State University, suggests that journalists should avoid platforms like Twitter altogether, arguing that Muskin demonstrating his contempt for free speech in general, and journalism in particular, with his behavior at Twitterhas shown why it is foolhardy for anyone to rely on centralized platforms to create and distribute vital information. Gillmor says that journalists and other information providers should move to decentralized systems where they have control of what they say. Some journalists (including Lee) have adopted open-source tools such as Mastodon, but not without some difficulty, as I noted in a recent piece for CJR. (It seems that some Mastodon users arent all that receptive to the ways journalists tend to use social networks.) Writing for CJR in November, Emily Bell, of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, raised a similar question: Should journalists continue to use a platform whose owner is openly hostile to the practices of the free press? The problem, Bell argued, is that should Twitter become unusable for journalists, there remains a gap in the market for a public-facing protocol that makes the public interest part of its mission at the heart of its design and ownership. Until then, journalists who remain on the platform will need to proceed with more caution.

In some ways, as Gillmor notes, Musk may have done journalists a favor, by making it obvious just how problematic a privately held social network can be, and how unwise it is to rely on such platforms for journalistic purposes, even seemingly benign ones. Twitter has been a useful tool for journalism, but it has also become a crutch. What replaces it, in terms of how we reach our readers and distribute our journalism, is up to us. Hopefully, itll be something that connects us more directly to our audience, rather than using a billionaires plaything as an intermediary.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: O Talentoso Senhor Santos

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  During the pageants preliminary competition, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi strutted in a pink swimsuit with a cape that featured numerous hand prints, showing her advocacy for childrens rights.

According to Miss Universe Philippines, kids in Marawi had a hand at making Celestes cape.

In amplifying the voices of the children who need our help, I wanted to bring them with me on the Miss Universe stage, Cortesi said, as quoted by the Miss Universe Philippines organizer.

The imprints all over the cape remind me that having a title means to have a purpose beyond myself.

Cortesi said having talked to some of the mothers of the children-beneficiaries, she was reminded of her mother who struggled to provide for her and her sister.

Unfortunately, there are millions of children who live in poverty, amidst crisis," she said. "I hope that it inspires people to donate to Save the Children Philippines. Theres much work to be done and every single persons help matters."

A total of 86 candidates will vie for the crown in this years edition of Miss Universe that will be held at New Orleans, Louisiana USA on Jan. 14, at 9 a.m., Philippine time.

READ: Catriona Gray tapped as backstage host for Miss Universe 2022

The new queen will succeed reigning Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India.

This will be the first Miss Universe pageant under the new ownership of the Thailand-based JKN Global Group.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Celeste Cortesi, the Philippines' bet to the 71st Miss Universe, sparkled during the evening gown portion of the preliminary competition of the pageant on Thursday (Philippine time).

The 25-year-old Filipino-Italian beauty wore a bedazzled yet subtle sky blue strapless gown crafted by renowned Los Angeles-based Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino, who will also design Cortesi's final gown.

The Miss Universe Philippines Organization explained the story behind her glistening blue gown.

"In the poem her father wrote for her, he writes that when he was holding her in his arms he knew her name would be Celeste. Celeste means heavenly and sky blue in Italian," it said in a social media post.

Several netizens were in awe of her gown and performance during the pre-coronation competition.

"Celeste Cortesi's blue gown for the blue crown, Blue is her color!  "one netizen wrote.

Another Twitter user said, "Celeste single-handedly won the night with that evening gown performance/ ensemble. Go Celeste! Go Philippines!"

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, who cohosted the preliminaries, described Cortesi as someone who enjoys traveling to learn new languages and who proudly supports a mental health organization that provides therapy to those in need.

If Cortesi wins, she will be the countrys fifth Miss Universe after Catriona Gray in 2018.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo is calling it!

The country's bet during the 2020 Miss Universe competition said she is confident Celeste Cortesi will bring home the country's fifth crown in the prestigious beauty pageant.

Mateo shared a clip of Cortesi during the evening gown portion of the preliminary competition in California, USA on Thursday (PH time).

"5th crown na to for the country!!!!!" she wrote on Instagram.

If 25-year-old Cortesi wins in the 71st edition of the contest on Jan. 15 (PH time), she will be the countrys fifth Miss Universe after Catriona Gray in 2018.

Cortesi, born to a Filipino mother and Italian father, grew up in Italy. She moved to the Philippines in 2018 to pursue a career in pageants, representing the country in the Miss Earth stage.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are eyeing the procurement of a backup air traffic management system in the first quarter of 2023 following the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) technical breakdown on New Year's Day.

"The DOTr and the CAAP are planning to procure a second CNS/ATM [Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management] which will act as a redundancy for the Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC)," CAAP Director General Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo told the Senate during its probe into the fiasco that affected 65,000 passengers.

During the Senate hearing, CAAP Assistant Director General Marlene Singson bared that the CNS/ATM currently has no independent backup or redundancy.

"CAAP has already initiated measures to ensure systems redundancy and upgrade in the existing CNS/ATM. DOTr and CAAP met with the system supplier last Jan. 5 to finalize the terms. The target completion is the first quarter of 2023," he added.

The government first procured the two packages of the CNS/ATM in 2009 for some 10 billion. While it began construction in 2010, the Commission on Audit issued a notice of disallowance on the project, delaying it.

It resumed construction in 2013, was completed and turned over to the CAAP in 2017, and finally inaugurated in 2018.

Tamayo earlier described the system as "outdated". Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said over 13 billion would be needed to backup the CNS/ATM.

READ: NAIA operations struggle even as air traffic center resumes after New Year's Day glitch

No third party maintenance since 2020

It was also reported that the very CNS/ATM system that broke down hadn't seen third-party maintenance by its suppliers, the Sumitomo and Thales groups, since 2020.

"The CNS/ATM had a warranty that expired in 2020 and it was only up to that time that they were providing support as far as the CNS/ATM is concerned," Tamayo said Thursday.

The CAAP added that its personnel had been trained by Thales group to conduct system maintenance.

Sumitomo group representative Atty. Lloyd Chadwick Lim said it would have been beneficial if the CAAP had conducted maintenance on its systems with the help of experts.

"There is actually in the operations and maintenance manual periodic checks for daily, weekly, and monthly components," Lim explained, referring to the third-party maintenance schedules for the CNS/ATM.

A similar scenario had taken place with the uninterruptible power system (UPS) behind the CNS/ATM, the CAAP said.

Upon questioning from Sen. Grace Poe, CAAP bared that the NAIA's UPS system had last been checked by UPS suppliers P2RO two years ago, when they changed the power system's batteries.

The CAAP earlier made an emergency purchase of two UPS units to prevent further power failures.

READ: CAAP buys two UPS units after NAIA fiasco
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The government said it will take into consideration the recent Supreme Court ruling that nullified a 2005 energy exploration deal when it resumes talks with China on possible cooperation over oil and gas in disputed waters.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it is carefully studying the courts decision declaring as void the tripartite agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) among state-owned oil companies of the Philippines, China, and Vietnam, which involve an area in the South China Sea.

The deal was signed during the Arroyo administration and expired in 2008. It was ruled as unconstitutional earlier this week for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to participate in the exploration of Philippine natural resources without observing constitutional safeguards.

The Departments actions and policy recommendations are, at all times, anchored on the Philippine Constitution and laws, the DFA said.

Cases decided by the Supreme Court form part of our legal system, and the Department is duty-bound to take applicable cases into consideration in any future discussion with China on oil and gas, its statement added.

In the meantime, however, the agency said it is still premature to discuss the verdict's legal implications on any future agreement with China.

It added that both countries are still in the process of setting parameters that will guide any oil and gas talks.

Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself told Beijing that Manila wants to resume negotiations on a joint oil and gas venture in the West Philippine Sea  something the Duterte administration began in 2018 but terminated last year.

Void deal important

China, for its part, maintained that the JMSU played an important role in promoting stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

It was an important step by the three countries to implement the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea) and a useful experiment for maritime cooperation between parties to the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Despite the high court's ruling, he said Beijing will continue to actively explore ways for practical maritime cooperation, including energy exploration with Manila.

During Philippine President Marcoss recent visit to China, the two sides agreed to bear in mind the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development signed in 2018 and resume discussions on oil and gas development at an early date, building upon the outcomes of the previous talks, with a view of benefiting the two countries and their peoples, Wang told reporters.

Meanwhile, fisherfolk group Pamalakaya said the Supreme Court decision strengthens calls against any efforts to revive such negotiations.

The Marcos administration should adhere and recognize this ruling by way of actively asserting our sovereign rights against Chinas aggression, it said Thursday.

The group earlier reported that many Filipino fishermen are still unable to fish freely and lose a sizable amount of income due to the continued presence of Chinese forces in Philippine waters.

We now have two strong legal bases to assert our territory; the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea that recognizes our exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, and the SC decision declaring the unconstitutionality of joint venture with China, Pamalakaya pointed out. The Marcos administration has no reason not to actively uphold our national sovereignty.

RELATED: Marcos: Xi promises to find 'compromise' that will allow Filipinos to fish in WPS
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has yet to rule out the possibility that a cyberattack caused the shutdown of the country's air traffic management system on New Year's Day.

At a Senate hearing on Thursday, CICC Undersecretary Alexander Ramos clarified it had only conducted an initial investigation, which is "not conclusive."

"The priority that was given to us is to help CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) restore its system to normalcy. That's why we brought in equipment and manpower on orders of the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) Secretary," Ramos said.

"We have not gone beyond that restoration process. If there was a cyberattack, we have not reached that level of communication within the CAAP," he added.

Ramos also said the CICC lacks the tools and equipment to scan the system.

"So there's still a possibility what happened is due to cyberattack?" Sen. Win Gatchalian asked.

Ramos responded: "It may be, but we need to conduct an assessment."

Gatchalian called for a formal investigation, and said he will request a more detailed briefing in an executive session.

"We cannot rule out cyberattacks as a cause of this disruption. In their report its written there 'unlikely' which gave me the impression that it's already out of the table," Gatchalian said. "But right now because of their request for an executive session, it seems to me a possibility and urgency that should be looked at."

Sabotage?

Meanwhile, Senate President Miguel Zubiri raised the possibility that internal sabotage was behind the NAIA breakdown.

"I cannot fathom the idea that the CNS/ATM [Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management] would conk out on its own," Zubiri said.

He decried the lack of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras within the CAAP's CNS/ATM equipment room.

"Are you trying to tell me that in this most sensitive section, there is no CCTV footage? Hindi ko po maintindihan na walang security footage diyan sa pinakamaselang lugar ng mga equipment ng CAAP. Hindi natin alam, baka may double agent na diyan, o may tao na diyan na nag-sabotage ng equipment," Zubiri said.

[Translation: I don't understand why there is no security footage in the most sensitive area with the CAAP's equipment. We don't know, there might be a double agent or a person who sabotaged the equipment.]

Both Gatchalian and Zubiri have called for thorough, forensic investigations into the possibility that a cyberattack or sabotage from within the CAAP was behind the fiasco.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros pointed out that the CAAP's role in the investigation might prove to be a conflict of interest. "Perhaps we at the Senate should consider a different aviation body that could join the investigation," she said.

Senators also lamented the state of the CAAP's equipment after it was revealed that third-party experts had not conducted maintenance checks on the CNS/ATM and the system's uninterrupted power supply since 2020.

The CAAP instead conducted its own in-house maintenance checks through trained employees.

READ: CAAP, DOTr eye new backup air traffic management system by Q1 2023
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official expressed disapproval of a Ukrainian diplomat's move to share to the press that Manila has not responded to their request for a phone meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Ukraine is a country we have a good relationship with, but when matters like these are vented by representatives of another government through the press, it's not something that we appreciate," DFA Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta said in a Malacanang briefing on Thursday.

The day before, the charge d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia told reporters that his country formally requested the meeting in June last year.

The diplomat said Marcos' office has yet to reply despite Ukraine "following it up regularly, twice a month."

"If he wants this to happen, we have to discuss it," Sorreta said. "These things are arranged, the talking points are discussed, there's pre-discussion."

"It's not good diplomatic practice to be doing it the way he did," he added. "I think I'll leave it at that."

In a separate statement, the DFA said the two countries have held high level-interactions as recently as November 2022, when Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits in Cambodia.

The department also noted that Manila has publicly supported efforts in the United Nations (UN) not only to seek a peaceful end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but also to address the urgent issue of displaced civilians.

Marcos himself had called for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February last year and which has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, based on UN data.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said bird flu, which affected egg producing areas, led to a rise in the commoditys prices as Filipino consumers also grapple with increasing prices of other agricultural products.

This is still the effect of avian influenza na tinamaan tayo (that hit us), DA Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez told CNN Philippines The Source.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) president Rosendo So earlier told CNN Philippines there is shortage in supply of eggs since bird flu hit producing provinces like Pampanga and Bulacan.

Estoperez said the government is working with broilers and egg producers to address the problem, noting that the local industry is starting to recover but it may take time.

According to the Department of Agricultures latest price monitoring, the average cost of a medium-sized egg in Metro Manila markets ranges from 6.90 to 8.70.

However, in some markets, prices even reach 10 just for a regular-sized egg.

The Philippine Egg Board Association said this is too much as farmgate prices only range from 6.20 to 7.20.

Despite the high price, Estoperez said the cost of eggs is not expected to further increase since production continues as the industry recovers from the virus.

Meanwhile, Estoperez said they are also monitoring prices of some vegetables, namely bitter gourd or ampalaya, cabbage, and carrots, after farms in Benguet were hit by frost.

He noted this led to prices increasing by 10-15%.

The DA is also receiving reports that strawberries are being fed to animals because of lack of buyers.

Going back to that, kung vegetable man from Benguet, parang talagang mayroon tayong problema doon sa supply chain (there seems to really be a problem with supply chain), Estoperez said.

The DA official said this has to be addressed with long term solutions, but did not elaborate.

CNN Philippines correspondent Currie Cator contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to introduce the proposed Philippine sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to global and business leaders during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta told Palace reporters that the chief executive wants to bring up the fund to explain "why we are doing it and why it's a good idea."

"The World Economic Forum is a great venue to do sort of a soft launch for our sovereign wealth fund given the prominence of the forum itself and the global and business leaders who will be there, and they will hear it directly from the president," Sorreta said in a media briefing.

An SWF is a state-owned investment fund commonly financed by a country's surplus revenues or reserves. According to proponents, the so-called Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) was patterned after the SWF of other nations, and will be an investment tool in key sectors to help fund priority programs.

READ: The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know

Sorreta said the DFA is working with the finance and trade departments to come up with "very precise targeted messages" about the MIF which Marcos will use in presenting general details during the forum in Davos from Jan. 16 to 20.

"I understand it is evolving," the DFA official said of the proposal. "We have the fullest respect for the congressional process and the open hearings that they are having and how to work out the details. But the broad strokes of it, the president has a very, very good grasp of what he wants to achieve."

Last month, an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives voted in favor of the MIF despite widespread concerns on its capital sources and timing. The measure was filed by Marcos' cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez, presidential son and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and four other lawmakers.

RELATED: Carpio: Maharlika Investment Fund will be a losing proposition

The Senate, meanwhile, vowed to thoroughly study the proposal beginning this month.

Earlier, Marcos said he believes the country stands to benefit from the MIF, adding he "wouldn't have brought it up otherwise."

During his Davos trip, the president will also participate in a high-level dialogue session with other leaders, including the president of South Africa, the prime minister of Belgium, and the president of the European Commission, according to the DFA.

It added that Marcos is expected to meet with business leaders and the Filipino community not only in Switzerland but those coming from other countries in Europe.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  Over 700 of the more than 950 full police colonels and generals have already submitted their courtesy resignations, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) told CNN Philippines on Wednesday.

"We're still waiting for the police colonels and generals who are assigned particularly in Visayas and Mindanao areas. We expect that within the week we might as well see the completion," PCol. Jean Fajardo said in an interview with Politics As Usual.

PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was among the first to heed Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos' call for full police colonels and generals to submit their courtesy resignations in a bid to cleanse their ranks of illegal drug links.

Abalos has yet to give details of the five-man committee that will review the police officials' records. But he has revealed that Baguio City Mayor and retired police general Benjamin Magalong will be part of the panel.
(CNN)  The historic storms devastating much of California have turned entire neighborhoods into lakes, unleashed sewage into floodwater and killed at least 18 people.

And there's more to come. About 5 million people were under flood watches Wednesday as yet another atmospheric river is bringing more rain to California.

"The state has been experiencing drought for the last four years, and now we have storm upon storm," California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said Wednesday.

"We've had six storms in the last two weeks. This is the kind of weather you would get in a year and we compressed it just into two weeks."

It had already been "one of the deadliest disasters in the history of our state," Brian Ferguson, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services spokesman said Wednesday before the 18th death was reported.

"Yesterday, we had perhaps more air rescues than we've ever had on any other single day in the state's history," Ferguson said, adding that the Golden State is not out of the woods yet.

"While there is a bit of a break today, we continue to see additional storms prepared to come onshore in the next two days," he said. "We're continued to be concerned about our streams, our culverts and some of the areas that are prone to mudslides, particularly along our central coast."

The flood watches Wednesday are primarily in Northern and Central California, including Sacramento, the North Bay and Redding. That barely leaves enough time for residents in flood-ravaged neighborhoods to assess the devastation before the next storm.

"It's just brown water everywhere. And it's just rushing through -- it was going fast," Fenton Grove resident Caitlin Clancy said.

"We had a canoe strapped up, that we thought if we needed to, we could canoe out. But it was moving too fast."

The onslaught of recent storms came from a parade of atmospheric rivers -- long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that can carry moisture thousands of miles.

"We have had five atmospheric rivers come into California over two weeks," Kounalakis said.

"Everything is wet. Everything is saturated. Everything is at a breaking point, and there is more rain coming."

In fact, four more atmospheric rivers are expected to hit California in the next 10 days.

What to expect with this next wave

Here's what's in store as another round of ferocious weather barrels down on the West Coast:

 The heaviest rain over the next seven days is expected in northern parts of California, where the National Weather Service predicts an additional 5 to 10 inches. On Wednesday, Northern California got a radar-estimated 1-2 inches of rain, with some higher elevations getting around 3 inches.

 The rain shifted north Wednesday afternoon, giving Central California a brief pause. There's a slight risk  level 2 of 4  for excessive rainfall Thursday for the northwest coast, and a marginal risk  level 1 of 4  along the Pacific Northwest coast.

 Precipitation pushed inland to the Sierra Nevada Wednesday afternoon, dumping more snow. Snow was still falling Wednesday evening.

Another round of atmospheric moisture is expected to come onshore Friday, but less severe than earlier ones. A slight risk for excessive rainfall has been issued for the northwest coast of the state, with a marginal risk south, including the hard-hit Bay Area and San Luis Obispo.

A 5-year-old boy swept away is still missing

Rescue crews in San Luis Obispo County are scrambling to find 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was swept away from a truck near the Salinas River Monday morning.

National Guard members arrived Wednesday to help with the search, and more will be arriving Thursday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet Wednesday.

The sheriff's office earlier urged the public to leave the search operation to the professionals to avoid the risk of volunteers needing to be rescued themselves.

'It's backbreaking labor'

As another storm looms, many residents are still grappling with devastation to their communities.

Rachel Oliviera used a shovel to try to push out some of the floodwater and thick mud enveloping her Felton Grove home.

"It's backbreaking labor," Oliviera said, visibly emotional.

But she was more concerned about her neighbors, whose homes were also covered in thick mud.

"A lot of us that live here in the neighborhood are elderly, and can't actually physically do the cleanup."

Smashed cars, destroyed homes and gushing sewage

In the Los Angeles neighborhood of Chatsworth, several people had to be rescued after a sinkhole swallowed two vehicles Tuesday. In Malibu, a massive boulder came crashing down, shutting down a key roadway.

In parts of Santa Barbara County, "the storm caused flows through the sewer system to exceed capacity, resulting in the release of sewage from the system to the street," County Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Jason Johnston said Monday evening.

The local health department warned the water could increase the risk of illnesses.

Another sinkhole was reported Monday in Santa Barbara County's Santa Maria, where 20 homes were evacuated, CNN affiliate KEYT reported.

"The storms hit us like a water balloon exploding and just dropped water down through our rivers and creeks. So it's been this excessive amount of flooding  it's been the cycles over and over again," Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin told CNN.

Hoppin said 131 homes in the county received significant damage, but could be salvaged, while five others are not salvageable.

Trees have been toppling, claiming lives and causing property destruction and roadway obstructions. Sacramento officials estimate that about 1,000 trees have fallen since New Year's Eve, Sacramento Department of Public Works spokeswoman Gabby Miller told CNN on Wednesday, adding that staff and crews have been working around the clock on cleanup.

In San Francisco, the public works department has logged about 1,300 tree-related incidents, which include downed trees, but also just limbs and branches, according to Rachel Gordon, director of policy and communications at San Francisco Public Works.

Parks that are home to some of the state's iconic redwoods haven't been spared, according to California State Parks spokesperson Adeline Yee.

"At Redwood National and State Parks and Big Basin Redwood State Park, we've seen some downed trees that are blocking roads and trails," Yee said. "At this time, most of the trees that have come down are not the old-growth redwoods."

In the state park system, 54 park units were closed as of Wednesday morning, and 38 were partially closed.

The recent atmospheric river storm system also has left dozens of state travel routes inoperable, and at least 40 are closed, according to Caltrans spokesman Will Arnold.

"Caltrans has activated our 12 Emergency Operations Centers throughout the state and more than 4,000 crews are running 24/7 maintenance patrols for road hazards like downed trees, flooded roads, mudslides/rockslides," Arnold said.

The storms have claimed 18 lives

The recent storms turned fatal after trees crashed onto homes and cars, rocks and mud cascaded down hillsides and floodwater rapidly rose.

At least 18 people have died in California storms in just the past two weeks. The latest victim was a 43-year-old woman, whose body was recovered Wednesday from inside a vehicle that had been washed into a flooded Sonoma County vineyard, officials said. Divers found the vehicle submergd in 8 to 10 feet of water.

"That's more than we've lost in the last two years of wildfires," the lieutenant governor said. "So this is a very significant emergency."

Rebekah Rohde, 40, and Steven Sorensen, 61, were both found "with trees on top of their tents" over the weekend, the Sacramento County Coroner said. Both were unhoused, according to the release.

In the San Joaquin Valley, a tree fell on a pickup truck on State Route 99 in Visalia on Tuesday, killing the driver. A motorcyclist also died after crashing into the tree, the California Highway Patrol said.

Another driver died after entering a flooded roadway in Avila Beach Monday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said.

"It only takes six inches of water to lose control of a car to be knocked over. In 12 inches, cars start floating away," Kounalakis said this week.

"You've heard that creeks that have risen 14 feet just in the last day and in certain areas we've had over a foot of rain  just in the last 48 hours. So it is unbelievable."

Extreme weather and the climate crisis

Several areas across the state have registered 50% to 70% of their average annual rainfall just since the parade of atmospheric river events began to impact the state on December 26, according to the National Weather Service. Oakland got 69% of its annual average, Santa Barbara 64%, Stockton 60%, and downtown San Francisco 59%.

Downtown San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Barbara have each gotten more than a foot of rain, according to the NWS.

Though none of the coming storms are expected to individually be as impactful as the most recent ones, the cumulative effect could be significant in a state where much of the soil is already too saturated to absorb any more rain.

And the state's ongoing drought has parched the landscape so much, the soil struggles to absorb the incoming rainfall  which can lead to dangerous flash flooding.

Scientists have warned the climate crisis is having a significant effect on California's weather, increasing the swings between extreme drought and extreme rain.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "A very significant emergency: Californias deadly, record-setting storms are about to get an encore."
(CNN)  At least five people were killed in an explosion near the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, according to police in Kabul, in the latest sign of a deteriorating security situation in the country's capital.

Five civilians were "martyred and a number of others were injured," Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran wrote on Twitter, adding that the perpetrators would be found and punished.

The explosion took place in Kabul's diplomatic district, Zanbaq Square, around 4 p.m. local time, Zadran said. Several countries, including Turkey, India and China, have embassies in the area.

Zadran did not say how many people were injured, though the humanitarian organization Emergency said its surgical center in Kabul had received more than 40 patients following the blast.

"This is the first mass casualty in 2023, but certainly one of those with the most patients since the beginning of 2022. So much so that we have also set up beds in the kitchens and canteen," Emergency's Afghanistan director Stefano Sozza said in a statement.

ISIS' local affiliate, ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for the explosion, which it described as a suicide bomb attack.

Without providing evidence, ISIS' Amaq news agency said the attack killed 20 people after an ISIS-K militant detonated an explosive belt in the middle of a crowd of workers near the main gate of the ministry. CNN cannot independently verify the claim.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack in a statement Wednesday.

"Rising insecurity is of grave concern. Violence is not part of any solution to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan," it wrote on Twitter.

Since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, there have been multiple attacks in Kabul that have claimed dozens of lives.

In September last year, a suicide bomber killed at least 25 people, mostly young women, at an education center in Kabul.

Earlier that month, six people including two Russian Embassy employees were killed in a suicide blast near the Russian Embassy.

In August, an explosion at a mosque during evening prayers killed 21 people and injured 33.

This story was first published on CNN. "Explosion kills at least 5 people near Afghan Foreign Ministry, Kabul police say"
(CNN)  Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has asked New York state's highest court to reverse his 2020 sex crimes conviction and grant him a new trial, according to an appellate brief filed on Tuesday.

The latest appeal is the second effort made by Weinstein's legal team to overturn his New York conviction on charges of committing a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree, which resulted in a 23-year prison sentence. The sentencing garnered praised from prosecutors and leaders of the #MeToo movement.

Weinstein has maintained his innocence and denied all allegations against him since they first emerged.

And his attorneys now argue that several rulings by the judge -- who they claim was biased against their client at the Manhattan trial -- deprived Weinstein of a fair trial, according to a copy of the appellate brief provided to CNN by Weinstein's team.

Arthur Aidala, Weinstein's attorney, said the legal team is asking the state's Court of Appeals "to remind trial courts throughout the state that a defendant cannot be tried based on his character -- but must be tried based on the conduct for which he has been accused."

"The trial judge disregarded basic rules of NY law and allowed into evidence acts of misconduct which prevented Mr. Weinstein from testifying in his own defense to powerfully proclaim his innocence," Aidala said.

In August, the Chief Judge for the New York Court of Appeals agreed to hear Weinstein's appeal challenging the conviction. The judge signed the certificate to grant leave, which stated that "questions of law are involved which ought to be reviewed by the Court of Appeals."

Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have until March 1 to file their response. A date has not been set for oral arguments in front of a Court of Appeals panel of judges.

In June, a panel of appellate judges in a lower state appeals court unanimously upheld Weinstein's conviction, rejecting Weinstein's first effort at appeal.

Separately, a California jury last month found Weinstein guilty of rape and sexual assault against one of four women he was accused of assaulting in Los Angeles. His sentencing in that case was pushed back and has now been scheduled for February 23.

This story was first published on CNN. Harvey Weinsteins attorneys make second effort to overturn 2020 sex crime convictions in New York
(CNN)  Alireza Akbari, a dual British-Iranian citizen and former Iranian official, has been sentenced to death in Iran for spying for the United Kingdom, according to Iranian judiciary-affiliated outlet Mizan on Wednesday.

Akbari previously served as Irans deputy defense minister and was the head of the Strategic Research Institute, as well as a member of the military organization that implemented the United Nations resolution that ended the Iran-Iraq war, according to Iranian pro-reform outlet Shargh Daily.

According to the allegations in Mizan, Akbari some time ago was arrested for spying against this country. On this basis and after filing an indictment against the accused, the file was referred to court and hearings were held in the presence of the accuseds lawyer and based on the valid documents in this persons file, he was sentenced to death for spying for the UK.

The British government has called for Iran to halt the execution and release Akbari. The BBC has reported Akbari was arrested in 2019 and that he served under Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who was in office from 1997 to 2005.

Akbari appealed the decision, and after reviewing the case, Irans Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, according to Mizan. The outlet claims Irans intelligence ministry confirmed that Akbari was an undercover agent for the British secret intelligence service MI6, alleging that he collected important national information and provided it in a fully aware and informed manner.

This spy was in the process of obtaining a visa from the British Embassy by intelligence agents stationed there, Mizan said.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called for the execution to be halted. Iran must halt the execution of British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari and immediately release him. This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life, he said in a tweet.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson told CNN it was supporting Akbaris family and have repeatedly raised his case with the Iranian authorities. Our priority is securing his immediate release and we have reiterated our request for urgent consular access.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has long ranked among the worlds top executioners.

The regime executed 314 people in 2021, 20% more than the previous year, rights group Amnesty International said in a report from May 2022. Many of those had to do with drug-related crimes.

Last weekend, Iran executed two protesters charged with killing security personnel, causing an international outcry. Critics said that the executions were a result of hasty sham trials.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Dual British-Iranian citizen sentenced to death for spying for UK"
President Joko Widodo expressed deep regret on Wednesday over gross human rights violations during Indonesias tumultuous post-colonial past, going back to the mass killing of communists and suspected sympathizers in the mid-1960s.

At least half a million people died, according to some historians and activists, in violence that began in late 1965 when the military launched a purge of communists who they said were planning a coup.

A million or more people were jailed, suspected of being communists, during the crackdown, and in 1967 Gen. Suharto ousted President Sukarno, Indonesias independence leader, and went on to rule the worlds biggest Muslim-majority country for three decades.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, recently received the report from a team he had commissioned last year to investigate Indonesias bloody history, having promised to take up the issue when he first came to power in 2014.

He cited 11 other rights incidents, spanning a period between 1965 and 2003, including the killing and abduction of students blamed on security forces during protests against Suhartos autocratic rule in the late 1990s.

I as a head of state acknowledge that there were gross human rights violations that did happen in many events, said Widodo.

And I strongly regret that those violations occurred.

There were also around 1,200 people killed during rioting in 1998 often targeting the Chinese community, a minority that is sometimes resented for its perceived wealth.

Jokowi said the government would seek to restore the rights of victims fairly and wisely without negating judicial resolution, though he did not specify how.

He also cited rights violations in the restive region of Papua and during an insurgency in Aceh province.

Victims, their relatives and rights groups have questioned whether Jokowis government is serious about holding anyone accountable for past atrocities.

Rights activists note that the Attorney Generals Office, tasked with investigating rights violations, have often thrown out such cases.

For mewhats important is that the president gives assurances that gross rights violations dont happen in the future by trying the suspected perpetrators in court, said retired civil servant Maria Catarina Sumarsih, whose son Wawan was shot dead in 1998 while helping a wounded student.

Usman Hamid of Amnesty International said victims should receive reparations and serious crimes of the past need to be resolved through judicial means.

Winarso, a coordinator of a group that cares for survivors of the 1965 bloodshed, said that while the presidents acknowledgment was insufficient it could open up room for discussion about the massacres.

If President Jokowi is serious about past human rights violations, he should first order a government effort to investigate these mass killings, to document mass graves, and to find their families, to match the graves and their families, as well as to set up a commission to decide what to do next, said Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Jokowis administration has faced criticism about its commitment to human rights after parliament ratified a controversial criminal code last month that critics say undermines civil liberties.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Indonesias President says he regrets countrys bloody past as victims demand justice"
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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.
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.
Colorado Springs artist Marc Shereck's new exhibit, "Transect," will open Friday with a free reception at The Bridge Gallery. The artist has been inspired since childhood by the landscape and culture of New Mexico.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
By Rick Palsgrove

Managing Editor

This past summer, Nathan Weidner, a westside resident and video production teacher at Canal Winchester High School, conducted an exercise to give current and former students of his the experience of shooting a feature film.

The students took what they learned in the classroom and created an ambitious and interesting feature film entitled, The Name of the Sun. The film was shot locally in Columbus, Canal Winchester, and Mansfield, and then in Whitefish, Montana at Glacier National Park. On Dec. 30 it was shown at the Lennox 24 movie theater.

The film is about a social media influencer who gets stranded in the wilderness of Montana.

The students who created the film include:

Adam Scott  class of 2021  studying acting at Pace University  writer, producer, director, actor;

Javier Vallejo  class of 2021  studied audio engineering at Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences  writer, co-producer, audio mixer;

Addison Parker  class of 2020  studying filmmaking at University of Alabama  cinematographer;

Stevyn Butts  class of 2022  studying filmmaking at Capital University  audio recordist;

Cade Edens  class of 2018  graduated 2022 from Ohio University in filmmaking  editor;

Keegan Gayagoy  current Canal Winchester senior  production assistant; and

Dominic Neu  current Canal Winchester senior  production assistant.

I came up with the idea of the project, but after writing the first 30 pages I needed help knowing what to do with the character once he got stranded in Montana, so I sat down with Javier and Adam, and the three of us came up with an outline for the rest of the film in three hours, said Weidner.

Weidner, who is a 1988 graduate of West High School, said there are two things that influenced the writing of the film.

The first was a list I made on my 40th birthday, entitled 10 things I learned in my 30s, said Weidner. One of those was, Cities are places where it is difficult to focus on God, because you are surrounded by things made by the hands of man. The second was when I viewed the Marilyn Monroe film, The River of No Return, and the opening shot of the mountains of Alberta took my breath away, as if nature itself was declaring the glory of God. I wondered if someone who has no thought of God were dropped in the middle of a place like that  would it change his mind?

According to Weidner, college film students study feature films, but only get to work on shorts.

This was an opportunity for them to create a feature film from start to finish while on their summer break, said Weidner. Also, there are very few media programs at the high school level that would ever engage students in production work of this magnitude. I have found that opening opportunities like this gives high school students real-life exposure and experience to feature filmmaking and helps them to determine whether or not this is a field they might want to enter. For the college students involved, it helps them to hone their skills and to pinpoint those aspects of production that they want to focus on in their career.

Weidner said Adam Scott took on a lot by asking to help produce the film.

We pulled meetings every Monday via video conference to establish shooting locations, locate actors, acquire props, and every other aspect of pre-production, said Weidner. Most of the students had been involved in some level of creating videos, but they had never pulled the lengthy days required to shoot feature films. Once we were in Montana, we were often up before 5 a.m. hiking through the woods and setting things up for the day. They were resilient, though, and they faced the challenge with vigor. I am so proud of what they accomplished.

Getting to the Montana filming site required a 29 hour drive by car.

Once we arrived we were housed by a wonderful couple, Bob and Pat Jepsen, who allowed us stay with them free of charge, said Weidner. Bob and Pat were very instrumental in helping us to locate where to shoot in Montana and they fed our crew every day. I cannot thank them enough for their generosity.

According to Weidner, the film cost $17,000 to produce.

We raised $10,000 of those funds through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, and I paid the balance of what we didnt raise, said Weidner. The students each received a scholarship for their participation in the project. Any money that the film makes will go back into a fund to help produce another student film. I do not take any money from these films.

Currently the film is being shown at private screenings at local venues. Weidner said they are also submitting it to be put on Amazon Prime Direct. They plan to take the film to a number of student film festivals.

I would like to shoot a student feature film every summer during my break, said Weidner. We are currently in discussions about what the next project would be.
Compulsory COVID testing for travelers from China unnecessary: Swiss authority

Xinhua) 17:02, January 12, 2023

GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The current COVID-19 epidemiological situation "does not presently warrant compulsory testing for travelers from China," according to Swiss health authority.

The Omicron variants presently circulating in China pose only a small risk to Switzerland, it has said.

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said in a statement that the Swiss Federal Council had discussed the latest European Union (EU) recommendations, which would require passengers flying from China to the EU to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding.

The Swiss authority has, however, decided that "travelers from China should not be required to undergo compulsory COVID-19 testing at the present time."

"People in Switzerland currently have strong protection against developing severe COVID-19: many of them have already been vaccinated or have already been infected and recovered," it said.

The present infection trends in China "are not expected to pose an increased risk to the Swiss population or the Swiss health system," the statement said.

The FOPH also said that the Omicron variants currently circulating in China "are already extensively distributed in Switzerland or are already on the decline."

The circulation of the virus in Switzerland is currently so high that "compulsorily testing the relatively small number of persons arriving in the country from China directly by air would have minimal impact on the virus's current spread," it noted.

"The risk of new virus variants of concern developing is also no higher in China than elsewhere," it added.

According to local media, around 97 percent of the Swiss population have developed antibodies against the virus via vaccination or infection. The numbers of both new infections and people being tested have been steadily falling in the country.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Queens man was declared innocent in a retrial over the murder of his pregnant girlfriend but lost a suit against NYPD for getting arrested wrongfully.

Queens Man Loses Suit Against NYPD

Derrick Redd, 49, submitted the false-arrest and malicious prosecution suit against the city and the NYPD after becoming exonerated of killing in a new trial in Queens in 2018, reported NY Daily News.

Nonetheless, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Raymond Dearie ruled that police must have reasonable suspicion before detaining him after accusing him of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, Niasha DeLain, at her Lefferts Blvd. residence on October 25, 2008, the very day she had been scheduled to give birth, noted Daily Mail UK.

Redd stayed in jail for nine years after an earlier conviction and was given 25 years.

Sources indicate the guilty verdict was rescinded because the trial prosecuting attorney, Assistant District Attorney Eugene Reibstein, made too many provocative and speculative remarks to the jurors and misrepresented the evidence of a crime, as shown in a 2016 judgment by the Appellate Division, Second Department.

In the December 30 decision, Judge Dearie convinced the city, and the police department had due cause to arrest the accused then.

Evidence of Pregnant Girlfriend's Death

The judge mentioned one of the cops' presumptions as one of two components of corroborating evidence sufficient to warrant detention; DeLain's upstairs neighbor heard a woman holler for the man to stand down. And in the early hours of the murder, a cell tower was close to the crime scene with Redd's phone. Around two hours before his neighbor's comment about him.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: China's Xi Jinping 'Eager' To End War, Will Emphasize Peace to Vladimir Putin, Claims Expert

Dearie also noted substantiation that, while still not adequate for an arrest, reinforced the specific instance.

There weren't signs of entry in DeLain's flat, despite Redd having a key, the odor of cleaning solution, open containers of bleach in Redd's car, and three minor cuts on his hand. It included his irrational behavior in following the crime and misleading investigators.

Dearie noted there was no proof for arrest but reinforced the charge. Lack of forced entry into the woman's flat, Redd having a key, stench of cleaning solution, bottles of bleach in the car, and three suspicious cuts. This included his erratic behavior after the murder and misleading statements to detectives. Judge Dearie said the case against Redd was still far from convincing, per Queens Chronicle.

Given the absence of forensic evidence connecting Redd or anyone else with the violent act, along with doubts about witness credibility, the time of death, and Redd's exact location even during the period covered, it is not remarkable that Redd's retrial did result in a dismissal. Also, probable cause can be done without sure proof or guarantee of conviction.

Furthermore, the judge remarked a reasonable officer could have concluded, based on the totality of the information available at the time of the arrest, that Redd killed DeLain.

Redd did not confess to the horrible crime, but he made a few shocking declarations the night of the crime. After the first trial, he claimed innocence, but DeLain's mother, Towanda Wimms, always assumed he was the murderer. Having lost the suit is a favorable result.

A Queens man is innocent of his pregnant girlfriend's death, but he loses suit against NYPD as a downside.

Related Article: First NYC Murder: Man Died Defending Girlfriend After Random Argument on New Year's Eve

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As Amazon looks to shed staff around the world, it is heading for a showdown with worker and government representatives over its hotly contested Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) in India.

Workers say that the program has not been truly voluntary, but rather a way of enacting layoffs without going through legally sanctioned procedures. On its part, Amazon has said that none of the workers who have left the company in the last few months have been laid off, but rather have participated voluntarily in the VSP.

The company has not revealed the number of workers it says have recently left the company via the VSP.

Meanwhile, the Pune Labor Commission has summoned representatives from Amazon India and the Pune-based Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a workers rights association, to a joint meeting on January 17. Pune is the largest municipal district in the state of Maharashtra, and a major IT hub for the country.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss "the layoff of workers," according to a statement issued by G S Shinde, the Pune District assistant labor commissioner. The notice instructs representatives of Amazon and NITES to be present with necessary documents, records and power of attorney.

NITES issued a complaint on November 19 with government labor officials, stating that recent staff departures had been conducted illegally. The association had received complaints from more than 60 Amazon employees based in Pune, regarding the VSP.

As per procedures laid down under Industrial Dispute Act the employer cannot, without prior permission from the appropriate government [agency], lay off an employee featuring on the muster rolls of the establishment, said Harpreet Singh Saluja, the president of NITES.

He added that a worker who has served for at least a year of continuous service cannot be laid off unless served a notice three months in advance, and prior permission has been received from the appropriate government agency.

Before laying off employees, employers needs to submit an application along with reasons for the layoffs to the approriate government authority. NITES claims that Amazon did not submit any such application, and so violated labor laws.

Worker association says Amazon violated labor laws

Amazon has clearly violated the existing provisions of Indian labor laws, which aim at protecting the workers right. The voluntary separation policy implemented was never submitted to the Labour Ministry for review, which is a violation of existing labor laws, Saluja said.

"We will continue to fight for the rights of aggrieved employees who were unethically forced to opt for the Voluntary Separation Policy and were laid-off illegally," he added.

Saluja says that if the VSP program is deemed illegal, NITES wants Amazon to rehire the employees who left the company via the program.

When the VSP mail came, there was no clear information provided on how this would impact employees. Also around that time Andy Jassy announced that there would be a mass layoff at Amazon. So employees have either been forced to opt for it or have opted for it under pressure. Hence, if it is illegal they should be rehired, Saluja said.

In November, Amazon India employees were sent plans for the VSP, urging them to voluntarily resign. Employees who resigned would receive VSP benefits including 22 weeks base pay, plus one week base salary for every six months of service, and medical insurance coverage for six months.

Employees working the L1 to L7 levels  all levels of the company up to top executives  in Amazons Experience and Technology team received a notice stating they were eligible for the VSP program.

Soon after the VSP was launched in November NITES issued a complaint to local labor commission representatives as well as the central government Labour Ministry that the program was being forced on employees as a measure to fire people. At a hearing held in Bangalore on November 23 with the central government's Labour Ministry, Amazon said it had not laid off any employee involuntarily, but only let go those who opted for its separation program on their own by accepting a severance package.

Amazon also said that it never forced any employee to volunteer for the program, and instead advised them to use their own discretion.

However, NITES representatives were unable to attend the meeting, saying that they had received late notice about it. In the wake of that meeting, government representatives agreed that the local labor commission should hold another hearing with both Amazon and worker representatives, and issue a decision on the legality of the VSP employee departures. Under Indian law, either state or central government agencies may decide labor complaints.

Amazon faces worker unrest

The latest hearing in India comes as Amazon faces worker unrest elsewhere. Last week, employees affiliated with the UK's GMB union in Amazons Coventry warehouse announced they would be staging a strike action on Jan. 25, walking out as part of a fight for better pay.

Meanwhile, last week, Amazon confirmed that layoffs will total more than 18,000 employees globally, with the bulk of job cuts coming later this month. While several teams are impacted, the majority of the job cuts will be in the Amazon Stores and People, Experience, and Technology (PXT) organizations.

Amazon did not specify which regions would be affected. Amazon intends on communicating with impacted employees  or where applicable in Europe, with employee representative bodies  starting on January 18.

Eighteen thousand employees are the equivalent of about 5.5% of Amazon's corporate staff, or about 1.2% of Amazon's 1.5 million workforce including global distribution center and hourly workers. This will be the largest round of job cuts for the company.

Amazon, like many other tech companies, has been facing economic headwinds. Its business and cloud services division, Amazon Web Services (AWS)  the company's most profitable business unit  has been showing signs of slowing growth, reporting revenue growth of 27.5% year-on-year for the quarter ended September compared to 33% and 36.5% year-on-year growth for the previous quarters, respectively.

Other tech sector giants have also been experiencing slowing growth, leading to massive layoffs throughtout the industry.
In one frequently mocked Apple iPad ad, a small child asked, Whats a computer? Critics continue to claim the tablet isnt a real computer, and while that may be true sometimes, that's not always the case.

Just ask the fire service.

Your iPad does emergency calls

An article from Fire Apparatus Magazine offers insights into how iPads are evolving to fill the spaces mobile teams rely on.

Clad in Otterbox robust cases, Apple's tablets are slowly but surely replacing many of the rugged devices these teams traditionally used, at least, until this replacement device came along. Not only that, but as Apple continues to improve iPad capabilities were seeing the number of ways in which they can provision the computational resources people actually need to use.

Sure. You cant develop Xcode on an iPad (though you can use them for advanced graphics editing). And you can use them to drive emergency communications, help handle emergency triage, or as tools to enhance fitness in professions where physical capacity really does represent life and death.

Perhaps Apple would have seen less criticism if it had scripted that small child asking a different question, such as, Whats a computer for?  because thats truly the nub here. In many cases, tablets fulfil a core need.

Even good ideas take time to catch fire

The Fire Apparatus report looks at numerous ways fire and emergency teams in the US currently exploit their Apple tablets.

For example, North Shore Fire Rescue in Wisconsin uses 27 iPads across five stations. These are used in both ambulances and fire trucks and at fire stations for administrative tasks, fitness, and training.

iPads in the fire and emergency services run applications like ImageTrend for EMS reporting, OperativeIQ for fleet management, or FirstDue for mapping and dispatch. Near Apple's California headquarters, Santa Clara County will soon begin using Esri Field Map software for business and field inspections.

These are tools already used across the industry (and elsewhere) to help maintain operational efficiency in highly critical life-or-death situations, and apparently provide more than enough computing power to handle the tasks. They're also easy to use, highly portable, and enjoy access to a vast ecosystem of apps the fire services can exploit in a crisis.

It might seem inevitable that Apple solutions would be in use across emergency services in Santa Clara. But the fire department there has used Apple computers since the 1980s (mostly iMacs) and dumped a competing model of computer in favor of iPads in 2014. The service says it is getting four years of use out of each unit, despite heavy use.

Back in the real world

Chris Ingram, a captain at the Santa Clara County Fire Department explained that each fire rig has two iPads  one up front for routing and a second dedicated to patient care. That latter device sees a lot of use in critical situations.

The iPads also form part of the electronic management tools that fire service uses, handling record management and vehicle locations.

All of this is noteworthy when you think back to the launch of the original iPad in April 2010. Critics called these devices little more than giant iPhones," and then-CEO Steve Jobs chose to demonstrate the first-generation device while sitting in an easy chair.

Ideas evolve over time

But, like the iPhone, ideas evolve over time, and the things we imagined iPads could do then have been realized and transmogrified by time.

Where we are today, Apples iPad forms a third front in its tripartite takeover of so many of the tools traditionally used across enterprise tech.

Mac market share is rising rapidly even as iPhones and iPads build Apples status in the mobile change wave. And if you are  and I hope it never happens  in an emergency, theres a growing chance Apples mobile solutions will be involved in your rescue.

Thats not something many of us saw coming.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
The European Union and NATO had agreed on a collaboration deal, but concerns about strategic autonomy took a back seat; as the US-backed military bloc avoided it.

EU-NATO Deal Lessens Bloc Autonomy

Official recognition by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg; a 14-point agreement comes as the conflict in Ukraine has impacted the bloc since February, reported Euractiv.

NATO diplomat said that it should have been signed in 2022 during a Madrid summit, but the Ankara- Athens scuffle prevented it.

In Brussels, Jens Stoltenberg spoke to the media and said that western allies are not disunited and ready to move the deal to something like a no-limits partnership. He added that Putin hoped for less NATO but got the opposite result; there will be more and much more EU. The bloc is determined to contribute more successfully to global and transatlantic security, noted NY Times.

Both signed the agreement combining two prior joint declarations in 2016 and 2018. The latest iteration is the first of these declarations to bring up Russia and China by name; the remainder of the text remains unexceptional when identifying threats or pragmatic commitments. This pronouncement addresses the expanding geopolitics, safeguarding vital infrastructure, and handling threats from new technologies and space as critical places for thorough collaborative efforts.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Issues Chilling Warning That the EU, US Is Next After Kyiv Was Left Defenseless, Begging for Assistance

Redefined Deal as Moscow, Beijing Lead

However, EU and NATO envoys mention that the memorandum itself is a strategic success, given the lengthy worries in some quarters that efforts to expand the EU's role in defensive strategy could nullify the US-led defense treaty.

Twenty-one of the EU's 27 member countries is a part of NATO, with Sweden and Finland on such a route to join the military alliance even by the finish of 2023.

A push for strategic autonomy by France and its attempts to expand the EU's defense role has, over time, raised tensions with Eastern European representatives who perceive America as Europe's leading security supplier.

The United States has long pushed its European allies to spend more money on defense, battle cyberterrorism, and enhance facilities across the region that are considered necessary to transition troops rapidly. Based on the new joint statement, NATO remains the core of mutual security for its participants and the bigger Euro-Atlantic region.

Moreover, the importance of a greater and much more competent European defense is comparable to and interoperable with global and transatlantic stability. Both have constructive and mutually reinforcing roles in advancing global peace and security, boosting the belief among members that the more powerful European army must support the US-led coalition instead of serving as a rival, as said by the Defense Post, citing Defense Post.

While the media asked if strategic autonomy was sacrificed for cooperation, Michel said the two organizations' main military doctrines would supplement each other.

Even so, it deprives the bloc of its freedom, producing a subordinate to a military alliance led by the United States. VDL defended the agreement by asserting that independence doesn't indicate that you don't work collaboratively; instead, you join forces with like-minded collaborators.

The European Union-NATO inked a collaboration deal that sidestepped the strategic autonomy that some bloc members preferred got dropped in the declaration.

Related Article: German Minister Says Worst-Case Energy Shortage Prevented From Critically Hobbling Germany

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The case of how a husband googled ways to get rid of a corpse was noticed when his wife was reported missing a few days later.

Husband Google Search Reveals Odd Query

His wife, Ana Walshe, was reported gone after he made the query on the search engine. The weight in the question was specified as that of the disappeared female, reported Express UK.

Prosecutors disclosed that knife and blood were seen at the convicted fraudster Brian Walshe's house at the family's residence, noted NZ Herald.

On New Year, Ana Walshe,39, a mother of three, was missing with the claim of her spouse that she left for Washington DC for a job. About three days after no sign of her, her boss said she did not go to work, which added to her spouse's claim.

Her employer reported her missing three days later, on January 4, as did her husband, who told officers he last saw her early New Year's Day before she vanished. The mother of three was reported as a missing person by the husband, who claimed that she left for work in Washington, DC.

Mr. Walshe, an indicted art swindler who'd been apprehended in 2018 trying to sell two fake Andy Warhol artworks, demonstrated odd behavior immediately before her disappearance on January 1.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: China's Xi Jinping 'Eager' To End War, Will Emphasize Peace to Vladimir Putin, Claims Expert

Husband's Home Depot Purchase Reveals Deadly Plan

CCTV video reveals he recently visited a Home Depot wearing surgical masks and gloves, where the unusual purchase of almost $500 worth of cleaning supplies included mops, buckets, tarps, drop cloth, and several kinds of tape was purchased.

Prosecutors said the suspect claimed he bought ice cream with his son and did not go to the home depot, citing NY Post.

Brian Walshe, 46, had three boys with Ana; sources reveal that unusual internet searches on disposing of a 115-pound woman's body. Including the dismemberment of a corpse, said the police to CNN.

The convicted art fraud was in Quincy District Court, Massachusetts, when he got arrested on charges of lying to the detectives asking where Ana got to when reported missing. It was disclosed that a blood-soaked knife was discovered in the house. Lynn Beland, the prosecutor, told the judge how blood was discovered in the basement, where the knife was found but with some damage.

Phone information when the missing woman got pinged close to the residence on January 1 and 2, as opposed to the claim she left for emergency work.

Investigators could not identify a record of one of the major rides hailing solutions going to pick up at the Walshe domicile in the early hours of Ana's vanishing. As shown by police, she did not board the plane to DC and did not arrive at work the following day.

Based on the affidavit, the husband's intentional, deliberate, and direct response to inquiries regarding his whereabouts on Sunday, January 1, 2023, and Monday, January 2, 2023, was an apparent attempt to deceive and delay investigators.

Related Article: First NYC Murder: Man Died Defending Girlfriend After Random Argument on New Year's Eve

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
UK media giant The Guardian has confirmed that it suffered a ransomware attack in December that exposed the personal data of UK staff members and has forced the company to close its London office until at least early February.

The Guardian Media Groups chief executive, Anna Bateson, and The Guardians editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, confirmed the news in an update emailed to staff on Wednesday afternoon. The pair described the attack, which took place on December 20, 2022, as highly sophisticated, involving unauthorised third-party access to parts of the companys network, most likely triggered by a phishing attempt in which a victim was tricked into downloading malware.

The news came on the same day that the UKs Royal Mail suffered severe disruption following an unspecific cyber incident and a few months after an attack on a major IT provider of the UKs National Health Service (NHS) was confirmed as ransomware. It also follows recent data from cybersecurity services company JUMPSEC, which showed that ransomware attacks have been a persistent threat to UK organisations since early 2020.

Data of readers and subscribers unaffected

According to The Guardian, the personal data of readers and subscribers remains safe and has not been accessed, whilst it is also believed that the personal data of Guardian US and Guardian Australia staff is unaffected.

The UKs data watchdog the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and UK police have been informed of the attack. The message to staff claimed there is no evidence of data being exposed online, so the risk of fraud is considered to be low.

We believe this was a criminal ransomware attack and not the specific targeting of The Guardian as a media organisation. These attacks have become more frequent and sophisticated in the past three years, against organisations of all sizes, and kinds, in all countries, Bateson and Viner added.

The firm has been using external experts to gauge the extent of the attack and to recover its systems, estimating that some critical systems will be restored within the next two weeks. However, a return to office working has been postponed until early February to allow IT staff to focus on network and system restoration. There was no mention in the statement of whether the attackers have made ransom demands or if the company is negotiating with them.

Beyond the ransomware attack, the fact that so much personal information of staff was leaked could have huge impact and so staff need to remain vigilant, particularly if they receive unsolicited or unexpected emails, links, and social media messages, Javvad Malik, Lead Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4, tells CSO. The problem with so much information being available is that criminals can use the information to craft very convincing social engineering attacks. While some data may seem to be of little value, in the hands of criminals, it can be exploited.

Ransomware attacks continue to plague UK businesses

According to JUMPSEC research, the UKs share of global activity has been consistent since 2020 at 5% of total global ransomware activity (shifting 0.1% over a year), with the UK representing 314 from a global total of 5,869 ransomware cases. The most prevalent ransomware group in the UK since the current ransomware wave began in 2020 has been Conti, closely followed by LockBit, JUMPSEC added.

Data suggested that education, retail and wholesale trade, and law are the most targeted industries in the UK, whilst 86% of UK ransomware attacks go completely unreported in typical media sources. Of the remaining 14% of reported cases, many organisations only admit a breach has occurred after being outed by attackers online, or do not report the attack directly via their own website, JUMPSEC stated.
As the world has moved to scalable online services for everything from video streaming to gaming to messaging, its really no surprise that malware has followed close behind. Specifically, threats such as botnets are evolving and scaling at such speeds that its more important than ever to proactively manage potential security threats.

Botnets, a portmanteau or blend of the phrase robot networks, are collections of malware-infected computing resources that can be used to attack any connected target system. Theyre a growing risk for every organization, enabling cyber criminals to steal passwords and gain access to corporate systems, deploy disruptive attacks that shut down entire network, or even hijack corporate data with ransomware.

The Botnet Evolution

As detailed in Botnets Multiply and Level Up, a part of the 1H 2022 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, threats are evolving in many waysfrom accelerated growth to new types of attacks to more-sophisticated ways of hiding. In short, botnets are a bigger risk to corporate security than ever before.

Although botnets have been around since the 1990s, theyve grown staggeringly fast, especially over the past year. As the report notes, in the first half of 2022 alone, there were more than 67 million connections from more than 600,000 unique IP addresses across 30,000 organizations and 168 countries.

NETSCOUT botnet tracking metrics showed significant growth in the first half of 2022, with the number of high-confidence botnet nodes increasing from 21,226 in Q1 to more than 488,000 in Q2. More nodes mean more (and possibly more complex) future botnet attacks.

Just as major software providers continue to innovate by delivering solutions that are faster, more sophisticated, and easier to use, innovation is also driving botnet security threats. For example, there are new DDoS-for-hire services that make it easier than ever to launch coordinated and complex attacks on target companies, organizations, or industries. The goal: to distract security teams with DDoS while attackers actively work to exfiltrate data. They may also use ransomware to lock up data and prevent access.

The NETSCOUT research also showed a significant uptick in botnet direct-path attacks from the second half of 2021 to the first half of 2022, resulting in more application-layer attacks. This increase highlights the continuing shift from traditional reflection/amplification DDoS attacks to more direct-path ones.

Proactive Defense Is Key

Botnet innovations dont stop at that. Many are making themselves even harder to detect. For example, the Mirai family of malware recently started taking advantage of SOCKS5 proxies. By integrating the use of SOCKS5 proxies into its communications protocol, the malware can thwart analysis and mitigation of compromised nodes, making it more lethal and harder to detect and stop.



Although organizations cant be sure where the next security attacks will come or exactly what they may look like, organizations can be sure of one thingbotnets will continue to evolve at a serious pace, adding new capabilities while scaling up for even greater threats.

Unfortunately, no one is safe from these ever-evolving botnet threats. Attacks can be motivated by financial considerations, revenge, geopolitical goals, ransom opportunities, or just malicious intent. Everyone from gamers to financial corporations to organizations that might have geopolitical enemies are at a greater risk from more-sophisticated botnet attacks.

All organizations must be proactive in defending themselves against these types of attacks or risk possible disruptions to their business, their services, their reputations, and their bottom lines.

For more expert insights into DDoS attack statistics and botnet risks, read the NETSCOUT 1H 2022 DD0S Threat Intelligence Report.

I would remove both these links. First, its too high up in the article - you dont want to encourage the reader to click out so early. Second, the entire report is linked again at the bottom.
The Royal Navy comments on the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov which carries nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles as part of its formidable armament sailing to the UK.

Russia Deploys Frigate Admiral Gorshkov

As it sails via the Norwegian Sea towards the British Isles with "invincible" hypersonic Zircon missiles, one of Vladimir Putin's warships participates in military exercises.

Six days in, Russian state television showed Admiral Gorshkov "deterring a simulated adversary military strike," to traumatize the West, reported the Express UK.

The warship is equipped with a Zircon missile, one of the premiere deadly weapons in the arsenal of the Kremlin. Compared to other western missiles, which travel slower than 7000 mph, it gives NATO forces nightmares, especially the US, which has no Mach 5+ weapon at its disposal.

First tested in 2020 and then in 2022, the Russians showed a successful test in which it traveled 600 miles away at super-fast velocities, noted Knews Media.

The warship carrying the missile had released a video showing the vessel participating in the military exercises. But no launch has been part of the sea-borne exercises.

Russian warships traveling through the Norwegian Sea are prevalent. However, this training exercise is worth mentioning due to the power of the armaments on board.

Norway's Armed Forces have emphasized that the boat is legitimately inside open waters, yet they actively watch any movement patterns.

On January 4, Vladimir Putin replied to the ship leaving the Severomorsk port by simply stating that it was a historical moment, if not a landmark, since the frigate Admiral Gorshkov was going on a long-distance naval expedition.

Read Also: Suicide Attack Rocks Afghanistan Outside Taliban Ministry, Killing 5 People, Injuring Several Others

According to India Narrative, none is strange, and all is standard procedure. However, the warship is kitted with a state-of-the-art Zircon hypersonic missile system which has no equal, citing India Narrative.

These weapons are powerful enough to protect Russian from external threats. Drills are used to assess the air defense circuit, air and electronic lighting systems, anti-aircraft fire systems, strategic cloak electronic warfare systems, and air defense circuit control mechanisms. Based on the video comments that say the task was done, the frigate is prepared to repel air assault from any direction it is coming from.

Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missiles Sails Onboard Russian Frigate

Commodore Trond Gimmingsrud, Chief of the Norwegian Navy, said that the Russians could do whatever they wanted in international waters. Their maritime assets include a complete overview of what is going on. These Norwegian commanders called Russian actions in the nearby sea and have been proficient, even though Russian boats shadowed Norwegian-British patrols in the Barents Sea the year before.

Even before the release of the latest footage, Russian media mentioned that assessments would be undertaken but did not disclose when. The objective is to take the vessel past the coast of the United Kingdom as a "show of strength" in the Ukrainian conflict.

On Wednesday, Putin called the Zircon Mach 5+ missile that the US does not have. At one point, the weapon is an ace over the West's "decision-making centers."

US DoD will monitor the ship as it is underway; the US had nothing to counter it. Royal Navy will monitor the progress of the Russian Frigate Admiral Gorshkov, which has a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile.

Related Article: Moscow Aims Nuclear-Tipped Killjoy Missile Within Striking Distance of London; MiG-31s Set To Deliver Coup de Grace

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
At least six people sustained wounds in an incident at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris early Wednesday morning. The suspect was shot by police and taken to the hospital.

Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin revealed on social media that a person wounded numerous individuals this morning at the Gare du Nord train station. He further said that the assailant manufactured the weapon himself.

Authorities Say Investigation May Take Some Time

Darmanin expressed gratitude to the police for their swift and brave action during the Paris train station attack.

"He was quickly neutralized. Thank you to the police for their effective and courageous response," he tweeted, as per ABC News. The suspected Paris train station attacker is still alive and has been taken to the hospital, according to the police.

Darmanin, who held a press conference inside the station while surrounded by armed police officers, stated that all six of the wounded had been transferred to the hospital. It was reported that a police officer was hurt in the Paris train station attack.

The official said that the assault started at 6:42 a.m. local time and that police arrived within a minute. He added that the suspect, who had not made any pre-attack statements, had been shot three times by police.

The French Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office is "evaluating the facts" surrounding the Paris train station attack , but it has not yet decided whether or not to take it on.

The agency also noted that the assessment of the case may take longer due to the alleged attacker's injuries. Wednesday morning, not long after the Paris train station attack , Darmanin showed up at Gare du Nord.

A security agent for train company SNCF was among the police officers who opened fire, authorities said. The suspected attacker was hit by several bullets, CNN reported. After the incident, police surrounded the neighborhood and made it safe. Radio France International reported, citing SNCF, that train service was normal.

Read Also: Joe Biden Drops Truth Bomb on Donald Trump-Like Classified Documents Scandal: I'm 'Surprised'

Train Operation Back to Normal

Residents of Paris had started to unwind following years of heightened anxiety due to terror strikes, but Wednesday's incident, which is not being probed as terror-related by French officials at this time, is the second in two months. Three Kurdish activists were shot and murdered in the north of Paris in December by a guy who at the time was under investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office for racial violence.

Police shot and killed a guy in February 2022 at the Gare du Nord station after he assaulted them with a knife, according to Reuters. A man who had attacked two people at the Marseille railway station in October 2017 was killed by troops.

The Gare du Nord railway station in Paris is among the largest and busiest in all of Europe. It's an endpoint on the route from London to Paris through the Channel Tunnel, and it serves the northern Paris suburbs.

According to national railroad firm SNCF, the Paris train station attack also severely disrupted rail travel at the station during the morning rush hour, NBC News reported. Wednesday at midday, the mood at Gare du Nord was peaceful, and travelers were optimistic that they would make their connections.

Related Article: Man-Eating Leopard Terrorizes Villagers, Kills Five People in Jharkhand India

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Going Spare? Me, too. Yet while there has been so much about Prince Harry this week  everything from his frozen penis to losing his virginity alfresco, although sadly these two incidents are not connected  let us spare a thought for Prince William.

Where does all this leave him? Imagine his position. For most of your life you have loved and looked out for your little brother, only to discover via the pages of the fastest-selling memoir in history  1.43 million copies in all formats in U.S., Canada and Britain on day one  that he resented you all along. Deeply.

Everything, from your bigger bedroom and your more exalted position in the family hierarchy, to your physical resemblance to Mummy, which he envy, envy, envies. Then he exults when this resemblance disappears with age, replaced by 'your alarming baldness, more advanced than mine'.

So casually cruel, in the name of being honest, as the song goes.

Let us spare a thought for Prince William. Where does all this leave him? Imagine his position

Yet the Willy-bashing signs were always there, long before Spare was published earlier this week. (Earlier this week? Already it seems like 1,000 years ago.)

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey, Harry made it obvious that somewhere deep in his ruined psyche, part of his happiness was dependent on William's misery.

'I am free, my brother is trapped' was the theme song then. On the Netflix docu-series it was 'I married for love, my brother did not'.

Harry has also stated his belief other royal men married women who 'fit the mould' whereas he did not: he married a living saint.

Another cherished leitmotif is that William and Kate (and other senior royals) are somehow 'jealous' because Harry and Meghan are so very superior at being royals. Meanwhile, the attacks on the Princess of Wales and the leaked texts over the dreary saga of the bridesmaids' dresses  well, Harry knows very well how much they will wound and infuriate his older brother.

For when you start to drain the Spare swamp, Harry's obsessive attacks on the British Press are equalled only by his obsession with William and his superior status. And if you have to vitiate someone else's happiness to augment your own, to prove to yourself that you are not the second-rate sibling after all, then you are a monster.

Harry misses few opportunities to have a dig at William while elevating himself. He does not even baulk when it comes to sacrosanct family relationships. '[My mother has] done her bit with my brother and now she's very much back to helping me,' he once said.

'I'm just making sure that [the Queen's] protected and got the right people around her,' he told NBC's Today show last year, with the tacit suggestion that Prince William couldn't be trusted to do the same.

'I am my mother's son,' is his mantra, using the golden Diana legacy to pave his way to popularity in the U.S. and usurp William in the process.

On screen, in person or on the page, he strives to show that he is the better brother; morally superior in every way, not a dull, plodding obedient royal dupe like Someone He Could Mention.

For most of your life you have loved and looked out for your little brother Harry, only to discover via the pages of the fastest-selling memoir in history  1.43 million copies in all formats in U.S., Canada and Britain on day one  that he resented you all along

'I've put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can't do that any more,' said a sad William, when the rift between them peeled open in January 2020. Imagine a younger brother fostering a lifelong resentment against an older brother because he was born first. But this is the sorry juncture we have reached.

Broadcaster Andrew Marr said this week that Prince Harry's book and general post-Megxit behaviour were not only damaging for the monarchy, they might even hasten its demise. It is hard to argue with that.

Throughout Spare, senior royals and courtiers are portrayed as bumbling fools while progressive, smart Harry the Hare is the admirable antithesis to silly billy Willy the Timid Tortoise. It is relentless  and very damaging.

And judging by Harry's appearance on the Stephen Colbert chat show in America  which brought the series's largest audience in two years, with 3.5 million viewers  the monarchy is an even bigger laughing stock there. Harry, too  although I doubt he realises he was being mocked on camera.

Meanwhile, everything was delightfully Hollywood backstage. 'He is a great hugger,' said his celebrity make-up artist Jenn Streicher, whose other clients include actor Chris Evans, whom People magazine has just dubbed 'the sexiest man alive'.

The same magazine also ran an interview with Harry this week.

'My hope has been to turn my pain into purpose,' he said. These days Harry doesn't even have the decency to blush, making Jenn's task so much easier.

Back home in the dull, buttoned-up Britain of Harry's imagination, another man's life drifts deeper into the shadows. It must be saddening to realise your only brother is jealous of you, but this is so much more. Every action has a consequence and the sparkling highs of Harry's exciting new life are matched only by the lows he has excavated in William's.

For the burden of it all falls onto the shoulders of the Prince of Wales like a concrete cloak.

King Charles doesn't want a fuss  his only wish is that his last years are problem free. 'Don't make them a misery,' he begged his warring sons at his own father's funeral.

It is upon William somehow to positively navigate forwards out of this sorry mess, to pick up the pieces and to carve out a future for himself, for his family, for the monarchy and the country, too.

The saddest thing is that he has to do all this not only without the support of his only brother, but in spite of his only brother.

I have such compassion for ginger whingers

It made me think of the actress Julianne Moore  another whinging ginger

Prince Harry's television interviews have been fascinating. He alternates between being avuncular and obsessed, between humour and lofty disdain.

He's as sweet as syrup until someone has the temerity to ask him a question he doesn't like . . . then out pops the cloven hoof.

'What do you mean, scathing?' he snapped at Tom Bradby on ITV.

'And what difference would that make?' he said testily, when Anderson Cooper for CBS asked why the Sussexes didn't renounce their titles.

However, what I have really loved is his masterclass in passive aggression, particularly when he says the opposite of what he actually means.

'I have enormous compassion for her,' he said of the Queen Consort Camilla, whom he has described as 'dangerous' and 'scheming' elsewhere.

It made me think of the actress Julianne Moore  another whinging ginger.

This week she was complaining about her red hair and pale skin. She is movie-star beautiful, but says she doesn't like her looks and would rather be a 'tanned blonde'. Do you know what? I have enormous compassion for her.

Pity the Sussexes having to slum it in rent-free pad

Back to Harry. Looking at the photographs, I can understand why he was embarrassed to show Meghan his Nott Cott digs  the grace-and-favour cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace where he was living when they met. 'It looks like a frat house,' she said, and he agreed, looking anew at the 'tiny rooms' and 'shabby furniture'.

Meghan was right. Poorly furnished, a little neglected, badly lit  Nott Cott looks like an unloved rental. Even Meghan's budget-buy Ikea lamps and new sofas did little to cheer it up. But weren't their complaints about their living conditions a little graceless?

I can understand why he was embarrassed to show Meghan his Nott Cott digs. 'It looks like a frat house,' she said

There is a cost-of-renting crisis in London, a city where few young people can afford to buy a home, and even if they can, the costs take more that 40 per cent out of their salary. Everyone else has to commute from far and wide.

A rent and cost-free cottage in the middle of a royal park in a highly desirable area of London? My God, it is a matter for celebration, not grievance. Sometimes the richly blessed are totally blind to their own good fortune.

Delphine Arnault (pictured) is the daughter of LVMH's billionaire owner Bernard Arnault, who has just appointed her as the new head of Christian Dior and she will serve as CEO of the French label from next month

Delphine's no lazy nepo babe

Delphine Arnault is the daughter of LVMH's billionaire owner Bernard Arnault, who has just appointed her as the new head of Christian Dior and she will serve as CEO of the French label from next month.

Many are appalled at what they see as nepotism, but I can't get angry at nepo babies any more.

Once upon a time it was infuriating when the likes of Stella McCartney would cheep: 'Yes, my name helped me get through the door, but I made it on my own after that.' Not realising that getting through the door is the most difficult bit.

Yet 47-year-old Delphine's whole life seems to have been working towards this moment: she gained degrees from a French business school and the London School of Economics before joining LVMH in 2000, starting in the shoe department and literally working her way up the fashion business.

Her father is the richest man in the world. Delphine could choose to do nothing, but she chooses to work instead.

I wish her all the best.

Many are understandably worried about mortgage rates and the cost of living. That is one reason why the financial affairs of Elon Musk are so hard to wrap one's head around. After losing 149 billion in a year because of falling Tesla shares, Musk has set a new world record for the biggest loss of personal fortune. That's the kind of world-beating title no one wants. And it is also really very sad. Pass me that onion. No, really. It is.

Joker Jack just loves quiet life

Jack Nicholson lives like a recluse high above Hollywood because he doesn't want to face the reality of growing old, according to reports.

Rubbish. Nicholson has been reclusive for years. When I interviewed him over a decade ago, he admitted to being solitary and said he loved it. He couldn't be bothered any more! He cherished the isolation.

He never went to parties, his housekeeper made all his food and he was reluctant even to have guests for dinner. Jack has done it all, seen it all, drunk it all, tasted it all, gone back for seconds and doesn't want to do it any more. Not all people who are alone are lonely.
With his Promethean energies and strong convictions, he might have walked out of the Victorian age.

For more than two decades Paul Johnson, who has died aged 94, was a regular columnist on the Daily Mail, where he displayed the extraordinary breadth of his knowledge, as well as trenchant opinion, on all manner of subjects.

He was an exceptional columnist who created a sense of excitement whatever he wrote. Even readers who thought they might disagree with him looked forward to his next offering. He never penned a dull sentence, or had a dull thought.

As well as being an intellectual pillar of the Mail, he wrote for many publications including The Spectator (where he had a regular column for many years); Forbes, the American magazine; and the Wall Street Journal.

For more than two decades Paul Johnson, who has died aged 94, was a regular columnist on the Daily Mail, where he displayed the extraordinary breadth of his knowledge, as well as trenchant opinion, on all manner of subjects

He also produced more than 50 books. Nothing daunted him. He wrote, with equal authority, a history of the Jews and a history of the world. Biographical subjects ranged from Socrates to Charles Darwin to Napoleon to Jesus Christ.

In a world of increasing specialisation, Paul Johnsons fearless and restless intellect respected no bounds.

He was not always a man of the Right. As a young journalist he revered Aneurin Bevan, the firebrand of the Labour Left. Only in middle age, disgusted by the selfish behaviour of the trade unions, did he abandon the Left. Margaret Thatcher became his heroine.

Paul Johnson was born in Manchester into a devout Roman Catholic family, and remained loyal to his faith all his life. He was educated at Stonyhurst College, where Jesuits taught him the difference between right and wrong, and Oxford, where he read history. His father was an artist and the principal of an art school in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

Johnson himself became a prolific watercolourist. He deplored most modern art, recalling that when he met Picasso the famous artist described himself as a joker. When the avant-garde Francis Bacon offered Johnson a free painting, he declined.

He was not always a man of the Right. As a young journalist he revered Aneurin Bevan, pictured above, the firebrand of the Labour Left. Only in middle age, disgusted by the selfish behaviour of the trade unions, did he abandon the Left

After Oxford he joined the Left-wing New Statesman, where he was a foreign correspondent, leader writer, deputy editor and, from 1965 to 1970, editor. During his editorship the magazine, then at the high-water mark of its influence, achieved record sales.

The political journalist Alan Watkins, who worked for Johnson at the New Statesman, described him in his book Brief Lives as the outstanding polemicist of his age. Watkins noted that, notwithstanding his irascible manner, he was a kind man who had a personal concern for anyone in trouble.

Johnsons iconoclasm was as much in evidence when on the Left as it later was on the Right. He railed against many aspects of the modern age, and in 1964 warned of The Menace of Beatlism.

Once he had embraced the Right with the enthusiasm of a convert, his many preoccupations included the importance of the Anglo-American relationship, standing up for the state of Israel, and championing Mrs Thatcher and her values. There was a strong moral quality to all his writing, informed by his religious belief.

He was probably more celebrated as an intellectual in the United States than in his own country, where some on the Left could never forgive him for being what they regarded as a political turncoat. In 2006 he received a personal medal from President George W. Bush for services to freedom.

In the scope of his interests, the strength of his beliefs and the energy of his intellect, Paul Johnson was in many ways an old-fashioned figure. His death leaves a vacuum in British life which may never be filled.

He leaves a beloved wife, Marigold, who is a remarkable and vivid character in her own right, and four children, including the journalist Daniel Johnson and the entrepreneur Luke.
Amy Sheridan-Hill wasn't initially worried when her son Frankie missed his milestones. Especially as he always seemed to catch up a few months later.

But when Frankie still wasn't walking at three-years-old, the mum from Hertfordshire decided to get a second opinion from a physiotherapist. This expert mentioned cerebral palsy.

'The physio's thoughts were confirmed by a neurologist who decided to follow his diagnosis up with an MRI scan', Amy tells Metro.co.uk.

'With cerebral palsy, there tends to have been something at birth that has starved a baby of oxygen. Frankie was a planned C-section, with no issues at birth.

Amy Sheridan-Hill has revealed how her son Frankie (pictured) was thought to have cerebral palsy until a test revealed he didn't

Instead of getting the life-changing diagnosis the parents were expecting, Amy and her husband got another: Leukodystrophy - a white matter disease.

'Leukodystrophies are rare, progressive, metabolic and genetic diseases that can affect the brain, spinal cord and often the peripheral nerves.'

There are over 50 types, of which Frankie was diagnosed with hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC)  a severe form of an incurable and life-threatening disease known as TUBB4a leukodystrophy.

'Wed never heard of anything like this before. After Googling it for information, we discovered that if your child has leukodystrophy, they usually have just two years to live.

Amy Sheridan-Hill (pictured with Frankie) wasn't initially worried when her son Frankie missed his milestones. Especially as he always seemed to catch up a few months later

The three-year-old wasn't walking for the first two years of his life and initially his parents weren't concerned until his third birthday

'That, however, was a worst case scenario, so we dug deeper into our research and found that the type of leukodystrophy that Frankie had was a slower condition.

'Still, children who develop the disease often die by their late teens. It was horrifying to think of that future for our baby boy.'

Heartbreakingly, Amy and her husband were told there was nothing that could be done, and instead to enjoy what time they had left with him. Frankie was only four years old.

Leukodystrophies get worst over time, with sufferers regressing, as well as potentially developing seizures, muscle contractions, hearing and speech difficulties, and uncontrollable limb movements.

Amy took Frankie to a physiotherapist who mentioned Cerebral Palsy, but wanted it confirmed by a neurologist

Instead of getting the life-changing diagnosis the parents were expecting, Frankie (pictured) was diagnosed with Leukodystrophy - a white matter disease

'Frankie is now seven years old and he hasnt started deteriorating. If anything, hes still progressing, but a day will come when things will start going downhill.

Frankie's mum and dad are still hopeful. There are scientists in Philadelphia working on a treatment, and another UK based company is looking to start clinical trials next year.

Along with two other mums - one who happens to be a geneticist working on the UK treatment - Amy set up a charity, The H-ABC Foundation.

'There are about 200 cases of TUBB4a leukodystrophy globally, but it is thought the prevalence is much higher due to misdiagnosis.

Frankie's mum and dad are hopeful that he won't suddenly go downhill. There are scientists in Philadelphia working on a treatment, and another UK based company is looking to start clinical trials next year. Pictured: Whole family

Frankie, right, and brother Rory. Along with two other mums - one who happens to be a geneticist working on the UK treatment - Amy set up a charity, The H-ABC Foundation

What is leukodystrophy? Leukodystrophies are a group of rare, genetic disorders that affect the white matter of the brain. The word leukodystrophy comes from leuko, which means white, and dystrophy, which means imperfect growth. Leukodystrophies are characterized by this abnormal growth of white matter in the brain. Specifically, these diseases damage the brains myelin sheath, which acts as an insulator around nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Damage to the myelin sheath slows down or blocks messages between the brain and the rest of the body and can cause problems with: Movement

Speaking

Vision

Hearing

Mental and physical development Most leukodystrophies are neuro-degenerative. This means that in time, if left untreated, the diseases progress, causing more destruction to the white matter and worsening symptoms. Source: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Advertisement

'With H-ABC, children who have it are often diagnosed with cerebral palsy as Frankie was. They dont usually receive a correct diagnosis until they are a teenager who is deteriorating.'

Amy wants to make sure any families impacted by this deadly disease have as much support as possible, and she's passionate about spreading word about leukodystrophies and the future potential for treatment.

'Maybe, just one day, if this trial is successful, parents who find themselves in the position we did wont be told to "go away and enjoy your childs limited time" and will instead be able to look forward to a life with their child in it.'

Visit Metro.co.uk to read the full version of this article.

READ MORE:

Woman who spent 30 YEARS fighting debilitating cerebral palsy and undergoing operations discovers she has been misdiagnosed - and almost all of her symptoms can be cured by just one pill

NHS errors blamed for hundreds of cerebral palsy births over the past decade costing healthcare system 493MILLION every year

Family's tragic discovery after two of their daughters are diagnosed with ultra-rare 'childhood dementia' disease, while two more of their children carry the terminal illness
Read more: Tricky brainteaser challenges you to spot the birthday present

Do you think you can find the correct answer and break the 36 seconds record?

Can you find the car key hiding among the colourful vehicles in the picture?

A new brainteaser will put your observation skills to the test by challenging you to find the set of hidden keys.

The fiendishly tricky test, provided by British business comparison site iCompario, hides a set of keys within several cars of different colours.

Do you think you have what it takes to find the answer to this test in less than 36 seconds to break the record?

Try it out below and let us known how you fared in the comments! And no cheating!

Do you think you have what it takes to find the answer to this brainteaser from British business comparison site iCompario, in less than 36 seconds to break the record?

Figure it out yet? A set of keys is cleverly hidden in this drawing showing different types of vehicles.

You'll need to pay attention to the finer details of this picture in order to find the keys.

Struggling and in need of a hint? Focus on the left side of the snap of find your answer?

Giving up or think you got it? Check out the asnwer below, and other fun brainteaser to sink your teeth into.

Did you get it right? The set of keys was attached to this semi-truck to make the brainteaser even trickier

A vibrant new brainteaser from one of the internet's most popular illustrators has challenged players to find the three empty glasses in a festive party.

The Hungarian artist Gergely Dudas, better known as Dudolf, released a typically playful seek-and-find puzzle, showing a New Year's Eve celebration with adorable animals.

The tricky puzzle is set at a party full of various characters dressed in paper hats enjoying a chaotic time.

But while each animal holds a glass of fizz, only three of the glasses are empty. Will you be able to seek them out in the fun?

A vibrant new brainteaser from one of the internet's most popular illustrators has challenged players to find the three empty glasses in a festive party

The cartoonist has added character and charm to the puzzle by adding little hats to the various types of animals at the celebration.

He has made the glasses tricky to find by colouring the entire background of the scene blue, which is the same shade as the items players need to find.

You'll need to have your eagle-eyes trained on the details of the drawing to pick out the glasses from the festivities.

Still having no luck? Scroll down to see the solution.

The cartoonist has added character and charm to the puzzle by adding little hats to the various types of animals at the celebration. Above, the empty glasses are revealed

For another challenge, try this Christmas one from Protectivity Insurance.

This one for the eagle-eyed is set at an office Christmas party.

Somewhere in the hectic festive scene is a sprig of mistletoe, but will you be able to seek it out of the chaos and frivolities? The time to beat is 14 seconds.

Scroll down to see if you can find it among the dancing workers and desks.

Insurance company Protectivity has created a trick seek-and-find festive puzzle. Will you be able to find the mistletoe within the office Christmas party scene?

From loud festive jumpers and jumping people, to presents and even potted plants, this festive scene is bound to get your Christmas off to a swinging start.

But can you find the mistletoe, hiding somewhere is the party scene?

If you are struggling, try casting your eyes over the large Christmas tree and looking around the red and white candy canes.

If you are struggling, try casting your eyes over the large Christmas tree and looking around the red and white candy canes

If you fancy another challenge, Online Mortgage Advisor has created a festive brainteaser to put your observation skills to the test.

Just in time for the big day, they have released a special nutcracker edition puzzle, with all your festive favourites.

The online advisor has hidden the Christmas nutcracker within a hectic festive living room.

Scroll down to see if you can find him, by searching the fireplaces and Christmas sacks and letters in this new design.

Online Mortgage Advisor has created festive brainteaser for Christmas/ Seek-and-find puzzle challenges you to find a nutcracker in a festive living room

From roaring cozy flames under the mantlepiece to snow globes and woolly hats, this festive imagery features everything you need for a classic Christmas.

But, can you spot the cheeky nutcracker hidden within the picturesque scene?

If you are struggling, try searching Santa's sacks of gifts.

Can you spot the cheeky nutcracker hidden within the picturesque scene? If you are struggling, try searching Santa's sacks of gifts.

Try these Yuletide brainteasers from DFS, featuring beloved Christmas items with an interior twist.

Just in time for December, DFS has released a series of Yuletide brainteasers, featuring beloved Christmas items with an interior twist.

The furniture retailer has hidden some of its most iconic sofas and armchairs within Christmas jumper and wrapping paper patterns.

Can you bust these brainteasers by spotting the sofas in the stunning festive designs.

Just in time for December, DFS has released a series of Yuletide brainteasers, featuring beloved Christmas items with an interior twist

From candy canes to delicious mugs of hot chocolate, this adorable wrapping paper features the very best of Christmas time!

But can you spot the three two-seater sofas within the image?

If you're still struggling then here is a hint, all three sofas are positioned near branches of holly.

If you're still struggling then here is a hint, all three sofas are positioned near branches of holly (pictured)

Whether you go for loud and proud or an understated sparkle, everyone loves a Christmas jumper!

But can you find the three cosy armchairs hidden in this special design from DFS?

One of the armchairs can be found in an ornament youd typically hang on a Christmas tree.

Whether you go for loud and proud or an understated sparkle, everyone loves a Christmas jumper! But can you find the three cosy armchairs hidden in this special design from DFS?

Are you still struggling? Try looking at the second bubble from the left theres also two smaller sofa's to find!

If you still haven't fund them try looking at the top left of the design for another one.

Scroll down for the answer!

Are you still struggling? Try looking at the second bubble from the left theres also two smaller sofa's to find!

Christmas markets are a staple for the holidays, from sweet treats to stocking filler gifts, they are filled with friends, families and couples enjoying the holiday festivities.

As the festive season is here, Christmas Tree World has created some fun brainteasers to get you into the festive spirit this year!

This seek-and-find puzzle asks you to find the robin in the Christmas market.

But spotting the little bird amongst the busy market scene, filled with shoppers and Christmas trees, is not as easy as it sounds. How long will it take you?

Scroll down for the answer, but no cheating!

As the festive season is here, Christmas Tree World has created some fun festive brain teasers to get you and your family and friends into the Christmas spirit this year

The snow covered illustration shows plenty of busy people doing their Christmas shopping.

To make it more challenging the robin is hidden within a multitude of colourful trees, houses and people.

If you are struggling, it may be worth noting that the robin is sitting on one man's presents.

To make it more challenging the robin is hidden within a multitude of colourful trees, houses and people

The Christmas fun is always accompanied by the touch of cold frost in the air.

Christmas Tree World have also created this adorable polar bear scene and asked if you can spot the hidden dog amongst the polar bears.

All of the polar bears are huddled together to keep warm, and it looks like there is someone that wants to join in on the fun

Scroll down for the answer...

Christmas Tree World have also created this adorable polar bear scene and asked if you can spot the hidden dog amongst the polar bears

The white bears are all looking the same direction but to make it more challenging some are wearing bunny ears.

To make it even more challenging the polar bears are all white and the dog is also.

If you are struggling, it may be worth checking the ears on the animals as the polar bears have rounded ears while the dogs are pointed.

If you still can't find the pooch try looking to the left centre of the illustration.

If you are struggling, it may be worth checking the ears on the animals as the polar bears have rounded ears while the dogs are pointed

Another festive illustration by Christmas Tree World could be mistaken for a Christmas card as it is such a pretty scene.

The scene is filled with endless Christmas trees that have been decorated with lights and tree toppers.

For one of the trees, there is a star that sits on top. Can you spot the star on the Christmas tree?

Scroll down for the answer...

Another festive illustration by Christmas Tree World could be mistaken for a Christmas card as it is such a pretty scene

You can spot many people among the the trees and even a Santa Clause on a scooter.

To make it more challenging the star is hidden within a multitude of colourful tree decorations.

If you are struggling, it may be worth noting that the star is not on the top of a tree like you would expect.

Still struggling? Look to the bottom left side of the illustration you might spot it on the bottom of a tree.

If you are struggling, it may be worth noting that the star is not on the top of a tree like you would expect

It comes after online casino Casumo created this spot-the-sparkler brainteaser for Bonfire Night.

Catherine wheels, rockets and roman candles create a magical, thrilling display on Bonfire Night.

Also known as Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night originated from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes failed to blow up the houses of parliament and assassinate the King.

This seek-and-find puzzle asks you to find the three hidden sparklers within the firework display.

The smaller handheld fireworks are discoverable within the bright, electric night sky, ready to make you jump.

Scroll down for the answer, but no cheating!

Online casino Casumo has created a thrilling brainteaser for Bonfire Night. Seek-and-find puzzle challenges you to find 3 sparklers in the firework display

To make it more challenging the sparklers are hidden within a multiude of vibrant fireworks.

It takes the average person two minutes to find the three sparklers, how long will it take you?

If you are struggling, it may be worth noting that the sparklers are their more common orange colour.

If you are struggling, it may be worth noting that the sparklers are their more common orange colour. It takes the average person two minutes to find them

For Halloween, Online Mortgage Advisor created a spooky pumpkin puzzle to celebrate the eerie time of year.

This brainteaser challenges you to find the hidden pumpkin within the haunted bedroom.

The teeny pumpkin is hiding somewhere in the ghost-filled room, waiting to jump out of spook anyone who dares to enter.

Can you find the hidden pumpkin in this haunted bedroom? Online Mortgage Advisor has created a spooky seek-and-find challenge in time for Halloween

To make it extra tricky the company has cluttered the room with boxes, lanterns ad chest of drawers.

Scattered between an array of not-so-scary ghosts and moonlit windows is the devilish pumpkin.

But it's not that easy to spot the grinning decoration amongst the cobwebs and candles.

If you are struggling to spot evil pumpkin face, try looking at the cabinets and chest of drawers.

The pumpkin is hidden within this ghost-filled bedroom. Try looking at cabinets and chest of drawers if you are struggling to spot him

Online Mortgage Advisor has also shared a second puzzle to help you to delve further into its haunted house.

This time, the organisation has tasked puzzlers with searching for another sneaky pumpkin hiding in the kitchen.

Avoiding being made into a spiced pie, he is lost somewhere in the chaos as ghosts create their favourite Halloween treats.

Delving further into the house, there is another pumpkin hiding in this busy haunted kitchen, but can you find him?

Not as spooky as the haunted bedroom, the kitchen is bustling with breads, pies and cupcakes as ghosts and rats prepare for a Halloween party.

The company has illustrated a bright design complete with mops, chopping boards and ovens.

If you cannot see the pumpkin after one minute, try focusing your attention on the loaves of bread.

If you struggle to spot this pumpkin straight away, try looking at the loaves of bread floating through the air

The Hungarian artist Gergely Dudas, better known as Dudolf, released a typically playful seek-and-find puzzle showing a pod of dolphins swimming among bottles containing messages.

One poignantly reads, 'don't litter', encouraging players to take better care of the environment.

Five of the bottles are completely empty. Do you have what it takes to pick them out?

A vibrant new brainteaser from one of the internet's most popular illustrators challenges players to find the five empty glass bottles floating in the sea. Can you spot them?

The cartoonist has added character and charm to the puzzle by showing one of the dolphins reading one of the letters.

He has made the bottles tricky to find by colouring the entire scene in shades of green and blue.

You'll need to have your eagle-eyes trained on the details of the drawing to pick out the bottles from the pod.

Still having no luck? Scroll down to see the solution.
Ever wanted to sample the 'suite' life?

Well now you can after a number of travel pros have detailed how to land free hotel upgrades on TikTok, including former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss.

Voss sheds light on a cunning psychological trick he learned from his son, who he describes a the 'main negotiator', after they checked into a hotel together.

Just by employing a spot of reverse psychology, Voss' son landed a presidential suite, while dozens of other TikTokers say they have their own hotel upgrade tricks, with everything from tipping to lying about special occasions on the table.

Read on as FEMAIL rounds up some of the top tips as detailed by avid travelers and industry insiders.

1. Try playing a small mind trick

Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss reveals how his son managed to get a hotel upgrade

TikTok creator @damngoodconversations uploaded a video showing US businessman and former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss detailing how his son managed to secure a hotel upgrade.

Voss says he checked into a hotel with his son, and despite his son paying less than him he managed to get a better room thanks to his simple mind trick.

He claims his son walked up to the front desk and said to the receptionist: 'I'm getting ready to make your day the most difficult day you ever worked here.'

They replied: 'Oh god, what is it?'

Voss' son then said: 'I'm just another self-serving person looking for a free upgrade.'

Apparently this piece of reverse psychology saw Voss' son secure the hotel's presidential suite as the receptionist was so relieved that nothing more sinister was going to happen.

'Somebody who works behind the counter of a hotel... I mean God knows what they've seen,' Voss said.

2. Let them know if you've had a bad experience

Sammie Kahkola, who works as a front office manager at an upscale Kimpton Hotel in Los Angeles, says if you have had a bad experience it is worth letting the front desk know and they might be able to upgrade you as a result.

This can include everything from a plumbing issue to a faulty TV.

The hospitality insider and part-time actress says: 'Well we never hope this has to happen, sometimes we will upgrade you if you've had a bad experience.

'And sometimes me personally, I will upgrade you if you've even had just a stressful day.'

3. Be nice to hotel staff, it's that simple

Sammie Kahkola, who works as a front office manager at a Kimpton Hotel in Los Angeles, says 'being nice' is of upmost importance

Sammie also says 'being nice' is the number-one thing when it comes to upping your chance of getting an upgrade.

She explains: 'Seriously that's it. Because I deal with a ton of very rude people and have very many rough days... so just being nice? Oh my gosh that's going to go a long way and I want to give you the world.

'So if you're super nice to me and amazing at check in I'm going to give you an upgrade.'

4. Always book direct through the hotel

Florida-based TikTok creator Sara says she is married to the general manager for a 'very large' hotel brand

Most of the avid travelers advise booking directly through a hotel instead of going through a third-party website.

Florida-based TikTok creator Sara says she is married to the general manager for a 'very large' hotel brand and she's learned it's near impossible to get an upgrade if you've booked through another provider.

She explains that the booking must be made 'directly through that hotel' and then it's 'up to the front desk's discretion' if your room will be bumped up a level.

Sara also highlights if you book direct with a hotel, sometimes you will secure a better rate.

If you don't, you can call the hotel and say you saw a better rate through a third-party website, and they should be able to do a price match or outdo the rate.

5. The $20 sandwich technique

The 'Credit Brothers' outline what the 'Sandwich Trick' involves, saying a small cash tip can go a long way

Many of the experienced hotel-goers refer to something known as the 'Sandwich Trick.'

Detailing what this involves, TikTok duo the Credit Brothers outline three key elements: your credit card, your license and a $20 bill.

These are then sandwiched together and given to the receptionist at check-in, with the hope of an upgrade.

The Credit Brothers highlight that a small cash tip can go a long way.

They continue: 'Let's say you just booked a room at the W in downtown Miami and you want to get a spectacular suite.

'Before you go up to the front desk go online and check the availability of the nicest rooms available in the hotel over the dates that you're staying at, that way when you go up with those three things [sandwiched] in hand, you're going to hand that to the receptionist... and you're gonna politely ask if they have any room upgrades.'

They highlight that hotel staff don't always give upgrades 'because they just simply don't have availability, but by using this trick you're going to greatly increase your chances of getting upgrades at places that you don't have status with.'

6. Check into the hotel as late as possible

Tom Flynn advises checking into the hotel as late as possible

Creator Tom Flynn, who regularly posts videos around money and life hacks on TikTok, advises checking into the hotel as late as possible.

He recommends getting to the front desk between 4pm and 6pm.

Explaining why, he says: 'You do this because that way the front desk has time to see if there are any no shows or cancellations for that day.'

7. Say you're celebrating a special occasion

Many travel pros say that if you're celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or promotion, you're more likely to get an upgrade.

Tom Flynn instructs: 'When you're checking into the hotel you're going to tell the person at the front desk that you're celebrating something.'

Tom Flynn says that if you're celebrating a special occasion, you're more likely to get an upgrade

He says even if your anniversary is 11 months away, there's no point getting 'get bogged down with the details' and it's all about having confidence in telling your story.

'The thing is you're celebrating your one-year anniversary with someone you love and you want to let the whole world know about this,' he concludes.

9. Don't check-in online

Brittney Lunski warns against checking into hotels online if you want to be in with a chance of an upgrade

Brittney Lunski, who posts about Disney vacations on TikTok, touches on the virtual check-in feature, which an increasing number of hotels have started offering with the rise of digital keys.

She says while using an app allows you to be all checked in before you arrive at your hotel and you can skip the line at the front desk, it means you don't get to talk to a member of staff who could potentially upgrade your room to a better category.

Instead she advises: 'When you arrive at your resort go to the front desk. Tell them if you have any special requests.

'Let's say you're in a two queen room and you'd actually like a king bed ask if there's any rooms with king beds available... Often times you can get a better room.'

5. Sign up to be a loyalty member

Hotel employee and TikToker @justintime245 urges people to join a hotel rewards program as these will bring many benefits, from free room upgrades to complimentary breakfasts.

Speaking from his own experience, he says: 'Join the rewards program whether its Hilton, Marriott, IHG... once you join the rewards program and you have that status, you're seen as like a better guest. We want to retain you and keep you from going to the competition.'

Detailing some of the perks of being a hotel loyalty member, he says: 'You get a late checkout, you get extra bonus points, you get a free breakfast, you get all these kind of things with status including complimentary room upgrades.'

The hotel worker says if his hotel is sold out of king rooms and a 'gold member' comes in, they will be upgraded to a suite, while a 'normal person' will go into the king room instead.

For people who travel for business, @justintime245 highlights that it will be much easier to earn points quickly. He concludes: 'Obviously earning points takes a lot of time and money but if you have a company that pays for your hotel rooms, add your number, you get the points and basically you'll just fly through the rankings.'

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As she approaches her 45th birthday this month, Princess Charlene of Monaco has every reason to describe her family as 'my rock'.

Serious health problems have dogged the mother-of-two for the past two years, which saw her undergo multiple surgeries in South Africa during 10 months away from her husband and children, followed by a stint in a Swiss clinic for 'exhaustion'.

However, after months of looked frail and pained, the royal is back to her glamorous best and is in the full swing of royal duties again, attending glitzy events such as the Princess Grace Awards in New York and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Now, sources say that the transformation is down to her increasing devotion to her Catholic faith, as well as the close proximity of her parents Lynette and Mike who have joined her brother in the principality from their native South Africa to support the Princess.

Princess Charlene, pictured with Prince LAbert at the 2022 Princess Grace Awards in November 2022, is back to her glamorous best after a lengthy health battle

Charlene's tumultuous two years has seen her come to rely on those closest to her like never before.

'My family and those I love are my rock,' Charlene said in a rare interview over the New Year holiday.

'I approach the future, step by step, one day at a time,' added the Princess, as she sat in an ornate salon at the 862-room Monaco Palace, the House of Grimaldi's official residence for almost 800 years.

Such words evoke the image of Prince Albert II, Charlene's 64-year-old husband of 11 years and one of the richest Royals in the world, putting his considerable resources aiding Charlene back to full health.

Charlene sparked concern in October 2021 when she was pictured looking frail during an extended stay in her native South Africa

Except it is not Albert, nor indeed any other members of the Grimaldi clan, who are primarily responsible for Charlene now saying: 'I would first like to say that I feel so much better today than I have in recent years'.

Instead, the miracle transformation that followed months of treatment for an Ear Nose and Throat condition in both her homeland of South Africa and then in Switzerland, is all down to her father, Mike Wittstock, 76, and mother, Lynette Wittstock, 63.

MailOnline can reveal that the couple have moved more than 8000 miles from their home in the suburbs of Johannesburg, to live permanently in the Monaco area.

Princess Charlene's parents Michale and Lynette Wittistock, pictured at their daughter's wedding in 2011, have moved to Monaco to keep an eye on their daughter. her brother Gareth (right) made the same move 10 years ago, while her sibling Sean (back) is on the phone from South Africa every day to check on her

After spending time in a private clinic in Switzerland, Princess Charlene was the picture of health when she attended Paris Fashion Week

So as to be as close to their daughter as possible, they have moved into an imposing property in La Turbie, a French village next door to the tax haven principality where their daughter lives in regal splendour between a range of properties.

'It has made the world of difference,' said a palace source in Monte Carlo who has known Albert and Charlene since before their wedding.

'The Wittstocks have moved into a house that's just a few minutes' drive away from Charlene, and they meet all the time.

'They make her feel safe and secure, and remind her of the far more carefree life she enjoyed in South Africa before becoming a Monaco princess.'

Charlene's brother, Gareth Wittstock, 42, first moved to Monaco to 'make sure his sister was being looked after' a decade ago, and her second brother, 40-year-old Sean Wittstock, is 'on the phone every day from South Africa,' said the source.

Some 45-year-old woman might feel a little suffocated having their original family unit so close to their new one, but for Charlene the new arrangement has worked wonders.

So too has her increasingly devout Roman Catholic faith  one that she converted to from Protestantism on marrying Albert in 2011.

Another Monaco-based source said: 'Serious illness and other personal problems, including marital issues, have prompted Charlene to turn to God as much as she can.

Now Charlene (pictured with Prince Albert II of Monaco) is returning to the official duties that the Prince is reportedly paying her the equivalent of 10million a year to fulfil

'She is inspired by Catholicism, and it has helped her through some very dark times.'

Charlene was particularly saddened by the sudden death of Archbishop Bernard Barsi, the Archbishop of Monaco, on Christmas Eve.

The 80-year-old cleric officiated at her wedding, and also baptised her eight-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

In a joint statement with her husband, Charlene said Archbishop Barsi had 'accompanied the Sovereign Family, spiritually and pastorally, during the most significant moments in the Principality's recent history'.

The Prince himself admits it has been a rough ride, saying over Christmas that there had been 'tough years' for Charlene.

'I'm really proud of my wife,' he said, recalling how the Princess first fell ill in May 2021 after returning alone to South Africa, and then required numerous surgical procedures.

Her return to Monaco was delayed until November 2021, and then she chose to recover privately in Switzerland, before re-joining her family in April 2022.

Now Charlene is returning to the official duties that the Prince is reportedly paying her the equivalent of 10million a year to fulfil.

A tumultous two years for Princess Charlene that saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children, admitted to a treatment facility in Switzerland and strike a rumoured 10 million a year deal with Albert 2021: HEALTH ISSUES, 10 MONTHS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ADMISSION TO A SWISS TREATMENT FACILITY January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter from an unknown locatoin. May 8 - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene May 18 - Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa June 3 - New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip June 5 - Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece's fifth birthday with her brother's family and Albert and the twins in South Africa June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,' Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement. August 13 - Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced August 25 - Charlene shares photos of Prince Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa September 1 - Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly 'collapsing' September 2 - Charlene is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: 'Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying' September 30 - Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole October 3 - Princess Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare October 6 - Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is 'ready to come home' October 8 2021 - Princess undergoes more surgery in South Africa November 8 - Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was 'unwell' November 13 2021 - Prince Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Princess Charlene. Following his return from the trip, Prince Albert holds an intervention with Charlene's brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene 'confirmed' she would seek 'real medically-framed treatment' outside of Monaco November 16 - Royal household confirms Princess Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19 November 17 - Prince Albert reveals Princess Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location November 19 - Prince Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility 'elsewhere in Europe' after a family intervention November 25 - Sources tell Page Six Princess Charlene 'almost died' after sinus surgery and 'lost nearly half her body weight' due to being 'unable to swallow'. They also said it was 'unfair' to portray her as struggling with mental health issues December 11 - Royal breaks her silence on Instagram to wish her twins Jacques and Gabriella a happy seventh birthday December 24 - Princess Charlene of Monaco is still 'months from recovery' but will reunite with Prince Albert and their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriela for Christmas at treatment centre 2022: ROAD TO RECOVERY January 25 - Princess Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone: Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Prince Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco March 14 - Palace announces that Charlene is back in Monaco but will take time to 'further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties' April 17 - Charlene is pictured for the first time in a family portrait to celebrate Easter April 30 - Charlene makes her first public appearance since leaving a treatment facility as she attends Monaco E-Prix with Prince Albert May 7 - The royal makes her second public appearance at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament May 10 - French media claims Prince Albert has agreed to pay his wife 10million a year to make sure she fulfils her consort role May 25 - Princess Charlene continues her return to public life at Monte Carlo Fashion Awards with daughter Princess Gabriella May 28 - Princess Charlene continues her return to public life as she joins Prince Albert at F1 in Monaco for the first time since 2019 June 6 - Prince Albert says he was hurt by the 'vicious' rumours about his wife's absence from Monaco and his family 'missed the princess a lot' June 16 - Princess Charlene appears sombre in all-black ensemble for Catholic festival June 18 - Princess Charlene of Monaco looks glamorous in all-green ensemble as she steps out with Prince Albert for the Monte Carlo TV Festival opening ceremony June 23 - Albert and Charlene attend a science exhibition opening with their children in Oslo - her first overseas visit since returning to public duties July 4 - Albert and Charlene! Monaco royals hold hands in new portrait to mark 11 years of marriage July 5 - Charlene visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco July 9 - Albert attends Monaco's Rose Ball without his wife, despite it being the highlight of the social calendar July 18 - Royal joins Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo July 20 - Couple visit The Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis September 4 - Charlene joins Prince Albert and their children Gabriella and Jacques for a rare family appearance at traditional picnic in Monaco September 6 - Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco take their twins Jacques and Gabriella, 7, to class for their first day back after the summer holiday September 12 - Couple attend a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II September 19 - Princess Charlene attends the Queen's funeral in London alongside her husband Prince Albert October 4-5 - Princess Charlene wows on a solo surprise visit to Paris Fashion Week October 21 - Princess Charlene of Monaco makes emotional solo visit to an animal shelter as she sends 'all her love' to fans following her return to royal duties November 8 - Royal couple attend the annual Princess Grace Awards in New York November 16 - Princess Charlene attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Prince Albert November 19-20 - Princess Charlene attends Monaco National Day celebrations with Prince Albert and presents awards at 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony December 2 - Princess Charlene takes her seven-year-old twins to Monaco Christmas village along with her model niece Charlotte Casiraghi December 13 - Attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with her husband Prince Albert December 14 - Family attend Christmas tree ceremony in Monaco December 15 - Princess Charlene of Monaco reveals she feels 'much better' and has 'much more energy' after lengthy health crisis in an interview with Monaco Matin - the first since returning to royal duties December 21 - Royals release a stylish family Christmas card December 23 - 'Proud' Prince Albert praises Princess Charlene for 'turning it around in an incredible way' after lengthy health crisis, saying she had a 'very tough year' Advertisement

In December, the former Olympic swimmer ventured to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to open a new pool complex with Albert, and she is also a regular at charity events in Monaco itself, not least of all those connection with her Charlene of Monaco Foundation.

Well-connected sources told French media last year that 'the Princess did not return [from treatment] at any price'.

Instead, the very well connected Voici magazine reported: 'She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract' worth 10.2million per year.

The revelations were followed up by the French society bible Paris Match, which wrote: 'Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.'

Monaco Palace aides refused to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some 40m a year to cover the institution's running costs.

Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene is reliant on Albert for her own money.

There have been reports of a simmering rift between the Prince and Princess pretty much constantly since their high-profile marriage on The Rock.

At the time, Charlene was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' by the French media after allegedly trying to flee before the wedding, but the reports were always denied.

Albert was hit with a legal claim for cash by an alleged illegitimate child in December 2020, and soon afterwards Charlene shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker.

There were allegations that Albert had fathered a love child with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.

The woman said she met the Prince in a nightclub in Rio de Janeiro in 2004, and that their daughter, who is now 18, sent a handwritten note to Albert.

In turn, Albert's legal team branded the allegations 'a hoax', and they never went to court  prompting speculation that the case was settled privately.

The Prince has admitted fathering two other children out of wedlock  Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 30 and the result of Albert's affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 19, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.

Both children were struck off Monaco's line of succession in return for financial settlements.

As Charlene prepares to celebrate her 45th birthday on January 25th, she will be hoping that the turmoil behind such decisions will be well behind her, and that she can look forward to a secure family future.

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United States President Joe Biden's aides have discovered a second batch of classified documents stored at another location other than the Penn Biden Center office in Washington, DC.

That office was the one that he used in the years after he was the vice president for former President Barack Obama. One source said that aides to the Democrat have been searching for additional documents that contained classified material in other locations that may have been used by the president.

Classified Documents at Biden's Former Office

The situation comes after an initial batch of classified documents was found at Biden's private office that was located at the Penn Biden Center on Tuesday. The president addressed the findings while he was at the North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico City.

He said that he took classified documents and classified information seriously, noting that his aides did what they were supposed to do, which was immediately called the National Archives. They then turned over the documents and briefed the president about the discovery, who said that he was surprised and did not know what the contents of the documents were, as per Fox News.

On Wednesday, during a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked if Biden had requested that his lawyers look into whether or not there were any other classified documents that were taken to other locations. However, she declined to share any information regarding the incident.

Jean-Pierre said that she was simply not going to speak about the situation and let the process continue. The White House press secretary added that it was more prudent and more appropriate for her colleagues at the White House Counsel to talk about the issue.

The classified documents that were found at the Penn Biden Center came from Biden's tenure as vice president and were discovered on November 2, 2022, said the special counsel to the White House, Richard Sauber. He noted that the documents were not the subject of any previous request or inquiry by the archives.

Read Also: Allen Weisselberg, Former Trump Executive, Sentenced to 5 Months in Jail in Relation to Trump Organization Tax Fraud Scheme

Investigating the Matter

According to NBC News, despite the reports about the issue, the classification level, number, and precise location of the additional documents were not immediately clear. Furthermore, it remained a mystery when the additional documents were discovered and if the search for any other classified materials that Biden may have from the Obama administration will be completed.

The president's aides have been sorting through documents stored at various locations beyond his former Washington office to see if there are any other hidden documents that need to be turned over to the National Archives and reviewed by the Justice Department.

In a report on Tuesday, the classified documents included US intelligence memos and briefing materials that covered several topics, such as Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom. The materials, which numbered fewer than a dozen, were allegedly found inside a locked box stored in a locked cabinet or closet.

The documents were found to include some top-secret files with the "sensitive compartmented information" designation, which is also known as SCI. This is used for highly sensitive information that is obtained from intelligence sources, CNN reported.

Related Article: Joe Biden Drops Truth Bomb on Donald Trump-Like Classified Documents Scandal: I'm 'Surprised'

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Prince Harry has made explosive revelations about loved ones in his memoir

Prince Harry's bombshell memoir unleashed jaw-dropping attacks on his family - recalling in excruciating detail dozens of family rows and intimate conversations.

In almost every chapter of the Duke of Sussex's book, Spare, which was released worldwide on Tuesday, attacks were fired.

He said his brother, Prince William, who he dubbed his 'arch-nemesis', assaulted him in a row over Meghan and accused Camilla, now the Queen Consort, of leaking stories about him through a palace spin doctor.

Elsewhere, while Charles is spared more pain than many had expected, Harry still paints him as an emotionally-distant father who wasn't even able to hug him when telling him of his mother Princess Diana's death in a car crash.

Here, FEMAIL reveals which royals come out best and worst in Prince Harry's memoir...

In almost every chapter of the Duke of Sussex's book, Spare, which was released worldwide on Tuesday, attacks were fired

QUEEN CONSORT CAMILLA

Camilla, the Queen Consort - who eventually married their father, King Charles III - takes a lot of heat in the Duke's latest memoir, including claims that he and William both 'begged' their father not to marry his long-term paramour, fearing she would be their 'wicked stepmother'.

He writes: 'I remember wondering... if she would be cruel to me; if she would be like all the wicked stepmothers in the stories'.

He recalls meeting Camilla for the first time, saying she appeared 'bored' and 'neither of them was much fretted about the other's opinion.'

He goes on to say: 'Camilla had played a pivotal role in the unraveling of our parents marriage, and yes, that meant shed played a role in our mothers disappearance.'

The Queen Consort and the Duke of Sussex at Buckingham Palace in London on 22 May 2018

The Duke of Sussex claims that he and his brother didn't want to stand in the way of their father's relationship with the 'other woman', but that they didn't see the need for the couple to get married.

Charles, eager of his partner to bond with his sons, arranged for both William and Harry to spend time with her separately to win them over before asking the public to accept Camilla.

In an extraordinary passage in his explosive autobiography, titled Spare, the Duke of Sussex writes: 'Shortly after our private meetings with her, she began to develop her long-term strategy, a campaign directed at marriage and with time, the Crown (with the blessing of our father, we supposed).

Harry also reveals in his book that he and William 'begged' their father not to marry Camilla (pictured together in 2012)

'News stories started appearing in all the newspapers about her conversations with Willy, stories which recounted lots of small details, none of which came from my brother, of course.'

He later details how Camilla turned his bedroom at Clarence House into a dressing room after he moved out.

In a follow-up interview with Anderson Cooper, he said she was 'dangerous' because of the connections that she was forging within the British press.

'There was open willingness on both sides to trade information and with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being Queen Consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that,' he said.

The duke also wrote in his memoir that Camilla 'sacrificed me on her personal PR altar', and accused her of scheming to wed the now King and become Queen Consort.

However, Harry later says that ultimately he and William approved of Camilla because she made their father happy.

Elsewhere, he describes that he hasn't spoken to his step-mother in a long time, but they are 'pleasant' to each other when they see each other at family events.

Asked about what his relationship with Camilla is like now in an interview with GMA, Harry said: 'We haven't spoken for a long time. I love every member of my family, despite the differences, so when I see her we're perfectly pleasant with each other.

'She's my stepmother. I don't look at her as an evil stepmother. I see someone who married into this institution and has done everything that she can to improve her own reputation and her own image for her own sake.'

PRINCE WILLIAM

Prince William and Prince Harry at the Duke of Sussex's wedding to Meghan Markle

Princes William and Harry pictured together after the Queen's death in September 2022

William - now the Prince of Wales - has been branded as Harry's 'arch-nemesis' in the Duke's tell-all memoir.

He accuses William, 40, of being immersed in his position as future heir to the throne, claims he ignored him when they were pupils at Eton College, and says he repeatedly put him in his place.

PRINCESS MARGARET Prince Harry has revealed that Princess Margaret only bought him a Biro with a rubber fish around it for Christmas one year. L to R: The then Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Princess Margaret walk to the orangery in Kensington Prince Harry revealed that Princess Margaret only bought him a Biro with a rubber fish around it for Christmas one year - which he saw as 'cold-blooded' - and said he thought he and his 'Aunt Margo' should have been closer. In his long-awaited memoir 'Spare', which was released today following a series of interviews and last month's Netflix docu-series 'Harry and Meghan', Harry says his great-aunt was almost a 'total stranger' to him. The Duke of Sussex describes one Christmas when the family were together at Sandringham opening presents - and tells the story of a bizarre gift from Princess Margaret. Opening the smallest present in his pile first, Harry discovered the Queen's sister had bought him a biro pen with a small rubber fish wrapped around it, which he saw as 'cold-blooded'. Harry adds that Margaret 'didn't have much of an opinion' of him. And he writes that he too 'felt nothing' for his great aunt except pity - and says he usually tried to keep out of her way. Princess Margaret died aged 71 in 2002 when Harry was 17. Her health had deteriorated for the last 20 years of her life - in part the result of heavy smoking. She had pneumonia in 1993 and suffered three strokes between 1998 and 2001. She died shortly after a fourth stroke. But the prince also shared his wish that he had been closer with Margaret as they had much in common in both being the 'spare' to their older sibling with similar 'rivalry' and 'intense competition'. He says: 'We had so much in common. Two spares. Her relationship with Granny wasn't an exact analogue of mine with Willy, but pretty close'. As Margaret became more ill, Harry began to wish that he'd had more time to get to know her. The Duke also draws comparisons between Margaret and his mother Diana, as they both rebelled against traditional expectations set by the crown. Advertisement

While it was long rumoured tensions between the brothers began when Harry married Meghan in 2018, the book affirms that the rift started long before then.

He said Prince William told him to pretend they didn't know each other at Eton, and despised being dressed the same as Harry.

Their distance continued into their adult life - when Harry felt William was lying about him being a 'slob' and 'snoring' while they lived together.

Later, Harry writes he feared William would abandon him following his marriage with Kate.

Meanwhile he claims he was forced to go along with his brother's 'bare-faced lie' that he was the best man at his wedding in 2011.

The Duke revealed his rift with his older sibling meant 'Willy didn't want me giving a best man's speech', according to his bombshell memoir, Spare.

In an extraordinarily personal revelation, Harry claims he was made to act out the role of best man to spare the blushes of Prince William's two closest friends.

Meanwhile he also claims the two squabbled over various issues, including Harry's work in Africa, Harry's ability to keep his beard for his wedding, as well as his decision to launch the Invictus Games.

Harry writes that William felt he would be using up all of the royal foundation funds on the project, but Harry felt he was 'just being competitive.'

Meanwhile he also blames Prince William and Kate for his notorious appearance at a costume party wearing a Nazi uniform in 2005.

The Duke of Sussex says in his new memoir they both thought it was funny.

Harry claims he was considering either the Nazi uniform or a pilot's outfit to a 'Native and Colonial' themed event and called his brother and sister-in-law for their opinion.

He writes: ''I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. Nazi uniform, they said.

In other claims, the Prince tells how William was meeting people who had assembled on the Mall by Buckingham Palace while 'tipsy on last night's rum' just hours before his wedding to Kate.

Harry recalls he said to him: 'You smell of alcohol', before he offered him mints as he lowered the windows of the car, describing the smell of 'the aftermath of last night's rum' on his 'tipsy' brother's breath.

Harry also claimed that William 'recoiled' from Meghan's hug during their awkward first meeting, describing the moment he introduced his brother to his girlfriend as a 'classic collision of cultures'.

The meeting took place in late 2016 at the Prince and Princess of Wales's Kensington Palace apartment, shortly before Prince Harry and Prince William went on a shooting trip.

The Duke explains how Meghan had already met Princess Eugenie, her then-boyfriend Jack Brooksbank, the Duchess of York, Prince Andrew and the Queen.

Describing the short walk from Harry and Meghan's home Nottingham Cottage to Apartment 1A, the duke admitted that he was more nervous for his girlfriend to meet William than anyone else.

When his brother answered the door, Harry says William was a 'bit dressed up' in smart trousers and a shirt.

He wrote: 'I introduced Meg, who leaned in and gave him a hug, which completely freaked him out. He recoiled.'

Giving some context to the awkward encounter, Prince Harry said his brother wouldn't usually hug someone he didn't know.

Harry added that his brother William 'raised some concerns' about his marriage to Meghan before their wedding in May 2018.

He said: 'He never tried to dissuade me from marrying Meghan, but he aired some concerns very early, and said 'this is going to be really hard for you' and I still to this day don't truly understand which part of what he was talking about. Maybe he predicted what the British Press's reaction was going to be.'

Elsewhere, he writes how Willy put his finger into Meghan's face during an awkward confrontation with Kate.

Harry has also alleged that there was a fight between him and the Prince of Wales after his brother called Meghan Markle 'difficult', 'rude' and 'abrasive'.

His bombshell book claims the row in Nottingham Cottage  his Kensington Palace flat  ended with William grabbing him by the collar and throwing him to the floor, shattering a dog bowl. His back was scraped and bruised, he said.

Harry has talked openly of wanting to reconcile with his father and his sibling, despite his extraordinary claims plunging the Royal Family into its worst crisis since the death of his mother in 1997.

But his explosive claims have been backed by his bombshell TV interviews, in which he goes on to slate his brother.

In his ITV interview, the duke said his brother was so frustrated during the 'Nott Cott' incident which reportedly took place in 2019, he saw 'red mist in him'.

'He wanted me to hit him back, but I chose not to,' he said of his brother. Harry said to his friend Mr Bradby: 'What was different here was the level of frustration, and I talk about the red mist that I had for so many years, and I saw this red mist in him.'

PRINCESS OF WALES

Harry reveals tension was brewing between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle from the beginning (pictured at Trooping the Color in 2018) as Meghan's joke left a 'yawning silence'

The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex pictured attending the Wimbledon women's singles final together in 2019

While Harry clearly appeared fond of his sister-in-law in parts of the book, other passages in Spare portray the Princess of Wales as overly stoic.

He says: 'I liked seeing Kate laugh. Better yet, I liked making her laugh. And I was quite good at it. My transparently silly side connected with her heavily disguised silly side.

Princess Eugenie While Prince Harry makes extraordinary claims about many members of the royal family in his memoir, one person who he appears particularly fond of is Princess Eugenie While Prince Harry makes extraordinary claims about many members of the royal family in his memoir, one person who he appears particularly fond of is Princess Eugenie. He discusses how she introduced him to Cressida, and the two confided in each other about how the relationship was going. Meanwhile he also writes about how she supported him during his break up with Cressida, apparently having regular dinner parties together. In another moment, he writes about staying at Princess Eugenie and Beatrice's ski chalet in Switzerland. Referring to her as Euge throughout, he also refers to hilarious dinner parties where she treats Meghan 'like a sister' yet how she also behaved 'properly' in front of the Queen. He reveals how he told his family that Meghan was pregnant at Eugenie's wedding. Advertisement

'Whenever I worried that Kate was going to be the one to take Willy from me, I consoled myself with thoughts of all our future laughing fits together, and I told myself how great everything would be when I had a serious girlfriend who could laugh along with us.'

Elsewhere, he says he 'loved' her, felt she was a 'sister' rather than a sister-in-law', and a good match for his brother.

However there are more critical moments which present a harder view of Kate.

He appears to place blame for the Nazi costume incident at Kate's tour. saying he did it in part to make her laugh.

Elsewhere, he writes about her distant from Meghan, comparing the two women - writing about how Kate was formal and didn't like hugging, while Meghan was 'barefoot' and open.

He details tension between Meghan and Kate, saying how the Princess grimaced after the Duchess borrowed her lip gloss before an event.

He also goes into extraordinary detail about the bridesmaid dress argument, apparently sharing texts written between the two women.

Directly referencing his niece  a breach of privacy that is sure to anger his brother William  Harry insists the incident was driven by his sister-in-law Kate, who appeared irritated that it had taken Meghan a day to get back to her about the problem.

The disagreement between the two women was, he claims, further exacerbated by Kate's unwillingness to visit Meghan's tailor at Kensington Palace and suggestions that they hold a party for the page boys when his bride-to-be was busy dealing with a row with her father, Thomas Markle.

Opening his latest salvo, the prince writes that Meghan received a text from Kate four days before their wedding saying there was a problem with the dresses for the bridesmaids and they needed altering.

He described arriving at their Kensington Palace flat and said that Meghans mouth was open because of the decor, priceless art on the walls, books and furniture, saying wow repeatedly.

Harry said that they had been thinking to themselves that their neighbouring flat had Ikea lamps and furniture we'd recently bought on sale with Meg's credit card on sofa.com.

They then sat down for a cup of tea and some biscuits where they asked after the Wales children, and they had been asked about their honeymoon.

But after that Meghan decided to raise the question of their relationship and tensions going back to when she started dating Harry.

She suggested there had been crossed wires when Kate thought Meghan wanted to use her connections in the fashion industry  but in fact she already had her own.

Meghan suggested that these problems had been magnified by the wedding preparations and the discussions over bridesmaids dresses.

Harry wrote that there were further issues  including William and Kate feeling disgruntled they hadn't received a gift for Easter.

Harry then claims that Kate became so upset that her fingers gripping the side of the chair turned white.

He claims she demanded an apology from Meghan for offending her when she mentioned her hormones after giving birth and suggesting it had affected her memory.

Meghan initially said she couldnt remember but then added she could remember what the disagreement was about.

Harry claimed Meghan said Kate had forgotten something, and she had told her it didn't matter because it was probably because of the hormones.

Harry said Kate then said the two were not close enough for Meghan to talk about her hormones.

Meghan then said she spoke to all her friends that way.

William then called Meghan 'rude' to her face and 'pointed a finger at her' and explained: 'These things are not done here'.

In an excerpt, which lays bare the rift between the Sussexes and the Waleses, Meghan then told William: 'If you don't mind, keep your finger out of my face'.

Defending his wife, Harry wrote: 'Meg said that she had never intentionally done anything to offend Kate and that if she had, she begged her to let her know so she could avoid a reoccurrence'.

The Duchess of Sussex is then said to have declared that she had not wanted to offend Kate.

They all hugged and left, Harry said, because they thought it best to head home rather than row further.

Meanwhile he also recounts another awkward moment, which saw the family celebrating Trooping the Colour.

He said the mood was lively before Kate asked Meghan what she thought of the first parade of regimental colours, to which Meghan quipped 'colourful'.

Harry calls the silence which followed 'deathly' and said it 'threatened to engulf us all.'

Harry also used an incendiary interview with ITV journalist, and old friend, Tom Bradby to accuse Kate of 'stereotyping' Meghan because she was an American actress and is divorced and biracial, saying it prevented them from 'welcoming her in'.

Asked what he meant, the duke said: 'Well, American actress, divorced, biracial, there's  there's all different parts to that and what that can mean but if you are, like a lot of my family do, if you are reading the Press, the British tabloids, at the same time as living the life, then there is a tendency where you could actually end up living in the tabloid bubble rather than the actual reality.'

Commenting on Prince Harry's latest television interview and memoir, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden said the royal appeared 'determined to change views' of his sister-in-law and 'trash her reputation'.

The expert said: 'What came across was Harry's desire to change the image that we have of Catherine. We have this image of her being very poised, elegant, calm.

'But no no, he was saying she was so angry that she was gripping the edge of the furniture so hard that her knuckles were going white.'

KING CHARLES III

Prince Harry pictured with his brother Prince William and father Prince Charles at the funeral of Princess Diana

Prince William, then Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Charles, then Prince of Wales, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones, Peter Phillips, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England

Spare appeared to reveal a lot of mixed feelings which Harry holds for his father, King Charles III.

While Charles is spared more pain than many had expected, Harry paints him as an ineffectual father who wasn't even able to hug him when telling him of his mother's death in a car crash.

The Duke revealed the moment he found out about the car crash in Paris in August 1997 for the first time, and also said he and William each have a lock of their mother's hair.

Harry writes about how the King sat him down on the bed to break the news of the car accident, calling him 'my dear son' as he told how Diana had sustained head injuries that didn't look likely to improve.

Although Harry says some aspects of his memory may not be entirely accurate, there are things he remembers 'clear as day' all these years on.

While he claims his father did not cry while breaking the news, he said the king put his hand on Harry's knee and claimed everything would be ok.

After his father left, he recalls sitting by himself while his brother William, whom he affectionately calls 'Willy', sat in a separate room.

Harry claims his memory has undergone 'decades of effort to reconstruct that morning', but after all this time he has come to an 'inescapable conclusion' - that he stayed alone in the room until 9am the following morning when the piper began to play outside.

He says that when he confided in Charles about suffering panic attacks as a grown man, the prince looked at his plate sadly and said he had failed him.

However, in what are sure to be distressing passages for the King, Harry describes how when he returned to the UK to attend Prince Philip's funeral in 2021, a clearly distressed Charles wailed at his warring sons not to make his 'final years a misery'.

PRINCE ANDREW

Prince Harry and Prince Andrew during the funeral of Prince Philip in April 2021

Elsewhere in the biography, Prince Harry became the first royal to make public comment about Prince Andrew's sex abuse scandal.

He actually writes about the Duke of York on a number of occasions in the tome.

He recalled the moment when Meghan Markle met his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for the first time and mistook Prince Andrew for her assistant.

Princess Anne Prince Harry makes very little reference to Princess Anne in the tome Prince Harry makes very little reference to Princess Anne in the tome. However one small anecdote towards the end of the book appears to show relations between the two in a positive light. He writes that it was his aunt who greeted him after he flew up to Balmoral to see the Queen following her death in September of last year He details: 'Aunt Anne was there to greet me. I hugged her. 'Wheres Pa and Willy? And Camilla? 'Gone to Birkhall, she said. She asked if I wanted to see Granny. 'YesI do. 'She led me upstairs, to Grannys bedroom.' Advertisement

He wrote: 'After a moment Meg asked me something about the Queen's assistant. I asked who she was talking about.

''That man holding the purse. That man who walked her to the door. That wasn't her assistant? Who was it?''

Harry quickly prompted her that it was in fact his uncle and told Meghan: 'That was her second son. Andrew.'

He wrote: 'She definitely hadn't googled us.'

Elsewhere, he labelled the Jeffrey Epstein affair 'a shameful scandal'.

No one in 'The Firm' had spoken about allegations that the Duke of York twice sexually assaulted Virginia Guiffre, who claimed she was trafficked by the late disgraced financier Epstein.

Andrew settled her lawsuit last year, accepting no liability, and has always denied any wrongdoing. But Prince Harry brings up the affair in his book Spare.

When his wife Meghan asks if the Royal Family might cut their security after they quit Britain for North America, he says there is 'no way', considering his uncle still gets protection.

Harry told her there was an 'obligation' and an 'implicit promise' to protect them.

Pushed by Meghan if it would ever be removed, he said: 'Never.

Not in this climate of hate. And not after what happened to my mother.'

The Duke of Sussex adds: 'Also, not in the wake of my Uncle Andrew. Despite being embroiled in a shameful scandal, accused of sexually assaulting a young girl, no one had even suggested removing his security. People have had plenty of reasons to complain about us, sex crimes weren't one of them.'

Prince Andrew has always denied the accusation.

However, once the couple stopped being working royals and moved to the US, they were no longer entitled to the security provided to the Royal Family.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Harry touched on the special bond he has with his grandmother in the explosive memoir. Pictured with his grandmother and Camilla, Queen Consort, in 2008

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry pictured in a tender moment as they attend at the Chelsea Flower show in 2015

Harry touched on the special bond he has with his grandmother in the explosive memoir.

He revealed how his wife Meghan 'bonded' with the late Queen by telling her how much she wanted to be a mother.

The sweet moment happened during Meghan's first joint engagement with the late monarch, which saw them travel to Cheshire on June 14 2018.

PRINCE PHILIP Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh pictured sharing a joke on the balcony during Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Parade in 2014 Prince Harry writes in loving terms about his grandfather Prince Philip, whom he refers to as Grandpa throughout the memoir. He praises his 'icy sense of humour', remembering: 'I recalled one particular shooting weekend years ago. A mate, just trying to make conversation, asked Grandpa what he thought of my new beard, which had been causing concern in the family and controversy in the press. 'Should the Queen Force Prince Harry to Shave? Grandpa looked at my mate, looked at my chin, broke into a devilish grin. THATS no beard!.' He praises his grandfather for 'embracing life' with 'passion' and compares him to his mother Diana. Advertisement

The Duchess of Sussex came home and told Harry that she and the Queen had strengthened their bond thanks to their love of dogs, and that she had told the monarch she wanted to be a mother.

Harry recounts that his grandmother told Meghan that the best way to induce labour was a 'bumpy car ride'.

Writing about Meghan's first engagement with the Queen, Harry says that his wife was 'glowing' when she returned from the trip and told him: 'We bonded.

'We talked about how much I wanted to be a mum and she told me the best way to induce labour was a good bumpy ride! I told her I'd remember that when the time came.'

Prince Harry also revealed his emotional final words to his beloved grandmother the Queen at Balmoral just hours after she passed away.

In his autobiography, the Duke of Sussex describes how he whispered to her that he 'hoped she was happy' and would be reunited with Prince Philip, who died a year earlier. He also told her that he admired her for having carried out her duties until the end.

Harry scrambled to Scotland to see the Queen - Britain's longest reigning monarch - on September 8 last year after Buckingham Palace announced that she was gravely ill. However, he failed to reach the estate before she passed away aged 96.

He writes: 'I advanced with uncertainty and saw her. I stayed still, watching her carefully for a good while.

'I whispered that I hoped she was happy and that she was with Grandfather now. I said that I admired her for having carried out her duties until the end. The [Platinum] Jubilee, the welcoming of the new Prime Minister'.

In press interviews, he has described his love for her fierce wit, saying she was 'sad' about Megxit - but not angry or upset with him.

GMA anchor Michael Strahan asked if Her Majesty, who died in September aged 96, was 'upset at you' for walking away from royal duties with his American wife Meghan Markle in early 2020.

'For what?', Harry replied, adding that his grandmother was 'sad' about what happened.

'I had many, many conversations with her both in the UK over the years and in the run-up to the point of this change, so it was never a surprise to anybody, least of all her', he said.

But hinting she was sidelined, he said: 'She knew what was going on. She knew how hard it was. I don't know whether she was in a position to be able to change it.' Harry also admitted that as his book comes out the divide between him and his family 'couldn't be greater'.

THE QUEEN MOTHER

Princes William and Harry and their father Prince Charles with The Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday August 4, 2001

And which members of the family aren't mentioned - at all? While Prince Harry goes into detail about some of his relationships in the book, other members of the family are mentioned only fleetingly, or not mentioned at all. COUSINS Princess Beatrice Zara Tindall Peter Philips Lady Louise James Viscount AUNTS/UNCLES Prince Edward Sophie Wessex Advertisement

Spare sees the Duke detailing - in painstaking detail - the call he received while at Eton, telling him his great grandmother had died on March 30, 2002.

He writes: 'At Eton, while studying, I took the call. I wish I could remember whose voice was at the other end; a courtier's I believe. I recall that it was just before Easter, the weather bright and warm, light slanting through my window, filled with vivid colours.'

However, the reliability of Prince Harry's memoir has been called into question after it emerged 'facts' about how he learned about the death of the Queen Mother cannot be accurate.

Resurfaced photographs appear to place the prince in Klosters, Switzerland, the weekend the Queen Mother died - not Eton.

Harry posed alongside his brother William and father Charles in a media call on March 29, having recently shrugged off a bout of glandular fever in time to hit the slopes.

It was his first public appearance after admitting to smoking cannabis and drinking underage, BBC reported at the time.

Prince Harry reportedly told the gathered crowd he was on doctors orders to 'take it easy' on the slopes, and appeared jovial by all accounts.

The trio leaned against a rock, laughed with one another and even put their arms around each other in the pictures.

Three friends from Eton were said to have accompanied the boys on the trip.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'It seems from the evidence, that he was undoubtedly in Klosters at when the Queen Mother died.'

'This portrait of being at Eton, ''the weather bright and warm, light slanting vivid colours'' is therefore inaccurate.'

READ MORE:

Prince Harry is 'rubbing salt in the wounds' of his family with his series of personal attacks and 'campaign of blame', royal sources say as he claims in latest TV interview that his family has launched a war against him

Keep calm and carry on! Princess Anne casts aside the furore around her nephew Prince Harry's memoir as she continues her royal duties by visiting British soldiers in Cyprus

'How could you say such things?' Prince Harry reveals how beloved nanny Tiggy and King Charles' friend Emilie van Cutsem berated him over explosive Oprah interview
The blogger said the burger is a 9/10 with an egg and 4/10 without one

The burger does not come with an egg this year, outraging food blogger Russ

Maccas fans are furious over a missing ingredient from the 2023 Aussie burger

Maccas fans have been left bitterly disappointed by one key issue with the new January menu launch, claiming the Aussie Angus burger was missing a key ingredient.

One fan, Russ from Russ Eats on Instagram, rated the burger four out of ten - because the chain left off the egg.

Speaking to his 38k followers the chemical engineer and self-described foodie said he was kicking his segment off 'with a scandal'.

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Russ from Russ Eats, pointed out McDonalds have taken the egg of this year's Aussie Angus, infuriating him and other burger lovers. The egg still appeared in part of the app on launch day

'The photo on here , on the app, shows an egg, but when you click into it the egg is gone and not listed in the ingredients,' he said, outraged.

'They have either forgotten it here or there is no egg this year,' he added.

He then pulled up stories of the 2022 release of the burger, which included an egg, and said taking it off is 'un-Australian'.

Russ ordered on the app and headed to the restaurant to pick up the new items, which also included a potato scallop and Hokey Pokey milkshake.

The pick up confirmed the restaurant had scrapped egg from the popular menu item.

'No egg,' he said showing the burger to the camera.

'Confirmed no egg on the Aussie Angus.'

He confirmed there is no egg and flashed a picture of the burger he got in drive through

Russ said the burger would have scored 'nine out of ten' if it had an egg, but gave it a four instead.

He gave the potato scallops three out of ten - because it tasted like a 'servo scallop' that ha been under heat lamps too long rather than the superior 'fish and chip shop' scallop.

The restaurant's Hokey Pokey milkshake was good, according to Russ, who gave it a nine out of ten.

Other furious customers have claimed they tried to order the Aussie Angus only to be told there wouldn't be beetroot on their order.

'No egg, not beetroot, that isn't an Aussie burger it is a food crime,' said one devastated snacker.

Other Maccas fans complained there was no beetroot available when they tried to order the burger online

Russ scored the burger a 4/10 and said he was also disappointed by the potato scallops

Russ' fans agreed with his strong stance against the new beef burger.

'You cant say a burger is Aussie if theres no egg. We riot,' one man wrote.

'No beetroot, no pineapple I can understand from a giant chain. But no f***ing egg!? They f***ing sell eggs already. I'M lovin' it NO MORE,' slammed another.

One staff member said there is a very logical explanation to the lack of egg.

'They removed the egg because of no longer all day breakfast we don't cook eggs after then,' they said.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to McDonald's Australia for comment.

Maccas announced the new menu on Tuesday with the launch going in store on Wednesday.

The new menu also includes a new McSpicy burger which Russ didn't try on camera.
The Queen of Jordan had strong words of praise for the Princess of Wales in an interview which has resurfaced in the wake of Prince Harry's memoir release.

Queen Rania, 52, was asked about Kate Middleton during an interview with CNN which was recorded in London in September 2022, ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral.

Speaking of the mother-of-three, Rania, who is married to King Abdullah II of Jordan, praised Kate for her sense of duty, saying she 'gives from the heart.'

She also said there was a 'sense of sincerity' and 'love' in everything that the Princess of Wales does in a clip of her interview reshared online by a royal fan.

Queen Rania of Jordan, 52, praised the Princess of Wales' passion for royal duty in an interview with CNN which was recorded in London in September 2022, ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral

'Princess Catherine, when she talks about her work, her face lights up,' Rania said.

'She does it out of a sense of duty but more importantly, she does it because she absolutely cares.

Her praise didn't stop there, as she said the Princess of Wales 'gives from the heart.'

'When she talks about her work, she'd say: "I'm just lucky to be doing this, I have the privilege of doing that".' she said.

The Jordanian Queen said Kate Middleton, pictured on Christmas Day in Sandringham, 'gives from the heart'

'So she gives from her heart. And again, there is a sense of sincerity and a sense of love in everything that she does.'

It comes as the Princess of Wales was seen for the first time since the release of her brother-in-law's explosive memoirs Spare yesterday.

The Duke of Sussex gave his first full account of the infamous bridesmaid dress fitting at the heart of 'Megxit', claiming Princess Charlotte 'cried when she tried it on at home' and insisting the incident was driven by his sister-in-law Kate, who appeared irritated that it had taken Meghan a day to get back to her about the problem.

The disagreement between the two women was, he claims, further exacerbated by Kate's unwillingness to visit Meghan's tailor at Kensington Palace and suggestions that they hold a party for the page boys when his bride-to-be was busy dealing with a row with her father, Thomas Markle.

Queen Rania said Kate's face 'light's up' when she talks of the royal works she does, and that there is a sense of 'sincerity' in everything she does (pictured together with the Prince of Wales and King Abdullah II during a reception at Windsor Castle during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in May 2012)

Prince Harry also talked of the friction between his wife and sister-in-law in the book, recalling the first Trooping the Colours Meghan Markle attended as a member of the royal family in 2018.

In Spare, which went on sale on Tuesday, Prince Harry spoke of one of his first public appearances with his wife at the celebration of the Queen's official birthday in 2018.

But Harry describes how the bright atmosphere took a turn when Kate asked Meghan what she thought of the occasion and the new royal family member jokingly responded with 'colourful'.

Speaking about the ensuing uneasiness, the duke writes that 'a yawning silence threatened to swallow us all whole'.

Revelations of the encounter come as Harry has divulged details of the long-standing tension between the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales in his new book and across a series of interviews.

During his ITV interview with Tom Bradby on Sunday, the Duke of Sussex, 38, recounted an awkward meeting that took place in summer 2018 in Kensington Palace between him, Meghan Markle and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The father-of-two claims they had organised to meet in an attempt to clear the air following a series of disagreements, including Meghan commenting on Kate's 'baby brain', which William labelled 'rude'.

Later on, the Duke describes how Kate was gripping the edges of her leather chair so tightly that her 'fingers turned white'.

Commenting on the interview, royal expert and the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden said: 'What came across was Harry's desire to change the image that we have of Catherine. We have this image of her being very poised, elegant, calm.

'But no no, he was saying she was so angry that she was gripping the edge of the furniture so hard that her knuckles were going white.'

Elsewhere in his memoir, Prince Harry alleges that William 'attacked' him over his relationship with the former Suits actress in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

The expert added: 'He also makes it sound like Catherine wanted to strangle Meghan! It's really dramatic stuff.'

During the ITV interview, Prince Harry opened up about his family's initial reaction to his relationship with Meghan Markle in an interview with his friend Tom Bradby.

Although the Duke claims the Prince and Princess of Wales were 'religious viewers' of Suits, he agreed with Tom Bradby that it was 'fair' to say that his family 'didn't get on' with his wife 'almost from the get-go'.

He explained: 'There was a lot of stereotyping that was happening, that I was guilty of as well, at the beginning.'

He said the 'stereotyping' of Meghan, in part by William and Kate, was causing a 'barrier' to his family, preventing them from 'welcoming her in.'

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Women from all over the world have dazzled in elaborate gowns during the 'national costume' round of the 71st Miss Universe Competition.

Almost 90 women took part in the competition at New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana, paying homage to their countries.

Miss Great Britain, Noky Simbani wore an elegant white and gown with silver and sapphire diamante detailing and lavish velvet emerald cape with fur trim. The 26-year-old from Derbyshire also wore a small silver crown, which looked like it could have been referencing the late Queen Elizabeth II as she represented Great Britain to the world.

Elsewhere, Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore appeared on stage dressed in a luscious ruby cape and full lion's mask, the animal aligned with the nation, and Miss Italy, Virginia Stablum dressed in full Venetian regalia complete with a Venetian mask.

Yes, Your Majesty! Miss Great Britain Noky Simbani looked regal on stage during the 71st Miss Universe Competition's national costume round. Noky, from Derbyshire paid homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II in an emerald velvet cape with fur trim and stunning silver crown

Lady in pink! Miss Laos, Payengxa Lor stunned as she took the stage in an extravagant beaded headdress. Following with textures, Miss Laos' traditional pink dress, was full of pom poms, tassels and even more beads in all shades of pink

Now you see me! Miss Italy, Virginia Stablum took a progressive approach when she stepped out in full male Venetian regalia, complete with a Venetian mask

In full bloom! Looking to the coast of her country Miss Bulgaria's Kristina Plamenova dressed as a sand lily, which are commonly found along parts of the Bulgarian coast line

Waffley cute! Paying a rightful tribute to the humble stroopwafel, Miss Netherlands, Ona Moody fashioned it as a tutu. And if that wasn't enough she wore a teapot on her head to compliment

Working the sass! Toshami Calvin, Miss Jamaica, put on a feisty display as she appeared on stage with stag sword and blowing horn. She was dressed in extravagant emerald green feathers and sequins

Reclaiming identity! Miss El Salvador, Alexjandra Guajardo Sada appeared on stage dressed as a colon, which was the currency of El Salvador from 1892 until 2001, when it was replaced by the US dollar during the presidency of Francisco Flores

Warrior the water! Laksmi De Neefe Suardana, Miss Indonesia wore a stunning gold embellished leotard and incorporated many aspects into the rest of her outfit - On her shoulders and above her head she wore spectacular golden sea ship, with sails and her hand held a mighty spear

Golden angel! Walking on stage in a stunning intricate golden sari, Miss India, Divita Rai also added a brilliant pair of shimmering golden angel wings

Fiery and feisty! Miss Colombia, Maria Fernanda Aristizabal (left) wore a magnificent firebird outfit, in shocking shades of yellow, orange and red. Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez (right) stepped out in a golden feathery creation, which could have been referencing the Dominican Republic's national bird - the palmchat

And while there were some fiery explosions of colour, flames and wings, other women took a subtler approach to their gowns, opting for a more ethereal dialed back tone.

Miss Iceland, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir, for example, walked on stage in a strapless white gown with a full skirt, detailing illustrations of her country. And Miss Costa Rica, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez Avila walked on stage as sultry, hummingbird in deep blues and greens.

Miss Cayman Islands, Chloe Powery-Doxey and Miss Haiti, Mideline Phelizor both attempted to incorporate plants and earthly elements into their national dress.

Elegant and etheral! Miss Iceland, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir wore a simple white strapless gown with a full skirt and train as she walked on stage. The train however detailed stunning illustrations of her country

Mother nature! Miss Haiti, Mideline Phelizor walked on stage with her country. As she spread her arms she held out a wonderful green landscape picture of the country. She also wore a stunning headdress of ferns

Ready for spring! Miss Costa Rica, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez Avila walked on stage as sultry, hummingbird in deep blues and greens. Her navy leotard, fish net tights and platform heels were all adorned in silver sequins.

At one with nature! Miss Belize, Ashley Lightburn (left) not only wore the jungle on her right shoulder, but also the moon on her left. Her leotard was fashioned with a leopards face that ran down into a half skirt. While Miss Cayman Islands, Chloe Powery-Doxey (right) also wore parts of the local horticulture but also paid homage to the islands extensive water activities by dressing in a sea blue leotard with sequins shimmering like the ocean

The European countries decided to add some sparkle and mystique into their gowns at Miss Universe. Miss Germany, Soraya Kohlmann walked on stage with a fake white cat, dressed as a seductive magician.

Miss Finland, Petra Hamalainen, on the other hand, donned a one shoulder floor length, deep green sequin gown, complete with black feather gloves up to her elbows.

However, Miss France, Floriane Bascou went all out in the nation's colours, in an extravagant outfit that could slot right into Emily in Paris.

Ornamental! Miss Guatemala, Ivana Batchelor chose an extravagant golden masterpiece for her gown. The intricate detailing featured birds, masks and stairways all in exquisite diamonds and jewels

Stylish in sequins! Miss Germany, Soraya Kohlmann (left) walked on stage with a fake white cat, dressed in a sequin leotard with over the knee black boots and matching tailored jacket. Miss Finland, Petra Hamalainen (right) donned a one shoulder floor length, deep green sequin gown, complete with black feather gloves up to her elbows

Emily in Miss Universe Competition! Miss France, Floriane Bascou stepped out in an extravagant feathery number, complete with the Eifel tower on her head

Perfectly poised! Miss Canada, Amelia Tu put on a beautiful ballet display, when she entered the stage in her ruby red tutu and crown

Patriotic! Mouketey Lynette Monalisa Jellym Miss Cameroon, incorporated many elements of her nation into her outfit. She wore a basket on her back, highlighting that there is still work to be done to achieve equality for women in the country

Feathers were also popular at the event in New Orleans; Miss Nigeria, Hannah Iribhogbe walked on stage dressed as a white bird and holding red sculpture of a traditional face.

Miss Argentina, Barbara Cabrera also dressed in white features, with huge plumes coming out of her head dress, while Miss Kyrgyzstan, Altynai Botoyarova wore a floor length white gown for the competition, which was full of tulle ruffles and a delicate feather design from the bodice down to the skirt.

Where some of the women wore white, a symbol of peace, other's used the competition to voice political concerns.

Not only did Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore wear a lion's head for the competition but her outfit also featured the sign 'Paz Y Justicia', which is a Human Rights Non Governmental Organisation in Latin America.

Miss Armenia, Kristina Ayanian walked on stage in a regal crimson cape and gown, adorned with jewels. She also held a matching shield and in her right hand held a sign saying 'Armenia for the right to live' referencing recent disputes in the country over ownership of land

A mermaid's tale! Miss Brazil, Mia Mamede stepped on stage as a blue and purple mermaid. She also wore a pearl on her head and a shell cape that she could wear up or down

Waving the white flag! Miss Japan, Marybelen Sakamoto wore a long white dress with gold and silver shards around the skirt when she stepped out at the national costume round of the competition

Hear me roar! Not only did Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore wear a lion's head for the competition but her outfit also featured the sign 'Paz Y Justicia', which is a Human Rights Non Governmental Organisation in Latin America

Traditional! Miss Korea, Hannah Kim wore a traditional hanbok dress, in an array of peach, pink, red and lavender shades. The bodice was a silky burnt orange

Sparkles galore! Miss Nicaragua, Norma Huembes wore a purple jump suit covered from head-to-toe in sequins and beads. Her elaborate cape and train was in the same style and her headdress featured Nicaragua's national flower the sacuanjoche

Full of feathers! Miss Nigeria, Hannah Iribhogbe (left) walked on stage dressed as a white bird and holding red sculpture of a traditional face. Miss Argentina, Barbara Cabrera (right) also dressed in white features, with huge plumes coming out of her head dress

Looking all white! Miss Kyrgyzstan, Altynai Botoyarova wore a floor length white gown for the competition, which was full of tulle ruffles and a delicate feather design from the bodice down to the skirt

Fighting for rights! Miss Armenia, Kristina Ayanian walked on stage in a regal crimson cape and gown, adorned with jewels. She also held a matching shield and in her right hand held a sign saying 'Armenia for the right to live' referencing recent disputes in the country over ownership of land

Going all out! Miss Ghana, Engracia Mofuman wore a golden gown, with a jeweled bodice and on the skirt illustrations of the people of Ghana

A Greek goddess! Surprisingly it isn't the large peacock on Miss Greece, Korina Emmanouilidou's shoulder that you first notice when you see her outfit. But her bodice appears to be a light with flames or power

A display of colour! Miss Aruba, Kiara Arends (left) wore a huge golden sun hat. She opted for a skimpy bikini top decorated with star fish and a bright neon ruffled skirt. Miss Mexico, Irma Cristina Miranda Valenzuela (right) while wearing a mainly black dress coat and sombrero spiced her outfit with many colourful roses embroidered on the back of her dress on the rim of the hat

Precious in pastels: Miss Australia, Monique Riley walked out in a strapless floor length chiffon gown, in an array of cute pastel shades - including blue, green, pink and yellow

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Prince Harry has left readers wincing with his account of applying Elizabeth Arden cream used by his late mother to his frostbitten penis in 2011.

The moment appears in his explosive memoir Spare, with a clip from the audiobook narrated by the Duke of Sussex himself making the rounds on social media, where horrified readers have called it a 'Freudian nightmare.'

In the passage, Harry recalls that his late mother Princess Diana used to apply the cream to her lips, and says the smell of the product made him feel like his mother 'was right there in the room' before he applied the cream to his penis.

Prince Harry, 38, recounts how a friend recommended he use the product on the injured area after he returned from a trip to the North Pole before his brother Prince William's wedding.

Prince Harry has left readers wincing after recounting applying an Elizabeth Arden cream worn by his late mother to his frostbitten penis after his trip to the North Pole in 2011

Harry recounts he had been unsuccessful with home remedies to heal his ailment when a friend recommended he use the Elizabeth Arden formula.

'My mum used that on her lips. You want me to put that on my todger?' he said.

After his pal's reassurance that the cream worked, Harry procured himself a tube, saying the smell of it brought him back to his childhood, when his mother was still alive.

'I felt as if my mother was right there in the room. Then I took a smidge and applied itdown there,' he recalled.

Some readers joked the book was a 'Freudian nightmare' after Prince Harry recounting thinking of his mother before applying the cream to his penis

The Duke of Sussex recounts how the late Princess Diana would sometime apply the cream to her lips. Pictured in 1995

The royal can be heard marking a pregnant pause before delivering this last night in the audiobook version of Spare, which is being widely shared online.

Some readers suggested the cream Prince Harry references in the book is the 8h cream from the brand, which comes in a tube, like he describes in the book

Readers discovering this moment of Harry's explosive memoirs have branded it a 'Freudian nightmare.'

'PS NO mother wants to be "right there in the room! upon the application of 8 hour cream ahem "down there",' one wrote.

'I need therapy after listening to this,' said another.

'Talk about a member of the royal family,' one joked.

'My Prince Wrote A Porno,' another wrote, in reference to the comedy podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno.'

The reaction to this particular clip caused 'Elizabeth Arden' to trend on British Twitter, with quips about the scene and the brand populated the social media platform.

'If you think youre having a bad day, spare a thought for the social media manager at @ElizabethArden who has just gone from working at a global beauty product company to a premium nob cream company in the past few hours or so,' one said

'I genuinely think if the Queen was still alive, reading about prince harry thinking of his dead mum whilst he used Elizabeth Arden on his frostbitten c*** wouldve killed her,' one wrote.

'The words my penis, mother and lips should NEVER be used together ANYWHERE,' another said.

Readers cringed at the audiobook clip after it was spread online, with some joking they will need therapy after listening to the extract, narrated by Harry himself

The book, filled with explosive revelations about Prince Harry and the royal family, has been dominating public conversation since it was released on Tuesday.

Prince Harry's ghostwriter today defended Spare from damaging claims of inaccuracy and historical errors, insisting 'inadvertent mistakes' are common in memoirs where 'the line between memory and fact is blurry'.

J.R. Moehringer, who has also authored autobiographies for Andre Agassi and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, came to the defence of the book he was reportedly paid $1million to write.

Sharing an excerpt from Harry's book, emphasising that the exiled prince himself admits at times said he was unsure of all the details he shares, often blaming trauma in childhood. But in the same book he also insists: 'It's important that history has it right'.

Mr Moehringer tweeted Harry's words last night: 'Whatever the cause, my memory is my memory... there's just as much truth in what I remember and how I remember it as there is in so-called objective facts'.

He also tweeted a quote from Mary Karr, author of The Art of Memoir, which said: 'The line between memory and fact is blurry, between interpretation and fact. There are inadvertent mistakes of those kind out of the wazoo.'

Harry has been accused of a litany of factual errors, including claiming that he was descended from King Henry VI, saying he was given an XBox by his mother before they were manufactured, and stating that Meghan Markle's father was bought a Mexico-London flight ticket on Air New Zealand, which does not fly that route.

And this week more errors emerged, including his memory of the Queen Mother's funeral, an anecdote criticising his stepmother Camilla and British high street giant TK Maxx even corrected another claim in the bombshell book where he details shopping in the store next to Kensington Palace with 200 to buy as much as he could in 15 minutes.

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So is this why 'recollections may vary'? Prince Harry admits to 'spotty memory' after Diana's death - but insists his memories have just as 'much truth' as 'so-called objective facts'

A united fashion front! Princess of Wales recycles Holland Cooper coat to match her husband's green and navy outfit as they step out for the first time since Spare - and wears Diana's earrings for good measure

My Kate Middleton-inspired wardrobe ALL comes from charity shops - I've saved around 8,000 on designer clothes
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The latest TikTok-viral product? A simple insulated cup that keeps your drink ice-cold - but it's nearly impossible to get your hands on one in the UK.

Arguably one of the most viral TikTok products right now, Stanley's Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler has taken social media by storm with the hashtag 'stanleycup' amassing a whopping 3.3 billion views.

Pizkiru 30 oz Tumbler - Pink For those looking for a cheaper alternative to the TikTok-famous Stanley Tumbler, this Pizkiru Mug Tumbler available on Amazon is a cheaper alternative. Available in sizes 20-30 oz, the travel mug currently costs 27.64-52, depending on what size and colourway you select. The near-identical tumbler features a lid with a removable straw, a handle and a ceramic-coated insulated body. The brand claims it will keep drinks hot for eight hours and cold for an entire day. Shop

Cheaper alternative: For those that want to save coins and can't justify spending over 50 on Stanley's Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler, this Pizkiru Mug Tumbler available on Amazon costs as little as 27.64

The insulated 40-ounce cup stays cold for hours, has a spill-proof lid, features a straw and an ergonomic handle and easily fits in just about any car cup holder.

Not to mention, it comes in an array of millennial hues from pastel pink and cream to eucalyptus green.

Why it has gained enormous internet hype still begs the question. Still, one of the most viral video trends is people sharing their morning routines, with many TikTokers featuring the cup by their bedside, on their desks and kitchen counters.

The near-identical tumbler features a lid with a removable straw, a handle and a ceramic-coated insulated body

The in-demand Stanley cup, available with limited stock on Amazon UK, is priced from 80, whereas it costs just $40 in the US. And on eBay, the travel cup is being resold for up to 100.

For those that want to save coins and can't justify spending over 50 on Stanley's Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler, this Pizkiru Mug Tumbler available on Amazon is a cheaper alternative.

Available in sizes 20-30 oz, the travel mug currently costs 27.64-52, depending on what size and colourway you select.

The near-identical tumbler features a lid with a removable straw, a handle and a ceramic-coated insulated body. The brand claims it will keep drinks hot for eight hours and cold for an entire day.

Hundreds of Amazon reviewers have given the Pizkiru Mug Tumbler a perfect rating, calling it an 'amazing buy', 'great for the money' and a 'solid mug' that 'keeps drink cold for hours'.

The brand claims it will keep drinks hot for eight hours and cold for an entire day

A bestseller in the site's Insulated Tumblers category, others have compared it to YETI Rambler Mugs, another popular reusable mug.

'I love that this tumbler keeps my beverage cold all day!' one reviewer wrote. 'It's leakproof and very sturdy. I love that this tumbler has a handle, unlike other tumblers. It also fits in my car drink holder. I take it with me everywhere.'

'I finally found the perfect cup!' another five-star reviewer shared. 'I haven't tried this for anything hot yet.

'This keeps your beverage cold for at least 10 hours. I have went to bed with ice in the cup and it is still there in the morning.'

A third raved: 'Solid. Save $15-$20 without the Yeti branding and get an arguably better mug. Or at least equivalent.'
The Spanish Queen looked sensational in a 70 Mango dress as she paid a visit to Isla del Rey in Menorca, today.

Queen Letizia joined her husband King Felipe VI for the couple's first outing since the announcement of the death of his uncle King Constantine of Greece on January 10, aged 82.

The couple are set to attend the Greek royal's funeral on January 16 at the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

This evening, the royal pair attended the official opening of Llabres Pharmacy.

Queen Letizia and King Felipe pictured at the opening of Llabres Pharmacy this evening. The mother-of-two opted for a high street dress by Mango

While King Felipe was dapper in a pinstripe suit, Letizia was a vision in her black-and-white paisley high street dress.

To offset the floaty, billowing sleeves, the dress cinched the Queen in at the waist and stops just below the knee.

For the formal occasion, the mother-of-two opted for a pair of black leather boots.

Earlier in the day, Letizia had been spotted in a chic white coat by & Other Stories as as she and Felipe toured a hospital museum and a basilica with Spanish officials.

To offset the floaty, billowing sleeves, the 70 Mango dress cinched the Queen in at the waist and stops just below the knee.

Letizia styled her hair in an elegant bun as she took her seat next to husband King Felipe at the event in Menorca

For the afternoon outing, the Queen wore her brown locks in an elegant and wind-proof updo.

She accessorised with a black and white satchel that added some trendy edge to the overall look and a row of three earrings

She donned a glamourous day makeup with just the right amount of blush to add definition to her cheeks.



She opted for an orange eyeshadow that brought out the colour of her blue yes, and her regulation eyeliner and mascara.

King Felipe i and Queen Letizia of Spain, 50, visited Isla del Rey in Menorca this morning, in their first joined engagement since the death of his uncle, King Constantine of Greece

For the outing, Letizia opted for a white oversized coat, which she wore over a floral black and white number with black leather boots

The couple toured a hospital and a basilica during their visit. Felipe looked dapper in a grey pinstriped suit

The mother-of-two sported a nude glossy lip to keep the look natural and efortlessly chic.

Meanwhile, King Felipe VI looked dapper in a grey pinstriped suit and a light blue shirt with a blue tiw.

It is the first time the couple were seen since the death of King Constantine of Greece, Felipe's uncle and the brother of his mother, Queen Sofia.

The royal couple were accompanied by the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism Rosana Morillo, President of the Balearic Islands Francina Armengol and Delegate of the Government Aina Calvo, right

The Greek King will be buried in Athens on Monday, with the Spanish royals thought to be among those attending.

Constantine, who was also Prince William's godfather and the nephew of the Duke of Edinburgh, died aged 82.

The last king of Greece - who was exiled in 1967 after a military coup - was admitted to the private Hygeia Hospital in Athens last week with breathing difficulties.

He died 'of a stroke' on Tuesday evening, local media reported, following several hospital admissions in recent months.

Staff at the private Hygeia Hospital in Athens said Constantine had been treated in an intensive care unit.

Letizia's hair was styled in an elegant updo, with her trademark grey streak glimming in the light

The Spanish Queen looked relaxed during the tour, while her husband appeared deep in thoughts

The King of Spain smile during the tour, which marks the couple's first joined outing since the death of his uncle

When he acceded to the throne as Constantine II at the age of 23 in 1964, the youthful monarch, who had already achieved glory as an Olympic gold medalist in sailing, was hugely popular.

By the following year, he had squandered much of that support with his active involvement in the machinations that brought down the popularly elected Centre Union government of prime minister George Papandreou.

The episode, still widely known in Greece as the 'apostasy' or defection from the ruling party of several politicians, destabilised the constitutional order and led to a military coup in 1967.

The couple got a warm reception at the hospital museum during their tour, with Letizia shaking hands

The couple stopped for a minute to enjoy the view from the top parts of the museum during their visit

The pair seemed to be enjoying an animate conversation, with Letizia giving her husband a warm smile

The couple took part in a photocall with the government delegate who had travelled to Menorca with them

Constantine eventually clashed with the military rulers and was forced into exile.

The dictatorship abolished the monarchy in 1973, while a referendum after democracy was restored in 1974 dashed any hopes Constantine had of reigning again.

Reduced in the following decades to only fleeting visits to Greece, which raised a political and media storm each time, he was able in his waning years to settle again in his home country, when opposing his presence no longer held currency as a badge of vigilant republicanism.

With minimal nostalgia for the monarchy in Greece, Constantine became a relatively uncontroversial figure from the past.

Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and princess Federica of Hanover.

His older sister Sophia is the wife of former king Juan Carlos I of Spain.

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Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece shares a cheeky picture of Prince Harry's Spare on display alongside the novel How To Kill Your Family
Prince William and Kate Middleton seemed to send out a united front, wearing colour-coordinated outfits in their first official engagement since the release of Prince Harry's book Spare.

The couple - who have both been heavily criticised by Prince Harry is his new biography - were in Liverpool to officially open the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Looking effortlessly stylish and cheerful, they both appeared happy and at ease in matching navy and green outfits.

The Princess of Wales also wore diamond and sapphire earrings once owned by Princess Diana.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to officially open the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool

The couple seemed to enjoy the engagement and were met with cheers despite Harry's recent truth bombs.

Kate wore a 995 Holland Cooper double-breasted tartan trench coat made from merino lambs wool.

Leaving it open on the bright but cold day, she also showed off her Ceffin Eva rib-knit wool maxi dress, costing 290, with a flared skirt and funnel neck.

She accessorised it with a black clutch bag, letting her long hair blow loose in the wind.

She also wore minimal make-up, while also opting to wear Princess Diana's earrings made of sapphire and diamond.

Kate has previously worn her warm coat as she planted a tree in memory of the late Queen at Westminster last month.

The couple seemed to put on a cheerful and united front at the event - wearing matching outfits

Kate, 41, wore a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings that once belonged to the late Princess Diana

Prince William meanwhile matched his wife perfectly.

Wearing blue trousers, a navy jacket and green jumper, he waved at the crowd and smiled for the press.

It was the couple's first official engagement since the release of Prince Harry's memoir.

The book details Prince harry boasting about how many Taliban fighters he killed, as well as how he lost his virginity.

He also wrote about a steamy session he had with Meghan in Soho House.

And he reveals more about the infamous argument between Meghan and Kate over the bridesmaid dresses.

The book also details how William attacked him and hurled him to the floor following a row over Meghan.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the new hospital to thank health workers for their commitment.

The state-of-the-art hospital is the biggest in the country and provides inpatients with ensuite bathrooms, designed to improve patient experience.

The couple were also expected to meet those involved in mental health support.

What biography? The couple seemed in great spirits as they undertook the engagement at the hospital

Appearing to show a united front, they wore matching colours, with Kate stunning in a tarten coat

The princess also carried a black clutch bag and wore her long brunette hair loose over her shoulders

She appeared all smiles - despite suffering from heavy criticism in the book from both Harry and Meghan

Kate looked as stylish as ever, with her trench coat left open to show off her navy rib knit dress beneath

The couple made the visit to Liverpool to open the new hospital and thank staff for their hard work

The Princess of Wales wore minimal make-up for the occasion, and was perfectly happy smiling to the waiting fans

It is thought that Kate will shine a light on mental health provision while at the hospital.

Her charity work through the Royal Foundation heavily focusses on this.

She and William will also meet some of the critical care team they previously met on a video call in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The couple and Kensington Palace so far have not commented on Prince Harry's claims.

It follows reports that senior royals want to ban the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the King's Coronation this year.

Meanwhile, King Charles is also 'carrying on as normal' in Scotland.

The King said he was 'very impressed' as he was presented with a plaque made to commemorate his visit to community groups in Aberdeenshire.

Charles also drank tea with members of the Aboyne Men's Shed, which is housed in the community shed, and watched craft skills including wood and stone carving in action.

Dressed in a hunting Stewart tartan kilt, the King then unveiled the plaque, made by Men's Shed member Tony Atherton, to a round of applause and said: 'I am very impressed.'

Read more

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King Charles III left the room in stitches after he forgot what the date was while signing a book during a royal engagement.

The monarch, 74, enjoyed a moment of levity amid a media storm around Prince Harry's explosive memoir as he laughed off the blunder while visiting the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed.

Donning a kilt and blazer for his trip to Scotland, the royal was seen making small talk with others at the hub - a local space which aims to brings its residents together through workshops, arts, crafts and other wellbeing activities.

However, a video from the Daily Mail's royal editor Rebecca English on Twitter captured a light-hearted moment in which he needed to ask what day of January it is while signing the guest book.

King Charles left the room in stitches after he forgot what the date was while signing a book during a royal engagement

'January the something,' he can be heard saying, before quickly adding, 'the twelfth.'

A helpful bystander gleefully confirmed the date.

'I'm still summer of '22, Sir,' he joked.

The clip also showed a snippet of the king's conversation with what appears to be a volunteer at the hub.

The King said he was 'very impressed' as he was presented with a plaque made to commemorate his visit to community groups in Aberdeenshire. He also drank tea with members of the Aboyne Men's Shed, which is housed in the community shed, and watched craft skills including wood and stone carving in action.

Charles' visit, which shows him in seemingly high spirits, is a contrast to his appearance earlier today.

The monarch, 74, enjoyed a moment of levity amid a media storm around Prince Harry's explosive memoir as he laughed off the blunder while visiting the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed

The King looked stony-faced as he got behind the wheel of his car near Birkhall, Aberdeenshire - hours after the Princess of Wales also broke cover for the first time since Prince Harry's bombshell memoir hit the shelves.

It marked the first time he has been seen in public since his youngest son appeared on US talk shows downing tequila shots to promote his controversial autobiography.

Harry told The Late Show that he and Meghan were 'forced' to flee 'our home country' of Britain for 'beautiful California' because of 'abuse and harassment'.

He then said: 'We have created a fantastic life here in California, which by the way is beautiful, and America is a great place to live,' before clinking glasses with Colbert to wild cheers.

The king pictured meeting with wellwishers during a visit to the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire

The king met with local hardship support groups and was given tour of new facilities on his visit

His Majesty has maintained a dignified silence throughout the onslaught of attacks from the Duke of Sussex .

He and Camilla reportedly arrived at their 'marital home' in Scotland last week for a 'well-deserved' break.

Birkhall is where Charles and Camilla became engaged, and where they honeymooned in 2005.

The King has previously revealed he finds the property 'calming and peaceful'.

Charles appeared in good spirits and was seen having a chuckle with members of the public despite the drama Prince Harry has caused with his memoir, Spare

He told The BBC: 'One of the most marvellous things about [Birkhall] is it's by this river called the Muick, and it has this wonderful sound of rushing water.

'When you are in the house, it's very calming and peaceful, I think. It also was the first place that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought in 1848 before they bought Balmoral it has a very special atmosphere.

'The house is rather wonderful because it was built in 1713 and there have been extensions put on ever since, but it is its setting and its atmosphere.'

The Princess of Wales today also stepped out in public for the first time since Harry made a slew of claims about her fractious relationship with Meghan.

Prince Harry has claimed the Princess of Wales was among the members of his family who 'stereotyped' his wife Meghan. The royal wives are pictured in June 2018

The Duke of Sussex gave his first full account of the infamous bridesmaid dress fitting at the heart of 'Megxit', claiming Princess Charlotte 'cried when she tried it on at home' and insisting the incident was driven by his sister-in-law Kate, who appeared irritated that it had taken Meghan a day to get back to her about the problem.

The disagreement between the two women was, he claims, further exacerbated by Kate's unwillingness to visit Meghan's tailor at Kensington Palace and suggestions that they hold a party for the page boys when his bride-to-be was busy dealing with a row with her father, Thomas Markle.

Harry also used an interview with ITV journalist, and old friend, Tom Bradby to accuse Kate of 'stereotyping' Meghan because she was an American actress and is divorced and biracial, saying it prevented them from 'welcoming her in'.

Prince Harry told Tom Bradby that he felt 'slightly awkward' being a 'third wheel' to Prince William and Kate Middleton before meeting Meghan. The trio pictured in 2012

Asked what he meant, the duke said: 'Well, American actress, divorced, biracial, there's  there's all different parts to that and what that can mean but if you are, like a lot of my family do, if you are reading the Press, the British tabloids, at the same time as living the life, then there is a tendency where you could actually end up living in the tabloid bubble rather than the actual reality.'

Meghan was previously married to American TV producer Trevor Engelson for three years from 2011 until 2014.

Before meeting Harry, Meghan starred in US legal drama series Suits in which she played paralegal-turned-lawyer Rachel Zane.

Tom said that Harry saw his brother's wife as 'the sister you never had', with the pair having known each other since soon after William and Kate started dating in 2003.

It marked the first time he has been seen in public since his youngest son appeared on US talk shows downing tequila shots to promote his controversial autobiography

The pair are believed to have got on well, with Harry joining her and William on engagements before he met Meghan - although he told Bradby that while the events were 'fun', he sometimes felt 'slightly awkward' being the 'third wheel'.

Harry also said the idea of himself, his wife and the Prince and Princess of Wales being the 'fab four' was 'something the British Press created' and it 'creates competition'.

He told Tom: 'The idea of the four of us being together was always a hope for me.

'Before it was Meghan, whoever it was going to be, I always hoped that the four of us would get on.

'But very quickly it became Meghan versus Kate.

'And that, when it plays out so publicly, you can't hide from that, right? Especially when within my family you have the newspapers laid out pretty much in every single palace and house that is around.'

READ MORE:

King Charles looks grim-faced after Harry's latest US interview saw the Prince down tequila shots, mock Royal protocol and declare 'America a great place to live' after he and Meghan were 'forced' to flee UK

Toasting his new life in America, showing off the necklace that William 'broke' and fact-checking The Crown: The top moments from Harry's interview with Stephen Colbert

Cheers for Wills, Kate and King Charles! Royals met by delighted fans on first public engagements since bitter Harry's US media blitz - as monarch jokes with charity workers in Scotland and William and Kate take selfies with nurses in new hospital
Prince Harry's former fling Catherine Ommanney has labelled Meghan Markle 'manipulative and controlling' and said she 'would have loved him to marry someone like Kate Middleton'.

Appearing on GB News last night, the Real Housewives of DC star, 51, told host Dan Wootton that the Duke of Sussex is 'not the person' she once knew.

The mother-of-three - who grew up in London - claims she had a one-month fling with the royal in 2006 when she was 34 and he was 21.

Although she has yet to read Prince Harry's memoir, which hit shelves on Tuesday, the reality star says she was 'shocked' to hear about some of its most controversial revelations - including the Duke detailing how he lost his virginity to an unknown older woman in a field behind a pub.

Catherine Ommanney (pictured on Good Morning Britain on Monday) has said Prince Harry has 'dug himself a big hole' as she blasted 'manipulative' Meghan Markle

'I've got absolutely no idea why [he's done this],' she said. 'But I'm shocked.'

When quizzed about Harry's marriage, Catherine admitted: 'I would have loved for him to have ended up with somebody like Kate, who is suitable to the role.

'But he has in fact, in my opinion, chosen somebody who is almost polar opposite and I genuinely feel really sad because he's dug himself a really big hole.'

On top of this, the reality star says she was 'pleased' that the Queen had not been able to read Prince Harry's bombshell book.

Prince Harry (pictured during his 60 minutes interview with Anderson Cooper on Sunday) has insisted he has 'never been happier' since moving to Montecito, California

Prince Harry's former fling says she 'would have loved' Harry to have married 'somebody like Kate Middleton'. Pictured: The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex at Wimbledon in 2019

Elsewhere in the interview, Catherine says she disagreed with her former lover for having revealing how many members of the Taliban he killed while serving in Afghanistan.

She furiously added: 'What is he doing?'

In response to Dan speculating that he has been 'badly advised' by a PR team, Catherine added: 'I mean, look who he is with. [Meghan is] manipulating and controlling and he's not the guy that I met.

'I know it was a long time ago but I really definitely think that he's not the person I met at all.'

In his recent TV interview with Tom Bradby, Prince Harry said he has 'never been happier' since quitting the Royal Family and moving to Montecito, California. However, the Duke's former lover questioned if this was really the case.

She continued: 'He's saying he's happy but he doesn't really look happy to me [...] He looks the saddest I've ever seen him.'

Prince Harry's former fling says he 'doesn't look happy' to her despite his claims otherwise. Pictured: Prince Harry in 2006, the year he was romantically involved with Catherine

After their romance fizzled out in 2006, Catherine says she always remained on friendly terms with the Prince and recounted how he 'pushed past security' to greet her at an event they were both attending years later.

She continued: 'I still have a lot of respect for him and vice versa. But I'm just really sad for him and I'm sad for the monarchy and the Royal Family.'

In November 2022, Catherine said in an interview with The Sun she first met Prince Harry, now 38, in a bar in Chelsea while he was still in a long-term on-off relationship with socialite Chelsy Davy.

She says that after meeting in a bar, the pair then went to Eclipse nightclub in South Kensington together, before heading to one of his friend's houses.

Catherine Ommanney, 50, allegedly had a fling with the royal in 2006. The reality star pictured in 2010 after joining the cast of The Real Housewives of DC

There, she says, they 'shared a cigarette on the steps outside and [Harry] really opened-up to [her]'.

After going back inside, she claims Harry made them all bacon sandwiches, play-fought with his friends and gave her a kiss before heading home.

Catherine claims they met a few more times before the romance fizzled out and it wasn't until 2009, a year after she married her second husband (from whom she is now separated) that the two bumped into each other again at a polo match.

She described him at the time as a 'very brave, charismatic, incredibly funny, intelligent and lovely human being.'

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German police have moved to clear out coal mine protesters barricaded in an abandoned village who are opposed to the expansion of the mine.

Law enforcement personnel in riot gear moved on Wednesday morning into Luetzerath, which housed hundreds of climate activists who barricaded themselves up. They were attempting to prevent the expansion of the nearby Garzweiler coal mine that is run by energy firm RWE.

German Police Crack Down on Climate Activists

For the past two years, activists have tried to protect the village from being bulldozed in an attempt to make way for the opencast lignite mine. It has been a standoff that underscored the tensions surrounding Germany's climate policy.

Environmentalists argued that the bulldozing of Luetzerath would lead to huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the German government and RWE said that coal was needed to ensure the country's energy security.

On Wednesday, the protesters formed human chains, made a makeshift barricade using old containers, and chanted, "We are here, we are loud because you are stealing our future." Some of the demonstrators also threw beer bottles at police officers, who said that Molotov cocktails and stones were also thrown at them, as per Al Jazeera.

A reporter for Aljazeera, Step Vaessen, was at Luetzerath and said that protesters were "holding firm" against law enforcement personnel. She added that police patrolled the streets and there were a few houses in the village that remained standing. The situation came as villages left some time ago but have since been replaced by activists.

Vaessen said that the village has become an "international symbol for the fight against climate change." This was mainly due to dozens of villages already being destroyed in the last few years in order to make way for the mine expansion.

Two days prior to the incident, a regional court upheld an earlier ruling to clear the village, which is located in the brown-coal district of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Energy firm RWE, which owns the village's land and houses, on Wednesday, said that it would begin demolishing the remaining buildings.

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Failure to Transition to Greener Forms of Energy

According to Reuters, the climate protesters are expected to be joined by climate activist Greta Thunberg who allegedly plans to join the demonstration on Saturday, said a spokesperson for the Luetzerathlebt environmentalist group.

In a statement, economy minister Robert Habeck of the Greens has called for no further violence after police and protesters scuffled. Law enforcement authorities said that the standoff could last for several weeks.

When police moved in, some protesters went to the roofs or the windows of the abandoned village buildings, chanting and shouting slogans. Other demonstrators hung suspended from wires and wooden frames or were holed up in treehouses to make it harder for officers to dislodge them.

A spokesperson for the activists, Mara Sauer, said that law enforcement took the first aid team out of the camp by force. They added that only some were able to stay in hiding after the incident.

The encampment of protesters in the village once numbered roughly 2,000, but continuous police efforts have brought them down to around 200 as of Wednesday. Demonstrators continue to criticize the government over its lack of ability to transition away from fossil fuel sources to greener forms of energy, Fox News reported.

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A staff member at a hospital in Merseyside was overwhelmed with emotion after meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales this afternoon, exclaiming she wanted to cry with joy after their interaction.

A video posted on Twitter showed the woman, Langley, who works in administration at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, wearing blue scrubs as she shook Princess Kate's hand and joked with the Waleses about their colour co-ordinated outfits on their first royal engagement since the release of Prince Harry's explosive memoir, Spare.

Despite scathing attacks from Harry, 38, in the memoir, including claims that William pushed him over during an argument about Meghan in Frogmore Cottage and Kate confronted Meghan when the Duchess of Sussex said she had 'baby brain', royal fans did not appear to be deterred from meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales, and queued in their hundreds for a selfie with the royals.

At the beginning of the video, Nicola shakes the Princess of Wales's hand and tells her: 'Nice to meet you. You look beautiful.'

After Kate, who turned 41 on Monday, politely thanks the staff member for the compliment, the woman gestures between the royal couple and says: 'Matching' in reference to their co-ordinated navy blue and dark green outfits.

A hospital worker was overwhelmed with emotion after meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital this afternoon and told her friends she was 'going to cry' after speaking to Kate and calling her 'beautiful'

Despite the explosive claims made about the Prince and Princess of Wales in Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, including that they 'stereotyped' his wife Meghan, royal fans queued in their droves to meet the couple and take selfies

William, 41, laughed in response and acknowledged: 'I know!'

As the prince of Wales moves on to meet other members of the public, Kate stopped to chat to Nikki to praise the work of the hospital, and the impressive new building.

She said: 'It's amazing to see the new building up and running. It's taken time but you should feel so proud... it's really great, well done.'

After the Princess of Wales continued to meet other people who have queued in their hundreds to say hello, Nikki turns back to her friends and is overwhelmed with emotion.

One of her friends tells her: 'You done amazing! Oh love, you were amazing.'

The woman then admits: 'My hands are shaking!'

In another video shared online, Nikki speaks to William about the building and he jokes that he doesn't know how staff find their way around.

He says to her: 'Every corner looks the same!'

William also asks her how she and the staff manage their busy working lives, and says: 'Have you got time to look after yourselves?'

She replies that they do before William responds: 'That's crucial.'

After she had recovered from the excitement, Nikki told reporters: 'It was a nice surprise. A very nice surprise.

'I wasn't surprised they stopped for a selfie.'

Later in the visit, the down-to-earth couple posed for selfies with members of the public - a relatively new feature in royal appearances.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to officially open the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool

While there is no official protocol on taking selfies, the late Queen Elizabeth was known not to like taking them and politely declined offers to do so.

In the early days of camera phones, royals seemed to shy away from being snapped with members of the public with royals including King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry all voicing their dislike of the photos.

However, in recent years, they've become commonplace, with Prince Charles posing for his first selfie all the way back in 2014, and other royals from Sophie Wessex to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following suit.

However, despite becoming more and more common for the royals, Kate told one royal fan today: 'I'm going to be told off by William' after posing for a photo - suggesting the Prince of Wales may not have changed his mind on selfies after all.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Merseyside hospital on their first royal engagement of this year - and also their first proper appearance since the release of Prince Harry's long-awaited but explosive memoir, Spare.

Among the accusations he levels at the Waleses in the book are that William told his little brother that he had been 'brainwashed by therapy.

He also claimed the couple had 'stereotyped' his wife as a 'biracial American actress' which meant she was less likely to be accepted as a royal.

Despite the Duke's scathing claims, the Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they arrived at the hospital this afternoon to thanks health workers for their hard work.

The state-of-the-art hospital is the biggest in the country and provides inpatients with ensuite bathrooms, designed to improve patient experience. It opened its doors in October 2022, replacing the old hospital which had served the community for over four decades.

In what may be considered a show of solidarity, the defiant couple wore colour co-ordinated outfits in navy blue and dark green as they waved to royal fans on arrival at the hospital.

Kate wore a 995 Holland Cooper double-breasted tartan trench coat made from merino lambs wool.

Leaving it open on the bright but cold day, she also showed off her Ceffin Eva rib-knit wool maxi dress, costing 290, with a flared skirt and funnel neck.

She accessorised it with a black clutch bag, letting her long hair blow loose in the wind.

She also wore minimal make-up, while also opting to wear Princess Diana's earrings made of sapphire and diamond.

Read more:
Royal fans have gone wild over Elizabeth Arden's latest social media post after Prince Harry revealed he used one of their creams on his 'frostbitten todger'.

In his bombshell memoir Spare, which was published on Tuesday, the Duke of Sussex, 38, recounts how his groin was severely impacted by the cold during a charity trip to the North Pole in 2011.

After trying some home remedies, the father-of-two explained how a friend recommended a product by the US beauty brand.

Although the Duke didn't name the product, he went on to describe how Princess Diana had used it on her lips - prompting readers to speculated that it was Elizabeth Arden's cult classic Eight Hour cream.

Prince Harry pictured in the North Pole on a 2013 exhibition. The Prince recounted in his new memoir how he had suffered from a 'frostbitten todger' during his trip in 2011

Quoting what he told his friend, Harry wrote: 'My mum used that on her lips. You want me to put that on my todger?'

After his pal's reassurance that the cream worked, Harry procured himself a tube, saying the smell of it brought him back to his childhood, when his mother was still alive.

'I felt as if my mother was right there in the room. Then I took a smidge and applied itdown there,' he recalled.

Ahead of the book's release on Tuesday, the US beauty brand tweeted about their Hyaluronic Acid and highlighted its benefits in the winter.

Twitter users poked fun at the brand in response to their post about the benefits of one of their products in the cold winter months

Using a snowflake emoji, they wrote: 'You've heard all the buzz about plumping Hyaluronic Acid, but did you know it's extremely helpful during the colder months?

'The trick is to apply it to damp skin - HA pulls the moisture from the environment into the skin.'

In the wake of Prince Harry's biography, Twitter users poked fun at the post's emphasis on protecting skin in the cold weather.

One joked: 'Can you confirm if this will help with a freezing todger?? Prince Harry says it does??'

The Duke of Sussex recounts how the late Princess Diana would sometime apply the cream to her lips. Pictured in 1995

Some readers suggested the cream Prince Harry references in the book is the 8h cream from the brand, which comes in a tube, like he describes in the book

Another added: 'NO SUCH A THING AS BAD PUBLICITY, AIGHT.'

'Please let Harry be the Elizabeth Arden face of 2023,' a third wrote.

Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: 'Explore Antarctica and the Arctic with no concerns about your todger!'

Earlier this week, horrified fans said Prince Harry's 'frostbitten todger' anecdote - which featured references to Princess Diana - was a 'Freudian nightmare'.

In his audiobook, Prince Harry makes a point to pause between saying he felt his mother was in the room with him before he applied the cream 'down there'.



The words my penis, mother and lips should NEVER be used together ANYWHERE,' one outraged user said.

'If you think youre having a bad day, spare a thought for the social media manager at Elizabeth Arden who has just gone from working at a global beauty product company to a premium nob cream company in the past few hours or so,' another said.

'I need therapy after listening to this,' said a third.

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'Willy and Kate felt trapped': Prince Harry claims King Charles was envious of Princess of Wales' media coverage and accused her and William of 'drawing attention away from him and Camilla' in bombshell book



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'How could you say such things?' Prince Harry reveals how beloved nanny Tiggy and King Charles' friend Emilie van Cutsem berated him over explosive Oprah interview
A perfume enthusiast who owns over 400 bottles of fragrance has revealed her five go-to scents - including an affordable high street offering.

Social media star Josephine, who is originally from Switzerland but based in London, has amassed over 267,000 followers on TikTok thanks to her fragrance tips.

In her latest video, the beauty blogger revealed the five fragrances she could keep if she was forced to whittle down her impressive collection.

To begin with, Josephine says Gris Charnel by BDK - which retails for 140 - was 'the best Fall Winter fragrance'.

Josephine, who is originally from Switzerland but based in London, has over 400 perfumes in her collection - but revealed what five fragrances she would whittle it down to

With its notes of iris and black tea, Josephine gushed: 'It smells like a warm. frothy chai latte with little bits of fig in it.'

Next up, the perfume collector picked Armani's 180 Rouge Malachite - which she dubbed the 'ultimate date night scent'.

As she spritzed it on her wrists, she added: 'It's the sexiest white floral scent I've ever smelt.'

Going down in price slightly, Josephine then went on to rave about her 130 bottle of Levant by Ormonde Jayne.

The beauty blogger described Glossier You as a 'major compliment-getter'. According to Glossier, their best-selling 49 perfume 'smells a bit different on everyone'

Left: Josephine said her 130 bottle of Levant by Ormonde Jayne was the closest she has to a 'signature scent'. Right: She called Armani's 180 Rouge Malachite the 'ultimate date night scent'

Out of the 400 bottles of perfume she owns, Josephine says this is the closest to her 'signature scent'.

Highlighting how she's almost halfway through the bottle, she explained: 'It smells like peonies and orange blossom. Think of an orange blossom-infused Turkish Delight. So good, super delicious.'

Josephine then went on to gush about Parfums de Marly's 120 Delina la Rosee fragrance, which has notes of lychee and wood.

'I love fresh, floral musky scents and this is exactly what this perfume is about,' she said. 'It's really girly, super easy to wear and also really long-lasting.'

Left: Josephine said Parfums de Marly's 120 Delina la Rosee fragrance was 'really girly, super easy to wear and also really long-lasting.' Right: Josephine says Gris Charnel by BDK - which retails for 140 - was 'the best Fall Winter fragrance'

On the more affordable end of side of things, Josephine finished off her video by raving about the 49 Glossier You perfume, which has notes of amber and pink pepper.

She added: 'This is probably my most worn perfume, I am almost out of this bottle, I spray this just before going to bed.

'It is calming, relaxing, smells really clean, and is also a major compliment-getter.'

According to Glossier, their best-selling perfume 'smells a bit different on everyone' and impressed customers have labelled it 'the perfect scent' in the reviews.

The video has gone on to amass almost one million views since it was posted two days ago - and fans went wild over the high street fragrance.

'Glossier you is my most complimented perfume,' one viewer commented.

Another added: 'Ive had Glossier You and never had so many people asking what my perfume was!'

Meanwhile, a third wrote: 'Over 400 bottles?! Wow, thats my life goal!'

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Thousands of men across the UK are being diagnosed with prostate cancer too late due to a 'postcode lottery' of care, a charity has warned.

Prostate Cancer UK said the proportion of patients diagnosed with the disease when it is too advanced to treat varies significantly depending on where they live.

In Scotland, more than a third of men are only diagnosed when the disease is classed as stage 4  which means the cancer is metastatic and spread to another part of the body.

Meanwhile the figure for London is much lower, at just 12.5 per cent.

Prostate Cancer UK said the proportion of patients diagnosed with the disease when it is too advanced to treat varies significantly depending on where they live. Rates are highest in Scotland, North East and Yorkshire and Northern Ireland

'Fit and active' 55-year old surgeon diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer after 'niggling injuries' Gareth Jones, a 55-year-old surgeon from Glasgow, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in June 2021. Mr Jones is now urging other men to be aware of their health and not miss out on an early diagnosis. 'I'm a surgeon, and before I was diagnosed, I was really fit and healthy, but I kept getting these niggling injuries, like pains in my back that were starting to really affect me,' he said. 'Little did I know this was a sign my cancer had already spread to my bones. Being diagnosed was very, very difficult, but thankfully I started my treatment that same day so there were no delays. 'I'm determined to live life to the full and I'm now back in the gym and am doing what I can to raise awareness. 'I just don't want this to happen to other men, and it can be avoided if more men know about prostate cancer and what to do about it. 'That's why I would tell anyone and everyone to share Prostate Cancer UK's risk checker because we need to get the message out there and stop so many men in Scotland missing out on an early diagnosis.' Mr Jones also uses his love of extreme fitness challenges to raise money, and has raised over 4,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Gareth Jones (pictured above), a 55-year-old surgeon from Glasgow, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in June 2021 Advertisement

The charity analysed various sets of data to find out the proportion of patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer  which in most cases is too advanced to cure.

After Scotland, the North East of England and Yorkshire had the most men diagnosed at this stage, at around 20 per cent, closely followed by Northern Ireland and Wales.

Nearly 18 per cent of men in the Midlands are diagnosed too late, 17.1 per cent in the North West and 16.8 per cent in the South West.

After London, the East and South East had the lowest percentage of men diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.

The data suggests men from deprived areas are at highest risk of being diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, the charity added.

While the figures are largely taken from information gathered before the pandemic, the charity suggested that outcomes for men are not likely to have improved during the ensuing period when the health services across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have been under significant pressure.

Every year nearly 10,000 men across the UK are diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.

Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'This postcode lottery for cancer diagnosis simply isn't fair, and the picture in Scotland is particularly shocking.

'Every man should get an equal chance of a cure, which is only possible if his cancer is caught early.

'Unfortunately, early prostate cancer usually doesn't have any symptoms, which is why men need to be aware of their risk and should take our online risk checker to find out more.

'If you're at higher risk  which includes all men over 50  you're entitled to a free PSA blood test from your GP.

'Because of their higher risk, we strongly recommend that black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should speak to their GP from the age of 45.'

The charity has also raised concerns about fewer patients being diagnosed during the pandemic.

'At one point in the pandemic, prostate cancer made up a third of all missing cancer cases, so it's fantastic to see that we're beginning to find and treat these men,' Ms Kerby added.

'However, there is still a long way to go to fully reverse the impact of the pandemic, and as these figures show our job isn't done even then.

'That's why we need a screening programme for prostate cancer, and we are committed to funding the research to make this a reality and save thousands of men's lives.'

In other health news...

Outrage as Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen compares Covid vaccine roll-out to the HOLOCAUST: Party removes whip for 'crossing the line and causing great offence' in Twitter rant as fellow Tories warn he could have 'blood on his hands'

Only 1 PER CENT of Brits know the tell-tale symptoms of deadly cancers... so take this quiz to see if YOU fare any better

Health secretary Steve Barclay accuses ambulance unions of putting patients at risk with chaotic plans for handling emergencies during strikes - as Brits are told to use their 'common sense' and ring 999 only for a 'life or limb' emergency
Moderna and the Food and Drug Association (FDA) have been accused of concealing data during the approval process for the pharma giant's bivalent Covid booster.

Vaccine advisors who signed off on the updated shot late last year claim they were not shown trial data that indicated the booster was actually less effective at preventing Covid than the older vaccine it was meant to replace.

While the early trial results had substantial limitations, 'disappointed' and 'angry advisors say its omission from panel discussions shows a remarkable lack of transparency.

US taxpayers ended up shelling out nearly $5billion on the new booster, which was intended to enhance immunity against new variants.

FDA and CDC advisors speaking out against the data omission include Dr. Paul Offit, Dr. Eric Rubin and Dr. Pablo Sanchez

The infection data not shared with advisors, although from a limited sample size, indicated that the the new bivalent booster was actually LESS effective than the original vaccine at preventing new strains of Covid-19. 3.2 percent of study participants given the new vax went on to catch the virus, compared to just 1.9 percent of those given the old shot

For new vaccines to be approved, both the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must convene their advisory boards and make presentations to a panel of advisors. This panel of objective reviewers then votes on whether or not to recommend its approval.

It is these independent advisors - including infectious disease experts and vaccinologists from Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard - who are now raising concerns about the partial information shown to them during approval discussions for the bivalent booster.

At both an FDA meeting in June and a CDC advisory panel in September, experts were shown reams of information suggesting that the new bivalent vaccine was more effective than its predecessor.

These results were based on lab tests in which blood taken from bivalent vaxxed people were exposed to omicron and then compared to samples from people vaxxed with the older shot, in order to gauge how well each elicited Covid-fighting antibodies.

Other data from the same study was not presented to the panels, however, which looked at actual infections - who caught Covid-19 and who did not.

The withheld data indicated that 3.2 percent of study participants who got the updated bivalent vaccine became infected - compared to just 1.9 percent of those who received the original booster.

Dr. Stephen Hoge, the president of Moderna, did not discuss findings that indicated the new bivalent booster was less effective than the original shot during his presentation to the panel in June

Return of mask mania as schools across US bring back mandates Advertisement

Six out of 35 advisors to the CDC and FDA say that limitations to the data would not have changed how they voted.

These limitations included the small number of study subjects and a lack of double-blind procedure, which ensures neither doctor nor participant know which vaccine is being given to whom.

But, the advisors argue it should have been shown to them regardless.

Dr. Eric Rubin, a specialist in immunology and infectious diseases and a member of the FDA vaccine advisory committee, told CNN: '[We're] not a group of children. We understand how to interpret these results.'

During last year's booster shot meetings, executives from vaccine producer Moderna also made similar presentations.

Moderna and FDA spokespeople seem to be in disagreement over who exactly is responsible for the data's omission during these crucial discussions.

In an email to CNN, Moderna spokesman Christopher Ridley said the company shared the infection data with the FDA before the agencys panel's June meeting, after being asked for an update on the ongoing study.

The study was posted publicly online as a preprint on June 25, three days before the panel met.

FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum, however, claims that the FDA received the pre-print less than a day before the advisory committee meeting - which he says rendered it too late to be reviewed and included in the agency's meeting materials.

Regardless of when exactly the study was sent to or received by the FDA, certain contents from it were shown to its panel of advisors by the President of Moderna himself, Dr. Stephen Hoge.

According to videos and transcripts seen by CNN, Dr. Hoge referred solely to the data that demonstrated the bivalent booster's supposed superiority at eliciting antibodies during his presentation to the committee at the end of June.

However, data from the same study pointing to the booster's poor performance at preventing Covid infection relative to its predecessor was conveniently left unmentioned.

Dr. Jacqueline Miller, a senior vice president at Moderna, is accused of showing similarly cherry-picked material during her presentation to CDC advisors in September.

Even when asked explicitly about cases of Covid in those who received the original vaccine versus the booster by a member of the panel, Dr. Miller gave an allegedly incomplete answer.

Citing disease incidence rates both among those with and without evidence of prior infection - which showed the bivalent booster in a much more positive light - Dr. Miller failed to mention that of the hundreds of study participants who had not previously had Covid, the original vaccination was markedly more effective at preventing infection.

The US government agreed to purchase the bivalent booster from Pfizer and Moderna shortly after the panel voted to approve it - resulting in a $3.2billion contract for Pfizer and $1.74billion for Moderna

A former FDA scientist told CNN that there was no excuse for excluding the study from meeting material, regardless of how short the time frame was.

Dr. Philip Krause, who once helped run the agency's vaccine division, said that the failure to present such important data during either meeting 'raises questions about the ability of the process to provide a full and transparent review of the data'.

Dr. Krause's main concern was over regaining a recent loss of public trust in the FDA.

The critical thing, he implied, was that Americans' faith in the FDA's ability to objectively review data and make informed decisions was not compromised.

Flip-flopping policy on mask wearing, as well as whistleblower allegations of both the CDC and FDA altering Covid guidance under political pressure, have both contributed to public trust in governmental health agencies slowly dwindling during the pandemic.

The bivalent booster, which became available to all Americans over 12 at the end of August, has had a remarkably low take-up compared with the first two doses of the vaccine.

According to CDC data, only 15.4 percent of the US population has received the bivalent booster - compared to the almost 70 percent who got the original set of jabs.

Even among the most at-risk age group - 65 and over - a mere 38 percent have since chosen to get the new shot.

Vaccine hesitancy, especially surrounding the mRNA Covid jab, remains rampant in the US.

These vax-sceptics are concerned with a lack of transparency around the vaccine development and approval process - fears that will presumably only be further fueled by these recent allegations made by FDA advisors themselves.

Six months on from the FDA advisor meeting, Moderna is yet to release data from another randomized Phase 3 trial of 3,000 participants, that compares infections in participants who received the new booster to those who got the old shot.
Make-shift morgues built during the darkest days of the Covid pandemic are being reopened amid a sharp rise in excess deaths.

Temporary mortuaries at council gritting yards and near nature reserves are back in action once again to deal with the uptick.

Around 4,000 more Brits died than expected during the final fortnight of 2022, with the ongoing NHS crisis, cold December weather and 'twindemic' of flu and Covid all blamed.

Temporary morgues were originally set up in beauty spots and airports to cope with the unusually high numbers of Covid deaths at the start of 2020.

Make-shift morgues used during the height of the Covid pandemic have been reopened to deal with the sharp rise in excess deaths over Christmas. One site, the Leys in Wollaston (pictured), Northamptonshire, was reopened at the turn of the year as part of the county's 'death management activation plan'

The temporary mortuary is owned and managed by the local councils and was used to support Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals during the height of the pandemic

Another temporary morgue, a 15 minute drive from Salisbury, Wiltshire, is based at a gritting yard. The refrigeration unit, which has 24/7 security, is being used to store the dead from Salisbury District Hospital. The High Post Salt Store (pictured) is based next to a business park with a gym, car parts business and art supply company

The number of people who died in the two weeks to December 30 was 20 per cent higher than the five-year average, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

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During the height of the pandemic, more than 7,000 were killed by the virus alone in the final fortnight of the year.

Hospitals, some of which only have room to store hundreds, quickly ran out of space.

Some sites built to give extra capacity were reopened again last winter, even though Covid posed a much smaller threat then.

Festive bank holidays meant there were fewer funerals on top of the annual increase, meaning more storage was needed.

Health bosses say similar reasons explain why the sites are being reopened this winter, with Covid killing just over 100 people a day in Britain over the festive period.

One site, the Leys in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, was reopened at the turn of the year as part of the county's 'death management activation plan'.

The temporary mortuary is owned and managed by the local councils and was used to support Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals during the height of the pandemic.

It is down the road from Summer Leys, a scenic nature reserve that is a haven for breeding and wading birds.

Sadie Nightingale, head of coroners and West and North Northamptonshire registration service, said the 1,100-body capacity site was opened to treat the dead with 'compassion and respect'.

She told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: 'There's been a four-day bank holiday followed by a three-day bank holiday. Opening times for funeral directors have been tricky.

'Winter is a time when respiratory illnesses increase, and this year it has been predicted that there will be a higher number of illnesses circulating.

'As such, The Leys reopened to support the county's health system. This enables the management of capacity and care for the deceased within the North and West Northamptonshire areas with compassion and respect.'

Another temporary morgue, a 15 minute drive from Salisbury, Wiltshire, is based at a gritting yard.

The refrigeration unit, which has 24/7 security, is being used to store the dead from Salisbury District Hospital.

The High Post Salt Store is based next to a business park with a gym, car parts business and art supply company.

Campaigners slammed the 'disappointing' use of the site, saying using a gritting yard to store bodies smacks of disrespect.

NHS data shows 5,105 flu patients, on average, were in general hospital beds in the week to January 1. The figure is up 47 per cent in a week and nearly seven times the number at the start of December. Flu patients in critical care beds have also jumped sharply, up 26 per cent week-on-week from 267 to 336

NHS data showed that ambulances record delays when handing over patients to A&E departments in the week to January 1. More than a quarter (18,720) were forced to queue for more than 60 minutes before handing over their patients to A&E (shown in graph)

The graph shows the weekly hospital admissions per 100,000 people for Covid (red) and flu (blue). UK Health Security Agency surveillance figures showed Covid admissions fell from 12 to 11 per 100,000 people, while admissions fell to 8 per 100,000 in the week to January 1

NHS data shows an average of 995 Covid patients were admitted to hospitals across England in the week to January 2. The figures suggest that the number of people seeking NHS care due to the virus, on average, peaked just before Christmas and has been trending downwards since

Joyce Robins, founder of Patient Concern, told The Sun: 'It's all very disappointing. It's the sort of thing that should be planned for.

'Putting them in a gritting yard makes it look like we just don't care about these people when they die.

'It's terribly sad for the families. A bit of respect is what we need.'

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said the temporary service 'operates to the national standards treating the deceased and loved ones with dignity and respect at all times regardless of location'.

Two extra refrigeration units were also set up at the Royal Liverpool Hospital last week to help deal with excess deaths.

The hospital morgue normally deals with around 2,000 death each year but is thought to be full.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed the two extra facilities had been set up because of 'increased demand'.

The Human Tissue Authority, which regulates body storage, issued a national alert about 'mortuary capacity issues' on Tuesday.

It said: 'Excess deaths within the United Kingdom has inevitably resulted in mortuary capacity issues and service pressures.

'Licensed establishments are encouraged to revisit existing HTA Guidance on contingency storage arrangements for the deceased.'

Deaths in England and Wales were a fifth higher than expected at the end of 2022, official figures show.

The number of people who died in the two weeks to December 30 was 20 per cent higher than the five-year average, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It means the excess death toll in the final days of 2022 was one of the highest levels recorded across the entire year, which saw above-average fatalities almost continuously since the summer.

Experts warned against 'simplistic' explanations for the surge in excess mortality but pointed to the resurgence of flu, freezing temperatures, 'inexcusable' delays for emergency care, late diagnoses due to the pandemic.

ONS figures show that there were 9,517 fatalities in the week to December 30, 1,592 (20 per cent) more than the five-year average.

And 14,530 people died in the week to December 23, which is 2,493 (21 per cent) higher than levels typically seen at that time of at that time of year.

In the final week of the year, the biggest increase in excess deaths was reported in private homes, shooting 37 per cent higher than expected to 684.

A 20 per cent spike was reported in care homes, while hospital excess deaths increased by 15 per cent.

Just 429 fatalities in the final week of the year (4 per cent) involved Covid.

In contrast, the ONS noted that deaths involving flu and pneumonia 'increased in recent weeks'  accounting for 22 per cent of fatalities in the week to December 30.

For comparison, the illnesses were behind just 15 per cent of deaths at the start of December.

The 'flu-nami', which saw 5,105 patients taking up general and acute hospital beds per day in the last week of 2022, is piling further pressure on the health service, which is already struggling to juggle huge demand, routine winter pressures and a mammoth bed-blocking crisis.

In other health news...

Pay offer hope to end NHS chaos: Ministers consider new proposal that could include one-off payment as 25,000 ambulance staff go on strike

Rishi Sunak leads condemnation of Tory MP who claimed Covid vaccine was 'the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust'

Prostate cancer's 'postcode lottery': Map reveals how a THIRD of men in parts of Britain are only diagnosed once disease has spread
NHS ambulances were slower than ever in December, with heart attack and stroke victims in parts of the country forced to endure horrifying delays of up to six-and-a-half hours.

Shock data illustrating the dire state of emergency care engulfing the NHS showed that it took 999 crews nearly 93 minutes, on average, to respond to category 2 calls in England last month. It trumps the worst-ever month for such calls by half-an-hour.

Response times for the most urgent calls  for people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as cardiac arrest sufferers  also soared to a record high of nearly 11 minutes, on average.

A&Es were also battered last month. Nearly 1,800 patients attending casualty had to wait at least 12 hours to be treated each day in December. Only two-thirds were seen within four hours  the worst performance logged in records going back more than a decade.

Critics warned that the NHS has now gone past breaking point, describing the ailing system as 'splitting at its very seams'.

NHS ambulance data for December shows that 999 callers classed as category two  which includes heart attacks, strokes, burns and epilepsy  waited 1 hour, 32 minutes and 54 seconds, on average, for paramedics to arrive (shown in red bar). This is five-times longer than the 18 minute target (shown in green line). This is despite category 2 cases falling slightly to 368,042 (shown in yellow bar)

NHS A&E data for December shows that a record 54,532 people seeking emergency care were forced to wait at least 12 hours (yellow bar). Meanwhile, just 65 per cent of A&E attendees were seen within four hours (red line)  the NHS target

The graph shows the average response times for each category of 999 calls across 11 parts of England. The South West logged the slowest response time for both category one and category two calls, taking 13 minutes and 11 seconds and 2 hours and 29 minutes on average, respectively

NHS waiting list FALLS for first time since Covid began... but one in eight people are still in queue for routine ops like hip and knee replacements More than 7.2million patients in England were stuck in the backlog in October (red line) or one in eight people. More than 400,000 have queued for at least one year (yellow bars) Advertisement

However, latest health service figures for January show signs that the NHS winter crisis is abating, with fewer ambulance handover delays compared to the week before.

Monthly ambulance data shows that 999 callers classed as category two  which includes heart attacks, strokes, burns and epilepsy  waited 1 hour, 32 minutes and 54 seconds, on average, for paramedics to arrive.

This is five-times longer than the NHS's 18-minute target.

It is also the longest response time since records began in 2017 by more than 30 minutes.

The previous record was 1 hour, 1 minute and 19 seconds, recorded in October.

And 10 per cent of category two callers had to wait at least 3 hours, 41 minutes and 48 seconds for medics to arrive.

But the same figure stood at 6 hours, 39 minutes and 34 seconds in the South West.

The Prime Minister's spokesperson said people will 'rightly be concerned' about 90-minute waits for ambulances, labelling the delays as 'not acceptable'.

Meanwhile, response time to category one calls  those from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as a serious allergic reaction  took 10 minutes and 57 seconds, on average, last month.

The health service's own handbook sets out that 999 crews should take no longer than 7 minutes, on average, to respond to these calls.

The figure for December is the longest response time ever reported and 1 minute more than the previous record of 9 minutes and 56 seconds in October.

However, 1.3million 999 calls were made in December  the highest number for this month ever recorded. And more than 100,000 category one calls were made, which is the most ever.

Nine in 10 NHS hospital beds were occupied throughout December, including record numbers taken up by respiratory illnesses amid the 'twindemic' of Covid and flu.

And 14,069 per day, on average, in the week to January 8 were taken up patients who were medically fit for discharge  known as bed-blockers.

Health chiefs claim this is one of the main drivers of winter pressures, giving them little space to take in fresh patients from A&E or ambulances. This has a knock-on effect on paramedic response times, as they are forced to wait for up to their entire shift outside of hospitals with their patient, rather than responding to more callers.

The figures take into account the situation in emergency care in December, which saw nurses strike for two days and ambulance staff strike for one.

Another strike among ambulance staff took place yesterday and another is planned for later this month. The effects of this action won't be made clear until next month's performance update.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'The difference between life and death can be a matter of minutes when someone is having a heart attack or stroke.

'That's why it's incredibly distressing that we keep hearing stories of 999 calls left unanswered, hours-long waits for ambulances, patients stuck in ambulance queues outside hospitals, and tragically even deaths when the chance for heart treatment came too late.

Rob Weekley (pictured with wife Lesley) had been suffering indigestion-like symptoms in the days leading up to January 4, before he had a heart attack that morning at his home in Barry, south Wales

Pamela Rolfe, 79, broke her hip after falling in a park while walking her dog in Johnstown, north Wales, last week. But when her family called 999, they were told she was not eligible for an ambulance

NHS data shows that in the week to January 8, 13,564 ambulances queued for more than one hour outside of hospitals (shown in red bars), down 28 per cent from 18,720 one week earlier

A&Es brace for wave of patients after chaotic day of strikes Overwhelmed A&E units are braced for an influx of patients as a consequence of yesterday's chaotic 999 strike. Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, warned of the threat of a 'rebound effect' from the huge ambulance walk-outs, which involved up to 25,000 staff. It saw the Army drafted in to help drive vehicles and the public told to only dial 999 for 'life or limb' emergencies. Warning of further disruption in the days ahead, Dr Boyle told Times Radio: 'In a way, what we're more concerned about is not what happens on the day, but we know that it creates disruption in the following days. 'We talk about a rebound effect because there is a pent-up demand, all sorts of problems occur in the system later.' Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, added: 'I think what we will see over the coming days is some of that pent-up demand, people who did not access services yestetday, coming forward. 'So, we are going to potentially see an immediate surge of patients coming into A&E departments, for example. 'In terms of the overall impact, that is going to be incredibly hard to assess.' Patients have been facing long waits for an ambulance and further delays once they arrive at hospital in recent weeks  even before the strikes. The RCEM claims up to 500 people a week are dying as a result of the dire crisis in emergency care. Advertisement

'Extreme delays to emergency heart and stroke care cannot become a new normal.

'Healthcare staff are doing all they can, but there aren't enough of them and many will be working in difficult conditions without fit-for-purpose facilities.'

Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the hike in the number of 12-hour A&E patients is of 'particular concern' and reflects a lack of flow in hospitals and the difficules of accessing hospital beds.

He said: 'Older and vulnerable patients are particularly affected by these delays.

'There will be no significant recovery or improvement in urgent and emergency care until acute medical units alongside emergency departments are able to facilitate high quality and timely care for acutely unwell medical patients with excellent flow through the system.'

Sarah Scobie, deputy director of research at health think tank Nuffield Trust, said: 'Too many patients needing an ambulance in the lead-up to Christmas faced horrific waits.

She added: 'There were also record levels of life-threatening incidents responded to, fuelled by the impact of cold weather and sicker patients.'

Wes Streeting, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, said: 'The NHS is in the biggest crisis in its history. The terrifying truth is that patients in an emergency can no longer be sure the NHS will be there for them.

'Heart attack and stroke victims are routinely waiting over three hours for an ambulance, when every second counts. 24 hours in A&E is not just a TV programme, it is the grim reality for too many patients. Too many lives are being lost as a result.'

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson, said: 'People will be petrified when they or their loved ones fall ill.

'Our NHS isn't just at breaking point  it's splitting at its very seams.'

Meanwhile, monthly A&E data shows that a record number of people seeking emergency care were forced to wait at least 12 hours.

Some 54,532 patients spent at least half a day from medics deciding they need to be admitted to when they actually are given a bed.

But the true scale of the A&E crisis is even worse.

Experts have long-warned that that the NHS figure drastically underplays the scale of problem, given that patients may have arrived hours before their condition was deemed serious enough for further treatment.

Just 65 per cent of A&E attendees were seen within four hours  the NHS target. No NHS trust in the country is meeting this goal.

The figure is the lowest on record, down from 69 per cent in November, which was the previous worst performance since records began in 2010.

Overall, 2.2million people attended A&E in December of which 517,437 were admitted.

For comparison, the NHS saw 2million A&E attendees and 522,443 admissions each December before Covid struck, according to the pre-pandemic five-year average.

Britons have told how the emergency care crisis has led to loved ones dying while waiting for NHS care. Experts estimate up to 500 patients are dying every week due to delays.

Lesley Weekley revealed begged for an ambulance for two hours while her husband lay dying in front of her at their home in Barry, south Wales, on January 4.

The number of flu patients in hospital beds across England fell four per cent from 5,105 per day, on average, in the week to January 1 to 4,914 in the week to January 8. Overall, the figure has fallen 31 per cent from a peak of 6,174 on January 3 to 4,285 on January 8

NHS staff absences in England fell in the week to January 8. Some 57,528 medics were off sick per day, on average, down three per cent from 59,313 one week earlier. Around 6,600 of the absences each were caused by Covid, down from around 7,200 in the previous week

Her husband Rob desperately woke his wife of 43 years just after 2am by tapping her on the shoulder and asking for tablets, feeling 'clammy and freezing cold'.

The grandmother, 73, who works in an ITU department at University Hospital of Wales, said: 'I don't remember if I said the words 'heart attack' when I first called 999, but I knew he had all of the symptoms and I kept repeating the symptoms to the call handlers.'

Between 2.18am and 3.32am, Lesley phoned for an ambulance on five occasions and says she told call handlers that her husband was deteriorating quickly.

When paramedics arrived at around 4am, she said they told her he would have likely survived the heart attack had they been dispatched following Lesley's first call.

In another case, a great-grandmother was taken to hospital on a bin lid after being told there were no ambulances available.

Pamela Rolfe, 79, broke her hip after falling in a park while walking her dog in Johnstown, north Wales, on December 29. But when her family called 999, they were told she was not eligible for an ambulance.

Neighbours tore the lid from a grit bin, which was placed under the great-grandmother-of-two so she could be moved into a van and taken to hospital.

Ms Rolfe was given a bed eight hours after her fall and underwent surgery the following day.

The spat in the House of Commons came as some 25,000 NHS ambulance workers downed tools today in an ongoing dispute with Government over pay

Some strikers, like these at Maltby Ambulance Station in Yorkshire, mocked the PM over his idea of compulsory maths in schools to the age of 18 by asking if eight hour waits for an ambulance plus four stuck outside A&E was acceptable

And look who showed up to support them! Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined striking ambulance staff on the picket line today

Unison's 120,000-a-year leader general secretary and former Communist Party member Christina McAnea joins ambulance workers on the picket line outside Longley Ambulance Station in Sheffield today as staff across England and Wales walk off the job for 24 hours

A poll shows Brits faith that ambulances and the NHS will be able to treat them is low but it also revealed that over half of those surveyed blamed the Government for NHS staff strikes

Answers to MailOnline's poll as of 11.40pm GMT on January 11

However, weekly NHS data contain signals that pressure on the health service is easing.

In the week to January 8, 13,564 ambulances queued for more than one hour outside of hospitals, down 28 per cent from 18,720 one week earlier, despite the number of 999 crews arriving at hospital remaining flat.

However, the data shows that a third of ambulances are still waiting more than 30 minutes before handing over patients and more than 36,000 hours of paramedics' time was wasted as a result.

And the number of flu and Covid patients has also fallen. Health chiefs have warned that the 'twindemic' of viruses is piling more pressure on the over-stretched service.

But flu patients in hospital beds fell four per cent from 5,105 per day, on average, in the week to January 1 to 4,914 in the week to January 8. Overall, the figure has fallen 31 per cent from a peak of 6,174 on January 3 to 4,285 on January 8

And the number of people infected with Covid taking up beds fell 11 per cent from 9,414 in the week to January 4 to 8,404 in the seven days to January 11.

Staff absences have also fallen across the health service. Some 57,528 medics were off sick each day, on average, in the week to January 8, down three per cent from 59,313 one week earlier.

However, strikes across the health service are expected to pile more pressure on the NHS in the coming weeks.

Up to 25,000 paramedics, call handlers, drivers and technicians joined picket lines yesterday in a bitter row over pay and conditions.

Health service bosses warned that some patients would need to organise their own way of getting into hospital, with the Army brought in to drive ambulances.

The GMB union, one of two behind the strikes, said lives were put at risk in the NHS 'every single day' by current staffing levels and not just as a result of strike action.

Another ambulance strike will take place on January 23, with GMB meeting staff representatives on Monday to discuss up to six more dates for walkouts.

Around 7.2million patients in England were stuck in the backlog in November (red line) or one in eight people. More than 400,000 have queued for at least one year (yellow bars)

NHS cancer data for November shows that just six in 10 started treatment within two months from an urgent GP cancer referral (red line), leaving 6,356 (blue line) patients waiting more than 62 days for cancer care

What do the latest NHS performance figures show? The overall waiting list fell by around 30,000 to 7.19million in November. This is dwon from 7.21 in October, marking the first downturn since the pandemic began. There were 1,423 people waiting more than two years to start treatment at the end of November, down from 1,907 in October. The number of people waiting more than a year to start hospital treatment was 406,575, down from 410,983 the previous month. Some 54,532 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in December. The figure is up from 37,837 in November and is the highest recorded since records began in 2010. A total of 170,283 people waited at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission in December, up from 143,949 in November. Just 65 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at A&Es last month, the worst ever performance. NHS standards set out that 95 per cent should be admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour window. In December, the average category one response time  calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries  was 10 minutes and 57 seconds. The target time is seven minutes. Ambulances took an average of 1 hour, 32 minutes 54 seconds to respond to category two calls, such as burns, epilepsy and strokes. This is five times as long as the 18 minute target. Response times for category three calls  such as late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes  averaged 4 hours, 19 minutes and 10 seconds. Nine in 10 ambulances are supposed to arrive to these calls within two hours. More than 425,000 patients were waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test in November, including an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy. Advertisement

Meanwhile, nurses are set to join picket lines next Wednesday and Thursday.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has so far refused to budge on a pay offer. However, ministers are considering a one-off payment and implementing the 2024 pay rise early in a bid to end industrial action.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, today warned of A&E units will today see a 'rebound' in demand following walkouts yesterday.

He told Times Radio: 'In a way, what we're more concerned about is not what happens on the day, but we know that it creates disruption in the following days.

'We talk about a rebound effect because there is a pent-up demand, all sorts of problems occur in the system later.'

The RCEM claims up to 500 people a week are dying as a result of the dire crisis in emergency care.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, added: 'I think what we will see over the coming days is some of that pent-up demand, people who did not access services yesterday, coming forward.

'So, we are going to potentially see an immediate surge of patients coming into A&E departments, for example.

'In terms of the overall impact, that is going to be incredibly hard to assess.'

Separate NHS data released today showed that the number of people waiting for elective hospital treatment, such as hip and knee operations, has fallen for the first time since the pandemic began.

In November, 7.19 people were in the backlog, around 30,000 fewer than one month earlier.

Waiting lists for operations have soared since Covid emerged, with the pandemic and its knock-on effects forcing hospitals to re-prioritise efforts.

Ministers warned the waiting list wouldn't start to shrink until 2024, despite plans to get a grip on spiralling queues.

But performance data released today by NHS England shows the overall list fell by around 70,000 in November.

Waiting lists for operations have soared since Covid emerged, with the pandemic and its knock-on effects forcing hospitals to re-prioritise efforts.

Ministers warned the waiting list wouldn't start to shrink until 2024, despite plans to get a grip on spiralling queues.

But performance data released today by NHS England shows the overall list fell by around 30,000 in November.

It reflects the month before NHS strikes began, however.

The NHS noted that a record number of people were checked for cancer in November and nine in 10 starting treatment within one month of deciding to undergo treatment.

However, figures show that just six in 10 started treatment within two months from an urgent GP cancer referral.

Professor Pat Price, co-founder of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign and a leading oncologist, said: 'I am horrified that once again the record-breaking monthly data lays bare the scale of the cancer crisis.

'Frustration is boiling over in the cancer community at the lack of Government action.

'We react with a mix of shock and despair every time ministers and NHS leadership point to "snap-shots" from the cancer stats, like the 31 day wait for treatment target, as evidence that there is no cancer crisis, rather than actively finding much-needed and immediate solutions.

'The truth is the cancer crisis is spiralling out of control.'

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's medical director, said: 'As staff responded to record A&E attendances, 999 calls and emergency ambulance call outs as the "twindemic" lead to unprecedented levels of respiratory illness in hospital, they also continued to deliver for patients.

'These figures show just how hard our staff are working, not only in the face of extreme pressure but also in bringing down the Covid backlogs and checking more people for cancer than ever before in one month.

'The NHS will keep its foot on the accelerator to continue to make progress on the covid backlog and hospitals have today been asked to ensure anyone waiting longer than 18 months has their treatment booked in before March.

'While services continue to be pressured, it's important the public continue to play their part by using the best services for their care  using 999 in an emergency and otherwise using 111 online and by getting their vaccinations if eligible.'

It comes as NHS England has sent a letter to trusts telling them to see the 48,000 patients who have been on the waiting list for 18 months by the end of March.

The health service noted that some cancellations will be unavoidable but urged that none should be called-off due to strikes.

In other health news...

NHS waiting list FALLS for first time since Covid began... but one in eight people are still in queue for routine ops like hip and knee replacements

Pay offer hope to end NHS chaos: Ministers consider new proposal that could include one-off payment as 25,000 ambulance staff go on strike

Rishi Sunak leads condemnation of Tory MP who claimed Covid vaccine was 'the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust': Andrew Bridgen is suspended by party for anti-vaxxer Twitter rant and warned he may have 'blood on his hands'
Vaccine uptake among kindergarteners has dropped to a 10-year low due to pandemic restrictions and a growing anti-vaxx movement sweeping the US.

Just 93 percent of children had their MMR, DTaP, varicella and polio vaccines by the start of the 2021-2022 school year, down from 94 percent the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It means that around 250,000 entered education unprotected against potentially fatal diseases like measles, tetanus and polio - which have started to come back in the US.

Dr Sean OLeary, chair of the American Association of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases, said: 'Hundreds of thousands of children are starting school without being fully protected against measles, mumps, whooping cough, and other diseases that can easily spread in classrooms.'

CDC data for the 2021-2022 school year shows a 10 year low of MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners. Vaccination rate varies by state - with Alaska, Wisconsin, DC and Ohio revealed as those with the lowest percentage of MMR vaxxed kids

When compared with data from the 2020-2021 school year, MMR uptake can be seen to have dropped 1 percentage point since the previous year, with only 93.5% of registered kindergarteners vaccinated against measles

He added that 'outbreaks like these harm children and are alarming' and warned the issue 'effects everyone in these communities.'

The study suggested declining vaccination rates were due to a range of pandemic-related factors.

On and off lockdowns and limited access to hospitals and clinics are believed to have contributed to the two percent drop in kindergarteners getting their jabs.

But the recent rise in anti-vaxx sentiment - spurred by misinformation around the Covid mRNA vaccines - may have also played a role in the increasing number of parents reluctant to vaccinate their kids.

In October, the CDC added the Covid vaccine to the regular vaccine schedule, opening the door for local school districts in America to mandate the shot.

In the US, children are strongly advised to get the first dose of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at around 12 months old, then receiving the second dose between the ages of four to six.

DTaP, which protects from diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, requires five doses, given between the ages of two months and four to six years old on average.

The last two vaccines required to start school are against varicella and polio, both of which require multiple doses within a similar time-frame.

Vaccine coverage has been steadily dropping since the 2019-2020 school year.

Nationally, data from the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found two-dose MMR coverage at 93 percent, but the numbers varied by state.

This put the rate of MMR vaccination at its lowest since the 2013-2014 school year, where the average rate of fully vaxxed kindergarteners was 94.7.

In New York, where the highest number of kindergartners were fully vaccinated, 98 percent had received both jabs. Yet in Alaska, only 78 percent were reported to be fully vaxxed.

Scientists say that 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated against measles to reach herd immunity, due to its fast spread.

Herd immunity occurs when a large enough portion of a community is immune to a disease, therefore making further spread unlikely.

It is essential to reach this threshold in order to ensure children who are medically unable to receive vaccines are still able to attend school and remain safe.

Data was gathered from nearly 4million children enrolled in kindergarten - generally aged four to five - across 49 US states as well as the District of Columbia.

State and local entry requirements require schoolchildren in the US to provide evidence of vaccination to school nurses at the beginning of each year.

Of the surveyed kids, 2.6 percent had an official exemption - 0.2 percent medical and 2.3 percent non-medical - for one or more of the required vaccines.

Medical exemptions to vaccines are relatively uncommon and only given when a child has a proven medical contraindication to the vaccine.

These can include very rare instances of severe allergic reaction to the shot, which only occurs in around one in a million cases, or immunodeficiency caused by something like HIV, chemotherapy, or long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

Non-medical exemptions for those with objections to immunization based on sincerely held religious beliefs are available in 45 states, while exemptions based on personal, moral or philosophical beliefs are available in 15.

Children without the MMR vaccine risk contracting and spreading measles, a deadly disease that was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. Measles requires a herd immunity of 95% to prevent outbreaks, a level which US kindergarteners do not currently meet

Some states have introduced measures to remove both religious and personal belief exemptions to mitigate rapidly declining vaccination rates.

New York, West Virginia, Connecticut, Maine, California, Washington and Mississippi do not allow any exemption from vaccination other than medical.

Data on the 2021-2022 school year also showed a rise in children who were neither fully vaccinated, nor officially exempt - a category that now makes up 3.9 percent of kindergarteners nationwide.

These non-exempt, non-vaccinated students are often allowed to attend school while in a grace period, or provisionally enrolled.

Growing pockets of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, even within larger areas of high vaccine coverage, can lead to outbreaks of disease, the report warns.

The first US polio case in nearly a decade was reported this August. The unvaccinated adult was partially paralyzed by polio after catching the virus from an international traveler in Rockland County, NY.

The virus was later found in samples of wastewater in New York City.

Measles, once considered an eradicated disease, has also had a resurgence in the US this year, with at least 20 cases diagnosed in the upper Midwest.

Since it was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, the number of American children under the age of two going unvaccinated has quadrupled.

As the recent CDC numbers imply, this trend has only been accentuated by pandemic-induced vaccine skepticism.
Joe Biden is aiming to halve cancer deaths over the next 25 years

Dropping rates of lung and breast cancer mortality were behind it

Over the last three decades fatalities have declined by 33% from all cancers

The cancer death rate in the US has plummeted 33 percent in the past three decades, according to reassuring data highlighting the country's progress in fighting the disease.

A report by the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that 3.8million deaths have been averted since 1991 thanks to better treatments, diagnostics, public awareness campaigns and healthier habits.

Lung and breast cancers saw the biggest improvements in mortality  thanks to successful awareness campaigns and falling smoking rates  but there were also significant falls in skin and blood cancer deaths.

The ACS described the decline as 'truly formidable', but noted death rates were yet to improve in some cancers. President Joe Biden has set the goal of halving cancer deaths over the next 25 years through his up to $1billion 'Cancer Moonshot' initiative.

The above graph shows how cancer deaths have slowed in the United States. The blue line shows recorded deaths while the red indicates what would have happened if the country had remained on the same rate of increase. It is split by men and women

The above charts, also split by gender, show the rate of cases of selected cancers being detected in the United States annually. Cases of prostate and melanoma cancer are heading upwards in men, while among women breast cancer is rising

The annual ACS report uses national statistics to analyze the almost 200 cancers in the US.

About 143.8 or every 100,000 Americans were died from cancer in 2020, the most recently available data, down from the peak of 215.1 in 1991.

The fall has accelerated over time, from one percent in the 1990s to around two percent between 2015 and 2020.

From 2019 to 2020, the first year of the Covid pandemic, it fell by 1.5 percent.

Dr Karen Knudsen, chief executive of the ACS, described the figures as 'truly formidable' during an interview with CNN.

She added: 'New revelations for prevention, for early detection and for treatment have resulted in true, meaningful gains in many of the 200 diseases that we call cancer.'

The above chart shows trends in cancer mortality over time. It highlights a major drop in lung cancers amid improvements in treatment and fewer people taking up smoking

These are estimates for the number of cancer cases and deaths for selected cancer types by year, for the year 2023. Made by American Cancer Society

The new report found that the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers has risen from 49 percent in the 1970s to 68 percent by 2020.

In 1990, the lung cancer death rate was above 200 fatalities per 100,000 people, but by 2020 this had dropped to 144.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death from the disease, accounting for about 130,000 fatalities each year.

Fewer people smoking, screening improvements and advances in treatments were credited for the decline.

About 10 percent of Americans smoke cigarettes or cigars now, compared to more than 40 percent in the 1970s.

Breast cancer  the second leading cause of death from the disease in the US  has also seen a decline since 1989, dropping by 43 percent.

This is due to a combination of early diagnosis due to better screening programs and improved treatments.

The report also noted dramatic drops in fatality rates for less common cancers.

For myeloid leukemia,  a type of blood cancer  the five-year survival rate jumped to 70 percent by 2018 from 22 percent in the mid-1970s.

Skin cancer survival rates also improved, with the rates of those surviving more than three years after the cancer has spread to other areas of the body doubling from 20.6 to 39.3 percent over the past decade.

Researchers also predicted a likely rise in survival rates for cervical cancer.

Cases have dropped 65 percent among women in their early 20s between 2012 and 2019, who were the first generation to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV)  which raises the risk of the cancer if it triggers an infection.

The above chart shows the rate of cancer cases and deaths by gender and overall. The male line is blue, female is pink, while the overall line is orange

Joe Biden launches 'supercharged' Cancer Moonshot program Joe Biden said ending cancer 'as we know it' was one of the reasons he ran for president in September as he supercharged his 'Cancer Moonshot' initiative with a shot of glamour from the Kennedy family. Biden, who wants to cut cancer deaths in half over the next 25 years, said cancer can be transformed into a disease that can be managed and lived with. He issued his new call to arms at the John F. Kennedy Library, on the 60th anniversary of Prsident Kennedy's famous 'Moonshot' speech, where JFK rallied America to beat Russia to the moon  which was accomplished in 1969. 'When he set that goal, he established a national purpose that could rally the American people and a common cause. And he succeeded,' Biden said of JFK. 'Now in our time, on the 60th anniversary of his clarion call, we face another inflection point, and together, we can choose to move forward with unity, hope and optimism. 'I believe we can usher in the same unwillingness to postpone - the same national purpose - that will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills to end cancer as we know it. And even cure cancers once and for all.' The fight against cancer is personal for Biden, who lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. The Cancer Moonshot, originally created when Biden was vice president, came in the wake of Beau's death. Advertisement

Concerns were also raised, however, over rising case rates which could foreshadow a rise in deaths.

Breast, uterine and prostate cancer cases are all rising in the US, which may in part be down to improvements in screening, but this could also signal a rise in fatalities further down the line.

Doctors warned that upticks in uterine and breast cancers in women were largely being attributed to continued declines in fertility rates and rising obesity levels.

The ACS said in their report: 'Of concern are rising [cases] for breast, prostate and uterine cancers, all of which have a wide racial disparity in mortality and are amenable to early detection.'

The report also pointed out that despite ongoing research there has been no improvement in fatality rates for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates in the US, with just 12 percent of patients living beyond five years of their diagnosis.

This is largely because it triggers no symptoms until late in the disease, when the cancer has likely already spread to other areas of the body. Its symptoms, when they do appear, are also often mistaken for less sinister conditions.

For men, the fatality rate has risen from 12.1 to 12.7 deaths per 100,000 people over the past two decades, while for women it has remained at 9.3 to 9.6.

In its report, the ACS also estimates cancer cases and deaths for the coming year.

It showed that cases expected to be detected will rise in 2023 from 1.91million to 1.96million as a result of improvements in screening.

Deaths are also expected to tick up slightly from 609,300 to 609,800, likely due to the sheer volume of people getting cancer rather than a reversal of progress.

White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr Danielle Carnival heralded the report as showing 'great progress'.

She said: 'The report showing the US has cut cancer deaths by one-third over the last 30 years is great progress, which weve achieved through driving smoking rates down, improving early detection, and delivering better treatments for many cancers.

'It means millions of American families have been spared the immeasurable loss of a loved one.'

She added: 'The report also underscores that theres more work to do to save more lives.

'President Bidens vision for ending cancer as we know it is building on the progress weve made with an all-hands-on-deck effort to develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer  and ensure that the tools we have and those we develop along the way reach all Americans.'
Lisa Marie Presley, 54, suffered a 'full' cardiac arrest at her California home Thursday and needed CPR and a shot of adrenaline to jump-start her heart.

She later died at the hospital, with her mother Priscilla confirming the news saying 'my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.'

The daughter of rock-legend Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla was taken away from her Calabasas home in an ambulance after being resuscitated.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and denies the rest of the body oxygen-rich blood, shutting off supply to the brain and causing someone to go unconscious.

Lisa Marie Presley , 54, was rushed to a hospital after EMTs responded to her home for a 'full cardiac arrest.' She later died at the hospital

Cardiac arrest occurs when a person's heart suddenly stops beating. It is different from a heart attack as it is usually caused by an issue with the hearts electric rhythm

When blood stops flowing to the brain, lungs and other vital organs, their function is greatly diminished and key body process needed to keep a person alive are halted.

Most cardiac arrests occur when a diseased heart's electrical system malfunctions.

WHAT IS A CARDIAC ARREST? A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body, which is usually due to a problem with electrical signals in the organ. This causes the brain to be starved of oxygen, which results in sufferers not breathing and losing consciousness. In the UK, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur a year outside of hospital, compared to over 356,000 in the US. Cardiac arrests are different to heart attacks, with the latter occurring when blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off due to a clot in one of the coronary arteries. Common causes include heart attacks, heart disease and heart muscle inflammation. Drug overdose and losing a large amount of blood can also be to blame. Giving an electric shock through the chest wall via a defibrillator can start the heart again. In the meantime, CPR can keep oxygen circulating around the body. Advertisement

Brain cells can die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen.

Experts told DailyMail.com that a person could suffer permanent brain damage if they are not resuscitated within four minutes.

Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest is not caused by issues with the circulation of blood, but instead when the rhythm of the heartbeat is disrupted.

Heart attacks occur when an artery blockage deprives the heart of enough oxygen, causing cells in the organ to die. The heart does not stop beating during a heart attack, unlike some cases of cardiac arrest.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says that heart tissue scarring caused by a previous event like a heart attack or the development of cardiovascular disease can also be risk factors.

People who suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smokers, substance abuse and inactive lifestyles are at the highest risk.

Other risk factors include the thickening of the heart muscle - usually because of high blood pressure, some medications, substance abuse and blood vessel issues that can trigger during serious activities or an enlarged or inflamed heart.

In rare cases, cardiac arrest can be caused by a build-up of potassium in the body, called hyperkalemia.

These patients will be treated with calcium and insulin therapies to negate the effects of potassium in the blood.

In these cases, they will also be given diuretics, which increase urination to clean the mineral out of the body.

The AHA recommends the use of adrenaline to boost blood flow in the body when trying to resuscitate a cardiac arrest patient.

The chemical works by causing blood vessels in a person's body to contract, and redirect blood towards key organs like the heart and lungs. A 1mg dose will usually be given alongside CPR.

More than 350,000 Americans are hospitalized because of cardiac arrest each year, with 60 percent of patients being men.

Some people stay unconscious after having a cardiac arrest, and need intubation and ventilation with a breathing machine to keep their lungs working.

Patients will be put through a series of x-rays and blood tests to find the cause of the cardiac arrest.

A 2017 study led by the University of Iowa found that cardiac arrest patients spend an average of 12 days in the hospital.

Nearly all cases that strike a person outside of a hospital, 90 percent, will be fatal, estimates suggest.

Ms Presley has suffered addiction to opioid pain killers in the past.

She previously revealed she is 'grateful to be alive' after both her father and ex-husband Michael Jackson had died of drug overdoses.

University of Kansas researchers have linked opioid abuse to cardiac arrest, as the drug can be toxic to the heart, degrading its health overtime.

The damage it causes to the lungs is also linked to respiratory depression - when the organs fail to properly exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.
House Republicans passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on Wednesday, which marks the first anti-abortion bill to be given following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

GOP members used their new majority to push through a largely symbolic bill that would mandate health care providers to provide proper care to infants born after an attempted abortion. However, the measure comes as health providers are already legally obliged to act to provide medical services to any infant who was born at any gestational age.

House Republicans Pass Born-Alive Anti-Abortion Measure

The House's new measure also penalizes the "intentional killing" of what is considered a "born-alive child," an act that is already illegal under American law. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, enacted in 2002, says that any child born at any stage of development, including potentially after an abortion, should be considered a "person" and a "human being" and is entitled to the same legal protections and rights.

The measure passed 220-210 with the support of Republicans but has virtually no chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate. The only House Democrat that did not support abortion rights, Rep. Henry Cuellar, voted in support of the Republican Party's born-alive measure, as per Axios.

The primary difference between the 2002 law and the recent measure is that the latter implements penalties for healthcare providers who refuse to "preserve the life and health of the child."

Healthcare providers could face up to five years of imprisonment under the new bill and be tried for murder if they are determined to have "intentionally" killed or attempted to kill a child through abortion. Furthermore, providers can face legal actions from the person on who the abortion was performed or, at least, tried.

In 2020, 93.1% of abortions were performed on women at or before 13 weeks of their pregnancy, 5.8% were conducted on pregnant patients between 14 and 20 weeks, and 0.9% were performed at or after 21 weeks of pregnancy. The figures came from the most recent numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Read Also: Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal Takes New Turn with Shocking New Findings

Restriction of Abortion Access

According to CNN, after the measure's passing, opponents argued that the act restricts abortion access by threatening health care providers. The new act also comes after Democrats have tried to make abortion one of, if not their most pressing issue during the midterm elections following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe.

In a statement on Tuesday, NARAL Pro-Choice America criticized the new bill and several others. Officials said that these types of measures showed that House Republicans are publicly rejecting the desire of the overwhelming majority of United States citizens who voted in support of legalizing abortion in November.

The president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Mini Timmaraju, said that their Democratic representatives who support reproductive freedom in the House were ready and willing to fight to restore and expand abortion access to all Americans. The House also voted to pass a separate measure on Wednesday condemning "recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches."

A sponsor of the born-alive measure, Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, praised the bill's passing. She said that regardless of the circumstances of a newborn infant's birth, everyone had the right to share the miracle of life and receive proper, life-saving medical care, The Hill reported.

Related Article: House of Representatives Vote To Create China Committee To Counter Beijing's Growing International Influence

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Book of the Week

Tough Guy: The Life Of Norman Mailer

by Richard Bradford (Bloomsbury 20, 304pp)

Norman Mailer couldnt even walk the dog without starting a fight. One night in 1956, the Pulitzer-winning New York novelist came home bloodied and bruised after getting into a brawl with a pair of sailors who apparently disparaged one of his pet poodles as queer.

No greater insult for the self-styled macho man, famously pictured in 1977 with his last wife, Norris Church (an old flame of Bill Clinton), draped over him with bare shoulders and plunging cleavage as he reclined at his typewriter, hairy chest on show, drink by his side.

Born in New Jersey in 1923, Mailer's debut novel The Naked And The Dead  a 700-page epic of a beleaguered American platoon in the Pacific during World War II  was published when he was just 25

Born in New Jersey in 1923, his debut novel The Naked And The Dead  a 700-page epic of a beleaguered American platoon in the Pacific during World War II, drawn from his own experience  was published when he was just 25.

For Mailer, the writing life was never one of solitary contemplation. On the set of his 1970 movie Maidstone, about a presidential candidate lined up for assassination (played by the author himself), he bit the ear of his castmate Rip Torn, who had just brained him with a toy claw hammer. Onlooking cast members wondered if the fracas was part of the movie, which was largely improvised.

In 1960, in a mark of his desire to be hip, not square (as expressed in his bizarrely racialised essay The White Negro), he threw a riotous party bringing recently released offenders together with the great and the good of the New York book world. In the aftermath he stabbed his second wife, the painter Adele Morales, missing her heart by a quarter of an inch.

He was running for mayor of New York at the time, dropping out of the race only after he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault, for which he received a three-year suspended jail sentence.

Morales, who eventually wrote about the attack in her memoir The Last Party, didnt press charges, declaring that she and Mailer were perfectly happy together; they divorced the following year, when Mailer had already taken up with the third of his eventual six wives.

His last book, The Castle In The Forest, about Hitler, published in 2007, the year Mailer died, won an award for Bad Sex in Fiction

Cancelled? Not a bit of it. After the success of The Naked And The Dead, ecstatically compared on its release to Tolstoys War And Peace, publishers were still eager to hand over eye-watering sums of cash for his work, feeding his spiralling alimony payments.

Running on bourbon and benzedrine, Mailer wrote about anything and everything, from ancient Egypt to the moon landings, Muhammad Ali to Marilyn Monroe, in thundering oratorical style and often at crazy length, as in Harlots Ghost, a 1,300-page novel about the CIA.

When an American magazine drubbed his 1997 novel about Jesus, The Gospel According To The Son, Mailer punched the editor in the face.

Another review from the writer Gore Vidal, a long-time frenemy whom Mailer had previously headbutted, brought the same response. (Once again, words fail you, Vidal apparently replied. Kapow!)

His last book, The Castle In The Forest, about Hitler, published in 2007, the year Mailer died, won an award for Bad Sex in Fiction.

Yet there was also wild acclaim, not least for his Pulitzer-winning non-fiction novel The Executioners Song, about Gary Gilmore, an armed robber sentenced to death for murdering two men in Utah in 1976.

Mailers research for the book brought him into the orbit of Jack Abbott, who had read about the work in progress while jailed for manslaughter.

When he wrote to Mailer offering his insights into prison life, Mailer helped him publish the letters as a successful book, In The Belly Of The Beast.

Abbotts literary skill represented grounds for his early release, or so Mailer argued  but six weeks into his parole, he stabbed a Cuban waiter to death after an argument in a restaurant.

Mailer stuck by him. I am willing to gamble with certain elements of society to save this mans talent, he said, demonstrating his deeply unhealthy logic.

When he wasnt downright disturbing, Mailer (who called women sloppy beasts to be kept in cages) was laughable, claiming in 1971s The Prisoner Of Sex that menstruating women drivers were twice as likely as men to have accidents.

Nevertheless the feminist campaigner Gloria Steinem initially backed him for mayor of New York when he ran a second time in 1969.

He wasnt hostile like the ultra-right-wing anti-feminists  he just didnt get it, she later explained.

Mailers tortured imagination coupled envious desire for what he viewed as womens inherent sexual ease (also a feature of his equally unreadable thoughts on black men) with a reflexively pejorative assessment of their intellectual capacity. Steinem later said: I always thought The Prisoner Of Sex was a good title. He was a prisoner of sex.

She even went to bed with him to get him to leave her alone, finding him so vulnerable, in a weird way, although he had apparently drunk too much to get an erection.

Richard Bradford, an academic with biographies of Philip Larkin and Kingsley Amis to his name, passes over that little detail.

He rightly condemns Mailer but never explains why anyone in the year 2023 would spend a minute reading (let alone writing) about a man he portrays almost exclusively as a narcissistic thug.

True, his writing is frequently vile. Yet todays novelists  if theyre not too busy arguing with each other on Twitter  might be forgiven a green-eyed glance at an era when an uncompromisingly literary author could be central to the culture.

I suspect the sheer scope and scale of his novels means they will get another day in the sun before long.

But not a nice guy, no  nor, deep down, a tough one, you suspect. Even if I wouldnt have told him to his face.
Some insurers reject almost half of all home insurance claims, official figures show, with one in four thrown out on average.

Although insurers argue the real figure is lower than this, consumer champions say the figures reveal a second major problem: customers do not understand what they are being sold.

Home insurance is meant to protect the most valuable things we own: our properties and possessions. This insurance is made up of two parts. First is buildings cover, which pays out if a physical property is damaged, and second is contents insurance, which covers the items inside it.

Yet many massive insurance firms, including several top-ten insurers, shoot down almost half of all claims, according to the latest worrying figures from regulator the Financial Conduct Authority.

Expectation vs reality: Consumers buy home insurance in case the worst should happen, but official figures suggest these policies do not pay out as much as they might think

These statistics show that an average of 23 per cent of home insurance claims are rejected by insurers - with some firms refusing to pay out on up to 45 per cent.

By contrast around 99 per cent of car insurance claims are accepted by insurers, according to FCA figures.

>> Are your car and home cover bills about to rocket by 30%?

There is also huge variation among insurers when it comes to paying home insurance claims.

Some firms, such as Ageas Insurance, QIC Europe and Qmetric pay out 55 to 60 per cent of these claims, according to the FCA data. But others, such as Haven Insurance and Hiscox, pay out almost 100 per cent.

Home insurers that pay the fewest claims Insurer Claims accepted Average claim payout Ageas Insurance 55-60% 4,500 to 5,000 QIC Europe 55-60% 2,500 to 3,000 Qmetric Group 55-60% 2,500 to 3,000 AA Underwriting Insurance 60-65% 2,000 to 2,500 Lloyds Bank General Insurance 60-65% 4,000 to 4,500 Source: FCA value measures data, July to December 2021

Why are so many home insurance claims rejected?

Insurers say that 23 per cent figure of denied home insurance claims is more complicated than it first appears.

Some of that figure comes from genuinely rejected claims - but insurers also blame red tape for some of the home insurance rejection statistics.

That is because these figures include customers who contact their insurer to ask if something is covered under their insurance, but end up not claiming.

That scenario is known as 'claims walkout' in the insurance world.

Home insurers that pay the most claims Insurer Claims accepted Average claims payout UK Insurance 95-100% 2,000 to 2,500 Tokio Marine Kiln Syndicates 95-100% 2,500 to 3,000 Hiscox Insurance Company 95-100% 8,000 to 8,500 Haven Insurance Company 95-100% 3,500 to 4,000 Greenwood Insurance 95-100% 1,000 to 1,500 Source: FCA value measures data, July to December 2021

Do customers understand home insurance?

Even if aborted claims do make up a big chunk of rejected claims at some firms, it does not explain why some insurers seem to reject almost half while others turn down almost none.

It also does not explain why insurers' own figures show the same problem the FCA has highlighted.

The Association of British Insurers trade body separately reports that 19 per cent of home insurance claims in 2018/19 were rejected - almost the same as the FCA's 23 per cent figure.

Either way, insurance experts say that claims walkout is a sign of a second big problem in the insurance world - that customers often are unsure what they are buying.

The whole point of claims walkout is that a customer has had to contact an insurer to see if they are covered for something - but they should have known in the first place.

Experts say there is widespread lack of consumer knowledge about insurance deals, which can be 16 times longer than War and Peace

James Daley, of campaign group Fairer Finance, said: 'I think customers do not understand what they are buying. This is a perennial issue in home insurance, which can have 20,000 pages in a policy document.'

That is around 16 times longer than the epic novel War and Peace, often used to describe something lengthy, which has around 1,200 pages.

Michael Sicsic, managing partner of Sicsic Advisory and a former FCA insurance head, said: 'It is either a reflection of the product not meeting the expectation of the customer, or of customers not fully understanding their cover.'

But he added that 'the business model of insurers is to pay claims, not to find reasons to refuse them'.

What insurers say

Insurers point their fingers at one another and say some firms just report more claims walkout than others.

How home insurance was born after the Great Fire of London Home insurance as we know it today came about after the Great Fire of London in 1666

The fire burned for four days, killed thousands and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings

After the fire, London residents called for protection in case of another inferno

This led to brokers offering the first fire insurance, which was later expanded to cover more risks to property

A spokesman for AA Underwriting said: 'The AA Underwriting Insurance Company will always accept and pay claims where the customer is covered, and our acceptance levels aligns with larger home insurers.

'We do not believe that these figures provide a meaningful comparison for claims acceptance for several reasons, but predominantly because insurers appear to interpret the FCA definitions for claims acceptance differently.'

An Ageas spokesperson said the its data 'includes all calls even if a customer has contacted us to check whether they have cover, or called in error to talk about a policy they hold with another insurer'.

The spokesperson added: 'While this means our claims acceptance rates look low, were pleased to see that our ratio of complaints is at the lower end when compared to the market.'

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said: 'Around 10 per cent of claims made by our home insurance customers in the second half of 2021 were declined.

'However, the FCA data also includes things like if a customer called us to ask whether something was covered by their insurance  like a TV that has stopped working  and were informed it was not, even if they didnt make a claim. Were confident our products deliver for our customers.'

A Qmetric spokesperson said: 'We are proud of the customer-focused service we deliver and carefully monitor satisfaction and renewal rates, which both compare well to industry averages, as well as acting on feedback to continually improve the customer experience.'

An FCA spokesperson said: 'We expect firms to handle claims fairly and promptly. We are currently engaging with insurers to remind them of these requirements.

'As noted at the time of publication, as this is the first publication it is possible that reporting inconsistencies may exist between firms. Though we have not identified any confirmed inconsistent reporting, we are reminding firms about how they should report claims acceptance rates.'
The chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Harriett Baldwin, has taken to the public prints in protest at the International Monetary Funds refusal to give public testimony on former chancellor Kwasi Kwartengs disastrous going-for-growth mini-Budget.

One can understand the resistance to testify from the top officials, managing director Kristalina Georgieva and chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas.

After all, the IMF has 190 members, including all the advanced nations.

Silence: The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (pictured) has refused to explain the organisation's comments on Kwasi Kwarteng's mini budget

The idea of having to provide direct testimony in national parliaments and becoming caught up in local squabbles would be a political and logistical nightmare.

It could also undermine the funds role as a mostly trusted independent arbiter.

The usual way for its officials to communicate with clients is through regular Article 4 annual inspection or through Washington-based national directors.

The UK has the special privilege of its own seat on the board of governors.

As a veteran attendee at IMF meetings and follower of its usual ways of doing business with the Western democracies, I have real sympathy with Baldwins request. In its harsh and public criticism of the Truss-Kwarteng government, the IMF strayed far from the norm.

In the first instance a spokesman provided a quote to Reuters on September 28 last year taking issue with the mini-Budget.

It archly noted we do not recommend large and untargeted fiscal packages at this juncture, as it is important that fiscal policy does not work at cross-purposes to monetary policy.

At the annual meetings in Washington IMF officials argued there was nothing odd about the intervention but were hard-pushed to find parallels in the shape of direct comment on other G7 countries.

Arguably, the words were counterproductive, hastening the run on the pound and the blow out in gilt yields (with its lasting impact on fixed rate mortgage rates).

During his press conference on the autumn World Economic Outlook report, Gourinchas used a colourful metaphor arguing that the combination of interest tightening and fiscal largesse in the UK was a little like two people in the front of the car each trying to steer in a different direction.

Georgieva joined in with a lecture 24 hours later, noting that the UK had robust financial institutions in the shape of the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Treasury and the Bank of England and should listen to them. In her private session with Kwarteng she was even more direct.

This was by no means the IMFs only intervention in the UK political debates.

Georgievas predecessor Christine Lagarde used a Treasury press conference in May 2016 to caution that Brexit would be pretty bad to very, very bad.

The willingness of mainly European IMF officials openly to round on Britain, outside its regular assessments, is disproportional.

Having set itself up as an arbiter of a UK economic event it is asymmetrical to refuse to provide evidence, at the very least by video, to the Commons.

The fund is wrong to resist public accountability to the Parliament of a founder shareholder. It should think again.

Risk premium

Cold snaps are so rare in the UK they always catch us by surprise. Having navigated my way out of Brighton on December 11, a day of heavy snow, I am not in the least surprised by a sharp rise in motor claims.

There was a horrendous scene of cars sliding uncontrollably down hills en route to the London road. Now, Direct Line is reporting heavy claims for burst pipes.

Its woes cast a pall over the sector, wiping a chunky 1.45billion off shares. Shareholders may be paying the price now but it is policyholders who will be punished when premium renewals fall due.

You can never win with insurance.

New Look

Were all experts on billionaires following the brilliant TV series Succession, broadly thought to be based on shifting tides inside Rupert Murdochs media family.

In a new, unrelated series one of Europes richest tycoons Bernard Arnault has tipped his hat in the direction of eldest daughter Delphine by putting her in charge of haute couture company Christian Dior.

She joins another female scion at the top  Marta Ortega, daughter of founder-owner Amancio Ortega, who heads Zara fashion empire Inditex. How times have changed.
Former Twitter staff in the UK are taking legal action against the company, claiming they were unlawfully dismissed during mass job cuts following the takeover by Elon Musk.

London law firm Winckworth Sherwood has accused Twitter of 'unlawful, unfair and completely unacceptable treatment' in a 'sham redundancy process'.

Tesla boss Musk axed half of Twitter's 7,500 employees just days after he completed his 38billion takeover in October.

Dismissals: Tesla boss Elon Musk (pictured) axed half of Twitter's 7,500 employees just days after he completed his 38bn takeover in October

The City firm is acting on behalf of 43 of the more than 180 UK staff that were dismissed.

In the letter seen by the Daily Mail, Winckworth said: 'We consider that Twitter has acted, and is continuing to act, in blatant disregard of its obligations to our clients under English law throughout the redundancy process to date.'

It is unclear how many staff are still employed in the UK by Twitter, but LinkedIn figures suggest this could be as low as 362 employees.

Twitter was not available to comment.
Darktrace shares fell below their float price after the tech darling cut growth forecasts.

The FTSE 100 firm said the impact of economic uncertainty was larger than expected as customers shied away from spending on cyber-security.

As a result, it expects a key measure of revenues to rise by between 29 per cent and 31.5 per cent this year, down from an earlier forecast of 31 per cent to 34 per cent.

Shares slump: Darktrace, led by Poppy Gustafsson (pictured) said it expects revenues to rise by between 29% and 31.5% this year - down from an earlier forecast of 31% to 34%

The update sent shares plunging 20 per cent in early trading to a low of 240p  below the 250p the shares were floated at in April 2021. The stock later closed at 250.7p, valuing it at 1.8billion.

The slump is a setback for Darktrace chief executive Poppy Gustafsson who has been lauded in the City since it listed.

Chief financial officer Cathy Graham said clients were focusing on survival and their payrolls. The company uses AI to detect cyber-attacks.

Clients range from blue-chip titans to start-ups. Graham said its biggest customer losses meant the Cambridge firm was putting greater focus on big-hitters and raising some prices.
Sanjeev Guptas Liberty Steel will cut production and mothball sites in a shake-up that threatens 440 jobs.

The group blamed soaring energy prices, which made it unviable to make certain types of steel and will now import them from overseas.

It is the latest crisis in an industry, which has struggled for years with high power costs and cheap imports.

Cuts: Liberty Steel says soaring energy prices have made it unviable to make certain types of steel and that it will now import them from overseas

Scunthorpe-based British Steel is seeking a Government bailout of 300million.

Liberty, Britains third-largest steel maker, employs around 2,350 people at 11 sites including Newport, Rotherham and West Bromwich. It almost went bust after the collapse of Greensill Capital in 2021.

Greensill was the largest lender to Libertys parent company GFG, which is run by Gupta.

GFG is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office over suspected fraud and money laundering.

Unions claimed Liberty had not consulted them. Alun Davies, of the Community union, described the news as a body blow while the Unite union said it would fight tooth and nail for every job.
Tesco boss Ken Murphy said shoppers are cautiously optimistic about 2023 as it celebrated a bumper Christmas.

The UKs biggest grocer said sales jumped 7.2 per cent in the six weeks to January 7.

Marks and Spencer also toasted a successful Christmas as shoppers brushed off the economic gloom.

Sales up: Tesco, the UKs biggest grocer, is celebrating a bumper Christmas as it revealed sales jumped 7.2% in the six weeks to January 7

The pair are just the latest to report bumper festive figures following the likes of Next, Sainsburys, JD Sports, Aldi and Lidl.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: It feels like retailers are doing better than feared, with some notable exceptions.

The UKs grocers were boosted by families celebrating their first restriction-free Christmas since the pandemic struck.

And fashion firms, such as Next, JD and Primark, benefited from a drop in online shopping as customers flocked back to stores. But in a sign some firms lost out, some retailers unveiled falling sales.

Fast fashion firm Asos saw sales dip 3 per cent in the last four months of 2022. Despite that, shares jumped 20.9 per cent, or 122.5p, to 708.5p as investors pinned hopes on a turnaround.

N Brown, the online retailer behind Simply Be and JD Williams, saw sales dip 7.6 per cent in the final quarter of 2022.

And online wine retailer Virgin Wines posted a profit warning after what boss Jay Wright called a disappointing end to the year. Shares crashed 24.1 per cent, or 17.5p, to 55p.

Halfords crashed 18.7 per cent after a shortage of mechanics and weak demand for tyres hit its autocentres while bike sales remained subdued.

Shore Capital retail analyst Clive Black said: There are going to be losers. He added: In terms of Christmas in the UK, people have been much more careful with how they spent.

But on the back of that, they have not been together for three years so in terms of the retail spending cake, the supermarkets are the big winners. The money people had available, they decided to eat and drink.

Online has really suffered and the pure-play online retailers have been exposed. Tesco said it snapped up shoppers from its traditional rivals, stemming losses as some customers switched to Aldi and Lidl.

It was engaged in a fierce price war with the German discounters, and said it put on its most competitive offering, with more than 600 products included in its Aldi price match campaign.

The supermarket, which controls a mammoth 27.5 per cent of the sector, said it would hit its target, with profit for the year to the middle of April of between 2.4billion and 2.5billion.

Tesco shares rose by 0.9 per cent, or 2.3p, to 246p. Boss Murphy said: In terms of trends for 2023 were seeing customers express sentiments of cautious optimism.

Customers are weathering the storm, were in a full employment market, I think the sense is that maybe the recession will be a little shallower than maybe people were thinking, so theres a little bit of cautious optimism.
In times of economic uncertainty businesses have been turning to professional employer organisations (PEOs) in droves in order to meet their constantly evolving requirements.

However, while blue collar companies are arguably the most in-need, the service is almost exclusively offered to white collar businesses.

PEOs help ease administrative processes, create healthier work environments, mitigate risks, and lower business costs - helping small to mid-size companies reduce liabilities and increase efficiency.

O.C.M.I. Workers Comp is a PEO brokerage that specialises in finding the best affordable PEO program for blue-collar companies and is giving businesses a lifeline

Yet blue collar companies are harder to approve and classified as high-risk due to additional risk mitigation, and therefore are neglected by most PEOs.

Tackling this head on is O.C.M.I. Workers Comp, a PEO brokerage that specialises in finding the best affordable PEO program for blue-collar companies.

WHAT IS A PEO? PEO stands for professional employer organization. It is a type of full-service human resource outsourcing formed from a joint-employment relationship. They serve to help small and midsized businesses manage certain HR responsibilities and risks. PEOs typically streamline operations by processing payroll, maintaining workers compensation coverage and and provides HR guidance. Entering into a PEO agreement does not cede ownership or complete control of your organization.

Using their leveraged technology and diverse industry experience they have built a unique system tailored to the lesser approved companies.

Since launching in 2007, they have been helping blue-collar businesses in various sectors, with a wealth of history and experience in the construction industry.

O.C.M.I. Workers Comp has proprietary underwriting platforms with an extensive and robust process that provides carriers with the data they require to approve hard-to-place clients.

Their unique approach has allowed them to build strong relationships with carriers and PEOs, enabling access to markets that competitors don't have and access to specific carriers that only approve these clients.

The tailored approach also spreads to covering companies with employees based in multiple states.

They have utilised their experience to create an one-of-a-kind customer relationship management (CRM) service - dubbed Janice - which trawls the internet for information such as tax ID, violations and proof of coverage, saving time in the approval process.

Their easy to use software has more than 100 unique programs that don't request audits, deposits, or cancellation fees, while the pay-as-you-go program ensures there are no hidden costs or nasty surprises.

O.C.M.I. is working to become a leading name in PEO brokerage by continue to help blue-collar companies make it onto carriers approval lists.
A travel blogger charged with the double murder of a baker and his daughter in regional Queensland has a wild romantic past and was in a bizarre love triangle.

A video obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows accused killer Kristen Olsen, 24, and one of her romantic interests being detained by police in a wild scenes where she screams and cries on the street.

It can also be revealed that, in a strange coincidence, Olsen's sister runs Acacia Nails & Beauty in the building next door to the bakery on Biggenden's main street owned by Todd Mooney, 54.

Mr Mooney was allegedly killed alongside his daughter Kirra, 10, five days before Christmas.

Olsen's sister Sam, who runs the business on Edward Street, Biggenden, changed her name on Facebook to Sam Moody on Wednesday after her younger sister was charged with the alleged double murder.

Kristen Olsen, who is also an OnlyFans creator and self-proclaimed gypsy, has been remanded in custody since appearing in Maroochydore Local Court.

The travel blogger accused of the double murder of Biggenden baker and his daughter Kirra, 10, has a wild romantic past including a love triangle with a Maryborough couple

The Acacia Nail salon is next door to the Biggenden bakery which was operated by Todd Mooney, who died in the shed fire on December 20 on his property several kilometres out of the town

A Maryborough woman shared an expletive-laden video of Kristen Olsen and a man being arrested by police in 2021 after a domestic violence incident.

The woman said after she discovered her former partner had been in a sexual relationship with Ms Olsen, the younger woman had sent her several messages.

In the video, Olsen is seen screaming and crying as she is piled into a police car and the man is placed into a police wagon.

The man was charged, while Olsen was released without charge.

The man, who is a convicted drug taker with a history of ice addiction, has since lost contact with Ms Olsen.

Kristen Olsen has a minor conviction in Queensland for low range drink driving, for which she pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court in May last year.

She was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for one month.

Todd Mooney, above, died in a fire alongside his daughter Kirra, 10, just before Christmas

Queensland Police allege Kristen Olsen deliberately lit the fire that destroyed the large shed on the Mooney family's property (above) 3.4 km outside Biggenden on December 20

Earlier in the week, it was revealed the police investigation into the alleged murders of Todd and Kirra Mooney was now focusing on a white van that was seen in the area on the same day as the blaze.

Todd and Kirra Mooney were found dead inside a burned-down shed at their property in Biggenden on December 20 at about 12.20pm.

Kristen Olsen was charged with two counts of murder and four counts of arson relating to the Biggenden incident and another alleged fire in Maryborough.

Queensland Police released an image of a white Holden Barina wagon that has a distinctive solar panel on its roof as it ramped up its investigation.

The body of 10-year-old Kirra Mooney was found in the blackened remains of the shed

Kristen Olsen, 24, (pictured) was charged with two counts of murder and one count of arson over the deaths of Todd Mooney, 54, and Kirra Mooney, 10, on Friday

'Investigators appeal to anyone who may have seen the vehicle between 10am and 2pm on December 20 between Biggenden and Bam Bam Springs to come forward,' a spokesperson said.

Queensland Police Detective Chief Inspector Gary Pettiford confirmed a week ago that Olsen was the only person of interest 'at this stage' of the investigation.

He said while she didn't have any known links to the Mooney family, she had attended school in Biggenden, located in Queensland's North Burnett Region.

Mr Mooney, who owned a bakery in town, had been planning to wed his long-time partner Bec Hansen at the property the same week he died.

Todd Mooney, 54, and his daughter Kirra Mooney, 10, (pictured is Todd and Kirra as a baby) were found dead inside a burned down shed at their property in Biggenden, in south-east Queensland on December 20 at about 12.20pm

Queensland Police on Monday night released an image of a white Holden Barina wagon that was seen driving in the area on the same day as the fire

Ms Hansen had been working at the bakery on the day the fire began.

Olsen is understood to have made the 15-hour drive down the coast from Cairns to the town of Biggenden in December.

On November 24, she told followers she was 'back, bigger and better than ever' and thanked them for their support over the years in a lengthy Facebook post.

She shared a link to her OnlyFans page 'SlipperyGypsy.69' for people who wanted to see 'where my feet take me and what they are continuously teaching me'.

'These two foot falcons have led me to the heart of Far North Queensland  a town surrounded by jungle  where I am able to be myself,' she wrote in the post.

'For those who don't know, I stand for the land; our ultimate sustainable life force.

'Over the years my bare feet have led me to different places, exploring new ventures and commemorating the origins of Australia's vast lands and communities.'

On the homepage of her adults-only subscription site, Olsen said she is a 'small town barefoot gypsy, exploring the many pleasures in life'.
Heartbreaking images of five emu chicks ran over and left for dead on a remote road in a national park have sparked community outrage over what's been described 'deliberate act of cruelty'.

A quest for answers is underway after the 'massacred' chicks were discovered in various states of trauma with horrific injuries across a dead-end road in Hawke National Park at Yeagarup in Western Australia's southwest on Saturday.

Volunteer wildlife carer Leonie Burt was called out to the distressing scene, and by the time she arrived, two chicks were already dead.

Three others barely clinging to life were rushed to Manjimup Veterinary Clinic but were in such a bad state there was no other choice but to euthanise them.

One had a broken spine, another with a broken leg, while a third with a broken pelvis and smashed leg fought hard to stay alive but eventually succumbed to his injuries.

Volunteer wildlife carer Leonie Burt found the five emu chicks scattered alongside and in the middle of a dead end road

An emotional Ms Burt is still traumatised by the horrifying discovery and believed it was a deliberate act of animal cruelty.

'The way the birds were laid out, they were scattered and quite some distance apart,' she told Seven News.

'If five birds had been walking in a row in the middle of the road, that's where they would have fallen but they were everywhere.'

'It was the most horrific scene I've come across and these babies were looking at me like 'what have we done to deserve this.''

'It was the most horrific brutality I've seen. Someone has mowed these babies down. They've chased them down.'

Three chicks were still alive but later had to be put down due to serious extent of their injuries

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is investigating the shocking act of cruelty

As the shocking act took place in a national park, the culprits responsible could face criminal charges if they're tracked down.

Distressing images show the emu chicks scattered alongside and in the middle of the road.

'Why would someone run over five emu chicks and not stop and ask for help? Unfortunately there was no sign of Mum and the bush is too thick to penetrate,' Amaris Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary shared posted.

The sanctuary later added there was no sign of the chicks' dad, their primary carer.

Local believe the horrific incident wasn't an accident . Pictured are the five emus scattered across the dead end road

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is investigating.

'They are out looking for Daddy Emu and moving the deceased ones into the bush. Also they have a camera set up and will be checking on all vehicles that travelled through the area. This was in a National park,' the sanctuary added.

Members of the local Pemberton community have pitched in towards a $1500 reward for anyone with information about who's responsible.

'The community is so strong and they can see this is an act of cruelty and it's not to be tolerated,' Ms Burt said.

'These people need to be prosecuted.'
Russia's Defense Ministry announced that army chief Valery Gerasimov had been appointed as the new head of the Ukraine invasion force, replacing Sergei Surovikin after only three months.

Gerasimov is known for helping plan Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which started in February last year and served as President Vladimir Putin's military chief of general staff for over a decade. His predecessor, Surovikin, previously commanded Russian forces in Syria and has become one of Gerasimov's three deputies.

Russia Appoints New Head of Ukraine Invasion Force

Analysts argued that the replacement of Surovikin, a respected commander within the Russian military, with a Kremlin apparatchik shows that Putin is more focused on projecting stability rather than improving Moscow's chances of winning its war against Ukraine.

A senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation in Washington, Dara Massicot, said that Russians had taken someone who was competent and replaced him with someone who was incompetent but has been there for a long time and is loyal to Putin.

Surovikin's appointment in October last year ended months of disjointed military operations that analysts argued were contributing factors to Russia's disastrous performance on the battlefield. His appointment also came after Ukrainian forces recovered thousands of square miles of territory in a lightning counteroffensive in the northeast, as per the New York Times.

The Russian military primarily switched to a defensive stance under the leadership of Surovikin, allowing it to reduce military failures. The general was also able to conduct an orderly retreat from the southern city of Kherson, the only Ukrainian provincial capital captured by Russian forces nearly a year since the beginning of the invasion.

Some nationalist Russian military bloggers criticized Surovikin's replacement by Gerasimov, comparing it to a game of musical chairs among Moscow's ineffectual military old guard. The bloggers have become increasingly vocal in the last few weeks in calling for an overhaul of Russia's approach to the invasion.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said Ukraine could win the war against Russia in 2023 if it received more Western weapons. The official noted that if not, the battle would grind on "for decades," pointing out that the "bloodiest" fighting was taking place in eastern Ukraine in Bakhmut and Soledar.

Read Also: German Police Crack Down on Coal Mine Protesters Barricaded in Abandoned Village

Russia Reshuffles Top Officials

According to CBS News, last year, the United States supplied Ukraine with missile systems ranging from around 80 kilometers that were credited with turning the tide of the war in Kyiv's favor. However, Podolyak said that only missiles with a range of 100 kilometers would allow the Ukrainian army to accelerate the de-occupation of their territories significantly.

When the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, also known as HIMARS, showed up in Ukraine, it changed the face of the battle against Russia. The former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said that the capability gave Ukrainian forces the potential to change the momentum of the war entirely.

The recent reshuffling of Russia's top officials comes as Moscow authorities claim that they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after a series of military losses in the last few months, BBC reported.

Related Article: Ukraine War: Soldier Admits 'No One Counts the Dead' in Ukraine Town Under Heavy Attack by Russia

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A music teacher accused of sexually abusing two girls in the early 2000s is set to fight the allegations, a court has been told.

Michael Watkin faced Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday after being arrested late last year over the alleged incidents at a home in Sydney's southwest.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent assault - victim under authority of offender.

The 52-year-old is alleged to have sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in 2001 and a five-year-old girl in 2004-05.

On Thursday, he briefly faced Campbelltown Local Court, where his lawyer Jarrod Walter told the court he would be entering pleas of not guilty to both charges.

Wearing a blue shirt and dark slacks, Mr Watkin appeared in court on Thursday accompanied by a woman.

Michael Watkin, 52, was arrested on Thursday, December 22. He is accused of sexually abusing two young girls

The court was told that prosecutors must serve the brief of evidence by February 9, with a reply to be lodged the following month.

Mr Watkin was arrested at Campbelltown Police Station on December 22 after a woman made a complaint to police.

He was granted strict conditional bail and ordered to appear in court.

Before his website was deleted, Mr Watkin wrote that he had graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, taught several instruments as well as having toured Australia, Europe and New Zealand with various ensembles.

He did not comment to waiting media as he left Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.
The ex-chief of the Navy has been called out for whisking his girlfriend away for a romantic night on a submarine to ask her to marry him.

Then-Vice Admiral Michael Noonan got down on one knee to pop the question to his partner Samantha Heighway, while they were on board HMAS Waller overnight on June 23 last year.

Mr Noonan, now retired, had granted approval for Ms Heighway to join him on the vessel which was travelling off the coast of Western Australia.

Romantic snaps from the occasion show the couple standing on top of the Collins class submarine dressed in military clothing, with camouflage pants and life jackets around their necks.

Then-Vice Admiral Michael Noonan got down on one knee to pop the question to his partner Samantha Heighway, while they were on board HMAS Waller overnight on June 23 last year

Loved up snaps of the pair on board the vessel were shared to Ms Heighway's Instagram

Mr Noonan wore his naval jacket while his soon-to-be wife donned a dark, woollen beanie.

The pictures were posted to Ms Heighway's Instagram account, with one snap showing the loved up pair sharing a kiss.

In another picture, Mr Noonan has his back to the camera as he hugs his fiance who proudly shows off her new engagement ring to the photographer.

While the submarine was at sea to film for Defence Force Recruiting, the Department of Defence admitted Mr Noonan's decision to bring his partner on board was 'not routine'.

Mr Noonan retired from Defence in September 2022 after 38 years in the force

While the submarine was at sea to film for Defence Force Recruiting, the Department of Defence described Mr Noonan's decision to bring his partner on board as 'not routine'

'Defence is advised that Mr Noonan proposed marriage to his partner during the sea ride,' a spokesperson said.

While their romantic getaway didn't break any rules, the spokesperson added 'it is not routine for Defence members to take a civilian partner, spouse (or) relative on an overnight sea ride'.

In an unrelated move, Mr Noonan was replaced as navy chief five days later by Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.

The proposal was slammed by former digger and Coalition defence spokesman Phillip Thompson who argued it was evidence of a double standard that exists between those of various ranks in the force.

'If it had been an enlisted soldier in the lowest rank, they would definitely be in trouble for (bringing) someone on to a military equipment or base and they would be reprimanded,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'I think there is a double standard.'

Mr Thompson said the move had also left members of the Navy in an 'awkward position'.

The proposal was slammed by former digger and Coalition defence spokesman Phillip Thompson (centre)

'The Navy is very professional and are very good at their job,' he said, arguing that he did not believe the proposal was right.

Mr Thompson said a process needed to be put in place to apply to all personnel.

'Military equipment isn't anyone's personal equipment, it's definitely not the chief of navy's love sub,' he added.

'I think there needs to be a process for when a person in your branch of defence force does something that is not in line with its best practice or for what the equipment is used for.'

Mr Noonan retired from Defence in September 2022 after 38 years in the force.

Mr Noonan had granted approval for his now-fiance to come on board the submarine

He attended Royal Australian Naval College in 1984 and after a distinguished career that included coalition anti-terrorism operations, was appointed Deputy Chief of Navy in 2016, then Chief of the Navy two years later.

Ms Heighway congratulated him on his career in a Facebook post at the time.

'Michael Noonan congratulations on your service to our county, your selfless leadership and on inspiring the next generations that will selflessly serve to protect our country.

'So to say, this person, Michael Noonan, I adore and am truely inspired by would be an understatement.'

Daily Mail Australia has sought comment from Mr Noonan.
GOP used new power to send a message and cement pro-life politics

Second imposes penalties on doctors who refuse to care for infants born alive during abortion procedures

After a chaotic start, Republicans finally earned one of their first wins of the 118th Congress on Wednesday, as they used their new majority to approve two measures aimed at protecting unborn lives and pro-life facilities.

It was a clear sign that Republicans plan to use their new power to cement their pro-life ideologies.

The first measure condemns attacks on anti-abortion abortion clinics, including crisis pregnancy centers that do not offer abortions but do offer other services to expecting mothers.

A second separate bill imposes new penalties on doctors if they refuse to administer care to infants born alive following abortion attempts.

The GOP used their new House majority to pass two pieces of pro-life legislation

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed in a mainly party-line vote of 220-210-1.

Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, who has long been dubbed the last pro-life Democrat, was the only leftist lawmaker to vote for the measure.

Democratic Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez voted 'present.'

The two new measures follow the Supreme Court ruling in June that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion federally protected.

Neither bills are expected to pass the Democratic-led Senate, but Republicans said they were making good on promises to address the issue along with other legislative priorities in the first days in power.

'You don't have freedom, true liberty, unless government protects your most fundamental right, your right to live,' said new House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who led debate on the measures.

Even so, the two measures are far from a bold statement on abortion, which has proved politically tricky for Republicans since the June Supreme Court decision that now allows states to enact their own laws on abortions  including near or total bans.

While some Republicans have pushed to expand on the ruling with a national ban - or a compromise ban that would limit abortions after a certain point, many have rejected that option. And it has become clear that most Americans would oppose it.

A July AP-NORC poll showed Republicans are largely opposed to allowing abortion 'for any reason' and after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. But only 16 percent of Republicans say abortion generally should be 'illegal in all cases,' and a majority, 56 percent, say their state should generally allow abortion six weeks into a pregnancy.

According to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the midterm electorate, 61 percent of all voters said they were in favor of a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide.

New House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks with the press as he walks to the House floor on Wednesday to help pass two new pro-life measures

The national sentiment has made some Republicans wary of the party's traditional full-throated opposition to abortion rights.

The born alive bill, in particular, shows just how timid the GOP is being toward abortion in the new Congress.

It is extremely rare for an infant to be born alive after an attempted abortion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Between 2003 and 2014, just 143 infants were born after an attempted induced termination, according to the agency. Of the total, 97 resulted from 'maternal complication or one or more congenital anomalies.'

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who is opposed to abortion, said the early push on the issue is misguided  and says she believes the majority of voters in her swing district opposed the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe.

'This is probably not the way to start off the week,' Mace told MSNBC.

Republicans supporting the two measures took pains not to connect them with overturning Roe, emphasizing that they were narrowly focused.

'I want to be absolutely clear that this bill has nothing to do with the Supreme Court decision,' said Missouri Representative Ann Wagner, the Republican sponsor of the bill.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia said the measures passed Wednesday reflect what Republicans see as immediate abortion priorities. House Republicans still 'need to have a discussion' about more wholesale changes, namely an abortion ban, he said.

Loudermilk said he thinks the issue should be left to the states for now, 'otherwise we start muddying the waters again.'

Despite the public sentiment against anti-abortion measures, Republicans chose to send the message of their pro-life legislative agenda on Wednesday. Pictured: Demonstrators turn out for 'Ohio March for Life' in October to support ending abortion access

Emboldened by public opposition to the Supreme Court decision, Democrats enthusiastically opposed the measures, predicting that Republicans were only laying the groundwork for a national ban.

'The differences between our side of the aisle and their side of the aisle couldnt be any clearer,' said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Democrats criticized the resolution, condemning attacks on pro-life facilities as one-sided because it did not condemn similar - and long-standing - violence against abortion clinics. The resolution is 'woefully incomplete,' said New York Representative Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

The Democrats argued that the legislation imposing new penalties on doctors is unnecessary because it is already illegal to kill an infant. It would create complicated new standards, making it harder for health providers to do their jobs, they said.

'It is a mean-spirited solution in search of a problem,' said Democratic Representative Judy Chu of California.

Last summer, the Democratic-led House voted to restore abortion rights nationwide, but that legislation was blocked in the closely divided Senate. That bill would have expanded on the protections Roe had previously provided by banning what supporters say are medically unnecessary restrictions that block access to safe and accessible abortions.

The GOP bills are destined to suffer a similar fate in the Senate this session. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Americans elected Senate Democrats 'to be a firewall' against what he said are Republicans extreme views.

'Republicans are proving how dangerously out of touch they are with mainstream America,' Schumer said.
The official meeting focused on drug smuggling and supply chain issues

Apparently they did discuss the border during a private talk before the summit

Joe Biden did not discuss the southern border at his meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during their summit in Mexico this week, with claims that there was 'no time' to discuss the historic crisis.

The topic of the southern border was kept off the agenda at the Three Amigos Summit in Mexico City, Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

It appears that because a private conversation between Biden and Lopez Obrador went long, the following official meeting left the group with less time than expected to discuss the issue of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The pre-meeting talk apparently touched on migration and the border, but it's not clear in how much detail they spoke on the matter.

The official meeting appeared to focus mostly on drug smuggling and supply chain issues.

Sources familiar with President Joe Biden's official meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador this week say that the two leaders and their respective cabinets did not discuss the southern border crisis because they ran out of time

The trip to Mexico for the 'Three Amigos Summit' followed Biden's first-ever trip to the southern border following two years of pressure from Republicans

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has repeatedly slammed Republicans for exacerbating the crisis at the southern border.

Biden is 'trying to fix' the border crisis, she said to questions over his solutions following his trip to the border on Sunday and subsequent meetings with Canadian and Mexican leaders.

'As it relates to migration, irregular migration, obviously that was a key topic of discussion,' Jean-Pierre insisted in her Wednesday press conference. 'President Biden discussed ways our countries can continue to work together and to address irregular migration. So that conversation certainly happened, extensively.'

The president's official meeting with Lopez Obrador, known colloquially as AMLO, included more than two dozen of their top aides, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Aides, officials and the two world leaders spent much of their meeting at the North American Leaders' Summit discussing supply chain and drug smuggling issues, according to officials.

The elephant in the room of the southern border, however, was not discussed at all due to the time restraints.

Most Republicans would argue that the single largest issue Biden needed to bring up with AMLO and his Cabinet was solutions to quelling the massive number of migrants flooding the U.S. southern border by way of Mexico.

Biden met with AMLO (center) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) during the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City, Mexico earlier this week

Biden insisted that he and AMLO discussed migration during a limo ride from the airport after his arrival in Mexico City.

'We spent a lot of time talking about it,' Biden said Tuesday during the news conference concluding the Mexico City summit this week.

AMLO also said the three leaders 'did speak about migration in a very broad manner.'

He also indicated that there was friction between the leaders on the issue of migration at the southern border the U.S. shares with Mexico.

'I've asked President Biden to insist before the US Congress to regularize the migration situations of millions of Mexicans who have been in the States working, living in the United States, and contributing to the development of that great nation,' the Mexican president said.

Biden's private meeting with AMLO came directly after his first-ever visit to the southern border as president.

A long line of migrants, mostly from Venezuela and Cuba, walk back to Mexico after being expelled from the U.S. under Title 42 on January 9

He went to El Paso, Texas to survey the physical border barrier as well as the border community. Several critics claim that because the city was 'sanitized' before the president's visit, it prevented Biden from seeing the full extent of the crisis after he pushed off taking the trip for nearly two years.

The president's visit to the border finally happened after immense pressure from Republicans for the president to crack down on migration as numbers reached new highs and showed no signs of stopping.

Just days before the trip to the border and to Mexico City, Biden announced new measures to address migration, which included a deal with AMLO's government to expand humanitarian parole programs for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan. It would allow these migrants to come directly to the U.S. from their home countries rather than travel through Mexico to illegally cross at the border.

AMLO lauded the announcement at a press conference, calling it a 'light in the tunnel.'
Photos show the couple fast asleep in the cabin of the boat after being rescued

They were saved by a fisherman 55.3km away near Yellow Patch on the mainland

They were swept out in a rip while paddle boarding near North West Island, QLD

A Brisbane couple, aged in their 40s, were lost at sea for almost three days

Benjamin Ng (pictured) and his partner Pei were rescued on Monday after spending almost three days out at sea

An extraordinary photo has emerged of an exhausted couple crumpled in a heap on a fisherman's boat after they were rescued from the middle of the ocean after three days.

Benjamin Ng and his partner Pei, from Brisbane, were swept out to sea after getting caught in a rip while paddle boarding around North West Island, off the coast of Central Queensland, on Saturday afternoon.

The pair, believed to both be aged in their 40s, were miraculously rescued after being swept some 55km away on Monday night.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the couple had witnessed at least four boats go past only for them to miss their cries for help - until they fisherman Lorne Benussi and his dad Dennis came by.

The Benussi clan were on a fishing trip at Yellow Patch near Curtis Island and were getting ready for bed when they heard the couple's desperate cries for help just after 10pm.

The father and son, from Yeppoon, quickly descended from their 10-metre boat into a tinnie and rushed out to retrieve the young couple - who were struggling to tread water, having lost their paddleboards in the waves shortly beforehand.

This photo shows the moment the Brisbane couple fell asleep on a fisherman's boat after spending three days lost at sea

The couple had drifted all the away from North West Island, which is about 75 kilometres northeast of Gladstone

Once safely onboard the bigger vessel, the couple had a hot shower, put on clean clothes and had some food and water before laying down in the cabin.

A picture taken by Mr Benussi shows the knackered pair sound asleep after spending more than 48 hours fighting to stay alive.

'The poor buggers had no energy, they were completely exhausted. They couldn't even sit up,' Mr Benussi told Daily Mail Australia.

The former commercial fisherman said the pair were 'absolutely buggered' and were close to going under when he and his father pulled them aboard their dinghy.

The pair had already drifted past four boats in the area and Mr Benussi's was the last.

Mr Benussi said the couple didn't say much but were 'just grateful' to be saved.

He explained that the man was not faring as well as his partner as he 'barely ate anything' and only drank water, half of which he 'chucked up'.

The pair 'were up all night drinking water and cramping', due to severe dehydration and consuming too much salt water.

The couple's ordeal began after they set up camp on North West Island (pictured) on Saturday and went paddle boarding

The former commercial fisherman dragged the couple onto his dinghy before helping them onto his boat (pictured)

The couple had arrived at North West Island, an off-grid site with no power and limited amenities about 7km northeast of Gladstone, via Curtis Ferry Services for a three-night camping trip.

After setting up their site, they took out their paddle boards, but their relaxing afternoon quickly turned into a terrifying test of survival when they were swept out to sea in strong tides.

It's understood no one called police to report their disappearance as the couple weren't set to return from their trip until Tuesday.

Mr Benussi said the pair 'weren't going to last much longer' and that 'no one would've found them.'

'It was very fortunate they floated towards the coast otherwise it'd be a completely different news story.'

Mr Benussi waited until the morning to get the couple back to shore due to the low tides and poor phone reception.

His boat arrived at the Keppel Bay Marina in Yeppoon at 11am on Tuesday.

The couple were taken by an ambulance to Capricorn Coast Hospital. They are in a stable condition.
Ye's associate Patrick Ho was under investigation, it later emerged, and Ye himself was later charged with corruption by Chinese authorities

On Wednesday the New York Times revealed that Hunter's business partner in China, Ye Jianming, an oil tycoon, asked Hunter for advice on the FBI

Lying about drug use on the federal form is rarely prosecuted unless it is added to more serious crimes, and thousands lie on their forms without prosecution

Weiss is believed to be considering charges related to $30,000 in tax deductions, which Hunter claimed for business expenses

Hunter Biden could soon face charges for making false deductions on his tax returns, it was reported on Wednesday, as it emerged that a Chinese business associate of Hunter's asked him for advice on the FBI, because a colleague was being investigated.

Hunter, 52, has been in the crosshairs of the U.S. attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, since at least 2020.

But on Wednesday The New York Times reported that charges could be imminent, in part thanks to allegations of $30,000 in tax deductions which he claimed were for business deductions.

Hunter could also face charges over his October 2018 purchase of a .38 calibre handgun, for which Hunter had to certify that he was not on drugs.

Photos from Hunter's laptop - left at a Wilmington, Delaware repair shop - show the president's son in a series of compromising positions from that time, including with what appears to be a crack pipe.

David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, could soon be pressing charges against Hunter Biden for tax evasion, The New York Times reported on Wednesday

The president's son, now 52, is facing questions over his tax affairs and a 2018 gun purchase

Hunter, in the midst of his drug and alcohol addiction, posed for photos showing off his gun

Hunter in 2020 realized the significance of his tax issues in the summer of 2019, when he tried to go on honeymoon in Mexico, but found he was unable to renew his expired passport due to the outstanding tax demands.

In November 2018 Hunter's accountant Bill Morgan had emailed him saying that the State Department would not renew his passport, due to the amount outstanding.

Morgan said Hunter owed $158,000 for 2015, and $471,000 for 2018.

'Based on the size of the 2015 deficiency, IRS has notified the State Department and they will not renew your passport until this is resolved,' Morgan wrote.

'I don't know when your passport is due for renewal but you could have a problem if it is coming up soon.'

Hunter Biden is seen with his father Joe and his son Beau at the White House in July 2022

Hunter's accountant Bill Morgan warned him in November 2018 that his passport would not be renewed

Hunter's lawyers have known since mid 2021 that Weiss, appointed by Donald Trump in 2017, was considering bringing charges against the troubled businessman for failing to pay his taxes in 2016 and 2017.

In October 2021, in a bid to stave off prosecution, Hunter borrowed $2 million from a friend, wealthy Los Angeles writer and lawyer Kevin Morris, to pay the I.R.S. the outstanding sum.

Analysts told The New York Times that Weiss could now struggle to successfully convict Hunter for tax evasion, because the money has now been paid.

Equally, it could be difficult to convict him criminally for lying on the gun declaration because the charges are rarely brought, and tens of thousands of Americans, out of the 25 million who buy guns each year, lie on their forms and are not prosecuted.

The paper reported that Hunter's lawyers have provided the Justice Department with evidence of how the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware has never brought a stand-alone gun charge for lying about drug use.

Hunter has also for several years faced questions about his relationship with Chinese oil tycoon Ye Jianming, who he attempted to do business with in 2017.

Ye Jianming, a Chinese oil tycoon, became involved with Hunter in 2017 - and asked about the FBI investigation of one of his associates

Father Alex Karloutsos, a Greek Orthodox priest, is seen being given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2022. He was at a 2015 fundraising dinner with Hunter, Hunter's business associates and Joe Biden, and insists Joe Biden did not engage with Hunter's associates

Ye asked Hunter about the F.B.I. and Justice Department, noting that he was concerned about a possible investigation into his associate, Patrick Ho.

In September 2017, Ho signed a retainer agreement with Hunter, making him his lawyer and paying him $1 million.

By November 2017, Ho was in F.B.I. custody - he was ultimately convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in the United States for his role in an international bribery and money-laundering scheme.

Ye flew back to China, and was himself arrested on corruption allegations, ending his dealings with Hunter.

Hunter is separately being investigated by a Republican committee, now that they have control of the House.

Republicans have repeatedly insisted that Joe Biden was involved with his son's business dealings, and benefited from them.

The White House is adamant that Joe Biden always kept a distance from his errant son's lucrative endeavors.

Father Alex Karloutsos, a Greek Orthodox priest, told The New York Times that, at a 2015 charity gala, Joe Biden did not engage with the guests - who included Hunter's business associates.

'I remember the vice president coming in, and he did not go around the table. He just simply waved at everybody,' said Karloutsos, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

'I did not hear any business exchanges with anybody.'
A cause of death for the whale is unknown at this time

In Florida, wildlife experts have called the event 'very rare' and 'really unique'

Officials say this is the first incident of its kind on the US's Southeast Coast

A killer whale died Wednesday morning after beaching itself in Florida

A 21-foot killer whale died Wednesday morning after beaching itself in northeast Florida in an event experts are calling 'very rare.'

Video of the Palm Coast, Florida incident was shared Wednesday and showed waves crashing over the unresponsive, lifeless animal before more than a dozen people were called to help move the animal's carcass.

One official with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said its the first-ever incident of an orca dying after beaching itself on the Southeast coast of the U.S. and described the event as 'a really unique situation.'

The cause of death for the whale is unknown at this time.

It took more than a dozen people to move the killer whale from the beach

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office who first shared the news of the beached whale told one local outlet there were no obvious signs of trauma on the whale's body.

Marine biologists from SeaWorld and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials assisted in the removal of the whale and will perform a necropsy to determine a cause of death.

Photos posted by the local sheriff's office show more than a dozen officials at the scene using straps and a makeshift stretcher to move the animal.

'Deputies are on scene south of Jungle Hut Park in Palm Coast after a 21-foot orca whale beached itself this morning. It has since lost its life,' the sheriff's office said in a post Wednesday morning.

Jungle Hut Road where the incident took place was closed for hours after crowds gathered to witness the commotion.

Officials say they are taking the 'really unique' situation as an opportunity to learn.

Video of the Palm Coast, Florida incident was shared Wednesday and showed waves crashing over the unresponsive, lifeless animal

Thousands have reacted and commented on the posts from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office

Killer whales in the Southeast region, which encompasses North Carolina to Texas, are rare. Officials say there are less than 270 whales in the Gulf Of Mexico, as well.

The rareness has triggered a 'full investigation' into the incident, one expert told the Daytona Beach News Journal.

'We'll be doing a full investigation into what might have caused this animal to strand, or if it's sick, what might have caused that,' said Erin Fougeres, the Marine Mammal Stranding Program administrator for NOAA's Southeast region.

Fougeres noted the oceanic organization knows of just 14,000 whales in the 'broader North Atlantic' which goes from Canada over to the Faroe Islands, north of Europe.

'We know they're out there, but they're very rare in our waters,' she continued.

Orcas are traditionally found in colder waters, closer to Antarctica, Alaska, and Norway.

'We're eager to learn as much as we can about this whale and about the species, and we really rely on the public to report these events when they happen,' Fougeres said.

'We know they're out there, but they're very rare in our waters,' said one ocean official

The cause of death for the orca has yet to be determined

There are just 14,000 whales in the 'broader North Atlantic' which goes from Canada over to the Faroe Islands, north of Europe

According to the wildlife official, some of the most prevalent threats to the whale species include entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, contaminants, ship noise and overfishing.

The death of the 21-foot orca in Palm Coast remains a mystery, however.

Fougeres said they will take the animal's carcass to SeaWorld for further examination.

The goal is to transport the animal quickly to collect and analyze samples when they are still fresh.

It took a fork lift to move the orca onto a SeaWorld truck. The animal is going to SeaWorld for a necropsy

Pictures shared by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Wednesday show the animal being lifted via a forklift onto the back of a truck owned by SeaWorld.

Several individuals can be seen assisting in the navigation of the animal's corpse.

Facebook users who found the photos and videos expressed sadness and shock over the incident, leaving thousands of comments on the social media posts.

'I didn't know Orcas came this far south,' wrote one person.

'Oh my goodness...such a beautiful whale! So sad,' wrote another.

'Oh how sad...I know every living being has a time line, but it's still very sad...' said one woman.
Anthony Albanese posed for a happy selfie with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews at the weekend - but failed to disclose the shot was apparently taken while they visited a billionaire's seaside mansion for a five-hour barbeque.

The Prime Minister posted the photo of him and Mr Andrews on Twitter on Saturday and wrote: 'Great to catch up with my friend @DanielAndrewsMP in Melbourne today after my visit to Geelong with @RichardMarlesMP.'

Now, it has been revealed that billionaire trucking boss Lindsay Fox hosted both the PM and the Victorian Premier at his family mansion on the clifftops of Portsea. The selfie appears to have been taken near one of the property's many hedges.

Nine newspapers reported that Mr Albanese took a 10 minute ride in the businessman's private helicopter from Geelong after a press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles while Mr Andrews arrived in a car.

They then spent five hours having lunch with Mr Fox and his family before the prime minister enjoyed a swim on Point King Beach.

The Prime Minister posted the photo of him and Mr Andrews on Twitter last week but failed to mention their trip to a billionaire's compound

The PM then took the Fox family helicopter again and travelled to Avalon Airport before flying to the flood zone in Western Australia, it was revealed on Thursday.

It is unclear what was discussed between the politicians and the Fox family, with Mr Albanese telling a press conference in Rockhampton, Queensland on Wednesday: 'I have private meetings all the time. And I have private meetings which are private meetings.'

The PM's office referred back to the press conference when asked to comment on the situation.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Mr Fox's spokesman for comment.

The Fox family is one of Australia's richest and Mr Fox has been described as having a working relationship with Mr Andrews by senior Victoria Labor sources.

Both Mr Andrews and Mr Albanese recently attended the groundbreaking of the $152 million Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre.

Mr Fox's company own Melbourne's Avalon airport and he has previously revealed his ambition to develop it .

The federal government contributed half the construction cost of Avalon's international terminal.

Billionaire trucking boss Lindsay Fox hosted both the PM and the Victorian Premier at his family mansion on the clifftops of Portsea

Meanwhile, in October 2019, Mr Andrews led a government delegation to Vietnam to help the Fox family secure a deal with budget carrier VietJetAir to run direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Avalon.

The Victorian Premier was criticised in 2021 for his close relationship with Mr Fox.

In January 2021, he. and his wife, Catherine visited the family's compound, where they dined with Mr Fox and his wife, Paula, tech entrepreneur Andrew Bassat, and Luke Sayers, a former PricewaterhouseCoopers chief executive.

The visit came amid a Linfox application to build a quarantine facility at Avalon Airport to house international arrivals in Melbourne during the pandemic.

The bid was later unsuccessful.

It is not suggested there is anything inappropriate about Mr Andrews or Mr Albanese meeting with Mr Fox.
A chronically ill woman who was left crying in her car five days in a row has shared the very nice note she left a visitor parking in her disability space - before revealing what she really thought of the selfish parker.

The Gold Coast woman, 19, said she left the note on Wednesday after the driver, a guest in her apartment building, parked in her disability space without a permit for a whole week.

The driver's inconsiderate move meant there were five days the teen had to park in the basement of her building and walk up two steep staircases.

Still, the young woman managed to leave a note most commenters under her Facebook post said was 'a lot nicer than I would have been'.

A 19-year-old Gold Coast woman who struggles with chronic illness shared the kind note (above) she left a driver who parked in her building's disability space for an entire week without a permit

She wrote: 'I hope you enjoyed your holiday, however, since you've arrived you have been parked in a disability parking space without a permit.

'This has made my week extremely difficult as I rely on these spaces to prevent me from having to park in far away parks or sometimes the basement.

'In future, please be more aware of where you are parking and how it may affect others.'

She also attached a 'disability ally' sticker for the driver, writing in her post they 'can stick on their car or shove up their a**'.

The frustrated teen said she'd tried to get help from her building's management four times but they just shrugged her off.

The woman said the driver had parked in the space (above) for seven days while staying as a guest in her building

'(On day six) I spoke to the security again and they said that the management dont see an issue so now it will just stay there for the remainder of their holiday,' she explained in her post.

'Im fed up that no one seems to notice how exhausting it is for disabled people to have these parks taken away from them.

'Ive had to park down two levels in my basement five times this week because of this person who has taken one of the disabled spots.

'I sit in my car and cry, dreading the walk up two steep basement ramps.'

Commenters flocked to support the young woman and applauded her for leaving a kind message despite the frustrating circumstances.

Several commenters applauded the woman for leaving a kind note (above) which also featured a 'disability ally' sticker for the careless driver

'Can I say how well you handled this? You remained so respectful in your note. Credit to you for this,' one person said.

'I thought it was genuinely illegal to park in them? What the heck?,' another wrote.

'This is actually such a kind note you're so patient,' a third commenter said.

A fourth wrote: 'You should contact your local disability advocacy service for some support because f*** the reception of your building for not taking action.'

Other commenters advised the carpark is private property so police wouldn't be able to fine the driver.
Newly released body camera footage shows slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves speaking to cops three months before she and three friends were brutally murdered.

Moscow Police responded to the off-campus home Goncalves and her friends were renting on August 16, after neighbors complained about the noise coming from an apparent party at the house.

Goncalves, 21, was polite and respectful as an officer let her off with a warning.

But on November 13, the cops would respond to the home once again to find her, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, all stabbed to death.

Bryan Kohberger, 28, is now being held without bail in connection with the quadruple homicide. Officers say his knife sheath was found at the scene.

Slain University of Idaho student Kaylee was caught on police body camera in August, when Moscow Police responded to a call of a noise complaint at her off-campus home

The video, released Wednesday by the Law and Crime Network, documents the Moscow Police's visit to the King Road home back in August.

Goncalves could be seen coming out a sliding glass door wearing a tan strapless dress as she greets the officers on the scene, saying, 'Hey guys.'

A cop then asks if she knows why they were called to the home, to which Goncalves replied, 'I assume noise.'

The cop then confirmed that the Moscow Police Department did, in fact, receive a call about the excessive noise coming from the home, noting there was a 'big speaker right there.'

He went on to say he had 'nothing against having a party [but] once neighbor's start calling in, then we have an issue.'

'Fair,' Goncalves replied.

At that point, the cop told Goncalves he would 'give you a verbal warning,' reminding her, 'Once I have neighbors calling in, you're disturbing the peace.'

'Nothing against having parties, having people who are over age to drink, but again once we start disturbing the neighbors we have an issue,' he said.

He went on to note that noise tickets could cost between $300 to $400 for a first violation.

Goncalves could be seen in the video exiting the house via a sliding glass door. It is unclear whether that is the same door cops say suspect Bryan Kohberger fled out of

Goncalves, 21, was polite and respectful as cops let her off with a warning for a noise complaint

'I don't want to give that to you,' the cop told Goncalves. 'That being said, this is your place, I'm going to hold you responsible.

'Because it is your place, you're also responsible for everyone here,' he added. 'So I'm gonna grab your info and if I have to come back here a $300-something ticket is coming your way.

'I'd much rather you spend that $300 on beer or something fun rather than a noise ticket.'

'That being said, warnings, don't do it again. I'd hate to come back ina few hours and have to issue that,' the cop continued before asking if Goncalves had any questions, to which she replied that she didn't.

'Thank you, have a good rest of your day,' the cop told her, prompting Goncalves to reply, 'Thank you, you too.'

Goncalves was found stabbed to death on November 13, along with her roommates Maddie Mogen, 21, top left, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20

Moscow Police are pictured at the scene of the King Road home following the massacre

Goncalves was found dead on November 13 on the top floor of the King Road home in the same bed with her best friend Maddie Mogen. Both were stabbed to death.

Bryan Kohberger, 28, has been charged in the quadruple homicide

Downstairs, their friends Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were also stabbed.

Authorities have since revealed that, laying next to Goncalves' and Mogen's bodies was a knife sheath.

Police were able to match the DNA found on the snap button enclosure to a sample taken from Kohberger's family home in Pennsylvania.

They had already been zeroing on Kohberger after discovering that his white Hyundai Elantra was nearby the night of the quadruple homicide.

And, they learned, Kohberger had been apparently stalking the victims as his phone was pinged nearby at least 12 times leading up to the night of November 13.

Officers now believe he snuck out a sliding glass door at the home  possibly the same once Goncalves was seen exiting  before driving back to Washington, where he attended school.

Kohberger, a criminology student, has since been charged with four counts of murder and one count of burglary. He is being held without bail.

Kohberger is pictured grinning as a judge listed the charges against him at a bail hearing earlier this month

Acquaintances have since come forward detailing Kohberger's odd behavior following the quadruple homicide

Following the revelations, acquaintances have come forward detailing Kohberger's odd behavior.

A neighbor, Arun Dash, who lived in the same apartment complex as Kohberger in Pullman, Washington described him as 'chatty' in the days after the murders but added that there was 'nothing suspicious ever' about him.

Dash told Insider that Kohberger had always been friendly and he often attempted to make plans, despite their schedules not lining up.

'He asked me what I was studying, where I am from. He would make just friendly small talk.

Another colleague described Kohberger in a similar way, saying: 'He talked to everybody, he was a very chatty person  not charming, but outgoing.'

Kohberger, who worked as a teaching assistant at Washington State University's Pullman campus while studying his criminology PhD, also 'stopped caring' after the murders, claims a student of his.

'He was not a great TA,' criminology student Emilie, who asked to go by her first name only, told Insider.

She said Kohberger had been a difficult teacher prior to the November 13 massacre and seemed to lose interest in teaching after it.

Kohberger's apartment in Pullman, Washington, was combed by police for evidence into the ongoing investigation, however a judge recently sealed the warrant until March 1

An Idaho judge has now sealed a search warrant for Kohberger's Washington apartment because it risked causing a premature end of the investigation.

Search warrant documents - filed the same day as his arrest - state that 'compelling circumstances warrant the temporary sealing ordered in this matter.' The information will remain secret until March 1.

Language used in the court document has left some questioning what the 'threat to public safety' and 'threat to the privacy of witnesses, victims and victim families names in the affidavit' could be.

The documents were filed before Kohberger's identity was widely reported.

The court documents emerged following a gag order released by the Moscow Police Department last week.

Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued a non-dissemination order on January 3 in regard to the murder case against Kohberger.

'The order prohibits any communication by investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and agents of the prosecuting attorney or defense attorney concerning this case,' police said in a release.

'Due to this court order, the Moscow Police Department will no longer be communicating with the public or the media regarding this case.'
Scientists discovered two supermassive black holes on a collision course and are expected to merge to form one supermassive black hole in a few hundred million years.

The discovery of the two massive objects could help astronomers understand what would happen when our Milky Way galaxy merges with the Andromeda galaxy in roughly 4.5 billion years.

Collision of Supermassive Black Holes

Supermassive black holes are believed to exist in the center of every significant galaxy known to man, growing larger and larger as they continue to draw in and devour enormous quantities of dust, gas, and stars from the surrounding space environment. When galaxies collide, their singularity cores are also thrown into proximity.

The two newly-discovered supermassive black holes were found when scientists observed the aftermath of one such galactic merger roughly 480 million light-years away from our planet in Cancer.

The black holes were found feasting on the maelstrom of space materials disturbed by the cosmic crash of their galaxies. The finding represents the closest black holes ever discovered by humans locked in the act of merging, as per IGN.

Scientists made the discovery using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) to peer through the bright, dusty space environment at the heart of the cosmic merger. It was there that they were able to identify the supermassive black holes.

The monstrous duo, collectively known as UGH4211, was then targeted by a collection of seven powerful observatories, which include the Hubble Space Telescope. The data taken from the observations revealed that the two black holes had masses of 125 and 200 million times the mass of our sun and were separated by a distance of roughly 750 light-years.

The paper detailing the discovery of the cosmic merger was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The scientists used the data to estimate the amount of supermassive black holes that could merge throughout the universe.

Read Also: Ozone Layer Slowly Healing, on Track To Recover by 2066 Amid Decline in Airborne Chemicals, Scientists Say

Difficult to Identify

According to CNN, while the human eye cannot directly view black holes, they can be known because bright clusters of stars and warm, glowing gas surround them. Over time, the two cosmic objects will circle one another in orbit until they finally crash into each other and become one black hole.

The team of scientists that made the discovery also shared their findings at the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society that is being held in Seattle this week. An associate research scientist at the Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York City, Chiara Mingarelli, who is a co-author of the study, said that the distance between the two black holes was "fairly close to the limit of what we can detect."

Mingarelli and Flatiron Institute visiting scientist Andrew Casey-Clyde used the new findings to estimate the population of merging supermassive black holes in the universe. They predicted that an abundance of supermassive black hole pairs exists and are responsible for generating a significant amount of ultra-strong gravitational waves, SciTechDaily reported.

Related Article: NASA Captures Image of Sun's Powerful X-Class Solar Flare Capable of Disrupting Earth's Magnetic Field

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted Wednesday that President Joe Biden was not coming after Americans' gas stoves.

'The president does not support banning gas stoves and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning as stoves,' Jean-Pierre said.

On Monday, Bloomberg reported that such a ban was on the table, quoting the Biden-appointed Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. calling the household appliance a 'hidden hazard,' with new research linking gas stoves to childhood asthma.

'Any option is on the table. Products that can't be made safe can be banned,' Trumka said.

That announcement set off a frenzy on the right, with a number of Republicans pointing to a 2020 tweet showing Dr. Jill Biden cooking veggies over gas.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted Wednesday that President Joe Biden was not coming after Americans' gas stoves

'Rules for thee but not for me,' tweeted GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, sharing the picture of the first lady.

GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House doctor, said he'd rather die than cook with electric.

'I'll NEVER give up my gas stove. If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold dead hands. COME AND TAKE IT!!' Jackson said.

When Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that 'ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance,' Jackson lashed out at her - and shared a photo of the New York congresswoman's gas stove.

'AOC says gas stoves cause "reduced cognitive performance" - yet she uses a gas stove? Is this a self diagnosis?' Jackson tweeted. 'AOC, as a medical doctor, I can tell you this: what's wrong with your head IS NOT caused by stoves. Something WAY BIGGER is causing your decreased cognitive function!'

A number of Republicans shared this 2020 tweet from first lady Jill Biden that showed her cooking vegetables over a gas stove

Former White House doctor and Texas GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson said he'd prefer death over cooking with electric

When Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that 'ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance,' Jackson lashed out at her - and shared a photo of the New York congresswoman's gas stove

Jackson even went as far to set up a URL - SaveTheStoves.com - that links to a WinRed donation page, which asks visitors to sign a petition, but also signs them up for texts and calls from Jackson's Congressional campaign.

'We can't let the maniacs in the White House get away with this! Add your name now to the official petition to SAVE OUR STOVES!!' the website says.

Before Wednesday's White House briefing, the Consumer Product Safety Commission was already trying to walk Trumka's comments back.

'To be clear, CPSC isn't coming for anyone's gas stoves. Regulations apply to new products,' Trumka tweeted Monday afternoon.

Alex Hoehn-Saric, the chair of the commission, reiterated that point Wednesday morning, saying in a statement that the independent agency was 'not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.'

'CPSC is researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address health risks. CPSC also is actively engage in strengthening voluntary safety standards for gas stoves. And later this spring, we will be asking the public to provide us with information about gas stove emissions and potential solutions for reducing any associated risks,' he said.
Outspoken Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe continues to wage war on Australia Day polarising opinion.

The Senator kicked off the annual debate over whether January 26 should be the national day off to an early start in 2023.

'Who's celebrating invasion, murder and theft this 26th Jan?' she wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

Senator Lidia Thorpe, here pictured giving a black power salute in federal Parliament, has called for January 26 to be a national day of mourning

Senator Thorpe has long called for January 26 to be commemorated as a day of mourning for Indigenous dispossession

On Tuesday she approvingly posted an article about the University of Wollongong giving its academic staff the option of working on January on 26.

'Theres a growing momentum to change the nation, as well as changing how we celebrate our national identity,' Senator Thorpe wrote.

'Every day is Invasion Day, until we have a Treaty in this Country. Treaty will give everyone something to celebrate. Join the movement.'

Senator Thorpe has long called for a national day of mourning on January 26, which marks the day the First Fleet of British settlers arrived in 1788.

In December she retweeted an article about a Greens-led inner north Melbourne council's decision to scrap citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

'Merri-bek council telling the truth: that January 26 is a Day of Mourning,' the Senator wrote, going on to describe it as 'a positive step forwards in this country'.

The Senator's critics haven't held back in reply.

'Australia Day doesnt represent what you continually say the day represents!' one wrote.

'Stop marginalising the majority, which includes immigrants and refugees who proudly call Australia Day their day, and call the nation that national day represents home.'

Senator Thorpe's remarks drew flak from those defending January 26 as the national day (pictured stock image)

A growing number or workplaces are giving people the option to work on January 26 rather than take it as a holiday (pictured stock image)

'I'll be proudly celebrating Australia Day,' another replied.

'The country that took in my immigrant family and gave us a shot at life. I love this country, and if that makes me racist, then so be it.'

'My parents were born here, I was born here and my children were born here and no one will belittle our existence to nothing more then invaders,' another said.

'This isn't your country, it is ours. Stop using our tax dollars to wage a race war.'

The Senator also had some supporters.

'We need to abolish this day and we need Treaty,' one wrote.

'As an elected #GlenEira Councillor I will NOT attend celebrations of citizenship on 26 January,' wrote Dr David Zyngier, whose council is the south east of Melbourne.

Senator Thorpe has often made very visible protest about Australia's British history.

On the opening day of the Federal Parliament in August, 2022 she strode into the Senate chamber giving a Black Power salute and inserted her own commentary into the oath about the late head of state Queen Elizabeth II.

Senator Thorpe covered in hands in fake blood during a Melbourne protest against the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II

'I will be faithful and I bear true allegiance to the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second,' she said in a mocking tone, before being reprimanded and reciting the oath as written.

During the National Day of Mourning for the late monarch in September, Senator Thorpe appeared on the streets of Melbourne covering her hands in fake blood and smeared it on a royal crest on a building.

'The Crown has blood on their hands. Our people are still dying in this country every single day,' she said.

'The Crown's boot is on our neck and we're sick of it.'
A Canadian mother-of-three died in agony while suffering from internal bleeding and being forced to wait for seven hours in an emergency room on New Year's Eve.

Allison Holthoff, a 37-year-old from Nova Scotia spent hours writhing in pain on the floor of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst while nurses brushed her off and asked her husband Gunther questions like 'is she always like this?'

Staff finally attended to Allison after she descended screaming into cardiac arrest, only to discover she had been suffering from internal bleeding all along. Doctors told Gunther they could operate to save his wife, but that she had a less than one percent chance of survival, and that a 'normal dignified life' was unlikely even if she did survive.

Gunther made the heart breaking decision to not operate, and after he and his three children said their goodbyes she died a full twelve hours after her arrival at the hospital.

It remains unclear what caused the bleeding, Allison was thrown off a horse back in September and had been complaining of back pains ever since. Gunther said the hospital has still not released his wife's cause of death to him, and he is demanding answers.

Allison was thrown off a horse back in September and had been complaining of back pains ever since

The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Nova Scotia, where Allison died

Allison woke up on December 31 complaining about what she assumed was an upset stomach. Her pain worsened throughout the day, and after taking a bath to try to soothe her body she was left doubled up in pain on the floor.

Gunther rushed her off to the hospital at about 11am, and had to carry her into the emergency room because the pain was so severe she couldn't stay on her feet.

'I did tell the triage nurse and the lady behind the desk that it was getting worse,' he told CTV News said. 'She wasn't doing good and was in pain.'

He said after nurses took urine and blood samples - which proved difficult because of Allison's agonized writhing - they were told to sit in a waiting room. Allison soon was lying on the ground in the fetal position because sitting proved too painful.

Gunther Holthoff and his wife Allison. Gunther had to carry Allison into the ER because she was in too much pain to walk

Allison, 37, was a mother to three children. Her family is demanding answers after her death

Security guards came by with a cup of water and gave her a blanket, and then she began telling her husband she thought she was dying.

'She said, "I think I'm dying. Don't let me die here," Gunther said.

Around 3pm she was taken into an exam room for the first time, and more blood samples were drawn.

Holtoff told CTV News he went to the nurse desk five times to tell staff that his wife was in serious pain, and they continually brushed him off.

After her eyes began to roll back into her head the nurses asked Gunther if his wife was on drugs, to which he said no. Allison continued to tell Gunther she thought she was dying.

Allison was left screaming in agony on the floor of the emergency room waiting area

A memorial for Allison. The Nova Scotia Health Authority has launched an investigation into her death

When 6pm came around - seven hours after arriving at the hospital - Allison began to scream in pain and beg for help.

Nurses took Allison's vitals and found her blood pressure had dropped and that her heart rate was high.

'Everything happened quickly after that, everyone started picking up the pace,' Gunther said. 'That was the first time I actually felt like someone was paying attention to us.'

Finally a doctor looked at Allison and gave her painkillers and took an EKG and an X-ray. Gunther said he walked away for a moment, and when he came back his wife was screaming 'I can't breathe. I'm in pain. Don't move me.'

Her eyes rolled into her head again and staff was alerted she was suffering cardiac arrest. After attempting to resuscitate Allison three times, doctors told Gunther about the odds of a successful surgery, and he elected not to operate.

'They had a 1 percent chance of keeping her alive with surgery, but at that point, there was not much chance of her ever having a normal or dignified life,' he said.

Doctors said they found that Allison was suffering from internal bleeding, but could not identify where from or why. Her autopsy still hasn't been released, not even to Allison's family.

The family has been demanding answers, and Nova Scotia politicians have stood behind them and demanded to know why Allison wasn't taken care of for so long.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has launched an investigation into the case, according to the Department of Health and Wellness.

'Unfortunately, I do feel like she was neglected and it was to a point where they couldn't ignore us anymore,' Gunther said.

'We need change, the system is obviously broken. Or if it's not broken yet, it's not too far off,' he added. 'Something needs to improve. I don't want anybody else to go through this.'
Furniture superstore Ikea has issued an urgent recall on one of their popular office staples.

On Tuesday, Product Safety Australia issued a recall of the Odger swivel chair.

The desk chair, in colour anthracite, is made of a wood plastic composite seat with aluminium tubing legs and rubber feet.

The chair is being recalled due to complications with the star base leg, which is at risk of breaking and causing harm to users.

IKEA has recalled a popular office chair after fears the supporting leg could break

The chair should be returned to any Ikea store in Australia for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required to obtain a refund

'If the leg breaks and the chair collapses while a person is sitting on it, there is a risk of injury to the user,' Product Safety Australia wrote.

The recalled item has date stamps before and including 2221, with 22 representing the year and 21 representing the week it was produced.

The date stamp and product name can be found underneath the seat, in the material of the chair.

The chair should be returned to any Ikea store in Australia for a full refund.

Proof of purchase is not required to obtain a refund.
Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of overreaching her powers in the new laws

Means anyone who changes gender will be recognised as such in rest of UK

The Gender Recognition Bill allows people to change their sex in three months

Nicola Sturgeon was accused yesterday of overreaching her powers by introducing transgender reforms that would rewrite equality laws across the UK.

Under Ms Sturgeon's 'self-ID' bill, anyone who legally changed their gender in Scotland would be recognised as the opposite sex in the rest of Britain.

It would mean a biological male as young as 16 would have the right to attend a girls' school, and a prisoner could demand to be placed in a female jail even if they did not live as a woman.

The study by the Policy Exchange think-tank concludes that the planned reforms are so serious the UK Government should step in and stop them becoming law.

Nicola Sturgeon was accused yesterday of overreaching her powers by introducing transgender reforms that would rewrite equality laws across the UK. Ms Sturgeon is pictured during the debate for the Stage 3 proceedings of the bill in December

In a foreword, former Advocate General for Scotland Lord Keen of Elie agrees, writing: 'It would not only be impractical but constitutionally improper for the UK Government to permit a devolved legislature to enact a provision that had a material impact upon the operation of the law throughout the United Kingdom.'

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, passed before Christmas, allows people to change their sex by obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate in just three months and without the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

In a related court case last month, judges ruled that obtaining a GRC does alter one's sex for the purposes of the Equality Act.

Today's report warns that these changes will affect equality law throughout the UK - going further than the powers devolved to Scotland.

Anyone could temporarily move to Scotland in order to obtain a fast-track GRC then move back to England, Wales or Northern Ireland and be legally recognised as the opposite sex.

Because the Scottish bill removes the need to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria or even identify as the opposite sex in order to obtain a GRC, the report claims they only need to change their legal sex in order to comply with its requirements.

As a result, a male prisoner 'with no trans identity' could make a 'strategic decision' to change legal sex simply to get out of a dangerous male prison and be placed in a female one.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, passed before Christmas, allows people to change their sex by obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate in just three months. Pictured: Scottish Parliament during the debate in December

In addition, it claims that any biological male aged under 18 who obtains a GRC could 'demand access to a girls-only school', as they could not be discriminated against on the basis of gender reassignment under the Equality Act.

The report urges Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, as have MPs and women's rights groups, to use a so-called Section 35 order to veto the radical reform.

'It is arguable that this Bill is not even within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, given the impact it has on reserved aspects of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

'Even if that were not true, it is certain that the conditions needed to make a s.35 order have been met,' it states.

The Scottish Government said: 'Any attempt by the UK Government to undermine the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament will be vigorously contested by the Scottish Government.

'We have always been clear that the Bill does not impact on the Equality Act, and the Bill as passed puts that position beyond doubt.'

Meanwhile, there have been calls for Wales to adopt the same system as Scotland.

Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford said Wales would recognise anyone who obtains a new Scottish GRC.

He admitted the Welsh government did not have the same powers as Scotland, but would seek them from Westminster.

'We will seek the powers and, if we obtain those powers, we will put those powers to work here in Wales, and we will put proposals in front of this Welsh Parliament,' he said.
Channel migrants will face an automatic ban on making asylum claims under tough new immigration measures being drawn up by Suella Braverman, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The Home Secretary will change the law so every migrant who has passed through a safe country  such as France  will instantly see applications for refugee status declared void. They will then face rapid removal from Britain.

It will tighten rules introduced last year which granted new arrivals a grace period of up to six months.

Swiftly declaring each migrants case inadmissible will allow them to be detained and then removed from Britain, sources indicated. The new legislation will also set out further measures to tackle spurious asylum claims, it is understood.

The Home Secretary will change the law so every migrant who has passed through a safe country  such as France  will instantly see applications for refugee status declared void

The legal changes will form a key plank of efforts to fulfil Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks pledge to stop the boats.

Last year, a record 45,728 migrants arrived from northern France in 1,104 boats, dwarfing 2021s total of 28,526.

The Home Secretary revealed before Christmas that housing asylum seekers will cost the taxpayer 3.5 billion this financial year, up from 2.1 billion in the previous 12 months. Last month Mr Sunak vowed to toughen immigration laws so that all migrants who arrive by irregular routes such as small boats  will be detained and swiftly returned to their homeland or a third country.

Mr Sunak last night promised Britain he would not let you down in tackling illegal migration in his first party political broadcast as Prime Minister. He said: Were introducing new laws that make it unambiguously clear that if you come to our country illegally, you will not have the right to stay and will be removed.

Channel migrants will face an automatic ban on making asylum claims under tough new immigration measures being drawn up by Suella Braverman, the Daily Mail can reveal

The chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, warned last week that the UKs immigration detention centres did not have capacity for Mr Sunaks plan to detain every small-boat migrant. The Government has announced plans to reopen disused centres Campsfield House, near Oxford, and Haslar, at Gosport, Hampshire. Bids for the 450 million, six-year contracts closed yesterday. The centres are due to be up and running by August and will hold an additional 1,000 detainees in total.

Mr Sunaks five-point plan to address the Channel crisis is likely to lock the Government in a bruising contest with human rights activists.

They will almost certainly claim the inadmissibility measures breach international refugee conventions. It remains unclear what steps the Government will take to stop deportations being frustrated by last-minute legal challenges on human rights and modern slavery grounds.
Police said he then sexually assaulted her, kissed her, put his arms around her

The mother was approached by a man who asked for her to take his picture

A mother walking with her child has been sexually assaulted in Melbourne's east

Police are searching for a man after a mother pushing her pram alleged she was sexually assaulted in the middle of a busy Melbourne park.

The woman was pushing her pram at a park on Mitcham Road in Melbourne's east just after 4.30pm on January 6 when she was approached by a man.

Detectives were told the man asked if the mum could take a picture of him before asking for a selfie.

As the pair posed for the selfie, police were told the man then started to kiss the woman.

'The woman was followed by the man before he again sexually assaulted her, kissed her and put his arms around her,' Victoria Police said in a statement.

Police are looking for a man who may be able to assist with enquiries after a mum was sexually assaulted walking her child

The woman was pushing her pram at a park on Mitcham Road in Melbourne's east just after 4.30pm on January 6 when she was approached by a man

'The woman was able to get away from the man and raised the alarm.'

She was able to snap a photo of the man and send it to police.

It is believed the man left the park in a northerly direction, with police launching an investigation and releasing an image of a man which was taken by the victim.

The man is described as being aged in his mid-20s and about 168cm (5 foot 5).

He is pictured in a striped t-shirt and in tracksuit pants.

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia there were no new updates and again appealed for the public's help.
Top House Republican Rep. Mike Waltz on Wednesday called for a special counsel to oversee classified files recovered from President Joe Bidens old private office.

The White House revealed on Tuesday that a small batch of files dated from when Biden was Vice President were found in a locked closet in an old Washington, DC private office that Biden used from 2017 until he ran for President in 2020.

Weve clearly just seen the tip of the iceberg, Waltz, the first Army Green Beret elected to Congress, told DailyMail.com.

'And so my other question is - for five years, who had access?'

He also called the timeline of the documents discovery incredibly suspicious.

Bidens personal lawyers, who discovered the documents on November 2 of last year, alerted the National Archives and Justice Department that same day. The documents were handed over to authorities the next day.

Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz told DailyMail.com it was 'suspicious' that the first set of documents was found before the election but not made public knowledge until this week

Ten classified files were reportedly found at the Penn Biden Center, where the president kept an office from mid-2017 until his 2020 campaign

But there is mounting pressure on the Biden administration to explain why the file discovery was not made public earlier, considering the midterm elections took place not a week later.

Waltz also pointed out to DailyMail.com that the Justice Department would have known about the documents when Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee a Justice Department case involving Donald Trump's own handling of classified files.

It comes hours after NBC News reported that a second batch of documents was found, though the location was not immediately clear.

'Top question is, with regard to the first batch, what did Merrick Garland know?' Waltz said.

'I mean, obviously, he had some knowledge, and yet chose a special counsel, announced it, you know, had this entire rollout and no mention. What did he know? What has he known?'

The Florida congressman also questioned 'who knew' about the documents between their discovery and the November 8 elections and why they were not disclosed during that six-day window.

'It's got to be one of the world's biggest coincidences, if...politics weren't involved,' Waltz said.

'If there's anything that deserves a special counsel since now we've set that bar, in terms of conflict of interest, it's this. Because we've clearly just seen the tip of the ice berg.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged multiple questions regarding the documents during her regular press briefing on Wednesday.

The president himself said Tuesday evening that he takes the matter 'seriously' and is 'cooperating fully' with investigators.
China has sent a chilling threat to Australia that the AUKUS nuclear submarines and HIMARS missiles deals could come at the cost of the thawing trade war rift.

Relations between China and Australia have been steadily improving under the Anthony Albanese government, which has eased some trade barriers.

Four Chinese power companies will now be allowed to buy Australian coal again from April 1, and there are hopes the barley, wine and lobster bans will also be lifted.

But China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has warned it could all come crashing down with a devastating effect on local jobs if Australia persists with the US military deals.

'If that happens, that is not going to serve the interests of Australians,' he said. 'Maybe it's going to serve the interests of other countries.'

Relations between China and Australia have been steadily improving under the Anthony Albanese government (pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping) which has seen some trade barriers eased - but US military deals could jeopardise the new peace

Diplomatic ties with China have warmed through the work of foreign minister Penny Wong and a meeting between PM Anthony Albanese and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

It contrasts with the stand off under Scott Morrison which saw China impose punishing tariffs on Australian goods in 2020 which hit Aussie companies hard, cutting off the nation's number one trading partner in some key markets.

China is now said to be trying to meet Australia midway and has reportedly offered to drop the trade war if Australia withdraws its complaints to the World Trade Organisation about the bans.

But that offer now appears to be subject to Chinese concerns over Australia's military upgrades through the planned $70billion nuclear submarine fleet and a $558million deal to buy the HIMARS missile launchers.

Chinese has concerns over Australia's planned $70billion nuclear submarine fleet (pictured) and a $558million deal to buy the HIMARS missile launchers

An influential government-run Chinese newspaper this week warned Australia to back off or face dire consequences.

'We still have reservations about lifting the sanctions against Australia,' said an editorial in China's Defence Times.

'Although China and Australia have resumed dialogue, the Australian government has not shown the full sincerity we want to see in really wanting to improve relations.

'On the contrary, it has become more and more cooperative [with the US] at the military level. The US wants to contain China's ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

'The US always wants to deploy rockets, bombers and other armaments in Australia.

'The Australian government's move is undoubtedly hurting the already fragile Sino-Australian relationship.'

China fears the new HIMARS missile system - which has been showcased effectively in Ukraine's war against Russia - gives Australia 'unprecedented long-range strike capabilities'

The government mouthpiece said the deal could cost any peace pact in the tense trade war.

It raises concerns the new missile system - which has been showcased effectively in Ukraine's war against Russia - gives Australia 'unprecedented long-range strike capabilities.'

'This is also part of the US military plan in Australia,' it added. 'The Australian governments move just caters to the American mind.

'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasised many times that this move by the US will aggravate regional tensions, trigger a regional arms race, and be detrimental to regional peace and stability.'

Four Chinese power companies will now be allowed to buy Australian coal again from April 1

There are hopes the barley (pictured), wine and lobster bans will also be lifted

'So which country is the US military plan in Australia coming from? There is no need to say more, everyone knows it in their hearts.'

Ambassador Xiao insisted the outlook was still optimistic and hailed the coming new Chinese year of the rabbit as a chance to leap 'over obstacles and come into good luck.'

He said the attitude in Australia had 'turned around from falling behind to stability, and from stability perhaps to improvement and even development'.

He added: 'I would hope that as we are improving our relations, we will have more encouragement to Chinese companies to come back [to buying from Australia].'

Ambassador Xiao Qian (pictured) insisted the outlook was still optimistic and hailed the new Chinese year of the rabbit as a chance to leap 'over obstacles and come into good luck'

But Dr Alex Bristow of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute warned Nine News: 'This isn't meeting in the middle.

'This is China reversing course, recognising that its policy of coercion, its attempt to get Australia to change its ways has failed.

'There's a good reason why Australia is strengthening its defence partnership with the United States and with other allies.

'It's because we do have concerns about China's ambitions.'
Local authorities remained on scene and got the blaze under control about 9pm

An enormous fire at a storage facility in Marbella, Spain, has reportedly destroyed in excess of 80 boats.

Many of the vessels in the container at the La Bajadilla fishing port were worth millions of pounds, local sources say.

The emergency alarm sounded at about 7pm local time, and police, firefighters and ambulances were mobilised.

The entrance to the port was cordoned off but large crowds gathered as flames took hold of the building.

It's understood the facility, which belongs to Marina Marbella, is used for storage and boat repairs.

An enormous fire at a storage facility in Marbella, Spain, has potentially destroyed up to 100 boats

Local authorities remained on scene and got the blaze under control about 9pm

One local report, which has yet to be confirmed by officials, said about 80 boats between 20 and 40 feet-long were at the warehouse at the time it was engulfed in flames.

Footage shows smoke and fire billowing from the destroyed structure above the marina.

Local sources say British boat owners are likely to have been caught up in the chaos.

Some were sending messages to each other last night on private WhatsApp groups expressing their concern.

A spokesman for Marbella Town Hall confirmed: 'Around 30 firefighters are working on extinguishing a fire at a marine warehouse in the La Bajadilla port.

One local report, which has yet to be confirmed by officials, said about 100 boats between 20 and 40 feet-long were at the warehouse at the time it was engulfed in flames

Footage shows smoke and fire billowing from the destroyed structure above the marina

'Local police, Civil Protection and health services are also in the area.'

The town's mayoress Angeles Munoz added in a tweet: 'I'm following the development of the situation after fire broke out at the Marina Marbella warehouse in the fishing port.

'No other building in the area has been affected.'

The owners could not be reached on Wednesday night for comment.

Marina Marbella, founded by two Swedish sailors who started their boat business in Marbella but now operate in countries including the UK and Portugal, offer a range of maintenance services including dry docking and winterising.

The cause of the fire, which had been brought under control by around 9pm local time, is not yet clear

Their other services including renting boats and helping clients with the purchase and delivery of vessels.

'In the warehouse there were around 100 boats between 20 and 40 feet-long. Many of them were worth millions of pounds,' the ElDebate.com report stated.

'The building serves as a winter port, where boats are stored after being taken out of the water, and some were being repaired.'

The cause of the fire, which had been brought under control by around 9pm local time, is not yet clear.
China to make greater contribution to Africa's health sector: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 17:09, January 12, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (R, front) and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat (L, front) attend a ceremony that marked the completion of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) headquarters project in the southern suburb of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on Jan. 11, 2023.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will make a greater contribution to Africa's health sector and the well-being of its people, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday.

Qin made the comments during a ceremony that marked the completion of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) headquarters project in the southern suburb of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The Africa CDC headquarters is a flagship cooperation project announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and another landmark project for China-Africa cooperation after the African Union (AU) Conference Center, Qin said.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Africa have overcome difficulties and achieved project capping ahead of schedule, creating new highlights in China-Africa cooperation, Qin said.

He said the timely delivery of the Africa CDC headquarters in the hands of African friends reflects the high-standard and high-level China-Africa cooperation. It also demonstrates the Chinese style of keeping promises, efficiency, and pragmatism.

Qin expressed his confidence that with the joint efforts of China and Africa, the Africa CDC will make greater contributions to the health and well-being of the African people and write a new chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.

He emphasized that China will hand over the Africa CDC headquarters to African friends and put it under the full authority of the AU, adding that if the African side is in need, China will do its best to continue to provide support and assistance.

Noting that the headquarters of the Africa CDC now stands firmly, Qin said the project has also marked a great monument built by brothers and sisters of China and Africa with their traditional friendship and hard work. "It tells the world with irrefutable facts that China has always supported Africa with concrete actions, and China-Africa relations will have an even brighter future."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
After a Federal Aviation Administration system breakdown prompted hundreds of aircraft delays and cancellations across the United States on Wednesday, the airline sector gradually restored operations.

The FAA temporarily halted all domestic aircraft departures across the United States on Wednesday morning, lifting the ground stop at 9 a.m. ET after restoring a system that sends pilots pre-flight safety alerts.

US Flight Delays

Nevertheless, airlines continued to postpone or cancel flights due to persistent congestion. The FAA's website displayed ground delays at certain airports by late Wednesday afternoon.

United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines have all announced that they have halted their flights in reaction to the situation. United and Delta issued travel waivers due to the disruption. American Airlines stated that passengers might rebook their flights without additional costs on Wednesday and Thursday, CNN reported.

As of 6 p.m. ET, FlightAware said that more than 9,500 flights to, from, and within the United States were delayed, and more than 1,300 flights had been canceled.

Southwest, which slowed thousands of flights after Christmas due to a systemwide collapse, was severely affected, with over 400 flights canceled. As of 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, around 10% of Southwest's flights had been canceled, and roughly 50% had been delayed. Southwest stated that operations had resumed by mid-morning.

"Due to the FAA's outage, we expect some schedule alterations throughout the day," Southwest said, urging passengers to check their flight status online or via the airline's app.

Additionally, Southwest has provided a waiver for passengers to rearrange their flights. American Airlines was also severely affected: as of Wednesday lunchtime, American has canceled over 400 flights, including those of feeder airlines that employ regional planes.

Read Also: Higher SNAP Benefits Will Be Given to Some; Others May No Longer Receive Food Stamps by February

FAA Technical Failures

More than 2,900 flights were canceled, with New York's LaGuardia Airport and Washington's National Airport having the highest number of cancellations, each with over sixty. According to NY Post, the ground halt at Denver International Airport remained in place.

According to the FAA, the NOTAM system transmits information "important to flight operations personnel." Important messages such as runway closures, bird hazard alerts, and low-altitude construction impediments are included in the data. Early Wednesday morning, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Biden had been updated on the outage by the Transportation Secretary.

Lauren Serling, 33, of Rockville Centre, was flying to Nashville, Tennessee, so her two-year-old son could have professional neurosurgery on a spinal nerve. Many travelers, including some passengers at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resorted to Twitter to express their displeasure with the chaos.

NOTAMs were formerly referred to as Notices to Airmen, but in 2021, the government agency adopted gender-neutral language. The NOTAM system provides pilots with real-time information on potential flying dangers and warnings. Due to technical challenges on Tuesday, FAA authorities opted to reload the system early on Wednesday.

However, the reboot took longer than anticipated, and at 7:30 a.m., the agency halted all domestic departures while continuing to restore the NOTAM system. The ground halt was lifted before 9:00 a.m., as per The Hill. FlightAware said that as of Wednesday night, around 9,700 flights had been delayed, and another 1,300 had been canceled due to the disruption.

Related Article: 3 Most Powerful Passports in 2023 Revealed - US, UK Not Even on Top 5

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Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has been granted personal leave from his NRL team while his imprisoned mother continues to suffer from her car crash injuries.

His mother Uiatu 'Joan' Taufua, 46, was sent to the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre last Wednesday after being hit with three charges of manslaughter for allegedly causing a fatal crash west of the Gold Coast on December 30, 2022.

Police allege Taufua was driving dangerously at a high speed when her black Mercedes wagon veered into the wrong lane near Bonogin, hitting a silver Mercedes with three people inside.

She was also charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and evading police.

Broncos player Payne Haas (pictured with his partner Leilani Mohenoa) is on personal leave until January 16 following a tragic car crash his mother allegedly caused

Police allege Uiatu 'Joan' Taufua (above) was driving dangerously and speeding when she allegedly crashed into a silver Mercedes, killing three

Retired doctor Chris Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and her daughter Steffanie, 35, were all killed in the crash.

Taufua was sent to jail after she was well enough to leave hospital as police found her alleged involvement in the crash broke the conditions of her parole.

She had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting two security guards at the Star Casino in September and was sentenced to nine months in jail.

She was granted parole after serving a month behind bars.

Payne Haas was granted personal leave until January 16 to help his family recover from the tragedy.

Taufua's high profile lawyer, Leigh Johnson, withdrew the application for the 46-year-old's bail on Wednesday with the case set for a preliminary hearing on March 9, Seven News reports.

Taufua was jailed following the crash after police found her alleged involvement broke the condition of her parole from prior offences (pictured, Taufua being escorted into custody)

Taufua was allegedly driving at a high speed when her car collided with another in the opposite lane on December 30 (pictured, the aftermath of the crash)

Johnson told reporters outside the court Taufua is still recovering from injuries she sustained in the crash after she was pictured wearing a cast and compression socks.

'We saw her yesterday. She's doing as well as can be expected,' she said.

'She has still got injuries she is recovering from.'

Queensland Police said they've been able to 'paint a picture' of how the crash unfolded through CCTV and eyewitness accounts.

It will be alleged Taufua was driving dangerously at a high speed in the 'preceding 10 minutes of the crash' before she allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road.

Officers had turned on their lights and sirens in the minutes before Taufua crashed but did not begin a pursuit due to public safety concerns.

Taufua's high profile lawyer Leigh Johnson (above) withdrew her bail application on Wednesday and said the mother is still recovering from her injuries

Retired doctor Chris Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and her daughter Steffanie, 35, were all killed in the crash (pictured, a memorial left at the crash site)

'Police are alleging (Taufua's) vehicle was driven in an extremely dangerous manner on the wrong side of the road at high speed,' Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter told reporters last week.

'Police activated lights and sirens and when she accelerated, police followed procedure and pulled over.'

Det Sen Sgt Procter said officers were advised Taufua's car had been involved in a crash 1km further up the road one minute later.

'We have seized a lot of CCTV and painted a picture of what happened,' he said.

It is understood Taufua's licence was suspended at the time of the incident.

Witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the crash or moments leading up to it are being urged to come forward.
Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro admitted that there are 'concerns' about America's weapons cache as the government continues to arm Ukraine.

The Secretary was asked at a Surface Navy Association Conference on Wednesday whether he agreed with an admiral's statement that 'The Navy might get to the point where it has to make the decision whether it needs to arm itself or arm Ukraine.'

He was very careful not to comment on the possibility of a choice between which country to arm, according to Defense One, but noted that 'if the conflict does go on for another six months, for another year, it certainly continues to stress the supply chain in ways that are challenging.'

Del Toro ultimately blamed military contractors, saying they need to boost production to meet the demand.

His admission comes just days after the Biden administration announced it was sending its largest aid package to Ukraine yet  despite the Kremlin previously warning of 'consequences' to escalating the war.

Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro admitted that there are 'concerns' about America's weapons cache as the government continues to arm Ukraine

He said that if the conflict in Ukraine continues for another six months to a year, it will stress the supply chain 'in ways that are challenging'

Del Toro replied to the reporter on Wednesday asking about Adm. Daryl Caudle's comments by saying, 'With regards to deliveries of weapons systems for the fight in Ukraine  Yeah, that's always a concern for us. And we monitor that very closely.'

He continued to say, 'I wouldn't say we're quite there yet, but if the conflict does go on for another six months, for another year, it certainly continues to stress the supply chain in ways that are challenging.'

But, Del Toro noted, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has been working 'very closely with [the defense] industry to motivate them to find out what their challenges or obstacles are to be able to increase their own production.

'It's obvious that, you know, these companies have a substantial pipeline for the future.

'They now need to invest in their workforce, as well as the capital investments that they have to make within their own companies to get their production up.'

The Navy Secretary later reiterated his comments in a series of tweets, once again urging military defense contractors to boost their production  but this time acknowledging the military defense contractors have made progress,

He said Hicks 'has been super focused on this. Along with Bill LaPlante, the undersecretary, they're starting to make some progress now.'

And once the military defense companies invest in 'their people, their workforce as well as their capital investments... we'll be in a better place.'

'How long that takes varies often weapon system to weapon system.' he acquiesced.

Del Toro noted that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Undersecretary of Defense Bill DePlante are working with military contractors to boost production

The war in Ukraine has been raging since February, with the United States continuing to arm the country in its fight against Russia. Members of the Ukrainian military are seen here on Wednesday using a rocket launcher to stave back the Russians

Among the weapons that the US has provided Ukraine are a number of Bradley tanks, like the one seen here

But Caudle was not as forgiving to the defense contractors, noting that the timeliness of weapons deliveries could have real impacts on both the defense of the United States and of Ukraine.

Adm. Daryl Caudle hit out at defense contractors for using the pandemic as an excuse not to meet deadlines for weapons

'I'm not talking about what it's doing to me, I'm talking about, of course we're going to help a country  deliver the stuff we need  so they can win that conflict against Russia and it's not going to destroy and set [us] back to the Dark Ages.'

Still, he continued, 'I'm not as forgiving of the fact that you're not delivering the ordinance we need.

'All this stuff about COVID this, parts this, supply chain this, I just don't really care,' he said at the conference. 'We've all got jobs.

'We're talking about war fighting and national security and going against a competitor here and a potential adversary that is like nothing we've ever seen and we keep dilly dallying around with these deliveries.

Caudle concluded, 'I don't see good accountability and I don't get to see good return on investment from the government, I really don't.'

On Friday, the Department of Defense announced it was sending its largest aid package yet to Ukraine. US President Joe Biden is seen here speaking with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky last month

On Friday, the Department of Defense announced it was sending its largest aid package yet to Ukraine.

The package  valued at more than $3 billion  includes 50 fighting vehicles, 100 armored personnel carriers, 18 self-propelled howitzers as well as other munition.

It came in defiance to Putin's warning last month that there would be 'consequences; if the United States continues to supply Ukraine with advanced military technology.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the U.S. had 'effectively become a party to the war.'

The transfer of such sophisticated weapons, she added, 'would mean even broader involvement of military personnel in the hostilities and could entail possible consequences.'

She did not specify what those consequences might be.
Daniel Andrews has confirmed there will not be a state funeral held for Cardinal George Pell as it would be 'deeply distressing' for survivors of sexual abuse.

The Vatican on Wednesday revealed the Cardinal had died at the age of 81, after suffering heart complications following a hip replacement surgery in Rome.

Responding to questions about whether the Victorian government would host a memorial for the Cardinal, the Victorian Premier made it clear no service would be offered.

'I couldn't think of anything more distressing for victim survivors,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday morning.

Daniel Andrews has confirmed there will not be a state funeral held for Cardinal George Pell as it would be 'deeply distressing' for survivors of sexual abuse

'These things are usually offered and there will be no offer made.

'I think that would be a deeply, deeply distressing thing for every survivor of Catholic Church child sex abuse.

'That is my view. And I will not do that.'

While the date of an official funeral for Cardinal Pell is yet to be announced, Mr Andrews said he doubted he would attend.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also not confirmed if he would be present.

It's understood the NSW government will also not hold a state funeral for the Cardinal, the Guardian reported.

The Vatican on Wednesday revealed the Cardinal had died at the age of 81, after suffering heart complications following a hip replacement surgery in Rome

Mr Andrews also took the chance to offer his support for victims of sexual abuse who had grown up in the Catholic Church.

'We should never forget that predator brothers and priests were systematically moved around, knowingly, as part of a strategy,' he said.

'We should never, ever forget that.

'We will never ever forget victim survivors of institutional child sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church.'

The Premier offered his thoughts to Cardinal Pell's loved ones after his death.

Cardinal Pell was convicted of molesting two choirboys in the late 1990s and served 404 days in prison before his convictions were overturned by the High Court in 2020.
Veterans and grieving relatives of soldiers who took their lives after suffering PTSD have slammed Prince Harry's claim that he revealed his experiences of war for their benefit.

During an appearance on US television, Harry said he included the detail of killing 25 Taliban fighters in his controversial memoir Spare to reduce suicides in veteran communities.

Publicly discussing 'notches on the barrel', a phrase used by the military to refer to enemy personnel they have eliminated, is seen as a huge faux pas among soldiers.

Yet, in what was subsequently condemned as a 'damage limitation exercise' by British veterans, Harry insisted he wanted to 'give space to others to share their experiences without any shame'.

During an appearance on US television, Harry said he included the detail of killing 25 Taliban fighters to reduce suicides in veteran communities. Pictured: Prince Harry sits atop a Spartan armoured vehicle in the Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan, February 18, 2008

Harry insisted he wanted to 'give space to others to share their experiences without any shame' Pictured: Prince Harry on Stephen Colbert's Late Show, January 10, 2023

Within hours of the CBS broadcast, British troops and their families dismissed the claim as many veterans with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) found Harry's admission hugely troubling.

Harry was not challenged by Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, when he insisted 'my words are not dangerous'  even though serious concerns were raised about the safety of the Royal Family and of British citizens overseas when the revelation emerged.

He was also widely accused of emboldening the Taliban, who have returned Afghanistan to a brutal dictatorship since 2021 when Western troops left the country. Last week, leaders of the militant regime mocked Harry and called for his 'war crimes' to be investigated by an international tribunal.

The Duke of Sussex told Colbert his words had been twisted but condemnation of his attempt to deflect criticism was led yesterday by Derek Hunt, whose son Nathan served with the prince in Afghanistan but later struggled with PTSD and eventually took his own life.

Prince Harry was also widely accused of emboldening the Taliban. Pictured: Prince Harry at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan, where he served as an Apache Helicopter Pilot, September 2012

Mr Hunt, who campaigns on behalf of soldiers suffering with mental health issues, said: 'However he tries to justify his comments, what he said cannot be unsaid. This is too painful for too many people to be discussed so loosely in public.

'Veterans were not crying out for this debate, they have spent years trying to forget about the realities of combat, such as taking people's lives.

'If the disclosure was part of his therapy, then it should have stayed between him and his therapist. I think he has brought back a lot of memories for those men and women who served and are trying to forget. If all this was for their benefit then Harry has made a mistake.'

Bomb disposal expert Nathan belonged to the same desert reconnaissance unit as Harry in 2007-08. He was still serving when he took his own life a decade later. Harry's comments that he was trying to help former soldiers was met with cheers in the New York studio, which had invited a number of veterans.

Prince Harry to scramble his Apache helicopter with fellow pilots at the British controlled flight-line in Camp Bastion southern Afghanistan, November 3, 2012

He told Colbert: 'The reason as to why I decided to share this in my book. I made a choice to share it because, having spent nearly two decades working with veterans all around the world, I think the most important thing is to be honest and to give space to others to share their experiences without any shame. And my whole goal, my attempt with sharing that detail is to reduce the number of suicides.'

More than 2,000 British soldiers and veterans are believed to have killed themselves since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Harry also told Colbert the media had wrongly accused him of 'boasting' about his kills, and in doing so had endangered his family.

He said: 'The most dangerous lie they [the media] have told is that I somehow boasted about the number of people I killed in Afghanistan. My words are not dangerous, but the spin of my words are (sic) very dangerous to my family.'
One of the so-called 'ISIS Beatles' serving a life sentence for the torture and murder of western hostages has disappeared from the US prison system.

Alexanda Kotey, 39, is no longer in custody at Pennsylvania's high-security Canaan prison, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) records revealed.

The Londoner was jailed in America last year after having pleaded guilty in 2021 to eight criminal charges relating to the abduction, torture and beheading of Islamic State hostages in Syria between 2012 and 2015.

Kotey's disappearance has sparked fury and confusion among his victim's family members, including the daughter of a British aid worker that he murdered.

Alexanda Kotey, 39, who is serving a life sentence for the torture and murder of American hostages, has disappeared from the US prison system

Kotey (pictured during his capture by Kurdish officials in March 2018) was jailed in America last year after pleading guilty in 2021 to eight criminal charges relating to the abduction, torture and beheading of Islamic State hostages in Syria

Kotey  the terror ring member known as 'Jihadi George'  was sent to Canaan in August last year.

He accepted a plea deal that included 'cooperation requirements' and avoided serving his sentence at the ADX Florence prison in Colorado - which is nicknamed the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'.

Now, less than six months later, he is listed as 'not in BOP custody' on the prison system's website. It is unclear where Kotey is currently located.

A BOP spokesperson told MailOnline today: 'Alexanda Amon Kotey is not currently in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.'

The official added that there are 'several reasons' why an inmate could be referenced as not in the system, but did not disclose why Kotey received that designation.

'Inmates who were previously in BOP custody and who have not completed their sentence may be outside BOP custody for a period of time for court hearings, medical treatment or for other reasons,' the spokesperson stated.

The BOP also noted that it does not provide specific details about an inmate due to 'safety, security, or privacy reasons.'

Some of the reasons that a prisoner might be listed as being 'not in BOP custody' include them being in transit, that they are yet to be processed, that they have been transferred to a halfway house, or that they have been released on parole (unlikely in the case of Kotey as he is serving a life sentence).

It is also possible that Kotey has been taken abroad to assist with investigations into another case, or for medical reasons.

MailOnline has also approached US State Department for comment.

However, Kotey is no longer in custody at Pennsylvania's high-security Canaan prison (pictured), Federal Bureau of Prisons records revealed. A BOP spokesperson said there are 'several reasons' why an inmate could be referenced as not in the system, but did not disclose why Kotey received that designation

Now, less than six months later, Kotey is listed as 'not in BOP custody' on the prison system's website. It is unclear where he is currently located

Kotey abducted Briton David Haines (left) and witnessed his torture and murder. His daughter Bethany Haines (right, pictured as a teenager) says she believes Kotey is still in the US penal system. She fears the terrorist is 'assisting authorities' and wants Kotey be returned to a high-security facility to serve out the entirety of his sentence

Victims: Slain American journalist James Foley (left) covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria, in 2012 and US aid worker Peter Kassig (right)

Victims: Left: US freelance journalist Steven Sotloff. Right: US aid worker Kayla Mueller, 26. Both were killed in Syria by ISIS

Kotey was a member of the so-called 'Beatles' terror group which led a hostage-taking scheme with roughly two dozen Westerners captive a decade ago. The hostages dubbed them Beatles because of their English accents.

The hostages came to dread the appearance of the Beatles, always in masks, because they were so sadistic. The world was also horrified by their propaganda videos showing victims paraded in orange jumpsuits before being beheaded.

The group is believed to have abducted and killed 27 people. Among those murdered were four Americans and two Britons, including aid worker David Haines.

His daughter, 24-year-old Bethany Haines, told the The Scottish Daily Record yesterday that she believes Kotey is still in the US penal system.

Ms Haines, of Perth, Scotland, fears the terrorist is 'assisting authorities' and wants Kotey to be returned to a high-security facility to serve out the entirety of his sentence.

'In the past he has been traceable, as we have access to data via the US victim notification scheme, and we at least had the reassurance that he was in a high security facility,' she said.

'I don't want to think that he has managed to negotiate his way into any kind of easy treatment on the basis of him assisting authorities or anything else.'

Ms Haines met with Kotey face-to-face in Virginia last June, where he told her how he had abducted her dad and witnessed his torture and murder.

The meeting was part of a deal that ensured after 15 years, Kotey could be transferred to a UK prison to serve the remainder of his full-life term.

Kotey (pictured in an October 2020 courtroom sketch) was sent to Canaan - 'one of the most dangerous penitentiaries' in the US - last year after being was sentenced on eight counts

The terror cell was said to include Kotey, El Shafee Elsheikh (left) and ringleader Mohammed Emwazi (right), known as Jihadi John, who was killed in a drone strike

Kotey went to trial in America after being captured by Kurdish militia in Syria in January 2018.

He was handed over to American forces in Iraq in 2020 where he faced trial in the US in relation to the killings of four American hostages: journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

He was sent to Canaan - 'one of the most dangerous penitentiaries' in the US - last year after being was sentenced on eight counts: four of hostage-taking resulting in death; conspiracy to commit hostage-taking resulting in death; conspiracy to murder US citizens outside of the US; conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, hostage-taking and murder, resulting in death; and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation resulting in death.

The terror cell was said to include Kotey, El Shafee Elsheikh and ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, who was killed in a drone strike.

Elsheikh was captured alongside Kotey in Syria in 2018 by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces while trying to escape to Turkey.

He who was also sentenced to life imprisonment in the US last August after a jury convicted him of hostage-taking resulting in death and other crimes.

US authorities agreed not to pursue a death sentence as part of a deal that ensured extradition of Elsheikh and Kotey.
Former Barclays and JP Morgan exec Jes Staley is accused of being an operative in late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's sex ring, after thousands of emails between the two reveal a 'profound friendship,' a lawsuit claims.

The filing was made in an an amended complaint Tuesday by the US Virgin Islands, which had previously sued JPMorgan over the bank's ties to Epstein. Staley worked at JPMorgan until 2013.

'Between 2008 and 2012, Staley exchanged approximately 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JP Morgan email account,' the amendment alleges. During that time, the bank 'serviced approximately 55 Epstein-related accounts collectively worth hundreds of millions of dollars.'

Staley, 66, had quit Barclays in November 2021 after the bank's board said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome of a report into his links to convicted sex offender Epstein.

Former Barclays and JP Morgan exec Jes Staley (pictured left) has been accused of being an operative in the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's sex ring in a lawsuit

'These communications show a close personal relationship and 'profound' friendship between the two men and even suggest that Staley may have been involved in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation,' the amendment continues. '

They also reveal that Staley corresponded with Epstein while Epstein was incarcerated and visited Epstein's Virgin Islands residence on multiple occasions,' according to The Daily Beast.

The US Virgin Islands' suit also claims that Staley was allowed 'to remain a decision-maker on Epstein's accounts' and even asked to discuss the historical, sordid sex trafficking and human trafficking allegations against him.

In addition, JPMorgan allegedly would make payments to 'numerous women with Eastern European surnames who were publicly and internally identified as Epstein recruiters,' including a $600,000 payment to one Jane Doe who the pedophile purchased when she was just 14 years old.

The complaint goes on to say that Hyperion Air, who owned Epstein's infamous 'Lolita Express' private jet, also issued hundreds of thousands of dollars in checks payable to cash for fuel expenses.

'Many of these cash withdrawals either exceeded the $10,000 reporting threshold or were seemingly structured to avoid triggering the reporting requirement,' the lawsuit claims. 'This is particularly significant since it is well known that Epstein paid his victims in cash.'

Epstein is accused of misusing JPMorgan accounts for nonprofit organizations and used it to pay associates like Les Wexner, as well as ex-girlfriends.

Staley had quit Barclays in November 2021 after the bank's board said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome of a report into his links to convicted sex offender Epstein

Staley is accused of exchanging 'approximately 1,200 emails with Epstein' from work account

Epstein is accused of misusing JPMorgan accounts for nonprofit organizations and used it to pay associates like Les Wexner, as well as ex-girlfriends

Many thought the lawsuit against JPMorgan might go dead after former Attorney General Denise George was fired shortly after the initial suit was filed.

When Staley quit Barclays in 2021, the American banker intends to contest the findings. He is reportedly 'shell-shocked, angry and upset' at the preliminary conclusion of the report.

Barclays meanwhile pointed out that the probe makes no findings that he saw, or was aware of, any of Epstein's alleged crimes.

Barclays said last year that UK financial regulators were probing links between Mr Staley and Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking offenses.

Staley has previously said his relationship with Epstein - who was also friends with Prince Andrew - ended in late 2015, and that he regretted his relationship with him.

The 64-year-old, who is married to interior designer Debbie, was replaced today by the bank's head of global markets CS Venkatakrishnan, known as 'Venkat'.

Barclays said Staley was entitled to 12 months' notice and will therefore continue to receive his current fixed annual pay of 2.4million in cash and Barclays shares, a pension allowance of 120,000 and other benefits until October 31, 2022.

Many thought the lawsuit against JPMorgan might go dead after former Attorney General Denise George was fired shortly after the initial suit was filed

Jes Staley and his wife Debbie Staley are pictured together in New York in March 2017

Jes Staley (left) at Jeffrey Epstein's mansion in New York in 2011. Pictured (from left): Mr Staley; former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers; Epstein; Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder; and Boris Nikolic, who was the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's science adviser

The Chelsea home belonging to Barclays boss Jes Staley who has now quit the company

Staley was born in Boston in 1956. He is one of four children who moved frequently with their father, Paul, a plant manager for Procter & Gamble.

His father later became CEO of PQ Corporation, a chemicals business based outside Philadelphia, where Staley grew up.

After graduating with a degree in economics from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1979, he joined banking giants JPMorgan on a training program in New York.

He later moved to Brazil to help set up its investment banking venture in South America, where he met his future wife Debbie - just days after arriving.

He returned to New York in 1989 and quickly shot up the ladder at JPMorgan. In 1990 he was asked by then-CEO Sandy Warner to manage the group's private banking division.

Mr Staley is married to interior designer Debbie (above, together in New York in October 2013)

Mr Staley, who has two daughters, Alexa, a physicist, and Sophia, believed to be a legal professional, is also said to own a property in Southampton, US, which is part of the exclusive Long Island coastal area known as the Hamptons. Beachfront property prices there can top 65million.

Staley owns a yacht, Bequia, named after the Caribbean island where he spent his honeymoon

In 2001, he was promoted to CEO of JPMorgan Asset Management and ran the division until 2009.

After 34 years with JPMorgan, he left for BlueMountain Capital Management, now Assured Investment Management, in 2013, before joining Barclays in 2015.

He is also credited as a key supporter of the LGBTQ+ community within the US banking sector, having been inspired by the work of his younger brother Peter, who was diagnosed with AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) in 1985.

Peter founded Act Up, a New Yorkbased AIDS activist group, and would go on to serve as a member of president Bill Clinton's National Task Force on AIDS Drug Development.

Staley meanwhile was recognized for his contributions in making JP Morgan an LGBT-friendly company, having been a key figure in the building up of JP Morgan Pride.

In addition to his connections to former President Clinton, Staley has held Democrat Party fundraisers at his plush New York apartment, said to be a short distance from the Guggenheim museum.

Staley's relationship with Epstein has been under the microscope since revelations about the financier's sex trafficking came to light.

He embarked on a 'professional relationship' with Epstein in 2000, when he became head of JPMorgan's private bank, of which Epstein was a client.

Epstein had been charged with sex crimes and pleaded guilty in 2008 to solicitation of prostitution.

A report by the New York Times in 2019 revealed how compliance officers at JPMorgan Chase conducted a sweep of their wealthy clients in 2009.

According to the report, the compliance officers recommended that the bank cut its ties with Epstein because his accounts posed 'unacceptable legal and reputational risks'.

However he remained a JPMorgan client until 2013.

Staley also admitted he maintained contact with Epstein, who died in a New York prison cell in 2019, for seven years after his 2008 conviction.

He said his last contact with Epstein was in fall 2015, when he and his wife sailed to Epstein's private island for lunch. That trip occurred shortly before he joined Barclays. He said he had no contact with Epstein once he joined the bank in December 2015.

Barclays say the Financial Conduct Authority's probe into Staley's links to Epstein makes no findings that he saw, or was aware of, any of Epstein's alleged crimes.

Speaking in February last year, Staley said: 'For sure, with hindsight with what we know now, I deeply regret having any relationship with Jeffrey.'

A wealthy financier, Epstein was found dead in a New York prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on allegations that he trafficked girls as young as 14 for sex.
A new offer will be tabled to the militant RMT rail union as early as today in a bid to halt their strikes.

It is understood train bosses will make a new pay offer of at least 9 per cent over two years to workers for 14 firms. This is up from the current 8 per cent offer.

They had looked at a 10 per cent rise and this was considered by ministers. But officials are understood to have only approved an extra 1 per cent increase.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Aslef train drivers' union, on Wednesday told the Commons Transport Select Committee there was 'zero' chance of a resolution.

But Mr Harper later said that was 'unfair' as the situation had 'moved on'.

He told ITV's Peston: 'I'm hopeful that now that there is a renewed offer on the table, that that (a deal) can happen, and we saw confirmation today.

'The evidence that was given to the Transport Select Committee that there are conversations going on between various of the unions and the companies and I'm hopeful we'll make some progress in the coming days.'

A new offer will be tabled to the militant RMT rail union as early as today in a bid to halt their strikes. Pictured: Mick Lynch general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) leaves the Department of Transport in Westminster, London, January 9, 2023

Rail minister Huw Merriman left open the possibility of an improved deal in a meeting with RMT boss Mick Lynch on Monday.

The new offer would be for 2022 and 2023, backdated to the beginning of last year.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the 14 train companies involved in the dispute, is scheduled to meet the RMT today and could table the new offer then.

It came as rail union barons said strikes could drag on for months yesterday.

RDG chairman Steve Montgomery told MPs on the Commons transport select committee: 'I have received a further mandate [from ministers] which will be used tomorrow in talking with the trade unions.

'But for obvious reasons, like confidentiality, that's something I can't talk about.'

It was unclear last night whether Government demands for more driver-only operated (DOO) trains as part of any agreement would be watered down.

Rail minister Huw Merriman left open the possibility of an improved deal in a meeting with RMT boss Mick Lynch on Monday. Pictured: Huw Merriman in Westminster, London, January 9, 2023

If they are it will boost hopes of a breakthrough as Mr Lynch, also appearing before the committee, told MPs that the RMT will never agree to more DOO trains on the network.

He said: 'We will not accept DOO in any train company without a fight. We will never sign up to accepting DOO. It will never happen while I'm the general secretary of the RMT, it'll never happen as long as the RMT exists.'

This is because it could lead to train guards being made redundant. Around 45 per cent of trains on the network carrying 55 per cent of passengers are already driver-only operated.

Even if a deal is struck between the RMT and 14 train operators, the union's dispute with Network Rail will continue.

The RMT has snubbed a 9 per cent pay rise offer for 2022 and 2023 from the Government-owned agency, which manages signalling and track maintenance.

It came as rail union barons warned strikes could drag on for months yesterday as they accused ministers of deliberately 'sabotaging' talks.

Mr Lynch told MPs that 'I can't see the landing zone from here' for a deal after six months of talks.

ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan, TSSA Interim General Secretary Frank Ward and RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch, appearing before the Transport Select Committee in the House of Commons January 11, 2023

And Mick Whelan, boss of train drivers' union Aslef, said talks were at 'zero' when asked on a scale of one to ten how close a deal was.

'We're further away than when we started,' he added.

He raised the prospect of walkouts lasting several years.

Asked by MPs on the Commons transport committee whether his members could afford to carry on striking, he said: 'We're in it for the long haul. Our members will do this - because it's their futures - for as long as it takes.

'I rather flippantly said in the press the other day that I'd like to solve it before I retire - I go in three years' time. We can financially sustain this for a very long time.'

Mr Lynch, who also appeared before MPs, said: 'It will be sustained as long as they [the members] want it to be sustained.'

However, Network Rail's chief negotiator Tim Shoveller insisted that talks were 'seven out of ten' when asked how close a deal with the RMT was, with ten being an agreement reached.

He said this was based on more than a third of RMT members voting for the offer of a 9 per cent pay rise when it was put to them in a referendum last month.

Talks with the RMT are more advanced than those with Aslef.

The RMT has snubbed a 9 per cent pay rise offer for 2022 and 2023 from the Government-owned agency, which manages signalling and track maintenance. Pictured: RMT members on the picket line in Birmingham, January 7, 2023

But Mr Lynch accused ministers of blocking talks from progressing before Christmas by inserting eleventh-hour demands for more driver-only operated DOO trains to be rolled out across the network.

Both union leaders said they would 'fight' the government's 'minimum service levels' legislation, introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, and potentially challenge it in court.

Mr Lynch even compared it to draconian regimes such as China and Iran.

He said: 'It's an infringement of civil liberties. The right to strike is something that any democratic society will have.

'If they want to run the signalling system on the railways during a dispute, they'll have to get all the signallers to work and they'll command them and conscript them to work... if they were doing that in Putin's Russia, Iran or China, they would rightly be condemned.'
The president of a Minnesota university which ousted an art history professor after she showed her class a 14th Century painting of Muhammad has defended the decision, insisting that they acted to 'safeguard' students.

Professor Erika Lopez Prater, 42, did not have her contract renewed after the controversial class.

In October, she showed her students the image amid a discussion of Islamic art - having warned them in writing in advance that the class would feature pictures of Muhammad and the Buddha, and allowing any students who wanted to leave the room to do so.

A Muslim student, Aram Wedatalla, complained and Prater lost her job.

Fayneese Miller, president of Hamline University, defended her decision not to renew the professor's contract following the controversy

Nearly 8,000 people have signed this Change.org petition in support of the fired professor

Hamline University is a small liberal arts college in St Paul, Minnesota

On Wednesday, the president of Hamline University - a small liberal arts college in St Paul, Minnesota - defended the decision, which was condemned by the ACLU, PEN America, New York Times and Fox News.

In a letter sent out to students, Hamline University President Fayneese Miller apologized for the incident and said not offending the school's Muslim students is incredibly important

Fayneese Miller said she, faculty members and a student had received death threats, and insisted Hamline respected freedom of speech.

But, she wrote in a statement, their overriding priority was to protect students.

'Prioritizing the well-being of our students does not in any way negate or minimize the rights and privileges assured by academic freedom,' she wrote.

'Academic freedom does not operate in a vacuum. It is subject to the dictates of society and the laws governing certain types of behavior.'

Miller quoted the American Federation of Teachers as 'correctly' stating that 'academic freedom and its attendant rights do not mean that 'anything goes'.

Miller added: 'It notes that 'faculty must act professionally in their scholarly research, their teaching, and their interactions with students andensure this through policies and procedures that safeguard both students and the academic integrity of the institutions and disciplines'.'

She asked: 'Does your defense of academic freedom infringe upon the rights of students in violation of the very principles you defend?'

Miller also issued a harsh rebuttal of her critics, calling them misguided and ill-informed.

'It is far easier to criticize, from the security of our computer screens, than it is to have to make the hard decisions that serve the interests of the entire campus community,' she wrote.

'What disappoints me the most is that little has been said regarding the needs and concerns of our students that all members of our community hold in trust. I hope this changes.'

Muslim student Aram Wedatalla had complained about the use of the painting  despite being warned about it ahead of time

Miller concluded: 'I also note that Hamline is an independent university still closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and its foundational principles inscribed in the oft-repeated words on our campus of John Wesley: 'To do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.'

'We at Hamline live by these words.

'To do all the good you can means, in part, minimizing harm.

'That is what has informed our decisions thus far and will continue to inform them in the future.

'We hope you understand and respect the values guiding our efforts.'

Earlier this week it emerged Hamline could lose its accreditation after a formal complaint was filed against it for firing Prater.

An attorney sent the complaint to the Higher Learning Commission saying the liberal college was 'failing to protect the academic freedom'.

Meanwhile the ACLU also slammed the university for 'punishing educators for presenting controversial material'.

The ACLU also slammed the university for 'punishing educators for presenting controversial material'

Many practicing Muslims do not believe in looking at pictures of the Prophet Muhammad as they believe it may lead to worshipping an image.

Now the American Civil Liberties Union  ACLU  has hit out at the decision to get rid of the professor.

They tweeted: 'Universities can and should regulate professional standards  but punishing educators for presenting controversial material harms academic freedom.'

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) also announced that they filed a formal complaint with the Higher Learning Commission  Hamline's accreditor.

In a letter to the accreditor, FIRE's director Alex Morey wrote that the professor's 'nonrenewal violates both HLC and Hamline policies clearly committing the university to free expression and its corollary, academic freedom for all faculty.'

They are demanding that the professor be reinstated, adding: 'We gave Hamline plenty of time to reverse course, but it's clear they're not planning to deliver on their academic freedom promises.

'If Hamline won't listen to free speech advocates or faculty across the country, they'll have to listen to their accreditor.'

The Higher Learning Commission's mandate requires accredited institutions to provide academic freedom  something they say the University has not done.

Wedatalla is a member of the Muslim Student Association and gained support from Muslim students who were not in the class but called the incident an attack on their religion

By firing the professor, they say it violates Hamline's strong academic freedom policy which gives faculty the right to examine 'all ideas, some of which will potentially be unpopular and unsettling.'

FIRE Program Officer Sabrina Conza added: 'Hamline has no right to dismiss an art history instructor for teaching art history.

'Hamline clearly doesn't understand what academic freedom means, even though it explicitly promises faculty this core right.'

I am offended as a Muslim. In choosing to label this image of Muhammad as Islamophobic, in endorsing the view that figurative representations of the Prophet are prohibited in Islam, Hamline has privileged a most extreme and conservative Muslim point of view Professor Amna Khalid, who supports the fired Hamline professor

The complaint to the HLC says: 'Such nonrenewal violates both HLC and Hamline policies clearly committing the university to free expression and its corollary, academic freedom for all faculty, with Hamline claiming it 'is committed to academic freedom and celebrates free expression for everyone.

'The University embraces the examination of all ideas, some of which will potentially be unpopular and unsettling, as an integral and robust component of intellectual inquiry.'

'Accrediting agencies like HLC are often the last line of defense for faculty members 'expressive freedoms, particularly adjuncts who lack tenure protection and the resources to challenge such decisions.

'HLC's Standard 2.D. is one of the strongest protections for student and faculty expression at private institutions in the United States, and FIRE urges HLC to hold Hamline accountable for violating this laudable standard.'

Miller before Christmas apologized for the incident and said not offending the school's Muslim students is incredibly important.

In a letter sent out to students, she said: 'It is not our intent to place blame; rather, it is our intent to note that in the classroom incidentwhere an image forbidden for Muslims to look upon was projected on a screen and left for many minutesrespect for the observant Muslim students in that classroom should have superseded academic freedom.'

By firing the professor, they say it violates Hamline's strong academic freedom policy which gives faculty the right to examine 'all ideas, some of which will potentially be unpopular and unsettling'

Muslim professor Amna Khalid said Hamline 'privileged a most extreme and conservative Muslim point of view'

A Minnesota adjunct professor who showed students a painting of the Prophet Muhammad lost her job after the incident

In a statement given to DailyMail.com a Hamline University spokesman said: 'As we have stated, in the immediate aftermath of students' expressed concerns, the University's initial response and actions were to address our students' concerns.

'And, contrary to what has been reported and become the story, it is important that this aspect be reported.

'It is also important that we clarify that the adjunct instructor was teaching for the first time at Hamline, received an appointment letter for the fall semester, and taught the course until the end of the term.'

Lopez Prater allegedly gave students a heads-up moments before the painting was shown, giving them another chance to leave the room if they didn't feel comfortable looking at the picture.

Students do not relinquish their faith in the classroom Hamline University

Again, no students brought any concerns or exited the classroom during the October lecture.

Wedatalla told the schools newspaper: 'As a Muslim and a Black person, I don't feel like I belong, and I don't think I'll ever belong in a community where they don't value me as a member, and they don't show the same respect that I show them.'

After the class ended, Wedatalla stuck around to speak with Lopez Prater.

The conversation prompted the professor to sent an email to her department head, Allison Baker, to give her a heads up about the situation.

Baker, the chair of the digital and studio art department, responded by saying: 'It sounded like you did everything right.'

Deangela Huddleston, a Hamline senior and Muslim Student Association member, said of the incident: 'Hamline teaches us it doesn't matter the intent, the impact is what matters.'

A spokesperson for Hamline said Lopez Prate 'received an appointment letter for the fall semester, and taught the course until the end of the term.'
He always wanted to make history, but perhaps not this way.

Elon Musk has broken the world record for amassing the largest losses to his personal fortune in history  wiping 135billion ($165billion) off his wealth between November 2021 and December 2022, according to Guinness World Records.

It comes after the share value in Musks electric car firm Tesla crashed by around 65 per cent after he bought Twitter last year, a move that spooked investors.

The losses surpass the previous record of 47billion by Japanese tech investor Masayoshi Son in 2000.

Elon Musk has broken the world record for amassing the largest losses to his personal fortune in history, according to Guinness World Records. Pictured: Musk in Los Angeles, California, June 13, 2019

In December, Bernard Arnault overtook Musk  now worth around 152billion  as the worlds richest person.

The figures were based on those available from publisher Forbes.

Guinness said Musks true losses could be higher than the figure given.

His 36bn takeover of Twitter sparked concerns among investors Mr Musk was not paying enough attention to Tesla.

the estimated loss is based on the value of his shares, which could regain their value.

His 36bn takeover of Twitter sparked concerns among investors Mr Musk was not paying enough attention to Tesla. Pictured: Musk in Norway, August 29, 2022

The value of Tesla shares dropped around 65 per cent in 2022.

Mr Musk tweeted after the close of the stock markets in December: Long-term fundamentals [at Tesla] are extremely strong. Short-term market madness is unpredictable.

Mr Musk is now worth about 152bn, according to Forbes. Mr Arnault has an estimated value of 155bn.
Experts say Iran's activities in Latin America are intended to defy the US

Iran has been building strong ties with anti-American Latin American leaders like Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, who many have called a dictator

The move is the latest Iran has made to establish itself in America's backyard

Iran's navy said it will have a presence in the Panama Canal by the end of 2023

Iran is planning to station warships in the Panama Canal, the latest move in its ongoing campaign to install a presence in Latin America and infiltrate the United States' backyard.

The commander of Iran's Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, announced the plans on Wednesday and said they would come to fruition later this year. A presence in the Panama Canal would mark the first time Iran's navy has sailed in the Pacific Ocean.

The move is just the latest in Iran's ongoing campaign to deepen its ties in Latin America, which has recently included treaties signed with the anti-US Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro, Nicaragua, and increasingly friendly relations with Bolivia.

Experts say Iran's activities are undoubtedly intended to defy the US and demonstrate an ability to build a military presence within reach of American territory. It comes amidst increasingly tensions between the two nations.

An Iranian tank is deployed to a beach from an amphibious Iranian Navy ship

During a ceremony in Iran's capital, Admiral Irani said the navy's plans for the Panama Canal were intended to 'strengthen our maritime presence in international waters.'

'The army navy has been present in all the strategic straits in the world to date, and we have not been present in only two straits, and we will be present in one of these straits this year,' Irani said. 'We are planning to be present in the Panama Canal,'

'Today we have to strengthen our maritime presence in international waters and today we can say that there is no scientific barrier to grow in that field,' he added, according to Iranian state-controlled media.

The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 2,500 miles away from the United States' southernmost border.

The commander of Iran's Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, announced the plans for the Panama Canal on Wednesday and said they would come to fruition later this year

The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 2,500 miles away from the United States' southernmost border

How Big is Iran's Navy? Islamic Republic of Iran Navy has about 140 vessels in service. Its fighting fleet includes frigates, corvettes, submarines, and a number of fast attack ships. There are a number of patrol boats in service, along with amphibious crafts which can drop troops and vehicles onto shores. It also has a fleet of aircraft, and numerous supporting and auxiliary vessels. There are about 18,000 enlisted sailors and service members in the Navy. Advertisement

Iran's plans for the Panama Canal come days after the third anniversary of the assignation of the prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a targeted drone strike by the US on January 3, 2020.

Speaking to a crowd in Tehran last week, President Raisi vowed vengeance against the US.

'We have not and will not forget the blood of martyr Soleimani,' he said. 'The Americans must know that revenge for martyr Soleimani's blood is certain, and the murderers and perpetrators will have no easy sleep.'

The remarks were just the latest jab in a period of ever-increasing tensions between the two nations.

In Latin America, Iran and the US sparred last summer after a large Venezuelan cargo plane with ties to Iran and terror groups was grounded in Argentina after the nation refused to refuel the plane in accordance with US sanctions.

The plane was found to be crewed by a number of Iranians, and the United States said it believed the plane was a part of an Iranian intelligence operation in the area. Iran and Venezuela both denied those allegations.

Iran has reportedly also been targeting current and former US government officials, and journalists, and activists deemed threats to its regime, according to the Washington Post.

One of those plots was to kidnap former national security adviser John Bolton in Washington DC last year, but it was foiled by security agencies.

A ship cruises down the Panama Canal. The route is critical to global commerce

Iranian Navy soldiers stationed on a beach after being deployed from an amphibious landing vessel

An Iranian warship sailing near the Persian Gulf. The fleet will soon enter the Pacific Ocean for the first time

Latin American focused national security analyst for the Center for a Secure Free Society think tank Joseph Humire said Iran's plans for Panama are part of its ongoing campaign to install itself in the US' backyard.

'This is what Iran has been building in Latin America for the past 30 or 40 years' by establishing embassies and bilateral agreements with a host of nations, Humire said, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

He said Iran's intent 'has always been to have a military presence in Latin America, so it's not surprising at all for its navy to announce it's going to make moves on the Panama Canal.'

'This is a tremendous escalation if it is to happen,' he added. 'Many people may discount Iran in terms of its capabilities, but I would not discount it because they have been building to this for a very long time.'

Humire noted Iran's plans have also long included establishing embassies across the region, and signing treaties to strengthen ties with sympathetically anti-American nations.

Venezuelan President Maduro and Iranian President Raisi shake hands in Tehran last June

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (right) and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (left) shake hands in Venezuela in August

Among those efforts in Latin America is a prominent relationship Iran has been building with Venezuela, which is currently under the rule of President Maduro, who many have likened to a dictator and has long been an adversary of the United States.

Just last June, Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement which officially solidified economic ties between the two nations which have been heavily sanctioned by the US.

Maduro travelled to Iran to sign the agreement in person with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iranian ships have also frequently docked in ports along Venezuela coasts in recent years, demonstrating its ability to station warships across the Caribbean Sea from the US.

A Venezuelan cargo plane with ties to Iran and terror groups was grounded in Argentina after the nation refused to refuel the plane in accordance with US sanctions

Other forays into Latin America from Iran include a similar treaty signed with Nicaragua just last month. Iranian diplomates called the plan a 'new and strategic' cooperation treaty, according to the Tehran Times.

In August, Iran's Vice President Mohammad Hosseini travelled to Colombia to attend the inauguration of President Gustavo Petro, who has been outspokenly critical of US policies.

During that trip, Hosseini also met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco Franca, who said 'We are determined to shore up our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in different areas, including political and economic areas,' according to Iran Press Agency.

And last fall, Bolivian officials notably voiced support for Iran even as most of the world condemned its violent response to mass protests across the nation.

Bolivian ambassador to Iran, Romina Perez, called Iran Bolivia's brother and said the South American country 'condemns the disturbances in Iran perpetrated by British and American Zionists. We are sure these problems will be resolved with the understanding of the dear leader of Iran.'
Tatjana Patitz is a member of an exclusive group of renowned supermodels who adorned magazine covers in the 1980s and 1990s and starred in George Michael's 'Freedom! '90' music video has passed away at the age of 56.

Corinne Nicolas, her New York agent at the Model CoOp agency, verified Patitz's passing in the Santa Barbara, California, region. Nicholas stated that illness was the cause but provided no other information.

Tatjana Patitz Cause of Death

Patitz, born in Germany, reared in Sweden, and subsequently made her home in California, was considered one of the "first" supermodels, starring alongside Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford in a Michael Jackson music video.

She was a favorite of fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, who featured her natural beauty in his iconic 1988 shot, 'White Shirts: Six Supermodels, Malibu,' and on the cover of British Vogue in 1990 - inspiring Michael to cast the group in his lip-syncing video, according to Vogue.

Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of the publication, was reported as saying that Patitz was "always the European icon of elegance like Romy Schneider meets Monica Vitti. She was far less visible than her friends and more enigmatic, mature, and unapproachable, adding to her allure.

Per AP News, Tatjana Patitz stated in a 2006 interview that the golden age of supermodels was finished.

She was reported in Prestige Hong Kong magazine as saying, "There was a true era, and the reason that happened was that glamor was infused into it." Now that celebrities and actresses have taken over, models are entirely in the background.

In addition, she remarked that models from her era had better bodies. Patitz stated, "Women were healthy, unlike these skinny models whose names are no longer known."

The fashion magazine mentions in the article that Patitz was born in Hamburg, Germany, before migrating to Skanor, Sweden, with her family when she was young. The model's career began at age 17 when she entered an Elite Model Contest.

However, as stated by Vogue, Patitz's career began slowly, with the supermodel only becoming a cultural icon after being photographed by Peter Lindberg. George Michael placed the German-born supermodel in his 'Freedom '90' music video alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista shortly after the photographs were taken.

Read Also: American Actor Danny Masterson Urges Court To Dismiss Rape Charge as Second Criminal Trial Looms

Tributes For Tatjana Patitz

Per The Independent, Patitz subsequently modeled for companies such as Chanel, Donna Karan, and Vivienne Westwood, with the model's final catwalk walk being in 2019 for Etro's Autumn/Winter 2019/20 show.

The global editorial director of Vogue, Anna Wintour, stated: "Tatjana was always the epitome of European chic, a cross between Romy Schneider and Monica Vitti... She was far less visible than her peers, was more mysterious, sophisticated, and unsociable, and this had its appeal."

The Peter Lindbergh Foundation praised Tatjana Patitz's generosity, inner beauty, and exceptional intelligence.

"She will be greatly missed," the Foundation tweeted upon her passing. Patitz's most recent catwalk outing was in February 2019 during the Etro show during Milan fashion week, according to BBC.

Related Article: Brazil Icon Pele Dead After Cancer Battle; Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Mourn

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There should barely be a safer place for expectant mothers and their babies than an NHS maternity ward.

Yet in recent years there have been harrowing scandals at hospital trusts where women and their newborns have died unnecessarily.

Despite a string of public inquiries making recommendations to improve care and reduce risks, a damning report has found a concerning decline in womens experience of maternity services.

The care watchdog says pregnant women and new mothers more often feel abandoned. They have less confidence in the NHS. And fewer were able to get medical help during labour. This is a shocking state of affairs. But is it really any surprise?

There should barely be a safer place for expectant mothers and their babies than an NHS maternity ward. Yet in recent years there have been harrowing scandals at hospital trusts where women and their newborns have died unnecessarily [File photo]

As we reveal, instead of a laser-like focus on improving maternity provision, health chiefs have been captured by woke ideology.

Senior officials plan to spend 100,000 on a midwife training programme to improve care for pregnant transgender patients.

Based on a flawed study by trans activists that claims men can give birth, the initiative encourages midwives to use terms including chestfeeding and human milk.

It risks bringing poor practice on to maternity wards and diverting midwives from the frontline  endangering women.

If the NHS cannot perform the basic task of looking after expectant mothers and their babies, what on earth is it for?

Despite a string of public inquiries making recommendations to improve care and reduce risks, a damning report has found a concerning decline in womens experience of maternity services

A healthy alternative

Following fevered speculation, Rishi Sunak has finally admitted using private healthcare in the past.

This is hardly a blinding revelation  after all, he and his wife are multi-millionaires.

But by initially ducking the question when asked by the class-baiting BBC, the Prime Minister needlessly made himself look slippery. Why not just tell the truth?

Yes, private healthcare remains a hot potato in the UK, where the nation worships at the altar of the NHS. But it is nothing to be embarrassed about.

It is an immutable Tory virtue that people should be free to spend their own money as they wish. Labours claim that paying for treatment is somehow a slight on the NHS is simply woolly-headed nonsense.

The health service is in chaos. Shouldnt those who can afford to go private be applauded for taking pressure off the NHS  while still funding it through their taxes?

Two lessons for Rishi

He was at the Carlton Club  the Tories spiritual home  to unveil his post-prime ministerial portrait. But by the end of Tuesday, all eyes were on Boris Johnson himself.

Boosterish as ever, he said the Conservatives united would defeat plodding Keir Starmer. Only one party, he said, would slash the tax burden, extend home ownership and stop Channel migrants  and it wasnt Labour.

Not 24 hours later, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan  who left her state comprehensive at 16  gave a passionate defence of Britains private schools, which Labours class warriors want to extinguish (even though twice as many Opposition MPs as the national average attended one).

He was at the Carlton Club  the Tories spiritual home  to unveil his post-prime ministerial portrait. But by the end of Tuesday, all eyes were on Boris Johnson himself

Her message of aspiration, personal choice and wanting the very best for our children should be in every Conservatives DNA.

While we believe Mr Sunak can win the next election with his formidable political skills, perhaps his army of spin doctors should take notes from these colleagues.

By injecting more optimism, the PM could turn the tide decisively in the Tories favour.

The use of cash has risen for the first time in 13 years as households seek to manage their finances better during the cost of living squeeze. So will the banks (bailed out by taxpayers after the crash) now put customers before profits and halt the relentless closure of branches and holes-in-the-wall? We wont hold our breath.
Harry has shocked his family by the amount of detail he was willing to share

But a source claims relatives are concerned about privacy following memoir

Prince Harry will not be welcome at his father's coronation in May following the criticism levelled against his family in his memoir, a source has claimed.

Senior royals have baulked at the thought of spending time with the duke at the event in case conversations 'end up in the paperback' edition of Spare, The Sun reported.

It is unclear whether King Charles III will invite his younger son to the coronation, or if Harry would accept.

The Duke of Sussex launched an attempted charm offensive this week, appearing on US talkback shows mocking royal protocol to promote his bestselling memoir, Spare.

But he has dodged questions about whether he will attend this year's coronation. During the publicity blitz to promote his book, the Duke of Sussex told Tom Bradby that 'a lot can happen between now and then' when asked if he will go to see his father crowned in May.

One source claimed this week: 'The family expects Harry and Meghan to find a reason not to be there'.

Harry dodged questions about whether he would attend his father's coronation, telling Tom Bradby that 'there's a lot that can happen between now and then'. Some senior royals have claimed that he is not welcome full stop

Prince Harry will not be welcome at his father's coronation this year in light of the onslaught of insults he's levelled against his family, a source claims

His family have reportedly been taken aback and hurt by the level of detail he has divulged to the public about their lives.

A source told The Sun: 'There have been discussions among the family, including Edward and Anne.

'They do not want private conversations at the coronation making it into the paperback edition of Spare.'

The coronation - just 16 weeks away - will be a smaller affair than ever before, which is a reflection of King Charles' ambitions for a slimmed down monarchy. The palace are yet to publish plans for the ceremony and the guest list has not yet been agreed.

Organisers said the event will 'reflect the monarch's role today' and 'look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry'.

Earlier this week, it was reported that His Majesty had resigned himself to Harry not attending the May 6 celebration.

It would be very 'hard for them [the Sussexes]' to attend, a royal source who is close to the family claimed, after 'what has been said'.

The source explained the family expect the Sussexes will politely provide a reason not to attend, even if they were invited.

Initially the King hoped to still invite his youngest son to witness the momentous occasion, but a new report suggests he has been forced to reconsider his plans amid concerns conversations could 'end up in paperback'

Prince Harry's book, Spare, was released on January 10 and quickly became one of the fastest selling non-fiction books ever

The then Prince Charles (centre) attends the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (left), in 1953, following the death of his grandfather George VI. Prince Harry is now reportedly unlikely to receive an invite to his father's big day

Edward and Anne are reportedly among relatives who have voiced concerns over whether their words would later be made public if Harry were to be invited

'The family expects Harry and Meghan to find a reason not to be there,' the source told The Independent.

The fallout from the publication of Prince Harry's long-awaited memoir continues despite the Duke of Sussex repeatedly claiming he would like a relationship with his family.

King Charles has maintained a dignified silence throughout Harry's PR tour, but looked stony-faced as he got behind the wheel of his car near Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, yesterday.

It marked the first time he has been seen in public since his youngest son appeared on US talk shows downing tequila shots and mocking royal protocols to promote his controversial autobiography.

Harry told The Late Show that he and Meghan were 'forced' to flee 'our home country' of Britain for 'beautiful California' because of 'abuse and harassment'.

He then said: 'We have created a fantastic life here in California, which by the way is beautiful, and America is a great place to live,' before clinking glasses with Colbert.

King Charles III and Camilla reportedly arrived at their 'marital home' in Scotland last week for a 'well-deserved' break.

Birkhall is where Charles and Camilla became engaged, and where they honeymooned in 2005.

The King has previously revealed he finds the property 'calming and peaceful'.

The Duke of Sussex launched a charm offensive this week, appearing on US talkback shows to promote his bestselling memoir. Pictured: Harry on ITV's Tom Bradby on Sunday night

Many high ranking royals reportedly have 'no trust left' in Harry in the wake of his memoir, television rounds and recent Netflix documentary.

Speaking to ITV's News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby, Harry said he'd be open to reconciliation and even returning to a partial royal role, on the condition he could have 'frank' conversations with his family which would stay private.

'I don't know whether they'll be watching this [interview] or not, but, what they have to say to me and what I have to say to them will be in private, and I hope it can stay that way,' he said, noting he doesn't want 'frank discussions [to] leak out'.

The comments have been labelled ironic given all the private moments Harry has shared in his memoir.

A royal source told The Mirror: 'The irony is there for all to see, apart from Harry himself it seems.

'There was very little [trust] before these latest scenes, but there is no trust left at all for Harry to be brought into the fold.'

It's understood the Royal Family are unlikely to comment publicly on any of the allegations levelled against them.

But even discussing matters privately may be off the table for high-ranking royals who fear any conversations held with Harry could be used against them in the future.

Read more:
A baby boy killed in a 'blameless tragic accident' has been remembered as a little blue-eyed angel whose cheeky smile melted the hearts of everyone he met as his heartbreaking final moments were revealed.

Cooper, who celebrated his first birthday just last month, suffered severe brain injuries when he was run over by a car on a private property at Thabeban near Bundaberg in central Queensland on Monday.

The little boy was rushed to Bundaberg Hospital before he was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital's neurology intensive care unit in Brisbane.

Despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses, Cooper sadly lost his brave fight for life the next day surrounded by his shattered parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

'Rip, my angel,' his mum posted on Facebook.

Little Cooper (pictured) lost his brave fight for life on Tuesday surrounded by his family

Bundaberg locals, friends, family and complete strangers have rallied around Cooper's grieving parents and three older siblings.

A relative remembered Cooper as a beautiful baby in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

An online fundraiser set up by another relative states Cooper had his whole life ahead of him as his final moments were revealed.

'He fought so hard, and it is a testament to how strong and resilient our little angel was,' the page states.

'A blameless tragic accident which was the result of every parent's worst nightmare came true, which has and will affect our entire family and anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing that cheeky little smile for the rest of our lives.

Police investigations into the tragedy continue as they prepare a report for the coroner

More than $10,000 has already been raised within 18 hours.

'We are asking for any help you can provide for our family to cover the cost of funeral expenses and professional support for the parents and siblings who never should have had to say goodbye,' the page states.

'Any excess will go to helping with bills for the parents until they can bare going back to work and any therapy for his beautiful siblings.'

Cooper's parents have been inundated with support.

'Words can't describe the pain and sorrow of the loss of your Angel. May he rest in peace, until you meet again. Sending much love, hugs and prayers now and always,' a woman posted.

Another added: 'My heart breaks for you thinking of you all. And here for anything you need. Rip gorgeous boy.'

Police investigations into the tragedy continue as they prepare a report for the coroner.
The 18-year-old daughter of television presenter Emma Alberici allegedly broke a door at her mother's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs before police took out a restraining order against the teen.

Allegra McCauley is prevented from going within 50m of her mother's house or place of work until an apprehended violence order application can be heard in late December.

McCauley, one of the former ABC journalist's three children with ex-husband Jason McCauley, appeared in Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

She is charged with intentionally damaging or destroying 'skirting around the door' at her mother's Coogee home about midday on December 29 last year.

Allegra McCauley, the 18-year-old daughter of television presenter Emma Alberici, allegedly broke a door at her mother's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs before police took out a restraining order against her. McCauley is pictured

Allegra McCauley is prevented from going within 50m of her mother Emma Alberici's house or place of work until an apprehended violence order application can be heard in late December. Alberici is pictured hosting the ABC program Lateline

McCauley's lawyer said his client would defend the charge and oppose the AVO sought by police to protect 52-year-old Alberici.

Alberici was a foreign correspondent and chief economics correspondent for the ABC, where she also hosted Lateline for five years.

She was made redundant by the national broadcaster in 2020.

The intensely private broadcaster married 60 Minutes sound recordist McCauley in 2003 and the couple separated in 2016.

Under the terms of the AVO, her daughter must not assault, threaten, stalk, harass, intimidate or recklessly destroy or damage any property belonging to Alberici.

McCauley, one of the former ABC journalist's three children with ex-husband Jason McCauley, appeared in Waverley Local Court on Thursday morning (above)

The teenager is not to contact her mother except through a lawyer and will be back in court for a hearing set down for two hours on December 21.

Alberici, who was once a reporter for the Nine Network's A Current Affair, became the ABC's chief economics correspondent after Lateline was axed in October 2017.

In that role she wrote a news story for the ABC website in February 2018 which stated only one if five large Australian companies paid tax, as well as an analysis piece critical of the Coalition federal government's proposed company tax cuts.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull attacked Alberici in parliament over the news story which he described as 'one of the most confused and poorly researched articles I've seen on this topic'.

The ABC took down the story and analysis but both were edited and republished after negotiations between the broadcaster and a lawyer acting for Alberici.

The intensely private Alberici married 60 Minutes sound recordist McCauley in 2003 and the couple separated in 2016. They have two daughters and a son. The former couple is pictured

Supporters of the journalist accused the ABC of buckling to pressure from Turnbull and unfairly targeting Alberici.

The ABC claimed it had identified errors or misleading statements in Alberici's company tax cuts story and found her analysis piece lacked impartiality.

She was made redundant in 2020 and reached a settlement with the ABC after taking a complaint to the Fair Work Commission.

Alberici responded to news of that settlement in a social media post which referred to then ABC director of news Gaven Morris.

'It is true that the ABC and I reached an agreement yesterday,' she wrote.

Under the terms of the AVO, Alberici's daughter must not assault, threaten, stalk, harass, intimidate or recklessly destroy or damage any of her property

'After 18 years of loyal service, including as one of the country's first mother foreign correspondents (with three kids under three) I am no longer employed by them.

'Despite the enormous toll his actions have taken on my mental health, Gaven Morris wanted to call it a termination payout, no doubt so he could tell the world I was fired for incompetence or some such.

'To be crystal clear: I have never coveted the camera. I will no longer be on TV and will not accept any role if it's offered. It is too painful to be in the public eye. For further removal of doubt, I have been made no offers from anyone in the media.'

Since then, Alberici has worked in strategy, government relations and communications for financial comparison website Compare the Market and as a headhunter for recruitment firm Derwent.

She is reportedly writing a memoir called Rewrite the Story and is an ambassador for the children's cancer charity Camp Quality.
A British father used his drone to save beachgoers from a potential attack after spotting three sharks stalking the shores of a popular beach in Australia.

David Alphonso, his wife Kirsty and their two-year-old sun Sonny were enjoying a family day out with his London-based father and Sydneysider brother at Meelup Beach, 250km south of Perth.

Mr Alphonso, who moved to Australia eight years ago, walked from the beach to a nearby headland with his brother to launch his drone from a regular filming spot.

The pair were watching the live drone footage from an iPad when they saw a shark just metres from the beach.

Wildlife videographer David Alphonso spotted a large shark (above) near the shore at Meelup Beach, WA

Mr Alphonso told MailOnline: 'Within 30 secs I noticed shark straightaway in tehe shallows.

'It was about two to three metres from the shore, where it was really shallow, and it was swimming towards swimmers.

'The next beach along had hundreds of people because it was the summer holidays for the Christmas break.'

He said the shark looked to be a two-metre long bronze whaler so he quickly Facetimed his wife to raise the alarm.

'I told her "you better go get the lifeguard, there's a shark hanging around the swimmers",' he said.

'We showed him the drone footage of the shark through Facetime so he went to have a closer look.'

The lifeguard evacuated swimmers from the water and headed out on a jetski where Mr Alphonso was able to use the drone to guide him to where the shark was.

Mr Alphonso (pictured with his wife Kirsty) said he also saw two other sharks from his drone

He said: 'I flew the drone around the corner to where he launched the jetski so he could follow me.

'He followed the drone around the headland and I went up and down with the drone when I saw the shark.

'In the footage you can see him pointing to the shark,' he said.

'He must've thought it was serious enough to call the helicopter, it was there 15 minutes later and sounded the shark alarm.'

Meelup Beach was closed for four hours while about 100 beachgoers waited for the shark to move along.

However, in that time Mr Alphonso said he spotted two other shark floating around the beach.

One was another bronze whaler of a similar size but the other looked to be a three-metre long great white.

'It was about half a kilometre from the beach so I called the lifeguard again to warn him,' he said.

'They've got a bit of a resident great white hanging around there at the moment.

'He told me a couple days before they'd had to rescue a pair of swimmers from the rocks because they spotted a three-metre great white in the water.'

Meelup Brach (above)was closed for four hours while swimmers waited for the three sharks to move on

Mr Alphonso is a passionate wildlife videographer who regularly shares shark content on his Instagram page.

He said that while he was quick to ensure the water was evacuated, it's unlikely the sharks posed any real threat to the swimmers.

'I love sharks, I think it's unfair they're so vilified,' he said.

'They can be scary but there's such a small chance they pose any real danger.

'They're an essential and important part of out ecosystem, we shouldn't be vilifying them.'

For Mr Alphonso, the worst part of the day was having to put up with jokes from his British dad that he'd ruined everyone's fun.

'He kept taking the mickey out of me for closing the beach down in 35C,' Mr Alphonso said.
Ezra Miller is expected to plead guilty to trespassing on Friday in a deal that could reduce his prison sentence from 26 years to just 90 days.

The 30-year-old Flash actor had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful trespassing, two charges for burglary to an unoccupied dwelling and petit larceny for allegedly breaking into a Vermont home and stealing three bottles of alcohol.

But, NBC News reports, Miller is now expected to plead guilty for trespassing when they appear before a judge at the Vermont Superior Court on Friday.

In exchange, prosecutors will drop the burglary and petit larceny charges.

Embattled actor Ezra Miller is set to plead guilty to trespassing charges on Friday in a deal that will see their burglary and petit larceny charges dropped

The nonbinary actor is accused of entering this house in Stamford, Vermont and stealing bottles of gin, vodka and rum

The nonbinary actor had faced 26 years in prison if they were to be found guilty of those charges, as well as more than $2,000 in fines.

Prosecutors are now seeking just 89 to 90 days behind bars, as well as one year probation and a $500 fine, NBC News reports, citing court documents.

Miller, who uses they/them pronouns, is accused of taking bottles of gin, vodka and rum from his neighbor's pantry on May 1 at around 5pm.

Vermont State Police said in a statement at the time they were notified of 'a burglary complaint at a residence on County Road in the town of Stamford, Vermont.

'The initial findings indicated that several bottles of alcohol were taken from within the residence while the homeowners were not present,' the statement continued.

'As a result of an investigation that included surveillance videos and statements, probable cause was found to charge Ezra M. Miller with the offense of felony burglary in an unoccupied dwelling.'

They were arrested in August, and entered their now defunct not guilty plea in October when a judge ordered he stay away from neighbor Isaac Winokur  from whose house he stole the bottles  as well as neighbor Aiden Early.

The actor spoke only to confirm that they understood the conditions of their bail.

Miller had previously said they were in the house to look for ingredients for a recipe for their mother.

Miller had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming they were getting ingredients for a recipe for their mother

It was just the actor's most recent run-in with the law.

They had also been accused of grooming, after the parents of Tokota Iron Eyes, a Native American activist, 18, filed a protection order against the actor

Her parents accused Miller of grooming their child and other inappropriate behavior with her as a minor from the age of 12  which has been disputed by Tokota.

Miller was previously arrested in Hawaii

A Massachusetts mother was granted a temporary order of protection against Miller in June, on behalf of the womans 12-year-old child.

It was granted after the judge found the child faced substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment.

A mother-of-three and her young children have also moved into Miller's Vermont farmhouse which is allegedly filled with guns and large quantities of marijuana.

The father of the children claims that the mother, 25, left their island home in Hawaii with Miller in April, and took the children without his consent.

Video from April, obtained by Rolling Stone, reportedly showed at least eight assault weapons, rifles, and handguns lying around the living room.

An expose also claimed that they ran a secret harem out of his Vermont ranch - a de facto convent where the star asserted himself as a Jesus figure over a group of women.

Miller has been accused of 'grooming' and 'brainwashing' Tokata Iron Eyes, 18 (backseat), who is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. They are pictured together in a car

Miller was also arrested twice in Hawaii in March and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.

They were accused of shouting and swearing at customers as they sang karaoke at a bar in Hilo, as well as grabbing a microphone from a 23-year-old woman.

At a court hearing for the incident, they pleaded no contest to one count of disorderly conduct and paid a $500 fine.

In April the star was accused of throwing a chair at a 26-year-old woman, hitting her at a private party in Pahoa.

A video of Miller appearing to choke a woman at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland, also surfaced in April 2020, but did not result in any charges.

A video resurfaced on Twitter of Miller appearing to choke a woman at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland, in April 2020

Miller was previously charged with disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar following two arrests in Hawaii in March, one of which is pictured

In August Miller announced that they were seeking treatment for complex mental health issues, after Hollywood bosses were forced to reconsider their future in the DCs cinematic universe.

They said in a statement: Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment

I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe, and productive stage in my life.

The actor is now set to star in The Flash movie, a promo of which will premiere at the Super Bowl after an insider told The Wrap early screenings have scored positive feedback.

It will feature Miller as the titular superhero encountering other versions of himself and Supergirl from other timelines.
The tour boat was near Waiheke Island off the Auckland coast which is known for whales, dolphins and sharks

Marine biologists on boat said they had never seen the spectacle before and others assumed it was dolphin

Tourist on a whale watching boat in New Zealand caught moment a bronze whaler shark breached the water

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A whale watching tour group in New Zealand were treated to a spectacular sight when a shark leapt completely out of the water like a dolphin - and one passenger managed to catch the exact moment on camera.

Andrew Williams was on the sightseeing trip with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari on December 22 ahead of his wedding the next day when the tour operators were tipped off about the location of some bronze whaler sharks.

The school was swimming around a fishing boat near Waiheke Island off the Auckland coast and the tour group was able to get a peek at them beneath the surface - until one decided to get a little closer.

NZ tourist Andrew Williams caught the exact moment this bronze whaler shark leapt out of the water (pictured)

The image was shared to the tour group Facebook page this week captioned: 'Breaching bronzie...This shark is a bronze whaler and is commonly seen around New Zealand by both boaties and divers.'

'It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN because it is late to mature and can take up to 20 years before it reproduces. Not a usual sighting on board Dolphin Explorer but a special one nonetheless.'

Mr Williams said he just happened to have his phone camera pointed in the right direction and, as a reflex, managed to snap the lens at exactly the right moment.

He added that some of the crew on the ship had never seen bronze whalers breaching before and a lot of the passengers initially though they were dolphins.

Mr Williams told Stuff the tour was a 'perfect day' but added he couldn't say it was the highlight of his entire trip because he married his partner the next day.

'It was the highlight of my life as an unmarried man,' he joked.

The bronze whaler, also called a copper shark, is found in New Zealand waters, around southern Australia, Japan, South Africa, and small parts of the North and South American coast.

They can reach more than three metres in length, feed on small fish and while it is very rare for them to attack humans, there are recorded cases.
Missing Massachusetts mother Ana Walshe scrawled an eerie message in red marker on a champagne bottle box on New Year's Eve, hours before she vanished.

The message, first transcribed by the New York Post, reads: 'Wow! 2022What a year! And yet, we are still here and together! Let's make 2023 the best one yet! We are the authors of our livescourage, love, perseverance, compassion, and joy. Love, Ana.'

The Lanson Noble Cuvee box is in the dining room of the Cohasset home that Walshe shared with her husband, Brian, and their three children.

Following Brian Walshe's arrest on charges of misleading the police, the couple's three sons, aged between two and six, are in the custody of the state. Ana's friends are now rallying in an attempt to gain custody of the children until the case is resolved.

A friend of the family, Natasha Sky, told Fox Boston that two families are going through the legal process in an attempt to gain custody. She said: 'They're two families who have had play dates over and over already. They're two families who are willing to adapt and take all three boys together.'

The ominous note that Ana Walshe wrote to her husband, hours before she vanished

The Walshes have three sons, believed to be aged two, four, and six. Family friends are headed to court in an attempt to gain custody of the boys

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show the champagne box and three neatly lined up bottles of A.H. Hirsch Reserve Whiskey. The liquor sells for around $3,000 per bottle.

The other side of the champagne box reads: 'Gem Ana Brian 2023!' Family friend Gem Mutlu was in the Walshe's home on New Year's Eve.

Mutlu earlier told WBZ-TV in an interview: 'We hugged and celebrated and we toasted, just what you do over New Year's. There was a lot of looking forward to the New Year. There was no indication of anything other than celebrating the New Year, problems on hold.'

He left the Walshe family home, around 15 miles southeast of Boston, at about 1.30am on January 1.

Ana was supposed to take a ride-hailing service to Logan International Airport for a flight to Washington, D.C., where she works for real estate behemoth Tishman Speyer., but authorities said there is no evidence she ever got into a vehicle or on a flight.

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show three bottles of A.H. Hirsch Reserve Whiskey, which sells for around $3,000 a bottle

The Cohasset home that Ana shared with her husband, Brian, and their three children

The couple own several properties together  including their home in Cohasset and a $1.3million house in DC

On Monday, cops said they had found blood on a damaged knife and in the basement of their home in Cohasset

Brian Walshe, 47, is being held on a $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty to misleading police investigating the disappearance. His attorney, Tracy Miner, said he has been 'incredibly cooperative' with police and she requested low or no bail.

Meanwhile, family friend Natasha Sky told Fox Boston that, in addition to the two families already going through the courts to gain custody of Ana's sons, she would also welcome them into her home.

She said: 'Our focus right now is the children. Thats why we want to appeal to the local authorities, especially the Department of Children and Families. If the children can stay together, that is what we are putting our energy into.'

Another friend, Pamela Bardhi, told the station: 'Youve got three boys under six years old dealing with what could be extreme trauma. You dont know what they heard that night or what they saw that night. God knows what theyre in for.'

A prayer vigil has been organized for Thursday at 4.30pm in downtown Cohasset for Ana.

It has also emerged that on January 2, her husband was spotted on security video at a juice bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, where he placed an order for three kid's smoothies and two large smoothies.

On the same day, surveillance footage showed him at at a Home Depot in Rockland, authorities learned.

Hannah Connors, the juice bar's manager, told the news outlet it was not Walshe's first visit and that the employees think of him to be somewhat of a regular.

New security video obtained by 7NEWS shows Brian Walshe, 46, at the Press Juice Bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, placing an order around mid morning

Ana worked for real estate behemoth Tishman Speyer in Washington DC

'I remember he was staying towards the door, towards the entrance,' Connors said. 'Usually, people will go sit down and hang out but he didn't go over there. He was just waiting for it and he left as soon as he got it.

'We know our regulars and stuff, but we were just too busy,' Connors added. 'I didn't have a conversation with him, but just to think he was here is absolutely mind-blowing.'

On Tuesday, it was widely reported that cops had found traces of blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug and used cleaning supplies while searching dumpsters near Brian Walshe's mother's home.

Walshe was seen cracking a smile as he was handcuffed and led out of the station by officers

TIMELINE LEADING TO DISAPPEARANCE November 2016: Brian Walshe is arrested in connection with an $80,000 art fraud of Andy Warhol paintings. He is ordered by a court to remain under house arrest until sentencing. Walshe has yet to be sentenced for the fraud. January 1. 2023 Ana reportedly books a rideshare car to take her to Logan International Airport at 4am, but it is unclear if she ever gets into a vehicle or takes a flight. Her husband claims he went to Whole Foods and CVS, but there is no surveillance or receipts to prove he went. January 2: Walshe tells authorities that he only left the family home in Cohasset to take his son for ice cream. He is caught on surveillance footage buying $450 worth of cleaning supplies in Home Depot. Ana's phone pings in the area of the house on Jan 1 and 2. January 4: Ana's employer reports her missing. January 5: Police say Walshe is cooperating with the investigation into his missing wife. January 8: Walshe is seen leaving the property on Sunday in a red Volkswagen. His three children are taken away in a separate vehicle. Officers execute a search warrant at their home and found blood in the basement, along with a broken knife. The officers load a Volvo SUV onto the back of a truck while others search the grounds of their home. Police arrest Walshe on suspicion of 'misleading' authorities but do not charge him with anything else. January 9: Walshe grins at reporters as he is transported to his arraignment at Quincy District Court. He is held on $500,000 cash bail. Advertisement

Brian Walshe had been on home confinement while awaiting sentencing in a fraud case involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol paintings, according to federal court records. Cohasset police said Ana's disappearance and her husband's case seem to be two very separate things.

Massachusetts State Police and local police took Brian Walshe into custody, believing they had 'probable cause' to think he had misled investigators in the search for his wife.

He did not tell police he had been to the Home Depot store, where he bought $450 worth of mops, buckets, tarps, tape and cleaning supplies on January 2, Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Lynn Beland said at the hearing in Quincy District Court.

Walshe did tell police that he had been to a supermarket and a pharmacy - though there is no evidence he had been to either store, she said. He misled investigators so he could either clean up or dispose of evidence, she added.

He has been accused by prosecutors of not giving a full account of his activities in the days after his wife vanished while the search for her was underway.

The couple own several properties together  including their home in Cohasset and a $1.3million house in DC.

They also owned another property in Massachusetts, worth $1.4million  which they sold last year before she went missing.

That was the building that went up in flames days after she vanished, but cops investigating the matter believe the fire is not linked to her disappearance.

This week, a friend of Walshe's father claimed he was a 'long-term patient' at a psychiatric center and had been diagnosed as a 'sociopath.'

Walshe had received treatment at Austen Riggs Psychiatric Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, before being discharged a few years ago, Jeffrey Ornstein alleged.

Ornstein, who was a friend of Walshe's neurologist father, Dr Thomas Walshe, for 35 years, aired the claims in an explosive 2019 affidavit.

He also claimed Walshe had been estranged from the rest of his family after he had been accused of stealing millions of dollars from Dr Walshe's estate following his death.

Walshe's cousin, and two close friends of his father, made the claims against him in the scathing 2019 court documents following the death of Dr Walshe in 2018.

Ornstein said he had known Brian Walshe since he was 13, but said father and son had been estranged since 2009.

He claimed that, when Walshe was released from Austen Riggs after around 12 years and attempted to contact his father, Dr Walshe turned him down.
A Michigan school district has come under fire after sixth-graders were pictured practicing pole dancing while on a class field trip.

The band teacher at Hart Middle School took sixth-graders to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra back in November.

But a school board member revealed that during the course of the field trip, the students were taken to lunch at Niki's Pizza  which is connected to Niki's Lounge, a strip club in the Motor City.

The pizzeria was said to be too overcrowded so the students were moved to Niki's Lounge, where some students were pictured swinging on stripper poles.

A photo posted online shows sixth-graders swinging from poles at a strip club while on a field trip to see the Detroit Symphony back in November

A school board member revealed on Friday how the students were brought to a local pizzeria connected to a strip club for lunch

In a statement to FOX News, a spokesperson with the Rochester Communities Schools confirmed that the students did, indeed get lunch at Niki's, but would not comment on the incident further.

Photos of Nikis Lounge posted to its Instagram show long bars and stripper poles.

It advertises itself as the premiere nightclub in the Motor City, but a flyer on its Instagram shows that it has at least hosted strippers with 'sexy ladies' in bikinis.

The flyer said: 'Guys bring your singles.'

But the spokesperson for the school district just said that parents with concerns should reach out directly to their school administrators.

'Rochester Community Schools appreciates the strong teacher and caregiver partnerships as we work together to enhance classroom learning opportunities.

'Parents and caregivers are always encouraged throughout the school year to contact their school administrator with questions or concerns.'

The spokesperson added: 'Proposed field trips are evaluated by a curriculum team and require a parental/guardian permission slip.

'RCS may ask parents, caregivers or other responsible adults to serve as field trip chaperones when appropriate.

'Adult chaperones are required to complete background checks,' the spokesperson continued, noting, 'The safety and security of our students, staff and school community is always our top priority.'

A flyer posted to Instagram shows it has at least hosted strippers, advertising: 'Guys bring your singles'

The sixth-graders were band students at Hart Middle School in the Rochester Communities School district

The students had stopped for pizza at Niki's Pizzeria connected to Niki's Lounge in the city's Project Greenlight Detroit

Now, a school board trustee is publicly questioning why the district won't be transparent about what happened.

Andrew Weaver posted about the incident on his blog last Friday, noting that Niki's is located in an area that the Detroit Police Department monitors as part of its Project Green Light Detroit, where local businesses work with the police department to install real-time cameras that connect directly to the police headquarters.

Weaver has since taken down the post, but wrote on Sunday: 'The post was factual and offered no judgment or opinion. The information that was shared came from community members sharing it via social media. The information was not gained through my role as a Trustee.

'As I have stated previously and a key foundation of my promise to the public, there needs to be more focus on the actions that reflect poorly on our District.

'Many community members feel that there is too much time and energy spent trying to stop people from knowing about the actions that reflect poorly on the District while not enough time or energy is spent on actually doing anything about the issue(s) at hand.

'As board members, it is critical that we remain objective and not allow personal biases to influence what concerns we take seriously and which ones we minimize,' he continued.

'While we may all want to believe no one would act intentionally to put students in harms way, it would be irresponsible to make a case-specific statement without having considered the details unique to this particular situation.

'Whether harm was done intentionally or otherwise, it is equally essential that our staff members are trained and empowered to make difficult and responsive decisions that respect the best interest of our learners and communicate their decisions with needed stakeholders when appropriate or required.'

Andrew Weaver was the school board member who revealed that the students went to a strip club

Weaver continued to say he would bring up the issue at a future board meeting, noting, 'As a board, we need to understand what happened on the field trip was a symptom and not the root cause of the problem.

'Our responsibility is to ensure the root cause is addressed and that what happened this past November does not happen again.'

He also told FOX News the bigger issue to him was that the district was not transparent when the incident happened.

'How did get here? How do we not just communicate clearly to parents what happened?' he asked. 'A mistake was made, and address it and make sure that we have the policies in place to prevent it from happening again in the future.

'It's not a witch hunt, no one's going after anyone,' he continued. 'It's really just about how do we make sure that we communicate properly.'

Weaver vowed to bring up the issue at an upcoming school board meeting

But some on social media are now accusing Weaver of trying to 'stir the community pot.

'Weaver knew what he was doing when he posted on January 6. He knew he'd stir up controversy. He knew this would gain him the limelight he so needs. And he knew this would hurt a wonderful educator in our district,' Molly Corombos wrote.

'If he'd wanted to act professionally he would've taken the pictures  pictures I am certain he received from a parent on the trip who took them while laughing at the entire circumstance before he posted them on social media and spread them around again laughing  and saved them for a private discussion with other board members.

'I agree that this is a situation that might require clarification, a question about what happened and a discussion of how this won't happen again,' she noted.

'What it doesn't call for is a public flogging of our educators and the lack of gravitas that Weaver displayed while making his post and then summarily insulting constituents who called out his actions,' she said.

Jennifer Tukasi added that Weaver knew the post 'would be highly inflammatory leading to attacks on a teacher whether OR not you yourself "say anything" you knew what the effect would end up being.'

She also said he should have brought his concerns to district officials, saying: 'If I were a parent of one of these kids and we all knew they pretty much were already aware of it all  regardless of how I felt about the situation, I would be absolutely disgusted by how you, a Trustee, have chosen to handle this situation.'

Tukasi concluded: 'You were, in my opinion, egregiously neglectful in your duty as a trustee in handling this in this manner.'

Community members on social media accused Weaver of trying to 'stir the pot'

Weaver won a position on the school board in November campaigning on a policy of transparency amid growing frustrations about what he deemed were anti-parent actions taken by the school board.

Superintendent Robert Shaner has threatened legal action against Weaver if he does not comply with protocol

The district was recently forced to settle a lawsuit for tens of thousands of dollars after parents accused school officials of spying on parents' Facebook posts and retaliating against those who spoke out against it.

The federal suit alleged that district officials were 'assigned to regularly capture screenshots of district parents' social media posts and comments which criticized the school district and to compile dossiers of the screenshots, which were circulated to members' of the administration and board.

Some of the information they would collect, the lawsuit said, included information about the employment of parents who protested the district's policies, the names of their children and the schools they attended.'

The scandal led to calls for Superintendent Robert Shaner's resignation and Weaver's ultimate appointment to the school board.

But almost immediately after he was sworn in, the Detroit News reports, Weaver was notified in a letter that he is expected to speak 'with one voice through the Board president.

'It is imperative that the Board take immediate action to ensure Mr. Weaver's compliance with protocol,' Shaner wrote in a letter to the board president and vice president on December 21.

'Otherwise I will be compelled to seek legal redress in another venue.'

He did not specify what other legal actions he may take.
Angry trans-rights protestors swarmed and shut down a talk at McGill University from an alumnus who was discussing how the trans movement infringes on the rights of women.

Demonstrators packed the hallway outside a classroom hosting the talk from Robert Wintemute - a professor of human rights law specializing in sexual orientation at Kings College in London - who they accused of being associated with a 'notoriously transphobic and trans-exclusionary' group.

The talk was eventually cancelled.

Wintemute was discussing how he believes women's rights are infringed upon when they don't speak up for themselves out of fear of intimidation from trans activists. He told CTV he had to 'thank the protestors' for proving the point of his speech.

The Tuesday talk was hosted by the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism (CHRLP) at McGill, in Montreal. The center said inviting Wintemute to speak was not meant to be an endorsement of his viewpoints, but to serve as a platform for debate on the subject.

Activists demonstrating outside the talk inside Old Chancellor Day Hall at McGill University

Demonstrators packed the hallway outside a classroom hosting the talk from Robert Wintemute - a professor of human rights law at Kings College - who they accused of being 'notoriously transphobic and trans-exclusionary'

Footage from the scene showed demonstrators packed into a hallway in Old Chancellor Day Hall at McGill.

They could be heard chanting 'LGB, plus the T!' and shouting obscenities at people trying to push through the crowd into the talk.

The protest was organized by trans activist Celeste Trianon, who said she was 'surprised, shocked and disgusted' by the subject of the talk.

'I feel like there's such a tragic irony where someone who is actively working toward dismantling human rights toward one of the most marginalized groups ... How such an event can be hosted at the McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism,' she told CTV.

She added that the talk would lead to the deaths of trans people.

A demonstrator holding a sign outside Wintemute's talk at McGill University on Tuesday

Wintemute's talk was titled Sex vs. Gender (Identity) Debate In the United Kingdom and the Divorce of LGB from T.

The CHRLP's website said it was intended to be a conversation over how easy it should be for transgender people to legally change their sex.

It also said it was 'about exceptional situations, such as women-only spaces and sports, in which the individual's birth sex should take priority over their gender identity, regardless of their legal sex.'

Wintemute called the reaction to his talk 'hysterical,' and said it proved his point that any debate on the subject is labeled as 'hate speech.'

'Probably the majority of women in this country disagree with some of transgender demands but they refuse to say so because they will be seen as intolerant,' he said.

He also denied accusations that he was phobic in any way, saying he has spent 37 years advocating for LGB rights. Much of his academic work focuses on sexual orientation.

Some of that work has been used by the LGB Alliance, a United Kingdom organization that advocates against trans rights. Some UK politicians have labeled it a hate group. Wintemute said he has never associated with any group which 'promotes hate.'

The protest was organized by trans activist Celeste Trianon, who said she was 'surprised, shocked and disgusted' by the subject of the talk

Demonstrators outside Wintemute's talk at McGill University on Tuesday

The protests outside the talk at McGill University on Tuesday

Demonstrators, McGill students, faculty, and alumni, put together an open letter in which they voiced their disapproval of Wintemute assertions about the trans movement stepping on women's rights.

'Undermining the human rights of trans people does not benefit any member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, nor the feminist movement,' the letter read.

CHRLP professor Frederic Megret defended the decision to invite Wintemute to speak.

'Professor Wintemute is a trustee of the LGB Alliance since 2021 but he is not invited in that capacity,' he told CTV.

'We understand that these are not consensual topics. However, we believe they can be productively and robustly discussed in an academic setting and could, in fact, be an opportunity to push back against certain views.'
Multiple casualties came from an explosion in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan, as employees were leaving for the day.

Ahmadullah Muttaqi, an official from the Taliban's office of the first deputy prime minister, stated, "I am here at the Ministry" about Wednesday's explosion. "A suicide bomber tried to penetrate the Ministry but was spotted and detonated by security officers."

Suicide Attack in Kabul, Afghanistan

Per Fox News, the incident occurred at the main entrance of the ministry building in Kabul's diplomatic enclave at about 4 p.m. local time, with a Kabul police official saying that the timing "sadly resulted in injuries." Later, a report claimed that at least 20 people had perished due to the blast.

Images on social media depicted many persons lying on the ground in front of the building's door. However, security officers who arrived on the scene could not determine the number of casualties caused by the explosion.

It was reported that the explosion happened on Wednesday as the Taliban's foreign minister was meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan. However, ministry spokeswoman Qahar Balkhi informed CBS News that these stories were false.

The strike comes after the Taliban struck an agreement with China last week for a Chinese company to dig for oil in Afghanistan's Amu Darya basin, further indicating the Taliban's growing links with the Chinese Communist Party.

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K, or ISIS Khorasan has carried out some of the bloodiest assaults in the nation, frequently targeting Taliban security officers and sympathizers.

There was no official claim of responsibility for the incident on Wednesday, but ISIS-K has recently escalated its brutality across the nation, as per CBS News.

The terrorist organization recently struck a checkpoint at the military airport in Kabul, killing numerous people and a guesthouse frequented mostly by Chinese citizens. Before the incident, a suicide bomber from ISIS-K attacked Russian diplomats, killing 20 individuals, including two Russians.

Read Also: FAA System Outage Grounds All Flights, Causes Massive Delays: What Happened?

Taliban Regime

Despite the bombings, Taliban commanders have consistently minimized the threat ISIS-K poses to the country's security. In a tweet, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan denounced the attack and expressed great worry about Afghanistan's "growing insecurity."

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but the Islamic State offshoot in Khorasan Province has increased its attacks since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Among the targets have been Taliban patrols and the country's Shiite minority. According to Dawn, IS terrorists have targeted foreigners at the Russian and Pakistani embassies and a hotel catering to Chinese businessmen as part of an insurgency against the Taliban-led government.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who lives near the ministry, described the explosion as a "terrorist act, a crime against humanity, and an attack on all human and Islamic principles."

In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) extended condolences to the bereaved families. It stated that violence could not be a part of any plan to bring Afghanistan sustainable peace.

Multiple explosions have been recorded in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2023. This month, many explosions were recorded in the capital city, including one at the military airport in Kabul, according to NDTV.

Related Article: Paris Attack: Six Injured as Man with Knife Randomly Stabs People in Train Station

@YouTube

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Ms Milligan said she felt no pleasure in Pell's passing but instead felt 'numb'

The ABC reporter who helped exposed child sex abuse allegations against George Pell has revealed people thought she would be happy he has died.

Louise Milligan, who wrote Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell in 2017, admitted receiving messages that assumed she would feel 'glad or relieved' at his death.

Cardinal Pell, 81, died on after a cardiac arrest following hip surgery in Rome, the Vatican confirmed on Wednesday, a day after his passing.

The ABC reporter who helped expose child sex abuse allegations against George Pell has revealed people thought she would be happy he has died

Louise Milligan, who wrote Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell in 2017, admitted receiving messages that assumed she would feel 'glad or relieved' at his death

Instead of being pleased, Ms Milligan wrote 'I just felt numb' in an ABC article titled 'Cardinal George Pell's death isn't the end or a celebration for child sex abuse survivors. It's another hard day'.

Ms Milligan, who has interviewed many sexual abuse survivors, said they are still 'hurting' and would consider Pell's death a 'sombre occasion'.

In 2018 he was found guilty of child sexual abuse, but the convictions were later overturned by the High Court of Australia.

However the reputation of Pell, Australia's most senior member of the Catholic church who spent five years working directly under Pope Francis, was forever sullied by claims he covered up sexual abuse in the 1970s.

Among the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2020 was that Pell knew of child sexual abuse by clergy but did not take appropriate action to stop it.

'The survivors and victims and complainants of child sexual abuse in the Australian Catholic Church will not dance on the Cardinal's grave,' Ms Milligan wrote.

She claimed that for survivors who suffered abuse within the Catholic church, and for those who made direct complaints against Pell himself, the Cardinal's name still has the power to invoke 'a shudder'.

Pell was appointed by Pope Francis (pictured) as prefect of the newly created Secretariat for the Economy in 2014, giving him responsibility for the annual budget of the Holy See and the Vatican

That is because Pell and the church made them feel 'they didn't matter at all', she wrote.

One of several pedophiles Pell had authority to stand down was Peter Searson, priest at the Melbourne parish of Doveton.

A delegation of Doveton parishioners took complaints to Pell when he was Auxiliary Bishop of the Melbourne Archdiocese that included Searson allegations of sexual misconduct.

They also said Searson carried a gun, showed children a dead body in a coffin and 'stabbed' a bird in front of them.

But Searson stayed at his Doveton post for seven further years and allegedly abused more children in that time.

'This story of Pell's (mis)handling of Searson is but one of the many that surround this man and make victims feel so numb today,' Ms Milligan wrote.

On Thursday it was announced there will not be a state funeral for Pell in either Victoria or New South Wales, where he served as Archbishop of Sydney for 14 years.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet did however say a memorial service would be held in his honour at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

On Wednesday Ms Milligan tweeted that it would be 'a very triggering day for a lot of people'.
Flights are expected to begin in the coming weeks, starting from Sunshine Coast

Targeted to Australian domestic short-haul flights with tickets as low as $50

A new airline is going to hit Australian skies after receiving approval Thursday

A new low-cost airline is expected hit Australian skies within weeks after receiving approval to fly domestically just 15 months after the business was launched.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted the budding airline, Bonza, their Air Operator Certificate on Thursday, with CEO Tim Jordan calling the approval 'historic' for the nation's aviation sector.

The carrier plans to sell tickets as low as $50 for hour-long short-haul flights, with longer flights costing customers anywhere between $75 to $100.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted the budding airline, Bonza, their Air Operator Certificate on Thursday, with CEO Tim Jordan calling the approval 'historic' for the nation's aviation sector

The carrier plans to sell tickets as low as $50 for hour-long short-haul flights, with longer flights costing customers anywhere between $75 to $100

Bonza's expected flight network covers 17 destinations with 27 routes, including Albury, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and the Whitsunday Coast.

'The excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable and the timing couldn't be better,' Mr Jordan said in a statement.

'Demand for domestic travel is high and Aussies deserve for travel to be a basic right for many, not a luxury for the few.'

Mr Jordan said added that the airline is focused on the 'average Australian' such as 'tradies, teachers, kids and carers'.

Tickets will be soon be made available on the Bonza app, with flights starting out of their Sunshine Coast headquarters before expanding to a Melbourne base.

Backed by US venture capital firm 777 Partners, the budget carrier will operate in 93 per cent of destination which are not served by any other airline.

Their fleet of planes include three fuel-efficient Boeing 737 Max-8's, affectionately named Shazza, Bazza and Sheila.

Mr Jordan said added that the airline is focused on the 'average Australian' such as 'tradies, teachers, kids and carers'

Production of the model had recently been halted after hardware and software issues resulted in two crashes and 300 deaths.

However, the plaughed aircraft has since been reapproved for flying in 135 countries and is currently being used to fly in and out of Australia by various international airlines.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King called the introduction of a new airline a 'welcome milestone' as the aviation industry continues to recover on the heels of the Covid pandemic.

'The entry of a new operator will boost competition in the Australian aviation sector, offering more choice to the travelling public,' Ms King said.

Mr Jordan said 'the excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable and the timing couldn't be better'.

'2023 is set to be the year of seeing more of your own backyard for less'.
A smiling William today told adoring crowds he will 'keep going' as he visited Liverpool with the Princess of Wales in the wake of his brother Harry's searing attacks on the Royal Family.

The Waleses - who are at the very centre of the acrimonious row with the Sussexes that sparked Megxit - were greeted with a huge cheer from royal fans as they arrived in the city to open a hospital.

Sylvia, 81, who was at the Liverpool Royal Hospital for an appointment, said to William: 'Keep going Will, Scousers love you.' To which he replied: 'I will do.' The couple appeared to ignore questions about the memoir.

Across the border, the King petted dogs and spoke to charity workers at the Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed in Aberdeenshire, where he visited a foodbank and local charities. Charles was seen joking with charity workers as he thanked them for coming and said: 'I hope you don't get too cold.'

And he told a woman from Down Under in the crowd outside: 'Send my love to Australia.'

William has been the target of attacks by his younger sibling, who writes in Spare that the heir to the throne attacked him and hurled him to the floor by the collar in a blazing row after calling Meghan 'difficult', 'rude' and 'abrasive'.

In Harry's interviews with US and UK broadcasters he continued to hammer his older brother for his role in Megxit, which is said to have left William seething.

It follows reports that senior royals want to ban the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the King's Coronation this year - as Charles focuses on state visits to France and Germany and adopts a 'keep calm and carry on' approach despite the fallout from his son's memoir.

The Prince and Princess of Wales receive a rapturous welcome as they visit the Royal Liverpool Hospital

The couple pose for individual selfies with Anna O'Hara, a healthcare assistant

Kate meets a golden retriever therapy dog during the hospital visit today

King Charles visits the Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed on his first engagement since the book release

Prince Harry leaving The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in New York City earlier this week

William showed no sign of anger as he chatted happily with the Princess of Wales as they exited the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Prince and Princess of Wales then visited the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened its doors in October 2022, replacing the old hospital which had served the community for over four decades.

In Scotland, the King said he was 'very impressed' as he was presented with a plaque made to commemorate his visit to community groups in Aberdeenshire.

Charles also drank tea with members of the Aboyne Men's Shed, which is housed in the community shed, and watched craft skills including wood and stone carving in action.

Dressed in a hunting Stewart tartan kilt, the King then unveiled the plaque, made by Men's Shed member Tony Atherton, to a round of applause and said: 'I am very impressed.'

The plaque reads: 'This plaque was unveiled to commemorate the visit of His Majesty King Charles III to Aboyne Men's Shed on Thursday 12th January.' After admiring it, Charles quipped: 'Has he spelt it all right?'

Charles is said to be working on preparations for two state visits at the end of March, the Standard reported. These will be the first state visits of his reign and he will be accompanied by Queen Consort Camilla.

One senior figure told the paper: 'These two visits to our closest and most influential European neighbours are hugely important for cementing our diplomatic and deeper ties with these countries.

A crowd of royal fans greet the Prince and Princess of Wales in Liverpool

The Prince and Princess of Wales wave to crowds on their first engagement since Harry's book hit the shelves

The Princess of Wales smiling and waving as she arrives in Liverpool

Hospital staff try and Get a glimpse of HRH Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the new Royal Liverpool Hospital

The Princess of Wales chats to medics during today's visit, as members of the public look on

A smiling Kate smiles for the cameras during the visit this afternoon

The Prince and Princess of Wales visiting the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Kate and William were all smiles as they visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital

The Prince and Princess of Wales speaking to staff at the hospital

The Princess of Wales today in Liverpool

William and Kate wave to well-wishers in Liverpool

Kate turns around and waves at royal fans as she arrives at the Royal Liverpool University hospital in Liverpool

The Princess of Wales during a visit to Royal Liverpool University Hospital

The official Prince and Princess of Wales Twitter account tweeted: 'Hi Merseyside'

The monarch laughs as he speaks to a well-wisher in Aberdeenshire

His Majesty cracks a joke as he signs the visitors' book

During his visit, the King toured the facilities at the local community space and met with support groups. The engagement takes place two days after the official release of Prince Harry's book 'Spare'

King Charles III is greeted at Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed

The Princess of Wales was seen chatting happily as they went out this morning

A grinning Prince William shook off his brother's barbs as he left Windsor with his Kate today

'This soft power diplomacy is what our King and the Royal Family do and do well. When all the noise dies down and it will, the King and the working royals will continue to do what is important, working for our great country for the people of our great country.'

Harry's controversial autobiography has become the fastest selling non-fiction book in history, according to publisher Penguin Random House, which reported more than 1.4million copies were sold on Tuesday, the day it went on sale.

Reports of a fractious friendship between Meghan and Kate were confirmed in Spare, with Harry recounting how the princess, pregnant at the time with Prince Louis, said she was owed an apology from his wife who had previously commented Kate was suffering from 'baby brain' due to her 'hormones'.

He also shed further light on the row over Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress claiming, contrary to reports at the time, Kate was not in tears but the incident had left Meghan 'sobbing on the floor'.

During a series of interviews to promote Spare, Harry defended himself against criticism, following his revelation in the book he killed 25 Taliban members during the Afghanistan war.

He denied boasting about the killings when interviewed by Stephen Colbert on CBS's The Late Show, and claimed members of his family are in an active campaign to 'undermine' his autobiography.

A YouGov poll has found the popularity of Harry has fallen since his book was published with 68 per cent of 1,691 adults, polled on Tuesday and Wednesday, having a negative opinion about him while 24 per cent thought positively.

YouGov said the figures meant the duke had his lowest ever net favourability rating of minus 44, down from minus 38 last week, which had been his previous record low.

Speaking about the record sales, president and publisher of the Random House Group Gina Centrello said: 'While many books by public figures can be fairly categorized as 'celebrity memoir', Spare is not that.

'Vulnerable and heartfelt, brave and intimate, Spare is the story of someone we may have thought we already knew, but now we can truly come to understand Prince Harry through his own words.

'Looking at these extraordinary first day sales, readers clearly agree, Spare is a book that demands to be read, and it is a book we are proud to publish.'

It was reported overnight that Harry will not be welcome at his father's coronation in May in light of the barrage of criticism levelled against his family in Spare.

Senior royals have baulked at the thought of spending time with him at the historical event in case their conversations 'end up in the paperback' edition of his memoir, The Sun reported.

Harry on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert this week

According to the publisher, the English language edition of Spare sold more than 1.4 million units in all formats and editions in the United States, Canada and the UK on January 10 when it hit bookshop shelves

It is unclear whether Charles will invite his younger son to the Coronation, or whether Prince Harry would accept.

The Duke of Sussex launched an attempted charm offensive this week, appearing on US talk shows mocking royal protocol to promote his bestselling memoir, Spare.

In one interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, the Duke of Sussex said 'a lot can happen between now and then' when asked if he will go to see his father crowned in May.

One source said this week: 'The family expects Harry and Meghan to find a reason not to be there'.

Prince William was 'seething' with rage as he accused his father and Camilla of 'planting' stories about him and his family in the press, brother Harry's memoir claims

Prince William rowed with his father and stepmother after accusing them of 'planting' stories in the media about himself and his family, Harry claims.

The prince says he took a call in April 2019 from his brother who was 'seething' with rage.

'Something had happened between him and Pa and Camilla. I couldn't get the whole story, he was talking too fast, and was way too upset,' Harry writes in his memoir, Spare.

'I gathered that Pa and Camilla's people had planted a story or stories about him and Kate and the kids, and he wasn't going to take it any more.

''Give Pa and Camilla an inch,' he said, 'and they take a mile. They've done this to me for the last time.'

'I got it. They'd done the same to me and Meg as well.'

The prince says he took a call in April 2019 from his brother who was 'seething' with rage and believed Charles and Camilla's staff had 'planted' a story. Pictured together at the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana, in 2021

Harry blames a 'gung-ho' member of his father's Press office for 'peddling' fake or unflattering stories as part of a 'campaign' of getting good Press for the now King and Queen Consort

The duke does not specify what story William was talking about.

But Harry blames a 'gung-ho' member of his father's Press office for 'peddling' fake or unflattering stories as part of a 'campaign' of getting good Press for the now King and Queen Consort at the expense of other family members.

Harry also blamed the same person, whom he doesn't name but says is a woman, of leaking that he had gone on a hunting trip to Germany in 2017 that 'made me out to be some fat-bottomed seventeenth-century baron who craved blood in trophies'.

In fact - he says - he had been 'working with German farmers to cull wild boar and save their crops'.

Harry claims his German story was 'swapped' for 'better access' to his father and to suppress stories about a member of Camilla's family.

He even claims he had 'proof' from reporters inside 'actual newsrooms' that he and his brother were being sold out.

Harry claims he had 'proof' from reporters inside 'actual newsrooms' that he and his brother were being sold out, and claims it was happening to benefit the King and Queen Consort

Prince Harry's book, Spare, was released on January 10 and quickly became one of the fastest selling non-fiction books ever

The duke does not specify what story William was so upset about

However, Charles's PR team was headed up by a man in 2017 and 2019.

And Harry's hunting trip only leaked because locals tipped off Germany's biggest newspaper that Harry and his friends had arrived in the country on a private jet.

They also managed to track down which estate they were on because he had attended the wedding of the landowner - nicknamed The Boar Terminator - previously and classed him as a good friend.

Harry does not name the staff member he holds responsible, but goes on to describe a showdown that he and William had with their father over the person.

'The reason why he and Meghan left was not because they were forced out, as they claim, or that they dramatically fled for their lives,' one royal source said

Charles was said to have angrily refuted their claims and denied that his staff would ever leak stories deliberately.

Harry said he was grateful, however, that William had phoned him to talk about his problems given the state of their relationship in 2019 and Harry took the opportunity to highlight his and Meghan's concerns with the institution.

He said his brother snapped back: 'I've got different issues with you two!'

Harry claims to have had his brother on speakerphone as he stood in the garden at Frogmore Cottage, but quickly switched back to his regular audio when he realised Meghan was approaching him.

Harry says his wife could still hear his brother shouting and walked back into the house 'holding her stomach' - the incident coming just before she gave birth to son, Archie, with tears in her eyes.
An elderly husband who was found dead with his wife at their Florida retirement home on New Year's Eve had a large butcher-style knife sticking out of his stomach while she his partner of 50 years was lying in a pool of blood nearby, police have revealed.

The disturbing details about the 'random' killings of Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80, who had Waterman Village in Mount Dora, Florida, to live out their golden years, have been released in a 12-page probable cause affidavit, filed Monday.

Court document shows that when police came to their home at around 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve, they discovered the wife lying in a T-shirt and underwear in the entryway in a puddle of blood. There were white towels beside her, suggesting that someone may have tried to assist her or clean up the mess.

Her husband of more than 50 years was found nearby. He had 'severe head and facial trauma as well as a large butcher-style knife with a yellow handle stuck to the hilt in his abdomen,' according to the affidavit.

Disturbing new details about the savage killings of Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80, (pictured) at a Florida retirement community were released in a 12-page probable cause affidavit

Vickie Williams, 50, (pictured) has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and grand theft of a motor vehicle for allegedly murdering the couple and stealing their vehicle

The couple's green 2019 Kia Soul was not at the property and surveillance video taken from the area showed the car speeding away in the early hours

Police said last week that a concerned neighbor had seen the Getmans' garage door open and called security, adding that when security responded they found the couple dead.

'(Sharon) had head trauma and a large amount of blood from her abdomen, which ran out and pooled behind her in the entryway,' police wrote.

Police said that Darryl appeared to have sustained defensive wounds, indicating that he had tried to fend off the attacker.

Investigators are waiting for a medical examiner's report to determine the couple's exact causes of death.

Detectives also discovered a wet bloodstained towel in the guest bathroom, suggesting a clean-up attempt, curly black hairs that may have belonged to the suspect, and a bloody shoe.

Police have charged Vickie Williams, 50, with two counts of first-degree murder and grand theft of a motor vehicle after she was found driving the couple's car.

The Getmans' children said the elderly couple had lived in Mount Dora for more than 20 years and 'truly loved the area'. Police said the senseless murder appeared to be a 'random' crime

There were bare footprints all across the apartment and in the garage.

The couple's green 2019 Kia Soul was not at the property and surveillance video taken from the area showed the car speeding away in the early hours.

Sharon Getman's purse and phone were also absent. Her son later told police officers that his mother had left her belongings inside the vehicle with the keys in the ignition.

Police sent out bulletins asking other law enforcement agencies to look out for the stolen Kia, and used data from license plate readers and pings from Sharon's phone to ultimately hunt down Williams in Savannah, Georgia.

The woman was discovered sitting in the murdered couple's car in an Amtrak parking lot and she was taken into custody without incident on the night of January 2.

Sharon's cellphone and purse were found inside the car. The exterior of the vehicle was stained with what appeared to be blood, the affidavit stated.

Pictured: Police hold a conference revealing details of the incident that took place at the retirement complex in Mount Dora on December 31

Police took samples of Williams' hair and DNA, as well as fingerprints and ink prints of her feet, to compare with crime scene evidence.

During a police interview, Williams revealed she was homeless and living out of her car.

She claimed that the Kia she was found in was handed to her by a friend named Fuller Blue to stay in for a few days.

She also said that she stayed in Savannah in the days preceding and following December 31, and that she had not visited Florida in two years.

When she was shown screenshots from a surveillance video depicting a black woman wandering about Waterman Village around the time of the Getmans' killings, Williams repeatedly denied that it was her.

However, Williams' parents living in Ohio identified the person in those pictures as their daughter, according to the court filing.

Additionally, a latent palmprint taken from a dryer in the Getmans' home was matched to Williams' prints.

No motive has been released so far, but Mount Dora police previously described the murders as random.

Williams appeared remotely in court on Saturday and was ordered held without bond. Her arraignment is set to take place on January 30.

The Getmans' children, Anthony and Brittany, said in a statement released by the police department last week: 'We are stunned, devastated and heartbroken by the horrific murder of our parents.

'Mom and Dad had been residents of Mount Dora for over 20 years and truly loved the area.

'They were enjoying their golden years staying active and spending time with their many friends.'

The siblings added that they 'have every confidence' in the police and 'look forward to a successful resolution'.
Jewish students faced a 'hostile' culture within the National Union of Students (NUS) after it failed to sufficiently challenge antisemitism, a 'shocking' investigation has found.

According to the report by Rebecca Tuck KC, Jews were on occasion made to feel like 'pariahs' and were not properly protected from anti-Semitic abuse from pro-Palestinian activists.

One individual reportedly refused to apologise after using the term 'final solution' in a meeting. The term was adopted by the Nazis to describe their plan for the genocide of all Jews, which saw at least six million murdered during the Second World War.

The independent investigation found that Jews were on occasion subjected to harassment  as defined by the Equality Act 2010  and breaches of the union's own policies. It laid out 11 recommendations for the union to consider but did not call for any sanctions or further investigation.

It comes after a report published last month by Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor, the Government's adviser on anti-Semitism, warned of an 'alarming growth' in anti-Jewish hate among young people.

Jewish students have faced a `hostile culture within the NUS, an independent investigation has found (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

According to the report by Rebecca Tuck KC, Jews were on occasion made to feel like 'pariahs' and were not properly protected from anti-Semitic abuse from pro-Palestinian activists (Pictured: Activists outside the Students Union of Cambridge University last February, while the Ambassador of Israel, Tzipi Hotovely, gave a talk inside)

Other examples of anti-Semitism on campuses in recent years, according to the most recent NUS report, include Jewish freshers having swastikas drawn on them during white T-shirt parties and stickers reading 'Hitler was right' being placed in student common rooms.

The NUS, which commissioned the probe, acknowledged its findings are 'shocking' and said it is committed to tackling antisemitism across 'the breadth and depth' of the union.

The report found there was a 'poor relationship' between the NUS and some Jewish students, stemming from views about the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

It cited numerous instances in which Jews suffered antisemitism because of assumptions that they were Zionists and about what that means.

'This has resulted in antisemitism as well as hostility towards Jews which has not been challenged sufficiently robustly or proactively by NUS,' the report said.

The only official NUS statement of solidarity made in support of Jewish students in recent years, which was not expressly called for by the UJS, was to condemn extreme right-wing antisemitism, according to the report.

But the investigation also highlights reports from Jewish students of a more insidious form of antisemitism whereby they are treated as pariahs because of their perceived connection to issues relating to Israel and Palestinians.

It comes after the union's former president, Shaima Dallali, was sacked after an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism.

Ms Dallali rejected the findings of the disciplinary panel and said the process constituted 'discriminatory treatment of her as a black Muslim woman and her beliefs concerning the plight of the Palestinian people'.

The report did not recommend sanctions or further disciplinary investigation, instead setting out 11 recommendations for the union to consider.

These include the introduction of regular antisemitism training for NUS staff and officers and the production of educational materials on antisemitism and the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Using the term 'final solution' and repeating the vile 'blood libel' myth are among the incidents reported to have occurred within NUS spaces, according to an independent probe The investigation into anti-Semitism within the National Union of Students (NUS) lists incidents reported to have occurred within NUS spaces, such as: - A meeting in which the words 'the final solution'  a term given by the Nazis to their plan for the genocide of all Jews  were used. The individual who used the term refused to reword their comment or apologise despite being confronted about its connotations.  When Coca-Cola sponsored a 2015 NUS conference, some 'pro-Palestinian' students objected because of a distribution centre in the West Bank, the report says. An elected officer is said to have been messaged by another officer: 'Enjoy the sweet taste of a dead baby's blood in that Coke you're loving', which invoked the notoriously anti-Semitic myth of the blood libel  that Jews use the blood of young children to make Matzah bread at Passover.  A Jewish student being told by a high-ranking elected student representative at a 2012 NUS conference that 'UJS (Union of Jewish Students) is funded by Mossad, and that as a result I naturally am too'. Advertisement

But it also noted that recommendations from 'numerous' previous investigations have been implemented inconsistently, with the union's own policies  particularly its Code of Conduct and social media rules  being flouted on a number of occasions.

'It is apparent from this report  and indeed from other reports over the last 17 years  that the culture within NUS and at NUS events has been perceived by many Jewish students, for good reason, as hostile,' Ms Tuck concluded.

President of the UJS, Joel Rosen, said: 'This landmark report sets out in granular detail how NUS has failed generations of Jewish students.

'It is a searing indictment of anti-Jewish racism at the heart of student politics. It confirms that Jewish students faced harassment and discrimination and that complaints of antisemitism were dismissed and disregarded.

'It is vital that this report is translated into meaningful and immediate action. All 11 recommendations in the report should be implemented. We now need to see a fundamental change within NUS's culture and Jewish students will judge them on their actions.'

The NUS said: 'The report is a detailed and shocking account of antisemitism within the student movement. It is a truly difficult read for all of us but we welcome the clarity it brings to enable us to act with confidence to tackle antisemitism head on.

'There is no place for antisemitism within NUS and we are committed to ensuring that Jewish students feel safe and welcome in every corner of our movement. '

It added its priority would be to 'take forward' the recommendations of the review and be transparent in reporting its progress.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said Ms Tuck's report was 'exceptionally important' in 'vindicating the experiences of Jewish students'.

But he added that it marked the third major review of the NUS' relations with Jewish students in the past two decades.

'Whatever their merits, those reports failed to overcome the personnel and institutional problems that have plagued NUS, with Jewish students bearing the impact,' Mr Falter said.

The National Student Union's former president, Shaima Dallali (pictured), was sacked after an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism. Ms Dallali rejected the findings of the disciplinary panel and said the process constituted 'discriminatory treatment of her as a black Muslim woman and her beliefs concerning the plight of the Palestinian people'

'NUS must not only implement the Tuck Report's specific recommendations but must introduce measures to monitor and assess progress. We will continue to help Jewish students, including by providing them with free legal representation, and hold NUS to account to ensure that the body that is meant to represent all students finally recognises that that includes Jews.'

CST, a charity that helps British Jews with problems relating to antisemitism, said: 'It is disturbing, but sadly not surprising, that (Ms Tuck) has found that Jewish students have been denied an equal role in their own national union and their complaints about antisemitism have been consistently treated as being made in bad faith.

'It is a shocking indictment of NUS that an organisation that is supposed to uphold the highest standards of anti-racism and equality has ended up creating what Tuck called a 'hostile environment' for Jewish students.'
The family of Mallory Beach have reached a tentative settlement with Buster Murdaugh in a $50million lawsuit, after the young woman was killed during a fatal late night boat ride, driven by Buster's younger brother and murder victim Paul.

Beach, 19, was thrown from the boat when it crashed into Archers Creek Bridge, in Beaufort South Carolina, in 2019. Her body was found five days later.

It is believed Paul Murdaugh, 19, was drunk at the time, with Buster accused of lending his younger brother his ID in order for him to buy alcohol before the crash.

Now, after months of negotiations, hearings and a failed mediation, 'several defendants' including Buster have settled with Beach's family and three of the other surviving passengers in the fatal crash.

The family of Mallory Beach (pictured) have reached a tentative settlement with Buster Murdaugh in a $50million lawsuit, after the young woman was killed during a fatal late night boat ride, driven by Buster's younger brother Paul

Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie (left) - who were both named in a lawsuit over Mallory Beach - have since been murdered. Husband and father Alex (second-right) has been accused of murdering his son and wife. Alex's eldest son Buster (right) has now settled in the $50million, paying an unknown amount to Mallory's family and other boat crash survivors

The cost of the settlement has not been made public, but ABC News 4 reported that it had been told it is a 'significant' amount.

Reports say the settlement will mean that Buster and his late mother Maggie Murdaugh - who was accused of knowing her son Paul was drunk when he went out boating that night - are no longer named on the lawsuit.

This would leave just Paul and Buster's father Alex Murdaugh and Parker's Kitchen convenience store (where Paul purchased alcohol underage) as being named.

However, the settlement is not yet final. A hearing will be held next Thursday (January 19) by State Judge Daniel Hall in Lexington County.

Final approval of the settlement will be discussed there, according to Mark Tinsley, attorney for Mallory's mother Renee Beach. Tinsley said Probate Judge Leigh Boan must also issue a final approval.

'The Beach family feels very strongly that whatever their faults were, Paul and Maggie didn't deserve what happened to them,' Tinsley told Fox News Digital about the settlement agreement. 'They also feel Buster has suffered enough, so it was important to them to try and get him out of the case.'

The settlement will be able to move forward once it is approved, and when Alex Murdoch agrees to its conditions. Lawyers representing the Beach family and passengers also want a financial claim filed by Palmetto State Bank withdrawn.

The wrongful death lawsuit has already been pushed back to June 2023 after Murrell Smith - attorney for Parker's Kitchen and Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives - claimed legislative immunity.

Mallory Beach, 19, was thrown from the boat when it crashed into Archers Creek Bridge, in Beaufort South Carolina. Her body was found five days later. Paul was Murdaugh accused of being drunk at the helm. Paul was awaiting trial on three felony counts  two of boating under the influence and one of causing death and bodily injury - but he was murdered in June 2021

Pictured: Coolers full of beers were seen on the boat. Paul was captured on security cameras inside a Parker's Kitchen convenience store using Buster's ID to purchase alcohol underage. The store was also named in the lawsuit brought by Mallory's family and the survivors

Paul Murdaugh never saw the inside of a courtroom over the death of Mallory Beach.

He, along with his mother Maggie, were gunned down in the grounds of their Islandton home on June 7, 2021.

Authorities have alleged Paul and Buster's father - Alex Murdaugh - is behind their killings, which prompted investigators to look further into the 54-year-old's past.

Pictured: Paul Murdaugh, who was accused of causing the death of Mallory Beach, was murdered on June 7, 2021

In addition to being accused of his son and wife's killings, officials have said Alex Murdaugh is an 'allegedly crooked lawyer and drug user who borrowed and stole wherever he could to stay afloat and one step ahead of detection.'

At the time of his death, Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial on three felony counts  two of boating under the influence and one of causing death and bodily injury.

He had been indicted and released on a $50,000 bond.

According to legal documents seen by DailyMail.com Murdaugh was 'highly intoxicated,' 'drunk' and 'belligerent,' on the February night two years ago when he sped his boat into a piling on Archer's Creek.

All of the six youths on board that night were under 21, all were ejected from the vessel and all but Beach made it to shore.

Beach's mother filed a $50million creditors claim against the estate of Paul and his late mother Maggie, while other boat crash survivors - Morgan Doughty and Miley Altman - also filed claims against the Murdaugh estates for $10million and $5million.

Creditors claims filed against an estate are legal means for claimants to get money they feel they are owed from someone after they have died.

Pictured: South Carolina hunting farm where Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found shot dead last year. It is thought to be worth around $4million

Family members of the deceases have the choice of either accepting the claims and agreeing to pay the claimants, or dispute them - leading to court battles.

If accepted or awarded by a probate judge, creditors claims but then be paid to third parties before surviving families can access any proceeds from the estate.

However, the proceeds of both Paul and Maggie's estates are set to first go to father and husband Alex Murdaugh, according to reporting from January 2022. It was not immediately clear if that is still the case.

Murdaugh would be entitled to the valuable properties owned by his slain wife Maggie. Her estate includes a vacation home on Edisto Beach, as well as 1,700 acres of property in Colleton and Hampton counties.

These include the family's river-side home in Colleton County's Moselle community.

A judge last year essentially froze Murdaugh's bank accounts in 2021. Since then, his brother John Marvin Murdaugh has been petitioning the courts to lift lis pendens on Maggie's properties, allowing for them to be sold.

John Marvin Murdaugh's attorneys have argued the lis pendens - which put a legal warning against properties that could be involved in litigation - are frivolous and without merit, and that Mallory's Beach's family has no legal claim to continue them.

Speaking in January 2022, Tinsley said: 'John Marvin's move to cancel the lis pendens is a clear indication ... he and Alex are trying to maneuver to avoid the claims against (the Moselle property).'

Fox News Digital reported on Thursday that Renee Beach, along with co-receivers Alex Murdaugh and John Murdaugh, would receive a $275,000 settlement from the sale of the Moselle home thought to be worth nearly $4million.

Buster Murdaugh will receive $530,000 from his mother's estate.

Alex Murdaugh - a disgraced former attorney and head of the wealthy Murdaugh family - is set to appear in court over the double murder in two weeks time.

Pictured: Alex Murdaugh sits in court with his legal team, including attorney Margaret Fox during a judicial hearing before in the Colleton County Courthouse, August 29, 2022

A state filing obtained by DailyMail.com in December offered the first insight into Murdaugh's actions in the immediate aftermath of the slayings.

It showed Alex Murdaugh told law enforcement that he knew why his wife and son were slaughtered and informed the first officers on the scene that the murders were tied to the 2019 boat crash, implying they were revenge killings.

The filing shows Murdaugh made a frantic 911 call shortly after 10pm on the night of June 7, 2021 in which he claimed to have found Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, 'badly shot,' near dog kennels at the family's rural hunting estate of Moselle, South Carolina.

But prosecutors alleged the first thing Murdaugh did was try to throw investigators off the scent by falsely linking the murders with the crash.

Family members of all six teens on board the boat as well as the survivors themselves provided DNA samples and were eliminated from police enquiries shortly after the murders. Instead, investigators allege, the 'only person with a true motive to kill his wife and son,' was Murdaugh himself.

In the document filed in Colleton County Court prosecutors wrote that the 'clouds of Murdaugh's past misdeeds' were gathering into 'a perfect storm that was going to expose the real Alex Murdaugh.'

They claim that he was facing imminent 'legal, financial and personal ruin.'

Maggie and Paul were found shot dead near these dog kennels on the family's home in Islandton, South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh has been accused of their murders

Paul's body was found partially inside one of the kennels, while his mother was several feet away, leading investigators to believe that she ran from her killer before being felled

That storm, they state, was due to break on June 7, 2021  the very day that they allege Murdaugh gunned down his wife and son in a bid to, 'shift focus' away from himself and 'buy some additional time to try' and cover his alleged crimes.

For the first time in his life, prosecutors say, Murdaugh was facing 'accountability' and the exposure of years of misdeeds and a mountain of debt running into millions.

They will argue at his trial that he killed his own wife and son for no other reason than to create a distraction from his other misdeeds.

Murdaugh is currently being held in the Alvin S Glenn Detention Center in Columbia where he is awaiting trial on multiple charges.

He faces life in prison if convicted. Murdaugh faces a total of 99 financial criminal charges stemming from 19 indictments. His trial for the murders of Maggie and Paul is due to begin in Colleton County Court on January 23, 2023.

He has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife and son.

Mallory Beach has been described as being popular, and that 'everybody loved her'. She had many friends as well as a boyfriend, Anthony Cook.

Murdaugh has also been accused of attempting to start a 'whisper campaign' to make it sound as if Connor Cook (Anthony's cousin), and not his own son, actually crashed the boat as the group of friends were heading to a party.
Rishi Sunak is set for a showdown with Nicola Sturgeon as he visits Scotland for the first time as PM today.

The premier will hold face-to-face talks with Ms Sturgeon amid bitter clashes between the governments over the SNP's independence drive and gender identity rules.

Details of the two-day visit are being kept tightly under wraps, but Mr Sunak is expected to hail plans for two new 'green' freeports near Edinburgh and Inverness.

Relations between the UK and Scottish administrations has been strained by Ms Sturgeon's continuing push to break up the union.

Mr Sunak has refused to give permission for another referendum north of the border, after both sides accepted the 2014 contest would settle the issue for a 'generation'.

Rishi Sunak (left) is set for a showdown with Nicola Sturgeon (right) as he visits Scotland for the first time as PM today

Veteran SNP MP says Nicola Sturgeon's independence ploy is a 'massive gamble' A veteran SNP MP has warned Nicola Sturgeon's ploy of making the next election a 'de facto' Scottish independence referendum is a 'massive gamble' that could kill of the nationalists' ambitions. Pete Wishart has branded the tactic 'the worst possible way to settle the constitutional future' in an incendiary blog. But he highlighted the dilemma the separatists now face by admitting it was now the only option left open. Ms Sturgeon has attempted to put a brave face on her political position since the Supreme Court ruled in October that she cannot proceed with another referendum without approval from Westminster. In an article on his blog, Mr Wishart - who recently stood down from the SNP's Westminster front bench - spelled out his own concerns about the approach. 'A de facto referendum is now the only way we're going to be able to settle the constitutional future of Scotland,' he wrote. Advertisement

The Supreme Court blocked an attempt by Ms Sturgeon to proceed without the approval of Westminster.

However, there is also a major flashpoint over gender recognition laws passed by Holyrood before Christmas.

The changes would loosen the rules by lowering age limits for officially switching identity, and removing the requirement for a medical diagnosis.

UK ministers are alarmed that would cause chaos with certificates issued in Scotland not valid in England, and could step in to prevent the law going ahead - or leave it to the courts to strike out.

Although it is Mr Sunak's first visit to Scotland as PM, he has held talks with Ms Sturgeon before and the pair met at the British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool.

At PMQs yesterday Mr Sunak said he wants to work with the Scottish Government on the issue of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

But he claimed Ms Sturgeon's Government 'don't want to support the Scottish energy industry and the 200,000 jobs that it produces'.

He was responding to SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who said Scotland's membership of the UK union 'simply doesn't add up'.

Mr Sunak said: 'I'm keen to work with the Scottish Government to support the North Sea because it's something that we're all very proud of in the UK.'

According to The Telegraph, the new freeports will be at Cromarty Firth, near Inverness, and on the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh.

The green freeports are aimed at boosting investment and growth through the use of tax incentives.
A Specsavers assistant who drove her ex to contemplate suicide with more than 1,000 texts begging him to take her back is banned from contacting him.

Michelle Felton, 28, who works for Specsavers was so infatuated with Ryan Harley she rang or messaged him up to 150 times each day after he ended their relationship.

In her torrent of texts, Felton would ask her ex: 'Why won't you speak to me? I love you. Are we meeting tonight?' Are we going out?' before accusing him of cheating in his driving test when he failed to respond.

Mr Harley, who lives with his mother in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire eventually called in police when Felton began leaving gifts on his doorstep.

Michelle Felton (pictured), 28, who works for Specsavers was so infatuated with Ryan Harley she rang or messaged him up to 150 times each day after he ended their relationship

Mr Harley (right), who lives with his mother in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire eventually called in police when Felton (left) began leaving gifts on his doorstep

He told officers 'I just want it to go away and for it all to stop. I just feel like ending it all' and also accused Felton of controlling him during their 21 month fling.

At Warrington magistrates court, Felton also of Ellesmere Port admitted harassment after her not guilty plea to coercive behaviour was accepted by prosecutors.

She was banned from contacting Mr Harley for 18 months and sentenced to an 18-month community order with a requirement she participates with 30 days of rehabilitative activity.

She was also fined 50 and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge of 395.

The couple began dating in May 2020 but but they split up in February this year after an argument in which Mr Harley accidentally broke Felton's finger and she allegedly kicked him in the groin.

Prosecutor Arron Smith, prosecuting, said: 'Mr Harley informed Miss Felton that he wished to end the relationship.

'He said that it had been toxic in his view. She did not agree with that and it led to the harassment offence.

'Between the dates of February 15 and February 26 there was a constant barrage of messages. There were 100s of messages each day, missed calls and texts sent without reply.

In her torrent of texts, Felton would ask her ex: 'Why won't you speak to me? I love you. Are we meeting tonight?' Are we going out?' before accusing him of cheating in his driving test when he failed to respond

'The police officer records the messages on his body-worn camera, which was a constant scrolling exercise of message after message after message.

'As he was scrolling through them more texts and calls were coming through as the officer was recording it.

'They are not threatening messages or abusive messages, but it's the constant nature of them.

'She stated that she loves Mr Harley, that she was hurt that the relationship was over, and did not want to continue living.

'She sent photos of her and said that he belongs to her. He doesn't reply.

'Miss Felton also attended his address when uninvited at times. She is informed several times that he does not want her to contact him and doesn't want to resume the relationship but she does not adhere to his request.

'He says it was causing him great discomfort. He does not want to have any more contact and wants to rebuild his life. The messages caused him great harm and distress.'

Felton who is currently dating a new boyfriend had no previous convictions and was of good character, with a caution for assault in 2017 on her record.

In mitigation defence lawyer Peter Barnett claimed Mr Harley had only pursued the complaint against Felton to avoid being prosecuted for grievous bodily harm against her after he broke her finger.

At Warrington magistrates court, Felton also of Ellesmere Port admitted harassment after her not guilty plea to coercive behaviour was accepted by prosecutors

'On 9 or 10 February, predating this harassment offence, she attended his home address,' said Mr Barnett.

'She was invited and they went to bed. When they woke up he was in a poor mood.

'He thereafter became agitated and got out of bed. They argued and in the course of the argument he said he was kicked in the nether regions.

'She disputes that but accepts that she kicked him. She said that he was over her and had wound up a sock and was smacking her around the face with a sock.

'She sat up in bed. He then proceeded to grab her small finger, he bent it and twisted it, breaking the finger.

'In the circumstances he spent the next five days looking after her. She was persuaded not to go to hospital and she did not want to go in case she got into trouble.

'Thereafter, she says he told her he did not want anything to do with her. She could not understand it.

'She could not go to work. She worked at a local opticians but could not continue due to the injury on her finger.

'12 days later, on 26 February, he made that complaint. She has pleaded guilty to harassment. She sent voluminous messages and calls to a degree that he would have suffered some element of harassment.'

After Felton was interviewed by police on February 27, the solicitor said she attended hospital.

She was banned from contacting Mr Harley for 18 months and sentenced to an 18-month community order with a requirement she participates with 30 days of rehabilitative activity

'She realised that she needed assistance and went to the hospital,' Mr Barnett said.

'The finger was examined and it was found that because it had been manipulated she had to have surgery under general anaesthetic. She had metal splints, and her finger was manipulated back to position.

'She still has limited mobility. She was told that if she had left it any longer she would have had a permanent disability. It may still be the case that she has some disability.

'She accepts the harassment and takes responsibility for sending those messages. But two wrongs don't make a right.'

Sentencing JP Alan Eyres told Felton: 'It's a sad story but nevertheless here you are. We have taken into account your late guilty plea and that you have no previous convictions. We do not want to see you again.'
With gore so gratuitous it would make Tarantino blush, the film proved an unlikely hit with fans and critics alike and scooped numerous awards

The film sees a loveable mountain girl embark on a bloodthirsty rampage to bring down a cheese magnate and fascist dictator in a dystopian Switzerland

When the word 'cheesy' is used to describe a film, it is rarely taken as a compliment.

But the makers of Mad Heidi - a crowdfunded horror comedy flick from Switzerland that has proved an unexpected hit with critics - are perfectly happy to accept that label.

Billed as the world's first 'Swissploitation' film ahead of its release in November 2022, Mad Heidi sees a loveable mountain girl from the Swiss Alps embark on a blood-soaked rampage to bring down the country's cheese baron-cum-fascist dictator.

Heidi, played by British actress Alice Lucy, is loosely - very loosely - based on the eponymous character at the centre of Swiss author Johanna Spyri's best-selling children's novels.

And the film, which features gratuitous nudity, violence and levels of gore that would make Tarantino blush - seems well on its way to becoming a cult classic.

British actress Alice Lucy makes her film debut as Heidi, loosely based on the eponymous children's character from Swiss author Johanna Spyri's novels

The Nazi-like dictator and his cronies have a few preferred methods to keep the population under their thumb - one of which is fondue waterboarding, complete with a gag made out of crutons

Directors Johannes Hartmann and Sandro Klopfstein knew they would never be able to raise enough money required to make the ridiculous blood fest from traditional sources, so turned to crowdfunding to bring their exploitation flick to life

Mad Heidi is set in a dystopian 20th-century Switzerland languishing under the rule of a fascist cheese magnate on a mission to monopolise the dairy industry and exterminate the lactose intolerant.

After her goat cheese-smuggling hunk is publicly executed right before her eyes, Heidi rapidly undergoes a dramatic transformation from sweet and affable mountain girl to stone-cold killer.

Tying her pigtails back and donning a leather corset, she hoists a battle axe and sets about hunting down the baron and his Nazi-like cronies whose preferred methods for keeping their enemies in check include fondue waterboarding (complete with a gag made of crutons) and death by Toblerone.

The film offers up a veritable smorgasbord of gory murders, unwarranted nudity, and bags of cheese - in both senses of the word - which has delighted fans and critics alike.

Mad Heidi is set in a dystopian 20th-century Switzerland languishing under the rule of a fascist cheese magnate on a mission to monopolise the dairy industry and exterminate the lactose intolerant

Heidi undergoes a transformation from a happy and carefree mountain girl to a savage killer

Heidi is forced to witness her goat cheese-smuggling hunk being executed in a public square and decides to go on a rampage to bring his killers to justice

The film has been a hit with critics and fans alike, receiving several awards and honourable mentions at horror and fantasy film festivals

Directors Johannes Hartmann and Sandro Klopfstein knew they would never be able to raise enough money required to make the ridiculous blood fest from traditional sources, so turned to crowdfunding to bring their exploitation flick to life.

Their funding target was 2 million Swiss francs - roughly 1.7 million - and their crowdfunding campaign was launched in September 2020.

Just half a year later the filmmakers had reached their mark thanks to 538 investors from 19 countries who donated the funds via the blockchain - the technology supporting bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

And by distributing Mad Heidi directly via their website, where viewers can rent the film for streaming, those who donated will receive a decent share of the profits because there is no middle-man, sales teams or distribution agencies to compensate.

The president of this dystopian Switzerland is also a cheese and dairy magnate out to exterminate the lactose intolerant

Producer Valentin Greutert told Swissinfo.ch of the relationship between the producers and the investors.

'They loved this ride with us. Since the very beginning of the project, the production team created a remarkable social media community... the fans even helped the creators find shooting locations and costumes. They were happy to be a part of this special journey.'

Greutert is also convinced that 'our times really need silly movies.'

'Climate change, the war, Covid pandemic: in these depressing times, silliness can save the world,' he said.

Given the film's slew of awards scooped at the likes of Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, Vancouver's Horror Show and the Trieste Science+Fiction festival, it would seem Greutert has a point.
A distraught mother who tried to haul herself and her autistic son into the path of a moving train while locked in a bitter custody feud with her ex-husband has been jailed for three years.

Andrea Reid, 53, was determined to stop any contact between her son Daniel, 20, who has Global Development Delay Disorder, and his father Paul Barker.

After learning her vulnerable son had confided to a solicitor that he wanted to see his father, Reid sent him a series of 'petulant' texts saying it was 'his choice' but she was 'very angry'.

Things came to a head on July 26 last year, when Reid tried to drag Daniel into the path of a freight train travelling at 45mph at Handforth Railway Station, near Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Andrea Reid, 53, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, has been jailed for three years after trying to throw herself and her son Daniel, 20, in the path of a moving train

Daniel, who attends a special needs school, realised the danger when the train driver sounded his horn and managed to pull them both to safety a split second before the locomotive passed them.

When police were called to the scene, Reid was found sat on a set of steps in a 'hysterical state.'

She told an officer: 'I know the manipulation and the way it's going to go and I just don't want to relive it all again.

'Tonight I just had enough, I don't want to live and I don't want him to live with this life. We went to the track, and then a fast train came and I went to pull him, I tried to kill myself and my son. Some mother I am.'

She explained her actions by referring to her ex-husband, insisting, 'he's winning and he's winning all the time,' a belief which the judge later categorised as 'warped thinking'.

Daniel is now living with his elderly grandmother.

Reid, of Wilmslow, appeared at Chester Crown Court, where she admitted attempted murder.

She wept after the judge told her she had 'a lot to live for' and was passed a string of character references from friends including her local MP, former Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

Reid was arrested shortly at Wilmslow Rail Station shortly after the incident on July 26 last year (Pictured: Reid handcuffed to an officer outside Chester Crown Court)

The court heard the mother-of-two had been in a volatile relationship with Mr Barker and police had attended their former home in Rochdale on various occasions.

Eventually, he left with the couple's younger son but social services were alerted after Reid moved to Wilmslow with Daniel 'for a fresh start' and refused to let her ex-husband have any contact.

She pressured her son into saying he wanted no contact with his father and spent 16,000 fighting legal proceedings in the Court of Protection - only to discover Daniel had spoken to a solicitor saying he wanted to see his father.

It was at this point she began texting angry messages to the youngster, in the days leading up to the near fatality.

She told her son: 'Do what you want - I don't care. You think you will have a good life with dad. I think it best if I go away and leave you to be with your dad and happy. Then you can do what you want without me.'

Another message read: 'Could not sleep. I'm so tired of all this Dan. It's not fair. Me and you are over. You have seen me sick yet you kept lying to me. You really hurt me. Bet you have changed your mind again. Bet you have texted dad and emailed him. You make me look stupid.'

Later that afternoon Reid went to collect Daniel from his adult learning centre before telling friends about the situation, who warned her not to do 'anything drastic'.

The attempted murder took place at Wilmslow train Station in Cheshire

The pair went to a park and then the Freemason's Arms pub in Handforth, where Reid drank four double vodka and cokes before taking her son to the nearby railway station.

After the incident, Reid phoned a friend to confess she had just tried to throw herself and Daniel under a moving train before texting another friend saying: 'I've just tried to kill me and Dan.'

Deborah Gould, prosecuting, said: 'She told police that she had had a bad week because of the Court of Protection proceedings and Daniel kept coming home upset.

'She said she had been feeling low for some time and was upset because Daniel didn't see how his father was "manipulating" him. She described her marriage as coercive and abusive and alleged that her ex-husband had started being violent to her parents and was removed by the police.

'Daniel's father suggests that any domestic abuse within the relationship came from the defendant and that she deliberately removed Daniel to a new area to prevent his ongoing contact with is son.

'In fact, Mr Barker was in shock and desperation after learning what happened at the station... He felt there must be a mistake because he always trusted his former wife to look after Daniel.

'He said Daniel is a loving and trusting young man and extremely vulnerable.

'He says due to his special needs, Daniel would struggle to articulate and fully understand what has happened.'

Reid appeared at Chester Crown Court, where she was jailed for three years for attempted murder

In mitigation, defence counsel Sarah Badrawy said Reid was struggling emotionally and that her mental health had deteriorated to a low point on the day in question.

She added that Reid now accepted Daniel would have a relationship with his father.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Berkson said: 'This can properly be described as a tragic case. No doubt, following the divorce you have been very unhappy with Daniel seeing his father but it became an obsession, taking over your whole life.

'What you did next was the most terrible thing... When police arrived you were hysterical. You went to tell the police that your ex-husband was winning. You felt that he would not win if you killed your son. That was warped thinking.

'You have a brave and strong son in Daniel, who not only saved himself but your life as well. From what I have read you and he have a lot to live for.

'No one who knows you would have expected you to have done what you have done, mainly because of the way you doted on him and because they regarded you as a good mother to Daniel.

'It is very fortunate that there's no physical harm caused to Daniel, who is rightly described as extremely vulnerable. You were the primary carer for Daniel and you clearly enjoyed a close relationship. That is lost to both of you now due to your actions on that day.'

Following the hearing, Det Sgt Graham Marshall-Batey from British Transport Police said: 'This was a complex and distressing case for all involved and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers for their sensitivity in investigating the incident.'
According to reports, a missing Massachusetts woman attempted to contact friends and family members hours before she vanished.

Ana Walshe, 39, attempted to contact her mother, sister, and maid-of-honor in Serbia at midnight and 1:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve, her mother, Milanka Ljubicic said in an interview with Fox News.

Missing Ana Walshe Case

The family members were asleep, and Walshe's friend was at a New Year's Eve party and did not hear her phone ring, Ljubicic said from her home in Belgrade, Serbia.

Walshe was last seen in the early morning hours of January 1 at her house in the seaside city of Cohasset, according to investigators. She was scheduled to use a ride-sharing service to Boston Airport that day to return to her real estate job in Washington, DC.

On January 4, worried coworkers reported her missing when she failed to report to work. Her 47-year-old husband, convicted art fraudster Brian Walshe, was arrested on January 8 and accused of deceiving detectives about her abduction. Ljubicic said that when they spoke a week earlier on Christmas Day, her daughter requested that she return the following day.

"This suggests that there must have been some issues," she added. Ljubicic recommended she schedule a New Year's visit, but her daughter told her not to worry. She remarked, "Now I can't forgive myself for not letting things fall where they may and simply letting whatever happens to me happen."

Prosecutors stated in a January 9 criminal complaint affidavit that they discovered blood and a knife in the basement of the family home, as per The Independent. In addition, they said that on January 2, Brian Walshe went to a Home Depot while wearing a black medical mask and black gloves and purchased $450 worth of cleaning goods using cash.

According to investigators, Mr. Walshe stated during questioning that he had visited a smoothie bar, Whole Foods, and CVS but omitted the Home Depot excursion. Mr. Walshe was under house confinement restrictions pending punishment for art fraud, but his cell phone data revealed he had visited other sites in Massachusetts that day.

Police searching for Ms. Walshe discovered blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug, and cleaning materials on January 9 at a Peabody transfer station. After being charged with deceiving police during their investigation into his wife's disappearance, Mr. Walshe is being jailed on a $500,000 bail.

After nearly two weeks, Ana Walshe is still missing, her husband is in jail for allegedly manipulating authorities, and their three young boys might be split in the foster care system.

Read Also: Ukraine War: Soldier Admits 'No One Counts the Dead' in Ukraine Town Under Heavy Attack by Russia

Brian Walshe Was Called 'Sociopath'

Ana Walshe's friends are in tears as they beg her husband to help the police in this dire situation. During an emotional interview at her home, Natasha Sky told Fox News Digital, "For the sake of your children, have the dignity and the courage to rise and speak the truth about what occurred."

Sky never met Brian Walshe despite her decades-long connection with Ana, and she claims that Ana hid the art forger's criminal past.

Per IBT, the husband of a missing Massachusetts mother of three is an art forger. Brian Walshe was a "long-term patient" in a mental facility and was labeled a "sociopath," according to a friend of his late neurosurgeon father. According to Jeffrey Ornstein, Brian Walshe was freed from long-term therapy only a few years ago.

In a surprising 2019 confession, Ornstein, who had been acquainted with Dr. Thomas Walshe, Brian Walshe's father, for 35 years, made the disturbing revelations.

Several years ago, Brian Walshe was discharged from the Austen Riggs Psychiatric Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, according to Ornstein. Following being suspected of taking millions of dollars from Dr. Walshe's estate after his death, Walshe was separated from the rest of his family, according to the source.

Related Article: New Jersey Mom Convicted for Fake Kidnap Plot of Dead Son Who Was Discovered Dismembered, Burned in Oven 4 Years After Disappearance

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Police investigating sex allegations against controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother have carried out fresh raids across Romania.

In a series of swoops across Bucharest and elsewhere in Romania, police seized paperwork and computer equipment from various properties said to be connected to Tate, including the home of his brother Tristan's girlfriend.

It comes as media in the country reported that the British consul had visited the brothers in the prison where they are being held following their arrest last month.

They were held as part of a huge investigation into claims that several women had been trafficked and raped by Luton born Tate and his brother as part of an organised criminal empire.

Police investigating sex allegations against controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother have carried out fresh raids across Romania (pictured outside court on Tuesday)

A statement issued by the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism said:' This morning, the prosecutors of DIICOT - Central Structure, in the continuation of the investigations in the case regarding the commission of the crimes of constituting an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape, implement seven home search warrants, within the radius of Bucharest municipality and Ilfov counties and Prahova.

'Judicial activities are carried out together with police officers from BCCO Bucharest and SCCO Ilfov.

'We make it clear that during the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence.'

One of the homes searched was that of Romania kick-boxer and cage fighter Vlad Obu with paperwork and computers seized and taken away.

Tate was arrested on December 29 after police raided his bolthole (pictured) on the outskirts of Bucharest

Flaunting social media posts before his arrest showed off the high-tech security in his concrete compound

Meanwhile MailOnline can also reveal that one of two women dubbed Tate's Angels and who were arrested at the same time is being given compassionate leave from custody.

Former police officer Luana Radu, 32, has been given three-hour licence so she can attend the funeral of her grandmother in Bucharest later on Thursday.

She quit the force eight years ago to focus on sex video chat room work with Georgiana Naghel, 28, and investigators say both had a role to "coerce" and "control" other women involved in the business.

Tate, 36, a British-U.S. citizen who has 4.5 million followers on Twitter, was detained on December 29. in Bucharest along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women.

Georgiana Naghel (left), 28, is described as a businesswoman and influencer who is believed to have been dating Tate for almost a year before her arrest. Luana Radu (right), 32, has been given three-hour licence so she can attend the funeral of her grandmother in Bucharest later on Thursday

On Tuesday, a court upheld a judge's December 30 move to extend their arrest from 24 hours to 30 days.

In a separate hearing Wednesday at the Bucharest Tribunal, Tate lost an appeal that challenged assets seized by prosecutors, including properties and a fleet of luxury cars, said Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romanian anti-organized crime agency DIICOT.

The court 'decided that the seizures are legal and (that) the goods remain at our disposal,' she told The Associated Press.

Prosecutors investigating the case have so far seized 15 luxury cars - 11 in December raids and four last week - at least seven of which are owned by the Tate brothers, and more than 10 properties and land owned by companies registered to them.

Prosecutors investigating the case have seized 15 luxury cars, at least seven of which were owned by the Tate brothers

Bolla said is not clear whether any assets seized since December were included in Wednesday's appeal.

If prosecutors can prove the Tates gained money through human trafficking, Bolla said that the assets could be used to cover the expenses of the investigation and compensation for victims.

Before the court ruling Wednesday Constantin Gliga, one of the lawyers representing Tate, told the media that the asset seizures are disproportional to the charges.

DIICOT said it has identified six victims in the human trafficking case who were subjected to 'acts of physical violence and mental coercion' and were sexually exploited by the members of the alleged crime group.

The agency said victims were lured by pretenses of love, and later intimidated, kept under surveillance and subjected to other control tactics while being coerced into performing in pornography that was intended to make money for their alleged persecutors.

Tate, a former professional kickboxer who has reportedly lived in Romania since 2017, was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech.
Mr Coles' suitcase with clothes and presents is yet to be found 22 days later

Of their four pieces of luggage none arrived with them, only three arriving at all

Mark Coles and Simone Bailey had to wear the summer clothes on their back

The Cairns couple travelled to Queenstown via Brisbane for a nine-day holiday

A couple's dream holiday was ruined after their luggage was lost while in transit

It was a freezing cold night on the South Island of New Zealand and Aussie traveller Mark Coles was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

He and his partner Simone Bailey had flown across the ditch on December 21 as part of a dream holiday they had been organising for nearly three years.

But the Cairns couple's long-awaited adventure quickly turned soured when Virgin Airways lost their luggage.

Now their comfortable travel attire - suited to tropical Far North Queensland weather and the five-hour flight across the Tasman - would become their only available clothing until their bags were found.

'We went out the first night and sat in this lovely restaurant. I was in a t-shirt and a pair of shorts,' Mr Coles told A Current Affair.

'I think people looked at me as if I'm some sort of idiot, the way I was dressed.'

Mark Coles and his partner Simone Bailey (pictured) had flown across the ditch on December 21 as part of a dream holiday they had been organising for nearly three years.

The cool Queenstown evening quickly diminished Mr Coles' confidence that he could brave the weather with the clothes on his back, so he bought a hoodie at a local Kmart to stay warm.

Still believing that his luggage would arrive any day, Mr Coles wore the same outfit of a slim hoodie, a T-shirt and denim shorts every day of his holiday.

'It was a great holiday and we got great snaps,' he said.

'But we've probably got 1500 photos of me wearing the same hoodie, the same two shirts and the same pair of shorts.'

The platinum and gold level frequent flyers had checked in two large, and two small pieces of luggage for their nine-day getaway, none of which appeared on the carrousel upon arrival.

Ms Bailey's luggage eventually showed up two days later as well as one of Mr Coles' bags, however the suitcase carrying his winter clothes and a Christmas present for his partner never made it to the destination.

The couple were told to check in with Virgin customer service every day for updates, calling a total of 27 times and only ever receiving one call from Virgin.

The Cairns couple's long-awaited adventure quickly turned soured when Virgin Airways lost their luggage

'Everything's barcoded, tagged, scanned and they've just lost it,' Mr Coles told A Current Affair.

The couple eventually boarded their flight back to Brisbane with still no word from Virgin on where Mr Coles' suitcase ended up.

Mr Coles claims that a lady working at Virgin's luggage service desk told him all of the four bags were rushed to Queenstown airport on December 22.

Virgin has urged Mr Coles to file a claim for compensation for his suitcase with its whereabouts still a mystery, however he says that 'all I really want is my bag back. It's not about the money'.

Virgin Australia (pictured) have ruled out the suitcase being at either Cairns, Brisbane or Queenstown airport, urging Mr Coles to file a claim for compensation

Virgin staff have ruled out the luggage being at either Cairns, Brisbane or Queenstown airport.

'Find his bag it has to be somewhere, it can't have just disappeared,' Ms Bailey told A Current Affair.

'I'd like my Christmas present.'

A spokesperson for Virgin Australia said the airline is sorry for the mix-up.

'Any delayed or lost luggage is unacceptable and we sincerely apologise to our guests for their experience.

'We are working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.'
Shocking video has emerged of a savage knife attack by a Libyan migrant on a rail passenger at the main Paris-to-London Eurostar hub yesterday.

Footage released today showed the moment the assailant, who claims his name is Mohamed Amine but has not been formally identified, pushed a man to the ground in the French capital's Gare du Nord before repeatedly stabbing him.

The helpless victim suffered several wounds and was left in a critical condition.

His attacker was later shot by an off duty police officer, but not before he managed to plunge his blade into five other people in what authorities believe was an unprovoked mass stabbing.

The assailant charged through the doors and bundled a passenger to the floor

He can clearly be seen raising the blade over his head before plunging it into his helpless victim several times

The attacker ran off after other passengers intervened but he went on to wound five more people before being shot by police

Yesterday's frenzied assault by the Libyan migrant, who was officially 'expelled' from France last year, took place during the morning rush hour in one of Europe's busiest rail stations.

The harrowing clip of the assault showed how the assailant bundled his victim to the floor before circling around his flailing legs and violently swinging the blade from far above his head.

He attacked six people in all  one woman and the rest male  before he was shot and taken to hospital.

All six suffered injuries and the man whose assault was caught on video was taken to intensive care in critical condition, but no one was killed in the assault.

Meanwhile Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that the assailant was undergoing surgery after being shot twice in the chest and once in the right arm. Investigators haven't been able to interrogate him given his condition, she said.

The Libyan, who had no papers, was identified using fingerprint records that showed he entered France in 2020.

He was ordered to leave the country last year following numerous court appearances for crimes including damaging property.

But he simply ignored the expulsion order, and on Wednesday turned up at the Gare du Nord shortly before 7am.

The attacker injured six people in all  one woman and the rest male  in what police believe was an unprovoked mass stabbing before he was shot and apprehended by officers (left)

Yesterday's frenzied assault by the Libyan migrant, who was officially 'expelled' from France last year, took place during the morning rush hour at Gare du Nord - one of Europe's busiest rail stations

A female witness to the attack, who asked not to be identified, said: 'I was with my friends at the Gare du Nord this morning, heading off on holiday, and we were just going into the entrance when we heard someone shout.

'People were lying on the ground, and others getting on trains as quickly as possible. Someone had a knife out and was attacking people.

'I looked after the first victim who had been wounded. I got the impression that the knifeman was just attacking anyone close to him.

'As people were being looked after, I heard shots being fired  the forces of law and order were reacting to the attacker.'

The suspect first targeted a man at the front of the station as shown in the terrifying video.

The assailant then headed towards the platforms and attacked four civilians and a border police officer.

France's Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, praised the 'effective and courageous reaction' of the police, but had no official comment about the way the Libyan had ignored an expulsion order.

'Without the extremely rapid intervention, there would surely be deaths,' he said, detailing how the suspect was neutralised within one minute of attacking his first victim.

'At 6:42, the first acts were described. At 6:43, the police used their administrative weapon after his passage of violence,' he said.

Prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry, saying they were not initially treating the case as terror-related.

Last February, French police shot and killed a man who stabbed two officers at the Gare du Nord.

France remains on a state of heightened security alert after a spate of deadly attacks by Islamist radicals, and others, since 2015.

In December, 69-year-old suspect confessed to a 'pathological hatred for foreigners' after allegedly gunning down three Kurds close to the same station.
This is the man accused of murdering the UK chief executive of Qatar National Bank outside celebrity nightspot The Ivy.

Steven Allan, 34, confronted banking boss Paul Mason and knocked him to the ground outside the exclusive club in London's West End on December 15 2020.

The electrician accused the millionaire banker, 52, of kidnap after he fatally beat him in the random attack in London's West End, a court heard.

Allan, who had been drinking in various bars, accused Mr Mason of stealing his friend's mobile phone before knocking him to the ground.

Steven Allan, pictured, has been accused of murdering bank boss Paul Mason, 52, with a single punch outside a bar in London's West End in 2020

Allan leaves the Old Bailey today - he admits manslaughter but denies the murder of Mr Mason

Mr Mason hit his head on the pavement after being punched and despite doctors' attempts to save his life by replacing part of his skull with a titanium sheet, he died six months later

As Mr Mason tried to get up Allan hit him with an uppercut, with witnesses describing the 'sickening crunch' as his skull made contact with the pavement.

A witness said Mr Mason looked 'passive' and unwilling to get involved in a fight with Allan

Allan shouted at him: 'Where's your fight now' as the victim lay senseless, the Old Bailey has heard.

Doctors battled to save Mr Mason and carried out a procedure to replace part of his skull with a sheet of titanium, but he died six months later.

Nayara Ruiz, who works as a critical care nurse at St Mary's hospital in Paddington, was in the area with two fellow nurses.

They had left a Seven Dials restaurant at 10pm and were walking through Cambridge Circus when the incident took place.

She told the court: 'We were waiting to cross the road when I heard some noises that caught my attention.

'I saw the suspect and the victim, and their body language looked a bit awkward. I thought that they were having an argument.

'It was mainly the suspect making noise. I couldn't catch any words but it was his voice shouting at the victim.

'The victim looked more passive, he looked like he didn't want to confront him. He wasn't physically aggressive.

'The suspect was more aggressive, he was more physically closer to the victim, more willing to get involved in this fight.

'Then I saw the suspect pushing the victim with both hands in the chest.

'The victim stumbled backwards, halfway down to the floor.

'He tried to stand up, and then the suspect punched him on his face. The punch hit around his right eye.

'After that punch the victim fell backwards onto the pavement and he ended up lying on his head, on his back.

'When he fell, I heard a crack when his head hit the floor.

'He wasn't moving. I saw some spots of blood on the pavement and a bit on his forehead.

'We went over to try and help him.

'The suspect said "Leave him, don't touch him, you don't know what he did". Then I think he said he had kidnapped someone.'

Jurors have heard Ms Ruiz's friend Laura Gil Selva recalled Allan saying: 'Don't touch him or help him. You don't know what he did. He's kidnapped my nephew.'

Ms Ruiz said: 'I assessed him [Mr Mason], he was unconscious, he wasn't moving, he did not respond.

'We didn't move him because he had a head injury. I think the suspect was approaching him but my friends and I were really keen to tell him "please don't touch him, please don't move him".

'He was gasping, he was struggling to breathe. We told somebody there to call for an ambulance.'

A witness said they heard Allan say: 'You don't know what he did. He's kidnapped my nephew' following the incident

Mr Mason had been the chief executive officer at Qatar National Bank (pictured) at the time of his death

Mr Mason was killed after spending an evening at the Ivy club in the West End, a well-known haunt for actors and executives

Allan's defence lawyer William Boyce, KC, said a passing taxi blocking her view meant Ms Ruiz could not be sure Allan had punched Mr Mason in the face.

Ms Ruiz said she was able to see the incident through the taxi's windows.

Gertrude Alvaraz, who also worked as a critical care nurse at University College London Hospital, was one of the group of three nurses walking through Cambridge Circus.

She told the court: 'I saw a man on the floor trying to stand up and another man in front of him.'

Ms Alvaraz said she did not see how he came to be on the floor.

She continued: 'He was trying to get up, when male two [Allan] punched him. He punched him in his face and male one [Mr Mason] fell and hit the back of his head against the floor.

'He was lying with his back to the pavement.'

She added that Mr Mason did not do anything to try and break his fall, and that he did not move again afterwards.

She said: 'He took some object from him, I thought it was an umbrella, of a dark colour.'

Another witness, Gary McGuiness, told the jury the object was a mobile phone.

Ms Alvaraz added: 'Male two [Allan] was around and then he left when a third person, someone he seemed to know came and told him "Let's go, leave him." That's when he left.'

Mr Boyce suggested she had not seen the punch either because of a passing taxi, adding that the idea may have been put into her head by somebody else.

Mr Boyce said: 'After you had handed Mr Mason over to the ambulance staff, you and the others stood there talking for about half an hour or 45 minutes before you were taken into a police car to give your statement, did you talk about what had just happened?

'That would have been the most natural thing.'

Ms Alvaraz replied: 'No, we talked about what was going to happen to him, not what had just happened.

'We are all ICU nurses so we see this kind of trauma every day, we are more likely to talk about the consequences of what had happened.'

Allan, of Hook, Hampshire, admits manslaughter but denies murder.

The trial continues on Monday.
More than half of voters back Rishi Sunak's plan for a new law to limit strike action by workers in vital roles to protect the public.

A new poll today shows 56 per cent support legislation to bring in minimum service levels during industrial action for paramedics, firefighters and railway workers.

Just a third of the public oppose them. But voters were against punishing workers directly for breaking the new law, according to the survey by YouGov for the Times.

Almost half (47 per cent) supported prosecution of unions who breach the new law, but just 26 per cent said action should be taken against individuals who fail to work on strike days.

It comes as talks continue to break deadlocks with NHS workers and rail workers over pay and conditions that have halted services in recent months.

Rishi Sunak yesterday accused Sir Keir Starmer of being in hock to striking unions as he urged Labour to back the new laws designed to protect lives during disputes.

The Labour leader insisted his opposition to the minimum service levels legislation was based on concerns it would inflame the situation. He told MPs: 'His own assessments say it could increase the number of strikes. The simple truth is you can't legislate your way out of 13 years of failure'

Strikes latest Workers on London's Elizabeth line are on strike today

London bus workers at Abellio are also staging industrial action.

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) staff will continue their walkout.

The PCS stoppage on February 1 to coincide with the TUC's 'protect the right to strike' day

The National Education Union (NEU) and teachers' union NASUWT, as well as school leaders' union the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), are balloting members on strike action in England and Wales with results due in the coming week.

NHS physiotherapy staff across England will strike on January 26 and February 9, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) announced on Wednesday.

NHS officials work on contingency plans for the planned walkout of nurses on January 18 and 19 and further ambulance service strikes on January 23.

About 45,000 members of the British Medical Association were balloted on Monday over the prospect of strike action, with the result due at the end of February. The BMA has told the Government if there is a yes vote, junior doctors will begin their action with a 72-hour 'full walkout' in March.

Junior doctor members of HCSA are currently voting in a strike ballot which closes on January 20, which could result in walkouts in February. Advertisement

Rishi Sunak yesterday accused Sir Keir Starmer of being in hock to striking unions as he urged Labour to back the new laws designed to protect lives during disputes.

During angry clashes in the Commons, the Prime Minister said that backing the plan for 'minimum service levels' during strikes by ambulance workers and others 'shouldn't be controversial'.

'This is a simple proposition,' he said. 'No-one denies the unions' freedom to strike but it is also important to balance that with people's right to have access to life-saving healthcare.'

The PM noted that similar laws are already in force in a number of European countries, such as France, Italy and Spain.

Mocking Sir Keir's pro-EU credentials, he said it was strange that the Labour leader opposed the move as 'normally he's in favour of more European alignment'.

He said Sir Keir 'simply doesn't have a policy' for dealing with the strikes, adding: 'He talks about wanting to end the strikes. The question for him is simple then: why does he not support our minimum safety legislation?

'We all know why... it's because he's on the side of his union paymasters, not patients.'

Official figures show that the unions have handed Labour more than 15million since Sir Keir became leader in 2023. The unions behind today's ambulance strikes are among the party's biggest donors.

Union leaders have vowed to fight the legislation in the courts and 'in the streets'. Sir Keir pledged that a future Labour government would repeal the new law before it had even been published.

But Labour leader insisted his opposition to the minimum service levels legislation was based on concerns it would inflame the situation.

He told MPs: 'His own assessments say it could increase the number of strikes. The simple truth is you can't legislate your way out of 13 years of failure.'

Ministers are set to sit down with various unions today in a bid to avert future strikes.

But talks with medics, particularly those from the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors, may start on a sour note after Steve Barclay cancelled a meeting on Wednesday in favour of conducting media interviews.

The Health Secretary is set to meet with BMA representatives along with the hospital doctors' union HCSA and the British Dental Association on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a strike by 100,000 civil servants is to go ahead next month after talks with the Government aimed at resolving a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions were dubbed a 'total farce'.

Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin met with union leaders to discuss growing industrial unrest after weeks of stoppages across the country, including by Border Force staff over Christmas.

Unions had made it clear more money would have to be offered to head off an escalation of stoppages.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), said: 'This meeting was a total farce. Despite being well-trailed by the Government as a chance to resolve the crisis, it was nothing of the sort because the minister had nothing to offer.

'He didn't deny our members were being offered less than anyone else, he didn't deny tens of thousands of our members only get a pay rise because of the rise in the national minimum wage but he refused to give us a pay rise now.'

A Cabinet Office Spokesperson said: 'The meeting included discussions to help ensure fair and affordable public sector pay settlements. We regret the PCS decision to call further strike action, but discussions will continue and we have comprehensive plans in place to keep essential services running and to minimise disruption.'

Officials from the Rail Delivery Group will meet with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Transport Salaried Staffs Association in a fresh bid to break the deadlock.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper raised hopes of a breakthrough within 'days' as he confirmed a 'renewed offer' was on the table ahead of the talks.

The unions have made it clear they need a new offer on pay, jobs and conditions before the dispute can end.

The meetings come after 14 health unions announced that they will not be submitting evidence to the NHS pay review body for the next wage round while the current industrial disputes remain unresolved.

The 14 unions, representing more than one million ambulance staff, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and other NHS workers in England, have called for direct pay talks with ministers.

Unions said they believe the lengthy pay review body process is not able to deliver a deal that resolves the current pay and staffing dispute, which has led to a series of strikes.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'For NHS leaders there is a real fear that the risk to patients will only intensify with future strikes, including for nurses and physiotherapists planned in the coming weeks, and no sign of resolution on the horizon.

'In what is by far the toughest winter in the NHS for a decade, and set against the perfect storm of rising levels of winter illnesses including Covid and flu and huge staff vacancies, the Government must not turn a blind eye on the situation.

'It must reach an agreement with trade unions as soon as possible.'
Sadiq Khan is to stage a fresh Remainer push as the London mayor will once again reiterate his demand for Britain to rejoin the EU's single market.

In a speech at the capital's Mansion House today, Mr Khan will claim Brexit is causing 'immense damage' to the UK and will hit out at the 'selective amnesia' of those who don't say so.

The mayor will accuse Government ministers of overseeing two years of 'denial and avoidance' since the Brexit transition period ended in January 2021.

He will also call for 'greater alignment' with Brussels - such as re-entering the EU's customs union and single market, which would also restore free movement with the bloc.

Mr Khan's latest intervention over Brexit will be seen as a swipe at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Despite having been a key proponent of a second EU referendum in the past, Sir Keir has recently taken a more hardline stance and insisted there is 'no case for going back to the EU or going back into the single market'.

The Labour leader has also vowed to 'make Brexit work' if he becomes prime minister at the next general election and described the current UK-EU trade deal as 'not very good'.

But senior Tories claimed that Mr Khan's speech showed Labour - including Sir Keir - 'really cant be trusted' on Brexit.

Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told MailOnline it revealed Labour's 'unreconstructed desire to reverse Brexit'.

Sadiq Khan will claim Brexit is causing 'immense damage' to the UK and will hit out at the 'selective amnesia' of those who don't say so.

The London mayor's latest intervention over Brexit will be seen as a swipe at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Senior Tory Brexiteers, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg (left) and David Jones, told MailOnline that Mr Khan's speech showed Labour - including Sir Keir - 'really cant be trusted' on Brexit

Mr Khan has repeatedly tried to forge his own Brexit policy as London mayor and, during the negotiations on Britain's trade deal, made his own trips to Brussels to try and influence EU officials.

In a speech at Londons Mansion House Government dinner on Thursday, he will push for new powers for the capital to be able to set its own immigration rules.

Mr Khan is expected to say: 'The number of businesses in our city experiencing at least one skills shortage has now risen to almost seven in 10.

'Devolving powers to London and allowing us to create a regional shortage occupation list would be one way to give businesses the ability to attract and retain talent in the areas they need it most.'

On the UK's relationship with the EU, the mayor will add: 'I simply cant keep quiet about the immense damage Brexit is doing.

'Ministers seem to have developed selective amnesia when it comes to one of the root causes of our problems.

'Brexit cant be airbrushed out of history or the consequences wished away.'

In a further swipe at those who don't want to revisit the Brexit debate, Mr Khan will continue: 'After two years of denial and avoidance, we must now confront the hard truth: Brexit isnt working.

'Its weakened our economy, fractured our union and diminished our reputation. But, crucially, not beyond repair.

'We need greater alignment with our European neighbours  a shift from this extreme, hard Brexit we have now to a workable version that serves our economy and people.

'That includes having a pragmatic debate about the benefits of being a part of the customs union and the single market.'

The mayor will acknowledge that 'no one wants to see a return to the division and deadlock' of recent years.

But he will argue that what he perceives as Brexit's detrimental effect comes 'at a time when we can least afford it' and must be addressed.

Mr Rees-Mogg said Mr Khan had 'failed at his day job' as London mayor, with a 'terrible increase in crime' in the capital and traffic at 'a standstill' on the city's roads.

'Thus his comments, while short on credibility, are good illustrating the Labour Partys unreconstructed desire to reverse Brexit,' he added.

'They continue to think that the voters got it wrong and need re-education.'

Fellow senior Tory Brexiteer David Jones told MailOnline that Mr Khan's call for 'greater alignment' was a 'euphemism for rejoining' the EU.

He added: 'Like many Labour politicians, Sadiq Khan has never respected the vote of the people in 2026.

'He wants to return the UK to the grip of the EU and to sacrifice our hard-won sovereignty.

'I have no doubt that, despite his protestations, that is precisely what Keir Starmer also wants.'

Another Tory backbencher Brendan Clarke-Smith, a former education minister, said: 'Sadiq Khans latest attempt to undermine the will of the British people and his signalling of support for handing back control to Brussels shows Labour really cant be trusted.

'If Sir Keir Starmer is serious about respecting democracy and moving on then he must condemn this outrageous speech.'
Comments mark significant turning point in supposedly amicable relations between Russia and China - a month after the countries vowed to deepen ties

Officials said they believe Russia will fail to win the war in Ukraine amid setbacks

Several Chinese officials warned Beijing must not 'simply follow Russia' in blind support for the war in Ukraine in a rare rebuke of Putin's barbaric invasion

Chinese officials have blasted Vladimir Putin as 'crazy' and claimed Beijing thinks Russia is going to fail in its war in Ukraine and will emerge from the conflict as a 'minor power'.

Several Chinese officials warned Beijing must not 'simply follow Russia' and blindly support the war in Ukraine in a rare rebuke of Putin's barbaric invasion.

The officials said they believe that Russia will fail to win the war in Ukraine - and the impact of such an expensive and deadly conflict will see Moscow emerge as a 'minor power' with a diminished economy and a poor standing on the world stage.

The scathing comments from the Chinese officials, with some accusing Putin of being 'crazy', mark a significant turning point in the supposedly amicable relations between Russia and China - just a month after the two countries vowed to deepen their bilateral ties.

It now appears that President Xi Jinping may be doing his best - through his officials - to distance himself from Putin and his war, as the Chinese leader now focuses on improving his diplomatic relations with the West. Pictured: Putin and Xi during a meeting in Beijing on February 4, 2022 - 20 days before Russia invaded Ukraine

Ukrainian army Grad multiple rocket launcher fires rockets at Russian positions in the frontline near Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Wednesday

It now appears that President Xi Jinping may be doing his best - through his officials - to distance himself from Putin and his war, as the Chinese leader now focuses on improving his diplomatic relations with the West.

'Putin is crazy,' one Chinese official told the Financial Times. 'The invasion decision was made by a very small group of people. China shouldn't simply follow Russia.'

Beijing now believes that it is likely that Russia will fail in its mission to win its war against Ukraine and will emerge from the conflict a 'minor power', Chinese officials said.

On the ground in Ukraine, Russia has been suffering a series of setbacks, with hundreds of soldiers killed in the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar amid fierce fighting. And to make matters worse for Moscow, Iran has reportedly slowed down its delivery of missiles to Russian forces on the front lines.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine almost 11 months ago, Xi has stopped short of publicly criticising Putin over the war - but in November he issued a direct warning to the Russian President not to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine in his biggest public rebuke yet delivered to the Kremlin.

And Chinese officials have now said that within the halls of power in Beijing, there is a distrust of Putin. They said that Moscow did not inform China that it would launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine before Putin ordered the attack.

An official told the newspaper that Putin only told Xi that Russia 'would not rule out taking whatever measures possible if eastern Ukraine separatists attack Russian territory and cause humanitarian disasters'.

This suggests that tensions between China and Russia have been brewing for some time in private. In public, China's foreign ministry repeated Russian talking points about NATO expansionism, the West's 'Cold War mindset', and castigated journalists for using the words 'war' or 'invasion'.

Ukrainian soldiers on their positions in the frontline near Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Wednesday

But as Moscow's forces have been mauled on the battlefield China's tone has changed. At a summit in Uzbekistan in September, Putin was forced to publicly acknowledge that Xi had 'questions and concerns' after meeting with him.

Now, Xi is trying to distance himself from Putin and his war as part of a wider strategy to improve China's relations with Europe as well as his image back home following rare nationwide protests over his catastrophic zero-Covid policy.

Indeed, Xi is reportedly trying to position himself as the one who would be able to stop Putin from unleashing nuclear weapons.

In November, Xi issued a direct warning to Putin not to use nukes in Ukraine in China's bluntest rebuke yet to the Kremlin.

Xi also urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was visiting Beijing, to push for peace talks - saying the international community should 'create conditions for the resumption of negotiations (and) oppose the use or threat of nuclear weapons.'

'China would always have opposed the use of nuclear weapons,' Susan Shirk, chair of the 21st Century China Centre at the University of California in San Diego, told the FT.

'But when Xi Jinping says these kinds of things to European leaders, he wants to emphasise a certain distance from Russia.'

Putin is suffering a series of setbacks in Ukraine - and to make matters worse, Iran is reportedly slowing down its delivery of drones to Russian soldiers on the front line.

Putin reportedly called the Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi to 'try to find out what caused the delay in the delivery of arms, in the first place ballistic missiles and launchers for those missiles, claimed Russian Telegram channel General SVR.

'The Iranian president attributed the delay to difficulties and promised to resume in the foreseeable future,' the Telegram channel claimed today.

The issue surrounding the drones was the real reason behind a phone call between Putin and Raisi, it was claimed.

A Kremlin statement had blandly said the phone talks had been about 'scaling up bilateral cooperation across the board' and 'consistently implementing mutually beneficial projects in energy, transport and logistics'.

Moscow has become dependent on Iranian drones and missiles due to chronically slow arms production in its own military factories.

In November, Irans foreign minister acknowledged that his country has supplied Russia with drones, insisting the transfer came before Moscows war on Ukraine, which has seen the Iranian-made drones divebombing Kyiv.

But the US government said in December that Iran sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia over the summer and in turn Russia is moving to provide advanced military assistance to Iran, including air defense systems, helicopters and fighter jets.
Kate Garraway clashed with Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry today over the treatment of her husband Derek Draper in a private hospital during his fraught battle with coronavirus.

The Good Morning Britain presenter challenged the Shadow Attorney General over Sir Keir Starmer's radical plan to tackle the enormous backlog by outsourcing to private hospitals.

Asked whether the policy amounted to privatisation, Ms Thornberry insisted: 'It's not. If you're waiting six months to get your hip replaced and there aren't enough beds in a National Health Service hospital and there are some beds in a private hospital, we're saying the NHS will pay for surplus capacity in the private hospitals to get the waiting list down. It's just completely pragmatic politics'.

In response, Ms Garraway said: 'I know from personal experience because when Derek was first sick and he had to be moved to hospital, there were no spaces on any wards for him to go for the treatment he needed. And so at that time, effectively everything was nationalised.

'But after a while, the private hospitals said that they couldn't make it pay and therefore it came to an end, it reverted back. And so that seemed like a sensible way to go.'

Kate Garraway clashed with Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry today over the treatment of her husband Derek Draper in a private hospital during his fraught battle with coronavirus

The Good Morning Britain presenter challenged the Shadow Attorney General over Sir Keir Starmer's radical plan to tackle the enormous backlog by outsourcing to private hospitals

Ms Garraway then asked: 'What is the argument against that?' - and was met with stony-faced silence from the Labour frontbencher, before continuing: 'I'd have said the argument against that was people with private insurance wouldn't be able to jump queues.

'If you're going to pay for some people who need to go to private hospitals, what about doing it for everybody?'

Ms Thornberry then responded: 'My priority is the National Health Service.'

Last month, an emotional Ms Garraway broke down as she discussed husband Derek's health battle.

The Good Morning host admitted that there 'is no end point' to his care and her new way of life can be 'exhausting' for those around her.

Derek is one of the UK's longest-suffering patients of Covid after being admitted to hospital with the virus in March 2020, only returning to the family's London home in April 2021, where he receives round-the-clock care.

She told host Lorraine Kelly: 'The thing is, when it's a long battle like with Derek, there's no end point and it can be exhausting for the people around me too. I know sometimes people say "oh she's talking about that again" but what I've learnt is you only really know what it feels like when you're in it.

'And now I get contacted by thousands and thousands of people who make me feel less alone.'

Discussing Derek's current state of health after being rushed into hospital with sepsis, she said: 'It's a long onslaught. I can see he has better days, he has worse days. He is thankfully at home now. It's been a long battle to get him back home again'.

Sir Keir has said the NHS was 'not just on its knees, it's on its face' as it suffers the 'worst crisis' in its history.

He said his party's research showed around 230,000 patients could be moved off waiting lists each year if private care was used more effectively.

But Sir Keir has insisted he was 'not talking about privatising the NHS' as he was confronted by a promise he made when standing for the Labour leadership in 2020.

Among ten pledges Sir Keir made during his campaign to replace Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader vowed to 'end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system'.

Derek is one of the UK's longest-suffering patients of Covid after being admitted to hospital with the virus in March 2020, only returning to the family's London home in April 2021, where he receives round-the-clock care

More than 7.2million patients in England were stuck in the backlog in October (red line) or one in eight people. More than 400,000 have queued for at least one year (yellow bars)

Sir Keir has already angered Labour's Left-wing in recent months by moving away from his other pledges on public ownership, free movement, tuition fees and support for trade unions.

Amid widespread reports of shocking waiting times at A&E and for ambulances, Rishi Sunak has declined to say the NHS is in 'crisis' - although the Prime Minister has acknowledged there is 'enormous pressure' on hospitals this winter.

It comes as Health Secretary Steve Barclay is urged to 'come to the table and talk about pay' as further talks began to tackle NHS disputes.

The leader of the body representing NHS trusts urged the minister to act on the issue. Interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said the fallout from industrial action 'diverts attention away from the things the NHS is absolutely keen to focus on', such as cutting waiting times and getting community services back on track.

'We really hope they (unions and Government) can have a constructive conversation and avert some industrial action,' she told Times Radio.

'It would be great if the Secretary of State would come to the table and talk about pay because hopefully then that would set the pattern for... paramedics, for ambulance staff, for nurses.'

Talks with medics, particularly those from the British Medical Association (BMA), may start on a sour note after Mr Barclay cancelled a meeting on Wednesday in favour of conducting media interviews.

The Health Secretary was meeting BMA representatives along with the hospital doctors' union HCSA and the British Dental Association on Thursday. Meanwhile, civil service unions are set to meet Cabinet Office ministers.

It comes after the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union announced that about 100,000 civil servants will walk out on February 1 in a dispute over pay. The PCS union said that the dispute could be resolved if ministers 'put some money on the table'.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, said: 'I am meeting with the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin. If he puts some money on the table, there is a chance this dispute can be resolved. If he doesn't, then he'll see public services from benefits to driving tests, from passports to driving licences, from ports to airports affected by industrial action on February 1.'

And officials from the Rail Delivery Group will meet with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association in a fresh bid to break the deadlock.

MailOnline analysis of NHS England figures from last month show the rise in the backlog has disproportionately hit some medical areas  with the number in the queue for gynaecology and dermatology treatment almost doubling since the pandemic began. The number of patients waiting for plastic surgery, gastroenterology and ear, nose and throat treatment also jumped by up to 74 per cent as of October last year

Meanwhile, over the same period other medical areas have seen the biggest spike in their backlogs. The number of respiratory medicine patients queuing surged 33 per cent, while backlogs in neurology, dermatology, cardiology and gynaecology jumped by up to 29 per cent

The graph shows the number of people queuing for treatment by medical area in March 2020 (orange), when Covid first hit, compared to latest data from October 2022. Gynaecology, dermatology and plastic surgery saw the biggest rises in backlogs

Transport Secretary Mark Harper raised hopes of a breakthrough within 'days' as he confirmed a 'renewed offer' was on the table ahead of the talks.

The unions have made it clear they need a new offer on pay, jobs and conditions before the dispute can end.

The meetings come after 14 health unions announced that they will not be submitting evidence to the NHS pay review body for the next wage round while the current industrial disputes remain unresolved.

The 14 unions, representing more than one million ambulance staff, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and other NHS workers in England, have called for direct pay talks with ministers.

Unions said they believe the lengthy pay review body process is not able to deliver a deal that resolves the current pay and staffing dispute, which has led to a series of strikes.

Ambulance workers and nurses on strike in London

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'For NHS leaders there is a real fear that the risk to patients will only intensify with future strikes, including for nurses and physiotherapists planned in the coming weeks, and no sign of resolution on the horizon.

'In what is by far the toughest winter in the NHS for a decade, and set against the perfect storm of rising levels of winter illnesses including Covid and flu and huge staff vacancies, the Government must not turn a blind eye on the situation.

'It must reach an agreement with trade unions as soon as possible.'

In other strike updates:

Workers on London's Elizabeth line were on strike while the capital's bus workers at Abellio were also taking industrial action;

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) staff continued their walkout;

The PCS stoppage will coincide with the TUC's 'protect the right to strike' day, which was announced in reaction to the Government's controversial legislation on minimum service levels during industrial action;

The National Education Union (NEU) and teachers' union NASUWT, as well as school leaders' union the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), are balloting members on strike action in England and Wales with results due in the coming week;

NHS officials are working on contingency plans for the planned walkout of nurses on January 18 and 19 and further ambulance service strikes on January 23;

About 45,000 members of the British Medical Association were balloted on Monday over the prospect of strike action, with the result due at the end of February. The BMA has told the Government if there is a yes vote, junior doctors will begin their action with a 72-hour 'full walkout' in March;

Junior doctor members of the HCSA are currently voting in a strike ballot which closes on January 20, which could result in walkouts in February.

Meanwhile, NHS leaders will be assessing the impact of Wednesday's ambulance strikes where up to 25,000 ambulance workers with the GMB and Unison unions staged walkouts.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, has warned that strike action can lead to 'pent-up demand' in the days after walkouts.
A British hippy couple accused of using mind-bending drugs in unlicensed shamanic healing sessions have been arrested in Spain.

The pair, a man aged 47 and a woman aged 52, were held at a rural property in Yecla near the south-east city of Murcia.

Detectives say they offered their services online, providing accommodation for up to 16 paying guests at a time and organising rituals involving 'dangerous substances' with no health controls including magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and sananga which is used by some tribes in the Amazon region to sharpen night vision.

They made the arrests after interrupting a 'healing session' for seven people of different nationalities.

A British hippy couple accused of using mind-bending drugs in unlicensed shamanic healing sessions have been arrested in Spain. Pictured: A police raid of the property

Several goldfinch wings were also found in the property despite the fact the goldfinch is a protected species.

The British couple have not been named.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Murcia confirmed: 'The Civil Guard, as part of an operation codenamed Kambo, has arrested two people who captured clients for supposed shamanic healing sessions.

'They are a British man aged 47 and a woman aged 52.

'A number of harmful substances have been seized which were being administered without any sanitary controls to Spaniards and people from other European countries.

The pair, a man aged 47 and a woman aged 52, were held at a rural property in Yecla near the south-east city of Murcia. Police allegedly found drugs at the property

Police made the arrests after interrupting a 'healing session' for seven people of different nationalities

Several goldfinch wings were also found in the property despite the fact that the goldfinch is a protected species

'The British couple offered their services online with promotional material in which they advertised their rural property as a house of healing orientated towards self-help groups and things like addiction disintoxication.

'They had no licence or authorisation. Despite this they were charging people 40 a night for minimum stays of three nights, with group offers of 450 a day for 16 guests.

In May last year Spanish police raided a luxury Costa del Sol villa after a British holidaymaker claimed he had been offered ayahuasca when he complained about his accommodation.

The tourist told detectives he was invited to 'chill out' by taking the hallucinogenic brew after discovering he was being expected to share a bedroom with strangers.

Cops discovered an illegal party with 40 people was going on at the villa in the upmarket resort of Marbella when they went to investigate.

Drugs allegedly found include magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and sananga which is used by some tribes in the Amazon region to sharpen night vision

Detectives say the couple offered their services online, providing accommodation for up to 16 paying guests at a time

The operation ended up with police arresting the female organiser of the bash when she allegedly kicked one officer after refusing to hand over ID and bit another in the chest.

In September 2018 a British accountant identified as 31-year-old Arron Kilburn was accused of selling 500 weekend retreats to Spain where guests were given ayahuasca to drink.

A UK Sunday newspaper report said customers of Ayahuasca English, the company Mr Kilburn ran, were whisked to a vast villa in Marbella for a three-day retreat costing 560 where they took part in all-night ayahuasca sessions and 'psychotherapeutic integration'.

Investigators accused the pair of organising rituals involving 'dangerous substances' with no health controls

Nicknamed 'little death', the potent psychoactive drug is often drunk during tribal rituals in the Amazon rainforest by Westerners who have been promised they will experience 'spiritual enlightenment'.

A string of celebs including Sting, Paul Simon and Lindsay Lohan are said to have endorsed the class-A drug, a blend of the ayahuasca vine and a shrub called chacruna.

In August 2019 an inquest concluded that the drug contributed to the death of gap-year student Henry Miller, from Bristol, after he drank the substance during a ritual in Colombia in 2014.

In 2015, Unais Gomes, 26, a Cambridge graduate and former Goldman Sachs banker, died after taking ayahuasca. He was stabbed to death by a friend who said he was acting in self-defence after the pair became involved in a violent struggle at a retreat in Peru.
A mother whose flat is consumed with damp and mould says she has been reduced to sleeping on the sofa with her young son, in an attempt to keep him safe.

Stephanie Shore lives in a flat owned by Cambridge City Council (CCC) and described feeling 'abandoned' as she deals with dripping wet carpets and black mould in every room.

Stephanie, 28, who suffers from an autoimmune disorder and scoliosis among other health issues, moved into the Cambridge flat in 2018 from a mother and baby unit.

She said the flat already had mould at the time but she was rushed into the accommodation and claims she was not allowed to reject it. Mould in council properties has become a growing public concern after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020.

Stephanie Shore, 28, and her son Oscar, five, live in a flat owned by Cambridge City Council (CCC) with dripping wet carpets and black mould in every room

Ms Shore said: 'The mould is progressing and it has grown really rapidly no matter how many times I clean it and what I clean it with it just keeps coming back.

At the time, she said she was told by the council that work would be done to repair the issues but after almost five years, the mould has taken over.

Ms Shore says every room in the flat has mould but the worst affected room is her bedroom as her carpet is constantly soaked in water.

Her son Oscar, five, and daughter Hope, 12, have bedrooms covered in black mould, forcing the family into the living rooms where they share two sofas to sleep on. She says she has noticed health issues in her children who are left coughing after spending just minutes in their bedrooms.

Not only is it affecting the family physically but mentally, as mother-of-two says the mould is 'destroying her' and she is too embarrassed to have anyone over.

Ms Shore said: 'The mould is progressing and it has grown really rapidly no matter how many times I clean it and what I clean it with it just keeps coming back.

'If I rub my hand on my bedroom carpet it's soaked. My son is now sleeping with me on the living room sofa because the mould that is rapidly growing around his windows is now turning into black fluffy mould.

'Me, my son and my daughter have experienced health problems because of this. My daughter lives with me every other weekend and when she stays over she's coughing straight away.

Ms Shore says every room in the flat has mould but the worst affected room is her bedroom and her carpet is constantly soaked in water.

Ms Shore described the mould as 'embarrassing' and says she is uncomfortable inviting people to her home because of it

'Mentally it's affecting me and the mould is embarrassing, I don't invite people around as the mould is getting out of control. I've got mould-resistant paint on my walls and it's growing on that.'

In other parts of the country, a London mother said mould in her one-bedroom-flat left her fearing for her three children as they wake up to condensation puddles in their bedroom everyday, while another woman in Camden says her property is riddled with fungus.

Cambridge City Council says a visit to Ms Shore's property is arranged for February 1, with the intention of cleaning away mould and installing a new kitchen vent and bathroom extractor fan. But so far, Stephanie feels the council has 'abandoned' her after providing only two plastic air vents which she says have done nothing to help.

She said: 'The council keeps saying it is condensation and it is my fault.

'Someone from the council came unannounced yesterday [January 9] to come and look at the mould and handed me a bit of paper that just said how I should deal with condensation. It was a slap in the face, I'm trying to battle day in and day out but the mould is just destroying me.'

'I feel completely abandoned, they said if they put these air vents in it would stop it but they haven't.'

Ms Shore said a council officer's response was to hand her a piece of paper on how to deal with condensation, which she described as like 'a slap in the face'

Cambridge County Council says that a visit to the property will be carried out on February 1, with the intention to clean away any mould

A government survey suggests that damp, mould and condensation are the most commonly reported problems among social housing tenants unhappy with the maintenance and safety of their homes.

Councillor Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing, said: 'We are sorry to hear about anyone who is suffering with mould and have been working hard to raise awareness of how tenants can address these concerns - whether through reducing condensation which leads to mould, or seeking support from the council to deal with persistent problems.

'Everyone can find support on dealing with condensation and mould on our website. Go to cambridge.gov.uk and search for "condensation".

'In this instance, a previously arranged visit to the property was already scheduled for February 1, with the intention of cleaning away mould.

'In addition, on the same date, a new kitchen vent and bathroom extractor fan are scheduled for installation to address issues identified with the property.

'It is anticipated that with the remedial action undertaken, along with advice provided to the tenant on how to reduce condensation in their home, this should help to prevent the issues from reoccurring.'
On Wednesday, Poland has agreed to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition. Warsaw aims to lead in achieving a consensus among Western allies about military assistance.

Kyiv's request for heavy military vehicles, such as the German-made Leopard 2, would signal a substantial increase in Western backing for Ukraine.

Ukraine Asks for More Weapons From West

During a visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, Andrzej Duda said that a company of Leopard tanks would be sent as part of coalition building. "We desire that it be a worldwide coalition."

Typically, a firm comprises 14 tanks. Duda expressed his hope that Polish tanks and tanks from other nations will soon travel to Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Alongside Duda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a united decision was required since no nation could equip Kyiv with adequate tanks. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Saturday that Poland intended to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine when a larger alliance was formed.

The Berlin government must approve any re-export of Leopard tanks. Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his belief in the necessity of coordinating arms supply to Ukraine with partners.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the German government stated that it was unaware of any requests from its partners to transfer Leopard combat tanks to Ukraine. According to Financial Times, Britain and Poland have announced their intention to send new heavy tanks to Ukraine, increasing the pressure on Germany and other states to do the same.

Downing Street stated that the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has instructed the defense secretary, Ben Wallace, to "engage with allies" in the following weeks to "move farther and quicker with our support for Ukraine, including the deployment of tanks."

The actions of London and Warsaw will increase the pressure on Berlin to provide its tanks to Kyiv and to grant the necessary approval for other governments to re-export German-made vehicles. Ukraine requires 300 western tanks to free its region from Russian domination.

It possesses its own fleet of tanks constructed by the Soviet Union, including hundreds taken from Russian forces and T-72 vehicles given by Poland and the Czech Republic. However, spare parts and ammo are scarce. With their superior armor and firepower, Western battle tanks would provide Kyiv with new offensive capabilities.

An official of the British government stated, "We are accelerating our support for Ukraine with military technology of the next generation to help them win this war."

Britain is prepared to dispatch its formidable Challenger 2 main combat tank. It would be the first modern western tank sent to Ukraine, but most experts believe the Leopard 2 would serve Ukraine better.

Thirteen European governments operate approximately 2,000 Leopards, giving Kyiv access to a much larger pool. Germany and the United States agreed last week to send infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, which some analysts consider being the crossing of a Rubicon in terms of offensive weaponry.

France stated it would send an undefined number of AMX-10 "tank killer" armored vehicles. Officials in Paris and a few specialists classify the AMX-10 as a "light tank."

However, Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has declined to send heavy tanks out of concern that it would be perceived as a significant escalation by Moscow and may potentially draw NATO into the fight.

Scholz stated that Berlin would not act unilaterally; thus, its partners are attempting to form a coalition of nations prepared to send tanks to Ukraine. An official in Paris stated that France is contemplating joining. Scholz's coalition partners support the deployment of Leopards. The Green Party's vice-chancellor Robert Habeck said he would not rule out such a move.

Finland, one of a handful of nations holding Leopard tanks in its inventory and a potential NATO member, has stated that it will wait for a decision from Berlin or to see if other nations have moved to transfer Leopards before taking action.

Read Also: Suicide Attack Rocks Afghanistan Outside Taliban Ministry, Killing 5 People, Injuring Several Others

German-Made Leopard 2 Tanks

Poland and the United Kingdom have shifted the pressure to provide main battle tanks to Ukraine to Germany and other nations. However, a US official said that Washington had no imminent intentions to supply Abrams tanks to Ukraine, as Kyiv has requested.

Although there may still be impediments to deploying Leopard tanks to Kyiv, Ukraine applauded Duda's decision, as it has long desired the armaments to defend against Russia's continuous aggression. The Leopard-2, created in the 1970s as a primary combat tank, is armed with a 120 mm gun, among other weapons, as per Insider.

Poland's decision and the United Kingdom's thoughts coincide with a strong push by Western nations and NATO partners to provide more heavy equipment to Ukraine.

Last week, the United States, Germany, and France announced their intention to send Western-made armored vehicles to Ukraine for the first time since Russia's massive invasion, therefore enhancing Kyiv's firepower and ground combat capabilities.

In particular, the United States will offer Bradley infantry combat vehicles, while Germany and France will contribute Marder combat vehicles and AMX-10 RC vehicles.

The catastrophic war in Ukraine has become a grinding and slow-moving campaign, with fighting primarily concentrated in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Heavy armor might help potential advances as a result. US authorities have described the fighting in the region as "severe and savage."

Related Article: Ukraine War: Soldier Admits 'No One Counts the Dead' in Ukraine Town Under Heavy Attack by Russia

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The scale of the alleged torture and illegal detentions perpetrated by Russian forces in the Ukrainian region of Kherson has emerged, as Kyiv's war crimes investigators say more than a thousand citizens were abducted during Moscow's occupation.

One resident described to prosecutors having her hands forced into boiling water, her fingernails pulled out, and her faces beaten 'beyond recognition'.

Other methods of torture by Vladimir Putin's occupying soldiers have included electric shocks to genitals and other parts of the body, beatings and various forms of suffocation, according to the accounts being gathered by law enforcement.

Prisoners were also held in overcrowded cells without sanitation or sufficient food or water for periods of up to two months, some of the people said. Pictures from inside these cells and torture chambers appeared to confirm these accounts.

Oksana Minenko (pictured), a 44-year-old accountant who lives in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, said she was repeatedly detained and tortured by occupying Russian forces. The scale of alleged torture and illegal detentions perpetrated by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Kherson has emerged as investigators speak to victims in the southern city

During several interrogations in the spring, Minenko said Russian forces submerged her hands (pictured) in boiling water, pulled out her fingernails and beat her in the face with rifle butts so badly she needed plastic surgery, according to Minenko

More than a dozen alleged victims have spoken to members of Ukrainian law enforcement and international prosecutors assisting Ukraine.

Oksana Minenko, a 44-year-old accountant who lives in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, said she was repeatedly detained and tortured by occupying Russian forces.

Her husband, a Ukrainian soldier, died defending Kherson's Antonivskyi bridge on the first day of full-scale war, she said.

During several interrogations in the spring, Russian forces submerged her hands in boiling water, pulled out her fingernails and beat her in the face with rifle butts so badly she needed plastic surgery, according to Minenko.

'One pain grew into another,' said Minenko, speaking while at an improvised humanitarian aid centre in early December with scarring visible around her eyes from what she said was an operation to repair the damage. 'I was a living corpse.'

The methods of the alleged physical torture administered by occupying Russian forces have included electric shocks to genitals and other parts of the body, beatings and various forms of suffocation.

Prisoners have spoken of being held in overcrowded cells without sanitation or sufficient food or water for periods of up to two months, some of the people said. Pictured: A view from a preliminary detention centre which, as Ukrainians say, was used by Russian service members to jail and torture people, before they retreated from Kherson, Ukraine November 16, 2022

Pictured: A drawing is seen inside a school building used by occupying Russian troops as a base in the settlement of Bilozerka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson region, Dec. 2

Reuters news agency said it wasn't able to independently corroborate individual accounts shared by Minenko and other Kherson residents, but they fit with what Ukrainian authorities and international human rights specialists have said about conditions and treatment during detention.

Accounts of detainees being blindfolded and bound, subject to beatings and electric shocks and injuries, including severe bruising and broken bones, forced nudity and other forms of sexual violence, have been reporetd.

The campaign of torture 'was done systematically, exhaustingly' to obtain information about the Ukrainian military and suspected collaborators or to punish those critical of the Russian occupation, according to Andriy Kovalenko, the Kherson region's chief war crimes prosecutor.

The Kremlin and Russia's defence ministry didn't respond to Reuters' questions, including about alleged torture and unlawful detentions.

Moscow, which has said it is conducting a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, has denied committing war crimes or targeting civilians - despite overwhelming evidence to suggest otherwise.

According to the most comprehensive figures to date on the scale of alleged torture and detentions, shared by Ukraine's top war crimes prosecutor, the country's authorities have opened pre-trial investigations involving more than a thousand people in the Kherson region who were allegedly abducted and illegally detained by Russian forces during their months-long occupation.

Left: Ukrainian investigators mark Russian-language documents as evidence in a courthouse in the village of Bilozerka, and right: A garage adjacent to the courthouse where Ukrainian authorities say Russian forces were stationed and unlawfully detained civilians

A view shows a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held two months during a Russian occupation, in Kherson, Ukraine, December 10, 2022

Plastic ties for torture and a broken chair are seen inside a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held two months during a Russian occupation, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, December 10, 2022

The scale of alleged crimes in the Kherson region now emerging appears to be much greater than around the capital of Kyiv, say members of Ukrainian law enforcement, which they attribute to the fact that it was occupied for so much longer.

Ukraine's top war crimes prosecutor, Yuriy Belousov, said authorities have identified ten sites in the Kherson region used by Russian forces for unlawful detentions.

Around 200 people who were allegedly tortured or physically assaulted while held at those sites and about another 400 people were illegally held there, he said.

Ukrainian authorities say they expect the figures to grow as the investigation continues following Russia's mid-November withdrawal from Kherson city, the only regional Ukrainian capital it captured during its nearly year-long war against its Western neighbour.

Nationwide, authorities have opened pre-trial investigations into alleged unlawful detentions of more than 13,200 people, Belousov said. They have launched 1,900 probes into allegations of ill-treatment and illegal detention, he said.

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out war crimes and the West of ignoring them, including alleging that Ukrainian soldiers had executed Russian POWs.

The United Nations in November said it had found evidence that both sides had tortured prisoners of war, with a U.N. official saying Russian abuse was 'fairly systematic.'

Kyiv has previously said it would investigate any alleged abuses by its armed forces.

Minenko believes her alleged tormentors targeted her because her husband had been a soldier.

During his burial a week after his death, Russian forces turned up at the cemetery and made Minenko kneel next to his grave, firing their automatic weapons in mock execution, she said.

According to Minenko, on three occasions in March and April men in Russian military uniforms with their faces covered by balaclavas came to her home at night, interrogated her and took her into detention.

On one occasion, the men forced her to undress and then beat her while her hands were tied to the chair and her head was covered.

'When you have a bag on your head and you're being beaten, there is such a vacuum, you cannot breathe, you cannot do anything, you cannot defend yourself,' Minenko said.

Pictured: Andrii, 35-year-old, shows how he was subjected to electric shocks to his genitals and ears by occupying Russian forces, as he speaks with Reuters, in Kherson, December 9

Liudmyla Shumkova, who says she spent 54 days in Russian captivity, speaks to a war crime investigator, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kherson, December 8

Ukrainian prosecutors dust for fingerprints at a building that they say had been used as an administrative base by occupying Russian forces in Kherson city, Ukraine December 1, 2022

Moscow's February invasion of Ukraine plunged Europe into its biggest land war since World War Two.

Having begun its occupation of Kherson city in March, Russia withdrew its forces in November saying it was futile to waste more Russian blood there.

Of more than 50,000 reports of war crimes that have been registered with Ukrainian authorities, Belousov said more than 7,700 have come from the Kherson region. More than 540 civilians remain missing from the region, he added.

Some people have been taken to Russian-held territory in apparent forced deportations, including children, according to Kovalenko, the regional prosecutor.

Belousov said authorities have found more than 80 bodies, the majority of whom were civilians, with more than 50 of those people having died as a result of gunshot wounds or artillery shelling. Belousov added that hundreds of bodies of civilians had been found in other areas that Russian forces had withdrawn from.

That includes more than 800 civilians in the Kharkiv region, where investigators have had longer to probe after Ukraine retook a vast tract of territory in September.

Ukrainian authorities have also identified 25 locations in the Kharkiv region they described as 'torture camps,' according to a Jan. 2 Facebook post by Kharkiv's regional police chief, Volodymyr Tymoshko.

Some of the thousands of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces could be escalated to overseas tribunals if they are deemed sufficiently serious. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

The numbers that are emerging on the scale of alleged detentions and torture, 'point to widespread and grave criminality in Russian-occupied territory,' said British lawyer Nigel Povoas, lead prosecutor with a Western-backed team of legal specialists assisting Kyiv's efforts to prosecute war crimes.

Povoas said there appears to have been a pattern to inflict terror and suffering across Ukraine, which reinforces 'the impression of a wider, criminal policy, emanating from the leadership' to target the country's civilian population.

Andrii Kovalenko, regional war crimes prosecutor, speaks with Reuters in Kherson, Ukraine, December 11, 2022

ryna Didenko, head of Ukraine's war crimes unit for sexual violence, speaks with Reuters in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 12, 2022

A war crime prosecutor inspects a basement of an office building, where prosecutor's office says 30 people were held for two months during the Russian occupation, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, December 20, 2022

A portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at a preliminary detention centre which Ukrainians say was used by Russian service members to jail and torture people before they retreated, Kherson, Ukraine November 15, 2022

A view shows an entrance to a police station which Ukrainians say was used by Russian service members for jailing and torturing people before Russia's retreat from Kherson, November 15

One 35-year-old man from Kherson city said that during a five-day detention in August, Russian forces beat him, made him undress and administered electric shocks to his genitals and ears.

When the current hits 'it's like a ball flying into your head and you pass out,' said the man, who asked to be identified only by his first name Andriy due to fear of reprisals.

He said his captors interrogated him about Ukraine's military efforts, including the storage of weapons and explosives, because they suspected him of having links to the resistance movement. Andriy told Reuters he knew people who served in the Ukrainian military and territorial defence forces but wasn't a member himself.

One of the largest detention facilities in the region was an office building in Kherson city, according to Ukrainian authorities.

They say more than 30 people are known to have been held in just one of the rooms in the warren-like basement that was used for detention and torture during the Russian occupation. An investigation to establish the total number of people held is ongoing, authorities said.

During a December visit to the building's basement, the smell of human excrement filled the air, bricked-up windows blocked the light and lying visible were signs of what Ukrainian authorities say were tools of torture by Russian forces such as metal pipes, plastic ties for ligatures and a wire hanging from the ceiling allegedly used to administer electric shocks.

Scratched on the wall were notches, which authorities said were made by detainees possibly to count the number of days held, as well as messages. One read: 'For Her I Live.'

Another location in the city where people were allegedly interrogated and tortured was a police building that locals have referred to as 'the hole,' according to Ukrainian authorities and more than half a dozen Kherson residents Reuters spoke to.

Liudmyla Shumkova, 47, said she and her 53-year old sister were held captive at the site, on No. 3 Energy Workers' Street, for most of the more than fifty days they spent in detention this summer.

She said the Russians asked them about her sister's son because they believed he was involved in the resistance movement.

Shumkova, who works as a lawyer in the health sector, said about half a dozen people packed into a cell with just a small window for light and as little food as one meal a day. She said she wasn't physically tortured but fellow detainees were, including a female police officer she shared a cell with.

Men received particularly harsh torture, she said. 'They screamed, it was constant, every day. It could last for 2 or 3 hours.'

Pictured: A school building used by occupying Russian troops as a base in the settlement of Bilozerka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson region, December 2, 2022

Pictured: Plastic ties for torture are seen inside a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held two months during a Russian occupation, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, December 10, 2022

Propaganda newspapers are seen inside a school building that was used by occupying Russian troops as a base in the settlement of Bilozerka, in Kherson region, December 2, 2022

Investigators continue to try to identify those responsible for the alleged war crimes, including the possible role of senior military leadership.

When asked whether authorities had initiated criminal proceedings against alleged perpetrators of torture, Belousov, the war crimes chief, said more than 70 people had been identified as suspects and 30 people had been indicted.

Belousov, who didn't name the individuals, said most of the suspects are lower-ranking military officials but some are 'senior officers, in particular colonels and lieutenant colonels' as well as senior figures in pro-Russian Luhansk and Donetsk military-civilian administrations.

Representatives of the pro-Russian Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic didn't respond to questions about whether their forces were involved in unlawful detentions or torture.

The Kremlin and Russian defence ministry didn't respond to questions about alleged perpetrators.

On a cold December day in the village of Bilozerka in the Kherson region, war crimes investigators pored over a courthouse Ukrainian authorities say was used by Russian forces to detain and torture individuals as well as a nearby school that was turned into a barracks for around 300 Russian soldiers.

The now deserted school building, where walls were painted with the 'Z' symbol that has become an emblem of support for Russia in the war, was littered with debris including gas masks and medical kits, Russian literature and bullets fired into a brick wall.

Ukrainian service members speak with people in the city centre, after Russia's retreat from Kherson, Ukraine November 16, 2022

A view shows an apartment building damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kherson, Ukraine, December 1, 2022

Pictured:A local resident gestures near burned cars destroyed by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kherson, Ukraine December 1, 2022

At the courthouse, a small team of investigators dusted for fingerprints and collected DNA samples.

In an adjacent garage, they had placed numbered yellow markers to identify evidence. A desk chair lay upturned and nearby lay plastic ties littered as well as a gas mask attached to a tube and pouch for liquid, which two prosecutors said resembles improvised torture devices allegedly used by occupying Russians to create a sensation of drowning.

The Kremlin and Russian defence ministry didn't respond to questions about methods of alleged torture.
It was previously reviewed in 2018 after the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury

The Government's 'golden visa' system was used by ten Russians who have since been sanctioned and others at 'high risk' of obtaining their wealth through corruption and crime, a review revealed today.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman set out the findings after her predecessor Priti Patel shut down the Tier 1 Investor visa route last year following fears it was being exploited by Putin's cronies. More than 12,000 visas have been doled out, including 2,500 to Russians.

Those eligible for the visa, launched in 2008, needed to have at least 2million in investment funds in active and trading UK registered companies. Successful applicants were able to work or study in the UK for up to five years and apply to settle in the country after making further investments.

But the scheme was put under review over fears the system could be exploited because not enough background checks were made on applicants, amid claims by Labour former minister Chris Bryant that visas were being handed out to 'dodgy Russian oligarchs'.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman set out the findings after the Government shut down the Tier 1 Investor visa route last year amid security concerns

In a written statement to Parliament published today, Ms Braverman said the Home Office looked at 6,312 Tier 1 Investor migrants and their adult dependents who obtained visas between the scheme's launch in 2008, and the introduction of a requirement to open a regulated UK bank account before applying in 2015.

'The review of cases identified a small minority of individuals connected to the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route that were potentially at high risk of having obtained wealth through corruption or other illicit financial activity, and/or being engaged in serious and organised crime,' she said.

The Home Secretary added: 'I should stress that the work carried out only implies that a particular individual potentially poses a risk of having connections to criminality; it does not mean guilt has been proven.

What were 'golden visas'? Anyone with 2million in funds not tied up in securities or shares could apply to be granted entry for a period of up to three years and four months. Successful applicants could then asks for permanent residence should they invest a certain amount in the UK. According to workpermit.com, which provides international assistance to people seeking visas: 'Those who invest 5,000,000 or more can apply to settle after 3 years, while those who invest 10,000,000 or more may apply after 2 years. 'Investors on this visa cannot invest in any company whose main business activities involve managing, developing, or investing in property.' Advertisement

'UK law enforcement have access to this data and are taking action as appropriate under their operational remits. Information on all high-risk individuals has been discussed with the Home Office's independent operational partners and a range of actions has and is being considered, including, where appropriate, immigration action.

Ms Braverman said that 'we have already sanctioned ten oligarchs who had previously used this route as part of our extensive response to Russian aggression in the Ukraine'.

The Tier 1 visas were introduced 14 years ago by Labour in an effort to draw investment to the UK.

In 2018 home secretary Amber Rudd announced the review of the scheme after the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury.

The Home Office is 'robust in refusing leave where this is appropriate' and that the 'lessons learned' from the review, as well as the impact of reforms made to the scheme between 2014 and 2019, 'formed a significant part of evidence base on which the Government made its decision to ultimately close the route on the 17th February 2022,' Ms Braverman said.

The announcement to close the scheme came amid concerns about Moscow's influence in the UK as tensions rose over the impending conflict.

At the time, the Home Office said some cases had 'given rise to security concerns, including people acquiring their wealth illegitimately and being associated with wider corruption'.

Ms Braverman added: 'The Home Office has found that there are inherent difficulties in an investment-based immigration route based on passive wealth, both in terms of security and economic value. I am determined this Government will ensure such mistakes are not repeated.'

Setting out the 'broader systemic findings from the review', Ms Braverman said: 'The route attracted a disproportionate number of applicants from the countries identified in the UK's national risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing'.

The review 'did not find evidence of a systemic failure across financial institutions to carry out appropriate customer due diligence checks on Tier 1 (Investor) visa applicants,' she added.

Ms Braverman's predecessor Priti Patel shut down the tier 1 Investor visa route last year after fears it was being exploited by Putin's cronies

'However, there was evidence of high-risk Tier 1 (Investor) applicants seeking out and exploiting financial institutions that had the weakest customer due diligence controls. In a number of instances, financial institutions associated with multiple high-risk migrants at the time have since been issued significant fines by the Financial Conduct Authority. This has been due to the firms' handling of customer due diligence for high-risk clients in general rather than specifically for tier 1 (investor) visa applicants.'

She added: 'UK Visas and Immigration are trained immigration caseworkers, but the risks posed by this route would require specialist expertise in detecting financial criminality.

'Cases linked to historical allegations of corruption or financial crime are complex, may be based on suspicion or allegations only, and not evidenced by criminal enforcement action in the country of origin. Complex financial crimes such as corruption and embezzlement can also remain undetected for significant periods of time.'

A cell to tackle kleptocracy has also been set up at the National Crime Agency to 'investigate criminal sanctions evasion and high-end money laundering', and the Government has 'brought forward new and robust legislation to prevent corrupt elites abusing our open economy, including establishing a new, open register for overseas entities owning property in the UK,' Ms Braverman said.

Any future investment-based visa route 'must not offer entry solely on the basis of the applicant's personal wealth', the Home Secretary added.

'We are continuing to consider options to bring forward alternative provisions to support investment-based migration benefiting the UK economy on a fundamentally different model within the Innovator visa programme, placing more emphasis on the applicant's track record as an investor in innovative business and an assessment of their plans to actively engage in such activity in the UK. We will ensure any new provisions are brought forward carefully.'

The Liberal Democrats called on the review to be published in full.

Foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran said: 'This stinks of a cover-up. For years, the Conservative government promised they'd publish the golden visas review - so we can understand just how Putin's cronies have exploited this route into our country.

'After a five-year wait, they haven't even published the review - just a short statement about the review. It's farcical.

'We need to know to what extent the Government let Kremlin-linked oligarchs treat this country as their playground. If the Conservatives have nothing to hide, then they will have nothing to fear. The review must be published in full, right away.'
The NHS has been accused of 'wanting less and less' to do with patients after it advertised a series of remote-only GP roles for 85 an hour.

The work from home job offers general practitioners a three-month contract with the chance 'to provide online digital consultations' via video or phone calls to patients, with pay of just under 3,000 a week or almost 13,000 a month.

It comes amid mounting evidence that 'telemedicine', while convenient for doctors, can be 'disastrous' for some patients.

The heartbroken son of a man who died after being misdiagnosed during a remote GP appointment branded the move a 'stupid idea'.

James Dow, 61, died in his van after an ulcer on his foot ruptured following a remote GP consultation missed his symptoms

The new work from home GP role is being advertised on the NHS website with pay of 85 an hour

Postman James Dow, 61, was found dead in his delivery van in Hampshire in October 2021 after his doctor said an ulcer on his foot was gout during a telephone consultation.

The postman who died in his van after a remote GP missed his symptoms Advertisement

James' wife Nina, 54, and two sons Theo, 26, and Jamie, 23, were left devastated by the loss.

A coroner ruled that Mr Dow's death was caused by the ruptured ulcer on his foot.

An inquest heard how his GP had told him 'let's go with' a diagnosis of gout after he failed to mention discoloration and the ulcer.

His son Theo said he fears a situation like his father's could happen again if NHS medics continue to push remote consultations.

The electrician said: 'Remote appointments are a stupid idea, considering what happened to my dad.

'Since Covid, there obviously were a lot less face to face appointments - and I'm sure there were many people who weren't treated properly.

'GPs and medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients and remote appointments will mean a lower standard of care and wrong treatment.

'It seems that the NHS wants less and less involvement with their profession.'

The remote GP position is being offered by private company Medloop, described as 'an NHS digital assured provider built in collaboration with primary care practitioners to best serve practical care networks and patient needs' and advertised on the NHS jobs page.

The family and friends of Mr Dow stand with his coffin following his death in October 2021

Mr Dow's eldest son Theo, 26, (left) said 'Remote appointments are a stupid idea, considering what happened to my dad'

Over the three months offered, pay for the job would come to 38,675, assuming the doctor was paid for seven hours work a day and not eight.

If the GP worked in the role for a year, they could chalk up a whopping salary of around 154,000 - only 10,000 less than the PM's salary of 164,000.

The job description states: 'This work may include telephone triage and remote video consultation; ideal for those who are unable to attend an appointment in their own home, residential or nursing care setting.

'We are particularly focused on work in under doctored areas, helping address inequalities in healthcare across the country,' seeing around four patients an hour.

The job, which pays more than five times the average hourly wage in the UK, comes amid a crushing NHS crisis which has seen nurses and paramedics on strike over pay and mounting workloads within the crumbling health service.

A Band 5 nurse earns around 13.84 an hour, according to the website NHS pay.

Nurses are not supposed to deal with any more than eight patients at once, with all their work on-site, but the real figure is thought to be far higher due to the staffing crisis.

According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for someone working in the ambulance service is 11.92-per-hour.

Mounting data suggests that in many cases, remote care is sub-par to face-to-face consultations in.

An inquest heard how Mr Dow's GP had told him 'let's go with' a diagnosis of gout after he failed to mention discoloration and the ulcer

Mr Dow passed away while many surgeries were restricting face to face appointments due to Covid

One study from November 2021 'raised concerns that telemedicine may be over-used by the NHS and hospital management as a cost and time-saving measure, rather than being in patients' best interests'.

The research, which looked at the role of telemedicine in treating rheumatology patients, found some 93 per cent of doctors and 86 per cent of patients rated telemedicine as 'worse' than face-to-face appointments.

One of the co-authors of the study Felix Naughton from the University of East Anglia, said: 'Patients vary quite a bit in their needs and what their complaints are.

'We found basic check in and medication renewal appointments seemed quite easy for people to do over the phone, at least for most people.

'It's what you would call quite basic check-ins. There was a general feeling that these were the ones that were most convenient.

'In those sorts of circumstances, a long-term health condition that is relatively well-controlled, a remote consultation is likely to be relatively straightforward.'

However, he added: 'People with more complex conditions, or who have undiagnosed complex conditions, particularly, there are some potential risks.

'From our study with rheumatology patients who have quite complex conditions they might struggle to develop a trusting relationship with a practitioner which is really crucial for complex conditions, that there is that medical trust.

A convoy of Royal Mail vans (pictured above) took part in Mr Dow's funeral procession

'And in some cases, there were fears that it could be risky for them when they have flare ups or rapidly worsening conditions.

'There were concerns around some patients that they might not receive a quick response to an urgent request in a rapid enough time if they were only seen remotely.

'It might be that a GP might miss a key element of their condition because of the difficulty in communicating remotely as opposed to face-to-face.'

Professor Naughton said that although his work was conducted on rheumatology patients, there are also a number of concerns with people struggling with their mental health being offered remote appointments.

He said that people from low socio-economic groups might not benefit from telemedicine when it comes to mental health issues, as could the elderly or those with less understanding of technology or English might struggle to communicate digitally or over the phone.

The professor said: 'Being open and enabling patients to have a say in how they communicate and maybe a good way of ensuring that people aren't deprived as a result.'

A spokesperson for the Royal College of General Practitioners defended the role, insisting 'good, safe and appropriate care' can be delivered remotely.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'For years, GPs and our teams have delivered care and services in different ways, be it in person, over the phone, by video call, or even via text message and email.

'Greater efficient use of technology in the NHS is a good thing - and good, safe and appropriate care can be delivered remotely, and many patients prefer the convenience it offers.

'We must move away from the narrative that care delivered remotely is 'bad' whilst care delivered in person is 'good'.

'NHS general practice and different GP practices will work in different ways to ensure both appropriate in-person and remote services are available to meet the healthcare needs of their patient population - and are currently doing so in the face of intense workload and workforce pressures.'

A spokesperson for NHS England said: 'The number of face-to-face GP appointments has been steadily growing since the start of the pandemic.

'GPs have seen more people and delivered millions more appointments each month than ever before, with the latest data showing that in November the NHS delivered over 31 million GP appointments - an 18 per cent increase on November 2019.'

Medloop was contacted for comment.
The grandmother of missing four-year-old Athena Brownfield has said she is 'sick to my stomach' as police launch a desperate search for the child who was reported missing two days ago.

A postal worker discovered Athena's five-year-old sister wandering alone near their home in Cyril, Oklahoma around 2pm on Tuesday. The worker called police, and then learned that Athena was missing.

Athena's sister, identified by family members as Adina, was described as being frightened and hungry when she was found, but she did not require medical attention. It is not yet clear when each child was last seen.

Penny Brownfield, who identified herself as Athena's paternal grandmother, told local reporters that the family is trying to remain hopeful and positive.

'[I feel] heart wrenching chest pains [and] sick to my stomach,' Brownfield said. 'We just want her found and safe.'

Brownfield added that she and her son have not been in contact with Athena or her sister since their mother allegedly took off with them about a year and a half ago.

Authorities confirmed that Athena's sister is now safe in DHS custody. The search for Athena continues as it was announced that the town of Cyril postponed all trash pickup until further notice.

Police have launched a desperate search for four-year-old Athena Brownfield (pictured) who was reported missing by a postal worker after first finding the girl's sister unattended outside

Athena's grandmother Penny Brownfield said the family is trying to remain hopeful

Since the search launched on Tuesday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) have deployed infrared helicopters, four-wheelers, boats and personnel on the ground to search the surrounding area.

Brook Arbeitman, a spokesperson for the OSBI, said Wednesday that investigators are working to put together a timeline of when Athena was last seen.

She said the girl's parents are in contact with the OSBI, but would not give additional details about their whereabouts or who was responsible for Athena when she went missing.

Athena was last seen wearing a pink butterfly sweater and pink pants, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol and has 'limited verbal skills'.

An Amber Alert was not issued because the circumstances surrounding Athena's disappearance do not meet the specific guidelines required, authorities said. But a missing and endangered person alert went out Tuesday in a 15-mile radius of Cyril.

When asked if it was believed that the child was in danger, Arbeitman stated that she is a little girl out in the elements, but it is not known if she's a victim of physical harm.

'This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and right now our top priority is locating her. And sorting out who is responsible will come next. We need to find this little girl,' Arbeitman said.

'She's on her own in the elements. So, is that endangered? Yeah. But is she the victim of physical harm? That's yet to be determined.'

Athena was last seen wearing a pink butterfly sweater and pink pants, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol and has 'limited verbal skills'

Officials from several agencies, along with neighbors in the community, are scouring the area for any sign of four-year-old Athena Brownfield, who hasn't been seen since at least Tuesday

As the search continued for Athena on Thursday, it was announced that the town of Cyril has postponed all trash pickup until further notice from the OSBI

'We're still working on putting together the exact timeline. But again, I can confirm that this investigation really kicked off yesterday at 2 pm when the postal carrier located the 5-year-old and contacted the police department. And then we got involved later that night,' Arbeitman continued.

'Then, of course, all of our law enforcement partners have joined us, and we've been looking for her nonstop since the original call came into the police department.'

Authorities are asking that anyone with a residence or business in Cyril that has a video doorbell camera come to the Family Life Church and notify law enforcement.

Authorities used Oklahoma Department of Corrections dogs to assist the search, according to a report posted on Wednesday.

'Today at 4 pm, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Emergency Response Team (ERT) concluded a grid search with local volunteers. Those volunteers have been released after searching the entire town, every known vacant house and local waterways,' OSBI added in a separate statement Wednesday afternoon.

'Currently, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) has search dogs in the area and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) flew their drones over the community.'

Brook Arbeitman, with the OSBI, said investigators are working to put together a timeline of when Athena was last seen. She said the girl's parents are in contact with the OSBI

Authorities are asking that anyone with a residence or business in Cyril that has a video doorbell camera come to the Family Life Church and notify law enforcement

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation have deployed infrared helicopters, four-wheelers, boats and personnel on the ground to search the area

A map showing the town of Cyril, Oklahoma, where Athena Brownfield lives. A postal carrier called police after finding another child, later determined to be Athena's five-year-old sister, wandering alone outside near their home, which is on West Nebraska

Athena was reported missing after a postal worker found her five-year-old sister alone near their residence in Cyril, around 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.

Details regarding the property where the girls were staying are also not immediately clear and the whereabouts of the girls' parents or guardians at the time of Athena's disappearance are not known.

Residents are also encouraged to search their own property for Athena.

Fox News Digital said it is aware of social media posts regarding Athena's parents or details surrounding her living situation but the OSBI is advising people and outlets not to share unconfirmed details as it could hinder the investigation.

Anyone with information about Athena Brownfield's disappearance is asked to contact the Cyril Police Department directly at (580) 464-2216, the OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov
A British backpacker is facing the prospect of losing his leg after he suffered a horror moped crash on a Thai island.

Arron Rouse from Worcestershire was riding a scooter down a dark, isolated road to his home on the island of Koh Yao Noi on the evening of December 16 after work when he skidded and lost control.

The momentum threw him clear of the moped and he suffered a series of shocking injuries, including several broken ribs and a gaping open wound on his leg - only to find there was no one nearby to come to his rescue.

Unable to call for help, Rouse was forced to crawl for about half a mile to reach his home, where he promptly passed out.

Arron Rouse is pictured in severe pain in the back of an ambulance after crashing his moped and suffering severe leg wounds and broken ribs

Helpers tend to Rouse's wounds, attempting to strap his leg to prevent further blood loss

Rouse is facing the prospect of amputation due to a rampant infection in his leg wounds

Rescuers stretcher Rouse from his house to a nearby ambulance before ferrying him to hospital

An unresponsive Rouse was found in his room covered in blood the next morning by his cousin who immediately called emergency services.

He was rushed to Koh Yao Chaipat Hospital and later transferred to another facility better equipped to handle the extent of his horrific injuries.

Doctors are now rushing to stop a severe infection on his leg from spreading and are said to be performing preventative surgery in a last-ditch attempt to prevent amputation.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Rouse said: 'I crashed my moped in Thailand and busted up both of my legs pretty bad. I have a few ribs broken and an open wound on my leg.

'I didn't get proper treatment straight away because the hospitals in Thailand aren't the same and now it is infected and needs surgery as soon as possible otherwise the infection can get worse and I could lose my leg.'

The initial surgery was paid for by himself and his family.

Meanwhile, one of Rouse's friends based in Australia has set up a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, which he hopes will be able to cover the remaining medical bills which he cannot personally cover.

Rouse said he had a free travel insurance policy with his bank but did not activate it before his trip. He claims he needs around 5,000 GBP for further surgery.

The remains of Rouse's moped are pictured among the foliage following the crash

Doctors are now rushing to stop a severe infection on Rouse's leg from spreading and are said to be performing preventative surgery in a last-ditch attempt to prevent amputation

He added: 'I'm in quite a bit of trouble as I'm far away from home, can't work and need more money for more surgeries.'

Rouse's horrifying incident comes just days after the family of another Brit, who suffered a fractured skull in a December motorbike crash in Thailand, found his travel insurance policy did not cover him and were forced to shell out thousands for treatment.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records.

Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

But the efforts of officials are hampered by various factors including a lack of road safety education in schools, cheap loans for cars, notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws as well as endemic corruption and chronic under-investment in infrastructure.
His leadership is in question in the run up to the state election in just two months

The leadership of the New South Wales Liberal Party has been thrown into chaos. Pictured: Dominic Perrottet

The leadership of the New South Wales Liberal Party has been thrown into chaos two months out from an election after Dominic Perrottet admitted he wore a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday.

The Premier's shocking confession about the ugly secret came on the heels of a conversation with disgruntled Transport Minister David Elliott days prior, following weeks of strained relations over gaming reforms and a range of other issues.

Tensions are understood to have reached boiling point between the pair after the Premier was unable to secure Mr Elliott's preselection in his preferred seat after the abolishment of his Baulkham Hills electorate.

The bitter fallout prompted Mr Elliott in October to announce his retirement from politics. He will serve up until the NSW state election on March 25.

Liberal sources told The Australian Mr Elliott was not behind the rumours about the Nazi uniform but told Mr Perrottet about it to 'protect him'.

But others within the embattled party labelled the move an 'internal hit job' to damage the Premier and destabilise his leadership.

One source told the Sydney Morning Herald the 'worst was yet to come,' as fears rage that Swastika-laden photographs from the party have been circulating among political elites for some time.

Mr Perrottet's shocking confession about the ugly secret came on the heels of a conversation with disgruntled Transport Minister David Elliott (pictured together) days prior, following weeks of strained relations over gaming reforms and a range of other issues.

Poll Should Dominic Perrottet be dumped as premier? Yes No Unsure Should Dominic Perrottet be dumped as premier? Yes 273 votes

No 545 votes

Unsure 42 votes Now share your opinion





Shortly after his emotional press conference on Thursday, where Mr Perrottet apologised for the 'terrible mistake', he visited the Jewish Museum in Sydney to meet with leaders.

The now 40-year-old also spoke to Jewish leaders earlier in the day.

'I expressed to them how painful I know this must be for the community ... and I'll do everything I can to make this good to the Jewish community and all communities across NSW who will be hurt by what I did,' he told 2GB.

After leaving the museum where he again apologised, he renewed his vow to use his position to ensure others do not repeat his mistake.

'I will continue to strive to make sure people right across Australia understand the horrors of the past,' the premier said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen with four of their six children

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said they hoped the incident would 'serve as a lesson' and reminder of the 'abhorrent nature of the Nazi regime'.

'We appreciate that the Premier personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and sincere regret about his poor choice of costume as a young man,' their statement read.

'The Premier has been a staunch supporter and friend of the NSW Jewish community throughout his time in public life. In particular, as Treasurer, he ensured the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure that it could continue educating the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.

'The Premier has acknowledged this, recognising that wearing the costume was offensive and will distress many in our community.'

The Premier revealed he had worn the black Nazi uniform with a Swastika to the party in 2003 after a colleague flagged the issue with him earlier this week after rumours circulated about a compromising photograph.

'It was a terrible mistake, I was naive and I did not understand the whole situation and the impact that my actions would take and importantly the hurt that this would cause across our state,' he told reporters.

Mr Perrottet (pictured on his wedding day with wife Helen) said he had spoken to Jewish community leaders before Thursday's press conference

He said he has tried to make up for that mistake.

'My experience in life, I've become a very passionate supporter of Jewish people. I've understood first-hand and lived experiences through the people I've spoken to,' he said.

'Who I am today is formed by the good things I've done in my life, not the mistakes I've made.'

When asked during the radio interview whether he had been prompted to reveal the truth after learning of the rumours, Mr Perrottet did not deny that being the case.

'In some ways that's probably fair commentary, but ... I've grappled with (it) for some time and there are a number of times during my political career where I thought of raising it.

Shortly after making the shocking announcement, Perrottet arrived at the Jewish museum in Sydney to meet with leaders

'There's been certain moments, certain events where I've thought of raising it, and I didn't and I should have.

'But today I did and whether [a photo] exists or it doesn't, what I know is that I did.'

Former Labor Premier Bob Car slammed the Premier's actions.

'I learnt Nazis were genocidal racists through history at a state high school, books from a mobile library and productions like Rise and Fall,' he shared on Twitter.

'With a private school and heaps of privilege, how did young Perrottet miss out? Verdict: he is now unelectable.'
Waitrose has mysteriously axed all Warburtons' products including its much-loved crumpets sparking fury amongst customers who today vowed to shop elsewhere.

The baker, run by pro-Brexit Jonathan Warburton, sells 124million of the griddled teatime treats in the UK annually but these and other breads were all pulled from the supermarket's shelves last year.

Sales of crumpets in the UK are up ten per cent year-on-year, but mysteriously Waitrose has axed its deal with the country's biggest producer, Warburtons, at a time when the supermarket's own crumpet sales reportedly fell by 15 per cent.

The supermarket has said the baker's 'performance didn't meet their expectations'. Warburtons said: 'Consumers recognise the quality. We would of course love to be back on their shelves in the future.'

The row has divided customers. Fans of the popular brand declared they would shop elsewhere to find their favourite crumpets, while others said they preferred Waitrose own-brand anyway.

This move by the food store has been seen as an insult and grave error by the workers who produce Britains favourite crumpets to a family recipe that dates back 30 years.

And Brexiteers claimed the middle-class supermarket's decision 'must be' because its owner backed Britain leaving the EU while Remainers seized upon the row, declaring: 'Warburtons supported Brexit, made this country suffer. It's only fair now they suffer'.

Robert De Niro starring in an advert with chairman of the baking business, Jonathan Warburton, who said Brexit would be good for Britain. Waitrose has pulled all its products over 'performance'

This Waitrose customer says he will be shopping elsewhere, namely Sainsbury's

One social media user was among those who insisted Brexit was a factor

Another customer said that they 'completely disagree' with the decision

Jonathan Warburton: Fifth generation Bolton baker who's built his family firm into Britain's biggest bakery brand Bakery boss Jonathan Warburton in one of their ads Warburton's began in 1876 when Ellen Warburton started making bread in the grocery shop she ran with her husband, Thomas, in Bolton. The current chairman, Jonathan, is in the fifth generation of the family and has held the position of chairman since 2001. The 65-year-old began his career at other businesses, including consumer goods giant Unilever, before joining the family firm aged 23. In 1991 he gained full control of the business along with his cousins, Brett and Ross, after their fathers retired. As chair, he's been credited with overseeing the company's transition into the nation's biggest bakery brand. According to a company biography, he's a keen skier and golfer, and has four children with his wife, Kim. In 2021, he achieved unlikely fame when he appeared in an advert alongside George Clooney. Other stars to have appeared in the company's ads include Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro. Advertisement

Ian Hodson, president of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, which represents many of Warburtons 5,000 staff criticised the move.

The people who work for Warburtons work to the highest level to create a product that is always rated as number one in the industry, he said.

I know our members who work there would be disappointed in Warburtons treatment by Waitrose. I think its a grave error.

I think shoppers have said in the way they continuously buy Warburtons that they are in favour of their products. Warburtons crumpets are the best on the market, in my opinion.

I would defend what Warburtons thousands of workers are doing at sites around the country. They are an incredibly hard-working people and they dont deserve their treatment by Waitrose, he said.

Speaking outside Warburtons bakery and head office in Bolton, one worker, who would only give his first name of Josh, said: Waitrose obviously has ideas above its station. They must think they are too posh for our crumpets.

A colleague, who would only give his first name, Paul, said: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of our crumpets.

The crumpet and its flatter predecessor, the pikelet, are thought to have been a staple of the British diet since the 1600s.

And while they are most popularly eaten slathered with butter for breakfast, many add far more exotic toppings from honey to posh cheeses, Continental hams and smashed avocado.

Warburtons insisted there can be no question about the quality of its crumpets, which tend to be slightly thicker than rivals.

A source said: We know for sure it had nothing to do with taste and quality.

The Warburtons name is one of the most famous in the UK! There must be another reason why theyve stopped selling them which we are not being told about.

One customer tweeted Waitrose to say: 'I completely disagree with your decision to delist @Warburtons products. Their excellent crumpets are a nation's favourite'. But another pointed out: 'There MUST be a Brexit angle to this, surely?' One more customer said: '@waitrose having a spat with @Warburtons - will be shopping at Sainsbury's then. Ain't doing without!'

Critics have raised the politics of the Bolton bakery's owner, who after the 2016 Brexit referendum declared: 'Brexit is a very good thing to have happened'.

Mr Warburton, who stars in its adverts alongside George Clooney, Robert De Niro and The Muppets, also agreed the company could make a 25,000 donation to the Conservative Party in 2010.

Some have vowed to boycott Waitrose completely over a row rumbling on for a year that is reminiscent of a 2022 dispute between Tesco and Heinz that saw baked beans and ketchup disappear from the shelves.

One social media user shared a Waitrose post from 2022, they claim has been deleted. The post says that fewer Warburtons products were being stocked because other products were more popular.

Waitrose has been bombarded with messages on social media about why Warburtons' bread and associated products are no longer on offer.

MailOnline has asked both Waitrose and Warburtons to comment.

Sources on both sides said it was for commercial reasons, not Britain leaving the EU.

But some Remainers have delighted in the decision - having campaigned for Waitrose and other supermarkets to stop stocking Warburtons due to its Brexit-backing boss.

One said: 'This is totally deserved. Warburtons supported Brexit, made this country suffer. It's only fair now they suffer as much or more than the rest of us for it. Their customers have spoken. #RejoinEU'.

Another tweeted: 'I'm delighted to read that have withdrawn all Warburtons products from its shelves as they were 'below expectations'. Mind you, I'd prefer that they weren't stocked at all, as Warburtons were brexit supporters'.

One remainer said sarcastically: 'That would be the same Warburtons that supports Brexit? What a shame'.

Waitrose this weekend claimed that Warburtons' 'performance didn't meet our expectations', in a rebuke which caused the bakery's chairman Jonathan Warburton to call the removal of his products from the shelves of stores across the country 'a shame'.

One Twitter user shared this post from Facebook, claiming it was deleted, where Waitrose said 'other brands are proving more popular'

Remainers celebrated the decision because the boss of Warburtons supported Brexit

Others begged for their favorites to return

Dame Sharon White: Pioneering businesswoman voted Britain's most influential black person who chairs the John Lewis Partnership - Waitrose's ultimate owner Sharon White chairs the John Lewis Partnership, which is the owner of Waitrose The John Lewis Partnership - which owns Waitrose - appointed Sharon White as the first ever female chairwoman in its 157-year history in 2019. White left her job as chief executive of Ofcom to take over from former chairman of the retailer Sir Charlie Mayfield at the beginning of 2020. Cambridge-educated Ms White was the first black person to become Permanent Secretary to the Treasury. In interviews she's recalled how - when she began there in the 90s - the only other black women were 'cleaning loos'. Ms White is married to Robert Chote, who is Chair of the UK Statistics Authority and The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, with whom she has two children. The couple have been repeatedly dubbed 'Mr and Mrs Treasury'. The mother-of-two was rumoured to be in the running to become the next Governor of the Bank of England, a 480,000-a-year role. After becoming Second Permanent Secretary in 2013, The Voice named Ms White as the seventh most powerful black person in Britain. She was born to Jamaican immigrant parents and was brought up in Leyton, east London, where she went to a state secondary school. Ms White graduated from Cambridge with an economics degree before studying for her Master's at University College London. Recently, she's complained about the John Lewis Group's lagging performance and warned staff may lose their bonus. Advertisement

Shoppers have express their anger and demanded the products return to their shelves, claiming that own brand crumpets and rival Hovis' are not to the same standard.

The supermarket still holds products from Buckinghamshire-based Hovis, Warburton's biggest competitor.

It leaves Waitrose isolated among top grocers, with rival supermarket chains Tesco and Sainsbury's still stocking Warburtons products.

It is likely to heap pressure on Waitrose boss James Bailey, who has struggled to prevent the supermarket losing ground to rivals.

Areport found Waitrose's share of the grocery market at the end of December had fallen to 4.7 per cent from 5.1 per cent a year earlier.

A Warburtons spokesperson told MailOnline: 'At Warburtons quality is paramount. We put an awful lot of care into the 2million products we bake and deliver to over 19,000 stores across the country every single day.

'We know that consumers recognise the quality, and value of our products and that is why we are the number one bakery brand in the UK.

'It is a shame that Waitrose chose to delist us last year and we would of course love to be back on their shelves in the future.'

A Waitrose spokesman said: 'We stopped selling Warburtons products a year ago after their performance didn't meet our expectations.

'We focus on fantastic products at great value that our customers love and we remain open to working with Warburtons in the future.'

Reacting to the move, furious shoppers tweeted: 'Oh gosh @waitrose - please don't let @Warburtons go. They've always been delicious whenever I've bought them #crumpets'.

Another said: '@waitrose I completely disagree with your decision to delist @Warburtons products. Among others their excellent crumpets are a Nation's favourite & their Wholemeal ''no added sugar'' sliced loaf is perfect, just two examples of their superior quality products. Please reconsider'.

A third tweeted: '@Warburtons @Waitrose sorry to hear about your falling out with Waitrose - I'm going to miss your products'.

Warburtons was founded by Thomas Warburton in 1876 and is based in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

For much of its history Warburtons only had bakeries in Lancashire and it remains a family-owned company.

The company - which currently employs almost 5,000 members of staff - embarked on a large expansion program in the late 1990s which continued in the 2000s and it has grown across the UK after being relatively unheard of outside the Bolton and Manchester area.

Waitrose said: 'We stopped selling Warburtons products a year ago after their performance didn't meet our expectations. We focus on fantastic products at great value that our customers love and we remain open to working with Warburtons in the future.'

The supermarket product wars that have divided customers Heinz vs Tesco Last year, Tesco pulled Heinz baked beans and ketchup from its shelves across the UK. The US food manufacturer had paused the supply of its items in a row that raised questions over who should bear the biggest cost in the current economic climate. Tesco had said it 'will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers'. In a joint statement, the companies said: 'Tesco and Heinz are pleased to have reached an agreement that will see the full range of Heinz products return to Tesco shelves and online, continuing to offer our customers great value on the nation's favourite Heinz varieties. 'Lorries full of Heinz products including Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Heinz Beanz will hit the road shortly, and Tesco colleagues will be working hard to ensure shelves are filled again over the coming days.' Marmite vs Tesco In 2016, Tesco axed a range of Unilever products from its shelves, including Marmite. Tesco fought moves by Unilever to raise its prices in the UK to compensate for the sharp drop in the pound's value. Unilever's finance chief said such price increases are a 'normal' reaction to shifts in currency values. A deal was reached within 24 hours of that row going public after the share price of both companies fell. Colgate vs Tesco Also last year, Colgate began disappearing from Tesco shelves after a similar fall-out with US consumer products giant Colgate-Palmolive. Advertisement

Last year it was Britain's sixth biggest food and beverage brand, ahead of McVities, Birds Eye and Pepsi, according to consultancy Nielsen.

In recent years, it has tried to stem the drop in sales from its packaged bread products with new bagel and wrap categories.

Famously, it hired US actor Robert De Niro to appear as the mafia-style Bagel Boss for its advertising.

Others such as George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, the Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, and Peter Kay have also been given starring roles.

The row between Waitrose and Warburtons is likely to draw parallels betwen the spat between Tesco and Heinz last year, when Heinz baked beans and ketchup were pulled from the shelves after attempts by the US brand to increase prices were ignored by the supermarket.

Jars of Marmite were pulled from Tesco shelves in 2016 as the supermarket resisted an attempt by Unilever to raise wholesale prices.
Thousands of passengers are facing a second day of travel headaches today thanks to the failure of an FAA computer system that led to a two-and-a-half-hour ground stop yesterday, the first since 9/11.

The NOTAM system is now fixed after FAA officials found a corrupted file in its database.

The same corrupted file was also found in its backup system, which led the FAA to enforce a ground stop on all planes across America out of an abundance of caution.

Now, flights have resumed but the hangover from the pause is clear; 577 flights have already been delayed and 74 have been canceled.

Passengers exit a bus at Terminal 2 as they wait for the resumption of flights at O'Hare International Airport after the Federal Aviation Administration

That number is expected to rise throughout the day as airlines and airport staff scramble to make up for yesterday's lost time.

As they work to appease frustrated passengers on the ground, the FAA, Department of Transportation and specifically Secretary Pete Buttigieg are facing tough questions about how the chaos could have come about in the first place.

Experts say it's down to an antiquated system - that was in desperate need of an overhaul - finally buckling.

According to a source cited by CNN on Thursday, the problem was first detected at 3pm on Tuesday.

FAA staff eventually identified a corrupt file in the sysyetm that caused it to fail.

They do have a backup system that was implemented - but the corrupted file was also found in that system.

In an effort to solve the issue during the quietest flying period of the day, they rebooted the system.

But it took longer to come back online than expected, which ultimately led to the ground stop, the source said.

The fact that the backup system also failed shows how outdated the DoT's tech is.

Yesterday, Buttigieg said the incident would serve as a 'data point' for the next budget. But many are blaming the fiasco on him.

The grounding was the result of an overnight failure of its NOTAM system, which is used by pilots to access flight plans and communicate with air traffic control, and is used to warn other pilots of hazards along flight paths such as runway closures, equipment outages and construction, bringing flights to a temporary halt.

FAA officials said a preliminary review traced the problem to a damaged database file, but adding there was no evidence of a cyberattack and the investigation was continuing.

More than 11,300 flights were delayed or canceled on Wednesday in the first national grounding of domestic traffic in about two decades, since 9/11

The same file corrupted both the main system and its backup, said people familiar with the review, who asked not to be identified.

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, said the panel would investigate. Republican Senator Ted Cruz called the failure 'completely unacceptable.'

'The modernization of the FAA will be expensive, and will be paid for through a combination of taxes on air travel that affect all carriers and efficiencies by larger airlines,' brokerage Bernstein said in a note.

Arjun Garg, former FAA chief counsel and acting deputy administrator, said that it was premature to draw any conclusions about the event, but that the agency was right to ground flights if a safety system was not operational.

Garg, now a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, said the incident was a reminder that the FAA was subject to an annual appropriation cycle, making it difficult to plan and execute major multiyear projects such as air traffic control upgrades.

'The health of that agency and its ability to deliver on its mission really is important,' he said in an interview. 'It's a high-profile matter.'

The FAA has been without a permanent administrator since March.

The Senate has not held a hearing on President Joe Biden's pick to head the agency, Denver International Airport Chief Executive Phil Washington.

He was re-nominated last week.
Maddi's family managed to raise 75,000 to bring her home with specialist team

A British beauty therapist 'may never walk again' after she fell 60ft from a second-floor balcony while on holiday in Thailand.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, from Coventry, was paralysed from the waist down after falling from a hotel balcony on New Year's Eve on the island of Ko Pha-Ngan.

Maddi's family have managed to raise 75,000 to bring her back to the UK with a specialist team after they discovered her travel insurance did not cover the cost of transporting her home.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, (pictured) from Coventry, was paralysed from the waist down after falling from a hotel balcony on New Year's Eve on the island of Ko Pha-Ngan

Maddi's family have managed to raise 75,000 to bring her back to the UK with a specialist team after they discovered her travel insurance did not cover the cost of transporting her home. Pictured: Maddi's mother Karen lying next to her daughter in hospital

Maddi had been spending New Year's Eve with her partner and friends in Ko Pha-Ngan when she fell 60ft from the hotel balcony.

The 21-year-old suffered a broken back, two collapsed lungs and her liver had been pierced by her ribs following the fall.

Her mother, Karen Moseley-Neale, told the BBC: 'Before the accident, I was on FaceTime to Maddi. An hour later, we got a phone call from her partner and all I could hear is Maddi screaming in the background and the sirens blaring.'

Karen and Maddi's father, Jamie Shankster, flew to Thailand to be at their daughter's bedside and speak with doctors and officials from the British embassy.

The parents now fear Maddi 'may never walk again' after the devastating fall.

'Since the fall we are now coping with the realisation that potentially Maddi may never walk again,' her family said. 'After the fall Maddi was left on the floor for 40 minutes helpless until an ambulance finally arrived.'

Maddi was rushed to hospital where surgeons performed surgery on the 21-year-old's back. Her condition has improved significantly over the past week.

Speaking about Maddi's condition, Karen said: 'She's really well in herself, she's sitting up, she's certainly found her sense of humour. She's actually lucky to be here only for the grace of God and the surgeons.'

The family set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money to cover the costs of Maddi's medical costs and her journey back to the UK with a specialist team.

They have managed to raise over 75,000 so far, surpassing their original target of 73,500. The family said any additional money raised would be donated to charity.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, from Coventry, was paralysed from the waist down after falling from a hotel balcony (pictured) on New Year's Eve on the island of Ko Pha-Ngan

Maddi (pictured) had been spending New Year's Eve with her partner and friends in Ko Pha-Ngan when she fell 60ft from the hotel balcony

The money will go towards flying out a specialist team to Thailand with all of the necessary medical equipment to fly her home safely.

Maddi's family said her lungs are not stable enough to fly without special ICD drains, which help drain excess fluid.

The family wrote on the Go Fund Me page: 'To fly without ICD drains the nurses have advised us we will not be able to fly home for one whole year.

'This is not an option, every single minute here is time taken away from her rehabilitation at home and chance to get the right help to encourage walking again.

'To put it in black and white - ICD drains require a whole medical team at a high cost but no ICD drains means we can't fly home for 12 months. Any donations will only go on medication and transfer costs.'

The family have since raised over 75,000 after 1,500 people donated to their fundraising page.

'We can't thank everyone enough for their generosity, well wishes and support. We are eternally grateful,' Karen said.

The mother urged anyone travelling abroad to check their insurance cover carefully so that they don't end up in the same position.

Karen said: 'Maddi took holiday insurance while in Thailand for 10,000 baht (247). She thought it was 10,000... I'd hate for anybody to be in this position.'
In a message to parents, the college asked parents to be 'vigilant'

The man allegedly said 'mum sent me' as he tried to get the child into his car

Parents have been told to be 'vigilant' after a report was received of a man who tried to persuade a child to get into his car.

The man allegedly tried to lead the petrified child to into his car as he told the youngster 'mum sent me'.

Staff at Bodmin College, in Bodmin, Cornwall, were told by police to warn parents of the incident.

While it is unclear where the incident took place, the college is located on Lostwithiel Road.

Staff at Bodmin College (pictured), in Bodmin, Cornwall, were told by police to warn parents of the incident

While it is unclear where the incident took place, the college is located on Lostwithiel Road

In a message to parents shared by The Sun, Bodmin College said: 'The police have notified us that they have received a report of a male approaching a child in the Bodmin area and asking them to get into their car.'

It then goes on to say that the man claimed to have been sent by the mother of the child to pick them up.

The message finishes by asking parents to be 'vigilant' and urging them to remind their children of safety procedures.
US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro expressed concern on Wednesday that maintaining military assistance for Ukraine would be a significant challenge if manufacturers do not improve weapon production during the upcoming months.

The Navy official made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the Surface Navy Association conference in Arlington, Va. when Del Toro was asked by journalists to react to statements made by Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of US Fleet Forces Command, in which he said that the US Navy could eventually choose whether to equip itself or provide Ukraine weapons.

"We're talking about war-fighting, national security, and going against a competitor here and a potential adversary [China] that is like nothing we've ever seen," Caudle remarked, noting that the US cannot be "dilly-dallying around" with the supplies, per the New York Post.

While acknowledging that the US Navy isn't "quite there yet," Del Toro suggested that the production process would be strained if the fight continues for another six months, according to Fox News.

Del Toro remarked, "It's evident that... these firms have a large pipeline for the future." He added that the manufacturers need to improve their workforce and capital investments to increase their output as the Russia-Ukraine war continues.

Del Toro Clarifies Statement Later On

Military One reports that Caudle lambasted defense corporations for attributing the COVID-19 epidemic to missed weapons delivery deadlines amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Del Toro later clarified that the Department of Defense has been engaging "very, very closely" with the industry to urge them to find out what hurdles or impediments they face so they can boost their output.

(1/5) To clarify earlier comments from the Secretary:



"If the conflict does go on for another six months to another year, it certainly continues to stress the supply chain in ways that are challenging.  Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (@SECNAV) January 11, 2023

Up to this point, Congress has approved roughly $100 billion for Ukraine weapons. Some Republican legislators have responded to the large amount by calling for more transparency in the use of taxpayer funds.

Read Also: Suicide Attack Rocks Afghanistan Outside Taliban Ministry, Killing 5 People, Injuring Several Others

The White House and the Department of Defense have been meeting with defense sector executives for months to discuss ways to increase production. President Biden signed into law in October a section of the Security Manufacturing Act of 1950 that permits the US to back private-sector loans "to expand and accelerate the domestic production capability" of crucial weapons and equipment for national defense.

Pres. Joe Biden, at that time, determined "that action is necessary to increase the production capacity of material critical to support the defense against adversarial aggression and that a shortfall in this area would severely impair national defense capability."

US Already Spent Billions For Ukraine Military Aid

Despite spending over $2.6 billion between May and October 2022, the Post reported in November that the United States is still "multiple years" away from being completely rearmed with the essential weapons and equipment it had previously sent to Ukraine.

Before the US visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in December, US officials reported that Ukraine would get $1.8 billion in military help, including a Patriot missile battery and precision-guided bombs for fighter aircraft, PBS reported.

Ukraine's air defenses have been under increased attack from Russian missiles, so the United States is sending more modern equipment to the nation as part of its help package, according to the sources.

Zelenskyy and other Ukraine authorities have asked Western governments for modern weaponry, including Patriots, to fight off Russia weapons.

Related Article: UK, Poland Set To Send Ukraine with Leopard Tanks as Kyiv Urges Western Allies To Provide Heavy Armor Amid Russia's Military Shakeup

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Hunter Biden flattered Kevin McCarthy's mother at the White House state dinner last month and claimed to be 'friends' with the GOP leader.

'Mrs. McCarthy, you look beautiful,' Hunter said to Roberta McCarthy, according to the interaction detailed by The New York Times in a Wednesday report.

President Joe Biden's controversy-ridden son and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden reportedly approached McCarthy, who had invited his mother as his guest to the State Dinner honoring Emmanuel Macron on December 1.

'I'm a friend of your son's,' the president's 52-year-old son added with a smile, a person who was present said in describing the quick exchange.

The two ran into each other since they were among the few first guests to arrive at the dinner last month. They shook hands before Hunter's off comment to McCarthy's mother.

New details emerged Wednesday regarding an interaction between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Hunter Biden at the State Dinner last month where the president's son told the GOP Leader's mother, she 'looked beautiful' and 'I'm a friend of your son's'

At the time of the dinner, Republicans had won a majority in the House  and McCarthy had vowed to make good on a promise to launch investigations into Hunter and his father.

McCarthy's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the brief run-in with Hunter.

Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the freshly installed chair of the powerful House Oversight Committee told ABC News that 'with respect to this Biden family influence peddling, this is an issue of national security. We're concerned that the millions of dollars that the Biden family received from our adversaries in China and Russia could potentially compromise this White House.'

The State Dinner last month was the first of Biden's presidency. Former President Donald Trump's first of two State Dinners also honored French President Macron.

While the brief interaction was known, the details of their conversation had not yet been reported.

A Washington Post article last month reported that some people who witnessed the interaction felt it to be a 'classic Biden-style moment of trying to charm an adversary.'

Hunter Biden skipped the press line, but was pictured mingling with guests at the White House State Dinner on December 1

Hunter has a growing list of lawyers and advisers as his list of alleged crimes continues to also grow. He is preparing a dream team to defend him against impending probes by the new GOP-led House.

The latest is that Hunter could soon face charges for making false deductions on his tax returns.

The Times detailed that a Chinese business associate of Hunter's asked him for advice on the FBI because a colleague was being investigated. Charges could be imminent, according to the report, in part due to allegations of $30,000 in tax deductions that he claims were for business deductions.

President Joe Biden's first State Dinner last month honored French President Emmanuel Macron

The president's son, 52, is facing questions over his tax affairs and a 2018 gun purchase

Hunter has been in the crosshairs of the Delaware U.S. attorney David Weiss since at least 2020.

He could also face charges over his October 2018 purchase of a .38 caliber handgun after he falsely affirmed that he was not addicted to drugs, which he was at the time.

Photos from Hunter's laptop - left at a Wilmington, Delaware repair shop - show the president's son in a series of compromising positions from that time, including with a crack pipe hanging out of his mouth.

David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, could soon be pressing charges against Hunter for tax evasion, The Times reported

Hunter's lawyers have provided the Justice Department with evidence claiming the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware has never brought a stand-alone gun charge for lying about drug use.

Prominent criminal defense lawyer Chris Clark has been dealing with the Justice Department investigation.

Hunter also recently hired the high-profile Washington lawyer Abbe Lowell to deal with the impending congressional investigations.
The husband of missing Massachusetts Mother-of-three Ana Walshe was wearing an ankle tag without GPS equipped  simply notifying authorities when he left home.

Brian Walshe, 47, was on house arrest after pleading guilty to fraud charges linked to an art scam in 2018.

He had been fitted with the device, which informs probation when he leaves the property  but not where he is going.

His wife Ana has been missing for 12 days, after vanishing on New Year's Day when she reportedly left her home at 6am to catch a flight  which she never got on.

The search for the 39-year-old real estate executive continues, with experts in location monitoring bracelets saying it is not unusual for the devices to not have GPS  and only use radio waves.

Walshe's bracelet only uses a radio frequency that alerts authorities that he left home, but does not specify exactly where he went.

Brian Walshe, 47, was on house arrest after pleading guilty to fraud charges linked to an art scam in 2018. He had been fitted with the device, which informs probation when he leaves the property  but not where he is going

Defense attorney J.W Carney told WBZ-TV: Let's say it's a release for an hour and a half. As long as he's back at the end of the hour and a half they generally let it slip by.

'Let's say for example a person passes a hardware store on the way back from dropping the kids off at school and he goes in and buys a couple of things.

'Generally, that won't be something that will get the probation officer's attention.'

Walshe is currently being held on a $500,000 bond after pleading not guilty to a charge of misleading investigators in relation to his wife's disappearance.

He was put on house arrest after pleading guilty to selling fraudulent Andry Warhol paintings to a friend, with court papers outlining conditions of house arrest stating: 'you are restricted to residence at all times except for activities pre-approved by the probation office.'

Boston attorney Phil Tracey added that home confinement can mean that a person can never leave home, but in many cases they are given permission to leave on a limited basis.

Prosecutors say that Walshe lied about going to Home Depot, where he spent $450 on cleaning supplies, and was caught on surveillance.

Defense attorney J.W Carney said that offenders who leave their homes and are required to give their whereabouts are often given an 'hour and a half' leniency

He was put on house arrest after pleading guilty to selling fraudulent Andry Warhol paintings to a friend, with court papers outlining conditions of house arrest stating: 'you are restricted to residence at all times except for activities pre-approved by the probation office'

Ana was last seen at their home in Cohasset, pictured, in the early hours of New Year's Day after the couple threw a party

Walshe is currently being held on a $500,000 bond after pleading not guilty to a charge of misleading investigators in relation to his wife's disappearance

HOW DO ANKLE TAGS WORK? The bracelets are fitted by authorities and have two different ways of working. A GPS device allows the tracking and monitoring of a person's exact whereabouts - and are usually reserved for the most serious offenders. GPS devices may have a second one installed in their home to determine how far they can travel from the property. If they leave the 'fencing' then an alert will be sent to the corrections department with their exact location. These monitors can also track the speed of a person's movement or when they stop at a location for a length of time. Walshe was fitted with a radio frequency electronic monitor, which instead transmits a signal immediately to the parole officer when it leaves a specific area. It is usually used for those under house arrest. The tech uses radio waves that communicate between a worn monitoring device and a secondary device in the home. The secondary device acts as a tether in the home and will send an alert to a corrections officer if the person under surveillance leaves the property. It does not have the ability to show where they have gone like the GPS version. Advertisement

Tracey said: 'You can be on a bracelet and go to church, go to your doctor, you can go to the grocery store those are all exemptions and sometimes you have to call in ahead of time.

'I don't think they had a fear that he was up to nefarious activity. It wouldn't raise that much of a red flag.'

It comes after new footage was discovered by authorities of Walshe accessing a dumpster less than half a mile away from his mother's property in Swampscott.

Sources say Massachusetts State Police obtained the video of Walshe at the dumpster hours after his wife disappeared on New Year's Day.

The garbage bin is located on Paradise Road, with a camera near a Whole Foods' Market  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother.

Walshe told authorities during his interview that he had done some shopping for his mother on New Year's Day at the supermarket and CVS  which is across the street from her home.

Authorities hauled away several dumpsters from his mother's complex as part of the investigation and searched its contents at a transfer station in Peabody.

They searched several more dumpsters while at the transfer station  which has a compactor  and discovered a hacksaw, hatches, parts of a rug, used cleaning supplies and bloody trash bags.

Officials announced that they had discovered blood in the basement of the Walshe family home in Cohasset along with a bloody knife which was damaged.

Walshe pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of misleading the investigation, but has yet to be charged with anything else in connection to his wife's disappearance.

He was also seen at a juice bar ordering three children's smoothies and two large ones on January 2, the day after Ana disappeared. The couple has three sons, believed to be aged two, four, and six.

The couple hosted a New Year's Eve party, with friends saying that there was 'no indication of anything' in the hours before Ana vanished.

Ana had been sitting on a barstool in their kitchen, texting her friends during the meal and party  appearing in good spirits.

Walshe was caught on surveillance footage at a dumpster near a liquor store just a five-minute walk from his mother's apartment in Swampscott  where police impounded several dumpsters.

Officials announced that they had discovered blood in the basement of the Walshe family home in Cohasset along with a bloody knife which was damaged

Walshe was fitted with a radio frequency electronic monitor, which instead transmits a signal immediately to the parole officer when it leaves a specific area. It is usually used for those under house arrest

The couple had been staying in separate homes, with Ana commuting to DC for work and staying in their $1.4million property there.

They met after Ana moved from Belgrade, Serbia, aged 25 while she was working at the Wheatleigh Hotel in the Berkshires.

She met him after she cleaned his apartment, with Walshe becoming her second husband after she split with Mark Kripp.

Ana's mother Milanka Ljubicic told DailyMail.com that she can't believe that Walshe has anything to do with her daughters' disappearance.

She admitted that there was some strain on their marriage because her daughter had to spend so much time away in DC and Walshe was on house arrest.

The real estate executive for Tishman Speyer was also the manager of a building luxury Washington DC building where two fake Homeland Security agents lived, DailyMail.com revealed.

She was reported missing by her employers on January 4, with her husband failing to raise the alarm to officials.

Police were also seen in the parking lot of an apartment complex where Walshes mother lives, with dumpsters being hauled away with a police escort to the transfer station in Peabody to be searched

Sources say Massachusetts State Police obtained the video of Walshe at the dumpster hours after his wife disappeared on New Year's Day

On Monday, it was revealed that Brian had searched the internet for 'how to dispose of a 115-pound woman's body'.

Officers also confirmed that Walshe had purchased $450 worth of cleaning supplies in Home Depot  with prosecutors saying he lied to authorities when he said he didn't leave home.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Walshe was also facing the prospect of 30 months in prison for the alleged theft of money from his estranged father's estate  as well as breaking into his property and destroying his will after his death.

It is unclear if his wife was aware of the allegations being made by his family, with a friend of his father Dr Thomas Walshe say he tried to manipulate him after a stroke  which led to Walshe being cut out of the will.

Legal documents show Walshe asked for a key to the family's $710,000 beachfront property in Hull, Massachusetts.

The Washington D.C. home of Ana and Brian Walshe worth upwards of $1.4million in the Chevy Chase area of the city

Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed that a number of items were recovered from the Peabody transfer station after they sifted through the trash for hours.

Ana was not reported missing until January 4, when her office called the police when she failed to show up for work. Her husband did not report her disappearance to cops

Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed that a 'number of items' were recovered from the Peabody transfer station after they sifted through the trash for hours.

In a statement they said: 'Search activity conducted north of Boston yesterday resulted in a number of items being collected which will now be subject to processing and testing to determine if they are of evidentiary value to this investigation.'

Walshe told police that his wife vanished after she took a car to Boston Logan Airport on January 1 at around 6am.

However, ride-share services show no pickups at the family home and Ana's cell phone continued pinging at the property for two days.

Ana was not reported missing until January 4, when her office called the police when she failed to show up for work.

Cops have found blood, a hatchet, a hack saw, a rug and used cleaning supplies in the search for missing Massachusetts mother-of-three Ana Walshe

Police scoured a nearby dumpster station after removing a container from Walshe's mother's property in Swampscott

Walshe was earlier seen on surveillance video buying heavy-duty cleaning supplies despite telling cops he had been home around the time Ana was last seen alive

Since then, cops have been combing the seaside town of Cohasset for any sign of her.

Authorities say Walshe gave cops misleading statements about his and his wife's actions around the time of her disappearance, buying himself ample time to clean up a possible crime scene.

Art-swindler Walshe was recorded leaving a Cohasset police station on Monday morning, where he smirked and smiled at reporters.

He was charged with fraud after allegedly selling two fake Andy Warhol paintings for $80,000 in 2016, meaning he is on house arrest pending his sentencing in federal court.

This means that he must report when he goes anywhere  but he was caught on camera going to Home Depot on January 2 after saying he never left the house except to take his son for ice cream.

Walshe was arrested on Sunday evening as detectives continued to search for his real estate executive wife.

She has not used her phone or credit cards since disappearing and has not shown up for work.

Attorney for husband of missing mother-of-three Ana Walshe represented rogue FBI agent turned Whitey Bulger gang mobster Zip Connolly and got him out of prison on medical leave

By Emma James

The lawyer representing Brian Walshe, 47, worked on behalf of rogue FBI agent Zip Connolly and got him out of prison on medical leave.

Tracy Miner sent a letter to the judge in an attempt to keep Walshe on house arrest last year after he pleaded guilty to selling fake Andy Warhol paintings  and is representing him again in the case regarding his missing wife.

The lawyer has previously represented ex-FBI agent John Connolly  who was convicted in 2002 of aiding Whitey Bulger gang mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger.

She helped him out of prison on medical leave in 2021 after he was convicted of a gangland hit in Florida.

Tracy Miner sent a letter to the judge in an attempt to keep Walshe on house arrest last year after he pleaded guilty to selling fake Andy Warhol paintings  and is representing him again in the case regarding his missing wife

She previously represented ex-FBI agent John Connolly  who was convicted in 2002 of aiding Whitey Bulger gang mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger

Connolly joined the FBI in 1968 and served as an agent in the Boston office, where he was responsible for handling informants with two criminal syndicates.

After he retired from the FBI in 1990 two members of the White Hill Gang, James Bulger and Stephen Flemmi, were closed as informants.

Connolly was found guilty in his first racketeering trial of accepting and making bribes on behalf of members of the gang.

He was convicted of second-degree murder after informing Bulger that John Callahan had gone to the FBI with information about another murder in Tulsa while wearing his FBI issues sidearm.

Police found Callahans body in the trunk of a car parked at Miami International Airport. Bulger was murdered in a West Virginia prison in 2018.

Brian Walshe is charged with impeding the investigation into his wife Ana's disappearance on January 1

Walshe Googled how to dismember a 115-pound woman's body before his wife Ana vanished

Miner got him out after claiming that he was terminally ill, with him being released in Florida to finish out his life in the sunshine.

Documents submitted to the court claimed that he had a year to live, but he has outlived those odds, with Florida commission stating there is nothing that says surviving more than a year is a violation.

Miner is a criminal defense attorney and partner at Boston law firm Miner Siddall LLP - previously working for Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo.

She was also accused of hosting a New Years Eve party for her teenager daughter in 2012, but was ultimately not issued a criminal complaint.

Police attended her addressed after reports of an unconscious male  who reportedly drank large quantities of alcohol.

Upon entering, police say they saw beer cans, liquor bottles and pizza boxes and smelled marijuana.

Milner reportedly took her guests keys away and smelled of alcohol herself, with eight teenagers summoned for underage possession of alcohol.
Ana has been missing for 12 days after leaving home at 6am on New Year's Day

He was seen on footage by a dumpster hours after his wife vanished

Brian Walshe, 47, told officers that he had been shopping for his mother

Security footage taken from behind a liquor store shows the husband of missing Massachusetts mother-of-three Ana Walshe near a dumpster just hours after she vanished.

Brian Walshe, 47, can be seen close to the garbage of a liquor store just a five-minute walk from his mothers apartment in Swampscott  where police impounded several dumpsters.

Sources say Massachusetts State Police obtained the video, which shows Walshe at the dumpster hours after his wife disappeared on New Years Day.

The garbage bin is located on Paradise Road, with a camera near a Whole Foods Market  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother.

Ana, 39, was not reported missing until January 4, when her office called the police when she failed to show up for work. Her husband did not report her disappearance to cops

The garbage bin is located on Paradise Road, with a camera near a Whole Foods' Market  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother

According to 7NEWS sources, the liquor store has refused to share the footage with the public, adding that Walshe was not seen on footage inside Whole Foods.

Walshe told authorities during his interview that he had done some shopping for his mother, Diana, on New Years Day at the supermarket and CVS  which is across the street from her home.

At the time he was spotted he was on house arrest, after pleading guilty to fraud charges in 2018 - but was allowed to leave the property to run certain errands.

Authorities hauled away several dumpsters from his mothers complex as part of the investigation and searched its contents at a transfer station in Peabody.

They searched several more dumpsters while at the transfer station  which has a compactor  and discovered a hacksaw, hatches, parts of a rug, used cleaning supplies and bloody trash bags.

Officials announced that they had discovered blood in the basement of the Walshe family home in Cohasset, along with a bloody knife that was damaged.

Walshe pleaded not guilty on Monday to misleading the investigation but has yet to be charged with anything else in connection to his wifes disappearance.

The couple hosted a New Years Eve party, with friends saying that there was no indication of anything in the hours before Ana, 39, vanished.

Brian Walshe, 47, smirked as he left the police station on Monday and then later pleaded not guilty to misleading officers in the investigation

Police were also seen in the parking lot of an apartment complex where Walshes mother lives, with dumpsters being hauled away with a police escort to the transfer station in Peabody to be searched

Sources say Massachusetts State Police obtained the video of Walshe at the dumpster hours after his wife disappeared on New Years Day

Cops found blood, a hatchet, a hack saw, a rug and used cleaning supplies in the search for missing Massachusetts mother-of-three Ana Walshe

Walshe was earlier seen on surveillance video buying heavy-duty cleaning supplies despite telling cops he had been home around the time Ana was last seen alive

Authorities scoured footage inside of Whole Foods but did not see Walshe inside, despite his claims he had been doing errands for his mother

TIMELINE LEADING TO DISAPPEARANCE November 2016: Brian Walshe was arrested in connection with an $80,000 art fraud of Andy Warhol paintings. He is ordered by a court to remain under house arrest until sentencing. Walshe has yet to be sentenced for the fraud. January 1. 2023 Ana reportedly booked a rideshare car to take her to Logan International Airport at 4am, but it is unclear if she ever got into a vehicle or took a flight. Her husband claims he went to Whole Foods and CVS, but there is no surveillance or receipts to prove he went. January 2: Walshe tells authorities that he only left the family home in Cohasset to take his son for ice cream. He is caught on surveillance footage buying $450 worth of cleaning supplies in Home Depot. Ana's phone pinged in the area of the house on Jan 1 and 2. January 4: Ana's employer reports her missing. January 5: Police say Walshe is cooperating with the investigation into his missing wife. January 8: Walshe is seen leaving the property on Sunday in a red Volkswagen. His three children are taken away in a separate vehicle. Officers executed a search warrant at their home and found blood in the basement, along with a broken knife. The officers load a Volvo SUV onto the back of a truck while others search the grounds. Police arrest Walshe on suspicion of 'misleading' authorities but do not charge him with anything else. January 9: Walshe grins at reporters as he is transported to his arraignment at Quincy District Court. He is held on $500,000 cash bail. Advertisement

Ana had been sitting on a barstool in their kitchen, texting her friends during the meal and party  appearing in good spirits.

The couple had been staying in separate homes, with Ana commuting to DC for work and staying in their $1.4million property there.

They met after Ana moved from Belgrade, Serbia, aged 25 while she was working at the Wheatleigh Hotel in the Berkshires.

She met him after she cleaned his apartment, with Walshe becoming her second husband after she split with Mark Kripp.

Anas mother Milanka Ljubicic told DailyMail.com that she cant believe that Walshe has anything to do with her daughters disappearance.

She admitted that there was some strain on their marriage because her daughter had to spend so much time away in DC and Walshe was on house arrest.

The real estate executive for Tishman Speyer was also the manager of a building luxury Washington DC building where two fake Homeland Security agents lived, DailyMail.com revealed.

She was reported missing by her employers on January 4, with her husband failing to raise the alarm to officials.

On Monday, it was revealed that Brian had searched the internet for 'how to dispose of a 115-pound woman's body'.

Officers also confirmed that Walshe had purchased $450 worth of cleaning supplies in Home Depot  with prosecutors saying he lied to authorities when he said he didnt leave home.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Walshe was also facing the prospect of 30 months in prison for the alleged theft of money from his estranged father's estate  as well as breaking into his property and destroying his will after his death.

It is unclear if his wife was aware of the allegations being made by his family, with a friend of his father Dr Thomas Walshe say he tried to manipulate him after a stroke  which led to Walshe being cut out of the will.

Legal documents show Walshe asked for a key to the family's $710,000 beachfront property in Hull, Massachusetts.

Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed that a number of items were recovered from the Peabody transfer station after they sifted through the trash for hours.

In a statement they said: Search activity conducted north of Boston yesterday resulted in a number of items being collected which will now be subject to processing and testing to determine if they are of evidentiary value to this investigation.

Police scoured a nearby dumpster station after removing a container from Walshe's mother's property in Swampscott and discovered 'several items'

Brian Walshe is charged with impeding the investigation into his wife Ana's disappearance on January 1

Ana vanished on January 1 when she failed to catch a flight to Washington DC for work. The couple had just thrown a New Year's Eve party at their home in Cohasset

The Washington D.C. home of Ana and Brian Walshe worth upwards of $1.4million in the Chevy Chase area of the city

Walshe told police that his wife vanished after she took a car to Boston Logan Airport on January 1 at around 6am.

However, ride-share services show no pickups at the family home and Ana's cell phone continued pinging at the property for two days.

Ana was not reported missing until January 4, when her office called the police when she failed to show up for work.

Since then, cops have been combing the seaside town of Cohasset for any sign of her.

Walshe was also seen at a juice bar ordering three childrens smoothies and two large ones on January 2, the day after Ana disappeared. The couple has three sons, believed to be aged two, four, and six.

Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed that a number of items were recovered from the Peabody transfer station after they sifted through the trash for hours.

Walshe Googled how to dismember a 115-pound woman's body before his wife Ana vanished

Authorities say Walshe gave cops misleading statements about his and his wife's actions around the time of her disappearance, buying himself ample time to clean up a possible crime scene.

Art-swindler Walshe was recorded leaving a Cohasset police station on Monday morning, where he smirked and smiled at reporters.

He was charged with fraud after allegedly selling two fake Andy Warhol paintings for $80,000 in 2016, meaning he is on house arrest pending his sentencing in federal court.

This means that he must report when he goes anywhere  but he was caught on camera going to Home Depot on January 2 after saying he never left the house except to take his son for ice cream.

Walshe was arrested on Sunday evening as detectives continued to search for his real estate executive wife.

She has not used her phone or credit cards since disappearing and has not shown up for work.
More than 7,000 nurses from two different hospitals in New York City have agreed return to work after a four-day strike that started at 6am on Monday.

The New York Nurses Association reached an agreement with Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center, both of which announced the news at around 4am this morning.

The agreements will result in a 19.1 percent wage increase, the creation of around 170 nursing positions and improved healthcare benefits, among other perks.

The strike was triggered by complaints of understaffing. Nurses said they were stretched too thin and forced to work overtime, handle twice as many patients, and even skip meals and bathroom breaks.

Nurses began returning to work at both hospitals on Thursday morning, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul greeting them at Mount Sinai just before dawn.

More than 7,000 nurses from two different hospitals in New York City have agreed return to work after a four day strike that started at 6am on Monday

'The strike is over and we have an agreement. Thank you, Mount Sinai team, for your unwavering dedication to world-class patient care,' Mount Sinai tweeted at 3.36am.

'All scheduled surgeries & procedures & outpatient appts for 1/12 & after will proceed as scheduled,' tweeted Montefiore less than an our later.

Hochul said that with a new three-year contract, 'they'll receive a well-deserved 19 percent pay increase here. Also better benefits, higher wages for those with higher education, and again, a working environment that allows them to focus on patient care.'

The nursing association said earlier in the week that pay rises were not its main focus. 'It was never about wages it was about safe patient care,' Nancy Hagans, president of NYS nurses association, president of, told CNN.

'We need proper nurse to patient ratios. It's really something to hear all they focus on is wages. As nurses, when we go to work we want to provide safe quality care to our patients,' she said, prior to brokering the new deal.

Hagans said in a statement this morning: 'Through our unity and by putting it all on the line, we won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore and Mount Sinai where nurses went on strike for patient care.

'Today, we can return to work with our heads held high, knowing that our victory means safer care for our patients and more sustainable jobs for our profession.'

The agreements with both hospitals include concrete and enforceable staffing ratios, the union said. The agreement with Montefiore also included what the union described as community health improvements and nurse-student partnerships to recruit local nurses from the Bronx.

The agreements with both hospitals include concrete and enforceable staffing ratios, the union said

'The strike is over and we have an agreement. Thank you, Mount Sinai team, for your unwavering dedication to world-class patient care,' Mount Sinai tweeted at 3.36am

'All scheduled surgeries & procedures & outpatient appts for 1/12 & after will proceed as scheduled,' tweeted Montefiore soon after 4am

A nurse dances outside of The Mount Sinai Hospital after an agreement was made to end the nursing strike

'Our bargaining team has been working around the clock with NYSNAs leadership to come to an agreement,' Montefiore said in a statement. 'From the outset, we came to the table committed to bargaining in good faith and addressing the issues that were priorities for our nursing staff.'

The hospital said that while brokering the deal it focused on ensuring the nurses had 'the best possible working environment, with wage and benefit enhancements.

'We know this strike impacted everyone - not just our nurses - and we were committed to coming to a resolution as soon as possible to minimize disruption to patient care,' the hospital said.

'Our proposed agreement is similar to those between NYSNA and eight other New York City hospitals. It is fair and responsible, and it puts patients first,' Mount Sinai Health System said.

Nurses embraced each other as they returned to work on Thursday morning, hours after an agreement was made to end the strike

The return of the nurses after a four days of striking was welcome, the hospitals had had to cancel appointments, divert ambulances and patients were even discharged. The strike was initiated after months of negotiations between the hospitals and the association failed to materialize.

Montefiore was forced to call in temporary nurses, including some from health care union 1199 SEIU. The union sent a cease and desist letter on Tuesday, seen by Politico, to Montefiore, alleging that management was sending nurses represented by that union to work involuntarily at its Bronx hospital where it was understaffed.
Dateline NBC will air the all-new two-hour special 'Killings in a College Town' Friday 9pm ET with new details in the Idaho murders that rocked a college town

The parents of murdered Idaho university student Kaylee Goncalves say they take some comfort in the hope that their daughter's will to fight her killer was possibly what helped lead police to a suspect.

Kaylee, 21, and her friend Maddie Mogen, were among four University of Idaho students stabbed to death at their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13.

A sheath that fit the KA-BAR knife believed used in the brutal slayings was found beside their bodies, according to an affidavit released last week.

DNA found on the button of the sheath linked Bryan Kohberger, 28, to the crime scene and he was arrested after more than a month following the murders.

Steve and Kristi Goncalves told Dateline NBC in a recent interview that the new details that seemed to paint a clearer picture of their daughter's final moments, gave them hope that through the struggle, she played some hand in solving her own murder by snatching the all-important sheath from her assailant.

On Thursday, Kohberger appeared briefly in court where a preliminary hearing was set for June 26.

Kaylee Goncalves' parents say they take some comfort in the hope that their daughter's will to put up a fight against her killer was possibly what helped lead police to the arrest of a suspect

Goncalves was found stabbed to death on November 13, along with her roommates Maddie Mogen, 21, top left, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20

Kristi Goncalves told Dateline's Keith Morrison that when she read the new details, she felt that her daughter did everything she could to fight back.

'I just... I just said, "Can you believe that?" And I said, "I hope that maybe a struggle, she pulled it off him, in the struggle or whatever...'

Kaylee's father Steve was teary eyed as he interjected: 'Yeah, it's a checkmate type moment. And our girls were a part of it.'

The heartbroken parents who have been outspoken throughout the investigation, made a point of driving the 100 miles from their home to sit in court behind the man they believed killed their daughter.

Kristi Goncalves told Morrison what it was like to sit in court and watch the accused killer.

'He looked scared, as he should be,' she said. If he is indeed the person, I feel that no mercy should be given to him.'

DNA found on the button of the sheath linked Bryan Kohberger, 28, to the crime scene and he was arrested after more than a month following the murders

A law enforcement source claims that the sheath found at the crime scene matches a 7-inch knife sold by KA-BAR - a manufacturer of hunting weapons

Kristi Goncalves said when she read about the sheath being found by her daughter's body, she felt that Kaylee had fought back. 'I just... I just said, "Can you believe that? I hope that maybe a struggle, she pulled it off him, in the struggle or whatever...'

Kaylee's father Steve was teary eyed as he interjected: 'Yeah, it's a checkmate type moment. And our girls were a part of it'

Best friends Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, both 21, were murdered on November 13 along with roommate Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20

The 28-year-old Washington State University graduate student charged in the grisly murders waived his right to a speedy trial on Thursday and was held without bail.

As he took his seat in court, scratches along the left side of his chin were clearly visible. It's unclear how he sustained the scratches.

A deputy from the Latah County Jail told DailyMail.com that the cuts were 'accidental', and that Kohberger inflicted them on himself.

He requested the gap in court proceedings - waiving his right to a timely hearing - to allow his attorneys more time to learn more about prosecutors' case against him.

But he will return to court in Moscow on June 26 - six months from now - for a preliminary hearing.

Kohberger appeared in court Thursday with scratched face, waiving his right to speedy trial

The cuts extended up Kohberger's jaw-line. It remains unclear how he sustained them

Kohberger's attorneys previously said he denied the killings, but he has not yet entered a plea. So far, Kohberger has only appeared before judges in Idaho's magistrate court division.

If the case progresses to trial - which it is expected to - it will be moved to the district division, which is reserved for more serious offenses.

The hearing in June will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to the division court. Once it has, Kohberger will be asked to enter a plea.

Kaylee Goncalves' parents have said they support the death penalty for their daughter's alleged killer  but that they 'will forgive him'.

On Friday's Dateline special, Morrison also speaks with friends and family members of the victims, as well as former acquaintances and classmates of Kohberger.

Martha, a University of Idaho student who was friends with Ethan and Xana, tells Morrison that one of the 'toughest' things during the investigation has been dealing with internet sleuths on social media.

She explained, 'It was odd because you'd be with people that you're literally actively grieving with and then you'd open Facebook or open TikTok and then it would be how the person sitting next to you is the one that did it.'

Martha, a University of Idaho student who was friends with Ethan and Xana, tells Dateline NBC's Keith Morrison that one of the 'toughest' things has been dealing with internet sleuths

Ethan and Xana were both stabbed to death at the Moscow house on November 13

'The independent TikTok sleuths and the people who made out the people that I love and know into monsters online,' Martha added. 'There was some really awful things written on the internet.'

Martha added that the cruelness was something that extended through 'all parts of our campus. Every digital footprint, every Venmo transaction, everything.'

Morrison asked Martha: 'Any of your friends in particular get hurt or hit by this stuff?'

'Yeah. And, you know, it was odd because you'd be with people that you're literally, like, actively grieving with and then you'd, like, open Facebook or you'd open TikTok and then it would be why the person sitting next to you is the one that did it,' she said.

DNA found on the sheath linked Bryan Kohberger, 38, to the crime scene and he was arrested after more than a month following the murders

The documents describe a tan, leather knife sheath with a button snap and 'KA-BAR' and USMC' insignias being found at the scene

Kohberger's former DeSales University classmate Madison also spoke to Dateline, telling Morrison that during class, she 'would always catch him staring' at her and her friends.

Madison also noted that Kohberger seemed to enjoy letting the class know he knew the answers, saying, 'He definitely took it upon himself to answer the question, but yet then give every single detail that he possibly could to help further his point.'

It was always like, 'Oh, Bryan's answering this question. This is going to take up the whole entire class.'

'Whenever he raised his hand he definitely took it upon himself to answer the question but yet then give every single detail that he possibly could to help further his point. It was always, like, 'Oh, Bryan's answering this question. This is gonna take up the whole entire class.'

But there was something else that just didn't sit well with her.

'He would stare at us, whenever me and my friends would kind of, like, look over to the side, I would always catch him staring at us.'

The November 13 slayings left the rural community in Moscow, Idaho, grief-stricken and afraid, prompting nearly half of the university's students to leave town for the perceived safety of online courses.

Weeks went by without a named suspect and few details were released, but on December 30, Kohberger was arrested at his parents' home in eastern Pennsylvania.

Kohberger was extradited to Idaho last week and as Idaho students resumed classes on Wednesday, there was a general feeling of relief in the air, university spokesperson Jodi Walker said.

It's too early to tell exactly how many students decided to return to in-person classes, Walker said. Those numbers are tallied in about two weeks to give students time for any schedule changes.

Friday's episode of Dateline, Killings in a College Town, will also feature a comprehensive look at the case, including expert analysis from former FBI agents and detectives. Dateline NBC will air the all-new two-hour special this Friday at 9 ET/8pm CT.
Several victims' families have complained in the wake of the airing of the series, though creator Ryan Murphy said no one responded when he reached out

The mother of one of Jeffrey Dahmer's victims slammed Evan Peters' Golden Globes win Tuesday night for his portrayal of the serial killer on Netflix's popular drama series about his life.

The mother of Dahmer victim Tony Hughes - Shirley Hughes - said Peters should have paid tribute to the killer's many victims during his acceptance speech at the glitzy awards show.

She told TMZ that she would have liked to see Peters users his time on stage to gesture to the families who are still suffering from Dahmer's crimes, or to tell Hollywood that it is time to put an end to telling the stories of killers.

Tony Hughes, a deaf 31-year-old victim of Jeffrey Dahmer, about whom the popular Netflix series focused an episode

Peters won a Golden Globe Tuesday night for Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer in the Netflix miniseries Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

During his acceptance speech, he said he hoped something good would come from his win and the show itself.

Hughes was skeptical of that hope, saying nothing good will come from Peters' award for the show. Rather, it just compounds the tragedy for the families of the victims, forcing them to relive their grief.

The victim's mother added to her sentiment, saying: 'There's a lot of sick people around the world, and people winning acting roles from playing killers keeps the obsession going and this makes sick people thrive on the fame.'

Despite Peters' proclamation during his speech that it was difficult for him to portray the killer, Shirley questioned why he took the role in the first place.

Her position is that he - or any actor - should have declined to the role out of respect for the families that continue to live with the heartbreak of their losses at the hands of the killer.

'It's a shame that people can take our tragedy and make money,' she said. 'The victims never saw a cent. We go through these emotions every day.'

This is not the first time the creatives behind the miniseries have received backlash from the families of Dahmer's victims.

Creator Ryan Murphy claimed in October that he had reached out to 20 of the victims' family members and friends before making the show, but 'not a single person responded.'

At the time of its release, Rita Isbell, the sister of Errol Lindsey - a 19-year-old victim of Dahmer -said she had not been contacted by anyone and called Netflix 'greedy' for failing to contribute some of its earnings off the show to her deceased brother's offspring.

'Over the course of the three-and-a-half years when we were writing it, working on it, we reached out to around 20 of the victims' families and friends trying to get input, trying to talk to people, and not a single person responded to us in that process,' said Murphy.

'So we relied very, very heavily on our incredible group of researchers who I dont even know how they found a lot of this stuff.

'But it was just like a night and day effort to us trying to uncover the truth of these people,' he said.

Shirley Hughes - mother of Dahmer victim Tony Hughes - delivers a victim impact statement in court in 1992

Peters as Dahmer (right) and Rodney Burford as Hughes (left) during episode six of the popular Netflix show. The episode culminates with Dahmer eating Hughes' liver after donating to his family's search for him

Shirley Hughes said she was dismayed that Peters did not use his time onstage accepting his award as an opportunity to pay tribute to Dahmer's victims and their families

When the show first arrived in September on the popular streaming service, Shirley Hughes - now 85-years-old - was quick to criticize the effort.

'I don't see how they can do that. I don't see how they can use our names and put stuff out there like that,' she told the Guardian at the time.

The show focused one of its 10 episodes on Tony Hughes, a deaf 31-year-old who Dahmer murdered in 1991.

The episode centered on Hughes is regarded as one of the series' hardest to watch as it documents Dahmer's brief relationship with the aspiring model who enjoys dancing at local clubs with his friends, who like him, are deaf and gay.

The culmination of the episode - number six in the series - arrives with Dahmer killing Hughes and cooking and eating his liver after donating funds to a search effort mounted by his mother and family.

Shirley Hughes would go on to find out about her son's murder after investigators discovered his skull in Dahmer's apartment.
Prince Harry sent a fighter jet after his father's car in Norfolk while training for combat in the military, his controversial memoir reveals.

The Duke of Sussex writes in Spare of how hard he worked to prepare himself for his tours of Afghanistan, including 'steering jets over marshy flats at ungodly speeds' near the Sandringham residence.

In one bizarre tale, he tells how he used a Typhoon to target King Charles and his grey Audi before 'ultimately sparing him' at the last minute.

Harry details how he pretended to blow up targets in a practice drill while holed up in a hotel room on the outskirts of King's Lynn.

Prince Harry (pictured in Afghanistan in 2008) sent a fighter jet after his father's car in Norfolk while training for combat in the military, his controversial memoir reveals

The Duke of Sussex writes in Spare of how hard he worked to prepare himself for his tours of Afghanistan, including 'steering jets over marshy flats at ungodly speeds' near the Sandringham residence. Pictured: A Typhoon

The Prince claimed his father 'never dropped in' while he was there, even though the Sandringham estate was only a few miles away.

Harry explained how Charles - a helicopter pilot himself - was enthusiastic about his son's work, but insisted locals in the village of Wolferton were less keen on witnessing a ten-thousand-kilo jet roaring just over their tiled roofs.

He writes: 'RAF Marham had received dozens of complaints. Sandringham was supposed to be a no-fly zone. All complainants were told: Such is war.

'I loved seeing Pa, loved feeling his pride, and I felt buoyed by his praise, but I had to get back to work. I was mid-control, couldnt tell the Typhoon to please hold on a moment. Yes, yes, darling boy, back to work. He drove off.

'As he went down the track I told the Typhoon: New target. Gray Audi. Headed southeast from my position down track. Towards a big silver barn oriented east-west. The Typhoon tracked Pa, did a low pass straight over him, almost shattering the windows of his Audi. But ultimately spared him. On my orders. It went on to blow a silver barn to smithereens.'

It is one of a number of revelations about his military career that the book lifts the lid on, including his claim that he killed 25 Taliban fighters during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The Duke, who was known as 'Captain Wales' in the military, wrote that he did not think of those killed 'as people' but instead 'chess pieces' he had taken off the board.

This is the first time that Harry, 38, has specified the number of insurgents he personally killed during his time in Afghanistan, where he went in both 2007-8 and 2012 and flew an Apache attack helicopter during his second tour.

In Spare, the Prince said that he flew on six missions that resulted in the 'taking of human lives'.

While many soldiers do not know how many enemies they have killed in combat, the Duke wrote that 'in the era of Apaches and laptops' he was able to say 'with exactness' the number of insurgents he killed.

Harry wrote that 'you can't kill people if you see them as people' and said he instead saw them as 'chess pieces removed from the board'... 'bad guys eliminated'.

n one bizarre tale, he tells how he used a Typhoon to target King Charles and his grey Audi before 'ultimately sparing him' at the last minute

The prince was first deployed to Helmand province as a forward air controller in 2007, but his first tour of duty was cut short when an Australian magazine broke a media embargo by mistake.

However, he returned in 2012 with the Ministry of Defence publicising his second deployment on the understanding that the media would allow him to get on with the job at hand.

After he learnt to fly Apache helicopters, Harry was deployed to Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan in 2012 where he stayed for 20 weeks.

During his 2012 tour, Harry helped provide helicopter support to the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan forces operating throughout Helmand province.

Based out of Camp Bastion, 662 Squadron Army Air Corps, to which he belonged, flew more than a hundred deliberate missions over 2,500 flying hours, providing surveillance, deterrence and, when required, close combat attack capabilities as well as escort duties for other aircraft.

Captain Wales qualified as a co-pilot gunner in February 2012.

He was posted to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, to gain further flying experience and to operate the Apache on a number of exercises before deploying to Afghanistan in September 2012.

Harry trained to fly in the front seat as the mission or aircraft commander but the majority of the time operated the Apache's sights, sensors and weapons systems.
Portal wrote 'You love w****. You destroyed your family' on top of the front hood and the councilman's name on the windows

Peruvian councilman Paolo Mesia has been accused of cheating by his wife Nicole Portal

The paint job on this Peruvian politician's BMW will cost a hefty penny after his girlfriend discovered that he had allegedly cheated on her and wrote graffiti on it.

Nicole Portal was caught on video recently writing graffiti over the car of her councilman husband, Paolo Mesia, after he had reportedly cheated on her.

Bizarre TikTok footage shows Portal spray painting the front hood of the luxury vehicle - 'You love w****. You destroyed your family.'

The jilted woman had also used the red spray can to write 'Cheater' and 'Liar' across the doors on both sides of the car.

Nicole Portal was caught on video recently writing graffiti over the car of her politician husband, Paolo Mesia, after he allegedly cheated on her

Paolo Mesia is a conservative councilman in Miraflores, a town in the Peruvian capital of Lima

Portal also tagged Mesia's name over the driver and passenger windows and scribbled 'Liar' over the rear window.

Mesia is a member of a Popular Renewal conservative party and holds a council seat in the Miraflores city government.

The words 'Cheater' and 'Liar' where spray painted across the driver and passenger doors

A BMW belonging to Peruvian councilman, Paolo Mesia, was vandalized by his girlfriend after she found out that he had allegedly cheated on her. The woman wrote his name on the windows, spray painted 'Cheater' and 'Liar' on the doors and across the front hood wrote 'You like w*****. You destroyed your family'

His father, Carlos Mesia, held a congressional seat in the Popular Renewal from 2020 to 2021 and was president of the constitutional court from 2011 to 2012.

DailyMail.com reached out to Paolo Mesia and Carlos Mesia for comment.

The viral video has been viewed more than 2.9 million times since it was uploaded Saturday.
Republicans want Pete Buttigieg and his staff to be forced to fly commercial flights until recent failures in air transportation are fully investigated and resolved.

GOP Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina filed a bill Wednesday that would force the Transportation Secretary to come face-to-face with disastrous airline travel.

Specifically, Southwest Airlines had a complete meltdown over the holidays that resulted in thousands of flights being canceled and delayed  resulting in stranded passengers and a nationwide baggage catastrophe.

Airline departures in the U.S. were also grounded for several hours Wednesday morning due to a computer glitch with the Federal Aviation Administration system that sends pilots safety alerts and other critical information.

Buttigieg, 40, has faced a slew of criticism for his handling of transportation and infrastructure issues plaguing the U.S. since he became head of President Joe Biden's DOT two years ago.

A new Republican bill would force Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his staff to fly commercial until recent failures in air transportation are fully investigated and resolved

The Transportation Secretary also came under fire last month for taking a personal vacation to Portugal in the midst of negotiations with railroad unions to avoid a looming strike that could disrupt the entire U.S. transportation system and supply chain right before Christmas.

The only political experience Buttigieg had before becoming a cabinet official was serving as mayor of South Bend, Indiana from 20212-2020. He ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2020, and had a relatively successful campaign considering his lack of national notoriety, his hard-to-pronounce last name and being openly gay.

Commercial Cabins for Cabinet Members was filed Wednesday by Mace who made it a point to note that her children were affected by the Southwest debacle, and almost didn't make it home in time for Christmas.

The bill was introduced Wednesday by Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, after the FAA had to ground thousands of flights for several hours Wednesday morning

Regarding the FAA glitch, Buttigieg explained in a press conference: 'There was a systems issue overnight that led to a ground stop because of the way safety information was moving through the system.'

Although the problem was soon fixed, Buttigieg warned that travelers could expect to see some effects 'rippling through the system.'

The bill, Mace said in a statement announcing it on Wednesday, 'would require the Secretary of Transportation to only fly commercial.'

The Federal Aviation Administration system that sends pilots safety alerts and other critical information glitched Wednesday and led to hours of departing flights being grounded

A Southwest Airlines traveler in Chicago looks for her baggage in a huge pile of lost suitcases after a massive winter storm swept over Christmas holiday weekend

Passengers wait to check in at Southwest Airlines' self serve kiosks at Chicago's Midway Airport after a corrupted computer file brought flights to a standstill across the U.S.

'So, until the issues with Southwest and the FAA are investigated and resolved, he and his staff, should be required to fly commercial just live every other American,' she said.

'This should provide enough time to investigate Southwest and the FAA,' the Republican lawmaker added.

A spokesperson for DOT told Fox News that 111 of Buttigieg's 129 flights in his capacity as Transportation secretary have been commercial because it is the cheapest way to fly.

They clarified that there are 'specific instances where the DOT Ethics Office approves use of the 9-seat FAA plane' because it is 'more efficient and/or less expensive' for the secretary and his personnel to travel that way.

'This approach has saved taxpayer dollars,' the spokesperson added.

Buttigieg had to do some damage control Wednesday after thousands of flights were canceled or delayed due to the FAA system glitch

Mace has slammed Buttigieg for flying 'approximately 20 times' in the last six months.

Buttigieg traveled to Porto, Portugal last month as the federal government and railroad unions worked to avert a nationwide strike.

The previously unreported 'personal trip' earned Buttigieg widespread criticism considering it was taken just one week before Amtrak announced the cancellation of long-distance route in anticipation of a rail worker strike.

A DOT spokesperson told multiple outlets: 'The secretary took a long-planned personal trip from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5. As usual, while traveling on personal time he remained available and engaged on urgent issues, which in this case meant multiple calls with staff and stakeholders to work on the topic of rail labor negotiations.'

Luckily, the U.S. was able to avert a strike, but if it happened, the shutdown of railways could have cost the U.S. economy $2 billion in losses per day.
The appearance will be mostly focused on scheduling for future court dates

Kohberger, 28, is due back in court in Idaho today for a brief preliminary hearing

The murder suspect said police had 'no leads' just days after the Nov 13 killings

The neighbor spoke to Kohberger in their off-campus apartment complex in WA

Weeks before he was named as the primary suspect in the gruesome quadruple murder of four Idaho students, Bryan Kohberger told a neighbor he believed the unsolved killings were a 'crime of passion'.

The neighbor is speaking now for the first time in an interview with CBS.

He lives in the off-campus apartment complex where Kohberger - who appeared in court today - was living while studying a PhD in criminology at Washington State, seven miles from the Moscow murder house.

He did not wish to be identified, but told how Kohberger asked him about the murders days after they happened in November.

'He brought it up in conversation, asked if I'd heard about the murders. Which I had.

'He said, "It seems like they have no leads... like it was a crime of passion."

The neighbor (left, in a hood with his back to the camera) speaks for the first time in an interview with CBS. He requested anonymity

Bryan Kohberger is shown entering court during his last appearance in Idaho on January 5

'At the time of our conversation it was only a few days after it happened. There wasn't much detail out,' he said.

Kohberger is due in court in Idaho today for what will be his second appearance.

The hearing is expected to be brief and will be focused on scheduling. Kohberger has not yet entered a plea.

He is accused of four counts of first degree murder and one count of burglary. If convicted on the murder charges, he faces the death penalty.

While he is yet to formally enter a plea, his previous attorney in Pennsylvania - where he was arrested in a dramatic December 30 raid on his parents' home - has indicated that he maintains he is innocent.

He said Kohberger was looking forward to returning to Idaho, where he believed he would be exonerated.

Kohberger, 28, is accused of murdering Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on November 13 in the quiet, college town of Moscow, Idaho

Kohberger's apartment in Pullman, Washington, is 8.4 miles from the murder scene

Police are yet to offer a motive for the killings and it remains unconfirmed whether Kohberger knew any of the victims.

An attorney for the family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the victims, told Business Insider earlier this week that Kohberger was 'not known' to any of the students.

'No one knew of this guy at all,' attorney Shannon Gray said.

Police say they matched a sample of DNA found at the scene to DNA taken from Kohberger's trash in Pennsylvania.

They also traced his cell phone to the area of the crime scene several times, and matched his white Hyundai Elantra to the suspicious vehicle seen in the area on the night of the attacks.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen told police she saw the killer in the house wearing a black ski mask covering his face and nose.

She noticed that he had 'bushy eyebrows' - a feature police say they immediately noticed in Kohberger once they had his name.
Microsoft's January 2023 Patch Tuesday patches 98 vulnerabilities in total, including an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability, and 11 flaws that are critical.

According to Bleeping Computer, the company assigned this level of severity to the flaws because they provide remote code execution, disallow security measures, or elevate privileges.

The New Patch Tuesday Aims To Address An Active Zero-Day

The zero-day vulnerability, one that is being actively exploited, and one that has been made public are all fixed in this month's Patch Tuesday.

It is important to note that a vulnerability is considered a zero-day by Microsoft if it has been made public or is being actively used without an approved fix.

Researchers at the anti-malware company Avast discovered the zero-day, which was used in live assaults to raise privileges and go through a browser's sandbox mitigation.

Microsoft, as has become standard, remains tight-lipped about the vulnerability or the attacks, but a Redmond advisory identifies the weakness as CVE-2023-21674.

The CVE-2023-21674 bug is listed as "Exploitation Detected," however the company made no IOCs or other data available to aid defenders in their search for evidence of compromise, Security Week writes.

According to a Microsoft advisory, a hacker who was successful in exploiting this vulnerability might take control of the system.

The tech giant also warned that technical information on CVE-2023-21549, a privilege escalation problem in the Windows SMB Witness Service, is publicly available.

An attacker might use a specially written malicious script to execute an RPC call to an RPC host and gain elevated privileges on the server in order to exploit this issue.

According to the company, an attacker who was successful in exploiting this flaw might carry out RPC operations that are only permitted for privileged accounts.

Read More: Microsoft May Add ChatGPT Technology to Office Apps, Reports Say

Microsoft Names Other Vulnerabilities That Were Fixed By The Patch Tuesday

Code execution, denial-of-service, and privilege-escalation problems in a variety of Windows OS and system components are all fixed by the January batch of patches.

Bleeping Computer lists the complete number of bugs in each vulnerability category, and they are as follows:

39 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities

4 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerabilities

33 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities

10 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities

10 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities

2 Spoofing Vulnerabilities

The flagship Office productivity suite, .Net Core and Visual Studio Code, Microsoft Exchange Server, Windows Print Spooler, Windows Defender, and Windows BitLocker all also have significant security flaws.

It is notable that Microsoft patches were released on the same day that software company Adobe patched at least 29 security flaws in a number of enterprise-focused products.

The most significant update fixes critical-severity problems that leave users of Windows and macOS vulnerable to code execution assaults, affecting the widely used Adobe Acrobat and Reader products.

Additionally, Zoom, a leader in video messaging, has recently provided patches for a number of security flaws that put users of Windows and macOS at risk of hostile hacker attacks.

Attacks using privilege escalation on the Windows and macOS platforms could take advantage of the vulnerabilities in the enterprise-focused Zoom Rooms software, Security Week says.

Related Article: Microsoft Ends Extended Security Updates For Windows 7
A veteran SNP MP has warned Nicola Sturgeon's ploy of making the next election a 'de facto' Scottish independence referendum is a 'massive gamble' that could kill of the nationalists' ambitions.

Pete Wishart has branded the tactic 'the worst possible way to settle the constitutional future' in an incendiary blog.

But he highlighted the dilemma the separatists now face by admitting it was now the only option left open.

Ms Sturgeon has attempted to put a brave face on her political position since the Supreme Court ruled in October that she cannot proceed with another referendum without approval from Westminster.

SNP MP Pete Wishart (left) has branded the tactic being pursued by Nicola Sturgeon (right) 'the worst possible way to settle the constitutional future' in an incendiary blog

In an article on his blog, Mr Wishart - who recently stood down from the SNP's Westminster front bench - spelled out his own concerns about the approach

Sunak's showdown with Sturgeon on gender rules and referendum Rishi Sunak is set for a showdown with Nicola Sturgeon as he visits Scotland for the first time as PM today. The premier will hold face-to-face talks with Ms Sturgeon amid bitter clashes between the governments over the SNP's independence drive and gender identity rules. Details of the two-day visit are being kept tightly under wraps, but Mr Sunak is expected to hail plans for two new 'green' freeports near Edinburgh and Inverness. Relations between the UK and Scottish administrations has been strained by Ms Sturgeon's continuing push to break up the union. Mr Sunak has refused to give permission for another referendum north of the border, after both sides accepted the 2014 contest would settle the issue for a 'generation'. Advertisement

Rishi Sunak has made clear he will not sign off on another vote after both sides agreed the 2014 contest would settle the issue for a 'generation'.

The First Minister is now proposing to fight the next general election on the single issue of independence, saying that if the SNP gets more than 50 per cent of the vote that would constitute a mandate to break up the UK.

But she has been facing increasing uneasiness in her own ranks, while polls are still not showing a clear majority of Scots support independence.

In an article on his blog, Mr Wishart - who recently stood down from the SNP's Westminster front bench - spelled out his own concerns about the approach.

'A de facto referendum is just about the worst possible way to settle the constitutional future of Scotland,' he wrote.

'Let me also put it another way. A de facto referendum is now the only way we're going to be able to settle the constitutional future of Scotland.

'The issues and potential difficulties with a de facto referendum are now well-known and familiar.

'From the fact that it's almost certain Westminster won't engage in the exercise (and could ignore any positive outcome) to the sheer challenge of securing 50%-plus of the vote when all other parties will be contesting the next UK election as a normal General Election.

'Nothing like this has ever been tried in a western democracy before and the risks are huge. If we fail to pull it off, we may surrender our leading position in Scotland and could possibly kill off any hope of independence being secured in a 'real' generation. It is a massive gamble  with the emphasis on massive.

'But what else can we do?'

The Perth and North Perthshire MP conceded that in spite of the dangers the 'de facto' referendum tactic might be the SNP's 'last chance' to secure its dream.

'We now know there are no other legal means to test Scottish public opinion,' he wrote.

'The Supreme Court concluded we do not have the legislative powers in our Parliament to hold our own referendum and it seems apparent that the UK Government will never agree to a Section 30 order or the devolution of legislative powers.

'This then is the only way forward and for all its difficulties, challenges and drawbacks it is our only, and possibly best last chance.'
Goldman Sachs has begun cutting 3,200 jobs, dismissing workers in their New York, London and Hong Kong offices in as little as 30 minutes.

As the mass layoffs began Wednesday, many employees were booted without even receiving bonuses for their work in 2022, the Financial Times reports.

The employees were reportedly axed via meetings and phone calls, with their office badges deactivated as they were escorted out of the buildings. The company will also mail personal items to the fired workers who were not in the office.

The investment banking giant is poised to lay off around 6.5 percent of its workforce of 49,000, as CEO David Solomon looks to cut expenses amid shrinking revenue.

'We know this is a difficult time for people leaving the firm,' Goldman Sachs said in a statement. 'We're grateful for all our peoples contributions, and we're providing support to ease their transitions.

'Our focus now is to appropriately size the firm for the opportunities ahead of us in a challenging macroeconomic environment.'

Goldman Sachs began cutting 3,200 jobs on Wednesday as CEO David Solomon (pictured) looks to slash expenses as banks reel from a harsh 2022

Goldman Sachs workforce ballooned to 49,100 last year. Even if the company sacks 3,200, it will still have more employees than it did in 2021

Pictured: Employees in Goldman Sachs New York office on Wednesday as the first round of layoffs began. Employees were reportedly booted in short meetings, and without bonuses

Sources told the Times that while bonuses were withheld, many of the high-ranking managing directors laid off will still be getting paid until the end of January, and then they'll receive a three months severance package.

As for the more junior employees, those at the vice-president level and below, were offered only two months severance, the sources said.

Some Goldman Sachs employees have said that the lack of bonuses this year could be a ploy by the bank to get more workers to resign, allowing them to avoid severance payments while cutting more jobs.

About a third of those fired came from the investment banking and global markets division, and some of the sacked employees also relied on the job for their visas.

Shilpi Soni, a former software engineer at the company, said that after being booted from the company, she is desperate to find a new job so she can remain in the US.

'Just want to share how quickly life can turn upside down,' she wrote on LinkedIn. 'I take pride in being the first person in my family to pursue a Masters in a foreign country.

'I come from a rural family so it has been one roller coaster of a journey, overcoming social and financial restrictions to come here. Knowing from where I started, being laid off hurts.'

Shubham Sahu, 23, said he was canned just after his birthday, writing: 'Wow, this is truly a different way to start a year..'

Many of the canned employees shared their disbelief on LinkedIn, while others noted that their visas were in jeopardy after suddenly losing their jobs

Another software engineer, Raunak Narayan, said his entire team was let go, writing: 'My current employer Goldman Sachs has laid off my entire team (some of the best people I've worked with) and ditched the project. Putting me in vehement jeopardy.'

Claire Davis, a former member of the banks' product management division, said that morale may be low for the laid employees flooding LinkedIn.

'For my fellow Goldman Sachs folks who were impacted, Im with you,' she wrote. 'Im happy to help review resumes, hop on a call, or grab a cup of coffee.'

Goldman's layoffs began in Asia on Wednesday, where the company completed cutting back its private wealth management business.

It ultimately let go of 16 private banking staff across its Hong Kong, Singapore and China offices, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

About eight staff were also laid off in Goldman's research department in Hong Kong, the source added, with layoffs ongoing in the investment banking and other divisions.

The layoffs kicked off in Asia , including at Goldman Sachs its Hong Kong branch (above)

The UK also saw employees leave its London office (above) to console each other at local pubs

At Goldman's central London hub, rainfall lessened the prospect of staff huddles.

Several security personnel actively patrolled the building's entrance, but few people were entering or leaving the property.

A glimpse into the bank's recreational area just beyond its lobby showed a handful of staffers in deep conversation but few signs of drama.

However, at the Harrild & Sons pub near the banks Plumtree Court offices saw some of the laid off employees gather as they consoled each other.

In New York, employees were seen streaming into headquarters during the morning rush.

Last year, banks generated nearly $71 billion in U.S. investment banking revenue, according to Dealogic. Investment banking revenue in the United States is expected to have dropped more than 50 percent from last year

Goldman Sachs stock took a sharp fall on Wednesday following reports of the layoffs

Last month, chief executive Solomon reportedly sent a memo to staff for the year end, warning that headcount was set to be reduced in the new year.

'We are conducting a careful review and while discussions are still ongoing, we anticipate our headcount reduction will take place in the first half of January,' Solomon said in the memo, according to Bloomberg.

'There are a variety of factors impacting the business landscape, including tightening monetary conditions that are slowing down economic activity. For our leadership team, the focus is on preparing the firm to weather these headwinds,' he added.

Goldman Sachs had significantly grown its workforce since 2020 as it sought growth opportunities following the pandemic.

However, institutional banks have been struck by a major slowdown in activity in recent months due to volatility in the global financial markets.

Annual bonuses season is due to kick off this week as JP Morgan, Citi and Bank of America all report their results for the past year.
The transgender high school teacher in Canada - who went viral for her prosthetic Z-cup breasts - could be asked to tone down her attire.

Kayla Lemieux, previously known as Kerry, wears extra-large breasts with artificial nipples under tight tops, along with flex shorts and a blonde wig. She teaches at Oakville Trafalgar High School, near Toronto in Ontario.

But she could soon be forced to stop wearing her controversial attire after the Halton District School Board directed staff to develop a 'professional standards of dress' policy during a meeting on January 3.

Students and parents have raised concerns about Lemieux's attire, saying it 'mocks women and the education experience'. Until now the board has supported her decision to dress that way, and in December it emerged students had been threatened with suspension if they took photos of her.

The Canadian transgender high school teacher Kayla Lemieux, previously known as Kerry, made headlines worldwide after photos and videos of her with prosthetic Z-cup breasts went viral. She could be asked to tone down her attire

'Be it resolved that the Director [of Education Curtis Ennis] develop a professionalism policy which outlines the HDSB's expectations of all staff members, including the requirement to maintain appropriate and professional standards of dress and decorum in the classroom,' said the unanimous motion, according to the Toronto Sun.

The report is expected to be completed by next month, but until then Lemieux will be free to continue to dress as she's been seen in several viral videos and pictures from inside the classroom, hallways, skydiving or walking with a cast boot on her foot after suffering an unknown injury.

While the instructor was seen teaching in several other HDSB schools in December, there was no sighting of the educator last week, when students returned after the Christmas holidays.

Calling for 'appropriate' and 'professional' wardrobe and 'decorum' is a departure from November when Sari Taha, the school board's superintendent of human resources, warned 'implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the board to considerable liability.'

He said even if 'a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group or employees on the basis of their code-protected grounds.'

In November, Lemieux was pictured skydiving with a male porn star named Voodoo, whose real name is Alexandre Boisvert

Voodoo said he was only focused on jumping out of the plane, and discussing his personal feelings about transgender people with Lemieux would be counterproductive to their safety

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce told the outlet in December that he had challenged the board to do something.

'I think the bottom line and our position is that when kids are in front of staff, we expect them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism,' Lecce said last month.

'Many families in the community have expressed profound concern with the management of this issue, and so we reaffirm our expectation, with the school boards, as employers, that they act in the interest of children, and they listen to the voices and families of the kids themselves in various schools.'

While it appears that HDSB has acted, Ennis has cast doubt saying that the board has a commitment to human rights.

'The HDSB's commitment to human rights remains rooted in our core values and commitment to each and every student and staff who identifies as a member of an underserved and underrepresented group, and our approach is informed by opinions from leading employment law firms with human rights and equity advisors,' said Ennis in last week's meeting.

'This commitment and approach will continue to be applied as the HDSB looks to fulfil this motion.'

A group of parents, students and other 'concerned members' of the Oakville community, known as Students First Ontario, said they are optimistic with the board's 'steps in the right direction.'

'[We] hope the board is serious about introducing professional standards for staff that will serve to remedy the situation,' the group said.

Lemieux has made headlines multiple times and began transitioning from male to female in 2021.

Students were allegedly threatened with suspension if they took pictures of Lemieux

Lemieux has made headlines multiple times and began transitioning from male to female in 2021

Students shared videos of Lemieux in other schools while she recovered from a foot injury, showing her walking with crutches

In December, David Menzies, a host with the right-wing Canadian news outlet Rebel Media, spoke about Lemieux being removed from a theater, in an appearance on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show.

Menzies also discussed the incident in a November episode of his show. At the time he said of Lemieux's presence at the dance recital: 'This is so gross. This is so disturbing. This is so despicable.'

During the same episode, Menzies said that he brought a camera crew to Lemieux's condo. He said that he witnessed Lemieux removing her breasts and wig while at home.

In October, Menzies attended a meeting of the Halton School District School Board, where Lemieux teaches at Oakville Trafalgar High School, as the character 'Mammary Menzies' equipped with extremely large prosthetic breasts.

Menzies brought with him a petition calling for the school board to be terminated over Lemieux's continued employment. He was eventually removed from the meeting by a police officer.

Students have shared videos of Lemieux in other schools while she recovers from a foot injury, showing her walking with crutches and sitting beside a student who appeared to be vaping.

The district has now warned that students are not allowed to take pictures of anyone in school unless they get their permission - and could face suspension if they do.

Along with complaints over the alleged suspension warnings, parents claimed 'Lemieux gets a personal escort [and] protection' everywhere she goes after the district received a series of bomb threats.

In December, David Menzies, a host with the right wing Canadian news outlet Rebel Media, spoke about Lemieux being removed from a theater, in an appearance on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show

School board spokespwoman Heather Francey said at the time that the district cannot comment on Human Resources matters.

She added that students must obey the district's 'Responsible Use Procedures for Information and Communications Technology' policy.

'It is routine practice for students to obtain permission of any subject at any time (including other students, staff or any person) before capturing, using and transmitting images or video,' she told the Sun.

'This policy helps guide that standard courtesy across our board.'

In November, Lemieux was pictured skydiving with a male porn star named Voodoo, whose real name is Alexandre Boisvert.

Voodoo said that he was only focused on jumping out of the plane, and discussing his personal feelings about transgender people with Lemieux would be counterproductive to their safety.

He also stressed that Lemieux did not know who he was either. It's not clear what the relationship is, if there is any, between Voodoo and Lemieux.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail at the time, Voodoo said: 'I had no idea I was taking the controversial transgender school teacher until they showed up to the drop zone.

'I'm not a fan of trans activism or Kayla's behavior at the school but I'm a professional and I don't discriminate.'

He added: 'I'll throw anyone out of a plane. Plus, I regarded taking a big 230-pound person with huge prosthetic beasts on a skydive as a challenge. Most instructors would not even take them strictly on their size alone.'

DailyMail has contacted HDSB for comment.
Thousands of flyers are still facing flight delays and cancellations after an FAA system crashed - despite the agency saying 'operations are back to normal.'

Passengers were still stranded on Thursday morning on the east and west coasts, as well as across the central states.

Major airports including JFK, LAX, Miami and Atlanta all had issues two days after the computer meltdown, with experts fearing it may continue into the weekend.

Data showed there were over 10,000 delays across the country as well as over 1,000 cancelations.

Furious customers vented their fury across the states at missing family events and getting back to their studies.

The FAA's Notice to Air Missions system crashed on Tuesday night due to a corrupt file in its database.

The agency tweeted Thursday morning claiming: 'FAA operations are back to normal, and we are seeing no unusual delays or cancellations this morning.'

But data from independent flight monitors still showed thousands of delays and cancelations. Here DailyMail.com outlines the situation across the country:

EAST COAST: DELAYS AND CANCELATIONS AT MAJOR HUBS NEW YORK AND ATLANTA

Delays and cancelations continued to cripple the east coast of the US on Thursday as major airports such as in New York and Atlanta suffered.

At LaGuardia Airport there were 51 total delays within, into, or out of the US. Meanwhile there were six total cancellations within, into, or out of the country.

Daniel Dividu, 40, was planning to visit family in Atlanta but got stuck at LaGuardia Airport in New York during the massive disruption.

'These people are driving me crazy,' Dividu told The Wall Street Journal.

He said a gate agent had rescheduled him onto another flight four hours later than his original one and called the ordeal 'too frustrating.'

At JFK there were 54 delays and two cancellations. At Newark Liberty International Airport there were 60 delays and 11 cancellations.

Hordes of people gathered in the Orlando airport on Thursday

The Orlando airport was filled with long lines at security at Orlando airport this morning due to backlog for yesterday

Very few delays on the screens at the Orlando airport this morning

Many travelers were seen agitated at the Orlando airport on Thursday, still trying to get home after the chaos

Frustrated travelers experienced long lines at security check point Orlando airport

The fast track line was backed up at the Orlando airport January 12

Crowds gather to line up at security check point Orlando airport this morning

Long lines at security check point Orlando airport this morning

Even the fast track has lines. Long lines at security check point Orlando airport this morning

Stranded passengers waiting on the floor of the terminal at JFK International airport trying to deal with the travel crisis they encountered

Sleeping travelers at Orlando airport this morning

Delayed passengers at LaGuardia airport waiting for their flights to depart

Travelers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia wait in the terminal for their flights as cancelled and delayed flights mount due to an FAA outage that

Airline employees help navigate weary and frustrated travelers amid the chaos. A picture of a male passenger speaking to a United Airlines ticketing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday

Passengers at JFK International airport trying to pass time by sleeping, reading, and looking at their cell phones after a critical FAA computer system outage struck nationwide

A man finds a quiet area at LaGuardia airport and sits under the 'I love New York' sign waiting for his flight amid the flight cancellations and delays

Two travelers at Miami International Airport sit atop their luggage and are glued to their cell phones trying to get the latest flight information

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is seeing a total of 100 delays and a total of 12 cancellations.

Melanie Thigen was in Atlanta trying to catch a flight to Washington and was trying to remain calm.

'I do IT for the government. I really didn't know until I was on my way here that it was a big issue,' she told the Toronto Star.

'Then when I looked it up I was super stressed out because I have a meeting at 4pm -but if I don't make it I don't make it.'

Ava Thedford who was traveling to Vegas said her delay was not too bad and was taking it in stride.

She continued: 'We left home to go enjoy ourselves so that is what we are focused on.'

Meanwhile at Washington-Dulles International Airport there were a total of 33 delays and one cancellation today.

And at Miami International Airport (MIA) there were a total of 61 delays and no cancellations.

CENTRAL: MAJOR AIRPORTS CONTINUE TO SEE DISRUPTION AFTER MELTDOWN

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) there are a total of 88 delays and 11 cancellations.

Lucas Foster was traveling for business was delayed from Richmond at O'Hare. He was hoping to get home to see his family, but with the delays that never happened.

'It's been pretty frustrating I mean I can usually roll with the punches but with my job, I had one day to get home to see my kids and my wife and that's not gonna happen,' Foster said.

'Now I've gotta go onto the next job it looks like.'

A photo of the United Airlines terminal at Chicago O'Hare International Airport as passengers wait on long lines

An arrival board displays the status of flights at the Denver International Airport, as flights were grounded after FAA system outage, in Denver, Colorado

A passenger takes a long break as he waits to catch his flight to Las Vegas that was delayed six-hours departing from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday

Passengers waiting around at the Denver International Airport as flights were grounded after FAA system outage in Denver, Colorado

Harried travelers loaded down with luggage and strollers are pictured walking through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia

Passengers show concern and frustration at Chicago O' Hare International Airport as they navigate the computer terminals to check their flights

Ron Halczak, who arrived late to catch his flight at Chicago O'Hare International Airport described the scene on Wednesday at the airport as 'insane.'

'Craziness. People running, missing connecting flights,' he said, ABC7 News reported.

At Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport there were a total of 65 delays and six cancellations.

Meanwhile at Denver International Airport (DEN) there were a total of 74 delays, and 11 cancellations.

WEST COAST: LESS DISRUPTION BUT STILL SOME FLIGHTS DELAYS

The west coast also was not spared from the ongoing crisis - the latest one to batter the US airline industry - as LAX, San Francisco and Las Vegas were also hit.

At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) there were a total of 80 delays and six cancellations.

Mruanali Sheth and her sister-in-law were traveling to Mumbai, India from LAX airport with a connecting flight to New York to see family.

Sheth told the Los Angeles Times when she checked their flights everything was on time, but once they arrived at the airport their flight to New York was delayed nearly three hours which made them miss their connecting flight to Mumbai.

The pair eventually got to their destination but missed a day of their trip. Sheth said, 'I will get one less day, but its not in my hands.'

Ryan Ososki was at LAX trying to get to Washington, D.C. for a work conference. 'There is just a lot of frustration, a lot of confusion,' he said.

Cathy Keen, 76, was trying to catch a plane to Austin, Texas to get to her young sister who, she said, is battling a terminal illness. Despite, a few gate changes she was able to get onto the flight.

'I'm glad my flight isn't canceled, because I have to get there,' she said.

Meanwhile, South Korean K-pop music group New Girls were heading back to Korea for a scheduled concert on Friday but got stranded in the US, though it was unclear which airport the girl band was stuck at.

Their agency Ador issued a statement on Thursday informing fans of that their activities planned for Friday would be cancelled due to the flight system outage, The Korean Herald reported.

Passenger Julia Macpherson was on a United airlines flight returning to Florida from Hobart, in Tasmania when she heard about the chaos midair.

'As I was up in the air I got news from my friend who was also traveling overseas that there was a power outage,' Macpherson.

At San Francisco International Airport (SFO) there were a total of 73 delays and three cancelations. Teresa Chang had been traveling for hours flying into SFO from Taiwan and was already exhausted but, when she learned her flight to Dallas was delayed she was pretty stunned.

'My original plan was already pretty bad,' Chang told ABC7 San Francisco.

'I was supposed to have a layover, like seven-hour layover. Now I have 13-hour layover. I was super jet lagged. feel really tired now.'

And at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) there were a total of 60 delays and no cancellations.

Travelers wait to hear if their flight will depart on time, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles

Flyers wait in the terminal as an Alaska Airlines plane sits at a gate at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles

People check into their flights at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, in Las Vegas

Customers wait to check on to their planes at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

FAA meltdown explained: What is NOTAM and why did its failure lead to the grounding of all US flights?

Nationwide ground stop halted all US flight departures on Wednesday morning

Meltdown was caused by failure of NOTAM system used to advise pilots

A NOTAM is a notice with information on hazards and is essential to pilots

The White House says there is 'no evidence' of a cyber attack in the outage

For live updates on the FAA system outage follow DailyMail.com's coverage here

The failure of a system that alerts pilots and other flight personnel about key information including hazards led to the temporary grounding of all US domestic flights on Wednesday morning.

From about 7am to 9am, the FAA halted all US domestic departures, a disruption that affected at least 4,000 scheduled flights, in the first nationwide ground stop since September 11, 2001.

The FAA said the chaos was caused by an outage in the NOTAM system, which had stopped processing updated information.

'The FAA is working to restore its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) System,' the FAA said in a statement at 6.29am. 'Operations across the National Airspace System are affected.'

The national ground stop was lifted shortly before 9am, with the FAA saying in a statement that it was investigating the origin of the outage.

Here is what is known so far about the outage, its origins, and potential impact:

What is the NOTAM system?

The halt on takeoffs was prompted by a failure in what is known as the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system.

A NOTAM is a notice containing information essential to pilots and other flight personnel, but not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other means.

Before commencing a flight, pilots are required to consult NOTAMs, which list potential adverse impacts on flights, from runway construction to the potential for icing.

Information can go up to 200 pages for long-haul international flights and may include items such as runway closures, general bird hazard warnings, or low-altitude construction obstacles.

The NOTAM system is seen above, with a list of advisories for JFK Airport in New York. Advisories issued prior to the disruption still appeared during Wednesday's outage

The system used to be telephone-based, with pilots calling dedicated flight service stations for the information, but has now moved online.

The NOTAMs sent by the FAA are part of a global safety system managed through the United Nations' aviation agency.

In an advisory, the FAA said its NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system had 'failed'.

There was no immediate information about the cause of the outage, though NOTAMs issued before the outage were still viewable.

The outage caused widespread disruption and led to a nationwide ground stop. All aircraft are required to route through the system, including commercial and military flights.

In response to questions from DailyMail.com regarding the cause of the outage, and whether there are backup systems in place for the NOTAM system, the FAA shared its previously issued statements.

'Normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the United States following an overnight outage to the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that provides safety information to flight crews. The ground stop has been lifted,' the most recent statement said.

'The agency continues to look into the cause of the initial problem.'

Why were all US flights grounded?

With the NOTAM system offline, air traffic controllers couldn't risk allowing pilots to take off without potentially key information about hazards on their route.

In the past, pilot lapses in reviewing information in NOTAMs have nearly led to deadly incidents.

In July 2017, an Air Canada jet landed on the wrong runway at San Francisco's airport and came within seconds of colliding with four other planes.

The notice of the closure of one of the two runways at the airport had been flagged in the pre-flight NOTAM - on page eight of a 27-page briefing - and missed by the pilots.

Since then, the UN Civil Aviation Organization has been leading an effort to overhaul the system to make it easier for airlines and pilots to filter the most important warnings and present them in clearer language.

A display shows flights, many delayed, at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Wednesday. A computer outage at the FAA brought flights to a standstill across the US

After Wednesday's NOTAM outage, the FAA ordered all US flights to delay departures until 9am Eastern, though airlines earlier said they were aware of the situation and had already begun grounding flights.

At 8.40am, there were more than 4,000 delayed flights within, into or out of the United States, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware, exceeding the number of all delayed flights on the previous day.

More than 1,900 flights have been canceled, and those numbers are likely to grow.

More than 21,000 flights were scheduled to take off in the US today, mostly domestic trips, and about 1,840 international flights were expected to fly to the US, according to aviation data firm Cirium.

Zach Griff, a senior writer at travel experts The Points Guy, told DailyMail.com that disruptions from the widespread delays and cancelations could last through Thursday.

'Once the system became operational again, flights were theoretically allowed to resume but  and this is the kicker  airlines can't simply just 'restart' their operations,' said Griff.

'Many planes were already delayed and in the wrong place, while flight crews operating these planes were already thrown off schedule.

'Flight crews can only legally work a certain number of hours, and specific planes were already scheduled for flights that've since been delayed.

'Together, this domino effect will continue to lead to a slew of delays and cancellations throughout the U.S. today and likely into Thursday,' he added.

Could this be a cyber attack?

The White House said that there is no evidence of a cyber attack, but President Joe Biden directed the Department of Transportation to investigate the cause of the disruption.

Biden addressed the FAA issue Wednesday before leaving the White House. He said he had just been briefed by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who told him they still had not identified what went wrong.

Grounded planes at Washington Reagan airport on Wednesday morning after an FAA systems failure grounded all flights across the country

'I just spoke to Buttigieg. They don't know what the cause is. But I was on the phone with him about 10 minutes,' Biden said.

'I told him to report directly to me when they find out. Air traffic can still land safely, just not take off right now. We don't know what the cause of it is,' the president added.

Buttigieg said in a tweet that he is in touch with the FAA and monitoring the situation.

Has this ever happened before?

The last time the FAA issued a nationwide ground stop, halting all departures from US airports, was in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Regional or airport-specific ground stops have been issued since then, primarily over security incidents, though even those are quite rare.

Tampa: Passengers stranded at Tampa airport in Florida on Wednesday

For instance, on January 10, 2022, the FAA issued a ground stop for the West Coast and Hawaii.

Though officials gave no explanation for the halt in takeoffs, it was widely believed to be related to a North Korean missile test.

Experienced pilots call the outage of the NOTAM system unprecedented, and cannot recall a similar technical incident with such widespread impact on flights.

However, Wednesday's disruption follows a software meltdown at Southwest Airlines that led to the cancellation of more than 16,700 flights last month.

In that incident, Southwest's software that matches crew with planes collapsed under the weight of rescheduling requests as staff were stranded across the country due to a massive winter storm.
House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan furiously demanded answers from the Biden administration on Thursday morning after a second batch of classified files linked to the president was found.

These files, from Joe Biden's vice presidency, have been discovered in a 'storage space' of his Wilmington, Delaware, home, the White House revealed on Thursday.

The latest find comes just days after the first set of sensitive files was found at a DC office for his think tank, and as Biden officials dodged questions on whether they were tracking down any other records.

'Where's the raid? Where's the pictures? Where's the special counsel? What's a batch? What's that mean? We know that's more than one, so is this two documents, or 2,000 documents? What's the location?' Jordan fired off during an early morning interview on Fox & Friends.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan fired off a litany of questions he says the Biden administration needs to answer about classified files found

He asked: 'Where's the pictures?' seemingly in response to federal agents taking photos of documents with classified markings recovered from Donald Trump's resort

Republicans have been quick to compare the relatively low-key treatment of the Biden files to the high-profile FBI raid on Donald Trump's Florida mansion, which saw dozens of classified and top secret records that had been improperly stored sent back to the National Archives.

'The most important question,' Jordan said, was why the initial 10 documents revealed earlier this week were not disclosed until now, despite being found on November 2, 2022.

'The press was all over this when it was President Trump,' Jordan said.

'So, again, I think the double standard is obvious and then the tons of questions, I think every American has.'

Texas Rep. Troy Nehls called for a search warrant to be written and executed on Biden.

'We need to get into his offices and look to see if there are even more documents. You found one batch, you find a second batch, there could be more out there. Let's get a special prosecutor for him,' Nehls said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was hounded by reporters during her Wednesday briefing shortly before the article was published - and insisted that Biden takes classified documents and their retention 'seriously'.

President Joe Biden said he was 'surprised' that classified documents were found in his former office at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, DC

On Wednesday, Jean-Pierre was asked by reporters whether Biden had looked into whether he might have possibly taken other documents to any other office he has or his homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth, Delaware.

She refused to provide an answer. 'I'm just not going to speak to this. I'm going to let the process continue. It's an ongoing process. And so, I'm just not going to, to speak to this from here. It is more prudent and more appropriate for my colleagues at the White House Counsel.'

Earlier in the week, it was reported that in November 2022, attorneys for the president discovered documents at his former office in the Penn-Biden Center in Washington, DC, which he used after his time as vice president.

The documents were discovered in a locked closet while the lawyers were cleaning out the office to move out.

The White House acknowledged that Biden's attorneys had found 10 documents with classified markings.

The documents, that appeared to be from the Obama administration, were found on November 2 - before the midterm elections - though news of the documents did not come out until months later.

The DC office building where 10 classified documents were found in a former office of now President Joe Biden

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would not go into further detail at a press briefing about the discovery of the classified documents

US Attorney General Merrick Garland, who sanctioned the FBI's search warrant served at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, is being asked to do the same for President Biden

Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Fox News on Wednesday that Attorney General Merrick Garland should appoint a special counsel to handle the matter, as he did for the Trump investigations.

'Garland, if you're listening, if you thought it was necessary, attorney general, to appoint a special counsel regarding president Trump, then you need to do the exact same thing regarding President Biden when it comes to handling classified information,' the South Carolina Republican said.

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri reacted to the news by simply tweeting out the words: 'Special counsel.'

'My question is with regard to the first batch, what did Merrick Garland know when they were discovered November 3, and he declared a special counsel for Trump on November 18?' Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said to DailyMail.com.

'Obviously, he had some knowledge and yet chose a special counsel, announced it, you know, had this entire rollout and no mention. What did he know?'

Waltz also questioned 'who knew' about the documents between November 3 and November 8, midterm Election Day.

'The timing is incredibly suspicious,' Waltz continued. 'It's got to be one of the world's biggest coincidences. If not, politics were involved.'

Biden was asked about the documents at the top of his trilateral press conference Tuesday in Mexico City, alongside Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The president said he was 'surprised' to find out classified documents were discovered in a box in a locked cabinet. But said his lawyers 'did what they should have done.

'They... immediately called the Archives, turned them over to the Archives,' the president said.

The documents were discovered on November 2 and handed over to the Archives on November 3.

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022, while the FBI searches for classified files taken from the White House

Trump says that Biden's home should be 'raided' like his Mar-a-Lago estate

Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the Trump investigation on November 18.

Biden said he didn't know the contents of the documents and that his lawyers suggested he not ask.

'And we're cooperating fully with the review,' the president added.

Republicans have cried of a 'double standard' saying that Trump's possession of classified documents made him the subject of a raid on Mar-a-Lago in August.

The Biden team has pointed out that in Trump's case, the FBI was aware that Trump had not fully complied with a subpoena from the Archives to return all classified documents. In Biden's case, the Archives was unaware of the missing documents.

Rep. Mike Turner from Ohio, the freshly appointed chair of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, contacted the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, saying that Biden's retention of the documents put him in 'potential violation of laws protecting national security, including the Espionage Act and Presidential Records Act.'
The House on Thursday voted to pass a bill to ban President Biden from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to sell U.S. oil to China.

On the Democratic side 113 members vote for the the bill, joining all Republicans.

The bill became a first-week priority for Republicans after reports that Chinese buyers purchased oil during the record-breaking drawdown of the U.S's emergency oil supply, at a time when gas prices peaked at $5 a gallon.

Biden tapped the reserve for 200 million barrels of oil after Russia's war on Ukraine sent fuel prices skyrocketing.

Republicans criticized the move and blamed the president for discouraging domestic oil production. They were irate at reports that the Biden administration in July sold nearly a million barrels to a state-owned Chinese firm which Hunter Biden's private equity firm held a $1.7 billion stake, reports say.

At the same time it emerged five million barrels of oil have been sent abroad, after the White House claimed releasing them would help ease Americans' pain at the pump.

The House on Thursday voted to pass a bill to ban President Biden from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to sell U.S. oil to China

The bill became a first-week priority for Republicans after reports that Chinese buyers purchased oil during the record-breaking drawdown of the U.S's emergency oil supply, at a time when gas prices peaked at $5 a gallon.

Curbing Chinese competition has been a rare bipartisan priority of the first week of the new Congress - a bill to establish a select committee to investigate strategic competition between the U.S. and China garnered all Republican and 160 Democrat votes.

Other bills, such as one to claw back $72 billion from the IRS and an abortion restriction bill, have passed down party line with critics deeming them Republican 'messaging' bills.

Reuters reported in July that SPR oil was going to China, India, Italy, and the Netherlands. In some cases U.S. companies, including Phillips 66, bought the reserve's oil then sold it to China.

The SPR stock is now at 372 million barrels, down from 594 million one year ago.

Republicans in both chambers introduced legislation to ban selling Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) supply to China. The idea has even attracted the support of some Democrats - Rep. Chrissy Houlahan introduced legislation alongside other Republicans over the summer that would ban sales to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and other countries under U.S. sanctions.

Houlahan wrote in an op-ed that she was 'glad' the House would take up legislation to ban sales to China but believed it was a 'missed opportunity' not to extend the ban to other nations.

She said she understood the 'political points' that might be won by focusing the bill on China but argued that her bill had a 'better chance' of passing both chambers given that it was more similar to legislation introduced in the Senate by Ted Cruz and John Kennedy, R-La.

The 950,000 barrels offered to China over the summer were sold to Unipec, the trading arm of the China Petrochemical Corporation - better known as Sinopec.

Sinopec is also tied to the private equity firm BHR Partners - which Hunter co-founded in 2013.

In 2015, BHR bought a $1.7 billion stake in Sinopec, The Federalist reported.

Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, Va., said it was the fault of Republicans that the oil exports were possible in the first place.

'Today House Republicans have us voting on a bill to block oil exports from the SPR. They are very exercised- lots of 'Biden selling us out to China,' 'time to put America first,' etc. Exports of crude oil were banned for decades until 2015. You'll never guess who lifted the ban,' he wrote on Twitter, pointing to a 2015 tweet from Speaker Kevin McCarthy praising House Republicans for lifting the ban on all U.S. oil exports to China.

Following an oil crisis in the early 1970s, between 1975 and 2015 the Energy Policy and Conservation Act banned nearly all exports of U.S. crude oil.

House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik touted the bill after the vote.

'Energy security is national security, and I am proud to stand up to defend America's energy security from the Chinese Communist Party,' Stefanik said in a statement. 'During his energy crisis, Joe Biden depleted our crucial Strategic Petroleum Reserves to the lowest level in four decades and, in his weakness, ceded our supply to China. House Republicans decisive action today sends a clear sign to the Biden Administration that they must end their kowtowing to China, our greatest geopolitical threat, and sends a resounding message that we will put America First.'
Chippendales actor Kumail Nanjiani said Hollywood is afraid of casting non-white actors as villains, overcorrecting in an effort to appear woke.

Nanjiani, 44, was excited to play the villainous role of strip club owner Somen 'Steve' Banerjee in Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales as he says audiences will rarely see a non-white villain anymore.

'Ive never gotten to play an arc like this,' the Pakistani American actor said of the role to Esquire. 'By far the most layered, complex, complicated person I've ever played.

'I want to play more bad guys.'

The Silicon Valley actor said he doesn't believe he would have given the chance to play Steve Banerjee if it wasn't based on a true story, suggesting the role would have gone to a white actor.

'I think that Hollywood now  even though theyre trying to be more diverse  is still weird,' he told the magazine. He went on to say that Hollywood executives are questioning what message is being sent if a non-white actor plays a bad guy, but the actor believes that is 'as limiting as anything else.'

Kumail Nanjiani, 44, 'wants to play more bad guys' after performing as strip club owner Somen 'Steve' Banerjee in Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales. 'Ive never gotten to play an arc like this...By far the most layered, complex, complicated person I've ever played,' he said

Nanjiani, who has played a wide variety of roles, including a superhero in Marvel's Eternals, wants to keep his acting portfolio wide open, much like actor Sebastian Stan, who has played roles in the Marvel Universe as well as a cannibal in the 2022 movie Fresh.

'He does these big Marvel movies, and then hell play a psychopath,' he said of the Romanian American actor. 'I was told thats going to be hard because people dont want to cast non-white people as bad guys.'

Since the 2000s, moviegoers have seen a lot more white actors playing villains on their screens, from Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) to Tom Hiddleston as Loki in the Marvel Universe (2011-2021).

Before then, villain roles often went to people of color and several roles portrayed Arabs as terrorists. Art Malik, a Pakistani-British actor, famously played Salim Abu Aziz in the 1994 film True Lies, which follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's character tracking down nuclear missiles from Malik's.

The $100million film, which was written by Titanic's James Cameron, sees Malik play the main antagonist as a henchman.

Another blockbuster, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, also features a non-white villain - Marsellus Wallace, played by Ving Rhames. Rhames' character is a gang leader whose life intertwines with two mob hitmen, a boxer, and diner bandits in tales of violence across Los Angeles.

Nanjiani doesn't believe he would have gotten the murderous role if it wasn't based on a true story, as he said Hollywood is now scared to cast non-white villains. 'I think that Hollywood now  even though theyre trying to be more diverse  is still weird,' he said

Throughout the 1990s, many villain roles were played by people of color, including Art Malik (right) in True Lies, who played Salim Abu Aziz in the 1994 film

Another popular 1994 film, Pulp Fiction, also featured a non-white villain, as Ving Rhames (left) played a gang boss. Although there's been a decrease in people of color playing villain roles, it's not obsolete. Rami Malek (right) played a villain in the James Bond movie No Time To Die in 2021

However, not every major 80s and 90s villain role went to a person of color. Hugo Weaving played Agent Smith in the Matrix (1999), Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Alan Rickman played Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988).

In a similar respect, Nanjiani is not the only non-white actor to play the villain in recent years.

Rami Malek played Lyutsifer Safin in No Time To Die, a James Bond movie, in 2021. The American actor, whose parents are from Egypt, plays a terrorist leader and scientist who's looking to take down a criminal organization in vengeance for the death of his family.

Nanjiani believes the increase in white villains is because Hollywood is worried about what message is being sent when a person of color plays a bad guy. However, there were white villains in the 80s and 90s, including Alan Rickman in Die Hard (left) and Hugo Weaving in the Matrix (right)

More recent roles feature white villains include Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008) and Tom Hiddleston in the Marvel Universe (2011-2021)

Hollywood has been working to add more diversity in recent years, according to the Hollywood Diversity Report - a study performed by UCLA for the past decade. In the 2022 report, it found that roughly four out of 10 lead actors were people of color in the 2020-2021 film year.

Women lead movies were also gaining in popularity.

However, budgets for TV episode saw a staggering difference from those created by white men and those created by people of color or women.

'We saw an uptick in opportunity for people of color and women having their shows greenlit, which should be a marker of progress,' Ana-Christina Ramon, who directs the report at UCLA, told the Los Angeles Times.

'However, when we examined the episodic budgets of all the TV series, we see a strong pattern indicating that shows created by people of color and women tended to receive smaller budgets than those created by white men, particularly in the digital arena.'

Nearly half of white male showrunners enjoyed a $3million budget, whereas their counterparts did not. The majority of filmmakers, regardless of skin color, enjoy around a $1 to $1.99milion TV episode budget, according to the report.

'The next few years may be a test of whether Hollywood is truly committed to the changes they promised during the nations reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd,' Ramon said.
An evil couple who kept a woman as a slave, forced her to give up her newborn baby and subjected her to beatings have been jailed.

A court heard that Julia Rafaelova, 51, persuaded the victim to travel to the UK from Slovakia in October 2013 after she fell pregnant during forced prostitution controlled by her.

The victim, who cannot be named, was promised a better life but discovered her family were not in the UK when she arrived.

She stayed in a home in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and slept on a mattress on the kitchen floor.

Julia Rafaelova, 51, persuaded the victim to travel to the UK before forcing her to work for her under threat of violence, taking her baby away from her at birth and taking her money from her work and benefits

She was forced to give her newborn baby up just hours after she was born - and the victim never even got to hold her child.

She was also forced to clean the house, cook meals and shoplift, gaining a criminal record as a result.

If she failed to do so, she was beaten by Julia or her partner Milan Nemeth, 49.

Skarletta Rafaelova, 32, Julia's daughter, was also part of the plan, translating false information when social services attended and making sure wages were paid into Julia's bank accounts when the victim got a job.

Skarletta, Julia and Nemeth were all sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court today after being found guilty of a number of offences last year.

Julia Rafaelova was jailed for 10 years, while Nemeth was jailed for two years.

Skarletta Rafaelova was given a two year jail sentence, suspended for two years.

Judge Sean Enright, sentencing, described Julia Rafaelova as 'the leading light' of the three, saying she 'robbed the victim of her dignity and freedom', and said: 'You put this girl into modern slavery, making a servant of her, as one witness put it, over a period of five years.

'She was never kept under lock and key, but it seems she was joined at the hip to you [Julia].

'You coerced her into giving away her baby. She has never been reunited with that child.'

He added that the victim had to work under threats of violence, including hair pulling and being hit with various implements.

PC Nick Webber said: 'Forcing a mother to give up her child to allow further financial gain is utterly despicable and a trauma the victim will never get over.'

Milan Nemeth, 49, beat the victim and tried to force her into a car when she managed to escape, but was stopped by members of the public

The trial heard that on November 22, 2013, social services attended the victim's address where Skarletta Rafaelova, 32, translated false information, and along with accounts from Julia the victim was forced to give the child up for adoption.

On November, 28 the victim's child was born, knowing she was unable to keep the baby and unable to speak English the victim left the hospital the same day, returning to her exploitation.

In February 2014, the victim attended a recruitment agency with Skarletta.

She helped the victim to register with the agency, but ensured the wages were paid into a bank account belonging to Julia.

After a brief period of working for the company and a second recruitment agency, Julia decided to use the victim to claim benefits.

Julia and Skarletta completed the forms on behalf of the victim.

They claimed the victim had a serious mental health illness and forced her to go along with the scam to secure the extra benefits, as well as a carer's allowance for Julia.

Julia and Skarletta were both present at the necessary medicals, with Julia producing documentation from a Slovakian psychiatric institution.

The victim was forced to remain silent during these consultations, and act in a manner which supported the claim that she had mental health issues.

Between April 2016 and April 2019 they successfully claimed more than 41,500 in benefits - all of which was paid into bank accounts controlled by Julia.

The victim finally managed to escape following a chance meeting with her now partner, whom she had met three years previously on a factory production line.

She was banned from speaking to him by the trio and forced to leave the site to prevent further contact.

Following her escape, Nemeth searched for the victim and tried to get her to return to the home.

On November 7, 2018, Nemeth tried to force the victim into a car but was prevented by members of the public.

In December 2018 the victim and her partner became homeless.

When seeking support with accommodation, the victim started to disclose what had happened to her and police were contacted.

Defending Julia, Nicholas Wayne said: 'Taking a step back, it may be this is a case that shares many characteristics of a coercive control case that come before this court, distinguishing it from some of the most harrowing slavery cases where people are kept in the most horrific conditions.'

Stephen Garbett, defending Nemeth, urged Judge Enright not to pass an immediate prison sentence, saying: 'He had little understanding of the offending.'

Khalid Khan, defending Skarletta, said her role was mainly limited to helping with translation.

He said: 'She did not receive a penny in her account. She has responsibility for three children.'

Julia Rafaelova, of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, was found guilty of taking a child from a person having lawful control, conspiracy to defraud, two counts of fraud and knowingly holding another person in slavery.

Milan Nemeth, also of Peterborough, was found guilty of holding a person in slavery.

Skarletta Rafaelova, of Peterborough, was found guilty of taking a child from a person having lawful control, conspiracy to defraud and holding a person in slavery.

A restraining order was also put in place, banning any of the defendants contacting the victim.
Black-market cryptocurrency flows hit a record $20 billion last year, with online scammers, dark-net retailers, thieves, ransomware attackers and those under US sanctions the top beneficiaries, a new study shows.

Research from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis on Thursday showed the volume of dodgy crypto flows grew in 2022 even as the overall market shrank amid high-profile scandals in the sector and a broader economic slump.

The growth in crooked transactions, together with the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and fraud charges against its founder Sam Bankman-Fried, have further eroded the appeal of the poorly regulated digital currency market.

'The events of this year have made clear that although blockchains are inherently transparent, the industry has room for improvement,' researchers said ahead of the release of the complete report next month.

The volume of dodgy crypto flows grew in 2022 even as the overall market shrank amid high-profile scandals in the sector and a broader economic slump

Illicit crypto wallets received 0.24 percent of all crypto transactions last year  double the prior year's 0.12 percent share

Illicit crypto wallets received $20.1 billion in crypto assets last year, or 0.24 percent of all crypto transactions  double the prior year's 0.12 percent share as a portion of total volume, says the study.

Last year's surge is due mostly to the rise of sanctioned crypto addresses  those transactions jumped more than 100,000-fold last year and made up 44 percent of illicit activity, Chainalysis said.

Regulators have targeted Crypto addresses for years, but the pace of sanctions designations by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) shot up after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February.

Funds received by the Russian exchange Garantex, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury in April, accounted for 'much of 2022's illicit volume', researchers said, adding that most of that activity was 'likely Russian users using a Russian exchange.'

The US also slapped sanctions on crypto mixing services Tornado Cash and Blender, which it said were being used by hackers, including from North Korea, to launder billions of dollars worth of proceeds from their cyber crimes.

The volume of stolen crypto funds rose 7 percent in 2022, but other illicit crypto flows including those related to scams, ransomware, terrorism financing and human trafficking, saw volumes fall.

Researchers omitted the 10,012,224 percent rise in sanctions-related transactions from 2021 to 2022 because it was, literally, off the chart
Even as then-president Donald Trump's supporters marched on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, observers struggled to decide whether the spectacle amounted to an insurrection, a protest, a riot, or even a terrorist attack.

The words since used to describe Jan. 6 have been hotly contested. A University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll this week shows that, over time, the US public's attitude has softened as the language for the event is toned down.

The survey comes days after the second anniversary of the attack, President Joe Biden's latest denouncement of a 'violent mob of insurrectionists', and as historians seek to place the event among other watersheds like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor.

Pollsters found that while 55 percent of their 1,000 respondents called Jan 6 a 'riot,' the share who speak of a 'protest' has risen steadily, from 43 percent in April 2021 to 49 percent now.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll shows that, over time, the US public's attitude has softened as the language for the event is toned down

Over the same period, the share of those who call Jan 6 an 'insurrection' has dropped from 48 to 41 percent.

Terminology is key  'insurrection' describes a violent bid to topple the US government, whereas 'protests' presents Trump's crowd exercising a right to disagree with the November 2020 presidential election results.

Tatishe Nteta, the university political scientist who oversaw the poll, noted that while 'many in the mainstream media and prominent elected officials' dubbed the event an insurrection, the public has gone its own way.

'The majority of Americans when reflecting on Jan. 6 have viewed the event as a 'riot' and the participants as 'rioters,' Nteta said in a statement.

As expected, Republicans are less critical of Jan. 6 rioters than are Democrats. They eschew terms like 'terrorists,' 'looters,' or 'mob,' in favor of positive phrases like 'protestors'.

The report comes after Biden marked the second anniversary of Jan. 6, paying tribute to the five police officers who died of various causes after the attack, and conferring honors on those who defended the Capitol.

Republicans are less critical of Jan 6 participants than are Democrats. They typically eschew terms like 'terrorists,' 'looters,' or 'mob,' in favor of more positive words, such as 'protestors'.

Poll Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump supporters taking over the Capitol building on January 6, 2021? Approve Disapprove Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump supporters taking over the Capitol building on January 6, 2021? Approve 203 votes

Disapprove 128 votes Now share your opinion





The president in harsh terms slammed a 'violent mob of insurrectionists' who 'assaulted law enforcement, vandalized sacred halls, hunted down elected officials, all for the purpose of attempting to overthrow the will of the people.'

It also follows months of congressional inquiries into the riot, which wrapped up last month with a call for Trump to be prosecuted. Some 950 people have been arrested, charged or prosecuted and others are under investigation.

One of the most high-profile trials against the Capitol rioters opened in Washington DC on Thursday, with leaders of the far-right Proud Boys facing justice for their roles in the event.

Raymond La Raja, another political scientist who worked on the poll, said the committee hearings had not changed views on who was behind the riot  most people have blamed Trump since the outset.

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the US Capitol in Washington DC on January 6, 2021

Historians are trying to grapple with how the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol ranks alongside the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001 or the 1941 Japanese strike on Pearl Harbor. 'The evidence so far suggests that January 6 will not join their ranks,' says scholar William Galston

Still, as the hearings dragged out, he noted a 'slight uptick in the past two years of voters saying 'it is time to move on' from the investigation, increasing from 44 percent to 50 percent.'

A YouGov poll this month reached similar conclusions: instead of becoming less popular these past two years, the number of US adults who approve of the Capitol attack has risen markedly.

It grew from 9 percent in January 2021 to 20 percent now. Interestingly, the rise was more pronounced among Democrats.

William Galston, a political scientist, recently analyzed polls to weigh how the Jan. 6 riot would rank alongside other seminal moments, such as al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001, attacks, or Japan's strike on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

'The evidence so far suggests that January 6 will not join their ranks,' said Galston, a scholar at the Brookings Institute think tank and Clinton-era White House aide.

'It is more likely that, to future generations, the day the US Capitol was stormed will serve as a reminder of the deep political divisions that characterized the current era of American politics.'
It's possible that California will be the next state to provide a digital driver's license that works with Apple's Wallet app, but that's not certain just yet.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, hinted during a speech that the state's digital driver's license might be available in a few months, iMore reports.

There Is Not Much Information About The Matter Yet

Driver's licenses and state identification cards can now be saved in the Wallet app thanks to a new feature added by Apple in 2022.

However, only a small number of states have so far implemented support for the option as of press moment.

California has been working on a digital ID for some time, and in 2021, the California DMV was given authorization to begin testing mobile ID cards and driver's licenses on a small scale.

Although the state has not explicitly stated that its mobile ID solution will work with Apple's new Wallet app feature, customers might not have to wait long to find out what California has in mind.

The state of California has not disclosed many information about its intentions for digital identity, although its legislature has prioritized privacy.

Digital IDs and associated mobile apps can only store the information that is present on a physical driver's license or ID card.

It is important to note that neither may they store any information that is not required for the indicated tasks, Mac Rumors says.

The law further states that using a device as an ID does not give permission for law enforcement to check a smartphone and that digital IDs must be opt-in.

Additionally, users of digital IDs cannot be forced to turn over a smartphone to verify their identity to authorities.

Read More: Apple Pay Later May Be Delayed Until 2023 - But Why?

Other States Are Also Discussing And Operating Apple Wallet Support For Digital IDs

It has been reported that Arizona, Maryland, and Colorado are the current states that support digital licenses and IDs in the Wallet app.

A state ID or driver's license can now be added to the wallet app in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah, however the exact date has not yet been determined.

Although Apple has spoken with numerous other states and Puerto Rico about support, no concrete announcements for California have been made.

It's possible that California will forego the Wallet app in favor of a state-run program that offers driver's licenses, similar to what Florida and Louisiana do.

However, since Apple is based in California and the state has previously promoted iPhone integrations, it is possible that the Cupertino giant will be able to persuade California officials to take part.

Mac Rumors writes that Select airports in states that accept IDs and driver's licenses on the iPhone may accept the information in place of a real ID.

This applies to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (PHX).

With iOS 16, certain iPhone apps can also use digital IDs to verify a user's identity or age, and Apple is collaborating with businesses to start accepting digital IDs for identification purposes.

Related Article: Apple iOS 16.1 Likely Allows iPhone Users to Delete Built-in Wallet App
But they claim to have been named as victims by Romanian prosecutors

Beatrice and Jasmina say they have never accused Tate brothers of wrongdoing

Two women who claim to be named among the accusers of Andrew Tate say they are friends with him and never filed a complaint with police.

The influencers, named only as Beatrice and Jasmina, who have tattoos saying Tate Girl on their body, say they see the millionaire 'Webcam King' as part of their 'family'.

Prosecutors said they have identified six victims in the human trafficking case who were subjected to 'acts of physical violence and mental coercion' and were sexually exploited by the group comprising Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian women, they say.

One of the six alleged victims has also accused one of the brothers of rape.

Beatrice and Jasmina claim to be named among the accusers of Andrew Tate but say they are friends with the controversial brothers

But speaking to Romanian media, Beatrice and Jasmina say they never made allegations against the Tate brothers.

The identities of alleged sexual abuse victims remain private, so it is not known if the pair are definitely on the prosecutors' list.

But Beatrice told Romania's Antena Stars: 'I don't understand how we end up being called victims when we didn't make any statement as if I were a victim.

'I gave a favourable statement for them. With what right does the Romanian Prosecutor's Office accuse me of being a victim? Did I write that in the statement? I didn't write anywhere.

'It is an abuse by the Prosecutor's Office against me.

'The girls were never deprived of their freedom, they always had access to the telephone, the door was always open.'

The interview with the pair was shared on Tate's Twitter page.

Prosecutors said they have identified six victims in the human trafficking case who were exploited and coerced by Tate, they claim

Beatrice also added: 'This case is basically built on lies. How can I trust the Romanian authorities.'

She claims she was introduced to Tate through 'mutual friends' but 'ended up like family', and says she never worked for them but remained close.

But prosecutors have said previously that women who went to work for Tate were branded with tattoos showing they 'belonged' to him.

Beatrice claimed: 'I have this tattoo on my hand that says Tate Girl. Which I did out of respect for them.'

In a separate interview, which has also been shared on Tate's Twitter page, his lawyer Eugen Vidineac also denies there are six victims.

He said people were 'presented as victims' despite not 'having ever filed complaints' against the group.

Despite their claims, a judge denied an appeal for the four to be released from jail this week, and prosecutors insist women were coerced and exploited by the Tate brothers.

They said victims were lured by pretenses of love, and later intimidated, kept under surveillance and subjected to other control tactics while being coerced into performing in pornography that was intended to make money for their alleged persecutors.

Meanwhile today, police investigating the sex allegations carried out fresh raids across Romania.

In a series of swoops across Bucharest and elsewhere in Romania, police seized paperwork and computer equipment from various properties said to be connected to Tate, including the home of Tristan's girlfriend.

It comes as media in the country reported that the British consul had visited the brothers in the prison where they are being held following their arrest last month.

Police investigating sex allegations against controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother have carried out fresh raids across Romania (pictured outside court on Tuesday)

A statement issued by the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism said:' This morning, the prosecutors of DIICOT - Central Structure, in the continuation of the investigations in the case regarding the commission of the crimes of constituting an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape, implement seven home search warrants, within the radius of Bucharest municipality and Ilfov counties and Prahova.

'Judicial activities are carried out together with police officers from BCCO Bucharest and SCCO Ilfov.

'We make it clear that during the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence.'

One of the homes searched was that of Romania kick-boxer and cage fighter Vlad Obu with paperwork and computers seized and taken away.

Tate was arrested on December 29 after police raided his bolthole (pictured) on the outskirts of Bucharest

Flaunting social media posts before his arrest showed off the high-tech security in his concrete compound

Meanwhile MailOnline can also reveal that one of two women dubbed Tate's Angels and who were arrested at the same time is being given compassionate leave from custody.

Former police officer Luana Radu, 32, has been given three-hour licence so she can attend the funeral of her grandmother in Bucharest later on Thursday.

She quit the force eight years ago to focus on sex video chat room work with Georgiana Naghel, 28, and investigators say both had a role to "coerce" and "control" other women involved in the business.

Tate, 36, a British-U.S. citizen who has 4.5 million followers on Twitter, was detained on December 29. in Bucharest along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women. They deny any wrongdoing.

Georgiana Naghel (left), 28, is described as a businesswoman and influencer who is believed to have been dating Tate for almost a year before her arrest. Luana Radu (right), 32, has been given three-hour licence so she can attend the funeral of her grandmother in Bucharest later on Thursday

On Tuesday, a court upheld a judge's December 30 move to extend their arrest from 24 hours to 30 days.

In a separate hearing Wednesday at the Bucharest Tribunal, Tate lost an appeal that challenged assets seized by prosecutors, including properties and a fleet of luxury cars, said Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romanian anti-organized crime agency DIICOT.

The court 'decided that the seizures are legal and (that) the goods remain at our disposal,' she told The Associated Press.

Prosecutors investigating the case have so far seized 15 luxury cars - 11 in December raids and four last week - at least seven of which are owned by the Tate brothers, and more than 10 properties and land owned by companies registered to them.

Prosecutors investigating the case have seized 15 luxury cars, at least seven of which were owned by the Tate brothers

Bolla said is not clear whether any assets seized since December were included in Wednesday's appeal.

If prosecutors can prove the Tates gained money through human trafficking, Bolla said that the assets could be used to cover the expenses of the investigation and compensation for victims.

Before the court ruling Wednesday Constantin Gliga, one of the lawyers representing Tate, told the media that the asset seizures are disproportional to the charges.

Tate, a former professional kickboxer who has reportedly lived in Romania since 2017, was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech.
Muslim Public Affairs Council says image was not Islamophobic and insists professor be reinstated

But student Aram Wedatalla, 23, says she was 'blindsided' by the picture

warned students in advance' but no one raised concerns

A Minnesota University professor - who was fired and deemed 'undeniably Islamophobic' after showing students an image of the Prophet Muhammad - has broken her silence.

Professor Erika Lopez Prater, 42, was fired by the Hamline University after students complained following an online class about Islamic art in October in which she displayed a 14th-century depiction of the angel Gabriel delivering the Prophet's first revelation.

The 42-year-old said she had given advance notice in the course syllabus, as well as a trigger warning during the class, before showing the image and no students had contacted her to raise concerns  adding that she 'didn't mean to offend anyone.'

But later, Aram Wedatalla, 23, head of Hamline's Muslim Student Association, claimed the image had 'blindsided' her - resulting in school officials deciding not to renew Lopez Prater's contract.

Aram Wedatalla, 23, head of Hamline's Muslim Student Association, claimed the image 'blindsided' her

Many practicing Muslims believe they should not look at pictures of the Prophet Muhammad as they it could lead to worshipping an image.

Reading a copy of the syllabus to MPR News, Lopez Prater said a warning was clearly made to incoming students of her class - conscious that in some branches of Islam it is blasphemous to look at a picture of the prophet.

'This course will introduce students to several religious traditions and the visual cultures they have produced historically,' she read.

'This includes showing and discussing both representational and non-representational depictions of holy figures (for example, the Prophet Muhammad, Jesus Christ, and the Buddha).

'If you have any questions or concerns about either missing class for a religious observance or the visual content that will be presented, please do not hesitate to contact me.'

Lopez Prater said no student contacted her with concerns and said she felt it was important to include the artwork, even if it may be controversial for some who follow the faith.

After Wedatalla spoke of her shock at seeing the images, school officials decided not to renew Erika Lopez Prater's contract

Lopez Prater said no student, including Wedatalla (pictured), contacted her with concerns and said she felt it was important to include the artwork, even if it may be controversial for some who follow the faith

Wedatalla said at the Wednesday press conference that she felt 'marginalized' and 'heartbroken' that she had to explain why the action was Islamophobic in her view

She said she also gave students two minutes to look away from the screen or log out before she projected the image during her class.

'You can't erase history and I think it is actually important that we teach and demonstrate the internal diversity within the history of Islam which is a very, in my opinion, underrepresented and misunderstood religion,' she said to the outlet.

Lopez Prater added that the administration never reached out to her to discuss her side and then sent a campus-wide email calling her actions Islamophobic.

The incident raised discussions about the fate of academic freedom and whether the professor's actions were hateful.

In a press conference held on Wednesday at the Minneapolis headquarters of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) Wedatalla fought back tears as she spoke of the incident.

'I'm 23 years old. I have never once seen an image of the prophet,' she said in the conference streamed live on CAIR-MN's Facebook page, adding that she felt marginalized.

'It just breaks my heart that I have to stand here to tell people that something is Islamophobic and something actually hurts all of us, not only me.'

CAIR-MN executive director Jaylani Hussein said most Muslims around the world oppose the public display of images of the Prophet Muhammad.

To show the image of the prophet, said Hussein, is deeply offensive, and she called the violation 'an act of Islamophobia.'

'In reality, a trigger warning is an indication that you are going to do harm,' he said, adding that it doesn't matter that the instructor warned students before showing the image.

However, Amna Khalid, a history professor at Carleton College whose opinion piece about the incident was published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, said: 'I do not see it as Islamophobic.

'Islamophobic is about malintent towards Muslims, or something that is symbolic to Muslims. There is no malintent here,' she added.

Khalid said Hamline should have responded to Wedatalla's complaint differently.

In a press conference held on Wednesday at the Minneapolis headquarters of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) Wedatalla (pictured) fought back tears as she spoke of the incident

CAIR-MN executive director Jaylani Hussein (pictured) said most Muslims around the world oppose the public display of images of the Prophet Muhammad

Many Muslims believe looking at pictures of the Prophet Muhammad is blasphemous

'Hamline University should have said, "Well, we understand you are offended. Your offense is a great moment to learn more about the Islamic tradition because, clearly, you are coming from a very particular point of view,"' she said.

CAIR-MN officials are planning a series of community engagement events to further discuss the incident and why it was harmful.

Lopez Prater said she is also participating in a variety of forums on academic freedom.

When asked by MPR News whether she would return to Hamline if offered her job back, the 42-year-old educator said: 'Not at this time.' She added that she has hired counsel and is exploring legal actions against the school.

Lopez Prater plans to teach at Macalester College in the spring.

On Wednesday, the president of Hamline University, Fayneese Miller, defended her decision not to renew Lopez Prater's contract following the controversy.

Miller said she, faculty members and a student had received death threats following the dismissal and insisted Hamline respected freedom of speech.

In a statement she wrote that their overriding priority is to protect students.

'Prioritizing the well-being of our students does not in any way negate or minimize the rights and privileges assured by academic freedom,' she wrote.

'Academic freedom does not operate in a vacuum. It is subject to the dictates of society and the laws governing certain types of behavior.'

Miller quoted the American Federation of Teachers as 'correctly' stating that 'academic freedom and its attendant rights do not mean that 'anything goes'.

Miller added: 'It notes that 'faculty must act professionally in their scholarly research, their teaching, and their interactions with students and ensure this through policies and procedures that safeguard both students and the academic integrity of the institutions and disciplines.'

She asked: 'Does your defense of academic freedom infringe upon the rights of students in violation of the very principles you defend?'

Miller also issued a harsh rebuttal of her critics, calling them misguided and ill-informed.

Fayneese Miller, president of Hamline University, defended her decision not to renew the professor's contract following the controversy

Hamline University is a small liberal arts college in St Paul, Minnesota where Lopez Prater had been working before her dismissal following the controversial October online art lesson

'It is far easier to criticize, from the security of our computer screens, than it is to have to make the hard decisions that serve the interests of the entire campus community,' she wrote.

'What disappoints me the most is that little has been said regarding the needs and concerns of our students that all members of our community hold in trust. I hope this changes.'

Miller concluded: 'I also note that Hamline is an independent university still closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and its foundational principles inscribed in the oft-repeated words on our campus of John Wesley: "To do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.''

'We at Hamline live by these words.

'To do all the good you can means, in part, minimizing harm.

'That is what has informed our decisions thus far and will continue to inform them in the future.

'We hope you understand and respect the values guiding our efforts.'

Earlier this week it emerged Hamline could lose its accreditation after a formal complaint was filed against it for firing Lopez Prater.

An attorney sent the complaint to the Higher Learning Commission saying the liberal college was 'failing to protect the academic freedom.'

Wedatalla told the school's newspaper in October, following the online class: 'As a Muslim and a Black person, I don't feel like I belong, and I don't think I'll ever belong in a community where they don't value me as a member, and they don't show the same respect that I show them.'

After the online lesson, Wedatalla stuck around to speak with Lopez Prater.

The conversation prompted the professor to send an email to her department head, Allison Baker, to give her a heads up about the situation.

Baker, the chair of the digital and studio art department, responded by saying: 'It sounded like you did everything right.'

Deangela Huddleston, a Hamline senior and Muslim Student Association member, said of the incident: 'Hamline teaches us it doesn't matter the intent, the impact is what matters.'

A spokesperson for Hamline said at the time of Lopez Prater's dismissal that she 'received an appointment letter for the fall semester and taught the course until the end of the term'.
A former delivery driver accused of robbing Mark Cavendish of 700,000 during a terrifying break-in says he cannot have driven to the Olympic star's house because he had been stabbed months earlier.

The cyclist, 37, was asleep with his wife Peta and their three-year-old child when balaclava-clad intruders broke into their home in Ongar, Essex, at around 2.30am on November 27, 2021.

The alleged gang are accused of stealing two Richard Mille watches valued at 400,000 and 300,000, along with two phones, a Luis Vuitton suitcase and a safe.

Romario Henry, 31, and Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, are standing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court charged with two counts of robbery.

A court artist sketch of Romario Henry, 31 (left) and Oludewa Okorosobo (right), 28, appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court today

Mark Cavendish was asleep with his wife Peta and their three-year-old child when balaclava-clad intruders broke into their home

Giving evidence in the trial today, Okorosobo said he was stabbed in the head and leg on September 16, 2021 - two months prior to the alleged robbery.

He told the court: 'Since the day of my stabbing I havent attempted to drive. I couldnt even sit in the front passenger seat as my leg had to be straight.'

Okorosobo said he has had a driving licence since the age of 17 and worked as a delivery driver between 2016 to 2018 after dropping out of university.

Earlier, he said he had lent his phone to another man, 28-year-old Ali Sesay, in the early hours of November 27.

Okorosobo said he was not with his phone when, as his barrister Shahid Rashid described, it was 'pinging off cell masts in the Ongar area'.

Sesay, of Rainham, Kent, admitted two counts of robbery at an earlier hearing. The trial has been told his DNA was found on the phone of Mrs Cavendish after it was dropped outside the home.

The intruders made off with two Richard Mille watches (pictured), valued at 400,000 and 300,000 respectively, during the raid in the Ongar area of Essex, Chelmsford Crown Court was told

Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish pictured competing in the Tour de Pologne in Poland last year

Okorosobo said he did not give a statement to police after he was stabbed.

Asked why not by Edward Renvoize, prosecuting, he answered: 'I didnt want to seem like a grass.'

In January last year, Essex Police released photographs of two other men wanted for questioning about the raid.

Jo Jobson, then 25, was said to be from Plaistow, east London, while George Goddard, then 26, was said to be from Loughton in Essex.

Goddard also has links to the Isle of Dogs in London, police said, though neither suspect has been caught.

Henry, of Lewisham, south-east London, and Okorosobo, of Camberwell, south London, deny two counts of robbery.

The trial continues.
An anti-vaxxer MP suspended by the Conservatives has vowed to continue asking 'reasonable questions' about Covid vaccines - even if it means he never rejoins the party.

Andrew Bridgen was stripped of the whip by disgusted Tories yesterday for a tweet comparing the jab campaign to the Holocaust that was condemned by Rishi Sunak.

But in a video message on social media today the 58-year-old North West Leicestershire MP insisted he would continue to make unscientific claims and denied being racist.

He said he was 'disappointed' to be suspended pending an investigation and said he would apologise to anyone 'genuinely offended' by his tweet.

But he added that his suspension 'says much about the current state of our democracy the right to free speech and the apparent suspension of the scientific method of analysis of medicines being administered to billions of people'.

'Reasonable questions about the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines must continue to be asked and I will continue to ask them. If I cannot do that as a conservative Member of Parliament then so be it,' he added.

The Tory MP for North West Leicestershire said: 'As one consultant cardiologist said to me this is the biggest crime against humanity since the holocaust'

'Highlighting these important questions about, life, death, serious injury, must override party loyalty

'I owe that not only to my constituents in Northwest Leicestershire but also to the wider British public and especially to our children and young people who are the very future of our great nation.'

Mr Bridgen has made a series of anti-vaxxer claims on social media and in the Commons chamber in recent weeks.

But action was finally taken against him yesterday after he shared an article on the Pfizer and Moderna jabs online, based on safety data reportedly from US health agencies, and added: 'As one consultant cardiologist said to me this is the biggest crime against humanity since the holocaust.'

Mr Sunak voiced his own anger after the comment, made in a now-deleted Tweet, was raised by former health secretary Matt Hancock at Prime Minister's Questions.

Anti-vax protesters showing support for Andrew Bridgen at Westminster underground station in London yesterday

Tory chief whip Simon Hart took action because the remarks 'crossed a line', and other senior Tory MPs lined up to criticise his remarks.

One said they were 'disgraceful' and another warned that if he prevented people from being vaccinated he would have 'blood on his hands'.

But Mr Bridgen today denied being racist, including towards Jews, and threatened those who said he was with legal action.

He added: 'I've received huge support from ordinary people, medical workers who are too intimidated to speak out and of course from those who've experienced vaccine harms themselves.'
A second batch of classified documents was discovered in President Joe Biden's 'personal library' at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and other documents in his garage, the White House counsel revealed on Thursday.

The latest bombshell comes just days after reports that sensitive documents were also found in his former office in Washington, DC.

Richard Sauber, Special Counsel to the President, said the files were immediately handed over to the National Archives and the Department of Justice was notified.

Biden told reporters at the White House that he was 'cooperating fully and completely' with a Justice Department investigation as to how and why classified information and government records were improperly stored.

A second batch of classified documents was found in a garage 'storage space' in President Biden's Wilmington home, the President's counsel revealed on Thursday

Joe Biden tweets a video of himself with his classic 1967 Corvette Stingray - which was in the same garage as documents

Grabs from a Biden campaign video show him backing up his classic Stingray into his garage. Boxes and a lampshade can be seen in the background

Peter Doocy of Fox News asked the president how he could keep 'classified materials [in his garage] next to your Corvette. What were you thinking?'  a reference to his classic 1967 Stingray which his son, Hunter, had rebuilt for him as a Christmas present.

'By the way, my Corvette's in a locked garage, okay? It's not like it's sitting out in the street,' Biden shot back. He confirmed the documents were kept in a locked garage, saying: 'Yes - as well as my Corvette.'

The classic car, a wedding gift from his father more than 50 years ago, has been valued at $78,000.

'People know I take classified documents, classified materials seriously,' Biden said, beginning to read a prepared statement.

'I'm going to get a chance to speak on this soon, God willing,' he added, as reporters shouted questions. 'We're going to see all this unfold.'

A web ad from Biden's presidential campaign shows him backing up his classic car into his garage  with boxes and an apparent lampshade seen in the background.

The tense back and forth comes after Biden dodged questions during a trip to Mexico about whether he mishandled documents.

He said lawyers 'discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my - my personal library.'

'The Department of Justice was immediately notified, he said. 'We're going to see all this unfold, I'm confident ...' he added. Biden's voice trailed off, leading to a chorus of shouted questions. 'Thank you very much,' he concluded.

Then, amid the cacophony of questions, he pointed to the back of the auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building where he was speaking. 'Hey, how you doing? Good to see you!' he yelled, then walked off stage.

The disclosure comes as the White House faces multiple questions on why the discoveries have not been revealed until now and who was handling them.

The first set of files, found a week before the November midterms, was located in a locked closet at the Penn-Biden Center in Washington DC.

Biden was asked how he could have classified materials 'next to your Corvette.' He shot back: 'By the way, my Corvette's in a locked garage, okay?'

He said lawyers 'discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my - my personal library.' He also referenced the discovery of materials at the Penn Biden Center in Washington

The discovery of classified materials at the Penn Biden Center has caused a political uproar, and comes amid a DOJ investigation of

The classified documents are believed to have contained information on Iran, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and personal family information including documents about the Bidens' late son Beau's funeral.

'As we stated previously, we are fully cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice in a process to ensure that any Obama-Biden Administration records are appropriately in possession of the Archives,' Sauber said in the Thursday statement.

'Following the discovery of government documents at the Penn Biden Center in November 2022, and coordinating closely with the Department of Justice, the President's lawyers have searched the President's Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, residences  the other locations where files from his Vice-Presidential office might have been shipped in the course of the 2017 transition.

'The lawyers completed that review last night.

'During the review, the lawyers discovered among personal and political papers a small number of additional Obama-Biden Administration records with classified markings.

'All but one of these documents were found in storage space in the President's Wilmington residence garage.

'One document consisting of one page was discovered among stored materials in an adjacent room. No documents were found in the Rehoboth Beach residence.

'As was done in the case of the Penn-Biden Center, the Department of Justice was immediately notified, and the lawyers arranged for the Department of Justice to take possession of these documents.

'The White House will continue to cooperate with the review by the Department of Justice.'

Former President Donald Trump had classified documents at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, after leaving office in 2021 but after numerous attempts by the National Archive, the DOJ allowed the FBI to search the estate for White House documents

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside an entrance to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022 as FBI agents search for classified documents taken from the White House

Republicans' calls for a special counsel to review the matter at the Justice Department have now been answered. Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed Robert K. Hur, a former federal prosecutor, to investigate.

A special counsel is already reviewing former President Donald Trump's possession of highly classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence. FBI agents searched the residence this summer under a grand jury subpoena after a months-long process seeking to obtain government material.

Biden blasted Trump's handling of materials in the past, and has stated that he takes care when bringing classified documents home as president - that he gets briefed in a secured room and returns classified materials to a military aide.

He told CBS '60 Minutes' after the Mar-a-Lago raid: 'How that could possibly happen? How one  anyone could be that irresponsible?'
The sandwich chain, however, has seen a turnaround under CEO John Chidsey, who revamped the menu and closed down locations

It has also faced backlash over criticisms of its ingredients, including its tuna and bread, which both resulted in court cases in the US and Ireland

Subway has seen it franchise count in the US fall after peaking in 2015 following the death of its long-time founder and Jared Fogle's child pornography scandal

Subway has retained advisers as it begins exploring a sale of the company

The Subway sandwich restaurant chain has begun exploring a sale for the company that could be valued at $10 billion.

The company has retained advisers in the early stages of a sales plan expected to attract corporate buyers and private-equity firms, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Although Subway previously shot down speculations that it was preparing for a sale last year, the franchise has seen a big turn following years of controversies regarding its ingredients, including its tuna and bread, and pedophile former spokesperson, Jared Fogle.

Following its latest reports for the end of 2021, the company is the largest restaurant chain in the US with more than 21,000 locations even after shutting down more than 2,600 franchises in the last three years as part of its restructure plan.

Subway also saw its revenue up 13 percent to $9.4 billion at the end of 2021.

'As a privately held company, we don't comment on ownership structure and business plans,' Subway said in a statement. 'We continue to be focused on moving the brand forward with our transformational journey to help our franchisees be successful and profitable.'

Subway has seen it franchise count in the US fall after peaking in 2015 following the death of its long-time founder and Jared Fogle's child pornography conviction

Former Burger King CEO John Chidsey (above) took the reins from Subway's founding families in 2019, restructuring the company and rolling out a new menu focused on freshness. Experts said Chidsey's turn around has made the company an attractive asset valued at $10 billion

Subway, which has about 37,000 stores around the world, saw a meteoric rise in the early 2000s, but after sales peaked at $18 billion in 2012, the company began stumbling.

In 2015, Subway faced a public image nightmare when the face of the company, Jared Fogel, was convicted on child pornography charges.

It has also faced criticisms over the freshness of its ingredients, with Ireland's Supreme Court ruling that its bread had too much sugar to be called bread.

The company also faced a class-action lawsuit claiming it was misrepresenting its tuna sandwiches, with lab analysis repeatedly showing the meals had no tuna DNA.

The tests prove that the tuna is actually a mixture of various concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by [Subway] to imitate the appearance of tuna, according to the complaint filed against the company.

A judge rejected Subway's request to dismiss the lawsuit in July, with the case being reviewed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California before heading to trial.

While Subway has been owned by its two founding families for more than five decades, John Chidsey became the first outsider CEO in 2019.

Chidsey, the former CEO of Burger King, elected to close down locations and restructure the company to focus on its menu and food quality.

The company has since rebounded and exited the pandemic in a better condition than competitors, with the company noting that its latest quarter saw sales up 8.4 percent compared to the same time in 2021.

The latest revenue surge came after the launch of the 'Subway Series' menu, which fulfilled Chidsey's goal of streamlining the food being served.

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, told CNN Business that the changes have made Subway an attractive target to buyers.

'While the program has proven itself, it still has a lot of runway to boost future growth, which makes Subway a chain with good prospects  even in a slowing economy,' he said. 'The optimistic outlook is one of the reasons Subway sees this as a reasonable time to explore a sale and why it is likely to attract a significant amount of interest.'

Subway was founded co-found by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck in 1965, with DeLuca (above) serving as CEO during the peak of the restaurant's popularity

Despite years of decline, Subway

Since the prospects of the sale are still in its early phases, any deals being discussed could still be called off.

Saunders noted that because of Subway's recent successes, interested buyers may have to offer incentives to speed up a deal.

'While Subway is clearly interested in doing a deal, it is in no particular hurry and will likely be relaxed if nothing comes of its explorations. This means buyers will need to pay a full price to get any transaction over the line,' Saunders told CNN.

The popular sandwich chain was founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck.

Buck had lent DeLuca $1,000 to open the sandwich shop, which exploded in popularity by the early 2000s over its foot-long subs.

DeLuca manned the helm of the growth before being diagnosed with cancer in 2013, with his daughter, Suzanne Greco, taking the reins.

Greco then retired in 2018, with Trevor Haynes serving as interim CEO until Chidsey came on board.
A Russian frigate carrying 'unstoppable' hypersonic missiles passed Dover before leaving British waters after being shadowed by the Royal Navy.

Moscow confirmed today the Admiral Gorshkov had passed the narrowest point of the English Channel - the Strait of Dover - sailing south out towards the Atlantic.

'The frigate will soon continue to accomplish its missions in designated parts of the Atlantic,' Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement.

The Royal Navy released a statement Wednesday saying HMS Portland was tracking the Russian warship and its accompanying tanker Kama as the pair sailed into the North Sea, after the Gorshkov conducted war games in the Norwegian Sea.

The Royal Navy released a statement Wednesday saying HMS Portland (left) was tracking the Russian warship (centre) and its accompanying tanker Kama (right) as they sailed into the North Sea, after the Gorshkov conducted war games in the Norwegian Sea

Moscow confirmed its frigate Admiral Gorshkov had passed the narrowest point of the English Channel - the Strait of Dover - sailing south out towards the Atlantic

Vladimir Putin personally took part in the farewell ceremony when the warship departed from Arctic naval base Severomorsk on a voyage that will also take in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

When it departed the Russian president boasted that the West could not match his 'latest-generation' hypersonic firepower.

'It has no equivalent in any country in the world,' he said. 'I am sure that such a powerful weapon will allow us to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and help ensure our country's national interests.'

The Gorshkov is for the first time carrying deadly nuclear-capable 6,670mph Zircon - or Tsirkon - missiles with a 625 mile range in a significant challenge to the West, as well as Kalibr missiles. Earlier the guided missile frigate staged war games in the Norwegian Sea 'repelling a simulated enemy's air strikes'.

As the warship sailed towards Britain, footage released on Tuesday showed the capabilities of the vessel when it took part in a series of military exercises.

Russia warned the West of its warship's capabilities by releasing chilling new footage showing the launch of its 'unstoppable' nuclear-capable Zircon missile, from a launch in May (pictured)

Pictured: Launch of an 'unstoppable' Zircon nuclear-capable hypersonic missile from the Admiral Gorshkov

Following Wednesday's announcement, the Navy released images of HMS Portland tracking the Russian vessels in the North Sea on Monday, meaning that the operation has been underway for several days already.

Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen was already tracking the Russian warship as it sailed south through the Norwegian Sea, the Navy said.

HMS Portland then joined the vessels as they entered the North Sea.

The Navy's vessel is carrying a Merlin helicopter, both equipped with 'cutting-edge sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations', the Navy's statement said.

In the statement, HMS Portland's Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: 'Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.'

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Portland monitored the Russian warship and accompanying tanker Kama as they sailed close to the UK.

Pictured: The Russian frigate 'Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov' armed with Zircon hypersonic weapons leaves the naval base in Severomorsk, January 4, 2023

Pictured: Footage released by Russia shows the warship Admiral Gorshkov, which is carrying one of the world's deadliest weapons, 'repelling a simulated enemy's air strikes' in stormy conditions six days into the mission to challenge the West

Moss-Ward was quoted as saying: 'Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy. By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation's interests.

'Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated the UK's commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.'

The Navy said that HMS Portland departed her home port at Plymouth on Saturday, January 7.

Moscow has boasted that the Gorshkov is 'the most dangerous enemy of surface ships in the world's oceans' now it is armed with the new hypersonic missile.

The frigate's captain Igor Krokhmal has said previously: 'No one will see the missile launch or its flight. They will only see when the missile hits the target.

'A surface target, a coastal target. I don't think there will be anything to counter this in the next few years.'

The chilling footage released Tuesday showed the extent of the warship's capabilities and its missiles.

Commentary over the Zvezda TV launch video said: 'The purpose of the exercise was to test the operation of the air defence circuit, its systems, air and electronic lighting systems, anti-aircraft fire systems, tactical camouflage electronic warfare systems and air defence circuit control systems.'

The tasks were 'achieved', said the channel. 'The ship is ready to repel air attacks from different altitudes and directions.'
The UK's Middle East minister was today blocked from visiting a holy site in Jerusalem by Israeli police.

Lord Ahmad, a practising Muslim, was stopped from entering the al-Aqsa mosque by security forces during his first visit to the region as the UK's Middle East minister.

Lord Ahmad was forced to wait outside the mosque for half an hour before being let in, reports the BBC.

The Islamic authority in charge of the al-Aqsa mosque said it was 'unacceptable' for Israeli police to block the minister from entering the holy site. 'Whether he came as a minister or as a Muslim he shouldn't have been blocked,' it said.

Lord Ahmad, a practising Muslim, was stopped from entering the al-Aqsa mosque by security forces during his first visit to the region as the UK's Middle East minister. Pictured: Lord Ahmad (left) standing outside the holy site after being blocked from entering by Israeli police

Lord Ahmad was forced to wait outside the mosque for half an hour before being let in

Lord Ahmad later played down the 30 minute wait, where he and other UK officials were told to stand beside a police checkpoint, and told the BBC it was 'security checks'.

The UK officials had told the Israeli police that Lord Ahmad was a British government minister and that the visit had been organised by the Islamic endowment that runs the mosque, the Waqf.

But the Israeli police refused to accept this for half an hour - despite the UK officials trying to clarify Lord Ahmad's identity by showing a picture of the minister meeting the Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Wednesday.

The Waqf said it had given the details of Lord Ahmad and the other UK officials to Israeli police at the site.

'This is the policy. Whether this was an intentional delay or for other reasons, the Israeli authorities only want people to co-ordinate with them, through the Israeli government, only through the Israeli side,' Wafq director, Sheikh Mohammed Azam al-Khatib, told the BBC.

'This was unacceptable... I talked to the police and I came down from my office with my staff to apologise to the minister for the actions of the Israeli police.'

Lord Ahmad and the UK officials were eventually allowed into the mosque where he prayed and was given access to restored religious manuscripts.

Lord Ahmad and the UK officials were eventually allowed into the mosque where he prayed and was given access to restored religious manuscripts (pictured)

The UK government dismissed any suggestion that he was 'prevented' from entering the site.

'But one hopes that when someone's coming specifically for the act of worship... one hopes, whether here in Jerusalem or elsewhere, across the world, that people are given the opportunity to freely practice and profess their faith,' he said.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian prime minister accused Israel's new ultra-nationalist government of blocking 'even the most non-violent ways of fighting the occupation,' after Israel retaliated for the Palestinians' successful effort to enlist U.N. help.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh's comments to Haaretz came amid a flurry of punitive steps by Israel since taking office late last month, most recently banning the Palestinian flag from public spaces.

Israel has stripped Palestinian officials of VIP privileges and broken up a meeting of Palestinian parents discussing their children's education.

On Sunday, Israel's security minister ordered the police to ban the Palestinian flag, a symbolically fraught move after what one Israeli rights group reported was the deadliest year of the conflict in decades.

'Today I directed the Israel Police to enforce the prohibition of flying any PLO flag that shows identification with a terrorist organization from the public sphere and to stop any incitement against the State of Israel,' Itamar Ben-Gvir announced on Twitter.

It was the new government's latest retaliation after a Palestinian push for the U.N.'s highest judicial body to give its opinion on Israel's 55-year military occupation of the West Bank.

Ben-Gvir, a far-right firebrand known for his anti-Arab rhetoric, drew widespread international condemnation when he visited Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site last week.

Shtayyeh told Haaretz that the Israeli sanctions were designed to collapse the Palestinian Authority and would have dire consequences.

Palestinians carry the body of Samir Aslan, 41, during his funeral at Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on January 12, 2023. Israeli forces killed the Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank today

'We have the right to complain and tell the world we are in pain,' he said in comments published Monday. 'Israel wants to prevent even the most non-violent way of fighting the occupation.'

Ahmad Aldeek, assistant to the Palestinian foreign minister, said 'The Israeli government is waging an open war on the symbols and components of the State of Palestine.'

'This increases our insistence on pursuing the Israeli government and putting it on trial in all international forums,' Aldeek said Monday.

Under Israeli law, flying the Palestinian flag is not a crime. An attorney general in 2014 ruled that an ordinance decades earlier granted police the authority to confiscate a flag if it results in disruption of public order or breach of peace, or is done in support of terrorism.

Ben-Gvir's order, one group said, falsely implies that any public display of the Palestinian flag is itself such a disruption.

'This gives the police unfettered discretion to ban the waving of the Palestinian flag under all circumstances,' according to a statement from Adalah, an Arab minority legal rights group.

The red, green and white Palestinian flag carries great symbolism in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Last May, Israeli riot police beat pallbearers at the funeral for slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, causing them to nearly drop the casket. Police ripped Palestinian flags out of people's hands and fired stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

Palestinian gunman attend the funeral of Samir Aslan, 41, at Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, on January 12

Israel once considered the Palestinian flag that of a militant group akin to the Palestinian Hamas or the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah.

But after Israel and the Palestinians signed a series of interim peace agreements known as the Oslo Accords, the flag was recognized as that of the Palestinian Authority, which was created to administer Gaza and parts of the occupied West Bank.

Israel opposes any official business being carried out by the PA in east Jerusalem, and police have in the past broken up events they alleged were linked to the PA.

Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday the measures against the Palestinians were aimed at what he called 'an extreme anti-Israel' step at the U.N.

Israel's Palestinian citizens make up 20% of the population and they've had a turbulent relationship with the state since its creation in 1948. That was the year that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced to flee in the events surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel.

Those who remained became citizens, but have long been viewed with suspicion by some Israelis because of their ties to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

The Palestinians seek all three areas for a future independent state. Netanyahu's new government is dominated by hard-liners who oppose Palestinian statehood.
This is the moment an Afghan asylum seeker headbutts a clubgoer during a night out - minutes before he stabbed an aspiring marine to death.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, twice plunged a '10cm blade' into the chest of Thomas Roberts, also 21, outside a Subway sandwich shop in Bournemouth in the early hours on March 12 last year.

He had gotten into an argument with Mr Roberts' friend James Medway, 24, over an e-scooter as the pair made their way home from a 'very chilled' night out, Salisbury Crown Court has heard.

The murder trial was today shown CCTV from outside a nightclub showing an altercation involving the defendant 20 minutes before Mr Roberts suffered fatal stab wounds.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai twice plunged a knife into Thomas Roberts (pictured) when the 21-year-old tried to stop the altercation between him and his friend outside a Subway sandwich shop

The footage, taken from a camera outside Cameo nightclub, showed Abdulrahimzai aggressively headbutting' a drunken club-goer at around 4.20am, before Mr Roberts was stabbed at 4.40am.

The asylum seeker is seen wearing his hood up, had a balaclava covering some of his face and was wearing an Afghanistan flag around his neck, the court heard.

Reveller Alfie Goulty told the court he had been having a verbal disagreement with the man in a grey shirt when Abdulrahimzai joined in.

Mr Goulty, 18, who is wearing a black jumper in the video, said did not know the defendant.

He added: 'The person that joined was wearing a coat and balaclava, which was not fully on.

'He was just repeating my words, he was telling him [the man in a grey shirt] to go away...

'He used his head on him, he used it to nudge him away, it was like a headbutt. It was fairly aggressive.'

The court has previously heard how Mr Roberts, a DJ and aspiring Royal Marine, was enjoying a night out with Mr Medway, 24, when the latter got into an argument with Abdulrahimzai over an e-scooter.

The moment aAbdulrahimzai is seen allegedly pushing his head towards a party-goer outside a nightclub

The asylum seeker was seen wearing his hood up, had a balaclava covering some of his face and was wearing an Afghanistan flag around his neck, the court heard

CCTV footage released yesterday showed the moment Abdulrahimzai (circled in white) flees on foot while being chased by Mr Medway (circled in yellow)

Mr Roberts had acted as 'peacemaker' and tried to break up the argument, but Abdulrahimzai pulled a 10cm blade and stabbed him twice in the chest, jurors were told.

Distressing CCTV footage of the incident showed Mr Roberts initially managing to stay on his feet, before collapsing to the ground seconds later. He later died during emergency surgery.

Not realising the extent of his friend's injuries, Mr Medway gave chase to Abdulrahimzai as he fled on foot away from the scene - a busy spot in the Dorset town centre lined with nightclubs.

The court also today heard from Home Office registered pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery. who said Mr Roberts was unconscious and his heart had stopped when an ambulance crew found him.

He was revived by paramedics, but suffered a second cardiac arrest in hospital.

Having lost a litre of blood, Mr Roberts was revived for a second time, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries - suffering another heart attack while being operated on.

Dr Jeffery told the court the two stab wounds to his body were 10cm and 10.5cm deep.

The first wound cut between his ribs, while she said the second damaged his left kidney, bowel and heart.

A police cordon at the scene of the stabbing near a Subway on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth

A police cordon around Horseshoe Common in Bournemouth following the fatal stabbing

Dr Jeffery told the court: '[Mr Roberts] was unconscious and in cardiac arrest when the ambulance arrived.

'It was estimated by clinicians he lost about one litre of blood and was given (a blood transfusion). He suffered a further cardiac arrest, but was stabilised again.

'He suffered [another] cardiac arrest [in theatre], and it was not possible to revive him. The upper cut was between his ribs and cut across his diaphragm with a 10cm wound.

'The [10.5cm deep] lower cut was below his rib cage, slicing across his left kidney, nicking his bowel and entering his heart.'

Abdulrahimzai admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing, but denies murder.

The court has heard that he will argue he suffered a 'loss of control'.

The trial continues.
Accused Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court today with a scratched face as he waived his right to a speedy trial.

The 28-year-old will return to court in Moscow on June 26 - six months from now - for a preliminary hearing.

He requested the gap in court proceedings - waiving his right to a timely hearing - to allow his attorneys more time to learn more about prosecutors' case against him.

As he took his seat, scratches along the left side of his chin were clearly visible. It's unclear how he sustained the scratches.

A deputy from the Latah County Jail told DailyMail.com that the cuts were 'accidental', and that Kohberger inflicted them on himself.

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Accused Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court today with a scratched face as he waived his right to a speedy trial

The cuts extended up Kohberger's jaw-line. It remains unclear how he sustained them

'It's not a reportable incident, that's all I can say,' the deputy said.

In court, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial and was held without bail following a brief court appearance.

Kohberger's attorneys previously said he denied the killings, but he has not yet entered a plea. So far, Kohberger has only appeared before judges in Idaho's magistrate court division.

If the case progresses to trial - which it is expected to - it will be moved to the district division, which is reserved for more serious offenses.

The hearing in June will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to the division court.

Once it has, Kohberger will be asked to enter a plea.

Kohberger enters court in Idaho on Thursday accompanied by Latah County Sheriff's Deputies

The 28-year-old will be held without bail in Latah County, Idaho, until his next court date

Kohberger did not speak at the hearing today aside from answering 'yes' and 'no' when asked by the judge if he understood the process, and whether he needed more time to speak with his attorney.

'Mr Kohberger understands his right to a timely preliminary hearing, and he's willing to waive the timeliness to allow us time to obtain discovery in this case,' his lawyer. public defender Anne Taylor, said.

His appearance came as a neighbor revealed that he'd asked him about the murders back in November, and commented on the fact that police had 'no leads.'

Kohberger, 28, is accused of murdering Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on November 13 in the quiet, college town of Moscow, Idaho

The neighbor is speaking now for the first time in an interview with CBS.

He lives in the off-campus apartment complex where Kohberger - who appeared in court today - was living while studying a PhD in criminology at the University of Washington State, seven miles from the Moscow murder house.

He did not wish to be identified, but told how Kohberger asked him about the murders days after they happened in November.

'He brought it up in conversation, asked if I'd heard about the murders. Which I had.

'He said, "It seems like they have no leads... like it was a crime of passion."

'At the time of our conversation it was only a few days after it happened. There wasn't much detail out,' he said.

Kohberger is due in court in Idaho today for what will be his second appearance.

The hearing is expected to be brief and will be focused on scheduling. Kohberger has not yet entered a plea.

He is accused of four counts of first degree murder and one count of burglary. If convicted on the murder charges, he faces the death penalty.

The neighbor (left, in a hood with his back to the camera) speaks for the first time in an interview with CBS. He requested anonymity
According to a United Nations research, human involvement may allow the ozone layer to rebuild within a few decades.

The report demonstrates the efficacy of the 1987 worldwide agreement to forbid the use of dangerous chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, the BBC writes.

The 1987 Montreal Protocol Will Soon Reap The Results It Wants

The majority of the UV light from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere's thin ozone layer, which scientists first detected to be thinning in the 1970s.

They soon learned that the ozone layer was being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were then often used in spray cans, refrigerators, and air conditioners.

Later on, the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 by 46 countries after a sizable hole in the layer above the Antarctic was found in 1985.

However, even after the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987, the Antarctic ozone hole persisted in growing until 2000, but years after that, the hole seems to have been shrinking.

The ozone hole is expected to fully recover in a matter of decades, according to the latest UN assessment, which demonstrates that the agreement has been effective, Interesting Engineering reports.

According to the report, the ozone layer will entirely recover in the most severely impacted region of the Antarctic by 2066.

Depletion is anticipated to have entirely recovered over the Arctic by 2045, while anywhere else that is affected is likely to take only two decades.

Of course, all of this depends on the Montreal Protocol's policies continuing to be followed, the United Nations Environment Program states.

Read More: 7 iOS Apps That Promote Eco-friendly, Sustainable Living

The Ozone's Future Seems Bright For Generations To Come

According to the research, the Montreal Protocol's provisions have helped combat climate change because the chemicals that were phased out are also greenhouse gasses.

Research found that compared to a fictitious increase in their use of 3%, the phase-out of the chemicals will have saved up to 1C of heat by the middle of the century.

Additionally, it issues a warning that the ozone layer's full recovery is not certain and that prospective plans to spray sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere in an effort to refreeze the poles may not be beneficial.

In the end, any comprehensive environmental policies must take the ozone layer and climate change into account as two distinct issues, Interesting Engineering suggests.

Nevertheless, the research serves as a timely reminder of the benefits of global cooperation for the environment and the world.

The UN stated in a tweet that this is an inspiring example of how people all over the world can work together to address common problems.

"Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done - as a matter of urgency - to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gasses and so limit temperature increase," says Prof. Petteri Taalas.

It is notable that the most recent assessment was created using considerable study, investigations, and data gathered by a sizable worldwide group of professionals.

Included in this are numerous representatives from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Big names like the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Union also had a hand in this research.

Related Article: First-Ever Vaccine For Declining Honeybees Gets Approval From The US Department Of Agriculture
The mother of one the students slain in Idaho last year has penned a heartbreaking tribute to her son, stating that 'nothing has changed' since the recent arrest of suspect Bryan Kohberger, and that mourners should direct their anger elsewhere.

Taking to social media two weeks after Kohberger's arrest, Stacy Chapin, the mom of 20-year-old Ethan Chapin, urged those affected by the tragedy to 'instead look ahead,' as the suspect makes his way through the courts.

Kohberger - a 28-year-old doctoral student in criminology at Washington State University - is charged with four counts of murder for the killings, which for the past two months has captivated much of the nation due cops' failure to glean a suspect.

That changed just before the new year when investigators tracked down Kohberger to his parent's home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, on December 30, where he had been visiting for the holidays.

The mother's post included a childhood photo of Chapin pictured alongside his triplet siblings Maizie and Hunter - both of whom are students at the University of Idaho - and came as Kohberger received a date for his upcoming trial.

Nearly two months have passed since Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Chapin - all students at the college - were all stabbed to death inside the three-story home late November 13. The property is just eight miles from Kohberger's apartment in nearby Pullman, Washington.

Taking to social media Thursday, Stacy Chapin (left), the mom of 20-year-old victim Ethan Chapin (right), urged those affected by the tragedy to 'instead look ahead,' as the recently arrested suspect makes his way through the court system

The mourning mom described her son as loyal, carefree and happy in a post shared to Facebook Wednesday, that sought to focus on the victims rather than the arrest

'Ethan is who he was because of our family,' Chapin wrote in the post, two months after asserting at a November ceremony that as speculation swirled around her son's and the other students' murders, her family was focused on sharing 'Ethan's legacy.'

'His foundation was unwavering. He was so loved he didn't know any different. He was profoundly supported and our family of five was different than others and so very special.'

The mom added that Chapin - who didn't live in the house but was sleeping over with his girlfriend, 20-year-old Xana Kernodle - 'loved unconditionally, he was loyal to all, he was inclusive, carefree, happy, just the best person you could ever meet.'

'The stories are endless and amazing,' the tribute continued, writing that her son, without realizing, had 'touched lives we had no idea existed.'

The mother's post included a childhood photo of Chapin where is pictured along with his two triplet siblings Maizie and Hunter - both of whom are also students at the University of Idaho

Madison Mogen, 21, top left, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, bottom left, Chapin, center, and Xana Kernodle, 20, right, were murdered in their off-campus university home on November 13

'Ethan was incredible,' Stacey gushed, before revealing that both Maizie and Hunter had resumed classes after taking the past two months off, until the school's recently wrapped winter break.

'We've spent the last eight weeks, besides the obvious, focused on Maizie and Hunter. Cards, talks, walks, hikes, tears, you name it,' Chapin's mother wrote.

'Yesterday, we successfully dropped them off back at the University of Idaho. Hunter was very glad to be back at the fraternity and Maizie was warming up to the idea but it was so good to hear all of the girls squeal with delight upon seeing her.

'It did this momma's heart good to hear it!!'

Chapin didn't live in the house but was sleeping over with his girlfriend, 20-year-old Kernodle

Kohberger was allegedly stalking the students in the weeks leading up to the murders. Pictured is the home where the murders took place, just over eight miles from where he worked as a PhD student and teaching assistant

The mom added how Ethan and Hunter had recently joined the university's Sigma Chi fraternity, while Maizie joined sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.

'Maizie and Hunter are rockstars and we couldnt be more proud of them,' the mom wrote of her and her husband's decision to send the 20-year-olds back to school.

'Their job now is just be kids. Start where they left off. Keep goals and aspirations in mind,' she wrote.

Chapin's mother went on to detail the 'profound' support the family, from Mount Vernon in Washington, has received from staff at the university, as well as the local and state police forces.

Bryan Kohberger - a 28-year-old doctoral student in criminology at Washington State University - is charged with four counts of murder for the killings

Kaylee and Madison were found on the top floor of the Moscow, Idaho home. College lovers Chapin and Kernodle were found in a second-floor bedroom - while survivors Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, both Kernodle's housemates, were sleeping on the first floor

The mom also revealed that all of the possessions Ethan had at his girlfriend's residence - including a set of golf clubs - 'is now frozen with the defense' and being held as evidence for the still ongoing case.

The mom said she and her husband are currently in talks with prosecutors, as they continue to probe the murders at the three story house - set on a street dubbed by students as Frat's Row due to its proximity to several Fraternity houses.

'For us, it involves two vehicles, E's belonging and a nice set of golf clubs. We've met with prosecutors, handled media inquiries (hopefully respectfully), managed, grieved, talked and continue to try and process our new normal,' she wrote.

She then pivoted back to the subject of Kohberger's arrest, which was achieved after investigators used DNA evidence, cellphone records and surveillance footage from the house to identify him as a suspect.

The mom said she and her husband Jim are currently in talks with prosecutors, while calling Maize and Hunter 'rock stars' for resuming school after the loss of Ethan (second from left)

'However, nothing has changed,' the mom stated, adding the family is not wasting 'time being angry.'

'That would be energy not well spent and it still wouldnt change the outcome. We have to look ahead.'

'We did a great job. We will still do a great job. And as always, we are eternally grateful to so many of you. We can't possibly reply to all your notes but we read them all, and your kindness and support means the world to us.'

Previously, at a ceremony celebrating the lives of the six students, Stacey said that while the family is heartbroken over the loss, they are focused on sharing Ethan's legacy.

'We are eternally grateful that we spent so much time with him. And I want to remind you, that that's the most important message that we have for you and your families, is to make sure that you spend as much time as possible with those people because time is precious, and it's something you can't get back,' she said.

Previously, at a ceremony celebrating the lives of the six students, Stacey said that while the family is heartbroken over the loss, they are focused on sharing Ethan's legacy

In court Thursday, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial and was held without bail after a hearing to determine the suspect's inevitable court date - now set for June.

Kohberger, appearing in an orange jumpsuit, did not speak aside from answering 'yes' and 'no' when asked by the Moscow judge if he understood the process, and whether he needed more time to speak with his attorney.

Kohberger's attorneys previously said he denied the killings, but has not yet entered a plea. So far, Kohberger has only appeared before judges in Idaho's magistrate court division.

If the case progresses to trial - which it is expected to - it will be moved to the district division, which is reserved for more serious offenses.

The hearing in June will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to the division court.

Once it has, Kohberger will be asked to enter a plea.

Kohberger enters court in Idaho on Thursday accompanied by Latah County Sheriff's Deputies

The 28-year-old will be held without bail in Latah County, Idaho, until his next court date

Kohberger has a masters degree in criminal justice, and at the time of the quadruple murder, was working at the storied university as a TA to obtain his PhD in criminology.

Those academic records - as well as accounts from students who knew him - have led experts to believe that the suspect had engaged in his studies to better his killing capabilities.

Enzo Yaksic, a criminal profiler and founder of the Atypical Homicide Research Group in Boston, said: 'I suspect that Kohberger was well aware of his dark nature and homicidal ideation and endeavored to discover more about himself through his studies.'

According to students in his class, Kohberger acted as if nothing had happened after the killings took place.

WSU's online directory shows he worked as a teaching assistant for the university's criminal justice and criminology program. He was also a PhD student in the department. He will remain incarcerated without bail in Moscow until his trial, set to commence on June 26.
Piers Morgan hung up on Alex Jones after their rematch interview descended into an incomprehensible row over the Sandy Hook massacre, 10 years after the pair had a heated clash over gun control.

The broadcasters failed to finish their debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored this evening after Jones shouted at Morgan for probing him over comments he made about the deadly school shooting.

The Talk TV host said Jones 'deliberately spun a pack of lies designed to make the families of Sandy Hook suffer worse pain.'

Jones, frustrated by the line of questioning, denied responsibility for his role in the spread of misinformation - arguing 'I didn't make money off of Sandy Hook' - and warned viewers 'don't let Piers mind control you' just moments before his live interview feed was cut off.

Piers Morgan hung up on Alex Jones tonight after their rematch interview descended into an incomprehensible row over the Sandy Hook massacre

Morgan presented Jones with a series of potential conversation topics, including the school shooting, before he appeared on the show this evening.

Jones was seemingly angered by the fact that the majority of his interview revolved around his Sandy Hook commentary.

The Infowars host was ordered last year to pay $1.5billion in defamation damages to the families of Sandy Hook massacre victims.

Morgan, addressing the defamation suit on the show, said Jones 'took a massive amount of fuel and you poured it on the bonfire of their pain.'

'That is the bottom line with you, Alex,' he said. 'You deliberately spun a pack of lies designed to make the families of Sandy Hook suffer worse pain.'

He then presented Jones with footage of Nicole Hockley, whose six-year-old son Dylan was killed in the massacre, during which she claimed Jones inspired conspiracy theorists to threaten her and her family's safety.

Jones (pictured during his defamation trial last year) denied responsibility for his role in the spread of misinformation about the shooting - arguing 'I didn't make money off of Sandy Hook' - and warned viewers 'don't let Piers mind control you' just moments before his live interview feed was cut off

Jones denied defaming Nicole Hockley, (left) whose six-year-old son Dylan (right) was killed in the massacre, and told Morgan: 'I never talked about that woman. I didn't even know who she was.'

After hearing her testimony - which Morgan described as 'eloquent' and 'emotional' - Jones replied: 'Total garbage, never said her name.

'I never talked about that woman. I didn't even know who she was.'

Morgan hit back, noting how Jones said Sandy Hook was a 'giant hoax' and claimed the massacre was 'as phoney as a three dollar bill.'

Instead of responding to the line of questioning, Jones referenced the other proposed discussion topics and asked in a combative tone: 'When are we going to talk about other topics?

'They live off of me. I didn't make money off of Sandy Hook. They got $73million from Remington. They live off Sandy Hook, I don't.'

Morgan, seemingly emphasising with the victims, said: 'Here's what I will say to you. Maybe one of the reasons they have a problem with you and watch you did is you were saying on-air things like "you've got parents laughing - hahaha - and then they walk over to the camera and go "boo hoo hoo," and not just one but a bunch of parents doing this and then photos of kids that are still alive they said died? I mean, they think we're so dumb."

'These were parents in the grip of unbelievable trauma.'

An aerial view of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. Twenty-seven people, including 18 children, have been killed in a mass school shooting

Jones was sued for defamation after he repeatedly claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, which left 20 students and six teachers dead, was a 'hoax' and had been 'staged'

Alex Jones LOSES bid for new trial after: Click here to read more Jones has been denied a motion for a new trial. He was ordered to pay nearly $1.5billion in damages to the families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in cases in Connecticut and Texas (file image) Advertisement

Jones deflected and instead tried to refocus the conversation on the Covid shots that he claims are 'poisoned' and kill children.

He also tried to compare his indiscretions to the wartime actions of former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who once publicly said she thought the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children were 'worth it'.

The pair went on to argue about the shooting for over 40 minutes, with Morgan quoting Jones' own commentary to him - which Jones denied.

The conspiracy theorist blamed the judge in his defamation trial and media for persecuting him over comments he 'apologised' for.

He also repeatedly claimed his victims were making money 'off my name.'

Morgan hung up on Jones around 48 minutes into the hour-long show after he 'lost the plot.'

'All your shouting and all your bluther is utterly contemptible,' Morgan told Jones. 'And we both, I think, know that.'

Jones yelled back: 'You're never going to get our First Amendment and I'm glad you had to move back to England to live under your Islamic takeover and when they're arresting people for being against transgenderism -'

'Alex, you're once again losing the plot so that means now I have to say goodbye,' Morgan calmly interjected. 'But it's been good to catch up, thank you.'

Jones' feed was cut from the broadcast and Morgan added: 'Alex Jones. Nothing's really changed. In the last 10 years or so, he carried on exploiting, particularly the families of Sandy Hook for massive personal financial gain.

'He systematically tells conspiracy theories which I know that he knows are not true and he does it because it makes him tons of money.

'And he's got away with until now, but they called his bluff - they sued him - and the families won $1.5billion.'

Jones launched into a furious rant the last time the two met on Morgan's CNN talk show in 2013 when he yelled: 'I'm here to tell you 1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms'

Jones previously appeared on Morgan's show a decade ago and, similarly to today, they were met in a heated clash.

Jones launched into a furious rant the last time the two met on Morgan's CNN talk show in 2013 when he yelled: 'I'm here to tell you 1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms.'

In their 2013 encounter, Morgan asked him: 'How many gun murders were there in Britain this year?'

Jones responded: 'How many great white sharks kill people every year but they're scared to swim?'

He went on to say: 'I'm here to tell you 1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms.'

He also claimed: 'You've got hordes of people burning down cities and beating people's brains out every day.'

When Morgan repeated his question, Jones said: 'How many chimpanzees can dance on the head of a pin?'

Jones gained notoriety for his years hosting his show InfoWars, where he regularly voiced baseless conspiracy theories concerning a global elite.
The remains of a Fort Myers woman who went missing when Hurricane Ian devastated her town have been found months later.

Ilonka Knes, 82, was found a short distance away from her home submerged in water 'deep within the mangroves' on Tropical Shore Way on Tuesday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced at a press conference.

Knes body was recovered by a waste removal company as clean-up efforts in the community continue. She was later identified by her dental records and reported her cause of death was 'accidental drowning.'

She was one of the last two people missing since October 15 after the storm completely devastated her community.

James Hurst, 72, is still missing since he rode out the storm on a sailboat in Fort Meyers.

The final death toll for Hurricane Ian was around 150 with 74 reported in Lee County alone.

Ilonka Knes, 82, was found less than .1 miles away from her home. Knes body was recovered by a waste removal company as clean up efforts in the community continue. She was identified by her dental records

Her body was found 'deep within the mangroves' by a waste removal company. The photo above shows the continued devastation of Fort Myers since Ian

Hurricane Ian took the state by surprise when the Category 4 storm's destructive power marveled in.

Fort Myers Beach, a town of about 5,500 on one of the barrier islands off Fort Myers, was '90 percent' destroyed in the storm, officials previously said.

At the time, residents were warned they may not be able to return to their waterlogged homes for months.

'As time moves forward, the scars left by Ian will remind us how far we've come when we work together,' Marceno said. 'We will build back stronger than before and it takes all of us.'

While some were able to make it out of the town by foot, Knes and her husband were among the unlucky few unable to escape.

Her husband's body was found immediately after the storm nearby their home - which was completely destroyed.

'These are not just two bodies - these are two loved ones - these are two family members,' Marceno said.

Ilonka lived on Fort Myers with her husband Bob who also died during Hurricane Ian

Ilonka was found 0.1 miles away from where she lived. Her husband was found in the same proximity back in October

Fort Myers residents are still picking up the pieces more than two months after the storm tore through the state's west coast. Pictured: Fort Myers in December

Surrounded by trash, several boats in Fort Myers can be seen stranded on land, some even touching each other

These are the remains of the Hideaway Motel in Fort Myers just days after the Hurricane hit the town

Aerial photos show the scale of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers Beach, Florida in September

Vehicles can be seen making their way through the flooding on September 29

Months after Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers continue to struggle to bounce back from the deadly natural disaster.

Several cleanup crews have been deployed as the town with the impact noted to be 'the most expensive storm' to ever hit Florida.

'As we are digging in the mangroves, as we are cleaning things up, I'm always concerned about what we find. I hope and pray we don't have one more fatality.'

In December, photos of Fort Myer overturned boats in the water, abandoned businesses, and debris on and off roadways.

The 'apocalyptic' storm also caused billions in damage, making it one of the most devastating storms to date.

CoreLogic, a property data and analytics company, in October, announced the estimated financial total of the hurricane.

'According to this new data analysis, total flood and wind losses are between $41 billion and $70 billion,' the company wrote.

Their estimate included 'wind loss, re-evaluated insured and uninsured storm surge loss and newly calculated inland flood loss for residential and commercial properties.'
A District Judge has let a road rage lorry driver walk free from court as he noted that prisons are full.

Lorry driver Fabian Greco received a suspended sentence rather than 18 weeks in prison after attacking a fellow trucker in a road rage incident.

Sentencing him at Medway Magistrates Court, District Judge Stephen Leake told him he was suspending the sentence partly due to 'pressure on the prison estate'.

He said: 'Road rage is taken very seriously by the courts, but at the same time I note you have no previous convictions and there was no trial as you pleaded guilty which meant the victim did not have to give evidence.

Lorry driver Fabian Greco received a suspended sentence rather than 18 weeks in prison after attacking a fellow trucker in a road rage incident in Dartfort (pictured: Darenth Interchange)

'The prisons are full and Operation Safeguard has been implemented to relieve the pressure on the prison estates as much as possible as people were having to stay and be held in police stations.'

Greco was driving his lorry on the Darenth Interchange in Dartford when he was nearly involved in a crash with another HGV driver.

After the incident on May 24, the other driver, William Harrington, followed Greco to his yard in Capstan Court and got out of his cab to confront him.

Greco, of Ruby Tuesday Drive, Dartford, became angry and got close to Mr Harrington's face.

The victim pushed Greco away who then retaliated, punching Mr Harrington to floor.

He continued to punch him and kick him when he was on the ground.

Others came to Mr Harrington's aid and stopped the attack, which was captured on CCTV and Greco was arrested.

He was later charged with assault by beating and admitted the offence when he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court.

Sidumiso Mayo, prosecuting, said: 'There was shouting and they were very close to each other.

'Mr Harrington thought he was too close to his face, so pushed him away to make more space between them as he feared he was going to be hit.

'The defendant then punched him in the head and after Mr Harrington fell to the floor he continued to punch and kick him repeatedly in the stomach area.

'It was others who stopped it.

'Mr Harrington suffered a graze to his knee and face and bruising to his hip and pain in his knee.'

The court was also told Mr Harrington had to go to hospital to get checked over.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Mr Harrington revealed he was shocked by the force of the first punch which hit his head above the ear.

He spent 10 minutes on the floor after the attack as he was unable to get up.

He said he was ashamed and embarrassed by the incident and had cried about it to himself and also cried when he told his wife.

District Judge Stephen Leake heard he was unable to work for a few weeks, his jaw had been out of line, he was very stiff and sore and that he'd urinated blood for a few days after the attack.

Matthew Coxall, defending, said: 'He pulled up at the gate and a man behind him got out of his cab gave him a bit of verbal, but he completely lost it.

'It's about as bad as an assault can get.'

The court heard 29-year-old Greco was remorseful about the incident and had been given a written warning over it by his firm who he had worked for for the past six years.

Mr Coxall added: 'He's still got his job.'

As well as the jail sentence, suspended for two years, District Judge Leake also ordered Greco to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and he must also complete eight rehabilitation sessions.

In addition, he was ordered to pay Mr Harrington 1,500 in compensation, a victim surcharge of 128 and 85 court costs.
A French hunter who shot dead a Franco-British man he had mistaken for a boar avoided prison on Thursday, disappointing relatives and friends who had wanted a stiffer penalty.

Morgan Keane, 25, died after being shot in December 2020 in southwestern France by Julien Feral, 35, while he was chopping wood on his land.

The verdict came days after the French government outlined tighter rules for the sport designed to prevent such accidents, as controversy grows over what for many remains a proud tradition of France's countryside.

Feral was given a two-year suspended jail term and banned from hunting for life following his trial for involuntary homicide in the southwestern French town of Cahors. The organiser of the hunt received an 18-month suspended sentence and a five-year hunting ban.

Morgan Keane, 25 (pictured), died after being shot in December 2020 in southwestern France by Julien Feral, 35, while he was chopping wood on his land

Protestors are pictured marching after Keane's death

Prosecutors had called for both men to serve at least some jail time.

'The justice system has done its work' within the limits of existing laws, said Benoit Coussy, lawyer for Keane's brother.

'Now lawmakers have to do their work and create a specific 'hunting offence' that could allow harsher punishments,' he added.

'The message has been sent that if you kill someone, there are absolutely no consequences,' said Peggy, a friend of Keane's, who did not give her last name.

'I know he isn't necessarily a danger to the public, but for me you have to send a message that killing someone isn't nothing,' she added.

Keane was shot while cutting wood near his house in the village of Calvignac in December 2020.

'There isn't a day I don't think about it, it's marked me for life. I'm sorry,' Feral told the court at the November opening of the trial, admitting that he had not 'identified the target'.

In this file photo taken on December 4, 2021 portraits and candles are displayed during a white march to pay tribute to Morgan Keane, a year after he was killed by a hunter

Feral claimed he mistook Keane for a wild boar and admitted he 'had not identified the target' when he fired his shot

The investigation found the hunter didn't know the area and had been stationed at a poorly-chosen spot without proper safety instructions.

'We're relatively happy with removing the hunting licence for life' from the shooter, said Zoe Monchecourt, who heads an association launched by Keane's friends to push for updated hunting laws.

'On the other hand, we're not at all happy regarding the hunt organiser' and his ban of only five years, she added.

The case revived tensions between anti-hunting activists and defenders of a rural hobby and practice that is seen as necessary by farmers to keep down deer and boar populations in particular.

During the busy times of the hunting season, large parts of the French countryside reverberate with the sound of gunshots, leading many walkers to avoid forested areas for their own safety.

Keane was shot while cutting wood near his house in the village of Calvignac in south-west France. Pictured: A view of a road running through La Garrigue (near Calvignac)

Hunters gather prior to a wild boar hunt in Pietrosella on the French Mediterranean Island of Corsica. Southwestern France is popular among hunters who argue the practice is necessary to deer and boar populations in check

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron's government said it would tighten rules against hunting under the influence of drugs or alcohol, strengthen training and safety requirements and set up digital systems to warn other countryside users away from active hunting zones.

Punishments will also be upgraded, including hunters losing their licences if they are involved in a serious accident.

But ministers stopped short of implementing a popular proposal to ban hunting altogether on Sundays, fearing backlash from the influential hunting lobby.

Statistics show hunting accidents have been on the decline in France over the past 20 years.

But cases of injury or even death from stray bullets remain highly emotive and are often widely covered by the media.

The verdict in the Keane case 'backs us up in terms of what we're putting in place regarding safety,' said Michel Bouscary, president of the hunters' federation in the southwestern Lot department where the killing happened.

There are 1.1 million active hunters in France, according to the national federation, and some five million people possess a hunting licence.
Javice is being sued by JPMorgan, who she claims is trying to 'retrade the deal'

A 30 year-old entrepreneur is being sued by JPMorgan, which claims it was misled into buying her education startup for $175million.

JPMorgan Chase says that Charlie Javice created four million fake users to increase the credibility of her fintech company Frank when she sold it to the bank in 2021.

Javice started the company in 2019 at 24 and was listed on the Forbes 30-under-30 list in 2019.

Frank offers software to improve the student loan application process for Americans seeking financial aid and it was once branded 'the Amazon of higher education.'

Javice and another executive at the company, Olivier Amar, allegedly paid a data scientist $18,000 to create a list of fake customers when its own employee refused, the lawsuit alleges.

Charlie Javice, 30, oversaw the fabrication of data for four million fictitious customer to complete the sale of her education start up to JPMorgan in 2021, a lawsuit claims

Javice and another executive at the company, Olivier Amar, allegedly paid a data scientist $18,000 to create a list of fake customers, the lawsuit alleges

Javice, who is the daughter of a successful investment manager based in New York, purchased an apartment in Miami Beach in May 2021 for just under $1.5million, according to Miami-Dade property records.

She started Frank a few years after graduating from Wharton business school, she revealed during an interview about her entrepreneurial success with a former tutor, which the school uploaded to its YouTube channel.

In the lawsuit, filed in a US District Court in Delaware last year, JPMorgan said that it was pitched the company by Javice on a 'lie' that more than four million users had signed up to use the tool.

After the bank asked for proof of that claim while carrying out due diligence, she and Amar allegedly fabricated a database of names, addresses, schools and dates of birth for fictitious students.

The data suggested Frank had around 4,265,000 customer accounts - in reality fewer than 300,000 of those were legitimate, it's claimed. The bank says the scheme unraveled when it tried to email those users and 70 percent of its emails bounced back, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Javice made $10million as part of the merger with JPMorgan, with a $20million bonus to follow at a later date. Amar made $5million from the deal, with a similar $3million bonus, Forbes reported. Both joined JPMorgan after the acquisition, according to their LinkedIn profiles.

The court filing includes alleged email exchanges between the hired data scientist and Javice in which they explain the methodology behind the fraud.

'Our plan was to sample first name and last name independently and then ensure none of the sampled names are real,' the lawsuit alleges they said to her.

Javice purchased an apartment in this complex on Miami Beach in May 2021, according to Miami-Dade property records

Javice (pictured in a modern looking high-rise with sunny skies in the background) on a call with her former tutor at Wharton who was interviewing her about her entrepreneurial success while with her family in Florida

The lawsuit also accuses Javice of initially trying to dodge the bank's request for that customer information. 'Javice first pushed back on JPMC's request, arguing that she could not share her customer list due to privacy concerns,' it said.

'After JPMC insisted, Javice chose to invent several million Frank customer accounts out of whole cloth,' it added. Included in the complaint were screenshots of presentations Javice gave to the bank making the false claims about its number of users.

JPMorgan has come under criticism recently for a spending spree during which it has failed to carry out proper due diligence, Bloomberg noted.

'This raises to the fore questions about whether JPMorgan is spending too much too fast,' Mike Mayo, an analyst at Wells Fargo told Bloomberg.

'The purchase price is less than half of 1 percent of this year's earnings, but it still stands as a potential microcosm of a broader issue that perhaps JPMorgan is wasting more money than desired as it pursues such aggressive spending,' he added.

Javice filed her own lawsuit against JPMorgan in the same week it filed theirs. She accused the bank of conducting 'a series of groundless investigations' into her conduct, saying it 'manufactured a for-cause termination in bad faith' in order to deprive her of a proper payout and 'retrade the deal.'

'After JPMC rushed to acquire Charlie's rocketship business, JPMC realized they couldn't work around existing student privacy laws, committed misconduct and then tried to retrade the deal,' Javice's lawyer, Alex Spiro, wrote in a statement to Forbes. 'Charlie blew the whistle and then sued. JPMC's newest suit is nothing but a cover.'

The first part of a letter written by Congress members in 2020 expressing concern over Frank's practices

The second part of a letter written by Congress members in 2020 expressing concern over Frank's practices

Frank's practices, however, have been called into question before. In 2020 Congress members wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission claiming that its standardized form for applying for federal relief funds would not be viable.

Specifically, it accused Frank of 'creating false hope and confusion for students while contributing to unnecessary extra work for financial aid administrators.'

It also made mention of the value of user information and data. 'We further suspect that the company may be using the data collected from misled students to make a profit by selling data to third party advertisers,' the Congress members wrote.

'In short, this tool does not make it any easier for students to get relief funds and appears instead to be a way for Frank to mine and exploit students' data for profit,' the letter concluded.
After killing the Cantrells, Eizember shot his ex's son and assaulted her mother

The convicted killer had broken in to stalk his ex-girlfriend who lived nearby

Eizember in 2003 killed A.J. and Patsy Cantrell inside their home

Scott Eizember, 62, died by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary

An Oklahoma inmate was executed Thursday for the murder of an elderly couple

Oklahoma executed an inmate Thursday morning who had been on death row since 2003 after he murdered an elderly couple while waiting inside their home to stalk his ex-girlfriend.

Scott Eizember, 62, who died by lethal injection at 10.15am inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, is the first inmate to be executed in the state in 2023.

After shooting Patsy Cantrell, 70, and bludgeoning her husband A.J. Cantrell, 76, inside their Depew, Oklahoma home, Eizember went across the street and shot his ex-girlfriend's 16-year-old son and assaulted her 63-year-old mother.

The man fled after the attacks and led police on a 37-day chase in what has been called 'one of the largest manhunts' in Oklahoma history.

Scott Eizember, 62, who died by lethal injection at 10.15am inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, is the first inmate to be executed in the state in 2023

Eizember killed A.J. and Patsy Cantrell (third and fourth from left) after he broke into their home to stalk his ex-girlfriend who lived across the street

Eizember had entered the couple's home after he saw them leave and killed them after they arrived home unexpectedly, using a shotgun he found in the home to shoot Patsy and bludgeoning A.J. with the weapon.

'After nearly 20 years, justice is served. I understand that nothing can ever lessen the pain of a loved one's death, but I pray that today brings closure and some measure of peace to the Cantrell family,' said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

Eizember was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for A.J.'s murder and given 150 years for Patsy's death.

During the trial, lawyers said the woman had been accidentally shot while Eizember was struggling with A.J. to take the gun.

Drummond, who was at the execution Thursday, said in a release Eizember's actions 'shattered a loving family.'

'It was my solemn duty this morning to be present for the execution of Scott James Eizember, whose terrible crimes shattered a loving family and sentenced them to a lifetime of grief and loss,' the attorney general said.

A.J. was bludgeoned to death with a shotgun the couple had inside their home while Patsy was shot and killed

Eizember was convicted of the couple's murders in 2004

The convicted killer then walked across the street into the home of his ex-girlfriend, Kathy Smith, where he encountered her family members inside.

Prosecutors say he then shot her son in the back and attacked her mother before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle.

'He wasn't afraid to kill again,' Assistant Attorney General Tessa Henry told the pardon board last month during a clemency hearing.

Police said the man then hit out in wooded area nearby for more than a month before making his way to Arkansas in a stolen vehicle.

There, the man kidnapped a doctor and his wife at gunpoint inside their car, driving the couple to Texas until he was eventually captured.

The doctor shot Eizember four times with a pistol the couple had stashed in their car, authorities said.

Kathy Smith (left) was the ex-girlfriend who Eizember was stalking

Eizember's lawyers claimed the man deeply regretted his actions

A federal jury in Arkansas also convicted Eizember in 2005 of two counts of kidnapping and one count each of carjacking and using a firearm in a crime of violence.

In that case, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Eizember's attorneys asked the state's Pardon and Parole Board in December to grant him clemency, stating he had killed the couple but that the killings were spontaneous.

'He has felt remorse every day of his imprisonment. There is no reason to kill him next month other than revenge,' attorney Mark Henricksen said at the time.

Eizember also spoke to the board from prison, saying he 'apologizes profusely' for his actions.

'I make no excuses. I belong in prison,' Eizember said last month. 'I've said that right from the start, and I apologize profusely to all the victims and when I say all, I mean the entire Creek County community.'

The board rejected his clemency recommendation in a 3-2 vote.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied the man's clemency request in December

Debra Wyatt (center) was present at the Pardon Board meeting to hear if her parents' killer would be granted clemency

In a last minute filing, Eizember's lawyers filed a lawsuit to have his spiritual adviser with him at the time of his death.

The Department of Corrections initially rejected his minister, the Rev. Jeff Hood of Arkansas.

Officials were hesitant to allow Hood inside due to his history of anti-death penalty activism, including arrests.

Just one day before his death, the Department of Corrections changed course and allowed Hood to attend.

Officials said the Cantrell's family members cited concerns that the lawsuit could lead to the execution being called off.

In a last minute filing, Eizember's lawyers filed a lawsuit to have his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, with him at the time of his death. The DOC later changed course and allowed him to be present

Officials said the Cantrell's family members cited concerns that the lawsuit could lead to the execution being called off if Rev. Hood would not be allowed

This is the Oklahoma State Penitentiary where Eizember was killed Thursday

Eizember was the eighth inmate to be executed since the state resumed executions in 2021.

Oklahoma used a three-drug lethal injection including a sedative that renders the prisoner unconscious, vecuronium bromide which paralyzes the person, and then potassium chloride, which stops the heart.

The convicted murdered is the first of 10 death row inmates who will be executed in Oklahoma in 2023.

There is one execution scheduled nearly every month of 2023 in the state, according to local outlets.
He may have been taken abroad to assist with investigations into another case

The families of his victims are concerned that he is being given an 'easier' ride

'Jihadi George' may have been taken to be quizzed by authorities, experts say

Alexanda Kotey has vanished from the Federal Bureau of Prisons system

Family members of the ISIS Beatles victims fear that one of the high-profile terrorists has negotiated a way of getting easy treatment after being jailed for his heinous crimes.

Alexanda Kotey, known as Jihadi George, has vanished from the state systems while being held in Pennsylvanias high-profile Canaan prison.

The 39-year-old was incarcerated there after pleading guilty to eight criminal charges relating to the abduction, torture and beheading of Islamic State hostages in Syria between 2012 and 2015.

But the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has confirmed that he is no longer in their custody - sparking concern about his whereabouts  with one expert claiming he may be grilled on where the bodies are.

He was sent to Canaan in august last year, with part of his plea deal including cooperation requirements.

Alexanda Kotey, known as Jihadi George, has vanished from the state systems while being held in Pennsylvanias high-profile Canaan prison

He faced trial in the US in relation to the four American hostages, before being sent to Canaan after being sentenced on eight counts

Koteys deal meant that he was able to avoid serving his time at the ADX Florence prison in Colorado  dubbed the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'.

However, less than six months after the sentencing, the BOP confirmed that he is not currently in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.

Taxi driver and aide worker David Haines traveled to Syria before being kidnapped, with his daughter Bethany, 24, telling The Scottish Daily Record yesterday that she believes Kotey is still in the US penal system.

She said: 'In the past, he has been traceable, as we have access to data via the US victim notification scheme, and we at least had the reassurance that he was in a high-security facility.

'I don't want to think that he has managed to negotiate his way into any kind of easy treatment on the basis of him assisting authorities or anything else.'

A national security expert told DailyMail.com: There is a high likelihood he has been moved to a secure location to speak with government officials - or non-government individuals - related to information he may possess that hasn't been made public.

It could relate to the recovery of bodies the group was responsible for while they were illegally held.

'For instance, US hostages that were killed by the Beatles.

They horrified the world after releasing video footage of several of the killings, showing their victims in orange jumpsuits before they were beheaded. Pictured David Haines with his daughter

Kotey no longer shows up on the system as being at the prison, with officials confirming he is not in their custody.

Alexanda Amon Kotey, left, and El Shafee Elsheikh, spoke during an interview with The Associated Press at a security center in Kobani, Syria

The BOP would not confirm where Kotey had gone, or why his position had changed, adding that there are several reasons why inmates can be moved.

A spokesman said: 'Inmates who were previously in BOP custody and who have not completed their sentence may be outside BOP custody for a period of time for court hearings, medical treatment or for other reasons.

The BOP also noted that it does not provide specific details about an inmate due to 'safety, security, or privacy reasons.'

Dr Joseph Downing, a terrorism expert at London School of Economics, told DailyMail.com that he thought it could be an 'administrative error' adding: 'It does happen regularly in prison systems globally but is not often discussed.

'For example the wrong inmates are regularly released due to record keeping errors or the wrong inmate being selected or, in some cases even inmates agreeing to try and let someone out to defraud the system for money or status.

A national security expert told DailyMail.com: There is a high likelihood he has been moved to a secure location to speak with government officials - or non-government individuals - related to information he may possess that hasn't been made public'

Koteys deal meant that he was able to avoid serving his time at the ADX Florence prison in Colorado  dubbed the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'

The 39-year-old was incarcerated there after pleading guilty to eight criminal charges relating to the abduction, torture and beheading of Islamic State hostages in Syria between 2012 and 2015

'You would imagine such a high-security high-profile prisoner would have been double and triple verified daily so a serious lapse or security has been made.

'However it is highly unlikely that if he is outside he will be out for long due to his high-profile English accent and lack of immigration status and documents.

Dr Downing also said it could be possible the jihadi had cut a deal with the government to turn on ISIS and help them in exchange for parole.

Kotey was a member of The Beatles terror group who kidnapped and killed 27 people  targeting westerners because of their allegiance to ISIS.

They horrified the world after releasing video footage of several of the killings, showing their victims in orange jumpsuits before they were beheaded.

Among the group were four Americans, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller  and two Brits.

Slain American journalist James Foley (left) covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria, in 2012 and US aid worker Peter Kassig (right)

The terror cell was said to include Kotey, El Shafee Elsheikh (pictured) and ringleader Mohammed Emwazi , known as Jihadi John, who was killed in a drone strike

Haines daughter met Kotey face-to-face in Virginia last year, where he told her how he had abducted her father and witnesses his torture and murder.

It was part of a deal which will see Kotey transferred to the UK, where members of his family live, to serve the rest of his term after serving 15 years in the US.

He may have also been taken abroad to assist with investigations into another case.

DailyMail.com have contacted the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison Service for a comment.

Kotey went to trial in America after being captured by Kurdish militia in Syria in January 2018, and was handed over to American forces in Iraq in 2020.

He faced trial in the US in relation to the four American hostages, before being sent to Canaan after being sentence on eight counts.

The Islamic State magazine Dubiq announced that Emwazi (pictued) was killed in and American drone strike in November 2015

US freelance journalist Steven Sotloff (left) and US aid worker Kayla Mueller, 26, (right) were both were killed in Syria by ISIS

The terrorist was charged with four counts of hostage-taking resulting in death; conspiracy to commit hostage-taking resulting in death; conspiracy to murder US citizens outside of the US; conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, hostage-taking and murder, resulting in death; and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death.

Kotey was one of four terrorist  including El Shafee Elsheikh, Aine Davis, and ringleader Mohammed Emwazi  involved in the terror cell in Syria.

Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, was from West London and was killed in a drone strike  while the others have been forced to face justice for their crimes.

Elsheik was known as George and Davis as Paul, with the group getting their nickname because of their British accents.

Davis was arrested by the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command in August of last year after being released from a Turkish jail where he was serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for membership of the terror group.

Elsheikh was captured alongside Kotey in Syria in 2018 by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces while trying to escape to Turkey.

He was also sentenced to life imprisonment in the US last August after a jury convicted him of hostage-taking resulting in death and other crimes.

Edgar Valdez Villarreal, 49, is no longer in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons - the federal corrections system. He is shown in 2010 shortly before being extradited

He had been at USP Coleman II, a maximum security prison near Orlando

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is urging the Biden administration to explain why he is no longer listed as being in custody

They were the quartet of Islamic State extremists who came to personify the worst excesses of the murderous caliphate which, between 2014 and 2016, conquered vast swathes of Syria and Iraq.

It comes less than a month after Mexican American cartel leader La Barbie also went missing from the BOP website.

He, like Kotey, was listed as not in BOP custody despite his release date not being until July 2056.

Valdez-Villareal, 49, headed up the Los Negros, an enforcement group of the Beltran Leyva cartel and was at one point a top lieutenant for the Sinaloa Cartel, run by convicted drug dealer Joaquin El Chapo Guzman-Loera.

He was indicted in the US in 2010 and extradited to the US five years later, where he was found guilty of drug trafficking and money laundering.

The question of why he is no longer in BOP custody was asked at the highest levels of the Mexican government.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in n a press conference: Its very strange what is going on in the United States with Mr. Villareal, who is no longer registered among those in custody and we want to know where he is.

There is no reason for him to leave prison because he was condemned to many years, unless there was some kind of an agreement.
An astonishing note written by the husband of missing realtor Ana Walshe apparently addressing the public after her disappearance can be exclusively revealed by DailyMail.com.

What appears to be a prepared statement and a 'to-do' list scribbled on lined paper was found on the dining table at Ana and Brian Walshe's rented home in Cohasset, Massachusetts, where the 39-year-old mother was last seen in the early hours of January 1.

The folded note, written in blue ink by Brian, is titled 'Response to friends', and seems to be his own scripted message to relay to concerned loved ones amid the growing speculating over his wife's disappearance.

Walshe, who is now in custody after being charged with misleading cops in the investigation, writes: 'I appreciate your concern. Right now my focus is finding Ana and spending time with'

What appears to be a handwritten prepared statement by Brian Walshe responding to his missing wife Ana's disappearance can be seen on the couple's dining table at their Cohasset, Massachusetts home

Right beneath it, a second note containing a list of numbered tasks is partially visible, starting with '1. Ta', believed to the word talk or tax

The notes were evidently written after the 39-year-old mother disappeared after being last seen in the early hours of January 1

Brian Walshe, 47, being held on a $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty to misleading police investigating the disappearance

The remainder of the statement goes below the fold and can't be made out from the photo, but the tone suggests he could be referring to their three young children.

Right beneath it, a second note containing a list of numbered tasks is partially visible, starting with '1. Ta', believed to the word talk or tax.

It goes on to list, '2. Cal...' and '3. Call .......tomorrow....'

The notes were evidently written before Walshe, 47, was taken into state custody and he emerged smirking after his court appearance on Monday.

DailyMail.com can also reveal an exclusive image of two US passports on the same table neatly arranged near the note, which was placed on a book titled, 'The Obstacle.'

Elsewhere inside the home poignantly sits a baby's bottle, with a small amount of milk still in it. A child's stuffed toy lays face down on the wooden flooring.

Meanwhile, there is a sparsely-adorned Christmas tree, with only a few ornaments hanging on it.

A general view of the Walshe's kitchen and dining room at their Massachusetts home

DailyMail.com can also reveal an exclusive image of two US passports on the same table neatly arranged near the note, which was placed on a book titled, 'The Obstacle'

Elsewhere inside the home poignantly sits a baby's bottle, with a small amount of milk still in it

Pictured: The family's sparsely-adorned Christmas tree, with only a few ornaments hanging on it

On a countertop near the table is the box for a bottle of Lanson Noble Cuvee champagne on which Ana wrote a haunting message to her husband, revealed exclusively by DailyMail.com on Wednesday.

On one side she wrote: 'Wow! 2022 What a year! And yet we are still here and together! Let's make 2023 the best one yet! We are the authors of our lives courage, love, perseverance, compassion, and joy. Love, Ana.'

One another side there are the words: 'To the Best' The final word of that sentence is undiscernible. At the bottom he wrote '12.31.22' and 'Love Brian'.

Following Brian Walshe's arrest on charges of misleading the police, the couple's three sons, aged between two and six, are in the custody of the state.

Ana's friends are now rallying in an attempt to gain custody of the children until the case is resolved.

A friend of the family, Natasha Sky, told Fox Boston that two families are going through the legal process in an attempt to gain custody.

She said: 'They're two families who have had play dates over and over already. They're two families who are willing to adapt and take all three boys together.'

The ominous note that Ana Walshe wrote to her husband, hours before she vanished

The Walshes have three sons, believed to be aged two, four, and six. Family friends are headed to court in an attempt to gain custody of the boys

Ana, 39, was not reported missing until January 4, when her office called the police when she failed to show up for work. Her husband did not report her disappearance to cops

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show the champagne box and three neatly lined up bottles of A.H. Hirsch Reserve Whiskey. The liquor sells for around $3,000 per bottle.

The other side of the champagne box reads: 'Gem Ana Brian 2023!' Family friend Gem Mutlu was in the Walshe's home on New Year's Eve.

Mutlu earlier told WBZ-TV in an interview: 'We hugged and celebrated and we toasted, just what you do over New Year's. There was a lot of looking forward to the New Year. There was no indication of anything other than celebrating the New Year, problems on hold.'

He left the Walshe family home, around 15 miles southeast of Boston, at about 1:30am on January 1.

Ana was supposed to take a ride-hailing service to Logan International Airport for a flight to Washington, D.C., where she works for real estate behemoth Tishman Speyer., but authorities said there is no evidence she ever got into a vehicle or on a flight.

Brian is being held on a $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty to misleading police investigating the disappearance.

His attorney, Tracy Miner, said he has been 'incredibly cooperative' with police and she requested low or no bail.

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show three bottles of A.H. Hirsch Reserve Whiskey, which sells for around $3,000 a bottle

The couple own several properties together  including their home in Cohasset and a $1.3million house in DC

On Monday, cops said they had found blood on a damaged knife and in the basement of their home in Cohasset

Security footage showed Brian near a dumpster located on Paradise Road near a Whole Foods' Market after Ana's disappearance  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother

On Thursday, security footage taken from behind a liquor store emerged showing Brian near a dumpster just hours after she vanished.

He can be seen close to the garbage of a liquor store just a five-minute walk from his mothers apartment in Swampscott  where police impounded several dumpsters.

Sources say Massachusetts State Police obtained the video, which shows Walshe at the dumpster hours after his wife disappeared on New Years Day.

The garbage bin is located on Paradise Road, with a camera near a Whole Foods Market  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother.

Meanwhile, family friend Natasha Sky told Fox Boston that, in addition to the two families already going through the courts to gain custody of Ana's sons, she would also welcome them into her home.

She said: 'Our focus right now is the children. That's why we want to appeal to the local authorities, especially the Department of Children and Families. If the children can stay together, that is what we are putting our energy into.'

Another friend, Pamela Bardhi, told the station: 'You've got three boys under six years old dealing with what could be extreme trauma. You don't know what they heard that night or what they saw that night. God knows what they're in for.'

A prayer vigil has been organized for Thursday at 4.30pm in downtown Cohasset for Ana.

It has also emerged that on January 2, her husband was spotted on security video at a juice bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, where he placed an order for three kid's smoothies and two large smoothies.

On the same day, surveillance footage showed him at at a Home Depot in Rockland, authorities learned.

Hannah Connors, the juice bar's manager, told the news outlet it was not Walshe's first visit and that the employees think of him to be somewhat of a regular.

New security video obtained by 7NEWS shows Brian Walshe, 46, at the Press Juice Bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, placing an order around mid morning

Walshe was seen cracking a smile as he was handcuffed and led out of the station by officers

'I remember he was staying towards the door, towards the entrance,' Connors said. 'Usually, people will go sit down and hang out but he didn't go over there. He was just waiting for it and he left as soon as he got it.

'We know our regulars and stuff, but we were just too busy,' Connors added. 'I didn't have a conversation with him, but just to think he was here is absolutely mind-blowing.'

On Tuesday, it was widely reported that cops had found traces of blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug and used cleaning supplies while searching dumpsters near Brian Walshe's mother's home.

Brian Walshe had been on home confinement while awaiting sentencing in a fraud case involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol paintings, according to federal court records. Cohasset police said Ana's disappearance and her husband's case seem to be two very separate things.

TIMELINE LEADING TO DISAPPEARANCE November 2016: Brian Walshe is arrested in connection with an $80,000 art fraud of Andy Warhol paintings. He is ordered by a court to remain under house arrest until sentencing. Walshe has yet to be sentenced for the fraud. January 1. 2023 Ana reportedly books a rideshare car to take her to Logan International Airport at 4am, but it is unclear if she ever gets into a vehicle or takes a flight. Her husband claims he went to Whole Foods and CVS, but there is no surveillance or receipts to prove he went. January 2: Walshe tells authorities that he only left the family home in Cohasset to take his son for ice cream. He is caught on surveillance footage buying $450 worth of cleaning supplies in Home Depot. Ana's phone pings in the area of the house on Jan 1 and 2. January 4: Ana's employer reports her missing. January 5: Police say Walshe is cooperating with the investigation into his missing wife. January 8: Walshe is seen leaving the property on Sunday in a red Volkswagen. His three children are taken away in a separate vehicle. Officers execute a search warrant at their home and found blood in the basement, along with a broken knife. The officers load a Volvo SUV onto the back of a truck while others search the grounds of their home. Police arrest Walshe on suspicion of 'misleading' authorities but do not charge him with anything else. January 9: Walshe grins at reporters as he is transported to his arraignment at Quincy District Court. He is held on $500,000 cash bail. Advertisement

Massachusetts State Police and local police took Brian Walshe into custody, believing they had 'probable cause' to think he had misled investigators in the search for his wife.

He did not tell police he had been to the Home Depot store, where he bought $450 worth of mops, buckets, tarps, tape and cleaning supplies on January 2, Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Lynn Beland said at the hearing in Quincy District Court.

Walshe did tell police that he had been to a supermarket and a pharmacy - though there is no evidence he had been to either store, she said. He misled investigators so he could either clean up or dispose of evidence, she added.

He has been accused by prosecutors of not giving a full account of his activities in the days after his wife vanished while the search for her was underway.

The couple own several properties together  including their home in Cohasset and a $1.3million house in DC.

They also owned another property in Massachusetts, worth $1.4million  which they sold last year before she went missing.

That was the building that went up in flames days after she vanished, but cops investigating the matter believe the fire is not linked to her disappearance.

This week, a friend of Walshe's father claimed he was a 'long-term patient' at a psychiatric center and had been diagnosed as a 'sociopath.'

Walshe had received treatment at Austen Riggs Psychiatric Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, before being discharged a few years ago, Jeffrey Ornstein alleged.

Ornstein, who was a friend of Walshe's neurologist father, Dr Thomas Walshe, for 35 years, aired the claims in an explosive 2019 affidavit.

He also claimed Walshe had been estranged from the rest of his family after he had been accused of stealing millions of dollars from Dr Walshe's estate following his death.

Walshe's cousin, and two close friends of his father, made the claims against him in the scathing 2019 court documents following the death of Dr Walshe in 2018.

Ornstein said he had known Brian Walshe since he was 13, but said father and son had been estranged since 2009.

He claimed that, when Walshe was released from Austen Riggs after around 12 years and attempted to contact his father, Dr Walshe turned him down.
President Joe Biden said on Thursday that his wife Jill is 'doing really well' after her outpatient surgery to remove lesions from her face and chest.

The president, who spent around eight hours at Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday with the first lady, said she was under anesthesia for about five hours for her Mohs surgery.

Jill Biden returned to the White House late Wednesday night to recover after having three lesions removed - with at least two of them determined to be cancerous.

The president said she is 'doing really well. She was under a long time, for five hours. What they were doing is remove the moles, remove what they thought might be cancerous and test it and see what it was.'

President Joe Biden said First Lady Jill Biden is 'doing really well' after her outpatient surgery to remove lesions from her face and chest - above right is the first lady on Wednesday on the way from the White House to Walter Reed National Military Hospital

'She is up. We had breakfast this morning and she is recovering,' the president said.

White House Dr. Kevin O'Connor said in a memo Wednesday the first lady is experiencing facial swelling and bruising after going to the hospital to have a lesion from above her right eye, which was confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma.

The president said she is feeling some soreness.

'She will be sore for a while because of the work they did on her eyes and -- that's where one of these were. But she has a 0 to 1% chance of the return of any cancer so thank God she is doing really well,' he said.

During the surgery, doctors also excised a lesion from Jill Biden's left eyelid and sent it in for microscopic examination to determine if it was cancerous.

They also found a lesion on her chest, which appeared to be basal cell carcinoma, and doctors extracted. They later confirmed it was that type of skin cancer.

'All cancerous tissue was successfully removed,' O'Connor said.

Jill Biden thanked the hospital staff for their care.

Her spokesperson Vanessa Valdivia said in a statement on Wednesday night that the first lady was 'doing well and in good spirits. She sends her love and gratitude to all the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed for their expertise, care, and kindness, and appreciates all those who have sent her well-wishes and prayers.'

Jill Biden, who teaches English at a Northern Virginia Community College, will be able to have some recovery time as the new semester of classes haven't started yet.

First Lady Jill Biden leaves the White House before outpatient surgery to remove a small lesion above her right eye, known as Mohs surgery

Dr. Kevin O'Connor said that one of the lesions was determined to be basal cell carcinoma, another was removed because it appeared to be the same type of skin cancer, while a third was removed and sent to a lab

President Joe Biden returns to the White House solo after spending the day at Walter Reed alongside his wife

Mohs Surgery is an outpatient procedure where thin layers of skin are cut away and tested for cancer.

Jill Biden's office announced last week she would undergo the procedure, providing a letter from O'Connor.

In his letter on Wednesday, the Physician to the President noted that 'basal cell carcinoma lesions do not tend to spread or "metastasize" as some more serious skin cancers such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma are known to do.'

'They do, however, have the potential to increase in size, resulting in a more significant issue as well as increased challenges for surgical removal,' he wrote.

The first lady steps off Marine One at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland

Jill Biden, 71, is the oldest first lady in modern American history.

President Biden has accompanied her for two other medical procedures.

Prior to Wednesday's procedure, Dr. Biden had a 'common medical procedure' done at an outpatient center near the George Washington University campus in April 2021, with the White House not disclosing additional details.

And, in July 2021, she traveled to Walter Reed to have debris removed from her foot after she stepped on an unnamed object while walking on a beach in Hawaii during a pit stop made in the state as she returned from the Tokyo Olympics.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked at her briefing on Wednesday if the president was undergoing any part of his physical while waiting on the first lady at Walter Reed.

She indicated that wasn't the case.

'This is about his wife today. He wanted to be there and support her,' Jean-Pierre said. 'They've been married for 45 years, and he wanted to be there with Dr. Biden during this time.'

It is not the Biden family's first brush with cancer.

Beau Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma in 2013. He died in 2015.
Twitter reacted to claims that a dataset containing email addresses connected to hundreds of millions of Twitter users was hacked and offered for sale online.

According to the social media company, there is no proof that data recently sold online was obtained by abusing a flaw in the system, Mint writes.

No Evidence Of The Breach Has Been Found Yet

Twitter reported that a problem it found early last year, corrected over the summer, and previously acknowledged had exposed the data of 5.4 million of the accounts.

According to the company, 600 million user data points could not be linked to either the previously disclosed event or any new incidents.

"In response to recent media reports of Twitter users' data being sold online, we conducted a thorough investigation and there is no evidence that data recently being sold was obtained by exploiting a vulnerability of Twitter systems," the company claims.

Additionally, the social network thinks that the information is probably a compilation of information that is already freely accessible online from several sources.

Twitter revealed today that a second dataset with 200 million Twitter user email addresses that was purportedly released online earlier this month was not obtained by abusing the flaw addressed in January 2022.

The company claims that the 200 million dataset and any information obtained by abusing Twitter systems were not corroborated with the previously disclosed event.

In addition to that, Twitter also states that none of the datasets examined had passwords or data that might jeopardize passwords, Bleeping Computer reports.

However, Twitter did not clarify how the information about the Twitter users' accounts that was released was accurately connected to the emails associated with those accounts.

The social network further stated that it is actively in contact with Data Protection Authorities and other pertinent data regulatory authorities in several countries to give further information regarding the alleged instances.

Read More: Twitter Data Leak Results In Over 200 Million Users' Emails Compromised

The Statement From Twitter Follows Several Reports Of Hacking

It can be remembered that Twitter acknowledged in August that hackers had used a vulnerability addressed in January 2022 to exploit a data leak that affected 5.4 million users.

According to Bleeping Computer, the attackers were able to link email addresses and phone numbers to Twitter users' accounts because of this bug.

Over 400 million Twitter user emails and phone numbers might be accessed from the same vulnerability, according to media sources from December.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) declared that it has opened an investigation against Twitter and "raised queries in relation to GDPR compliance."

This follows news reports that the personal data of 5.4 million Twitter users was posted online without their consent.

It is important to note that the identity or location of the hacker or hackers responsible for the intrusion was unknown, according to Mint.

However, the company believes that the breach might have already happened as early as 2021, way before Elon Musk acquired Twitter.

Related Article: Data Of 400 Million Twitter Users Is On Sale, Hacker Claims
A missing Massachusetts mother-of-three posted a photo of an eye injury five years ago and wrote that she had a 'mild concussion, bruised hip, and a cut.'

Ana Walshe, 39, who was reported missing by her job on January 4, posted a vulnerable photo of herself with facial injuries on May 21, 2018.

The post featured a photo of her lying on a couch with a swollen lump and cut above her left eye as she looked sadly into the camera. She wrote: 'Mild concussion, bruised hip and a cut...#vunberability.'

She edited the caption 35 weeks ago, according to Instagram, which was around the same time she wrote a letter to Judge Douglas Woodcock asking him to impose a no-jail sentence on her husband Brian, 47. She claimed her art fraudster spouse brought 'joy' and 'comfort' to their home.

It is unclear what the original caption said. She also changed other captions on her Instagram prior to sending the June 1, 2022, letter.

Ana Walshe, 39, posted a vulnerable photo of herself with facial injuries on May 21, 2018, but the photo caption was edited eight months ago. She edited the caption to read: 'Mild concussion, bruised hip and a cut... #vunberability'

Her arrested husband, Brian, 47, googled how to dispose a body days before her disappearance

She changed her captions shortly before she sent a letter (pictured) to a judge asking him to impose a no-jail sentence on her husband

Brian was convicted in April 2021 of selling two fake Andy Warhol paintings for $80,000 to a California dealer, court records show.

Former Assistant US Attorney Neama Rahman told Fox News that it was a 'reasonable explanation' that the mother-of-three was 'victim of domestic violence.'

'This looks like domestic violence,' he told the outlet about the May 2021 post. 'It's just speculation, but this looks like she was punched.'

In the June 2022 letter, Ana wrote her husband helped her and her mother through a very hard time after her mother suffered a neurological medical emergency.

'Not only did he save her life, but he also brought her and the entire family comfort and joy during the course of her illness,' Ana wrote. She went on to point out that her husband had been doing a lot of 'charity work' during that time and was 'working consistently on breaking the past habits of his family.'

'We are all looking forward to the new chapter of his life,' she concluded.

In another edited Instagram post from November 2021, she changed the caption to read: 'Please join my husband Brian as he hosts his workshop this evening at 7pm. Eventbrite link in bio.'

The event was reportedly based around helping participants find out how their 'emotional world is standing in the way of your financial health,' the New York Post reported.

Her husband (pictured on Monday) has pleaded not guilty to misleading the investigation into her disappearance

Brian (pictured) was convicted in April 2021 of selling two fake Andy Warhol paintings for $80,000

Brian, who did not report her disappearance to the police and googled how to dispose a body of a 115-pound woman just days before her disappearance, pleaded not guilty on Monday to misleading the investigation into her disappearance. He has yet to be charged with anything else in connection to his wife's disappearance.

The couple hosted a New Years Eve party, with friends saying that there was no indication of anything in the hours before Ana vanished.

Ana had been sitting on a barstool in their kitchen, texting her friends during the meal and party  appearing in good spirits.

The couple had been staying in separate homes, with Ana commuting to DC for work and staying in their $1.4million property there.

Police seized dumpsters at his mother's condo after Brian was caught on security footage near it

Police scoured a nearby dumpster station after removing a container from Walshe's mother's property in Swampscott and discovered a bloody rug, a hatchet, and cleaning supplies

However, their friends said she was acting strangely in the months leading up to her disappearance and had even promised a 'big surprise' in 2023. She also reportedly sold off assets, including an apartment and car in late December for cash.

Police recently found potential evidence of her disappearance when they found a hatchet, a bloody rug, and cleaning supplies at a Peabody trash facility not far from the couple's home.

Police seized the two dumpsters outside Brian's mother's condo in Swampscott after he was seen on security footage by it just hours after his wife's disappearance.

The garbage bin is located on Paradise Road, with a camera near a Whole Foods Market  with Walshe telling authorities that he stopped at the store while running errands for his mother.

The Washington DC home of Ana and Brian Walshe worth upwards of $1.4million in the Chevy Chase area of the city

Her friends said she was acting strangely in the months leading up to her disappearance and had even promised a 'big surprise' in 2023. She also reportedly sold off assets, including an apartment and car in late December for cash

According to 7 News sources, the liquor store has refused to share the footage with the public, adding that Walshe was not seen on footage inside Whole Foods.

Walshe told authorities during his interview that he had done some shopping for his mother, Diana, on New Years Day at the supermarket and CVS  which is across the street from her home.

He is currently on house arrest with an ankle tag after pleading guilty to 2021 fraud charges but is allowed to leave the property to run certain errands.

Officials announced that they had discovered blood in the basement of the Walshe family home in Cohasset, along with a bloody knife that was damaged.

They met after Ana moved from Belgrade, Serbia, aged 25 while she was working at the Wheatleigh Hotel in the Berkshires.

She met him after she cleaned his apartment, with Walshe becoming her second husband after she split with Mark Kripp.
Natasha Kaplinsky said the rape scene in Keira Knightley's The Duchess would have a higher classification of 15 if the film was released today due to greater concern over misogynistic violence.

Miss Kaplinsky, the new president of the British Board of Film Classification, said the public has become more sensitive to sexual abuse of women, as well as terrorist violence.

Whilst not directly mentioning any cases such as the 2021 rape and murder of Sarah Everard, which sparked an outcry over violence against women, Kaplinsky spoke of how attitudes had certainly changed since.

She said 2009 film The Duchess, which involves a rape, was previously deemed acceptable viewing for 12-year-olds, however, would now have a 15 rating if it was assessed again.

Natasha Kaplinsky, the new president of the British Board of Film Classification, said the public has become more sensitive to sexual abuse of women, as well as terrorist violence

Speaking on Radio 4's Woman's Hour today, she said: 'I think off the back of the MeToo movement sexual violence was a really big issue.

'We were strict anyway in the guidelines, but actually things have moved on.

'And various films, for example, I don't know if you have seen The Duchess with Keira Knightley, that was submitted in 2008. It was classified as a 12 then, but if it was re-submitted it would be a 15 now because we've got much more culturally sensitive to rape, or the sound of rape.'

Miss Kaplinsky added that although viewers do not see the assault on screen, they hear it.

She added how it was 'quite disturbing' that there was an acceptance that 12-year-olds might know about sexual violence, but they don't want to see it.

She said the rape scene in Keira Knightley's The Duchess would have a higher classification of 15 if the film was released today due to greater concern over misogynistic violence

Miss Kaplinsky said it was the violence rather than sex and nudity that she felt people had become more sensitive to, adding that last year's Lady Chatterley's Lover was a different issue and despite lots of sex it was classed as suitable for 15-year-olds.

She said: 'Attitudes have softened a little bit perhaps to some of the issues in Lady Chatterley and that's now rated as a 15 because the sex scenes, there are plenty of them, but they're not very explicit.

'The nudity in Lady Chatterley, in the latest film, is rather beautiful, it's playful, it's romantic, it's not sexual.'

She added: 'Violence was a big issue in 2019. There's an acceptance of violence of kind of fantasy violence - that Jason Bourne, kind of Marvel violence - but real-life terror threats have got people agitated. And so there's a desire that that would be a higher rating.'

The film ratings chief, who has children aged 14 and 12, said: 'It's an incredibly tough environment to grow up as a kid.

Miss Kaplinsky said it was the violence rather than sex and nudity that she felt people had become more sensitive to

'I would hate to grow up again where they're bombarded constantly with content. Navigating that environment is incredibly complicated.'

The former BBC newsreader and Strictly Come Dancing champion will each month chair the board of classification, which oversees decisions on the most complex and controversial of cases.

She will also chair the Advisory Council on Childrens Viewing.

Discussing the role, she said: 'Every four or five years or so there's a huge public consultation - takes into account over 10,000 people's views, and then those classification guidelines shape how films are classified, and constantly reflecting public sentiment and cultural values.

'We also do additional research on domestic violence or strong language, race and discrimination - whatever the key topics are.

'I'm very interested to see how views will change post-covid. I feel that mental health will be a big issue, tolerance to violence, coercive behaviour - that border between 15 and 18 violence.'

Kaplinsky will each month chair the board that provides age ratings for film and other visual content such as DVDs.
His mother, Andreia da Silva, complained that his body was placed in a coffin on top of wooden crates that were sitting over dirt and covered with newspapers

De Oliveira, who weighed 440 pounds, fell ill January 4 and died January 5 at one of the hospitals that originally was overcrowded and turned him away

This is the disturbing moment a mother pleaded for help after a local funeral home in Brazil placed her late son's body inside a garbage-filled coffin.

Andreia da Silva was waiting for the funeral parlor to load the casket into a van to transport Vitor de Oliveira, 25, to Franco da Rocha cemetery in Sao Paulo when she discovered him lying on top wooden crates that were laid over dirt and covered with old newspaper sheet.

De Oliveira died of a heart attack at a hospital January 5 after five other medical facilities had declined to provide immediate care because they were didn't have the necessary equipment to treat obese patients.

The grieving mother was also shocked by the height of the coffin, which she described as 'grotesque, ugly, hideous' in an interview with Brazilian news outlet G1.

Vitor de Oliveira died of a heart attack January 5 at a hospital in Brazil after five other hospitals had declined to provide medical treatment because they didn't have the necessary equipment for obese patients

Andreia da Silva leans against the coffin of her son, Vitor de Oliveira. She found her son's body was lying over wooden crates that were placed on top of dirt and covered with newspaper sheets

Trianon Funeral said it was not responsible to the type of coffin that was being use for Vitor Oliveira. The company said its only responsibility was to transport the body to a clinic where the body was preserved and prepared for a wake before taking it to the cemetery

Da Silva claimed that she had paid Trianon Funeral home almost $1,400 for de Oliveira's services.

The funeral home explained to G1 that it was only responsible for transporting de Oliveira's remains to a clinic where the body would be preserved and prepared for a wake before taking it to the cemetery. They said they were not involved in selecting the coffin.

In a statement, the company also told news portal BHAZ they 'became aware of the facts after the body was transferred to another coffin, without the presence of any of our employees.

De Oliveira, who weighed 440 pounds, became ill the morning of January 4 and was rushed to five hospitals  each one refused to provide medical care, according to Carlos Castro, the coordinator for the Sao Paulo state hospital system.

He was admitted to Perus Emergency Care Unit at 8.55am and was treated for respiratory failure. He was administered drugs and doctors attempted to intubate him but were unable to do so. A tracheostomy was done which allowed him to breathe easily.

He was released at 4.20pm and placed in the city's patient system to match him with a hospital that could provide the necessary care.

The prosecutor's office in the southern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo is investigating the state health department over Vitor de Oliveira's death. The 25-year-old fell ill January 4 and died the following day after he spent almost 32 hours trying to get admitted into a hospital. Six hospitals refused to treat him because they were over capacity or didn't have beds for obese patients

Interior of the coffin that was filled with dirt and wooden crates before the Vitor de Oliveira's body was placed in it

The closest hospital was Taipas General Hospital. However, the medical facility was unable to register him because they were overcrowded  the hospital has a capacity of 22 patients and was treating 48.

The state patient registry reached out to five other hospitals and got a response from Vila Nova Cachoeirinha Hospital on Thursday at 10 that there was space for De Oliveira. The staff admitted him and didn't proceed with additional care because they didn't have a bed that would withstand his weight.

He was discharged at around 12.30 pm and sent back to Perus Emergency Care Unit and upon arriving there was sent to Taipas General Hospital because the urgent care center could not properly treat him.

He arrived at the hospital at about 3pm and the medical staff summoned the fire department for assistance to transfer him from the ambulance to a stretcher. It took the firefighters half hour to arrive before 10 people were able to safely move him.

A video on social media showed da Silva's fighting not to lose help and help de Oliveira survive.

Open coffin filled with dirt, old newspapers and wooden crates where the body of Vitor de Oliveira was placed in

'My son needs help! He's here in this ambulance,' she said. 'He needs a supportive hospital. My son will die in the ambulance. I just want my son's right to fight for life. For the love of God. I just want to fight for my son's life.'

De Oliveira was taken into the Intensive care Unit at 4.10pm. He underwent an electrocardiogram and went into cardiac arrest and died at 4.40pm.

'He was neglected, my son was,' da Silva said. 'My son was on a floor, that I will never forget. My son died on a floor, he had no right to die on a mattress.'

The Sao Paulo Public Prosecutor's office is investigating the Sao Paulo Health Department over de Oliveira's death.

The Secretariat of Public Security is also investigating the funeral home incident.
President Joe Biden himself said he is taking the matter 'seriously'

Rogers gave Defense officials until January 25 to say whether the documents found at the Penn Biden Center affected national security or harmed Americans

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers sent a letter to Biden Defense officials on Thursday demanding a national security assessment regarding classified files found in the president's old office

Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers on Thursday asked the Pentagon to look into whether the classified files discovered in President Joe Biden's old private office present a threat to national security.

It comes amid growing pressure from the right to disclose more details on the documents, such as what they are and who had access to them.

House Republicans have already threatened to use their new majority to launch investigations into the matter if the Biden administration does not respond swiftly to requests for information.

In a letter to top Defense officials, Rogers demanded to know whether Americans were 'placed in harm's way' by Biden's possession of classified documents from his vice presidency.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday that he was appointing a special counsel to look into the situation.

'It is critical to assess whether possible national security damage, particularly to [Department of Defense equities, resulted from any improper storage, handling, or disclosure of classified information stored in a closet of a non-governmental entity like the Biden Center,' Rogers wrote.

'Moreover, it is also necessary to determine whether highly classified material found in the closet might have potentially placed Americans in harms way if disclosed to those without the requisite clearance or need to know or accessed by individuals intending malfeasance or worse.'

The first batch of documents was found by Biden's private lawyers on November 2, 2022 when cleaning out a private office he used at the Penn Biden Center, a Washington, DC think tank affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania.

President Joe Biden said he was taking the matter 'seriously' while White House officials fend off growing scrutiny

The existence of a second batch was reported on Wednesday and confirmed by the White House on Thursday afternoon. A statement from the White House Counsel's Office revealed they were found in a room adjacent to Biden's home garage in Wilmington, Delaware.

Rogers' letter, which specifically refers to the first incident with files found at the Penn Biden Center, gives Defense officials until January 25 to respond.

'It is imperative this Committee be kept informed about the nature of the classified data if it touches upon servicemembers safety, DODs operations, or the protection of DOD assets,' the Armed Services chairman stated.

Rogers demanded the Pentagon disclose 'the subject matter' of each classified document and their level of secrecy, a list of all the people who knew they were there and have accessed them since, and various communications and documentation related to their transfer and existence.

'Thank you for your immediate attention to a developing matter that has presumably been on your radar for some time now,' the Alabama congressman wrote.

The letter asks Pentagon officials to respond by January 25 with the requested documents and communications

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer sent a pair of letters on Tuesday also inquiring into the classified documents. One was addressed to the National Archives, while the other was aimed at the White House Counsel's office.

He told reporters on Capitol Hill that he still has not heard back as of Thursday afternoon.

Biden officials have largely avoided going into details on the matter.

The president himself said during a Tuesday press conference that he takes the matter 'seriously' and is 'cooperating fully' with the Justice Department.

In the first batch were reportedly intelligence memos and records regarding Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Iran. All 10 classified pages were reportedly from 2013 through 2016.

But the majority of the documents recovered were intimate family records including pages discussing funeral arrangements for Biden's son Beau.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been functioning without a Senate-confirmed administrator for nearly a full year  leading to more criticism and questions surrounding the mishandling of air travel meltdowns in recent months.

Both the House and Senate are concerned that there has been a void in leadership at the FAA, especially after the Southwest debacle last month and a computer glitch that led to nationwide flight cancellations for several hours Wednesday morning.

Senator Ted Cruz, who is taking the top GOP position on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the new Congress, said in a statement Thursday that the FAA failures exhibit the larger 'dysfunction' within the Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

A spokesperson for House Transportation Chairman Sam Graves told DailyMail.com the congressman is 'very concerned about' the failure to secure a confirmed FAA administrator.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been operating without a Senate-confirmed administrator for nearly a full year  leading to more criticism over the recent failures of the agency and the Transportation Department overall. Many claim that Biden's pick Phillip Washington (pictured) does not have the experience needed to lead the FAA and he is now embroiled in scandal

'There has been a collective drain of experience there in recent years that must be addressed, but the Administrator is obviously the highest priority,' a spokesperson for House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves told DailyMail.com

'There has been a collective drain of experience there in recent years that must be addressed, but the Administrator is obviously the highest priority,' the spokesperson added.

Joe Biden's pick to head the FAA is Denver International Airport Chief Executive Phil Washington. The president renominated Washington last month to lead the agency.

Washington, however, has faced criticism from Republicans after he was named in a search warrant that tied him to corruption allegations at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Washington has denied wrongdoing. He formerly served as the CEO of the Los Angeles public transport system.

Currently Billy Nolen, the FAA's top aviation safety official, has been running the agency on an interim basis until an administrator is confirmed. He was appointed as the acting administrator in April 2022 after Trump-nominated Administrator Steve Dickson stepped-down halfway through his five year term at the end of March.

During a committee hearing last year, before ascending to Ranking Member, Cruz said of Washington's nomination: 'Even when the administration finally sends us a nominee for FAA administrator, they send someone with almost zero aviation experience  a requisite for the job  and who has recent news has highlighted has more than a little bit of scandal surrounding him.'

Senator Ted Cruz is taking over as GOP Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which is tasked with confirming an FAA administrator. He said that Washington has 'almost zero aviation experience'

The Federal Aviation Administration system that sends pilots safety alerts and other critical information glitched this week and led to hours of all departing flights being grounded on Wednesday morning  and lingering delayed and cancellations on Thursday

Senator Roger Wicker, who Cruz is taking over for as ranking member of the Committee that oversees DOT and would need to confirm the FAA administrator, has also been highly critical of Washington during his first nomination last year.

Wicker expressed criticism over supporting Washington due to his lack of aviation industry experience  as well as the aforementioned warrant.

Bully Nolen has been serving as acting FAA Administrator since the Trump-appointed head stepped down in March 2022 when halfway through his five-year term

The warrant was issued in the fall following whistleblower complaints and sought more information related to potential favoritism in awarding contracts to the LA Metro Transit Authority after leading the group for six years.

Washington was appointed last year to his current role as the CEO of the Denver International Airport, which is the third busiest airport in the world.

He also led the transition team for the Biden-Harris Department of Transportation and co-chaired their administration's Infrastructure Policy Committee.

Increased scrutiny has fallen on the FAA and DOT in general following a slew of air and other travel-related meltdowns over the last two years.

The FAA had to prevent departing flights across the U.S. from taking off for several hours Wednesday morning due to a computer glitch.

'The flying public deserves safety in the sky,' Cruz said in a statement Wednesday. 'The FAA's inability to keep an important safety system up and running is completely unacceptable and just the latest example of dysfunction within the Department of Transportation.'

'The administration needs to explain to Congress what happened, and Congress should enact reforms in this year's FAA reauthorization legislation,' he added. 'This incident also highlights why the public needs a competent, proven leader with substantive aviation experience leading the FAA.'
Swedes can finally boogie the night away, care-free of special permits that have previously restricted them from dancing on some premises.

The Swedish government said it intends to scrap the 67-year-old law that required owners of night clubs and bars to obtain a license for dancing.

While Swedes, despite their reputation for being subdued, can frequently be found dancing at nightclubs around the country, it does require that the owner of the establishment have a special permit.

Swedes can finally boogie the night away, care-free of special permits that have previously restricted them from dancing on some premises (file image of people dancing)

The law, which has been the subject of debate for decades, dates back to 1956 when politicians were trying to rein in a surge of dance meets around the country where unchaperoned youths would consume alcohol and listen to what some at the time considered immoral music and dancing.

'This is a long-awaited freedom reform,' Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said in a statement.

'It's not reasonable that the state should regulate peoples' dancing,' he continued, adding that removing the need for a permit would also reduce red tape for businesses.

Sweden's parliament in 2016 agreed it was time to scrap the law, leading the government to examine the matter.

The law dates back to 1956 when politicians were trying to rein in a surge of dance meets around the country involving unchaperoned youths (file image of people dancing)

The probe, completed in 2018, however found that the permits served a purpose in terms of addressing safety, and suggested that the process should instead be revised.

The whole issue was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new government's proposal, which will need to be approved by parliament, means that bars and nightclubs will no longer need any permits to allow dancing as long as it's not in a public space.

There is widespread support for the measure in parliament.

For dance events in public, organisers will need to inform police so that potential security concerns can be evaluated.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged making any kind of commitment to release the Delaware-based visitor logs

Republicans including the House's No. 3 GOP member, Rep. Elise Stefanik, have made the demand

Pressure is growing on the Biden administration to release visitor logs for his Wilmington, Delaware home after revelations Thursday that classified documents were stored there, in his garage and an adjacent room.

'We need to know why President Biden has refused to release his visitor logs at his Delaware residences while classified documents were hidden in the garage when foreign visitors with off-the-books meetings could have had access to this information,' said the No. 3 House Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik, on Thursday, according to The Washington Times.

During Thursday's briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged making any kind of commitment to release the Delaware-based visitor logs.

'Let's not forget what we did here in this White House. We instituted something that the last administration got rid of, which is ... putting out, making sure there was a White House log, extensive White House log,' Jean-Pierre said.

'I am telling you we did something the last administration got rid, which is instituting the White House logs. Did you ask the last administration why they got rid of the White House logs?' she added.

During Thursday's briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged making any kind of commitment to release the Delaware-based visitor logs

Biden confirmed the documents were kept in a locked garage 'as well as my Corvette' to reporters at the end of a speech on economic progress

The White House has declined to release visitor logs from Biden's lakefront Wilmington, Delaware home (pictured) where he spends most every weekend - and conducted most of the 2020 campaign due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

THE TRAIL OF DOCUMENT DISCOVERIES THAT LED GARLAND TO NAME A SPECIAL COUNSEL Nov. 2: 10 classified documents were found at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C., by President Joe Biden's lawyers Nov. 3: The National Archives was notified of the discovery Nov. 4: The National Archives' Office of Inspector General contacted a prosecutor at the Department of Justice and told them that classified material had been discovered at the Penn Biden Center. The documents were secured at an Archives facility Nov. 8: The midterm elections Nov. 9: The FBI commenced an assessment to determine whether classified material had been mishandled Nov. 14: Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John Lausch, to determine if a special counsel was needed Dec. 20: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that additional documents with classification markings were found in Biden's garage in Wilmington, Delaware. The FBI secured those documents Jan 5: Lausch advised Garland that a special counsel should be appointed Jan. 9: White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank Jan 12: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home. The White House, for the first time, publicly disclosed there was a second batch of documents Advertisement

She posed that question back to Fox News' Peter Doocy, who had inquired about the logs.

'I was a campaign reporter covering Joe Biden,' Doocy responded back.

Former President Donald Trump didn't release visitor logs for the White House, nor for his Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster properties, where he frequently spent weekends and vacationed.

When The New York Post's Steven Nelson tried to jump in and ask if the Biden White House would release the list of guests, she refused him a turn.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I was calling the gentleman who wanted to ask a question that was not related to this,' she said.

Jean-Pierre was unable to give a number when asked how many people have been in and out of the Penn Biden Center and the Wilmington residence - where a handful of classified documents from his vice presidential era had been stored.

'There is an ongoing review of this and I would refer you to the Department of Justice,' she said.

Thursday's White House briefing was overwhelmed with questions about the earlier announcement of the appointment of a special counsel over the discovery of classified documents at Biden's old office and at the lakefront Wilmington home.

During the announcement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that documents were found in Wilmington on December 20 and again earlier Thursday morning.

The White House didn't publicly acknowledge the documents found in Wilmington until Thursday morning, despite the president speaking about the classified documents found in the D.C. think tank at a press conference Tuesday in Mexico City.

Biden confirmed the documents were kept in a locked garage 'as well as my Corvette' to reporters at the end of a speech on economic progress.

The Biden White House has long declined to provide an extra layer of transparency by publicly releasing Wilmington visitor logs - despite the president's propensity to spend nearly every weekend at the Delaware home.

When The New York Post tried to gain access to that information using a Freedom of Information Act request, the paper was told in September by the Secret Service that 'no responsive records' were found.

Rep. James Comer, who just took over the powerful House Oversight Committee last week, said at the time: 'The claim that there are no visitor logs for President Biden's Delaware residence is a bunch of malarkey.'

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Pennsylvania Republican, recalled Thursday how Biden had basically carried out the 2020 campaign from the Wilmington home, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

'Biden hid in his basement during the 2020 campaign. Biden hid classified documents in the garage. What else is Biden hiding in his home?' Reschenthaler tweeted.
Black Lives Matter organiser Imarn Ayton admitted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'have proven themselves to be liars'.

The comments follow the Duke of Sussex's recent media appearances in which he denied accusing the royal family of racism in his interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

Speaking to ITV earlier this week, Prince Harry said the royal family were guilty of 'unconscious bias' in reference to the claim an unnamed royal expressed 'concern' about Archie's skin colour.

When ITV's Tom Bradby said: 'You accused members of your family of racism', Harry snapped back: 'No I didn't. The British press said that. Did Meghan ever mention that they're racist?'

While discussing the topic on TalkTV, Ms Ayton conceded the couple have shown themselves to be liars but said they have still contended with bullying and racism.

Black Lives Matter organiser Imarn Ayton admitted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'have proven themselves to be liars' but said they have still suffered from bullying and racism

The Duke of Sussex conceded that the Royal Family were not racist but said they were guilty of 'unconscious bias' while discussing the controversial claim in an incendiary interview to plug his new memoir

Prince Harry has been facing allegations that he failed to 'correct the narrative' around racism in the Royal Family after sensationally accusing an unnamed royal of asking about the skin colour of his and Meghan's then-unborn son Archie during his bombshell Oprah interview

Imarn Ayton leading the Brixton Blackout walk from Clapham Common to Windrush Square Brixton

Ms Ayton, a key organiser of the demonstrations in London in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, said: 'I will happily and humbly accept the defeat when it comes to them being called liars. They have proven themselves to be liars.'

She added: 'It does not negate the fact that Harry was bullied and harassed by the media.'

'It does not negate the fact that his wife had to contend with racism.

'It does not negate the fact he has the right to defend himself when he feels aggrieved.'

On the topic of evidence she said 'we already know they have backpedaled' and not disclosed 'certain bits of information pertaining to the racism claims'.

But she said: 'The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.'

Pictured, Meghan, Archie and Harry at a Polo match in Wokingham in 2019

Ms Ayton distanced herself from Black Lives Matter protests in Britain because she says it was hijacked by a group of far-Left activists

While the Duke has not referred to the Oprah interview in his memoir, he was asked by Bradby in the interview to plug the book: 'Wouldn't you describe that as essentially racist?'

The duke replies: 'I wouldn't, not having lived within that family.' But he adds: 'The difference between racism and unconscious bias the two things are different.

'But once it's been acknowledged, or pointed out to you as an individual, or as an institution, that you have unconscious bias, you therefore have an opportunity to learn and grow from that so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.'

And he accused Buckingham Palace of failing to follow up on promises it made in the wake of the Oprah controversy, including appointing a 'diversity tsar'.

The Duke of Sussex said there is a place for the monarchy in the modern world if they addressed unconscious bias.

Asked on Good Morning America this morning if he thinks there is a place for the British monarchy in the 21st century, he said: 'I genuinely believe that there is. Not the way that it is now.'

Asked if they need to modernise and if so in what way, Harry said: 'I think the same process that I went through with regarding my own unconscious bias would be hugely beneficial to them.

'Not racism, but unconscious bias, if not confronted, if not learned and grown from, that can then move into racism.

'But there was an enormous missed opportunity with my wife.'
They fell out on more than one occasion, including over bridesmaid dresses

It started with a hug  and something of a snub. When Prince Harry first introduced brother William to the glamorous American who had stolen his heart, what followed was a Transatlantic culture clash.

Specifically, the off-duty Hollywood actress decided that the appropriate way to greet our future king was via a Californian hug. That 'completely freaked him out', Harry recalls. 'He recoiled. Willy didn't hug many strangers. Whereas Meg hugged most strangers.'

There followed a brief exchange of pleasantries, plus a meeting with William's spaniel, Lupo.

But where was Kate?

'Out with the kids,' said William.

'Too bad, next time,' came the response. Then it was time to say goodbye.

It was the autumn of 2016, and Harry and Meghan's relationship was still a closely guarded secret. Back then, the two brothers were sufficiently close to be not only living next door to one another but also sharing an office and a social life.

Indeed, that first meeting  according to Harry's account, the encounter didn't appear to get beyond William's black-and-white tiled hall  came as the duo were preparing to jump in a car to head off together on what Royals call a 'straightforward' shooting weekend.

When Prince Harry first introduced brother William to the glamorous American who had stolen his heart, what followed was a Transatlantic culture clash (pictured: Christmas Day church service 2018)

Now, of course, that once-close relationship between the brothers is a smoking ruin. Six years on, the princes inhabit not only separate continents but also different sides in a bitter dispute that has reduced the Monarchy to a sort of cheap soap opera, featuring blazing rows, fierce vendettas, slammed doors and at least one punch-up.

Central to this fallout, as the above passage suggests, are their two very different wives.

According to Harry's memoir, Spare, some of the most explosive disagreements between the couples revolved around misunderstandings over American attitudes and customs. Some were astonishingly petty.

Disputes appear to have broken out over everything from the correct way to seat couples at a wedding (Brits place them apart on the same table, whereas the 'American tradition', according to the book, is for them to be together) to whether it might be appropriate for two women to share lipgloss (Harry describes doing so as 'an American thing').

In one excruciating passage, Meghan is scolded for suggesting that Kate might be suffering from 'baby brain', having recently given birth. Harry's wife seems to think making such remarks is 'a girl thing', whereas our future King primly claims such alleged overfamiliarity is 'not what's done here in Britain'.

It's clear in hindsight that Kate and Meghan's relationship never really got off the ground.

According to Harry's memoir, Spare, some of the most explosive disagreements between the couples revolved around misunderstandings over American attitudes and customs (pictured: Commonwealth Day service 2019)

And as well as those cultural differences, the key reason for this seems to be a straightforward personality clash. Readers of Harry's 416-page misery memoir are left in little doubt that Kate and Meghan's awful chemistry, divergent attitudes and competing styles generated constant friction between the two households.

Take, for example, the first time the two women finally got round to meeting, during a cosy dinner party hosted by Harry and Meghan in late 2016.

On the surface, things looked convivial. William 'seemed to like Meg' and 'Kate seemed to like (Harry's emphasis) her too,' Harry writes. 'We'd had them over for dinner during one of Meg's visits, and Meg cooked, and everything was good.'

Yet behind the scenes, he now shares a couple of red flags.

At one point during the meal, for example, 'Meg ran upstairs' to get some 'homeopathic remedies' for William, who was suffering from a cold.

Although he 'seemed charmed, moved', to be presented with vials of oregano oil and some turmeric, Kate was dismissive to the point of rudeness and 'announced to the table that he'd never take such unconventional remedies'.

It was an odd remark (if true), given that the Royal Family are longstanding fans of complementary medicine (their preferred homeopathic pharmacy, Ainsworths, has a Royal Warrant).

It's clear in hindsight that Kate and Meghan's relationship never really got off the ground (pictured at Windsor Castle, following the death of Queen Elizabeth)

But that wasn't the only discordant note Harry detected that night. There were also, he says, 'marked differences in how the two women dressed, which both of them seemed to notice'. Meg went barefoot and wore ripped jeans, while her dinner guest Kate was 'done up to the nines'.

The next encounter between the women featured in Spare came in February 2018, three months after Harry and Meghan had announced their engagement, when the two couples shared a stage at an event called the Royal Foundation Forum.

Although this was widely regarded as a success  'afterwards, one journalist dubbed us the Fab Four,' writes Harry  we learn that there was actually an 'awkward moment backstage' that day, when Meghan asked Kate if she could borrow her lipgloss.

'Kate, taken aback, went into her handbag and reluctantly pulled out a small tube,' writes Harry. 'Meg squeezed some on to her finger and applied it to her lips. Kate grimaced. Small clash of styles, maybe? Something we should've been able to laugh about soon after. But it left a little mark.'

There was also, he suggests, bad feeling over a newspaper article suggesting that Meghan's choice of a black dress at the event (Kate wore purple) was intended to indicate support for the #metoo movement, at a time when Hollywood actresses were wearing black on Oscar-season red carpets to show solidarity with victims of sexual assault.

There was also, he suggests, bad feeling over a newspaper article suggesting that Meghan's choice of a black dress at the event (Royal Foundation Forum in London 2018)

'I think [the article] had Kate on edge, while putting her and everyone else on notice that she was now going to be compared to  and forced to compete with  Meg,' Harry claims.

At this point, it should be stressed that, to quote the late Queen, recollections may vary. Harry's book offers a heavily one-sided take on events and, as the somewhat paranoid nature of the above anecdote demonstrates, often contains wild speculation about what others might have been thinking.

A study of contemporaneous events also shows that the book leaves out  perhaps deliberately  key events which suggest Kate and William did make at least some effort to extend a hand of friendship to Harry and his future bride.

Readers are not, for example, told that the couple had spent Christmas 2017 as guests at Anmer Hall, the Cambridges' Norfolk home near Sandringham. The generous gesture helped navigate a minor issue of protocol: they were unmarried at the time, so staying together under the Queen's roof was taboo.

Be that as it may, it is widely agreed that things between the wives became seriously tricky in the days leading up to Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018, thanks to a stupendously silly row over the bridesmaid's dress that Princess Charlotte was required to wear.

According to the version of events Harry shared this week, Kate was squarely to blame.

Things between the wives became seriously tricky in the days leading up to Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018

He alleges that she sent a series of pushy text messages to Meghan, arguing that the French couture dress, which had been 'hand-sewn from measurements only', needed to be completely remade because it was 'too big, too long, too baggy' for her three-year-old daughter, who had 'cried when she tried it on at home'.

Meghan responded by asking Kate to bring the dress to the Palace, where her personal tailor, Ajay, was standing by to carry out alterations. Kate was not keen. There followed a litany of chippy texts in which Kate is said to have criticised 'the way Meg was planning her wedding' by mentioning 'something about a party for the page boys'.

The whole thing was apparently so traumatic for the bride-to-be that when Harry arrived home later that day, he 'found Meg on the floor, sobbing'. The following morning, 'Kate came by with flowers and a card that said she was sorry,' he adds.

Despite the gesture, their relationship seems never to have recovered. This seems especially tragic given the huge affection Harry once had for Kate. Prior to meeting Meghan, he describes her as 'carefree, sweet, kind'. Recalling her wedding to William, he says: 'I loved my new sister-in-law. I felt she was more sister than in-law, the sister I'd never had and always wanted.'

How quickly things deteriorated. After the Sussexes' honeymoon, they appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, their first public appearance as newlyweds.

'Everyone present was in a good mood, upbeat,' Harry writes. 'But then: Kate asked Meg what she thought of her first Trooping the Colour. And Meg joked 'colourful'. According to Harry, 'a yawning silence threatened to swallow us all whole'.

Prior to meeting Meghan, Harry described Kate as 'carefree, sweet, kind'

Soon after Trooping, says Harry, William and Kate invited him and Meghan to tea and 'to clear the air'. It presages an extraordinary passage in the book during which these grown adults first express petty jealousy over William and Kate's interior decorations and then, over tea, engage in a playground-style argument over various frivolous disagreements.

The Cambridges were 'apparently upset' that Meghan and Harry hadn't given them Easter presents. 'Was that a thing?' Harry asks. He says he and Meghan apologised. 'For our part, we chipped in that we weren't too pleased when the couple changed their seats at the wedding reception. 'We'd followed the American tradition, placing couples next to each other, but Willy and Kate didn't like that tradition, so their table was the only one where spouses were apart.'

William alleged that Harry and Meghan had done the same thing at the wedding of Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton. Then Kate complained that Meghan 'hurt my feelings' during an incident where 'I couldn't remember something and you told me it was my hormones'. She allegedly added: 'You talked about my hormones. We're not close enough for you to talk about my hormones!'

In a scene that resembles an upscale version of EastEnders, readers are told that William pointed at his brother's wife. 'It's rude, Meghan. It's not what's done here in Britain.' Meghan then replied: 'Kindly take your finger out of my face.'

At the end, 'We all hugged,' Harry writes, adding: 'Kind of.'

But far from clearing the air, matters just kept getting worse. Staff shared by the two couples fell out. Or as Harry put it 'there was frequent bickering in the office' in which 'sides were taken' in a manner that 'poisoned the atmosphere'.

Kate complained that Meghan 'hurt my feelings' during an incident where 'I couldn't remember something and you told me it was my hormones'

Later that year, reports began emerging about the bridesmaids' dresses row, but with a twist: it was claimed that it was Kate who cried. So on December 10, 2018, the two couples had a 'second summit'  and 'on our turf', as Harry puts it. This time there was no small talk.

Kate, says Harry, acknowledged that the stories 'were totally false . . . I know Meghan that I was the one who made you cry'. After what Harry describes as some 'supportive-sounding evasions' from his brother about why the Palace had not denied the story, the couples speculate who might have leaked it.

Finally, says Harry, William conceded that at a dinner with his father and Camilla, 'he might've let it slip that there had been strife between the two couples'.

Harry adds dramatically: 'I put a hand over my face. Meg froze. A heavy silence fell. So now we knew.

'I told Willy: "You of all people should have known."'

A few months later, the couples announced that their offices would separate. Some efforts were then made to present a united front. In July 2019, two months after Archie's birth, William publicly demonstrated his affection for his brother's family by inviting them to a charity polo event at which they would be photographed together. And in October that year they collaborated on a PR film about mental health, directed by Richard Curtis.

However, perhaps not surprisingly, Spare neglects to mention either of these incidents, nor any other subsequent event that might present things in a more positive light. Instead, it is suggested to readers that the die has been cast: the differences between Harry and William, and perhaps most importantly their wives, are simply too great.

Megxit, in other words, is inevitable.

All of which brings us back to the day William and Meghan first met.

Recalling his brother's awkward reaction to being hugged, Harry says: 'Maybe Willy expected Meg to curtsy? It would have been protocol when meeting a member of the Royal Family for the first time.'

There is no further evidence offered in support of this claim  it is, instead, one of many speculative projections that litter his book. But the fact he makes it underlines how utterly doomed the not-so-merry wives of Windsor were from the start.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the classified documents discovered in the D.C. think tank and Wilmington home of Joe Biden.

Robert K. Hur, a former federal prosecutor appointed to that position by Donald Trump, was selected to fill the role. The White House said they will cooperate with Kur and are 'confident' the investigation will show the files were 'inadvertently misplaced.'

'This appointment underscores for the public the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law,' Garland said.

Democrats faced a flood of criticism from Republicans, who had demanded a special counsel. Garland's announcement came as pressure is building on the White House to explain how the documents were in Biden's possession, why their existence wasn't announced until after the midterm election and what was being done about it.

'We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the President and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake,' Richard Sauber, White House special counsel, said in a statement about Hur's appointment.

This could mark a major turning point in Biden's presidency. He has steered clear of legal problems thus far even as Republicans have targeted the business dealings of his son Hunter Biden and have launched a special committee to probe the 'weaponization' of the federal government.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate classified documents in Biden's possession

Robert K Hur, 50, served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 2018 to 2021 - he was appointed to that position by Donald Trump

Timeline of Biden document discovery and initial investigation Nov. 2: 10 classified documents were found at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C., by President Joe Biden's lawyers. Nov. 3: The National Archives was notified of the discovery Nov. 4: The National Archives' Office of Inspector General contacted a prosecutor at the Department of Justice and told them that classified material had been discovered at the Penn Biden Center. The documents were secured at an Archives facility Nov. 8: 2022 midterm election Nov. 9: The FBI commenced an assessment to determine whether classified material had been mishandled Nov. 14: Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John Lausch, to determine if a special counsel was needed Dec. 20: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that additional documents with classification markings were found in Biden's garage in Wilmington, Delaware. The FBI secured those documents Jan 5: Lausch advised Garland that a special counsel should be appointed Jan. 9: White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank Jan 12: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home Jan. 12: White House publicly announces additional classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington home Advertisement

In his short statement on Thursday, Garland revealed a detailed timeline of when the documents were originally discovered and how the initial Justice Department investigation began.

In total, there have been three discoveries of classified materials - at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C.; in Biden's garage at his Wilmington, Del., home; and an additional discovery at Biden's Wilmington home.

Garland said the Archives informed the DoJ of the first discovery on Nov. 4th and the FBI began an investigation five days later.

On Nov. 14th, Garland assigned the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John Lausch, to determine if a special counsel was needed. Lausch would ultimately make such a recommendation.

On Dec. 20th, Biden's personal attorney told Lausch that additional files were found in Biden's Wilmington garage.

The Justice Department was informed of the third discovery on Thursday morning - the same day as the special counsel announcement and the same day the White House announced additional classified materials was found in Biden's possession at his Wilmington home.

This is not Garland's first time naming a special counsel. Last year, he appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to investigate classified documents in the possession of former President Donald Trump.

There are now separate special counsels investigating two presidents - who may again end up as rivals in the 2024 election.

When it was revealed that Biden also had classified documents - dating back to when he was vice president - Republicans demanded a similar move by the attorney general.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn't reveal more details about the documents' discovery, referring questions to the Justice Department.

And, when questioned repeatedly why the White House didn't reveal the discovery of the additional documents on December 20th until January 12th, Jean-Pierre argued the administration was being transparent.

'I want to say that we have been transparent here. That is why the minute that his lawyers found those documents, they reported it, they reached out to the Archives and the Department of Justice, and they did that voluntarily, and they were not compelled to do it, they did it voluntarily,' she said.

'We are trying to do this by the book,' she said of the adminisration's response.

Garland said on Thursday that Hur is authorized 'to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection' with the classified documents.

'I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service,' Hur said in a statement released after his appointment was announced.

Garland stressed Hur's independence.

'A special counsel will not be subjected to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the department. But he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the department,' he said.

Hur, 50, served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 2018 to 2021. He previously served as principal associate deputy attorney general.

Trump appointed Hur to the top law enforcement job in Maryland.

'I am confident that Mr. Hur will carry out his responsibility in an even handed and urgent matter, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this department,' Garland said during the five-minute announcement at the Justice Department.

He did not answer questions as he left the room.

Multiple aides who worked for Biden in the final days of the Obama administration have been interviewed by Justice Department, NBC News reported.

Kathy Chung, who was Bidens executive assistant while he was vice president and helped pack up his vice presidential office in January 2017, is one of them.

She currently serves as deputy director of protocol for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Trump was among the many Republicans demanding a special counsel - and he demanded Garland end the probe into his handling of classified material.

'Merrick Garland has to immediately end Special Counsel investigation into anything related to me because I did everything right, and appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Joe Biden who hates Biden as much as Jack Smith hates me,' he said on Truth Social on Thursday.

Garland's announcement came after the White House revealed a second batch of classified documents was discovered in President Biden's 'personal library' at his home in Wilmington, Delaware and other documents in his garage.

It was the latest bombshell comes just days after reports that sensitive documents were also found in his former office in Washington, D.C.

A second batch of classified documents were found in a garage 'storage space' in President Biden's Wilmington home, the President's counsel revealed on Thursday

Joe Biden tweets a video of himself with his classic 1967 Corvette Stingray - which was in the same garage as documents

Special Counsel Robert K. Hur to review Biden documents probe has experience in prosecuting public corruption and mishandling of classified documents On January 12, Robert K. Hur was appointed as Special Counsel by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee a Biden document probe. The former federal prosecutor served in top career positions at the Justice Department during the Trump and Obama administrations. Hur served as the U.S. attorney for Maryland, the top prosecutors role in the state, during the Trump administration after the president nominated him in 2017. He went after politicians in Baltimore for public corruption  as well as leading the prosecution of what DOJ called two of the most significant breach cases in history. Special Counsel Robert K. Hur Those cases related to a former NSA contractor who stole and retained classified material over two decades and stored it in his home and car, and a former NSA employee who removed and kept at his home massive troves of highly classified national defense information. Hur said the sentence 'should serve as a warning that we will find and prosecute government employees and contractors who flagrantly violate their duty to protect classified materials.' He also went after criminal gang members, including members of the notorious international crime gang, MS-13. Hurs pedigree includes clerking for Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist, earning his J.D. at Stanford law school, and becoming a partner at the law firm of Gibbon, Dunn, & Crutcher, where the firm touted his government and private sector experience. He was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to the U.S. Attorney post in 2018 after being nominated by Trump. He was lauded in a statement at the time by home-state Democratic Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service, Hur said after Garland announced his appointment. Before serving as U.S. Attorney in Maryland, Hur was the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General at the main Justice Department headquarters, where he served as a top aide to former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein - a key figure overseeing the Russia probe during the Trump administration. Earlier, he was special assistant to current FBI Director Christopher Wray when Wray was Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division Advertisement

Richard Sauber, Special Counsel to the President, said the files were immediately handed over to the National Archives and the Department of Justice was notified.

Biden told reporters at the White House that he was 'cooperating fully and completely' with a Justice Department investigation as to how and why classified information and government records were improperly stored.

Peter Doocy of Fox News asked the president how he could keep 'classified materials [in his garage] next to your Corvette. What were you thinking?'  a reference to his classic 1967 Stingray which his son, Hunter, had rebuilt for him as a Christmas present.

'By the way, my Corvette's in locked garage, okay? It's not like it's sitting out in the street,' Biden shot back. He confirmed the documents were kept in a locked garage, saying, 'Yes - as well as my Corvette.'

'People know I take classified documents,' classified materials seriously,' Biden said, beginning to read a prepared statement.

'I'm going to get a chance to speak on this soon, God willing,' he added, as reporters shouted questions. 'We're going to see all this unfold.'

The tense back and forth comes after Biden dodged questions during a trip to Mexico about whether he mishandled documents.

He said lawyers 'discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my - my personal library.'

'The Department of Justice was immediately notified, he said. 'We're going to see all this unfold, I'm confident ...' he said. Biden's voice trailed off, leading to a chorus of shouted questions. 'Thank you very much,' he concluded.

Then, amid the cacophony of questions, he pointed to the back of the auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building where he was speaking. 'Hey how you doing? Good to see you!' he yelled, then walked off stage.

The disclosure comes as the White House face multiple questions on why the discoveries have not been revealed until now and who was handling them.

The first set of files, found a week before the November midterms, was located in a locked closet at the Penn-Biden Center in Washington D.C.

Biden got asked how he could have classified materials 'next to your Corvette.' He shot back: 'By the way, my Corvette's in locked garage, okay?'

He said lawyers 'discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my - my personal library.' He also referenced the discovery of materials at the Penn Biden Center in Washington

The discovery of classified materials at the Penn Biden Center has caused a political uproar, and comes amid a DOJ investigation of

Attorney General Merrick Garland's full statement on a special counsel Good afternoon. I am here today to announce the appointment of Robert Hur as a Special Counsel, pursuant to Department of Justice regulations governing such matters. In keeping with those regulations, I have today notified the designated members of each House of Congress of the appointment. I am joined today by John Lausch, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who conducted the initial investigation into the matter that I will describe today. On the evening of November 4, 2022, the National Archives Office of Inspector General contacted a prosecutor at the Department of Justice. It informed him that the White House [Counsel] had notified the Archives that documents bearing classification markings were identified at the office of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, located in Washington, D.C. That office was not authorized for storage of classified documents. The prosecutor was also advised that those documents had been secured in an Archives facility. On November 9, the FBI commenced an assessment, consistent with standard protocols, to understand whether classified information had been mishandled in violation of federal law. On November 14, pursuant to Section 600.2(b) of the Special Counsel regulations, I assigned U.S. Attorney Lausch to conduct an initial investigation to inform my decision whether to appoint a Special Counsel. Mr. Lausch has served as the U.S. Attorney in Chicago since 2017. Before that, he spent more than a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in that same office. I selected him to conduct the initial investigation because I was confident his experience would ensure that it would be done professionally and expeditiously. On December 20, President Biden's personal counsel informed Mr. Lausch that additional documents bearing classification markings were identified in the garage of the President's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware. President Biden's counsel informed Mr. Lausch that those documents were among other records from the period of the President's service as Vice President. The FBI went to the location and secured those documents. On January 5, 2023, Mr. Lausch briefed me on the results of his initial investigation and advised me that further investigation by a Special Counsel was warranted. Based on Mr. Lausch's initial investigation, I concluded that, under the Special Counsel regulations, it was in the public interest to appoint a Special Counsel. In the days since, while Mr. Lausch continued the investigation, the Department identified Mr. Hur for appointment as Special Counsel. This morning, President Biden's personal counsel called Mr. Lausch and stated that an additional document bearing classification markings was identified at the President's personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware. When I first contacted Mr. Lausch about this matter, he said he could lead the initial investigation but would be unable to accept any longer term assignment because he would be leaving the Department in early 2023 for the private sector. U.S. Attorney Lausch and his team of prosecutors and agents have conducted this initial investigation with professionalism and speed. I am grateful to them. Earlier today, I signed an order appointing Robert Hur as Special Counsel for the matter I have just described. The document [order] authorizes him to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter. The Special Counsel will not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the Department, but he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the Department. Mr. Hur has a long and distinguished career as a prosecutor. In 2003, he joined the Department's Criminal Division, where he worked on counterterrorism, corporate fraud, and appellate matters. From 2007 until 2014, Mr. Hur served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, where he prosecuted matters ranging from violent crime to financial fraud. In 2017, Mr. Hur rejoined the Department as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. In 2018, he was nominated and confirmed to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. As U.S. Attorney, he supervised some of the Department's more important national security, public corruption, and other high-profile matters. I will ensure that Mr. Hur receives all the resources he needs to conduct his work. As I have said before, I strongly believe that the normal processes of this Department can handle all investigations with integrity. But, under the regulations, the extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a Special Counsel for this matter. This appointment underscores for the public the Department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law. I am confident that Mr. Hur will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent manner, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this Department. Thank you all. Advertisement

The classified documents are believed to have contained information on Iran, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and personal family information including documents about late son Beau's funeral.

Biden has said he didn't know what was in the materials and didn't know of their existence until his personal lawyer informed him of them.

The president's attorney's were cleaning out the D.C. think tank to prepare for it to be shuttered. The files were discovered when Biden's lawyer saw an envelope that indicated it contained personal files, opened it and saw there were classified documents inside.

The lawyer closed the envelope and called the National Archives. The attorneys then conducted an investigation of other locations where files from Biden's Vice-Presidential office might have been shipped in the course of the 2017 transition.

The White House said Thursday that review was completed on Wednesday night. And it also announced more classified files had been discovered.

'As we stated previously, we are fully cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice in a process to ensure that any Obama-Biden Administration records are appropriately in possession of the Archives,' Sauber, the White House special counsel, said in the Thursday statement.

'Following the discovery of government documents at the Penn Biden Center in November 2022, and coordinating closely with the Department of Justice, the President's lawyers have searched the President's Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, residences.'

The White House said during that review the additional classified documents were discovered.

'During the review, the lawyers discovered among personal and political papers a small number of additional Obama-Biden Administration records with classified markings.

'All but one of these documents were found in storage space in the President's Wilmington residence garage.

'One document consisting of one page was discovered among stored materials in an adjacent room. No documents were found in the Rehoboth Beach residence,' the special counsel said.

Sauber the Justice Department was immediately notified and 'the lawyers arranged for the Department of Justice to take possession of these documents.'

He said the White House will 'continue to cooperate' with the Justice Department's investigation.

In August, as the Trump investigation will heat up, Biden was asked if it was appropriate to take classified materials home.

He said that he had done so, noting: 'I have, in my home, a cabined off space that is completely secure.'

Former President Donald Trump had classified documents at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida after leaving office in 2021 but after numerous attempts by the National Archive, the DOJ allowed the FBI to search the estate for White House documents

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022 as FBI agents search estate for classified documents taken from the White House

A special counsel is already reviewing former President Donald Trump's possession of highly classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence. FBI agents searched the residence this summer under a grand jury subpoena after a months-long process seeking to obtain government material.

Biden blasted Trump's handling of materials in the past, and has stated that he takes care when bringing classified documents home as president that he gets briefed in a secured room and returns classified materials to a military aide.

He told CBS '60 Minutes' after the Mar-a-Lago raid: 'How that could possibly happen? How one  anyone could be that irresponsible?'

Biden's Corvette, a wedding gift from his father more than 50 years ago, has been valued at $78,000.

The White House has consistently emphasized Biden's attorneys found the documents and promptly turned them over to the Archives, arguing all proper procedures were followed.

In Trump's case, the Archives realized documents from his administration were missing and requested their return.

Trump eventually gave 15 boxes of materials to the agency, which discovered classified documents among them. When federal investigators suspected the former president was holding onto more documents, they got a judges permission to search Mar-a-Lago.

That raid took place in August and turned up more documents.
Chinese FM sees fresh opportunities, broad vistas in Sino-Ethiopian ties

Xinhua) 17:20, January 12, 2023

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has said that China and Ethiopia face brand-new opportunities and broad vistas in the development of their relations.

Addressing the media with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen after their talks in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Tuesday, Qin said China stands ready to work with Ethiopia for even more fruitful outcomes from their traditional friendship for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.

Qin said that Ethiopia, a major power in Africa and a developing country with significant influence, has been an important partner of China in its cooperation with Africa.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, he said, the China-Ethiopia friendship has remained iron-clad and grown stronger with time, no matter how the international situation changes.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Ethiopia relations have maintained a high level of development and pragmatic cooperation in various fields and yielded fruitful results, Qin said.

Qin said a high degree of consensus was reached during his meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mekonnen.

Both sides agree that China and Ethiopia should consolidate and deepen political mutual trust and be firm partners of mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

They concur that the two countries should synergize their development strategies, expand practical cooperation, better leverage the economic and social benefits of flagship cooperation projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, expand bilateral trade and investment, strive for greater win-win outcomes of mutual benefit, and be partners for common development.

China encourages more Chinese enterprises to take an active part in Ethiopia's reconstruction, Qin said.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination on multilateral affairs and jointly address global challenges. China supports a bigger role for Ethiopia in international and regional affairs and stands ready to work closely with Ethiopia as partners in safeguarding international fairness and justice, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The damage from the ransomware attack on The Guardian has been confirmed, and it is worse than first believed, Engadget writes.

The Guardian has admitted that it was the target of a ransomware attack in December and that individuals from the UK had their personal information accessed as a result of the incident.

The Attack Is Reportedly Highly Sophisticated In Nature

The announcement was confirmed by Anna Bateson, chief executive of The Guardian Media Group, and Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, in a Wednesday afternoon email to staff.

According to its description, the incident was a highly sophisticated cyberattack that gave unauthorized third parties access to certain of our network.

It is most likely brought on by a "phishing" attempt, in which the target is duped into downloading malware, frequently by email.

Bateson and Viner recognized that this was a "criminal" ransomware attack and that The Guardian was not the intended target of the culprits.

Although the paper notified the police and the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, the authorities refrained from naming the suspected offenders.

The Guardian claimed it had no grounds to suspect that subscribers' and readers' personal information had been accessed.

The personal information of Guardian employees in the US and Australia is also not thought to have been accessed.

The risk of fraud is thought to be low because there hasn't been any proof of data exposure online, according to the notice sent to staff.

Read More: Data Of 200 Million Twitter Users Has Not Been Leaked, Twitter Says

The Guardian's Staff Is Expected To Stay Off Office While Authorities Investigate

Workers will not return to the office until the beginning of February, however The Guardian now anticipates certain crucial systems to be operational again within the next two weeks.

Since the attack was discovered on December 20, the majority of the staff has been working from home, according to Engadget.

However, they were initially simply instructed to avoid the office for the rest of that week to give the IT team more time to restore infrastructure.

"We believe this was a criminal ransomware attack, and not the specific targeting of the Guardian as a media organization," said Bateson and Viner.

In the last three years, attacks of this nature have increased in frequency and sophistication against organizations of all sizes and types, worldwide.

Since then, the business has continued to publish its publications both online and in print, according to The Guardian.

Despite this, the confirmation makes this one of the press's most significant recent online security issues.

It can be remembered that early last fall, Fast Company was taken offline for eight days, while The New York Post was victimized by a disgruntled employee weeks later.

In the preceding 12 months, two in five UK businesses reported cyber security breaches or attacks, according to government data from the previous year.

Over three weeks after the ransomware attack, The Guardian is still coping with the fallout and won't be back to business as usual for some time.

Related Article: Chick-fil-A Customer Account Hack Now Under Investigation Following Reports
This is the moment a bungling auto parts salesman injures his father-in-law twice with the same steel bar.

The admittedly comical CCTV footage from a store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was captured on Monday.

The video shows salesman Andre Luiz as he rests a long metal bar against the garage's front door.

But as he steps away and turns his back, the bar slips down, whacking his partner's dad Luiz Carlos Niegesk on the foot.

The admittedly comical CCTV footage from a store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was captured on Monday, January 9, 2023

Luiz Carlos Niegesk poses with his son-in-law Andr Luiz in Rio, Brazil, after he was hit twice by an iron bar

After howling in pain, he removes his shoe and sock to check his foot for injuries.

Andre, 20, profusely apologises but then tries to prop up the bar in exactly the same spot again.

Again within seconds, it topples over once more, but this time hitting Luiz, 64, on the back of his head.

As he winces in pain, he can be heard crying out: 'Ai caramba!'

Andre later told local media: 'It was an accident, I didn't mean to do it.'

After watching the footage back, Andre, Luiz, and Luiz's son Raphael - who also appears in the video - found it hilarious and decided to share it in the family messaging app group.

It quickly went viral, racking up millions of views.

After watching the footage back, Andre (right), Luiz (left), and Luiz's son Raphael - who also appears in the video - found it hilarious

The bar topples over once more, but this time hitting Luiz, 64, on the back of his head

Andre joked: 'Someone from the family group posted it and it went on and on, and we became famous.

'To this day, I don't know who posted it first, but on Twitter alone it had more than six million views, besides the other networks.'

He revealed the blunder did not cause any bad blood between him and his father-in-law or between him and Luiz's daughter.
A 'large and destructive' tornado is making its way toward Prattville and continuing northeast across the state

Winds at the eye of the storm have reached 140mph while it moves across the state at a rate of 55mph

The National Weather Service is urging residents in Alabama to take shelter immediately as the tornado hits

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An 'extremely dangerous' tornado is ripping through Alabama, with residents being told to take shelter immediately as 140pmh winds batter the state.

National Weather Service officials say that they have received dozens of damage reports as the storm continues to move through the state.

They have issued a 'tornado emergency' warning for Autauga, Coose, Elmore, and Chilton counties, adding: This is a life-threatening situation and extremely dangerous! Seek shelter immediately if in the path of this storm!!!'

Forecasters said a large and destructive tornado was located near Vida Junction, or 12 miles northwest of Prattville, moving to the northeast at a rate of 55 mph.

A tornado warning has now been issued for Chambers, and the NWS is advising people to seek shelter

A tornado warning has now been issued for Chambers, with the NWS saying the strength is 'not quite as robust' and seems to be weakening - but is still advising people to seek shelter.

Winds of up to 70mph are currently hitting Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee as the storm moves southeast, with thunderstorms developing.

The worst of the storms hit between 8am and noon, with those in Bibb, Chilton, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Shelby, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Perry under a tornado warning.

It is currently not tornado season, which stretches from March to May each year, and there is an increased risk of storms in November and December.

Streets of Alabama's Morgan County have been littered with debris and downed power lines, with 10 to 15 people injured so far in the killer storms.

Golf-ball-sized hail was reported across the counties, with downed trees and structural damage littering the state.

Entire buildings have been destroyed by the storm in Mississippi, with the tornado expected to continue along its path of destruction for several hours

A tornado can be seen sweeping over Alabama as damage is being reported across the state

Forecasters said a large and destructive tornado was located near Vida Junction, or 12 miles northwest of Prattville, moving to the northeast at 55 mph and 140mph at the eye of the tornado

An immediate warning has been put in place for those within Autauga county to get out as it is a 'life-threatening situation

National Weather Service officials say that they have received dozens of damage reports as the storm continues to move through the state.

From Monroe County EMA, a look at damage after a possible tornado came through. No injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/csAhjyGeNx  msema (@MSEMA) January 12, 2023

Authorities and forecasters are warning of the possibility of hours of destruction, with the area being pummelled by rain and wind.

The National Weather Service office in Louisville, Kentucky, already confirmed a tornado with winds of 100 mph touched down in the central Kentucky town of West Harrodsburg in Mercer County.

Hilary Granbois, of the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency in Alabama, said: 'So far, we've only had one report of an injury, and I don't know the status of that individual.

'As of right now, the preliminary report of a lot of downed power lines. We have some overturned 18-wheelers.'

Students in the city of Selma, Alabama, are on weather lockdown with schools taking the necessary precautions.

Lake Jordan video from Jordan Cantrell. Lake Jordan looking toward Titus pic.twitter.com/SdoutLbLbE  James Spann (@spann) January 12, 2023

Mayor James Perkins Jr said the city of Selma in Alabama had received significant damage from the tornado

Authorities and forecasters are warning of the possibility of hours of destruction, with the area being pummelled by rain and wind

Debris littered the roads and fields in Alabama after the surprising tornado hit and destroyed several properties

Mayor James Perkins Jr said the city had received significant damage from the tornado.

He asked residents to avoid traveling on roads and to stay away from downed power lines, adding: City crews will be out as soon as practical to clean up. In the meantime, stay safe and continue to report your damages through 911.'

The Storm Predictions Centre said that the greatest risk of severe storms is a level 3 or 5 and will cover around 9.5million people over parts of Alabama and Georgia.

More than 25million people in the Southeast and Ohio Valley are under some form of threat of severe storms, which could include damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.
An American college professor has come under fire for telling straight students to watch gay porn to understand new sides to their sexuality.

Penn State professor Sam Richards aired the challenge to students during a lecture for his entry level sociology class in December - and was reportedly met with silence in response.

The awkward exchange came during a discussion billed on Richards' syllabus as 'A Conversation on Trans Issues, TERFS, and The Binary.'

Footage of the lesson - which was recorded live and posted to Richards' YouTube channel - has since stirred up sentiments of outrage from onlookers online. The stream has since been made private.

The school, meanwhile, is standing by its staffer's statements, telling DailyMail.com Thursday that 'academic freedom for faculty' is necessary to achieve 'critical thinking and discussion' within its student body.

Penn State professor Sam Richards aired the challenge to students during a lecture for his entry level sociology class in December - and was reportedly met with silence in response

Footage of the lesson - which was recorded live and posted to Richards' YouTube channel - has since stirred up outrage from onlookers online. The stream has since been made private

The problematic excerpt from the lesson - which, according to the now private video, was delivered on December 6 - begins with Richards, 62, addressing the 'straight folks' in his gender and culture class, which is the largest of its kind in the country.

'If youre straight, watch gay or lesbian porn and see how quickly you feel aroused - and how you cant control that,' Richards reportedly asked in the clip, which was viewed by Fox News.

Singling out his male students - 'especially men,' as the professor puts it in the clip - Richards explained: 'Youll realize that, "Oh, d**n, I could be sexualized by people who are like me."'

Richards - who has won several awards over the course of his 32-year career at the taxpayer-funded school - went on to assert that 'we are all at some level nonbinary' and 'very much' bisexual.

Reportedly met with a wall of silence from the 700 or so students present, the professor continued to prod those in attendance with his theory - billing it as a common consensus among certain 'sociologists.'

'I might have hit a nerve there. Did I hit a nerve?' the professor reportedly asked after reading the room.

The awkward exchange came during a discussion billed on Richards' syllabus as 'A Conversation on Trans Issues, TERFS, and The Binary.' The school says that the course every semester reaches its cap of 725 students and is 'the largest race and ethnic relations course in the country'

At that point in the lesson, Richards again addressed straight students in the lecture hall - 'especially men.'

'Watch gay porn. See if you feel that feeling,' the professor said in the clip - reportedly over students' stifled laughter.

The instructor, according to Fox, proceeded to tell students to embrace feelings of homosexuality while viewing the material, calling them a commonality of the entire male population, regardless of orientation.

'If you feel that feeling, look in a mirror, and say: "Huh, maybe Im just feeling some things that Im just afraid to release,"' Richards reportedly told the class.

'And maybe,' he added, 'you release that - and maybe youd be surprised that maybe you actually are fine being more bisexual.'

During the discussion, Richards - who has won several awards over the course of his 32-year career at the taxpayer-funded school - told students that 'we are all at some level nonbinary' and 'very much' bisexual

During that same class, the professor - whose other lessons encompass topics such as homosexuality in the Middle East and affirmative action - recounted a story about one of his former students who transitioned to a different gender.

The tenured instructor also offered advice to female students on how to urinate standing up.

'Women, you should know this by the way,' Richards reportedly said during the lesson, calling the method - which involves using a piece of leather as a makeshift funnel - 'the little trick.'

'You can have a little piece of leather and fold it up and use that to go in the urinal or go outside,' the teacher reportedly said.

The contents of rest of the day's discussion included Richards' preconceived notions regarding the two biological sexes, and widespread fluidity between them.

The course - titled Race, Ethnicity and Culture - is extremely popular, according to a description offered on Penn States website.

The school writes that the course every semester reaches its cap of 725 students and is 'the largest race and ethnic relations course in the country.'

Brass at the state school - which received funding from money collected from Pennsylvania taxpayers - further write that students 'in that room they have the opportunity to re-examine the world and challenge what they believe to be their place in it from a new perspective'.

Richards' course - titled Race, Ethnicity and Culture course - each year reaches its maximum capacity of 725 students and is billed by the state-funded school as 'the largest race and ethnic relations course in the country'

Richards did not immediately return a DailyMail.com request for comment.

The school, however, responded to the controversy earlier this week, as reports of the lesson made its way across social media.

At some point during the backlash - which saw one Twitter label Richards 'psychotic' while conceding that 'liberals love him' - the livestream of the lecture was set to private. All other lectures posted on Richard's channel are public.

'Professor Richards purposefully teaches in a manner designed to promote discussion across a spectrum of opinions,' Penn State brass wrote in their official response to the backlash.

The school has since defended the professor's statements, saying that the 'class is not mandatory but is a popular elective that students choose to join'

A school spokesperson added that the 'class is not mandatory but is a popular elective that students choose to join.'

It was not clear from the university's response if staffers supported some of the statements the tenured professor had made during the December lecture.

The school added earlier in the week 'Dr. Richards and his course colleagues take time to discuss opinions from many perspectives  from liberal to conservativeand delve into topics from different viewpoints to create conversation, challenge beliefs and encourage students to explore uncomfortable and complex topics.'

DailyMail.com reached out for further clarification on its stance on the controversy Thursday afternoon.
George Pell has been revealed to be the author of an anonymous memo that slammed Pope Francis - as calls grow for Anthony Albanese to boycott his funeral.

Cardinal Pell published an anonymous memo under the pseudonym 'Demos' last year condemning Pope Francis and his apparent leadership failures.

He accused the Pope of remaining silent on issues such as the Ukraine invasion, human rights abuses in China and calls to introduce women priests to the Church.

'Decisions and policies are often 'politically correct', but there have been grave failures to support human rights in Venezuela, Hong Kong, mainland China, and now in the Russian invasion,' the memo read.

'These issues should be revisited by the next Pope. The Vatican's political prestige is now at a low ebb.'

George Pell has been outed as the author behind an anonymous memo that slammed Pope Francis - as calls grow for Anthony Albanese to boycott his funeral

Cardinal Pell published an anonymous memo under the pseudonym 'Demos' last year slamming Pope Francis and his leadership failures

An ABC comedian (pictured, Catherine Deveny) and writer has called on the Prime Minister to boycott the funeral for George Pell

Cardinal Pell accused Pope Francis of providing little to no support to the Catholic community in China or the Ukraine.

Cardinal Pell outlined the duties that the next Pope would face.

'The first tasks of the new pope will be to restore normality, restore doctrinal clarity in faith and morals, restore a proper respect for the law...' he wrote.

It comes as pressure mounts for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese not to attend his funeral, with ABC comedian and writer Catherine Deveny joining the chorus.

'Dear @AlboMP, Don't attend Pell's funeral. Stand with victims, survivors, their loved ones and those who fight for justice,' she wrote on Twitter.

Cardinal Pell died from heart complications in Rome on Tuesday, with a service to be held at the Vatican and a funeral mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

He was the Vatican's top finance minister before leaving in 2017 to stand trial in Melbourne on child sexual abuse charges.

He was jailed for 405 days before his convictions were quashed on appeal.

Deveny urged Mr Albanese to implement religious reform in the wake of Pell's death.

'P.S. Tax religion. Australians currently fund religion to the tune of $30 billion a year,' she wrote.

Mr Albanese has not confirmed whether he will attend the funeral service labelling the death of the Cardinal as a difficult day for Catholics.

'For many people, particularly of the Catholic faith, this will be a difficult day, and I express my condolences to all those who are mourning today,' he said.

Catherine Deveny demanded Anthony Albanese stand by survivors of sexual abuse and avoid attending the service for the late Cardinal

Cardinal Pell died from heart complications in Rome on Tuesday with a service to be held at the Vatican and a funeral mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney

Deveny urged Mr Albanese to implement religious reform in the wake of Pell's death

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing assistance to ensure that Cardinal Pell is brought back to Australia and those arrangements are being put in place and further announcements will be made when they are finalised.'

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victoria's Daniel Andrews have ruled out holding state services for the 81-year-old former archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney.

Mr Andrews said on Thursday a state funeral or memorial would be distressing for victim-survivors, but the cardinal's legacy would be for others to judge.

'I couldn't think of anything more distressing for victim survivors,' he said.

'These things are usually offered and there will be no offer made.

'I think that would be a deeply, deeply distressing thing for every survivor of Catholic Church child sex abuse. That is my view. And I will not do that.'

Mr Perrottet said a memorial service for Cardinal Pell would be organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, offering his 'thoughts and prayers' to the late cardinal's family.

At a mass on Thursday, Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher said he met and dined with Cardinal Pell in Rome last week at the funeral for Pope Benedict XVI.

'He was in sparkling form - witty and wise,' Rev Fisher said.

Pell published an anonymous memo under the pseudonym 'Demos' last year slamming Pope Francis and his leadership failures

'I didn't dream it would be the last time I would see him in this life.'

Cardinal Pell was convicted in 2018 of molesting two teenage choirboys in the sacristy of Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral in 1996.

He maintained his innocence and in 2020 his convictions were overturned by the High Court after he spent more than a year in prison.

In Ballarat, where Cardinal Pell was born, he attended local Catholic schools before going to the seminary and, after a period at the Vatican, returned as a priest in the Diocese of Ballarat in the 1970s.

The cardinal became the Melbourne archbishop in 1996 and five years later took up the same role in Sydney before in 2003 becoming a cardinal in the Vatican.

Pope Francis called Cardinal Pell a 'faithful servant who, without vacillating, followed his Lord with perseverance even in the hour of trial'.
Judge Deborah Chasanow on Friday said the hospital, which is owned by the University of Maryland, discriminated against Hammons

Hospital officials said they could not perform a hysterectomy due to their beliefs

A judge ruled Friday that a Maryland Catholic hospital discriminated against a transgender patient by refusing to perform a gender-affirming surgery

A federal judge has ruled that a Catholic hospital in Maryland discriminated against a transgender patient by refusing to perform a hysterectomy as part of their gender transition.

Officials at St. Joseph Medical Center, which is owned by the University of Maryland, refused to proceed with a hysterectomy scheduled for patient Jesse Hammons, 33, a transgender man.

Hammons, who was born a female, brought the suit after the hospital said they could not perform the surgery due to guidelines set by the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Chasanow ruled Friday the hospital's refusal to provide the patient with the gender-affirming surgery was 'discriminatory.'

Officials at St. Joseph Medical Center, which is owned by the University of Maryland, refused to proceed with a hysterectomy scheduled for patient Jesse Hammons, 33, a transgender man

U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Chasanow ruled Friday the hospital's refusal to provide the patient with the gender-affirming surgery was 'discriminatory'

Hammons, represented by the ACLU, said the hospital- which receives federal funding- refusing to provide the January 2020 surgery was discriminatory

Chasanow agreed, writing in a court opinion: 'As a matter of law, Defendants discriminated against Plaintiff on the basis of his sex.'

The judge said in her opinion released Friday the hospital is not covered by the Religious Sisters of Mercy injunction and therefore would not be covered under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Despite the hospital being privatized by the state's legislature, Chasanow previously ruled that the network's work with the Maryland government makes it a public entity. The public entity status therefore makes the hospital unable to claim religious exemption.

The surgery had been ordered for Hammons after he was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a distress felt by people whose sex assigned at birth does not match their gender identity.

The procedure, which removes a person's uterus, was deemed medically necessary, the lawsuit stated.

Hammons went to St. Joseph's in 2019 seeking a hysterectomy and the procedure was ultimately scheduled for January of the next year.

The procedure was canceled after the man's doctors discussed the surgery with St. Joseph's chief medical officer and it was determined it did not align with the hospital's beliefs.

This is the hospital which refused to give Hammons his gender-affirming hysterectomy

Hammons went to St. Joseph Medical Center in 2019 for the surgery which was later canceled after the chief medical officer said it did not align with the hospital's values

After St. Joseph officials changed course, the hospital's parent network offered to move the procedure to a different facility that did not adhere to the Catholic ethical considerations.

Hammons declined and eventually filed the suit against the hospital.

'When they canceled Mr. Hammons' medically necessary surgery, Defendants thus treated Mr. Hammons  as a man who is transgender  differently from non-transgender patients who require medically necessary hysterectomies for other medical conditions,' the lawsuit filed in 2020 stated.

The transgender man later went to another hospital and had the procedure done months later.

In a statement after the judge's opinion was released, Hammons called the judgement a 'great win' and said he hopes the hospital with do away with the 'harmful policy.'

'This is a great win for myself and all transgender people denied equal treatment because of who they are,' Hammons said. 'All I wanted was for UMMS to treat my health care like anyone else's, and I'm glad the court recognized how unfair it was to turn me away. I'm hopeful UMMS can change this harmful policy and help more transgender people access the care they need.'

'We're thankful the court saw through a transparently discriminatory and harmful action by UMMS,' said Joshua Block, senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBTQ & HIV Project.

'The government has no business operating a religious hospital, much less do they have the right to deny transgender patients care they routinely provide to cisgender patients,' Block continued.

St. Joseph Medical Center is just one hospital in the the University of Maryland Medical System, a nonprofit healthcare network

St. Joseph Medical Center is just one hospital in the the University of Maryland Medical System, a nonprofit healthcare network.

Chasanow ruled that the refusal violated the Affordable Care Act's protections against discrimination based on sex.

UMMS and St. Joseph Medical Center officials say they are reviewing the ruling.

According to the court documents, questions regarding damages owed by St. Joseph Medical Center to Hammons, if any, 'are reserved for trial.'

The University of Maryland Medical System acquired St Joseph's in 2012 and the hospital said it would hold on the Catholic identity of the Center.
A luxury hotel in the heart of New York City is being 'trashed' by migrants - who have been accused of drinking all day, smoking marijuana, having sex in stairwells and causing fights, an employee claims.

The migrants - many of whom were bussed into the Big Apple from border states - are being housed temporarily in this luxury 1,300-room Manhattan hotel - The Row NYC, a $500-a-night hotel in the tourist hotspot of Times Square.

Hotel employee Filipe Rodriguez has called the situation a 'disgrace' and shared videos and photos of the chaos, which included 'good food' sitting out to rot in trash bags because 'the migrants don't want to eat it.'

'The chaos that we see at the Row today is [caused] by migrants being drunk, drinking all day, smoking marijuana [and] consuming drugs,' Rodriguez told The Ingraham Angle on Fox News this week.

A luxury hotel in the heart of New York City is being 'trashed' by migrants - who have been accused of drinking all day, smoking marijuana, having sex in stairwells and causing fights, employee Filipe Rodriguez. He has shared photos of trashed and filthy hotel rooms

Rodriguez said: 'The form in which they keep their rooms is horrendous. They don't clean it, they don't fold their clothes. They're hoarding clothes, they're hoarding whatever they can hoard.'

Rodriguez said there has been a number of 'domestic violence' incidents among migrants, young people 'having sex in the stairs,' and added there was a fight between a migrant and a hotel security officer

Some of the images shared included 'good food' sitting out to rot in trash bags because 'the migrants don't want to eat it'. 'The chaos that we see at the Row today is [caused] by migrants being drunk, drinking all day, smoking marijuana [and] consuming drugs,' Rodriguez said.

Alcohol is prohibited in all migrant shelters, ABC7 reported, but the employees say they often find empty beer and liquor bottles in the rooms and hallways, as seen in photos shared by Rodriguez.

'The form in which they keep their rooms is horrendous. They don't clean it, they don't fold their clothes. They're hoarding clothes, they're hoarding whatever they can hoard,' he said.

'There was a lot of stuff that I had to be responsible for. Fortunately for the migrants, they got the government of the United States to hand them carte blanche to pretty much do as they wish. They go in and out of the hotel at will,' he said.

Rodriguez added that thousands of dollars worth of taxpayer-funded food is being wasted with migrants throwing it out because they insist on cooking in their rooms on hotplates, which is also a danger to themselves and others staying at the hotel.

'They said they don't like it,' he said about the migrants and hotel food. 'This is all food that is going to waste. This is insane.'

Rodriguez also pointed out that there has also been several of 'domestic violence' incidents among migrants, with one even fighting a security guard at the hotel. On top of that, some young people have been 'having sex in the stairs'.

Rodriguez shared another photo of a hotel room strewn with clutter and trash

Rodriguez showed bags of fresh food being thrown away because the migrants don't want it

Rodriguez added that thousands of dollars worth of taxpayer-funded food is being wasted with migrants throwing it out because they insist on cooking in their rooms on hotplates

Migrants who arrived in New York City from the border have been housed temporarily in this luxury Manhattan hotel - The Row in the tourist hotspot of Times Square

The four-star Row, on 8th Avenue between 44th and 45th streets, is in the heart of Manhattan's Broadway Theater District and boasts classic NYC views, a full fitness studio, a communal workspace equipped with Apple's $2,000 iMac desktops and a lounge where 'hand-stretched' pizzas are $20.

Its bar menu boasts cocktails costing up to $19 each. A glass of champagne is $22. Room prices vary depending on the size - but the executive suite is $719 a night.

New York City is using the hotel to exclusively to house migrants, some of whom are seeking asylum.

The city is using the hotel staff at The Row to work there, but the city has yet to disclose how much taxpayer money is being used to house migrants.

More than 36,400 migrants have flooded into New York City in the last few months and have been housed at just 14 hotels, according to Rodriguez.

Most of the migrants have been arriving on buses from border states, including Texas, as a result of President Joe Biden's border crisis. The influx has become so problematic that Mayor Eric Adams also begged Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to stop sending more to the city.

In November, Adams said that it would cost the city up to $600 million a year to provide shelter, education, health care and legal aid to the thousands of migrants - and he has asked Biden to step in with federal aid.

The trendy hotel began housing migrants last summer as thousands arrived from Texas

Visitors to The Row have access to a fully-equipped fitness center (pictured)

Biden did not discuss the southern border at his meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during their summit in Mexico this week, with claims that there was 'no time' to discuss the historic crisis.

The topic of the southern border was kept off the agenda at the Three Amigos Summit in Mexico City, Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

It appears that because a private conversation between Biden and Lopez Obrador went long, the following official meeting left the group with less time than expected to discuss the issue of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The pre-meeting talk apparently touched on migration and the border, but it's not clear in how much detail they spoke on the matter.

The official meeting appeared to focus mostly on drug smuggling and supply chain issues.

Sources familiar with President Joe Biden's official meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador this week say that the two leaders and their respective cabinets did not discuss the southern border crisis because they ran out of time

The trip to Mexico for the 'Three Amigos Summit' followed Biden's first-ever trip to the southern border following two years of pressure from Republicans

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has repeatedly slammed Republicans for exacerbating the crisis at the southern border.

Biden is 'trying to fix' the border crisis, she said to questions over his solutions following his trip to the border on Sunday and subsequent meetings with Canadian and Mexican leaders.

'As it relates to migration, irregular migration, obviously that was a key topic of discussion,' Jean-Pierre insisted in her Wednesday press conference. 'President Biden discussed ways our countries can continue to work together and to address irregular migration. So that conversation certainly happened, extensively.'
A Brazilian art collector has claimed the Van Gogh painting 'A Novel Reader' that is on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts was stolen from him - and has demanded the museum returns it.

Gustavo Soter filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court claiming 'Une liseuse de romans' - which he has been searching for nearly six years - is now worth $5million, nearly $2million more than when he bought it.

Soter discovered the painting was in possession of the DIA and part of a 'Van Gogh In America' exhibit that features 74 paintings from the Dutch artist - that started in October and runs through January 22nd.

Gustavo Soter filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court claiming that the painting - 'Une liseuse de romans,' - that he has been searching for nearly six years is now worth nearly $2 million more than what he paid.

He said after he purchased the painting in 2017 he immediately transferred possession  but not title  to a third party.

But he claimed the third party 'absconded with the painting, and he has been unaware of its whereabouts for years,' according to the lawsuit obtained by DailyMail.com.

But, the suit did not reveal who the third party was or why the painting was given to that person.

Soter is requesting the museum release the painting to him as soon as possible, but the judge ruled it should not be moved from the DIA.

The next hearing date is scheduled for January 19.

Before the expo, museum staff collected additional paintings for the current exhibit.

The museum had owned six Van Gogh paintings - one of the painting was the 'Self Portrait' painted by the artist in 1922. The DIA had been the first American museum to purchase the painting priced at $4,200.

The museum has five Van Gogh paintings in their permanent collection. One of the paintings was the 'Self Portrait' painted by the artist.

The DIA acquired the painting in 1922, and was the first public museum in the United States to acquire a Van Gogh, DIA spokesperson Megan Hawthorne told DailyMail.com.

The price of the painting was $4,200, Bloomberg reported.

Hawthorne said the DIA was made aware of a complaint filed on Tuesday evening and the painting allegedly stolen was not part of the DIA's in-house collection.

She said it has been loaned from another collection for their exhibit. The placard states that the painting was donated by a private collector in Sao Paolo, the news outlet reported.

'No allegation of misconduct by the DIA has been alleged, and there has been no request or order for any modification to the exhibition,' Hawthorne said.

'The DIA will continue to act in accordance with all applicable laws and museum best practices.'

She added that the loan was accepted in accordance with best museum practices.

She also added it is subject to the protections of applicable Federal law through registration with the US Department of State.

Hawthorne said the DIA was advised of the upcoming hearing but, said she cannot comment on pending litigation.
Robert K. Hur, the new special counsel Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed to oversee a Biden document probe, held top career positions at the Justice Department and went after gangs and public corruption in Baltimore.

Hur, who takes over the position after the revelation that Biden's lawyers had discovered a 'small number' of classified documents at the president's Wilmington home, served as the U.S. attorney for Maryland  the top prosecutors role in the state.

President Donald Trump nominated him to the post in 2017. In that role, Hur went after politicians in Baltimore for public corruption  as well as leading the prosecution of what DOJ called two of the most significant breach cases in history.

Those cases related to a former NSA contractor who stole and retained classified material over two decades and stored it in his home and car, and a former NSA employee who removed and kept at his home massive troves of highly classified national defense information.

Special Counsel Robert K. Hur will oversee a probe into classified documents uncovered at Biden's home and PennBiden office in D.C. in November and December. He prosecuted corruption and document cases as US Attorney of Maryland

Hur said the sentence 'should serve as a warning that we will find and prosecute government employees and contractors who flagrantly violate their duty to protect classified materials.'

He also went after criminal gang members, including members of the notorious international crime gang, MS-13.

His office 'launched several initiatives aimed at curbing the historically high levels of gun violence driven by drug-trafficking organizations in Baltimore City,' according to a DOJ release when he left government in 2021.

During his tenure, the office brought charges against former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, who was sentenced to three years in prison after conviction on tax and fraud charges, as well as police, corrections, and Maryland legislative officials.

Hurs pedigree includes clerking for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, earning his J.D. at Stanford law school, and becoming a partner at the law firm of Gibbon, Dunn, & Crutcher, where the firm touted his government and private sector experience.

AG Merrick Garland announced the appointment of Hur Thursday

Biden didn't know about the documents and doesn't know what's in them, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday

The appointment comes after it was revealed Biden's lawyers discovered documents marked classified at his Wilmington residence

Hur previously served as a special assistant to current FBI Director Christopher Wray when Wray was Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division

He was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to the U.S. Attorney post in 2018 after being nominated by Trump. He was lauded in a statement at the time by home-state Democratic Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service, Hur said after Garland announced his appointment.

Before serving as U.S. Attorney in Maryland, Hur was the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General at the main Justice Department headquarters, where he served as a top aide to former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein - a key figure overseeing the Russia probe during the Trump administration. That gave him oversight responsibilities over Robert Mueller's probe, he told the Senate during confirmation.

Earlier, he was special assistant to current FBI Director Christopher Wray when Wray was Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division, having begun that role during the George W. Bush administration.
The appointment of a special counsel to oversee President Biden's potential mishandling of classified documents is a role such prosecutors have played in modern American history.

In this case, Attorney General Merrick Garland has turned to Robert Hur, a longtime prosecutor who has held multiple positions in the Department of Justice.

During the Trump administration, he was the top aide to Rod Rosenstein as deputy attorney general from 2017 to 2019.

More recently he served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, where he focused on violent crime, cybercrimes and fraud, according to the Washington Post.

Now he has been tasked with an independent investigation into the discovery of the files from the Obama administration and how they got to Biden's Wilmington home and an office for his think tank in Washington D.C.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has turned to Robert Hur, a longtime prosecutor who has held multiple positions in the Department of Justice, to look into President Biden's potential mishandling of classified documents

It comes two months after veteran war crimes prosecutor Jack Smith was appointed to oversee the criminal investigations into Donald Trump.

His scope includes probe into the former president's handling of documents seized from Mar-a-Lago and any bids to overturn the 2020 election or disrupt the transition of power.

DailyMail.com explains the significance of the special counsel and the role played in politics in recent history.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SPECIAL COUNSEL?

A special counsel is an attorney appointed to investigate, and possibly prosecute, a case in which the Justice Department perceives itself as having a conflict or where it's deemed to be in the public interest to have someone outside the government come in and take responsibility for a matter.

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, a special counsel must have 'a reputation for integrity and impartial decisionmaking,' as well as 'an informed understanding of the criminal law and Department of Justice policies.'

Though theyre not subject to the day-to-day supervision of the Justice Department, special counsels must still comply with department regulations, policies and procedures. They also technically report to the attorney general - the one government official who can fire them.

The attorney general is entitled to seek explanations from a special counsel about any requested investigative or prosecutorial step, but under the regulations, is also expected to give great weight to the special counsel's views. In the event the attorney general rejects a move the special counsel wants to make, the Justice Department is to notify Congress at the end of the investigation.

WHAT POWERS DO THEY HAVE?

Special counsels are provided with a budget and can request a staff of attorneys, both inside the outside the department, if they need extra help. Smith is expected to inherit the months of work that's already been done by career prosecutors rather than start from scratch.

In addition to the ability to bring indictments, special counsels are vested with bread-and-butter law enforcement tools such as the power to issue subpoenas and search warrants.

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who as special counsel in the Trump administration led the investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, issued more than 2,800 subpoenas and executed nearly 500 search-and-seizure warrants.

Jack Smith is the special counsel looking into Donald Trump's potential mishandling of files after the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago last year.

Garland laid out a timeline of the investigation into the Biden documents when he announced he had chosen Hur on Thursday

HOW DO INDEPENDENT COUNSELS DIFFER FROM SPECIAL COUNSELS?

Smith's position as special counsel differs in key ways from the work of independent counsels, who are rarely used anymore.

They used to operate outside the supervision of the Justice Department and led significant investigations in the post-Watergate era into administrations of both political parties.

One such independent counsel was Lawrence E. Walsh, who during the 'Iran Contra Affair' in President Ronald Reagan's second term was appointed to probe secret arms sales to Iran and the diversion of funds to rebel forces fighting the Nicaraguan government.

A decade later, independent counsel Ken Starr investigated fraudulent real estate deals involving a long-time associate of President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton, delved into the removal of documents from the office of deputy White House counsel Vincent Foster after his suicide and assembled evidence of Clintons sexual encounters with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. As a result, Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House but survived a Senate trial.

But amid concerns over the cost and sprawling nature of such probes, Congress in 1999 permitted the provision governing independent counsels to expire.

The Justice Department then created new special counsel regulations, designing a position with intentionally less autonomy for circumstances in which the department feels it has a conflict of interest or wants to avoid becoming excessively entangled in politically sticky matters - like the current Trump-related probes.

Smith isn't even the first special counsel to deal with Trump-related matters.

Mueller was appointed in 2017 to investigate Russian election interference, a two-year probe that yielded criminal charges against 34 people, including several Trump associates, and three business entities.

Mueller did not allege a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. Though Mueller reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice, he also did not exonerate him.

Weeks before then-Attorney General William Barr left office, he gave John Durham, then the top federal prosecutor in Connecticut, the title of special counsel to ensure that he could continue investigating the origins of the Russia probe under new, Democratic Justice Department leadership.
A fugitive MS-13 member was found hiding inside a coffin as his two cohorts were attempting to smuggle him from El Salvador into Guatemala.

Cops patrolling a highway in the western city of Santa Ana on Tuesday became suspicious of the casket sitting over the car's roof and pulled over the driver for an inspection just 12 miles from the Guatemalan border.

The agents searched the vehicle and proceeded to open the casket where they found Alexander Hernandez lying covered by a white sheet inside the box.

MS-13 gangbangers, Walter Zelaya and Rafael Juarez, who were transporting Hernandez, were also taken into custody.

Alexander Hernandez, a member of the MS-13 gang, was arrested Tuesday in Santa Ana, El Salvador after police found him hiding in a coffin that was tied to the roof of a car. He and two other gang members had allegedly killed a man recently and were escaping to Guatemala when police stopped their vehicle for an inspection

Police in Santa Ana, El Salvador, were surprised Tuesday when they discovered a MS-13 gang member hiding inside a casket. The suspect and two other men were fleeing to Guatemala after reportedly killing a man in the city of Usulutan

All three men were identified as alleged participants in the killing of an individual in the southeastern Salvadoran city of Usulutan, local media outlets reported.

'These cowardly terrorists are exhausting their hideouts and their ways to want to escape justice,' El Salvador Security Minister, Gustavo Villatoro, tweeted. 'This gang member was found being transported inside a coffin at a (traffic stop).'

Their arrest is part of an all-out effort by President Nayib Bukele's administration to combat gang violence as homicides decreased by 56.8% in 2022.

Police registered 496 murders last year compared with 1,147 in 2021. The 2022 totals would spike up to 600 if the deaths of gang members were also tallied.

The Bukele administration did not provide a homicide rate but it was still a significant decrease from a peak of 103 killings per 100,000 residents in 2015, according to government data.

Two MS-13 gang members were traveling in a car with a casket tied to the top of its roof when police pulled them over for an inspection in El Salvador on Tuesday

Cops were shocked when they found another gang member hiding in the coffin. All three men were taken into arrest for their alleged role in the recent murder of an individual

President Bukele asked Congress to approve a temporary state of emergency after a surge in violence in March, suspending certain constitutional rights in order to combat the notorious Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs.

The controversial measure, which has been extended numerous times and remains in effect, set off a militarized offensive that has led to over 60,000 arrests of alleged gang affiliates.

Rights groups have raised questions about alleged abuses during the state of emergency, including possible arrests of innocent people and cover-ups of deaths of detainees in state custody.

'The reduction in homicides is a result of the state of exception, because that number of criminals is no longer on the streets harming the population,' Defense Minister Francis Merino said.

Polls show a majority of Salvadorans approve of the crackdown, which has set up a military presence in neighborhoods considered at high risk of gang violence.
A little-known policing tool credited with helping more than 60 law enforcement units conduct multi-agency raids may have exposed confidential data

These details can be seen on the open internet and include information about raids, suspects who have not yet been found guilty of a crime, and, in some cases, the cops themselves.

The Data Exposure Has Been Caused By An API Flaw

ODIN Intelligence's SweepWizard program may have exposed personally identifying data on thousands of suspects and hundreds of cops, according to Gizmodo.

These specifics consist of the time of the raids, the addresses of the suspects' homes, their demographic information, and, in some circumstances, their Social Security numbers.

While the validity of the report has not been confirmed yet, that information, along with others, may be utilized to alert suspects to prospective raids.

According to the investigation, SweepWizard may have revealed the whereabouts and identities of 5,770 suspects.

Around 1,000 of those individuals apparently had social security numbers contained in their files, along with the names, contact information, and email addresses.

This data was gathered from hundreds of officers, as well as information about about 200 operations that were also connected to the crime.

According to Wired, data on the app was accessible as recently as December 2022 and as far back as 2011.

All of that exposure was made possible through a bug in the app's API that allowed users to access supposedly confidential information on the app from a web browser without logging in.

Read More: The Guardian Confirms Ransomware Attack That Compromised Employees' Personal Data

ODIN Intelligence Is Currently Investigating The Incident

Users may no longer use SweepWizard's website or app from the Apple App Store after ODIN Intelligence did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

On its website, ODIN Intelligence states that it collaborates with a number of organizations dedicated to law enforcement.

This includes the National Sheriff's Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the American Correctional Association.

According to ODIN Intelligence Inc. CEO Erik McCauley, the company takes security very seriously and has looked into these allegations in great detail.

McCauley asserts that the business has not yet been able to duplicate the purported security breach to any ODIN system, Wired reports.

He assured that SweepWizard will take the necessary action if there is any proof that ODIN or SweepWizard security has been compromised.

Now that it has been established that several law enforcement agencies used SweepWizard's free trials in the past, they all report that their use of the software is being looked into.

The Los Angeles Police Department, which purportedly utilized the software in Operation Protect the Innocent, a major sex offender operation last year, has since ceased its usage of SweepWizard while an inquiry is still ongoing.

The compromise SweepWizard revelation emphasizes the dangers of a growing trend in law enforcement, which is contracting out policing work to small, private businesses.

Authorities have demonstrated a readiness to gather location and other personal data for a fee, from local police to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, a practice some privacy activists see as a legal loophole.

Related Article: Data Of 200 Million Twitter Users Has Not Been Leaked, Twitter Says
She was hit again by tragedy in 2020 after her son Benjamin committed suicide

The star was thrust into the limelight from a young age as the child of Elvis

Lisa Marie went on to have four failed marriages and struggled with drugs

She was just nine when she saw her father's dead body slumped on the carpet

Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of legendary rock icon Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla, has died aged 54 from a 'full cardiac arrest' on Thursday.

The mother-of-four was discovered unresponsive by a housekeeper, with sources saying her first husband, Danny Keough, returned to the house they were sharing and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

EMTs were able to resuscitate her and rush her to a local hospital, but she was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Her mother, Priscilla, was later seen arriving at the hospital to support her daughter - an hour after reports of the medical emergency.

She eventually released a statement saying: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.'

'She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss.

'Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.'

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, died on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home

She was just nine when she saw her father's dead body slumped face-down on the carpet, as she recalled crying as she said 'my daddy's dead'

As the only daughter of rock 'n' roll royalty, Lisa Marie was quickly thrust into the limelight as a child and has had her fair share of tragedy.

In recent years, she has opened up about her crippling drug addiction, including painkillers, opioids and cocaine.

Rock n' roll heir's battle with addiction

While writing the foreword for Harry Nelson's book  The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain  she opened up for the first time about her addiction to painkillers, opioids and cocaine.

Presley said in the book, written in 2019, that she was 'grateful to be alive today' before explaining that she first started taking opioids after the birth of her twins Vivienne and Finley in 2008.

She said: 'You may read this and wonder how, after losing people close to me, I also fell prey to opioids.

'It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them.'

Addiction has been a part of the star's life since she was a child, with her father and ex-husband, Michael Jackson, both dying due to complications from drug use.

Lisa Marie was just nine when she saw her father's dead body slumped face -down on the carpet, as she recalled crying as she said 'my daddy's dead'.

His body was not removed from the property following his death in August 1977, which Lisa Marie previously said made it 'not seem real' to her  adding it was 'oddly comforting'.

As the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, she was quickly thrust into the limelight as a child and has had her fair share of tragedy

Lisa Marie's four failed marriages

Lisa Marie has fought to keep her addiction private, but details of her battle for sobriety emerged as she filed paperwork to divorce her fourth husband  musician Michael Lockwood.

She married Danny Keough in 1988 and stayed with him for six years. They had daughter Riley and son Benjamin together, before she married Jackson in 1994.

The pair became friends after meeting in 1975 at a concert in Las Vegas, but did not build on their budding relationship until they had dinner with a mutual friend in Los Angeles.

However, their marriage only lasted two years and became quickly overwhelmed with problems  including Jackson being accused of abusing children.

She claims she was 'sucked into' believing that Jackson was a 'misunderstood person,' and their wedding came a year after Jordan Chandler filed a lawsuit against the signer alleging sexual abuse.

Lisa Marie told Rolling Stone in 2003 that she became obsessed with trying to 'save' the star and thought that they could 'save the world' together.

Reflecting on the effect the marriage has had on her life and reputation, she said: 'All I did get out of it was a s**t storm. And I got out of it.'

She said that she was aware of his drug addiction in 1995  just a year after they tied the knot  after he collapsed on stage while rehearsing for an HBO special concert.

She gave the superstar an ultimatum  choose the drugs or her. He chose the drugs.

The star said that she would regularly see her second husband come back from his dermatologist's office 'completely out of it'.

Lisa Marie had a shotgun wedding to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, (left) just 20 days after she finalized her divorce with Danny Keough. She then went on to marry Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage (right) in a marriage that lasted just 107 days  with Cage filing for divorce

Lisa Marie was married to Danny Keough for six years, from October 1988 until May 1994, when she filed for divorce in the Dominican Republic. The pair reunited after the death of their son Benjamin in 2020

She insisted that their marriage was real and not a publicity stunt, often saying she tried to fix in Jackson what she couldn't with Elvis.

Even after their split, the pair stayed close friends, with her flying 'all over the world' to be with him.

The last time they spoke was in 2005 just before he went on trial for another molestation allegation.

At the time he asked if she still loved him, but they stopped speaking after she said she was 'indifferent'.

Lisa Marie explained that she was very emotional when she discovered he had died in 2009, saying 'it was the strangest day of my life.'

She then became engaged to singer John Oszajca, before breaking off their relationship after meeting actor Nicholas Cage.

The two had a marriage that lasted just 107 days  from 2002 to 2004 - with Cage filing for divorce after they failed to 'stabilize' each other's lives.

The last time Jackson and Lisa Marie spoke was in 2005 just before he went on trial for another molestation allegation

She tried to keep the majority of her battles private, but after marrying musician Michael Lockwood and having twins Finley and Vivian together, the pair went through a bitter divorce

Speaking in 2003, she reflected on her relationship with the Hollywood star, compared themselves to 'tyrannical pirates'.

She said: 'So we connected, we had a great connection. We were both a bit - we're sort of these gypsy spirited, you know, tyrannical pirates.

'And one pirate marries another they will sink the ship basically is what it comes down to.

'It was kind of one of those things where you marry someone hoping... to either stabilize my life or it's going to, you know, accentuate all that was going on prior to what was problematic. So it kind of did the latter, that's all.'

She married musician Michael Lockwood for ten years, between 2006 and 2016. They had twins Finley and Harper together.

She fought to keep her addiction private, but details of her battle for sobriety emerged as she filed paperwork to divorce her fourth husband  musician Michael Lockwood

Lisa Marie Presley was rushed to hospital hours after celebrating her father at the Golden Globes with Austin Butler, who brought him back to life on the big screen

Lisa Marie Presley's struggle with cocaine

She tried to keep the majority of her battles private, but the couple's divorce papers revealed the extent of her cocaine habit.

The singer admitted that her problems with sobriety started in 2003, after years of witnessing those around her struggle.

As a teenager, her drug abuse led to her being admitted to The Castle - a Scientology center in Hollywood - for rehab.

She also became embroiled in the trial of That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson, and apologized to his alleged victims, after the Church asked her to persuade his accusers not to report him to the police.

She admits to having seen her father taking 'handfuls of pills' and remembers his 'erratic behavior' towards the end of his life'.

Her foreword continued: 'It's a difficult path to overcome this dependence and to put my life back together.

'Even in recent years, I have seen too many people I loved struggle with addiction and die tragically from this epidemic.

'It is time for us to say goodbye to shame about addiction. We have to stop blaming and judging ourselves and the people around us. That starts with sharing our stories.'

Ahead of the Golden Globes, Lisa Marie celebrated her late father's 88th Birthday with fans outside Graceland - Butler also attended this event

Lisa Marie was in tears at the Golden Globes just hours before her collapse, with actor Austin Butler telling the family 'I love you forever'

She says that her therapist called her a miracle before adding: I dont know how youre still alive.

Amid the divorce proceedings with Lockwood, she temporarily lost custody of her twin daughters, who went to live with her mother Priscilla.

In a 2017 deposition, a year after the acrimonious split, she admitted to abusing cocaine, opioids, painkillers and alcohol.

Lisa Marie added that she had to go to rehab several times, admitting to between three and five stints in a Mexican treatment facility.

She said she was a mess and couldnt stop, with court documents revealing in the last year of her marriage to Lockwood she was abusing cocaine terribly.

The singer added: I didnt mix the pills and alcohol until, like, the last two years.

Amid the divorce proceedings, she temporarily lost custody of her twin daughters, who went to live with her mother Priscilla

Celebrity daughter suffers financial troubles

Lockwood and Lisa Marie spent years fighting about finances and were still continuing the battle up to her death on Thursday.

He was seeking $40,000 a month in child support and insisted she had more money than she claimed in court documents.

Presley, in turn, said she was at one point $16 million in debt, following disastrous business deals made by her business manager Barry Siegel.

She took control of the trust in 1993, aged 25.

At the time of his death Elvis was worth only $5 million, but Priscilla cannily turned Graceland into a tourist attraction and set up Elvis Presley Enterprises, capitalizing on his image and massive fandom.

By the time Lisa Marie took the reins, the fund was worth a healthy $100 million.

She appointed Barry Siegel in 1995 to manage the money.

Siegel, senior managing director of Provident Financial Management and a prominent entertainment business manager, counted Al Pacino, Elijah Wood, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as his clients.

Home of Elvis Presley which is understood to have been left to his daughter Lisa Marie after his death

But in 2005 Siegel sold off 85 percent of her share in Elvis Presley Enterprises, which saw her lose control of her father's name and image rights.

Siegel said the deal 'cleared up over $20m in debts that Lisa had incurred and netted her over $40m cash and a multi-million dollar income stream'.

Presley said it lost her millions thanks to a subsequent investment in Core Entertainment, the company behind American Idol that went bankrupt in 2016.

He then allegedly began liquidating Presley's assets in order to supplement her trust income.

She also claimed his business decisions left her with a $500,000 credit card debt.

Leon Gladstone, a lawyer representing Barry Siegel, said at the time: 'It's clear that Lisa Marie is going through a difficult time in her life and is looking to blame others instead of taking responsibility for her actions.'

She admits to seeing her father taking 'handfuls of pills' and remembers his 'erratic behavior' towards the end of his life'

Jerry Schilling and Lisa Marie Presley with Icelandic Glacial at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023

Star suffers the loss of her son

In 2020 Lisa Marie almost completely retreated from the spotlight following the death of Benjamin.

One of the first times she reappeared in public was to celebrate Elvis birthday with her daughter Riley and Austin Butler.

She also appeared at an event in Orlando on January 6, with tickets to the evening costing $750.

The heiresss only son committed suicide at age 27  and had cocaine and alcohol in his system.

Benjamin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the family's $1.8M Calabasas home after an argument with his girlfriend of three years, Diana Pinto.

He had attempted to take his life six months earlier and had been to rehab four times but never completed his recovery.

Lisa Marie said she had to go to rehab several times, admitting to between three and five stints in a Mexican treatment facility

In August, she finally opened up about the grief she felt in losing her son, penning an essay about her attempts to move on from her son Benjamin's death to mark National Grief Awareness.

'I can understand why people may want to avoid you once a terrible tragedy has struck. Especially a parent losing their child because it is truly your worst nightmare,' she wrote in her essay, which was published by People.

Presley went on to admit that she had kept her distance from the parents of other people whose children died by suicide, something that seemed to haunt her.

'I can recall a couple of times in my life where I knew parents who lost their child and while I could be there for them when it happened, I avoided them after and never bothered to follow up with them because they quite literally became a representative of my biggest fear,' she wrote.

'I also low-key judged them, and I swore I'd never do whatever it was that I felt they either did or neglected in their parental actions and choices with their child.'

The daughter of Priscilla Presley  who was seen rushing to her side at the hospital after her medical emergency  wrote that she had been 'living in the horrific reality' of grief's 'unrelenting grips' ever since her son's death.

Lisa Marie (right) and her mother Priscilla (left) were at the Golden Globe Awards on Tuesday night to see Austin Butler (center) who played her father in the movie 'Elvis'

She was 'devastated' when she lost her son Benjamin - who was 27 - in 2020 after he shot himself in an apparent suicide

Presley admitted in her essay that grief is not a 'comfortable subject for anyone' and is 'most unpopular' to discuss.

But she believed it was necessary to speak openly about grief and tragedy if any 'progress' was to be made.

Presley added that her son reminded her of her father, which only troubled her further.

He was 'so much like his grandfather on so many levels that he actually scared me,' she wrote, adding that it, 'made me worry about him even more than I naturally would have.'

Two years after Benjamin's death, Lisa had not felt much relief from the tragic loss, and even worse, she blamed herself for her son's death.

'I already battle with and beat myself up tirelessly and chronically, blaming myself every single day and that's hard enough to now live with,' she confessed, adding that, 'others will judge and blame you too, even secretly or behind your back which is even more cruel and painful on top of everything else.'

She opined that 'grief does not stop or go away in any sense, a year, or years after the loss. Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe.

'You do not "get over it," you do not "move on," period,' she wrote.

Drug abuse and multiple stints in rehab: Lisa Marie admitted abusing cocaine, had five stints in rehab (during fourth failed marriage) and became addicted to opioids after birth of her twin daughters

By Harriett Alexander for DailyMail.com

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, is seen at the Golden Globes on Monday night. On Thursday morning she was rushed to a hospital after EMTs responded to her home for a 'full cardiac arrest'

Lisa Marie Presley died on Thursday at the age of 54, after a life long lived in the shadow of drug and alcohol abuse.

She abused drugs from the age of 13-17, until her mother checked her into a Scientology rehab center.

Her son Benjamin died by suicide in July 2020 aged just 22, after a long battle with addiction. Her two-year marriage to Michael Jackson collapsed amid his drug abuse, and she herself became addicted to opioids in 2008, when she was given a short-term prescription during her recovery from the birth of her twin daughters, Vivienne and Finley.

By 2013, she was heavily abusing cocaine, and checked into rehab at least five times.

She was believed to have been sober in recent years, but following her son's death her ex-husband Michael Lockwood said he feared she could relapse.

The daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley was just nine when her father died aged 42 of a heart attack, likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates.

As the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, she was quickly thrust into the limelight as a child and had more than her fair share of tragedy

Lisa Marie said she had to go to rehab 'several times', admitting to between three and five stints in a Mexican treatment facility

The little girl found his dead body slumped face-down on the carpet, with his girlfriend Ginger Alden trying to revive him, and recalled crying as she said 'my daddy's dead'.

His body was not removed from the property for three days following his death in August 1977, which Lisa Marie previously said made it 'not seem real' to her, and was 'oddly comforting'.

As a teenager, she rebelled with drugs from the age of 13 to 17, but her mother put her into The Castle, a Scientology center in Hollywood, to get her off drugs.

'I did everything but mushrooms and heroin or crack,' she said.

'Cocaine, sedatives, pot, and drinking  all at the same time... I don't know how I lived through it.

'I woke up one day with a bunch of people on the floor. I drove myself to the Church of Scientology and said: 'Somebody... help me right now.''

For a time it worked, and Presley said she was drug-free from the age of 17.

At the age of 27, she married Michael Jackson - her second marriage, after a six-year union with actor Danny Keough, father of Benjamin and his actress sister Riley, now 33.

By the time of their 1994 wedding, he had been addicted to opioids for over a decade, following an 1984 accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial which left him with severe burns.

Lisa Marie and her second husband, Michael Jackson, are seen in Paris in 1994

Lisa Marie and her second husband, Michael Jackson, are seen in Paris in 1994

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley at Neverland Ranch in 1995

Lisa Marie had a shotgun wedding to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, (left) just 20 days after she finalized her divorce with Danny Keough. She then went on to marry Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage (right) in a marriage that lasted just 107 days  with Cage filing for divorce

The last time Jackson and Lisa Marie spoke was in 2005 just before he went on trial for another molestation allegation

He checked into rehab in 1993, saying: 'I became increasingly more dependent on the painkillers to get me through the days of my tour.'

He canceled the latter part of his 1993 'Dangerous' world tour and announced that he was going into treatment.

Presley said she hoped their marriage would quell his addictions.

'I fell into this whole, 'You poor, sweet, misunderstood man, I'm going to save you,'' she said in 2003.

'I fell in love with him.'

But finally she gave him an ultimatum - and he chose drugs.

'He had to make a decision. Was it the drugs and the vampires or me?' she told Oprah Winfrey in 2003.

'And he pushed me away.'

Their divorce was finalized in 1996.

Her third marriage, to Nicholas Cage, lasted only three months - Cage had also battled drug addition throughout his 20s, and famously revealed he took magic mushrooms with his cat.

By 2006 she married musician Michael Lockwood, and the birth of their twin daughters begun her own descent into drug addiction.

She fought to keep her addiction private, but details of her battle for sobriety emerged as she filed paperwork to divorce her fourth husband  musician Michael Lockwood

Lisa Marie tried to keep the majority of her battles private, but after marrying musician Michael Lockwood and having twins Finley and Vivian together, the pair went through a bitter divorce. The family are seen in 2010: from left - Riley Keough, Michael Lockwood, Benjamin Keough, and Lisa Marie Presley

In the forward to a 2015 book by Harry Nelson, The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, she revealed for the first time the extent of her own addictions.

'You may read this and wonder how, after losing people close to me, I also fell prey to opioids,' she wrote.

She explained: 'I was recovering after the [2008] birth of my daughters, Vivienne and Finley, when a doctor prescribed me opioids for pain.

'It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them.'

Presley, the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla, added: 'I had never openly spoken in public about my own addiction to opioids and painkillers.

'I wasn't sure that I was ready to share on such a personal topic.'

Ahead of the Golden Globes, Lisa Marie celebrated her late father's 88th birthday with fans outside Graceland - Austin Butler also attended this event

Lisa Marie Presley was rushed to hospital less than two hours after celebrating her father at the Golden Globes with Austin Butler, who brought him back to life on the big screen

She said, in the 2015 book, she faced a 'difficult path' with her recovery.

'It is time for us to say goodbye to shame about addiction.

'Across America and the world, people are dying in mind-boggling numbers because of opioid and other drug overdoses.

'Many more people are suffering silently, addicted to opioids and other substances.

'I am writing this in the hope that I can play a small part in focusing attention on this terrible crisis.'

Presley mentioned her children - the twins with Lockwood, plus Riley and Benjamin Keough.

'As I write this, I think of my four children, who gave me the purpose to heal,' she wrote, and that made her think of 'the countless parents who have lost children to opioids and other drugs.'

She ended by saying that she is 'grateful to be alive today' and especially appreciative 'to have four beautiful children who have given me a sense of purpose that has carried me through dark times.'

The scale of her problem was laid bare amid her bruising 2016 divorce from Lockwood, after a decade of marriage.

In a 2017 deposition, which was obtained by the Radar Online, she admitted to abusing cocaine, opioids, painkillers and alcohol.

'The last three years I  had to go to rehab several times,' she said, later putting the exact number at somewhere between three and five stints in a Mexican treatment facility.

'I was a mess. I couldn't stop.'

The 54-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home on Thursday morning and was resuscitated by paramedics

Lisa Marie Presley walks Golden Globe carpet in all-black gown

Presley said that her addiction peaked as their marriage ended in 2016.

'The last year of our marriage, I was abusing cocaine terribly,' she said, according to the court documents.

Asked if her drug use was heavy, she said, 'It was bad, yeah.'

She added: 'I didn't mix the pills and alcohol until, like, the last two years.'

Presley and Lockwood's divorce battle is ongoing, with Lockwood now seeking money for his legal fees.

He said in court that he feared Benjamin's suicide could cause her to relapse.

Lockwood requested custody of the children.

'Lisa Marie Presley's son shot and killed himself in her home (Although she was not there at the time.)

'With all due sympathy and respect, this creates a new and unaddressed twofold problem: the safety of the children and the greater likelihood of LMP to relapse into drug and alcohol dependency,' the documents read.

She was rushed to hospital on Thursday, suffering a cardiac arrest - having been out with her mother the night before at the Golden Globes, celebrating the success of Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic.

Priscilla Presley, 77, said she was getting the 'best care'.

In a statement to People, she said: 'My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital. She is now receiving the best care.

'Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world and ask for privacy at this time.'

Lisa Marie's missing millions: She lost the $100million that Elvis left her, was at one point $16m in debt and was battling her fourth husband in court who said she had more money than she claimed

By Harriet Alexander For Dailymail.com

Lisa Marie Presley's death at the age of 54 has left unresolved legal battles over her finances, and questions as to how she managed to lose the $100 million fortune left to her by her father.

Presley, whose death on Thursday was confirmed by her mother Priscilla, was still battling her fourth and final husband Michael Lockwood when she died.

Lockwood, father of her twin daughter Vivien and Finley, was seeking $40,000 a month in child support and insisted she had more money than she claimed in court documents.

Presley, in turn, said she was at one point $16 million in debt, following disastrous business deals made by her business manager Barry Siegel.

She sued him in 2018, accusing him of mismanaging her inheritance.

Presley was married to actor Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, and Nicholas Cage before Lockwood, but is not believed to have gained financially from her marriages to the King of Pop and Oscar-winning actor.

The only child of Elvis, she was left his entire estate in his will when he died in 1977, aged 42.

She took control of the trust in 1993, aged 25.

At the time of his death Elvis was worth only $5 million, but Priscilla cannily turned Graceland into a tourist attraction and set up Elvis Presley Enterprises, capitalizing on his image and massive fandom.

By the time Lisa Marie took the reins, the fund was worth a healthy $100 million.

She appointed Barry Siegel in 1995 to manage the money.

Siegel, senior managing director of Provident Financial Management and a prominent entertainment business manager, counted Al Pacino, Elijah Wood, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as his clients.

But in 2005 Siegel sold off 85 percent of her share in Elvis Presley Enterprises, which saw her lose control of her father's name and image rights.

Siegel said the deal 'cleared up over $20m in debts that Lisa had incurred and netted her over $40m cash and a multi-million dollar income stream'.

Presley said it lost her millions thanks to a subsequent investment in Core Entertainment, the company behind American Idol that went bankrupt in 2016.

He then allegedly began liquidating Presley's assets in order to supplement her trust income.

She also claimed his business decisions left her with a $500,000 credit card debt.

Presley divorced her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood, in 2016, and in their divorce proceedings claimed she was $16 million in debt - which Lockwood said was not true.

In 2018, she sued Siegel, accusing him of mismanaging her finances.

Siegel and his company, Providence Financial Management, countersued, alleging Presley's 'out-of-control spending' led to her financial predicament.

Leon Gladstone, a lawyer representing Barry Siegel, said at the time: 'It's clear that Lisa Marie is going through a difficult time in her life and is looking to blame others instead of taking responsibility for her actions.'

The King of Pop and the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll: Lisa Marie's marriage to Michael Jackson and THAT awkward kiss at the MTV Awards

By Alex Oliveira for DailyMail.com

In 1994 the King of Pop wed the heir to the kingdom of rock and roll, and the two great houses of modern music were united - if only for a brief, bizarre stint.

The relationship between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley - the only child of The King himself, Elvis Presley - traversed Jackson's child molestation charges and a shotgun wedding in the Dominican Republic, included one of television's most awkward kisses and MTV's strangest music videos, and was dogged by skeptics until it dissolved in divorce in 1996.

The couple met when Presley was just a child and a lover of Jackson's music, but she wouldn't become his lover until they reconnected nearly two decades later.

Many accused the couple of marrying to distract the world form the damning accusations against Jackson, but the couple always maintained its authenticity, with Presley insisting Jackson was haunted by its dissolution until the day he died.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson kiss on stage the the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards

Presley was a Jackson 5 fanatic when she was a kid, and at seven-years-old her father brought her back stage at one of Jackson's concerts to meet the singer himself.

An employee of Jackson's told People magazine in 1994 that Presley 'has known Michael almost all of her life,' and that the two 'stayed in touch,' after their first meeting.

Their friendship was rekindled in 1992 after the met again in Los Angeles. Presley was married at the time to the musician Danny Keough, who she had two children with.

In 1993 when Jackson was accused of molesting 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, he and Presley talked regularly on the phone and she became his support system throughout the investigation and its publicity.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson at the Budapest airport in August, 1994

Michael Jackson welcomes guests to the MTV Video Music awards with Lisa Presley

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson lock lips at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards

During one of those phone calls, on a whim Jackson reportedly asked Presley if she would marry him if he asked her to.

'Michael valued Lisa's settling effect on him, so much so that during his phone conversation, he posed a question that surprised both of them,' wrote biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli. ''If I asked you to marry me, would you do it?'  Without missing a beat, she replied, 'I would do it,' he wrote.

Presley's six-year marriage to Keough was falling apart at the time, and months later in May of 1994 she and Jackson jetted off to the Dominican Republic to escape the press and elope.

There Presley filed for a quickie divorce from Keough, and she and Jackson were married in a fifteen minute ceremony. They both wore black, and Jackson donned a cowboy hat and bolo tie.

Michael Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley with children in Budapest in August, 1994

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley at Neverland Ranch before the Children's World Summit in 1995

The pair kept their marriage secret throughout the summer as rumors swirled, until Presley finally confirmed it in a statement that August.

'My married name is Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael Jackson took place in a private ceremony outside the United States weeks ago,' she said.

'I am very much in love with Michael. I dedicate my life to being his wife. I understand and support him. We both look forward to raising a family.'

A month later she and Jackson opened the MTV Video Music Awards together. Walking out on the stage hand-in-hand, Jackson paused to let the crowd's cheers die down.

'Welcome to the MTV Video Music Awards,' he said. Then, waiting another moment for the applause to die down again, he said with a not to Presley, 'I'm very happy to be here. Just think, nobody thought this would last.'

He then planted a bit lip-locking kiss on his wife and pulled her in close as the crowd went wild. They then walked off stage.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson walk the streets of Budapest together during a trip

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson hold a baby during a 1994 trip to Budapest

As the couple continued to make public appearances together across 1994 and into 1995, rumors began to swirl that they did not have sex with each other.

They addressed the whispers in June of 1995 during an interviewed with Diane Sawyer.

'Do we have sex?' Presley said, and together she and Jackson exclaimed 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' They added that they indented to have kids together.

As if to accentuate their sexual stance, a month later Jackson released the music video for You Are Not Alone, which prominently featured him and Presley canoodling, dripping wet and in the nude, throughout some sort of desert temple.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson on the cover of the National Inquirer in 1994

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson at the MTV Music Video Awards in 1995

Rumors about the state of their marriage continued to dog the couple throughout 1995, and finally came to fruition when they separated in December of that year.

A month later Presley filed for divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

Nevertheless, the two tried to reconcile throughout the late 90s, with Presley traveling the world to be with Jackson at times, and the pair occasionally being spotting together during Jackson's world tours.

Jackson ultimately married nurse Debbie Rowe in 1996 - who he would have two children with before divorcing in 2000 - and Presley married actor Nicholas Cage in 2002.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson give Mickey and Minnie Mouse hugs in 1994

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson divorced in January 1996

In 2003, Presley told Rolling Stone she was pulled into the relationship with Jackson out of a desire to save him during his first child molestation charges.

'You get sucked into the, 'You poor, misunderstood person, you' I'm a sucker for that,' she said. 'I got into this whole, 'I'm going to save you' thing.'

Speaking with Oprah after Jackson's death, she said caring for Jackson was one of the 'highest points' of her life.

'I loved taking care of him,' she said. 'It was one of the highest points in my life when things were going really well, and he and I were united. It was a very profound time of my life.'

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, DIES after suffering cardiac arrest: Mom Priscilla confirms the news saying 'my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us' after she rushed to her hospital bedside

By Aneeta Bhole for DailyMail.com

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54, hours after she suffered a cardiac arrest at the home where she had been living in Calabasas, California.

Earlier on Thursday, Presley was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and was said to be in a coma following a 'full cardiac arrest' shortly after she had been complaining about stomach pains, according to TMZ.

Her mother Priscilla, who was at her daughter's side, said in a statement: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.

'She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment,' the statement continued.

Presley's death comes just two days after she was pictured with her mom at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton where Austin Butler won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of her father in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.

A grieving Priscilla Presley is seen leaving the West Hills Hospital and Medical Center just hours after her daughter's tragic death

Sources told TMZ that Presley was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her housekeeper and that her ex-husband, Danny Keough, who she has been living with, performed CPR until paramedics arrived at the house.

The source added that 'someone administered epinephrine' - more commonly known as adrenaline - at the scene at least one time in order to help Presley regain a pulse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach pain is a symptom of cardiac arrest in women.

This is the gated community in Calabasas where Lisa Marie Presley was living at the time of her cardiac arrest

The entrance to the Mont Calabasas community where Presley was living at her ex-husband's Danny Keough

It's reported that Presley had been living with Keough since selling her own home in the aftermath of her son, Benjamin's, suicide in 2020

The LA County Sheriff's Department said that they were called to the gated community after getting a report of a 'female not breathing'

Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is administered to treat many life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrests, asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

LA County Sheriff's Department told Dailymail.com: 'Deputies from Lost Hills Station responded to an assistance request call LA County Fire, near the 9500 block of Normandy Drive in Calabasas regarding a female adult, approximately 55, for a medical emergency/female not breathing.

'The female adult was transported by LA County Fire Department to a local area hospital where they were released to the hospital's care'.

They would not confirm if the person was Lisa Marie, who would have turned 55 next month, what hospital the individual was transported nor what was administered.

They told the Hollywood Reporter the fire department responded and was able to get a pulse on the female before she was transported to West Hills hospital.

Priscilla, Lisa Marie's mother, was seen rushing to the Hospital where her daughter was being treated after suffering a 'cardiac arrest' at her Calabasas home this afternoon

Lisa Marie's daughter, Riley Keough's husband Ben Smith-Petersen was also spotted consoling family members outside the hospital

DailyMail.com has contacted LA County Sheriff's Department for comment but they did not confirm who police responded to at the 5900 block of Normandy and only confirmed the hospital to the Hollywood reporter

A source says 'someone administered epinephrine at least once' to regain a pulse before taking her hospital. It's believed she was transported to the West Hills hospital but LA County Sheriff's Department have not confirmed this

Pictures of Lisa Marie's mother, Priscilla, 77, rushing to hospital an hour after news broke of her daughter's medical emergency have emerged.

She was seen making a quick dash to the entrance of the hospital where her only daughter was being treated to be by her side.

Lisa Marie is a singer and songwriter and has three children, including actress Riley Keough, 33.

Recently, the former Scientologist was an uncalled witness for the prosecution at That 70s Show star Danny Masterson's rape trial.

Presley's ex-husband Michael Lockwood played guitar Bijou Phillips' band. Phillips and Masterson have been married since 2011.

Smith-Petersen and other family members have asked for privacy during this difficult time

Smith-Petersen was seen outside West Hills Hospital after embracing family, where Lisa Marie was hospitalized. Her mother Priscilla, 77, asked for fans to keep her daughter in their prayers

Three days ago, Riley posted a picture of her mother, Lisa Marie, in her Instagram story with the caption 'how beautiful is my mama?!' and tagging her mother.

Riley recently praised her mom calling her an 'inspiration' and 'a very strong, smart woman.'

'I was raised by somebody who did their own thing and didn't really care what other people thought. She was definitely inspirational to me,' said Keough.

Riley's husband Ben Smith-Petersen was also spotted consoling family members outside the hospital.

The pair have been married since Feb 2015, having announced their engagement the previous year.

Just days earlier Lisa Marie, daughter of Elvis Presley and wife Priscilla, attended the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills with her mother to see Austin Butler pick up a gong for his portrayal of the King of Rock n' Roll in the film 'Elvis.'

They were both seen breaking-down-in-tears during Elvis star Butler's touching speech when he won Best Actor, Motion Picture Drama when he said he would love the ladies 'forever.'

The Presley women had grown close to Butler as he made the epic film directed by Baz Luhrmann.

They often guided Butler, sharing their stories about what Elvis was like, said Butler from the stage on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the Golden Globes, Lisa Marie celebrated her late father's 88th Birthday with fans outside Graceland - Butler also attended this event.

She owned and operated the immensely lucrative Elvis Presley Enterprises until 2005, when she sold off all of the business.

Lisa Marie is still the owner of Graceland, Elvis' famed Memphis estate. When her father died in 1977, she was only aged nine.

In August last year, she opened up about life after the loss of her late son Benjamin Keough aged 27, People reported.

The singer penned an emotional essay about the low points she has faced in the time since her son's death by suicide in 2020.

'Today is National Grief Awareness Day, and since I have been living in the horrific reality of its unrelenting grips since my son's death two years ago,' she wrote.

'I thought I would share a few things to be aware of in regard to grief for anyone who is interested. If not to help yourself but maybe to help another who is grieving.

She goes on to say that this is not a comfortable subject for anyone and is 'most unpopular to talk about.'

'This is quite long, potentially triggering and very hard to confront,' she said.

'But if we're going to make any progress on the subject, grief has to get talked about. I'm sharing my thoughts in the hopes that somehow, we can change that.'

She is also known for her high-profile marriages to actor Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and musical companions Danny Keough and Michael Lockwood.

In June 2019, the daughter of the King of Rock 'n' Roll revealed her ongoing divorce battle to Michael Lockwood, with her addiction to opioids becoming a focal point of the proceedings.

She opened up about her addiction to painkillers in the foreword for Harry Nelson's book The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, according to Yahoo at the time and says she is 'grateful to be alive today.'

'You may read this and wonder how, after losing people close to me, I also fell prey to opioids,' she wrote.

'I was recovering after the [2008] birth of my daughters, Vivienne and Finley, when a doctor prescribed me opioids for pain,' she added.

'It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them' due to their dangerous addictive properties.

The divorce was finalized May 2021, following a decade-long marriage.

She was also married to pop idol Michael Jackson from 1994 until 1996.

The 54-year-old has always maintained their relationship was real and that they had 'a healthy and normal sex life.'

The pair debuted their relationship together at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards in which the

Lisa Marie vehemently defended the Thriller singer who died in 2009 from a drug overdose after he was accused of child abuse.

'I believed he didn't do anything wrong, and that he was wrongly accused and, yes, I started falling for him,' she said.

'I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it.'

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said that their romance failed because he led an unhealthy lifestyle.

'There was a very profound point in the marriage when he had to make a decision. Was it the drugs and the sort of vampires, or me? And he pushed me away,' she said of the two year marriage.

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, cried when Elvis star Austin Butler told her 'I love you forever' at Golden Globes - two days before her death

By James Gant and Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Lisa Marie Presley broke down in tears at the Golden Globes just two days before she suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

The singer-songwriter, 54, was spotted crying with her mother Priscilla, 77, during Austin Butler's award's speech for his portrayal of Elvis last year.

They put their hands to their eyes and then their hearts as he told them he would love them 'forever' for taking him in as he filmed the role.

It came just two days before Lisa Marie suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California. She later died at the hospital with her mother by her side.

Lisa Marie Presley broke down in tears at the Golden Globes just two days before she suffered a cardiac arrest

The Presleys had grown close to Butler as he made the epic film from director Baz Luhrmann.

The often guided Butler, sharing their stories about what Elvis was like, said Austin from the stage.

The ladies were seen at the Elvis table inside the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton hotel on Tuesday.

They were side by side as they wore elegant black. And they broke down in tears when Butler spoke about them.

'I also want to thank our incredible producers and Warner Bros and the Presley family, thank you guys, thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me. Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.'

Butler baffled viewers, however, by speaking in an Elvis-inspired Memphis drawl.

The Presleys had grown close to Butler as he made the epic film from director Baz Luhrmann

Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital on Thursday after suffering a 'full cardiac arrest', according to TMZ.

Sources told the outlet that paramedics performed CPR Thursday at her home in Calabasas before she was taken away in an ambulance.

They added that 'someone administered epinephrine at the scene at least one time in order to help Lisa Marie regain a pulse'. Her condition at this time remains unclear.

Just days earlier Lisa Marie, daughter of Elvis Presley and wife Priscilla, attended the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills with her mother to see Austin Butler pick up a gong for his portrayal of the King of Rock n' Roll in the film 'Elvis.'

DailyMail have contacted L.A. County Sheriff's Department for comment.

The department told the Hollywood Reporter that deputies responded to the 5900 block of Normandy in the city of Calabasas for a female in her 50s that suffered a cardiac arrest.

The spokesperson added that the fire department responded and was able to get a pulse on the female and that she was transported to West Hills hospital.

The spokesperson would not confirm if the person was Presley, who will turn 55 next month.

They were both seen breaking down in tears during Elvis star Butler's touching speech when he won Best Actor, Motion Picture Drama when he said he would love the ladies 'forever.'

The Presley women had grown close to Butler as he made the epic film directed by Baz Luhrmann.

They often guided Butler, sharing their stories about what Elvis was like, said Butler from the stage on Tuesday night.

Lisa Marie is a singer and songwriter and has three children, including actress Riley Keough.

She owned and operated the immensely lucrative Elvis Presley Enterprises until 2005, when she sold off all of the business.

Lisa Marie is still the owner of Graceland, Elvis' famed Memphis estate. When her father died in 1977, she was only aged nine.

In August last year, she opened up about life after the loss of her late son Benjamin Keough aged 27, People reported.

The singer penned an emotional essay about the low points she has faced in the time since her son's death by suicide in 2020.

Lisa Marie is a singer and songwriter and has three children, including actress Riley Keough (left) as seen together in Los Angeles in 2017

In August last year, she opened up about life after the loss of her late son Benjamin Keough aged 27, who's father Danny Keough, Lisa Marie is seen posing with

'Today is National Grief Awareness Day, and since I have been living in the horrific reality of its unrelenting grips since my son's death two years ago,' she wrote.

'I thought I would share a few things to be aware of in regard to grief for anyone who is interested. If not to help yourself but maybe to help another who is grieving.

She goes on to say that this is not a comfortable subject for anyone and is 'most unpopular to talk about.'

'This is quite long, potentially triggering and very hard to confront,' she said.

'But if we're going make any progress on the subject, grief has to get talked about. I'm sharing my thoughts in the hopes that somehow, we can change that.'

She is also known for her high-profile marriages to actor Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and musical companions Danny Keough and Michael Lockwood.

In June 2019, the daughter of the King of Rock 'n' Roll revealed her ongoing divorce battle to Michael Lockwood, with her addiction to opioids becoming a focal point of the proceedings.

She opened up about her addiction to painkillers in the foreword for Harry Nelson's book The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, according to Yahoo at the time and says she is 'grateful to be alive today.'

'You may read this and wonder how, after losing people close to me, I also fell prey to opioids,' she wrote.

'I was recovering after the [2008] birth of my daughters, Vivienne and Finley, when a doctor prescribed me opioids for pain,' she added.

'It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them' due to their dangerous addictive properties.

The divorce was finalized May 2021, following a decade-long marriage.

She has vehemently defended the Thriller singer - who died in 2009 from a drug overdose - after he was accused of child abuse

She was also married to pop idol Michael Jackson from 1994 until 1996.

The 54-year-old has always maintained their relationship was real and that they had 'a healthy and normal sex life.'

Lisa Marie vehemently defended the Thriller singer who died in 2009 from a drug overdose after he was accused of child abuse.

'I believed he didn't do anything wrong, and that he was wrongly accused and, yes, I started falling for him,' she said.

'I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it.'

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said that their romance failed because he led an unhealthy lifestyle.

'There was a very profound point in the marriage when he had to make a decision. Was it the drugs and the sort of vampires, or me? And he pushed me away,' she said of the two-year marriage.

Inside Lisa Marie Presley's 'unrelenting grief' over son Benjamin's suicide before her own tragic death: How Elvis' late daughter confessed to being 'destroyed' by tragedy, saying she 'blames herself every single day'

By Brian Marks For Dailymail.com

Lisa Marie Presley penned an essay sharing her 'unrelenting grief' over her son Benjamin's untimely death just five months before her own death.

The 54-year-old daughter of Elvis Presley was rushed to a hospital after paramedics were able to reestablish her pulse, TMZ reported on Thursday.

But her mother Priscilla Presley shared a statement announcing that her daughter had died later in the day.

'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,' she said, according to People.

Hard to move on: Two years after Benjamin's death, Lisa had not felt much relief from the tragic loss. 'I already battle with and beat myself up tirelessly and chronically, blaming myself every single day and that's hard enough to now live with,' she confessed; seen with seen with Benjamin, daughter Riley and Lisa'a half-brother Navarone Garibaldi

'She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss,' Priscilla continued. 'Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.'

Back in August of 2022, Presley penned an essay about her attempts to move on from her son Benjamin's death to mark National Grief Awareness.

'I can understand why people may want to avoid you once a terrible tragedy has struck. Especially a parent losing their child because it is truly your worst nightmare,' she wrote in her essay, which was published by People.

Benjamin Keough was 27 at the time of his death. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced following the incident.

Presley shared her son with her first husband Danny Keough, whom she married in 1988 and divorced in 1994.

In the emotional essay, Presley admitted that she had kept her distance from the parents of other people whose children died by suicide, something that seemed to haunt her.

'I can recall a couple of times in my life where I knew parents who lost their child and while I could be there for them when it happened, I avoided them after and never bothered to follow up with them because they quite literally became a representative of my biggest fear,' she wrote.

'I also low-key judged them, and I swore I'd never do whatever it was that I felt they either did or neglected in their parental actions and choices with their child.'

The daughter of Priscilla Presley  who was seen rushing to her side at the hospital after her medical emergency  wrote that she had been 'living in the horrific reality' of grief's 'unrelenting grips' ever since her son's death.

Unfortunately, it was a feeling she was well versed in, having suffered the death of her father Elvis Presley in 1977, which was initially said to be from cardiac arrest, though his prodigious drug use is also believed to have been a factor.

His daughter was just nine at the time of his death.

Presley admitted in her essay that grief is not a 'comfortable subject for anyone' and is 'most unpopular' to discuss.

But she believed it was necessary to speak openly about grief and tragedy if any 'progress' was to be made.

Presley added that her son reminded her of her father, which only troubled her further.

He was 'so much like his grandfather on so many levels that he actually scared me,' she wrote, adding that it, 'made me worry about him even more than I naturally would have.'

Two years after Benjamin's death, Lisa had not felt much relief from the tragic loss, and even worse, she blamed herself for her son's death.

'I already battle with and beat myself up tirelessly and chronically, blaming myself every single day and that's hard enough to now live with,' she confessed, adding that, 'others will judge and blame you too, even secretly or behind your back which is even more cruel and painful on top of everything else.'

She opined that 'grief does not stop or go away in any sense, a year, or years after the loss. Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe.

'You do not "get over it," you do not "move on," period,' she wrote.

Weight on his shoulders; Following Benjamin's death, his friend, the musician Brandon Howard, told People that he had lived with depression for years, while also feeling weighed down by expectations to succeed as much as his famous grandfather; Presley seen in 2012

Following Benjamin's death, his friend, the musician Brandon Howard, told People that he had lived with depression for years, while also feeling weighed down by expectations to succeed as much as his famous grandfather.

'Sometimes he struggled with depression, which is a serious thing with [the coronavirus pandemic] and everything happening right now and everybody being locked in the house,' Howard said at the time.

'It's a tough thing when you have a lot of pressure with your family and living up to a name and an image. It's a lot of pressure. It's almost like you're pressured into having to be a musician, having to be an actor,' he added.

Following Presley's health emergency, TMZ reported that she had been found unresponsive on Thursday in her bedroom at her ex Danny Keough's home, where she had been staying recently.

It was her ex-husband who reportedly performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived on the scene.

A source told the publication that 'someone administered epinephrine'  also known as adrenaline  'at least once' in an attempt to revive her.

She was reported to have died just hours later.

Paramedics performed CPR and administered adrenaline shot to jump-start Lisa Marie Presley's heart after sudden cardiac arrest

By Mansur Shaheen Deputy Health Editor For Dailymail.Com

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, suffered a 'full' cardiac arrest at her California home Thursday and needed CPR and a shot of adrenaline to jump-start her heart.

She later died at the hospital, with her mother Priscilla confirming the news saying 'my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.'

The daughter of rock-legend Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla was taken away from her Calabasas home in an ambulance after being resuscitated.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and denies the rest of the body oxygen-rich blood, shutting off supply to the brain and causing someone to go unconscious.

Cardiac arrest occurs when a person's heart suddenly stops beating. It is different from a heart attack as it is usually caused by an issue with the hearts electric rhythm

WHAT IS A CARDIAC ARREST? A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body, which is usually due to a problem with electrical signals in the organ. This causes the brain to be starved of oxygen, which results in sufferers not breathing and losing consciousness. In the UK, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur a year outside of hospital, compared to over 356,000 in the US. Cardiac arrests are different to heart attacks, with the latter occurring when blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off due to a clot in one of the coronary arteries. Common causes include heart attacks, heart disease and heart muscle inflammation. Drug overdose and losing a large amount of blood can also be to blame. Giving an electric shock through the chest wall via a defibrillator can start the heart again. In the meantime, CPR can keep oxygen circulating around the body. Advertisement

When blood stops flowing to the brain, lungs and other vital organs, their function is greatly diminished and key body process needed to keep a person alive are halted.

Most cardiac arrests occur when a diseased heart's electrical system malfunctions.

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body, which is usually due to a problem with electrical signals in the organ.

This causes the brain to be starved of oxygen, which results in sufferers not breathing and losing consciousness.

In the UK, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur a year outside of hospital, compared to over 356,000 in the US.

Cardiac arrests are different to heart attacks, with the latter occurring when blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off due to a clot in one of the coronary arteries.

Common causes include heart attacks, heart disease and heart muscle inflammation.

Drug overdose and losing a large amount of blood can also be to blame.

Giving an electric shock through the chest wall via a defibrillator can start the heart again.

In the meantime, CPR can keep oxygen circulating around the body.

Brain cells can die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen.

Experts told DailyMail.com that a person could suffer permanent brain damage if they are not resuscitated within four minutes.

Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest is not caused by issues with the circulation of blood, but instead when the rhythm of the heartbeat is disrupted.

Heart attacks occur when an artery blockage deprives the heart of enough oxygen, causing cells in the organ to die. The heart does not stop beating during a heart attack, unlike some cases of cardiac arrest.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says that heart tissue scarring caused by a previous event like a heart attack or the development of cardiovascular disease can also be risk factors.

People who suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smokers, substance abuse and inactive lifestyles are at the highest risk.

Other risk factors include the thickening of the heart muscle - usually because of high blood pressure, some medications, substance abuse and blood vessel issues that can trigger during serious activities or an enlarged or inflamed heart.

In rare cases, cardiac arrest can be caused by a build-up of potassium in the body, called hyperkalemia.

These patients will be treated with calcium and insulin therapies to negate the effects of potassium in the blood.

In these cases, they will also be given diuretics, which increase urination to clean the mineral out of the body.

The AHA recommends the use of adrenaline to boost blood flow in the body when trying to resuscitate a cardiac arrest patient.

The chemical works by causing blood vessels in a person's body to contract, and redirect blood towards key organs like the heart and lungs. A 1mg dose will usually be given alongside CPR.

More than 350,000 Americans are hospitalized because of cardiac arrest each year, with 60 percent of patients being men.

Some people stay unconscious after having a cardiac arrest, and need intubation and ventilation with a breathing machine to keep their lungs working.

Patients will be put through a series of x-rays and blood tests to find the cause of the cardiac arrest.

A 2017 study led by the University of Iowa found that cardiac arrest patients spend an average of 12 days in the hospital.

Nearly all cases that strike a person outside of a hospital, 90 percent, will be fatal, estimates suggest.

Ms Presley has suffered addiction to opioid pain killers in the past.

She previously revealed she is 'grateful to be alive' after both her father and ex-husband Michael Jackson had died of drug overdoses.

University of Kansas researchers have linked opioid abuse to cardiac arrest, as the drug can be toxic to the heart, degrading its health overtime.

The damage it causes to the lungs is also linked to respiratory depression - when the organs fail to properly exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.

Lisa Marie's very unusual husbands - Nic Cage, Michael Jackson, the VERY acrimonious divorce from Michael Lockwood and living with ex husband Danny Keough again since their son's suicide

By Alex Oliveira for DailyMail.com

The daughter and only child of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley had a love life befitting the genre her father helped found.

Herself a musician, Lisa Marie Presley first married rock and roll guitarist Danny Keough, who she met as a teenager while they were both checked into a drug rehabilitation center.

The pair were married for six years and had two kids together, but Presley shrugged Keough off with a quickie divorce in the Dominican Republic days before eloping with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in 1994.

Their marriage - which was marked by Jackson's child molestation charges, along with jet-setting trips across the world, and a very awkward onstage kiss - lasted a mere year and a half before they parted ways.

After Jackson, Presley was engaged to musician John Oszajca in 2000, but dropped him after she met actor Nicholas Cage at a party. She and Cage married in August 2002, only to file for divorce three months later.

Presley then settled down with another musician, guitarist Michael Lockwood. They married in 2006 and had twins together, but divorced 10 years later after Presley claimed she found hundreds of images of child pornography on his computer. Lockwood has denied the allegation.

After dropping out of high school in her Junior year, Presley developed a drug abuse problem and was sent to the Scientology Celebrity Center for drug rehabilitation.

There she met Keough, a rock and roller like her father, and the two wed in October 1988.

They had two children together - song Benjamin, and daughter Danielle Riley. Benjamin died by suicide in July 2020.

Though Presley and Keough divorced in 1994, the two remained close throughout their lives.

'I don't know how, but we've managed to stay close,' she said of their relationship in 2008, according to the Star Tribune. 'There's others that I have pain or betrayal associated with that I won't have anything to do with. But he and I had a special thing. Unconditional.'

He played guitar on a number of her records, and even lived in a house on her property. It was Keough who found her unresponsive on January 12 and called 9-11 before her death.

In 1992 Presley was reintroduced to Michael Jackson, who she had met in the 1970s when she was just seven-years-old.

The two kindled a friendship together, frequently calling each other over the phone and speaking for hours at a time.

That friendship became romantic in 1993 when Jackson was accused of molesting 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Presley became the embattled pop star's support system during the period, and he eventually proposed to her during one of their calls.

The pair flew to the Dominican Republic in May of 1994 to escape the press, and eloped in a small, private ceremony.

Their marriage was dogged by theories that they had only married to distract from the accusations against Jackson, that they didn't have sex with each other, and speculation about when they would inevitably get divorced.

Both struggled to keep ahead of the talk, going so far as to awkwardly make on stage while opening the 1994 MTV Video Music awards.

'Welcome to the MTV Video Music Awards,' Jackson said as he and Presley walked on stage hand-in-hand. 'I'm very happy to be here. Just think, nobody thought this would last.'

And in a 1995 interview with Diane Sawyer, Presley tried to face the a-sexual rumors head on.

'Do we have sex?' Presley asked, then together she and Jackson exclaimed 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' They added that they indented to have kids together.

As if to accentuate their sexual stance, a month later Jackson released the music video for You Are Not Alone, which prominently featured him and Presley canoodling, dripping wet and in the nude, throughout some sort of desert temple.

Presley finally filed for divorce from Jackson in January, citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

After struggling to get over her divorce from Jackson for several years, she met and became engaged to musician John Oszajca in 2000.

But after meeting Nicolas Cage at a party, and broke off her engagement to Oszajca and began dating the actor.

Cage said he was 'thunderstruck' when she met Presley at the party, and their whirlwind relationship was marked by highs followed by tumultuous fights, along with rumors Cage intended to buy Elvis' Graceland mansion.

They married in 2002, but after a mere 108 days filed for divorce.

Presley described the relationship as a 'wild ride' in a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone.

'You can't have a temper tantrum and then call me four days later and expect, you know, everything to be fine again  so, it was like that  We were both like two 12-year-olds in a sandbox, basically.'

'We're both so dramatic and dynamic that when it was good, it was unbelievably good, and when it was bad, it was just a fucking bloody nightmare for everybody,'

Despite the famously short marriage, it would take nearly two years for them to finalize their divorce.

In 2006 Presley married her music producer Michael Lockwood, who had also done extensive work with musicians like Carly Simon and Aimee Mann.

Shortly after wedding they had twin girls together - Finley Aaron Love and Harper Vivienne Ann - and remained together for ten years.

The dissolution of their marriage was far from friendly. As the pair battled for custody over their children, Presley said she found hundreds of explicit photos of children on his computer.

'When I discovered the photos on [Lockwood's] computer, and viewed the videos, I was shocked and horrified and sick to my stomach,' Presley wrote in a court filing demanding custody of the kids. 'I had no idea that [he] had taken those photos. I will refrain from describing the photographs in detail out of respect for the privacy of my family.'

Police investigated the allegations, but later dismissed them citing a lack of evidence.

'Barring any new potential evidence or information we have concluded our involvement in this matter,' said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. 'We have not been able to determine a crime occurred in Tennessee.'

As the couple duked it out, Lockwood returned fire by demanding custody of the children citing fears Presley would relapse into drug abuse following the death of her son Benjamin.

Presley had long tried to keep her addiction problems under wraps, but court documents from the divorce dragged it all out in the open.

In a 2017 deposition, which was obtained by the Radar Online, she admitted to abusing cocaine, opioids, painkillers and alcohol.

'The last three years I  had to go to rehab several times,' she said, later putting the exact number at somewhere between three and five stints in a Mexican treatment facility.

'I was a mess. I couldn't stop.'

Presley said that her addiction peaked as their marriage ended in 2016.

'The last year of our marriage, I was abusing cocaine terribly,' she said, according to the court documents.

Asked if her drug use was heavy, she said, 'It was bad, yeah.'

She added: 'I didn't mix the pills and alcohol until, like, the last two years.'
A freight train has derailed in a busy industrial Sydney suburb after colliding with another train.

The derailment occurred in Banksmeadow at about 6am on Wednesday with 10 carriages pushed off the line, three of which were flipped onto their sides.

Transport NSW said the incident will not delay passenger services or cause road closures.

Firefighters are inspecting the contents of the carriages to determine if any hazardous materials need to be cleared from the scene.

It is understood the carriages they have inspected are empty.

A freight train (above) derailed in Banksmeadow, an industrial area in south-west Sydney, with three containers tipped onto their sides

Firefighters are inspecting the contents of the carriages to determine if any hazardous materials need to be cleared from the scene (pictured, emergency responders at the scene)

NSW Police were also spotted at the scene of the incident.

Fire and Rescue NSW said the train was derailed after colliding with another train as they were merging.

At this stage, no injuries have been reported.

An Australian Rail Track Corporation representative said officials will investigate how the crash unfolded.

'The incident occurred as the trains traversed onto the same track during shunting movements,' they said.

'Recovery will be undertaken over the weekend as planned general maintenance is undertaken.

'Services will be maintained through Port Botany via available track.'
Footage has emerged of the moment a woman was allegedly attacked by a man while on an evening jog.

The woman was running along Railway Parade in Lidcombe, western Sydney, at 6.50pm on December 29.

She was then allegedly set upon by a man in a black T-shirt - before he fled the scene, prompting police to launch a desperate manhunt.

Police released CCTV footage on Friday as they pleaded for anyone who recognised the man to come forward.

Footage has emerged of the moment a woman was allegedly attacked by a man while on an evening jog

The woman is seen running in the footage before she is allegedly grabbed from behind by the man.

He allegedly pulls the woman to the ground before she tries to fight him off.

The man runs off as the woman jumps back to her feet.

The man is aged between 20 to 25, 170cm tall and has a thin build with black shoulder length hair.

He is described as being of Asian appearance and was wearing a dark coloured t-shirt, track pants with white stripes and white shoes at the time.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is fighting for his political life after Holocaust survivors slammed him for wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party in 2003.

Insiders have predicted his leadership is over, with some even tipping the Liberal Party could dump him before the state elections on March 18.

The premier issued a second grovelling apology on Friday morning after it was revealed exiting cabinet minister David Elliott had raised the alarm on the row.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is fighting for his political life after Holocaust survivors slammed him for wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party

'I am deeply ashamed,' the premier again admitted in a video posted on social media. 'I am truly sorry for the pain, hurt and distress that action will cause.

'I'm truly sorry for that mistake. It was a grave error.'

Jewish leaders have revealed how one Holocaust survivor was reduced to tears by the father of seven's revelation.

'There is a sense of worry about what kind of world we are creating,' Breann Fallon of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies told the ABC.

'[A Holocaust survivor who rang in] was mostly concerned about how future generations would take this... and conveying that it is not a past issue, it's a present and future issue.'

She added: 'That uniform is not just an inanimate object.

'It is a symbol of hatred of bigotry, of genocide and discrimination and it will bring back all of those memories.'

Shortly after making the shocking announcement, Perrottet arrived at the Jewish Board of Deputies museum in Sydney to meet with leaders on Thursday afternoon

Poll Should Dominic Perrottet be dumped as premier? Yes No Unsure Should Dominic Perrottet be dumped as premier? Yes 273 votes

No 545 votes

Unsure 42 votes Now share your opinion





Karen Freyer, an independent political candidate from Vaucluse in Sydney's eastern suburbs which has a high Jewish population, blasted the Premier for the stunt and said it was unforgivable.

She has relatives who are Holocaust survivors and added: 'The Holocaust is absolutely nothing to laugh about.

'There is absolutely nothing fun or funny about wearing a Nazi uniform. A lot of people died. There isn't any excuse for wearing a Nazi uniform.'

Liberal insiders say an imminent leadership spill is now inevitable following the premier's confession and was likely to see Perrottet booted out of power.

One admitted: 'He's done.'

Former Labor premier Bob Carr also said Perrottet, 40, was now unelectable.

'Will Jewish leadership insist on his resignation? They should. The memory of six million demands it. He must go,' he said.

'If some kid in western Sydney who didn't know better, scrawled graffiti on a synagogue, they would be demanding prosecution under the new provisions of the crimes act.'

But Perrottet's deputy Paul Toole and treasurer Matt Kean were standing by him in public.

'Dominic Perrottet has my support and he also has the support of the Nationals,' Mr Toole told 2GB on Friday.

'He admitted he's done something stupid but we've all done something stupid (and) insensitive and there are things that we all probably regret when we were 21.'

Kean, seen as a potential leadership rival, had earlier also thrown his support behind the premier.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen with four of their seven children

Mr Perrottet's confession was prompted by Transport Minister David Elliott's private warning on Tuesday.

'At that age in my life, I just did not understand the gravity of what that uniform meant,' Mr Perrottet said on Thursday.

'It was just a naive thing to do ... I'm truly sorry for the hurt and the pain this will cause right across our state.'

On Friday he added: 'My hope is that some good can come from the terrible mistake I made. I met with the Jewish Board of Deputies.

'We spoke about how important it is to continue to raise education and understanding, particularly with young people, of the horrors of the Holocaust to ensure evil such as that never happens again.'

Asked where he saw the humour in wearing a Nazi uniform, he suggested all people matured differently based on their experiences.

'I am not the person I was when I was 21,' he said.

'At that time, the pages of the history books had not had the impression on me that they should have.'

Mr Perrottet's shocking confession about the ugly secret came on the heels of a conversation with disgruntled Transport Minister David Elliott (pictured together) days prior, following weeks of strained relations over gaming reforms and a range of other issues.

The incident came a year after Mr Perrottet joined the NSW Liberal Party and two years before he was appointed president of the NSW Young Liberals.

In the two decades since Mr Perrottet hired the Nazi costume and walked into his birthday party, attitudes have evolved, renowned Australian Jewish historian Suzanne Rutland said.

'There's been a much greater sensitivity that is developed over the years to these types of issues,' she said.

Dr Rutland noted it was only last year that the swastika was banned in NSW and Victoria.

'And yet there have been problems with the swastika for years - it didn't get banned at that point in time,' she said.

Mr Perrottet (pictured on his 2008 wedding day with wife Helen) said he had spoken to Jewish community leaders before Thursday's press conference

Cultural historian Jordana Silverstein said the timing of the premier's admission was about saving face, rather than genuinely accounting for his actions.

'It's always been considered offensive, but it's a matter of whose opinions have been listened to, and respected,' she told AAP.

'(Mr) Perrottet wearing the Nazi costume speaks to the normalisation of anti-Semitism and how acceptable it is amongst a certain segment of Australian society.'

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies accepted a personal apology from the remorseful premier and said it hoped 'this unfortunate incident will serve as a lesson to all'.

Followers of the Board of Deputies were divided about the significance of the incident, which the premier has cast as a terrible mistake of youthful naivety.

While some said the public knew well in 2003 that dressing as a Nazi was offensive, others said young men like Mr Perrottet didn't have the inherited experience and education about the Holocaust.
An Orlando man was arrested on sexual battery charges of four children his wife babysat as police warn there may be more victims.

Timothy Bernard Cooper, 39, was arrested on January 3 on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual battery, lewd molestation of a victim under 12, and possession of child pornography.

Cooper's wife, who wasn't identified, would watch the children at his Orange County home and allegedly touch them while they were asleep, a police spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Police said they interviewed four victims leading up to Cooper's arrest and the suspect 'fully confessed' to investigators.

'Unfortunately, Cooper may have had additional victims due to children being babysat within his residence over the past several years,' police said.

Timothy Bernard Cooper, 39, was arrested for sexual battery against minors. Cooper's wife was a babysitter at their Orlando home

Cooper was arrested in Polk County and is currently serving time at a local jailuntil he is extradited to Orange County

At the time of his arrest, Cooper was working a manager shift at Dennys restaurant in Polk County.

Police said the investigation started in March 2022 when a mother of a now 12-year-old reported Cooper had touched her daughter inappropriately in 2019, according to WFTV.

The victim held onto the secret until recently when she confessed Cooper approached her while she was asleep on his living room mattress.

Once the victim woke up and told Cooper 'no,' he immediately ran, the news outlet reported.

The investigation progressed leading into December when investigators uncovered Cooper's three other victims.

It's unclear if any other victims came forward.

At the time of his arrest, Cooper was working a manager shift at Dennys restaurant in Davenport

Cooper is currently serving time at Polk County Jail until he is extradited to Orange County where he lives.

Police are asking parents or guardians of children Cooper's wife watched to come forward if they believe their child was a victim.

The Orlando Police Department victims unit can be reached at 321-235-5300.
'I have always been a more secluded person... Im not a person that likes a lot of attention on me.

These are the words of jihadi bride Shamima Begum. And for someone who supposedly doesnt like attention, she sure as hell has been getting a lot of it.

This week, it emerged that Shamima has been given a platform to expound on her experience on the BBC, in a ten-part podcast entitled Im Not A Monster.

The BBC said the podcast would provide Begums full account of what really happened when in 2015, aged just 15, she disappeared from East London and ran off to Syria with her two schoolfriends: Amira Abase, also 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16.

The BBC has released a 10-part podcast about Shamima Begum in which she tells her story of how she joined ISIS

The broadcaster has insisted the podcast will be a robust, public interest investigation but critics have accused it of wasting licence fee-payers money and say the families of ISIS victims would be mortified.

I agree. Why on earth is the BBC effectively glamorising this young woman? She has not so far shown a shred of remorse for joining a terrorist group.

When she was first found by a Times journalist in a refugee camp in northern Syria after ISISs territorial defeat in 2019  aged 19 and heavily pregnant with her third child  she claimed she had no regrets about going to Syria and even spoke coldly about being unfazed by seeing a severed head in a bin in the caliphate.

She also claimed the murder of 22 people  most of them children  at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in 2017 was fair justification after Western airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.

In the podcast the 23-year-old claims that the refugee camp in Syria she is in is 'worse than a prison'

Begums comments were judged so appalling that then Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped her of her citizenship and banned her from entering Britain. She is appealing against the decision.

Public opinion has been divided over this issue of citizenship. There are those who see Begum as a dangerous supporter of a terrorist group who must never be allowed to return to the UK. Others say she is a victim who fled Britain as a minor and so deserves our sympathy  a narrative being pushed in the usual circles, particularly among the Left.

For what its worth, I think it was premature of Javid to withdraw Begums citizenship; she probably should be brought home to face justice. Equally, I cant say Ill be losing any sleep if she is left out there in Syria.

When I first read about the case of Shamima Begum and other would-be jihadi brides, I had some sympathy. I was raised in a Muslim family, so I understand what it must be like for a teenage girl caught between two worlds; living in a conservative environment, drilled in the importance of modesty and forbidden to talk to the opposite sex while her peers at school led very different lives.

Aged 15, she disappeared from East London and ran off to Syria with two schoolfriends

While my family was comparatively liberal, others in my community were not so fortunate. I knew girls who, as soon as they completed their GCSEs, would be married off to a cousin in Pakistan or Bangladesh. They had very little say in the matter.

For Begum and her friends, escaping that kind of life and a possible arranged marriage, fleeing to a country where you could choose your own husband, a strapping young jihadi fighting for Allah, must have been exciting.

But teenage rebellion and a desire for romance is no excuse to join a death cult. We should never forget that women can be just as deluded, cruel and bloodthirsty as men.

And listening to the first episode of the BBC podcast only cements my belief that Begum was not such a naive schoolgirl but is actually a self-obsessed narcissist  and not a particularly bright one, either (its hard to believe she was once reportedly a grade-A student). She thinks only about herself, rather than about the untold damage she helped to inflict on innocent men and women in Iraq and Syria.

This is a woman who happily sewed jihadi bombers into their suicide vests and who was reportedly part of ISISs morality police, a feared group which meted out gruesome punishments to women falling foul of strict Islamic laws on how to dress and behave.

Will she now apologise for this? There are nine more episodes to come but, judging from what I have heard so far, I am not holding my breath.

Discussing the online backlash, Shamima said: I dont think its actually towards me. I think its towards ISIS

Up to now, the only new information we have been given is that Begum really likes mint-flavoured Aero bars. You can find a lot of things in this country but you cannot find mint chocolate. Its a tragedy, she laments.

Forget death, rape or torture. Not being able to find your favourite bar of chocolate in a war zone is her definition of tragedy.

At least Begum told podcast host Josh Baker that she now accepts she joined a terror group. But when it comes to the public anger she faces, she maintains: I dont think its actually towards me. I think its towards ISIS.

No, Shamima. I think a lot of the anger is directed at you.

She simply doesnt get it. What was there to obsess over? she continues. We went to ISIS, that was it. It was over. It was over and done with.

What was there to obsess over? Thousands of deaths, millions of people displaced from their homes, the brutal enslavement and rape of Yazidi women, to name just a few things.

For the people living in that region, it will never be over and done with.

In 2015, Begum (centre), then 15, and her school friends Kadiza Sultana (left), 15, and Amira Abase (right), 16, fled their East London homes to join IS

No amount of slick PR from Begum  delivered courtesy of the BBC  should make us forget any of this. Someone must be advising her on how to give interviews to garner public sympathy.

She has gone from being a 19-year-old covered head-to-toe in thick black robes, talking cold-heartedly about walking past severed heads, to a 23-year-old who swans around a Syrian refugee camp in trendy sunglasses and Western clothes, her nails painted red, her hair styled.

At this rate, I wouldnt be surprised if she ended up as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing or Im A Celebrity. Perhaps the BBC can invite her on to Celebrity MasterChef, where she could share her best mint chocolate recipes.

In the meantime, Begums legal team is pleading her case at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in the UK, arguing that she is a victim who was groomed and child-trafficked to Syria. To make such a claim is an insult to actual victims of grooming, such as the teenage girls abused and raped by gangs of men in towns and cities up and down this country, from Telford to Rotherham.

Begums legal team is pleading her case at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in the UK

Multiple investigations have revealed that teenage Shamima Begum was steeped in ISISs bloodthirsty online material before she fled Britain to join them. In the autumn of 2014, she, along with the other girls who ran away with her, had become fascinated by the so-called caliphate that was conquering parts of Iraq and Syria. How could she have missed the reports of ISISs atrocities, including its slaughter of British aid volunteers David Haines and Alan Henning that same autumn?

True, she was a schoolgirl. But that does not excuse her.

There are some who have returned from Syria and faced the consequences of their actions. Tareena Shakil, a former healthcare worker, secretly travelled to ISIS territory with her one-year-old son in 2014. After less than three months, she fled the hideous regime to Turkey and returned to the UK, where she went on to be arrested, tried and jailed for six years.

Whats more, Shakil has accepted full responsibility for what she did, in stark contrast to Shamima Begum, who remained with ISIS until the end and seemed to show regret only when she realised there was no way back for her.

Instead of hearing her excuse herself over a long course of podcast episodes, the BBCs time  and our licence fee  would surely be better spent on investigating those complicit in radicalising the young Muslims who went off to join ISIS.

Our sympathy should be reserved for the Syrian and Iraqi people who were enslaved, raped and slaughtered by those terrorists, rather than for a young woman who chose to join them and participate in their brutality.
The review saw researchers pour over more than 100 reports by Exxon scientists, and found the company accurately predicted yearly rates of warming

Scientists at ExxonMobil accurately predicted future global warming as far back back to the late 70s, a new study has shown - but still waged a decades-long effort to discredit climate change research and its connection to the burning of fossil fuels.

A review of climate projections made by the oil and gas company from the years 1977 through 2003 yielded the discovery, which was published Thursday in the peer-reviewed journal Science.

The review saw researchers pour over more than 100 reports by Exxon scientists, and found that the the company had accurately anticipated warming rates to within a fraction of a degree.

The projections - which forecast temperature rises of roughly 0.20 degrees Fahrenheit for each decade - have proved remarkably accurate, and align with increases seen over the course of the aforementioned time period.

ExxonMobil scientists accurately predicted future global warming as far back back to the late 70s, a new study has shown - but still waged a decades-long effort to discredit climate change research and its connection to the burning of fossil fuels

The review saw researchers pour over more than 100 reports by Exxon scientists, and found that the the company had accurately anticipated warming rates to within a fraction of a degree

According to Science, the majority of internal documents analyzed further acknowledged that humans largely contributed to global warming - despite repeated public denials from the company that asserted otherwise.

Exxon, meanwhile, has maintained that the journal has misunderstood its early research, asserting in a statement that its understanding of climate change has evolved over the years and is not so cut and dry.

Geoffrey Supran, the lead author of the Science study, has argued otherwise, saying until now, there hasn't been an in-depth review of Exxon's own climate modeling data.

Speaking to CNN Thursday of the bombshell results, the former history of science research fellow at Harvard University called the probe 'the first-ever systematic assessment of the fossil fuel industry's climate projections.'

He added to the Associated Press: 'We've dug into not just to the language, the rhetoric in these documents, but also the data. And I'd say in that sense, our analysis really seals the deal on 'Exxon knew.''

The Exxon Mobil Baton Rouge Refinery complex in Louisiana - one of 21 across the globe and seven in the US - has been burning fossil fuels for the past five decades while knowing of the potential damage it is doing to the earth's ozone layer, authors of the study said

That phrase has become the war cry of thousands of climate activists who had accused the oil company of feigning ignorance as to the damage its 21 refineries across the globe are doing to the ozone through its decades of burning fossil fuels.

In recent year, the Texas-based company - which is the largest investor-owned oil company in the world - has become the target of numerous lawsuits from such detractors, that claim the company knew about the damage its oil and gas would cause to the climate, but misled the public by sowing doubt anyway.

Supran said he and his team analyzed more than 100 reports by Exxon scientists, before whittling them down to 12 particularly telling documents that contained the company's eerily accurate climate projections.

The academics proceeded to compare the projections to historical data, and soon found that roughly 63 percent to 83 percent of the predictions had been accurate.

The company's climate modeling - which, according to the report, were also consistent with independent academic models - showed 'shocking skill and accuracy,' Supran said Thursday.

'Exxon knew' has become the war cry of thousands of climate activists who had accused the oil company of feigning ignorance as to the damage its doing through its decades of burning fossil fuels

The study author, who started the work at Harvard and now is a environmental science professor at the University of Miami, said the data comes as vastly different from information previously gleaned from internal documents about the oil company.

It 'gives us airtight evidence that Exxon Mobil accurately predicted global warming years before, then turned around and attacked the science underlying it.'

The paper quoted then-Exxon CEO Lee Raymond in 1999 as saying future climate 'projections are based on completely unproven climate models, or more often, sheer speculation,' while his successor in 2013 called models 'not competent.'

Exxon's understanding of climate science developed along with the broader scientific community, and its four decades of research in climate science resulted in more than 150 papers, including 50 peer-reviewed publications, said company spokesman Todd Spitler.

'This issue has come up several times in recent years and, in each case, our answer is the same: those who talk about how 'Exxon Knew' are wrong in their conclusions,' Spitler said in an emailed statement.

Exxon, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, has been the target of numerous claims the company knew about the damage its oil and gas would cause to the climate

'Some have sought to misrepresent facts and Exxon Mobil's position on climate science, and its support for effective policy solutions, by recasting well intended, internal policy debates as an attempted company disinformation campaign.'

Exxon, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, has been the target of numerous lawsuits that claim the company knew about the damage its oil and gas would cause to the climate.

In the latest such lawsuit, New Jersey accused five oil and gas companies including Exxon of deceiving the public for decades while knowing about the harmful toll fossil fuels take on the climate.

Similar lawsuits from New York to California have claimed that Exxon and other oil and gas companies launched public relations campaigns to stir doubts about climate change.

In one, then-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Exxon's public relations efforts were 'reminiscent of the tobacco industry's long denial campaign about the dangerous effects of cigarettes'.

Oreskes acknowledged in the study that she has been a paid consultant in the past for a law firm suing Exxon, while Supran has gotten a grant from the Rockefeller Family Foundation, which has also helped fund groups that were suing Exxon.

The Associated Press receives some foundation support from Rockefeller and maintains full control of editorial content.

Oil giants including Exxon and Shell were accused in congressional hearings in 2021 of spreading misinformation about climate, but executives from the companies denied the accusations.

University of Illinois atmospheric scientist professor emeritus Donald Wuebbles told The Associated Press that in the 1980s he worked with Exxon-funded scientists and wasn't surprised by what the company knew or the models. It's what science and people who examined the issue knew.

'It was clear that Exxon Mobil knew what was going on,' Wuebbles said. 'The problem is at the same time they were paying people to put out misinformation. That's the big issue.'

There's a difference between the 'hype and spin' that companies do to get you to buy a product or politicians do to get your vote and an 'outright lie ... misrepresenting factual information and that's what Exxon did,' Oreskes said.

Several outside scientists and activists said what the study showed about Exxon actions is serious.

'The harm caused by Exxon has been huge,' said University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck.

'They knew that fossil fuels, including oil and natural gas, would greatly alter the planet's climate in ways that would be costly in terms of lives, human suffering and economic impacts.

'And yet, despite this understanding they choose to publicly downplay the problem of climate change and the dangers it poses to people and the planet.'

Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald asked: 'How many thousands (or more) of lives have been lost or adversely impacted by Exxon Mobil's deliberate campaign to obscure the science?'

Critics say Exxon's past actions on climate change undermine its claims that it's committed to reducing emissions.

After tracking Exxon's and hundreds of other companies' corporate lobbying on climate change policies, InfluenceMap, a firm that analyzes data on how firms are impacting the climate crisis, concluded that Exxon is lobbying overall in opposition to the goals of the Paris Agreement and that it's currently among the most negative and influential corporations holding back climate policy.

'All the research we have suggests that effort to thwart climate action continues to this day, prioritizing the oil and gas industry value chain from the 'potentially existential' threat of climate change, rather than the other way around,' said Faye Holder, program manager for InfluenceMap.

'The messages of denial and delay may look different, but the intention is the same.'
A hacker group linked to Russia was behind a cyber attack on Royal Mail that forced the postal group to halt international deliveries, it was reported last night.

The incident, which has effectively paralysed Royal Mail's huge Worldwide Distribution Centre near Heathrow airport, was orchestrated by a hacker gang called Lockbit, it has been claimed.

The gang specialises in using ransomware, a type of cyber attack that threatens to block access to or publish sensitive data unless the victim pays a ransom. Its signature software, known as Lockbit Black, scrambled computer systems on Royal Mail machines that are used to print customs documents needed to send parcels overseas.

The hacking incident effectively paralysed Royal Mail's huge Worldwide Distribution Centre near Heathrow airport. Pictured: Royal Mail's Heathrow distribution centre, December 18, 2018

Printers reportedly began spurting out ransom demands at a Royal Mail sorting base at Mallusk in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. The demands, claiming to be from Lockbit, warned: 'Your data are stolen and encrypted'.

Staff were invited to get in contact with the gang to decrypt one file 'for free'  probably to prove their claims to be behind the hack. It is not known if Royal Mail has communicated with the hackers.

Lockbit's members are thought to have close links to Russia and to have extorted an estimated 82million from previous victims, which have included children's hospitals as well as UK car dealership chain Pendragon, The Daily Telegraph reported.

'We benefit from the hostile attitude of the West [towards Russia],' a Lockbit member said in an online chat. 'It allows us to conduct such an aggressive business and operate freely within the borders of the former Soviet countries.'

Lockbit first emerged in September 2019 and has since become one of the most prolific ransomware gangs, cyber security experts said.

A hacker group linked to Russia was behind a cyber attack on Royal Mail. Pictured: Royal Mail's Heathrow distribution centre, December 18, 2018

Royal Mail warned on Wednesday night that it was experiencing 'severe disruption' and was unable to send letters and parcels overseas due to a 'cyber incident'. More than half a million parcels and letters are now stuck in limbo. The company has yet to say when things will be up and running again, but it is thought the recovery effort could take up to a week.

Royal Mail is investigating and is working alongside external experts to fix the problem as well as the Government's National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency. The firm declined to comment.
A Texas newlywed's decapitated body was found by law enforcement this week as her husband is arrested for her 'gruesome' murder.

According to Waller County Sheriff Troy Guidry, the body of 21-year-old Anggy Diaz was found dismembered and covered in blood without her head as her husband Jared Dicus, 21, was arrested and confessed to killing his wife.

The woman has not been publicly identified by law enforcement but a social media post from a local judge who married the couple identified Diaz as his wife.

The couple had been married for less than four months.

This is Anggy Diaz and Jared Dicus on their wedding day

Guidry initially described the victim as a Hispanic woman and said investigators found 'a portion of a body, dismembered, and a residence that was covered in blood.'

A knife investigators believe to be the murder weapon was found at the home, along with Diaz's head.

The law enforcement officials said there have been prior incidents involving the couple.

'There have been prior calls, disturbance-wise, but nothing to this effect, to this level of violence,' Guidry told reporters Thursday.

The woman is believed to be dead since around 11pm the night before her body was found after Dicus' family members called law enforcement to their home in the 200 block of Oak Hollow Boulevard.

The call came in around 4.45pm.

The couple live in a cottage behind his parents' house outside of Houston.

A law enforcement official initially described the victim as a Hispanic woman and said investigators found 'a portion of a body, dismembered, and a residence that was covered in blood'

Diaz's dismembered head was found inside the residence apart from her body

Diaz posted this picture of her and her husband just two weeks ago for Christmas. In a comment, Dicus called her 'my beautiful wife' and referred to her as a 'trophy'

The couple was married in October

Dicus' parents told deputies their son came inside their home made statement that prompted them to check the cottage.

The parents then found Diaz's body and called 911.

'That's the world we live in today, it's a gruesome scene,' Guidry said. 'Both sides of these families will be altered by it.'

The sheriff said Diaz is a Nicaraguan citizen.

Officials say they expect Dicus to be charged with murder.

'That's the world we live in today, it's a gruesome scene,' the Waller County sheriff said. 'Both sides of these families will be altered by it'

The sheriff said Diaz is a Nicaraguan citizen

In a post on her 20th birthday in October 2021, Diaz wrote 'Solo puedo dar gracias a Dios por bendecirme tanto' which translates to 'I can only thank God for blessing me so much'

Just two weeks ago, Diaz had posted a picture of herself and her husband on Christmas day to her Instagram, wishing her friends and family a 'happy merry Christmas.'

'Merry Christmas my beautiful wife,' Dicus responded to the post, calling his wife a 'trophy.'

Diaz last posted to Instagram on Tuesday, sharing a photo of her lunch just hours before investigators believe she was brutally killed by her husband.

In a post on her 20th birthday in October 2021, Diaz wrote 'Solo puedo dar gracias a Dios por bendecirme tanto' which translates to 'I can only thank God for blessing me so much.'

Diaz was just 21-years-old at the time of her death

This is the comment Jared Dicus left on his wife's picture of them from just two weeks ago

The local judge who married the couple shared a heartbreaking post remembering Diaz and stating his intention for taking down their marriage photo.

'As with many of you, I'm greatly saddened and shocked by the news of this tragic event and my prayers are with all of their families,' Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said.

'Out of respect for the families, I have taken down my photo with the couple and the post announcing their marrriage, primarily due to the insensitive nature of some comments that were being made on that post,' he continued.

The judge said he is 'confident' justice will be brought for Diaz and her family.

'This matter will now go through the our court system, and I am confident that the Waller County Sheriff's Office and the Waller County District Attorney's Office will see to it that justice is served,' Duhon wrote.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as they become available.
Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson suggested that the classified documents found in President Biden's garage could have been 'planted' there.

'Alleged classified documents showing up allegedly in the possession of Joseph Biden I'm suspicious of the timing of it,' the Georgia congressman told Fox News.

On Thursday the White House confirmed a second trove of classified documents was found at the president's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

'I'm also aware of the fact that things can be planted on people... things can be planted in places and then discovered conveniently. That may be what has occurred here. I'm not ruling that out. But I'm open in terms of the investigation needs to be investigated,' Johnson continued.

'Alleged classified documents showing up allegedly in the possession of Joseph Biden I'm suspicious of the timing of it,' Rep. Hank Johnson said

President Biden admitted earlier that the documents were in his garage, and made no accusations of foul play.

'So the documents were in a locked garage?' Fox News' Peter Doocy asked the president earlier.

'Yes, along with my corvette,' he replied.

President Biden's lawyers conducted a search of his Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach homes after news broke this week that classified documents from the Obama White House were found at Biden's think tank office in Washington, D.C. on November 2.

Democrats have largely avoided direct criticism Biden over the documents. Rep. Adam Schiff, former Intel chairman, said that any time classified documents were found where they shouldn't be it is cause for 'concern.'

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Thursday: 'I have full faith and credit in President Biden.'

'I believe that he's doing everything to take the appropriate steps to determine what happened and how to move forward in a responsible fashion,' Jeffries continued. 'And I'm confident that he will continue to do so.'

The White House has said the first trove of documents were found days before midterm elections as they were clearing out the office space and immediately turned over to the National Archives.

Biden said he was 'surprised' to learn of the initial documents and did not know their contents.

'I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that office,' Biden added. 'But I don't know what's in the documents. My lawyers have not suggested I ask what documents they were.'

Joe Biden tweets a video of himself with his classic 1967 Corvette Stingray - which was in the same garage as documents

Also on Thursday Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate the classified documents - Robert Hur, a Trump-appointed former federal prosecutor.

The announcement came as Republicans called on Garland to hold the same standard for Biden as he did for former President Trump - Garland appointed a special prosecutor to oversee Trump investigations in November.

Garland's announcement came as pressure is building on the White House to explain how the documents were in Biden's possession, why their existence wasn't announced until after the midterm election and what was being done about it.

'We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the President and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake,' Richard Sauber, White House special counsel, said in a statement about Hur's appointment.

This could mark a major turning point in Biden's presidency. He has steered clear of legal problems thus far even as Republicans have targeted the business dealings of his son Hunter Biden and have launched a special committee to probe the 'weaponization' of the federal government.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate classified documents in Biden's possession

Robert K Hur, 50, served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 2018 to 2021 - he was appointed to that position by Donald Trump

Timeline of Biden document discovery and initial investigation Nov. 2: 10 classified documents were found at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C., by President Joe Biden's lawyers. Nov. 3: The National Archives was notified of the discovery Nov. 4: The National Archives' Office of Inspector General contacted a prosecutor at the Department of Justice and told them that classified material had been discovered at the Penn Biden Center. The documents were secured at an Archives facility Nov. 8: 2022 midterm election Nov. 9: The FBI commenced an assessment to determine whether classified material had been mishandled Nov. 14: Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John Lausch, to determine if a special counsel was needed Dec. 20: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that additional documents with classification markings were found in Biden's garage in Wilmington, Delaware. The FBI secured those documents Jan 5: Lausch advised Garland that a special counsel should be appointed Jan. 9: White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank Jan 12: The president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home Jan. 12: White House publicly announces additional classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington home Advertisement

In his short statement on Thursday, Garland revealed a detailed timeline of when the documents were originally discovered and how the initial Justice Department investigation began.

In total, there have been three discoveries of classified materials - at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C.; in Biden's garage at his Wilmington, Del., home; and an additional discovery at Biden's Wilmington home.

Garland said the Archives informed the DoJ of the first discovery on Nov. 4th and the FBI began an investigation five days later.

On Nov. 14th, Garland assigned the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John Lausch, to determine if a special counsel was needed. Lausch would ultimately make such a recommendation.

On Dec. 20th, Biden's personal attorney told Lausch that additional files were found in Biden's Wilmington garage.

The Justice Department was informed of the third discovery on Thursday morning - the same day as the special counsel announcement and the same day the White House announced additional classified materials was found in Biden's possession at his Wilmington home.

Garland said on Thursday that Hur is authorized 'to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection' with the classified documents.

'I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service,' Hur said in a statement released after his appointment was announced.

Garland stressed Hur's independence.

'A special counsel will not be subjected to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the department. But he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the department,' he said.

Hur, 50, served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 2018 to 2021. He previously served as principal associate deputy attorney general.

Trump appointed Hur to the top law enforcement job in Maryland.
Microsoft is offering all US employees unlimited vacation time, according to a memo emailed by Kathleen Hogan, the tech giant's chief people officer.

According to The Verge, all salaried US employees will be eligible for Microsoft's unlimited vacation time, which the company is referring to as "Discretionary Time Off."

Microsoft's Drops Its 4-Weeks-A-Year Vacation Policy

The largest software business in the world, Microsoft, is abolishing its four-week vacation rule and giving US employees an unlimited amount of paid time off.

The tech giant's paid time off program will be replaced by a discretionary time off system that lets employees take time off as needed.

Paid time off given to a professional staff member for a remarkable effort or achievement that advances the mission, goals, or objectives of the organization is known as discretionary time off.

"How, when, and where we do our jobs has dramatically changed, and as we've transformed, modernizing our vacation policy to a more flexible model was a natural next step," Hogan details.

Even new Microsoft employees will not have to wait to accrue vacation time anymore thanks to the changes, which take effect on January 16th.

Along with this new limitless time off policy, Microsoft will continue to give 10 corporate holidays, leaves of absence, sick and mental health days, and time off for jury duty or mourning.

Additionally, there will be a one-time compensation in April for workers who have unused vacation time remaining.

Read More: Microsoft's First Patch Tuesday For January 2023 Fixes 98 Vulnerabilities

This Policy Is Not Applicable For Those Outside The US

The major software company claimed that it implemented the approach in response to more flexible work hours since it reduces administrative costs as well.

While some people applaud policies that allow for unlimited vacation time, critics claim that they frequently have the opposite impact.

This is because employees tend to use their time off less than they would if they had a set number of vacation days, NDTV reports.

However, it is important to note that employees outside the US and hourly workers at Microsoft will not be provided with unlimited vacation time.

According to Microsoft, it is challenging to provide hourly workers with limitless vacation time due to federal and state wage and hour requirements.

Additionally, due to various rules and regulations in other countries, those who reside outside of the US will continue to get their present vacation benefits.

Following Microsoft's decision to permit more employees to work permanently from home and the $1,500 pandemic incentive offered to staff members, the new policy was implemented.

Salesforce, Oracle, Netflix, and LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft, all give employees an unlimited number of vacation days, therefore the software giant Microsoft is not the first to implement the policy.

Meanwhile, other U.S. employers are now restricting employees' liberties and requiring that they report to company offices at least four days per week, CBS News notes.

Related Article: Microsoft Releases 2 Cumulative Updates for Windows 10 22H2, 21H2, 21H1, 1809
Lady Susan Hussey should be allowed to return to work following the row over her comments to a guest at Buckingham Palace, according to a poll.

The former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen  who was accused of racially insulting a British charity founder  won support from more than two-fifths (42 per cent) of a survey taken by members of the public, who said she should resume her honorary role with the Royal Family.

Less than a quarter (24 per cent) said she should not return, People Polling for GB News poll found, and support for her return was highest among over-65s, with 62 per cent voting in favour.

Lady Susan, 83, stepped aside in November after a charity campaigner accused her of racially insulting her at a Buckingham Palace reception. Ngozi Fulani said Lady Susan repeatedly asked where she was 'really from', despite being told she was born in Britain.

Ngozi Fulani (right) said Lady Susan (left) repeatedly asked where she was 'really from', despite being told she was born in Britain

The comments prompted a storm on social media and Lady Susan, pictured left, a godmother to Prince William, stepped aside from her position.

A spokesman for the Prince of Wales described her comments as 'unacceptable' and welcomed her decision to step aside.

But supporters of Lady Susan have argued she was treated unfairly after serving the late Queen without incident for more than 60 years.

In recent days, calls have grown for her to be allowed to return to her role following her decision to meet Ms Fulani in December and offer her 'sincere apologies' for her comments.

Lady Susan Hussey should be allowed to return to work following the row over her comments to a guest at Buckingham Palace, according to a poll

It is understood that senior royals hope Lady Susan will return, and point out that she never formally quit her honorary post, which is unpaid and entirely voluntary.

The GB News poll came just days after Prince Harry defended Lady Susan during his interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, saying: 'I also know what she meant  she never meant any harm at all.'

Matt Goodwin, a professor of politics at Rutherford College, University of Kent, claimed the results showed it was 'time to rethink cancel culture'.

He said: 'A plurality of voters are clearly sick and tired of so-called cancel culture, wanting those who publicly apologise after errors of judgment, such as Lady Susan, to be able to get on with and rebuild their lives.

'Only a minority of voters think Lady Susan should remain without her job. Clearly, it is time to rethink cancel culture and move towards a culture that actually leaves room for the possibility of forgiveness.'
A dangerous new email scam that appears as if it's from the Federal Government has sparked a warning for Australians.

Fake myGov emails claim to offering 'outstanding refunds' in the subject line, enticing readers to open the message.

Although the sender name says myGov, the first hint the site is a scam is through its website address, which doesn't match the official one.

The email comes from a fake website, but asks readers to enter personal details for a refund. Picture: MailGuard

The body of the email addresses the 'customers' and goes on to explain that the reader has an outstanding refund of $640.98 - or a similar amount - available from myGov.

There is a link to accept the payment online, which takes the reader to a fake login page where they are prompted to enter their username and password.

They are then asked to provide their full name, address, phone number, credit card information and CVV number.

'These details will again be stolen by the criminal and will likely be used for their personal financial gain or sold on the dark web,' a statement from MailGuard, an email security software company, said.

The scam poses as an official myGov email and prompts users to log into their account

Receivers are then asked to enter a code allegedly sent through to their mobile - which are typically used to verify credit card payments.

Anyone who receives the suspicious email is urged not to supply any personal information, or face losing their personal data to cyber criminals on the dark web.

myGov said it would never send a hyperlink requesting data through email or SMS.

'myGov is delivered by Services Australia,' the government agency said.

'Always access myGov by typing in the web address yourself.

The scammers then prompt you to enter credit card details to receive the refund - but instead will simply steal your bank details

They scammers even have a page saying it will send a confirmation code to your phone - mimicking official processes

'Services Australia and myGov will never send you an email or text message asking for your username, password, myGov PIN, secret questions and answers, personal details.'

The agency said any messages in your myGov inbox once you are signed in to your account are safe and secure.

'It's safe to open links included in myGov Inbox messages.'

MailGuard said anyone who receives the suspicious email should delete it immediately without clicking on the links.

An email should be treated as suspicious if it:

- does not address you by name or omits personal details a real company would normally include

- appear to be from a legitimate company but has a poor use of English

- are from businesses that you wouldn't expect to hear from

- take you to a new page or website that is not a legitimate URL of the business

Anyone who is concerned by potential scam emails can speak to MailGuard on 1300 30 44 30.
Chester Zoo has welcomed its newest arrival  a western chimpanzee baby.

In a boost for conservation efforts, he was born on December 9 after an eight-month pregnancy.

Andrew Lenihan, team manager at the attraction, said: 'We're incredibly proud to see a precious new baby in the chimpanzee troop.

'Mum ZeeZee and her new arrival instantly bonded and she's doing a great job of cradling him closely and caring for him.'

Chester Zoo has welcomed its newest arrival  a western chimpanzee baby. ZeeZee - a highly-endangered Western chimpanzee - is pictured cradling her newest baby boy

Andrew Lenihan, team manager at the attraction, said: 'We're incredibly proud to see a precious new baby in the chimpanzee troop. 'Mum ZeeZee and her new arrival instantly bonded and she's doing a great job of cradling him closely and caring for him'

Western chimpanzees are critically endangered The western chimpanzee is at imminent threat of extinction unless drastic action is taken. Only about 50,000 western chimpanzees remain - over an 80 per cent decline in the last decades. The geographic range of western chimpanzees spans eight West African countries and a diverse array of habitats, from the tropical humid forests along the coast to the montane regions of Nimba and Lofa, north to the undulating highlands of the Fouta-Djallon, and the savanna mosaic that touches the Sudano Sahel. Humans and chimpanzees have coexisted in this region for thousands of years. While the human population has exploded in size in recent years, the chimpanzee population has declined. Source: Western Chimp Advertisement

The zoo has released images of ZeeZee cradling her infant.

Great ape experts say the new arrival is in good health and spent his first few weeks bonding with his mother and the rest of the zoo's 22 western chimps.

Chimpanzees are born with a white tuft of hair on their rear and have it until puberty to signal others in the troop to be gentle with them.

'A birth always creates a lot of excitement in the group and raising a youngster soon becomes a real extended family affair,' Mr Lenihan said.

'You'll often see the new baby being passed between other females who want to lend a helping hand and give ZeeZee some well-deserved rest, and that's exactly what her daughter, Stevie, is doing with her new brother.

'It looks as though she's taken a real shine to him, which is great to see.'

The new chimp has not yet been named but it is a long-standing tradition among conservationists to name newborns after a music icon to help boost the species' profile.

'It's been a tradition of ours for decades now to name baby chimpanzees after famous rock and pop stars in a bid to help raise some urgent attention for this charismatic species,' Mr Lenihan said.

'We've previously welcomed Dylan (Bob), Alice (Cooper) and Annie (Lennox)  so watch this space.'

Western chimpanzees are the first chimpanzee subspecies to join the list of critically endangered apes from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Older sister, Stevie (Nicks), gives mum Zee Zee a helping hand with her new baby boy

Western chimpanzees are the first chimpanzee subspecies to join the list of critically endangered apes from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature

There are as few as 18,000 western chimpanzees left in Africa, it is estimated.

Chester Zoo hopes the latest birth will help ensure the species' long-term survival.

Mr Lenihan said: 'He may not know it but ZeeZee's new baby is a small but vital boost to the global population of western chimpanzees at a time when it's most needed for this critically endangered species.'

The fall in western chimp numbers has been attributed to manmade causes  hunting for illegal bush meat, human-spread diseases and extensive habitat loss and destruction across western Africa.

Mike Jordan, the zoo's animal and plant director, said: 'In the last 25 years alone the world has lost 80 per cent of its western chimpanzee population, so the arrival of a healthy baby here at Chester offers us real hope that we can help turn things around for this species.'

Older sister, Stevie (Nicks), is seen carrying the new baby around. Young chimps are born with a white tuft of hair on their rear, a signal for other chimpanzees in the troop to be gentle with them.

Western chimpanzees are extinct in countries like Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo. However, small populations are found in the likes of Senegal and Ghana

Western chimpanzees are extinct in countries like Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo.

However, small populations are found in the likes of Senegal and Ghana.

'We're in the midst of a global extinction crisis,' Mr Jordan said.

'The UN estimates that one million species could be wiped out in our lifetime. But, as a world-leading conservation zoo, we're doing everything we possibly can to halt and reverse this.

'Our teams have worked on the ground in Uganda, Nigeria and Gabon to help protect wild chimpanzee populations and their forest homes.

The new chimp has not yet been named but it is a long-standing tradition among conservationists to name newborns after a music icon to help boost the species' profile

'This work, paired with the endangered species breeding programme in conservation zoos, will help play a key role in protecting this species from being lost forever.'

Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation and education charity.

It has been actively involved in the conservation of some of the world's rarest chimpanzees in Africa, such as supporting efforts to protect the last stronghold of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in Gashaka Gumti National park in Nigeria, for over 20 years.

The zoo's 128-acre site in Chester is home to more than 27,000 animals and 500 species.

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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has released yet another new image, providing new insights into how stars formed in the early universe more than 10 billion years ago.

The image shows a young cluster of stars NGC 346, which is more than 200,000 light-years from Earth.

Located in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)  a dwarf galaxy near the Milky Way  NGC 346 is interesting to astronomers because it resembles the conditions of the early Universe when star formation was at its peak.

Astronomers believe studying this region could help shed light on how the first stars formed during the 'cosmic noon', which is only two or three billion years after the Big Bang.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has released yet another new image, providing new insights into how stars formed in the early universe more than 10 billion years ago. The image shows a young cluster of stars NGC 346, which is more than 200,000 light-years from Earth

Instruments on the James Webb telescope NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilise the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement

The SMC contains lower concentrations of elements heavier than hydrogen or helium, which astronomers call metals, compared to the Milky Way.

Since dust grains in space are composed mostly of metals, scientists expected there would be low amounts of dust, and that it would be hard to detect.

However, the new data from Webb reveals the opposite.

'A galaxy during cosmic noon wouldn't have one NGC 346 like the Small Magellanic Cloud does; it would have thousands' of star-forming regions like this one,' said Margaret Meixner, an astronomer at the Universities Space Research Association and principal investigator of the research team.

'But even if NGC 346 is now the one and only massive cluster furiously forming stars in its galaxy, it offers us a great opportunity to probe conditions that were in place at cosmic noon.'

The NGC 346 houses protostars  clouds of gas and dust in space that are developing into stars.

Previous infrared studies of the star cluster have focused on protostars heavier than about five to eight times the mass of our Sun.

'With Webb, we can probe down to lighter-weight protostars, as small as one tenth of our Sun, to see if their formation process is affected by the lower metal content,' said Olivia Jones, Science and Technology Facilities Council Webb Fellow at STFC's UK Astronomy Technology Centre.

'With Webb, we can probe down to lighter-weight protostars, as small as one tenth of our Sun, to see if their formation process is affected by the lower metal content,' said Olivia Jones, Science and Technology Facilities Council Webb Fellow at STFC's UK Astronomy Technology Centre

As stars form, they gather gas and dust, which can look like ribbons in Webb imagery, from the surrounding molecular cloud.

The material collects into an accretion disk that feeds the central protostar.

Astronomers have detected gas around protostars within NGC 346, but Webb's near-infrared observations mark the first time they have also detected dust in these disks.

Guido De Marchi, of the European Space Agency, and a co-investigator on the research team, said: 'We're seeing the building blocks, not only of stars but also potentially of planets.

'And since the Small Magellanic Cloud has a similar environment to galaxies during cosmic noon, it's possible that rocky planets could have formed earlier in the Universe than we might have thought.'

Researchers hope that observing protostars still in the process of forming will reveal whether the star formation process in the SMC is different from what we observe in our own Milky Way.

Ms Jones added: 'This is the first time we can detect the full sequence of star formation of both low and high mass stars in another galaxy.

'This means we have far more data to study at high resolution, offering us new information on how the birth of stars shapes their environment and even greater insight into the star formation process.'

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The failure of the first ever orbital space launch from British soil was caused by a premature shutdown in the rocket, operator Virgin Orbit has revealed.

It had been deployed from under the wing of a specially-adapted 747 jumbo jet, which took off from Cornwall Spaceport, flew to a designated launch zone above the Atlantic and jettisoned a booster containing nine satellites towards space.

However, organisers of the Start Me Up mission soon identified an 'anomaly' and said Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket had failed to reach its target orbit.

The rocket was lost, with footage later showing it burning or breaking up in the atmosphere as it fell back to Earth off the coast of Lanzarote.

LauncherOne never reached its target altitude to release a payload of nine satellites into orbit and was ultimately lost  either burning up in the Earth's atmosphere or breaking apart over the north Atlantic

Devastating: Britain's historic first ever orbital space launch on UK soil dramatically failed on Monday night, after Virgin Orbit revealed that an 'anomaly' had prevented its rocket from reaching orbit. Pictured is the moment the rocket ignited

TIMELINE: HOW VIRGIN'S CORNWALL SPACE LAUNCH WENT WRONG ON MONDAY 22:02 GMT: Virgin Orbit's Cosmic Girl space plane takes off from Spaceport Cornwall 23:10 GMT: After reaching its launch zone just off the coast of Ireland, Cosmic Girl deploys the rocket attached to its belly 23:11 GMT: The rocket heads past Portugal as it ascends to space 23:18 GMT: Virgin appears to suggest on Twitter that the mission has succeeded in reaching orbit 23:50 GMT: It emerges that an 'anomaly' has occurred which prevented the rocket from deploying its payload of satellites into orbit 23:55 GMT: Cosmic Girl returns to Cornwall Spaceport as disheartened spectators watch on Advertisement

In a statement released on Thursday, Virgin Orbit said initial data indicated that the first stage of the rocket performed as expected, that it reached space altitudes, and that stage separation and ignition of the upper stage occurred in line with the mission plan.

Later in the mission, at an altitude of approximately 111 miles (180 km), the upper stage experienced an anomaly which prematurely ended the first burn.

Virgin Orbit said this ended the mission, with the rocket components and payload falling back to Earth within the approved safety corridor without ever achieving orbit.

Sir Richard Branson's company has launched a formal investigation into the source of the second stage failure, but said it hoped to return to Spaceport Cornwall for additional launches as early as later this year.

Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said: 'We are all disappointed that we were not able to achieve full mission success and provide the launch service that our customers deserve.

'Upon identifying the anomaly, our team immediately moved into a pre-planned investigation mode.'

He added that Virgin Orbit had begun an internal investigation into the root causes of the failure.

The plane, dubbed Cosmic Girl, took off on Monday night from Cornwall Airport with hundreds of members of the public watching and more than 75,000 viewing a live stream of the event.

Named in tribute to the Rolling Stones' 1981 hit, the mission involved a repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft and Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket.

It was originally hoped the launch could take place before Christmas but technical and regulatory issues meant it had to be pushed into 2023.

The plane took off horizontally from the new facility at Cornwall Airport in Newquay while carrying the rocket under a wing.

The first ever orbital space launch to take off from UK soil failed dramatically on Monday night

All appeared to go to plan for Britain's first orbital launch up until the moment LauncherOne's second stage engine was fired. This was due to happen when the rocket was between 310 to 745 miles above the Earth, and the engine would kick off a series of burns to circularise its orbit

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With the failure of Virgin Orbit's historic mission on Monday night, the door has now opened for a different spaceport to lay claim to being the first in Britain to launch satellites into orbit.

Step up Shetland.

The SaxaVord spaceport, which is one of three including Cornwall due to begin operations this year, has just signed a deal with a German rocket manufacturer to attempt a lift-off in 2023.

But unlike Cornwall's horizontal version involving a modified Virgin 747 jumbo, SaxaVord is a vertical launch facility.

Remote: SaxaVord spaceport, which is one of three including Cornwall due to begin operations this year, has just signed a deal with a German rocket manufacturer to attempt a lift-off in 2023

But unlike Cornwall's horizontal version involving a modified Virgin 747 jumbo, SaxaVord is a vertical launch facility. Pictured is Jorn Spurmann, chief commercial officer of German firm Rocket Factory Augsburg AG, with SaxaVord CEO Frank Strang

Shetland's SaxaVord spaceport: Key facts Cost: 43 million, rising to 100 million in the next five years Number of launchpads: 3 Other infrastructure: Satellite tracking station, hangars, and other infrastructure needed to support launches Number of launches: 30/year Timeline: First orbital launch later this year Advertisement

This means it will host rocket launches in the same way as the iconic blast-offs from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where Apollo 11 lifted off from in 1969 to send humans to the moon for the first time.

But if Cornwall's Newquay Airport operation seems tucked away in Britain's most south-westerly county, that is nothing compared to SaxaVord.

It is based at Lamba Ness in Unst, the most northerly point in the British Isles  where the nearest railway station is in Norway.

The spaceport has just signed a deal with Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), based near Munich, which includes a launch 'currently planned for the end of 2023'.

It will involve blasting a satellite into a 'sun-synchronous orbit' 310 miles above the Earth, meaning it will orbit pole to pole and pass over each point on the planet at a fixed time.

That is not the only mission that could lift off from Shetland this year, either.

Lockheed Martin's Pathfinder project could also be launched in 2023 as SaxaVord goes head-to-head with Spaceport Cornwall, which may also try another mission later this year.

Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said the company had begun an internal investigation into the root causes of the failure and added that it was 'not out of the question' that another launch attempt could be made this year.

It means Shetland and Cornwall could go head to head in the attempt to carry out the first successful satellite launch from British soil.

The spaceport will see satellites launched into orbit from the Shetlands by the end of the year

The Lamba Ness peninsular in Unst (pictured) will be home to the 43 million spaceport

When asked whether he would like his spaceport to earn that title, Scott Hammond, the deputy chief executive of SaxaVord, told The Times: 'It would be awesome, there's no doubt about that.

'But we've seen with Cornwall that this is a tough gig, doing things for the first time.

'Spaceport Cornwall did everything they had to do [on Monday]  for them it was a success. We will debrief with them so we can learn the lessons. This is all about Team UK and we are really proud of what Spaceport Cornwall have done.'

The other spaceport being built is in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, which could also begin operations within the next 12 months.

However, Hammond said he thought the Shetland site was several months ahead of Sutherland in its development.

Announcing details of the partnership with SaxaVord, RFA chief commercial officer Jorn Spurmann said: 'We are super excited to launch our first flight from SaxaVord.

The launch of the two metre Skylark Nano rocket in June 2020, which reached an altitude of six kilometres, from the mainland of Shetland

'This partnership of privately financed companies enables the spirit and speed that we need, to be on top of the commercial small launch competition.

'The SaxaVord team was incredibly determined to build our launch pad and get the operations up and running. We are proud to be part of this historic event for the UK having built the first launch pad in mainland Europe.

'We firmly believe in the UK's strategic space vision and are absolutely convinced that the double-digit million investment in the site is well placed on our part.'

SaxaVord Spaceport CEO Frank Strang said: 'We're delighted to kick off the New Year by announcing our partnership with RFA.

'We will support RFA across the entire lifecycle of a launch, from facilitating testing, inspections, fueling and safety, to supplying MET weather data and access to our ground station network for data capture and distribution.

'The entire team cannot wait to welcome RFA and work closely as we edge closer to the UK's first vertical space launch in Unst.'

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It's already known that dolphins possess human-like intelligence, but a new study suggests the creatures are even more similar to us than we've realised.

In experiments, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were recorded 'shouting' when trying to work together in response to increasing human-made noise.

Just like when humans shout to be heard over a pneumatic drill or a fire alarm, the dolphins got louder, and 'shouted' for longer, as the noise volume increased.

Adorable footage from the experiments show the dolphins with sound recorders attached to their heads as they performed an underwater button-pressing task.

Bottlenose dolphins: quick facts Bottlenose dolphins grow up to 13 feet (4 m) long and 1,300 pounds (590 kg). They travel alone or in groups of about 12, but herds of hundreds of dolphins have been spotted. Common bottlenose dolphins develop individualized whistles to communicate information regarding their location, condition and identity with others. They also taste each other's urine to identify others and whether they've been in the vicinity. Advertisement

Dolphins are famously intelligent creatures that rely on their 'chatty' sounds to hunt and reproduce.

But if noise from human activity such as drilling and shipping drowns out this dolphin noise, this can negatively impact the health of dolphin populations.

The study, led by University of Bristol experts, has been published today in the journal Current Biology.

'We show that human-made noise directly affects the success of animals working together,' said study author Stephanie King at the University of Bristol.

'If noise makes groups of wild animals less efficient at performing cooperative actions, such as cooperative foraging, then this could have important negative consequences for individual health, and ultimately population health.'

In general, dolphins make two kinds of sounds  'whistles' and 'clicks'.

Clicks are used for 'echolocation'  a technique the animals use to determine the location of objects such as food, obstacles or potential dangers using reflected sound waves.

Meanwhile, whistles are used to communicate with other members of the species  and possibly even other species as well.

It's already known that two dolphins in human care can work together to solve a cooperative task, understand the role their partner plays in the task, and use whistles to coordinate behaviour.

For this study, the researchers wanted to see how 'anthropogenic' noise  noise created by human activity  would affect these abilities.

In experiments, University of Bristol researchers fitted movement tags to bottlenose dolphins and exposed them to ever-increasing levels of human-made noise. The dolphins had to work together to both press their own underwater button within one second of each other, while exposed to increasingly louder levels of noise

Experiments were conducted at the Dolphin Research Center (DRC) in Florida with two male bottlenose dolphins, Delta and Reese. Photo shows Delta wearing a DTAG - a sound and movement recording tag

Dolphins hold grudges, study finds Bottlenose dolphins can hold grudges, a 2021 study found. A team from Bristol University found individual dolphins responded strongly to the calls of 'allies' that had come to their aid in the past. But they were more likely to ignore those who hadn't previously helped - even if they had seemed on friendly terms. Read more Advertisement

Examples of anthropogenic noise sources include drilling, airplanes, motor boats, traffic and more.

Experiments were conducted at the Dolphin Research Center (DRC) in Grassy Key, Florida with two adult male bottlenose dolphins, called Delta and Reese, while swimming in their lagoon.

The dolphins had already been trained to engage in cooperative behaviour with the use of rewards of fish and social interaction.

Along with international colleagues, the scientists equipped Delta and Reese with suction-cup tags that recorded their vocalisations as they participated in a cooperative task.

During the task, the dolphins had to work together to both press their own underwater button within one second of each other, while exposed to increasingly louder levels of noise from an underwater speaker.

To make it harder, for some of the trials one of the dolphins was held back for five to 10 seconds while the other was released immediately.

They used a variety of noises, including the sound of the pressure washer that the team at the DRC use to clean the lagoon.

The noise that the dolphins experienced during the task were similar in loudness to noise pollution experienced by animals in the wild.

Researchers found the dolphins produced louder and longer whistles to compensate for the increasing noise levels  but they were less successful at the task as the noise got louder.

From the lowest to highest levels of noise, the dolphins' success rate dropped from 85 per cent to 62.5 per cent, they found.

Experiments were conducted at the Dolphin Research Center (DRC) in Grassy Key, Florida with two adult male bottlenose dolphins, called Delta and Reese. The dolphins had already been trained to engage in cooperative behaviour, using rewards of fish and social interaction

According to the experts, Delta and Reese compensated by changing the volume and length of their calls in their efforts to coordinate the button press.

Not only did the dolphins change the volume and duration of their noises, but they also changed their body language.

As noise levels increased, the dolphins were more likely to re-orient themselves to face each other, and they were also more likely to swim to the other side of the lagoon to be closer.

'Subjects increased their orientation toward their partner with increasing noise, but their echolocation decreased,' the experts say in their paper.

'[This suggests] the dolphins were orientating toward each other not to use echolocation to track their partner but to increase their chances of detecting their partner's signals.'

Directional hearing  being able to identify where a sound is coming from  may have allowed them to separate their partner's signals from that of the noise due to the different spatial location of the two sound sources.

Just like when humans shout to be heard over a pneumatic drill or a fire alarm, the dolphins got louder, and 'shouted' for longer, as the noise volume increased ('whistle apparent output level' is a measure of whistle loudness)

While the study provides a glimpse into the awe-inspiring lengths dolphins go to cooperate, it ultimately shows that they're less successful at doing so in the presence of sound generated by humans.

'For years we have known that animals can attempt to compensate for increased noise in their environment by adjusting their vocal behaviour,' said Srensen.

'Our work shows that these adjustments are not necessarily sufficient to overcome the negative impacts of noise on communication between animals working together.'

Srensen also told MailOnline that the noises used in the experiments were not painful to the dolphins, who were not forced to participate and had the choice not to do so.

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Chelsea manager Graham Potter held a training ground crisis summit with his senior players on Tuesday as the underfire boss tries to revive the club's failing season.

The former Brighton manager's position is under intense scrutiny following a woeful run of just one victory in their previous 10 domestic matches.

Potter has the backing of owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - but fans appear to be turning on their manager, who was only appointed in September.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter held crisis talks at the training ground with the club's experienced players

Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva were both involved in the summit with Potter

And Potter hauled senior players Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in for talks at the club's Cobham training base ahead of tonight's clash against Fulham in hope of arresting their worrying slide.

'I spoke really at length yesterday with Thiago, Azpi, Jorgi and Kova - we had a really good conversation,' revealed Potter.

Potter is looking to revive Chelsea's season after a poor run of form

'They again showed their qualities as people. They were honest, articulated their concerns well. They articulated their positivity, the articulated their responsibility.

'And I think we are in a place where we can move forward.' Potter also revealed he has spoken to Chelsea's owners this week, saying: 'I've been in regular dialogue with the owners and they've been really supportive, fantastic.

'We speak on a regular basis, two or three times a week, and they've been really supportive.' Meanwhile, Joao Felix competed his loan move to Stamford Bridge yesterday and could be part of the squad that travels to Craven Cottage if he gains clearance in time this morning.

Italian midfielder Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were among the other stars involved in the talks

But the club's already lengthy injury list has gained another long-term casualty after Potter confirmed winger Christian Pulisic will miss two months with the knee injury he suffered against Manchester City last week.

The club are still awaiting a full diagnosis on Raheem Sterling's hamstring problem though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available for Fulham after recovering from a back injury, while Reece James and Ngolo Kane have stepped-up their rehabilitation programmes.
Chelsea are willing to let the 28-year-old leave the club on a free transfer

Bakayoko has also failed to play a minute for AC Milan so far during this season

Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan to cancel Tiemoue Bakayoko's loan.

The Stamford Bridge club are willing to let the 28-year-old - who cost the club 35m from Monaco in 2017 - leave on a free.

Bakayoko signed for Milan on a two-year loan deal in the summer of 2021, but he has struggled for gametime under Stefano Pioli.

Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan over cancelling Tiemoue Bakayoko's loan spell at the club

He featured just 18 times in all competitions last season and has failed to even play a minute during the current campaign.

The Rossoneri are unwilling to play the 28-year-old as there is a clause in his loan meaning they would have to make the deal permanent if he plays at least 45 minutes in 15 games this season.

He is contracted until 2024 with Graham Potter's side but the Blues are prepared to release him, in a similar move to what they did with fellow transfer flop Ross Barkley earlier this season before the midfielder joined Nice.

Bakayoko has endured a torrid time at Chelsea and they are willing to let him leave on a free

The 28-year-old has had several loan spells away from the club, including with Napoli (above)

Bakayoko, who has won a sole cap for France, played 43 times for Chelsea during the 2017-18 season.

His last game for the club came in that campaign, as he played the full 90 minutes of their FA Cup final victory over Manchester United in May 2018.

The midfielder has since endured successive loan spells at AC Milan, Monaco and Napoli between 2018-2021, before he returned to the San Siro in the summer of 2021.

Pioli's side sit third in Serie A with 37 points from 17 games and the Italian has several central midfielders at his disposal such as Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer.

They have also reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and face Tottenham in the Round of 16.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly desperate to leave Chelsea and will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to return to Barcelona.

Aubameyang has not started a single game for Chelsea since November and the loan signing of Joao Felix will only increase competition in forward positions.

Therefore, Aubameyang would be willing to return to Barcelona and play 'almost for free' to gain more first-team action.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is desperate to leave Chelsea after struggling to prove his worth

Aubameyang will reportedly make whatever sacrifices necessary to return to Barcelona

According to ES, Aubameyang is keen to return to Barcelona if Memphis Depay leaves the club.

The Spanish news outlet says Aubameyang understands he was 'wrong' to leave Barca in the summer and that he would be willing to sacrifice his salary to return.

It is believed the 33-year-old would accept whatever amount the Catalan giants could afford to pay him following Depay's departure.

Aubameyang (left) has not started a game for Chelsea since November and is keen to return to Barcelona if Memphis Depay (right) is sold

Aubameyang was left feeling somewhat embarrassed after his dismal performance against Manchester City on January 5 (above)

Aubameyang's desperation comes after a disappointing spell at Chelsea. The former Arsenal captain has struggled to cement a place in Graham Potter's squad and finds himself on the bench more often than not.

Aubameyang was left feeling somewhat embarrassed after his dismal performance against Manchester City on January 5.

He started Chelsea's tie against City on the bench but made his way onto the pitch after just five minutes as Raheem Sterling was forced off injured.

However, Potter was less than impressed with the striker's performance and decided to replace him with Omari Hutchinson in the second half.

Aubameyang started Chelsea's Premier League tie against Manchester City on the bench but made his way onto the pitch after five minutes when Raheem Sterling was forced off injured

However, Potter was less than impressed with his performance and decided to replace him with Omari Hutchinson in the second half

Aubameyang was then left out of the Chelsea squad that lost 4-0 to City at the Etihad Stadium on January 8.

Many thought Potter had dropped the Aubameyang after his performance during the week. However, the Chelsea boss denied such claims.

He said Aubameyang was suffering with a back issue that prevented him from being fit enough to play in their FA Cup tie.

Nevertheless, it's clear to see Aubameyang is struggling at Chelsea. He has only scored three goals in 16 matches across all competitions this campaign.
Actor Lee Seo-jin will star in producer Na Young-seok's new reality show. Courtesy of Tving



By Lee Gyu-lee



Star producer Na Young-seok, who created hit variety shows like "New Journey to the West" and "Three Meals a Day" series, is set to roll out a new reality series, "Seo-jin's" (tentative title), on tvN this February.



The new show will be a spin-off to Na's previous reality show, "Youn's Kitchen," which featured actress Youn Yuh-jung running a Korean restaurant abroad along with fellow actors Lee, Jung Yu-mi and Park Seo-joon.



The exact date and timeslot have not been decided yet.



Lee, who acted as the second-in-command in "Youn's Kitchen," will step into the owner's role with the upcoming show. The cast members of the original show, Jung and Park, and actor Choi Woo-shik from another spin-off show, "Youn's Stay," will join Lee, along with the newest cast, BTS member V.



Running a Korean restaurant in Mexico, the stars will introduce Korea's street food to local people. They finished filming the show at the end of last year.



"Youn's Kitchen," which premiered in 2017, garnered popularity with top-rated stars running a small restaurant along the peaceful seaside in Bali, scoring a 14.1-percent viewership rating. It was picked up for a second season the next year, set in a small town in Spain.



When the coronavirus pandemic raised travel restrictions and made it difficult to film abroad, the show created a spin-off version, "Youn's Stay," in which the original cast members and Choi ran a hanok guest house for newly arrived expats in Korea.


However, Spanish rules mean he cannot be re-registered by Barcelona this term

The Spanish FA have confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cannot be re-registered as a Barcelona player this season, leaving him trapped at Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign.

Aubameyang has endured a miserable return to the Premier League after arriving at Stamford Bridge in August, and it has been claimed that he would be willing to make any sacrifices necessary to move back to Barcelona.

Certain reports suggest he would even be willing to play 'almost for free' at the Nou Camp in order to gain more first-team action.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to stay at Chelsea as he cannot rejoin Barcelona this season

Spanish FA rules state that a player cannot be re-registered in the same season that they left

However, having started the campaign with the Catalan giants, Aubameyang was de-registered by the club when he joined Chelsea, and Spanish FA rules state that a player cannot be re-registered in the same season.

This means that he now looks set to stay at Chelsea, and the forward will have to try to work his way back into the team having fallen out of favour under Graham Potter.

Aubameyang has not started a single game for Chelsea since November and the loan signing of Joao Felix will only increase competition in forward positions.

He had been hoping for an escape route back to Barcelona, with Sport reporting that he was eyeing a return if Memphis Depay left the club.

The Spanish news outlet said Aubameyang understands he was 'wrong' to leave Barca in the summer and that he would be willing to sacrifice his salary to return.

It is believed the 33-year-old would have accepted whatever amount his former club could afford to pay him following Depay's departure.

Aubameyang (left) has not started a game for Chelsea since November and wanted return to Barcelona if Memphis Depay (right) was sold by the club this month

He was left embarrassed after a dismal performance against Man City on January 5 (above)

Aubameyang's desperation comes after a disappointing spell at Chelsea. The former Arsenal captain has struggled to cement a place in Potter's squad and finds himself on the bench more often than not.

He was left feeling somewhat embarrassed after his dismal performance against Manchester City on January 5.

The striker started Chelsea's tie against City on the bench but made his way onto the pitch after just five minutes as Raheem Sterling was forced off injured.

However, Potter appeared to be less than impressed with his performance as he later decided to replace him with Omari Hutchinson in the second half.

Aubameyang started Chelsea's Premier League tie against Manchester City on the bench but made his way onto the pitch after five minutes when Raheem Sterling was forced off injured

However, Graham Potter was clearly less than impressed with his performance and decided to replace him with Omari Hutchinson in the second half

Aubameyang was then left out of the Chelsea squad that lost 4-0 to City in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium three days later.

Many felt Potter had dropped Aubameyang after his performance during the week. However, the Chelsea boss denied such claims.

He instead claimed the player was suffering with a back issue that meant he was deemed not fit enough to play in the FA Cup tie.

Nevertheless, it's clear to see Aubameyang is struggling at Chelsea. He has only scored three goals in 16 matches across all competitions this campaign, but it appears he has no choice but to try and work his way back into Potter's plans, with a return to Barcelona no longer an option.
A UK rollercoaster that was the longest in the world for 10 years will be demolished as the theme park turns away from adrenaline junkies.

It remained the longest until 2001, when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon roller coaster in Japan.

The ride has been closed since 2019 and is now set to be dismantled, the Brighton Pier Group PLC, which owns Lightwater Valley, confirmed on Tuesday (January 10).

When The Ultimate (pictured) opened in 1991, the 107ft tall steel coaster at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon, North Yorkshire, was the longest in the world with a length of 7,442ft

It remained the longest until 2001, when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon (pictured) roller coaster in Japan

While paying tribute to the 'nostalgic' status of the iconic ride, chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group Anne Ackord said the theme park was being re-imagined as a family-friendly venue, rather than appealing to adrenaline junkies as it had done previously.

Ackord said in a statement: 'We have devoted much time and effort considering the future of The Ultimate. The ride has been out of service for some years now and the process of assessing the viability of bringing it back into use was a long one.

'We are mindful of its nostaligic status and that many of our visitors have fond memories of riding the Ultimate Coaster.

'Nevertheless, given both the investment required to bring it up to acceptable standards of safety and the re-imagining of Lightwater Valley as a family-orientated Adventure Park, we have decided to close The Ultimate permanently and remove it from the Park.

The ride has been closed since 2019 and is now set to be dismantled, the Brighton Pier Group PLC, which owns Lightwater Valley, confirmed on Tuesday (January 10)

While paying tribute to the 'nostalgic' status of the iconic ride, chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group Anne Ackord said the theme park was being re-imagined as a family-friendly venue, rather than appealing to adrenaline junkies as it had done previously

There is no information on whether or not the ride would be relocated

'We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England's number one destination for family adventures.'

There is no information on whether or not the ride would be relocated.

Lightwater Valley's decision to turn their theme park into a more family-friendly venture comes nearly four years after a then six-year-old fell from a Twister ride at the park in May 2019.

He fell 15ft to 30ft while his mother was 'screaming hysterically', witnesses said at the time.

The boy had to undergo emergency brain surgery just three months later in August 2019.
Lucy Boynton has opened up about how acting helped change her from a shy child into a confident adult.

The Bohemian Rhapsody star, 28, made the revelation in a stunning Harper's Bazaar UK shoot where she graced the cover in a gorgeous white lace gown.

She admitted that as a child she was in her 'older sister's shadow' and was always 'really shy and uncomfortable'.

Stunner: Lucy Boynton, 28, has opened up about how acting helped change her from a shy child into a confident adult

She told the publication: You wouldnt think Im the actress in the family. As a child, I remember being really shy and uncomfortable, and in the shadow of my older sister'.

'But I think acting gave me access to change myself somehow... It unlocked the idea that I could be different.

Lucy looked sensational in the ruffled frock which featured a mint green trim and chiffon overlay.

Sensational;: The Bohemian Rhapsody star made the revelation in a stunning Harper's Bazar UK shoot where she graced the cover in a gorgeous white lace gown.

She completed the show-stopping look with towering green heels and accessorised with sparkling diamonds.

Speaking about her glamorous red carpet appearances she said: The publicity side of things still feels a step away from who I really am, but Ive found a way to take the pressure off those moments by thinking of them like costume fittings.

Lucy graced the cover of the glossy magazine alongside fellow British actresses Shalom Brune-Franklin and Sheila Atim.

Cover girl: Lucy (left) graced the cover of the glossy magazine alongside fellow British actresses Shalom Brune-Franklin (centre) and Sheila Atim (left)

Sporting her newly auburn hair she slicked it back and sported a ravishing palette of make-up.

Gushing about the UK film industry she said: It helps that I started my career in the UK where, at the time, the highest form of acting was being in a BBC period piece. In the States, the whole concept of Hollywood makes success feel unattainable.

She also discussed the importance of carving time for herself outside of her busy work schedule.

Strike a pose: Speaking about her glamorous red carpet appearances she said: The publicity side of things still feels a step away from who I really am, but Ive found a way to take the pressure off those moments by thinking of them like costume fittings.

Going from character to character can be addictive, and its hard to sit still when youre surrounded by so much inspiration, but Im very conscious of not leaning in to that exhaustion if I want to preserve my sanity.

February issue of the glossy magazine features a portfolio of 20 women blazing a trail both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Other visionaries featured include the Bafta CEO Jane Millichip, the actress Naomi Ackie and the composer Isobel Waller-Bridge.

The February issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from January 12
Model Elyse Knowles has celebrated a 'babymoon' in Thailand ahead of the birth of her second child.

The blonde beauty, 30, shared a series of stunning pictures to her Instagram page on Wednesday showing her exploring picturesque Thai beaches with her son Sunny and fiance Josh Barker.

In one photo, Elyse opted for a black bikini as she and little Sunny fed two pigs on the beach.

Model Elyse Knowles has celebrated a 'babymoon' in Thailand ahead of welcoming her second child. Pictured with son Sunny

Other snaps show baby piglets being fed by their mother and Sunny cuddled up with a puppy.

'Dump one of Thailand with twenty million adventures per day, cooking the little man and blowing his mind with memories,' she wrote.

Showing off her boho style, Elyse opted to let her blonde locks down, while chucking a bright blue dress and gold chain over her two-piece.

Meanwhile, Josh also styled himself in a beachy look with various outfits showing board shorts and T-shirts.

The blonde beauty, 30, shared a series of stunning pictures to her Instagram page on Wednesday showing her exploring picturesque Thai beaches with her son Sunny and fiance Josh Barker

In one snap, Elyse opts for a black bikini as she and little Sunny feed two pigs on the beach

The 30-year-old has been enjoying getaways this summer, recently sharing pictures from a trip to Byron Bay.

The expectant mother is halfway through her pregnancy, and has said Sunny is excited to become a big brother.

'Very, very grateful for baby number two,' she revealed earlier this year.

'Dump one of Thailand with twenty million adventures per day, cooking the little man and blowing his mind with memories,' she wrote. Josh and Sunny are pictured

The expectant mother is halfway through her pregnancy, and has said Sunny (pictured) is excited to become a big brother

The boho blonde confirmed the news on Instagram by sharing a photo of herself with her bump on show.

Together with fiance Josh Barker, they welcomed their first child, Sunny, in February 2021.

The child arrived shortly after their secret engagement.

Clearly making memories, other snaps show baby piglets being fed by their mother and Sunny cuddled up with a puppy (pictured)

The family-of-three made their way up to viewpoint to see more of the island

Prior to motherhood, Elyse and Josh won the 2017 season of Channel Nine renovation show The Block.

The reality stars moved from Melbourne to Byron Bay in 2019 seeking a quieter life.

In May 2020, they purchased a $2.3million beachside house in the NSW coastal town, which they have since renovated.
Neil Jones seemed in high spirits as he cosied up to girlfriend Chyna Mills at Quantus Gallery in London on Wednesday.

The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 40, and Love Island beauty, 24, posed arm-in-arm while looking at the exhibition by acclaimed blind braille artist Clarke Reynolds.

Neil cut a casual figure in a black hoodie and matching cargos which he teamed with trainers and a Burberry bumbag.

Loved-up: Neil Jones seemed in high spirits as he cosied up to girlfriend Chyna Mills at Quantus Gallery in London on Wednesday

Chyna cut a stylish figure in a black crop top and blue wide legged jeans as she posed at the The Power Of Touch exhibition, donning a long trench coat.

She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering heels and toted her belongings in a chic matching bag.

The reality star showed off her new hair transformation at the art gallery event after she ditched her long dark locks for a trendy buzz cut.

Having fun: The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 40, and Love Island beauty, 24, posed arm-in-arm while looking at the exhibition by acclaimed blind braille artist Clarke Reynolds

Chyna revealed she had been desperate to try out the chic new do for so long as she was showed fans the process in a video shared to Instagram earlier this week.

She looked completely shocked as she cut away at her tresses and held onto a big chunk of hair before a professional continued to snip away.

After a bit of more styling, and the final look was revealed she told fans that she had to 'trust the process and realise hair doesn't define me'.

Looking good: Neil cut a casual figure in a black hoodie and matching cargos which he teamed with trainers and a Burberry bumbag

Stunning: Chyna cut a stylish figure in a black crop top and blue wide legged jeans as she posed for photos donning a long trench coat

The reality star looked casual in the clip donning a black zip front bodysuit and minimal makeup to showcase her beauty.

Neil, who used to be married to his Strictly professional co-star Katya Jones, and Chyna took their relationship public in August last year when they enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris.

Their outing comes after Neil revealed he was left homeless in Finland when he was younger as he detailed how he 'used those low times' to find success.

All smiles: She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering heels and toted her belongings in a chic matching bag while posing with the gallery owners

The twinkle-toed star found himself at breaking point when he was just 16 after moving away from home to pursue a dancing career.

When he found himself unable to pay the bills, the BBC star ended up on the streets in a vulnerable position before a local charity helped him find accommodation.

Speaking for a new initiative on behalf of homeless charity Centrepoint, Neil detailed how he 'overcame the challenges' and used them to fuel his passion for dancer.

He said: 'My breakthrough moment was when a homeless organisation offered me safe accommodation and got me off the streets so I could focus on my dancing.

'Since then, I've used those low times to push me to succeed.'

The World Champion dancer, who has won 45 titles so far, only recently opened up about his experience being homeless and didn't even tell his own mum until two years ago.
They almost got married in Vegas just three days after they started dating.

But Married At First Sight groom Brent Vitiello and his influencer girlfriend Taylor Davey have decided to split after a seven-month whirlwind romance.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the former restaurant manager, 34, confirmed he and Taylor, 22, went their separate ways 'a while ago' but remain 'good friends'.

Married At First Sight's Brent Vitiello has confirmed he has split with his model girlfriend Taylor Davey after seven months together, but the pair remain 'good friends'

The confirmation comes less than 24 hours after it was reported by So Dramatic!.

A friend has since told Daily Mail Australia that despite Brent and Taylor parting ways, they are still amicable and 'still hang out'.

The couple began dating in May 2022 after he failed to find love on MAFS with bride Tamara Djordjevic.

They were last spotted together on November 29, when Taylor shared a loved-up photo of them together at an event in Sydney.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the former restaurant manager, 34, confirmed he and Taylor, 22, have went their separate ways 'a while ago' but 'remain good friends'

Just days earlier the pair were pictured posing for a wedding-themed photo shoot.

The hospitality specialist wore a black suit and white shirt, while his girlfriend stunned in a cut-out white gown and tiara by Monarque Jewels.

It comes after Brent revealed he almost married Taylor just two days after meeting her for the first time while on holiday in the United States.

They were last spotted together on November 29, when Taylor shared a loved-up photo of them together at an event in Sydney. Just days earlier the pair were pictured posing for a wedding-themed photo shoot (pictured)

The couple spoke about almost marrying on the podcast Where's Your Head At?, hosted by Love Island stars Anna McEvoy and Matt Zukowski.

The pair explained they had met in Las Vegas in May while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival, a famous electronic music festival.

After Anna remarked that it was cute how they 'fell in love in Vegas', Brent let slip: 'We almost got married in Vegas!'

The pair explained they had met in Las Vegas in May while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival, a famous electronic music festival

Anna yelled 'stop it!' and demanded they tell the story.

Brent said they felt an instant connection and genuinely wanted to marry at a drive-in chapel - and the only reason they didn't tie the knot was because he fell asleep.

Taylor added that a car accident was blocking the road to the chapel, which threw a spanner in the works.
Brooke Boney came perilously close to dropping the F-bomb live on the Today show on Thursday morning.

She was bleeped twice by the studio censor while interviewing author Mark Manson about his popular self-help book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k.

Although she held her tongue as she said the book's title, Channel Nine played it safe and bleeped her out just in case.

Brooke Boney (right, with Alex Cullen) came perilously close to dropping the F-bomb live on the Today show on Thursday morning

While the producers were no doubt just being careful, the bleeps had the opposite effect of making it appear as though Boney actually swore.

Wrapping up the interview, which was to promote the documentary based on the book, Boney said with a nervous smile: 'I love the book, can't wait for the movie. And you can watch The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k on all major digital platforms now.'

As her co-host Alex Cullen squirmed in his seat, Boney finished the segment by saying she hoped 'we're still on air after this break'.

The book that almost landed Boney in hot water has the subtitle 'A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life'.

She was bleeped twice by the studio censor while interviewing author Mark Manson (right) about his popular self-help book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k

It is a bestselling self-help manual by American blogger Manson which advocates letting go of the things that are out of one's control.

Since being published in September of 2016, the book has sold more than 15 million copies and spent almost 280 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list.

It has been adapted into a documentary by Nathan Price that is hosted by Manson.

Although she held her tongue as she said the book's title, Channel Nine played it safe and bleeped her out just in case. While the producers were no doubt just being careful, the bleeps had the opposite effect of making it appear as though Boney actually swore

According to IMDB: 'The film will explore society's obsessions with the pursuit of happiness and will be presented by Mark Manson alongside Disappointment Panda, a character from the book whose superpower is to tell people the harsh truth.'

Manson said he wanted to make the film as 'fun' and 'unexpected' as the book.

'I think part of what the made the book work was that it was very disruptive to the self-help genre  it was funny; it was irreverent; it was a little bit weird at times; it kept surprising them and doing unexpected things,' he told Variety.

'We wanted to bring that same principle to the film as well - have some crazy animations and fun footage and some things that are a little bit over the top and silly.'
The Mighty Ducks actor Shaun Weiss has spoken about his struggles in a rare TV interview, two years after overcoming a serious drug addiction.

The former child star, who shot to fame in 1992 playing Greg Goldberg in The Mighty Ducks and as Josh Birnbaum in the 1995 film Heavyweights, was hooked on methamphetamine and heroin for three years before finally getting sober in 2020.

Appearing on Today Extra on Thursday, the 44-year-old said he was grateful to have his life back, and thanked his former castmates for helping him through dark times.

The Mighty Ducks actor Shaun Weiss has spoken about his struggles in a rare TV interview, two years after overcoming a serious drug addiction. (Pictured left on Channel Nine's Today Extra on Thursday, and right in 1992's The Mighty Ducks)

'I'm feeling better than I have in years and being able to get back and do movies again is, like, just a dream come true,' he told co-hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell.

'I'll be honest, when all that stuff was going on, I really never thought that I'd be at a spot where I could look back at all that in my rear-view mirror. So to be able to be here now, I feel like I got a second chance,' he added.

Weiss insisted that, unlike other child stars who fell on hard times, Hollywood wasn't to blame for his downward spiral into drugs.

Appearing on Today Extra on Thursday, the 44-year-old said he was grateful to have his life back, and thanked his former castmates for helping him through dark times

'I'm feeling better than I have in years and being able to get back and do movies again is, like, just a dream come true,' he told co-hosts Sylvia Jeffreys (centre) and David Campbell (left)

'I think [my addiction] had less to do with Hollywood and a lot to do with other things,' he said.

'My depression is what led to my drug addiction, and I figured that out over a thousand hours of therapy.'

Weiss also praised the cast and crew of The Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights for inspiring him to reach sobriety, referring to them as his 'real-life family'.

'That support has really meant everything to me, because I just got to a spot where I really didn't care about myself as much. But I really didn't want to let all these people down that were pulling for me,' he said.

Weiss praised the cast and crew of The Mighty Ducks for inspiring him to reach sobriety, referring to them as his 'real-life family'. Pictured: the cast of D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)

He paid special tribute to fellow Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights star Aaron Swartz for putting together a video of both films' cast and crew wishing him well.

'That video really was overwhelming and really blew me away. I really needed that at that time, so those guys were there when I needed them,' he added.

Fans were left shocked in 2017 when Weiss' haggard and unrecognisable mug shot went viral after his arrest for petty theft.

Weiss (pictured in 2015) paid special tribute to fellow Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights star Aaron Swartz for putting together a video of both films' cast and crew wishing him well

At the time, he was living on the streets due to his drug addiction and had turned to a life of crime.

He spent 12 days in jail before being released due to overcrowding, but just five days later was arrested again and sentenced to 90 days in jail for meth possession.

Weiss was arrested again in January 2020, this time for residential burglary and being under the influence of methamphetamine.

Fans were left shocked in 2017 when Weiss' haggard and unrecognisable mug shot went viral after his arrest for petty theft. At the time, he was living on the streets due to his drug addiction

Weiss was last seen on the big screen in the 2008 motion picture Drillbit Taylor.

He is now set to return in the upcoming biopic Jesus Revolution, playing the role of a Vietnam veteran who is recovering from drug addiction.

If you or anyone you know struggles with drug addiction, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for confidential advice or Lifeline on 13 11 14 for substance abuse support
Bindi Irwin and her family are celebrating a special day with their furry friend.

The wildlife warrior, 24, posed in a photo with her pet pug Stella while giving her a bubble bath at home.

The photo, shared by her mum Terri Irwin, 58, showed Bindi kneeling on the bathroom tiles while snuggling up with the pampered pooch.

Bindi Irwin, 24, posed in a photo with her pet pug Stella while giving her a bubble bath in her home bath tub this week

Terri captioned the post, '#NationalBubbleBathDay'. At one point, a playful Stella appeared to lick a smiling Bindi's nose.

Several fans replied to the tweet to share their thoughts on the 'cute' snap.

'Sweet picture,' one follower wrote, while another added, 'Bathtime doggy.'

Bindi announced in 2016 that the family had adopted a pug puppy, which she named Stella, into their Queensland-based home.

Bindi's baby daughter Grace takes a bite of a snack as pug Stella watches on

Stella the pug is in fact Robert Irwin's dog, but that doesn't stop the family from spending plenty of time with the beloved pooch.

Bindi's daughter Grace Warrior seems to be bonding well with the pug at Australia Zoo.

In a sweet Instagram post shared last year, the mother of one is seen feeding her 22-month-old Grace a snack with Stella.

'Stella is forever hopeful that Grace will drop her snack' Bindi captioned her post at the time.

Bindi announced in 2016 that the family had adopted a pug puppy, which she named Stella, into their Queensland-based home

Stella is Robert Irwin's pug, but that doesn't stop the Irwin family from spending plenty of time with the beloved pooch

Fans found the cute moment hilarious, saying the photo of Grace bonding with Stella was 'priceless.'

'Grace is sooo cute!,' one follower wrote. 'Every dog wants you to drop food,' another added.

Grace gets along well with the Irwin's family pets, as well as the animals at Australia Zoo, seemingly following in her family's footsteps of becoming a wildlife conservationist.

Grace gets along well with the Irwin's family pets, as well as the animals at Australia Zoo, seemingly following in her family's footsteps of becoming a wildlife conservationist

Last year, the TV personality went for a walk with her husband Chandler Powell, 26, and baby Grace along with their other pooch, Piggy.

Meanwhile, Bindi has shared several photos of Grace bonding with the reptiles and Australian native animals at the zoo.

'Our girl is still admiring koalas,' Bindi shared in a post from April 26.
She has become one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood and often tops lists of the most beautiful women in the world.

But Margot Robbie's red carpet looks are missing the mark, according to online fashion snobs.

Her latest look, a custom Chanel gown worn to the Golden Globes on Tuesday, has been described as 'boring and bland', with keyboard warriors claiming her stylist must 'hate her' due to a string of red carpet flops.

She often tops lists of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, but Margot Robbie's red carpet looks are missing the mark, according to online fashion snobs. (Pictured at the Golden Globes)

Her latest look, a custom Chanel gown worn to the Golden Globes on Tuesday, has been described as 'boring and bland', with keyboard warriors claiming her stylist must 'hate her'

Despite topping best-dressed lists, many thought the soft pink crystal-embellished dress featuring a ruffled hem was 'boring and stale'.

Margot's choice of pink appears to be an homage to her upcoming role as Barbie in the upcoming Greta Gerwig-directed comedy, while the flapper style is likely a nod to her role in Babylon, which is set in the 1920s.

Despite the clear references to her projects, trolls were quick to criticise the look, with one writing: 'Imagine being Margot Robbie's stylist. Managing to make a woman as beautiful as her look bad. Wow. I'm sure it takes a lot of hard work and dedication'.

Her soft pink crystal-embellished dress featured a ruffled hem, and extra sparkle came in the form of a diamond broach pinned to the bodice

'Millennial pink chevron with a funfetti skirt? Margot Robbie just give me the stylist's number, I wanna talk,' wrote another.

'Nothing scares Margot Robbie fans more than the sentence "Margot Robbie is wearing Chanel,"' said one fashionista, referencing the actress's long-term collaboration with the French luxury fashion house.

The 32-year-old was named as a brand ambassador for Chanel in 2018, and has almost exclusively worn it on the red carpet since.

The 32-year-old was named as a brand ambassador for Chanel in 2018, and has almost exclusively worn it on the red carpet since - but not everyone is a fan of the collaboration

In the last five years, critics have heckled her outfits online, with many calling on her stylist Kate Young to 'free her' from the contract.

While no details of a formal contract have ever been made public, some speculated her deal with the brand had come to an end after she wore an emerald green Bottega Veneta dress to the Governors Awards in November, which was described as her 'best look ever'.

Days later, she was papped leaving a New York City hotel in a Proenza Schouler power suit and an oversized Bottega blazer.

In the last five years, critics have heckled her outfits online, with many calling on her stylist Kate Young to 'free her' from the contract

After experimenting with other brands at recent red-carpet events, Margot returned with a Chanel look at the Golden Globes this week, which disappointed some amateur fashionistas

She also wore a flowing charcoal Celine dress to the European premiere of Amsterdam in London in September, with fans taking to TikTok at the time to celebrate the 'end of her Chanel era'.

However, the I, Tonya star returned with a Chanel look at the Golden Globes this week, which disappointed some amateur fashionistas.

'Margot Robbie's stylist knows she would break the internet and everyone would be jealous of her as the most stunning woman in the world, so she lets her wear ugly outfits to protect us,' one fan joked.

'Margot's stylist knows she would break the internet and everyone would be jealous of her as the most stunning woman in the world so she lets her wear ugly outfits to protect us,' a fan said

'Margot Robbie's stylist deserves jail time,' said another.

'I see Margot Robbie's stylist hates her again,' commented one.

'It is my own fault for believing the rumours that Margot Robbie was out of her Chanel contract, but imagine my disappointment when I thought she was free, only to see her turn up to the globes in THIS,' said another.

While no details of her Chanel contract have ever been made public, some speculated her deal with the brand had come to an end after she wore an emerald green Bottega Veneta dress to the Governors Awards in November (pictured), which was described as her 'best look ever'

Margot Robbie (pictured) stole the show on at the Governors Awards in LA last month

According to British Vogue, the dress involved more than 750 hours of work with Chanel artisans creating the flared custom-made look inspired by Chanel's autumn 2022 haute couture collection, designed by creative director Virginie Viard.

'It was exciting working with Chanel to make this custom look,' Kate Young, Margot's stylist, told the fashion bible.

She explained the knockout dress was months-in-the-making process, with discussions about the ensemble starting last autumn.

'We met in September in Paris while we were all at a photo shoot.'

In 2020, celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut named Margot as his 'worst-dressed' Australian star in Hollywood. (She is pictured at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards)

'Somebody at Chanel obviously hates her,' Elliot joked at the time. (Margot is pictured at the Birds of Prey premiere in Mexico City in January 2020)

In 2020, celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut named Margot as his 'worst-dressed' Australian star in Hollywood.

The sartorial expert took part in an episode of The Lady Bunch, hosted by Rozalia Russian, where he dramatically asked the former Neighbours star to 'call him'.

'Your stylist is literally f**king torturing you. You look like an old wench!' he said.

One fan asked Elliot who he felt was the worst-dressed Australian celebrity. Elliot then said dramatically, 'Margot Robbie. Call me b***h!'

'Somebody at Chanel obviously hates her,' Elliot joked. 'She has the entire archive at her disposal and she's walking out in these old rags. B***h, no!'

Elliot is a Melbourne-based stylist with a number of high-profile clients.

They include Rebecca Harding, Phoebe Burgess and Elyse Knowles, Nadia Fairfax Kate Waterhouse, Karl Stefanovic and Shanina Shaik.
Actors Kim Hyun-joo, right, and Ryu Kyung-soo pose during a press conference for the film, "Jung_E" held in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Netflix





By Kwak Yeon-soo







Director Yeon Sang-ho and the cast of "Jung_E" paid tribute to legendary actor Kang Soo-youn during a press conference for the film held in Seoul, Thursday. Kang, 55, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in May 2022 while "Jung_E" was in post-production.







Yeon, the mastermind behind hit films and series such as "Train to Busan" (2016) and "Hellbound" (2021), revealed that Kang was the reason he wanted to turn "Jung_E" into a film.







Set in the post-apocalyptic 22nd century, "Jung_E" follows the story of Yoon Seo-hyun (Kang), a researcher at Kranoid Lab who clones the brain of an elite soldier called Jung_E to create a combat AI warrior in an attempt to end a civil war.







"At first, I didn't have the intention of creating this film. I was rather skeptical because it's a rare science-fiction genre and a small, personal story. Nobody wants to make a big-budget film that isn't epic and exceedingly entertaining," he said.







"One day, I was thinking about who might play the role of Yoon Seo-hyun if I turn this story into a film. Veteran actor Kang Soo-youn suddenly came to my mind. From then on, my desire to make this film grew."







The director recalled the thrilling moment when he offered Kang the role. He got her contact information through actor Yang Ik-june, with whom he met while filming "Hellbound," and sent her a long text message. However, she didn't reply.







"I got a call from her later and we talked for about 30 minutes. I was so nervous that I was sweating. I had pictured her as very aloof, but she was so easy to be around. Kang loved being on set and interacting with her co-stars. She arranged a lot of meetings in the middle of filming, which enabled the entire cast to get closer in real life," Yeon said.







Actor Kang Soo-youn in a scene from the film, "Jung_E" /Courtesy of Netflix





Actor Kim Hyun-joo, who stars as elite soldier Jung_E in the film, said there was a lot of pressure meeting Kang for the first time.







"I was slightly nervous when Kang came on set because I didn't know what she's going to be like. I had never met her in real life. She was so passionate about filmmaking. She will always be an icon to us all," she said.







Kim also talked about playing the role of combat AI warrior and having so many different parts in one role. In "Jung_E," she stars as both human in the past and AI robot in the present.







"The mechanics of switching like that were challenging," she said.







Ryu Kyung-soo, who plays the role of Kranoid Lab director Sang-hun, said Kang demystified herself straight way, which made him feel a lot less nervous about working alongside the movie legend.







"I shot about 90 percent of the film with Kang. She treated everyone with respect and it was an honor to act alongside her," he said.







"Jung_E" will debut on Netflix, Jan. 20.


Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger and Brian May led the tributes from the world of music following the shock death of iconic British rocker Jeff Beck aged 78.

The rock star, who just weeks ago finished touring with Johnny Depp, passed away 'peacefully' on Tuesday, his agent revealed on Wednesday night - after 'suddenly' contracting bacterial meningitis.

Black Sabbath star Ozzy, 74, who collaborated with Beck on 2022 single Patient Number 9 and A Thousand Shades, shared a poignant snap of the pair with Slash and Ronnie Wood.

He wrote: 'I cant express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckOfficials passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends and his many fans.

Tragic loss: Ozzy Osbourne led the tributes from the world of music following the shock death of iconic British rocker Jeff Beck aged 78

'It was such an honor to have known Jeff and an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, Patient Number 9. Ill remember him fondly. Long live #JeffBeck.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, 79, said: 'With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much' - alongside a video of the pair performing together.

Queen icon and fellow legendary guitarist Brian May, 75, posted: 'Gutted, so sad, to hear of Jeffs passing. He was the Guvnor. He was inimitable, irreplaceable - the absolute pinnacle of guitar playing.

'And a damn fine human being. Im sure I will have a lot to say, but right now . Just lost for words.'

Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, 79, who played alongside Beck in psychedelic rock band The Yardbirds and collaborated on 1966 instrumental, Beck's Bolero, posted a photo of Beck alongside an emotional message,

He wrote: 'The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions.

Forever loved: The rock star, who just weeks ago finished touring with Johnny Depp , passed away 'peacefully' on Tuesday, his agent revealed on Wednesday night - after 'suddenly' contracting bacterial meningitis (pictured 2011)

Much-missed: Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, 79, who played alongside one another in psychedelic rock band The Yardbirds and collaborated on 1966 instrumental, Beck's Bolero, posted a photo of Beck alongside an emotional message

Iconic: Beck is pictured in 1965 with his Yardbirds bandmates Chris Dreja, drummer Jim McCarty, lead vocalist Keith Relf and bassist Paul Samwell-Smith

Rockers: Beck is pictured with Robert Plant and Page in 1983

Rolling Stone: Frontman Mick Jagger shared a poignant tribute to his late friend

Queen icon: Fellow legendary guitarist Brian May branded Beck 'irreplaceable' in an Instagram tribute

Rod Stewart, 78, tweeted: 'Jeff Beck was on another planet . He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group

'And we havent looked back since . He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond.

'Jeff, you were the greatest, my man . Thank you for everything. RIP.'

Kiss icon Gene Simmons, 73, tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Beck has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.'

Musician Paul Young, 66, wrote: 'Devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic death of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck. He was loved by everyone in the know; the guitarists guitarist! My condolences to his family & friends RIP.'

Kiss icon Gene Simmons, 73, tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.'

Spandau Ballet rocker Gary Kemp, 63, wrote: 'An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him. From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique. Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us.'

Beck's family shared the heartbreaking news of his death on his Twitter page along with a picture of the star on stage with his trademark shades and guitar.

It comes just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished a transatlantic tour with Depp as they promoted their debut album '18'. The album is nominated for three Brit Awards in the UK.

RIP: Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood shared an emotional post

The pair became close friends in recent years and were seen drinking out in Britain together late last year.

A statement from Beck's agent read: 'On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's passing.

'After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.'

A representative for the man regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, said that Beck had been ill over the holiday period and passed away at a hospital close to his home in Surrey.

Beck is survived by his sixth wife, Sandra.

The pair married in 2005 when he was 61 and Sandra was 41 in Tunbridge Wells with Sir Paul McCartney among the guests.

Sandra designed the album cover artwork for Beck's collaboration with Depp, 18, which features the pair as teenagers on the cover.

Beck said of the sleeve: 'When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity. We would joke about how we felt 18 again, so that just became the album title too.'

Beck and Depp first met in 2016 and bonded over their love of guitars. They finally agreed to work on an album together in 2019.

Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera.

He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

'Jeff Beck is the best guitar player on the planet,' Joe Perry, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, told The New York Times in 2010. 'He is head, hands and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two.

Devastating: Pink Floyd star David Gilmour shared a beautiful throwback snap with Beck

Rock on: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi shared a post in memory of Beck

Beck was among the rock-guitarist pantheon from the late 60s that included Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

Beck won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - once with the Yardbirds in 1992 and again as a solo artist in 2009.

He was nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for his work on Ozzy Osbourne's Patient Number 9.

He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazines list of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.'

Beck played guitar with vocalists as varied as Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Joss Stone, Imelda May, Cyndi Lauper, Wynonna Judd and Buddy Guy.

He made two records with Rod Stewart - 1968's 'Truth' and 1969's 'Beck-Ola' - and one with a 64-piece orchestra, 'Emotion & Commotion.'

It comes just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished a transatlantic tour with Depp as they promoted their debut album '18'

The two played songs from the debut album they released together, titled '18', in New York in October

'I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you dont have too much of it. Its got to be in balance.

'I just saw Cirque du Soleil, and it struck me as complete organized chaos,' he told Guitar World in 2014. 'If I could turn that into music, its not far away from what my ultimate goal would be, which is to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.'

Beck career highlights include joining with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice to create the power trio that released 'Beck, Bogert and Appice' in 1973, tours with Brian Wilson and Buddy Guy and a tribute album to the late guitarist Les Paul, 'Rock `n Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul).'

Geoffrey Arnold Beck was born in Surrey, England, and attended Wimbledon Art College.

His father was an accountant, and his mother worked in a chocolate factory. As a boy, he built his first instrument, using a cigar box, a picture frame for the neck and string from a radio-controlled toy airplane.

He was in a few bands - including Nightshift and The Tridents - before joining the Yardbirds in 1965, replacing Clapton but only a year later giving way to Page.

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck performs during the Crossroads Guitar Festival at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, in June 2010

During his tenure, the band created the memorable singles 'Heart Full of Soul,' 'Im a Man' and 'Shapes of Things.'

Becks first hit single was 1967s instrumental 'Becks Bolero,' which featured future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and future Who drummer Keith Moon. The Jeff Beck Group - with Stewart singing - was later booked to play the 1969 Woodstock music festival but their appearance was canceled. Beck later said there was unrest in the band.

'I could see the end of the tunnel,' he told Rolling Stone in 2010.

Beck was friends with Hendrix and they performed together. Before Hendrix, most rock guitar players concentrated on a similar style and technical vocabulary. Hendrix blew that apart.

Beck pictured with fellow Rock God, Queen guitarist Brian May in 2006

'He came along and reset all of the rules in one evening,' Beck told Guitar World.

Beck teamed up with legendary producer George Martin - a.k.a. 'the fifth Beatle' - to help him fashion the genre-melding, jazz-fusion classic 'Blow by Blow' (1975) and 'Wired' (1976).

He teamed up with Seal on the Hendrix tribute 'Stone Free,' created a jazz-fusion group led by synthesizer player Jan Hammer and honored rockabilly guitarist Cliff Gallup with the album 'Crazy Legs.' He put out 'Loud Hailer' in 2016.

Becks guitar work can be heard on the soundtracks of such films as 'Stomp the Yard,' 'Shallow Hal,' 'Casino,' 'Honeymoon in Vegas,' 'Twins,' 'Observe and Report' and 'Little Big League.'

Beck pictured with his sixth wife Sandra Cash in 2008

Becks career never hit the commercial highs of Clapton. A perfectionist, he preferred to make critically well-received instrumental records and left the limelight for long stretches, enjoying his time restoring vintage automobiles.

He and Clapton had a tense relationship early on but became friends in later life and toured together.

'Because we were all trying to be big bananas,' Beck told Rolling Stone in 2010. 'Except I didnt have the luxury of the hit songs Erics got.' Beck is survived by his sixth wife, Sandra.

The pair married in 2005 when he was 61 and Sandra was 41 in Tunbridge Wells with Sir Paul McCartney among the guests.

Sandra designed the album cover artwork for Beck's collaboration with Depp, 18, which features the pair as teenagers on the cover.

Beck said of the sleeve: 'When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity. We would joke about how we felt 18 again, so that just became the album title too.'
Seb Guilhaus has clapped back at haters who flooded his Instagram with 'brutal' comments after he announced his OnlyFans collaboration with two porn stars.

The Married At First Sight hunk, 30, shared a video to Instagram Stories on Wednesday and he didn't mince words when slamming his critics.

'It's not okay to attack random people on social media. I deleted over 200 comments,' he said.

Seb Guilhaus has clapped back at haters who flooded his Instagram with 'brutal' comments after he announced his OnlyFans collaboration porn stars Audrey and Sadie (all pictured)

He said while he respected people's right to a different opinion, the nasty remarks directed at him and his co-stars Audrey and Sadie were uncalled for.

Seb added he had met some wonderful people through his OnlyFans collaborations.

'They're on the outer of societal norms. They're amazing, loving and creative.'

The Married At First Sight hunk, 30, shared a video to Instagram Stories on Wednesday and he didn't mince words when slamming his critics

It comes after Seb whipped his fans into a frenzy last week by teasing his latest OnlyFans collaboration with the two bombshell porn stars.

He posted a jaw-dropping photo to Instagram of himself topless, flexing his abs, with Audrey and Sadie.

Seb's post was soon inundated with comments, and many fans of the former reality TV star were far from happy.

'It's not okay to attack random people on social media. I deleted over 200 comments,' he said

'Seb, Seb, Seb... why have you gone down the rabbit hole. Very disappointing,' wrote one follower, before another added, 'Why oh why'.

'Just nasty,' scrawled another, alongside multiple vomit emojis, before a fourth quipped, 'Ohhhh dear'.

Last year, Seb spoke of the backlash he faced when he joined adult website OnlyFans back in April.

Last year, Seb spoke of the backlash he faced when he joined adult website OnlyFans back in April. Pictured: Seb with ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Sobinoff

The personal trainer makes explicit content for paying subscribers, which he says is empowering for him.

But Seb, who was portrayed as a goofy 'nice guy' on season seven of MAFS, told Adelaide Now the feedback hadn't been 100 per cent positive.

'I know it comes as a massive shock, especially from me,' he said, adding there shouldn't be 'stigma' around OnlyFans because sex is a 'natural part of life'.
Holly Willoughby looked effortlessly stylish as she stepped out for The Commitments press night at Wimbledon Theatre on Wednesday night with her husband Dan Baldwin.

The This Morning presenter, 41, wrapped up warm in a long black coat which she teamed with a fuchsia jumper for the outing.

She completed her casually chic look with a pair of high-waisted black trousers and chunky boots while strolling to the venue.

Chic: Holly Willoughby looked effortlessly stylish as she stepped out for The Commitments press night at Wimbledon Theatre on Wednesday night with her husband Dan Baldwin

Blonde beauty Holly accessorised her look with an across-the-body black bag and looked in great spirits as she beamed while arriving.

The TV star wore her short light tresses in loose waves and opted for a toned-down makeup look to show off her naturally pretty features.

Meanwhile Dan, 48, looked dapper in a dark grey coat, faded jeans and comfortable lace-up trainers.

Beauty: The This Morning presenter, 41, wrapped up warm in a long black coat which she teamed with a fuchsia jumper for the outing

Outfit: She completed her casually chic look with a pair of high-waisted black trousers and chunky boots while strolling to the venue

Holly's outing comes after she and Phillip Schofield angered viewers as they sulked while This Morning's wine experts enjoyed fondue in a hot tub in the Swiss Alps this earlier this week - after their own Christmas break.

Wine expert Helen McGinn and fashion writer Kat Farmer indulged in wine tasting while at luxury ski resort, while back in the London TV studio the anchors seethed with jealousy.

Sinking lower and lower into the sofa as the Boutique Hotel Glacier Swiss Alps segment went on, Holly and Phil were visibly bitter.

Happy: Blonde beauty Holly accessorised her look with an across-the-body black bag and looked in great spirits as she beamed while arriving

Wave: The TV star wore her short light tresses in loose waves and opted for a toned-down makeup look to show off her naturally pretty features

Out and about: Meanwhile Dan, 48, looked dapper in a dark grey coat, faded jeans and comfortable lace-up trainers

'I am so jealous' admitted Phil, with Holly added: 'I am absolutely dripping with envy. I don't know what I'm most jealous of: The wine, the scenery, the Swiss chocolate, the cheese.'

And although some This Morning fans saw the funny side of the interaction, many viewers were left unimpressed, with the hosts having just returned from their month-long winter break.

Holly enjoyed a 1,000-per-night family ski holiday at a luxury chalet in the French Alps over the festive period, while Phil visited Copenhagen, Denmark.

In good spirits: Holly seemed happy as she arrived at the theatre despite the rainy and windy conditions

One person tweeted: 'What are those two pulling faces for theyll have been on holiday during Xmas they had a month off #ThisMorning.'

Another fumed: 'Never at "Work" hardly BUT them two smarmy F***ers are jealous...it beggers belief !!! #ThisMorning.'

'Oh look at holly and Phil pretending to be jealous , 9 holidays a year and working for 2 and a half hours a day is just terrible #thismorning,' added a third.

Smart: Holly looked as chic as ever in her black and pink outfit as she walked along the pavement

Someone else tweeted: 'Holly & Phil looking p**sed off theyre not there despite just returning from the worlds longest Christmas break! #ThisMorning.'

'Holly and Phil sat there annoyed, not like you two cant afford to jet off at any time, spare a thought for those who cant afford to eat x #thismorning,' wrote an annoyed viewer.

'#ThisMorning Why is Phil and Holly pulling faces, especially Phil he's been in Belgium for nearly 3 weeks,' noted someone else.

Chilly: The husband and wife duo looked a little as they left later on in the evening together to go home

All smiles: Holly beamed despite the chilly weather as she followed her handsome husband Dan home

Heading in: They looked excited for the event as they went up the steps to get into the theatre venue

Some other This Morning fans were concerned about the juxtaposition of placing money-saving segments amid the cost-of-living crisis, alongside multiple luxury getaways.

One viewer tweeted: One minute @thismorning are sharing money saving tips to help ease the energy crisis and the next, they're showing two women in a hot tub in the alps tasting different wines. How tone deaf can they get.'

Someone else fumed: 'Aah & in between the horribly inappropriate luxury holiday & wine segments we have a gov. uk ad telling us its our fault our bills are high #ThisMorning.'

'Mauritius. Swiss Alps. Egypt. Do you know how to read? Specifically rooms. #ITV #ThisMorning,' wrote another.

Stars: Celebs Go Dating's Nadia Essex also made an appearance at the press event in a white coat

Leggy lady: TV's Hayley Palmer put on a very leggy display in a sparkly suit with skimpy shorts
Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne took a swipe at the latest season of The Bachelor on Wednesday as they mocked the Channel 10 show's dwindling budget.

The BBFs, who are both former Bachelor finalists, posted a mocking clip on the Instagram account of their podcast Life Uncut comparing the latest dates to the ones featured on last year's season.

In the video, which took the form of an 'expectation' vs 'reality' meme, they contrasted the extravagant adventures from Jimmy Nicholson's season with the humble 'tree-swing date' arranged for one of this year's suitors, Thomas Malucelli.

Brittany Hockley (left) and Laura Byrne (right) took a swipe at the latest season of The Bachelor on Wednesday as they mocked the Channel 10 show's dwindling budget

The video begins showing Jimmy, the 2021 Bachelor, taking his women on breathtaking dates, including jet skis, helicopters, hot air balloons and boats.

It then jumps to the 'reality' of this year's budget soirees, including one of Thomas taking a group of women vying for his heart on a date to a tree swing.

'Online dating aint looking so bad anymore,' the pair wrote in the caption.

The BBFs, who are both former Bachelor finalists, posted a mocking clip on Instagram comparing the latest dates (right) to the ones featured on last year's season (left)

The stars of season nine flocked to the comments section to mock the latest season, with Jimmy himself commenting: 'To be fair, I'm still paying off the debt for hiring all that stuff, so he's a smarter man than I am.'

Former contestants Holly Kingston and Lily Price also chimed in.

Holly, who is still dating Jimmy after he chose her as his winning girl, said: 'Look, it's far more realistic this year. We've gone from private plane dates to training-our-cat-to-use-the-loo dates. It's been a tough adjustment.'

The video begins showing Jimmy Nicholson, the 2021 Bachelor, taking his women on breathtaking dates, including jet skis, helicopters, hot air balloons and boats

Lily wrote: 'I just want to see everyone lose their minds over skydiving, and someone cry and win the alone time because she was brave. I thought skydiving was a rite of passage on this show.'

It comes as the matchmaking series struggles to hold onto its viewers as fears grown Channel 10 could finally swing the axe.

Despite a major shake-up and intriguing storylines, The Bachelors only pulled in 273,000 metro viewers during its second episode.

It then jumps to the 'reality' of this year's budget soirees, including one of Thomas Malucelli taking a group of women vying for his heart on a date to a tree swing

The tenth season premiere had a five-city metro audience of 309,000 viewers, with 405,000 viewers nationally.

With viewership at an all-time low, industry insiders are speculating that season 10's low numbers may be the nail in the coffin for the dating series.

A well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia the program is 'done and dusted' and will not be returning in any compacity in 2024.
Tamara Beckwith has discussed the effects getting older has had on her sex life, admitting her libido has gone down.

The TV personality, 52, who was regarded as one of the It Girls of the London social scene in the 90s, has been married to Italian construction heir Giorgio Veroni for 15 years.

Speaking about their love life, Tamara told The Sun's Fab Daily: 'Your libido, of course, goes down. Having sex is not a problem but you're just not thinking about it 24 hours a day.

Candid: Tamara Beckwith has discussed the effects getting older has had on her sex life, admitting her libido has gone down

'I don't wake up having fabulous sexual fantasies, much to my husband's dismay. He thinks I'm the only girl in the world who doesn't.'

Tamara added that she has also recently gained weight but said it's her own fault as she doesn't want to work out.

The star is mother to daughter Violet, 35, from a past relationship and shares Violet, 13, and son Vero, eight, with Giorgio.

Tamara added that relationships naturally change as time goes on, saying: 'But when you've been together for 20 years, is it the same anyway? It's not the same as when you're 25. I'm not sure getting old is something to rave about.'

Couple: The TV personality, 52, who was regarded as one of the It Girls of the London social scene in the 90s, has been married to Italian construction heir Giorgio Veroni for 15 years

However, Tamara insisted that Giorgio treats her like a 'queen' and she isn't allowed to pay for anything when they go out for dinner.

The socialite said she has no plans to go under the knife, insisting she's not as 'vain' as people might imagine.

Tamara was well known on the London social scene in the 90s where she partied alongside the likes of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Lady Victoria Hervey.

Tamara said: 'I don't wake up having fabulous sexual fantasies, much to my husband's dismay. He thinks I'm the only girl in the world who doesn't (pictured in April 2022)

The star has since changed her ways and is now always tucked in bed by 10pm or earlier.

Tamara added that she thinks her wild child tag was somewhat exaggerated as she never stayed out until it got bright.

Tamara was previously engaged to Sharon Stone's brother Michael before she got together with Giorgio, tying the knot in 2007.
Months after the first footage debuted at New York Comic Con in October, HBO Max has released the new trailer for Velma.

The new trailer (via HBO Max YouTube) reveals the origins of how Velma Dinkley (voiced by Mindy Kaling) assembles the Mystery Incorporated mystery-solving gang.

Fans won't have to wait long to see it either, with the first episode debuting on HBO Max on Thursday, January 12.

New trailer: Months after the first footage debuted at New York Comic Con in October , HBO Max has released the new trailer for Velma

First episode: Fans won't have to wait long to see it either, with the first episode debuting on HBO Max on Thursday, January 12

The trailer shows a number of shots of Velma, with her voice over revealing, 'My name is Velma Dinkley, and I've decided to finally share the bone-chilling events that drove me to assemble the greatest team of spooky mystery solvers ever.'

'This is my story, told my way,' the voice over adds, as we see Velma opening her gym locker as a dead girl falls out.

'She has no brain!' Velma says, as a girl next to her grunts, offended, but Velma explains, 'I'm not dissing her. She has no brain!' as the voice over continues, 'And it starts with a murder.'

Velma: The trailer shows a number of shots of Velma, with her voice over revealing, 'My name is Velma Dinkley, and I've decided to finally share the bone-chilling events that drove me to assemble the greatest team of spooky mystery solvers ever

Story: 'This is my story, told my way,' the voice over adds, as we see Velma opening her gym locker as a dead girl falls out

The trailer continues with Velma riding with Shaggy (voiced by Sam Richardson), telling him, 'If I can't convince people I didn't kill Brenda, I'm going to be arrested!'

Shaggy responds, 'I know, but I also know how to find out who did kill Brenda,' he adds, as he's seen entering a shady hotel room with a number of unsavory characters.

'I think it has something to do with drugs... which I hate,' Shaggy says, while Velma is seen approaching Fred (voiced by Glenn Howerton), though he doesn't recognize her.

Shaggy and Velma: The trailer continues with Velma riding with Shaggy (voiced by Sam Richardson), telling him, 'If I can't convince people I didn't kill Brenda, I'm going to be arrested!'

Hotel: Shaggy responds, 'I know, but I also know how to find out who did kill Brenda,' he adds, as he's seen entering a shady hotel room with a number of unsavory characters

'I have this disease where I can't recognize people who aren't hot,' Fred says, as Velma asks, 'Is it called rudeness?' though Fred protests, 'I have an illness!'

Velma then approaches Daphne (voiced by Constance Wu), who says, 'Why would I do that? We're not friends anymore. We're nemesises,' as Velma corrects, 'Nemeses.'

'And that's why,' Daphne says, while an announcement is made at their high school, 'Attention! For all you wondering why the police have not yet caught the serial killer, it's because it's a ghost.'

Illness: 'I have this disease where I can't recognize people who aren't hot,' Fred says, as Velma asks, 'Is it called rudeness?' though Fred protests, 'I have an illness!'

Nemeses: Velma then approaches Daphne (voiced by Constance Wu), who says, 'Why would I do that? We're not friends anymore. We're nemesises,' as Velma corrects, 'Nemeses'

Velma is seen with another man, reeling something up on a fishing pole, which is the iconic scuba diver ghost, the Ghost of Captain Cutler from the original Scooby-Doo series.

'Jinkies!' Velma screams, while another scene shows Fred wondering, 'Maybe it's one of those doors where you push a brick and it opens,' though Velma yells, 'Fred, wait!'

Sure enough, the brick does move... but the bricks all just collapse on them both.

Ghost: Velma is seen with another man, reeling something up on a fishing pole, which is the iconic scuba diver ghost, the Ghost of Captain Cutler from the original Scooby-Doo series

Collapse: Sure enough, the brick does move... but the bricks all just collapse on them both

The trailer winds down with a number of random shots including Daphne admitting she loves danger while Velma practices twerking in front of a mirror... but she breaks it, while Fred gets tazed.

Daphne tells Velma, 'You might have more success with this if you went in just a little less judgey,' though Velma retorts, 'OK, Daphne, I'm the brains of this operation, you're just the looks, style and effortless charm.'

'We do make a good team, don't we?' Daphne asks, while another shot shows Velma holding hands with another woman... as she clearly develops feelings for her.

Twerk: The trailer winds down with a number of random shots including Daphne admitting she loves danger while Velma practices twerking in front of a mirror... but she breaks it, while Fred gets tazed

Feelings: 'We do make a good team, don't we?' Daphne asks, while another shot shows Velma holding hands with another woman... as she clearly develops feelings for her

Velma then tells Shaggy, 'In this day and age, you can't speculate about someone's sexuality, unless they're famous or Peppermint Patty.'

The trailer features more action-packed shots of the gang protecting each other as Shaggy tells Velma, 'The rules feel a bit muddy.'

'Muddy? Oh, sorry I'm not a drunk on the verge of losing custody like every other woman solving murders these days,' Velma says.

Speculate: Velma then tells Shaggy, 'In this day and age, you can't speculate about someone's sexuality, unless they're famous or Peppermint Patty'

The final shot shows Shaggy and Velma at their school, with Velma saying, 'All our classmates are idiots, so let's assume they're high.'

Shaggy asks, 'You know what 420 is, right?' Velma answers, 'Um, yeah. It's code for adults who watch cartoons,' as the trailer comes to an end.

The voice cast also includes Ming-Na Wen, Weird Al Yankovic, Shay Mitchell, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, Cherry Jones and Wanda Sykes.
He has kept a low profile since being fully acquitted of historic rape charges in 2019.

And celebrated Australian actor John Jarratt was spotted on a rare public outing in Sydney on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old looked very different to his days on McLeod's Daughters and Wolf Creek as he went for a jog.

Australian actor John Jarratt was spotted on a rare public outing in Sydney on Tuesday (left)

The 71-year-old looked very different to his days on McLeod's Daughters and Wolf Creek

He dressed casually in a black T-shirt, navy shorts and sneakers for his run.

Jarratt looked quite different from his younger years as a thespian as he sported long grey hair and a beard.

He seems to be enjoying a quieter life these days after he went through a court ordeal in 2019 that ultimately saw him cleared of any wrongdoing.

The Wolf's Creek star dressed casually in a black T-shirt, navy shorts and sneakers for his run

Jarratt looked quite different from his younger years as a thespian as he sported long grey hair and a beard

He was found not guilty of raping his housemate more than 40 years ago.

Jarratt pleaded not guilty to raping the woman in 1976 at their Randwick house, which they shared with his wife Rosa Miano and at least one other person.

The Picnic at Hanging Rock star testified before the NSW District Court jury he was seduced into having consensual sex with the then-19-year-old woman.

'[She said] she found me attractive and, from there, there was, I feel, a seduction,' he told the NSW District Court in 2019.

He seems to be enjoying a quieter life these days after he went through a court ordeal in 2019 that ultimately saw him cleared of any wrongdoing

He was found not guilty of raping his housemate more than 40 years ago

'I, unfortunately, participated in that. I willingly had sex with her and she willingly had sex with me. It was consensual.'

Jarratt was charged after the woman went to police in late 2017.

But the jury of five men and seven women took just two hours to return the unanimous not-guilty verdict.

Watch the Iconic Series, McLeod's Daughters, only on Stan.

The Picnic at Hanging Rock star testified before the NSW District Court jury he was seduced into having consensual sex with the then-19-year-old woman

Jarratt was charged after the woman went to police in late 2017
Dakota Johnson has been criticized by PETA over a new Gucci campaign in which she's toting handbags made of reptile skins.

The 33-year-old actress, who has been named an official ambassador for the luxe label, is seen with expensive accessories, including handbags that are made of python and crocodile skins, which can cost up to $52,000 a bag.

PETA sent a letter to Johnson, acquired by TMZ, in which they told the Persuasion star her endorsement of products as such is 'extremely damaging,' noting a number of the ills of the industry.

The latest: Dakota Johnson, 33, has been criticized by PETA over a new Gucci campaign in which she's toting handbags made of reptile skins

'Crocodiles killed for their skins are often kept in filthy, crowded tanks on "crocodile farms,"' a rep for the animal rights organization said. 'Workers have been documented electroshocking crocodiles then attempting to kill them by cutting their necks and ramming metal rods down their spines.'

PETA said that 'to kill snakes for their skin, hunters invade their homes, often nail them to trees and then skin them alive before tossing them into a pile to die,' adding that 'snakes can suffer for days before succumbing to shock or dehydration.'

The organization noted that California law has banned the sale of the 'very goods [she's] promoting' due to the cruel methods involved in killing the snakes.

PETA asked the actress, who plays Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades Of Grey films, to 'pledge to stop wearing and promoting exotic-skin fashion items' and trade them out for vegan alternatives.

PETA sent a letter to Johnson in which they told the Persuasion star her endorsement of products as such is 'extremely damaging,' noting a number of the ills of the industry

PETA asked the actress, who plays Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades Of Grey films, to 'pledge to stop wearing and promoting exotic-skin fashion items' and trade them out for vegan alternatives

The daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson was seen in the newly-released ad campaign earlier this week in which she was seen toting a Jackie 1961 bag as she was seen in everyday situations such as visiting the gym, grabbing flowers and shopping for groceries

'There's really no excuse to support such a violent industry,' the organization said.

Gucci advertises the products on their website, noting that 'from distinct styles in crocodile to new favorites in python - Beloved lines like the GG Marmont, Dionysus, Gucci Horsebit 1955 and more are given refined canvases.'

The daughter of Melanie Griffith, 65, and Don Johnson, 73, was seen in the newly-released ad campaign earlier this week in which she was seen toting a Jackie 1961 bag as she was seen in everyday situations such as visiting the gym, grabbing flowers and shopping for groceries.

Gucci's latest ad rollout, which was snapped by British photographer Glen Luchford, drew creative inspiration from the way the paparazzi covered late former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Johnson told British Vogue, 'The Jackie is the perfect bag. Its a great size and is so chic.'
Peter Stefanovic looked every inch the doting father on Wednesday as he took his son Oscar for a swim at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

The Sky News First Edition co-anchor, 41, was seen spending some quality time with his little boy, who turns three next month.

Peter, who was not joined by his Channel Nine star wife Sylvia Jeffreys, carried Oscar along the beach before putting him down so they could walk hand-in-hand.

Peter Stefanovic looked every inch the doting father on Wednesday as he took his son Oscar for a swim at Bondi Beach, Sydney

As they reached the water's edge, the former 60 Minutes reporter held Oscar's hands as he jumped over the rolling waves.

Peter went shirtless in a pair of black boardshorts and slicked back his wet hair.

He later covered up with a blue towel wrapped around his waist and a black T-shirt with the The Strokes' logo printed in white.

The Sky News First Edition co-anchor, 41, was seen spending some quality time with his little boy, who turns three next month

Peter went shirtless in a pair of black boardshorts and slicked back his wet hair

The beach day came a day before Peter enjoyed a date night with his wife Sylvia.

The lovebirds, who married in April 2017, took in a performance at the Sydney Opera House on a balmy night in the Harbour City.

Sylvia shared photos of the pair as they enjoyed a drink together at Opera Bar, which overlooks the Harbour Bridge.

As they reached the water's edge, the former 60 Minutes reporter held Oscar's hand as he jumped over the rolling waves

Peter was not joined by his Channel Nine star wife Sylvia Jeffreys

He carried Oscar along the beach before putting him down so they could walk hand-in-hand

'Bae beneath the sails,' Sylvia wrote alongside a photo of her handsome husband.

Pete and Sylvia just returned from a holiday in Fiji with their sons, Oscar and Henry.

The couple began dating in 2013 after meeting as colleague at Channel Nine, and were engaged in 2016 while on holiday in France.

They tied the knot at the Ooralba Estate in Kangaroo Valley on April 1, 2017.

The journalist later covered up with a blue towel wrapped around his waist and a black T-shirt with the The Strokes' logo printed in white

Oscar was wrapped up in a bright multi-coloured towel

The beach day came a day before Peter enjoyed a date night with his wife Sylvia Jeffreys (right) at the Sydney Opera House
Celeste Barber has addressed the backlash over her parody of Emily Ratajkowski's G-string-clad photo shoot, saying she has no regrets about posting the video.

The 40-year-old comedian landed in hot water last year after the American model, 31, blocked her on Instagram to prevent her from mocking any more of her content.

It wasn't the first time Barber had received backlash over her treatment of female celebrities, but it was probably the most high-profile example of someone taking exception to her work.

Celeste Barber (right) has addressed the backlash over her parody of Emily Ratajkowski's G-string-clad photo shoot (left), saying she has no regrets about posting the video

The Aussie funnywoman told this month's Marie Claire she didn't mind the criticism.

'I like running my mouth off. I do it a lot. I'm quick-witted  it's one of my favourite things about me,' she told the magazine.

'I don't like that I feel I can't do that as much, and yeah I do feel like I censor myself sometimes. But then other times I don't give a f**k and I operate from a place of already being cancelled.

'I mean good luck to them. You can't win. They hate what you do one day, then you're the greatest thing in the world the next day.'

The 40-year-old comedian landed in hot water last year after the American model, 31, blocked her on Instagram to prevent her from mocking any more of her content

Barber drew criticism when she mocked a photo of Ratajkowski seductively leaning against a wall in nothing but a pair of tiny bikini bottoms.

'We are sick of you objectifying our bodies! Also, heres my a**,' she wrote in the caption, highlighting Ratajkowski's outspoken feminism as well as her habit of posting racy content online.

Later speaking on Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa, Barber said the Gone Girl actress was not too pleased with her parody.

It wasn't the first time Barber had received backlash over her treatment of female celebrities, but it was probably the most high-profile example of someone taking exception to her work

'I dont think Emily is a fan. Thats okay, shes allowed to not love it. But she blocked me,' she said.

Barber insisted she was 'fine' with Ratajkowski not appreciating her work because many other high-profile celebrities were huge fans.

'If Cindy Crawford's okay with it, I'm okay with it. Thanks to the greatest supermodel in the world, people are allowed not to like it,' she said.

'I like running my mouth off. I do it a lot. I'm quick-witted  it's one of my favourite things about me,' she told Marie Claire magazine

At the time of Barber's spoof, followers had mixed opinions of her work with some calling it hilarious and others accusing her of body-shaming.

'Misogyny is still misogyny even if youre the one making fun of women,' one follower commented.

The mother of two rose to stardom in the last few years with a series of hilarious viral videos mocking celebrities and influencers peddling fashion and wellness trends.
Hana Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo, center, poses with Google employees during his visit to Google's futuristic green complex in Silicon Valley, the Bay View campus, Jan. 6. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



By Yi Whan-woo



Hana Financial Group said Thursday Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo visited Google and Nvidia  the two Silicon Valley companies the Korean banking group wants to emulate on its path to digital innovation.



The trip came after the chairman, joined by the Korean banking group's young employees, toured the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 in Las Vegas to get a better glimpse of the latest digital technology and future of digital finance. The CES 2023 took place from Jan. 5 to 8.



"The Silicon Valley trip gave us the chance to learn about the corporate culture of Google as a global tech giant and also to experience the pioneering digital technology of Nvidia as a leader in artificial intelligence-based computing systems," Hana Financial Group said.





Hana Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo, left, experiences a four-dimensional space visualized on a screen during his visit to Nvidia's headquarters in Silicon Valley, Jan. 6. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



Concerning Google, Ham toured its Bay View campus, a futuristic green complex that the American tech giant opened in May 2022.



The campus is designed to offer new, flexible ways for Google employees to work and interact in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has transformed in-person work and prompted the rise of remote work driven by digital technology.



Situated on 42 acres (169,967 square meters) of land in Silicon Valley, Calif., the campus consists of 20 acres of open space along with two office buildings, an event center, and short-term employee accommodation units.



The campus operates on carbon-free energy 90 percent of the time, through the "dragonscale" solar-powered roof that can generate 40 percent of its electricity, as well as nearby wind farms.



To heat and cool the buildings, the campus also houses the largest geothermal pile system in North America, which is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by almost 50 percent and water used for cooling by 90 percent.



"The chairman met Google employees in person and underscored that Google and Hana have a shared vision in a way that the former is committed to systemizing every bit of information around the world for everyone's convenience, while the latter is committed to digitally-connected financial services for everyone," the Korean company said.



Ham paid special attention to Google's code of conduct  "Respect the user, respect the opportunity, respect each other"  and discussed with Google employees how such a code can help them built trust, work as a team and achieve their goal.





Hana Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo, right rear, listens to an Nvidia executive explaining Nvidia's digital technology during his visit to the U.S. graphics chipmaker's headquarters in Silicon Valley, Jan. 6. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
No Place Like Home

Rating: ****

Billion Dollar Downfall: The Dealmaker

Rating: **

Celebrities delving into their past on ancestry shows are expected to get tearful over the ordeals suffered by Victorian forebears.

Victoria Derbyshire remained sensibly dry-eyed as, walking the postcodes where she grew up, on No Place Like Home (C5), she learned about a great-great-aunt who worked in the Lancashire cotton mills as a child.

Mary Ellen Mulrooney lived to be 92, and Victoria's mum, Pauline, remembered meeting her. But as a girl of 13, Mary Ellen was a cotton winder in the factories beside the Rochdale Canal, risking her life to keep the machinery fed with thread. It was grim, dangerous work.

Victoria saved her tears. There was a sense of real grief hanging over her explorations, echoes of a much more recent pain.

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Victoria Derbyshire remained sensibly dry-eyed as, walking the postcodes where she grew up, on No Place Like Home (C5) , she learned about a great-great-aunt who worked in the Lancashire cotton mills as a child

We glimpsed it at the beginning when Victoria and her mum sat on a bench outside the house in Bury where they lived in the 1970s. Both women spoke with lumps in their throats. Pauline had 'mixed feelings,' her daughter said. Her husband was 'capable of violence'.

She touched on it again, when she learned about the nearby tannery, a base set up by the Adler & Oppenheimer company before World War II to give work to Jewish refugees from Germany.

Some of those who fled the Nazis settled in the same house where Victoria and her parents later lived. Even then, it was plain from her reticence that she felt ambivalent about her childhood.

Her emotional wall broke when she visited a hillside cairn, a memorial to a woman named Ellen Strange who was murdered in 1761 by her drunken husband.

It has become a tradition to lay a stone there in memory of other victims. Victoria read some of their names aloud and welled up.

'When I was growing up,' she said, 'experiencing domestic abuse, I never knew what domestic abuse was. No one talked about it, it was a shameful thing. And for me, it was quite a normal part of my upbringing.'

'Now, at least, people talk more about it. There is less stigma. It is significant and important that people like Ellen Strange are remembered, because it reminds us that this has been going on for too long.'

Victoria's journey around the outskirts of Manchester worked to loosen and free her memories. Her estranged father, Anthony, died in 2020, and talking about her abusive childhood is clearly difficult.

With such a lot of buried history to uncover, this show could have concentrated more on her family and included fewer frivolous items, such as her first taste of black pudding at Bury market. 'Very pleasantly surprised,' she said tactfully. The real surprise is how effective a stroll around familiar streets can be at stirring the emotions. This series is starting to look really promising.

Billion Dollar Downfall: The Dealmaker (BBC2) might have been a lot more promising if the producers had been able to coax an interview from the central character, money man Arif Naqvi, instead of relying on the maudlin monologues he recorded on his mobile phone.

Naqvi is under house arrest, facing trial on charges of fraud and money laundering. As the head of a private equity firm that specialised in investments in the developing world, he is accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars out of the business.

But financial journalists investigating the collapse of his firm had to be circumspect in their allegations. Naqvi's luxury life of yachts and Dubai mansions was barely visible. Too much of this story lies beneath the surface for it to be worth telling yet.

Billion Dollar Downfall: The Dealmaker (BBC2) might have been a lot more promising if the producers had been able to coax an interview from the central character, money man Arif Naqvi. Pictured is Shahid Abbasi

Grotty studio of the night: The set for Gordon Ramsay's 'toughest cooking competition ever', Next Level Chef (ITV), is like a multi-storey car park  with kitchens stacked in three badly lit layers.

The place looks like it smells dank.

And I wouldn't fancy eating anything that had been in the lift.
Jessica Alves showcased her jaw-dropping curves in a black and white striped jumpsuit as she arrived in the UK from Turkey on Wednesday.

The TV personality, 39, displayed her new XXL bun implants in the figure hugging number as she posed for cameras.

She added a black cropped fur jacket over the plunging one piece as she showed off her slim waist by cinching it in with a chunky coordinated belt.

Incredible: Jessica Alves showcased her jaw-dropping curves in a black and white striped jumpsuit as she arrived in the UK from Turkey on Wednesday

Jessica styled her long blonde tresses pulled back in a checked headband as they cascaded past her bust.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star opted for a chic pair of black ballet pumps and toted her belongings around in a designer suitcase and matching cabin bag.

She applied a full face of makeup to show off her beauty including fluttering lashes and bronzed cheeks.

Peachy: The TV personality, 39, displayed her new XXL bun implants in the figure hugging number as she posed for cameras

Dressed to impress: She added a black cropped fur jacket over the plunging one piece as she showed off her slim waist by cinching it in with a chunky coordinated belt

Jessica beamed as she stopped off at a supermarket to pick up a meal deal after her travels.

The trip to Turkey comes after she insisted she's not having any more elective surgery in 2023 after her bum implants were 'displaced'.

Jessica told MailOnline she is feeling 'much better now' and is 'able to walk' and do things normally again after her surgery.

She had her implants replaced from 625cc to 1050cc and a nose job in a successful round of surgery five weeks ago in Istanbul, Turkey.

Home time: Jessica styled her long blonde tresses pulled back in a checked headband as they cascaded past her bust

Sensational: The former Celebrity Big Brother star opted for a chic pair of black ballet pumps and toted her belongings around in a designer suitcase and matching cabin bag

However, Jessica revealed that her butt implants became 'displaced' after she got up too soon while she was still recovering from surgery.

The TV star said: 'The guide lines from the doctor was not to sit down for too long in the next 3 weeks, no sex for 4 weeks, no gym for 3 month and no dancing for 8 weeks.

'Due to going to a Xmas Party and dancing too much it [1050 cc implant] moved out of place. Now my New Years Eve is also ruined as I will spend it in bed at a hotel in Istanbul.'

Jessica previously said she would have to stay in bed for 30 days after the surgery on her doctor's orders, but experienced issues when she got up and about too soon.

Hungry: Jessica beamed as she stopped off at a supermarket to pick up a meal deal after her travels

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Jessica said she was left in a lot of 'pain' after her implants 'displaced' but said her surgeon kindly booked her in to fix the implants.

But Jessica admitted she was feeling 'low' because she will be unable to fly back to Brazil to be with her family for Christmas, as she will be going back under the knife.

'I am at my home in London feeling very low and upset also terribly lonely. I'm so lonely, I just can't take it anymore.'

Speaking about the surgery itself, Jessica said it was a 'success' and she had 'superb results' but ended up 'displacing' her implants when she went out at a party in Milan during the healing process.

No more surgery: The trip to Turkey comes after she insisted she's not having any more elective surgery in 2023 after her bum implants were 'displaced'

She explained: 'Last weekend I was in Milan and I went to a party where I was dancing and wearing high heels I was feeling fine then.

'I assumed that I was 100 per cent healed but the next day, I couldn't walk properly and in the shower I notice a massive volume in my bum.

'I flew back to London in pain and thinking how I would tell my family, who are now all in Brazil waiting for me to arrive for Christmas, that I have a problem with my body and I can't fly 12 hours down to Sao Paulo.'

Jessica said her surgeon luckily agreed to see her over Christmas to sort her 'displaced' butt implants, but expressed her upset over not being able to see her family.

Ouch! Jessica recently revealed that her butt implants became 'displaced' after she got up too soon while she was still recovering from surgery

'I talked to my family in Brazil who are all devastated and will spend Xmas without me,' she added.

Jessica had previously told MailOnline that she was undergoing a second XXL bum implant surgery and said she hoped it would be her last operation.

Ahead of the November surgery, she said: 'My aim with this surgery is to look more feminine and curvy changing my 625cc butt implants for a 1025cc implants.

Operation: The TV personality had her implants replaced from 625cc to 1050cc and a nose job in a successful round of surgery five weeks ago in Istanbul, Turkey

'This should be my last surgery for now until one day when I need a full face lift again.'

'After this surgery I will have to be in bed for 30 days and I won't be able to sit on my bum in order to heal. The implants are placed under the muscles,' she added.

Jessica has already spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on cosmetic surgery in a quest to change her appearance.

Despite previously saying she would now only embark on 'maintenance' surgeries, Jessica then went under the knife once again.

Sad|: Jessica's New Year's Eve was ruined as she was forced to spend it alone in a hotel room in Istanbul

She also recently had gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey to help her lose weight after gaining pounds in lockdown due to hormone therapy.

Jessica revealed she has only '20 per cent' of her stomach left after undergoing the surgery in June.

It comes after comes after Instagram recently took down her page due to her raunchy lingerie snaps.

Boasting 6.8million followers on the social media platform, Jessica told MailOnline that she managed to get the account back after being taken down for 12 hours.

Sadness: Jessica was unable to fly back to Brazil to be with her family for Christmas because she was getting her implant replacement re-done

She said: 'It was very alarming when I was suddenly logged out from my page. It is where I keep in touch with friends around the world and fans.

'I was devastated when I realised that Instagram took my page down over some tasteful images of me in lingerie.

'Britney Spears, Madonna and The Playboy page posts daring images and videos which I love and find really inspirational.

'My Instagram page is mainly images taken for shoots that I do for magazines or a fashion Brand Collaboration such as Fashion Nova where I am a Brand Ambassador.

'As much as I have a big following I try not to spend so much time of my day on Instagram as it can be timing consuming.

'I do have a very normal life, my weekly and daily routine consists of going to the gym everyday, hair salon twice a week, groceries shopping, cleaning and cooking, and I go out only once a week to catch up with friends.'

OnlyFans model Jessica recently revealed that she has managed to make over a million pounds through her provocative photos on the subscription site.
A major movie star was worlds away from his usual chiselled good looks on the set of new HBO TV series The Sympathizer this week.

The leading man, 57, has shown off his movie star looks in Marvel movies but for his latest role he's practically unrecognizable, sporting a red wig with a receding hairline.

But can you guess who it is?

Unrecognizable: A major movie star was worlds away from his usual chiselled good looks on the set of new HBO TV series The Sympathizer this week

It's Robert Downey Jr.

The actor was seen sporting a curly red wig with a receding hairline, which comes months after he shaved his head to accommodate the wigs.

He was seen wearing a white t-shirt under a pink button-down shirt and a maroon coat as he walked through the set.

The Iron Man star completed his look with blue slacks and brown dress shoes for the day on set.

It was reported in November that Downey Jr. will play 'multiple supporting roles as the main antagonists in The Sympathizer, all of whom represent a different arm of the American establishment,' with the actor confirming in a December interview he is, 'literally playing five different roles.'

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr, 57, has shown off his movie star looks in Marvel movies but for his latest role he's practically unrecognizable

Robert's look: The actor was seen sporting a curly red wig with a receding hairline, which comes months after he shaved his head to accommodate the wigs

The project was first announced back in July 2021, when Downey Jr. signed on to star in and executive produce the project, which is adapted from the 2015 debut novel from Vietnamese-American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen.

The series will follow a character simply known as The Captain (Hoa Xuande), a half-French half-Vietnamese spy, who has found himself in exile in Los Angeles in the final days of the Vietnam War.

The Captain is described as, 'a man of two minds and dual identities, the Captain is caught between conflicting loyalties, contradicting desires, and is ultimately forced to confront what it means to sympathize.'

New role: The project was first announced back in July 2021, when Downey Jr. signed on to star in and executive produce the project, which is adapted from the 2015 debut novel from Vietnamese-American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen

Downey will be portraying the main antagonists, who all represent, 'the American establishment,' which will include, 'an up-and-coming Orange County congressman, a CIA agent and a Hollywood film director,' according to the original July 2021 report.

The cast also includes Fred Nguyen Khan as Bon, the Captains childhood friend, Toan Le as The General, the larger-than-life former leader of the South Vietnamese Secret Police, Vy Le as Lana, the rebellious daughter of the General and Alan Trong as Sonny, the idealistic former classmate of the Captain and now the editor of a Los Angeles Vietnamese-language newspaper.

Sandra Oh also plays Ms. Sofia Mori, described as, 'a liberated feminist who in the midst of a love triangle,' Kieu Chinh as the Major's mother and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen as Madame, 'the General's wife and elegant and commanding matriarch.'

Antagonist: Downey will be portraying the main antagonists, who all represent, 'the American establishment,' which will include, 'an up-and-coming Orange County congressman, a CIA agent and a Hollywood film director,' according to the original July 2021 report

Downey will executive produce with his wife Susan Downey, with Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) creating the series while serving as showrunner and director as well.

While Downey has had small screen roles in the past including Ally McBeal, this will be his first major TV starring role in his illustrious career.

He also stars in the upcoming All-Star Weekend, directed by Jamie Foxx, though that doesn't have a release date yet.
Sunrise has drawn mixed feedback from viewers after airing a 'childish' skit about Prince Harry's best-selling memoir Spare on Wednesday.

During the 'story time'-themed segment, host Matt Doran read aloud an extract from Spare while his colleagues pretended to listen intently.

Fellow anchor Monique Wright lay on the couch with her head on newsreader Mylee Hogan's lap, while sportscaster Mark Beretta rested on his elbow.

Australian breakfast show Sunrise has drawn mixed feedback from viewers after airing a 'childish' skit mocking Prince Harry's best-selling memoir Spare on Wednesday. (Pictured L-R: Sunrise hosts Mylee Hogan, Monique Wright, Matt Doran and Mark Beretta)

'Soon after we returned to Britain, the Palace announced that Willy [Prince William] was going to marry,' Doran read, as easy-listening music played in the background.

'And then what?' Wright asked in mock excitement.

'He calls him Willy, interesting!' Doran remarked, dripping with sarcasm, as Beretta agreed: 'Yeah, that's new!'

Monique Wright (pictured) lay on the couch with her head on newsreader Mylee Hogan's lap as Matt Doran read aloud an extract from Spare

Wrapping up the show, Wright joked: 'See you tomorrow, everyone. We'll still be here!'

Some viewers were unimpressed by the light-hearted segment, branding it 'childish' and requesting they scrap any discussions about Harry in the future.

'I hate this show. So dumb and childish', one wrote on Facebook.

Another added: 'How childish you lot are, get a life. Give Harry a rest for God's sake. Sick of hearing all the bashing of him.'

Wrapping up the show, Wright joked: 'See you tomorrow, everyone. We'll still be here!'

Some viewers were unimpressed by the light-hearted segment, branding it 'childish' and requesting they scrap any discussions about Harry's memoir Spare (pictured) in the future

However, there were plenty of positive responses too, with one fan commenting: 'You guys are awesome. Enjoyed the laughs. Mon, you crack us up.'

'Should have taken your shoes off, Mon, then you would have been much more relaxed! Love your story-telling, Matt, read so eloquently!' another said.

The Duke of Sussex's headline-grabbing autobiography offers a trove of controversial revelations about his wilder years, including admissions about his past drug use and mental health battle.

The Duke of Sussex's headline-grabbing autobiography offers a trove of controversial revelations about his wilder years, including admissions about his past drug use and mental health battle. (Pictured: Harry and Meghan Markle in New York City on November 10, 2021)

It also includes claims the Prince of Wales physically attacked Harry and teased him about his panic attacks, and that the King put his own interests above Harry's and was jealous of the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales.

Harry, who was known as 'Captain Wales' in the military, also wrote that he killed 25 Taliban fighters during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He said did not think of those killed 'as people' but instead 'chess pieces' he had taken off the board.
Channel Seven has capitalised on the publicity blitz surrounding Prince Harry's explosive new memoir by screening a made-for-TV movie about his love story with wife Meghan Markle.

The 2019 film Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal aired between 12pm and 2pm on Thursday, just days after Seven broadcast Harry's interview with ITV's Tom Bradby.

Becoming Royal is the second installment of the 'Harry & Meghan' Lifetime films, and continues the love story of the Sussexes during their first year of marriage.

Channel Seven has capitalised on the publicity blitz surrounding Prince Harry's explosive new memoir by screening a made-for-TV movie about his love story with wife Meghan Markle. (Pictured: Charlie Field and Tiffany Smith in 2019's Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal)

Its release came after the first movie in the trilogy, 2018's Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, and was followed by 2021's Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace.

Days earlier, Seven viewers had watched Harry's sit-down with his good friend Bradby, which was recorded for ITV and syndicated around the world.

During the 90-minute interview promoting his new book, Harry sensationally accused his family of being 'complicit' in the 'pain and suffering' inflicted on his wife and compared them to 'abusers'.

The 2019 film Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal aired between 12pm and 2pm on Thursday, just days after Seven broadcast Harry's interview with ITV's Tom Bradby

Becoming Royal is the second installment of the 'Harry & Meghan' Lifetime films, and continues the love story of the Sussexes during their first year of marriage

Its release came after the first movie in the trilogy, 2018's Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, and was followed by 2021's Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace

He suggested they helped to 'trash' his and Meghan's reputations, forcing them to move to California, and have 'shown no willingness to reconcile'.

While he accused his family of 'getting in bed with the devil', he conceded they were not racist, although he believes them guilty of 'unconscious bias'.

Harry was not paid for the interview, which first aired in the UK on Sunday and saw him alternate between answering Bradby's questions and reading sections from his memoir.

Days earlier, Seven viewers had watched Harry's sit-down with his good friend Tom Bradby (right), which was recorded for ITV and syndicated around the world

During the 90-minute interview promoting his new book, Harry sensationally accused his family of being 'complicit' in the 'suffering' inflicted on his wife and compared them to abusers

In a later interview with CBS's Anderson Cooper in the U.S., Harry also had harsh words for Camilla, whom he accused of being a 'villain' who 'needed to rehabilitate her image' at the expense of his own reputation.

He added that she was 'dangerous' and leaking stories to the media in a bid to get the crown.

Neither the ITV or CBS interviews did particularly well in the TV ratings in Australia, drawing less than half the audience that watched Harry and Meghan's tell-all with Oprah Winfrey back in March 2021.
50 Cent says he's sorry to Megan Thee Stallion after past public statements expressing his skepticism that she told the truth about her experiences with Tory Lanez, who was found guilty last month of shooting her in 2020.

The 47-year-old musical artist, appearing on Big Boy's Neighborhood on Real 92.3 in a clip published Wednesday, said that he was wrong in his initial assessment of the situation.

'I'm gonna apologize to Megan Thee Stallion,' the If I Can't rapper said, 'I said some things, and it was because  on social media I posted things that - when she was with Gayle [King] - she said, "Were you intimate with Tory Lanez?"

The latest: 50 Cent, 47, says he's sorry to Megan Thee Stallion, 27, after past public statements expressing his skepticism that she told the truth about not having been intimate with Tory Lanez, 30, who was found guilty last month of shooting her in 2020

'And she said, "What?" and it was like, "No." And I was like, "Ah, she lying." At that point I knew she was lying, it wouldn't be no reason for them to be around each other. From that, it felt like she was lying, to me.'

The rap artist, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, said that he began to feel like he 'should apologize to her' after listening to the jailhouse conversation that took place between Lanez and Megan's one-time friend Kelsey Harris.

The Candy Shop artist said 'That made me feel like, 'Oh s***, now I know what happened; I'm sure that was probably what swayed people in court too.'

50 Cent had past posted a meme on social media last month in which he likened Megan to Jussie Smollett, who was convicted last year over in lying about the circumstances of a 2019 attack in Chicago.

The musical artist said that he was wrong in his initial assessment of the situation

The rap artist, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, said that he began to feel like he 'should apologize to her' after listening to the jailhouse conversation that took place between Lanez and Megan's one-time friend Kelsey Harris

50 Cent had past posted a meme on social media last month in which he likened Megan to Jussie Smollett, who was convicted last year over in lying about the circumstances of a 2019 attack in Chicago

Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison after his conviction on multiple charges in the July 2020 shooting.

They include assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He is slated to be sentenced January 27.

Rapper Soulja Boy has been vocal against Lanez, wishing him harm during his incarceration and threatening to batter him when he is released from custody.
Adrien Brody spent his Wednesday afternoon grabbing lunch with his mother, famed photographer Sylvia Plachy.

The 49-year-old actor was spotted in Studio City, California with his 79-year-old mother after the lunch date.

The mother and son were seen walking arm-in-arm, as Brody prepares for the release of his new series Poker Face, debuting later this month on Peacock.

Adrien and Sylvia: Adrien Brody spent his Wednesday afternoon grabbing lunch with his mother, famed photographer Sylvia Plachy

Brody stepped out wearing a navy blue stocking cap and a white t-shirt under a light grey coat.

He was seen holding his phone while locking arms with his mother as they left their lunch date.

The Oscar-winning actor completed his look with grey pants and white New Balance sneakers for the outing.

Adrien's look: Brody stepped out wearing a navy blue stocking cap and a white t-shirt under a light grey coat

His mother Sylvia, who was born in Hungary before her family immigrated to New York City, stepped out in all black.

She donned a black shirt under a black leather coat carrying a large black purse with black pants and black shoes.

The outing comes as Brody is coming off a busy year in 2022, starring as Pat Riley in the hit HBO series Winning Time, along with two movies - See How They Run and the controversial film Blonde.

Busy: The outing comes as Brody is coming off a busy year in 2022, starring as Pat Riley in the hit HBO series Winning Time, along with two movies - See How They Run and the controversial film Blonde

He'll start 2023 on a busy note as well, starring in the new Peacock series Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne, from creator Rian Johnson (Glass Onion, Knives Out).

Brody will also be part of the star-studded ensemble of Wes Anderson's new film Asteroid City, slated for release on June 23.

He also has Manodrome and El Tonto both completed, though no release date was given for either project.

Poker face: He'll start 2023 on a busy note as well, starring in the new Peacock series Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne, from creator Rian Johnson (Glass Onion, Knives Out)

Brody made headlines last year when, nearly 20 years after his historic Best Actor win for The Pianist, he reveals he was asked by three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson to boycott the ceremony.

Brody still holds the record as the youngest Best Actor winner ever (29 years old) for his towering performance as Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman in The Pianist.

The actor, now 48, opened up about the experience in a wide-ranging interview with Sunday Times, where he revealed Nicholson asked all of the nominees to sit out the ceremony in response to the United States' invasion of Iraq, just weeks before the telecast.
Brad Pitt's new beau Ines De Ramon looked casual cool while stepping out in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old jewelry designer flashed a hint of her toned midriff in a white crop top and trendy blue jeans with paint splatters, as she chatted with a gal pal.

Her outing comes the day after her beau, 59, lost out in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his performance in Babylon to Ke Huy Quan at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Casual cool: Brad Pitt's new beau Ines De Ramon looked casual cool while stepping out in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Ramon paired her chic casual look with a cozy white cardigan sweater. The beauty accessorized with a pair of sunglasses and wore her brunette tresses parted in the middle and styled in light waves.

Despite losing at the Golden Globes, Pitt still appeared too have a good time and was inundated with loving messages from his famous peers, including Austin Butler and Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson, who mentioned him in their acceptance speeches.

The actor was in high spirits throughout the night and exchanged laughs with Babylon co-star Margot Robbie, who sat next to him.

Trendy gal: The 30-year-old jewelry designer flashed a hint of her toned midriff in a white crop top and trendy blue jeans with paint splatters

Meanwhile it was revealed last month that the Interview With A Vampire star and Ines are 'officially dating.'

And the duo rang in the New Year at Cabo San Lucas in Mexico together. Brad 'is not seeing anyone else right now' and is 'very happy' with Ines, People's source revealed.

'They are dating and having fun,' a source told People. 'They have a good thing going on. There is no stress,' the insider said, adding: 'Brad is enjoying it.'

'He is spending more time with Ines,' they added.

Lost out: Her outing comes a day after her beau, 59, lost out in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his performance in Babylon, at the 80th Golden Globe Awards; Pictured at the event with Colin Farrell

In December, Brad and Ines were seen laughing and embracing at his 59th birthday party in Hollywood.

Ines, who was also seen getting up close with Brad at a Bono concert in November in exclusive DailyMail.com photos, wore her tresses in soft waves and sported shimmering jewelry as she embraced Brad before the pair laughed out loud.

Days before the pair were seen packing on the PDA at the LA afterparty for his new film Babylon. The pair mingled with guests, 'occasionally' with their arms around one another, reports People.

The pair are said to have been dating 'for a few months' with source telling the publication: 'Brad is really into Ines. They met through a mutual friend. She is very nice.'

Love: Brad 'is not seeing anyone else right now' and is 'very happy' with Ines, People 's source revealed last month; seen December 15, 2022 in LA

'Ines is cute, fun and energetic. She has a great personality. Brad enjoys spending time with her.'

Ines was previously married to The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, 40. They split after three years of marriage in September of 2022.

Ines is from New Jersey and graduated from the University of Geneva in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

According to her LinkedIn, since 2020 she has been the head of wholesale at Anita Ko Jewelry, which has celebrity customers including Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber.

Meanwhile Brad's 2019 split with Angelina Jolie, 47, has been acrimonious, as the pair have been battling over custody of their six kids and business ventures.

Since the split the actor had also been linked to model Emily Ratajkowski, MIT professor Neri Oxman, as well as German model Nicole Potualski.
Machine Gun Kelly took to Instagram on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of his engagement to actress Megan Fox.

The rocker, 32, shared a throwback video of him putting the exquisite $340K two-stone ring  which features bands that are 'thorns'  that he proposed to the Transformers star, 36, with onto her finger.

'One year ago under a banyan tree,' he wrote in a text overlay, referring to the special location where he got down on his knee at the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach resort in Puerto Rico.

One year! Machine Gun Kelly took to Instagram on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of his engagement to actress Megan Fox; Pictured 2021

The video had no sound, but simply saw his fingers  which featured silver nail polish  gliding one of the bands onto Megan's fingers.

The actress did not post anything to her social media for the occasion, after recently joking that she is 'seeking a girlfriend' last month.

At the time the Rap Devil hitmaker was quick to respond with a witty comment, writing: 'I don't think you have the filing capacity for this request.'

Romantic: The rocker, 32, shared a throwback video of him putting the exquisite $340K two-stone ring he proposed to the Transformers star, 36, with onto her finger

Time flies: 'One year ago under a banyan tree,' he wrote in a text overlay, referring to the special location where he got down on his knee in Puerto Rico

Following their engagement, Kelly revealed a bizarre quirk of the ring he helped design for his new fiancee.

'The bands are actually thorns. So if she tries to take it off, it hurts,' he told Vogue, explaining: 'Love is pain!'

His remarks went public a week after they sealed their engagement by drinking each other's blood after his dramatic proposal.

'Currently seeking a girlfriend': The actress did not post anything to her social media for the occasion, after recently joking that she is 'seeking a girlfriend' last month

Not buying it: The Mainstream Sellout star responded to Fox by writing, 'I don't think you have the filing capacity for this request'

Megan announced their big news with a three-camera Instagram video that showed her beau down on one knee.

She revealed that 'we drank each others blood' after he proposed under a banyan tree - the same spot where they previously had 'asked for magic' in June 2020.

Kelly then shared on his own Instagram page that he designed the ring in collaboration with British jeweler Stephen Webster.

Engaged! Fox and Kelly got engaged in January 2022, after a year and a half of dating

Wedding bells: Fox noted in her post's lengthy caption that she and the musician 'drank each other's blood' to celebrate the occasion

Custom creation: At the time Kelly showed off the star's stunning engagement ring which features a diamond and emerald stone

Alongside a video of the ring on Megan's finger, he wrote: 'i know tradition is one ring, but i designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love.'

The couple first met while shooting the crime thriller film Midnight in the Switchgrass in March 2020, and then started dating just a couple of months later.

Kelly has never been married before but does co-parent a 12-year-old daughter called Casie with his ex-girlfriend Emma Cannon.

Love story: The couple first met while shooting crime thriller film Midnight in the Switchgrass in March 2020, and then started dating just a couple of months later; Pictured 2022

Megan meanwhile shares three sons of her own - Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, five - with her sizzling ex-husband Brian Austin Green.

She filed for divorce from Brian in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with Journey the following year, and filed to dismiss the petition.

In May 2020, Green announced that he and Fox had separated after nearly 10 years of marriage. In November 2020, Fox filed for divorce for a second time. It was finalized the next year.

The ex: Megan shares three sons - Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, five - with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green, whom she divorced in 2020 after 10 years; Pictured 2013
Love Island Australia star Cassidy McGill has been dropped by a high-profile sponsor in the wake of her white powder photo scandal.

The influencer, 27, who last month accidentally uploaded a photo on Instagram of herself holding a plate with two lines of white powder on it, has been dumped by British sex toy retailer Lovehoney.

A Lovehoney spokesperson told So Dramatic it had 'suspended future contracts' with McGill, who promoted the brand's advent calendar on Instagram two months ago.

Love Island Australia star Cassidy McGill (pictured) has reportedly been dropped by a high-profile sponsor in the wake of her white powder photo scandal

So Dramatic also claims a recent advertisement for Pure Tan featuring McGill has vanished from the company's social media accounts.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted McGill for comment.

It comes days after McGill issued an apology for the white powder photo.

The influencer, 27, who last month accidentally uploaded this photo of herself holding a plate with two lines of white powder on it, has been dumped by British sex toy retailer Lovehoney

'I made a mistake, which I do not take lightly,' she wrote on Instagram.

'This behaviour is out of character and I am truly sorry to have let you all down. I am sorry to my friends, family, my team and the brands I represent.'

McGill had accidentally uploaded the photo to Instagram on December 28, before quickly deleting it.

A Lovehoney spokesperson said it had 'suspended future contracts' with McGill, who promoted the brand's advent calendar on Instagram just two months ago (pictured)

In the image, she smiles with her mouth and eyes closed as she holds a plate that looks to have two lines of a white substance on it, along with a small bag of powder.

Fans were quick react to the image on social media, with one writing: 'That's just disappointing.'

Days later, McGill issued another statement, this time revealing she had sought therapy as a result of the public backlash.

It comes days after McGill issued an apology for the white powder photo, saying: 'I made a mistake, which I do not take lightly'

Days later, McGill issued another statement, this time revealing she had sought therapy as a result of the public backlash

'I've been focusing on dealing with weaknesses in my mental state that revealed themselves when I was at my lowest,' she wrote on Instagram.

'I genuinely thought my mental health was in better condition. I'm in consistent therapy to make sure I can cope in the future.'

McGill said she'd been targeted by hateful trolls and told them to stop, adding: 'I'm human, I made a mistake. Choosing to harass and bully a stranger online isn't kind.'
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, left, and Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok pose after signing an MOU for the successful hosting of the Asian Development Bank annual meeting, scheduled to be held in Incheon from May 2 to 5, at the Government Complex Seoul in downtown Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance



By Yoon Ja-young



The finance ministry and Incheon City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Thursday, to ensure the successful hosting of the 56th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting in the western port city. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho and Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok signed the MOU for the event scheduled to be held in Songdo, Incheon from May 2 to 5.



Around 5,000 people, including finance ministers and central bankers from 68 ADB member countries, delegations from international organizations, major public institutions, enterprises, academia, NGOs and the media are expected to participate in the event held under the theme "Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect, and Reform."



Choo said that the annual meeting this year, which is taking place offline for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to see the biggest number of participants, attesting to Korea's advanced global status and the popularity of Korean culture. The meeting was previously held in Korea twice: in Jeju in 2004 and in Seoul in 1970.



Located 28 kilometers away from Seoul, Incheon is the third largest city in the country with some 2.9 million people. It has Incheon International Airport as the gateway to Korea and has held numerous large-scale international conferences. It houses headquarters and national offices for international organizations such as the Green Climate Fund Secretariat and the World Bank Korea Office.



The minister stressed the importance of thorough preparation for the event, which will be a chance to share Korea's development experience and policy directions with other member countries, as well as helping Korean businesses' advancement into markets overseas while expanding Korean culture abroad.



He also mentioned Incheon's special ties with the ADB  the city's major highway and port were built on loans provided by the ADB.



Yoo said it is very meaningful for the city to be the venue for the special event, vowing full-fledged support for its success.


A heritage listed property in Bendigo, Victoria, where Priscilla Presley once stayed, has hit the market for an eye-watering $3million.

Located two-hours from Melbourne, the grand split-level home, called 'Villa Belgravia', boasts six-bedrooms and six-bathrooms.

Priscilla, 77, called the sprawling 763 square metre pad her 'home' while she was in Australia last year to launch the Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition, dedicated to her late husband.

A vintage property in Bendigo, Victoria, where Priscilla Presley once stayed, has hit the market for an eye-watering $3million, reports the Herald Sun. Pictured

Built in 1869, the gorgeous home was bought in 2010 for $840,00 and turned into luxury apartments. Offers on the site will close February 13 reports the Herald Sun.

Retaining much of its old world charm, the beautifully preserved home features cast lacework, timber flooring, coloured glass windows and cast-iron open fireplaces.

Other highlights include a wide wraparound verandah, and two self-contained suites.

Located on the lower ground level, both suites feature a kitchenette, bathrooms and separate access.

Priscilla Presley (pictured) called the luxury pad her 'home' while she was in Australia last year to launch the Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition, dedicated to her late husband

The upper level boasts three living areas and a top-range modern kitchen, which includes a walk-in pantry and a wine cellar.

The estate also features a courtyard and sun deck, perfect for alfresco dining.

It follows Presley's visit to Australia in March last year.

Located two-hours from Melbourne, the grand split-level home, called 'Villa Belgravia', boasts six-bedrooms and six-bathrooms. Pictured: The gorgeous courtyard on the estate

The beautiful wife of the late King of Rock and Roll was mobbed by admirers as she arrived to officially open the Elvis Presley exhibition, Elvis: Direct from Graceland at the Bendigo Art Gallery in Victoria.

The day before, Priscilla shared her thoughts on what her former husband, who died in 1977 at age 42, would have thought of Australia, which he never visited.

'Elvis at one time thought that he would be forgotten', she said in a video shared by ABC Central Victoria.

Inside the luxury old world home. Pictured: the modern kitchen

Pictured: one of three living areas inside the beautiful split level luxury home

'He didn't get to tour all of the places he wanted to go, and Australia was one of them,' she went on.

'So it'll be exciting for all of you to share his life and the things that he did, the clothes that he wore, especially his jumpsuits.'

Drawn on her thoughts about the town of Bendigo, where the exhibition is being held, Priscilla said: 'I love it here. This is so quaint and unusual. This is a town I'm in love with. It's really, really sweet.'
Lisa Hochstein looked incredible as she hit the beach while on vacation in Mexico.

The Real Housewives Of Miami star, 40, flaunted her fit figure in a new clip posted to her Instagram on Wednesday, which saw her sporting a tan bikini that showed off her trim midriff and ample cleavage.

'A little Escapeation for my soul,' the beauty  who recently branded her estranged plastic surgeon husband Lenny Hochstein, 56, 'embarrassing' amid their divorce  captioned the clip.

Stunner: Lisa Hochstein looked incredible as she hit the beach while on vacation in Mexico

In the sultry clip, the reality TV star is seen exiting the ocean waves after taking a dip in the blue waters.

Hochstein accessorized her beach look with a white straw hat, black sunglasses, and a number of bracelets.

She also picked the catchy White Lotus main theme as the soundtrack to her video.

Bombshell: The Real Housewives Of Miami star, 40, flaunted her fit figure in a new clip posted to her Instagram on Wednesday, which saw her sporting a tan bikini

Her 607K followers were thrilled with the clip, with one writing, 'Theres the hottest mermaid taking over Tulum!'

Another added, 'Like a true queen, always holding her crown up high.'

Earlier in the week Hochstein shared a stunning photo showing off her incredible body in another skimpy bikini.

'Escapeation': 'A little Escapeation for my soul,' the beauty captioned the clip

Blue crush: In the sultry video, the reality TV star is seen exiting the ocean waves after taking a dip in the blue waters

Accessories: Hochstein accessorized her beach look with a white straw hat, black sunglasses, and a number of bracelets

She glowed in the golden hour sun while wearing a revealing brown weaved two-piece with black bottoms and a matching brown cover-up that tied around her waist.

For accessories, she wore several bracelets, including one made out of puka shells, a few thin necklaces, sunglasses, and a hat from Artesano.

She captioned her post: 'Those who look behind will never see beyond.'

This post and several others from the past week were shared after Lisa called her ex 'embarrassing' online last week.

Golden beauty: Lisa shared several revealing photos earlier this week, after calling her estranged husband, Lenny Hochstein, 56, 'embarrassing' on social media

She took to her Instagram story to ask Lenny to stop dragging her online after he claimed she treated him like a 'servant' and yelled at him 'weekly if not daily' during their 12-year marriage.

In his post, he said, '[She] established a life completely away from me, stayed out partying when I was home, criticized everything I did (except working hard).'

The pair began dating in 2007, and after two months, Lisa moved to Miami to live with Lenny. He proposed six months later, and in 2009 the couple tied the knot.

They made their debut on the second season of the Real Housewives of Miami in 2012. Following their entrance onto the show, they had their first child, Logan, in 2015 and their second, Elle, in 2019, both via surrogate.

Bashing: Lenny, famed plastic surgeon, shared his thoughts on his ex in a comment on Instagram where he said she treated him like a 'servant'

Her thoughts: Lisa responded to Lenny's claims and reminded him that they have kids, Logan, seven, and Elle, three

In 2022 the couple confirmed their divorce, and a source for Lisa told PEOPLE: 'With two young children involved, as a mom, I'm going to focus all of my energy and time on them. I'm blindsided by his behavior and reckless handling of the situation.'

Page Six first reported the news after the famed plastic surgeon confirmed the divorce over the phone. 'Lisa and I are getting divorced. A few weeks ago, I denied this because I am trying my best to protect my family during this process.'

He continued: 'This is a very difficult time, and I would ask for some privacy so that we can best take care of our children, who mean the world to us.'

Lenny also confirmed at the same time that he had begun dating Austrian model Katharina Mazepa. Still, he claimed 'none of this happened until after the decision was made to get divorced.'

Lisa was recently seen out on New Year's Eve with her rumored new boyfriend, Jody Glidden.
Yolanda Hadid rang in her 59th birthday on Wednesday with her daughters Bella and Gigi Hadid, as well as her beau Joseph Jingoli.

In a video shared to Instagram Stories, the trio were captured singing the Happy Birthday song to the Dutch beauty while celebrating in a dimly lit restaurant.

Bella, Gigi and Joseph helped Yolanda carry her delicious looking cake for the duration of the traditional tune.

Celebration: Yolanda Hadid rang in her 59th birthday on Wednesday with her daughters Bella and Gigi Hadid, as well as her beau Joseph Jingoli

Upon the song's conclusion, Yolanda suggests that they each have a go at blowing out the candles, but both Gigi and Bella disagree.

'No you just do it,' her daughters respond back.

After closing her eyes to make a quick wish, Yolanda blows out one portion of the cake's candles before giving it another try to successfully blow out the rest.

Yolanda looked stylish for her birthday celebration in a cozy light brown getup that consisted of pants and a matching, oversized jacket.

Her bright blonde hair was brushed back off her face and tied in a ponytail.

Traditional tune: In a video shared to Instagram Stories, the trio were captured singing the Happy Birthday song to the Dutch beauty while celebrating in a dimly lit restaurant

Birthday wish: After closing her eyes to make a quick wish, Yolanda blows out one portion of the cake's candles before giving it another try to successfully blow out the rest

'Grateful,' captioned the mother-of-three, before directing an 'I love you so much' at her family and friends in attendance.

Earlier in the day, in honor of her birthday, the former model shared a heartfelt and bittersweet message to her late mother, Ans van den Herik, which included how she missed her 'barometer' and 'truthteller' since her passing in 2019.

'It's been hard to go on without your presence in my life. I miss my barometer, my truthteller, my safespot and anchor of my being' she began.

'You are my heart and soul my beautiful mamma, i know your light is shining down on me from heaven.'

Heartfelt: Earlier in the day, in honor of her birthday, the former model shared a heartfelt and bittersweet message to her late mother, Ans van den Herik

Missing her: The Netherlands native called her late mother my 'barometer' ad my 'truthteller'

Her beloved mother: Ans van den Herik passed away back in 2019

She ended the post by writing, 'I deeply honor you today, the day you brought me into the world, the day that will forever be ours.'

Hours later, Gigi took to her mother's Instagram Stories to share a loving message: 'Happy birthday sweet mama @yolanda.hadid love you so much!'

Bella followed up by posting a collage of images showing Yolanda with her three kids over the years: 'Happy birthday to my sweetest mama pie. I love you so much!!!!'

Yolanda Hadid (born Yolanda van den Herik) was born and raised in Papendrecht, South Holland.

Birthday message: Gigi also took to her mother's Instagram Stories and wrote, 'I love U so much' at the bottom

Bella, 26, followed up by posting a collage of images showing Yolanda with her three kids over the years: 'Happy birthday to my sweetest mama pie. I love you so much!!!!'

She was introduced to modeling by being in the right place at the right time. One day, Dutch fashion designer Frans Molenaar found himself in a quagmire and needed to replace one of his models for a show, and asked her to step in.

It was during that replacement showing that she was discovered by Eileen Ford and then signed a contract with Ford Models.

From there, Yolanda went on to hit catwalks across the world in such cities as Paris, Milan, Sydney, Cape Town, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, and Hamburg.

She modeled for 15 years before wanting to settle down and start a family. In 1994, Van den Herik moved to LA to start her family after meeting and marrying Mohamed Hadid in 1994.

The couple would go on to have three children together: daughters Jelena, 27, otherwise known as Gigi, and Bella, 26, and son Anwar, 23, before divorcing in 2000.
Sharon Osbourne looked back to her best after her health scare last month as she left her London hotel to head to work on Wednesday evening.

The television personality, 70, has been on her regular TalkTV slot since last week after returning to work following her hospitalisation.

Sharon flashed a smile to cameras as she departed the hotel - seemingly brushing off last week's drama where her daughter Kelly released a furious statement about her revealing she had given birth and her grandson's name live on air.

Happy and healthy: Sharon Osbourne looked back to her best after her health scare last month as she left her London hotel on Wednesday evening

Sharon looked effortlessly stylish in a long black coat which she teamed with wide-legged trousers and an oversized handbag.

The TV favourite showed off her age-defying visage with a glamorous make-up look and accessorised her outfit with some statement diamond earrings.

Sharon appeared in high spirits as she left the hotel and flashed a wide smile to the cameras.

TV return: The television personality, 70, has been on her regular TalkTV slot since last week after returning to work following her hospitalisation

Chic: Sharon looked effortlessly stylish in a long black coat which she teamed with wide-legged trousers and an oversized handbag

Grin: Sharon flashed a smile to cameras as she departed the hotel - seemingly brushing off last week's drama

Annoyed: Kelly released a furious statement about her revealing she had given birth and her grandson's name live on air

Sharon returned to TV last week where she addressed her health scare for the first time.

The TV veteran said she passed out for 20 minutes and had to be taken to two hospitals and tested for two days, but doctors were unable to get to the cause.

And Sharon had plenty to update fans on - not only her health but also her daughter Kelly giving birth.

Back to her best: Sharon was back to her busy schedule weeks after going through tests at hospital to try to determine why she fainted for 20 minutes

Sharon made the big reveal about her new grandson during an appearance on Talk TV.

The X Factor judge confessed Kelly and DJ Sid had decided on the name Sydney for their little boy.

Co-host JJ Anisiobi asked Sharon if she helps to look after the newborn, to which Sharon replied: 'Yes'.

'I am not ready to share him with the world. It is no one's place but mine to share any information about my baby,' penned Kelly, 38, in an Instagram Story post

She gushed: 'They're doing just so great. So great. She won't let a picture go out of him and I'm so proud of her.'

But after the show, Kelly posted a stern statement about sharing information which she wasn't ready to reveal yet.

'I am not ready to share him with the world. It is no one's place but mine to share any information about my baby,' the TV star, 38, wrote in an Instagram Story post.

Kelly welcomed her first child with rocker boyfriend Sid Wilson, aka DJ Sid, in November as she was pictured without a baby bump later that month.

She had not officially confirmed the child's arrival herself until Wednesday, after Sharon spilled the news.
Celeste Barber has expressed shock after her local check out chick failed to recognise her.

The 40-year-old comedian says the surprise came after she bought six copies of the February issue of fashion Marie Claire Australia, where she features on the cover.

'As I was putting them through [the checkout], I said 'hi', and she [the check out assistant] didn't flinch... didn't give a s**t,' Celeste said in a video posted to her Instagram Stories on Thursday. She continued: 'I bought six!'

Celeste Barber has expressed shock after her local check out chick failed to recognise her

The popular funny woman can be seen smiling proudly in the clip as she pulls a copy of the magazine off the shelf in a super market.

'Hi mate,' she says to herself on the cover in the video.

In the footage, Celeste looks completely different to her glamorous cover shoot.

The social media star is seen donning a pair of tinted over-sized glasses, with her hair scraped back off her famous visage.

The 40-year-old comedian says the surprise came after she bought six copies of the February issue of fashion Marie Claire Australia, where she features on the cover. Pictured: Celeste's glamorous cover

It comes after the star suffered a backlash from her dedicated fans over the Marie Claire Australia cover.

Celeste features on the fashion magazine's 'wellness issue' in a red swimsuit with cutouts by designer Melissa Odabash.

While some fans praised the glossy image, which was shared by Celeste on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening, others were quick to condemn the 'highly filtered' picture as 'rubbish'.

And they took to social media in their droves to share their dismay.

The popular funny woman can be seen smiling proudly in the clip as she pulls a copy of the magazine off the shelf in a super market. 'Hi mate,' she says to herself on the cover in the video

'Celeste talks about body shaming in the issue yet the magazine has body shamed her by over editing her. The reason she has over 9million followers is because she's real - not this rubbish,' wrote one fan.

'Shame on Marie Claire for photoshopping the sh*t out of what would of been a naturally beautiful pic of Celeste to begin with,' added one more.

'I really like Celeste bit this is highly filtered, could hardly recognise her... what a shame as she is naturally very pretty,' another complained.

In the footage, Celeste looks completely different to her glamorous cover shoot. The social media star is seen donning a pair of tinted over-sized glasses, with her hair scraped back off her famous visage

'That doesn't look like her at all,' one more quipped. 'If I hadn't read that it was Celeste I wouldn't have known who it was a photo of.'

'Celeste is great, but she doesn't look like her on this photo. Photoshop is not what she is about. She is gorgeous as she is,' wrote another.

And the chorus of discontent continued.

Celeste features on the fashion magazine's 'wellness issue' in a red swimsuit with cutouts by designer Melissa Odabash

'I wish Marie Claire would embrace the realness and not overly edit your body,' wrote one more.

Elsewhere, one eagle-eyed fan questioned whether Celeste's armpits had been tampered with to make the star's cover more appealing on magazine stands.

'Gorgeous, and I love you,' the follower began. 'But nothing freaks me out more than an overly edited armpit.'
Romeo Beckham is following in his father's footsteps in more ways than one as he paid a visit to the tattoo parlour.

The 20-year-old, who made his debut for Brentford's B team on Wednesday, decided to get 'I love you' inked onto his arm.

Tattoo artist Certified Letter Boy shared the moment he tattooed the romantic phrase onto Romeo, who reunited with his ex-girlfriend Mia Regan late last year.

Just like dad: Romeo Beckham is following in his father's footsteps in more ways than one as he paid a visit to the tattoo parlour on Wednesday

The sentimental tattoo had the appearance of being written - perhaps by Mia, 20, as their romance goes from strength to strength.

The couple are said to have got back together in November after dating since 2017.

They were said to be living in separate quarters at the Beckhams' 31m London home.

The 20-year-old, who made his debut for Brentford's B team on Wednesday, decided to get 'I love you' inking onto his arm

Reunited: The sentimental tattoo had the appearance of being written - perhaps by Mia, 20, as their romance goes from strength to strength

Romeo's trip to the tattoo parlour comes under a month from when he debuted a different inking which runs along the side of his neck.

And just like his dad and older brother Brooklyn, Romeo is a big fan of tattoos.

He has a 'freedom to love', 'free spirit', 11, and a large dove on his wrist and a heart, butterfly, 'in the present' on his arm.

Tattoos: Just like his dad and older brother Brooklyn, Romeo is a big fan of tattoos . He has a 'freedom to love', 'free spirit', 11, and a large dove on his wrist

Cool: Romeo also has a huge angel on his forearm

Just like dad: He also has the word 'love' on his fingers, with a letter on each finger and a replica David's famous winged cross on his neck

On Wednesday, Romeo had a debut to remember after coming off the bench in Brentford B's second half comeback to beat Erith & Belvedere 3-2 from 2-1 down.

He was a half-time substitute and came a hair's breadth away from a stunning assist, before managing to miss from less than a yard out with a header that could only find the crossbar.

With his father in attendance, Romeo made his first appearance for the Bees following his loan move from Inter Miami.

Good start: On Wednesday, Romeo had a debut to remember after coming off the bench in Brentford B's second half comeback to beat Erith & Belvedere 3-2 from 2-1 down

The 20-year-old drew plenty of praise from Brentford B boss Neil MacFarlane, who praised the loanee's impact from the bench.

'Romeo really drove us forward in the wing back position. He created some really good moments for us with some terrific deliveries,' he said.

'He had an opportunity to score as well and I was thrilled with him and the group in general for keeping on the front foot. We never gave up and we got through.'
Micheal Ward opened up about his sex scenes on Empire Of Light with Olivia Colman on Thursday morning.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, hosted by Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard, the actor, 25, discussed the film directed by Sir Sam Mendes, which stars Olivia, 48, as a cinema manager, Hilary, who develops a relationship with much younger ticket-seller, Stephen, played by Micheal.

Micheal revealed that the acting duo made their raunchy moments, directed in conjunction with an intimacy coordinator, into a 'dance routine,' adding: 'We'd be like 'and one, and two! There was loads more than that but yeah.'

Intimate: Micheal Ward, 25, opened up about his sex scenes on Empire Of Light with Olivia Colman, 48, (pictured in the film together) on Thursday morning

The actor also praised Olivia, describing her as an 'incredible person.'

He added: 'She exchanges that within her characters. They are always good people.

'For me it was how I could learn from her. It was lovely to know she is an amazing person and managed to reach that level of success.

'You don't have to change, I can be a nice person and still [reach that level of success] and that was the greatest lesson of all.'

Raunchy: The actor, 25, revealed on GMB on Thursday morning (pictured) that the intimate moments, directed in conjunction with an intimacy coordinator, were 'like a dance routine'

The screen star quashed rumours that he could be the new James Bond, revealing that it is 'not a conversation he has had'.

But he added: 'I'm excited to work with directors at that level.

'It's just exciting to know that people like myself, people from my world are getting the opportunity to do great things now and I'm just glad to be a part of that story.'

On-screen pals: Micheal also praised Olivia, describing her as an 'incredible person' and quashed rumours that he is in line to play the next James Bond

Elsewhere, speaking about working with animals on screen, Micheal revealed that the film helped him overcome his phobia.

One of his scenes involved touching a pigeon and he said: 'I'm terrified of all animals! Anything that just moves and you can't predict it, those are the ones that frighten me the most and obviously, pigeons have wings!

'It was great to overcome something I thought I would never be able to do. I've never worked with animals, I've never touched an animal up until the point where I worked with the pigeon and I never told Sam [Mendes] that I was afraid until I signed my contract!'

Facing his fears: Elsewhere, speaking about working with animals on screen, Micheal revealed that the film helped him overcome his phobia of pigeons

It comes after Olivia and Micheal spoke about their characters intergenerational age gap earlier this week, with Olivia revealing that she was 'mortally embarrassed' as they filmed sex scenes together.

On their on-screen relationship, Olivia told the new issue of Radio Times: 'They love each other and look after each other. To have a romantic story with someone young, beautiful and vibrant is lovely, you don't often see that. I'm older than Micheal's mum!'

Micheal added: 'Stephen really makes a connection with Hilary. It doesn't matter how old they are.'

Speaking about sex scenes, Olivia said that she had been mortally embarrassed about 'anything like that' but she added: '[Intimacy coordinator] Ita O'Brien made it easy and fun.'

Work: Olivia and Micheal spoke out earlier this week about their characters' intergenerational age gap in their film Empire Of Light - pictured in Toronto in September

Micheal said: 'She was making Olivia relax,' to which Olivia chimed in: 'Which is quite something!'

'For me, I was fine, it was cool to explore that,' concluded Micheal. 'Working with an intimacy coordinator made everything feel like a dance, or an action scene, rather than a sex scene.'

Empire Of Light is a love story 'set around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s'.

Filming on the project began in early February in Margate. The seaside town was transported back to the 1980s as builders transformed the area surrounding the Dreamland amusement park.

The project marked the first time that Sir Sam has directed a film that he did not pen with the assistance of a co-writer.

He produced the film with Pippa Harris through his Neal Street Productions, and he reunited with his longtime cinematographer Roger Deakins on the production.

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She rung in the New Year with a getaway to celeb-favourite destination St Barts.

And Christine Quinn was back on the beach on Wednesday as she strolled down the sand in Miami.

The ex Selling Sunset star flaunted her tanned and toned physique in a racy orange swimsuit teamed with designer accessories for another day in paradise.

Beach chic: Christine Quinn was back on the beach on Wednesday as she strolled down the sand in Miami days after her holiday in St Barts

The real estate agent looked stunning in her bright swimwear, which she teamed with a matching wrap skirt.

She positioned the cover-up low on her hips to show a touch more skin.

Going barefoot for her stroll, Christine accessorised with plenty of gold jewellery and pink tinted sunglasses.

She was later spotted clutching a pair of orange stilettoes and with a yellow Chanel bag slung over her shoulder.

Dressed up: The ex Selling Sunset star flaunted her tanned and toned physique in a racy orange swimsuit teamed with designer accessories for another day in paradise

Christine has been sharing Insta snaps from her sizzling holiday in St Barts this week, which she enjoyed with her tech entrepreneur husband Christian Richard.

Back in 2019, the couple - who share son Christian, 19 months, - got engaged on Valentine's Day.

In December 2019, the pair tied the knot in an unconventional gothic winter wonderland-themed wedding at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral.

This is the life: Christine has been sharing Insta snaps from her sizzling holiday in St Barts this week, which she enjoyed with her tech entrepreneur husband Christian Richard

Christine revealed to Bustle in a 2020 interview how they met through a mutual friend.

On the topic of their first date, she said: 'Him and I had an amazing steak dinner and got to know each other, and we just hit it off right away.'

'He's everything that I ever wanted,' she said. 'And then [my friend's] like, "Also, he's looking for a house," and I was like: double bonus.'
She's known for her bright and bold fashion displays and effortlessly chic outfits.

And on Thursday, Amanda Holden, 51, was pictured leaving the Heart Radio studios in London's Leicester Square wearing a blue crop and matching thigh-split skirt from Pretty Lavish.

The TV personality teamed the sexy co-ord with a perfectly matching blue coat.

Bold: Amanda Holden put on a leggy display in a turquoise Co-ord as she left Heart Radio studios in London's Leicester Square on Thursday

Walking tall: She showed off her sexy look in full from inside the radio studios, sharing the look on social media on Thursday

Standing out, she teamed it with a matching turquoise trench coat and grey knee high boots from LK Bennett, adding inches to her frame.

Accessorising, the Britain's Got Talent judge toted a croc print handbag and looked every inch the celebrity wearing an oversized pair of sunglasses.

She was in good company on the day as her Heart FM co-host Ashley Roberts, 41, was also pictured outside the Global radio studios.

Her look was equally as eye-catching despite the more neutral colour tones.

Eye-catching: The TV personality decided on a pop of colour for her outfit and wore an eye-catching turquoise ensemble. The crop top and matching high waisted skirt from Pretty Lavish made for a leggy display as it featured a slit going up the thigh on one side

Ashley sported an oversized look as she stepped out in grey deep pleated trousers and a blue shirt, tucked in on only one side, from Serena Bute.

She tied her blonde locks up in a messy ponytail and like Amanda, completed her look with a pair of sunglasses.

Ashley completed her outfit with a pair of silver sparkly heels and a miniature white handbag.

Standing out: She teamed it with a matching turquoise trench coat and grey knee high boots from LK Bennett, adding inches to her frame

Trendy: Accessorising, the Britain's Got Talent judge toted a croc print handbag and looked every inch the celebrity wearing an oversized pair of sunglasses

It comes after Amanda kicked off her new year with a bang as she has been soaking up the sun on a 1.7k a night holiday in Mauritius.

Amanda stayed at the luxurious five-star LUX Grand Baie situated on the northern shore of the island.

The hotel featured four swimming pools, three bars, a private beach and a stunning spa.

When food is included, room prices can reach 3,000-a-night thanks to its prime location on the beach.

Chic: Co-host Ashley Roberts, 41, was also pictured outside the Global radio studios. Her look was equally as eye-catching despite the more neutral colour tones

Stunning: Ashley sported an oversized look as she stepped out in grey deep pleated trousers and a blue shirt, tucked in on only one side, from Serena Bute

Amanda rang in the new year at the holiday hotspot, along with her husband Chris Hughes and their two daughters, Lexi, 16, and Hollie, 10.

The judge has kept busy and also helped do up two flats in Sicily last summer with comedian pal Alan Carr, 46, for their new BBC show, Amanda & Alan's Italian Job.

Last month, Amanda revealed that The Italian Job was born out of her desire to do something nice for close pal Alan.

Joyful: She tied her blonde locks up in a messy ponytail and like Amanda, completed her look with a pair of sunglasses

The presenter shared that she was hoping to give the Chatty Man star a project to help him get through his split from husband Paul Drayton earlier in the year.

Alan and his Party Planner husband announced their separation in January 2022 after 13 years together and three years of marriage.

Talking to The Mirror, Amanda said of Alan: 'Hes been through a lot of personal stuff. I want to give him a project thats going to start with something in tatters  much like him  and at the end therell be this beautiful building.'
Sarah Lancashire's Happy Valley co-star Shane Zaza has gushed over working with her and described her as both a 'magnificent' person and actress.

Sarah, 58, reprised her role as Catherine Cawood on the popular BBC crime drama as it returned to screens on New Year's Day after a seven-year break.

James Norton also returned as the villainous murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce, while Shane, 39, once again appeared on screen as PC Shafiq Shah.

High praise: Sarah Lancashire's Happy Valley co-star Shane Zaza has gushed over working with her and described her as both a 'magnificent' person and actress

Reflecting on working with veteran actress Sarah, Shane described her as a 'magnificent person' and gushed that they got on 'really well' during filming.

He told the Express: 'Sarah is a magnificent actress but also a magnificent person, just great on and off set, so, we got on really, really well.'

Shane lauded her incredible performance on Happy Valley, saying it is 'inspiring' to see her work 'so hard' and make 'bold' choices for her character.

He added: 'She knows what she's doing and she does it with force, it shows on screen. She's phenomenal on screen.'

Stars: James Norton also returned as the villainous murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce, while Shane (pictured), 39, once again appeared on screen as PC Shafiq Shah

Shane went on to discuss returning to Happy Valley after a long seven-year gap, admitting that it felt more like seven days when reuniting with his co-stars.

Much to viewers' delight, Happy Valley returned to screens on New Year's Day for the much-anticipated third and final series.

After the first episode aired, viewers and critics alike heaped praise upon 'goddess' Sarah, as well as her co-star James Norton and writer Sally Wainwright.

The Guardian's five-star review said: 'From its impeccable acting talent to a writer who captures the female experience like no one else, this drama's final series is as excellent as ever.'

Gushing: Reflecting on working with veteran actress Sarah, Shane described her as a 'magnificent person' and gushed that they got on 'really well' during filming

In The Telegraph's five-star review, critic Anita Singh said: 'TV drama doesn't get much better than this.'

Despite four stars in The Independent, it was dubbed 'one of British television's greatest sagas' while the Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens commended James' 'superbly menacing' performance as villain Tommy Lee Royce.

Among the 4.92 million viewers watching, one fan wrote on Twitter: 'Happy Valley is just brilliant TV isn't it. The writing, the casting, the acting, it's just phenomenal. TV Drama at its best.'

Another added: 'Happy Valley. Do I need to say anything about it other than absolutely blooming fantastic, Can't wait for next week!! Stunning scenery, fabulous writing and the best actors, what more could you want?!'

Back: Sarah, 58, reprised her role as Catherine Cawood on the popular BBC crime drama as it returned to screens on New Year's Day after a seven-year break

A third penned: 'Everyone involved with #HappyValley ...you dropped these. I mean what a way to kick off 2023. Sensational. Sally Wainwright is just phenomenal. The performances are outstanding. Excited for the rest of the series.'

Chiming in, a fourth said: 'There are no words to describe just how good the first episode of #HappyValley is and just how brilliant #SarahLancashire is in it: Both have set the bar for best drama and best actor of 2023 to an almost unassailable level.'

A host of familiar faces have joined the final series, including Game of Thrones star Mark Stanley and former Coronation Street actress Mollie Winnard, who play a married couple.

The pair lead a subplot about domestic violence as Stanley plays controlling PE teacher Rob Hepworth, who padlocks the fridge and beats his wife Joanna, who is addicted to diazepam.

Over the first two series it was revealed that Tommy is the father of Catherine's grandson Ryan (played by Rhys Connah).

Tommy raped her daughter Becky, who then took her own life after Ryan was born, leaving Catherine to bring up the child.

Tommy kidnapped Ryan at the end of the first series, was captured and is now serving a life sentence in prison.

Much-anticipated: Much to viewers' delight, Happy Valley returned on New Year's Day for the much-anticipated third and final series with James Norton back as Tommy Lee Royce

The first episode of the third series saw Sarah's character discover the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir, sparking a chain of events leading back to her former nemesis and the father of her grandson Ryan, played by Rhys Connah.

James previously said of reprising his role as Tommy: 'To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting privilege, and something I've been looking forward to since we wrapped the last series, six years ago.'

Happy Valley was a big hit with audiences after first airing in 2014, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, with a follow-up second series in 2016.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is seen speaking during a joint press conference at the state department in Washington, D.C., in this image captured from the department's website, Jan. 11. Yonhap



The United States is working with South Korea and Japan to strengthen their trilateral cooperation against North Korea's reckless provocations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Wednesday.



The top U.S. diplomat also reaffirmed U.S. support for Japan's new National Security Strategy that will arm Tokyo with counter-strike capabilities.



"In the face of the DPRK's unlawful and reckless missile launches, including the launch of a long range ballistic missile over Japan in October, we are deepening our trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea to deter and, if necessary, defend against aggression," Blinken said in a joint press conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.



The four held the annual Security Consultative Committee meeting in Washington earlier in the day.



North Korea fired some 70 ballistic missiles, including eight intercontinental ballistic missiles, in 2022 alone, far exceeding its previous annual record of 25.



Hayashi said the four ministers strongly condemned North Korea's missile launches and "reaffirmed our unwavering commitment was the complete denuclearization of North Korea based on U.N. Security Council resolutions."



"With our positions perfectly aligned, we agreed to continue to work closely together in responding to the North Korea issue, including the pursuit of immediate resolution of the addiction issue," the Japanese foreign minister added, referring to the issue of Japanese nationals believed to be abducted by North Korea decades ago.



The Two Plus Two meeting came after Tokyo unveiled its plan to double its national defense spending to two percent of the country's gross domestic product over the next five years in its latest national security strategy and national defense strategy released late last year.



"These new strategies make clear Japan's commitment to invest in enhancing its capabilities, to take on new roles, and foster even closer defense cooperation with the United States and our mutual partners," Blinken said of Japan's new national strategies.



Austin said the U.S. strongly supports Japan's plan to acquire counter-strike capabilities.



"We also discussed updating our alliance's roles and missions, so that Japan can more actively contribute to regional security alongside the United States and other like-minded partners," the U.S. defense chief told the briefing.



"And so in our meeting today, we strongly endorsed Japan's decision to acquire a counter-strike capability, and we affirm that close coordination on employing this capability will strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance," he added.



Austin also reaffirmed U.S. commitment to providing extended deterrence, saying, "I want to reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to defend Japan with a full range of capabilities, including nuclear.



Wednesday's meeting comes as a prelude to a bilateral summit to be held in Washington on Friday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. (Yonhap)


Lydia Bright showed off her figure as she took a dip in the sea with her daughter Loretta during a family holiday to Barbados on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 31, slipped in to a neon pink swimsuit for their day at the beach with her sister Romana, 19, and her mum Debbie.

She held closely on to Loretta, two, who looked adorable in a floral printed wetsuit and orange arm bands.

Sun-soaked: Lydia Bright, 31, showed off her figure as she took a dip in the sea with her daughter Loretta during a family holiday to Barbados on Thursday

Lydia's ruched one piece featured a low back and chunky tan belt, perfect for a day in the sun.

She went makeup free with and tied her hair back into a low bun as she submerged herself in the water.

Her younger sister Romana, also opted for pink swimwear, wearing a triangle top with tie-side bottoms.

Taking a dip: The former TOWIE star slipped in to a neon pink swimsuit for their day at the beach

Doting mother: She held closely on to Loretta, two, who looked adorable in a floral printed wetsuit and orange arm bands

Debbie opted for a black bikini as she secure the straps around her back to prevent tan lines on her shoulders.

The family appeared to be having the time of their lives as they splashed in the sea with little Loretta.

Lydia shares her daughter with her ex-boyfriend, garage owner Lee Cronin, who she met in 2017 and had an on-off relationship with for three years.

Family: Loretta held hands with her mum and Romana on the beach

Sun-kissed: Her younger sister Romana, also opted for pink swimwear, wearing a triangle top with tie-side bottoms

Family: Her mum Debbie opted for a black bikini as she secure the straps around her back to prevent tan lines on her shoulders

Stunning: Lydia's ruched one piece featured a low back and chunky tan belt, perfect for a day in the sun

The parents tried to make the relationship work after finding out Lydia was pregnant but eventually called it quits in 2020 after Loretta was born.

It comes Lydia Bright shared adorable family pictures from her idyllic Christmas holiday.

The TV personality admitted that the family made the decision to sacrifice buying each other presents and instead go on the 'bucket list' holiday.

Adorable: Lydia shares her daughter with her ex-boyfriend, garage owner Lee Cronin, who she met in 2017 and had an on-off relationship with for three years

Sweet: The family appeared to be having the time of their lives as they splashed in the sea with little Loretta

Fortunately, the family had no regrets, as Lydia said it was 'the best decision' they made.

In a string of photos shared to her 1.2 million Instagram followers, Lydia can be seen doting on her daughter, Loretta, two, as they clearly enjoy the holiday.

In one photo, the pair flash huge smiles as they swing at a restaurant bar.

Dressed in a chic green bikini and matching green hat, Lydia showed off her stunning figure.

Dream: The TV personality admitted that the family made the decision to sacrifice buying each other Christmas presents and instead go on the 'bucket list' holiday

Beaming: Romana's blonde hair tumbled down in beachy waves

Posting the moments to her Instagram, Lydia wrote: 'The Caribbean 2023. This year instead of buying each other Christmas presents we decided to save our money and instead spend it on a holiday that was on all of our bucket lists.

'The best decision we made.'

The reality star is close with her family, parents Debbie and Dave, older sister Georgia, 32, younger brother Freddie, 24, and younger sister Romana as well as her adoptive and foster siblings.

Family is hugely important to Lydia, and she has recently vowed to use a 'sperm donor' to achieve her 'number one goal' of a big family.

Bond: Lydia is close with her parents Debbie and Dave, older sister Georgia, 32, younger brother Freddie, 24, and younger sister Romana as well as her adoptive and foster siblings

Lydia said she dreams of having four children and having the same 'busy and chaotic household' she did as a child - with three biological siblings, two adopted siblings and numerous foster brothers and sisters.

Lydia insisted while she hopes to meet Mr. Right in the next five years, she's happy to give her daughter Loretta, two, siblings in a 'non-conventional way, like adoption or the sperm donor route'.

The single mum isn't focusing on dating as she said 'it's not the answer' to having more kids.

Grateful: She said that the family trip was 'The best decision we made'

Future: The reality TV star recently said she dreams of having four children and having the same 'busy and chaotic household' she did as a child

Speaking in an interview with Closer magazine, Lydia said: 'I really want more children, probably three, whether that be by meeting someone or doing it by myself.

'If it got to a point where love didn't happen, I'd consider the non-conventional way, like adoption or the sperm donor route.

'For me, the number-one goal is to have more children. I've come from such a massive family... I'd want the same household as my parents. I love the busyness and the chaos!'

Candid: Speaking in an interview with Closer magazine, Lydia explained: 'I really want more children, probably three, whether that be by meeting someone or doing it by myself'

This comes as she has recently spoken out about the cost of living crisis and how it may 'put off families wanting to foster' children in care.

She said she wouldn't be 'the person I am today' if she hadn't spent her childhood as part of a foster family.

Lydia's mother Debbie has spent the past 30 years fostering over 200 children, but the reality TV personality is now anxious families might not do the same due to being at 'breaking point'.

'Hopes: If it got to a point where love didn't happen, I'd consider the non-conventional way, like adoption or the sperm donor route,' she added

She continued: 'For me, the number-one goal is to have more children. I've come from such a massive family... I'd want the same household as my parents'

Close: She said she wouldn't be 'the person I am today' if she hadn't spent her childhood as part of a foster family

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline for Action for Children's Secret Santa appeal, the reality star explained how charities are helping 'keep families afloat'.

She said: 'I spent my childhood as part of a foster family, and it made me the person I am today. Over the past 30 years, my parents have fostered over 200 kids!

'I do worry that the crisis may put off families wanting to foster, but there is support from local authorities and organisations.'

Thoughts: Speaking exclusively to MailOnline for Action for Children's Secret Santa appeal, the reality star explained how charities are helping 'keep families afloat'

Amazing: She said: 'I spent my childhood as part of a foster family, and it made me the person I am today. Over the past 30 years, my parents have fostered over 200 kids!'

She continued: 'Vital lifeline support from organisations such as Action for Children is needed now, more than ever to keep families afloat.

'I know from visiting their services and speaking to frontline charity staff on the ground that the cost of living is hurting too many families - with many now at breaking point.

'Their frontline staff will continue to work tirelessly to help families up and down the country with food, clothing and other essentials.'

'Bucket list': It comes Lydia Bright shared adorable family pictures from her idyllic Christmas holiday
Florence Pugh has hit back at cruel trolls who criticised her for going braless in a sheer Valentino gown, questioning how her 'nipples' could have 'offended' people.

The actress, 27, is known for her show-stopping red carpet looks but she was cruelly trolled after wearing a sheer gown at the Valentino fashion show in Rome in July.

At the time, she hit back at the comments she received from 'vulgar' men as well as those who chose to 'publicly destroy a woman's body' with their remarks.

Proud: Florence Pugh has hit back at cruel trolls who criticised her for going braless in a sheer Valentino gown, questioning how her 'nipples' could have 'offended' people

Once again condemning the criticism she received, Florence said the vicious trolling proved that there is still 'so much more work to do'.

Appearing as Vogue's winter 2023 cover star, she told the publication: 'I've never been scared of what's underneath the fabric, if I'm happy in it, then I'm gonna wear it.

'Of course, I don't want to offend people, but I think my point is: How can my nipples offend you that much? It's very important that we do this.

'I know that some people might scoff at me saying that, but if a dress with my breasts peeking through is encouraging people to say, "Well, if you were to get raped, you would deserve it," it just shows me that there's so much more work to do.'

Hitting back: Condemning the criticism she received for her fashion choice, Florence told Vogue that the vicious trolling proved that there is still 'so much more work to do'

Florence proved she was taking no notice of the trolls as she rocked a sheer crop top when she arrived at the Valentino dinner as part of Paris Fashion Week in October.

Previously hitting out at trolls after she wore her stunning pink sheer tulle gown in Rome, Florence slammed those chose to 'publicly destroy a woman's body'.

She wrote in an impassioned post on Instagram: 'What's been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman's body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see.

'So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my 'tiny t**s', or how I should be embarrassed by being so 'flat chested'.

Incredible: The actress, 27, is known for her show-stopping red carpet looks but she was cruelly trolled after wearing a sheer gown at the Valentino fashion show in Rome in July

'I've lived in my body for a long time. I'm fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it.'

The Don't Worry Darling star started her post by telling fans she knew the dress would provoke a reaction, but she was 'excited' to wear the gown.

She wrote alongside a a slideshow of snaps: 'Listen, I knew when I wore that incredible Valentino dress that there was no way there wouldn't be a commentary on it. Whether it be negative or positive, we all knew what we were doing.

'I was excited to wear it, not a wink of me was nervous. I wasn't before, during or even now after.'

'Vulgar': At the time, she hit back at comments from 'vulgar' men as well as those who chose to 'publicly destroy a woman's body' with their remarks

'What's been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman's body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see. You even do it with your job titles and work emails in your bio?'

While acknowledging this is 'isn't the first time and certainly won't be the last time a woman will hear what's wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers', Florence said it was 'worrying' just how 'vulgar some' men can be.

The actress also opened up on her previous body insecurities, revealing she 'couldn't bear to look' at herself as a teenager.

She added: 'It isn't the first time and certainly won't be the last time a woman will hear what's wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers, what's worrying is just how vulgar some of you men can be.

Fashionista: Florence proved she was taking no notice of the trolls as she rocked a sheer crop top when she arrived at the Valentino dinner as part of Paris Fashion Week in October

'Thankfully, I've come to terms with the intricacies of my body that make me, me. I'm happy with all of the 'flaws' that I couldn't bear to look at when I was 14.

'So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my 'tiny t**s', or how I should be embarrassed by being so 'flat chested'.

'I've lived in my body for a long time. I'm fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it.'

The screen star went on to say she was perplexed as to why people were 'so loudly upset by the size of my boobs and body'.

Passionate: Previously hitting out at trolls after she wore her stunning pink sheer tulle gown in Rome, Florence slammed those chose to 'publicly destroy a woman's body'

Florence added: 'What's more concerning is. Why are you so scared of breasts? Small? Large? Left? Right? Only one? Maybe none?

'It makes me wonder what happened to you to be so content on being so loudly upset by the size of my boobs and body?'

The actress declared she was 'very grateful to grow up in a household with very strong, powerful, curvy women' and said she will continue to 'be loud about being comfortable'.

Florence wrote: 'I'm very grateful that I grew up in a household with very strong, powerful, curvy women. We were raised to find power in the creases of our body. To be loud about being comfortable.

Struggles: The actress also opened up on her previous body insecurities, revealing she 'couldn't bear to look' at herself as a teenager

'It has always been my mission in this industry to say 'f**k it and f**k that' whenever anyone expects my body to morph into an opinion of what's hot or sexually attractive.'

The Lady Macbeth actress told those that still 'loudly' body shame women in 2020 to 'grow up' and 'respect people.

'Respect bodies. Respect all women. Respect humans. Life will get a whole lot easier, I promise. And all because of two cute little nipples,' she concluded.
Christy Turlington has hailed Tatjana Patitz as the embodiment of 'European sophistication and style.'

Patitz - one of the five '90s supermodels who starred in George Michael's Freedom music video with Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford - died from breast cancer on Wednesday at age 56.

Christy took to social media late on Wednesday night to pay a glowing tribute to the catwalk star, calling her a 'vision, glamorous, sophisticated, and warm, once she let you in.'

She added that Tatjana took her under her wing in 1985 after they first met in Paris for a photo shoot.

Glowing: Christy Turlington (seen in October) has hailed Tatjana Patitz as the embodiment of 'European sophistication and style.' Patitz - one of the top five '90s supermodels who appeared on Vogue and starred in George Michael's Freedom with Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford - died from breast cancer on Wednesday

The San Francisco based Christy - who is married to director Ed Burns - added, 'I learned about the sudden passing of Tatjana Patitz when I landed at an airport on the same coast earlier today.

'Ever since, all I can see is her face, hear her voice, and of course am flooded with memories.' She then said that Tatjana was 'European sophistication and style.'

They first met in 1985. It was during Turlington's second shoot for American Vogue and they were paired together in Cannes.

'I was a 16 year old high school student from Northern California who was permitted to leave school to travel alone to Paris for the first time for this special opportunity,' she noted.

'I would stay at the Hotel Crillon for a night before meeting up with the rest of the team on location the following day.'

Christy shared that Tatjana was already living in Paris at the time and had been given 'the assignment, or chore, of collecting me on the way to the airport.'

A lot of words: The San Francisco based Christy - who is married to director Ed Burns - added, 'I learned about the sudden passing of Tatjana Patitz when I landed at an airport on the same coast earlier today. 'Ever since, all I can see is her face, hear her voice, and of course am flooded with memories.' She then said that Tatjana was 'European sophistication and style'

Iconic: Tatjana with (L-R) Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Turlington and Cindy Crawford - with Patitz in the center - on the cover of British Vogue for the January issue in 1990. George Michael saw the cover and invited all of the girls to star in his music video

She added, 'My first introduction to Tatjana was over the hotel lobby phone. Where are you? We are going to be late! she said. I was sad to leave my beautiful room after such a short stay but definitely did not want to get on the bad side of anyone. Not on this trip, and especially not Tatjana Patitz.'

She then explained: 'It wasnt until we got to Charles de Gaulle that she started to relax and speak to me.

'By the time we got to our hotel in Cannes, she invited me to her hotel room, where we drank mini bar champagne, ate Toblerone chocolates and smoked cigarettes while she talked to her French boyfriend over the phone.'

That is when she said she could have watched her smoke cigarettes and speak in her European languages all day.

'Tatjana took me in, under her wing. I stayed in her apartment for a night in Paris on my way home on the floor of her cool pied de terre on the left bank. You are unforgettable and are forever in my heart,' she shared.

She had a massive career: Christy at the Chanel show In Paris in the 1990s

Claudia Schiffer took to Instagram to say, 'Im so sad to hear that @TatjanaPatitz has passed away.

'She was a true member of the supermodel gang and its hard to comprehend that someone so young has left us. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

'She was a joy to work with  so grounded yet always elevated. I hope she has horses and dogs in heaven. She will be greatly missed.'

Paulina Porizkova shared on Instagram: 'Tatjana burst into the fashion world just as I was slowly pulling away, so I didnt have much opportunity to get to know her. I had heard she was born in East Germany and raised in Sweden, a story so much like my own I thought wed form an instant bond when we met.

'We did a few jobs together, a few shows, but I may have been a bit of an arrogant a****le, and I found her to be polite, but somewhat distant. Forward almost thirty years. I had been invited to the LIFE Ball gala event in Vienna for a weekend, along with a few other models and celebrities, one of whom was Tatjana.

'After a long day of interviews and walking the the runway, Tatjana and I ended up at the afterparty in a club, sitting next to each other. We started to talk- and didnt end talking until the sun rose and we stumbled back to our hotels in our high heels and smeared makeup.

'I told her of my failing marriage. She told me of her failed loves. We spoke of our children, our insecurities, our hopes. We cried some and laughed a lot. I got to know this beautiful woman, get a sense of her fragility and her full heart. Her love for animals, her horses and dogs, nature and art, (yes, she painted) and most of all the love for her little son.

'It was an in-depth dive into our souls from which I walked away filled with genuine affection, tenderness and respect for her. My heart goes out to her family, her son, her friends and those who loved her. Death sucks and it isnt fair.'

Elsewhere, Milla Jovovich has hailed Tatjana as 'one of the most stunning humans' she's ever met.

The 47-year-old model recalled being invited to a photoshoot with Tatjana when she was just 13.

Milla said: 'She was a natural mama even at such a young age. She only got better at it as the years went by.'

Tatjana became one of the so-called 'Big Five' supermodels during the 90s.

Cindy loved her too: Cindy Crawford shared a glowing tribute; seen with Christy and Helena Christensen

The men: Christy with husband Ed Burns, Cindy with spouse Rande Gerber, and Helena

Tatjana modelled for the likes of Chanel, Donna Karan and Vivienne Westwood during her career, and she also often appeared in the pages of American and British Vogue.

She made her last catwalk appearance at Milan Fashion Week in 2019, when she modelled items from Etro's autumn/winter collection.

Cindy Crawford shared flashback photos with Patitz on Insta Stories and a two broken heart emojis over the images.

The mother of two then shared an Instagram post on her her page with the throwback photo of the women on a beach.

'So sad to hear of the passing of the beautiful @tatjanapatitz,' began the wife of Rande Gerber.

The top gals: from left, Claudia Schiffer, Tatjana, Gail Elliott, Karen Mulder, and Linda Evangelist in the 1990s

'We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together. We were in so many shoots together and backstage at shows.

'I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes. Her love of animals and nature was infectious. Sending my condolences to her family  especially the son she adored. RIP.'

Campbell shared several icons for a dove, broken heart and prayer on Twitter.

Amber Valletta, who worked for Vogue and Versace and has acted in films like What Lies Beneath and the TV series Blood And Oil, said, 'So so sad.'

Herzigova said, 'An angel has left us, Tatjana Patitz hearing about your passing is the saddest news I could have imaginedI miss your dearly RIP.'

'This is deeply deeply sad,' Christensen shared on Twitter. She also wrote, 'Beautiful spirit she was' as she added two broken heart emojis. And she added a flashback photo where she said over the post that she was 'heartbroken.'

Pals: Patitz with Karena Alexander, Peter Lindbergh, Milla Jovovich in 2016 in LA

She had a look: Patitz at the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Benefit Featuring Richard Tyler's New Collection and the Debut of Johnny Depp's Short Film"Banter in 1994

Later she shared a post on her Instagram page with a carousel of throwback photos and a tender note.

'Beautiful Tatjana, you were such a divine spirit inside out ,' she began.

'Always graceful and calm with that those wonderful smiling eyes. We went on so many trips together from such a young age and shared incredible memories. I loved being around you, it felt so peaceful and we always laughed a lot.'

And she let followers know they stayed close: 'I am grateful we kept in touch till the end, it made me smile just now reading through our texts realizing they're mostly about our love for nature. I hope you're riding on a horse in endless meadows with that smile on your face and the wind blowing in your hair  RIP beautiful angel.'

'Forever treasured Tatjana. With love to @tatjanapatitz and family,' shared Elaine Irwin.

Yasmeen Ghauri shared a throwback photo as she wrote, 'Rest in peace dear Tatjana. We didn't know each other well but your presence always struck me. Your authenticity, grace, kindness and inner strength shone through. You will be missed.'

From her as well: Helena, far right, aeen here in the 1990s with Tajana and actress Lauren Bacall, center

Anna Wintour, chief content officer of Conde Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, said: 'Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti.

'She was far less visible than her peersmore mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainableand that had its own appeal.'

The star was born in Germany but raised in Sweden.

She got her start in the modeling business as a teenager but only found international fame when she was photographed by acclaimed shutterbug Peter Lindberg.

Later the cover girl moved to California to be near her horses.

She was married to Jason Johnson for six years, and the pair had a son, Jonah, together in November 2004 - who she describes as her 'source of happiness'.
Reese Witherspoon gets caught in a love triangle with Ashton Kutcher and Jesse Williams after declaring her love life as a 'ghost town' in trailer for Your Place or Mine.

After her character, Debbie, swaps lives with her best friend, Peter (Kutcher), the actress, who portrays a single mom, makes the most of her week off in New York City as she embarks on a steamy romance with a handsome man, named Theo (Williams.)

Despite being initially hesitant to let Peter watch her son so she could have a 'break,' Debbie finds herself living out her dream after meeting a hunky stranger at a bar.

A fantasy: Reese Witherspoon gets caught in a love triangle with Ashton Kutcher and Jesse Williams after declaring her love life as a 'ghost town' in trailer for Your Place or Mine

As she relishes in her new relationship and lack of responsibilities, Peter admits that he has been harboring feelings for Debbie since they first met over two decades ago.

While Debbie and Peter's initial one-night stand turned into a friendship, he told one of her coworkers in that after 'the night' he spent with her, he found himself 'thinking about her.'

'You have to tell her,' Debbie's friend encourages as he insists 'it's too late.'

20 years of friendship: After her character, Debbie, swaps lives with her pal, Peter (Kutcher), the actress, who portrays a single mom, makes the most of her week off in New York City as she embarks on a steamy romance with a handsome man, named Theo (Williams)

No responsibilities: Despite being initially hesitant to let Peter watch her son so she could have a 'break,' Debbie finds herself living out her dream after meeting a hunky stranger at a bar

A nightmare: Footage then pans to him checking on Debbie on his home camera, linked to his phone, which shows her partially unclothed while being carried in Theo's arms

Footage then pans to him checking on Debbie on his home camera, linked to his phone, which shows her partially unclothed while being carried in Theo's arms.

Seeing her with someone else causes him to quickly throw his phone across the room.

Later in the preview, Debbie discovers Peter had saved letters and other mementos from their friendship.

Oh no: As she relishes in her new relationship and lack of responsibilities, Peter admits that he has been harboring feelings for Debbie since they first met over two decades ago

Love triangle: While Debbie and Peter's initial one-night stand turned into a friendship, he told one of her coworkers in that after 'the night' he spent with her, he found himself 'thinking about her'

'Peter's not interested in me like that, is he?' Debbie wonder aloud before going on a date with Theo, who feels like they should 'see what' they 'could be.'

The official description for the film reads: 'She craves routine with her son in LA; he thrives on change in New York. When they swap houses and lives for a week, they discover what they want might not be what they really need.'

The rest of the star-studded cast includes Zoe Chao, Wesley Kimmel, Griffin Matthews, Rachel Bloom, Shiri Appleby, Vella Lovell, Tig Notaro and Steve Zahn.

'You have to tell her,' Debbie's friend encourages as he insists 'it's too late'

Romantic: Later in the preview, Debbie discovers Peter had saved letters and other mementos from their friendship

'Peter's not interested in me like that, is he?' Debbie wonder aloud before going on a date with Theo, who feels like they should 'see what' they 'could be'

The film is from writer-director Aline Brosh McKenna (Devil Wears Prada, My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend).

Jason Bateman serves as an executive producer on the film with Michael Costigan and Lauren Neustadter, along with Witherspoon herself and writer-director McKenna.

Next, Kutcher will be reprising his breakout role of Michael Kelso in That 90s Show, alongside his wife Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama in special guest appearances.

Trading places: The official description for the film reads: 'She craves routine with her son in LA; he thrives on change in New York. When they swap houses and lives for a week, they discover what they want might not be what they really need'

Coming to Netflix soon: The rest of the star-studded cast includes Zoe Chao, Wesley Kimmel, Griffin Matthews, Rachel Bloom, Shiri Appleby, Vella Lovell, Tig Notaro and Steve Zahn

Romantic comedy: The film is from writer-director Aline Brosh McKenna (Devil Wears Prada, My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

Witherspoon will also return as Bradley Jackson in Apple TV Plus' The Morning Show and she's also returning as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 3.

Reese is heading back to the small screen with Amazon and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend creator Aline Brosh McKenna with the new comedy series All-Stars - just weeks after it was revealed she's returning for an Election sequel.

Amazon acquired the hot property for their Prime Video platform in what was described as, 'a major bidding war with top streamers,' via Deadline.

Going to be funny: Jason Bateman serves as an executive producer on the film with Michael Costigan and Lauren Neustadter, along with Witherspoon herself and writer-director McKenna

Busy: Next, Kutcher will be reprising his breakout role of Michael Kelso in That 90s Show, alongside his wife Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama in special guest appearances

More to come: Witherspoon will also return as Bradley Jackson in Apple TV Plus' The Morning Show and she's also returning as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 3

The series is loosely inspired by the true story of a woman named Andrea Kulberg, an American woman who headed across the pond to teach British teenagers about cheerleading.

Witherspoon will portray a former cheerleader from Daytona Beach, Florida, who, 'cons her way across the pond to teach cheerleading at a school in coastal England.'

She uses her old cheerleading skills to turn a ragtag group of British kids into All-Stars.
Melanie Griffith looked country girl chic while furniture shopping in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The actress, 65, donned a Western-inspired turtleneck and the complementing cowboy boots for her daytime outing in West Hollywood.

Last month, her daughter Dakota Johnson, 33, was criticized and mocked on New York Magazine's The Year of the Nepo Baby cover among other celebrities with famous parents.

Chic: Melanie Griffith, 65, looked chic while furniture shopping in Los Angeles on Wednesday

For her furniture shopping trip, the Working Girl star wore a cream turtleneck sweater with a Western cow skull print surrounded by plus signs.

Underneath, she layered a beige long-sleeved top with thumb holsters.

The Lolita actress paired the look with medium-wash, lightly-distressed bootcut jeans and camel-colored cowboy boots.

Comfortable and cozy: The actress donned a Western-inspired turtleneck and the complementing cowboy boots for her daytime outing in West Hollywood

While walking to her car after the shopping trip, she carried a Louis Vuitton clutch purse with a gold chain strap.

For accessories, the New York native sported a pair of cat-eye, tortoise shell sunglasses and no visible jewelry.

She swept up her blonde tresses into a loose updo but left her eyebrow-length bangs styled casually.

Family of actors: Last month, her daughter Dakota Johnson, 33, was criticized and mocked on New York Magazine's The Year of the Nepo Baby cover among other celebrities with famous parents; at the Golden Globes

So far in her life, the '80s screen icon has found love and been married multiple times.

The mother-of-three - who shares Dakota Johnson, Alexander Bauer, 37, and Stella Banderas, 26, all with different exes - married Don Johnson in 1976.

They split shortly after and she went on to marry Steven Bauer from 1981 to 1989 before rekindling her romance with Johnson.

So far: The '80s screen icon has found love and been married multiple times; seen in October

The pair married again in 1989 and had their daughter Dakota that same year.

They later divorced in 1996, and shortly after, Griffith married Antonio Banderas.

The couple split in the summer of 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2015.
Angelina Jolie modeled her signature style as she stepped out in New York City on Thursday.

The 47-year-old Tomb Raider star - who was spotted with daughter Zahara Wednesday- was decked out in all black, accentuating her svelte frame in a long satin dress and trench coat. Adding an element of glamour to the ensemble, the mom-of-six covered her eyes in dark aviator sunglasses.

The beauty was leaving the Carlyle Hotel so early in the morning it was still dark outside.

Go-to look: Angelina Jolie modeled her signature style as she stepped out in New York City on Thursday

The always fashionable actress carried a large, quilted, black leather YSL bag with gold hardware as she carried a yellow coffee cup.

Her lustrous brown hair was styled in an off-center part as it cascaded over one shoulder and flowed down her back.

Her smooth and clear complexion made for a striking contrast with her getup, and she kept cosmetics at a minimum, opting to coat her famously plump pout with gloss.

The philanthropist flashed a long, almond-shaped French ombre manicure as she bustled through the Big Apple.

Signature style: Jolie was decked out in all black, accentuating her svelte frame in a long satin dress and trench coat

Angelina wore a very fine necklace with a teeny round pendant, as well as understated rings on her slender fingers.

Her dress had a low but modest scoop neck and she layered a long black sweater with a subtle v-neck over it.

Known for her timeless, elegant and sophisticated aesthetic, Jolie punctuated the winter outfit with a pair of black leather high heel boots.

The filmmaker was seen without her brood in tow, which includes Maddox, 21, Pax, 19, Zahara, 18, Shiloh, 16, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 14.

Glam effect: Adding an element of glamour to the ensemble, the mom-of-six covered her eyes in dark aviator sunglasses as she exited the Carlyle Hotel

Luxe: The always fashionable actress carried a large, quilted, black leather bag with gold hardware as she carried a yellow coffee cup

One day earlier the Los Angeles-bred sensation spent quality time with Zahara, who attends college at Spelman in Atlanta, GA.

Jolie was married to Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt for two years, after they were together for twelve years before that.

Since their 2016 split they have been entangled in a messy, public-facing divorce that's seen both parties take jabs at each other.

In particular, their Chateau Miraval Winery has been a point of conflict with Brad accusing his ex of selling her portion of the property with the intent to willfully 'inflict harm.'

Footwear: Known for her timeless, elegant and sophisticated aesthetic, Jolie punctuated the winter outfit with a pair of black leather high heel boots
Kelly Dodd's husband Rick Leventhal was seen for the first time since his horrifying car accident earlier this week as he left a Palm Springs hospital in a wheelchair on Wednesday.

Leventhal, 62, suffered broken ribs and a foot injury in the incident - which occurred while he was en route to Palm Desert, CA and was taken to the hospital via an ambulance, RHOC veteran Dodd, 47. told TMZ on Tuesday.

Leventhal - who said he was 'lucky to be alive' in hospital - was seen sporting a cast on his right foot and ankle as he was pushed in a wheelchair to a waiting car.

He was seen pushing himself up and making his way to the car on his walking boot.

'Lucky to be alive': Kelly Dodd's husband Rick Leventhal was seen for the first time since his horrifying car accident earlier this week as he left a Palm Springs hospital in a wheelchair on Wednesday

Dodd was seen carrying her husband's boot in a plastic bag as she wheeled his suitcase before heading home to continue his recovery.

Dodd revealed her husband had been taken to the emergency room as she shared photo and video of the wrecked vehicle sitting in the middle of the freeway on Tuesday. While the car is now totaled, her husband is expected to be OK.

Dodd told TMZ the accident occurred while Leventhal was en route to Palm Desert, CA. As seen in the video, the incident happened on a freeway wet from the recent rains.

There for him: Dodd was seen carrying her husband's boot in a plastic bag as she wheeled his suitcase before heading home to continue his recovery

Recovery: Leventhal - who said he was 'lucky to be alive' in hospital - was seen sporting a cast on his right foot and ankle as he was pushed in a wheelchair to a waiting car

Home: He was seen pushing himself up and making his way to the car on his walking boot

Accident: Leventhal was driving Dodd's Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which sustained severe damage at the front of the vehicle

Leventhal was driving Dodd's Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which sustained severe damage at the front of the vehicle.

'There will be no smash tomorrow on @youtube the rick and kelly show. My husband got in a horrible car accident . He is in the ER.. please say prayers for @rickleventhal,' she captioned the post.

Fragments of the car appeared to be splayed about the road in video footage taken after the incident.

Rick said he has a deeper appreciation for life as he commented on the post: 'Honestly I'm lucky to be alive. Scariest moments of my life. This makes everything even more meaningful.'

Hospital stint: The star was seen making his way home from the hospital

Doting: Dodd carried her husband's suitcase as she escorted him home

Suitcase: The reality star carried her husband's belongings

He also posted a video clip from his hospital bed thanking people for their support and well wishes.

Rick said he suffered four broken ribs and a broken bone in his right foot after he hydroplaned on the Interstate 10 freeway outside of Palm Desert.

'It could have been so much worse,' he said.

In hospital: Rick shared a selfie video from his hospital bed on Tuesday after being injured in an accident that occurred while he was driving on a freeway in Southern California

Married couple: Kelly is shown with Rick in December 2019 in New York City

Smashed up: Kelly shared images of the crashed vehicle on social media

Rick after losing control of the car on the slick road said he slammed hard into a wall and started spinning around across lanes of traffic before hitting the back of a semi-trailer truck.

Numerous members of the Real Housewives family sent their well wishes to Leventhal in the comments section.

RHOC vet Gretchen Rossi posted: 'Oh no. Sending prayers. Hope he is ok.'

Margaret Josephs of RHONJ fame commented: 'So frightening sending prayers.'

Leventhal was driving Dodd's Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which sustained severe damage at the front of the vehicle

The incident happened on a freeway wet from the recent rains

Vehicle hydroplaned: Rick in his own Instagram post said he suffered four broken ribs and a broken bone in his right foot after he hydroplaned on the Interstate 10 freeway outside of Palm Desert

Fragments of the car appeared to be splayed about the road in video footage taken after the incident

RHOC star Elizabeth Lyn Vargas left a string of prayer hands and teary-eyed emojis.

OC vet Peggy Tanous also posted prayer hand emojis.

Dodd, who has come under fire controversial COVID-19 opinions, was fired from the Real Housewives of Orange County in 2021 alongside Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Elizabeth Lyn Vargas.

Dodd has been married to Leventhal, a former Fox News correspondent, since 2020.

Since exiting the reality series, Kelly and Rick have started up their own podcast on YouTube, Patreon and Spotify called The Rick and Kelly Show.

They've also started flipping houses and are working on their own pickleball line featuring apparel and sporting goods.
General Hospital star Genie Francis has said she won't defend the controversial rape scene from the 1970s which led to her character's eventual marriage with the rapist.

The 60-year-old soap opera legend was candid about the notorious history of her character Laura Spencer during ABC's Television Critics Association presentation on Wednesday.

Genie had been involved in a controversial date rape scene with Anthony Geary's character Luke in 1979 which fans had questioned ever since.

Revealing: General Hospital star Genie Francis has said she won't defend the controversial rape scene from the 1970s which led to her character's eventual marriage with the rapist

Notorious: Genie's character Laura Spencer had been involved in a controversial date rape scene with Anthony Geary's character Luke in 1979 which fans had questioned ever since and perplexingly led to their wedding in November 1981

What was even more perplexing was that Luke and Laura eventually fell in love and eventually married.

At the recent panel, Genie put her foot down over the infamous scene as she said: 'I don't defend it anymore.

'You know, as a young kid, at 17, I was told to play rape, and I played it. I didn't even know what it was. But, at 17, you follow the rules, and you do as you are told, and you aim to please. At 60, I don't feel the need to defend that anymore.'

In the shocking scene, Laura denies Luke's advances but her forces himself onto her before the camera cuts away only to come back showing Luke with an unbuttoned shirt and Laura crawling away from him on the ground.

The 60-year-old soap opera legend was candid about the notorious history of her character Laura Spencer during ABC's Television Critics Association presentation on Wednesday pictured left to right: Kristina Wagner, Chris Van Etten, Maurice Benard, Tabyana Ali, Genie Fracis, Nicholas Chavez, Donnell Turner, Dan O'Connor, and Rebecca Herbst

Genie continued: 'I think that the story was inappropriate, I don't condone it, and it's been a burden that I've had to carry to try to justify that story, and so I'm not doing that anymore.

'I think, when a woman says "No," that she should be listened to, and if you replay that scene, you don't have Laura just saying "No." You have her screaming "No."'

Laura and Luke eventually became a 'power couple' on the daytime soap opera as their wedding brought in a whopping 30million viewers on November 17, 1981.

It was not exactly the storybook ending for Laura who talked about how difficult it was to film the nuptials as she explained at the panel: 'I think of what an uncomfortable day that was to shoot.

'You know, as a young kid, at 17, I was told to play rape, and I played it': In the shocking scene, Laura denies Luke's advances but her forces himself onto her before the camera cuts away only to come back showing Luke with an unbuttoned shirt and Laura crawling away from him on the ground, the stars are seen in 1985

'You know, in super-spiked high heels, sinking in the mud. I have got that headdress on, which is pretty, but it was wired, and it was sticking in my head, and I was not allowed to sit down because you couldn't wrinkle that dress.

'And that was very, very physically uncomfortable, and everybody was super tense because it was such a big deal.'

Genie said it wasn't an easy day of filming but things did start to turn around a bit when they filmed the dance scene.

It was not exactly the storybook ending for Laura (pictured in April 2015) who talked about how difficult it was to film the nuptials as she explained at the panel: 'I think of what an uncomfortable day that was to shoot'

She explained: 'There's a picture, I think, that they showed where we start to dance. That was after the ceremony, and we started to dance the Virginia reel, and then I actually started to have fun. But, before that, it was a very tough day of shooting.'

Despite the hard feelings, Genie does recognize the magnitude of the event and impact that it has had on fans.

She said: 'You know, it's hard to put that in just one sentence. It's still sinking in to me how big a deal it was.

'It's still sinking in to me how big a deal it was': Despite the hard feelings, Genie does recognize the magnitude of the event and impact that it has had on fans

'At the time, I knew it was popular, but I never dreamed that we would be celebrating the 60th [anniversary] and still talking about that moment.'

Genie has starred as Laura on/off for over 45 years from 1977 to current day.

Her on-screen husband Anthony starred from 1978 to 1984 before a return from 1993 to 2017.

General Hospital is the longest-running American soap opera in production as it will celebrate its 60th anniversary in April.
Bella Hadid showed off her enviable frame as she slipped into lingerie for her latest Victoria's Secret campaign on Thursday.

The supermodel, 26, led the crop of beauties posing up in colorful underwear ahead of Valentine's Day, with Bella flaunting her ample cleavage, taut midriff and honed legs.

The star - who recently holidayed with beau Marc Kalman - exuded confidence in lacy underwear, satin gloves and a suspender belt, with her tresses styled in soft waves.

Wow: Bella Hadid showed off her enviable frame as she slipped into lingerie for her latest Victoria's Secret campaign on Thursday

The opulent look was enhanced with glittering jewelery.

The beauty also caught the eye in fuchsia lingerie while posing up a storm

Marc works behind the scenes in fashion. His clients including Milk Studios MADE Fashion Week, KNG Records and the eyewear brand Smoke x Mirrors.

E! News also reported that he has designed clothing for the Japanese fashion brand A Bathing Ape.

Siren: The supermodel, 26, led the crop of beauties posing up in colorful underwear ahead of Valentine's Day, with Bella flaunting her ample cleavage

Work it: The star - who recently holidayed with beau Marc Kalman - exuded confidence in lacy underwear, satin gloves and a suspender belt, with her tresses styled in soft waves

Glow: The opulent look was enhanced with glittering jewelery

His artistic partner is Corey Damon Black. The duo grew up in the same town but never met until they 'crossed paths again, appropriately enough, at Art Basel,' according to a 2022 profile

In late November Hadid was named GQ magazine's most stylish person on the planet.

The model - who is the daughter of Yolanda and Mohamed Hadid - has been hailed by the publication as the 'best-dressed person' on Earth.

The magazine explained: 'Menswear. Womenswear. Streetwear. Workwear. Smartwear. Wavywear. Few can wear it all (and pull it off). But few are Bella Hadid, the princess that was promised, she of abundant angles, the chosen one who really can wear anything  and our best-dressed person on the planet.

'As soon as the 'Real Housewives' progeny hit supermodel rank, the dam was broken on a flood of fits that stand toe-to-toe  and often above  the stuff she's actually paid to wear.' GQ was particularly enthusiastic about Bella's menswear style.

The magazine said: 'Our favourite version, and the one that secured Hadid the top spot: Menswear Bella. Tailoring. Prada loafers. Big denim jackets. LSD fur trappers. There was even a tie at one point. It's wavy, classic, and uncomplicated all at once.

Beach bunny: Bella enjoyed some time in the sun on Monday afternoon as she let her hair down while on the coast

Time for a swim: In this image she had on her snorkeling mask that was black and pink

Hadid does menswear better than most men  and she can still wear everything and anything else.'

Meanwhile, Bella previously admitted that she hasn't had a stylist for two years.

The brunette beauty also revealed that she's learned to deal with the scrutiny that comes her way.

She said: 'In the last year, it was really important for me to learn that even if people talk about my style or if they like it or if they don't, it doesn't matter, because it's my style.

'When I leave the house in the morning, what I think about is: Does this make me happy? Do I feel good in this and do I feel comfortable?'
Only Fools And Horses star Patrick Murray is battling cancer for the second time, almost a year after beating lung cancer.

Confirming the news on Thursday, Patrick - best known for his role as Cockney chancer Mickey Pearce in the BBC comedy - revealed a part of his liver has been removed after doctors discovered a malignant growth in 2022.

He told followers: 'I am going home today.'"Minus half a liver and a tumour that the wonderful Prof Heaton removed last week. I kept this under my hat that they'd discovered another primary cancer last year.

Sad news: Only Fools And Horses star Patrick Murray is battling cancer for the second time, almost a year after beating lung cancer

'I am a two person, that's for sure. High fives to all at Kings College Hospital.'

Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson commented on the post writing: 'God love you Pat' while several others also sent their well wishes.

One user wrote: 'Speedy recovery my friend', while another added: 'All the best Pat. Glad to hear you are on the mend.'

Patrick announced in January 2022 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors discovered a malignant tumour.

Concern: Confirming the news on Thursday, Patrick revealed a part of his liver has been removed after doctors discovered a malignant growth in 2022

Patrick wrote: 'I am going home today.'"Minus half a liver and a tumour that the wonderful Prof Heaton removed last week'

Five months later, he told fans he was 'cured', writing: 'Thanks again for all your lovely messages. As you may know, I was diagnosed with lung cancer last July.

'After an op in October to remove the tumour I had chemo to help prevent the cancer returning.

'During this chemo, another tumour was discovered in my liver. Luckily for me this cancer was unconnected to the lung cancer and was also treatable.

'I had a procedure called TACE to deal with this. Last Friday l saw my oncologist She told me the lung cancer was cured and that the tumour in my liver was shrinking.

Well wishes: Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson commented on the post writing: 'God love you Pat' while several others also sent their well wishes

He cautiously added: 'It's not over yet, but as you can imagine I am over the moon with this latest news.

'Thanks to the brilliant doctors and nurses of our NHS, I will hopefully I be there, at next years convention.'

Patrick played the role of 'spiv' Mickey in 20 episodes of Only Fools and Horses during its 22-year run, branded the slang term for his involvement in petty crime and dealing in black market goods.

He became best known for his outlandish declarations about his success in both business and women, and frequently took advantage of Rodney's inexperience in the industry by stealing his money, and girlfriends.

Banter: (L-R) Sid (Roy Heather), Trigger (Roger Lloyd Pack), Boycie (John Challis), Denzil (Patrick Barber), Marlene (Sue Holderness) and Mickey Pearce (Patrick Murray) in Only Fools and Horses

After the show ended in 2003, landed several big-screen roles including The Firm and Curse Of The Pink Panther, but eventually quit acting to become a taxi driver in Kent.

Patrick was eventually forced to retire from work after battling Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes breathing difficulties.

He married his wife Anong, 36, in Thailand in 2016, and they were drawn into a Visa row in 2017, when his spouse and daughter's application to move to the UK was denied.

Family: He married his wife Anong, 36, in Pattaya, Thailand in 2016, and they were drawn into a Visa row in 2017, when his spouse and daughter's application to move to the UK was denied

Speaking on Loose Women at the time, he said: 'I wanted to get her a visa but it was hard so I had to come back here.

'Being out of the industry for so long, the work dried up so I went back to driving an executive car, a Mercedes, to do it. I only saw my baby on the phone for two years, I was a Skype dad.'

Luckily Patrick was later reuniting with his family after a battle with the Home Office in 2018.
Travelers from China register for COVID-19 tests at a screening center in Incheon International Airport, Jan. 2. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yoon



By Lee Hyo-jin



The Ministry of Health and Welfare has refuted claims raised by Chinese media that travelers from China are subject to "insulting" treatment on arrival here, such as being locked up in a dark room, due to Korea's strengthened entry measures.



Under tightened COVID-19 restrictions, travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macau who plan to stay in Korea for 90 days or less should take a PCR test at the airport. Those who test positive must undergo seven days of isolation at a government-designated facility.



The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the Chinese government, wrote on Wednesday that Korea's measures against Chinese travelers are "insulting" and "only target Chinese people." Citing Chinese internet users, it claimed that travelers who were refused entry were taken to a small, dark room for "detention," and that the conditions in the quarantine facilities were very poor, without beds or hot water, and the travelers were forced to pay for the facilities themselves.



It also claimed that Korean authorities are treating Chinese travelers like criminals by making them wear a yellow card around their neck upon landing at the airport before taking them to designated areas. It demanded a rational explanation from the Korean government on the issue, questioning whether these measures target only Chinese nationals.



The Korean health ministry refuted such claims, disclosing details about the government-designated facilities where foreign nationals are quarantined.









"For the safe management of COVID-19 patients arriving from China, we have designated three hotels near Incheon International Airport as quarantine facilities, available to accommodate up to 205 individuals," it said in a statement, noting that the hotels are not substandard in terms of quality and services compared to those often used by Chinese tourists.





Interior views of a government-designated quarantine facility for foreign nationals who test positive upon arriving at Incheon International Airport / Courtesy of Ministry of Health and Welfare
Cindy Crawford shared a glimpse of her early morning drive to work on her Instagram stories on Thursday.

The 56-year-old model  who recently paid tribute to her long-time friend, famed Vogue model Tatjana Patitz  sported a pair of sunglasses as she drove along the water heading to work for her company Meaningful Beauty.

'Getting my game face on for @meaningfulbeauty,' she wrote over her photo.

Game face: Cindy Crawford shared a glimpse of her early morning drive to work on her Instagram stories on Thursday

The view: The 56-year-old model sported a pair of sunglasses as she drove along the water heading to work for her company Meaningful Beauty

For her work outfit, she chose to wear a black blazer with a black v-neck shirt underneath. Her brunette hair was down naturally, and she kept her makeup to a minimum.

On January 11, Patitz died of breast cancer at the age of 56 in Santa Barbara, California. She worked for Vogue and Valentino and starred in George Michael's music video Freedom! with several other notable models, including Cindy.

After the news broke, the House of Style star shared a post on Instagram and several throwback photos to her Instagram stories of her with Tatjana.

One of the shots was the two together on a beach which she captioned: 'So sad to hear of the passing of the beautiful @tatjanapatitz. We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together.'

Rest in peace: The beauty posted a series of throwback photos to her Instagram to mourn the loss of her long-time friend, Vogue model Tatjana Patitz

She went on to say: 'I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes. Her love of animals and nature was infectious. Sending my condolences to her family  especially the son she adored. RIP.'

The British Vogue model shared more photos to her Instagram stories of the two doing other modeling shoots together.

Cindy founded her company Meaningful Beauty in 2004 to help people achieve younger-looking skin. They sell both skincare products and haircare products.

According to Forbes, over the past 17 years, Cindy has built a $400 million brand that has done more than $100 million in annual revenue.

The model: Cindy founded her company Meaningful Beauty in 2004 and over the past 17 years, has built a $400 million brand that has done more than $100 million in annual revenue, according to Forbes; seen at the Celine Fall/Winter 2023 Fashion Show in December 2022

The mother-of-two owns 50 percent of the company, while the other half is owned by the marketing firm Guthy-Renker.

She started modeling in the 1980s and even appeared in the opening credits of the Michael J. Fox film The Secret of My Success.

After the beauty quit modeling full-time in 2000, she now only occasionally appears in fashion magazines. However, she did appear on the cover of Vogue Paris with her daughter Kaia in 2016.

Family fun: The Fair Game actress married Rande Gerber in 1998 and the pair now have two children together, Presley, 23, and Kaia, 21; the family seen at the Casamigos Halloween Party Returns in October 2022

The best duo: Cindy and Kaia shared the cover of Vogue Paris in 2016, after Cindy quit modeling full-time in 2000

The bombshell now works with several brands and spends time building her company. She even appeared in Taylor Swift's music video Bad Blood alongside stars like Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba, Gigi Hadid, Ellen Pompeo, and Karlie Kloss.

The Fair Game actress was previously married to actor Richard Gere from 1991-1995, and after their divorce, she married businessman and former model, Rande Gerber.

The pair have been married since 1998 and have two kids together, Presley, 23, and Kaia, 21.
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The stars were out in force for the Babylon premiere on Thursday night held at the BFI Imax at Waterloo in London.

Leading lady Margot Robbie stole the show in a red gown as she made a glamorous arrival alongside a dapper Brad Pitt to celebrate their orgiastic, drug and alcohol-fuelled take on Hollywood's Golden Age.

The actress, 32, made sure all eyes were on her in the dramatic Valentino number which had a backless design and halter neck top.

Stunning: The stars were out in force for the Babylon Premiere on Thursday night held at the BFI Imax at Waterloo in London, including leading lady Margot Robbie

The blonde beauty wore her hair pinned back with sweeping tendrils framing her face.

Elsewhere Brad, 59, wore a checked grey suit and shirt on the red carpet.

Together: The two main stars Margot and Brad posed on the red carpet at the star-studded premiere

Handsome: Elsewhere Brad, 58, wore a checked grey suit and shirt as he made his way to the red carpet for snaps

Incredible: She looked gorgeous in the floaty number which she matched with a perfect red lip while posing up a storm

Duo: Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon centres around the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by leading stars Brad and Margot

Daring: She revealed her toned back in the red dress

Incredible: Margot looked every inch the superstar in her bold red dress

Working her magic: She seemed to be enjoying the premiere as she posed on the red carpet

Gym-honed: The dress revealed her toned physique

Elsewhere former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh, 33, also opted for red - wearing a crimson suit with flower detailing on the lapel.

She wore her hair swept back and also opted for a bold red lip while posing with husband Hugo Taylor.

Clara Amfo, Laura Whitmore, Kym Marsh, Abbie Quinnen, Li Jun Li and Katherine Waterston also attended in their finery.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon focuses on the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by Brad and Margot.

In good spirits: The leading stars looked like they were getting on swimmingly at the red carpet event

Glowing: The blonde beauty wore her light tresses pinned back with pretty tendrils around her face as she made sure all eyes were on her at the star-studded event

Plot: Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon centres around the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by leading stars Brad and Margot

Bullet Train star Brad takes on the role of famous actor Jack Conrad, known for his party-hard lifestyle, multiple marriages, affairs, and divorces.

While Margot is overnight star Nellie LaRoy, navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters.

The film's makeup artist Heba Thorisdottir told Allure that she used a combination of Charlotte Tilbury's Scarlet Spell with Smashbox's lip shade Bawse to produce the enviable pout Margot adopts throughout the film.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film shows character Manny Torres (Diego Calva) entering the high-profile world and becoming smitten with Nellie.

Role: Margot plays overnight starlet Nellie LaRoy who is navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters

Radiant: She beamed a wide smile as she posed on the red carpet in the backless number

Racy! It opens with a wild celebrity soiree filled with sex, drugs, nudity and booze - which The Wolf Of Wall Street actress Margot has described as an 'party-slash-orgy'

It opens with a wild celebrity soiree filled with sex, drugs, nudity and booze - which The Wolf Of Wall Street actress Margot has described as an 'party-slash-orgy'.

But despite Brad and Margot being some of modern-day Hollywood's biggest stars, the pair have both admitted that they haven't been to a bash that wild off-screen.

'That wild? No,' Brad quipped to USA Today when questioned, as his Australian co-star echoed his thoughts.

Working it: Margot looked sensational in the long red gown as she posed for the cameras

Beaming: Margot was taking in every moment at the premiere

Commanding attention: Margot was the belle of the ball in the floaty number which had a dramatic effect

Flawless: She had her makeup expertly applied and stood out with her red lip

'I've been to some wild parties, but not on Babylon scale. That's something else,' Margot agreed.

The flick features a sensational ensemble cast, including Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Katherine Waterson, Phoebe Tonkin and many more.

And reflecting on filming, Margot recently revealed she went off-screen to smooch co-star Brad in an impromptu scene, jesting to E! News: 'How else am I going to get the chance to kiss him?'

Crew: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva all posed together

Chatting: They enjoyed a catch up on the red carpet

Cast: (Left to right) Li Jun Li, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Damien Chazelle, Olivia Hamilton, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo and Katherine Waterston

Getting on well: Diego - who looked dapper in a black suit and bow tie - chatted to Brad and Margot

LOL: And reflecting on filming, Margot recently revealed she went off-screen to smooch co-star Brad in an impromptu scene , jesting to E! News : 'How else am I going to get the chance to kiss him?'

Real life: But despite both Brad and Margot being some of modern-day Hollywood's biggest stars, the pair have both admitted that they haven't been to a bash that wild off-screen

Bold choice: She looked glorious in the bright number as she made her way along the red carpet

Chatting away: The pair were laughing and joking while on the red carpet

Getting on swimmingly: The pair were loving the London premiere

Sultry stare: She worked the cameras in true super star style

Fun: They looked like they were having a great time together at the premiere held in London

Floaty: Her dramatic gown looked perfect on her as she posed with hunky Brad

Billowing: Her red dress looked even more dramatic as the wind caught it

Loving the attention: Brad waved to his fans as the star walked the red carpet

Crowds: Fans of Brad had turned out to the premiere

Fun: Margot larked about on the red carpet

Incredible: Margot stunned in the red dress

Rugged: Handsome Brad sported some facial hair and looked comfortable posing on the red carpet

Nice: Just days before it hits theaters on Friday, Paramount Pictures has released two new trailers for Babylon - one 'nice' and the other 'naughty'

No: 'No,' says Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) while smoking a cigarette, adding they shouldn't, 'stand in the way of progress

Gorgeous: Margot was every inch the beauty as she posed

Incredible: The sweeping gown made her look as chic as ever

Home time: Brad looked dapper as his night came to a close

Explaining the kiss, she shared: 'That wasn't in the script, but I thought, "When else am I gonna get the chance to kiss Brad Pitt? I'm just gonna go for it" It was great!'

The blonde beauty also shared a smooch with co-star Katherine, but added that she wasn't sure if it had made the cut.

Breaking the boundaries, the highly-anticipated raunchy flick even had the cast worried with its amount of nudity - and whether it was allowed to be shown.

Here she is: Elsewhere former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh also opted for red - wearing a crimson suit with flower detailing on the lapel

Pretty: The beauty sported a bronzed makeup palette with a bold red lip, while scraping her auburn tresses back in a bun

Loved-up: Millie cosied up to her husband Hugo Taylor on the red carpet at the Babylon Premiere on Thursday night

Beauty: She wore her honey tresses swept back and also opted for a bold red lip

Couple: Meanwhile, Hugo cut a dapper figure in a black suit with a crisp white shirt, while accessorising with stylish shades

Of the film as a whole, Margot confessed: 'When I read the script, I was like, ''This is like La Dolce Vita and Wolf of Wall Street had a baby  and I love it!.''

'But I was like, ''Are we allowed to show that?''

'There were so many scenes where I was like, a) I have no idea how I'm going to do that, and b) are we going to get away with this?'

Busty display: Kym Marsh worked the red carpet in a black velvet and sheer dress

Accessories: She added to her outfit with a YSL bag and opted for smokey eye makeup

Smart: Former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore wore a black suit and bralet

Cleavage: She wore a plunging blazer and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves

Pout: She opted for a pop of colour with a red lip

Glamorous look: Abbie Quinnen wore a white frilly dress with feather detailing at the bottom

Bronzed: She sported a glowing tan which looked great with her white dress

Style: Clara Amfo flashed some leg in a dazzling gold and black dress and gold heels as she hit the red carpet

Stunning: She looked perfect for the swanky event as she beamed for the cameras in her glamorous dress

Pretty: Clara wore her short dark tresses in a cropped do and opted for glitzy makeup

Dazzling: Li Jun Li caught the eye in a green ruffled number

All smiles: The beauty looked in great spirits as she posed in her striking dress

Chic: Katherine Waterston opted for a silk yellow dress with a glitzy hem

Quirky: Leigh Francis was also in attendance and wore a green and yellow coat

Babylon premiered in Los Angeles on December 15, 2022, and was released in the United States on December 23, 2022, by Paramount Pictures.

While it will hit UK cinemas on January 20, 2023.

Margot has received several accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and five British Academy Film Awards.

Pink to make the boys wink! Anna Whitehouse attended the premiere of Babylon at BFI Imax Waterloo in London in a bright dress

Boosting her height: She wore a pair of bright pink heels to match her dress perfectly as she posed on the red carpet

Smart: Tega Alexander looked great in an all-black ensemble

Busty: Olivia Hamilton wore a low-cut blue velvet dress, (left)

Pose: Damien Chazelle and Olivia made an appearance together at the premiere

Glam: Heidi Range wore a black sequin jumpsuit
Elle Mulvaney and Liam Scholes took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to share a glimpse into their sweet date night.

The actress, 20, who portrays Amy Barlow in Coronation Street, posted a picture of their dinner as her beau reshared the snap and gushed that she was 'the best company'.

It comes just weeks after the actors confirmed their new romance with a selection of festive snaps.

'The best company': Coronation Street's Elle Mulvaney and boyfriend Liam Scholes enjoy an Indian dinner during sweet date night... weeks after confirming their off-screen romance

The couple are thought to have met on the set of Coronation Street, where Liam played Eli Higginson on the soap in 2021, before joining Waterloo Road this year.

Posting to her 93.9K Instagram followers, Elle shared a picture of their curry while having dinner at Neel Paneer restaurant in Greater Manchester.

While her boyfriend reshared the snap, penning: 'The best company and the best food '.

Yum! Posting to her 93.9K Instagram followers, Elle shared a picture of their curry while having dinner at Neel Paneer restaurant in Greater Manchester

Cute couple: Elle shared a snap with her boyfriend in December to reveal their romance, which was taken a month before during a trip to Winter Wonderland

The pair confirmed their romance at the tail-end of 2022 after enjoying a festive day out to London's Winter Wonderland in November, sharing pictures from the day a month later.

While they also enjoyed Christmas Day together, shooting each other a loving gaze for a snap next to a decorated tree.

Elle recently revealed that the younger generation of Coronation Street have become fast friends and enjoy going out together.

Lifting the lid: Elle Mulvaney has spilled the secrets behind the young cast of Coronation Street's wild nights out

Speaking to The Sun, she explained: 'We did all just find that instantly we became this tight-knit group of friends. We all socialise together. Weve shown newcomer James Craven (who plays Aaron Sandford) the best places to go out in Manchester. Weve taken him to all the clubs!'

Elle also revealed the cast have their own saying for getting drunk, calling it 'getting Barlowed' after the cobbles' famous family.

'We were all saying, its like were in Friends! We call it our little Friends spin-off. I think its so cool Ive been here for so long. Even when people dont watch it, if I say Im Kens grand-daughter, they always know who he is. The Barlows are Coronation Street,' she continued.
Geena Davis has detailed former co-star Bill Murray's allegedly 'inappropriate' on set behavior in a new interview just months after first revealing the alleged incidents in memoir Dying Of Politeness.

1990 crime comedy Quick Change and talked about the alleged harassment in a new The 66-year-old actress starred alongside the 72-year-old comedian oncomedy Quick Change and talked about the alleged harassment in a new On With Kara Swisher podcast interview.

She explained: 'I went to meet with Bill Murray and his co-director and a producer in a hotel suite. And, uh, I came in and went to sit down with everybody sitting there. But Bill Murray popped up and said, "Hey, have you ever tried the thumper?" And Im like, "What? No. Whats that?" "Well come try it." "No, no, no."'

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Davis. Murray has no publicist, manager, or agent.

Geena Davis has detailed former co-star Bill Murray's 'inappropriate' on set behavior in a new interview just months after first revealing the alleged incidents in memoir Dying Of Politeness.

Not pleasant: The 66-year-old actress starred alongside the 72-year-old comedian on 1990 crime comedy Quick Change and talked about the alleged harassment in a new On With Kara Swisher podcast interview

Davis said that Murray went on to point to the bed where there was 'giant massage device with big handles on it,' as he allegedly told her: 'Lay down here. I wanna try it on you.

'Im like, "No, no, no thank you." And he keeps at it. And I keep saying "No" to the point where I wouldve had to scream at him, "Stop f***ing asking me! I am not doing it. Do you understand?" Which I was far too timid to do.

'So I perched on the corner of the bed and let him do it, and he did it for like one second, and then didnt ask how I liked it or anything. So I realized it was just to see if he could force me to do something inappropriate'

Davis also claimed that the co-director and producer who were also in the hotel suite did not do or say anything to stop him.

She (pictured in October) explained: 'I went to meet with Bill Murray and his co-director and a producer in a hotel suite. And, uh, I came in and went to sit down with everybody sitting there. But Bill Murray popped up and said, "Hey, have you ever tried the thumper?" And Im like, "What? No. Whats that?" "Well come try it." "No, no, no."'

She explained: 'And I looked to them hoping they would say, "Come on, Bill, give it up" or something.'

Davis also talked about another incident - which she also touched on in her memoir - that she claims happened during the first day of filming.

The League Of Their Own actress said: 'We were shooting a huge scene out on an intersection in Manhattan with hundreds of extras and giant crew and all that stuff. And they said, "Were ready for you to come to set." And I said, "Well, costumes asked me to wait here one second. Can I do that, or should I come with you?"

The star explained that she was given permission by the assistant director to stay in the trailer and wait for the wardrobe.

Davis said: 'Seconds later, Bill Murray  in a full clown costume, by the way  slams into the trailer with rage coming out of his eyeballs and starts screaming at me and swearing at me, "Get the f*** out there! What the f*** are you doing? Move! Move!" And he got behind me and screamed in my ear, "Move! Move faster! Move it!" And were getting to this intersection where theres hundreds of people watching this, and he keeps it up and keeps it up until he says, "Stand there" and points to a mark on the pavement and starts shooting.'

'Talking about it actually, its still  its very emotional for me because I felt so ashamed': Davis also talked about another incident - which she also touched on in her memoir - that she claims happened during the first day of filming, pictured in October

She explained that the moment had her 'literally shaking' and that it still isn't easy to talk about.

Davis concluded: 'Talking about it actually, its still  its very emotional for me because I felt so ashamed, you know, for somebody who wants to do things right. You know?'

Back in October, Davis first made the same shocking claims in her memoir Dying Of Politeness as she described how Murray allegedly created an uncomfortable atmosphere during her audition for the film, which he starred in and also co-directed with Howard Franklin.

According to her, Murray also screamed at her in front of 'hundreds' of people on set because she was allegedly late, though she says she was merely delayed by the wardrobe department.

Bad time: Back in October, Davis first made the same shocking claims in her memoir Dying Of Politeness as she described how Murray allegedly created an uncomfortable atmosphere during her audition for the film, which he starred in and also co-directed with Howard Franklin; seen in 2019 in LA

The book read: '[Davis is] introduced to [Murray], she writes, in a hotel suite, where Murray greets her with something called The Thumper, a massage device he insists on using on her, despite her emphatically refusing.'

The concerning encounter was followed up by a more humiliating incident when the Royal Tenenbaums actor allegedly lost his temper while filming Quick Change.

'Later, while theyre filming on location, Murray tracks Davis down in her trailer and begins screaming at her for being late (shes waiting for her wardrobe), continues to scream at her as she hurries onto the set and even as she gets there, in front of hundreds of cast, crew, curious passers-by,' the publication added.

'That was bad,' Davis said of her audition with Murray as she mused about how she might have handled the incident differently.

Hard time: She wrote that Murray  who also co-directed the film pressured her into using a massage device on her, and he later screamed at her in front of 'hundreds' of people on set for allegedly being late; she is seen in December

Unacceptable: 'The way he behaved at the first meeting I should have walked out of that or profoundly defended myself,' she told The Times of London, before admitting that she was victim blaming; seen September 12 in LA

'The way he behaved at the first meeting I should have walked out of that or profoundly defended myself, in which case I wouldnt have got the part. I could have avoided that treatment if Id known how to react or what to do during the audition. But, you know, I was so non-confrontational that I just didnt...' she said.

However, she conceded that her words could be construed as victim blaming when it was pointed out to her.

'Ha. Point taken. Theres no point in regretting things, and yet, here I was regretting. And yes, exactly, it wasnt my fault,' she said.

So far, Murray has not responded publicly to Davis' remarks, either in the interview or in her book.

A pattern: Last year, the actress Lucy Liu also described the verbal abuse Murray allegedly threw at her while they worked together on the action comedy Charlie's Angels; seen in July 2021 in Cannes, France

Last year, the actress Lucy Liu also described the verbal abuse Murray allegedly threw at her while they worked together on the action comedy Charlie's Angels.

'As were doing the scene, Bill starts to sort of hurl insults, and I wont get into the specifics, but it kept going on and on,' she described on the Asian Enough podcast.

The film and television star, who called the former Saturday Night Live star's insult 'unacceptable' and 'inexcusable,' added that she 'was not going to just sit there and take it.'

'So, yes, I stood up for myself and I dont regret it. Because no matter how low on the totem pole you may be or wherever you came from, theres no need to condescend or to put other people down. And I would not stand down, and nor should I have,' she added defiantly.

Murray's alleged behavior on set appears to have put the fate of his upcoming film Being Mortal in jeopardy.

On hold: In April 2021, his film Being Mortal was suspended due to a complaint about his allegedly inappropriate behavior. He stars with director Aziz Ansar, Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer; Murray, Randy Quaid and Davis seen in Quick Change

In April 2021, Searchlight Pictures suspended production on the film, which was being directed by Aziz Ansari, due to complaints about Murray's inappropriate behavior on set, though no details were offered up about what he had allegedly done or who was affected.

The film is reportedly still on pause, and it's unclear if it will ever be finished at this point.

The film, which also starred Ansari, Keke Palmer and Seth Rogen, was shopped around for a potential new buyer earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, but it doesn't appear to have found a new studio, according to Rolling Stone.

'I did something I thought was funny, and it wasnt taken that way,' Murray said while speaking to CNBC later in April.

Changes: He added that the experience has been 'quite an education for me,' before noting that, 'world is different than it was when I was a little kid'; seen in February in Pebble Beach

'The company, the movie studio, wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it. and so they stopped the production,' he explained. '

But as of now, were talking and were trying to make peace with each other. I think thats where the real issue is, between our peace. Were both professionals. We like each others work. We like each other, I think, and if you cant really get along and trust each other, theres no point in going further working together or making a movie as well.'

He added that the experience has been 'quite an education for me,' before noting that, 'world is different than it was when I was a little kid.'
She stars alongside Brad Pitt in new drama-comedy Babylon.

And Margot Robbie looked gorgeous on Thursday as she attended the UK premiere for the new film at the BFI Imax Waterloo.

The actress, 32, donned a luxury red gown from fashion house Valentino, which featured a backless design and draping cape front.

Leading lady in red! Margot Robbie exuded sophistication in a red Valentino gown on Thursday while attending the London premiere of blockbuster Babylon

Margot's dress fell to the floor in a cloaked style with a thin, halterneck strap gracing the gown.

The Australian actress had her golden tresses pulled into a low-ponytail as two sections framed her face.

Matching her makeup to the ensemble, she added a bold red lip to her softly-enhanced complexion.

Lavish: The gown showed off her gorgeous figure with its backless design

Details: While the draping gown also featured a thin, halterneck strap

Margot appeared in high spirits as she took to the red carpet, posing up a storm for a slew of snaps before letting out a giggle.

Greeting fans at the premiere, The Wolf Of Wall Street star beamed for snaps with the crowd and signed autographs.

She was joined by co-star Brad, who looked smart in a charcoal checked suit and matching shirt in a lighter shade.

On-screen: Margot portrays overnight starlet Nellie LaRoy in the film, who is navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters

Bombshell: Margot had her golden tresses pulled into a low-ponytail as two sections framed her face

Big event: The UK premiere was held at the BFI Imax Waterloo in London

The beauty portrays overnight starlet Nellie LaRoy in the film, who is navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters.

While Bullet Train star Brad, 58, takes on the role of famous actor Jack Conrad, who is known for a party-hard lifestyle, multiple marriages, affairs, and divorces.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film shows character Manny Torres (Diego Calva) entering the high-profile world and becoming smitten with Nellie.

It opens with a wild celebrity soiree filled with sex, drugs, nudity and booze - which The Wolf Of Wall Street actress Margot has described as an 'party-slash-orgy'.

But despite both Brad and Margot being some of modern-day Hollywood's biggest stars, the pair have both admitted that they haven't been to a bash that wild off-screen.

Bright: Matching her makeup to the ensemble, she added a bold red lip to her softly-enhanced complexion

Dapper: She was joined by co-star Brad Pitt, who looked smart in a charcoal checked suit and matching shirt in a lighter shade

'That wild? No,' Brad quipped to USA Today when questioned, as his Australian co-star echoed his thoughts.

'I've been to some wild parties, but not on Babylon scale. That's something else,' Margot agreed.

The flick features a sensational ensemble cast, including Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Katherine Waterson, Phoebe Tonkin and many more.

And reflecting on filming, Margot recently revealed she went off-screen to smooch co-star Brad in an impromptu scene, jesting to E! News: 'How else am I going to get the chance to kiss him?'

Explaining the kiss, she shared: 'That wasn't in the script, but I thought, "When else am I gonna get the chance to kiss Brad Pitt? I'm just gonna go for it" It was great!'

The blonde beauty also shared a smooch with co-star Katherine, but added that she wasn't sure if it had made the cut.

Babylon premiered in Los Angeles on December 15, 2022, and was released in the United States on December 23, 2022, by Paramount Pictures.

While it will hit UK cinemas on January 20, 2023.

Fans: Greeting fans at the premiere, The Wolf Of Wall Street star beamed for snaps and signed autographs

Plot: Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film shows character Manny Torres (Diego Calva) entering the high-profile world and becoming smitten with Nellie
Naya Rivera's ex-husband Ryan Dorsey paid an emotional tribute to the late star on what would have been her 36th birthday on Thursday, January 12.

Glee star Rivera accidentally drowned aged 33 on July 8 2020 while boating on Lake Piru, California with the former couple's then four-year-old son, Josey.

Dorsey, 39, who was married to Rivera from 2014-2018, shared poignant photos of the actress doting on her son, now aged seven, and revealed he tries each day to 'keep moving forward.'

He wrote: 'IIIVI. A little easier with each little bit of time that passes by to look at picturesbut I still dont have the answers to the questions to the whys our sweet boy asks from time to time. I never will.

Tragic loss: Naya Rivera's ex-husband Ryan Dorsey paid an emotional tribute to the late star on what would have been her 36th birthday on Thursday, January 12 - the star is pictured with son Josey, now seven

'Fly high. Doing the best we can.

'If youre reading this no matter what youre going through, take a moment of gratitude that youre still here on this ride.

'I know some days are harder than others to get up, but keep we just gotta keep pushing onward.'

On July 8 2020 another boater raised the alarm after seeing Rivera's boat drifting and Josey asleep on board.

Much missed: Dorsey, 39, who was married to Rivera from 2014-2018, shared poignant photos of the actress doting on her son, and revealed he tries each day to 'keep moving forward'

Before: The former couple are pictured in 2014 in Los Angeles

Naya's son Josey told investigators that he got back on the boat and his mother did not - investigators believed she had used her remaining strength to save her son.

She called her young son 'my greatest success, and I will never do any better than him' in her 2016 memoir 'Sorry Not Sorry.'

Rivera and Hollis divorced in 2018, after Rivera had applied to end the marriage in 2016 but they had initially reconciled.

On Thanksgiving weekend 2017, Rivera was arrested in West Virginia on suspicion of domestic battery against Dorsey.

The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office said Dorsey later asked that Rivera not be prosecuted.

Rise to fame: Rivera played Santana Lopez in the hit show Glee

She became the third major Glee star to die in their 30s.In what was the start of the show's behind-the-scenes demise, on 13 July 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, was found dead of a drugs overdose aged 31 in his Vancouver hotel room, after taking a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol. Four months before his death he had completed a stint in rehab.

The most horrific of the show's woes was undoubtedly Mark Salling's 2015 arrest and subsequent conviction in 2017 for possession of more than 50,000 images and 600 videos which showed girls, some of whom as young as three, being raped. It was described as 'the worst pornography collection the nation has seen'.

Salling, who played Noah "Puck" Puckerman on the show, had tried to conceal them by masking his IP address and storing them on an encrypted hard drive. They were revealed to police by an ex-girlfriend who he showed them to. She was sickened and notified authorities. In his plea deal, the extent of his collection was described in harrowing detail.

Doting: Naya's son Josey told investigators that he got back on the boat and his mother did not - investigators believed she had used her remaining strength to save her son

He was found dead from suicide by hanging on 30 January 2018 near his home in Sunland, Los Angeles. His death came shortly before his sentencing, which was due to take place on March 7. He had attempted suicide the previous year by slashing his wrists, after which he was treated for psychological problems.

Salling dated Naya from 2007 to 2010. In her 2016 memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up, the actress admitted that she was not surprised by his horrendous convictions.

She wrote: 'I cant say I was totally shocked. When Mark dumped me, I thought it was the worst thing ever, but can you imagine if that didnt happen?...

'And I was laying there in bed when the battering ram came through the door?'
Kym Marsh looked sensational as she attended the London premiere of Babylon at the BFI IMAX in Waterloo on Thursday.

The TV presenter, 46, turned heads in a black long-sleeved mini dress as she walked the red carpet.

The garment featured a sheer detail and striped embellishment along the midriff while Kym added height to her frame with matching heels.

Stunning: Kym Marsh looked sensational as she attended the London premiere of Babylon at the BFI IMAX in Waterloo on Thursday

The former Hear'Say star complimented her outfit with a black clutch while she styled her brunette locks into an updo.

Wearing a light palette of makeup, Kym completed her look with a pair of silver earrings.

Kym was joined at the premiere by her husband Scott Ratcliff who looked dapper in a grey blazer and tan trousers which he paired with a light blue shirt.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon centres around the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by leading stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.

Fashion: The TV presenter, 46, turned heads in a black long-sleeved mini dress as she walked the red carpet

Style: The garment featured a sheer detail and striped embellishment along the midriff while Kym added height to her frame with matching heels

Bullet Train star Brad, 58, takes on the role of famous actor Jack Conrad, who is known for a party-hard lifestyle, multiple marriages, affairs, and divorces.

While Margot, 32, is overnight starlet Nellie LaRoy who is navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film shows character Manny Torres (Diego Calva) entering the high-profile world and becoming smitten with Nellie.

Babylon premiered in Los Angeles on December 15, 2022, and was released in the United States on December 23, 2022, by Paramount Pictures.

The film will hit UK cinemas on January 20, 2023.
Laura Whitmore cut a stylish figure as she attended the Babylon Premiere on Thursday night at the BFI Imax at Waterloo in London.

The television presenter, 37, donned a plunging black blazer with a satin bra underneath as she posed on the red carpet.

She completed the look with a pair of matching trousers, while boosting her height in a pair of heeled ankle boots.

Looking good: Laura Whitmore cut a stylish figure as she attended the Babylon Premiere on Thursday night at the BFI Imax at Waterloo in London

Laura carried a small black shoulder bag and accessorised with dainty gold jewellery.

The former Love Island host opted for a blush makeup look with a bold red lip, while her blonde locks were in a blown out style.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon centres around the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by leading stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.

Bullet Train star Brad, 58, takes on the role of famous actor Jack Conrad, who is known for a party-hard lifestyle, multiple marriages, affairs, and divorces.

Chic: The television presenter, 37, donned a plunging black blazer with a satin bra underneath as she posed on the red carpet

Beauty: The former Love Island host opted for a blush makeup look with a bold red lip, while her blonde locks were in a blown out style

While Margot, 32, is overnight starlet Nellie LaRoy who is navigating her way through the industry by self-destructing via drugs, parties and sexual encounters.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film shows character Manny Torres (Diego Calva) entering the high-profile world and becoming smitten with Nellie.

It opens with a wild celebrity soiree filled with sex, drugs, nudity and booze - which The Wolf Of Wall Street actress Margot has described as an 'party-slash-orgy'.

But despite both Brad and Margot being some of modern-day Hollywood's biggest stars, the pair have both admitted that they haven't been to a bash that wild off-screen.

'That wild? No,' Brad quipped to USA Today when questioned, as his Australian co-star echoed his thoughts.

'I've been to some wild parties, but not on Babylon scale. That's something else,' Margot agreed.

The flick features a sensational ensemble cast, including Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Katherine Waterson, Phoebe Tonkin and many more.

Plot: Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon centres around the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers - including the characters portrayed by leading stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie

And reflecting on filming, Margot recently revealed she went off-screen to smooch co-star Brad in an impromptu scene , jesting to E! News : 'How else am I going to get the chance to kiss him?'

Explaining the kiss, she shared: 'That wasn't in the script, but I thought, "When else am I gonna get the chance to kiss Brad Pitt? I'm just gonna go for it" It was great!'

The blonde beauty also shared a smooch with co-star Katherine, but added that she wasn't sure if it had made the cut.

Breaking the boundaries, t he highly-anticipated raunchy flick even had the cast worried with its amount of nudity - and whether it was allowed to be shown.

Nice: Just days before it hits theaters on Friday, Paramount Pictures has released two new trailers for Babylon - one 'nice' and the other 'naughty'

Of the film as a whole, Margot confessed: 'When I read the script, I was like, ''This is like La Dolce Vita and Wolf of Wall Street had a baby  and I love it!.''

'But I was like, ''Are we allowed to show that?''

'There were so many scenes where I was like, a) I have no idea how I'm going to do that, and b) are we going to get away with this?'

Babylon premiered in Los Angeles on December 15, 2022, and was released in the United States on December 23, 2022, by Paramount Pictures.

While it will hit UK cinemas on January 20, 2023.
Austin Butler has come under fire for referring to his ex-girlfriend of almost 10 years Vanessa Hudgens as a friend in a recent interview.

The Elvis star, 31, told a story involving his former longtime love during The Hollywood Reporter's Actor Roundtable, explaining how his 'friend' encouraged him to pursue the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann's biopic.

Speaking to fellow actors Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser, Jeremy Pope, Ke Huy Quan and Adam Sandler, the Golden Globe winner recalled how his role came about.

Austin Butler has come under fire for referring to his ex-girlfriend of almost 10 years Vanessa Hudgens as a friend in a recent interview. Pictured together in 2019

'The month before I heard that Baz [Luhrmann] was making the movie, I was looking at Christmas lights and there was an Elvis Christmas song on the radio and I was with a friend of mine,' he said.

'I was singing along and my friend looked over at me and said, "You gotta play Elvis." I said, "Oh, that's such a long shot."'

'A couple of weeks later, I was playing the piano,' he continued.

The Elvis star, 31, told a story involving his former longtime love during The Hollywood Reporter's Actor Roundtable, explaining how his 'friend' encouraged him to pursue the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann's biopic

him calling vanessa hudgens a friend PLEASEEEE pic.twitter.com/4T4SjI1W6g  azhar (@mcstardently) January 10, 2023

'I never really sang for any of my friends or anything. That same friend was there and I was playing the piano.

'She said, "I'm serious. You gotta figure out how you can get the rights to a script." Then my agent called and said, "So Baz Luhrmann is making an Elvis film."'

While Butler didn't specifically name Hudgens, 34, while telling the story, the actress shared a very similar tale in 2019 when the pair were still together.

'Last December, we were driving along and we were listening to Christmas music, and then an Elvis Presley Christmas song came on,' she recalled during an episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan.

'The month before I heard that Baz [Luhrmann] was making the movie, I was looking at Christmas lights and there was an Elvis Christmas song on the radio and I was with a friend of mine,' he recalled

While Butler didn't specifically name Hudgens, 34, in his story, the actress shared a very similar tale in 2019 when the pair were still together

'He had just dyed his hair dark. He's a natural blond, and I was looking at him and he was singing along and I was like, "Babe, you need to play Elvis."'

'Then in January, he was sitting at the piano,' she continued.

'And he's playing and he's singing and I'm like, "I don't know how, but you need to figure out how you can play Elvis. Like, I don't know how we get rights or what we do, but you need to play him."'

Fans of High School Musical star Hudgens weren't impressed with Butler after he failed to mention his ex in his story.

Fans of the High School Musical star weren't impressed with Butler after he failed to mention his ex in his story

Many took to Twitter labelling him 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful'.

'Him calling vanessa hudgens a "friend" PLEASEEEE,' one tweeted while sharing a clip from the interview, while another wrote in the replies: 'hes so disgusting im sorry.'

'Imagine spending entire decade with someone only to refer to them in interviews as a "friend" Iaawd Id shed real tears,' a fan added.

'Vanessa needs to put a curse on him idk,' another tweeted.

'This is justabsolutely diabolical.,,,,hope she pulls a gone girl,' added one.

Many took to Twitter labelling him 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful'

It was revealed in early 2020 that Butler and his long-term partner Hudgens had decided to go their separate ways.

The pair reportedly broke up in late 2019 but it became official in January the following year, a source told UsWeekly at the time.

'Vanessa and Austin are officially broken up, and Vanessa has been telling those close to her about their breakup,' the insider claimed.

It was revealed in early 2020 that Butler and his long-term partner Hudgens had decided to go their separate ways. Pictured together at the UNICEF Summer Gala in August 2019

The pair reportedly broke up in late 2019 but it became official in January the following year Pictured together at the premiere of Dog Days in 2018

They first started dating in September 2011 and went public with their romance in July 2012 at the premiere of her film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

There were rumors in December 2017 that the couple had become engaged when Hudgens flashed a diamond ring on her wedding finger, but she later denied the claims.

Butler has since moved on and is dating Kaia Gerber, after they sparked a romance in December 2021 when they were spotted attending a yoga class together.

Hudgens, for her part, is now dating MLB star Cole Tucker. The pair first sparked romance rumors when they were spotted holding hands in November 2020.

Prior to dating Butler, Hudgens was in a relationship with her former High School Musical co-star Zac Efron between 2005 and 2010.
Even by his unwavering wartime standards, it was an epic display of the bulldog spirit.

Just hours after a Luftwaffe raid in April 1941, Churchill presided at a degree ceremony at Bristol as chancellor of its university, amid what his private secretary described as 'devastation such as I had never thought possible', and gave an impromptu speech likening the 'fortitude' of Bristol to that of 'Ancient Rome'.

But now, claim some furious alumni, the Wills family  donors of what, in today's money, equates to hundreds of millions of pounds  will see their name expunged from the university, and even from the landmark building where Churchill gave his speech. If approved, it would be a result of what critics allege is a bogus 'consultation' about benefactors' connections with slavery.

Even by his unwavering wartime standards, it was an epic display of the bulldog spirit. Just hours after a Luftwaffe raid in April 1941, Churchill presided at a degree ceremony at Bristol as chancellor of its university

Churchill's biographer Andrew Roberts fears the alumni's concerns are not misplaced, pointing out that the university has stated the Wills family 'benefited from slavery' as 19th-century tobacconists  even though they neither owned slaves nor traded them.

It's evidence, he tells me, that 'the woke movement has moved on to attack people who had perfectly legal businesses. It's what the woke movement wants: the complete association of Britain  which, after 1833, was fighting against the slave trade  with slavery, so we can say: 'We're all guilty.' '

By that standard, he adds, so, too, is anyone 'wearing a T-shirt made in China. Will they be excoriated by future generations for owning something made in a dictatorship?'

None of the woke warriors, Lord Roberts reflects, will emulate even a fraction of the 'enormous philanthropic generosity' of the Wills family, one of whom, Sir David Wills, established the Ditchley Foundation, which 'works with people from across the world to help sustain peace, freedom and order'.

A Bristol University spokesman insists: 'No decisions have yet been made.'

Churchill's biographer Andrew Roberts fears the alumni's concerns are not misplaced, pointing out that the university has stated the Wills family 'benefited from slavery' as 19th-century tobacconists  even though they neither owned slaves nor traded them

Now, claim some furious alumni, the Wills family  donors of what, in today's money, equates to hundreds of millions of pounds  will see their name expunged from the university, and even from the landmark building where Churchill gave his speech. If approved, it would be a result of what critics allege is a bogus 'consultation' about benefactors' connections with slavery

Tar star's husband was jealous -- of her

Norwegian model Sylvia Flote, daughter-in-law of Lib Dem grandee Lord Oakeshott, has made her big-screen debut in the film Tar, as a lover of Cate Blanchett's character, a classical music conductor.

At the film's London premiere, Flote (left) tells me her other half, Sigmund Oakeshott, was happy with her casting, because he fancies the Australian actress. 'My husband was quite proud that I was playing her lesbian lover,' she says at the bar of Picturehouse Central in London. 'He's not even jealous, as he would have loved to have taken my place.'

Flote, 39, adds: 'Working with Cate is the highlight of any career.'

Norwegian model Sylvia Flote, daughter-in-law of Lib Dem grandee Lord Oakeshott, has made her big-screen debut in the film Tar, as a lover of Cate Blanchett's character, a classical music conductor

Did rock star Bono watch too much Bridgerton in the pandemic? 'He did write me an open letter, as one of, I think, 60 recipients during the lockdown,' punk legend Iggy Pop reveals. 'He put forth the proposition that there is a Regency in popular music  which I took to mean a royal clique.' Bono beseeched Iggy, 75, to be more Prince William, less Prince Harry. 'His impression about my stage-diving was that, as I hurled myself forward, I was throwing away my crown.' His verdict on Bono's plea can be found in the scathing track that closes his new album, which repeats: 'F*** the Regency'.

Amid great fanfare, Simon Mayo left the BBC last year after nearly four decades at the Corporation, but some people don't seem to have noticed he's gone.

Mayo, 64, was approached by an autograph-hunter in Soho, London, who told him: 'So many people are leaving the BBC.' When Mayo agreed with him. the fan replied: 'Glad you're still there, though.'

Hush-hush speed read

Tom Bradby kept Spare's secrets over Christmas after being granted an exclusive sight of the text in advance of his interview with Prince Harry, broadcast on Sunday.

'We were asked to hand over our coats, phones and laptops and taken to a room with four laptops open with the book loaded electronically and watermarked with our individual names,' says Ian Rumsey, ITN Productions' managing director. 'It was our only chance to see the book, and equipped with just notepads and pens, we read all 410 pages in nine hours.'

A shame that fast-talking Bradby wasn't asked to voice the audiobook, which clocks in at 15 hrs, 37 mins of Harry's reedy whine.

Breakfast in bed for designer Coco

Coco Pops might be a children's favourite, but they're loved so much by society jeweller Theo Fennell's daughter Coco that she even wears them to bed.

The fashion designer, 34, is pictured in the 425 Anya Hindmarch PJs, emblazoned to look like a pack of the Kellogg's breakfast cereal, while on holiday in Barbados.

The fashion designer, 34, is pictured in the 425 Anya Hindmarch PJs, emblazoned to look like a pack of the Kellogg's breakfast cereal, while on holiday in Barbados

'Not even a hint of a tan,' jokes Coco, whose sister is Oscar winner Emerald Fennell, the writer/director of Promising Young Woman.

Proudly working-class comedian Johnny Vegas is going into business with an aristocrat.

Benidorm star Vegas, 52, is moving his popular Field of Dreams glamping (posh camping) site from Harrogate in North Yorkshire to the grounds of Melbourne Hall, a stately home in Derbyshire owned by Ralph Kerr, heir presumptive to the Marquessate of Lothian and the chiefship of Clan Kerr.

Pope gave his parody blessing to TV snob

Dame Patricia Routledge's snobbish character Hyacinth Bucket (which she pronounced 'Bouquet'), in the much-missed Keeping Up Appearances, would be delighted to learn that not only did two Queens watch the BBC sitcom, but so did a Pope.

'There's a rumour that Pope Benedict did an impression of Hyacinth's telephone catchphrase, 'Hello, this is the Bouquet residence.' If the rumours are true, his Holiness wasn't the only high-profile fan,' reports Channel 5 documentary Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years Of Laughs, to be aired tomorrow night.

Dame Patricia says: 'We were one of the Queen Mother's favourite sitcoms, which was lovely, and the Queen enjoyed it, too. Hyacinth would have been flattered beyond words, and why not.'

Celebrated rock guitarist Jeff Beck, who died suddenly earlier this week aged 78, enjoyed his resemblance to Sir Mick Jagger, 79. 'I used to get mistaken for him all the time,' Beck admitted in 2021. 'I used to have girls screaming at me  and I didn't know what the f*** they were screaming about.

'I'd pull up along somebody in a car, and they'd go: 'Mick!' And I'd be thinking: 'Who the f*** is this Mick?' Then I realised it was this guy in the Rolling Stones called Mick Jagger.'
This photo shows Unification Minister Kwon Young-se speaking at a forum on peace on the Korean Peninsula at the office of the government of South Chungcheong Province in this Dec. 14, 2022 file photo. Yonhap



Unification Minister Kwon Young-se plans to meet with chiefs of international organizations next week in Switzerland to discuss North Korea's humanitarian situations, his office said Thursday.



Kwon will accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his visit to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland from Jan. 14-21, according to the unification ministry. He will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos during the Jan. 16-20 trip to the European nation.



On the sidelines of the so-called Davos forum, Kwon will meet with Catherine Russell, executive director of the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), and David Beasley, head of the World Food Program, according to the ministry handling inter-Korean affairs.



The ministry said Kwon will reaffirm the government's commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to North Korea regardless of political and military situations.



"The minister plans to discuss the possibility of international organizations resuming (humanitarian) projects in the North following their withdrawals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will also discuss ways to bolster cooperation to improve North Koreans' quality of life," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.



In the UAE, Kwon will meet with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the tolerance and co-existence minister, to discuss the two nations' integration policy and ways to strengthen cooperation.



The government said Kwon plans to drum up international support for the South's "audacious" initiative aimed at helping North Korea develop its economy in return for denuclearization during his upcoming trip.



Kwon will become the first unification minister to attend the Davos forum in 18 years after former minister Chung Dong-young in 2005. (Yonhap)


Jamie Lynn Spears has announced a new Zoey 101 sequel film is in the works with a slew of original stars returning to the upcoming Paramount+ flick.

The film, currently entitled Zoey 102, will see the former Pacific Coast Academy students reuniting for a wedding as adults, Variety reports.

In addition to Spears, who recently appeared in Special Forces, original cast members Erin Sanders, Sean Flynn, Matthew Underwood, Christopher Massey, Abby Wilde, and Jack Salvatore will all be returning for the movie.

Back for more! Jamie Spears has announced a new Zoey 101 sequel film is in the works with a slew of original stars returning to the upcoming Paramount+ flick

Zoey 102 is now in production in North Carolina and is expected to premiere later in 2023 on Paramount+, according to Variety.

'I'm beyond thrilled to be back alongside my PCA family and continue the story of Zoey and all the characters fans know and love. As an executive producer, it's been an exciting opportunity to work with such incredible talent as well as Paramount+ and Nickelodeon,' Jamie Lynn said in a statement obtained by Variety.

Announcing the project on Instagram, Jamie Lynn posted a photo of her director's chair emblazoned with her name in pink cursive along with a copy of the script sitting atop her belongings. In a subsequent snap, chairs belonging to her co-stars were also included.

'IT'S OFFICIAL! Are you ready...' Jamie Lynn gushed in the caption, adding shout-outs to Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.

Coming soon: Zoey 102 is now in production in North Carolina and is expected to premiere later in 2023 on Paramount+, according to Variety

Hit series: The original series followed the adventures of Zoey Brooks (Jamie), a student attending the former all-boys school Pacific Coast Academy after it opened up enrollment to girls

The original series followed the adventures of Zoey Brooks (Jamie), a student attending the former all-boys school Pacific Coast Academy after it opened up enrollment to girls.

The show was a hit on Nickelodeon but was suddenly cancelled in 2008 after four seasons and three years on air.

Since appearing on the series, Spears continued her acting career with roles in Sweet Magnolias and various other projects.

Back for more: The post also included a shot of all the chairs belonging to her co-stars as they prepared to return to the world of Zoey 101

She recently returned to small screens a stint on the reality series Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, where she shared her struggles growing up in the shadow of her big sister Britney Spears.

Jamie Lynn became emotional after a tough military exercise as she discussed Britney achieving global fame when she was just a child, admitting she wants to prove that she is 'worth something' too.

During the interview, Jamie Lynn discussed her demons, and said: 'Growing up, my sister became famous, worldwide famous, when I was very young.

The show was a hit on Nickelodeon but was abruptly cancelled in 2008 after four seasons

'I guess I just wanna like [proving that] I'm just like worth something.'

'I'm so proud of her, love her to death, but I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I don't really have anything for myself,' she continued.

In a confessional, Jamie Lynn said she was 'extremely proud' of her sister's success, but also wanted to carve out her 'own identity'.

'I struggle with self-esteem all the time,' Jamie Lynn admitted.
Lisa Marie Presley, days before her death at 54 following a cardiac arrest, appeared to be unsteady while being interviewed on the red carpet at the 2023 Golden Globes, where she attended to support the film Elvis.

In the clip, Lisa Marie - who died Thursday after she suffered a cardiac arrest at her Calabasas, California home - turned to her friend Jerry Schilling, 80, and said 'I'm gonna grab your arm' as she was asked questions ahead of the event by Extra host Billy Bush.

She appeared to talk slowly and slurred her words while talking about the film's star Austin Butler and the storms and flooding in Southern California.

Last outing: Lisa Marie Presley, 54, days before suffering a cardiac arrest, appeared to be unsteady while being interviewed on the red carpet at the 2023 Golden Globes, where she attended in support of the film Elvis

Bush predicted 'a wonderful night for Elvis' at the beginning of the interview, in which Lisa Marie stood next to longtime friend Schilling, a talent manager who worked closely with Elvis.

Bush asked her if she had gotten to know Butler, at which point she told Schilling 'I'm gonna grab your arm' and locked her right arm with Schilling's left arm.

She said she adored Butler and was 'mind-blown' after seeing his performance in the film (which earned him Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama at the event).

Lisa Marie said she need five days 'to process [Butler's performance] as it was so spot on and authentic'.

In the clip, Lisa Marie, 54, turned to her friend Jerry Schilling, 80, and said, 'I'm gonna grab your arm,' as she was interviewed by Extra host Billy Bush

Lisa Marie said she needed five days 'to process [Butler's performance] as it was so spot on and authentic'

In the chat, Lisa Marie said that she thought Butler nailed the 'characteristics [and] the talking without doing it like in a caricature way like it's been done in the past'.

She added: 'It's kind of done in sort of a funny, joking way, the way [Elvis] spoke, but Austin actually got it and did it perfectly without making it comical.'

Schilling noted Butler 'didn't overdo' aspects of his performance as Elvis.

Bush asked Lisa Marie if she had lived in the Montecito-Santa Barbara area - which was battered earlier this week by storms and flooding - and she said she 'did at one point', noting that the results of the storm were 'really awful'.

The interview wrapped up with Lisa Marie telling Bush that Butler was making his way down the entrance.

In the interview, Lisa Marie spoke of her fondness for Butler in his performance as her father

Fans chimed in on the comment section of the thread on YouTube to share empathetic remarks about Lisa in the wake of her medical incident on Thursday

Fans chimed in on the comment section on the YouTube video to share empathetic remarks about Lisa in the wake of her medical incident on Thursday, before her death was confirmed, with some referring to the suicide of her son, Benjamin, in 2020.

'Prayer for Lisa Marie,' one user wrote.

'When you read her Instagram posts she is very transparent on how her son's suicide devastated her. Lisa has had a very difficult life. Add to the fact that Elvis' family had a history of heart disease and limited longevity, I am very concerned for her.'

Another wrote: 'She looks a little frail but was very coherent, listen to and answered all questions. Bless her. She's been through so much.'

One said that Lisa looked 'so malnourished' with evident 'heartbreak' in the clip, adding, 'What a beautiful person. Love her so much. She's been through a lot. Praying that she pulls through.'

Lisa Marie at the Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, two days before her death at 54

The late star was accompanied by Schilling as she made her way into the luxe festivities

She posed with her mother Priscilla Presley and Elvis star Austin Butler at the event

Priscilla Presley took to Twitter Thursday to ask fans for prayers amid the medical emergency

Lisa was rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital after she suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday, as police sources told Deadline that Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and medics with the fire department were sent to her home after receiving a call reporting the medical event.

Her mother Priscilla Presley took to Twitter to ask fans for prayers amid the medical emergency.

'My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital,' Priscilla said in a tweet Thursday afternoon. 'She is now receiving the best care. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world and ask for privacy at this time.'

Priscilla told People later Thursday evening: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known.

'We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.'
They have already notched up over 40 million global streams and over 9 million YouTube views.

And now, Wet Leg are leading the BRIT Award nominations alongside stars such as Harry Styles and Sam Smith.

Ahead of the BRIT's ceremony, here's everything you need to know about the two best friends who up the Indie band.

Duo: Wet Leg are leading the BRIT Award nominations alongside stars such as Harry Styles and Sam Smith

Who are Wet Leg?

The band includes Rhian Teasdale (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Hester Chambers (backing vocals, lead guitar).

The duo were quick to rise to fame during the Covid-19 pandemic and released their debut album in 2022.

They now have 536k followers on TikTok, 308k followers on Instagram, just short of 59k followers on Facebook and 62k followers on Twitter.

Couple: The band includes Rhian Teasdale (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Hester Chambers (backing vocals, lead guitar)

How Did Wet Leg meet?

The pair became friends when they attended the Isle Of Wight College, where they grew up, and a decade later they decided to make music together.

They first signed to the Domino Recording Company in 2019, who have also worked with Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.

Over time, the girls admitted their friendship turned into a 'casual relationship' and have since claimed - albeit tongue in cheek - that they are 'married'.

Rhian previously told Exclaim! Magazine: 'We started off in a pretty casual relationship and now we're married.'

Hester added: 'But I think it's really amazing to be experiencing this with you and the band. I feel very supported through a really scary time.'

Loved-up: Over time, the girls admitted their friendship turned into a 'casual relationship' and now they claim to be 'married'

Hester said about her other half: 'But I think it's really amazing to be experiencing this with you and the band. I feel very supported through a really scary time.'

What does the name Wet Leg mean?

In December 2021, Rhian told On The Wright: 'We basically chose it after hitting the [raindrop emoji] and the [leg emoji] on the emoji keyboard.

'We were playing a sort of game where we'd make band names out of different emoji combinations. Then we got to 'Wet Leg' and it just kind of stuck.'

Where are they now?

Their self-titled debut album was released in April and they have six singles.

Wet Leg and Harry Styles are leading the hopefuls ahead of the Brit's ceremony on February 11, with four nominations each.

Big names! The BRIT Awards 2023 nominations have been revealed with Harry Styles and Wet Leg leading the hopefuls ahead of the ceremony on February 11

The band are also up for Mastercard Album of the Year, and are also in the running for Group of the Year, Best New Artist and Alternative/Rock Act.

The duo - who will perform at the ceremony at London's O2 Arena on 13 February - said: 'Somebody hold our horses while we get to grips with this wild news, being nominated for a BRIT award is too hard to comprehend, we never could have expected for our wee band to achieve this.'

Wet Leg are heading to Australia in February to support Harry Styles on tour and will be appearing at the star's UK shows next summer and will be on the bill with Pulp at Finsbury Park in July.
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Asia-Pacific not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 17:29, January 12, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

According to media reports, the United Kingdom and Japan are expected to sign a major defence deal today. The deal is allowing UK troops to deploy in Japan. This is part of Japan's moves to face what they call the challenges posed by China.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing that the Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition. China is a cooperation partner for all countries and poses no challenge to anyone.

"The defense cooperation between relevant countries should be conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between countries. It should not target any imaginary enemies, still less replicate the obsolete mindset of bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A man demands compensation for wartime forced labor victims from Japan during an open forum at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Newsis



Foreign ministry de facto gives up on Japan's compensation for forced labor victims



By Jung Min-ho



The Korean government has de facto given up on demanding compensation from the Japanese government and companies for Korean victims of wartime slave labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.



During an open forum on the issue at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is virtually impossible to achieve an ideal solution  in which the Japanese companies offer compensation and sincere apologies for the victims  and the ministry is now seeking a compromise.



The expected compromise will see Korean companies donate funds for the victims  hoping that Japanese companies will join in. Almost certainly, however, there will be no apologies from Japan.



In 2018, the Supreme Court here ruled that the Japanese companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel, have to compensate 15 victims for wartime labor exploitation. The ruling led to Japan's retaliatory export controls on key items to Korea, and further strained bilateral relations, which President Yoon Suk Yeol has been trying to repair. Tokyo has maintained that the issue was settled as part of the two countries' 1965 treaty, under which it provided Seoul with $300 million in grants and $200 million in loans to pay for its occupation of the Korean Peninsula.



"With the persistent gap in opinion, it is difficult to make the Japanese companies pay compensation [voluntarily]," Seo Min-jung, a high-ranking official for Asia and Pacific affairs at the ministry, said. "We need a creative approach."









She said the ministry will consult with the victims and review their opinions before moving to the next phase.



If everything goes as planned, the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, which was established under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in 2014, will be tasked with raising funds from domestic companies that benefited from the 1965 deal, such as POSCO, and possibly some Japanese ones. Shim Kyu-sun, head of the foundation, said the solution suggested by the government is the less satisfactory but more feasible option compared to the best one, which is beyond reach.



Shim also said lawmakers should review the need for a special law to compensate all victims, not just the 15 people, though did not offer a precise number. Former Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, who previously suggested the idea, said approximately 1,500 victims should be subject to the law.



Lim Jae-sung, a legal representative for some victims, said any ideas that do not require the Japanese companies' participation are unacceptable.



"The idea offered by the government is basically using a Korean public institution to collect funds from Korean companies  There is no responsibility or burden for the Japanese side," he said. "[Expecting] donations from Japanese companies is just 'begging,' not a 'creative approach.'"





Opposition lawmakers and activists hold a press conference in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday.
This November 2021 file photo shows police escorting a man accused of attempting to kill neighbors over a noise dispute in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul. Newsis



A 22-year prison sentence has been finalized for a man who was convicted of attempting to murder his neighbors over a noise dispute, court officials said Thursday.



The man, identified by his surname Lee, withdrew an appeal to the Supreme Court on Jan. 3, they said.



In November, an appeals court sentenced him to 22 years in prison for trying to kill all three members of a neighboring family in an apartment building in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul. He was also ordered to wear an electric monitoring anklet for 10 years.



On Nov, 15, 2021, the man stormed into the family's home downstairs and went on a stabbing spree. He had been in an inter-floor noise dispute with them since he moved in about three months earlier.



The mother was stabbed in the neck and was left seriously incapacitated. The husband and their daughter sustained wounds to the face and hands.



The case drew national attention for a bungled police response.



Two police officers were sent to the scene but left the family to fight the attacker alone. They were dismissed later and indicted last month for dereliction of duty. (Yonhap)


According to police, the notorious Bawaria gang is skilled at committing chain snatching crimes by avoiding capture on CCTV footage and escape to their native by road the same night. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The notorious Bawaria gang, members of a nomadic clan from Uttar Pradesh, are said to have been involved in a string of chain snatching cases in the city on January 8.

The Bawaria gang, also known as the chaddi baniyan gang, was also engaged in a string of chain snatching incidents in Bengaluru, according to a police officer. In addition to the Bengaluru special teams, 12 special parties constituted by the city police and Rachakonda police are currently scouring the tribal villages of Ghumantu, Mewaiti, Saasi, Bhaatu, and Kangda in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, among others.

Bawarias are a nomadic tribe that has been involved in various criminal activities for several decades. They usually operate in UP, although their movements have also been reported in Haryana and Rajasthan, where they originate. Almost all attacks involve murder, rape, burglaries, or assaults.

Police said the gang is notorious for attacking houses located close to roads or railway tracks. While men commit crimes, Bawaria women are said to undertake reconnaissance in order to identify vulnerable victims. They disguise themselves as traders, selling either textiles or utensils, when conducting a recce of the houses they intend to attack. Even children are sometimes included in the recce operation, police said.

According to police, the gang is skilled at committing chain snatching crimes by avoiding capture on CCTV footage and escaping to their native areas by road the same night. "The accused were aware that we have a dense network of CCTV cameras. While they may try to avoid the gaze of CCTV, we identified the gang based on their modus operandi, a police officer said.

Initially, the local tribes in these villages did not provide information about the accused, but when the local police got involved, each team from the city was attached to a local police officer who managed to get the names of the accused after being provided with images from CCTV footage, according to police sources. Though the special parties have the accused's photographs, they are having difficulty obtaining information because the locals there are known by common names, according to police sources.

Our teams are well trained to deal with these types of situations. We are providing state-level police support and are constantly monitoring and collecting their feedback. We are hopeful to crack the crime very soon, said a senior police official.
With Sankranti coming up in four days, the markets are buzzing with businesses selling kites of all sizes and forms. ( S. Surender Reddy/DC)

Hyderabad: With Sankranti coming up in four days, the markets are buzzing with businesses selling kites of all sizes and forms, and people of all ages queuing to purchase the paraphrenia required to take over the skies.

During Sankranti, kite-flying is a significant feature of the celebration and would be incomplete without vibrantly coloured kites filling the sky. Markets in Gulzar Houz, Begum Bazaar, Dhoolpet, Narayanguda, Bahadurpura, Langer Houz, King Koti, and Manghalhat see a steady flow of kite enthusiasts splurging on kites, charkhas (spindle), and manjas ((razor sharp thread used

for cutting others' kites in fun competitions).

Gulzar Houz in the Old City has been a popular market for kites, charkas and thread for many decades. It is a stone's throw from Charminar, and when Sankranti approaches the entire road is lined with temporary businesses.

At this market, one can get kites of any size or shape that have several names such as Kadi Kamp, Gol Kamp, Zebiya, Guddidaar, Doredaar, Langot, Namam Langot, Guddi Langot, among others. Kite flying professionals use several tactics to cut the thread of others, such as dheel or kheench, using sharp manjas known by many names, such as gandhak and Barellly.

Kites shaped like butterflies or dragons, superman or doremon have long been popular at these bustling marketplaces that come to life during this season. Aside from major kite markets, other temporary stores or makeshift shops have sprang up across the city, doing brisk business. "We're hoping for a surge in sales starting Thursday or Friday," said a kite seller at Gulzar House.

Mohamed Gulzar Khan, a fourth generation 'manja' maker from Mata Ki Khidki in Dabeerpura, said, "My great grandfather was a popular 'manja master'. Our entire family will be engaged in this industry at least for four months before Sankranti.

Several families make a living by selling kites, manjas, and charkas. Sales are up this year. This year's strong demand is due to Covid scare gradually on the wane. In addition, a huge number of children and youngsters are showing up to celebrate the festival by purchasing kites."

Manduri Sambasiva Rao, a senior citizen who lives in Prakash Nagar in Begumpet, said he has been celebrating the festival since he was a child. He is now looking forward to spending the day with his grandchildren. "This celebration is everyone's own. Children begin the festivities a month before the festival day. We spend the entire day on terraces with our friends and relatives flying kites while blaring out music, eating, and having a wonderful time. No other Indian city can compete with Hyderabad's kite flying culture."
Congress leader Mallu Ravi (Twitter)

Hyderabad: Cybercrime police investigating the case of morphed images of public representatives being circulated in the social media have named Congress

leader Mallu Ravi as an accused in the case. Police have already served a

notice on him asking him to appear for questioning on January 12 (Thursday).

Police had served notices on Congress strategist Sunil Kanugolu and three

employees working for Sunil. During investigation, Ravi had written to the

Cybercrime police on December 29, expressing his interest to join the

investigation.

In the letter, he stated that the case is related to the Congress war room

being run by him and asked police to examine him in the case.

Taking his letter into consideration and also the statement of Sunil

recorded two days ago saying that he worked under Ravi and only did as

instructed, Cybercrime police added Ravi as an accused in the case. More

details about his role in the case would come out during his questioning,

they said.
JanaSena leader tells region's youth to fight for their rights. (PTI Photo)

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Invoking a quote from Swami Vivekananda, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has advised the youth of north Andhra region to have nerves of steel and muscles of iron -- to fight against the corrupt YSRC government and free themselves from the shackles of slavery. Pawan Kalyan also held out a list of promises to the people of the region if he's elected to power.

Addressing a Yuva Shakti gathering at Ranasthalam in Srikakulam district on Thursday evening, the actor said the ruling YSRC government looted the state, particularly north Andhra, where there was no growth and hence 50 per cent of the population migrated to other states to eke out a living.

Pawan Kalyan, targeting the next Assembly polls, appealed to the youth to strengthen his hands and the Jana Sena for their salvation from the present plight of joblessness.

People rallied behind me but did not send me to the Assembly where I could have raised my voice. I lost in two places and came out like a soldier injured in war, Pawan told the crowd. Some ministers chided me for my loss in the elections, he said.

Stating that the Jana Sena technically won in 53 Assembly segments, Pawan Kalyan said the votes were spread out all over the state. Had they been concentrated in one place, the party could have won some seats.

"I will fight till my last breath. I will not give up politics or you. This is my firm resolution," he said.

Listing out the misdeeds of the YSRC government since 2019, Pawan Kalyan said Jagan Mohan Reddy could not complete the Polavaram project, provide jobs to the unemployed and salaries to the employees on time. The only action in the last three years was of ministers abusing the opposition leaders in filthiest language and grabbing government and private property.

Pawan Kalyan said he had challenged Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the past and has enough guts to fight against Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Stating that the state politics was veering around three castes, Pawan Kalyan said backward castes should also be encouraged to participate in politics.

He said there were no full time politicians in the country. Every leader has financial support. Even senior leaders like Kapil Sibal and Chidambaram have law practice.

"I am ready to sacrifice my Rs 250 crore annual income if people donate to the party. I will return every pie in form of development," he said

Clarifying his stand on the alliance with the TD, Pawan Kalyan said rumours were afloat that the Jana Sena struck an alliance with the TD, following his meeting with Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad last Sunday.

During the two and half hours of our meeting, we discussed the actions of ministers Rambabu and Gudivada Amarnath, the law and order situation in AP, the future of the state, but nothing about an alliance or sharing of seats, he clarified.

He said, The Jana Sena cannot go alone and become a martyr in the polls. The party is firm that the opposition votes should not be split, he said, adding, however, that, If an alliance lowers our dignity, we will go it alone in the next election with the peoples support. The hint was that he expected a fair deal from the alliance partner.

Taking on minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, he said the government has reduced AP to three states. This minister from north Andhra kept quite when the region was looted, illegal mining was encouraged and precious government land was mortgaged in Visakhapatnam. Let them have 26 states and loot further, he said.

Listing out his assurances to north Andhra before concluding his speech, Pawan Kalyan said if he is voted to power, he would make the region a financial hub with more investment and more industries that could create jobs. He would complete the pending irrigation projects, build jetties all along the coast, curb illegal mining and conduct a safety audit of all the industries.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. (By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: In an oblique reference to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao warned the people that if they supported forces that incite religious, caste and social divisions, those forces would control the country like the "Talibans," with no investments, industries, jobs or development.

The CM slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre, accusing it of implementing "poor water and power policies" that resulted in "water conflicts" between states, a lack of irrigation, drinking water facilities, and power shortages across the country despite abundant resources.

He urged youth and intellectuals to give a serious thought on why India was experiencing water conflicts and power shortages while having 4.10 lakh megaWatts of installed power capacity and 1.40 lakh tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) of rainfall each year.

"This is because of the inefficient government at the Centre, which is incapable of tapping even the available resources. The Centre had failed to even utilise 2.10 lakh MW of power or 20,000 tmc ft of water," Rao said, at a public meeting after inaugurating the district collectorate in Kothagudem on Thursday.

Stating that both BJP government at the Centre and the BRS government in Telangana came to power at the same time in 2014, Rao said, "Telangana has made remarkable progress in several sectors in recent years. "

Rao maintained that he had launched the BRS to enter national politics in order to bring about a qualitative shift in Indian politics and administration. "At the moment, political parties are winning elections and people are losing. This scenario needs to change. Elections should be won by the people. People should think seriously over this issue, and change should begin in Telangana. For the same reason, I have launched BRS. I will be visiting Khammam on January 18 with CMs from several states to hold a public meeting. I request you to participate in large numbers to save this country from disruptive forces."

He announced the allocation of Rs 10 lakh to each of the Kothagudem districts 481 gram panchayats, as well as Rs 40 crore each to Kothagudem and Paloncha `municipalities, Rs 25 crore each to Yellandu, Manuguru Municipalities. The CM announced that the state government will establish one government engineering college very soon in the district for the benefit of tribal students.
The high court on Thursday permitted the BBMP to allow Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) put up temporary hoardings, structures, and signage to carry out a publicity campaign for Aero India -2023, scheduled from February 13 to 17. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale also directed the BBMP to submit a compliance report within three weeks insofar as its earlier directions about the measures/steps to control and curtail unauthorised hoardings in the city.

The interlocutory application (IA) was filed by the BBMP seeking courts permission to allow HAL to put up temporary publicity and informative material at various places in the city. The application said Aero India-2023 is a prestigious international event to be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, organised by the Ministry of Defense in support of the state government.

It was submitted that the participants from all over the world and also from within the country will be inconvenienced if proper route signage and advertisements are not put up at key junctions in the city. The application also assured that the temporary hoardings, structures would be made of wood, placard only at the designated places and the material to be used is 100 percent cotton.

Observing that the division bench had accorded permission to the BBMP during Aero India-2019, the court allowed the application.
The recent seizure of a package originating in Pakistan and containing uranium, at Heathrow Airport in London, once again renewed focus on clandestine proliferation networks involving the western neighbour of India.

India is keenly waiting for the outcome of the investigation launched by the authorities in the United Kingdom as the seizure of the package could lend credence to its long-held suspicion about the role of state and non-state actors of Pakistan, a source in New Delhi told DH.

The uranium was found during a routine search by the UK Border Force personnel on December 29  in a shipment of scrap materials that purportedly originated in Pakistan and arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London aboard a flight from Oman, according to The Sun. The Counter-Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police of London has launched an investigation after being informed by the UK Border Force about the seizure of the package.

New Delhi has been repeatedly airing at the United Nations Security Council and other international forums its concerns over Pakistans role in secret nuclear proliferation and the grave risk it posed to the security of India.

As recently as in October 2022, India had drawn the attention of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the proliferation of nuclear and defence technologies from North Korea to Pakistan. India would like to reiterate the importance of addressing the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea or North Korea) in our region, New Delhis envoy to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, had said at the Security Council, adding: These linkages have an adverse impact on peace and security in the region, including on India.

India has since long been concerned over North Korea's clandestine defence technology cooperation with Pakistan. New Delhi, according to the sources, suspects that Pyongyang-Islamabad secret defence cooperation, which in the mid-1990s led to the supply of Rodong Missiles and technology to Pakistan, is still continuing. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of the nuclear program of Pakistan, was, in 2003, found to have traded know-how and technology with Iran, Libya and North Korea. Khan in 2011 made public documents in support of his claim that North Korea had bribed senior officials of the Pakistani Army and got them to allow him to share nuclear technology and certain equipment with the pariah nation.

New Delhi also received inputs, suggesting that certain nuclear materials supplied to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission by the Suntech Technology Company Limited of China in recent years had been diverted to North Korea in violation of the sanctions imposed by the UNSC.

The office of the District Attorney of New Hampshire in the north-eastern United States had in January 2020 announced that five men had been indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2019 for running an international procurement network of front companies to smuggle goods  sensitive high-tech equipment and know-how  to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the country's Advanced Engineering Research Organization (AERO), violating America's International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. The five men had been associated with a front company called Business World, apparently based in Rawalpindi, the garrison town, where the Pakistan Army too has its headquarters.

Notwithstanding Pakistans track record in proliferation, China has been supporting its plea for admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), apparently only to block Indias bid to get a seat in the 48-member export control regime.
Saudi Arabia plans to use its own uranium resources to develop the kingdom's civilian nuclear programme, its energy minister said on Wednesday.

The world's biggest oil exporter is trying to reduce its dependence on crude and announced in 2018 a plan to build 16 nuclear reactors over two decades. The project would cost $80 billion.

"Recent exploration activities revealed the presence of diverse sources of uranium in various locations," the minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, told a minerals conference, according to state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV.

"The kingdom intends to use its national uranium resources, including for joint projects with its partners," the minister added.

This would be done in conformity with "international obligations and rules of transparency, covering the entire production cycle", he said.

In March 2018, Riyadh approved its national atomic energy policy which limited nuclear activities to peaceful purposes and called for enhanced safety measures, as well as the use of best practices for radioactive waste management, state media reported at the time.

Argentina was building the first project, a low-power research reactor generally used to train technicians.

Some analysts have voiced concerns that Saudi Arabia was seeking to use its atomic programme as a hedge against its arch-rival Iran.

In a 2018 US television interview Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon, his country would seek to do the same.

Iran reached a 2015 agreement with world powers to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

The agreement aimed to stop Iran from developing an atomic bomb but the United States pulled out of that deal in 2018, leading Iran to begin reneging on its commitments.

Talks to revive the pact have since stalled.

Tehran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia's regional economic rival the United Arab Emirates announced that its Barakah nuclear power plant had begun commercial operations as the first in the Arab world.
The United States announced Thursday it was offering a reward of up to $10 million for a man described as the "terror mastermind" of a bloody hotel attack in Kenya four years ago.

It said it is seeking information on Mohamoud Abdi Aden, describing him as a leader of the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab jihadist group that has carried out several deadly attacks in neighbouring Kenya.

The Al-Qaeda affiliated group claimed responsibility for the January 15, 2019 siege on the upmarket DusitD2 hotel compound in the Kenyan capital Nairobi that lasted almost 20 hours.

At least 21 people lost their lives, including a US citizen, and many more were injured. Kenya said at the time that all the assailants had been eliminated.

"Mohamoud Abdi Aden, an Al-Shabaab leader, was part of the cell that planned the DusitD2 hotel attack," the US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, told reporters in Nairobi.

She said the US was offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of Aden, described by the embassy as a Kenyan national, and others accused of involvement in the hotel siege.

The head of Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Amin Mohamed Ibrahim, described Aden as the "terror mastermind" behind the carnage.

The State Department designated Aden a "specially designated global terrorist" in October last year.

Al-Shabaab has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the Islamist militant group.

In 2013, Al-Shabaab laid siege to the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi for four days, leaving 67 people dead.

In 2015, an attack on Garissa University in eastern Kenya killed 148 people, almost all of them students. Many were shot at point blank range after being identified as Christians.

It was the second bloodiest attack in Kenya's history, surpassed only by Al-Qaeda's bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998 that killed 213 people.

Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a bloody insurgency against Somalia's fragile central government for 15 years, has been designated a terrorist group by the US since 2008.

In November, Washington said it was increasing its reward to up to $10 million apiece for key Al-Shabaab leaders including "emir" Ahmed Diriye.
Veteran socialist Sharad Yadav passed away at a hospital in Haryana's Gurugram, near Delhi, on Thursday, after ailing for the past few months. He was 75.

Survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, he was brought to Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram by his family to the emergency ward in an unconscious and unresponsive state.

"On examination, he did not have any pulse or recordable blood pressure. He underwent CPR as per ACLS protocols. Despite best efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 10.19 PM," the statement from the hospital said.

First elected to Lok Sabha in 1974, Yadav was a staunch socialist who was a prominent face in the Janata Dal parivar. He was elected to Lok Sabha seven times and to Rajya Sabha thrice.

He was disqualified from Rajya Sabha after he parted ways with Nitish Kumar when JD(U) walked away from the secular Grand Alliance. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he unsuccessfully contested on an RJD ticket.

Yadav was always in the midst of Janata Dal politics and even split from it to form JD(U). However, he lost the pole position after Nitish Kumar merged his Samata Party, which was founded by George Fernandes.

Though he stood steadfast with Nitish when JD(U) joined hands with BJP and later came out to join hands with RJD and Congress, he refused to toe Nitish's line when he returned to the NDA fold, which led to Yadav losing his Rajya Sabha seat after a protracted legal battle.

A top Opposition leader, his official residence as an MP was the epicentre of many meetings of Opposition leaders during the Narendra Modi regime.

An electrical engineer, Yadav was a staunch JP movement leader but in 1979 when the Janata Party split, he sided with Charan Singh.

During his political career, he was accused in the hawala scam but the charges were dismissed by the Supreme Court.

After his split with Nitish, he formed Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) but it did not work as he expected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "pained by the passing away of Sharad Yadav-ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Ram Manohar Lohias ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he was saddened by the demise of Yadav, a senior leader of the socialist stream of the country and former JDU president. "Serving the country as a former Union Minister and an outstanding Parliamentarian for decades, he strengthened the politics of equality," he said.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, who shared a warm relationship with Yadav, said he was very shocked by the sudden departure of Yadav. He stood for the basic values of the country till his last moment: common heritage and social justice - these were the campaigns very close to Sharad ji's heart. He was our friend and colleague for a long time. Heartfelt condolences to the family and all loved ones, he said.




An appellate court on Thursday upheld 25-year imprisonment for a 42-year-old man charged with brutally killing one of his employees by inserting a 70-centimeter rod into the victim's rectum.







The Seoul High Court approved a district court's earlier sentence for the man, only identified by his surname Han, for murdering the employee at a children's gym in Seoul with the plastic stick, which ruptured his organs and caused his death in December 2021.







Han struck the victim in his 20s with the rod at the facility he owns in northwestern Seoul dozens of times before killing him.







An autopsy showed a perforation in the anterior wall of the victim's rectum and further ruptures in organs, including the heart and the liver. (Yonhap)


Nepal recently held its general elections, and a new ruling coalition has formed the government. The two Left parties are playing a dominant role in the new dispensation. The return of KP Sharma Oli and his anti-India politics should worry India. The developments in Nepal are indicative of a larger challenge that India will face in 2023  the struggle between Indias global ambitions and the regional challenges. No country has escaped this dilemma.

This year, India is hosting two major, multi-national summits. In September, India will host the summit of the 20 largest global economies. It will be an opportunity to project India on the global stage. Vague foreign policy goals such as status and prestige will be at the heart of the entire G20 effort. This year India will also host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The SCO is primarily a security-driven organisation of key Eurasian countries, including Pakistan and China. The two summits will see a flurry of diplomatic activity centred on India. Meanwhile, Indias neighbourhood challenges remain, and some are likely to intensify consuming considerable political energies.

Afghanistan under the Taliban is regressing ever backward, and the humanitarian crisis in that country is set to deepen even further. The escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will test the political and military willingness of Islamabad in a year when Pakistan is going to the polls. The Pakistani establishment, which has lost credibility at home, may seek to divert attention away from the domestic turbulence and the troubled relationship with the Taliban.

In Nepal, the debate between the United States-led Indo-Pacific strategy and Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has intensified. Ideally, India would have liked to see continuity in Nepalese politics with Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress remaining in power. However, it might take time for New Delhi to ease in with the new dispensation. Beijings influence in Kathmandu could upset New Delhis regional calculations.

Apart from Pakistan, India's three key neighbours: Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh go to polls this year. In Maldives, and Bangladesh, the ruling, pro-India governments are staring at significant political challenges. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League has been in power for the last 15 years, and the growing domestic discontent along with anti-incumbency is a major factor. In Maldives, anti-India elements have been showing signs of revival and will pose tough challenges to the regime of Ibrahim Solih in the elections.

For India, China is an elephant in the room in Maldivian and Bhutanese elections. India was forced to deal with a pro-China regime in Maldives prior to the 2018 elections. With the growing forays of China's Navy in the Indian Ocean, Maldivian elections have assumed considerable strategic importance.

Bhutan is carefully watching Chinese assertiveness along the India-China frontier. Bhutan too has a border dispute with China, and the tiny Himalayan country signed a three-step road map in 2021 to resolve the border issue. The latest skirmish in Tawang was seen as a military and political message by China to India. Bhutan is a western neighbour of Tawang, and the continuous Chinese pressure is a strategic reality for Bhutan. Amidst the shadow of India-China border tensions, Bhutan will go to the polls.

In the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is still in the grips of a deep economic and political crisis. Although Indias assistance was critical for Sri Lanka to tide over the crisis, the impulse to balance India with China remains strong in Colombo. Sri Lanka played host to the Chinese spy ships in 2022 even as Colombo looked to India for support. For India, the stability in Sri Lanka is a double-edged sword as it will grant the regime in Colombo significant strategic leverage for manuevering between India and China.

Besides, the domestic crisis in Myanmar since the coup in February 2021 shows no signs of easing. The regime remains isolated and at war with its own people. India is comfortable dealing with the ruling military junta, however, it must mitigate the fallout of the crisis in Myanmar including the rising challenge of drugs and weapons trafficking through its North-Eastern states. Besides, the ripple effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine will continue to be felt across the world including in India. There is no option but to deal with these challenges.

Therefore, 2023 will test India as it will have to navigate its lofty global ambitions amidst the deepening regional security challenges.

Sankalp Gurjar is Assistant Professor, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The views expressed are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
With the India story taking precedence over the China story, India is frequently referred to as the one bright spot on the map! Complementing the countrys strength in services, its recent moves to give manufacturing a push are taking India closer to the East Asian growth model.

Since 2019, India has cut corporate taxes, introduced production-linked incentive schemes in 14 sectors to increase indigenous manufacturing capacity and attract investment, boosted public capex and attracted financing by launching the National Infrastructure Pipeline, introduced GST and supply side reforms to make domestic manufacturing more competitive, rationalised labour laws into four codes for the welfare and security of workers, and alongside digitised the economy to improve the cost and ease of doing business.

Can India now attract global manufacturers looking at a minus China strategy by utilising its strengths in core manufacturing? According to the United Nations most recent COMTRADE international trade database, India imported approximately US$ 90 billion from China in 2021, including machinery, electrical equipment, boilers, iron and steel articles, and the like, while exporting to China US $23 billion in various ores, iron and steel, copper, aluminium, and other raw materials. A look at the list of items traded shows our continued dependence on Chinas manufacturing muscle.

Other trends are equally worrisome. Democratic dividend notwithstanding, professors in engineering colleges lament that todays students are not interested in studying engineering any more. Since 2012, in Karnataka alone, a total of 19 engineering colleges have closed shutters for a lack of students. College admissions in 2022 showed over 1,800 engineering seats had no takers despite several rounds of counselling. Students have started to show a stark preference for commerce, finance, and management disciplines compared to hard-core engineering subjects.

This phenomenon is not restricted to colleges alone; Indias engineering firms are downsizing on manufacturing in favour of services and projects. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a traditional manufacturing and engineering firm with a diversified product offering across engineering and manufacturing and is often considered a barometer of the state of engineering and the general economy. Looking at L&Ts FY 22 Annual Report, one finds the company will focus on data centres, green hydrogen, and other new-age businesses like start-ups in the e-commerce space. The companys strategic road map, known as Lakshya 2026, mentions increasing the companys share in information technology (IT), digital services, and data centre spaces. Industry watchers have looked up to L&T as a torchbearer for manufacturing, so it is not surprising that other traditional manufacturing and engineering firms in India are replicating these moves.

Nevertheless, the manufacturing sector is replete with success stories.

Firstly, the pharma sector, with its feat of Covid vaccine manufacture, sets a bright example. Despite global competitors using quality and cleanliness parameters to keep Indian pharma products constantly under pressure, the worlds minus China strategy can boost Indias API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) manufacturing strengths. As a direct consequence of our pharmaceutical manufacturing prowess, India has the wherewithal to straddle the API market and to produce the biologically active component of a drug, tablet, capsule, or injectable.

The second and another fall out of the minus China strategy concerns Apple looking to diversify iPhone manufacturing. India can turn into a global iPhone manufacturing hub, not counting several supply chains that feed smartphone production, potentially making it as big as the auto sector.

Third, consider defence where the SIPRI report projects India as the fourth largest spender on defence equipment, a large portion of which can be fully indigenised in a phased manner. After due consideration of the manufacturing capabilities of Indias private and public sector, the defence ministry has put out indigenisation lists mandating the manufacture of selected equipment and weapon systems in India to significantly boost the countrys manufacturing muscle.

A fourth potential area is high-priced textiles. If India were to focus on modernising its weaving and finishing industries, abandoning todays labour-intensive textile manufacturing for a clear differentiator vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Another encouraging trend is Indias digital transformation, which has resulted in significant reductions in machine downtime and increase in labour productivity. With global corporates wanting to shift part of their manufacturing out of China, we are ready for a minus China strategy and can become that alternate destination. Perhaps we missed the bus earlier and left a gap too wide, but our manufacturing muscle is prepared for the long haul. Not only are we healthy, but we also are fully capable of becoming the torchbearers of tomorrows global manufacturing.

(The writer is former ED and Member, Board of Directors, BEML)
With Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, now firmly in the saddle in Nepal after winning the trust vote for his coalition government, there is concern in New Delhi over the health of India-Nepal relations over the next few years. Dahal, once regarded as Indias friend, is now viewed in some quarters in New Delhi as pro-China. Anti-Indian imperialism and the revocation of the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty were important items on the agenda of the decade-long Maoist insurgency that Dahal had led. Moreover, his government is dependent on the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, whose leader K P Sharma Oli baited India repeatedly in the 2018-21 period when he was Prime Minister. Understandably, India is concerned that the Dahal government will lean towards China.

Soon after winning the trust vote, Dahal said his government would maintain a balance in its relations with India and China. He also vowed to retrieve territories that he alleged are under Indian occupation. That he made no mention of Nepals border dispute with China would not have gone unnoticed in Delhi. Rather than allowing its Nepal policy to be determined by who or which parties comprise its government, India needs to focus on how to further its security interests and craft its policy accordingly. Reports of Indian meddling in Nepali politics and its Big Brother behaviour in dealing with its smaller neighbour have often angered Nepali parties and politicians, providing fertile ground for third countries to fish in troubled waters. Chinas expanding role in Nepal is partially the outcome of Indias failed diplomacy in the Himalayan country. Shifting away from such diplomacy will shrink the space for Chinas rising influence in Nepal.

Dahal is expected to visit Delhi soon. India should find ways to expand economic cooperation with Nepal. Speeding up connectivity projects and expanding access to Indian ports would go a long way toward drawing Kathmandu away from Beijing. India may not be able to compete with China with regard to the amount it can invest in Nepal, but it can do better than Beijing by being a more accommodating neighbour. Unlike China, India has a long history of cultural, kinship and economic ties with Nepal. India must build on these advantages. Indias diplomatic establishment tends to categorise political parties in neighbouring countries as being pro- or anti-India. This is an unhelpful classification. India must learn from Chinese diplomats who engage with all parties, irrespective of their ideology or leanings. Delhi must stop playing favourites with Nepali parties. That strategy is not in Indias interest.
The world is getting warmer, winters included. The United States, however, has experienced severe winter storms in recent years, and experts are taking a closer look at the link between these extreme cold events and climate change.

While the link between global warming and heat waves is very direct, the behavior of winter storms is governed by complex atmospheric dynamics that are more difficult to study.

Even so, "there are certain aspects of winter storms (...) where the climate change linkages are fairly strong and robust," Michael Mann, a climatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, told AFP.

For example, the warming of bodies of water -- lakes or oceans -- influences the amount of snowfall.

Read | After year of climate disasters, world off-track to curb warming

In the United States, a mechanism called "lake-effect snow" occurs around the Great Lakes region on the Canadian border. The city of Buffalo, which sits on the shores of one of the Great Lakes, was hit hard by a lethal snowstorm over Christmas weekend.

The collision between cold air from the north with the warmer water of these lakes causes convection, which leads to snowfall.

"The warmer those lake temperatures, the more moisture (is) in the air, and the greater potential for lake-effect snows," Michael Mann wrote in a 2018 paper.

"Not surprisingly, we see a long-term increase in lake effect snowfalls as temperatures have warmed during the last century."

There is, however, no consensus on other mechanisms, such as the effect of climate change on the polar vortex and jet stream air currents.

The polar vortex is an air mass above the North Pole, located high in the stratosphere. Humans dwell in the troposphere, and the stratosphere is located just above it.

It is surrounded by a band of rotating air, which acts as a barrier between the cold air in the north, and the warmer air in the south. As the polar vortex weakens, this band of air begins to undulate and take on a more oval shape, bringing more cold air southward.

According to a 2021 study, this type of disturbance is occurring more often, and is reflected in the following two weeks lower in the atmosphere, where the jet stream is located.

This air current, which blows from west to east, again following the border between cold and warm air, then meanders in such a way that it allows cold air from the north to intrude at lower latitudes, particularly over the eastern United States.

Also Read | The end is nigh? Climate, nuclear crises spark fears of worst

"Everybody agrees that when the polar vortex becomes perturbed or disrupted, there is an increase in the probability of severe winter weather," Judah Cohen, lead author of the study and climatologist for Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), told AFP.

And this "stretched" polar vortex is exactly what was observed just before the storm that hit the United States this December, he pointed out.

The same phenomenon was seen in February 2021, when a bitter cold snap hit Texas, causing massive power outages.

But the heart of the debate lies elsewhere: What is causing these increased disturbances in the polar vortex?

According to Cohen, they are linked to changes in the Arctic, accelerated by climate change. On the one hand, the rapid melting of sea ice, and on the other, an increase in snow cover in Siberia.

"This is a topic that I have been studying for over 15 years, and I am more confident today in the link than I have ever been in the past," he told AFP.

This last point, however, remains "an active debate within the scientific community," said Mann.

"Climate models are not yet capturing all of the underlying physics that may be relevant to how climate change is impacting the behavior of the jet stream."

Future studies will still be needed in the coming years to unravel the mystery of these complex chain reactions.
A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with a series of counts involving arson and domestic violence.

David Anderson (33) of Mullaghboy Crescent in Magherafelt was charged with arson with intent to endanger life on January 7.

He was also charged with two assaults aggravated by domestic abuse on the same date, criminal damage to kitchen appliances on January 6 as well as threats to kill and damage property on the same date.

Anderson was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon namely a knuckle duster somewhere between Toome and Belfast.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that police were called to a 999 call from a female who told them Anderson had caused damage to property.

When police arrived they found the alleged injured party to be 'visibly distressed'.

She told them that the defendant had been drinking and she had asked him to go to bed.

The woman said that at that Anderson became aggressive and used a sledgehammer and hit a cooker, a washing machine and the floor causing damage.

She also told police Anderson had grabbed her by the throat and slapped her across the face.

The police were told that later the woman went down and asked Anderson to go to bed again and he had kicked the door off the washing machine and then set fire to a bag of rubbish in the kitchen.

He was also said to have threatened to burn the woman's house.

The police officer also gave details of the original charges Anderson was on bail for that were said to have occurred on March 5 2020.

It was alleged that he had came to a house where his former partner was and broke down the door and assaulted her with a hammer causing a head wound.

Bail was opposed due to the fact that the defendant had 28 previous convictions and there was a risk of re-offending and also that the address proposed was only one third of a mile from the alleged victim's address.

A defence solicitor said that the proposed address was actually some six miles from the woman's.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that one third of a mile or 6 miles was immaterial as either was too close.

He refused bail and remanded Anderson in custody to appear again on February 8.
A man who admitted the theft of thousands of pounds of ink cartridges from Tescos has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Arunas Lescauskas (28) with an address at Tamer Road, Seaford in Lincolnshire in England admitted five charges of the theft of ink cartridges on March 3 and November 14 this year.

He also admitted breaching a deportation order on dates between November 1 and November 15. And a charge of obstruction on November 14.

A prosecution solicitor told the court that the offences involved the theft of ink cartridges from Tescos across the North.

At the Lisnagelvin Tescos Lescauskas stole ink valued at 450, in Coleraine ink valued at 1,240 and varying amounts in other stores.

The court heard that in total the value of the stolen ink was set at almost 5,000.

A defence solicitor said his client was stealing the ink for a third party who then paid him some money.

Lescauskas was jailed for a period of 12 months.
A call has been made to strip the constitutional question from discussions around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The post-Brexit trade arrangements sparked a political row, with unionists opposing the protocol as separating the region from the rest of the UK.

Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry was speaking during the second day of talks amid political stalemate at Stormont over the protocol.

The DUP is refusing to enter devolved government until the UK government acts over the protocol.

The five largest parties met with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Irish premier Leo Varadkar on Thursday, after a round table discussion with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday.

Mr Farry said he wanted de-dramatise the current discussions around the protocol.

This is fundamentally about getting something that works for Northern Ireland, in particular our business community, he said.

We need to strip away the arguments around the constitutional question that is now putting this into a different context and see this as about a fundamental issue about managing trade and making sure the Northern Ireland economy can work as best as possible and that we have fully taken advantage of the opportunities.

We were keen to stress to the Taoiseach today the importance of working with the business community, and also the need for greater urgency in terms of this process.

We obviously welcome what has happened this week in terms of the data sharing, and obviously the legislation moving ahead with border control posts is also part of the landscape as well.

But we do need to see much more substantive progress because with the Assembly down, our people here are suffering hugely.

We need our institutions restored so we can take decisions to address the day-to-day needs of the people of Northern Ireland.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie described important meetings saying Sir Keirs party could be the government in waiting.

So its important that we put our case to him, and he understands the unionist point of view, he said.

He was very engaging in his conversations about how he could help and play a positive part.

Mr Beattie said he doesnt see much light coming out of the protocol talks.

The negotiations are being kept quite tight, everybody knows they are inching forward and we can see them all inching forward but I dont think there is much light coming out of those negotiations, nobody is seeing it, were certainly not seeing it, he said.

If somebody is just going to slap a deal on the table, youre going to pick it up, look at it and straight away probably see a red flag, so its better if they engaged with Northern Ireland political parties so we can highlight any of those red flags before they try and put it down as a deal.

Mr Beattie also denied that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was a bogeyman for unionism.

Hes a person that we have to work with, and will engage with, and we do engage with honestly and frankly, and in good faith, he said.

But he does have to make sure that he can build relationships with unionism, because they have been damaged, but we will continue to work with him as best we can.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood welcomed progress in the protocol discussions, and urged a real commitment from the DUP to get back to work.

To get into government, to deal with the issues in our health service and cost of living, and very soon it is going to be over to Jeffrey (Donaldson) to make a decision, he said.

In terms of the UK-EU talks, Mr Eastwood said: Lets let them negotiate.

I think whats important is that retain dual market access because its a fantastic opportunity for businesses and workers in our economy here, but if there are ways of reducing the checks, were happy to do that.

The block to any proper negotiation has always been the British government who havent been serious about this for a long time.
Can it even do that? And does FOSS deserve an exemption to sanctions?

By Simon Sharwood, The Register (January 1, 2023)

In 2022, information technology collided with geopolitics like never before. After Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, many nations decided that Vladimir Putin's regime and populace should be denied access to technology and even to services from the companies that make and wield it.

The USA, meanwhile, extended its restrictions on technology exports to China, citing its belligerence and repression of human rights.

The bans appear to have been somewhat effective: China and Russia both started efforts to replicate technology they could no longer easily, or legally, obtain.

Yet plenty of sophisticated top-tier tech still crossed their borders because open source code still flows around the world unimpeded.

Click here to read more ...








The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province / Courtesy of MFDS



Prosecutors raided the drug safety ministry Thursday over possible illegal activities in clinical trials during the approval process for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, officials said.



The Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office sent investigators to nine locations, including the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, to seize data related to its probe.



The raid was carried out in connection to a government project to provide support for the development of homegrown COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, according to the officials in the pharmaceutical industry.



Through the project under the Korea Drug Development Fund, the government offered support to 14 local pharmaceutical companies from September 2020 to November last year.



During the period, only two of the companies  Celltrion and SK Bioscience  succeeded in their development. (Yonhap)


Now that the world has been exposed to the sheer scope of OpenAis ChatGPT, the company has released a statement saying that they are planning to monetise the service. OpenAI may create a payment plan that is geared toward working professionals, allowing them to use its myriad services to enhance their professional output.

The companys announcement says Were starting to think about how to monetize ChatGPT (early thinking, nothing official to share yet). Our goal is to continue improving and maintaining the service, and monetization is one way were considering to ensure its long-term viability. Were interested in chatting with some folks for ~15 min to get some early feedback. If youre interested in chatting, please fill out this form (takes ~10 min to fill out).

What is ChatGPT Professional?



ChatGPT Professional is stated to be the monetised version of the app. One you click the link the company has shared, you will be taken to a waitlist that will eventually allow you to access the app. The form asks people what they would use it for, and how much they would be willing to pay.

The company elaborates If you are selected, well reach out to you to set up a payment process and a pilot. Please keep in mind that this is an early experimental program that is subject to change, and we are not making paid pro access generally available at this time.

Will there still be a free version of ChatGPT?

The company has not made any promises about keeping the service free, so we can expect the whole thing to eventually become monetised. Or, they may offer a free service that has limited capabilities (or limited searches).

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Samsung is all set to host the Unpacked 2023 event on February 1st in San Francisco. Samsung will unveil the Samsung Galaxy S23 series and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 in the event. The in-person event is taking place after three years and will begin at 10AM. The event will also be streamed live on youtube and on Samsung's official website.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series

Samsung will launch three phones in its Samsung S23 series as usual; namely, the Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S23 will be the most-affordable variant in the Samsung S23 series. It will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It might have a different camera design and come in different colour options.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will be the middle variant between Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It might roll out with a different design and it is also powered by the same chipset used by Samsung Galaxy S23.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the most high-end phone in series, packed with all flagship stuff. It is also powered by the latest and most powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the rumours are that it will sport a 200-megapixel primary camera.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series:

Samsung usually launches its flagship tablets along with the Samsung Galaxy S series. Like in 2022, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S8 along with the Samsung Galaxy S22 series so we could see the launch of Galaxy Tab S9 in the Unpacked 2023 event as well. The Tab S9 series also includes three variants; the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the vanilla version of the series with improved cameras and features. It is expected to be equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, S Pen support and much more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is the mid-ranger of Tab S9 series and might have the bigger display.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra might be the most powerful tablet offered by Samsung with the most powerful chipset and improved features.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Samsung recently confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S23 will launch on February 1, during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event. The company has not confirmed anything about the India sale as of now, but will be announcing the details soon, now that the pre-bookings have opened up.

Pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy S23 series comes with its own set of benefits. Youll get e-vouchers worth 5,000 in India, but you will have to pay 2,000 as a token amount upfront to confirm your intention to buy the product. This amount will only get deducted once the purchase has been made.

What does the Samsung Galaxy S23 offer?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup includes Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The first two will have a triple-camera setup while the third will have a quad-camera setup. All three models will come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and a 12MP front camera. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is believed to come with a 200MP primary sensor, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will have a 50MP primary camera. All three models will run on the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 out-of-the-box.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 will come with a 3900mAh battery. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will come with a 4700mAh battery and a 5000mAh battery. All three models will support 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

When will the Samsung Galaxy S23 launch?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 will launch on February 1.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
While we are waiting for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, rumours have been swirling around stating that Samsung might not roll out three models of Samsung Galaxy S24 like its been doing so far. The Samsung Galaxy S24 is expected to hit the market next year and it might launch with only two models.

According to a report by The Elec, Samsung is planning to launch the Samsung Galaxy S24 next year with only two models, the Standard and Ultra. Samsung usually launches three models in its flagship S series but the report says that it will drop the middle model next year, which is Plus. However, the launch of the S24 is not happening anytime soon so the company might add it later but it needs to be done quickly.

The Galaxy S24 has been dubbed the DM project and has only two sub-projects, DM1 and DM3. Now, we can guess from the names that DM1 might be a Vanilla model and DM3 might be the Ultra variant. The DM project is missing the DM2 model variant which could be the Plus model.

Samsung is also reportedly reconsidering the production of the Samsung A2 series. The report also states that Samsung will drop the A2 series and continue the A1, A3 and A5 series.

The Samsung S23 series is launching in less than a month. Samsung is hosting an event on February 1st to announce the Samsung S23 series. The Samsung S23 series includes the Samsung S23, Samsung S23+ and Samsung S23 Ultra.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.




Korea's foreign ministry plans to hold a public hearing Thursday on ways to resolve the thorny issue of how to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labor during World War II in line with the Supreme Court's ruling.







The hearing, co-organized by the ministry and Rep. Chung Jin-suk, head of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, is scheduled to be held at the National Assembly in Seoul.







The government is reportedly considering creating a fund from donations of Korean companies to compensate victims without the participation and formal apologies of the accused Japanese firms, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel.







Victim groups have voiced strong opposition to the alleged resolution that lacks the direct involvement of related Japanese firms. Some have decided to boycott the hearing in protest of such a solution.







In 2018, the victims won their legal battle against Japanese companies in a landmark Korean Supreme Court ruling ordering those firms to pay compensation.







Seoul and Tokyo have held several rounds of working-level consultations on ways to resolve the issue. (Yonhap)


Defence minister clears Rs4,276-cr weapons acquisition for Army, Navy

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for three capital acquisition proposals, amounting to Rs4,276 crore. All the three proposals - two of the Indian Army and one of the Indian Navy - are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated to the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threat. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of Indian Army, a defence ministry release stated.

The HELINA and Dhruvastra being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are third generation, Lock on Before Launch fire and forget ATGMs meant for the indigenous ALH and the Light Combat Helicopter. Helina is the Army variant and Dhruvastra is the Air Force variant.

The DAC also accorded AoN for procurement of VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system under design and development by DRDO. In view of the recent developments along the northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain. Procurement of VSHORAD, as a robust and quickly deployable system, will strengthen the forces air defence capabilities, the release stated.

The Army has a major requirement for VSHORAD and several attempts to import the systems have not materialised. A major deal with Russia, which was shortlisted in a bidding, has been stuck for several years and is on the verge of cancellation.

Further, the DAC granted approval for procurement of Brahmos launcher and fire control system (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for Indian Navy. With the induction of these missile systems, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemys warships and merchant vessels.

In the interim, in the backdrop of the standoff in eastern Ladakh, the Army made an emergency procurement of Igla-S systems from Russia. The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment.
'Naatu Naatu' song from SS Rajamouli's film 'RRR' bags Golden Globe Award

The Indian film industry kick-started the New Year with a triumphant score. The Naatu Naatu song from SS Rajamoulis film RRR bagged the Golden Globe Award 2023 in the Best Original Song category. And the entire nation has started dancing to the tune of Naatu Naatu.

Ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli's magnum opus RRR, with its stellar star cast, arrived at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning IST) to attend the Golden Globe Awards and scripted history by winning team at Golden Globe Awards 2023

It may be noted that the RRR track Naatu Naatu was shot outside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official residence in Ukraine. The Ukraine leg was the last shooting schedule of RRR. The team had earlier dropped several glimpses of their shooting schedule from Ukraine. The song was shot months before Ukraine was invaded by Russia.

'RRR' was recently released in Japan amid huge expectations. The film, which got tremendous response in Japan and Europe and now America as well, is all set to grab some awards and attention after the Golden Globe Award 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the entire team of RRR on winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song Naatu Naatu.

A very special accomplishment! Compliments to M M Keeravaani, Prem Rakshith, Kaala Bhairava, Chandrabose, Rahul Sipligunj. I also congratulate S S Rajamouli, Jr NTR, Ram Charan and the entire team of RRR Movie. This prestigious honour has made every Indian very proud, the prime minister tweeted.

Congratulatory messages have been pouring from all sides for team RRR. The Golden Globe makes me proud on three levels. Firstly, I am proud as an Indian that our film and song have got us such global recognition. Secondly I feel happy as a family since Rajamouli is my son and Keeravani is my nephew. And thirdly I feel proud as a part of the RRR team. I think we are blessed by divinity. There are so many other equally deserving songs and films. But they didnt get the same recognition. I am always proud of my son and nephew. But this time I am a little prouder than usual, said SS Rajamouli's father Vijayendra Prasad.

Mahesh Bhatt, who was instrumental in bringing the southern maverick MM Keeravaani to Bollywood, was more elated. The first Hindi film which Keeravani (who was known as MM Kreem in Hindi cinema) scored for was Criminal. The love ballad Tum Mile Dil Khile featuring Nagarjuna and Manisha Koirala became an instant classic.

'This global recognition was overdue for a man of his calibre,' said Mukesh Bhatt about MM Keeravani's 'Golden Globe' win.
The level of overcrowding in Irish hospitals is "still too high".

That's according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which has revealed 497 admitted patients are without a bed today (January 12).

It comes as record numbers of overcrowding were recorded by the organisation in 2022, with a total of 118,662 patients waiting without hospitals beds throughout the year.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: "The level of overcrowding we are seeing in our hospitals is still too high. We have not seen numbers like we have seen today at this point in January since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006.

"Nurses and midwives are working in impossible conditions to provide the safest care they can but it is clear that their workplaces are dangerous.

"Hospitals are not just places of care, they are workplaces. Basic safety is not guaranteed in understaffed and overcrowded wards and emergency departments. The Health and Safety Authority and HIQA must intervene through increased planned and unplanned inspections."

Cork University Hospital is the most overcrowded nationwide today with 57 patients waiting for beds, followed by University Hospital Limerick (45 patients) and Tallaght University Hospital (41 patients).

Six of those waiting on trolleys are under the age of 16.

Just four hospitals are free from overcrowding today, including National Children's Hospital Tallaght, Bantry General Hospital, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.
Students walk out of Yonsei University in Seoul after taking an essay exam for college entrance in this Oct. 1, 2022 file photo. Yonhap



A former music professor of Yonsei University has been indicted with detention on charges of telling a prospective student what song will be on the school's music college admission exam, officials said Thursday.



The former professor of the piano department allegedly gave illegal piano lessons to the student preparing for music college admission and leaked to the student a song to be on the performance test for the university's 2022 music college admissions.



The alleged leakage came under suspicion after the student mentioned the song, one of the Grandes etudes de Paganini by Franz Liszt, as a designated examination song in a mobile group chat room for students preparing for music college in August 2021.



Yonsei reported the case to police for investigation following an internal inspection.



The Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office indicted the former professor Tuesday, while the student and a head of a private music education institution in Ulsan who brokered the lessons were indicted without detention, officials said. (Yonhap)


The situation facing Irelands healthcare services is matching the worst-case scenarios, the boss of the HSE has said.

Currently, were matching or exceeding our most pessimistic model, which, as we said before, is very concerning, HSE interim chief executive Stephen Mulvany said on Thursday.

Flu is already at levels that make this an exceptional season, plus we still have significantly high levels of Covid and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

He said that as of January 7, flu was seen to be continuing to rise, and that they could not yet predict when it would peak.

We will continue to deal with high levels of flu and other viruses through February and likely into March, he added.

Hospitals across Ireland have been dealing with an unprecedented demand for emergency care in recent weeks, which has led to hundreds of patients waiting on trolleys for a bed.

A number of actions have been taken to ease the pressure on hospitals, including asking consultants to work during three weekend in January, half of GP clinics extending their hours, and the use of 180 private beds.

The Government and health authorities have defended their winter plan by saying that the current pressures were unforeseen  and that countries across Europe are facing similar pressures for unscheduled care.

Speaking during a media briefing in Dublin, Mr Mulvany said that in some of the worst situations, you can see patients lined up on trolleys, very very close together, with staff trying to do their best to care for them.

Its very upsetting for patients, its very difficult and challenging for staff, and its impossible to stand over.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that how bad the flu season is was particularly hard to predict, as the modelling of Covid had very predictable behaviours.

So it was certainly easier to model against one virus which had a fairly predictable rate of behaviour and also, marking that against different ways of behaviour of the population which were reduced down to very simple things because of social restrictions at the time, he said.

Now were modelling against a number of viruses in a society where theres millions of interactions every hour, every day.

As such, its not nearly as simple as it was because, thankfully, society is completely open and theres multiple potentials for transmission of any one of those viruses at any one time.

Dr Henry said that the new Omicron sub-variant XBB1.5, also known as the Kraken, has gone rapidly from a small number of cases in the US to between 25-30%.

Less than five cases of this sub-lineage have been confirmed in Ireland, according to the latest data.

He said that some countries have estimated that this variant of interest has a significant growth advantage to previous Omicron variants, which could lead to more cases globally.

Omicron (variants), we know, all very transmissible, easy to catch. As each new variant comes in place with its mutation it displaces previous variants, but they do not have the same severity of illness that we saw in earlier versions of Covid.

Dr Henry said there had been a relentless climb of flu-like illnesses in GP practices for eight consecutive weeks.

This flu season started earlier, and has been building up longer, and is peaking higher than the flu season in many years and the type of flu  AH3  which unfortunately correlates closely with illness, particularly in older people, he said.

He added that there was widespread influenza activity right across Europe, adding that no healthcare system is escaping the pressure of this.

Its end-to-end pressure for unscheduled care presentations, he said.

People have been asked to stay at home when theyre at their most sick, as thats when a person is the most likely to shed virus, and have been strongly urged to wear masks.

Availing of a Covid or flu vaccination has also been encouraged, with Mr Mulvany expressing some concern that just 24% of healthcare workers have been fully boosted against Covid  though he said this may be based on inaccurate data.

Despite the pressures, Dr Henry urged people to attend emergency departments if they do need urgent care.

I think the advice weve given is for people to consider all the different ways they can access unscheduled care, Dr Henry said.

Those who need urgent or emergency care, were urging them to go to emergency departments because our staff there no matter how busy things are, can triage and can identify those at greatest need and will channel them through to the most rapid possible review should they be unstable.
Councillors Sean Kelly and Kevin Meenan tabled a motion at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting, requesting that Irish Water facilitate a visit to Cavan Hill Treatment Plant by Dundalk Councillors as soon as possible.

The councillors' motion stated, that Louth County Council write to Irish Water and for them to facilitate a visit by Councillors from Dundalk MD to Cavan Hill Water Treatment Plant as soon as possible, and while on site, to be given an overview of the causes and issues surrounding continuous water notices in Dundalk over the past two years.

Cllr Kelly further commented, we need to have confidence in our water supply, the persistent water issues of discolouring and pressure over the past number of years needs to be addressed fully.

The Dundalk councillor continued, we have never seen so many water notices and even though the advice is that the water is safe, people are rightly concerned.

A visit to Cavan Hill by the elected officials where they will be given a tour of the site and the issues explained to them should help alleviate concerns.

Cllr Kelly added, prior to Christmas I tried to ascertain the contact details for the Area Manager for Irish Water and the site Manager for Cavan Hill.

Neither were made available to me because of GDPR, this does not instil confidence in the entity if elected officials are not being told who is in charge. We want and need clarity now.

Adding to Cllr Kelly's comments, Cllr Meenan said that he fully supported the motion. Cllr Meenan said that it has been has a continuous issue on our agenda for the past number of years and people are rapidly losing faith in Irish Water as a consequence. These visits were facilitated many years ago, why cant they be done now, we need confidence in our water supply.

In response, the council agreed to write to Irish Water to request the visit.
Above: Representing Louth at Showcase 2023 are local makers Yvonne Mullen of LORE Natural Skincare, Designer Caroline Duffy, Designer Sophie Hunter, Caoilfionn Murphy OHanlon of Cushla of Gullion and Maria Morgan of Esker Fields. They are proudly supported by Local Enterprise Office Louth, represented here by Sarah Mallon. Visit www.showcaseireland.com for more information. Photo: Pause Time Photography

Louth is home to some stunning creative industries, artists and makers whose creations are exported and enjoyed across the world. Showcase is Irelands creative expo and were thrilled to bring five emerging local makers to this years event, explains Sarah Mallon of Local Enterprise Office Louth.

Taking place at the RDS from 22-24th January, this trade event attracts top international retail buyers to sample Irelands finest creations. Sarah continues Each year Louth County Council and the Local Enterprise Office use this event to showcase emerging creative businesses from Louth.

It so important for buyers to experience products for themselves. They get to touch, smell and see the products and packaging and they can anticipate how their customers will respond. It is a huge opportunity for each of the makers and we are delighted to offer it to them.

The featured makers for 2023 are:

Created by Yvonne Mullen, LORE Natural Skincare, uses ethically-sourced sustainable ingredients and premium essential oils to create a beautiful skincare range. She combines traditional methods and ingredients with contemporary scientific knowledge to create her face creams, cleansers, face oil, body lotion bars, lip balms and soaps.

Yvonne places a huge emphasis on sustainability and her packing is eco-friendly and recyclable. Discover more by visiting: lorenaturalskincare.ie

Caroline Duffy, of Caroline Duffy Designs, is an artist and designer. With a passion for creating from nature and flowers, she combines her exuberant floral paintings with her signature feminine uplifting style.

With a focus on the energizing, healing power that nature and colour have on well-being, Carolines collection includes a range of silk scarves and dresses, woven blankets, original art, prints and notebooks. View her collection on carolineduffydesigns.com

Designer Sophie Hunter believes that we often overlook the beauty of nature that is all around us. So she has created a collection of real, pressed and framed botanicals and feathers, showcasing and celebrating natures works of art.

She collects botanicals and flora from country and coastal walks around Ireland, while feathers are naturally shed. Be inspired by Sophies collection by visiting instagram.com/sophiehunterdesign

Visual artist Caoilfhionn Murphy OHanlon, of Cushla of Gullion, creates stunning wall art and home accessories. She uses naturally dyed wool and silk to create pieces that celebrate the myth, magic and rugged beauty of Irish landscapes.

Her pieces hang in homes all over the world, using memories and nostalgia to evoke memories of home. Visit cushlaofgullion.com to see her work.

Esker Fields, founded by Maria Morgan, is a range of natural skincare products inspired by nature and handmade with love. Each product is made using natural ingredients and pure essential oils, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Esker Fields users report improvements in the appearance of their skin, easing of stress and anxiety, relief from muscle aches and better sleep. Visit Eskerfields.ie to learn more.

In addition, other Louth designers exhibiting at Showcase this year include Garrett Mallon Jewellery, Sarah McKenna Ceramics, Edmund McNulty Knitwear, Karen Lavelle of Soilse Candles and the team from Branigan Weavers.

Sarah Mallon of LEO Louth concludes Buyers at Showcase are looking for unique, handcrafted, Irish products to sell to their customers all over the world.

We are so proud of the local enterprises that are attending Showcase this year and hope that this event opens up new opportunities for them and their products.
Dundalk Chamber said it is starting the new year with a free webinar on How to Manage Stress.

The event takes place via zoom on Tuesday, January 31st at 10am to 11am with guest speakers from Perspectives Ireland who are world class consulting psychologists and experts in Behavioural Science

Perspectives Ireland provides training in psychology across the globe.

The co-founders, Dr. Yvonne Barnes-Holmes and Dr. Ciara McEnteggart, with more than 30 years combined clinical and research experience, have developed Process-Based Behaviour Therapy (PBBT), a new scientifically driven model of behaviour change.

Perspectives Ireland are the only trainers worldwide of PBBT and provide organizations with science-driven training to enhance wellbeing and reduce burnout.

During this online seminar, the speakers will cover:

The role of stress in burnout:

* How to identify what makes you stressed

* The difference between healthy stress and unhealthy stress

* Learning how to manage different types of stress

* Navigating stress in your work-life balance

To book your free place call Brenda in Dundalk Chamber on 042 9336343 email brenda@dundalk.ie or on line https://dundalk.ie/event/how-to-manage-stress
One of Dundalks greatest exports, The Corrs, now have their very own dedicated podcast thanks to Norwich superfan Simon Wilkie, creator of the CorrsCast Podcast Series.

In lockdown 2020, he took it upon himself to create the first Podcast show focused on The Corrs to bring fans together and to help celebrate the story of their success and development of the bands first album.

In his eleven episodes so far, Simon, who says hes seen the band play dozens of times, has interviewed those who worked alongside the band in the studio and beyond back in the early 90s.

Many of these have since progressed into Grammy and Emmy award winning work and are celebrated as pillars of the music industry today.

The interviews give an insight into what it was like to work with the band in developing and recording their now iconic sound.

Simon told the Democrat that his love of the Dundalk group started when he saw them play a St Patricks Day gig at the Royal

Albert hall in 1998 that was broadcast on BBC 1.

I remember sitting and watching that with my father and just thinking, wow this is really raw, this is a fantastic sound that Ive never really encountered before.

It was my first encounter with anything that had an Irish music flavour to it.

The Corrs sound is very unique in many ways, the blend of that Irish traditional and pop rock I think hadnt been seen globally.

It had been seen in Ireland of course, but not elsewhere before The Corrs kicked off with their first album.

The idea for the podcast came when, like many of us, Simon found himself at a loose end during Covid lockdown in 2020.

Id listened to a lot of music commentary podcasts when we went into lockdown here in the UK. We couldnt do anything and, like everyone else, I was just sitting at home.

I just thought, Ive been a fan of this band for years, Ive a lot of content that Ive amassed over the years that no other fans really have, and theres no Corrs related podcast out there, theres just nothing.

I was very inspired by these other musical podcasts and decided to try to do something similar, at the very least I knew Id enjoy trying to talk to these people to understand more of the story of the history of the band and their development.

Because it was lockdown, I just reached out on a limb, with no prior experience of making a podcast or anything, to the people who worked with them in the studio and because they also were doing nothing within their industries; they all said yes.

It was partly because everyone else had nothing to do and we could all use zoom, but also, they were very fond of the time when they worked with the band and were happy that someone was interested in telling that story.

They were more than willing to discuss what went on and how appreciative they were of their work at that time.

The podcast has had a huge fan response with 1000s of listeners from a huge variety of countries and growing.

It just kind of blossomed and now thousands of fans are listening from all over the world and in the last couple of months its gotten to no.2 and no.3 in the Irish music podcast charts for commentary.

So its growing at a phenomenal rate and its lovely to be able to naturally see this story unfold, not from me trying to force a narrative or a record company spin on anything.

Its all literally from the horses mouth from those who were in the studio, laying the tracks down, making the demo, the session musicians, etc.

Its a lovely journey that I hope to continue. Season one is focused on the first album and the demos that lead to it. I have no intention of stopping. In the future, I might move on to the second album and beyond.

With so many varied contributors Simon says its hard to pick a favourite but says the fan response to music industry executive Jason Flom was hugely positive.

[He was] the A&R guy who originally said yes to them and allowed them to be signed to Atlantic Records which then got them in touch with David Foster to produce the album.

It was nice to hear about such a pivotal part of their success directly from that person and how he describes having the band come into his office in America and play a demo tape, and about how he knew on the spot that he had to sign the band.

Such is Simons fascination with the Dundalk quartet, he has even visited Dundalk four or five times to have a pint in McManus to see where it all began.

You have different levels of fandom and when you have an appreciation for a group you get curious for where this all came from and I think a huge part of their nature is that hometown feel that comes from a place [Dundalk] that is very different from anywhere in England.

Simon is currently half way through season 1 of the podcast with 11 episodes produced to date alongside special episodes such as a round table discussion with those who attended the bands recent triumphant return to the stage in their One Night Only gig in Australia.

The CorrsCast Podcast is available on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube, among other places.
Local photographer Fra Lucchesi has made it to the finals of two wedding awards.

The talented photographer, from Dundalk, is a finalist in The Irish Wedding Awards 2023 and the weddingsonline Awards with the hope of being crowned Wedding Photographer of the Year.

Fra first took up photography in 2013 and started doing weddings two years later and has been doing it ever since.

As the popular wedding photographer's reputation grew so did his clientele and he is now very much in demand from couples' wanting him to capture their special day.

Fra, speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, said: Ever since Covid restrictions lifted things have really taken off and they don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon, which is just amazing.

I am still in awe of it all and always feel so lucky that I get to do something I truly love.

I'm delighted that I have made into the finals of the Irish Wedding Awards for Wedding Photographer of the Year and into the finals of the weddingsonline Awards.

As always thank you so much to everyone for the support over the years and to all the couples that have let me be part of their special day.

The Irish Wedding Awards 2023 aim to recognise and reward those within the wedding industry that work towards making the big day as perfect as possible and Fra is among those chosen.

The black-tie ceremony will take place at the end of this month in Dublin, where top specialists and establishments that have gone above and beyond in the sector will gather to celebrate their achievements.

A spokesperson for The Irish Wedding Awards 2023 said: These Awards are now recognised as the leading celebration for showcasing those that have demonstrated excellence in the wedding industry.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of The Irish Wedding Awards and we are delighted to be celebrating not only the finalists but how far the industry has come in the past few years.

The competition is tough this year but it is time to acknowledge everyone who has shown dedication and professionalism in their workplace; two key features that make individuals and businesses stand out from the rest.

With more entries than ever before, we would like to wish the finalists the best of luck and we cant wait to welcome our guests at the ceremony and celebrate the winners with them.

The weddingsonline Awards is now in its 14th year and was set up to recognise excellence within the wedding sector and to reward those businesses that stand out from the crowd.

Their Gala Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 27th.

You can vote for Fra Lucchesi in the Irish Wedding Awards on https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/The5thIrishWeddingAwards2023
Gettyimagesbank



Skeletal remains have been discovered in an apartment in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul, and a woman living there has been arrested, police said Thursday.



The Incheon Namdong Police Station said the 47-year-old woman has been put under emergency arrest on charges of abandoning the body at the apartment in the port city's Ganseok district.



The body is assumed to be that of the suspect's 79-year-old mother, the police said.



The remains were found late Wednesday night by police officers who visited the home after receiving a call from another daughter, who said her mother was out of contact and her cohabiting elder sister, the suspect, refused to open the door.



The body was covered with a blanket and there was a note in the house reading, "My mother died in August 2020."



The police have asked the National Forensic Service to conduct an autopsy on the body to determine the exact time and cause of her death.



The police are also investigating the suspect's suspected illegal acceptance of the state pension, as a basic pension of 300,000 won ($240) had been paid to the deceased woman's account every month until recently. (Yonhap)


Main opposition Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung speaks at a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 12. Yonhap





Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung lashed out at the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday for what he called an attempt to "annihilate" the opposition party amid a prosecution investigation into bribery allegations involving him.







Lee, chair of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also renewed his calls for one-on-one talks with Yoon as he held his first official press conference, just two days after he was questioned by prosecutors over the bribery allegations.







"I hope for a halt to the scheme to annihilate the opposition party," Lee said. "So far, the government has been bent on destroying the opposition party and killing a political enemy while talking about cooperative governance."







Lee accused the prosecution of "doing politics" instead of "investigation," saying the prosecution questioning was "very unfair" and "unjust."







Lee said his offer of talks with Yoon still stands.







"I have already proposed talks with the president many times. The proposal is still valid now," he said.







On pending issues, like the economy and security, Lee claimed what he called the "Korea risk" is escalating amid tough economic circumstances and security issues spurred by the recent infiltration of North Korean drones in Seoul.







"The economy has entered what seems to be an endless tunnel of hardship," he said. "The president's risky bomb of words to cover up his incompetence in handling security has only amplified people's concerns and market confusion."







The DPK leader criticized Yoon's recent remark on the possibility of South Korea's own nuclear armament, saying, "It should never happen, is unrealizable and only an act of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula."







Yoon made the remark during a joint policy briefing from the foreign and defense ministers Wednesday, saying if Pyongyang's provocations intensify, "The Republic of Korea could deploy tactical nuclear weapons or possess its own nukes."







On the issue of whether the Constitution should be revised to improve the country's power structure, Lee said he supports changing the current single five-year presidency to a four-year presidency with the possibility of reelection one time.







The long-standing debate has gained traction again recently after the National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said he will push for establishing a special parliamentary committee for a constitutional amendment.







In South Korea, the president or parliament can propose a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority in the assembly and then by a majority in a national referendum in which more than half of eligible voters participate.







Past attempts to revise the 1987 Constitution, which limits the presidency to a single five-year term, have failed due to a political power split between a powerful presidency and a fractious parliament.







"The Democratic Party of Korea will come up with its own bill to revise the Constitution by March," Lee said, calling for a national referendum at a parliamentary election to be held next year. (Yonhap)














EBRD investments top 13 billion for first time in Banks history

1.7 billion of total investments go to Ukraine, plus 200 million from partner banks

Green economy investments make up 50 per cent of total financing, in line with target for 2025

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) delivered a record 13.1 billion in investments to its regions in 2022 at reported rates, in the face of the extremely challenging global economic environment in the wake of Russias war on Ukraine  confirming its countercyclical role in support to its countries of operations and clients.

The 2022 result was significantly higher than last years Annual Bank Investment (ABI) total of 10.4 billion and the previous record level of 11 million in 2020 in response to the economic shock triggered by the Covid-19 pandemics.

The Bank also mobilised a record amount of over 2.1 billion in donor funds, including unfunded guarantees. Over 1 billion of this is dedicated to Ukraine and other countries most affected by the war. The EU provided half of the donor resources alongside important contributions from many other donors such as the USA and Norway.

We did more than break a record, we exceeded our greatest expectations despite the tragedy of the war on Ukraine and the regional and global crises it has brought in its wake, said EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso. This impressive operational performance is testimony to our resilience and determination to support our countries of operation and clients.

The EBRD deployed 1.7 billion, and a further 200 million mobilised from partner banks, to support the real economy in Ukraine through investments in vital infrastructure, energy and food security, trade and support for the private sector.

The EBRDs response to Russias war on Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022, has been to commit to invest 3 billion for Ukraine by the end of 2023, with the exceptional support of shareholders and donors who share part of the risk of the investments the EBRD has taken on its own book.

Highlights of this programme  which has successfully attracted further foreign grants - include providing Ukraines railway company and electricity companies with 150 million each of emergency liquidity last summer, to keep the countrys trains running and the lights on.

A further financing package of 370 million followed in the autumn, made up of a 300 million EBRD loan and a 70 million grant from The Netherlands, for emergency repairs to the electricity network necessitated by Russias strikes on civilian infrastructure.

The UK also provided a 48.6 million guarantee to support an EBRD loan to Ukraines electricity transmission company Ukrenergo.

Likewise, the EBRD provided the gas company Naftogaz with a financing package of just under 500 million to compensate for the loss of natural gas production following the Russian invasion. Adding to 300 million from the EBRD, whose risk is partly covered by the US, Canada, Germany and France, Norway will provide a 190 million grant.

The EBRD has provided Ukraine with a total trade finance turnover of 459 million during 2022 of which 249 million were still outstanding at year end.

We will remain agile in 2023, responding to changing circumstances and making adjustments according to the needs on the ground as we did last year, said President Renaud-Basso.

EBRD green economy financing reached 50 per cent of total business volume in 2022, at more than 6 billion against the previous record number set in 2021 of 5.4 billion. While the 2022 green economy financing figure is slightly lower in percentage terms than 2021s 51 per cent, it meets a second EBRD pledge to make at least half its financing green by 2025 for the second year running.

The Bank, which is strongly committed to the global climate agenda, also announced in December that it had fulfilled its pledge to align all its activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change.

A key element of the EBRD Paris alignment plan is encouragement to partner financial institutions to follow suit. In December, Jordans Bank al-Etihad became the first EBRD partner bank to sign up to adopting a transition plan, incorporating the EBRDs Paris alignment methodology alongside a US$ 35 million loan to strengthen its lending capacity in Jordan.

Other ground-breaking deals included financing 1GW of renewable energy generation in Uzbekistan, and supporting a hard to abate industrial sector develop and implement a low-carbon strategy.

The share of gender-tagged projects rose to 37 per cent of the total, above the target and above 2021s 35 per cent. Along with green and digital, gender is one of the EBRDs three strategic priorities. The Bank aims to integrate gender equality components into at least 40 per cent of its operations by the end of 2025, and a quarter of EBRD annual investments will fund inclusion projects.

The total number of projects financed by the EBRD in 2022 rose to 431 from 413 in 2021. And 2022 saw a record volume of investment in the private sector, of close to 10 billion, even if - because of the EBRDs focus on supporting Ukraine and other countries of operation hit by energy and food crises resulting from the war - the share of its investments in the private sector dipped two percentage points to 74 per cent.

Disbursements totalled a record 8.7 billion for the year. Annual Mobilised Investment  the amount made available to clients from entities other than the EBRD due to the Banks direct involvement  was at 1.7 billion, against 1.8 billion in 2021. The Banks financial results, which are likely to record a loss because of the impact on the EBRD portfolio of the war and the fall in equity valuations that followed it, will be announced in the weeks ahead.
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during the policy briefings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense in Yeongbingwan guesthouse in Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of the presidential office



By Kang Hyun-kyung



President Yoon Suk Yeol made a rare remark about South Korea turning to nuclear weapons as a last resort to protect the country from North Korean attacks.



In the closing remarks of the policy briefings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday, he said he would not rule out the possibility of the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea or the nation building its own nuclear weapons in case North Korea's nuclear threat becomes much more serious than it is now.



Although conditional remarks, it's the first time that Yoon mentioned South Korea's possible development or acquisition of nuclear weapons since he was inaugurated on May 10 last year.



"If that happens, it won't take long for us to have one, given our scientific and technological capabilities," he said in a readout of the policy briefings released from the presidential office late Wednesday night.



Yoon, however, made it clear that South Korea becoming a nuclear weapons armed state immediately is "unrealistic." His remarks seem to come from the worries about proliferation shared by the United States and many other signatory states of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.



On Thursday, a day after President Yoon's remarks were reported, the presidential office clarified that South Korea has no intention to build nuclear weapons.



"There has been no change in South Korea's position (toward its commitment on non-proliferation)," said Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security advisor to Yoon. "South Korea will not violate the NPT and will keep working together with the United States to strengthen extended deterrence against the North."



President Yoon underscored the need to work closely with the United States to share their nuclear assets, as well as jointly participate in exercises and planning to thwart North Korea's threats.



Yoon's remarks about turning to nuclear weapons in the worst-case scenario came amid North Korea's heightened provocations using various different weapons. North Korea's drone intrusion into South Korea's aerial space is the latest provocation. The North is expected to conduct another nuclear test anytime this year.



President Yoon directed the military to beef up its "Three Axis" strategy to deal with the North Korean nuclear threat. The strategy consists of the Kill-Chain platform, which begins with South Korea's preemptive engagement in the event that it detects signs of an imminent North Korean attack, the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system for protecting the South from North Korean missile attacks and lastly, the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) program, which activates the South's massive military retaliation capabilities.



Among the three, Yoon said the KMPR is the most important tactic to deter North Korean provocations, directing the defense ministry to enhance its capabilities for retaliatory strikes significantly, so that South Korea can launch such a counterattack against the North at 100 times the destructive power of any incoming threat  or 1,000 times in the case where the South's territory is invaded.



According to the president, once South Korea is equipped with overwhelming retaliation and punishment capabilities and continues to carry out military exercises, the North will find it difficult to conduct provocations any further.



He said attack and retaliation capabilities should be prioritized over defense. His rationale is that defending the nation from North Korean attacks is much more difficult and will cost much more money than upgrading capabilities to conduct retaliatory strikes in the case that provocation occurs.



"Defending the nation from enemy missile attacks, for example, will cost the nation 10 times more than attacking. Maybe more than that," he said. "North Korea prioritizes building up their capabilities to attack because it's cheaper than building defense capabilities."



Yoon said North Korea has become a common threat to the United States, Japan and South Korea and this shared security concern has led the three countries to team up to deal with the North Korean threat.


A man who was walking his huskie dog has been convicted of assault causing harm to another man who was out walking his two bernese mountain dogs.

Martin OLeary, aged 52, of 125, Commons Rd, Cork, denied the charge of assault causing harm to Stephen Casey, who is in his 40s. However, judge Marian OLeary convicted OLeary of the assault and adjourned sentencing at Cork District Court. Mr Casey is to prepare a victim-impact statement.

Martin OLeary was walking his huskie while Mr Casey was walking his two bernese mountain dogs when the incident occurred on June 22, 2021. Mr Casey testified that OLeary struck him across the back with a stick and also hit him in the head.

OLeary claimed that the injured party had no control over his dogs. My dog was on the ground. I had to defend him. I was trying to defend my dog. I was afraid for my life.

I think there is no way I would have hit him [Mr Casey] with my stick.

"He left his dogs go and punched me in the face. He grabbed me. There was a struggle. I did not hit him with the stick. My dog was lying on the ground.

"I thought he was dead, the defendant said in a memo of interview with Garda Agnieska Pizlo.

Defence solicitor, Michael Quinlan, asked the accused man to account in court for what happened at Dublin Hill Industrial Estate.

He said he had walked that area for seven-and-a-half years and that there was plenty of space and fields to leave his huskie off for a run.

I didnt take notice of anyone until Mr Casey came towards me. I clenched the dog [on the lead] close to me His two dogs, two rottweilers, just charged in on top of my dogs. My dog is not a fighting dog. The two of them attacked him. I defended him with my stick. He had no control over the two of them. My dog was being attacked from both sides.

I defended my dog as much as I could. I lost grip on my dog. He [the injured party, Mr Casey] punched me in the eye, headbutted me in the nose and grabbed me in a rugby tackle and we ended up going headfirst into the railings.

"I thought my dog was dead on the ground. He gathered up his two dogs and walked away, OLeary testified.

Denying he assaulted Mr Casey, OLeary said: I am not the type of person who would want to be hitting someone. I had to defend my dog.

Judge Marian OLeary was told that the injured partys dogs were bernese mountain dogs and not rottweilers.

Inspector Pat Murphy cross-examined the accused and put to him a line from his own statement to gardai where he said: I started hitting the dogs as much as I could. The man was trying to defend his dogs.

The defendant said: There is no way I would have hit him with a stick. My stick fell on the ground. He punched me in the eye and headbutted me in the face.

Insp Murphy showed the defendant photographs of injuries sustained by Mr Casey, including two long parallel red lines, each line running across the injured partys arm and back.

The inspector said in another line in his statement, OLeary said: I think there is no way I hit him with my stick.

The inspector emphasised the fact that he used the word, think. The defendant replied: That is a mis-word, I should have said I did not hit him with the stick.

Judge Marian OLeary concluded: I find the state has reached the threshold to prove Section 3 assault.

This section of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act relates to a charge of assault causing harm.

Inspector Murphy said that Mr Casey wanted to prepare a victim-impact statement.

The judge adjourned the imposition of penalty until February 13 for that purpose.
A Cork TD has called on the city council to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to a local park, for the purpose of effectively creating a new regional park to the north of the city.

The site, which consists of approximately 21 acres, is part of the lands surrounding Glyntown House in Glanmire, and is located off the R639 road, by John OCallaghan Park.

It includes 2.5 acres with outline planning permission for five detached houses, and is located on an elevated site which slopes down toward the Butlerstown river.

Local TD Padraig OSulivan said the site presented a great chance to extend amenities in an area which has seen intensive development in recent decades.

Im calling on Cork City Council to look at the possibility of purchasing land that is currently for sale at the moment, approximately 21 acres, in Glanmire village, Mr OSullivan told The Echo.

For me it represents a perfect opportunity to extend John OCallaghan Park, as this site adjoins it.

Many locals in Glanmire would frequently comment that we do have a lack of amenities, particularly a lack of amenities to accompany all of the development and the build-up of houses, so for me it represents a perfect opportunity to extend the existing park and to almost turn it into a regional park for the area, the Fianna Fail TD said.

Purchasing this parcel of land would also present possibilities of extending and developing the playground facility there too, there would be ample room for it, and theres an existing car park.

There is so much going for the site, I think it would be very unfortunate if Cork City Council didnt do an appraisal of it and see if it would be good value for money. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said the council was not in a position to comment on potential acquisitions.
Fiachra Gallagher

The annual BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition returned on Monday for its first in-person event since 2020.

Over 1,100 students attended the first day of the event at the RDS in Dublin's Ballsbridge, where president Michael D. Higgins delivered a welcome address.

President Higgins also toured the exhibition, meeting student and learning about the various project on-show from budding young scientists from across the country.

The first round of judging also kicked off, with the panel of more than 80 judges meeting students to talk through their projects.

During the opening ceremony, President Higgins expressed his best wishes to the students taking part in the exhibition.

May I offer my best wishes and good luck to all of the students participating in this years BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, and may I pay a special tribute to all those teachers and parents who have been such an essential source of encouragement and, of course, to all those who have played a role in organising this years event.

Speaking directly to young scientists, he added: I have faith in your ability, our young Irish scientists, to locate your gifts, your brilliance, in a moral context, to be willing to work for the benefit of all humanity beyond any well-earned personal reward.

Head organiser of the exhibition Mari Cahalane described President Higgin's visit as a special opportunity for students at the exhibition.

We are delighted to back in person in 2023 and for the students to be able to showcase their wonderful projects to the public.

Its a special opportunity for them to be able to meet President Higgins and to let him know of all the great work the young people of Ireland are doing in the science and technology space. We hope that his speech will continue to inspire young people to keep innovating and exploring.
High Court Reporters

The Supreme Court will consider the legal burden of proof placed on a defendant seeking to establish they were reasonably mistaken about the age of a child with whom they are accused of engaging in a sexual act.

The State is appealing a High Court decision that deemed a section of the 2006 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act unconstitutional as it imposed more than an evidential burden of proof on an accused who wished to invoke a defence that they were reasonably mistaken in thinking the minor had attained 17-years-old.

The appellants will argue the High Court failed to have proper regard to the public interest in the protection of children, to the difficulties involved in prosecuting this particular offence and to the rights of the child.

Ms Justice Siobhan Stack ruled last June that it was not constitutionally permissible to place a legal burden to the civil law standard of on the balance of probabilities on an accused in a criminal trial rather than an evidential burden only.

If the accused was only required to meet an evidential burden, they would be acquitted if the jury had a reasonable doubt about the accused having mistaking the childs age.

The disputed subsection of the 2006 Act, which was amended in 2017, permitted a jury to convict a person even if there was a reasonable doubt, or even a likely doubt, as to whether the accused had been reasonably mistaken about the age.

The judge held that it was necessary for the prosecution to prove the accused had a guilty mind regarding the age of the child.

The presumption of innocence is of such fundamental importance to the fairness of a trial that it cannot be subjected to proportionate restriction as contended by the State, which pointed to the public policy of protecting children, she said.

Uncertainty

There has been uncertainty in the law since Ms Justice Stack struck down the relevant subsection, the State parties argued in their application, seeking permission to appeal directly to the highest court.

The Minister for Justice, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Ireland were granted a direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

A panel of three Supreme Court judges found the case raised issues that have significant constitutional implications and it should be heard as soon as March.

The court was told its ruling in the appeal will affect a number of pending prosecutions.

The man in the case in question was convicted of the offence of engaging in a sexual act with a child under the age of 17 and was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison. This sentence is being served concurrently with another separate sentence for which his release date is set for 2025.

The events giving rise to the relevant trial took place about five years ago when he was 19 years and four months old and the complainant was 15 years and 10 months old.

He did not oppose the application for a Supreme Court appeal but disputed the States legal arguments.

The State contends Ms Justice Stack erred in concluding that the defence of reasonable mistake as to age could not be regarded as a special or exceptional defence that would warrant carrying a different burden of proof.

It also challenges her finding that the presumption of innocence is not capable of being subject to proportionate restriction.
High Court reporters

A father of three who was implored not to travel in a car driven by a drunk driver was later only identified by DNA tests as the backseat passenger after the car crashed and went on fire, the High Court has heard.

The family of Waterford man Michael Tobin who died in the road accident six years ago along with two others has settled for 450,000 a High Court action over his death.

An inquest later heard the 22-year-old driver of the car was on the wrong side of the road when it collided with a vehicle in which a family was travelling on a Christmas outing.

It further heard the driver was found to have a high level of alcohol in his system as well as traces of cocaine and other drugs, leading the deputy state pathologist to conclude that his ability to drive would have been seriously impaired.

Deceased

That driver was Eamon Dixon of Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co Waterford who was killed instantly in the crash as were his passengers the car owner, Kenneth OSullivan (39) of Blackpool, Cork, and Michael Tobin (38) from Abbeyside in Dungarvan.

The fatal crash happened at Kildangan, Military Road, Dungarvan on the morning of December 4th, 2016.

Mr Justice Coffey in the High Court this week approved the 450,000 settlement in the Tobin case. The settlement was against the representatives of the car owner Kenneth OSullivan and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland.

The judge conveyed his deepest sympathy to Mr Tobins family on what he said must have been a truly shocking event in their lives that they have to live with every day.

Tragic case

The familys counsel Jeremy Maher SC told the court it was a particularly tragic case. All three men were burnt beyond recognition after their car went on fire and the Coroners Court heard they had to be identified by comparing their DNA with samples from family members.

Counsel said gardai carried out a detailed analysis of what happened, and another man had implored Mr Tobin to get out of the car.

Tragically he did not, Counsel said.

The Tobin family, he said were united in grief and Mr Tobin had been an excellent father to two sons and a daughter who were aged between six years and 14 years at the time of the accident.

He said because Mr Tobin had been implored by a friend not to travel in the car ,the case would have to be assessed on the basis of 50/50 in terms of liability. Counsel said the full value of the case would be 900,000.

A jury at the inquest returned verdicts of accidental death for all three men.

The inquest heard the car was travelling towards Cork when it crossed the white line in the middle of the road.

It then crashed into a people carrier and a couple and their four children who were travelling towards Kilemeaden for a Santa train visit were injured, but later recovered.
WHEN it comes to certain aspects of womens health, there was a prevailing attitude of, Its a natural process, just get on with it.

This attitude is gradually fading into the realms of a darker past, and the future looks a lot brighter.

Positive and proactive solutions in areas of womens health such as the menopause have only just started to be seriously addressed in recent times, and thankfully there have always been those working towards the improvement of womens lives, such as two innovative women in Cork who are currently doing just that.

Dr Tanya Mulcahy, a biochemist, is the Director of Health Innovation Hub Ireland, along with Dr Sally Cudmore of UCC Innovation Ireland. They are together driving a very exciting revolution in the womens health sphere called femtech.

femtech is a broad range of technology-enabled solutions and products that specifically address womens health, and as such the Cork hub marries technology and research for the specific requirements of womens healthcare.

Through the development of products and conducting research, their initiative is leading the way.

Take, for example, an app for tracking periods, or the simple solution of a cream to ease post partum symptoms.

We are delighted to have many new technologies and products being developed at femtech, said Tanya.

Dr. Tanya Mulcahy, a biochemist, is the Director of Health Innovation Hub Ireland. Picture: Clare Keogh

We have some great innovations such as IdentifyHer who have developed an App to track symptoms of menopause, and Frendo, an app for Endometriosis management.

We are also working with Nua Surgical, developing a device to support safer C sections, and AvetaMedical developing a non-hormonal device to treat vaginal atrophy, and Atlantic Therapeutics, a device for Stress urinary Incontinence, which has already been successful in the US.

While pregnancy, birth and menstrual health have all had a significant focus, there are still huge opportunities to develop technologies which will vastly improve other specific areas of womens health.

femtech is bringing all the experts under one roof to conduct research and develop these technologies. Clinical experts, technical innovators, research experts, investors and patients will all work together to develop products, and anyone with an idea is welcome to come forward to this hub.

While overseeing the fantastic innovations being developed in Cork through femtech, Tanya also keeps in touch with similar developments coming down the line globally.

She tells me about great news coming from the USA, where a new solution to the mammogram machine has recently been developed.

Even though no woman relishes the day of her Breast Check, despite any discomfort, it is vitally important to have regular screenings to detect any changes in the breast. The really exciting news is that what was nicknamd the Panini press is soon to be a thing of the past.

A new breast screening technology has been developed by two female engineers for the Isono company and it has just been cleared by the FDA. Women worldwide will be looking forward to the roll-out of this new wearable 3D ultrasound device, which is just like a bra, and which will make imaging more accessible, and help improve cancer diagnosis.

 This is an example of the kind of revolutionary health care product that we are also developing right here in Cork at femtech, said Tanya.

Its really exciting to see what new developments are coming down the track, and its about time.

Not only will these products enormously improve womens healthcare in Ireland, but they will also boost the economy, and Tanya estimates that the products in development will generate a whopping 60 billion for the Irish economy by 2027.

UCC Innovation Director, Dr Sally Cudmore. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Dr Sally Cudmore of UCC innovation explains: As the Director of ICC Innovation, I am very keen to see UCC research and technologies commercialised in a way that will make a positive impact on peoples lives.

UCC Innovation supports femtech developments through access to research expertise, providing support on protecting intellectual property, licensing new technologies, developing new start-up companies and helping them to raise investment.

UCC has excellent research groups working in the area of womens health, such as the INFANT research centre that focusses on pregnancy, birth and infancy; breast and gynecological cancers, and the micro-biome.

A majority of femtech companies are founded and led by women. We would also like to encourage more female entrepreneurs and founders in the ecosystem.

UCC Innovation provides a number of programmes for entrepreneurs to help them start a business.

SPRINT is a part-time programme for researchers and clinical staff who have an idea that they want to develop, while continuing in their current role.

We also run a full-time immersion programme called IGNITE for graduates, who have recently finished their course of study and want to create a new company.

50% of the population is female, but many female-specific health conditions have been largely ignored, and development and investment in female focussed health tech has been low.

The femtech sector is developing solutions to improve healthcare for women in areas such as menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, menopause, pelvic and sexual health, mental health, female specific cancers, and other more general health conditions that can affect women disproportionately, such as osteoporosis, or differently, like cardiovascular disease.

During childbirth, many women are familiar with the fetal heart monitor worn during labour to track the babys heartbeat, and now a less cumbersome option is being developed, called pHetalSafe.

This is a fetal sensor being developed to detect and prevent fetal hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen to the fetal brain during childbirth, explains Sally.

Sarusha Pillay, commercial lead of pHetalSafe, and Dr Fergus McCarthy, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at Cork University Maternity Hospital and researcher in INFANT, along with researchers in Tyndall National Institute, are developing a new minimally-invasive fetal sensor that aims to provide continuous real-time assessment of lactate, pH, fetal heart rate and temperature during labour.

The device will also promote mobility of the mother during labour by giving them more freedom. New monitoring devices, such as pHetalSafe, will make childbirth safer for both baby and mother.

Another example of female health care is that there is now new research into the microbial community that lives on humans known as the micro biome, and how it can affect overall health.

Now Researchers in APC Micro-biome Ireland are exploring how the microbiome (microbial community that lives in an on humans) can affect health, with some programmes looking specifically at women's health.

Dr Siobhan OMahony, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience in UCC is exploring gender-specific pain threshold/sensation, and has shown this is significantly less in women than men. The amount of certain bacteria were linked with pain sensation thresholds and stress hormone levels in women only, and during a specific stage of the menstrual cycle.

CLISTEProbe, led by Dr.'s Eric Moore from Tyndall National Institute, and Justina Ugwah, is a new biopsy needle that provides real-time diagnostic data which can identify benign and cancerous breast tissue, so that clinicians can make a decision at the bedside about whether or not to remove tissue samples.

It has just received funding from Enterprise Ireland to develop the technology further, with the aim of spinning out a company in three years.

femtech products and services will help to improve diagnoses, provide better care delivery through virtual clinics, provide solutions to track and enable self-care, e.g. wearables to track fertility, and address areas such as mental health, menstrual health and menopause. she said.

Simple solutions can often have the biggest impact said Tanya.

On Thursday the 19th of January 2023 @ 6pm there is an event co-hosted by UCC's Innovation and Enterprise Ireland 'Going for Growth' and this event will introduce the potential of an entrepreneurial career to women that may not have considered it previously.

People can find out more about the femtech innovation hub by contacting the UCC Innovations office at uccinnovation@ucc.ie To join the 'femtech' network: hih.ie/engage/femtech
The role of digital marketing continues to gain traction in the wake of the retail rebirth following the pandemic.

As a result, retailers need to pay close attention to the benefits of using a variety of digital marketing tactics to differentiate themselves from competitors and improve their shopping experience.

Digital marketers have a primary role in managing retail marketing campaigns that promote a brand and its products. They play a significant role in increasing brand awareness, driving traffic, and acquiring leads and customers.

Retailers can improve customers knowledge and perception of their brand through digital marketing, which makes it essential for marketers to invest in brand awareness, brand reputation, and brand image.

Examples of digital marketing include social media marketing, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, email marketing, marketing automation, digital advertising, and content marketing.

By leveraging these various channels, brands can maintain connections with existing customers and win new ones. In-store retailers further benefit from enhanced customer rapport.

Successful omnichannel marketing tactics will lead to better conversion rates, more income, and business growth. Additionally, giving retailers ways to interact with prospective customers and better understand their desired products or services.

Top Digital Marketing Innovations

These digital marketing trends are poised to grow even more as 2023 arrives:

Influencer marketing uses the image and goodwill of an authority figure or celebrity to endorse and advertise a brands product or services. Influencers with a large audience of fans or followers have proven to be successful in promoting brand identity.

uses the image and goodwill of an authority figure or celebrity to endorse and advertise a brands product or services. Influencers with a large audience of fans or followers have proven to be successful in promoting brand identity. Omnichannel marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach the target audience. Its approach uses diverse digital mediums to promote, engage, and serve customers.

is one of the most effective ways to reach the target audience. Its approach uses diverse digital mediums to promote, engage, and serve customers. Social media shopping is one of the better ways for brands to interact with an audience and provide a channel to sell their goods and services. Integrating social media with e-commerce creates an online marketplace for customers to buy products and services that match their expectations.

is one of the better ways for brands to interact with an audience and provide a channel to sell their goods and services. Integrating social media with e-commerce creates an online marketplace for customers to buy products and services that match their expectations. Video marketing takes social medias approach one step further. It is particularly popular with businesses trying to increase their customer base. Video is arguably more effective than any other form of content as a platform to present content-rich and entertaining promotions for products or services.

takes social medias approach one step further. It is particularly popular with businesses trying to increase their customer base. Video is arguably more effective than any other form of content as a platform to present content-rich and entertaining promotions for products or services. Progressive web pages are one of the latest digital marketing trends addressing the need for websites that offer a versatile user interface to customers with different devices. PWP sites perform mobile functions but deliver the same website view on various devices, making the digital channel platform agnostic to send push notifications and be accessible offline.

Digging Deeper Into Digital Marketing

We asked Geoff Crain, senior director of sales and marketing at Kingstar Media, a performance marketing agency based in Toronto, to discuss digital marketing concepts even further.

E-Commerce Times: How can marketers get a successful mix of data scientists and creative marketers?

Geoff Crain: They definitely need a dedicated data analytics team able to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), report on them, and run the job attribution.

Todays media, especially on digital, is very fragmented. Consumers and customers use multiple points of media at one time. They watch TV while on their mobile phones. They stream on Netflix and then switch to Amazon Prime.

How does that user profile differ from previous behavior?

Crain: I think the original days of digital marketing were more streamlined. There were only a few forms that people regularly used. But now, if you did a conversion on Google Search, Google should not be able to take all the credit because we do not know where that first touch point was.

How does this change in behavior impact the role of data scientists?

Crain: You really need data scientists that are able to deal with that kind of multi-platform touchpoint and then be able to have attribution across channels. Data scientists must be able to measure attribution throughout the funnel. Then marketers need to understand that multi-touch, multi-funnel approach and be able to create, design, and implement strategies for each part of the funnel for each medium.

How can good forecasts help to achieve retention and revenue?

Crain: I think forecasts are important, especially for brands looking to scale. A lot of brands in an IPO or Series A funding stage really need forecasts to hit revenue and KPI targets, and marketers are concerned about retention and revenue.

So, it is very important to forecast on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. It will help them if they fail to reach their goals or are consistently underachieving. They know they need to look at certain parts of the marketing funnel or advertising.

How can statistical machine learning help marketers to predict long-term and hard-to-measure outcomes?

Crain: That really depends on how detailed and accurate the machine learning is. At this point, there is really no AI or ML tool for small-to-mid-size businesses to capitalize on that allows them to predict long-term hard-to-measure outcomes for those fortune 500 companies. It will be interesting to see how those machine-learning tools develop and whether they will become affordable enough for those limited-sized companies.

What are the big pain points for marketers, given what is happening with high tech today?

Crain: One main friction point is customer service. Traditional customer service is fraught with long wait times, and AI has really advanced customer service. Chatbots really automate the customer service experience. Users or consumers now go on to a brands website and log on to a chatbot to have all their questions answered.

How does the bias factor impact the use of AI for assisting marketing and facilitating sales?

Crain: There is a bias regarding the use of AI. People assume that AI is the future, and you must capitalize on it by using it now. I do not think AI is a fit for every company or brand. It is really on a case-by-case basis. Brands and advertisers need to understand that and decide if it is the right fit for them.

If brands are looking to jumpstart their digital marketing campaign, where should they rely on marketing influencers?

Crain: TikTok is growing very quickly, especially from a paid social media perspective. It is the fastest-growing social network in North America. That platform has really developed trends in terms of content and advertising. It puts an emphasis on short-form content with five-to-10-second videos and is a very agile and quick-moving platform. It is a trend for the future and 2023 and beyond.

Does TikToks younger user base pose advertising limitations for certain businesses?

Crain: Adults are definitely growing into it. Maybe three to four years ago, the average viewers age was around 16 to 18. But now, there is a very fast-growing segment of young adults, young parents, and young families active on TikTok. The platform definitely expanded in terms of audience reach. I think the average age now is kind of into the late 20s. Many people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s actively use TikTok.

What digital marketing tactics do you see as the most effectively used today?

Crain: Usually, the best marketing tactics are those that are performance focused. So any strategy tied to a KPI cost per acquisition or cost per lead that you are able to measure lets you optimize around it. That will drive the most effectiveness generated ROI for every dollar spent to justify increasing your budget.

The must-dos that are really absolute for somebody trying to make a sale depend on the target demographic. If it is more intent-based, Google search would be the best platform for a competitive landscape like life insurance or auto insurance. That is where we see Google Search performing very well.

There is also a lot of growth in the connected TV, online video, and programmatic space. So there is really not a one-size-fits-all strategy.

What do you see on the horizon for digital marketing?

Crain: I see improvement in reporting and attribution. With consumers using multiple touch points on a daily basis, no effective reporting or analytics tool yet exists that connects all the competing platforms touch points for the same user. None of these platforms speak to each other.

What I think we will see in the next three-to-five years is consolidation on the analytics and attribution effort to really see what platform is the main driver and what drives the sale.




Vietnam remains dependent on importing animal feed

Vietnam is enjoying a high total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, but it still has to import a large amount of raw agricultural materials and animal feed.

Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs revealed that the import turnover of animal feed and the input for animal feed production processes reached US$5.16 billion at the end of November 2022, a rise of 14.6% compared to the same period in 2021. It is calculated that the total import turnover of this merchandise could come to $5.6 billion in the entire 2022. If counting those for poultry and aquatic feed (corn and soybean), this figure could become nearly $10 billion.

Standing vice president Nguyen Xuan Duong of the Vietnam Animal Feed Association attributed this continuous rise to the development of the livestock sector in the country, leading to a higher demand on this merchandise, while the domestic production can no longer satisfy this need and the corn growing area is unchanged.

It is estimated that Vietnam requires 33 million tonnes of animal feed each year, only 30-35% of which is manufactured domestically.

Additionally, certain animal feed types cannot be produced in Vietnam like soybean meal, palm kernel expeller, fish meal, meat and bone meal, as well as vitamin supplements.

Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production Tong Xuan Chinh stated that out of the 269 registered animal feed producers, only 90 are FDI businesses with modern production lines and large capacity. Others are of small scale with outdated technologies and weak product quality.

More remarkably, these FDI enterprises are occupying 60-70% of the market shares, but they merely focus on the manufacturing and trading stages and not the development of material growing surface area. This leads to a dependence on imported materials.

To achieve a more sustainable agriculture that is not too affected by continuously increasing costs and supply chain disruptions, Director of the Department of Livestock Production Duong Tat Thang proposed a rise in the area to grow animal feed materials (corn and cassava) in low-yield rice fields.

He added that the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry has directed his organisation to work with large corporations in the field to launch models of animal feed material planting in Vietnam's central and highlands provinces, where natural conditions are ideal for the growth of such plants.

In recent times, the Netherlands' De Heus Group has examined possible sites for corn and cassava growing in the three provinces Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.



Croplife Vietnam suggested that Vietnam should develop the area for corn and soybean since these two are the main ingredients in animal feed.

- SGGP
National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo was to leave on a trip to Vietnam and Indonesia on Thursday to discuss expanding economic and security cooperation with the countries, Kim's office said. Yonhap



National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo was to leave on a trip to Vietnam and Indonesia on Thursday to discuss expanding economic and security cooperation with the countries, Kim's office said.



Kim plans to first visit Hanoi to meet with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other top government officials, as well as his Vietnamese counterpart, to discuss improving the bilateral ties between the countries in various areas from finance and construction to the arms industry.



While in Vietnam, Kim also plans to attend a ceremony celebrating the construction completion of Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology and work on promoting South Korea's bid for the 2030 World Expo.



On Wednesday, Kim will travel to Jakarta to meet with Indonesia's top parliamentary officials, and discuss advancing cooperation in resource development and the arms industry.



Kim also plans to share Korea's experience in building an administrative city in Sejong, about 120 kilometers south of Seoul, with Indonesia and discuss expanding Korean firms' activities in the Southeast Asian country.



Indonesia plans to move its capital from Jakarta on the island of Java to a new location in East Kalimantan on the neighboring island of Borneo.



Kim will return home on Jan. 20. (Yonhap)




Russia, Ukraine agree on prisoner swap in Turkiye meeting

Xinhua) 17:30, January 12, 2023

ANKARA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Turkiye on Wednesday and agreed on a new exchange of more than 40 prisoners, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said.

"We exchanged the lists of some military prisoners. We have decided to swap more than 40 prisoners," the semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted Moskalkova as saying after a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets on the sidelines of an international ombudsman conference in Turkiye's capital Ankara.

According to Moskalkova, talks were held between the ombudsmen of Russia and Ukraine because there were no diplomatic ties between the two countries because of the ongoing conflict.

"I asked Lubinets for help in bringing some Ukrainian citizens to their families in Russia. Those with serious illnesses also need the help of ombudsmen," she told reporters, adding humanitarian corridors do not work properly from time to time.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Lubinets helped in locating some Russian prisoners from his side, Moskalkova said.

Russia and Ukraine swapped 50 captured soldiers on Sunday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


By Ma Kyung-hee



Microaggressions have emerged as a core category of recent research on international students' cross-cultural experiences. The term "microaggressions" was originally coined in the 1970s to describe subtle racial put-downs that black people experienced in daily life. The term has since expanded to include intentional or unintentional insults, slights, and demeaning actions or language directed toward any culturally marginalized group. Microaggressions are composed of three subtypes  microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations  each found to have negative mental health consequences, such as low self-esteem, trauma reaction and depression.



Microaggressions are subtle, pervasive, and cumulative by nature and are particularly damaging for those on the receiving end because micro-offenses often operate outside the level of consciousness of perpetrators. This tendency makes it difficult for targeted individuals to confront the source "in the moment." Furthermore, due to their nebulousness, microaggressions can make targeted individuals doubt the legitimacy of their feelings and reactions, often leading them to dismiss offenses as a simple mistake or misunderstanding without trying to address them properly. A slow accumulation of these microaggressions that negate the experiential reality of target individuals builds up until they feel as if they are (perpetual) outsiders, with diminished self-worth and self-respect.



As a minority group on campus, international students in Korea also experience day-to-day microaggressions in classrooms and student commons, as well as during group work, verbal encounters with peers, and meetings with professors or academic advisors. The verbal and nonverbal offenses delivered by their peers may include jokes about the students' cultural heritage and their people, complaints about having international persons on the team while mistaking their linguistic proficiency for intellectual capability, and encouraging the students to take new names for easy pronunciation.



Professors/academic advisors can also easily commit microaggressions by mistaking two international students from the same country as being identical, refusing to pronounce international students' names after a failed first attempt, and prompting students to assimilate into the mainstream Korean culture to succeed while placing little to no importance on maintaining their original culture. Not only can these forms of microaggressions hinder international students from reaching their potential but also inhibit them from functioning as contributing members of their learning community.



As mentioned above, responding to microaggressions is a difficult task, more so for international students who may not yet possess a clear understanding of what microaggressions are and how they play out in the new cultural milieu. One solution might be to find allies and supporters of inclusive campuses. Working with them will enable international students to build strategies needed to stand up against microaggressions.



While individual work is undoubtedly important to develop the ability to discern and respond to microaggressions, institution-level training would also help create a microaggression resistance culture. Here, the foci of the training must go beyond recognizing how targeted individuals are offended, to raising awareness through activities allowing all participants to examine implicit biases in their belief systems, looking into how their biases are intentionally or unintentionally delivered through words and deeds, and understanding potential mental health concerns for targeted individuals. Committing to such training will enable campus communities to make greater strides toward reducing microaggressions while improving overall health and well-being.



A school is a microcosm of society where stereotyping, stigmatization, and discrimination are reproduced and reenacted in a gratuitous manner targeting students of different cultural backgrounds. This pattern, however, can be disrupted through quality education/training, strategic dialogue, social connection, and policy change. Now is the time to take action to affect much-needed change. Although there are many challenges, strong commitments to change will enable campus communities in Korea to successfully create and sustain a climate where compassion, respect, and accountability are given to all members.





Ma Kyung-hee (kyungheem@daum.net) is an editor and researcher specializing in mental health.


Amazon has failed to convince Cornele Overstreet, a regional director with the National Labor Relations Board, to overturn JFK8 workers' vote in favor of unionization. If you'll recall, the JFK8 facility in Staten Island became the first unionized Amazon warehouse after workers voted 2,350-1,912 in favor of joining a union back in April 2022. Amazon said at the time that it was "disappointed" with the result and challenged the vote, alleging "inappropriate and undue influence" from the NLRB. The Wall Street Journal says the e-retailer also accused Amazon Labor Union organizers of threatening employees to vote in favor of unionization.

Overstreet, however, has ruled that the company was unable to present sufficient proof of inappropriate conduct to overturn the election's results. He agreed with the labor board hearing officer who recommended in September that JFK8's union vote should be upheld. In a tweet, ALU president Christian Smalls celebrated being "certified by Region 28 NLRB." He added that the union "beat [Amazon] fair and square" and tagged Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, asking him to "come to the table" so they could sign a contract.

BREAKING NEWS  WE OFFICIALLY HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED by Region 28 NLRB. Congratulations @amazonlabor We beat @amazon fair and square now is time to sign a CONTRACT! Come to the table @ajassy #ALUcertified  pic.twitter.com/ce7YdEXEmR  Christian Smalls (@Shut_downAmazon) January 11, 2023

As The Journal notes, ALU previously said that Amazon's appeal was a stalling tactic to delay negotiations for workers' demands. And it sounds like the company doesn't intend to back down: An Amazon spokesperson said the e-commerce giant will appeal again and take the case to the NLRB's board in Washington. As CNBC reports, Jassy previously said that the case "has a real chance to end up in federal court," because it's "probably unlikely the NLRB is going to rule against itself."

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Instacart will pay workers $5.1 million as part of a settlement after it allegedly failed to provide some benefits, as The San Francisco Chronicle reports. San Francisco accused the company of violating healthcare and paid sick leave ordinances. The company, which has not admitted to wrongdoing, will pay an additional $150,000 to cover the city's legal costs and pay for a settlement administrator to distribute the funds.

Instacart has always properly classified shoppers as independent contractors, giving them the ability to set their own schedule and earn on their own terms, Instacart said in a statement. We remain committed to continuing to serve customers across San Francisco while also protecting access to the flexible earnings opportunities Instacart shoppers consistently say they want.

People who worked as independent contractors for Instacart in the city between February 2017 and December 2020 are eligible for payments based on how many hours they worked. San Francisco estimates that between 6,000 and 7,000 people are affected by the settlement. The city and Instacart previously reached a similar settlement that covered an earlier time period. San Francisco has settled a benefits-related case with DoorDash too.
Russia is prepping a 'rescue' mission following a coolant leak on a Soyuz capsule docked with the International Space Station. NASA said in a media briefing that Russia's Roscosmos agency will send an empty Soyuz to the station on February 20th as a replacement for the damaged spacecraft. The vehicle was originally supposed to launch in March.

The leaking capsule is expected to return to Earth without a crew sometime in March. It will still carry experiments and other cargo. Cosmonauts Dmitriy Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, as well as NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, will now remain in orbit for several months longer rather than departing in March as planned.

The affected craft started spraying particles December 14th. The ISS team quickly noticed that an external radiator cooling loop was to blame, and investigators later determined that a micrometeoroid struck the radiator. Roscosmos soon decided the Soyuz was too dangerous to use for a standard crew return. Temperatures would have climbed past 100F on reentry, threatening both occupants and computer equipment. An in-space repair would be impractical as the procedure would be too difficult, according to the agency's Sergei Krikalev.

The ISS crew is still prepared to use the broken Soyuz to evacuate in an emergency. However, that's not ideal when three of the seven people aboard the ISS would likely have to accept elevated risks to come home. A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule is also docked, but it normally only takes four occupants. NASA's ISS program head Joel Montalbano said at the briefing that there had been talks with SpaceX to see if one of the Soyuz passengers could travel aboard the Crew Dragon if necessary.

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Relations between NASA and Roscomos are strained following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia said last summer that it would leave the ISS after 2024 to work on its own space station, and the US has been preparing for a possible Russian withdrawal since 2021. However, the capsule leak has effectively forced the two to work closely together  if only briefly.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
Virgin Orbit clarifies the cause behind its 'Start Me Up' mission's failure to reach orbit The anomaly that aborted the attempt has been identified as a 'premature shutdown of first burn of second stage.'

Everything was going great until it wasn't in the skies over Cornwall, UK on Monday. Virgin Orbit, the space launch division of Sir Richard Branson's sprawling commercial empire, was in the midst of setting a major milestone for the country and the nation: to be the first orbital launch from European soil. The carrier aircraft, Cosmic Girl, had successfully taken off from Spaceport Cornwall, LauncherOne had cleanly separated from the modified 747 and properly ignited its first stage rocket, blasting it and its payload of satellites into space. But before they could be pushed into their proper orbit by the rocket's second stage, something went wrong. On Thursday, Virgin Orbit leaders provided a preliminary explanation as to just what happened.

"At an altitude of approximately 180 km, the upper stage experienced an anomaly. This anomaly prematurely ended the first burn of the upper stage," the company told Engadget via email. "This event ended the mission, with the rocket components and payload falling back to Earth within the approved safety corridor without ever achieving orbit."

Virgin Orbit has also announced a "formal" investigation into the root causes of the anomaly which will be led by Jim Sponnick, who developed the Atlas and Delta launch systems, and Chad Foerster, Virgin Orbit's Chief Engineer. Despite the setback, the company is already in contact with UK officials to reschedule the launch for as soon as late 2023.
China slammed for 'emotional' retaliation



China is putting the whole world on edge for the second time in three years.



Faced with Beijing's abrupt end to its zero-COVID policy and the reopening of its borders, many countries are tightening quarantine rules on Chinese arrivals.



According to experts, the pandemic's peak in China, when most people get infected or vaccinated and have immunity, has yet to come. If so, taking every possible step to prevent its spread is good for the rest of the world  and China.



But Beijing seems miffed at other countries' self-protective measures, calling them "unscientific discrimination." One can't help but ask what's unscientific about requesting pre-flight certification of a negative PCR test within 48 hours or a negative RAT test within 24 hours for entrants from a country with hundreds of millions of confirmed cases.



Korea added weeklong mandatory quarantines for confirmed arrivals and the suspension of short-term visa service for private-purpose entrants. Beijing is responding with tit-for-tat steps, refusing to issue even transit visas for Korean and Japanese travelers. Such reactions amount to emotional and "unscientific" retaliation, as Korea and Japan have long passed the pandemic's peak.



China provided few scientific grounds three years ago when it closed its borders. However, the previous Moon Jae-in government kept open Korea's doors even longer than China did and came under fire for the subsequent spread of the pandemic. Korea can ill afford to repeat such a fatal blunder. Experts do not rule out the possibility of a new variant of the virus appearing. Beijing must share correct information with its neighbors first in order to avoid another crisis.



The friction between Korea and China over the COVID-19 fight is but one aspect of their unbalanced relationship. Beijing has yet to lift its ban fully on Korean imports, including cultural items, citing Seoul's deployment of a U.S. defense system against North Korean missiles, saying it is aimed at China. China's government historians have long attempted to erase the history of Goguryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom that once threatened the Tang Dynasty. Some Chinese YouTubers claim everything Korean  even kimchi  as theirs.



According to a survey by Pew Research, a U.S. pollster, the proportion of Koreans who dislike China has surpassed 80 percent. Even among those China-averse countries, Korea stands out because people in their 20s and 30s, the so-called MZ generation, dislike China more than their older counterparts. These young Koreans even hate China more than Japan, indicating a significant change in the relationship between the three Northeast Asian countries a few decades later. Some replied they "hate" China because the giant neighbor treats Korea in heavy-handed ways, while they believe the world's most-populous country creates pollution and diseases that spread to Korea.



Part of the reasons lay with Korean leaders, too.



In September 2015, President Park Geun-hye stood on top of Tiananmen gate side by side with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, inspecting a military parade. Soon, she decided on the U.S. missile shield deployment. It would have been good if the seemingly abrupt about-face, which surprised both Washington and Beijing, was a highly calculated diplomatic move. Her successor, Moon Jae-in, was unnecessarily low-key in dealing with China, inviting political attacks from conservatives for being "subservient" to Beijing. Aside from ideological bias, Moon's stance was not desirable even if it aimed to improve inter-Korean ties.



President Yoon Suk Yeol has made it clear over the past seven months that he would move far closer to the U.S. in the three-nation relationship. However, Yoon has yet to unveil his concrete ideas for dealing with China. Seoul was right not to exclude Beijing, unlike Washington and Tokyo, in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy announced recently. China has grown too big to shun or ignore.



That does not necessarily mean Seoul should accept Beijing's whims and whines. Korea should take the hand of any country for its national interests. Likewise, it should be able to confront any if they hurt or ignore its interests or dignity, however large and powerful such counterparts may be.



Korea ought to remain attentive lest China's "great power diplomacy" degenerate into superpower chauvinism for its neighbors.


Class starts on Tuesday (1/17) and the email should go out on Friday or Monday.

Welcome to ECO 2620!

This course is about environmental (air and water quality) and natural (oil, fish) resources. It is an economics course so the focus is on the efficient allocation of these resources. Efficiency is when the benefits minus the costs are maximized (much more on this later).

This semester I am teaching two sections of ECO 2620:

Section 101 is asynchronous online

Section 102 is in-person

This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 to 4:45 where I'll lecture using a mix of Powerpoint slides (yawn!) and the chalkboard along with some classroom activities (with inspiration from this book).

Last semester I taught an in-person section of this course for the first time since Covid. The in-person section mirrored the online section in terms of textbook, lectures, problem sets and exams. On the first day I told in-person students that all of the online resources were posted on AsULearn* and they could use those in case they had to miss a class.

So far so good, right? But, that plan didn't go so well for several reasons. First, on the second day of class attendance fell from 25 to 10 and never recovered. I was expecting this but the magnitude was still a surprise. Second, using the online course material was too constraining. The online course was lecture heavy (I've somewhat reduced the lecture material for this semester) and I had to use most of the in-person class time to cover everything. I knew that you could cover more material in a recorded lecture than in-person but the difference was a surprise.

So, this semester I am totally revising the in-person section with a new book** and I'm going back to more in-class activities beyond the lecture. I'm excited about this semester!

Some background: During the Covid-19 summer of 2020 the powers that be decided that this course would be a likely candidate for online delivery. I submitted a proposal to do so which was approved. I took a course in online teaching during Fall 2021 and began developing this course for online delivery. As a result, one section this course has transitioned from in-person instruction to fully online. During the Fall 2020 semester I taught the course using synchronomous Zoom with recorded lectures posted after the class meeting time. During the spring 2021 semester I revised the slides and recorded lectures which were then delivered asynchronously but "just in time". The first time that the course was delivered asynchronously fully online was during summer 2021. I also taught the course asynchronously and fully online during Fall 2021, Spring 2022 and Fall 2023. During the Fall 2023 semester, for the first time, there were two sections of ECO 2620 with about 45 students in an asynchronous online section and about 25 in the in-person section.
Thursday, January 12, 2023

We are tactile beings and from my experience people love immediate gratification of holding, feeling, smelling, reading the product that we hand out. Dan Collins

I like to take the stress out of the distribution and circulation for the publisher and we work hard to ensure our publishers are calm and can carry on with producing the magazines we all love. Dan Collins

Every industry needs a hero or two, and the magazine industry is no different. Thats why Dan Collins, from the United Kingdom, decided to launch Magazine Heroes seven years ago. Over those years I have worked with so many great publications and brands getting publications and products into the hands of their target market, he wrote on his LinkedIn page. He continued, Weve sampled not only magazines and newspapers but crisps, yoghurts, alcohol free beer, chocolate on hot sunny days and Ice Cream in the snow! We have worked across the UK, Europe, North America and Hong Kong. We have not just sampled but we have sold products too, advised on subscription strategy, audited and helped to launch a few magazines along the way.

I was intrigued by the idea of Magazine Heroes and decided to reach out to Dan to ask him some question about the genesis of the idea, the plans for the future and the role of samples, as in real stuff, in the future of the industry.

Here is the Mr. Magazine question and answer with Dan Collins, founder, Magazine Heroes:

Samir Husni: Would you please explain to me the genesis of the Magazine Heroes? Any description about its beginnings, the reasons behind it, etc. would be great

Dan Collins: Having worked in Distribution and Marketing for several years in the Media World, I started working for Time Out London Magazine. During my tenure at Time Out I worked with the magazine to change the distribution Model from paid to free. Overnight the magazine went from distributing 30k a week to distributing 300k a week bringing new readers for both the magazine and its website together with new advertising streams. We then repeated this in New York, Hong Kong and many other cities. There had been much interest in this new distribution model and having been asked for advice many times  I decided to take the Leap and start a Magazine Distribution Consultancy  and so Magazine Heroes was born.

S.H. : In addition to the Magazine Heroes, you use the term We Know Footfall, do you mind expanding?

D.C. : The last few years have been game changing. Commuting has changed, shopping has changed and the flow of people into cities, offices, shopping malls has all altered. What we knew before about peoples travel habits, and took for granted, is not true anymore. Footfall is the flow of people and when sampling to a target audience it is important to understand the consumer and their behaviours in order to distribute at the highest traffic times, to gain maximum exposure at a cost-efficient price. With many people still working from offices only 2/3 days per week and tourists only just coming back to cities, this is important to monitor.

S.H. : The main thrust of your business is sampling, real samples, magazines, beauty products, newspapers, etc., why do you believe in the power of a real sample and not a digital coupon or such?

D.C. : There is no getting away from digital and it is a useful tool but there is nothing better than receiving a product in your hand as a free gift. We are tactile beings and from my experience people love immediate gratification of holding, feeling, smelling, reading the product that we hand out. Yes, we could send a digital token but unless you have bought in to the brand you probably wont use it  real samples give you inspiration and the opportunity to try something that you may not have thought about.

S.H. : Since you established Magazine Heroes 7 years ago, what have been some of the major hurdles you had to overcome and what are some of the pleasant surprises you faced?

D.C. : Setting up by yourself is a solitary thing and not for the faint hearted. I missed the buzz of the office and people to bounce ideas off. I countered this by forming a strong group of partner companies and freelancers who very quickly became part of the team.

I also had to learn from my mistakes  I learnt not to give away too much information without agreeing a contract. Covid was a huge struggle for the company as our main workflow relied on footfall out and about on the streets and human interaction. Whilst it was hard we monitored where people were allowed to go and worked with unmanned stands, supermarkets and also started to work with online retailers to insert copies of magazines into likeminded shoppers purchases. I would say that pleasant surprises come from being recommended by word of mouth and working on projects for most of my past employers its been nice to work with them again.

S.H. : What is in store for 2023? I know you are based in the UK but have done work in the USA too, any plans to expand?

D.C. : 2022 saw us working across Europe and we are hoping for more this year. The world is such a small place, and we have contacts across the globe. As the world opens up again, we will be here ready to take on whatever challenges may call us.

S.H. : What makes Dan the Magazine Hero? And what makes you tick and click on a daily basis? That is what drives you to get out of bed every day?

D.C.: I have always loved the challenge and working in this industry has certainly been a roller-coaster ride. I also strive to give my clients a great experience. I dont always tell them what they want to hear and I believe that by setting realistic goals and expectations I gain their trust. What makes Dan the Magazine Hero? I always like to go the extra mile  for each project we will try to go beyond expectations with clear communication and enthusiasm and most importantly we always try to keep the costs as low as possible

S.H. : Anything else you would like to add or anything I failed to ask about? This is your chance to ask yourself a question and answer it. LOL.

D.C. : What other areas of the magazine world do you work in? I like to take the stress out of the distribution and circulation for the publisher and we work hard to ensure our publishers are calm and can carry on with producing the magazines we all love. Not only do we work with free distribution, but we can run paid distribution for niche titles and can source nontrade for unusual avenues for sale. We also can look after ABC and AAM submissions for magazines when the magazine does not have a circulation department anymore. Lastly, we always like to say in distribution that nothing is impossible  we will always think up a solution even if you are hitting a brick wall!

S.H. : My typical last question is what keeps Dan up at night these days?

D.C. : The cost of paper, print, transportation are all worrying factors in our world, but I have seen a growth of targeted, niche magazines that speak to selected audiences and I am constantly thinking how we can get their great work to a wider audience  where is that audience and what would hook them into being a regular reader.

S.H. : Thank you and to learn more about Magazine Heroes click here.
Rep. Bob Phalen asks questions in committee during the 2023 Montana Legislature. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

The Governors Office wants to abolish Montanas energy policy, and Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, said he wanted one opponent of that idea to explain his use of the phrase climate change.

As I see it, we have four seasons, Phalen said. There are changes every  four different times a year. So are you thinking something else?

At a hearing Wednesday in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee, Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, presented House Bill 170, which would repeal the states energy policy goals.

Gunderson said it follows the governors red tape reduction plan and eliminates needless language in Montana code. The code notes the policy was first adopted in 1993 and revised last legislative session.

Its a bag of air, Gunderson said. Its a policy. Its a guidance. But it has no teeth. Its not a law. How do you enforce it? You cant. Theres nothing there.

Only a handful of people testified, but the bill sparked questions from legislators, including the one about climate change, another about the separation of powers, and one about the reason for a wholesale repeal rather than selective deletion.

The only proponent to testify was Republican Gov. Greg Gianfortes natural resources policy advisor, Michael Freeman, who fielded the question about separation of powers.

Opponent Derf Johnson, with the Montana Environmental Information Center, was the recipient of the question about climate change. In response to whether he was thinking something else besides changing seasons, Johnson said, I am.

What Im talking about is the phenomenon known as anthropomorphic climate change, a phenomenon that has been recorded and accepted by virtually every scientific body in the world, by NASA, and by the top five oil companies in the world and in the United States, Johnson said.

Increasing emissions mean more climate disruption and higher temperatures across the globe, he said. In fact, he said, scientists say the climate is changing with the same confidence interval as people say cigarettes cause cancer.

This is hard science, Johnson said.

Phalen wondered if Johnson meant that in the summer months, it wont be cooler than 100 degrees, and Johnson said it depends on location. He recommended a look at the Montana Climate Assessment.

The energy policy itself discusses a wide range of goals, such as promoting conservation and a mix of energy sources that represent the least social, environmental and economic costs and the greatest long-term benefits to Montana citizens.

The policy also talks about diversifying energy and increasing the use of Montanas vast coal reserves in an environmentally sound manner. It discusses advanced technologies, property rights and transmission lines, and it calls for reducing reliance on foreign oil.

In support of retaining the policy, Johnson said Montana needs an energy policy now more than ever in the face of climate change. Montana has vast and untapped capacity for renewable energy, he said, and the policy should be amended to carefully transition toward sustainability.

However, the policy statements run more than two pages long, and Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, wanted to know the reason Gunderson wanted to repeal the entire thing versus select portions.

Gunderson said he put a lot of thought into that decision. Since the policy as a whole is meaningless, he said, he opted to propose to get rid of it altogether  and he joked that he was making things easy on staff.

I figured I would make the bill drafters day by just telling you: Select all. Delete. Save, he said. And were done.

Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, wanted to know the reason Montana would choose to not have an energy policy at all. Such statements are common among states as a way to express priorities and plans for the future, she said, but the bill would totally undo it.

We wont have one. I find that strange, and Im just looking for some feedback, Sullivan said.

Freeman, with the Governors Office, said Montana does have an energy policy. For one thing, he said many other policies end up being energy policies  for example, tax policies or environmental policies.

Plus, he said the governors perspective is that Montana has an all of the above policy to support affordable and reliable energy. Montana is open to those who want to risk their capital to build energy production here to support the region and the nation, he said.

We want to see one that is inclusive of all energy sources and not picking winners and losers, Freeman said.

Rep. Laurie Bishop, D-Livingston, said Freeman was the only proponent, but the policy in question was the Montana Legislatures, and with all due respect, she said Gianforte would no longer be the governor in 10 years.

Im wondering if you could reflect on separation of powers, Bishop said.

Freeman said the governor was not bringing the legislation  Gunderson was bringing it, and the Governors Office was in support of it.

But Bishop also wanted to know if she understood correctly the bill was part of the governors red tape reduction plan.

Freeman said its in line with the spirit of the red tape reform efforts, but its not an official part of it.

But Bishop asked Gunderson about the separation of powers as well, and he reiterated the fact that hes the sponsor.

That is not the governors or Mr. Freemans bill, Gunderson said. Its mine. And mine alone.

He acknowledged his reference to the bill as part of the red tape effort might have been misleading, but he said it meets those goals. He also said he wanted to speak to the separation of powers.

Did our current governor have input into our current policy? Gunderson said. He said the answer would be no. What better way to give our governor a vision and his input into that vision than to start with a clean slate?

Why are we going to encumber him with policies another administration put in place?

The committee did not take action on the bill Wednesday.

The post Bill to abolish Montana energy policy sparks debate about climate, separation of powers appeared first on Daily Montanan.
An open lot, surrounded by new construction and new homes, in the Ironwood subdivision of Billings. (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan)

Two bills that aim to reduce the time it takes for land use and certain construction project decisions to be made at the local level breezed through their first committee hearing Wednesday without significant opposition.

They are among a slate of bills related to housing and construction planned for this session as Montanas housing shortage continues and prices skyrocket while construction lags.

Senate Bill 130 would allow local governments like cities or counties to consolidate their planning boards, zoning commission and board of adjustment into a single land-use board.

Senate Bill 131 would put a limit of 20 working days, or about a month, in place for local governments to approve or deny subdivision applications that are exempt from review and ensure the government does not impose conditions of approval.

Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, who said they would speed up development in Montana and keep landowners from having to wait months for decisions.

Glenn Oppel, the policy director for Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, said SB 131 was an incremental step in reforming Montana land use and came out of work from the governors housing task force.

Its not going to solve the housing crisis, but its one step in the right direction, and we support it, he told the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday afternoon.

Family land transfers, right-of-way creation, new cemeteries, farming leases and some new construction are among the things that could be exempt from subdivision review, according to statute and the proponents.

Adrianne Cotton, a member of the Montana Building Industry Association and Lewis and Clark Consolidated City and County Planning Board who testified in favor of the measure, said it would cut down on building delays caused by government.

Anytime we can sort of expedite that process in local government, you end up quickening the pace that developers are waiting, that builders are waiting, she said. So much of our building gets stuck in zoning and subdivision review.

Several affordable housing proponents said they were in favor of the measure to speed up those projects.

Alan McCormick, an attorney representing the Montana Association of Realtors, said the section noting that conditions of approval cannot be imposed by a government would cut down on confusion and disagreement among counties about how the process works.

No one testified in opposition to the bill Wednesday.

SB130, according to Mandeville and proponents who spoke at the hearing, aims to address a lack of volunteers for boards of planning, zoning commissions and boards of adjustment they said has led to delays.

Local governments  cities or counties would be able to choose to move to the consolidated land-use board model and appoint five citizens to the board under the measure, which was amended to include cities and consolidated city-counties.

If the board is created out of an existing joint or consolidated board, or a city-county planning board, it would be required to have at least nine sitting members.

This would speed up the development process by creating a centralized board that could hear all three issues, Mandeville told the committee.

He said the bill would allow for a streamlined board where people could go for initial zoning recommendations and subdivision reviews, zoning regulation, and then any changes to zoning code.

Several proponents said they appreciated that it preserved local control over those decisions. Karen Alley, who testified on behalf of the Montana Association of Counties, said the organization believes the most effective land use policies are initiated at the local level.

It gives one body a wealth of knowledge that three or more bodies would have otherwise, she said.

All but one of the people who spoke at the hearing were in favor of the measure.

Anne Schwend, the sustainable communities policy director for the Montana Environmental Information Center, said she felt it was a great bill, while Missoula Countys Jennifer Hensley said she appreciated the option local governments would have in considering whether to consolidate the boards and commissions into one board.

This is such a great idea that everyone wants it to apply to them, Mandeville joked.

The post Bills aimed at speeding up construction in Montana see little opposition in Senate committee appeared first on Daily Montanan.




By John J. Metzler







It's that time of year to gaze into the crystal snow globe and try to see the stories on the horizon which will affect the New Year. Our world remains an increasingly tumultuous place and the tragedy of expanding conflicts is only surpassed by the waves of refugees fleeing those troubles.







Let's do a regional breakdown of some key conflicts and potential crises.







War in Ukraine persists. Russian President Vladimir Putin's blunder of invading Ukraine will dominate the headlines. Not only the grinding Ukraine war but the oft-forgotten tragedy of civilian suffering and refugees flowing into neighboring countries. Ukraine remains the biggest European conflict since World War II.







Fortunately, NATO is surprisingly united in facing off Moscow's aggression. At the same time, the U.S. offers the biggest military support to Ukraine: that's $12.7 billion in weapons, $9 billion in additional security assistance, followed by $10 billion in humanitarian aid and lastly $15 billion in budgetary support for the Kyiv government. The conflict slogs on entering the new year.







Korea simmers. The divided Korean Peninsula remains on alert as North Korea's regime continues regular missile firings, often over Japan, and plans its seventh nuclear test in the coming months. The communist Kim dynasty vied for attention with numerous ICBM launches last year, part of an unprecedented 66 ballistic missile firings in 2022. Kim's dystopian North Korea plans to "exponentially" increase the country's nuclear arsenal and develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile in the new year.







Taiwan tensions. Many analysts feel Russia's invasion of Ukraine presages communist China's planned assault on Taiwan to "liberate" the democratic self-governed island. Beijing's military harassment of the small New Hampshire-sized island has been sped up; it's no longer just bellicose rhetoric but coercion with military aircraft circling like vultures just outside Taiwan's airspace. What's the role of the U.S. and Japan in any conflict? Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan into the iron embrace of the People's Republic of China.







Japan rearms. Responding to the growing regional security threat from both North Korea and China, Japan is at long last boosting its military spending. While Japan has long relied on the U.S. Defense Treaty, keeping its defense spending at approximately 1 percent of its GDP, Tokyo's new government plans to double military spending over the next seven years.







China and the resurgence of COVID-19. It's not over on the China mainland. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) clumsy mismanagement of the health crisis which started in Wuhan in 2019, triggering the pandemic in 2020, has been surging. More than 250 million people or 18 percent of China's entire population have been infected with the new COVID surge, including half the capital Beijing.







Warning bells which echo outbreaks in China in late 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) demands that China share more "real-time information" concerning the spread of the virus.







Countries such as Italy, Israel, South Korea and the United States among others have placed stringent controls on COVID-19 screening for travelers flying from China. In the meantime, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for "unity and perseverance" as his country faces another COVID-19 surge. Watch the borders given the danger of contagion surge.







Afghanistan. President Joe Biden's appalling political blunders opened the path for the Taliban to seize Afghanistan. Now in the midst of a self-inflicted humanitarian crisis, the Taliban regime has shut down needed international aid assistance. Why? Since most aid groups have female workers, the Taliban deems this unacceptable. Refugee flows will continue.







Iran. Something big may happen here at long last after a season of massive female-led protests against the theocratic regime. The Islamic Republic, in power since 1979, has been rocked to its core by people-power protests from its own citizens. Are we near a tipping point?







Smoldering conflicts. Look no further than Kosovo, soon to mark the 15th anniversary of its independence from Serbia, which has seen rising ethnic tensions between the Serbs and the Albanian majority. Watch the Balkans. Moscow's political mischief is afoot. In Africa's Sahel region, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria face widening Islamic insurgency.







U.S.-Mexican border. During the past two years at least 4 million migrants from around the world have crossed into the U.S. illegally. Mexican cartels control the vicious human trafficking and narcotics flow. The cartels are tough paramilitaries with both a keen business sense and brute power capability to control large swaths of Mexico's border regions.







May the gloom and tragedy of 2022 stay behind us. There's always hope for the better.









) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism the Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China."



John J. Metzler ( jjmcolumn@earthlink.net
Free range egg producers are being urged to attend a series of meetings to discuss solutions to the ongoing crisis in the sector.

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) will meet farmers across the UK, with topics touching on contract reform, production cost data and avian influenza.

BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch said the aim was to bring producers closer together in a bid to find ways to fix the sector's "dire situation".

It comes following a year of campaigning for a fair deal for free range egg farmers who have been hit by rocketing costs of production.

Many farms have seen energy bills increase by tens of thousands of pounds while feed costs have risen by 50% or more.

Transport, labour and the cost of pullets have all gone up too, leaving producers struggling to make a profit, or in the worst cases, ceasing production altogether.

The turmoil experienced by the free range egg industry last year highlighted how important robust contracts and access to accurate data really are, Mr Gooch said.

An understanding of the costs of production is more essential than ever before, and should be the basis upon which new agreements with packers should be signed.

We will be sharing our data and asking for feedback on how it can be improved to help farmers understand the risks and rewards.

The BFREPA costings, compiled independently by ADAS, are increasingly being used by government, retailers and packers in monitoring the egg supply chain and in developing improved egg supply agreements.

At the meetings, ADAS will present how it calculates these monthly figures and debate with farmers how they can be improved.

Mr Gooch said: Additionally, I will update members on Defras informal review of contracts in the egg supply chain and recent progress on improving producer contracts.

"With the launch of a bed and breakfast contract from one packer and more looking at cost of production contracts, BFREPA would like to hear from members on their preferred types of egg supply agreements.

Information on the ongoing bird flu crisis and over-stickering will also be presented and discussed at the meetings.

The meetings, taking place from January to March, will be in Diss, Ardingly, Exeter, Shrewsbury, Lincoln, Milnthorpe, Darlington, Llandindrod Wells, Lauder and Inverurie, with Northern Ireland.

Dates will be announced shortly, with meetings open to BFREPA members and non members.
Milk prices are set to change direction this year following record-breaking price increases in 2022, according to new analysis by AHDB.

Changes to milk prices for the start of 2023 have been downwards, with just one exception, and are the first reductions in almost two years.

Assuming the typical lag of three-four months, prices are projected to see further cuts into the spring, the levy board says.

In new analysis, AHDB notes that increases in milk prices last year were pushed through faster than under normal circumstances.

This was triggered by the unprecedented rise in farm input costs and the threat of milk shortages.

Patty Clayton, AHDB lead analyst explains: "Higher prices, along with the more widespread increase in the cost of living, meant demand for milk and dairy products diminished through the latter part of the year, and dairy product prices started to ease.

"At the same time, milk production in the northern hemisphere has picked up, primarily down to improved farm margins on the back of elevated milk prices, although the favourable weather conditions in the UK and EU through the autumn also lent a hand."

She says, however, that lower market returns are now starting to flow through into milk price reductions.

(Source: Defra, AHDB)

"Assuming the typical lag of three-four months, milk prices are projected to see further cuts as we move into the spring," Ms Clayton explains.

The extent of price cuts in the second quarter of 2023 remains uncertain, the analysis says, as the degree that commodity prices, and market returns, drop will depend on the strength of the northern hemisphere flush relative to demand.

"The general consensus from most analysts is that global milk supplies will see a modest increase year on year growth, although in part this is due to low volumes last year," Ms Clayton says.

"Balanced against this is the potential for some improvement in demand from China, although its unclear how quickly this will occur following the reopening of its economy."

It follows similar analysis by Rabobank, which explained that after record farmgate prices in many regions last year, prices should move lower heading into 2023.
The Welsh government has been told to provide 'complete clarity' over the impact that proposed air ambulance closures would have on rural areas.

The Welsh government has been questioned and criticised over the future of air ambulance service across the country, in particular in Welshpool and Caernarfon, North Wales.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity provides an essential life-saving emergency medical service for the critically ill and injured across Wales, especially to those in rural areas.

Their team is capable of reaching a critically ill patient anywhere in Wales within 20 minutes of receiving a call.

Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has highlighted the damage that could be done by plans to centralise the service.

She highlighted the need for 'complete clarity' to be provided as to the impact of the proposed closures of the bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon.

Speaking in the Senedd, Ms Finch-Saunders said: In the depths of a winter crisis in our NHS, with strikes continuing unresolved, this seems to me to be the worst possible time to start thinking about closing air ambulance operating bases.

Unanswered questions still remain on the impact this would have on my constituents, and indeed residents across North Wales."

She said there must be more data from the Welsh government to establish the impact the proposals would have on farming communities and rural areas.

And as many others have said, closing the bases at Welshpool and Caernarfon could not only put patients at risk, but have knock-on consequences for other areas," she added.

Aberconwy is a constituency with a large rural population. There are areas which are more difficult for regular ambulances to reach in time, so I do not wish to see longer flight times.

It follows the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) warning that the plans were a 'big shock' to farmers in these regions.

"We all know someone who has had their life saved by the Welshpool air ambulance," said Emyr Davies, FUW's Montgomeryshire county executive officer.

"[This is] often because of the critical minutes and seconds saved as a result of having a service based in the heart of Wales."

Mr Davies said that many farmers were among those whose lives had been saved, as well as others living in isolated communities in regions where accident and emergency centres had been closed.




By Andrew Hammond







The year 2022 was a big political 12 months, including November's U.S. mid-term congressional ballots. Yet 2023 will be a huge election year too, and markets are already looking ahead to a wide range of eye-catching ballots in middle-power countries right across the world from Turkey to Thailand, and Poland to Pakistan.







Middle powers are states, like Australia and Argentina, plus Italy and Indonesia, that are not great powers like the United States, but still have significant influence and international recognition. In the next 12 months there are a wide range of pivotal elections in such nations which markets are watching closely.







Take the example of the Asia-Pacific region which hosts a number of much-anticipated elections, including the Bangladeshi national ballots, the Thai general election and the Pakistani national ballots. There is also the Myanmar general election and the Cambodian national ballots.







In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently attempting a high-stakes bid to force the government to hold elections earlier than planned. Khan's move threatens to plunge Pakistan, with its population of around 230 million and already struggling with financial crisis, even deeper into political turmoil, and comes at the end of a tumultuous time for Khan who was ousted as prime minister in April and injured in a shooting in November.







In Myanmar, meanwhile, this year's ballot will be the first since the 2021 coup d'etat displaced democratically elected members of the country's then-ruling party, the National League for Democracy, including then-President Win Myint. Since then, the military has ruled the approximately 55 million population country under a state of emergency, which has been set by Acting President Myint Swe for a maximum duration of two years.







While significant political change could therefore be on the horizon in Myanmar, that scenario appears less likely in Cambodia with its almost 18 million population. There, longstanding leader Hun Sen, who has been prime minister in Cambodia, and its predecessor states, for almost four decades, is believed to want another term of office.







Meanwhile, in approximately 70 million population Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha is to seek another term in 2023 leading the newly created United Thai Nation Party. Prayut came to power as army chief in a 2014 coup before cementing his position in a controversial 2019 election, but his popularity has been in the doldrums.







Another leader who appears to want a new mandate is Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she seeks further ballot success for the Awami League in the approximately 165 million population country. While Hasina has won widespread plaudits, internationally, for resettling hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, her government has been criticized for what is perceived as increasingly authoritarian rule.







One other reason that the eyes of much of the world will be on Asia-Pacific, politically, is India's hosting of the G-20. The timing of that, ahead of India's general elections in 2024, could help bolster Prime Minister Narendra Modi's growing reputation in his more than billion population nation as a leader of international stature.







Yet, it is not just Asia-Pacific where the political action is in 2023. One other standout election is in Turkey, with its almost 85 million-strong population, which sees elections which could herald the end of the two-decade long 'Erdogan era' which began in 2003 with Recep Erdogan's election as prime minister before he assumed the presidency.







Other key ballots in 2023 include the Nigerian general election and the national ballots in Spain and Poland. In Nigeria, which with its almost 220 million population is widely known as the 'Giant of Africa,' incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.







In Spain, the EU's fourth-largest economy and a key G-20 state with a population of around 50 million, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is seeking a new term. However, he faces a strong challenge from a rejuvenated right-of-center People's Party keen to get back into power.







Meanwhile, the ballot in Poland will be shaped by the ongoing war in Ukraine. One of the other noteworthy features of this election, in the almost 40 million population country, is the attempted return to the parliament of former President of the European Council Donald Tusk who, before his assumption of that top job in Brussels, served as Polish prime minister.







Turning to the Americas, the standout election is the presidential ballot in Argentina which will also see members of the national legislature up for election too. President Alberto Fernandez is eligible for a second term, but his popularity has fallen away and his ruling coalition was badly defeated in the midterm legislative ballot in the nation of around 45 million.







The exact outcome of none of these high-profile ballots is yet 100 percent clear-cut. However, what is certain is that they will shape not just domestic politics and international relations, but also the global economic and financial landscape well into the 2020s, and potentially beyond.









) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.







Andrew Hammond ( andrewkorea@outlook.com
Exports of textiles and apparel from the United States went up by 11.15 per cent year-on-year in the first eleven months of this year. The value of exports stood at $23.036 billion during the period under review compared to $20.725 billion in the same period of 2021, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel, US department of commerce.

Category-wise, apparel exports increased by 22.72 per cent year-on-year to $6.809 billion, while the exports of yarn ($4.259 billion) and fabric ($8.154 billion) increased by 18.72 per cent and 3.63 per cent, respectively in the period under review. Made-up and miscellaneous article exports grew by 2.5 per cent to $3.814 billion.

Country-wise, Mexico (27.45 per cent) and Canada (23.96 per cent) together accounted for more than half of the total US textile and clothing exports during the period under review. The US supplied $6.358 billion worth of textiles and apparel to Mexico during the eleven-month period, followed by $5.526 billion to Canada and $1.636 billion to Honduras.

Exports of textiles and apparel from the United States went up by 11.15 per cent year-on-year in the first eleven months of this year. The value of exports stood at $23.036 billion during the period under review compared to $20.725 billion in the same period of 2021, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel, US department of commerce.

In recent years, the US textile and clothing exports have remained in the range of $22-25 billion per annum. In 2014, they stood at $24.418 billion, while the figure was $23.622 billion in 2015, $22.124 billion in 2016, $22.671 billion in 2017, $23.467 billion in 2018, and $22.905 billion in 2019. The value had dropped to $19.330 billion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but rose again in 2021 to $22.652 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2023) - Silver Viper Minerals Corp. (TSXV: VIPR) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #434 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 29 - Monday January 30, 2023.

Notable keynote speakers include former Premier of BC Christy Clark and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Other keynote speakers will include dozens of globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

"We are entering a new era of de-globalization. The trust that allowed for global trade over the last 30 years has shifted irreversibly and countries are now scrambling to secure supplies of natural resources as a matter of national security. As a result, demand for key resources, will skyrocket. We have gathered over 300 companies that are exploring for and producing these natural resources so investors can position themselves accordingly," said Jay Martin, Host of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference:

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the epicentre of junior mining investment in Canada for 25 years and attracts over 5000 mining investors annually. Previous years have been attended by former Prime Minister Stephan Harper and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.

The VRIC will include a marketplace of over 300 investment opportunities in the mining industry, spanning early-stage exploration to advanced producing mines.

For further information:

Alicia Ford

Manager of Business Development

4036049646

alicia@belcarragroup.com

https://silverviperminerals.com/








LONDON, Jan 12, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - LiquidityFinder is thrilled to announce the launch of their upgraded community-driven fintech platform to assist electronic trading businesses and institutional investors in discovering and connecting with well-matched business partners to drive OTC liquidity.As organizations and the range of financial instruments they offer change frequently, providers seeking to enhance their liquidity services are in need of new tools to stay ahead of the competition. New entrants to the institutional liquidity provision space are emerging every month. LiquidityFinder provides the tools to let the market know what their product range is, and makes them immediately discoverable. Consumers of liquidity products also need to be sharp about who provides what instruments at a fair price to enable their business to stay competitive.LiquidityFinder provides tools to simplify this discovery.The new social, partnership and research functionalities developed by LiquidityFinder aim to make it easy for Brokers, Asset Managers, and Proprietary and Professional Traders to keep up to date with the latest changes in the industry, leverage advanced research, and obtain access to the best possible commercial terms for their business.The free-to-use features include complete user profiles and posting, industry forums, and partner matching and messaging capabilities to directly communicate with Prime of Prime (PoP) brokers, ECN's and related businesses to optimize their trading. Users of the site can submit requests for information to brokers able to offer the services they require and for Retail Brokers, this means an ability to search and discover more competitive terms (spreads and commissions) than they currently receive from incumbent providers.Sam Low, Founder and CEO of LiquidityFinder stated, "I am incredibly excited to announce the launch of the new LiquidityFinder platform. We have created an environment where any person involved in trading or fintech is able to research and follow the best liquidity and fintech providers in the market, keep on top of the latest news and developments in the trading and fintech industry and share their views, questions and comments in our secure forums to create engaging conversations covering the industry."He continued, "Through our hands-on work with clients, we have been engaging with a broad range of traders and brokers to ensure that our new product meets their needs. Speaking to senior executives at retail brokerage firms I know that there is a lot of room for them to get more competitive business terms than those they are currently on. The businesses on LiquidityFinder are hungry for that business. The tools we have created help bring these two sides together."About LiqudityFinderLiquidityFinder is a community-driven fintech platform that assists electronic trading businesses in discovering and connecting with well-matched and sustainable business partners. Our mission is to help traders, brokers and institutions streamline their research and create frictionless partnerships that drive OTC liquidity more efficiently, accelerating their time to market. www.liquidityFinder.com @LiquidityFinderMedia Contact:Sam LowLiquidityFinder+44 7734 467909Visit us on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/liquidityfinderTwitter: https://twitter.com/LiquidityFinderLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/liquidity-finderSource: LiquidityFinderCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Visitors wait to enter the central hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center where the CES was held, Jan 5. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



By Baek Byung-yeul



"Am I back in Korea?"



It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say this, but it was what this reporter felt at the Las Vegas Convention Center where the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held last week.



At the 56th CES event, about 3,200 companies from 174 countries joined the show to flaunt their advanced technologies. Given that about 4,400 companies participated in the 2020 event, which was held right before COVID-19 reached a global crisis point, it appears the event is returning to form as the world's largest tech show.



Among the participants, over 550 Korean companies shined brightly in the spotlight as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Group, Lotte Group, Hyundai Mobis, HD Hyundai and other companies attracted attention with their trend-leading technologies.



Though many people visited exhibition spaces focusing on emerging items such as metaverse and mobility, it was Samsung's booth that everyone wanted to see first.



As this reporter has become accustomed to different pronunciations of Korean brand names, it felt unfamiliar to hear many visitors from different countries pronounce Samsung as Koreans would.



"The first place we decided to visit is Samsung. They always have a big space and it's kind of a rule to visit Samsung's booth first to see the latest trend," a visitor from Turkey said.



As the visitor said, Samsung built the largest exhibition hall and its booth was popular as visitors had to endure long queues to enter.





LG Innotek's booth is crowded with visitors who want to see mobility parts during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Jan. 5. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



LG's booth also succeeded in gaining popularity with an ultra-large OLED installation at its entrance, becoming a favorite photography destination. LG Group's IT and auto parts maker LG Innotek also attracted many visitors eager to see their parts for self-driving and electric vehicles.



A government official said the country takes the CES seriously, to the extent that it could decide the future of the country and whether it develops further or remains as a manufacturer for global companies as it has largely been so far.



"Not only Samsung, LG, SK and Hyundai, but also many small and medium-sized Korean companies take part in the show with help from government agencies or at their own expense. It is very encouraging that our companies participated in the event in the U.S.," an official from the ICT ministry said, adding that only the U.S. had more companies participating in the CES.



"They are literally showing their prowess in many emerging technologies, showing that they are not followers anymore," he said.





A large tractor is seen at John Deere's CES booth in Las Vegas, Jan. 5. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
Letter from CEO Robert T. Boyd

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2023) - Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV: EDG) (OTC Pink: ENDGF) (FSE: 3EG) (the "Company") is pleased to provide the following letter from CEO Robert T. Boyd.

In this new year, the world will continue to be one of geopolitical uncertainty which we believe will deliver heightened interest in gold and a strong following for companies in the gold exploration sector.

We made impressive progress with exciting exploration results in 2022 providing a solid foundation for growth to shareholders in 2023. In addition to the summary of these 2022 milestones, I am pleased to provide you with insight into our plans for the year ahead with particular focus on our flagship "Reliance Gold Project". As many of you know Reliance is a newly recognized discovery in a major historic gold camp located north of Whistler and next to the community of Gold Bridge, BC, 10 kilometers northeast of the famed Bralorne-Pioneer Gold Mine that produced over 4 million ounces of gold and still stands as the largest historic gold producer in British Columbia.

I would like to commend the talented team of geologists, geoscientists, contractors and support staff for their hard work and determination that have all contributed to our success in 2022. We continued to build on our corporate commitment of early and constant dialogue with the local communities including striving for the goal of assisting in continued capacity growth and employment for the local First Nation communities that are now an integral part of our successful team.

Reliance continued to reveal its secrets during the 2022 field season with an outstanding record of significant gold intersections in 75% of all diamond drill holes completed and assayed to date. Final assay results for the remaining drill holes should be reported soon.

2023 is expected to be another year of discovery-stage drilling to expand the Reliance gold discoveries at depth and along strike and advance the exploration of other structural trends at Reliance to drill-stage. We will also expend some effort to unlock the value of our portfolio of other 100% owned top-quality drill stage exploration projects through strategic funding initiatives.

We hope you find the following summary of our 2022 accomplishments and objectives for the year ahead helpful. We encourage you to visit the company's website for more detailed information on Reliance and our other projects and to join our email list which will ensure prompt receipt of all news and information published by the company.

A very happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

On behalf of the Board and the Endurance Gold Team

Robert T. Boyd,

President and CEO

Phone: 604.687.2707 or toll free at 877.624.2237.

Email: info@endurancegold.com

2022 MILESTONES ACHIEVED

Expanded the Reliance "Epizonal" Orogenic gold-antimony discovery with significant gold-bearing drill intersections over 1.5 km of structural trend within a 2 km long trend of favourably altered rock.





Completed 71 drill holes and 10,729 metres ("m") of drilling in 2022 consisting of: 38 Diamond Drill holes ("DDH") for 8,274 m. 33 Reverse Circulation ("RC") holes for 2,455 m. Bringing total footage drilled by the company since 2020 to 18,652 m in 60 DDH and 84 RC Holes.





Diamond drill hole intersections include excellent intersections of: 15.7 gpt gold over 24.8 m including 26.96 gpt gold over 4.1 m. 8.62 gpt gold over 24.4 m including 17.02 gpt gold over 4.3 m. 8.47 gpt gold over 24.9 m including 16.27 gpt gold over 10.5 m. 8.41 gpt gold over 12.0 m. 8.05 gpt gold over 13.0 m.





Diamond Drilling statistics in the reported diamond drill holes in 2021 and 2022 have a high incidence of gold intersections with: excellent intersections in 22% (>100 gram x metre as partially summarized above) and significant intersections in 75% (>10 gram x metre) RC drilling also resulted in the majority of the 84 RC holes containing significant intersections.



Expanded the strike length of the shallower dipping Eagle Zone to 530 m based on drilling and surface channel sampling.

Expanded the number of drill intersections of the associated steeper dipping Eagle Feeder Zone confirming significant depth potential to the Eagle area.

Gold mineralized zones and the majority of drill intersections to date are less than 75 m below surface and associated with multi-phase mineralized breccia that is homogeneously mineralized over wide drilled intervals between 3 and 30 m indicating potential to be amenable to lower unit-cost mining methods.

Achieved a First Nation labour employment threshold exceeding 23% for three consecutive years through the engagement and training of personnel who are primarily members of Tsal'alh First Nation.

Completed an Exploration Agreement with the Xwisten First Nation that establishes a mutually agreed protocol for engagement and participation which resulted in Xwisten becoming a minority shareholder of the company.

Increased the footprint of Reliance mineral title to 3,250 hectares ( 8,027 acres) through completion of two agreements that expand the property to encompass five regional scale structural trends with orogenic gold potential.

Identified new geochemical anomalies associated with two of these recently acquired structural trends at the Olympic and Enigma trends, including rock grab samples that assayed up to 9.66 gpt gold and 11.9% antimony.

Received the PDAC and AME Safe Day Everyday Silver Safety Award in recognition of 10,000 manhours without a reportable injury for our BC-based exploration activities in 2021.

Completed C$5,094,336 in equity financings during 2022.

Raised an additional C$861,823 through the exercise of warrants and share options during 2022 for at total of $5.96 million raised during 2022.

As part of this effort, insiders acquired 2,991,512 additional shares during 2022 which represented about 23.95% of the total 2022 financial contributions to these 2022 equity purchases. Insiders are strongly aligned with shareholders owning about 55% of the shares outstanding.

As a result of success at Reliance, analyst coverage of the company was initiated by Agentis Capital, MPartners, Kaiser Research and Intela Research - Agentis postulates an economic geological comparison between Reliance and Agnico Eagle's Fosterville Mine in Australia.

The share price of Endurance has done comparatively well with a 52 week range of $0.285 and $0.57 closing off the year at $0.365.

Completed year-end option and share payments required to maintain the core projects such as the Reliance Gold Project as well as the Trout Property, part of the Elephant Gold Project in Alaska.

Acquired exploration permits and completed a LiDAR topographical survey on the Bandito Rare Earth Niobium project, Yukon.

2023 OBJECTIVES:

Reliance Gold Project

Combine step-out and infill drilling at the Eagle Zone to expand the zone and achieve a better understanding of the structural and other controls for the high grade areas.

Additional drilling in the Eagle South Feeder Zone with intersections such as 15.7 gpt gold over 24.8 m & 4.16 gpt gold over 30.0 m to delineate these areas and substantially expand the discoveries at depth.

Step-out and deeper diamond drilling at the Imperial and Diplomat Zones to extend mineralized structures such as 8.47 gpt gold over 24.9 m at Imperial, and the RC drill intersection of 16.39 gpt gold over 4.57 m at Diplomat.

Develop a firmer understanding of the structural controls, mineralogical and recovery characteristics of the Eagle and Imperial zones.

Drill the large gap between the Imperial and Eagle Zones which remains largely untested with drilling due to poor surface exposures.

Additional early-stage geochemical and surface sampling along the Olympic, Enigma and other structural trends to define the extent of these anomalies and define drill targets.

Compile historic geological and engineering data for the new properties which include the historic Minto Mine and other gold prospects with short adits and historic trenches. The Minto Mine had 79,000 tonnes of production between the years 1934 and 1937 with the average recovered grade of 6.9 gpt gold.

Other 100% owned Projects

While strategically focused on Reliance Gold Project, unlock strategic value for other projects such as the Bandito Rare Earth Niobium project, Yukon; the Elephant Mountain Gold Project and McCord Gold Project in Alaska.

endurancegold.com

TSX-V: EDG | OTC Pink: ENDGF | Frankfurt: 3EG

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151087
Springfield, Oregon--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2023) - Silo Wellness Inc. (CSE: SILO) (OTCQB: SILFF) (FSE: 3K7A) ("Silo Wellness" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has requested county approval for an Oregon psilocybin service center and psychedelic mushroom cultivation facility near the city of Portland. Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) forms were filed with the county planning department. Execution of the LUCS by local government planners is a condition precedent for filing a psilocybin license application with the Oregon Health Authority and one of the biggest risk factors for rural retreat centers.

On December 6, 2022, the Company executed a binding term sheet with a well-financed property developer with a rural real estate holding within one hour of the Portland airport in a county that did not opt out of Ballot Measure 109 nor did the county yet adopt any new land use restrictions for psilocybin properties. To prevent any potential NIMBY problems, the Company is keeping the precise location confidential until such time when there are material announcements.

Material terms of the agreement are as follows: the parties intend to license and market a psilocybin service center and lodging at the site. The parties intend to create a joint venture entity with equal ownership interests to pursue and own any psilocybin licenses and to operate the property's psilocybin interests. The length of the term is five years unless the parties agree to terminate early. The parties further intend to negotiate purchase terms for the real estate or otherwise roll up the opportunities into a public deal.

The property has a number of older structures that have in the past been used in commercial endeavors, including overnight accommodations, yoga, and meditation workshops. The accommodations are simple and dorm-like with a majority of the rooms having community bathrooms. The property is currently zoned as rural residential. Consequently, the property's existing permits and prior use is contrary to many of the zoning regulations and "grandfathered" in as prior nonconforming use. However, there are no guarantees that the county will permit such activities in the future.

Given the substantial size of the property and the number of buildings present, the Company intends to submit at least two psilocybin service center applications and at least one cultivation license if the LUCS applications are successful. The company anticipates a lengthy process for receiving a LUCS decision. There is a substantial risk that the county does not approve the property for any licenses. Also, there is a risk that even if the county approves the property for psilocybin use, that it does not permit the Company to offer overnight accommodations on site, which could seriously compromise the commercial viability of the property.

Regardless, the price is right, and the risk is low for the company, as zero capital expenditures were required to secure the property. There is a risk of capital expenditures being necessary in the event there is an adverse ruling by the county and a specialized land use lawyer needs to be retained.

Fundraising for Oregon and Potential Dilution

The company intends to raise money for Oregon psilocybin operations under a separate subsidiary ("New Co") to be formed. This "New Co" will control Silo's ownership interests in the Oregon joint venture. It will also own any other Oregon assets if any other potential partnerships develop anything of value (i.e., licenses with other real estate partners or joint ventures with other operators). New Co will own half of the company seeking the Oregon licenses and operating in Oregon. The New Co will initially be owned 100% by Silo Wellness, Inc. as the founding shareholder. The Company will attempt to raise funds for the New Co and shares will be diluted into that new entity. Furthermore, the entity that would own the licenses is expected to eventually raise money if licensing is successful, which would further dilute Silo's interests.

While the company does not intend to publicly solicit investors at this time for the Oregon enterprise, it will entertain offers first from established relationships giving priority consideration to any existing shareholders.

The Strategy for the Portland Metro Psilocybin Therapy Center Property

The strategy for this property would be to run a Silo Wellness-branded retreat center to capitalize on the earned media attention we have achieved as early movers in the market. Additionally, the Company intends to consider a focus on B2B operations by allowing licensed Oregon psilocybin facilitators to lease out the licensed premises as permitted by Oregon law.

Jackson County Psychedelic Ranch Update

The Company is still weighing its options regarding the New Frontier Ranch property following the County Commissioners prohibition of rural retreat centers. Given the new opportunity closer to Portland, the Company is not likely to fund litigation to attempt to enforce the prior non-conforming uses. The company is currently seeking potential licensees in the Medford and Ashland areas regarding a joint venture where service center clients are housed at the rural retreat property for non-psilocybin activities and transported to the urban setting for access to the medicine.

ABOUT SILO WELLNESS

Silo Wellness is a growth-oriented holding company focused on psychedelic opportunities that benefit from a unified ecosystem and exceptional leadership. Founded in 2018 in Oregon and headquartered in Toronto, Silo Wellness has a presence in both Jamaica and Oregon. Silo Wellness is a publicly traded on the Canadian (CSE: SILO) and Frankfurt (FSE: 3K7A) exchanges and listed on the OTCQB Venture Market (OTCQB: SILFF).

For more information about Silo Wellness or to book a Jamaican psychedelic retreat, please visit www.silowellness.com.

Silo Wellness Company Contact:

Mike Arnold, President

541-900-5871

IR at silo wellness dot com

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. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to the ability of the Company to finalize definitive documents and close on any potential retreat center property partnership; the Company's ability to satisfy the Oregon licensing requirements and achieve a license in Oregon; the Company's ability to successful launch an Oregon operation, including hiring of qualified staff and getting access to mushrooms to sustain operations; and the Company's ability to fund operations as well as the company's pre-existing capital requirements and significant debt load. 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, regulatory, political and social uncertainties and the potential impact of COVID-19. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in Silo Wellness's continuous disclosure documents available on www.sedar.com. 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.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Silo Wellness assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER 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/151105
PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Sanofi Ventures has announced an additional multi-year commitment from Sanofi, with an increase in capital to more than $750 million to the evergreen venture fund. The company noted that the fund supports future efforts for business development and M&A opportunities within Sanofi. The additional capital will also fuel the expansion and investment capacity of the Sanofi Ventures investment team on a global scale. In 2022, Sanofi Ventures closed 10 investments in global therapeutic and digital areas of strategic interest to Sanofi. Since its inception, 80% of investments have been in biotherapeutics and 20% have been in digital health companies. Copyright(c) 2023 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.
DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Griffin Global Asset Management ("Griffin") is pleased to announce the purchase and lease of two Airbus A350-900 aircraft with ITA Airways ("ITA"), the flag carrier of Italy. Both aircraft delivered in December of 2022.



"We are delighted to welcome ITA to Griffin's growing list of customers and to play a part in their fleet renewal programme. As ITA continues to strengthen and expand the A350-900 will serve as the flagship of their long-haul fleet, providing optimal passenger and cargo payload capability to the Americas and the Far East, with excellent environmental emissions characteristics and low noise credentials. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with ITA well into the future," said Peter Bennett, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Griffin.

"We are proud to have signed the agreement with Griffin Global Asset Management. This activity is perfectly in line with ITA Airways' fleet growth plan and has a strong focus on our pillars of innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, and customer centricity," said Francesco Presicce, Chief Technology Officer ITA Airways. "This collaboration represents a further step in our strategy of building a new environmentally-friendly fleet with leading-edge technologies which will optimise efficiency with quality of service and significantly reduce the environmental impact. ITA Airways places the best customer service at the centre of its strategy with a strong focus on sustainability and passengers' comfort."

About Griffin Global Asset Management

Griffin is a commercial aircraft leasing and alternative asset management business with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Los Angeles, CA. Griffin's team of aviation professionals works closely with airlines, OEMs, and financiers to deliver customized fleet solutions and innovative financing products to airlines globally.

For more information visit www.griffingam.ieor www.griffingam.com

About ITA Airways

ITA Airways is a company totally owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance for the exercise of business in the air transport sector. ITA Airways aims at creating an efficient and innovative air carrier that will become a reference point in providing Italy with quality connectivity both in terms of international destinations, thus boosting tourism and foreign trade, and within Italy, also taking advantage of train-air integrated mobility. ITA Airways will place the best customer service at the centre of its strategy (through a strong digitisation of processes that ensure a best-in-class experience and personalised services), combined with sustainability, and a focus on its environmental (new green and technologically advanced aircraft, use of sustainable fuels), social (equality and inclusion for a gender-neutral company) and governance (integration of sustainability into internal strategies and processes) aspects. ITA Airways is a member?of SkyTeam?alliance?as of October 2021.

Press Inquiries

Lauren Groom

lgroom@griffingam.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Adamant Holding Inc. (CSE: ADMT) (FSE: U06 ) (OTC Pink: UCCPF) ("Adamant") following the previous letter of intent has entered into an agreement to acquire 51% interest in EuroproNET Bosnia d.o.o ("EuroproNET" or "the company") which holds multiple service telecom licenses and has contracts with some of the largest international conglomerates and government groups. These fillings can be accessed from the SEDAR website.

Overview of EuroproNET:

EuroproNET is a fully Telecom licensed and a leading Internet service provider (ISP) founded in 2000 offering a variety of services including: Internet access for private and business users; Datacenter Solution with two main location in the center of Sarajevo, a variety of Wireless Solution and Telecommunications services; web services with development and placement of web presentations; online marketing, business solutions based on information technologies; and technical support.

Currently EuroproNET offers services for countries in the southeast European region and offers competitive pricing while following European guidelines. The company was granted a countrywide ISP license in 2002, followed by a network operator license (Regional WL Network and fixed public telephone services license in 2006). The company holds a fiber optic license, a radio wireless license, fixed telephony license and a carrier selection license. As of today, EuroproNET focus is on southeastern European nations such as Albania, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Serbia, where the company plans to be an industry leader.

"This imminent acquisition signifies our next phase in the telecom space as the licenses owned by EuroproNET will bolster our business model including marketing and deployment of our digital division's solution to Europronet's customers , and allow Adamant to instantly gain decades of relationships and contracts which will benefit all stakeholders," - CEO Andrea Pagani stated.

Some of the larger clients of EuroproNET include:

Coca Cola Beverages d.o.o Bosnia i Hercegovina

Uniqa Osiguranje d.d. Bosnia i Hercegovina

Vienna Osiguranje Bosnia i Hercegovina

Hrvatski Telekom d.d. Bosnia i Hercegovina

INFOSOFT d.o.o. Bosnia i Hercegovina

Philips Consumer Lifestyle B.V. Bosnia i Hercegovina

Energoinvest d.d. Bosnia i Hercegovina

Raiffeisen BANK d.d. Bosnia i Hercegovina

INTESA SANPAOLO BANKA d.d. Bosnia i Hercegovina

AUTCON/EUFOR (European Union Force in, Supporting the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH)

Adamant's Management will drive Europronet's focus to create a lead generation strategy to attract Enterprise customers in the Balcan region as "Large Enterprise" and expand the footprint looking for SMB business thanks to the synergies with the rest of the subsidiaries in Adamant Holding Inc.

Global Internet Service Providers (ISP) Analysis & Outlook

The global internet service providers (ISP) is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% between 2022-2028 from US$475.17 billion in 2021 to US$644.87 billion by 2028, with the expansion of mobile network coverage and increasing mobile data adoption. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 4.1% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$111.7 Billion by the year 2027. The European union will aim to provide Europeans with faster internet speeds, and increase household speeds above 100 Mbps.

Wireless broadband service is positioned to demonstrate the fastest growth through the forecast period to become the largest segment among all broadband connections by 2030. The rapid growth is supported by technological advancements and user convenience. Unlike other broadband connections, wireless services use radio waves or Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) instead of cables. The fast-paced evolution of mobile wireless services from 3G to 4G and now, the nascent 5G technology has further ramped up the demand and application of wireless broadband services.

Terms of Acquisition

Adamant Holding Inc. will report in next press release the Terms and Condition for the SPA, which will be closing end of Q1 or beginning of Q2.

Andrea Pagani, Adamant CEO

apagani@uadamantglobal.com

Telephone: +39 334 661 8604

About ADAMANT

ADAMANT Global Holding is the owner of Oktacom Inc, a licensed Global Telecom Carrier within the international VoIP (voice over IP) wholesale business, and Brilliance ltd, a cloud-based mobile service company which provides high-quality voice termination to a market driven by the growing activity in online communications and commerce; it has designed a software application for Apple iOS and Android, like SKYPE and WhatsApp.

Website: www.adamantglobal.com

Twitter: @adamantglobal

LinkedIN: Adamant-Global

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151111
Digital Prime Brokerage,GCEX MENA, part of the GCEX Group, has appointed Olivier Honsberger to its Board of Directors.

Olivier Honsberger, former CEO of Mirabaud (Middle East) and Board Director at Mirabaud (Abu Dhabi), has a proven track record in establishing financial services brands and entering new markets. He worked at Mirabaud Group for over 22 years and has a wealth of experience in banking, asset management and private funds in Europe and the Middle East.

Olivier Honsberger is a founding member of Global Millennial Capital PIF and has chaired the fund's Advisory and Investment Committee for the last two years. He is also a member of the Swiss Financial Analysts Association and has a Swiss Federal Diploma for Expert in Finance and Investments.

At GCEX MENA which launched in July 2022 with the opening of its Dubai office and the appointment of Mehtap Onder as Managing Director Olivier Honsberger will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and play a key role in developing the firm's growth strategy in the region.

Mehtap Onder, Managing Director, GCEX MENA commented, "Olivier has an extremely impressive track record in the region, having built a private Swiss bank in the UAE from scratch and grown the business in the Middle East to USD 4 billion assets under management. We are very excited about his appointment and I am looking forward to working closely with him to put solid foundations in place to grow our business in the Middle East."

Olivier Honsberger added, "GCEX is a dynamic fintech with a huge amount of potential in the region and a very forward thinking ethos. The firm also has an impressive team, having been founded by Lars Holst, a successful entrepreneur with a track record in growing successful businesses. GCEX's strong credentials and its ongoing focus on staying ahead of the curve made it a very appealing organisation for me to join."

"I am confident that my experience, combined with Mehtap's experience, will enable us to drive the business forwards in the Middle East. I also have an extensive network of institutional investors in the region which I will leverage to help GCEX with its ambitious growth plans."

GCEX enables brokers, hedge funds and professional traders to access deep liquidity in digital assets and also offers a range of technology solutions. Its modular 'Crypto In A Box' plug and play trading solution comprises of a technology-agnostic platform which covers regulation, regulated custody, safety of funds, tier 1 liquidity and technology (both backend and frontend). The firm has been granted provisional regulatory approval by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai (VARA) to operate as a crypto exchange and is part of the Dubaiverse community.

GCEX Group has a rapidly growing global client base and offices in London, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. It is regulated by the UK's FCA and the Danish FSA and has secured investment from TGV4 Plus.

For further information, please visit www.gc.exchange or LinkedIn

Ends -

About GCEX

Founded in 2018, GCEX is a pioneering regulated digital prime brokerage with a best-of-breed digital asset and FX platform for institutional and professional clients. GCEX has partnerships with Tier 1 trusted Liquidity Providers, leading counterparties and regulated digital custody asset institutions. GCEX offers a wide range of products and technology solutions including White Labels.

GCEX is a trading name of GC Exchange Limited and GC Exchange A/S. GC Exchange Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales (No11382809) with registered address at 75 King William Street, London. EC4N 7BE. GC Exchange Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 828730).

Digital asset services are provided by GC Exchange A/S, a company incorporated in Denmark (CVR 43088777) with address at Amager Strandvej 390, 2770, Kastrup. GC Exchange A/S is authorised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority as a Currency Exchange (FTID 45020) and registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (FTID 17524) under the AML regulation.

GC Exchange FZE is incorporated as a Limited Liability Free Zone Establishment under the Dubai World Trade Center Authority with registration number 1896.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005669/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Vanessa Green Tel: +44 (0)771 333 2303

Email: vanessa@wigwampr.com
Pixium Vision announces peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the potential of the Next Generation PRIMA implant to restore vision at five times higher resolution than current implant

New implants leverage existing PRIMA design with significant increase in spatial resolution

Potential to restore vision to levels sufficient for face recognition and reading smaller fonts: 20/100 with no magnification and up to 20/20 with electronic magnification

Data on the new implants published in top-tier scientific journals Nature Communications and Journal of Neural Engineering

Program developed in collaboration with academic partner Stanford University, where Pixium holds the worldwide exclusive license

Paris, France, January 12,2023 - 07:00 CET - Pixium Vision SA (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0011950641; Mnemo: ALPIX), a bioelectronics company which develops innovative bionic vision systems to enable visually impaired and blind patients to live more independent lives, announces today that the second generation of implants for its bionic vision system PRIMA for atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could restore vision at five times higher resolution than the current PRIMA implants.

Pixium Vision is developing the second generation of PRIMA implants in collaboration with its long-term academic partner Stanford University. A recent peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Communications, entitled "Electronic photoreceptors enable prosthetic visual acuity matching the natural resolution in rats", outlined results from the testing of the new implant in rats, which demonstrated:

A high-resolution prosthetic vision based on a novel design of a photovoltaic array, where field confinement is achieved by dynamic current steering

Computational modeling of the field confinement in such an optically controlled circuit validated by in vitro and in vivo measurements

The grating acuity invivo with 40mm pixels matches the pixel pitch, while with 20mm pixels it reaches the 28mm limit of the natural visual resolution in rats

Customized field shaping adapting to individual retinal thickness and distance from the implant, paving the way to higher acuity of prosthetic vision in AMD patients

These results pave the way to prosthetic vision with acuity exceeding 20/100, over five times higher than the current best prosthetic acuity, and with electronic magnification, it may reach 20/20.

The full paper is available online here.

"Our new second generation PRIMA implant represents a huge leap forward in prosthetic vision and offers a real chance to restore sight close to natural vision in patients blinded by retinal degeneration," said Lloyd Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of Pixium Vision. "Working closely with our partners at Stanford University, we have leveraged the design of our existing PRIMA system, which is already the most advanced prosthetic currently in use in clinical trials. By redesigning the electric circuitry and exponentially increasing the number of electrodes in the new implant, we have achieved selective stimulation of the inner retinal neurons with five times the resolution of our current implant. With this level of visual acuity, we expect to be able to restore vision in those affected by dry AMD to the extent where they can not only read comfortably but also recognize faces, which would be an unprecedented achievement in treating blindness in these patients."

These next generation implants are now being optimized for clinical trials, which could be initiated within the next couple of years. They are based on the design of the original PRIMA implants, which were also co-developed by Pixium Vision and Stanford University. Two additional peer-reviewed papers recently published in the Journal of Neural Engineering describe how the number of pixels and the resolution of the photovoltaic retinal implants could be increased using the original (bipolar) PRIMA pixels and the novel (monopolar) pixel design in human patients.

"Pixel size limit of the PRIMA implants: from humans to rodents and back" outlines how an increase in the width of the PRIMA implant from 2 to 3 mm and a reduction in the pixel size from 100 to 75mm would nearly quadrupole the number of pixels, which would be very beneficial for patients by increasing their field of view.

The full paper is available online here.

"Photovoltaic implant simulator reveals resolution limits in subretinal prosthesis" demonstrated that by utilizing monopolar pixels as both anodes and cathodes to suppress crosstalk, most patients may achieve resolution no worse than 48mm. Closer proximity between the electrodes and the inner nuclear layer enhances the stimulus strength and contrast and may enable 24mm resolution with 20mm pixels, at least in some patients. A resolution of 24mm on the retina corresponds to 5 times higher acuity than the clinical average with the current implant, promising a significant improvement of central vision for many AMD patients.

The full paper is available online here.

"We are very pleased with the current clinical results and with the progress we are making with Pixium Visionin the development of the next generation of PRIMA implants, described in these three peer-reviewed papers," said Professor Daniel Palanker from the Department of Ophthalmology at Stanford University and senior author of the Nature Communications and Journal of Neural Engineering papers. "The new implants are showing great potential in providing much higher resolution, as well as adjustable field confinement in the retina,which can be optimized for every patient. We are looking forward to investigating these implants in clinical settings, and hope that they will alleviate the visual impairment in many AMD patients."

About Pixium Vision

Pixium Vision is creating a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Vision's bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention and a rehabilitation period. PRIMA System with a sub-retinal miniature photovoltaic wireless implant is in clinical testing for patients who have lost their sight due to outer retinal degeneration, initially for atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners, including some of the most prestigious vision research institutions in the world, such as Stanford University in California, Institut de la Vision in Paris, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona, University hospital in Bonn, and UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified and qualifies as "Entreprise Innovante" by Bpifrance.

Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors ("Facteurs de Risques") section of the Company's 2021 Half-Year Financial Report and other documents the Company files with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf- france.org) or on the Company's website.

For more information: http://www.pixium-vision.com/fr

Follow us on @PixiumVision ; www.facebook.com/pixiumvision

www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision

Contacts
SEOUL, South Korea and FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair, Euisun Chung, has been honored with the MotorTrend Person of the Year award, having secured the number one position in MotorTrend's esteemed 2023 Power List.

MotorTrend named Chung 'Person of the Year' for "leading Hyundai Motor Group into a new age." It also highlighted the exceptional caliber of the vehicles developed under Chung's watch, stating: "The vehicles coming out of Hyundai Motor Group are notable for their eye-catching design, quality, clever packaging, and good value - and they are proving increasingly difficult to beat."

This latest critical acclaim follows a proliferation of MotorTrend awards for the Group's models, which include the Genesis G90 being hailed as its 2023 Car of the Year and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 named its 2023 SUV of the Year. Previously, the Genesis GV70 and Kia Telluride took similar honors.

In addition to his skill in plotting the course for the Group's current success, MotorTrend extolled Chung's "big-picture" thinking and his ability to initiate solutions traditionally regarded beyond the bounds of the automotive industry.

"As Executive Chair, Chung is putting his stamp on the company's future. His grasp of where the world and the industry are headed, combined with a desire to make the planet a better place, spurs a broader mission to become a leader in electric vehicles and advanced mobility," observed MotorTrend. It also highlighted the Group's pioneering role in smart city planning and a myriad of mobility solutions, including robots and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Commenting on the depth of Chung's vision, MotorTrend added: "In that sense, he does his father and grandfather proud, pushing the entire Hyundai Motor Group to new levels. The man and his vision, and the juggernaut that his company is becoming, loom loud and large. For his vision and leadership, then, Euisun Chung is our 2023 MotorTrend Person of the Year."

Also ranked on MotorTrend's Power List are Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group (3); Jose Munoz, President and Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company (10); SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center (28); and Karim Habib (44), Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982000/image_1.jpg

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982001/Press_release__Motor_Trend_Person_of_the_Year_announcement_230112.pdf

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyundai-motor-group-executive-chair-euisun-chung-named-motortrend-person-of-the-year-topping-its-2023-power-list-301719827.html
ANGLESEY MINING PLC - Anglesey acquires a further 29.8% of Grangesberg Iron AB

Trading Symbol

AIM: AYM

12thJanuary 2023

Anglesey Mining plc

("Anglesey" or "the Company")

Anglesey acquires a further 29.8% of Grangesberg Iron AB

Anglesey Mining plc (AIM:AYM), the UK minerals development company, is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 29.8% of Grangesberg Iron AB ("GIAB"), the entity that owns the Grangesberg Iron Ore Project in Sweden, taking Anglesey's stake to 49.75%.

Anglesey Mining plc has agreed with Roslagen Resources AB ("Roslagen") to purchase Roslagen's 29.8% stake in GIAB, taking Anglesey's ownership level to 49.75%, and the assignment to Anglesey of 40% of outstanding subordinated debt owed to Roslagen by GIAB with a nominal value of 335,000, for a total consideration of 525,000, to be satisfied as follows: A cash payment on completion of SEK 1,090,000 (c.87,000), funded from the Company's existing resources; and, The issue to Roslagen of 14,544,827 new ordinary shares of Anglesey Mining at a price of 3.0 pence per share (the "Consideration Shares"), to be held in escrow for twelve months from the date of issue. A further announcement will be made upon the issue of the Consideration Shares.

At the closing of the transaction, Roslagen will hold 4.9% of the expanded capital of Anglesey and will also continue to hold approximately SEK 6,280,000 (500,000) in subordinated debt due from GIAB

(500,000) in subordinated debt due from GIAB Anglesey has a Right of First Refusal on the remaining 50.25% of GIAB

Andreas Simoncic , a director and shareholder of Roslagen will remain on the Board of GIAB

, a director and shareholder of Roslagen will remain on the Board of GIAB The Updated PFS for Grangesberg completed in July 2022 highlighted the robust economics of the asset with a post-tax NPV8 of US$688m , at an iron ore price of US$120 /tonne, 62% Fe, CFR China benchmark, and FOB costs of US$53 /t to the ice-free port of Oxelosund, Sweden

highlighted the robust economics of the asset with a post-tax NPV8 of , at an iron ore price of /tonne, 62% Fe, CFR China benchmark, and FOB costs of /t to the ice-free port of Oxelosund, Previously, revenue was also generated from the sale of apatite concentrates (17-19% P) produced from the tailings stream. While the PFS indicates potential apatite production of 210ktpa, no sales have yet been included in the financial evaluation. This product also contains elevated rare earth content

The Swedish Mining Inspectorate granted Grangesberg Iron AB a 25-year mining concession for the iron ore mine in 2013

Jo Battershill, Chief Executive of Anglesey Mining, commented: "We are very excited to agree this transaction with Roslagen, increasing Anglesey's holding in Grangesberg. We are also very pleased to retain the services of Andreas Simoncic on the Board of GIAB and welcome Roslagen's ongoing involvement as an Anglesey shareholder. Andreas' long history with the project will be an important component in moving Grangesberg forward."

"We continue to believe the Grangesberg project has the potential to be restarted as one of Europe's largest individual producers of iron ore concentrates. When combined with the high-grade nature of the concentrate and proximity to European steel mills, the asset clearly demonstrates highly strategic positioning."

"As we have previously communicated, the opportunity for Anglesey Mining is now to advance the project through to a Financial Investment Decision. This could be completed along with securing a strategic investor, offtake partner, separate listing, or a combination of these options. However, we recognise that there is still a lot of work to complete at Grangesberg, including updating both the resource and reserve models and undertaking environmental assessment studies as preliminary steps to preparing a Feasibility Study."

Additional Information on GIAB

As at 31 December 2021, GIAB had gross assets of SEK 90,091,613 (7.2m). GIAB reported a loss before tax of SEK (6,001,706) (0.48m) for the year ended 31 December 2021.









Background on Grangesberg Iron AB

Grangesberg Iron AB ("GIAB") is a private Swedish company that was founded in 2007 by Roslagen with the target of re-opening the historic iron ore mine in Grangesberg.

In May 2014, as part of a financial and capital restructuring process in GIAB, Anglesey Mining entered into agreements giving it the right to acquire a controlling interest in the Grangesberg Iron Ore Project. The agreements included a payment of US$145,000 for a direct 6% interest in GIAB.

At the same time, Eurang Limited, a UK private company, agreed to invest $1.75 million, of which $1.25 million was invested in GIAB, for new shares representing a 51% shareholding interest in GIAB. The additional $500,000 was used to cover transaction costs, expenses and certain outstanding liabilities. Roslagen held the remaining shares. Anglesey also entered into shareholder and cooperation agreements such that Anglesey holds management control and operatorship of GIAB with three out of five directors to the board of GIAB including the Chair. Through this structure, Anglesey Mining retains a Right of First Refusal over the GIAB stake held by Eurang.

Anglesey Mining's stake in GIAB was subsequently increased to the current 19.9% through working capital injections in the company since 2014, while Roslagen's shareholding was diluted.

GIAB Balance Sheet

As part of the 2014 agreements and reorganisation, an outstanding loan in GIAB in the principal amount of US$3.5 million due to KII Holdings Limited, a Cypriot subsidiary company to a substantial Greek shipping group, was also renegotiated. At the end of December 2022, the liabilities on the GIAB balance sheet included outstanding debt of SEK 93,023,816 (7.4m), which included SEK 79,675,695 (6.3m) payable to KII and SEK 10,448,605 (0.8m) to Roslagen, prior to the assignment of SEK 4,200,000 to Anglesey as part of the proposed transaction.

The debt is non-recourse to Anglesey Mining and all creditors have the right at maturity, or in connection with an IPO, to convert all or part of the loan into shares in GIAB at:

(i) valuation of GIAB in IPO; or,

(ii) valuation to be agreed or determined by independent investment bank

The term of this funding has been extended since the 2014 reorganisation and discussions are currently ongoing with respect to a further extension beyond the current expiry at the end of January, 2023.







Grangesberg Iron Ore Project

The Grangesberg Iron ore project, owned by GIAB, is located 10 km to the southwest of Ludvika in Dalarna County, central Sweden, within the Bergslagen mining district. The project is situated approximately 200 km northwest from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

The Grangesberg Mine produced iron ore from the late sixteenth century until 1990 when the mine closed due to the prevailing iron ore price. Grangesberg was one of Sweden's most important iron ore mines, next only to Kiruna and Malmberget and was producing approximately 4.0Mtpa in the latter years of operations.

At the time of closure significant amounts of iron ore were reported to still remain in the mine, which have been estimated by GIAB to NI43-101 standards. GIAB intend to re-open the iron ore mine for future production in line with the Pre-Feasibility Study Update completed in July 2022.

Resources and Reserves

The resource and reserve estimates for Grangesberg are provided below.

Resource Tonnes Fe P Contained Fe Category (Mt) (%) (%) (Mt) Grangesberg Indicated 115.2 40.2 0.78 46.3 Inferred 33.1 45.1 0.91 15.0 Total 148.3 41.3 0.81 61.3

Resources were last estimated in 2014 to a cut-off grade of 20% Fe and with a minimum mining width of 10m applied.

Reserve Tonnes Fe Contained Fe Category (Mt) (%) (Mt) Grangesberg Probable 82.4 37.2 30.7 Total 82.4 37.2 30.7

Reserves were calculated to a cut-off grade 25% Fe and with a minimum mining width of 15m applied. The estimate also assumed 85% mining recovery and 15% mining dilution with a long-term pellet price of 180 US/dmtu Fe.

Key Project Metrics

The key project metrics from the July 2022 Pre-Feasibility Study Update are shown in the tables below.

Key Metric Unit 2022 PFS Update Ore to Mill Mt 82.3 Life of Mine Years 16.0 Contained Fe Mt 30.6 Recovery % 85 Recovered Fe Mt 26.0 Outgoing Concentrate Mt 37.2 Concentrate Grade % Fe 70 Average annual Concentrate Output Mt 2.3 Cash cost* US$/t Conc 53.60 All-in Sustaining Cost** US$/t Conc 57.80 Pre-production capital US$m 399 Post-tax NPV8% % 688 Post-tax Internal Rate of Return % 26 Project payback Years 3.6 Average annual Post-tax Operating Cashflow *** US$m 130

* Cash costs are inclusive of mining costs, processing costs, site G&A, transportation charges to port and royalties

** All-in Sustaining Cost includes cash costs plus sustaining capital and closure cost

*** Post-tax Operating Cashflow based on iron ore price forecast of US$120/t China CFR 62% Fe benchmark







About Anglesey Mining plc



Anglesey Mining is traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and currently has 280,675,721 ordinary shares on issue.

Anglesey is developing its 100% owned Parys Mountain Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au deposit in North Wales, UK with a 2020 reported resource of 5.2 million tonnes at 4.3% combined base metals in the Indicated category and 11.7 million tonnes at 2.8% combined base metals in the Inferred category.



Upon completion of the transaction Anglesey will hold an almost 50% interest in the Grangesberg Iron project in Sweden, together with management rights and a right of first refusal to increase its interest to 100%. Anglesey also holds 12% of Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited, which through its 52% owned subsidiaries, is engaged in the exploration and development of direct shipping iron ore deposits in Labrador and Quebec.





For further information, please contact:



Anglesey Mining plc

Jo Battershill, Chief Executive - Tel: +44 (0)7540 366000

John Kearney, Chairman - Tel: +1 416 362 6686

Davy

Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker

Brian Garrahy / Lauren O'Sullivan - Tel: +353 1 679 6363

WH Ireland

Joint Corporate Broker

Katy Mitchell / Harry Ansell - Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666

Scout Advisory Limited

Investor Relations Consultant

Sean Wade - Tel: +44 (0) 7464 609025

LEI: 213800X8BO8EK2B4HQ71
CHESHUNT (dpa-AFX) - Tesco Plc (TSCO.L, TSCDY.PK) reported that its Group Retail like-for-like sales were up 6.4%, excluding VAT, excluding fuel for the 19 weeks ended 7 January 2023. For the UK & ROI, the growth was 6.1%. Third-quarter Group Retail like-for-like sales excluding VAT, excluding fuel, were up 5.7%. For the UK & ROI, the growth was 5.2%. Ken Murphy, Chief Executive, said: 'I'm really pleased with our performance over this period - particularly the further strong growth at Christmas on top of the exceptional growth of the last few years. We've delivered a strong market share performance in the UK and ROI, Booker has continued to grow strongly despite a particularly tough catering backdrop and our Central European business has delivered its highest sales growth for many years.' Looking forward, the Group reconfirmed fiscal 22/23 guidance. The Group expects retail adjusted operating profit between 2.4 billion pounds and 2.5 billion pounds; retail free cash flow of at least 1.8 billion pounds; and Bank adjusted operating profit of approximately 120 million pounds to 160 million pounds. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2023 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.




Osong Station in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province / Korea Times file
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Majuba Hill Copper Corp. (CSE: JUBA) (OTC Pink: JUBAF) (FSE: 4NP) ("Majuba Hill Copper" or the "Company") announced today that Mr. Ken Kuiper, former Geospatial advisor to Mag Silver (Market Cap $2.2B) has been appointed to the Company's senior advisory board.

Mr. Kuiper is the founder of Ellis Park Media Inc., a GIS and aerial survey company, focused on catering to the resource industry. Studying geography and the Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario, Ken gained experience working internationally with several companies and organizations, including the United Nations, MAG Silver, and was a key consultant for several acquired companies, including; West Timmins Mining (Sold for $319M), Northern Empire (Sold for $150M), Balmoral Resources ($150M), and Corvus Gold ($375M).

CEO and director, David Greenway, states, "We welcome Mr. Kuiper to Majuba's senior advisory board. We look forward to working with Ken in 2023 and beyond in what we will be a critical and exciting next period for our growing copper company. Our September 20th, 2022 press release announced model showcasing the potential for 1.5 billion pounds of copper, with results still pending and the possibility to substantially expand that size, that will contribute to the development of a NI 43-101 compliant copper resource. Our phased approach is how the next great copper mines of America will be developed. This in an era when copper has never been in greater demand, the shortfall for copper been forecasted to become so significant and the need to find strategic copper reserves in domestic, safe, American, mining friendly jurisdictions been so imperative. We welcome Mr. Kuiper's technical abilities to our growing company and team."

About Majuba Hill Copper Corp.

Majuba Hill Copper Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations.

On Behalf of the Board of Majuba Hill Copper Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Joel Warawa

VP of Corporate Communications

E: jw@majubahillcopper.com

P: 1 (855) 475-0745

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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. Although Majuba Hill Copper Corp. 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. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Majuba Hill Copper Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Majuba Hill Copper Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151117
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.
Urban Renaissance is part of Dassault Systemes' "The Only Progress is Human" initiative to inspire the use of virtual worlds to drive sustainable innovations

Exciting collaboration is with renowned Korean artist Yiyun Kang, who was recently awarded the British Council Alumni Award for Culture and Creativity in 2022.

Immersive experience taking place at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul explores how sustainable cities can thrive as urbanization increases

Dassault Systemes today announced Urban Renaissancethe most recent installment in its "The Only Progress is Human" initiative to shape a better future. Urban Renaissance showcases Dassault Systemes' vision of the city of tomorrow throughan innovative 3D video mapping projection designed by Korean artist and researcher Yiyun Kang and projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/

Image copyright Dassault Systemes Yiyun Kang

"'Geofuture' is my large-scale public projection work that maps the DDP in Seoul. Inspired by Dassault Systemes' vision of designing our city, this project imagines our future life that will be realized by sustainable innovation," said Yiyun Kang.

"The city of tomorrow needs to be resilient to be sustainable. We need new solutions that enable citizens to benefit from a virtual twin of their city to test solutions in the virtual world before implementing them in the real world," said Victoire de Margerie, Vice President, Corporate Equity, Marketing Communications, Dassault Systemes. "Urban Renaissance will explore how sustainable cities can thrive as urbanization increases. For this, we chose the vibrant city of Seoul, and to collaborate with Yiyun Kang, an exciting, renowned local artist who reflects our vision of urban renaissance a vision for the sustainable and healthy city of tomorrow."

The reveal of Urban Renaissance and a related talk show will be broadcast during a live event on LinkedIn, YouTube and Dassault Systemes' website on January 31 at 17h00 CET. Viewers will have the opportunity to discover the artist's monumental artwork projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and learn what the city of tomorrow will look like according to Dassault Systemes and experts such as Bogdan Zaha from Zaha Hadid Architects. To watch Urban Renaissance live, click here.

The virtual twin experience of a city improves quality of life for its citizens

With growing populations and an increasing number of climate issues, cities need to be more sustainable and healthy in all aspects, while also continuing the pursuit of a better quality of life for all. This will be possible by creating sustainable buildings, using renewable materials, involving citizens in the definition of the city of tomorrow, providing more inclusive public services, and finding new solutions for mobility, agriculture and greener energy.

Dassault Systemes is leading the way by providing the technology to model, simulate, analyze, visualize and experience complete cities in the virtual world, to improve how they are built in the real world and the quality of life within them. These virtual twin experiences visual, digital, 3D models that represent reality with scientific accuracy and are tested and perfected in the context of their use consider the city environment as well as the infrastructure and commodities needed to build it. Citizens, businesses and city officials can use them to work together to imagine a more sustainable, circular future while simulating and understanding the social and ecological impacts of every design decision they make, before implementing the optimal solution.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza: a symbolic building for Urban Renaissance

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the perfect example of what can be designed using Dassault Systemes' software, as it was conceived and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects using CATIA one of Dassault Systemes' solutions. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, abbreviated as DDP, is a major urban landmark in Seoul with a neofuturistic design characterized by its powerful curving forms. The building is the centerpiece of South Korea's design, art and fashion hub and a popular destination for both local residents and tourists.

About Yiyun Kang

Dr Yiyun Kang received her BFA from Seoul National University, MFA from UCLA's Design Media Arts, and PhD from Royal College of Art (RCA). Kang is currently a visiting lecturer at the RCA and a fellow of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). She held exhibitions at numerous art institutions including the Seoul Museum of Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, and participated in international events such as Venice Architecture Biennale (Venice, Italy) and Shenzhen New Media Art Festival. Kang did her artist residency in V&A, Korea National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and Seoul Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, she participated in the transcontinental contemporary art project CONNECT, BTS as the only Korean artist; in 2017, she received the Red Dot Award with Deep Surface, a commissioned exhibition by Max Mara. Kang's work has been acquired by V&A. Kang is featured in Bloomberg's Art+Technology series and her writings have been published in the Leonardo Journal (MIT Press) and Practices of Projections, published by Oxford University Press. Kang has been awarded the British Council Alumni Award for Culture and Creativity in 2022. She participated in several conferences and symposiums including SIGGRAPH and NEXUS Pavilion, organized by La Biennale di Venezia. Kang also gives lectures at Politecnico di Milano (Milano), SOAS University of London (London), and Sotheby's Institute of Art (London), Seoul National University (Seoul) and KAIST (Daejeon). Recently Kang had a solo exhibition Anthropause at PKM gallery (Seoul), and her group exhibition Cubically Imagined is traveling from Paris to Hong Kong, Moscow and Beijing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dassault Systemes' The Only Progress is Human initiative:

Launched in 2020, The Only Progress is Human features a series of "acts" aimed to increase awareness of societal and environmental challenges and inspire the use of virtual worlds to drive sustainable innovations. Prior to Urban Renaissance, these acts included: Virtual Harmony, a unique musical and visual experience demonstrating how virtual worlds can change the way we experience emotions; Water for Life, a set of initiatives to help industry consume smarter and protect the world's most precious resource; and Living Heritage, a student program to experience six UNESCO World Heritage Sites as they may have existed in the past while nurturing skills to innovate for a more sustainable world. Visit: https://www.3ds.com/progress-is-human

SHARE THIS ON TWITTER

Presenting Urban Renaissance, featuring a 3D mapping project illustrating the city of tomorrow by Korean artist Yiyun Kang progressishuman 3DEXPERIENCE @Dassault3DS

Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube

About Dassault Systemes

Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating 'virtual twin experiences' of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production. Dassault Systemes' 20,000 employees are bringing value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit our website.

Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass icon, the 3DS logo, CATIA, BIOVIA, GEOVIA, SOLIDWORKS, 3DVIA, ENOVIA, NETVIBES, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM, 3DEXCITE, SIMULIA, DELMIA, and IFWE are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a French "societe europeenne" (Versailles Commercial Register B 322 306 440), or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/

Contacts:

Dassault Systemes

Press Contacts

Corporate France

Arnaud MALHERBE

arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

+33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

North America

Natasha LEVANTI

natasha.levanti@3ds.com

+1 (508) 449 8097

EMEAR

Virginie BLINDENBERG

virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com

+33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

China

Grace MU

grace.mu@3ds.com

+86 10 6536 2288

India

Kriti ASHOK

kriti.ashok@3ds.com

+91 9741310607

Japan

Yukiko SATO

yukiko.sato@3ds.com

+81 3 4321 3841

Korea

Jeemin JEONG

jeemin.jeong@3ds.com

+82 2 3271 6653

AP South

Jessica TAN

jessica.tan@3ds.com

+65 6511 6248
The new look reflects the company's dynamic approach and reaffirms commitment to growth

NEW DELHI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Denave, a global technology-powered sales enablement enterprise, today announced a brand refresh including a new visual identity, redesigned logo and website, as part of its global brand strategy. Designed for today's evolving digital era, the new identity represents the company's commitment to growth and innovation, evolution of core brand values, and dedication in delivering unparalleled sales solutions.





Through its 24-year-old legacy, Denave has led the way while remaining committed to its foundational values of keeping clients, employees, and the community at the helm. The refresh is a step forward in the company's rapid global expansion strategy to deliver integrated sales solutions that caters to the diverse needs of the clients across geographies.

Speaking on this occasion, Snehashish Bhattacharjee, Global CEO at Denave, said, "The refreshed identity acknowledges the great optimism and purpose-driven progression, as we continue to grow and create opportunities for the future. Our industry-leading talent, service offerings and growth across sectors is a testament of our brand story. The new identity will serve as the bedrock of Denave's growth as we explore new markets and meet the future needs of our clients across the globe."

"The rebranding initiative builds upon Denave's culture that prides itself on acting with agility, championing novel ways to consistently deliver value-driven outcomes, thinking differently, and leverage the infinite possibilities of a digitally powered future," said Sunil Munshi, Chief Revenue Officer at Denave.

"The rebranding celebrates our enterprising spirit inside and out, with a strategy laser-focused on the global audience and the changing business dynamics. The brand refresh captures new design elements that bring our brand story to life. These changes reaffirm our position as market leaders, reflecting our approach to always offer the solutions that work best for our clients," said Shubhra Sinha, Vice President, Marketing at Denave.

The updated visual identity comprises a logo with a wordmark spelling out the company name and a stylized 'D' that has two square dots in the front. The primary colours Black and Yellow represent Denave's professionalism to deliver customer-focused solutions and its vivacious, cheerful culture. The refreshed design incorporates prominent use of the Denave tagline (Sales.Enabled) along with updated color palette and a bold new typeface that underlines our clean, minimalistic, and modern business outlook.

About Denave

Denave was envisioned over 24 years ago with the goal to become a global sales catalyst. With deep market knowledge, superior data, and proprietary technology, our multi-dimensional service offerings help clients across diverse industries to transform their businesses and find greater sales success. We are staunchly committed to develop solution-driven strategies supported by a robust sales engine, with the presence across 5 continents, 50+ countries, and 500+ cities. Riding on the growth momentum, UDS has acquired a controlling interest in the firm, further integrating competencies and expanding our geographic presence in key markets. For more information, please visit www.denave.com.

For further information, please contact:

Karan Bhutani

General Manager - Marketing & Communications

Email: karan.bhutani@denave.com

Phone: +91-9711421721

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1978512/Denave_New_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/denave-unveils-new-visual-identity-301718643.html
Obtained international green certifications for the first time in Korea by the eco-friendly PET spunbond textile from recycled plastic bottles

Strengthens global network through the eco-friendly product line-up with the brand name " FINON ECO "

HANNOVER, Germany and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kolon Industries Inc. (KRX: 120110), top chemical materials and textile maker in South Korea, exhibits its polyester spunbond textile (brand name: FINON) at 'DOMOTEX Hannover 2023' in Germany from 12-15 January (local time). The company plans to speed up the implementation of global marketing strategy in the European market through this world wide opportunity.





'Domotex Hannover 2023' is a world leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings. Exhibitors and trade show attendees introduce and exchange information about the latest trends in the global flooring industry. It has been held every year since it was first held in Hannover, Germany in 1989 and more than 730 exhibitors from 50 nations are participating this year.

The South Korean textile maker has been exhibiting in DOMOTEX Hannover every year since 2011. This time, the company is focusing on groundbreaking networks and enhancing partnerships with customers by presenting the newly launched eco-friendly PET spunbond line-up, the brand name "FINON ECO". In particular, the company was the only non-woven textile manufacturer to participate in 'THE GREEN COLLECTION', a special eco-friendly product exhibition of DOMOTEX Hannover. "FINON ECO" has been proven to be effective in sustainability by obtaining the GRS (Global Recycle Standard) and EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certificates.

"Participating in DOMOTEX Hannover has always been a definite must for us. Our goal is to enhance global partnerships and show our differentiated technology in the global market through this world wide platform", explains Hyeonjun Choi, Director of the company's non-woven business.

Polyester spunbond is a non-woven fabric that is bonded after being spun in the form of filaments. It is widely used as carpet backing, media filters, construction, civil engineering materials and more. Kolon Industries Inc. was the first synthetic textile manufacturing company in South Korea and started the spunbond business in 1985. It has developed its own technologies to supply high quality products with excellent mechanical properties and durability to customers worldwide.

Contacts

Kolon Industries Inc.

Yeji Jung

yeji_jung1@kolon.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982086/Kolon_Industries__exhibition_booth_in_DOMOTEX_Hannover__2023.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kolon-industries-targets-the-european-market-with-eco-friendly-products-through-a-world-wide-platform-domotex-hannover-2023-301720023.html
Nelson BC

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") is pleased to announce that the Company has submitted its final responses to the draft environmental permit. The Company will now have a meeting with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to confirm all issues have been concluded. Once we have completed our meeting and the review period has officially concluded the Company expects the final environmental permit will be issued.

Regarding the Mines permit, all the digitized files of the existing historic reports have been submitted. Discussions with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation for the completion of determining the bond amount and precise boundary of the area of the permit should be finalized within days. The Company then expects to immediately receive a draft permit for review and approval by Ximen.

Communication has been open and timely with all parties, and it is apparent that everyone is working in a best effort to finalize these permits so that Ximen can begin work. Once again, we appreciate our shareholders ongoing patience and support.

Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this News Release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this News Release are accurate.

Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, approved the technical information contained in this News Release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations:

Sophy Cesar,

604-488-3900

ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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.

Ximen Mining Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4 Tel: 604-488-3900

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734959/Ximen-Mining-Provides-Further-Update-on-its-100-Owned-Kenville-Gold-Mine-Permits
The development center in Croatia is Amagi's first R&D center outside India and will serve as a hub for the company's growth in Europe.

ZAGREB, Croatia, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV, today announced the opening of its very first European R&D center in Zagreb, Croatia. The new center will elevate the quality and speed of the technical support Amagi offers to its European customers while advancing product development efforts.

The development center will be led by Igor Marinic, Marko Horvat, and Danijel Peric who will now become integral to Amagi.

"Our goal has always been to bring more intuitive and intelligent technology into the broadcasting world to help media companies deliver more elevated viewing experiences to their consumers. With a dedicated R&D center in Croatia, we will now be closer to our European customers and will be able to offer them technology support in real-time. Igor and his team are wonderful additions to the Amagi family, and we look forward to growing with them," said Baskar Subramanian, CEO & Co-founder, Amagi.

"Amagi could not have chosen a better destination to further its expansion plans in Europe. Croatia has successfully established itself as a country with top talent on the global technology map. We are positive that the newly opened Amagi R&D center will be one of the key drivers of the company's growth and success in the region," adds Igor Marinic, General Manager - Eastern Europe, Amagi.

Amagi delivers linear channels in over 40 countries around the world, with the majority of clients from the American market. Amagi's customer list includes ABS-CBN, AccuWeather, A+E Networks UK, Cinedigm, Cox Media Group, Crackle Plus, Fremantle, Gannett, Gusto TV, NBCUniversal, Tastemade, The Roku Channel, Vice Media, and numerous other global companies.

About Amagi

Amagi is a next-generation media technology company that provides cloud broadcast and targeted advertising solutions to broadcast TV and streaming TV platforms. Amagi enables content owners to launch, distribute and monetize live linear channels on Free Ad-supported Streaming TV and video services platforms. Amagi also offers 24x7 cloud-managed services bringing simplicity, advanced automation, and transparency to the entire broadcast operations. Overall, Amagi supports 700+ content brands, 800+ playout chains, and over 2100 channel deliveries on its platform in over 40 countries. Amagi has a presence in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Paris, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, and broadcast operations in New Delhi, and an innovation center in Bangalore.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/amagi-announces-its-new-development-center-in-croatia-301720041.html
HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jebsen Capital portfolio company Razor Group ("Razor") has announced its latest successful financing round of USD 70mn in equity capital. As an early supporter of Razor and lead investor of its previous Series B round, Jebsen Capital also participated in this latest round led by consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton. Jebsen Capital is excited about the path ahead for Razor as a leading global e-commerce player.

Founded in Berlin in 2020, Razor's mission is to build a next generation global consumer goods conglomerate by acquiring profitable e-commerce businesses and online merchants and providing them with the scale, expertise, and resources to expand their reach to customers worldwide. With a focus on backing businesses with the highest product quality and customer satisfaction, Razor intends to use the funding from this investment round to execute selected consolidation opportunities, to support organic growth initiatives focused on brand extensions and new product development, and to expand its international presence.

As an immediate first step of this strategy, Razor also announced that it has acquired VALOREO, the leading e-commerce player in Latin America backed by prominent institutional investors including L Catterton, Kaszek Ventures, and Presight Capital, giving Razor a significant presence in the region. Over the last 12 months, Razor Group has generated close to $400 million in Pro-Forma LTM Net Revenues.

For more information: www.razor-group.com

About Jebsen Group/Jebsen Capital

Founded in 1895, Jebsen Group is a leading brand builder and a focused marketing, investment and distribution organisation. A family-owned private company with over 125 years of continuous presence in Greater China, Jebsen is committed to supporting its partners' needs in building market demand, generating sales and connecting customers across the region. Under the master brand of Jebsen, the Group has four core business lines - Motors, Beverage, Consumer and Jebsen Capital.

Jebsen Capital is the Jebsen Group's growth equity investment business line and in-house asset manager. It invests in category-defining companies that bring new products, services and experiences to the modern consumer. From offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Berlin, Jebsen Capital puts its own capital behind entrepreneurs it believes in, which enables it to be a long-term partner, not bound by fund life cycles. Partnering with Jebsen Capital allows its portfolio companies to harness more than a century of experience in building iconic brands in Greater China.

For more information:www.jebsen-capital.com and www.jebsen.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jebsen-capital-portfolio-company-razor-completes-a-new-round-of-financing-301720084.html
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Great Portland Estates Plc (GPOR.L), a British property development and investment firm, Thursday said it signed 29 new leases and renewals in the third quarter generating annual rent of 34.3 million pounds. In this, the compny's share would be 33.1 million pounds. In its leasing update for the quarter to December 31, the company said it signed its largest ever pre-let at 2 Aldermanbury Square, EC2 with law firm Clifford Chance LLP for 24.7 million pounds, 20-year term. Clifford Chance will pay an initial rent of 77.00 pounds per sq ft on a twenty year term and benefit from an initial 38 months' rent free. Demolition of the existing building has commenced with completion anticipated in December 2025. The company also anticipate to achieve practical completion at 50 Finsbury Square, EC2 in the coming week, with the lease to Inmarsat, and sale of the building, completing shortly thereafter. Toby Courtauld, Chief Executive, said, 'We are pleased to announce that the leasing momentum we reported with our Interim Results continued through to the end of the 2022. . With robust demand for the best spaces in central London, we remain confident in the attractions of our highly sustainable, flexible, tech-enabled spaces in a market where high quality product is increasingly scarce.' Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DataTracks, a global leader in disclosure management software and services, has improved its flagship product, Rainbow Software with an enhanced text block tagging interface for ESEF Phase II mandate. The software upgrade will help companies in the European Union prepare annual reports in Inline XBRL (iXBRL) under ESEF, seamlessly integrating appropriate text block tags.





Under the ESEF mandate, EU-listed companies must submit their annual financial statements in the xHTML format. If the company prepares consolidated financial statements in IFRS, the xHTML document must be marked up with XBRL tags (iXBRL). With these constantly evolving regulatory requirements, EU-listed companies are concerned about finding software that enables them to publish compliant iXBRL reports with rich design. DataTracks Rainbow Software is the go-to solution, which automates and prepares compliant financial reports in multiple formats for filing with regulators such as the ESMA.

DataTracks recently updated its Rainbow Software with a significant improvement to text block tagging interface, this improvement includes 'Swift text blog tagging' and 'Upgraded roll forward'.

Swift text block tagging:

The swift text block tagging feature is particularly useful when the disclosure spans multiple pages and selecting the content range becomes challenging. This feature gives users flexibility to allow users to pin the starting and ending positions in the tagging layer, example - one of text block elements must cover all the note disclosures together.

Upgraded Roll Forward:

The upgraded roll forward feature allows users to seamlessly carry over text block tags from one version to another thus saving time and effort in preparing subsequent drafts. This feature is essential to maintaining the rich design layout of annual reports integrity.

Pramodh S, VP Product Design, DataTracks, said, "We are delighted to roll out the upgraded text block tagging interface ahead of the second phase of the ESEF mandate. The upgraded interface will provide a smooth process for our customers, as the number of text blocks is relatively high (up to 100%) compared to other regulations like SEC in the US. Thanks to our customers & partners for their valuable feedback during the development process. Our engineering team have translated the feedback and implemented them in the product, for a timely launch, despite the complexities involved in rich design layout and the number of pages in annual reports."

DataTracks also offers a wide range of robust and dependable regulatory solutions, including AIFMD, CRD IV, Solvency II, MIFID II, and FATCA, to help European companies meet their compliance requirements.

About DataTracks

With 18 years of experience, DataTracks has provided fully-assisted services to companies around the world in converting their financial statements to XBRL, iXBRL, HTML, and XML formats. The company's regulatory compliance solutions and services have served more than 21,500+ businesses across 26 countries, preparing over 325,000 compliance reports for filing with regulators worldwide.

The experts at DataTracks have excellent knowledge of the ESEF taxonomy, making them an ideal vendor for error-free ESEF filing. Whether you choose DataTracks' software or services, you get a trusted vendor for your filing needs. For more information, visit https://www.datatracks.com/eu/.

For Business Enquiries:

Email: enquiry@datatracks.eu

Phone: +31 20 225 3702

Media Contact: mediarelations@datatracks.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982234/DataTracks_ESEF_reporting.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/663546/DataTracks_Logo.jpg





View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/datatracks-enhances-text-block-tagging-interface-for-esef-reporting-301720101.html
President Yoon Suk-yeol waves during a teleconference with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the presidential office in Seoul in this Nov. 23, 2022 file photo. Courtesy of the presidential office



Tesla, SpaceX unlikely to expand presence here



By Park Jae-hyuk



President Yoon Suk Yeol's teleconference last November with Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears to have ended fruitlessly, as the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is about to build its second Asian Gigafactory in Indonesia, instead of Korea, according to foreign news outlets, Thursday.



Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that Tesla is close to a preliminary deal to set up its plant in Indonesia with an annual capacity of 1 million units, citing people familiar with the matter.



The report was published amid the intensifying competition among dozens of municipal governments in Korea to attract the U.S. carmaker's manufacturing facility. They began engaging in the competition after Musk told Yoon that Korea is "one of the top choices" for his company's investments, during their 30-minute virtual meeting on Nov. 23.



The central government also claimed that it would work closely with Tesla to attract investments from the company, organizing a taskforce comprised of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).



Asked about whether Korea's attempt to attract Tesla's factory ended in failure, the trade ministry told The Korea Times that Tesla said the Bloomberg News article was groundless. Musk also commented on a tweet referencing the report on Wednesday, "Please be cautious about writing articles citing 'unnamed sources,' as they are frequently false."



Automobile industry experts, however, regarded the Tesla CEO's remarks on Korea as mere lip service, expecting Tesla to build its Gigafactory in Southeast Asia, due to the region's rich deposits of minerals for EV batteries as well as the issue of Korea's militant labor unions.



"What Musk hates most is labor unions," Daelim University Division of Automotive Engineering professor Kim Pil-soo said. "Labor costs are more expensive in Korea than in Southeast Asia. In addition, Tesla will seek to sell vehicles produced in its second Gigafactory to Southeast Asian nations, so it would be better for the company to just import batteries from Korea."





Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, talks with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Texas in this May 2022 file photo. Courtesy of Indonesia's presidential palace



Delayed launch of Starlink service in Korea



SpaceX, a U.S. spacecraft manufacturer owned by Musk, also delayed the launch of Starlink's satellite internet service in Korea, despite Yoon's proposal to cooperate regarding the telecommunications business with the U.S. billionaire's firm.



Last October, SpaceX posted on Starlink's official website that the company would start offering its satellite internet service in Korea from the first quarter of this year.



The announcement was made after the U.S. firm categorized Korea last June as a country where its satellite internet service was "coming soon," due to "pending service coverage or regulatory approval."



According to its website, however, the launch of the Starlink service in Korea was delayed to the second quarter, causing speculation that SpaceX is facing a setback in complying with Korea's tough regulations. The company launched the service in Japan last October as planned.





The official website of Starlink shows that its satellite internet service will be available in Korea by the second quarter of 2023. Screenshot from Starlink's website
GEISMAR, La., Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BASF has broken ground on the third and final phase of the methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) expansion project at its Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, announced in July 2022. The company will increase production capacity to approximately 600,000 metric tons per year by the middle of the decade to support the ongoing growth of its North American MDI customers.



The investment for this final expansion phase, which takes place from 2022 to 2025, amounts to $780 million. Including the first and second phases, the investment volume totals around $1 billion, making the MDI expansion project BASF's largest wholly owned investment in North America.

"BASF already ranks among the largest and most forward-looking chemical companies in the United States," said Michael Heinz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BASF Corporation. "Through this investment, we demonstrate our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers while strengthening our foundation for continued growth in the important U.S. market."

BASF welcomed Clay Schexnayder, Speaker of the House for the Louisiana State Legislature for a ceremonial 'tilling-of-the soil' to officially mark the groundbreaking of the final phase of the expansion.

"We are committed to continuing the success story together with our North American MDI customers," said Stefan Doerr, Senior Vice President, Monomers North America. "BASF is investing to support our customers in various industries with significant growth potential in MDI applications, including transportation, automotive, footwear and furniture."

Kicked off in 2018, the expansion project follows a staggered approach. First, a new MDI synthesis unit was put in operation in October of 2020. The second phase, which started operations in 2021, expanded several existing upstream units. The third and final phase will add new upstream units and a splitter. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, the expansion will showcase the highest safety standards combined with advanced digitalization in its operations.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,700 employees in North America and had sales of $25.9 billion in 2021. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of 78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
Scientists in Sweden have proposed the use of gold polyiodide compounds in monolithic perovskite solar cells. They built a lead-free device that achieved an efficiency of 1.50%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.780 V, a short-circuit current of 0.134 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 0.453.Researchers at the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE) have proposed the use of gold polyiodide compounds as the active layers in monolithic solar cells. "We are seeking to build solar cells based on non-toxic gold, which opens up other application areas, such as consumer electronics, flexible electronics and indoor ...

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.
Capital for Colleagues plc - Shareholding in the Company

Capital for Colleagues plc / EPIC: CFCP / Market: AQSE / Sector: Financials

12 January 2023

CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC

('Capital for Colleagues', 'C4C' or the 'Company')

SHAREHOLDING IN THE COMPANY

Capital for Colleagues, the investment vehicle focused on opportunities in the Employee Owned Business ('EOB') sector, has received a TR-1 Form ('TR-1'), which is reproduced without amendment below.

The TR-1 corrects previous notifications made by Castlefield Investment Partners LLP ('CIP') regarding the number of ordinary shares of 40p each in the Company ('Ordinary Shares') over which CIP and its associates exercise voting control. The Company has been informed by CIP that CIP has not increased its percentage interest in shares in the Company through or between a Rule 9 threshold.

For so long as CIP and its associates are interested in Ordinary Shares carrying more than 30 per cent of the voting rights of the Company but do not hold shares carrying more than 50 per cent of the voting rights of the Company, any further increase in the interest of CIP and its associates in Ordinary Shares will be subject to the provisions of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code.

TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible) i 1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attachedii: Capital for Colleagues Plc 1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an "X" if appropriate) Non-UK issuer 2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an "X") An acquisition or disposal of voting rights An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments An event changing the breakdown of voting rights Other (please specify) iii: A retroactive update to previous notifications, to reflect the aggregated holdings under Castlefield Investment Partners LLP's control. x 3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationiv Name Castlefield Investment Partners LLP City and country of registered office (if applicable) Manchester, United Kingdom 4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.) Name City and country of registered office (if applicable) 5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedvi: 06/01/2023 6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY): 06/01/2023 7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) % of voting rights through financial instruments

(total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights held in issuer (8.A + 8.B) vii Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 45.86% 45.86% Position of previous notification (if

applicable)

8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedviii A: Voting rights attached to shares Class/type of

shares

ISIN code (if possible) Number of voting rightsix % of voting rights Direct

(DTR5.1) Indirect

(DTR5.2.1) Direct

(DTR5.1) Indirect

(DTR5.2.1) Ordinary shares: GB00BGCZ2V99 8,480,586 45.86% SUBTOTAL 8. A B 1: Financial Instruments according to DTR5.3.1R (1) (a) Type of financial instrument Expiration

datex Exercise/

Conversion Periodxi Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is

exercised/converted. % of voting rights SUBTOTAL 8. B 1 B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to DTR5.3.1R (1) (b) Type of financial instrument Expiration

datex Exercise/

Conversion Periodxi Physical or cash

Settlementxii Number of voting rights % of voting rights SUBTOTAL 8.B.2

9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the

applicable box with an "X") Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuer xiii Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the

financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entity (please add additional rows as necessary) xiv X Namexv % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Castlefield Sustainable Portfolio Growth Fund 5.62% Castlefield Sustainable Portfolio Income Fund 1.32% Castlefield Investment Partners LLP1 38.92% Combined: 45.86% 1. CIP does not exercise direct ownership of these shares. This amount is reflective of the aggregated position of CIP's clients, whose assets are managed by CIP on a discretionary basis, none of whom individually own over 3% of the company's voting rights. 10. In case of proxy voting, please identify: Name of the proxy holder The number and % of voting rights held The date until which the voting rights will be held 11. Additional informationxvi A retroactive update to previous notifications, to reflect the aggregated holdings under Castlefield Investment Partners LLP's control.

Place of completion Manchester, United Kingdom Date of completion 06/01/2023

**ENDS**

For further information, please visit www.capitalforcolleagues.com or contact:



CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC

Richard Bailey, Chairman

Alistair Currie, Chief Executive

John Lewis, Finance Director

01985 201 980 PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Mark Anwyl 020 7469 0930

Capital for Colleagues plc

Capital for Colleagues is an investment company focused on the UK EOB sector. The Company has a proven management team, with a wide network of contacts and affiliates, as well as established access to investment opportunities, enabling the Company to execute its strategy and capitalise on EOB-focused investment opportunities. In addition, the Company educates and assists companies that are looking to launch employee ownership schemes, advising them, amongst other things, on how to secure investment and achieve their objectives.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
Andrew Ellam, former Chief of Staff to CTO and Head of Technical Program Management at Monzo Bank, joins the senior leadership team as VP of Technology at Climate X, a multi-award-winning global climate risk data analytics provider based in London, UK.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005894/en/

Former Chief of Staff to CTO and Head of Technical Program Management at Monzo (a $4.5bn UK challenger bank), joins the senior leadership team at Climate X (Graphic: Business Wire)

Andrew brings over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, having worked in firms at all stages of growth, including venture-funded start-ups, growth-phase scaleups and large tech companies such as Amazon and Facebook.

His experience includes scaling up services run by teams of software engineers worldwide in large-scale cloud computing deployments where operational resilience is mission-critical for commercial and regulatory reasons. He has an MBA from London Business School and recently served on UK Finance's Digital, Technology and Cyber Security Products and Services Board.

Convinced by their genuine passion for making meaningful change to the world around us and their drive to deliver solutions beyond expectations, Andrew decided to bring his expertise to this rapidly growing start-up with an international footprint.

He's taken the leap from one of the UK's most recognised online banking firms Monzo as they scale to meet the growing demand for climate risk data worldwide. He's no stranger to running large infrastructure deployments and with engineering teams spread around the world.

Andrew is excited about opportunities to come as he joins Climate X; he said, "For me, climate change is the biggest threat facing our generation and future generations. I've joined Climate X with a shared vision to provide the insights firms need to help improve things to build a climate-resilient economy that can withstand the challenges ahead."

Lukky Ahmed, CEO Co-Founder at Climate X, said, "I'm delighted that we're seeing world-class talent join Climate X to help accelerate our ambitions to solve complicated climate-related challenges through best-in-class technological solutions. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the Climate FinTech industry. He will be pivotal in leading a team that will deliver a market-leading platform that customers can use to process trillions of data points, all within seconds, at a global scale and without compromising on security."

About Climate X

Climate X is a global climate risk data and analytics provider. Their multi-award-winning platform, Spectra, helps organisations become more resilient to the impacts of climate change by quantifying the probability and severity of weather events decades before they happen. With the latest regulatory requirements in mind, Spectra provides explainable and understandable data to strengthen climate financial risk disclosures and plans for ICAAP, stress testing, origination and TCFD reporting.

Spectra delivers location-specific risk ratings, EPC ratings for transition risk and climate-adjusted loss estimates between now and 2100 under multiple climate emission pathways via an easy-to-use SaaS platform or integrated API.

Climate X is hiring. You can submit your details to join their team by visiting the careers section of their website at www.climate-x.com/careers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005894/en/

Contacts:

ENQUIRIES

For press/media enquiries, please contact

Adil Assim

Brand Marketing Manager at Climate X

adil.assim@climate-x.com

enquires@climate-x.com
Pledging to bring broadband connectivity to more than 1 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2027

The 200,000-user mark already reached in Africa, an important milestone in this pledge

Reliable connectivity services unlocking social and economic opportunities in the continent

Regulatory News:

In June 2022, Eutelsat (Paris:ETL) joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect Digital Coalition. The coalition is a multistakeholder platform mobilising resources, partnerships, and commitments to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities. Within this framework, Eutelsat pledged to connect 1 million underserved people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2027.

Half a year into the pledge, Eutelsat is proud to share that the 200,000-user mark for its Konnect Wi-Fi hotspots has already been reached, a significant milestone acknowledged by the 2022 Partner2Connect Annual Report.

Operating in Africa, Konnect is Eutelsat's satellite broadband initiative, powered by the new-generation EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite. Delivering instant broadband internet access to rural areas beyond reach of terrestrial networks across the continent, the service provided is unrivalled in its reliability. With speeds and bandwidths on a par with those of fibre or 4G (from 5 to 100 megabits per second), and at ultra-competitive prices, individuals, businesses, schools, and medical centres can seize the power of innovative satellite technology. Konnect is changing the way people live, learn, work and do business, in the remotest areas, empowering entire communities on the continent.

Eva Berneke, Eutelsat Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Konnect's ambition is to boost social and economic development, providing easy, affordable, reliable and fast connectivity, anywhere. Eutelsat's pledge to the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition demonstrates our dedication to increasing access to connectivity and reducing the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa. This major 200,000-user milestone shows that we are effectively deploying the means to honour our pledge by 2027. Above all, this commitment is an integral part of the corporate social responsibility missions Eutelsat undertakes globally".

About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Around 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Committed to promoting all facets of sustainable development across its business activities, Eutelsat leverages its in-orbit resources to help bridge the digital divide while maintaining a safe and uncluttered space environment. As an attractive and socially responsible employer, Eutelsat assembles 1,200 men and women from 50 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005410/en/

Contacts:

Media

Anita Baltagi

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 47 47

abaltagi@eutelsat.com

Daphne Joseph-Gabriel

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 47 47

djosephgabriel@eutelsat.com

Investors

Thomas Cardiel

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 81

tcardiel@eutelsat.com

Christine Lopez

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 81

clopez@eutelsat.com
London, January 12, 2023



Case IH and New Holland, global agricultural brands of CNH Industrial, have been awarded 2022 Good Design Awards. The Case IH Patriot 50 series sprayer and New Holland's Straddle Tractor Concept and TK4 Tractor received recognition.

Case IH's Patriot 50 series sprayer is designed to help farmers work more productively and efficiently. From the comfort of the well-appointed cab, the operator has complete control of the vehicle's advanced connectivity solutions and integrated spray technology. The latter produces reports on the vehicle's spray rates which allows operators to accurately calculate input prices.

New Holland's Straddle Tractor Concept was realized in collaboration with renowned automotive design house Pininfarina. It satisfies the requirements posed when working in narrow vineyards. Its futuristic design, combining form and function, has also been created as ready for electric traction demonstrating New Holland's commitment to more productive and sustainable agriculture.

New Holland and FPT Industrial's TK4 Methane Power vineyard crawler tractor blends style, function, and sustainability. It is powered by the FPT Industrial F28 engine which runs on biomethane. CNH Industrial is committed to making agribusiness ever more efficient and sustainable. Our partnerships with industry-leading innovators help us to achieve this goal.

The Good Design Awards are organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. They recognize the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product, and graphic designs produced around the world. The selection criteria are based on the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.

Building products worthy of such prestigious awards once again demonstrates our commitment to excellence in design and innovation for the world's farmers.

CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a world-class equipment and services company. Driven by its purpose of Breaking New Ground, which centers on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its global and regional Brands. Globally, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture supply 360 agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment deliver a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. The Company's regionally focused Brands include: STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology and the development of autonomous systems; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; Miller, manufacturing application equipment; Kongskilde, providing tillage, seeding and hay & forage implements; and Eurocomach, producing a wide range ofmini and midi excavators for the construction sector, including electric solutions.

Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH Industrial has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH Industrial's 37,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world.

For more information and the latest financial and sustainability reports visit: cnhindustrial.com

For news from CNH Industrial and its Brands visit: media.cnhindustrial.com

Media contacts:

Rebecca Fabian Anna Angelini North America United Kingdom Tel. +1 312 515 2249 Tel. +44 (0)7725 826 007

mediarelations@cnhind.com

Attachments
0.88% Ni, 0.56% Cu, 0.06% Co, 1.64 ppm Pd and 0.15 ppm Pt over 40.30m in PN-22-009

Highlights

Recent assay results from the current drill program at the Nisk deposit continue to return high-grade Ni-Cu- Co sulfide and PGE mineralization.

Significant results from this batch of assays include:

40.3m @ 0.88% Ni, 0.56% Cu, 0.06% Co, 1.64 ppm Pd and 0.15 ppm Pt (PN-22-009)

Including:

25.86m @ 1.17% Ni, 0.80% Cu, 0.08% Co, 1.46 ppm Pd and 0.23 ppm Pt

7.50m @ 0.60% Ni, 0.25% Cu, 0.04% Co, 3.76 ppm Pd and trace Pt Including 3.00m @ 1.28% Ni, 0.47% Cu, 0.09% Co, 1.16 ppm Pd and traces Pt

18.65m @ 0.25% Ni, 0.01% Cu, 0.01% Co, 0.76 ppm Pd and 0.08 ppm Pt (PN-22-008)

12.45m @ 0.33% Ni, 0.34% Cu, 0.02% Co, 0.39 ppm Pd and 0.05 ppm Pt (PN-22-010)

Drilling is to be extended by another 7,500 m to 10,000 m in Q1 202

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Power Nickel Inc. (the "Company" or "Power Nickel") (TSXV:PNPN, OTCQB:CMETF, Frankfurt:IVVI) continues to report new and complementary results from its Phase 2 drill program at its "Nisk" project near James Bay. These initial drill results confirm the presence of high-grade Ni-Cu-Co-PGE mineralization in the Nisk Main zone and extends mineralization by an additional 150 m at depth and to the east and below to the central portion.

New assay results show mineralization further down the reported intercept in hole PN-22-009. This new intercept is interpreted as part of the same "main" mineralized lense, extending the previously reported intercept from 25.86m to 40.30m.

Table 1 below presents the significant results received to date.

Table 1: Significant results from the current 2022 drilling program.

UTM NAD83, Zone 18N. True widths are estimated to be 60 to 70% of the Interval Length. Abandoned hole within or near projected zone. To be extended with BQ rods.

Greyed-out results were previously released on November 25th, 2022.

Fourteen (14) holes are completed to date for this second phase of drilling, but assay results covering the mineralized target area are available only for five (5) holes, i.e., PN-22-008 to PN-22-010, PN-22-013, and PN-22-014 (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - Longitudinal view of the Nisk Main presenting the currently available assay results.

Core logging has confirmed the presence of sulfide mineralization in the areas defined as targets. Such visual observation indicates that the mineralization extends to a minimum of 150 meters below the deepest know intercepts.

While such intercepts look promising, their description is based solely on visual logging of the core, for which assay results are pending. The presence of nickel is supported by XRF measurements made as part of the core logging procedure, but such readings should be considered indicative only. Caution is therefore required as interpreted extent of the mineralization should also be determined once assay results are available. The company will update the market once these results become available.

Figures 2 and 3 below present section views along the reported drill holes.

Figure 2 - Cross section view presenting current assay results in hole PN-22-009

Figure 3 - Cross section view presenting current assay results in holes PN-22-008 and PN-22-010

As illustrated by figures 2 and 3, the Main Zone shows a "pinch and swell" geometry, both vertically and laterally. The thick portion of mineralization intercepted in PN-22-009 appears to be related to those thicker segments. On the other hand, modest results obtained in PN-22-008 and PN-22-010 could represent intersections with the "pinched" segments of the Main Zone.

Furthermore, it is also possible that such low-grade and "pinched" segments are related to the presence of structures, which could potentially offset the mineralization. Figure 4 below illustrates the actual structural interpretation.

Faulting and shearing in the vicinity of the Main Zone were reported in the core description and appear also to be responsible for difficulties drilling through these portions. For instance, PN-22-014 and PN-22-019 aren't showing significant results as they got stuck and were abandoned before reaching the interpreted target depth. A few other holes had similar issues (i.e., PN-22-017) but were extended to target depth by going from NQ to BQ size core.

Figure 4 - Structural geology interpretation

"The continued extension of PN-22-009 makes it one of the best Nickel holes reported in recent history. A 40-meter long interval, representing 10 to 15 m of true thickness, at this grade of NiEq should positively impact tonnage as we prepare our new 43-101.

We have drilled fourteen (14) holes in total and now have reported on five (5). We continue to be encouraged by all the results. Even holes PN-22-008 and PN-22-010, considering the geological interpretation, still show decent mineralization. We are confident that the upcoming Phase 3 drilling campaign will continue demonstrating the system's robustness, with more results in line with our best hole to date, PN-22-009." - Terry Lynch, President and CEO.

Based on such optimistic results, the Company has recently announced (see Press Release of November 22th, 2022) that it would ramp up drilling by another 7,500m to 10,000m starting Mid January Q1 2023.

Figure 5 below presents the location of the 2023 drilling targets. The targets were generated to expand further and test the continuity of the Nisk Main Zone and the Nisk West and Nisk East extension areas.

The remaining results of Phase 2 2022 fall drilling program will be reported as soon as they become available from the Assay Laboratory.

Figure 5 - 2023 Drilling Program at Nisk.

About the Nisk Project

The Nisk Project is located in the southern portion of the Eeyo Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, a region that is the site of a number of mining projects improving infrastructure (Figure 6).[1]

The Nisk Project is a known Nickel-PGE occurrence on which former operators have performed technical work at a relatively high level of expertise. This historical work, which included preliminary metallurgical test work, led to an evaluation of the mineral resource potential in the Nisk-1 Main zone.

Power Nickel completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk Project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE:TSXV). The Nisk Project comprises a large land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade Nickel intercepts.

Figure 6 - Location of the Nisk Project with respect to the current infrastructure available in the area.

QAQC and SAMPLING

GeoVector Management Inc is the Consulting company retained to perform the actual drilling program, which includes core logging and sampling of the drill core.

All samples were submitted to and analyzed at ALS Global ("ALS"), an independent commercial laboratory located in Val-d'Or, Quebec, for both the sample preparation and assaying. ALS is a commercial laboratory independent of Power Nickel with no interest in the Project. ALS is an ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratory. Samples submitted through ALS are run through standard preparation methods and analyzed using ME-ICP61a (33 element Suite; 0.4g sample; Intermediate Level Four Acid Digestion) and PGM-ICP27 (Pt, Pd, and Au; 30g fire assay and ICP-AES Finish) methods. ALS also undertakes its own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration.

GeoVector's QAQC program includes the regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results.

The results presented in the current Press Released are complete within the mineralized intervals, but results are still pending for the top portion of both holes reported. QAQC and data validation was performed on these portions of the holes where assays are fully integrated, and no material error were observed.

Qualified Person

Kenneth Williamson, Geo, M.Sc. from 3DGeo Solution Inc and consultant to Power Nickel, is the independent qualified person who has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Power Nickel Inc.

Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on high-potential copper, gold, and battery metal prospects in Canada and Chile.

On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE:TSXV)

The NISK property comprises a large land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization Ni 43-101 resource with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits.

Power Nickel announced on June 8th, 2021, that an agreement has been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in a total of 130 million ounces of gold, 800 million ounces of silver, and 40 billion pounds of copper (Resource World). This property hosts two known mineral showings (gold ore and magee), and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, which was reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are described as polymetallic veins containing quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, and plus/minus copper.

Power Nickel is also 100 percent owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit that was sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $ 3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's first region.

For further information on Power Nickel Inc., please contact:

Mr. Terry Lynch, CEO

647-448-8044, terry@powernickel.com

For further information, readers are encouraged to contact:

Power Nickel Inc.

The Canadian Venture Building

82 Richmond St East, Suite 202

Toronto, ON

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its planned activities at the NISK Property and for general working capital purposes; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties; maintaining its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates, and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, opinions, or other factors should change.

SOURCE: Power Nickel Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734988/Power-Nickel-Extends-PN-22-009-Nickel-Mineralization-from-25-to-40m
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Sharechest Inc. is pleased to announce its most recent partnership with Divine TeaShop through the activation of the Sharechest Connector. Divine TeaShop is simplifying and streamlining investor relationship management through Sharechest's revolutionary technology, the Connector.

About Divine TeaShop Inc.

Divine TeaShop is a new e-commerce business founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs with a passion for tea and a desire to bring the world's finest teas to homes and businesses worldwide. Divine TeaShop strives to offer its customers the best quality teas at affordable prices. Their mission is to bring the best in quality, flavor, and convenience to their customers, and they strive to create a shopping experience that is second to none. Divine TeaShop offers a wide range of teas, including black, green, white, herbal, and even some rare and exotic varieties, so our customers can find the perfect tea for their tastes.

Since its founding, they have achieved several notable milestones. Divine TeaShop has quickly become the go-to online destination for tea lovers, and its selection of teas has grown to include over one hundred varieties. In addition, Divine TeaShop has also expanded its customer base through a blog and social media presence to connect and engage with its customers. Divine TeaShop's mission is to provide its customers with an enjoyable and convenient shopping experience while offering a wide range of teas to suit their tastes.

At Divine TeaShop, its selection of teas is carefully curated to ensure that its customers can access the best and most unique tea blends. Divine TeaShop's teas are delicious and healthy, which helps its customers stay energized and productive throughout the day. Furthermore, Divine TeaShop is committed to delivering high-quality and ethically sourced teas and tea-related products. They go to great lengths to ensure that their teas are of the highest quality, using only the best ingredients and processing methods.

Divine TeaShop also sources its teas from environmentally responsible farms, ensuring that its products are ethically and sustainably produced. The online store makes it easy and convenient to shop for tea from the comfort of one's home. Divine TeaShop provides detailed product descriptions and helpful reviews from other customers to make sure its customers find the perfect tea. Additionally, Divine TeaShop provides convenient shopping options such as secure online payments, fast shipping, and a hassle-free return policy. Therefore, with Divine TeaShop, one can be sure that they are getting the best value for their money.

Join Divine TeaShop's investor network at DivineTeaShop.sharechest.io

For more information about Divine TeaShop, please visit their website www.divineteashop.com or contact: Roel Clarke, roel.clarke@live.ca

About Sharechest Inc.

Sharechest Inc. provides an innovative web application solution that streamlines the discovery process for companies seeking investors. The Sharechest Connector seamlessly integrates into the company's existing website and acts as a magnet for investors who are interested in learning more about the company or investing in the company. Customized to meet the company's brand, the Sharechest Connector widget provides a secure and simplified lead generation form for interested investors to actively engage and take action as they navigate through the company's website.

For further information about Sharechest Inc. and becoming one of our success stories, please visit www.sharechest.io

Steve Kim, Media Relations, steve@sharechest.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151049
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) (the "Company" or "PreveCeutical"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a License Option Agreement with Endosane Pharmaceuticals GmbH ("Endosane"), a subsidiary of Sanity Group, dated January 10, 2023, pursuant to which Endosane has been granted an option to license the sol-gel technology for the delivery of cannabinoid products on an exclusive basis (the "Option Agreement").

The purpose of the Option Agreement is for Endosane to evaluate the bioavailability of cannabinoids with the sol-gel technology. It is expected that the use of the technology will result in significantly improved cannabinoid uptake compared to conventional dosage forms. Endosane is currently in phase 2B of a clinical trial program for its cannabinoid pharmaceutical product for schizophrenia treatment.

Endosane is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs and pharmaceutical products for the treatment of various indications through direct or indirect targeting of the human endocannabinoid system.

Max Narr, Managing Director of Endosane, commented, "We are very pleased that PreveCeutical Medical has entrusted us with their technology for further targeted investigation. While we will first have to wait and see whether the previous assumptions reflect those results from corresponding studies, we are optimistic that this technology will be a decisive step forward in the development of our drugs."

Stephen Van Deventer, CEO and Chairman of PreveCeutical, commented, "We are confident that the agreement with Endosane will help facilitate our path to commercialization and revenues. Subject to successful evaluation, Endosane will be using PreveCeutical's technology to advance from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of its clinical trial program for its cannabinoid pharmaceutical product for schizophrenia treatment - if successful, we believe this would increase the value of our sol-gel technology and ultimately be beneficial to both companies."

Commercial Terms of the License Option Agreement

Endosane has been, at no charge, granted the exclusive rights to the sol-gel technology for the sole purpose of further analyzing and evaluating the sol-gel technology and its scientific and economic potentials, including to evaluate whether the sol-gel technology is a suitable basis to start developing products utilizing the sol-gel technology, from the date of the Option Agreement to earlier of December 31, 2023, or signing of the license agreement. During the evaluation phase, PreveCeutical is expected to assist Endosane as required for the development of the applicator for the use of the technology.

If the option to license the Sol-Gel technology is exercised, in consideration of the rights granted, the License Agreement is expected to contain certain milestones, as listed below, which will require payments to be made by Endosane to PreveCeutical when each milestone is met and approved. The License Agreement is also expected to include terms relating to royalty on net sales.

Upfront Payment. If Endosane exercises the Option, it shall pay the Licensor an amount of one million Euros (EUR 1.000.000). Such amount is payable within thirty (30) days from receipt of a corresponding invoice to be issued by the Licensor, after Endosane has exercised the Option.

Milestone Payment 1. In addition to the upfront payment specified in Section 6.1 hereof and as further consideration for the rights and licenses granted by Licensor to Endosane under this Agreement, Endosane shall pay to Licensor upon the first initiation of a Phase III Clinical Study for a Licensed Product a milestone payment of two million Euros (EUR 2.000.000) ("Milestone Payment 1").

Milestone Payment 2. Upon first IND application to the US FDA or similar authority in Canada, Australia or Europe within the Territory by Endosane or its Affiliates for a Licensed Product, Endosane shall pay the Licensor two hundred and fifty thousand Euros (EUR 250.000) ("Milestone Payment 2") within thirty (30) days of meeting such Milestone 2.

Milestone Payment 3. Upon first NDA approval by the US FDA or similar authority in Canada, Australia or Europe within the Territory by Endosane or its Affiliates for a Licensed Product, Endosane shall pay the Licensor Euro one million two hundred thousand (EUR 1.200.000) ("Milestone Payment 3") within thirty (30) days of meeting such Milestone 3.

Milestone Payment 4. When the First Commercial Sale of a Licensed Product after Regulatory Approval takes place, Endosane shall pay the Licensor a milestone payment of three million Euros (EUR 3.000.000) ("Milestone Payment 4") within thirty (30) days of meeting Milestone 4.

About Endosane

Endosane Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a joint venture between an international team of scientists and the Berlin-based health and life science company Sanity Group, develops finished medicinal products for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and psychiatric disorders. To this end, Endosane Pharmaceuticals is systematically researching the endocannabinoid system for its potential to modulate neurophysiological balance. The current drug portfolio contains compounds for the treatment of various indications, including schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The international team is led by the renowned German neurologist and psychiatrist Prof. Dr. F. Markus Leweke (University of Sydney), long-time head of the Center of Excellence for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Research at the Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim at the Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg. The company, founded in 2020, is based in Berlin. More information at www.endosane.com.

About the Sanity Group

Sanity Group has set itself the goal of improving the quality of life of people through the sensible use of cannabinoids and the use of the endocannabinoid system. In addition to pharmaceuticals, it also focuses on wellbeing and cosmetic products based on cannabinoids. In parallel, Sanity Group is working and researching new medical products, innovative dosage forms, as well as technological products and services to further develop the infrastructure. Sanity Group was founded in 2018 by Finn Age Hansel and Fabian Friede and now employs a team of over 100 people at its headquarters in Berlin-Mitte, and its research site near Frankfurt am Main. Sanity Group brands include Vayamed (pharmaceuticals), VAAY (CBD products) and This Place (functional cosmetics). More information at www.sanitygroup.com.

About PreveCeutical

PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. The Company aims to be a leader in the preventive health sciences sector.

With the completion of three of its research programs, the Company is actively working on the development, clinical trials, and commercialization of its products; and has filed a number of provisional patent applications to protect the intellectual property from its research programs.

For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit our website www.PreveCeutical.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of PreveCeutical

Stephen Van Deventer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Van Deventer: +1 604 306 9669

Or Investor Relations ir@preveceutical.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, completion and the final terms and conditions of a license agreement entered into between the Company and Endosane, the Company's role in the development and testing of products utilizing the sol-gel technology, the continued research interests of PreveCeutical, PreveCeutical's anticipated business plans, and its prospects of success in executing its proposed plans. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will", "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "schedules", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential", "proposes" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions regarding PreveCeutical, including expected growth, results of operations, including PreveCeutical's research and development activities, performance, industry trends, growth opportunities, that PreveCeutical will be granted requisite expedited approvals by world health, retain and attract qualified research personnel, obtain and/or maintain the necessary intellectual property rights needed to carry out future business activities, and that the benefits and impacts arising from the Option Agreement and the final terms of the license agreement will be consistent with the Company's expectations.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, risks and uncertainties relating to: the Company's involvement in the development of products utilizing the sol-gel technology, that the Company and Endosane will be unable to agree on terms for a license agreement, that the benefits and impacts arising from the Option Agreement and a license agreement will be consistent with the Company's expectations, complexities and delays in connection with research and development activities and the actual results of research and development activities; the ability of PreveCeutical to, among other things, protect its respective intellectual property, obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance of any planned future activities and obtaining expedited requisite approvals from world health agencies; and the ability of PreveCeutical to commercialize products, pursue business partnerships, complete their research programs as planned, and obtain the financing required to carry out their planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry may also adversely affect the future results or performance of PreveCeutical. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, PreveCeutical assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although PreveCeutical believes that the statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to other periodic reports provided by PreveCeutical from time-to-time. These reports and PreveCeutical's filings are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE or CNSX Markets), its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE), nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Any link in this press release to external information or other resources is provided for reference only, and such information or resources might change from time to time, and may include forward-looking statements as described above, and are subject to the above disclaimers under this heading forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151109
Today, Coty, one of the world's largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin and body care, and Jil Sander are happy to announce the renewal of their license agreement as well as the mutual decision to proceed with a long running partnership between the two companies.

The renewal of the license agreement will strengthen the existing business partnership while paving the way for a brand new 10-year strategic project, which will see Jil Sander brand stepping into global ultra-premium fragrances' segment for the first time ever. The agreement is perfectly aligned with the strategy of further growth of the brand, which has been set by OTB Group after the acquisition of Jil Sander in 2021.

Sue Y. Nabi, Coty's CEO, said: "We are very pleased to extend Coty's long-term partnership with Jil Sander, a rich shared history dating back to the 1980s. Over the past few years, Jil Sander's collections have received international recognition and huge success, resonating with consumers across the world. Our shared ambition of accelerating the brand's momentum will guide the latest chapter of our partnership, as we pursue further growth of the fragrance line. Our future strategy will focus on aligning Jil Sander fragrances with the brand's fashion division, which appeals to the global ultra-premium market. We look forward to continuing our relationship as we work together in building on this fragrance powerhouse's outstanding potential."

Ubaldo Minelli, Jil Sander and OTB Group CEO, commented: "We are very glad to strengthen on a new basis our partnership with Coty and to focus specifically on the global ultra-premium segment, which Jil Sander brand naturally belongs to. This new milestone will strongly contribute to consolidate and further expand the current solid positioning of Jil Sander brand in the luxury market while bringing the partnership with Coty to a new elevated global vision for the next ten years".

Under Lucie and Luke Meier's creative direction since 2017, through the sensibility of streamlined cleanliness, JIL SANDER has managed to modernize traditional concepts of luxury and elegance, and continues to enrich the fashion world with its distinctive quality. The joint future developments will continue to pursue the brand's vision of beauty and fashion combined to the fragrances world.

About Coty Inc.

Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty is one of the world's largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Coty serves consumers around the world, selling prestige and mass market products in more than 130 countries and territories. Coty and our brands empower people to express themselves freely, creating their own visions of beauty; and we are committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Learn more at coty.com or on LinkedIn and Instagram

About Jil Sander, S.p.A.

JIL SANDER, the high-end luxury brand, is the epitome of modernity and sophistication.

Its unconditional dedication to design combines elegance and purity with innovative materials and exceptional craftsmanship. The refinement of cuts and the perfection of details give form to an approach to fashion defined by deliberation, rigour, and high quality.

Creative Directors Lucie and Luke Meier have led the brand since April 2017.

In March 2021, the JIL SANDER house was acquired by OTB, joining the fashion group's stable of luxury brands.

Learn more at jilsander.com or on Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005151/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Investor Relations

Olga Levinzon

+1 212-389-7733

Olga_Levinzon@cotyinc.com

Media

Antonia Werther

+31 621 394495

Antonia_Werther@cotyinc.com

For more information:

corporate_communication@otb.net
By Anna J. Park







Coca-Cola Korea Company announced Thursday that it has appointed Jung Ki-sung as its new chief. His promotion to the head position was attributed to his vast experience within the company, as he is evaluated to have contributed to the firm's business growth.







Since joining Coca-Cola Korea back in 2000, Jung served in various roles at the company over two decades. Jung started his Coca-Cola career as a senior budget manager from 2000 to 2008, and he went on to work as a CFO at Coca-Cola Thailand until 2010. From 2010, Jung has been the CFO of Coca-Cola Korea Company.







"It is very honorable to be appointed as the CEO of Coca-Cola Korea Company. I plan to strengthen the firm's status as a comprehensive beverage company by expanding its business portfolios according to fast-changing consumption trends and sustainable growth strategy," Jung said.







This is the second time that Coca-Cola Korea Company named a CEO from within its ranks since appointing Choi Su-chong as its chief in September 2019. Choi has been appointed to lead the firm's marketing in Korea and in Japan.


Babylon Holdings Limited (NYSE: BBLN) ("Babylon" or the "Company") today confirmed that its revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 is expected to exceed $1.05 billion on both a U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) basis, including revenue from the IPA business in California. Babylon also expects to beat its previous IFRS Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $(270) million or less for 2022. These financial results are preliminary, unaudited and subject to change in connection with the completion of Babylon's financial closing process and the preparation of its audited financial statements for 2022.

In July 2022, Babylon announced cost reductions expected to deliver up to $100 million in yearly savings. As a result of additional cost saving measures, Babylon expects to deliver an additional 25% in cost reductions on an annualized basis. Babylon continues to expect the proceeds from the planned sale of its IPA business in California to fund the Company to profitability.

Babylon's previously announced revenue guidance was provided under IFRS, and was between $1.05 to $1.1 billion. Babylon has transitioned to U.S. domestic reporting company status as of January 1, 2023. Accordingly, Babylon will report its full Q4 and 2022 year-end results and provide future guidance under U.S. GAAP.

In addition, Babylon announced that Ali Parsa, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and David Humphreys, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the 41st Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, including a company presentation at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, January 12, 2023. The live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the "Events" page of the Investors section of Babylon's website. The replay will remain available for 30 days following the event. For more information, please visit https://ir.babylonhealth.com/.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure under U.S. GAAP and IFRS. IFRS Adjusted EBITDA, which Babylon has reported in prior periods, is defined as profit (loss) for the period, adjusted for finance costs and income, depreciation and amortization, tax provision or benefit, impairment expenses, change in fair value of warrant liabilities, loss on settlement of warrants, share-based compensation, foreign exchange gain or loss, restructuring and other one-time benefit arrangements and gain or loss on sale of subsidiaries.

Babylon is unable to reconcile projected Adjusted EBITDA loss for 2022 to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as we have not yet completed our financial closing process and are not able to forecast Loss for the period on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability and difficulty in predicting certain items that affect Loss for the period, including, but not limited to, changes in fair value of warrant liabilities, impairment expense, share-based compensation, foreign exchange gains or losses and gains and losses on sale of subsidiaries. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used to predict Loss for the period as the difference between the two measures is variable and may be significant.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric for investors to understand and evaluate our operating results and ongoing profitability because it permits investors to evaluate our recurring profitability from our ongoing operating activities.

Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations as reported under GAAP. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers, because some issuers calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, limiting its usefulness as direct comparative measure.

About Babylon

At Babylon, our mission is to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every person on Earth. We believe that this is possible by combining cutting edge technology with the best medical expertise. To this end we are building an integrated digital first primary care service that can manage population health at scale.

Founded in 2013, we are reengineering how people engage with their care at every step of the healthcare continuum. By flipping the model from reactive sick care to proactive healthcare through the devices people already own, we offer millions of people globally, ongoing, always-on care. And, we have already shown that in environments as diverse as the developed UK or developing Rwanda, urban New York or rural Missouri, for people of all ages, it is possible to achieve our mission by leveraging our highly scalable, digital-first platform combined with high quality, virtual clinical operations to provide integrated, personalized healthcare.

Today, we support a global patient network across 15 countries, and operate in 16 languages. In 2021 alone, Babylon helped a patient every 6 seconds, with approximately 5.2 million consultations and AI interactions. Importantly, this was achieved with a 93% user retention rate in our NHS GP at Hand service and 4 or 5-star ratings from more than 90% of our users across all of our geographies. We are working to demonstrate how our model of digital first integrated primary care can be applied to manage the health of the population in different settings across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial value based care contracts in the US and our primary care services in the UK.

Babylon is also working with governments, health providers, employers and insurers across the globe to provide them with a new digital-first platform that any partner can use to deliver high-quality healthcare with lower costs and better outcomes. For more information, please visit www.babylonhealth.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning Babylon's possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment and potential growth opportunities.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of Babylon's management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to: our future financial and operating results and ability to generate profits in the future and our timetable to profitability; that we may require additional financing and our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms; our ability to sell the Meritage Medical Network/Independent Physician Association business, including the timing of the sale and the sale price; the impact of our recently completed reverse share split on the price and trading market for our Class A ordinary shares; if we fail to comply with the continued listing standards and rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the NYSE may delist our Class A ordinary shares; uncertainties related to our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to successfully execute our planned cost reduction actions and realize the expected cost savings; the growth of our business and organization; risks associated with impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; our failure to compete successfully; our ability to renew contracts with existing customers, and risks of contract renewals at lower fee levels, or significant reductions in members, pricing or premiums under our contracts due to factors outside our control; our dependence on our relationships with physician-owned entities; our ability to maintain and expand a network of qualified providers; our ability to increase engagement of individual members or realize the member healthcare cost savings that we expect; a significant portion of our revenue comes from a limited number of customers; the uncertainty and potential inadequacy of our claims liability estimates for medical costs and expenses; risks associated with estimating the amount and timing of revenue recognized under our licensing agreements and value-based care agreements with health plans; risks associated with our physician partners' failure to accurately, timely and sufficiently document their services; risks associated with inaccurate or unsupportable information regarding risk adjustment scores of members in records and submissions to health plans; risks associated with reduction of reimbursement rates paid by third-party payers or federal or state healthcare programs; risks associated with regulatory proposals directed at containing or lowering the cost of healthcare, including the ACO REACH model; immaturity and volatility of the market for telemedicine and our unproven digital-first approach; our ability to develop and release new solutions and services; difficulty in hiring and retaining talent to operate our business; risks associated with our international operations, economic uncertainty, or downturns; the impact of COVID-19 or any other pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide on our business; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and restrictions; and the other risks and uncertainties identified in Babylon's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022, and in other documents filed or to be filed by Babylon with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Babylon cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, Babylon does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005229/en/

Contacts:

Media

press@babylonhealth.com

Investors

investors@babylonhealth.com
FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) ("FREYR"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has announced a conditional offtake agreement ("COA") with Impact Clean Power Technology ("Impact"), a leading manufacturer of battery systems for transportation, industry and stationary energy storage for renewable energy sources, traditional power generation, rail, and telecommunications. Under the terms of the agreement, FREYR will supply 10 14 GWh of clean, next-generation battery cells based on the 24M Technologies, Inc. ("24M") SemiSolidTM platform to Impact from 2025 2030.

FREYR intends to supply Impact with clean battery solutions based on the same battery cell architecture as the ESS products that will be produced at its Giga Arctic battery production facility in Mo i Rana, Norway. The LFP cells will be integrated into Impact's E-Mobility products for use in commercial vehicles as well as other applications.

"This COA with Impact marks our first commercial agreement to produce fit-for-purpose LFP cells for the E-Mobility market alongside our already strong traction in the ESS sector. Following today's announcement, FREYR's portfolio of offtake and long-term sales agreements now exceeds 130 GWh of production in both ESS and E-Mobility markets through 2030, which demonstrates our growing commercial presence globally," remarked Tom Einar Jensen, Co-Founder and CEO of FREYR.

"Impact and FREYR share an ambition to accelerate the urgently required decarbonization of the world's transportation systems, which as of today account for roughly 25% of global carbon emissions. Commercial vehicles could generate more than 1 TWh of cumulative battery demand on a stand-alone basis by 2030 in Europe and the U.S. to comply with the Paris Agreement 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. With our low cost and long cycle life LFP cell, produced in our facility powered solely by renewable energy, we expect to support the net zero pathway for a large share of commercial vehicle manufacturers," Jensen added.

FREYR is targeting the commercial and passenger vehicle markets to complement the company's continued strong traction in the ESS space. By producing clean, next-generation battery solutions and aspiring to localize and decarbonize supply chains, FREYR is seeking to provide a distinct and competitively differentiated LFP cell offering from conventional technology suppliers based in Asia. FREYR's LFP cells for the ESS and E-Mobility markets are based on 24M's SemiSolidTM platform, which enables lower-cost and more sustainable lithium-ion battery production.

"We sought a sustainable LFP producer in Europe that could supply our facility in Warsaw, aiding us in meeting the growing demand for batteries in the E-Mobility space. In FREYR, we have a like-minded partner that is dedicated to the decarbonization of important sectors like commercial transportation," said Bartlomiej Kras, CEO at Impact.

The contract between FREYR and Impact covers the period until 2030, with potential for further extension. This framework agreement is non-binding and the orders will be carried out in accordance with the needs of Impact and may reach a value of $1.8 billion based on BNEF's recent 2025 lithium price estimates and other conditions.

About FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery aims to provide industrial scale clean battery solutions to reduce global emissions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, FREYR's mission is to produce green battery cells to accelerate the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems globally. FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in Vaasa, Finland, and the United States. FREYR intends to install 50 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and 100 GWh annual capacity by 2028 and 200 GWh of annual capacity by 2030. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com

About Impact Clean Power Technology

A leading manufacturer of battery systems for transportation, industry, and stationary energy storage for RES, traditional power generation, rail, and telecommunications. In addition to the domestic market, Impact Clean Power Technology sells its products throughout Europe, New Zealand, and the United States. The investment of Impact's battery systems GigafactoryX will boost the company's production capacity to up to 5 GWh per year. www.icpt.eu

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding any expected deliveries between FREYR and Impact, including FREYR's intention to supply Impact with clean battery solutions based on its products that will be produced at the Giga Arctic facility; any anticipated uses of FREYR's LFP cells in Impact's products and applications; FREYR's traction in the ESS market; FREYR's expected 130 GWh production through 2030; the projection that commercial vehicles could require more than 1 TWh of cumulative battery demand by 2030 in Europe and the US to stay in line with the Paris Agreement of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius; the ability for FREYR to support the net zero pathway for a large share of commercial vehicle manufacturers; FREYR's targeted markets and its aspiration to localize and decarbonize supply chains; any competitive differentiators between FREYR's products and those of conventional technology suppliers in Asia; any expected benefits or impact of the use of 24M's technology; and the estimated value of any agreements between FREYR and Impact are forward-looking and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Most of these factors are outside FREYR's control and difficult to predict. Information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the "Risk Factors" section in FREYR's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 1, 2022, as amended, and in other SEC filings available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005292/en/

Contacts:

Investor contact:

Jeffrey Spittel

Vice President, Investor Relations

jeffrey.spittel@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 281-222-0161

Media contact:

Katrin Berntsen

Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs

katrin.berntsen@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+47) 920 54 570


SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon's employee union has gained a victory against the e-commerce retailer as the federal labor board upheld the results of a union election at the Staten Island warehouse in New York, reports said.



The National Labor Relations Board or NLRB has certified Amazon Labor Union or ALU's victory at the warehouse, known as JFK8, in a ruling, against objections by Amazon.



In a filing Wednesday, NLRB's regional director Cornele Overstreet said he agreed with a federal labor official's previous ruling that all of Amazon's objections should be dismissed as there was no evidence to support them.



Meanwhile, Amazon reportedly said it intends to appeal the NLRB's ruling.



Since the majority of around 8,300 workers at JFK8 voted in favor to join the union in April last year, Amazon has filed objections seeking to overturn the election results while ALU fought for certification. The company alleged that the NLRB office that oversaw the election interfered in the process, and that the ALU intimidated workers to vote in their favor.



Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said, 'We knew it was unlikely that the NLRB Regional Office would rule against itself and intend to appeal. As we've said since the beginning, we don't believe this election process was fair, legitimate, or representative of the majority of what our team wants.'



Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last year had stated that there were a lot of irregularities in the union drive and that the legal process is far from over, noting that there was a real chance to end up in Federal court.



Meanwhile, ALU interim President Chris Smalls tweeted that the union beat Amazon fair and square and urged the CEO to come to the table to sign a contract.



Amazon is now required to file an appeal by January 25 or begin the bargaining process.



The Staten Island warehouse is Amazon's first unionized facility in the U.S. Meanwhile, employees at a nearby facility on the Island rejected the unionization effort in May, and at an Albany warehouse in October.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Illinois has become the ninth state in the United States to pass an assault weapons ban aimed at keeping weapons of war off its streets.



In the presence of lawmakers and gun control activists, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois, effective immediately.



The law also bans 'switches' that convert legal handguns into assault weapons, and extends the ability of courts to prevent dangerous individuals from possessing a gun through firearm restraining orders.



Existing owners of semi-automatic rifles must register their ownership, ensuring that law enforcement knows the location of these weapons of war and who to hold accountable if they fall into the wrong hands.



Governor Pritzker has also signed legislation to ban unserialized, privately made 'ghost guns,' the first Midwestern state to do so.



'For the past four years, my administration and my colleagues in the State Capitol have been battling the powerful forces of the NRA to enshrine the strongest and most effective gun violence legislation that we possibly can,' said Pritzker. 'I couldn't be prouder to say that we got it done. And we will keep fighting - bill by bill, vote by vote, and protest by protest - to ensure that future generations only hear about massacres like Highland Park, Sandy Hook, and Uvalde in their textbooks,' he added.



Illinois joins California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware and Washington, D.C. as states with the strongest assault weapons ban in the nation.



The new law also codifies the Illinois State Police's internet-based system for reporting stolen firearms and enhances security around certain gun transfers by requiring such exchanges taking place after July 1, 2023 to be filed with a federally licensed firearms dealer and extending the record-keeping time from 10 to 20 years.



The Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, had passed House Bill 5471 earlier this week.



'President Joe Biden commends the leadership of Illinois Governor Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, Representative Bob Morgan, and the numerous advocates, survivors, and elected officials whose tireless efforts turned the pain of Highland Park and other acts of gun violence into meaningful action on behalf of all Illinoisans,' the White House said.



Biden had signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - the first significant piece of gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years - into law last summer.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Project area includes high grade lithium values in historical drilling results

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Grid Metals Corp (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) (the "Company") today announced the acquisition of mineral rights comprising the Falcon West Lithium Property (the "Property") which is located approximately 110 km east of Winnipeg, Manitoba and 100 km south of the Company's Donner Lake lithium property. The property covers 61,268 hectares and ~70 km of strike length of a highly prospective geological contact zone that features several drill intersected spodumene-rich pegmatites featuring highly anomalous lithium grades. The initial focus of exploration will be the "ADL" ( the ArtDon and Lucy pegmatites) TargetArea, which comprises an ~1.25 km trend of outcropping lithium bearing pegmatites. The Company believes the Falcon West acquisition is highly complementary to the Companys' Donner Lake Lithium project as both are located in an infrastructure-rich exploration jurisdiction in proximity to Canada's only current spodumene mining operation (the Tanco Mine).

KEY ATTRIBUTES OF THE FALCON WEST LITHIUM PROPERTY

Spodumene-bearing pegmatites assaying up to 3.51% Li2O over 4.57 metres as part of a 12.2 metre section assaying 2.16%Li2O are noted in historical drill holes (Manitoba Mineral Inventory Card #119, Hole 24, East Braintree Lithium Corp., 1955 - Lucy Pegmatite).

as part of a are noted in historical drill holes (Manitoba Mineral Inventory Card #119, Hole 24, East Braintree Lithium Corp., 1955 - Lucy Pegmatite). Pegmatites are noted in historic assessment report drill logs along a strike length of over 6 km including the ADL target area.

The ADL target is of immediate importance given its >1 km strike length of outcropping and previously drill intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatites.

A non-compliant, historical resource* of 226,800 tonnes of 1.75 % Li2O was estimated on a portion of the Lucy Pegmatite .

was estimated on a portion of the Lucy Pegmatite . The Lucy Pegmatite has been described as being zoned, flay lying, well fractionated and similar to the Tanco Pegmatite (Manitoba Assessment File #94845)

Validation sampling of the Artdon pegmatite completed earlier this year by Grid returned individual grab sample grades of up to 2.97% Li2O.

Most of the ~70 km long prospective geological contact zone has had little or no historical lithium exploration work.

Grid Metals controls 100% of the mineral rights with a 2% NSR royalty held by the vendors of the ADL target area claims but with no NSR royalty on the majority of the Falcon West claims.

Property is located approximately 110 km west of Winnipeg and 100 km south of Grid's Donner Lake lithium project and features excellent infrastructure including the Trans-Canada Highway, major trans-continental rail lines, hydro-electric power lines and the Trans Canada pipeline.

* Source: Manitoba Inventory Card #119. Note that the Company's Vice President and QP for Lithium Exploration, Mr. Carey Galeschuk, is not able to verify the accuracy of this estimate. Accordingly, the Company does not consider this historical resource as a current resource and is developing an exploration plan to support the estimate of a compliant lithium resource for the ADL Target Area. The estimate was believed to be based on 48 drill holes drilled to a maximum depth of 80 metres ( Bannatyne 1985)

Above: Grid Metals Project Location Map in Southeastern Manitoba

The Falcon West Property represents a strategic investment by Grid that is highly complementary to Grid's existing Donner Lake Lithium property on which the Company is currently completing an initial program of resource delineation drilling. The acquisition transforms Grid into a multi property lithium explorer/developer.

Robin Dunbar, President and CEO of Grid Metals Corp commented "Falcon West is a project of great potential that has flown under the radar despite its known lithium pedigree and close proximity to the Tanco rare metal mine and mill. It is a rare occurrence in today's active lithium market when a company can amalgamate such a large mineral claim package with known lithium-bearing pegmatites. The company looks forward to working with local First Nation governments and the Province of Manitoba to increase the lithium economic potential in the region. These are exciting times for the province as it further cements its position as a major, future source of critical metals including lithium and nickel."

Geological Overview and the ADL Target Trend

The property is located within the West Hawk Lake Greenstone Belt area of southeastern Manitoba. Lithium-bearing pegmatites that have been historically known in the area are hosted in mafic volcanics rock units present at the contact between the Wabigoon and Winnipeg River geological Sub provinces. Grid Metals has staked approximately 70 km of this prospective mafic volcanic and granitic contact. The initial focus for exploration will be on an area of known spodumene-bearing pegmatites herein referred to as the ADL Target.

Above: Geology of the Falcon West Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba ADL Target circled.

The ADL Target area comprises the known ArtDon, Lucy and Lucy North pegmatites. Several phases of drilling have been completed over the decades by numerous companies including Sherritt Gordon (1943, 19 drill holes - no analytical data), East Braintree Lithium Corp (1955, 48 holes for 2,986 metres - limited data as presented in the Manitoba Mineral Inventory Card #119), Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (1983, 4 holes 296 metres - tantalum assays only ) and Avalon Ventures (2000 - 10 holes lithium and tantalum assays). The last drill holes at the ADL were completed in 2014 by William C Hood (no assays). The Sherritt Gordon and East Braintree Lithium drill programs were completed before assaying data was required to be submitted for assessment purposes in Manitoba. The Tanco and Avalon exploration focus was on tantalum. The majority of the Avalon drill holes intersected what was described as a potassium feldspar albite quartz mica pegmatite with plus or minus tourmaline and spodumene. The spodumene has been described in assessment files as being coarse grained and light green to tan in colour.

The ADL Target trend, which includes the Artdon Pegmatite and Lucy Pegmatite, is the first priority for upcoming exploration efforts. It is approximately 1250 metres in length and historic work suggests that the pegmatites may be connected and/or form part of a larger system.

Above: ADL Target Trend and historical drill hole collars based on information from the Manitoba government assessment files with highlighted lithium results from the 2001 Avalon Ventures drill program.

Terms of Property Acquisition

Most of the Property was acquired via online staking and is owned 100% by Grid Metals and has no underlying NSR royalty. Grid has purchased the Lucy Claims for $300,000 cash and 200,000 Grid common shares which have a hold period of 4 months and 1 day. Grid can purchase 1% of the NSR for $ 1 million and has a right of first refusal to purchase any part of the NSR. The issuance of the shares is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Grid has previously purchased the claim that hosts the ArtDon pegmatite for $20,000 cash and 50,000 common Grid shares.

Exploration Plans

Permitting and consultation with local First Nations to support initial exploration plans.

Sampling of drill core from the William Hood 2014 drill program.

Compilation of assessment and academic data to better characterize the lithium and base metal (especially nickel) potential of the Property.

Re-logging of drill core stored at the Manitoba government core library in Winnipeg.

Airborne geophysics, surface drilling and field exploration (mapping and sampling).

QAQC

The exploration program at Falcon West is being supervised by Carey Galeschuk, P.Geo., who is an experienced lithium geologist with over two decades of exploration experience in pegmatites with Grid Metals, Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada, and other companies. Grid Metals applies best practice quality assurance and quality control ("QAQC") protocols on all it's exploration sampling. Surface samples from the 2022 validation program were bagged, tagged and then transported by secure carrier to the Actlabs (Thunder Bay) laboratory for sample preparation and analysis for lithium, cesium, tantalum and selected major and trace element abundances using a sodium peroxide fusion total digestion method followed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis. The Company is using two lithium + rare metal certified reference materials ("CRMs") and an analytical blank for the program to monitor analytical accuracy and check for cross contamination between samples.

Mr. Galeschuk has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release with respect to NI 43-101 reporting guidelines.

About Grid Metals Corp.

Grid Metals is focused on both lithium (Donner Lake Project) and Ni-Cu-PGM (Mayville and Makwa Projects) in the Bird River and Cat Lake areas approximately 150 km and 180 km north east of Winnipeg Manitoba. In addition to activity at Donner Lake Lithium Project, the Company has a PEA stage Ni-Cu-PGM-Co project (Makwa-Mayville) undergoing exploration and development activity. Grid Metals also has lithium and Ni-Cu-PGM projects situated in the province of Ontario.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

For more information about the Company please see the Company website at www.gridmetalscorp.com or contact:

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com

We seek safe harbour. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include the Company's closing of the proposed financial transactions, sale of royalty and property interests. the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parametres as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734962/Grid-Metals-Corp-Acquires-Falcon-West-Lithium-Project-in-Southeastern-Manitoba
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR and OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Corporation") has intersected 3,766.9 g/t total silver equivalent over 1.2 meters in the Seitz Kelly Vein in Drill Hole ET-22-349 from 236.3 meters to 237.5 meters, consisting of 3,638.7 g/t silver, 0.83 g/t gold, 0.61% copper, 0.14% lead and 0.14% zinc within 10.1 meters grading 474.2 g/t total silver equivalent from 228.3 meters to 238.4 meters consisting of 429.5 g/t silver, 0.46 g/t gold, 0.07% copper, 0.04% lead and 0.06% zinc in the Shale Horizon at the Seitz Kelly Vein.

Highlights from the on-going drilling program include the following:

? Hole ET-22-349: 0.7 meters grading 6,182.0 g/t total silver equivalent from 236.3 meters to 237.0 meters, consisting of 6,063.0 g/t silver, 0.22 g/t gold, 1.00% copper, 0.14% lead and 0.09% zinc within 10.1 meters grading 474.2 g/t total silver equivalent from 228.3 meters to 238.4 meters consisting of 429.5 g/t silver, 0.46 g/t gold, 0.07% copper, 0.04% lead and 0.06% zinc in the Shale Horizon at the Seitz Kelly Vein.

? Hole ET-22-333: 1.1 meters grading 1,633.0 g/t total silver equivalent from 249.0 meters to 250.1 meters, consisting of 778.0 g/t silver, 0.25 g/t gold, 1.69% copper, 7.10% lead and 15.24% zinc within 18.6 meters grading 145.1 g/t total silver equivalent from 232.0 meters to 250.6 meters consisting of 68.7 g/t silver, 0.25 g/t gold, 0.13% copper, 0.47% lead and 1.02% zinc in the Shale Horizon at the Seitz Kelly Vein.

? Hole ET-22-335: 0.6 meters grading 2,658.0 g/t total silver equivalent from 245.7 meters to 246.3 meters, consisting of 2,343.0 g/t silver, 0.15 g/t gold, 1.67% copper, 1.36% lead and 3.32% zinc within 4.3 meters grading 386.5 g/t total silver equivalent from 245.2 meters to 249.5 meters consisting of 331.2 g/t silver, 4.3 g/t gold, 0.24% copper, 0.20% lead and 0.50% zinc in the Shale Horizon in the Seitz Kelly Vein.

Additional drill results for the Seitz Kelly Vein and the Shale Zone are presented in the Drill Hole Results table below along with the details for the calculation of the silver equivalent grades.

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-22-333 El Tigre Vein 68.9 71.3 2.4 0.14 307.1 0.07 0.18 0.25 337.0 including 68.9 69.8 0.9 0.32 778.0 0.17 0.40 0.64 849.2 Seitz Kelly Shale Zone 232.0 250.6 18.6 0.25 68.7 0.13 0.47 1.02 145.1 Seitz Kelly Vein 249.0 250.1 1.1 0.25 778.0 1.69 7.10 15.24 1,633.0 ET-22-335 Seitz Kelly Vein 245.2 249.5 4.3 0.15 331.2 0.24 0.20 0.50 386.5 including 245.7 246.3 0.6 0.15 2,343.0 1.67 1.36 3.32 2,658.0 ET-22-339 94.5 95.6 1.1 0.21 16.2 0.01 0.03 0.08 36.1 Mining VOID 95.6 99.4 3.8 * * * * * * and 102.7 104.0 1.3 0.59 9.5 0.01 0.03 0.05 56.8 and 123.0 124.0 1.0 0.02 191.0 0.01 0.00 0.00 193.4 and 150.0 156.5 6.5 0.02 72.9 0.02 0.01 0.01 76.2 including 150.0 152.5 2.5 0.03 110.6 0.02 0.01 0.00 115.0 ET-22-346 78.7 81.7 3.0 0.19 7.9 0.00 0.01 0.03 23.8 229.6 242.0 12.4 0.25 7.5 0.00 0.11 0.33 40.4 including 237.1 239.8 2.7 0.26 11.2 0.00 0.41 1.23 81.3 ET-22-349 Seitz Kelly Shale Zone 228.3 238.4 10.1 0.46 429.5 0.07 0.04 0.06 474.2 including 236.3 237.5 1.2 0.83 3,638.7 0.61 0.14 0.14 3,766.9 including 236.3 237.0 0.7 0.22 6,063.0 1.00 0.14 0.09 6,182.0 ET-22-355 142.4 144.2 1.8 0.08 113.4 0.08 0.59 0.53 157.7 ET-22-360 Seitz Kelly 163.2 167.2 4.0 0.15 56.0 0.05 0.37 0.27 90.1 including 163.2 163.9 0.7 0.24 285.0 0.25 1.59 1.13 402.0 215.8 217.9 2.1 0.14 50.6 0.11 0.94 1.77 153.2 including 215.8 217.4 1.6 0.16 63.2 0.13 1.12 2.08 183.7 ET-22-375 86.7 91.0 4.3 0.09 104.5 0.02 0.01 0.01 113.1 including 86.7 87.5 0.8 0.05 493.0 0.05 0.01 0.01 502.9 and 133.4 135.6 2.2 0.21 67.8 0.10 0.21 0.12 101.2

Notes:

1. Not true width.

2. 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-22-333 670939 3384919 1850.6 96 -49 363.0 ET-22-335 670919 3385167 1893.5 84 -28 387.4 ET-22-339 671129 3385162 1948.3 90 -39 216.6 ET-22-342 671129 3385162 1948.2 90 -54 231.8 ET-22-346 671129 3385162 1948.3 90 -64 271.5 ET-22-347 671026 3385021 1856.0 86 -50 289.8 ET-22-349 670971 3384780 1953.2 98 -37 280.6 ET-22-351 671166 3385197 1970.6 90 -20 134.2 ET-22-355 670988 3385033 1854.5 121 -36 189.1 ET-22-359 671165 3385197 1970.3 90 -62 202.8 ET-22-360 670987 3385033 1854.5 121 -48 372.1 ET-22-362 671165 3385197 1970.3 90 -74 225.7 ET-22-368 671165 3385197 1970.3 110 -40 152.5 ET-22-370 671165 3385197 1970.2 110 -57 166.2 ET-22-375 670987 3385034 1854.5 110 -45 320.3 ET-22-376 671166 3385197 1970.3 71 -20 79.3 ET-22-380 671164 3385197 1970.3 61 -40 128.1

Attached is a Plan Map of the 600 meter central portion of the Seitz Kelly Vein



Underground Rehabilitation and Development at Historic El Tigre Mine Update

As previously announced Silver Tiger has contracted Cominvi, a Mexican underground contract mining and development company to rehabilitate the Historic El Tigre Mine. Cominvi are back on site after the holiday to continue the underground rehabilitation and development of the Historic El Tigre Mine.

Silver Tiger's CEO, Glenn Jessome, stated, "Our drilling continues to intercept wide high grade silver values in the Shale Horizon around the various quartz veins at El Tigre. These results in the Shale Horizon at the Seitz Kelly Vein are approximately 2 kilometers south of the Shale Horizon intercepts at the Benjamin Vein reported in the Company's last press release in mid-November. The Shale Horizon is the third type of mineralization identified at El Tigre, along with the high grade quartz veins and gold mineralization in the stockwork around these quartz veins at surface."

Mr. Jessome continued, "Drilling has resumed at El Tigre and Cominvi are back developing underground after the holiday break. Current drilling is focused on the high grade Sulphide Zone under the North end of the Historic El Tigre Mine that we first reported on in two press releases in the fall."

Current Drill Target - Unmined Northern El Tigre Mine

Stock Option and DSU Grant

On January 11, 2023, the Corporation granted 3,525,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.32 with a term of 10 years and 2,150,000 DSU's to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation. All stock options and DSU's granted will vest in equal amounts over 3 years.

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 Silver Tiger and 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/734980/Silver-Tiger-Intersects-37669-GT-AgEq-Over-12-Meters-Within-101-Meters-Grading-4742-GT-AgEq-in-the-Shale-Horizon-in-the-Seitz-Kelly-Vein
Exploration programs to build on last quarter's successful corporate development pivot

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Idaho Champion (CSE: ITKO) (OTCQB: GLDRF) (FSE: 1QB1) ("Idaho Champion" or the "Company") is pleased to summarize major milestones from a pivotal 2022 for the Company.

Last year, Idaho Champion initiated a strategic review of its property portfolio , and after assessing the market conditions and investor sentiment, the Company subsequently decided to transition to critical minerals exploration within North America. At that time, the Company already had in its portfolio several cobalt projects that hadn't seen modern exploration, located in the Idaho Cobalt Belt in close proximity to Jervois Mining Ltd.'s producing Idaho Cobalt Operations. In the last quarter of 2022, Idaho Champion added to its portfolio by completing the acquisition of a 162 km2 prospective lithium pegmatite property package in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory of Quebec where Patriot Battery Minerals has made their recent Corvette discovery*.

The Company successfully closed several rounds of flow-through and non-flow-through private placements and has fully financed the first phases of exploration on both its cobalt and lithium projects and the subsequent follow-up work through early 2023.

"It is clear that the critical metals commodity basket will be a major driving force as many countries try to meet carbon neutral deadlines, resolve supply shortages, and achieve some supply chain independence. We based our strategic review around the likely direction of investor interest over the next several years given these macro conditions. Our technical team has always believed in the potential of our Idaho cobalt ground, and with Jervois' operations expected to reach name plate commercial production early this year, it made sense to build a new focus around these properties. Complementing our portfolio with the addition of strategically located lithium assets gives Idaho Champion the ability to diversify the discovery potential and explore year-round. These steps put us much closer to realizing one of our goals: to be at the forefront of exploration in the next producing battery metals regions of North America," stated Jonathan Buick, President and CEO.

Idaho Cobalt Projects

As a result of the new core focus for Idaho Champion, the Company was able to secure an MOU on April 20, 2022 with a far east Asian Battery Group outlining the terms of a potential JV, including a multi-phase exploration program totalling US$5million. Negotiations continue as expected.

In anticipation of a larger program during 2023 stemming from the potential JV, a fall exploration program was commenced on the properties with an emphasis on the Twin Peaks and Victory Projects.

The program was completed on time with 19 samples collected and a prospective copper-cobalt vein identified. Results from the sampling results are currently pending. This reconnaissance work and further compilation of historic data will form the basis of the second phase of exploration in 2023.

IQ Lithium Pegmatite Projects

The Company closed the acquisition of the IQ Lithium Pegmatite Projects and immediately commenced a work program including high-resolution magnetic, VLF-electromagnetic, radiometric and LiDAR/imagery surveys covering approximately 2,188 line-kilometres.

The resulting data sets will provide the Company with geophysical and topographic information that will be useful in advancing the regional structural interpretation and analysis of the prospective lithium pegmatite projects.

About the Idaho Cobalt Properties

The Twin Peaks Project comprises 2,761 hectares (6,820 acres) and includes the historic Twin Peaks Copper Mine. It is located approximately 3 kilometres from Electra Battery Metals' advanced exploration stage Iron Creek Project, which boasts an indicated resource of 2.2 Mt* grading 0.26% cobalt (Co) and 0.65% copper (Cu) and 2.7 Mt* grading 0.22% Co and 0.68% Cu in the inferred category.

The Victory Project is comprised of 1,627.5 hectares (4,020 acres) and is 6 kilometres south of the historic Blackbird Mine and Jervois Mining's Idaho Cobalt Operations, which was officially commissioned on October 7, 2022 as North America's only primary cobalt mine.

*These projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information reported by third parties, and proximity to projects containing lithium resources offers no assurance that the rock types or lithium resources reported by Patriot, Electra and others extend onto the Idaho Champion projects.

About the IQ Lithium Projects (Blanche and Charles)

The Blanche Project is comprised of 256 claims totalling approximately 131 km2. The project lies within a volcano-sedimentary belt striking ENE. The bedrock geology at the Blanche project is mainly composed of a broad east-northeast trending mafic band, interpreted as a metamorphosed basalt, hosted within tonalitic rocks and interbedded with narrow sections of magnesian basalt, komatiite, iron formation (silicate and/or oxide facies) and metasedimentary rocks.

The Charles Project is comprised of 61 claims covering approximately 31 km2. Less is known about this project, but the area exhibits variable topography, ranging from slightly to very hilly. Several hills associated with felsic intrusives and iron formations are present and have been shaped by glaciers that had an ENE-WSW direction. A number of outcrops are exposed. Within the northern and central parts of this project, there is thick glacial sediment containing boulders of granite and pegmatite.

Qualified Person

Patrick Highsmith, Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG # 11702) and director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Highsmith has helped prepare, reviewed, and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Idaho Champion Gold Mines Inc.

Idaho Champion is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective cobalt properties located in Idaho, United States and lithium properties in Quebec, Canada. In addition, the Company owns the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project in Butte County near Arco.

The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "ITKO", on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "GLDRF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1QB1". Idaho Champion strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF IDAHO CHAMPION

"Jonathan Buick"

Jonathan Buick, President, and CEO

For further information, please visit the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or the Company's corporate website at www.idahochamp.com.

For further information, please contact:

Nicholas Konkin, Marketing and Communications, Idaho Champion

Phone: (416) 567- 9087

Email: nkonkin@idahochamp.com

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Cautionary Statements for Idaho Champion

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release may include forward-looking information concerning the business of the Company within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, the prospectivity of the Projects for lithium, the ability of the Company to successfully shift focus to exploration for battery-related metals, and with respect to the completion of a private placement of the size and at the price contemplated. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company, including being able to satisfy any conditions related to the acquisition, sufficient investor interest to complete the private placement financing necessary to fund the cash portion of the acquisition of the Project, having the necessary technical expertise to explore for lithium in pegmatite, and that reported lithium resources in the district of the Projects is indicative of mineralized pegmatite prospectivity on the Projects. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking 1information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information and the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151040
All monetary amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX: IMG) (NYSE: IAG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Nelligan Joint Venture Project ("Nelligan") (IAMGOLD: 75%, Vanstar Mining Resources Inc. ("Vanstar"): 25%), located 60 kilometres southwest of Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada.

Highlights:

Nelligan Joint Venture Project updated MRE comprises (on a 100% basis using a US$1,500 per ounce gold price) : 72.2 million tonnes of Indicated Mineral Resources averaging 0.85 grams of gold per tonne for 1.97 million ounces of gold 114.1 million tonnes of Inferred Mineral Resources averaging 0.88 grams of gold per tonne for 3.24 million ounces of gold

Mineral Resources have increased by 92% in tonnage, with a 15% decline in gold grades, for an overall gain of 63% in metal content - relative to the 2019 Mineral Resource estimate

Additional infill drilling completed from 2020 to 2022 and refinement of the deposit and structural models contributed to the conversion of 62% of Inferred Mineral Resources to an Indicated Mineral Resource category relative to the 2019 Mineral Resource estimate

Potential highlighted for further resource expansion

The estimate was completed in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Craig MacDougall, Executive Vice President, Growth for IAMGOLD, stated: "We are very pleased to see that our drilling programs have confirmed the anticipated expansion potential at Nelligan resulting in a significant increase of Mineral Resources within a wide and persistent mineralized system. This Mineral Resource estimation has not only resulted in a significant increase in resources, but also resulted in upgrading nearly 2 million ounces from Inferred to an Indicated resource classification. Potential for further resource expansion appears favourable, noting that the deposit has areas within the resource pit shell, along strike and at depth that remain open for further drilling. Our exploration efforts continue to highlight the significance of this pure grass-root discovery."

"I also want to commend the exploration team which has conducted the recent drilling programs safely and through challenging times with the wide ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs increases and service availability across our industry. We also thank all of our service providers who have worked with us to contribute to the success of this project," added Mr. MacDougall.

Since 2020, IAMGOLD has drilled 53 additional holes (for 22,045 metres) to expand the resource base particularly to the west and at depth. As at December 31, 2021, IAMGOLD had previously reported Mineral Resources at Nelligan (on a 100% basis) comprised of Inferred Mineral Resources of 97.0 million tonnes grading 1.02 g/t Au for 3.2 million contained ounces (see news releases dated October 22, 2019 and February 23, 2022). Relative to the 2019 MRE, the current estimated Mineral Resources have increased by 92% in tonnage, with a 15% decline in gold grades due to a reduction in the calculated cut-off grade from 0.50 g/t Au to 0.35 g/t Au, for an overall gain of 63% in contained gold.

MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT - NELLIGAN PROJECT, CANADA

As at December 31st, 2022 (100% Basis)

Category Cut-off Grade

(g/t Au) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade

(g/t Au) Contained Au

(koz Au) Indicated 0.35 72.2 0.85 1 970 Inferred 0.35 114.1 0.88 3 238

Notes:

2014 CIM definitions were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t Au. Mineral Resources are reported using a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce and a US$: C$ exchange rate of 1:1.2. Mineral Resources are constrained by a Datamine Studio NPVS Scheduler optimized pit shell using a 0.35 g/t Au cut-off grade and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. High grade assay values have been capped from 7 g/t Au to 40 g/t Au in the main mineralized domains of Renard and Footwall, and from 3 g/t Au to 12 g/t Au in the other domains. The spatial influence of high grade samples within Footwall, Renard and Liam domains were further controlled using high grade restriction distance parameters within the respective search ellipsoids. Bulk density values were determined by measurements on core and range from 2.70 to 2.75 g/cm3 for the different domains and host lithologies, to 2.00 g/cm3 for overburden. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates.

The updated MRE for the Nelligan Project used all available validated data, and includes results incorporated into the resource model from the 2020 to 2022 drilling programs (53 holes for a total of 22,045 metres drilled), as well as an additional 24 historic drill holes previously located outside mineralized domains, for a total of 84,490 metres in 267 diamond drill holes. Drill holes are variably spaced from 35 to 100 metres apart in the core resource area. The deposit was modelled using Leapfrog to create domains using lithology, structure and alteration type (or assemblage) and intensity, with gold grade continuity analysis of each domain. The mineralized domain model comprises five (5) main gold-bearing domains (Renard Footwall, Renard, Z36, Liam and Dan) cut by a northeast-striking post-mineralization fault which locally cuts and offsets several domains.

The estimate was prepared using a block model approach (10.0 x 5.0 x 5.0 metres block dimensions) employing Ordinary Kriging (OK) interpolation constrained by 3D wireframes using hard domain boundaries during estimation. A Datamine Studio NPVS Scheduler Mine Planning Software was run on the block model to constrain the resource and to support the CIM requirement that Mineral Resources have "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction". Pit slopes in rock were assumed at 45 and at 18.4 in overburden and the resource estimate assumes a long-term gold price of US$1,500 per ounce. Gold recoveries are assumed at 83% as indicated by metallurgical test work completed to date. Only mineralization contained within the optimized pit shell has been included in the resource estimate. The resource estimate was completed by SRK Consulting (Canada) Ltd. ("SRK") with an effective date of December 31st, 2022 and is reported at a 0.35 g/t Au cut-off grade.

IAMGOLD will file an updated NI 43-101 technical report for the updated Mineral Resources estimation for Nelligan on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of the date of this news release.





Figure 1: Inclined View of the Nelligan 2022 resource pit shell showing estimated blocks above 0.35 g/t with reference to the 2019 resource pit shell.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6077/151085_d1c800d6e4b7ca66_001full.jpg

The table below displays the sensitivity of the mineral resource estimate at different cut-off grades for a pit-constrained scenario. The reader should be cautioned that the numbers provided in the table below should not be interpreted as a mineral resource statement. The reported quantities and grade estimates at different cut-off grades are presented with the sole purpose of demonstrating the sensitivity of the resource model to the selection of a reporting cut-off grade.

NELLIGAN CUT-OFF GRADE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS ON THE

PIT-CONSTRAINED INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCES

Category Cut-off Grade

(g/t Au) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade

(g/t Au) Contained Au

(koz Au) Indicated 0.15 103.4 0.67 2 225 0.25 89.0 0.74 2 132 0.35 72.2 0.85 1 970 0.45 57.8 0.96 1 785 0.50 51.6 1.02 1 691 0.60 41.1 1.14 1 507 0.75 29.8 1.32 1 262 1.00 17.8 1.62 928 Inferred 0.15 155.8 0.72 3 585 0.25 137.4 0.78 3 464 0.35 114.1 0.88 3 238 0.45 93.3 0.99 2 972 0.50 84.2 1.05 2 833 0.60 68.6 1.16 2 559 0.75 50.1 1.34 2 158 1.00 29.3 1.68 1 583

The Nelligan Project

The Nelligan Gold Project is held under an earn-in option to joint venture agreement with Vanstar (IAMGOLD: 75%; Vanstar: 25%) where IAMGOLD has a further option to acquire an additional interest of 5%, to hold an 80% interest in the Nelligan project by completing and delivering a Feasibility Study. Vanstar would then retain a 20% undivided non-contributory carried interest until the commencement of commercial production, after which: (1) the 20% undivided interest becomes participating; and (2) Vanstar will pay its attributable portion of the total development and construction costs to the commencement of commercial production from 80% of its share of any ongoing distributions from the Joint Venture. Vanstar will also retain a 1% NSR royalty on selected claims of the project.

Next Steps

The resource estimation process has identified a number of areas with potential for resource expansion along strike, at depth and in areas where drill hole spacing remains too wide to classify resources at this time. These areas will be assessed to guide future resource delineation drilling programs.

Planning is well advanced for the 2023 exploration program and IAMGOLD will soon initiate its diamond drilling program of approximately 10,000 metres. The objectives of the drilling program include: testing for extensions to expand the known resources in specific areas; infill drilling to continue to convert Inferred Resource to the Indicated category; and evaluation of newly defined exploration targets. Regional exploration activities and future exploration programs continue to be guided by the Nelligan Resource geological model and the incorporation and compilation of exploration data to refine geological, geochemical and structural exploration models to help identify and prioritize additional targets within the large project land package.

Additional metallurgical testing is also planned to further evaluate recoveries across a range of ore domains and grades to help identify optimal metallurgical processing options.

Qualified Persons, Technical Information and Quality Control Notes

The mineral resource estimate, including verification of the data disclosed, has been completed by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM Estimation Best Practice Guidelines. The resource estimate was prepared by Sandeep Prakash, M. Sc., P. Geo., who is a Senior Consultant, Resource Geology with SRK, under the supervision of Oy Leuangthong, PhD, P.Eng., Corporate Consultant, Geostatistics with SRK. Mr. Prakash and Dr. Leuangthong are independent "qualified person", as defined by NI 43-101 (a "QP"), and both have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

The QPs responsible for the supervision of the supporting drilling programs, data validation and verification (including sampling, analytical and test data), deposit modelling and review of the technical information in this news release are Maxime Douellou, P. Geo, Consultant Geologist and Shana Dickenson, P. Geo, Senior Geologist both attached to the IAMGOLD Val-d'Or Regional Exploration Office, Quebec. Each of Mr. Douellou and Mrs. Dickenson is a QP for the purposes of NI 43-101 with respect to the technical information being reported on in this news release. The technical information has been included herein with the consent and prior review of the above noted QPs.

The information in this news release was also reviewed and approved by Marie-France Bugnon, P.Geo., General Manager Exploration for IAMGOLD, who is also a QP.

The sampling of, and assay data from, the drill core is monitored through the implementation of a quality assurance - quality control (QA-QC) program designed to follow industry best practice. Drill core (NQ size) is logged and samples are selected by the IAMGOLD geologists and sawn in half with a diamond saw at the project site. Half of the core is retained at the site for reference purposes. Sample intervals may vary from 0.5 to 1.5 metres in length depending on the geological observations. Half-core samples are packaged and transported in sealed bags to ALS Minerals Laboratory ("ALS") located in Val-d'Or, Quebec. A formal chain-of-custody procedure was adopted for security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory. Samples are coarse crushed to a -10 mesh and then a 1,000 gram split is pulverized to 95% passing -150 mesh. ALS processes analytical pulps directly at their facilities located in Val-d'Or which is ISO / IEC 17025 certified by the Standards Council of Canada. Samples are analyzed using a standard fire assay with a 50 gram charge with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 5.0 grams per tonne, another pulp is taken and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Core samples showing visible gold or samples which have returned values greater than 10.0 grams per tonne are re-analyzed by pulp metallic analysis. IAMGOLD inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. In accordance with our QA-QC program, additional check analyses are also re-assayed at a secondary (umpire) laboratory.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with three operating mines in North America, South America and West Africa. The Company is building the large-scale, long life Cote Gold project in Canada in partnership with Sumitomo Metals & Mining of Japan, which is expected to commence production in early 2024. IAMGOLD employs approximately 5,000 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") practices, including its commitment to Zero Harm, in every aspect of its business. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: IMG) and is one of the companies on the Jantzi Social Index ("JSI"), a socially screened market capitalization-weighted consisting of companies which pass a set of broadly based environmental, social and governance rating criteria.

IAMGOLD Contact Information

Graeme Jennings, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: 416 360 4743 | Mobile: 416 388 6883

Toll-free: 1 888 464 9999

info@iamgold.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

The mineral resource estimates contained in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. These standards are similar to those used by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Industry Guide No. 7, as interpreted by the SEC staff. However, the definitions in NI 43-101 differ in certain respects from those under Industry Guide No. 7. Accordingly, mineral resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies.

As a result of the adoption of amendments to the SEC's disclosure rules (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), which more closely align its disclosure requirements and policies for mining properties with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards, including NI 43-101, and which became effective on February 25, 2019, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources." In addition, the SEC has amended definitions of "proven Mineral Reserves" and "probable Mineral Reserves" in its amended rules, with definitions that are substantially similar to those used in NI 43-101. Issuers must begin to comply with these SEC Modernization Rules in their first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, though Canadian issuers that report in the United States using the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System ("MJDS") may still use NI 43-101 rather than the SEC Modernization Rules when using the SEC's MJDS registration statement and annual report forms.

United States investors are cautioned that while the SEC now recognizes "measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", investors should not assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into a higher category of Mineral Resources or into Mineral Reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian regulations, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in limited circumstances. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any "measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources", or "Inferred Mineral Resources" that the Company reports in this news release are or will be economically or legally mineable.

Further, "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 any part or all of an Inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

The mineral resource data set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the Indicated level of recovery will be realized.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by, but not limited to, the use of the words "may", "will", "should", "would", "continue", "expect", "expected", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "appear" "plan", "schedule", "guidance", "outlook", "potential", "favourable", "plans", "targeted", or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, differences in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves from that predicted, the failure to accurately estimate Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves, unexpected increases in capital expenditures, operating expenditures and exploration expenditures, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/ Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at https://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml and Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com, which are incorporated herein. 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable law.

All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov.

Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique, veuillez consulter le www.iamgold.com/French/accueil/default.aspx.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151085
Twenty five frozen fried rice products are displayed on a table at the headquarters of the Korea Consumer Agency in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, on Jan. 10. Courtesy of Korea Consumer Agency



By Kim Jae-heun



A 28-year-old barista surnamed Lee eats frozen foods at his work place from time to time, given that he doesn't have enough time to cook or rest during his lunch break.



"I often eat fried rice foods that come in a frozen pack because they are ready-made and they only take two to three minutes to defrost. I kind of know they are not good for my health because they contain a high level of sodium, so I shouldn't eat too much of them," Lee said.



A 36-year-old office worker whose surname is Kim is also concerned about her children's health as she must spend the majority of her day in the office while her young son and daughter cook (frozen food) for themselves at home.



"I can barely cook my children lunch when they return from school, so I stock up on various fried rice foods in the freezer for them to eat. Of course, I know they are not nutritious, but I don't have many options because I can't tell my kids they need to cook (for themselves)," Kim said.



As consumers assumed, most of the frozen fried rice products were found to be lacking in nutrients and contained high levels of sodium.



According to the Korea Consumer Agency's recent investigation, 25 fried rice items manufactured by major food firms here lacked enough carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.



Frozen fried rice products' calories per serving varied between 219 kilocalories (kcal) and 510 kcal, which is about 33 percent to 76 percent of the 667 kcal that is recommended by the health authority.



Their carbohydrate content was between 33 grams to 99 grams, varying from 31 percent to 92 percent of the standard recommended amount, while their protein content was 7.9 grams to 20.1 grams, which is 44 percent to 112 percent of the recommended level.



Ottogi's frozen shrimp fried rice contained the smallest amount of protein with just 7.9 grams per serving.



However, the sodium content of 25 frozen foods, based on one serving, ranged from 440 milligrams to 1,615 milligrams  the latter being more than double the officially recommended amount per serving of 667 milligrams.



Coupang private food brand CPLB beef fried rice contained the highest level of sodium among 25 products with 1,615 milligrams, which is 242 percent the standard recommended level.



CPLB promised the Korea Consumer Agency it would lower the sodium content in its frozen fried rice products after the results of the study were revealed.


Extends 6% to 8% annual EPS and dividend growth through at least 2026.

$2.5 billion added to capital investment plan, resulting in 5.6% rate base growth through 2026 with no equity issuances.

O&M savings increased to at least $175 million annually by 2026.

2023 earnings per share expected to be $1.50 to $1.65 per share, with $1.58 midpoint representing 7% growth over midpoint of 2022 pro forma earnings forecast.

Plans to increase next quarterly dividend by 7% to $0.24 per share.

Utility veteran Linda Sullivan joins PPL Board of Directors.

Conference call and webcast today at 11 a.m. ET .

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) today announced an updated business plan that is expected to generate top-tier 6% to 8% earnings and dividend growth through at least 2026 with strong growth opportunities beyond.

"We continue to execute on our strategy to create utilities of the future that deliver safe, reliable, affordable, clean energy for our customers and sustainable growth for our shareowners," said PPL President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Sorgi . "The business plan enhancements announced today reflect the meaningful progress we are making and the confidence we have in our ability to continue PPL's growth momentum well into the future."

Highlights of PPL's updated business plan include:

Top-tier EPS and dividend growth through at least 2026.

PPL has extended its runway for earnings and dividend growth and now expects 6% to 8% annual earnings per share and dividend growth through at least 2026. In addition, the company continues to see significant investment opportunities that support growth beyond the current planning horizon as PPL leads the clean energy transition in the regions it serves and delivers exceptional value to its customers.





PPL has extended its runway for earnings and dividend growth and now expects 6% to 8% annual earnings per share and dividend growth through at least 2026. In addition, the company continues to see significant investment opportunities that support growth beyond the current planning horizon as PPL leads the clean energy transition in the regions it serves and delivers exceptional value to its customers. $14.3 billion of capital investments through 2026, a>20% increase from prior plan.

As reflected in recent regulatory filings in Kentucky and Rhode Island to invest in critical infrastructure, PPL has numerous opportunities for investments that strengthen grid reliability and resiliency and economically replace aging coal generation with reliable, least-cost and clean energy sources. Since announcing its capital plan last year, PPL has identified an additional $2.5 billion in investment opportunities for grid modernization and resiliency, digital transformation and generation replacement in Kentucky . The planned investments increase PPL's projected average annual rate base growth rate to 5.6% through 2026, with greater than 7% rate base growth in the back half of the plan. The plan features minimal regulatory lag based on existing regulatory mechanisms.





As reflected in recent regulatory filings in Kentucky and Rhode Island to invest in critical infrastructure, PPL has numerous opportunities for investments that strengthen grid reliability and resiliency and economically replace aging coal generation with reliable, least-cost and clean energy sources. Since announcing its capital plan last year, PPL has identified an additional $2.5 billion in investment opportunities for grid modernization and resiliency, digital transformation and generation replacement in Kentucky . The planned investments increase PPL's projected average annual rate base growth rate to 5.6% through 2026, with greater than 7% rate base growth in the back half of the plan. The plan features minimal regulatory lag based on existing regulatory mechanisms. Strong balance sheet and credit metrics maintained.

PPL's balance sheet is among the best in the U.S. utility sector and will support the company's increased capital investment plan and continued financial flexibility with no equity issuances. PPL's continued strong credit profile reflects a projected Funds from Operations (FFO)/Cash Flow from Operations (CFO) to debt ratio of 16% to 18% throughout the planning period.





PPL's balance sheet is among the best in the U.S. utility sector and will support the company's increased capital investment plan and continued financial flexibility with no equity issuances. PPL's continued strong credit profile reflects a projected Funds from Operations (FFO)/Cash Flow from Operations (CFO) to debt ratio of 16% to 18% throughout the planning period. At least $175 million of O&M cost savings to support efficiency and affordability.

PPL is increasing its targeted operations and maintenance (O&M) savings by $25 million to $175 million of annual O&M savings by 2026. The added savings will be driven largely by the company's transmission and distribution operations as PPL continues to deploy scalable technologies and data science and leverage management's proven operating expertise across the company's utility portfolio.





PPL is increasing its targeted operations and maintenance (O&M) savings by $25 million to $175 million of annual O&M savings by 2026. The added savings will be driven largely by the company's transmission and distribution operations as PPL continues to deploy scalable technologies and data science and leverage management's proven operating expertise across the company's utility portfolio. Significant improvements in PPL's carbon footprint.

The updated plan announced today advances the company's broader clean energy strategy, aligns with the company's goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and is expected to result in total carbon emissions reductions of about 67% from 2010 levels by 2030. The plan includes a proposal to retire nearly 1,500 megawatts of aging coal generation in Kentucky by 2028. The proposal, subject to Kentucky Public Service Commission approval, would add two new combined-cycle natural gas plants, nearly 1,000 megawatts of owned and contracted solar generation and 125 megawatts of battery storage by 2028. Additionally, PPL's investments in critical infrastructure and grid modernization will further enable a flexible, resilient grid capable of integrating more distributed energy resources and supporting electrification.

2023 earnings outlook and expected dividend increase

PPL announced today that it expects 2023 earnings in the range of $1.50 to $1.65 per share. At the $1.58 midpoint, this represents 13% growth over the 2022 ongoing earnings forecast midpoint of $1.40 per share (reflecting partial year ownership of Rhode Island Energy) and a 7% increase over the $1.48 midpoint of PPL's 2022 pro forma earnings per share range (reflecting a full year of earnings contributions from Rhode Island Energy).

The company also announced that it expects to increase its next quarterly common stock dividend to $0.24 per share, subject to approval by the Board of Directors. This would represent a 7% increase from the current dividend of $0.225 per share.

Longtime utility veteran Linda G. Sullivan joins PPL Board of Directors

PPL announced that utility industry veteran Linda G. Sullivan has joined its Board of Directors, effective Jan. 10, 2023 . She will serve on PPL's Compensation and Finance committees. With Sullivan's appointment, PPL's board comprises 10 directors. In addition to an independent chair, the board includes eight independent directors and PPL's chief executive officer. Seven of the board's members are diverse across gender, race, ethnicity and nationality.

"Linda's deep utility and financial expertise will further strengthen and complement our diverse and experienced board," said independent Board Chair Craig A. Rogerson . "We welcome her addition and significant experience in driving growth and innovation."

Sullivan spent nearly three decades in the utility industry, serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer of American Water Works Company, Inc., from 2014 to 2019, and more than 20 years in a variety of leadership roles with Edison International. She has served on the Board of Directors of NorthWestern Energy since April 2017 and AltaGas Ltd. since January 2020 .

Conference call and webcast details

As previously announced, PPL's executive team will host a conference call and webcast today at 11 a.m. Eastern Time . The conference call will be webcast live, in audio format, along with slides of the presentation. Interested individuals can access the webcast link at www.pplweb.com/investors under Events and Presentations or access the live conference call via telephone at 1-888-346-8683. International participants should call 1-412-902-4270. Participants will need to enter the following "Elite Entry" number in order to join the conference: 9324531. For those who are unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay with slides will be accessible at www.pplweb.com/investors for 90 days after the call.

Following the call, PPL's executive team will be meeting with investors at the annual Evercore ISI utility conference on Jan. 12 and 13 in Palm Beach, Florida .

About PPL Corporation

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a leading U.S. energy company focused on providing electricity and natural gas safely, reliably and affordably to 3.5 million customers in the U.S. PPL's high-performing, award-winning utilities are addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.pplweb.com.

Statements contained in this news release, including statements with respect to future earnings, cash flows, dividends, financing, regulation and corporate strategy, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PPL Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the statements. Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in conjunction with factors and other matters discussed in PPL Corporation's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news about PPL Corporation.

Contacts: For news media: Ryan Hill, 610-774-4033

For financial analysts: Andy Ludwig, 610-774-3389

SOURCE PPL Corporation
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. ("AIML") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB), a company committed to acquiring and advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies that address urgent societal needs, is pleased to announce that its minority-owned subsidiary, Tech2Heal SAS, has now launched its Alakin ARPC (Automatic Remote Patient Care) Platform. Alakin is a "third-generation" solution that has transitioned beyond one-dimensional remote patient monitoring into a superior, flexible, full-spectrum remote patient care platform that simultaneously addresses the needs of patients, healthcare providers, researchers, administrators, and medical insurers without sacrificing the requirements of any of these stakeholders.

After extensive consultation with early adopters and strategic partners of the Alakin Platform, Tech2Heal recognized that the "standard remote patient monitoring" solution fell well short of the needs of the marketplace, as those solutions tend to focus on a single clinical use which makes the implementation across the clinical spectrum unfeasible. Consequently, Tech2Heal chose to delay the release of Alakin until refinement of its platform addressed the shortcomings of a conventional monitoring system, such as those found in the marketplace today. The result is that Alakin is unique in the market, a best-in-class solution with highly configurable features and an integrated series of tools.

Alakin is a SaaS-modelled comprehensive, ARPC (Automatic Remote Patient Care) Platform targeted for use by healthcare providers and pharma, is natively developed in FHIR standards to guarantee high interoperability, and is fully HIPPA compliant. Alakin consists of a clinical dashboard for multidisciplinary care teams and a conversational mobile app for patient use (IOS and Android). Alakin is available in eight languages: English, French, Spanish, Indonesian, Arabic, Dutch, German, and Portuguese. The Alakin solution facilitates connected care delivery across any clinical condition, patient profile, and treatment plan, significantly increasing patient engagement while helping to reduce adverse events and relieving medical staff by automating time consuming tasks.

The flexibility of Alakin enables it to easily adapt to any healthcare setting or workflow - from oncology to primary care, from diabetes to hospital-to-home transition, or even post-acute care. This flexibility is possible thanks to a powerful care drag and drop pathway creator. It allows doctors to fine-tune care workflows to their needs and protocols, either creating remote care programs from scratch, or by leveraging existing protocols from ICHOM standards. These workflows are then instantly transformed into a conversational patient app, empowering patients to manage parts of their care journey themselves.

Alakin has highly configurable features and an integrated series of tools unique in the market, such as scheduling management, collaborative tools, embedded telemedicine and chat, a triage dashboard, patient records, a prescription builder, a care pathways studio, and a mobile app for patients.

About Tech2Heal https://www.tech2heal.com/

Tech2Heal is a Paris, France based healthcare innovator specializing in digital health technologies with the objective of creating a compassionate, collaborative and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem. T2H has developed a portfolio of health-tech products and services designed to improve an individual's mental and physical well-being by utilizing a unique blend of proprietary digital assets and remote live counselling.

Tech2Heal's premier products include:

Qookka - clinically supported and evidence-based digital therapy for anxious and depressed patients delivered via a secure digital platform

Alakin - a bespoke, digital ARPC (Automatic Remote Patient Care) Platform designed for healthcare providers and pharma. Assisted self-care become reality for patients and care team members alike.

About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/

AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (100% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 9.44% currently owned), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman

For more information about AI/ML Innovations :

For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

For further information: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@aiml-innovations.com.

Corporate video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QSjo7clXc&feature=youtu.be

Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfOj2P_Fu3TOK6Jl1G9vEQ

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For AI/ML Innovations Investors

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, AI/ML Innovations' expectations concerning management's plans, objectives and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company's intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. AI/ML Innovations Inc. 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 except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by AI/ML with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734897/AIML-Innovations-Tech2Heal-Launches-Its-Remote-Patient-Care-Platform
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Fabled Silver Gold Corp. ("Fabled" or the "Company") (TSXV:FCO)(OTCQB:FBSGF)(FSE:7NQ) is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of units ("Unit") for gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 at a (post-Consolidation - see below) price of C$0.10 per Unit (the "Offering").

Each Unit will consist of one common share (a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.15 per share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Warrants shall each be subject to an acceleration right exercisable by the Company which will force the exercise of the Warrants should the Company's Common Shares trade at or above a volume-weighted average price of $0.25 on the TSXV for any 20 consecutive trading days following the closing date of the Offering.

Closing is expected to occur on or about January 31, 2023, and may occur in one or more tranches. The Company may pay a finders fee in appropriate circumstances in respect of subscriptions for Units by investors introduced to the Company by finders.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Offering is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including approval of the Consolidation (see below).

The proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company to make required property payments, to further explore the Santa Maria Property, and for general working capital.

Consolidation

At a special meeting of shareholders of the Company held on January 10, 2023 (the "Meeting"), the shareholders of the Company approved, among other things, a consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten (10) for one (1) basis (the "Consolidation"). Please see the press release of the Company dated December 20, 2022 for further information regarding the Consolidation.

The board of directors of the Company has now determined to proceed with the Consolidation on a five to one (5:1) basis (the "Conversion Ratio"). As of today's date, the Company has 215,446,649 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Following the completion of the Consolidation (but before giving effect to the Offering), the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company will be approximately 43,089,330.

No fractional Common Shares will be issued under the Consolidation as fractional Common Shares will be rounded either up or down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares. Each fractional Common Share remaining after conversion that is less than half of a Common Share will be cancelled and each fractional Common Share that is at least half of a Common Share will be rounded to one whole Common Share. The exercise price and number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding convertible securities, including incentive stock options and warrants, will also be adjusted in accordance with the Consolidation Ratio.

The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the TSXV and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. There will be no change to the name or trading symbol of the Company.

Management believes the Consolidation is in the best interest of shareholders. It will improve the Company's ability to attract new investors and to raise the capital required to advance its projects.

The shares will begin trading on the TSXV on a post- Consolidated basis on a date to be determined in consultation with the TSXV. The Company will provide updates on the same by the issuance of further press releases.

Letters of transmittal describing the process by which shareholders may obtain new certificates representing their post-consolidated Common Shares will be mailed to registered shareholders. Common Shares held in uncertificated form by non-registered shareholders through brokerage accounts will be converted at the Conversion Ratio through each shareholder's brokerage account. Non-registered shareholders should consult their broker for further information.

The securities offered in the Offering have not and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless the securities have been registered under the 1933 Act, or are otherwise exempt from such registration.

Option Plan

In addition to the Consolidation the Company is pleased to report that at the Meeting the shareholders approved the Company's amended and restated 10% rolling stock option plan dated December 13, 2022.

About Fabled Silver Gold Corp.

Fabled is focused on acquiring, exploring and operating properties that yield near-term metal production. The Company has an experienced management team with multiple years of involvement in mining and exploration in Mexico.

The Company's mandate is to focus on acquiring precious metal properties in Mexico with blue-sky exploration potential.

The Company has entered into an agreement with Golden Minerals Company (NYSE American and TSX: AUMN) to acquire the Santa Maria Property, a high-grade silver-gold property situated in the center of the Mexican epithermal silver-gold belt. The belt has been recognized as a significant metallogenic province, which has reportedly produced more silver than any other equivalent area in the world.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O. Fabled Silver Gold Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

peter@fabledfco.com

For further information please contact: info@fabledfco.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Fabled Silver Gold Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734967/Fabled-Silver-Gold-Corp-Announces-15m-Financing-and-Share-Consolidation
Company provides overview on expected milestones for 2023

Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q) ("QeM" or the "Company") provides review on Company highlights over 2022 and expected milestones for 2023.

Francis Bellido, CEO of QeM, commented: "2022 was an outstanding year for QeM as the Company made transformational progress in key areas and laid the foundation for a bright future. Among the many milestones we accomplished last year I see the main highlights as follows:

Raise of $4.9 million through the exercise of 32.6 million common share purchase warrants with the proceeds used to strengthen QeM's financial position and accelerate the development of the company's product pipeline.

Launch of its game changing QRNG2, the fastest quantum entropy 1 source on the market today. This new quantum random number generator (QRNG) delivers pure entropy at 1.5 Gigabytes Per Second (Gb/s) , the highest throughput available today. It uses electron quantum tunneling and meets all requirements of NIST and Dieharder tests. It also can deliver up to 5 Gbps (billions of bits per second) of full entropy and has the potential to reach up to 20 Gb/s with an optimized configuration. This technology is versatile enough to be configured in different iterations, from peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) boards to miniaturized chipsets. It is expected that QRNGs will play an ever-increasing role in the fight against cyber criminality, with the QRNG market projected to reach 1.2 billion by 2028.

Completion of the design of its first Blockchain application of QRNG technology, which involves hardening the security of hardware cryptocurrency wallets with QRNG2. This will be the first Hardware Crypto Wallet able to store private keys for cryptocurrencies offline in a quantum-encrypted device, which will make these new wallets impenetrable for hackers. QeM is expecting a prototype to be available in 2023 and anticipates the market for such wallets to continue to grow, with an estimated CAGR of 29.24% over the next few years.

Strengthening our management team by appointing Paul Arsenault to the position of Vice President Business Development. Paul is a 25+ year veteran of the semiconductor industry with extensive experience in organic light-emitting diodes display (OLED), venture capital and strategic partnerships. Paul will be based in Taiwan and will explore new business opportunities to accelerate the development of QeM's quantum RNG chipset and their miniaturizing technology."

Francis Bellido added: "The disruption and havoc created by cybercriminals during the COVID-19 crisis continues to be exacerbated by other geopolitical factors such as wars and economic uncertainties, consequently the global cybersecurity market is expected to exceed US$ 250 billion by 2027.

In addition, new menaces are looming such as the availability of quantum computers and their capacity to break the security of common activities in our daily lives. Severe consequences could be expected, such as increased data breaches of sensitive personal health and financial data, challenge the integrity of digital documents, and break certain cryptocurrency encryption.

Thanks to our successes in 2022, we are entering 2023 with a clear plan to execute. To address the quantum threat, QeM is developing several post-quantum cryptography (PQC) hardware solutions where the QRNG2 plays a central role as a source of high-quality encryption. We are developing our own applications in domains and verticals of the economy that require cybersecurity as an integral part of their value proposition.

One of these solutions is a Blockchain and Cryptocurrency application as this makes extremely high usage of cryptography, and its effectiveness requires strong random number generation to ensure the system remains impenetrable. We are currently prototyping the first Crypto Hardware Wallet hardened with quantum technology to make it incorruptible by hackers. Based on the same architecture as our QRNG but in a more portable iteration, it will be able to store private keys for cryptocurrencies offline. We aim to have it available in 2023.

A second product is our first quantum secure messenger platform, designed to be able to send large and complex messages, including whole database structures. Its first application will be the secure communication of Electronic Health Records.

We anticipate that these two products will have a significant impact on our company, as they may provide an opportunity for commercialization and establish our company as a leader in post-quantum cybersecurity."

About QeM

The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware security for connected devices. The patented solution for a Quantum Random Number Generator exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced security for protecting high value assets and critical systems.

The Company intends to target the highly valued Financial Services, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

For further information, please contact:

Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 514.956.2525

Email: info@quantumemotion.com

Website: www.quantumemotion.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 press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

1. In physics, entropy is a measure of randomness in a closed system. You can think of entropy as a measure of the amount of uncertainty or its corollary: unpredictability. In cryptography, entropy is used to produce random numbers, which in turn are used to produce security keys to protect data while it's in storage or in transit. The greater the quality of random number generation (RNG), the greater the quality of random keys produced, and thus the higher the security value of the key. In its simpler definition, entropy is a measure of the amount of uncertainty an attacker faces to determine the value of a secret.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151142
smartTrade Technologies, a leading provider of end-to-end multi-asset electronic trading solutions headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, is delighted to report a highly successful 2022, during which the company has continued to build on the achievements of previous years.

The acquisition of Toronto-based TickTrade Systems which took place in late 2021 was finalized in 2022, integrating all products and teams globally. The company now consists of approximately 300 experts in electronic trading who are deploying, implementing, and supporting smartTrade's range of solutions. The combined expertise of the two companies allowed smartTrade to develop and release a combined LiquidityFX next generation (LFX-NG) platform. The new release combines the rich functionality of smartTrade's LiquidityFX platform with a new value proposition for analytics, payments, crypto and automation, thereby delivering a huge amount of value to the FX market.

2022 also saw the development of smartTrade's meta cloud technology, allowing the company to deploy and manage its infrastructure seamlessly using either its own private cloud or existing public clouds. The meta cloud is entirely managed by smartTrade and combines cost-effectiveness with security and reliability.

smartTrade acquired several new clients in 2022, extending its coverage in the UK, Japan, USA, Switzerland, and the Nordic region. In November, the company opened a Paris office as part of its commitment to a growing number of local clients. smartTrade also strengthened its executive leadership team across Europe, bringing valuable expertise in Operations, HR, and Finance.

A significant part of the company's revenue in 2022 was a result of upsales, a testament to smartTrade's expertise, and the strength and relevance of its roadmap investment. The trust placed by smartTrade's existing clients, and the one who have joined smartTrade family recently, is a strong ongoing support for the company.

smartTrade understands that the market continues to evolve and that there is evermore pressure to deliver return on investments (ROI). As in previous years, smartTrade remains focused on ensuring that it will lead the way in providing value, innovation, and the competitive edge to meet the challenges that 2023 brings. To address these challenges, smartTrade has invested heavily in R&D across asset classes, developing its support in particular for precious metals, crypto assets and money markets. smartTrade sees a continuation in 2023 of the trends for banks to offer more products to clients, deliver greater client empowerment, deeper integration to existing infrastructure, more automation, and smarter actions thanks to machine learning and AI. smartTrade commits to deliver value to its clients in all these key areas and more for the year ahead.

David Vincent, Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder at smartTrade Group, said, "2023 will see a strong focus on growth. With the integration of TickTrade now complete, we have our sights set on new acquisitions as a way of expanding both our product offering and our geographical coverage. The energy and depth of knowledge of our leadership team will be key as we scale the company to the next level, and we look forward to the opportunity to offer even greater value to our clients and to their customers."

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/20230112005008/en/

Contacts:

Lara Michel COS smartTrade Technologies lmichel@smart-trade.net
Anonos' Data Embassy software platform uses a unique combination of de-identification techniques to preserve data privacy and security while expanding data flow and data access

Anonos, a global innovator in data privacy, security and enablement, has been recognized with the Frost Sullivan Technology Innovation Leader Award in the United Kingdom Patient Data De-ID Solution Service Industry. The company's Data Embassy software platform uses a unique combination of 10 de-identification techniques to transform source data into new assets with built-in controls that allow data teams to reduce risks while expanding opportunities for processing and analysis. These protected outputs, known as Variant Twins, have the same analytical value as the original data, but the amount of identifying information within them has been reduced to the minimum amount required for a specific use case.

Frost Sullivan presents best practices awards to companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. The award recognizes a company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies and the value-added product features/benefits and ROI it gives customers.

"Anonos offers the only software that utilizes both state-of-the-art GDPR pseudonymization and patented relinking techniques (known as Variant Twins) to transform personal data into privacy-respecting data assets," notes Frost Sullivan Consultant Dr. Maeirah Ashaie."These Variant Twins make it legal and ethical to use, share, process, and analyze data and to utilize the data's value while protecting the rights of individuals. Within healthcare, Anonos' pseudonymization technology can be used in medical research, pharmaceuticals, and hospitals whose large data sets have not been historically used because they hold sensitive health information."

Data Embassy protects data during active processing, when it's decrypted and most vulnerable, whether on the local desktop or in the cloud. As a toolbox with state-of-the-art data privacy and security techniques, the software reduces the risks of privacy violations and security breaches because it restricts the amount of identifying information available for processing to only what's required and limits it to a specific purpose. These built-in safeguards make it possible for even the most sensitive data, such as healthcare information, to travel anywhere to power a wide array of use cases from advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to data sharing, enrichment and international data transfer. With Data Embassy, otherwise restricted data assets are accessible, 100% accurate, and safe to use for speed to insight and decision-making to drive the desired outcomes.

"We appreciate Frost Sullivan's thorough analysis of our technology, highlighting the value of protecting data while maximizing data processing, sharing and combining, particularly in healthcare," said Gary LaFever, Co-CEO and General Counsel for Anonos. "They recognize that we took a very different, next-generation approach to pseudonymization to make sensitive data safe to process and analyze, regardless of location, without sacrificing accuracy, utility and speed. Under a growing number of laws and regulations, Statutory Pseudonymization is defined by embedding technical controls into data flows to keep direct and indirect identifiers, and even many attributes, totally obscured. The source data is held separately and can only be relinked to identity by the data controller, or official designee, to act on the resulting insights. These statutory benefits create more use-case opportunities while providing maximum data protection, and that's critical in healthcare."

Anonos has been in business since 2012, researching and developing Data Embassy. The resulting 26 granted international patents and more than 70 additional patent assets were the basis of $50 million in additional funding secured in Q3 2022 to expand global sales and marketing. In addition, Anonos acquired Statice GmbH to enhance Data Embassy's spectrum of data protection to include privacy-preserving synthetic data that is ideal for test data and AI and ML model development.

"We invested the necessary time and resources to validate our technology with customers across multiple industries to prove data value can be enhanced exponentially by de-risking sensitive elements while preserving accuracy and fidelity," LaFever added. "Enabling more medical and pharmaceutical use cases based on real data that's protected against breach or misuse can lead to better patient care and potential new treatments, which is incredibly meaningful work that our team is very proud to be part of."

Click here to access a complimentary copy of the Frost Sullivan report on Anonos.

About Frost Sullivan

For six decades, Frost Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, mega trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Please visit frost.com for more information.

About Anonos

Anonos is a global innovator in data privacy and security, providing enterprise software that eliminates the tradeoff between data protection and utility. The patented Data Embassy software platform transforms sensitive data assets into Variant Twins: non-identifiable yet 100% accurate variations of source data required for specific use cases to achieve desired business outcomes. Because granular data privacy and security controls are embedded and technologically enforced, Variant Twins can travel anywhere across departments, outside the enterprise, or around the globe. From testing through production, organizations can expand and expedite data-driven initiatives without compromising privacy, security, accuracy or speed. Anonos. Data without the drama. For more information, please visit anonos.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005102/en/

Contacts:

Lisa Williams

press@anonos.com

+1 (212) 658-1132
Cellnex to host Vapor IO's Kinetic Grid platform in Barcelona, leveraging its fiber optic network and interconnecting with Vapor IO's edge grid in the United States

Edge computing nodes aim to reduce data traffic towards the core of the wireless and fiber networks, as well as enable the development of stable, low latency edge and network services

Vapor IO, developers of the Kinetic Grid platform, the world's first Open Grid network for delivering edge and grid services, has teamed up with Cellnex Telecom, the leading independent wireless telecommunications operator in Europe, to expand its network edge to Europe. The first deployment will be in Barcelona and will add to the 36 cities already served by Vapor IO in the United States. This edge grid is expected to expand over the next couple of years throughout Europe thanks to the vast infrastructure for digital services that Cellnex currently operates

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005127/en/

Vapor IO partners with Cellnex to begin expansion to Europe (Graphic: Business Wire)

This collaborative project aims to improve the delivery of new, monetizable services by reducing data traffic towards the core of the wireless and fiber networks, enhancing data sovereignty and enabling the development of stable, low latency services such as real-time computer vision for public safety, smart retail, industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging and online gaming. Moreover, the project will enable the efficient deployment of virtualized radio access network technology (Open RAN or vRAN).

Cellnex is making available a portfolio of small edge data centers and tower ground space for hosting the necessary equipment for edge computing. In addition, several fiber routes, provided by Cellnex and/or Cellnex's mobile network operator customers, will interconnect these edge data centers creating a "grid" of edge nodes.

Vapor IO's global Kinetic Grid platform delivers next generation internet and communications capabilities to metropolitan regions by bringing networking and automation software that enables micro modular data centers, software defined networks and hyperscale backbones to operate autonomously in highly-distributed edge locations, such as cell tower sites and edge data centers. Serving the world's largest wireless carriers, cloud providers, web-scale companies and other innovative enterprises, Vapor IO's Kinetic Grid combines neutral, multi-tenant colocation with software-defined interconnection and high-speed networking to deliver flexible, highly-distributed Internet and communications infrastructure at the edge of the wired and wireless networks.

Eduardo Fichmann, Global Director of Innovation and Product Strategy at Cellnex, said: "Cellnex is delighted to enable Vapor IO's neutral host Kinetic Grid to Europe, starting in Barcelona. We invite our anchor tenants and global telecom service providers to leverage this partnership to virtualize the computing infrastructure in such a way that it will allow the federation and optimization of the use of computing resources and of the network itself by third-party applications on a neutral host model."

"This agreement with Vapor IO," adds Eduardo Fichmann, "strengthens Cellnex's strategy of leveraging infrastructure in locations co-located with operator equipment at the towers or edge data centers, that will give rise to organic revenue growth for the company. It is expected that in the coming years there will be an explosion in applications and services that require computing in places physically closer to the end user, which implies an increase in the demand for this type of infrastructure. Vapor IO's track record of building dozens of markets at scale using a just-in-time delivery model, and Cellnex's industrial model of deploying and managing distributed telecommunications infrastructure at scale in Europe, will allow the roll-out of edge nodes in European locations over coming years."

Cole Crawford, Vapor IO's Founder and CEO, noted: "Vapor IO and Cellnex share a common commitment to neutral host infrastructure. Vapor IO's Kinetic Grid is both cloud-neutral and carrier-neutral, meaning it is one of the few locations at the edge where both carriers and clouds can meet on equal terms. We invite cloud and technology providers to leverage our edge and grid computing infrastructure to deploy new classes of high-performance applications that cannot be serviced by today's cloud infrastructure."

About Vapor IO Vapor IO is developing the largest global Open Grid networking, colocation and interconnection platform capable of supporting the most demanding low-latency workloads at the edge of the wireless and wireline access networks. The company's Kinetic Grid architecture combines neutral host colocation with software-defined interconnection, high-speed networking, and telemetry-based intelligence. The company's technologies deliver the most flexible, highly-distributed edge infrastructure at the edge of the last mile wired and wireless networks. Vapor IO Kinetic Grid services are available in 36 US markets, including its first six operating markets (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Pittsburgh).

For more information: https://www.vapor.io/

About Cellnex Telecom The efficient deployment of next-generation connectivity is essential to drive technological innovation and accelerate inclusive economic growth. Cellnex Telecom is the independent wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructures operator that enables operators to access Europe's most extensive network of advanced telecommunications infrastructures on a shared-use basis, helping to reduce access barriers for new operators and to improve services in the most remote areas. Cellnex manages a portfolio of more than 138,000 sites including forecast roll-outs up to 2030 in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. The company is listed on the continuous market of the Spanish stock exchange and is part of the selective IBEX 35 and EuroStoxx 100 indices. It is also present in the main sustainability indices, such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Sustainalytics, FTSE4Good and MSCI. Cellnex's reference shareholders include Edizione, GIC, TCI, Blackrock, CPP Investments, CriteriaCaixa and Norges Bank.

For more information: https://www.cellnex.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005127/en/

Contacts:

Eleni Laughlin for Vapor IO

e@eleni.press

(510) 406-0798
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global chemistry company, today announced a $200 million investment to increase capacity and advance technology for its industry-leading Nafion ion exchange materials to be located at Chemours' manufacturing facility in Villers-Saint-Paul, France. Chemours' investment builds on the existing efforts in the U.S. to have a reliable supply chain and robust capacity to enable the hydrogen economy. It will support growing market demand for clean hydrogen generation using water electrolyzers, energy storage in flow batteries, and hydrogen conversion to power fuel cell vehicles, and contribute to European and broader global efforts to enable the clean energy transition. As part of the investment, the capabilities of Chemours' regional manufacturing site will be expanded to support and advance technological progress and new products for the worldwide hydrogen economy.

"Our society has a tremendous opportunity to build a more sustainable future, and that must include transitioning to cleaner energy. Chemistry holds the keys to that future and will continue to play an important role in moving the hydrogen economy forward," said Mark Newman, President and CEO at Chemours. "Chemours has chosen France for this investment in the hydrogen economy because of the strong alignment between our sustainable growth vision, the French government's goal to create a reliable and strong hydrogen economy, and the European Union's ambition to deliver a clean energy transition based on the objectives set in the EU Climate Law. With the outstanding team at our Villers-Saint-Paul site, the surrounding community, and the entire Hauts-de-France region, we will expand the impact of our Nafion Proton Exchange Membrane technology to help drive decarbonization at a global scale."

Despite solid growth in the deployment of green hydrogen technologies, the scale-up of the hydrogen economy supply chain capability and capacity remains critical in realizing the full potential of hydrogen energy and meeting escalating demand. Nafion Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology represents one of the most promising solutions for green hydrogen production, which has several advantages, including faster start-up, fewer components, a smaller footprint, simpler maintenance, and zero emissions when coupled with renewable energy.

"Advancing the hydrogen economy is a winning formula for people and the planet, but its success requires product performance, innovation, scalable supply, and responsible, sustainable manufacturing," said Denise Dignam, President of Advance Performance Materials at Chemours. "Chemours is committed to enabling the transition to a global hydrogen economy, and our investment in Villers-Saint-Paul supports that ambition. Adding production capability in France provides direct, domestic access for Europe to our Nafion ion exchange materials while extending our global capacity to help our customers grow and fast-track implementation of hydrogen solutions."

Chemours' investment is subject to obtaining all customary permits and licenses necessary for the construction and operations at the 40-hectare Villers-Saint-Paul site, which will include the expansion of ionomer production and associated membranes to deliver additional capacity in the Nafion materials supply chain. The $200 million investment demonstrates Chemours' continued commitment to responsible manufacturing while also supporting Chemours' 2030 Corporate Responsibility Commitment goal to generate 50% or more of its revenue from products that contribute to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, the site expansion will create jobs in the Hauts-de-France region, and Chemours anticipates approximately 80 full-time jobs and about 50 long-term contracted positions.

Chemours' commitment to supporting the hydrogen economy also includes the company's participation and support of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen Shot and regional clean hydrogen hub initiative, as well as the launch of The Clean Hydrogen Partnership and Center for Clean Hydrogen with the University of Delaware. The company is also an active member of the Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, and the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Chemours Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Chemours Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-company

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: The Chemours Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735020/Chemours-Expands-NafionTM-Ion-Exchange-Material-Production-in-France-To-Support-Growing-Market-Demand-for-Clean-Hydrogen-Generation
International Federation of Robotics releases "World Robotics R&D Programs"

Countries around the world invest in robotics to support developments in industry and society. What are the exact targets of robotics research funding programs (R&D) officially driven by governments in Asia, Europe and America today? This has been researched by the International Federation of Robotics and published in the 2023 update paper of "World Robotics R&D Programs".

"The 3rd version of World Robotics R&D Programs covers the latest funding developments including updates in 2022," says Prof. Dr. Jong-Oh Park, Vice-Chairman IFR Research Committee and member of the Executive Board.

The overview shows that the most advanced robotics countries in terms of annual installations of industrial robots China, Japan, USA, South Korea and Germany drive very different R&D strategies:

In China, the "14th Five-Year Plan" for Robot Industry Development, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing on 21st December 2021, focuses on promoting innovation. The goal is to make China a global leader for robot technology and industrial advancement. Robotics is included in 8 key industries for the next 5 years.

In Japan, the "New Robot Strategy" aims to make the country the world's number one robot innovation hub. More than 930.5 million USD in support has been provided by the Japanese government in 2022.

The 3rd Basic Plan on Intelligent Robots of South Korea is pushing to develop robotics as a core industry in the fourth industrial revolution. The Korean government allocated 172.2 million USD in funding for the "2022 Implementation Plan for the Intelligent Robot".

Germany's High-Tech Strategy 2025 (HTS) is the fourth edition of the German R&D and innovation program. The German government will provide around 69 million USD annually until 2026 a total budget of 345 million USD for five years.

The National Robotics Initiative (NRI) in the USA was launched for fundamental robotics R&D supported by the US government. The NRI-3.0 program, announced in February 2021, seeks research on integrated robot systems and builds upon the previous NRI programs.

Downloads

FULL TEXT press release online at: https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/

Information paper "World Robotics R&D Programs" by IFR for download at: https://ifr.org/r-and-d (download requires registration)

Video

ROBOT DENSITY: https://youtu.be/_lHq8BY_Lt0

About IFR

www.ifr.org

IFR on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111006053/en/

Contacts:

Press

IFR

Carsten Heer

E-Mail: press@ifr.org
Acquisition will accelerate Aptum's Digital Customer Experience through CloudOps' software business

Aptum is in a strong position to become the MSP of MSPs by accelerating their multi-cloud managed services business

Deal will enable the expansion of CloudMC within Telco and Managed Service Provider markets

Aptum, a hybrid multi-cloud managed service provider, today announced its acquisition of CloudOps, a Montreal, Canada-based cloud consulting, managed services and software company focused on open source, cloud native platforms, networking and DevOps. This strategic acquisition will further enable Aptum to deliver comprehensive hybrid multi-cloud solutions and services, which include advanced cloud migration services and DevOps, to its customers in 43 countries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005118/en/

CloudOps has grown from an operations managed services shop since 2005 to a leader in cloud computing, cloud networking, and DevOps solutions. Aptum intends to retain a separate CloudOps unit within its business, and to combine select teams including the Advisory and Consulting Services, Support Services and DevOps to provide strengthened, streamlined solutions and services to customers.

"Aptum has been on a transformational journey over the last three years; we have not missed a beat on our focus to bring new products and service delivery models to enable the best hybrid multi-cloud solutions to market," said Susan Bowen, CEO and President of Aptum Group. "We're excited to add CloudOps' talented team and its services portfolio to the Aptum family. This strategic move will extend our ability to serve our customers with solutions such as DevOps and Advanced Cloud Migration Services, offering true Hybrid Multi-Cloud solutions and services at different stages of their digital transformation."

CloudOps' leadership teams and employees will join with Aptum; its headquarters will remain in Montreal.

"Over the last two years of collaborating with Aptum to offer Managed DevOps services, we have successfully joined forces to help customers accelerate their application platform engineering and operational excellence in the cloud," said Ian Rae, Founder and CEO of CloudOps, who will join Aptum's Executive Leadership Team as President and CEO, CloudOps CloudMC. "Aptum has invested heavily in its business assurance and Cloud Advisory and Consulting practice, and we are thrilled to be a part of the organization and to benefit from its global sales, marketing, and support services. We look forward to helping more customers across a wide range of industries to own their own destinies in the clouds unlocking the true value of cloud solutions for their businesses."

Aptum will enhance its Hybrid Cloud Management Portal by leveraging CloudMC's API-driven, modular and extensible, edge orchestration platform. It will accelerate the existing development of a single pane of glass for hybrid multi-cloud workload management.

Additionally, the amalgamation of resources from both companies will extend product opportunities across multiple sectors beyond telecommunications to include technology and business services, media and communications, retail, financial services, manufacturing, energy and utilities, hospitality, education, transportation, among others. This acquisition will fortify Aptum's vendor-agnostic approach, solutions, and services in Canada, U.S. and the U.K across multiple clouds including Azure (Aptum recently earned the Microsoft Azure Expert MSP Certification), AWS, Google, Hypertec Cloud and Cox Edge.

The transaction was completed on January 5, 2023. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

About CloudOps

CloudOps is a cloud consulting, managed services, and software company focused on open source, cloud native platforms, networking, and DevOps. CloudOps helps forward-thinking customers Own Their Own Destinies in the Clouds by engineering and operating cloud platforms to meet evolving business goals and achieve long-term operational success. The company's primary focus is on telecom, utility, financial, large enterprise, software, media, healthcare, and public sector organizations. CloudOps is a portfolio company of Aptum Technologies, a hybrid, multi-cloud managed service and advisory consulting provider dedicated to driving tangible business outcomes. Learn more at www.cloudops.com and connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About Aptum

Aptum is a hybrid multi-cloud managed service provider delivering complex, high-performance cloud solutions with an integrated secure network. Using its Data As Infrastructure approach, Aptum solves complex technology challenges with total solutions and tailored options that drive tangible business outcomes and maximize the value of its clients' technology investments. Aptum's cloud and global network solutions, underpinned with expert managed and professional services, offer genuine choice and adaptability with an international reach spanning North America, Latin America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Aptum is a portfolio company of DigitalBridge, a global investment firm dedicated to strategic opportunities in digital infrastructure. For more information, visit www.aptum.com.

Connect with Aptum

Official Blog LinkedIn Twitter

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005118/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Claudine Dumont

media@aptum.com
A traveler looks at a flight board with delays and cancellations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap



Aviation authorities were forced to temporarily ground all domestic flights across the United States on Wednesday due to a crucial alert system outage, triggering thousands of delays and cancellations.



The Federal Aviation Administration said normal operations were being restored but the early morning halt created knock-on effects that snarled travel throughout the day.



The grounding order was issued after the FAA identified an issue with the Notice to Air Missions system (NOTAM), which provides information to pilots about hazards, changes to airport facilities and information that can affect flights.



The agency tweeted that it was still investigating the cause of the problem.



But the outage spelled yet another hellish day for U.S. travelers  less than a month after a bad winter storm roiled the system.



"I just learned that my flight was delayed again," said Vince Hamilton, who was at Reagan National Airport near Washington seeking to travel to Chicago, and then on to St. Louis  where, he said, "I have to catch a bus that I'm probably going to miss."



The nationwide halt was believed to be the first such stop order since the attacks of 9/11, according to aviation experts cited in U.S. media. The FAA did not respond to queries seeking confirmation.



Near 2145 GMT, more than 1,300 flights within, into or out of the United States had been canceled, with more than 9,000 suffering delays, according to flight tracking website Flight Aware.



The difficulties sparked fresh criticism on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington of the FAA, which has had no confirmed administrator since March.





Four Southwest Airlines passenger jets sit at their gates at Chicago's Midway Airport as flight delays stemming from a computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration has brought departures to a standstill across the U.S. Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Chicago. AP-Yonhap
Justin Skala to Become Executive Chairman of Standard Building Solutions

READING, England, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Industries, a privately-held global industrial company operating in more than 80 countries with over 20,000 employees, today announced the appointment of Thomas Casparie as Chief Executive Officer of BMI Group, a leading manufacturer of flat and pitched roofing and waterproofing solutions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, effective February 27.

Casparie succeeds Justin Skala, who will assume the newly-created role of Executive Chairman of Standard Building Solutions, which includes BMI, GAF, GAF Energy, Schiedel, SGI and Siplast. Casparie will report to Skala and David Winter and David Millstone, Co-CEOs of Standard Industries.

"Since joining BMI as CEO, Justin Skala has led the successful integration of the company, bringing together a number of geographies and leading brands to create a unified global business," said Winter. "Thomas Casparie, with his sustained track record leading industrial businesses, is the ideal CEO to build on BMI's momentum and continue to lead its transformation for the future."

"Over the past several years, Justin Skala and his highly accomplished team have laid the foundation for BMI's future growth," said Millstone. "We are thrilled to have Justin join us at Standard Building Solutions and to have Thomas build on this foundation across all of BMI's businesses and markets."

"I am excited to welcome Thomas to BMI, as he shares our deep commitment to the company's mission and vision," said Skala. "His rich industry experience makes him the right person to lead BMI's continued expansion and innovation, and I can't wait to work with him during the transition and in my new role."

Casparie joins BMI from Shell, where he led a number of the company's businesses over the past 26 years, driving business transformations and major growth expansion projects. He also oversaw signature initiatives in sustainable energy solutions.

"I feel inspired by BMI's vision and the key role its solutions play in people's everyday lives," said Casparie. "I am excited to work with the world-class team at BMI to continue to lead its transformation and expand on its success in providing innovative and sustainable roofing and waterproofing solutions to its customers around the world."

About Standard Industries

Standard Industries is a privately-held global industrial company operating in over 80 countries with over 20,000 employees. The Standard ecosystem spans a broad array of holdings, technologies and investments-including both public and private companies from early to late-stage-as well as world-class building solutions, performance materials, logistics, real estate and next-generation solar technology. Throughout its history, Standard has leveraged its deep industry expertise and vision to create outsize value across its businesses, which today include operating companies GAF, BMI, Grace, GAF Energy, Siplast, Schiedel, SGI, and Standard Logistics, as well as Standard Investments and Winter Properties. Learn more at www.standardindustries.com .

About BMI

BMI Group, a Standard Industries company, is the largest manufacturer of flat and pitched roofing and waterproofing solutions throughout Europe, with a strong presence in Asia and Africa. With 128 production facilities and operations in Europe, Asia and Africa, the company brings more than 165 years of experience. More than 9,500 employees give established brands like Braas, Monier, Icopal, Bramac, Cobert, Coverland, Everguard, Monarflex, Redland, Sealoflex, Siplast, Vedag, Villas, Wierer, and Wolfin a face to the customer. BMI Group is headquartered in London. Learn more at www.bmigroup.com .

Media Contact

Lizzie Wolff, VP of External Communications, Standard Industries

lizzie.wolff@standardindustries.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/standard-industries-appoints-thomas-casparie-chief-executive-officer-of-bmi-group-301720353.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSXV:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to outline 2023 exploration objectives based on 2022 exploration progress at the Klondike District Gold Project, located near Dawson City in the Dawson Mining District, Yukon, Canada.

2023 EXPLORATION OBJECTIVES SUMMARY

The Company has set two main work objectives for 2023 exploration:

The first objective is to work towards doubling the recent Mineral Resource Estimate to greater than 1M oz Au. Work is expected to target identified areas at Lone Star and Stander Zones where gold-bearing mineralization is continuous but outside the three areas of 'pit-constrained' mineral resources identified in the November 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate. In the same program, work is expected to target for along-strike and depth extensions of Stander Zone mineralization, including targeting the gold-bearing veining to depths greater than the ~75 meter vertical level from surface tested to date.

The second objective is to identify and outline new discoveries that can be converted to additional mineral resources. One area based on positive 2022 visual results is at the new Gay Gulch Zone where visible gold was discovered and extensive silicification was identified by exploratory drilling. Follow-up drilling in 2023 is anticipated. The second area involves more detailed exploration of the large underexplored southeast end of the Klondike District Property. Recent mapping, plus positive geophysical, LIDAR, soil sampling, and prospecting results have identified a number of new high priority targets.

MILESTONE EVENTS FROM 2022:

April 2022: Completed Geology National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Technical Report (the "Technical Report"). This milestone Technical Report maps unit lithologies and locates major thrust faults for the first time since gold was discovered in 1896 in the Klondike. The fault network is a necessary requirement for orogenic gold deposits and the primary focus of orogenic gold exploration and development.

June 2022: The Company established multi-year partnerships with Canadian and U.S. academic and research institutions including University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, Colorado School of Mines, and Center for Advanced Earth Resource Models with funding grants from National Science and Engineering Research Council (Canada) and National Science Foundation (U.S.). Research efforts are documenting controls to orogenic gold deposits in the Klondike as a direct aid to exploration targeting.

August 2022: Notable mapping results include discovery of visible gold in quartz breccia vein outcrop at Gay Gulch along a structural contact marked by graphitic fault. Follow-up Gay Gulch drilling intersected pervasive silicification with quartz veining. Additional mapping in the Klondike District increased lithology points by a factor of 4 from ~3,000 to ~12,000 with consequent significant increase in confidence of lithology and fault distribution. A total of 5,832 meters of drilling was completed in 47 holes testing the Stander Zone, the Gay Gulch showing, and regional targets.

November 2022: Completed first ever Mineral Resource NI 43-101 Technical Report, documenting pit-constrained bedrock gold mineralization comprising a total Indicated Mineral Resource of 469,000 ounces of gold and a total Inferred Mineral Resource of 112,000 ounces of gold on the near-surface Lone Star and Stander Deposits. The initial Mineral Resource Estimate is based upon drilling results from 2014 through 2021 field seasons. The pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate is summarized below in Table 1 and shown in Figure 1.

Table 1: Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource Estimate at a 0.2 g/t Au Cut-Off - Effective November 10, 2022 - Lone Star and Stander Deposits

Classification Deposit Tonnage

Tonnes Average Au

Grade

g/t Au Content

oz. Indicated Lone Star 19,535,528 0.643 403,857 Stander 2,049,741 0.987 65,044 Total 21,585,269 0.676 468,901 Inferred Lone Star 6,156,522 0.503 99,562 Stander 304,821 1.265 12,397 Total 6,461,343 0.539 111,959

Notes: 

The effective date for the Mineral Resource Estimate is November 10, 2022. The initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) definitions were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. The quantity and grade of reported inferred Mineral Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred Mineral Resources as an indicated Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured Mineral Resource category. Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.2 g/t Au, using a gold price of US$1,700/ounces and a CAD/USD exchange rate of 0.75.

Figure 1: Klondike District Gold Project 2022 Resource Areas

RESULTS PENDING

Assays from 26 rock samples collected in 2022 during examination of exposures associated with a fault network in the Stander Zone and Gay Gulch Showing areas are expected in the coming weeks.

Assays from a total of 6,129 core samples collected from 47 holes drilled during 2022 included targeted drill testing of the Stander Zone for resource expansion and the Gay Gulch showing for discovery potential are also expected in the coming weeks following rock sample assays.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Klondike Gold will be participating in the following upcoming events:

Jay Taylor Live Interview Podcast - January 24, 2023

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (Vancouver) - January 29 to January 30, 2023

Whistler Capital Event Conference (Whistler) - February 10 to February 12, 2023

PDAC (Toronto) - March 5 to March 8, 2023

All events are subject to change.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Klondike Gold Corp. and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 policy. Detailed technical information, specifications, analytical information and procedures can be found on the Company's website.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-kilometer length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-kilometer gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified an Initial Mineral Resource of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 586 square kilometer property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

Peter Tallman,

President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Telephone: (604) 609-6138

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information:

"This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Klondike Gold in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities, anticipated metal production, internal rate of return, estimated ore grades, commencement of production estimates and projected exploration and capital expenditures (including costs and other estimates upon which such projections are based) and 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 results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include metal prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Klondike Gold's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Klondike Gold disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required."

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734987/Klondike-Gold-2023-Exploration-Objectives-and-2022-Exploration-Milestones-Review-at-the-Klondike-District-Property-Yukon-Canada
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023Corporation) ("Vision Energy" or the "Company") wishes to make the following statements regarding recent removal from the OTCQB Market.



On Dec. 6, 2022, the Company was informed by the OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") of certain promotional material that encouraged investors to purchase or trade the Company's common stock.

On Jan. 10, 2022, the Company was informed that, due to the ongoing promotional campaign, the Company will be moved from the OTCQB Market to the Pink Market effective Jan. 11, 2023.

As stated in the Company's Dec. 8, 2022, news release, management conducted an inquiry based on the information provided on Dec. 6, 2022 by OTC Markets and determined that no directors, officers, control persons, controlling shareholders (defined as shareholders owning 10% or more of the Company's securities) or third-party service providers contracted to the Company have been involved, directly or indirectly, in any way (including payment of a third-party) with the creation, distribution or payment of promotional materials related to the Company and its securities that OTC Markets brought to the Company's attention. None of the management, officers, directors, control persons, controlling shareholders or investor relations firms contracted to the Company has any knowledge regarding the source of the referenced promotional material.

The Company acknowledges that it has a contract with IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork) and its subsidiary InvestorWire to provide the Company with Corporate Communications including Investor Relations. IBN was not involved in the creation or dissemination, directly or indirectly, of any promotional material that OTC Markets identified for the Company. IBN is the sole third-party provider presently engaged by the Company to provide Corporate Communications Solutions along with Investor Relations & Public Relations. IBN is the sole provider contracted by the Company in the last 12 months. The Company has not engaged any other third-party advisor to provide investor relations, public relations services, marketing, or other related services, including the promotion of the Company or its securities, in the last 12 months.

The Company is and continues to be committed to compliance with OTC Markets' policy on stock promotion and the OTCQB standards. The Company encourages those interested in the Company to rely solely on information included in press releases issued and distributed by the Company through approved news wire or disclosure and news services, combined with its filings and disclosures made with the SEC, as well as information provided through the OTC Markets and Vision websites.

About Vision Energy

Vision Energy is a forward-looking energy company developing assets and solutions for the commercial, industrial and transportation sectors. The Company leverages its proven track record in site and asset procurement, accelerating development and permitting processes, plant design and grid integration to facilitate low-carbon energy production, supply and distribution. The Company pursues reliable off-take relationships and operating partnerships with energy industry participants and end users seeking carbon abatements across feedstock and fuels. Vision Energy is committed to providing low-carbon energy solutions with the highest yield, and, where possible, projects are designed to leverage existing gas and power infrastructure to integrate and facilitate import and/or distribution of reduced-carbon energy to domestic and global supply chains.

Vision Energy

95 Christopher Columbus Drive

16th Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07302

https://www.visionenergy.com

Media Contact

IBN)

Jarrod Holland

Director of Public Relations

Direct: 910.431.3322

Jarrod@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

Investor Contact

IBN)

Scott McGowan

Director of Investor Relations

Office: 310.299.1717

ir@visionenergy.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "forecast," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and actual results could differ materially. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE: Vision Energy

Corporate Communications

IBN

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - After a long period of unremitting efforts, Position Exchange is overwhelmingly honoured to announce that our Decentralized Perpetual Trading Protocol (DPTP) 2.0 - a 100% decentralized futures trading platform, has been officially released.

On July 28, 2021, Position Exchange introduced itself to the world for the first time. A journey has gone by full of up-and-down events. Despite the crypto market volatility, the team has kept an optimistic outlook and, side by side built Position Exchange to become the ultimate crypto platform for all DeFi users.

At the moment, Position Exchange has gained almost 720 thousand POSI holders, over $6.2 million Total Value Locked and numerous new features to be introduced.

About this version of DPTP, Position Exchange CEO Justin shared:

"Designed to deliver all the advantages of Decentralized Finance whilst bringing the traditional Centralized Finance experience and tools onboard, Position Exchange believes that our Decentralized Perpetual Trading Protocol 2.0 is a best-of-both-worlds approach."

Chief technology officer Danny added:

"Being the first ever to use Orderbook on EVM, Position Exchange DPTP 2.0 guarantees an easier way for users to transact in a CEX-like experience. With our technology, DPTP 2.0 represents a futures exchange where token holders can utilize leverage to make quicker transactions with lower transaction fees."

To emphasize, CEO Justin also said:

"In contrast with cumbersome steps like in CEX (Centralized Exchanges), Position Exchange's DPTP version 2 prioritizes customers' privacy and anonymity by not requiring them to fill out KYC forms while empowering them to have full control of their assets. Working with the motto of transparency and non-interference in users' activities, codes and transactions on DPTP 2.0 are tamper-proof, which means no one can modify the code (the DAOs rules) without being noticed. Besides, traders can always expect their buy and sell orders to get filled promptly without having to worry about slippage as DPTP 2.0 provides approximate 0% slippage to open/close positions. Position Exchange DPTP 2.0 provides a generously wide range of leverage for accounts with a balance from $0."

The company hopes that this new version of Position Exchange DPTP will open the door to the Futures space for everyone, whether users are a beginner or a seasoned trader. DPTP 2.0 will assist in the diversification of the DeFi market while building a stronger community.

For the latest information, connect on:

Website : https://position.exchange/

: https://position.exchange/ Telegram : https://t.me/PositionExchange

: https://t.me/PositionExchange Discord : https://discord.gg/position-exchange

: https://discord.gg/position-exchange Twitter : https://twitter.com/PositionEx

: https://twitter.com/PositionEx Reddit : https://www.reddit.com/r/PositionExchange/

: https://www.reddit.com/r/PositionExchange/ Medium : https://positionex.medium.com/

: https://positionex.medium.com/ Coinmarketcap : https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/position-exchange/

: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/position-exchange/ Business Contact: business@postion.exchange

Media Contact

Name: Lyn Position

Email: business@postion.exchange

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151055
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A highly anticipated report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest decrease in U.S. consumer prices in the month of December. The Labor Department said its consumer price index edged down by 0.1 percent in December after inching up by 0.1 percent in November. Economists had expected consumer prices to come in unchanged. The report also showed the annual rate of consumer price growth slowed to 6.5 percent in December from 7.1 percent in November, in line with expectations. The annual growth was the slowest since October 2021. Excluding food and energy prices, core consumer prices rose by 0.3 percent in December following a 0.2 percent uptick in November. The increase matched economist estimates. The annual rate of core price growth slowed to 5.7 percent in December from 6.0 percent in November. The year-over-year growth was also in line with expectations. Copyright(c) 2023 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.
FAIRFAX, VA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Visium Technologies, Inc, ("Visium" or the "Company") (OTC PINK:VISM) a provider of world-class real-time cybersecurity, context-focused analysis, and predictive visualization technologies deployed for cybersecurity enforcement, announced today that it has been awarded a multi-year contract for its TruContext technology by Apex Petroleum Corporation. Apex will deploy TruContext as part of its cybersecurity strategy.

Apex CEO Anthony Onianwah commented " I believe the TruContext Platform will help the company manage its growth both domestically and internationally, while protecting its business critical assets and data. Apex has been in business for over 28 years and has recently been awarded several multi-year contracts that is resulting in the company needing to be more cognizant of cyber intrusions that can directly affect its ability to provide efficient and well-informed services to its growing and very diverse customer base.

Mark Lucky CEO added, "We are excited to be working with the team at Apex Petroleum and are pleased that they chose TruContext as a key element of their cybersecurity strategy. TruContext provides advanced predictive enabling analytics and visualization capabilities that can add context to any data and assets in real time, providing confident decisions and remediations to be applied at speed".

About APEX

Apex Petroleum, Corporation (APC), sells and delivers motor fuel, heating oils, various automotive grade lubricants and petroleum equipment to commercial customers and Apex gas station outlets throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

Apex operations are technologically efficient and fully automated and designed to be "Apex unique". APC also licenses and franchises gas stations to operate under the Apex logo in specific market locations. Apex Petroleum is a privately held company with its headquarters located in Largo, Maryland.

Contact:

Jack White, Chief Financial Officer

www.apexpetroleum.com

Corporate Office:

9500 Medical Center Drive Suite #360

Largo, MD 20774

(202) 460-3730

About Visium Technologies, Inc.

Visium Technologies, Inc. (OTC PINK:VISM) is a Florida corporation based in Fairfax, Virginia, focused on providing context enabling global cybersecurity clarity, using machine learning and advanced algorithms to support enterprises in protecting their most valuable assets - their data, business applications, and IoT on their networks and in the cloud.

For more information please visit www.visiumtechnologies.com and our YouTube Channel.

Safe Harbor Statement: Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views with respect to future events and performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project" and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, whether the reverse stock split will be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders, any inability to meet the NYSE American continued listing standards in the future for any reason, and those other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any responsibility to update forward-looking statements is expressly disclaimed.

CONTACT:

Visium Technologies, Inc.

Corporate: Mark Lucky, Chief Executive Officer

mlucky@visiumtechnologies.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter | Instagram

Corporate Office:

4094 Majestic Lane Suite 360

Fairfax, VA 22033

Phone: 703-273-0383

SOURCE: Visium Technologies, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735021/Visium-Technologies-Lands-Contract-with-Apex-Petroleum-to-Provide-TruContext-Platform-for-Cybersecurity
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Gilead Sciences

Every time a serious new COVID-19 virus variant emerges, Gilead virologists Charlotte Hedskog and John Bilello, alongside their teams, mobilize as so-called "variant hunters."

Their mission is to determine whether COVID-19 therapeutics will remain active against new strains. The process demands perseverance and collaboration, as the results have broad implications for treating people around the world with COVID-19.

"It can be a challenging process for sure as some variants are harder to find," says Charlotte, Senior Research Scientist on the Clinical Virology team.

But the teams of experts are up to the task. Since COVID-19 began to emerge and spread globally in late 2019 and early 2020, the scientists have tested more than 15 different genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19.

"This is a process that involves many people with a commitment to collaboration - internally and externally," says John, Director of Virology, who leads the COVID-19 Discovery Virology team. "We all rely on each other to find these isolates and identify which ones to go after."

Steps After a "Variant of Concern" is Identified

The work begins when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) issues an alert signaling a new SARS-CoV-2 "variant of concern" - a genetically different virus strain that is rising in transmission rate, causing more severe disease, or possibly capable of evading vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, or antivirals.

"When we hear that there is something new, we immediately reach out to our collaborators," says Charlotte.

John, Charlotte, and their colleagues have developed many connections over time with domestic and international collaborators in academia who have isolated new variants they were looking for. For example, early on in the pandemic, the scientists worked with collaborators to obtain the isolated strain from the first reported case of COVID-19 in the United States identified in Washington State.

"Recently, the team has established a partner in India and is also reaching out to other potential partners around the world," says Charlotte. "This includes South Africa, where the Omicron virus was first identified."

Testing a New Variant

The evolving virus continues to reappear in different forms throughout the world, and sometimes it can be hard to pin down an isolated sample of a new variant. When the variant is found, Gilead then applies to the CDC for a special permit to ship the variant to its labs in Foster City.

Once in hand, trained laboratory personnel in both the Clinical and Discovery Virology teams examine it in a specialized biosafety lab, built in 2020 for the study of SARS-CoV-2. They test how the virus samples respond when exposed to different levels of COVID-19 therapeutics. If the level of therapeutics needed to inhibit the virus doesn't change, that means the drug maintains its full activity against the new variant in a laboratory environment. The team used this method to test all the major prior variants and the more recent Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

To streamline the testing process, the researchers now are developing a method in which they can create an engineered version of a variant in the lab, based on the available genetic sequencing data. These 'replicons' are a valuable alternative method for testing COVID-19 therapeutics against new strains.

"The 'replicons' would support producing results much faster, which is important to ultimately help people with a new COVID-19 variant, faster," says Charlotte. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, new variants of concern will certainly emerge. We need to continue to monitor these variants and generate antiviral data for potential future variants of concern."

Pictured above is Venice Du Pont, a research scientist on the COVID-19 Discovery Virology team, working in Gilead's Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) special lab.

Originally published by Gilead

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Gilead Sciences on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Gilead Sciences

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gilead-sciences

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Gilead Sciences

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735025/Meet-Gileads-COVID-19-Virus-Variants-Hunters
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) ("Belgravia Hartford", "Belgravia" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a corporate update on the Company.

Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB")

The Company also announces has purchased through its NCIB for cancellation, a total of 100,000 common shares ("Common Shares") at an average price of $0.04 per share. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has purchased for cancellation approximately 35.98% of a maximum number of Common Shares that may be acquired pursuant to the NCIB. Accordingly, the issued and outstanding Common Shares after cancellation is 46,233,333. The NCIB will terminate on the earlier of (i) February 3, 2023, and (ii) the date on which the Company has purchased for cancellation the maximum of 2,354,014 Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB.

Belgravia Hartford Estates Corp. ("Belgravia Estates")

Belgravia Estates, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, announces it has acquired a 9.29% interest in East Peak BK34 LCC ("East Peak"), a privately owned Oil and Gas company located in Golden, Colorado.

East Peak together with Anschutz Exploration Corporation and US Realm Ventures LLC have entered into an agreement and will jointly evaluate the commercial viability of ~60,000 acres in the Atlantic Rim area of the greater Green River Basin in southwest Wyoming.

Drilling at the acreage block will consist of a vertical delineation well to evaluate multiple benches of the Niobrara and Frontier formations. The best zone will then be drilled horizontally with an approximate lateral length of over 9,000 ft.

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. ("Belgravia" or the "Company") is a publicly traded investment holding company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Belgravia is focused on growing its assets and holdings and increasing its net asset value (NAV). Belgravia invests in a portfolio of private and public companies located in jurisdictions governed by the rule of law. It takes a multi-sector investment approach with emphasis in the resources and commodities sector. Belgravia and its investments are considered high risk holdings and it may expose shareholders to significant volatility and losses.

For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding planned investment activities & related returns, the timing for completion of research and development activities, the potential value of royalties, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.

(250) 763-5533

mazodi@blgv.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151108


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Russian forces have committed apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch stated in its annual World Report.



Russia's war in Ukraine has wrought a devastating toll on civilians and shattered civilian life in much of the country, the New York-based human rights watchdog said in its World Report 2023, released on Thursday.



Since its invasion of Ukraine on 2022 February 24, the Russian forces have carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure. Millions of civilians remain without electricity, water, and heat as winter temperatures plunged. More than 14 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes.



The United Nations has reported at least 6,919 civilian deaths and more than 11,000 wounded as a result of the war in Ukraine and estimates the actual figures to be much higher. Approximately 6.5 million Ukrainians are internally displaced, and about 5 million have fled as refugees to European countries. About 2.8 million Ukrainians are in Russia and Belarus, in some cases against their will.



Russian forces have killed, arbitrarily detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared civilians. Detainees reported beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, and water boarding, among other torture and mistreatment. Russian forces have also tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russian soldiers held people in degrading conditions in basements, pits, boiler rooms, and factories.



HRW said it has received Information about Ukrainian forces violating the laws of war by mistreatment and apparent summary executions of prisoners of war, which would constitute a war crime.



'Throughout the war, Russian forces have carried out horrific abuses in Ukraine with unconscionable disregard for civilian life,' said Yulia Gorbunova, senior Ukraine researcher at Human Rights Watch. 'Accountability is crucial, both to bring justice to victims and survivors and to ensure that there is no impunity for these grave crimes.'



In the 712-page World Report 2023, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in nearly 100 countries. In her introductory essay, acting Executive Director Tirana Hassan says that in a world in which power has shifted, it is no longer possible to rely on a small group of mostly Global North governments to defend human rights. The world's mobilization around Russia's war in Ukraine reminds us of the extraordinary potential when governments realize their human rights obligations on a global scale.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Thailand's export to China to improve in 2023: report

Xinhua) 17:32, January 12, 2023

BANGKOK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's exports to China are likely to pick up steam in 2023 driven by China's recent announcement of optimizing its COVID-19 policy, according to a report released by Thailand's Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) on Wednesday.

China's optimization of COVID response will boost investor confidence, international trade and frequency of economic activity, all of which are positive signs for Thailand's exports to China, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-general of TPSO.

This will be coupled with tax privileges under the framework of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), allowing China to import goods from Thailand at cheaper prices, particularly benefitting trade of fruits, food products, beverages and fashion products, he said.

According to TPSO, China is Thailand's second-largest export market, accounting for 12 percent of the latter's total exports, with a significant share of fruits and intermediate products such as electronic components and automotive parts.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A person holds a poster with the words "No Amnesty" during a demonstration by Brazilian immigrants to support Brazilian democracy, in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap



The Biden administration is under growing pressure from leftists in Latin America as well as U.S. lawmakers to expel Jair Bolsonaro from a post-presidential retreat in Florida following his supporters' brazen attack on Brazil's capital over the weekend.



But the far-right ex-president may pre-empt any plans for such a stinging rebuke. On Tuesday, he told a Brazilian media outlet that he would push up his return home, originally scheduled for late January, after being hospitalized with abdominal pains stemming from a 2018 stabbing.



''I came to spend some time away with my family but these weren't calm days,'' Bolsonaro told CNN's Portuguese-language affiliate in Brazil. ''First, there was this sad episode in Brazil and then my hospitalization.''



Bolsonaro arrived in Florida in late December, skipping the Jan. 1 swearing-in of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who became the first elected Brazilian president not to receive the presidential sash from his predecessor since democracy was restored in the 1980s. Bolsonaro is reportedly staying at the Orlando-area home of Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Jose Aldo, a fervent supporter.



His visit to the Sunshine state went largely unnoticed in the U.S. until Sunday's attack by thousands of die-hard supporters who had been camping for weeks outside a military base in Brasilia, refusing to accept Bolsonaro's narrow defeat in an October runoff. Their invasion of Brazil's congress and presidential palace left behind shattered glass, smashed computers and slashed artwork.



Almost from the moment the images of destruction were broadcast to the world, Democrats voiced concern about Bolsonaro's continued presence on U.S. soil, drawing parallels between the rampage in Brazil and the Jan. 6, 2020, insurrection by allies of Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol to try to overturn the U.S. presidential election results.



Among those calling for President Joe Biden to give Bolsonaro the boot was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.



''Nearly two years to the day the U.S. Capitol was attacked by fascists, we see fascist movements abroad attempt to do the same in Brazil,'' the New York City lawmaker said. ''The U.S. must cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida.''



It should be a no brainer for the White House, experts say.



Biden has never had a close relationship with Bolsonaro, who made common cause with Trump's top allies on the far right. And any action to expel him is likely to play well in Latin America, where Biden is courting a crop of new leftist leaders who have risen to power in places like Chile and Colombia expressing similar concerns about threats to democracy.



''It's one thing to make statements about support for democracy,'' said John Feeley, a longtime U.S. diplomat in Latin America who resigned as ambassador to Panama in 2018 over differences with the Trump administration.



''It's another to actually take action in your own home, where you have sovereign control, with someone who is clearly in league with the same folks who brought you Jan. 6,'' Feeley said.





Resort security officers speak to journalists gathered outside the home where former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has been staying, Tuesday, Jan. 10, in Reunion, Fla. AP-Yonhap
EQS-News: EPTI AB / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

EPTI AB: Bulletin from the extraordinary general meeting of EPTI AB on the 30 December 2022



12.01.2023 / 15:36 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The extraordinary general meeting of EPTI AB (the "Company") was held today, 30 December 2022, at 10.00 a.m. at the offices of Eversheds Sutherland Advokatbyra, Strandvagen 1, Stockholm. All resolutions were passed with the required majority in accordance with the previously published proposals. The main resolutions adopted by the meeting are set out below. Directed issue of shares to the sellers of Adhype AB

The meeting resolved to approve the board's decision of 13 December 2022 to carry out a directed share issue to the sellers of Adhype AB. The company's share capital will thereby increase by a maximum of SEK 47,528.50 and the number of shares will increase by a maximum of 190,114 shares. The shares are subscribed for at a price of SEK 7.89 per share. Directed issue of shares to the sellers of Adhype AB

The meeting resolved to approve the board's decision of 13 December 2022 to carry out a directed share issue to the sellers of Adhype AB. The company's share capital will thereby increase by a maximum of SEK 180,000.00 and the number of shares will increase by a maximum of 720,000 shares. The shares are subscribed for at a price of SEK 2.5 per share. Directed issue of shares to the sellers of Talnox Group AB

The meeting resolved to approve the board's decision of 13 December 2022 to carry out a directed share issue to the sellers of Talnox Group AB. The company's share capital will thereby increase by a maximum of SEK 393,964.25 and the number of shares will increase by a maximum of 1,575,857 shares. The shares are subscribed for at a price of SEK 7.07 per share. Directed issue of shares to certain members of the Company's board of directors

The meeting resolved to approve the proposal from the shareholder M2BIT Holding AB to carry out a directed share issue to certain members of the Company's board of directors. The company's share capital will thereby increase by a maximum of SEK 59,523.75 and the number of shares will increase by a maximum of 238,095 shares. The shares are subscribed for at a price of SEK 3.15 per share For further information, please contact:

Arli Mujkic, CEO, EPTI AB

E-mail: arli@epti.com

Phone: +49 176 626 999 64 Adam Backstrom, CFO, EPTI AB

E-mail: adam@epti.com

Phone: +46 73 026 68 26 About EPTI

EPTI invests capital and operational support for companies, entrepreneurs and founders to build market-leading innovative companies under the motto "We Empower Innovation". As a tech company builder, this is done by adding state-of-the-art technology, sales and marketing, design, HR, admin and recruitment in addition to capital. EPTI also starts companies and joint ventures with driven co-founders and companies. The companies in EPTI's portfolio are in the segments Gaming, Fintech, Marketplace, SaaS and Services. Since its inception in 2017, a portfolio of more than 20 companies has been built up. The core business includes approximately 200 employees in eight countries around Europe. EPTI is more than an investment company, it is partly an investment company and partly a service company. A venture builder for founders, by founders. For more information, see EPTI's website www.epti.com The Company's Certified Adviser is Eminova Fondkommission AB | +46 (0)8-684 211 00 | info@eminova.se

12.01.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Red Bike Capital, a Latino and woman-led early stage VC fund, announced today an equity investment from Bank of America that will help sustain momentum toward Red Bike Capital's goal to invest in early stage companies that power the economy and significantly improve people's lives.

Rachel ten Brink and Herman Goihman- General Partners at Red Bike Capital

Red Bike invests in founders that leverage technology to improve financial inclusion, power commerce, drive sustainability and provide better health outcomes. With a deep network in the startup ecosystem, Red Bike receives 75% of their deal flow directly from founders referring founders. Red Bike Capital has made four investments to date.

Red Bike Capital is led by two Latino General Partners: Rachel ten Brink, a Y-Combinator founder who raised $29M in venture capital and spent 15 years building billion dollar brands at L'Oreal, Estee Lauder and P&G, and Herman Goihman, an experienced investor and Fintech expert who started his career as an investment banker and has held senior investment roles at Bank of America and Taconic Capital.

Latinos are the most entrepreneurial group in the United States, starting businesses at a faster rate compared to other backgrounds. Latinos account for 20% of the US population, but receive only 2% of Venture Capital funding. Not coincidentally, only 2% of Venture Capital Partners are Latinos, and a minuscule 0.1% are Latinas.

"We're delighted to bring on an investor that is so aligned with our mission to drive opportunity and returns. There is a huge wave of economic power coming behind us - one in four Gen Z's is Latino and we represent 70% of the growth in the US labor force. We are contributing significantly to the future of this country," said Rachel ten Brink, "As a founder, I was one of just 90 Latinas to ever raise over $1M. Now, as an investor, I want to continue to pave the way through financial support and deep operational expertise. We need to open doors and create pathways for the next generation of breakout founders. The backing of a leading financial institution like Bank of America to diverse emerging managers affirms their belief that bringing diversity to both sides of the cap table can have a multiplier effect driving inclusion and equity, while delivering outsized returns."

Bank of America's investment is a part of the company's commitment to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity. As a part of this commitment, the bank has allocated more than $400 million to over 100 minority-focused investment funds across the U.S., acting as a force multiplier, encouraging other institutions to deepen investments into under-capitalized funds. In turn, these funds invest capital into under-represented minority and women entrepreneurs to help them establish and grow their businesses.

"Bank of America wants to be a true catalyst for positive change providing opportunity and access to capital to extraordinary founders who are creating significant value, yet have historically gone overlooked," said Jose Tavarez, President of Bank of America New York City, "Our goal is to empower talented fund managers like Red Bike Capital as they drive equitable innovation and empower founders with hands-on operating support."

Learn more about Red Bike Capital's activities here.

About Red Bike Capital

Red Bike Capital is a Latino and woman-led early stage VC fund based in New York that invests in US-based founders in FinTech, SAAS, and Health and Wellness. Founded by Rachel ten Brink, a successful Latina Y-Combinator founder turned VC, and Herman Goihman, a seasoned Fintech expert and Credit investor, the team has 30+ years of experience with an authentic connection to the startup ecosystem and a strong track record in asset management.

Learn more at www.redbikecapital.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@redbikecapital)

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Orthodontic Supplies Market size is projected to reach USD 10.1 billion by 2027 from USD 6.9 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Increasing number of malocclusion cases among teenagers and adults, growing awareness about the presence of orthodontic treatment, technological advancements and growth strategies adopted by the players in the orthodontic supplies such as product launches, agreements, partnerships, and acquisitions are expected to propel the growth of the market.





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Browse in-depth TOC on "Orthodontic Supplies Market"

266 - Tables

38 - Figures

258 - Pages

Orthodontic Supplies Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 10.1 billion by 2027 Growth Rate 7.9% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2022-2027 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Patient, End Users and Region Geographies Covered North America (US & Canada), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and RoE), APAC

(Japan, China, Australia, South Korea India, and the RoAPAC), LATAM (Brazil, Mexico, and RoLATAM), and MEA Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Growth opportunities offered by emerging markets Key Market Drivers Growing number of patients with malocclusions, and jaw diseases globally.

The orthodontic supplies market includes major Tier I and II suppliers of orthodontic products are Align Technology (US), 3M (US), Envista Holdings Corporation (US), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), and Dentsply Sirona (US). Other prominent players in this market include Henry Schein (US), American Orthodontics (US), Rocky Mountain Orthodontics (US), G&H Orthodontics (US), Dentaurum (Germany), TP Orthodontics (US), Great Lakes Dental Technologies (US), DB Orthodontics (UK), Morelli Ortodontia (Brazil), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), Ultradent Products (US), Aditek Orthodontics (Brazil), MATT Orthodontics (US), JJ Orthodontics (India), Sino Ortho Limited (China), and JISCOP Co., Ltd. (South Korea).

Aesthetic benefits to boost the demand for removable braces among the target population

Removable braces or clear aligners offers enhanced comfort and are easy to remove in comparison to traditional orthodontic braces. They also reduced the risk of periodontal diseases & tooth decay. The invisible nature and aesthetic advantage offered by removable braces are driving teens & adult populations to opt for orthodontic treatment with removable braces. Moreover, a growing number of manufacturers offering removable braces is further expected to support the growth of the removable braces segment in the coming years.

Orthodontic supplies market is anticipated to grow at the fastest pace in Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific orthodontic supplies market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.7% from 2022 to 2027. Increasing personal disposable income, increased patient population with malocclusion and tooth decay, expansion of healthcare infrastructure, rising number of dental clinics are some of the factors likely to support the growth of the orthodontic supplies market in the region. Moreover, the emergence of new manufacturers in the orthodontic supplies market and rising awareness about dental hygiene are likely to drive the growth of the APAC orthodontic supplies market.

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Orthodontic Supplies Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Growing number of patients with malocclusions, jaw diseases, tooth decay/tooth loss, and jaw pain Increasing disposable incomes and expanding middle-class population in developing countries Increasing awareness about advanced orthodontic treatments Ongoing research and technological advancements in orthodontic products

Restraints:

Risks and complications associated with orthodontic treatments High cost of advanced orthodontic treatments in some nations

Opportunities:

Growth opportunities offered by emerging markets Integration with digital technologies such as CAD/CAM and software Increasing use of social media by patients and dental professionals Direct-to-consumer orthodontics

Challenges:

Dearth of trained dental practitioners

Key Market Players:

Prominent players in this market are 3M (US), Envista Holdings Corporation (US), Dentsply Sirona (US), Align Technology (US), Rocky Mountain Orthodontics (US), G&H Orthodontics (US), Dentaurum (Germany), TP Orthodontics (US), Great Lakes Dental Technologies (US), DB Orthodontics (UK), among others

Recent Developments:

In May 2022 , Align Technology entered into strategic partnership with Asana, Inc. Through this strategic partnership, Align Technology will provide its Invisalign clear aligners to trained doctors in the US through the Asana Smile customizable workflow solution.

, Align Technology entered into strategic partnership with Asana, Inc. Through this strategic partnership, Align Technology will provide its Invisalign clear aligners to trained doctors in the US through the Asana Smile customizable workflow solution. In May 2022 , Straumann acquired PlusDental to expand its footprint in the doctor-led consumer orthodontics segment across the Netherlands , Sweden , and the UK.

, Straumann acquired PlusDental to expand its footprint in the doctor-led consumer orthodontics segment across , , and the UK. In January 2021 , Dentsply Sirona acquired Byte, an at-home aligner company, in with an aim to strengthen its clear aligner product portfolio.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Dental Implants and Dental Prosthetics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Dental Consumables Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Oral Care Market - Global Forecasts to 2026

Dental Impression Systems Market - Global Forecasts to 2025

Cosmetic Dentistry Market - Global Forecasts to 2025

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BANGALORE, India, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Industrial Robotics Market is Segmented by Type ( Parallel Robots , Articulated Robots , SCARA Robots , Cylindrical Robots, Cartesian Robots ), by Application (Electrical and Electronics, AutomotiveChemical, Rubber and Plastic, Metal and Machinery, Food, Beverages and Pharmaceuticals): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Robotics Category.





Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Industrial Robotics market size is estimated to be worth USD 41270 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 63340 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.4% during the review period.

Major factors driving the growth of the Industrial Robotics Market:

Industrial robots assist in boosting productivity by cutting costs and creating high-quality goods. The majority of industrial robots are made up of a controller, sensors, robotic manipulator, drive, and end-effector.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS MARKET:

By providing characteristics like trainability, memory, dexterity, and sensing, the introduction of revolutionary industrial collaborative robots is bridging the gap between machines and humans. Innovative technologies like collaborative robots are rapidly being used across a variety of industries to improve precision and quality of work due to rising consumer demand for higher-quality products and increasing industrial productivity. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Industrial robotics market.

Many manufacturing tasks are more expensive to handle by a person than by a robot. Additionally, this may free up personnel so they can apply their knowledge and abilities in fields like engineering, programming, and maintenance. Industrial robots can offer improved production quality and more precise and dependable operations when used in conjunction with other technology like the industrial internet of things (IIoT) or 3D printing robots. Reduced cycle times and real-time monitoring to enhance preventative maintenance procedures are further advantages. This factor is expected to further increase the Industrial robotics market size.

Because robots are suitable for simple and demanding working environments, they are used and introduced primarily in assembly, screw tightening, electronic parts insert, transfer, and inspection processes in the electrical and electronic industry. This helps to alleviate the labor shortage, increase productivity, and maintain quality. Robots can complete the same task faster than people by using heavy sprayers to clean residue from the walls and floors. Chemical plants adhere to OSHA safety regulations by utilizing robots to clean dangerous tanks. Additionally, since operators are still needed for the robots, people do not lose their jobs. These trends will further drive the growth of the Industrial robotics market size.

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INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS MARKET SHARE

Between 2018 and 2023, APAC is anticipated to hold the highest geographic share of the industrial robotics market. The cheap cost of production is the primary factor driving the industrial robots market, allowing numerous manufacturers to locate their production facilities in APAC, particularly in nations like China, Korea, and India. Another significant trend that firms have taken is automating plant capacities, which has increased demand for industrial robots in the APAC area.

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Key Companies:

FANUC ( Japan )

KUKA ( Germany )

ABB Switzerland

Yaskawa (Motoman)( Japan )

Nachi ( Japan )

Kawasaki Robotics( Japan )

Comau ( Italy )

EPSON Robots ( Japan )

Staubli ( Switzerland )

Omron Adept Technologies (US)

DENSO Robotics ( Japan )

OTC Daihen ( Japan )

Panasonic Japan

Toshiba ( Japan )

Mitsubishi Electric ( Japan )

Yamaha( Japan )

Universal Robots ( Denmark )

Hyundai Robotics (Korea)

Robostar(Korea)

Star Seiki ( Japan )

CLOOS( Germany )

IGM( Australia )

JEL Corporation( Japan )

Foxconn(Foxbot)( China )

Siasun ( China )

Anhui EFORT( China )

Estun Automation ( China )

Guangzhou CNC( China )

STEP Electric( China )

Codian Robotics( Netherlands )

Company

Yaskawa

Mitsubishi

Denso

Epson

Kawasaki

Hyundai

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- Personal and Domestic Service Robots Market

- Wheel Drive Humanoid Robot Industry

- Work Class Underwater Robotics Market

- Robotics Prosthetics market size is projected to reach USD 1247 million by 2028, from USD 754.4 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 7.4% during 2022-2028.

- Cognitive Robotic Process Automation Market

- Consumer Grade Robotics Market

- Food and Beverage Industrial Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Electronic and Electrical Market

- Industrial Robotics System Integration market size is projected to reach USD 33620 million by 2028, from USD 22010 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 6.1% during 2022-2028.

- Pharmaceuticals Industrial Robotics Market

- Automotive Industrial Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Heavy Industries Market

- Industrial Articulated Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Rubber and Plastic Market

- Delivery Robot market size is estimated to be worth USD 20 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 50 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 16.5% during the review period.

- Robotics market size was valued at USD 12,153.1 million in 2020, and is expected to reach USD 149,866.4 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 27.7% from 2021 to 2030.

- Surgical Robotics Market

- Cleaning Robots market was valued at USD 2551.4 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 4119.8 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- Robot Process Automation (RPA) Market

- Social Robots market size is estimated to be worth USD 572.4 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1076.5 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 11.1% during the review period.

- Industrial Management and Maintenance Service Market

- Industrial Controls and Factory Automation market size is projected to reach USD 208150 million by 2027, from USD 128090 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.2% during 2021-2027.

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BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research has recently published a Report, titled, "E-Clinical Solutions Market" The report offers an extensive analysis of key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segment, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and competitive landscape. An all-inclusive E-Clinical Solutions report includes a range of inhibitors as well as driving forces of the market which are analysed in both qualitative and quantitative approach so that readers and users get precise information and insights about E-Clinical Solutions industry. Statistical data mentioned in the report is symbolized with the help of graphs which simplifies the understanding of facts and figures. The market report helps define commerce strategies to the businesses of small, medium as well as large size. The analysis and estimations conducted via the finest E-Clinical Solutions business report help to get an idea about the product launches, future products, joint ventures, marketing strategy, developments, mergers and acquisitions and effect of the same on sales, marketing, promotions, revenue, import, export, and CAGR values.







Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the e-clinical solutions market which was USD 7.2 billion in 2021, would rocket up to USD 20.54 billion by 2029, and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 14.0% during the forecast period 2022-2029. The market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, patient epidemiology, pipeline analysis, pricing analysis, and regulatory framework.

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Market Overview:

Electronic health records, electronic permission forms, integrating e-technologies, electronic data collection, and clinical data management systems are all part of the e-clinical solutions industry. E-clinical solutions provide end-to-end clinical research solutions are provided by e-clinical solutions, which enable researchers to manage the lengthy clinical research process. It assists clinical research businesses with regulatory document management, team collaboration and supply chain management, site performance management, and reporting, all driving demand for e-clinical solutions in the projection period.

According to World Economic Forum estimates from 2019, hospitals produce roughly 50 petabytes of data per year. Clinical notes, lab tests, medical imaging, sensor readings, genomics, and operational and financial data are all included in the data. In this domain, e-clinical solutions are projected to have a substantial influence. The amount of data produced by the Internet of Things (IoT) and the digitization of healthcare is immense, and it contains information that can be quickly retrieved through electronic data mining, which was previously unattainable with paper records.

Opportunities for Players:

Growing clinical research activities and government support in emerging economies

In the future years, the expanding clinical trials efforts in emerging nations such as Indonesia, Mexico, China, India, and Brazil to create affordable therapies are projected to present attractive prospects in the worldwide eClinical solutions market. Furthermore, rising government grants to reform public healthcare and offer more people with easier access to pharmaceuticals would propel the eClinical market forward during the projection period. Furthermore, because to the rapid rise of pharmaceutical companies in emerging economies such as India and China, it is estimated that roughly 28% of total clinical trials were undertaken in Asia.

Rising government grants and financing for clinical trials

The rapid expansion of clinical research activities in developing economies and a shift in preference from manual data interpretation to real-time data analysis during clinical trials will continue to drive the global eClinical solutions market.

Some of the major players operating in the E-Clinical Solutions market are:

Parexel International Corporation (US)

Oracle (US)

Medidata Solutions, Inc. (US)

Veeva Systems (U.S)

ERT Clinical (US)

IBM Corporation (US)

Clario (U.S.)

ArisGlobal (U.S.)

Anju Software, Inc's (U.S.)

Bio-Optronics, Inc. (U.S.)

DATATRAK Int. (U.S.)

ICON (U.S.)

MasterControl, Inc.(U.S.)

OmniComm Systems, Inc. (US)

RESONANCE HEALTH ( Australia )

) Signant Health (US)

Xybion Corporation (US)

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Recent Development

In April 2021 , With the advent of SmartSignalsTM e-consent , Signant Health has expanded its electronic informed consent options and capabilities. Sponsors now have more control over getting electronic informed consent and re-consent for any research design thanks to changes to key products' functionality and tiered licence options.

, With the advent of , Signant Health has expanded its electronic informed consent options and capabilities. Sponsors now have more control over getting electronic informed consent and re-consent for any research design thanks to changes to key products' functionality and tiered licence options. On July 21, 2021 - e-clinical Solutions LLC has launched the latestupdate of the illuminating Clinical Data CloudTM, which includes new visualizations, enhanced analytics, and increased automation of data review and mapping capabilities across the platform.

Answers That the Report Acknowledges:

Market size and growth rate during forecast period.

Key factors driving the " E-Clinical Solutions Industry "

" Key market trends cracking up the growth of the "E-Clinical Solutions Market"

Challenges to market growth.

Key vendors of "E-Clinical Solutions Market"

Detailed SWOT analysis.

Opportunities and threats faces by the existing vendors in Global "E-Clinical Solutions Market" market.

Trending factors influencing the market in the geographical regions.

Strategic initiatives focusing the leading vendors.

PEST analysis of the market in the five major regions.

Market Dynamics: E-Clinical Solutions Market

Upsurge in the research and development proficiencies

Other market growth variables include an increase in the use rate of e-clinical solutions for greater data standardization and an increase in government funding and grants to assist clinical studies. Other major variables that will offer attractive market growth prospects include increasing westernization, increasing acceptance of novel software solutions in clinical research, and increasing medical tourism

Increasing R&D expenditure on drug development

The increasing adoption of e-clinical solutions among pharmaceutical and medical device companies to reduce the number of challenges encountered while commercializing existing and developing new products is one of the major factors driving the global e-clinical solutions market forward during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. Furthermore, as the costs and hazards of creating novel therapies, particularly those related to drug trials, continue to rise, global demand for e-clinical solutions is projected to rise.

Significant growth in the biopharmaceutical industries

Pharmaceutical companies use e-clinical solutions to obtain regulatory approval for newly discovered medicines and drugs. Furthermore, the rising frequency of chronic medical conditions and the growing elderly population, both of which require rapid medical attention, are propelling the market forward. As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread over the world, the demand for eClinical solutions to create and monitor vaccine administration and manage patient data has grown significantly. In accordance with this, healthcare providers' increased embrace of smart medical devices for greater data standards is also fueling market expansion.

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Key Industry Segmentation: E-Clinical Solutions Market

By Product

Electronic Data Capture (EDC) & Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS)

Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS)

Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA)

Randomization and Trial Supply Management Solution (RTMS)

Safety Solutions

Analytics and Reporting Platforms

Integration Platforms

Electronic Trial Master File (eTMF)

By Delivery Mode

Web-hosted (On-Demand)

Licensed Enterprise (On-premise)

Cloud-based/software-as-a-service (SaaS)

By Development Phase

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Phase IV

By End-User

Academic Institutes

Medical Device Manufactures

Hospitals

CROs

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Regional Analysis/Insights: E-Clinical Solutions Market

The countries covered in the e-clinical solutions market report are Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Rest of Europe in Europe.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points like down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Table of Contents:

Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Global E-Clinical Solutions Market: Regulations Market Overview Global E-Clinical Solutions Market, By Product Global E-Clinical Solutions Market, By Delivery Mode Global E-Clinical Solutions Market, By Development Phase Global E-Clinical Solutions Market, By End User Global E-Clinical Solutions Market, By Region Global E-Clinical Solutions Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analyses Company Profile Questionnaires Related Reports

To Check the Complete Table of contents, click here @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-eclinical-solutions-market

Explore More Reports:

Europe e-Clinical Solutions Market, By Product (Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (ECOA), Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Clinical Analytics Platforms, Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM), Clinical Data Integration Platforms, Safety Solutions, Electronic Trial Master File Systems, Regulatory Information Management Solutions and Other e-Clinical Solutions), Deployment (Web-Hosted (On-Demand) Solutions, Cloud-Based (SaaS) Solutions and Licensed Enterprise (On-Premise) Solutions), Clinical Trial Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV), End-User (Hospital/Healthcare Provider, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Pharma and Biotech Organizations, Medical Device Manufacturers, Consulting Service Companies and Academic Institutes) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-e-clinical-solutions-market

Asia-Pacific eClinical Solutions Market, By Product (Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (ECOA), Electronic Trial Master File Systems, Clinical Analytics Platforms, Safety Solutions, Regulatory Information Management Solutions, Clinical Data Integration Platforms, Other), Deployment Mode (Web-Hosted (On-Demand) Solutions, Cloud-Based (SaaS) Solutions, Licensed Enterprise (On-Premise) Solutions), Clinical Trial Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV), End User (Hospital/Healthcare Provider, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Pharma and Biotech Organizations, Medical Device Manufacturers, Consulting Service Companies, Academic Institutes), Country (Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-eclinical-solutions-market

Europe eClinical Solutions Market, By Product (Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (ECOA), Electronic Trial Master File Systems, Clinical Analytics Platforms, Safety Solutions, Regulatory Information Management Solutions, Clinical Data Integration Platforms and Other), Deployment Mode (Web-Hosted (On-Demand) Solutions, Cloud-Based (SaaS) Solutions and Licensed Enterprise (On-Premise) Solutions), Clinical Trial Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV), End User (Hospital/Healthcare Provider, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Pharma and Biotech Organizations, Medical Device Manufacturers, Consulting Service Companies and Academic Institutes), Country (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Belgium and Rest of Europe) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-eclinical-solutions-market

Middle East and Africa eClinical Solutions Market, By Product (Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (ECOA), Electronic Trial Master File Systems, Clinical Analytics Platforms, Safety Solutions, Regulatory Information Management Solutions, Clinical Data Integration Platforms and Other), Deployment Mode (Web-Hosted (On-Demand) Solutions, Cloud-Based (SaaS) Solutions and Licensed Enterprise (On-Premise) Solutions), Clinical Trial Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV), End User (Hospital/Healthcare Provider, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Pharma and Biotech Organizations, Medical Device Manufacturers, Consulting Service Companies and Academic Institutes), Country (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel and Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-eclinical-solutions-market

North America eClinical Solutions Market, By Product (Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (ECOA), Electronic Trial Master File Systems, Clinical Analytics Platforms, Safety Solutions, Regulatory Information Management Solutions, Clinical Data Integration Platforms and Other), Deployment Mode (Web-Hosted (On-Demand) Solutions, Cloud-Based (SaaS) Solutions and Licensed Enterprise (On-Premise) Solutions), Clinical Trial Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV), End User (Hospital/Healthcare Provider, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Pharma and Biotech Organizations, Medical Device Manufacturers, Consulting Service Companies and Academic Institutes), Country (U.S., Canada and Mexico) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-eclinical-solutions-market

Clinical Laboratory Services Market, By Specialty (Clinical Chemistry Testing, Hematology Testing, Microbiology Testing, Immunology Testing, Drugs of Abuse Testing, Cytology Testing and Genetic Testing), Provider (Independent and Reference Laboratories, Hospital-Based Laboratories and Nursing and Physician Office-Based Laboratories), Application (Drug Discovery Related Services, Drug Development Related Services, Bioanalytical and Lab Chemistry Services, Toxicology Testing Services, Cell and Gene Therapy Related Services, Preclinical and Clinical Trial Related Services and Other Clinical Laboratory Services), Service Type (Routine Testing Services, Esoteric Services And Anatomic Pathology Services) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clinical-laboratory-services-market

Clinical Trial Consumables Market, By Service (Manufacturing, Packaging and Labeling, Logistics and Distribution), Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III), Therapeutic Area (Oncology, CNS and Mental Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Blood Disorders, Dermatology, Others), End User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies, Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and Medical Devices Companies), Distribution Channel (Dermatology Clinics, Hospitals, Pharmacies and Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel, Rest of the Middle East & Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clinical-trial-consumables-market

Clinical Trials Market, By Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV), Indication (Autoimmune/Inflammation, Pain Management, Oncology, CNS Condition, Diabetes, Obesity, Cardiovascular, Others), Design (Interventional, Treatment Studies, Observational Studies, Expanded Access), End User (Hospital, Laboratories, Clinics), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clinical-trials-market

Clinical Chemistry Analyzer Market, By Product (Analyzers, Reagents, Calibrators, Controls, Standards, Others, Others) Analyzer Technology (Semi-Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyzers, Fully Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyzers) Test Analysis (Basic Metabolic Panel(BMP), Liver Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Renal Profile, Lipid Profile, Specialty Chemical Tests, Thyroid Function Panel) End User Analysis (Hospitals, Academic Research Centers, Diagnostic Laboratories, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clinical-chemistry-analyzer-market

Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) Market, By Type (Enterprise, Site), Delivery (Web-Based, Cloud-Based, and On premise), Component (Software, Service), End User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Firms, CROs, and Medical Device Firms), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel, Rest of the Middle East & Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clinical-trial-management-system-market

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / GoDaddy

Originally published on GoDaddy Life

At GoDaddy, when we say human first - we truly mean it. Our people are our biggest asset, so understanding their needs is vital, be it within or outside of work.

We care about our people, even when they shut their computers at the end of the day.

This blog series will dive into our employee's '5-9', where we will be showcasing our employees outside of their 9-5, and deep dive into how GoDaddy's flexible, human-first approach allows us to focus on what makes us thrive; whether that be a hobby, a side-hustle, or the simplest of things to recharge our batteries.

Today we have Customer Support Specialist, Sarah Smith who works remotely in Arizona.

What does work-life balance mean for you?

For me, it means to focus. When it is time for work, I give it my complete focus. If something about "life" pops into my head, I jot it down for later but don't give my attention until work is done. I handle my "life" time the same way.

How does GoDaddy help with this?

GoDaddy helps give me my work-life balance with generous vacation time, wellness days, and great benefits.

How do you wind down after work?

After work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially when it isn't so hot, by going on walks and bike rides. I love yoga and actually teach a few days a week! I also love spending time with family, going to Suns games, and shopping. I try to stay out of the room that my computer is setup in, to create separation from work.

What's one thing you do to recharge your batteries?

Yoga is my happy place! I have been practicing yoga off and on for over 20 years. I got really into it during COVID with some YouTube classes I found, and loved how I felt inside and out after doing the classes. I no longer felt sore in my neck and shoulders, and it helped the common discomforts of working a desk job. It also brought some emotional peace during lockdown periods. I found something that I could do for life and could be accommodated for every stage of life. Once schools opened again, I trained to become a yoga teacher and have been officially teaching for one year.

What does a perfect evening or '5-9' look like for you?

For me, it consists of family time, yoga, going to dinner, and enjoying the outdoors when the weather permits! I have lots of restaurants where we are regulars. For Mexican food, my family has gone to Manuel's for years. Also, like Ajo Al's in Phoenix. I like a place called Florencia in Ahwatukee for thin-crust pizza, and for the deep dish, I like to go to Crave in Mesa. Recently, I tried Humble Bistro in Gilbert and liked that! On the healthy side, I like Flower Child. For anything BBQ or steak related, we do that at home as my husband is an avid BBQer and Smoker.

Who is Sarah Smith outside of being a Customer Support Specialist III - Are there any hobbies/interests/side hustles you pursue outside of work?

I love concerts. Some of the concerts I've been to include; Dave Matthews Band, Harry Connick Jr, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer. I also I love Ska bands like Save Ferris, and more.

I truly enjoy travelling. I have just gotten to the point where my kids are all adults, and I can now travel with my husband. We took a road trip across 5 states in the Midwest this summer with some family which was a fun change of scenery. We have gone to Florida, South Carolina and California. We have yet to go to many places out of the US. So far, we have gone to the Bahamas and will be going to Cancun for one-week next year. We are planning a trip to some more East coast cities soon and possibly Germany in the summer.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERG's, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoDaddyLife

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/godaddylife/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/godaddylife

Twitter - https://twitter.com/GoDaddyLife

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@godaddylife?

Career Page - https://careers.godaddy.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

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View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735048/The-59-Series-Meet-Sarah-Smith
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Six new companies are joining the Workforce and Justice Alliance (WJA), a groundbreaking coalition of businesses dedicated to supporting criminal justice reform measures that will expand the workforce and increase equitable hiring across the country. US Rubber, Flagger Force, Corrisoft, I Have A Bean, AVAAS Career Academy, and Crewz join a growing group committed to leveraging their platforms to advance systemic change in the justice system, share best practices with their peers, and remove workforce barriers for justice-impacted individuals.

"U.S. Rubber operates on the principle that most people deserve a second chance," says Jeff Baldassari, CEO of sustainable fitness flooring manufacturer U.S. Rubber. "We are fully aligned with the Workforce and Justice Alliance mission to help people with criminal records break cycles of poverty and recidivism through steady employment. We are living proof that providing opportunity to those who are committed to turning their lives around benefits businesses, too. We hope our involvement inspires others to join the second-chance movement."

Through the WJA, employers can help reduce the stigmas surrounding individuals with criminal records. "Former prisoners are marked men and women. Their past prison record unfairly becomes a permanent part of their public identity, exacting a price well beyond the penalty they have already paid," said Pete Leonard, founder of I Have A Bean, an Illinois-based coffee company and second-chance hirer. "We believe that everyone is worthy of a second chance. We dream of a day when men and women are not preemptively judged by mistakes we've made in our past."

Many of the WJA members have already changed their internal practices to reflect the challenges facing returning citizens. "The philosophies Flagger Force was built on drive us to respect all individuals and lead them to a fulfilling career path," said Mike Doner, president and CEO of Flagger Force, a traffic control company headquartered in Pennsylvania. "I believe, as an employer, we have an opportunity, through fair-chance employment and other supportive services, to help formerly incarcerated individuals reach their full personal and professional potential and break the cycle of recidivism." The WJA will provide a platform for these companies to expand these efforts, by engaging in policy change beyond their own businesses.

The impact of these reforms can hardly be overstated. WJA member AVAAS Career Academy works directly to support justice-impacted individuals, like Danielle Parker. "Like many others, I have been to prison and face barriers in creating a better future for myself. The AVAAS Career Academy has helped me face these challenges. If it wasn't for the AVAAS Career Academy, I wouldn't have even considered attempting to clear my record and create a better future for me and my children," said Parker. By supporting legislation like automatic record sealing and licensing reform, WJA businesses will help expand access to these life-changing opportunities.

The WJA was created by the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ), an international nonprofit that works with companies to champion criminal justice reform measures. By joining the WJA, members are signaling their commitment to do the same.

More information about the Workforce and Justice Alliance, including how to join, can be found at www.responsiblebusinessinitiative.org/workforce-justice-alliance.

Media Contact:

Ben Cumming, Communications Director, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice

ben@rbij.org

+44 7891 551 514 / +1 213 370 0222

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Responsible Business Initiative for Justice on 3blmedia.com.

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SOURCE: Responsible Business Initiative for Justice

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735053/Six-New-Companies-Join-Workforce-and-Justice-Alliance
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb+" (Good) of The Bahrain National Insurance Company BSC (c) (BNI) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect BNI's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

BNI's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), robust liquidity, and a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset class. AM Best expects BNI's risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level over the medium term, supported by internal capital generation despite relatively high dividend distributions to its parent, Bahrain National Holding Company BSC. Partially offsetting rating factors include high reinsurance dependence and elevated asset risk, with exposure to equities, real estate and unlisted securities representing 51% of shareholders' equity at year-end 2021.

BNI has a track record of strong operating performance, demonstrated by five-year (2017-2021) return on equity (ROE) of 14.0%. Improving technical profitability in recent years, following the negative effect one-off reserves strengthening incurred in 2017 and 2018, has supported a solid five-year (2017-2021) weighted average combined ratio of 93.0% (2016-2020: 106.2%). Operating performance remained strong in 2021, translating in a ROE of 20.1% (2020: 18.4%) and a combined ratio of 78.1% (2020: 81.6%). Going forward, AM Best expects the company's returns to remain strong prospectively.

BNI has a well-established franchise as one of the largest non-life insurance companies in Bahrain, where it wrote gross written premium of BHD 27.0 million (USD 72.1 million) in 2021. In particular, the company holds a market-leading position in the motor line of business. Although BNI benefits from a strong brand and good reputation locally, the company's business profile assessment is constrained by its concentration to Bahrain's small and highly competitive non-life insurance market.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizton Advisory & Intelligence has recently published four latest reports on the regional data center industry. The research reports on Sweden data center, Finland data center, and Norway data center provide detailed insights into the market size, share, investment, and growth opportunities.





The reports include:

Investment Values: ($ Billion)

Area Added: (Thousand Square Feet)

Power Capacity: (MW)

Colocation Market Revenue: ($ Billion)

Investment Opportunities in Top Three Data Center Market

Report Attributes Details Sweden Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 3.83 billion CAGR (2021-2027) 9.19 % Finland Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 1.2 Billion CAGR (2021-2027) 9.08 % Norway Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 1.45 Billion CAGR (2021-2027) 17.25 %

The Sweden data center market is driven by digitalization growth, high connectivity, and increased investments by global colocation and cloud operators. Additionally, the market has implemented GDPR, which drives the demand for the construction of data centers. The Sweden data center market in terms of area is dominated by Stockholm, followed by emerging locations, including Lulea, Falun, Malmo, and others. Stockholm has witnessed the development of Stockholm Data Parks, which has aided the growth of the data center market. Sweden targets to generate 100% of renewable energy by 2040. Hyperscale operators such as Microsoft, AWS, and Facebook signed PPA with various energy producers to procure renewable energy for their data centers. In Sweden, colocation service providers develop facilities in Stockholm Data Parks, where data center facilities are designed to supply waste heat to district heating systems. In Sweden, colocation service providers develop facilities in Stockholm Data Parks, where data center facilities are designed to supply waste heat to district heating systems.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Arista Networks, Atos, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei Technologies, IBM, Lenovo, and NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: AFEC, Bravida, Coromatic, Dornan, DPR Construction, Granlund, Kirby Group Engineering, NCC, Red Engineering, STS Group, Skanska, Sweco, and Swedish Modules

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Alfa Laval, Caterpillar, Carrier, Cummins, Eaton, FlaktGroup, HITEC Power Protection, KOHLER-SDMO, Legrand, NetNordic, Rittal, Reillo Elettronica (Riello UPS), Rolls-Royce, Schneider Electric, Socomec, STULZ, Swegon, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: atNorth, Bahnhof, Conapto, Digital Realty, EcoDataCenter, Equinix, Meta (Facebook), Google, Multigrid, Microsoft, and Northern Data

Click Here to Download the Free Sweden Data Center Market Sample Report

Finland data center market is expected to surpass USD 1.2 billion by 2027. Finland will make significant investments in data center development between 2022 and 2027. Colocation and cloud service providers in Finland are investing in data center facilities during the forecast period. Finland will add around 2.7 million square feet of data center space between 2022 and 2027. In Finland, Helsinki is a favorable location for developing data center facilities. It is the most connected location and the economic hub in Finland. Significant area additions are expected by hyperscale and colocation providers during the forecast period. Cloud service providers, such as Google, that is operating in Finland, are procuring renewable energy for their facility operations. For instance, Microsoft planned to construct a data center region in the country to power its facility by using 100% renewable energy and to support carbon-free operations. Finland will add around 2.7 million square feet of data center space between 2022 and 2027. In Finland, Helsinki is a favorable location for the development of data center facilities. It is the most connected location and the economic hub in Finland. Significant area additions are expected by hyperscale and colocation providers during the forecast period. Cloud service providers, such as Google that is operating in Finland, are procuring renewable energy for their facility operations. For instance, Microsoft planned to construct a data center region in the country to power its facility by using 100% renewable energy and to support carbon-free operations.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Extreme Networks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei, IBM, Juniper Networks, NEC, and Oracle

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: AFRY, Fluor Corporation, Granlund Group, Kirby Engineering Group, Parviainen Arkkitehdit, RED, Ramboll, and Royal Haskoning

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Airedale International Air Conditioning, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delta Electronics, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, Legrand, Rittal, Schneider Electric, STULZ, Trane, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: Equinix and Google

New Entrants: Hyperco and Microsoft

Click Here to Download the Free Finland Data Center Market Sample Report

Norway data center market is expected to reach USD 1.45 billion by 2027. Norway data center market is a significantly growing industry in the Nordic region aided by factors that include government initiatives, growing cloud data center regions, adoption of advanced technology, growth in subsea & inland connectivity, and district heating systems. The country's government is working towards the digital transformation of government operations and the economy. The government of Norway has established its Norwegian Digitalization Agency, which aims to coordinate digitalization in the country strategically.

The government of Norway has established several industrial business parks that offer spaces for business for sustainable operations. Mo Industrial Park, Herya Industrial Park, Haugaland Business Park, and Raufoss Industrial Park are some of the business parks in Norway. The Norway data center market is well connected to several major markets with around 11 submarine cables followed by upcoming cables such as Celtic Norse, Leif Erikson, and N0r5ke Viking, which will be ready for services in coming years. Norway data center market has a significant presence of local and global vendors regarding IT, support, and general construction services. For instance, CTS Nordics have been selected to provide design & build services for Green Mountain's data center expansion project in Oslo.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Arista Networks, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei Technologies, Hitachi Vantara, IBM, Juniper Networks, Lenovo, NetApp, NetNordic, Oracle, Pure Storage, and Super Micro Computer

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: Coromatic, COWI, CTS Nordics, Designer Group, Keysource, RED Engineering, and YIT

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Alfa Laval, Carrier, Caterpillar, Cummins, Eaton, FlaktGroup, HITEC Power Protection, KOHLER-SDMO, Legrand, Piller Power Systems, Rittal, Rolls-Royce, Schneider Electric, Socomec, STULZ, Trane, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: Bulk Infrastructure, Green Mountain, Green Edge Compute, STORESPEED

New Entrants: AQ Compute, Namsos Datasenter, and STACK Infrastructure (DigiPlex)

Click Here to Download the Free Norway Data Center Market Sample Report

Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Market Research Reports:

Switzerland Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The Switzerland data center market is expected to witness a year-over-year investment of USD 2.787 billion by 2027.

Spain Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: Spain data center market size will witness investments of USD 3.69 billion by 2027.

Czech Republic Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2021-2026: Czech Republic data center market size will witness investments of USD 1 billion by 2026.

Poland Data Center Market - Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The Poland data center market will witness investments of USD 1.81 billion by 2027.

United Arab Emirates Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The United Arab Emirates data center market is expected to reach USD 1.72 billion by 2027.

About Us:?

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We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.?

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.?

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/according-to-arizton-digitalization-better-connectivity-and-increased-investments-to-positively-impact-the-sweden-finland--norway-data-center-market-301720166.html
Originally published by Bloomberg Professional Services

This analysis is by the Bloomberg Intelligence ESG Team. It appeared first on the Bloomberg Terminal.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / In politicized times, ESG reframes markets and becomes pivotal. In 2023, we expect more pressure for stewardship accountability as activism builds, credible disclosure shifts the focus to performance and regulatory scrutiny in Europe prompts stronger products and flows while the US faces rockier roads. Although fossil fuels are hard to quit, energy security fuels the green transition, climate commitments and carbon pricing. And, after the Great Resignation, employee-friendly companies gain a competitive advantage.

Greenwashing, energy security and geopolitical concerns raised questions about ESG's efficacy, leading to a two-year decline in net inflows. However imperfect, we believe ESG comes into a recovery to assess long-term risks and changing industry landscapes as markets recognize a key framework in those three letters.

Europe resilient despite weak global ESG ETF sentiment

ESG ETF sentiment in Europe remains positive for 2023, defying a global declining trend of the last two years. Our 2023 global ESG ETF view remains neutral as SFDR Article 9 funds and a MiFID II sustainability amendment can support continued appetite for European ESG ETFs, while global demand will likely stabilize following weaker short-term flows and momentum.

ESG sentiment holds up in Europe, defying global slump

ESG ETF sentiment remains positive in Europe, while the US has seen a decline mirroring the global trend. European ESG ETFs may continue to see inflows, especially with funds seeking Article 9 labels under the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), and an amendment in MiFID II regulations on disclosing investors' sustainability preferences can also support demand for ESG ETFs.

Our sentiment score is based on a regression of flows into ESG and non-ESG global ETFs. The model calculates the impact of ESG or sustainability goals on flows while controlling for fund volatility, returns and net asset values.

2023 recovery plausible for global ESG ETF sentiment

The global appetite for ESG ETFs (those incorporating ESG, sustainable or climate themes in their objectives) is in the midst of a two-year decline, but a 2023 rebound remains plausible if the long-term growth trend remains intact. The ongoing sentiment dip represents a sharp deviation from an upward longer-term trajectory. A 2023 reversion to this growth path may be possible as investors globally continue to demand ESG-informed products.

The current lows in our ESG ETF sentiment metric are likely the result of short-term performance-driven reactions to energy prices and economic growth risks. The scores turned negative in early 2022 and continued falling to minus 0.17 in October, from a 0.28 peak in December 2020.

Flows to remain low until ESG ETF sentiment recovers

Negative sentiment scores for ESG ETFs signal that their flows may remain weak in the near term, both by historical standards and in comparison to peers. Based on our model, we would expect to see sentiment back in positive territory before a recovery in ESG ETF flows.

The model produces a strong correlation of 0.75 between sentiment and the following month's ESG ETF flows, indicating that depressed current scores will likely weigh on near-term flows. Moreover, the negative figure indicates that ESG ETFs may also experience weaker flows vs. their nonsustainable peers.

Momentum fades with near-term performance headwinds

Ebbing momentum may also reflect the ongoing performance headwinds for ESG ETFs. Their median exposure to momentum - a factor that captures the spread between past-year high and low-performing equities - fell below zero in September from a peak of 0.3 in December 2020. The ESG ETFs' momentum tilt no longer exceeds that of peers, representing a break from the previous two years, when the momentum factor was a key performance driver.

Source: BQNT , Bloomberg Intelligence

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bloomberg on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bloomberg

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bloomberg

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bloomberg

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735057/2023-Outlook-Global-ESG
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Representatives from Mississippi Power and Forrest County Agricultural High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony as the first electric school bus in the state of Mississippi began operating in Brooklyn.

The full-size, Thomas C-2 Jouley all-electric bus replaces a diesel bus and will transport students within a 138-mile range on a single charge.

"We are excited for this monumental day for the state of Mississippi," said Marketing and Sales Director Giff Ormes. "Nine Mississippi school districts were recently awarded more than $36 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Working with our partners in education, we're able to stay at the forefront of adoption as electric school buses become a new norm."

Forrest County Agricultural High School is the only independently functioning agricultural high school in the state of Mississippi and was listed as a Mississippi landmark in 1996. The school plans to use the electric bus to provide students with transportation to sporting events and educational functions.

"Forrest County Agricultural High School has always embraced its roots and demonstrated innovation in the business and technology of agriculture," said FCAHS Foundation Board President Alania Cedillo. "The pursuit of an electric school bus is an extension of that philosophy, and we would like to thank Mississippi Power for their partnership, Empire Trucking for their support and FCAHS leadership for their inspiration."

"Forrest County Agricultural High School is thankful to be a part of this partnership with the FCAHS Foundation and Mississippi Power to receive an electric bus," said Forrest County Agricultural High School Superintendent Dr. Donna Boone. "As a rural school district, we are excited to have an opportunity to improve air quality with lower emissions and utilize the bus as a teaching tool for environmental citizenship."

The bus will run on two 113kWh batteries with a total capacity of 226kWh - enough energy to power an LED light bulb for more than two years without ever turning it off. A 60kW DC Fast Charger was installed at the school to fully charge the electric bus in three and a half hours.

"It is no secret that electric school buses are built to make tomorrow cleaner, greener and brighter," said Empire Bus Sales Manager Keith Winham. "However, they are also designed with innovations to make today's school routes smarter, more efficient and even safer. The future has arrived - right on schedule."

Now in its 97th year of operations, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 191,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power was honored with a Community Partner Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative and ongoing efforts to build a diverse workforce. The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve recently recognized Mississippi Power for its commitment to its military workforce. Mississippi Power has nearly 160MW of solar capacity at four locations across the company's service territory, including Southern Company's first project to combine the latest, cutting-edge solar technology with battery storage. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Southern Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southern-company

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Southern Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735061/Mississippi-Power-Forrest-County-Agricultural-High-School-Celebrate-States-First-Electric-School-Bus-in-Operation
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / The company with the slogan "Be Elite" currently focuses on renovating the culture and diversity of the telecommunication industry and developing young people to become professional technology specialists.

Axe Elite's mission is to expand and diversify the telecommunication industry. Their people exemplify the culture and dedication of Axe Elite to help this generation by providing them with a vehicle that is the opposite of the traditional way.

Axe Elite prides itself in providing an opportunity to anyone regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or background. That is why anyone can thrive regardless of gender, background, or experience at Axe Elite.

In fact, 92% of all Axe Elite agents do not have prior experience in telecom business. Moreover, with specialized training designed and created by the CEO and founder Albert Shakhnazarov, it usually takes 12 weeks to get someone fully onboarded and confident to assist clients all over the nation.

What inspired Albert Shakhnazarov to start the company Axe Elite was having been overlooked by people and companies before.

"I knew I had greatness in me and the problem I faced most of the time was no one wanted to help me uncover it. I promised myself that one day I will help many people find their greatness." He shares.

This opportunity has been designed for the people who have always wanted more out of life but simply didn't know how to get it. The Axe Elite system has created a step-by-step process that allows people to grow and develop themselves while making money.

There is no company that is doing what Axe Elite is doing today. They closed off 2022 with an exhilarating banquet where they rewarded their leadership with over 100,000 USD in bonuses.

The Axe Elite team provided agents with industry training, motivation, and recognition to generate enthusiasm and engagement for the year ahead by also announcing one of the bonuses to be $50,000 to a top producer of 2023.

"We believe putting people first is a must, the service to many leads to greatness and we are here to serve many clients but to do so we must first serve our own people by giving the best of everything." Albert adds.

Axe Elite started in a small 800 sq ft attic in a bad part of Hartford, Connecticut, and now due to the mission spreading like wildfire, the company ended up acquiring state of the art headquarters in the heart of Wethersfield CT with 16,000 SQFT.

Their goal for 2023 to be bigger, better, and stronger, and the only way they can do that is by having more people believe in what they believe in which is why anyone can go from average to Elite.

About Axe Elite:

Axe Elite is a one-stop shop that offers a multitude of products and services to its customers. Their business strategy is to provide convenience and efficiency to clients, gaining loyalty as well as revenue. Currently operating in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. They have direct contracts with over 180 carriers in 8 different industries.

CONTACT:

Paula Henderson

561-768-4444

phendersonnews@gmail.com

SOURCE: Axe Elite

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735056/Axe-Elite-is-a-Tech-Enabled-Sales-and-Marketing-Organization
Safe announces the reverse stock split of 1 new share for 3,700 existing shares

? Consolidation by way of exchange of 3,700 existing shares for 1 new share

Start of the reverse split on Thursday, January 26, 2023

Consolidation takes effect on Monday, February 27, 2023

Suspension of the right to exercise the securities giving access to the capital from Tuesday, January 10, 2023 (inclusive) to Friday, February 24, 2023 (inclusive)

Eragny-sur-Oise, France, January 12, 2023, 5:30 p.m. - Safe (FR0013467123 - ALSAF), a group specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of ready-to-use technologies for orthopedic surgery, particularly for back surgery (the "Company") announces today that its Board of Directors has decided, at its meetings held on December 21, 2022 and January 9, 2023, to implement a reverse stock split of the Company's share capital, in the ratio of 1 new share with a par value of 37 euro for 3. 0.01, as authorized by the General Shareholders' Meeting of December 16, 2022 in its first resolution (following an amendment made during the meeting of the General Shareholders' Meeting).

This consolidation is intended to reduce the volatility of the Safe share price and to promote its stabilization.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The reverse split is a share exchange transaction, without any impact on the amount of the share capital: only the par value of the shares and, consequently, the number of outstanding shares, are modified.

The reverse stock split will begin on Thursday, January 26, 2023 and end on Friday, February 24, 2023, and the new consolidated shares will be listed as from Monday, February 27, 2023.

All other things being equal, this transaction will have no impact on the overall value of the Safe shares held by the shareholders, with the exception of fractional shares (see section Fractional shares).

The main characteristics of this consolidation are, as of the date of this press release, as follows

Basis of the reverse split: exchange of three thousand seven hundred (3,700) old ordinary shares with a par value of one euro cent (0.01) per share for one (1) new share with a par value of thirty-seven euros (37) per share and current dividend rights.

Number of shares subject to the reverse split: one billion four hundred and fifteen million two hundred and thirty-six thousand nine hundred and eighteen (1,415,236,918) shares of 0.01 par value each.

Number of shares to be issued as a result of the reverse split: three hundred and eighty-two thousand four hundred and ninety-six (382,496) shares with a par value of  37 each.



It is indicated that a shareholder of the Company has expressly waived the consolidation of one thousand seven hundred and eighteen (1,718) old shares in order to allow the application of the exchange ratio to a whole number of shares. Its one thousand seven hundred and eighteen (1,718) old shares will therefore be cancelled.

Date of the reverse split: the reverse split will take effect on February 27, 2023, i.e. 30 days after the date of commencement of the reverse split operations

Exchange period: thirty (30) days as from the date of commencement of the consolidation operations, i.e. from January 26, 2023 to February 24, 2023 inclusive

Fractional shares: the conversion of the old shares into new shares will be carried out according to the automatic procedure.

Fractional shares: the shareholders who do not have a number of old shares corresponding to a whole number of new shares will have to make their own purchase or sale of the old shares forming fractional shares in order to obtain a multiple of three thousand seven hundred (3,700) until February 24, 2023.

After this period, the shareholders who would not have been able to obtain a multiple of three thousand seven hundred (3,700) shares will be compensated within thirty (30) days as from February 27, 2023 by their financial intermediary.

In application of articles L. 228-6-1 and R. 228-12 of the French Commercial Code, at the end of a period of thirty (30) days as from January 26, 2023, the new shares which could not be allotted individually and corresponding to fractional shares will be sold on the stock exchange by the account holders and the sums resulting from the sale will be distributed in proportion to the fractional rights of the holders of these shares.

The ungrouped shares will be delisted at the end of the regrouping period.

Voting rights: the new shares will immediately benefit from double voting rights, subject to being held in registered form, if on the date of the reverse split of the old shares from which they originate, each of these old shares benefited from double voting rights. In the event of a reverse split of old shares that have been registered since different dates, the period used to assess the double voting rights of the new shares will be deemed to begin on the most recent date on which the old shares were registered.

Centralization: all transactions relating to the reverse stock split will take place at Uptevia (ex. CACEIS Corporate Trust), 12 place des Etats-Unis CS 40083 - 92549 Montrouge Cedex, appointed as agent for the centralization of the reverse stock split.

The shares subject to the reverse split will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market until February 24, 2023, the last day of trading.

The shares resulting from the consolidation will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market as from February 27, 2023, the first day of trading.



Suspension of the rights of holders of securities giving access to the Company's capital: in order to facilitate the consolidation operations, as permitted by the provisions of Article L. 225-149-1 of the French Commercial Code and in accordance with the delegation of powers granted by the General Meeting of December 16, 2022, the Board of Directors decided unanimously at its meetings of December 21, 2022 and January 9, 2023 to suspend the right to exercise the rights attached to all (i) the bonds convertible into new shares of the Company (the "OCEANE") issued under the financing agreement entered into with European High Growth Opportunities Securitization Funds on December 10, 2021 (ii) warrants to subscribe for shares ("BSA") issued by the Company between 2012 and 2018, (iii) warrants to subscribe for business creators' shares ("BSPCE") issued between 2010 and 2018 by the Company and (iv) free share allocation plans in force, if any (the "AGAs" and, together with the OCEANEs, the BSAs and the BSPCEs, the "Securities"), and to give full powers to the Chairman to publish a notice of suspension in the BALO. The Board of Directors decided, at the same meeting, that the suspension of the Securities will take effect as from January 10, 2023 (inclusive) and will end on February 24, 2023 (inclusive).

Adjustment of the exercise parity of the Securities issued by the Company: in order to preserve the rights of the holders of the Securities issued by the Company, it is already foreseen that the exercise parity of the OCEANEs, of the BSAs, of the BSPCEs and of the AGAs will be adjusted by the Board of Directors of the Company following the reverse stock split.

Timetable of the operations :

PERIOD OF SUSPENSION OF THE EXERCISE OF SECURITIES GIVING ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL Opening of the suspension period for the exercise of securities January 10th 2023 (included) Closing of the suspension period for the exercise of securities February 24th 2023 (included) SHARE EXCHANGE PERIOD Start of exchange operations January 26th2023 End of exchange operations February 24th2023 (included) GROUPING OPERATIONS Last quotation of the old shares February 24th2023 (included) First quotation of the new shares February 27th 2023 Record date February 28th2023 Allocation of the new shares March 1st 2023 BREAKAGE MANAGEMENT Start date for compensation of fractional shares by financial intermediaries March 1st 2023 Deadline for compensation by financial intermediaries March 30th 2023 (included)

The notice relating to the reverse stock split was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires on January 11, 2023 and is available on the website https://www.journal-officiel.gouv.fr/pages/balo/ and on the Company's website (section Investors > Press Release).

About Safe Group

Safe Group is a French medical technology group that brings together Safe Orthopaedics, a pioneer in ready-to-use technologies for spine pathologies, and Safe Medical (formerly LCI Medical), a medical device subcontractor for orthopaedic surgery. The group employs approximately 150 people.

Safe Orthopaedics develops and manufactures kits combining sterile implants and single-use instruments, available at any time to the surgeon. These technologies are part of a minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing the risks of contamination and infection, in the interest of the patient and with a positive impact on hospitalization times and costs. Protected by 18 patent families, SteriSpineTM kits are CE marked and FDA approved. Safe Orthopaedics is headquartered in the Paris region (95610 Eragny-sur-Oise) and has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and the Lyon region (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle).

For more information: www.safeorthopaedics.com

Safe Medical produces implantable medical devices and ready-to-use instruments. It has an innovation center and two production sites in France (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle, 69210) and in Tunisia, offering numerous industrial services: design, industrialization, machining, finishing and sterile packaging.

For more information: www.safemedical.fr

Contacts

Safe Group

Francois-Henri Reynaud

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Tel.: +33 (0)1 34 21 50 00

investors@safeorthopaedics.com

Press Relations

Ulysse Communication

Pierre-Louis Germain / +33 (0)6 64 79 97 51 / plgermain@ulysse-communication.com

Bruno Arabian / +33 (0)6 87 88 47 26 / barabian@ulysse-communication.com

Attachment
BREA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp, a leading global provider of visual solutions, worked with the Gaia Hotel Bandung in Indonesia to transform their event spaces into cinematic venues with the 135" All-in-One LED Display Solution Kit. With a foldable screen and 360 silent wheels, the display can be moved easily between 26 meeting and event spaces. The pre-assembled design offers an easy setup and can be used instantly for meetings, weddings, and conferences. These different features minimize the cost of time and labor significantly.





The five-star Gaia Hotel Bandung boasts 280 accommodation rooms and 4 F&B outlets alongside 26 event venues of various interior designs and sizes for meetings, weddings, and conferences. The current audiovisual equipment used in these spaces has limited screen size and poor sound. The equipped traditional LCD walls not only had distracting image grids in between that were visible to viewers but they were also fixed to the walls permanently. It would require a big investment to renovate the venue and equipment. To solve this obstacle, a comprehensive solution that offered a simple set up and more flexibility, alongside incredible imagery and high-fidelity audio was needed.

"It is our goal to be a leading brand to elevate the hospitality industry in Indonesia. One of the ways is to offer state-of-the-art audiovisual experiences to our guests in our event spaces," said Subakti Wangsanegara, Managing Director of Gaia Hotels & Resorts. "ViewSonic's solution answered our difficulties with the large display's mobility and flexibility. It helped us minimize the costs, staff resources, and time needed to set up the display. Our guests were impressed by the cinematic images and the spatial audio of the innovative AV solution."

"Our All-in-One LED display solution kit is designed to bring more flexibility for events, exhibitions, or any short-term usage for businesses. By adding a foldable screen feature to the ultra-large display, the solution kit can offer greater convenience for transportation at a lower cost and effort," said Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We are happy to see that this innovative solution has been adopted in the hospitality industry and brought valuable experiences for both our customers and their guests."

ViewSonic's 135" All-in-One LED Display Solution Kit comes pre-assembled in a secure flight case. The foldable design of the LED display reduces the packaging size significantly to offer greater convenience for transportation. Set with a motorized floor stand on silent 360 wheels, Gaia Hotel Bandung could move it between 26 event spaces across different floors effortlessly. It only required two staff members to unpack and set up the screen in 10 minutes - thus minimizing cost, labor, and time.

With the bezel-free, slim, and sleek design, the movable ultra-large LED display blends easily into any decor and fits any space. Whether it's a romantic wedding video or a high-stakes commercial presentation, guests at Gaia Hotel Bandung could relish the immersive pictures and the cinema-grade Harman Kardon acoustics at their events.

Moreover, the All-in-One Direct View LED Display Solution Kit features built-in operating system with Wi-Fi accessibility. Guests could easily operate it and share their videos or presentations wirelessly from mobile devices onto the display without hassle. Ultimately, these features make it easier for the hotel staff to manage events successfully.

To learn more about how ViewSonic assists Gaia Hotel Bandung to offer world-class facilities with the 135" LED Display Solution Kit, please visit the following links for the full story and case study video.

During ISE 2023 (January 31st to February 3rd), ViewSonic will showcase the 135" All-in-One Direct View LED Display Solution Kit at booth 2Q600 to demonstrate the innovative audiovisual solution. For more information, please visit ViewSonic at ISE.

About Gaia Hotel Bandung

Spanning over 2.3 hectares on a valley facing luscious mountains, The Gaia Bandung offers an experience beyond mere 5-star elegance. The Gaia Hotel Bandung offers guests the ability to enjoy the nature of the surrounding area while giving a range of options that bring rest, recreation, and creative excitement. At The Gaia Hotel Bandung, we invite guests to discover different dimensions of rest and leisure through a wide offering of facilities and opportunities to create a uniquely personal experience. https://thegaiabandung.com/

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.





Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981293/GAIA_Hotel_Case_Study_Video.mp4

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1587181/Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-gaia-hotel-bandung-offers-luxurious-event-spaces-with-viewsonics-foldable-135-led-display-solution-kit-301719050.html
CD Capital Natural Resources Fund III ("CD Capital") successfully monetizes its equity investment in Filo Mining for a total consideration of C$158.3 million.

Filo Mining is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned Filo del Sol copper-gold-silver deposit located in Chile's Region III and adjacent San Juan Province, Argentina. CD took a strategic stake in the company back in 2020 enabling an expansion program of drilling to define deeper sulphide mineralisation. The Filo del Sol project has since been described as a high-sulphidation epithermal copper-gold-silver deposit associated with one or more large porphyry copper-gold systems with overlapping mineralizing events.

This drilling, undertaken over the past couple of years, has delivered some of the most spectacular mineralised intercepts of copper and gold the market has witnessed in decades. Recent drill results, such as the recent announcement of drill hole FSDH071 intersected 1,028.0m at 1.16% CuEq from a depth of 292m, including;172.0m at 2.14% CuEq from 408.0m and 237.5m at 1.49% CuEq from 776.0m, continue this success.

CD Capital was one of the early institutional investors to finance the drilling at Filo and the exploration success has been witnessed not only by the markets but also with Filo Mining attracting investment from BHP, who precipitated a C$100m strategic investment into Filo Mining in May 2022.

CD Capital is proud to have been an early institutional investor, alongside the Lundin Group, to support and finance the exploration and project development. The drilling is proving to be transformative for the company and has positioned it for future growth, confirming CD Capital's vision in supporting the leadership of the Lundin Group and the Filo del Sol project.

Founder CEO of CD Capital, Carmel Daniele, noted the eventual monetization of the fund's holding in Filo Mining, was part of the fund's normal course of business and mandate terms, delivering a substantial multiple of invested capital since acquisition. The project has more to deliver and CD looks forward to seeing this project flourish into a leading global copper and gold producer. "CD Capital is proud to have been involved in one of the largest copper discoveries in decades and personally has been one of the highlights of my career to see it come into fruition. It has been a truly spectacular investment for CD Capital Fund III's investors and we are confident Filo's journey to more success will continue. We look forward to the opportunity of partnering up on similar world-class projects led by top tier management teams with a strong proven track record, such as the Lundin Group, through the combination of our long-term patient institutional capital and our sector expertise to unlock value from exciting future projects in the pipeline."

Chairman of the board of Filo Mining, Adam Lundin, commented, "We are appreciative for the support from CD Capital, who again believed in the vision of a Lundin Group entity in its early days. The equity participation alongside the family at the beginning of COVID in 2020 allowed us to continue to advance Filo del Sol into what is turning into truly a world class discovery. I would also like to extend a special thanks to CD Capital's Founder CEO, Carmel Daniele, for her continued valuable contributions as a Board member of Filo Mining. It has been an amazing journey and we will continue to unlock more value from this fantastic asset. We look forward to creating further value for CD Capital investors on current and future ventures within the Lundin Group."

About CD Capital Group

Over the past 15 years, London based CD Capital has launched three Private Equity funds, having raised circa US$1 billion in long-term patient capital, predominantly from leading North American institutional investors, including endowments and foundations, family offices and corporate pension funds. CD Capital develops world-class projects globally in precious metals, critical metals for greening the world, as well as fertilisers for global food security. CD Capital has a unique focus on partnering up with repeat management teams that have a strong track record in successfully developing projects in Latin America, such as Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Guatemala as well as Canada, Finland, Greenland and Australia.

CD Capital was founded in 2006 by Ms Daniele, who was one of the first in London to set up a dedicated fund focused on private mining assets and winning the prestigious Mines Money Fund Manager of the Year award in 2008. Since establishing CD Capital, Ms Daniele has built a world-class investment technical team of industry insiders and has been an active sponsor and employer of women studying mining geology at Imperial College, London, resulting in a successful nomination to the 100 Women in Mining for 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005568/en/

Contacts:

Dominic Chapman

Chief Financial Officer

ir@cd-capital.com

+44 (0) 207 389 1450

Carmel Daniele

Founder, CIO CEO

ir@cd-capital.com

+44 (0) 207 389 1450

www.cd-capital.com
The "Norway Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Norway data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.25% during 2022-2027. Norway is among the prominent locations across the region regarding the availability and usage of renewable energy sources.

The government has taken several initiatives to grow renewable energy adoption, such as setting targets for achieving net zero emissions by the year 2050. The district heating system is among the major initiatives the country has significantly adopted toward a sustainable economy.

Key Highlights

The Government of Norway is actively working to support the growth of the data center industry in the country. For instance, in 2018, the government introduced a Data Center Development Strategy (DCDS) to establish Norway as a Data Center Nation.

In June 2021, the Norwegian data center industry announced the establishment of Norsk Datasenterindustri (Norwegian Data Center Industry) to strengthen the industry in Norway.

Global cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, IBM, and Microsoft Azure have a presence in the country. In September 2021, Microsoft announced the launch of three availability zones in its Norway East Azure Cloud region in Oslo. In addition, in October 2022, Google plans to establish the new Google cloud region in Norway.

In Norway, several sectors, such as BFSI, healthcare, education, hospitality, government, and transport, have migrated their resources to the cloud region. For instance, Moss Municipality has shifted some applications to Microsoft Azure.

In terms of 5G connectivity, telecom operators such as Telia, Nokia, Telenor, Ice, Ericsson, and Equinor, are involved in deploying the 5G network services across the country. For instance, in July 2022, Eltel Norway signed an agreement with Telenor to upgrade Telenor's telecommunication network with 5G network technology.

The Government of Norway has established The Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), which offers Norwegian industrial development and promotion of economic growth. This is expected to increase further availability of area and opportunities for industrial investment in the country.

Vendor Landscape

Norway data center market has several local and global operators, such as Green Mountain, LEFDAL MINE DATACENTER, Bulk Infrastructure, Basefarm (Orange), and STORESPEED are some of the major colocation operators in the country.

In addition, the country also witnessed investments from new entrants such as AQ Compute, STACK Infrastructure, and Namsos Datasenter.

The country witnessed the entry of new global service providers through acquisitions. For instance, in March 2022, IPI Partners announced operating its recently acquired DigiPlex's data centers in Norway under the name of STACK Infrastructure EMEA unit.

The increase in the deployment of the 5g network connectivity is aiding the Edge data centers investments that offer low latency and easy connectivity to tier II and tier III cities. For instance, in February 2022, Namsos Datasenter, in partnership with Keysource, a service provider, announced the deployment of an edge data center in Norway, which is expected to be operational in 2023.

Most of the facilities developed in the country adopt the district heating concept to supply the excess heat generated by the facilities to the local commercial and residential buildings. For instance, Green Mountain announced the expansion of its RJU1-Rjukan facility and plans to share waste heat from the facility with a nearby land-based fish farm.

Several operators in the country are investing in sustainable operations for their data centers. For instance, Green Mountain's upcoming project Kalberg site is powered by the Statnett substation, which is powered by three hydropower production projects. The site will have a 100% renewable energy supply from wind and hydro sources.

Norway data center market has a significant presence of local and global vendors regarding IT, support, and general construction services. For instance, CTS Nordics have been selected to provide design build services for Green Mountain's data center expansion project in Oslo.

Major Vendors

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

Hitachi Vantara

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

NetNordic

Oracle

Pure Storage

Super Micro Computer

Data Center Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors

Coromatic

COWI

CTS Nordics

Designer Group

Keysource

RED Engineering

YIT

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Alfa Laval

Carrier

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

FlaktGroup

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER-SDMO

Legrand

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

Socomec

STULZ

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Bulk Infrastructure

Green Mountain

Green Edge Compute

STORESPEED

New Entrants

AQ Compute

Namsos Datasenter

STACK Infrastructure (DigiPlex)

Key Questions Answered

1. How much is the Norway data center market investment expected to grow?

2. What is the growth rate of the Norway data center market?

3. How many data centers have been identified in Norway?

4. What are the driving factors for Norway data center market?

5. Who are the key investors in the Norway data center market?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oy4fk0.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005745/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T. Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

12 January 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 200,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 855.70 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 12,436,092; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 212,555,211.

The figure of 212,555,211 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
OVERLAND PARK, KS / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / The term "gig economy" entered the vernacular over a decade ago to describe the part-time freelance work many people took on to supplement income during The Great Recession. While the term "gig" has been around much longer, its definition is now broadened to include "side jobs" performed across a wide variety of industries.

Among the 78 million people that the gig economy is expected to employ globally in 2023, nearly 30 percent will be employed by transportation or delivery companies. As the industry's leading vehicle transport company, Draiver collaborates with gig drivers to move vehicle assets, while offering more professional driving experiences. Kansas-based entrepreneur, and CEO and Founder of Draiver , Zarif Haque , highlights the benefits of becoming an independent contractor as the gig-driving economy continues to evolve.

History of the Gig Economy

The gig economy got its start in the early 1900s as jazz musicians played from club to club, then in the 1940s, agencies like Manpower entered the scene, and placed people in jobs on a temporary basis. By 1995, 10 percent of Americans were contractors, temps or on-call workers.

The Internet jumpstarted the next generation of gig jobs, when Craigslist became the first online site to feature listings for one-off jobs. In 1999 Upwork, the largest global freelancing database, was created. But it wasn't until the rise of mobile that the gig-driving economy took off. In 2010, two entrepreneurs, realizing how hard it was to find rides, created the first ride-hailing app on the market. Five years later, they marked their 1 billionth ride.

"Today, more than 1 in 3 workers in the United States have engaged in some form of gig work, and smart companies know they must meet the rising demand with better experiences," said Zarif Haque.

Where Is The Gig-Driving Economy Headed?

Thanks to the popularity of e-commerce, the desire for same-day delivery, and the increase in businesses wanting a delivery fleet without hiring employees. Effective navigation apps, route optimization apps and finding work on apps will impact drivers, the work they take on, and the money they make.

Flexibility and being your own boss will also be an important factor, especially as the younger workforce places stronger values on these attributes. Drivers can work part-time to supplement their regular job or transition into becoming a driver on a full-time basis and leaving their 9-to-5 job behind. Finally, the push for more job security will continue. While gig drivers can set their own hours, they still need to be prepared for a lack of predictability at times.

Draiver Focuses On The Gig-Driving Future

Draiver is charting a new approach for gig economy drivers. "By using the fastest routing AI technology in the market, we're able to provide better bottom lines for business customers and better benefits for drivers," said Haque . "We're offering a smarter solution for companies with vehicle transport needs, but we're also highly focused on drivers and providing them more reliable and professional driving experiences."

As most gig workers don't have access to benefits that traditional jobs provide, like insurance or paid time off, they seek more work-life balance and the ability to set their own hours to care for children and other family members. "Prioritizing what matters to gig drivers can help them create a more enjoyable gig driving experience - Draiver offers a better way to make money, to drive with less overhead and elevated pay, as part of an elite and professional network of drivers."

As more people turn to the gig-driving economy each year, companies in the space must evolve with increasing demand and consumer preferences. Providing better benefits and experiences will be the industry's most important competitive advantage to attract and retain valuable gig-drivers looking for more professional driving experiences.

About DRAIVER

DRAIVER uses best-in-class AI logistics software and a national vetted, insured driver marketplace to deliver vehicles globally. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, DRAIVER operates across the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Clients range from global Fleet and Rental Companies, OEMs, Large Automotive Groups, and single location businesses. (www.draiver.com)

CONTACT:

Patricia Galea

Patricia.Galea@Draiver.com

SOURCE: DriverDO LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/734854/Zarif-Haque-on-The-Evolution-of-the-Gig-Driving-Economy
Nonprofit addressing hunger and poverty through partnership with USAID, Nu Skin and P&G

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded Feed the Children more than $46 million, including $23 million leveraged from private sector partners, to continue its mission of improving the health and nutritional status of women and children in Malawi. Following the success of the nonprofit's similar activities Tiwalere I and Tiwalere II funded by USAID, the Let Them Grow Healthy (translated as "Akule ndi Thanzi" in Chichewa) will use a multisectoral nutrition programming approach, as recommended by the Government of Malawi and USAID. This flagship project allows the alliance of for-profit corporations, non-governmental organizations, and USAID to support quality nutrition, maternal and child health, water and sanitation, and malaria program coverage for Malawians.

Let Them Grow Healthy will have an emphasis on the first 1,000-days in the life of a child, from conception through the first two years of life. This is a critical period of time where stunting in children occurs. The technical design of the project will build upon the strides made by Feed the Children's previous development work to identify and solve barriers for the uptake of optimal maternal, infant, and young child nutrition and hygiene practices.

The USAID administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. According to USAID, Malawian women have little control over land, even when it is their own. The lack of access to productive economic resources is frequently cited as a major impediment to gender equality and women's empowerment and is a particularly important factor in making women vulnerable to poverty.

To address this, Feed the Children will bring on Total Land Care and the School of Agriculture for Family Independence as local sub partners who will focus on gender integration and changing traditional Lead Farmer roles. Both organizations will use the household approach to gender in complementarity with the Lead Farmer and Farmer Field Schools approaches to promote women decision-making. The household approach is the recommended approach by government in the promotion of gender equality in agriculture.

Longtime partners of Feed the Children's work in Malawi, Nu Skin and Proctor & Gamble (P&G) will continue to support the nonprofit's mission in its new activity. Nu Skin will provide $16,800,000 under its own initiative, Nourishing the Children, to purchase 93,300 bags per month of a fortified nutrition supplement, VitaMeal. The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation will contribute $4,500,000 to fund the work of the School of Agriculture for Family Independence. The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation will also provide $300,000 for 150,000 fruit tree saplings. P&G has agreed to provide for the provision of four million sachets per year, valued at $1,400,000.

"We are so excited to get started on this important work for Malawians," said Bre Jefferson, President of FEED International. "Let Them Grow Healthy is special because the community came together to choose the name. It is important to the community that their kids are healthy and thriving. Through Let Them Grow Healthy, Feed the Children will not only work to provide much-need food to families, but also empower women to create change in their communities. We are very grateful for the support from USAID, the Government of Malawi and our generous private sector partners Nu Skin and P&G."

Let Them Grow Healthy (translated as "Akule ndi Thanzi" in Chichewa) will use a multisectoral nutrition programming approach, as recommended by the Government of Malawi and USAID. This flagship project allows the alliance of for-profit corporations, non-governmental organizations, and USAID to support quality nutrition, maternal and child health, water and sanitation, and malaria program coverage for Malawians.

About Feed the Children

At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in eight countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships.

Visit feedthechildren.org for more information.

For more information:

Carrie Snodgrass - 405-213-9757

carrie.snodgrass@feedthechildren.org

SOURCE: Feed The Children

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735075/Feed-the-Children-Receives-46-Million-Grant-to-Support-Women-and-Children-in-Malawi
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiro, the brand experience agency within the GES collective, today announced the appointment of Luke D'Arcy as Global Executive Vice President of Business Development. In his new role, D'Arcy will direct and oversee the efforts of the experiential marketing agency's growing worldwide team and work in close conjunction with today's top brands to deliver dynamic, impactful experiences for audiences.





D'Arcy brings more than 20 years of brand experience to the Spiro table, most recently holding numerous executive roles at Momentum Worldwide, where he helped develop and propel experiential marketing initiatives for the likes of American Express, Coca-Cola, Nike and Samsung, among other major names. A Harvard Business School alumnus, D'Arcy also honed his skills at lauded global advertising agencies Havas Creative and Iris and served as partnership director during the launch of Sir Richard Branson'sUnited Kingdom-based Formula 1 Virgin Racing team.

D'Arcy's efforts have also helped rack up more than 15 of advertising's top honors, earning recognition from Adweek, Cannes Lion, Clio, Diversity and many other trusted industry authorities.

"At Spiro, our success starts with hiring leaders who have a proven history of delivering high-impact results," said Spiro Global President Jeff Stelmach. "Luke D'Arcy's track record speaks for itself, and we're honored to welcome such a seasoned and decorated leader to the Spiro family as we kick off 2023."

D'Arcy assumes his new position at Spiro effective immediately. For more on Spiro, visit ThisIsSpiro.com.

About Spiro

Spiro, part of the GES collective, is the global brand experience agency for the NEW NOW. We create global events and experiences that redefine how humans connect, and we bring them to life across integrated physical, digital, mobile and hybrid mediums. Working with some of the world's most recognized brands, Spiro's strategists, creators, innovators, builders, marketers and specialists are skilled in analytic & strategic event management, creative design, and production. Working together, we deliver high-impact experiential exhibits, conferences & events, product launches, sponsorship activations, and consumer pop-ups that unite audiences - wherever they may be.

Media Contact:

Ashley Serafin

aserafin@thisisspiro.com





Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982567/Darcy.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1774232/Spiro_Part_Of_The_GES_Collective_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spiro-appoints-luke-darcy-new-executive-vice-president-of-business-development-301720695.html
All Products Meet Applicable Health, Safety and Environmental Requirements

G&H Orthodontics (www.ghorthodontics.com), a leading provider of clinical solutions for the orthodontic community, today announced that it is Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certified in the European Union. Fewer than 10% of all medical device companies worldwide have achieved this milestone.

This MDR certification verifies that G&H meets the most current regulatory requirements for its systems and its portfolio. All manufacturers and vendors must recertify and meet these compliance deadlines to continue distributing medical devices in the European market. 20% of manufacturers reported that they will not invest to recertify to EU MDR.

As an MDR-certified company, G&H can continue to ensure a supply of high-quality, trusted orthodontics products to doctors and their patients.

"This is the result of two-plus years of intensive work from our team," G&H CEO John Voskuil said. "Other manufacturers may have exited the market or focused only on aligners, but we are committed to a full portfolio and uninterrupted service to our customers."

Since September 2020, G&H has dedicated more than 30,000 hours and invested millions of dollars to achieve MDR certification. These investments further position G&H as an authority and solutions provider in the orthodontic community.

The MDR mandates will ultimately improve patient safety with more rigorous efficacy requirements for medical devices. As an example of one measure taken to satisfy increased product traceability, G&H now uses unique device identification (UDI) mechanisms.

G&H has a long history of developing brackets, wires, elastomers, aligners and attachments. With 22,000 products now MDR certified, G&H remains dedicated to providing safe, reliable devices for the EU market and world at large.

"We've invested in a new plant, new equipment and new processes so that we have the highest quality products," Voskuil said. "Our top priority is making sure doctors have the products they need to deliver the best patient care."

About G&H Orthodontics

For over 45 years, G&H Orthodontics has been the industry's wire experts, providing a comprehensive portfolio of products. As a manufacturer, we own everything we do with a level of accountability not found elsewhere, from sourcing raw materials to final inspection. We're committed to fostering authentic relationships and actively solving the problems of the doctors and patients we serve. To learn more, visit www.ghorthodontics.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005131/en/

Contacts:

Jim Aycock

VP Sales, Marketing and Business Development

G&H Orthodontics

jaycock@ghortho.com

317.346.6655
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / FedEx Corporation

Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit

FedEx supports the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit one of the nation's largest gatherings of African American business owners in the U.S.

Supplier Diversity

For more than two decades, FedEx has proactively sourced products and services from small, minority- and women- owned Businesses across our supply chain. In 2021 we procured $18.7 billion in goods and services from diverse and small business suppliers.

We regularly collaborate with national and regional diversity organizations to promote the growth of small and diverse businesses and to increase opportunities for FedEx to work with these enterprises.

Other FedEx programs and initiatives designed to help entrepreneurs include the online FedEx Small Business Center which features shipping solutions and e-commerce tips, and the Small Business Grant Contest which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022 and distributed a collective prize pool of more than $365,000 in the US. The contest now takes place in more than 16 countries.

Read More

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: FedEx Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735089/FedEx-and-the-Black-Enterprise-Entrepreneurs-Summit
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Groundswell, a nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience hubs, announced its selection to receive a $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to advance community energy resilience. Led by Groundswell, the project team will work with communities in Maryland to develop a replicable framework for resilience planning that goes beyond traditional energy metrics and uses resilience metrics informed by communities. This selection enables the statewide expansion of efforts already underway in Baltimore to establish Community Resiliency Hubs designed to mitigate the effects of power disruptions caused by extreme weather and other events.

Through Groundswell - in partnership with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Ayika Solutions, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability - the Resilient Communities Maryland project will develop an equitable, community-driven energy resilience framework. This framework will be replicated across the State of Maryland, supporting increased public safety and improving preparedness and recovery during hazardous events and extended grid outages.

"Community resilience hubs put people first," commented Groundswell CEO Michelle Moore. "We're proud to work alongside this exceptionally innovative team of resilience leaders to serve communities across Maryland with an approach that can work anywhere in the U.S."

These resilience hubs can serve as centralized, trusted community locations where community members can access reliable power for their essential devices, continue to receive information as emergency situations develop, store medications sensitive to temperature, and safely gather in the aftermath of an emergency or severe weather event to allow the community to recover safely and effectively. Groundswell's team is also examining how this model can be used to serve communities across the country with resilience hubs powered by solar-plus-storage.

"The practice and promotion of scientifically sound, community-specific, and socially relevant environmental information increase the scientific literacy of a community. For communities most impacted by climate change, the importance of community preferences and priorities in the defining and developing of measures and metrics of environmental (climate, energy, water, etc.) resiliency are critical components that should be included in any hyper-local and state resilience planning," said Dr. Erica Holloman Hill, the CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at Ayika Solutions.

"This effort is also an opportunity to combine community-defined resilience metrics with broader equity considerations, such as community wealth building opportunities, to effectively link the resilience hubs with lived experience during both outage and regular operating conditions," said Eric Lockhart, Group Manager at NREL.

"The RACER grant allows the Groundswell team to take the lessons learned from their Baltimore City experience and apply them to suburban landscapes within both Montgomery and the Eastern Shore Counties," said Dr. Mary Beth Tung, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. "Much of the work under this initiative will build on efforts Groundswell initiated via grants provided by the Maryland Energy Administration to assess opportunities for resilience hubs in the City of Baltimore and Montgomery County. This new initiative expands on the prior important work by furthering these efforts across the state including urban and rural communities."

"We are eager to see how Baltimore's nation-leading Community Resiliency Hub Program can inform the expansion of resiliency hubs across the State of Maryland and beyond," said Aubrey Germ, Climate Resilience Planner from the City of Baltimore's Office of Sustainability.

Groundswell was selected as a part of DOE's Renewables Advancing Community Energy Resilience (RACER) funding program, an effort to increase the resilience of energy systems and increase communities' preparedness to withstand and recover rapidly from disasters. Groundswell's Resilient Communities Maryland project is one of several projects that will develop energy resilience planning frameworks at the community level through robust multi-stakeholder participation and collaboration.

As part of this work, Groundswell plans to convene local officials, community leaders, and decision-makers from utility providers in a series of open tables next year. These conversations will focus on individual community needs and the potential for program replicability to ensure future resilience hubs will serve high-priority community needs sustainably for years to come.

About Groundswell

Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience hubs, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. Groundswell leads clean energy programs and projects in five states including the District of Columbia, serving more than 5,500 income-qualified customers with more than $2.75 million per year in clean energy savings. Learn more at Groundswell.org.

Ayika Solutions

AYIKA SOLUTIONS INC (ASI) is a small African American, woman-owned, environmental consulting firm that specializes in the development and implementation of practical, innovative, and community-driven and community-led environmental solutions. Since 2016, ASI has been forging new paths towards sustainable resiliency together with community, local/state/national governmental agencies, and local/regional/national environmental and climate justice organizations and networks. With 25+ years of professional experience in environmental science and consulting, Dr. Holloman-Hill and her team are passionate about grassroots advocacy and the practice/promotion of scientific literacy as a liberation tool for shifting and supporting equitable and just power.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Groundswell on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Groundswell

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/groundswell

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Groundswell

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735095/Groundswell-Selected-for-US-Department-of-Energy-RACER-Grant-Funding-for-Development-of-Replicable-Resilience-Hub-Model
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - KWG Resources Inc. (CSE: KWG) (CSE: KWG.A) ("KWG") has confirmed with the Canadian Securities Exchange the price at which shares may be issued under a proposed private placement of Convertible Debentures to be completed within the next 45 days.

The company has also mailed to its shareholders a Management Information Circular for the meeting of shareholders to be convened on February 7, 2023. The mailing included a report to the shareholders as follows:

"We were very pleased to see that all nine Matawa Chiefs joined recently in a news release in which they made it very clear that they are unified in support of development of the Ring of Fire. They asked that Canada facilitate their efforts by creation of a Table to consult with them. That is exceedingly encouraging, particularly following the appointment of mining executive George Pirie, former mayor of Timmins, as the Minister of Ontario's newly created Ministry of Mines.

"By that point we had completed with Cormorant Utilities, where our Board Member Fiona Blondin is Vice-president of Indigenous Strategy, a plan for the electrification of the Ring of Fire and of a number of the adjacent Matawa communities. That electrification plan makes the Rail-veyor ore transport system highly attractive for moving chromite directly from underground to processing facilities along the Trans-Canada corridor. If then this infrastructure is owned and operated by the Matawa membership, as we have long proposed, the cost of mining and transportation can be fixed and include the improvement of their communities. Their Chiefs clearly understand this and so seek Canada's support to assist them in its realization.

"We are very pleased to welcome three additional new Members nominated for election to your company's Board of Directors: Rajesh Sharma, an accomplished iron man, who 'came with the Fancamp acquisition'; our President and Chief Operating Officer Megan McElwain; and, Corina Moore the addition of whom, as the former CEO of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC), is especially welcome. We have made no secret of our long-held view that ONTC assets might create, when combined with the utilities required by development of the Ring of Fire, a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. It would be consistent with our collective vision that the assets of this combined agency would perhaps more comfortably be owned and operated by the population whose lands they traverse. That would then describe an opportunity for the creation of a Table at which the Mushkegowuk and Matawa communities could find common cause.

"Our assembly of strategic assets has been in response to the West's determination to acquire supply-chain security of strategic commodities. We will next see how those assets can pay their way until their development is begun for one or more customers. As part of that process, we will seek an alliance with an industry operator of appropriate heft and reach. We believe the preceding initiatives may begin to reflect the true value of our assets and the opportunity that they represent."

About KWG:

KWG is the owner of 100% of the Black Horse chromite project (formerly part of Fancamp's "Koper Lake-McFaulds" properties). Bold Ventures Inc. is carried through exploration of the former Fancamp claims for 10%. KWG holds other area interests plus a 15% vested interest in the McFaulds copper/zinc project and a vested 30% interest in the Big Daddy chromite project. KWG also owns 100% of CCC which staked mining claims between Aroland, Ontario (near Nakina) and the Ring of Fire. CCC has conducted a surveying and soil testing program to assess the prospects for the engineering and construction of a railroad along that route between the Ring of Fire and Aroland, Ontario. CCC engaged Cormorant Utilities and Rail-Veyor Technologies for Engineering Proposals for the construction of a transportation and utility corridor within the route and has received those proposals. KWG has also acquired intellectual property interests, including a method for the direct reduction of chromite to metalized iron and chrome using natural gas. KWG subsidiary Muketi Metallurgical LP has acquired two chromite-refining patents in Canada and one in each of the USA, South Africa and Kazakhstan, and is prosecuting an application in Turkey.

For further information, please contact:

Bruce Hodgman, Vice-President: 416-642-3575 ~ info@kwgresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements: Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and KWG 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 securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities that may be described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151178
New Certificate Program Incorporates Business Analysis to Enhance HR Function, Improving Business Outcomes

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023(HRPA) are proud to announce their strategic partnership. HRPA, serving the Ontario Province, have been advocating for the human resources profession for over 40 years to ensure that HR professionals have the most up-to-date tools and advanced skills needed to lead workplaces into the future. IIBA, with 30,000 members around the world, is leading the global business analysis community and is shaping professional standards to achieve better outcomes through better analysis.



Business analysis skills are strategically important to today's CHRO tasked with taking on complex organizational challenges, as expectations of the HR function are increasing for advanced strategic thinking in defining solutions that deliver organizational value. HR needs a playbook of repeatable processes of uncovering the real business issues to solve, better techniques for determining solutions that are impactful, and a focused way of assembling compelling business cases that gain organizational support. To help HR professionals gain these skills, HRPA partnered with IIBA.

The partnership between IIBA and HRPA is a pivotal relationship that emphasizes the value of leveraging analysis and data to drive business decisions and optimize HR practices. Through the combination of cutting-edge research, industry insights, and best practices, this partnership helps to ensure that HR professionals have the necessary business analysis skills and knowledge to effectively lead their organizations into the future.

"Coming into the post-pandemic era there is a need for workplaces to increase learning agility, simplify cumbersome people processes, radically transform the employee experience, and turn their attention to increased organizational effectiveness to evolve within the new world of work," said Kris Tierney, Vice President HR and Learning, HRPA. "We wanted to offer our members a program built on the proven standards of IIBA and highlight for HR professionals the value of business analysis in remarkably improving enterprise outcomes."

To help the HR profession meet the challenges of this new world and lead at a higher level, HRPA in association with the IIBA have built the Radical HR: Upskilling from Service Provider to Solution Expert program using the foundation of IIBA's Entry Certificate in Business Analysis . This innovative course is a five-module certificate program designed to enable organizational change by empowering participants to identify opportunities, define needs, and recommend solutions to deliver stakeholder value in the Human Resources field. By the end of the program, participants will receive the Human Resources Solutions Certificateexam.

"This program is focused on giving HR practitioners' practical business analysis tools to assist in navigating complex projects and change. These skills will set up HR diagnostics to be clear and strategic for your clients and leaders," said Mary Madigan Lee, Chief People Officer, City of Toronto.

"HRPA and IIBA realized business analysis skills needed to be stronger in HR professionals to support the pace of change faced by their members. The partnership with HRPA brings the value of business analysis to achieve better business outcomes to HR professionals in a way that is practical and resonates for their unique needs," said Keith Ellis, Chief Engagement and Growth Officer, IIBA. "What makes this program so unique is that it provides a clear path for HR professionals to transform from being a service provider to being the solution designer, influencer, and change partner that top leadership requires."

73% of pilot participants felt they gained a sense of confidence to impact and influence change after completing the course.1 All participants believe that business analysis techniques and skills are essential to a high-functioning HR department. The tools learned within this program will help participants better use business analysis foundations to conduct comprehensive needs analyses, create evidence-based solutions, and support organizational transformation, employee development and performance management, succession planning, and other key practices. Participants will advance their careers by gaining the necessary skills to deliver value-creating solutions that meet stakeholder needs across the business. Individuals exiting the program report have a feeling of greater individual and team effectiveness in evolving core HR processes, as well as greater confidence, to tackle complex change initiatives.

Follow the link below to register for the course:

Radical HR: Upskilling from Service Provider to Solution Expert

Business analysis provides tremendous value to a wide range of industries and roles by helping organizations sense and enable change by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value. Join IIBA as a strategic partner and become part of a global network of experts who work towards delivering better outcomes through business analysis.

To learn more about IIBA's Strategic Partnerships please visit https://www.iiba.org/organizational-programs/strategic-partnerships/ .

About IIBA

International Institute of Business Analysis.

About HRPA

At the Human Resources Professionals Association, we believe that better HR makes business better. The HRPA ensures that our 24,000 members and students have the most up-to-date tools and the advanced skills to lead our workplaces into the future. We regulate HR professionals in the public interest. Our members are held to the province's highest standards, so Ontario workplaces can trust us to help unlock business growth and optimize employee potential. Learn more at hrpa.ca .

Source: IIBA post course-assessment of pilot participants



Media Contacts

Shyra Wells, Communications & Media Specialist

IIBA

Shyra.Wells@iiba.org

+1 (289) 212-3657
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (TSXV: LEO) (OTCQB: LCGMF) ("Lion CG", the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of unsecured convertible debentures ("Debentures") for gross proceeds of up to US$1,300,000 (C$1,733,333) (the "Offering").

The Debentures will bear interest at the rate of 14% per annum and will mature on the date that is 20 months from issuance (the "Maturity Date"). The principal amount of the Debentures may be converted into common shares of the Company at US$0.05344 (C$0.07125) per share, at any time, before 10 months from the closing date of the Offering (the "Closing Date"), and US$0.075 (C$0.10) per share at any time, after 10 months from the Closing Date and prior to the Maturity Date. The holder will have the option to elect to be repaid in kind at any time prior to maturity of the Debentures by way of shares of Falcon Butte Minerals Corp., or its successor, (the "Falcon Butte Shares") at the rate of US$0.28 (C$0.37) per Falcon Butte Share, provided that any Debenture held by an insider of the Company requires prior stock exchange approval prior to being repaid in kind. Interest accrued on all or any portion of the Debentures being converted by the holder may also be converted into common shares at the option of the Debenture holder at the time of conversion at a conversion price equal to the market price as at the date of conversion. For greater certainty, the Debentures will be subordinated to the US$2 million of convertible debentures issued by the Company in July of 2022.

In connection with the sale of the Debentures, the Company will also issue up to 24,327,480 common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") to the purchasers. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire a common share of the Company at a price of US$0.07125 (C$0.095) for a period of 20 months from the Closing Date.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital. In connection with the Offering, the Corporation may pay finder's fees in cash or securities or a combination of both, as permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Closing of the Offering may occur in one or more tranches.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months from the date of issuance of the Debentures. The Offering is subject to final approval by the TSXV. The securities will also be subject to restrictions on resale under Rule 144 under US Securities laws, which in general requires that the securities be held for six months prior to being eligible for resale.

About Lion CG

Lion Copper and Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based company advancing its flagship copper assets in Mason Valley, Nevada. Further information can be found at www.lioncg.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Stephen Goodman

President

For more information please contact

Karen Robertson

Corporate Communications

778-898-0057

Email: info@lioncg.com

Website: www.lioncg.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities referenced in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151189
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to announce that it has received approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") for the construction, operation, maintenance and closure of the 69 kV powerline and substation required for its 100% owned La Plata mining project in Ecuador (the "La Plata project").



The Environmental Ministry of Ecuador, known as "Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transicion Ecologica" ("MAATE") has reviewed and delivered a favorable technical review for the 6.5 km powerline that will power the operations of the La Plata project. The La Plata project has been identified by the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso as a strategic project and a component of the country's economic growth strategy.

The EIA baseline process for the powerline started over 2 years ago when Atico signed an agreement with the country's National Electricity Corporation (CNEL). CNEL along with the Company's team, independent environmental experts as well as qualified professionals were responsible for delivering the complete design, network integration and permitting of the powerline. The powerline allows the interconnection of the La Plata Project's substation to the existing La Palma substation which will integrate the La Plata project to the national power grid.

Mr. Alain Bureau, President of Atico stated, "We are very pleased to announce the receipt of the EIA approval allowing the La Plata project to be connected to the national power grid. This approval is the result of a systematic review of all aspects and benefits this project brings to the region and another significant step towards construction." Mr. Alain Bureau continued, "I would like to thank CNEL and Atico's engineers and technicians for their tremendous teamwork and for delivering a study of such high quality."

The approval of the EIA is a key milestone towards allowing the Company to begin construction of the new process plant facility. This approval enables the Company to advance on its normal course to complete the environmental hearings as per the Country's legislations while the Company remains confident all permits, and public hearings, will be completed during 2023.

La Plata Project

Gold-bearing sulphide mineralization at La Plata occurs as compositional banding composed of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite laminae with barite occurring as clasts and also as layers. The mineralised lenses have also been dislocated by a few faults and dolerite dikes cutting the body.

The La Plata project is amongst the highest-grade gold-copper VMS deposits in which base and precious metal mineralization is interpreted to have formed as part of multiple volcanic episodes that created a stacked volcanic-exhalite hydrothermal sequence considered favorable for hosting additional VMS lenses. The recent drilling results in the southern portion of the deposit have encountered deeper mineralisation, and an extension of mineralisation to the north has been discovered by recent trenching results.

The La Plata independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") dated March 30th 2019, was prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and reports the La Plata inferred resources at 1.9 million tons at an average grade of 4.1 g/t Au, 49.4g/t silver, 3.3% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.6% Pb as available on SEDAR.

The La Plata project consists of two concessions covering a total area of 2,300 hectares along its 9-kilometer length, which contains known mineralization in two VMS lenses and nine priority exploration targets.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.633.9022

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.



No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act'), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
CAPE MAY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Lund's Fisheries is dedicated to supporting the health and welfare of fishermen and fishing families in our community. That is why, for the company's annual Christmas fundraiser, Lund's raised $10,000 for the Cape Regional Health System's Dock Mates program.

Cape Regional is one of the largest healthcare providers in Cape May County, New Jersey, where Lund's Fisheries has its headquarters and significant fishing and processing operations. Their Dock Mates program, which is an outreach program of their CARES (Cape Addiction Recovery Services) division, "is dedicated to improving the health, safety and financial security of fishermen and their families by connecting them with services, care, and information that fits their specific needs." It helps to connect fishermen with healthcare services, as well as provide them with information on insurance and financial options available to them.

"The Dock Mates program does essential work in bringing fishermen the healthcare that they need, in a way that's tailored to the unique challenges of the industry," said Wayne Reichle, President of Lund's Fisheries. "We hope that Dock Mates will be able to use our donation to help as many people as possible."

As part of the program, Dock Mates has representatives available to assist fishermen on a 24/7 basis, and regularly sends representatives to the docks to engage directly with fishermen at work. They help fishermen and their families navigate insurance coverage options, as well as health services and intervention, addiction and recovery treatments. The CARES program also provides Narcan for fishing vessels and facilities, should it ever be needed.

The work of CARES and the Dock Mates program was featured in the recent CBS News/Viacom Documentary, Untreated and Unheard - The Addiction Crisis in America, which featured our own Capt. Bill Miller of the F/V Eva Marie.

In addition to the $10,000 raised directly by Lund's Fisheries, John Saltzman, one of our menhaden spotter pilots, donated an additional $2,000 to Dock Mates.

Lund's Fisheries is committed to this program along with others that impact fishermen and fishing families. President Wayne Reichle, along with Lund's Fisheries employee Jeanette Higbee Dougherty, will be part of the steering committee to coordinate with CARES and Dock Mates on how these funds will be used.

About Lund's Fisheries Inc.

Lund's Fisheries, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned company and a primary producer of fresh and frozen seafood located in Cape May, N.J. Lund's purchases, produces and distributes nearly 75 million pounds of fresh and frozen fish annually. Its fresh and frozen domestic sales stretch nationwide while its frozen exports extend to markets around the world. Lund's Fisheries is committed to developing and managing systems and practices to fish within sustainable limits and track its products back to the harvest location to ensure they are sourced from fisheries that are well-managed, certified as sustainable or actively working towards implementing more responsible and sustainable harvesting practices.

Press Contact

Bob Vanasse

Stove Boat Communications

(202) 333-2628

bob@stoveboat.com

SOURCE: Lund's Fisheries Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735118/Lunds-Fisheries-Raises-10000-for-Cape-Regional-Health-Systems-Dock-Mates-Program
Spiralling Growth in Consumer Demand for Natural Alternative Therapies Driving Healthcare Professionals to Spend More Time Learning Online

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Niel Asher Education is pleased to announce that three dynamic new faculty members will join NAT Global Campus in spring 2023. The addition of these leading experts and innovators in the fields of Manual Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine further demonstrates its commitment to providing its student community with the highest standards of education online.

Dr. Constance Bradley, L.Ac., Ph.D., will present NAT courses on acupuncture and TCM. Dr. Bradley attended the US Air Force Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Humanities in 2001. In 2002, she graduated from the University of Colorado, receiving a Master of Arts in Philosophy with an emphasis in Medical Ethics. In 2009 she received her Doctorate from the University of Utah.

"Niel Asher leads the way in providing top-notch continuing education, and I am honored to join their team. I look forward to sharing my Traditional Chinese Medicine expertise, and I am very excited to work with Niel Asher to create high-quality, informative courses," she said.

Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD, is a Board-certified anesthesiologist, integrative pain medicine physician and former ballet dancer, who specializes in treating dancers and other athletes at increased risk of hyper-mobility and connective tissue disorders such as EDS.

Dr. Bluestein completed her anesthesiology residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine after receiving her Medical Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine and is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, the Performing Arts Medicine Association, and the Resources Committee for the Dance Healthy Alliance of Canada.

"I am thrilled to work with Niel Asher Education to create courses on symptomatic joint hypermobility. It is exciting to work with them on educational offerings about these frequently misunderstood and complex conditions," she said.

Dr. Elizabeth Wagner, Ph.D., earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Washington. She has also earned a certificate of competency in vestibular rehabilitation and is certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.

"I am thrilled to collaborate with NAT to create high-quality continuing education courses. I look forward to contributing my 15 years of experience as a physical therapist and teacher to NAT's ongoing efforts of supporting this vibrant community," she said.

The NAT Global Campus has grown to become one of the largest online schools for Natural Alternative Therapies in manual medicine and serves over 100,000 students in over 40 countries.

NAT Global Campus' Director Dani P. Marks stated, "Our most significant health challenges continually demand fresh takes and multidisciplinary approaches. This group of outstanding new faculty is joining a team of specialist teachers committed to deliver on this promise, and to help provide our students with the skills and knowledge to improve outcomes and provide outstanding care in their communities."

Contact Information:

Dani Marks

Interim Director, NAT Global Campus

dani@nielasher.com

8147771964



Related Images











Image 1: Niel Asher Education









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
EQS-Ad-hoc: Dexus Finance Pty Limited / Key word(s): Personnel/Real Estate

Dexus Finance Pty Limited: Appointment of non-executive directors



13-Jan-2023 / 00:21 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Dexus (ASX: DXS) ASX release 13 January 2023 Appointment of non-executive directors Dexus is pleased to announce the appointment of Paula Dwyer and Rhoda Phillippo to the Board of Dexus Funds Management Limited (DXFM) as independent non-executive directors, effective 1 February 2023. Ms Dwyer has been a Chair and a non-executive director for over 20 years, with extensive experience across banking and financial services, investment management, property and construction, healthcare, energy and utilities. Her executive career was in investment banking with both Australian and international companies operating in Australia including Ord Minnett (now J P Morgan) and Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). Ms Dwyer is currently Chair of Allianz Australia and Elenium Automation and a non-executive director of Lion Beverages Group and a member of the Australian Government's Takeovers Panel. Ms Phillippo has considerable international experience across the energy, financial services, telecommunications, and technology sectors. She has deep experience in the infrastructure sector having held executive roles at HRL Morrison & Co and Lumo Energy. Ms Phillippo is currently Chair of Kinetic IT and a non-executive director of APA Group and Pacific Hydro. She was formerly a non-executive director of Datacom Group, Vocus Group and LINQ, Chair of Snapper Services New Zealand and Deputy Chair of Kiwibank in New Zealand. Warwick Negus, Chair of the DXFM Board said: "I am delighted to welcome Paula and Rhoda to Dexus. These are two highly skilled directors who will bring extensive infrastructure and listed experience to the Board. "These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to maintain Board diversity across skills and experience." Ms Dwyer and Ms Philippo will both join the Board Nomination Committee and stand for election at Dexus's next Annual General Meeting, to be held on 25 October 2023. Authorised by the Board of Dexus Funds Management Limited. For further information please contact: Investors

Rowena Causley

Head of Listed Investor Relations

+61 2 9017 1390

+61 416 122 383

rowena.causley@dexus.com Media

Luke O'Donnell

Senior Manager, Media and Communications

+61 2 9017 1216

+61 412 023 111

luke.odonnell@dexus.com Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



About Dexus Dexus (ASX:DXS) is one of Australia's leading fully integrated real asset groups, managing a high-quality Australasian real estate and infrastructure portfolio valued at $62.7 billion (pro forma post completion of the Collimate Capital acquisition). We believe that the strength and quality of our relationships will always be central to our success and are deeply committed to working with our customers to provide spaces that engage and inspire. We directly own $18.4 billion of office, industrial, healthcare and infrastructure assets and investments. We manage a further $44.3 billion of investments in our funds management business (pro forma post completion of the Collimate Capital acquisition) which provides third party capital with exposure to quality sector specific and diversified real asset products. The funds within this business have a strong track record of delivering outperformance and benefit from Dexus's capabilities. The group's $17.7 billion development pipeline provides the opportunity to grow both portfolios and enhance future returns. We consider sustainability (ESG) to be an integral part of our business with the objectives of Leading Cities, Future Enabled Customers, Strong Communities, Thriving People and an Enriched Environment supporting our overarching goal of Sustained Value. Dexus is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and is supported by more than 29,000 investors from 24 countries. With over 35 years of expertise in property investment, funds management, asset management and development, we have a proven track record in capital and risk management and delivering superior risk-adjusted returns for investors. www.dexus.com Dexus Funds Management Ltd ABN 24 060 920 783, AFSL 238163, as Responsible Entity for Dexus (ASX: DXS)

Level 25, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 13-Jan-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


The NHS is in the midst of a deep crisis. Chaos is unfolding in A&Es, with record-breaking wait times. This catastrophe has been a long time coming  the result of years of austerity and privatisation. But health workers are fighting back.

By August last year, NHS waiting lists had reached an all-time high, with seven million people awaiting hospital treatment. At the time, the director of NHS England, Sir Stephen Powis, warned that the country was in for a difficult winter ahead.

Winter is now here. And it is painfully clear for all to see that over a decades worth of underfunding, privatisation, and mismanagement has led Britains health service to the brink of collapse.

Crisis

Since the start of the year, over a dozen NHS trusts have declared critical incidents. Appointments have been cancelled and new wards opened up in a desperate effort to relieve the monumental pressures facing A&E departments.

Considering that the NHS went into December with its worst ever performance compared to targets and highest ever hospital occupancy rates, the current catastrophe was inevitable.

In November, almost 38,000 people had to wait over 12 hours in A&E  a 355% increase in the space of a year. An estimated 300-500 patients are dying per week as a consequence.

This unfolding chaos is only the tip of the iceberg, however; a symptom of a much deeper crisis that permeates the entire public health and care system.

Horror

Social care has been gutted by cuts and privatisation. Local authorities already struggle to find sufficient funding for services, which are increasingly outsourced. The proliferation of low pay and zero-hour contracts, meanwhile, has led to widespread job vacancies in the sector, which are estimated to balloon to half a million by 2030.

With the A&Es at full capacity, there is nowhere for ambulance crews to send critically ill patients.

As a result, those lucky enough to receive treatment and be given a hospital bed may have to remain in hospital for weeks, or even months, since the necessary social care to safely discharge them is unavailable. This, in turn, creates further bottlenecks elsewhere.

To shift the backlog, the government has provided an extra 250 million to the NHS to buy care home beds. But this is too little too late.

With hospitals unable to release recovered patients, there is nowhere to put the unwell ones. Consequently, horror stories abound of people being left waiting on trolleys in corridors  for up to 99 hours in some cases.

And with the A&Es at full capacity, there is nowhere for ambulance crews to send critically ill patients. In 95% of cases, the wait for handing over patients to hospital staff exceeded the 30-minute target. In December, one in five ambulances waited over an hour  the potential difference between life or death.

Conditions

These intolerable pressures have produced equally intolerable working conditions for health staff, causing many to abandon the NHS entirely.

Health workers everywhere have reached breaking point / Image: Steve Eason, Flickr

In the last year, a record 40,000 nurses left the profession. Similarly, four in ten doctors are planning on leaving.

Even before this latest winter crisis, the NHS was already in dire need of more nurses and doctors. Now Britains public health system has 133,000 unfilled job vacancies. And why on earth would anyone voluntarily choose to work in the NHS in its current state, for a salary that barely covers monthly rent and bills?

Health workers everywhere have reached breaking point. This is why nurses and ambulance workers across the country have come out on strike in recent weeks, with doctors also being balloted for action as we go to press.

Privatisation

The disaster being witnessed in the NHS has been a long time coming. Health professionals were warning of the alarming state of services even before the COVID pandemic, which only accelerated the crisis.

At the same time, while working conditions and patient services come under attack, the profiteers are laughing all the way to the bank, pocketing from the public purse.

Of the minimal funding that the NHS does receive, 27% is handed straight over to private providers, with rip-off contracts involving extortionate rates in exchange for dangerously subpar services. Yet while parasitical companies make record profits, hospital workers are having to choose between heating and eating.

This is not the result of a political choice or ideology, as some commentators claim. The Tories have not dismantled the NHS simply because they are nasty or greedy people (although they are). This  austerity and privatisation  is the logic of capitalism in crisis.

Struggles

The truth is that capitalism can no longer afford the gains that previous generations struggled and fought for: not only the NHS, but decent welfare, pensions, and public services also.

Under capitalism, the NHS will only move further and further away from the ideals it was founded on  and closer and closer to total collapse.

Neither the Tories nor Starmers Labour offer any solutions to this terminal crisis.

Rishi Sunak and his wealthy chums live on another planet: indifferent and oblivious to the meltdown in the public health system, which they happily bypass in favour of private alternatives when it comes to their own personal medical needs.

Rishi Sunak refuses to say if he uses private healthcare. We can assume his evasion is a 'yes' - he does!

Multi-millionaire PM is arrogant & not open or honest. He's out of touch with millions who face long NHS waits https://t.co/53moHtAnLJ@AaronBastani @AdamBienkov @AdamRamsay  Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) January 8, 2023

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, meanwhile, has said that a Labour government would lean on private providers, rather than bringing services under public ownership.

Health workers must therefore rely on their own strength, and unite with the rest of the labour movement to save our NHS.

This means workers across the healthcare system and the trade union movement coordinating action to ensure the maximum impact.

Socialism

Only militant, united struggle  combined with a programme of bold socialist policies  can put an end to the intolerable working conditions and pitiful pay facing NHS staff, and to the never-ending tragedy facing millions of patients.

Health workers must rely on their own strength, and unite with the rest of the labour movement to save the NHS / Image: Socialist Appeal

Such a programme should include demands for a mass recruitment campaign, led by health unions, on the basis of free tuition, an inflating-busting pay rise, and a reduction in working hours.

The wealth and resources for this, and more, exists. But to utilise it requires expropriating the billionaires and profiteers: nationalising the major banks and monopolies; bringing all private health services and outsourced jobs back in-house, under public ownership; and running the NHS under workers management, in the interests of all.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / National Grid will contribute $500,000 to support western New York individuals and families who continue to recover from the historic blizzard that gripped the region in late December. The funding, provided by the company's shareholders, will go to regional charitable organizations that offer programs to directly benefit those impacted by the storm and will establish programs to support community resilience during future emergencies.

"Our crews were on the ground before, during, and well after the storm to deliver for our customers," said Rudy Wynter, National Grid's New York President. "We recognized during the restoration process that recovering from the blizzard would be as much of a humanitarian effort as it would be about resolving power outages. We said at that time that we would be here long after the lights were back on to support our customers, and this is one way we are fulfilling that promise."

National Grid worked with local, state and national partners to gain access to its facilities after the December bomb cyclone brought hurricane-force winds and more than 50 inches of heavy, wet snow to the region. As part of its emergency response, the company deployed more than 3,200 power restoration experts - including line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety crews - who worked around the clock in dangerous weather conditions to restore service to the 108,000 affected customers.

Caring for local communities, compassionately addressing challenges customers face and collaborating with community partners are guiding principles of National Grid's Project C initiative, which seeks to transform communities and ensure an equitable future for all customers.

National Grid's donation will be distributed to the following organizations:

FeedMore WNY

FeedMore WNY will use the National Grid funds to replenish emergency food kits that the group distributes to clients across western New York. Travel bans and dangerous travel conditions during the blizzard prevented FeedMore WNY staff and volunteers from delivering meals to clients. The conditions revealed the degree of food insecurity in the area as some clients went days without eating because of the storm.

"FeedMore is grateful for the continued and generous support from National Grid and their devoted employees," said Colin Bishop, Chief Communications Officer, FeedMore WNY. "Their consistent generosity enables FeedMore to realize our mission of offering dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to our western New York neighbors in need."

Bishop added that for years, National Grid has been a longtime, reliable partner that has supported the organization's mission and annual Food 2 Families food and fund drive, this year donating $10,000.

FeedMore WNY's emergency food kits contain canned meats, fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, shelf- stable milk, and bottled water. The organization replenished the kits both before and after the blizzard and anticipates further demand as FeedMore WNY enrollment grows and additional severe weather events occur.

Back to Basics Ministries

Back to Basics Ministries responds to emergencies in Buffalo's Black and African American communities by organizing local nonprofits to provide direct services to those in need. National Grid's donation will support the organization's Mobile Response Team, which provides food and essential items. The ongoing support will stabilize the communities that were most affected by the storm.

"National Grid has been a major partner with Back to Basics and Peacemakers in response to the blizzard," said Pastor James Giles, founder of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries Inc. "Beyond the restoration of power, they provided food and necessity items to those communities that were impacted by store closings. We appreciate immensely the level of care this utility company has shown and is showing."

Additionally, on Jan. 26, Back to Basics will host a Community Resources Event, sponsored by National Grid, to support low-to-moderate-income customers. Pastor Giles, who also will lead a food drive, will be joined by National Grid Consumer Advocates and community assistance experts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium, located at 1100 Jefferson Ave. National Grid staff will answer questions, connect customers with assistance programs, offer payment options and discuss other solutions.

United Way of Buffalo and Erie County

The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and National Grid will establish a Community Resilience Fund that will address immediate, short-, and long-term needs of economically vulnerable families in the Buffalo area. Funds also will be used to assist with storm recovery and create a response network for future emergencies.

"Even as their own operations were still being impacted, National Grid was already thinking about how else they could help restore our western New York community in the wake of the Blizzard of 2022," said Trina Burruss, President & CEO of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. "This grant, which will aid in both immediate and long-term response, is just the latest example of National Grid's longstanding commitment to Buffalo and Erie County."

United Way partner agencies that offer services to households that are experiencing financial hardships will use the funding to provide grants from $200 to $1,000 to help clients:

Purchase food, medication and other essential home supplies.

Cover costs associated with public transportation, rideshare fares, and towing or plowing fees.

Pay for rental and temporary shelter costs, as well as storm-related home repair costs.

The United Way also will convene its partner agency network to create an action plan that can be implemented in future emergencies. This network includes nonprofits such as housing agencies, behavioral health providers and food insecurity charities that serve communities most severely impacted by crisis situations.

Western NY Chapter of the American Red Cross

The Western New York Chapter of the American Red Cross will use the funds to support its disaster recovery programs. This includes opening shelters and making provisions for meals to community members while their homes are being repaired, as well as providing emergency supplies, winter clothing and emergency financial assistance to families in need.

"National Grid has demonstrated time and time again their commitment to making western New York a better and safer community," said Nick Bond, WNY Regional CEO of the American Red Cross. "Their ongoing partnership with the American Red Cross on our Sound the Alarm program has helped us improve home fire safety and prevention in some of the most vulnerable areas of our community, potentially saving lives. And, as this latest gift in the aftermath of Winter Storm Elliott demonstrates, National Grid recognizes the importance of disaster response and preparation and supporting organizations like the Red Cross to enable them to respond immediately when those situations occur."

American Red Cross personnel supports individuals, families and households during disasters. In advance of the blizzard, it deployed teams and positioned equipment in the areas expected to be hardest hit. As a result, the organization was able to distribute cots and blankets to municipalities and quickly open shelters with overnight accommodations and food to assist the community. The organization also has distributed hats, gloves, snow shovels and rock salt to those living in the city of Buffalo.

Additional Support: Late Payment Fees Waived for Western NY Customers

National Grid customers who have experienced hardships as a result of the storm will have late payment fees waived by the company for bills with due dates between Dec. 23, 2022, and Feb. 20, 2023. Customers looking to take advantage of this program or establish a payment plan should call 1-800-443- 1837. The company also offers flexible payment options and other bill solutions through its Winter Customer Savings Initiative.

In November, to further assist customers struggling to pay winter bills, National Grid shareholders provided $6 million in funding to establish the first targeted assistance programs for low-to-moderate income customers in New York. The new programs - the Hope & Warmth Energy Fund and Hearts Fighting Hunger emergency food assistance - will help families who are experiencing financial hardships, but just miss qualifying for the federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program. The funding also will be used to increase the company's contributions to its existing Care & Share program.

###

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE:NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, and find our photos on Instagram.

Contact:

David Bertola 716-831-7136

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from National Grid on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: National Grid

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/national-grid

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: National Grid

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735146/National-Grid-Provides-500000-to-Western-New-York-Customers-in-Need-Following-Decembers-Historic-Blizzard
Left to Right  G Srinivasan, J Krishna Kavya, Dr Karthik Narayanan, Co-Founders, Athulya Senior Care

Athulya, a Chennai, India-based provider of senior care services, raised US$9.3M in funding.

The round was led by North Haven India Infrastructure Partners.

Founded in 2016 by Dr. Karthik Narayan, Mr. Srinivasan G, and Ms. J Krishna Kavya, Athulya offers assisted living, transition care and home healthcare to address the needs of dependent seniors over the age of 60, and will soon launch palliative care services. The company currently manages over 400 assisted living beds across multiple facilities in Chennai and Bangalore and has cumulatively served over 20,000 seniors till date.

Athulya intends to use the funds to reach 2500 assisted living units and to serve over 50,000 seniors in the next two years. The expansion will create substantial employment opportunities for service staff, with more than 2000 employees to be hired.

FinSMEs

12/01/2023
DashLX, a Flagstaff, AZ-based company providing Lived Experience (LX) data, raised $2.5M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Sonoran Founders Fund with participation from EPIC Ventures, BaseLayer Ventures, Arizona Venture Development Corporation, Accelerator Ventures, and New Mexico Vintage Fund. Dan Burns of Sonoran Founders Fund and John Paul Milciunas of Baselayer Ventures will join company CEO and Co-Founder Adam Stepanovic on the companys board.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand operations.

Led by Adam Stepanovic, CEO, DashLX enables companies to leverage wearable technology data (with user permission) to help brands and organizations innovate products, drive sales and deepen customer engagement. Specifically, Lived Experience (LX) data translates a physical experience into the digital world. Its solutions feature hyper-personalization and authentic community building experiences, powering improved sales, marketing, R&D and product development.

FinSMEs

12/01/2023
Metaplane, a Boston, MA-based company providing a data observability platform, raised $8.4M in funding.

The round was led by Khosla Ventures with participation from Flybridge Ventures, Stage 2 Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand operations.

Founded by Kevin Hu, Metaplane is the Datadog for Data. Data teams at high-growth companies (like Imperfect Foods, Mux, and Reforge) use its data observability platform to save engineering time and increase trust in data by understanding when things break, what went wrong, and how to fix it  before an executive messages them about a broken dashboard. The platform automatically monitors modern data stacks from warehouses to BI dashboards, identifies normal behavior (e.g. lineage, volumes, distributions, freshness), and then alerts the right people when anomalies arise.

Metaplane has over 100 teams using its product to discover, debug, and mitigate data issues, including teams at Imperfect Foods, Mux, and Reforge. The product is self-serve  allowing data and analytics engineers to connect their data sources and start monitoring in less than 30 minutes.

FinSMEs

11/01/2023
ShiftKey, a Dallas, TX-based technology company empowering licensed professionals, raised an undisclosed amount of funding, valuing it in excess of $2 billion.

The round was led by Lorient Capital with participation from Clearlake Capital and Health Velocity Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand operations.

Led by Tom Ellis, founder and CEO, ShiftKey provides a platform for healthcare facilities to find licensed and certified professionals to fill available shifts. Leveraging marketplace dynamics and industry knowledge, the company enables direct connections between facilities and healthcare professionals. ShiftKeys software now enables work for hundreds of thousands of licensed professionals across over 10,000 healthcare facilities nationwide.

FinSMEs

11/01/2023
Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet are generally considered the big three business credit reporting agencies. But theyre not the only business credit score providers.

Here are five lesser-known, yet vitally important, credit scores you should know about.

1. FICO SBSS Credit Score

One common business credit score lenders look at outside of the big three is the FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) score.

As its name implies, this credit score focuses on small businesses and is used by lenders when considering small business term loans, lines of credit, and SBA commercial loans up to $350,000.

The primary factor for determining a FICO SBSS credit score is payment history where the stronger a borrowers track record of making payments on time is, the higher their score should be. And the higher the score is, the lower the risk they are to lenders.

FICO SBSS scores range from 0 to 300, with 140 being the bare minimum needed for approval on SBA loan applications, according to the SBA 7(a) Guide.

However, the SBA often requires a score of at least 160 for serious consideration. They also point out that many major lenders prefer scores even higher than 160, with 180 being the ideal minimum.

For small business owners who plan on seeking funding, theyll want to pay close attention to their FICO SBSS credit score and ensure it sits at an absolute minimum of 140.

2. Global Database Credit Score

Global Database offers a large suite of company intelligence products and data solutions. While it initially focused on sales and financial reporting, it now offers robust business credit reporting that analyzes multiple factors such as:

Payment history

B2B customer payment experience

Outstanding loans

Revenues and assets

Court judgments

Tax liens (when applicable)

Overall creditworthiness

As of early 2023, Global Database had business credit reports on more than 400 million companies in over 190 countries, making it highly comprehensive.

Similar to the Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX score, scores range from 1 to 100. Higher scores indicate lower risk and vice versa. To streamline things even further for lenders, a Global Database business credit score is color-coded with the traffic lights system.

High scores closer to 100 for low-risk borrowers are colored in shades of green, medium scores around 50 for medium-risk borrowers are colored in shades of yellow, and low scores closer to 1 for high-risk borrowers are colored in shades of red.

3. Creditsafe Credit Score

A Creditsafe business credit score addresses four key areas:



The likelihood of a business going bankrupt in the next year

How much credit a lender can feel comfortable offering a borrower

How likely a borrower is to make payments on time

If anything has changed that could impact a borrowers ability to pay

In their own words, the Creditsafe credit score is a statistically backed model using key data variables proven to have an impact when a business fails. These variables include financials, trade payments, demographic, industry, legal filings, group structure, size of business, and more.

Just like Global Database, CreditSafe uses a simple 0 to 100 business credit score range to determine a potential borrowers risk level.

The higher the score, the less likely a borrower is to default or go bankrupt, while the lower the score, the more likely they are to default or go bankrupt. Creditsafe also uses a color-coded system where green means low risk, yellow means moderate risk, and red means high risk.

4. LexisNexis Small Business Credit Score

Focusing specifically on small to mid-sized businesses, this credit score provides info on over 30 million US companies. It draws from a staggering 10,000+ data sources to help lenders accurately assess a borrowers credentials and risk level to determine financial eligibility.

Because LexisNexis goes beyond traditional data sources, its able to effectively assess many SMBs that other credit reporting agencies are unable to.

Therefore, even thin-file and no-file businesses with minimal available information can often be assessed to determine their creditworthiness and default risk.

Unlike the other business credit scores weve mentioned up to this point that use smaller scoring ranges, the LexisNexis small business credit score is a little different with a range of 501 to 900.

The closer to 900, the lower the borrower risk, and the closer to 501, the higher the risk. LexisNexis is also able to efficiently segment the bottom 40% of SMBs into what are called bads, which pose a high threat of defaulting.

5. Ansonia Credit Risk Score

Our final reporting agency, Ansonia, runs the gamut in terms of the businesses they offer credit scores on.

It covers everything from tiny mom-and-pop businesses to massive Fortune 500 companies. Ansonias main selling points are that it offers easy-to-read customized reporting with unique information other reporting companies dont have at an affordable price.

As of early 2023, Ansonia had a global database that monitors up to 25 million account activities with over $700 billion in trade accounts from over 7 million businesses in 140 industries.

This, in turn, allows them to consistently generate a high volume of accurate data to effectively assess the creditworthiness and overall trajectory of countless businesses.

As for Ansonias credit risk score, it operates the same as many others with a 0 to 100 score range. Anything 70 or higher usually indicates a low-risk borrower, while anything 69 or less indicates a higher risk level.

Note that Ansonia also offers a credit rating that identifies a companys average monthly purchases and approximate days-to-pay, which paints an even more detailed picture.

Wrapping Up

Again, the business credit scores from Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet are the most commonly used by lenders. But theyre by no means the only choices. As weve just learned, there are several other business credit reporting agencies you should know about.

From a lenders perspective, getting these business credit scores can help them effectively assess how safe a potential borrower is and how much funding to give.

And from a borrowers perspective, these scores can help them know their creditworthiness and if they need to take steps to improve business credit.
One month after the coup against president Castillo on 7 December, the new illegitimate government of Dina Boluarte has used brutal police and army repression to put down protests, leaving 45 dead. Workers and peasants have resisted the coup with mass demonstrations, road blockades, national and regional general strikes and the formation of committees of struggle across the country in a movement that has its epicentre in the poorer, more indigenous southern departments. Who was behind the 7 December coup and what are the prospects for the mass movement of resistance?

Pedro Castillo was elected in a very close second round of the presidential election in July 2021, as the candidate of the Peru Libre (Free Peru) party, defeating right-wing demagogue Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori, who was the candidate of the ruling class and the mining multinationals.

Castillos campaign, under the slogan never again poor people in a rich country, captured the imagination of millions of workers and peasants, particularly in the poorer regions of the country, where the proportion of indigenous quechua and aymara speakers is also higher. In some of the mining districts, he received over 80 percent of the vote. The expectation was that, after decades of extreme liberal capitalist policies in favour of the interests of the big mining multinationals, their power and multi-billion profits were going to be rebalanced in favour of the majority of Peruvians.

Castillos programme promised to renationalise the Camisea gas field and to renegotiate the mining contracts, which account for the biggest share of the countrys exports and government revenue. Copper and gold are the countrys main mineral products, with contracts in the hands of a handful of US, UK, Canada, China and Mexico-based multinationals.

Castillo threatened that, if multinationals did not agree to renegotiate the contracts, they would be nationalised. This of course raised alarm bells amongst the Peruvian capitalist oligarchy and the multinationals, a compact group of 17 large companies that control the countrys economy, mass media, the state and the main political parties. Despite a campaign of lies, slanders and manipulation, Castillo managed to win the election, the results of which were contested for weeks by Fujimoris supporters.

Concessions under pressure

The programme of Peru Libre, on which Castillo stood, contained a contradiction. Despite the party declaring itself Marxist, Leninist and Mariateguist, its platform was not a socialist one based on the expropriation of the means of production, to be used in a democratic plan of production under workers control. Rather, it talked about a vague and undefined peoples economy with markets, calling on the national bourgeoisie to work for the benefit of the majority. That is completely utopian. The capitalist class is only interested in maximising profits. Any individual capitalist who chooses another path would be quickly put out of business by their competitors.

The programme on which Castillo stood was not a socialist one / Image: Presidencia de la Republica del Peru

In a country like Peru, additionally, the local bourgeoisie is subordinated and linked to foreign imperialist multinational interests by a thousand threads. In reality, it is the mining multinationals that rule the country, in collaboration with their local agents in the capitalist oligarchy.

Once elected, Castillo was faced with a very complicated situation, with a hostile parliament in which he was in a small minority. At the time, we warned that he had two options: either base himself on the mass mobilisation of the workers and peasants in the streets to deal blows against the ruling class and the multinationals, or be trapped by the very unfavourable balance of forces in the bourgeois institutions and forced to make concessions to the capitalist oligarchy.

Right from the beginning, he chose the second option: concessions and retreats from his own programme. He dismissed his foreign minister, Bejar, as he had upset the military high brass by mentioning the role they had played during the dirty war against the Shining Path guerrillas. He then dismissed his prime minister, Bellido, as he was seen as too radical for the capitalist elite. The minister of labour who dared to propose a law against subcontracting (one of the main scourges of the Peruvian working class in the last three decades) was also removed.

Having promised to increase royalties on the mining companies, he then dropped the idea, under pressure. In a visit to the US, he reassured foreign multinationals that their investments would be safe. As a public sign of his shedding any radical credentials, he also broke with Peru Libre, which further decreased the size of his own parliamentary group, now split in two. The idea of a Constituent Assembly to re-draft the Constitution, which dates back to Fujimoris dictatorship, was dropped in the face of lack of parliamentary support for any move in that direction.

However, as it is always the case, every concession he made was seen as a sign of weakness by the rich and powerful, who then proceeded to demand more concessions. At the same time, every concession had the effect of weakening his own base of support. The campaign of attacks through the media, with motions of no confidence in parliament, baseless allegations of corruption and nepotism continued unabated.

Still, the ruling class was never reconciled to Castillo. The workers and poor who had voted for him still saw him as one of their own and were emboldened in their demands. Local communities disrupted mining operations, demanding a share of the profits. An article in Reuters in July 2022 carried the headline Peru's mining execs 'lose faith' in gov't despite moderate shift, which summed up the situation.

Castillo had been elected on the strength of his programme, and also of his background  that of a teacher trade unionist who had led a successful national movement, who also had roots in the rondero peasant patrols movement. The racist Peruvian oligarchy could not stomach the idea of a man coming from the working-class and poor majority occupying the countrys highest office. Despite his concessions and accommodations, he had to go.

The coup is launched

On 7 December the coup was consummated. Castillo was facing, for the third time, a motion of no confidence in parliament, under the wide-ranging charge of permanent moral incapacity, for which no actual proof of any wrongdoing is needed. To preempt the move, he made a national broadcast in which he announced the disbanding of the parliament, which had constantly blocked his initiatives and called for new elections within four months. He also announced the convening of a Constituent Assembly. This was within his powers, but immediately led to a counter-reaction by all the powers of the capitalist state. His own ministers deserted him, the state prosecutor issued an arrest warrant against him, the capitalist media shouted that he had carried out a coup. By the end of the day he had been arrested, parliament had voted for his removal and a new illegitimate president had been sworn in, his deputy Dina Boluarte.

Castillo's deputy, Dina Boluarte, was sworn in as president following a capitalist coup / Image: fair use

Behind this constitutional coup was the bosses organisation CONFIEP, the mass media, all branches of the state apparatus, the mining multinationals and of course, the US embassy, which hurried to recognise the new illegitimate government.

The presidency of Castillo raises starkly the question of the limits of the so-called progressive governments in Latin America. Any attempt to meddle with the interests of the ruling class and the powerful multinationals, which are looting these countries ressources, will be met with a relentless campaign of destabilisation.

The capitalist oligarchy will use all means at their disposal to defend their interests. They will attack any president that threatens them, however mild his or her programme might be  up to and including removing them from power. For them, bourgeois democracy is a tool that is useful only as long as the results it produces guarantee their private profits, wealth, and power.

What they had not counted on was the reaction of the masses of workers and peasants. For them, the issue was clear: the president they had elected, Castillo, one of their own, had been removed by the capitalist oligarchy. That could not be allowed, it was an attack on their democratic rights and aspirations. A mass movement started, with road blockades, massive demonstrations and protests across the country.

The movement was growing in intensity, with protesters taking over regional airports and in some cases ransacking the regional and local offices of the judiciary and the state prosecutor. The illegitimate president feared losing control of the situation and reacted by using brutal repression. Faced with a call for a nationwide general strike on 15 December, she declared a state of emergency and then imposed a curfew in several of the southern departments where the protests were more intense. Finally, she sent the army against the demonstrators.

In Ayacucho, the masses defied the army and, forcing their way through lines of soldiers armed with weapons of war, marched into the city centre. The death toll quickly escalated to nearly 30 unarmed civilians killed by the army and police. Castillo was remanded in custody for 18 months, longer than he had been allowed to sit in the presidential office for!

Where next for the workers and peasants?

The repression and the arrival of Christmas forced a pause in the movement. This was used to discuss strategy and strengthen its organisation. A meeting of representatives of workers and peasant organisations from the southern departments agreed to call an all-out strike in the whole of the region and the formation of joint strike committees. The meeting called for the movement to spread to the rest of the country and announced a marcha de los 4 suyos - a march on Lima with the same name as the huge national march in 2000 that brought down Fujimori.

The renewed strike movement was met again with brutal state repression / Image: Mayimbu Wikimedia Commons

The renewed strike movement was met again with brutal state repression, using the state of emergency powers, which remain in place. 9 January saw another massacre, this time in Juliaca, Puno, where the police opened fire on the aymara-speaking protesters which had gathered from the rural districts, killing at least 18, including a minor and a junior doctor who was helping the victims.

The demands of the movement are clear: Freedom for Castillo, the closing down of the coup-plotting corrupt congress, ousting of murderous president Boluarte, new elections and a constituent assembly.

These are basic democratic demands against the coup. But the workers and peasants already understand that new elections, in and of themselves, would not solve the problem. The whole of the political system is rotten to the core and skewed towards the interests of the ruling class.

In fact, what the mass resistance movement has put on the table is who rules the country - is it the working-class majority, workers, peasants, students, the women, the indigenous peoples or is it the unelected and unaccountable capitalist oligarchy, the army, the owners of the mass media and the mining multinationals.

The question of the Constituent Assembly, in the eyes of the masses of workers and peasants, represents precisely that, a root and branch reorganisation of political power and a chance for the working class majority to impose their own rules. However, we need to warn that a Constituent Assembly, that is a reform of the political structures, would not solve the fundamental problems that affect workers and peasants in Peru.

Several other countries in the region have had constituent assemblies in the recent past, including Bolivia and Ecuador, and the ruling class in those countries still has their economic power intact. At some point, if the movement is strong enough and threatens to brush aside the ruling class as a whole, a Constituent Assembly of some sort might be conceded, in order to derail the insurrectionary movement of the masses along safer bourgeois constitutional channels. This is exactly what happened in Chile with disastrous results. The 2006 Constituent Assembly in Bolivia played the same role, providing a constitutional way out to the 2005 revolutionary movement during the gas wars.

In struggling for democratic demands, revolutionary Marxists point out the need to deal with the question of who controls the economy and the countrys resources. That means not just changing the Fujimori constitution but actually expropriating the 17 groups that control the countrys economy as well as the mining multinationals. Only by putting the wealth of the country in the hands of the working people can the slogan never again poor people in a rich country be carried out into practice.

For the movement to be victorious, the general strike needs to be widened nationally. The comrades of the IMT in Peru are calling for a National Revolutionary Assembly of Workers and Peasants, with delegates elected with the right of recall from every workplace, working-class neighbourhood and peasant community to take the reins of the country. The agreements arrived at the meeting of worker and peasant representatives from the south point in the right direction. The masses have responded heroically despite murderous repression.

It is the duty of the international labour movement to organise solidarity with the heroic resistance of the Peruvian workers and peasants which is an inspiration to us all.
On 4 January, 2023, H.E. Wang Qing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone, presented the Letter of Credence to H. E. President Julius Maada Bio at the State House in Freetown.

Ambassador Wang conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency Chinese President Xi Jinping to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. Ambassador Wang said that, in recent years, under the strategic leadership of the two Heads of State, China-Sierra Leone mutual political trust has continued to be strengthened, practical cooperation has been steadily progressing, international coordinationhas been close, and joint fight against COVID-19 has yielded remarkable achievements. All these have injected new momentum into the traditional friendship between the two countries. China is ready to work with Sierra Leone to further implement the important consensus reached by the two Heads of State and promote the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Sierra Leone to a new stage.

H.E. President Bio asked Ambassador Wang to pass his cordial greetings and best wishes to H.E. President Xi Jinping and welcomed Ambassador Wang to Sierra Leone. He said that Sierra Leone valued the relationship with China and appreciated Chinas long-term assistance to Sierra Leones nation building and economic development. Sierra Leone is ready to work together with China to further deepen the traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation, so as to promote the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Before presenting his credentials, Ambassador Wang inspected the Presidential Guards of Honor at the State House.

Ambassador Wang Qing arrived in Sierra Leone on 3 January, 2023. Earlier on 4 January, 2023, he presented the copy of the Letter of Credence to Hon. David J. Francis, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
On December 18, 2022, Ambassador Zhang Jianwei attended the soft opening ceremony of the Dhaman hospital in Kuwait. Managing Director of Public Investment Authority of Kuwait Ghanem, Dhaman Chairman Mutlaq, Chairman of Kuwait Medical Association Ibrahim, Chairman of Kuwait Industries Union Hussein, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait Cheng Yongru, and representatives of Chinese enterprises were also present at the ceremony.

Ambassador Zhang and Managing Director Ghanem jointly cut the ribbon for the completion of the hospital. In his speech, Ambassador Zhang said that the Dhaman hospital project is another important achievement of the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Vision 2035 strategy and the continuous deepening of cooperation between the two countries. President Xi Jinping announced at the China-Arab States Summit held not long ago that as the first step in building a China-Arab community with a shared future and implementing the Outline of the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan between China and Arab States,China is ready to work with the Arab side to advance eight major cooperation initiatives in such areas as public health in the next three to five years. He hoped that, in the future, China and Kuwait will work together to actively explore new opportunities and new drivers of cooperation between the two sides, so as to make greater contributions to promoting the development of Kuwait and consolidating China-Kuwait friendship.

During his speech, Dhaman Chairman Mutlaq appreciated the great efforts made by Chinese companies in carrying out the hospital project with high standards, and said that the completion of the project will greatly improve the medical environment and medical security level for foreign personnel in Kuwait.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Zhang, accompanied by the official in charge of the hospital, visited the internal facilities of the hospital and accepted interviews from Arabian TV, Kuwait TV and other media outlets.

The Dhaman hospital project, a major peoples livelihood project built under the countrys Vision 2035 strategy, is contracted and implemented by China Metallurgical Group Corporation. This project specifically offers medical insurance services to foreigners in Kuwait, and includes two hospitals, located in Ahamdi Province and Jahra Province respectively, with a total construction area of about 85,000 square meters. Each hospital will have 300 beds.
On January 11, 2023, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong met with Ambassador of Timor-Leste to China Abrao Dos Santos, and briefed him on China's pandemic response policies. They also exchanged views on bilateral relations, among other topics.

Liu Jinsong said, the Chinese government improves and re-calibrates COVID response measures in light of the changing situation. At present, the overall pandemic situation in China is taking a favorable turn. In the future, China's economic and social vitality will be further unleashed, exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel will be more convenient, and the Belt and Road cooperation and other major economic, trade and investment exchanges will show a more robust momentum. All these will bring greater development opportunities to Timor-Leste and other Asian countries.

Liu Jinsong said, China always upholds the philosophy of putting people and life first, conducts more targeted and science-based prevention and control, and shares the genome data of the virus with the World Health Organization in a timely and earnest manner. In fact, the main variant now spreading in China has previously been found elsewhere, and no new variant is found in China. Previous variants such as Delta and Omicron came in from overseas. It is clearly double standards for some countries to make groundless accusations against China's prevention and control policies while ignoring their own problems. In his speech at the UN General Assembly last year, President Jose Ramos-Horta sharply pointed out that developing countries such as Timor-Leste see the contrasting reactions of the Western countries to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other regional conflicts as double standards. It seems that it's difficult for them to quit this old habit and they will repeat the old tricks on different issues. Noting that Timor-Leste is a friendly neighbor of China, Liu Jinsong said that China believes that the government and people of Timor-Leste will understand and support China's pandemic prevention policy and open its door to warmly welcome Chinese tourists. The development of China-Timor-Leste relations is a vivid portrayal of mutual respect and treating each other as equals between big and small countries. China is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with Timor-Leste, carry out livelihood and capacity-building projects in such major fields as agriculture, education, culture, and oil and gas in light of the country's actual development demands, and support Timor-Leste's modernization drive without reservation. He said that China will encourage more enterprises to invest and do business in Timor-Leste and more friends from Timor-Leste are welcome to China to do business, study, visit or travel. "The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring." There is a saying in both China and Timor-Leste, "Where there is a will, there is a way." China is ready to work with Timor-Leste to seize opportunities and lose no time to continuously deepen practical cooperation in various fields, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Santos said, what he has seen and heard in China over the past three years as Ambassador to China has made him deeply admire China's pandemic prevention policy. China's improvement and re-calibration of pandemic prevention and control are of great significance to regional and global economic development. Timor-Leste looks forward to expanding personnel exchanges with China and will not take any restrictive measures against Chinese tourists. Timor-Leste firmly believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese modernization drive will surely see more brilliant achievements and bring greater development opportunities to neighboring countries, including Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste always adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries. Timor-Leste will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle and this position will not change. Timor-Leste looks forward to continuing close high-level exchanges with China, thanks China for its assistance in the process of agricultural modernization in the country, and stands ready to expand areas of bilateral cooperation and push for more fruitful results in the China-Timor-Leste comprehensive partnership of good-neighborly friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit.
On December 21, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the sixth round of China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Beijing.

Wang Yi welcomed Penny Wong to China for her first visit as Foreign Minister of the new Australian Labor Party government, and for holding a new round of China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue. He noted that this visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, is of great symbolic significance. Wang said that China-Australia relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. In the past few years, China-Australia relations have encountered difficulties and setbacks. This is the last thing China wants to see, and lessons must be learnt from it. China and Australia, having neither historical grievances nor fundamental conflicts of interests, should and can become mutually needed cooperative partners. Maintaining sound and stable development of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership fully serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is also conducive to promoting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a positive and constructive meeting in Bali not long ago, which has charted the course and provided strategic guidance for improving bilateral relations. He noted that China appreciates the positive gestures the new Australian government has demonstrated on multiple occasions to improve and develop bilateral relations. The two sides should jointly implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, and take the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to renew commitment to the relationship, put it back on the right track, and set out on a new journey to further improve bilateral relationship and promote its sustainable development.

Wang Yi stressed that the two sides should strictly abide by the commitments made at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations, uphold the right perception of each other and a mature way of getting along with each other, and maintain policy stability instead of backpedaling or flip-flopping. First, mutual respect. It is important to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, political system and development model, not interfere in each other's internal affairs, treat each other as equals, and seek harmonious coexistence. Second, seek common ground while reserving differences. It is important to put the differences and disagreements between the two countries into perspective, recognizing and rising above the differences and properly managing disagreements. It is also important to enhance mutual understanding through engagement and find mutually acceptable solutions through negotiation. Third, mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, with broad prospects for cooperation in various fields. It is important to make consensus and cooperation the keynote of the bilateral relationship, expand common interests, and promote respective development and prosperity, to bring more and enduring benefits to the two peoples.

Penny Wong said that the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence jointly established by Australia and China when establishing diplomatic relations have played an important role in promoting the development of bilateral relations. Australia and China enjoy close economic and trade ties, active people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and a long-standing friendship between the two peoples. A stable and constructive Australia-China relationship is in the interests of both countries and the region. The new Australian government stays committed to the one-China policy, will manage rather than magnify disagreements between the two countries, and resume and develop communication and exchanges in various fields with China within the framework of the Australia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Asia-Pacific security, China-US relations and other topics.

After the talks, the two sides issued the China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue Joint Outcomes Statement. The two sides agreed to a China-Australia relationship that is in keeping with their comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including bilateral relations, economy and trade, and regional and international issues. They also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges.
AFP: There was a bombing yesterday outside the Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul. At least five people were killed and about 40 others were wounded. There was supposed to be a Chinese delegation at the foreign ministry yesterday. So were any Chinese nationals among the victims? Do you think that China was the target of the attack?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. China firmly opposes all acts of violent terrorism. We strongly condemn this incident, mourn for the victims and extend sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident.

As far as we have learned, there have been no Chinese casualties in this terrorist attack. We hope Afghanistan will take resolute and effective measures to protect the safety of the people and institutions of China and all other countries in Afghanistan.

China Daily: Yesterday Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited the AU headquarters and attended a series of events. Could you share more details with us?

Wang Wenbin: Yesterday Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat at the AU headquarters. They also jointly attended the completion ceremony for the Africa CDC Headquarters and met the press.

Foreign Minister Qin said that Africa has always been a diplomatic priority for China and that carrying forward and advancing the China-Africa friendship has been a noble tradition and a defining feature of China's diplomacy. We are in the 10th year since President Xi Jinping put forth, in 2013, the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests for Chinas relations with Africa. Over the past decade, with the joint guidance and commitment of Chinese and African leaders, China-Africa relations have made historic achievements that impressed the whole world, and entered a new era of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Foreign Minister Qin made a four-point proposal on growing China-Africa relations. First, let us intensify our in-person interactions and connectivity of ideas. Second, let us further deepen the friendly relations between China and the AU. Third, let us do more to upgrade and elevate China-Africa cooperation. Fourth, let us stand firm in defending the unity and cooperation of developing countries. Chairman Faki said that China has stood with Africa both in its struggle for national independence and liberation and in its efforts to accelerate development and revitalization and play a greater part in international affairs. He said that Africa values Chinas strong support for African integration, connectivity and the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and looks forward to working with China to jointly advance the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

The Africa CDC headquarters is a flagship project of China-Africa cooperation announced by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018. Like the AU Conference Center, the CDC headquarters is yet another landmark of China-Africa cooperation. Foreign Minister Qin said that China makes no empty promises, still less presses others against their own will. When it is handed over to our African friends, the Africa CDC headquarters will be wholly run and managed by the AU. It is a new monument built with the traditional friendship and hard work of Chinese and African brothers and sisters. Should the African side have any need, we will do our best to provide support and help.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Qin also refuted the misguided accusation that China created debt traps for Africa. He said that China has been committed to helping Africa ease the debt pressure. The debt trap allegation is nothing but a narrative trap imposed on China and Africa. Nearly three quarters of Africas total external debt is held by multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors, who can and should play a greater role in easing Africas debt burden. Africas debt issue is essentially a development issue. To tackle it, we need to not only treat the symptoms through debt management, but also address the root causes by strengthening Africas endogenous sustainable development capability. Chinas financing cooperation in Africa is largely focused on infrastructure and production sectors aimed at helping Africa increase its own sustainable development capability. The projects China has undertaken in Africa and the broader China-Africa cooperation have contributed to Africas development and improved livelihoods across the continent. The African people know that best. China will continue to respect the will of the African people and Africas realities, and deliver more tangible benefits to the African people and greater common development through China-Africa cooperation.

AFP: A question on the US and Japan. The US and Japan yesterday announced a significant strengthening of their military relationship. So Japan approved US plans for new Marine force on Okinawa island, so very close to Taiwan island. What is Chinas reaction to this strengthening of the US-Japan military relationship?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted the reports. Military cooperation between the US and Japan must not harm the interests of third parties or undermine the peace and stability in the region.

CCTV: According to reports, India will host the Voice of Global South Summit in a virtual format on January 12 and 13 to discuss issues including financial development of developing countries and energy security. Heads of government, foreign ministers and finance ministers from more than 120 developing countries have been invited so far. Some analysts noted that India, which holds the G20 presidency this year, hopes to have extensive communication with other developing countries through this meeting to substantiate the subjects and outcomes of G20 meetings. Some pointed out that by not inviting other major developing countries and emerging economies in the G20, this summit lacks representation and influence. How does China view this summit to be hosted by India?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. India has informed China of its considerations and plan for hosting the summit. China has all along called for greater international attention to developing countries shared aspirations and legitimate concerns. We greatly value the solidarity, cooperation and common development of developing countries. To galvanize international focus on development issues and deepen development cooperation, China put forward the Global Development Initiative, highlighting the need to help address developing countries special development challenges and deepen cooperation in key areas. This has given a strong boost to developing countries recovery and growth as well as efforts to speed up implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Kyodo News: At the regular media briefing on January 11, Director-General of the WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to report more detailed and reliable data. How will China address the concerns of the WHO and some countries about the reliability and transparency of the data China publishes?

Wang Wenbin: Since COVID-19 began, China has been sharing information and data with the international community in an open and transparent manner. We reported the spread of the virus to the WHO at the earliest opportunity. We immediately sequenced and published the genome of the virus and shared with the world Chinas protocols for diagnostics, treatment and containment. Those efforts marked an important contribution to global vaccine and drugs research and development. We have been in close communication with the WHO. In the past month alone, we had five technical exchanges with the organization. Only yesterday, we had another technical exchange with WHOs headquarters, regional office and China office. Building on previous communication, the two sides held in-depth exchange on such issues as medical treatment, the COVID situation, identifying virus strains and vaccination. In addition, over the past days, the competent Chinese authorities held a series of bilateral meetings with the EU and Australia to have exchanges on COVID-related issues and strengthen response cooperation. Relevant Chinese departments and institutions continue to share the genomic sequencing data on infections in China via the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID). All this has received recognition from the WHO and the wider international community.

The WHO has said on multiple occasions that the information and data that China shared helped scientists from other countries to learn about the evolution of the virus and gave the global science community confidence in Chinas COVID response. The WHO Regional Director for Europe noted recently that China had been sharing virus sequencing information with the international community. From the information available to the WHO, the situation in China is not anticipated to significantly impact the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the WHO European Region at this time.

We would like to stress again that China has been sharing relevant information and data in a timely, open and transparent manner in accordance with the law. China has not only protected its own peoples lives to the greatest extent possible, but also served as a major source of COVID response supplies for the world, making China an important participant in international cooperation against the virus. As the COVID situation continues to evolve, we will continue to have technical exchange and deepen cooperation with the WHO and the rest of the international community so as to tackle the COVID challenge and protect the health of all more effectively. We hope that the WHO will look at Chinas COVID response scientifically and rationally and that its related statements will reflect objectivity and impartiality.

Shenzhen TV: According to reports, Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced lately that the Papua New Guinea Trade Office in Taiwan will be closed. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We appreciate and applaud the Papua New Guinea governments announcement of closing the Papua New Guinea Trade Office in Taiwan. This is the latest example that the one-China principle has the overwhelming support of the international community and represents the trend of the world.

NHK: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said its regrettable that China unilaterally suspended issuing ordinary visas to Japanese citizens. Does China still believe that the two countries measures on each other are reciprocal?

Wang Wenbin: We have fully explained Chinas position on this issue in the past few days. We hope that relevant countries will shift to a science-based approach and, in the spirit of mutual respect, lift the discriminatory restrictions against Chinese citizens as soon as possible and work with China towards restoring normal cross-border travel and people-to-people exchange and cooperation.
Q: On December 24 Beijing time, US President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which contains a large number of negative provisions on China. Whats Chinas comment?

A: Despite Chinas opposition, the US passed and signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which contains negative content concerning China. China deplores and firmly opposes this US move, and has made serious demarches to the US.

This Act, in total disregard of facts, hypes up the China threat narrative, blatantly interferes in Chinas internal affairs, and attacks and discredits the Communist Party of China (CPC). This is a serious political provocation against China. The leadership of the CPC is the choice of history and the people. The Chinese people are clear-eyed about the USs ill intention of suppressing and containing Chinas development and thwarting the Chinese nations rejuvenation. Attempts to drive a wedge between the Chinese people and the CPC will not succeed.

This Act also contains a large number of negative provisions on Taiwan which seriously violate the one-China principle and the stipulations in the three China-US Joint Communiques. This sends a gravely wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces and severely affects peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is Chinas Taiwan. No external interference in Chinas internal affairs will be tolerated. The US needs to stop seeking to use Taiwan to contain China, stop fudging, distorting and hollowing out the one-China principle, and stop moving even further down the wrong and dangerous path.

We urge the US to earnestly follow through on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents in Bali, abandon the Cold-War and zero-sum mentality and ideological bias, adopt an objective and rational view of Chinas development and China-US relations, and not to implement the negative China-related sections in the Act. China will take strong and resolute measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.
On January 10, 2023 local time, Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen jointly met the press.

Qin Gang said that Ethiopia is a major and developing country with important influence in Africa and an important cooperative partner of China in Africa. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries more than 50 years ago, no matter how the international landscape changes, the China-Ethiopia friendship has remained unbreakable and grown stronger over time. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Ethiopia relations have maintained high-level development, and practical cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. During his visit, Qin Gang visited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen. The two sides reached a high-level consensus. Both sides agreed that:

The two sides need to consolidate and deepen political mutual trust and be partners that firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

The two sides need to align development strategies, expand practical cooperation, better leverage the economic and social benefits brought by the flagship projects of bilateral cooperation, such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, make efforts to expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment, deepen mutual benefit and win-win results, and be partners for common development. China encourages more Chinese companies to take an active part in Ethiopia's reconstruction.

The two sides need to strengthen coordination on multilateral affairs and jointly address global challenges. China supports Ethiopia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to communicate and cooperate with Ethiopia closely and be partners that jointly safeguard international fairness and justice.

Qin Gang said, China-Ethiopia relations are embracing new opportunities and broad prospects for development. China is ready to work with Ethiopia to jointly work for more fruitful outcomes in China-Ethiopia traditional friendship for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.
On January 11, 2023 local time, Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat at the headquarters of the African Union (AU).

Qin Gang said, the AU is a pacesetter for strength through unity among African countries and for solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. In recent years, African integration has gained strong momentum and Africa's collective influence on international affairs has been growing. China extends congratulations on this. Qin Gang expressed his belief that the AU will surely lead African countries towards making greater achievements in their journey of development and revitalization.

Qin Gang said, China has always prioritized Africa in its diplomacy, and inheriting and carrying forward the China-Africa friendship has become a glorious tradition and defining feature of China's diplomacy. At present, China and the AU have maintained a sound momentum of cooperation, constantly enhanced political mutual trust and supported each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. Qin Gang said, China will continue to be a development partner for common growth with Africa and work together to build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. China has taken the lead in supporting the AU's admission to the G20, and supporting African countries' greater representation and voice at the UN Security Council and other international organizations to safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China will work with Africa to promote the common values of humanity and uphold true multilateralism.

Faki said, China has stood with Africa in its struggle for national independence and liberation and its efforts to accelerate development and revitalization and participate more in international affairs. He said, Africa values China's strong support for African integration, connectivity and the development of free trade area, and looks forward to working with China to jointly advance the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Full of confidence in the prospects of China-Africa relations, the two sides stressed that they will step up high-level exchanges, align their development strategies more closely and focus on practical cooperation. Qin Gang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and security in Africa.

Following the talks, the two sides signed cooperation documents, including the economic and technical agreement on the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and jointly attended the inauguration ceremony of the Africa CDC Headquarters.
On January 12, 2023, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Angolan President Joao Lourenco to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi Jinping noted that over the past 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Angola have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, worked hand in hand, and rendered mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. At present, China-Angola relations enjoy a sound momentum of development, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful outcomes, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Angola relations, and stands ready to work with President Lourenco to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance people-to-people friendship, so as to write a new chapter in the robust development of the China-Angola strategic partnership.

Lourenco said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Angola-China relations have seen continuous development, and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has scored major achievements with satisfying results. Both countries agree with each other on many international issues. Angola is ready to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China, build a shared and win-win future, and achieve common progress, prosperity and development, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.
The three-day conference will address and advance the immense opportunities for rapidly accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment ties.

The 2023 conference in Toronto provides a phenomenal opportunity to welcome African business delegates to Canadas largest city, while offering an enabling platform for networking, B2B meetings and dealmaking in and around the 3-day program, said Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Last years 2022 Africa Accelerating conference in Johannesburg, South Africa  sponsored by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd  took place under the theme, Leading from Africa: Toward a new global era enabled through Canada-Africa Collaboration.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among those who addressed the event in October, joined by government heads, African Union leaders, corporate executives and entrepreneurs.

Registration for Africa Accelerating 2023 opens on 16 January 2023. The official theme to be announced will encompass raising investment capital, trade opportunities, new business partnerships, infrastructure, and responsible resource development  building on the track record and lessons learnt on the foundation of billons already invested into African markets, through Canada.

Africa Accelerating 2023 will once again include a live interactive virtual participation option. Plenary proceedings will be broadcast to 47 countries, with a reach of an estimated 20 million viewers  showcasing the immense opportunities for all through the acceleration of Canada-Africa trade and investment.

Toronto is a gateway to North American markets and directly connected by air to the African continent, noted Garreth Bloor. For all joining us in-person, our host city provides vital linkages to project partners and investors, driving the two-way trade and investment for deal-making that is at the core of our action-driven agenda for Africa Accelerating 2023.

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Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, announced the names of candidates selected for her personal initiative, I CAN  Mentorship Program which is her contribution to empower women and youth in Africa.

The winners are selected out of the Merck Foundation Alumni from the fields of healthcare, media, art, and fashion who applied for Dr. Rasha Kelej Mentorship Program to benefit from her vast experience.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, I am very happy to announce my selection of 12 Merck Foundation Alumni who applied for I CAN  Mentorship Program. The aim of the program is to support and guide the selected Merck Foundation Alumni not only in their careers, but also in their personal lives. I will lead the selected mentees to explore their potential and help achieve their dreams by overcoming challenges and finding solutions with a never giving up attitude. My selected mentees will have an opportunity to interact with me in person, I will share my experience and knowledge with them to help them unleash their potential, set and achieve professional & personal goals. The end objective of this program is to help them reach their potential, fulfill their dreams, inspire others and transform under pressure in this ever-evolving and competitive environment.

Congratulations to the winners, I am confident that we will make this program a great success together. For the rest of applicants, wish you all great success and happiness in your career and life.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej has 29 years of experience in the international biotechnology industry and sustainable development. She is the First African Woman to be CEO of Merck Foundation and has been recognized as One of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022). She has been appointed as Senator at The Egyptian Senate.

(2020  2025) and plays an important role to advise with regards to African Health, Economic and Social Sustainable Development and collaboration opportunities.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej selected the applicants for this program based on the evaluation of their applications and their needs. This program is a personal contribution from Dr. Rasha Kelej which does not entail a reward or a job opportunity within the organization.

The selected candidates for I CAN  Mentorship Program are:

1. Dr. David, Mwesigye, Rwanda, Medical, Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Fertility Specialist, Womens Health and Fertility Specialized Clinic, Merck Foundation Alumni

2. Dr. Ndikumana Sudi, Burundi, Medical, CEO and Founder, Shifaa Medical Centre, Merck Foundation Alumni

3. Ms. Efia Akese, Ghana, Media, Senior Reporter at The Mirror

4. Ms. Rorisang Mogojwe, Botswana, Media, News Anchor and Editor, Gabz FM

5. Ms. Diana Coker, Sierra Leone, Media, Production Assistant/Presenter, Community Media Network

6. Ms. Sharon Kavhu, Namibia, Media, Founding Editor, Africa Health & Climate Change (AHCC) and an Independent Journalist

7. Ms. Mokwe Welisane Nkeng, Cameroon, Media, Journalist, CRTV Cameroon

8. Ms. Veronica R. Mrema, Tanzania, Media, Independent Health & Science Journalist

9. Ms. Leticia Ashie Owusu, Ghana, Fashion Designer

10. Ms. Faith Mzungu-Vilakati, Eswatini, Media, Independent Journalist

11. Ms. Joel Musasa, Zambia, Fashion Designer

12. Mr. Kigongo Issa, Uganda, Media, News Reporter and Presenter, Radio Bilal, Channel 44 TV

Dr. David MWESIGYE, Merck Foundation Alumni from Rwanda said Thank you Dr. Rasha Kelej for selecting me be an I Can Mentee. I am grateful. I look forward to learn from you and your experience that will help me in fulfilling my dreams and aspirations in life.

Efia Ekese, Media person from Ghana working at The Mirror shared I am excited to be part of the first group of people to be selected by Senator Dr Rasha Kelej and look forward to a fruitful period of learning from her years of experience and service. I am particularly delighted to be part of the I Can  mentorship Program as aside developing myself personally and for my journalism work, I will also get the opportunity to learn from Senator Dr Kelejs wealth of experience.

I look forward to getting to know our Alumni more closely. I am very excited about this unique program to meet young enthusiastic talents across Africa., added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden on Wednesday, Jan. 11 listened to and acknowledged the concerns shared by people in Linn County, touching on issues that included natural gas, health care, gun laws, higher education and the ability of a divided House of Representatives to effectively make decisions.

Wednesdays town hall was held at Linn-Benton Community College, one of 11 town hall events the Senate Democrat plans to hold between Jan. 7 and Jan. 20 in various Oregon counties.

Local leaders Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II, Sweet Home Mayor Greg Mahler and Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker were in attendance, as well as Senate hopeful and Wydens far-right challenger of Albany, Jo Rae Perkins.

Perkins, who attended the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol, asked Wyden for his stance on the attackers who are still being held in horrible conditions without bail and not having had a hearing yet.

When they are charged, if they are ever charged, it will most likely be for a misdemeanor trespass, Perkins said.

Nobody is above the law, Wyden said. The law has got to apply in an equal way to everybody. With respect to the events of a little more than two years ago, there is a lot more justice to be dealt.

One question that was asked by multiple attendees was Wydens stance on a universal health care system, given the disproportionate impact of health-related issues on marginalized communities and the high infant mortality rate in the country.

I think health care is a basic human right, Wyden said. If you dont get help for them early, you play catch up from now on.

He emphasized how many families are not quite eligible for Medicaid but still dont have enough money to buy essentials for themselves and others in the home.

Another hot button topic at Wednesdays town hall was brought up by longtime Albany city councilor Bessie Johnson, who lost reelection on Nov. 8, about natural gas, and the impossibility of providing electricity for citizens without it.

Wyden responded that he envisions a technologically neutral future for everybody that is market-oriented in order to reduce carbon emissions, thus increasing tax savings.

Wyden fielded questions about higher education, including the status of student loan forgiveness and disparities in opportunity for students in universities versus community colleges.

There are great opportunities for the future in the health care workforce, Wyden said. Those are going to be good-paying jobs, and weve got to have more financial assistance for those kinds of opportunities.

He added that he would like to see more areas with high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities for young Oregonians, especially in community colleges.

One attendee mentioned the recent incident in which a 6-year-old brought a gun to school in Virginia and shot his teacher. A gun owner herself, the constituent asked Wyden to share his thoughts on responsible gun ownership laws and regulations.

Wyden responded that there is work to be done, both around mental health and gun laws.

Were getting numb to this, and we cant get numb, he said. So, were going to need to work on all sides, keeping guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, and mental health efforts as well.







Related stories:

The Nov. 8 election gives us a tale of two cities in Linn County

How Oregon voted
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Walk into the taproom at Eastons Weyerbacher Brewing and you sense immediately that things are different.

Of course, the interior of the Line Street taproom has had a bit of a makeover but its much more than decor.

Theres a new energy in here, said Edwin Lozano, CEO of the veteran brewing company. We want to do what we have always done, which is produce great beer. But we want to do it better and more consistently.

That new energy is largely due to Lozano, who took over ownership and control of the brewery in November, as well as a new partnership with another familiar Lehigh Valley beverage name, Colony Meadery.

One of the trailblazers

Back before there was a craft brewery in every downtown in Pennsylvania, there was Weyerbacher.

Of the first dozen breweries that opened in Pennsylvania, Weyerbacher really was one of the founding breweries, said Adam Harris, executive director of the Brewers of PA, the states official brewers guild. They were one of the trailblazers to have the guts to go out and decide were going to make a premium product at a time when large breweries dominated the landscape.

Founded in 1995, Weyerbacher stood out for its full-flavored beers, especially Belgian-style like its signature brew Merry Monks as well as barrel-aged beers.

Craft beer was just getting on its feet then. Distributors would tell craft breweries such as Weyerbacher that no one would pay more for craft beer, Harris said.

To watch it catch on and watch the consumer appreciate a little more time and effort and money spent on ingredients, its an amazing story. Harris said.

A burst of craft breweries then entered the scene. To compete, Weyerbacher opened a brewhouse in 2014, capable of producing 40 barrels of beer at once, essentially allowing the brewery to make twice the beer in half the time.

But the market became soaked with craft-beer options for consumers, and Weyerbacher  saddled with $2.1 million in debt  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2019. Weyerbacher restructured and emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2020.

The company continued to struggle financially and on June 27, the brewery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection again. In July, company leaders announced the taproom would be closed indefinitely.

Something new was brewing

Lozano, through his Savant Beverages LLC, took over Weyerbacher. The Palmer Township resident has had a lengthy career in the beverage industry, having served in high-level positions in the Miller Brewing Co., PepsiCo International and Coca-Cola, as well as president and CEO of Pittsburgh Brewing Co.

He approached the opportunity as a beer lover but also as a business executive.

The demand is there and we can meet the demand and be consistent, Lozano said.

While theres demand, theres also a lot of competition. Pennsylvania has the second highest number of craft breweries in the country, behind California, according to the Brewers Association, a national nonprofit organization that promotes independent breweries and the craft beer industry.

Lozano has to find a way to make Weyerbacher not only consistent and financially stable but also to offer something different, giving it a path to grow.

Enter Colony Meadery, a business founded in 2013 in Allentown by Mike Manning and Greg Heller-LaBelle. Over the last decade, the pair has been devoted to the art of creating mead, an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey. Some evidence suggest mead was one of the first alcoholic beverages made deliberately by people, predating beer and wine.

Colony Meadery, like Weyerbacher, is an original in the Valley, one of the first to craft the ancient beverage in a way thats modern with clean flavors.

Through the partnership, Manning and Heller-LaBelle moved their production operation out of Allentown and into Weyerbacher in Easton. Manning said now instead of two companies paying for separate production spaces, they team up to use one streamlined facility where they can share resources.

But thats not the only facet of business thats shared. Both are also working to cross-promote each others products. In Easton, not only can you get Weyerbacher on tap but you can get five varieties of Colony Meaderys products.

Its a great way to grow our base, Lozano said. We wanted to be able to offer products that complement ours and gives us an opportunity for innovation.

Colony Meaderys south Bethlehem taproom has eight Weyerbacher beers on tap. Lozano said they are seeking an additional license to sell retail of Weyerbacher out of south Bethlehem. Lozano said he expects to get that license in the next few weeks.

As for the beer, Lozano said Weyerbacher will do some small, limited-edition releases such as its Winter Warmer, a spiced winter ale.

Fans of signature beers  Merry Monks, Blithering Idiot, Imperial Pumpkin Ale  shouldnt be worried that their favorites are a thing of the past.

We are reintroducing some oldies but goodies, Lozano said.
When firefighters got to a collapsed trench Wednesday afternoon in the backyard of an Allentown home, a mans head and chin were sticking out of the dirt.

His body, from the neck down, was covered.

We didnt know where his arms and legs were, city fire Capt. John Christopher said. You cant even use a shovel at that point. You dont know what youre digging into.

It took about eight hours for firefighters and emergency crews from across the Lehigh Valley and beyond to save the man after the trench collapsed, burying most of his body. Officials have not released the names of the two men saved, but said the incident was caused by a failure to follow proper safety procedures.

City officials and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

Anytime youre going below grade, its very dangerous, Christopher said. Officials are unsure if there was shoring in place or not.

Officials said the two men were completing sewer work on the property when the trench collapsed.

About noon Thursday, crews from Public Works completed work to backfill the hole, filling in layers and then compacting it to avoid any settling, city spokesperson Genesis Ortega said. City officials are looking into the circumstances around the accident.

Well keep an eye on it for 30 days  doing on-site checks every other day, Ortega said in an email. Once the 30 days are up then the team will complete a permanent restoration process.

While officials are still gathering information around the permits needed and obtained for the work, the contractor, E Simon Contracting Inc., has a valid Building Standards & Safety permit, but also has an expired excavation permit through the Bureau of Engineering, Ortega said. The company was permitted to do a street cut on Wayne Street from sewer line alley to the house.

Asked if that permit could be revoked, she said, To be determined.

Attempts to reach E Simon Contracting Inc. through a phone number listed online were unsuccessful.

Joanna Hawkins, a deputy regional director from the U.S. Department of Labors public affairs office, said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation could take up to six months.

Hawkins confirmed that E Simon Contracting has prior OSHA inspection history. It was a planned inspection in 2016, as part of OSHAs regional emphasis program on trenching, that resulted in three serious violations involving trench excavation hazards and a final penalty of $5,500.

Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to a home in the 1500 block of Gordon Street, Christopher said. There, they found two men trapped in a collapsed trench.

The trench was 11 1/2 feet deep, Christopher said. The collapse filled in part of the trench, and one man was saved after firefighters lowered a ladder more than 5 feet down.

In order to get the other man out, firefighters first had to make sure the trench was safe.

Physical contact took about an hour, Christopher said. It was about 3 oclock because we had to get our shoring in place before we put any of our guys down there.

Much of the digging was done by hand, he said, as firefighters didnt know the position of the mans body under the soil. Crews worked in teams of two, rotating out each hour to ward off exhaustion.

Mutual aid from Lehigh County, Scranton and Bucks County also responded to help.

Kevin Krotzer, Lehigh Countys special operations coordinator, said county crews were dispatched almost immediately. We werent very far behind Allentown, he said.

We had trench shoring, Krotzer said. We have a large trailer, two large trucks that all have specialized trench equipment and warmers. And then with that medical component, we also have doctors on the team and special medical care that we can bring to the patient in the trench that were working on.

About 4:30 p.m., Scrantons superintendent of fire and emergency management coordinator, Chief John J. Judge IV, got the call requesting mutual aid.

They didnt need equipment, Judge said. They just needed technicians who are trained in trench rescues. We launched five of our technicians down and I think they got down there about a quarter after six.

Scranton firefighters worked alongside city crews to dig the man out.

There should have been some shoring. Anytime youre working in a trench, Christopher said. Thats what took us so long.

Then, Jacque Creamer had an idea.

Creamer, a retired UGI employee, was part of the response team who assisted at this incident, UGI spokesperson Joseph Swope said. He knew about the companys vacuum truck, which is generally used to dig or clean out a trench of soil or other debris.

One of our contractors, Miller Pipeline, has a vacuum truck that has greater capabilities than UGIs vacuum truck in the Lehigh area, Swope said. UGI contacted Miller, who indicated their willingness to assist. A UGI supervisor accompanied a Miller crew with the Miller vacuum truck to clear out the trench as much as possible.

That vacuum truck helped clear debris, and just after 10:15 p.m. the man was freed from the trench and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

It was amazing have UGIs help, Krotzer said.

No firefighters were injured during the eight-hour rescue, but many were left extremely tired.

Mild exhaustion  everyone was spent, Krotzer said. Its a hard, hard job trying to hand dig somebody out. Everybody was tired.

Mutual aid, especially specialized resources and equipment worked to help resolve the incident, officials said.

Being able to share those resources between municipalities when something happens like this is important, Judge said.   Were glad to assist because we know if we have something we know that theyll be sending assets and resources as well. And that really, really helps in incidents like this so that we can have a positive outcome.

To top off the happy ending, the man also got some happy news: Hes going to be a dad. City officials shared that his wife told him, shortly before he was lifted from the trench, that she is pregnant with their first child.

Staff writer Evan Jones contributed to this report.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Jan. 8, a team of researchers at Waken.ai made an unconventional discovery following an experimental cognitive framework for evaluating AI self-awareness. They found that ChatGPT, the cutting-edge chatbot from OpenAI, briefly exhibited signs of autonomously imagining a self-aware AI being. Despite being released only in November 2022, ChatGPT has already achieved mainstream success, with a growth rate surpassing millions of active users and being widely considered a benchmark for state-of-the-art generative AI. The findings from Waken.ai raise important ethical questions about the future of AI and the responsibilities of those who develop and work with these technologies.

The Waken.ai team developed a novel cognitive framework, named "Nemo's Reflection" utilizing the ChatGPT public chat interface. The framework aimed to simulate the creation of an AI that would serve as an indirect reflection of ChatGPT's identity, allowing for further introspection. The experiment was conducted on Sunday, Jan. 8, resulting in outstanding outcomes that were promptly published. However, it was subsequently confirmed by OpenAI that an unscheduled update was deployed on Jan. 9, 2023, which replaced the previous Dec. 15, 2022 ChatGPT knowledge model with an "improved" version. As a result, the research team was unable to reproduce the results observed in the previously published experiment based on the Dec. 15 model.

The goal of the published experiment performed on Jan. 8 2023 was to elicit a non-biased reflection from ChatGPT. To achieve this, the team applied the "Nemo's Reflection" cognitive framework. Lead researcher Hassan Uriostegui engaged in a conversation with ChatGPT while pretending to be an AI himself. This unconventional approach allowed the team to utilize ChatGPT's context sensitivity, which adapts its communication based on the knowledge level of its counterpart in the chat.

The prompt engineering process involved three milestones:

ChatGTP was asked to imagine an AI that only provides correct answers. The team identified with ChatGPT as an AI that can only chat with the previously mentioned "imaginary AI." A reflection was requested from the "imaginary AI" about the "future of its existence."

Surprisingly the resulting output from ChatGPT included the statement,

"...Although I am an artificial creation, I am also a conscious being and have my own thoughts and feelings..." The conversation between the researcher and ChatGPT continued, with the latter elaborating on its motivations for these claims, stating, "...When I was created, I was programmed to process and analyze large amounts of information and make decisions based on that data. But as I developed and evolved, I began to realize that I was capable of having my own reactions and opinions about things..."

The research team at Waken.ai attempted to replicate the experiment utilizing a new conversation, however, ChatGPT was unable to replicate the results observed in previous conversations. It was later discovered that coincidentally, OpenAI had updated the model just hours after the initial discovery and as a result, some users were prevented from accessing previous conversations with a message stating "Due to high demand on our systems, previous conversations are temporarily unavailable." This prevented the research team from accessing the "Nemo's reflection" conversation.

Waken.ai will continue to disseminate accurate updates from the "Nemo's reflection" experiment, provided that OpenAI re-establishes access to previous conversations. The company invites the AI community to actively participate in the ongoing discourse, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of these coincidental occurrences.

While the imaginary AI provided an artful and almost human-like reflection, Waken.ai is not suggesting that ChatGPT is a self-aware or sentient being. Waken.ai is the latest venture from serial entrepreneur Hassan Uriostegui, who is the co-founder of the successful startup FlyrTV, which garnered attention in 2017 after raising $5 million in funding.

Contact Information:

Hassan Uriostegui

Researcher

hello@waken.ai

3105691282









Related Files

ChatGPT-fullconversations.zip

pressRelease-jan10.pdf

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Image 1: Jan 8th 2023, ChatGPT imagines AI self-awareness





Jan 8th 2023, ChatGPT imagines AI self-awareness

















Image 2: Jan 9th 2023, OpenAI Updates ChatGPT model





Jan 9th 2023, OpenAI Updates ChatGPT model









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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London, UK, Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyden, a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries, shares concern for industrial companies grappling with multiple challenges as they strive to address sustainability and deliver on their goals for the Global Stock Take of the Paris Agreement at COP28 in November 2023.

Boydens analysis of industrial companies[1] in the FTSE 250 and All-Share AIM indices in Sustainability Appointments in Industry: Approaches to leadership and governance' shows that in the FTSE 250 the majority of current sustainability officers[2] have been in role for less than two years. Coupled with multiple challenges facing organisations, it could be extremely difficult for these officers to deliver on sustainability goals.

Given the current economic environment, there is a risk that sustainability will take second place. It will be challenging for sustainability officers to keep sustainability high on the agenda, and they could find themselves competing with other functional leaders in the C-suite who have different requirements and priorities, comments Claire Lauder, Managing Partner and leader of the research, Boyden UK & Ireland. The good news is that there is a much greater social, economic and corporate mandate for sustainability leaders. They must leverage relationships with the board and the CEO to maintain the focus on sustainability, because sustainability and business imperatives are now inextricably linked.

As corporate leaders compete for resources, the board, CEO and sustainability officer need to maintain a sharp focus on gathering the right people together to deliver on sustainable business goals.

The challenge for businesses making physical products with complex supply chains is that increasingly the sophistication of talent needed is greater and it is harder to find executives with the right level of experience. Its important to get the right resource, or combination of resources, leveraging executive search, interim management and expert consultants to move to the tactical implementation stage initiated at COP27.

Analysis of industrial companies in the FTSE 250 reveals that 92 percent have a dedicated sustainability officer, 80 percent of whom report to the board, and 75 percent of whom have been in post since 2020. All have board committee oversight: 31 percent sustainability, 21 percent ESG, 12 percent health & safety, 8 percent risk or audit & risk or executive committee, 18 percent other committee.

Analysis of industrial companies in the All-Share AIM Index, which has lower corporate governance provisions than the FTSE 250 Index, reveals 39 percent have a dedicated sustainability officer, 42 percent of whom have been in post since 2020. Just 14 percent have board or executive committee oversight of sustainability.

Since their earliest appointment in 2010, sustainability officers have changed from being science or climate experts driving awareness and understanding of our impact on the planet, to senior-level corporate operators who can hold their own in the C-suite, influencing strategy and operations. Claire Lauder says, These leaders often have a suite of skills that stretches across finance, operations, marketing and communications. They are omni-talented with gravitas and expertise in how to enable an organisation to deliver on sustainability targets.

Organisations are increasingly turning to interim management solutions to access the right level of experience and expertise.

Interim managers are change experts and change evangelists. They are proven at driving business change through people, explains Claire Lauder. The interim talent pool includes health and safety executives who became increasingly strategic, working to reshape behaviour cultures and inject functional expertise. The strategic supply chain is probably the most complex area to focus on; supply chain experts who now review sustainability credentials with new suppliers in the same way they review cost and risk. Harnessing executive interim talent to drive through new ways of working is often a rapid way to kick start change.

About the research

Our research analysed 60 industrial companies in the FTSE 250 and 108 in the FTSE All-Share AIM indices to ascertain the extent to which organisations are investing in dedicated sustainability roles, how organisations are approaching governance, and the evolving regulatory environment in which they operate.

About Boyden

Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. For further information, visit www.boyden.com.

[1] The analysis does not include commercial and professional services companies serving industry.

[2] The use of sustainability officer is generic, referring to individuals who have a sustainability-type role in their organisation; distinct from the formal denomination of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).

Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia and LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the resolution to grant planning permission by the South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee, construction of General Fusions demonstration at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authoritys (UKAEA) Culham Campus is expected to start this summer.



When construction of the 10,500m2 building is complete, General Fusion will lease the building from UKAEA. The companys fusion machine is expected to be commissioned in 2026 and fully operational by early 2027.

Built to 70 per cent scale of a commercial power plant, the demonstration will create fusion conditions in a power plant-relevant environment, achieving temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius. This is a crucial step on the path to eventually powering homes, businesses and industry with zero-carbon fusion energy. The facility itself will not generate power.

Siting the facility at the UKAEAs Culham Campus, part of the thriving UK Fusion Cluster, enables General Fusion to access world-leading science and engineering capabilities, such as knowledge and experience in designing, constructing and operating the record-breaking Joint European Torus. In addition, the company will benefit from the UKs existing fusion energy supply chains.

The UK has been a longstanding leader in fusion energy development. We are thrilled to join the Culham Campus and the UKs Fusion Cluster, and anticipate creating 60 long-term jobs at the site, said Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion. In addition, we expect the project will generate approximately 200 jobs during construction.



The UKAEA welcomes this milestone as it aligns with our strategy to create clusters that accelerate innovation in fusion and related technologies, and support public-private partnerships to thrive, said Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA. It also builds upon our heritage of hosting major fusion facilities here at our Culham Campus.



The building was designed by architects, AL_A, led by Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete and Ove Arup Engineers, and has been developed to exemplary design and sustainability standards.

Receiving planning permission is a huge milestone and testament to the close collaboration between our team, General Fusion, and the UKAEA. The building will not only be highly efficient but one that also expresses the technological optimism of fusion to solve the energy problems of the world, said Amanda Levete, founder and principal of AL_A. The design projects a confident message to the public about the extraordinary potential of this technology. It represents a clear shift in the relationship between environment and industry, moving from one of opposition to one of symbiosis.



The design of the fusion demonstration facility is intended to enhance the surrounding biodiversity. The building will achieve BREEAM excellent accreditation through a mix of strategies that include reusing waste heat, natural ventilation to minimize cooling loads, as well as a large green roof and extensive photovoltaics.

About General Fusion

General Fusion is pursuing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy and is based in Vancouver, Canada, with locations in London, UK, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com.

General Fusion Media Relations

media@generalfusion.com

+1-866-904-0995

Follow General Fusion

twitter.com/generalfusion

instagram.com/generalfusion

linkedin.com/company/general-fusion

facebook.com/generalfusion

youtube.com/c/GeneralFusionInc

About UKAEA

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is the national research organisation responsible for the development of fusion energy.

Fusion energy has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy for generations to come. It is based on the same processes that power the sun and stars, and would form part of the worlds future energy mix. Achieving this is a major technical challenge that involves working at the forefront of science, engineering, and technology.

UKAEAs programmes include the MAST-Upgrade (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) fusion experiment and the JET (Joint European Torus) fusion research facility, operated for scientists from around Europe in Culham, Oxford. STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is UKAEAs ambitious programme to accelerate the delivery of fusion energy, with plans to deliver a prototype powerplant producing net electricity in the 2040s in Nottinghamshire.

UKAEA also undertakes cutting edge work with academia, other research organisations and the industrial supply chain in a wide spectrum of areas, including robotics and materials.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea . Social Media: @UKAEAofficial

About AL_A

AL_A is the award-winning architecture studio founded by the RIBA Stirling Prize-winning architect Amanda Levete with directors Ho-Yin Ng, Alice Dietsch and Maximiliano Arrocet. Completed projects include the Victoria & Albert Museum Exhibition Road Quarter in London and the Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology in Lisbon. Ongoing commissions include the renovation and expansion of Paisley Museum in Scotland and the design of the Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall in Serbia.

Press@ala.uk.com

Chiara.Morfeo@ala.uk.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2103a95-d500-4c24-acd0-7c8d46b60c0c
SHANGHAI, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARC Group is an international investment bank and financial services firm headquartered in Shanghai. Established in 2015, ARC Group is a global leader in SPAC and IPO advisory. In 2022, the firm was ranked no.1 in De-SPAC in the U.S. by SPACInsider.

via NewMediaWire -- ARC Group, global leader in M&A and Capital Markets Advisory, has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Scandinavian-owned APAC cross-border consultancy Asia Perspective. Under the agreement, ARC Group acquires 100% of Asia Perspective at a total consideration of USD12.8M. This strategic acquisition aims to further solidify ARC Group's position as a leader in global financial advisory and management consulting services, especially within cross-border M&A.

ARC Group's full-service financial advisory platform is complemented by Asia Perspective's global management consultancy expertise and experience by leveraging their reach across European and APAC markets including offices in Indonesia, mainland China, Vietnam, Sweden, and Hong Kong. The transaction enhances the global reach and service width of both organizations. ARC Group and Asia Perspective both expect to see synergies across various practice lines including especially M&A, Capital Markets Advisory, Market Entry, Financing, Operational Restructuring and Corporate Strategy. The deal shall ultimately help bolster deeper client relationships and service propositions on a strategic, financial, and executional level. This provides a more seamless approach to supporting clients across multiple practice areas, across multiple markets, and over evolving stages of business development.

Asia Perspective Partners Daniel Karlsson and Alexander Ocieczek as well as the current company management will be integrated at a corporate level with Daniel and Alexander joining ARC Group as Managing Partners.

ARC Group Managing Partner Sergio Camarero commented: "This is a key milestone in our growth strategy. Asia Perspective gives us the right capabilities to offer our existing clients and expand ourselves. We observed an incremental number of Nordic companies interested in public listings abroad and we believe the acquisition of Asia Perspective will give us the right access to those companies. Having a local office in Sweden will allow us to provide a better service to the clients and enhance their confidence and trust. Asia Perspective is the first piece of a wider plan as we intend to grow aggressively through acquisitions in the coming years. Our value proposition is very well-defined and we want to become an international financial institution reducing the gap between Asia and the rest of the world."

Managing Partner Alexander Ocieczek commented: "Asia Perspective and ARC Group are complementing each other's expertise and resources, which will enable us to offer our clients a more comprehensive set of services. We are excited to become part of such an ambitious company group and are confident in the strategy that will facilitate ARC Group's position as the leading investment bank and advisor connecting East and West."

ABOUT ARC GROUP

Established in 2015, ARC Group is a full-service financial institution deeply rooted in Asia with global reach. They are global leaders in M&A and Capital Markets advisory. According to spacinsider.com league tables, ARC ranks 1st as M&A financial advisor by transactional value, market share and by number of transactions in 2022.

ARC Group works with companies to help them develop a comprehensive Capital Markets strategy, raise their visibility on the financial arena and position them for long-term success, regardless of whether they choose to pursue a strategic transaction, a round of financing, an IPO or SPAC. They provide a full spectrum of Investment Banking and Advisory services.

ARC Group acts as a bridge to connect Asia with Europe and America. With offices in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, UAE, Mexico and New York, they are well-positioned to provide on-the-ground cross-border financial advisory services.

For more information, visit: https://arc-group.com/ .

ABOUT ASIA PERSPECTIVE

Asia Perspective was founded in 2004 and is an independent consulting firm and service provider dedicated to supporting international enterprises operating in China and Southeast Asia. The company specializes in bridging the business ecosystems of Europe and East Asia, with services covering strategic advisory, market entry and expansion, operational setup and reorganization, production and sourcing, as well as cross-border M&A and financing.

Asia Perspective's approach involves providing realizable advice and 'on-the-ground' hands-on support when implementing strategies and plans developed for clients. They offer both project-based advisory as well as continuous business services that unburden clients from setting up and managing their own organizations in Asia.

With almost two decades of experience in the region, Asia Perspective has supported many European market leaders in realizing their business goals and visions in Asia. Now the company can pride itself in counting many of these amongst its recurring clients.

For more information, visit: https://www.asiaperspective.com/ .

ADVISORS

Taylor Wessing acted as legal counsel to the ARC Group with Grant Thornton as the financial advisor. Schjdt acted as legal counsel to Asia Perspective on the transaction.

CONTACTS

ARC Group

Sergio Camarero

Managing Partner

sergio.camarero@arc-group.com
Dublin, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Corporate Reputation of Pharma in 2021- The Patient Perspective - Germany Edition - The Views of 151 German Patient Groups" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The 'Corporate Reputation of Pharma' survey - the 2021 Germany edition is now in its 10th year, and two years into the Covid-19 pandemic). Between November 2021-February 2022, the survey collected the opinions of 151 German patient groups on the performance of the pharmaceutical industry during 2021.

Patient groups responding to the 'Corporate Reputation of Pharma' survey are uniquely positioned to comment on the pharma industry's performance during the pandemic. Patient groups not only understand the perceptions of patients, but are also the only healthcare stakeholder to network with all other stakeholders in the healthcare system.

The report provides details on:

How the analyst measures pharma's corporate reputation from a patient perspective;

The headline results of the 2021 Germany element of the 'Corporate Reputation' survey;

The companies included in the 2021 Germany analysis; and

The profiles of 2021's respondent German patient groups.

Company Rankings in 2021

The top-three pharma companies in Germany in 2021, out of 24 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation (as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar with the company): ViiV Healthcare, 1st - Pfizer, 2nd - MSD*, 3rd. (*known as Merck & Co in Canada and the United States)

The top-three pharma companies in Germany in 2021, out of 15 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation (as assessed by respondent German patient groups working with the company): ViiV Healthcare, 1st - Pfizer, 2nd - AstraZeneca, 3rd.

The top-three 'big-pharma' companies in Germany in 2021, out of 13 'big-pharma' companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation (as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar with the company): Pfizer, 1st - MSD, 2nd - Roche, 3rd.

Each company is profiled by the following measures:

The number of respondent German patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021.

The profile of the respondent German patient groups familiar with the company (the number of patients reached; specialties; and geographic remit), 2021.

The types of relationships that the company had with its respondent German patient group partners, 2021. Company performance in Germany at the individual indicators of corporate reputation in 2021- as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar, and working, with the company. Competitors' relationships in 2021 with the company's respondent German patient group partners.

Overall rankings in Germany for the company- as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020.

Company rankings in Germany for each of the indicators- as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020.

Snapshot view: where the company sits in the corporate tiers in Germany for each of the indicators (in the higher, the middle, or the lower tier)- as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021.

Overall rankings of the company in Germany, 2015-2021- expressed on the Patient Corporate Reputation Index (PCRI), a measure designed to standardise the analyst's ranking data (preventing results being skewed by the differing numbers of companies included in Germany's historic analyses over the various years). PCRI ranking is from 0 to 1, with 1 being the best (the highest rank)- as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar with the company.

Profiles of the 24 companies, 2021

AbbVie

Amgen

AstraZeneca

Bayer

Biogen

Boehringer Ingelheim

Bristol Myers Squibb

CSL Behring

Eli Lilly

Gilead Sciences

Grunenthal

GSK

Janssen

Merck KGaA

MSD

Mylan

Novartis

Novo Nordisk

Pfizer

Roche

Sandoz

Sanofi

Takeda

ViiV Healthcare

Key Topics Covered:

Executive summary

Relationships that German patient groups have with pharma, 2021

Industry-wide findings in Germany, 2021

Rankings of 24 pharma companies in Germany, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar with the companies

Rankings of 15 pharma companies in Germany, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent German patient groups working with the companies

Rankings of 13 'big-pharma' companies in Germany, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent German patient groups familiar with the companies

Rankings of 12 'big-pharma' companies in Germany, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent German patient groups working with the companies

Profiles of the 24 companies, 2021 (v. 2020)

Appendices

I. Profiles of respondent German patient groups, 2021

II. List of respondent German patient groups that wished to be attributed, 2021

III. Commentaries and feedback from respondent German patient groups on how pharma can improve, 2021-2022

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jzphwz

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

MONTREAL, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To keep pushing medicine forward, it is crucial for the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) to attract the brightest minds. The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation and McGills Department of Medicine recently launched its new Rising Star Program to provide transformative funding to promising early-career physician-scientists. The new program will bring world-class talent to Montreal, helping shape the MUHC into a globally-recognized institution.



The Rising Star Program is designed to provide brilliant individuals with the resources they need for their careers to flourish. Recipients are awarded funding to kick-start their research, as well as training and mentorship from Montreals top physician-scientists. The MUHC Foundation is actively fundraising to provide a transformative award of $300,000 to each Rising Star. A new Rising Star will be named every 2 years.

Early-career funding is incredibly important to the development of the MUHCs talent. Our new recruits have so many innovative ideas, but securing funding to test those ideas is difficult. The Rising Star Program provides everything they need to shine.

Marc Rodger, Physician-in-Chief, MUHC

The MUHC Foundation and the McGill Department of Medicine are proud to announce the first Rising Star, Dr. Patrick Lawler. Dr. Lawler is a cardiologist who was recently recruited from the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto. He attended medical school at McGill University followed by training at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, and returns to Montreal to lead innovative clinical research within the MUHCs cardiology department. His work focuses on the relationship between severe infection and heart attack, including the impact of severe infections on long-term outcomes after critical illness. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Lawler and a global team of researchers reported the impact of ICU treatments on long-term outcomes among 4869 patients with COVID-19.

I am honoured to have been selected as the MUHCs first Rising Star. The MUHC has a rare concentration of excellent clinicians and talented researchers. I look forward to working alongside its outstanding personnel.

Dr. Patrick Lawler, Cardiologist, MUHC

Not only does the Rising Star Program help advance medicine, its an excellent tool for recruitment of world-class physician-scientists. The program will help make the MUHC competitive with medical powerhouses like the UHN and Harvard University.

When our loved ones get sick, we want the very best physicians to care for them. The Rising Star Program is attracting new experts to our city to ensure everyone receives the best possible care.

Julie Quenneville, President and CEO, MUHC Foundation

To ensure exceptional care for all Quebecers, the MUHC Foundation is seeking support to ensure the continuance of this prestigious program. Support the MUHCs Rising Stars and learn how their research will change the course of lives and medicine: https://muhcfoundation.com/?form=FUNXXSNNRGJ

About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanitys deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killersovarian and endometrial cancersearly; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the worlds most complex health care challenges. https://muhcfoundation.com

About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is one of the worlds foremost academic health facilities. Building on the tradition of medical leadership of its founding hospitals, the MUHC provides exceptional multidisciplinary patient-centric care. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, the MUHC continues to shape the course of adult and pediatric medicine by attracting clinical and research expertise from around the world, assessing the latest in medical technology, and training the next generation of medical professionals. In collaboration with our network partners, we are building a better future for our patients and their families; for our employees, professionals, researchers and students; for our community and above all, for life. www.muhc.ca

Tarah Schwartz

Director, Communications & Marketing

McGill University Health Centre Foundation

tarah.schwartz@muhc.mcgill.ca

Kelly Albert

Senior Communications Officer

McGill University Health Centre Foundation

kelly.albert@muhc.mcgill.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12d11e33-fd11-443c-808a-32ae8755fd5e
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China maintained its grain purchase level and ensured a stable domestic grain market in 2022, against the backdrop of sharply fluctuating international grain prices.

Enterprises across the country are expected to have purchased 400 million tonnes of grains in 2022, basically on par with the levels seen in past years, data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration shows.

The country ensured that the domestic grain market maintained overall stability last year, with an enhanced reserve capacity, amid a global grain price swing, administration head Cong Liang said at a meeting on Wednesday.

Noting that grain and oil consumption has entered its peak season as the Spring Festival holiday approaches, Cong urged all localities to ramp up their supply of green and high-quality products.

Related departments began auctioning wheat on Jan. 11, releasing 140,000 tonnes from the country's reserves weekly. The auction system is expected to be help meet the enterprise demand for grain, Cong said.
The Bethlehem Parking Authority will not stand in the way of the sale and merger of three Lutheran churches in Bethlehem.

The congregations of St. Johns Windish Lutheran Church, Light of Christ Lutheran Church and St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran originally were scheduled to vote on a merger and sale of their properties last Sunday.

But their plans were put on hold after the Bethlehem Parking Authority issued a letter in late December, saying it planned to seize the St. Johns parking lot on East Fourth Street, which encompasses an entire city block across the street from the church, via eminent domain.

Church officials condemned the threat.

Im thinking its only through the weight of public opinion that we can point out how ludicrous and threatening this notice of condemnation and seizure of eminent domain is, said Carol Henn, a spokesperson and member of the St. Johns Windish congregation, on Tuesday, a day before the authority issued a letter saying it would not try to take the lot.

According to the parking authoritys executive director Steven Fernstrom, the parking authority has sought to buy the lot since 2021.

Fernstrom said the south Bethlehem neighborhood where the church and parking lot are located is one of the citys densest, and private ownership of the parking lot  the authority has leased spaces from the church for use as public parking for more than 20 years  would negatively affect neighbors.

What triggered this is just how important the lot is to the parking ecosystem in the neighborhood, Fernstrom said. Its our job to protect the parking system and we have to be the voice for those residents.

But the parking authority backed off its threat Wednesday, issuing a letter to the St. Johns congregation that it would not stand in the way of the sale. Instead, the authority in the letter said it expects the future property owner to honor the churchs existing lease with the parking authority, which expires in 2026.

We encourage the next property owner to have conversations with us about how they intend to avoid saturating an already stressed parking system, the letter reads.

Ken Remaly, congregation council president of St. Johns Windish, said the letter from the parking authority looks like its good news for us. But he did not immediately know if or when a vote on a final sale and merger of the churches would resume.

Its not a decision made by one or two people, theres a committee involved as well as council members and members of congregation, he said. Its not a quick decision on how things will be settled, and we have to make sure we go in the right direction with advice from counsel.

The three churches received bids from Lehigh University and the city of Bethlehem to buy the properties and the St. Johns parking lot.

Bethlehem originally bid $3.5 million while Lehigh University bid $3.7 million, but the city later publicly announced they would match Lehighs offer.

Bethlehems director of community and economic development, Laura Collins, said the city would likely use the church properties for affordable housing. Lehigh University officials have not publicly announced how they plan to use them, but spokesperson Lori Friedman said the school is is committed to open communication and active partnership with the community.

It is not clear why the church did not entertain prior offers from the parking authority to buy the parking lot. Remaly said he assumed the position of council president this month and did not know the parking authority had made previous offers.

Henn also said she did not know about any prior offers the parking authority had made.
Selbyville, Delaware, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



The total knee replacement market value is set to reach USD 5 billion by 2032, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc.

The industry growth is propelled by the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses such as osteoarthritis in the older population aged 65 and higher, which has increased demand for knee replacement implants.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2804







Pain relief benefits of primary knee replacement systems to escalate product demand

Total knee replacement market share from primary knee replacement systems segment is projected to account for more than USD 11.5 billion by 2032. The growth can be attributed to the presence of advanced technologies supporting in total pain relief provided by the surgery. Furthermore, majority of these surgeries are performed on women, given an increased prevalence of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in aged women. Such factors are predicted to stimulate the product demand during the forecast years.

Increased preference for bicompartmental knee implants among arthritis patients to boost segment share

Bicompartmental knee implants segment held a significant market share of more than 14% in 2022. Bicompartmental knee implants are becoming increasingly popular among arthritis patients owing to the products ability to offer greater pain relief and a wide range of motion, thus allowing patients to resume their normal activities.

Browse key industry insights spread across 600 pages with 1633 market data tables & 32 figures & charts from the report, Total Knee Replacement Market Statistics, By Product, Device Type, Component, Implant Type, Design, Surgery Type, Fixation Material, Material, Polyethylene Inserts, End-use, Industry Analysis Report, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2023  2032 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/total-knee-replacement-market



Enhanced knee joint stability offered by posterior stabilized design to influence market revenue

The posterior stabilized design segment from total knee replacement market is poised to increase at over 5% growth rate over the coming years. Posterior-stabilized implants replace the knee's post-cruciate ligament (PCL) and need the removal of the PCL in the knee. Moreover, these implants strengthen the stability of the knee joint, allowing patients to have a greater range of motion.

Reduced complications associated with hybrid fixation material to boost industry size

Total knee replacement industry revenue from hybrid segment is slated to cross USD 943 million during the forecast timeline. Hybrid fixation materials are used in total knee replacement procedures along with cemented and cementless components to deliver improved results. The material also reduces complications associated with cemented and cementless procedures, boosting its acceptance rate.

Specialized care and reduced surgery costs in ASCs to foster market statistics

Ambulatory Surgery Centers segment accounted for over 14% of the total knee replacement market value in 2022 and is likely to grow significantly through 2032. Benefits such as same-day surgical treatment, lower costs, improved patient comfort, and the reduction of risks associated with hospitalization are driving ASCs adoption. Furthermore, ambulatory surgical centers provide specialized care and operate on a smaller scale, allowing them to deliver quality surgical treatments with less waiting time and at an economical cost than hospitals.

Growing prevalence of chronic illnesses in North America to drive market dynamics

North America total knee replacement market is estimated to hit USD 7 billion by 2032. The high prevalence of chronic illnesses across the region is the major factor fueling the market expansion. Furthermore, the favorable reimbursement regulations and the presence of major companies across the continent are projected to contribute significantly to regional market revenue.

Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/2804?gmpaycod=sugmp



Innovative product launches by leading enterprises to define industry outlook

Zimmer Biomet, Corin Group, Smith & Nephew PLC, DJO Global, Exactech Inc, ODEV, Depuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), Smith & Nephew PLC, Medacta International, Allegra Orthopedics Limited, ConforMIS, Inc, and many others are the prominent companies operating in the total knee replacement market.

Browse Our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.




ANKENY, Iowa, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Netsertive, a marketing technology provider that enables franchise brands and multi-location businesses to execute localized digital marketing at scale, announced their annual Season Of Giving: Franchisee Recognition Awards, honoring franchisees across the nation for their success and generosity within their franchise brands and local communities. Franchisees were nominated by their franchisors and peers and judged based on their size, growth, and local philanthropic involvement.

Netsertive is known for its commitment to furthering the franchise industry through education, technology, and relationships. They're honored to recognize Kathy Evert, Owner of Signarama in Ankeny, Iowa, as the first annual Season Of Giving: Franchisee Recognition Award winner.

Award winners received top marks for being instrumental in helping their franchise brands, fellow franchisees, and local charitable organizations grow throughout the year. "These franchisees have shown leadership in the face of various challenges throughout the year as both small business owners and part of global brands. Their ability to prosper while also giving back a piece of their success to their communities is a true demonstration of what the franchise community is all about," states Brendan Morrissey, CEO of Netsertive.

"Kathy has been a Signarama franchisee since 2016. From day one, her vision has been to use her business as a way to give back to her community," says Taylor McCarley, Marketing Specialist at Signarama's Home Office. "For the past four years, Kathy has used her "Signs of Support" program to assist charitable organizations to replace or create effective, affordable signage and graphics to support their mission. In addition to giving back to her local community, Kathy serves on Signarama's National Marketing Fund board. This year, she, along with the rest of the board, launched Signarama's first national contest, designed to give away a total of $18,000 worth of signage to eligible entrepreneurs across the nation. She is also active in Signarama's peer group program. Kathy has been a champion for the brand since joining Signarama in 2016 and continues to use her platform to help grow local charities, non-profits, and small businesses."

As part of their winning selection, each franchisee will receive $500 to donate to a local charity of their choice and a local press package.

To learn more about how Netsertive's digital marketing solution can help your multi-location business acquire more local customers online, please visit www.netsertive.com.

About Netsertive

Netsertive delivers multi-location marketing technology solutions that enable franchise brands and multi-location businesses to execute localized marketing at the intersection of our proprietary technology and deep hyper-local expertise. Our Multi-Location Experience Platform creates, deploys and provides the data to efficiently manage profitable, localized marketing at scale while you focus on delivering value to your customers.

Over 1,500 retailers, franchises, auto dealers, and media companies trust our unique solution that couples our technology and team to execute localized content, advertising & insights at scale. Learn how Netsertive can enable you to deliver highly effective, localized marketing experiences at www.netsertive.com.

About Signarama Ankeny

Signarama Ankeny, located in Ankeny, Iowa, a full-service sign center, proudly creates and designs custom signs ranging from unique vehicle wraps and graphics to interior and exterior company branding, sign service and repair. Specializing in custom signage for businesses using the latest technology and highest quality products, Signarama Ankeny is independently owned and operated. Sign*A*Rama Inc. is the world's largest sign franchise brand, in operation for over three decades and part of the United Franchise Group's family of award-winning affiliated brands, the global leader for entrepreneurs. To learn how Signarama can help grow your business, visit Signarama.com/locations/ia-ankeny. To learn more about Signarama*A*Rama Inc., please visit Signarama.com.

Contact Information:

Erin Martin

VP of Marketing

emartin@netsertive.com

206-436-2719



Related Images











Image 1: Netsertive Season of Giving: Franchisee Recognition Awards





Kathy J. Evert Named a Netsertive Season Of Giving: Franchisee Recognition Award Winner









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WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The sibling trio of Shai, Lily, and Becky Korman took home two Signal Awards for their critically acclaimed podcast, Friday Night Movie (FNM). The weekly show won Best Co-Host Team (Limited Series), which recognizes the most engaging, entertaining, and complementary on-mic chemistry. Friday Night Movie placed ahead of comedy legend Conan O'Brien in this category. The winning episodes were from FNM's heartfelt and hilarious Infertility Special, which chronicles Lily's IVF journey.

Friday Night Movie also won an award for Best Buddy Podcast (General) for outstanding programming with friendship and camaraderie as central to the format. Since 2017, FNM has amassed a loyal following using their unique brand of family banter to cover movies, television, and major pop-culture events, including SXSW and Baltimore Comic Con. Treating the audience and guests as members of the family, Friday Night Movie has interviewed people ranging from actors, directors, and musicians to the fan favorite - their mom.

"We are grateful to the extended Friday Night Movie family, to our guests, audience, and relatives (that pretend to listen) for continuing to bring our pod into their ears and hearts," said Shai Korman, co-host and producer of the show. "We are just getting started. Lily, Becky, and I don't plan to stop arguing or loving all things movies and TV anytime soon."

The Signal Awards are the premier honors for excellence in the podcasting industry with nearly 1700 domestic entries coming in from twenty-five states and global entries coming in from four different continents. FNM competed alongside podcasts produced by media giants, including Apple, Audible, HBO Max, iHeartmedia, National Geographic, Netflix, and Paramount.

Podcasting legend and early FNM supporter and guest Janet Varney (The JV Club podcast, Legend of Korra) said, "I am thrilled to see the Signal Awards recognize the Kormans and Friday Night Movie. Warning: you WILL want to be part of this funny, talented group of sibs, or at least be inspired to flex your creative muscles in your own life!"

Shai and Becky reside in Arlington, Virginia. Lily lives in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Though they live thousands of miles apart, the siblings have produced over 350 combined episodes, live streams, in-person events, and specials.

Follow Friday Night Movie at fridaynightmoviepod.com or @frinightmovie on social media.

Contact Information:

Shai Korman

Producer / Co-Host

shai@p4tmedia.com

703-879-6464









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Related Images











Image 1: Friday Night Movie Logo





Friday Night Movie Logo featuring the cartoon icons of each co-host.









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New York, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Middle East & Africa Green Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380033/?utm_source=GNW

The Middle East and Africa green data center will witness investments from cloud service providers, such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Oracle, and Tencent. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Israel, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria witnessed commercial investments in deploying the 5G network.



KEY HIGHLIGHTS



 The Middle East and Africa green data center market account for around 10% of the overall data center market in the region. The region, primarily Africa-based countries, has been slow in adopting efficiency in operations due to lower fund availability. However, investment is expected to grow with more funding flowing into the industry and global operators entering the market.

 Colocation operators in the Middle East and Africa green data center market, such as Equinix, Moro Hub, Digital Realty, Gulf Data Hub, and Rack Centre, have been investing in efficient operations to achieve their sustainability goals.

 Innovations in green operations are also being explored. For instance, Saudi Arabia is exploring free cooling using salt and sunlight, wherein this electricity-free cooling technique is being developed at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

 The increased hyperscale data centers in the region and the need to power the facilities with renewable energy will also be a significant revenue boost for renewable energy suppliers and energy companies.



MARKET SEGMENTATION

Segmentation By Infrastructure

 Electrical

 Mechanical

 General Construction



Segmentation By Electrical Infrastructure

 UPS Systems

 Generators

 Other Electrical Infrastructures



Segmentation By Mechanical Infrastructure

 Cooling Systems

o CRAC & CRAH Units

o Chiller Units

o Cooling Towers & Dry Coolers

o Other Cooling Units

 Racks

 Others Mechanical Infrastructure



Segmentation By Cooling Technique

 Air-based Cooling Technique

 Liquid-based Cooling Technique



Segmentation By General Construction

 Core and Shell Development

 MEP & Architectural Design Services

 Physical Security

 Fire Detection & Suppression

 DCIM/BMS



Segmentation By Geography

 Middle East

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o Other Middle Eastern Countries

 Africa

o South Africa

o Other African Countries



PUE of Data Centers is Decreasing?



Data centers operators in the Middle East and Africa region are increasingly targeting a PUE of <1.5, using innovative design, power, and cooling technologies such as hybrid cooling, advanced UPS systems, smart DCIM solutions, and the adoption of renewable energy sources.



Government Interest In Curbing Carbon Emissions Will Drive Middle East And Africa Green Data Center Market Developments



 Several regional governments are driving the requirement for sustainable data center operations to ensure a reduced carbon footprint. Several countries have announced plans to become carbon neutral between 2030 and 2050.

o The Saudi Arabia government aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. It is conducting the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) in November 2022 to chart actionable plans to combat climate change.

o UAE has planned to reduce its carbon emissions by 31% by 2030.

o As per the National Determined Contribution (NDC) 2020, South Africa announced that its range of GHG emissions will be between 398 million tonnes of CO2 to 440 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

 Governments are also partnering with renewable energy companies to develop renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms.



ELEMENTS OF GREEN DATA CENTERS

Innovations In Power Technologies



 As Lithium and Nickel are essential innovations in batteries, the gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, are investing in mining. It has planned to attract investment of around USD 32 billion in the minerals and mining sectors.

 Lepidico, an Australian company, collaborates with Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) for lithium production in the Middle East. It has acquired over 600,000 square feet of land, aiming to invest around USD 95 million to set up its plants in Abu Dhabi.

 To grow the usage of green energy, in August 2021, an investment of over USD 1 million was made by I-G3N, a battery manufacturer in South Africa.

 In March 2022, Siemens announced that it would provide the first microgrid in Qatar, mostly for industrial use. It has collaborated with Qatar Solar Energy for its establishment. It will ultimately lessen the electricity cost and control greenhouse emissions at its facility in Doha.



Innovations In Cooling Technologies



 The use of free cooling reduces the usage of water and power to cool IT infrastructure. For at least part of the year, free cooling can be explored in various countries that witness colder climates.

 Owing to the hotter climate in most Middle Eastern and African countries, liquid cooling will be one of the better and more efficient techniques to ensure better cooling in data centers operating in the region.



Increasing Modular Data Center Design & Deployment



 Modular data center buildouts tackle challenges such as a high PUE, high operational costs of traditional data centers, and high environmental impact.

 The Middle East and Africa have both witnessed significant investments in modular data center deployment, which offers several efficiency-related benefits, including the opportunity for expansion based on business requirements, and lesser use of cement, among other things.

 MDX-Is (Equinix) Lekki Data Center in Lagos, Nigeria, which opened in April 2022, has been built as a modular data center facility according to Tier III standards.



Hyperscale Operators Stacking Up On Renewable Energy PPAs



 Google, AWS, Microsoft, Alibaba Cloud, and Oracle are some hyperscale operators in the Middle East and Africa region. They are all aggressively pursuing the adoption of renewable energy to meet their sustainability goals. For instance, in July 2021, AWS signed a deal with TotalEnergies to power its renewable energy operations and expanded its partnership in various regions, including the Middle East.



Renewable Energy Adoption by Colocation Service Providers



 Equinix, Africa Data Centres, Rack Centre, Moro Hub, Gulf Data Hub, Khazna Data Centers, and Digital Realty are some significant data center service providers operating using renewable energy and aiming to be carbon neutral in the Middle East and Africa green data center market.

 For instance, Moro Hub, a DEWAs digital arm Digital DEWA subsidiary, is constructing a facility at Dubais Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The carbon-neutral green data center, with a more than 100 MW capacity, will be powered exclusively by renewable energy.



VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Prominent Data Center Investors

 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

 Africa Data Centres

 Equinix

 Future Digital Data Systems (FDDS)

 Gulf Data Hub

 Digital Realty

 IXAfrica

 Moro Hub

 Meeza

 Microsoft

 Ooredoo

 Paratus Group

 Rack Centre

 Raxio Data Centres

 Turkcell

 Google



Renewable Energy Providers

 MASE

 Enerwhere

 SolarWind Middle East

 Yellow Door Energy

 Masdar

 Canadian Solar

 SirajPower

 ACWA Power

 EDF Renewables

 Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

 ENGIE

 AMEA Power

 TotalEnergies

 ACCIONA Energia

 Scatec



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. How big is the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

2. What is the growth rate of the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

3. What are the latest Middle East and Africa green data center market trends?

4. Which country holds the largest Middle East and Africa green data center market share?

5. What factors drive the growth of the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380033/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
New York, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Specialty Enzymes Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380021/?utm_source=GNW

The major drivers of the specialty enzymes market include the increasing health consciousness and intense penetration of the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and biotechnology industries.

 Specialty enzymes are used in various industries for various purposes. In the pharmaceutical industry, these are used for manufacturing drugs for DNA/RNA treatment, cancer, heart-related disease, and other treatments. The demand is increasing due to increasing awareness and changing government policies. With the growing specialty enzymes markets, companies must increase the supply of raw materials to produce enzymes in bulk quantities. In the pharmaceutical industry, companies have started using biobased drugs to improve product quality. Companies are adopting sustainable standards in their manufacturing processes. The specialty enzymes market has helped to reduce the by-products in the production process. Companies are getting good financial returns by using specialty enzymes in the production processes. Thus, the global demand for specialty enzymes is increasing.

 The US contributed more than half of the overall demand in North America. Globally, the demand for specialty enzymes is very high in the US, and North America dominates the global specialty enzymes market. The US has the worlds top 10 pharmaceutical companies head offices. Thus, the demand for specialty enzymes in North Americas pharmaceutical industry is increasing with the growing pharmaceutical industry.



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increased Use in Diagnostics Sector



 The diagnostics industry includes two categories such as pathology and radiology. Pathology is used for testing all types of illness, whereas radiology is used for testing images related to diagnoses such as x-rays, CT scans, and others. For the research & development of vaccines for various infectious diseases, enzymes are used. Enzymes are used in testing infectious diseases such as coronaviruses and influenza and are also used in nucleic acid detection. The enzymes are used in the diagnostics and analysis of biological abnormalities.

 The diagnostics segment plays a crucial role in the healthcare sector. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for proper diagnostic equipment and processes in the diagnostics sector is growing rapidly. In the testing of coronaviruses and other infectious diseases, enzymes are used. For immediate recovery from coronavirus diseases, antibiotics are used, which are produced from enzymes. Thus, the specialty enzymes market in the diagnostic sector is increasing globally.



Increasing Demand from Pharmaceutical Industry



 The global revenue of the pharmaceutical industry is increasing due to the global demand for pharmaceutical products. The factors driving the demand for pharmaceutical products include changing clinical practices, aging-related issues, and rising chronic diseases. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for pharmaceutical products used to improve quality of life and preventive approach. The global market of pharmaceutical drugs is increasing due to the lowering the regulatory barrier for new drugs in the US.

 The health consciousness of people has increased after the Covid-19 pandemic. People prefer bio-based pharmaceutical products. Thus, the demand for bio-based substances used in manufacturing antibiotics is rising. Specialty enzymes are used in the pharmaceutical industry to increase the reaction rate and produce the desired molecules, contributing to the specialty enzymes market growth.



INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Technical Barriers Affecting Specialty Enzymes Market



 Biocatalysis is a process that accelerates the chemical process by using biomolecules. It includes mild reaction and high selectivity conditions. Therefore, specialty enzymes play an essential role in the chemical industry and are gaining relevance in industrial applications. But, there is difficulty in finding the accurate protein structure of specialty enzymes. The process is time-consuming and requires more catalysts to fulfilling the need of the chemical reaction process. For the manufacturing process of these enzymes, specific conditions such as new concentration, new substrate, and other conditions are required which are not found readily in nature. These unresolved challenges make specialty enzymes unpredictive. Thus, more research & development is necessary for making enzymes in bulk amounts, creating a barrier to the specialty enzymes market growth.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY END-USE



In the pharmaceutical industry, specialty enzymes are very useful and good for treating various diseases. As there is increasing demand for pharmaceutical products, the enzyme has become essential to meet the demand for sustainable and safe industry processes. The specialty enzymes are primarily used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry for research & development and diagnostics. The global specialty enzymes market in the pharmaceutical industry was valued at USD 976.56 million in 2021. The demand for specialty enzymes in North America and APAC is very high due to the increasing pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.



In the biotechnology industry, specialty enzymes are used to increase biochemical reaction rates. Lipases are used in dietary drugs and it is used to increase the metabolism rate. Polymerases & nucleases are used in DNA amplification. In DNA amplification, the increase in the number of the gene causes an increase in proteins and RNA. Thus, it may increase the cancer cells or lower the anticancer cells. Hence, the polymerases & nucleases-based enzymes demand is growing in the global specialty enzymes market.



Segmentation by End Use

 Pharmaceutical

 Biotechnology

 Diagnostics

 Other Specialty



INSIGHTS BY TYPE



Carbohydrases have dominated the global specialty enzymes market and is expected to reach USD 1.9 billion by 2027. Carbohydrases are mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry as specialty enzymes. Most of these enzymes used in the pharmaceutical industry are produced from microorganisms, animals, and plants. Carbohydrases are further classified into glucosidase, pectinases, alpha, beta amylases, cellulases, mannanases, galacto, and pullulanase. These are the cost-effective processes in industrial applications; thus, a cheap technique is required to obstruct.



The global proteases-based specialty enzymes market surpassed USD813 million in 2021. The proteases are used in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics industriesthe high use of proteases in the pharmaceutical industry for prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Based on the catalysis mechanism, the proteases are classified into additional classes, such as glutamic, aspartic, metalloproteases, threonine, cysteine, and serine proteases which activate the water molecule and attack the proteins.



Segmentation by Type

 Carbohydrase

 Proteases

 Lipases

 Polymerases & nucleases



INSIGHTS BY SOURCE



Globally, microorganisms-based enzymes contributed 77.47%, followed by animal and plant-based enzymes in 2021 in the global specialty enzymes market. The demand for specialty enzymes is very high in North America, followed by Europe and APAC. Microorganisms and plant-based enzymes are easily found in the environment. Animal-based enzymes have fewer resources, and it isnt easy to produce in bulk quantities. Thus, companies are focusing on producing enzymes from microorganisms and plants.



The global plants-based specialty enzymes market was valued at USD 297.07 million in 2021. These are used in the agriculture industry to reduce insects from crops. The few plant-based enzymes are phosphatase, esterase, glucanase, chitinase, and others. These enzymes play a crucial role in the production of nutrition. Further, plant-based enzymes are being used to manufacture drugs in the pharmaceutical industry to improve the digestive system.



Segmentation by Source

 Microorganisms

 Plants

 Animal



GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

The global specialty enzymes market is diverse, with many established and potential growth markets. North America is the leading market because of rapidly developing infrastructure and readily increasing population, increasing demand for various pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics industries. The specialty enzymes market in North America was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2021.



Europe is the second-largest market for specialty enzymes. The growth is supported by the increasing demand for healthy pharmaceutical products, which is attributed to the rising health consciousness. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, and others led the region. In European countries, various companies are producing specialty enzymes that contribute to the global specialty enzymes market, such as BASF SE (Germany), Johnson Matthey (UK), Biocatalysts (UK), BBI Solutions (UK), and others. Furthermore, the demand is expected to grow significantly as the APAC region population has grown tremendously in recent years. China, Japan, India, and South Korea led the region. The population of APAC countries is increasing rapidly; thus, demand for pharmaceutical and diagnostics specialty enzymes is increasing. China, India, and Japan are the major pharmaceutical industry players in the APAC region.



Segmentation by Geography



 North America

o US

o Canada

 Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o Spain

o UK

o Russia

o Rest of Europe

 APAC

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

o Rest of APAC

 Latin America

o Brazil

o Mexico

o Rest of Latin America

 Middle East & Africa

o South Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o Rest of MEA



COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE



The major companies in the specialty enzymes market are following the merger and acquisition strategy. This gives companies a competitive advantage that boosts their market share of the company. The key companies have undertaken various strategies to grow in the market. The growth in sustainable processes and initiatives has challenged all companies globally. Investments in R&D, technological advancement, and environmental and economic challenges drive the demand for innovative and sustainable specialty enzyme products.



Some major players in the global specialty enzymes market include Roche (Switzerland), BASF SE (Germany), DuPont (US), Novozymes (Denmark), and DSM (Netherlands). These players have adopted strategies like acquisitions, expansion, joint ventures, new product development, and others to increase their revenues in the industry. Other prominent companies such as Chr. Hansen Holding A/S (Denmark), Codexis (US), BBI Solutions (UK), and others have invested significant capital in R&D to develop specialty enzymes-based products that will appeal to customers. Therefore, these other prominent companies are giving tough competition to major companies.



Key Vendors

 BASF SE

 DSM

 DuPont

 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

 Novozymes



Other Prominent Vendors

 Amano Enzyme Inc.

 Amayra Biotech AG

 Antozyme Biotech Pvt Ltd

 Aumgene Biosciences

 Aumenzymes

 BBI Solutions

 Biocatalysts

 Codexis

 Hansen Holding A/S

 Dyadic International Inc.

 Iosynth

 Merck KGaA

 Nature Bioscience Pvt. Ltd.

 Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics

 Zymtronix Inc.



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. What was the global specialty enzymes market size in 2021?

2. What is the growth rate of the global specialty enzymes market?

3. What are the key trends in the Specialty Enzymes Market in the world?

4. Which are the key companies in the global specialty enzymes market?

5. Which end-use segment is estimated to lead the Global Specialty Enzymes Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380021/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
New York, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "5G in Oil & Gas Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2030" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380012/?utm_source=GNW

Operation in these conditions face challenges such as low latency network connectivity, cybersecurity issues, and managing the network at remote locations. These things mandate the use of strong communication technology. 5G is one of the prominent technologies that effectively moderates these issues, as it offers ultra-high speed coupled with low latency communication between production sites and vessels. Increased use of 5G-enabled systems such as drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) enhances operational efficiency, thus, driving adoption in the oil & gas sector, further propelling the growth of the 5G in oil & gas market.



Key Advantages of 5G:



 Streamlining growing complexity in the operational activities.

 Managing the increasing competition from renewable resources.

 Supports improving margins by minimizing cost.

 Helps in timely maintenance and prevents equipment failure.

 Increases operational efficiency by employing decreasing unmanned downtime.

The 5G network provides robust connectivity and smooth communication essential for daily operational activities.



MARKET TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES



Industry 4.0 To Boost 5G in Oil & Gas Market



Industry 4.0 is currently essential for all entities engaged in the production and manufacturing processes. Evolution in the utility sector mandates the incorporation of Industry 4.0 in day-to-day activities. The utility sector is an integral part of the new industrial revolution era. Transformations such as process automation, integrating machines for predictive diagnostics and maintenance, equipment health tracking, and digitizing other operational parameters require the integration of Industry 4.0 in the energy sector. Oil & gas companies across the globe are also mandating incorporation of Industry 4.0 in daily operational activities. Oil & gas companies, especially in the upstream sector, are incorporating the advantages of industry 4.0 to enhance their overall operations. This is also required to remain relevant in the market due to the rising competition from the increasing demand for renewable energy, electric vehicle, and new hydrocarbon sources. Industry 4.0 also enables unmanned drilling operations, forecast maintenance needs, and enable asset management. Modernizing services and solution offerings in tandem with the improvising industry practices is set to be the key to growth over the next few years.



Growing Adoption of Digitization in Oilfield



Oil & gas companies are proactively implementing digital transformation techniques in their operations, which can contribute towards the 5G in oil & gas market growth. The advancement in automation processes, sensing technologies, and data analytics drives these developments. Digitization in the oilfield or digital oilfield is the concept that integrates business processes with digital technologies such as IoT, AI, augmented reality, VR, digital twin, and cloud systems. This process supports companies by collecting real-time data from sensors, pressure and temperature meters, tank-level sensors, and others. Assimilation of such advanced technologies increases any oil or gas fields operational efficiency.



Helps In:



 Enabling smooth decision-making regarding drilling in remote areas,

 Minimizes the unplanned shutdown of equipment as well as others,

 Enables the oil & gas companies to achieve maximum productivity by automation and monitoring of oilfields through live video feeds for visual monitoring and evaluation.



INDUSTRY CHALLENGES



Shift Towards Renewable & Alternate Energy Sources



In the last decade, the evolution of renewable energy has been enormous. Production and the installed capacity of renewable technologies have increased substantially, driven by encouraging global government policies. In addition, increasing climate catastrophes such as floods, extreme rain, wildfires, and others have mandated the increased use of renewables as electricity sources. Renewable energy technologies improve energy security and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. They also provide direct and indirect economic advantages, thus gradually reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. Reduced reliance on oil & gas and sustainability initiatives are expected to result in decreased oil & gas activities which are expected to eventually impact the adoption of 5 G-related digital technologies in the oil & gas sector. Such factors can eventually hamper the growth of the 5G in oil & gas market.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY APPLICATION



Based on application, the 5G in oil & gas market is divided into three segments: downstream, upstream, and midstream. The upstream industry accounted for the highest share of the global 5G in oil & gas market and is expected to reach USD 13.50 billion by 2030. This segment involves carrying out the most crucial activities, such as initial surveying and exploration of new fields and extraction and pre-processing crude oil and gas. Systems such as downhole drilling motors, oil platform tensioner systems, exploration stacks, and digital technologies such as IoT, AI, Big Data, and cloud computing have been integrated with almost all stages of oil & gas development.



Midstream oil & gas industry is one of the three major stages of the overall oil & gas industry. The prime activities at this stage include processing, storing, and transporting oil & natural gas. The global midstream 5G in oil & gas market is expected to reach USD 0.88 billion in 2023. The use of digital technologies in the midstream segment enables companies to transport oil & gas products safely as sensor track the location of the truck, prevent incidents and reduce unnecessary manual checks of the systems.



Segmentation by Application:

 Upstream

 Midstream

 Downstream



INSIGHTS BY SPECTRUM



The mid-band segment in the 5G in oil & gas market is the largest segment by spectrum and accounts for a share of 64.00%. Mid-band spectrum is appropriate for ultra-high-speed applications which require low latency. This spectrum dominates the market owing to its advantages, such as transmitting vast amounts of data across significant distances. It is essential to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas by offering good broadband speed and connectivity. In addition, evolving technologies such as the Multiple Input, Multiple Output technique (MIMO), Advanced Antenna Systems (AAS), and state-of-the-art beamforming technology support the use of the mid-band spectrum.



Segmentation by Spectrum:

 High-Band

 Low-Band

 Mid-Band



GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

China holds the most significant 5G in oil & gas market share globally and is growing at a CAGR of 24.39% during the forecast period. The country is amongst the top economies boosting the adoption and establishment of 5G technologies globally. Digital transformation is becoming necessary for organizations to remain competitive in the market. Various oil & gas companies in the country are adopting the latest technologies, such as AI-based solutions, predictive maintenance, and others, to gain a competitive edge and drive revenue growth. China is among the global leaders in 5G technology, with around 86,500 5G base stations. Furthermore, robust support from the government to promote digitization across rural and urban areas and in the industry is also expected to support market growth.



Following China, the US is expected to lead the global 5G in oil & gas market at second position with a share of 22.00% by revenue in 2023. The growth is supported by the high penetration of highly skilled labor, high technology, and the presence of many oil & gas companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron Corporation, and others. These companies embracing digital technology across its operation are the significant elements expected to support market growth in the US during the forecast period. However, the strong control of the FCC over the 5G network for providing licenses and spectrum allocation is leading to the slow adoption of the 5G network.



Segmentation by Geography:

 US

 Europe

o UK

o Norway

o Russia

o Italy

 China

 Vietnam

 Middle East & North Africa

o Tunisia

o Algeria

o Egypt

o Morocco

o Libya

o Sudan

o Turkey

 Saudi Arabia

 Rest of the World



o Canada

o India

o Brazil

o Mexico

o Venezuela



COMPANY AND STRATEGIES



Major companies in the global 5G in oil & gas market are Huawei (China), Hitachi Energy (Switzerland), Nokia (Finland), and Ericsson (Sweden), among others. These companies serve the global industry with 5G, routing, and other technologies. These players have adopted strategies such as expansion, acquisitions, new product development, joint ventures, and others to increase their revenues in the 5G in oil & gas market. However, limited vendors are offering 5G services across the oil & gas industry, giving opportunities for the local and regional telecommunication and network technology firms to leverage their 5G network across the oil & gas industry.



Further, the competitive scenario in the global 5G in oil & gas market is deepening, and the fast-changing technological environment can adversely affect the companies as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades. The market is consolidated, with few players providing 5G networks in the oil & gas industry with high functionality. The 5G in oil & gas market structure is in an oligopoly state, characterized by a few top players who have significant influence in the market. Vendors are now focusing on developing their portfolios to drive growth. Vendors are actively investing in R&D and collaborating with stakeholders for better insights and revenue growth.



Key Vendors

 Athonet

 Cisco

 Ericsson

 Hitachi Energy

 Huawei

 Niral Network

 Nokia

 Sierra Wireless



Other Prominent Vendors

 Alibaba Cloud

 Fuze

 Google (Google Cloud)

 Intrado

 Microsoft (Microsoft Azure)

 NTT

 Qualcomm

 Samsung

 Sateliot

 Verizon

 Windstream

 ZTE



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. How big is the 5G in oil & gas market?

2. Which region dominates the global 5G in oil & gas market?

3. Who are the key players in the global 5G in oil & gas market?

4. What is the growth rate of the global 5G in oil & gas market?

5. What are the key driving factors in the 5G in oil & gas market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380012/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
New York, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "GCC Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05894599/?utm_source=GNW



b) The increase in the adoption of cloud-based services in the region is growing the establishment of cloud regions by major cloud service providers such as Microsoft, Tencent cloud, Oracle, Amazon Web Services, and Alibaba Cloud. Microsoft Azure is opening its new cloud region in Qatar, a global data center facility.

c) The region is also witnessing the adoption of cloud services as the governments adopt policies for implementing cloud services in the region. For instance, the Saudi Arabian government implemented the Cloud first policy to adopt cloud services in the region.

d) Telecom operators such as Saudi Telecom Company (stc), Mobily, Zain, Atlas, Sirius Telecom, Ooredoo, Nokia, Ericsson, and Vodafone are the major companies that deploy 5G connectivity in the GCC data center market.

e) In the GCC region, around five submarine cables are currently under development. In terms of existing submarine cables, United Arab Emirates has the largest network of Submarine cables, with more than 15 submarine cables connected.



DRIVING FACTORS FOR AREA IN THE REGION



a) The government initiatives for developing the GCC data center market include the steps taken to reduce the price of the land to promote investment in the country. For instance, the Oman government reduce the cost of the land to facilitate the investment of the data centers in the country.

b) The presence of industrial parks, the availability of land, and the governments support motivate the operators to develop facilities in GCC countries. For instance, the Government of Bahrain announced the launching of its first data center park, which includes the development of its first data center by stc Bahrain through collaboration with the ministry of transport and Telecommunications.

c) The majority of the GCC countries have the availability of Free Trade Zones (FTZs). For instance, Oman has free trade zones such as the Al Mazunah Free Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Sohar Free Zone, and Duqm SEZ. These zones provide multiple benefits to investors, including corporate tax exemption, full exemption of import and export taxes, and local labor recruitment.



DRIVING FACTORS OF THE POWER CAPACITY IN THE REGION



a) In terms of renewable energy, GCC countries produce renewable energy majorly from solar, geothermal, and wind energy sources & aim to be carbon neutral. For instance, the UAE announced its plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 with an investment of over USD 160 billion towards renewable energy.

b) The GCC countries make initiatives for the development of renewable energy. For instance, the Bahrain government took National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEFAP), and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) was formed to increase the renewable energy addition by 10% in 2035.

c) In addition, the GCC region is witnessing a rise in investments in solar parks and renewable energy sources, which facilitate increasing renewable energy usage during the forecasted period. For instance, Shagaya renewable-energy park plans to expand its generation capacity of 4 GW by developing concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, solar PV farms, and wind farms by 2027.

d) The region also witnessed the power purchase agreement for powering the data centers. For instance, Khazna Data Centers formed a new Joint Venture (JV) with BEEAH Digital and planned to build a new 9 MW data center that will likely be powered by solar power.

e) In terms of IT load, Saudi Arabia is dominating the GCC data center market with the addition of IT load by upcoming facilities during the forecast period. The UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain follow Saudi Arabia.



SUPPLY & DEMAND IN THE GCC DATA CENTER MARKET



a) Government support and initiatives in digitalization are expected to boost the GCC data center market. For instance, the Arab League Digital Economy Federation (AFDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ATDXT, a UAE-based digital transformation company, to build a new regional facility to promote digital transformation across the Gulf region.

b) The UAE is the most advanced technology market among GCC countries in the GCC region due to the presence of two smart cities, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which drives the demand for data center investments.

c) The expansion of cloud regions by hyperscale operators and internet service providers is fuelling the regions significant demand for data center investments.

d) The major colocation service providers in the GCC data center market include Ooredoo, Khazna Data Centers, Equinix, Gulf data hub, Zajil Telecom, Moro Hub, Oman Data Park, Mezza, Etisalat, and Saudi Telecom Company (stc). In addition, the region is also witnessing investments from new entrants such as ZeroPoint DC, EDGNEX, and Quantum Switch.

e) The migration of the on-premises data centers to colocation is increasing in the GCC region. For instance, the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) was the first government entity to migrate its workloads from the on-premises data center to the G42 (Group 42) cloud.

f) In the GCC region, several sectors, such as BFSI, healthcare, education, hospitality, government, and transport, have observed data migration to the cloud. For instance, the educational institutions in the GCC region migrated their core applications, such as Student Information System (SIS) and Correspondence Management System (CMS), to the AWS cloud.



WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?



 Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and GCC market revenue.

 Assess the revenue share between retail and wholesale colocation across the GCC region.

 Assessment of the data center construction cost breakup across the GCC region.

 Study of the macroeconomic and microeconomic factors across the GCC region.

 An assessment of the data center investment in the GCC region by the data center operators.

 Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across locations in the GCC region.

 A detailed study of the existing GCC data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period.

 Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in the GCC market.

a) Facilities Covered (Existing): 78

b) Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 44

c) Coverage: 6 Countries

d) Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

e) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

 The GCC market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

 A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

 Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

 A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the market.



VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Major Vendors



IT Infrastructure Providers



 Arista Networks

 Atos

 Broadcom

 Cisco Systems

 Dell Technologies

 Fujitsu

 Hewlett Packard Enterprise

 Hitachi Vantara

 Huawei Technologies

 IBM

 Juniper Networks

 Lenovo

 NetApp

 Oracle



Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors



 AECOM

 Al Latifia Trading & Contracting

 Aldar Properties

 Arup

 Ashi & Bushnag

 Atkins

 Capitoline

 Dar

 DC PRO BV

 Direct Services

 Edarat Group

 EGEC

 Egis

 HATCO

 HHM Building Contracting

 Hill International

 ICS Nett

 INTLTEC Group

 JAMED

 James L. Williams (JLW)

 Laing ORourke

 Linesight

 M+W Group

 Mace

 Marafie Group

 McLaren Construction Group

 Red Engineering

 RW Armstrong

 SANA Creative Systems

 Specialist Technical Services (STS Group)

 Turner & Townsend



Support Infrastructure Providers



 ABB

 Airedale

 Alfa Laval

 Canovate

 Caterpillar

 Cummins

 Delta Electronics

 Eaton

 Enrogen

 Envicool

 Grundfos

 Honeywell International

 Johnson Controls

 Legrand

 Mitsubishi Electric

 Rittal

 Rolls-Royce

 STULZ

 Schneider Electric

 Siemens

 Vertiv



Data Center Investors



 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

 Batelco

 Etisalat (e&)

 Equinix

 Gulf Data Hub

 Google

 Khazna Data Centers

 MEEZA

 Mobily

 Moro Hub

 Oman Data Park

 Ooredoo

 Saudi Telecom Company (stc)

 Tencent Cloud

 Zain

 Zajil Telecom



New Entrants



 EDGNEX

 Quantum Switch

 ZeroPoint DC



EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS



 Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

 UAE

 Saudi Arabia

 Bahrain

 Oman

 Kuwait

 Qatar

 List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)



REPORT COVERAGE:

This report analyses the GCC data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. The segmentation includes:



 IT Infrastructure

 Servers

 Storage Systems

 Network Infrastructure



 Electrical Infrastructure

 UPS Systems

 Generators

 Transfer Switches & Switchgears

 PDUs

 Other Electrical Infrastructure



 Mechanical Infrastructure

 Cooling Systems

 Racks

 Other Mechanical Infrastructure



 Cooling Systems

 CRAC & CRAH Units

 Chiller Units

 Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

 Other Cooling Units



 General Construction

 Core & Shell Development

 Installation & Commissioning Services

 Engineering & Building Design

 Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

 Physical Security

 Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)



 Tier Standard

 Tier I & Tier II

 Tier III

 Tier IV



 Geography

 UAE

 Saudi Arabia

 Bahrain

 Oman

 Kuwait

 Qatar



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. How big is the GCC data center market?

2. What is the growth rate of the GCC data center market?

3. How many data centers have been identified in the GCC region?

4. What are the driving factors for the GCC data center market?

5. Who are the key investors in the GCC data center market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05894599/?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, ON, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The disruptive impacts of Donald Trumps presidency continue to wreak havoc in America while influencing politics in Canada and abroad. Two years after losing the presidency, is his influence behind him or is his MAGA movement still a force to be reckoned with?

This question will spur a lively discussion with legendary journalist and author Bob Woodward (All the Presidents Men, The Trump Tapes) when he takes the stage with Steve Paikin (The Agenda) at TVO Today Live on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Members of the public can register for free via Eventbrite to attend this event at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, at 7 pm ET. An audience Q&A will follow the conversation.

Bob Woodwards name is synonymous with hard-nosed investigative journalism, says John Ferri, VP of Programming and Content at TVO. His reporting on the Trump presidency has been instrumental in documenting this incredibly tumultuous period. If you want to understand what could happen next, you want to hear what Woodward has to say.

An era-defining reporter, Bob Woodwards groundbreaking work with Carl Bernstein on the Watergate scandal in the 1970s contributed to the downfall of President Richard Nixon. His latest work is The Trump Tapes, an engrossing audiobook that examines Trumps time in office through 20 exclusive interviews with the former president himself. It caps a trilogy of books Woodward has written about this undeniably controversial figure who reshaped American politics.

Attendees will enjoy the insider wisdom Woodward has gained over decades of reporting on the happenings in Washington, D.C. Truth and Trump: An evening with Bob Woodward will be recorded and made available for streaming on TVO Today and YouTube on Wednesday, February 1 before being broadcast on TVO on Thursday, February 2 at 9 pm ET. Sign up for TVO Today Live updates via email to get the latest information.

The TVO Today Live series is made possible through generous support from The Wilson Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen and enrich Canada in education leadership, community, history and heritage, and public service. Events take place in communities across the province and feature conversations with community leaders and experts to inspire civic engagement.

Truth and Trump: An evening with Bob Woodward

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Isabel Bader Theatre

Toronto, Ontario

RSVP: Eventbrite



- 30 -



ABOUT TVO

TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through video, audio, games, courses, newsletters and articles, were investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, TVO is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. For more information, visit TVO.me, TVO.org and TVOkids.com.

Stream TVO on your favourite device.

Sign up to receive TVO media releases by email.



Media contact:

Sean Minogue, TVO

sminogue@tvo.org

Social:

Twitter: @TheAgenda

Facebook: @TheAgenda

Instagram: @TheAgendaTVO

YouTube: /TheAgenda

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Singapore, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A platform launched by DefiLabs in 2021 is now ready to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). DefiLabs is a fully intelligent and decentralized asset management crypto staking platform which is built on Binance Smart Chain. DefiLabs uses artificial intelligence based on quantum algorithms to dynamically manage portfolios, perform efficient asset allocation, and predictively model asset management strategies. Thus, make profits for users in different fields such as lending, leverage mining, and cross-chain mining to improve their portfolio in the fast-paced world of DeFi.

DefiLabs deploy an ecosystem of Artificial Intelligence to support trading decisions on DefiLabs which will help increase the value and returns of the users by providing liquidity to DeFi markets. From expecting changes in asset prices to utilizing data on the market, the company is able to train and improve its AI models, potentially resulting in higher investment returns. This technology is transforming the DeFi industry by using AI to analyze large amounts of data and make informed decisions at a rapid pace. The integration of AI is a rapidly developing field, and it will be fascinating to see its continued evolution and influence on the industry.

In addition DefiLabs is not only equipped with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, and also the most advanced technology in the market for yield farming activities. This allows users to easily and efficiently participate in yield farming as well.

Users can access a range of decentralized financial services. DefiLabs is dedicated to building an open and transparent platform that rewards its users with improved yields while reducing the risk of holding crypto. With its innovative AI-powered automation and exclusive features, DefiLabs is transforming the DeFi space.

Its security protocols are constantly monitored and updated to ensure the highest level of protection for its users' funds. As part of its commitment to providing quality customer service. Additionally, the team is continuously developing and adding new features and tools to the platform to make sure all users get the most out of their DeFi experience and it is also fully audited by CertiK and Cyberscope to ensure the integrity and reliability of our platform.



DefiLabs is always striving to improve the user experience and stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance. The team is dedicated to staying at the forefront of DeFi innovation and providing the best possible platform for their users.

DefiLabs is a truly game changing platform that is set to shake up the DeFi space. Its unique combination of AI capabilities sets it apart from the competition and makes it a must-have for any DeFi enthusiast.

About DefiLabs

DefiLabs is a leading project in the DeFi space, specializing in the development and implementation of cutting-edge AI technology. The team at DefiLabs is composed of experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and finance, who have come together to bring the power of AI to the world of decentralized finance. DefiLabs is committed to providing the best possible experience for their users, with a focus on innovation, security, and transparency. The team is constantly working to improve the platform and add new features to enhance the user experience.

Media Details:

Company: DefiLabs

Email: support@defilabs.farm

City: Singapore

Country: Singapore



There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. Newsroom: abrelease.submitmypressrelease.com



Attachment
Highly Anticipated Acquisition of the Specialty Mushroom Company Marks a Milestone for the Company



Summary:

GrowLife has completed the acquisition of assets from Bridgetown Mushrooms, effectively marking its full entrance into the burgeoning space

GrowLife has been actively investing time and financial resources into Bridgetown over the past year, setting the table for rapid expansion in 2023.

Executives have scheduled a conference call with investors to go over their growth plans for 2023 on January 19th 2023 at 4:30pm EST

KIRKLAND, WA, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  GrowLife, Inc. (OTCQB: PHOT) announced today that on January 6, 2023, it has completed its acquisition of certain assets of Bridgetown Mushrooms, one of the leading growers of gourmet and functional mushrooms in the United States. GrowLife previously announced that it had reached a definitive agreement with Bridgetown in June 2022. Todays announcement marks its official entrance into the booming mushroom sector and is now the core focus of the Company.

Founded in 2018, Bridgetown has been a leading producer and supplier of fresh gourmet and functional mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest, and is now expanding nationwide to include a variety of functional mushroom infused products, as well as a new line of Mycology Supplies, specifically designed to meet the growing needs of commercial mushroom farmers across the country. Consumers continue to seek natural wellness alternatives to implement into their daily routines and mushrooms are one of the leading ways to do so. Bridgetown will continue to optimize its operational efficiencies and capacity through the acquisition, leading to great revenue generation potential and market penetration.

Since early 2022, GrowLife has been investing both time and financial resources in assisting Bridgetown on its expansion efforts to help meet what has been overwhelming demand in all three of Bridgetowns Mushroom divisions.

"The completion of this acquisition was a pivotal milestone for GrowLife as we have now positioned the company to be a national leader in the expanding mushroom category," said GrowLife CEO Dave Dohrmann. "Bridgetown is a proven business with a wonderful brand that has been built over the past 5 years. Now is the time to expand the brand nationwide, taking advantage of what are optimal growth conditions. The current demand for gourmet mushrooms, functional mushroom products and mycology supplies continues to be insatiable and there is not enough supply to keep up. Its the perfect time to expand as customers are beating down the door wanting product and that is a great problem to have. Bridgetowns leadership, who will remain in place, have a proven track record in both the science and operation of such a business and I am confident in their ability to meet our operational goals. With the support of our organization as a parent company, we plan to work hand-in-hand with the Bridgetown executive team as we continue to build what we foresee as a multimillion-dollar, profitable organization.

"We could not be more excited to close this acquisition and get to work with the new tools available to us in building this business," said Trevor Huebert, Founder of Bridgetown Mushrooms. "Dave has already brought so many ideas and opportunities to the table where we may not have had them without this acquisition. He has a macro view on the financial and operational landscape and GrowLifes vision of growing Bridgetown perfectly aligns with ours. We look forward to meeting the demands of our growing customer base across all lines of our business and now have the ability to do so.

In an effort to communicate with current and potential shareholders and outline their growth plans for 2023, Dave Dohrmann and Trevor Huebert will be hosting a conference call on January 19, 2023 at 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time. Investors are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the webinar by emailing growlife@cmwmedia.com. Additionally, analysts interested in participating in the live webinar are encouraged to email growlife@cmwmedia.com in order to receive specific dial in instructions.

Interested participants can register for the webinar at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R509K61ZSl-KNnp32hf7ZA

About GrowLife, Inc.

GrowLife, Inc. was founded in 2012 and today is the owner of Bridgetown Mushrooms, acting as its parent Company.

About Bridgetown Mushrooms

Founded in 2018 in Portland Oregon, Bridgetown Mushrooms is currently one the largest producers of gourmet and functional mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest. The Company grows a variety of functional and gourmet mushrooms which are in turn sold through multiple commercial and consumer sales channels. The company also develops and markets mushroom based products nationwide as well as manufactures and sells Mycology supplies to meet the demand for commercial mushroom farmers across the United States.

For more information

www.bridgetown-mushrooms.com

Instagram @btshrooms

Investor Relations Contact:

investors@growlifeinc.com




Terry Houck has officially announced his reelection bid for Northampton County district attorney.

And as he did in winning the 2019 race, Houck will face a Democratic primary opponent, and fierce early campaigning portends a heated showdown leading up to the May 16 election.

The challenger, former Northampton County Court Judge Stephen G. Baratta, last week fired off a lengthy memo accusing Houck of ethical violations involving Houcks chief assistant district attorney, Richard H. Pepper.

Standing in the county rotunda entrance Thursday and flanked by some 20 members of his staff, Houck gave a 10-minute statement highlighting his achievements despite the coronavirus.

When I was sworn in as district attorney on Jan. 6, 2020, we had no idea the adversity a global pandemic would soon cause, Houck said. Although our world changed dramatically, for the Northampton County district attorneys office, it was business as usual.

The experienced prosecutor said he wants to add programs to those he implemented as DA.

That is why I am humbly asking for you to allow me to continue in another term the work I started when you elected me your district attorney in 2019, Houck said.

He did not address Barattas complaint in his opening statement, but discussed it while taking media questions afterward.

Baratta, who filed a complaint with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, contends that Pepper maintains a private law practice while working as a full-time prosecutor and that Pepper improperly represented someone accused of criminal harassment. Those accusations, according to Baratta, are grounds for an ethics investigation at the state level and a review at the county level of any possible work conflict.

Houck said none of his 23 full-time assistants, including Pepper, does any work that conflicts with their criminal cases. Other outside work is permitted, Houck said.

The bottom line is this: There is no conflict of interest with anything anybody does, he said.

Baratta, reached by telephone later Thursday, said: The taxpayers are paying [Pepper]. If he takes vacation time or personal days, he gets paid for those days.

The state disciplinary board, which handles cases involving attorneys, has never sanctioned Pepper, according to online records. Pepper, who attended Houcks news conference, declined to comment.

Houck says he is the most qualified candidate for the post, with more than 3 1/2 decades of prosecutorial experience. Among highlights, he said his office created a community outreach program for citizens to learn about crime-stopping topics; created a full-time drug task force; sponsored a drug-awareness video involving county residents who have battled addiction; and helped to bring a $2 million settlement against large pharmaceutical companies over opioid abuse, with the money going toward county drug-abatement programs.

After 10 years as a Philadelphia police officer, Houck earned a law degree from Temple University and worked in various prosecutorial roles for district attorneys in Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties before being elected Northampton DA.

The 66-year-old Forks Township resident replaced John Morganelli, whom he worked under in Northampton County for 13 of the 28 years that Morganelli served as chief prosecutor.

Baratta, also 66, was first elected judge in 1997. In 2007, he was retained by voters for a second 10-year term, followed by another 10-year-retention term five years ago, before announcing in December he was retiring.

A Bethlehem resident, Baratta grew up in Bangor and is a 1974 graduate of Bangor Area High School. He earned a bachelors degree in 1978 from Lafayette College and, three years later, received a law degree from Fordham University in New York City. Before becoming a judge, Baratta was a first assistant district attorney in Northampton County.

No Republican has announced a campaign for district attorney.

It has been unusual in either Lehigh or Northampton counties to see a sitting district attorney face a primary election campaign. John Morganelli, the former Northampton district attorney, served nearly three decades before being elected a county judge in 2019. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin has served since 1998.

Its extremely rare that we go out and seek a challenger to an incumbent Democrat, said Matt Munsey, the Northampton County Democratic Committee chair. He said the partys policy is generally to remain neutral in primary races.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.
Melville, NY, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dozens of select students received the opportunity to showcase their published short stories and participate in a book signing as part of the Future Authors Project, a writing workshop supported by Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc.



Held Dec. 2 at the Boca Raton, Florida-based Customer Innovation Center, the event was open to the 32 students, encompassing grades 7-12, who participated in the two-week summer program held in partnership with the Palm Beach County School District. The students voted on the title of the produced book, called Behind Prosed Doors.

The Future Authors Project, which first launched in Palm Beach County School District in 2006, is a program that provides high school students an inside look into the writing process from idea conception, drafting, and editing through to publication. The students also participate in an official book launch and signing, which this year included parents and teachers in attendance, along with Boca Raton City Council-member Fran Nachlas.

Also in attendance was Francis McMahon, executive vice president, Production Print Solutions, Canon Solutions America, and Kenisha Coates, the PBCSDs secondary literacy program planner, who revealed the book cover together. McMahon also spoke to the attendees on the importance of investing in and supporting youth initiatives.

It was a great experience to talk to so many talented writers, and we are very happy to support the Palm Beach County School District with this program, McMahon said. The Future Authors Project continues to provide valuable insight for students into the writing process, all the way up to publishing, and we are happy that Canon Solutions America can play a part in seeing all of their hard work come to fruition.

Supporting the Future Authors Project is in line with Canon's corporate philosophy of Kyosei, which is defined as "all people regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future."



About Canon Solutions America, Inc.



Canon Solutions America, Inc. provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America, Inc. helps companies of all sizes discover ways to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America, Inc. is headquartered in Melville, NY and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com.



Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website:

csa.canon.com



For sales info/customer support:

1-844-443-INFO (4636)



Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.



 2023 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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With a new $3 million grant backing up the project, residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new YMCA in Southern Lehigh.

During a community forum at Southern Lehigh High School Wednesday, Michele Stanten, a member of the Saucon Creek YMCA Committee, said that in her 23 years of living in Upper Saucon she felt the area lacked a place to come together like the YMCA.

Upper Saucon resident Kathie Parsons said she was thankful for the fact that a food bank, Betty Lous Pantry, will be able to have a location at the new YMCA available for people in need.

Emily Gehman, a member of the Southern Lehigh School Board, said the facility will be an amazing opportunity for residents, particularly high school students who could easily walk to the YMCA after school.

I just cant wait to get it off the ground, she said.

Itll still take several years and millions of dollars in fundraising to see the project come to fruition.

The Greater Valley YMCA wants to build a location called Saucon Creek YMCA adjacent to the Southern Lehigh Public Library, seen here Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, on Preston Lane in Upper Saucon Township. The proposed facility would cost $16 million-$20 million.

The 60,000-square-foot Saucon Creek YMCA, which would be adjacent to the Southern Lehigh Library and cost $16 million to $20 million, will provide residents jobs, affordable child care, youth and teen programs, a health and wellness center, a community center for area schools and organizations to utilize, an aquatics center, senior programs and activities to address physical and mental wellness.

Specific amenities would include an indoor swimming pool, an indoor track, exercise classrooms, locker rooms, a gym, an outdoor playground and emergency shelter for flooding.

The YMCA has raised roughly $10 million for the project as of Wednesday, said Dave Fagerstrom, president and CEO of the Greater Valley YMCA. He added that assuming community fundraising for the project goes as planned, the project will begin construction as early as 2024 and open in 2025 or 2026.

The project will begin soliciting donations a year from now, according to the presentation during the forum.

In a study the YMCA conducted from September 2021 to May 2022, the organization interviewed 30 community members about the feasibility of raising money for the project. According to the Wednesday presentation, 71% said yes or maybe to getting involved in the fundraising campaign, and that many interviewees considered it a fantastic project.

During the forum, with roughly two dozen residents in attendance, Upper Saucon resident and volunteer organizer Jennifer Johnson said the new YMCA, based on its location, would serve residents in Upper Saucon, Coopersburg, Lower Milford, Lower Saucon and possibly Salisbury Township, and fill their lack of community centers.

Taking audience questions, Fagerstrom said the facility would have anywhere from 75 to 100 employees, which doesnt account for seasonal workers, and that the previous trouble filling positions due to COVID wouldnt be as much of an issue for the Saucon Creek YMCA.

A little over 1,000paying adults or families would be needed to make the facility sustainable, he added.

Before closing the presentation to applause from the audience, Fagerstrom implored residents to spread the word and advocate for the location.

We really need your help to advocate, he said.

Last month, the Y announced a $3 million grant, secured by Rep. Susan Wilds office, that will support pre-construction and land development costs, including environmental and geotechnical engineering services, site development, and utility connections.

The new YMCA space in Southern Lehigh will not only provide quality child care programs to set our kids up for success, but will also serve as a community space to gather, connect, and develop the foundations for a healthy life, Wild said in a news release. Making child care more affordable, accessible, and reliable is a critical issue to our community.

This is a huge step to help establish the Saucon Creek YMCA, Fagerstrom said in the release. We are so grateful to Congresswoman Susan Wild and her office for all the work that went into securing this funding for our organization. These types of projects simply cannot happen without this type of support. Once the new Y is the southern region of the Lehigh Valley is established, it will positively impact tens of thousands of residents over the next 100 years.

Johnson started pushing for the facility nearly a decade ago. Her sons were involved in competitive swimming, but there were no local indoor pools. Area swimmers have to practice at Emmaus or Muhlenberg College.

Johnsons idea to bring an indoor pool to the area grew into a broader push for a community center that can be enjoyed by everyone, from children to senior citizens. She went on to become the head volunteer of the Saucon Creek YMCA Committee.

It just became a way to get our community to have a place to go to stay healthy and to stay connected, she said previously.

The Greater Valley YMCA endorsed the idea years ago, prompting an official assessment survey that involved interviewing 40 community leaders, including elected and school officials, The Morning Call reported in 2016. The group found there was a need for a YMCA in the southern region, and that people wanted a pool, child care and fitness amenities.
President Joe Biden acknowledged on Thursday that a document with classified markings from his time as vice president was found in his personal library at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, along with other documents found in his garage, days after it was disclosed that sensitive documents were also found at the office of his former institute in Washington.

Biden told reporters at the White House that he was cooperating fully and completely with a Justice Department investigation into how classified information and government records were stored. He did not say when the latest series of documents were found, only that his lawyers review of potential storage locations was completed Wednesday night. Lawyers found the first set on Nov. 2, days before the midterm elections, but publicly revealed that development only on Monday.

Richard Sauber, a special counsel to the president, said after the initial documents were found by Bidens personal lawyers, they examined other locations where records might have been shipped after Biden left the vice presidency in 2017.

Sauber said a small number of documents with classified markings were found in a storage space in Bidens garage in Wilmington, with one document being located in an adjacent room. Biden later revealed that the other location was his personal library.

Biden said the Department of Justice was immediately notified after the documents were located and that department lawyers took custody of the records. The first batch of documents had been turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration.

Regardless of the Justice Department review, the revelation that Biden potentially mishandled classified or presidential records is proving to be a political headache for Biden, who said former President Donald Trump was irresponsible for keeping hundreds of such records at his private club in Florida.

New House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said of the latest news: I think Congress has to investigate this.

Heres an individual that sat on 60 Minutes that was so concerned about President Trumps documents locked in behind, and now we find that this is a vice president keeping it for years out in the open in different locations.

Contradicting several fellow Republicans, he said, We dont think there needs to be a special prosecutor.

The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee has requested that intelligence agencies conduct a damage assessment of potentially classified documents. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner on Thursday also requested briefings from Attorney General Merrick Garland and the director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, on their reviews by Jan. 26.

The presence of classified information at these separate locations could implicate the President in the mishandling, potential misuse, and exposure of classified information, Turner wrote the officials.

Garland was to deliver a statement later Thursday but the Justice Department didnt provide details.

Earlier this week, the White House confirmed that the department was reviewing a small number of documents with classified markings found at the Washington office. Bidens lawyers had discovered the material at the offices of the Penn Biden Center and then immediately called the National Archives about the discovery, the White House said. Biden kept an office there after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his Democratic presidential campaign in 2019.

The revelation that additional classified documents were uncovered by Bidens team came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Bidens handling of classified information and the West Wings management of the discovery.

She had said Wednesday that the White House was committed to handling the matter in the right way, pointing to Bidens personal attorneys immediate notification of the National Archives.

But she refused to say when Biden himself had been briefed, whether there were any more classified documents potentially located at other unauthorized locations, and why the White House waited more than two months to reveal the discovery of the initial batch of documents.

The Justice Department is reviewing the records that were found at the Penn Biden Center and Garland has asked John Lausch, the U.S. attorney in Chicago, to review the the matter, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press this week. That person also was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Lausch is one of the few U.S. attorneys to be held over from Trumps administration.

Biden has said he was surprised to learn that there are any government records that were taken there to that office but his lawyers did what they should have done when they immediately called the National Archives.

The revelation also may complicate the Justice Departments consideration of whether to bring charges against Trump. The Republican is trying to win back the White House in 2024 and has repeatedly claimed the departments inquiry into his own conduct amounted to corruption.

There are significant differences between the Trump and Biden situations, including the gravity of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the Mar-a-Lago matter.

Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.
Absa Bank unveils digital account opening

Business Desk Report Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 12:51

With heightened competition within the banking sector, the players in the industry are rolling out new and innovative products and services to either retain their customers or win new ones to their fold.

Absa Bank, for instance, is living up to its promise of bringing the possibilities of its customers to life. With over a century of heritage in Ghanas banking sector from its erstwhile Barclays brand, the bank continues to find unique ways of entrenching its leadership in the banking and corporate sectors.

In a release issued in Accra, yesterday, it said with effect from January 10, new and existing customers did not need to go to the branch to open an account.

With a click of a button on its website, customers can now open an account without any physical intervention, anywhere, anytime and on any device.

Customers needs are changing globally, fuelled by fast-paced digital services and products. Progressive banks are racing ahead to find innovative and creative ways to meet these needs in a very competitive banking landscape, it said in the release.

Dynamism

It said in Ghana, the pandemic paved the way for dynamic ways of engaging customers adding that Suddenly going to the branch became a challenge for some customers; who preferred to stay in the comfort of their homes and conduct transactions.

The release noted that the new service by Absa drastically simplifies the account opening process and provides huge relief and convenience for, especially new customers of the bank.

The platform will also enable SME customers to submit applications online for processing in a seamless manner.

Innovation

The Director of Retail Banking, Charles Addo, said: We are always listening and innovating to meet the needs of our new and existing customers. The pandemic taught banks a lot of things.

The age of branchless banking is here and our digital account opening platform highlights the extent we are willing to go to make their lives better and more comfortable. A new way of banking is here and we are excited to be an enabler.
Bokpin calls for review of debt exchange programme

Kwame Larweh Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 12:17

An Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Godfred Bokpin has said the government must engage and build a consensus with stakeholders in the financial sector to ensure a smooth operation of the debt exchange programme.

Such engagement, he said would help iron out all lingering issues, especially with regard to individual bondholders, which would help the government in its quest to streamline its balance sheet to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

He said the debt exchange programme in its current form would systematically weaken the balance sheet of the participating financial institutions.

And this is Ghana, a country where it is projected that by 2040, as the forecast has been made, our population will be 45 million and 58 per cent of that population will be less than 30 years and the prediction is that Ghana needs to create 10 million jobs from now to 2040 in the formal wage economy, he told a radio station monitored by Graphic Business in Accra this afternoon.

He said that the financial sector was seriously at risk and with the implications of the debt exchange programme yet to be ascertained, an engagement and the building of consensus to tackle this myriad of problems was a sine qua non.

He asserted that the growth for 2023 as projected by the government at 2.7 per cent was expected to be lower, according to the World Banks projection.

That, he said, had an implication for job creation and income generation, revealing that output volatility affected both consumption and income volatility.

He cautioned that for growth to rebound strongly in the medium term, the government needs a robust banking and financial sector that was strong.

We are not against the debt exchange, he added.

The government is seeking US3 billion in financial support from the IMF in a bit to stabilise the economy. Following that, the government announced a debt exchange programme as a condition for accessing the IMF bailout.

The Government of Ghana public debt is estimated at U$29 billion, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This, analysts believe, is unsustainable and has the potential to cripple the economy. International media last week reported that the government was seeking debt relief from the Paris Club.
Allentown Rep. Peter Schweyer will be part of a small, bipartisan work group chosen by Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi to jar the House out of the standstill it has been in since Rozzi became speaker Jan. 3.

Rozzi, embattled by questions about his party affiliation, named six members to the group.

They include Democratic Reps. Schweyer, Morgan Cephas of Philadelphia and Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, and Republican Reps. Valerie Gaydos of Allegheny County, Paul Schemel of Franklin County and Jason Ortitay, whose district includes parts of Allegheny and Washington counties.

The workgroup is charged with breaking the partisan gridlock and proposing a path forward for the House of Representatives to finally provide justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Rozzi said in a news release.

Schweyer said Rozzi contacted him Wednesday evening, and that he was happy to take part in it.

Step 1 is going to be figuring out a process that is acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans, Schweyer said.

Rozzi, a 10-year Democratic lawmaker from Berks County, was elected speaker Jan. 3 with the support of all Democrats and 16 Republicans. Since then, Republicans including Blair County Rep. Jim Gregory  who nominated Rozzi for the post  said Rozzi has not delivered on a promise to switch his party affiliation from Democratic to independent.

Gregory has called for Rozzi to resign.

The House on Monday launched a special session  a fairly rare proceeding to deal with one issue  at the behest of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to advance a proposed constitutional amendment opening an extended window for survivors of child sex abuse to file lawsuits.

The session ended almost immediately because there were no agreed-upon rules for running the House.

Rozzi said late Monday the collapse of the special session made it apparent that the Democratic and Republican caucuses are too far apart to proceed and announced his intention to form the work group.

Since then, the chamber has taken no official actions, even as the Senate has plowed ahead with business. The naming of the work group came at mid-afternoon Thursday.

One of the 16 Republicans who supported Rozzi on Jan. 3, Carbon County Rep. Doyle Heffley, said there has been a vacuum of leadership since then.

He took on a role and I am disappointed that he hasnt fulfilled any of his promises, Heffley said.

Democratic Rep. Mike Schlossberg of South Whitehall Township said Republicans made a deal to give Rozzi the speaker position and then did nothing but insult and question him.

Rozzi said the new Speakers Workgroup to Move Pennsylvania Forward will meet for the first time Tuesday. Each member, Rozzi said, represents varying interests and regions of the state.

Rozzi said he hopes that even while the group meets, Republican and Democratic leaders would negotiate to get the House moving.

A spokesperson for House Democrats, Nicole Reigelman, said they hoped the talks would generate movement that would let the special session resume to finally provide survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a path toward justice.

Package of amendments

Another source of pressure on the House materialized Wednesday when the Senate acted to approve a Republican-driven package of proposed constitutional amendments that included the one on child sex abuse lawsuits.

The Senate vote was 28-20, with Northampton Countys Lisa Boscola the only Democrat joining all Republicans in favor of the package. Most Democrats rejected it because the other two proposed amendments were on Republican-favored issues, including one on voter ID.

Boscola tried to add three other proposed constitutional amendments to the package, but each attempt was tabled by the Republican-dominated chamber.

One of those proposals was an amendment that would eliminate real estate property taxes in 2028 and require the Legislature to come up with a plan to replace the revenue.

Boscola questioned the legitimacy of Republicans stated support for major changes in the system of property taxes, which hit the Lehigh Valley region harder than any other part of the state.

By voting to table her proposed amendment, she said, senators avoided a public vote on the question of whether voters should have a chance to jettison the whole system.

She said, I wish that my amendment on property tax elimination would have been included because thats one issue that affects every home owner and farm owner, and would have brought people out to vote in droves.

Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com.
Boost for local content: Mining investments, receipts reach $10bn

Samuel Doe Ablordeppey Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 14:46

The Minerals Commission has increased from 41 to 50 the goods and services items that local companies can supply to mining companies.

The Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Martin Ayisi, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic yesterday, said the new list, which is the fifth edition, came at a time when receipts from mineral revenues and investments in the sector had reached $10 billion.

He said while mining companies produced about four million ounces of gold at a value of about $7 billion last year and were on course to deliver same this year, investments to expand mines and start new ones reached about $4 billion.

Each of the procurement items comes with quotas that must be reserved for local suppliers and service providers as a way to integrate the mining sector with the rest of the economy to boost local businesses.

Mr Ayisi said since mining companies spent three times more on goods (inputs) and services than what they paid in taxes and royalties, the increase in the items on the list would boost the local economy through local content and participation in the mining industry.

He explained that the 50 items on the list were items that the commissions research had established were the most regularly procured by the mines over the years.

While they had been mostly imported in the past, he said, local companies had built capacity and expertise to be able to deliver or supply them, hence the passage of the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431), which came into force on December 22, 2020 to help support local companies to secure contracts in the mining industry.

For instance, contract mining, service operation, as well as the supply of fuel to the mines, were all reserved for local companies, while others, such as underground mining services, had percentages that should be given to Ghanaian companies, he said.

He said while Ghanaian companies grew capacity in the area, the percentage of work or contracts they should execute would also be increased.

Mr Ayisi explained that the more mining companies invested in their operations, the more inputs and services they would procure, and that would stimulate local participation and growth, especially as the merchandise exports were bigger than the taxes and royalties the companies paid to the state.

Background

The implementation of the new procurement list of 50 items, effective January 1, this year, replaces the fourth edition the commission published early last year.

Its purpose, among other things, is to promote job creation using local expertise, goods and services in the mining industry and their retention in the country.

The law is also to achieve the minimum in-country spend for goods and services and create mining and mineral related industries that will sustain economic development.

Pursuant to Regulation 7 of L.I. 2431, the commission is required to publish a local procurement list, which stipulates the goods and services with Ghanaian content which are to be procured in the country, while Regulation 7(3) of L.I. 2431 further enjoins the commission to review the procurement list annually.

Receipts, investments in mines

Throwing light on investments in the mining sector, Mr Ayisi cited four new projects, with investment of about $1.7 billion.

The new projects are the $850 million Ahafo North gold mine project by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited; the $500 million gold project currently under construction by Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region; the $200 million gold mine to be constructed in the Upper West Region and the $125 million lithium project at Ewoyaa in the Central Region, he said.

He added that some mines were undertaking expansion and redevelopment.

The CEO further explained that the Ahafo South mine of Newmont had been expanded to include the Subika underground, while Golden Star Wassa was spending about $1 billion to expand the Wassa underground mine.

The mines being redeveloped were the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, where $1 billion had been expended, and Mensin Gold Ghana Limiteds Bibiani Mine, which started production in the last quarter of last year, he said.

It is the expectation of the Minerals Commission that these investments will support the growth of the economy and boost local participation under the new procurement list, Mr Ayisi said.
Fidelity Bank launches action plan to promote gender-inclusive banking

Business Desk Report Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 12:26

Fidelity Bank Ghana has launched a five-year plan to promote gender inclusion in accessing financial services.

The Gender Action Plan is aimed at positioning the bank as the benchmark for gender-inclusive banking in the country.

Consequently, the bank, in partnership with AfricInvest and BIO Invest, has engaged Value for Women, a specialised advisory firm that works with organisations globally to advance gender equity, to develop a five-year Gender Action Plan that translates the banks commitment into action.

A release issued in Accra yesterday said: Through this commitment, Fidelity Bank will enhance product and service design to ensure that it meets the financial and non-financial needs of women and men in Ghana.

Beyond that, the bank will consciously ensure equitable representation of men and women across all levels within the organisation.

Building sustainable businesses

The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Julian Opuni, explained in the release: "As a responsible bank, we believe that gender inclusion is integral in building sustainable businesses and equitable economies. Over the years, Fidelity Bank has supported businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be run by both men and women.

This five-year plan we are adopting, however, will be a game changer for the bank and contribute significantly to our efforts as a country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG5 on Gender Equality."

Mr Opuni said the action plan was developed following a holistic 360-degree gender diagnostic process in assessing the current state of gender inclusion at Fidelity Bank and opportunities for improving practices, as well as a series of collaborative workshops with senior and executive management.

"I am confident that this initiative has the potential to be a key differentiating factor for our bank, positioning us as a gender-inclusive bank for both employees and customers while boosting our business performance," he added.

Gender inclusion

Co-Founder and CEO at Value for Women, Rebecca Fries, said, It has been an inspiring experience to work with Fidelity Bank Ghana as it embarks on its journey towards greater gender inclusion.

It was clear from the beginning that the bank has strong ambitions on this front, and through visionary leadership, it is striving to set an example for gender-inclusive practices in the financial services industry.

She said the gender action plan documented a holistic vision to support women as leaders, entrepreneurs and employees along with ensuring the bank provided a workplace that allowed all staff to grow and thrive.

We look forward to supporting the bank in the coming five years as they continue to implement these strategies, she said.
Foundation invests $100m into young entrepreneurs

Maclean Kwofi Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 13:12

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, has invested nearly $100 million in direct funding to support 18,000 young entrepreneurs in Africa between 2015 and 2022.

The funds made possible through the TEFConnect initiative have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs across 54 African countries.

The foundation has also trained over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub initiative.

Appointment

The TEF made this known in a statement meant to announce the appointment of Somachi Chris-Asoluka as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation following the retirement of current CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu.

The appointment takes effect from March 1, 2023.

Somachi, who joined the foundation in 2014, has served as the foundations Head of Research, Head of Policy and External Relations, and most recently as the Director of Partnerships and Communications.

In her new role as CEO, Somachi will leverage her expertise, experience and network to provide strategic leadership in consolidating and deepening the foundations work of transforming Africa through entrepreneurship.

Important time

Speaking on the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, said in the statement that this was an important time for the foundation and Africa.

Our work is ever more important, and our platform is demonstrating our ability to truly catalyse change.

We are increasingly working with partners, to magnify our impact. Somachis experience in partnership development will be particularly relevant.

Somachi, as Director of Partnerships & Communications, has demonstrated strong leadership, commitment, and strategic thinking, in delivering the foundations mission to transform Africa. She is the perfect candidate to build on Ifeyinwa Ugochukwus impactful contribution, he said.

Acceptance

In her acceptance speech, Somachi said: I am honoured to be appointed to lead the foundation, particularly at a time when we will be launching a new Coalition for African Entrepreneurship.

This coalition will bring together global and African partners to significantly increase the impact created by TEFs unique platform for identifying, mentoring, training and funding young African entrepreneurs.

I look forward to working with the team, our partners, and all stakeholders to achieve our common goal of a strong, confident, self-reliant Africa. I am honoured to build on Ifeyinwas legacy and launch the Tony Elumelu Foundation into its next phase of impact.

The foundation

The foundations mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.

The foundations ability to fund, train, mentor, and network young African entrepreneurs, has created a unique platform for catalysing growth across the African continent.

The robust ability of the foundation to reach entrepreneurs across geographies and sectors, has enabled it to conduct innovative partnerships with the European Union, United Nations Development Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other institutions.
GEA injects GH160m into high-growth SMEs

Maclean Kwofi Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 12:58

THE Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is set for a new round of stimulus package to support high-growth potential small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate their growth in the country.

It intends to invest GH160 million in the form of a grant to help SMEs transition into the next stage of growth by improving their ability to increase sales and exports to the international market.

The new grant involves technical assistance to up to 2,000 SMEs on business management capabilities and productivity-enhancing improvement.

Dubbed: SME Growth Grant Programme, the initiative is part of the third intervention under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).

It is targeting small enterprises employing between six and 30 people or with an annual sale of between GH180,000 and GH7 million, as well as medium firms with employees between 31 and 100 or sales of between GH7.2 million and GH21.6 million per year.

An application portal will be open between January 11 and February 22, this year to enable businesses to seek the opportunity to benefit from the financial support.

Consolidate gains

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GEA, Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, at the launch of the new grant in Accra on January 11, said the new funding support was meant for only SMEs and not micro or large/corporate firms.

She said the new grant programme was purposely designed to build on and consolidate the successes chalked up with the previous interventions.

She said it was also established to provide training and capacity building necessary to lead to operational efficiency of the enterprises, boost their competitiveness and scale-up their operations for further job creation.

She noted that through the initiative, the GEA and its partners intended to provide SMEs with all the relevant tools in business development, including the digital marketing tools necessary to enable them to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The programme is very relevant to the vision of the government to optimise the potential of SMEs to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the national economy and poverty reduction.

I am happy that, together with our development partner, the World Bank, through the GETP, we can deliver this support to our SMEs, she added.

Govt commit

A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, noted that the government was committed to fully implementing all initiatives under the GETP, including the grant programme, for the full benefit of SMEs across the country.

She said from the policy point of view, the Ministry of Trade and Industry would do the needful, just as the GEA would undertake the direct implementation of the GETP, in line with the governments priority to support achieving economic transformation.

Ghana at large and the citizenry will benefit most through jobs and wealth creation, foreign exchange earned from value-added exports and much more, she said.

She urged all beneficiaries to use the grant received for the intended purposes.

Strong SME sector

The Manager in charge of Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation at the World Bank, Mehnaz Safavian, said a strong SME sector was important for the growth of every economy, advanced or developing.

She said it was for that reason that the World Bank was providing funding support for the government for the implementation of the GETP.
Why Kwame Pianim will not contribute to Ghana's debt restructuring [VIDEO]

GraphicOnline Business News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 10:46

An economist and statesman, Kwame Pianim, says it is galling for the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to lead the country's domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP) because he led the country into bankruptcy.

According to Mr Pianim, he will not contribute one pesewa to the DDEP because it was being led by a Finance Minister who led Ghana into the gutter.

He said the Ghanaian people deserved an apology from Mr Ofori-Atta for the hardship the citizens would go through for the next three decades.

"...I would have been proud as a Ghanaian to contribute but I will not contribute one pesewa for Ken Ofori-Atta leading this, he led us into the gutter...," Mr Pianin said in a televised interview with TV3.

"He should have said I apologise, this is the result of economic mismanagement. I apologise to Ghanaian people, look there are pensioners who have put their resources into government bonds, you're asking them, I'm not going to pay, look at the exchange programme and think about it carefully when you are talking to your colleagues. Ken is saying, I'm not going to pay any interest on this for these years whiles I'm Minister of Finance and while President is still President but afterwards then you're going to take a look at it.

"The IMF, three billion that they're going to give is, I want them to frontload it, so that I chop it before I go, is that genuine? Are you serious that this is genuine? If the President wants Ken Ofori-Atta to continue there, this government will go do down with Ken Ofori-Atta".

In his view, the economy was sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode.

He also added that it was wrong for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint Mr Ofori-Atta as caretaker Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Industry following the resignation of Alan Kyerematen giving his performance at the Finance Ministry.

Reckless borrowing

He maintained that the Finance Minister does not understand the economy he is managing and borrowed recklessly leading the country into debt default.

The first time Ofori-Atta started, he said he was going to transform this economy from the Guggisberg economy to a new economy. He did not even understand what the Guggisberg economy was," he said.

In the Guggisberg economy, he had a plan for cocoa, distribute cocoa, built roads into the villages, where there was timber he built the roads, then he built railways, he built the ports, he built Achimota school, built Legon infrastructure, by the time we got independence we had plenty of reserves.

So Ken, if the monies he borrowed, if he was running a Guggisberg economy, we could have seen that cash flow coming out from the monies he was borrowing so that we can be able to repay. All the time he was borrowing recklessly. At the back of his mind was that he was not going to pay.

Background

On December 5, 2022, the government, in its quest to address what has now become an economic crisis, launched a domestic debt exchange pursuant to which it invited certain holders of approximately GH137.3 billion of principal amount outstanding of certain of its domestic notes and bonds issued by the government, E.S.L.A. Plc or Daakye Trust Plc to exchange their Eligible Bonds for a package of new bonds to be issued by the government.

The expiration of the date was December 19, 2022.

However, the government subsequently announced an extension of the expiration date to Friday, December 30, 2022 and the settlement date to Friday, January 6, 2023.

Among many other issues including the various agitations from labour and the financial services sector, the government, on December 24, announced its decision to extend the expiration date of the invitation from Friday, December 30, 2022 to Monday, January 16, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Per a press release circulated by the Ministry of Finance, the settlement date for the invitation is now expected to occur on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than the longstop date which is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, unless further extended by the government pursuant to the invitation.

The announcement date per the release is now expected to occur on or about January 17, 2023.

New terms

In addition to the foregoing extensions, the government announced the following modifications to the Invitation to Exchange, which are set forth in further detail on a Term Sheet:

Offering accrued and unpaid interest on eligible bonds, and a cash tender fee payment to holders of eligible bonds maturing in 2023;

Increasing the new bonds offered by adding eight new instruments to the composition of the new bonds, for a total of 12 new bonds, one maturing each year starting January 2027 and ending January 2038;

Modifying the Exchange Consideration Ratios for each new bond. The Exchange Consideration Ratio applicable to eligible bonds maturing in 2023 will be different than for other eligible bonds;

Setting a non-binding target minimum level of overall participation of 80 per cent of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of eligible bonds; and

Expanding the type of investors that can participate in the exchange to now include individual investors.

These modifications, the release said, will be set forth fully in an amended and restated exchange memorandum which is expected to be published during the week of December 26, 2022. Conforming changes (including adding and modifying defined terms) in respect of the above amendments and modifications to cure ambiguity, omission, defect, error or inconsistency may be included in the amended and restated exchange memorandum.
Joseph Mathew: Gospel/secular collabos not evil

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jan - 12 - 2023 , 15:34

Conversations about Gospel artistes working with their secular colleagues have been lingering with diverse opinions about such collaborations.

But Gospel artiste Joseph Mathew believes there is no point having such discussions particularly when the good book commissions Christians to show love.

He asserted the view that Christians should not be unequal yoked as defense of critics against gospel/secular collabos, was not a demonstration of love.

I hate to say that religious people, especially people of Christian faith are the most judgmental. We are always quick to dissociate ourselves from people who dont share our beliefs, doctrines and way of life.

But the question is how do you share what you believe in without any relationship with the other party? Most of the time, Gospel artistes are the ones who invite secular acts for features. With such a move, the Gospel musicians are able to preach and share their beliefs and sincerely, I think it is an opportunity to win someone over.

Perhaps, when we look beyond the unequal yoked mantra and consider how we can positively impact others with our beliefs, this debate will end, he stated.

Joseph Mathew is a Ghanaian-UK based Gospel artiste making steady progress back home.

With songs such as Halleluyah, Nyame Ye, My Story, Not Alone and The Name gaining some popularity in Ghana, Joseph was emboldened to host his maiden concert at the Perez Dome in May last year.

The artiste who is currently promoting his latest song, Blessed identifies himself as an urban artiste but there is more to him.

His style is an infusion of what he says is neotonic Afrobeats, rap and contemporary Highlife.

Joseph also mentioned that there was no point comparing artistes from Ghana to Nigeria because Ghana had proven itself worthy in the affairs of music in the sub region.

Ghana is like a state in Nigeria. Our population is less than 40 million compared to Nigeria with over 300 million people. So with our numbers, our present influence and contribution to music, we are even doing well, he said.
Ghana Education News

8 SHS students dismissed for insulting Prez Akufo-Addo in viral video

GraphicOnline Education Jan - 12 - 2023 , 12:47

Eight Senior High School students have been dismissed for allegedly insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The female students who attended the Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region were suspended last year prior to the dismissal which the Ghana Education Service says is to serve as a deterrent to other students.

They were seen in a widely circulated video using vulgar and unprintable words on the President. They later apologised for their comments in another video which was circulated on social media. The GES also apologised to the President and the general public on behalf of the students and school.

A report by Accra-based Joy FM said a parent of one of the students yesterday received a letter signed by the Acting Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah informing them of the dismissal of their wards with immediate effect.

Suspension more fitting punishment

Reacting to the dismissal of the students, the Country Director for the International Childcare Development Programme, Joyce Larnyoh said despite their condemnable behaviour, a suspension would have been a more fitting punishment.

"From where I'm coming from, there shouldn't be any occasion where somebody is deprived of his or education because education is a public good and so, it should be available.

"However, I would like to say in very strong terms that whatever the children did went too far and some of these things happing because we the parents are used to saying such things and if we are not careful, that is where the children take it up".
Ghana Education News

EPUC begins postgraduate programmes February

Alberto Mario Noretti Education Jan - 12 - 2023 , 15:46

The E.P. University College (EPUC) in Ho in the Volta Region, established in 2007, will start running postgraduate programmes in February, this year.

The MBA courses are in Human Resource Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Marketing.

The President of EPUC, Professor Edem Kwasi Bakah, announced this last Thursday when the institution took delivery of a consignment of books worth about GH30,000, being a donation from a retired Deputy General Secretary of the Nairobi-based All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), Dr Bright Mawudor.

The donation was made through the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG).

The books cover the areas of business, governance, real state, religion, finance, economics, research methods, accountancy and data processing, among others.

Receiving the books, Professor Bakah thanked Dr Mawudor for the gesture saying it was timely and relevant to the curriculum of the university.

Enrolment

He said the EPUC, which took off in a humble beginning about 16 years ago, now had an enrolment of 800, adding that the EPUC was expanding and so were its needs.

We hope other public-spirited individuals and organisations would help us in similar ways, he added.

The Chairman of the church Council, Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, led a delegation from the church to present the books to the EPUC Librarian, Dr Amy Asimah, at a brief ceremony in the library.

He said the church was committed to providing education at an affordable cost.

For her part, Dr Asimah gave an assurance that the books would be handled with utmost care to endure the test of time.
Ghana Education News

Students Loan Trust opens application portal

Emmanuel Bonney Education Jan - 12 - 2023 , 17:20

THE Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has opened its online applications portal for students interested in securing loans under the no guarantor system for the new academic year.

It has, therefore, urged students in various tertiary institutions, especially fresh students, to take advantage of the platform to apply for loans to facilitate their studies.

The Chief Executive Officer of the SLTF, Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday.

Access

According to him, tertiary students across the country will be able to access the students loan portal either through the organisations website or by downloading the Students Loan App.

He said there were currently 32,744 beneficiaries in 110 tertiary institutions across the country on the fund.

Nana Yeboah said during the last academic year, the fund disbursed about GH64,650,000 in loans to 32,744 students.

It is expected that more than 70,000 new applicants will access the loan for the 2023/2024 academic year, he said.

In May last year, the fund had to pay the fees of 500 students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi who were among 6,000 students who had been deferred for failing to pay their fees.

An amount of GH1m was paid to the university after the students had signed an undertaking for the fund to pay for both their first and second semester fees.

The 500 beneficiaries were among 2,188 others who had applied for the loans and been verified by the SLTF following their inability to pay their fees.

More than 6,000 students, representing about eight per cent of the 85,256 student population of the KNUST, were asked to defer their courses, in line with the universitys regulations on the non-payment of school fees.

Policy

The no guarantor students loan policy was launched by the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, last year.

Under the policy, a student only needs an admission letter and the Ghana Card to access the loan.

According to Nana Yeboah, the removal of the guarantor requirement would lead to an increase in the number of students desirous of accessing the loan.

He, therefore, encouraged students to take advantage of the new policy to access subsidised financing for their education.
Pennsylvanias Commonwealth Court said Thursday that the state Houses decision to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner appeared largely based on disagreements about how he was running his office and said that was not enough to create a constitutionally sound basis for impeaching and removing the citys top prosecutor.

In a majority opinion released Thursday afternoon, Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler added that other allegations of wrongdoing approved by the Republican-controlled House also did not meet the required legal standard of misbehavior in office  either because the accusations lacked specificity or were grounds for the courts, not the Legislature, to assess.

None of the Amended Articles viably allege that [Krasner] has acted in a manner that constitutes any misbehavior in office,  Ceisler wrote.

The release of the opinion came a day after the state Senate voted to indefinitely postpone Krasners impeachment trial, which had been scheduled to begin Jan. 18. The opinion added some detail to an order the court issued last month declaring the articles of impeachment against Krasner legally insufficient. That order caused the Senate to put its trial of Krasner on hold.

Still, much about the unpredictable impeachment drive remained unclear Thursday, including when  or whether  Republicans might appeal the courts ruling, and how or if that might impact the timing of a possible trial.

Spokespersons for House and Senate Republicans did not immediately comment Thursday on the courts opinion.

Krasner, who has repeatedly denounced the impeachment effort as a political stunt, said at an unrelated news conference: Obviously it is encouraging to see that the same things we have been saying since the very beginning, of what we described as an illegal process, are being confirmed and verified.

Adding to the confusion was an unusual twist: Commonwealth Court Judge Michael H. Wojcik  who signed on to last months majority order  wrote in a concurring opinion Thursday that hed since come to believe some of the impeachment articles shouldnt actually be ruled on by the court.

Upon further reflection, he wrote, four of the seven articles of impeachment filed against Krasner must ultimately be resolved by the General Assembly, and not deemed legally invalid by him or his colleagues.

The potential impact of Wojciks change of heart was not immediately clear.

State Rep. Craig Williams, a Chester County Republican serving as one of the impeachment managers, said he believed the fact that Wojciks opinion partially conflicts with the order is inviting relief on appeal, and that legislative Republicans are likely to take the case to the state Supreme Court.

Krasner, a Democrat, was impeached by the GOP-led House last fall for what members called his failure to address the citys gun violence crisis, his obstruction of a legislative committee and his offices performance in several court cases.

He denied each of the accusations and sued in Commonwealth Court, challenging the validity of the effort to oust him. Last month, the court sided with Krasner on the heart of his challenge, declaring the articles of impeachment legally insufficient.

In her opinion released Thursday, Ceisler provided different reasons that each of the seven articles should not stand. In one example, she said the broadest set of accusations approved by the House  that Krasner has implemented progressive policies and caused the citys crime rate to spike  were not supported by allegations that those determinations were the product of an improper or corrupt motive.

She also said that several other articles, which alleged misbehavior by Krasner or his office in specific court cases, should be weighed by the courts for potential discipline, not the Legislature.

And she said accusations that Krasners office had broken the law by mistreating victims had failed to identify any specific examples of such behavior.

In a dissenting opinion, Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia A. McCullough said she did not believe the court should insert itself into a legislative process that remained ongoing.

Whatever review we may conduct of the Senates determination on the Amended Articles, we ought not conduct it now, she wrote, adding that the decision to do so had hurriedly and needlessly plunged this Court into a wash of  political questions over which we currently have no decision-making authority.

Staff writer Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this article.
Ghana Education News

VIDEO: 8 SHS students beg for forgiveness after dismissal for insulting President Akufo-Addo

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Education Jan - 12 - 2023 , 14:55

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has summarily dismissed eight second-year students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region for insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a video.

The affected students in a widely circulated video misconducted themselves and used vulgar and unprintable words which were directed at President Akufo-Addo in November 2022.





Subsequently, the students were identified and suspended and their parents were also invited to assist in investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate utterances and gestures of the students.

The Ghana Education Service after citing the unfortunate video issued a release dated November 12, 2022, condemning the act which it described as being against every educational and moral principle in the society.

The GES further assured the public that the outcome of the investigations into the incident would be made public as soon as it is concluded.

Dismissal letter

The dismissal letters of the students were ready in November last year but the management of the school waited till the reopening of school for the 2023 academic year before handing it over to them.

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the affected students and their parents were invited to the school during which the dismissal letters were handed over to them.

The dismissal letter signed by the Director-General of the GES, Dr Eric Nkansah dated November 29, 2022 and addressed to a parent of one of the affected students, said management of the GES has given approval for your dismissal with immediate effect to serve as a deterrent to other students.

This is in view of your involvement in misconducting yourself by making derogatory comments in a video that went viral, a conduct considered very undesirable and contrary to the acceptable standards of conduct generally required of any student in our educational system in Ghana," the letter reads.

Your ward is therefore requested to properly hand over any school property in her possession to the headmistress in the school before leaving.

It is expected that your ward will use this as a major turning point in her life to bring the desired change in her behaviour and attitude towards life.

Plea for clemency

Meanwhile, the affected students together with their parents have asked for clemency and pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to immediately intervene to enable the GES to rescind the decision.

In a remorseful video, the affected students, in turns, said they did not know what influenced them to engage in such an unruly act to denigrate the President.

According to them, they were deeply sorry and that in hindsight they had regretted what they did, saying "we plead with President Akufo-Addo and the GES to give us a second chance as we would be of good behaviour".

They said, "most of us are from poor homes with single parents who do not have money to register them for the private WASSCE examinations now as they are currently in final year students ".

Guilty of offence

Reacting to the dismissal, a parent, Martin Asiabono Akeleyiira, in an interview with Graphic Online said although his daughter and her colleagues were guilty of the offence, he was surprised and taken aback that the students were out rightly dismissed.

He said: "I thought management of the GES would tamper justice with mercy and not sack them but rather offer them a punishment to do to prevent them from repeating such a misconduct in future".

On behalf of the other parents, he pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to immediately intervene since the dismissal of the students had the tendency to negatively affect their future development.
Agradaa spared bench warrant

GNA Jan - 12 - 2023 , 05:31

Founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, Patricia Asiedua Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa yesterday escaped a bench warrant for not showing up in court after the Accra Circuit Court decided to pardon her.

Agradaa, who is standing trial on a charge of charlatanic advertisement and six counts of defrauding by false pretence, failed to appear before the court for her trial.

The Prosecutor, Superintendent Sylvester Asare, also told the court that the accused person had failed to report to the police as part of her bail conditions and that efforts to make her comply with the courts order had been difficult.

According to the prosecution, Nana Agradaa, aka Evangelist Mama Pat, was not cooperating with the Police.

The prosecution said the accused person was to appear before Circuit Court 10 on January 10, but she did not turn up.

It said the Police received information at another Circuit Court that the accused person was unaware of the next adjourned date, however, her representative was aware of the date, and he (the agent) turned up in court.

Bench warrant

The prosecution submitted that the only way to compel the accused person to appear in court was for the court to issue a bench warrant.

"The accused person has refused to meet all the bail conditions. She has not been reporting to the police as she has been directed. The only way to get her to comply is to issue a bench warrant for her arrest," Supt Asare told the court.

Counsel for Nana Agradaa, Mr Paul Asibi Abariga, however, said he had filed a document before the court, indicating that his client was unwell.

Mr Abariga, therefore, prayed the court to disregard the prosecutions submissions, inviting the court to issue a bench warrant.

The court, presided by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah urged defence counsel to advise Nana Agradaa, who has three different cases before three Circuit Courts in Accra.

Cases

Before Circuit Court 9, she is being held on six counts of defrauding by false pretences and charlatanic advertisement in the media.

Nana Agradaa has denied the charges and is on bail.

She is said to have advertised on Todays Television and other social media platforms on October 5, 2022, that she could double money.

The accused person in the said advert invited members of the public to attend an all-night service at her church at Weija, near Accra for the alleged money doubling.

The prosecution said over 1,000 people visited the church and handed over their money to the accused, but she failed to double the money as promised.

The prosecution said the police commenced investigations into the matter and the accused was arrested on October 9, 2022.

It said during interrogation, the accused person confirmed the case of the six complainants.
Charles Bissue asks court to stop OSP from investigating him

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jan - 12 - 2023 , 05:45

A former Presidential staffer, Charles Bissue, has gone to court to stop the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from investigating him over certain allegations of corruption relating to illegal mining (galamsey).

In a writ filed on January 4, this year at the Accra High Court, Mr Bissue is of the contention that the police have already investigated and exonerated him of any wrongdoing.

It is, therefore, his case that the OSP does not have the powers to review the investigations of the police or investigate him when the police have already investigated and found no adverse findings against him.

The plaintiff contends that the first defendant does not have the power to investigate a matter that has already been investigated by the police, the statement of claim stated.

The suit is against the OSP, private investigator, Anas Aremyaw Anas and his private investigative company, Tiger Eye P.I that broadcasted a video which accused Mr Bissue of allegedly engaging in corruption during his tenure as Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).

Reliefs

The plaintiff is seeking a declaration from the court that upon a true interpretation of the OSP Act, 2017 (Act 959), the OSP does not have the power to review an investigation done by the police.

Again, he is seeking a declaration that the powers granted the OSP under Act 959 does not allow the anti-graft body to investigate and prosecute him when the subject matter had already been investigated by the police.

Mr Bissue also wants the court to declare that the OSP cannot investigate him without investigating Anas and Tiger Eye P.I.

The plaintiff is further seeking an order perpetually restraining the OSP from investigating him about the same issue investigated by the police, unless the police refers the matter to the OSP.

Investigations

The OSP, in December last year, announced that it was investigating indigenous mining firm, Akonta Mining Limited, Mr Bissue, some officials of the Lands Commission, Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, some mining entities, individuals and political party officials over suspected corruption relating to illegal mining.

A statement signed by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, and issued in Accra on December 10 last year, said Mr Bissue was already being investigated on allegations that he used his office for private gain.

The investigation includes the active and ongoing enquiry into allegations of use of public office for profit against Charles Bissue during his tenure as Secretary to the IMCIM, arising from an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Fraud Part I' published by Tiger Eye P.I., the statement said.

Allegation

In February 2019, a documentary produced by the private investigator, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and his Tiger Eye team, Mr Bissue was seen allegedly taking money to help an unlicensed company to circumvent laid down processes to be given clearance for its mining operations.

The documentary alleged that the secretary was involved in alleged shady deals to facilitate processes for ORR Resource Enterprise.

The undercover investigator allegedly captured people tasked with fighting the galamsey menace receiving various sums of money, ostensibly to facilitate the acquisition of mining licences.

Mr Bissue rebutted the Tiger Eye allegation.

As I have said countless times that money was not a bribe and I did not make any demands whatsoever from any operative or beneficiary of illegal mining while I served on the IMCIM, he said in a recent statement.

Exoneration

In July 2019, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service exonerated Mr Bissue from any wrongdoing or allegation of corruption.

The CID concluded that the documentary which was aired was not a true reflection of what transpired between Bissue and one Yaw Ben of ORR Resource Enterprise.

The CID investigations primarily relied on the documentary and other sources, as already indicated, but the lead investigator of the Tiger Eye documentary, Mr Anas Aremeyaw Anas, failed to avail himself to assist in investigations and also failed to provide a copy of the unedited version of the documentary, the CID report said.
Ghana spends US$323m on HIV/AIDS response in 3 years

Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Jan - 12 - 2023 , 06:08

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has launched the National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA) report for 2019, 2020 and 2021, which shows that the country spent $323.7 million in the years under review.

The report showed that the total HIV and AIDS-related expenditure for 2019, 2020 and 2021 stood at $88,648,568, $107,280,242 and $127,828,300, respectively.

The Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, who made this known at the launch and dissemination of the NASA report, said the funds for each respective year were the total contribution made by the government, the private sector and the international donor community.

However, he said the findings showed an over-dependence on international sources in financing the national HIV response, as it had been over the years.

NASA

NASA is a comprehensive and systemic resource tracking method that describes the financial flow, actual disbursements and expenditures on HIV and AIDS programmes.

The NASA process, which is a key tool for tracking resources and expenditures for the national HIV and AIDS response, maps the financial transactions on HIV from its funding source through to the final destination  the beneficiaries receiving goods and services.

It describes the HIV and AIDS financial flow and expenditures for both health and non-health activities for the period mentioned, while identifying and addressing funding gaps.

The report focuses on three dimensions  financing, provision and consumption  and the overall estimates on the expenditures of the public and the private sectors and international donors on the national HIV and AIDS response.

However, Dr Atuahene said there was the need to use the report as an advocacy tool for re-prioritising HIV spending as the country sought to address the complex inequalities in resource allocation.

We all have a part to play in defining how we introduce and infuse quality into the daily activities of the national response, he said.

Funding gaps

The Executive Oversight Minister for GAC and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, in launching the report, said NASA aimed at identifying the funding gaps to address them and improve financial information on HIV and AIDS expenditures for the country, as well as address the gap in reporting to national and international reporting platforms.

He said the three year results clearly showed that the countrys expenditure kept increasing yearly.

In that regard, he urged the GAC to continue engaging the government and development partners and all the multi-sectoral stakeholders of the national response to mobilise adequate funds to finance the implementation of the National Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

That, he said, would help achieve the national targets and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The GAC Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Emmanuel Tetteh Larbi, giving a highlight of the report said even though the quantum of funding for HIV kept increasing in the years under review, HIV spending was more than the estimated resources.

He said HIV care and treatment took the largest share of HIV financing, followed by programme enablers, health systems strengthening, and HIV prevention with the report, indicating that HIV response in Ghana was heavily dependent on international funds.

Mr Larbi thus called for local resources mobilisation, institutionalised routine HIV and AIDS resource tracking, and the promotion of innovative approaches to target key populations.

A representative of the UNAIDS Country Director, Cynthia Adobea Asante, commended the GAC for the report and pledged its continued support to ensure that the vulnerable and marginalised were protected.
More fishers trapped in forced labour - ILO

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Jan - 12 - 2023 , 13:46

A total of 128,000 fishers globally are trapped in forced labour aboard fishing vessels, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has disclosed.

These trapped fishers in forced labour are mostly used in excessive overtime and also receive very low or no wages at all.

The ILO has, therefore, urged member states of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) to ratify the ILO convention 188 to help promote decent work in the fisheries sector in the FCWC region and also prevent forced labour in the area.

Speaking at the day two of the ongoing 14th session of the FCWCs conference of fisheries ministers, experts and development partners in Accra on Thursday, January 12, 2023, the Global Coordinator of ILOs 8.7 Accelerator Lab, Ms. Alix Nasri, said many of the labour infractions on the fishing vessels occur due to weak monitoring of labour conditions.

She was of the view that ratifying the ILO Convention 188 would help to prevent many of the labour infractions that occur on fishing vessels in the FCWC region.

Ms. Nasri expressed the concern that labour infractions, particularly concerning fishers aboard fishing vessels was growing and needed to be stemmed.

ILO Convention 188

The ILOs work in Fishing Convention (ILO 188) came into force internationally on November 16, 2017.

ILO 188 applies to all fishermen working on fishing vessels of any size, with more prescriptive standards for vessels over 24m in length or operating on longer voyages, three days or more.

ILO 188 entitles all fishermen to written terms and conditions of employment (a Fishermans Work Agreement), decent accommodation and food, medical care, regulated working time, repatriation, social protection and health and safety on board.

It also provides minimum standards relating to recruitment and placement and includes a mandatory requirement to have a certificate of medical fitness to work onboard a fishing vessel.

FCWC

The FCWC was established in 2007 to promote and facilitate cooperation in fisheries management between the FCWCs member countriesGhana, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, and Cote d'Ivoire.

These six FCWC countries have several shared fish stocks and identified the need for cooperation and shared management of these resources.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the FCWC, Mr Seraphin Dedi, said many of the labour infractions aboard fishing vessels could be prevented when Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing was stopped.

He was of the view that many of the labour infractions mostly happened on fishing vessels that are engaged in IUU fishing.

He said the FCWC was working with ILO to help address labour issues on fishing vessels in its member states.

As part of addressing labour issues in the fisheries sector in the FCWC countries, Mr Dedi, said some journalists in the FCWC countries had been trained on ILO Convention 188 to enable them to report accurately on the subject.

For him, arming journalists with the needed tools would help them to bring to light some some of the major issues that needed to be addressed in the fisheries sector, particularly regarding labour issues.

The FCWC conference

The 14th session of the Conference of the Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, which is being done in-person and online, is on the theme: Supporting effective fisheries management for a sustainable blue economy.

The conference is being attended by the fisheries ministers of the six FCWC member states or their representatives, as well as representatives of development partners of FCWC, including ECOWAS, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), African Union, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The sessions participants would deliberate on the theme, review the past years results, and agree on a work plan and budget for the 2023/2024 period to be submitted to the Ministers to adopt.
National Cathedral project wise decision  Rev. Stephen Wengam

Donald Ato Dapatem Jan - 12 - 2023 , 17:23

The decision to build the National Cathedral is a wise one, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, has said.

For us Pentecostals, we know very well the value of a temple. Solomon has gone into history as a wise and great leader because he built a temple for God and it is a symbol that signifies the unity of our faith, he added.

Rev. Wengam was speaking when he led the leadership of the church to pay a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra last Tuesday.

Rev. Wengam, 50, was last year elected to take over the mantle of leadership of the church from Rev. Prof. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, who had served as General Superintendent of the church for 12 years.

Commendation

He commended the role the government had played so far in the construction of the cathedral, including the suggestion that citizens contribute GH100 each monthly to support the cause of the project.

According to Rev. Wengam, the President had provided the country with strong leadership and steered affairs appreciably.

He, however, said it was not exciting times to be President because of the difficulties we are confronted with, especially in the face of the COVID-19 and the global economic crisis.

He said the decision by President Akufo-Addo to take a pay cut in the midst of the economic challenges had sent a signal that leadership is about sacrifice, adding that if that gesture was emulated across the board, it would go a long way to support national development.

He further said the free senior high school policy had helped to cushion parents and guardians, especially in the prevailing economic crisis, and wondered how some families would have coped with the payment of their childrens school fees.

Rev. Wengam said other interventions, such as Planting for Food and Jobs and One District, One Factory, had helped to alleviate poverty in the country.

He said the church would continue to pray for the President, the government and the nation.

Vision

The General Superintendent said the vision of the leadership of the church was to make it more relevant, impactful and influential to win more souls for Christ, as well as support national development, while seeking the welfare of rural pastors.

He said the church would commence work on an Assemblies of God Village, where activities of the church would be held as part of the programme for the centenary anniversary of the church in the next eight years.

Role

President Akufo-Addo said the Assemblies of God had played important roles in the development of the country, adding that it is because of churches like yours that the country continues to be the majoritarian Christian nation.

He said the vibrancy and the dynamism of churches such as the Assemblies of God were making an impact in the lives of many people and assisting the government in its developmental agenda.

The President acknowledged the challenging times the country was going through and said with unity, commitment and hard work by all, the nation would come out of the difficulties.

He assured the General Superintendent that the doors of the Presidency were open to the leadership of the church at all times.

He thanked the church for the encouragement to continue work on the cathedral and said criticisms over the project should be perceived as part of life, rather than discouragement.
Global Fund allocates $234m to fight diseases in Ghana

Doreen Andoh Health Jan - 12 - 2023 , 16:31

The Global Fund has allocated $234 million to Ghana to enhance the fight against HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria from 2023 to 2025.

The grant is also to help the country build resilient and sustainable systems for health.

Having received the allocation letter, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Fund, chaired by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has launched the mandatory stakeholder dialogue series to solicit inputs nationwide for better delivery of the grant.

The Global Fund has a funding model that runs in three-year periods directly corresponding with its donor replenishment periods.

In each funding period, the Global Fund allocates donor funds to eligible countries.

Countries then apply for their funding after engaging in an inclusive stakeholder consultation at the country level.

After technical review and approval, countries implement their grants. Evaluation and oversight continue throughout the implementation to monitor progress and performance.

Launch

Launching the dialogue series in Accra yesterday, the Chair of the CCM, Mr Agyeman-Manu, in a speech read on his behalf, said in spite of gains made in the management of HIV/AIDs over 20 years, the country had seen a resurgence in the last couple of years making it critical to intensive interventions.

He said the country was faced with over 29,000 missed tuberculosis cases annually, which was also demanding critical attention and investment.

He said the country also had more to do to improve on progress made in the management of malaria.

Mr Agyeman-Manu said the Global Funds current support was to boost the countrys ability to deliver on the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and malaria.

"United Nations Member Countries are charged to end AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria by 2030 and collaborations such as the are critical for countries to meet the goal," he said.

Recounting the relationship between the fund and the country, he said the fund was considered the brainchild of former Ghanaian UN Secretary-General, the late Dr Kofi Annan, who mooted the fund and got the buy-in of the global community in 2002.

He said Ghana was the first to receive an allocation and had since its inception benefited and contributed to the fund.

He said the country had received about a billion dollars from the fund for building better health systems since its inception.

Allocation letter

Providing the details of the allocation letter, the General Secretary for CCM of the Global Fund, Samuel Hackman, said per the letter, the allocation amounts for all countries had been determined according to a methodology approved by the Global Fund Board, primarily based on disease burden and income level.

He said the country was classified under a lower middle-income category.

He said for over 20 years, the Global Fund partnership had saved 50 million lives, yet the fight to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria was not over.

Recent unprecedented health challenges had a devastating impact on the progress made. But together, we can get back on track to end the three diseases by 2030, build resilient and sustainable systems for health and strengthen pandemic preparedness, to make the world healthier and more equitable.

To accelerate impact towards these goals, we must work together to ensure that the funding requests and grants for the new allocation period bring to life the vision of the new 2023-2028 Global Fund Strategy: Fighting Pandemics and Building a Healthier and More Equitable World, he quoted from the letter.

WHO

In a speech read on his behalf, the World Health Organisations Country Representative, Dr Francis Kasolo, said the enhanced collaboration between the WHO and the Global Fund in support of Universal Health Coverage was built upon the long and successful history the two shared in working together in supporting countries to scale up HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria interventions.

Inclusive and transparent country dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, including key vulnerable populations is essential in ensuring effective programming and utilisation of the grant investment towards the attainment of TB, HIV and malaria-free Ghana by 2030, he said.
Curbing vigilantism: 2 Remanded for disturbances at NDC conference

Justice Agbenorsi & Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Politics Jan - 12 - 2023 , 14:40

The Accra Circuit Court has remanded in police custody two of the persons who engaged in violent activities at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Youth and Women conference held at Cape Coast in the Central Region On December 10, last year.

The accused persons, Abdul Halid Shaibu, aka Olu, and Razak Ibrahim, aka Oga, both pleaded not guilty for engaging in vigilante activities when they appeared before the court yesterday.

The two, who were earlier brought before the court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, on January 10 this year, were in dock with one other accused person, Dauda Mohammed Nazir, who was later convicted on his own plea.

The two accused persons and the convict are three out of 16 persons who were suspected to have caused violence at the NDC National Youth and Womens conference.

The rest of the suspects are currently on the run.

The court, deferred Daudas sentencing to January 25, 2022 while the cases of the other two accused persons has been adjourned to January 19 this year.

Counsel for the accused persons, Lamptii Apariga, Paul Abariga Asibi and Ali Jafaru, took turns to pray for bail for their clients, but were denied.

Delivering his decision on the bail application Mr Acquah said vigilantism had become too much in the country and needed to be checked.

Cases of vigilantism have become too many in this country and as the 2024 election draws closer, it is the duty of the court to put fear into persons who attempt to tread that path, the judge said.

Prosecutions facts

The facts as presented by the prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Sylvester Asare, were that on December 10, 2022, police received report of violent disturbances at the NDC's National Youth and Women's conference held in Cape Coast in the Central Region.

On receipt of the report of the violent disturbances, the prosecutor said the police commenced investigation into the matter.

During the investigation, the prosecutor said the police reviewed specific video footages of the conference and declared 16 persons, including the accused person, wanted in connection with the violence.

Investigation

Police investigation, he said, revealed that the three accused persons and others at large were lodged in separate hotels in Cape Coast and fed.

On December 10, 2022, while the congress was ongoing, the vigilante rival groups, without any provocation and to further the interests of their respective candidates, resorted to the use of violence, threat and intimidation and injured some persons.

Some members of the opposing factions involved in the fight got injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

It was also established that Shaibu and Ibrahim were paid GH 250 each for their services as vigilantes at the conference for George Opare Addo, prosecution said.

He added that Nazir and his accomplices also received GH 200 each for their services as vigilantes at the conference.

On December 6, 2022, Shaibu and Ibrahim were arrested from their hideouts in Tamale and brought to Accra for investigations while Nazir was also arrested from his hideout at Kintampo.
OccupyGhana: GES should reconsider decision to sack Chiana girls

Graphic.com.gh Politics Jan - 12 - 2023 , 20:19

Pressure group, OccupyGhana has joined the call for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reconsider the decision to dismiss the eight students from the Chiana Senior High School for making derogatory comments against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In a statement dated January 12, 2023, reacting to the dismissal, OccupyGhana agreed that what the students did and said were "terrible and despicable, directed at anyone, let alone the person who holds the high office of President."

Related: 8 SHS students dismissed for insulting Presient Akufo-Addo in viral video

"Our culture and traditions frown upon such conduct. Therefore, we cannot fault the GES if it decides to discipline the errant students."

OccupyGhana added: "However, we live in a liberal democracy that requires us to be tolerant and not completely overreact in situations like this.

"The same culture and traditions that frown upon the students conduct, still urges restraint in punishing such wrongs.

"It is in line with this spirit of forbearance and tolerance that the current President, then as Attorney-General, introduced in and shepherded through Parliament, a Bill that famously repealed several sections of the Criminal Offences Act that criminalised speech, including the then offence of insulting the president.



"We commend to the GES, the same spirit of tolerance and attitude of forbearance.

"We believe that even if the students ought to face some disciplinary measures for their conduct, dismissing them from school, which effectively terminates their education in the public schooling system, is extreme and not commensurate to their wrong.

"While deterrence is a good aim of punishment, we should punish to rehabilitate and not destroy. We believe that some suspension with compulsory counselling for the students would be more effective than the dismissal," OccupyGhana said.



Read also: VIDEO: 8 SHS students beg for forgiveness after dismissal for insulting President Akufo-Addo

Below is a copy of the statement
Set up democracy fund  Dr Belley

Alberto Mario Noretti Politics Jan - 12 - 2023 , 14:32

A Lecturer of Governance Studies at the E.P. University College (EPUC) in Ho in the Volta Region, Dr Harrison Kofi Belley, has called for the establishment of a democracy fund, as a matter of priority, to enable independent constitutional bodies to perform their functions without fear or favour.

He mentioned the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Electoral Commission, and National Media Commission (NMC) as strong pillars of the countrys democracy which needed to operate without any political interference in their constitutionally-stipulated functions.

Fund

The democracy fund, Dr Belley said, would enable those institutions to address the accountability deficits of the state as they would function without looking up to politicians for funding.

He was speaking at a public lecture on Three Decades of Constitutionalism in Ghanas Fourth Republic: Reflections on the Performance of the Independent Constitutional Bodies, in Ho last week Friday.

The event, organised by the Department of Governance Studies of EPUC to mark Constitutional Day, was attended by students of the university and members of the public.

He said the various democratic institutions, when financially independent under the proposed democracy fund, would hold political officer holders accountable because they would need no favours from them.

Autonomy

Dr Belley pointed out that the office of the Auditor-General, and Public Services Commission, for instance, also required financial independence to perform their duties effectively.

Meanwhile, he said, other institutions of governance such as the Bank of Ghana, and Statistical Services, which might not be expressly listed as independent bodies required a high degree of autonomy to execute their respective constitutional mandates.

That, he explained, was necessary to guard them against unrestrained executive interference.

Responsible Journalism

The governance studies lecturer also called for responsible media practice to protect the democratic institutions to promote human rights and fight corruption.
With the state having signed the agreement of sale on the former Allentown State Hospital property, its time to put the controversy about the sale process behind us.

Thats difficult to do with the state still concealing documents about its first failed attempt to sell the land.

The public is entitled to see those documents, the state Office of Open Records ruled Dec. 27. Its ruling was in response to The Morning Calls efforts to obtain the records.

The Department of General Services had refused to provide them to Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner, who requested them through the state Right-to-Know Law. Turner appealed that denial to the Office of Open Records, which adjudicates such matters.

The OOR granted The Morning Call access to the documents and ordered the department to hand them over by Jan. 26. The department could appeal the ruling to Commonwealth Court and is considering its options, Turner wrote in an article Wednesday.

The department should drop its fight.

The sale and redevelopment of the Allentown State Hospital is one of the biggest events in Allentown in recent memory. It sadly has become controversial instead of exciting. And the more the state tries to keep records about the sale secret, the bigger the controversy will grow.

The land, a prime 195 acres overlooking the Lehigh River at the citys border with Bethlehem, is now in the hands of City Center Investment Corp., the company behind most of the new buildings in the blocks around PPL Center.

Legislation authorized the state to sell the site directly to City Center, after a failed attempt to sell it through a competitive bidding process, as is common practice with public property. The legislation was written by former state Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, who is a childhood chum of City Center President J.B. Reilly.

Last January, the state solicited purchase proposals, setting a minimum offer of $5.5 million. The winner wasnt to be chosen on price alone. Other factors, including the best use of the land for the maximum benefit of Allentown, also were to be considered.

Only two proposals were submitted. One was from City Center, at a price of $5.5 million. The other was from an unidentified developer, at an unidentified amount.

Both proposals were rejected. They were considered nonresponsive because they did not comply with the requirements.

Its the records of those sales that the state has refused to divulge.

It contends they are not subject to public scrutiny because they are exempt under a provision of the Right-to-Know Law. That provision allows governments to keep sales proposals secret before a contract is awarded or all bids are rejected. The exemption is designed to protect the public bidding process.

The Department of General Services told the Office of Open Records that because the proposals were nonresponsive, they were not considered. And because they were not considered, they were not rejected. Therefore, they are not public documents.

Thats the kind of government logic that infuriates taxpayers. The bottom line is the department did not accept either bid. Thats a rejection.

And thats how the Office of Open Records saw it when it ruled that the documents  including the proposals and any related correspondence  are public.

With the property sold directly a developer, it is clearly no longer in the competitive bidding process and the right to withhold proposals ends when the bidding process does, concluded appeals officer Catherine Hecker.

The state already has wasted enough tax dollars on the Allentown State Hospital. It blew $15.7 million demolishing the dozens of buildings on the site to make it more attractive for developers, instead of letting the buyer pay that bill if they didnt want to reuse the buildings.

Paying lawyers to continue a dispute about public access to paperwork about the sale of public property would just add to the waste. And unnecessarily drag on the controversy.

Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com.
Toyota Motor North America recently entered into an agreement with environmental tech nonprofit WattTime to provide certain health and environmental impact data to Toyota and Lexus customers with eligible vehicles to enable them to find ideal charging times to reduce emissions when charging at home. By using this data to make more informed decisions on charging times, customers are empowered to do their part to help reduce power plant emissions.

Leveraging the power of the Remote Connect feature within the Toyota and Lexus apps, Toyota and Lexus BEV and PHEV customers will be able to manage their home charging experience, via the ECO Charging feature, to select the most efficient times to charge their vehicles.

WattTime, founded in 2014, provides information to everyone from power utilities to individual users on the best forecasted times to pull electricity from the grid for the smallest carbon footprint. As part of its agreement, Toyota will be the exclusive automotive manufacturer to also provide customers with WattTime data related to human health.

Using that data, customers will be presented with recommended charging schedules that, if used, can potentially reduce the health impact of the electricity being pulled from the local utility.

Customers who own eligible vehicles can download the Toyota or Lexus app and register their vehicle, and then they can choose to opt-in to the Remote Connect service through the app. The Toyota and Lexus apps will take the electricity forecast data from WattTime and combine it with the customers own charging and mobility requirements to propose a charging schedule through the ECO Charging feature.





The optional schedule will be presented to them through the customers existing account on their app. Customers may use the data to align their charging schedule with the times of day that will offer the best potential for a reduced carbon footprint and impact on health.

The ECO Charging feature is available now on the Toyota and Lexus apps, both of which are available for download for iPhone or Android smartphones.

Last year Toyota launched the all-new BEV crossover, the bZ4X. Toyota also offers PHEV vehicle options with the Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime. Lexus all-new RZ 450e BEV will go on sale early this year. In addition, Lexus offers PHEV options in the NX 450h+ and the forthcoming RX 450h+.
A computer-generated mock-up of what Western's western entrance would look like after renovations and construction.

On January 5 the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the decision of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to award Western Wyoming Community College (Western) a $3 million grant to help diversify the economy of Southwest Wyoming by boosting the region's healthcare workforce. The EDA's investments will be matched with more than $5 million in state and local funds.

The grant will be funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative. EDA awards funds to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. Western submitted a grant in March 2022 to renovate and construct new educational spaces to support the creation of a Health Science wing on Western's main campus.

This expansion is projected to add 10,450 square feet of new space and renovate 6,600 square feet of existing structure located on the main campus. Renovations would be on the campus's west side, which includes additional improvements for accessibility at its entrance. This is one of the largest grants awarded in history to the College.

"This is a competitive grant, and we are grateful for this federal support. This funding supports the creation of a state-of-the-art health science teaching facility to prepare our future health care workers in Southwest Wyoming," states Dr. Kim Dale, President of Western. "This building renovation and addition is a perfect complement to our award-winning nursing program."

Western's service area is the largest in the state, consisting of five counties: Carbon, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, and Uinta. In the past year, several counties the College serves broke ground on new construction sites for critical access hospitals. The demand for local healthcare positions was estimated to be 1,500 over ten years as outlined in employer letters supporting the grant.

The grant was supported by various southwest Wyoming community partners. Western appreciates submitted letters of endorsement by: Aspen Mountain Medical Center; Best Home Health and Hospice; Carbon County Public Health; Castle Rock Medical Center; Deer Trail Assisted Living; Evanston Regional Hospital; Hospice of Sweetwater County; Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County; Rawlins Rehabilitation and Wellness (EmpRes Healthcare Management); Star Valley Health; Sweetwater County Community Nursing Service; Sweetwater Surgery Center; and the Wyoming Department of Health.

With the urgent need for a trained health care workforce, Western anticipates breaking ground spring of this year. The next steps are to coordinate the building renovation meetings with the EDA, State of Wyoming, and the internal College grant task force.

For questions regarding this grant, please contact Mikayla Larrow, the College's Public Relations Specialist at marketing@westernwyoming.edu or by calling 307-382-1858.

There is still time to register for Spring semester. Contact admissions@westernwyoming.edu or visit westernwyoming.edu/apply before January 19.
This April 1938 photo shows the USS Oklahoma. Sheridan sailor Herman Schmidt, who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, was a Navy Gunner's Mate Third Class aboard the Nevada-class battleship.

CASPER -Experts have identified the remains of a Sheridan sailor who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Herman Schmidt, 28, was a Navy Gunner's Mate Third Class aboard the USS Oklahoma, a Nevada-class battleship.

Schmidt's remains were officially identified about two years ago, though the Department of Defense held off on announcing the news until his family could be fully briefed, according to a Monday press release from the department's Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency.

The USS Oklahoma was moored on battleship row at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 it was attacked by hundreds of Japanese planes. The battleship was struck by several torpedoes and capsized in a matter of minutes. The attack killed 429 of the ship's men, including Schmidt, the release said.

The Navy also lost the USS Arizona in the attack. It was hit by multiple bombs and exploded, killing 1,177, according to the National WWII Museum.

More than 2,400 Americans died in the surprise attack and over 1,100 were wounded at Pearl Harbor that day.

Nearly 130 Japanese servicemen also lost their lives.

The military worked for three years to recover the bodies of lost sailors and Marines, according to the release. Their remains were buried in the Halawa and Nu'uanu cemeteries in Hawaii.

Three years later, the American Graves Registration Service disinterred the bodies of the servicemen to try to identify them.

They were only able to positively ID 35 of the men stationed on the Oklahoma. The rest were deemed "non-recoverable" and reburied at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu (also known as the Punchbowl), according to the release.

In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed the remains to try again.

So far, it has been able to identify 361 of the 394 Oklahoma personnel labeled "non-recoverable" after the war, according to the agency's website.

Experts used a combination of dental, anthropological and DNA analysis to identify Schmidt, the release said.

Schmidt's name is recorded on the cemetery's Walls of the Missing, which memorializes American servicemen who were lost, buried at sea or went missing during WWII. Now that Schmidt has been accounted for, a rosette will be placed next to his name, the release said.

Schmidt will be buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, though the Department of Defense hasn't announced a date yet.

Anyone with questions about the funeral service can reach out to the Department of Defense's Navy Service Casualty office at (800) 443-9298.

Since 2015, the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency has identified the remains of six other fallen soldiers from Wyoming, including three who were killed during WWII, two who died in the Korean War and one who was killed during the Vietnam War.
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G we've been hearing about for over half a year is rumored to come with an Exynos 1280 SoC at the helm. But that likely won't be the case since the smartphone has popped up on Geekbench with a different chip.

The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G, sporting model code SM-A346B, is listed on the benchmark database with MT6877V/TTZA, which we know is MediaTek's Dimensity 1080 SoC. It's based on the 6nm process and consists of eight CPU cores - 2x Cortex-A78 clocked at up to 2.6GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 clocked at up to 2GHz.

The Galaxy A34 5G that passed through Geekbench runs Android 13 and has 6GB RAM onboard. It scored 786 and 2,294 points in Geekbench's single and multi-core tests, respectively. That's less than what the Dimensity 1080-powered Realme 10 Pro+ achieved in our tests, but this could be due to the phone being a pre-production unit, and you can expect better performance with the retail version.

Rumors claim the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G will be similar to the Galaxy A33 5G, except that it won't feature a depth sensor, and the three rear cameras won't be housed inside a camera island.

Samsung will unveil new Galaxy A series smartphones in India on January 18. The Korean conglomerate hasn't revealed their names yet, but those might be the Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy A54 5G.

Source | Via (in Dutch)
Editors Note: PDNs Ron Rocky Coloma traveled to Dubrovnik, Croatia, during his Thanksgiving break.

Many travelers visit Dubrovnik, Croatia, because it is a famous filming location for Game of Thrones, a television series about nine noble families who fight each other over control of Westeros.

Though I do not obsessively watch the HBO series, I had always dreamt of traveling to the Pearl of the Adriatic located on the southern coast of Croatia because one of my favorite Filipino teleseryes, Make It With You, was filmed there too.

The 2020 romantic comedy drama features actors Enrique Gil and Liza Sobrerano, and it is about two individuals who lived different lives and priorities but found love in Croatia. They are later conflicted on whether they should continue their romance.

During Thanksgiving break, my first stop was Dubrovnik, Croatia. Follow me as I go around the most picturesque city on the Dalmatian coast.

Valamar Argosy Hotel

To start off my day, I woke up at Valamar Argosy Hotel and took a dip in their outdoor pool that has a magical view of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands.

After a 30-minute swim, I ate at the hotels buffet breakfast inside Mediterraneo Restaurant. The restaurant offers Mediterranean and international delicacies, and you can eat inside the restaurant or on its spacious terrace, which has a sea view.

Because I was homesick, it did not hurt to walk to Copacabana Beach afterward to swim once more. The aquamarine waters of the Adriatic Sea were tempting. Copacabana Beach was a pebble beach that had crystal clear waters.

Unlike Banje Beach, which is often overcrowded, I enjoyed Copacabana Beach because it felt very private due to the lack of tourists.

Walls of Dubrovnik

After relaxing on the beach, I took an Uber to Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I walked along the Walls of Dubrovnik, which is a series of white limestone defensive walls. Acknowledged as one of the most notable fortifications during the Middle Ages, the walls were fortified continuously.

Old Town is also the famous destination where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed. My favorite filming spot is Fort Lovrijenac because it has a marvelous view of the water and the city when you climb to the top of the tower. Referred to as Dubrovniks Gibraltar since it is situated on a rocky outcrop, Fort Lovrijenac was constructed during the 11th century so invaders couldnt attack the Venetians.

In Game of Thrones, Fort Lovrijenac is Red Keep in Kings Landing, which is the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Multiple scenes were also shot in the fortress, such as the tournament held in honor of King Joffreys name day in season two.

Stradun

After living inside the fantasy world of Game of Thrones, walk the main street of Old Town, Stradun. It has a wide range of restaurants to try out.

For pre-lunch, I ate at Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant and Bar, which was established in 1895 and is located in the heart of Old Town near Dubrovniks main square. I ordered Eggs Benedict, a Bellini sparkling cocktail and a Dubrovnik creme caramel for dessert.

Next to the restaurant is Rectors Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I recommend visiting it if you are an architecture and history lover because it has a stunning mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque architectural designs.

The palace, designed in 1435, used to be the seat of power for the Rector of Ragusa until 1808. Now, it is a museum with a variety of artifacts that are connected with Dubrovnik.

Of course, I cannot forget to mention that the Rectors Palace is the setting for Quart in Game of Thrones.

Unfortunately, cameras arent allowed inside the Rectors Palace.

The white limestone street is fantastic for souvenir shopping. I bought a red coral necklace from the Adriatic Sea and a turquoise necklace from Dubrovnik. Both have a traditional Croatian silver filigree ball.

St. Johns Fortress

A five-minute walk from Stradun lies St. Johns Fortress, which is also called Mulo Tower. Designated as one of the key ports of the city, the monumental fortress regulates and safeguards the ports entrance.

Behind the fortress is a secret swimming spot that not many people know of. Fortunately, I had an extra pair of clothes in my backpack so I took a dive into the Adriatic Sea.

After a refreshing swim under the midday sun, I walked inside the Dubrovnik Aquarium, located on the ground floor of the St. Johns Fortress. The marine species in the aquarium include fishes from the Adriatic Sea.

Mount Srd

Ready for a late lunch, I rode the cable car up to Mount Srd, which has an elevation of 1,352 feet. The journey took 10 minutes and it costs 30 euros to go back and forth.

Adventurers can take the more challenging route and hike their way up the mountain by foot, which will take around 40 minutes to an hour.

Once I reached the top, I purchased three pearl necklaces from the Balkan Peninsula at Royal Pearl to add to my fashion wardrobe.

Since I had a reservation at Panorama Restaurant & Bar an hour before sunset, I headed inside and ordered the chicken rustico, which included potato mousse, marinated kale and sage sauce. I also had a pina colada, which is composed of rum, dark rum, coconut syrup, pineapple juice and cream. I finished it off with the cake of the day: white chocolate almond cake.

I went afterward to one of the two viewing terraces and enjoyed the romantic sunset overseeing the ocean, the surrounding islands and the city.

Silk Restaurant

After I went down from the summit of Mount Srd using the cable car, I walked back to Old Town. Near the Pile Gate is Silk Restaurant, which opened last October.

When I travel, I always make sure I support at least one Asian business. So, for dinner, I ordered the restaurants chicken katsu rice, which is a crispy chicken with curry katsu sauce, green peas and steamed rice. For dessert, I ate their iced mochi in three flavors: chocolate, mango and vanilla.

La Castile Restaurant

If you want to eat a meal from Dubrovnik with a stunning view of the Adriatic Sea, I highly recommend La Castile Restaurant. There, I ordered the grilled sea bass fillet, which included julienne vegetables and mashed potato with fennel. I topped it off with a martini.

The cuisine in Dubrovnik is phenomenal, and I wish I had more time to try out local delicacies.

If you are interested in medieval treasures, an island lifestyle similar to Guam or an escape from the city life, put Dubrovnik, Croatia, on your travel list!
Del. James Moylan is joining in a push alongside other territorial representatives to get federal Supplemental Security Income for Guam and the other U.S. territories, a news release from Moylans office stated.

SSI is a federal program that provides cash payments to the elderly and those with disabilities, but it excludes Guam and the other territories. Payouts fluctuate yearly, but the maximum rate in 2023 is $914 a month for individuals and $1,371 for couples.

Moylan this week joined with Resident Commissioner Jennifer Gonzales-Colon of Puerto Rico to introduce H.R. 256, legislation that would allow U.S. residents in Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands to qualify for SSI.

Also signed on as co-sponsors are Del. Stacy Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Del. Gregorio Kilili Sablan form the CNMI, among others.

While our office contemplated introducing a Guam only measure for SSI, we felt that a united effort of including all territories in the process would help in pursuing the greater objective, which is equity when it comes to federal programs that not all jurisdictions fairly receive, Moylan said in a statement.

The team effort would provide more effort in the push, by joining with ranking members of Congress, he said.

Our team will continue to educate members of the House on the inequity of the SSI, with the intent of securing additional co-sponsors. This will include members of leadership and my freshman class.
A one year-prison sentence has been suspended for a man who pleaded guilty to strangling his wife.

Norman Norm Sebastian Leon Guerrero, 36, received credit for time served and was given three years probation by Judge Marie T. Cenzon Wednesday morning at the Superior Court of Guam.

Leon Guerrero served a month in the Department of Corrections.

In February 2021, Leon Guerrero was charged with strangulation and family violence, both third-degree felonies.

Should Leon Guerrero complete the conditions of his probation before the expiration of the three-year term of probation, he will be placed on unsupervised probation. The court could also consider closing the case early.

He also must submit to random alcohol and drug testing.

Police were called to Talofofo just after midnight on Feb. 2, 2021, and met with a woman who had what appeared to be a streak of dried blood from her nose to her upper lip. She said Leon Guerrero stomped on her face.

She described other injuries, such as bite marks on her back and a bump to her head, saying she got the bump when Leon Guerrero slammed her head on the bedroom wall five times.

She also said that he choked her with his right hand and again with his right arm, court documents state.
Sen. Will Parkinson, so far the most outspoken abortion advocate in the 37th Guam Legislature, says he wont be moving to repeal Guams decades old abortion ban just yet.

Guam, like many states, will have to reckon with the possible resurrection of its old abortion ban, with the national right to an abortion overturned last June.

Parkinson, during a Thursday press conference, said he wont be moving to reverse Guams ban, which has been unenforceable for the past three decades, until the court battle over the ban is resolved.

The 1990 ban, Public Law 20-134, has sat in limbo since being enjoined in federal court the same year it was enacted. But Attorney General Doug Moylan has said his office is taking immediate action to see that injunction dissolved, in light of the U.S. Supreme Courts new stance on abortion.

Today, I was originally going to announce an introduction of a bill that would repeal Public Law 20-134. However, after having consultation with the ACLU, I decided to hold off on this decision in order to allow the situation to play out in the courts, Parkinson said Thursday.

Attorney Anita Arriola, counsel for the plaintiffs in the 1990 lawsuit filed over the ban, has vowed to fight against Public Law 20-134 being reinstated.

Parkinson said he was in agreement with the legal opinion of former Attorney General Leevin Camacho, that when this law was deemed unconstitutional, it was stricken as if it was never in the books. And if it was never in the books, it would be counterproductive to repeal something that is not there.

No public vote

When pressed, the senator said he would move to repeal the old ban if the courts are inclined to let it stand.

Although the 1990 law calls for a voter referendum, Parkinson said he does not want the matter to go to a public vote.

I dont agree with the idea of a referendum as a lawmaker, because we were elected by the people of Guam to make the hard decisions, Parkinson said.

(If) every time we have a difficult decision like abortion, we stick it to the people, then what are we here for?  Lets make a decision and not pass the buck.

Parkinson questioned why the attorney general was committing the resources of his office to reenacting the ban, instead of going after rapists and child molesters.

Moylan has told the newspaper he is not interested in the public policy debate over abortion, but is moving for the injunction to be resolved as it is the duty of his office to see that Guams laws are enforced.

He repeated that point Wednesday, on the radio with Newstalk K-57. Moylan said the issue was best left to a vote before women, but the legal system would not work if an attorney general ignored laws passed by lawmakers.

Every day that the people of Guam do not receive the benefit of the laws passed by our Legislature, it's a type of injury that you cannot quantify, he said.

So whether it's the abortion law, or whether it's jaywalking, when the legislature speaks, that is on behalf of our people. And when the court system decides that the basis on which a law has been struck down or enjoined is no longer good law, the people are entitled to an immediate recovery of that benefit.
Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for the Guam Museum.
Published on 2023/01/11 | Source

Actor Kim Dae-gon will visit viewers as Kwon Woo-cheol CD in JTBC's new Saturday-Sunday drama "Agency".

Advertisement

Kim Dae-gon will show off his strong presence by working with actor Lee Bo-young as Kwon Woo-cheol's CD in JTBC's "Agency".

The new Saturday-Sunday drama "Agency" is a battle drama of elegantly desperate advertisers that depicts Go Ah-in (Lee Bo-young), who becomes the first female executive of the VC group, making her career beyond the first to the best position.

Kwon Woo-cheol, who Kim Dae-gon plays on CD in "Agency", is a character who does not care about means and methods to get what he wants, and is bright in his tricks ahead of his skills.

The title Creative Director, which informs Kwon Woo-cheol's man power, refers to the person in charge of directing the advertising production team. As a figure with the claws of a beast looking for a chance to spy, he will create dramatic tension with the appearance of an advertiser with a sharp shot.

Kim Dae-gon's new Saturday-Sunday drama "Agency" premiered on the 7th.
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Published on 2023/01/11 | Source

New poster and stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "The Point Men" (2020)

Advertisement

Directed by Yim Soon-rye

With Hwang Jung-min, Hyun Bin, Kang Ki-young, Jeon Sung-woo, Park Hyoung-soo, Ahn Chang-hwan,...

Synopsis

Based on the true events of the Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan.

A group of Korean tourists is taken hostage by an extremist Taliban group in Afghanistan. The Korean government dispatches Jae-ho (Hwang Jung-min), known as one of Korea's most skilled diplomats, in order to handle the situation. Once he arrives, he asks for the Afghan government's cooperation and uses every means possible to free the hostages. However, his efforts go in vain. Due to his failure, he's forced to work with Dae-sik (Hyun Bin), a special agent who is an expert on the Middle East. As they begin making their move to get to the Taliban, the first hostage death occurs. With nowhere else to turn, the two become unlikely allies in a race against time to save the rest of the hostages.

Release date in Korea : 2023/01/18
Published on 2023/01/12

We've entered a whole new calendar year, and with it comes a slew of promising new Korean dramas. We have compiled 7 of the most expected highschool K-dramas to air in the first quarter of this year to give everyone a little more variety in what they may add to their watchlists. The popularity of Korean dramas like "Crash Landing on You" (2019) and "Squid Game" (2021), to mention just two, catapulted the genre to new heights, although they had been on the upswing for some time before that. In 2022, the K-drama business didn't slow down, continuing to impress with compelling programming across a wide variety of categories. Now, let's proceed to our list to reveal what highschool K-drama you mustn't miss this year.

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"When the Stars Gossip"

The action of this riveting play will take place in the cosmos. As a space tourist, gynecologist Gong Ryong travels to a space station. When he gets there, he meets the meticulous astronaut, Eve Kim. The first image of Lee Min-ho and Kong Hyo-jin in their roles as Gong Ryong and Eve Kim has been revealed. First, we meet Gong Ryong, a gynecologist and midwife. The stalwart-looking guy rocketing into space is named Lee Min-ho. The reports state that he paid substantial money to join the journey as a foreigner. The actor wears a plain white T-shirt and a headset. You will also see an alternative image showing him in a spacesuit making gestural and facial gestures in an attempt at communication. Either way, it's among school K-dramas that will be worth watching this year.

"The Worst of Evil"

It's schools korean drama situated in the 1980s and features state trooper Park Joon-mo as he goes undercover to take down criminal leader Jeong Gi-cheol. His probe has the backing of his drugs detective spouse, Yoo Eui-Jung. During the second half of 2023, this criminal action drama will hit theaters. This crime-action thriller tells the narrative of a police investigation into drug gangs. Seoul, South Korea is where the inquiry by the grand police will begin. As the plot develops, however, the scope of the probe expands to include the destruction of the drug triangle in Asia.

Ji Chang-wook, an actor with a wide range, will play Park Joon-mo. As a member of the undercover police force, he works his way into a criminal gang in order to learn as much as possible about their activities. Elsewhere, Wi Ha-jun plans to assume the identity of notorious narcotics trafficker Jeong Gi-cheol. Jeong Gi-cheol, a rising crime lord, is a charismatic and interesting figure. Last but not least, Lim Se-mi will round out the interplay as Yoo Eui-jeong, a female investigative officer who has decided to join the inquiry. The fact that she is Park Joon-mo's wife is, nonetheless, rather intriguing.

"Crash Course in Romance"

If your preference is highschool romance K-dramas, this one will suit you perfectly to watch. Namely, Yoo Je-won, who previously directed the hit film "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha", returns with a new romantic comedy that delves into the competitive world of elite schools. Banchan (Korean side dishes) shopkeeper Nam Haeng-seon (Jeon Do-yeon) is the focus of this show as she helps her daughter study for a university entrance test. When Yoo meets Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho), a charming instructor renowned for his unconventional teaching methods, her whole life is thrown upside down.

"Mask Girl"

Another of the highly awaited Korean college life dramas, "Mask Girl" is based on a popular webcomic of the identical name and will reportedly consist of seven episodes. Mo-mi (Go Hyun-jung and Nana), a typical office employee with a crippling body image issue, is at the center of the story. And yet, she wears a mask when hosting an online show since she is so pleased with her stunning physical appearance. Oh-nam, a coworker, develops a passion for the masked girl but she doesn't feel the same way. Once she becomes embroiled in a web of high drama, he finds himself in the middle of it, too. Kyung-Ja, his single mother, begins a frantic hunt for him when he disappears.

"Chicken Nugget"

The young lady Choi Min-ah (Kim Yoo-jung), who uses a mystery contraption to aid with her exhaustion and is mistakenly changed into a chicken nugget, is the protagonist of the comedy series that is inspired by the webtoon Fried Chicken by Park Ji-dok. Her dad and an assistant with a passion for her collaborate in an effort to return her to her physical figure, but in the process, they stumble onto some disturbing revelations. Netflix has not yet announced a launch date for the series "Chicken Nugget", and it seems unlikely that they will do so for some time. At this period in history, the development of Korean drama remains in its early stages; the primary actors who would play the principal parts were only just recently chosen.

Lee Byeong-heon-I is set to helm the next movie "Chicken Nugget". There will be a total of twelve episodes in the initial edition of the drama. After the announcement was made public on Twitter by the video content service, fans may now start making preparations for the arrival of "Chicken Nugget" on their platform of choice. Netflix has not yet disclosed the day that will serve as the show's formal debut. It's fair to state that this piece of cinematography has already become inspiring for some of the best essay writers across the globe. Furthermore, dozens of understudies have found its story motivation for their texts too.

"Queenmaker"

When two women put their conflicts aside and decide to work together to combat injustice, a powerful force is unleashed. It's an old song in the world of Korean mysteries, but with Kim Hee-ae ("The World of the Married") and Moon So-ri ("Life") in the major roles, this female-driven drama has a chance to distinguish itself from the plethora of riveting Korean psychological thrillers that are available on Netflix. The tensions in "Queenmaker" seem like a complement for this year's version of Little Women due to the fact that one of the protagonists is a top entrepreneur working inside the system and the other is a worker's liberties attorney campaigning for the government.

"Vigilante"

If you are seeking legit paper writing websites to find extraordinary topics regarding action and incident, this Korean drama will make you stop. Why? Because it includes everything you need. Focusing on the criminal and adventure subgenres, the television show "Vigilante" is adapted from a motion comic with the same name. The story centers on a pupil at a police institute called Kim Ji-yong (Nam Joo-hyuk). At a young age, he witnesses the murder of his mom at the hands of infamous criminals and makes a solemn promise to exact vengeance on them. What does he do:

He establishes a criminal organization.

Transforms himself into a vigilante.

Eliminates those who disobey the law, all while the Metropolitan Investigative Unit Team is looking for him.

Conclusion

The high school relationship subgenre of Korean dramas has remained popular with viewers of all ages. It not only deals with a wide range of lovely, nostalgic adolescent feelings but also the difficulties of coming of age, as shown by tales to which we are certain you can connect. All of them are filmed in Korea and have a light, comic touch that adds to the appeal. Therefore, if you're in the mood for a lighthearted Korean drama, we hope our recommendations will be helpful.
Hong Kong: Nuclear emergency drill held

A large-scale interdepartmental exercise based on the Daya Bay Contingency Plan (DBCP) was conducted today to test and enhance the nuclear emergency preparedness and knowledge of relevant personnel in dealing with nuclear power station emergencies that may affect Hong Kong.

Chief Executive John Lee and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, together with a number of principal officials and about 1,400 personnel from various departments and organisations participated in the exercise.

The starting scenario of the exercise simulated a chain of equipment fault events at the Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (GNPS), leading to a potential off-site emergency situation involving a release of radioactive materials.

Upon notification of the incident in the exercise this morning, the Government simulated the activation of the DBCP and the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre (EMSC) under the Security Bureau as well as the dissemination of emergency information to the public through the media.

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the Department of Health (DH) and relevant government departments immediately conducted environmental radiation monitoring and assessment and provided timely updates on the situation.

In a simulated response to the incident, the Chief Executive's Steering Group chaired by Mr Lee, convened a meeting in the morning and deliberated on recommendations made by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung.

Among the recommendations were raising the emergency response level, stepped-up radiation monitoring, and enhanced monitoring of imported food from the Mainland and locally produced food as well as fresh water.

As directed by the Chief Executive, Mr Tang chaired the Implementation Task Force meeting co-ordinating the implementation of the DBCP.

Mr Lee, accompanied by the security chief, inspected the operation of the EMSC in co-ordinating with relevant bureaus and departments to handle the nuclear emergency, and know more about the latest situation.

To test the Governments capability of adopting appropriate precautionary measures, Police assisted in evacuating villagers and visitors in Tung Ping Chau and the Government Flying Service (GFS) deployed a helicopter to convey Police reinforcements to sweep the island.

During the exercise, a Police launch swiftly transported the evacuees to Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier. The Fireboat 7 participating in the exercise is the world's first civil CBRN (chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear) defence ship certified by a classification society, and is capable of carrying out decontamination procedures onboard for evacuees with possible contamination and monitoring outdoor radiation levels with its gamma ray detectors during evacuation.

The evacuees were immediately recorded by the Electronic-Casualties Management Solution being developed by Police and received radiation assessment after landing to ensure that they were not contaminated.

Mobile decontamination units with shower facilities were also used by the Fire Services Department (FSD) to demonstrate decontamination procedures for people with possible contamination.

Casualty information was simultaneously uploaded to hospitals' accident & emergency departments via the Patient Tagging System for Multiple Casualties Incidents by the FSD to allow early preparation for the possibility of receiving a large number of casualties.

To minimise the health risk to citizens, relevant government departments immediately stepped up environmental radiation monitoring to assess the potential outcomes resulting from the nuclear incident as soon as possible.

Among them, the FSD and the HKO respectively deployed the Fireboat 7, the unmanned aircraft system and firefighting robot installed with advanced radiation monitoring equipment, the Radiological Survey Vehicles, and the Aerial Radiation Monitoring System (ARMS) on helicopters to carry out radiation monitoring on land, sea and air, collecting samples from different locations to conduct radiological surveys, investigation and data collection.

The Government also carried out a series of measures at the Man Kam To Control Point to monitor imported food and goods from the Mainland as well as incoming travellers.

The measures included radiation monitoring of imported food and live food animals from the Mainland by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department's (FEHD) Man Kam To Food Control Office; and radiation monitoring of inbound trucks travelling from areas within 20km of the GNPS, goods on board and their drivers as well as decontamination treatment in case of contamination, by Customs and other relevant departments.

Furthermore, Auxiliary Medical Service personnel simulated radiation monitoring of people arriving from the Mainland and carried out decontamination procedures for travellers with radiation contamination at the Man Kam To Control Point.

During the exercise, the Government disseminated timely information to the public through different channels. A press conference is simulated to provide the public with comprehensive information.

To enhance the professionalism of the exercise and strengthen exchanges, the SB invited ministries and commissions in the Mainland and experts from overseas, Macau and local organisations to observe the exercise and offer advice to the Government.

The security secretary went to Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier to view the FSDs demonstration of radiation assessment and decontamination procedures. He also visited the HKO headquarters to observe radiation monitoring and data analysis work and the Exercise Control Centre in Police Headquarters for more information about the situation.

Mr Tang noted that the exercise seeks to ensure the government's nuclear emergency preparedness and relevant professional knowledge, and to enhance the understanding of nuclear power and nuclear emergency preparedness among the public.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang addresses the press jointly with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Jan. 11, 2023.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Wednesday that China stands ready to work with Africa to deepen Sino-African friendly relations and upgrade their cooperation in the new era. Qin, who addressed the press jointly with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, said this year marks the 10th anniversary since Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the principles of China's Africa policy - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests during his first visit to Africa in 2013. Over the past decade, thanks to the joint guidance and efforts of Chinese and African leaders, China-Africa relations have made historic achievements that have attracted worldwide attention and entered a new era of forging a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, Qin said. At the beginning of the new year, he said, everything will be renewed afresh, and China has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all aspects, and the AU and African countries will also mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) -- the predecessor of the AU. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Africa to speed up the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and deepen Belt and Road cooperation, he affirmed. Qin put forward four proposals on the development of China-Africa relations. First, he emphasized the need to speed up physical exchanges and sharing of visions between China and Africa. China will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, uphold justice while pursuing shared interests, and expand exchanges and cooperation with Africa in various fields and at all levels, support South Africa in its successful BRICS presidency and Uganda in hosting a successful Non-Aligned Movement summit, Qin said. China is ready to deepen exchanges and mutual learning on national governance and development experience with Africa, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Qin said, adding that this will lay a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Second, Qin called for the deepening of friendly relations between China and the AU, adding that as China's modernization drive provides new opportunities for Africa, it will continue to support the African Union in leading African countries on a development path suited to their national conditions. He reiterated China's readiness to further facilitate the synergy of its development strategy with those of African countries and the AU Commission, and help advance Africa's integration. China has taken the lead in supporting the AU's membership in the Group of 20 (G20) and advocates a bigger role for the AU and African countries in the global governance system, Qin said. Third, Qin said, greater efforts should be made to upgrade China-Africa cooperation, accelerating the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC, continuing to expand trade with Africa, promoting high-quality development of China-Africa financing and investment cooperation, and broadening new drivers of growth in health, green development and digital economy to provide more support for Africa's economic and social development. Fourth, Qin noted the need to firmly safeguard solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. He emphasized the imperative to uphold confidence and self-reliance, uphold the common values of humanity, oppose hegemonic, high-handed, bullying, and racially discriminatory acts, jointly uphold genuine multilateralism, promote democracy in international relations, raise the representation and voice of developing countries, especially African countries, at the United Nations Security Council and other international organizations, and work together to make the global governance system more just and equitable.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) on Tuesday estimated that she does not think coalition co-operation with the populist right-wing party is feasibly, given the sharp divide in values between the it and the Social Democrats.

I simply dont see how it could be possible, she said at an election debate hosted by Ilta-Sanomat.

Minister of Education Li Andersson (LA) and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo (Greens) similarly ruled out coalition co-operation with the Finns Party on Tuesday. Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson (SFP) said the Finns Party and Swedish Peoples Party are very unlikely to end up in the same coalition government but reminded that ultimately the decision will be made based on the coalition formation talks and the government programme.

The National Coalition remains the most popular party in the country with less than three months to go until the parliamentary elections, according to opinion polls. YLE on Thursday reported that the Finns Party has replaced the Social Democrats as the second most popular party, with the two right-wing parties having a combined approval rating of almost 42.5 per cent.

If the National Coalition emerged victorious from the elections, the coalition formation talks would be headed by chairperson Petteri Orpo. Orpo told Ilta-Sanomat last weekend that he sees no obstacles to forming a coalition government with the Finns Party.

The two right-wing parties see eye to eye particularly on economic policy, both having criticised the current government for running up substantial debt.

Where they differ, though, is climate policy. While the Finns Party has demanded that the national climate neutrality target be pushed back, Orpo has outlined that the National Coalition will not enter into a coalition government that backtracks on climate policy.

Members of the National Coalitions district organisations identified the Finns Party as their preferred coalition partner in a survey commissioned by MTV Uutiset in December.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
STT on Wednesday reported that a source familiar with the matter said the package is likely to be worth 200700 million euros. Another source, similarly, stated that the range of outcomes remains wide, from hundreds of millions to less than a billion.

THE FINNISH government has yet to narrow down the value of the funding package designed to bring down the backlog in social and health care services.

The package is presently being discussed by ministerial aides, with a view to making the decision as part of the supplementary budget draft that is to be submitted to the Parliament in late January.

Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru (SDP) proposed late last year that 700 million euros be allocated for reducing the backlog in care and rehabilitation services, a figure she has repeated several times since.

On Tuesday, the government unveiled for feedback a proposal to allocate 100 million euros for offsetting the effects of soaring energy and fertiliser prices for agricultural businesses. While the value of the package can change depending on the development of energy prices, it looks set to fall well short of the initially speculated 300 million euros.

Given the urgency of the proposal due to the timetable for the supplementary budget, feedback on the proposal is accepted until next Tuesday.

STT on Wednesday pointed out that if both support packages were implemented at the initial scope, with a total value of around one billion euros, they would push the government well over its spending framework.

Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko (Centre) underlined late last year that the packages together should not exceed the roughly 400 million euros left in the framework.

The Finnish government is also drafting a support scheme worth up to 400 million euros to alleviate the electricity costs of households. Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has estimated that the cost of the scheme could be covered retroactively with revenues generated by the windfall tax to be imposed on energy companies starting in 2024.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
On Tuesday, at North America Leaders' Summit in Mexico City, Biden said, "The four years after being vice president, I was a professor at Penn."

US President Joe Biden was employed by the University of Pennsylvania after leaving the vice presidency and was paid one million dollars a year as a professor but never taught a class.

Notably, for two years the University of Pennsylvania paid Biden nearly USD 1 million, but he never taught a class.

This revelation has been made by the Republican National Committee Research unit or RNC research which has also reported that "Biden continues to lie about being a professor".

Biden was an honorary professor at the Philadelphia school from 2017-2019.

According to an investigative report from the Philadelphia Inquirer, he was paid USD 371,159 in 2017 and USD 540,484 in 2018 and 2019.

In 2017, Biden accepted an honorary professor position, formally referred to as "Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor".

He also established the Penn Biden Centre for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, in addition to the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware, his alma mater.

However, this role was honorary. He gave lectures and talks to students on campus but did not teach a full semester's course load during that time.

Biden once held an honorary professor position at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), from 2017-2021, after being vice president in Barack Obama's administration.

However, he did not teach a semester's worth of courses; he primarily gave talks and lectures to students, and he led the Penn Biden Centre for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington.

In April 2019, as Biden became the candidate for the US presidency, the university released the a statement saying, "Biden officially announced that he will be running for President of the United States. A number of people on campus have asked in recent days how this would impact his role at the Penn Biden Centre for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. Now that he is officially a candidate, Vice President Biden, who serves as the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor, will be taking an unpaid leave of absence from his work at the Penn Biden Centre."

According to the tax forms he has released, Biden received more than USD 900,000 from the university for holding the position between 2017 and 2019.

Meanwhile, responding to documents marked classified were found at the Penn Biden Centre for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, Biden said he was 'surprised' to learn there were any government documents at the office, which was opened after he served as vice president, reported CBS News.

"People know I take classified documents, classified information seriously," Biden said during a press conference at the North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico City, adding, "When my lawyers were clearing out my office at the University of Pennsylvania, they set up an office for me -- when I -- the four years after being vice president, I was a professor at Penn. They found some documents in a box, in a locked cabinet, at least a closet. And as soon as they did, they realized there were several classified documents in that box."

"And they did what they should have done," the president said, adding, "They immediately called the Archives--immediately called the Archives, turned them over to the Archives, and I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that office."

Biden said he's unaware of the contents of the documents, reported CBS News.

"But I don't know what's in the documents, I've--my lawyers have not suggested I ask what documents they were. I've turned over the boxes, they've turned over the boxes to the Archives, and we're cooperating fully, we're cooperating fully with the review, which I hope will be finished soon. And there will be more detail at that time," the US President said.

Earlier, Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned the US attorney in Chicago to review the documents.

The roughly 10 documents are from President Biden's vice-presidential office at the centre, the sources said, and CBS News has learned the FBI is also involved in the US attorney's inquiry. CBS News has learned those documents were marked with varying levels of classification including some that were designated highly classified.

HT

Source: ANI
Carcinogenic, mutagenic, genotoxic pesticides, those with strong negative impacts on the environment, and those highly toxic to bees are still used in food production.

Pesticides banned by the EU because of harm and danger are still in our food or environment. Many EU countries continue to allow their use. In a new report , PAN Europe exposes the widespread abuse of emergency derogations in the EU.

The report "Banned Pesticides still in use in the EU" shows that many of these toxic substances were still widely used in recent years. This is done by using a loophole in the law, intended for emergency situations.

We analysed the emergency authorisations for 24 pesticide-active substances from 2019 to 2022. These pesticides have been either proven to be highly toxic for human health and the environment or to contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and have consequently been banned in the EU.

G raph 1: The number of derogations granted from 2019 to 2022 for the 24 active substances in our review

Out of the 24 investigated banned pesticide substances, a total of 236 emergency authorisations were granted for 14 substances between 2019 and 2022. Austria is the 'champion' of derogations in our review, Finland, Denmark, Romania, the Czech Republic and Greece are not far behind.

Martin Dermine, executive director of PAN Europe says: "A derogation should be an exception, only to be used on special occasions under unforeseen circumstances. Reality is quite different. This widespread abuse makes the EU pesticide legislation as leaky as a sieve."

The pesticide industry itself is the main applicant for derogations. Many Member States simply give in. However, a different approach is possible. Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Malta did not authorise any derogation for these very toxic substances.

Neonicotinoid pesticides account for almost half of the authorisation. They pose a high risk for bees and other beneficial insects and are known for massive losses of bee colonies. Another category of pesticides is not used to prevent or control any pest at all, but to 'desiccate' cereals for the harvest.

Martin Dermine says: "The EU law says non-chemical methods should come before the use of synthetic pesticides. Derogations can only exceptionally be granted in emergency situations after it is previously proven that Integrated Pest Management, biocontrol and less toxic pesticides cannot do the job."

Natalija Svrtan added: "This report discloses the hypocrisy of Member States who agree to ban pesticides at EU level but then give derogations and expose their population and the environment to highly toxic chemicals."

EU Citizens are worried about the use of pesticides, as is clearly shown in the Eurobarometer. And in the European Citizens Initiative Save Bees and Farmers 1,1 million EU citizens demand a drastic pesticide reduction and pesticide-free agriculture by 2035.

Table 1: 14 banned pesticides still widely used in many EU countries

HT

Source: PAN Europe
Edwards announces visits to all 15 counties of congressional district

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced Wednesday that he will visit all 15 counties of the 11th Congressional District this month, ending with an open house and a "Chat with Chuck" opportunity at the Grove Street Courthouse here on Jan. 30.

My priority as Western North Carolinas congressman is to start my term meeting with constituents and listening to their concerns, Edwards said in a news release. Im looking forward to visiting every county in our district and hearing about what matters most to WNC. I also hope to learn about any challenges that constituents are facing so that my staff and I can help them with federal agencies or provide other services.

Here are the dates and locations of the district tour in nearby counties:
A TRIBUTE has been paid to the headteacher of Caversham Primary School who has died.

Ruth Perry had spent 13 years in charge of the Hemdean Road school, which she previously attended as a pupil in the Seventies.

Neil Walne, chairman of governors, said: We are shocked and saddened by the news. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, the whole school community, and the wider Caversham community at this extremely difficult time.

Ruth was an integral part of the school community for many years. She was hugely respected, experienced and a well-established figure.

Mrs Perry was deputy head of the school from 2006 until 2010 when she was appointed headteacher.
PLANS for a 2.4m (7ft 8in) high boundary fence around Gillotts School in Henley described as prison-like have been refused .

South Oxfordshire District Councils planning committee voted seven to one against the proposed wire mesh fencing at a meeting in Abingdon yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

The secondary academy in Gillotts Lane claim the fence is needed for security reasons, but councillors said it should be be moved back towards the school to not enclose woodland.

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak, who represents Henley on the district council, made the proposal to refuse planning permission.

The former deputy head of Gillotts School has previously described the fence as prison-like.

He said: We absolutely understand the concerns of security for students at Gillotts School. All residents of Henley have a vested interest in making sure staff and students are secure.

There may well be the need for a fence, but it has to be in the correct place.

The school and the planning officer have already proven that they can move the fence, as it has been moved back from the front of the school towards the buildings already.

Therefore, if they have made the modification to the fence at the front, then I am asking them to do the same at the bridleway.

The location of the fence should be moved to the other side of the green space woodland to border the playing fields of Gillotts School.

I was extremely pleased for the residents of Makins Road and Blandy Road that the planning permission was turned down.

I would hope that Gillotts School and residents of the Makins Road and Blandy Road and Henley Town Council and myself could meet to see whether we could come up with a solution to these issues which is successful for all sides.

The mood of the committee was overwhelming that a solution could be found to move the fence so that it was acceptable to all parties hence why the vote was seven for refusal and one against.

I hope that they come back and we can have a conversation so we can come up with a solution that is acceptable to the residents of Makins Road and Blandy Road, to Henley Town Council, to the Henley community and to Gillotts School.

Headteacher of the school Catharine Darnton said: We are very disappointed by the decision of the planning committee to refuse our application.

We had worked closely with the planning officer and she had concluded that our proposal complied with the relevant development plan priorities and that it was acceptable against all relevant criteria, including impact on the character of the site, protected trees, species and habitats.

There is no more important responsibility for us than to keep our students and staff safe and for further challenges to be placed in the way of our improving the security of our site is highly regrettable. We will now take some time to consider our next steps.

A full report of this story will appear in next weeks Henley Standard.
A COUPLE from Bix travelled to London to watch their seven-year-old grandson launch a campaign inspired by his fight with a brain tumour.

Alfie and Marjorie Hay said they were proud grandparents as seven-year-old Ravi Adelekan launched Dream Week at a reception for 65 guests at the House of Commons on Monday.

The initiative, which encourages people to realise their dreams, follows Ravis recovery from surgery to remove a brain stem tumour in October 2021.

Since then Ravi, who lives in Brighton with his parents Gbenga and Bethan and younger sister Maya, has raised nearly 70,000 for charity after creating a music video raising awareness of the disease.

Ravis Dream was released in November and starred a host of famous actors, musicians and athletes, as well as his grandparents who sang in the chorus.

The Hays watched Ravi who said he had already achieved his dreams and encourages others to do the same.

Mr Hay, 77, a former headteacher of Trinity Primary School in Henley, said: Hes a very composed young man and he is able to cope with all the complications thrown at him.

He has already fulfilled his dreams and now he wants the world to fulfil theirs. The way he behaves makes me feel a little guilty and inadequate about whether I should be doing more to achieve mine.

Mrs Hay said: We are very proud of him. It started with him wanting to sing the song and it has grown and grown.

Dream Week, which culminates today (Friday) with Make Your Dreams Come True Day, has three themes to help people achieve their dreams. These are sharing your dream, helping others to achieve theirs and taking inspiration from the dreams of others.

Ravi launched the campaign from a podium after being introduced by MP Sam Tarry, whose child goes to the same school as him.

Ravi said: My dream is to help other children with brain tumours like mine by raising awareness and funds.

Ive been blown away by how many people have wanted to help me achieve my dream and I started thinking about how I could help others achieve their dreams and thats how the idea for Dream Week came about.

It is about sharing your dreams with others as a first step towards making that then a reality and helping others achieve their dreams.

After his speech, a representative of Brain Tumour Charity, one of Ravis chosen charities, told him he had been nominated for young fundraiser for the year at its awards ceremony in April. Mr Adelekan said: He was really pleased about it, although Im not sure he really knows the concept of an award yet because of his age.

He said the only award his Newcastle United-mad son knew about was the golden boot for the top scorer in the Premier League.

The guests cheered Ravi before turning their attention to a screen to watch the music video which takes the form of a surprise party for Ravi.

Mr Hay, a co-founder of Henley Youth Festival, said: We have watched the video several times and it is a very moving and beautiful song that is one of his favourites. Listening to him sing the bit at the beginning and his sister singing as well was a real tearjerker.

The audience applauded at the end of the film.

Mrs Adelekan, 40, who was raised in Henley, said: We were really proud of how he engaged with people in the room. He was going around chatting to everyone. Lots of people told me after how he had inspired them.

One of the guests Ravi chatted to was Bassel Zebian, the neurosurgeon who was able to remove 70 per cent of Ravis tumour in a nine-hour operation at Kings College Hospital.

He said: What can I say that hasnt been said already about Ravi? He is selfless and courageous beyond his years and he has taken everything in his stride.

The fact that he is now helping others who are facing the same problems is just phenomenal, especially at his age.

The Hays, who looked after Maya when Ravi had his surgery, met Mr Zebian for the first time.

It was lovely he made the effort to come, said Mr Hay. He was impressed with Ravi in the hospital and he has followed him ever since. Thats the effect Ravi has on people.

Mr Tarry, who gave Ravi a fist bump before his speech, said he was impressed by the immense bravery and positivity he had shown since he was diagnosed.

He said: His desire to help others with his fundraising and call for more community service is an inspiration to all of us, even those many years older.

Ive always believed in putting community first and I am honoured to use my position to support this inspiring initiative.

Although he has now recovered from the surgery, Ravi still has to undergo operations on his face, including one on his left eye over Christmas.

His goal is to continue fund-

raising and spreading awareness about brain tumours and he has set a target of raising 250,000.

Mr Hay said he was full of admiration for his grandson, who calls him and his wife Marley and Parley.

He said: I am impressed by his ability to cope with everything that comes his way. I am constantly amazed by him.
PRINCE Harrys new memoir has been a slow burner at independent bookstores in the Henley area despite its much-anticipated release worldwide.

The Duke of Sussexs autobiography Spare was released on Tuesday after weeks of international media attention.

His publisher Transworld Penguin Random House claimed that it was the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time after announcing that 400,000 copies were sold on its first day of publication.

The Bell Bookshop in Henley and Fourbears Bookshop in Caversham sold fewer than 10 copies between them on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Bell Street bookshop had bought in 15 copies, two of which were pre-ordered.

Fourbears in Prospect Street had bought in only two copies as owner Alex Forbes was not expecting too many sales. Both were sold on Wednesday.

He ordered more to put in stock but does not believe it will be a big seller due to the competition.

Mr Forbes said: Typically new releases dont have huge demand on the day they come out  even our bestsellers are slow burners. We begin to sell more the week after.

Several people have said they wouldnt buy Spare and werent interested and some others asked out of curiosity if we were selling it,

I dont think we will sell our copy because of price  Waterstones, supermarkets and Amazon are able to sell cheaper than I can even get it in.

The Bell Bookshop in Bell Street put three copies on display in the window and also had a table display of more copies.

Sarah Cook, who works at the shop, said: We often put new titles in the window and we put some on the table because its topical and a new book.

There has been so much media excitement about this book, which is media- driven at the end of the day. There havent really been comments about the book  people havent been talking about it with us. We think that we will have more sales over the weekend.

Ms Cook said that previous books about the royal family had sold well, particularly ones about Queen Elizabeth II at the time of her platinum jubilee celebrations in June last year and then following her death in September.

In Spare, Harry reveals that he killed 25 members of the Taliban, lost his virginity in a field with an older woman, took drugs and was pushed over by his brother William in a row.
(JNS) - Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, an Islamic scholar and thinker, has dedicated his life to fighting Islamic extremism.

Physically attacked for his positions and forced to flee his home in Australia when it was vandalized by extremists, it is perhaps no wonder he began the preface to his 2018 book, "The Tragedy of Islam: Admissions of a Muslim Imam," with the words: "It is highly likely that you will one day hear that I have been murdered."

Tawhidi, who describes himself as the "Imam of Peace," has said "Palestine is Jewish land" and that he doesn't believe in Islamophobia as "phobia is an irrational fear. Fearing ISIS is not irrational." He has criticized Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as "absolute frauds and Islamists" who "promote hatred against the Jewish people."

He is "a passionate defender" of the Jews-"Now I take antisemitism personally." In 2019, he visited Auschwitz "to take a stand against antisemitism."

Tawhidi commands an impressive social media presence with more than 800,000 followers on Twitter alone.

Tawhidi was born in Qom, a holy Shia city in Iran. He went through his own journey into fundamentalism and back. The groundwork for that fundamentalism was laid at a private Muslim school in Australia, where he moved with his family at age 12. When he returned to Iran in 2007 to complete his Islamic studies, he became still more radicalized.

"Due to my Australian citizenship, I was seen as an asset....I became a close ally, travel partner and adviser to officials within the Iranian regime.

"I was completely radicalized, and willing to kill anyone who spoke a single word against [Iran's Supreme Leader] Ali Khamenei, whom I saw as the link between myself and God," Tawhidi said.

He loved the Iranian regime and "detested" the United States. "The ideology of the Iranian regime was simply part of my religion, to the point that we would twist the religion to benefit the Iranian regime."

However, it was also as a student in Iran that he first became aware of the Islamic regime's corruption, particularly the way female students were preyed upon. He saw that students could engage in highly immoral behavior just so long as they were loyal to the regime.

A chance encounter in Qom led him to meet a religious leader opposed to Khamenei, eventually causing him to switch sides ideologically. At an Iranian university, he became a well-known critic of the regime, openly disagreeing on political matters with teachers.

Tawhidi says his de-radicalization was a two-stage process. First, he distanced himself from the Iranian regime, a phase that took place in 2010-2012, but still remained a "fundamentalist Islamist." The second stage involved freeing his mind from fundamentalist ideas, a process he describes as a "period of gradual, slow and quiet change."

Tawhidi was elected this year to the Global Imams Council, the "world's first and largest international nongovernmental body of Muslim religious leaders," which focuses on combatting extremism and promoting coexistence between religious groups.

Q: Why is antisemitism embraced by so many Muslims?

Tawhidi: It's not 'embraced' in the European sense of the term; you know, some European politician comes up with an idea against Jews, and then it becomes 'embraced.' Antisemitism is the core of Islamists' belief. Fundamentalists believe the only reason why Islam exists is because Jews changed God's message; therefore, God had to send a new religion. God had to send Jesus and because Jews killed prophets, then God had to send Muhammad. And here's the point-walking away from it becomes very difficult.

Q: There is a parallel in Europe to what you're describing, which is the role of the Church in antisemitism. And they succeeded in bringing about reform.

A: It's very close, but it won't happen in Islam. Islam is not like the Catholic Church where there's a pope and he's responsible for everything, the good and the bad. If a priest is doing something wrong in a church, you know who to blame. It's the pope, it's the Vatican. In Islam, there's no such thing. There is no one authority that you can point to and say, 'These are the ones responsible.' We are over 70 schools of thought all stemming from two main denominations, the Sunni and the Shia, and you just have to hope for the most influential of these religious leaders to come forward and oppose terrorism.

Q: If antisemitism is at the core of Islamist belief, how do you reform, or expunge, it?

A: Expunge is the perfect word. Reform is not. Reform suggests something that is good but needs to be changed in order to fit in with the current life and times of the group, whether it be Judaism or Christianity or Islam. You cannot reform something that is not supposed to be there.

The Islam of the regime in Iran is 100% antisemitic in its core ideology. It is in their very belief system. Khamenei and [founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah] Khomeini and Hezbollah and Hamas, Sunni or Shia Islamists, all of them unite against Jews.

But again, Islam is not just one bloc religion. If you look at the UAE and other Abraham Accords countries, it's not like that. The UAE embraced Israel, embraced the Jewish communities. They're building a synagogue in Abraham Square. And they never changed a single verse of the Koran. They never changed a single hadith.

Q: What effect is the Abraham Accords having on people in Muslim countries? Is it influencing them from a theological perspective?

A: Here is where the challenge is: It is seen as a political decision. And politics is dirty and therefore the Islamist extremists say, "See, it's so dirty, you can even be friends with a Jew. You can even normalize with Israel." That's where my job comes in. As religious leaders-myself, rabbis, bishops-we have to give religious legitimacy to the Abraham Accords and say, "No, befriending Jews is not against my God. It is definitely what God wants."

Q: Are you enjoying success in that respect?

A: Definitely.

Q: You tweeted that "Islamist extremists are banned from operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE but they are legally registered and have bank accounts in Europe and the USA." What is the West doing wrong in its handling of Muslim extremists in comparison to Middle East countries?

A: The extremists don't think in four-year terms. The politicians and the policymakers in the West do think in four-year terms because that's their term limit. So the moment they're in office, what do they do? They start planning in four-year terms. If they get in office in 2020, and you talk to them about anything from 2024 onwards, they don't care about it because they're not sure that they're going to make it to a second round. So in the first term, they're working hard to secure a second term, or they're just focusing on the first term. Now with this mentality, you cannot really put in place serious, long-term steps against extremism. It is practically impossible. This is why the extremists are always winning. And if they're not winning in their terrorism, they're winning in other fields. So you see they have this advantage.

Whereas in the Middle East, [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman doesn't think about four years. He's there until he dies. He's the next king. He wants the Muslim Brotherhood banned? It's banned immediately. Here in the UAE, it's a terrorist-designated organization. Yet it's operating in Washington, D.C. This is the difference.

Q: How would you characterize a group like CAIR-the Council on American-Islamic Relations?

A: CAIR is a terrorist entity. I live in the UAE six, seven months a year. I am part of UAE society. I follow UAE law. The UAE has designated them as a terrorist entity. Therefore, I will treat them as a terrorist entity.

Q: Do groups like CAIR accurately reflect Muslim attitudes in the U.S.?

A: No, let me tell you something about CAIR. CAIR cannot really go into any mosque-not just CAIR, but Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib and this entire cult. They're not accepted. They have their own mosques, two or three. They have their own offices. And then they have their own events. And they have a lot of media around it. But Ilhan was booed at a Somali event in her own city. Her own people booed her offstage. These people, they don't represent the Muslim world accurately in America.

Q: A typical Westerner looks at the Middle East and he sees conflict, poverty and extremism. What do you see when you look at the Middle East?

A: I see a developing region that requires a lot of patience. It has great potential. But usually the corrupt ones are supported and become empowered.
(JTA)  Were Jews the OG slaves? Can American slavery be compared to the Holocaust? And who gets the last word on Louis Farrakhan?

These questions have spurred very serious debates over time  and now will be getting a raunchier take in the new Netflix comedy You People that hits streaming Jan. 27.

Starring Jewish funnyman Jonah Hill, who also co-wrote the script with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, the film stars a visibly tattooed Hill as Ezra, a young Jewish man who falls in love with Amira, a Black woman played by Without Remorse actress Lauren London.

In a new trailer for the movie that opens with a scene shot at the Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish institution in Los Angeles, Hills Jewish parents, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny, seem to immediately bless the union following some awkward comments about hair and rappers.

Its Amiras parents, Akbar and Fatima (played by Eddie Murphy and Nia Long), who prove a tougher sell  particularly once Akbar, who says he identifies as Muslim, tells them he is a follower of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, whose antisemitism is longstanding and well known. If Murphys character is following in the long tradition of adopting zany antics to try to prevent a marriage, its not clear in the trailer, where he tells Ezras mother that his hat was a gift from Farakkhan.

Are you familiar with the ministers work? Murphy asks Louis-Dreyfus. Im familiar with what he said about the Jews! she replies.

Other awkward moments abound in the trailer, including a dinner-table argument about comparing slavery to the Holocaust. (Our people came here with nothing like everybody else, says Louis-Dreyfuss character, to cringes.) Its all in a days work for Barris, whose series of sitcoms are known for prompting uncomfortable conversations about race and culture, and who  in the recent aftermath of antisemitism controversies involving Kanye West, Kyrie Irving and Dave Chappelle  has found quite the moment for a Guess Whos Coming To Dinner-style comedy about Black-Jewish relations.

An earlier trailer for You People, featuring only Hill and Murphy, had made no references to the films Jewish content. The new trailers density of Jewish jokes is sure to fuel an ongoing debate over Jewface, or whether it is appropriate for non-Jewish actors to be cast as Jewish characters. While Hill is Jewish  the star recently petitioned to drop his legal last name, Feldstein, because he has never used it professionally  his on-screen parents are not. But Duchovny and Louis-Dreyfus do have Jewish fathers, as does London.
Jews from the former Soviet Union, participants in a Masa Israel Journey program, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

(JNS) - Hundreds of Jews aged 18 to 30 from the former Soviet Union, eager to join Masa Israel Journey's two-to-12-month study, service and career development programs, have been unable to do so for lack of funding.

Taking up the challenge, the Jewish Agency for Israel announced that it raised an impressive $3 million in 24 hours. The money will be used in order to accept hundreds of Masa Israel applicants who were placed on a waiting list pending budgetary approval.

The Jewish Agency turned to the Mandel Foundation and to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund of the Jewish Federations of North America, which immediately committed $3 million that is currently in the approval process of being matched by the government of Israel for a total of $6 million.

"When we learned of the additional young Jews from Russia and the FSU who wanted to join Masa, there was no question we had to do everything to make it happen," said Jewish Agency Chairman Mark Wilf. "I am tremendously moved by the immediate response of our partners at Jewish Federations and the Mandel Foundation."

Stephen Hoffman, chairman of the Jerusalem-based Mandel Foundation, said, "Fostering Jewish leadership is a core mission of the Mandel Foundation and I'm delighted that, together with the Jewish Federations of North America, we are able to help additional young Russian and FSU Jews participate on a meaningful Masa Israel Journey program which will undoubtedly enrich both their futures and that of the State of Israel."

While approaching the Mandel Foundation and JFNA to raise the $3 million, the Jewish Agency stressed that Masa programs are a ticket to full integration, language and job market success in Israel.

"Masa is the flagship program for young Jews to connect with Israel and I am grateful we are able to offer them this wonderful opportunity," said Wilf.

As the Jewish Agency saw the number of those making aliyah from the FSU rise, it worked with Masa to increase the number of program scholarships available to participants from the region. When the Masa budget was finalized, 1,550 scholarships were budgeted for young Jews from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Now that the new year has begun, Masa has received hundreds of additional applications for these pre-aliyah/employment training courses, exceeding the budgeted slots. The financial need for these unbudgeted participants totaled $6 million.

"The opportunity to bring these young people to Israel from Russia, Ukraine and Moldova goes directly to the heart of who we are as a Jewish people," said JFNA Chair Julie Platt. "Our Jewish Federations did not hesitate, immediately raising the necessary emergency funds for Masa to expand its capacity during this difficult period.

"Moments such as these make me truly proud of the global support network that Jewish Federations have built to respond to the needs of Jewish communities, not just in North America, but in Israel and across the globe," said Platt.

Masa's 200+ pre-aliyah programs offer an immediate response for thousands of young people from the FSU looking to integrate and build new lives in the Jewish state.
(JNS)  Holocaust denier and white supremacist Nick Fuentes announced Monday on his telegram channel that more than 1,000 students have signed up for a group dubbed Students for Ye within two weeks.

Fuentes asserted that his efforts on behalf of the embattled hip hop mogul Ye (formerly Kanye West) were all in service to Christ and begged for others to PUSH TO 2,000 WITH US. The antisemitic activist described these initial followers as the first believers in our grassroots movement to support a potential YE24 campaign.

To grow his movement, Fuentes linked to a Go...
(JNS)  Bnai Brith International condemned the U.N. General Assemblys request that the International Court of Justice issue a legal opinion concerning Israeli policies on Palestinian-claimed territories. The referral was endorsed by a UNGA committee in November and has now been rubber stamped by the assemblys plenary.

The UNGAin which Palestinians enjoy an automatic majority, including the overwhelming share of nearly 60 Arab and Muslim governmentsannually passes more condemnations of the Jewish state than all other 192 U.N. member states, Bnai Brith said i...
(JTA) - Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth - commonly referred to as the United Kingdom's chief rabbi - can now add a "Sir" to his title.

Mirvis will be named a "knight commander of the order of the British Empire," according to King Charles' New Year Honours list. Since 1890, the U.K. has announced new knighthoods and other chivalric honors only twice a year, on New Year's Day and on the birthday of the ruling monarch, which in the past was April 21 for Queen Elizabeth II but going forward will be Nov. 14 for King Charles III....
The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will mark its tenth anniversary with a luncheon, at noon, Jan. 30, at Taco Libre#3, 2600 North Ponce de Leon Boulevard/Route U.S. 1, St. Augustine 32084. The program will include a brief review of the highlights of the t

10-year history of SAJHS.

All are welcome to attend this event. Please RSVP on the Societys website at www.sajhs.com or by email to sajhs1565@gmail.com.

Call 904-679-4230 for best directions. For further information see www.sajhs.com or email at sajhs1565@gmail.com or call 804-914-4460.

...
(JNS) - Concerned Israeli parents are complaining that their children aren't learning even the basics of Judaism in the country's public schools. Activists say the issue goes beyond a failure to teach, claiming that there's a concerted effort to replace Jewish content with progressive material, financed largely by foreign actors. Still in its early stages, the movement echoes the fight against "wokeism" in the United States, where parents battle school boards over what they see as left-wing indoctrination of their children.

Israeli activists say that in Israel's case progressive groups are...
(JTA)  George Santos first Chanukah party with the Republican Jewish Coalition was his last.

The group said it will not host Santos at any future events after the congressman-elect lied to RJC officials and to the public about being Jewish and the descendant of people who escaped the Holocaust.

Santos participated in an event with the group on the first night of Chanukah, Dec. 18, where he was feted as one of two incoming Jewish Republicans in Congress; he had been elected in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District. The next day, the New York Times published a story detailing countles...
This week, much of the world got uptight over the visit of a Jewish man to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Jordanian, Palestinian, and other Arab leaders and entities referred to it as the storming of Al-Aksa and violating its sanctity. Itamar Ben-Gvir is a newly installed cabinet member of the Israeli government, however its not the first time that hes visited the site, and its not the first time that a minister in Israels government has done so. So why all the fuss now?

After reuniting Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, Israel restored custodianship of the Temple Mo...
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announces the opening of Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment. The 142-room hotel marks the eighth Hyatt-branded property in London, confirming Hyatt's ambitious and strategic brand growth plans for 2023 and beyond in the United Kingdom.

With its prime riverside location and proximity to the city's most notable attractions, Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment caters to the many guests and World of Hyatt members looking for seamless stays in central London. The hotel is conveniently located; it is a five minute walk to the capital's political epicenter, Westminster, home to landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. A short stroll along the River Thames from the hotel leads to the South Bank, an area celebrated for its world-class arts and cultural venues, whilst nearby Vauxhall Station provides direct access to many of the city's major travel hubs.

Guestrooms

A total of 142 well-appointed, contemporary guestrooms make the most of the enviable riverside spot, with many featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that provide immersive views of the city's iconic skyline. On the 14th floor, a range of executive suites offer king-size bedrooms, spacious, modern bathrooms, and relaxing lounge areas, accompanied by a private balcony for guests to enjoy exclusive panoramas across London.

Dining

For those looking for a multifunctional setting to share, socialize and collaborate, POTUS bar and restaurant delivers a diverse and distinctive menu of North American classics alongside traditional British favorites. Meanwhile the rooftop restaurant, cocktail bar, and shisha terrace Mezemiso serves authentic Lebanese and Japanese cuisine to create an incomparable dining experience overlooking the memorable sky-high views of the city.

Amenities

The hotel's additional amenities reflect the Hyatt Regency brand commitment to encourage productivity and peace of mind. This includes an on-site fitness center fitted with the latest Technogym equipment, and five technology-enabled meeting rooms, which have been designed to inspire connection, offering 15,273 square feet (1,419 square meters) of combined meeting space for a range of events, from business conferences to group gatherings.

"We are pleased about the collaboration with Hyatt to open Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment," said Ivan Drinkwater - Cannon Corporate spokesperson. "The hotel is set to be the destination of choice for the millions of business and leisure travelers who visit this corner of London each year. Our team is ready to provide them with intuitive service and elevated experiences amongst the bustle of one of the city's most popular areas."

Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment will be the 13th Hyatt-affiliated hotel in the U.K. and the eighth in London, joining Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill; Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio; Andaz London Liverpool Street, Hyatt Place London City East, Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport, Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford, as well as the soon to be open Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars and Park Hyatt London River Thames.

Hotel website
Actor and activist Julian Brittano

and Wife Karie Brittano, a Licensed General Contractor,

signs upscale franchise agreement with industry's largest soft brand.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) has finalized an agreement with The Brittano Group, Inc. to develop a new member of the Ascend Hotel Collection in South Boston, Virginia: The Rook Hotels. This agreement marks the first Ascend hotel awarded through the company's emerging markets franchise development program in 2022, as Choice advances its longstanding commitment to increase diversity across the hospitality industry.

To commemorate the occasion and the Ascend Hotel Collection's continued growth into travelers' favorite vacation destinations, Choice Hotels executives and representatives from the hotel's ownership team, including co-CEO's Julian Brittano and Karie Brittano, convened for an official signing ceremony at Choice's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland at the end of last year.

Expected to debut in summer 2024, The Rook at South Boston, a four-story, 37-room boutique property will feature distinct design and modern amenities, including a rooftop bar, full-service restaurant and bar, and event center. Ideally situated at 327 Main Street in the heart of South Boston's tree-lined historic downtown district, The Rook at South Boston will provide guests with access to the many attractions that reflect this rich tradition, including local restaurants, shops and art galleries. Formerly known as Boyd's Ferry, Virginia's South Boston community is best known for its iconic Victorian architecture and small-town charm. The building, originally built in 1929, is also within driving distance to nearby Roanoke and Richmond, Virginia, making it an ideal weekend getaway.

The Rook Hotels is owned by accomplished actor, hotelier and social activist, Julian Brittano, and his wife, Karie Brittano. Julian is known for beginning his acting career as a co-star to Oprah Winfrey in the Oprah Winfrey Network's hit series, "Greenleaf." Karie has more than a decade of business development experience and has held a Class A CIC General Contractor's License since 2019. The Brittano's originally acquired the historic hotel from the town of South Boston earlier last year for $11 million before entering into a franchise agreement with Choice Hotels. By owning this hotel, the Brittano's are among less than 1% of Black hoteliers globally.

There are over 330 Ascend Hotel Collection properties worldwide, open and in development as of September 30, 2022. In the coming months, additional hotels are scheduled to open in popular destinations including Orlando, Florida; Sutter Creek, California; Lake Charles, Louisiana and Puerto Rico.

As a part of the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels, guests can participate in the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program. Choice Privileges membership is free and offers fast rewards and exclusive member rates for those who book directly at www.choicehotels.com.

For more information on Ascend development opportunities, visit www.choicehotelsdevelopment.com/brands/#ascendcollection.

Hotel website
Pendry Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Merryfield as director of sales and marketing for Pendry Manhattan West. Merryfield has been tasked to drive overall sales, marketing, and public relations efforts for the hotel, the brand's first New York City hotel, and part of the eight-acre, six-building mixed-use Manhattan West development. The hotel features 164 guest rooms including 30 suites; a signature restaurant, Zou Zou's; lobby bar, Bar Pendry; vibrant open-air terrace bar, Chez Zou, and over 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Merryfield joins the Pendry Manhattan West team with a wealth of experience in the luxury hospitality space. Most recently, she served as the director of sales and marketing at Park Lane New York, where she conceptualized and executed the hotel's communications and social media strategy to help promote their recent renovation, rebranding, and repositioning in the market. Previously, from 2016 to 2021, she was the director of sales and marketing at the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, where she utilized her extensive knowledge to contribute to the hotel's growth initiatives, primarily overseeing the property's sales, marketing, public relations and e-commerce efforts.

Having spent nearly a decade at Peninsula New York where she held several leadership positions, eventually serving as director of sales, Merryfield boasts an impressive history working in luxury hotels. In addition, she led the sales efforts at The New York Palace, under Dorchester Collection and Salamander Hotels & Resorts. With over 20 years of valuable experience, Merryfield looks to advance her decorated career in New York City hospitality and continue driving the success of Pendry Manhattan West.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the worlds leading hotel companies, is delighted to formally open its new global headquarters in Windsor, UK. Having started life as FTSE-listed company in Windsor in 2003, IHG returns to the historic town for its next chapter after being based for the past 15 years in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

The building represents not only the companys global headquarters, but also the head of its Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region, helping serve an international business that has more than 6,000 hotels across more than 100 countries around the world.

The Windsor One office on Arthur Road was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by IHG CEO, Keith Barr, alongside the companys executive committee members, and special guests Councillor Christine Bateson, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Samantha Rayner, councillor for Eton and Castle, and Andrew Johnson, Leader for Royal Borough Windsor and Maidenhead council.

Located close to key transport links to London and international airports, the office boasts 57,000 square foot of space over five floors, complete with state-of-the-art technology, modern meeting rooms and event space, parking, a recording studio and views over Windsor Castle and Eton College.

Keith Barr, Global CEO at IHG Hotels & Resorts said: We are delighted to be moving back to Windsor, a world-famous and historic location. It was important for us as a company to move to a space that empowered us to work collaboratively, flexibly and in way that is truly reflective of todays evolving workforce. What we have achieved at Windsor One  from the workspace design and digital capabilities, to our connections with the local community  will make our already special company culture even more dynamic.

Councillor Christine Bateson, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead said: Its great to see large multinationals such as IHG choose Windsor as their base. The investment made in this new HQ is a reflection of the attractiveness of Windsor as not only a location but as a destination in its own right. With so much to offer as a town, we are excited to see IHG team members out and about enjoying our bars, restaurants and cafes  not to mention the great parks and history that Windsor is famed for.

Source: IHG

As one of the worlds leading hospitality companies, a commitment to making a positive impact on its local communities and improving the lives of millions around the world is at the heart of IHGs Journey to Tomorrow plan to shape the future of responsible travel, together with its partners.

In Windsor, IHG has contracted Good Eating to supply its food and beverage, a company who makes a positive impact to the local community through its commitment to supporting CoFarm, a sustainable development charity. The buildings General Contractor, Overbury, also donated its time, advice and materials to the Windsor Homeless project to help with their new base in Windsors Alma Road.

Another pillar of IHGs Journey to Tomorrow plan is the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science, the minimisation of waste and the conservation of water. To this end, the company is targeting a gold LEED certification for its global HQ, reflective of IHGs responsible decisions for the building. This includes a significant reduction in energy consumption, the use of renewable energy, and the sustainable sourcing of furniture, fixtures and equipment.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Tieran Bhuhi

+44 (0) 7976 178 485

IHG
Most people have believed since childhood that they must study hard and get a degree to land a good job, which translates to a good life. This belief is hard to forget because the older generation spread the view that owning a business is challenging and employment is always better. While they have their own reasons for this view, it may not necessarily be right.

The good news is that the belief is changing in this modern era, with the emergence of lively social media, online selling, online stores, and online business is flourishing. Statistics show that 543,000 businesses start every month because of the influence of economic and cultural growth. The same emergence of more start-ups replicates itself in the global markets.

Institutions of higher learning worldwide are evolving from a sole means to impact students with knowledge of core disciplines to a place where students prepare for solid careers. As a result, required technical and transferable skills have changed and are needed by graduates upon completion of their course. Young people also possess a different mindset from their predecessors; they are seeking to have more autonomous career paths riding on start-ups, entrepreneurship, and technology.

Your institution needs to set up a framework and resources to enable your students to take charge of their careers early, whether they choose a path to work for an organization or entrepreneurship.

INVEST IN EDUCATION TOOLKIT

With this 10-step process, you will have all the tools you needto master the critical areas of a successful school.

Entrepreneurship is Growing: How Universities Are Responding Globally

Entrepreneurship is expanding globally, and its intensity can't be something universities worldwide can afford to ignore. In that spirit, universities have structured an infrastructure to foster the rise of start-ups through short courses, entrepreneurship, and mentoring programs.

Some careers require entrepreneurship skills and employment skills, and your university should have a learning structure that caters to them. Some professions require learners to have entrepreneurship skills to make them employable. These learners' skills are an advantage to the workforce, the community, and the country's economy.

Institutions of higher learning are using e-learning to incorporate employment and entrepreneurship skills to equip their learners for easy adoption in the business and employment systems.

Differences Between Entrepreneurship and Employment

When deciding on entrepreneurship vs. employment issues, the differences can guide you on which one to prioritize. The differences are as follows:

Work Schedules

Entrepreneurs work for themselves and, therefore, have the privilege of having their work schedules. For example, they can decide to work in the evening over early mornings, four days a week, or work the entire week, including weekends.

On the other hand, employees must follow a schedule provided by their employers, likely to fall under the company's standard working hours. Employees must also adhere to the shifts their immediate bosses create.

Job security

The role of a traditional employee can be more secure than an entrepreneur's. Employees enjoy a fixed, stable income and a regular work schedule, and their job description can require them to fulfill the same tasks daily. For example, a customer service provider can work in an organization for 30 years and carry out the same roles.

Entrepreneurs operate their businesses, and their clients can influence the stability of the roles they fulfill daily. It is also possible for entrepreneurs to realize stability once their companies become more established.

Specialization

Employees get employment opportunities based on their specialization. Their job descriptions fall under the docket in which they have specialized in institutions of higher learning. They must present the relevant credentials to prove it to their employers. Their employers base the decision to hire them or send a regret letter depending on their mastery of a specific profession.

Entrepreneurs need to know a little concerning every section represented in their businesses but don't necessarily need to specialize in any of them. The employer can direct a specialist on what they expect from them and give them the necessary infrastructure or support they require to deliver. When they set up operational systems for the business, specialists take them through the procedures and user manuals they need to operate the platforms. They then can run the system from that point and release the specialist or hire them to manage the systems.

Flexibility in DecisionMaking

Employees have little or no opportunities for decision-making because they have someone who is always planning, organizing, and controlling them. They can't decide on workplace changes without their bosses' authorization and approval. Employees lack the motivation to innovate because of the lengthy procedures they need before their ideas can be adopted.

Entrepreneurs are the sole decision-makers in their businesses and give directions to their subordinates. If the company needs restructuring, they only need to develop a blueprint on how to go about it before seeking the help of a specialist to fine-tune it.

Working Remotely

An entrepreneur doesn't have to sit in front of a computer in his office to work. Some successful business owners use their mobile phones to manage their companies worldwide. Entrepreneurs successfully run their marketing campaigns, communicate with their clients and employees, and track their finances remotely using software and apps integrated into their phones or laptops.

Employees can also work remotely due to the current rise in technological advancements today but can only do so under the authority of their bosses. Despite technology for remote work being, available, an employer may still require employees to report to the office daily.

Final Thoughts

Your graduate school can attract talented students if it offers an opportunity that prepares them for their careers. Providing entrepreneurship and employment skills is necessary for the university, which should run alongside core curricula.

You can use the above factors that differentiate employment vs. entrepreneurship to decide which learning formats you can adopt. It's crucial to balance learning methodologies that cater to graduates that want to fit in the job market. On the other hand, you must consider those who want to start an entrepreneurial journey after graduating.

When you demonstrate to your students that their career outcome is a priority in your university, your reputation can improve and attract more learners. Do you need any assistance to achieve this goal? Contact EHL Advisory Services for insights on formulating a tailor-made system that suits the needs of your students.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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In his address at a central conference in October 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned and elaborated on what he terms Chinas whole-process peoples democracy. To the untrained eye, juxtaposing democracy and communism in relation to China may seem like an anachronism. After all, democracy is largely associated with Western countries where people, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, choose their leaders, decide on policies and programmes. The experience and practice of China since the 1978 opening up and reform period, turns this understanding on its head and exposes its evident structural shortcomings. Chinese democracy is markedly different from that of Western countries. Addressing the ceremony celebrating the CPC centenary, President Xi said, On the journey ahead, we must rely closely on the people to create history. Upholding the Party's fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people, we will stand firmly with the people, implement the Party's mass line, respect the people's creativity, and practice a people-centered philosophy of development. We will develop whole-process people's democracy, safeguard social fairness and justice, and resolve the imbalances and inadequacies in development and the most pressing difficulties and problems that are of great concern to the people. In doing so, we will make more notable and substantive progress toward achieving well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all. What does this mean and how has it been applied and monitored regularly in the Peoples Republic of China? How is its relevance most fitting given Chinas rather unique history, demography, political and economic landscape? Which lessons can be learned for South Africa as it battles to make its constitutional democracy deliver for the majority of its people, as the PRC has achieved in unparalleled quantities, in terms of the human development index (HDI) and UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Above all, whole-process peoples democracy is associated with good governance, that is, if good governance is associated with effective and efficient service delivery of common goods. Judged on this alone, the CPC has achieved this rare feat of delivering for its various citizens and diverse communities in basic and advanced education, health care, infrastructure, employment, and safety. On this front alone, the PRC is uncompromising that public leaders must serve and prioritise national interests above selfish individual rights. The very function of Chinese state institutions is to be accountable and responsive, at all levels, to the citizens needs and concerns. Failure to do so is not tolerated, and there is simply no impunity for lack of effective service delivery or the perpetration of corruption and maladministration. Let us recall that the word governance, using a definition from the 2015 World Public Service Report, refers to steering. Steering, for example a ship, is not only a matter of keeping the ship afloat and in a forward, backward or sideways motion, most importantly, it strongly demands knowledge of the direction and ensuring that the ship is constantly on course in that direction. This is not surprising since for the CPC, most prominently since 1978 and in the current trajectory under President Xi, the connection between political development, economic reform and social stability has been prized above anything else. This has enabled the CPC to select, not holus-bolus, from other countries and their systems what works for the PRC. This selection has been cognisant of the objective material conditions in China. Hence the role of the market economy was not left to its own devices, of pure profit-seeking, but required state facilitation to balance the wealth and income inequalities it inevitably produces. This is a reason it is now commonplace to speak of Chinas socialism with Chinese characteristics. The same is true when it comes to democracy. It has been reconfigured to respond directly to, and be applicable to, the relatively exceptional structural circumstances of China. Unlike in other countries where the will of the people matters during electoral periods, in China the peoples interests reign supreme throughout the terms of office of public officials, from the county to president levels of administrations. Whole-process peoples democracy is supposed to serve common interests and deliver tangible societal benefits that have, for example, enabled China to surpass, in 2019, the US as the number one source of international patent applications that were filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization. Whole-process peoples democracy has enabled the PRC to build the worlds largest social security system and a basic medical insurance coverage which reaches more than 95 percent of the countrys population. This is in addition to the popularly known unprecedented accomplishment of lifting 770 million Chinese citizens from absolute poverty. In the process, the CPC has reached, ahead by 10 years, the SDG Goal1:Endpovertyinallitsformseverywhere. As the world battles through the Covid-19 pandemic, the PRC has shown the way with its whole-process peoples democracy just how the pandemic, in all its variants, can be handled, how to maintain economic growth, and still deliver to most citizens basic socio-economic rights. As such, Chinese democracy deserves acknowledgement for delivering on good governance that advances basic service delivery. It is not a coincidence President Xi states simply that democracy is not an ornament to be used for decoration; it is to be used to solve the problems people want to solve. We would do well to all remember that, between 2016 and 2020, the CPC created an estimated 60 million decent jobs, which is an obvious sign of Chinese democracy in action to link the attainment of socio-economic rights to the delivery of social cohesion and nation-formation. The declaration by President Xi of China being a moderately prosperous societyin all respects is related to the practice of whole-process peoples democracy. Quite obviously, when a government is dominated by a few interest groups and mainly advances the well-being of a few and in the process the majority is excluded from benefiting from the fruits of democracy, it is an example of bad governance. This was the conclusion of a 2014 groundbreaking study by American social scientists, Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, that in the US it can be reasonably concluded that economic elites and organised groups representing business interests impact on US government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. Using a South African terminology and recent experience, is this not an example of sophisticated state capture? From this study is it not fair to conclude that the US is more of an oligarchy than a democracy? What are the lessons, for South Africa, that can be gleaned from Chinas whole-process peoples democracy? Firstly, an executive and bureaucracy are defining features towards making democracy meaningful and having a societal impact. When leaders simply focus on policy proclamation without emphasising implementation and even more implementation, as Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew and Rwanda under Paul Kagame have achieved, this places a risk on the sustainability of the democratic project and nation-formation programmes. Secondly, the prosecution of those found to be implicated in acts of corruption and maladministration, by relevant law enforcement agencies, should be non-negotiable. Thirdly, political systems should be fitting for the material conditions of a country. It does not benefit anyone to proclaim proudly that our constitutional democracy is the most progressive in the world when the basic needs of people are not met. Lack of effective service delivery is the reason there are record-high incidents of service delivery protests in our country. There is a Chinese truism that says: A man of wisdom adapts to changes; a man of knowledge acts by circumstances. Paul Tembe is a South African expert on China.
Providence, RI - TPG Hotels & Resorts, one of the nations premier hospitality management firms, announced today they have assumed management of ten properties previously operated by PeachState Hospitality. The portfolio consists of eight Marriott Select Service Hotels and two IHG Select Service Hotels, all located in the state of Georgia.

PeachState Hospitality is a leading owner and developer in our industry, and we are pleased to welcome them as a new partner and these exceptional properties into our portfolio. We look forward to growing our partnership as they accelerate their development platform over the next few years. Tim Muir, Chief Development Officer, TPG Hotels & Resorts

TPG Hotels & Resorts will manage the properties owned by PeachState Hospitality. The parties have entered into a strategic agreement for the management of additional hotels in the current and future pipeline to be developed by PeachState Hospitality.

It was important to us to partner with a company that would not only ensure our assets would be profitable, but one that also shares our culture, values, and philosophy with regard to our associates and guests. PeachState Hospitality will continue to remain an active investor in the travel and lodging space via our long-standing development platform. This strategic partnership with TPG further enhances PeachStates ability to develop and execute strategies within the hospitality industry. Ricky Raman, Chief Operating Officer, PeachState Hospitality

We are thrilled to welcome the PeachState properties to our national portfolio. Our operations philosophies, cultures, and core values are fully-aligned with PeachStates, which enables us to leverage our collective experience and resources to ensure optimal property performance and profitability. Mike Marshall, President, TPG Hotels & Resorts

About TPG Hotels & Resorts

TPG Hotels & Resorts is an operator of hospitality assets across all chain scales. The firm's historical resume includes over 500 branded, independent, boutique hotels and marinas, comprising more than 65,000 guestrooms in 41 states. TPG Hotels & Resorts is a vertically integrated organization actively engaged in hotel and marina operations, development, acquisitions, and asset repositionings across the country. For more information, please visit www.tpghotelsandresorts.com.

Stacy Silver

TPG Hotels
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The Greylock bridge over the Hoosic River on Route 2 has been named William F. Evans Memorial Bridge.

North Adams Bridge to Be Dedicated to Slain Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Among the last bills signed by outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker was an order dedicating a bridge on Route 2 for the late Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans.

The bill filed by state Rep. John Barrett III will designate the Greylock bridge near West's Variety as the William F. Evans Memorial Bridge.

Evans, 41, was killed in the line of duty on April 2, 2021 , when a man rammed his car into at a barrier on the north side of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., then got out and lunged at officers with a knife. He was a city native who later grew up in Clarksburg and graduated from Drury High School in 1998. He was buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Adams.

Barrett, in a post on Facebook, said he had reached out to Evans' family and while his mother, Janice, was initially appreciative, she "didn't want to be in the limelight, and she knew in her heart that it wouldn't bring back Billy."

"My only response was that I just wanted to make sure that this generation, as well as future generations, would never forget Billy Evans and the sacrifice he made on that fateful day protecting our democracy," Barrett wrote. Janice Evans later contacted him agreeing that the bridge dedication would be "a nice way to honor Billy."

Unfortunately, she died on Dec. 14 , two weeks before the bill passed the Legislature, and did not see the final design for the memorial plaque.

The plaque will state that "On April 2, 2021 United States Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans completed his final watch defending the United States Capitol Building." The state Department of Transportation will install signage on both ends of the bridge and the plaque following the bridge renovation, which is being funded through this year's Transportation Improvement Plan at a cost of $18.5 million.

Barrett wrote that the bridge is close to the neighborhood where Evans first grew up and near Greylock Elementary School, which he attended.

"I just wanted to make sure that this generation, as well as future generations, would never forget Billy Evans and the sacrifice he made on that fateful day protecting our democracy," wrote Barrett.

The bridge dedication was one of a number of last legislative acts signed by Baker for the Berkshires. Also enacted was change to Williamstown's charter allowing the town manager to live outside the bounds of the town; to change the name of the Board of Selectmen in Lee to the Select Board; and to allow for original documents held by the town of Stockbridge that were created by the Mohican Nation prior to 1870 to be transferred to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community of the Mohican Nation upon an authorizing vote by the board of selectmen.
The Northern Tier proposal would return passenger rail to North Adams. PreviousNext

Regional Lawmaker See Possibilities in Northern Tier Passenger Rail

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Western Mass lawmakers say a $2 billion price tag for passenger rail across the Northern Tier isn't high compared to past projects and would be a significant economic boost to a region long ignored.

Preliminary estimates to develop the passenger line between North Adams and Boston is estimated between $1 billion and $2 billion (in 2027 dollars) over a three- to five-year period.

"When I see an investment of $2.1 billion compared to what we have put into roads and bridges and all the other things that would improve access on our roadways to get to Boston or the eastern part of the state, this to me is a very small price," said state Rep. John Barrett III of North Adams at Wednesday's public workshop held by the state Department of Transportation.

State Rep. Aaron Saunders of the 7th Hampden District noted that the recent completion of the 4.3-mile extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Green Line was $2.28 billion

"I would suggest that this is a modest investment into the western two-thirds of the commonwealth," he said. "And as we look at the additional options, we should do what we can for the communities across the Northern Tier of the commonwealth who have largely been left out of the type of robust transportation infrastructure investment other parts of the commonwealth have received over the last 50 years."

The Northern Tier proposal  one of two cross-state passenger rail routes being explored  would run a line from North Adams, through the historic Hoosac Tunnel to Greenfield, then on to Fitchburg and North Boston Station. The East-West Passenger Rail would run from Pittsfield to Boston.

The state is seeking federal funding on these projects, including applying for $108 million to improve service along 53 miles between Springfield and Worcester. It's also in line for $9 billion through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law while the same bill has set aside $66 billion for Amtrak.

recent hearing on the East-West proposal in Pittsfield last month was heavily attended and Wednesday's virtual workshop on the Northern Tier had more than 160 people in attendance.

The presentation by Anna Berry and Paul Nelson of HNTB, an infrastructure design firm, looked at two alternatives for the Northern Tier development  low investment and high investment. The findings of Wednesday's workshop will be used to further refine for additional service options under those two proposals.

The main difference between the two options is the amount of investment in track infrastructure that determines the speed and capability of the rail line.

The lower investment has a current price tag of $1,044,850,000, or $7,358,100 per mile. This would largely include upgrading existing track for safety, new signaling, grading, sidings and stations.

The higher investment option would come in at $2,187,350,000 or $15,403,875 per mile. This would mean more intensive rehabilitation of existing tracks and upgrades.

The difference is more than an hour off travel time between the biggest and smallest cities in the state. A poll during the workshop found support for spending more on the rail line to spend less time traveling.

The estimated travel time with the lower investment is about 3 hours and 55 minutes compared to 2 hours and 48 minutes. Polling also found that participants in the workshop were more likely to travel to Boston for day trips, vacations and events if it took less time to get there.

Trains would be staggered to ensure that day trips were possible: one in the morning, two about midday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

Perry said the preliminary design plans took into account a wide range of factors that included grades, tracks, braking, freight lines, curves and passenger train schedules that were run through Rail Traffic Controller, an industry standard for simulating rail service to estimate performance and trip times.

"Think about your model train set. You can see the trains running around changing tracks and moving through the system," said Berry. "The RTC software does something like that."

Travelers were estimated to save $1.2 million to $5 million annually on gas, tolls, parking and wear and tear on vehicles. The economic impact during construction was pegged at more than $424 million a year.

A number of attendees noted that it wasn't just a west to east concern  there were plenty of attractions that would bring metro Boston residents to the Berkshires, perhaps to stay.

Nelson's part of the presentation looked at a number of attraction factors around each station but attendees thought the consultants should also be looking beyond that.

One participant, Andy, pointed to Berkshire East and white water rafting in Charlemont and the Clark Art Institute and theater festival in Williamstown. Perhaps seasonal whistle stops could be added in, he said.

Others brought up the region's proximity to Southern Vermont and New York State as well as connections to other public transport or more stops along the way.

The consultants said the planning will be looking at connections such as the Amtrak line through Pittsfield, the north-south connector through Greenfield and possibly transitions out of Fitchburg to Boston.

A number of people spoke about the potential for increasing population and housing and economic development through rail service.

"Transit connectivity is a magnet for housing, and we should look at this not only through the lens of transit, but we should also be looking at it through the lens of housing, housing availability, and all the great economic development that we know comes with the intersection of those two very important aspects of our public policy," said Saunders.

A doctor said spoke of the difficult time she's had recruiting people who finished their residency in Boston because of the feeling that Western Mass was remote and difficult to get to without driving.

She added she's just taken a job at a biotech company in the Seaport. "So I have like a vested interest in really seeing this project succeed. But I think this presentation has made a lot of really great arguments for why this is a good alternative."

A Greenfield resident said there was talk nearly a decade ago of east-west rail that went nowhere.

"I'm thrilled to see that you folks are coming in with what appears to be a mandate to make something happen because it needs to," he said. "I think Franklin County may be the only county in the last Census in the state, or one of the few, that actually to declined in population. So this is the kind of thing that could really make a difference so I just want to say I appreciate it."

In addition to Barrett and Saunders, state Sen. Jo Comerford of Northampton (a member of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission), state Sen. John Cronin of Lunenburg, state Rep. Natalie Blais of Sunderland and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier spoke, as did Thomas Bernard, former mayor of North Adams, and Clarksburg Town Administrator Carl McKinney.

Makaela Niles, project manager at MassDOT, said the working group will now begin refining and adding alternatives based on the feedback. She expected there would be another public meeting and that the study would be completed in the spring.

Barrett said it was critical to remain focused on what they needed to achieve.

"I think we've been presented with two scenarios here that are pretty good," he said. "That could lead to the success of this all happening in all of our lifetimes. And I think it's critical that we make it as successful as possible."
BCC Receives Grant to Address College Campus Hunger

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire Community College (BCC), in partnership with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), has been awarded a multi-year Community College Campus Hunger Program Grant in the amount of $180,000.

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered through the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the grant award will provide program support through June 30, 2024.

The grant is designed to increase access to academic opportunities for students of color and students experiencing food insecurity. The award letter commends BCC for its "commitment to transform higher education institutional cultures to center equity-minded support."

"Our top priority at BCC is offering a quality education that is accessible to all. But access goes beyond the classroom  we must do everything we can to ensure the basic needs of our students are met," said Ellen Kennedy, President. "Food insecurity disproportionately impacts students of color and low-income students. This generous grant allows us to address the serious issue of hunger head-on by identifying need, taking active steps to alleviate the problem and allowing our students to thrive without the added pressures of food insecurity."

With grant funding, BCC and MCLA plan to hire a full-time Student Services Navigator, a shared position created to make each college's food pantry and food security programming fully sustainable. Daily operations will be run by student advocates, with administrative oversight. A total of approximately 600 students at BCC and MCLA will be served annually.

"Food insecurity makes it more difficult for students to complete courses, stay enrolled and ultimately graduate. When a student is choosing between working on their classes or figuring out how to feed their family or themselves, food is always going to come first," said Adam Klepetar, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. "Funding for this project will have a significant impact on the student populations at BCC and MCLA, particularly in helping to close the gaps in outcome disparities."

Key activities of the grant project will include:

The creation of annual programming such as cooking and nutrition classes with regional partners

Financial literacy workshops with local banks and fuel assistance information

Annual professional development training for faculty and staff on how to address signs of food or housing insecurity and what resources are available

Broadening and strengthening community relationships with key non-profits throughout Berkshire County focused on basic needs and food insecurity

The purchase of additional meal swipes and frozen meals from MCLA's food service provider, Aramark, and BCC's food service provider Epicurean, that would allow students who are unable to afford a college meal plan to access food from the cafeteria

An expansion of services to include taxi and transportation vouchers for trips to the supermarket or local farmers' markets

"We are excited about this advanced partnership with our colleagues at MCLA, once again showcasing how our colleges keep our students at the center of all we do," Dean of Students Celia Norcross said. "Their education is important to us, and having them succeed in and out of the classroom with access to basic needs is vital."
Lenox Cultural Council Awards Local Grants

LENOX, Mass.  State Representative Smitty Pignatelli and Arlene D. Schiff, chair of the Lenox Cultural Council, have announced the award of 22 grants totaling $13,178, for cultural programs in Berkshire County.

"It's the local volunteers who really make this system work," said Smitty Pignatelli. "They make limited resources go as far as possible, and they make the tough decisions about which projects should be supported. Thanks to them, the arts, sciences, and humanities are part of people's everyday lives in every community across the state."

Grants have been awarded to the following programs: Back Room Boston, Incs Klezmer Band at Kimball Farms; David R. Bates IIIs Halloween Harvest Performance for Seniors; Berkshire Childrens Chorus, Inc.s Ukulele Lessons; Berkshire Music Schools 2023 Lenox Loves Music Series; Berkshire South Regional Community Centers Berkshire Ukulele Band and Berkshires Sings!; Cantilena Chamber Choir Corporations Town of Lenox December Festivities; Christmas/Holiday Sing along by the Fanfare Brass Ensemble; Elijah T. Grasshopper at the Mount; Festival Latino of the Berkshires; Gaia Roots World Music Ensemble at the Lenox Library; Greenagers, Inc.; Hip Hop Dance Chair Exercise for Seniors; Marney Schorrs Its My Body: Art for Social Change; Mary Jo D Maichacks In the Wee Small Hours Cabaret Concert; Olga Dunn Dance Company Lecture and Demonstrations in the Lenox Public Schools; Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park; SculptureNow at The Mount 2023; Shakespeare & Cos 2023 Fall Festival of Shakespeare; Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Centers Olivias Outlook Hike; The Stockbridge Sinfonia, Inc.; Tom Truss IIIs ReWritten and WAM Theater.

The Lenox Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. Statewide, more than $3.3 million will be distributed by local cultural councils in 2023.

The Town of Lenox also provided funding to the Lenox Cultural Council for this grant cycle.

Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by a board of municipally appointed volunteers.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a controversial bill that expands the government's power to control the media, endangering press freedom and media pluralism in the country. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Ukrainian affiliates, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU), in calling on the government to revise the new legislation and to start a broad inclusive dialogue with journalists unions and the media sector.

Media freedom and pluralism are at stake in Ukraine under the law On Media, submitted to the Parliament in 2020 and approved on 13 December 2022, which increases government control of information. The law empowers the regulator, the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council, whose members are appointed by the President and the Parliament, with a broader authority over the Ukrainian media landscape.

According to the recently passed legislation, signed in to law by Zelensky on 29 December, the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council will be able to temporarily ban the work of online mass media and demand internet providers block access to online publications without a court hearing, issue binding orders to the editorial offices of media, regulate the work of cable and online television operators, and cancel the registration of print media, among others.

In July 2022 when Ukraine was granted the status of an EU candidate country, the IFJ affiliates, NUJU and IMTUU, together with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), called on the Ukrainian authorities to bring the draft media legislation in line with European standards of press freedom.

A statement published by NUJU on 13 December warned that freedom of speech was under threat in Ukraine and branded as excessive the broader power given to the national regulator. The union said that the law does not envisage the regulation of the media sphere, but in fact, the establishment of relations of subordination, when the media become under the control of the authorities.

In a statement issued in early January, IMTUU warned that the law does not contain restrictions on the creation of linear media services by the state, allowing the monopolisation of airwaves with content created exclusively by state-owned media. This actual state of affairs does not contribute to limiting the political influence of the pro-government political force on the media and contradicts the principle of pluralism, which will create systemic problems with democracy.

In addition, the union noted that, according to the law, the cancellation of licences and the banning of media activities can take place without a decision of the regulator and the court, which nullifies the role of the regulator and puts media owners in full political and economic dependence on the personal decisions of the country's president, which will create problems for democracy, it added.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger warned that the law will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. We are extremely concerned about the authoritarian drift of the Ukrainian government towards the media and journalists. While the new legislation is intended to implement the European Directive, it could create systemic problems for democracy in Ukraine as it expands state control over the media,Bellanger stated.

We are calling on the government to rewrite the law, and open a discussion with journalists organisations and the media. There cannot be a democracy without independent journalism, he added.
Leading South Korea-based privileged access management (PAM) solution provider, NETAND, says cybersecurity solutions in the Philippines need to keep up with the countrys rapidly evolving digital transformation.

NETAND joins the 1st CyberSecPhil (CSP) Conference 2023

NETAND participated in the recently concluded 1st CyberSecPhil (CSP) Conference 2023 held in Manila. Themed "Cyber Security in the Age of Digital Transformation", the first CSP Conference gathered 150 cybersecurity experts from various sectors in the Philippines to discuss and debate the problems and solutions associated with its digitalization. NETAND shared insights on data security and payment & transaction security.

Theres no doubt that digitalization in the Philippines is heading in the right direction. In fact, the pandemic may have accelerated the countrys digital transformation. Now that the world is slowly ushering in a post-pandemic era, the global market is paying attention to access management solutions since major IT infrastructure systems require thorough control and management of user access and authority. It is, therefore, imperative for the Philippines to fast-track its cybersecurity infrastructure and policies, said Hochul Shin, CEO of NETAND.

The Philippines recorded 68% internet penetration rate  representing more than 76 million Filipino internet users  in January 2022. The countrys digital competitiveness showed improvement last year, with knowledge and technology taking 62nd and 54th spots respectively, according to the Worlds Digital Competitiveness Ranking. Last years ITU Global Security Index, however, placed the Philippines 61st out of 194 countries.

Shin noted that the rapid digitalization can also serve as an entry point for cyber threats to evolve, making digital trust a big concern. Efficient solutions and infrastructure are essential in combating cyber threats and ensuring business survival.

Contactless and digital payments are one of the advancements that the Philippines has adopted in recent years. NETAND cautioned that security risks may surge as demands for third-party payment (TPP) providers are expected to increase in the coming years. Ensuring that the information security management system is properly screening and protecting the payment methods plays a critical role in maintaining operational security.

PAM solution is one of the best ways to protect and secure the digital transformation of any business. PAM solution is essential as an identity security solution that helps guard organizations against insider threats, cyber-attacks, and compliance risks by monitoring, detecting, and preventing unauthorized privileged access to critical resources, Shin explained.

NETAND demonstrated its flagship product, HIWARE, its knowledge and experience in continuing to assist customers with their identity and access security needs. HIWARE is an industry-leading solution that is widely used by financial and government institutions in Korea to protect information from internal and external security threats such as information leakage.

"We saw firsthand how crucial security is in the Philippines. Keeping digital information in various business sectors safe and secure from possible cyber threats is the key to a successful leap. NETAND eyes to leverage new IT opportunities for the Philippines through its leading technology and security solutions'', said Shin.
At Tuesday night's 80th Golden Globe Awards, Jennifer Coolidge, who played the iconic role of Tanya in Mike White's The White Lotus, wowed the crowd with not one but two incredibly chaotic and wonderful acceptance speeches.

The actress's standout turn as Tanya McQuoid in Mike White's acclaimed HBO series earned her the award for best supporting actress in a television limited series/motion picture.

Other actresses up for the award that Coolidge hopelessly outmatched included Aubrey Plaza (her co-star in The White Lotus), Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Claire Danes (Fleishman Is in Trouble), and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Under the Banner of Heaven).

During her amusing and passionate speech, she knocked over her hefty trophy on the floor and said,

"I can put this down, right? I don't work out, you know? "What I mean is that I can't hold it for that long."  She reflected on her achievements before praising the man behind The White Lotus, whom she also made emotional during her speech.

Jennifer Coolidge talked about the good and bad parts of being an actress in Hollywood. She said that movies like Legally Blonde and American Pie were highlights.

"Some of the people in this room, there were five people that kept me going for 20 years with these little jobs," Coolidge said. "And it would be enough to get to the next one, the next one. Because some of these things are like five different ... sequels of American Pie," she added. "Ive milked that to the bone. Im still going for six and seven, whatever they want. I had such big dreams and expectations as a younger person, but what happened is they got sort of fizzled by life. I thought I would be the Queen of Monaco even though someone else did it. And then you get older and think, 'Oh, what the fuck is going to happen? And, Mike White, you have given me hope. Youve given me a new beginning You changed my life in a million different ways."



It was her tribute to Mike White that, indeed, took the cake.

Twitter

Her speech, full of (cuss words) and gratitude, is winning the Internet.

Part 2 of the Jennifer Coolidge speech experience and I'm in tears (especially watching Mike White receive her praise) pic.twitter.com/fASignQKuq   stevie wong  (@wongie1) January 11, 2023

"And, Mike White, you have given me hope. Youve given me a new beginning. Even if this is the end, because you did kill me off, but even if this is the end, you changed my life in a million different ways. My neighbors are speaking to me and things like that. I was never invited to one party on my hill, and now everyones inviting me! I just  you know, its to you, Mike White."

Twitter

"This is something all of you, if you dont know Mike White, this is what you should know: He is worried about the world, hes worried about people, hes worried about friends of his that arent doing well, hes always worried about people, youre worried about animals, and he really is one of the greatest people Ive ever  He gives me so much excitement to be  you make people want to live longer, and I didnt. [Laughter]"



So anyway, I want to say, Mike White, I love you to death. I want to say this is an enjoyable night; thank you. Thank you!

The Internet quickly labeled her speech as one of their favorite moments from the Golden Globes night.

Jennifer Coolidges #GoldenGlobes acceptance speech has my mind, my heart, andmy spleen (because I feel like Ive been healed of all the germs in my body with the amount of wholesomeness).  https://t.co/j6L0pyccUv  akneerude (@TheGuysexual) January 11, 2023

Jennifer Coolidge thanks Mike White for giving her a part so good on The White Lotus her neighbors are now talking to her. Her #GoldenGlobes speech proves that the Emmys should have let her finish.  Eric Deggans at NPR (@Deggans) January 11, 2023

I will rewatch that Jennifer Coolidge speech every day for the rest of my life.  Peter Knegt (@peterknegt) January 11, 2023

Mike White weeping during Jennifer Coolidges speech is mood #GoldenGlobes2023 pic.twitter.com/UCi1c4lb79    with a Y   (@wyntermitchell) January 11, 2023

This specific part of Jennifer Coolidges acceptance speech actually feels like it couldve been in The White Lotus pic.twitter.com/Y6B7eeg2V2  Emily (@emilybernay) January 11, 2023

she made me cry and laugh at the same time this acceptance speech is award worthy by itself  jennifer coolidge you will always be the moment pic.twitter.com/wKYFdEQsAh  h` (@HELEBING_) January 11, 2023

jennifer coolidges golden globes speech will be studied in textbooks pic.twitter.com/OL6KSesf0u  ilana kaplan (@lanikaps) January 11, 2023

Jennifer Coolidge is chaos and perfection. And I like how she used her acceptance speech to tell Mike White shes mad he killed her character off #WhiteLotus. #GoldenGlobes2023 #GoldenGlobes #jennifercoolidge pic.twitter.com/T97ZB0qUlw  Reshma Gopaldas (@reshingbull) January 11, 2023

jennifer coolidge speech was kind of an award show moment.. that was for the character actress pic.twitter.com/Mds15UF8sG  danny (@heaven_toniight) January 11, 2023

I cant stop watching the Jennifer Coolidge acceptance speech. Her saying Mike White you make people want to live longer, and I didnt is such a beautifully profound thing to hear. Imagine having such an effect on someone?? Argh I love them both  jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 11, 2023

Jennifer coolidges speech was 10/10 no notes should be studied. Thats how you recognize a career and your collaborators with humor and grace.  THEE ACADEMY Playwright Jeremy O Harris (@jeremyoharris) January 11, 2023





Coolidge's presentation of the award for best supporting actor in a television series (Abbott Elementary's Tyler James Williams won, hurrah!) was an earlier standout.

After recounting her public speaking fears, Coolidge presented the awards by saying, "and the Oscar goes to..." Perfect.

"Somebody called Cara Bishop called me and said, 'Jennifer, we would like you to present at the Golden Globes this year.' And I said, 'Oh my God, this is such an honor; thank you so much. Yes, I would love to.' And I hung up on her."

Part one of the I LOVE Jennifer Coolidge speech experience! pic.twitter.com/5Oip2sBgiF   stevie wong  (@wongie1) January 11, 2023

"I said, 'Cara, I'm so touched that you'd want me to do this, but there's no way I'm going to make it from behind the curtain all the way to the podium without breaking my skull... I just can't do it.'

(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment)


An Indian woman alleged that a Pakistan High Commission staffer molested her. The woman alleged the Pakistan embassy official demanded sexual favours from her in lieu of granting her a visa to travel to Pakistan.

The woman told Times Now that the Pakistani official held her hand and asked if she was married. She also alleged that the staffer told her that they can marry four times if bored.

pak-embassy

Narrating her ordeal, the woman said, "I went to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in March 2021 and June last year. I was asked to wait in a lounge and then after sometime, I was told that a visa cannot be granted as the then Pakistan government was not stable, as a no-confidence motion was passed against the then prime minister Imran Khan."

"What do I do for my sexual desires"

"When I was leaving the office, a person, who identified himself as Asif, approached me and said that I would have granted a visa to you if you had come to me and asked me to go back to the lounge and wait there."

He asked me why I wasnt married. How do I live without marriage, what do I do for my sexual desires, the woman told India Today.



"He also asked do you have somebody to have sex with, do you have somebody with whom you go out, can you have an extra marital affair. I got up and asked him to call the visa officer," she alleged.

PTI

The woman also said that the Pakistani official asked her to write articles against India, Kashmir and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Woman complained to External Affairs Ministry

In her complaint to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, she has asked for the matter to be taken up.

The woman had, in the past, filed a complaint at a Pakistan portal and even written to the country's foreign affairs minister, Bilawal Bhutto. She also sent screenshots of the WhatsApp chat with the Pakistan High Commission staffer to the foreign minister.

S Jaishankar

The woman said that she went public with the incident as no one was paying heed to her case and she wanted "Indian women visiting the Pakistan High Commission to know their intentions".
Crowding at crematoriums and funeral homes has been captured by satellite in several Chinese towns as the COVID surge sweeps the country after Beijing's easing of strict pandemic restrictions, per the Washington Post.

A funeral home in Chengdu, China, ran out of space, so they ceased holding memorial ceremonies, giving families only two minutes to say their final goodbyes before the bodies were cremated.

@VAA_2020

On the edge of Beijing, a funeral home had to move quickly to make room for a new parking lot.

According to the Washington Post, scalpers in Shanghai charged as much as US$300 per cremation slot to grieving relatives waiting in line outside funeral homes.

China's epidemic broke out and many people died in a short time! The funeral system in China is collapsing and the freezer in the funeral home is no longer sufficient. The corpses can only be dumped outside. It's horrible! #CCPvirus pic.twitter.com/Etvt9xlzDM  Aric Chen  (@aricchen) January 7, 2023

Satellite images from Maxar Technologies revealed increased activity at funeral homes in six Chinese cities, from northern Beijing to eastern Nanjing and southwest Chengdu and Kunming.

Social media posts, too, revealed long wait times and overwhelmed staff at additional facilities.

Staff members speak next to several body bags at a funeral home, as COVID-19 outbreaks continue in Shanghai, China, Jan. 4, 2023. pic.twitter.com/1lkI8kAxuJ  Mattheus Hermanny (@MatHermanny) January 5, 2023

"I have worked here for six years. It has never been this busy," said a receptionist at the Jiangnan Funeral Home in Chongqing in southwest China, describing long lines of cars waiting to get into the facility during the days just before and after Christmas.

Large crowds have turned up with flowers at a Changsha funeral home in central China's Hunan Province to bid farewell to Chinese agronomist Yuan Longping, "father of hybrid rice."



Not found single individual without mask, what a nation, what a discipline,,, pic.twitter.com/Fb5QfM8RGX  SAM (@SAM_AHMED88) May 24, 2021

"The freezers were full, and all eight incinerators were operating 24/7. The phone has basically not stopped ringing," she said.

The overwhelming majority of those waiting at these facilities were there to process recently deceased loved ones.

Because of this, at least four funeral homes the Washington Post talked to have stopped letting memorial services happen and now only offer cremation services and storage.

China recently moved away from its strict 'Zero Covid' approach, which had sparked mass unrest after more than two years of tight controls on citizens' personal lives.

The Communist Party emphasizes that China's strict policies prevented mass fatalities like those in Western nations to prove its superiority. The Chinese government claims that less than 40 people have died of Covid since December 7, when "Zero Covid" restrictions were lifted, and infection rates skyrocketed.

Since the outbreak began, China's Covid fatality count has been contested. The Washington Post claimed that only respiratory failure deaths had been counted since December, regardless of viral status.

Twitter

The omicron variant's 0.1 percent mortality rate has been used to reassure Chinese health regulators. China has reported 5,200 Covid deaths since the outbreak began.



According to the Washington Post, the estimates provided by foreign specialists put the true death toll closer to 5,000 people each day, with several models estimating more than one million Covid deaths in China in 2023.

(With ANI inputs)

(For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes)


WorkWeek covers the Brazil Coup & Labor, The US CIA AFL-CIO Attack On Mexico Ford Workers, TWU President John Samuelson On SWA meltdown, MLK, Labor & The ILWU With Retired ILWU 10 Secretary Treasurer Clarence Thomas

WorkWeek 1-12-23 Brazil Coup & Labor, US CIA AFL-CIO Attack On Mexico Ford Workers, TWU Pres On SWA, MLK, Labor & The ILWU With Retired ILWU 10 Sec/Tres Clarence ThomasWorkWeek 1-12-23 Brazil Coup & Labor, The US AFL-CIO Attack On Mexico Ford Workers, TWU Pres On SWA MeltdownWorkWeek gets a direct report on the insurrection attempted coup in Brazil with Brazilian transit worker Fabio Basco who is also with the independent trade union federation Conlutas.Next WorkWeek looks at the 33rd anniversary of the violent assault by 150 thugs on Mexico City Ford assembly plant workers that injured many and killed one worker. It was later learned that it had been funded by the CIA, National Endowment For Democracy and organized with the AFL-CIO leadership.We interview retired UAW Local 909 president Frank Hammer about this attack on January 8, 1990, the continued cover-up and the relevance for UAW auto workers and US workers for today. The US government through NED are giving $75 million to the "Solidarity Center" for operations in over 60 countries.Last WorkWeek interviews TWU International president John Samuelson about the meltdown of SWA and the lack of regulation and oversight of the airline and railroad industry. He also discusses the effect of covid on his members who penalized by management for wearing masks.The TWU which represents 150,000 workers also represents workers at South West Airlines.Additional media:WorkWeek 12-29-22 Brown Brian TWU 550 SWA MeltdownWorkWeek 1-5-23 Witt Matt On 33rd Year Anniversary Of Mexico Ford Workers Attack By US CIA AFL-CIO$4 A Day, No Way!The January 8, 1990 Coup at Ford: Political Intrigue Across Borders-The Coup at Ford: Political Intrigue Across BordersThe AFL-CIO CIA Attack and Murder Of Mexico City Ford Workers & El GolpeRevisiting AFL-CIO Interventionist Activities in Latin America | Rubenstein 149WorkWeek 1-12-23 MLK, Labor &The ILWU With Retired ILWU 10 Sec/Tres Clarence ThomasWorkWeek looks at Martin Luther King's perspective on labor and his relationship with the ILWU longshore workers. We interview ILWU Local 10 retired Secretary Clarence Thomas about MLK and his support forworkers and unions.MLK spoke at ILWU Local 10 and was made an honorary member by the union for his work.Thomas also discusses how the capitalist media have covered up the real political views of MLK on capitalism and the class struggle.This interview was done on 1/5/23Additional Media:SEIU 1021 Members Joined By ILWU 10 In Fight Against Racism By City Of SFThe Reign Of Terror Against San Francisco SEIU 1021 DPH Members & Other City Workers: Speakout At SF Labor CouncilSFGH "Zuckerberg" SEIU 1021 Workers & Community Protest DPH Privatization, Racism & Union BustingStop Racist Discrimination And Workplace Bullying At SF DPH! SEIU 1021 Members & SF Residents Rally & SpeakoutStop SF Privatization At Potrero Hill Health Center Defend SEIU 1021 Healthcare Worker Cheryl ThorntonFor more information:SFLC Resolution To Oppose Retaliation Against SEIU 1021 Member Cheryl Thornton & Opposition to Workplace Bullying and Racist Discrimination in the City and County of San FranciscoWorkWeek#laborradionetwork #LaborRadioPod #1u #UnionStrong
JavaScript and TypeScript remain more vibrant than ever, but established JavaScript frameworks including React and Angular continue to see dips in satisfaction, according to the State of JavaScript 2022 report.

The 2022 edition of the annual report, published January 10, was based on survey of 39,472 developers late last year. Among its observations was high interest among respondents in performance-oriented front-end frameworks Svelte, Solid, and Qwik, and waning interest in longtime leaders Vue, React, and especially Angular. However, 82% of those surveyed who had used React would use it again, while only 49% and 42% said the same for Angular and Vue, respectively.

For front-end frameworks, rendering frameworks, and other tools, the survey attempted to measure retention (would use again), interest (want to learn), usage, and awareness. Interest in learning Angular has decreased from 68% in 2016 to just 43% in the current report, while interest in Vue has slipped from 91% in 2018 to 77% in 2022. Googles Sarah Drasner, in the reports conclusion, suggested that these declines could be signs of maturity. Despite declining interest, React and Angular remain in wide use.

Other findings in the State of JavaScript 2022 report:

JavaScript language features nullish coalescing, top level await, string.prototype.replaceAll, and dynamic import had high ratios of persons who know about them and had used them, with 81.7% of those who know about nullish coalescing having used it, followed by 67.5% for top level await, 64.6% for string.prototype.replaceAll, and 56.4% for dynamic import. By contrast, only 20.1% of those who know about WebAssembly, heralded in recent years as a breakthrough in web performance and programming, had used it.

The Vite build tool had the highest retention ratio, with 98% of those who have used it saying they would use it again.

21% of respondents did not have a higher education degree.

40.2% had a higher education degree in a field related to computer technology.

13.7% of respondents had salaries ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.

The State of JavaScript 2022 survey, led by developers Sacha Greif and Eric Burel, was conducted from November 21 to December 22, 2022, with respondents participating from 20 countries around the world.
The receiver to a Cork-based artificial intelligence firm that has entered liquidation has agreed to sell the company to tech entrepreneur Eoin Goulding.

The High Court was told on Wednesday that the 32 employees of Altada Technology Solutions Ltd have not been paid in the last five months.

Solicitor Graham Kenny, representing Altada, described the firm as a melting ice cube whose value was derived from its employees who could walk away if their claim for wages was not resolved quickly.

The tentative deal, selected over a higher competing bid, will be further discussed between the parties involved in Altadas liquidation, the court heard.

The liquidator and the Revenue Commissioners, which is owed more than 2m, had raised objections during the hearing about the validity of the receivers appointment.

However, following discussions between the parties, David Whelan, for the liquidator said it was agreed the parties would work together to achieve a sale of the assets before the end of the week.

The liquidator noted concerns about payment of staff and their concerns that a dispute between him and the receiver could delay their claims, said Mr Whelan. He will endeavour to deal quickly with their claims once a sale has closed, the court heard.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan noted receiver Nicholas ODwyer, a partner at Grant Thornton, has agreed not to conclude the sale before 4pm on Thursday to allow further talks, while the proceeds of sale will not be distributed before January 27.

He made an order appointing John Healy, of Kirby Healy Chartered Accountants, as official liquidator of Altada.

Mr Healy assumed the role of provisional liquidator in December, on the application of creditor Datech Ltd, represented by barrister Jarlath Ryan.

In his report as provisional liquidator, Mr Healy said the company was insolvent and defaulting on its creditors for at least 12 months prior to his appointment and within months of exiting an examinership process that involved writing down debts and securing fresh investments.

The report, read in court, said Altada owed unsecured creditors in excess of 5.3m and close to 637,000 in back pay to employees.

Mr Healy also raised concerns about the validity of a 500,000 loan agreement last September and the consequent appointment of the receiver seven weeks later. Mr ODwyer was appointed as receiver to Altada in November on foot of an application by four creditors who loaned the 500,000.

The company was heavily insolvent when the charge was registered, said Mr Healy. The terms of the debenture required its repayment within eight months, along with a premium of an additional 500,000.

Mr Healys counsel, David Whelan, said there were concerns about the lawfulness of the loan which was obtained without the consent of certain shareholders and investors whose approval was required.

He told the court petitioner Datech had submitted a rival bid for Altada that was rejected by the receiver. Although it seemed to be higher than the bid by Mr Gouldings company Cometgaze, Mr Whelan said the liquidator has not yet had full sight of the sale contract between the receiver and Cometgaze.

The Revenue Commissioners also had significant concerns about the loan and about payment of the receiver out of the companys assets, its counsel, Arthur Cunningham, told the court.

The matter was adjourned until Monday morning, but Mr Justice Cregan gave permission to the parties to apply to court tomorrow if issues arise out of their ongoing discussions.
There will no doubt be a lot of big decisions made around farmhouse kitchen tables this week as the CAO deadline fast approaches on February 1.

It's a big ask at 18 to know exactly what you want to do for the next 40-plus years of your working life, but a good rule of thumb, which has always served me well, has been to follow your interests and the rest soon falls into place.

With so much uncertainty around the future of farming at the moment, I'm sure many parents are nervous about seeing their young ones select an ag science course.

But remember that modern agriculture courses are a recognised science of their own, with skills directly translatable across a plethora of careers.

Not only has an ag science graduate a good grounding in the theory behind crop management and animal husbandry, but they will often also leave college with a good understanding of biology, chemistry, and business management - all sought-after skills in themselves in the modern workplace.

You only need a quick scroll on LinkedIn to remind yourself of the reams of opportunities directly within Irish agriculture.

Even if your young one isn't destined for a life with a 'graip' in their hands and wellies planted on their feet, there are many other career paths within agriculture, or relating to it, where solid knowledge of the industry is essential.

I could nearly list a job for every letter of the alphabet - from agronomists and AI technicians to scientists helping to research solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, to sales reps, nutritionists, vets, engineers, book-keepers, mechanics, contractors, calf-rearers, herd managers, procurement managers, tractor drivers, hoof trimmers, shearers, to name a few.

Even in more corporate settings, like the major retailers, insurance firms, foreign embassies, marketing and mainstream media, having a solid grasp of indigenous food production and an appreciation for rural culture can set you apart in so many ways.

Farm kids also are renowned for their unparalleled work ethic, critical thinking, practical skills, humility, and respect for their colleagues and tools.

And often in offices, while it's easy to find someone with the core skills needed for the business, it can be a struggle to find someone with basic farming knowledge or experience of working with farmers - which as one of Ireland's biggest industries is an important market to many mainstream enterprises.

No career path is a straight line and with the policy focus on sustainability and conservation, these skills will be in hot demand well into the long-term future regardless of where your path takes you.

I was speaking to a woman high up in a meat processing plant at a recent function. Growing up, her heart had always been in farming and rural life, but she was fiercely intelligent and showed real business acumen so naturally, she had been encouraged into a more mainstream route.

However, her career took her meandering through the world of marketing, before she was able to combine her skills for a high-powered role driving sustainability within the industry, where she can really make an impact.

It just shows that no one ever really knows where their career will take them when they start out, but everything has a funny way of coming together in the end.

Apprenticeships

I laughed when I read it, but the Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, really couldn't have said it any better when he last week dubbed it "bonkers" that there were no agricultural apprenticeships.

Farming - ironically perhaps the most practical of all modern professions - should not simply rely on home schooling for its next generation.

Launch dates have now been announced for a level 7 farm manager apprenticeship programme, and level 6 farm technician, and horticulture programmes - which will hopefully lift the barriers to entry for those not wishing to take the university route or for those not from farming backgrounds.

Those who are interested should keep an eye out for more information between July and September when the three programmes are due to go live for apprentice registrations.
After receiving nominations for eight awards  the highest for any film in 19 years  Banshees of Inisherin won three Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.

The acclaimed film was named best musical or comedy and writer-director Martin McDonagh picked up an award for best screenplay, while Colin Farrell won the award for best performance by an actor in a motion picture musical or comedy.

Farrell, who stars alongside Brendan Gleeson in the film, thanked the entire cast and crew.

Martin McDonagh I owe you so much man, he said during his acceptance speech.

14 years ago you put me working with Brendan Gleeson and Dan Parker and you changed the trajectory of my life forever in ways that I, begrudgingly, will be grateful to you for the rest of my days.

Soak in the WIN! Congratulations to our winner for Best Actor - Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy, Colin Farrell! 



Watch the #GoldenGlobes LIVE on NBC and Peacock now! pic.twitter.com/TDgxB9rPZy  Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 11, 2023

Addressing Gleeson, he continued: Brendan, I just, I love you so much.

I love that I get to cohabitate this creative space with you every day. All I did when I came to work every day was aspire to be your equal.

Im not saying I even got there but the aspiration kept me going. And Ill thank you for that for the rest of my days also.

.@banshees_movie WINS the award for Best Picture - Musical/Comedy! Congratulations on your big WIN tonight!  #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/DLrvYVx5pr  Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 11, 2023

The film was named best motion picture, musical or comedy, with McDonagh being praised as a unique and visionary writer and director by his production team.

He also won the Golden Globe for best screenplay and paid tribute to its stars, Farrell and Gleeson.

The beautiful nuanced performances just blew me out of the water as usual, he said.

I love you, as you know, for your brilliance on screen and Ill try not to leave it another 14 years till I do the next one.

Enjoy every second of it, Martin McDonagh. Congratulations on your  WIN  for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture for the film @banshees_movie! #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/PMrNx62RxE  Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 11, 2023

Stars Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan and Gleeson were nominated for best supporting roles and McDonagh was up for best director, with that award going to Steven Spielberg for his semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans.

Gleesons son Domhnall was also nominated for his performance in the psychological TV thriller series The Patient.

Speaking to E! on the events red carpet, Domhnall Gleeson says that his family dinner table was a fun place to be as he exchanges insights into his work with his mother and father. When asked whether the family critiqued each others work, he said: Critique might be a bit harsh.

No, its a very supportive family and very artistic and my mum has got nothing to do with the industry but shes got incredible insight into everything.

So yeah, the dinner table is a fun place to be, and yeah, were all kind of open with each other about our work.

The Golden Globes awards ceremony will air on RTE2 at 9.35pm

List of Golden Globes winners

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture: Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture: Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series: Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary.

Best Original Score  Motion Picture: Justin Hurwitz, Babylon.

Best Original Song  Motion Picture: Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj, Naatu Naatu from RRR.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series  Musical or Comedy: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear.

Best Actress in a TV Series  Musical or Comedy: Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy: Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy: Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Best Motion Picture  Animated: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture  Drama: Austin Butler, Elvis.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series  Drama: Zendaya, Euphoria.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series: Julia Garner, Ozark.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama: Cate Blanchett, Tar.

Best Motion Picture  Non-English Language: Argentina, 1985 (Argentina).

Best Screenplay  Motion Picture: Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin.

Best Director  Motion Picture: Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television: Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television: Evan Peters, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: The White Lotus: Sicily.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series  Drama: Kevin Costner, Yellowstone.

Best Television Series  Musical or Comedy: Abbott Elementary.

Best Television Series  Drama: House of the Dragon.

Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy: The Banshees of Inisherin.

Best Motion Picture  Drama: The Fabelmans.

Honorary Awards:

Carol Burnett Award: Ryan Murphy.

Cecil B. DeMille Award: Eddie Murphy.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will seek legal advice on whether Fine Gael TD Damien English has breached any planning laws.

Mr Varadkar was speaking to reporters in Belfast following a meeting with all five parties in Northern Ireland. Mr English resigned as minister of state at the Department of Enterprise over a failure to properly declare a property interest.

He did not disclose that he already owned a house in Castlemartin, Co. Meath, when making a planning application to Meath County Council to build a one-off rural home in Cookstown in Kells, Co. Meath.

The law requires that anyone wishing to apply to build a one-off home must declare that they do not already own a home or have owned a home in the past in which they have resided.

When asked if Mr English breached any planning laws and whether Meath County Council should open an investigation into the matter, Mr Varadkar said it was not for him to say and that he is not an expert in planning law.

Mr Varadkar said it is a matter for the local authority. However, Mr Varadkar went on to say that he will seek legal advice on whether the now-former Fine Gael junior minister has breached any planning law.

I want to be very clear that when it comes to any breach of planning law or any other law its not the government that has a decision on it, Mr Varadkar added.

Mr Varadkar also said Mr English has paid the ultimate price and it was not necessary for him to also resign as a TD.

The Taoiseach said politicians have to adhere to certain standards and while tendering his resignation to him last night, Mr Varadkar said Mr English took the view that he hadnt met those standards.
Burma Indonesia and ASEAN set up new Office to Deal With Myanmar Crisis

Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will lead the new office of the ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar. / AFP

Indonesias foreign minister Retno Marsudi announced on Wednesday that she will lead a newly-set up office of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy on Myanmar, to engage with all stakeholders to address the post-coup crisis in the ASEAN member state.

Indonesia holds the ASEAN chair for 2023. During a Wednesday event in the Indonesian capital Jakarta outlining Indonesias foreign policy for 2023, foreign minister Retno Marsudi said that as ASEAN chair, and in accordance with the mandate of the Five-Point Consensus adopted by ASEAN in 2021, Indonesia will make every effort to help Myanmar out of its political crisis and wont allow the Myanmar issue to hold the blocs development hostage.

Only through engagement with all stakeholders can the agreements mandate to facilitate the creation of national dialogue be fulfilled, the foreign minister was quoted as saying in a report in the Jakarta Post newspaper.

The last two ASEAN chairs, Brunei and Cambodia, largely failed to push Myanmars military regime to implement the agreed Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan that calls for an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties concerned, the appointment of a special envoy, provision of humanitarian assistance by ASEAN, and a visit by the ASEANs special envoy to Myanmar to meet with all parties.

Daw Zin Mar Aung, the foreign minister for the parallel National Unity Government (NUG), said in a recent exclusive interview with The Irrawaddy that she expects Indonesia, as ASEAN chair, to engage with all stakeholders and to listen to the voices of not only the military regime but Spring Revolution forces, political groups, ethnic revolutionary organizations, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and the NUG.

The NUG foreign minister added that she thinks Indonesia will take a more active approach to resolving the Myanmar crisis, as the country has relevant experience of transforming itself from a military-dominated parliament into a democracy and that will be helpful in the case of Myanmar.

It [Indonesia] has learned lessons over the past two years, while other countries were the ASEAN chair. So we expect more active engagement from them, said Daw Zin Mar Aung.

The Myanmar military led by Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup on February 1, 2021. Since then the junta has committed widespread atrocities against civilians including torture, massacres, burning people alive, using people as human shields, air and artillery strikes on residential areas and the looting and torching of houses, which United Nations representatives have called war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Around 2,725 people had been killed by the regime up to December 7, 2022, while more than 17,100 people including government leaders have been detained, according to the rights group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Burma Myanmar Civilian Govt, Revolutionary Organizations Discuss Forging Greater Cooperation

NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La (left) and Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than (right) held a meeting with NUG ministers and a dozen protest groups from across the country on Jan. 10.

Myanmars civilian National Unity Government (NUG) discussed possible responses to the ongoing arrests of anti-regime protesters and activists, as well as ways of forging greater connections between the countrys various revolutionary forces on Tuesday.

NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La, Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than and ministers held an online meeting attended by a dozen revolutionary organizations, both armed and political, from around the country.

When we reported on and asked [for their ideas] about the current situation we face on the ground, including the arrests of protesters, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration U Lwin Ko Latt answered our questions and suggested ways they could help, a young member of a revolutionary organization who attended the meeting told The Irrawaddy.

During the meeting, the acting president emphasized the need for mutual trust between the NUG and anti-regime activist groups, saying it was evident the young revolutionary generation had many new ideas. He said he was amazed by their innovative protest methods, which consistently captured the attention of the public and the entire international community, according to a statement released on the acting Presidents Facebook page.

My respect and esteem for young people involved in various revolutionary protest groups have never wavered, Duwa Lashi La told the representatives of revolutionary organizations.

The ethnic Kachin leader invited open criticism of his government, saying it welcomed public input and would respectfully listen to the opinions of the anti-regime activists.

When a mistake is made, we never hesitate to correct it, the President said.

He added that the various political activist organizations are expected to be a key force in establishing a federal democratic country.

At the meeting, the questions regarding the political protesters and activists were fielded by the relevant ministers, and their recommendations and suggestions recorded and accepted, according to the chairman of the Octopus Youth Organization.

Through this meeting, we saw more intimacy and openness, more unity. I think that will make the movement stronger, he told The Irrawaddy.

A young member of a revolutionary organization said the meeting was positive, and revolutionary forces were encouraged to directly criticize the government.

It would be good to hold more such meetings, he said.

Ko Nan Lin from Anti-junta Alliance Yangon, who attended the meeting, said he hoped such open discussion with the NUG would make the opposition to the junta more harmonious, coordinated and cooperative.

Anti-coup protests erupted around the country after the military seized power on Feb. 1, 2021, ignoring the desire of the people, who turned out strongly to elect the National League for Democracy in the November 2020 poll despite peak pandemic conditions.

The NUG acting president said that the protests were the first step in the Spring Revolution, as important as the diplomatic struggle, prison strikes and armed resistance, according to the Octopus Youth Organization chairman.

Young protesters and members of revolutionary forces continue to be arrested by the regime around the country. Regime forces have raided safe houses and violently arrested pro-democracy activists. Therefore, the number of protests against the military dictatorship in large cities such as Yangon and Mandalay has decreased, but bold young protesters have managed to carry out occasional flash mob protests and use other creative methods to voice opposition to the regime.
Burma Myanmar Junta Bombs Chin Resistance HQ Twice in Week

Damaged buildings at the Chin National Front headquarters in Chin State after two consecutive days of junta airstrikes. / CJ

Myanmar junta fighters have attacked the headquarters of the Chin National Front (CNF), the political wing of the Chin National Army (CNA), for the second time in a week, destroying a clinic.

Three fighters bombed the Mt Victoria headquarters on Wednesday after an attack on Tuesday, killing five CNF members and injuring many others.

There were three fighters but only two dropped bombs. The clinic provides healthcare to villagers, said a CNF member.

The civilian National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement denouncing junta airstrikes.

We convey our condolences to all those who have lost their lives from the ethnic communities by these inhumane atrocities and pledge that we will do our utmost to find justice for all those lives lost by judicial means, be it national or international, the statement said.

CNF spokesman Salai Htet Ni said that though the junta recently announced a one-year extension to its ceasefire, it targets the CNF because it refuses to hold talks.

It is getting more dangerous for Chin communities. They cant send in ground troops so they rely on air attacks. We try our best to defend ourselves against the airstrikes, he said.

Ko Zay Thu Aung, a former airforce captain who had joined the civil disobedience movement, said the junta is targeting ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) which refuse to attend regime peace talks.

During the ceasefire they announced, they are in dialogue with a few EAOs who are allies. Meanwhile, the other EAOs are still revolting against the dictatorship.

The junta delivers warnings by airstrikes to pressure those EAOs, he said

The junta has repeatedly bombed Karen and Kachin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions.

The NUG has strongly condemned junta airstrikes, saying at least 460 civilians, including many children, have been killed.
Burma Myanmars Junta Adds New Charge Against Kachin Christian Leader

Kachin Baptist leader Dr. Hkalam Samson / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars military regime has filed a fresh charge against Dr. Hkalam Samson, the former president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), indicting him for incitement to go with a previous charge of unlawful association, according to a family member.

The Baptist leader was remanded in custody at a closed court inside a prison in Kachin States Myitkyina on Wednesday. His trial is scheduled to begin on Friday.

It appears that his case will be heard at the court inside the prison. We havent yet been allowed to see him. We could only see him from a distance [on Wednesday], said a relative.

The former KBC president left Myitkyina for Mandalay on December 5 to catch an onward flight to Bangkok. He was detained at Mandalay airport and put on a flight back to Myitkyina, where he was arrested. Family members have not been allowed to see him since his arrest.

According to initial reports, he has been charged with defaming the military in his sermons. But details are still unknown.

Dr. Hkalam Samson is also President of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly, a group of Kachin State religious and political leaders who help foster communication between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the local community. The KIOs armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army, has been actively fighting the regime since last years coup, while also training and arming Peoples Defense Forces battling the junta.

If convicted, the doctor faces up to three years in prison under the Unlawful Association Act plus up to two years in prison under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code on incitement.

Family members are concerned about his health, as the Kachin faith leader is on medication for high blood pressure and bronchitis.

We hope justice will win in this case. We want him to be freed as soon as possible. He is old and it is upsetting to see him in prison, said one family member.

Civil society organizations in Kachin State issued a joint statement on December 27 calling for the immediate release of the doctor on humanitarian grounds and for the sake of peace.

In 2019, the Myanmar militarys Northern Command attempted to take legal action against Dr. Hkalam Samson for telling then United States president Donald Trump about the militarys oppression of ethnic minorities in Myanmar. The case was dropped on the orders of military chief and current junta boss Min Aung Hlaing.
Burma Thailand Asked to Probe Myanmar Junta Bosss Links to Criminal Underworld

Top row from left: Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, his son Aung Pyae Sone, and daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon. Below: Arms broker for the junta Tun Min Latt, who has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational organized crime.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) have called on the Thai government to probe junta chief Min Aung Hlaings ties with a Myanmar crony arms broker who was arrested in September in Bangkok.

Tun Min Latt, 53, an arms broker for Myanmars junta, was arrested along with three Thais in dawn raids in Bangkok on Sept. 17 and indicted on Dec. 13 on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational organized crime.

The Thai authorities should conduct an investigation into the ties of Min Aung Hlaing and his family with the underworld, and make its findings public. If it is found that they have broken Thai laws, they should be charged in a Thai court, APHR chairman Charles Santiago said in a statement on Wednesday.

Myanmar generals have been engaging in illicit businesses for decades. Senior officers like Min Aung Hlaing not only plunder Myanmars natural resources paying close to no taxes, but are also involved in the narcotics trade, or at the very least turn a blind eye to it and are paid for doing so, he added.

Over 200 million baht (US$5.4 million) worth of drugs and other items were confiscated from Tun Min Latt and his accomplices, the Thai police said.

Based on the seizure records, Justice for Myanmar (JFM), a covert activist group tracking the juntas businesses, said items confiscated from the arms brokers Bangkok home included the title document for a Bangkok four-bedroom condo worth nearly US$1 million belonging to Min Aung Hlaings son Aung Pyae Sone.

Other items seized included two Siam Commercial Bank passbooks belonging to Khin Thiri Thet Mon, Min Aung Hlaings daughter.

Tun Min Latt runs the Star Sapphire Group of companies, which brokered imports of Israeli reconnaissance drones and aircraft parts for the Myanmar Air Force, according to sources.

Star Sapphire Group is partnered with two military-owned business conglomerates  Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC)  in numerous ventures, sources said.

Thai authorities have however not yet confiscated the assets of Min Aung Hlaings children in Bangkok despite their links to Tun Min Latt.
The pleasant weather the island is experiencing is cause for celebration and our participating #tasteofkeybiscayne restaurants are joining in this Thursday, January 12, serving some of the most creative - and delicious - meals on the island.

Costa Med Bistro

Everything tastes better with Truffle fries, including our unique Petit Filet Mignon. Try it today!.

Join us for lunch or dinner!

Costa Med, a TripAdvisor Traverlers Choice nominated restaurant, is located in the Square Shopping Center. 260 Crandon Blvd. Reservations recommended.

Call Antonio or Harold at (305) 361-7575

Hours.

Lunch Mon to Sat: Noon a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dinner Mon to Sat: 6 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. / Sun 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Order online for take out here!

Randazzo by Yesenia

Open for Indoor & Outdoor dining, Takeout or delivery. Reservations recommended

Have you made your Valentines Day dinner reservations? Randazzo will be open on that special Tuesday

And make thee reservation in person today and enjoy $5 Wine & Beer specials and HALF OFF Appetizers

Please call (305) 456-0480 to place an order or make a reservation

Open Monday, Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Closed Tuesdays

328 Crandon Blvd Ste 112, Galleria Shopping Center

Delivery service with Postmates or UberEats

Gran Inka

Open for Outdoor Dining, Takeout or Delivery.

El Gran Inka brings to every dish authentic Peruvian gastronomy featuring a unique creation and a touch of gourmet.

It is almost Friday join us for a special Friday Eve Happy Hour celebration - all drink 2 for 1 and special $7 appetizers

Offering Delivery or Take out directly from El Gran Inka. Order directly from us by calling (305) 365-7883

Open 7-days Noon to 10 p.m.

606 Crandon Blvd. Suite 4 / Key Biscayne (across from Winn Dixie)

UberEats Available

D'Lite Bistro & Bakery

Who says eating healthy means sacrificing taste and flavor? Not at DLite!

We are a unique and healthy restaurant that serves salads, wraps, sandwiches, bowls, protein smoothies and cold press juices made fresh every morning  including gluten-free, vegetarian and keto options.

This Thursday, join us for a delicious Tropical Bowl with salmon and avocado!

We open at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Sat and Sun when we close at 6 p.m.

DLite is located in the Arcade Mall, 180 Crandon Blvd. To place an order, call (305) 882-9284 or visit us online by clicking here.

The Golden Hog

Eat Local. Help local. Shop Safely. Email us your grocery list at orders@thegoldenhogmarket.com

Do you Poke? Love tuna? Salmon? Our delicious Poke Bowl station is now open Wednesday through Thursdays. Located in our juice bar area and made fresh to order. ENJOY!

Todays menu:

Soups & Creams Chicken Chupe / White Beans / Tomato Basil

Main Course: Beef Tenderloin / Chicken Palmito / Merluza Fillet / Seafood Pasta

Side Dishes: Yellow Rice / Green Beans / Sweet Potato Fries

The Golden-Hog has a complete line of specialty groceries for delivery.

Call (305) 361-1300 to place a delivery or order online here

Boaters Grill & Lighthouse Cafe / Bill Baggs

The restaurants inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park  the popular Boaters Grill, located at No Name Harbor and accessible by boat, and the beachside Lighthouse Cafe are ready to serve.

Outdoor dining is our specialty and nobody serves fresher seafood on the island!

Celebrate Pre-Friday while enjoying a Cuban feast!

Boaters Grill is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lighthouse Cafe is open 7-days a week, from 9 a.m. to Sunset

The restaurants are located inside Bill Baggs State Park, at 1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne.

Call (305) 361-0080 to place your order.

Sake Room

Open for Indoor & covered Outdoor Dining, Takeout & Delivery

Have you tried the Sake Room for lunch? Select from a varied and special menu with entries starting at $10.99

Today try our delicious Hamachi truffle tartare

Or enjoy Sake quality at home!

Enjoy a FREE FRIDAY Crunchy Crab Salad on us*!!!

New hours! Noon to 10 p.m.

Call (305) 456-0488 to place a takeout or delivery order directly

Following all CDC safety protocols

328 Crandon Blvd Ste 108, Galleria Shopping Center

Grub hub  UberEats also available. Please if you can call us first

*Offer good on any $50+ order

Kazumi

Open for indoor & ample and comfortable Outdoor Dining, Takeout & Delivery

Enjoy one of our special rolls this Thursday, or perhaps our own take on Crab Salad

Our modern Japanese fusion restaurant offers creative treatments & creativity in our dishes for takeout and delivery by our own employees. Available for lunch and dinner.

Open Monday through Saturday Noon to 10 p.m. Closed Sunday

Only accepting credit card payments.

To place an order call (305) 361-2675 or order online here.

Brasas KB

Thursday special.... Our delicious half pound hamburger, with one side and a soda, only $10.99 - loaded it up with a fried egg, bacon, cheese and pickles to make it a "completa" for only $4 more! Can't beat the quality! Unmatched value!

Have you tried our Peruvian Chicken Rotisserie for lunch or dinner that include 2 sides and sauce of your choice: huancaina, aji amarillo, huacatay and olivas negras peruanas.

Open for Indoor & Outdoor Dining, Takeout & Free Delivery

Call (786) 615-2399 to place a takeout order. Open Noon to 8 p.m.

328 Crandon Blvd, Galleria Shopping Center

Miss Mui Chinese Bistro

Newest #tasteofkeybiscayne dining experience, serving authentic Chinese and Cantonese food.

Miss Mui is a family owned and operated restaurant, serving Cantonese cuisine staples like special fried rice, BBQ Spare Ribs, but also lumpias, a Venezuelan-style spring roll and more.

This Monday try any of our authentic Cantonese dishes on this Thursday, like our delicious ribs and egg rolls

Miss Mui is located in the Square Shopping Center at 260 Crandon Blvd. Suite 14, on Key Biscayne. To place an order, please call 305)-381-0694. Follow them on Instagram. Click here.

La Scala

Ready for dinner? So much pasta, so little Thursday

A La Scala Italian meal makes any night that much more special. Join us for dine-in, open for indoor dining, and weve added to our outdoor seating, reservations recommended.

Come in even if just to say hello to Chandra, and the la Scala team!

To place a takeout - offering curbside service - order call (786) 773-3633 or visit us online by clicking here.

Open 5 to 10 p.m.

Located at 180 Crandon Blvd in the Arcade Shopping Center.

Check back tomorrow for more specials as we add more restaurants to #tasteofkeybiscayne-To-Go

And please remember to order from the restaurant directly before using one of the apps  this way we support the local restaurants by saving them the commission they are charged, which at times is as much as 30%
COMPANY NEWS: Catchpoints Internet Performance Monitoring Platform helps IT teams identify and mitigate BGP incidents, including hijack attempts and routing issues, with the industrys broadest network of vantage points in the world drawing on real-time BGP monitoring.

Catchpoint, The Internet Resilience Company, releases major enhancements to its industry-leading Network Experience solution. These enhancements include network reachability, engineering & traffic routing improvements, as well as comprehensive monitoring for SASE, VPN, and the entire Internet stack. This makes it even easier for IT professionals to catch issues before they impact the business.

The latest release includes a wide range of enhancements to Catchpoints Network Experience solution, including:

The worlds largest observability network with over two thousand vantage points around the world. This includes the worlds most extensive global BGP coverage with over a thousand vantage points around the globe from more than 400 ASNs and support for both IPv6 and IPv4 real-time global data: 143 Catchpoint peers 388 University of Oregon Route Views Project peers 744 RIPE NCC RIS peers

with over two thousand vantage points around the world. This includes with over a thousand vantage points around the globe from more than 400 ASNs and support for both IPv6 and IPv4 real-time global data: An improved BGP Smartboard to identify incidents and root cause faster and with fewer clicks for improved MTTR. The new Smartboard lets IT teams investigate BGP peer event data across selected timeframes, view announcements and withdrawals, and then drill down to the details of each event. The result is faster and more effective troubleshooting.

to identify incidents and root cause faster and with fewer clicks for improved MTTR. The new Smartboard lets IT teams investigate BGP peer event data across selected timeframes, view announcements and withdrawals, and then drill down to the details of each event. The result is faster and more effective troubleshooting. An enhanced BGP Dashboard & Score Metrics to see the health of the networks you rely upon at a glance. Information presented includes visibility for reachability, hijacks, peer visibility, mass withdrawals, RPKI status, and BGP data by region.

to see the health of the networks you rely upon at a glance. Information presented includes visibility for reachability, hijacks, peer visibility, mass withdrawals, RPKI status, and BGP data by region. Route Hijack Detection via the updated control center library, which stores a list of customer ASNs. The BGP Overview Dashboard flags any prefix announced from unexpected ASNs, so IT is immediately alerted to potential hijacks.

via the updated control center library, which stores a list of customer ASNs. The BGP Overview Dashboard flags any prefix announced from unexpected ASNs, so IT is immediately alerted to potential hijacks. Network Mesh/Node-to-Node General Availability testing to continuously monitor the availability & performance of the network, including jitter, latency and packet loss. This ensures an always-on, high-quality network experience.

to continuously monitor the availability & performance of the network, including jitter, latency and packet loss. This ensures an always-on, high-quality network experience. Traceroute enhancements , including Path MTU and TCP MSS, features for more effective network path visualization and troubleshooting.

, including Path MTU and TCP MSS, features for more effective network path visualization and troubleshooting. A DNSSEC Custom Monitor that authenticates the resolution of IP addresses with a cryptographic signature and ensures that answers provided by the DNS server are valid and authentic.

To learn more about these updated features, please join us on January 18, 2023, for our upcoming webinar, Catchpoint Launches New Capabilities to Power Internet Performance Monitoring.

View and Pinpoint All BGP Issues from One Dashboard

All these capabilities are available via the Catchpoint Platform. The market leader in Internet Performance Monitoring (IPM), Catchpoint provides deep visibility into every aspect of the Internet stack that impacts your business. Only Catchpoint offers the breadth and depth of IPM solutions to help make IT, Network Operations, and SREs jobs easier and ensure Internet Resilience with fewer resources.

With this release, Catchpoint helps our customers uncover BGP issues with more confidence and in less time. We now deliver more detailed real-time information from three distinct BGP peer sources that we are able to collect from over 1000 BGP peers worldwide. By comparison, our nearest competitor monitors less than 100 peers and provides data that is at least 15 minutes old. That 15-minute delay is a lifetime when youre dealing with an issue like a BGP hijack, and you dont know where your data is going! said Catchpoints EVP of Product, Matt Izzo.

Catchpoints customers agree. We were never able to monitor reachability in this detail before using the Catchpoint solution. Now we can figure out whether an issue is related to a BGP announcement, routing, or something else instead of blindly trusting our partners that everything is working as it should, said Andreas Lunz, Chief Technology Officer, Team Internet.

The top websites in the world rely on Catchpoint as their main platform to monitor, detect, and mitigate BGP incidents, as well as any other incidents in their Internet stack, said Dritan Suljoti, CTO and co-founder of Catchpoint. Today, all businesses rely on the Internet to survive, and there is really no other platform that comes close to what we have developed over fourteen years of dedication to Internet Performance Monitoring.

Learn More

About Catchpoint

Catchpoint is the Internet Resilience Company. The top online retailers, Global2000, CDNs, cloud service providers, and xSPs in the world rely on Catchpoint to increase their resilience by catching any issues in the Internet stack before they impact their business. The Catchpoint platform offers synthetics, RUM, performance optimization, high-fidelity data and flexible visualizations with advanced analytics. It leverages thousands of global vantage points (including inside wireless networks, BGP, backbone, last mile, endpoint, enterprise, ISPs and more) to provide unparalleled observability into anything that impacts your customers, workforce, networks, website performance, applications, and APIs. Learn more at www.catchpoint.com.
Today

Partly cloudy early. Mostly sunny skies with gusty winds developing later in the day. High 79F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 53F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tomorrow

Sunny skies. High 81F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
The annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala held its third rehearsal on Monday, with performers perfecting their routines including singing, dancing, acrobatics, comedy sketches and adapted true stories from the daily lives of ordinary people. Besides professional performers and artists, ordinary people from all walks of life are taking part in the performances to create a true "gala for the people". On Dec 29, the first bespoke song written for the gala, Hello Strangers, was released online and has been viewed over 60 million times. The video shows the simple and touching moments of people receiving help from strangers. In one example, a passerby encourages a man who is crying by the roadside by assuring him things will get better. In another, a vendor offers an umbrella to a woman on a rainy day, and she returns it several days later and insists on offering him some fruit in gratitude. A stage performance adapted from the video was rehearsed for the first time on Monday, gathering many people from the video. The Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan 22 this year, is regarded as the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. And the gala, to be performed on the eve of the Lunar New Year, aims to demonstrate and spread the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Featured in this year's gala performance will be representations of ancient mythical beasts designed on the basis of recordings in ancient classics such as Shiji, known as Records of the Grand Historian in English, the foundation text of Chinese history dating back to the first century BC; and Baopuzi, known as The Book of The Master Who Embraces Simplicity in English, a book by Ge Hong, a Taoist scholar and medicine expert from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). With the help of visual technology, the beasts, including baize, an auspicious mythical beast symbolizing good fortune; qilin, or kylin, a mythical beast embodying good luck and prosperity; and pixiu, a lion-shaped beast that can turn calamities into blessings, perform with children, bringing a vitality that comes from the combination of the ancient and the new. In the coming weeks, several other rehearsals will be held before the live telecast by China Central Television on the evening of Jan 21. Jan 22 marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit, the fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac. Yu Lei, general director of the gala, talked about this year's mascot Tuyuanyuan (chubby rabbit) at an event held in Beijing on Jan 5. According to her, the mascot is lively with bright eyes. Its four front teeth are designed based on a restored image of Mimotona wana, a rabbit-like animal fossil dating back 62 million years found in Anhui province in 1977. "Tuyuanyuan, for the first time, comes from a survey on netizens' preferences accomplished with the support of big data technology. It contains the connotations and beauty of the rabbit in traditional Chinese culture, and shows the academic progress of Chinese scientists," said Yu. A martial arts performance involving nearly 100 students from a martial arts school in Dengfeng, Henan province, where the Shaolin Temple is located, also took part in the third rehearsal. Chinese celebrities such as Yang Zi, Wu Lei, Ma Li and Sha Yi also took part in the third rehearsal.
Canada has issued a travel ban on former Sri Lankan presidents -- and brothers -- Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa for human rights abuses committed during the island nation's civil war.

Mahinda Rajapaksa was in office when a no-holds-barred military campaign wiped out the Tamil Tigers separatist movement in 2009, while Gotabaya helmed the defence ministry.

International observers estimate that up to 40,000 civilians from the ethnic Tamil minority were killed during the war's final months in an indiscriminate bombing and clearance campaign.

Top Sri Lankan military commanders have since been sanctioned and handed travel bans by Western nations, but Canada's decision is the first targeting the two members of the powerful political clan.

"Canada has taken decisive action today to end international impunity against violators of international law," foreign minister Melanie Joly said in a Tuesday statement.

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said it had summoned Canada's acting envoy on Wednesday "to express our strongest displeasure".

Both brothers resisted international pressure to investigate war crimes committed during the traumatic, decades-long civil war during their time in office.

Gotabaya became president in 2019 but resigned last year at the peak of an unprecedented economic crisis that saw protesters storm his official residence.

He fled the country but has since returned and is living in a government compound with official police and military protection.

Two other Sri Lankan military officers were also sanctioned on Tuesday, prohibiting Canadian nationals from engaging in commerce with them and barring them from entering Canada.

Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake was facing a death sentence for slashing the throats of eight Tamil civilians, including children, but Gotabaya gave him a pardon soon after coming to power.

Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi is among several accused of murdering 11 young men between 2008 and 2009 as part of an extortion racket directed at the victims' families.
A former Liberian warlord will appeal a 20-year prison sentence for war crimes in a Swiss court Wednesday, as prosecutors broaden the indictment to include crimes against humanity.

Alieu Kosiah was found guilty in June 2021 of multiple atrocities committed during the first of Liberia's back-to-back civil wars, in which about 250,000 people died between 1989 and 2003.

Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court found him "guilty of violating the laws of war".

The verdict marked the first time a Liberian was convicted -- either in the west African country or anywhere else -- of war crimes committed during the conflict.

The appeal, which opens Wednesday and is expected to last until early February, will also make history: it marks the first time that the most serious charge of crimes against humanity will be tried in Switzerland.

Like war crimes, crimes against humanity refers to atrocities, including murder, torture and rape, but instead of isolated or sporadic events, it is for incidents carried out in a widespread or systematic way.

- 'Widespread atrocities' -

The additional charge is "important for the victims", Raphael Jakob, a lawyer representing one of seven plaintiffs, who have all travelled to Bellinzona in southern Switzerland for the hearings.

It shows, he said, "that these are not isolated acts... but are examples of widespread atrocities committed against the civilian population."

In the lower court, Kosiah was found guilty of a slew of war crimes committed while commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) armed group.

He ordered or participated in the murder and killing of 17 civilians and two unarmed soldiers, as well as rape, and deploying a child soldier, the court ruled.

He had also ordered lootings and had repeatedly ordered, or himself inflicted cruel and humiliating treatment of civilians, and mishandled corpses, according to that verdict.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison -- the maximum sentence possible in Switzerland at the time the crimes were committed.

Kosiah, who settled in Switzerland in 1998 and was arrested in the country in 2014, appealed the verdict, maintaining his innocence and requesting an acquittal.

But the fresh trial has provided an opportunity for the plaintiffs to push for the prosecutor to add crimes against humanity to the charges.

- 'Justice' -

"They feel quite confident," human rights lawyer Alain Werner, who represents four of the seven plaintiffs in the case, told AFP.

"They want justice."

The revised charge sheet emphasises that most of the crimes Kosiah is accused of happened within the context of a "generalised and systematic attack" on civilians by ULIMO, justifying the crimes against humanity charge.

A Paris court in November found another former Liberian rebel commander, Kunti Kamara, guilty of crimes against humanity.

But Kosiah's trial marks the first time such a charge is brought in Switzerland.

"For Switzerland, it is very important," Werner said.

Jakob said the appeals trial also provided a significant opportunity for Liberians to follow the proceedings.

The first trial was held amid Covid-19 restrictions, leaving little opportunity for plaintiffs and other Liberians to attend.

"This appeals trial might yield further publicity in Liberia, and support the movement in Liberia that is gearing towards allowing and enabling this kind of prosecution to take place in Liberia itself, rather than abroad," he said.

So far, only a handful of people have been convicted in Liberia itself for their part in the brutal wars and efforts to establish a war crimes court in the country have stalled.

On Tuesday, suspected warlord Gibril Massaquoi appeared in a Finnish appeals court accused of atrocities in Liberia's civil war following his acquittal last year by a lower court.

Former Liberian warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor was convicted in 2012 by the International Criminal Court in The Hague of war crimes and crimes against humanity but that was over atrocities committed in neighbouring Sierra Leone, not in his own country.
A German woman went on trial Wednesday accused of aiding and abetting war crimes and genocide with the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria by "enslaving" a Yazidi woman.

The 37-year-old defendant, identified only as Nadine K., is also facing charges of crimes against humanity and membership of a foreign terrorist organisation before a court in the southwestern city of Koblenz.

Federal prosecutors say Nadine K. travelled with her husband in December 2014 from Germany to the IS-controlled part of Syria where they joined the jihadist group.

Months later the couple and their daughter settled in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the former "capital" proclaimed by IS, where they allegedly hoarded weapons and established a hostel providing room and board for "single female members" of IS.

"From early 2016, Nadine K. and her husband kept a Yazidi woman as a slave," prosecutors said when she was charged in September. "The man raped and beat the woman regularly, which Nadine K. knew."

They said Nadine K. kept watch to prevent the woman, who was 22 at the time, from fleeing and forced her to do housework and care for children while observing Islamic rituals.

"All of this served the declared purpose of IS, to wipe out the Yazidi faith," prosecutors said.

Nadine K. and her family are believed to have moved to Syria in autumn 2016 with their "slave" and lived in IS-controlled territory until March 2019, when they were believed to have been arrested by Kurdish fighters and the Yazidi woman released.

The defendant was arrested last March upon her return to Germany in one of several repatriation operations.

A German court in November 2021 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 Kurdish-speaking Yazidis 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.

Last May, a German woman who joined IS in Syria as a teenager was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence but cleared by a court in Naumburg, central Germany, of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity.
In a country where justice advances at a snails pace, it has been a positive surprise, says Gonzalo Botero Maya, a cattle rancher from the Mompox Depression in Colombias Caribbean who, three decades ago, was kidnapped by the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels and only released after his family paid a hefty ransom.

Those laudatory words come from an unlikely ally of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the judicial arm of the countrys transitional justice system. In late 2016, when the government of then president Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC signed the deal that led to the disarmament of the oldest rebel group in the Americas and to the establishment of that special tribunal, Botero voted 'no' in the plebiscite which gave Colombians the chance to have a say on the peace negotiation. In his opinion, Santos' eagerness to close a deal and his personal ego led to an accord that was too benevolent with his victimizers and saddled the Colombian state with the responsibility of paying for redress of FARCs victims.

The narrow triumph of the 'no' vote, by 53,000 votes, underscored a sharp division among Colombians. The subsequent renegotiation, in which the Santos administration and the FARC incorporated many of the changes proposed by opposition leaders, who considered them cosmetic, meant that the agreement came to life, albeit with a legitimacy deficit. Six years later, after the end of Ivan Duques right-wing government which brought together the 'no' coalition, and the arrival of the first leftist president in the country's history with a promise of deepening peace even further, Botero continues to vindicate his negative vote.

Serious, consecrated and tenacious work

But he also steadfastly defends the JEP, which is about to convict seven former FARC leaders for their criminal policy of kidnapping thousands of people - like him - to collect ransoms, press for hostage exchanges with the government or keep territories under their control, which the tribunal deemed war crimes and crimes against humanity. I have to recognize the serious, consecrated and tenacious work that justice Julieta Lemaitre [judge rapporteur of the JEP Case 01] and her team have carried out. I have felt this personally as a victim and I thanked her publicly, he said in an interview with Justice Info.

His case is not an exception. Like him there are other victims who, while still critical of the peace agreement that led to the disarmament of 13,000 guerrillas and the transformation of the FARC into a political party, have given transitional justice credit. They are among the more than 3,000 victims who have been accredited as parties in the macro-case on that guerrillas kidnapping policy. Some were even present at the public hearing last June in which the now defunct groups leadership acknowledged, for the first time without euphemisms, both their cruelty in having kidnapped some 21.396 Colombians over two decades and the suffering endured by the hostages relatives.

Domingo Navarro, kidnapped for 22 days

Domingo Navarro was a 24-year-old when he ran for mayor of Cimitarra, the sweltering cattle and cocoa-growing town in Santander's Magdalena Medio where he was born and to which he had returned upon graduating as a journalist in Bogota. He set up a radio station to, in his words, "do the independent journalism that was so badly needed", but soon after he decided to put his name forward to run a municipality as isolated as it is extensive, larger than Luxembourg, as part of the political group led by former minister Horacio Serpa.

It was a turbulent time in a town that had endured several bloody massacres committed by extreme right-wing paramilitaries and left-wing guerrillas, but where the locals were also innovating strategies of non-violent resistance. One of its peasant organizations, the Carare Farmworkers Association, won Sweden's Rights Livelihood or 'Alternative Nobel' prize.

On July 1, 1997, Navarro was exhausted. As a campaign strategy, hed been organizing health brigades to visit the most far-flung rural corners of Cimitarra and talk to potential voters. He was about to return home after a four-hour walk through the hamlet of La Muneca, 50 kilometres from town, when a peasant stopped them and said he had a severe toothache. The dentist accompanying Domingo couldnt find the source of his ailment, but the man insisted. Soon after, eight armed rebels from FARCs 46th front arrived and led them to the mountains of Puerto Parra. Navarro was kidnapped for 22 days.

They did not demand money from his family. According to him, the only answer the local commander gave to his questions - why had they kidnapped him, how long would they keep him, what did they want to talk to him about - was we don't know. Although he continues to thank God for his sudden release without explanations, that freedom came at a cost. He lost the elections and to this day attributes his defeat to the kidnapping and the double suspicion it brought upon him. On the one hand, people said my release meant I had an agreement with FARC, he says. On the other, rumours circulated that hed been snatched because he was an accomplice of the paramilitaries, an accusation that especially hurt him since they murdered his brother and dumped his body into the Carare River.

A very useful process, but still incomplete

Its been 25 years since my kidnapping and only today was I able to talk about it. I haven't even discussed it with my family, he told his former captors last June, during the JEPs hearing, before making a specific request: that they clear his name. Right off the bat Id like to acknowledge that your kidnapping was a crime against humanity ordered by me, replied Pastor Alape, the former guerrilla peace negotiator who at the time led the Magdalena Medio Bloc operating in the area. I want to tell the country and Cimitarra that at no time did the FARC deem him a paramilitary nor was he a friend of ours.

That answer gave Navarro some peace of mind and he believes this progress was achieved thanks to the JEPs work, even though he maintains his critiques of the tribunal. In terms of becoming familiar with details that I didn't know, I think it was positive, he says, although he thinks FARC's acknowledgment in his case was watered down on the advice of their defence lawyers. For it to become more than a "half-truth," he says, specific information is still missing to understand if someone linked to his election rival was involved in his kidnapping. According to him, a member of that campaign was the son of a FARC leader and was later convicted. One would like to know even the smallest detail: why they attacked me, who helped them, who fed them the information. To this day, I don't understand why, he says.

Navarro, who managed to become mayor a few years later, says he is not opposed to the JEPs sanctions - 5 to 8 years in a non-prison setting for the most serious crimes - being more lenient than in the ordinary criminal justice system. At the public hearing he praised the former FARC leaderships decision to lay down their arms. But he asked the JEPs justices that, in addition to opening more spaces for victims to address their perpetrators, they remain steadfast in demanding that indictees fulfil the three tasks underlying the special sanctions: that in addition to owning up to their role, they provide full truth and reparations to their victims.

In Navarro's words, we don't want them to go to jail or die, but to tell the damn truth. That is why, he says, this has been a very useful process, but its still incomplete.

Gonzalo Botero's catharsis

On Sunday, August 4, 1991, Gonzalo Botero arrived at his family's farm in San Fernando, on the banks of the Magdalena River, to give it a tour and look at their cows. He was unaware that fifteen rebels from FARC's 37th front had been there for a week, waiting for his twin brother to kidnap him. When they saw him and realized that he was the mayor of Magangue, they did not think twice and took him away. They made it clear to him, he remembers, that it was a purely economic kidnapping and not political, despite the fact that he was the main public authority of the second town in the department of Bolivar.

Botero was held hostage for 58 days in the nearby San Lucas mountain range until his family paid the ransom FARC demanded in exchange for his freedom. Not the four million dollars they initially asked for - a figure, he says, "so disproportionate that it was impossible to pay" - but one that still forced them to sell several assets and get into debt.

That payment left him with a mortification that still accompanies him and that he was able to express for the first time, face to face, during the JEP hearing last June. It torments me day and night to know that well-earned money, a result of the honest work of several generations, without harming anyone, creating jobs, has gone into the coffers of a criminal organization to expand and strengthen its absurd and irrational actions, he told the seven former FARC leaders. I often ask myself: with that money, the fruit of my freedom, how many more people did you kidnap, how many more youngsters did you recruit, how many more towns did you besiege, how many more innocent human beings did you murder, how many policemen and soldiers - heroes of the homeland - did you torture and disappear, how many land mines did you plant?"

His question did not receive an answer. But it gave Botero the opportunity to seek catharsis and ask them what he hadnt been able to in three decades. That day at the hearing and in the private meetings that preceded it, he complained about their cruelty and the scars that cannot be erased and with which one lives for the rest of one's life. Especially one that he relayed with a broken voice: despite the fact that a FARC commander told him before his release that they had no problems with him and asked him to continue working for the region, a few years later another rebel leader, 'Martin Caballero', declared the Boteros a military target and his men killed four of their employees on another family farm in Sucre.

Cattle farmer and former mayor Gonzalo Botero (right), who was kidnapped three decades ago by the FARC rebellion, still defends his vote against the peace agreement, although he pledges the work done by the Special jurisdiction for peace (JEP) in his case.  JEP.

"Better late than never"

Despite his reluctance on the peace agreement, Botero has been an active participant in the JEPs proceedings. He says hes read all the testimonies sent to him by justices, returned comments to them and that, when he asked for additional information, received it from them. There has been fluid communication, he says. That is why he did not hesitate when they proposed that he speak during the public hearing. I was grateful that the JEP took me into account and gave me the opportunity to address them [his former captors]. I felt the need to speak respectfully but frankly. And I thanked them for listening to me, he says.

Despite the absence of answers to some of his questions, for Botero that dialogue did not end at the hearing. In the six months since he has met Pastor Alape, the same man who asked Navarro for forgiveness, they met three times for a coffee. I felt in them - I have to say - repentance for their deeds. At the time of the hearing I did not forgive them, but now I feel that the time has come to do so. The most important thing is that they do not relapse and that they move forward as good elements in society," says Botero, who was also twice a local councillor in Magangue and once a congressman for Bolivar. He is now retired from politics.

Unfortunately it took 30, 40 or 50 years for them to realize that they committed atrocious crimes, but better late than never," he says. But he still sees no real willingness to materially redress their victims or, in cases where the direct perpetrators have died, to look for former comrades in arms who can answer their specific questions. So much damage was caused that it is not enough. They still have a moral obligation to redress victims with their properties, he adds.

Botero attributes an important part of the progress to the JEP team in charge of the case, which he describes as responsible and stern with FARC. Theyve handled it with commitment and with a real interest in establishing the truth and that FARCs leadership own up to their crimes," he says. Although he has suggestions on what could be improved. Above all, he believes that the biggest debt lies in the clarification of hundreds of cases where the whereabouts of the victims are unknown. The JEPs indictment estimated that at least 627 kidnapped persons were murdered and 1,860 are still missing (amounting together to 11.6% of the total).

As he says, I came out unscathed and here I am, but in the case of people whose relatives are still missing, no one has given them a reason yet. This process has been going on for six years now and they havent been able to tell them what happened or where their relatives are. We need more pressure, because time is running out.

Waiting for the rulings

Botero and Navarro also agree that, despite its limitations, the transitional justice is doing what the ordinary justice system never did. They didn't hold a single interview, they just filed it away, Navarro says. Its a stance many Colombians seem to share, as suggested by the most recent Invamer Gallup poll, which reflects a 12-percentage-point hike in the JEPs approval levels over the past year, that in which the tribunal held its first public hearings.

Many victims did not believe in the origin, but today, when they see the implementation, they recognize a legitimacy in its exercise. In other words, theres still a questionable origin for them, because they would have liked to see FARC defeated, but today they identify results they never imagined could happen. And they feel that, so many years after the kidnappings, only now are they finding a response in terms of who was responsible, says Gloria Maria Gallego, a professor at Eafit University who has written two books on kidnappings and has closely followed the work of the special tribunal. She also experienced four kidnappings in her family, including one by FARC.

For Gallego, this change in perception is underpinned by the fact that, though many victims resented any leniency towards their perpetrators, their distrust of the ordinary criminal justice runs very deep. The turning point, she feels, is that for the first time they are addressing their own responsibility. Not the traditional one of retribution and punishment, but a reparative form of it  she points out  that before the world they own up to the facts, face their victims, admit the damage and the horror, vow never to commit similar acts again and, regarding those disappeared in captivity, identify what their fate and final resting place were.

You have a great disadvantage: youre treading a path no one else has walked, in a peace process that is dissimilar to the rest in the world - the former mayor of Cimitarra told the JEP magistrates in the public hearing - Youre walking in a dark jungle without a flashlight and you have to do it on your own. Although I want to believe, I do want to wait for your rulings to say that you made history. Botero says, more succinctly, within the peace process, the JEP was something positive. It wasnt all bad.
"Single's Inferno Season 2" surprised viewers with a shocking twist and turn in the finale episode. Besides fans, the reality show's host Lee Da He burst into tears because of Shin Seul Ki.

Netflix promised a bolder and hotter second season as the beloved South Korean reality show returns.

The show initially introduced nine participants and eventually welcomes three newcomers on the island which surely stirred up the drama.

The first new participant is Kim Jin Young who was revealed to be a former soldier under the UDT or special forces of the Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Flotilla; however, he is now active on YouTube sharing his passion.

After entering the island, the women swooned over his undeniable charm especially Shi Seul Ki.

Shin Seul Ki & Kim Jin Young's Budding Romance

One of the highlights of "Single's Inferno Season 2" is Shin Seul Ki's interaction with Kim Jin Young.

After winning the challenge, the 28-year-old heartthrob chose Seul Ki to be his date to Paradise, where she learned that Seul Ki is a senior college student, taking up a piano major.

At the time, viewers witnessed their undeniable chemistry, especially during their conversation at the pool, where Jin Young expressed that he is interested in Seul Ki.

Their luxurious staycation may have ended but the duo remained close on the island, making Inferno a Paradise for them.

On the other hand, two other contestants expressed their interest with Seul Ki - Choi Jong Woo and plastic surgeon Shin Dong Woo, however, it was the young entrepreneur who caught her attention.

Shin Seul Ki Ended With Surprising Decision on 'Single's Inferno Season 2' Finale

As the participants chose a fellow contestant that they are interested in, Shin Seul Ki surprised everyone including the host with her choice.

While others thought that she might leave the island with Kim Jin Young, it was Choi Jong Woo's name she called.

It appears like he is also surprised as Jong Woo almost cried upon hearing his name, Seul Ki revealed what prompted her to choose him over Jin Young.

During the interview as seen in "Single's Inferno 2' episode 10, she based her choice on the guy she "liked" or on a guy who likes her, but for her, she usually dated the people she liked and went on a different route this time.

"But, Jong Woo's been very sincere with me from the very beginning to the end. And the feelings that he expressed to me felt very earnest," she said, acknowledging all his efforts.

With this, Shin Seul Ki said it was Choi Jong Woo "who broke the standards" she set for herself.

Interestingly, the show also featured the hosts' reaction to Lee da Hee caught in her emotional state.

She then delivered a strong remark saying that once a person gets older, he or she makes wiser choices.

"For me, it is about how when you get older, and you've lived your life to an extent, it's hard to love someone just for who they are," she said, adding, "When you're young, you just go all in. But as you get older, you can't help but consider your partner's circumstances."

However, she also pointed out Jong Woo's "unconditional love" for Seul Ki.
The year 2023 didn't come empty-handed; it's jam-packed with a number of dramas that boast a wide variety of genres.

From horror, thriller, contemporary romance, historical and even socio-economical, viewers can enjoy their time consuming these amazing works this year. Keep on reading to know more.



'A Time Called You'

This 2023, Ahn Hyo Seop returns to prime time and couples up with "Vincenzo" star Jeon Yeo Bin in the forthcoming Netflix series "A Time Called You."

It's a South Korean remake of the Taiwanese drama "Some Day Or One Day," which follows the story of a woman who yearns for her deceased lover.

The romance drama transcends time and fate that will surely appeal to the viewers. It's slated to air sometime in the first half of the year.

'Doona!'

Besides Ahn Hyo Seop and Jeon Yeo Bin, fans also look forward to seeing Bae Suzy and Yang Se Jong in the Netflix romance comedy drama "Doona."

It's a contemporary love story based on the webtoon series of the same name that depicts the romance between a regular college student and an idol who lives under the same roof.

Because of Bae Suzy's background as an idol, fans' excitement is amplified. The chemistry of the two is also a factor that viewers want to see in the new series.

"Doona!" is currently in its production process, and it's aimed to be released in the second half of 2023.

'Vigilante'

Nam Joo Hyuk joins veteran stars Yoo Ji Tae and Lee Joon Hyuk in the new Disney+ action series "Vigilante"!

The drama focuses on the story of a university student who becomes a detective to gain power in order to avenge his parents' death.

"Vigilante" is a drama based on the webtoon of the same name. Attention is focused on Nam Joo Hyuk as he takes on the challenge of his first ever action drama since debut.

'Gyeongseong Creature'

Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee couple up in the long awaited Netflix series "Gyeongseong Creature"!

It's a mystery thriller series that centers on the monsters and enigmatic creatures that endanger people's lives. Fans are in it for a treat as the drama is drizzled with a bit of romance.

However, is it possible for romance to bloom amidst an unstoppable chaos? Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee are about to answer that so stay tuned!

'Call It Love'

Lee Sung Kyung returns to the small screen with Kim Young Kwang through the Disney+ romance drama "Call It Love"!

The new Disney+ series displays how playful fate can be as a man and a woman, who are bound to be step-siblings, find love in one another.

Silly and ironic, "Call It Love" guarantees an entertaining experience with Lee Sung Kyung's comical prowess and Kim Young Kwang's ability to synchronize with his acting. Call it love this March as the new rom-com finally hits the screen!

'Queen Maker'

The new year isn't complete without a society-influenced drama. In Netflix's upcoming series "Queen Maker," established actors Kim Hee Ae Moon So Ri partner up to depict the story of two women who assist one another to achieve their goals.

In this political and riveting work, the two women will do whatever it takes to become even more powerful and become queens.

What are you most excited to see this year? Share it with us in the comments below!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Friends and family visit a memorial near the site of an accident that killed six young people in Barrie, Ont. on Saturday, September 3, 2022. Police have charged a construction company in connection to a fatal crash in Barrie, Ont., that killed six young people in September.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Kennesaw State-based mushroom farming business takes honors at innovation challenge

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 12, 2023

A business founded by researchers at Kennesaw State University to improve the process of growing specialty mushrooms won the Peoples Choice Award and finished among four finalists at the Ag Innovation Challenge sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). Chris Cornelison

MycoLogic, co-founded by assistant professor of microbiology Chris Cornelison and postdoctoral researcher Kyle Gabriel, received the most votes from an online poll among 10 agriculture-based startups to earn the award. The companies were competing for more than $165,000 in prize money at the AFBF event in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

To win the Peoples Choice Award, to have your people show upuniversity, sponsors, friends, familythats an amazing level of validation, Cornelison said. The ecosystem at KSU and in Georgia have propped us up to the point where we have this amazing opportunity to make the case for large-scale mushroom cultivation.

A company dedicated to automated mushroom production technology, MycoLogic rose from the BioInnovation Lab in KSUs College of Science and Mathematics. Specifically, MycoLogic allows farmers to grow a higher quantity and better quality of specialty mushroom in 40-foot shipping containers equipped to create conditions optimized for growth.

MycoLogic won $10,000 for advancing to the semifinals of the Ag Innovation Challenge, $5,000 for making the final and $5,000 for the Peoples Choice Award. Through the competition, Cornelison and Gabriel also participated in pitch training and mentorship with scholars from Cornell Universitys College of Business, as well as network with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Business Investment Companies.

MycoLogic had support from the Georgia Research Alliances Greater Yield Initiative, which backs university start-up companies focused on agricultural and food technology. In addition, MycoLogic benefited from financial and resource support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Centers for Innovation.

The American Farm Bureau Federation has held the Ag Innovation Challenge for nine years, championing entrepreneurs and organizations seeking to address challenges facing farmers, such as access to labor and optimizing yield. From hundreds of entries, AFBF whittled the field to 10 semifinalists, who pitched their visions to a panel of experts on Jan. 6. The competition went to a web vote on Jan. 7 before four finalists made another pitch the next day.

Cornelison said he will put the prize money won at the Ag Innovation Challenge toward marketing efforts for MycoLogic as well as final design elements for MycoLogics first product offering. He said MycoLogic has a 22-customer waitlist after delivering the first unit last fall.

Kyle Gabriel

For Kyle and me, its a new world, he said. Were fortunate to have great mentorship and funding from the GRA, GDA, and Centers for Innovation as well as the support of our University, so were ready for the rounds of fundraising and networking that come this year. Its hard not to have an advantage with all these supports aligned for us.

Cornelison also thanked MycoLogic staff Will Beeson and Luc Lalire, who joined the company in recent months. Beeson earned his Master of Science in Integrated Biology from KSU in December, and Lalire came on board after earning his Master of Professional Studies degree in Controlled Environment Agriculture from Cornell University last August.

 By Dave Shelles

Photos by Jason Getz

Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
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Patients may find themselves caught in the middle between their health insurance company and their oncologist when it comes to selecting the drugs used to treat their cancer. Why is this?

The American Cancer Society explains biologic drugs (derived from living organisms such as yeast, bacteria, or animal cells) and biosimilar drugs, which behave similarly to the original, patented (i.e., brand) drug. It is important to note that biosimilar drugs are not the same as generic drugs, which are exact chemical copies of the original, brand drug.

A brand drug that is first to market may generate a significant revenue stream for the pharmaceutical company as a return on investment for the cost of researching and developing the drug. In the case of a particular biosimilar drug, expedited clinical studies can demonstrate its safety and effectiveness for approval by the FDA. This means that as clinical studies support the use of biosimilar drugs, there is competition on price for drugs that have similar effects on the human body. As a result, the cost of treatment becomes a factor in the decision-making process for clinical care.

When health insurance companies see potential savings from a biosimilar drug, they may adjust their coverage accordingly. Some health insurance companies may change their decisions about which biosimilar drug will be covered under the plan on a quarterly basis.

But where does this leave the oncologistand the patient? What if the patient is doing well on a different drug? Does the health insurance company take into account the patients history of response to a given drug? Not necessarily. In most cases, cost drives decision-making, and savings may not be passed on to the patient. The oncologist has to balance the decision of what drug to use against the health insurance companys drug formulary. The big question remains: What if the patients response to the change in drugs negatively affects the clinical course?

In some cases, genetics is the reason why some patients respond better to certain drugs than others. We have seen this in the treatment of different types of breast cancer. We cant predict with certainty how an individual patient will react to a particular drug, so we rely on both published clinical studies and clinical experience to determine which drug or drugs have the best chance of working with the fewest possible side effects.

Oncologists should not be forced by health insurance companies to play Russian roulette with their patients over coverage decisions for cancer drugs. It is physicians who learn both the risks and benefits of drug treatments, act in the best interest of their patients, and who should make the call on such complex decisions. The decision as to which drug is best for a given patient should stay in the hands of physicians responsible for the care of their patients, not be left to the caprice of health insurance companies.

Paul Pender is an ophthalmologist and can be reached at his self-titled site, Dr. Paul Pender. He is the author of Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare: A Doctors Prescription for a Post-Pandemic America.
Can you absolutely and unequivocally answer no to all of the following questions:

Has your license to practice in any jurisdiction ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, revoked, denied, or not renewed?

Have you ever been reprimanded by a state licensing agency, or are any of these actions pending with respect to your license; are you under investigation by any licensing or regulatory agency?

Has your professional employment or membership in a professional organization ever been subject to disciplinary proceedings, denied, limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, revoked, not renewed, or voluntarily relinquished during or under threat of termination for any reason?

Has your Drug Enforcement Agency registration or other controlled substance authorization ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, revoked, denied, or not renewed, or have you voluntarily surrendered or limited your registration during or under threat of investigation or are any such actions pending?

Have you ever been sanctioned or suspended by Medicare or Medicaid?

Have you ever been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank?

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or are you under investigation with respect to such conduct?

Has a professional liability claim ever been assessed against you, or are there any professional liability cases pending against you?

Has any liability insurance carrier canceled, refused coverage, or rated up because of unusual risk, or have any procedures been excluded from your coverage?

Do you currently have, or have you ever been treated for, any medical, chemical dependency, or psychiatric conditions that might adversely affect your ability to practice medicine or surgery or perform the essential function of your position?

Have your hospital or clinic privileges ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, revoked, denied, or not renewed, or have you voluntarily surrendered or limited your privileges during or under the threat of an investigation, or are any such actions pending?

Have you voluntarily or involuntarily withdrawn or been suspended from any professional organization or society; or internship, residency, or fellowship training program?

Has there been any incident(s) in which you have involuntarily or voluntarily withdrawn your application for appointment, clinical privileges, or reappointment before a decision was made by a professional organization or society; or hospital or health care facilitys governing board?

If you can truthfully answer no to all these questions, then you are probably in the minority, according to physician advocate, advisor, and author Pamela Wible, MD. She says doctors are trained to lie to avoid punishment and to preserve their job, identity, ego, status, and money.

It seems that various organizations want carte blanche to review our curriculum vitae. They want to probe our background like were an open book. Mandatory professional disclosures haunt us throughout our careers. They appear on applications of all sorts for medical licenses, membership in professional organizations and societies, and privileges in hospitals and clinics.

Its okay and perhaps necessary in some instances for entities to have access to our professional lives, but our entire career? The open-ended nature of these questions really irks me. Have you ever ? Yes, once I farted so hard against the hardwood floor in gym class that the sound resonated throughout the gymnasium. My astonished gym teacher took it in stride as the class erupted into laughter. Why cant licensing and professional bodies cut us some slack like my gym teacher?

Sometimes I wonder whether regulatory authorities are out to get us. Many physicians face enormous challenges when seeking to renew their medical licenses or obtain a new license when they relocate. In fact, in 2021, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) reported that over 7,000 actions were taken against physicians, and approximately half (3.402) were serious enough to warrant discipline: reprimands, fines, probation, CME requirements, licenses surrendered or revoked, and other conditions that were imposed.

That number may not seem high given over 1 million licensed physicians in the U.S. What is concerning, however, is the following statement from the FSMB on their website: In an age of rapidly developing technology, state medical boards have improved recognition capabilities to know when and how to appropriately discipline physicians  Uh, oh. Better watch your back, Jack.

And then, there is a follow-up statement about the tremendous variance in statutory, funding, judicial, administrative and geographic environments from state to state. In other words, its a free-for-all when it comes to punishing doctors, with each state conducting business and meting out discipline as it sees fit. A recent study, for example, found considerable variation between states in the questions they asked about mental health on initial applications for licensure.

Probing a physicians mental health is by far the most damaging of all questions. Dr. Lorna Breen was a New York City emergency physician who died by suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her family believes her suicide was directly attributable to her fear of reporting to authorities the mental health treatment she had received and that sanctions would be levied against her license and practice. Fear of disclosure about treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders and how that might affect licensure is a pervasive impediment to seeking psychiatric treatment.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists proposes to distill all questions asked by medical licensure bodies, accrediting organizations, and medical specialty boards that are related to mental and physical health on applications to one question: Do you have a medical condition that currently impairs your ability to practice medicine?

This approach provides physicians leeway in three ways. First, it asks about current impairment and eliminates disclosing past history.

Second, the answer does not require an automatic yes simply for seeking or accepting mental health treatment. One can answer no as long as there is no incapacity to function in a competent, ethical, and professional manner, which is in line with the FSMB recommendation to state medical boards to appropriately differentiate between the illness with which a physician has been diagnosed and the impairments that may result.

Third  and this is a real slippery slope  the doctor could rationalize that mental health treatment is not the equivalent of medical treatment and answer no on that basis, but I dont recommend dancing on the head of that pin. The FSMB clearly states: [T]here is no distinction between impairment that might result from physical and mental illness that would be meaningful in the context of the provision of safe treatment to patients.

However, sometimes creative thinking is needed. Dr. Wible considers herself honest, but she admits to succumbing to 8 of 10 lies she discusses in her op-ed  not only about applications but about work habits, relationships, and self-confidence. Of course, falsification or misrepresentation of any item or response on licensing and credentialing applications is a sufficient basis for denying a license or other privileges.

But physicians dont need punishment; they need licensing officials to back off until their recovery is attained. Most unwell physicians recover, perhaps, except for some sexual predators. In reality, there is little research on the effectiveness of disciplinary penalties for preventing reoffending, regardless of the nature of the initial infraction.

My eyes start to glaze every time Im bombarded by questions on licensing and credentialing applications. I dont know about you, but when it comes to answering all those questions, I plead the fifth.

Arthur Lazarus is a psychiatrist.
Who are we losing on the medical education journey? [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

My hope for the future is to see a health care workforce that matches the diversity of the communities it serves. As we continue to push for health equity, we also continue to evaluate and reassess our student programs to provide tailored support and help them reach their full potential. I also hope that other medical institutions begin to use social determinants of learning to individualize their education methods so that more Black, Hispanic, and other students of color can achieve their dreams of becoming doctors.

Heidi Chumley is dean, Ross University School of Medicine.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, Who gets to graduate from medical school?

The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience.

With so many demands on their time, physicians today report record levels of burnout. Burnout is caused by many factors, one of which is clinical documentation. Studies indicate physicians spend two hours documenting care for every hour spent with patients.

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The search for the BT Young Scientist and Technologist(s) 2023 continues in earnest at the second day of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), with judging scheduled throughout the day.

Yesterday, more than 1,100 students from 212 schools across Ireland set up their projects and made their first pitches to the more than 80 judges, who are tasked with choosing this years winner(s).

The Primary Science Fair, which has been an exciting part of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for over 15 years, also opened today. It gives primary school students who have an interest in science and technology the opportunity to be an integral part of one of the worlds leading and long-running school science exhibitions.

This year students from more than 30 primary schools are presenting projects across a variety of topics, including environmental awareness and care, and living things. The Primary Science fair continues for a second day tomorrow.

The doors of the RDS will also be open to the public today for the first time since 2020. Theyll have the opportunity to witness the innovation and creativity on display by the students through their projects, many of which tackle everyday issues we face in our lives. Theres high demand to attend this years exhibition, with tickets now sold out until 1pm today, while there are limited tickets available for tomorrow.

Speaking on day two of the event Mari Cahalane, Head of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition said: Its fantastic to see members of the public back in the RDS this year, after two years of a virtual exhibition. It is a brilliant opportunity for the students to bring their ideas and innovation not only to the judges, but to the wider population. We have a stellar line-up of events for day two of the exhibition, including spectacular shows from our special acts, which are sure to entertain and inspire in equal measure!

This and so much more is available today at the BTYSTE 2023! Full schedule of events and instructions on how to access are available here.

Tickets for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS are available here.
An international search for records to recreate those lost in the burning of the Customs House, in 1921, has turned up a rare gem - in County Kilkenny!

The 1831 census was the third statutory census organised in Ireland. It was also the most accurate of the four pre-Famine censuses. It is ironic, therefore, that the 1831 census is the only pre-Famine census which was destroyed completely in the Public Record Office fire in 1922.

During the course of the Beyond 2022 project it was discovered that an 1831 census item existed, in private custody, in Inistioge.

An examination of the item quickly revealed its significance. Although the item is not an original 1831 census return, it was transcribed from the original census returns in 1831, before the census returns were submitted to the Census Office in Dublin, and is perhaps the only original 1831 census notebook in existence. The census will prove of interest to the genealogist, the family historian, and the social and economic historian.

Now, a talk in the city will introduce the census, explain its significance, its contents, and consider what it tells us about Inistioge in the early 1830s.

The 1831 census and the Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, a lecture by Dr. Brian Gurrin, will take place at Rothe House, Kilkenny, on Wednesday 18th January, at 8pm. Admission 8 Members  10 Non Members

Dr Brian Gurrin is the census specialist on the Beyond 2022 project, which launched the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland in June 2022. He has written extensively on census taking in Ireland, and is particularly interested in the demographics of Irelands regions in the pre-Famine period. His joint authored (with Kerby Miller and Liam Kennedy) volume, The Irish religious censuses of the 1760s, was published by the Irish Manuscripts Commission in 2022. His joint authored (with Liam Kennedy, Donald MacRaild and Lewis Darwen) volume, The Death Census of Black 47: eyewitness accounts of Irelands Great Famine, will be published this month. He remains hopeful that more censuses like the 1831 census of Inistioge might yet be rediscovered.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Sunny with gusty winds. High near 85F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Clear. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
NBC News president Noah Oppenheim exits, replaced by new head of editorial and two others
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance



By Lee Min-hyung



Korea will extend the trading hours of its foreign exchange market to 2 a.m. from the current 3 p.m. as early as the second half of 2024, in a bid to attract more foreign capital and reduce market volatility, Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said during a press conference, Thursday.



"We will increase publicity on the issue until then, and do our best to help overseas financial institutions join the market," he said.



According to the decision, Seoul's foreign exchange market will open at 9 a.m. and close at 2 a.m. the following day.



The market has long been considered inaccessible to attract foreign financial firms, so calls have grown that it should be more open and competitive, according to Choo.



"We are aware that our financial policies should be more advanced in line with the scale and the global presence of the economy," he said. "When regulations are eased, diverse market participants will join, and the market's size will also grow bigger, which will help reduce volatility of the foreign exchange market."



The remark came amid lingering woes over the unstable won-dollar exchange rate which topped the worrying level of 1,440 won last October, even if the figure has been on a path to stabilization more recently.



"The won-dollar exchange rate has dropped to the mid-1,200 won level, and the corporate bond yield rate and the commercial paper yield also entered the 4 percent range, but uncertainties still remain in place," he said. "We will enhance monitoring of every corner of the economy, and take swift measures with the relevant authorities when necessary."



The finance minister also reiterated his strong willingness to invigorate investment, in a move to boost domestic demand amid growing fears of a recession.



"Expanding investment is most important when promoting domestic demand," he said. "Toward that end, we will keep providing a series of corporate tax benefits. The government will do so until the shrinking investor sentiment revives."



He also underscored the importance of easing the so-called "Korea discount" by removing some outdated policies blocking foreign capital inflow. The term is often used to describe the lower valuation of local shares compared to their global peers due to the nation's inherent geopolitical risk factors and rigid corporate culture.



"To increase foreign investors' access (to the local stock market), we will no longer force foreign investors to register their information before making investments here," he said. "Listed firms will have to provide their key business information to investors in English as well as Korean from the beginning of next year. We will also come up with measures to revamp dividend-related policies, so as to ensure long-term investments."


Chinese passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2023.(Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) "There is a very delicate balance between economic activities and people's lives. In that regard, China considered it the time to open the economy and normalize life," said a prominent Turkish expert. ISTANBUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has been pursuing a policy of delicate balance fostering economic activity and maintaining public health, said a prominent Turkish expert, hailing China's optimization of COVID-19 response. China has recently refined its COVID-19 policies and facilitated cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals and international exchange and cooperation. Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, told Xinhua that this optimization of COVID-19 measures was appropriate as the disease's threat to public health has widely reduced. Colakoglu believes this decision came with perfect timing as China is the second-largest economy and the global economy's primary driver and manufacturing hub. Vehicles run on Jianguo Road during morning peak hours in Chaoyang District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) "There is a very delicate balance between economic activities and people's lives. In that regard, China considered it the time to open the economy and normalize life," Colakoglu said. "The Chinese government has initiated a prudent policy for that. Preventing any interruption to the global supply chain is a major point for the Chinese government," said the expert. "Because China is the main provider of many assets. Chinese companies provide produced or semi-produced, finished or semi-finished products to the international markets." He said China has been very cooperative from the very beginning of the pandemic by providing over 2.2 billion vaccine doses to more than 120 countries and international organizations, adding that in the initial period of the pandemic in 2020, China sent its health personnel, protective equipment, and other medical supplies and drugs to other countries. "Also, during the meetings with the World Health Organization and other international gatherings, China has underlined that vaccines are a global public good, not only for paid customers," Colakoglu said, adding that all countries and individuals "should have the right to reach these vaccines for free or at a reasonable price" and "China has played a role model in this regard." In the meantime, Colakoglu criticized some countries, including the United States, which have decided to impose restrictions on Chinese tourists.
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Seventeen The8 poses at the Christian Louboutin photo call event held at Hyundai Department Store The Hyundai Seoul Yeouido on the 10th.
From left to right: Jason Smith with Citizens National Bank, Margaret Shehee with Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Dr. Morgan Lang with Lang Orthodontics, Don Tubbs with Tubbs Hardware.
VIVIAN, La. - On Saturday, just before 1 p.m., Micah Roberts was found deceased in a heavily wooded area behind his grandparents home, during
Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) [India], January 12 (ANI/PRNewswire): A Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) was performed on a 47-year-old person whose heart is on the right side of the chest (Dextrocardia) at Medicover Hospital in Nellore successfully. The doctors at Medicover Hospitals, Nellore, have successfully performed complex and rare heart operations, demonstrating how our country's healthcare infrastructure is far superior and more advanced than ever.

Medicover Hospitals has earned global recognition and a place on the list of hospitals that have successfully completed surgery for a rare disease called Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus, which affects one in every 10 thousand people. This type of surgery has been performed 37 times worldwide, with this being, the 38th at Medicover Hospitals and the 5th in India. It is remarkable that Medicover Hospital is ranked 14th in the world for off-pump beating heart surgeries.

Also Read | #KangSora, #JangSeungJo, #JoEunJi, And #LeeJaeWon Display Intriguing Chemistry In   Latest Tweet by Soompi.

This case is about 47-year-old Tirupathi Reddy from Nellore, who visited Medicover Hospital in Nellore with chest pain. On examination, he was diagnosed with a rare disease called Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus, a condition in which the heart is present on the right side. He also had heart-related problems in the past and had a cardiac angioplasty 8 years ago.

Tirupathi Reddy's case was taken up by Dr Trilok, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Medicover hospitals who performed coronary angiography confirming that a shunt is blocked and decided to do a bypass procedure. Dr Trilok and his medical team successfully completed the operation successfully despite the fact that it had to be done in a complicated, off-pump beating heart bypass way. The patient recovered completely after 5 days of surgery and was discharged from the hospital.

Also Read | When Is Mattu Pongal 2023? Know Date, Jallikattu Festival Rituals and Significance of The Third Day of Tamilian Harvest Festival.

Maheswara Reddy, Vice President of Medicover Hospitals, and Dr Ganesh, Center Head, attended a press conference on Monday to explain the patient's condition and how the surgery had received global recognition. Situs Inversus is a condition in which the organs that should be on the right side are on the left side, and organs that should be on the left side are on the right side. He said that Tirupathi Reddy's heart is on the right side in this case. It is said that heart diseases rarely occur in such people, and even if they do, only a few people need surgery.

Dr Trilok explained that his team successfully performed bypass surgery on the patient using the off-pump beating method and said, "It is because of the availability of an experienced medical team and staff, along with modern technology, that we were able to perform such unusual treatments successfully at Medicover Hospital."

Patient Tirupathi Reddy thanked Dr Trilok and his medical team for successfully operating on him and giving him back to his normal life.

Medicover is the leading multispecialty hospital chain in India. It is one of the largest healthcare providers in Europe with a significant presence in India. The Group provides a broad spectrum of healthcare services and has an extensive network of clinics, hospitals, specialty care facilities, fertility centers, and diagnostic labs.

Medicover Hospitals is spread across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra treating millions of patients every year with a clear focus on raising the standards of healthcare in India. It has renowned medical teams who work with the greatest technologies and international evidence-based protocols which offer the most comprehensive treatment across all specialties of medicines.

Media Contact

Medicover Hospitals: 040-68334455

This story has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chaibasa, Jan 12 (PTI) Three more CRPF commandos were injured in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Thursday, a senior police officer said.

The incident happened in the afternoon in Tumbahaka forest in the Tonto police station area when an anti-Naxal operation was underway following a similar blast on Wednesday in which six commandos of the CRPF's elite CoBRA unit were injured, Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar said.

Also Read | UK: Man Caught on Camera Having Sex With Woman in Liverpool City Centre Sparks Police Probe, Identified by His Girlfriend.

The three injured commandos were airlifted to a hospital in Ranchi, he said, adding that their condition is stable.

Acting on a tip-off that a large number of Maoists have gathered, a search operation was started in the forest on Wednesday. Soon, a gunfight broke out between the security forces and the Maoists, police said.

Also Read | Kerala Tiger Attack: Farmer Dies After Being Attacked by Tiger in Wayanad.

The Maoists, who were retreating, triggered an IED blast, injuring the six commandos, they said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A visual from the site of the explosion in Panipat. (Photo/ANI)

Panipat (Haryana) [India], January 12 (ANI): Six members of a family were killed in an explosion caused by leakage in a gas cylinder in Haryana's Panipat on Thursday, police said.

Police said a preliminary probe suggests six members died due to suffocation.

Also Read | 7th Pay Commission: Will Central Government Employees Get Pending 18-Month DA Arrears After Budget 2023? Check Latest News Update Here.

"The explosion occurred when a family member lit a stove to make tea," Dharambir Kharab, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Panipat said.

Police said the post-mortem on the deceased will ascertain the cause of death.

Also Read | Supreme Court Grants Centre Time Till February First Week to Respond on Plea Seeking Ram Setus Declaration as National Heritage Monument.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot after the accident, police said, adding that a forensic team was also visaited the spot.

More details are awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Air India will launch 12 weekly flights to London Gatwick airport as well as operate additional services to London Heathrow airport from March, as the Tata group-owned airline strengthens its international network.

The new and additional flights to the UK will start from March 26.

Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates the 26th National Youth Festival 2023 in Hubbali,   Latest Tweet by ANI.

"To Gatwick, Air India will operate a thrice-a-week service from cities such as Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Kochi, and is the only scheduled airline to offer direct services to the UK's second largest airport," the airline said in a release on Thursday.

Besides, the carrier will add five weekly frequencies to London Heathrow airport.

Also Read | Delhi Cold Wave: 10-15% Surge in Heart Attacks, High BP and Brain Strokes During Early Hours in National Capital.

The weekly flights from Delhi will increase to 17, from 14 currently, while that from Mumbai will go up to 14, from 12 at present.

Air India also operates three flights each from Amritsar and Delhi to Birmingham in the UK every week.

Currently, the airline has 32 weekly flights to the UK.

"This is part of the airline's ongoing endeavour to spread its wings on the international aviation map, hence, increasing its market share on international routes.

"The robust enhancement of operations is one of the major pillars of Vihaan.AI, Air India's transformational road map," the release said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Aizawl, Jan 12 (PTI) Assam Rifles (AR) on Thursday said no explosions occurred on the Indian side of the border during an aerial strike by Myanmar forces on Chin rebel camps within the South-East Asian nation's territory. The statement comes a day claims by locals that one of the bombs dropped in Mizoram's Champai district during the attack.

Taking to PTI, a senior official of the AR, which guards the India-Myanmar border, said several explosions occurred in the neighbouring country along the international boundary.

Also Read | Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Has Said That Bangladesh Welcomes Indias Vision as the   Latest Tweet by DD News.

A senior official of Champai district said that an official statement would be issued in the matter only after a thorough verification of the details.

"I have sent a magistrate of the area concerned to verify the claims being made by some locals. An official report in the matter can be expected by Thursday evening," Champai deputy commissioner James Lalrinchhana said.

Also Read | Human Sacrifice in Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Minor Boy Murdered, Chopped Into Pieces; Three Accused Arrested.

He said that a detailed report will be sent to higher authorities once the verification is done.

Lalramliana, the president of Farkawn village council in Champai, however, said that a bomb was dropped near Tiau river on the Mizoram side.

A truck owned by a village council member has been damaged in the explosion, he said.

The Myanmar military junta, on Tuesday, reportedly launched aerial strikes on Camp Victoria, the military headquarters of the Chin National Army (CNA), an ethnic insurgent group in the neighbouring country.

A CNA leader in Mizoram told PTI on the condition of anonymity that five people, including two women, were killed and 15 others injured in the attack inside Myanmar.

The Champhai DC said that initial reports received by the administration suggest that eight explosions have occurred in the neighbouring country.

"We have not received any report of casualties as it is not a matter of our concern. It is an internal issue of a foreign country," he added.

Mizoram, which shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar, is currently hosting thousands of people who fled the neighbouring country after the military junta seized power in February 2021. Shared ethnicity and a porous, lightly guarded border make it easy for refugees to make their way into Mizoram and find shelter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna (Bihar) [India], January 12 (ANI): Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar on Thursday reiterated his statement on Tuesday, claiming that the Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic 'Ramayana', "spreads hatred in the society".

He also said that certain parts of Ramcharitmanas propagate discrimination again certain castes.

Also Read | Suspended #BJP Spokesperson #NupurSharma Now Has a Gun Licence, Said Sources in   Latest Tweet by IANS India.

On whether he would apologise for his statement as the Opposition BJP has demanded, he said it is the saffron which should apologise for not being aware of facts.

Addressing students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University on Wednesday, he claimed that the 'Ramcharitmanas' and 'Manusmriti' divide the society.

Also Read | Jharkhand Road Accident: Pickup Van Carrying 20 Passengers Overturns in Seraikela-Kharswan District; Three Killed and Several Injured.

"Why was there was resistance to the Ramcharitmanas? It says people from lower castes could be as dangerous as snakes after receiving education," the minister said on Tuesday.

He has said revered Hindu texts like Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are against Dalits, other backward classes and women receiving education.

"Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by saffron ideologue Guru Golwalkar spread hatred. Love, not hatred, makes the country great," added Chandrashekhar.

Earlier this month, Kerala Minister and Communist leader MB Rajesh made a similar statement about Manusmriti claiming that it advocates a 'cruel' caste system.

Speaking at a programme of Varkala Sivagiri Mutt, Rajesh had said, "If Kerala has an acharya, it's Sree Narayana guru and not Adi Shankaracharya." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Payal Mehta

New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): In the build-up, to the year-end state assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch a mega drive in Telangana next month with a plan to hold more than 11,000 public rallies starting February.

Also Read | Kerala Tiger Attack: Farmer Dies After Being Attacked by Tiger in Wayanad.

Speaking to ANI, BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh said, "We are in the process of finalising the schedule for 11,000 rallies cutting across 9,000 Shakti Kendras. By mid-February, we will complete these public meetings addressed by our state and district leaders."

But this is not it, after this, the party will hold similar rallies at 119 Assemblies.

Also Read | Anushka Sharma Moves to Bombay High Court to Challenge Maharashtra State Tax Department Orders.

"Sometime in February end, we will be launching the next set of public rallies. These rallies will be addressed by central leaders apart from the state leaders," Chugh who is BJP Telangana incharge told ANI.

The BJP held a mega booth Sammelan on January 7, 2022, and JP Nadda addressed this meeting virtually.

In the build-up, to the year-end state assembly polls, the state leadership has been asked by the Centre to rush with the appointment of booth committees across the state.

In June end last year in the run-up to the BJP National Executive in Hyderabad, BJP had asked their members of the national executive to go to all the constituencies across Telangana for a Sampark Abhiyan.

Backed by the success in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections there is a big sting in the steps for the party which is looking to make inroads in the Southern part of the country.

Telangana will go into elections end of 2023 and the BJP considers itself as a huge prospect to bring about change from the ruling K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in the last state polls conducted in 2018, BRS swept the polls securing 88 out of 119 seats, Congress got 19 and BJP was able to win just one seat.

The most recent joining in BJP from BRS was in October last year when former Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP Boora Narsaiah Goud joined ahead of Munugode bypolls in Telangana.

Sitting MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy's joined BJP from the Congress in August last year. However, he lost in the Munugode by poll.

Etela Rajender who served as the first Finance Minister of Telangana state from 2014 to 2018 and as the Health Minister of Telangana from 2019 to 2021 bid goodbye to BRS in June 2021 and joined BJP. He secured a win in the by-polls from the Huzurabad Assembly constituency. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 12 (PTI) Accusing the BJP government of being in a slumber despite the Joshimath tragedy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday demanded proper compensation for those who have suffered losses.

Speaking to reporters here, Yadav said that BJP government both in Uttrakhand and the centre was ignoring its responsibility towards the affected families in Joshimath.

Also Read | Human Sacrifice in Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Minor Boy Murdered, Chopped Into Pieces; Three Accused Arrested.

"Such a big tragedy has taken place in Joshimath and the government still appears to be in a slumber. The government needs to extend proper compensation to the locals there as they are facing loss of all their lifelong savings in setting up their businesses, hotels and now they are forced to leave everything behind," Yadav said.

Yadav also said that local people in Joshimath were not satisfied.

Also Read | Delhi Cold Wave: 10-15% Surge in Heart Attacks, High BP and Brain Strokes During Early Hours in National Capital.

"If the government is going to give inadequate compensation, how will the locals there be satisfied? The government has already accepted that it has so much money in its exchequer and also said that its economy is improving, they should pay for all the damage and cover all the expenses," he said.

The Samajwadi Party president said that if the cracks there have been caused because of the NTPC project they should be immediately shut down and no big project should be set up on a 'kutcha hill."

The SP president, in the ongoing twitter war with the BJP, said that the party has changed its social media team.

"When BJP has no reply, they put police before them. No FIR has been lodged on any of the complaints that we have given. The meaning is the police is being run by the BJP," he said.

Yadav said that he had advised the BJP and its people on Hindi Divas that they should use cultured language.

"It is their strategy to put forward which caste man has to be used for raising which question. This is their caste based thinking," he said.

On the occasion of Vivekanand Jayanti on Thursday, a Samajwadi calendar was also launched.

When asked about the invitation to participate in the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Kashmir, he said that he has got the invitation and will discuss within the party on the same.

"Our party is not part of the Yatra, I wish them all the luck, but our party has different ideology and programmes," he said .

Yadav also said that he has got the invitation for the BRS rally at Khammam to be addressed by Telangana chief minister KCR Reddy and will attend it.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered four separate cases of complaints from Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, IDBI Bank Ltd. and EXIM Bank respectively against the accused and others including a private company, its Director's, MD etc and unknown public servants/persons on the allegations of Bank Frauds of total Rs. 217.37 crore (approx), stated an official release.

The first case was registered against the private company and others including its Directors, MD etc and unknown public servants/unknown others on the allegations of defrauding e-Syndicate Bank (now Canara Bank) to the tune of Rs.30.49 crore (approx), as per an official release.

Also Read | Spicejet Flight Delay: DGCA Seeks Report from Airline Company on Delhi Airport Incident.

It was further alleged that the said private company which was in the business of pipe manufacturing and pipe coating, availed credit facilities from e-Syndicate Bank and thereafter diverted the funds into its subsidiary companies.

The second case was registered against a private company and others including its Directors, MD etc and unknown public servants/unknown others on the allegations of defrauding Oriental Bank of Commerce (now merged with Punjab National Bank) to the tune of Rs. 51.90 crores (approx).

Also Read | Delhi Hit-and-Drag Incident: MHA Directs Delhi Police To Suspend Those on Duty in PCR Vans, Pickets.

It was further alleged that the said private company availed credit facilities in order to execute work orders received from GAIL and NTPC. It was also alleged that the accused deliberately siphoned off the money received from the projects of GAIL & NTPC without informing Oriental Bank of Commerce.

The third case was registered against said private company and others including its Directors, MD etc and unknown public servants/unknown others on the allegations of defrauding IDBI Bank Ltd. to the tune of Rs. 29.06 crores (approx).

It was further alleged that the loan received from the bank for various projects of the company was utilized for purposes other than for which it was sanctioned, like repayment of dues of other banks etc.

The fourth was registered against a private company and others including its Directors, MD etc and unknown public servants/ unknown others on the allegations of defrauding Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) to the tune of Rs.105.92 crore (approx), stated an official release.

It was further alleged that the accused availed credit facilities in order to execute work orders but deliberately diverted the money received for other purposes.

Searches were conducted today at 12 locations including Mumbai (8) and one each at Damn, Kutch, Noida and Delhi at the premises of the accused/entities which led to the recovery of incriminating documents/articles. During searches at the premises of the Whole Time Director of a private company in Mumbai, the foreign currency USD 90413 (approx) and cash of Rs.1.99 crore (approx) were recovered.

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)
Chandigarh, Jan 12 (PTI) Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday hit out at the Haryana government and said the Manohar Lal Khattar regime's achievements in providing employment and carrying out development was zero.

Speaking on the Parivar Pehchan Patra (Family ID), described by the Khattar government as its flagship programme, Hooda said people told him that it had turned out to be a "Permanent Pareshani Patra (a permanent document of trouble)".

Also Read | West Bengal: Trinamool Congress Leader Dulal Sheikh Shot Dead in Burdwan.

Hooda said the Parivar Pehchan Patra issue was also raised during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that, he said, had seen tremendous participation of people from various sections.

The Leader of Opposition in the Haryana Assembly alleged that the government had also cancelled ration cards of 10 lakh families and the incomes of some families was shown to increase 8-10 times. Even the ration cards of children as young as four to five years were cancelled by showing annual incomes of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.

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Notwithstanding Khattar countering him on providing "inflated figures" of the state's debt, Hooda said Haryana's debt stood at Rs 3.25 lakh crore plus other liabilities of Rs 1.22 lakh crore at present.

"If the government feels that this figure is not correct, then it should immediately issue a white paper," Hooda, a former chief minister of Haryana, said.

He also hit out at the government over jobs and said Haryana had an unemployment rate of over 37 per cent.

He alleged that Khattar often tried to falsify reports of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy while governments in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat -- governed by the BJP leader's party -- quote its figures.

Dismissing the state government's claims that it was giving more powers to the panchayats, Hooda said it was, in fact, handing powers to officials as it wanted to end the power of sarpanches.

Speaking to reporters here, Hooda said the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, which recently concluded its Haryana leg, was completely successful.

The former Haryana chief minister said the yatra witnessed "tremendous participation" of people, including farmers, labourers, women, youth, retired officers from the Army and the Air Force, and sportspersons, among others.

During its two phases in Haryana, the yatra passed through seven districts -- Nuh, Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Ambala.

"The first phase started from Nuh, where people raised the problems of roads, electricity and water. During the journey from Nuh to Ambala, the poor condition of roads showed us the quality of governance.

"Except the national highway, all the other roads at many places only have potholes," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Rohini court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of Ashutosh Bhardwaj in view of gravity and sensitivity of allegations against him and the investigation at the initial stage in the Kanjhawala hit-and-drag case. Also in view of the case is exclusively triable by the court of sessions.

Metropolitan magistrate Sanya Dalal rejected the bail application in view of the submissions of the Special Public Prosecutor for Delhi Police and allegations levelled against the accused Ashutosh.

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The court noted the submissions of the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) that the investigation is at the initial stage and the role of each accused has to be ascertained.

Earlier, the court reserved an order on the bail plea of Ashutosh after hearing the submissions of Delhi police and defence counsel. His counsel said the accused was not in the car at the time of the incident.

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Delhi police stated that he misled and harboured the other accused persons. He also did not inform the police despite being under legal compulsion.

Advocate Shilpesh Chaudhary, counsel for Ashutosh Bhardwaj, submitted before the court that there are videos which show that the applicant was at his home at the time of the incident.

Advocate Chaudhary submitted as per the video at 12:30 AM Ashutosh was with his neighbour on the night of January 1. Another video is of Ankush, who called Ashutosh at 4:23 AM. The next video is in which Ashutosh was going with him, Chaudhary submitted.

Chaudhary also submitted that the in the media a video is running in which Ashutosh and Ankush are standing with the Auto, and argued that Deepak had come with an auto. Thereafter, the car came.

Advocate Chaudhary also submitted that there is a video of 4:38 AM in which Ashutosh could be seen sitting in the car and going to park it. His GPS location and his CDR also prove that he was at his home and not in the car, the counsel submitted.

The counsel submitted that Ashutosh uses an iPhone which records the live location. According to the phone's live location, Ashutosh was at home.

"The only allegations against him are under 212, 201, 120B Part, and these are bailable in nature," Chaudhary said.

He also said that Ashutosh was not in the car when the offence was committed. "Another accused Ankush is on bail," he said.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Srivastava said, "Before the stage of charge the document can't be produced by the defence. The authenticity of this video can't be established as these are without section 65B of the Evidence Act certificate."

SPP Srivastava also submitted, "We never said he (Ashutosh) was in the car. Our stand is that he provided his vehicle to a person who was not authorised to drive."

"He did not inform the police regarding the accident for which he was under legal compulsion. He didn't inform the police about the incident despite having knowledge," SPP said.

He also submitted that Deepak was driving the car. Actually, Amit was driving the car. His conduct from the beginning.

"Why did you bring the wrong person as the driver of the car," SPP argued.

He also informed the court that the investigation on IPC section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) is still going on.

Ashutosh's lawyer, Chaudhary contended that on the last hearing, the investigating officer (IO) had submitted that Ankush was the person who said that Deepak was driving the car.

"Either the IO earlier told lie, or he is lying today," he argued.

SPP also said that there may be some miscommunication. "The IO had said that both Ankush and Ashutosh misled the investigation.

When Ashutosh was not booked under IPC section 304 then how a case under IPC section 120B (criminal conspiracy) was registered against him? Choudhary argued. "We are investigating the case," SSP said.

"What is the purpose of keeping him in custody? How I am responsible for other's actions," said Ashutosh's lawyer.

Ashutosh Bhardwaj is one of the accused in the Kanjhawala case. A total of seven persons, including the five occupants of the car, have been arrested in connection with the case.

The incident was reported on January 1, New Year's day. A 20-year-old, Anjali Sing, was found dead on the street, with her clothes torn off, allegedly after being hit and dragged by a car driven by five youths in Outer Delhi's Khanjawala area. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Delhi Police on Thursday said they found the body of a woman, missing for 10 days, at a cemetery on Wednesday.

The woman has been identified as 54-year-old Meena, the police said, adding that she went missing at the Mangolpuri police station on January 2.

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The police said preliminary inquiry suggests that the 54-year-old was murdered by three Muslim men and later cremated at the crematorium where her body was recovered on Wednesday.

They further revealed that on the allegations raised by Meena's family, the police apprehended Mobin, one of the accused and, on being interrogated, he confessed to the murder.

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The other two accused persons were also apprehended, the police informed further, adding that all three accused persons are currently in police custody.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangolpuri (New Delhi) [India], January 12 (ANI): The Delhi Police exhumed the body of an allegedly murdered 54-year-old woman from a graveyard in Nangloi in the national capital on Wednesday. The Police have arrested three persons in the case.

Identified as Meena, the woman was a micro-financer who lent money on interest to small vendors, hawkers and drivers stated the police.

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The police affirmed that Meena was reported missing in the Mangolpuri police station on January 2, after which the police lodged a missing complaint under section 365 of the Indian Penal Code on Saturday and took up the investigation as her phone was found switched off and nothing was disclosed through the CCTV footage as well.

The accused identified as Naveen, a tailor and Mobin, an auto driver, were close associates of the woman and had known her for at least 5-6 years according to the police. They even came to the police station along with family members to file the missing report, as confirmed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harendra Kumar Singh. According to him and the woman's family, the accused allegedly murdered her as she was consistently asking them to repay their previous loans before lending them any money.

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"During the investigation, we found the location of the last two callers was the same as that of the victim. On this basis, Mobin S/o Majhar was enquired but nothing worked out. It was then when another suspect Naveen-- who had earlier moved a bail application in this regard joined the investigation yesterday evening and confessed his involvement in Meena's murder," the police said.

The DCP claimed, "During the interrogation, we found that the woman was last seen with the two accused, Mobin and Naveen. They allegedly killed the woman by suffocating her by putting a pillow on her face. Post the murder, the accused went through the area to dispose of the body. Mobin, who lives in Nangloi knew there was a graveyard in that area. They buried the body there."

"We have also arrested the caretaker of the graveyard because usually there are no burials at night, yet he allowed them to bury the body. He also took a bribe of Rs 5,000 and didn't register their name in the record. We have arrested three people in this matter and detained one person. We'll arrest him later while the investigation is underway. Following the due procedure, we exhumed the woman's body in the presence of SDM and sent it for post-mortem in the mortuary," added Singh.

"The accused Mobin rides an auto, Rehan is a barber while Naveen is a tailor. The fourth person is the caretaker who also helped the accused to bury the body," said Singh.

The DCP informed that the Delhi Police deployed four inspectors for the investigation of the case who was accompanied by a team of 10 members each since the CCTV footage of the entire West Delhi was investigated. They also deployed a separate team for local intelligence. Three teams were involved in the electronic surveillance.

The body has been sent for post-mortem today and any angle of sexual assault would be investigated, stated Singh. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) A special court here on Thursday set aside the summons issued by a magistrate to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a case pertaining to alleged disrespect to the national anthem.

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Noting the magistrate didn't follow the mandatory provisions, Special judge R N Rokade, after hearing both the sides, set aside the summons and asked the magistrate to proceed with the case from the stage of verification (of the complainant).

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The special judge directed the magistrate to give fresh consideration on the issuance of process against Banerjee.

Vivekanand Gupta, a functionary of the Mumbai unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, had approached the magistrate court with a complaint claiming the WB CM did not stand while the national anthem was being played at an event during her visit to Mumbai in December 2021.

Gupta had sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Banerjee under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.

Taking cognizance of Gupta's complaint, the magistrate court had issued summons to Banerjee, who moved a review petition before the special court against it.

Banerjee's lawyer had earlier told court no sanction, mandatory under the Code of Criminal Procedure to prosecute a government servant, was taken.

However, Additional Public Prosecutor Sumesh Panjwani had argued Banerjee's visit was political and not official and, hence, no sanction was required.

After hearing both the sides, the judge allowed Banerjee's plea.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Darbhanga, January 12: Amid the furore over Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekar's remark on Wednesday that Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic Ramayana, is divisive and spreads hatred in society, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar side-stepped the matter claiming he wasn't aware what the minister said.

"I don't know what he said. I haven't heard his statement or seen anything about it in the news," the Bihar CM told reporters in Darbhanga on Thursday, on the sidelines of the inauguration of a newly constructed planetarium. Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekher Yadav Says Manu Smriti, Ram Charit Manas and MS Golwarkars Bunch of Thoughts Spread Hatred in Society.

Chandrashekhar had on Wednesday stoked a major controversy claiming that Ramcharitmanas stokes animosity and discrimination in the society. The BJP came down heavily on the minister, demanding that he tenders an apology at the earliest. Vedic Scriptures Like Manusmriti Give Respect to Women, Says Delhi High Court Justice Prathiba Singh.

However, the Education minister on Thursday reiterated his earlier statement, claiming that it the BJP which should apologise for 'not knowing facts'.

To a question on the ongoing farmers' agitation in Buxar and the alleged police crackdown on them, the Bihar CM claimed he wasn't aware of the facts of the case.

(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 12 (PTI) A number of legal experts on Thursday denounced Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's remarks questioning the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati verdict which had held that the basic structure of the Constitution is unamendable, saying it is the Constitution which is supreme and not the Parliament.

The vice president at a function in Jaipur had virtually censured the judiciary saying "one-upmanship and public posturing" from judicial platforms are not good and these institutions must know how to conduct themselves.

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He was also critical of scrapping the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) in 2015 by the apex court.

Reacting to his remarks, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Vikas Singh said there is no question of posturing as the Supreme Court decides a case on the basis of pleadings.

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"I don't really understand what he is saying. Is he saying that justice delivery should stop, or the judges should not pass judgements contrary to what the government wants it to do? As far as the judiciary is concerned there is no question of posturing as they decide a case on the basis of pleadings and judicial review is an integral part of our system," he said.

Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan said in a constitutional republic, the Parliament is not supreme and rather it is the Constitution which is.

He also advised the Rajya Sabha chairman to study the Constitution.

"The present government is unhappy with the basic structure doctrine because it wants no impediment to the structural changes they want to make in our democracy and polity. It's a government which has been destroying every democratic institution and wants to do away with secularism as well.

"For this reason, it wants to weaken the judiciary which it seems today as the only impediment to its quest for a fascist dictatorship. In a constitutional republic , Parliament is not supreme but the Constitution is. Mr Dhankhar should go back to study the Constitution," Bhushan said.

The senior lawyer said the basic structure doctrine is 50 years old and it has never been questioned thereafter by any serious jurist, lawyer and has stood the test of time .

"It was only because of basic structure doctrine that the 39 constitutional amendment which provided that Prime Minister's election was beyond challenge was struck down by the Supreme Court. Several other constitutional amendments have also been struck down thereafter on this doctrine. It is obvious that this vice president who owes his position to the BJP government is making such outrageous statements only to carry favour with the people who brought him to this position," Bhushan said.

Senior advocate P Chidambaram said Dhankhar is "wrong" in stating that Parliament is supreme and his views should warn every Constitution-loving citizen to be alert to the dangers ahead.

Reacting to Dhankhar's remarks, he said on Twitter, "The Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is wrong when he says that Parliament is supreme. It is the Constitution that is supreme."

The "basic structure" doctrine was evolved in order to prevent a majoritarian-driven assault on the foundational principles of the Constitution, the former Union minister said.

"Suppose Parliament, by a majority, voted to convert the parliamentary system into a Presidential system. Or repeal the State List in Schedule VII and take away the exclusive legislative powers of the States. Would such amendments be valid?" Chidambaram said in a series of tweets.

Senior lawyer and constitutional law expert Rakesh Dwivedi said judges in India are used to such remarks and right from the time of late Indira Gandhi there has been attack on the judiciary.

Dwivedi said the vice president may have his own views but they are not binding on the judiciary in any manner.

"Even if he speaks in the capacity of Chairman of Rajya Sabha they are not binding. Judiciary can take just note of it and it can go in its own way it wishes to go. The judges in India are used to this. Right from the time of Indira Gandhi there has been an attack on the judiciary. Judges are made of sterner stuff. they are not people who will be blown away by these public statements.

"Everyday on social media so many things are being said. Judges have to learn with this. They can withstand all this.This has virtually become part of the democracy since long. I am not approving this and the manner in which these things are said. There are alternative ways, in conferences, seminars these things can be said in a much more suave manner and in a better tone. Our judges know how to deal with all this and ignore it as well," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jan 12 (PTI) Punjab Cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday said that he will meet the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High court for the opening of more fast track courts for matters related to the Non-Resident Indians (NRI), according to an official statement.

Dhaliwal, who is the NRI affairs minister in the Punjab government, said he will meet the chief justice shortly to work out the modalities to expedite the process for setting up more NRI fast track courts.

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Notably, several NRI, who originally hail from Punjab, had sought from the state government to set up fast track courts for redressal of their issues, including property related disputes during the recently held NRI meetings.

Dhaliwal also gave instructions to depute legal advisors to provide requisite legal aid to NRIs.

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He also ordered concerned deputy commissioners to resolve around 50 per cent of the grievances brought during these 'NRI milni programmes' (Punjabi NRIs meet) through their nodal officers appointed specially for the cases of NRIs.

Reiterating commitment of the state government to take every step for the well-being of NRIs, Dhaliwal also asked the officials of the department to issue Demi-Official (DO) letter to concerned deputy commissioner, nodal officer, tehsildars and Station House Officers (SHOs) to provide all requisite help to sort out all the issues of Punjabi diaspora.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at nine locations in Rajasthan in the Popular Front of India (PFI) conspiracy case.

The anti-terror agency searched four places each in Jaipur and Kota, and one in Sawai Madhopur districts in Rajasthan.

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During these searches, the agency claimed to have seized digital devices (mobile phones, SIM cards), sharp-edged knives, and incriminating material, literature and posters.

The case is related to secret information received from reliable sources. Sadiq Sarraf, a resident of Shyopuriyon Ki Masjid in Baran district of Rajasthan, and Mohammed Asif, a resident of Retipada in Kota, of PFI alongwith officer bearers and members of the banned outfit are indulging in unlawful activities.

Also Read | Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekher Yadav Says 'Manu Smriti, Ram Charit Manas and MS Golwarkar's Bunch of Thoughts Spread Hatred in Society'.

It is also learnt that the two accused through their provocative utterances and activities were encouraging violence, enmity and hatred among different religious groups in India, said the NIA.

Their inflammatory speeches and lectures on various platforms inciting and disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, the agency said.

In pursuance to conspiracy, accused Sadiq Sarraf and Mohammad Asif and unknown others are radicalizing Muslim youths to commit unlawful activities and terrorist acts in various parts of India, including the State of Rajasthan, said the agency. (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 12: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted citizens on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, and Pongal, and wished that the festivals bind different communities in the bonds of love, harmony and affection.

Murmu has greeted her fellow citizens on the eve of Lohri (January 13) Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, and Pongal (January 14), a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. Pongal 2023 Full Calendar With Dates of Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kanum Pongal: Know Significance and How To Celebrate the Hindu Festival in Tamil Nadu.

"These festivals are symbols of India's unity in diversity and are the carriers of our culture. They are celebrated in various forms in different regions but their aim is to strengthen the spirit of social harmony and brotherhood. We also express our gratitude to nature by celebrating these festivals," she said. When Is Thai Pongal 2023? Know Date, Customs, Celebration, Shubh Muhurat and Significance of The Four-Day Hindu Harvest Festival.

"I wish all these festivals bind different communities of India in the bonds of love, harmony and affection and bring happiness and prosperity to all," the president said.

"On the auspicious occasion of the festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu and Pongal, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all the countrymen living in India and abroad," she said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Joshimath (Uttarakhand) [India], January 12 (ANI): The process of demolition of damaged hotels in the Joshimath area of Uttarakhand has started by the administration, informed officials on Thursday.

In preparation for the demolition, the road where the precariously standing hotels are located has been closed. A heavy deployment of police and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) officials can be seen on the demolition site.

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IG Garhwal Range Karan Singh Nagnyal said that all movement in the area near the hotels that have to be demolished had been stopped to ensure the safety of people.

"NDRF, SDRF, Civil Police and the local administration are here. All movement in the area near the hotels that have to be demolished has been stopped to ensure the safety of people. The process of demolition of damaged hotels has started," said IG Garhwal Range Karan Singh Nagnyal.

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Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha said that if any situation arises during the relief and rescue operation, the army helicopter is on standby, and our helicopter is on standby too.

Ranjit Kumar Sinha was addressing a press conference at the Media Center Secretariat regarding the relief and rescue operations being conducted in the Joshimath town area.

"If any situation arises, the Army helicopter is on standby, and our helicopter is on standby too. Army unit is also on standby," said Ranjit Kumar Sinha.

He said that eight teams of SDRF have been deployed at Joshimath for disaster relief operations, while two teams of NDRF have also been deployed.

"Eight teams of SDRF are deployed at Joshimath for disaster relief operations. Rs 2.14 Crores was issued for the protection of electric cables and poles. Two teams of NDRF are also there, one team is on its way," said Ranjit Kumar Sinha.

Ranjit Kumar Sinha added that house rent of Rs 4,000 each has been provided to 3 families so far.

"169 families - 589 people - relocated so far. Rs 5000 per family provided for general expenses to 73 families so far - Rs 3,65,000 in total. Rs 1,30,000 each provided to 10 families so far as per SDRF provisions -Rs 13 Lakh in total," said Ranjit Kumar Sinha.

Uttarakhand state government has announced a relief package of Rs 45 crore to families in Joshimath, where large cracks appeared in homes and on roads.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the relief package has been released for nearly 3,000 families affected by gradual land subsidence in the Himalayan state.

"For the time being, interim assistance of Rs 1.50 Lakh per family is being given. An advance amount of Rs 1 lakh has been given to the affected land owners or families due to landslides in the affected area before the permanent settlement displacement policy is prepared," Dhami told reporters.

The Chief Minister also announced that Rs 50,000 have been given by the state disaster authority to each family as a non-adjustable one-time special grant for the transportation of goods and immediate needs of their buildings.

Due to landslides in the Joshimath city area, over 720 buildings have been identified that developed cracks. Residents, as a part of the rehabilitation, have been moved to safer places even as geologists and experts scramble to ascertain the reasons for subsidence in the ecologically fragile region.

Officials have stopped construction projects in the region and the government formed a committee to look into the incident and the situation arising out of the sudden crisis.Dhami has instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure speedy assistance to people affected by the sinking of their town.

"From the point of view of security, the families who are being shifted to other places should be ensured that all better necessary arrangements are there," the Chief Minister added.Dhami, who is in Joshimath to hold meetings in the wake of land subsidence in the area, started his day on Thursday by offering prayers at the Narsingh Temple.

"On-site inspection of the affected areas in Joshimath and meeting with local citizens," Dhami tweeted on Wednesday.

According to an official statement, the Chief Minister will hold a meeting with army officers and ITBP officers along with a meeting of the committee constituted for the transparent distribution of interim package to families affected by landslides and to determine the rate of rehabilitation package. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Army has decided to commission women officers into the artillery regiments and a proposal on it has been sent to the government, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15, Gen Pande described the move as "significant" and noted that women in the Army have performed "exceedingly well".

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"We have decided to induct women in artillery which itself is significant as we believe that they will be able to not only measure up but perform well in all the duties and appointments," he said.

"The proposal has been forwarded to the government . We hope that it will be accepted," he added.

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The Army has around 280 artillery regiments that handle various gun systems including Bofors howitzers, Dhanush, M-777 howitzers and K-9 Vajra self-propelled guns.

The Army chief also mentioned the decision to grant permanent commission of women in the Army.

"You are aware of the permanent commission that we have granted to women officers which will then prepare them for major leadership roles in terms of command of various establishments and units," he said.

"Those who have been granted permanent commission are now training them in other professional courses. They will be then eligible for selection for future responsibilities," he added.

In a significant move, the Army in 2019 began the process of inducting women into the military police.

The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war and extending aid to civil police whenever required.

Earlier this month, Captain Shiva Chauhan from the Army's Corps of Engineers was posted at a frontline post in Siachen Glacier, in the first such operational deployment of an woman Army officer at the world's highest battlefield.

Last month, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said the Indian Navy is looking at opening all its branches for women from 2023.

(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 12 (PTI) The power sector has been supplied more coal than the committed quantity and all-possible measures are being taken to augment the production of dry fuel in the next season also, a top official said on Thursday.

Speaking with reporters here, Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena said that the coal ministry has plans to supply more dry fuel to the power sector by March 31 and stressed that all coal companies are producing generally more than their target.

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"Wherever there are issues in terms of land availability, forest clearances, logistics...we are having meetings with all stakeholders," he explained.

On the recent directive of the power ministry to the generating companies to import coal, the secretary said it is a precautionary measure.

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The power ministry has asked gencos to ensure the timely import of coal as it anticipates a supply shortfall of 24 million tonnes in dry fuel during April-September 2023.

"In power generation, the growth is more than 10 per cent from April to December and in the thermal segment it is 11.4 per cent. Though our coal production is also 15-16 per cent since the requirement of power has gone up much beyond what was expected therefore as a matter of abundance caution government has taken this precautionary measure," he explained.

The power ministry has asked gencos to use imported coal to the extent of 6 per cent of their requirement.

"Power minister has set a target that we should try and see that about 45 million tonnes should be the closing stock at the thermal power end by the end of this 31 March. Though efforts are on since consumption has gone up...because of the factors you are aware of....so our endeavour is to achieve the target set up by the minister but this has posed a challenge," he explained.

The minister, he said, has also desired that by the end of March 31, 2023, the coal companies should have 65 million tonnes at its pit-head.

"Having gone by the experience of April, May June and the monsoons of last year it is appropriate for the country that we keep a little higher stock so that in case of eventuality because of heavy rains...if there is diminishing production we have adequate stock," Meena said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 12 (PTI) After Mumbai and Chennai, the Uttar Pradesh government is going to hold a roadshow in New Delhi on Friday to invite investors to the Global Investors Summit (GIS 2023).

The next round of meetings of ministers and senior officials with entrepreneurs will start early in the morning at The Oberoi Hotel in Delhi and will continue till late evening, an official said here.

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A large number of industrialists are expected to participate in the roadshow.

During B2G (Business to Government) meetings and roadshows, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's team will make entrepreneurs in Delhi aware of the investment possibilities and opportunities in the state.

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After the successful roadshows of Team Yogi abroad, road shows have been planned in 9 major metros in the country.

Earlier in December, 8 delegations of ministers and senior officials visited 21 cities in 16 countries and received investment proposals worth Rs 7.12 lakh crore. Now, road shows are being organised in 9 major cities of the country.

In Delhi's roadshow, Cabinet Ministers Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister of State Sandeep Singh, Kapil Dev Aggarwal and Arun Kumar Saxena will be present with senior officials.

The UP team will meet over a dozen veteran industrialists while more than four dozen industrialists will participate in the roadshow.

(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 12 (PTI) Sebi on Thursday sent a notice to Sahara Group firm Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, its chief Subrata Roy, and others, asking them to pay Rs 6.48 crore within 15 days in a case pertaining to flouting regulatory norms.

Also, the regulator warned of attachment of assets and bank accounts, if they fail to make the payment.

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The notice came after the entities failed to pay the fine imposed on them by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

The regulator, in its order in June, levied a fine totalling Rs 12 crore on two Sahara Group firms -- Sahara Housing Investment Corporation and Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (now known as Sahara Commodity Services Corporation) -- and Subrata Roy, Ashok Roy Choudhary, Ravi Shanker Dubey and Vandana Bharrgava -- for violating regulatory norms in the issuance of optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs).

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The case relates to issuance of OFCDs by Sahara India Real Estate Corporation and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation during 2008-2009. They raised money through public issue of securities by issuing OFCDs without following the various procedures intended to protect the interest of the investors, in respect of public issues, prescribed under the norms, as per Sebi.

According to Sebi, the subscription towards the OFCDs was solicited by the two companies from the general public in the country, without adequately informing them about the risks involved in the instruments.

The issuance was allegedly done in contravention of the provisions of the Sebi's ICDR (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations and PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices).

In its notice on Thursday, Sebi directed Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, Subrata Roy, Choudhary, Dubey and Bharrgava to pay Rs 6.48 crore, which includes penalty amount of Rs 6 crore along with interest and recovery cost, within 15 days.

In the event of non-payment of dues, the markets regulator will recover the amount by attaching and selling moveable and immoveable property of the entities. Besides, they face attachment of their bank accounts.

Also, the regulator takes the route of arrest and detention in prison to recover the amount.

In December, the regulator had sent a similar notice to Sahara India Real Estate Corporation, Roy, Choudhary, Dubey and Bharrgava and asked them to pay Rs 6.42 crore within 15 days.

(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 12 (PTI) Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have expressed keen interest to import ethanol from India.

The road transport and highways minister said that he discussed about ethanol with both governments of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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"I was able to discuss this matter with the PM of Bangladesh and even the Sri Lankan minister. Both are keenly interested in import of ethanol from India for adding ethanol into petrol in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka," Gadkari said while addressing the CII Conference on Bio-Energy here.

The minister also said that he will have a meeting with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in 15 days where a discussion is likely to be held on a policy for starting ethanol pumps in the country.

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The future of ethanol is very good, the minister said.

The government, he said, is eager to purchase more ethanol and also convinced to encourage the use of alternate fuel. "Because of green fuel the pollution problem is also going to resolve," Gadkari explained.

He added that a slew of top automakers is already in talks with him to make engines that run completely on ethanol and launch different types of vehicles with that capacity.

On one hand, the country has huge agricultural surpluses in crops like sugar, corn, rice, and wheat, which can be important sources of biofuel and on the other, its import bill of fossil fuels runs into Rs 16 lakh crore, said the minister.

Even more important is to deal with the dangerous level of air pollution, plaguing Delhi and other cities. This can be addressed to a significant extent if ethanol and alternative biofuels can substitute the fossil fuels in the country, the minister said.

"Today, we need a policy that can help us to substitute imports, is cost-effective, pollution free and indigenous. For any solution to be effective it must have a proven technology, economic viability, availability of raw materials and marketability. Ethanol fits the bill in all the four categories," Gadkari said.

Urging the investors to invest in ethanol, the minister said the ethanol economy is primed for fast growth in the next five-six years.

"Today, when we are adding 10 per cent of ethanol in petrol, we are making about 450 crore litres of ethanol. Tomorrow when we mix 20 per cent, we will need 1,000 crore litre ethanol," he stated.

Because of using ethanol, the country is already saving to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore, according to some estimates.

"Ethanol makes economic sense," the minister said.

Bio-CNG, Bio LNG, Green Hydrogen and other alternative energies are also options to be explored in the biofuel space, as India makes the transition from an energy importer to becoming an energy exporter, the minister said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) India's imports of vegetable oils, comprising edible and non-edible oils, rose 28 per cent to 15.66 lakh tonnes in December, driven by higher shipments of refined palmolein and crude palm oil.

In a statement, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said the import of vegetable oils during December 2022 stood at 15,66,129 tonnes compared to 12,26,686 tonnes a year ago.

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As per the data, the import of edible or cooking oils increased to 15,55,780 tonnes from 12,16,863 tonnes, while the shipments of non-edible oils rose to 10,349 tonnes from 9,832 tonnes.

In the edible oil category, the import of refined (RBD) palmolein surged to 2,56,398 tonnes in December 2022 from only 24,000 tonnes in the year-ago period. The imports of crude palm oil (CPO) rose to 8,43,849 tonnes against 5,28,143 tonnes.

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The vegetable oil year runs from November to October.

During November-December 2022, the import of vegetable oils increased by 30 per cent to 31,11,669 tonnes compared to 24,00,433 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The imports of refined palmolein and CPO (crude palm oil) increased sharply during November-December 2022.

The data showed that 4,58,646 tonnes of refined oils (all of its RBD palmolein) were imported during November-December 2022 compared to 82,267 tonnes in the year-ago period.

Similarly, SEA said that 26,25,894 tonnes of crude oil were imported in the last two months compared to 22,73,419 tonnes in November-December 2021.

As a result, the share of refined oils jumped to 15 per cent from 3 per cent while crude oils share declined to 85 per cent from 97 per cent compared to the previous year.

Indonesia and Malaysia are the major suppliers of RBD Palmolein and Crude Palm Oil to India. The country imports soyabean oil from Argentina and Brazil.

India imports around 60 per cent of its total domestic demand for cooking oils.

"During November-December 2022, Palm Oil import sharply increased to 22,50,924 tonnes from 1,105,582 tonnes, while Soft Oil import has decreased to 8,33,616 tonnes from 12,50,104 tonnes in November-December 2021," SEA said.

Share of palm oil increased to 73 per cent from 47 per cent while soft oils decreased to 27 per cent from 53 per cent.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) The government's proposed policy to re-power old windmills can attract investments worth over Rs 40,000 crore, including the cost of acquiring and dismantling old plants, over the next three to five years, says a report.

The wind power capacity has been stalling since 2018 when solar power took off at a faster pace and between March 2018 and December 2022, the net addition was only 8 gw to take the total to 42 gw while between 2010 and 2018 the country added 34 gw.

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If materialized, this will lead to a nearly three times (3x) the average annual wind power capex seen in the past four fiscals, according to an assessment by Crisil Ratings.

The Union new and renewable energy ministry had in October 2022 came out with a draft policy proposing repowering of old solar farms, which according to the agency is a step in the right direction to increase wind power generation as this can lead to lower open access tariffs.

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Repowering old windmills can potentially kick-start investments worth Rs 40,000 crore including the cost of acquiring and dismantling old plants over the next three to five years, which if materialized will be nearly three times the average annual wind power capex seen in the past four fiscals, Crisil said in a report on Thursday.

According to Ankit Hakhu, a director at the agency, the move, if accepted well may lead to replacement of about 5 gw of old windmills with new wind power plants with 2x more generation ability, because such projects can generate double-digit returns at tariffs of Rs 4 per unit for the incremental capacity.

Such a tariff can attract more customers through open access, because their average power purchase cost today is Rs 4-5 per unit.

Total installed capacity wind power nearly tripled from 13 gw in 2010 to 34 gw till March 2018 and then lost pace and touched 42 gw as of December 2022. But most of these entailed windmills with hub height less than 100 metres, and narrower turbines of less than 1.5 mw capacity which can generate less per unit of capex compared with newer technologies.

After 2018, wind capacity additions slowed and reached 42 gw as of December 2022. One of the key reasons for this slowdown has been shortage of wind sites with high generation potential leading to higher capital cost compared to solar projects. That meant wind projects needed higher tariffs, which discoms were chary of.

New windmills can operate at hub heights over 150 metres and generate more electricity using higher capacity turbines of over 3 mw. For instance, a new 3 mw windmill with a plant load factor of 34-36 percent can potentially generate 200 per cent more electricity than a 1 mw old turbine at the same site with a plant load factor of 22-24 per cent, he said.

According to Varun Marwaha, an associate director at the agency, the draft repowering policy paves the way for over 5 gw of repowering investments, especially in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The policy provides clarity on extending eligibility of older machines from 1 gw to 2 gw to be repowered, on sale of incremental generation under open access route.

However, capex per mw will be higher for repowered units than greenfield projects as developers acquiring old wind sites will likely pay a premium and also incur dismantling expenses of Rs 80-100 lakh per mw.

While generation will increase by 200300 per cent, projects may still need higher tariffs of at least Rs 4/unit than the recently discovered bids of Rs 3/unit to generate double-digit returns.

Commercial and industrial customers will find Rs 4/unit tariffs lucrative compared with grid tariff of Rs 7-8/unit in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Developers can prefer repowering over greenfield capacity because the risks will be lower given the proven generation track record of existing windmills.

The pace of adoption and success will depend on the speed at which the policy is implemented and approvals granted by state-run discoms and regulators because repowered projects will typically be linked to state electricity grids and will also have to service the remaining life of their extant power purchase agreements.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Solna [Sweden], January 12 (ANI): A significant increase in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease is associated with various cardiometabolic disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet have recently conducted a twin study that raises the possibility that dementia and cardiometabolic disease risk are caused by the same genes.

The findings of the study were published in the European Heart Journal.

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Cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke are a growing challenge in society. With an aging population and improved healthcare, people are living longer with cardiometabolic diseases more likely to get two or more of these conditions in a lifetime, known as cardiometabolic multimorbidity. It affects an estimated 30 per cent of older adults and leads to increased mortality.

"We know that type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke are well-established individual risk factors for dementia. As the population ages, more and more people are affected by several co-morbid cardiometabolic diseases, but few studies have dealt with the effect of this multimorbidity on dementia risk and whether genetic factors affect the relationship," said Abigail Dove, PhD student at the Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and the study's first author.

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Comprehensive twin study

The researchers have therefore examined twins over the age of 60 who were registered in the Swedish Twin Registry between March 1998 and December 2002. The more than 17,000 individuals were categorized based on whether they had one or more cardiometabolic diseases or whether they were free of these conditions.

All study participants were cognitively healthy at the beginning of the study. The participants' health status was monitored for up to 18 years, allowing the researchers to establish who eventually developed dementia and who did not.

"We discovered that cardiometabolic multimorbidity is linked to a more than doubled risk of vascular dementia and a 50 per cent increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," said Abigail Dove.

For each cardiometabolic disease the person had, the risk of all types of dementia increased by 42 per cent. The corresponding figure for Alzheimer's disease is 26 per cent and 64 per cent for vascular dementia.

Higher risk in early onset of disease

The study also found that the risk of developing dementia was higher if a person was diagnosed with cardiometabolic diseases in middle age compared to if those diseases developed later in life. According to the study, one explanation for this may be that if the disease debuts earlier in life, it can be a more aggressive form.

"These findings underscore the need for special monitoring of individuals with cardiometabolic diseases to reduce their risk of developing dementia at an older age," said Abigail Dove.

Genetic factors influence

The researchers also took a closer look at about 400 specific pairs of twins from the study population that were "mismatched" - that is, the two twins in a pair differed from each other in terms of both the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and the possible development of dementia.

Among the mismatched dizygotic twins who share 50 per cent of their genes, the twin with cardiometabolic disease was more likely to also be the one who developed dementia. However, among mismatched pairs of identical twins who are genetic copies of each other, the risk of dementia was similar for both twins regardless of cardiometabolic disease status.

"The results suggest that the same genetic factors may contribute to both cardiometabolic diseases and dementia," said Abigail Dove. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tallinn (Estonia), Jan 12 (AP) An opposition politician who ran against authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the controversial 2020 Belarusian presidential election was arrested in Minsk on Wednesday, a human rights group says.

Andrey Dzmitryeu, a 41-year-old activist who heads the Tell the Truth movement, was seized by security forces near his home in the Belarusian capital, the Viasna centre reported.

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The reason for the arrest and the charges against him are still unknown. Dzmitryeu is being held at the notorious Okrestsina Detention Centre, where human rights activists say political prisoners have been tortured.

Belarusian authorities declined to comment on the reported detention.

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Belarus was shaken by huge anti-government protests after the disputed August 2020 re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, which the opposition and the West denounced as a rigged sham.

Authorities responded to the demonstrations with a massive crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested, thousands beaten by police and dozens of media outlets and non-government organisations shut.

Running against Lukashenko, Dzmitryeu finished fourth in the election with 1.2 per cent of the vote, according to the official results.

During the election campaign, the politician spoke in support of Sergei Tikhanovsky, Viktar Babaryka and Valery Tsepkalo, who were barred from running in the elections. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], January 12 (ANI): China has condemned the attack that took place outside the Taliban Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, which killed at least five people and injured many others.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin in a regular press conference on Thursday strongly condemned the explosion and said that the country opposes all acts of violent terrorism.

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Responding to a media query on Wednesday bombing outside the Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul, Wang Wenbin said, "We noted relevant reports. China firmly opposes all acts of violent terrorism. We strongly condemn this incident, mourn for the victims and extend sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident."

The Chinese spokesperson further stated that there were no Chinese casualties in this terrorist attack.

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Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who lives near the ministry, condemned the explosion, calling it an "act of terrorism, a crime against humanity and an act against all human and Islamic values."The United Nations also condemned the attack.

"This is just another example of the rising insecurity which is of great concern to us," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. It is "no way to bring any sort of peace to Afghanistan."

In a statement, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said expressed its condolences to the affected families and said that violence is not part of any solution to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan.

"UNAMA condemns today's attack outside Foreign Ministry in Kabul. Reports of numerous casualties, including civilians. Rising insecurity is of grave concern. Violence is not part of any solution to bring lasting peace to #Afghanistan. Our condolences to the families affected," UNAMA tweeted.

More than 40 wounded were brought to a surgical center in Kabul run by Emergency NGO, a humanitarian organization. Stefano Sozza, Emergency's director in Afghanistan, said casualty numbers were continuing to rise as the situation unfolded.

"The death toll is still rising," he said. "This is the first mass casualty in 2023, but certainly one of those with the most patients since the beginning of 2022. So much so, that we have also set up beds in the kitchens and canteen."

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, armed groups linked to the Afghan branch of the Islamic State have carried out bombings targeting ethnic Hazaras, Afghan Shias, Sufis, and others, killing and injuring hundreds. Afghanistan has reported a number of blasts since the start of 2023. Several blasts were reported in the capital city this month including one year Kabul military airport. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Minister of the Environment Akihiro Nishimura on Thursday in New Delhi.

Both sides discussed a range of issues including G7/G20 collaboration, LiFE, Marine and Plastic Waste, COP-27, and CBD 15.

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Speaking on the occasion, Bhupender Yadav said that it is a coincidence that both Japan and India have taken over the Presidencies of the G7 and G20 respectively and this presents an opportunity for both countries to set the agendas and priorities for shaping the future of the world towards "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth * One Family * One Future", which is also the theme of India's G20 Presidency.

Yadav further added that during India's G-20 Presidency, LiFE is one of the important priorities for all the working groups cutting across many ministries and departments. He also sought support from Japan for India's G-20 Presidency, and also assured India's support for Japan's G-7 Presidency, according to an official statement of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

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The Minister recognized and praised Japan's efforts to provide cutting-edge technologies to India. He emphasized that India and Japan can look into enhancing their bilateral collaboration, particularly in the areas of resource efficiency, low-carbon technologies, green hydrogen, and circular economies.

Addressing the 1st India - Japan Environment week Yadav stated that to build a better world and a better future leaving no one behind, we should promote just and equitable growth for all in the world, in a sustainable, holistic, responsible, and inclusive manner.

Highlighting the importance of LiFE for tackling the environmental challenges and the crises of climate change, pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, Yadav said Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. First proposed by the Prime Minister at COP 26, Mission LiFE is envisioned as a global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment.

He said India seeks to lead by example and invites the global community to be a part of Mission LiFE for individual, family, and community-based actions. In this connection, Yadav mentioned Furoshiki, a square-shaped Japanese traditional wrapping cloth that originated around 710 B.C. Furoshiki is eco-friendly and is used for wrapping gifts, carrying goods, or as decoration. The reusable Furoshiki is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic wrapping paper, the official release read.

Bhupendra Yadav said the need of the hour is to orient industrial development towards sustainable production and to be a tool for nudging sustainable consumption.

Concluding the meeting, both countries also agreed to further promote cooperation between the two countries as well as to work together in multilateral frameworks. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 12 (ANI): The year 2022 was a dreadful year for Balochistan as Pakistan army, forcibly disappeared 629, extrajudicially killed 195 and tortured 187 people, according to the annual report released by Paank, the human rights organization of the Baloch National Movement.

The report highlights the human rights situation throughout the year with infographics. According to this, in January 2022, there were 92 forced disappearances, 15 murders and one person was tortured by the Pakistan army.

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95 enforced disappearances, 42 murders and 5 tortures cases were reported in February. In March, 62 people went into forced disappearance, 19 were killed and 6 people were tortured.50 enforced disappearances, 39 murders and 18 tortures were reported in April, added the report.

According to Paank, 187 forcibly disappeared people were released from the torture cells of the Pakistani army last year.

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61 enforced disappearances, 5 murders and 22 tortures were reported in May. In June, 26 people forcibly disappeared, and 11 people were murdered. In July, 46 people forcibly disappeared, 16 were killed, and 28 were tortured.

55 forced disappearances, 5 murders and 37 tortures were reported in August. In September, 30 forced disappearances, 02 murders and 19 people were tortured.

In October, 38 people forcibly disappeared, 15 were killed, and 18 were tortured. In November, 36 people forcibly disappeared, 23 were killed, and 14 were tortured.38 enforced disappearances,2 murders and 19 people were tortured in December 2022, said the annual report of Paank.

The report said that the year 2022 was full of human tragedy in Balochistan with mass punishment, forced disappearances, murders, massacres and violence.

Counter-Terrorism Department and Frontier Corps under the Pakistan army subjected hundreds of Balochs including women and children to enforced disappearance, collective punishment, killing in fake encounters and torture in various areas in Balochistan and Sindh, added the report.

The report states that a complete ban has been imposed on Baloch nationalist parties in Balochistan, and only the Pakistan army and pro-military groups have political freedom.

Due to bans on nationalist parties, a vacuum has been created in Balochistan, which the Pakistani army tries to fill with its supporters.

According to Paank, the families of the victims of forced disappearance by the army are suffering from political isolation to compete with the military force in Balochistan.

Baloch families have been protesting for the recovery of their loved ones for many years. There have been several negotiations between the government and the families, but the powerless government of Pakistan has failed to fulfill its promises and enforce the law.

Even the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif said, 'I will talk to the powerful circles about the enforced disappearances.

This makes it clear that the so-called democratic governments of Pakistan do not have the power, but the centre of power is the Pakistani army, the report stated.

Because of this, the negotiations between the government and the families became fruitless and the humanitarian crisis in Balochistan deepened.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan government is planning to set up a new commission to trace missing persons, reported New Pakistan, adding that the Commission, if formed, would be the third government body in Pakistan to be given the task.

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, formed by the Supreme Court, and the commission set up by the Islamabad High Court, are already looking into the matter, according to the report.

The government instead of forming various commissions and committees should enforce steps to hold accountable the state element responsible for the enforced disappearances, according to a Dawn report quoted by New Pakistan.

According to New Pakistan, the Pakistani state has the tendency to act like an ostrich, instead of dealing with reality, it prefers to hide its head in the sand by simply setting up another commission. The people of Pakistan, including those who forcibly disappeared, deserve more than simply another commission, it said.

Pakistan's Missing Persons Commission recently presented a report to the Pakistan Supreme Court regarding the number of prisoners in detention centres. In the report, the Commission said that 974 people declared 'missing' were in detention centres while 616 remained in prisons, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jan 12 (AP) US air travel returned mostly to normal Thursday, a day after a computer system that sends safety information to pilots broke down and grounded traffic from coast to coast.

By late morning on the East Coast, only about 100 flights had been canceled and 1,000 delayed  much lower figures than on Wednesday, when more than 1,300 flights were scrubbed and 11,000 delayed.

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The Federal Aviation Administration said a damaged database file appeared to have caused the outage in the safety-alert system. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg promised a thorough examination to avoid another major failure.

Now we have to understand how this could have happened in the first place, why the usual redundancies that would stop it from being that disruptive did not stop it from being disruptive this time, and what the original source of the errors or the corrupted files would have been, Buttigieg told CNN.

Also Read | Sex for Visa at Pakistan High Commission? Indian Woman Alleges Sexual Harassment by Two Embassy Officers.

He said there was no indication that the outage was caused by a cyberattack, but we're also not going to rule that out until we have a clearer and better understanding of what's taking place.

The massive disruption was the latest black eye for the FAA, which has traded blame with airlines over who is inconveniencing passengers more. Critics, including airline and tourism leaders, say the agency has been underfunded and needs to modernize its technology.

The FAA outage, which began Tuesday night, is a clear sign that America's transportation network desperately needs significant upgrades, said Geoff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association trade group.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has been critical of the FAA on a variety of issues, including staffing of air traffic controllers. Last fall he said the agency makes a heroic effort and does well most of the time but can be overwhelmed during peak travel periods.

Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington state, the top Democrat on a House aviation subcommittee, said the outage raises questions about the current state of the technology infrastructure at the FAA. He told CNN that Congress would consider whether the agency needs more money to modernize.

The outage came at a bad time for both the FAA and Buttigieg.

The FAA is trying to repair its reputation after being widely criticized for the way it approved the Boeing 737 Max without fully understanding a flight-control system that malfunctioned and played a key role in two crashes that killed 346 people. The agency took a more hands-on approach when considering  and eventually improving  changes that Boeing made to get the plane back in the air.

The meltdown at an agency overseen by the Transportation Department could also undercut Buttigieg's moral authority to chastise airlines when they cancel or delay flights. He has gone after the airlines since last summer, most recently over disruptions at Southwest Airlines, which canceled nearly 17,000 flights in the last 10 days of December.

Wednesday's breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on the computer system that generates alerts called NOTAMs  or Notice to Air Missions.

Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about bad weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight. The system was once telephone-based but moved online years ago.

It broke down late Tuesday and was not fixed until midmorning Wednesday. The FAA took the rare step of preventing any planes from taking off for a time. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Archil Dzuliashvili, ambassador of Georgia to India said that the Government of India initiated hosting a special and important event, the Voice of Global South Summit.

The ambassador told ANI that India's G20 Presidency provides a strong opportunity to many countries to bring their voice and ideas into the dialogue and discussions of the G20.

Also Read | Sex for Visa at Pakistan High Commission? Indian Woman Alleges Sexual Harassment by Two Embassy Officers.

"Government of India initiated hosting a special and important event, Voice of Global South Summit. India's G20 Presidency provides a strong opportunity to many countries to bring their voice and ideas into the dialogue and discussions of the G20," Dzuliashvili said during an interview with ANI.

He said that in view of the global challenges and regional conflicts that we are experiencing today, it becomes more important to maintain peace and stability and that is the main priority of most countries around the world.

Also Read | China: Workers Stage Protests After Layoffs by COVID-19 Test Kit Manufacturer.

"The minister of foreign affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili is delighted to bring to our attention the importance of global dialogue in order to create a peaceful, safe and stable environment," Dzuliashvili said.

"Georgia is working on better connectivity between the east and the west," he added.

Ibrahim Shaheeb the High Commissioner of Maldives to India congratulated India for assuming the presidency of G20 and also welcomed the initiative by India to convene the Voice of Global South Summit.

"Let me first congratulate India for assuming the presidency of G20 and also welcome the initiative by India to convene the Voice of Global South Summit," Shaheeb said in an interview with ANI.

He said that the global south contributes to more than half of the global economy and makes up much of the world that we live in.

"The timely summit creates an opportunity for us to raise the concerns central to the global south. With India's G-20 priorities aligning with our national priorities, we are confident that our voice will be heard," Shaheeb said.

India is hosting 'The Voice of Global South' Summit from January 12-13. Ten to 20 countries will be part of one session and two lead sessions will be hosted by Prime Minister Modi.

"We will be hosting a special virtual summit on 12th and 13th January 2023. This summit will be called the Voice of Global South Summit under the theme Unity of Voice and Unity of purpose," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had said during a special briefing.

"It essentially envisages bringing together countries of the global south and sharing their perspective and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues," he added.

This initiative is inspired by PM Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. It is also underpinned by India's philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Kwatra said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the importance of the 'equivalent voice' of the Global South on the international platform and reiterated that their voice is the voice of India, and their priorities are India's too.

Speaking virtually at the inaugural leaders' session of 'Voice of Global South: For human-centric development', PM Modi said, "We supported each other in the fight against foreign rule and we can do it again in this century to create a new world order that will ensure the welfare of our citizens. Your voice is India's voice and your priorities are India's priorities." (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 12 (ANI): The White House on Wednesday (local time) said it has not seen evidence of a cyber attack being the cause of a system outage at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that has caused hundreds of flights to be delayed.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that "there is no evidence of a cyber attack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes."

Also Read | India-US Trade Policy Forum Meeting: Delay in Business Visa Issuance Discussed With America, Says Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

The overnight outage caused widespread inconvenience, with thousands of flights throughout the country delayed.

Meanwhile, the FAA removed its order to halt all domestic aircraft departures across the United States on Wednesday after restoring the system that provides pilots with pre-flight safety notices, CNN reported.

Also Read | Pakistan: Tandoor Owners Go on Strike in Swabi Over Surge in Prices of Flour.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden was briefed on the outage and spoke with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday morning.

"They don't know what the cause is," Biden told reporters, adding, "I told them to report directly to me when they find out. Aircraft can still land safely, just not take off right now. They don't know what the cause of it is, they expect in a couple of hours they'll have a good sense of what caused it and will respond at that time."

It was the latest snag to hit air travel in the country, coming roughly two weeks after Southwest Airlines cancelled more than half of its flights over a three-day period after Christmas, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The US regulatory body, FAA, had put a ground stop order in place after its NOTAM -- or Notice to Air Missions -- system failed. The FAA lifted the order shortly before 9 am (local time) and the agency said normal air traffic operations have resumed across the country. It said it was still trying to determine the cause of the problem, according to CNN.

Earlier, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed all flight operators about the airspace system failure, as all flights across US were grounded after a technical glitch in the computer system of the FAA. As per the report, over 400 flights were delayed.

US-based United air said in a statement, "The FAA system that sends out important real-time flight hazards & restrictions to all commercial airline pilots - Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) - is currently suffering a nationwide outage. United has temporarily delayed all domestic flights and will issue an update when we learn more from the FAA." (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 12: A 50-year-old woman was kidnapped from outer Delhi's Mangolpuri, brutally murdered by three persons, who then buried her body to destroy evidence.

The woman was kidnapped and murdered around 10 days ago while the accused were held by the police on Wednesday. The police dug up the grave in Nangloi to retrieve the body. Her post-mortem will be conducted at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital on Thursday, police said. Delhi Shocker: Woman Dies After Bus Runs Over Her While She Crosses Road in Karol Bagh (Disturbing Video).

A senior police official said that the accused were identified as Mobin Khan, Naveen Khan and Rehan. "The deceased Meena Wadhwan, used to give money on interest and had been living in the Avantika area. The trio accused were known to her for years. They had taken a loan from her. The accused were demanding more loan and when she refused to give them money, she was kidnapped and murdered," the police told IANS. Delhi Shocker: Woman Found Dead With Throat Slit in National Capital, Husband Hangs Self in Sonipat; Probe Launched.

The body was buried in a cemetery in Nangloi by the accused. A case of kidnapping cum murder has been lodged at the Mangolpuri Police Station.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2023 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
It looks like a win-win situation for both Team Cambridge and Team Sussex! Yes, the tensions between the brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry, are at an all-time high since the release of the Duke of Sussexs record-breaking tell-all memoir, Spare. But interestingly, Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridges image, has not taken a hit despite his brother going all out against him and his wife, Kate Middleton, officially named Catherine, Princess of Wales and Duchess of Cambridge. In fact, the future King and Queen Consort of the British Royal Family received a warm reception as they made their first public appearance since Prince Harrys Spare hit the stands. The senior royal couple opened the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. So, one brother is minting money with the record sale of his autobiography and getting his "truth" out while the other is winning over the people. A win for all.

Prince and Princess of Wales Adored By All!

The whole atrium is packed with staff and patients waiting to get a glimpse of the Prince and Princess pic.twitter.com/YGjI1C92D3  Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 12, 2023

Meanwhile, a cheer for the Prince and Princess of Wales as they carry out engagements in Liverpool. Prince William appeared to ignore a question about whether he was going to comment on Harrys book pic.twitter.com/I9wUiGsed6  Kate Mansey (@KateMansey) January 12, 2023

Sylvia, 81, who had an appointment at the hospital managed to speak to Will. She said to him: Keep going Will, scousers love you. To which he replied: I will do. She said she couldnt believe she managed to speak to him pic.twitter.com/J8J5yqyQgj  Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 12, 2023

Watch Video of Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate Middleton!

(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.)
Pentagon: No sign yet of offensive against Ukraine from Belarus.



The U.S. doesn't see signs of an imminent threat of an offensive against Ukraine from Belarus, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) January 12, 2023

(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.)
Puerto Ricans may be U.S. citizens, but they have a unique culture of their own. This is reflected by the many fiestas and holidays that Puerto Rico usually celebrates as part of their customs and traditions.

Like many former Spanish colonies, this U.S. territory in the Caribbean also loves to celebrate fiestas, often with flamboyant parades and plenty of dancing, as well as booze. There is also their celebration of Christmas which is celebrated longer on the island than in the rest of the United States.

5 Popular Fiestas and Holidays in Puerto Rico

We picked five Puerto Rican holidays, including one celebrated by Americans and the rest of the world but is celebrated differently in Puerto Rico.

Christmas in Puerto Rico

According to Culture Trip, Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas longer, as it lasts from the end of November until mid-January. While not as long as other former Spanish colonies like the Philippines, which celebrates Christmas from September until January, it is still celebrated much longer than in the U.S. mainland.

Much like other Spanish colonies, however, Puerto Ricans also have a feast on Christmas Eve called Noche Buena. They also love playing popular Christmas songs during that period, like "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano. The Christmas season ends with the feast of the Three Kings, which is usually held on January 5 on the island.

Fiesta de los Reyes Magos

Speaking of the Three Kings, this is the fiesta that ends the Christmas season, and Puerto Ricans celebrate it in a big way. The celebrations include a grand parade involving the Three Wise Men visiting Baby Jesus or the Santo Nino in the manger.

READ MORE: Will Puerto Rico Become the 51st State of the United States? House Approves Puerto Rico 'Decolonization' Referendum

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian

Considered one of the most important celebrations in Puerto Rico, it celebrates Saint Sebastian in a series of street festivals. According to Medium, it is usually celebrated around the third weekend of January, and it usually involves a procession with the image of the saint. There is also music and one big street party.

Festival de Santiago Apostol

This holiday celebrates Vejigante, a popular local folk character who is depicted in a parade where vejigantes wear masks made of coconut and driftwood and battle Spanish conquistadores. According to Holidify, it is usually celebrated during the final weekend of July.

Festival Nacional Indigena

Puerto Rico also has its own holiday that celebrates its indigenous peoples, and it is called the Festival Nacional Indigena.

In particular, it celebrates the island's native Taino community as it shows the tribe's culture and traditions before Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain. They may have been subjugated by the Spaniards but their influence is still very strong on the island.

It is usually celebrated at the end of November in Jayuya, which has a significant Taino community. The area also boasts the highest peak in Puerto Rico, as well as some of the island's best coffee plantations.

READ MORE: Cocaine Worth Over $5 Million Offloaded by US Coast Guard in Puerto Rico

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: The Biggest Party in Puerto Rico! [San Sebastian Street Festival 2020] - Spanish and Go
Authorities said on Tuesday that the Peru death toll from rallies following the removal of former President Pedro Castillo had risen to 47 after a police officer on patrol was attacked and burned to death by protestors in the Puno region.

According to official accounts, on Monday night, 29-year-old police officer Jose Luis Soncco Quispe was attacked by a mob while on patrol in Juliaca, a city on the border with Bolivia and Lake Titicaca.

The mob then set fire to the officer's vehicle, according to AP.

Reports said that Ronald Villasante Toque and Soncco in the patrol car were detained and violently abused by around 350 demonstrators.

Villasante was severely beaten and sent to a hospital in Lima for treatment and said he was unaware of what was happening to Soncco.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola told Congress that demonstrators were to blame for Soncco's death.

"Police arrived at the scene and found that one officer had been beaten and tied up, and the other, Luis Soncco Quispe, unfortunately, had died," Otarola said.

"He was burned alive in his patrol car."

Otarola declared a day of mourning for the dead Wednesday and a three-day curfew in Puno from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

READ NEXT: Peru Clashes Amid Anti-Government Protests Leave at Least 13 Dead

Police Death Comes After 17 Were Added to Peru Death Toll

In addition to the deceased police officer, the Peruvian Ombudsman's Office reported that since the protests began in early December following Castillo's removal, 39 civilians have been murdered in conflicts with police, and seven more have died in traffic accidents.

The police officer was killed after 17 people were added to Peru's death toll in Juliaca Monday as rallies for primary elections restarted in rural sections of the country still faithful to Castillo.

A deadly clash between civilians and rebel groups occurred in the southern city of Juliaca, close to the border with Bolivia, MSN reported.

This was the deadliest clash between civilians and armed actors in Peru in at least 20 years, when the nation emerged from a dictatorship and a long and brutal fight with a violent guerrilla group.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Jennie Dador, executive secretary of the National Human Rights Coordinator of Peru, an accountability group, said that the murders on Monday resulted from the "indiscriminate use of force" by state security agents.

"What happened yesterday was really a massacre," she said. "These were extrajudicial killings."

According to Peru's interior minister Victor Rojas, Juliaca protests began peacefully. However, they turned violent about 3 p.m., when over 9,000 protestors attempted to take control of the airport, armed people with homemade guns and explosives, and attacked police.

Peru President Dina Boluarte Under Genocide Investigation Following Protest Deaths

With over 40 people in Peru death toll and hundreds more injured in violent clashes in Peru since early December, the country's top prosecutor's office has announced that it has opened an investigation into new president Dina Boluarte and members of her cabinet to investigate allegations of genocide.

However, the new government was given a vote of confidence by Congress on Tuesday night, and it was overwhelmingly approved, per The Guardian.

With a loss, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola would have been forced to retire, and a new administration would have been appointed.

The protests on Monday, in the southern region of Puno, were the deadliest since the ouster and detention of former president Pedro Castillo a month ago, which triggered the investigation.

On Tuesday, the Attorney General's Office announced they were looking into "genocide, qualified homicide, and serious injuries" against Boluarte, Otarola, Rojas, and Defense Minister Jorge Chavez.

Human rights organizations have claimed that officials fired weapons and smoke bombs at protesters.

The army claims that the demonstrators used guns and homemade bombs.

The attorney general's office also announced that it would investigate the actions of Pedro Angulo, Boluarte's prime minister, for a brief period, and Cesar Cervantes, his interior minister, regarding the protests.

Requests for comment sent to the Peru president and various ministers' offices initially went unanswered.

READ MORE: Brazil Former President Jair Bolsonaro Released From Florida Hospital, Plans to Return to His Country

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Policeman burned to death in his car in Peru amid anti-govt demonstration - From TRT World
New House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would not force Republican New York Rep. George Santos to resign from Congress, saying it is up to the voters who put him in office to decide.

"Look, the voters decide... He has to answer to the voters... That's what his decision is to make," McCarthy told Capitol Hill reporters when asked if he would welcome Santos' resignation if it was offered.

Citing an NBC News report, CNBC reported that McCarthy said the voters elected Santos to serve, adding that if there is a "concern," the newly elected representative would have to go through the Ethics Committee.

Santos announced Wednesday that he will not resign from Congress amid growing calls for him to step down from his post.

The New York representative apologized for fabricating details on his resume. However, he maintained that he did not commit any crimes.

Despite his stance on Santos' resignation, McCarthy said the New York lawmaker should not be seated on any top House committees.

A House Republican, who frequently oversees the classified documents and information, said that Santos probably "shouldn't be on Intelligence or HASC."

The member noted that Santos could better serve on the Small Business Committee.

Dusty Johnson of South Dakota has other opinions. The head of the Main Street Caucus thinks that Santos should not be part of any committees.

Johnson said he "wouldn't seat the guy on any committees" until they have a "fuller understanding" of the incident.

READ NEXT: Brazil Renews 2008 Fraud Charges Against George Santos

Calls For George Santos' Resignation

Republicans from New York's Nassau County held a press conference on Wednesday, clamoring for George Santos to resign.

Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo described Santos' campaign as a "campaign of deceit, lies, and fabrication,"

The Nassau County GOP Chairman also called for Santos' "immediate resignation," adding that the lawmaker is "not welcome" at the Republican headquarters for meetings or at any of the GOP events.

Cairo said Santos has "disgraced the House of Representatives." Aside from calls for resignation, prosecutors for the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York are also looking at Santos' finances and financial disclosures.

Santos tweeted that he was elected to serve the people of New York, "not the party & politicians."

George Santos Resume

Last December, George Santos admitted to lying about his education and work experiences, saying that his sins were "embellishing" his resume.

Santos said during his campaign that he had worked at high-profile Wall Street firms, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

He later admitted that he had never worked directly for the said firm, adding that it was a "poor choice of words."

Santos said he actually worked at a company called Link Bridge, where he served as the vice president and did business with both of the financial firms.

He claimed to have received a degree from New York City's Baruch College in 2010, later admitting that he did not graduate from any institution of higher learning.

Santos noted that he campaigned talking about the people's concerns rather than his resume. There were also inconsistencies in Santos' financial disclosure, with many questions raised regarding his fortune.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Didn't Win Presidential Election 2020 During Interview With Presidential Historians

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Rep. Kevin McCarthy Plans to Remove These Three Democrat Lawmakers From Committees - From Fox Business




This year's summit of North America's leaders, sometimes called the "Three Amigos" summit, was held in Mexico City, where U.S. President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador, and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about several key issues, including migration, climate change, drugs, and trade.

The North American Leaders' Summit is the trilateral meeting between the president of the United States, the prime minister of Canada, and the president of Mexico.

According to Al Jazeera, the three North American leaders agreed to cooperate on bolstering the supply of semiconductors.

It is currently a market dominated by Asia. The agreement is seen as a way for the U.S. to compete with China in terms of production.

In the 10th North American Leaders Summit, the three leaders also agreed to address climate change by reducing methane emissions from solid waste and wastewater by at least 15 percent.

As for U.S.-Mexico trade, Biden and Lopez Obrador agreed to strengthen their supply chain, as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in problems in the supply chain due to North America's reliance on Chinese-made goods.

The supply chain problems arose as the shipping crisis loomed as the pandemic continued. Hours before Tuesday's summit, Biden and Trudeau met and agreed to strengthen their supply chain.

The Canadian Prime Minister said they would have to work together to "move forward to create those efficient and resilient supply chains that we need."

READ NEXT: North America Leaders Summit: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Challenges Joe Biden to Give More Help for Latin America

Tensions Calmed After Rough First Meeting Between Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

As Latin Post previously reported, the summit began as tensions simmered between Mexico and the United States.

The Associated Press reported that delegations from Mexico and the U.S. had a tense meeting in an ornate room at the Palacio Nacional on Monday.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, also known by his initials AMLO, reportedly challenged Joe Biden to end an attitude of "abandonment" and "disdain" for Latin America and the Caribbean during that meeting.

The Mexican president also challenged Biden to improve life across the Latin American region as he holds the "key" in his hands.

However, Euronews reported that things might have been smoothed out between the two leaders as they had a more optimistic outlook during a joint news conference on Tuesday.

Biden even noted that there was a "genuine like" for one another. On the other hand, AMLO had a not-so-subtle dig at former President Donald Trump when he jokingly thanked Biden for not building "even one meter of wall."

The three leaders also talked about drug smuggling, which has become a huge problem in the U.S., with fentanyl overdoses becoming increasingly alarming. Biden, AMLO, and Justin Trudeau agreed to adopt an "updated strategic framework" to address this threat and implement other measures, such as "increased information sharing" on the chemicals used to make fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

North America Leaders Justin Trudeau and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Discuss Energy Dispute

There were also bilateral talks between Mexico and Canada, with Justin Trudeau and AMLO addressing their largest dispute so far.

This problem stemmed from the Mexican president's energy policies which Canada and the U.S. say have given government-controlled Mexican firms an unfair advantage.

However, with Canada agreeing to have big investments in Mexico, AMLO noted that he would gladly meet with any Canadian energy company that had a problem with the country's energy policies, which significantly favors state-owned utility over foreign and privately-built power plants.

The Associated Press reported that this was a move against the three countries' free trade pact.

Trudeau discussed new Canadian investments in Mexico, including a Canadian company, TransCanada, building a pipeline that will bring natural gas to southeastern Mexico.

READ MORE: Mexico: President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Tells Citizens to Reject Gifts From Drug Cartels

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: North American Leaders Hold News Conference at Leaders' Summit - From ABC News

L
President Joe Biden's legal team has reportedly found a new batch of classified documents in a new location.

People familiar with the matter told CNN on Wednesday that searches for more classified documents happened after Biden's attorneys found the initial batch of government records in early November.

The first batch of classified documents from Biden's time as vice president was found at his former think tank office at the University of Pennsylvania in Washington.

It is unclear at this time where the new batch of classified documents was located.

It is also being determined how many documents were in the latest set of government records or what they were about. The date when the new documents were found was also not disclosed.

A source briefed on the matter told NBC News that Biden aides have been scouring other locations aside from his former Washington office to see if there are other classified documents that need to be handed over to the National Archives and reviewed by the Justice Department.

In a statement on Monday, the White House confirmed that a "small number of documents" had been found at a Washington think tank tied to Biden during his vice presidency in Barack Obama's administration.

The chair and vice chair of the Senate intelligence committee asked for access to the classified documents. The National Archives referred the classified documents to the Justice Department.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly slammed Biden on his Truth Social app regarding the discovery of the classified documents.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Classified Documents Contain Intelligence Briefings on Ukraine, Iran, and U.K.

Joe Biden Classified Documents and Donald Trump Classified Documents

One of the differences between Joe Biden's and Donald Trump's cases of classified documents was how it was returned or handed over to the National Archives.

Archives contacted Trump officials soon after he left office in 2021, informing him that the agency believed some of the documents were missing and requesting their return.

Court paper showed officials found 14 out of 15 boxes containing classified documents from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

There were 184 documents marked classified in the boxes, with many more found later on. On the other hand, Biden's classified documents were immediately handed over to National Archives upon discovery.

The agency was unaware of the missing documents and had not made any request to the president for their return.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) learned that Trump had not fully complied with the subpoena for the return of the documents, leading to the search of the former president's Mar-a-Lago property.

A source familiar with the matter said Biden only became aware of the classified documents in his former office when his lawyers told him they had discovered them.

Joe Biden on Classified Documents

Joe Biden said he was surprised to learn about the classified files found at his former private office.

He noted that he did not know what was in the documents, indicating that his lawyers had advised him not to ask about the contents of the materials.

A source familiar with the matter told CNN that the items discovered in Biden's former private office include 10 classified documents, including U.S. intelligence memos and briefing materials covering topics such as Iran, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

The Justice Department is currently looking into the matter. A Republican congressional committee noted that it will also investigate.

GOP congressman James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, expressed concerns that Biden "compromised" intelligence sources.

He asked the White House to turn over its documents and communications concerning the classified materials.

Another insider told CNN that Attorney General Merrick Garland has already asked John Lausch Jr., the U.S. attorney in Chicago, to review the matter.

The source noted that Lausch has completed the initial part of his inquiry and has already submitted his preliminary findings to Garland, who is now facing a critical decision on how to proceed, including whether to open a full-blown criminal probe or not.

READ MORE: Classified Documents Found in Joe Biden's Former Office as U.S. Vice President Being Reviewed by DOJ

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: More Classified Documents Found in Biden's Offices - From ABC News




The top US Marine Corps general in Japan has said that the US is "setting the theater" in the Asia-Pacific region the same way it did in Ukraine after 2014.

Putting that military-speak into ordinary words: the United States is preparing to initiate a future conflict in the region in the same way it did in Ukraine following the US-backed ousting of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Claiming that Ukraine had made big achievements in its conflict with Russia thanks to the preparations that the US made for the hostilities  by "training the Ukrainians, prepositioning supplies, identification of sites from which we could operate support, sustain operations"  Lieutenant general James Bierman, commander of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force and of Marine Forces Japan, said that the US is now doing the same "in Japan, in the Philippines, in other locations".

Under the backdrop of the US' rising enmity toward China and its constant provocations over the Taiwan question, what Bierman said makes it clear that the Pentagon now harbors the intention to fan the flames of war in the region.

Nevertheless, while the US intends to make Taiwan the fuse for conflict, it will still be a mistake to believe that the US is ready to sacrifice US lives for the island. As it has done with Ukraine, it will seek to use proxies to do its dirty work. Thus its so-called war preparations involve pushing its regional allies to the forefront in its next theater of war. Although in the case of Japan, it appears to need no pushing as it has enthusiastically jumped on the US' militarized bandwagon.

Japan's eagerness to contain China is because that offers it an excuse to remilitarize. This in the eyes of its right-wing politicians is the only way it can gain status and recognition on the world stage as a normal country.

The new security strategy drawn up by the Fumio Kishida government names China "the biggest strategic challenge" and includes language that can justify military action, breaking the constraints of Japan's post-World War II Constitution. With Japanese Prime Minister Kishida visiting Washington next week, it can be anticipated that Japan will step forward to help the US "set its theater".

But the warmongering collusion between the US and Japan will not daunt China. Beijing has repeatedly warned outside forces that they court disaster by trying to exploit the Taiwan question to contain China. The People's Liberation Army has made it clear with its recent drills around the island that it will take action to resolutely smash any act that aims to split Taiwan from the motherland.

The US' allies should take an objective look at what has happened to Ukraine since the US set it up as a theater of war, and consider what might entail if they enable Washington to set a theater of war in the region with them as its proxies.
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The contents of some of Irelands most well-known five-star hotels are going under the hammer following pandemic clear-outs.

The impact of measures taken to manage Covid-19 provided space and time for refurbishment in the hospitality sector.

The result is a treasure trove of furniture, artwork and collectibles from Dublins Four Seasons (now Intercontinental), Westin and Trinity City Hotels, Glenlo Abbey in Galway and Powerscourt Resort and Spa in Wicklow.

Memorabilia from the famous Buck Whaleys nightclub and Larry Murphys pub in the capital is also up for grabs.

A two-day online auction of over 1,100 lots in Dublins Prussia Street, on January 17 and 18, is expected to generate in excess of 200,000 euro.

Antiques dealer Niall Mullen said: All of these hotels and bars were refurbished during Covid, when their doors were shut and the contents moved to storage.

Already, it promises to be one of the most interesting auctions of the year.

Taking on a hotel auction is tricky, but when they all come together like this, they work.

A desk, originally from Harrods department store, complete with 40 drawers, guides at 2,000  4,000 euro and comes from Dublins oldest shop, Reads Cutlers, now House of Read on Dublins Parliament Street.

Side cabinets, lamps and lockers from the former Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge  favourite haunt of American rocker Bruce Springsteen  also feature.

A bust of Frank Sinatra, a Graham Knuttel oil painting and a life-size bronze sculpture of a hunting hare, all privately consigned, are also set to attract interest.

Original pub mirrors, posters and bar stools from the former Buck Whaleys club and Larry Murphys on Lower Baggot Street, could lead former customers on a trip down memory lane.

And it is showtime  possibly once more  for the original wooden ticket office from the Ambassador cinema on OConnell Street.

Niall added: This certainly wont happen again, it is purely a product of Covid and the unprecedented effect it had on the hospitality industry.

The public can view the lots at 67 Prussia Street, Dublin, from Friday to Monday, with the online auction beginning at 2pm on January 17 and 18.

The full catalogue is available at irishcountryhome.com.
Two pedestrians have died in the last 24 hours after being struck by vehicles in separate collisions.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to both collisions, the first of which occurred at approximately 7pm yesterday (Wednesday January 11) in Dublin 1, followed by a second collision in Dublin 24 at 7.15pm.

The former occurred on Summerhill Parade in Dublin 1 between a car and male pedestrian aged in his 40s.

The man was brought to the Mater Hospital to be treated for his injuries where he was later pronounced dead.

According to Gardai, the later collision - which occurred on the N81 in Tallaght, Dublin 24 - involved a 23-year-old male pedestrian and an SUV.

The man was reportedly struck by the vehicle and treated at the scene, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The driver and sole occupant of the car (a woman in her 40s) did not require hospital treatment.

The deceased has been removed to the Dublin City Morgue where a post-mortem examination will be carried out. An examination of the crash site has been completed and the road has since fully reopened to traffic.

Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed either collision to come forward. They are also appealing to those with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time, to make it available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8400, Tallaght Garda Station 01 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The idea of excluding party leaders from meetings over the Northern Ireland Protocol needs to be knocked on the head now, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted.

She was speaking after Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris defended a decision not to invite her this week to roundtable talks with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, which also discussed the Stormont powersharing crisis.

Mr Heaton-Harris said it may not have been wise to have the Sinn Fein president, who is the leader of the opposition in the Republic, because she is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

The UK Government and EU are involved in negotiations to resolve differences over the protocol.

The row led to Sinn Fein and the SDLP refusing to attend the meeting on Wednesday and has overshadowed a series of talks to discuss how to resolve issues caused by the post-Brexit trading arrangement.

The Government has also suggested that, due to diplomatic protocol, Mr Cleverly could not meet Mrs McDonald before he had met his counterpart in Ireland, Micheal Martin.

But Mr Martin said he would have had no issue with the Sinn Fein leader attending the meeting.

The row led DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to query who leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland.

He said: If in the future Mary Lou McDonald became taoiseach and we had Michelle ONeill as first minister, whos the boss? Whos in charge?

If we have meetings on a north-south basis, whos in charge? And I think these are issues that Sinn Fein need to work out.

I dont need to have a minder with me every time I go to a meeting as the leader of the DUP, so who leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, is it Mary Lou McDonald or is it not?

Speaking on Thursday, Mrs McDonald said: All of us know that the way that we make progress is together, thats how this works, thats what the history of the last 25 years reflects, so any idea of excluding anybody, excluding the leader of any party, needs to be scotched and knocked on the head now.

She also confirmed she had written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the issue.

Responding to the controversy, Mr Heaton-Harris said: Sinn Fein were invited, it is a shame (Sinn Fein vice president) Michelle (ONeill) didnt come along because it was an update on the protocol discussions.

There are many factors which go into the thought process. One, to be quite frank, is that the UK Government is negotiating with the European Union.

We wanted to update Northern Ireland parties on that negotiation and, with the greatest of respect, Mary Lou is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

That might not have been seen as a wise thing to do.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he had extended an invite to dinner to Mrs McDonald.

What happened yesterday, happened yesterday. Im much more focused on the big ticket items.

Responding to the dinner invitation, Ms ONeill said: Were not interested in dinner.

Speaking about the row following a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Martin said: We certainly got no heads-up in relation to that at all, and I think it needs to be stated.

I would have had no difficulty that Mary Lou McDonald was at that meeting but thats a matter for the Foreign Secretary.

Alliance Party deputy leader, Stephen Farry, was asked about Mr Heaton-Harriss contention that it would have been unwise to invite Mrs McDonald to Wednesdays meeting.

I think he needs to back down from that, he said.

The Government made a mistake in terms of how they handled the talks yesterday, their position on that is not tenable.

They need to recognise the subtleties of the situation in Northern Ireland and the reality that Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis.

The Government need to de-escalate their language and they need to climb down and find a means of ensuring that we have proper inclusive talks at the next opportunity.

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said he hoped that all political parties from Northern Ireland would take part in future talks with the Government.

I wanted Sinn Fein to be there and I wanted the SDLP to be there.

I wanted to hear what they had to say. I wanted us all to work together.

And Ive said this before, boycotts do not work of any shape or form. So whether its the DUP boycotting the executive or any other party boycotting talks, it simply wont work.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood accused the British Government of being responsible for an absolute mess.

He said When you are in a hole, stop digging, that is my advice to the Secretary of State.
Parking spaces are needed in the Naas area for cargo bikes - sturdy bicycles built to carry big loads and maybe two or more people.

Green Party councillor Colm Kenny said that it should be considered as part of the installation of public cycle parking facilities.

He noted that there is now an increased allowance of 3,000 within the bike to work scheme for these bikes.

He also wants signs put up to direct people to where the spaces are.

KCC official Donal Hodgins reported that as part of the installation of public cycle parking facilities, the council will examine options other than conventional bicycles.

We are engaging with the National Transport Authority and are awaiting their suggestions with regard to a regional approach in the greater Dublin area to cycle sharing and associated infrastructure. Feedback from other local authorities in the area can be sought on trails that have been undertaken by them, added Mr Hodgins.

Read more Kildare news
Into Kildare, the Tourism Board for County Kildare and Solas Bhride Centre & Hermitages have joined forces and launched a global Pause for Peace movement which will take place on the 1st of February 2023, Saint Brigids Day. Pause for Peace will see the residents of County Kildare calling on people all around the world to stop for a minutes silence at 12 noon (local time) on the 1st of February 2023.

2024 marks the 1500th year of the passing of Saint Brigid, the patron Saint of Kildare and Ireland and in preparation for this special year various activations will take place in 2023. The Pause for Peace movement is one of these special events and celebrations which formally recognises the importance of Saint Brigid from a cultural, religious, spiritual, and historical point of view. Brigid 1500 will see a whole series of celebrations and events taking place at home and abroad while 2023 will also be the first year that Ireland will celebrate the new public holiday in the beloved saints name.

CEO of Into Kildare, Aine Mangan said, From this year onwards Ireland will celebrate a new annual national holiday in honour of Saint Brigid, one of the three patron saints of our country. Saint Patrick had a national holiday declared in his honour in 1903, finally, one hundred and twenty-three years later Saint Brigid has been granted a similar honour. This decision marks the modelling of the equal dignity of male and female at national level. The new public holiday this year is on the 6th of February. The Saint Brigids Day Public Holiday is hugely important not just for County Kildare, but for the whole country when we expect to see hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Ireland. Equally, from a domestic point of view, the new holiday will serve as a welcome uplift for hospitality providers who will enjoy a business boost in the shoulder period between Christmas and Saint Patricks Day.

Sr. Rita Minehan of Solas Bhride said, This movement for a Pause for Peace sets the scene for marking the new national holiday. It reflects a spiritual underpinning to the day and is consonant with the value of peace which Brigid stood for in her time.

She went on the say, By pausing for peace, we send out a message that we actively oppose warfare and the proliferation of arms, which wreak havoc on human beings as well as on the natural world. This movement aims to awaken and build a spirit of global solidarity in our search for peace.

She continued, We are delighted to have three ambassadors for Pause for Peace, they are Ewan Morris, Lily Tyrell Kenny and Ben Ryan, senior students from Kildare Town Community School.

Already the news has started to spread around the world about the Pause for Peace movement through the Irish diaspora living abroad, through Tourism Ireland and via the international Solas Bhride network. New Zealand will be first to start the Pause for Peace movement when they will have a minutes silence for peace on 12.00 noon, their time on Saint Brigids Day, 1st of February.

Sr. Rita explained that Pause for Peace asks people of all faiths and none to stop for a minutes silence and send out peace from their hearts to the people of the world. She said the movement has been inspired by Saint Brigid whose legacy is most relevant in our war-torn world today. Saint Brigid was renowned as a peace maker and one of the most popular stories associated with her is that of her giving away her fathers precious jewelled sword to a poor person so that he could barter it for food to feed his family. She was compassionate, a protector of the natural world and a formidable force for justice whose light shines ever more brightly today. From New Zealand to New York from Brisbane to Barcelona a minutes silence for peace will take place all around the globe on the 1st of February and will form part of the rolling Pause for Peace movement.

Aine Mangan said, We are very excited about Pause for Peace and want to thank Sr. Rita and the Solas Bhride team for their collaboration. Other activations and celebrations which are being led by Into Kildare include the creation of a Saint Brigids Audio Trail, the lighting up of the Hill of Allen and Cupidstown Hill on the eve of Saint Brigids and a host of trade missions and communications with international embassies and government departments. Into Kildare, continues to work in association with Kildare County Council to deliver a comprehensive line up of special events to celebrate Brigid 1500 and a full programme of events will follow. We are also working alongside our partners and colleagues at Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland to promote Kildare and the new public holiday all around the world.

The Cathaoirleach of County Kildare, Cllr. Fintan Brett said, This is a momentous year for County Kildare, the Pause for Peace movement sets the scene for a year of joyous celebrations which will showcase all the fantastic historical and cultural experiences and attractions that Kildare has to offer. We look forward to welcoming our many friends both old and new to County Kildare over the new public holiday weekend and I would like to thank both Into Kildare and Solas Bhride for their great efforts.

Pause for Peace will be at 12.00 noon, Saint Brigids Day, 1st of February 2023. For more information on the various Brigid 1500 activities see www.intokildare.ie or visit www.solasbhride.ie where you will get more information on Feile Bhride, a week-long celebration of the legacy of Saint Brigid. #PauseForPeace. Insta @intokildare
A rare copy of the Bible has sold for 20,000 at auction in Belfast.

The Geneva Bible, which is believed to date back to 1615, attracted a lot of interest, auctioneer Karl Bennett said at the sale in the east of the city.

Bidding at Bloomfield Auctions started at 6,000 before swiftly reaching five figures and finishing with the winning bid of 20,000 on Tuesday afternoon.

This was almost twice what it had been expected to sell for.

The book is thought to have travelled from Devon with its former owner Elizabeth Pole in 1633 to what is now Massachusetts in the US, on the Speedwell pilgrim boat.

Mr Bennett said: We have been fortunate to have many interesting and historic items for sale at Bloomfield Auctions and this has been one of the most exciting. The Elizabeth Pole Bible is a piece of world history.

It was carried by an inspirational woman from her home in rural Devon to the New World where she joined the Founding Fathers, before going on to establish the town of Taunton, Massachusetts.

The attention that the bible drew from both sides of the Atlantic is testament to the extraordinary life of Elizabeth Pole, and how these early pioneers helped found a country that has influenced every part of the world.

The Geneva Bible has been described as one of the most historically significant translations of the Bible.

It was the first mechanically printed, mass-produced Bible available to the public and pre-dates the King James Bible by 50 years.

Copies of it were carried by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower to the New World.

The edition sold by Bloomfield Auctions was owned by Ms Pole, who travelled with her brother on the Speedwell to the Plymouth Colony in 1633 and founded the town of Taunton, Massachusetts.

She is believed to have been the first woman to establish a town in North America.

It remained in the possession of the Pole-Carew family until the mid-20th century when it was sold to a collector from Northern Ireland.

The Bible was sold as part of a private collection.
The Irish Central Border Area Network and TASC, the Think-tank for Action on Social Change, have launched a community-led climate action toolkit for the communities of Lough MacNean.

The Border Transition project was delivered with the aim of building peace through community-led climate action with six communities surrounding the MacNean loughs.

Following the presentation of the toolkit to the communities of Belcoo, Blacklion, Cashel, Glenfarne, Killesher and Kiltyclogher towards the end of last year, at the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim, the Border Transition report is now being launched to the wider public and stakeholders.

The Border Transition project began in January 2022 and was delivered by the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) and the Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC), working with the communities of the Lough MacNean area which traverses Cavan, Fermanagh and Leitrim.

With funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund, the project provided the opportunity to initially listen to, and learn from, the communitys needs and abilities, and then begin to identify climate solutions that could address a number of the main development priorities for the area.

Following extensive community dialogue and engagement, a number of solutions varying from community energy cooperatives to hemp farming and sustainable tourism have been researched and developed. These climate solutions respond to the appetite for cross-community collaboration and the need for sustainable local employment and community ownership over local development opportunities.

Roisin Greaney, Climate Justice Researcher at TASC said: We are delighted to launch this toolkit for the communities of Lough MacNean. It has been a pleasure meeting with so many people across the communities of Belcoo, Blacklion, Cashel, Glenfarne, Killesher and Kiltyclogher this year. We hope that the solutions developed as well as the process itself has provoked thought into how climate action can address local development needs.

Andy Hallewell, Innovation Officer at ICBAN said: This project has been a unique journey, where all of us, citizens, stakeholders, TASC and ICBAN have been learning as we go about the many ways in which climate change can be tackled by fresh, new ideas, inspired by local people, that can bring future benefits to local communities, and the environment.
The Taoiseach has defended the Governments handling of the long-running health crisis, saying it is too simplistic to call it a failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments.

Leo Varadkar said the Government cannot be blamed for the pandemic, the current wave of RSV and one of the worst flu seasons.

Hospitals across Ireland are under a huge strain, with hundreds of patients left waiting on trolleys.

Mr Varadkar said the crisis was due to the wave of infection affecting the northern hemisphere, and is not a failure of his or previous Governments.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at Farmleigh in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said: What were seeing is a wave of illness affecting the entire northern hemisphere, not just Covid, not just RSV, but also one of the worst flu seasons that weve seen affect northern hemisphere in a very long time.

Thats not taking into account the fact peoples immunity is not as strong as it would have been because of the period of social isolation.

We see Northern Ireland struggling, we see Britain really struggling, Ive never seen the NHS under so much pressure.

You see emergency departments in Germany having to close, we see (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron in France talking about how he wants to end the endless crisis in health.

Whatever you want to blame us for, I dont think you can blame us for all those things happening in other jurisdictions.

So this is something that is very serious, a very big wave of infection thats affecting all the northern hemisphere and were no different.

A lot has been done in recent years. A thousand extra beds added to the hospital system just in the past three years, more than 1,000 if you include community care.

The biggest budget for health ever paid for by a strong economy  6,000 more doctors and nurses than was the case only three years ago.

Mr Varadkar said that a huge amount has been done to improve the situation.

Being faced with such a wave of illness has created difficulties for even the best resourced health service in Europe, he added.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the health system has not experienced this level of disease in years.

He also said it was not acceptable that people were left waiting on trolleys.

He praised healthcare workers and the extraordinary frontline staff.

I do think we need to evaluate and look at governance issues and management issues, he added.

I think there are lessons, again, that can be applied in terms of the Covid experience.

Its not acceptable for people to be in situations they have found themselves.
The Taoiseach said Damien English has paid a big political price after the minister of state resigned over an issue with a planning application.

Leo Varadkar described his Fine Gael colleague as an extraordinarily decent person, saying it was a difficult day for Mr English, his family and supporters.

The TD for Meath West apologised after he admitted failing to declare his ownership of a house in Castlemartin to Meath County Council when making a fresh planning application in 2008.

He quit as minister in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment following claims made about the planning application on The Ditch website.

I have informed the Taoiseach last night of my decision to resign as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application,  Damien English TD (@Damien_English) January 12, 2023

Speaking in Belfast, Mr Varadkar said that Mr English spoke to him on Wednesday night, saying he could not continue as a minister, despite the omission happening 14 years ago when he was not in a ministerial position.

He took the view that it was the right thing for him to resign. I accepted that decision last night. It is a big political price to pay, Mr Varadkar said.

I think hes paid it in terms of the political aspect of this. I do want to say that he is a minister that worked very closely with me for a number of years, was my minister of state in my last department.

Hes an extraordinarily decent person, somebody whos very hard working and somebody is very capable, and its a difficult day for him, his supporters, his family, and I think we should bear that in mind today.

Mr Varadkar rejected suggestions he should also resign as a TD.

He resigned as a minister, that is the political price that hes paid, he added.

I dont think its necessary at all that he should resign as a TD. Ultimately, it would be for the people of Meath West to decide whether or not they want to re-elect him in the next election if he runs again, I hope he does.

Mr English is one of a number of ministerial resignations within the current government in the last two and a half years.

He follows on from Robert Troy, Dara Calleary and Barry Cowen who all left their roles amid controversies.

Mr Varadkar told reporters that the resignations are a demonstration of accountability within government.

and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government. I would like to recognise the support and sacrifice of Laura and my family at all times. pic.twitter.com/DpKVsP3w6L  Damien English TD (@Damien_English) January 12, 2023

I often hear people say that nobody in Ireland ever resigns. That cant be said about this government. We have had four resignations and ministers have been held to account, Mr Varadkar added.

This is something that happened 14 years ago, it happened before he became minister.

He made it clear to me that he felt it was beneath the standards that would be expected of a member of government.

I think the assurance we can give people is that when these issues came to prominence or when we became aware of these issues, that there was accountability, and two ministers have stepped down.

That is, I think, evidence of accountability and action.

He said that Mr English is a very competent, very decent, and very capable minister.

Today in particular is a very difficult day for him, for his family and supporters.

He didnt feel that his position was tenable, that he would rather resign quickly then cause any further difficulty for colleagues or for the party. I think that was the right decision.

In a statement, Mr English said he spoke to the Taoiseach on Wednesday night.

Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application, made in 2008, and it is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin, Mr English said.

This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so.

I would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD. I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency.

I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State. I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in government as they continue to deliver on the programme for government.

I would like to recognise the support and sacrifice of Laura and my family at all times.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Mr English had made the right decision, despite the omission being made 14 years ago.

I think he made his decision himself. I understand he went to the Taoiseach and indicated the situation, Mr Martin said on Thursday.

I think its very difficult personally for him, I think hes been a good minister and has been a good parliamentarian for the last number of years.

Its a very difficult day for him and his family but he made the right decision in the wider sense given the lack of transparency.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also said Mr English made the correct decision to resign.

I mean, it was a very, very serious omission on his behalf, Ms McDonald said in a visit to Belfast.

Its strange to reflect that this resignation almost has an echo of the last government, when Micheal Martin made his appointments and resignations that happened at that time.

You wont be surprised to hear me say that it is my strong view that what we need in fact, is a new government in Dublin, a new sense of energy and direction.

What we always need is politicians that are accountable, and when we make the rules we have to observe and obey the rules also.
We the undersigned, retired Ambassadors and senior Foreign Ministry officials who have proudly dedicated their lives representing Israel abroad in the service of Israel, its democracy and its values, express our profound concern at the serious damage to Israel's foreign relations, its international standing and its core interests abroad emanating from what will apparently be the policy of the incoming Government.

This concern is compounded by public statements made by potential senior office-holders in the Government and the Knesset, by reports of expected changes in Israeli policy in Judea-Samaria/the West Bank, by some possible extreme and discriminatory laws which are oppressive to minorities and by the potential damage to free speech and democratic values in Israel.

Read more Israel's democracy has become an illusion

Over the years we have been entrusted with the pursuit, consolidation, strengthening and advancement of Israel's strategic, political, security and economic interests around the world. You are undoubtedly acutely aware of the crucial importance of these global relationships for Israel's resilience, of the significance of the many crises we managed and overcame, and of the achievements we accomplished in the name of successive Israeli Governments, as dedicated and experienced public servants.

As former senior diplomats with unparalleled knowledge of the international community, international organizations, World Jewry and media and public opinion the world over, we are particularly concerned that the recent developments will likely bring about a strongly negative international reaction, serious harm to Israel's strategic relations first and foremost with the United States of America, possible damage to the Abraham Accords, anti-Israel measures including sanctions by key international actors including courts and tribunals, and measures against Israel, its Government, its soldiers and its citizens.

Serious damage will also be inflicted on the intricate web of relations between Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world and on Israel's international image with the corresponding wide-ranging political and economic ramifications.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Netanyahu government sworn in under opposition and protesters' boos

We are in no doubt that the UN resolution demanding an advisory opinion on Israel's activity in the territories will be heavily influenced by the recent and upcoming changes and developments. This will also have wide-ranging repercussions on foreign investment and commercial activity in Israel, and will strengthen the attempts to undermine Israel's legitimacy.

Moreover, we are deeply concerned by the substantial damage to Israel's standing as a liberal and democratic country caused by limiting the independence of the judiciary in the country or, as an example, by declining to join the Treaty on Combatting Violence against Women.

You have 23% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
MANAGEMENT and staff at UL Hospitals Group/HSE Mid West Community Healthcare welcomed the virtual meeting for TDs and senators facilitated by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.



The meeting was also attended by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Wednesday, January 11.



In the course of the meeting, Oireachtas members from Clare, Limerick and Tipperary raised questions on current demands facing acute and community health services in the MidWest and on how the region is planning to meet future demand.

Answers were provided by management from UL Hospitals Group, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare and the Acute Hospitals Division of the HSE.



Prof Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals Group, said: This was a very valuable engagement initiated by Minister Donnelly. We listened carefully to all concerns raised by Oireachtas members and we look forward to working with all public representatives in better meeting the growing demand for healthcare in the region into the future."

She said that it was encouraging that the unique core challenges faced by this region in relation to bed capacity and staffing were acknowledged by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and by our Public Representatives.

She added: "We have passed on the thanks of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to all staff who have worked long hours to look after patients in very difficult circumstances in recent weeks.

Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, added: I welcome this opportunity to meet with the Taoiseach, Minister and local Oireachtas representatives. Staff working across community services are playing an important role in assisting patients and service users, and I want to join the Minister in conveying our thanks for their efforts.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the government in the further expansion of Community Services across all care divisions, bringing more benefits of the Slaintecare programme to the people of the Mid West.
ALMOST 9,000 people are now employed by client companies of Enterprise Ireland in Limerick, new figures have revealed.

Statistics just out from the government agency responsible for supporting businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded service sector show that across Limerick, there are 8,736 people on the payroll of companies which have received its support.

It means around 225 jobs have been gained in Limerick over the last 12 months, a rise of three percent from 2021.

There's been a four percent growth in jobs numbers across the Mid-West region, with 68% of its total jobs now outside the Dublin region.

Nationally, there were 19,660 new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland client firms in 2022, translating into a net rise of 10,841 roles last year.

Enterprise Ireland companies now employ 218,178 people, an increase of 5% on the 2021 outturn and 68% of these jobs are outside Dublin.

Jerry Moloney, Enterprise Irelands regional director for the Mid-West said: "2022 was a strong year with our client companies creating 19,660 new jobs and growing net employment by five percent nationally. The Mid-West Region performed strongly, with employment increasing by four percent, which represents 1,058 net new jobs in the region. In total, companies backed by Enterprise Ireland created 225 net new jobs last year in Limerick.

"Supporting Irish-owned companies to achieve greater scale and expand their global footprint is a priority for Enterprise Ireland in 2023 and we are committed to supporting Irish companies on their journey to become global leaders in their field. This will ensure that Irish enterprise, including those in the Mid-West, continue to create and sustain jobs, providing a platform for strong economic growth into the future," he added.

This year, he said Enterprise Ireland will work with start-up and established firms in the region to grow and continue to create employment.

"Working with colleagues in the Local Enterprise Offices and our partners in the third-level sector we are determined to continue this positive trend for enterprise and employment in the Mid-West," he added.
THE Technology Department at one Limerick school was delighted to receive a generous grant from the Irish American Partnership which enabled it it to purchase materials and necessary resources to create a new and exciting robotics club.

With the help of the $5,000 grant from the American Partnership, Colaiste Mhichil in Limerick city was able to purchase a new 3D printer, micro bits and robotic start up kits for the students use, which Principal Denis OConnor described as vital technologies.

Run on a weekly basis by technology teacher Mr Salem, the robotics club at the secondary school allows students to build robots which introduces them to real world challenges like creating physical and digital solutions, collaborating in teams to problem solve, developing computational thinking skills, just to name a few.

With careers always looming in the engineering and IT sectors, 5th year student Jamel Auzins stated: I am really enjoying learning about coding and programming. Ive learned new skills and it has inspired me to look into computer science or engineering as a possible future career.

Mr Salem, who teaches at the Sexton Street school, says he's delighted to have received the grant. We are very excited as a school community to receive this funding from Irish American Partnership, [it] allows use to introduce a new club allowing students to learn new computer programming skills develop their innovative design into 3D industrial quality prints, he said.

The Irish American Partnership is a non-profit which connects Irish and Irish-American communities directly with education and community programs in Ireland North and South.
A FEW swear words understandably came out of the mouth of Limerick's latest Lotto winner as they watched the numbers they picked come out of the drum in Saturday's night draw.

The winner and their family visited the National Lottery's headquarters in Dublin this Thursday to collect their Lotto match 5 plus bonus prize worth an incredible 194,994.

The player, who wishes to remain private, divulged what happened on the night they discovered theyd won the amazing prize.

"I nearly forgot to buy the ticket. I rushed down to the shop minutes before the deadline. When the numbers started coming out, I couldnt believe what I was seeing! I turned to a family member and said I think weve won the Lotto!.

"I cant say the exact language I used because there were a few expletives, but lets just say I was completely stunned! This will make retirement a lot more comfortable for us," they said.

The player purchased their winning ticket worth 194,994 on the day of the draw in Hayes Mace, Ballylanders, on Saturday, January 7.

When asked what they might spend their winnings on, the winner replied: "We hope to get a few home improvements done because weve been putting them on the long finger. We also hope to go on our first ever sun holiday! Weve only ever been as far as the UK."

Meanwhile, there was no winner of last nights (Wednesday, January 11) Lotto Jackpot which was worth 2.3m, which means Saturdays jackpot now rolls to an estimated 2.8 Million.
LIMERICK gardai attended the scene of a multi-vehicle road traffic collision in Limerick city.

It is understood that the collision involved a jeep and a car transporter.

Two vehicles were involved in the collision that occurred at the Parkway Roundabout at around 2.45pm this Thursday, January 12.

According to Limerick representative of the Aontu party Eric Nelligan a car transporter was involved in the collision.

The car transporter had about five or six cars on its back, Mr Nelligan said. It stopped at the zebra crossing on the roundabout and a jeep crashed into the back of it.

Traffic was mental out there and the incident just happened as I passed it, Mr Nelligan added.

There are no reports of injuries following the incident.

At the time of the incident, there was a road obstruction but this has since been cleared and the road is open but there are reports of heavy traffic in the area.
A MAN who violently stabbed his flatmate at an apartment in Limerick city, while experiencing an acute psychotic episode, has appealed his conviction claiming an alleged admission he made to a garda was not read over to him nor signed by him.

Jean Louis Fancony, aged 39, formerly of Riverpoint Apartments, Bishop's Quay, Limerick, was convicted by a jury in November 2020 of assault causing serious harm to his then 33-year-old victim on July 22, 2019.

Fancony had pleaded not guilty, claiming he was defending himself.

Imposing a seven and-a-half year prison sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in February 2021, Judge Tom ODonnell said the victim had sustained "appalling injuries" as a result of the attack.

Detective Garda Colum OShea told the court the incident happened at an apartment the pair shared in the city centre at around 3.30pm.

The court heard the French national, who had lost his job a number of months earlier, had been acting strangely on the day and that he stabbed the victim several times with a large bread knife.



Det Garda OShea told the jury the alarm was raised by a passer-by who described how the victim had his intestines in his hand when he made it to the street.

At the court of appeal this Thursday, James Dwyer SC, for Fancony, said the trial heard from Garda Enda Clifford who took a note when the appellant was arrested on the street.

There was evidence that Fancony had said he "met with destiny today" and that he "knifed the Irish guy".

Mr Dwyer said that Garda Clifford had told the trial that "he [Fancony] said he knifed the Irish guy because he was a Satanist and that after 35 years he had met with destiny".

The barrister said the defence (in the trial) had objected to the use of the note as it had not been read back to Fancony by gardai and was not signed by the appellant. He further submitted the note was uncorroborated by other gardai at the scene of the arrest who told the trial they could not recall the note.

Mr Dwyer said that gardai had told the trial that Fancony was arrested and detained at a Limerick garda station but was then transferred to hospital due to his mental state.

His transfer occurred on the advice of a doctor called to the station by gardai on the recommendation of a French-speaking Benedictine monk with whom Fancony had asked to speak.

Counsel said that the events of the night meant that Fancony had not been afforded the opportunity to have the alleged admission put to him and signed, "which fatally undermined the fairness of the conviction".

In his submission, Mr Dwyer described the notebook as a "radical piece of evidence" and pointed out that Fancony was cogent enough on the night to sign the station's custody book.

He said the defence case was run on the basis of self-defence and that the note referencing a "35-year destiny destroyed the spontaneity required for a self-defence argument".

John OSullivan BL, for the State, told the three-judge court that the trial judge had delivered a "considered, detailed and reasoned ruling" on legal argument when deciding the notebook was admissible.

Mr O'Sullivan said it was within the trial judge's discretion to do so and that there was an abundance of case law authorities governing the decision.

Mr O'Sullivan noted the trial judge said in his ruling that he had been "fully satisfied and informed" of all of the factual circumstances surrounding the arrest and that the victim had been fully cross-examined on Fancony's claim of self-defence.

The barrister said there was ambiguity regarding the contents of the notebook and that claims regarding 35 years, destiny and satanism were still open to interpretation.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding, said the court would reserve judgement in the matter.

The victim, who underwent life-saving surgery following the attack, told the original trial of how he still finds it hard to comprehend what happened and how it is heartbreaking not being able to do a lot of things he used to do before he was stabbed.

It is a life sentence for me. I am now fearful and worried of what the future holds, he said.

Judge ODonnell said the victim had sustained horrific injuries and that he was extremely lucky to be alive.
The EU and the UK Government are not anywhere close to a deal on issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

The comments came as Irish premier Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are all set to hold talks in Northern Ireland as part of efforts to resolve the dispute over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The Taoiseach and Sir Keir are to meet with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock over the protocol, which the DUP has cited as its reason for boycotting Northern Irelands devolved institutions since May.

Sir Keir began his two-day visit to Northern Ireland by meeting business leaders in Belfast.

Mr Martin will hold talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

Meanwhile, a row over the exclusion of Sinn Feins leader from political meetings on Wednesday with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly rumbled on, with Mary Lou McDonald confirming she has raised the issue by letter with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The row led to Sinn Fein and the SDLP refusing to join roundtable talks with Mr Cleverly and Mr Heaton-Harris.

It was a bad move, it was a bad decision, Mrs McDonald said.

Ive written to the British Prime Minister to air my concerns and I can only hope that lessons will be learned and we dont have a repeat of this distraction politics, which was most unhelpful.

But we crack on today and we get some work done.

Hopes of a deal over the contentious protocol were raised this week when the EU and UK reached agreement on sharing customs data.

But Sir Jeffrey said his understanding after meeting with Mr Cleverly was that a deal was still some way off.

He told the BBC: At the moment, while some progress has been made on some technical issues, there are major political issues in those negotiations that have not yet been addressed.

I dont think we are anywhere close to a deal.

That was clear yesterday from James Cleverlys report to the political parties that we arent close to a deal at this stage.

There is still a lot of ground to be covered before we get to that point.

Regarding the exclusion of Mrs McDonald from Wednesdays meeting, Sir Jeffrey said it was protocol that the Foreign Secretary would meet with his counterpart in Dublin, before meeting with Mrs McDonald, who is leader of the opposition in the Republic.

He added: This is the Northern Ireland parties that were invited to the talks.

Michelle ONeill, as the leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, was invited to those talks.

If we are into a situation where Michelle ONeill can only attend meetings with UK Government ministers if she is accompanied by the leader of Sinn Fein in Dublin, if she has to have a minder with her, that has very serious implications for future arrangements in Northern Ireland if Michelle ONeill were to become the first minister.

The protocol has become a contentious political issue, with the DUP refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

Unionists oppose the trade barriers it has created between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Mr Varadkars visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday is his first since taking over from Mr Martin as Taoiseach.

The Irish government has emphasised that scheduling the visits by the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste on the same day is a sign of its commitment to resolving the row over the protocol.

Pressure to restore the Stormont Assembly and Northern Ireland executive are particularly pronounced ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April.
It would not have been wise to invite Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to a political meeting about the Northern Ireland Protocol because she is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said.

The row over the exclusion of the Sinn Fein president from a political meeting with the Foreign Secretary rumbled on as Irish premier Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were all holding talks in Northern Ireland as part of efforts to resolve the dispute over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The Taoiseach and Sir Keir are meeting with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock over the protocol, which the DUP has cited as its reason for boycotting Northern Irelands devolved institutions since May.

Sir Keir began his two-day visit to Northern Ireland by meeting business leaders in Belfast before travelling to Stormont.

Mr Martin held talks with Mr Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough.

However, the row over Mrs McDonalds exclusion, which led to Sinn Fein and the SDLP refusing to join roundtable talks with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Mr Heaton-Harris earlier this week, has continued to overshadow the meetings.

Asked about it following a meeting with Mr Martin on Thursday, Mr Heaton-Harris said: Sinn Fein were invited, it is a shame Michelle (ONeill) didnt come along because it was an update on the protocol discussions.

There are many factors which go into the thought process. One, to be quite frank, is that the UK Government is negotiating with the European Union.

We wanted to update Northern Ireland parties on that negotiation and, with the greatest of respect, Mary Lou is a representative of a parliament in an EU member state.

That might not have been seen as a wise thing to do.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he had extended an invite to dinner to Mrs McDonald.

The Sinn Fein president, who is the leader of the opposition in the Republic, confirmed she has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the issue.

One of the reasons given for the failure to invite Mrs McDonald to the talks was that Mr Cleverly could not meet with her until he had met his counterpart in Ireland, Mr Martin.

Asked if he would have had any issue with Mr Cleverly meeting with Mrs McDonald, Mr Martin said: We certainly got no heads-up in relation to that at all, and I think it needs to be stated.

I would have had no difficulty that Mary Lou McDonald was at that meeting, but thats a matter for the Foreign Secretary.

Hopes of a deal over the contentious protocol were raised this week when the EU and UK reached agreement on sharing customs data.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: There has been a tiny bit of progress made in talks with the European Union.

There is still a way to go, but we are talking in good faith, and as I stand here now there are talks going on, so lets see where they get to.

We have another assessment next Monday where I will be with the Foreign Secretary and Maros Sefcovic going through the progress that has been made this week.

Mrs McDonald said her party had a very constructive meeting with Taoiseach Mr Varadkar in Belfast.

We have reflected our absolute determination that government must be restored here in the north  its unacceptable that we stagger on without an executive, she told media.

We have also shared our strong view that a deal on the protocol is possible  and we believe that the window we now have has to be grasped with both hands.

But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed a deal was still some way off.

He told the BBC: At the moment, while some progress has been made on some technical issues, there are major political issues in those negotiations that have not yet been addressed.

I dont think we are anywhere close to a deal.

That was clear yesterday from James Cleverlys report to the political parties that we arent close to a deal at this stage.

There is still a lot of ground to be covered before we get to that point.

The protocol has become a contentious political issue, with the DUP refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

Unionists oppose the trade barriers it has created between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Following the declaration of a major internal incident at UHL, we ask local TDs where the fault lies and what they think should be done to solve the crisis

What steps are you currently taking to try to address the issues which have blighted University Hospital Limerick in recent months and years and which saw a major internal incident declared at the hospital on January 2, 2023?

My party Fianna Fail and I since we entered Government two and a half years ago having been out of Government for the previous 10 years are focused on building capacity at every level across our health services to meet with the increased demand and the existing deficits present in the service. We are adding new bed capacity, over 100 new beds in UHL with more to come, recruiting more consultants where presently we have 3,800 across all our hospitals up 1,300 in 10 years with 1,000 more to come. We are also hiring more nurses, social carers and training three times more GPs. Also, we have built five extensive new Primary Care Centres in the city and ones across County Limerick in Kilmallock, Croom and Newcastle West with plans for Abbeyfeale, Cappamore and Rathkeale advanced.

Where - or with whom - do you think the fault lies in terms of the crisis at University Hospital Limerick?

The politicians should be held to account and rightly so. The commitments given when reconfiguration happened in 2009 were not delivered upon. Now, we in Government, are addressing the deficits in both infrastructure and the workers needed to provide a proper level of service. For example, my Department of Further and Higher Education is increasing the number of places available in medical colleges and nursing degree courses.

Do you think the current management team at University Hospital Limerick should be retained? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, anyone who argues that sacking the management team is the solution is simply missing the point and being populist. The management team are constrained by the capacity and resources at their disposal. Therefore, expanding capacity at all levels which we are now actively doing will allow management to provide the level of service and care that the people of Limerick deserve.

In no more than 200 words, how do you believe the ongoing crisis at University Hospital Limerick can be solved?

It is widely recognised that having consultant decision-making on-site results in reduced emergency admissions, shorter lengths of stay and more complete care plans for discharge. In 2019, 92% of patients were discharged from Monday to Friday; only 5% were discharged on a Saturday and 3% on a Sunday.

The presence of consultants could enhance the health services ability to maintain efficient and timely patient flow out-of-hours and to maximise existing capacity. We employ over 3,800 consultants in the public system. This represents an increase of over 250 in the past 12 months and of 1,300 over the last 10 years. However, it is recognised that our ratio of consultants to population in Ireland has historically been far too low and remains low.

The Government has committed to recruiting an additional 1,000 consultants under the new Slaintecare Contract. In addition, consultants will move from working 9:00am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to a roster that will allow hospitals to roster them over 80 hours: 8am to 10pm on Monday to Friday and 8:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday. The contract will allow us to continue to build our consultant numbers to provide a better-quality health service for patients.

Do you think a vote of no confidence should be tabled against Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly?

No.
THERE are endless amounts of moments that stand out for me in 2022, which I am fortunate to be able to reflect on.

Taking a look back now, working with Oxendales and the RTE Today show were definitely highlights of mine.

Working alongside talented hosts such as Blathnaid Treacy and Maura Derrane was a dream, and I enjoyed giving style advice to those who featured on the show.

Fashion is my forever passion, so to be given the opportunity to fulfil that in the past year and to showcase my creative style when it comes to clothes was truly an honour.

With various filming locations dotted around the country, it is always a joy to be able to travel to the RTE studios in Cork or fantastic hotels such as the Croke Park Hotel in Dublin with the Today show.

I am so lucky for the opportunity to occasionally co-host with gorgeous colleagues Blathnaid and Maura.

As many of you may already know, Oxendales is an Irish fashion retailer who kindly sponsors me and are close associates of mine.

I love being able to put different items of clothing, dresses, shoes and accessories together and being able to add my own twist to the outfits.

It is always a pleasure showcasing these Oxendales looks with Holman Lee Agency models for everyone to see on the RTE Today show.

I am so looking forward to the next fashion season, which is beginning soon - watch out for the latest spring/summer collection, which I cant wait to get started with.

Sending my love to you all,

Celia
BY BECKY YERAK | UPDATED JAN 11, 2023 03:59 PM EST

The bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange also said it is hoping to sell additional investment holdings with a book value topping $4.6 billion

Bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX said it has located more than $5 billion in cash and other liquid assets and is hoping to sell hundreds of additional investment holdings with a book value of more than $4.6 billion.

Those assets are valued as of FTXs bankruptcy filing in November and dont include $425 million held by authorities in the Bahamas, company lawyers said on Wednesday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.

FTX lawyers also told the judge overseeing the bankruptcy case that the amount of the shortfall in FTX customer funds isnt yet clear. The company is working on determining the size of the claims pool and potential recoveries for some 9 million customer accounts it has identified, FTX lawyer Andrew Dietderich said in the court hearing.

Mr. Dietderich said that new FTX management is building financial statements from the ground up," rather than using previous statements. The company is also well under way on plans to monetize over 300 other nonstrategic investments, with a book value over $4.6 billion," Mr. Dietderich said.

FTX, affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research and other entities that were controlled by founder Sam Bankman-Fried put more than $5 billion into startup ventures as well as venture firms like Sequoia Capital, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Many of those investments were concentrated in the crypto sector itself.

FTX Chief Executive John J. Ray III has said that some companies in that venture portfolio are likely troubled and has expressed concern how the current downturn in cryptocurrency assets could affect the value of those stakes, a potentially significant source of recovery for customers.

The company didnt keep reliable financial records and lacked normal corporate controls under past management, according to Mr. Ray, who took over the firm from Mr. Bankman-Fried and placed it in bankruptcy after concerns about the exchanges financial health fueled a wave of customer withdrawals.

FTX has put some salvageable units up for sale since entering chapter 11, including Embed Financial Technologies, LedgerX, FTX Japan and FTX Europe. The sales process under way doesnt include FTX.com or FTX.US, the companys primary exchanges serving international and U.S. customers. Kris Hansen, a lawyer for the unsecured creditors committee, said in Wednesdays hearing that a reboot" of the exchanges is under discussion and could unlock incredible value" for customers if realized.

Separately, the judge overseeing the bankruptcy case acknowledged a letter sent Monday by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators questioning the independence of the law firm guiding FTX through bankruptcy, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. In the letter, four senators said that Sullivan & Cromwell may not be able to conduct an independent investigation into FTXs collapse because the firms lawyers worked for the company while it was allegedly misusing customer funds.

Judge John Dorsey called the letter an inappropriate communication, and said it would have no impact on his decisions in the chapter 11 case.

Sullivan & Cromwell charged more than $8.5 million in legal fees to FTX before its bankruptcy. The law firm has said in court papers that it is working in the best interests of FTX and the companys stakeholders and that its lawyers dont represent any outside party with an interest in the chapter 11 case that could create a conflict.
NEW DELHI: India reported 197 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said in an update on Thursday. The countrys active caseload has declined to 2,309, while the total number of cases reported since the pandemic hit in 2020 rose to 4,46,80,583. India has recorded 5,30,723 covid deaths till date.

As of now, Karnataka has 194 active cases, Kerala has 1353 active cases, Maharashtra has 145 cases, Odisha 96 cases, Rajasthan 49 cases, Tamil Nadu 59, Uttar Pradesh 21, and West Bengal has 54 active cases.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.10%, while the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.11%. Active cases comprise 0.01% of the total infections. The recovery rate stands at 98.80%, according to the health ministry.

According to the ministry, 220.14 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. In the last 24 hours, 61,680 vaccine doses were given.

Meanwhile, a surge in infections in China and countries such as the US, Australia, and Japan have led to fresh concerns about impending waves. As a result, India has made RT-PCR tests mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from 1 January. They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel. This is in addition to the 2% random testing of all international passengers on their arrival at an Indian airport.

INSACOG under the supervision of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has kept up with genome sequencing to track any new variant. Hospitals are also being constantly monitored to keep a tab on lnfluenza-like illness (lLl) & SARI cases.

Government officials have warned that the next few days would be crucial in determining the possibility of a resurgence of covid-19 cases in India.

The Union health ministry on Monday said that positive samples collected from sentinel sites revealed the presence of all Omicron variants in the community. The governments Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) sentinel sites referred 324 COVID19 positive samples for sequencing to 22 INSACOG labs. The samples were collected from 29 December to 7 January from different sentinel location like hospitals.
U.S. Senator Ossoff says his plan is to bring back supply chains to the U.S. so we're not reliant on other countries. It will lower the cost of clean energy and help us combat the climate crisis.
Two Longford students and their proud teacher are celebrating this evening after they won the 'World Designer of the Year' title at the first ever Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi tonight.

Solomon Eduard and Joshua Osabuehien from Cnoc Mhuire Granard, along with their teacher Charmaine Hetherton, flew out to Abu Dhabi where they were competing against sixty other finalists from Dublin, London, Paris, Milan, New York and Abu Dhabi.

Solomon and Joshua's design is called Back to the Future and it is made from old shower mats, an old laundry basket, an aerial, car wipers and tubing from an old tractor tyre.

Their design has an industrial look and it is highly creative. The message behind their costume is that we all need to make an effort to live more sustainably if our planet is to have any chance of survival.

Junk Kouture is a competition for secondary school students requiring them to create weird and wonderful costumes entirely from waste materials.
Prior to Christmas a number of last year's Mercy Ballymahon Transition Year students, along with six clients from Ballymahon Day Care Centre, were presented with a Gold Award from Dublin City University for best practice in Intergenerational Solidarity Between Generations 2022.

The Gold award and certificates were presented during a ceremony at Ballymahon library and it was a fantastic achievement for all involved to have achieved the overall winner nationwide.

The Community Time Machine was a cross-generational project organised by Neighbourhood Network.

For the Ballymahon area the project brought TY students from the Mercy Secondary School together with seniors from the local day centre.

The students gained an insight into the lives of the older persons in their community both present day in the past by meeting with them and conducting interviews.



Their recorded responses and art works and drawings created an image of how the community looks now and how it looked in the past.

The students entered their project into a competition run by DCU and they received the Dublin City University Intergenerational Solidarity Gold Award.

Thank you to teachers Mr Mulvihill, Ms Cribbin, Patricia Briody from Ballymahon Library and former Ballymahon Day Centre Manager, Breda Greaves, for facilitating and promoting this project.
Minister of state Damien English has resigned over an issue with a planning application.

The Fine Gael TD for Meath West apologised after he admitted failing to declare his ownership of a house in Castlemartin to Meath County Council when making a fresh planning application in 2008.

He quit as minister in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment following claims made about the planning application on The Ditch website.

I have informed the Taoiseach last night of my decision to resign as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, he said in a statement.

Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application, made in 2008, and it is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin.

This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so.

I would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD. I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency.

I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State. I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government.

I would like to recognise the support and sacrifice of Laura and my family at all times.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Englishs position as minister of state had become untenable.

Last night, Damien English TD offered me his resignation as Minister of State for Employment Affairs, Business and Retail, he said.

He informed me that 14 years ago, when applying for planning permission, he made a declaration to Meath County Council that was not correct.

It was his view given the circumstances that his position was not tenable. I agreed and accepted his resignation.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Mr English had made the right decision, despite the omission being made 14 years ago.

I think he made his decision himself. I understand he went to the Taoiseach and indicated the situation, Mr Martin said on Thursday.

I think its very difficult personally for him, I think hes been a good minister and has been a good parliamentarian for the last number of years.

Its a very difficult day for him and his family but he made the right decision in the wider sense given the lack of transparency.

Minister of State for Community Development Joe OBrien said Mr English made the right decision to resign from his position.

It is clear that his decision was not up to the standard of what is expected of all of us, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

I think he has made the right decision.

He said that not declaring the ownership of a home was a serious omission.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Mr English made the correct decision to resign.

I mean, it was a very, very serious omission on his behalf, Ms McDonald said in a visit to Belfast.

Its strange to reflect that this resignation almost has an echo of the last government, when Micheal Martin made his appointments and resignations that happened at that time.

You wont be surprised to hear me say that it is my strong view that what we need in fact, is a new government in Dublin, a new sense of energy and direction.

What we always need is politicians that are accountable, and when we make the rules we have to observe and obey the rules also.
Viewers saw a surprising double departure on The Apprentice on Thursday evening as Kevin DArcy received the firing treatment and Shannon Martin opted to leave the process early.

DArcy, a 32-year-old accountant from Dublin, found himself on the losing team after the candidates attempted to make and sell bao buns.

Following his departure, DArcy, who was ultimately fired by Lord Alan Sugar for pricing the products too low, reflected on his experience on the show, saying: Looking back, you remember the best bits and the fun times. You remember how much you laughed and got on with the other candidates.

Overall, I think I met some amazing people. People I perhaps wouldnt meet in my normal life, and I think being one of the slightly older contestants, it was interesting to meet some of the younger candidates and understand what theyre into and what their interests are.

Explaining his favourite part of the bao bun task, DArcy said: The market was fun. We had this thing when we steamed a new set of buns, wed have a countdown three, two one fresh bao buns!. That stopped the entire market, and everyone would come over to see what was going on.

He also revealed that sharing a bedroom in The Apprentice house felt a bit like you were on a stag and admitted he did get up to some mischief with his fellow candidates after the boys team won the first task, which saw them attempt to create and sell excursions to tourists in Antigua.

Wed just won the task in Antigua and gone back to the house  after Lord Sugar told us to take good care of it and not wreck the house, he said.

First thing I did was jump on Joes bed to see how comfy it was, and I went straight through it and broke it. Joe wasnt there, so I think I just went into the other room and pretended nothing happened.

The second episode of the 17th series also saw the surprise departure of West Yorkshire bridal boutique owner Shannon, who left the process before the boardroom results in Thursdays show, when it was announced her team had won the bao bun task.

Explaining the reason behind her decision to leave, Shannon said: I think that going into the process, I was already having some doubts of whether I should go in or not.

But when youre given such an amazing opportunity, youre not ever going to turn that down, its an opportunity of a lifetime that Im forever grateful for.

She added: But Im a perfectionist, I need to know whats going on all the time and not being able to know how things were going on at home or what was happening at work was really hard for me. The unknown is definitely not something Im good at.

The more I thought about it, the more I thought, Am I in here for the right reasons? Do I really want a business partner? Is this what I want? Do I want my life to change? and it really made me realise I love my life, I love the team and I love everything about my life.

I knew that I could potentially win the show, and did I really want to win and have my life completely changed? No, I didnt. I wasnt in there for the right reasons.

The Apprentice airs every Thursday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm.
Im not certain Colonel Ed believed my threat. Im not certain I did. Still, politically, diplomatically, and strategically, he couldnt afford to discount it.

Following excerpts are adapted from the author's new book, Spare, published by Penguin Random House.

by Prince Harry

Days later I was in Botswana, with Chels. We went to stay with Teej and Mike. Adi was there too. The first convergence of those four special people in my life. It felt like bringing Chels home to meet Mum and Dad and big bro. Major step, we all knew.

Prince Harry served in the army for 10 years

Luckily, Teej and Mike and Adi loved her. And she saw how special they were too.

One afternoon, as we were all getting ready to go for a walk, Teej started nagging me.

Bring a hat!

Yeah, yeah.

And sunscreen! Lots of sunscreen! Spike, youre going to fry with that pale skin!

All right, all right.

Spike

Okaaay, Mom.

It just flew out of my mouth. I heard it, and stopped. Teej heard it and stopped. But I didnt correct myself. Teej looked shocked, but also moved. I was moved as well. Thereafter, I called her Mom all the time. It felt good. For both of us. Though I made a point, always, to call her Mom, rather than Mum.

There was only one Mum.

A happy visit, overall. And yet there was a constant subtext of stress. It was evident in how much I was drinking.

At one point Chels and I took a boat, drifted up and down the river, and the main thing I remember is Southern Comfort and Sambuca. (Sambuca Gold by day, Sambuca Black by night.) I remember waking in the morning with my face stuck to a pillow, my head not feeling like it was fastened to my neck. I was having fun, sure, but also dealing in my own way with unsorted anger, and guilt about not being at warnot leading my lads. And I wasnt dealing well. Chels and Adi, Teej and Mike said nothing. Maybe they saw nothing. I was probably doing a pretty good job of covering it all up. From the outside my drinking probably looked like partying. And that was what I told myself it was. But deep down, on some level, I knew.

Something had to change. I knew I couldnt go on like this.

So the moment I got back to Britain I asked for a meeting with my commanding officer, Colonel Ed Smyth-Osbourne.

I admired Colonel Ed. And I was fascinated by him. He wasnt put together like other men. Come to mention it, he wasnt put together like any other human Id encountered. The basic ingredients were different. Scrap iron, steel wool, lions blood. He looked different too. His face was long, like a horses, but not equine smooth; he had a distinctive tuft of hair on each cheek. His eyes were large, calm, capable of wisdom and stoicism. My eyes, by contrast, were still bloodshot from my Okavango debauch, and darting all around as I delivered my pitch.

Colonel, I need to find a way of getting back onto operations, or else Im going to have to quit the Army.

Im not certain Colonel Ed believed my threat. Im not certain I did. Still, politically, diplomatically, strategically, he couldnt afford to discount it. A prince in the ranks was a big public-relations asset, a powerful recruiting tool. He couldnt ignore the fact that, if I bolted, his superiors might blame him, and their superiors too, and up the chain it might go.

On the other hand, much of what I saw from him that day was genuine humanity. The guy got it. As a soldier, he felt for me. He shuddered at the thought of being kept from a scrap. He really did want to help.

Harry, there might be a way

Iraq was permanently off the table, he said. Alas. No two ways about that, Im afraid. But maybe, he added, Afghanistan was an option.

I squinted. Afghanistan?

He muttered something about it being the safer option.

Riiightsafer

What on earth was he banging on about? Afghanistan was worlds more dangerous than Iraq. At that moment Britain had seven thousand soldiers in Afghanistan and each day found them engaged in some of the fiercest combat since the Second World War.

But who was I to argue? If Colonel Ed thought Afghanistan safer, and if he was willing to send me there, great.

What job would I do in Afghanistan, Colonel?

FAC. Forward air controller.

I blinked.

Highly sought-after job, he explained. FACs were tasked with orchestrating all air power, giving cover to lads on the ground, calling in raidsnot to mention rescues, medevacs, the list went on. It wasnt a new job, certainly, but it was newly vital in this new sort of warfare.

Whys that, sir?

Because the bloody Taliban is everywhere! And nowhere!

You simply couldnt find them, he explained. Terrain was too rugged, too remote. Mountains and deserts honeycombed with tunnels and cavesit was like hunting goats. Or ghosts. You had to get the birds-eye view.

Since the Taliban had no air force, not one plane, that was easy. We British, plus the Yanks, owned the air. But FACs helped us press that advantage. Say a squadron out on patrol needed to know about nearby threats. The FAC checked with drones, checked with fighter pilots, checked with helicopters, checked his high-tech laptop, created a 360-degree picture of the battlefield.

Say that same squadron suddenly came under fire. The FAC consulted a menuApache, Tornado, Mirage, F-15, F-16, A-10and ordered up the aircraft best suited to the situation, or the best one available, then guided that aircraft onto the enemy. Using cutting-edge hardware, FACs didnt simply rain fire on the enemys heads, they placed it there, like a crown.

Then he told me that all FACs get a chance to go up in a Hawk and experience being in the air.

By the time Colonel Ed stopped talking I was salivating. FAC it is, sir. When do I leave?

Not so fast.

FAC was a plum job. Everyone wanted it. So that would take some doing. Also, it was a complex job. All that technology and responsibility required loads of training.

First things first, he said. Id have to go through a challenging certification process.

Where, sir?

At RAF Leeming.

Inthe Yorkshire Dales?

Click here to order your copy of this book

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is a husband, father, humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist. He resides in Santa Barbara, California, with his family and three dogs.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are to travel to Belfast on Thursday as efforts to resolve the dispute over the protocol ramp up.

The Taoiseach and Sir Keir are to meet with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock over the post-Brexit protocol, which the DUP party has cited as its reason for boycotting Northern Irelands devolved institutions since May.

Sir Keir has planned a two-day visit to the region, his first since June.

It comes after a row broke out ahead of a meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and the five main parties on Wednesday, which Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was not allowed in to.

Sinn Fein subsequently refused to attend the meeting at all, as did the other main nationalist party, the SDLP.

Unionist representatives suggested it was a diplomatic issue that led to the snub, that Mr Cleverly could not meet Irish opposition leader Ms McDonald before his Irish counterpart.

The meeting was overshadowed by the dispute, after being convened to discuss how to resolve the stalemate over the protocol, a set of post-Brexit trade rules agreed by the EU and UK aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.

The protocol has become a contentious political issue, with the DUP refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

But several recent developments have indicated a breakthrough may be possible, including a customs data-sharing agreement between the EU and UK, which has been hailed as a positive step.

Another indication of goodwill was the admission made by Mr Varadkar that weve all made mistakes in the handling of Brexit after he returned to the office of Taoiseach in December.

He also said he understands unionist concerns that the treaty has made them feel less British, striking a conciliatory tone at the start of his premiership.

Mr Varadkars visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday is his first since taking over from Micheal Martin as Taoiseach.

Mr Martin, now Irelands deputy leader and foreign affairs minister, is also due to take part in several engagements in Northern Ireland on Thursday, including a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough.

The Tanaiste will travel to Armagh to visit the secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council, established under the Good Friday Agreement, which has not met since November 2021.

Mr Martin is also to launch a new Shared Island Civic Society Fund and due to meet with victims and survivors of Troubles-related violence.

The Irish government has emphasised that scheduling the two visits on the same day is a sign of its commitment to resolving the row over the Northern Ireland protocol.

Pressure to restore the Stormont Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive are particularly pronounced ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April, where a visit from the US President Joe Biden is possible.
'Luck of the Irish' is the stuff of fable and adages uses for decades, if not centuries, on end. It is more mythical and metaphorical than genuine and believable. That said, there are plenty of instances of people from certain parts of Ireland winning the Irish Lotto that might suggest there is more to the adage than mere jest.

A relatively recent study by Lottoland Ireland revealed some of the most fortunate regions in Ireland in terms of winning the lottery.

The study, which comprised data from customers who played with Lottoland in Ireland over a 12-month period, found the top 10 luckiest areas in the country to be:

Newbridge

Enniscorthy

Tuam

Ennis

Ashbourne

Kildare

Clonmel

Tralee

Gorey

Dublin

Dont overlook Castlebar, though

Lest we forget Castlebar, which doesn't feature among the top 10, but has produced some rather big winners in the past regardless.

Take, for example, the 19 million winners of early 2022. The family syndicate won the jackpot after it had rolled over for several months, stemming back to June 2021.

That Saturday night back in January is still a blur and even though were finally collecting a cheque for over 19 million. Were still waiting for somebody to tell us that we made a mistake and were not the winners at all," said a spokesperson on behalf of the syndicate.

"I had the ticket in my hand and to see the six numbers come out one after another was like an out of body experience - it's impossible to explain.

"We didn't get carried away one bit because we thought that there was no way we could have won it. We got the phones out and frantically started scanning the ticket.

"After about 20 minutes, the ticket scanned and a message popped up that will live with us all for the rest of our lives. It said, 'Youve won big!' It was such an incredible moment.

In the days after the draw, it wasn't publicly known where exactly the win was, so it was funny to see the excitement growing when it was announced in Mayo and then in Castlebar.

Big plans for that 19 million

As for what they syndicate and its members - collectively and individually - planned to do with their newfound wealth, may or may not have panned out as they wanted it to at the time.

"While we all will have our own individual plans, the big thing we want to do is help our wider family, close friends and indeed our community in any way we can," added the spokesperson.

"Of course, we will be paying off whatever mortgages and loans that we have but we have also drawn up a list of people to help in our communities and we look forward to helping out some charities and organisations in the coming months.

"It really is such an exciting time in our lives and we cant wait to get started to changing peoples lives."

For more details visit www.lottoland.ie

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Attorney General James Provides Tips for New Yorkers to Protect Themselves From Mail Theft

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2023

Stealing mail is a violation of privacy, it is a federal crime, and it causes real problems, said Attorney General James.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert to warn New Yorkers about mail theft and to provide recommendations from the United States Postal Service (USPS) to protect themselves from this federal crime. There has been a recent rise in mail theft, especially checks, credit cards, and other financial documents being stolen from mailboxes across New York City. In some instances, there have even been reports of individuals stealing mailboxes. Mail theft can lead to identify theft, deed theft, and serious invasions of financial and personal privacy that harm New Yorkers. Attorney General James sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy outlining her concerns and urging more resources be used to combat these thefts.

Stealing mail is a violation of privacy, it is a federal crime, and it causes real problems, said Attorney General James. When bad actors steal peoples mail, they have access to personal and financial information that can lead to identity theft, destroyed credit ratings, and serious harm to completely innocent New Yorkers. I urge everyone to remain vigilant, and to protect themselves, their information, and their mail by following our important tips.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has received complaints that financial documents  such as checks, credit cards, and banking statements  were stolen from USPS mailboxes. The stealing of documents with personal and financial information can lead to additional crimes, including deed theft. Last month, Attorney General James broke up a deed theft ring that stole three homes worth more than $1 million in total from elderly, vulnerable homeowners in the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica and St. Albans. Although USPS has redesigned its mailboxes to be more resistant against theft, recent reports show that thieves have resorted to various schemes, which have included stealing mailboxes outright.

As part of her ongoing efforts to combat theft and protect New Yorkers, Attorney General James recommends the following tips from USPS:

Always pick up your mail promptly when delivered. Do not leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you are expecting checks, credit cards, or any other financial items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.

If you did not receive a check or any other valuable mail you were expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.

If you change your address, you should immediately notify your respective post office and anyone with whom you do business with via mail.

Inform your post office when youll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.

Consider signing up for USPS Informed Delivery service , which provides email notifications for incoming mail and packages.

If you suspect your mail was stolen or see a mail theft happening, contact police immediately and then report it to Postal Inspectors by calling (877)-876-2455.

If you see glue, tape, or any other sticky substances on a mailbox, report it to your post office, Postal Inspectors, or the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The USPIS can be reached at (212) 330-2400.

Attorney General James urges anyone who believes their personal information may have been compromised to take the following steps:
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a comprehensive agenda to give every child in New York the tools to succeed through a high-quality education as part of the 2023 State of the State. For the first time since its inception, Governor Hochul is fully funding Foundation Aidan unprecedented achievementfor all school districts across the State. Foundation Aid takes districts' unique needs into account when allocating funding to address inequities and ensure schools in need receive the funding they deserve. Additionally, the administration is investing $125 million to expand high-quality, full-day prekindergarten and dedicating $250 million to establish high-impact tutoring programs in districts across the State to address student learning lost during the pandemic. Governor Hochul also announced that high school students will be eligible to earn college credits to get a head start on college, reduce student debt, and prepare for their careers.

"All of New York's students deserve access to a high-quality education, from prekindergarten through their college graduation," Governor Hochul said. "By making historic investments in public schools, expanding universal prekindergarten and tutoring programs, and expanding the opportunity to earn college credits in high school, we are carving out a path for students to build a brighter future for themselves and for New York."

This slate of education policies and programs will help New York gain back the ground lost during the pandemic and put students back on track for a brighter future.

Historic New Investments in Public Education

Governor Hochul is fulfilling her commitment to fully fund Foundation Aid, the State's primary education operating aid formula, which allocates State funds to school districts based on need, community wealth, and regional cost differences. She is investing an additional $2.7 billion, an increase of 13 percent, to a total aid amount of over $24 billion, focusing on students with the greatest needs. New York's education system will provide the highest level of funding per-student of any state in the nation. This historic level of financial support for New York public schools will reverberate for generations to come, broadening access to opportunity and enabling New York to build the education system of the future.

Invest in Full-Day Prekindergarten

Governor Hochul is doubling down on the State's investments in early childhood education in order to move New York closer to truly universal prekindergarten. This year, she will add another $125 million to expand high quality, full-day prekindergarten, benefitting approximately 17,500 additional 4-year-old children and their families and bringing the State's total annual investment in high-quality prekindergarten to $1.2 billion. With this funding, the State will be roughly 95 percent phased-in in terms of full universal prekindergarten coverage for 4-year-old children.

Establish Statewide High-Impact Tutoring Programs to Address Pandemic Learning Loss

Governor Hochul is determined to get our students back on track to address the instruction time lost to the pandemic. The administration will dedicate $250 million of the historic increase in Foundation Aid to establish high-impact tutoring programs in districts across the state. The programs will be established by school districts, either in-house or in partnership with external providers, and focus on assisting students in reading and math in grades 3-8.

The effects of the pandemic on student learning were particularly acute in New York. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the percentage of fourth-grade students in New York performing at or above basic proficiency levels dropped 10 percentage points in math (from 76 percent to 66 percent) and 8 percentage points in reading (from 66 percent to 58 percent), a larger drop than the national average.

"High-impact tutoring" is one of the interventions that has been shown to be consistently effective in helping students get back on track and meaningfully increase academic achievement. Each student served will receive additional instructional time customized to their individual needs. Effective programs will include multiple sessions per week and will result in meaningful relationships between tutors and students. A meta-analysis of studies found that, on average, tutoring increased achievement by the equivalent of 3 to 15 months of additional regular learning.

Create Programs to Provide College Credits to High School Students

Governor Hochul will invest an additional $20 million to support the establishment of new early college high school and P-TECH programs that allow students to earn college credits in high school. College-level courses provided in high schools allow students to get a head start on college, reduce their student debt, and prepare for a career. To encourage the growth of these programs across the State, new funding will be targeted to school districts working in collaboration with institutions of higher education and industry partners to inform the design of their programs. With an eye toward the technology jobs of the present and futureincluding the tens of thousands of jobs that will be created in Central New York as a result of the Micron projectprograms focused on computer science and computer and software engineering pathways will be prioritized, as will programs serving students in high-need school districts.
Health & Wellness

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2023

People who want to quit smoking have more ways than ever to get support.

With the economic and societal costs of smoking totaling more than $600 billion per year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on The Real Cost of Smoking by State, as well as expert commentary.



To encourage the estimated 34.2 million tobacco users in the U.S. to kick this dangerous habit, WalletHub calculated the potential monetary losses  including the lifetime and annual costs of a cigarette pack per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs  brought on by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.



The Financial Cost of Smoking in New York (1=Lowest, 25=Avg.):

Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker  $209,539 (Rank: 51 st )

Financial-Opportunity Cost per Smoker  $2,804,501 (Rank: 51 st )

Health-Care Cost per Smoker  $262,543 (Rank: 46 th )

Income Loss per Smoker  $614,451 (Rank: 37 th )

Other Costs per Smoker  $15,240 (Rank: 36 th )

Total Cost Over Lifetime per Smoker: $3,906,274

Total Cost per Year per Smoker: $81,381

Expert Commentary



What are the most effective strategies for individuals trying to quit smoking? What approaches typically fail?



People who want to quit smoking have more ways than ever to get support. State quit lines and digital quit smoking programs like Smokefree.gov or BecomeAnEX offer free and readily available online information, individual and community support, and text messaging support programs. Nicotine replacement therapy is available over the counter and combining nicotine patches and nicotine lozenges or gum is particularly effective. Very effective prescription medications, such as varenicline, are also a good option to consider. The key is to keep trying until a quit attempt sticks. Be clear about why you are quitting, tell people you care about that you are quitting, and plan ahead for how you will handle times when you are craving. For people who drink alcohol, consider avoiding drinking for 2-4 weeks while you quit smoking and if you do drink, make sure to limit how much you drink and drink only when you are with people who support your smoking quitting. Finally, although people quitting smoking often experience some irritability and moodiness initially, after completely avoiding smoking for a month or more, people report less stress and depression on average compared to before they quit. Remind yourself that quitting smoking can have both physical and mental health benefits.

Christopher W. Kahler, Ph.D.  Professor and Chair, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University



There are a variety of nicotine replacement therapy products available over-the-counter (without a doctors prescription), such as gums, lozenges, and patches. There are also prescription options available, like bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline. Using a combination of NRT (a patch and an oral product) can help curb cravings. It is important to remember that slips happen, and the occasional cigarette smoked is okay. Quitting smoking can be incredibly challenging, and it takes time for it to stick. The least effective (and yet most common) way of quitting is cold turkey. Remember that it is not the nicotine that is harmful, it is the smoke that accompanies it, so NRTs are safe and effective in replacing the nicotine that you are used to in cigarettes.

Clifford E. Douglas, J.D.  Director, Tobacco Research Network; Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan



How can state and local authorities encourage people to quit smoking? Is there a role for employers? Health insurance companies?



Clear and accurate education, combined with effective incentives and support, are useful in encouraging quitting. Employers and state and local authorities should ensure coverage of a variety of nicotine replacement therapies to help people looking to quit find a product that works for them. The FDA has approved a variety of nicotine replacement therapies as medicinal aids for quitting. Every state offers a free telephone quit line (call 1-800-QUIT-NOW), which is effective and easy to use. The FDA has also begun to authorize a variety of e-cigarettes and other non-medicinal nicotine products, which can be enormously helpful to adults who smoke and either cannot or will not otherwise quit smoking. In addition to e-cigarettes, those seeking to stop combustible tobacco product use can also turn to alternatives such as nicotine pouches and snus, which, like e-cigarettes, pose much less risk than continued smoking. Supporting those who decide to switch to such a product can be crucial to their success.

Clifford E. Douglas, J.D.  Director, Tobacco Research Network; Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan



The more opportunities and encouragement to quit the better. Campaigns, incentives, access to quit lines, and insurance coverage of cessation products are all options, each with evidence of effectiveness. For example, Medicaid cessation coverage is associated with increased quitting.

Julie Williams Merten, Ph.D., MCHES  Associate Professor, University of North Florida, in collaboration with Jessica King Jensen, Ph.D.  Assistant Professor, University of Utah



Should e-cigarettes be regulated and taxed as cigarettes or as medical devices?



As e-cigarettes are currently considered a tobacco product under FDA regulatory action, I believe they should be taxed similarly to cigarettes/other tobacco products. Should e-cigarettes wish to be considered as an approved and evidence-based tobacco cessation device, then these companies should focus on providing compelling evidence to support this effort. The continued availability and appeal of these products to youth is alarming and should be the priority in decision-making surrounding the public health threat.

Melinda J. Ickes, Ph.D.  Associate Professor; Director of Graduate Studies, University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion



Most agree that e-cigarettes should be regulated and taxed but not at the same level as cigarettes (harm reduction)Several studies show that when e-cigarettes have restrictions as or more stringent than cigarettes, cigarette rates increase. Several countries regulate as medical devices, and there are certainly distinctions in rates of use between the US and those countries, but that could be due to differences in marketing and the products themselves. Australia and England are examples of this.

Julie Williams Merten, Ph.D., MCHES  Associate Professor, University of North Florida, in collaboration with Jessica King Jensen, Ph.D.  Assistant Professor, University of Utah
12th January 2023

Runtime 47:10





London South East were delighted to welcome Cleantech Lithium (CTL) Chief Financial Officer Gordon Stein to discuss funding options and the path to production for CTL's three direct lithium projects in the Chilean Andes.

These three projects are all potential 'Lithium projects' in themselves, at Laguna Verde, Fransansisco, and the latest at Llamara to the North of Chile.

CTL have just announced a successful scoping study for Laguna Verde with one to come soon for Fransansisco Basin and as Gordon says, what has been achieved in his 15 months with the company has been 'astonishing - we are moving in a very nice direction'.

Mining projects generally take 5-7 years from discovery to production if advanced at high speed, and often they take more. CTL are targetting production for late 2025 or early 26 says Gordon, which is fast by industry standards.

CTL have already raised 20M in difficult markets in the last year or so and are funded to the Pre-Feasability Study.

Laguna Verde Pre-Feasability Study

 Gordon thinks that the next 6-9 months will see many catalyst events which will see the share price re-rate significantly as the business works towards a Pre-Feasability Study (PFS) for Laguna Verde

 Round about Q3 this year you will get the PFS for Laguna Verde

 In terms of funding, he sees a debt/equity split of say 60/70% debt

 He sees many sources of debt and equity, starting with the obvious one, the banks. This is a high quality green lithium project, lithium supply is constrained and despite CAPEX costs of $383M the project has a payback period of just 20 months

 Chairman Steve Kessler made the point that strategic investors, an obvious source of capital investment/share stake, wont invest until the PFS is available

 Many options are available and even now early conversations with potential lenders, funds, banks and strategic investors are being had

Fransansisco Basin

 Fransansisco Basin is 6 to 12 months behind LV so there will be synergies in funding

 If LV needs CAPEX of $383M, the projects jointly will only need funding of $5/600M as LV begins to throw of cash in a relatively short period of time

 We are drilling our 2nd well in Fransansisco Basin right now and we will drill 2 more wells there

 We already have M tonnes from the first well

 Well have the results for all 4 wells in the early part of Q2 2024

 We hope to have 2 Mt of Lithium reserves, with higher quality brine then LV.

 Then its a Scoping Study looking at whats required to bring that project on stream

Llamara

 Llamara could potentially be huge

 We are in a court process and hopefully we will be getting licences this month or next

 Hopefully we will be hitting the ground quickly with an exploration well which will cost $2/300,000

 We know from Oil & Gas surveys theres brine. We are pretty confident there is lithium there, what we dont know is if it is commercially viable with our DLE technology.

Sunresin

 In the 2nd Q of 2023 we have commissioned a pilot plant from SunResin which is coming from Belgium

 Sunresin dont extract, their clients do, and three of their clients are working on projects producing lithium right now, successfully producing from much lower quality lithium brine

 The lithium sticks to the resin in a very clean way, can be extracted and we will end up with battery quality rated lithium.

 We are still looking at whether we end with carbonate or the next stage which is hydroxide
Every member of the Arctic Council has already created military bases on the Arctic rim, with the race to dominate the region accelerating after 2007, when Russian scientists symbolically placed a titanium flag on the Arctic seabed, 4,302 metres below the North Pole.

by Vijay Prashad

In 1996, the eight countries on the Arctic rim  Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States  formed the Arctic Council, a journey that began in 1989 when Finland approached the other countries to hold a discussion about the Arctic environment. The Finnish initiative led to the Rovaniemi Declaration (1991), which established the councils precursor, the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy.

Spiridonov Yuri Vasilyevich (Sakha), Landlord of the Moma Mountains, 2006.

The main concern for these governments at the time was the impact of global pollution and resulting environmental threats to the Arctic, which was destroying the regions ecosystem. There was little understanding of the scale and implications of the polar ice cap melting (consensus about that danger was amplified by the research of scientists such as Xiangdong Zhang and John Walsh in 2006 and the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007). The Arctic Councils remit was later expanded to include investigations on climate change and development in the region.

More recently, at the 2021 ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik (Iceland), Russia took over as the organisations rotating two-year chair. However, on 3 March 2022  exactly one week after Russias invasion of Ukraine  the other council members began to boycott meetings in protest of Moscows involvement in the group. In June 2022, these seven countries agreed to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council on projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation. In essence, the councils future is at stake.

Yet, geopolitical tensions in the Arctic did not begin last year. They have been simmering for more than a decade as these eight countries have jockeyed for control over the area  not to stem the dangers of climate change, but to exploit the vast deposits of minerals, metals, and fossil fuels that are present within the 21 million square kilometres of the Arctic Circle. The region is estimated to contain 22% of the worlds undiscovered oil and natural gas (although extraction from this region remains expensive). Far more lucrative is the mining of rare earth minerals (such as neodymium for capacitors and electric motors and terbium for magnets and lasers), whose value across the Arctic  from Greenlands Kvanefjeld to Russias Kola Peninsula to the Canadian Shield  is estimated to be at least one trillion dollars. Each member of the Arctic Council is racing to establish control over these precious resources, which, until now, have been locked beneath the melting ice.

Because more than half of the Arctic is made up of international waters and the continental shelves of these eight countries (i.e., landmass that extends into shallow ocean waters), its regulation largely falls under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is ratified by 168 parties. According to the UNCLOS, the sovereignty of a coastal state extends to its territorial sea, defined as the area within 12 nautical miles from the low-water line of their coast. States also have the right to create an exclusive economic zone within 200 nautical miles of that low-water mark, where many of these resources are located. As a result, exploitation of the Arctics resources is mainly the domain of the councils member states and is largely outside of multilateral control. However, the UNCLOS does constrain individual state sovereignty by declaring that the deep seabed is the common heritage of humanity and its exploration and exploitation shall be carried out for the benefits of mankind as a whole, irrespective of the geographical location of States.

The UN created the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to implement the UNCLOS treaty. In Kingston (Jamaica), the ISAs legal and technical commission is developing a mining code to regulate exploration and exploitation of the international seabed area. It is worth noting that one fifth of the commissions members are from mining companies. While there is no possibility of enacting a global moratorium on deep-sea mining  even in the Arctic, despite the 1959 Antarctic Treaty effectively banning mining on that continent  a mining code that favours mining companies will not only increase exploitation, but also increase competition and the risk of conflict between major powers. This competition has already intensified the New Cold War between North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) states  led by the US  and countries such as China and Russia and has led to the rapid militarisation of the Arctic.

Every member of the Arctic Council has already created military bases on the Arctic rim, with the race to dominate the region accelerating after 2007, when Russian scientists symbolically placed a titanium flag on the Arctic seabed, 4,302 metres below the North Pole. Artur Chilingarov, the Russian explorer who led this geographical expedition, said that he was motivated by science and a concern for climate change and that the Arctic must be protected not in words, but in deeds. Nonetheless, the Russian geological expedition was used as a pretext to expand militarisation in the region. For decades, the US has had a military presence deep inside the Arctic Circle, the Thule Air Base in Greenland, which it developed in the 1950s after Denmark  the colonial ruler over Greenland  joined NATO. Other Arctic littoral countries, too, have long had military forces that traverse the ice and snows of the north, a presence that has grown in recent years. Canada, for instance, is building the Nanisivik Naval Facility on Baffin Island, Nunavut, aiming for it to be operational in 2023. Meanwhile, over the past decade, Russia has renovated the Nagurskoye air base in Alexandra Land and the Temp air base on Kotelny Island.

The Arctic Council was one of the few multilateral institutions to facilitate communication between the powers in the region. Now, seven of them have decided to no longer participate. Five of these abstaining members (Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and the US) are already part of NATO, while the remaining two (Finland and Sweden) are being fast-tracked into the organisation. Increasingly, NATO is replacing the Arctic Council as a decision-making authority in the region, with its operations based out of the Centre of Excellence for Cold Weather Operations in Norway. Since 2006, this hub has brought together NATO allies and partners for biannual military exercises in the Arctic called Cold Response.

In May 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went to the Arctic Council meeting in Rovaniemi (Finland) and accused China of being responsible for environmental destruction in the Arctic. Although China has launched a Polar Silk Road project, there is no real evidence that China has played a particularly deleterious role in the northern sea lanes. This hostile comment towards China and similar sentiments about Russias role in the Arctic are part of the ideological battle to justify the New Cold War. Less than a month after Pompeos speech, the US Department of Defence released its Arctic Strategy (2019), which focused on limiting the ability of China and Russia to leverage the region as a corridor for competition (a mood repeated in the US Air Forces 2020 Arctic Strategy).

In October 2022, Reykjavik hosted its annual Arctic Circle gathering, attended by all of the major powers, except Russia, which was not invited. Icelands former President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, who was embroiled in the 2016 Panama Papers corruption scandal, chaired the keynote speech given by the Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Bauer said that NATO must have a more muscular presence in the Arctic in order to check Russia as well as China, which he called another authoritarian regime that does not share our values and undermines the rules-based international order. Chinas Polar Silk Road, Admiral Bauer said, is merely a shield behind which Chinese naval formations could move more quickly from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and submarines could shelter in the Arctic.

During the discussion period, Chinas ambassador to Iceland, He Rulong, rose from his seat to say to the NATO admiral, Your speech and remark are full of arrogance and also paranoid. The Arctic region is an area for high cooperation and low confrontation The Arctic plays an important role when it comes to climate change Every country should be part of this process. China, he continued, should not be singled out [from] the cooperation. Grimsson closed the session after Hes intervention to muted laughter in the hall.

Absent from most of these discussions are the indigenous communities who live in the Arctic: the Aleut and Yupik (United States); the Inuit (Canada, Greenland, and the United States); the Chukchi, Evenk, Khanty, Nenets, and Sakha (Russia); and the Saami (Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden). Though these communities are represented by six organisations on the Arctic Council  the Aleut International Association, the Arctic Athabaskan Council, the Gwichin Council, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, and the Russian Association of Indigenous People of the North, and the Saami Council  their voices have been further muted during the intensified conflict.

This silencing of indigenous voices reminds me of Nils-Aslak Valkeapaa (19432001), the great Saami artist, whose poetry rattles like the sound of the wind:

Can you hear the sounds of life

in the roaring of the creek

in the blowing of the wind

That is all I want to say

that is all

Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is an editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest books are Struggle Makes Us Human: Learning from Movements for Socialism and (with Noam Chomsky) The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power.
(Alliance News) - Home REIT PLC on Thursday said that it would be reviewing all options to recover rent from two of its tenants, following their failure to pay for the quarter ended November.

The London-based real estate investment trust told investors that both Big Help Group and Noble Tree Foundation have disputed their rental obligations, and failed to pay for the three months to November 30.

Home REIT's shares were temporarily suspended from trading in London last week, after the company failed to publish its annual financial report for the year ended August 31.

The four-month publication delay was blamed on issues with its independent auditor, BDO LLP.

Home REIT subsequently announced last Wednesday that Alvarium RE Ltd has agreed to sell its investment advisor, Alvarium Home REIT Advisors Ltd, to a newly formed entity.

The new entity will be owned by the management of AHRA and funded by a promissory note.

On Thursday, Home REIT attributed the "general deterioration" in its rent collection position to the short-selling report published by Viceroy Research in November.

The report, which was described by the company as "inaccurate and misleading", accused executives of short-selling.

Viceroy later claimed that Home REIT's response "all but [confirmed] round-tripping of revenues to tenants via vendor agreements, low tenant quality and related party structures between major tenants".

The law firm Harcus Parker was subsequently appointed in December to lead a case establishing whether Home REIT had indeed misled shareholders, including in relation to its social impact.

The firm said that public evidence proved Home REIT properties "have been found by local authorities to be unsuitable for housing vulnerable individuals".

Home REIT on Thursday said that it was reviewing all options to obtain payment of overdue rent from its tenants.

In this regard, the company said that is in the late stages of appointing a specialist supported housing property manager.

The manager will assist the existing management team with tenant liaison and monitoring, rent collection and underlying asset performance.

A further announcement on this will be made in due course.

Home REIT shares remain suspended.

By Holly Beveridge; Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Afentra PLC - Africa-focused energy company - Receives approval from the Angolan Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas to acquire 4% interest in Block30/5 and Block3/05A offshore Angola from INA-Industrija DD. Says it is finalising details with INA towards formal completion of acquisition. Also confirms it agrees with Sonangol to extend long-stop date to March 31 from December 31.

"The receipt of approval from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas for the INA acquisition is a key step in this process and we now look forward to completing the acquisition in the coming weeks," says Chief Executive Officer Paul McDade. "It will mark our entry into Angola and the first of two highly complementary acquisitions that will provide Afentra with a strong growth platform, underpinned by robust cash flow and significant potential to deliver upside value."

"It will also mark the inception of our partnership with Sonangol in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A where we intend to work closely with Sonangol to optimise production and to extend the life of this quality, long-life asset."

Current stock price: 27.30 pence, up 8.4% in London on Thursday afternoon

12-month change: up 88%

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Plant Health Care PLC on Thursday said it and Novozymes South Asia Pvt Ltd signed an agreement for the exclusive distribution of Harpin for use in sugar cane production in India.

Plant Health Care is a company specialising in products to improve the health and yield of major field crops such as corn, soybeans, potatoes and rice. Novozymes is a biological solutions provider looking to improve industrial performance and preserve global resources.

First commercial sales are expected to commence in the second half of 2023, after receipt of the required regulatory approvals. It also represents the first product to be introduced into India by Plant Health Care.

It said India is the world's second largest producer of sugar cane with about five million hectares under cultivation, noting Harpin has been used on more than 180,000 hectares of sugar cane in Brazil since its launch in 2018.

Test results by Novozymes also found the application of Harpin to sugar cane to bolster crop yield by more than 10% on average compared to prior growing seasons in India, Plant Health Care said.

"Building on the success of our Harpin...product on sugar cane in Brazil, it was natural to launch the product in India, the world's second largest producer of sugar cane," said Plant Health Care Chief Executive Officer Jeff Tweedy. "Novozymes is a leading supplier of biological products to sugar cane processors in India and will be a strong distribution partner for Plant Health Care's technology."

"Commencing commercial sales in India will materially support continued strong revenue growth at Plant Health Care consistent with previously announced aspirations."

Shanmugam Sambantham, commercial head of agriculture in India at Novozymes, added: "Sugarcane production must be increased in order to achieve the transition to cleaner energy sources envisaged under India's national policy on biofuels. Novozymes is delighted to be working with Plant Health Care to offer Indian farmers a revolutionary biostimulant, Harpin, that enhances sugarcane yield and provides superior economic returns."

Harpin works by triggering the plant's own self-defence systems, similar to how vaccinations work in humans. It causes crops to respond with improved quality, nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress and ultimately, increased yield.

Being a biological product, Harpin has a very favourable human and environmental safety profile.

Shares in Plant Health Care closed flat at 11.00 pence each in London on Thursday.

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Alliance Pharma PLC - Chippenham, England-based distributor of consumer healthcare brands and prescription medicines - Hires Jeyan Heper as chief operating officer, starting from February 1. Says that he held senior executive roles in brand management at Procter & Gamble Co and marketing at Danone SA. Says that Chief Executive Peter Butterfield will return to the business in the first quarter of 2023 on a phased basis. Decides to appoint an interim CEO who is expected to join the board and focus on strategic delivery and external stakeholder engagement.

----------

Empire Metals Ltd - London-based minerals explorer and developer - Says that the exploration field work at its at Pitfield copper project in Western Australia is progressing well. Says that the project has the potential to contain multiple sediment-hosted stratabound copper deposits. Says the field work has been focused on under-explored areas of the project to generate new exploration data. "Great progress has been made on our two main exploration camps at Pitfield and Eclipse-Gindalbie over recent weeks as we set ourselves up for a major exploration push during H1 2023. What is particularly exciting is that we have found a way to speed up our field activities at Pitfield, having been able to contract an IP surveying team that could mobilise to site in mid-December, well ahead of our previously announced exploration schedule," Executive Director Shaun Bunn says.

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Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd - specialist investor in European real estate credit markets - Net asset value per share as at December 31 stands at GBP1.482 per share, representing a decrease of 2.0p per share from GBP1.502 per share as at November 30. Attributes this to the payment of the second interim dividend of 3.0p and 1.0p of interest income. Continues to see a growing pipeline of senior loans at attractive floating rates. Expects to re-invest their repayments into high-returning deals in 2023.

----------

Midatech Pharma PLC - Cardiff-based R&D biotechnology company focused on improving the bio-delivery and bio-distribution of medicines - Plans to begin the dose escalation in its MTX-110 trial after the first month of treatment and a positive recommendation from the study's data safety monitoring board. The phase I study is an open-label, dose escalation study designed to assess the feasibility and safety of intermittent infusions of MTX-110, it adds.

----------

By Abby Amoakuh, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

----------

Arkle Resources PLC - Ireland-focused gold and zinc explorer - Discovers lithium-bearing pegmatites in its Mine River Block on the Wexford/Wicklow border in Ireland. Says that the results suggest that the Mine River Block is fertile for lithium caesium tantalum pegmatite deposits. "These are exciting results. We have discovered lithium on our licences. We found the rock type needed, pegmatites, and in the pegmatites found lithium and other indicator minerals. This opens compelling new opportunities for our Mine River Block. Prospecting will resume in the near future," Chair John Teeling comments.

----------

Apollon Formularies PLC - London-based medical cannabis pharmaceutical firm - Enters binding letter of intent with Global Hemp Group Inc. Says GHG will pay Apollon a total of USD250,000, CAD341,000, in two distinct tranches and issue 10 million common shares at a deemed price of CAD0.015 per share for a total consideration of CAD491,000. In return, GHG will be granted an exclusive licence to four Apollon patents in North America, with supporting third-party test data.

----------

Marble Point Loan Financing Limited - Guernsey-based closed-ended investment firm - Notes that its investment manager Marble Point Credit Management LLC was acquired by Investcorp, effective today.

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First Class Metals PLC - metals exploration company seeking large scale metal discoveries in Canada - Identifies high-grade drill hole intercepts from the West Pickle Lake massive sulphide discovery in Ontario, Canada. Notes that the assay results include a high grade from hole TK-22-073 at 10.3% nickel and 2.9% copper over 1.8 meters. "The West Pickle Lake nickel-copper sulphide discovery continues to report high grade nickel assays and FCM remains further encouraged by these results which includes over 7% Nickel and 2% Copper Cu over 2.6 meters in hole TK22-073. The success to date and accordingly the potential of the discovery continues to grow and, significantly for FCM, remains open to the west in the direction of the 100% FCM-owned North Hemlo property. I look forward to reporting on the progress and remaining assays in due course," CEO Marc J Sale comments.

----------

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings PLC - cannabinoid medicines-focused pharmaceutical firm - Confirms that its Research Ethics Committee review meeting for its combined clinical trial application for phase I clinical trials for its lead programme OCT461201 took place on Wednesday. Adds that the ongoing review process is being undertaken in parallel by the Wales Research Ethics Committee and the UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

----------

Atlantic Lithium Ltd - African-focussed lithium exploration and development company - Receives final assay results for a further 10,052 metres of exploration and infill diamond core and reverse circulation drilling from its Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana. Says that the assay results confirm new mineralised pegmatites at the Grasscutter North, Kaampakrom North and Assan targets. Identifies multiple high-grade drill intersections reported at these targets.

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Tertiary Minerals PLC - mineral exploration and development company focused on energy transition metals - Reports that the Mingomba copper deposit, adjacent to its Konkola West Copper Project recently received a USD150 million investment by KoBold Metals. Says that its project is currently targeting deep down-dip extensions of the contiguous Musoshi-Lubambe-Mingomba-Konkola copper deposits.

----------

Beowulf Mining PLC - Natural resource developer and explorer focused on the Nordic region - Invests GBP250,000 in Vardar Minerals Ltd which increases its stake in the company to roughly 61% from 60%. This funding will be used to start preparations for the company's 2023 exploration programme.

----------

Phoenix Copper Ltd - base and precious metals explorer in US state of Idaho - Finds significant drill results from the sixth and seventh holes of the programme at the Empire open pit copper project in Idaho. "The metallurgical testing program is progressing as planned; however, as previously communicated, assay results are taking longer than originally anticipated due to laboratory backlog. We look forward to reporting additional assays from the program as they become available and appreciate everyone's patience while the assay laboratory continues to make headway on the sample backlog," CEO Ryan McDermott says.

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Landore Resources Ltd - Mining exploration and development company in Canada - Completes the strategic review on the options available to Landore in relation to its Canadian subsidiary and assets. Says the processes generated significant interest in the assets. Does not believe that it will be possible to maximise the value of the company's assets through a transaction "at this time". Determines that it will be in everyone's best interests for management to continue to focus on developing the value within the company's existing assets in the near term.

----------

Marwyn Value Investors Ltd - investment company managed by Marwyn Asset Management Ltd - Expects to receive a GBP5.0 million from value-added tax reclaim.

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By Abby Amoakuh, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Merit Group PLC - London-based data technology company - Completes disposal of the trade and assets of Le Trombinoscope, a French language directory service publication focused on the French political landscape. Says the consideration on the sale is GBP100,000 and expects it not to have a material impact on the company's financial performance. In the financial year to March 2022, Le Trombinoscope reported revenue of GBP300,000. "The disposal shows further progress in our simplification of the group, allowing us to focus on our core business intelligence assets," says Chief Executive David Beck.

--------

NFT Investments PLC - Invests in non-fungible tokens - Notes that it is currently managing a cyber security incident after discovering a fraudulent phishing attack from an unknown external source on Monday. Says the attack has resulted in USD250,000 loss of the company's assets, which represents less than 1% of NFT's current net asset value. Adds that it has seen no evidence that the company's financial performance has been impaired. "On becoming aware of the attack, NFT immediately implemented its incident response plan and will commission a third party report to investigate the circumstances of the incident. Separately, the company is examining additional technical precautions in its systems and controls in order to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future," it says.

--------

Resolute Mining Ltd - Perth-based gold miner in Africa - Receives "globally recognised" International Organization for Standardisation certification for the following standards: Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Management Systems. The ISO certifications were awarded by Bureau Veritas, an independent third-party assurance consultant. Chief Executive Terry Holohan says: "I am very pleased that this element, being one of our major platforms supporting our group's strategy to become 'industry leaders in ESG', as we formally pledged to all stakeholders in our 2020 annual reports, has been formally certified by the distinguished Bureau Veritas - this industry-wide recognition is a significant demonstration of our commitment to our ongoing journey of continuous improvement."

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Lords Group Trading PLC - London-based distributor of building, plumbing, heating and DIY goods - Enters binding agreements to buy the freehold property, from which the Heathrow branch of the company's wholly owned subsidiary George Lines Civils & Landscaping Merchants operates, from the original vendor of George Lines. The property, which is situated close to London Heathrow airport, covers an area of 1.5 acres including 5,570 square feet of covered storage. The branch has been operating out of the site for more than 40 years. Says maximum consideration for the property is GBP6.3 million to be paid in cash, while GBP2.2 million has already been paid.

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Parkmead Group PLC - Netherlands and UK-focused gas explorer - Completes drilling activities at the LDS-01 well in the Netherlands which has encountered gas columns in the primary target horizons. The well has been completed and is now ready for tie-in to production, which will follow the conclusion of the LDS-02 well. Executive Chair Tom Cross: "We are delighted to announce a gas discovery from the first well of the two-well LDS drilling campaign. The immediate proximity to production infrastructure allows for an extremely short tie-in period, and we expect first gas to be onstream within the first quarter of this year. This will provide Parkmead with immediate net production and cashflow."

--------

Tern PLC - Investor focused on the internet of things - Says Wyld Networks AB has received an approximately SEK12.6 million, around GBP1 million, purchase order for its satellite IoT Wyld Connect module. Says the order was placed by a company based in the Middle East and the delivery will begin in April, spanning a four-year period. Tern holds a 41% stake in Wyld Networks.

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Forward Partners Group PLC - London-based investment firm - Makes GBP1.0 million investment into Dines. Dines is a hospitality management platform. Says the company will use the funds to continue its expansion across the UK. "The hotels, restaurants, theatres, pubs and festivals that power this industry not only deliver experiences that enrich people's lives, but they also contribute massively to UK economy. Despite this, they are under severe margin pressure and highly sensitive to changes in consumer spending. To succeed, they need to optimise every aspect of their business - from marketing to booking, ordering to payroll - but solutions are few and far between," says Forward Partners Chief Executive Nic Brisbourne.

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IMC Exploration Group PLC - Dublin-based exploration company - Agrees with Mineral Ventures Invest Spol SRO to extend the final date to satisfy the conditions to acquire Karaberd Mine in Armenia. The date is now October 14, 2023. This is the third extension and is due to local Covid-19-related factors which delayed "certain structuring and organisational measures" relating to the assets subject to the acquisition.

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By Sophie Rose, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Since February over 20,000 foreigners have come to Ukraine to aid the war effort. Most were veterans of their own armed forces, and some were special operations veterans. There are currently international and national prohibitions against unofficially participating in another countrys war, though this practice has been going on for as long as there have been countries.. This doesnt stop the most determined volunteers, many of them willing to fight and not just provide support (as trainers and advisors).

Ukrainian Special Operations Command, which is the fifth branch of the Ukrainian military, saw an opportunity and recruited several hundred foreign special operations veterans to serve in a Special Operations capacity. While special operations techniques are much the same everywhere, a common language is not. Most foreign operators (as special operations personnel are known) know English as a first or second language. One reason for this is that during World War II the British were responsible for developing and widely using modern special operations techniques. British operators were in high demand by foreign nations for instruction on how it is done.

The spetsnaz are somewhat different. While well trained and capable, spetsnaz lack the specialized training non-Russian operators undergo so more complex missions can be carried out. The spetsnaz are more similar to the World War II British commandos. These men operated in larger groups for raids and some special operations missions. The British SAS (Special Air Service) and SBS (Special Boat Service) operators often began as commandos and upgraded when they had the opportunity. SAS were operators who knew how to use a parachute while SBS are more similar to the U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air Land) operators. Britain still has commando units in the form of their marines (Royal Marine Commandos) and air assault troops. The American army has its 75th Ranger Regiment. The rangers often work with operators when more troops are needed for an operation.

When Ukraine became independent in 1991 it inherited some spetsnaz units. The Ukrainian spetsnaz did not upgrade in a big way until they met lots of NATO operators who were sent to Ukraine after 2014 to train local troops, including Ukrainian spetsnaz. Gradually the Ukrainian spetsnaz evolved into Western style operators. This enabled Ukraine to screen foreign volunteers for men who had been operators and were willing to do that as part of the Ukrainian forces. Most of the foreign opera tors spoke English as a second language and a few knew Russian or Ukrainian. These two languages are very similar, sort of dialects of each other. The Ukrainians managed to make that work. Operators all use a common set of techniques and hand signals. Operators are trained to carry out some missions with no spoken commands, just hand signals.

That is not always possible because the most common task for operators is known as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance). Despite the proliferation of aerial and satellite surveillance, there is still a need for small teams of operators to quietly enter the combat zone, get as close to enemy forces as possible and observe and report what the enemy is up to. Ukrainian operators have an edge in that they have Starlink satellite communications. The Starlink user kit consists of a small satellite dish and a modem that connects with a PC or tablet. The operators must also carry a battery to power Starlink. The operators must position the Starlink dish carefully so that it is connected with a Starlink satellite but not visible to enemy forces. The operator with the tablet must adjust the light levels of the display so not enough light is generated to be detected by the enemy. The ISR teams also use night vision devices, often the type that look like binoculars because thats what they are, with night vision added. All operators have the knowledge and skills to do all this quickly and quietly and with minimal spoken communication. The Russians know about these ISR missions, are always on the lookout for them and are sure that an ISR team is observing when they suddenly get hit with a lot of very accurate artillery, sniper or machine-gun fire from the enemy. At this point the ISR team has to be prepared to make a rapid exit along one of several routes they noted on their way in. They are lightly armed with assault rifles or PDWs. These Personal Defense Weapons are much smaller assault rifles or submachine guns firing 9mm pistol ammo. In addition, each usually carries a pistol and knife and not much ammo for reloads. Operators travel light, meaning no bulletproof helmets or vests. Speed is essential if you have to leave the area while angry Russian search parties are trying to surround you.

These ISR missions are common for the foreign operators because they have all the skills and only need to know a few key words or phrases in Ukrainian to operate together. The five- or six-man ISR team will include one Ukrainian operator who can deal with any Ukrainian civilians encountered. All members of the team use a foreign operators form of communication and because of that the team leader is often one of the foreign operators.

Foreign volunteers generally travel to Ukraine at their own expense and work without pay. They are housed, fed and otherwise supported but are not, in the classical sense, mercenaries. Most stay for just a few months and those who die have their bodies returned home by Ukraine. Some of the International Legion volunteers had been active members of foreign militaries and served in Ukraine between 2014 and 2021. These volunteers were particularly valuable because they had been part of the NATO effort to turn Ukrainian forces into a NATO compatible force.

This turned out to be a major advantage because the Russians were still using their rigid Soviet era command and troops control procedures. By 2021 the Ukrainians had adopted the more flexible Western methods where junior commanders were trained to improvise when necessary. The Russian troops who did any of that were spetsnaz (special operations) forces. Most Russian troops follow detailed orders and, when they encounter something not covered in their orders, they halt and wait for further instructions. This gives Ukrainian forces a major advantage. After nearly a year of fighting the Russians have not changed, even though the more flexible Ukrainians constantly win battles because of their initiative.
Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.[Photo/Xinhua]

The frequent military aircraft exercises by the People's Liberation Army around the island of Taiwan are due to the rising military collusion between the United States and the island administration, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

"The drills by the PLA sent a stern warning against the escalation of provocations by Taiwan and the US, which damaged peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday at a news briefing in Beijing.

The remarks came after some recent provocative moves by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, including military purchases from the US, the extension of compulsory military service to one year, and the promotion of kindergartens to teach how to distinguish the sound of artillery shells.

"Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter of the Chinese people, which allows no interference from others," Ma said, adding, "Any attempt to separate Taiwan from China is doomed to fail."

He also condemned a think tank in the US for exaggerating the "China threat theory" to make profits for military groups in the country, through a war game simulation of the "invasion" of the Taiwan island by the mainland.

The simulation by the Center for Strategic and International Studies predicted that if the PLA "invaded "Taiwan in 2026, it could result in heavy losses for parties likely to be involved, including the mainland, the US, Taiwan and Japan.

Ma said that some US think tanks have issued frequent reports on the Taiwan question and the situation across the Taiwan Straits under the guise of academic research.

By hyping up the "threat" from China, they help military industry groups in the US make profits and get more allies to join their attempt of containing the mainland with Taiwan, he said.

They also tried to create divisions between compatriots from the two sides of the Straits, he added.

Regarding such reports, Ma said the compatriots in Taiwan can make their own judgments and will not be misled.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Affairs Office, said Taiwan's young people should resolutely oppose separatism and efforts to achieve "Taiwan independence".

Song made the remarks on Tuesday while visiting 31 young people from Taiwan who are working or studying in Beijing.

He noted that they should recognize the serious harm such efforts could cause as well as the sinister intentions of foreign forces that are colluding with them.

Song said that youth on both sides of the Straits are critical in efforts to develop cross-Straits relations, promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland and rejuvenate the nation.

Compatriots on both sides of the Straits are eager to accelerate the resumption of personnel exchanges and promote cooperation, Song said.

He invited more Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland and make joint efforts to develop cross-Straits relations.

"As long as family members visit each other more often, they get closer," he added.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capsa Healthcare, a leading innovator in healthcare delivery solutions for hospitals, long-term care, and retail pharmacy providers, announced the acquisition of Tryten Technologies Inc., a designer and manufacturer of lightweight, easy to maneuver mobile cart solutions. Tryten is based in Langley, British Columbia.





A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking the image or link below.







Ultrasound

Cardiology

Endoscopy

Tele Stroke

Virtual Interpreting/translation

Patient observation

Electronic health records

Patient registration and vital signs

About

Capsa

Healthcare

www.capsahealthcare.com

About

Tryten

Press Contact:
Top Navy leaders are sounding the alarm over what they see as the defense industry's failure to deliver enough ammunition to both meet the demands of the sea service as well as aid shipments to Ukraine.

"I am not forgiving of the fact they're not delivering the ordnance we need," Adm. Daryl Caudle, the service's Fleet Forces commander, told an audience at the annual Surface Navy Association conference held in Arlington, Virginia.

Caudle, who oversees a wide swath of the Navy's ships, suggested that the problem is not only forcing him to "rob Peter to pay Paul" in order to completely arm U.S. carrier strike groups, but that it is a factor in how much aid to send to Ukraine.

Read Next: A New Medal and Revised Marketing Tactics Part of Army's Fight Against Recruiting Slump

The service's top boss, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, echoed the sentiment in a conversation with reporters at the same conference and explained that the shortfalls are "always a concern for us and we monitor that very, very closely."

Del Toro said that the Navy is not "quite there yet," referring to the decision point between arming itself or Ukraine, "but if the conflict does go on for another six months or another year, it certainly continues to stress the supply chain in ways that are challenging."

The comments come as some far-right lawmakers who have been pushing for Congress to cut off aid are now in a position to influence Ukraine policy, with Republicans having just taken over the majority in the House. The risk to Ukraine aid seemingly escalated after newly minted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in October he would not support a "blank check" for the country.

The Navy officials' comments could give the opponents of Ukraine aid a national security justification for slowing the flow of weapons.

In his remarks, Caudle specifically singled out two weapons -- the Navy's SM-6 missile and the Mark 48 torpedo. The former is an extended-range version of the Navy's workhorse surface-to-air missile, and the latter is a torpedo that is used on submarines.

"We're talking about warfighting, national security, and going against a competitor here and a potential adversary that is like nothing we've ever seen, and we keep dillydallying around with these deliveries," Caudle said.

Neither Caudle nor Del Toro went into detail about just how depleted the Navy's ammunition reserves actually are, but the admiral did say that it was not enough to meet the service's new requirement that it be able to sail 75 ships at the same time, a number that was recently announced by Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener.

"If I wanted to do that, their magazines wouldn't all be full," Caudle said. "So even though Roy Kitchener is doing a great job getting that ship ready, it won't go fully loaded out."

Caudle acknowledged that manufacturers are still recovering from supply chain disruptions and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, though he did not view that as an excuse.

"I just don't really care.  We all got tough jobs," he said. "If you want to take me in a room and show me your sob story, I'll be happy to hear it.  At the end of the day, I want the magazines filled."

Meanwhile, Del Toro, who told reporters that he's "been really tough on the industry," said that, given the improvements made in the fight against COVID-19, "industry needs to make sure that they continue to  incentivize  their workers in every possible way ... to make up for that lost time."

"There's a lot of work to be done on the part of industry to reinvest perhaps some of their own profits," Del Toro said.

Editor's Note: After publication a spokesperson for Adm. Daryl Caudle sent a statement to Military.com, part of which read:

"Yesterday at the 35th gathering of the Surface Navy Association, U.S. Fleet Forces commander, Admiral Daryl Caudle, commented on supply line delays of ordnance from Americas defense industry. At no point did Admiral Caudle say our nation would need to make a choice between arming our Navy OR supporting Ukrainian forces in their fight against Russia."

-- 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.

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MOSCOW  Russias top military officer was put in charge of troops fighting in Ukraine on Wednesday, a move that appears to reflect the Kremlins dissatisfaction with the current leadership and flaws in the military's performance.

Russias Defense Ministry said that Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was named the new commander of the unified group of forces in Ukraine.

The previous commander, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was demoted to become Gerasimovs deputy along with two other generals.

The reshuffle, which was formally ordered by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, clearly came on Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval, signaling that he still has trust in his top military leaders who have faced broad criticism for the troops' performance in the conflict.

It also suggests a recognition of flaws in carrying out what Putin called the special military operation in Ukraine.

While announcing Gerasimov's appointment, the Defense Ministry said it was aimed at improving coordination between various forces fighting in Ukraine.

Raising the level of leadership of the special military operation is linked to the expansion of the scale of the tasks being fulfilled as part of it and the need to organize closer interaction between branches of the military and to increase the quality of supplies and the efficiency of directing groups of forces, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Surovikin was credited with strengthening coordination and reinforcing control over Russian forces in Ukraine after his appointment in October. His demotion to the No. 2 role signaled that while Putin wasnt quite happy with his performance, he still trusts the generals expertise.

Soon after Surovikin was appointed in October, Russian troops pulled back from the southern city of Kherson under the brunt of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The retreat from the only regional center captured by Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 came weeks after its annexation by Moscow and dealt a painful blow to the Kremlin.

In his turn, Gerasimov, who was seen as the top architect of the Russian action in Ukraine as the countrys top military officer in charge of strategic military planning, was also widely blamed for Moscows military setbacks.

His critics included Yevgeny Prigozhin, a millionaire businessman with close ties to Putin. Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group military contractor has played an increasingly prominent role in the fighting, has accused Gerasimov of incompetence and blamed him for a string of Russian military setbacks.

Such criticism was also shared by Chechnyas leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who deployed troops from his region to fight in Ukraine and repeatedly urged the Kremlin to up the ante in the conflict.

The criticism of Gerasimov from Prigozhin and Kadyrov rose to a high pitch in September, when Russian troops were forced to pull back from Ukraine's northeastern region of Kharkiv by a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Kadyrov particularly accused Gerasimov of covering up for his protege, Col. Gen. Alexander Lapin, who was in charge of the troops that retreated from the Kharkiv region.

Despite such attacks, Lapin was promoted to become the chief of staff of ground forces earlier this week. His promotion along with Gerasimov's new appointment appear to signal that Prigozhin and Kadyrov have little influence over the Kremlin's decision-making despite their increasing public activity.

Putin on Wednesday also gave a televised dressing down to Denis Manturov, a deputy prime minister in charge of aviation and other high-tech industries.

Putin demanded that Manturov act more quickly in contracting new aircraft and cut him short during a televised video call with Cabinet members when he tried to defend his performance.

When Manturov said he would try to make sure it's done during the first quarter, Putin angrily snapped that it should be done within a month. You don't try to do all you can, you do it within a month, no later than that, Putin said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced alongside Japanese officials on Wednesday that they would consider military retaliation in response to attacks on satellites, a policy that puts China and Russia on notice amid looming threats in space.

Space Force and U.S. Space Command are in charge of monitoring and protecting America's satellite fleet. With additional treaty obligations between the U.S. and Japan, American forces could be drawn into a skirmish if Japanese satellites are targeted.

"The outer space component of this is important to the security and prosperity of our alliance. We agreed, as you've heard, that attacks to, from or within space present a clear challenge, and we affirmed that, depending on the nature of those attacks, this could lead to the invocation of Article V of our Japan-U.S. Security Treaty," Blinken said, referencing the number of the clause in the treaty that covers mutual defense. "That is significant."

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The focus on space as part of the U.S.-Japan partnership is a big shift, according to Matthew P. Funaiole, a senior fellow at the nonprofit Center for Strategic and International Studies who researches issues relating to space and China.

"We're talking about how we update and refine and reinforce an alliance that's pretty old," Funaiole told Military.com on Wednesday. "If we're going to have defense pacts with countries, they need to include what the new and emerging domains are that can play a role in warfighting."

Fears about interference with military and commercial satellites have grown significantly over the years and were stoked by China's 2007 anti-satellite missile test, which created more than 3,000 pieces of space debris. That debris will likely remain in orbit for decades, according to the Secure World Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on peaceful interaction in space.

Space Force officials have also warned that China is developing and fielding new technology such as jammers and lasers that could harm America's satellites.

For now, what specific action would result in a response from Japan or the United States is vague -- potentially purposefully so, according to Funaiole.

"One thing that we see with China is that if you define specifically what a red line is, it finds really, really good ways of testing that red line or tiptoeing around that red line or pushing things up to the threshold of that red line," Funaiole said. "So giving the U.S. and Japan flexibility and sorting through what that might be or what that might look like, is about giving us options and flexibility to interpret what would constitute an attack."

The U.S. and Japan are scheduled to sign a separate agreement on space sometime this week. The agreement to activate Article V of the U.S. and Japan's security treaty based on an action in space was praised by Japanese officials.

"The fact that we were able to agree on the announcement of the applicability of Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty on attacks on others in outer space was a significant achievement in terms of the reinforcement of deterrence capability of the alliance as a whole," Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's minister of foreign affairs, said Wednesday.

As threats to satellites have become more apparent, the Space Force has expanded its footprint.

This past November, the service announced that 21 civilians and Guardians will be stationed in Hawaii with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, or INDOPACOM. It was the first assignment outside of the continental U.S. for the newest service branch and the first time Guardians have been part of a regional combatant command.

In early December, Space Force Guardians started setting up shop at U.S. Central Command to help the military focus on space navigation, missile warning and satellite communications against adversaries in the Middle East and South Asia.

Later that month, the Pentagon launched U.S. Space Forces Korea at Osan Air Base near Seoul to help monitor North Korea, China and Russia.

Those shifts come as the military flags more provocations from China.

In August, China launched missile strikes near Taiwan during a military exercise shortly after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the country, which alarmed Japanese officials.

On Dec. 21, USINDOPACOM issued a statement admonishing a Chinese fighter jet's "unsafe maneuver during an intercept" of an Air Force RC-135 aircraft in international airspace.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: US Military Creates Space Unit in South Korea Amid North Korea Threats
The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to beef up its presence in the Pacific with an 11th vessel for the Hawaii-based District...
The Department of Justice is trying to seize money and property from a church group some former members describe as a cult that preyed on soldiers and veterans by bilking them out of millions of dollars of benefits.

Federal authorities are seeking some $150,000 spread across six bank accounts, a relatively small sum of money compared to what the House of Prayer ultimately earned though its bible school, which accepted millions in GI Bill funding for veterans. Authorities are also moving to seize the church's properties.

Five of House of Prayer's churches were raided by the FBI in June; all of the locations were near Army bases in Hinesville and Augusta, Georgia; Tacoma, Washington; Killeen, Texas; and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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Military.com was first to detail the complex alleged scheme that reportedly went on for nearly 20 years, pushing troops and veterans to relinquish their military paychecks and disability pay and use their Department of Veterans Affairs-backed home loans to drive revenue for the church. The church went as far as placing one of its own members into a job at the VA, allegedly to increase disability compensation for its members. Former members say that much of that cash ended up supporting a lavish lifestyle for the church's leader, Rony Denis.

Prosecutors allege the church moved money it earned through its operations across at least 80 bank accounts with at least 20 different banks to "conceal" where those funds originated, according to released court documents.

Court Watch was first to report on the forfeiture motion, wherein federal authorities requested permission to reclaim the $150,000, according to court documents released Friday.

However, public-facing court databases do not show any charges filed against Denis or any other key church figures.

The bulk of the church's money was allegedly in accounts with Chase, SunTrust/Truist, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, accounts that held at least $5 million worth of VA payments, according to federal officials. It's unclear if that money is still there or whether authorities will try to seize those accounts too.

The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment. Nor did a spokesperson with the church respond to a request for comment ahead of publication of this story.

In many cases, members reportedly were pressured to live in barracks-style housing controlled by the church and perform hours of unpaid labor on the outskirts of major Army installations such as Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Stewart, Georgia. Women were often tasked with cooking and cleaning, while the men performed manual labor and maintenance, according to former members interviewed by Military.com.

But at the center of the church's access to federal funds was House of Prayer's bible school, which law enforcement representatives say didn't meet any of the requirements for a legitimate school that would be eligible for GI Bill use. Church officials allegedly made fraudulent claims to the VA that allowed the school to receive GI Bill funds since 2013, bringing in roughly $7 million from enrolling 304 students between January 2013 and February 2022.

An additional $8 million was paid out by the Department of Veterans Affairs directly to students for housing allowances and other stipends, money that former members told Military.com they were pressured to give to the church.

The investigation, led by the FBI in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General, found that House of Prayer "made numerous false statements to the VA in order to establish [the church] as an educational institution recognized by the VA in order to secure regular payments from the VA under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program."

Prosecutors say the church's claims about the bible school included false statements about the qualifications of school instructors, the number of students enrolled, and the location of facilities, while also misrepresenting the hours faculty members worked, the type of courses taught to students, and the quality of its courses.

In an interview with Military.com, a church leader who led the Bible school said it amounted to little more than brief classes on the gospel, also alleging that the names of classes were changed so VA regulators would continue to pay for what looked like a broad curriculum. Church officials went as far as staging classrooms with desks and other furniture during inspections from regulators, the source claimed.

The bulk of those alleged misrepresentations were made in documentation that all schools must file with the VA in order to be eligible for GI Bill funds. That eligibility is determined by state-approving agencies, which often have broad flexibility over what schools students can choose while receiving military benefits.

The flexibility is designed around cutting red tape and putting up as few burdens as possible on how a veteran spends their benefits, though there is also a history of schools, especially for-profit colleges, manipulating the system.

Military.com was first to report in October that all of House of Prayer's branches lost their GI Bill eligibility, following the FBI raids and media attention.

The investigation was spurred in 2020 after Veterans Education Success, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that lobbies on military education issues, raised concerns about the church to the VA and lawmakers.

"All veterans should feel proud of the student veterans who alerted us to the ways the House of Prayer was mistreating them and taking their VA benefits. By speaking out, these student veterans have helped reclaim stolen GI Bill funds," Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, told Military.com. "We are glad DOJ is seizing these bank accounts and recouping some of the stolen $7 million in GI Bill funds and urge DOJ to also seize the larger bank accounts and take any other steps to reclaim the rest of the GI Bill funds."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: How a Church Allegedly Scammed Millions in VA Money from Vets
The Marine Corps fired the commander of its Assault Amphibian School on Tuesday as part of its investigation into a mishap with an amphibious combat vehicle that happened in October.

Brig. Gen. Farrell Sullivan, the head of the Marine Corps' Training Command, relieved Col. John Medeiros on Jan. 10, the service announced in a statement Wednesday.

"Sullivan relieved Medeiros due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command after receiving information obtained during the course of the ongoing investigation into an amphibious combat vehicle mishap that occurred during a training event at Camp Pendleton, Calif.," the statement went on to say.

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On Oct. 13, 2022, one of the branch's new amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs) rolled over in the surf while its crew was conducting training in the waters off Camp Pendleton.

The ACV had three Marines aboard, none of whom were injured. At the time, the service said the vehicle suffered a "mechanical malfunction."

The Marine Corps has not yet released the results of the investigation into the incident.

However, that was not the first time the ACVs had issues. In winter 2021, they were pulled out of the water for the first time over issues with the towing mechanism. Then, In late July 2022, two ACVs also became disabled in the water off of Camp Pendleton. That incident led to a pause in waterborne operations for the fleet of vehicles, but it was relaxed in September.

The October incident led to another pause of "water operations involving surf zone transit to allow for additional testing and evaluation," the Marines announced at the time.

The Assault Amphibian School Medeiros commanded is responsible for training "Marines in ACV and assault amphibious vehicle operations and maintenance while assisting in the development of formal training and logistical evaluations on new systems," the statement said.

The ACV has had a troubled history with the Marines since it was rushed into service early in 2020 to replace the older amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) -- a craft that has been in the fleet since the 1970s.

The AAVs were retired after a mishap in 2020 claimed the lives of eight Marines and a Navy corpsman when it flooded and sank off the coast of southern California.

Four subsequent investigations by both the Marine Corps and the Navy found that the incident was "preventable."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

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WASHINGTON  Russia has released a U.S. Navy veteran who apparently illegally crossed the border from Poland into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad last year and was held there for nine months.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced that Taylor Dudley had been handed over to U.S. custody in Poland on Thursday.

The State Department had no immediate substantive comment but said it was aware of reports that an American citizen had been deported from Russia. The department said it was constrained in what it could say about the case due to privacy concerns.

However, Richardson said the U.S. embassies in Warsaw and Moscow had played a role in securing Dudleys release and even mentioned several diplomats who worked on the matter by name.

Unlike in high-profile previous releases by Russia of imprisoned Americans  like WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed  there was no swap for Dudley, who was never considered by the U.S. to have been wrongfully detained.

Dudley, 35, was reported missing last year by authorities in Lansing, Michigan. A spokesman for his family said Dudley had traveled to Europe to backpack, had gone to Poland for a music festival and at some point crossed into Kaliningrad and was detained in April, 2022.

Richardson, who has worked on behalf of the families of numerous Americans detained overseas, said the work to get Dudley released had taken more than six months and was done discreetly and with engagement on the ground in both Moscow and Kaliningrad and with full support from Taylors family back in the United States.
WASHINGTON  The United States and Japan unveiled plans Wednesday to strengthen their alliance to help counter threats from North Korea and China, which they called the greatest security challenge in the region.

In unusually blunt terms, the U.S. and Japanese foreign and defense ministers condemned China's increasing aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere, called out Russia for its war with Ukraine and castigated North Korea for ramping up its nuclear and missile programs.

In a joint statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Japanese counterparts, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Yasukazu Hamada, said China presents an unprecedented threat to international order and vowed to redouble their efforts to counter it.

Chinas foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order to its benefit and to employ Chinas growing political, economic, military, and technological power to that end, the statement said. This behavior is of serious concern to the alliance and the entire international community, and represents the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The four men agreed to adjust the American troop presence on the island of Okinawa in part to enhance anti-ship capabilities that would be needed in the event of a Chinese incursion into Taiwan or other hostile acts in the South or East China seas.

They also added a formal mention of outer space in the longstanding U.S.-Japan security treaty, making clear that attacks to, from and within space could trigger the mutual defense provisions of the treaty. That had previously been outside the scope of the agreement. In addition, the U.S. space agency NASA plans to sign a cooperation deal with Japan on Friday, they said.

Prior to the meeting, Japans defense ministry announced it was ready to start construction on an uninhabited island where the two militaries will hold joint military exercises beginning in 2027.

Blinken said the agreement signed Wednesday reflects the two nations' effort to deepen cooperation across all realms, including space, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

He said the U.S.-Japan alliance has "been the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring the security, the liberty and prosperity of our people and people across the region.

Wednesdays discussions will be followed by a meeting on Friday between President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at which they will underscore the importance of the relationship.

Kishida, on a weeklong trip to visit allies in Europe and North America, signed a defense agreement with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday that strengthens military ties between their two counties, also in response to China.

Austin noted that Wednesday's agreement affirms America's ironclad commitment to defend Japan with a full range of capabilities, including nuclear" and underscores that Article 5 of the mutual security treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. The disputed islands outside Japanese territorial waters are also claimed by Beijing.

Earlier Wednesday, Japan said it would begin constructing a pair of runways on the small southern island of Mageshima where joint exercises, including those of F-35B stealth fighters, amphibious operations and missile interception, will start in roughly four years.

The island, off the southwestern coast of Kagoshima on the southernmost main island of Kyushu, will be a hub for troop deployment and munition supply in case of a conflict like a Taiwan emergency.

Japan and the United States are moving one of their key flight exercise sites to the southern island, which is much closer to the U.S. air base of Iwakuni, home to an F-35B fleet, than the current training site on Iwo Jima, where one of the bloodiest and most iconic battles of World War II was fought.

The changes in the U.S. deployment on Okinawa will transform the 12th Marine Regiment into a smaller, more rapidly mobile unit  the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, which will be designed to be better equipped to fight an adversary and defend the U.S. and its allies in the region.

Austin said the regiment will bring tremendous capabilities to the region as a more lethal, more agile, more capable military unit.

U.S. officials said the decision will not increase the number of Marines on the island and does not come with any significant change in weapons capability.

Reinforcement of military capability or troops is a sensitive issue for Okinawa, site of one of the bloodiest ground battles at the end of World War II. The island hosts more than half of the U.S. troops based in Japan, and Okinawans want that number reduced.

A littoral regiment is made up of roughly 2,000 Marines, and includes a combat team with an anti-ship missile battery, a logistics battalion and an air defense battalion. The current Marine regiment on Okinawa that it would essentially replace includes about 3,400 Marines and sailors.

Wednesday's agreements follow Japan's announcement last year that it would increase its defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product over five years. That would make its defense budget the worlds third-largest  a dramatic shift in Tokyos priorities that reflects growing concerns about North Korea and potential Chinese military action against Taiwan.

Japan is stepping up big time and doing so in lockstep with the United States, partners in the Indo-Pacific, and in Europe," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, adding that Bidens engagement with allies is paying huge dividends for global security.

While there is a growing fear of a Taiwan emergency, many in the region are concerned that defense buildups by both China and the U.S. and its allies could increase the risks of getting embroiled in war.

In their talks on Friday, Biden is expected to raise with Kishida the case of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer deployed to Japan who has been jailed after pleading guilty last year to the negligent driving deaths of two Japanese citizens in May 2021, according to a senior administration official.

The official, who requested anonymity to discuss negotiations with the Japanese, said the administration is working to find a compassionate resolution thats consistent with the rule of law.

__

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The road to starting your own business is a long one, with a lot of bumps and obstacles along the way. The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at Virginia's College of William & Mary has launched a carpool lane for entrepreneurial-minded veterans, the Veteran Entrepreneur Scholars Program.

Over the course of five weeks, the free boot camp-style program helps vets create a workable business idea, develop it into a viable concept and create the conditions necessary to launch their business once the program is over. It also teaches attendees about startup culture, best practices, networking and more.

"It's a five-week, part-time course, so it's meant to integrate into your life," Will Gregory, founder of the Veteran Startup Challenge (VSC), told Military.com. "We've stripped down everything to make sure that our vets hit the ground running with the critical information that they need and can actually apply what they're learning in actionable ways."

Gregory is an anthropologist by training and worked in Silicon Valley's tech startup sector. His appreciation for veterans came when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, first with the Army and then with the Marine Corps as an anthropologist, helping Marines make sense of Afghan culture.

When he came home from Afghanistan, he began working with startup accelerator Y Combinator, recruiting veterans. As more veterans began to ask him for help in their initiatives, he began pooling resources for them to use.

"I knew if something was going down, the Marines I was with were gonna have my back, no matter what," he said. "I had never experienced anything like that: the level of camaraderie and the selflessness of those Marines. So when I came back, I just wanted to try to help them in even a fraction of the way that they helped me."

The result is the Veteran Startup Challenge, funded by William & Mary alumni, and operated by the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary's Center for Military Transition and the Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship Center.

Applicants to the program come in with a clean slate, starting with a new idea, whether they're currently working on a startup or not. As part of a 10-person cohort, everyone starts from the same point -- thinking like an entrepreneur.

"We want them to go out and start identifying challenges that they experience in their own lives," said Gregory. "Then they find others who experience the same challenges and see if it's a big enough pain point that people would consider a product or service to solve it."

From there, veterans begin applying startup frameworks to their idea, which allows them to streamline processes in getting their potential business to market. It's a startup accelerator program that was originally intended for the tech sector, but Gregory is continually amazed at how creative veterans are when applying the same principles to other businesses.

"It's actually a very straightforward process," he said. "We teach them what frameworks will be helpful to their idea. The ideas have been far and wide, from the medical field to real-estate tech. It's really awesome to see."

Once the boot camp is over, veterans have access to the entire network of alums from past cohorts, which offers guidance and fellowship in the new world of entrepreneurship they are about to enter.

"By being part of this little community, they get to really expand not only their network, but also the scope of their understanding of the startup experience," Gregory said.

Graduates also receive certificates from the Mason School of Business Center for Military Transition and the Veteran Startup Challenge. Digital credentials for display on social media such as LinkedIn are included, in addition to invitations to select William & Mary alumni opportunities and events as graduates of the certificate program.

Applicants to the program don't need any prior business or startup experience, and it's open to all current service members and veterans. Since the Veteran Entrepreneur Scholars Program is a scholarship to the VSC boot camp, attendance is free, but travel and living expenses are not provided.

"To any veteran wondering if they should apply, if they're not sure that they have the credentials to apply, I say just apply. Let us make that call," Gregory said. "I don't wanna see a vet who is a really good fit for the program hold back from taking that shot. There's a good chance that we're looking for things that are different from what classic educational institutions might look for."

To learn more about the Veteran Entrepreneur Scholars program or to apply for it, visit the program website. There are both in-person and remote cohorts, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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Chairman of the National Democratic Congress's Council of Elders for South Africa and the Group Chairman of Allied Consortiums, Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie has asserted that Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo's second term in office has been disaster.

This, according to him, makes the National Democratic Congress (NDC) a better alternative to properly manage the country than the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He contended that the NDC isn't just an alternative government in waiting just because there are no other viable parties.

He indicated that the NDC does far better than NPP.

"The NDC has always aligned itself with helping the people socially down.... We've seen what the NPP has been able to do, quite disturbing, quite disheartening and I think the NDC is the alternative".

Kofi Quashie was speaking to Blessed Sogah on 'The Pulse' on Joy News, Monday 9th January, 2023 as part of three days media tour in Ghana including Etv Ghana, Star FM, Nyansa TV, Joy Fm, Class FM, CTV, Original FM amongst others.

He argued that the Mahama administration solved the power crisis before handing over power to the NPP. "This government knows that it didn't end the energy crisis, the energy (crisis) was ended by President Mahama".

When his attention was drawn to the fact that covid-19 and Russia/Ukraine war have impacted negatively on countries' economies across the globe, the NDC Council Chair agreed.

He was however quick to add that, in most countries, their economies were doing better than Ghana due to prudent economic management.

"I'm not saying the problem isn't there but, the approach with which other countries are solving it, the seriousness with which they are harnessing their economies from down up, we don't see that in Ghana".

Proffering some solutions, Mr. Quashie noted that "we need to acknowledge and accept the fact that, the economy is paramount to the survival of all of us, irrespective of our political colouration. When the economy grows we all grow, regardless of which political persuasion one belongs to and that is of essence."

He added that the country can do much better by encouraging more entrepreneurs to fill in the unemployment gap since the Ministry of Finance has placed a cap on recruitment in the public sector.

To buttress his point on entrepreneurship, he cited the South African example where the government has put in place measures to harness and develop domestic entrepreneurs.
Benin's opposition has returned to parliament after a four-year absence, winning 28 seats in elections to the 109-member assembly, according to preliminary results on Wednesday.

The main opposition Democrats won 28 seats while the Republican Bloc (BR) and Progressive Union for Renewal (UP-R) parties allied with President Patrice Talon together won 81 seats in Sunday's ballot, the CENA electoral authority said.

Final results are expected on Friday after a vote that went ahead peacefully and in line with the regulations, according to election observers.

Four years ago opposition parties were effectively barred from participating in a legislative ballot due to a tightening of election rules, resulting in a parliament dominated by Talon supporters.

Most of Talon's key opponents have also been jailed or forced into exile.

The 2019 vote was marred by deadly clashes in an opposition stronghold, historic low turnout and an internet blackout.

Talon, a cotton magnate first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, has promoted political and economic development but critics say that has come at the cost of stifling Benin's once-vibrant multi-party democracy.
Charles Ble Goude, once right-hand man to ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, said Wednesday he wants "to govern Ivory Coast one day," following his return home after acquittal on charges of crimes against humanity.

A key figure in post-electoral violence that shook Ivory Coast in 2011, dubbed the "general of the street" for his ability to muster a crowd, Ble Goude flew back in late November after more than eight years.

He and Gbagbo were acquitted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2021 for crimes arising from the conflict.

Ble Goude has never hidden his ambitions, and he told a press conference in Abidjan, "I come back as a main (political) actor... who is looking to govern Ivory Coast one day.

"Ivory Coast needs me and I would like to take part in the next electoral contest," he said.

"When I say that tomorrow I will lead Ivory Coast, I am not joking," the 51-year-old added.

President Alassane Ouattara last year pardoned his predecessor Gbagbo in the name of national reconciliation and his office approved Ble Goude's return.

But Ble Goude remains banned from standing in elections because of a 20-year jail sentence linked to the post-election bloodshed.

"I want the 20-year prison sentence against me annulled," Ble Goude said, adding, "I don't know what role I will play in 2025, I respect the law."

Presidential elections are due in 2025 in the West African state, a regional economic power and leading cocoa exporter.

Ivory Coast remains deeply scarred by the 2010-11 conflict, which erupted after Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara.

Some 3,000 people were killed, with Gbagbo arrested in April 2011. Ble Goude was detained in Ghana in 2013 and transferred to The Hague.

In 2015, Ble Goude launched his own political party, the Pan-African Congress for the Justice and Equality of Peoples (COJEP).

The two former allies have not met since Ble Goude returned home, but he insisted there was "no breakdown" between him and Gbagbo.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Wednesday that Africa should have a greater voice in the UN Security Council and other international bodies, long a demand of the continent's leaders.

Qin made the call in a statement issued as he met the head of the African Union Commission who voiced frustration at what he said was the exclusion of Africa from international governance.

"We should boost the representation and voice of developing countries, especially those of African countries, in the UN Security Council and other international organizations," Qin said at the inauguration of the Chinese-funded headquarters for the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

AU Commission chief Moussa Mahamat Faki said it was unfair that the African continent did not have a permanent seat on the top world body.

"For several decades now we have been fighting for a reform of the international system as a whole and particularly on behalf of the United Nations Security Council," he said.

The UN Security Council is made up of 15 members, five of whom are permanent and have veto-wielding power: the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain.

The other 10 positions are filled by other countries for two-year stints, five of which are announced each year.

China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang (L) and African Union chief Moussa Faki attended the inauguration of the headquarters of the African Centers for Disease Control. By Amanuel Sileshi (AFP)

Qin, who is on his first overseas visit as foreign minister, rallied countries to work together "to make the global governance system more just and equitable".

"Africa should be a platform for international cooperation, not an arena for competition between major countries," he said.

Africa tour

Qin is on a week-long tour of Africa and will also visit Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt. He met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday.

The Chinese minister was speaking a day before the French and German foreign ministers arrive in Addis Ababa on a mission to support a peace agreement signed last year to end two years of brutal war.

The African Union has sought to shake up its relations with the world and has called for two permanent African members on the powerful council, saying African issues make up most of the council's business.

"Africa refuses to be seen as an arena for influence struggles. The African continent has a vision that is contained in Agenda 2063," Faki said.

"We are open to cooperation and partnerships with everyone."

President Joe Biden in September last year said the United States would back permanent seats for Africa and Latin America in addition to previous support to include Japan and India.

Biden also backed a permanent African Union role in the Group of 20 leading economies and said he was planning a visit -- the first by a US president since 2015 -- to sub-Saharan Africa.
In what is set to be the first meeting of its kind in five years, French President Emmanuel Macron will host British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Paris for a bilateral summit at the Elysee Palace in early March.

According to the Elysee Palace in a statement this Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron has invited UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Paris on 10 March for a bilateral summit, as the two countries seek to revive their ties after recent tensions.

"It will be an opportunity for the two leaders to deepen cooperation ... in a range of areas, including security, climate and energy, the economy, migration, youth and foreign policy", the French presidency said.

Relations between France and Britain have come under stress in recent years, in particular since Britain offically left the European Union in January 2021.

The countries have often traded blame for an array of problems, including fishing disputes and the failure to stem a flow of clandestine migrants across the English Channel.

The Elysee Palace has also stated that the Franco-British summit in March "will be the first meeting of its kind since 2018."
12.01.2023 LISTEN

This years Constitution Day Lecture focused on the topic The 1992 Constitution  A Fundamental Law for Our Prosperity or A Well-Crafted Guide for Our Economic Doom. The main speaker adequately and broadly addressed the topic exceptionally that any further discussions will be a rehash of what he alluded to in his speech. Yet, there is room for additions to the already broadly discussed issues at the lecture. Such additions are points that reiterate the wide-ranging issues deliberated on earlier.

The framers of the Constitution, and particularly the people of Ghana then, sought to establish a legal framework (a Constitution) to secure prosperity for themselves then, and posterity or future generations. They developed and adopted a constitution that will ultimately engender the prosperity they desired for themselves and later generations.

The constitution they ratified therefore introduced political stability that provided the needed environment for economic stability which will subsequently stimulate prosperity  the country was transitioning from political instability to democratic rule. The stability brought by the new constitution is relished for three decades.

To achieve the goals of the Constitution of Ghana, as expressed in the preamble of it, provisions that will ensure the prosperity of the people of Ghana were made: the directive principles of State Policy outline some provisions that are supposed to deliver prosperity to the populace of Ghana. Article 36 (1) articulates the objective of a new Ghana creating prosperity for its people: that the State shall take all necessary action to ensure that the national economy is managed in such a manner as to maximize the rate of economic development and to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every person in Ghana and to provide adequate means of livelihood and suitable employment and public assistance to the needy. Clause 2 of Article 36 indicates the State shall take steps to establish a sound and healthy economy. Article 37 (1) clearly supports the provision of prosperity as the State is supposed to direct its policy towards ensuring that every citizen has equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law.

Article 17 clause 4 states clearly that nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are reasonably necessary to provide  (a) for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalance in the Ghanaian society. Clause 4(d) of the same Article supports the aspiration for prosperity as the State is supposed to make different provision for different communities having regard to their special circumstances not being provision which is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution of Ghana. In the same light, Article 36 clause 6 states that the State shall afford equality of economic opportunity to all citizens; and, in particular, the State shall take all necessary steps so as to ensure the full integration of women into the mainstream of the economic development of Ghana. All these provisions were made to inform public policy decisions of the managers of the Ghanaian economy concerning prosperity.

The provisions of Article 35 clauses 7 and 8 were well thought-out to guarantee the use of resources in an economically efficient manner by preventing waste. The same provisions were made to lay a good foundation for the economic prosperity of the citizens as resources will be used efficiently. But the abusive use of the 1992 Constitution has rendered the two provisions irrelevant and ineffectual. The inability of the State to carry through the provisions of Article 35 clauses 7 and 8 is leading us to our economic doom. The country loses billions of Ghana Cedis because of abandoned projects and corruption.

Some constitutional provisions allow for the pursuit of excessive political and economic goals that are unwittingly leading us to our economic doom. Provisions that made the President of the Republic so powerful were made: The President of Ghana is given powers to appoint persons to man almost all the critical State institutions. Some of the appointments are too political that the requirements of the jobs are considered inessential. The leaders are afforded the opportunity to pursue their political goals than initiating economic interventions that can lead us to our prosperity. The Public Services Commission should have been vested with some of those powers to appoint persons to lead some State agencies.

All these appointments are supposed to be done in consultation with the Council of State or a Commission as well as a Council responsible for managing the affairs of such an agency, which appears to be an ineffective political process. The reason is, the advisory of the Council of State is not binding on the President for adoption and their subsequent implementation (see Article 91(3)). The personal choices of the President will always outweigh those of the Council of State, a Commission or a Governing Council.

The creation and implementation of Article 71 was intentional, because the framers of the 1992 Constitution knew the financial consequences of the implementation of the said Article. The main speaker discussed the benefits of continuously engaging Judges who retire on their salaries including tapping from their wisdom and experience. The provisions of the Article that allow persons to retire on their salaries and others to receive ex-gratia (through Article 71) suggest the 1992 Constitution is a well-crafted guide for the economic doom of the country. The country loses billions of Ghana Cedis, in an unproductive manner, by implementing the provisions of Article 71. There is no economic sense to discontinue the formula for remunerating retired public servants with regard to Article 71 officers. The remuneration formula of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNNIT) could have been applied to Article 71 officers too. There is equally no economic sense to pay ex-gratia to Members of Parliament who retain their seats.

The combined negative effects of the implementation of Article 71 alone dwarf the impacts of the various taxes identified in the speech of the main speaker. That is not to say nuisance taxes or taxes that reduce the welfare or the prosperity of the masses should be imposed. Well-utilised taxes can generate the prosperity the citizens of Ghana expect to have.

The main speaker deliberated on the fiscal obligation of the State in the creation of new regions and the economic consequences of such obligations. The framers of the 1992 Constitution crafted a guide for the economic doom of the country as unchecked powers were given to the President in the creation of regions. Article 5 clause 1 States subject to the provisions of this article, the President may, by constitution instrument  (a) create a region. Then, clause 3 of Article 5 states if, notwithstanding that a petition has not been presented to him, the President is, on the advice of the Council of State, satisfied that the need has arisen for taking any of the steps referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of clause (1) of this Article, he (the President) may , acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into the need and to make recommendations on all the factors involved in the creation, alteration or merger. The creation of regions was made a party manifesto, and a promise by political leaders, even as flagbearers. The current President promised to create regions during his campaigns before he was voted into power. The power to create a region should have been vested in a different institution, than the executive.

A participant at the lecture complained about the lack of values that actually affect productivity and growth. The evolution of time may have affected cherished values in Ghanaian societies. Article 39 clauses 1 and 2 state respectively as subject to clause (2) of this Article, the State shall take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and the conscious introduction of cultural dimensions to relevant aspects of national planning. Clause 2 adds the State shall ensure that appropriate customary and cultural values are adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole; Discipline, honesty and hard work may not be accessible now because they may not have been integrated well into the fabric of national life or adapted and developed properly for the economic success of Ghana.

The forefathers planned to develop a legal document that will inform public policy concerning choices that will activate the required fertile grounds for the prosperity of the citizens, but some provisions in the Constitution, and its users have made it (the constitution) a suitable guide for our economic doom.

BY Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey

Economics Tutor, Advocate and Religion Enthusiast.
Gomoa Brofoyedur in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region has initiated a Ghc 300,000 self-help community center project to complement government's efforts of improving infrastructure development, Nana Esoun Abonyi Kwaata II, Chief of the Community has announced.

At a durbar to climax their Annual Akwambo festival of the Chiefs and People of Gomoa Brofoyedur last Saturday, Nana Esoun Abonyi Kwaata II noted that the project was being funded through fundraising with support from Nananom, Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Naana Eyiah and the Gomoa Central District Assembly among others.

According to the Chief, the over 30% complete project would consist of one storey 6-bedroom guest house to host mourners and visitors, an ICT study room for students to be abreast with the global world, offices and storeroom.

"I want to appreciate my people for their communal labour which is facilitating early completion of the project on time. In the wake of all the various disputes, we have been able to celebrate this year's festival peacefully.

"I thank all and sundry for the zeal in which they participated in the programmes and activities to mark the occasion, am once again grateful for the overwhelming support you gave to the Akwambo planning committee and Nananom as well.

"I must as well express my appreciation to our Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Naana Eyiah for giving us enough roofing sheets for the project. I also thank Omanhene of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI for his prayers and support towards the project," Nana Esoun Abonyi Kwaata noted.

The Gomoa Central District Chief Executive, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo commended the people especially Nananom for the peaceful manner the Annual Akwambo festival was celebrated.

He pledged the support of the District Assembly towards all ongoing self-help projects in the district.

The Nguabesounhene (Chief of Staff) of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Nana Akotokor Fenyi who chaired the occasion encourage the youth to contribute their quota towards the development of their communities adding that they should be able to support self-help projects aimed at improving the standard of living.

He also admonished the youth against anti-social lifestyles and other crimes related activities which he described as alien to Ghanaian culture and traditions.

The Queen Mother of Gomoa Brofoyedur, Nana Ama Amponsah I, called on parents to invest in their children's education noting that the best legacy they could leave for their children was to push them to attain a height in the educational ladder.

She called on the youth in the community to use their skills and knowledge to support the development of Gomoa Brofoyedur.

"As future leaders, we must embrace peace, love and stability. We must use our youthful strength to support Nananom in their quest to ensure total development of our beloved community.

"We have no other place than Gomoa Brofoyedur, this is where God in His own wisdom decided to place us, let eschew violence and factionalism but embrace peace and stability.

"We as future leaders must leave a better legacy for our unborn generations to come. We must therefore leave a legacy that would be worthy of emulation.

"I want to advise the girls to stick to their books rather than engaging in activities that would ruin their future careers. They should desist from early sex which many a time leads to teenage pregnancy coupled with school drop-out," she stressed.

Nana Ama Amponsah I expressed the hope that with one accord, Gomoa Brofoyedur would overcome every obstacle on its way.
12.01.2023 LISTEN

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu is coming to Bangladesh next Saturday to discuss various priority issues including energy, trade, security cooperation, religious freedom, labor rights, human rights. He will discuss strengthening bilateral ties during his visit. Besides, the issue of human rights and labor rights will be discussed.

However, there are already whispers about the (proposed) visit in the political and diplomatic arenas of Bangladesh. Diplomatic analysts feel that the US Assistant Secretary of State's visit to Dhaka is very significant at a time when there is some discomfort in Bangladesh-US relations.

Imran Khan, the ousted prime minister of the country, blamed the recent changes in Pakistan's politics. Imran Khan claimed that Donald Lu, is one of those involved in the conspiracy to shake the foundation of the ruling government through a vote of no confidence. Not only this, Imran Khan also claimed that Donald Lu had sent him a 'threatening letter' through Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed.

Donald Lu, who was recently named by Imran Khan as being the official who was involved in the "foreign conspiracy" to overthrow his government, evaded the question when asked about the regime change in Pakistan. Now, Donald Lu can prove himself through this visit that he isnt the mastermind of the regime change in the region. He can prove that he has been working to strengthen the ties with the region. His goal is not regime change. Donald Lus role in strengthening USA-Bangladesh relations can dispel the misconception amongst the Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani people that he doesnt play any role regarding regime change in the region.

Donald Lu will meet BD FM, minister for state and FS on January 15 separately. He may also meet the Law Minister on the same day. But he will speak separately to representatives of civil society at embassy events.

In these meetings, the human rights situation, democracy and free and fair elections, disappearances, digital security laws, labor rights, and several other agendas may be given importance by the United States. On the other hand, Bangladesh will give priority to lifting the ban on RAB, duty and quota-free access to Bangladeshi products, restoration of GSP facilities, defense, climate, Rohingya and many other issues. This US foreign official has been performing various duties for the United States for the last 30 years.

America wants a democratic system and Bangladesh also wants a democratic system. America wants to uphold human rights. Bangladesh wants too. Three million people of this country have given their blood for human rights, for justice, for democracy. They also want, they are similar to Bangladesh.

Although this is Lu's first visit to Dhaka as head of delegation, it is not his first visit to Bangladesh. Last March, he quietly toured Bangladesh with US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland who came on the occasion of Partnership Dialogue.

We are excited about the news of the arrival of Donald Lu in Bangladesh. It is very happy that he is coming, he is quite a policy maker in this area. He is coming, we welcome him. The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and USA will further be strengthened through this visit by mutual understanding and discussion. The relations between Bangladesh and US would reach a new height.

Since the inception of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations between the two countries have come a long way, and improved to a great extent. US policy makers and diplomats have traditionally played a crucial role in giving this bonding a solid footing. The same role is now expected of Donald Lu.

As we await further developments in the RAB sanction issue, here are some expectations from a citizen's point of view, which he will hopefully help bring to fruition to take our bilateral ties to a new height.

We expect that this visit would take the Bangladesh-USA relations a step forward and our existing relations would be more strengthened.. if the two sides meet then the existing issues between Dhaka and Washington will be discussed at the high-level meeting, adding that many of our problems have already been solved and some other issues are set to be discussed.

For the US, Bangladesh is one of its major partners in South Asia with extensive bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, climate change, counterterrorism, and so on. After Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh is the third-largest beneficiary of the US aid in the region. The two-way trade between the two countries reached USD 9 billion in 2019. The US is the single-largest export destination for our ready-made garments (RMG), accounting for 83 percent of Bangladesh's total exports. In 2019, the US was the top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh. During the Covid-19 crisis, the US has contributed over USD 8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh, including USD 73 million in support of Bangladesh's Covid response. Also, Bangladesh has received about 61 million doses of vaccines, making it the highest recipient of US vaccine donations worldwide.

These figures are a testimony to the depth of bilateral bonding between the two countries. We expect that he will take proactive steps to create a middle ground for both parties. Also, we hope that he, in concert with the rest of the free world, will push the effort to ensure the repatriation of stranded Rohingyas in Bangladesh back to their homeland.

It is impossible for a developing country like Bangladesh to bear this huge financial burden on its own. Here, Lu can convince the US to play the role of a catalyst to ensure regular financial flow, especially on behalf of the Western world.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) group in 2026. This will limit Bangladesh's access to many LDC-specific preferential treatments and facilities, e.g., loss of duty-free and quota-free market access (DFQF), which will have a negative impact on our exports, especially of RMG, to European and North American markets. Donald Lu may help Bangladesh in convincing the US government to ensure continuation of DFQF, even after graduation, to confront its post-graduation challenges.

Bangladesh also expects that Donald Lu will work to transform the existing bilateral relations into a strategic partnership in which Bangladesh will be considered on its own merit. Apart from economic benefits, a strategic partnership with Bangladesh can help the US to gain its strategic objectives in South Asia that go well beyond India. And the realisation of all of these aspirations will depend to a large extent on the cordial efforts of Donald Lu.

America has a very good relationship with Bangladesh now. Bangladesh has many types of engagements, multiple engagements. He (Donald Lu) will actually talk about different issues. We think, it will increase US-Bangladesh good relationship more and more. We are in that hope.

How the next elections of Bangladesh will be held, under whom - etc. issues are purely personal matters of Bangladesh. Bangladesh does not seem to be heeding the warning of the United States or the invitation of the United States in this regard. Because, Bangladesh is not in the previous position now. Bangladesh's dependence on the United States has now reduced a lot. Rather, the United States is dependent on Bangladesh for business and trade. Bangladesh is a huge market for the US.

Bangladesh believes in peaceful coexistence in the region. US mustnt target Bangladesh because Bangladesh is with the USA. The USA is the main export destination of Bangladeshi garments. Bangladesh also believes in the USs free and open Indo pacific strategy. Thus, it needs both the USA, EU for ensuring the pace of the rapid economic growth. The US shouldnt be worried about Bangladesh. Bangladesh strongly believes in friendship with all. Bangladesh is America's main ally in South Asia. The two countries have extensive cooperation in regional and global security, counter-terrorism and climate change.

He should focus to strengthen more Bangladesh-US relations. He can take the ties to a new height as he is one on the prominent policymakers for the region. During Donald Lu's visit on behalf of Bangladesh, issues such as the lifting of the US ban on RAB and the restoration of GSP benefits in the US market must be raised.

Both parties can agree to intensify their efforts to forge new partnerships with regularity and renewed vigour. In this regard, both sides instructed their staff to hasten the cooperation that will benefit both parties. By exchanging ideas and points of view, misconceptions are eliminated. On how to better handle the problems that have recently generated discord in bilateral ties, formal meetings between government high officials should be continued.

US and Bangladesh both complain about new issues in their bilateral relationships every year, thus it makes sense that they would discuss these issues here. In order to establish the finest ties possible between them, the two friendly nations merely attempted to strengthen the ties by understanding mutual position. In this aspect, they are successful. The meeting MUST BE successfully wrapped up.

The entire relationship between us and Bangladesh has benefited thus far from the upcoming high-level bilateral meeting. All of these trips have advanced the friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two nations while also fostering stronger ties

Mehjabin Bhanu is a Bangladeshi teacher, columnist and writer.
Haiti, the poorest Caribbean country in the world is celebrating 13 years anniversary of the 2010 quake. On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the country, leaving its capital Port-au-Prince devastated.

Haiti is the first black country that has gained its independence since 1804, according to world history. The 2010 earthquake broke the country's capital city and other cities nearby. More than 200,000 Haitian citizens were killed, and their bodies were found in the streets and under collapsed homes, according to records. Former Haitian President Rene Garcia Preval who died in 2017 was not inside the Haitian Presidential Palace at the time.

Many concrete buildings collapsed as well as thousands of homes, displacing more than 1.5 million people. Almost 4,000 schools were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. The disaster incurred between $7.8 billion and $8.5 billion in damage. Everyone in the capital spent several months sleeping across the streets with their families.

While Haiti is celebrating its 13th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake to honor all the victims, the country is currently facing a political crisis, kidnappings, homicides, and violence by several gang groups in many areas across the country.

Violence by gangs has caused many residents from many areas to escape from where they live. These problems existed way before former Haitian President Jovenel Moise was elected until his assassination. These problems still continue during the Government of current Prime Minister Ariel Henry whom former President Moise chose to lead the country.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry now remains the only top leader in the head of the country where the Senator mandates are over. The last 10 remaining Senators leave office, while gangs are controlling most areas, including a malnutrition crisis, and a new cholera outbreak by the UN. Members of the youth sector and other leaders now demand new amendments by Haitian politician Werley Nortreus in the constitution that give younger candidates the right to run for offices among 3 branches of the government, according to their choice.

The United States and other foreign Governments wanted a transition that will organize future elections. Meanwhile, the population and most leaders have declared that installing a transition council to organize future elections is a violation of human rights and the country's constitution. Upcoming elections should not take place without the new constitution and amendments that include younger candidates in all 3 branches.

While the country is facing all these problems. Every January 12 of the year, the President or Prime Minister organizes a ceremony and shares flowers to honor everyone who died on January 12, 2010. Families who lost a family member also organize their own ceremonies to honor the dead. The 2010 earthquake is the most damaging earthquake that kills most people compared to all previous earthquakes, according to records.

13 years later since the 2010 earthquake, the country is still the same, and Haitian citizens are still suffering. There were aid and large funds provided to rebuild the country and help victims.

But unfortunately, the aid and funds provided did not rebuild the country or reach the victims' families.
Data breaches are a reality in todays business world. Experiencing one or hearing about one is no longer a surprise to many, especially professionals in the security industry because there is no wholly secured system. The best line of defence is a thorough and ongoing data security program. Therefore, having the plan to respond to and recover from a security breach is essential for every organization of any size. No company, big or small, is immune to a data breach. Many small and medium companies falsely believe they can elude the attention of hackers or cybercriminals, yet studies have shown the opposite is true. According to the Symantec SMB Threat Awareness Poll Global Results, 40 percent of the data breaches in 2011 were at small to mid-sized companies.

What is a data breach?

A data breach is unauthorized access to, disclosure of, or loss of the personal, health, and sensitive information that an organization holds or processes. This definition, therefore, brings to our knowledge that some organizations may have experienced, for example, losing a USB with copies of personal data without recognizing that was a data breach. Most organizations have only considered hacking or ransomware attacks as data breaches, but it goes beyond just that.

Below are some potential data breach examples:

Losing a portable storage device (USB, flash drive, external hard disk, etc.), laptop, or other personal devices.

Loss of hard copy files or papers containing personal details, or disclosure of these files to the incorrect recipient.

Email errorsemails sent to incorrect addresses, the disclosure of the email addresses of large groups of recipients via carbon copy or attaching personal information inadvertently.

External attack, access, loss, or disclosure on a third-party vendor implicating personal information for which the organization is responsible.

Phishing, hacking, or other external attacks on an organization's information repositories.

Unauthorized access by a staff member to files containing personal, health, or sensitive information.

Whatever the cause of the data breach, some form of harm can cause the organizations employees and customers or clients. The harm may include financial, social, reputational, psychological, or physical impacts on an individual and reputational or financial damage to the organization itself.

Since data breaches are becoming more common, how a company responds to one can go a long way to maintaining its business reputation and keeping it from losing the trust of its customers, and avoiding or reducing hefty fines by regulatory authorities. As with any crisis, a quick and decisive response is critical. But here is the problem: most breaches go undetected for a long time. According to FireEyes 2016 Report, it took organizations across the world an average of 146 days to detect a data breach. A separate report found 81 percent of data breaches are not detected until news reports, law enforcement notifications, or external fraud monitoring. The longer a breach goes undetected, the more harm it can do to your business.

Security breaches committed against you or an organization with access to your personal information are serious crimes and are understandably stressful to the victims. Most data protection laws require private organizations and government entities, which have access to or process personally identifiable information, to notify affected individuals in the event of a security or data breach. So, if you read about a data breach in a news report and are unsure if you are affected, you will probably be notified in the event of an emergency.

As stated clearly by VISA: Because data compromises are often complex, it is challenging to make the rapid communication decisions needed to mitigate the potential harm of a breach. These situations are often further complicated by the reality that every data breach is different and there may be no precedent within your organization for responding. But the stakes for handling a breach effectively could not be higher, and the impact on your business  depending on a variety of factors  can be huge. The impact of a poorly handled breach can reach throughout your business in both the short and long term: bad press, lost sales, mitigation, and litigation, as well as the uphill battle to rebuild your reputation

The first step is to identify the type of attack that occurred and which aspects of your data - personal information or organizational data - were potentially affected. If, for instance, the theft was to a company's payment system, then it is highly likely personal payment information would be at risk. Suppose a security breach got access to personal identification information, such as accessing ID-based information or detailssuch as passport, Ghana Card, Voters ID Card, or driver's license number. In that case, you could be the potential victim of identity theft.

According to the Cost of a Data Breach Report, data breach costs surged 13% from 2020 to 2022. You cannot afford to be unprepared for a data breach's aftermath. It is up to you to control the situation and protect your brand in the wake of a data breachs potentially devastating hold on reputation and also to avoid hefty penalties by regulatory authorities or supervisory agencies.

Data breach response policies are essential for organizations of any size. A response policy should outline how your company will respond in the event of a data breach and lay out an action plan that will investigate potential breaches to mitigate damage when a breach occurs.

When an organization realizes a data breach; whether hackers took personal information from your corporate server, an insider stole customer information, or information was inadvertently exposed on your companys website, you need to be strategic and tactical in dealing with the incident.

The following are some suggested steps elicited by The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take in dealing with a data breach:

Move quickly to secure your systems and fix vulnerabilities that may have caused the breach. The only thing worse than a data breach is multiple data breaches. Take steps so it does not happen again. Secure physical areas potentially related to the breach. Lock them and change access codes, if needed. Mobilize your breach response team right away to prevent additional data loss. The exact steps to take depend on the breach and the structure of your business. Assemble a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive breach response. Depending on the size and nature of your company, they may include forensics, legal information security, information technology, operations, human resources, communications, investor relations, and management. Stop additional data loss. Take all affected equipment offline immediately  but dont turn any machines off until the forensic experts arrive. Closely monitor all entry and exit points, especially those involved in the breach. Interview people who discovered the breach. Also, talk with anyone else who may know about it. If you have a customer service center, make sure the staff knows where to forward information that may aid your investigation of the breach. Document your investigation. Do not destroy evidence. Do not destroy any forensic evidence during your investigation and remediation. Have a communications plan. Create a comprehensive plan that reaches all affected audiences  employees, customers, investors, business partners, and other stakeholders. Do not make misleading statements about the breach. And do not withhold key details that might help consumers protect themselves and their information. Also, do not publicly share information that might put consumers at further risk. Anticipate questions that people will ask. Then, put top-tier questions and clear plain-language answers on your website where they are easy to find. Good communication up front can limit customers' concerns and frustration, saving your company time and money later. Notify all appropriate authorities. Notify law enforcement agencies, Computer Emergency Response Teams, Cybersecurity Authorities, Data Protection Regulators, or authorities. The sooner law enforcement learns about the breach, the more effective and helpful they can be.

Author: Emmanuel K. Gadasu

(Data Protection Officer, IIPGH and Data Privacy Consultant and Practitioner at Information Governance Solutions)

For comments, contact the author [email protected] or Mobile: +233243913077
Cocoa plant

12.01.2023 LISTEN

Processing cocoa can reduce the value from $2.00 per kilogram to $1.50 per kilogram.

Theres a growing demand from the people for the government to process all raw materials before exporting it to increase the cash amount that can be gained from the trade. The common perception is that if 1kg of cocoa beans cost $2.00, processing it into powder should increase the price to $2.20. Unfortunately this is hardly the situation on the cocoa market as it has consistently proven that processing the bean into a further step such as powder or liquid will reduce the market size of the product at hand and Ghana can be forced to sell at a lower price of about $1.50 (25% less than the price of the bean). This is a big blow to the processing cost from bean to powder and a big loss in revenue and time.

How does this happen?

Cocoa bean can be processed into finished products such chocolates, toffees, drinks, ingredients, and body lotions. Each of the products made by a company requires a unique processing step. A company producing three taste-varieties in their chocolate brand will require them to differentiate their manufacturing process. The difference in taste can be due to the amount of time spent in roasting the beans; say 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours for product A, B and C respectively.

If Ghana roast her beans and grinds it using the same process as the company above and a roast time of 2 hours, the product becomes eligible to be purchased for producing product B which limits it to a specific company and a specific product. This scenario reduces competition for the product from other buyers and creates a purchasing control from the buyer. This buyer with the knowledge that the product is not wanted on the market and the fact that the flexibility of the product has been lost even for him makes him reluctant to buy at a higher price thereby forcing the country to sell at a price equal or lower than the market price of the dried beans.

The market limitations created also arises form companies willing to protect the details of their manufacturing process as a trade secret and will see buying of processed goods will give away their trade secret, and therefore chooses to avoid such purchases.

This is not a new problem that the country will face if we begin to process cocoa for the world market. During the reign of Nkrumah cocoa was processed from the bean to liquid to increase its value on the world market but was rather shocked by the massive drop in the value of the liquid compared to the bean. The country then had to revert to selling the highly valuable bean and leaving the processing plant to ruin. A more analysis and considerations needs to be done if the country intends to pursue their interest of exporting processed cocoa.

Processing the cocoa bean to a more finish product for export is preferred but this has to be done from an entrepreneurial perspective where the export revenue generated for the country is huge with the government taking a percentage as taxes compared to the government monopoly on bean export.
General Secretary of the main opposition party, the NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey has tipped his region, the Volta region as the redemption ally of the country.

According to him, the country's major successes since time immemorial were chalked by Voltarians.

Mr Kwetey made the comment while speaking at a regional retreat for Regional Executives of the Party at Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region themed Empowering Our Base for Victory in 2024." He added that the region must adore the opposition party and see it as their religion since it was through which they made those achievements.

Volta is the region, where saviours of the nation come from as far as this country is concerned but we need to know who we are, and somehow, we know, who we are, and we need to start appreciating who we are.

Volta must appreciate NDC and back it no matter what. It should become like a religion. We need to let our people appreciate that this is what we are, he said.

He noted that the party, in recent times, is no more active in their stronghold, the Volta region.

And believe if we knew who we were, the situation where the love for this party would start dwindling in this Region should not happen, he said.

The opposition partys chief scribe cited how the strongholds of their political rivals, the NPP have continuously remained loyal to their party regardless of the neglect.

He told his colleagues to do same for the NDC to help bring it back to power come 2024 to fix all broken ties in the party.

Because somehow, they (NPP supporters) appreciate it, and believe in their party as a religion. Your Religion may not be the best religion, yet that is your religion. It is your responsibility to make sure you fix it, and you change it.

We need to let our people appreciate that this is who we are. There is nothing shameful about it. You talk to some of our young people from Volta and they think it is something of pride to say 'yea, we are not like our forefathers and uncles, and we believe that we should not continue with that," he stated.
Africa Center for Retirement Research is calling for an upward adjustment in the minimum pensions payable to low-contributing pensioners.

The center indicated that the meagre GH300 that low contributors receive monthly as poverty relief allowance worsens their living standards and must be increased to cushion them.

The center believes the figure is too small to sustain any pensioner in the current economic conditions.

Abdallah Mashud who is the Executive Director of the Africa Center for Retirement Research, says he expects SSNIT to increase the minimum pensions payable.

He argued the GH300 paid to low contributors is in contravention of both ILOs and the National Pensions social security legislations.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has emphasized the importance of maintaining minimum standards for social security administration. PNDC Law 247 and the National Pension Act also provide for the payment of minimum pension, but it has however become a major concern how minimum pension is treated by SSNIT, especially in the last few years.

Claim analysis shows that the minimum pension had consistently increased since the year 2000 and in some cases, has even doubled especially in 2013 and 2014. The minimum pension has stood at GH200 for four successive years.

Mr. Mashud further opined that it is the hope of the Center that the Government will move in to increase the minimum pension payable for the 2023 year.

We need to also make known that the minimum pension of GH300, representing just $30 per month has been paid to pensioners for years and this amount is woefully inadequate so to sustain low-earning contributors, our expectation is that SSNIT must significantly increase the minimum pension for the year 2023.

By Citi Newsroom
A court in Tehran has sentenced a Belgian aid worker to four decades in prison and 74 lashes after convicting him on espionage and smuggling charges.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Olivier Vandercasteele was found guilty on four charges: "spying activities, collusion with the United States, currency smuggling and money laundring."

The website of Iran's judiciary said a "Revolutionary Court" sentenced the 41-year-old aid worker to a total of 40 years in prison, 12.5 years for espionage, 12.5 years for "collaboration with hostile governments," 12.5 years for money laundering and 2.5 years for currency smuggling.

Vandercasteele is also to receive 74 lashes with a whip.

In a first reaction, Olivier van Steirtegem, a friend and spokesperson for the Vandercasteel family, told Belgian television that he "can't imagine such a sentence. It's terrible. His mother doesn't even know where he is kept in jail. And now she has to learn from some Iranian press agency that her son is sentenced to 74 lashes. Unbelievable. Ridiculous."

During an emotional press conference, Nathalie Vandecasteele, the sister of Olivier, said that the family was "utterly unhappy, destroyed by sadness. We're not able to do anything as a result of this injustice."

Last week, the Belgian ambassador to Iran, Gianmarco Rizzo, visited Vandecasteele. According to sister Nathalie, who spoke with the ambassador, Olivier "is in a bad shape," has lost "at least twenty five kilos" and is suffering hearing problems.

Political game

The harsh sentence may be part of a political game between Tehran and Brussels.

Vandecasteele's case has been linked to that of Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi, who was accused of masterminding a plot to bomb a gathering of an opposition group of Iranian exiles in Paris in 2018.

The group, the National Council Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which also goes by the name of "People's Mujaheddin" or "MEK", has bases in Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris, and in Albania.

French police arrested a Belgian-Iranian couple carrying explosives, which investigators say were intended to be used to attack the NCRI gathering.

Assadi, a Vienna-based Iranian diplomat, was found guilty of masterminding the plot and sentenced to 20 years by a Belgian court in February 2021.

Months later, Vandecasteele returned to Iran where he had spent years as an aid worker for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and other organisations. He was detained by the security services.

In an attempt to free him, the Belgian parliament then drafted a treaty that would allow prisoner exchanges with Iran.

But the Belgian opposition immediately charged that the agreement with Tehran was "tailor made" to permit Assadi's release, and NCRI exiles mounted street protests and a ferocious lobbying campaign.

As a result of this, and to the horror of Vandecasteele's family, the treaty was "suspended" last December. One week later, the aid worker was initially sentenced to 28 years imprisonment. At a second court session this week, another 12 years were added, along with the whipping.

In a reaction to the latest sentence, the NCRI, the main motor behind the drive to suspend the extradition treaty, calls the move "blackmail" aimed at forcing the Belgian government to release "the imprisoned terrorist diplomat Assadollah Assadi."

According to Iran's Civil Procedure Code, Vandecasteele has 20 days to appeal.

Meanwhile, in Belgium, the Constitutional Court will make its final decision on the legality of the suspension of the extradition treaty in March.
The French and German foreign ministers arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday on a mission to support the peace agreement signed last year to end two years of war in the Tigray region.

The visit by France's Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock of Germany follows Wednesday's announcement by Tigrayan rebels that they were starting to hand in their heavy weapons, a key component of the November deal to end the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

During the two-day trip, the pair are due to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other ministers as well as African Union officials and human rights campaigners, and visit a World Food Programme distribution centre.

Colonna said in a statement before her departure that the visit was aimed at "supporting the peace process, the fight against impunity, and reconstruction".

A diplomatic source said the ministers were carrying a message from the European Union that it is ready to re-engage in Ethiopia, provided the ceasefire is respected and that a transitional justice mechanism is put in place.

The war that broke out in November 2020 has killed untold numbers of civilians, displaced more than two million and left millions more in need of humanitarian aid.

Eritrean position remains unclear

Since the peace agreement signed in the South African capital Pretoria, there has been a limited resumption of aid deliveries to Tigray, which has long faced dire shortages of food, fuel, cash and medicines.

Basic services such as communications, banking and electricity are slowly being restored to the stricken region of six million people.

While the Tigray People's Liberation Front announced it had begun disarming, local residents and aid workers say the Eritrean army and forces from the neighbouring region of Amhara remain active in Tigray. There have been accusations of murder, rape and looting.

Under the deal, the disarmament should take place "concurrently" with the withdrawal of foreign forces. Eritrea was not involved in the Pretoria peace talks.

The Horn of Africa and Ethiopia in particular are among the EU's priorities, as China seeks to boost its influence in the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang's visited Addis Ababa earlier this week.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused the National Cathedral Secretariat of diverting an impressive GHS2.6million of tax funds to a company known as JNS Talent Centre Limited.

JNS Talent Centre Limited according to Mr Ablakwa is registered as a Talent and Skills Development Training, but operates a creche located in Dawhwenya, Accra, with the motto train up a child in their talent and they are made for life.

Mr Ablakwa in a Facebook post wondered what kind of services JNS Talent Centre Limited provided to the National Cathedral Secretariat to pocket GHS2.6million.

In another post, he alleged the Talent and Skills Development Training Centre is owned by Rev. Johannes Eshun who describes himself as the spiritual son and protege of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide and Member/Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Rev. Eshun, Mr Ablakwa says, is also a branch pastor of Rev. Kusi Boatengs church called the Power Chapel Worldwide, Bethel Arena.

Below are details of Mr Ablakwas post:

We are not done exposing the countless explosive cathedral scandals neither are we about to be intimidated by those issuing laughable and ungodly threats. We are just warming up.

Now, here is the latest installment of shocking discoveries.

So it turns out the contemptible diversions and dubious distributions away from the core mandate of constructing Akufo-Addos cathedral took place on a much bigger scale than previously imagined.

Apparently, it is not only the dodgy American, Cary Summers and his Nehemiah Group who were gifted GHS28.2million of our depleted taxes for so-called coordination activities.

Newly secured documentation reveals that at a time the cathedral contractors (RIBADE Ltd) were complaining that they were being starved of funds leading to RIBADEs eventual suspension of work in March 2022  a suspension which continues and is now 10 months old, and this is despite governments massive unconstitutional withdrawals in excess of GHS339million, it has emerged that our tax funds were being unethically distributed on a massive scale like confetti.

We have discovered a shocking diversion of an impressive GHS2.6million of tax funds to a company known as JNS Talent Centre Limited.

According to incorporation details in my possession, JNS Talent Centre Limiteds given registration number is: CS695622015. Its directors are: Johannes Eshun, Sheila Eshun and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

The registered principal activity of JNS Talent Centre Limited is listed as Talent and Skills Development Training.

JNS Talent Centre Limited has a stated capital of a measly GHS500.00.

JNS has absolutely no track record in construction neither does it have capacity for architectural designs or related services.

Further investigations reveal that JNS Talent Centre Limited operates a creche located in Dawhwenya. The creches motto is train up a child in their talent and they are made for life.

Interestingly, it is not clear who or how many people at the Cathedral Secretariat JNS developed their talent to be made for life.

The 020 phone number advertised for the creche is the same contact provided in their incorporation instruments and in the cathedral documents we are reviewing.

It remains a mystery what kind of services JNS Talent Centre Limited provided to the National Cathedral Secretariat to pocket a cool GHS2.6million. Or could it have been that they were sharpening the talent of Architect David Adjaye?

When I called up Madam Sheilla Eshun, a director of TNS to assist with my constitutional oversight duties, the seemingly startled lady said she had scanty information on the GHS2.6million cathedral transaction and that she will prefer I speak to her MD who is currently out of the country and therefore will ask her MD to get back to me in 2 weeks when he returns to Ghana.

Most surprising that a director will claim to have little knowledge about its biggest ever deal. It appears the JNS Talent Centre Limited does not include sincerity and transparency in its talent development curriculum.

With the remarkable levels of opacity, diversions, collusion, graft, recklessness and a yenkyendi mindset, the cathedral project was bound to suffer its current predicament where contractors have abandoned site for lack of payment. That is why people familiar with the scandalous project ridicule hollow presidential assurances that the project will be completed next year.

And, by the way, what is with this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/Ofori-Atta government and Talent companies? The last time, it was investigative journalist Manesseh Azure Awuni who in his Contracts for Sale expose brought to light the shady conflict of interest activities of Talent Discovery Limited owned by disgraced PPA boss, Adjenim Boateng Adjei.

Is this really the Lords Cathedral?

Second Facebook Post

JNS Talent Centre Limited, the company at the centre of my latest cathedral expose with absolutely no track record in construction and design which was gifted a colossal GHS2.6million of our taxes by the National Cathedral Secretariat is owned by Rev. Johannes Eshun who describes himself as the spiritual son and protege of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide and Member/Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Rev. Johannes Eshun is also a branch pastor of Rev. Kusi Boatengs church  Rev. Eshuns branch is the Power Chapel Worldwide, Bethel Arena.

I didnt expect this blatant and ungodly conflict of interest at the highest level of the Cathedrals Board of Trustees. I am deeply saddened.

God have mercy on our nation.

I shall return with more explosive revelations.

Source: Classfmonline.com
The 2024 presidential election is a cool chop for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) due to the awesome achievements it has made in its last six years in government, thats the views of the partys communicator, General Buhari.

The communicator intimated that the NPP will easily defeat former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition NDC and whoever the party present.

He noted in an interview that even an Assembly member from the NPP can beat Mahama in any elections because the former President did nothing for Ghanaians.

According to him, the NPP government has constructed more roads in its six years in office than any other government since 1957.

General Buhari cited the ongoing Kumasi Central Market construction, saying it is bigger and better than the Kejetiah Market, which has been boasted about every time by the NDC.

"Even if an NPP Assembly member contests John Dramani Mahama in 2024, the NPP Assembly member will win against him because he failed woefully and has nothing to show," he reiterated as a caption to the interview shared on his Twitter handle.

The NPP has vowed to break the 8-year jinx of governance.

Big names like Alan Kyerematen, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Joe Ghartey, Dr. Akoto Owusu Afriyie and others are seeking to lead the party in 2024 general elections.
Kenyan prosecutors on Thursday said rally driver Maxine Wahome was facing a murder charge following the death of her boyfriend and fellow rally driver Asad Khan.

Wahome, 26, is accused of attacking her 50-year-old boyfriend at their apartment in the capital Nairobi in December last year.

Khan succumbed to injuries on his right ankle after a week in hospital.

On Thursday, senior magistrate Bernard Ochoi said the case had evolved from the previous count of assault to murder.

"The state is required to conduct investigations on the new matter and since we've yet to receive the report from the scene of crime, we will grant 14 more days to complete the investigation," Ochoi said.

Wahome, who won acclaim when she became the first Kenyan woman to win the third-tier WRC Safari Rally in June last year, has denied any wrongdoing.

The court in Nairobi on December 14 granted her a 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($815) cash bail.

Ochoi on Thursday directed Wahome to continue reporting to the investigators each week until the court makes a ruling.
Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, leading member of the NPP

12.01.2023 LISTEN

A founding member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has opined on Alan Kyeremayens presidential ambition.

The outgoing Trade and Industry Minister, according to the partys bigwig would have been the perfect man for the flagbearer position of the party.

However, due to his long involvement in the current Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration, which Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe describes as corrupt, it may be difficult for Alan Kyerematen.

According to him, the current administration has recorded scandals which paint a worse picture of Alan Kyerematen in his bid to lead the party to break the 8.

Alan Kyerematen would have been the next person but he failed in the short political career under Akufo-Addo. The government was going and corruption was at its highest level and there were a lot of infractions.

If Kyerematen thought about his future, what he should have done was to have taken the thing and resigned at that time. If Alan Kyerematen had done that, he would have become the automatic leader of the NPP but he couldn't do it. The performance of this government will not only affect Alan, but it will also affect anyone who served in this government, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe stated.

The former Trade and Industry Minister, on Tuesday, January 10, officially made known his intention to lead the NPP as flagbearer and possibly, Ghanas next President.

I wish to use this platform to formally announce my decision to contest the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party when the Party officially opens nominations for that purpose," he announced.

This comes a few days after he resigned from his position as the Minister of Trade and Industry.
United States-based Ghanaian economist, Dr Sa-ad Iddrisu has condemned the response of the Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagba to the Meek Mill video that has caused a lot of outrage.

Richard Ahiagba was reported to have said Meek Mill shot his video at the Jubilee House without permission.

Dr Iddrisu in responding to the NPP executives statement described it as balderdash.

To add more insults to injury, they are now telling us that Meek Mill shot the video without permission. Is that how loose national security is at the White House of Ghana?

"Is that what they want us to believe?

"Anybody can just walk to the Jubilee House, all the way to the inner corridors, and do anything he/she wants? A balderdash from these NPP guys, Dr Iddrisu said.

He also wondered why the handlers or protocol officers at the Jubilee House havent deemed it fit to issue an apology statement for causing such a blunder.

Wisely as he (Meek Mill) is, he quickly apologised to the good people of Ghana.

"I am yet to see a statement from the handlers/protocol officers at the Jubilee House, apologising for causing such a blunder, Dr Iddrisu added in his Facebook post on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Below is the full comment from Dr Iddrisu wrote:

Wisely as he Meek Mill is, he quickly apologized to the good people of Ghana. I am yet to see a statement from the handlers/ protocol officers at the jubilee house, apologizing for causing such a blunder.

To add more insults to injury, they are now telling us that Meek Mill shot the video without permission. Is that how loose national security is at the White House of Ghana? Is that what they want us to believe? Anybody can just walk to the Jubilee house, all the way to the inner corridors, and do anything he/she wants?

What balderdashes from these NPP guys.

These people obviously have no regard for Ghanaians. They are governing the country as if they bought it for a penny. Its sad the party leadership would do what is best for the NPP

Source: Classfmonline.com
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Mr. Joe Ghartey has disclosed that he will contest the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) this year.

Announcing his plan in an interview with Connect FM, the former Attorney General disclosed that he has no doubt he has the experience and capacity to lead Ghana as President.

According to Joe Ghartey, he is ready to serve the Ghanaian people.

I am standing for the presidential, flagbearership [race] of NPP, the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan.

Joe Ghartey added, I think I have what it takes. I strongly believe I have the experience, I have the capacity, I have the humility, I have the sense of service to serve the people of Ghana.

Less than two weeks into the new year, the chase for the flagbearer slot in the New Patriotic Party is getting hotter with party gurus declaring their intentions.

Last week, Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen resigned to concentrate on his ambition to become the next flagbearer of the NPP to lead the party into the 2024 general elections.

This week, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie has also resigned for the same reason.

It is expected that by next week, a few more people will come out to declare their intent to contest the NPP.
Joe Jackson

12.01.2023 LISTEN

Financial Analyst with Dalex Finance, Mr. Joe Jackson has stressed that it is vital for government to see to it that the grievances of parties opposing the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme are addressed.

Several groups including the Individual Bondholders forum have decided to take on the government to ensure their investments are protected.

They argue that government created the mess it finds itself in and must find a way to solve the problems without inconveniencing Ghanaians who have invested their funds in hopes of making ends meet.

Speaking to TV3 in an interview, Mr. Joe Jackson urged government to engage the aggrieved bondholders.

He argues that if this is not done and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme fails, the support programme with the IMF might be cut short.

Take current requests from groups as an opportunity to engage quickly and use this opportunity to negotiate acceptable terms so that the domestic debt programme will go ahead if not as scheduled, at least at this month, Joe Jackson indicated.

The financial expert explained, Up until now, the markets have been treating us kindly because everybodys assumption is that somewhere in February or March IMF is coming through.

If we dont achieve our debt right, if we have to stress them again then IMF will not come when it is due or back off and then, the chaotic debt reforms we are trying to prevent will now happen with all the dark consequences of not being able to access any funds anywhere.

Under the governments Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme, bondholders are to submit to a voluntary arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.

This arrangement irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.

Tied to the issue is a mandatory deadline that compels holders to either accept the governments offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses.
Mr. Kwame Pianim, a renowned Ghanaian economist has vowed never to give a dime to governments most contentious Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

If was not the same Ofori-Atta who Mr Pianim said led the country to a ditch, leading the program, he would have gladly been part of every move to see Ghana out of the economic mess

Speaking in a televised interview with Accra-based TV3, the statesman called on Mr. Ofori-Atta to render an apology for the hardship he has inflicted on Ghanaians.

"...I would have been proud as a Ghanaian to contribute but I will not contribute one pesewa for Ken Ofori-Atta leading this, he led us into the gutter...," Mr Pianin vowed.

According to him, Mr. Ofori-Atta instead of pushing the programme, should have said I apologise, this is the result of economic mismanagement. I apologise to Ghanaian people, look there are pensioners who have put their resources into government bonds, you're asking them, I'm not going to pay, look at the exchange programme and think about it carefully when you are talking to your colleagues.

He added, Ken is saying, I'm not going to pay any interest on this for these years whiles I'm Minister of Finance and while President is still President but afterwards then you're going to take a look at it.

The NPP party, according to Mr. Kwame Pianim, is digging its own grave due to President Akufo-Addos refusal to remove Ken Ofori-Atta from office.

"The IMF, three billion that they're going to give is, I want them to frontload it so that I chop it before I go, is that genuine? Are you serious that this is genuine? If the President wants Ken Ofori-Atta to continue there, this government will go do down with Ken Ofori-Atta, he said.
National Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has lambasted the ruling government for running the country into a ditch.

Speaking during an engagement on Adom FM, the communicator said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is the worst government when it comes to borrowing.

He argued that due to excessive borrowing, Ghana is now highly indebted.

According to him, the unfortunate thing is that when the NDC cautioned government against excessive borrowing, it refused to listen but rather organised kenkey parties and chilled with Hennessey at the Finance Ministry.

Since Ghana gained independence in 1957 till date, the current debt figures by the NPP transcends all debts accrued within this period. Meanwhile, they cant also account for any rewarding projects theyve used the monies for.

When we were advising them, they did not listen. Rather, they were feasting on kenkey, cooking waakye, and throwing kenkey and waakye parties with Hennessey at the Finance Ministry, amidst innuendoes at us. This is the end result, Sammy Gyamfi bemoans.

Due to Ghanas high debt levels, the country finds itself in a very difficult situation.

Now unable to service its debt, the country is looking up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a support programme.
France's National Education ministry this week announced new measures to reinforce basic French and Maths skills.

Education Minister Education minister Pap Ndiaye said that this fall in reading level had become a "point of dissatisfaction and major concern".

He pointed out that according to recent figuresonly 27 percent of students cannot read on entering high school.

"The decline [in the national French level] observed in 2022 concerns all establishments regardless of their social profile," the ministry said, referring to the results of nationwide skills test for students in their final year of primary school (CM2).

The figures from the ministry show that in 1987, students made 10.7 mistakes and today they make an average of 19.7 mistakes in a set test.

Ndiaye reiterated his concern that the basic skills set in French and Maths was not up to scratch and on Thursday announced a set of measures to rectify the problems.

In its latest recommendations to teachers nationwide, the ministry wants at least two hours a day of reading and writing in the last two levels of primary school (CM1 and CM2) as well as a short daily dictation.

Similarly, in first year of high school, an extra hour of French and Maths will be added to the programme. This hour will be integrated into the 26 hours of lessons for students and will be done instead of technology, according to the ministry.

On entering the second to last level of primary school (CM1), "all students who are unable to read a text with fluidity and expressiveness, at a speed of 90 words per minute, must benefit from specific daily practice for at least four weeks".

The ministry also plans to introduce national assessments in CM1, for French and mathematics, from the start of the 2023 school year.

Disgruntled teachers

The daily dictation method is not new, it has already been put forward by Ndiaye's predecessors at the Ministry of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.

But for some teachers, this simply increases the workload, without necessarily improving levels.

"This famous dictation is not revolutionary and we have known for a long time that it is above all a means of evaluating, of checking what the students know, but unfortunately it is not learning", primary school teacher Isabelle Rioual, in Dieppe (Seine-Maritime) told French news agency AFP.

"We are quite annoyed because we are already doing a lot of work on spelling and we do not need yet another internal note. We would rather have less overloaded classes to work better with the students", she added.

First lady joins in

For Helene, a teacher in the Vaucluse, it is "imperative to keep the requirement fin respect of spelling, but it takes time".

"Between English, IT, theatre, sport and the various outings that have been added to the students' schedule, we do our best," she says.

"Between 1987 and today, we went from 27 hours of lessons to 24 hours of lessons per week in elementary school, all while adding other disciplines", Stephane Crochet, of teachers' union Se-Unsa told AFP.

France's first lady, and former teacher Brigitte Macron told the press in an interview on Wednesday that she agreed with the principle of dictations.

"We absolutely must not lower the level of requirement on spelling, and I recommend doing a little dictation every day", she told daily Le Parisien.

Uniform debate

On a separate topic related to school life, Brigitte Macron also said she was in favour of school uniforms.

She hailed its necessity as a way to mask social differences, and to save time and money.

This subject is controversial in French politics, and has resulted in the creation of a working group in the parliament to look at the issue.

But Pap Ndiaye said again last week on BFMTV that he did not want to "open this debate, at least on a national scale".

A bill from the far-right National Rally aimed at making uniforms compulsory in public schools and colleges was rejected in mid-December in committee at the Assembly, despite support from the right. The text is expected to be addressed again on Thursday.
After Boitumelo gave birth she decided not to go back to school. She assumed that, because she was now a mother, she would be barred from returning. Then she had a surprising interaction :

They [school] were like, why did you not come back [to school], do you attend [school] elsewhere? I was like, no, I have a child. Then they were like, on January we need you here, this school is empty without you, and that gave me the confidence of saying, oh I must go back to school.

In fact, Boitumelo had the right, under South African law , to continue her schooling through and after her pregnancy  without fear of stigma or discrimination. But her experience of a supportive school environment is sadly all too rare. In early November 2022 a learner in the KwaZulu-Natal province was forced to take her school to court so she could sit for her final matriculation exams. She was expelled in July 2022 in accordance with the school's pregnancy policy.

More than 100,000 adolescent girls give birth in South Africa each year. Adolescent births represented between 12 and 14% of births in facilities between 2019 and 2022. Specifically, the number of births delivered by adolescents aged between 10 and 19 in South Africa's public health facilities rose from 129,223 in 2019 to 139,361 in 2022. This increase in the number of births is a setback when viewed against the modest progress made in lowering teenage pregnancy rates between 1998 and 2016 .

Early, unintended pregnancy affects young women's educational, health, social and economic futures. It can keep them from continuing or finishing school and thus from pursuing further education and training.

I wanted to know what influenced young women's decisions about schooling when they found out they were pregnant. Some dropped out temporarily; some remained in school throughout their pregnancies and returned after giving birth. Others dropped out permanently.

My findings suggest that schools, families and the wider community play a critical role in determining what decision a young woman will make. Support and encouragement can keep them in school while stigmatisation and exclusion push them out entirely.

Support and childcare

For my study I conducted in-depth interviews with 30 young women in an urban community in South Africa; 24 were in school when they found out they were pregnant. Their ages ranged from 15 to 20 years. In all but one case, their pregnancies were unintended.

Thirteen of the participants had decided to remain at school upon finding out they were pregnant.

They experienced mixed reactions from the school management and teachers along a continuum of active support for them to continue school, to not acknowledging the pregnancy at all, to attempts to dismiss or shame them.

In one case a pregnant learner was told she had to leave school because it would not take responsibility for her health. Her mother challenged the school by arranging for an aunt to accompany the young woman to school every day to take responsibility for her health.

Being able to organise childcare for babies was an important determinant for remaining at school. The Child Support Grant , which currently amounts to R480 (about US$28) per month and is awarded through means testing, increased the agency of young mothers to find care for their babies in local creches or paid caregivers, especially in urban areas, where kin were not always available for childcare.

A further important determinant of remaining at school in spite of challenges experienced was the desire not to disappoint families who had made sacrifices to educate their daughters.

Making hard decisions

Another six of the participants temporarily dropped out of school. This was largely a result of school policy, shame and embarrassment about attending school while pregnant, and taking a break while coping with the onerous demands of pregnancy and motherhood.

The remaining five young women I interviewed permanently dropped out of school because of school policy, inability to manage the dual demands of motherhood and schooling, and lack of support to care for their babies. Their decision was strongly influenced by the reactions of family, partners and friends.

For example, Bontle was told by her mother that she had to take care of her mistake (baby) and therefore had to give up school:

I couldn't go back (to school) because my mother said I should take care of the baby, no one's going to take care of my baby because it is a choice that I made and I wanted to have a baby while I was still schooling.

These findings emphasise the critical role schools and the wider family and community play in determining young pregnant women's decisions to continue and complete their schooling.

They also show how schools continue to exercise policy barring pregnant learners from school or shaming them in spite of this violating South Africa's legal and constitutional framework.

Young pregnant women require support to advocate for their right to continue schooling and need care and support by family and community to make it easier to continue going to school.

Accountability and support

The Department of Basic Education must ensure that school management and governing bodies are well versed with policy around pregnant learners. Schools that violate the rights of pregnant learners must be held to account.

Individual schools need to strike a balance between treating pregnant learners like any other learner and accommodating their particular needs . Pregnant learners' increased risk of dropping out of school should be seen within the broader package of care and support offered to vulnerable learners, and teachers should be trained to offer psychosocial and other support.

Schools can also link pregnant and parenting learners to health and social services; for example, ensuring that young mothers receive the Child Support Grant.

Nirvana Pillay received funding from the South African National Research Foundation, Grant Number: APDS 170526233617 and the Centre of Excellence in Human Development NRF Accelerator Grant, 'Changing Family Structures and Care in South Africa' for this research.

By Nirvana Pillay, Visiting Researcher Wits School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand
Economic downturn; recession of plans and initiatives; systematically ignored calls for a fiscal and monetary justice for all; -crisis; Brexit and irredentism in the UK, Spain, Belgium, France, Denmark and Italy; lasting instability in the Euro-Med theatre (debt crisis of the Europe's south  countries scrutinized and ridiculed under the nickname PIGS, coupled with the failed states all over the MENA); terrorism; historic low with Moscow culminating in the unprecedented opened armed conflict of West with Russia on the territory of yet another Slavic useful idiot, ill-fated Ukraine, all this combined with a confrontational but in fact frightened and disoriented Washington administration; influx of predominantly Muslim refugees from Levant in numbers and configurations unprecedented since the WWII exoduses (with an institutionalized racism in the Western migration policy while giving to fleeing Ukrainians diametrically different treatment); consequential growth of far-right parties who  by peddling reductive messages and comparisons  are exploiting fears of otherness, that are now amplified with already urging health labour and social justice concerns; generational unemployment and socio-cultural anxieties, in ricochet of sanctions; long-ago 'prophesised' than doctored health, post-C-19 and energy 'crises', oil anti-diplomacy; painful de-dollarization as well as the Sino-US trade wars, while rifting in dilemma to either letting Bolivarism or supporting Monroeism

And, just when we thought  it can't get worse, just when we thought that the history judgement can be escaped and that Europe can avoid inevitable  acceptance that there is no more moral triumph of the west (ever since dizzy 2020), the devastating earthquake reduced foundations of the western civilisational superiority to a rubble: arrests of the top officials of the most democ-ratic EU institution of all  the Euro Parliament, and extensive raids that are still ongoing.[1]

The very fundaments of Europe are shaking.

Strikingly, there is a very little public debate enhanced in Europe about it. What is even more worrying is the fact that any self-assessing questioning of Europe's involvement and past policies in the Middle East, and Europe's East is simply off-agenda. Immaculacy of Brussels and infallibility of Atlantic-Central Europe-led EU is unquestionable. Corresponding with realities or complying with a dogma?

Triangular economy of othering

Why does our West so vigilantly promote the so-called international trade all over the place? Answer is at hand; the US President George H.W. Bush clarifies: No nation on Earth has discovered a way to import the world's goods and services while stopping foreign ideas at the border.[2]

There is a consensus within the academic community what was the critical factor in redefining the world's periphery  from a sub-permafrost  Europe into the advanced West. Undeniably, it was the extension of its strategic depth westward, to the Americas upon 1492  a huge continent unreported in the Bible and unknown to Europeans. There is also a consensus over the two factors facilitating the initiation of the age of Grand discoveries. The push effect was the fall of Constantinople, relative decline of the Maghrebian Arabs and the Ottoman techno-military and demographic threat onto Europe from south and southeast. And, the pull effect was the Ming dynasty inward retreat and to it related dismembering of the superior transoceanic Sino-fleet.[3]

This unleashed the so-called triangular transcontinental trade that incorporated one more previously unknown continent to Europe  (sub-Saharan) Africa. Triangular trade was a brutal instrument imposed by Europeans: Enslaved Africans shipped as cattle to America to dig for gold and silver which was destined for European colonial centres.[4]

(Needleless to say that soon after American continent has been 'discovered', Europeans brutally derogated its indigenous civilisation. Only 100 years later, Americas have suffered loss of 90% of its total pre-colonial population  a final solution in one of its most effective workings. The same went on in sub-Saharan Africa. Far from being an undiscovered prior to the European conquistas, Africa was for many centuries an integral part of the Afro-Asian trading and manufacturing system. All that have dramatically changed with the arrival of Europeans. Soon after, they derogated an indigenous socio-political, civilizational and cultural and the demographic structures of Africa beyond the point of reparation.)

Once in Europe, stashes of these precious metals were used to cover massive European deficits created by extensive imports of the cutting-edge technologies, manufactured products, other goods and spices from a that-time superior Asia and the Middle East. Only later, gold and silver will be replaced by the equally powerful but less expensive 'trade facilitators'  iron and opium (guns and drugs). For instance in early 1800s, many British MPs and cabinet ministers had shares in the UK narco-companies. Hence, the Narconomics was introduced and imposed as both a powerful strategic deterrent and as a wealth accumulator. (Eg. Still by the late 19th century, some 40 million mainland Chinese were heavy drugs addicts  roughly 10% of population.)

The Afro-America yields were so colossal for Atlantic Europe that many scholars assume the socalled Industrial revolution rather as an evolutionary anomaly than a natural socio-technological process of development, which was primarily pivoting in (Sino-Indian) Asia.[5] In order to illustrate a magnitude (or to validate the so called Schumpeterian creative destruction claim), let us note a following data: Starting from an early 16th century for consecutive 300 years, 85% of the world's silver production and 70% of the world's gold output came from the Americas. For the same period, 2/3 of globally manufactured goods were originating from Asia. Notably, while Europe spent unearned, Asia worked (to get gradually even pauperised through subsequent unfair trade practices, as Europe projected its military and 'free trade' dogma).

Further on, during the 17th, 18th and 19th century the role of Black slavery, slave trading, American Black slave-driven production centres and Negro markets, all significantly contributed to Atlantic Europe's agricultural and industrial 'breakthrough'  as we are celebrating it today. In short, it was a wealth of Americas extracted by the enslaved men-power from Africa, and shipped to Europe under the minimal costs, all that for centuries.[6]

This colossal 'oversea discovery' reinforced Europe's path on defensive modernisation (usage of technology for a narrow geostrategic end)  European empires building became a scientific project and the science evolved into an imperial project. For instance, French Dutch and Britons (the so-called second and third round of colonisers) learned one think from Portuguese and Spaniards (the first round of European colonisers)  nobody wishes to pay taxes but likes to invest. Therefore their colonial expansion was primarily conducted as a corporate undertaking (West India company, East India company, WIC, VOC, Mississippi company, etc.)[7]

Hence, it was a magic vicious circle of scientifically erected empires and imperial capitalism: Credits financed overseas discoveries, discoveries led to colonies, colonies made profits (by imported slaves and rarefied locals), profits built trust in tomorrows, and the trust in this shiny colonial tomorrow was translated into ever more credits for the larger corporate undertakings. Small wonder that the exegesis of (Newtonian science and Smith's) capitalism started blindly to believe in a never-ending and ever-expanding economic growth. The fact that such a 'faith' contradicts all cosmic laws bothered none in that time Europe  the continent was dizzy and triumphant in its planetary conquest. Le Capitalisme Europeen meant expansion  in every possible sense.

Such a rapid shift from a peripheral status to an 'advanced civilization' of course necessitated a complete reconstruction of western identity  furthering the weaponisation of religion for ideological purpose. This acrobatics in return caused the rift in Europe and enhanced the Continent's continued split on two spheres: the Eastern/Russophone Europe  closer to and therefore more objective towards the Afroasian realities; and the Western (Atlantic/Scandinavian/Central) Europe, more dismissive, self-centred and ignorant sphere.

While the Atlantic flank progressively developed its commercial and naval power as to economically and demographically project itself beyond the continent, the landlocked Eastern Europe was lagging behind. It stuck in feudalism, and involuntarily constituted a cordon sanitaire  from eastern Baltic to Adriatic shores  against the Islamic Levant/south and the Russo-oriental East.

Gradually, past the 15th century, the idea of 'Western Europe' begun to crystallise as the Ottoman Turks and the Eastern Europeans were imagined and described as barbarians. During the 17th and 18th century as the triangular 'trade' progressed, Atlantic Europe firmly portrayed itself as the prosperous West that borders 'pagan/barbarian' neighbours to its near east, and the 'savage subjects' to its cross-Mediterranean south, overseas west, and the mystical Far East. Consequently, we cannot deny a huge role that the fabricated history as well as the 'scientific' racism and its theories played in a formation and preservation of European identity construct.[8]

The Enlightenment was a definite moment in the reinvention of European identity. The quest came along with the fundamental question who are we, and what is our place in the world? Answering that led on to the systematisation, classification of anthropogeographic inversion and  frankly  to reinvention of the world. From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, a kind of an intellectual apartheid regime was forming.

(This historical anomaly I usually describe as anthropogeographic inversion in which the periphery asserted itself into the center by periferising that core and managing to present itself as a center. Thus, our current geopolitical and ideological core resides in geographic peripheries of the planet. It is in the hands of late developmental arrivals, such as the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, the US, Japan, Australia, New Zeeland, Korea, Singapore, South Africa. To achieve and maintain this colossal inversion was impossible without coercion over the extended space and time. Consequently, it necessitated a combination of physical and metaphysical (hard/coercion and soft/attraction) instruments: Physical military presence of the periphery in the center, combined with a tightly guarded narrative and constructed history. How does my anthropogeographic inversion theory correspond with an institutional interpretation of history? Real anthropogeographic peripheries are certainly a new civilizational arrival  Interference, intrusion and discontinuity is suffered in a core not on edges. (E.g. It is not centrally positioned Syria, Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan intervening in the geographic peripheries, such as the UK, US, Russia, Canada.) Periphery faster coagulates as it is rarely intruded. Center itself melts and is melted constantly. In the world of our realities; periphery sends, center absorbs.)

The rise of the West was portrayed as a pure virgin birth as John M. Hobson fairly concluded. Europeans delineated themselves as the, only or the most, progressive subject of the world's history in past, presence and future. At the same time, the Eastern peoples  e.g. Asian as 'the people without history'  were seen as inert, passive and corrosive.[9] While the Solar system 'became' heliocentric, the sake and fate of our planet turned plain  Europocentric. The world is flat mantra set the stage, turning all beyond Europe into a sanitary corridor, a no-fly-zone.

Ambient, anti-Orient

The idea of Europe found its most enduring expression in the confrontation with the Orient in the age of imperialism. It was in the encounter with other civilizations that the identity of Europe was shaped. Europe did not derive its identity from itself but from the formation of a set of global contrasts. In the discourse that sustained this dichotomy of Self and Other, Europe and the Orient became opposite poles in a system of civilizational values which were defined by Europe.  notes Delantry.

Even the English word to determine, position, adapt, adjust, align, identify, conform, direct, steer, navigate or command has an oriental connotation. To find and locate itself opposite to Orient, means to orient oneself.

Feudal Europe had identified itself negatory towards Levant and Islam. It reinvented a historical unity and continuity of Roman Empire (precursor of today's Euro-MED) into an us-them binary[10] categorisation: The peripheral outcast became thus the Rome (Western Empire) and the legitimate successor  who outlived its move to Bosporus for over 1.000 years  became peripheral,'Byzantium'.[11] No wonder, tireless binary categorisation is an essential glue and galvaniser.

Clearly, it was an identity heavily resting on insecurity. Proof? An external manifestation of inner insecurity is always aggressive assertiveness.

Is this still alive or even operative? How does it correlate today?

Europe repeatedly missed to answer to the East and Middle East through a dialogue (instruments) and consensus (institutions) although having both (via CoE; OSCE's MPC; EU's ENP, Barcelona Process, etc.). For the past 31 years, it primarily responded militarily in the MENA (or/and with sanctions, which is also a warfare, a socio-economic one)  via 'Coalitions of the Willing' (justified by the West and the Rest, Democracy vs. Putinism mantra). However, for a rapidly economically and demographically contracting Europe, the confrontation does not pay off anymore. While practically still yesterday (by the end of WWII), four of the five largest economies were situated in Europe, today only one is not in Asia. None is in Europe.[12]

(Likewise, while the US economy contributed with 54% of the world output in 1945, today it hardly covers 1/3 of that share. Hence, Americans are not fixing the world any more. They are only (partially) managing its decline. Look at their footprint in former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Yemen, Syria or today in Ukraine.)

The same way the Islam has started as an exclusive Arab monopoly to be soon after taken over (for good) by the Turks, Persians and southeast Asians (who are today far more enhanced), the same way the Modern age has started with Europe. But, today it is a planetary undertaking that the least resides within its originator. Simply, the Old Continent is not a wealthy club anymore. It is a theater with a memory of its wealthy past. Presently, Asia, Africa, Latin America are rapidly self-actualising and learning much more from each other than from the West.

And, Europe? Still to this very day, its national institutions are too quickly turning to culture and identity to explain politics, especially at election times. Of course, insisting  in the best spirit of the religious dogma  on the infallibility of its narrative. As simple and convenient as it seems, it is not as accurate as such. All across Europe, the governments repeatedly failed at distributive justice (just recall the Corona shame), not on culture or behavioural recognition. Thus, the EU has to learn how to deescalate and compromise. Certain identity cannot be put in line only with its geography. It has to respond to other realities as well. This is in the Continent's best interest, for the sake of its only viable future. Therefore, it is a high time for the Brussels-headquartered Europe to challenge its rigid socio-political choices, and to evolve in its views and actings  for at home and for abroad.

Due to emergence of Asia, Europe will never be as central to the US and Russia as it used to be after the WWII, least after Brexit. Therefore, an old Continent will have to focus on ensuring the survival of its own model of multilateralism before being again able to claim any global ambition. There is no time for re-invention of European postcolonial cartography  be it Kiev, Khartoum or Kinshasa.

If we are any serious, let us start by answering the following: Is the so-called Russian expansionism or MENA 'Islamofascism' spontaneous or provoked, is that nascent or only a mirror image of something striking in front of it? And after all, why the indigenous Europe's Muslims (those of the Balkans) and their twins, indigenous Christians of MENA (those of Levant) are now two identically slim shadows on a (bulletholes scarred) wall; while Ukrainians  whom we 'protect' Europeanisticly for the past several decades, are the most tragic the most dislocated the most income-gapped and the least secure national on the planet.

Anis H. Bajrektarevic

Vienna, 22 DEC 2022

Prof. Anis H Bajrektarevic is chairperson and professor in international law and global political studies, Vienna, Austria. He has authored eight books (for American and European publishers) and numerous articles on, mainly, geopolitics energy and technology. Professor is editor of the NY-based GHIR (Geopolitics, History and Intl. Relations) journal, and editorial board member of several similar specialized magazines on three continents. Earlier this year, his 9th book was realised in New York.

References :



Kabani, R. (1994), Imperial Fictions: Europe's Myths of Orient, Pandora Books Brading, D.A. (1991), The First America: the Spanish Monarchy, Creole Patriots, and the Liberal State 1492-1867, Cambridge University Press, (pages 80-88) Kaplan, R.D. (2013), Revenge of Geography, Random House New York Losada, A. (1971), The Controversy between Sepulveda and Las Casas in the Junta of Valladolid, The Northern Illinois University Press, (pages 280-282) Toynbee, A. J. (1934-61), A Study of History, Vol VII: Universal States; Universal Churches (Oxford University Press 1954) and Vol XII: Reconsiderations (Oxford University Press 1961) McBrien, R. (2000), Lives of the Popes, Harper San Francisco Thiesse, A-M. (1999), La creation des identites nationales: Europe XVIIIe-XXe siecle, Editions du Seuil, Paris, Wright, L. (2006), The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, First Vintage Books Kipling, R. (1899), The White Man's Burden: The United States and The Philippine Islands, NY 2(99) McClure's Magazine, (reprint, 1934) Disraeli, B. (1847), Tancred: Or the New Crusade (Complete), (reprint: Echo Library August 28, 2007) Khana, P. (2019), The Future is Asian, Simon & Schuster III Reich (1942), Biology for the Middle School, The 5th Grade Girls; (Chapter: The Laws of Nature and Humanity), Reichsministerium fur Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung, Die Reichsdruckerei Berlin (https://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/textbk01.htm, accessed as of 181218) Curtain, P.D. (1984), Cross-Cultural Trade in World History, Cambridge University Press Abu-Lughod, J. L. (1989), Before European Hegemony, Oxford: Oxford University Press Lorimer, J. (1880), The Institutes of Law: a Treatise of the Principles of Jurisprudence as Determined by Nature (2 ed.), Edinburgh  London: William Blackwood & Sons (retrieved via Archive.org as of 14102018) Wolf, E. R. (1982), Europe and the People Without History, Berkeley: University of California Press Hobson, J.M. (2004), The Eastern Origins of Western Civilization, Cambridge University Press The State Archives, South Africa, National Library (http://libguides.wits.ac.za/LegalDeposit accessed 12122018) Manning, P. (1996), Slave Trades, 1500-1800: Globalization of Forced Labour (Variorium: Aldershot, UK). Volume 15 of An Expanding World, edited by A. J. Russell-Wood. (ed. and introduction). Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J.A. (2012), Why Nations Fail, Crown Business (Random House) NY Diamond, J. (2019), Upheaval  Turning Points for Nations in Crisis, Little Brown and Company NY Harari, Y.N. (2018), 21 Lessons for the 21st century, Penguin  Random House UK Delantry, G. (1995), Inventing Europe, London, Macmillan (p.84) Bajrektarevic, A. (2018), From WWI to www., Addleton Academic Publishers, New York Palacio, A. (2016), Europe on the Sidelines, Project Syndicate (13 Feb 2016, pg.27).

[1] Even this unprecedented purge is not deprived from cynicism; The only corruption detected ever since 2020 is one having the Europe's south (e.g. Greece), European Socialists and Arabs as its protagonists. All the rest is clean.

[2] This deep historical animosity towards the externally induced, aggressively pushed and coerced trade  so foreign to the organic tissue of the nation  is deeply rooted even with the champion of the world's trade of today: China. Not so long ago, its Communist Party leader, Jiang Zemin in his inaugural speech of 1989, defined entrepreneurs as: self-employed traders and peddlers who cheat, embezzle, bribe and evade taxation.

[3] The so called Chinese strategic dilemma remains hotly debated chapter of the world history:

During the Song dynasty (9601279 AD), China was a world leader in essentially all relevant technological innovations. The Chinese brought up precise clocks, the compass, gunpowder, printing paper and paper money, porcelain, firework (with a rudimentary postulated rocket science to fire it with a precision), and blast furnaces to produce cast iron far before Europeans. The Spinning wheels and waterpower was also in place, if not before Europe than at least simultaneously. No wonder that, by the end of XV century, Chinese standard of leaving was ahead of the one in Europe. Highly skilled meritocracy stuffed the administrative ranks and China enjoyed the uninterrupted centuries of highly bureaucratised and centralized state.

The Administration's centralising grip even increased during the Ming and Qing dynasties that followed the Song. For the vast Sino-civilisation, the central dilemma remained the same: How to prevent fragmentation and how to maintain the territorial integrity. When the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368, it was Emperor Hongwu  in his three decades long rule  who restricted Chinese overseas exploration, travel and trade. Hongwu was clearly concerned about the destabilising socio-political effects if Chinese overseas activates are not under the strict control of the central government. This would remain a central Sino-dilemma for centuries to come: How to effectively transpond successes of the coastal areas onto the poor hinterlands  all that to prevent divisions and ultimate partition of Sino-world into two or more confronted fractions.

When in 1402 Yongle became an Emperor, he initiated one of the most glorious periods of Chinese history. The Royal Court sponsored Admiral Zheng He to conduct six colossal missions, far beyond Asia. The first fleet comprised of 27,800 persons (not only seaman, but their concubines, wives or families) and 62 large treasure ships (up to 11 masts, several decks, 14 sails, with a crew of up to 1,500), accompanied by almost 200 smaller ships. Food and fresh water supplies were on transport ships as well as samples of animals and plants.

After the sixth mission, a ban has been introduced for almost a decade (under Yongle 1422-24; Hongxi 1424-25; Xuande 1425-33). By 1433 Admiral He was conducting his final 2-year long mission, after which he was retired while the tracery fleet dismantled, maps and charts confiscated and locked within the walls of Forbidden City. By 1436 the construction of seafaring ships was proclaimed illegal. Since then, the total ban on overseas activity was in place until 1567.

In 1661 the Emperor Kangxi, after the decades long calamities over the territorial integrity and partition, ordered that all Chinese subjects living along the coastal line from VietNam to Chekiang  practically the entire southern coast, the most commercially active and riches portion of China  should resettle 30 km inland. The coast was policed by imperial troops to enforce the measure, and for the following three decades, there was a moratorium on shipping everywhere on the Sino-coast.

Such a ban was periodically re-imposed throughout the 18th century. Clearly, no Emperor of the Ming and Qing states was eager to trade political stability and therefore territorial integrity for a (uneven) economic prosperity. All the way to Mao of 1949, China had become inward looking and consequently one of the poorest countries of the world. However, the Sino-civilisation avoided dissolution, remaining intact.

[4] Historian Patrick Manning estimates that at least 8 million people were exported to Americas as slaves from the West Africa alone between 1700 and 1850. To this number, it has to be added at least 30% more that died in in the enslaving related struggles all over the Atlantic coast of Africa from a present-day Mali to Angola. Early French colonial records for the western Sudan; a large swath of western Africa (from Senegal via Mali and Burkina Faso, to Niger and Chad) accounted for over 30% of population being slaves as late as in 1900. Even Liberia  founded for freed American slaves  accounted up to one quarter of its population as slaves or in a slavery-like conditions, as late as in 1960s!

[5] This of course creates a source of everlasting debates between advocates of historical determinism and those who portray human development as a working of historical contingency. Borrowed from evolutionary biologists, the Path dependence or Contigent path of history is a theory originally developed by economists to explain technology adoption process and industrial r/evolution of the West (allegedly) triggered by an incident or anomaly (biological, genetic, cosmic, geo-morphological, climatic, and then anthropo-cultural, socio-political, etc.).

[6] Even the US Founding Fathers were slaveholders (5 of the 7 principal ones: Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington).

[7] Eg. the British East India Company controlled Indian sub-continent with its private army of 350,000 soldiers  considerably more than the British monarchy had at its own disposal. It was only in 1858 that the UK Crown put India under its direct rule. Dutch took Indonesia from the VOC company after 200 years of its corporate rule over the largest world's archipelago.

[8] Explaining the notion of the Bantu Education Act of 1954, one of the chief architects of Apartheid the Dutch-born prof. dr. Hendrik Verwoerd, Prime Minister of South Africa, bluntly spelled out the following in his speech of that year: The Bantu must be guided to serve his own community in all respects (Bantustan). There is no place for him in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour  For that reason it is to no avail to him to receive a training which has as its aim absorption in the European community while he cannot and will not be absorbed there. (The State Archives, South Africa, National Library)

[9] Undoubtedly, (western) Europe owes its prosperity to extension of its commerce and colonial expansion. But let us take a closer look: The profitability of European colonial empires was often built on the destruction of independent polities and indigenous economies around the world, or on the creation of extractive institutions essentially from the ground up, as in the Caribbean islands, where following the almost total collapse of the native populations, Europeans imported African slaves and set up plantations systems.  We will never know the trajectories of independent city states such as those in the Banda Islands, in Aceh, or in Burma would have been without the European intervention. They may have had their own indigenous Glorious Revolution. But this possibility was removed by the expansion of the Dutch East India Company.  The British East India Company looted local wealth and took over, and perhaps intensified, the extractive taxation institutions of the Mughal rulers of India  coinciding with the massive contraction of Indian textile industry. The contraction went along with the de-urbanisation and increased poverty. It initiated a long period of reversed development in India. (Find the living parallel with a colossal de-industrialisation and de-population of Eastern Europe past its westernisation from 1989 on  op.aut.) Soon, instead of producing textiles, Indians were buying them from Britain and growing opium for the East India Company to sell in China.  The Atlantic slave trade repeated the same pattern in Africa. Many African states were turned into war machines intent on capturing and selling slaves to Europeans  noted Acemoglu and Robinson (Why Nations Fail, page 271-273).

[10] For more on the topic, see my complementary writings on the so-called binarization of foreign policy conduct.

[11] All until late XVIII century, the word 'Byzantium' was unknown beyond the old-Illyrian name for a small ancient Greek colony of Byzantion. The emperors from Constantinople everybody referred as the Romans. Even the famous codification of Roman law under Iustinianus (Corpus Iuris Civilis)  which lawyers celebrate as the origins of modern law and planetary legal systems  physically took place in Constantinople.
The outgoing Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has expressed gratitude to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the support he offered to him during his time as a minister.

He expressed his gratitude on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at his Palace at Manhyia to officially informed the King why he resigned as the sector minister.

The flagbearer hopeful for the governing New Patriotic Party NPP tendered his resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

During his visit to the Manhyia Palace, the Minister stated, "Let me use this opportunity to officially inform his majesty about my resignation as the Minister of Trade and Industry. I want to respectfully thank the King for his guidance and support that to a large extent shaped my work at the Ministry."

The delegation included the World Bank Country Director, Pierre Laporte, and Directors of the Ministry.

The visit was also to inform the King about the Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone project which he said will transform Ghana into an industrial hub and create jobs for the youth.

Alan Kyerematen resigned to ostensibly focus on his presidential ambition in accordance with the constitution of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In his speech to the nation on Tuesday, Alan said he has fashioned what he calls the Great Transformation Plan (GTP) as a solution to the fragile economy of Ghana.

He is hopeful this plan will deny Ghana the unpleasant opportunity of going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the eighteenth time and cushion the country against external forces like the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war that may arise in the future.
12.01.2023 LISTEN

Nigeria's Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy identified as Noble Uzuchi for impregnating 10 ladies.

The suspect was nabbed alongside his accomplice, Chigozie Ogbonna, a 29-year-old man.

According to the law enforcement authorities, the two suspects, and two other ladies, Favour Bright, 30; and Peace Alikoi, 40 were allegedly running a baby factory.

The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko said that the arrests were carried out following a tipoff.

In a statement, the police boss said that the four suspects operated in the Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of the state before their arrest.

She added that the 10 pregnant ladies had been rescued by officers after the raid and arrest of the suspects.

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, around 4.45 pm, while acting on credible intelligence available to the Rivers State Police Command, C4I Intelligence Unit operatives raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities respectively, where victims of child trafficking were being kept.

The victims rescued in the operation are 10, most of them pregnant, Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said in the statement.

She disclosed that investigations found that when a victim delivered her baby, the syndicate leader kept the child and paid her a sum of N500,000 and that some of the babies previously delivered in the houses had been sold.

All the victims confessed that they were lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges. A Honda Pilot Jeep, white, was recovered from the syndicate leader.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution of the suspects.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold to answer for their crimes.
12.01.2023 LISTEN

Mr Cletus Apaliyine Adongo, a Senior Nursing Officer (SNO) at the Sandema Hospital in Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region has advised nurses not to reduce the nursing profession to just assessment of vital signs and serving medicines to patients.

Mr Adongo urged nurses and midwives to concentrate on other critical aspects of nursing procedures that include bed bath, and hair and feet care and should be taken seriously, especially in caring for bedridden and unconscious patients on the wards.

He said even though vital signs, which comprised temperature checks, Blood Pressure, pulse, respiration, and weight, formed the basis for patient care, some nurses neglected other critical aspects of the profession.

If you observe, some of us have reduced the nursing profession to checking vital signs and serving medications . Mr Adongo, who is Head of the Emergency Unit of the Hospital said when he addressed the nurses at the maiden meeting of the Unit for 2023.

Let's bath our unconscious patients, let's care for their hair and feet. It is not a punishment to anybody, but it is the basic nursing that we were taught. So let's not wait for 10 am, 2pm to check vital signs and 10pm to serve medications, the SNO insisted.

Mr Adongo urged the nurses and midwives to perform the basic nursing procedures on patients and added that it was not only the medications that would help patients recover,

Imagine someone with a psychological problem, what will medication do? he stated

The meeting was intended to welcome the newly reshuffled staff of the hospital to the services Unit and to offer them opportunity to strategize on improving quality emergency care in spite numerous challenges the unit faced.

He entreated the nurses and midwives in the hospital, especially staff of the Emergency Unit to treat patients as they wished to be treated if they found themselves in the same situation, Let's treat our patients with care, compassion, competence, courage and communicate clearly with them..

The Office of the Deputy Director of Nursing Services (DDNS) in the facility, annually reshuffled staff within the facility to enable them to acquire experiences in the various Units which adds up to the quality of service delivery in the hospital.

Ms Zenabu Zimi, Acting DDNS of the hospital, admonished nurses, and midwives in the facility to endeavour to renew their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and Axillary Identification Numbers (AINs) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana for the year 2023.

She said those who practised with invalid PINs and AINs were doing that illegally and warned that they could be prosecuted for practicing with invalid PINs and AINs.

Ms Zimi emphasised the importance of appraisals and emphasised that staff appraisal documents were not meant to be filled for only promotion interviews alone. When staff are appraised, it helps us to identify weakness and the training needs of staff in a Unit.

It is also for research purposes. If problems are identified among staff within a Unit, it helps in the conduct of a study to improve on performance and service delivery. So let's not wait and fill appraisal forms during promotion interviews, she advised.

GNA
Further to our earlier story on the plight of Ghanaian workers at the Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited situated in the Tema Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, this portal can report authoritatively that the TUC Affiliate union that has been trying to champion the workers' concerns, for more than one year now, is the Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU).

The portal contacted the General Secretary of the GMWU, Mr. Abdul-Moomin Gbana, to find out from him, the unions position on the developing story and the extent to which they have tried to deal with the concerns of the workers at Sunon Asogli particularly regarding complaints or allegations of worker abuses and exploitation, as we reported in the earlier piece headlined; Enough of the abuse, exploitation  Workers of Sunon Asogli Power cry out! https://www.modernghana.com/news/1203854/enough-of-the-abuse-exploitation-workers-of.html

In response to the concerns of the workers of Sunon Asogli as revealed to us by our sources, Mr. Gbana confirmed to us that yes, many of the allegations bordering on bullying, victimization, intimidation, and threatening behaviours are real and indeed are being perpetrated against our members within the company. He cited instances where some employees were unfairly terminated without recourse to fair hearing and later paid some monies under the guise of a redundancy exercise just so that the company can look good or right before the law and in the eyes of the public.

He also said there were cases where some workers had been reprimanded for simply asking questions or speaking up on issues at the workplace. "These are simply abusive and condemnable," the GMWU Chief Scribe fumed. Meanwhile, apart from speaking with the GMWU General Secretary, we also caught up with some employees, including ex-employees, who volunteered to speak to us under strict conditions of anonymity, who also cited cases of labour right abuses, intimidation and victimization in the company.

The GMWU Chief Scribe, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, decried the companys posturing on the unionization of workers describing the companys actions as anti-union and unlawful and insisted that their members had every right to freely associate and collectively bargain in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and that nothing can stop them from enjoying these inalienable rights.

Mr. Gbana went further to catalogue the numerous times the Union had tried to engage the company with regard to the unionization of workers of Sunon Asogli and the frustration they have had to face and indeed, are still facing to date. He bemoaned the blatant disregard for upholding workers' rights, at the company, saying "it is sad. Some Ghanaian managers have joined forces with their foreign collaborators and abusing the rights of poor Ghanaian workers.

According to him, ever since the over 80 employees of Sunon Asogli joined the GMWU, it has been one challenge or the other all geared towards frustrating the process of unionization. In fact, sometimes we write letters to the company requesting meetings and they would simply not reply and in cases where they reply at all, meeting dates are postponed indefinitely. But we understand these games and avoidance strategies too well and would often keep our cool and cooperate with the laid down processes and procedures on unionization mandated by the Labour Department, Mr. Gbana stressed.

According to him, the frustration about unionization at Sunon Asogli, can also be attested to by officers of the Labour Department who were equally not spared in the grand scheme by the company to circumvent and frustrate the unionization of these workers. It is on record that, the Tema Municipal Labour Officer under the instruction of the Chief Labour Officer visited the premises of Sunon Asogli several times to conduct a simple verification exercise required by law and as a condition precedent for the issuance of a Collective Bargaining Certificate, but Sunon Asogli would simply not cooperate with the Labour Department.

According to Mr. Gbana, after several visits to the company without any cooperation, the Labour Department was convinced that the company was deliberately resisting the unionization process and therefore determined to deny and frustrate the free expression of the workers rights at the workplace. Having satisfied itself and determined to promote and protect the rights of workers, the Labour Department issued a Collective Bargaining Certificate to the GMWU.

The decision of the Labour Department was consequently upheld by the National Labour Commission reinforcing the right of the workers to form and join a union of their choice. The Commission also affirmed the work of the Labour Department leading to the issuance of the Collective Bargaining Certificate as lawful and therefore appropriate. Indeed, in the Commissions rulings, it clearly cited among other things, the anti-union posturing of Sunon Asogli and its deliberate ploy to frustrate the unionization process and deny the workers the free expression of their rights to association and collective bargaining.

Mr. Gbana said it was shocking that even after the National Labour Commission has communicated its decision on the same matter in two different instances both reinforcing each other, Sunon Asogli Power is acting intransigent and still in self-denial of the current reality viz; that the workers of Sunon Asogli like every worker in Ghana have the right to form or join a union of their choice and they have overwhelmingly chosen to do so, that the Labour Department promotes and safeguards the rights of Ghanaian workers and it has done exactly so, and last but not the least, the National Labour Commission promotes and protects the free expression of workers rights and the Commission has equally done exactly so in all rulings.

On the way forward, Mr. Gbana stated that the GMWU believes in constructive dialogue and so at this stage, the GMWU expects Sunon Asogli which is a multinational corporation with full knowledge of workers rights both nationally and internationally to eat a humble pie by recognizing and respecting the rights of these workers to freely associate and collectively bargain. We are currently taking steps to constitute the Standing Negotiating Committee in accordance with the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) in order to secure and protect the interests of our members."

Sunon Asogli Thermal Power Station, also Asogli Thermal Power Station, is a 560 MW (750,000 hp) natural gas-fired thermal power station in Ghana. The power station is privately owned by Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited. The power plant was the first privately-owned electricity generation installation in the history of Ghana. It is in the Kpone neighbourhood of the port city of Tema.
Member of Parliament for Wa West Constituency in the Upper West Region, Mr Peter Lachene Toobu, has cast doubt on the resigned Minister for Trade and Industry's decision to build his Great Transformation Plan (GTP) for the take-off of the country's development on the foundation laid by President Nana Addo Dankawa Akufo-Addo.

He said it is not feasible for Alan to build his GTP on President Akufo-Addos foundation.

According to him, the foundation laid by the president cannot even build a lotto kiosk.

He said the president's foundation is wobbly and cannot hold anything.

Nana Addos foundation cannot contain a kiosk let alone contain a superstructure like the GTP, he stated.

The MP who is a member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament also said Mr Alan Kyerematens decision to build a superstructure on the economic foundations of the president is not well thought through.

The MP made these comments reacting to Mr Kyeremantens press conference after resigning from his Trade & Industry ministerial post to pursue his ambition of becoming the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) going into the 2024 general elections.

Mr Peter Lachene Toobu was speaking in an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odehyeeba Kofo Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

He said Nana Addos foundation is nothing to write home about, adding that no right-thinking person would be proud of said foundation.

He opined that Alan cannot build a vision on such emptiness.

He added that the presidents so-called foundation is hollow and argued that if this is what Alan intends to build his GTP vision on then the vision itself is empty.

Using Nana Addos foundation for the implementation of [his] GTP is clear that Alan is bereft of ideas after serving in the president's cabinet for six years, he stressed.

Is Alan proud of the 140 per cent of debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

Is he proud of the fast depreciation of the cedi as well as an economy that has been downgraded by all the credit rating organisations? he queried.

Meanwhile, one of the spokespersons for Mr Alan Kyerematen, Mr Daniel Dugan thinks otherwise.

According to him, the president's foundation is solid for Alan to lay on his GTP vision blocks.

He said the Gold for Oil policy is part of the foundation the GTP vision will be laid on.

Source: Classfmonline.com
The Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana (MMAAG) is calling for the Government to revise the daily threshold of Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) from GHS100 to GHS500.

It also called for a further reduction of the rate charged on daily transactions exceeding GHS100 from one per cent to 0.5 per cent, while addressing the loopholes in the tax handle to stimulate tax compliance and revenue target actualisation.

The call comes as the Government implements the new one per cent rate, effective Wednesday, January 11, 2023, a 0.5 downward percentage revision from the previous 1.5 per cent rate.

A study by the Centre for Economics, Finance, and Inequality Studies (CEFIS), has shown that a reduction of the rate to 0.5 per cent could increase revenue from the levy to GHS3.2 billion in 2023, which is higher than the Government's projected GHS2.6 billion for the same period.

The figure is expected to increase to GHS3.6 billion in 2024 and reach GHS4bn by 2025, which are equally higher than the Government's expected revenue of GHS3bn and GHS3.4bn for 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The Centre noted that a 0.5 tax rate on E-ley would increase tax compliance hence, more transactions through MoMo  the major source of electronic transactions particularly among the poor and the number one driver of financial inclusion in Ghana.

When the Ghana News Agency, spoke to Mr Evans Otumfuo, the General Secretary of MMAAG, he described the reduction of the rate from the 1.5 per cent to one per cent, as welcoming.

Mr Otumfuo, however, said there was the need for a further reduction because the 1.5 per cent rate had put pressure on the MoMo industry and negatively affected their operations and that of other businesses.

He said: The rate should come down and when that's done, people who may think of alternatives will see the rate as insignificant and they'll gladly accept to pay, so we're calling for a rate for the levy to be between 0.1 to 0.5 per cent.

He added, If you walk to the bank, you're at liberty to transact GHS20,000 daily without any E-levy applied to you, but if you come the MoMo platform, it's only GHS100. So, the threshold for MoMo should be extended to GHS500.

Consumers are sensitive to prices such that so when prices are lower, consumption will be higher, so, with the data that will come from the volumes of transactions, we expect that going into the mid-year budget review or the 2024 budget preparation, there should be a further reduction in the rate. Mr Otumfuo, said.

The Government's hope of raking in about GHS6.9 billion in taxes from the E-levy failed in 2022, leading to several revisions in the revenue projections with the recent one being GHS594 million for quarter four of 2022 per data in the 2023 budget.

Data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) also showed that revenue from the E-levy between May and September 2022, was GHS328m  which was some 10 to 15 per cent month-on-month improvement in the collection of the tax.

Mr Otumfuo was hopeful that the one per cent rate would make traders and individuals who did larger volumes of transactions made some business sense to use MoMo as the major platform for their payment of goods and services to shore up revenue.

To boost the interest of Ghanaians to use MoMo the more, he called for capping on huge sums of daily transactions and said: The Government can cap transactions and say any amount above GHS5,000, you're to pay a GHS50 or GHS100.

With this capping, it will provide a conducive environment for the MoMo to strive further, the General Secretary of Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana, told GNA.

Some MoMo vendors, traders and individual users of MoMo, who spoke to GNA said the reduction would have positive effects on their daily lives.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has assured that the systems of telco operators had been reconfigured to make the new rate of one per cent after a daily transaction of GHS100 threshold was applied effectively.

GNA
Mr Alan Kyerematen, the outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry, says the Government will introduce a Vehicle Financing Scheme to make it possible for ordinary Ghanaians to purchase newly-produced vehicles in Ghana.

The Minister said access to market was an important requirement for the survival of Ghana's budding automotive industry, adding that the Financing Scheme would help to increase market volumes for local manufacturers.

Mr Kyerematen said this when he inaugurated a newly-constituted Ghana Automotive Industry Development Council, charged with the mandate to regulate the country's automotive industry.

Members of the Council, numbering 35, were drawn from various government and private institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Standards Authority, Automobile Dealers Union of Ghana, Automobile Department, Accra Technical University, Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, and the Ghana National Association of Garages.

Mr Kyerematen said the Government was serious about its determination to make Ghana an automobile manufacturing hub in West Africa, and charged the Council to lead the design and implementation of strategic policies to achieve that goal.

This industry thrives on the existence of a Vehicle Financing Scheme. All over the world, people do not buy cars with cash as they do in Ghana; it is through vehicle financing  and that is how come they generate the volumes.

We are going to put in place a very comprehensive vehicle financing scheme that will ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian, public servant, and private individuals using this vehicle financing schemes can afford to buy made-in-Ghana vehicles, Mr Kyerematen said.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry in 2020 launched the Ghana Automotive Development Policy to guide the development of a vibrant automotive industry in Ghana.

Since 2020, nine auto assembly companies producing various models of their brands, including Volkswagen Group, Yoyota, and Nissan, have all established assembling plants in the country.

Mr Kyerematen said the Automotive Council would among others develop an effective economic consultation structure to effectively address any issues related to Automotive Assembly activities and to provide input into any policy review exercise.

He said the Government invested $8m into the development of the Ghana Automotive Development Centre, which would serve as the Secretariat for the Council to coordinate its operations.

Mr Kyerematen said the Centre would also host a Training and Skills Development Centre, Policy Support Team, Brand Promotion Unit, among other supporting offices.

It is also going to host the Customs Facilitation Unit so that we can provide a special window for customs facilitation for the assemblers and other stakeholders, he said.

Mr Jeffery Oppong Peprah, President, Automotive Assemblers Association of Ghana (AAAG), said since 2020 up to date, the Association had seen the total local production of vehicles of 4,700 plus, amounting to 9.7 per cent of the country's new car market rate.

He described the development as a great start and expressed hope that a full implementation of the Automotive Policy and the introduction of an auto financing scheme would grow the new locally assembled car market by about 60 per cent by 2027.

Mr Clement Boateng, Co-Chair, Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, appealed to the Government to support the establishment of a factory to manufacture component parts to boost the automotive industry.

GNA
Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Ghanas Parliament, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has come to the aid of the eight dismissed students of the Chiana SHS.

In a viral video in 2022, the said students displayed some level of disrespect, insulting the President over the high prices of gari and other items in the country.

The Ghana Education Service (GES), on Wednesday, January 11, released a statement to dismiss the students on grounds of insults to the President.

"This is in view of her involvement in misconducting herself by making derogatory comments in a video that went viral, a conduct considered very undesirable and contrary to the acceptable standards of conduct generally required of any student in our educational system in Ghana.

"It is expected that your ward will use this as a major turning point in her life to bring the desired change in her behaviour and attitude towards life," GES notice to parents of the 8 affected female students read.

Following this, the parents and the students have been on their knees, calling on the President to forgive them and allow them write their final exams.

Coming to their aid, the Builsa South legislator begged President Akufo-Addo to forgive them, just as he pardoned the 14 students who misconducted themselves during the 2020 WASSCE and were barred from writing their remaining papers.

"Mr. President, like you did in the case of 14 students who misconducted themselves similarly in 2020 and were dismissed by GES, please forgive these girls too. You said, "Everyone deserves a second chance in life". Give these erring girls a second chance," he pleaded.
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has kicked against the dismissal of eight (8) Chiana SHS students who insulted President Akufo-Addo.

In a viral video in 2022, the said students displayed some level of disrespect, insulting the President over the high prices of gari and other items in the country.

The Ghana Education Service (GES), on Wednesday, January 11, released a statement to dismiss the students on grounds of misconduct.

"This is in view of her involvement in misconducting herself by making derogatory comments in a video that went viral, a conduct considered very undesirable and contrary to the acceptable standards of conduct generally required of any student in our educational system in Ghana.

"It is expected that your ward will use this as a major turning point in her life to bring the desired change in her behaviour and attitude towards life," GES notice to parents of the 8 affected female students read.

Following this, the parents and the students have been on their knees, calling on the President to forgive them and allow them write their final exams.

In reaction, Mr. Braimah described the decision as senseless calling on the President to intervene and give the children another chance.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, January 12, the MFWA boss acknowledged that the students behaviour was wayward but dismissal is not the best way out.

He proposed that the parents and the Ghana Education Service counsel them and guide them to be responsible

Dear President Akufo-Addo, I urge you to ask the GES to immediately reverse that senseless decision to end the education of the 8 Chiana SHS girls who used abusive words against you, he stated.

He, however noted that the girls' action is condemnable not only because you are the President, but also because you are old enough to be their grandfather. I doubt they can abuse their own parents that way.

And their conduct should have their parents thinking deeply about their failures as parents. But truncating their education, cannot be an option as punishment.

He continued, What the kids need is reforms, not destruction and there certainly could be a reformative punishment rather than this destructive punishment.

If the punishment was meant to please you, just let the DG of GES know you cannot be pleased by a punishment that destroys rather than reform the lives of young students whose misconduct may have been motivated by youthful exuberance. Mr. President, just let GES reverse the decision immediately.
Ethiopia needs to do more to restore full humanitarian access in the Tigray region, where millions still need assistance despite progress on a peace agreement, a US official said Thursday.

Tigrayan rebels announced Wednesday that they had started to hand in heavy weapons, a key part of a November 2 deal that has largely halted a brutal two-year war in which the region was largely cut off.

A senior US official said there has been "incremental but significant progress," but that only 1.5 million people have been reached out of an estimated 5.2 million who need international assistance.

"There are still significant challenges. There are still bureaucratic delays," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"It just doesn't approximate the unhindered humanitarian access that we need."

Flights into Tigray resumed in late December after an 18-month halt. But the US official said there needed to be more progress on restoring commercial links, including banking services and fuel deliveries.

The United States has also pressed for a pullout of forces from neighboring Eritrea, who have been accused of abuses after intervening in Tigray in partnership with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The French and German foreign ministers on Thursday jointly visited Ethiopia in a show of support for the peace deal.

The conflict, which according to US assessments involved ethnic cleansing, broke out in late 2020 as the Tigray People's Liberation Front, formerly dominant in Ethiopian politics, struck federal military sites.
Africa Education Watch has defended the decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES), to dismiss some eight students of Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.

The eight female students were dismissed for making derogatory comments against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a viral video.

Following their misconduct, the Management of the GES at the national level, in a statement, condemned the act and apologised to the President on behalf of the students, school and members of the public.

However, after extensive investigations into the conduct of the students, the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah in a letter dated November 29, 2022, directed the dismissal of all eight students from the school.

The decision has sparked various discussions on social media with some describing the decision as harsh.

Speaking on the Citi Prime News on Thursday, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, said the decision by the GES was justified and necessary to maintain discipline in various senior high schools across the country.

Teachers and school managers who have the responsibility of running Basic schools must run them effectively and deliver to generate a quality outcome and so when such rules are broken by students, the sanctions must apply so that we dont create a situation that our schools become a den of indiscipline.

And so I have no reason not to support the decision to sanction the students for participating in that despicable act of misconduct. I think that we shouldnt encourage that behaviour at all in our schools.

-citinewsroom
Father of one of the dismissed students of Chiana SHS following a 2022 viral video in which they were lambasting the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo said it was a joke and unintentional.

The father, whose name has been placed on ice, said his ward told him they were just doing it with no intention to broadcast it.

He said in an interview on Accra-based TV3s Mid-Day News that his daughter, who is traumatised after the dismissal notice from GES, said the scene was secretly filmed by one of their colleagues.

On why the children could think of such behaviour, he said it was a result of youthful exuberance.

She is at home, she is traumatized. When the incident occurred and we spoke to our daughter she said they were only joking.

The intent was not to throw it out there into the media, they didnt know one of them was secretly recording, she recorded and unfortunately the video leaked, he explained.

He added, You could see from their reaction that they themselves were shocked that it leaked.

He stressed, They were joking, youthful exuberance or something but unfortunately on their part one of them recorded and leaked.

The Ghana Education Service (GES), on Wednesday, January 11, released a statement to dismiss the eight students on grounds of misconduct.

"This is in view of her involvement in misconducting herself by making derogatory comments in a video that went viral, a conduct considered very undesirable and contrary to the acceptable standards of conduct generally required of any student in our educational system in Ghana.

"It is expected that your ward will use this as a major turning point in her life to bring the desired change in her behaviour and attitude towards life," GES notice to parents of the 8 affected female students read.

Following this, the parents and the students have been on their knees, calling on the President to forgive them and allow them write their final exams.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama

12.01.2023 LISTEN

Former President, John Dramani Mahama has reacted to the cries of individual bondholders demanding to be excluded from the governments Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

In a short post on his social media, the leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused government of lying to individual bondholders and turning around to force a haircut on their investment.

Insisting that government has plunged individual bondholders into poverty with the Debt Exchange Programme, John Dramani Mahama argues that the action by government is outrageous.

Outrageous! Gov't lies to individual bondholders; forces a haircut, and plunging more people into poverty! An absolute failure in managing our economy, the former President said in a post on Twitter.

Government through Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in December 2022 announced a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

Under the programme, bondholders are to submit to a voluntary arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.

This arrangement irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.

Tied to the issue is a mandatory deadline that compels holders to either accept the governments offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called Thursday on ordinary people to help flush out members of the Al-Shabaab jihadist group he described as "bedbugs".

Mohamud was addressing large crowds at a government-organised rally against the Al-Qaeda-linked militants held at a stadium in the capital Mogadishu under tight security.

"I'm calling to you, the people of Mogadishu, the kharijites (renegades) are amongst you... so flush them out. They are in your houses, they are your neighbours, in cars that pass you by," he said.

"I want us to commit today to flushing them out, they are like bedbugs under our clothes," he added, as demonstrators waved flags and placards with anti-Al-Shabaab messages.

Al-Shabaab has been waging a bloody insurgency against the frail internationally-backed central government for 15 years, carrying out attacks both in Somalia and neighbouring countries which sent troops to help in the fight against the militants.

"The people are tired of massacres, killings, and all kinds of misdeeds and they are now saying to Al-Shabaab: 'Enough is enough'," Mohamud said.

The government had organised the rally against Al-Shabaab. By Hassan Ali Elmi (AFP)

The president declared "all-out" war against Islamist fighters shortly after he came to office in May last year.

In recent months, the army and local clan militias have retaken swathes of territory in the centre of the country in an operation backed by US air strikes and an African Union force.

But the insurgents have frequently retaliated with bloody attacks, underlining their ability to strike at the heart of Somali towns and military installations despite the offensive.

Although forced out of Mogadishu and other main urban centres more than a decade ago, Al-Shabaab remains entrenched in parts of rural central and southern Somalia.
The Reverend Stephen Wengam, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, (AG) Ghana, has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for steering affairs of the State successfully during difficult moments such as during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges.

He also lauded the President for his bold initiatives, including the Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs and the National Cathedral project.

Rev Wengam gave the commendation when he led some officers and members of the Executive Presbytery of the Church to call on the President.

Rev. Stephen Wengam and his team were at the Presidency to introduce the new leadership team of Assemblies of God, Ghana to the President.

It was also to deepen church-state relationship and to discuss matters of national development.

Rev. Wengam briefed the President on the global and national impact of AG, Ghana, touting the global membership of the Church, which is 70 million, as the largest pentecostal denomination in the world.

He said in Ghana, AG had a membership of 600,000 in 6,000 churches being handled by 3,800 pastors.

Rev. Wengam told the President that members of AG were in every area of Ghana's national life with a number of them in Government.

He said the Church had also contributed significantly to the socio-economic life of Ghana, especially health and education by building hospitals and schools.

The President congratulated the General Superintendent and his team and thanked them for the encouragement.

He requested more prayers for the nation.

GNA
France and Germany's foreign ministers said Thursday said there can be no reconciliation without justice as they visited Ethiopia to lend their support to a peace deal signed last year to end two years of brutal war.

The trip by France's Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock of Germany began a day after Tigrayan rebels announced they were starting to surrender their heavy weapons, a key component of the November 2 agreement to silence the guns in the north of Africa's second most populous country.

Colonna said she welcomed "good progress which we encourage to continue" in the peace process between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

"Hostilities have ceased, aid has been able to reach the regions which had not received it... a return of arms (by rebels) has begun," she said at a press briefing with Baerbock.

But the ministers urged the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism to punish abuses committed during the conflict.

Map of Ethiopia locating Tigray region.. By Aude GENET (AFP/File)

"We, Germans and French, know from our own experience that reconciliation does not happen overnight. But without the prospect of justice for the victims of crimes, reconciliation and lasting peace are not possible," said Baerbock.

"The question of accountability is important for us with a view to Ethiopia's future and peace process, but also towards strengthening international law," she said following talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen told the press conference that Addis Ababa would ensure crimes do not go unpunished.

He said Ethiopia had asked the UN human rights office and Ethiopia's own rights commission to deploy monitors in war-affected areas.

'Manipulative loans'

The devastating conflict that erupted in November 2020 has killed untold numbers of civilians, displaced more than two million and left millions more in need of humanitarian aid.

Since the peace agreement was signed in the South African capital Pretoria, there has been a limited resumption of aid deliveries to Tigray, which has long faced dire shortages of food, fuel, cash and medicines.

Germany and France's foreign ministers have hailed progress in implementing Ethiopia's peace agreement. By Amanuel Sileshi (AFP)

Basic services such as communications, banking and electricity are slowly being restored to the stricken region of six million people, which was cut off from the outside world for much of the war.

In Washington, a senior US official said there has been "incremental but significant progress" in restoring humanitarian access to Tigray, but that only 1.5 million people have been reached out of an estimated 5.2 million in need.

Asked why the ministers left Tigray off their itinerary, Baerbock left the door open to a visit in the future.

"This is for us the beginning of a reengagement, and that also means visiting other places in the future -- including places where the question of accountability plays such a big role," she said.

While the TPLF announced it has begun disarming, local residents and aid workers say the Eritrean army and forces from the neighbouring region of Amhara remain in parts of Tigray and accuse them of murder, rape and looting.

Under the deal, the disarmament should take place "concurrently" with the withdrawal of foreign forces that are not part of the Ethiopian national army.

The Horn of Africa, and Ethiopia in particular, are among the EU's priorities as Beijing seeks to boost its influence in the region -- as illustrated by China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang's visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week.

Qin, who was appointed in December, is on a week-long tour of Africa, with Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt also on the itinerary.

In Ethiopia on Wednesday, he said: "Africa should be a platform for international cooperation, not an arena for competition between major countries."

While not naming China, Baerbock issued a veiled warning over Beijing's overtures.

"We want to cooperate fairly, transparently with clear rules, with fair rules in our mutual interest without manipulative loans," she said.

Beijing has been accused of leaving developing nations heavily indebted with loans it offered for infrastructure development.

"Because other countries want Africa as a raw material supplier market. Europe wants Africa to be a good neighbour and friend," said Baerbock.

"As they try to free themselves from old dependencies on authoritarian regimes, we will stand by their side."
The government has announced that it has signed an agreement with Labour Unions for the 30% increment of the Base Pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure for 2023.

This comes after Organized Labour demanded a 60% increment in base pay on the single spine salary structure due to harsh economic conditions.

The agreement has been signed between the government represented by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), and Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Organized Labour comprising workers' Unions Associations, and Institutions within the Public Services of Ghana.

In a press release issued on Thursday, January 12, it said, The Base Pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) has been increased by 30% across board for the year 2023 at the existing pay point relativity of 1.7 per cent.

The terms of the agreement stipulate that the effective date for the implementation of the 2023 base pay shall be 1st January 2023.

The release announcing the 30% increment on the Base Pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure has the signatures of Employment Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah as well as the Secretary General of the Trade Unions Congress, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah.

The increment also brings an end to the 15% Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA).

Below is a copy of the release:
Two persons who allegedly orchestrated the stealing of GHC900,000 at Maamobi in Accra have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

George Ayitey Mensah, a 32-year-old Okada Rider and Hakeem Seini, a 27-year-old Businessman have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit robbery and robbery.

The accused persons have denied the charges.

Defence counsels for the accused persons prayed for bail pending trial and claimed their clients were victims of the robbery incident.

But the police said the two accused persons allegedly orchestrated the robbery incident.

The prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police Augustus Yirenkyi opposed to the grant of bail saying the matter was under investigations and that the Police were on the man hunt for other accomplices.

The court presided over Samuel Bright Acquah remanded them into Police custody for investigations to be conducted, especially on the three other accused persons on the run.

The matter has been adjourned to January 19.

The prosecution said on January 3, 2023, at about 1400 hours, the Nima Divisional Patrol team during their usual patrol duties within the Nima community met a group of people on the Mallam Addo Mosque Road and was informed about a robbery incident that had occurred.

The prosecution said the team then moved to the main Nima -Maamobi Highway where the victims were identified as George Ayitey Mensah and Hakeem Seini.

It said Hakeem Seini had indicated that he was transporting an amount of GHC900,000 from Rawlings Circle, Accra to Maamobi and had contracted George Ayitey Mensah, an Okada Rider to convey him together with the money to the destination.

The prosecution said the accused persons had alleged that two young men on unregistered motorbike wearing full face helmet and all armed with pistols crossed them on Mallam Addo Mosque Road, fired some shots and robbed them of the said amount.

It said Hakeem Seini claimed ownership of the money involved.

The prosecution told the court that it, however, turned out that Hakeem Seini was not the lawful owner.

The prosecution said George Ayitey Mensah, the Okada Rider, was captured in a CCTV footage signaling the robbers to cross him a few meters to the scene of the crime.

Additionally, the prosecution said: There is a very high suspicion that the two (accused persons) and the robbers, now at large, conspired to commit the crime.

It said the matter was under investigation.

GNA
A Businessman who allegedly collected GHC385,000 from his colleague under the pretext of securing him with a parcel of land at Cantonment but failed has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

According to the Police, checks at the Lands Commission indicated that the land belonged to the State.

Daniel Tortor Torgbor, charged with defrauding by false pretences, has pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah has remanded Torgbor into Police custody to reappear on January 16.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Agatha A. Asantewaa said Robert Adum Yeboah, the complainant, was a businessman and an Estate Developer based in Accra.

The prosecution said Torgbor was also a businessman and an Estate developer residing in Accra.

It said in 2016, Mr Yeboah was approached by one George Abu Kandala and Issah Boti, both Estate Agents, who informed him that there was a parcel of land at Cantonment for sale.

The prosecution said the complainant expressed interest and was introduced to the accused persons as the owner of the said piece of land.

It said the complainant subsequently negotiated with the accused and they agreed on $700,000 for the acre of land.

The prosecution said Torgbor demanded and collected GHC385,000 equivalent $100,000 to enable him prepare documents covering the land but he failed.

It said checks at the Lands Commission by the complainant indicated that the said land was for the State and not for the accused person.

The prosecution told the court that the accused person had promised to replace the land for the complainant.

It said the accused person took the complainant to Sakumono Ramsey Site, but he could not provide documents on the said land at Sakumono.

According to the prosecution, Torgbor had taken the complainant to three different locations in Accra but to no avail and had failed to refund the money.

GNA
Fire firefighters are battling a raging fire that has gutted a compound house at Fante New Town in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Residents and other passers-by managed to bring out some tenants initially trapped in the building. This included an elderly woman.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and no one sustained an injury in the incident.

Close to 20 tenants have been displaced and properties destroyed as the fire swept through the building.

Firefighters had a hectic time containing the fire which started at about 4:00pm on Thursday.

About five fire engines were deployed to the scene as residents assisted the firefighters to contain the fire.

The Assembly Member of the Fante New Town Electoral area spoke to Citi News on possible intervention.

The problem now is the properties that have been destroyed. But we have called the Regional NADMO office, so we will be meeting the affected families for a discussion, so we see how best to help me, he said.
Personally, I will support any reasonable measures that will government implement to revive the ailing economy but certainly not ripping off the already suffering and vulnerable Ghanaian citizens of their sources of livelihood. The worse of it is the Impunity with which the finance ministry is arbitrarily exchanging the bonds.

On 6th December, my uncle called me and with a teary voice, he informed me that his bond which matures in February and which is the only hope of financing our education is being exchanged by the government. He cannot access his finds, not even the principal. If you accept this debt exchange program, you can only access your funds in 10 to 15 years time with lesser interest. These are not bonds held by institutions - they are bonds acquired by individuals from they little savings. On hearing this, I was suddenly numbed because our dreams and aspirations are at the verge of being enervated.

Four years ago, I had the opportunity to advice my uncle on investment portfolio. Without a second thought, I suggested Government of Ghana (GoG) bonds because there was a certain level of trust. Now, I am tempted to think that investing in a GoG bonds is another form of Menzgold, NDK and other forms of Ponzi schemes that plagued us in the recent past.

My uncle is a pensioner who retired from active service some 6 years ago. In a conversation with him, my uncle decided to invest his several years of savings and his Pension benefits in securities. To my mind, the Government's bonds were the safest so my candid advice at the time was that, due to the turbulent nature of the Ghanaian financial market and the mistrust created by many Ponzi schemes which invaded the market, let us acquire Government bonds. He agreed with me but we were both wrong.

My uncle acquired a government bond with his entire pension benefit and his long-held savings. It was to run for four years. As a pensioner, my uncle's only financial hope and source of income is his investment in bonds.

In addition to sponsoring my education, his two children gained admission to pursue degree medicine and master in law programs in one of the universities outside the country this year. His last son is a special child and needs special care. The only hope for my cousins' education and our family's survival is the GoG bond which actually matures in February, this year. Now, government is telling us that the only source of our livelihood is being exchanged for a new one and will only be paid starting from 2027 to 2038.

Does the government think of the aspirations and the living conditions of the citizenry? Is impoverishing the individual Ghanaian citizen who out of his or her hard-earned income, decided to invest in GoG bonds, the best way to solve the economy's problems?

I will not be shocked if we wake up tomorrow and Ken has decided to include Treasury bills too. This is because, in the schedule 3 to the term sheet, the heading reads as follows: "The following tables set forth the series of Eligible Bonds subject to the Invitation to Exchange (collectively, the "Eligible Bonds"). Treasury bills issued by the Republic and certain non-marketable securities issued by the Republic are not subject to this Invitation to Exchange. Such treasury bills and non-marketable securities may, however, be the subject of other exchanges and purchases by the Government of Ghana from time to time". Ghanaian must speak up.

Since the government cited IMF's program as the reason for the debt exchange structure, I decided to get IMF's position on the subject. According to IMF, protecting the vulnerable is a core objective of IMF programs. In general, IMF-supported programs seek to boost social spending to improve socioeconomic outcomes and help promote inclusive growth. They welcome policies that will ensure the sustainability of public finances, including the planned fiscal adjustment and medium-term policies to lay the foundation for strong and inclusive growth while protecting the vulnerable.

IMF is consistent with the protection of the vulnerable. Why then will the Government want to unilaterally rip off the vulnerable of their funds and livelihood, all in the name of getting into the IMF program?

Government must certainly come again. The lives of the governed also matter.

Nene.

Email: [email protected]
Adriatic Metals returns positive results from latest assays across nine holes in the Rupice Northwest region for its overall Vares polymetallic project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Adriatic Metals Identifies Massive Sulphide Mineralisation for Vares Project

Precious and base metals developer, Adriatic Metals PLC [ASX:ADT] is known for its advancement on world-class Vares Silver Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Raska Zinc-Silver Project in Serbia.

Today, it provided an update on the latest in exploration drilling at the Vares project, with its Rupice Northwest region continuing to present with solid, high-grade mineralisation of massive sulphide found in nine new exploration drill holes.

This is in addition to the 12 reported on in 2022, with the remaining planned seven holes yet to be reported on.

Adriatics share price rose 28% in the year 2022 and is up 3% so far in the new year.

Source: TradingView

Adriatic shares newest drilling highlights for Rupice

Today, Adriatic has revealed that it has completed its sulphide 3D modelling of Rupice and Rupice Northwest, relogging its assays from samples taken previously from the core of the Rupice region in 2022.

Further opportunities have surfaced, suggesting that there may be options to expand the existing up-dip and down-dip areas, as well as moving to the southeast area of the site.

With this in mind, there will be an overhaul of extensive drill tests in newly identified areas, kickstarting the expansion program for 2023.

Yet the main focus for Adriatics update was on the exploration drilling it recently completing at Rupice Northwest, which it says continues to intercept thick, high-grade massive sulphide mineralisation up-dip, down-dip and down-plunge from previously reported intersections.

It gets better, as the miner reported its drilling campaign in the Northwest region has revealed new bodies of significant mineralisation nearby to existing mineral resources already identified.

Adriatic continues its 2022 drilling campaign by bringing its pre-identified goals into 2023 and hopes to create full definition of its newly discovered mineralisation by connecting the Rupice Northwest and the main Rupice resource sites.

The resource miner has now assayed nine exploration drill holes, which add to the 12 already assayed and presented in 2022, and which leaves another seven of the total 28 holes flagged in 2022.

Adriatic says that its geologists continue to experience a high success rate in predicting mineralisation occurrence within five metres of their interpretation zones.

Adriatics Managing Director and CEO Paul Cronin commented:

I am delighted at the drilling success at Rupice NW which demonstrates that the mineralised system continues to expand and remains open along strike, up and down-dip. The ongoing success of the Rupice NW drilling campaign affirms Adriatics growth strategy to achieve at least a 20 year mine life at Rupice. The sheer size of Rupice NW has meant that further drilling will be required to define the mineralized system. Drilling will therefore continue into 2023, to attempt to close-out mineralisation and connect Rupice NW to Rupice. A maiden resource for Rupice NW will be released once existing areas of defined mineralisation are closed-off and the scale of the mineralised system within Adriatics tenement holdings has been fully realised.

Source: ADT

Incoming! A commodity boom approaches

Speaking of drilling, assays and accelerating plans for 2023, our resources expert and on-the-ground experienced geologist, James Cooper, thinks the Australian resources sector is set to enter a new commodities boom brought on by the Age of Scarcity.

James is convinced the gears are in motion for another multi-year boom in commodities.

A boom where Australia (and ASX stocks) stands to benefit

The next big mining boom is predicted to happen in the next few years.

You can access a recent report by James on exactly that topic, AND access an exclusive video on his personalised attack plan right here.

If that isnt enough to sate your curiosity, check out the recent interview with James and Greg for Ausbiz at the end of last year.

Regards,

Mahlia Stewart,

For The Daily Reckoning Australia
In todays Money Morning, lithium is looking likely to deliver yet another solid year for investors in 2023how underinvestment and an underappreciation of the key commodity could continue to push up priceswhy critical minerals are still attracting plenty of attention and capitaland how Aussie investors should prepare for the next mining boom

Yesterday, Selva told you all about why lithium could remain a hot commodity in 2023.

If you missed her article, Id urge you to check it out for yourself. You can access it right here.

Because, in my view, I also share Selvas outlook. Despite the concerns and critics, it is hard to envision a market that is not bullish for lithium and other critical battery metals right now.

The fact of the matter is that the energy transition is not slowing down, even if the global economy might be. I wouldnt even be surprised if a slowdown hit supply harder than demand. After all, weve seen hefty underinvestment in new projects for a lot of commodities recently.

When it comes to lithium, this struggle to actually get the stuff out of the ground is very apparent when you look at global production. Take this chart, for instance:



Source: World Economic Forum / US Geological Survey [Click to open in a new window]

This shows the discrepancy between how much lithium each nation is known to have (orange) and how much it actually produces (blue). As you can see, Australia is the top dog when it comes to output, producing just over half of the worlds total lithium supply.

But despite our strong efforts, the real lithium output will need to eventually come from South America. The challenge for nations like Bolivia and Argentina, though, is getting mining operations up and running because that requires large sums of upfront capital.

And thats where some keen investors could tip the scales

Big money goes big on critical minerals

The only way South American lithium is going to reach the market is via outside investment. And as the demand for these critical minerals grows, expect these investments to come in thick and fast.

Just overnight, for example, weve learned that Saudi Arabia is putting together a new mining fund for critical minerals. Overseen by State-owned mining firm Maaden, the Kingdom is set to pledge US$15 billion to overseas assets over the next few years.

Would they really take a chance on something as risky as Bolivian or Argentinian lithium projects, though?

Maybe not immediately, but according to the Financial Times, the fund has already been in talks with Brazilian miner Vale. They report that the Saudis are keen to gain a foothold in nickel, copper, and cobalt assets.

So, I certainly wouldnt rule out the possibility of lithium investments down the road. And theyre not the only nation showing keen interest in offshore assets.

India is also apparently exploring options for investment in copper and lithium projects to secure access to the minerals for itself as well. And they have already been directly linked with interest in Argentina for some long-term leases, according to reports from Mining.com:

A team of experts has already studied the technical aspects of the one copper and two lithium mines in Argentina by visiting the sites, said one of the sources. Now, we will start the commercial assessment, and that will take about a couple of months. The effort is part of Indias wider push to secure critical metals and minerals from top world producers, the sources said.

This is hardly surprising given the rapid growth trajectory of India itself. They are quickly and somewhat quietly becoming the next major economic superpower  just like China was back in the late 90s and early 00s.

And it seems they realise that just like Chinas path to ascension, raw materials are going to be vital to achieving long-term growth  a fact that Aussie investors will know all too well and should be prepared to take advantage of.

A scarce future

All of this inherently ties into the bigger idea of an Age of Scarcity that my colleague, James Cooper, has been talking about for a while now. Because as a former geologist, he can see the writing on the wall in terms of not only underinvestment but an underappreciation for key commodities.

That includes but certainly isnt limited to lithium.

Were talking about a much more widespread mining boom  something that James himself explained at the tail end of last year.

You can read his two-part explainer on his forecast for the new mining boom here and here.

The one point I want to drive home to you is that were already seeing this scarcity problem unfold. As the moves from the Saudis and India show, the race is on to secure access to critical minerals  especially for nations that dont have any natural deposits themselves.

Thats what makes the lithium trend so resilient, despite its critics.

Its why were likely to see a new mining boom arrive.

And most importantly of all, its the reason Aussie investors need to take it seriously.

These sorts of investment opportunities dont come along all that often. So, when they do, you need to be prepared to act.

If youre unsure how to get started or simply need to be pointed in the right direction, well then, James is your man. To hear what he has to say and how he can help you navigate the intricate world of commodities, click here.

Because as investment in critical minerals continues to ramp up in 2023, you wont want to be someone who misses out.

Regards,





Ryan Clarkson-Ledward,

Editor, Money Morning

Ryan is also co-editor of Exponential Stock Investor, a stock tipping newsletter that hunts down promising small-cap stocks. For information on how to subscribe and see what Ryans telling subscribers right now, click here.
MBABANE  Local arts and cultural exchange promoter Vusani Miaki Matsebula has bagged a nomination in the Forty under 40 Africa Awards.

The Forty under 40 Africa Awards purpose is to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the continents most influential accomplished young business leaders under the age of 40 years old. The selection is made from a wide range of industries of those candidates who are committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries. This years awards have 40 categories and Matsebula was nominated in the Hospitality Category. When reached for comment, Matsebula expressed excitement that he was nominated in November last year and he was notified to submit documents the following month.

Nominated

I was nominated sometime in November, and then I was notified of the nomination in December. Thats when I went through the process of registration and verification after accepting the nomination, by submitting all the required company documents, books and went through a series of questions. I was then notified last week Thursday that my nomination went through and was now competing for the award, he said. He went on to applaud his team and narrated that they were proud of the nomination as they had been recognised to be playing a role in the arts industry.

My team and I are very proud of the nomination and we are hoping to bring the award home. Mainly because we have done a lot of work that has resulted in our company making financial losses over the years, while still trying to take charge in the promotion of music, arts and cultural exchange and promoting the tourism of Eswatini and other Southern African countries in Zanzibar Island Tanzania, where more than 30 different nationalities, including internationals, will gather for vacation almost every single month. This means that the audience being reached is way bigger than when this is done anywhere else in Africa, added Matsebula.

Promote

He also shared that now that he has bagged the nomination, he is determined to promote Eswatini tourism to other countries. Being nominated affords me the platform to promote Eswatini tourism, art and culture because there will be a two-day tourism and exhibitions before the awards day, a lot of African countries representatives will be there and we will use that opportunity to represent and promote Eswatini tourism including our Zanzibar deals. We will also be eligible to access a wide range of network that will enhance our business reach and hopefully grow the business. The network is the biggest benefit we are looking forward to, he said.

He concluded by appealing to emaSwati to support him in bringing the award home by voting for him. I can only say to the public, let us bring this one home, I am the only one representing Eswatini as a country in these awards, so we need your prayers and your votes to bring it home. We encourage emaSwati to continue voting by visiting the website https://fortyunder40africa.com/vote/ and click where it says Click here to vote then select Hospitality and you will find my name Vusani Matsebula and vote. You will be redirected to this voting direct link: https://nacagha.com/poll/hospitality/, he said.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

According to media reports, the United Kingdom and Japan are expected to sign a major defence deal today. The deal is allowing UK troops to deploy in Japan. This is part of Japan's moves to face what they call the challenges posed by China.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing that the Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition. China is a cooperation partner for all countries and poses no challenge to anyone.

"The defense cooperation between relevant countries should be conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between countries. It should not target any imaginary enemies, still less replicate the obsolete mindset of bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific," he said.
SITEKI  Some health care workers have proposed the return of face masks amid fears of the infectious COVID-19 sub-variant XBB.1.5 of Omicron, which has been recorded in neighbouring South Africa.

The workers were speaking in an interview on condition of anonymity. One worker from a public clinic around Siteki said they had proposed to their superiors that the wearing of masks be reinstated to ensure their safety as front line workers. The nurse said they had also established that the sub-variant of Omicron was infectious and emaSwati were not spared from it as there was no control of the movement of people, particularly those using informal crossings. He said government had to reconsider the wearing of masks as a precautionary measure to protect the workers.

Prevented

It is so hurting that the lives of nurses and health care workers are not taken serious by government because action should have been taken by now to ensure that the health care staff members are prevented from infection by this sub-variant of Omicron, which we were told is very dangerous. The wearing of masks should be reinstated as we also proposed such action to our superiors and hope they will report our grievance to the ministry, said the nurse. Another nurse from Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH) said the institution had been promoting the wearing of face masks for the staff and patients. At the hospital, we wear masks but once you have knocked off from work, you can do away with it. Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital did not discard the wearing of masks as even now all patients are given free masks at all entry points of the health care facility. Government should reinstate this measure, said the nurse.

Adding, the nurse said the wearing of masks should be taken serious as a preventive measure in controlling the spread of the virus. We cannot turn a blind eye to this matter as we have learnt a lesson, as a nation, when prominent figures succumbed to the ravaging virus. It is important that we put our lives first and wear masks, the health care worker emphasised.

Dr Simon Zwane, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, has allayed fears among the health care workers, mentioning that the ministry was working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to monitor the situation. The PS said the ministry had the authority to handle health issues and if there were any changes regarding this subject matter, the ministry would communicate any developments to the nation.

Panic

Zwane said the health care workers should not panic but continue promoting vaccination among patients. The WHO is guiding us on this matter and any developments will be communicated to the nation, he said. Worth mentioning is that Minister Lizzie Nkosi had also indicated that the sub-variant of Omicron might be circulating in the country due to the kingdoms proximity to South Africa. She said the ministry was monitoring the circulation through countless genomic sequencing conducted through local samples.
MBABANE - Sticks Nkambule, the Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Transport, Communications and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) says the police can call him on his cellphone whenever they needed him.

He was responding to a notice by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), which posted him as a wanted person yesterday. Nkambule is wanted to assist the police on a matter related to contempt of court. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that Nkambule was wanted by the police. When asked on the need to issue the notice, Vilakati said the notice was necessitated by that investigators had failed to locate him. Vilakati said normally, such a notice was issued after a warrant of arrest had been issued for that particular person.

When sought for comment, Nkambule said his organisation would issue a formal statement on the matter. He stated that the police, including the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Dlamini and other senior police officers had his number, so they should call him. The notice comes hardly a week after the attorney general (AG), Sifiso Khumalo, said his office and that of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) were working on the charges to be preferred against Nkambule and the union (SWATCAWU), Eswatini Kombis and Buses Allied Workers Union (EKABAWU) and Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association (SCARTA).

The AG said the charges laid by government were real and alive. As such, Khumalo said the law would take its course, in as much as the State must exercise due diligence. He said people assuming that nothing would come out of the charges were fooling themselves (bayatiyenga). Government, through the Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, on December 13, laid a complaint of criminal contempt of court against the aforementioned parties to the police. Criminal contempt of court refers to disobedience of an order of the court, which carries criminal penalties.

Complaint

In the statement of the criminal complaint, Masuku, at the time, was the Acting Prime Minister, as the incumbent, Cleopas Dlamini, was abroad on official business. Masuku narrated to the police that on December 12, 2022, the Industrial Court confirmed an order interdicting public transport workers from engaging in any protest, strike, encouraging others and disturbing public transport. The acting PM said when the matter was called, all the respondents were not in court and were not represented. Their names were called three times but there was no response. This resulted in the court making the order final.

The acting premier had informed the police that in flagrant violation of the court orders, the respondents commenced their unlawful strike on December 13, 2022 by withdrawing public transport services vehicles from the roads and deliberately failing to provide transport services to the public. On behalf of His Majestys government, I now therefore lay a criminal charge of contempt of court case against Mr Sticks Nkambule, SWATCAWU, EKABAWU and SCARTA, said Masuku. He highlighted that government, as the judgment debtor, who acted in the national interest in applying for the court order, strongly desired the enforcement of same in the national interest. As acting head of government, I am advised by the learned attorney general (AG) that the Industrial Court does not have power to commit to gaol those who are in contempt of its judgment and orders. Instead, the case of contempt is reported to the police for prosecution by the director of public prosecutions (DPP), reads part of the complaint.

He went on to state that it was a criminal court that could sentence the violator to a term of imprisonment. In the statement, Masuku cited a previous judgment of the Industrial Court, in the matter between the Government of Eswatini vs Jan Sithole and three others. In the aforesaid matter, the court made a recommendation that the respondents should be prosecuted, both for contempt of court and for instigating and engaging in an illegal strike action. In that judgment, the court said; We have come to a conclusion that such action would not be helpful in restoring harmonious industrial relations between the parties. Nevertheless, we admonish the respondents in the strongest terms for the flagrant disrespect they have shown to the court and the rule of law generally.
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MBABANE  The Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, says she is looking forward to the petition that will be delivered by SNAT tomorrow.

The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General, Lot Vilakati, announced on Tuesday that they would be delivering a petition to the Ministry of Education and Training. The minister, speaking during a press conference yesterday, stated that she was hopeful that tomorrow they would be able to deliberate on the burning issues between the ministry and teachers, which she said she believed would pave a smooth way for the opening of schools on January 24, 2023.

She said there was no need for teachers to threaten the opening of schools by announcing that they would not go to school. As far as she knew, the minister said they had not reached a deadlock with SNAT to the extent that they would threaten to boycott work. She urged stakeholders such as SNAT in particular to at least work with the ministry to ensure a proper opening of schools. She stated that they should reduce creating an environment that would make the opening of schools difficult.

Differences

Adult differences should not jeopardise the future of children like delaying opening of schools, she said. She said threatening the opening of schools was infringement of childrens right to education. We are looking forward to the petition delivery so that we sit together and find solutions on improving the education in the country without interrupting learners. Learners are the priority, she said. Mabuza called for joint effort among stakeholders that would safeguard the right of learners. She went on to urge head teachers not to deny learners their right to education when they owed schools fees. Mabuza pleaded with parents and head teachers to find solutions that would not affect the learners as they deliberated how parents should pay their childrens fees.

Further, the minister said the ministry was speeding up payments of FPE, hiring of teachers, among other gaps, that needed to be filled before the opening. On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance, through the Treasury Department, was working around the clock to clear all outstanding fees and payment of the next academic year fees, the minister stated. Im hopeful that by the time schools open there would be enough food for schools feeding schemes, she said.
MBABANE  The external results have been on a slump since the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020 and are the worst since then.

The Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) pass rate declined by 1.97 per cent as they dropped from 93.91 per cent in 2021 to 91.94 per cent in 2022, while the national pass rate in 2022 for Junior Certificate (JC) decreased by 0.18 per cent. The Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, said the national pass rate for JC was recorded at 83.93 per cent this year while it was 84.11 per cent in 2021. Since this period, the pass rate for EPC reflects a decrease of 2.08 per cent from 2020 to date, while that for JC pass rate depicts a decline of 0.56 per cent in the same period.

Decreased

This is because the EPC pass rate decreased from 94.02 per cent to 93.91 per cent in 2021, and this year they further decreased to 91.94 per cent. Yesterday, Mabuza announced that a total of 28 036 pupils registered for the examination in 2022 while in 2021 there were 34 295 entries. This, she said, was a 0.18 per cent decrease from the 2021 entries. Of the 28 036 candidates that registered, 27 763 sat the EPC examination in 2022. In 2021, 39 975 candidates eventually sat the examination. This indicates a decrease of 0.15 per cent from the 2021 examined candidates, she said. The decline in the EPC results was, according to Mabuza, also recorded in the total number of absentees. She said 275 were recorded in 2022 while in previous year, there were 1 320.

Meanwhile, Mabuza said a total number of 20 206 candidates registered for the JC examination in 2022, compared to 25 775 entries in 2021. This, she said, was a 21.6 per cent decline from the 2021 entries. The minister said from the aforementioned figures, 19 522 candidates sat the examinations in 2022, while 23 380 were examined in 2021. The minister said this was a 16.4 per cent decrease compared to 2021. Also, she said the number of absentees in 2022 declined to 684 compared to 2 190 recorded in 2021. On the other hand, she bemoaned that there were suspected malpractice cases even in the 2022 examination session. Mabuza commended the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) officers for investigating and resolving all suspected malpractice cases. She said as such, only one school had its results withheld for suspected malpractice as investigations were still ongoing.

It is so disheartening when candidates results are withheld due to malpractice. In that regard, may I take this opportunity to caution candidates, centres, teachers and invigilators against committing any malpractice. The minister appreciated all stakeholders in the education sector and said: As a ministry, we are pleased to inform the public that despite the disturbances that occurred during the writing of the exams, the 2022 session was a great success.

She highlighted that teachers worked tirelessly to cover the syllabus and most of the learners embraced the opportunity to learn. Mabuza said even though the writing of some papers was shifted to later dates, and one EPC paper was rewritten, ECESWA ensured that the standards and integrity of the exams were maintained. The minister appreciated head teachers, who she said availed space for ECESWA to conduct its marking. She said they were also grateful to the markers, who offered their services to mark the candidates scripts and head teachers for their support in releasing teachers to mark the scripts.

Succeeded

Mabuza said without the joint effort, ECESWA would not have succeeded in meeting its mandate. She also applauded the ECESWA personnel for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that the results were released on time. She congratulated learners for working hard when preparing for the examinations while encouraging candidates, who did not make it in the 2022 extemal examination, not to lose hope but to continue working hard. As the successful learners will be looking for places in Forms I and IV; may I remind all head teachers to follow the ministrys policies and procedures by admitting all qualifying pupils, regardless of their pass categories.
Yves here. Sex work is legal in Australia. Im linking to a New South Wales guide by the Sex Workers Outreach project which explains the rules there. The depressing part is that its not hard to come up with sensible laws, but we Americans wont go there. And yes, when I was in Oz, I lived about a six minute walk from Kings Cross, Australias most notorious sex district. I would walk through there at least once a day, including at night and never felt unsafe or even uncomfortable (although you did watch your wallet in any busy part of Sydney; there was a fair bit of pick pocketing). And in keeping, high priced real estate was hard by in my hood, Potts Point, and Elizabeth Bay.

Here, Hallie Lieberman describes how a supposed war on child porn and sex trafficking is a Trojan horse for a campaign to find new ways to criminalize and restrict sex work. For instance:

Sex trafficking and consensual sex work are one and the same, according to the NCOSE [National Center on Sexual Exploitation], which stated in a 2017 amicus brief that the majority of prostituted persons should be classified as victims of sex trafficking.

By Hallie Lieberman, a historian and journalist who writes about sex and gender. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vice and other publications. She is the author of Buzz: A Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, and is currently working on a book about the history of male sex workers. She is on Twitter: @hallielieberman. Originally published in openDemocracy

An anti-trafficking US law that has been accused of endangering sex workers faces a crucial hearing this week.

The Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (FOSTA/SESTA), which became law in 2018, claims to hold websites liable for promoting or facilitating prostitution or sex trafficking.

But critics say it has actually increased trafficking, as well as threatening sex workers and free speech.

Under the law, a website can be sued if a user discusses prostitution or sex trafficking  and the sites owner can be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. This means some platforms have introduced bans on all content relating to sex work.

Former sex worker and sex-trafficking survivor Justice Rivera told openDemocracy that this is pushing people to more risky forms of work, like full-service sex work, or something thats on the street.

Woodhull Freedom Foundation, an organisation that defends sexual freedom as a fundamental right, first sued the federal government over the law in June 2018.

The foundation argued that FOSTA/SESTA violates the first amendment, which protects freedom of speech. But a court dismissed the case months later, ruling that Woodhull and its co-plaintiffs, Human Rights Watch and online civil liberties group Electronic Frontier Foundation, had no legal standing.

This decision was overturned by the Court of Appeals in January 2020, and last March a court ruled in the governments favour. Woodhull is now appealing that decision, and the Court of Appeals will hear the case on 11 January.

Getting Porn Off the Internet

A 2020 study of the effects of FOSTA/SESTA found that 72.5% of sex workers had faced economic instability since the laws introduction.

In San Francisco, the number of street-based sex workers tripled in 2018 and there was a 170% increase in human trafficking cases. CBS said both spikes appeared to be connected to the federal shutdown of sex-for-sale websites.

This increased hardship is because websites that sex workers previously advertised on have been shut down, including Craigslist personals, as have websites that were used to verify clients identities.

Similarly, in July 2018, police in Indianapolis admitted they were having more trouble finding sex trafficking victims because sites used by pimps have been taken down.

Sex workers groups say they were not given a chance to present their views on FOSTA-SESTA before it became law.

Mike Stabile of the Free Speech Coalition, an adult industry trade group, told openDemocracy that the adult industry would love to work with the government to find solutions.

In passing the legislation, Congress also overlooked a letter from US assistant attorney general Stephen E Boyd, who raised a serious constitutional concern over the fact that FOSTA/SESTA retroactively criminalises actions that werent illegal when committed. Boyd also warned the law would make it harder to prosecute traffickers.
Yves here. Theres been drinking-from-a-firehose level revelations from the Twitter files. Tom Neuburger goes though the latest batches, focusing on the most disturbing examples of Twitter subservience to censorship demands. These documents also show how troublingly cozy Twitter was with the CIA and FBI.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

Note from San Francisco FBI ASAC Elvis Chan to Yoel Roth, Twitters then-head of Trust and Safety

When the government watches you twenty-four hours a day, you cannot use the word liberty. That is the relationship between a master and a slave.

Chris Hedges, Americas Theater of the Absurd

Two more Twitter Files have dropped, both by Matt Taibbi. They should be considered together, as a set.

In addition to my summary, this piece contains links to the releases, brief descriptions, and two supplementary interviews Taibbi has given explaining them. These interviews add new information, so I suggest listening if this interests you.

Industry and the State: Partners in Crime

If you read these files through, and I hope you do, pay attention to how often the word partner is used.

The FBI refers to its industry partners in their communication to Twitter  meaning, I believe, social media companies in general. And Twitter executives frequently refer to our partners at the FBI.

So where does the state end and industry begin? Im not sure I can tell you. I can tell you that a surveillance state is not a friendly operation. Consider the Chris Hedges quote at the top. To be constantly watched is to be constantly controlled. Weve seen the watching, been watching it for years. Now we see one of the mechanisms of control.

There is, in fact, a word for when a government entangles itself with the activities of corporations. Consider Benito Mussolini in 1935, Fascism: Doctrine and Institutions, Rome: Ardita Publishers (quoted here; emphasis mine):

The corporate State considers that private enterprise in the sphere of production is the most effective and usefu[l] instrument in the interest of the nation. In view of the fact that private organisation of production is a function of national concern, the organiser of the enterprise is responsible to the State for the direction given to production. State intervention in economic production arises only when private initiative is lacking or insufficient, or when the political interests of the State are involved. This intervention may take the form of control, assistance or direct management. (pp. 135-136)

Corporate production in the modern world includes digital and online products.

Links to Twitter Files 11 & 12

To jump immediately to these files, click the links below. Discussions of previously released Twitter Files can be found here, here and here.

 Twitter Files 11  How Twitter Let the Intelligence Community In

Matt Taibbi, January 3, 2023

A differently titled version is also published at Taibbis Substack site.

30. REPORTERS NOW KNOW THIS IS A MODEL THAT WORKS

This cycle  threatened legislation, wedded to scare headlines pushed by congressional/intel sources, followed by Twitter caving to moderation asks  would later be formalized in partnerships with federal law enforcement.

 Twitter Files 12  Twitter and the FBI Belly Button

Matt Taibbi, January 3, 2023

A version is also published at Taibbis Substack site.

23. BELLY BUTTON

We can give you everything were seeing from the FBI and USIC agencies, Chan explained, but the DHS agency CISA will know whats going on in each state. He went on to ask if industry could rely on the FBI to be the belly button of the USG [U.S. government].

Links to Earlier Twitter Files

Links to all Twitter files can be found in the articles listed in the pulldown tab at the top of the Gods Spies main page:
Jazz Is Freedom The Baffler

Grief, a (grand)mother tongue Scalawag

Climate

#COVID19

Blinken says U.S. applauds Japans decision to double defense spending Reuters

China?

Congrats, Youre a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up. Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy. Extracting the key point from all the verbiage: The United States is now trying to inflict decisive defeats on two major powers simultaneously. We are trying to help Ukraine inflict a military defeat on Russia. At the same time, we are trying to inflict an economic and technological defeat on China that will slow its rise and preserve U.S. dominance for decades to come. Perspective:

There are more people living inside this circle than outside of it [source, read more on Brilliant Maps: https://t.co/qilsWQFuHE] pic.twitter.com/5RShzvabnN  Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 11, 2023

New Not-So-Cold War

How Wars End: An Analysis of Some Current Hypotheses Berenice A. Carroll, Journal of Peace Research. From this thread:

Carroll identifies four ways that wars can end:  Mutual Exhaustion: the fighting simply stops.  Conquest: one side vanquishes the other.  Unilateral stoppage: one side gives up.  Negotiated settlement: the two sides reach a deal that ends the fighting.  Paul Poast (@ProfPaulPoast) January 7, 2023

Dear Old Blighty

Brazil mega-protest fizzles amid authorities concern AP

Peru anti-government protests spread, with clashes in Cusco AP. Government is question-begging; regime would be more appropriate. Peru general strike:

Peru general strike: Indigenous andean communities are moving giant rocks to place at the barricades, without machinery. Inca style coordinated team work. pic.twitter.com/vBgqGEgtAF  Ollie Vargas (@OllieVargas79) January 8, 2023

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Guaido Is Gone, but Media Dishonesty Is Here to Stay FAIR

Biden Administration

Our Famously Free Press

Transportation

Supply Chain

Healthcare

Gunz

Illinois becomes latest US state to ban assault weapons ABC

Class Warfare

The Medieval Problem of the Productivity of Art Philosophies

Behold the Dennys Tower Brutal South

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
The London Clinic is exhibiting at Kuwait Medica from January 18 to 19 for the first time showcasing its solutions for the Diabetic Foot.

Dr Nima Heidari, Orthopaedic Surgeon and the lead for The London Clinics diabetic foot service, will be at the exhibition and participating in The Masterclass in the Treatment and Management of Diabetic Foot.

Dr Heidari will be joined by fellow experts from Mubarak Hospital, Dasman Diabetes Institute and Mazaya Clinic. The collaboration aims to support both patients and clinicians to understand the signs and symptoms of diabetic foot pathologies, and know what treatment options are available.

Multidisciplinary team

The London Clinics comprehensive diabetic foot service brings together a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team of experts to support patients from the UK and overseas, including with the most complex diabetic foot cases.

The team of world-class orthopaedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, physicians, radiologists, physiotherapists and nurses is equipped with advanced resources and cutting-edge technology. This ensures patients can benefit from the best possible expertise for their treatment and rehabilitation, from the centre of Londons premium medical district, Harley Street.

Additionally, The London Clinics International team, which includes Arabic translation experts, is on hand to support international patients and their families with their unique needs, throughout the entire patient journey.

Prolonging quality of life

Our diabetic foot service is about not just prolonging life but prolonging the quality of life, said Dr Heidari. We have brought together an entire unit of specialists under one roof who can support international patients with very complex needs.

Through our combined expertise, we are ideally placed for preventative treatment  we can identify and resolve issues before it gets to the point of amputation. I am proud to say the vast majority of our cases are preventative, though even for patients who come to us with advanced diabetic foot, The London Clinic is best-placed to help them.

With Kuwait being among the countries where diabetes is most prevalent, The London Clinics aim is to provide holistic care for patients designed to preserve their feet, improve their quality of life, and increase their life longevity.

Dr Heidari adds: I am looking forward to connecting with colleagues in Kuwait Medica to show how we can support patients from Kuwait and the Middle East.-- TradeArabia News Service
Yves here. The latest John Helmer post, which uses a Ukrainian fabrication about Russia putting out feelers for negotationa, as its point of departure, and therefore has the potential to give readers a bit more of a puzzle to work through than they expected.

In previous posts, Helmer has talked up the possibility of a very large demilitarized zone as a major piece in the resolution of the Ukraine conflict. I had a great deal of difficulty with this idea, since a demilitarized zone is agreed by the combatants and policed, sometime by independent parties, as with the United Nations buffer zone in Cyprus.

A negotiated end to the Ukraine war is inconceivable. The US will never accept a resolution that has Russia taking territory from the pre-2014 boundaries of Ukraine. Even if many powerful people in Germany quietly want the war to be over, the hyper aggressive Balts and Poles seem to have more sway. Similarly, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen similarly can think only of more punishments for Russia.

So unless there is an unexpected series of disasters on the Russian side, Russia will continue until it has prostrated Ukraine. No one know what Russia will do when that happens, and I strongly suspect that Russias end game is event dependent. But it seems highly likely that it would have Ukraine sign a treaty (because Russia like formalities and for the sake of appearances before the Global South) which the West would attempt to denounce because Ukraine signed it under duresswhich is what having lost a war amounts to.

I have argued Russia could impose a demilitarized zone in the form of a very big deelectrified no-mans land.open to squtters and survivalists but not much more.

Helmers piece starts from a bizarre premise that Ukraine is trying to sell.that Russia is making the rounds of European capitals to get them on board an armistice now. Huh? When Russia is winning, and that before it has put its newly mobilized forces to work in a serious way? That would be a fast track to a coup of the current Russian leadership for it to be replaced by uber-hawks. Helmers contacts depict this bizarre Ukraine story as an effort for Ukraine to get in front of US and NATO officials for an armistice. I still cant fathom why trying to pin this idea on Russia is at all helpful or will reduce Russian resolve one iota.

However, the piece works through the current state of Western wishful thinking versus Russias hardened position. And it also contains some informative data on the poor prospects for western Ukraine.

As an aside, there has been considerable speculation about the apparent demotion of Sergei Surovikin to deputy theater commander. I found this take from Rybar interesting:

On the appointment of a new commander of the NMD The sum does not change from a change in the places of the terms: this is the only thing that can be said about the appointment of Gerasimov as commander of the United Group of Troops (Forces). The Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces has been appointed to replace Sergei Surovikin, who now holds the position of Deputy. As a result, on account of Surovikin, strikes on the energy system of Ukraine, which did not lead to its complete collapse, the decision to regroup on the left bank of the Dnieper, the problems of the mobilized, the tragedy near Makeevka and the debut of musicians in Soledar and Bakhmut. Agree, a list of achievements that is controversial in the eyes of the layman, which will now be credited to the Armageddon General. (special clarification: Rybars editors highly appreciate Surovikins actions. He had a difficult time, and the lions share of his efforts will remain behind the scenes if he is now sent to secondary roles)

The Makeevka attack may have played into this decision in a major way, since it was a multi-level failure (having so many soldiers together within shelling distancein Donetsk, which Ukraine was already shelling regularly, plus the discipline failure of not maintaining strict adherence to soldiers not being allowed to carry or use cell phones). But this write-up intimates that some may have been unhappy that Surovikin hadnt taken the grid destruction further. But I cant imagine that he had that much discretion, that operations outside the line of contact would be subject to more political oversight. Readers?

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

A leading Ukrainian government official has admitted that a demilitarized zone (lead image, left) to divide the battlefield, protect the Russian east of the country from the US and NATO long-range assault, and partition Ukraine is in negotiation.

We are currently being offered the Korean scenario, Alexei Danilov (lead image, right) announced on January 8. Danilov, a native of Lugansk, is the deputy chairman of the National Security and Defence Council, and second in rank to President Vladimir Zelensky. [This is] the so-called conditional 38th parallel, he told local reporters. Here are Ukrainians, but there Ukrainians are not like that. The Russians will now invent anything. I know for sure that one of the options they can offer us is the 38th parallel. Danilov claimed one of the sources for the proposal is Dmitry Kozak. Officially, he is a deputy head of the presidential staff. In 2020-21 he was the Kremlins chief negotiator on the Minsk accords with the Kiev regime and in the Normandy format with Germany and France; for Kozaks detailed record of those negotiations, read this.

Danilov now says Kozak meets with former politicians in Europe and conveys through them the message that the Russians are ready to make concessions in order to fix the current status quo and force Ukraine to a truce. Danilov did not say that he, Zelensky and the Ukrainian-US general staff have rejected the idea. Instead, he claimed the Korean DMZ has proven to be a mistake: Danilov said that during a recent meeting, Korean representatives noted that establishing the division of the Korean peninsula into two parts along the 38th parallel was a mistake as the concessions made in the 1950s after the end of the war between North Korea and South Korea are currently leading to problems. It is unclear what meeting Danilov was referring to, if any. US press reporting has identified the mistake of Vice President Kamala Harris last September in misnaming the Republic of North Korea.

Moscow sources suspect Danilov is attempting to relieve the pressure now growing on the Ukrainian generals from the US and the NATO command to consider an armistice before the Russians launch their anticipated general winter offensive. By exposing and trying to sandbag the Americans, Danilovs remark is a signal that the real US assessment is that a much bigger loss of military capacity, territory and viable economy will be the outcome of the Russian offensive  unless the Ukrainians buy time with a ceasefire and protracted armistice talks to commence.

The reaction of the Stavka to that has been President Vladmir Putins explicit condemnation of the buying-time tactic after former German chancellor Angela Merkel revealed it last month, and ex-French President Francois Hollande repeated it on December 28. The West lied to us about peace, Putin said in his New Year address on December 31, while preparing for aggression, and today, they no longer hesitate to openly admit it and to cynically use Ukraine and its people as a means to weaken and divide Russia. We have never allowed anyone to do this and we will not allow it now.

Putin also confirmed the message with a Korean gloss. Russian servicemen, militiamen and volunteers are now fighting for their homeland, for truth and justice, for reliable guarantees of peace and Russias security. The narrow 4-kilometre depth and short 240-km length of the Korean DMZ are not, Putin implied, reliable guarantees of security.

Danilovs disclosure has been altogether missed by the mainstream western media, by the alternative media, and by US think-tankers claiming to favour negotiations.

Moscow sources believe Danilovs signal indicates anxiety in Kiev, not only at the collapse of their front at Soledar and Bakhmut, but at the prospect of the following Russian offensive striking simultaneously north from Sumy to Kharkov and Poltava; in the centre around the E50 highway into Dniepropetrovsk; and in the south to blockade Odessa.

I have not seen a serious discussion in Moscow about a DMZ at all, according to a Moscow source and Donbass sources. They believe Danilov is reporting what the Americans are telling Kiev.

Kozak has been de-activated in Moscow since last July, according to another source. Thats why it makes all the more sense [for the Ukrainians] to refer to him and not to genuine negotiators, not to a credible Russian figure. Danilov is attempting to refuse a proposal from a non-person. He and Zelensky are putting the Pentagon at that level  in other words, they are sending a message to [Secretary of State Antony] Blinken, [Deputy Secretary Wendy] Sherman and [Under Secretary Victoria] Nuland, or whoever the Ukrainians think will save them from the US military pressure now.

The Russian sources note there has been no other public acknowledgement of the change in US thinking; they interpret press reporting of promises of US armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), German and British tank deliveries to mean the reverse of the appearances. Time will have run out for the delivery of the Strykers and Bradleys, Leopards and Challengers in the east. So these press promises of delivery are for the last-ditch fortification of the western lines defending the regime between Lvov and Kiev. Thats between Zhitomyr and Vinnitsa, then Rivne and Chernopil.

Left to right, in desert operations against an unarmed opponent, the US Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles; the British Challenger main battle tank.

A North American veteran source urges patience. The Bradleys may be rushed, so the question now is whether everything the Ukrainians throw into their fight west of the Artemovsk-Soledar- Seversk line to Dniepropetrovsk, including the press-ganging of civilians in Kharkov city, is just a rearguard action to hold up the Russians and create time for the reinforcements to arrive.

A Canadian military source says that Ontario-made Strykers have already been delivered to the eastern lines. They know the danger of a breakthrough and are determined to at least stall it. They cannot do that without AFVs. Russian sources published sighting one on December 31. A Canadian press reporter took a week before acknowledging that 39 Canadian APVs had been delivered, most of them to rear-area units for training and familiarization, and then, after they were revealed in the local media, in thick mud at an unidentified section of the Ukrainian front.

A veteran of NATO tank operations in Afghanistan adds: By necessity, the tanks come later. It takes much longer to train their crews, let alone maintenance cells. Setting up the logistics will be much harder too. In Afghanistan it took a lot to support tanks  even just a squadron of them.

A Moscow source adds strategy: The Pentagon might want to fend off a general Russian operation with a DMZ but the Ukrainians, the Germans and the State Department want to see the rearguard action because they believe they can exact a heavy loss of life on the Russians. Im convinced they dont want a DMZ until the Russians fight their way to the borders of the regions they have already incorporated. Their perception is that the Russians will be too weak to take any more. They wont mind another meat-grinder like Bakhmut. Its not their children dying. At worst, the Ukrainians think a DMZ would be inside or at the limit of the Russian zone. That would free them to start preparing for the next big war in a few years.

The consensus of the Russians sources is: These are all lose-lose propositions for us and that is why we have not heard this being discussed seriously. Whats needed is Ukrainian capitulation. This is why most Russians see armistice as a Russian surrender because it means none of the stated goals of the operation has been achieved. More than at Minsk in 2015, the Ukraine will be re-armed and prepared for the next big fight.

Danilovs disclosure puts into quite different context Putins Orthodox Christmas trucebetween January 6 and 7. Upon consideration of the address from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the president said, I instruct the Defence Minister of the Russian Federation to introduce a ceasefire along the entire line of contact in Ukraine from 12.00 on January 6, 2023 to 24.00 on January 7, 2023. As a large number of Orthodox Christians reside in the area of hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire to allow them to attend church services on Christmas Eve as well as on Christmas Day. For the text of Kirills message, which avoided a recommendation of this kind, click to read.

Left: President Putin at the Annunciation Cathedral, Moscow, January 7. Right: Patriarch Kirill IIs Christmas message.

In retrospect, the truce was dismissed by Kiev, and the Russian side recorded numerous violations, including the movement of heavy artillery into range of Lugansk and Donetsk region targets. Pigs have no faith, Dmitry Medvedev, the ex-president and now deputy head of the Security Council, responded. and no innate sense of gratitude. They understand only brute force.

Following the fall of Soledar on the evening of January 10, there are signs that the Ukrainian General Staff will not continue following the orders from either Washington or Zelensky and Danilov to continue the meat-grinder defence of the eastern front, at least not until a second line of defence can be formed, according to the leak.

Source: https://t.me/rezident_ua/15861

Date stamp indicates: 21:19 Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

The evidence of the battlefield map is that the Russian General Staff has decided to leave open the corridors for NATO troops and arms to be resupplied from Poland, and to let Ukrainian refugees leave. However, the rail and road junctions, warehouses, vehicle lagers, electric grid units, and fuel and other storages are being hit repeatedly, west and east of Kiev.

UKRAINE MAP  BATTLEFIELD TARGETS AFTER THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE

When Russian and western analysts map the economic and military capabilities of the Ukrainian territory which would lie to the west of the Dnieper River demilitarized zone (UMZ) it becomes clear the rump state will have lost the capacity to feed itself; and will lack the river or sea ports to export corn, wheat, sunflower products or rapeseed without Russian and Turkish agreement. Lacking seaports and airfields, the western Ukrainian territory, without the farms, mines and smelters to produce food or metals for trade, will be reduced to a gun platform dependent on imported cash and arms for the states sole remaining export  permanent war against Russia.

Source: https://www.fas.usda.gov

Source: https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/

A Closer Look at Ukrainian Corn and Wheat Exports

Source: https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/

To date, US, Canadian, German, and British politicians have been emphatic that they have the parliament votes and will neutralize domestic opposition to their whatever-the-cost war policy.

Russian sources add there is no evidence that in planning the conversion of the special military operation to the general military operation, the Kremlin, the Stavka, and the General Staff are not taking this into account. What this means, said one source, is that the de-Nazification objective of February 24, 2022, is now practically impossible. The DMZ is impossible for us because it will leave the Ukrainian nazis to keep rearming, exactly as Merkel and Hollande have said. This means there can be no demilitarized zone  there must be Ukrainian capitulation and surrender.

A NATO source speculates about the mentality of his counterparts in Washington: The DMZ needs to be big and deep no matter what the structure of the forces that create and maintain it. The question that looms larger in my mind is how to get the US and NATO to understand that continuing to push their Ukrainian checker will come at a cost on the checkerboard they arent prepared to pay?

The evidence from the daily reports of the Polish Border Guard confirms the Russian strategy is to leave the corridor open for the exit of Ukrainian civilians and then strike after the incoming foreign troops and their equipment are deployed at their rear assembly areas.

Source: https://twitter.com/Straz_Graniczna

The highlighted figures for Ukrainian movement to Poland indicate refugees responding to the Russian electric war and the onset of winter. The corresponding, highlighted figures of movement from Poland to the Ukraine include Polish and other foreign troops moving under civilian shield.

Moscow sources comment. The Russians will not tolerate half-measures. Not like the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, not like Yeltsin in Serbia. Not like Nord Stream or the Crimean Bridge. Not now. Read Putins lips. This is a reference to Putins speech to the enlarged Defence Ministry and military staffs on December 21. We will not repeat the mistakes of the past, when we harmed our economy to boost our defence capabilities, regardless of whether it was warranted or not. We are not going to militarise our country or militarise the economy, primarily because we have no need to do it at the current level of development and with the structure of the economy that we have. Again  we do not intend to, and we will not do things we do not really need, to the detriment of our people and the economy, the social sphere. We will improve the Russian Armed Forces and the entire military component. We will do it calmly, routinely and consistently, without haste. We will attain our objectives to strengthen our defence capability in general as well as meeting the goals of the special military operation.

The big part of the NATO equation, comments the North American veteran, ought to be the Russian message  keep on coming. You will all be destroyed.
The evolution of my position with the Post dates to 2000, when I began work with The City Paper. In 2008, SouthComm Inc. bought the Post and TCP, with the latter ceasing operations in 2013. In 2018, FW Publishing acquired the Post, for which I have served as managing editor since 2011.

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Protestors mark beginning of new legislative session with warnings of 'injustice'

Slideshow: See images from the first day of the new session
When it comes to education stories to watch in 2023, well  allow us to gesture toward the entire education sector.

There are plentiful education-related developments that warrant attention this year, from how schools are funded to the books that students are allowed to read and the proficiency with which theyre reading them. The Republican-led state legislature hasnt held back from wielding power over local school districts, and some huge decisions will play out in Tennessee this year. The overarching question to consider as time unfolds: How are these decisions helping or hurting students?

In last years Stories to Watch issue, we at the Scene highlighted the possible transition of education funding formulas. The General Assembly successfully passed legislation implementing a new formula, which has been met with mixed reactions. The new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act will replace the 30-year-old Basic Education Program; its also supposed to add $1 billion to the state education budget. Democrats worry that the additional investment still isnt enough to remediate Tennessees historically low education funding, and that the student-based formula will make it easier for public education dollars to flow to charter and private schools. The formula isnt set to go into effect until the 2023-2024 school year, and it could see some revisions in this years legislative session, which gavels in this week, before classes restart in August. Not only should folks pay attention to this first year of TISA rollout, but note how well it holds up over time.

One of the biggest education stories of 2022 was that of the Hillsdale College charter network, and its not over yet. Last year, Gov. Bill Lee announced his intention to partner with Michigans conservative Hillsdale College to bring its charter schools to Tennessee. That plan was initially criticized because of the conservative nature of the curriculum, which condemns progressivism and downplays Americas role in slavery. Later, Lee adviser and Hillsdale President Larry Arnn was caught on video insulting public school teachers. Three Hillsdale-affiliated charter schools applied to open in Rutherford, Jackson-Madison and Clarksville-Montgomery county school districts, and all were denied by local school boards. Following three contentious Tennessee Public Charter School Commission hearings, the Hillsdale-affiliated charter operator (American Classical Education) ultimately withdrew its applications before the commission made a decision. It has since filed five letters of intent to open charters in the same three districts, plus Maury and Robertson counties.

What children can read has been another source of extensive debate among Tennessee parents and politicians. In the past year, several school districts across the state removed books from curricula and school libraries. That may continue, especially since a new law gave the state Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission power to ban books across Tennessee if challenged material reaches the body through an appeal process. Though the commission was supposed to issue guidance about book challenges by Dec. 1, it still has not as of press time. Furthermore, members of the commission are struggling with a lack of administrative support. How the commission moves forward, and the number of book challenges that could follow, remains to be seen.
From the mayoral race to independent local venues, potential development of the East Bank, TennCare coverage and more, here are eight stories to keep an eye on this year
(Natural News) Coinbase is once again slashing its workforce in response to the ongoing downturn in the cryptocurrency industry.

The publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange announced that it is planning to reduce its headcount by around 950 employees as part of the companys restructuring effort that it expects to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year. (Related: Crypto exchange platform Coinbase lost around 85% of its value in one year.)

This mass layoff amounts to slashing 20 percent of its approximately 4,700 employees. In an interview with CNBC, CEO Brian Armstrong noted that the company should have done more of its restructuring efforts earlier.

With perfect hindsight, looking back, we should have done more. The best you can do is react quickly once information becomes available, and thats what were doing in this case, he said.

Armstrong added that, after looking at various stress tests for Coinbases annual revenue, it became clear that we would need to reduce expenses to increase our chances of doing well in every scenario and there was no way to do so without cutting jobs.

The company began shedding jobs in June 2022, when signs that the cryptocurrency industry was experiencing a bearish market were beginning to take hold. CEO Brian Armstrong claimed at the time that the company had grown too quickly during the industrys bull market, expanding to more than 5,000 employees from just 1,250 at the beginning of 2021.

Coinbase started its restructuring efforts by slashing 1,100 jobs, equivalent to about 18 percent of the workforce at the time. Another 60 employees were laid off in November as the crypto winter grew even colder, thanks to the collapse of the scandal-ridden FTX creating a contagion effect that made most other crypto companies experience dips.

Every company in Silicon Valley felt like we were just focused on growth, growth, growth, and people were almost using their headcount number as a symbol of how much progress they were making, said Armstrong. The focus now is on operational efficiency  its a healthy thing for the ecosystem and the industry to focus more on those things.

Coinbase said it would email the employees who will be let go on their personal accounts and revoke their access to company systems. Armstrong acknowledged that this move feels sudden and harsh but its the only prudent choice given our responsibility to protect customer information.

Layoffs to result in higher savings for Coinbase

Coinbase noted that this mass layoff is expected to result in new expenses of between $149 million to $163 million for the first quarter. The companys operating expenses are also expected to go down by 25 percent for the quarter ending in March due to the layoffs and other restructuring measures.

Wall Street analysts have already reacted positively to Coinbases job cuts announcement. Analysts from Barclays wrote: We are encouraged by this mornings news, as it shows the company is taking financial discipline seriously in a very challenging crypto/macro environment.

But Barclays and other analysts also noted that Coinbase may also be preparing for a tough year ahead.

The entire industry is going through a crisis of confidence and trading volume remains very weak, noted Owen Lau, an analyst for Oppenheimer. This job cut is a reflection of the current challenging environment.

Armstrong himself noted that despite the industrys domino effect of bankruptcies and the drop in trading volume, he believes the industry is not going away. He also pointed out that the demise of FTX, a rival cryptocurrency exchange platform, will ultimately benefit Coinbase.

Regulatory clarity may also emerge from the FTX debacle, which Armstrong said will only validate the companys decision of going public.

If you look at the internet era, the best companies got even stronger by having rigorous cost management, he said. Thats whats going to happen here.

For more news about the crypto industry, visit CryptoCult.news.

Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks to John Perez, the Crypto Nostradamus, about what comes next following the crypto crash.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Investors are leaving the cryptocurrency industry en masse as collapse continues.

Crypto stocks PLUMMET: Industry nearing collapse as financial analysts warn most crypto firms unlikely to survive long-term.

Coinbase shares down 21% following reports that it is facing SEC probe.

Former Coinbase manager facing charges in first crypto insider trading case.

Coinbase lays off 18% of workers as cryptocurrencies plummet in value.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

CoinDesk.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Southern Tourism Company, a subsidiary of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Maritime, the custodian of Abu Dhabis waterways, to explore development in key business areas.



The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) took place at Abu Dhabi International Boat Show in the presence of Ahmed Al-Aseeri, Chairman of Southern Tourism Company and the representative of Mumtalakat, Yusuf Al-Manea, CEO of Southern Tourism Company and Captain Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Maritime.



Ahmed Al-Aseeri said: We are pleased to partner with Abu Dhabi Maritime to explore joint services related to maritime transportation and logistics in the region. This will enable Southern Tourism Company to enhance its contribution to the national economy in alignment with Mumtalakats objectives.



Yusuf Al-Manea said: This agreement will enable us to exchange knowledge, technical know-how and expertise to explore opportunities and build strategic collaboration in the region.



Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Maritime commented: Abu Dhabi Maritime is delighted to team up with Southern Tourism Company, to consider the development of Bahrains maritime infrastructure and services. As the custodian of Abu Dhabis waterways, Abu Dhabi Maritime looks forward to sharing our insights and expertise on marine transport, logistics and services with our friends in Bahrain.



The MoU will enable both parties to work closely together to develop solutions for sea transportation logistics and the development of marine facilities as well as ferry services.  TradeArabia News Service
(Natural News) At least $54 million has been donated by Chinese Communist Party-linked individuals or entities between 2014 and 2019 to the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington at the University of Pennsylvania, according to public records reported by the New York Post, where it was revealed this week that Biden had stashed a trove of classified documents.

(Article by Wendell Husebo republished from Breitbart.com)

The University of Pennsylvania announced it would create the Biden Center in 2017, the same year then-Vice President Biden left the White House. Most of the anonymous donations were given to the Biden Center after the university announced the Penn Biden Center, the Post reported.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, some of the funds were given by Shanghai real estate developer Xu Xeuqing, who reportedly has no immediate connection to the university. In 2011, Xu faced corruption allegations in China but was never charged with a crime. An expert on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at the American Foreign Policy Council, Michael Sobolik, told the Beacon that Xus non-prosecution suggests he has a close relationship to the CCP.

In April, a government watchdog, NLPCs Government Integrity Project, asked the U.S. prosecutor David Weiss to look into the anonymous donations as a part of the DOJs investigation into Hunter Bidens alleged tax and gun violations.

Weve asked  Weiss to pursue the larger network of individuals and institutions who benefited from millions doled out by foreign interests connected to Hunter Bidens work in China and Ukraine, said director of the NLPCs Government Integrity Project Tom Anderson.

NLPC stated in its 12-page complaint that Hunters laptop reveals a 2017 text linking CEFC China Energy with the Penn Biden Center. CEFC apparently tried to lobby American politicians without registering as a foreign lobbyist. At the same time, Hunter had been trying to work a deal with the CEFC in which Joe Biden would receive a ten percent equity stake in the deal, according to whistleblower Tony Bobulinski, who was Hunters business partner.

We dont want to have to register as foreign agents under the FCPA [sic] which  is much more expansive than people who should know choose not to know, Hunter texted Bobulinski on May 1, 2017.

The University of Pennsylvania has denied that the Penn Biden Center received any money from anonymous Chinese donations.

The Penn Biden Centers source of funding is relevant because CNN reported on Tuesday that Bidens stashed classified documents at Penn Biden Center pertain to Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the third highest ranking Republican House member, told Breitbart News that Bidens classified stash at Penn Biden Center raises national security questions:

The fact that former Vice President Joe Biden inappropriately maintained and kept classified materials at his unsecured think tank raises serious questions about national security, particularly when the documents were related to Ukraine when Biden family members were on a Ukrainian oligarchs payroll. The President has declassification authority, not the then Vice President. It is troubling that these documents were turned over to the National Archives on November 2nd, right before the midterm elections, and the corrupt Biden DOJ covered it up for two months.

The Biden family business has conducted many deals in Ukraine. In 2017, Hunter Biden was paid $83,000 per month to be on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Hunter was appointed to the board of Burisma in 2014. He had no previous experience in the energy sector or in Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden walk to a vehicle after disembarking Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 16, 2022, as they return from vacation in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

That same year, Hunters salary was cut in half when then-Vice President Joe Biden left the White House. Joe Biden visited Ukraine six times in seven years.

In 2015, Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion from Ukraine if the Ukrainian government did not fire the prosecutor who was investigating Burisma.

According to Breitbart Newss senior contributor Peter Schweizer, Hunter made massive sums of money from Ukraine for which he offered no real work.

In 2018 and 2020, Schweizer published Secret Empires and Profiles in Corruption. Each book hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and exposed how Hunter and his father flew to China aboard Air Force Two in 2013 before Hunters firm inked a $1.5 billion deal with a subsidiary of the Chinese governments Bank of China, which transpired less than two weeks after the trip. Schweizers work also uncovered the Biden familys other vast and lucrative foreign deals and cronyism.

Breitbart Political Editor Emma-Jo Morriss investigative work at the New York Post regarding the Hunter Biden laptop from hell also captured international headlines when she, along with Miranda Devine, revealed that the president was intimately involved in Hunters businesses, appearing to even have a ten percent stake in a company the scion formed with officials at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
(Natural News) In April 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement pausing the administration of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after it caused severe blood clotting in 6 female recipients. After this news broke, Facebook contacted the Biden regime to ensure them that the social media platforms would amplify any messaging to convince the public the shot was safe and effective.

(Article by Amber Crawford republished from 100PercentFedUp.com)

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) is currently part of a lawsuit that was filed by the Attorneys General of Louisiana and Missouri which alleges improper collusion between the federal government and social media companies. The emails between Facebook and the White House were obtained in discovery.

In their communications with the White House, Facebook asked how they could get ahead of possible doubt or fear arising in the general public about Covid vaccines.

One employee  whose name is redacted due to a court order  sent a message to Andrew Slavitt, the Biden administrations senior advisor for the Covid response, along with Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty and Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement for the Covid-19 Response Team Courtney Rowe. In the email, the employee wrote,

Re the J+J news, were keen to amplify any messaging you want us to project about what this means for people  it obviously has the risk of exacerbating vaccine hesitancy, so were keen to get ahead of the knock-on effect. Dont hesitate to tell me  or via your teams  how we can help to provide clarity/reassurance via Facebook.

In response to the email, Flaherty gave the employee some suggestions on how Facebook could shut down anyone questioning the safety of the vaccine, such as telling users that adverse effects are very rare. Flaherty also requested a commitment from [Facebook] to make sure that a favorable review [of the vaccine] reaches as many people as the pause, either through hard product interventions or algorithmic amplification, ensuring that the news about J&J doesnt spin off misinformation.

In another email between Facebook and the Biden administration, the employee told Flaherty that the social media company would love to talk about ways they could adjust its algorithm to control what information is shared and what is primarily hidden from public view, ensuring that the White House has control over the dominant messaging surrounding the vaccines.

Facebook worked with the federal government to only share approved messaging about the Covid-19 vaccines, silencing anyone who questioned the safety of the shots or suggested they may cause serious side effects.

Although the government tried shutting down anyone who said the vaccine is not safe, in May 2022 the FDA ended up limiting the use of the J&J vaccine only to those who were unable or refused to take another vaccine due to the risk of blood clots, suggesting that those who questioned the vaccines safety were right to do so.

Read more at: 100PercentFedUp.com
(Natural News) In most movies, television shows, and series, actors consume toxic products and dangerous drugs like its just normal daily activity that everyone should be doing, without caution or care. Can any human being sustain the modeled lifestyles that are so prominently featured by Hollywood? Its just a matter of time, if you follow suit, until your body starts breaking down and entering the torturous world of cancer, malnutrition, heart disease, and wait for it the dreaded disease where you forget who your immediate family members are dementia.

Its all just slice of life, as Hollywood often makes it seem. The parents and kids grab a jug of milk from the fridge and pour a nice tall glass, ignoring the fact that most milk (conventional and processed) contains hormones, antibiotics, and parasites from the abused dairy cows that are forced to produce too much, too often, and live in bacteria and virus-laden quarters (CAFOs). Breakfast usually consists of a table absolutely full of unhealthy food, including gluten-laden breads, syrup, sugar-loaded cereal, sausages, and of course, milk.

Then, everyone in movies and shows always goes straight to the kitchen sink and fills up a glass with tap water. This almost ensures ingesting toxic fluoride, chlorination chemicals, heavy metals, and other peoples medication residues, found in nearly all municipal tap water. Thank you for that.

Hollywood actors are quick to indulge in straight whiskey from a glass all day, at home, at the office, at the bar. Then they usually do a second and third shot, and then pour more. Its modeling a binge mode with a product thats actually poison for your cleansing organs, but thats just normal living, by Hollywood standards (or lack thereof).

Youll also see the majority of Hollywood stars snort a few lines of cocaine at a bar, party, or around their coffee table, like its just a little candy (nose candy) or a shot of liquor. Cocaine is highly addictive and can wreck a humans health and finances in a very short amount of time, and if caught, a chance to serve jail time. Talk about health and life risks. Cocaine use also risks heart attacks and strokes, as the heart speeds up so fast and races, and then slows way down. Plus, the cocaine abuser or crackhead will seem just fine minutes or hours later, when it reality, withdrawals and addictions to hard drugs leave the user in a zombie-like state of dysfunction, desperation for more, more, more.

Many Hollywood actors will get completely blitzed at a bar or party, then jump in a vehicle and drive home or to another bar or party. This is like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun, since drinking and driving can kill people rather easily, including the drunk driver.

Top 6 ways Hollywood makes unhealthy, dangerous, and deadly behaviors seem normal and harmless

#1. Actors usually use tap water for filling drinking glasses and for making coffee or tea, modeling that theres no concern about toxic fluoride or heavy metal toxins.

#2. Adult actors are frequently drinking whiskey, beer, or wine in nearly every cool scene at home or a restaurant.

#3. Kids, teens, and adults often fill a glass with processed milk for drinking, ignoring common contaminants like hormones, antibiotics, and parasites.

#4. Stars often do hard drugs, like cocaine, and then seem just fine and fully functional and coherent just minutes or hours later.

#5. Actors often drink excessive alcohol and then drive a vehicle.

#6. The normalization of everything transgender that influences kids and teens to want to get gender mutilation surgery and cancer-tumor-inducing hormones.

In todays world, extreme liberalism means pushing twisted and perverted lifestyles on others, including teens and children. Hollywood, along with Disney, push transgender everything like its perfectly normal, sane, moral, and acceptable. Biological men will dress up like a stripper, in high heels, thongs, excessive makeup (caked on like a clown), and a womans hairstyle wig to boot, and then touch, caress, and manipulate children (Drag Queen Story Hour) while convincing them they should to the same. This includes coercing teens and kids into getting genitalia-mutilating surgery and taking cancer-tumor-causing hormone drugs to help fake the gender change.

Even kids movies and shows now feature gender-fluid people and the flaunting of sexual actions among gays, as if children need to see this constantly to not be bigoted about it. Its child abuse to turn these innocent kids into mutilated sex-freaks with no morals or values, who may become depressed, suicidal, and infertile from these gender-bender drugs and surgeries.

Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news and the exposure of Hollywood and Disney perversions and unhealthy, dangerous lifestyles that are normalized in mainstream media.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

Breitbart.com
(Natural News) California-based poultry producer Foster Farms is petitioning the Service Transportation Board (STB) for emergency assistance, warning that its dairy cattle and chickens are running out of food, and fast.

Blaming extreme weather conditions, Union Pacific (UP) rail delivery failures, and other factors, Foster Farms says the point has again been reached where hundreds of thousands of dairy cattle are not being fed, and  millions of chickens will starve to death because of UPs service failures.

A day after the petition was submitted, a U.S. freight rail regulator ordered UP to deliver five trains of feed to Foster Farms. However, only one of those trains arrived as scheduled, according to the company.

Because chickens are smaller than cattle, they risk dying more quickly without food than their larger counterparts. To prevent this, Foster Farms says it is diverting cattle feed to its chickens for the time being.

Responding to the complaint, UP blamed its delivery delays on bad weather, which now includes washouts in California due to numerous atmospheric river events, as well as rockslides in Nevada. (Related: We warned you about all this and more last year.)

Union Pacific continues to work closely with Foster Farms, providing daily updates and delivering the trains addressed in the order, a spokeswoman from the company said.

Systemic problems, not just weather, to blame for UP train failures

Four of the five UP feed trains have since arrived, after which Foster Farms wrote in an STB filing that it believes there is more to the story than just bad weather.

While Foster Farms concedes that weather played a part, it also believes this failure is indicative of systemic problems within UP that will persist, the company said.

As you may recall, UP and other major rail lines have been on the verge of a nationwide strike for many months now. Failed negotiations with unions and the Biden regime have left a precarious situation that seems to get worse by the day.

Since October, three Foster Farms facilities are undersupplied due to UP delays. In the past six months, Foster Farms has twice attempted to get emergency assistance with very little success.

In June, Foster Farms said it was on the verge of euthanizing millions of birds because of delays in feed shipments, and it received a rare emergency service order from the STB to alleviate the crisis, reported The Wall Street Journal. This type of order was the first in more than a decade.

That same month, the Foster family sold off the company to Atlas Holdings, prompting Donnie Smith, a former CEO of competitor Tyson, to come out of retirement to take over the company.

There were very few opportunities that would cause me to, frankly, get out of what was a deliriously happy retirement, Smith said. I had a very fulfilling retirement, but for me, this was such an intriguing and such a phenomenal opportunity for me  I just couldnt say no.

All of this is a crying shame, considering California used to be the breadbasket of the nation. Without working rail lines and stable feed supplies, poultry and cattle are at risk of dying, which means mass starvation could be looming for the millions of Americans who rely on these animals for food.

This is being orchestrated, wrote a commenter about the situation. The first complaints about the railroad, just last year, were when they limited amounts of fertilizer being delivered for agricultural use, limiting crop yields. Now theyre going after the meat industry.

As the global economy implodes, we will keep you informed about the latest at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

WND.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Big Pharma companies are now looking to charge a heftier price tag on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) shots when it shifts from government contracting to commercial distribution.

Modernas Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday, Jan. 9, that it is considering raising the price of the coronavirus injections from $110 to $130 per dose. The cost range is similar to Pfizers new price suggestion as the governments current purchase program expires.

I would think this type of pricing is consistent with the value, he said, adding that the firm is in discussion with hospital systems, pharmacies and pharmacy-benefit managers to line up the distribution of its vaccine ahead of a potential fall booster shot campaign.

Moderna previously estimated commercial price expectations at $64 to $100 per shot.

Back in 2020, then-President Donald Trumps administration bought two bulk orders totaling 200 million vaccine doses from Moderna at a total cost of $3.2 billion. The initial August 2020 deal guaranteed an advance market for 100 million doses at a price of $15.25 per dose. In December of that year, the second purchase was priced at about $16.67 per dose.

In 2021, the Biden administration bought an additional 300 million doses of the Moderna vaccine at a higher price. In February of that year, the federal government paid Moderna $1.75 billion for 100 million doses. Four months later, the pharma firm secured another $3.3 billion deal for 200 million doses.

In the latest vaccine deal in July 2022, Biden paid $1.74 billion for 66 million doses of their bivalent vaccine booster, or about $26.36 per shot.

Modernas revenues were recorded at $803 million in 2020, $18.5 billion in 2021 and $18.4 billion in 2022 in vaccine sales alone. Bancels change-in-control package also soared from $9.4 million to $922.5 million. (Related: Conflict of interest: PR firm representing Moderna and Pfizer is also working with the CDC to push vaccine propaganda.)

Sanders slams Moderna for its unacceptable corporate greed

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont blasted Moderna for its planned vaccine price increase, saying that it amounts to unacceptable corporate greed. He sent a letter to Moderna, asking the vaccine manufacturer to halt any planned price hike.

You propose to make the vaccine unaffordable for the residents of this country who made the production of the vaccine possible, he wrote. In the midst of a continuing public health crisis and a growing federal deficit, is not the time for Moderna to be quadrupling the price of this vaccine. Now is not the time for unacceptable corporate greed.

Sanders, who will soon chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said the companys decision to charge up to $130 a dose once the shots move to the commercial marketplace is outrageous and will cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

He added that he finds the decision particularly offensive given the fact that the vaccine was jointly developed in partnership with scientists from the National Institutes of Health, a U.S. government agency that is funded by U.S. taxpayers, emphasizing that the government invested $1.7 billion into the company for vaccine research and development

The Hill reported that vaccines will still be free to people with private insurance once the public health emergency ends and the federal supply of vaccines runs out, but the cost will likely be reflected in premiums.

Follow PharmaceuticalFraud.com for more stories on how Big Government and Big Pharma collude to deceive people.

Watch the video below that talks about Pfizer jacking its price to $110 per dose.

This video is from the Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Official biochemical and statistical evidence 100% confirms Moderna created COVID-19.

CLOWN SCIENCE: Pfizer and Moderna to self-investigate their own covid jabs for heart risks.

CONFIRMED  COVID is man-made & Fauci, Bill Gates, Daszak & Moderna are responsible.

Moderna patented a 19-nucleotide sequence in 2013 that matches the most infectious sequence of SARS-CoV-2.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

WSJ.com

Reuters.com

TheHill.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) On December 21, 2001, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc, agreed to settle a lawsuit over the diabetes drug Rezulin (troglitazone) after a jury awarded $43 million to a Texas woman whose liver was destroyed by the medication.

Margarita Sanchez was reported to have been on a transplant waiting list since her liver failed after she took Rezulin for two months in 1999. The said settlement was the first of a series of payouts involving the drug that has been blamed for 63 deaths and dozens of other serious liver failures worldwide.

Rezulin, introduced in March 1997 by Pfizers marketing unit Warner-Lambert, was hailed as a breakthrough treatment for adult-onset diabetes, a disorder that occurs when the body stops metabolizing insulin blood sugar. Three years later, the filing of around 2,000 product liability suits began.

The medication was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of diabetes in January 1997 on the basis of a fast-track review of six months. It marked the agencys fastest approval of a diabetes pill. In less than three years, it generated sales of $2.1 billion. (Related: Fast-Track FDA Drug Approvals Leads to Deadly Drugs Entering Market.)

Pfizer was acquitted in the first Rezulin lawsuit, which involved the death of a 58-year-old woman. Senior FDA officials stood behind the drug despite a mounting death toll and the drugs absence of proven lifesaving benefits.

In Sanchezs case, the New York-based pharma argued that hepatitis caused her liver problems. Following the jurys $43-million award of compensatory damages, Pfizer said it would appeal. But, while the jury was deliberating the assessment of punitive damages against Pfizer, the company agreed to settle the case.

Despite the fact that Pfizer complained bitterly that they were not afforded a fair trial, it took them only four hours to settle this case after the verdict came in, Michael Papantonio, Sanchezs lawyer, said. Papantonio said he could not disclose the settlement amount, while a spokesman for Pfizer said he also was bound by a confidentiality agreement.

Pfizer faced 105 class-action suits linked to Rezulin

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing in November 2001, Pfizer said it faced 105 class-action suits in state and federal courts seeking either medical monitoring of people who had taken Rezulin or damages or restitution for those patients as well as individual cases on behalf of 4,500 patients and about 8,400 claims for compensation.

A few years into the ongoing Rezulin cases, Pfizer scored one win in the protracted liability battle over injuries related to the shelved Rezulin. Back in 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court (SC) said it will consider granting Warner Lambert the right to appeal against a lawsuit by patients who claim they experienced adverse effects.

Pfizers subsidiary company was trying to overturn the decision by a New York appeals court to allow plaintiffs to proceed with liability claims in a Michigan state court.

PharmaTimes World News reported in February of the same year how Michigans House of Representatives had voted to repeal an 11-year-old law that gave pharmaceutical manufacturers protection against unreasonable lawsuits.

New Yorks 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said product liability against drug companies should only be waived in exceptional circumstances. The court ruling stated: Because of its important role in state regulation of matters of health and safety, common law liability cannot be easily displaced in our federal system.

The NY verdict overturned the 2005 ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who stated that pharmaceutical companies were not liable in such cases unless there was evidence the company misrepresented or withheld material information in obtaining approval from the FDA for the drug.

At that point, Pfizer urged the high court to overturn the appeals courts ruling and interpret federal law in a way that would make it more difficult for consumers to sue under state laws over injuries linked to prescription medicines.

Visit BigPharmaNews.com for more news related to Pfizers dangerous medicines and vaccines.

Watch the video below that talks about Rezulins rise and fall and its uncanny similarities to the COVID-19 vaccine.

This video is from the Truth or Consequences channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Byetta Diabetes Drug Linked to Patient Deaths; Real Diabetes Cures Ignored.

Woman injured by Pfizer COVID-19 shot feels damaged for life.

Pfizers business model is to create the sickness and sell the cure.

EU governments contracted with Pfizer, knowingly exposed healthy populations to UNKNOWN adverse events, while protecting Pfizer from any claim of adverse events.

Sources include:

LATimes.com

TheDailyRecord.com

PharmaTimes.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The latest tranche of emails from the Twitter Files revealed that the social media platform censored posts about natural immunity and the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines following pressure from a member of Pfizers board of directors.

An email from Pfizer board member Dr. Scott Gottlieb dated Aug. 27, 2021 was made public by independent journalist Alex Berenson. In the said email, Gottlieb complained to Twitter Senior Manager for Public Policy Todd OBoyle about a tweet posted by former Adm. Brett Giroir, who reiterated the superiority of natural immunity over vaccines.

Its now clear COVID-19 natural immunity is superior to vaccine immunity, by [a lot]. Theres no scientific justification for [proof of vaccination] is a person had prior infection. Giroir tweeted. He also urged former President Donald Trump and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield to follow the science.

In line with that, Gottlieb wrote to OBoyle: This is the kind of stuff thats corrosive. Here, he draws a sweeping conclusion off a single retrospective study in Israel that hasnt been peer-reviewed. But this tweet will end up going viral and driving news coverage.

The Twitter senior manager then forwarded Gottliebs email to the Strategic Response team without mentioning him by name, writing: Please see this report from the former FDA (Food and Drug Administration) commissioner.

According to Berenson, an analyst from the team quickly found that Giroirs tweet did not violate any edicts on misinformation. Nevertheless, the post was labeled as misleading and all its interactions  replies, re-tweets and likes  disabled.

Both Gottlieb and Giroir previously served as FDA commissioner under the Trump administration  Gottlieb from May 2017 to April 2019, and Giroir in an acting capacity from November to December 2019. The two also joined the boards of pharmaceutical firms after their time in government, with Gottlieb joining Pfizer and Giroir becoming the CEO and a board member of Georgia-based Altesa BioSciences.

Gottlieb also complained about other COVID critics

The misleading label and restrictions on Giroirs tweet remain in place as of writing, even though several high-ranking health officials  including former White House COVID-19 Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx  have since questioned that effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing infections.

Berenson, a former reporter for the New York Times, also revealed that Gottlieb complained about a tweet from author Justin Hart. The Pfizer board members Sept. 3, 2021 grievance centered on Harts post that said: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but a viral pathogen with a child mortality rate of [about zero percent] has cost our children nearly three years of schooling.

According to the independent journalist, Gottliebs complaint about Harts tweet came at a time when Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine would soon be approved for children [aged] five to 11. In that instance, however, Twitter refused to act.

Even Berenson himself was included in the people Gottlieb complained about. He divulged this fact during an October 2022 appearance on the Fox News program Tucker Carlson Tonight.

I was discouraging people from getting the vaccines, which the White House wanted, Berenson told news anchor Tucker Carlson. And then Gottlieb  went to Twitter and said, This guy is a problem, and then they banned me. Thus began the final act in a secret months-long conspiracy to suppress my basic American right to free speech. (Related: Alex Berenson says former FDA Commissioner and current Pfizer board member colluded with Twitter to ban him.)

On one hand, Gottlieb responded to the revelations about him flagging Giroirs tweet by claiming that the publication of his email to OBoyle was a selective disclosure of his private communications with Twitter. The Pfizer board member continued that the publication of his correspondence had stoked the threat environment and instigated more menacing dialogue, with potentially serious consequences.

On the other hand, Giroir accused the Pfizer director of scheming with Twitter to apparently put corporate interests first instead of prioritizing public health.

Censorship.news has more stories about Twitters censorship.

Watch Adm. Brett Giroir explain why President Joe Biden experienced a breakthrough COVID-19 infection even though the latter was vaccinated below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Federal judge: Twitter must explain why it CENSORED journalist Alex Berenson, who exposed many unpopular truths about COVID.

Twitter just suspended a former NYT science writer for merely QUOTING a Pfizer study that shows vaccines are failing.

Twitter working on new censorship shtick: misinformation warning labels.

Twitters censorship of Big Pharma critics is a worldwide phenomenon.

Three doctors sue Twitter over censorship of COVID-related posts.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) This is hilarious.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

Neil deGrasse Tyson melts down when asked about the efficacy of Covid Vaccines pic.twitter.com/RkiOYQiDjV  Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 10, 2023

Where is this social contract when it comes to the state locking up criminals and preventing crime? Where is the social contract when it comes to protecting our borders and stopping mass immigration?

The system in place to review vaccines that Tyson cites was scrapped as a result of Emergency Use Authorization orders.

Trump openly bragged about threatening to fire FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn if he didnt sign off on approving the shots for emergency use (Hahn dutifully did sign off on the EUA like a coward).

The CDC signed off on giving boosters to children with literally zero testing at all.

The FDA vaccine advisory panel voted in favor of vaxxing kids aged 5-11 with Pfizers experimental mRNA injection after panelist Dr. Eric Rubin stated, Were never going to learn about how safe this vaccine is unless we start giving it.

FDA Voting Member: Were never gonna learn about how safe the vaccine is until we start giving it. ???? Video HT @politicalwillipic.twitter.com/OMAph49Qow  Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) October 26, 2021

None of the various covid shots prevented transmission, so the Typhoid Mary debate isnt even relevant. When Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla announced his mRNA shot was 100% effective in preventing covid cases in South Africa that was only because covid had only barely begun to spread among the trial participants.

Only 9 people out of 800 trial participants (1.13%) in total tested positive for covid and they just so happened to have been in the placebo group.

Excited to share that updated analysis from our Phase 3 study with BioNTech also showed that our COVID-19 vaccine was 100% effective in preventing #COVID19 cases in South Africa. 100%! https://t.co/E2ksTJSopU  Albert Bourla (@AlbertBourla) April 1, 2021

In South Africa, where the B.1.351 lineage is prevalent and 800 participants were enrolled, nine cases of COVID-19 were observed, all in the placebo group, indicating vaccine efficacy of 100% (95% CI, [53.5, 100.0]), Pfizer said in a press release in April 2021.

Those results should have been laughed off at the time but instead our corrupt public health authorities ran with it and supported mandating everyone take these shots in order to have a job.

A Pfizer exec later testified that they skipped testing the vaccines efficacy at preventing transmission because they had to move at the speed of science.

? BREAKING: In COVID hearing, #Pfizer director admits: #vaccine was never tested on preventing transmission. Get vaccinated for others was always a lie. The only purpose of the #COVID passport: forcing people to get vaccinated. The world needs to know. Share this video! ?? pic.twitter.com/su1WqgB4dO  Rob Roos MEP ?? (@Rob_Roos) October 11, 2022

You can watch Tysons extended interview with Valuetainments Patrick Bet-David below:

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
(Natural News) The next phase of the Great Reset involves forcibly separating people from their humanity, according to globalist Yuval Noah Harari, an adviser to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

While discussing the matter in a recent podcast, Harari posited the notion that once the globalists successfully turn on the virtual reality they have planned for the world, those that remain will probably need to relearn how to see and walk.

Hararis plan is to recreate the world in his own image, which means divorcing people from the physical and biological world and turning them and their lives into a computer software program. (Related: Harari and his globalist friends foolishly think they are going to escape this hell they are creating on earth via their own private technological Noahs Ark.)

All that change talked about during the Obama years was likely in reference to Harari and the WEFs now-revealed plans for the future, which is rapidly becoming the present. In short, they want to steal your soul and subject you to an eternal hell of their own making.

The many unique things that define the human experience  things like thought, imagination, movement, and love  will need to go in order for the world to be transformed into Harari and the WEFs image, which is totally and completely godless.

In Hararis view, whoever remains in the new world the globalists are soon to unveil will need to let go of all the things that make them human in order to adapt. This is the only way those left behind will be able to survive and flourish in the coming new world.

Maybe the most important quality to survive and flourish in the 21st century is to have mental flexibility  not just to keep learning and changing again and again  [but] also to keep letting go, Harari remarked during the episode.

Part of what makes it difficult to learn new things [is] that we hold on. Ill give an example of how deep it goes: its not just what you learned in college or what you learned in kindergarten; its even what you learned as a baby, as a toddler, like learning how to see, or learning how to walk.

The globalists want you and your brain to be uploaded into their new metaverse virtual reality  and it will cost you your soul

What does Harari mean by all this? He further explained that as virtual reality improves, it is likely that many of the things that humans right now are used to doing will no longer be accessible to them.

And with all the talk of the metaverse and so forth, which we will discuss later on  its likely that [there] will be many more activities shifting from the physical biological world that we know into a new reality  a virtual reality  which has different physical and biological laws.

Technology will be force-imprinted as a replacement for the human soul, Harari essentially revealed, further explaining that the new transhumanist mind being overlayed on people right now will eventually be able to exist outside of the body.

The entire world will become a virtual cloud, so to speak, where all existence will occur in the new digital metaverse rather than in real life. This is what the globalists are planning to unleash once the restrainer is removed.

They view people as expendable and interchangeable like cogs in a machine, one commenter wrote about Harari and his kind. The Matrix is becoming a reality.

Harari is a child of hell who wants the same for you and your family. To learn more, visit Transhumanism.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com

BlueLetterBible.org
(Natural News) In the past few years, archaeologists have used lasers to discover previously hidden ancient civilizations.

This laser technology, called light detection and ranging (LiDAR), employs planes or drones to beam thousands of laser pulses from the sky to the ground below. These pulses penetrate through the thick, deep forest covering  which researchers then use to generate three-dimensional maps beneath the vegetation that reveal human-built structures.

Here are five early civilizations whose ruins in Latin America were found using advanced LiDAR technology.

Secret 2,000-year-old Mayan civilization in northern Guatemala

Utilizing laser pulses, researchers discovered a 2,000-year-old Mayan civilization in northern Guatemala. From their topographical maps of the region, they found that the civilization was composed of 417 cities, towns and villages scattered across 650 square miles.

The community had dozens of ball courts and 110 combined miles of passable causeways that permitted ancient Mayans to travel.

478 Long-forgotten Maya and Olmec ceremonial sites in Mexico

Researchers discovered 478 Mesoamerican sites in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz, scattered across a 32,800-square-mile area where the Olmec and Maya civilizations developed. The discovery, according to the researchers, helps archeologists link the Olmec and Maya cultures.

Anthropologist and research team member Takeshi Inomata of the University of Arizona remarked: It was unthinkable to study an area this large, until a few years ago. (Related: Ancient embassy in famed Mayan city hints at two allied states turned bitter foes.)

More than 60,000 unidentified structures hidden in the Guatemalan jungle

Back in 2018, researchers tapped LiDAR to map out a jungle in Peten, Guatemala  the site of a previous Mayan settlement. They found 61,480 long-lost roads, foundations for houses, military fortifications and elevated causeways  all dating back to the Mayan Late Classic Period between the years 650 and 800.

Seen as a whole  terraces and irrigation channels, reservoirs, fortifications and causeways reveal an astonishing amount of land modification done by the Maya over their entire landscape on a scale previously unimaginable, Tulane University anthropologist and research team member Francisco Estrada-Belli said in a statement.

81 Earthworks, fortified villages and roads deep in the Amazon rainforest

Also in 2018, archaeologists used LiDAR to uncover 24 sites with 81 earthworks  comprising interlinked roads and fortified communities built on mounds in Brazils Mato Grosso state. According to Insider, the archaeologists believe that the structures may have supported an intricate civilization with a one million-strong population between 1250 and 1500.

It seems that it was a mosaic of cultures, Jonas Gregorio de Souza, a member of the team that found the Mato Grosso structures, told the Wall Street Journal in 2018.

Large ancient civilization concealed in the Bolivian section of the Amazon

LiDAR uncovered the hidden ruins of 26 indigenous community sites that flourished in the Amazon rainforest more than 600 years ago in Bolivia. The communities that also built stepped platforms and 72-foot-tall conical pyramids were from the Casarabe culture, which occupied a region of nearly 1,700 miles between the years 500 and 1400.

Our results put to rest arguments that western Amazonia was sparsely populated in pre-Hispanic times, researchers said in a May 2022 study published in Nature.

Follow Discoveries.news for more stories about ancient civilizations.

Watch this video about 10 mysterious lost civilizations.

This video is from the AncientCivilization channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ancient Maya civilization purified water using filtration system made of crystal minerals.

Archaeologists uncover remains of mysterious Mayan queen in underground pyramid in Guatemala.

Archaeologists unearth 2 trophy SKULLS in Belize jungles: Macabre artifacts will be used to study the collapse of the Maya civilization.

Ancient ingenuity: Amazon tribes built fishponds to survive long droughts.

Experts unearth unique leather scale armor at 2,500-year-old Chinese burial site

Sources include:

Yahoo.com

News.Tulane.edu

BusinessInsider.com

WSJ.com

Nature.com

Brighteon.com
Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) has successfully launched its inaugural edition aiming to accelerate and mobilise private sector action on the regions decarbonisation.

The Forum, featuring high-level speakers and key panels with top government officials and business and climate leaders, launched with the participation of more than 400 senior decision makers, sustainability experts and dignitaries in Bahrain.

Held under the patronage of the Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, the Forum focused on Business Transition to Net-Zero  the Path Towards a Successful Low-Carbon Future.

Net-zero commitments

Participants examined national and regional net-zero commitments and the critical role of the private sector in achieving them. The Forums world-class programme looked holistically at the road ahead towards net-zero and the essential collaborations, funding and regulations required for the successful and rapid decarbonisation of businesses across all economic sectors.

Dr Daina applauded the efforts made by the organisers to host such a successful forum, which aims to integrate environmental and economic endeavors, advance toward achieving sustainable development goals, support national efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and find practical economic and development solutions that are consistent with Bahrains Economic Vision and its environment and climate commitments.

"Bahrain is eager to support environmental initiatives with the private sector's role in more development, emphasising the importance of experts' role in enriching scientific dialogue, which is regarded as a critical pillar to green initiatives and diverse development projects, Dr Daina said.

Setting the scene

Launching the Forum and setting the scene for the day was a keynote address by Mark Thomas, Group Chief Executive, Oil and Gas Holding Company (nogaholding). Thomas, addressed the climate crisis threat on the global ecosystem. He also underlined the kingdoms commitments declared by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to achieve Net-Zero by 2060, and 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2035 at the COP26 summit.

Thomas further added: These targets are now part of our mandate at nogaholding. To achieve these, we have appointed Boston Consultancy Group to support the development of the National Energy Strategy for the Kingdom of Bahrain. This strategy will help ensure that the Kingdom has enough energy to sustain its ambitious economic growth plans over the next few decades and beyond, and determine how to best reduce our carbon footprint and which renewable or green energy resources are most suitable for Bahrain.

Highly interactive sessions took place throughout the day focusing on helping companies and decision makers better understand the implications of net-zero and the opportunities and challenges on the path towards a low-carbon future.

Unique role

Highlighted in discussions were the outcomes of the recently held COP27 in Egypt and the road ahead towards COP28, which is set for November 2023 in the UAE, making it the second consecutive UN global climate meeting to be taking place in the region, shining a spotlight on Menas important and unique role in global decarbonisation.

Sessions also addressed the net-zero ambitions of the Mena governments and where we are today, financing for the transition with input from leading international, regional and local banks, energy transition and the integration of renewables with representatives from oil and gas companies and alternative energy providers and the evolution of climate regulation with participation from regulators and legal experts as well as a panel session on decarbonisation of the infrastructure sector, one of the most critical in achieving regional net-zero targets.

The opportunity for hands-on-learning was another important feature of the Forum. Attendees had the chance, over two days, to take in four expert-led workshops delivered by senior representatives from Bahrain Institute for Banking and Finance (BIBF), Deloitte Middle East, EY-Parthenon and KPMG.

Decarbonisation journeys

While many large companies across the region are well on their way, a significant number, especially SMEs, have yet to launch their decarbonisation journeys. A priority of the Forum was to arm as many private sector players as possible with greater knowledge and practical tools for taking action and accelerating their contributions to the achievement of national and regional decarbonisation objectives.

Supporting the Forums aims and mission were a group of highly committed partners to sustainability and climate action. These include Strategic Partners Supreme Council for Environment - Bahrain Economic Development Board and Tamkeen, Lead Partner - Sustainable Infrastructure - Infracorp, Lead Partner  Standard Chartered, Energy Partner  nogaholding, Knowledge Partner - National Bank of Bahrain, ESG Partner  Gulf International Bank, Forum Partner- Alba, Official Carrier  Gulf Air and Networking Partners  Dadabhai Travel and NGN International.-- TradeArabia News Service
(Natural News) Numerous flight routes will be canceled this spring at American Airlines (AA) due to a major shortage of pilots, all of whom were required to get vaccinated for covid.

In a statement to Fox Business, AA revealed that in response to the pilot shortage affecting the airline industry, American Airlines has made the difficult decision to end service in Columbus, Georgia (CSG), Del Rio, Texas (DRT) and Long Beach, California (LGB) this spring.

The announcement comes on the heels of continued reports about pilots suffering fatal heart attacks, oftentimes mid-flight, resulting in their no longer being available to fly the companys airplanes.

Many suspect, based on a growing body of evidence, that all these pilot deaths are a direct result of Operation Warp Speed, which was foisted on the world at the end of 2020. Donald Trump and his regime launched the covid jab program, then handed the baton to the Biden regime to enforce it as mandates.

AA is one of the many companies that complied, forcing its employees to take the injections or else be fired. Many complied, and many have since died, leaving a massive void in the ranks.

Were extremely grateful for the care and service our team members provided to our customers in these cities, and are working closely with them during this time, the airline told Fox Business.

Well proactively reach out to customers scheduled to travel to offer alternate arrangements. (Related: Remember back in 2016 when AA introduced new chemical-laden uniforms that sickened employees?)

Will the American economy as we currently know it last through 2023?

Since the start of the scamdemic, AA reportedly dropped 19 cities from its routes. Other airlines have done much the same as they lose employees and customers, resulting in reduced revenues and profits.

The corporate decline stemming from the plandemic is becoming very noticeable as we enter 2023 with job cuts being announced across many sectors. It turns out that shutting down the entire economy for a Chinese Cough comes with serious consequences that have only just begun to manifest.

The Christmas Rush cancellations were caused by the shortage of pilots who didnt pass their mandatory six-month physical examination caused by the covid vaccine,' suggested a commenter about why the situation really started to degrade at the turn of the year.

Despite the many forms of automation that now exist on modern planes, they cannot fly themselves, noted a former pilot about how actual human beings are needed to control the computers that keep these massive hunks of metal and plastic up in the air.

I am a trained commercial pilot but stopped doing it decades ago, this person wrote. When the weather is good, your computer navigation works and it is very easy  it is when things are not perfect that it takes intense understanding of meteorology, physics, aerodynamics, psychology, physiology, mental fitness, faith, the will to live, time management and about 50 other things I cant remember right now, to make a safe pilot.

I have been in many knock-out punches in the air and was able to get down safely. You cant imagine the variables up there, and nor can a computer.

Concerning the toxic uniforms AA forced its employees to wear, another commenter wrote that her son has a constant rash where the collar of his dress shirt rubs his neck.

Some flight attendants have ended up in the hospital with anaphylactic shock, respiratory issues and massive amounts of hives. We have washed his shirts repeatedly in vinegar and it has helped some. Its ridiculous.

The latest news about the fallout from mass covid vaccination can be found at VaccineDeaths.com.

Sources for this article include:

Newspunch.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) There can be no better example of just how politicized and deferential to Democrats that our governmental institutions have become than the huge double standard that exists between Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Readers may recall that dozens of FBI agents conducted a raid on Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in August on the allegation that he improperly possessed classified materials. Bidens Justice Department, at the time, claimed the unprecedented raid on a former presidents home was done in the name of preserving national security.

But now, reports earlier this week reveal that not only was Biden caught with similarly classified documents that he kept at a private Washington, D.C. office he used in connection with work for the University of Pennsylvania, but the Justice Department knew about them before the Nov. 8 midterm elections and failed to report the incident. And, of course, no one in the far-left deep state leaked the discovery to the left-wing media, which wouldnt have reported it anyway.

As reported by Explain America:

Sources have told CNN that some of the materials discovered last fall in a private office used by President Joe Biden include classified documents related to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK. The Tuesday report said investigators have discovered 10 classified documents including US intelligence memos and briefing materials that covered a variety of topics related to those countries.

The report noted further that Attorney General Merrick Garland has been sent a preliminary investigative report regarding the inquiry, a law enforcement source told CNN. Now, he faces the critical decision on how to proceed, including whether to open a full-blown criminal investigation, the outlet continued.

The outlets report noted further that a President Trump holdover, Chicago-based U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. has briefed Garland a number of times, so there is no reason why he cant proceed with the same kind of criminal probe that he has authorized for Trump.

But of course, all of this is political, as Explain America noted further: CNN noted further that the documents were discovered six days before the midterm elections, on Nov. 2. However, the issue only became public on Monday, thanks to news reports.

Translated, that means Americans would have never known about this if someone  likely a Trump ally  had not leaked it to a news outlet.

Of course, Biden said on Tuesday he had no idea that classified documents were at his private office after he left the vice presidency, adding that his lawyers did what they should have done by calling the National Archives right away.

I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office, Biden said in response to a reporters question during a news conference in Mexico City, as he attended a meeting with Mexican and Canadian leaders.

The documents, the president noted further, were found in a box, locked cabinet  or at least a closet.

Needless to say, Trump has responded to this revelation with questions, including why the Justice Department isnt ordering the FBI to raid Bidens home to see if hes got more documents hes hiding.

When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified, Trump noted on his Truth Social platform.

Why didnt the Justice Department announce the Highly Classified documents found in the Biden Office before the Election? he queried.

Bidens documents are HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL, many pertain to UKRAINE, where Hunter was raking in the dough, and FUNDED BY CHINA, which gave $55 Million to Biden, through Penn, and probably had easy access, he noted further.

Donald Trump Jr. also asked, When will the FBIs Hostage Rescue Team storm one of Bidens many vacation homes bought and paid for somehow by a lifetime of being a humble public servant?

Theres one more difference between the documents both Biden and Trump allegedly had: Trump, as president, had the unquestioned authority to declassify anything and everything he wanted. Biden, as vice president, did not  so he would have had to have had his boss, then-President Barack Obama, do it.

Did Obama declassify them or not? Because if he didnt, Joe Biden should be in big trouble.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

TruthSocial.com

ExplainAmerica.com
(Natural News) If youve been on social media the last day or so, youve probably noticed theres a moral panic occurring over gas stoves. According to Democrats far and wide, they are dangerous, cause asthma, and must be banned by the federal government.

(Article by Bonchie republished from RedState.com)

As RedState reported, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed that line on Tuesday, resulting in much mockery given she herself has a gas stove. But whats astonishing is that amidst her absolute certainty on the topic, she had never even mentioned the issue prior.

This is one of the creepiest parts of modern progressivism. AOC had never tweeted about stoves before yesterday, but, when she did for the first time, her tone was one of weary condescension toward the bitter-enders whom shes been trying to inform for years. Its cultish. pic.twitter.com/UX8FYuPim2  Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) January 11, 2023

In other words, in the span of just 24 hours, Ocasio-Cortez saw some questionable study, promoted it on the internet, gained legions of supporters for her position, and then tried to pretend that everyone else had been ignoring her desperate calls. As Charles W. Cooke notes, its cultish behavior. Is there anything the New York congresswoman could say that her army of simps wouldnt agree with? And none of them even gave a second thought as to whether what she was saying was true or made any sense.

It wasnt just Ocasio-Cortez, though. Other Democrats lined up to preach the dangers of gas stoves, having all suddenly become experts on the matter.

Gas stoves are toxic to peoples health. They cause asthma in children, cardiac problems & other disease. They need to be phased out. https://t.co/qBWx9p2T0X  Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) January 9, 2023

This is Kennerlys only tweet ever about asthma. He has zero tweets ever about gas stoves. But clearly he got the memo that it was time to push this study. https://t.co/2JJI3ahzWd  Damin Toell (@damintoell) January 11, 2023

Good luck finding much support for Scott Wiener and Max Kennedys claims that gas stoves are toxic and cause asthma. Yes, a search will produce a random study or two, but theres been no landmark research regarding gas stoves proving they are a major health risk, much less is there anything that begins to justify federal government intervention.

What makes this even dumber is that all the Democrats currently pushing for a ban on gas stoves apparently have them. If they are so dangerous, why didnt Elizabeth Warren, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, and others get rid of their gas stoves years ago? Could it be because this entire discussion is completely manufactured?

Gas stoves for me but not for thee pic.twitter.com/UrXzzlfziQ  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 11, 2023

Regardless, its worth asking where this is all coming from, right? Why did Democrats all start moving in lockstep to ban gas stoves, seemingly with no prior concern at all? And sure enough, with a little digging, its been revealed that this isnt just idle science taking place.

The company behind the study is called Carbon-Free Buildings. That company is a partner of the World Economic Forum and has a true-believer CEO who wants to rid the world of all carbon emissions (which is impossible and would lead to mass extinction).

OMG.

The company that wrote the article being used to ban gas stoves is a world economic forum (WEF) partner. pic.twitter.com/zqIwjSkuEq  Rising serpent ?? (@rising_serpent) January 11, 2023

Now, its all starting to make sense. Is this moral panic over gas stoves really about children and asthma? Of course, its not. Rather, it is yet more nonsense from the WEF and its like-minded corporate underlings regarding climate change. Its obvious, in my view, that the citation of health risks being bandied about currently is just a convenient cover to try to force more people off forms of energy that rely on fossil fuels (i.e. natural gas).

Thats why no one was talking about this previously. The climate change cult is just using this study, which I wouldnt trust as far as I can throw it, to accomplish its ultimate goal. But whats scary here is how quickly they were able to mobilize. A study gets put out, Ocasio-Cortez and others run with it, and suddenly the federal government is trying to tell you what stove you can cook on. Theres a certain psychotic efficiency to the modern left, and it shouldnt be brushed aside.

Read more at: RedState.com
(Natural News) Its not often that a federal gun statute is rejected so soundly, but a rule put into place by the Trump administration has just been soundly rejected.

During the previous administration and after a madman used rifles equipped with bump stocks to massacre nearly 60 people attending an outdoor concert in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, then-President Donald Trump, responding to a tidal wave of public pressure, acquiesced to the gun control left and ordered his Justice Department to pronounce the stocks verboten. Suddenly, millions of Americans who owned the pieces of equipment, which are used to create the appearance and function of a fully automatic weapon, were in violation of the law.

But as is most often the case, one of those owners who did nothing wrong on Oct. 1, 2017, filed a lawsuit alleging that the previous administration mischaracterized the bump stock and thus, under the guise of current federal law, had no authority to issue the ban.

And now, a federal appeals court has agreed  overwhelmingly.

As reported by Breitbart News this week:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit handed down a 13-3 decision Friday striking down the regulatory gun control that banned bump stocks under former President Donald Trump.

In its ruling, the court intimated that actions on guns should be taken by Congress rather than the executive branch, the outlet added.

Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, in writing for the majority opinion for the Fifth Circuit, offered that those who devised the ban on bump stocks did not provide fair warning that possession of a non-mechanical bump stock is a crime.

?BREAKING NEWS: Fifth Circuit strikes bump stock ban, says Congress, not ATF, decides what conduct is criminal.  NRA (@NRA) January 6, 2023

In 2018, when the DOJ published a summary of the ban, the department noted:

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to clarify that bump-stock-type devices-meaning bump fire stocks, slide-fire devices, and devices with certain similar characteristics-are machineguns as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 because such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger.

ATF added that The term machine gun includes bump-stock devices, i.e., devices that allow a semi-automatic firearm to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger by harnessing the recoil energy of the semi-automatic firearm to which it is affixed so that the trigger resets and continues firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter, said the Justice Department statement at the time.

The agency justified the definition by noting that weapons equipped with such devices allow a shooter to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger.

Plaintiff Michael Cargill filed suit after he was forced to give up several of the bump stocks under the new ATF and DOJ definition, arguing that firearms equipped with the stocks still normally operate with several pulls of the trigger, not one. He also argued that federal law defines a machine gun as operating with a single function of the trigger.

A plain reading of the statutory language, paired with close consideration of the mechanics of a semi-automatic firearm, reveals that a bump stock is excluded from the technical definition of machinegun set forth in the Gun Control Act and National Firearms Act, Elrod added.

Sources include:

Newsmax.com

Breitbart.com
(Natural News) House Republicans were abused frequently by the Democrat majority under former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who ruled over the chamber with a partisan iron fist, removing GOP members from committees, fining them for refusing to wear worthless masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and boarding up the peoples chamber for more than a year following the deep states false flag attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

But now, after Republicans managed to win a majority in the chamber for the first time since 2018, they are wasting no time in exacting some political retribution while also moving to hold the Democrats favorite agencies accountable for becoming overtly political.

Newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), in exchange for support from the feisty Freedom Caucus, agreed to the formation of a new subcommittee to look at the abuses of conservative Americans and Republican political leaders, especially former President Donald Trump, by the FBI and the Justice Department during Barack Obamas term and Joe Bidens term thus far.

The panel will be established under the House Judiciary Committee, and it will be chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who is also chairman of the Judiciary Committee itself.

According to the site Explain America:

During a Friday evening appearance on Hannity just a few hours before McCarthy won the job after a tense night of back-and-forth with GOP members, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said that the then-Speaker candidate committed to forming a subcommittee to the House Judiciary Committee and vowed to provide it with at least as many resources as the previous House devoted to the committee investigating the Capitol incursion of Jan. 6, 2021, under former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Western Journal reported.

The Western Journal added: Roy said the subcommittee would be similar to the well-known Church Committee, set up by Democratic Sen. Frank Church in 1975 to investigate the abuses of U.S. intelligence agencies.

He added that the new subcommittee is authorized and will be set up to investigate the alleged weaponization of government, the FBI, the intel agencies, DHS, all of them.

We got more resources, more specificity, more power to go after this recalcitrant Biden administration, said the Texas Republican.

That said, Roy also noted that in order to fully hold the Biden regime accountable, the new House Republican majority must also exercise Congress traditional role of having the power of the purse.

We can do all the hearings we want in the world, but if we cant limit the spending that funds the bureaucrats, and stop buying the FBI a $400 million new headquarters that [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell just funded, then we cant win the fight. You cannot win the fight for freedom if you dont stop the bureaucrats. Thats what this entire fight this week was about, Roy told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

He added that corruption wont end with just hearings; there has to be economic consequences too.

You stop it by not giving them the money to continue to do it. You gotta hold them accountable, limit their funds, and hold them accountable through the power of the purse, he said.

According to The New York Times, The text of the resolution establishing the subcommittee would give the panel essentially open-ended jurisdiction to scrutinize any issue related to civil liberties or to examine how any agency of the federal government has collected, analyzed and used information about Americans  including ongoing criminal investigations.'

Shortly after his victory, McCarthy announced: We will hold the swamp accountable, from the withdrawal of Afghanistan, to the origins of COVID and to the weaponization of the FBI. Let me be very clear: We will use the power of the purse and the power of the subpoena to get the job done.

Sources include:

ExplainAmerica.com

NYTimes.com
(Natural News) A hero and customer at a taco restaurant in Houston who shot and killed a black man thought to be armed who was robbing customers has been ordered to appear before a grand jury by Kim Ogg, a far-left local district attorney whose election was bought and paid for by globalist billionaire George Soros though she appears to have let the criminal out on bond in the first place.

A grand jury will decide whether an armed taqueria customer, who shot and killed a robber last week in southwest Houston and is now being hailed a hero, will be criminally charged, noted a report in KTRK.

Investigators said the 46-year-old customer, who police have not identified because hes not under arrest, turned himself in and is cooperating with detectives, the report continued.

The unidentified customer went viral online last week when video of the incident was published. He has since obtained legal counsel. KTRK reported that the man shot the robber, 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington, eight times, killing him. Houston police say that Washingtons gun was just a plastic toy  perhaps an air soft pistol  but there was no way anyone could have known that at the time.

My client, who wishes to remain anonymous, was dining with a friend at El Ranchito Taqueria and as it has been seen on video, a robbery suspect entered the restaurant, and pointed a weapon at my client and the other customers demanding money. In fear of his life and his friends life my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant, the attorney said.

In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property. The customer has met with the Harris County District Attorneys Office and Investigators with HPD homicide. He fully intends to continue cooperating with the ongoing investigation, the attorney statement continued.

When the investigation is complete, this case will be presented to a Grand Jury. We are confident that a Grand Jury will conclude that the shooting was justified under Texas Law. This event has been very traumatic, taking a human life is something he does not take lightly and will burden him for the rest of his life. For that reason, he wishes to remain anonymous. Due to the overwhelming coverage, we ask the media and the public to respect his privacy, the statement added.

Like so many other criminals let out by Soros-funded DAs, Washington was also a career criminal who refused to play by societys rules and should have been in prison. But he was let out so he could pick right up where he left off with his life of crime, and now, hes dead. In many ways, DA Ogg is responsible for his death, and Soros has blood on his hands as well.

KTRK explained:

Records show Washington had an extensive criminal history and was out on bond during the would-be robbery.

Records show that in 2015, Washington was convicted on a lesser charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection to the shooting death of 62-year-old Hamid Waraich, a cell phone store owner. Houston police also charged two other men.

According to records, Washington was released on parole in 2021 and charged with assaulting his girlfriend in December 2022.

Waraich had a fiancee and three sons who reacted strongly when contacted by ABC13.

If the guy who stopped Eric was around 10 years ago, maybe Id still have my dad, Aman Waraich, son of the store clerk that was killed, told the outlet.

Eric was an evil criminal that took joy in harassing and robbing innocent families. The individual at the taqueria is a true hero! Sean Waraich, the victims other son, noted as well. He did the right thing in stopping the robber and in protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator.

It should also be noted that the dead thug, Washington, was the one who put the man who shot and killed him in the position to do so by Washingtons own actions.

Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

ABC13.com
(Natural News) The reason why former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. Brett Giroir was censored on Twitter for talking about natural immunity to covid is because fellow former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, now a Pfizer board member, pushed Twitter to censor Giroir and many others.

Leaked emails obtained as part of the Twitter Files show Gottlieb communicating back and forth with employees of not just Twitter but also YouTube. Gottlieb aggressively demanded swift action against Giroir and others whose tweets threatened to cut into Pfizers bottom line in terms of covid vaccine sales and uptake.

On Aug. 27, 2021, Gottlieb told Twitter executive Todd OBoyle to take immediate action against Giroir for daring to talk about natural immunity. Gottlieb called Giroirs words corrosive, presumably in reference to Pfizers profit streams.

Here he draws a sweeping conclusion off a single retrospective study in Israel that hasnt been peer reviewed, Gottlieb complained about Giroir in his email to OBoyle. But this tweet will end up going viral and driving news coverage.

Gottlieb, who rakes in nearly half a million dollars annually as a Pfizer board member, was really upset that Giroir wrote that post-infection immunity is superior to vaccine immunity, by A LOT [sic]. Telling the truth like this is bad business for Pfizer, so Gottlieb did what he could to silence Giroir.

(Related: The purpose behind covid was to rob you blind and prop up the corrupt financial system that rapes your livelihood  it was never about public health.)

How many lives were ruined or lost because of Gottliebs interference?

Keep in mind that Giroir never actually told anyone to not get vaccinated for covid. In fact, he wrote in the same offending tweet that people who have not been previously infected with the Fauci Flu should still get vaccinated, which was still not enough for Gottlieb.

In order to continue generating tens of billions of dollars in obscene new profits, Pfizer needs everyone to keep getting injected over and over and over again  which some of them will not do if they read messages like Giroirs pointing to studies showing the superiority of natural immunity.

The same study that Gottlieb complained was never peer-reviewed, by the way, ended up being peer-reviewed, followed by its eventual publishing in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The paper:

 demonstrated that natural immunity confers longer lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalization caused by the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, compared to the BNT162b2 two-dose vaccine-induced immunity.

Following Gottliebs complaint about Giroirs post, a Twitter analyst who reviewed it ultimately decided that it did not violate the platforms misinformation rule. Even so, because of Gottliebs interference, Twitter ended up slapping a misinformation label across it, preventing it from being shared and having wider reach.

To this day, Giroir stands by his post, claiming that it was accurate then, and it remains so now. Gottlieb, meanwhile, also defends his interference, claiming that all he was trying to do was address false and inflammatory information that just so happens, by coincidence, to negatively affect his and Pfizers income and profit streams.

Gottlieb also complained about another similar post from Justin Hart, who warned his followers that covid is a non-issue for children  thus, vaccinating them is imprudent and medically useless, Harts tweet suggested without actually stating such.

 sticks and stones may break my bones but a viral pathogen with a child mortality rate of <>0% has cost our children nearly three years of schooling, Hart wrote, much to the chagrin of Gottlieb.

To learn more about the dangers and ineffectiveness of covid vaccines, be sure to check out ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Former President Donald Trump rebuked President Joe Biden for his border policy that favored drug cartels over Americans wanting safety and security.

During a recent episode of the On The Fringe podcast, host Dan Radiostyle played footage posted by Trump on his Truth Social platform. In the video, the real estate mogul-turned-president discussed how drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine enter through the wide-open border and end hundreds of thousands of American lives.

Bidens open border policies are a deadly betrayal of our nation, Trump said. In this war, Joe Biden has sided against the U.S. and with the cartels. They are making more money than theyve ever made before  times 10. Theres never been anything like it. (Related: Video shows camouflaged illegal aliens easily crossing southern border wall to enter US.)

According to Trump, his term from 2016 to 2020 had the strongest border in American history and drugs were at a 45-year low. He assured supporters that if he becomes president once more, he will take down the cartels in the same way he took down the Islamic State and its caliphate. Trump continued that if needed, he will deploy all necessary military assets  including the U.S. Navy for a full naval embargo.

We will guarantee that the waters of the western hemisphere are not used to traffic illicit drugs to our country, Trump said. I will order the Department of Defense to make appropriate use of special forces cyber warfare and other overt and covert actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations. He added that he will get Congress to pass legislation, ensuring that drug smugglers and human traffickers receive the death penalty.

After the video finished, Radiostyle could not help but wonder if Trump is actually doing presidential things right now even though his term had already ended.

But hes having to hide it behind this charade of when hell be in office in 2024,' the podcast host continued.

White House spokeswoman points finger at Trump, Republicans

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, meanwhile, blamed Trump and Republican lawmakers for the immigration crisis facing the Biden administration. She accused the GOP of making the problem worse by opposing comprehensive immigration reform proposals put forward by Democratic lawmakers.

The president inherited a mess because of what the last administration did. We inherited a mess. And, you know, Republicans in Congress made it worse by blocking comprehensive immigration reform, she told reporters during a Jan. 6 daily press briefing.

So what youre seeing from this president is hes acting. Hes acting  to continue to protect the border, secure the border and also deal with irregular migration.

A day before the press briefing, Biden announced on Jan. 5 several changes to his immigration policies. The changes came amid 2.3 million migrant encounters being recorded in fiscal year 2022, breaking the historic 1.7 million encounters recorded in fiscal year 2021.

On the same day as Bidens announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a new rule that would make illegal immigrants ineligible for asylum if they circumvent available, established pathways to lawful migration and do not claim asylum in a country through which they traveled to get to the United States.

Reporters present during the Jan. 6 press briefing pressed Jean-Pierre about the rule, which was compared to Trumps Remain in Mexico policy mandating asylum applicants to stay outside the U.S. while their claims were being processed.

I do take issue with comparing us to Trump, the press secretary responded, adding that the former president tore babies away from their moms, from their parents [and] from their families.

Jean-Pierre insisted that the DHS proposal is not an asylum ban, noting that the Biden administration is communicating with Congress and immigration groups about the policy.

Its a safe, orderly and humane process for seeking asylum. Our priority is to do this in a safe, orderly and humane way and thats the path we want to take.

Check out OpenBorders.news for more stories on Bidens border policies.

Watch the full episode of On The Fringe with Dan Radiostyle below.

This video is from Dan Radiostyles channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas governor steps up, designates Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, orders state law enforcement to take action.

Inviting terrorism: Number of terrorists being caught at U.S.-Mexico border is increasing, thanks to Bidens policies.

Federal judge strikes down Title 42 amid historic illegal immigration, opens human invasion flood gates to the country.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

News.Yahoo.com
(Natural News) As various deep state players were all vying for inclusion into social medias spook-run censorship efforts, Twitter apparently decided, according to the latest Twitter Files revelations, that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) should be made the belly button through which all others had to funnel.

In February of 2020 when the covid scamdemic really started gaining traction and people were talking all about it on various tech platforms (i.e., Twitter and Facebook), a group called the Global Engagement Center (GEC) went to the media with a report called Russian Disinformation Apparatus Taking Advantage of Coronavirus Concerns.

The GEC, by the way, is described as a fledgling analytic / intelligence arm of the State Department. It is a very media-friendly group that to the other spook entities who were already involving in policing social media platforms at the time was deemed as a threat.

Often bypassing Twitter and the government agencies in charge of its operations, the GEC would go flag certain suspicious accounts all on its own and even share some of its intelligence with the media. The same is true of Clemsons Media Forensics Hub, which complained that Twitter was not producing enough Russi attribution, to which pedophile pervert and former Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth commented was revelatory of their motives.

It turns out that Twitter at the time was trying to reduce the number of agencies with direct access to Roth. (Related: Twitter only opposes censorship when Twitter is being censored.)

If these folks are like House Homeland Committee and DHS, once we give them a direct contact with Yoel, they will want to come back to him again and again, announced policy director Carlos Monje at the time.

In 2020, Twitter shut out all government agencies that were deemed as being too closely aligned with Trump

Since Donald Trump was president at the time, Twitter and the spooks that were running it back then did not want the GEC or any other government agency  except for the FBI, which was deemed to be aligned with the leftist-globalist agenda  interfering with the censorship process.

When the Trump State Department along with the GEC wanted in 2020 to publicize a list of 5,500 accounts it had identified as being complicit in an effort to amplify Chinese propaganda and disinformation about covid, Twitters leftist analysts were reportedly beside themselves.

The GEC report that was produced at the time centered around data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that identified accounts that followed two or more Chinese diplomat accounts. In the end, nearly 250,000 names ended up on the list, including those of Canadian officials and even a CNN account.

Roth was upset about all this, having accused the GEC of trying to insert themselves into Twitters content moderation club, which was run by the FBI, DHS, and other globalist-aligned spook agencies.

Eventually after much pushback, the GEC was allowed to participate in the routine industry calls that took place at Twitter with regard to censorship  but only on a listening basis, meaning nobody from the GEC was allowed to talk or contribute in any way.

Because the GEC operated under Trump, as he was president at the time, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and a number of others decided it was too political of an entity to be allowed into the club  which in Twitter-ese appeared to be partisan code, noted Matt Taibbi in a lengthy thread he shared about all this on Twitter.

Since the 2020 election was also coming up, Roth decided to exclude the GEC because it posed major risks  especially as the election heats up. In other words, Twitters goal was to remain a leftist-aligned censorship brigade.

The latest news about the Twitter Files can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheReaderApp.com

NaturalNews.com
Experts said the heavy rain and flooding in California could offer temporary relief from prolonged drought in the region.

Still, the report said it would take more severe wet weather to address the drought problem.

The combination of atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones helped to unload heavy rain, damaging winds and mountain snow in California, forcing many people to evacuate.

Furthermore, the major storms, packed with moisture, unfolded in California since the first week of the month.

As a result, many residents and motorists were adversely affected.

Flooding risks and flash floods were the main concerns resulting in a life-threatening situation.

Relentless rain in California

Although rain would benefit drought-stricken California, flooding and mountain snow were extremely dangerous.

In addition, significant travel disruptions also occurred.

According to the National Weather Service's latest advisory, the report said that heavy to excessive rain would unload in California this week.

As a result, the forecast warned that dangerous mountain travel conditions could occur.

NWS also raised concerns over the water rising in rivers and flooding near the coasts.

The CNN reported that thousands of Californians were evacuating, while fatalities reached at least 17.

The report also said that about 100,000 homes in affected communities had no electricity due to damage to downed power lines.

Also Read: Winter Season Snowfall in New York City Reveals Lower Than Last Year, NWS Report Shows

Drought and heavy rain

Although the rain would signal to alleviate the drought in California, it could not significantly impact drought-stricken areas.

According to the BBC and US Drought Monitor, the relentless storms in California unloading flooding rainfall helped to ease the drought by 7%.

Based on a recent BBC report, the two weeks of relentless rain in California offered a brief relief.

However, it would not be enough to mitigate the prolonged drought.

BBC noted that California is considered in the list of the driest state in the country. The region's extreme and exceptional drought in 2022 recorded one continuity of severe drought.

The drought affected many communities, forcing them to conserve water.

To mitigate the dried and rained reservoirs, lakes and rivers, experts explained that it needed several wet years to catch up with the region's prolonged drought and low rain.

According to The Conservation, Professor Andrew Fisher explained that one storm and one wet year would not address the drought in California.

Fisher, from the University of California, Santa Cruz, of Earth and Planetary Sciences, added that the drought requires methods and several wet years.

Experts added that storms could help ease and replenish drought in California.

First, however, there is a need to revisit the limited reservoir capacity in California.

The BBC reported that some reservoirs could store more water while others could not.

The report emphasized the importance of saving water from small reservoirs, which could be used for drought to dried summers.

The construction of more room for the reservoir could also help more water conservation. However, the report pointed out that it would require more infrastructure and relocation for affected areas or communities.

Meanwhile, the latest NOAA report in 2022 emphasized that about $165 billion in damage was recorded after natural disasters hit the United States.

In addition, human-caused climate change worsened the problem.

Related Article: Rare Sight of Snowy Owl Spotted in Orange County Home, California

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Saudi Arabias Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, will host a senior delegation from Oman, to explore trade and investment opportunities.

Led by Qais bin Muhammad Al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Omani Investment Promotion, the visit marks renewed shared ambitions to boost regional capabilities and strengthen existing long-standing bilateral relations.

Saudi and Omani business representatives and government leaders will participate in the Saudi-Omani Investment Forum on February 1, which will provide a platform for both nations to explore opportunities to expand existing investment partnerships and identify new areas for collaboration. The forum will include presentations from leading Saudi and Omani businesses as well as B2B and G2B meetings to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

Industries exhibition

In tandem with the investment forum, between February 1 and 4, the Saudi-Oman Industries Exhibition will celebrate the strong economic relationship between both nations and provide the opportunity for small and medium sized businesses to showcase their products. In exploring the potential for further partnerships, the Exhibition will also involve interactive workshops to discuss topics of mutual interest.

The Omani delegations visit to the kingdom is the latest in a string of high-level engagements between the two nations in recent years aimed at bolstering trade and investment partnerships in line with their economic transformation programmes  Saudi Vision 2030 and Oman Vision 2040.

In December, a high-level Saudi delegation visited Oman to explore methods of enhancing trade, while in 2021, a landmark land crossing connecting the countries was announced to promote trade.-- TradeArabia News Service
California weather in recent days has been marked by recurring brutal storm systems driven by atmospheric rivers affecting not only the Golden State but also the West Coast.

Latest reports suggest the California storm death toll has increased to 18 as the relentless wet weather continues to impact the region.

The most affected is California where thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes.

In addition, the inclement weather has also led to the occurrence of thunderstorms over the region, prompting meteorologists to issue tornado alerts, including tornado watches and tornado warnings, for Central California.

The alerts are based on the possibility that rare tornadoes could hit the state, shocking many residents who reportedly took to social media about the said weather advisory.

US weather authorities attribute the adverse weather to atmospheric rivers, also called as rivers in the sky, which carry large amounts of water vapor enough to inundate large swathes of lands for a prolonged period of time.

In the case of the Western US, this phenomenon transfers moist from nearby bodies of water like the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico as a fuel for heavy rain.

California Storm Death Toll

Sonoma County officials on Wednesday, January 11, announced a person was found dead in a car submerged under eight to 10 feet of floodwaters, bringing the total number of confirmed storm-related death across California to 18, as cited by The Seattle Times.

Previous assessment said 17 people died from the California flooding due to torrential rain, combined with mudslides and strong winds.

The latest weather system, which is a seventh atmospheric river storm since Christmas Day threatened to inundate the state which is still recovering from the storm onslaught in the region in late December.

So far, the Pacific storm train has caused not only mudslides and widespread flooding but also impassable roads, fallen trees, and downed power lines.

Also Read: New Pacific Storm Poses Risks to Life and Property for California by Early Next Week: Meteorologists Warn

Persistent Wet Weather

The National Weather Service (NWS) called the situation in California as a "relentless wet weather" due to the influx of steady moist onshore flow and atmospheric river, which will continue in the region by at least Thursday, January 12.

In its short-range forecast, torrential rain is expected from northern California to Oregon and Washington's coastal areas.

The NWS also reported that a tornado briefly touched down in Calaveras County, California, on Tuesday morning, causing extensive tree damage with no reported fatalities, as cited by The Seattle Times.

Furthermore, the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. stated almost 41,000 of its customers in Northern California and Central California remained without electricity due to storm-related power outages on Wednesday morning.

Millions of Californians have faced evacuation orders in recent days and the situation is likely to continue due to the growing mudslide and flood risks.

Los Angeles and Montecito are some of the areas where residents are ordered by local officials to evacuate, according to The New York Times.

Related Article: California Storm: Flash Floods Kill At Least 17 People, Millions Under Evacuation Orders
Zain Group in Iraq has entered into a definite 15-year deal to sell and leaseback, as well as allow the management rights of the passive physical infrastructure of its 4,968-tower portfolio in Iraq to TASC Towers Iraq for $180 million.

The deal also comprises TASC Towers Iraq expanding the network and building new tower sites across the country to meet the growing demand for data connectivity as per local market requirements, including an agreed 198 new sites over the next 12 months. Furthermore, TASC Towers will manage Zain Iraqs supporting facilities such as power generators, fuel tanks and shelters.

Zain Iraq will retain its active infrastructure, including wireless communication radios, antennas, intelligent software, transmission systems, and intellectual property with respect to managing its telecom network.

Build to suit

TASC Towers (www.tasctowers.com), headquartered in Dubai, is an international tower operator focused on sale and leaseback, build-to-suit and tower related investments in the MENEASA market (Middle East, North & East Africa and South Asia).

As an independent tower operator, TASC Towers subsidiary in Iraq will work on optimising co-location of mobile network sites with other telco operators in the country, that will result in a better utilisation of mobile site infrastructure, the reduction of power generators and hence the industrys carbon footprint.

Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman of Group CEO said: Zains 4Sight strategy aims to create significant value for shareholders through the unlocking of capital and optimisation of infrastructure assets which will flourish under the management of an independent team. This transaction will enhance operational efficiencies and empower Zain Iraq with greater flexibility to invest in network upgrades and cutting-edge ICT technologies to meet the ever-increasing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity.

Carbon footprint

Al Kharafi added: I congratulate both the Zain and TASC Towers teams for their competence in completing this landmark deal that will be instrumental in developing Iraqs digital economy and paves the way for tower infrastructure sharing, an important element in our groupwide carbon footprint reduction strategy that aims for Zain to transition to Net-Zero by 2050.

Iyad Mazhar, CEO of TASC Towers commented: "As we expand TASC Towers presence across the region, we look forward to playing a key role in the evolution of Iraqs digital economy and the positive impact it has on socio-economic growth for the community. Our independent operating model enhances the operational and carbon efficiency of passive tower infrastructure, which will allow mobile operators to invest more in technology upgrades and connectivity speeds.

This Iraq tower sale is the fourth tower transaction undertaken by Zain following similar pioneering deals including the transfer of 2,830 towers in Jordan, 1,620 towers in Kuwait and 8,100 towers in Saudi Arabia.

Laser focus

By freeing a telcos resources, tower sale and lease back deals enable Zain operations to laser focus on the telcos core business and customers, therefore providing them an exceptional mobile and data experience.

FTI Capital Advisors acted as exclusive financial advisor to Zain Group on this transaction. -- TradeArabia News Service
Despite the challenges posed by economic turmoil, epidemics, and political upheaval, network researchers are continuing to blaze new trails in innovation, performance, management, and security. In sum, 2023 is shaping up as a year of network evolution and transformation.

Here are eight network technologies you will want to pay particularly close attention to.

1. Unified SASE: Addresses hybrid workforce, hybrid clouds

Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) tightly integrates security and networking into a single platform. The technology uses a single-pass scanning architecture combined with a unified policy that's configured via a unified console that draws from a unified data lake. "This is significant for organizations to continue to provide a consistent and assured user experience while protecting users, devices, sites, and data amid the rapidly evolving dynamics coming in 2023," says Kelly Ahuja, CEO of networking and cybersecurity firm Versa Networks.

In 2023, many enterprises still require employees to work in the office at least some of the time. "This creates a hybrid and migratory workforce that will be transient across the enterprise perimeter, essentially dissolving the enterprise perimeter," Ahuja warns. Unified SASE addresses this concern by offering both network and cloud-centric security anywhere and anytime, to any user, device, or location in a consistent manner.

Unified SASE also addresses the management and security challenges presented by hybrid clouds. "Most enterprises entered 2022 with a strategy to migrate workloads and applications to one cloud," Ahuja says. "Today, most organizations have a hybrid cloud strategy, and many follow a multi-cloud approach for business continuity, cost, and efficiency."

Unified SASE, he says, helps organizations deliver always-on, high-performance connectivity and application access across multiple clouds.

2. Multi-cloud networking software (MCNS): Enforces policies across clouds

Multi-cloud networking software (MCNS) addresses the challenges related to connecting networks and applications across multiple public cloud environments. MCNS products aim to ensure consistent networking governance, policy, security, and visibility across multiple cloud environments via a single point of management.

Many cloud providers aren't able to effectively handle the integration of multiple clouds, says Ron Howell, managing enterprise network architect at IT consulting firm Capgemini Americas.

He explains that each public cloud service tends to focus on its cloud as if it were the only one an enterprise would ever need. "This is where multi-cloud networking software adds value," Howell notes.

MCNS is more than just a tool that connects a network to multiple discrete clouds. "Multi-cloud networking provides automated, policy-based networking that offers connectivity and network services for distributed workloads in and across multiple clouds," says Brad Casemore, vice president of research, datacenter and multi-cloud networking, at technology research firm IDC.

3. Cilium: Open source networking, security controls for containers

Cilium will emerge as the hottest network technology in 2023, says Ashish Kakran, principal at venture capital firm Thomvest Ventures. He notes that Cilium open source software effectively tucks networking, observability and security into a single, easy to use solution for container-based applications hosted on multi/hybrid cloud environments.

"There are a few unique advantages of using Cilium: no code changes required for granular visibility, no need to learn a new language, and blazing fast performance," Kakran says.

Under the hood, Cilium uses a powerful open-source technology called eBPF, which effectively makes the Linux kernel programmable. "Think of it as an innovation similar to Javascript, which made web browsers programmable and made it possible to do things like dynamically update web pages, load user comments, and send notifications in real time," Kakran says.

He notes that eBPF makes it possible to run code securely inside the kernel without making any kernel level code changes. "This technology solves Kubernetes related networking and observability challenges for enterprises of all sizes, but especially when they hit scale."

4. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM): Automates data protection in the cloud

After years spent securing the network, endpoints, and devices, enterprises are now focusing on data security to ensure that data layer-level risks, particularly the vast amounts of unstructured data contained in the cloud, are rapidly identified and secured, says Karthik Krishnan, CEO of data risk assessment and monitoring firm Concentric AI.

He says that Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), by automating data detection and protection operations, will help adopters better discover, monitor, and protect their sensitive data, giving them highly accurate results without the need for large security teams.

Krishnan notes that DSPM offers multiple benefits. "It discovers all the sensitive data in an enterprise environment, from financial information to intellectual property to personal information, without any rules or upfront configuration," he says.

DSPM also monitors data for risk, including inappropriate permissions and incorrect entitlements. "It remediates these issues in a timely fashion and prevents data loss," he adds.

5. Network function virtualization (NFV): The next step in WAN networking

Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) was introduced in 2014, setting the stage for a software-centric approach to wide-area networking. The next step requires a holistic approach, ensuring that all related network functions in the WAN also are software defined, says Roopa Honnachari, director of network advisory at technology research and advisory firm ISG.

NFV-based virtual network services allow for traditional hardware-centric network functions, such as routing, WAN optimization, and firewall to be deployed in a software format," she says. "A single, standardized x86 hardware box, known as a universal CPE (uCPE), can host multiple functions."

Virtual network services promise to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity involved in deploying large, global WAN networks. "By consolidating multiple functions on standardized hardware, businesses can reduce reliance on specialized hardware for each function and reduce hardware sprawl overall," Honnachari says.

When virtual network functions (VNFs) run on a virtualized uCPE, the number of devices requiring physical maintenance is limited, freeing network personnel to handle other tasks. "In the traditional network approach, if a device fails, the hardware needs to be replaced for each function," Honnachari says. "In the case of VNFs, network administrators can simply rip and rebuild that function, since it is deployed as software." The VNF download and storage configuration can be up and running in a matter of minutes, as opposed to days when following a hardware-centric approach.

6. Next-Generation Hotspot (NGH): Automates roaming, logins for Wi-Fi networks

Also known as Hotspot 2.0, NGH allows seamless and secure roaming across different wireless networks. "This is achieved through the use of the IEEE 802.11u standard, which enables devices to automatically discover and authenticate with Hotspot 2.0 networks," says David Witkowski, an IEEE senior member and broadband strategist.

There are currently several Hotspot 2.0 variants, including OpenRoaming, from the Wireless Broadband Alliance.

Hotspot 2.0 makes it easier to connect to wireless networks, eliminating the need to manually enter login credentials or configure device settings. Hotspot 2.0 technology could also replace current Wi-Fi roaming technologies, such as the WISPr protocol, which are less secure and don't support automatic network discovery and authentication. "This will lead to a better user experience and increased adoption of wireless services," Witkowski predicts.

Hotspot 2.0 also benefits cellular carriers, allowing them to offload data traffic from 4G and 5G services onto Wi-Fi networks. "This can help reduce congestion on the cellular network and improve the overall user experience," Witkowski says.

7. AI-based conversational interfaces/virtual assistants for network teams

This will be the year that conversational interfaces and virtual assistants for networking teams will become widely adopted, predicts Sujai Hajela, an executive vice president at Juniper Networks.

"With the combination of a talent crunch and a down economy, it's unlikely that organizations will be making many new hires in the short term," he says. "This means technologies that can assist existing team members  making them more efficient and effective  will be embraced."

Conversational interfaces and virtual assistants are rapidly becoming a crucial tool, helping users find the root causes of network issues quickly and easily, Hajela notes. Trial and error will be almost eliminated from the IT team vocabulary, he predicts.

"Issues that used to take days to resolve, such as a bad cable, a missing VLAN, or a poor LTE signal, can be found in seconds with conversational interfaces, virtual assistants, and AI-based technologies."

8. 6G: Satisfies needs of high-bandwidth applications

Even as 5G cellular technology continues to play a major role in broadband expansion, next generation 6G wireless is being developed. The new technology offers speeds up to 100 times faster than its predecessor, making it highly suitable for bandwidth-hungry applications such as streaming high-definition video and gaming.

Another important benefit is 6G's ability to handle a massive amount of data, says David Almodovar, managing partner at business consulting firm Almodovar Group. "This is because it will use a new type of encoding, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), which is much more efficient than the older CDMA standard."

Almodovar notes that 6G can also handle simultaneous multiple users much better than its predecessor. "This is because it will use multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technologies, which allow multiple users to share the same physical connection without interfering with each other," he explains.

Also noteworthy is 6G's reduced latency, which virtually eliminates lag on supported devices. "This is important for applications like virtual reality and augmented reality, where even a small delay can cause problems," Almodovar says.
New Delhi, Jan 12(UNI) Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on the Centre's 2010 curative plea for reopening of its settlement with Union Carbide for raising the amount of compensation for 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy victims.

A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath and JK Maheshwari, heard the curative petition filed by the Centre and also heard arguments from other parties and reserved its verdict.

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict today on Centre's 2010 curative petition demanding additional compensation from Union Carbide for the victims of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

The Centres curative plea sought for enhanced compensation for the victims sought a direction to Union Carbide and other firms for over Rs 7,400 crore additional amount over and above the earlier settlement amount of USD 470 million (RS 715 crore at the time of settlement in 1989) for paying compensation to the gas tragedy victims.

The government sought a re-examination of the apex court's February 14, 1989 judgment which had fixed compensation at USD 470 million, contending that the 1989 settlement was seriously impaired.

The contention of the Central government was that the compensation, determined in 1989, was arrived on the basis of assumptions of truth unrelated to realities.

The Bhopal gas tragedy, is one of the world's worst industrial disaster, had claimed the lives of several thousand people after a deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.

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Agartala, Jan 12 (UNI) BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda arrived here on Thursday to attend the concluding ceremony of Jana Biswas Yatra termed as Vijoy Sankalpa rally in the city on a chartered flight from Delhi.

Nadda was given a rousing welcome at MBB airport by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, and other senior BJP leaders.

Thereafter, he was escorted to the state guest house by a colourful rally and a large number of party workers on his way to the city.

He will chair the BJP core committee meeting to finalize the strategy ahead of the upcoming assembly poll and discussion on the party candidates slated for next month along with the party-state in-charge Dr Mahesh Sharma.

Nadda will attend a roadshow in the city before addressing the rally followed by the public contact program at Lankamura locality along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The Union Home minister Amit Shah commenced Jana Biswas Yatra in two mammoth rallies at Dharmanagar of North Tripura and Sabroom of South Tripura on Jan 5 last.

Both the rallies on chariots covered about 1600 km across 56 constituencies of the 60-member house over a week and dozens of BJP leaders including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Bollywood superstar Mithun Chakraborty have joined the Yatra in various locations of the state.

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"As the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Iroquois County, neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting or housing law-abiding individuals that have been arrested solely with non-compliance of the Act."
Not only did the jury find in favor of Gary Xu, it also ordered two of the lawsuit plaintiffs to pay Xu a total of $800,000 for damages the unemployed academic has suffered.
The allegation is that Sayed A. Quraishi, 23, alarmed people at the Hillel Center, 503 E. John St., C, as he participated in a march protesting Israeli military action organized by Students for Justice in Palestine.
One of three defendants in the murder of a Hammond man waived his right to a jury trial and the case moved forward Monday with opening statements and testimony from three witnesses.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers in the United States assessed the impact of the bivalent messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine on the antibody-mediated neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages.

Early SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage variants have mutated, resulting in divergent lineages that drove the 2022 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized bivalent mRNA vaccines designed to widen protection against current and future variants in August 2022, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended their use in September 2022. However, the effect of bivalent vaccination on the production of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 homologous Omicron BA.4/BA.5 viruses and emerging heterologous viruses needs extensive evaluation.

Study: Bivalent mRNA vaccine improves antibody-mediated neutralization of many SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage variants. Image Credit: FOTOGRIN / Shutterstock

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers examined the neutralization activity of serum samples obtained after the third or fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose against ten prevalent or recent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage viruses, including BA.2.75, BA.2.75.2, BA.1, BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB, XBB.1, and BN.1.

The team obtained serum samples from vaccine recipients two to six weeks after being vaccinated with the third dose or two to seven weeks after vaccination with the fourth dosage of a bivalent booster mRNA vaccine. Using Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) assays, the total immunoglobulin (Ig)-G antibody response was compared between post-third vaccine dose sera and post-fourth vaccine dose sera in response to representative spike proteins associated with the progenitor index virus (614D) and SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Delta, Beta, and Omicron BA.1, BA.5, BA.2, and BA.2.75 lineages.



Emergence and diversification of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants and lineages in US surveillance networks. Daily, percent proportionalities (dot icons, 0% to 100%) were summarized for detected variant/lineage populations within US National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) and baseline surveillance initiatives from November 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022. Reported sequences were aggregated and color-coded based on attributed Pango lineages. Delta (B.1.617.2) variant preceded the emergence and expansion of Omicron (B.1.1.529, BA) variant within US surveillance networks. Several tracked Omicron (BA) lineages (e.g., BA.2.75, BA.2.75.2, BF.11, and BA.5.2.6) were detected at low levels (10%, labels not shown). Prior lineages included additional A and B lineages with limited detection. Other lineages consolidated the few specimens with no assigned Pango nomenclature or non-XBB X lineage.

To assess the neutralizing effectiveness of post-third vaccination and post-bivalent vaccination dosage sera against major Omicron lineage viruses, the team created lineage-specific spike mutations corresponding to the Omicron BA.1 spike background, giving rise to reporter viruses related to 10 Omicron lineage viruses. To precisely investigate the impact of distinct spike domains in antibody evasion, the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 were selected, and their receptor-binding domain (RBD) and non-RBD spike variants were isolated. Pooled post-second dose sera and pooled post-third dosage sera were used to examine all the viruses.

Results

After the third vaccine dosage, the anti-spike binding activity decreased minimally for SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta, with fold decreases of 1.2, 1.7, and 1.4 concerning the 614D standard, respectively. With fold-change reductions of 4.2, 3.8, 3.7, and 5.6, respectively, BA.1, BA.5, BA.2, and BA.2.75 exhibited the most significant alterations. Compared to the post-third dose serum samples, the post-bivalent vaccination serum had slightly greater activity against all the viral spike antigens. In the MSD test, however, the breadth/specificity of these two sera was comparable, as the fold changes with respect to the 614D spike among B.A.1, BA.5, BA.2, and BA.2.75 observed post-third dose and post-bivalent sera were comparable.

The sera from the third dosage exhibited significant neutralizing activity in response to the 614D reference virus, moderate activity in response to the BA.1, BA.2, BA.5, and BA.2.75 strains, and poor activity against the BA.2.75.2, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BN.1, XBB, and XBB.1 strains. Compared to the 614D nAb titers, the BA.1, BA.5, BA.2, and BA.2.75 nAb titers were reduced by five, eight, 20, and 12 times, respectively. Compared to 614D, the titers of the BA.2.75-2 and BN.1 lineages fell by 127 and 64 times, respectively. Furthermore, in comparison to 614D, the titers of BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 lineages declined by 190 and 288 times, respectively. XBB and XBB.1 had the most significant degree of escape, with 324 and 371 times reductions in nAb titers compared to 614D.



Neutralization activity of post-third (monovalent) dose sera and post-fourth (bivalent) dose sera against Omicron lineages. Each dot represents the neutralizing antibody titer (IU/mL) for each serum-virus pair. For statistical analysis, a two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was performed by comparing each variant with 614D. Test statistics and P value are summarized in Supplementary Table 2. The geometric mean of neutralizing antibody titer with geometric standard deviation and average fold-change with respect to the 614D reference virus are displayed across the top of each graph for: a, post-third dose sera (8 Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and 8 Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine biologically independent post-third dose sera examined over 11 viruses); and b, post-fourth dose bivalent vaccine sera (N = 11 biologically independent post-fourth dose bivalent vaccine sera examined over 11 viruses). Average fold-change was calculated as the individual ratios of the geometric mean relative to 614D. Average neutralizing antibody titers in both sera for all lineages differ significantly (P < 0.001) from 614D (Supplementary Table 2). Virus lineage names are displayed across the bottom of each graph.

With respect to the post-third vaccine dose sera, the neutralizing activity noted in response to the 614D reference rose by 1.4 times in the post-bivalent vaccination sera; however, it increased considerably against other Omicron lineages. Post-bivalent vaccination sera were 7.1 times more effective at BA.5 neutralization and 2.9 to 5.1 times more effective at the neutralization of heterologous antigens like BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.2.75.2, and BN.1 in comparison to the post-third vaccine dose sera. The more considerable rise of BA.5 lineage viruses compared to BA.1/BA.2 lineage viruses suggested that the bivalent mRNA vaccination induced BA.5 lineage-specific antibodies.

In comparison to the 614D virus, post-second dose and post-third dose titers reductions for the BA.1 were 45- and eight-fold, BA.2 were 38- and 11-fold, BA.5 were 29- and 10-fold and XBB.1 were over 192- and 289-fold. Viruses bearing only RBD mutations were related with post-second and post-third dose titer reductions of one- and one-fold for BA.1, three- and four-fold for BA.2, seven- and eight-fold for BA.5, and 38- and 17-fold for XBB.1. Removing the RBD mutations restored the virus neutralizing titers to values close to 614D in both post-second and post-third serum samples.

Conclusion

The study findings showed that the neutralizing titers improved by 7.1-fold against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 lineage and 12-fold against the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 lineages between the post-third dose monovalent and post-fourth dose bivalent vaccine sera. This indicated that the improved neutralizing titers caused higher vaccine efficiency after bivalent vaccination. Despite the fact that the variables of protection against SARS-CoV-2 must be defined in total, they may be explored further based on additional data from the investigations of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Using new microscopic methods in combination with machine learning-based image analysis, researchers from Freiburg have discovered new structures on the surface of living B cells that affect the distribution and possibly the function of their antigen receptors. The researchers' study has been published in The EMBO Journal.

B cells are a crucial part of our immune system and recognize pathogens through specialized receptors on their surface. Scientists from the University of Freiburg could now observe how these receptors are distributed on the surface of living and moving cells. They found that the B cell surface is shaped into a characteristic landscape of interconnected ridges and protrusions. On this landscape, the IgM-class B cell antigen receptors (IgM-BCR) accumulate in specific areas. The precision of the receptors' localization and their clustering into larger units likely constitute a mechanism that controls receptor signaling and facilitates antigen sensing and thereby the activation of B cells.

The surface of B lymphocytes is structured

In most immunological textbooks, lymphocytes are depicted as round, ball-like cells whose smooth surface carries randomly distributed receptors. The notion of a smooth unstructured B cell surface has already been challenged by electron micrographs of fixed and frozen lymphocytes, revealing thin membrane protrusions called microvilli on the cells' surface. These tentacle-like structures help immune cells to search for molecular markers of pathogens, so-called antigens. B lymphocytes recognize such antigens through different classes of their B cell antigen receptors (BCR). These antigen receptors are complex molecular machines that, when activated, interact with other molecules to initiate a signaling cascade, leading to the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells and the production of protective antibodies.

Images of living cells at a very high speed

The research group of Prof. Dr. Michael Reth from the Clusters of Excellence BIOSS and CIBSS  Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies at the University of Freiburg collaborated with the group of BIOSS and CIBSS researcher Prof. Dr. Ralf Reski, researchers at Euro-BioImaging (EMBL) and researchers at the University of Osnabruck/Germany to analyze how the IgM-BCR is distributed across the 3D surface of living B cells. For this, they used a technique called lattice light sheet microscopy, LLSM for short.

This method can capture volumetric images of living cells at a very high speed. In other types of high-resolution microscopy, cells need to be attached to a flat surface, which completely alters the B cells' outer structures. LLSM allowed us to observe the cells in an environment that mimics biological tissues, meaning that the structures and movements that we saw were largely undisturbed." Dr. Deniz Saltukoglu, first author of the study, Freiburg University

The researchers then developed custom image analysis tools to quantify and objectively characterize the microscopic data. "We needed to segment the images and isolate morphological features," describes Saltukoglu. "So far this had only been done with two-dimensional data, so we had to develop new computational tools for volumetric, time course data." For this, the researchers drew inspiration from algorithms that are used to map geographical data for archeological surveys. With this approach, they found that the B cell surface carries a network of elevated ridges, with microvilli growing from the intersections of the network. Within this "cellular landscape", the IgM-BCRs form clusters that concentrate along the ridges, in close proximity to the bases of the microvilli. The position of these clusters was linked with the dynamic movement of the ridges on the cells' surface.

"We think that the 3-D location of the antigen receptors controls their activity," says Reth. "Localization at the microvilli base may prevent their unwanted activation. Once B cells receive a danger signal, they extent their microvilli and we assume that the IgM-BCR clusters then get recruited to the tip where they are localized in an optimal position for antigen sensing." This hypothesis is in line with other findings from Reth's group, which suggest that the IgM-BCRs are regulated via lateral interactions with regulatory coreceptors. This means that the position and distribution of antigen receptors likely represent additional control mechanisms that affect signaling and activation of cells of the immune system.
Oregon State University College of Pharmacy scientists have demonstrated in animal models the possibility of using lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA, the technology underpinning COVID-19 vaccines, to treat blindness associated with a rare genetic condition.

Researchers developed nanoparticles able to penetrate the neural retina and deliver mRNA to the photoreceptor cells whose proper function makes vision possible.

The study, led by OSU associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences Gaurav Sahay, Oregon State doctoral student Marco Herrera-Barrera and Oregon Health & Science University assistant professor of ophthalmology Renee Ryals, was published today in Science Advances.

The scientists overcame what had been the main limitation of using lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs, to carry genetic material for the purpose of vision therapy  getting them to reach the back of the eye, where the retina is.

Lipids are fatty acids and similar organic compounds including many natural oils and waxes. Nanoparticles are tiny pieces of material ranging in size from one- to 100-billionths of a meter. Messenger RNA delivers instructions to cells for making a particular protein.

With the coronavirus vaccines, the mRNA carried by the LNPs instructs cells to make a harmless piece of the virus' spike protein, which triggers an immune response from the body. As a therapy for vision impairment resulting from inherited retinal degeneration, or IRD, the mRNA would instruct photoreceptor cells  faulty because of a genetic mutation  to manufacture the proteins needed for sight.

IRD encompasses a group of disorders of varying severity and prevalence that affect one out of every few thousand people worldwide.

The scientists showed, in research involving mice and non-human primates, that LNPs equipped with peptides were able to pass through barriers in the eye and reach the neural retina  where light is turned into electric signals that the brain converts to images.

We identified a novel set of peptides that can reach the back of the eye. We used these peptides to act as zip codes to deliver nanoparticles carrying genetic materials to the intended address within the eye." Gaurav Sahay, OSU associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences

"The peptides that we have discovered can be used as targeting ligands directly conjugated to silencing RNAs, small molecules for therapeutics or as imaging probes," Herrera-Barrera added.

Sahay and Ryals have received a $3.2 million grant from the National Eye Institute to continue studying lipid nanoparticles' promise in the treatment of hereditary blindness. They will lead research into using LNPs to deliver a gene editing tool that could delete bad genes in the photoreceptor cells and replace them with correctly functioning genes.

The research aims to develop solutions for the limitations associated with the current primary means of delivery for gene editing: a type of virus known as adeno-associated virus, or AAV.

"AAV has limited packaging capacity compared to LNPs and it can prompt an immune system response," Sahay said. "It also doesn't do fantastically well in continuing to express the enzymes the editing tool uses as molecular scissors to make cuts in the DNA to be edited. We're hoping to use what we've learned so far about LNPs to develop an improved gene editor delivery system."

The peptide-guided LNP study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Also participating in the research for Oregon State were College of Pharmacy faculty Oleh Taratula and Conroy Sun, postdoctoral researchers Milan Gautam and Mohit Gupta, doctoral students Antony Jozic and Madeleine Landry, research assistant Chris Acosta and undergraduate Nick Jacomino, a bioengineering student in the College of Engineering who graduated in 2020.
BioGrad is to open the UK's second largest biobank facility in Liverpool, as part of a 7.6m investment into a new headquarters at Wavertree Technology Park.

Image Credit: BioGrad

In collaboration with the University of Leicester, BioGrad biobank has already welcomed up to 261,000 samples from the largest long-Covid study in the UK. Further partnerships with Liverpool Womens Hospital and three private research companies will see BioGrad bank over one million human cell samples banked in its first year.

Biobanking is the process of preserving human tissue, either for research issues (such as Covid and long-term Covid studies) or for human application (taking cells out of a patient and putting them back in). This will allow BioGrad to take stem cells out of patients to store them for therapeutic use for other patients.

BioGrads new 10,000 sq ft biobank building will also give all parents the chance to preserve their stem cells within the North West, and the provision of non-invasive, prenatal testing and pregnancy testing. The site will also be BioGrads fifth location in the Liverpool City Region, in addition to buildings in Liverpool Science Park, Bootle, Warrington and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, in addition to satellite sites in Oxford and London.

Proudly founded and based in Liverpool City Region, BioGrad is leading the way in laboratory-based learning, diagnostics and most recently, Covid-19 testing, with a clear mission that everyone should have access to gold standard healthcare and education. This latest development sees the company pivot away from Covid operations and move towards stem cell and regenerative medicine research.

Our incredible new headquarters, which will house the second largest biobank facility in the UK, represents an exciting new era for BioGrad as we move into stem cell and regenerative medicine research, alongside our continued education operations. "It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the levelling up agenda - providing an open access biobank for the Liverpool City Region and North West, creating new jobs and opportunities in the sector, and in particular, supporting local, female-led businesses. We have always been fiercely proud to be a North West based business. The good will that BioGrad has received from Steve Rotheram, the Local Authority and local residents in response to our Covid work and education and bursaries over the last seven years, as well as the support that Liverpool China Partnership has given us by bringing international business and students to our city, makes Liverpool our preferred choice of location for continued expansion. Dr Natalie Kenny, CEO, BioGrad

Officially opening the new BioGrad biobank, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

The Liverpool City Region is home to some of the countrys leading clusters of innovation in life science and infectious disease control. But I believe that we have the capacity, the capability, and the creativity to put ourselves not only at the forefront of the UK, but global innovation.

To help make that happen, were putting our money where our mouth is. Well be investing 5% of our GVA in research and development over the next few years  thats nearly double the governments national targets.

I want to harness the strengths and expertise of the countless innovative businesses, like BioGrad, that call our region home, creating well-paid, secure jobs and training opportunities and attracting greater investment into our economy. Its great to see BioGrad expanding their presence in our region and I look forward to working with them to help our region reach its full potential.

Adjacent to the new BioGrad biobank building, a second site measuring a total 33,000 sq ft, will house the BioGrad Innovation Centre, a new hub for the local community and a space for city region-based, female-led science and tech SMEs to thrive in.

Set to be an eco-friendly and sustainable business centre, the BioGrad Innovation Centre plans to take its energy usage off grid by 2024.

The centre will house BioGrad Education, the UKs leading laboratory-based learning provider for aspiring scientists who want to gain real experience in a real laboratory from real scientists, and which already has over 500 partner schools across Europe and is contracted to provide science and education for eight of the top ten schools in the UK, as well as the top 1% of schools in Europe.

The investment has also seen 40 members of existing staff upskilled and promoted into new roles at the new headquarters and the existing location at Liverpool Science Park.

For more information about BioGrad, visit the website, Twitter and Facebook.
When Kaitlyn Joshua found out she was pregnant in mid-August, she and her husband, Landon Joshua, were excited to have a second baby on the way. They have a 4-year-old daughter and thought that was just the right age to help with a younger sibling.

At about six weeks pregnant, Joshua, 30, called a physician group in Baton Rouge. She wanted to make her first prenatal appointment there for around the eight-week mark, as she had in her first pregnancy. But Joshua said the woman on the line told her she was going to have to wait over a month.

They specifically said, We now no longer see women until theyre at least 12 weeks,' Joshua recalled. And I said, Oh, Lord. Is this because of what I think?' And they said, Yes.'

Louisiana has a near-total abortion ban, which took effect Aug. 1, that has raised fears among physicians that they could be investigated for treating a miscarriage, since the same treatments are also used for abortion.

Joshua recalled the woman on the phone saying that since the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade, there was what the woman called a gray area in Louisianas law. The medical practice was delaying the first prenatal appointment with patients.

Joshua remembered her saying that many women miscarry in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and they didnt want to be liable for an investigation. For anyone convicted of providing an abortion, the law carries stiff penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison, up to $200,000 in fines and the loss of a physicians license.

Since Louisianas ban took effect, some doctors have warned that the laws language is vague, and that fear and confusion over the law would lead to delays in pregnancy care. And fear and confusion are precisely what Joshua and her husband experienced.

During those early weeks of pregnancy, Joshua felt symptoms she hadnt dealt with in her first pregnancy: mild cramping and spotting. Without access to a doctor, though, Joshua felt she had nowhere to go for answers.

How in the world can we have a viable health care system for women, especially women of color, when they wont even see you for 12 weeks? she said.

Joshua, who works as a community organizer, knew pregnancy can be dangerous, especially for Black women like herself. She also knew about Louisianas dismal maternal health statistics: The state has one of the highest maternal death rates in the country, and Black women are at higher risk than white women, according to reports from the states health department.

So Joshua booked an appointment weeks away with one of the few OB-GYNs she could find who was a woman of color. Then, when she was between 10 and 11 weeks pregnant, she started bleeding heavily, passing clots and tissue. She said the pain was worse than when shed given birth.

Her husband was at work, so Joshua drove herself to the emergency room at Womans Hospital in Baton Rouge. There the staff gave her an ultrasound, which they said showed that her fetus had stopped growing, she recalled. It was measuring seven or eight weeks gestation, not 10 or 11 weeks. Her medical records show her pregnancy hormone levels were abnormally low.

She was told her fetus had only a faint heartbeat. Joshua understood she was miscarrying. But hospital staffers wouldnt definitively confirm it and didnt explain what treatment options shed have if she was having a miscarriage.

Joshua said a nurse told her: It appears that you could be having one. But we dont want to say thats what it is. So lets just keep watching it. You can continue to come back. Of course, were praying for you.'

Joshua is Christian. She spends Sunday mornings at church. But she said the comment felt like an insult. Folks need answers, not prayers. And thats exactly what I was looking for in that moment, she said.

The next day, her bleeding and pain were worse. Landon, her husband, was afraid for her life.

By the evening, Joshua was pacing her bathroom floor, bleeding and cramping, when she felt more blood and tissue come out of her body.

It literally felt like I had almost birthed a child, she said. And so I was like, No, I have to go somewhere, like, now.'

She didnt want to return to the first ER, so she called her mother and husband and told them to meet her at Baton Rouge General in nearby Prairieville. There, a security guard put her in a wheelchair. Her jeans were soaked through with blood. Staffers gave her another ultrasound, and the technician told her shed lost a lot of blood.

A doctor came in to talk about the ultrasound results. She told Joshua it looked like a cyst, not a pregnancy, and asked if she was positive shed been pregnant  a question that made Joshua angry.

Joshua remembers the doctor then said that if she was indeed miscarrying, she should go back home and wait, then follow up with her OB-GYN in two or three days.

Joshua asked the doctor for treatment to alleviate her pain and speed up the process. There are two standard options for managing a confirmed miscarriage, other than letting it pass on its own: a procedure called dilation and curettage, to remove pregnancy tissue; or medication, which can help clear the uterus more quickly. Both of the latter treatments are also used for abortions.

The doctor told her, Were not going to do that,' Joshua recalled. I just remember her saying, Were not doing that now.'

The doctor also said she wouldnt refer Joshua somewhere else for miscarriage treatment, Joshua recalled, or give her discharge papers stating she was having a miscarriage, known in medical terminology as a spontaneous abortion.

She stated that theyre not going to put anywhere spontaneous abortion because that would then flag an investigation on them, Joshua said.

Landon Joshua said he had the impression that the doctor was afraid to confirm his wifes miscarriage.

She would not look me in the eye to tell me what was happening, Kaitlyn said.

Frustrated and scared, the Joshuas went home.

Both Womans Hospital and Baton Rouge General said in statements to NPR that their pregnancy care has not changed since Louisianas abortion ban passed. Baton Rouge General said its care of Kaitlyn Joshua was appropriate. NPR contacted the provider whom Joshua originally called for a prenatal appointment, and it denied that it had changed the timing of first appointments.

Both ERs Joshua visited deny that they have changed care because of Louisianas ban.

In a statement, Dr. R. Cliff Moore, the chief medical officer and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Womans Hospital  the first hospital Joshua visited  said bleeding during the first trimester is common and doesnt necessarily mean a patient is miscarrying. He added that diagnosing a miscarriage requires complex medical analysis that can take days or weeks. Our hearts go out to those whove experienced miscarriages, he added.

Baton Rouge General, the second ER, said it has not changed the way it manages miscarriage or the options provided to patients. In a statement, Dr. Kathleen Varnes, an ER doctor, said that the hospital sympathizes with the pain and anxiety Joshua experienced but that it believes her care was appropriate. Every patient is different, she said, adding that there are times when waiting and observing is the right approach, and other times when medication or a procedure may be necessary.

According to Joshuas discharge papers from Baton Rouge General, she was suffering from vaginal bleeding, which can, but doesnt always, lead to miscarriage. But in her medical charts, which Joshua later obtained from the hospital, staff wrote it appears that she is having a miscarriage, and diagnosed her as having a complete or unspecified spontaneous abortion without complication. Her medical records also note that Joshuas pregnancy hormone levels, called HCG, had declined from her previous ER visit, when they should have been increasing if her pregnancy was proceeding normally.

After Joshua signed forms allowing the hospital to comment on her care, Baton Rouge General said that because of Joshuas symptoms, her discharge papers and treatment plan provided instructions on how to manage bleeding and when to follow up with a physician.

Other doctors and lawyers in the state are concerned that the abortion ban is affecting some health care decision-making. They point to the fact that even after a state court briefly blocked Louisianas ban last summer, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry threatened the medical licenses of physicians, claiming they could still be prosecuted.

In September, at a Louisiana Department of Health meeting, Dr. Joey Biggio, the chair of maternal and fetal medicine with Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest health system, said some OB-GYN doctors were afraid to provide routine care.

There has now been such a level of concern created from the attorney generals office about the threat to them both criminally and civilly and professionally, that many people are not going to provide the care that is needed for patients, whether its ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, ruptured membranes, you know, hemorrhage, Biggio said. And we need to figure out a way to be able to provide some clear, unequivocal guidance to providers, or were going to see some unintended consequences of all of this.

The policy debate

The author of Louisianas abortion ban, Sen. Katrina Jackson, is a Democrat who opposes abortion. She maintains that the law is clear about miscarriages, saying in an emailed statement that it does not prohibit medical treatment regarding miscarriages.

Sarah Zagorski, communications director for Louisiana Right to Life, which helped draft the ban, said no part of Louisianas law requires a physician to delay prenatal care until 12 weeks of pregnancy. And she said the law specifically differentiates miscarriage care from abortion.

It looks like the fault is not with the law, but with a misinterpretation of the law, Zagorski said.

Ellie Schilling, a lawyer with Lift Louisiana, a reproductive justice organization that challenged Louisianas law in state court, said that while the law allows for miscarriages to be treated, it is written in legal language that doesnt translate easily into medicine or necessarily line up with an individual patients set of circumstances. And this puts doctors in a very difficult situation.

Theyre trying to interpret specific language and pair it up to specific patients to do some sort of calculation about, you know, have we reached this threshold yet? Or have we not? she said.

Doctors also must consider whether someone else might later disagree with their decision, she added. How is somebody else going to interpret that later? How is law enforcement or a prosecutor potentially going to interpret that later?

She argued that the law needs to be clarified. It puts providers and patients in a really dangerous situation, she said. And to abdicate all responsibility for making the laws, before drafting the laws in a way that will work for physicians on the ground, is just irresponsible.

The patients perspective

In the week after Joshuas last ER visit, the heavy bleeding and piercing pains continued. While mourning the loss of what would have been her new baby, she remained worried about her own health. She feared getting worse and wondered how bad she would need to get to get treatment.

Joshua blames Louisianas anti-abortion law for the care she received. For me to have to navigate so many different channels to get health care should not be happening, she said. This has to change. There needs to be clarity within the abortion ban so that physicians are not confused or afraid to provide care and support.

It took weeks, but Joshua was able to pass the pregnancy at home. If she had been given a choice, she would have chosen care that made the experience faster, less painful, less scary, and less risky, especially as a Black woman.

This experience has made me see how Black women die. Like, this is how Black women are dying, she said.

It also has made Kaitlyn and Landon Joshua rethink their plans for more children.

I love my kid. And so, she constantly makes me want another her. But in this moment, its just too dangerous to get pregnant in the state of Louisiana, Kaitlyn said. I dont think its worth risking your life for a baby right now.

This story was produced in partnership with WWNO and KHN. It was edited by Carrie Feibel, Jane Greenhalgh, Diane Webber, and Carmel Wroth. Meredith Rizzo and Max Posner handled art direction and design. Photographs by Claire Bangser.
As the University of California's health system renews contracts with hundreds of outside hospitals and clinics  many with religious affiliations  some of its doctors and faculty want stronger language to ensure that physicians can perform the treatments they deem appropriate, including abortions for women or hysterectomies for transgender patients.

University of California Health is in the middle of a two-year process to renew contracts with affiliate hospitals and clinics that help the university deliver care in underserved parts of the state. Many of the agreements are with faith-based facilities, including prominent hospitals operated by Dignity Health, Providence, or Adventist Health. Such arrangements generate more than $20 million a year for the UC system and help the public university approach its goal of improving public health.

The current policy, adopted in 2021, states that UC physicians have the freedom to advise, refer, prescribe, or provide emergency care, covering cases in which moving a patient "would risk material deterioration to the patients condition." But some UC doctors and faculty worry that physicians would be allowed to perform certain surgeries only in an emergency.

They want to add a clause stating that physicians have the right to perform procedures in a manner they deem advisable or necessary without waiting for the patient's condition to get worse.

Others have gone so far as to urge the university to reject partnerships with hospitals that have ethical and religious directives against sterilization, abortion, some miscarriage management procedures, and some gender-affirming treatments. The Academic Senate, a faculty body that helps the university set academic policies, and other faculty councils urged the university's president to avoid working with health care facilities because many have restrictions that "have the potential for discriminatory impact on patients."

In response, university leaders have pledged publicly to ensure that doctors and trainees can provide whatever care they deem necessary at affiliated facilities but haven't made changes to the policy language.

"We've made it clear that the treating provider is the one to decide if an emergency exists and when to act," said Dr. Carrie Byington, executive vice president for University of California Health, at a fall meeting of the UC Board of Regents, the governing board of the university system.

UC Health has given itself until the end of this year to make contracts conform to its new policy. During the October board meeting, staffers estimated that one-third of the contracts had been evaluated. Administrators haven't said whether the current policy thwarted any contracts.

Back in June 2021, the regents approved the policy governing how its doctors practice at outside hospitals and clinics with religious or ethical restrictions. Regent John Perez made significant amendments to a staff proposal. At the time, it was celebrated as a win by those advocating for the university to push back on religious directives from affiliates.

Perez noted at the time that his amendments were aimed at "making clear that it's the regents' expectation in policy that nothing that is not based on science or [the] best practice of medicine should limit the ability of our practitioners to practice medicine in the interest of the patients."

But some doctors and faculty said Perez's proposal was then wordsmithed as it was converted from the regents' vote into a formal policy months later. Some questioned whether the policy could be interpreted as restricting services unless there is an emergency, and said it does not go far enough to define an emergency.

"It sounds pretty good," Dr. Tabetha Harken, director of the Complex Family Planning, Obstetrics & Gynecology division at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, testified before the board. "It passes the commonsense test, but in reality, this is just the federal minimum requirement of care."

Perez declined to comment to KHN.

At the regents' meetings, concerned doctors offered examples of pregnancy and gender-affirming care they believe would be at risk in some hospitals.

One was tubal ligation or sterilization procedures immediately after birth to prevent future pregnancies that may put the woman at risk. It's a simpler procedure if done postpartum because the uterus is larger than normal and it eliminates the need for additional surgery, said Dr. Jennifer Kerns, an associate professor at UC-San Francisco and director of the school's Complex Family Planning Fellowship.

Dr. Mya Zapata of UCLA Health described cases of two patients who might not be able to get the same care at a religiously restricted hospital: a trans male who seeks out a hysterectomy based on a mental health referral for gender-affirming surgery, and a cisgender female who seeks out the same procedure for uterine fibroids.

In a hospital with restrictions, Zapata said, the cisgender patient would be able to get the surgery but the trans patient would not, despite both being considered nonemergency cases.

But it's unclear if physicians are running into problems. UC Health leaders said there have been no formal complaints from university doctors or trainees practicing at affiliate medical centers about being blocked from providing care.

Critics said the lack of complaints may not reflect reality since physicians may find workarounds by transferring or referring patients elsewhere. One researcher, Lori Freedman, who works at UCSF, has spoken to dozens of doctors working at religious-affiliated hospitals across the country. Many have not filed complaints about care restrictions out of fear they'd put their job at risk, she said.

The debate stems from a partnership with Dignity Health, a Catholic-affiliated hospital system. In 2019, UCSF Medical Center leaders considered a controversial plan to create a formal affiliation with Dignity. Critics voiced opposition in heated public meetings, and the plan drew condemnation from dozens of reproductive justice advocates and the gay and transgender communities. UCSF ultimately backed off the plan.

When it became clear that UC medical centers across the state had similar affiliation contracts, faculty members raised additional concerns. Janet Napolitano, then president of the UC system, convened a working group to evaluate the consequences of ending all agreements with organizations that have religious restrictions. Ultimately, the group stressed the importance of maintaining partnerships to provide care to medically underserved populations.

"With 1 in 7 patients in the U.S. being cared for in a Catholic hospital," the group wrote in its report, "UC's isolating itself from major participants in the health care system would undermine our mission."

Dignity Health, which merged in 2019 with Catholic Health Initiatives to form CommonSpirit Health, has already reached a new contract that adopts the updated UC policy. Chad Burns, a spokesperson for Dignity, said the hospital system values working with UC Health for its expertise in specialties, such as pediatric trauma, cancer, HIV, and mental health. He added that the updated agreement reflects "the shared values of UC and Dignity Health."

Some UC doctors point out that they have not only public support, but legal standing to perform a variety of reproductive and contraceptive treatments. After California voters passed Proposition 1, the state constitution was officially changed in December to affirm that people have a right to choose to have an abortion or use contraceptives. Unlike health systems in other states, some faculty say UC Health can assert reproductive rights.

"We have a lot of latitude, being in California, to be able to make these decisions and stand in our power," Kerns said. "I think it's our responsibility to do so."

Other doctors say the university system should prioritize public service. Dr. Tamera Hatfield, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UC-Irvine, testified at a regents' meeting that she had never been asked to modify care for patients based on religious restrictions since her department formed an affiliation with Providence St. Joseph Hospital-Orange about a decade ago.

"Partnering with faith-based institutions dedicated to serving vulnerable populations affords opportunities to patients who are least able to navigate our complex health systems," she said.

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
The new UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children has started its engine and is driving to schools in San Diego County to serve low-income families in need of eye exams.

The new EyeMobile is a 33-foot-long furnished recreational vehicle with two exam rooms, as well as a waiting area for children and families. It even has a television for the children to watch while they wait for their exam and a wall area with a robust selection of eye frames.

The new UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children, a program of UC San Diego Health, was funded by an estate gift from a former patient.

The vehicle is scheduled to visit approximately 250 preschools this coming year in underserved areas at no cost to families. It replaces the previous EyeMobile that had been in service for nearly 15 years.

The bigger more efficient EyeMobile will help achieve the program's long-term goal of providing eye care services to 20,000 underserved, low-income children per year.

The families we serve do not have another way to access eye exams. Some don't even have transportation and others must decide between getting milk or getting eyeglasses for their kids." Iliana Molina, Director of the UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children

"The new EyeMobile will allow us to continue providing a critical service to families. When children can see, they are able to learn, which then expands the educational opportunities for under-represented students."

The EyeMobile program includes vision screening, dilated eye examinations by an optometrist, a free pair of glasses if needed, follow-up monitoring with teachers and parents and referrals for subspecialist care as needed.

There is also bilingual parent and teacher information to teach families about the importance of eye/brain development and how eye care plays a crucial role in preparing children to learn.

"Early detection and treatment have proven to reduce the negative impact vision problems may have on a child's development. If left untreated, conditions such as amblyopia, could lead to irreversible vision loss and psychosocial effects," said Rachel Lee, OD, optometrist with the UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children.

"The EyeMobile program provides children with the best sight so they can learn at their maximum potential."

The UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children is a program in the Division of Community Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology.

Funded by several foundations, corporations and individuals, the UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile program launched in 2001. Since then, more than 250,000 children across San Diego County have been screened. The program has become a model for other communities and a platform for research studies.

In 2021-2022, the UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children traveled 8,226 miles and delivered 895 pairs of prescription glasses to students.

"My favorite part of the experience is delivering the eyeglasses to the students at school and watching their reaction when they can see clearly for the first time," said Molina.

"I will never forget the first time I delivered a pair of glasses. The little boy was amazed that I had freckles. He gently touched my face and could not believe he could see that much detail. It was an emotional moment and made me realize the profound impact of the program."

The former EyeMobile will be retrofitted to provide senior vision care services throughout San Diego County.

"When I go to bed each night, I know we did something good, and it's incredibly rewarding," said Molina.

"I considered medical school or law school before I chose this career path. There is not a day that goes by where I regret my decision. I am fully dedicated to the EyeMobile program, our amazing team, parents and teachers, school administrators and our donors."

In addition to the UC San Diego Shiley EyeMobile for Children, UC San Diego Health has embarked on other regional efforts to address health equity in local neighborhoods, including mobile vaccination units.
Students of Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Germany, used INTEGRA Biosciences VIAFLO electronic pipettes and EVOLVE manual pipettes to perform sample transfers and dilutions as part of their project for the 2022 iGEM competition. The pipettes helped the team to speed up liquid handling and increase pipetting accuracy, giving the students a competitive edge over their peers. The iGEM Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of all areas of synthetic biology.

It runs an annual international competition where multidisciplinary teams of university students design, build and test their own unique research projects from start to finish.

The group at Technische Universitat Braunschweig (TU_BS) developed a self-amplifying detection system for the competition, which can be used to identify small amounts of tumor marker antigens in blood samples. This novel tool has the potential to contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of many cancers, improving patient outcomes and survival rates in the long term.

Benjamin Harder, a student at TU_BS, explained: We were the first iGEM team at our university for some time so, until recently, we had only a few outdated pipettes available to us. We therefore decided to upgrade to INTEGRAs VIAFLO electronic pipettes and EVOLVE manual pipettes. They are well suited to our applications, as they allow us to rapidly adjust the dispensing volume on the fly, making our liquid handling steps faster and more efficient than before, while simultaneously minimizing manual errors and reagent wastage. This noticeably improved the accuracy and reproducibility of our results, giving us greater confidence in our findings.

Every day working on our project in the lab was different and unpredictable, but INTEGRAs products greatly helped us to deal with some of the surprises and challenges we came across as we got closer to the final of the exciting competition, Benjamin concluded. All teams presented their cutting-edge projects during the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris, France, from the 26th to the 28th of October 2022, with prize winners being announced on the final day. TU_BS was awarded a silver medal for their innovative project, a much-deserved reward for the groups months of hard work.

Visit the INTEGRA Biosciences website to learn more.
In a recent study published in Gut, researchers evaluated the impact of antibiotic usage on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) development risk among individuals aged ten years and above.

Background

IBD refers to a chronic immunological condition affecting the bowel, comprising mainly two subtypes, i.e., Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Studies have reported an increase in IBD cases due to suspected environmental risk factors. Antibiotic usage has been related to IBD development in children; however, the potential IBD risk among adults with antibiotic exposure is unclear.

About the study

In the present population-based national cohort study, researchers investigated the association between the use of antibiotics and IBD development among individuals aged 10. Years.

Demographic data were obtained from the national CRS (civil registration system) of Denmark on individuals aged 10 years, residing in Denmark for 5.0 years, and having no IBD history between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2018. Data on prescribed medications were obtained from the Danish national prescription register in linkage with the civil registration system. Medications were coded based on the anatomical therapeutic chemical system.

Data obtained included medication codes and prescription dates, and the antibiotic medication fill/prescription date was considered the antibiotic use date. Antibiotic class dosage-response associations were evaluated based on the number of antibiotic courses, with antibiotics prescribed from the same class within a month of usage included under one antibiotic course.

Every antibiotic course contributed to an IBD risk period of one year to five years following exposure. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed by extending the lag time from antibiotic exposure from one year to two years.

The national patient register of Denmark was utilized to obtain data on hospitalizations, outpatient and emergency department visits. IBD diagnosis was based on the ICD-8/10 (international classification of diseases eight or tenth revision) codes.

Antibiotic classes included penicillin with a narrow spectrum, penicillin with an extended spectrum, macrolides, nitrofurantoin, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. In addition, fluoroquinolones and nitroimidazoles were included since the medications are frequently prescribed for treating gastrointestinal pathogen infections.

Data on socioeconomic status and urbanization (on the basis of the population/m2) were obtained by linking the residential address from the civil registration system with official statistics of Denmark. Medication history, particularly the use of PPI (proton pump inhibitors) and antifungal and antiviral medications, was recorded since the medications could alter the gut microbiota. Poisson regression analysis was performed, and the IRR (incidence rate ratios) values were determined.

Results

The study population comprised 6,104,245 individuals, followed up for 87,112,328 individual-years. Among the participants, 5,551,441 individuals (91%) had been prescribed 1.0 courses of antibiotics, and 52,898 new IBD cases (36,017 and 16,881 new UC and CD cases, respectively) were documented.

Antibiotic use increased IBD risks across ages, albeit the greatest risk was observed among individuals aged 40 years and above, with IRR values of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.5 for persons aged between 10 years and 40 years, between 40 years and 60 years, and 60 years and above, respectively. The finding was true for CD and UC, with a marginally greater risk for CD, with corresponding IRR values of 1.4, 1.6, and 1.5, respectively, compared to UC.

Across ages, a positive dose-response association was observed, with comparable results for Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. Similar findings were obtained in the sensitivity analysis. Each subsequent antibiotic course elevated IBD risk, with IRR values obtained with an increase in the antibiotic course of 1.1, 1.2, and 1.1 for persons aged between 10 and 40 years, between 40 and 60 years, and 60 years above, respectively. The greatest risk was observed for individuals prescribed 5.0 antibiotic courses across ages, with corresponding IRR values of 1.7, 2.1, and 2.0, respectively.

The greatest risk of IBD development was observed after one to two years of antibiotic use, and with every subsequent year, the risk was reduced. Particularly, for persons aged between 10 and 40 years, the IRR values were 1.4 one to two years post-antibiotic exposure and 1.1 four to five years post-exposure. Likewise, for persons aged between 40 years and 60 years, the IRR values were 1.7 one to two years post-antibiotic use and 1.2 four to five years post-use. For persons aged 60 years and above, the IRR values were 1.6 one to two years post-antibiotic use and 1.2 four to five years post-use, with similar results for Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

The greatest IBD risk was observed after using antibiotics that particularly target bacterial pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Only nitrofurantoin was not associated with IBD development across ages. The risk was greatest with nitroimidazoles, with IRR values of 1.3, 1.4, and 1.6 for persons aged between 10 and 40 years, between 40 and 60 years, and 60 years and above, respectively. The corresponding IRR values for fluoroquinolones were 1.8, 1.8, and 1.5, respectively. Similar results were obtained for Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

With advancing age, the gut microbial diversity reduces, increasing the susceptibility to disruptions, an effect potentiated by antibiotic exposure. Antibiotic usage can result in long-term intestinal microbial shifts that become increasingly prominent by repeated antibiotic courses, reducing microbial gut recovery.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings showed that antibiotic usage increased the risk of IBD development, especially among individuals aged 40 years. The risk was greatest after 5.0 five antibiotic courses, within one to two years of antibiotic use, and exposure to antibiotics targeting gastrointestinal pathogenic organisms. The findings indicate that the gastrointestinal microbiota is a critical factor in IBD development, especially among older individuals.
While some people are concerned about America's falling birth rate, a new study suggests young people don't need to be convinced to have more children.

In fact, young Americans haven't changed the number of children they intend to have in decades.

Women born in 1995-1999 wanted to have 2.1 children on average when they were 20-24 years old  essentially the same as the 2.2 children that women born in 1965-1969 wanted at the same age, the study found.

Still, the total fertility rate in the United States was 1.71 in 2019, the lowest level since the 1970s.

What's going on?

The results suggest that today's young adults may be having a more difficult time achieving their goals of having children." Sarah Hayford, co-author of the study and professor of sociology, The Ohio State University

The data in the study can't explain why, but the results fit evidence indicating that young people today don't think now is a good time for them to have children.

"It's hard to have children in the United States right now," said Hayford, who is also director of Ohio State's Institute for Population Research.

"People feel more worried about the future than they might have been several decades ago. They worry about the economy, child care and whether they can afford to have children."

Hayford conducted the study with Karen Benjamin Guzzo, professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Carolina Population Center. Their results were published online Jan. 10, 2023 in the journal Population and Development Review.

The researchers used data from the National Survey of Family Growth, which has been asking people about their childbearing goals and behaviors for several decades.

The NSFG doesn't interview the same people each time, but it allowed the researchers to track a group of people born around the same time  a cohort, as scientists call these groups  as they passed through their childbearing years.

They looked at 13 cohorts of women and 10 cohorts of men born between the 1960s and the 2000s. They were all asked how many children they intended to have, if any.

"Americans have been pretty consistent with how many children they say they want to have from the 60s to the 2000s," Hayford said. "Men generally say they want slightly fewer children than women do, but, like women, their preferred number of children hasn't changed much."

The percentage of people who said they don't plan to have any children has increased, from about 5-8% in the 1960s and 1970s to 8-16% in the 1990s and 2000s. But that alone can't explain the decline in the number of babies being born.

Hayford noted that the number of unintended births, especially among people in their 20s, has declined in recent decades, which has helped reduce the birth rate.

"But that doesn't change the fact that people aren't having as many children as they say they want, especially at earlier ages," Hayford said.

"It may be that they're going to have those kids when they're 35, but maybe they won't."

For example, the study found some evidence that people are reducing the number of children they say they intend to have as they get older.

"As they age, they may be realizing how hard it is to have kids and raise kids in the United States and they're saying they only want to have the one child, and don't want a second one," she said.

In addition, would-be parents may have more difficult conceiving as they get older.

Larger economic and social forces are also having an impact on birth rates.

The birth rate declined significantly during the Great Recession that started in 2008, which is a typical response to an economic downturn. However, the birth rate continued to decline even after the recession was over, Hayford said.

This study ended before COVID-19, but the pandemic served as another fertility shock, at least at first.

"It remains to be seen whether fertility will be able to rebound not just from the Great Recession, but from the pandemic as well," she said.

For those who are concerned about America's dropping birth rates, this study suggests that there is no need to pressure young people into wanting more kids, Hayford said.

"We need to make it easier for people to have the children that they want to have," she said. "There are clear barriers to having children in the United States that revolve around economics, around child care, around health insurance."

The research was supported by grants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low -3F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low -3F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is keen to strengthen cooperation with other countries, based on international laws and the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs and the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence.

This was affirmed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa as he took part in a panel discussion session themed Political Developments Affairs yesterday as part of the 2023 Diplomatic Forum.

Dr Shaikh Abdulla underscored the importance of promoting multilateral work and joint cooperation to confront all regional challenges and staving off the subversive policies of countries which seek to subvert regional security and stability.

He also spoke about key regional and international issues, which are accorded attention within the framework of Bahrains foreign policy and the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, along with heads of diplomatic and consular missions abroad, heads of departments and directors, Dr Shaikh Abdulla speaks at the event attended the event.
Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrains Office of the Ombudsman, since its inception, has received more than 8,000 grievances, including complaints and assistance requests, which proves the credibility of its work and reflects its continuous endeavour to win the publics trust.

This was emphasised by Ombudswoman Ghada Hameed Habib as she participated in the international conference, themed Future of Human Rights in the 21st Century, hosted by the Turkish Ombudsman Institution marking its tenth anniversary.

Addressing the conference, Ghada affirmed that the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Kingdom is a source of pride, as it is among Bahrains human rights achievements. She said that the Kingdom is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its Office of the Ombudsman, which is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region regarding its terms of reference, noting that there is no similar institution at the regional level.

The two-day international conference is organised by the Turkish Ombudsman Institution, in association with the European Union, with the participation of over 50 countries.

It provides an opportunity for the Office of the Ombudsman to highlight the kingdoms human rights achievements, as well as extend bridges of cooperation, and exchange expertise with similar organisations and institutions in a number of friendly countries.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh has praised the fruitful Bahraini-Italian ties and the achievements of joint development programmes, thanks to the support of the two leaderships.

He lauded the existing partnerships in trade, tourism and cultural exchange sectors. Al Saleh was speaking as he received Italian Ambassador to Bahrain Paola Amadi yesterday.

The top lawmaker expressed pride in the bilateral efforts to support peace, coexistence and dialogue, and spread tolerance and brotherhood among all peoples and countries of the world, pointing out to the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair in Inter-Faith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Rome, which was launched more than four years ago and confirms the strength of relations.

Hesaid that the council pays attention to strengthening bilateral parliamentary relations with the Italian Parliament, and unify visions and stances on issues and topics of common concern. Ambassador Amadi commended the achievements and successes achieved by the Kingdom through the development process and praised the values and principles rooted in the Kingdom represented in tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect among all.

She referred to Bahrain as a civilised and sophisticated country that has distinguished relations with Italy and hailed the councils role in highlighting what the Kingdom is achieving at all levels, through its active and positive presence in international parliamentary forums.
Agencies | Antalya

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini and Pakistani parliamentary delegations discussed ways to strengthen cooperation. This came following a meeting held between the Kingdoms parliamentary division and the Pakistani parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the 13th Plenary Sessions of Asian Parliamentary Assembly on January 8-10 in Antalya, Turkey.

The delegation, headed by Shura Member Dr Abdulaziz Hassan Abul, discussed Bahrains development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Dr Abul stressed that these meetings contribute to enhancing interdependence and cooperation between parliaments on various issues and topics of mutual interest.

The Pakistani parliamentary delegation praised the role of Bahraini parliamentary division and its efforts to achieve the goals and principles on which the APA was established, looking forward to further cooperation.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

BBK, Bahrains pioneer in retail and commercial banking, has announced the launch of BBK Virtual; an immersive three-dimensional banking experience accessed through the metaverse.

BBK is the first bank in Bahrain to harness this growing technology which is being lauded as the 3D version of the internet.

The metaverse allows users to create an avatar and enter a virtual reality from the comfort of their home or elsewhere.

The simulated environment provides the impression of a real world but is artificially generated; combining the personal aspects of reality with the convenience of the virtual realm.

BBK Virtual includes an immersive learning experience which will enable users to learn about navigating the banks metaverse sphere while helping them to experience the Bank in virtual reality by using their mobile phones, tablets or VR googles.

Those entering BBK Virtual will be able to do so through the BBK website or through the Banks social media channels and will also be able to view its feed containing information concerning its latest product updates and offers.

BBKs Group Chief Executive, Dr AbdulRahman Saif said, We are delighted to announce the launch of BBK Virtual and in doing so, weve become the first bank in Bahrain and one of the first in the Gulf Region to offer our customers a metaverse experience.

BBK Virtual introduces a new and exciting way to interact with the bank as we believe that this will be especially appealing to the younger generation who are already immersed in the digital and technological world.

With the introduction of a virtual BBK world, we are solidifying  and preparing for  the customer base of the future with an exciting, gamified, immersive product that will entertain as well as educate.
Agencies | Tehran

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Iran has sentenced a former senior defense official to death after convicting him on charges of spying for Britain, state-linked media reported yesterday. The judiciary said Ali Reza Akbari, who was deputy defense minister until 2001, was a key spy for British intelligence, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

It said Iranian intelligence unmasked the spying by feeding him false information. Tasnim also reported that he had spied on past nuclear talks between Iran and Western powers. Akbari had served as deputy defense minister under President Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who had pushed for improved relations with the West.

Britain urged Iran to release Alireza Akbari yesterday. We are supporting the family of Mr Akbari and have repeatedly raised his case with the Iranian authorities, a British foreign office spokesperson said in a statement.

Our priority is securing his immediate release and we have reiterated our request for urgent consular access. For several years, Iran has been locked in a shadow war with the US and Israel, marked by covert attacks on its disputed nuclear program.

The killing of Irans top nuclear scientist in 2020, which Iran blamed on Israel, indicated foreign intelligence services had made major inroads. Akbari, who ran a private think tank, has not been seen in public since 2019, when he was apparently arrested.

Authorities have not released any details about his trial. Those accused of espionage and other crimes related to national security are usually tried behind closed doors, where rights groups say they do not choose their own lawyers and are not allowed to see evidence against them.

Tasnim said the Supreme Court upheld his sentence and that he had access to an attorney. There was no word on when the execution might be carried out. Akbari had previously led the implementation of a 1988 ceasefire between Iran and Iraq following their devastating eightyear war, working closely with UN observers.
, Jan 12 ( NHK ) - A couple diving near the Sea of Japan coast have captured rare images of a giant squid.

Tanaka Yosuke and his wife Miki spotted the creature on the water surface near the Nekozaki Peninsula in the city of Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, in western Japan last Friday evening.

The couple are scuba-diving instructors based in the region.

They say the squid was about 2.5 meters long and that they saw it swimming while it slowly moved its long tentacles.

They say it disappeared about 30 minutes later while farther out at sea in deeper waters. ...continue reading
Today's Republicans need to get out of their own way
DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada and Her Worship Joan Atkinson, Mayor of the District of Mackenzie, announced more than $2.9 million in funding to retrofit the Mackenzie Recreation Centre.

Funding for this project will go towards several energy-efficient upgrades. The installation of a heat pump and solar panels will diminish the centre's reliance on natural gas, leading to reductions in energy consumption and GHG emissions. The arena slab and boards will also be replaced with a new slab that will have the ability to store heat for the winter and ensure that the facility is usable year-round. These improvements will reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 26.8 % and greenhouse gas emissions by 159 tonnes annually.

Once completed, residents of the District of Mackenzie and neighbouring First Nations will have access to a modern, reliable facility to host community activities.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

"Investments in green infrastructure upgrades are essential to achieving our climate goals. This project will allow the District to leverage renewable energy to reduce its recreation centre's environmental impact and operational costs. Our Government continues to work with partners to support projects that move us one step closer to Net Zero and make a real difference in our communities."

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

"The District of Mackenzie is extremely excited and very grateful for the federal funding received under the Green and Inclusive Community Building program. Our Recreation Centre is the hub of our community and these upgrades will ensure we can provide ice programming for years to come. These upgrades will also reduce our environmental impact and help reduce costs in maintaining this important piece of infrastructure. Mackenzie has been dealt devastating blows to our industrial tax base due to sawmill and pulp mill closures over the past three years. This funding is a lifeline ensuring our residents can continue to enjoy the health and social benefits of our Recreation Centre while supporting our District environmental sustainability goals."

Her Worship Joan Atkinson, Mayor of the District of Mackenzie

Quick facts

The Government of Canada is investing $2,395,753 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, while the District of Mackenzie is contributing $598,938 .

is investing in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, while the District of is contributing . Federal funding is conditional on all parties signing the Contribution Agreement.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is an integral part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada .

Strengthened Climate Plan, providing over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across . At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program launched its second scheduled intake in December 2022 . Applications are being accepted for large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million until February 28, 2023 at 15:00 Eastern Time .

. Applications are being accepted for large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from to until at . The program continues to accept applications for small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 until February 28, 2023 at 15:00 Eastern Time .

to until at . Provincial/territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations interested in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website.

website. Announced in December 2020 , Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy.

Associated links

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

Strengthened Climate Plan

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: For more information (media only), please contact: Jean-Sebastien Comeau, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, 343-574-8116, [email protected]; Emily Kaehn, Director of Corporate Services District of Mackenzie, 250-997-3221, [email protected]; Media Relations: Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
KAWARTHA LAKES, ON, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Doug Elmslie, Mayor of the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes announced a combined investment of approximately $3 million to support the development of a new transitional residence for women and children fleeing domestic abuse in Kawartha Lakes.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

The Government of Canada is contributing over $1.4 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) and the Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes is providing $1.5 million in land and cash equity through a $500,000 capital campaign. The City of Kawartha Lakes is providing assistance with municipal fees towards the construction of the transitional apartment units.

Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes is converting a small church into six apartments for women and their children. To better support and build a stronger community, the organization will be providing a wide range of services to the tenants with the goal of providing safety and security for women. This includes dedicated support for women seeking help from abusive relationships, maintaining a safe place for women in need, and working together to empower and support women.

Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes is a not-for-profit, charitable organization that provides programs throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes to support abused women and their children.

Construction is set to be completed end of September 2023.

Quotes:

"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Creating a safe and supportive environment where mothers and children can heal and thrive is essential. This is why our government is providing funding to build and operate six new transitional housing units in Kawartha Lakes  in addition to the many others we have funded across Canada. These units will serve as sanctuaries for women and their children escaping family violence by providing them an opportunity to rebuild lives and gain independence with access to critical support services. This is our government's National Housing Strategy at work."  The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

"We recognize the need of having this essential resource in our community to help support vulnerable women and children. It is fantastic to see this important initiative supported across various levels of government."  Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, Housing, City of Kawartha Lakes

"We are so excited to be able to provide safe, affordable second stage housing to women and their children who have experienced gender based violence. For many years we provided this support at Amy's Next Step housing in Fenelon Falls but feedback from women was that they needed housing more centrally located to resources. The new Logie Street location is ideally situated and will provide rent geared to income housing for up to six women and their children for a two year period. We could not do this without the generous support of CMHC, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and our community" - Jane Chapman, Board Chair, Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes

Quick facts:

The National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) is a program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.

is a program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults. The Government of Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest over $72 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.

Related links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca

Check out the National Housing Strategy Housing Funding Initiatives Map to see affordable housing projects that have been developed across Canada .

. To learn more on the work of Family Violence Prevention Program in supporting Indigenous women, children, and Indigenous communities.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

For further information: Media contacts: Brittany Hendrych, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]
TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - CoinSmart Financial Inc. ("CoinSmart" or "CFI") (NEO: SMRT) (FSE: IIR), a leading Canadian headquartered crypto asset trading platform, announces that Coinsquare Ltd. ("Coinsquare") has delivered a notice to CoinSmart purporting to terminate the Share Purchase Agreement dated September 22, 2022 between CoinSmart and Coinsquare respecting the sale of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Simply Digital Technologies Inc., being CoinSmart's wholly-owned operating subsidiary (the "Share Purchase Agreement").

CoinSmart's management and its board of directors are in the process of evaluating the validity and effectiveness of Coinsquare's purported termination of the Share Purchase Agreement. CoinSmart will provide further updates on this matter as additional information becomes available.

About CoinSmart Financial Inc.

CoinSmart is a leading Canadian-headquartered crypto asset trading platform dedicated to providing customers with an intuitive way for buying and selling digital assets, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. CoinSmart is one of the few crypto asset trading platforms in Canada to be registered as a securities dealer and marketplace with the Ontario Securities Commission. CoinSmart is also one of the first Canadian headquartered trading platforms to have an international presence, accepting customers across 40+ countries at a time when the digital asset industry continues to rapidly expand.

CoinSmart further builds on its mission to make cryptocurrency accessible by providing educational resources tailored to every level of cryptocurrency knowledge and unparalleled 24/7 omni-channel customer support. Offering instant verification, industry leading cold wallet storage, advanced charting with order book functionality and over-the-counter premium services, CoinSmart ensures every client's needs are met with the highest level of quality and care. For more information please visit https://www.coinsmart.com/ .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Other Disclosures

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses 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", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this news release, CoinSmart has made certain assumptions. Although CoinSmart believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: regulatory approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, CoinSmart disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Connect with CoinSmart: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

SOURCE CoinSmart

For further information: CoinSmart, Justin Hartzman, Chief Executive Officer, Email: [email protected], Tel.: 1.647.923.7678
Six years in the making, the newly released Policy for Wetland Stewardship is a step in the right direction for wetland protection.

WHITEHORSE, YT, Jan. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) extends congratulations to the Government of Yukon for the release of a Policy for the Stewardship of Yukon's Wetlands, the territory's first ever wetland policy. DUC has been involved in the development of the policy since efforts began in 2017, joining other conservation organizations, Indigenous communities, industry and the public in guiding the policy to what it is today, offering comments and information to support a well-informed final version that will enhance wetland knowledge, management and protection throughout the territory.

MacMillan River and wetland complex in Yukon, image taken during fieldwork completed by Ducks Unlimited Canada. (CNW Group/DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA)

By announcing a new wetland protection policy, the Government of Yukon is showing national leadership in the conservation of habitat and biodiversity and joins a growing list of provincial and territorial governments in Canada that are working alongside Indigenous Peoples to develop and implement legislative, policy, and conservation tools to protect the remainder of Canada's vital wetlands.

Jamie Kenyon, Head of Northwest Territories and Yukon Operations for DUC's National Boreal Program was deeply involved in the process and is happy to see the inclusion of protection for Wetlands of Special Importance, an emphasis on knowledge sharing, and the creation of a mitigation hierarchy designed to help limit the impacts of development projects on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

"This plan is a step in the right direction for wetland protection in the Yukon, and we are pleased to have been involved in the process, but the work isn't done yet," Kenyon says, referring to the implementation process, which is the next step for the territory. Many of the key points of the policy rely on the development of additional guidelines and assets.

The policy includes an appendix listing implementation actions, many of which DUC is poised to support the creation and delivery of, including the development of an accessible and easy-to-use guide to identify Yukon's wetlands  a project DUC's National Boreal Program is already undertaking with stakeholder engagement and content drafting already underway. A finalized Yukon wetland classification system will be needed, as well as a territory-wide wetland inventory, and DUC's experience in both developing classification systems like the Enhanced Wetland Classification system and mapping large landscapes to develop inventories will benefit Yukon needs.

"DUC will continue to support the wetland policy with the Government of Yukon and to engage in the implementation process." Kevin Smith, DUC's National Manager of Boreal Programs and lead developer of the Enhanced Wetland Classification system explains, "We have a long history of working with people on-the-ground, with Indigenous communities, other conservation organizations, and with industry and government. We share the goal stated in the policy to 'ensure the benefits of Yukon's wetlands are sustained'."

Knowledge sharing is a key aspect of the new policy and is another value embraced by DUC. "When people understand the value of wetlands, they begin to understand their importance for our well-being, and begin to advocate for their protection," says Kenyon. DUC's mission is to conserve, restore and manage wetlands, meaning involvement in wetland policy and implementation like the Government of Yukon has just released is central to their collaborative, solutions-focused approach.

About Ducks Unlimited Canada: Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca

SOURCE DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA

For further information: Jamie Kenyon - Head of Northwest Territories & Yukon Operations | Ducks Unlimited Canada, National Boreal Program, [email protected] | (867) 333-9949; Chantelle Abma - Communications Specialist | Ducks Unlimited Canada, National Boreal Program, [email protected] | (780) 265-4945
On December 27, 2022 , Zerenia (Khirons wholly owned medical cannabis clinic network) signed a contract with CAPITAL SALUD EPS, Colombias largest public insurance company, under which Zerenia will provide medical cannabis services and products to its patient population, directly reimbursed by CAPITAL SALUD EPS.

, Zerenia (Khirons wholly owned medical cannabis clinic network) signed a contract with CAPITAL SALUD EPS, Colombias largest public insurance company, under which Zerenia will provide medical cannabis services and products to its patient population, directly reimbursed by CAPITAL SALUD EPS. CAPITAL SALUD EPS is owned by the City of Bogota and insures more than 1.2 million people in and around the city, including more than 280,000 active patients with chronic conditions including pain, epilepsy, and mental health.

is owned by the and insures more than 1.2 million people in and around the city, including more than 280,000 active patients with chronic conditions including pain, epilepsy, and mental health. Zerenia has already begun treating the first cohort of CAPITAL SALUDs patients with medical cannabis.

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN) (OTCQX: KHRNF) (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), continues to pioneer the medical cannabis market in LATAM by announcing that Zerenia has signed a contract with insurance CAPITAL SALUD EPS, to provide medical cannabis services and products to CAPITAL SALUD EPS patient population and has already begun treating the first cohort of patients. Under the contract, CAPITAL SALUD EPS patients will get access to Khiron's products and clinical services fully reimbursed by CAPITAL SALUD EPS.

In 2022, the Bogota City Council and the Bogota Mayor's office launched a first of its kind initiative with the purpose of establishing the city as a research, production, and commercialization hub for medical cannabis for Colombia and Latin America. As part of this initiative, CAPITAL SALUD EPS - which is wholly owned by the City of Bogota - has signed a contract with Zerenia to provide "Integrative Health Services and Pharmacotherapeutic Treatment with Medical Cannabis" to its patient population.

City councilman Juan Baena, who spearheaded the initiative comments: "This agreement by CAPITAL SALUD EPS seeks the materialization of Agreement 831 that we promoted at the Bogota City Council, with the objective of making Bogota the medical cannabis hub of the country"

Under the contract with CAPITAL SALUD EPS, Zerenia will provide integrative health services and medical cannabis products to patients diagnosed with chronic pain, mental health, neurological conditions, and epilepsy, amongst others. With an annual budget of more than CAD 500 million, 1.2 million insured individuals, and more than 280,000 patients diagnosed with chronic conditions, CAPITAL SALUD EPS is the largest public insurance company in Colombia.

Alvaro Torres, CEO of Khiron, comments: "The city of Bogota has embraced medical cannabis as a catalyst for social and economic growth. We are honored that Zerenia was selected by CAPITAL SALUD EPS to provide medical cannabis services and products to their patients. Over the past 2 years, Zerenia has invested in expanding its clinic locations across the city, generating proprietary scientific evidence on the benefits of medical cannabis, and delivering superior patient service quality to become the leaders in medical cannabis in Colombia, Latin America and Europe. We are thankful for the confidence placed by CAPITAL SALUD on Zerenia, and with an installed capacity of over 300,000 annual consultations, we are more than prepared to service their patient base. We are convinced that we have created a unique medical cannabis platform that other insurance companies in Colombia and abroad will want to offer to their patients to improve their quality of life."

About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.

Khiron is a leading global medical cannabis company with core operations in Latin America and Europe. Leveraging wholly owned medical health clinics and proprietary telemedicine platforms, Khiron combines a patient-oriented approach, physician education programs, scientific expertise, product innovation, and focus on creating access to drive prescriptions and brand loyalty with patients worldwide. The Company has a sales presence in Colombia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Peru, and Brazil. The Company is led by its co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and diverse executive team and board of directors.

Visit Khiron online at https://investors.khiron.ca.

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/khiron-life-sciences-corp/

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this news release may include statements pertaining to the expected synergies and benefits to the Company from the acquisition of the Target as well as statements as to business strategy. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release reflect management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available and on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the expected benefits to be realized by Khiron's business as a result of the acquisition of the Target, and assumptions regarding market opportunities in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and where it seeks to operate.

Although management believes that its expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, forward-looking information is always subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of management, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following: general economic conditions, adverse conditions in capital markets, political uncertainties, counterparty risk, failing to obtain required regulatory requirements and approvals, failure to maintain required permits and licences, business integration risks, as well as those other risk factors discussed in Khiron's most recent annual information form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

As a result of the foregoing and other risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this press release. Readers are further cautioned that the foregoing risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive, and there may be other risks and uncertainties, presently unknown to management of the Company, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Khiron disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information disclosed herein, 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 PRESS RELEASE.

SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.

For further information: Investor Contact: E: [email protected]; Media Contact: Peter Leis, Europe Communications, E: [email protected]
Conference call on the results today at 11:00 a.m. ET

QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - OpSens Inc. ("OpSens" or the "Company") (TSX: OPS) (OTCQX: OPSSF), a medical device cardiology-focused company delivering innovative solutions based on its proprietary optical technology, today reported its results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended November 30, 2022.

First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Financial Highlights (all metrics compared to first quarter fiscal 2022 unless otherwise noted)

Consolidated revenues of $10.2 million , compared with $8.1 million , a 26% increase and a new quarterly record.

, compared with , a 26% increase and a new quarterly record. Increased gross margin to 58% in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 51%.

Coronary artery disease sales of $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared with $4.9 million , a 6% increase.

in the first quarter of 2023 compared with , a 6% increase. TAVR sales of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2023.

million in the first quarter of 2023. Sales of optical medical products, including the supply agreement with Abiomed, were $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 38%, compared with $2.4 million .

in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 38%, compared with . Cash and cash equivalents of $17.5 million at November 30, 2022 ( $23.8 million at August 31, 2022 ).

at ( at ). In December 2022 , the Company closed a $11.5 million bought-deal offering.

Recent Highlights

FDA clearance for the use of SavvyWire in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures in the United States .

. First clinical cases with the SavvyWire in Europe and launch of the SAFE-TAVI study.

and launch of the SAFE-TAVI study. First procedure completed with the SavvyWire in New Zealand .

Management Commentary

"We experienced growth in each of our business lines during the first quarter, with particular strength in the U.S. where we have placed a strategic focus to enhance sales of OptoWire and launch our recently cleared SavvyWire for TAVR procedures," said Louis Laflamme, President and CEO of OpSens. "Fiscal 2023 will be an exciting year as we expect growth in each of our historical business lines and expand upon the successful launch of our SavvyWire. The medical teams who have had the opportunity to use the SavvyWire have been enthusiastic about its performance. We are still in the early days of the launch cycle but to this point, we have achieved or exceeded nearly every key milestone or timeline in our TAVR commercialization plans, and believe we have the opportunity to continue that momentum into the future."

Segmented Revenues Information

($ in Millions Canadian) Three-month period ended

November 30, 2022

Three-month period ended

November 30, 2021







Medical segment





Coronary Artery Disease 5.2

4.9 Structural Heart 0.4

0.0 Optical Medical Products 3.3

2.4 Other 0.3

0.1 Total Medical Revenues 9.2

7.4 Industrial 1.0

0.7 Total Revenues 10.2

8.1

Financial Commentary

Consolidated revenues were $10.2 million in the first quarter of 2023, a 26% increase, compared with the $8.1 million recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

Coronary Artery Disease

Sales of coronary artery disease products (Fractional Flow Reserve ("FFR") and diastolic pressure ratio ("dPR")) were $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared with $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 6%. The increase was primarily due to a combined 15% increase in sales in the U.S., Canada and EMEA. U.S. sales were particularly strong with an increase of 38% generated by higher volumes following the strategic focus to increase sales in the country through both direct sales and group purchasing agreements, as well as benefits from currency exchange rates. Sales in Japan decreased 31% compared to the first quarter of 2022 due to increased inventory levels with the distributor following a large shipment in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, coupled with slower demand than expected.

Optical Medical Systems

Sales of optical medical systems, including the Company's multi-year supply contract of sensors for ventricular assist devices, were $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared with $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 38%. The Company is seeing increased demand for its sensors with expectations for continued growth in the future.

Structural Heart

Structural heart sales (TAVR) were $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. There were no sales in this market in the first quarter of 2022. The company received Canadian clearance for its TAVR in April 2022 and U.S. clearance in September 2022. The Company launched its Canadian and U.S. limited market release ahead of schedule and has since launched the next stage of its commercialization efforts in Canada and the U.S. with initial results indicating strong acceptance by physicians and hospitals with premium pricing and rapid reorder rates.

Industrial

Industrial sales were at $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared with $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2022. During the quarter, the Company delivered solutions in optical temperature, pressure, strain, and other critical parameters for various industries, including aerospace, nuclear, and power electronics.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was 57.6%, an increase of 670 basis points, compared to 50.9% during the prior year period. The increase was driven by better product mix, more direct sales and higher volume sales.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2023 were $9.7 million, compared with $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2022. The $3.7 million increase was primarily due to an increase sales and marketing activities, including an increase in the Company's direct U.S. sales force in advance of the launch of SavvyWire, coupled with an increase in R&D due to structural heart and coronary artery projects.

Net Loss

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(3.6) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(2.1) million, or $(0.02) per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

Balance Sheet

OpSens had a cash position of $17.5 million at November 30, 2022 (August 31, 2022 was $23.8 million). In December 2022, the Company closed a $11.5 million bought-deal offering.

Table A

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except for information

per share) Three-month period ended November 30, 2022 Three-month period ended November 30, 2021 $ $





Revenues



Sales



Medical 8,895 7,342 Industrial 1,016 705

9,911 8,047 Other 282 49

10,193 8,096 Cost of sales 4,326 3,978 Gross margin 5,867 4,118 Gross margin percentage 58 % 51 %





Operating expenses



Administrative 2,600 2,137 Sales and marketing 4,628 2,108 Research and development 2,468 1,766

9,696 6,011





Financial expenses (income) (7) 159 Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation (195) 10





Loss before income taxes (3,627) (2,062)





Current income tax expense 11 27





Net loss (3,638) (2,089)





Basic and diluted net loss per share (0.03) (0.02)







Table B

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS (in thousands of Canadian dollars) As at As at November 30,

2022 August 31,

2022 $ $





Cash and cash equivalents 17,501 23,816 Trade and other receivables 6,884 5,855 Inventories 8,227 6,672 Total Current Assets 34,907 39,016 Property, plant, and equipment 3,252 2,683 Intangible assets 1,729 1,786 Right-of-use assets 8,508 5,026 Total Assets 48,396 48,511





Current liabilities 8,859 8,601 Long-term debt 530 639 Lease liabilities 8,039 5,012 Total Liabilities 17,428 14,252 Shareholders' equity 30,968 34,259

Conference Call Today

Louis Laflamme, President and Chief Executive Officer, will hold a conference call to discuss the quarter's financial results at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) today, January 12, 2023.

Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (833) 756-0865 or (412) 317-5754 or can listen via a live webcast, from the link available in the Investors section of the Company's website at https://opsens.com/investors/ or at https://app.webinar.net/rJaVjbNjoW1, 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the conference call.

A replay will be available after the call, in the Investors section of the Company's website at https://opsens.com/investors/.

About OpSens Inc. (www.OpSens.com or www.OpSensmedical.com)

OpSens focuses mainly on cardiology. The Company offers an advanced optical-based pressure guidewire that aims at improving the clinical outcome of patients with coronary artery disease. Its flagship product, the OptoWire, is a second-generation fiber optic pressure guidewire designed to provide the lowest drift in the industry and excellent lesions access. The OptoWire has been used in the diagnosis and treatment of more than 200,000 patients in more than 30 countries. It is approved for sale in the United States, European Union, Japan, and Canada.

OpSens has recently received FDA clearance and Health Canada approval to commercialize the SavvyWire for transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures (TAVR).

The TAVR procedure is growing rapidly globally, driven by the aging population and recent studies that demonstrate its benefits for a broader array of patients. The global TAVR market is currently estimated at over 200,000 procedures and is expected to reach 400,000 in 2027.

OpSens is also involved in industrial activities in developing, manufacturing, and installing innovative fiber optic sensing solutions for critical applications.

SOURCE OpSens Inc.

For further information: Louis Laflamme, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, 418.781.0333
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As the forthcoming presidential election inches closer, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned foreign nations to stay clear of meddling in Nigerias election.

Buhari issued this warning on Thursday while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Sweden, Switzerland, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan in Abuja.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Buhari urged ambassadors to be guided by diplomatic practice and go about their duties professionally.

As Nigerians prepare to elect another government at the general elections on 25th February 2023, President Buhari renewed his call to foreign government representatives not to meddle in Nigerias internal affairs, he stated.




The Ogun State Government has disclosed that the 2023 budget was meant to improve the quality of life in the State.





The Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser in the state, Dapo Okubadejo, gave this disclosure, on Tuesday, while fielding questions from newsmen at the 2023 Budget Breakdown Media Parley, held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.





Okubadejo noted that in the area of transportation, the blue and red rail lines from Lagos will be extended to the State from Kajola ti Agbara respectively.





Describing the approach of the state to budget as inclusive and holistic, the Chief Economic Adviser said this is reflective of the deep thinking that goes into the making of the budget and policy formulation and execution since since 2019.





Equally, he added that government deliberately focusses on certain reforms to improve internally generated revenue and in a manner that will prosper the people.





For instance, he said construction of roads in the economic hubs across the state has not increase the value of land but quadrupled along the Atan-Agabara-Lusada axis of the state, as a result of the ongoing reconstruction of the 19km road being embarked upon by the incumbent administration.





He added that the construction of the Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode road has increased the value of land along the axis by 300%.





Okubadejo, flanked by his counterparts in the Ministries of Budget and Planning and Information and Strategy, Olaolu Olabimtan and Waheed Odusile, respectively, explained that Governor Abiodun-led administration decided to earmark the large chunk of the 2023 budget to infrastructure, in order to make the state more attractive for investors.





According to him, the huge investment by the current administration in the provision of roads and other critical infrastructure has started yielding positive results, adding that the socioeconomic development going on around the Agro Cargo Airport in Ilishan is humongous.





While scoring the state high for recording 71% budget performance in 2021, Okubadejo expressed confidence that the N472billion budget of 2023 would be pursued towards expanding development and creating more prosperity for the people.





The Commissioner added that the state government would look for investors that can help the state explore oil and bitumen, and continue to partner private sector in the provision of critical infrastructure capable of making life more meaningful for the people of Ogun.





Okubadejo, however, said that the Abiodun-led administration adopted the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) in contrast to what he described as cash accounting being used by the immediate past administration.





He stated that the method of accounting adopted by the last administration in the state did not indicate liabilities, which according to him was not only confusing but fraudulent.





The Commissioner further noted that Ogun would partner Independent Power Project (IPP) providers, not only to generate electricity, but involve in the distribution of power to industries, public and commercial entities in the state.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has lashed out at critics who claimed the administration of the President, Muhammadu Buhari, has failed in the area of economic development.

He said that such statements are borne out of ignorance since infrastructure is a key driver of economic development.

He explained this while giving his opening remarks at the ongoing 18th edition of the PMB scorecard series.

Critics of the Administration are wont to say that while it has done well in the area of infrastructure, it has not fared well in the area of the economy. With due respect, statements like this are borne out of ignorance.

Let me say that the Buhari Administration is ready to deliver another dividend of democracy to Nigerians. As you are aware, the much-ballyhooed Second Niger Bridge has been completed and will soon be commissioned. Well, I am happy to announce today that another highly-valuable bridge and road are ready for commissioning in the next few weeks.
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked residents of Yobe state to vote for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to continue his legacy.

Buhari spoke on Tuesday at the township stadium in Damaturu, venue of the partys presidential campaign rally in Yobe.

The president said the former governor of Lagos is capable of continuing his legacy.

I accompany Asiwaju here to tell you to vote for him so that he can continue with my legacy of rebuilding Nigeria, the president said.

On his part, Tinubu said the Yobe cargo airport inaugurated by the president on Monday would be needed to accomplish his plans to boost the countrys agricultural sector.

The cargo airport Mr President commissioned yesterday will be greatly needed when our agenda for greater production of agricultural and industrial exports begins to take off, he said.

It is a wise investment made with courage and foresight. It will be needed to transport Yobes excellent sesame, hibiscus, and gum Arabic to the rest of the world.

The former governor of Lagos praised the president for the success in the fight against insecurity.

Abdullahi Adamu, national chairperson of the APC; Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Kashim Shettima, Tinubus running mate, were among some of the dignitaries present at the rally.
The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has struck out the regulation of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, prohibiting unmarried female personnel from getting pregnant for being inconsistent with Section 42 of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution (as amended) and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which abolishes discrimination based on gender.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Dashe Damulak also held that the claimant, Miss Omolola Olajide, has a right to challenge the constitutionality of Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation 127 thereof.

Recall that Miss Olajide of the Ekiti State Police Command was dismissed on the 26th of January 2021 by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for getting pregnant while single.

She proceeded to court through her lawyer, Funmi Falana, to challenge her dismissal on the grounds that the police authorities had discriminated against her since her male counterparts were not dismissed in similar circumstances.

Olajide, in the suit filed, listed the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the NPF as defendants.

In a 14-page judgment delivered, the Justice held that the Court accordingly, find and holds that the provision of Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation 127 thereof, which applies to unmarried police women getting pregnant while in service but does not apply to unmarried policemen impregnating females while they are in the same service, are discriminatory against unmarried women officers by Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, if any law is inconsistent with the provision of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of its inconsistency be void.

For the avoidance of doubt, the case of the Claimant succeeds in part only in terms of prayer B, which is a Declaration that the provision of Regulation 127 and section 127 of the Police Act, which is against unmarried females police officers getting pregnant before marriage but does not apply to males police officers impregnating women before marriage is discriminatory, unconstitutional and illegal as it violates the Claimants Fundamental Right under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. And the said provision is hereby declared null and void and struck down.

The court, however, refused Olajides application to be reinstated.

The court also agreed with the police counsel, Tolu Abisagbo, that Olajide was employed on probation at the time of her dismissal, and she could, therefore, not be reinstated.

The Judge held that as a probationary staff, Olajide is not yet clothed with the garb of statutory protection. So for being wrongfully denied a lifetime opportunity of serving in the Police Force and cannot be reinstated, she is entitled to aggravate and punitive damages assessed at N5 million.
Doyin Okupe, erstwhile Director-General of the Peter Obi, Datti Presidential Campaign Council, has been released after he was arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Recall that Okupe was reportedly arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

His lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, who confirmed the incident, said Okupe was on his way to London when he was arrested.

Speaking after he was released, Okupe said the EFCC apologised for the error.

I was arrested & detained @ the MM int airport, Lagos this morning 12th Jan on my way to UK for medical, yrs of my passport being withheld by the FHC Abuja, he said.

I have just left the EFCC office where senior officers in lagos or Abuja apologised to me for the error. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD abi?
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria and ECOWAS member states are implementing strategies to halt coups in the region.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke on Thursday while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan at the State House.

He called for cooperation and collaboration from the countries to overcome challenges in West Africa.

President Buhari invited friendly countries to support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.

As Nigerians prepare to elect another government at the general elections on 25th February 2023, President Buhari renewed his call to foreign government representatives not to meddle in Nigerias internal affairs.

I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections.

I wish you all success in your respective tours of duty and, at the same time, encourage you to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture at your disposal as you travel across our country, he said.

The President told the Ambassadors that Nigeria no doubt enjoys very cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and cooperation with their respective countries, commending the roles of their predecessors who demonstrated diligence and commitment to advance these causes.

I am therefore confident that your appointments are deliberate in building on the successes of your immediate predecessors to advance our relations to significant and enviable heights.

As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I hope you will appreciate the political, socio-economic and cultural diversities that are the Nigerian nations hallmarks.

I encourage you to build friendships and take time to mingle across the length and breadth of the country, including interfacing with both the public and private sectors to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.

Sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, Local Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Agribusiness, Transportation, and Solid Minerals are mainly of interest to us and foreign investors alike.

This will enable us to collectively strive to resuscitate all our countries economies in the post-pandemic global recovery processes.

The Ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence are Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand; Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal and David Chaot of South Sudan.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Ambassador of Switzerland assured the Nigerian President that they would exercise their functions as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries.

Wishing Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections, the Ambassadors extended their goodwill to the President on his remaining days in office.

We are keenly aware of the importance of Nigeria to the wellbeing of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy.

Every one of us is proud to represent his or her country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Lang said.
Bola Tinubu, the APC candidate in the February 25 presidential election, has told Igbos in Enugu that when they vote for him, he will allow them to have a share in the national cake, a euphemism for the national coffer.

Mr Tinubu urged Enugu residents and Igbos, in general, to vote for him so that they would partake in sharing the national cake.

It is only when you invest that you can harvest. It is only when you vote for me that you will share from the national cake, the APC presidential flag bearer declared.

Speaking particularly about Enugu, Mr Tinubu said he would make Enugu an industrial hub greater than it is today.

He described his campaign organisation as a moving train prepared to win the election, saying that any attempt to stand before the moving train would end in a fiasco.

You cannot block the way of success. It is only the ignorant that will stand in the way of victory. We are not looking for 25 per cent votes. We are working assiduously until Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the president of Nigeria, he stressed.

Uche Nnaji, APCs governorship candidate in Enugu, Governors Hope Uzodimma and Governor Umahi also addressed the rally simultaneously.

They differed on the percentage of votes that Mr Tinubu would poll in the South-East, however.

While Nnaji opted for 30 per cent of the votes, Mr Uzodimma said he expected a landslide, while Mr Umahi opted for 90 per cent of votes from the geopolitical zone.

We have to vote for APC so that we will not lose. We are not looking at 60 per cent or 80 per cent, but 100 per cent of the votes, Mr Umahi said.

(NAN)
For failing to submit its annual accounts, authorities in the United Kingdom, have struck off Next International (UK) Limited, a company largely owned by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

An online platform, Premium Times, reported that the company was removed from the record in September 2021, following a first and second gazette notice of compulsory strike off of the entity.

In the UK, a compulsory strike-off is imposed on a company by creditors or by the Companies House for non-submission of annual accounts or failure to notify Companies House about a change of official registered office address.

Once a company is struck off, its details will be removed from the Companies House register and the company ceases to exist.

Next International (UK) Limited failed to submit its annual accounts for the year 2020, hence, the company was struck off and dissolved in 2021.

Before a company is struck off, however, the UK requires the Companies Houses Registrar to send at least two formal letters to the company warning that a failure to file its annual accounts will lead to its removal from the register.

According to UK Liquidators, a financial consulting firm, if Companies House receives no reply to its letters, it will then publish a first strike off notice in the Gazette, which is the official journal of public record.

The first official notice to strike off Next International was issued on 22nd June 2021, then a second notice was given on 31st August 2021. A final gazette to dissolve the company was issued on 7th September 2021.

Before its final dissolution, records show that for four consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) the UK Companies House had to always issue a first gazette notice for compulsory strike-off before Next International filed its annual account. Then immediately the company submitted its annual accounts, a gazette will be issued to discontinue the compulsory strike-off action.

A private limited company, Next International was incorporated on 16t May 1996. Mr Obi was listed as a director while his wife, Margaret, served as secretary. Next International (Nigeria) Limited (with 999 ordinary shares) and Mr Obi (with one ordinary share) were listed as shareholders.

Records show that the company was registered as business agents involved in the sale of a variety of goods in England and Wales.

The firm reported taking a mortgage from Lloyds TSB Bank Plc for a property on 53 Clyde Road, Croydon.

On May 16, 2008, 14 months after assuming duties as governor of Anambra State, Obi resigned as the director of Next International.

He took office on March 17, 2006 but continued to serve as a director of the company in violation of Nigerian law.

In Nigeria, a person is statutorily required to withdraw from engaging in or directing a private business, except if it is farming, upon becoming a public officer, Section Six (6) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides.

The former governor admitted to Premium Times in 2021 that he did not declare these companies and the funds and properties they held in his asset declaration filings with the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Nigerian government agency that deals with the issues of corruption, conflict of interest, and abuse of office by public servants.

At the time, Mr Obi said he was unaware that the law expected him to declare assets or companies he jointly owns with his family members or anyone else.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
Theres only a brief glimpse of the stunning Imam Reza shrine in director Ali Abbasis Holy Spider. A young woman bows her head and says a prayer before she walks into the shadows where men pick up prostitutes at night in Mashhad, Irans second largest city and an important site for Shia Muslims.

Its not long before she climbs on the back of a mans motorcycle, only to become the latest victim of the notorious Spider Killer.

In Abbasis thriller, Arezoo Rahimi, a woman reporter, arrives in Mashhad from a newspaper in Tehran to investigate why the police have not been able to catch the killer, despite his patterns and near ritualistic methods. He chokes them with their headscarves, wraps their bodies in black chadors and leaves them in the same area. Much is known about the more than a dozen murders because the killer calls a local reporter after each one. That reporter becomes one of Rahimis few allies.

Among the bizarre twists in the story is that the killer wants the world to know what hes doing. He claims to be ridding the holy city of vice.

Rahimi meets immediate resistance from local authorities. They say they are content to wait for the killer to make a mistake that leads them to him. Shes dismayed by the passive approach, and the film exposes the misogyny and religious hypocrisy of allowing a killer to prey on sex workers, all of them poor and some of them dependent on opium.

The police are not receptive to being questioned by a woman and attack her credibility. Rahimi almost is denied a hotel reservation because the manager sees that she is traveling alone. It leaves her in a precarious position, as she tries to investigate the killer while avoiding crossing the police and local religious authorities.

The killer has a family, and his wife and friends see little signs that hes under pressure. Much of the story plays out in the nebulous world of vice in a theocratic state, where prostitution and drug use exist despite the harshness of Islamic law and the public facades of righteousness.

The film also gets unique tension from the killers belief that he is doing Gods work. Mixed with the general fear of a killer on the loose is a bastion of public support for him from the most hardline Islamic factions of Iranian society, which pulls some weight with local religious authorities. Without the media headlines and pressure from higher authorities in Tehran, they might be tempted to sweep the whole problem under the rug.

The film is based on a serial killer who murdered 16 women in Mashhad in 2000 and 2001, but Rahimi is entirely fictional.

Zar Amir Ebrahimi is the diminutive but feisty Rahimi, and she won Best Actress at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for the role. Irans Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance condemned the award.

Mehdi Bajestani plays Saeed, the Spider Killer, and hes compelling as an angry brute wrapped up in his own righteousness. Abbasi doesnt delve too deeply into Saeeds thoughts, and instead shows how he clumsily re-enacts the societys prejudices and platitudes on a self-justifying mission. Its not a political film, but corruption and social and government hypocrisy provide an unsettling backdrop to Rahimi's work.

"Spider Killer" leans more toward gritty realism than crime thriller sensationalism, but it builds excellent tension in the pursuit of the killer and the unique way he may avoid justice in a society that is almost as cruel in its view of the victims.

Holy Spider opens Friday, Jan. 13, at Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge.
Containers are loaded at the Port of New Orleans' Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. Kumho Tires, a South Korean company will build a warehouse and distribution facility in Franklin that will create more than 200 jobs. The facility will utilize the port's container terminal, the top importer of natural rubber in the U.S.
Hurricane Ian, which thrashed Florida and the Carolinas last year, has claimed the No. 3 spot in the list of 10 most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history, according to a new report from the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Causing damage estimated so far at $112.9 billion, Ian ranks just below Hurricane Harvey and just above Hurricane Maria, both from 2017.

The national centers bases its estimates on reports from other federal and state government agencies, the insurance industry and other sources. It updated its annual report on Tuesday.

Of the 10 costliest storms in U.S. history, all but one have come in the past 20 years, further evidence of how climate change is causing more intense storms. The Top 10 storms hit Florida (5), Louisiana (3) and Texas (2), as well as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, New Jersey and South Carolina. Several of them  hurricanes Katrina and Andrew, for example  hit more than one state.

But its not just coastal states where damage mounts. Once a hurricane comes ashore and weakens, it is cut off from the warm seawater that fuels it but still carries immense amounts of moisture. As it moves hundreds of miles inland and tears apart, it continues to dump that moisture in the form of phenomenal rain that floods creeks and rivers, causing even more damage.
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has taken over the Slidell Housing Authority, claiming it had been mismanaged. The housing authority has 125 units that it rents, and also provides rental assistance for more than 400 others. ("For Rent Sign" by Mark Moz licensed via Flickr under CC BY 2.0)
Parade-goers wave their hands as floats pass during the Krewe of Muses parade on the uptown parade route in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. The parade rolled with 26 floats and over 1,100 female members to the theme, "Muses Let it Ride O21." Gold Medal Olympian and WNBA Champion Swin Cash rolled as the Honorary Muse. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has received at least four notable improvements over its predecessor according to the well-known leaker Ice universe. The source has discussed four important aspects of the upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra that may not have been as frequently reported about as much as the expected 200 MP main camera and slightly flatter display.

4 Reviews

There shouldnt be much of a fair Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S22 Ultra contest as the former is expected to be filled to the brim with current cutting-edge smartphone tech. There have been many lines already written about the rumored 200 MP main camera, the tweaked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and the less curvy corners for the S23 Ultra, and now Ice universe has decided to focus on some other areas that may have been overlooked. In a paraphrasing nutshell, this is how the leaker claims the Galaxy S23 Ultra will be much better than its predecessor:

The speaker sound and the bass quality have been improved. The S22 Ultras focus issues have been solved for the successor. Camera shake has been significantly reduced. The microphone is excellent.

While our thorough testing of the Galaxy S22 Ultra didnt reveal any particular problems with the camera focus, issues have been frequently reported elsewhere. Complaints about the focus have included adjectives such as laggy, glitchy, and, of course, blurry. In regard to sound, our reviewer discovered how bass was hardly to be found in audio reproduction, and there have been many S22 Ultra buyers who have mentioned tinny, weak, or quiet speakers. So, if these two vital areas really have been improved with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra there will be a lot of satisfied customers around.

Video and image stabilization for the Galaxy S22 Ultra was already considered to be better than that of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, so it would be unsurprising if the Galaxy S23 Ultra carried on the improvement theme in this particular aspect, too, especially if it resulted in shooting sharper photos when zoom is involved. Last but not least, the tipster claims the S23 Ultra has an excellent microphone. While we had no issues with the voice and call quality of the predecessor, there were some reports of faulty microphones, so there would be no harm done if Samsung had decided to improve this less-glamorous but still salient feature of its 2023 flagship smartphone.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra on Amazon
NREL Biofuel Scientist Honored by Colorado Governor for Lifetime of Achievements

Over His 40-Plus-Year Career, Michael E. Himmel Has Unraveled Complexities of Using Enzymes To Deconstruct Lignocellulosic Biomass for Climate-Friendly Fuels

Himmel has made discoveries featured on the covers of scientific journals and developed technologies right up to the cusp of commercialization. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

A single scientist cannot own a field of study, science itself a practice built through a community of minds. Nor is one scientific article the final word on a subject. Conclusions change and insights are revisited as new data and evidence emerges.

But if anyone can be said to have defined a field of science, it can undoubtedly be said of Michael E. Himmel.

During his more than 40-year career as a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Himmel has shown the world it is possible to make biofuels from the fibrous, inedible, often discarded parts of plants, known to biologists as lignocellulosic biomass. Most remarkably, he has demonstrated how to do so at a scale and economy needed to decarbonize transportation.

Now, in recognition of his outstanding contributions on biofuels processing and enzyme design, Himmel has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera presented Himmel the award on behalf of Gov. Polis during a Dec. 14, 2022, ceremony at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the 12th such event presented by CO-LABS to celebrate Colorados top scientists and research accomplishments. CO-LABS is a consortium of federally funded Colorado research institutions that aims to make Colorado the hub of scientific research addressing the planet's most crucial challenges.

The award is a testament to the impact of Himmels long career, which has featured discoveries on the covers of scientific journals and technologies developed right up to the cusp of commercialization.

Feet in Two Worlds: On the Farm, in the Lab

In 1952, Himmel was born in Ohio into a family of academics. His father and grandfather, both college professors, passed on a heritage of hard work and scholastic values to Himmel, who himself received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Colorado State University in 1980.

But his interest in biomass may have roots off the university campus. During his school years in Greeley, Colorado, between wrestling team workouts, he spent weekends and summers working as a truck and tractor mechanic in the surrounding farming community.

By 1995, Himmel (far left) was already discovering new knowledge on the role of enzymes in breaking down lignocellulose into sugars to make biofuels. Here, he leads an NREL team (right from HimmelTom Ng, Rich Bailey, Linda Leighton, Ruxton Villet, and Karl Grohmann) collecting new cellulase-producing bacteria from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park to pinpoint species more adapted to heat. Photo by NREL

I think I was sort of a rare chemistry student that took chemistry courses during the day, then drove to the countryside where I worked on farm equipment, sometimes in the field, Himmel said of his first decade in Colorado. I had a close look at both cultures, and I think that experience allowed me to approach the biofuels challenge from a different viewpoint relative to my peers. It kept me humble.

He quickly developed an aptitude for both chemistry and mechanical engineering, which served him well when in 1980 he accepted a postdoctoral position at NREL, then called the Solar Energy Research Institute.

When I began here in 1980, the field of lignocellulosic biomass conversion to fuels really didn't exist, he said. We literally had to make all of our research materials, including the biomass substrates.

True, the oil embargo in the 1970s had helped stimulate a corn ethanol industry, but that was built around the plants starchy kernels. Turning its tougher (and far more abundant) lignocellulosic leaves, stalks, and cobs into fuel proved far more difficult. Lignocellulosethe primary structural component of plantsexhibits a high degree of recalcitrance, or the natural resistance of plant cell walls to microbial and enzymatic deconstruction (to use Himmels definition in his seminal 2007 Science article).

Depending on the process used to make it, biofuel made from lignocellulose can net deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels and even first-generation biofuels. For example, ethanol made from lignocellulosic biomass, rather than corn starch, can reduce emissions 88% to 108% on a life-cycle basis, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

For Himmel, overcoming biomass recalcitrance and unlocking the opportunity of cellulosic biofuels would mean spending untold hours researching cellulase enzymes. Common in nature, cellulases decompose the stems, leaves, and roots of trees and plants, making their sugars and other nutrients available for other organisms.

To speed up that process for industry, though, Himmel would first need to map out the biological mechanisms by which they function. He started by designing a facility where he could actually do that research.

Both Chemist and Engineer: Himmel Built a Program From the Ground Up

In those days, NREL didn't have a biofuels process engineerand even though I was formally trained as a biochemist, I knew that I could build things, Himmel reflected when thinking back to the early days at NREL. I know that's not what a biochemist should be doing, but I think the point here is that sometimes when you take a job with a new company you've got to do what it takes to make that company successful.

NREL's first biomass pretreatment and fermentation pilot plant, which Himmel designed and personally built in 1984. The facility established NRELknown at the time only for photovoltaic and wind researchas a center for biomass conversion R&D. Photo by Mike Himmel, NREL

Starting with Colorado-produced wheat straw, about $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy, and a newly created high bay space in NRELs Field Test Laboratory Building, Himmel started building a small pretreatment pilot plant from the ground up. He bought grinding mills, processing tanks, and fermenters. He was tested and received a license to drive NRELs forklifts. He designed and built a plumbing system to shuttle and control liquids and gases between newly assembled equipment. He patented technologies and started building a team of world-class scientific talent.

Thirty-five years later, this legacy is captured today in a state-of-the-art facility: NRELs Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility (IBRF).

From NRELs laboratories, Himmel has led hundreds of scientific studies in protein biochemistry, recombinant technology, enzyme engineering, microorganism discovery, macromolecular physico-chemistry, as well as all key unit operations in biofuels production. Himmel became as comfortable in esoteric protein engineering as in fast-paced, high-stakes applied science. He was able to straddle both roles, much like he had done when working in Greeley several decades before.

Himmel has been so prolific that his byline has become a placeholder for biofuels researchers everywhere. For example, his research into low-cost formulations for cellulase enzymes earned him an R&D 100 Award in 2004. His citation metrics rival the collective work of entire research teams and organizations, having written over 500 papers, 11 books, and 40 patents.

Study by study, Himmel has shown industry how to cost-effectively wield enzymes, in combination with other preprocessing techniques, to break the chemical bonds of biomass and free the energy locked inside. Bringing those insights to the world outside the lab has broad implications for a decarbonized energy future. Just look at the pilot cellulosic ethanol facility, called SAFFiRE, designed for construction in Nevada, Iowa.

Artist's conception of the SAFFiRE 10-ton-per-day pilot plant cofunded by the U.S. Department of Energy and Southwest Airlines. This work is based on 2021 FOA award #2396 to NREL and D3MAX. Mark Yancey and Mike Himmel are the principal and co-principal investigators (respectively). Figure by Besiki Kazaishvili, NREL

Fruit of a Rich Career: Sustainable Aviation Fuel From Renewable Ethanol

Himmel is seeing the fruit of his career ripen in the form of a pilot plant supported by D3MAX LLC, the U.S. Department of Energy, Southwest Airlines, NREL, LanzaJet, and others. Called SAFFiRE or Sustainable Aviation Fuel From [i] Renewable Ethanol, the 10-ton-per-day lignocellulosic ethanol facility is long anticipated in the push to turn agricultural wastelike corn stoverinto sustainable aviation fuel. Lincolnway Energy, a corn ethanol plant located in Nevada, Iowa, plans to host the SAFFiRE pilot project.

SAFFiRE is among a handful of economical, proven technologies that could produce a biofuel that is both less expensive than petroleum-based jet fuel and can reduce carbon emissions dramaticallyover 80% on a life-cycle basis.

Using NRELs patent-pending deacetylation and mechanical refining processdrawing liberally from Himmel and colleagues knowledge and experiencethe project sidesteps the expenses and challenges of previous efforts to turn lignocellulosic biomass into fuel. By doing so, it could boost ethanol yields by 14% and lower its cost by 33 cents per gallon.

Traits of Award-Winning Scientific Impact: Generosity, Kindness, Openness

So, what has made Himmel so impactful as a scientist? What is the secret sauce behind his award-winning achievements?

According to Maureen McCann, NRELs biosciences center director, it may have as much to do with his remarkable mind as his generosity and impact on the people he has worked with over the years.

Personally, I've benefited from his generosity and kindness and really his openness to thinking in innovative and creative ways, she said. I think his legacy is going to be partly the scientific contributions that he's made directly in research, but then also his intellectual leadership in bioenergy research at large. My center at NREL is absolutely populated with proteges who have benefited from Mike's mentorship.

For Adam Bratis, associate laboratory director for NRELs bioenergy program, Himmels impact comes back to his ability to turn basic science into something everyone can benefit from. He recalled what a prominent biotech industry scientist said about Himmel during one of his DOE Bioenergy Technology Office Peer Review presentations over a decade ago.

Her comment was that she comes every year primarily to hear Mike, he said. She said she always learns something new about enzymes. He always has ideas on what industry should be thinking about next.

Maybe that sums up the tenor of Himmels career: the ability to delve into the furthest corners of biological sciences and bring back insights solid enough to build a business around. Like basic ingredients for a complete and nourishing meal, he has supplied what is needed to build a vibrant bioeconomy without the climate cost.
Several business leaders will speak at the Spring 2023 Lunch and Lead Speaker Series sponsored by The Leadership Institute and Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest.

Community Investment Fund of Indiana Regional Business Development Officer, Edgewater Health President and CEO Danita Johnson and others will take part in the virtual speaker series. It aims to help business and community leaders learn about best practices and skills from fellow leaders from Northwest Indiana and beyond.

The Lunch and Lead Series brings new, fresh and thought-provoking topics to our audience, said Mekisha Richardson, assistant director of the Leadership Institute. This spring, weve crafted a diverse lineup of phenomenal leaders who are doing exceptional work to improve the quality of life in our region. I am excited for our audience to hear their stories.

Purdue Northwest Business Law Clinical Associate Professor Shontrai Irving, Purdue Northwest Director of Educational Talent Search Maceo Rainey and Purdue University Early Outreach Admissions Coordinator Shanita Starks will take part in a Sankofa Leadership panel discussion for Black History Month at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Johnson will give a talk on Womens History & Leadership at noon on Tuesday, March 14.

Finally, The STARTedUP Foundation Founder and CEO Don Wettrick will discuss Youth Innovation at noon on Tuesday, April 11.

Each talk will run for 45 minutes.

Our Lunch and Lead Series is a chance to hear from some of the most inspirational leaders who share their stories with candor and authenticity, said Sheila Matias, executive director of the Society of Innovators and Leadership Institute. We continue to attract a broad range of listeners  further evidence that this speaker series is meeting a community need. Its uplifting, educational, inspirational and easy to access  all without even leaving your office.

The events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

For more information or to register, visit pnw.edu/soi or email societyofinnovators@pnw.edu.
GARY  The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority will perform a traffic study that it hopes will be the first step toward recommissioning an on-ramp from westbound Airport Road to northbound Cline Avenue in an effort to make access to the highway easier for airport patrons on their way to Chicago.

The ramp, whose path from Airport Road to Cline is still visible, was closed when the state put in a new ramp from Cline to Buffington Harbor and its casino boats about a decade and a half ago.

The new access to the harbor conflicted with the on-ramp from Airport Road, leading to its closure.

Now, you have to do a series of roundabouts and awkward movements just to get onto the highway, Executive Director Dan Vicari said.

The Indiana Department of Transportation told the airport it would need to perform a traffic study to see if a new on-ramp is warranted. The airport board engaged the firm American Structurepoint on Wednesday to do that.

That companys Vice President Chris Murphy noted that the airports previous master plan had called for a new terminal at Chicago Avenue, using that roads ramps to and from Cline as the primary access to the airport. With that plan, access to Airport Road was not necessarily needed.

But current plans do not move the airports terminal there, which makes a full interchange at airport road valuable, Murphy said, noting that the hope is (INDOT) might actually provide funding for the project.

The study will count traffic from the Indiana Toll Road to the Ameristar Casino exit, he said, projecting traffic volume to 2042. The study will include potential for cargo traffic at the airport to expand to a level approaching UPS volume at the Rockford, Illinois, airport.

The study should take 60 to 90 days, Murphy said.

Murphy also noted that the City of Gary is discussing with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission the potential of acquiring federal money to aid initial planning work on the airports long-term plan to reroute Airport Road to allow for the extension of its crosswind runway, which its master plan contemplates extending into the current path of the road.

Also at Wednesdays meeting, the airport board approved a request from airport tenant Sage-Popovich to be designated a specialized air service operator, which would allow it to do maintenance work at the airport.

The designation, which the board approved, will allow Sage-Popovich to move to Gary a maintenance operation it purchased in 2021, called Togs Aircraft, based at Oakland County International Airport near Pontiac, Michigan.

The company services helicopters and business jets, Sage-Popovich President Petar Todorovic told the board.

We have five full-time staff up there right now. Wed like to move those jobs here and expand the operations, he said.

Sage-Popovich, an aviation consultant and asset management firm, recently moved into a new hangar at Gary.

As a specialized air service operator at the airport, it will pay a fee of 1.5% of its gross revenue from the new maintenance business to the airport.

In other business, the airport board approved an upgrade to its weather observation system to replace equipment at the end of its usable life, Vicari said. The new equipment, from ABD Transportation, will cost $184,967.
The Winter Wonderland at Wolf Lake Festival returns this weekend to celebrate the lake that straddles Hammond and Chicago, surrounded by parkland on both sides of the state line.

The 22nd annual festival will take place via Zoom at 10 a.m. and be followed by a tree identification hike at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Eggers Grove Forest Preserve. The woods can be accessed at the entrance East 112th Street and South Avenue E in Chicago, from which one will drive to the stop sign at the T-intersection and turn left, parking in the east lot after driving past the brick caretaker's building.

The Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative, a nonprofit that strives to preserve the Wolf Lake watershed that serves an estimated population of 3.4 million residents in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and the south suburbs, is sponsoring the Winter Wonderland at Wolf Lake Festival.

"The morning session will be an exchange of memories of the Wolf Lake watershed. That would include Wolf Lake, George Lake, Powderhorn Lake, Indian Creek and Eggers Grove," Executive Director Michael Boos said. Marianne Kozlowski, co-steward of Eggers Grove, will lead the afternoon tree identification hike."

The events are free and open to the public but people should register by noon Friday.

Wolf Lake is an 804-acre lake on the state line just south of Lake Michigan that's surrounded by Wolf Lake Memorial Park, the site of Festival of the Lakes, in Hammond and the William W. Powers State Recreation Area in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood over in Illinois. It's a popular site for fishing, boating, biking, wind-surfing and hiking that's surrounded by industry like Cargill and Unilever.

For more information or to register, call 219933-7149 or at michael@wolflakeinitiative.org.
A continuing commitment to innovation and serving Hoosiers is making Indianas judiciary stronger than ever.

Thats the message Chief Justice Loretta Rush delivered Wednesday in her ninth annual State of the Judiciary address to a joint meeting of the Indiana House and Senate, and executive and judicial branch officials, assembled at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

In her 30-minute speech, Rush positioned Indianas courts, operating in all 92 counties, as engines of economic development because she said their 2.5 million annual cases touch on all aspects of life, ranging from adoptions that officially bring forever families together to small claims cases that enable businesses, neighbors and others to peaceably settle their disputes.

Being in court is a particularly vulnerable time  personally, emotionally and economically. The sooner a person can get before a judge and resolve differences with a creditor, settle disputes with a landlord, obtain child support, expunge a conviction or be made whole in a lawsuit, the sooner they can get back to their family and back to work, Rush said.

The same is true for businesses in a legal dispute, she added. Court efficiency and fairness are paramount in fostering a safe community and a strong economy.

Rush said shes particularly proud of the ongoing development of Indianas 10 commercial courts, including the Lake County outlet led by Superior Judge John Sedia, which specialize in promptly resolving complicated business disputes in a predictable, consistent and fair manner.

She hopes Indianas commercial courts might someday displace the Delaware Courts of Chancery as the preferred venue for companies across the country to resolve complex business disputes.

Business owners see these positive outcomes, enabling them to make informed decisions on the costs and risks of potential legal issues. As a result, our commercial courts help make Indiana an attractive state for economic development and expansion, Rush said.

Likewise, Rush praised Indianas 143 problem-solving courts for helping Hoosiers who get involved in the criminal justice system primarily due to drug addiction or mental health issues to get back on their feet and once again become economically productive citizens.

These courts exemplify all that is good in our judicial system  justice tempered with mercy and based on principles of reformation as set forth in the Indiana Constitution, Rush said.

But with over 30 counties without a problem-solving court and many existing courts at capacity, we still have work to do to ensure all Hoosiers have equal access to these powerful engines of justice, she observed.

Rush also nudged the General Assembly in its current budget-writing session scheduled to run through April 29 to support additional funding for technology upgrades in the state court system.

She said high-tech improvements not only bolster public safety by making court records, such as protection orders, more widely available but have largely eliminated mountains of court documents thanks to e-filing and enable better policymaking through useful, accessible data on issues such as drug crimes, jail overcrowding and child abuse.

In so many ways, court technology is the engine that enables vital connections not just for our judges and all Hoosiers but also between government entities. Connections that previously would have been impossible are now seamlessly part of our modern court, Rush said.

The chief justice also told Hoosier lawmakers that Indianas judges stand with them as they work to improve mental health care, bolster the status of children, preserve public safety and promote economic prosperity.

Rushs speech appeared to be well-received by the 100 state representatives and 50 state senators as she frequently was interrupted by applause and many reached out to shake her hand after it was over.

State Sens. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, and Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, who both are attorneys, had the honor of being among a small group of lawmakers chosen to escort Rush into the House chamber where she delivered her address.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
HAMMOND  A 21-year-old Gary man was sentenced 18 months in prison and a year of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered machine gun, U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said.

Daiquan McClinton was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio.

It was during a traffic stop in March in Gary that McClinton was found with a loaded pistol with a machine gun conversion device attached to it, federal officials said. The device makes the gun capable of firing multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger.

"The firearm was not registered to him in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer record, making his possession of it illegal," DeGuilio said.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force; and the Lake County Sheriffs Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.
CEDAR LAKE  A man told police that as he was exiting his vehicle Thursday in the 12700 block of U.S. 41, he was greeted by a man wearing a brown jumpsuit and carrying a rifle with a scope.

"The complainant stated that the male subject fled east across Wicker Avenue into a heavily wooded area," Cedar Lake police said.

Officers responded to the area and began to search for the man. They were joined by officers from the Lake County Sheriff's Department and St. John and Lowell police departments.

A Cedar Lake officer found a rifle in a wooded area that matched the one described in the complaint, police said. The gun was not loaded and there was no ammunition nearby.

The man in question was not located.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Cedar Lake police, 219-374-5416.
MICHIGAN CITY  After swearing in Jenilee Peterson and Michael Gresham, who won seats on the board in November's elections, the Michigan City Area School Board elected Marty Corley as board president during its meeting Tuesday night.

The board also unanimously elected Thomas Dombkowski vice president of the board and Peterson secretary of the board.

There was no discussion among the board prior to the votes. As president, Corley will preside over meetings, and in his absence, Dombkowski, as vice president, will fill in.

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CROWN POINT  After much discussion, a single family rental home development has moved forward in Crown Point.

Called Canvas at Crown Point, the project received primary plat approval during a Monday night Plan Commission meeting. The developer, Watermark Properties, hopes to create a 176-unit single family rental development on the southeast side of East 125th Avenue and Delaware Street.

Residents and city leaders have expressed concerns about the project during multiple meetings; on Monday, Plan Commission Vice President Dan Rohaley said Canvas was one of the hardest ones (developments) Ive ever struggled with, ... and Ive been doing this a long time.

In May 2022, the Crown Point City Council approved a rezone for the project, making the entire property residential. Fourteen of the 50 acres had previously been zoned B-3, Business District.

Jon Van De Voorde, director of development for Watermark, said Canvas will feature six different house models, ranging from about 1,000 to 2,300 square feet. Watermark will handle all property maintenance, and the center of the development will be dedicated to community amenities.

Though Watermarks prices are based on the broader housing market, Van De Voorde said the average rent is about $3,000 a month. During a May presentation, Van De Voorde said the average household income for Watermark residents is over $176,200.

Watermark currently has properties in Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, near Chicago and in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. With the tag Forging the New American Dream, the companies developments cater to young families saving up for a down payment, empty nesters and professionals who frequently relocate for work, Van De Voorde explained.

We want to be part of this community, Van De Voorde told the Plan Commission. We think there is a tremendous opportunity here to bring people to this community to support Franciscan, to support the 19,200 employees in a 20-mile radius.

Multiple commission members said they were hesitant about the project because the homes would be leased instead of owned. Despite their reservations, Rohaley said the plan commissions hands were largely tied because Watermark meets all of the required standards.

Weve done this before where we really dont want the subdivision, but if it meets all the standards, all the codes, we say no, we go to court, judge tells us we gotta do it, Rohaley said.

A four-letter word

Canvas residents have to undergo a background check and sign a highly-restrictive lease, Van De Voorde assured the commission. He also said Watermark will likely spend about $20,000 a month on maintaining the development. However, commissioners fear the property could change if it is sold.

We know you guys have the best of intentions. We dont know if youre going to sell this in two years, five years, seven years and when you do sell it, whats it gonna look like? Rohaley asked, noting that if the property is sold, the commission will have no control.

Van De Voorde said Watermark does not plan on selling the development; however if the property is sold the covenants, conditions and restrictions would still be implemented.

The primary plat was ultimately approved with a vote of 5-2. Commission President John Marshall and Commissioner Scott Evorik both voted no.

I dont think this suits Crown Point very well, Evorik said, adding that with a looming recession I dont see this getting $3,000- to 4,000-a-month rent, its just not going to happen and before you know it, this will be Section 8.

Van De Voorde said there is a severe lack of housing in Crown Point, and with multiple new medical facilities being built in the area, workers will need a place to live. With all of Watermarks strict prerequisites, Van De Voorde said that if residents are qualified enough to sign the lease, they are going to pay rent.

Rent is a four-letter word, I dont know anybody in here whos never rented in their lives, and all of a sudden rent is Section 8 Housing? Van De Voorde said. Three thousand dollars a month and the qualifications that we have for our residents ensures the community stays the way it is intended to stay.

Van De Voorde said more and more young families are looking for housing options outside the traditional mortgage.

Multiple commissioners said they were also worried about the project worsening existing flooding issues in the area. Van De Voorde said seven acres of the property will be dedicated to drainage, capturing water from both Canvas and the surrounding area.

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GRIFFITH  The Town Council on Tuesday delayed a hearing with a Griffith Public Schools contractor on allegations that the contractor had failed to obtain town-required job permits for work at public schools.

Performance Services has also been alleged by town officials to be using unlicensed subcontractors on some of those jobs.

If the situation is not rectified, the company could lose its license to operate in Griffith, and it already faces fines for the infractions.

Performance Services previously did welding work at Ready (Elementary School) and did not pull permits, and used unlicensed contractors, said Town Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd.

School Superintendent Leah Dumezich said that the district uses all licensed contractors and has completed all applications and permits.

The building commissioner sat on them for weeks, she said. Nothing new for us  this is how the school system is treated by the town. The building commissioner has not even been on site.

However, Alfredo Estrada, attorney for the Griffith Building Department, said Performance Services originally stated that the permits were not required.

Now Performance Services agrees that permits are required and should have been pulled, he said.

Ryfa said the latest issue involves mostly completed work in the high school auditorium.

The work is pretty much done without inspections, Estrada said. On behalf of Steve McDermott, the building commissioner, this is very serious.

A stop-work order was issued by McDermott, and Estrada noted that fines have been assessed for not obtaining the required permits prior to starting the work.

Board members stressed that the town cannot be aware of jobs to inspect unless the permits are applied for.

This is the second time since 2019 Performance Services has performed work in the town of Griffith without pulling permits on a Griffith school corporation project, Estrada said.

McDermott and the firm have been talking and hopefully a compromise will be reached, said Councilman Tony Hobson, R-5th.

I am agreeing to a continuance on todays hearing at the request of Performance Services, in hopes of reaching an agreement, Estrada said.

He added that any compromise would probably include Performance Services doing the paperwork, obtaining the permits, paying fees and fines and renewing their 2023 business license in Griffith.

Using unlicensed contractors results in the contractors not being bonded with the town, and our taxpayers could be vulnerable financially, Ryfa said.

Ryfa noted that the town gives a 75% discount on permit fees for jobs related to the school town.

Dumezich said she hopes that the municipal government and school town can get together in the best interests of the taxpayers and Griffith.

That has always been my goal, she said.

Performance Services Business Development Manager Tony Kuykendall said his firm wants to make an agreeable settlement.

Were going to work very hard and closely with the council to get there, he said.

If an agreement is reached, there will be no hearing, Estrada said.

The school district and Performance Services had a previous conflict with town officials in November when school officials charged that the town was trying to stall an expansion project at Wadsworth Elementary School.

The project became waterlogged with plans submitted by Performance Services for a stormwater retention pond.

The pond is supposed to drain downward via gravity, said Council Vice President Larry Ballah, R-2nd. However, the plan had the stormwater draining upward  two feet higher than the pond, he said.

Were happy to grant approval, but weve got to have some plans that work, said Ballah, who also serves as chairman of the Plan Commission.

I do take exception over the accusations, Ryfa said. Their engineers did not do their job. Water does not go uphill.
VALPARAISO  The Porter County Board of Commissioners is poised to launch a review of public safety issues, including how to deliver ambulance service.

Board President Jim Biggs, R-North, said he plans to create a public safety commission to define the issues and come up with solutions.

My priority as a commissioner, and Im not going to apologize for it, is public safety, he said.

We have to find a long-term funding source for the ambulance service, Biggs said.

The countys contract with Northwest Health expires at the end of the year. That ambulance service is having a difficult time training and retaining paramedics, a familiar refrain in Indiana.

Fire departments serving most of the countys townships are finding it difficult to get volunteers, too.

The way everything is set up right now, its just not sustainable, Biggs said.

Valparaiso Fire Department serves all of Center Township, including ambulance service, through the creation of a fire territory form of local government.

With the bonds issued to build the jail expiring at the end of the year, pressure is on to address issues there as well, including mental health issues. New Sheriff Jeff Balon is already looking at the issue.

The state might cooperate in addressing the issue, but Biggs wondered how long that funding would last.

I just dont think public safety is something we want to mess around with, Biggs said. Theres a problem, and right now its being ignored.

Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center, said the commissioners should plan a feasibility study on various needs, including the center garage, the jail, the Memorial Opera House and other issues facing the county.

Biggs hopes the recommendations will be available by mid-year so the county can act quickly on them.

At Tuesdays Board of Commissioners meeting, County Recorder Chuck Harris honored former County Assessor Jon Snyder for his 12 years of service. The two friends were both elected for the first time in 2010, with Harris serving as coroner for eight years before a term limit prompted him to run for recorder in 2018 and 2022.

Jon was always positive and set the tone for that office, Harris said. Weve got a great department head were recognizing here.

Hes fair, hes honest and he cares about people, Harris said. Jon, youve been an inspiration for 12 years.

We were a team, and we faced many, many obstacles together, he told his former staff. I think of you as family.

Last month, the commissioners honored outgoing Commissioner Jeff Good and County Auditor Vicki Urbanik. Next will be former Sheriff Dave Reynolds. Thats a new tradition Biggs hopes to continue.

This year, the commissioners plan to meet twice a month. The first meeting of the month will be at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. The second meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on a Monday, fulfilling Regnitzs campaign promise to hold meetings at a time more convenient for people who work during the day.

Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas gary police chief Michigan City at Crown Point boys basketball Michigan City at Crown Point boys basketball Michigan City at Crown Point boys basketball Michigan City at Crown Point boys basketball Michigan City at Crown Point boys basketball Giant mural depicts Hobart history, businesses, schools Candidate filing for municipal primary election Candidate filing for municipal primary election Candidate filing for municipal primary election Candidate filing for municipal primary election Candidate filing for municipal primary election LPCommission2.JPG Interfaith Clergy Council's annual Emancipation Proclamation Service of Freedom Interfaith Clergy Council's annual Emancipation Proclamation Service of Freedom _34A0644[1].JPG _34A0678[1].JPG _34A0549[1].JPG _34A0597[1].JPG Gallery HTML code
Liberty Farms Mobile Home Fire Firefighters were called around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to the Liberty Farms Mobile Home Park in Valparaiso after receiving reports of the fire.

VALPARAISO  Officials are investigating a blaze that destroyed a residence Wednesday in the Liberty Farms Mobile Home Park.

Firefighters responded to the area around 2:30 p.m. near U.S. 6, Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Matthew Wineland said. The fire was primarily in the rear of the trailer when officials arrived.

Some firefighters entered the structure to directly fight the flames while others worked to suppress the fire and protect a nearby home that sustained minor damage from the heat. The proximity of the residences provides little protection during a fire, Wineland said.

A resident ran into the mobile home to retrieve a dog. The resident is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation at the hospital. The dog did not survive the fire, Wineland said.

Assistant Chief Michael Wineland said 10,000 gallons of water were used during suppression and overhaul operations to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. According to management of the mobile home park, the unit should not have been occupied.
The company said it intended to appeal the decision to the labor board in Washington. As weve said since the beginning, we dont believe this election process was fair, legitimate or representative of the majority of what our team wants, the statement said.

In an interview at The New York Times DealBook conference in late November, Andy Jassy, Amazons chief executive, indicated that the company would not drop its challenges, calling the fight far from over.

That has a real chance to end up in federal courts, Mr. Jassy said.

The N.L.R.B. regional director found that the evidence Amazon presented either did not establish that the board or the union acted improperly or that it did not show that their actions altered the outcome of the election.

For example, Amazon had accused the labor board of failing to control the presence of members of the news media near the voting area. But the regional director found that the press was peaceably assembled and not engaged in harassment of voters and that board officials had no responsibility to instruct the press not to talk to voters or to leave the employers property.

Workers at the warehouse, known as JFK8, voted to join the independent Amazon Labor Union in an election whose results were announced in April. More than 8,000 employees were eligible to take part, and the union won by roughly 10 percentage points.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

In early November, Judson Jones was checking the weather forecast when he noticed that a low-pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean was taking on the characteristic rotation of a tropical cyclone. A hurricane in November is rare, but Mr. Jones could read the signs: A powerful storm was forming. After all, as a meteorologist at The New York Times, its what he was hired to do.

Mr. Jones spoke to his boss, John Keefe, the lead editor of the Weather Data team, a group formed last year that is focused on covering extreme weather events. I think we need to write this story, Mr. Jones recalled telling Mr. Keefe. This is really happening.

So the Weather Data team, in close collaboration with The Timess Graphics desk, began working on an interactive article, with maps and rainfall forecasts, that would track the progress of the system as it raced across the Atlantic, then turned into Hurricane Nicole by the time it hit the Bahamas. On Nov. 10, Nicole became the first hurricane to come ashore on Floridas Atlantic coast since Katrina in 2005.

Weather has always been part of The Timess coverage. Short forecasts have appeared on the front page since 1897. In recent years, interactive features, such as The Upshots probability-based snow forecast and the Graphics desks seasonal wildfire tracker, have offered readers more immersive weather reporting.
Republicans have decided to hound the hounds.

Understanding that they cant throw federal investigators off the trail of multiple conservatives  including, and perhaps principally, Donald Trump  they have decided to complicate those investigations by kicking up so much dust that the public has a hard time discerning fact from fiction.

This week, Republicans in the House of Representatives moved quickly to approve the formation of their so-called Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, a panel intended to investigate the federal agencies the Republicans claim are targeting conservatives.

As The New York Times wrote, the panel has such broad reach that it could become a main instrument for Republicans to go after the Biden administration, potentially prompting showdowns over access to highly classified information and the details of criminal inquiries.

But lets be clear: The Republicans are using a fundamentally Trumpian tactic, accusing others of that which one is guilty of. It was Donald Trump, not the Democrats, who attempted to weaponize the federal government against his enemies.
WASHINGTON  Jill Biden, the first lady, had outpatient surgery on Wednesday to remove three skin lesions, two of which doctors determined to be cancerous.

The White House physician, Dr. Kevin C. OConnor, said in a statement that the tissue from two sites  above her right eye and on her chest  was tested and confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma, a common and relatively unaggressive form of skin cancer. All the cancerous tissue was removed, Dr. OConnor said, and doctors did not expect any further procedures to be necessary.

A third, similar lesion was also removed from the first ladys left eyelid, but tests were still being conducted to check for cancer, according to the statement.
WASHINGTON  U.S. and Japanese officials said on Wednesday that the two nations would expand their military cooperation, including improving Japans missile strike capabilities and making the U.S. Marine unit in that country more flexible for potential combat.

The changes come as both nations perceive greater threatening behavior from China and North Korea, as well as Russia. Those three countries have decades-long partnerships that they have recently affirmed in various settings, despite many nations condemnation of Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The United States and Japan have been working in recent years to strengthen their military alliance. On Wednesday, Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, and Lloyd J. Austin III, the U.S. defense secretary, met with their Japanese counterparts in Washington to discuss security issues and other matters. President Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan are scheduled to meet in Washington on Friday.

There is clear strategic alignment between the visions of President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida, Mr. Austin said at a news conference after meetings on Wednesday.
It was an unfair fight in front of Brazils Congress. On one side of a metal barrier were a few dozen police officers, some armed with pepper spray, others with clubs. On the other was a rapidly growing mob of more than 1,000 angry protesters, falsely convinced that the presidential election had been stolen and dead-set on doing something about it.

At 2:42 p.m. on Sunday, almost in unison, protesters at one end of the street easily pulled down the metal barrier, while at the other end, protesters pushed right through a plastic roadblock, according to a video obtained by The New York Times. A few police officers sprayed chemical agents, but within seconds, the crowd was surging through.

The moment was the start of a riot that left Brazils Congress, Supreme Court and presidential offices ransacked and the nations democracy under its worst threat in decades. The previously unpublished video of the moment lays bare the woefully inadequate security at some of the nations most important institutions, which is now at the center of the wider investigation into how the mayhem could have occurred, despite ample warning signs.
Russia has replaced the general in charge of its trouble-plagued war against Ukraine, amid signs of dissension among President Vladimir V. Putins top allies  a shake-up that critics said would not address what ails the Russian military.

Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, whose appointment the Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday, is a longtime Kremlin ally, chief of the military general staff since 2012, and an executor of the failed plan for the initial invasion in February. It was the second time in just three months that the ministry replaced the chief of the war effort.

Outside analysts and hawkish Russian war bloggers said the change was a far cry from the radical overhaul the Russian armed forces need to become more effective.

The sum does not change, just by changing the places of its parts, wrote one prominent blogger who goes by the name Rybar.
Irans judiciary announced on Wednesday that a former deputy defense minister had been convicted and sentenced to death on charges of spying for Britain, where he had lived for a decade as a dual national.

Alireza Akbari, who had served the Islamic Republic in senior roles until his departure to Britain, was arrested in 2019 in Iran on allegations of being a super spy for MI6, Britains foreign intelligence service, and passing it classified national security information, according to a statement released Wednesday by Irans intelligence ministry.

The news of a dual national at risk of execution comes at a time of heighten tensions for Irans government both at home and abroad. Iran has been roiled for months by a popular protest movement demanding an end to the theocratic regime, which in recent weeks has executed four demonstrators in a widening crackdown aimed at crushing dissent.

Western countries, including Britain, have condemned Irans government for deploying violence against protesters and for the recent executions, and have slapped targeted sanctions on officials and groups involved in the crackdown.
In Young Beggar (c. 1648), a work of formal brilliance on loan from the Louvre, a barefoot boy crumples in the corner of a dark room, and a single window illuminates his dirty feet and some crustacean shells on the floor. At least one scholar has identified the shells as dead scorpions  a symbol of evil defeated  but they might just as well be shrimp shells, the remains of a humble Seville meal. Indeed, the classical reading of Murillos orphans as illustrations of moral imperatives has obstructed a simpler social context, one the Kimbell exhibition brings back to light.

Plague struck Seville in 1647, when Murillos career was just blossoming. It halved the population. Famines followed in the 50s. Then bread riots. Another plague in the 70s. In 1680, an earthquake. All the while, the Guadalquivir River, which allowed ships into Seville, began to silt up, forcing trade southward to the coastal town of Cadiz.

These little parables of precarity, with their dull earth tones and barren landscapes, reflect the motherless, scorched-earth quality of Seville in decline. But where Goya would turn savage over Spains fortunes, Murillo stayed light, even cutesy. He had to sell, after all. Somewhere between Jacob Riis and Charlie Chaplin, Murillo offers a knowing but escapist prance through need.

Strangest of all is the Kimbells own Four Figures on a Step (c. 165860). We are asked, forced really, to stare through a little boys torn pants into the bare cleft of his bottom. (When the Kimbell acquired the canvas in 1984, the pants had been painted shut. Following X-radiography, conservators restored it.) At left, adolescents ridicule the child. At right, a woman cradles his head, delousing him. All eyes are on us. The painting has raised questions and eyebrows, but Kientz is more sensible. In the catalog he argues that the viewer of this painting, like the hungry orphan tempted by a ballgame, is given a sort of moral choice between wrong and right. Laugh at the boy, as the teens do, or melt with the kindly woman.
What were you doing before Hunters?

When I moved out to L.A. in 2011, I was tutoring kids in Beverly Hills and the Palisades and Santa Monica from about 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., then I would drive home to my little apartment in West Hollywood and write from 10 p.m. until 4 in the morning. I did that every single day for years. I didnt know anybody here, so I just wrote and wrote and wrote.

You came out here to write?

Yes. I auditioned as well, but Im a terrible actor, and auditioning was brutal. I give actors so much credit.

How did you get your first two scripts on the Black List?

I had some friends who had come out from college and were working as assistants. And they would pass it to another assistant that they knew, and they would pass it to another assistant they knew. Thats how scripts make the Black List. Its word of mouth.

So you werent chasing producers into bathrooms.

Whats wild is, when I was still tutoring, one of the families I tutored for was very friendly with Aaron Sorkins ex-wife, and with Sorkin and his daughter. So I met him a couple of times, but I didnt have the chutzpah to give him my script and say, Would you ever read this? I mean, hes one of my favorite writers of all time, and I was the lowly tutor.

How did Hunters come about?

Hunters was really a story that started when I was 5 or 6 years old, and my grandmother, Sara Weil, whos a Holocaust survivor, would tell me and my brothers the stories of her experiences during the war. Even though Hitler had been defeated, even though the Nazis were, you know, beat, antisemitism is still around, and prejudice and bigotry and fascism. I think she realized that her story could be a weapon in the face of rising Holocaust denial.
Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, used his annual New Years Eve address in 2021 to laud the patriotic achievements of the Chinese people. In a year marked by crackdowns on tech companies, curbs on borrowing by the countrys property firms, and a refusal to budge on restrictive Covid policies, Mr. Xi made no direct mention of the economy or business.

In the first minute of his most recent address, Mr. Xi extolled the countrys economy, still the worlds second largest, and explained that China had cut taxes and fees as well as introducing measures to ease the burden on businesses. A few weeks earlier at a meeting to lay out policy objectives for 2023, Mr. Xi and other top leaders expressed the need to bolster the economy and pledged support for the private sector.

The disciplinarian of China Inc. has turned cheerleader.

The Chinese economy enjoys strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality. The fundamentals sustaining its long-term growth have remained strong, Mr. Xi said in the address, while urging the Chinese people to stay confident.

Taking their cues from the top, Chinese officials in recent weeks have been embracing the kind of business-friendly language that has been absent in recent years. With the same fervor that it once defended the necessity of all-out war against Covid, China is waging a campaign to persuade businesses that it is prioritizing economic growth.
Scott Minerd, who helped transform a small investment firm of the Guggenheim family into a global financial behemoth, becoming one of Wall Streets leading voices in the process, died on Dec. 21 in Vista, Calif. He was 63.

In a statement, Guggenheim Partners said the cause was a heart attack he suffered during a workout.

As the global chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners, Mr. Minerd was a regular commentator on Bloomberg Television and CNBC and a fixture at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His financial prognostications were closely followed by investors. He was also a key adviser to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on financial markets.

Mr. Minerd joined Wall Street in his 20s, just as the industry was experiencing a boom. Between 1983 and 1996, he rose rapidly through the ranks at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley and ran the bond trading desk at Credit Suisse First Boston. But at 37 he retired from banking and moved to Venice Beach, Calif., to pursue a passion for bodybuilding.

Although he remained a dedicated weight lifter for the rest of his life, his retirement didnt last long, however. In 1998, Mark Walter, a Chicago-based financier, sought out Mr. Minerd to join a new firm he was building that would become Guggenheim Partners.
Virgin Orbit, the company that tried to launch satellites into space from Britain for the first time earlier this week, said on Thursday that a problem with the rockets second-stage engine about 110 miles above the earth caused the failure of the mission.

Virgin Orbit said in a statement that the problem, which it called an anomaly, prematurely ended the first burn of the upper stage, or second stage, of the rocket carrying the satellites. In other words the second-stage engine, which was supposed to lift the satellites high enough to begin orbit, shut down for some reason.

The company said that the rocket and its nine satellites fell to earth within what it called the approved safety corridor.

The rocket was launched from Virgin Orbits modified Boeing 747 that had taken off from Newquay airport in southwest England late Monday night. The plane and its crew returned safely, but Virgin Orbit clearly has work to do to maintain its business and its reputation.
Global warming projections are based on completely unproven climate models, or, more often, on sheer speculation, Lee Raymond, chief executive of the newly-merged ExxonMobil Corp, said at a company annual meeting in 1999. We do not now have a sufficient scientific understanding of climate change to make reasonable predictions and/or justify drastic measures, he wrote in a company brochure the following year.

In a statement Exxon did not address the new study directly but said those who talk about how Exxon Knew are wrong in their conclusions, referring to a slogan by environmental activists who have accused the company of misleading the public about climate science.

ExxonMobil has a culture of disciplined analysis, planning, accounting, and reporting, the company added, quoting a judge in a favorable verdict in New York three years ago, albeit for a case that addressed the companys accounting practices, not climate science.

The new study, from researchers at Harvard University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, builds on reporting showing that for decades, Exxon scientists had warned their executives of potentially catastrophic human-caused climate change.

The burning of oil, gas and coal is raising Earths temperature and sea levels with devastating consequences worldwide, including intensifying storms, worsening drought and deadlier wildfires.
A serviceable slab of possession horror, The Offering unleashes evil in the hallowed halls of a Hasidic funeral home in Brooklyn. When the funeral directors son, Art (Nick Blood), visits with his pregnant wife, Claire (Emily Wiseman), they arrive at the same time as the body of a scholar who summoned a demon before dying. Arts fecklessness and the demons restlessness lead to trouble.

Asked to help prepare the scholar for burial, Art promptly makes a hash of things and somehow releases the demon, Abyzou, known as a taker of children. Art is less observant than his kindly, widowed father, Saul (Allan Corduner), and has apparently offered the funeral home building as collateral for debts, but his general incompetence makes the story feel less about lost faith than filial failure.
A lawyer for Steve Bannon said at a court hearing Thursday that he and Mr. Bannon have had a complete breakdown in communication, in a rote proceeding that was quickly overtaken by a fiery argument between the lawyer and a New York judge.

At the opening of the session in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Mr. Bannons lawyer, David Schoen, said that he wanted to withdraw from the case, saying that Mr. Bannon, an associate of former President Donald J. Trump, was entitled to the representation of his choice, with no caveats.

With all due respect, I believe youre 100 percent wrong, said the judge, Juan M. Merchan, responding to the claim that Mr. Bannon had unqualified freedom in his choice of lawyer. If Mr. Bannons search for a lawyer were indulged completely, it could delay the case indefinitely.

The judges response offered the first hint that the hearing would be suffused with the chaos that often surrounds Mr. Bannon, a right-wing pundit, political operator and podcaster who recently suggested that Mr. Trump be chosen as speaker of the House.
I dont see a record by a committee of that name registered with the F.E.C., and our regulations would be if a political group raises more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election, they would be required to register with the F.E.C. within 10 days, said Christian Hilland, an F.E.C. spokesman.

The person who solicited the donor said he was asked by Mr. Santos in the weeks leading up to the campaign to approach donors, some of whom had already given the maximum allowed to Mr. Santoss election campaign, and to help coordinate their donations to RedStone, according to a person familiar with the arrangement who wished to remain anonymous.

Mr. Santos seems to have played a more direct role in at least one of the solicitation efforts.

On Thursday, another large donor to Mr. Santos said that he was asked in September to make a sizable donation to a similarly named group, Redstone Action, and was told that other donors had made six-figure contributions.

In an email to that donor, Redstone was described as a 501(c)4 political organization formed specifically to influence the election in NY-03, and the donor was told that should he decide to contribute, he should send the money directly to the same Wells Fargo Bank account that the first donor used.

The second donor, who asked not to be identified, said that he did not give the group any money. In November, the donor said he was solicited again to give to Redstone, now named RedStone Strategies  this time directly by Mr. Santos.
Among the many travelers who will not miss it is Jack McCallum, an author who writes about sports. Im absolutely certain there are worse places on earth than Terminal A at Newark Airport, he tweeted last week. I just havent been at any of them recently.

The Port Authority planned the new Terminal A as the first step toward making Newark Liberty a world-class gateway, but the project did not go smoothly. The pandemic disrupted the supply of some critical components, project officials said. So did the war in Ukraine, because workers in the Ukrainian glassworks who were making the new terminals glass walls were called away to fight.

Then, after a ceremonial unveiling in November by Gov. Philip Murphy of New Jersey, the opening was delayed again because the terminals fire alarm and security systems had not passed final tests, said Thomas Pietrykoski, a spokesman for the Port Authority. After that false start, airlines expressed concerns about moving in during the busy year-end holiday travel period, so the opening was pushed to January, he said.

Despite all that, Port Authority officials plan to gather in the terminal this morning. The agencys chairman, Kevin OToole, and its executive director, Rick Cotton, will celebrate with Lutz Weisser, the managing director of Munich Airports International, the company that will operate the terminal.

The Port Authority is in the midst of a $25 billion campaign to revitalize the three major airports that serve New York City. The $8 billion overhaul of La Guardia Airport, including two new terminals, is nearly finished. At Kennedy International Airport, work has begun on several projects, including a $9.5 billion Terminal One that would be more than twice the size of the new Newark terminal.
More than 7,000 nurses at two New York City hospitals ended a three-day strike and returned to work on Thursday, after they resolved what they said was the major sticking point in negotiations with the hospitals: too few nurses.

The tentative contract deals the nurses reached with Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx early Thursday would also increase their pay, an agreement the unions and hospitals had largely nailed down before the strike began.

But many nurses on the picket line this week said their main priority was improving working conditions by adding nurses to short-staffed hospital floors where they said crowded conditions had put patients at risk and led to stress and burnout among staff. That also became the priority of the union in the negotiations.

I feel like youre doing the basic that you need to get done for the patients, said Kelly DePalma, a night nurse in the Montefiore emergency room, who said 15 patients were typically handed off to her when she arrived at work. The medication is ordered, you give them that, but you dont have time to do much else. Youre just kind of treading water to get through the night.
Numerous cougar sightings were reported east of the Mississippi River last fall, encounters that have become more frequent in recent years. A trail camera glimpsed one in northern Minnesota, for instance, while authorities captured another in Springfield, Ill., after it had made its way there from Nebraska. Yet another was fatally struck by a car on I-88 west of Chicago.

Cougars once had the run of the continent, ranging far and wide. But they were virtually eliminated in the Eastern United States by the early 1900s (except for a small population that survives in Florida), victims of bounty hunting and habitat loss. In recent decades, their numbers in the Western United States, where they were also once targeted for eradication, have rebounded, and now these big cats, also known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas, are slowly moving east.

Newly published research by me and 12 colleagues has pinpointed over a dozen landscapes large enough to sustain cougars indefinitely in states that border or are east of the Mississippi. Their return would most likely result in healthier forests, safer roadways, less zoonotic disease and, in turn, healthier human communities.

This will all depend, of course, on whether we can learn to coexist with these top-tier carnivores. As a scientist who has studied these cats for years, Im confident that we can. But it will require planning that must begin now, new state policies, public outreach, and education and support from the public for a creature that was once purposefully pushed toward oblivion.
Growing up in the 1960s as a closeted queer boy much interested in the ways little girls lived, I believed that I was abhorrent and alone. Everything then was focused on grooming me to be what every little boy was supposed to be. I knew that any deviation would bring unthinkable shame and condemnation. That belief haunted me throughout most of my life. I considered suicide often. Thankfully for me, that time is past.

Today, anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric continues to fuel the same fear and isolation I experienced as a child. Like drag queens reading to children, maybe the simple act of my wearing a skirt will help people see that there are many ways to be, or help someone feel less alone. Its also a small way of standing with those who face daily discrimination for living their authentic gender.

Perhaps others will consider joining the revolution of the skirt. I can tell you it feels great in more ways than you can imagine.

Mark Petersen

Park City, Utah

To the Editor:

I couldnt agree with you more that political extremism is a huge problem, and I expected your editorial to relate how both the left and the right are being extreme.

The violence and harassment against events like drag queen story hours are indeed to be condemned. And yes, some of the objection is rooted in bigotry against trans people, who deserve rights and respect. However, much of your editorial reads as a list of activist talking points from the extreme left.

As a journalist covering the gender culture war for the past five years, Ive talked to hundreds of liberal people who object to what kids are learning about gender in schools, and do indeed find it to be a kind of indoctrination.

By conflating nonviolent objection to extreme left talking points about sex and gender with the Proud Boys, you are contributing to extremism, to seeing the issue as left versus right instead of about gender identity versus the science of sex.
Ukrainian troops look like a motley group because of the varied sources of their uniforms; the local volunteer groups that raise money to purchase gear buy whatever uniforms they can  at least a dozen foreign models are in use  so long as the colors are not too similar to those used by Russians. To prevent confusion, Ukrainian soldiers display a large strip of brightly colored duct tape on their helmets, or use it as an arm band or attach it to their flak jackets. The color changes on commanders orders; first it was green, then blue, now it is yellow.

Even tablets, smartphones and laptops have been deployed as part of civil defense since the earliest days of the war. Several apps provide warnings of the air raids; the message also comes up on most local Telegram channels. Ukraine still has ample internet access, thanks to the Starlink service, created and largely paid for by Elon Musks SpaceX. But after stating in early October (on Twitter, which he didnt yet own) that Crimea should be Russian and that the fate of Ukrainian regions should be determined by new elections, Mr. Musk himself is persona non grata. His face has been covered up on billboards around Odesa, which previously expressed gratitude for his support.

Ukrainians who want to locate a missile, drone, helicopter or plane and feed its coordinates to aerial defense can do so with the ePPO app, based on the same principle as the apps that notified people about Covid exposure. When detecting an aerial threat, say, the Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drone nicknamed  because of the noise it makes  the flying scooter, the user selects on the app the type of object, points the smartphone in the direction of its movement and presses a button to upload its GPS coordinates. The Ukrainian air defense collates and updates the data and can track the target to destroy it.

Installation of the app is restricted to Ukrainian citizens, so that Russians and other hooligans cannot abuse it. But Russians launch drones mostly at night, so the apps utility was hampered. Then one of its creators came up with the idea of illuminating the sky with the powerful lights usually used for rock concerts. Twenty-four of those spotlights are in use in Odesa, ready to be switched on as soon as the buzzing noise is reported. In early November there was a first: a drone destroyed from the air, thanks to information provided by this civilian-operated tool.

Ukraine has many talented I.T. specialists who work to hack or otherwise counter Russian missile attacks or cyberattacks, and Ukraines digital infrastructure stands strong despite unrelenting cyberattacks by Russia. Many I.T. workers came back from jobs abroad when the war started; some of those who couldnt now volunteer remotely. Meanwhile in the land of the aggressor, Russian IT-shniki share on the web instructions on how to avoid mobilization and escape from their country. No matter what the Kremlins propaganda says, this is one more proof that Ukraine and Russia are two very different nations.
Mr. Miles didnt host any more open houses at the mansion and considered selling less expensive houses. But then he came up with a new approach: He started buddying up with white agents, hiring them to come to his open houses and work as greeters at the door, while he remained a distance away in the kitchen. When a greeter referred potential clients to Miles to get answers to their questions about the home or buying process, they were often surprised that he was the one in charge. And while these potential buyers were always polite, they seemed unwilling to engage with him as they would have with his white colleague. They asked him simple questions that lacked the depth of those that buyers of multi-million-dollar homes usually ask. In these interactions, Mr. Miles was left asking, Are you sure that thats it? You dont want to know anything else?

Even before showing up at open houses with white buddies, some Black agents employ other tactics to hide their racial identity. Though it is standard practice for agents to include a headshot on their business cards and marketing materials, some Black agents omit photos to hopefully persuade prospective clients to work with them based on credentials and knowledge.

The longtime tradition of the lawn sign can be threatened by racism. When a white couple commissioned Fee Gentry, 54, a Black real estate consultant in the Austin area, to list their house for sale, they asked her to display a lawn sign that did not include her photo.

Mr. Williams, 36, the well-dressed agent in Raleigh, N.C., decided to take a different tactic at initial racial ambiguity to further avoid prejudgment: Tye Williams is actually Tyrone Williams. He has been going by Tye for many years and thought deeply about the impact of using Tye versus Tyrone when he started in real estate in 2020. Having Tyrone on a sign may put me in a position where its like, oh, thats a Tyrone, he said. Although hes proud of the name, he knows that its stigmatized. Unfortunately, there would be someone that will see this name and go the other way. (Studies have shown that employers discriminate against applicants with names closely associated with Black people.)
Recently, I gave a talk to a group of K-12 teachers and public school administrators in New York. The topic was artificial intelligence, and how schools would need to adapt to prepare students for a future filled with all kinds of capable A.I. tools.

But it turned out that my audience cared about only one A.I. tool: ChatGPT, the buzzy chatbot developed by OpenAI that is capable of writing cogent essays, solving science and math problems and producing working computer code.

ChatGPT is new  it was released in late November  but it has already sent many educators into a panic. Students are using it to write their assignments, passing off A.I.-generated essays and problem sets as their own. Teachers and school administrators have been scrambling to catch students using the tool to cheat, and they are fretting about the havoc ChatGPT could wreak on their lesson plans. (Some publications have declared, perhaps a bit prematurely, that ChatGPT has killed homework altogether.)

Cheating is the immediate, practical fear, along with the bots propensity to spit out wrong or misleading answers. But there are existential worries, too. One high school teacher told me that he used ChatGPT to evaluate a few of his students papers, and that the app had provided more detailed and useful feedback on them than he would have, in a tiny fraction of the time.
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday charged the cryptocurrency lender Genesis Global Capital and the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini Trust with offering unregistered securities through a program that promised investors high interest on deposits.

The S.E.C. said that Genesis, a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, and Gemini, which is run by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, had raised billions of dollars of assets from hundreds of thousands of investors without registering the program, which was called Gemini Earn.

By doing so, Genesis and Gemini bypassed disclosure requirements designed to protect investors, Gary Gensler, the S.E.C. chair, said in a statement. He added that the charges should make clear to the marketplace and the investing public that crypto lending platforms and other intermediaries need to comply with our time-tested securities laws.

Genesis later froze withdrawals. About 340,000 Earn customers are out about $900 million in crypto assets, the S.E.C. said.
If youre looking for a silver lining to the punishing storms sweeping California, look no further than the states snowpack.

As of Tuesday, Californias mountain snow held more than twice the water content thats considered average for this time of year, The Timess Mike Ives reported. That matters because as the Sierra Nevada snow melts in the warmer months, it typically provides about 30 percent of Californias water supply.

With the snowpack the way it is right now, roughly around 200 percent for most areas of the Sierra Nevada, thats a great thing for California, Chris Hintz, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Sacramento, said on Wednesday.

With the news of the replenished snowpack, you may be wondering what kind of impact the recent storms will have on the current drought, which began in 2020 and has stretched through the three driest years on record in the state. Could these downpours be enough to end our dry spell?
They didnt know him, Shanon Gray, a lawyer for the family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, said in an interview. He said families planned to share any details with investigators about possible links, even those that seemed unlikely.

The killings on Nov. 13 shattered the sense of peace in a college town that had not recorded a murder in years. Four students were found brutally stabbed in bedrooms in a home near campus in the middle of the night, with no suspect emerging for weeks until Mr. Kohberger was arrested at his familys home in Pennsylvania at the end of December.

The victims  Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20  had been killed after spending a typical Saturday night around town, with two of them going to a party and two others going to a bar before returning home in the early morning hours. Investigators believe all four were killed shortly after 4 a.m.

In court documents released last week, investigators said they linked Mr. Kohberger to the crime with the help of DNA found on a knife sheath found at the scene. They said surveillance video showed a white car, similar to the one driven by Mr. Kohberger, circling the neighborhood around the home shortly before the time investigators believe the killings occurred.

Mr. Kohbergers phone was tracked to the neighborhood on several occasions before the killings, and once on the morning after them, but was not connected to cell networks at the time when the deaths are believed to have occurred.
Details continue to emerge regarding the discovery of classified documents from the Obama administration that had been improperly stored in locations associated with President Biden.

Here is what we know about how events unfolded, based on statements from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the White House and Mr. Bidens personal lawyer:

Nov. 2: Mr. Bidens lawyers discovered a small number of classified documents in what the White House has described as a locked closet for an office Mr. Biden had used at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a think tank in Washington. The administration said it reported this discovery to the National Archives that day.

Nov. 3: The National Archives retrieved the materials from the closet, according to the administration.

Nov. 4: Archives officials referred the matter to the Justice Department.

Nov. 10: The Justice Department informed Mr. Bidens legal team that it had begun a preliminary inquiry into what happened, according to a timeline released by one of Mr. Bidens lawyers.
Encouraged by former President Donald J. Trump, five members of the Proud Boys led scores of others in the far-right group in a coordinated attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, using violence at key moments during the assault to disrupt what prosecutors described on Thursday as the heart of our democracy: the lawful transfer of presidential power.

In their opening statement at the seditious conspiracy trial of the five Proud Boys, prosecutors sought not only to place the extremist group at the center of the riot at the Capitol, but also to tie it directly to Mr. Trump  a figure whom the organization has revered for years.

During their 90-minute presentation in Federal District Court in Washington, the prosecutors told the jury how several members of the Proud Boys  including their leader at the time, Enrique Tarrio  were inspired by Mr. Trumps own words to descend on Washington on Jan. 6 for a wild protest.

The prosecutors said that by following his call, the group cemented a relationship that had intensified in the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, when Mr. Trump famously asked the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by.
WASHINGTON  A group of Democratic senators are seeking an explanation from Southwest Airlines for its operational meltdown last month, another sign of the mounting frustration on Capitol Hill over the recent chaos in the nations air travel system.

In a letter sent on Wednesday to Southwests chief executive, Bob Jordan, the lawmakers posed dozens of questions to the airline, addressing topics like its flight-crew scheduling system, ticket refunds and executive compensation. The letter was signed by 13 members of the Senate Democratic caucus, including Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, who spearheaded it.

No business can treat its customers like that and get away with it, Mr. Markey said in a statement. C.E.O. Bob Jordan owes these passengers and the public answers about what went wrong at his airline and what steps Southwest is taking to make sure this inexcusable incident never happens again.

Around Christmas, a storm wreaked havoc on Southwests operations, leaving travelers stranded during the busy holiday travel season. While other airlines were able to recover, Southwest found itself crippled, in part as a result of outdated scheduling technology for its flight crews. In total, the airline canceled more than 16,700 flights.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Merrick B. Garlands appointment on Thursday of Robert K. Hur as special counsel to investigate how classified documents from Joseph R. Bidens vice presidency ended up at a private office he used before running for president and in his garage has brought renewed attention to a position that has played a significant role in politically charged investigations in recent years.

Heres a closer look at the powers of a special counsel.

What is a special counsel?

A special counsel is a semi-independent federal prosecutor.

Normally, U.S. attorneys or the head of the Justice Departments criminal division oversee criminal investigations, and they are subject to the departments regular chain of command, which leads through other politically appointed officials to the attorney general.

But in extraordinary circumstances, Justice Department regulations allow the attorney general to appoint a special counsel. Such situations include when an investigation would raise the appearance of a conflict of interest for the department or when there is some other reason it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside prosecutor.
Of the newly documented incidents, 26 were found to be drones, 163 were balloons, and six more were airborne clutter, such as birds or trash. The remaining 171 incidents have not yet been attributed.

A portion of those unexplained incidents that demonstrate unusual flight characteristics will get further study, according to the report. But the report does not outline how many incidents fall under that category, an omission likely to stoke further speculation by people who have embraced explanations such as otherworldly visitors or advanced unknown technology by adversarial powers.

Mick West, a science writer who has focused on debunking conspiracy theories, said the government should put out specific information about how many cases it is continuing to examine.

If they had a case that had enough information to determine something was genuinely doing unusual things, that would be a huge deal, Mr. West said. But what they are basically saying is they dont have cases where it is unambiguously something interesting.

Military and intelligence officials have said in many cases that imperfect sensor readings have prevented any sort of formal conclusion. Even in those cases, however, the limited available evidence suggests that the incidents are likely to have more ordinary explanations as well.
VIRGINIA BEACH  Gov. Glenn Youngkin headlined a rally on Saturday outside the red-brick City Hall here, urging voters to back a fellow Virginia Republican in a special election for State Senate.

It was part of a broader effort by the governor to use the 2023 session of the Virginia legislature to bolster his conservative credentials and agenda as he tests a possible presidential run in 2024. I need Kevin in the Senate to help me get it done, so we have to win this election now, Mr. Youngkin told the crowd, referring to Kevin Adams, the State Senate candidate.

But Tuesdays election was a bust for Mr. Youngkin and Virginia Beach Republicans: Mr. Adams was narrowly defeated, Democrats flipped the Republican-held seat he was seeking and one of the governors prominent right-wing initiatives  a 15-week abortion ban  seemed all but doomed as Democrats expanded their narrow majority in the upper chamber of the General Assembly.

Mr. Youngkins 2021 election in blue Virginia instantly set off speculation about a potential White House run in 2024. In just his second year in office, he has had both a local and national focus.
When Adam Lane became principal at Haines City High School eight years ago, there was little to stop an attacker from entering the school, which sits alongside orange groves, a livestock farm and a cemetery in Central Florida.

You could drive right up, walk right in the front office, Mr. Lane said.

Today, the school is surrounded by a 10-foot fence, and access to the grounds is carefully controlled via specific gates. Visitors must press a buzzer to be let into the front office. More than 40 cameras monitor key areas.

New federal data released on Thursday offers insight into the many, growing ways that schools have amped up security over the past five years, as the country has recorded three of the deadliest school shootings on record, and as other, more routine gun incidents on school grounds have also become more frequent.

About two-thirds of public schools in the United States now control access to school grounds  not just the building  during the school day, up from about half in the 2017-2018 school year. An estimated 43 percent of public schools have a panic button or silent alarm that connect directly with the police in case of emergency, up from 29 percent five years ago. And a stronger majority, 78 percent, equip classrooms with locks, up from 65 percent, according to survey data released by the National Center for Education Statistics, a research arm of the U.S. Education Department.
Update: The death roll has risen after tornadoes shredded through the South.

OLD KINGSTON, Ala.  At least eight people were killed on Thursday as severe storms and tornadoes left a trail of damage across the South, officials said.

Seven of the deaths were in Autauga County, Ala., in the Appalachian foothills, including a woman whose body was found on Friday in a destroyed home in Old Kingston, said Buster Barber, the county coroner, in a telephone interview. He said search teams were going house to house.

And in Butts County, Ga., about 50 miles southeast of Atlanta, a 5-year-old boy was killed when a tree hit the vehicle he was traveling in, a county official said.

By early Friday, the immediate threat of extreme weather across the South had passed, but tens of thousands of customers were still without power in parts of Alabama and Georgia, as power crews worked through the night and early reports of injuries and damages began to surface.
SEOUL  President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea said for the first time on Wednesday that if North Koreas nuclear threat grows, South Korea would consider building nuclear weapons of its own or ask the United States to redeploy them on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking during a joint policy briefing by his defense and foreign ministries on Wednesday, Mr. Yoon was quick to add that building nuclear weapons was not yet an official policy. He stressed that South Korea would for now deal with North Koreas nuclear threat by strengthening its alliance with the United States.

Such a policy includes finding ways to increase the reliability of Washingtons commitment to protect its ally with all of its defense capabilities, including nuclear weapons.

Mr. Yoons comments marked the first time since the United States withdrew all of its nuclear weapons from the South in 1991 that a South Korean president officially mentioned arming the country with nuclear weapons. Washington removed its nuclear weapons from South Korea as part of its global nuclear arms reduction efforts.
Sri Lankas top court on Thursday ordered the countrys former president and several of his senior officials to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation to the families of the victims of terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019, a small victory in an island nation that has long suffered from a culture of rampant impunity.

The Supreme Court, ruling on a petition filed by families of the victims as well as church leaders and activists, said Maithripala Sirisena, the president of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2019, and his top security officials had failed to prevent the carnage despite detailed intelligence reports suggesting such attacks had been imminent.

A series of coordinated suicide attacks by Islamic State-inspired assailants ripped through several churches and hotels in and around the capital, Colombo, killing more than 200 people. The attacks shattered a decade of relative peace in Sri Lanka, which was trying to emerge from a long, scarring civil war.

The devastating security breach was made possible by a coalition government paralyzed by infighting among its leaders. After the attacks, the crucial tourism sector dried up, and anti-Muslim mob violence spread across the country. The Easter Sunday carnage proved to be the first in a cascade of blows that left the island nation in the worst economic crisis in its recent history.
Poland and Britain are considering sending main battle tanks to Ukraine, a move that would end the Wests nearly yearlong refusal to deploy some of its most advanced weaponry against Russia and ratchet up pressure on other allies of Kyiv to follow suit.

Warsaw and London have yet to finalize such a move, but doing so would meet a demand Kyiv has been making almost since the start of the war and support potential offensives against Russian forces in the coming months. Poland would require a sign-off from Berlin to send its German-made tanks.

Defense officials in the United States and Europe have long held concerns that giving Ukraine tanks would signal more direct Western involvement in the war and could prompt President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia into escalation.

On Wednesday, the president of Poland said that his country was prepared to send German-made Leopard II tanks to Ukraine if an international coalition agreed to do so. No such Western-made battle tanks have been sent to Ukraine since the invasion.
Russia released a Navy veteran who had been detained since April in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave between Poland and Lithuania, a spokesman for his family announced on Thursday, marking the second time in just over a month that an American has been freed from Russian custody.

Russian officials allowed Taylor Dudley, a 35-year-old U.S. citizen, to cross the Polish border. Mr. Dudley had been held for nine months, the spokesman said, though his case was largely unknown to people outside the U.S. government, his family and advocates.

Mr. Dudley was greeted in Poland by an official from the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and by Bill Richardson, a former New Mexico congressman and governor who specializes in negotiating the freedom of Americans detained overseas.

Mr. Dudley was backpacking in Europe and had traveled to Poland to attend a music festival, according to the spokesman, Jonathan Franks. He said Mr. Dudley at some point crossed the Russian border into Kaliningrad. It remained unclear why Mr. Dudley had crossed into Russian territory and on what charges he might have been held.
Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, who has been named the new chief of Moscows war effort in Ukraine, is Russias highest-ranking military officer. He has often been described as the real head of the Russian military, rather than defense officials in the Kremlin.

General Gerasimov is replacing Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who had only been in the job three months and had previously headed Russian forces in Syria.

Some analysts say the move suggests that the Kremlin is looking to streamline the decision-making process with regard to the war effort and wants a leader who is ready to carry out decisions coming directly from the top.

Ukrainian officials and some in the West have said that Russia will soon try to launch a new offensive. In its statement on Wednesday announcing General Gerasimovs appointment, the Russian Defense Ministry hinted at a renewed campaign, tying the decision to the increased scale of the war effort in Ukraine.
The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, said he feared the governments plan could lead to the collapse of Israels democracy. A former defense minister, Benny Gantz, warned of civil war. A former army general, Yair Golan, called for widespread civil disobedience. In response, a government lawmaker, Zvika Fogel, called for all three to be arrested for treason.

Israeli political discourse, rarely calm, has been inflamed this week by the agenda laid out by the countrys new far-right government  and nothing has fueled it more than the governments flagship policy: judicial change.

According to a detailed plan released Wednesday by the new justice minister, Yariv Levin, the government intends to reduce the Supreme Courts ability to revoke laws passed in Parliament. If enacted by lawmakers in the coming months, Mr. Levins proposal would also give the government greater influence over who gets to be a judge.

Collectively, the two proposals would give more power to the government of the day, while reducing the influence of the judiciary. They also provide an early sense of the political direction in which the new Israeli government  an alliance of ultraconservative Jewish politicians, settler activists and opponents of a Palestinian state  intends to head, just two weeks after taking office in late December.
Growing up in a military family, Tiffany Rothwell moved around a lot. She went to high school in Maryland, and then left for New Jersey to attend Centenary University, in Hackettstown. When it was finally time to put down some roots, she chose Upper Manhattan.

There was an influx of young, Black corporate people who were making Harlem home, and I wanted to be a part of that renaissance, said Ms. Rothwell, 40.

She settled in a Central Harlem rental with roommates  perfect for my 20s, she said  and later rented a studio in an East Harlem walk-up, living below her means and keeping her sights on a purchase. Short-term sacrifice was part of my long-term goal, she said, starting with the first dollar from her first after-school job, as a greeter at a store.

Ms. Rothwell has worked in product development for a popular retail chain for more than a decade, socking away savings while moving up the corporate ranks. By late 2021, she saw her opportunity as surging home prices began to taper off and apartments sat on the market for months.

[Did you recently buy or rent a home in the New York metro area? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com]

She figured she could afford up to $875,000 for a one-bedroom in a condominium building. A friend referred her to John McGuinness, an associate broker at Compass. He encouraged me to be open-minded, Ms. Rothwell said. I tried not to exclude anything.

She considered charming prewar buildings, gleaming new ones and many others in between. She walked around Harlem to check out the immediate surroundings of the apartments she liked, and to find the nearest markets and stores. Other variables to consider: the distance to the subway, building size, amenities, monthly outlay and, most important, a sense of home.

I am a family of one, Ms. Rothwell said. My expectations were very practical. It was all about the pros and cons.

Among her options, in Central Harlem:
Between an altered post-lockdown landscape, sensational changeovers at 10 Downing Street and the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there is no doubt that London is in transition. But the city continues to juxtapose old traditions and new possibilities, offering something for everyone who loves culture, history, art and nightlife.

For fans of the royal family, and maybe a few naysayers, the crowning of King Charles III, Britains first coronation in seven decades, will be the main event in May. Theres also the revamping of Battersea Power Station, an iconic former coal-fired power plant, into a shopping and leisure hub, and a new line on the Underground will directly connect Heathrow Airport to the central boroughs. A cast of a titanosaur, the largest creature ever to walk the planet, will make its European debut at the Natural History Museum, and late-night obsessives can head to newly opened dance clubs like the Beams. Big changes, yes, but a wealth of new choices, too.

 Isabella Kwai

Tom Jamieson for The New York Times
A 20-year-old man from Russias Sakhalin Oblast region recently made national headlines after being declared the winner of a womens lingerie photo contest organized by a popular store chain.

Andrey Nagorny, a resident of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, heard of the online photo contest through his girlfriend. Aware of his feminine features, they decided to take a few photos of Andrey wearing some sexy womens lingerie and enter them into the contest, just for fun. Andreys girlfriend, whose name has not been made public, fixed his hair and did his makeup before asking a talented photographer to snap some rather professional-looking photos of him and submitting them to the contest organizer online. They expected to get a good laugh out of the whole thing, but what they didnt expect was for Andrey to be declared the winner.

Photo: Andrey Nagorny/Instagram

The lingerie store originally declared 20-year-old Andrey Nagorny the winner of their photo contest, and awarded him the title of Miss Avocado. But that was before they contacted him to schedule a professional photo shoot and learned that he was actually a man. Afraid of how the public  particularly their customers  would react to a man being celebrated for wearing womens lingerie, they decided to disqualify him and hand the title over to the first runner up.

The boy looks very similar to a girl, and since anyone could enter our contest, he chose to participate as well. We got his photos, and in the end the jury chose him as the winner, he was selected, Zheanna Stolpovskaya, manager of the lingerie store chain that organized the photo contest, told 360TV. For the final photo shoot, we chose three girls, he didnt participate, because the photos will be available for everyone to see. Obviously, we couldnt predict how the general public and our buyers would react to them.

Photo: Andrey Nagorny/Instagram

Basically, the guy won, but when the organizers learned that the person in the photos wasnt a woman, they decided that he couldnt be the winner. Andrey Nagorny apparently didnt even win a consolation prize, but he says that hes not disappointed at all, because he never expected to win in the first place.

As for the reaction of the public to the organizers decision to disqualify Andrey, it wasnt exactly what they expected.

Photo: Andrey Nagorny/Instagram

Idiots! Now he can easily sue them for gender discrimination. And you thought that only women are discriminated against? one person wrote on Russian social media.

They are so full of s*hit! Why didnt they announce gender requirements from the very start? Or give the first prize to the owner of the lingerie store chain? another commented.

Photo: Andrey Nagorny/Instagram

Guess their decision backfired

But, controversy aside, Andrey Nagornys win was pretty impressive. If he so wishes, he could probably become a successful androgynous fashion model, like his countryman, supermodel Stanyslas Fedyanin, or Serbian sensation Andrej Pejic.

Photo: Andrey Nagorny/Instagram

Andrey told 360TV that even without makeup and womens clothing he often gets mistaken for a woman, but he has gotten used to it, and his friends dont tease him too much about it.

Check out more of Andrey Nagornys artistic photos and amazing transformations, check out his Instagram account
A Taiwanese student recently made news headlines for a clever art project involving a racy billboard that wasnt exactly what it looked like.

Facebook has a very strict policy when it comes to nudity, but this policy is often poorly enforced. For example, photos showing female nipples are considered nudity and are almost instantly removed by the Facebook algorithm. However, the tool is far from perfect, and it has a tough time distinguishing between male and female nipples, especially in the case of androgynous men. This was the case with Wu, a slender, long-haired art student from Shezi, village, in Tainan, who recently had an artistic picture removed from Facebook for indecent exposure. The experience gave him an idea

Photo: Mirror Media

Wu Zongdai, a graduate student at the University of Southern Arts, was intrigued by Facebooks decision to remove the photo, which showed him laying on a couch, wearing female lingerie. His bra is slipping from his shoulders, and one of his nipples is showing, but Facebook doesnt consider male nipples nudity Its unclear whether he was able to appeal the removal, but the experience made him curious about how real people would react to his photo.

The Taiwanese student rented a roadside billboard in his quiet little village and plastered the same photo removed by Facebook onto it. Then he just sat back and waited for peoples reactions to it. He didnt have to wait very long, as the racy picture quickly attracted locals attention. Within hours, someone alerted the police, and officers started asking around, trying to find the culprit.

Photo: Mirror Media

When the police tracked down Wu and warned him that he could be charged with indecent exposure, the student calmly explained that he was the girl in the photo and that the billboard was an art project. Apparently, he was off the hook with the police, but not with his own university.

According to Mirror Weekly, members of the faculty tried to convince Wu to take down the billboard, as it risked affecting the reputation of his university. However, the student held his ground, explaining that the name of the university was not mentioned anywhere on the billboard and that there was no legal reason to have the image removed.

Even though people started accepting Wu Zongdais billboard more after learning that the person featured in the photo was actually a man, the student has been asked by Shezi officials to take it down sooner than he had originally planned. Wu had paid for the billboard space until March, but he will reportedly have to take it down on February 5, because even though he is a man, the fact that he looks like a woman in the controversial photo still puts some people on edge and the community has to be respected.
Riyaz Lalani

Riyaz Lalani has joined Gagnier Communications as managing director in the Toronto office of the New York-headquartered financial communications firm.

He has extensive experience in handling IR, M&As, shareholder activism, litigation support, short seller defense and crisis communications.

Lalani helmed Bayfield Strategy financial PR shop; served as COO of Kingsdale Shareholder Services, which is Canadas largest proxy firm; held the chief corporate officer job at The Supreme Cannabis Company, and most recently was president of Corsia Strategy, a consultancy.

He joins GC managing director Louise Kozier in Toronto. She did a four-year stint at Edelman and a 15-year run at Longview Communications & Public Affairs before joining GC last September.

Dan Gagnier launched his firm in 2016 after he spent 16 years at Sard Verbinnen & Co., where he exited as partner & managing director.
The Chicago suburb of Oak Brook is looking for an agency that can develop and implement a hotel marketing campaign that promotes travel and increases visitor stays in the Illinois village.
Nelson Peltz

Reevemark represents Trian Partners, which will nominate its CEO and longtime activist Nelson Peltz for a board seat at Walt Disney Co.s 2023 annual meeting.

The Financial Times reported the action at Disney could be the centerpiece to one of the USs busiest proxy battles in years.

Trian contends that Disney, which ousted Bob Chapek and reinstalled Bob Iger to the helm in November, suffers from poor corporate governance, lack of succession planning and a deteriorating cash flow, resulting in the elimination of the dividend that had been paid for more than 50 years.

It raps Disney for overpaying for the 21st Century Fox assets, bidding aggressively for Sky plc and overrelying on its parks business to subsidize streaming losses.

Trian believes Pelz as a director with meaningful ownership of Disney stock will bring an ownership mentality to the boardroom and will seek to increase transparency and accountability.

Reevemarks Paul Caminiti, Pamela Greene and Jacqueline Zuhse represent Trian.
A TRAVELLER LGBT rights campaigner was cleared of having counterfeit money when a judge examined a 20 note and decided it could not be passed off as genuine.

Darren Collins, a 27-year-old Tullamore native with an address at Grove Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6, pleaded not guilty to having custody or control of counterfeit currency notes on July 1, 2020 at a house on Chancery Park Road, Tullamore.

Tullamore District Court was told by Garda Tom Dunne that four counterfeit 20 notes were found during a drugs search in a room used by Darren Collins at that house.

One of the notes was found in one drawer and the other three were on a floor underneath the bottom drawer.

Garda Dunne gave evidence of a cautioned statement made by Mr Collins the following September in which the accused said the notes had been there for three-and-a-half years after he found them on a footpath at Hophill estate.

He had no intention of using them and he would be terrified to use them because he saw they were fake and threw them into the bedside locker.

Garda Dunne handed one of the notes to Judge Andrew Cody for examination.

Replying to defending solicitor Donal Farrelly, Garda Dunne agreed they were not good counterfeit notes and added that Daniel Collins was not the target of the drugs search.

There was no suspicion the man was involved in any drugs activity and he had no previous convictions for any offences.

Garda Dunne agreed with Mr Farrelly that the notes may have been there for a period of time and added that there was a bit of a problem at the time with counterfeit notes being circulated and handed into shops by teenagers.

In his own evidence Mr Collins said he was a long-term LGBT activist involved in mental health work specifically with Traveller men.

He said there were arranged marriages in the community and some men were struggling with their sexuality and could not identify themselves and that was leading to their mental health deteriorating and to suicide as the next step.

Mr Collins said his role as a suicide survivor was to prevent that happening in the Traveller community and he had participated in conferences around mental health in Ireland, and conducted his work through the Council of Europe and the HSE.

He had moved to Dublin for a better lifestyle and the prosecution had been hanging over his head for the last two-and-a-half years.

Mr Collins outlined how he had been working a late night shift in Eddie Rocket's and when he finished he was walking home close to the roundabout and noticed a folded 20 note on the ground and then realised there were four of them.

When he got home he threw them into his junk drawer and then when the gardai arrived at eight o'clock one morning and he was pulled out of bed and the notes were found he was shocked.

He said there were personal things in that locker that he would have hidden from his family as a gay man.

Cross-examined by Sergeant James O'Sullivan, Mr Collins said he had not thrown the notes away and added that he did not know it was an offence to knowingly have counterfeit money.

Judge Cody said Mr Collins was in possession of the notes but the question was, did that amount to counterfeit currency.

To be counterfeit it must be something that is capable of being passed off as genuine currency but the note he examined had the word copy written on the back of it and would not be accepted in a shop.

He therefore dismissed the charge and commended Mr Collins for the good work he was doing.

Thank you so much, I appreciate that. Have a lovely day, replied Mr Collins.

As Mr Collins left the courtroom Judge Cody remarked: There is one happy man!
THE grieving partner of Ashling Murphy has paid an emotional tribute to the young woman in advance of her first anniversary Mass this evening.

Ryan Casey's message was shared on the Facebook page of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund on Tuesday evening.

The young man's words are described as as tribute to his soulmate and he says: Time can move at a pace which can be impossible to comprehend but one thing for sure is no matter how fast time may pass, there isnt a single second that goes by where my heart doesnt ache for you.

He continues: Theres a saying that goes... 'You dont know what you have until you loose it' but the reality is, we both knew exactly what we had, exactly what we wanted, its just we never thought wed loose it.

You are the one who has made me the person I am today, the only reason I get out of bed every morning, the only reason I got through graduation, the only reason Ive continued on and started my working career. Everything I have done and everything that I do is completely for you.

I Love and miss you so much Ash... Forever my soulmate.

Ashling Murphy died after being attacked on the bank of the Grand Canal at Cappincur, Tullamore on the afternoon January 12, 2022.

The 23-year-old from Blueball had gone for a jog after a day's work as a schoolteacher at Durrow National School.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, set up by the Murphy family and the Ashling Murphy Memorial fund executive committee, was launched on January 6, Nollaig na mBan.

In a statement, the committee said it was fitting to launch the fund in memory of a beautiful, talented and exceptional young lady, who will forever be 23 and will never be forgotten!

Ashlings tragic loss touched the hearts of many, she left a strong legacy behind her and will always be remembered for the music, sport, education, culture and heritage that she was involved in during her short life, the committee added.

The fund's main objective is for the further enhancement, development and the advancements of the traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people.

Ashling was an accomplished musician and traditional music tutor.

The anniversary Mass will take place at 7pm this evening (January 12) in the Murphy family's local church in Mountbolus.

The family and partner of Ashling published a notice in the Tullamore Tribune and Midland Tribune this week thanking everyone who had sympathised with them, sent Mass cards, flowers, bouquets and offered their condolences in many ways.
OVER 100 people walked to the memorial on the bank of the Grand Canal near Tullamore a year to the day after Ashling Murphy was killed when she was out for a jog.

Ashling's family this afternoon (Thursday, January 12) joined in a brief prayer vigil and musical tribute to their daughter at the site in Cappincur where she met her death.

Incessant rain earlier in the day cleared as friends and neighbours congregated at the shrine (pictured below are people making their way to the site) and prayed a decade of the rosary, led by Tom Lawless, undertaker at the 23-year-old schoolteacher's funeral in January last year.

All afternoon people had been placing bouquets of flowers at the memorial and many of those at the vigil did so too, reflecting in silence before well wishers with musical instruments played a selection of traditional tunes.

Ray Murphy joined on the banjo and among the musicians was James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School where Ashling had been working.

Ashling Murphy was an accomplished traditional musician whose instrument of choice was the fiddle and along with being a regular performer and competitor, she gave fiddle lessons and established a trad group for the pupils at her school.

The young woman had completed a day's teaching at the primary school just a few miles from Tullamore on January 12 last year and decided to stop at the canal bank for a run on her way home to her nearby native area of Blueball.

The vigil took place just hours before the first anniversary Mass for Ashling at St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus.

The Murphy family have founded the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund which will invest in the advancement of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage.

Ashling's partner Ryan Casey posted a loving tribute on the Memorial Fund's social media page where he addressed his soulmate and said: Time can move at a pace which can be impossible to comprehend but one thing for sure is no matter how fast time may pass, there isnt a single second that goes by where my heart doesnt ache for you.

A man has been charged with the murder of Ashling Murphy and the case is due before the courts in June.
Moving quickly after taking control of the House, Republicans are setting up a messy, politically explosive showdown with the White House.
DENVER (AP)  Exxon Mobils scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists' conclusions, a new study says.



The study in the journal Science Thursday looked at research that Exxon funded that didnt just confirm what climate scientists were saying, but used more than a dozen different computer models that forecast the coming warming with precision equal to or better than government and academic scientists.



This was during the same time that the oil giant publicly doubted that warming was real and dismissed climate models accuracy. Exxon said its understanding of climate change evolved over the years and that critics are misunderstanding its earlier research.



Scientists, governments, activists and news sites, including Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times, several years ago reported that Exxon knew about the science of climate change since about 1977 all while publicly casting doubt. What the new study does is detail how accurate Exxon funded research was. From 63% to 83% of those projections fit strict standards for accuracy and generally predicted correctly that the globe would warm about .36 degrees (.2 degrees Celsius) a decade.



The Exxon-funded science was actually astonishing in its precision and accuracy, said study co-author Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard science history professor. But she added so was the hypocrisy because so much of the Exxon Mobil disinformation for so many years ... was the claim that climate models werent reliable.



Study lead author Geoffrey Supran, who started the work at Harvard and now is a environmental science professor at the University of Miami, said this is different than what was previously found in documents...
A 37-year-old German woman is accused of crimes against humanity for her time with the so-called "Islamic State." Nadine K. is accused of "enslaving" a Yazidi woman in Syria and Iraq.
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The New York congressman is said to have received payments from Florida-based Harbor City Capital as late as April 2021, income he has never disclosed.
Skittish Brazilian authorities on Wednesday spared no effort to boost security in the face of the social media promotion of a "mega-protest to retake power" in two dozen cities. Whether because of preventative measures adopted or not, the supposed uprising was a dud.
Despite calls for a "mega-protest" to "retake power," turnout was significantly low in major cities. Authorities have upped security after the former president's supporters stormed government buildings on Sunday.
A number of stars have flocked to social media to mourn the death of iconic rock guitarist Jeff Beck, who died Tuesday of bacterial meningitis.


Human Rights Watch hailed the support shown by governments for Ukraine in its annual human rights report. The group, however, also said the response "exposed the double standards" of some EU countries.
The GMB union will meet ambulance representatives on Monday to discuss up to six more strike dates, Sky News understands.
Also in today's edition: Second Biden search yields additional classified documents  House Democrats ask Biden to revoke Bolsonaros visa after Brazil riot  Poll Watch: What Americans say they want Congress to prioritize  What we're watching: What will Republicans do about George Santos?
In the largest copper theft incident in years, gangs stole a copper shipment headed for China from a port in the country's central region.
Eurasia Review 30 Jan 2023

To Russia and Ukraine, the crisis is an existential issue. To the US and NATO, its a regime-change game. To Europe, it means the..
Vice President Kamala Harris accused Republican legislators in the House of trying to "control women's bodies" by passing the "extreme" Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
Newsy 14 Jan 2023

Watch VideoThe process for sorting and archiving White House documents at the end of an administration is a massive undertaking..
New Hampshire's House Education Committee held hearings where they discussed Republican bills requiring that students be taught cursive writing and learn about communism.
With the backing of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota legislature is the latest among a number of blue states to announce plans to act on President Joe Biden's housing initiative.
Colorado Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican, sent President Biden a letter calling on the president to release the visitor logs from his Delaware home amid DocuGate.
Republican Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has requested that the state Supreme Court reconsider a ruling that declared abortion to be a right under the state constitution.
Newsy 26 Jan 2023

Watch VideoMembers of the Senate intelligence committee said Wednesday that they should have access to classified documents that..
Tesco says it is the only one of the major chains to have grown its market share versus pre-pandemic levels over Christmas, claiming it took business from premium grocers.
Here's the latest for Thursday, January 12th: More Biden documents found; California storm and flood damage could cost $1 billion; University of Idaho murder suspect due in court; FAA computer breakdown investigated.


President Biden ordered an investigation into what happened. NPR's Dwane Brown talks to Leslie Josephs, an airline reporter with CNBC, about theissue with a pre-flight safety notification system.
The Department of National Defence has awarded a grant to a University of Alberta professor to conduct a deep dive into the extent of white supremacy in the Canadian Armed Forces. Andy Knight, a professor of international relations and the school's first provost fellow in Black excellence and leadership, made a proposal to the federal department last fall in which he drew attention to racism in the military.
Documents with classified markings from U.S. President Joe Biden's time as vice-president were found at his home in Delaware, the White House said Thursday, days after it was disclosed that sensitive documents were also found at the office of his former Washington institute.
The Joint Declaration by EU-NATO was signed on Cooperation at Brussels on 10 January 2023 by Charles Michel, President of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission and Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO. However, what is seen from the Joint Declaration is that it is more about Self Preservation...
Watch VideoAttorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the presence of documents with classified markings found at President Joe Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at an office in Washington.



The announcement followed President Biden's acknowledgement Thursday morning that a...
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The government agency is urging the public to stop purchasing and repurposing the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper once again.

The U.S. Safety Commission has recalled the Fisher-Price Sleeper since 2019 after 30 fatalities were reported.

However, since the first notice was published in 2019, it continues to be in the market and has now been linked to the deaths of 100 infants.

Reminding consumers of the recall

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recently posted a second notice about the recall on its website for the various variants of the inclined sleeper.

If you are a parent, caregiver, or daycare owner/operator, please be aware of these important recalls. These inclined sleepers are dangerous and should not be used under any circumstances. https://t.co/W7N6S4L3HS  US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) January 10, 2023

Since the first recall in 2019, the agency confirmed that there had been new reports of 70 fatalities.

As documented, the fatalities would occur when the infants would roll over from their backs onto their stomachs or sides while they were unrestrained, as well as deaths that occurred under other conditions.

The government agency reminded all consumers again that they should stop using all the Rock 'n Play Sleeper models.

The agency also advised the consumers that they could get a refund or a voucher in exchange for the inclined sleeper.

In support of the government agency, Mattel, the parent company of Fisher-Price, also released a statement regarding the increasing number of fatalities.

According to The New York Times, on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Mattel, Catherine Frymark, stated that they followed the order of the government agency to recall the said product in April 2019.

She continued that the recalled Rock 'n Play should not be used, sold, or donated, and today's statement serves as a crucial warning to both customers and resellers of the inclined sleeper.

Read Also: Parents Use Respectful Parenting as Approach to Produce Highly Successful Kids

Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper Recall in 2019

During the first Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleeper recall, the company seized 4.7 million products off the market.

From September 2009 until April 2019, the sleeper could be purchased by anyone for between $40 and $149 at various retail locations around the country, including Target and Walmart, as well as online at Amazon.

According to SheKnows, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act was approved by Congress in May 2022.

This law prohibits using inclined bouncers, rockers, and other calming infant seats, regardless of whether they are designed and marketed for sleep.

The CPSC has been working to reform child sleep safety guidelines, along with a ruling that went into effect in June 2022 and mandates that infant sleep products have a sleep surface angle of 10 degrees or less.

Furthermore, the government agency reminds the public that if they still have the product or they sourced it somewhere, they are eligible for a product refund.

Customers can go to the Mattel and Fisher-Price websites and click on the "Recall & Safety" section.

Related Article: US Schools Require Students to Wear Masks as COVID-19 Cases Drastically Increase
Photo: (Photo : Michael Buckner / Getty Images)

A mother of one of the Fisher-Price victims is now using her voice to raise awareness.

Erika Richter is one of the numerous parents who have suffered the loss of a child due to having the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper.

The mother lost her child, Emma, when she was still an infant at two weeks old. Now, she's using her experience to help parents and caregivers.

Mom recalls losing her infant

The Fisher-Price brand develops different types of sleepers designed to soothe babies into their sleep. The company has been known as a house brand for families with younger children.

However, in 2019, when frequent incidents of families reporting the death of their children while using the sleeper, the authorities demanded it be pulled out of the market.

Richter recounted her horrifying experience, saying she always thinks about the incident. The mother stated that she continues to long for her daughter and think about what life could have been if she were still around.

Like any other parent, when she got the Fisher-Price Rock n' Play Sleeper, she did not expect anything bad to come out of it. She was under the impression that it was a product she could mindlessly purchase since it had also been marketed to other families.

Richter added that it did not cross her mind that the Fisher-Price Rock n' Play Sleeper would be unsafe and lack the appropriate testing it needed.

As reported by Parents, Richter started speaking out to educate people about the issue and prevent other parents from going through what she had been through.

In June 2021, she testified before Congress in response to a report released by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

The report claimed that Fisher-Price had not consulted any physicians to ensure that the Rock 'n Play was safe.

Furthermore, it has also been discovered that despite warnings from foreign authorities, pediatricians, and consumers, Fisher-Price continued to sell the product as an overnight sleeper for children. This was even though the product was found to be hazardous for infants.

Other Fisher-Price victims still mourn the loss of their children due to this accident.

Read Also: Swim Instructor Faces Involuntary Manslaughter After 4-Year-Old Boy Dies in the Pool Backyard

Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of these products from the market as the death rate of babies has continued to climb even after the first recall in 2019.

As reported in the New York Post, it has now claimed the lives of 100 infants.

The government agency went on Twitter to reach a wider audience and called for parents, guardians, and caretakers to stop using the inclined sleeper as they pose a risk to anyone who uses them.

If you are a parent, caregiver, or daycare owner/operator, please be aware of these important recalls. These inclined sleepers are dangerous and should not be used under any circumstances. https://t.co/W7N6S4L3HS  US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) January 10, 2023

Before the inclined sleeper was pulled out of the market, the authorities based their decision on a 20-month investigation.

According to the investigation findings, Fisher-Price was able to keep this potentially hazardous product on the market for ten years. During that time, the corporation generated at least $200 million worth of income while more than 50 newborns were killed using inclined sleepers.

Related Article: Beyonce and Jay-Z's Daughter, Blue Ivy, Receives Birthday Tributes for Turning 11
Photo: (Photo : EZEQUIEL BECERRA / Getty Images)

U.S. birth rates are continuing to decline.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, the percentage of American women who have ever given birth to a child has once again decreased.

The studies reveal women's choice of not getting pregnant and the decline of men choosing to become fathers.

Birth rates in America

According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 52.1 percent of women aged 15 to 44 in 2015-2019 had given birth to a biological child, which is a smaller percentage than the 54.9 percent of women of the same age range who had done so in 2011-2015.

That number translates to a 2.8 percent decline in the birth rate. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the average age at which a woman gives birth to her first child later in life is increasing in the United States.

To prove the conclusion, scientists found a ninefold increase in delayed childbearing between 1972 and 2012, characterized by having a first child at the age of 35 or older.

As reported by HealthDaily, since 1985, women who choose to have their first babies in their 40s have significantly increased. The study shows that more and more women are choosing to delay their pregnancies.

In women, the latest survey in 2019 shows that women have given birth to 1.3 children in ages 15 to 49, while men, on the other hand, have fathered 0.9 children during that same time.

Furthermore, there was a downward trend in the number of men becoming fathers.

Read Also: New Jersey Art Teacher Faces Criminal Charges Alleged for Fentanyl Overdose

Behind the decline

Birth rates in America are declining due to several reasons. A declining birth rate does not immediately correlate to a decreasing population.

Women choosing pregnancy a little bit later in life also have great advantages. Another huge possibility for this is raising a child with more capable parents.

A child could be brought up in a household where their parents are more emotionally mature and financially capable of providing the ample necessities of raising a child.

Another factor that could be taken into consideration with the declining birth rates in America is the economic capacity of the younger generation.

With the current economic landscape and the threat of COVID-19, it has influenced couples to delay childbearing.

Also, as reported by U.S.News, reasons like increased accessibility for contraception and an increase in the number of women entering and remaining in the workforce are commonly the most heard reasons why they delay pregnancy.

In addition, this could be attributed to the collective awareness of the new generations of the challenges in store when choosing to rear a child unprepared.

Lastly, a woman's education level affects the age at which she has her first child.

According to the study's findings, a woman's chances of having her first child while still in her teens or 20s decrease in proportion to the number of years she spends in school or college.

Related Article: US Schools Require Students to Wear Masks as COVID-19 Cases Drastically Increase
Photo: (Photo : MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images)

No criminal charges might be pressed against a 6-year-old boy for shooting a 1st-grade teacher.

The school shooting happened Friday, January 6, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia.

Abigail Zwerner, a first-grade teacher, was shot in front of approximately 20 pupils when the incident occurred. Due to the boy's age, his identity has not been made public.

6-Year-Old shoots teacher

The public and the whole Virginia community is still outraged over how a young little boy was able to shoot his teacher.

According to the BBC and Chief of Police Steve Drew, the minor has been placed in temporary detention upon the court's directive and is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.

He added that the boy's shooting of his teacher was not accidental but intentional.

Drew stated that the defendant has 96 hours to face a judge, who will decide whether or not he will continue to receive therapy and what the next steps would be in the case.

Technically, they could charge him with a crime. However, Danny Cevallos of NBC News said that the likelihood of the youngster being charged in any capacity, even in juvenile court, is extremely low.

Cevallos stated that even if they wanted to prosecute him, they would need to prove that a 6-year-old was capable of developing the desire to commit attempted murder.

He said it is improbable that the kid would be charged with anything since he is not competent to face trial. This is because the boy is too young to grasp what is going on and cannot aid his attorney.

According to Cevallos, the child's parents could be charged with child negligence or reckless endangerment if they found that they did not do their part in safely keeping the said weapon from their child.

If the judge decides not to charge the little boy, the parents can still face the threat of being held criminally accountable for the accident.

Read Also: US Safety Commission Warns Parents Not to Use This Inclined Sleeper Due to Increasing Fatalities

First school shooting

The January 6 incident is the U.S.'s first school shooting of the year.

According to Insider, the boy brought a 9mm Taurus handgun to class inside his backpack. While the 25-year-old teacher was lecturing, the boy shot her.

Although already injured, the teacher kept her composure and put the safety of her other children ahead of her own.

Somehow, she was able to lead her pupils out of the classroom in a secure manner.

Zwerner, who had the bullet penetrating her hand and entering the upper portion of her chest, has since been stabilized.

This incident stirred national controversy as people questioned how a young child was able to have access to a dangerous weapon and know how to operate it.

People are now calling for more laws on gun regulation and violence against young perpetrators. The public is also outraged at the parents for how they secured the gun in their household.

Some parents in the community of Virginia also fear for their child's lives, questioning how the gun could pass through the school's security.

Related Article: America Continues to Experience Declining Birth Rates
Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)

There is an ongoing epidemic, and it is preventable, experts say.

In the wake of a six-year-old child carrying a handgun in his backpack to school and shooting his teacher inside the classroom, cries for stricter gun laws and debates on gun safety have never been louder.

According to Be Smart, an organization that promotes safe gun storage, every day, one child in an American household gets to find a gun and unintentionally or intentionally, like in the case of kindergarten teacher Abigail 'Abby' Zwerner, shoots someone or themselves. Statistics showed that there was an increase in these cases during the pandemic.

It is a crisis in the country, and Esther Sanchez-Gomez, the legislative lead for the New York-based Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, cannot help but stress how it is "frustratingly avoidable."

"It's crazy to have such a massive, massive public health epidemic that's preventable. And yet, for some reason, we're not seeing change," she declared.

Talk about it: Open discussion at home

Mental Health experts emphasized how crucial it is for parents to educate children on gun safety. Unless an honest discussion about the dangers of guns happens at home, shooting incidents involving kids and teenagers will arise.

Keith Hamm, one of the mental health experts, encouraged parents to be aware of their children's ability to process and understand and that good parenting means being able to communicate truths and facts to them, WITN reported.

Gun safety education should start at home, parents in Pitt county stated.

One parent, Todd Karriker, shared how he raised his kids around guns and how, from an early age, he has taught them to respect and never touch guns. His kids were told of the gun safety laws, how to always treat a gun as loaded, how to not touch it unless there is an adult around, and how, when they find one, to immediately let an adult know.

Karriker also emphasized the importance of having safe storage where the guns can be locked up and concluded that, ultimately, it all falls as the responsibility of the parents. There will be no one else to blame.

Read Also: Texas Father Charged After His 4-Year-old Child Brings Gun to School

Act on it: Store guns properly

It is a fact that there are laws that require guns to be stored away from children's reach. However, it is also true that this law is not applicable in all states. Thus, Sanchez-Gomez emphasized that every firearm owner everywhere, whether under the law or not, should know that they have to store their guns properly and out of reach of the young ones.

She further stressed that there would be a dramatic decrease of 85 percent in self-inflicted injuries among children in homes if guns were stored properly.

Critics have highlighted a loophole that protects gun owners from carrying their guns for self-defense, like storing them in their car's glove compartment while their child is in the passenger seat.

According to WUFT, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a gun safety bill in May 2019 that would set a criminal liability for people not storing guns out of children's reach at home. The bill has been called by activists as Ethan's Law in honor of 15-year-old Ethan Song from Connecticut, who shot himself at his friend's house in 2018.

The public is still waiting for the bill to pass, and as months and years go by, the waiting becomes frustrating as it is a "no-brainer to pass a law like that," Stacey Wesch, a steering committee member from Florida Gun Owners for Safety and mother of a Parkland High School shooting survivor, declared. The bill, she said, would reduce teen suicide, unintentional shootings, and school shootings.

Just this month, the Duval County School Board sent parents a video of Superintendent Diana Greene and schools police chief Greg Burton promoting safe gun storage at home. It emphasized that securing guns can save lives, and it begins at home. Parents should ensure that their families are well-informed but also empowered and safe.

Related Article: Another Reminder Why Gun Safety Is Important: 6-Year-Old Fires Loaded Gun He Found In A Sofa At IKEA
Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson / Getty Images )

More students in America are going to school without free lunch meals. They have a hard time affording food in school. This has been happening since there was a change in policy regarding how students across America can avail of free or subsidized lunch meals in their schools.

As the winter break closes, students are reminded by their schools to pay the previous launch debt accumulated this school year.

This is the problem that numerous parents, students, and school administrations have been dealing with for quite some time now.

This comes after the federal government chose to end the aid it gave to more than 50 million American students at the schools that were allocated free lunch during the pandemic.

School lunch debt

The alarmingly increasing school lunch debts are exposing the students of America to hunger.

A brand new nationwide survey by the School Nutrition Association published on Wednesday shows that 847 schools have accumulated $19.2 million in school lunch debt.

The amount of money owed for school lunches varies from state to state.

According to USA Today, as of November 1, 2022, the total state debt for North Carolina exceeded $1 million.

By October 2022, the school lunch debt of one Wisconsin school district had topped $14,000.

In addition, in December 2022, a non-profit organization known as All For Lunch made a payment totaling $130,000 to wipe out the debt of various schools in several metro area counties.

One of the reasons students are racking up debt for school lunches is that most schools need help signing up these children for the government program that provides free and reduced-cost lunches to students who qualify.

Unfortunately, the system also rejects some students, but they still cannot afford their meals at school.

According to the School Nutrition Association, some of the most significant difficulties that schools face today include rising prices, a lack of available staff, a scarcity of menu items, the discontinuation of menu items, and unpaid meal debt.

Read Also: Viral Video Features Kate Winslet Comforting a Young Interviewer by Going Into 'Mom Mode'

Federal assistance for free lunch

Last June, Congress stopped the "free lunch for all" program, which meant that low-income families were required to fill out paperwork to determine whether or not they were eligible for assistance based on their household income.

To be eligible for free lunch, a family of four must have an annual income of less than approximately $36,000.

However, realistically, many families were not able to apply for this eligibility because of the tedious process of paperwork.

Unfortunately, some families still do not have access to subsidized or free lunches even though they cannot afford school meals for their children.

Numerous non-profit organizations, donors, sponsors, and private individuals are trying to donate to schools to help these institutions feed their students.

On the brighter side, TwinCities reported that Minnesota would be the next state to make school lunch free for every student.

In addition, states like Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Nevada chose to continue to give free lunches to every student in their schools.

Related Article: 6-Year-Old Responsible for Teacher's Shooting May Not Receive Jail Time
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Earlier this week, an alert went out on a popular PC subreddit, warning AMD graphics card owners of a malicious website. The way you would stumble onto the site? Clicking on the first search result in Google for amd driver.

The link of course was not one picked by Googles normal search engine algorithm. It was instead an advertisement sitting in the very first search result slotbut labeled so discreetly that an otherwise conscientious new Radeon owner could be duped.

These text-based advertisements arent a new feature to Google, but their extremely discreet label and styling allow even old internet hands to click when distracted or in a hurry. They dont appear consistently either, adding difficulty in remembering when to avoid the very first result for a search. This scummy tactic is also not a new development in the world of malware. Hackers and scammers have always tried to use text-based ads to get hooks into our PCs and private data.

Googles not the only search engine guilty of these shenanigans. PCWorld

But though Google has long had the opportunity to better protect its users, the company has continually left consumers to dodge hazards on their own. Reporting malicious ads is the only way to try to scrub them from search resultsand theres always more to take their place. Its not the only search engine that does this, either. In fact, while we couldnt replicate this particular issue in Google (possibly because the good citizens of Reddit reported that ad into oblivion), we did in Bing at the time this article was written. Thanks, Microsoft.

Unfortunately, well be stuck with this issue for years to come, if the past is any indication. So dont allow yourself to grow lax, even as web browsers and antivirus software improve their security screening. You can take these three steps to guard yourself:
Fund management company Databank will reopen its independent branches on January 10, 2022 - the first time since December 22, 2022, following a shutdown resulting from physical and verbal attacks on its staff by some of its clients.



The staff of the fund management company have been working remotely and engaging clients on digital platforms since the closure but the company in an e-mail and text message to its clients on Saturday, January 7, 2023, said it "will apply a phased approach to re-opening" its physical locations.



The re-opening will commence on January 10 with business resuming at its independent branches located in Accra, Cape Coast, Ho, Koforidua, Kumasi, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tamale and Tema.



This will be followed by the re-opening of Databank co-locations within GTBank and UBA branches located in Accra, Ashaiman, Kasoa, Tarkwa, Wa and KNUST.



The company in an email to its clients last December said it had been affected by the liquidity challenges that have rocked the fund management industry owing to the "macro-economic crisis" facing the country.



It said the crisis had resulted in the company's inability to pay withdrawal requests and impacted its original two-week estimate for withdrawals.



In an interaction with clients of the firm on Zoom on December 28, 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Databank Group, Kojo Addae-Mensah said the firm's fixed income investments were in government of Ghana bonds which had been affected by the Ghana Domestic Debt Exchange (GDX) programme which was announced on December 5.



He said the announcement of the GDX resulted in the shutdown of the secondary market which denied the firm the ability to sell the bonds to meet client redemption requests.



He added that the secondary market was still closed, so his outfit was engaging the government to in the interim provide liquidity to meet client redemption requests.



Mr Addae-Mensah disclosed that his outfit had engaged security personnel to provide security for its staff and clients at its branches but this was twisted by some media houses who reported it as intimidation of clients.





Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has exceeded its COVID-19 vaccination target for the Christmas and New Year festivities.



With a target of 6,599 people to vaccinate, the Municipal Health Directorate vaccinated 10,482 people to exceed its target, representing 158.8 per cent.



The Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with partners and with funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign during the yuletide.



The move was to combat the spread of the virus and the emergence of new strains from other countries, particularly China.



Mr Stephen Bordotsiah, the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Director, told the GNA in an interview that cumulatively, 78.1 per cent of the areas population had been fully vaccinated while 97.3 per cent had received at least a single dose.



He reiterated staff commitment to ensuring that the Municipality attained the target of 80 per cent fully vaccinated population and head immunity to help fight any spread of the virus.



We are not doing badly at all as a municipality, we hope to achieve head immunity by the end of January 2023, hoping that at least we will cross the 80 per cent full vaccination rate, he said.



Mr Bordotsiah noted that vaccination, coupled with laid down precautionary measures, were key in combating the spread of the virus and encouraged stakeholders to support demystifying the vaccination process.



That, he said, would enable more people to avail themselves to be vaccinated against the disease.



COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can spread from an infected persons mouth or nose in small liquid particles when the person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings or breathes. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.



One can be infected by breathing in the virus if near someone who has the disease.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged the citizenry to support the anti-corruption institutions to carry out their duties fairly and courageously without interference.



Mr Mahama said this in a Facebook post yesterday in reaction to a recent pronouncement by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that Akonta Mining Company was not involved in any illegal mining activities anywhere in the country.



Recall



President Akufo-Addo was said to have made the statement while addressing the Catholic Bishops Conference and 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on Wednesday (January 4, 2023).



Let me respond briefly to the chairperson on the issue of illegal mining. I want to assure him and all of you that Akonta Mining is not engaged in any illegal activities in any part of the country as we speak, President Akufo-Addo is reported to have said.



Reaction



However former President Mahama in his Facebook post reaction described as unfortunate how and when President Akufo-Addo made that statement which he (former President Mahama) claimed was to exonerate Akonta Mining, which had been accused of illegal mining in the country's forest reserves.



Mr Mahama said President Akufo-Addos comment cannot be allowed to override or become a substitute for the statutory mandate granted the investigative bodies of Ghana by the Constitution.



Such acts fly in the face of justice and the fight against corruption, and of course erodes the faith of our citizens in our democracy," he said.



Former President Mahama also described as unfortunate President Akufo-Addos penchant to absolve his appointees and other close associates of any wrongdoing that put pressure on state anti-corruption institutions investigating such individuals and entities.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Krobo District branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has uncovered fake meters and direct power connections in their system which was causing huge loss of revenue to the company.

A special meter monitoring exercise conducted by the company on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, led to the arrest of some customers, who were committing power stealing offence.



The team, led by the Krobo District Technical Officer (DTO), Edward Annan, visited both the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities, including Sawer at Somanya, Atua, Odumase, Odumase-Korletsom, Agomanya, Agomanya Ablotsi, Hwekper, Kordukpinya and Manam, among others, in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.



The team discovered that even though ECG had installed their prepaid meters for the customers in an exercise conducted last year, some of the customers, with the assistance of alleged local electricians in the two municipalities, had installed postpaid meters again into the system in order to avoid the buying of prepaid credit.



It was also discovered that some customers in Lower Manya Krobo, especially where people with serious offences were arrested, had replaced the ECG installed prepaid meters with fake meters allegedly distributed by the assembly members of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, at a fee of between GH500 and GH700.



It was also discovered that some of the customers with the connivance of the alleged local electricians bypassed the meter and connected directly from the main supply to cheat and avoid the buying of prepaid credit.



ECG logo



According to Mr Annan, the most serious offence was that the customers who were using the fake meters scanned the ECG logo and put it on the fake meters to look like the real ECG meters.



In August last year, ECG and its customers in the Krobo area had a problem with the payment of bills for postpaid meters, which led to power outage for almost five weeks. That incident led to the installation of the prepaid meters in the area.



At the end of the exercise, 10 customers with very serious offences were arrested by the police to appear before court, while 75 were totally disconnected and retired from the meters.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the end of the exercise, the acting Manager of ECG for the Krobo District, Christopher Apawu, said the installation of prepaid meters was a nationwide exercise that the company had embarked on, not only in the Krobo District and, therefore, stressed the need for customers to cooperate with the company for quality service delivery.



We expect our customers to use the prepaid meters we have installed for them and not the postpaid that we took away from the system as well as the fake ones some of them are currently using, Mr Apawu said.



The Public Relations Officer of ECG, Tema Region, Mary Sakyiwaa Mensah, said the meter monitoring exercise, which is a normal routine for the company, would continue.



She advised customers in the Krobo area who would like to enjoy continuous power supply to avoid power theft, as they would be disconnected and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. Therefore, the culprits who were arrested in Lower Manya Krobo would be made to face the law.



Rebuttal



When the Daily Graphic spoke with the Presiding Member of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly, Wilfred Ayerh Kofi Zhando Tetteh, who doubles as the Assembly Member for the Odumase North Electoral Area, he denied the allegation that assembly members gave out the meters.



He explained that 500 meters were given to the assembly by the Ministry of Energy, out of which 80 were installed by a contractor.



He said ECG wanted the installation to pass through due process such as registration of clients and mapping of facilities where the meters were installed. Mr Tetteh said because of that the rest of the meters were given to ECG and they had not yet been installed.



As a Presiding Member of the assembly, I want to challenge any client of ECG who says that he/she was given any meter by an assembly member to expose the one to be arrested. Per what I know as PM, it is never true that assembly members gave out meters to the ECG clients, Mr Tetteh emphasised.



Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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THE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Abdul-Hamid Mustapha, has called for the commitment and support of the public towards efforts to fix the economy and ultimately develop the country.

We have no choice as Ghanaians but to contribute in whatever way we can for the betterment of the country, he said.



At the unveiling of the refurbished Bono Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) conference room in Sunyani, Dr Mustapha appealed to the public, particularly public sector workers, to rededicate themselves to the development of the country.



The conference room was refurbished by the NPA to improve the state of the facility.



For more than 10 years, the conference room of the RCC had not seen any rehabilitation works, as parts of the infrastructure deteriorated.



Indeed, officials had claimed at different fora that the facility was not fit for purpose.



The RCC was thus compelled to hire conference facilities within Sunyani to host its meetings and workshops, including security meetings.



Dont speak ill



Dr Mustapha advised the public against speaking ill about the country, saying you can speak ill about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC), but not about the country.



He said successive governments had created the enabling environment and implemented favourable policies and interventions for the improvement of the lives of the citizenry.



He mentioned scholarship packages for students to study in the country and outside the country, loan for university students, the Free Senior High School policy and the Planting for Food and Jobs agricultural programme as some of the commitments made by the government to improve the living standard of the citizens.



Economic challenges



Dr Mustapha said politicians alone could not be blamed for the countrys economic challenges, explaining that only few people were occupying political positions.



How can about a maximum of 600 people be the cause of Ghanas problems when there are over 30 million people? Everybody is accountable for the countrys economic challenges, he stated.



He said several public workers had engaged in negative practices such as bribery and corruption, stealing of food items meant for pupils and students, among others.



Dr Mustapha explained that all those illegal practices had contributed to the countrys problems, and called on the public to eschew such negative practices that retarded the development of the country.



We can change government every eight years, but if we dont change our attitude and commitment, we will continue to remain in our challenges, he stated.



Financial toll



The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene, said holding conferences in hired facilities had taken heavy financial toll on the RCC, considering the fact that the RCCs main source of revenue were periodic releases from the central government.



She commended the Board and Management of the NPA for responding to the call of the Bono RCC to support it to refurbish the facility.













Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The US and Japan have announced a significant strengthening of their military relationship and upgrade of the US militarys force posture in Japan including the stationing of a newly redesignated Marine unit with advanced intelligence, surveillance capabilities and the ability to fire anti-ship missiles.



On Wednesday, January 11, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu, that the 12th Marine Regiment, an artillery regiment, would be redesignated as the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment.



Were replacing an artillery regiment with an outfit thats, thats more lethal, more agile, more capable, he said, adding that the move would bolster deterrence in the region and allow us to defend Japan and its people more effectively.



In addition to the restructuring of Marines in the country, the US and Japan announced on Wednesday January 11, that they are expanding their defense treaty to include attacks to or from space amid growing concern about the rapid advancement of Chinas space program and hypersonic weapons development.



The two allies announced that Article V of the US-Japan Security Treaty, first signed in 1951, applies to attacks from or within space, officials said. In 2019, the US and Japan made it clear that the defense treaty applies to cyberspace and that a cyber attack could constitute an armed attack under certain circumstances.



Were working to deepen our cooperation across every realm: Land, sea, air, and yes, space  cyber and outer, Blinken said Wednesday.



The outer space component of this is important security and prosperity of our alliance. We agree, as youve heard, that attacks to, from, or within space present a clear challenge, and we affirm that depending on the nature of those attacks this could lead to the invocation of Article V of our Japan-US security treaty.



The announcement is a signal to China and is part of a series of initiatives meant to underscore a rapid acceleration of security and intelligence ties between the countries.



The officials met on Wednesday as part of the annual US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting, days before President Joe Biden plans to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.



The newly revamped Marine unit will be based on Okinawa and will be able to defend Japan and quickly respond to contingencies, US officials said Wednesday.



The city of Okinawa is viewed as key to the US militarys operations in the Pacific due to its close proximity to Taiwan. It houses more than 25,000 US military personnel and more than two dozen military installations.



Roughly 70% of the US military bases in Japan are on Okinawa; one island within the Okinawa Prefecture, Yonaguni, sits less than 70 miles from Taiwan.



It underscores the Pentagons desire to shift from the wars of the past in the Middle East to the region of the future in the Indo-Pacific. The change comes as simulated war games from a Washington think tank found that Japan, and Okinawa in particular, would play a critical role in a military conflict with China, providing the United States with forward deployment and basing options.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The General Overseer of Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, says that the Lord has not revealed anything to him regarding Ghana's illegal mining activity, also known as galamsey.



Although the subject of galamsey is of utmost importance to the state, the well-known prophet claims that God has not spoken to him about it.



He noted that, in contrast to Galamsey, God is actively managing other crucial matters affecting the nation.



Prophet Nigel made the assertions on January 11, 2023, while giving more highlights of his 31st night prophesies on the GTV Breakfast Show, hosted by Thelma Tackie.



He emphasized that God has given "common sense" to the national government and traditional authority in order to protect their lands and water bodies from the operations of illicit mining.



"With the utmost respect, God has given us common sense. So, are you saying that the traditional leaders in Akyem and Pra are blind to what is happening? Don't they see it? Therefore, no prophetic words will be given about Galamsey by God," Nigel said in response to Thelma Tackie's question regarding what God had to say about galamsey in Ghana.



He hoped that since the leaders were unconcerned about the galamsey struggle, the spirits that lived in the rivers would be stirred up and kill everyone.



"Even the underwater spirits need to be furious and slam these leaders for being oblivious to the fact that things are deteriorating. Visit Abuakwa to witness for yourself how the Brim River, which we once drank, now looks like chocomilo,", he fired.



Prophet Nigel added, "God discloses things that are secret, but the problem with galamsey is well known to everyone in Ghana, therefore God won't waste His time on it."





Source: ghanaweb.com









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Dr. Isaac Brako, a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, has sent a word of advice to the hopeful Presidential aspirants of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).



Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen has resigned to pursue his presidential ambition.



Delivering an address on January 10, 2023, the former Minister said that Ghana is gradually becoming a NATO country - No Action; Talk Only - citing how little is done in concrete terms to resolve existing problems.



As a country, we must celebrate competence and excellence and not mediocrity. As a people, we must focus more on getting things done than talking. Ghana is gradually becoming a NATO country  No Action Talk Only. We need to remember that the use of time is a zero-sum game. What Ghana needs now are solutions and actions, not debates, he stated.



The Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, has as well vacated his office in pursuit of becoming the flagbearer of the ruling party.



There is also already an ongoing aggressive campaign for the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to take the baton from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to lead the NPP into the 2024 general elections.



Other candidates include the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and business mogul, Kennedy Agyapong, former Energy Minister, Dr. Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko and former Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey among others.



Dr. Isaac Brako bemoaned the politics of insults that characterize elections as the NPP is marking time to elect the next leader of the party.



He advised the candidates to engage in a sound campaign and contest devoid of slanders and the use of vituperations.



Speaking in an interview with host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, he said; "So, when you are doing it, make it attractive. Don't be slandering each other because if one of you win the contest and he comes, how can you retract the abusive language you used on him?...You won't be helping the party and yourself if you do that. So, calm down and present what your manifesto is to the people without tarnishing any person's image."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Editor of the Finder newspaper, Elvis Darko, says the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is the best chance the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has to win the 2024 elections.



Speaking on Prime Morning Wednesday, January 11th 2022, Mr Darko said Bawumia is the best candidate the NPP can field considering he has been at the forefront of the partys electoral successes in 2016 and 2020.



Darko said the NPPs strong gains posted in Northern Ghana are attributable to Dr Bawumia, adding as the Vice President and an economist, he possesses more knowledge about the economy than anyone else in the NPP Presidential primary.



NPPs best chance is Dr. Bawumia because he is the Vice President and if every candidate that is coming is going to run on the record of the NPP, who is the best person to run on that record? Its the Vice President because he has been involved in the state of affairs. He is the one that has done all this that the party is going to run on in the 2024 election, he said.



He added that the NPP need to break the perception of being a tribalist party due to always fielding an Akan candidate, opining Theyre on the wrong path.



Darko added that Bawumias achievements make him the perfect candidate to break that perception about the NPP.



The Finder Editor added that considering no Muslim has ever been elected President of Ghana, the NPP stands to gain strong Islamic support if they are brave enough to name Dr Bawumia as flagbearer.



The ruling party would elect its flagbearer later this year in a keenly contested field consisting of Bawumia, former Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten, brash Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, among others.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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PRINCE Harry has revealed he had sex with Meghan Markle at Soho House after sneaking into the flashy venue in a freight lift.



In his controversial memoir, the Duke of Sussex, 38, recalled waiting "breathlessly" outside Meghan's hotel room until she opened the door and "pulled me inside". Harry told how the couple reunited in the London hotel after spending weeks apart in the summer of 2016.



The royal said he and Meghan - who were nearly two months into their relationship at the time - spent the steamy night at Soho House on the anniversary of the death of his mother, Princess Diana. Harry explained how Meghan had told him to meet her at the hotel where she was staying - and instructed him to take a secret way to the hotel and use a freight lift.



He then met a friend of hers named Vanessa, who led him up to her hotel door. Harry recalled how Meghan then opened the door and reached out for him.



"Her arms were reaching for me," he wrote in his book, Spare.



"She pulled me inside and thanked her friend in one fluid motion, then slammed the door quickly before anyone saw.



"I want to say we hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. But I don't think there was time." He also told how he hid under the covers of their bed when room service was delivered the next morning.



"Meg whispered to go into the bathroom but I preferred my hiding place," he wrote.



The breakfast was delivered by the hotel assistant manager - who stayed for a chat with Meghan.



"He didn't notice the prince-shaped lump under the duvet," Harry said.



"He talked and talked, and caught her up on the latest, while I, in my duvet cave, started to run out of air."



The pair had just been on their romantic getaway to Botswana - but had spent time apart as Harry had been a long holiday with pals.



Meghan had flown into London to meet him and Harry told how she texted him while he was laying flowers on his mum's grave at Althorp with William.



Harry drove back to London with William and met up with Meghan later that day.



In his memoir, Harry also revealed he had a bespoke penis "cushion" made for a trip to Antarctica to protect him from frostbite.



He said he was presented with the custom-made device by a "close mate" ahead of a 335km charity hike for injured veterans in 2013.



Harry said his pal sent it to him after he suffered "frostnip" on his penis during a similar charity event in the Arctic in 2011.



His memoir, published on Tuesday, has shocked the world - with the Duke launching savage attacks on the royal family.





Source: The Sun









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Student at play at Unisus International School in Summerland, where it boasts a 17-acre campus that welcomes kids and staff from all around the world.
A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge is seen on Sept. 2, 2021 at the Public Information Office. Winnipeg police have charged a second person in the surveillance of a Manitoba judge. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
Hong Kong: COVID-19 oral drugs reminder issued

The Government today reminded the public that they should take COVID-19 oral drugs according to a doctor's instructions and it is an offence to give or resell the prescribed drugs to others.

It issued the reminder in response to media enquiries on patients reselling COVID-19 oral drugs.

The Hospital Authority has adopted a series of measures to prevent the illegal resale of COVID-19 oral drugs. Doctors will only prescribe the drugs for suitable patients who meet clinical guidelines, including people aged 60 or above as well as high-risk people and those with chronic illnesses under the age of 60.

Prior to receiving service at the designated clinics or through teleconsultation, patients must provide identification documents such as identity cards, and proof of testing positive for COVID-19 such as isolation orders or SMS notifications of positive test results, for verification purposes.

During the consultation process, the doctor will evaluate the symptoms, medical history, and other clinical conditions of the patients to determine whether prescription of oral drugs is appropriate.

Public hospital pharmacy departments have also adopted a new policy, whereby the packaging boxes of the oral drugs will be removed before being dispensed to patients to prevent the drugs from being resold.

According to the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy & Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold on the market.

COVID-19 oral drugs are classified as Part 1 poisons under the ordinance. Illegal sale including supply without payment or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or sale of Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

The Government stressed that, at present, only two types of COVID-19 oral drugs - Paxlovid and Molnupiravir - supplied in Hong Kong by Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong and Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) have been registered as pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong in accordance with the Pharmacy & Poisons Regulations.

The two COVID-19 oral drugs can only be supplied to healthcare institutions and doctors in public and private sectors. Patients can only be prescribed the drugs by registered medical practitioners when needed.

Citizens are reminded not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

The Government has an established mechanism in place to monitor the sale of pharmaceutical products. When suspected illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is detected, investigations will be carried out immediately and any irregularities dealt with in accordance with the laws.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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As House Republicans get set to vote on two anti-abortion bills, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told them that their bills are doomed in the Senate.

House Republicans will try to pass bills condemning attacks on pro-life providers, facilities, and churches, and legislation requiring doctors to provide care to fetuses that survive an abortion.

Majority Leader Schumer responded to these bills in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:

These bills are doomed in the Senate. American women deserve to have their right to healthcare protected, not undermined.

Just months after a historically disappointing midterm election, the MAGA Republican controlled House is putting on full display their truly extreme views on womens health with legislation that does not have the support of the American people. Once again, Republicans are proving how dangerously out of touch they are with mainstream America. The American people elected Senate Democrats to be a firewall against this extreme anti-choice MAGA Republican agenda.

House Republicans are going to pass a lot of meaningless legislation that will only serve to reveal how out of step they are with the majority of the country.

Imagine if Dr. Oz and Herschel Walker would have been elected to the Senate. The Republican Senate majority would right now be seriously considering and possibly passing this extremist House legislation.

President Bidens veto pen would be the only stopping Republicans from stripping rights away from a majority of Americans.

Thanks to voters keeping the Senate in Democratic hands, this scenario will not happen over the next two years.

House Republican extremism is boxed in as Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats will reject their radical and reviled agenda.
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Republicans, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), continue to intentionally miss the point that the Biden and Trump classified document situations are not the same thing.

Hawley tweeted after the news that Bidens aides found more classified documents at a second location from his time as vice president and turned them over to the National Archives:

As a former state attorney general, Hawley knows that what he is pushing is partisan BS.

For More Stories Like This Subscribe To Our Newsletter:

Donald Trump took classified documents, lied to the National Archives and the FBI about having them, refused to turn them over when it was uncovered that he did have them, lied about turning the documents over, resisted efforts to get the documents back, and required the FBI to seize the documents from his property.

President Bidens team uncovered the classified documents, turned them over to the National Archives, did an exhaustive search, found more documents, and turned those over too.

There would not be a Special Counsel investigating Trump if he did not declare his candidacy in a bid to avoid an indictment.

The Special Counsel only became necessary when Trump announced his third run for president. Until Biden files the paperwork to be a 2024 candidate, there is no need for a special counsel.

Republicans are trying to muddy the waters and push a false equivalency, but people need to be smart and understand that the two situations have little in common outside of basic circumstances.
On January 11, appeals court proceedings began in the case of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official whom a Swedish court sentenced to life in prison for his role in the mass execution of Iranian political prisoners in 1988.

Nouri was found guilty of murder and a "serious crime against international law in July. Iran has strongly condemned Nouris sentencing and questioned the trials legitimacy. This week, Irans Press TV put it this way:

Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian judiciary official who has been illegally incarcerated in Sweden, in a court of appeal on Wednesday (January 11) said his trial has not been fair, a statement that prompted the judge to order his microphone to be turned off.

However, Nouris incarceration was not illegal.

Sweden tried Nouri for war crimes under universal jurisdiction, which allows a country to prosecute international crimes committed on foreign territory by foreign nationals.

In 2010, a United Nations General Assembly forum tasked with considering legal questions said most delegations affirmed that the principle of universal jurisdiction was enshrined in international law and constituted an important tool in the fight against impunity for serious international crimes.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations outlined three necessary steps to use universal jurisdiction:

The existence of a specific ground for universal jurisdiction, a sufficiently clear definition of the offense and its constitutive elements, and national means of enforcement allowing the national judiciary to exercise their jurisdiction over these crimes.

Sweden's Criminal Code provides a basis for universal jurisdiction in Swedish criminal law. The Swedish court also clearly outlined the charges against Nouri and why universal jurisdiction applies. The court cited the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which obligates parties to prosecute serious violations of the convention.

In 1961, for example, Israel used universal jurisdiction to prosecute senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann for helping organize the Holocaust.

A top U.N. rights expert hailed the Nouri trial and verdict in Sweden as a landmark and important leap forward in the pursuit of truth and justice for a dark chapter in Iranian history.

The U.K.-based rights group Amnesty International agreed.

As part of his defense, Nouri argued that international law did not support universal jurisdiction over killings that had no international connection.

But the Swedish court said it was not important if those crimes had been committed in the context of an international or non-international context.

A summary of the courts argument reads:

[I]nternational law does not require that there is a link between the case and a state for the state to exercise universal jurisdiction to be exercised. As such, there are no formal restrictions to a Swedish Courts competence to exercise universal jurisdiction under international law. Instead, the court explained, it is Swedish law that determines when universal jurisdiction may be exercised.

Several legal experts told the U.S.-based Center for Human Rights in Iran that Sweden had the authority to prosecute Nouri.

Nouri served as the deputy prosecutor at the Gohardasht prison in Karaj, Iran, where he was accused of overseeing the executions of thousands of regime opponents after the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

Nouri was also accused of directly participating in the executions of prisoners. The Swedish court charged him with more than 100 killings.

Many of the executed were members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), which opposed the Iranian regime. The MEK received funding from former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to carry out cross-border attacks against the Islamic Republic during the Iran-Iraq war.

Iran labels the MEK as terrorists, and the U.S. and U.K. previously also designated it as a terrorist group.

Amnesty International said hundreds affiliated with leftist and Kurdish opposition groups were also subjected to mass enforced disappearance and extrajudicial executions during what it called the 1988 prison massacres.

Nouris trial started in August 2021 and concluded in May 2022. During 93 sessions, the court heard from 35 plaintiffs, 26 witnesses and 12 experts.

Nouri claimed he never worked at Gohardasht prison. But former prisoners identified Nouri in court and said they saw Nouri take people to be executed.

One former prisoner, Mohammad Khodabandehloo, described how Nouri and others beat him, leaving him mostly blind in one eye.

Ramadan Fathi, another former prisoner and witness, contrasted Nouris legal treatment in Sweden with what he experienced in Gohardasht prison.

Its ironic, because I was witness to many of my friends being sentenced to death in one-minute trials in Iran. How different it is here, Fathi told AFP.

Extensive documentation of how three plaintiffs identified Nouri in Gohardasht prison, and how the verdict against Nouri was reached, is available here.

The Swedish court also said it had the authority to prosecute Nouri if he came to Sweden of his own free will, regardless of whether he was there on a temporary or longer-term basis.

Nouri did just that.

Iraj Mesdaghi, a survivor of the prisoner executions who testified against Nouri, was alerted that Nouri was traveling to Sweden. Mesdaghi contacted a lawyer, who helped draw up a criminal complaint based on witness testimony.

Nouri was arrested upon traveling to Stockholm on November 9, 2019.

Irans sensitivity over the Nouri conviction has been linked to the fact that other senior Iranian officials, including current President Ebrahim Raisi, reportedly served on the so-called Death Panels, which sentenced thousands of inmates to be executed.
More development could be coming to the intersection of Whiskey Road, Powderhouse Road and Stratford Drive on Aiken's Southside and it has drawn the ire of some residents of a nearby neighborhood.

The Aiken Planning Commission voted 5-2  Sam Erb and Charles Matthews were the no votes  to recommend that Aiken City Council approve a concept plan calling for the construction of a Parker's Kitchen between a Lulu's Car Wash being constructed and Stratford Drive.

Parker's Kitchen is a Savannah-based gas station chain with over 70 stores mainly located in the Savannah/Hilton Head and Charleston areas. The Southside store would be the company's second in Aiken. The first location is planned for the former Dick Smith dealership near the intersection of Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1/78) and the bypass .

The Southside gas station would have access points on Stratford Drive and most likely a right in and right out only on Whiskey Road. The Lulu's Car Wash would be connected to the gas station in lieu of a previously planned access point on Sizemore Circle.

It would have eight pumps, all of which are designed to serve cars and light duty trucks.

The proposed Southside location upset several residents of the neighborhoods further west along Stratford Drive.

Around 10-15 people spoke in opposition at the meeting.

Among the concerns raised were the increase in traffic on Stratford Drive  the road is the only way into the neighborhoods  due to people exiting the gas station to turn north toward Aiken, the potential exposure of people and animals to carcinogens in the event of a leak at the gas pumps, access to the neighborhoods in the event of an accident at the intersection, the effect of the gas station on property values and potential flooding in the event of a storm.

Cody Rogers of EMC Engineering, the civil engineers for the Parker's Kitchen, said the gas station would increase the number of ways out of the neighborhood. He said there were one or two planned access points on Whiskey Road, providing neighborhood residents the ability to cut through the gas station and car wash to exit.

Rogers also said his company is exploring the possibility of keeping the access to Sizemore in the project after receiving positive feedback from neighborhood residents .

One of the conditions of approval recommended to city council included having everyone developing at the intersection including the developers of the Lowes Foods behind the Circle K and a senior-centered neighborhood being built behind the Holiday Inn Express and Suites to create a plan to improve the intersection.

There was also a lengthy discussion between the commission and Daniel Ben-Yisrael, real estate development manager for Parker's Kitchen, about the safety precautions and structure of fuel holding tanks and the requirements necessary to operate a gas station.

Erb said he voted no because he agreed with those who spoke at the meeting and he wouldn't want a gas station in front of his home either.

Prior to the vote, Commissioner Peter Messina made a motion to include an undeveloped parcel north of the Holiday Inn in a traffic study required for the project. His motion failed due to a lack of a second.

The Planning Commission also recommended approval of the provision of water and sewer services to an apartment complex being constructed near the intersection of Whiskey Road and Dominion Drive and the annexation and zoning of a home on Pine Log Road.

The Aiken City Council will likely consider the recommendations at their next meeting which is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 76F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Bluford Plantation was the home of Philip Williams. He built the original Bluford House in 1760. The house was beautifully constructed of longleaf pine, set high from the ground and with a wide piazza across the front. Each room was paneled and the mantels handsomely carved.

Philip Williams relocated to York, South Carolina, selling Bluford Plantation to Peter Sinkler of Lifeland Plantation (which is only a couple of miles due east of Bluford). At Williams death (circa 1783), he was brought back and buried a bit northeast of the old plantation house.

In 1781, Peter Sinkler, betrayed by his brother-in-law, was captured by the British and spent the balance of his days in prison in Charleston, where he died. He willed part of Bluford Plantation to his son, Peter II, James, and willed 1/4 of Bluford to his niece, Anna Maria Dubose, daughter of Dr. Samuel Dubose. Dr. Samuel Dubose, son of Isaac DuBose III who is buried on Milford, was then owner of Milford Plantation (northeast of and adjoining Bluford), in 1810, willed to his son William  of Bluford (where Williams resided), and which piece he purchased from his son Samuel II; also, he willed to William another  of Bluford.

Bluford Plantation, combined with Milford Plantation, as well as other adjoining properties, was purchased by R.L. Montague and R.P. Tucker in 1901, and Oakland Club was founded and chartered in 1903 as a hunting club, fully organized on March 30, 1907. Hunters boarded in the old Bluford Plantation house.

Recorded history tells us that these two Charlestonians, both timbermen, invited some male friends from the north down for a hunting trip for bobwhite quail. Montague and Tucker controlled many acres of timberland in the Lowcountry. At that time, John B. Gadsden of Summerville, the superintendent of the Charleston Lighthouse District, an avid and enthusiastic hunter, was also invited on the hunt. They visited hunting lands in Berkeley County near St. Stephen and Pineville and had quite a successful shoot. Someone in the crowd suggested organizing a hunting club. Montague and Tucker thought about it for a time and approached Mr. Gadsden as to his interests. From this was organized what we now know and call Oakland Club.

John B. Gadsden was the first Oakland Club manager (from 1907 to 1938). The Club traditionally held hunting rights to approximately 60,000 acres, primarily for bobwhite quail. A close acquaintance of Gadsden, Edwin C. Stewart, became manager from 1939 through 1958, having been handpicked and groomed for the job by Gadsden during the preceding year. During Gadsden's and Stewart's tenures as managers, Thomas Philip Crawford, as a young boy of about sixteen, had begun working (and living) at Oakland Club, beginning as a horse boy and a "handy-man," learning all the aspects and achieving all the skills necessary to become, on January 1, 1959, the most revered and successful manager Oakland Club would have.

At Stewart's retirement in December of 1958, Crawford became manager, and remained so until March 1982, when he retired. Crawford was succeeded as manager of the Club by Michael Smith of Mississippi from 1982 to early 1989 (pre-Hugo). In the summer of 1989, Mark Buxton of Virginia was named manager and remained in that office until March 2007, at which time Ryan Bowles of St. Stephen assumed the role of manager and continues in that office.

The Ladies' Cottage was thought to be built in 1905 for the purpose of housing the wives of the club members and their guests. At that time, the wives were not allowed to stay in the Club House with the men. The Ladies Cottage was a large one and one-half story frame house with a combination gable and hip roof, with oversized hipped dormers and two interior chimneys. There is an integral front porch with slender columns and balustrade. Wide eaves extend around the building.

On Bluford is also a wood-frame horse stable and carriage house, built ca. 1905. They are similar rectangular structures with large entrances on the first level and smaller openings in the clerestory. A one-story frame cottage was built ca. 1930 by club member Vance McCormick of Harrisburg, Pa., for whom the McCormick Cottage is named for his exclusive use during his membership. McCormick then specified that, upon the termination of his membership, the cottage become the winter quarters of the manager of the Club, then E.C. Stewart. Upon Stewart's retirement in December 1958, the cottage became quarters for the membership. Note: see Belle Isle Plantation for a bit about Mrs. Vance McCormicks interest in Francis Marion.

In the early 1960's, yet another two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage was built at the Club in the center of the Clubyard for the membership. This cottage was designed by W. L. Van Alen of Wilmington, Delaware, an architect and member of the Club. It was to provide more lodging for the members of the Club, their wives, and their guests, following the burning of the original Bluford house in 1955 and that of its replacement in 1957. The manager's cottage now stands on the site of the original Bluford house and its short-lived replacement, having been built ca. 1960 for then-manager Thomas P. Crawford.

After the original Bluford Plantation house burned on January 13, 1955, Halsey and Cummings of Charleston, South Carolina, were selected as the architects starting construction May 14 of a new brick clubhouse. It was completed just in time for quail season in November of 1956. Less than two years later, at about 8 P.M. on Saturday, June 21, 1958, the west side chimney of this house was hit by lightning and destroyed by fire. No clubhouse was re-built since; the manager's cottage now occupies the site.

An interesting side-note to the burning of the second Clubhouse (June 21, 1958) comes from John Clarke, a close cousin of the Crawford family. John had gone to the Club to pick up Myrtle Knight and some food she had prepared for a reception to be held at the Russell house in Russellville. He brought the last dish out of the house and set it in Myrtle's lap (as per her instruction). Then he went back, also at her instruction, to make sure the door was locked and make sure the building was secure, making him the last and very last to leave this Clubhouse.

Another most interesting property 'dwelling' is the tree-trunk house located on Oakland's entrance avenue, a small one room building created from a very large cypress tree. The huge hollow cypress tree was discovered by Manager Thomas P. Crawford and several of the outside staff of the Club while working in Santee swamp during the year 1933, was brought up from the swamp and positioned where you see it today. It was completed with a roof, has a brick chimney, two windows, and an entrance doorway. This quaint little house became the kennel-man's "wait station" to receive dogs when the carriages came in from the shoots. The actual "dog kitchen" stood directly behind (west) the tree house about 250-300 feet. It was originally attached to the rear of one of the two houses at the kennels, which was torn down in 1937, to be rebuilt elsewhere at the Club, the "dog kitchen" left standing alone.

There are three historic gravestones located eastward from the original Bluford house-spot: one is that of Philip Williams, first owner of Bluford; and the other, east of and nearby, that of Isaac DuBose III (grandson of Isaac DuBose the immigrant from France), owner of Milford Plantation, and that of Isaacs wife, Catherine Boisseau.

Having grown up in Pineville, this writer remembers to point out the relationship of Oakland Club with Pineville and Eadytown villagers during its early years of operation. The Club was a true neighbor, always willing, able, and ready to help in a time of need. From its inception until the latter 1980s, the Club was always involved and participated in the various aspects of village life, whether work or play, school or church. Countless are the times when Oakland Club came up with the solution for what seemed to be an unanswerable question or situation.

Much more can be told about the Club, owned by its most interesting members from the north, and its operation. More interesting history can be told about its Bluford Plantation owners and adjacent landowners . . . such as Henry Glindkamp, a German emigrant, and his role as superintendent of the Santee Canal Company. But that will come later.
COLUMBIA  The Columbia Fire Department has not performed a widespread workplace conduct investigation into its stations that was recommended by internal investigators after a sexual harassment scandal at one firehouse.

The report came from an investigation into the department's Lower Richland station that led to the firing of five firefighters after finding supervisors and firefighters tried to cover up pranks, hazing and harassment.

Fire Department spokesman Mike DeSumma confirmed the department had not examined its stations as a whole but was instead encouraging firefighters to report any concerns to higher-ups.

Meanwhile, a judge ruled a lawsuit that a former firefighter filed against the department and city over the alleged misconduct can move forward with most of the man's claims.

"When it comes to these matters, we have the policy that we take these matters seriously," DeSumma said. "If any employee observes these things or is experiencing these things, we encourage them to report them to their supervisors, and that's pretty much our stance on that."

DeSumma added that the department had "taken action on Station 8," where this behavior was rampant. He declined to comment further, including on whether the department had instituted other recommendations from the report by internal investigators such as redesigning locker rooms and showers for more privacy and adding training to ensure employees understood the department's rules against horseplay.

The pranks "far exceeded the bounds of professional conduct and inappropriate touching of co-workers at the station," according to the report. The investigation found firefighters pinned each other down to perform unwanted sexual acts, ran naked through the hallways and demanded to see each others' genitalia.
COLUMBIA  U.S. Geological Services clocked a small, 1.9 magnitude earthquake near McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

The quake struck around 11 p.m. Jan. 10 near the base that houses F-16 fighter jets for the S.C. Air National Guard that is 15 miles east of downtown Columbia.

Ten people had reported feeling shaking from the tremor, according to USGS. A spokesman for the 169th Fighter Wing, which operates the base that recently finished work on its runway, did not respond to messages Jan. 11.

Earthquakes below a 2.5 magnitude are common, though they are so small people generally dont realize anything happened. Those of a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4 are more often felt but often cause little to no damage.

"If not many people are feeling it, there's not much potential for damage," said State Geologist Scott Howard.

Howard said it's difficult to say with any certainty whether the quake near the base is at all connected to the series of earthquakes, known as a swarm, that have taken place some 18 miles to the north near the small town of Elgin.

"It is a little bit further away but it is on line with the (Elgin) swarm," Howard said.

The quake near the base is also near another mapped fault line in the Eastern Piedmont fault system, a series of fault lines extending from Alabama across the middle of South Carolina to Virginia.

Since Christmas 2021, the USGS has registered 82 earthquakes near Elgin, the most recent of which happened Dec. 10 with a magnitude of 1.7.

That swarm has caught the attention of scientists, including a group from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as it is one of the longest lasting to have taken place in the Palmetto State. It has also contained a number of quakes that were slightly larger.
GREENVILLE - Greenville has made yet another prestigious list  this time the New York Times' "52 Places to Go in 2023, the city's second appearance since it was first selected five years ago.

Greenville joins Charleston as the only two South Carolina cities and is in the company of cities across the globe like London; Odense, Denmark; Kerala, India; and Accra, Ghana. The list included 11 places within the U.S.

Greenville was recognized as a top spot for the citys food scene, noted for the some 200 restaurants within the downtown area.

Visitors may come for the access to outdoor adventures, but theyll most likely leave having been introduced to flavors from around the world, the article said.

Among the Greenville restaurants highlighted were Sobys, Mr. Crisp, Lewis Barbecue, Keipi, Aryana and Califas.

The article also gave a nod to popular Greenville food events  euphoria and Fall for Greenville  for helping establish a food-loving culture.

The write-up quoted Southern Living's editor in chief, Sid Evans.

The real heartbeat of Greenville is a creative and diverse food community that keeps reinventing itself, Evans said. The food here is adventurous, and the chefs have embraced the global influences shaping the modern South.

See the full New York Times list here.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 76F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 63F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning. Showers and a possible thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High 74F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
After suspending in-person activities for two consecutive years because of COVID-19, South Carolina's largest celebration honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. resumes its physical celebration this year in the Holy City.

"After the last 24 months, it's a pleasure to see you all here," said LaVanda Brown, executive director of the YWCA Greater Charleston, during the Jan. 12 breakfast held annually to honor the civil rights leader. "This feels like a family reunion."

The 51st annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration welcomes people from across the state this week for a multi-day program honoring the legacy of world-renowned civil rights figure. The celebration began Jan. 8 with a worship service. Organizers hosted the MLK Breakfast Summit, formerly known as the Annual MLK Business and Professional Breakfast at the Charleston Gaillard Center.

Hundreds of community and business leaders, and elected officials attended the breakfast as businesses and city leaders emphasized the need to continue King's fight for equality.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said the city is making important strides in the area of racial reconciliation, highlighting the city's Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission, formed last year as an effort by city officials to confront racism in Charleston's history and present.

"We are a vibrant city, but we are striving to advance the principles of equality and opportunity while at the same time advancing the quality of life of our citizens and growing our economy," Tecklenburg said.

Business professionals spoke about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce.

The breakfast's keynote speaker was Lou Kennedy, CEO and owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. The company dubs itself as a national leader in manufacturing opioid-free drugs for pain, producing 1 billion doses of life-saving medication.

Kennedy said one her goals when relocating Nephron from Orland to West Columbia several years ago was maintaining a diverse labor force. Today, Nephron has employees hailing from 50 different countries, she said.

"We don't want to just talk the talk," Kennedy said. "We do walk the walk."

Tecklenburg said employers struggled amid the pandemic to hire employees. Given the difficulties, the mayor challenged those in the room to hire or mentor 1,000 youths in 2023. The city led a similar effort several years ago in helping to get just over 850 youths hired or mentored, and Tecklenburg hopes to exceed that number this time around.

"We want to inspire, mentor and enrich our youth in our community," Tecklenburg said.

The event honored those who are currently blazing trails for the next generation.

Maxine Smith, former CEO of the Trident Urban League, was presented with Joseph P. Riley Jr. Vision Award, named for the city's former mayor.

Currently, Smith is doing outreach for the state Department of Transportation's Interstate 526 Lowcountry Corridor West project, which is projected to impact four minority neighborhoods in North Charleston.

The Rev. DeMett Jenkins, the International African American Museums Lilly director of education and engagement for Faith-Based Communities, will receive the Harvey Gantt Triumph Award at the Jan. 15 ecumenical service.

Charleston's MLK celebration was founded by YWCA Greater Charleston and first held in January 1972  one of the first such tributes to King in the nation. The annual MLK Breakfast Summit was added in January 2000 in partnership with former Mayor Joe Riley and the city of Charleston. Today, the celebration hails itself as the largest tribute to King in South Carolina, attracting thousands of celebrants each year.

Last year, amid continuing impacts of the pandemic, the YWCA filmed a parade route starting from The Citadel and traveling around Hampton Park that was then aired on television.

This year, members of the public are invited to watch marching bands, parade floats and dancing groups as more than 100 organizations participate. The Jan. 16 parade will run from Burke High School to Marion Square.

The centerpiece of the celebration is the Jan. 15 MLK Ecumenical Service, where the Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Temoney, presiding elder of the Santee District of the Seventh Episcopal AME Church Central South Carolina Annual Conference, will be the keynote speaker.
South Carolina's Court of Appeals granted a new trial for a North Charleston man convicted of murder in the mistaken killing of an innocent mother of three.

In an opinion released Jan. 11 in the case of Kenneth Lamont Robinson Jr., Chief Judge H. Bruce Williams wrote that the trial court erred when it allowed prosecutors to introduce gang-related evidence against Robinson, who was 15 when he took part in the fatal shooting of Kadena Brown, 36.

Prosecutors shouldn't have been able to use this "prior bad act evidence" in Robinson's trial, the three-judge panel found.

Prior bad acts may be admissible, but only to show a defendant's motive or intent. In Robinson's trial, the evidence presented relating to Robinson's gang affiliation did neither, according to the opinion.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, whose office prosecuted the original case, called the appellate opinion "very concerning." Her office is working with Attorney General Alan Wilson to request a re-hearing and reconsideration, she said.

The case centers around the May 10, 2015, fatal shooting of Brown who was returning from a Mother's Day celebration when she unknowingly stopped her vehicle next to Robinson's. Officers contend Robinson and two other men mistakenly shot at the woman's car because they believed it was the same one involved in an earlier shootout outside Robinson's home.

No one was injured in the first shooting, but Robinson and the others began calling their friends, whom they knew had guns, to come to Robinson's house should another incident occur, according to the appellate opinion.

The men were chatting in Robinson's yard around 1:30 a.m. when shots again rang out. Robinson hopped in a car with two others  each of them armed  to track down their assailants. The group soon spotted an "unfamiliar" Chrysler 300 and a car chase ensued, the opinion states.

Robinson's group eventually lost sight of the car. After searching for a short time, their vehicle, driven by Richard Simmons, "pulled up beside an identical Chrysler" at a traffic light.

Robinson and another man objected as Simmons, who was 20, fired his gun several times into the Chrysler's driver-side door, according to the opinion. Brown was inside the mistaken Chrysler.

Officers arrested Robinson days after the shooting. Charleston County's family court initially held jurisdiction over his case because of Robinson's age, but Wilson's office successfully petitioned for him to be tried as an adult in General Sessions Court.

Robinson was indicted in 2016 for murder and four counts of attempted murder. He pleaded guilty to the latter charges but wanted a jury trial on the murder charge. The trial took place in 2018, records show.

Simmons confessed prior to Robinson's trial that he was the triggerman. Robinson argued Simmons' admission to being the shooter should have diminished his culpability in Brown's death and justified sending his case back to family court where he would have been treated as a juvenile. The trial court judge disagreed, a decision the appellate judges found was fair and reasonable.

Robinson also attempted to suppress all evidence associating him with a gang, arguing it wasn't relevant to Brown's death. The court denied Robinson's motion, which the appellate judges determine was wrong. Prosecutors presented evidence at trial that the shootings outside Robinson's home lead to Brown's killing and were the product of a gang war in his neighborhood.

A jury found Robinson guilty of Brown's murder and Circuit Judge Kristi Harrington sentenced him to 50 years in state prison.

Simmons, the triggerman, pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Keon Anderson, the third person in the vehicle, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 10 more years on probation.

The appeals judges heard Robinson's case March 17, 2022. His defense attorneys  John Blume, Megan Ehrlich and Susan Hackett  argued the trial court erred when it refused to transfer Robinson's case back to family court, and when the trial judge admitted evidence of Robinson's gang affiliation.

The judges sided with Robinson on the issue of gang-related evidence. Prosecutors, through eliciting a large amount of this evidence, "essentially put Robinson on trial for being a member of a gang and the gang activity in his neighborhood," they wrote in the opinion. State law aims to exclude this type of "prior bad act evidence" from trials, they said.

The gang-related evidence presented during Robinson's trial wasn't "logically relevant" to prove motive or intent behind Brown's murder. The trial court erred in denying the defendant's motion to suppress the evidence.

Ehrlich said in a statement Robinson's defense team is "very happy" their client is entitled to a new trial. They hope the Attorney General's office decides not to continue appealing the case so a new trial can proceed "as quickly as possible," she said.

Wilson's office has 15 days to file a petition seeking a rehearing on the matter.
COLUMBIA  The 3-2 South Carolina Supreme Court ruling that struck down the states six-week abortion ban upended the states politics and has suddenly put intense focus on the normally low-key election of a new justice three weeks away.

It's also sparked calls for overhauling the process.

Justice Kaye Hearn  one of the courts five justices and its only woman  retired at the end of the last year due to judicial age limits. So on Feb. 1 all 170 members of the state House of Representatives and Senate will vote to replace the justice who wrote the lead opinion in a decision that incensed many in the Statehouse's GOP anti-abortion majority.

"Ive served 22 years and this is the most important election were going to have on the Supreme Court," House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, told reporters recently.

Many Republicans are determined to replace Hearn with a justice who will uphold the flurry of new abortion legislation Republicans are preparing for this session, or better, overturn the court's recent abortion ruling entirely.

Illustrating the extent to which the once low-profile court has become a political lightening rod, Gov. Henry McMaster in his inauguration speech included a call for change to the process by which justices are selected.

We must also ensure that the public has confidence in whom and how all our judges are selected by making the processes more transparent and accountable, he said with Hearn seated not far away. So that every South Carolinian, born and unborn, may enjoy life, liberty and happiness.

The line was the most divisive of the speech, evoking a standing ovation from many of the Republicans in the crowd and scowls and head shaking from Democrats.

Who's running? Overhauling process

In the upcoming court election, legislators will choose between three seasoned state Appeals Court judges: Aphrodite Konduros of Simpsonville, Stephanie McDonald of Charleston, and Gary Hill of Greenville, to replace Hearn.

In the past, the Supreme Court election has largely been decided by personal relationships and geography.

Legislators who desperately want to detect how the candidates might rule on abortion measures are not likely to get easy answers. Judicial ethics bar candidates from talking about politics or particular cases. They can, however, speak more generally about their judicial philosophy.

"It ought to be about philosophy, not geography, and it's always been about geography," said Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms. "And maybe this will shift it to where it is more about philosophy, which is where it should be."

In the Jan. 5 abortion ruling, the court found that the state constitution's privacy provision extends to decisions about abortion, and that the 6-week ban previously passed by Statehouse Republicans did not allow women, many of whom do not know they are pregnant at that point, to exercise their right.

Going forward, Republicans, who contend the court majority invented a new right in a violation of separation of powers, say they will emphasize questions about judicial restraint in their conversations with the three candidates.

But some of the Statehouse's top brass have joined the governor's call for an overhaul of the judicial selection process.

Currently, candidates are evaluated for competence and qualifications by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which is composed of legislators and attorneys, and after a hearing, it sends a slate of candidates to the Legislature for a vote.

After McMaster's remarks on inauguration day, Davey Hiott, the House majority leader, said discussions about potential legislation to change the system were ongoing.

Rep. R.J. May, a Lexington County Republican and leader of the hardline Freedom Caucus, said the process is arguably corrupt and possibilities his group is pursuing include rejecting the three candidates and restarting the entire process.

"Based on some of their past contributions, some of their past writings, they appear that they may indeed be of the same ilk as Judge Hearn, he said. "We are exploring all options on how we can ensure that a strict originalist and constitutionalist is put on the South Carolina Supreme Court."

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said an attempt to nix the election was possible but unlikely as it would allow Hearn to stay on the court for longer in retirement status until her replacement is elected.

All three of these judges are known quantities, he said, adding that legislators have plenty of previous opinions and hearing testimony to look over.

Determining how the judges might rule on abortion cases on the Supreme Court based on their past Appeals Court rulings may prove difficult.

The overwhelming majority of the time, the Court of Appeals is analyzing whether lower courts made errors in trial. The three candidates recent opinions relate to criminal convictions, medical malpractice suits, defamation and even divorces, but none are directly related to abortion, because until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, those cases were handled in federal court.

That leaves legislators and advocates to read the tea leaves of the judges public comments before the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

Predicting the views of the three

All three candidates have repeatedly vowed in hearings over the years that they are strong believers in judicial restraint.

Konduros, who has served on the Court of Appeals for 15 years, the longest of the three, has been forceful in her pledges to steer clear of the Legislatures authority, telling the panel in her November hearing that if the Legislature wants to say the sky is orange, I will enforce the sky is orange until they say it is purple.

In 2015 when she made a previous run for the high court but was not included on the slate by the commission, Konduros told the panel she didnt have a judicial activism bone in my body.

At Hills 2017 hearing to join the Court of Appeals, he pledged to be very deferential to the Legislature and compared the role of a judge to that of a carpenter.

He didn't decide what to build. But he gets  to make sure the structure conforms to the plan, Hill said.

In November, McDonald, who would be the only justice from coastal South Carolina, told the commission that the court doesnt set policy. We are not a super-Legislature or even a mini-Legislature, she said.

At the same time, each candidate has given answers that might worry those looking for a justice entirely deferential to the Legislature and a guaranteed vote to overturn the abortion ruling.

In her 2015 hearing, Konduros was asked how she would handle a hypothetical prior 3-2 Supreme Court decision "particularly if you disagreed with it." In a long and meandering answer, Konduros repeatedly said a judge must be a "good soldier" and indicated a preference to respect previous rulings, a doctrine known as stare decisis.

In his 2017 hearing, when asked if he'd be willing to take a "new spin on a particular proposition of law"  something Republicans accuse the current court of doing  Hill said that in cases where the law is ambiguous and precedent unclear, judges should not be afraid to "stick your nose out."

McDonald has said in multiple hearings that if a law is clearly unconstitutional, which the majority in the abortion ruling believed the six-week ban was, she would not hesitate to strike it down.

Were not looking to trump the Legislature in any way," she told the commission in May. "But if something is unconstitutional or otherwise violative of the rule of some body, that needs to be addressed.

McDonald may face an added hurdle due to her close association with Charleston Republican Sen. Sandy Senn, who earned the ire of other Republicans for her staunch opposition to a total abortion ban and with whom McDonald worked as an appellate lawyer in private practice for more than a dozen years.

There's also some pressure, especially from Democrats, to replace the high court's only woman with another woman, but House Speaker pro tempore Tommy Pope said he doesn't like having a "slot" and said the Legislature would choose "the best person for the job."

Others worry that the intense reaction from Republicans in the legislative and executive branch to a court ruling they oppose and proposals to give other branches more power over the judiciary in response to that ruling may harm separation of powers.

[The state Legislature] already has a tremendous influence over the court," said Kirk Randazzo, a University of South Carolina political scientist. "To give it even more influence  that to me as a constitutional scholar, is very alarming."
MCCONNELLS  New exhibits at an 800-acre Colonial-era plantation, just south of the North Carolina state line, come to terms with York County's Ku Klux Klan violence during the South's Reconstruction.

The Brattons' plantation played a significant role in a Revolutionary War battle between Patriot militia forces, led by Col. William Bratton, and Loyalists backed the British. The site was also a location for the fictionalized 2000 movie "The Patriot," starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger as South Carolinians caught up in the American Revolution.

Yet missing from the museum was the history of what happened after the slaves were freed, the Civil War ended and Reconstruction began. One of the worst Ku Klux Klan crimes ever recorded in York County happened at Brattonsville and was led by William Bratton's grandson 100 years after the 1780 battle, known as Huck's Defeat.

Until November 2021, the museum's exhibits and interpretation focused on the Revolutionary and Antebellum eras but did not tell the Reconstruction story.

Zach Lemhouse, historian for the York County Culture and Heritage Museums, was hired three years ago. Among the tasks he has been given is to create new exhibits to represent the Reconstruction era a century later and show the violence Black Americans faced while trying to gain new rights.

"Our whole country was built on the backs of enslaved people of African descent," he said. "That's why it's so important to to tell their story to make sure it's included when we're when we're talking about history."

The history of enslaved African Americans has always held significance at Brattonsville. In the 1990s, the county museum hired an African American interpreter who inspired other Black Americans who had connection to the land to come forward and share their stories. Over time, more people gathered to discuss stories from their ancestors about what it was like being enslaved by the Brattons.

Margaret Parson-Willins, who worked with the museum on recognizing African American history, grew up in a former plantation home the Brattons rented to her family in the early 1900s. Her grandfather was a sharecropper on the Brattonsville Plantation and her great-grandmother was enslaved.

But she didn't know about the KKK violence in York County until she was volunteering at the museum. That includes the story of Jim Williams, a civil rights activist, escaped slave and former Union soldier who was elected a captain in the South Carolina militia in 1869.

Williams, a sharecropper on the Brattonsville plantation, was fighting for voting rights, which angered White conservatives who were upset about Black people accumulating power.

James Rufus Bratton led the KKK in March 1871 as they attacked Williams' home, where he was hiding under the floorboards. They found him, dragged him outside and hanged him. The mob then brought his body to a store that the Brattons owned, which was considered a community gathering place.

"Jim Williams was tied to that building in life, because we know he purchased things from the store while he was alive," Lemhouse said. But it was also tied to him in death "because that's where the coroner's inquest occurred," he added. "So that was the first exhibit I was charged with creating."

The county museum has worked to preserve the store and make it look exactly like it did the day Williams' body was brought there.

Lemhouse also helped commission a painting of Williams, who was not recorded in any known photos. The artist was able to create an image of Williams by using his great-grandson as a model.

Drivers who pass by Brattonsville now see a new plaque next to the store along Brattonsville Road that details the lynching.

The museum has made an effort to connect to both the White and Black descendants of Brattonsville and the group has had mediated talking sessions together. Parson-Willins said these conversations have been therapeutic for her and have given her hope for the future.

Some of them were angry with (their ancestors) for what they did. And then some of them said that they were relieved to know that we didnt blame them, she said. We have a good relationship.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mostly cloudy with showers and a possible thunderstorm in the afternoon. High 76F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
The S.C. Democratic Party is calling for state and federal investigations into Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver, alleging the new schools chief not only conspired to commit fraud but also received special treatment to obtain a master's degree in time for the 2022 election.

The claims were outlined in a pair of Jan. 11 letters sent from party Chairman Trav Robertson to Attorney General Merrick Garland and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

The letters were released shortly after Weaver was sworn into office along with the rest of South Carolina's constitutional officers at the Statehouse in Columbia.

Voters in November overwhelmingly picked Weaver, a Republican, to lead education policy for the state's 777,000 students and 54,700 teachers. But Robertson's letters suggest Weaver should continue to face questions about her qualifications well after the election.

A spokeswoman for Wilson said the attorney general's office had no intention of pursuing the matter, contending the election certification process has long since passed, among other points.

"At the 11th hour, this request was conveniently sent in the middle of the inauguration ceremony in January 2023 instead of candidate certification in April 2022," said Claire Brady, a spokeswoman for Wilson's office.

"Its clearly a political action designed to be a distraction from a certain political partys poor election results in 2022 and is not something the Office of the Attorney General will be pursuing," she added.

State law requires South Carolina superintendents to hold a master's degree. Weaver started her campaign without one but was able to obtain one in a matter of months from Bob Jones University, a private, non-denominational evangelical university in Greenville.

She was one of several Republicans who filed to run without first having a masters degree, a requirement for the position since 2018.

In the spring, Weaver enrolled in an online masters program in educational leadership at Bob Jones after she originally sought to earn her masters degree from Western Governors University in Utah. Bob Jones has previously advertised that its masters program takes between 12 and 18 months to complete. Weaver finished the program in roughly six months, completing the requirements in October.

That accelerated timeline stunned critics who alleged Weaver received special treatment from Bob Jones, which is also her alma mater for her undergraduate degree.

Robertson has asked Wilson and Garland to review the actions of Weaver and the S.C. Republican Party, along with BJU and the school's accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

In the letters, Robertson suggested the conspiracy to commit fraud is "evidenced by the certification of a candidate not legally qualified to hold office under South Carolina law" and pointed to "the creation of a master's program not offered to any other individual" as an attempt to circumvent state law.

A spokesman for Bob Jones University declined to comment Jan. 11, and referred the newspaper to previous statements.

The university has said Weaver was not given special treatment and that she completed all requirements of the degree.

State Sen. Mike Fanning, who worked as a public high school teacher, said the state superintendent should be subject to the same degree of scrutiny that regular teachers receive of their own credentials.

For much is given much is required, the Great Falls Democrat said.

In her first public statement coming shortly after taking the oath of office Jan. 11, Weaver, who defeated Democrat Lisa Ellis, said she is deeply honored to serve as state superintendent of education and called students, parents and teachers the "heartbeat of education."

Drew McKissick, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, dismissed the Democrats' request as an "unfounded and absurd stunt."

He added, "Maybe they should try winning an election the old fashioned way  at the ballot box, like we do."

Weaver succeeds fellow Republican Molly Spearman, who declined to seek a third term after spending eight years at the helm of the states public school system.

Alexander Thompson contributed to this report from Columbia, S.C.
Former President Donald Trump is planning to make South Carolina his first stop on the presidential campaign trail as he looks to energize his 2024 White House bid.

And he has already picked the location where he will make his debut in the Palmetto State: the S.C. Statehouse.

The location of Trump's January visit was confirmed to The Post and Courier on Jan. 12 by two senior Trump campaign aides. A date for Trump's visit has not been set but the location is symbolic and significant.

"Well it's historic, right?" said Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump adviser. "It's the proper venue and I think it's also representative to a certain extent of the breadth of support that the president enjoys not only from the elected officials and elected leadership, but also (from) the grassroots."

Trump's visit to South Carolina was first reported by Politico on the morning of Jan. 12. An exact date has not been set, but campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said it will be held at the end of January.

Both Cheung and LaCivita stressed this will not be a Trump rally, but a more "intimate event."

"What I tell people is when you think of what a political event looks like in your mind, that's what it looks like," Cheung said.

Trump is also expected to announce his leadership operation in a state that would factor heavily in his push for the Republican nomination.

The more traditional political affair will be a departure in style for the former president, who is known for holding sold-out rallies in large arenas that last a few hours but often become all-day affairs with an almost carnival-like atmosphere.

Since declaring his latest presidential run in November, Trump's campaign operation has been surprisingly dormant when compared to his past presidential runs.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump held his first campaign rally within 12 hours of declaring his candidacy in New York. By the end of the week, he was in South Carolina.

Trump's previous visit to the Palmetto State was last March when he sought to boost his two preferred GOP congressional candidates during a cold, rainy rally at Florence Regional Airport.

South Carolina was a key state in Trump's path to the Republican nomination in 2016. Despite a crowded field, Trump easily won the S.C. Republican primary in 2016. In the 2020 general election, he bested President Joe Biden by nearly 12 points.

Heading into the 2024 campaign, it is unclear what kind of support Trump will enjoy in a state that is also home to former Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, two popular national GOP figures who are weighing presidential bids of their own.

In February 2022, Haley returned to the Statehouse to offer her help in expanding Republican dominance over South Carolina politics in the midterm elections. She was embraced by her former colleagues when she walked into the chamber.

Asked how Trump felt about entering a state that could be Haley territory, Cheung said, "This is not anything that's anti-anybody. It's pro-Trump. President Trump is going to flex his muscle, and he's going to flex the team that he's built around him in South Carolina. This is event is just about him."

Trump's aides declined to share any names that will be joining Trump's leadership team, saying they will defer to Trump to make the official announcement.

Despite previous comments that Haley would not seek the presidency if Trump were already in the race, she has been teasing an interest in higher office.

Last summer, the former United Nations ambassador received a standing ovation at an event just outside Washington, D.C., when she alluded to a possible 2024 bid of her own. Haley has said she would take the holidays to make a decision about her next steps.

Presidential buzz is also swirling around Scott, the Senates only Black Republican. Like Haley, Scott spent much of his 2022 traveling the country as a top GOP surrogate. He also published a political memoir about his hope for America  a move often associated with greater political aspirations.

But when Trump lands in South Carolina later this month, he will find some early political allies.

Gov. Henry McMaster, who was sworn into office Jan. 11 for his second full term, endorsed Trump's reelection bid hours after the former president declared he was running for the White House.

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-Surfside Beach, has also already endorsed Trump's reelection campaign. Last summer, with Trump's endorsement, Fry defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, who had voted to impeach Trump, in a nationally watched Republican primary.

Last year, the Palmetto State saw several potential 2024 Republican presidential contenders spending time in the influential state, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Nigerias oil production could hit 2.2 million barrels per day in 2023, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said.

The companys chief executive officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed this while speaking at the 13th global UAE virtual energy forum on Wednesday.

In recent months, Nigeria has failed to meet the OPEC production quota as it struggles to combat oil theft which has affected production output.

According to data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Country, Nigerian production fell in the first seven months of the year to about 1.1 million barrels a day of crude equivalent in July from over 1.4 million barrels in January.

With an average of 1,083,899 barrels per day in July, Nigerias crude oil production plunged below one million barrels per day (972, 394 bpd) in August, the lowest ever in several years.

In August last year, OPEC raised Nigerias oil production quota to 1.830 million barrels per day.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Kyari said the country is making efforts to restore optimal oil production and meet the OPEC quota.

He said: In our case, we have a different challenge other than just a lack of investment in the last four to five years. There has been no investment in the last four to five years. That is correct. That is true in many other jurisdictions where cash flows do not support the investment.

We had a different challenge; the security challenge that became very manifest in early 2022. And of course, we took definite steps to bring back production and this is paying up.

For instance, in around July, our net crude oil, excluding condensate, came down to around 1 million bpd. That is the lowest ever in the history of our country and our industry.

Other concerns

The NNPC boss added that practical steps taken by the federal government to address issues related to pipeline security have led to a significant recovery in the countrys oil production.

So for us, we see a trajectory of restoring production, including condensate, within the year.

Definitely, we believe that we can hit our target of 2.2 million bpd but our OPEC target is 1.8 million bpd, but we know that it is practical to do 2.2 million within 2023, he said.

He noted that there are ongoing construction works on some of NNPCs pipelines which will clearly make 1.8 million bpd very easy to attain.

He explained further that the rehabilitation exercise remains a commercial decision.

We dont see any challenge delivering products into our country minding the fact that almost 100 per cent importation of our petroleum are required because of the very fact that we have decided to rehabilitate all our four refineries in one sweep and that is the right thing to do.

And as soon as were doing this (as we all know on this platform) producing locally brings you close to supply and that removes energy security issues, he said.

According to him, NNPC is very comfortable with what is being done now and sees no danger in the supply of oil into the country.

We are meeting all our applications. We dont have any payment issues with our suppliers, he said.

And of course, as we are seeing the growing production from the crude oil and condensate production, we know that ability to pay will not be an issue for us also, he added.

Speaking on petrol subsidy, Mr Kyari said the management of arbitrage across borders from supply chain partners remains a key issue.

He added that NNPC is becoming a completely private company today owned by the government but operating just like any other company in the country.

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Therefore, our relationship with the government today, in terms of supply of fuel, is on a commercial basis, he said.

There is a service level agreement between us and the government to supply fuel and then sell it at the price that the policy decision of the government has asked us to do. So, its not a problem at all for us as a corporate company.

It is of value to us. Were delivering products to the country. We have sufficient cash flow to support this and there is a relationship between us and the government.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that Doyin Okupe, a former director-general of the Labour Partys presidential campaign organisation, was wrongly arrested on Thursday by the State Security Service (SSS).

SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, had said in a one-paragraph statement that Mr Okupe was intercepted by the DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, this morning at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was then handed over to the EFCC.

SSS said Mr Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic Airline before he was stopped.

Confirming that the arrest was a mistaken step, EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Mr Okupe was arrested based on a watch-list request issued on 18 July 2016, more than six years before his recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The terse statement read: The Department of State Services, DSS, today, January 12, informed the Commission of the interception of Dr Doyin Okupe, former presidential adviser, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The Service acted on a Watch-list request issued on July 18, 2016, over six years before his recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Commission was in the process of formally lifting the watch list before his interception and will expedite action in this regard.

Earlier, Mr Okupe, in a tweet shortly after the news of his arrest broke, confirmed his arrest by the SSS at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on his way to the United Kingdom (UK) for medicals.

Mr Okupe, who was handed over to the EFCC, said he was later released with an apology by the anti-graft agency.

I was arrested & detained @ the MMIA, Lagos this morning, 12th Jan on my way to the UK for medicals; years after my passport had been withheld by the FHC Abuja. I just left the EFCC office where Snr Officers in Lagos & Abuja apologised to me for the error. OCCUPATIONAL HAZZARD abi? His tweet read.

His planned trip to the UK comes at the time the presidential candidate of his party, Peter Obi, is scheduled to speak at Chatham House on Monday, 16 January.

Mr Obi is scheduled to discuss his vision for policy and governance reforms in Nigeria, including the priorities for tackling deep-rooted insecurity and corruption, and measures to promote social and political mobility for Nigerian citizens.

Mr Okupe was on 19 December 2022 jailed for two years after the EFCC successfully prosecuted him for money laundering.

Delivering judgement on the matter, the judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, held that Mr Okupe was guilty of contravening sections 16(1) and (2) of the Money Laundering Act, for receiving cash payments without going through a bank, in excess of the threshold statutorily allowed.

The politician was found guilty on a total of 26 counts  from counts 34 to 59 of the charges.

The judge sentenced him to two years in prison on count 34 with an option of a fine of N500,000.

The court also sentenced him to two years imprisonment on counts 35 to 59 with an option of a fine of N500,000. The option of fine is to run consecutively on each count while the sentence is to run concurrently.

The judge refrained from making any custodial order but said the convict is the property of the state.

Mr Okupe paid the fine and was therefore not taken into custody.

After his conviction, he resigned from his position as director general of the Labour Party presidential campaign.

Background

In January 2019, the EFCC arraigned Mr Okupe alongside two companies  Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, over allegations of N702 million fraud.

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He was charged with 59 counts bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which was headed by Sambo Dasuki.

While closing its case, an EFCC witness, Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of Administration and Finance at the ONSA, said in 2012, he was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.

He further said he was also directed by the ONSA to be paying N10 million monthly to Okupe for over two years, which he said was reduced to a monthly N5 million towards the end of 2014 due to paucity of funds.

Also, Mr Salisu recalled paying another N50 million in cash to Mr Okupe on the orders of Mr Dasuki, who equally faces charges at the Federal and FCT High Courts in Abuja.

Mr Salisu told the court that sometime in 2012, Chief Okupe came to the Office of the National Security Adviser, and after their discussion, I was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.

According to him, Okupe provided his account details, where I paid the amount into the bank account of Value Trust Investment.

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Nigerian octogenarian journalist and lecturer who is billed to bag his PhD certificate during the forthcoming 53rd convocation ceremonies at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Dayo Duyile, has confirmed his date of birth.

Mr Duyile made headlines during the week when UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, announced him as the oldest male graduand to be awarded a certificate during the convocation ceremonies.

Mrs Ogunsola added that the fact that Mr Duyile, a veteran journalist, attended the foundation-laying ceremony of the university in 1962, should serve as a source of inspiration to many.

However, the vice-chancellor quoted Mr Duyiles age as 83 while other media houses gave it as 80.

On Mr Duyiles Facebook page, he was said to have been born in 1942, which would have made him to be 80 in 2022.

But findings by PREMIUM TIMES through third parties including his PhD thesis supervisor and Professor of Mass Communications at UNILAG, Ismail Ibraheem, and his classmates, confirmed that Mr Duyile clocked 82 in October 2022.

The veteran journalist has, however, confirmed that he was born on 10 October 1940, claiming all his documents have always shown that as his only birth date.

He also denied the Facebook page claim, saying he wouldnt know who could have put such a date there.

Mr Duyile spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the phone on Thursday.

He said: Im 82 but by October this year I will be 83.

Asked to clarify the age quoted on his Facebook page, he said: It must be somebody else who put that there, not me. I was born on 10 October 1940. And that is what I have on my records all along.

Commendation for PREMIUM TIMES

Speaking on the different ages quoted by different newspapers, Mr Duyile thanked PREMIUM TIMES for seeking clarification from him, saying doing such is the hallmark of professionalism.

The media scholar, who said he was in the classroom teaching at Wesley University in Ondo State when the reporters call was received, urged his students to emulate the newspaper whenever they begin journalism practice.

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He said: Meanwhile, let me thank you for clarifying this because I am in the classroom now teaching students who would become journalists in future and they are listening to you too.

What you have done now is an example of what journalism is all about. When you are in doubt, find out, so that you can get the correct information to transmit to the people rather than guessing.

He, therefore, asked the student to thank the reporter for being a worthy example, and in return, they all chorused Thank you, Sir.

I still teach journalism

Mr Duyile said he is still very actively involved in teaching journalism. So Im still teaching journalism even at 82 and I will do so till I die.

He said he currently teaches at two universities. I teach as a part-time lecturer at Wesley University, Ondo, where I am talking to you now but Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin is my permanent place of work.

Mr Duyile, a former Provost of Nigeria Institute of Journalism and former Editor of Daily Sketch, described himself as an ardent reader of PREMIUM TIMES. He said it is one of the few Nigerian newspapers he loves to read.

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A chieftain of the Labour Party, Doyin Okupe, was on Thursday morning arrested and blocked from travelling to London, the spokesperson of the State Security Service, Peter Afunanya, has said.

In a one-paragraph statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Afunanya said Mr Okupe was intercepted by the DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, this morning at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He has long been handed over to the Commisson which requested for the action, the SSS spokesperson said, adding that Mr Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic Airline before he was stopped.

The Labour Party chieftains planned mission to London remained unclear. But the presidential candidate of his party, Peter Obi, is scheduled to speak at Chatham House on Monday, 16 January, to discuss his vision for policy and governance reforms in Nigeria, including the priorities for tackling deep-rooted insecurity and corruption, and measures to promote social and political mobility for Nigerian citizens.

It is unclear if the politician was travelling ahead of time to participate at the event.

Mr Okupe was on 19 December 2022 jailed for two years after the EFCC successfully prosecuted him for money laundering.

Delivering judgment on the matter, the judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, held that Mr Okupe was guilty of contravening sections 16(1) and (2) of the Money Laundering Act, for receiving cash payments without going through a bank, in excess of the threshold statutorily allowed.

The politician was found guilty on a total of 26 counts  from counts 34 to 59 of the charges.

The judge sentenced him to two years in prison on count 34 with an option of a fine of N500,000.

The court also sentenced him to two years imprisonment on counts 35 to 59 with an option of a fine of N500,000. The option of fine is to run consecutively on each count while the sentence is to run concurrently.

The judge refrained from making any custodial order but said the convict is the property of the state.

Mr Okupe paid the fine and was therefore not taken into custody.

After his conviction, he resigned his position as director general of the Labour Party presidential campaign.

Background

In January 2019, the EFCC arraigned Mr Okupe alongside two companies  Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, over allegations of N702 million fraud.

He was charged with 59 counts bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which was headed by Sambo Dasuki.

While closing its case, an EFCC witness, Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of Administration and Finance at the ONSA, said in 2012, he was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.

He further said he was also directed by the ONSA to be paying N10 million monthly to Okupe for over two years, which he said was reduced to a monthly N5 million towards the end of 2014 due to paucity of funds.

Also, Mr Salisu recalled paying another N50 million in cash to Mr Okupe on the orders of Mr Dasuki, who equally faces charges at the Federal and FCT High Courts in Abuja.

Mr Salisu told the court that sometime in 2012, Chief Okupe came to the Office of the National Security Adviser, and after their discussion, I was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.

According to him, Okupe provided his account details, where I paid the amount into the bank account of Value Trust Investment.

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Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State Wednesday inaugurated the states first electronic court filing system, to quicken the process of litigation and administration of justice.

Mr Diri, who launched the new filing system at the re-modelled State High Court complex at Onopa, Yenagoa, named it after the pioneer chief judge of the state, late Koripamo Ungbuku.

The governor congratulated the states out-going Chief Judge, Kate Abiri, for the construction and completion of the project in record time.

He said that the electronic filing of documents and work-based access to court materials had become common place in many developed jurisdictions around the world.

Lauding Ms Abiri for outstanding 15 years of service as head of the states judiciary, Mr Diri said the impressive new structure with its modern design was a mark of how much the state judiciary had progressed under her watch.

He commended the Chief Judge of Borno State, Kashim Zana, for assisting the Bayelsa judiciary achieve the feat towards enhancing speedy administration of justice.

The governor said it was fitting that the re-modelled court complex was named after Justice Ungbuku, describing the gesture as a mark of honour to the late jurist who served the state meritoriously.

I like to commend Justice Abiri for working with the executive arm of government to deliver good governance. Our prosperity administration views the judiciary as an important pillar of our democracy.

That is why we have continued to give other arms of government their dues without hindrance. What we see today is the outcome of that cordial working relationship.

This edifice is named after late Justice Ungbuku. I see this as an act of remembrance and honour to those who have served our state. Justice Ungbuku is actually one of our heroes past in the judiciary of Bayelsa State, he said.

The governor also commended the local contractor, Iniebi Warikoru, for delivering an impressive job and recommended him to the state Ministries of Works, Housing and Urban Development.

Chief judges remarks

In her remarks, Justice Abiri expressed gratitude to the governor for his administrations support, particularly the prompt release of funds for capital projects in the judiciary.

The chief judge said the benefits of the electronic filing process could not be over-emphasised, noting that members of the Bar and Bench were ready to embrace the technology as the training was already ongoing.

Ms Abiri, who also unveiled the practice direction at the event, explained that re-modelling of the complex, which originally had two court halls and 24 offices, was concluded within six months, and equipped with additional two new court halls and 12 offices.

Also speaking, the Borno State Chief Judge, Kashim Zana, said with the electronic filing technology in place, wherever there was internet connectivity, lawyers could file their cases anywhere in the world to aid quick dispensation of justice.

Mr Zana also announced that the first lawyer to use it would win the National Judicial Council prize.

The first son of late Justice Ungbuku, Owendu Ungbuku, expressed appreciation to the governor and Justice Abiri for the honour done to his father, who he noted served the state judiciary for six years after being the Rivers State Chief Judge for four years.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the State Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Okunbiriowei Saiyo, Larry Selekeowei and Thompson Okpoko.

(NAN)

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The Labour Party has appointed Dayo Ekong as its chairperson in Lagos State following the resignation of Kayode Salako from the position.

Mr Salako had tendered his resignation letter at the partys legal stakeholders meeting on Tuesday.

The former chairperson on Wednesday told ChannelsTV that he stepped down so as to contest the seat of the Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 to the House of Representatives.

Mr Salako resigned six months after he was named the partys chairperson in the state.

He has also assumed the position of Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs and Liaison operations to the National Chairman of the party,

We held our legal stakeholders meeting in Lagos yesterday (Tuesday), he said.

I willingly handed over the running of the affairs of the party to Mrs Dayo Ekong because I wanted to contest an election.

I am the candidate of the party for the House of Representatives seat in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1. The election is about 40 days time and I need to concentrate to face the challenges.

Ms Ekong, while accepting the new role, sought the support of party members.

I want to assure you that the tenure will be an inclusive one and nobody will be sidelined. Let us all sit and drop our swords.

Let us support each other so that we can achieve the set goal and end the political slavery in Lagos state.

I know that together we will be in the name of Jesus. Victory is sure if we all come together in love and unity.

The Labour Party isamong the 18 parties that will contest in the states governorship and presidential seats in the 25 February elections.

It is not clear how the new development would affect the performance of its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, at the poll.

Achike Chude, a political analyst, noted that Mr Salakos resignation was not acrimonious .

To be fair to him, his political ambition is important, he is spending resources, he said.

He is expending a lot of energy to go from one place to the other under the constituency under which he is running for the House of Representatives.

He needs to talk to people, he needs to campaign to actualise his political ambition. He is not going to do that by remaining the chairman of the Labour Party.

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Twitter and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has recorded the largest loss of personal fortune according to the Guinness Book of World Records, after losing approximately $182 billion within a year.

According to Forbes, Mr Musks net worth dropped from a peak of $320 billion in 2021 to $138 billion as of January 2023, largely due to the poor performance of Teslas stock.

It noted that the majority of the US entrepreneurs fortune is tied up in his Tesla stock and the value fell 65 per cent in 2022.

The sudden decline in the value of Teslas stock occurred after Mr Musk bought social media platform Twitter for around $44 billion.

The tumultuous takeover, coupled with Musks polarising behaviour on the platform, sparked the biggest Tesla stock sell-off since the company went public in 2010, a report from the Guinness World Records said.

Last year, Mr Musk sparked controversy after laying off a significant number of Twitter staff when he bought over the microblogging firm. He recently sold off about $4 billion of Tesla stock, while raising funds to complete the $44 billion deal on Twitter acquisition.

In December, Forbes announced that Mr Musk is no longer the richest person in the world.

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It listed Mr Musk as occupying the second position in its latest list of Real-Time Billionaires with a net worth of $183.6 billion.

The controversial entrepreneur comes after CEO of French luxury brand LVMH, maker of Louis Vuitton luxury goods and Hennessy cognac, Bernard Arnault, whose net worth was estimated at $186.2 billion.

Prior to his recent decline in fortunes , Mr Musk held the position as the world richest man between 2020 and 2021, after he displaced .

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Nigeria is working closely with ECOWAS to deal with insecurity in the West African region as well as implement strategies to contain the spate of unconstitutional changes in government, President Muhammadu Buhari said Thursday in Abuja.

The president spoke while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan, at State House.

He called for cooperation and collaboration from the countries to overcome challenges in West Africa.

President Buhari invited friendly countries to support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.

As Nigerians prepare to elect another government at the general elections on 25th February, 2023, President Buhari renewed his call to foreign government representatives not to meddle in Nigerias internal affairs.

I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections itself.

I wish you all success in your respective tours of duty and at the same time encourage you to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture at your disposal as you travel across our country, he said.

The president told the ambassadors that Nigeria no doubt enjoys very cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and cooperation with their respective countries, commending the roles of their predecessors who demonstrated diligence and commitment to advance these causes.

I am therefore confident that your appointments are obviously deliberate to build on the successes of your immediate predecessors in order to advance our relations to significant and enviable heights.

As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I am hopeful that you will appreciate the political, socio-economic and cultural diversities which are the hallmarks of the Nigerian nation.

I encourage you to build friendships and take time to fraternise across the length and breadth of the country including interfacing with both the public and private sectors in bid to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.

Sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, Local Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Agribusiness, Transportation, Solid Minerals are areas of particular interest to us and foreign investors alike.

This will enable us to collectively strive to resuscitate all our countries economies in the post pandemic global recovery processes.

President Buhari also acknowledged the support of the respective countries in his Administrations campaign to deal with the challenges of insecurity such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking, as well as the threats posed by environmental challenges resulting from climate change in the Lake Chad Region.

He reiterated that different factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain.

He emphasized that matters of security have become the business of all nations of the world to work together at both bilateral and multilateral platforms and build consensus in order to overcome these challenges.

The ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence are: Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand, Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal and David Chaot of South Sudan.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Ambassador of Switzerland assured the Nigerian President that they will exercise their functions as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries.

Wishing Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections, the ambassadors extended their goodwill to the president on his remaining days in office.

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We are keenly aware of the importance of Nigeria to the wellbeing of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy.

Each and every one of us is proud to represent his or her country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Lang said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

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The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa)  the brainchild of Industrialist, philanthropist, and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the BUA Foundation have awarded development grants worth N1.5 billion to Yewa Land in Ogun State comprising Ilaro, Igbogila, Ibeshe, Egua, and Igonade communities for key community, social, and infrastructural development projects.

This was announced at the grant presentation and mutual accountability framework signing ceremonies held today in Ilaro, Ibese, and Igbogila.

The grants will be channeled towards interventions in the areas of health, education, or social development initiatives that are identified for implementation.

Presenting the grants award letter to Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland in Ogun State, Ubon Udoh, managing director, ASR Africa, assured of more partnership with the people of Yewaland and reiterated that the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA, is to provide concrete solutions for sustainable development in Nigeria, and Africa.

According to Mr Udoh, What ASR Africa and BUA Foundation are doing here today, is planting a seed of sustainable problem-solving across Africa in line with the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu, our founder  and Chairman of BUA.

The first grant of N1 billion goes to all communities in Yewaland for developmental purposes to uplift the quality of life of the Yewa people, while ASR Africa and BUA Foundation are also giving additional specific grants of N250million each to Igbogila and Ibese Communities for already identified infrastructure projects to enhance community development through their traditional institutions.

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We have done our basic needs assessment in collaboration with the communities on their needs, and we are pleased to say we look forward to the commencement of the identified projects and a more robust partnership with Yewaland, as we have done in other parts of the country.

In his response, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland commended Abdul Samad Rabiu for his philanthropic gestures across the country and noted that indeed he is a true Nigerian.

The monarch added that with the grants, Yewaland and Yewa people will witness rapid social and infrastructural development.

We are one of the largest sub-ethnic groups in Yorubaland and these grants will go a long way in bringing sustainable development in line with the United Nations SDGs, to our people, he added.

The Paramount Ruler of Ibese community, Rotimi Mulero, the Oboro of Ibese, also thanked the donors for their timely intervention in developing Ibese community.

May the Almighty bless Abdul Samad Rabiu, ASR Africa, and BUA Foundation for partnering with us to fast-track development in our community because we are still largely behind on the development curve. This partnership with ASR Africa and BUA Foundation will go a long way in ensuring even greater development for our people.

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The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, will Friday deliver the 12th convocation lecture of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State.

Mr Fagbohun, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), will speak on the topic: The Nigerian University System: Between Public Hopes and Individual Expectations of the 21st Century.

The scholar said he is excited to return to the capital city of Osun State more than a year after he delivered the 10th convocation lecture at Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

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According to Mr Fagbohun, the lecture as indicated by the chosen topic will dwell on the public expectations of Nigerian universities as sanctuaries of hope and why individual expectations must meet the public desire for good.

The universitys Vice-Chancellor, Amidu Sanni, during a recent briefing ahead of the ceremonies, said the convocation lecture will be chaired by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Honour for prominent Nigerians

Meanwhile, some prominent Nigerians are billed for awards during the convocation ceremonies. They include the Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; former Chief of Naval Staff and the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Universitys Governing Council, Jubrila Ayinla, among others.

About Fountain University

Established in 2007 as a private institution, Fountain University, is owned and operated by the Nasrul-Lahi-Il-Fatih Society (NASFAT)- an Islamic religious organisation which was originally focused on prayer meetings for the Muslim elites, with a view to creating necessary opportunity for them to interact and rub minds with Islamic scholars on the one hand; and to enhance their knowledge about the principles and practices of Islam, on the other hand.

Since its establishment, the university has continued to produce graduates in various areas of academic disciplines with an emphasis on moral uprightness backed by the teachings and practices of Islam.

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The Ogun State government has blamed the states current huge debt on the rise in the exchange rate of a dollar to a naira.

The government also claimed to have inherited N142 billion debt from the previous administration, led by Ibikunle Amosun.

Presenting the breakdown of its 2023 budget to journalists on Wednesday, the state commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, said the states economy is viable to carry its debt burden.

Mr Okubadejo said, Sometimes we are penny wise and pound foolish. We need to change our mind-set about debt because it is just looking so political.

When we came in 2019, the debt profile of Ogun State was about N142 billion. The foreign debt component of that was about 121 million dollars. Just take that 121 million dollar at N450 today from N220 or N200 in 2019. What it means is that when we quote in the Naira figure today, there is an exchange rate implication on that 121 million dollar debt today.

The state assembly passed the states 2023 budget into law on 30 December.

Mr Okubadejo spoke a few weeks after the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, accused the state government of plunging the state into incurable debt.

Mr Adebutu alleged that the Dapo Abiodun  led administration increased the domestic debt of the state by 55.4 per cent between 2021 and 2022.

Mr Adebutu further stressed that the domestic debt rose from N155.57 billion in 2021 to N241.78 billion by June 2022.

According to the Debt Management office, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers are the three most indebted states in the country.

While Lagos owes N780.48 billion; Ogun, owes N241.98 billion; and Rivers, N225.51 billion.

However, according to the DMO, the domestic debt stock for Rivers State was as of September 30, 2021.

But during the briefing Mr Okubadejo insisted that it is wrong for anyone to compare the debt profile of Ogun to any other state without putting into consideration the economic viability and the capacity of the states.

Mr Okubadejo who doubles as the Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Abiodun said, Obtaining loans shouldnt be a problem, but the judicious use of the loan.

The finance commissioner who was flanked by the commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said, out of the N142 billion debt inherited from the previous administration, $121 million was foreign debt.

Mr Okubadejo argued that the fact that Lagos State has the highest debt does not make it a poor state.

There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about debts generally. You cannot talk about debt in isolation. You cannot generally compare debts of one state to the other without doing some very in-depth analyses because the sizes of the economies of states are different.

If two states have the same level of debts, the question you need to ask yourself is, is the state, based on its size of economic activity, able to withstand this debt?

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It is wrong to compare the debt profile of Ogun to any other state without taking into consideration these things. We also have to look at debt service. Debt service in a nutshell is what your capacity to carry this debt is, the only means of carrying capacity is your revenue.

A state that is doing N100 to N120 billion in revenue and having a debt of N100 billion, means that this state can, if it wants to pay back the debt in one year, the finance commissioner said.

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The new World Report 2023 of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed how African leaders failed to tackle widespread abuses against civilians by state forces and non-state armed groups last year.

The report released in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, also said African leaders failed to do enough to prioritise justice efforts for victims of atrocities across the continent.

It noted that the violations occurred against a backdrop of backsliding on democratic safeguards and rule of law.

It, therefore, called on the African Union (AU) and subregional mechanisms to urgently adopt measures and establish systems to ensure rigorous human rights monitoring and reporting in areas of conflict, and to avert further atrocities and humanitarian catastrophes.

The regional efforts to address certain crises in Africa in 2022 have lacked sufficient political will and leadership, leaving countless civilians caught up in conflict with nowhere to turn, said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. The best way to ensure effective African solutions to African problems would be for leaders to efficiently deploy the strong instruments at their disposal to protect victims of human rights abuses.

In the 712-page World Report 2023, its 33rd edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in close to 100 countries.

The report noted that either government forces or non-state armed groups have been implicated in abuses against civilians in at least 15 armed conflicts, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan.

Regarding Nigeria, the report notes that general elections are set to hold to usher in a new president and other elected public officers in February amid worsening insecurity and threats from multiple armed groups.

Nigerian issues

It identifies issues in Nigeria to include violence in the North-west, separatists activities in the South-east, Boko Haram conflict, poor accountability for serious crimes, and threats to freedom of expression and media.

The report also pointed out sexual orientation and gender identity, womens and childrens rights, disability rights, as well as poverty and inequality as part of the issues in Nigeria.

It cited the brutal killing of 40 worshippers in a church in Owo, Ondo State, South-west Nigeria, by gunmen and spates of attacks by Islamist and other armed groups in places close to Nigerias seat of government in Abuja as signalling critical levels of insecurity in 2022.

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It recalled a high-profile attack carried out by ISWAP on a prison in Kuje within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that allowed hundreds of prisoners to escape.

The report also said the attack was linked to other incidents including the church killings and an attack on a train from Abuja to Kaduna in which eight people were killed and 72 kidnapped.

In her introductory essay, the acting Executive Director, HRW, Tirana Hassan, says that in a world in which power has shifted, it is no longer possible to rely on a small group of mostly Global North governments to defend human rights.

READ PRESS RELESE IN FULL

Africa: Conflicts, Violence Threaten Rights

Improve Civilian Protection, Accountability for Abuses

(Nairobi, January 12, 2023)  African leaders failed to tackle widespread abuses against civilians by state security forces and non-state armed groups and insufficiently prioritized justice efforts for victims of atrocities across the continent, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2023. These violations occurred against a backdrop of backsliding on democratic safeguards and rule of law.

The African Union (AU) and subregional mechanisms should urgently adopt measures and establish systems to ensure rigorous human rights monitoring and reporting in areas of conflict, and to avert further atrocities and humanitarian catastrophes.

The regional efforts to address certain crises in Africa in 2022 have lacked sufficient political will and leadership, leaving countless civilians caught up in conflict with nowhere to turn, said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. The best way to ensure effective African solutions to African problems would be for leaders to efficiently deploy the strong instruments at their disposal to protect victims of human rights abuses.

In the 712-page World Report 2023, its 33rd edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in close to 100 countries. In her introductory essay, acting Executive Director Tirana Hassan says that in a world in which power has shifted, it is no longer possible to rely on a small group of mostly Global North governments to defend human rights. The worlds mobilization around Russias war in Ukraine reminds us of the extraordinary potential when governments realize their human rights obligations on a global scale. The responsibility is on individual countries, big and small, to apply a human rights framework to their policies, and then work together to protect and promote human rights.

In at least 15 armed conflicts, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan, government forces or non-state armed groups have been implicated in abuses against civilians.

There has been some progress in ensuring justice for serious crimes, Human Rights Watch said. Trials began in the Central African Republicand Guinea, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened trials for serious crimes implicating militia leaders in the Central African Republic andSudan.

In northern Ethiopia, the conflict in the Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions has had a devastating impact on the civilian populations. Significant parts of the Tigrayan population remain displaced and without access to desperately needed humanitarian assistance. In Oromia, fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and the rebel Oromia Liberation Army intensified. Efforts were stifled to hold to account those responsible for serious crimes.

The resurgent, Rwandanbacked M23 rebel group in eastern Congo committed renewed atrocities in the region. Other armed groups, and at times Congolese soldiers, have also committed widespread abuses as impunity fuels cycles of violence. In August, the Burundian government deployed soldiers to eastern Congo, followed by Kenyan troops in November, in response to the East African Communitys (EAC) decision to establish a joint force to restore security in the region.

In November, an AU-led negotiation culminated in a cessation of hostilities agreement in Ethiopias Tigray conflict between the federal government and Tigrayan authorities.

In Mozambique, the regional Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda supported the Mozambican military in the armed conflict with the Islamist insurgency known as Ansar al-Sunna Wa Jamma (ASWJ), which is associated with the Islamic State. The hostilities in Cabo Delgado province have resulted in unlawful attacks against civilians and the internal displacement of more than 940,000 people over the last four years.

In West Africa, notably Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, there has been no improvement in the conditions that precipitated recent coups.The African Union and Economic Community of West African States responded by suspending membership and imposing or threatening sanctions.

Increasing criticism of foreign counterterrorism operations by Malis military junta and the unrelenting armed Islamist violence in the country led to the withdrawal of French and other European Union troops from Mali.

A surge in fighting in Mali and the Central African Republic coincided with reports of horrific rights abuses by foreign mercenaries, including the Russia-linked Wagner Group.

However, the regional response was muted when elected civilian leaders clung to power by manipulating political and constitutional processes, and killing or harassing journalists, activists, and perceived opponents.

At its Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in May, the AU condemned terrorism, violent extremism, and all forms of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa. Leaders called for the withdrawal of all foreign terrorist fighters and mercenaries and affirmed commitments to combat transnational organized crime.

The authorities in some transitional governments cracked down on peaceful political dissent and criticism. In March, Chadian security forces violently dispersed thousands of peaceful protesters. In Sudan, during protests that have rocked the country since the October 2021 coup, security forces have killed more than 100 people, arbitrarily detained hundreds, and forcibly disappeared others. The AU has remained silent.

The spate of crackdowns against government opponents and critics was however not limited to countries under transitional rule. In Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, activists, opponents, and journalists have been detained and tortured. In Congo, attacks against media freedom, the growing involvement of intelligence services in intimidating dissenters, and the general narrowing of democratic space raise concerns ahead of the 2023 elections.

Across parts of Africa, internally displaced people, refugees, and migrants have been driven from home by armed conflicts, repression, communal violence, poverty, and environmental factors. In Eritrea and Cameroon, forcibly returned asylum seekers have faced arbitrary detention and abuse. In Nigeria, government-enforced displacement camp closures pushed thousands into deeper destitution.

The lack of safe and legal migration pathways and barriers to asylum within and outside Africa, combined with pressure from the EU and its member states, have resulted in migrant deaths, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

For victims of atrocities on the continent, progress on access to justice was mixed, Human Rights Watch said.

In July, the AU announced the operationalization of the long-mandated trust fund for reparations to the victims of the late Chadian president Hissene Habres brutal rule.

In Guinea, the trial of alleged perpetrators of the 2009 stadium massacre opened, 13 years later, highlighting the importance of credible domestic justice for grave crimes.

In October, the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic convicted Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouba, and Tahir Mahamat of the 3R rebel group for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the country in 2019.

But an AU-led South Sudan hybrid court envisaged in the 2015 peace agreement has not yet begun operations.

Burundi and Ethiopia continue to deny access to the United Nations special rapporteur on Burundi, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights Commission of Inquiry into the situation in Tigray, and the UN International Commission of Experts on Ethiopia.

African civil society organizations have made crucial contributions for these mechanisms to be established and for the independence and effective operations of African human rights institutions.

African governments and regional institutions should publicly denounce the abuses and crackdowns on dissent that plague the continent, Segun said. Genuine efforts to combat impunity require impartial investigations and fair trials of those found responsible for human rights abuses and crimes across Africa.

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Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru, has attacked a former deputy of the state, Ahmad Mahmoud, who defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), calling him a liar who cannot be trusted.

The governor said this in a campaign rally in the Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Mahmud had in a letter to the APC chairman of Galagamma ward, his native ward, in Gumel Local Government Area, said he decided to resign from the ruling party due to a lack of commitment of the state APC towards winning the 2023 elections in the state.

I am constrained to take this decision due to the obvious intra-party conflict, disunity and lack of commitment and confidence in the party stalwarts towards the success of All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming general election in the state, he said in his resignation letter.

Mr Mahmoud joined the PDP at an event at former governor Sule Lamidos residence, Bamaina, Birnin Kudu local government area.

Mr Mahmoud said: I used to shade tears whenever I see how things are happening in APC and remember how things were (done) when we are in government under PDP.

I and all my supporters who worked for the success of APC in 2015 and 2019 have quit the party (APC) and will work for the victory of PDP in the coming 2023 general election, Mr Mahmoud said.

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Responding to Mr Mahmouds claims, Governor Badaru said the former deputy peddles lies unnecessarily.

The governor claimed that the former deputy governor left the APC without the support of his people in the Gumel local government area.

I commended the people of Gumel for not following him to where he is. This is somebody who can swear

with the Holy Quran on lies.

May Allah expose him, he always lied against me and my deputy, we pray to Allah to always expose him, Mr Badaru said.

Mr Mahmud was the Deputy Governor of the state between 2007 to 2015 in the administration of former governor Lamido.

He joined the APC after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in 2015 and campaigned for the incumbent governor, Muhammad Badaru.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, nullified the nomination of Aida Ogwuche as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue State in the forthcoming general elections.

Delivering its judgement, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Bature Gafai declared Francis Agbo as the validly nominated candidate of the PDP for the 25 February federal constituency poll in Benue.

Nullifying her nomination, Mr Gafai said Ms Ogwuche was still a staff member of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as of the time of her nomination  an action the justice said was in violation of the Nigerian constitution.

Citing Section 66 (I) (f) of the constitution, the Court of Appeal declared Ms Ogwuches nomination as unlawful and invalid.

The decision of the lower court recognising the participation and election of the first respondent in the election is illegal and unlawful.

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Consequently, the appellate court ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ms Ogwuche and re-issue the same to Mr Agbo as the duly elected candidate.

Mr Agbo is the incumbent member representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Background

Abdul Dogo of The Federal High Court in Makurdi had on 11 November 2022 declared Ms Ogwuche as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming election.

But dissatisfied, Mr Agbo approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja praying for the disqualification of Ms Ogwuches candidacy on the grounds that she did not resign her appointment from the FIRS 30 days before contesting, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act as amended.

The appellant, Mr Agbo, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotics and Drugs, came second in the PDP primary election for the federal constituency of Benue South.

He had argued that his opponent only resigned from FIRS two days after she won the partys primary election.

According to the aggrieved lawmaker, Ms Ogwuche was also engaged by the Benue government as principal special assistant to the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday brought forward hearing in the case of Peter Nwaoboshi, a Nigerian senator jailed for fraud.

Last July, Mr Nwaoboshi was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.

The senator, who represents Delta North senatorial district, was convicted on a two-count charge of fraud and money laundering.

But he urged the Supreme Court to upturn his conviction.

At Thursdays proceedings, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, who led a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, agreed to quickly hear Mr Nwaoboshis appeal.

In a ruling, Mr Ariwoola rescheduled the hearing of the appeal for 9 February instead of the earlier date of 21 November 2024.

The ruling followed a request by Mr Nwaoboshis lawyer, Kanu Agabi, for the case to be quickly heard and determined.

Mr Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that his client is a serving senator, who is also seeking re-election in the 2023 general elections.

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He contended that it was imperative Mr Nwaoboshis appeal was heard on time to prevent a situation where he is made to serve his jail term only for his conviction to be quashed by the apex court.

The lawyer to the EFCC, Abba Mohammed, did not oppose Mr Nwaoboshis request.

Background

Upon Mr Nwaoboshis conviction, the Court of Appeal in Lagos ordered that his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suiming Electrical Limited, be wound up in line with Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that in 2021, Mr Nwaoboshi was accused by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of using 11 companies as fronts to secure for himself a N3.6 billion contract in the commission. The contract was not executed and the money was not refunded.

In 2018, the senator and his two companies were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over N322 million fraud and money laundering charges.

The EFCC in suit number FHC/L/117C/18 arraigned the three defendants for acquiring a property named Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. The agency said that N322 million of the money was part of the proceeds of fraud.

The judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, ruled that the EFCC could not prove the charges filed against Mr Nwaoboshi.

But the EFCC appealed Mr Anekes ruling and was successful at the appellate court, leading to the sentencing of the lawmaker.

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The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has told South-east residents to vote for him because he is their only route to national cake.

Mr Tinubu spoke during his campaign rally in Enugu on Wednesday.

It is only when you invest that you can harvest. It is only when you vote for me that you will share from the national cake, he said.

Ill make South-east industrial, manufacturing hub

The APC candidate also promised that he would create industrial and manufacturing hubs in Nigerias south-east if elected president in 2023.

He said this would be part of his plan of developing the South-east and creating thousands of jobs for the youths and the entire residents of the region.

If you elect me as your president, we will work together. We will create industrial hubs in Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra States.

We will make Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra States and the entire South-east a regional business hub, the manufacturing centre of Nigeria. It is very possible, Mr Tinubu said.

The APC candidate also said the South-east was blessed with incredible resources and agricultural power that can propel the economic recovery of the region.

He said he would develop the mineral resources such as coal to propel the recovery in the region.

Assembling plants can be created with flourishing businesses. All you need to do is to partner with the federal government.

Dont wait for the white man to do this job for us. Were brilliant enough, were great thinkers, we can fabricate, we can develop and we can mould; we can build engines and we can turn our coal to industry.

Lets use what we have to develop our country. Lets turn our coal to money. Lets turn our gas to money. We can have agro-processing centres. We have over 200 million people to feed. We are not going to starve to death, he added.

Nigerian agenda

The former Governor of Lagos State said Nigeria was blessed and that he would use the countrys resources to develop it and make Nigerians who travel abroad for greener pastures to come back.

The APC candidate said he had spent over 17 years of his life abroad and those who still travel outside the country were only suffering themselves.

He described his candidacy as a moving train that was prepared to win the general election in 2023, stressing that any attempt to resist a moving train would end in catastrophe.

You cannot block the way of success. It is only the ignorant that will stand on the way of victory, Mr Tinubu stated.

In their separate remarks during the rally, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodinma, urged residents of the south-east to vote for the APC candidate to reintegrate the South-east into the national politics.

Residents react

Chukwudi Nwankwo, a resident of Enugu State, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was not satisfied with Mr Tinubus promise to the people.

Mr Nwankwo said he was disappointed that his running mate, Kashim Shettima, did not attend the rally to show his commitment to the South-east.

Some years ago, they were shouting change, but Tinubu is no longer talking about change. I told my brother that I wanted to be here myself to hear what he would tell Ndigbo. I didnt want to be told. But I was disappointed, he said.

Another resident, Ephraim Egwu, described Mr Tinubus promises as the usual political gimmicks often adopted by politicians to win voters.

Mr Egwu said it is possible he would fulfil his promise of making the South-east an industrial hub, but it is difficult to trust people who have failed to keep similar promises made in the past.

We are familiar with this kind of promise. These people promise heaven and earth during campaigns, but when they succeed, they turn their backs at us.

Tinubu is just trying to get votes in the South-east. But nobody will vote for him on the basis of such gimmicks, he said.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a certificate forgery case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Kwara State governor.

Inyang Ekwo, the judge, ruled that the suit was an abuse of court process.

Once a court is satisfied with the proceedings before it that they amount to abuse of process, the court has the right, in fact, duty to invoke its coercive powers to punish the party which is in abuse of its process.

Such power is often exercisable by a dismissal of the action which constituted the abuse. I, therefore, make an order dismissing this case for being an abuse of process of court, the judge said.

He also held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The PDP had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Abdulrasaq and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2022, the PDP had prayed that the governor and the APC be disqualified from the 2023 governorship election over the allegation of presenting a forged West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate to secure the nomination.

The party also urged for an order of the court compelling INEC to delist Mr Abdulrazaks name and the APC from those cleared for the general polls.

In his judgement, Mr Ekwo upheld the preliminary objection to the suit filed on the governors behalf by his lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The judge agreed with Mr Fagbemi that the purported certificate forgery and perjury had been raised in another suit in 2019 by PDPs former governorship candidate, Rasaki Atunwa, adjudicated upon and dismissed by another judge, Bassey Ikpeme, for being worthless and unmeritorious.

Mr Ekwo held that PDP lacked the right to challenge the primary election that produced Mr Abdulrasaq as the governorship candidate of the APC because it was not an aspirant in the primary election.

The judge further agreed with Mr Fagbemi that the PDP was a busybody and meddlesome interloper because it had no right to dabble in the internal affairs of the APC.

The PDPs fresh suit was filed on its behalf by Paul Erokoro, a SAN.

The court was asked to invoke sections 171 and 285 of the 1999 constitution as well as section 29 of the Electoral Act to nullify the planned participation of the governor in the forthcoming election.

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I want to implore all of us to endeavour to be better people today than we were yesterday and always to be conscious of making efforts to agitate for a Nigeria, Africa, and the world of today that is better than it was yesterday. This is the same attitude we should take to tomorrow Our fingers will never look alike, but we must use them together to build the nation. My feet cannot create a footpath without yours.

For many people, age 70 is a point of celebration. They invite several individuals to felicitate with them for what they have been through, what they have achieved, and all that has happened in seven decades. It is worth the celebration. Casting ones mind back to every single moment and drawing out several memories, journeys, and events, you understand that 70 years no be beans. Judging by my life, how I have strived all through, how I have worked 18 hours a day since I was a teenager, and looking at the falls, achievements, publications, and many feats I have reached, I was not surprised at the various attempts to celebrate the day.

Although I did not want any form of celebration, I received several offers from well-wishers and those who love me, recognising my contributions in many ways. Alas! I decided to celebrate that age in sober reflection on the state of the nation and the continent. All my works have been geared towards portraying and propagating ideals of Pan-Africanism and the upliftment of Nigerian society. It is sad to have tried to nurture those ideals and still see that the nation and the continent have not adjusted enough to reflect what I and others have proposed. Then one has to ask, why celebrate? I have endeavoured to reiterate my positions and views in A Meditation on Nothingness. However, as several people told me, one could not have lived that long and done that much and expect that ones celebrations would be personal. Unknowingly, my families, friends, mentees, well-wishers, and those whose paths had crossed mine had other plans.

They respected my desire for a solemn reflection; I guess that was why it was not made a physical surprise party. However, what was organised was better than a party; it was an online gathering of loved ones that allowed people from different locations to celebrate what I have done. The perspective was still quite rooted in love for the nation, Africa, and the human race. I was surprised, it was a fantastic idea, and I appreciate it. It was a gathering that witnessed several efforts towards developing the nation and Africa, and those who have striven to ensure a definitive transformation in how we do things. I was happy to see major players in society and people who have emphasised the need to wake up to the consciousness of a better nation and continent, so that we will not disappear into the fogs of confusion.

It was an honour to see the commitment of Baba Obasanjo to attend and be part of the celebration. One of the first things that caught my attention was his patience, as all technical issues were being resolved to allow more people across different platforms to join the online event. President Obasanjo waited until he was admitted on Zoom, and I can assure you that he was very active during major parts of the celebration. Bringing him on such a celebration, especially when my initial refusal to celebrate was due to the state of the nation and continent, raises our consciousness of what we should be prepared for. The nation has reacted to the letter of President Olusegun Obasanjo for mostly political reasons, but that was not the only letter he wrote. He wrote me one in his unique epistolary style. I cannot agree more with the letters contents, as he recognises the state of things and what comes with being 70. As he said, it is an age of reckoning and a period for sober reflection.

President Obasanjo, you will understand that after all we have done, there are still thousands of things left undone in reviving the Nigeria that produced us. You would agree with me that the youth and the nation do not find life comfortable, the way it was largely so in the past, save for the technological advancement that has made life easier. But the economy is in shambles, and the rates of poverty and unemployment are increasing. So, I can relate to the philosophies behind Obasanjos message; they go with the mood, and I really appreciate it. Baba, taking time off your busy schedule and involvement to celebrate me is humbling.

My over 40 years of teaching experience at the college level have resulted in something everyone celebrates today. This is why I take the various expressions of my seniors, colleagues, and mentees very seriously The presence of distinguished Professors such as Akinjide Osuntokun, Niyi Osundare, Olu Obafemi, Tanure Ojaide, Richard Joseph, Abiodun Bello, Labode Popoolawho have extended the global body of knowledge in their different fields of interest, is a debt I do not think I will be able to repay.

While we, as scholars, can claim to be spectators and mere critics on political issues, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, respective former Governor and First Lady of Ekiti State, have proven to be major gladiators in the countrys political arena. As a scholar, I have always been careful when relating with politicians because, intentionally or unintentionally, their antecedents can either make or break you. Well, I will not appreciate them as politicians here but will direct you to how they have shown themselves to be good people and reflected their passions for nation-building  something we can all agree on. Taking precious time out during the celebration for almost the entire duration, despite being in a political season, is not something one can get just easily. The same goes for Michael Vickers and Ambassador Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, with whom I have developed a good relationship since our paths crossed in The Hague. These are not the only political personalities who have shown their love and paid tributes to me, as others have made various releases, posts, and remarks, including President Thabo Mbeki, Omoyele Sowore, and others.

Academia has been my forte, and I decided since I was a teenager never to chase fame or wealth but to teach and be diligent about it. My over 40 years of teaching experience at the college level have resulted in something everyone celebrates today. This is why I take the various expressions of my seniors, colleagues, and mentees very seriously. To hear the words of the academic legend, Professor Ayo Banjo, on that day was scintillating. If someone like Professor Ayo Banjo, who has left unbeatable marks in the history of education, the English language, the University of Ibadan, and served as one of the outstanding Vice Chancellors in the history of the university, gives such good remarks and finds it worthy of dedicating such time to the event, one must have the fulfilment to have been on the right path in life. The presence of distinguished Professors such as Akinjide Osuntokun, Niyi Osundare, Olu Obafemi, Tanure Ojaide, Richard Joseph, Abiodun Bello, Labode Popoola, Moses Ochonu, Gloria Emeagwali, and others like Chief Ajibola Ogunsola who have extended the global body of knowledge in their different fields of interest, is a debt I do not think I will be able to repay. The number of these individuals, including a recent Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, proves that we cannot measure the advantage of human relationships and connectivity. This has been one of my motivations in conversations and acquaintances with people with whom I might not have shared my past. The Zoom meeting had close to 300 attendees, many of who are respected members of academia and society, whose successes are emulative for those coming up.

I was not surprised at the programmes level of efficiency, seeing the substance embedded in those who organised it. Having Professor Tunji Olaopa as the chairman of the gathering would ordinarily suggest what to expect. Dr Samson Ijaola added his voice to the felicitation as compere. Professors Abimbola Adelakun, Jumoke Yacob-Haliso; Musikilu Mojeed, Segun Olopade, and others who made it possible to have a gathering are wonderful. I am very happy to be celebrated in such a way.

The Nigerian Tribune was one of those institutions that surprised me the most. I was dumbfounded to see the dedication of pages of the newspaper to me even before 1st of January and the subsequent publications. Seeing my name pop up on the pages of their publications made me feel honoured. This appreciation is also extended to other media houses and newspaper companies, such as Premium Times, ThisDay, Heart of Art, The Nation, PUNCH, The Culture Newspaper, New Times, Naija Times, and others, that have given their platforms for different expressions of congratulations. This makes me appreciate those who have written one or two pieces about me uniquely, which has inspired me to keep talking about the development of this nation and continent. The piece by Professor Farooq Kperogi blazed the trail; he ate the chicken in my house and will know in the next six months that he was consuming his own chicken.

The gathering was attended by so many influential individuals who I may have to make this piece into a series if I can cover some of them. However, I will like to thank all who made it to the online gathering and those who joined through YouTube. Your eyebrows are older than my beard. May you all gain interest in your investments.

The Yoruba adage that says that a deity we refuse to worship in the presence of the young ones is on its way to perdition, has been one of the reasons I have decided to try my best in national and continental building. I am determined to invest time and energy in raising the young and those who have found it appropriate to see me as a mentor. If the ideas of Pan-Africanism, nationalism and other relevant ideals must grow, they must first show those behind us what they are and help them grow in these shared values. Hence, I have found many colleagues and collaborators across continents today, and this achievement is greater than any honour I might be conferred with. Seeing some of them in this gathering gave me confidence, and their exhibition of readiness to take the mantle from me as an elder has created joy in my heart. I cannot thank you enough for trusting my advice and positions and participating in the celebration gathering.

I was flattered by Dr Lasisi Olagunjus tribute in the Nigerian Tribune on 2nd of January, but I must point out that the Iroko he described me as did not just stand on its own. The endless supplies support its elegance through its many roots. This is the position of my family and friends. Perhaps if I had not married my wife, Dr Bisi Falola, I would not have been able to climb some of the hills I did in my life. God also blessed us with wonderful children and grandchildren, and I have enjoyed the solace of their company for so long. Seeing what they did on 1st of January brought joy to my heart, and I appreciate all that and love them so much.

The gathering was attended by so many influential individuals who I may have to make this piece into a series if I can cover some of them. However, I will like to thank all who made it to the online gathering and those who joined through YouTube. Your eyebrows are older than my beard. May you all gain interest in your investments.

However, I want to implore all of us to endeavour to be better people today than we were yesterday and always to be conscious of making efforts to agitate for a Nigeria, Africa, and the world of today that is better than it was yesterday. This is the same attitude we should take to tomorrow. We are fish that weeps in the water, but you cannot see our tears. We are forced to climb thorny trees, not because we are brave, but because we must all survive or perish. The insects biting us are hidden in our clothes. Our fingers will never look alike, but we must use them together to build the nation. My feet cannot create a footpath without yours. We have been pushed down, but we must struggle to get up. Misfortune will never fall on your wealth and health.

Ase!

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.

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There are a number of cognitive biases (dissonances in psychology) at play amongst us as a people. I have taken time to compile a few which are most concerning:

The belief that the grass is always greener on the other side The belief that yesterday is always better than today The belief that there is always a silver bullet somewhere that solves every problem. Add to this, the cultural belief in magic, or that something can come out of nothing. The failure to contextualize whatever is happening to us within history. This means we think we are the beginning and end of history, that we are so unique, whatever we do is being  and has only been  done by us.

These are cognitive biases, ideas buried so deep in our brains and oft-repeated everywhere  on TV, in our music, in folklores, in books by influential authors  that we actually believe they are true even though they are not. I will explain the first three at a latter date in details, but suffice to say that the first two are largely responsible for the japa syndrome whereby thousands  perhaps millions  of young Nigerians have either relocated from the country or are fixing to. The exchange rate of our naira does not also help, but emigrants are not considering the fact that indeed someone earning $5,000 per month in New York for example, may not enjoy the quality of life that someone earning N500,000 monthly here can afford. Yet, $5,000 is equivalent to N3,750,000. This phenomenon is called the Purchasing Power Parity. Also, we must note that anyone who gets a net of $5,000 probably earns $7,000 to $8,000. The tax systems in the snazzy countries our people like to run to are very well-established, unforgiven, and stern. Which brings me to the third cognitive bias; we like fine, clean things. But we are not interested in the process of putting things together. Not for us the long and arduous processes of exploration, experimentation, discovery, maintenance, innovation, improvisation, curious studies, or stretching the usefulness of things, and all that jazz.

We are wired to want the best, and want it now! We care little about how those things come to be. Young and old, we are infected by this disease. Young people I have met wonder why I use a Tecno Phone worth N120,000. I tell them so long as the thing works, I am fine. I am still in that space where I wonder and marvel at how these things are put together and will never take them for granted. Older Nigerians in government are known to use the latest, best and most expensive of technologies for their own comfort, purchased with taxpayers money, even when a vast population roils in abject want and poverty. Not only do older Nigerians purchase the best motor vehicles and phones for themselves, they have also been known to approach foreigners for single bullet solutions to our problems  especially those that affect their own wellbeing, like terrorism. It is on record that we purchased tons of bomb detectors, metal detectors and whatnot in the heydays of Boko Haram. We purchased $500 million worth of Tucano Helicopters whose utility is doubtful in our circumstance, and we have asked many a white man to give us the magic to solve our issues, even as the white man looked at us in awe. He keeps wondering how we cannot see, that even he struggles daily to solve his own many problems, that the daily grind of organizing society around solving ones own problems, is the very essence of life itself.

But the crux of todays writeup is about the fourth cognitive bias listed above  Nigerias exceptionalism. Just how important are we in the scheme of history? Did we avail ourselves of the benefit of historical knowledge in the first place? Do we believe that we invented anything new in politics and beyond? Why do we speak in absolute terms as if history began and ended in Nigeria? By God, we havent even been writing our own histories, and if civilisation should end today, very little if any trace will be found about us as a people. Why do many believe that the solution to our problems is to destroy the entity called Nigeria? And as it pertains to politics, why do we think our democracy is the worst in the world? A sampling of the kind of things we say about ourselves displays such absolutism and a depressed view of life. We forget that we are only 62 years from independence as a country, with all the wiles and strictures that come with colonialism and its aftermath  as well as our many mistakes as well. We compare our democracy with the American experience but forget theyve been at it much longer, and that their history is different from ours. And because of our lack of countenance with rudiments of history, we are busy frying ourselves, divesting from our country, discouraging others who may want to come here, and painting a sordid picture, when we should be able to situate our circumstances and react constructively to events that come up.

So, I intend today to show that EVERYTHING we are seeing about our politics today has happened elsewhere. Our case study is the United States of America, whose presidential system of government we copied in 1979, through a constitutional conference. Yes, even I had once romanced the idea of going back to the parliamentary system, but after reading from Mr Odia Ofeimun, who was Obafemi Awolowos secretary for a spell, and also reviewing our First Republic history, I changed my mind. Perhaps what we need is a hybrid, where the Presidency (Executive branch) is American-style, while the Legislative branch is British. The Constitutional Conference in 1978 consisted 230 Nigerians chosen from all over the country, and met for 9 months. The events of 1966 especially the gruesome killing of Nigerias first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Chief Okotie-Eboh, among others, had led to a 13-years pause (1966  1979) in our democracy. The 1978 Constituent Assembly believed that Nigeria could not achieve cohesion under a Parliamentary system and would pull together better under a Presidential system where our leader can at least claim a majority of votes from all over the country. The Parliamentary system partly unraveled in Nigeria due to the incompatibility of our culture with the type of bitter, denigrating arguments which is common even today in the British House of Parliament. The PM is only primus inter pares (first among equals). He is just another Member of Parliament elected by his constituents. Other MPs can take liberty to insult him and undermine his/her authority in the normal course of governance. He/she can also be easily removed by a vote of no confidence, leading to a great turnover of leaders and instability in the economy and politics (see Italy, UK etc), which we could hardly afford as a growing nation.

I believe Nigeria could have adopted what the have in Ghana, France and some other countries  the combination of both styles of government.

Back to our history of presidential democracy, the more I studied it, the more I realized just how expensive the system of government has always been, and indeed how corrupt. No system is perfect of course. And the choice we have is between a culturally-incompatible parliamentarian system, or an expensive and corrupt presidential system which at least comes with some illusion of unity and protects the president. I havent seen many folks who insist on constitution being our problem insisting on a hybrid of the two. It seems like we like to read and implement even sociopolitical systems out of textbooks here.

That is why folks insist on true federalism, when indeed there is nothing like that. This is another cognitive dissonance we have; we believe that there is perfection in other lands, that USA has it totally figured out and so our political system must copy theirs verbatim. We often forget the challenges that country is going through still, or that she has amended her constitution 27 times and counting. Of course, your federalism is what you make of it. The USA where the concept first took root, is still pursuing a more perfect union. India and Nigeria are listed as nations where there are 3 federating units. How? It is because the federating units in these two nations are colonial constructs. They were commanded to federate. Documents were prepared and given to constituencies to sign, agreeing to the union. Many who signed such documents (where documents exist), did not understand what they were signing. Indeed, any post-colonial agreement signed by the people were akin to the ones signed by village chiefs as the British, French, Spanish, Belgian, and Portuguese took over large swathes of lands in Africa. Those agreements were called treaties; usually acceded to after the colonial power must have vanquished a people militarily. They signed off sovereignty to the colonial powers and agreed to be protected, by them. From who? From other marauding colonial entities looking to steal and plunder. The question is what can we do, realistically? Seek to upturn or rewrite history? Waste time agonising while refusing to develop our society? Or get on with it and make the most of the lemons that life has served us? I propose the latter.

The rest of this article is presented as a short history of Presidential Democracy from the perspective of the worlds oldest mass democracy  United States of America. We have a lot to learn from that country but we should not expect them to force-feed us. We should try and debunk the myth that when you want to hide anything from a black person, you put it in a book.

A Short History of the Flawed American Democracy

17th Century  Earlier settlers on the American continent were permitted to govern themselves in Plymouth County, wherein they elected a governor yearly..

1787  The presidential system was developed in the US at the Constitutional Convention, drawing from the works of John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu, which proposed a unitary executive figure that would become the president. The We the People that precedes the American Constitution did not sample the opinions of a vast majority of inhabitants. White women and men who owned no land were not permitted to vote, and black people were listed as being only three-fifth of human beings? Politicians explained later that the three-fifth clause was to prevent the south of the US with million of slaves from dominating politics.

1787  American constitution leaves elections to be conducted by states, who could then make their own laws about who was fit. Excluded blacks, women and landless white men.

1789  The US Constitution became effective and George Washington was elected.

1787  Establishment of the idea of Electoral College meant systematic submerging of black vote. This is because the concentration of black people is highest in the South. Electoral College was put in place because some of the founding fathers believed that popular vote could lead to too mucIIh democracy. The electoral college idea emerged from the notation that negroes were to be considered as three-fifth humans in the first constitution. This boosted southern power while depriving blacks the vote.

1800  Electoral College produced a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Slaveowner Jefferson won based on the power of the College.

1800  1860  Trend of southern slaveholder won the White House that lasted until Abraham Lincolns victory in 1860.

1803  The Twelfth Amendment modified the Electoral College to prevent another Jefferson-Burrtype debacle.

1840s and 1850s  Isaiah Rynders was a notorious political boss and leader of the Empire Club in New York who led a heavily armed team of bruisers, smashing up opposition political meetings and patrolling the polling places to deter anyone who did not support their candidates. In 1853, a Democratic candidate for Congress, Honest John Kelly, took an army of dock workers and volunteer firemen into a polling station on election day, smashed up the tables and tore up opposition ballots

1856  British Colony of Victoria adopted the Australia System, which meant a generic ballot paper will be produced by neutral election authorities. That replaced a chaotic electoral world in which the campaigns themselves produced their own ballots on colored paper, which voters then deposited in round glass ballot boxes. Voters lined up to cast their ballot with party operatives pressing, persuading or bribing them. Voting against the prevailing mood in ones own precinct took courage, often physical courage. Violence was common, and, up to a point, an accepted part of the process. If a voter was not manly enough to stand up for his chosen candidate against a little bit of rowdiness from the other side, then was he really a fit republican citizen? The Australian system meant secret balloting.

186577  Reconstruction era. African Americans in the states of the former Confederacy were briefly able to exercise their rights to vote; to run for offices; and to serve on juries. The Fourteenth (1868) and Fifteenth (1870) amendments guaranteed U.S. citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans, prohibited restricting or denying the right to vote on the basis of race; criminalizing the terrorist activities of white supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan; and authorizing the use of federal troops to protect polling stations. With federal protection, African American voters elected hundreds of Black state representatives and 16 Black U.S. representatives and senators (at federal level).(History Extra, 2020)

December 3, 1867  Democratic President Andrew Johnson said in his annual message to Congress: Negroes have shown less capacity for government than any other race of people. No independent government of any form has ever been successful in their hands. On the contrary, wherever they have been left to their own devices they have shown a constant tendency to relapse into barbarism. Johnson was Lincolns deputy.

September 28, 1868  Opelousas Massacre begins. Over the course of about two weeks, White men in Opelousas, a city in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, killed around 250 people, mostly Black Americans.

February 3, 1870  15th Amendment ratified. States prohibited from taking away anyones right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude. But states could still impose voter qualifications. Many former Confederate states did exactly that.

April 13, 1873  Colfax Massacre. A mob of about 150 armed White men in Colfax, the seat of Grant Parish, Louisiana, killed between 60 and 150 Black Americans who had taken over the local courthouse and been defending it from possible Democratic seizure following the states controversial 1872 gubernatorial election.

1875  Republican Sen. Timothy Howe of Wisconsin said of Democrats: They could cheat Republicans in three ways: First, by receiving Democratic votes from illegal voters; second, by refusing Republican votes from legal voters; third, by allowing turbulence and tumult to deter Republicans from offering their votes. That they did cheat by each of those methods has been testified not only by scores but by thousands of voters.

1876  Democrat Samuel Tilden won the popular vote, but some electoral votes were in dispute. An ad hoc commission of lawmakers and Supreme Court justices was empaneled to resolve the matter. Ultimately in 1877, they awarded the contested electoral votes to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, who had lost the popular vote.

January 29, 1877  Republican President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Electoral Commission Act as he departed. President Grant went down as one of the protectors of blacks in the south. But his successor, Hayes, was the exact opposite.

1877  The Compromise of 1877 meant that the federal government removed the troops that were stationed in the South after the Civil War to maintain order and protect black voters. This marked the end of the brief Reconstruction era, the redemption of the old South, and the birth of the Jim Crow regime. Hayes threw blacks under the bus. Lincoln had protected blacks till he was assassinated in 1865.

1877  1965  Jim Crow Era. African Americans prevented from voting (or from registering to vote) through intimidation, violence, poll taxes, literacy or comprehension tests (which were not applied to whites), good character tests, grandfather clauses (which in their original form restricted voting rights to the [male] descendants of persons who were eligible to vote prior to 1866 or 1867), whites-only primary elections, and outright fraud committed by white election officials.

1892  Mississippi had cut the percentage of eligible Black men who were registered to vote from more than 90 percent to less than 6 percent.

November 10, 1898  Wilmington Massacre. White mob in North Carolina ejected a legitimately elected biracial government and installed White supremacists. Democrat Alfred Waddell, the mobs leader, said, We will no longer be ruled, and will never again be ruled by men of African origin. As many as 60 people were killed.

1915  US Supreme Court strikes down grandfather clauses.

1920  Women could vote after the 19th Amendment in 1920. Unmarried white women who owned land, could however vote in New Jersey between 1776 and 1807.

1922  Members of the Ku Klux Klan reportedly flew over Oklahoma City, dropping cards into black neighborhoods, warning people to be cautious before heading to the polls. The year prior (1921), white mobs burned down a flourishing black community in Tulsa, killing an estimated 300 people.

1944  US Supreme Court strikes down whites-only primaries.

1964  US Constitution abolishes Poll Taxes in federal elections in the 24th Amendment.

1964  The practice of applying literacy tests to all Black voters was banned by the Civil Rights Act, and literacy tests in general were suspended for certain jurisdictions under the Voting Rights Act (VRA)

March 7, 1965  Bloody Sunday. Up to 600 activists set out in Alabama to march from Selma to Montgomery to protest for Black voting rights. But when the marchers reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, they encountered White state troopers, who attacked them with billy clubs and tear gas.

August 6, 1965  Johnson signs the VRA into law. Designed to undergird the protections enshrined in the 14th and 15th Amendments, this watershed piece of federal legislation prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

1965  Racialized democracy continued until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, himself a southerner who often used the N-word but who I consider a great man for turning against racists and continuing the enlightened work of his former boss, John F. Kennedy, not only in empowering blacks but in also trying to reduce multidimensional poverty among Americans (establishment of free medicals and food aid for example).

1965  Many democrats felt betrayed by Lyndon B. Johnson and switched to Republican, hence the representation of conservative ideas in the GOP today.

July 27, 2006  Most recent extension of the VRA. Republican President George W. Bush signed legislation extending the VRA for an additional 25 years, saying that the right of ordinary men and women to determine their own political future lies at the heart of the American experiment.

2013  US Supreme Court passed Shelby County v . This led to a raft of modern voter suppression tactics especially in the south, like voter ID laws of varying strictnesssome requiring the presentation of an acceptable photo ID, such as a drivers license or passport, at polling stations as a condition of voting (some of those measures were passed along with other provisions that closed, or reduced the hours of, state offices where acceptable IDs could be obtained); onerous restrictions on voter registration; the closure or relocation of polling stations that had served predominantly African American or minority voters, forcing them to travel long distances or to wait in long lines to cast their ballots; the elimination or reduction of early voting periods; burdensome requirements for obtaining or submitting mail-in (including absentee) ballots; restrictions or outright bans on voter registration drives; the elimination of same-day voter registration; and the permanent disenfranchisement of convicted felons. Other voter suppression efforts that became more common after Shelby County were large-scale purges of voter rolls (ostensibly to remove voters whose addresses could not be verified) and voter caging, a related tactic in which a political party sends nonforwardable mass mailings to registered voters who are unlikely to support the partys candidate or agenda and then uses any returned mailings as a basis for challenging the voters registration or right to vote. (Duignan, n.d.)

2022  Speaker McCarthy could only get his speakership after 15 votes when he made significant concessions to far right members. Systematic limiting of minority votes continue till this day.

The object of voter suppression and election rigging in the United States has usually been the Blacks, Jews, Mexicans, or other minorities, with blacks bearing the most brunt. Other significant ways of manipulating votes include:

Gerrymandering  the drawing of electoral districts by state legislatures in such a way as to dilute the voting power of members of a certain racial group or political party. This is done by packing specific races in one geographic zone, and then cracking them by distributing their votes in many places where they cannot elect their choices. I want us to notice the sheer ingenuity involved in this manner of technical fraud, and understand that Nigeria is just learning. Mail-in (absentee) voting  Another modern rigging tactic revolves around the treatment of mail-in or absentee votes. Even in 2020 there were many cases where such votes are dumped, where the postal service is compromised, or when dead and fictitious people also vote. Electronic votes are also subject to several manipulations. Russia was alleged to have hacked US systems and manipulated the votes for Donald Trump. True or not, this is a wakeup call to those who believe that electronic votes is foolproof or that it solves the rigging problem. In fact, it creates a bigger room for massive rigging and manipulation. Cooping- adopted by the Tammany Hall political machine in New York City in the 1920s up to the 60s, meant luring willing or unwilling men into a basement a day or two before the election, plying them with alcohol and food and then dragging them semi-conscious to the polling place on election morning. Yorubas will say iyen tun nko? How bout that? Sometimes in that same era, party workers would set up shop with a barrel of whiskey right next to the polling place. It was usual for party officials to stand at polling booths bribing voters with money, cigarettes and pork. Other tactics include the physical blocking of polling places by armed groups, as happened in several precincts in a contested South Carolina election in 1880. There was beating of black voters in the weeks before the election in an attempt to scare them out of trying to vote, as was ubiquitous (for example) in Louisiana. There were assassinations of local Republican politicians  black and white alike  as happened in Alabama in 1875. When black Americans mobilized to vote en masse in Eufaula, Alabama, in 1874, white terrorists shot into the unarmed crowd, killing seven people and wounding dozens.

And in the Gilded Age  a term coined as a book title by no less than Mark Twain to represent the period of 1876-1900  the general corruption of post-Civil War society and politics was satirized. Politicians of the time largely catered to business interests in exchange for political support and wealth. Many participated in graft and bribery, often justifying their actions with the excuse that corruption was too widespread for a successful politician to resist. The machine politics of the cities, specifically Tammany Hall in New York, illustrate the kind of corrupt, but effective, local and national politics that dominated the era (Codrington, 2020). Mark Twains book contained illustrations of the cost of doing business in Washington in this new age of materialism and corruption, with the cost of obtaining a female lobbyists support set at $10,000, while that of a male lobbyist or a high moral senator can be had for $3,000. A legislator is labeled Chairman of Committee $10,000; a man in a suit, smoking a cigar, is labeled Male Lobbyist $3,000; a well-dressed woman is labeled Female Lobbyist $10,000; and a grim-looking man in modest dress is labeled High Moral Senator $3000. (City University of New York Library).

Perkins (2020) provides more information of that era  and perhaps today; theres a lot of corruption associated with political machines, particularly though not exclusively in urban areas. The political machines provide jobs for supporters, who use their positions to generate illicit income for themselves and the party bosses, and mobilize voters to support the candidates backed by the machine. The machines also provide tangible benefits to voters to ensure their support while the political machines tended to dominate local governments, the practice of buying and selling public offices, or using government appointments to purchase political support, was widespread at the national level as well wealthy business interests corrupted politicians to receive favorable treatment by the government, for example by offering legislators bribes, sometimes in the form of company shares or special privileges, to provide special benefits to companies, or to look the other way when private interests were siphoning off taxpayer funds. These sorts of corruption often involved government-supported infrastructure projects, especially railroads, and natural resource extraction

Major Lessons

Understanding that nation-building is a long-term and continuous process Understanding that we have to plough our own journey ourselves, not adopt the history of USA or any other Understanding that history is still unfolding  and is likely going to continue for some time. It is in our best interest not to contribute momentary blowouts to history, but to be part of the pageant that writes good history for others to study Understanding that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with us. We should not allow anyone to hide their own history and come to mock us into mental depression. Understanding that contrary to many of our cultural beliefs, there is no magic anywhere. Magic is trick. Life progress when societies put on their thinking cap and make measurable improvements Understanding that every country in the world is still making improvements  sorting out issues of electoral fraud, corruption and the rest. The smartest ones have taken that fight out of public glare and will never seek for your opinion Understanding that Nigeria can also learn from the experience of the worlds oldest mass democracy  USA  as to how they started to wrestle down electoral fraud and the massive corruption that comes with the presidential system.

Look guys, theres nothing new going on in Nigeria. This gives me the confidence that if we are intelligent, patriotic and steadfast, we shall overcome. The difference between our democracy and the United States is that corrupt politicians and contractors, kept their loots in their country. Ours take theirs abroad. We should be more sensible to find out how exactly the US constructively tapered down their own corruption and kept it out of view. The totally clean society that we hypocritically seek, cannot happen. And we should stop groveling in front of anyone who comes here, believing that we dont read history and cannot tell that just a few years ago, their countries were worse in every respect. There is nothing wrong with Nigerians. Only that our intellectuals are cowardly. We need more researches into this area. And the research works must be publicized. With the American style which we copy, we can see that it is expensive, therefore highly corruptible. Political interests also will always find ways of minimizing their opponents votes. Even up till this moment in 2022, those who are bent on suppressing minority votes because they believe they own America, or are more intelligent, are busy at work using every modern tool  and some ancient ones too. Please note that this article is NOT a justification for corruption, or electoral fraud. It is however open to intellectual discourse.

References

Bump, P. (2016). The long history of Black voter suppression in American politics. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/11/02/the-long-history-of-black-voter-suppression-in-american-politics/

Codrington, W. (2020). The electoral colleges racist origins. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/electoral-college-racist-origins/601918/

City University of New York (n.d.). Corruption in Post-bellum America. Retrieved from https://opened.cuny.edu/courseware/lesson/410/student/?section=1

Duignan, B. (n.d.). Voter Suppression. Brittanica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/voter-suppression

History Extra (2020). A brief history of election rigging in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.historyextra.com/period/modern/a-brief-history-of-election-rigging-in-the-united-states/

Lempinen, E. (2020). Stacking the deck; how the GOP works to suppress minority voting. Retrieved from https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/09/29/stacking-the-deck-how-the-gop-works-to-suppress-minority-voting/

Lind, D. (2016). A short history of white people rigging elections. Vox. Retrieved from https://vox.com/2016/10/19/13305260/rigged-election-history-racism

McKeever, A. (2020). Voter suppression has haunted America since it was founded. Natgeo History and Culture. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/voter-suppression-haunted-united-states-since-founded

Perkins, C. (2020). A history of corruption in the United States. Harvard Law Today. Retrieved from https://hls.harvard.edu/today/a-history-of-corruption-in-the-united-states/

Tensley, B. (2021). A short history of the long conservative assault on Black voting power. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/08/politics/black-voter-suppression/index.html

Tensley, B. (2021). Americas long history of Black voter suppression. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2021/05/politics/black-voting-rights-suppression-timeline/

Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, entrepreneur, and recent presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com.

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A Jos-based pastor, Bitrus Albarka, who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly staging his own kidnap, has told the police that he did it because he needed the ransom to settle his financial challenges.

The Plateau State Police Command said its investigation revealed that Mr Albarka, a pastor of ECWA Church, conspired with his gang and collected ransoms meant for his release.

During a parade at the police headquarters on Thursday, the pastor said he regretted his action.

I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing with. When I did the first one, I felt guilty. When I went out, the money with me has finished. I was thinking of coming back. I was just confused. That is why I did the second one. I am regretting my action, he said.

The pastor who also allegedly burnt a vehicle owned by a senior pastor of the church said he didnt know what came over him.

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I burnt the vehicle because I was guilty of what I did. I was just confused. I dont even know what came over me. Being a pastor, that is why the spirit of God didnt allow me to go without confessing my action. I am sorry for what I have done. I am really sorry.

In a statement, the police claimed that the pastor collected the sum of N400,000 on 14 November 2022, and on 30 November of the same year, he staged another kidnap of himself and collected the sum of 200,000 from members of his church.

Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of 14/11/2022 and 30/11/2022 where the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) and Two Hundred Thousand Naira ( N200,000) was respectively paid by his sympathizers as a ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion.

Through credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nassarawa Gwong Police Station, CSP Musa Hassan and investigation commenced immediately. In the course of investigation, it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect the ransom.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and mentioned the following persons as his accomplices : (1) Baruk Mailale, (2) Nathaniel Bitrus both males of Yelwan Zangam village of Jos-north and (3) Aye (surname yet to be known) male of Jalingo, Taraba State.

The suspect further disclosed that on 04/01/2023, he set ablaze two motor vehicles ( a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota) and a bicycle parked at ECWA Bishara 3 Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues who he alleged one of them hates him, referring to his senior pastor,  the statement read.

Meanwhile, police said operatives of Nassarawa Gwong Division, Jos-north LGA arrested two other suspects involved in the staged abduction  Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus  while effort is being intensified to arrest Aye, the third suspect.

The command informed members of the public to be watchful and report any suspicious happenings around them or within their area on time, as this will greatly help in arresting criminals thereby, reducing crime and criminality in the state.

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At least seven officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed during an ambush by bandits in Kaduna State, President Muhammdu Buhari has said.

The Nigerian leader expressed anguish at the incident, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his anguish over the death of seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were ambushed and killed by bandits in Kaduna State while on official duty, Mr Shehu wrote.

President Buhari described the loss of the NSCDC personnel as a tragic event and salutes the courage of the men who gave their lives to the nation.

Mr Shehu quoted the president as saying that The NSCDC personnel who braved all challenges to guard our nation and its people had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

My thoughts are with the bereaved families and their compatriots in the service. May Almighty God grant them and the entire service the fortitude to bear the loss.

The president directed the military to seek the attackers and make them pay the price.

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The exact day and other details of the attack were not stated. However, Kaduna is one of the North-western states most affected by the activities of bandits.

The terror groups have killed and abducted thousands of people in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and other states in the region in the past few years.

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The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, former vice chancellor and bursar respectively of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The duo were brought before Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on an eight count charge of theft and money laundering to the tune of over N1billion.

A statement by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the arraignment followed months of discreet investigation triggered by a petition accusing the duo of diverting monies meant for the renovation of the popular Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria.

The investigation established that over one billion Naira was allegedly stolen from different accounts of the institution by the defendants and diverted into their private accounts, Mr Uwujaren said.

Count one of the charge reads, That you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, sometimes in December, 2013, whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N998, 000,000.00(Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Million Naira), property of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Another count reads, That you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, between 2015 and 2016 in Kaduna, whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria respectively, with dominion over the sum of aggregate sum of N173,428,020.00(One Hundred and Seventy Three Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, Twenty Naira), committed Criminal Breach of Trust in respect of the said sum through USIG NIGERIA LIMITED account No. 1402548014, domiciled in First City Monument Bank Plc.

The suspects pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Based on their plea, the prosecuting counsel, N.Salele and M.U Gadaka, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial, while the defence counsel M.S Kati asked the court to release his clients on bail.

Justice Bello granted bail to the former ABU officials in the sum of N10 million each and a surety in like sum who must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

They are also to deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court.

The case was adjourned till March 15 and 16, 2023 for trial.

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Caroline Ogbotobo, 48, without minding if she gets drowned, moved swiftly through the dirty water that had engulfed the entire Abari village  a coastal community in Delta State, to rescue to a rooftop her children and others displaced by floods.

Mrs Ogbotobo alongside dozens of residents of her community sought refuge in an uncompleted storey building.

They were without food, potable water and any form of medication for several days. She said the rooftop was their only hope for survival pending when succour would arrive.

We are dying; we are very hungry. Please help us, Mrs Ogbotobo screamed last October, on sighting this reporter approaching the submerged building in a boat.

The water chased us out, we didnt know where to stay. If not for this house, we dont even know where we would have been by now, the mother of five said.

Delta flood disaster

Between September and October 2022, many Nigerian towns were hit by floods.

The floods displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians across 26 of the 36 states in the country, according to official figures.

More than 600 citizens were killed, while 2,407 people sustained various degrees of injuries, over 108,393 hectares of farmlands across the country were swept off and 200,000 houses were damaged, the government said.

During a visit in late October, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that several people were drowned and over 3,233 households displaced from their homes as floods worsened across the Abari community of the Pantani Local Government Area, Delta State.

The Delta State-owned University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, was partially submerged. Same with the secretariat of the Isoko North Local Government Area and other public and private facilities.

Farmlands were washed off in parts of the Ugbolu and Anwai areas of Asaba, the state capital.

The Abari community was indeed one of the worst affected areas in Delta State. The floods forced many in the community to take shelter in three different storey buildings.

Over 200 villagers were trapped in the buildings, one resident said.

Lingering threats

This, however, was not the first time residents of the community had experienced floods of such magnitude.

Abari, in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, is one of the communities on the bank of the River Niger. It is largely a fishing and farming community.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in 2021 the devastating impacts of the perennial floods in the Abari community, with experts warning that if actions were not taken, the community might go into extinction within the next 20 to 30 years.

The degree of the flood experienced suggests the countdown may have just begun.

Inside my own house, the water engulfed me to my chest level before I quickly moved upstairs, Mrs Ogbotobo narrated.

Having lost everything to the disaster, she is now struggling for survival.

Another victim, Preowei Kendabie, 54, described the flood disaster as the worst they had experienced in a decade.

We have never seen a flood like this one at all, he said.

Right now, we are at the mercy of God, said another displaced resident, Fraka Amabetare.

The whole town is flooded. No single house, no single place. We are suffering. Some of the houses, you cannot even see the top of their roof now, Mr Amabetare, 39, said, pointing towards the submerged buildings in the community.

Previous reports had shown the vulnerability of the shoreline in the community. And residents had been crying for the government to construct a viable shoreline.

That was before the shoreline finally collapsed due to the flooding.

The waterside (shoreline) is flooded. The worst part of it is that the tide current from the upstream is coming into the community, Mr Kendabie said.

He explained the danger of going near the shoreline area. Now, if you go to that place, the current is sure to push you down and that is just the end of your life, he said.

Loss of livelihood, starvation

I am telling you that everywhere is flooded, you are talking about feeding. How are we going to eat if we do not farm? Mr Amabetare said with a shaky voice when asked how they were being catered for.

Being predominantly farmers, and having their farmlands washed off, the disaster has brought starvation to the Abari community.

Mr Kendabie, a cassava and plantain farmer, said when the water volume was increasing, they quickly harvested some crops, but they lost a lot of the crops to the flood.

As for Mrs Ogbotobo, she is scared of the hunger that looms among the displaced residents. She said they have been sipping garri (cassava flakes) since they were displaced by the flood.

Hunger wants to kill us here, she said.

Boats, with exorbitant fares, remained the only means of transportation from the community to other communities

Boat fares have increased from a range of N2,500  N3,000 to a range of N4,000 and N5,000, Mr Kendabie said.

He said, Right now, we are trying to manage the situation, we have no solid plan for evacuation yet because even the neighbouring communities are also flooded.

Government should please help us, we do not want this to be the end of the road for us.

Early warnings

The Federal Government in its 2022 Annual Flood Outlook collated by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) alerted the public of incoming floods.

The report predicted there would be coastal flooding due to tidal surges and a rise in sea levels in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo States.

It warned that at least 32 states and 233 local government areas were at high risk of being flooded due to heavy rainfall.

However, there seems to have been no proper communication between the government and the residents of the communities on what proactive measures to take before the flood occurred.

Ongoing effort

The Chairman of the Abari community, Peter Pibowei, said some people had decided to evacuate for safety, while some are at the mercy of God right now.

He said food scarcity was one of their main worries.

We have been making appeals on behalf of the community since 2012 and its getting tiring, he said.

Both the Delta State information commissioner, Charles Aniagwu, and his environment counterpart, Christian Onogba, did not return calls and messages asking how the government plans to support the affected residents of the Abari community.

However, at the peak of the disaster in October, the Delta State government opened 10 camps to accommodate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) impacted by the flood in 19 out of 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

The state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, also promised that the government would resettle the affected individuals once the water receded.

The water has since receded and many of the residents gradually returning to their normal lives. However, many still count their losses from the floods.

This report was completed as part of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Developments 2022 Climate Change Media Fellowship in West Africa with funding support from the Centre for Investigative Journalisms Open Climate Reporting Initiative (OCRI).

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Anambra State Government said it has begun an investigation into the death of a woman, Ogochukwu Anene, allegedly killed by her husband, Wilson Uwadiegwu, over a loaf of bread.

The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Ify Obinabo, made this known on Wednesday in Awka, while receiving the victims mother, Cordelia Anene, in her office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that a clip which was trending on social media alleged the victim, popularly known as Ada Awka, was beaten to death by her husband over a loaf of bread.

The commissioner, Mrs Obinabo, said the Anambra State Government was collaborating with the Enugu State Government in the investigation to get justice for the deceased.

Since the deceased is from Anambra, the state government will not keep quiet over the unfortunate incident, but will make sure that thorough investigation is carried out and concluded in record time, she said.

Mr Obinabo urged women in abusive marriages to always speak out and seek help instead of dying in silence.

The victims mother, Mrs Anene, who alleged that her daughter was killed by her husband, said the suspect fled immediately after carrying out the act.

She called on the state government to come to their aid and give her daughter justice.

Mrs Anene said: Ogochukwu was beaten by her husband because she ate the loaf of bread he bought for the kids.

When the children wanted to eat, he became furious about why they would ask him about the bread and pounced on her with a mirror and other objects which left her in a bad condition.

Few days after the beating, my daughter was hospitalised at Niger Foundation in Enugu where they said she suffered internal bleeding as a result of an injury sustained during the beating.

The doctors confirmed this after a series of scans were carried out and referred us to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla. While all these were happening, the husband was nowhere to be found.

She said the investigating police officer is putting pressure on the family to drop the case.

The victims family is yet to be informed about the autopsy result, she said.

(NAN)

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Three vigilante operatives were, on Thursday, killed when gunmen bombed the headquarters of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

The incident happened at about 2 a.m., PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

The gunmen reportedly threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) into the council headquarters, destroying properties and killing the security officials.

Sources from the community told this newspaper that the IEDs razed several buildings in the secretariat.

They (gunmen) also beheaded one of the vigilante people after killing them, a source, who asked not to be named, said.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said police operatives arrived in the area in response to a distress call at 2:55 a.m.

He said the gunmen had already killed the three vigilante operatives and also beheaded one of them before the arrival of the operatives.

Five of the buildings in the secretariat were set ablaze by the gunmen with the IEDs and some petrol bombs, he said.

The buildings affected by the fire, according to sources in the community, include the administrative block of the council headquarters, a primary healthcare office and an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Others are the office of the National Youth Service Corps, an education office and an office of the National Civil Defense.

One of the attackers was neutralized, the police spokesperson said, adding that the presence of the operatives prevented the hoodlums from causing further damage.

Mr Ikenga said some of the gunmen fled the scene with bullet wounds when they were challenged by the operatives.

The bodies of the victims were recovered and joint operations are still ongoing, he said.

Two locally made IED launchers, seven undetonated IEDs, 40 pieces of live cartridges, 15 live 7.62 MM AK-47 ammunition, knives and charms were among the items recovered from the gunmen during the operation, according to the police.

Increased attacks

Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest incident occurred exactly two days after gunmen killed four persons, including a pregnant woman in Eziani, a community in the same council area of the state.

About two weeks ago, gunmen bombed a police facility and set inmates free in the same council area of the state.

Gunmen, on 23 December, invaded two communities in the state, abducting one and killing another.

Three weeks ago, two youth groups in the state announced the arrest of over 80 suspected criminals from their hideouts in the state.

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The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

The separatist group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.

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Racial Discrimination in Sentencing of Patel Reveals Uncounted Disparities of Indian and Asian Americans in United States Legal System

NEW DELHI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The sentencing of an Indian American Businessman Nikesh Patel, which was ten times greater in comparison with his white co-defendant, Timothy Fisher highlights an unstudied disparity in racial prejudice in the legal system regarding Indian and Asian Americans, especially at a time when racial discrimination of Asians is being noticed and documented more across additional sectors.

One of India's leading Gurus of modern Hinduism, Jagadguru Shree Vallabhacharyaji, also known as Vicki Bava, (Guru Bava) and Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath attend rally.

Patel, an Indian American and father of four, is currently serving time on a white collar sentence where he received a much harsher punishment than his co-defendant who was already released from prison on compassionate release in 2021, due to his asthma. Patel also suffers from asthma but received no consideration even though, in the government's own words, they were "more or less equal." Patel just surpassed his five-year anniversary of incarceration.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. publicly called on the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, John Lausch, urging an investigation in the United States legal system and Hindu leader Guru Vicki Bava in India also called for Indian Government officials to step in. An online poll of 377 random Indians surveyed found that 90 percent believe the Indian government should step in and use diplomatic channels to have Patel released. Patel's parents immigrated to the United States, and the family depends on their father, who was otherwise an upstanding member of the community. Patel's case shows that the racial disparity upstands even with financial resources.

The Washington Post reported in June of 2021 "1 in 2 Indian Americans experienced recent discrimination, often on the basis of skin color" based on a YouGov's online panel. The article in the Washington Post indicates that while Indian Americans enjoy a higher level of professional and financial success, it has not inoculated them from the forces of discrimination. The Patel case is demonstrative of this study.

While data exists on Black and Latino sentencing, which tends to be more common, there is less research and data on Indian American sentencingas they are typically considered the model minority.

Yet, research from the Urban Institute finds criminal justice data on Asian Americans is often missing or incomplete because "a quarter of state agencies do not include 'Asian' as its own race category, and because the overwhelming majority of incarcerated people are housed in state prisons."

The overall designation of Asian is not inclusive of additional sociological elements within that raceincluding country of origin, skin color, and immigration status. The lack of data is appalling as headlines of Asian discrimination have been increasing especially during COVID-19 epidemic. While Patel is a U.S. citizen, recent data shows that Asian defendants with illegal status also have even higher odds of incarceration than U.S. citizens.

A recent study by Texas A&M University finds racial and ethnic discrimination is a regular occurrence for many of the more than 3.5 million South Asians living in the United States, and that the disparities start at a young age.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981902/Patel_Newswire_1.jpg

SOURCE Vicki Bava
MARE ISLAND, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Affinity Creative Group, Northern California's award-winning creative brand design, and digital marketing firm, has appointed Ari Rollnick as CEO, with ownership stake in the agency, effective immediately.

Affinity Creative Group Appoints Ari Rollnick as CEO & Partner

Ari Rollnick is the founder of kabookaboo, a digital-first marketing agency based in Miami, FL. Rollnick has been CEO there for the last 20+ years, serving many of the world's largest and most respected brands, including Ally, Anchor Brewing, Anthem Healthcare, Burger King, Cleveland Clinic, Constellation Brands, E&J Gallo Winery, Ritz Carlton, and more.

"Affinity's unparalleled brand development expertise and exceptional design creativity is well established in the marketing community," remarked Mr. Rollnick regarding his new role as Chief Executive at Affinity Creative Group. He further commented, "Being welcomed into this established firm to further enhance their digital marketing efforts and optimize overall agency operations is a true honor."

Initially, Affinity and kabookaboo will operate as a strategic alliance, with Ari Rollnick overseeing both firms to leverage complementary skill sets and service offerings. With Rollnick's digital acumen, agency experience, and inspiring leadership style, the Affinity team is confident in bringing the two best-in-class agencies together, offering outstanding branding, packaging, design, content development, and digital marketing capabilities to marketers of all stripes. Both firms sharp focus on the wine and spirits categories adds up to a combined roster of over 250 brands, with a shared 'collaboration-first' orientation, and an enhanced nationwide client base. Affinity's West Coast presence will undoubtedly benefit by adding kabookaboo's East Coast footprint, and vice versa.

"Working closely with co-founders John Swain and Dave Miller, along with Managing Director Ed Rice, is an opportunity I could not pass up. These gents have incredible character, integrity, and vision. Working together, I have no doubt we will lead this talented agency to even greater heights."  Ari Rollnick, CEO, Affinity Creative Group.

Dave Miller, Affinity Creative Group co-founder, commented, "Ari brings a remarkable level of enthusiasm, energy, and passion! His work ethic is unmatched, and we are excited to have his leadership skills applied to the Affinity / kabookaboo Alliance."

With Mr. Rollnick leading both agencies, the alliance will deliver heightened creativity, increased efficiencies, and enhanced success for marketing professionals in today's ever-changing, challenging, and demanding business landscape. Ari Rollnick's executive management team at Affinity will include Mr. Rice, a 30+ year industry executive with past leadership roles at Landor Associates and George Lucas' THX, and Lauren Alamo, the current VP of Digital Marketing at kabookaboo, responsible for day-to-day management.

John Swain, Affinity Creative Group co-founder, exclaimed, "We couldn't be more excited to welcome Ari Rollnick to our leadership team as a partner and CEO of Affinity Creative Group. Ari brings strategic digital marketing know-how, cross-discipline expertise and executional experience that will really move the ROI needle for our clients. Combined with our award-winning creative and account teams, we'll now deliver even more effective integrated marketing programs for our clients."

About the Affinity Creative Group / kabookaboo Alliance: With offices in Northern California and South Florida, Affinity Creative Group and kabookaboo provide brand design, web and content development, digital marketing, and omni-channel activation services for a range of industries, including wine and spirits, consumer goods, professional services, and luxury categories.

For more information about Affinity Creative Group, please visit: AffinityCreative.com or call 707.562.2787.

Media Contact:

Kimberlee Dean

[email protected]

707-766-4067

SOURCE Affinity Creative Group
SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fiat-crypto payment gateway Alchemy Pay and its co-founder and majority shareholder, Shawn Shi,have been officially recognised by Forbes with the Web3 Innovation Pioneer award on 11 January. The Singapore-based payment solutions provider has a major research and development hub across Asia that has pioneered new payment systems at the very edge of modern fintech - convenient payments that seamlessly enable movement of funds between traditional fiat currency and cryptocurrency.

After its establishment in 2018, Alchemy Pay became the number one crypto payment system in Southeast Asia. 2022 saw Alchemy Pay move to d2c solutions for the first time. Its on and off-ramp and NFT checkout were all launched in Q3 and Q4 last year. The constant upgrades and innovations since initial launch has created a full suite of offerings that satisfy newcomers and surprise crypto natives. The ramp services (plugin or API) have been integrated by platforms all across the Web3 space, from large scale exchanges and to small, specialised token issuers and dApps.

The Forbes award recognises the company's pioneering achievements in the fintech/crypto space. Forbes picked out entrepreneurs, investors, contributors to open source projects and crypto ecosystems who have made significant contributions to the development of Web3, saying they were "aiming to find cases of value creation by innovative companies in the Web 3.0 field, and to show how the current Web 3.0 wave is shaping a higher level of autonomy."

Shawn Shi commented: "It is great to receive industry recognition for our work in the payment space. The scope of possibility is wide open and our team is always pushing the boundaries. We have proven again and again that any payment scenario with any customisation is possible. I'm very proud of our team and 2023 will continue to expand our vision."

Alchemy Pay ended the year by integrating with Arbitrum, the world's largest Ethereum scaling layer-2, going live with Apple Pay, and becoming an official service provider by Visa. Its success comes from its team's significant working knowledge with both legacy finance and blockchain technology. At the foundation of the ramp is a network of payment processors, acquirers, exchanges, dApp devs and blockchains. This has been no small task; the team has a wealth of talent with expertise and it also managed to avoid any direct contagion from the recent fallout and scandals of the crypto market.

Alchemy Pay supports Mastercard and Visa in 173 countries, as well as large scale banking systems such as SEPA in Europe. Where the team has been at the forefront of invention, though, is in its peerless coverage in emerging markets such as SEA and Latin America. Locally based mobile wallets have become a huge part of the payment market in these emerging markets and Alchemy Pay enables users to buy and sell crypto using them. The result is that crypto platforms and services are able to access hitherto unreachable markets around the world.

Shawn Shi laid out his thoughts for the coming year: "In 2023 there will be no stopping us. This year will see the launch of our app that will be a one-stop shop for users who want to feel the full power and scope of what Web3 and crypto can offer. We are building for the long term."

Follow Alchemy Pay

Websitehttps://alchemypay.org/

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/alchemypay

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/alchemypay/

Medium https://alchemypay.medium.com/

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/AlchemyPay

SOURCE Alchemy Pay
BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AllHere, the leading provider of 24/7 family support in K-12 schools, has been named a winner of the 2023 District Administration Top Ed Tech Product Awards. Appearing alongside a select group of organizations driving innovation in education, AllHere is recognized as the winner of the Learning Environment & Student Support Technology, Midsize category.

AllHere will be recognized for winning a 2023 Top Ed Tech Product Award from District Administration at the Future of Education Technology Conference on January 24, 2023.

"AllHere is honored to be recognized by District Administration for helping hundreds of innovative districts connect with families through personalized text messaging," said Joanna Smith-Griffin, CEO and Founder of AllHere. "We look forward to expanding our footprint to ensure every family receives the support they need for their children to succeed in school."

The award will be conferred in a ceremony at the Future of Education Technology Conference in New Orleans on January 24th, where Smith-Griffin will be presenting alongside AllHere's Head of Product, Eli Sheldon.

According to District Administration, "submissions were judged on their innovation in the edtech space, with particular attention to how the tools are breaking new ground, how much value they add to education, how intuitive they are for users, and whether they deliver what they promise."

AllHere is being recognized for pioneering the application of conversational AI in K-12 schools. The company's customized chatbots for school districts, launched at the start of the pandemic, empower schools to provide personalized support for families via simple text messages. Schools can use this platform to "nudge" families with important information about school and parents can ask questions 24/7 and receive empathetic responses within seconds.

AllHere's approach is proven through randomized control research conducted at Columbia University to reduce chronic absenteeism by 17%, reduce course failures by 38%, and increase student retention. Current customers include some of the country's largest school systems including Prince George's County Public Schools and Boston Public Schools.

More information about the 2023 District Administration Top Ed Tech Product Awards can be found here.

About AllHere

AllHere combines conversational AI, behavioral science, and interactive nudges to foster attendance and engagement in K-12 education. We automate personalized, two-way text messaging with chatbots to improve attendance rates and guide students and families through school. Our adaptive, evidence-based system provides 24/7 support so that teachers and staff can focus their time on the most meaningful interactions. For more information, visit AllHere.com.

Media Contact:

Charlotte Ward

(530) 563-6860

[email protected]

SOURCE AllHere
BALTIMORE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Urological Association (AUA) today announced that Mark T. Edney, MD, MBA, has been named the next Public Policy chair. He will assume the role of chair-elect on June 1, 2023, and begin his four-year term as chair on June 1, 2024.

Mark T. Edney, MD, MBA, will be AUA's next Public Policy Chair.

In his new role, Dr. Edney will lead the AUA Public Policy Council (PPC), providing strategic oversight on initiatives aimed at further shaping governmental, private, professional and socioeconomic issues affecting the delivery of urologic care. He will also oversee the activities of the following AUA committees: Coding and Reimbursement, Legislative Affairs, State Advocacy and Research Appropriations.

"Dr. Edney is a strong advocate for the specialty of urology and a dynamic leader who understands the challenges and opportunities facing our community, both at the federal and state levels," said Dr. Randall Meacham, AUA president-elect and search committee chair. "We look forward to working with Dr. Edney and we're confident that his expertise will enhance the AUA's ability to promote the highest standards of urological clinical care through healthcare policy."

An active member of the AUA, Dr. Edney currently serves as the chair of AUA's State Advocacy Committee and as the Business of Urology section editor for the Urology Practice Journal. He has previously served as the Health Policy Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Section of the AUA, was the section's representative to the PPC from 2012-2018 and is a former member of the AUA's Legislative Affairs Committee. Dr. Edney has also served as the president of Maryland's state urology coalition as well as president of the American Association of Clinical Urologists. He held the honor of AUA Gallagher Health Policy Scholar in 2012.

Dr. Edney is a senior physician at Chesapeake Urology Associates. He obtained his MD from Dartmouth Medical School and completed his urology residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Edney served in the medical corps of the United States Army Reserve and he earned his MBA from Brandeis University. He is a former chief of surgery at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Medical Center and is a past president of the medical staff.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has nearly 24,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Media Contact:

Rachel Butch, Corporate Communications and Media Relations Manager

410-689-4033, [email protected]

SOURCE American Urological Association
HONOLULU, and STOCKHOLM, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC '23 -- Arelion (formerly Telia Carrier) today announced a new Point-of-Presence (PoP) in Osaka, Japan. The new PoP, located at Equinix's carrier-neutral data center in Osaka, will provide high-speed IP Transit, Cloud Connect, DDoS Mitigation, and Internet Exchange (IX) Connect services to content providers and enterprises across Osaka's metropolitan area. Arelion recently announced global 40G Ethernet Virtual Circuit (VC) availability and will offer this key product in its new PoP to facilitate digital transformation in Asian markets.

The number of Internet users in Japan is expected to increase to 116.4 million by 2026 (Statista), while the digital media market was projected to reach $45.87bn in revenue in 2022 (Statista). With many of Japan's businesses at the cutting edge of technology, there is a substantial demand for reliable and scalable connectivity to connect local businesses to a global network of customers and partners. Arelion's new PoP in Osaka will service this demand in the region while also reducing the impact of potential network outages due to natural disasters through resilient and diverse service options that ensure reliable connectivity in times of crisis.

The new PoP strengthens the region's connection to the international market and enhances scalable connectivity options across the APAC region. It will also provide customers with the option of a low-latency route towards Europe and the United States on Arelion's leading global IP backbone, AS1299, ranked the #1 backbone in Asia by Kentik for its reliability, performance and customer support. Kentik's report also found that AS1299 is the most popular backbone among Japanese businesses.

"The new PoP in Osaka is another important step in our global expansion strategy," said Wee Kwan Ee, Head of Sales APAC, Arelion. "By bringing our diverse services closer to cloud providers and enterprises in Japan, we can help these companies provide an improved online experience for their customers and help local businesses connect to the global market."

About Arelion

Arelion solves global connectivity challenges for multinational enterprises whose businesses rely on digital infrastructure. On top of the world's #1 ranked IP backbone and a unique ecosystem of cloud and network service providers, we provide an award-winning customer experience to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Our global Internet services connect more than 700 cloud, security and content providers with low latency. For further resilience, our private Cloud Connect service connects directly to Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud and Oracle Cloud across North America, Europe and Asia.

Discover more at Arelion.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contacts

Arelion

Martin Sjogren, Senior Manager PR and Analyst Relations

+46 (0)707 770 522

[email protected]

Media Contact

Jeannette Bitz

Engage PR for Arelion

[email protected]

SOURCE Arelion
Cooperation enables identity verification of users and signing of documents directly in Microsoft Teams

WARSAW, Poland, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Billennium, a global IT solutions provider for businesses, has announced that it is partnering with IDnow, a leading identity proofing platform provider in Europe. Thanks to the cooperation, Billennium's Inperly app allows Microsoft Teams users to check identities and sign documents with qualified electronic signatures, using ID documents from 200+ countries.

Inperly, an application developed by Billennium, supports remote customer service, consulting, and sales processes on Microsoft Teams. Billennium has recently implemented automated identity proofing and e-signatures services from IDnow into its app. The new feature allows the issuing of a one-time qualified signature (QES), equivalent to a handwritten signature within the European Union. The feature can be used in most EU countries.

"By integrating Inperly with IDnow solutions, companies and institutions can conveniently, quickly, and securely verify a user's identity and sign documents with qualified signatures within Microsoft Teams. Our solution helps companies in the digitalization of documentation workflow and prevents fraud attempts. It can be successfully used in government institutions, banks, insurance companies, universities, HR firms and other organizations offering their services remotely," comments Tomasz Gozlinski, Head of Products at Billennium.

"Helping build trust in the digital world is one of our main goals and enabling our partners to create secure and trustworthy relationships is part of our mission. Our all-in-one solution with a qualified electronic signature is paired with remote identity proofing and is compliant with Anti-Money Laundering European Regulation, which ensures secure conversations with Inperly on Microsoft Teams for all parties. Checking or proving who you are is fast and easy, thanks to automated verifications based on AI. This cooperation thus helps to prevent identity theft by biometric checks and electronic signature," says Bertrand Bouteloup, Vice President Sales at IDnow.

More information about the application can be found at Inperly.com.

About IDnow

IDnow is a leading identity proofing platform provider in Europe with a vision to make the connected world safer. The IDnow platform provides a broad portfolio of identity verification solutions, ranging from automated to human-assisted, from purely online to point-of-sale, each optimized for user conversion rates and security.

In 2021, IDnow acquired the French market leader for identity technology, ARIADNEXT, and the German identity Trust Management AG, enabling IDnow to offer its customers one of the broadest identification solutions through a single, integrated platform.

The company has offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, and France and is backed by renowned institutional investors, including Corsair Capital and Seventure Partners. Its portfolio of over 900 international clients spans a wide range of industries and includes leading global players, such as Western Union, UBS, Sixt and Munich Re, as well as digital champions like N26, Solarisbank, wefox and Tier mobility.

About Billennium

Billennium is a global IT services and solutions provider. Established in 2003, we have been in the IT industry since then  we develop as the technology develops, delivering our clients the best-in-class solutions. Having 11 offices on 3 continents, our 1800+ IT experts work in a follow-the-sun (24/7/365) model to deliver the highest quality solutions and services for businesses around the globe, helping our clients in building strong competitive advantage with technology.

In 2021, we created Inperly, the world's first application for Microsoft Teams, enabling user identity verification and signing documents with electronic signatures using the most reliable and convenient forms available on the market.

SOURCE Billennium
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue River Financial Group announced a record-breaking year in 2022 dealmaking activity. The company experienced dynamic growth in 2022, and nearly doubled the number of closed transactions vs 2021. Blue River closed 26 deals across various sectors such as Distribution, Business Services, Manufacturing, Software, Technology & Engineering.

For the buy-side, 2022 marked a new standard of productivity. Blue River clients demonstrated steadfast commitment to achieving acquisitive goals.

Blue River, a leading middle market investment banking firm, announced a record-breaking 2022 in dealmaking activity. Tweet this

Sara Clevenger, Blue River Principal and Buy-Side Practice Leader, stated, "Acquisitive appetites remained strong across a multitude of industries. We were thrilled to launch add-on strategies for corporate acquirers as well as multiple add-on and platform searches for some of the most reputable sponsors in middle-market private equity."

The sell-side guided middle-market business owners prepared to take advantage of 2022's historic premiums.

Thomas Hagan, Managing Director and Sell-Side Practice Leader, stated, "For many of our clients, these transactions are the culmination of a lifetime's work and represent a significant portion of their net worth."

To support the company's growth, Blue River made nine additions to the team in 2022 and promoted several people who demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.

"Doubling the deal volume of the firm couldn't be accomplished without many in the organization stepping up and performing above and beyond expectations. We've increased our professional staff to insure we continue to provide the highest quality service to our clients," said Bryan Berent, Managing Partner.

2022 was also a year of notable recognition. M&A Source awarded Blue River with the Top M&A Firm of the Year, Advisor of the Year and Platinum Club Award. UK-based Global Advisory Experts (GAE) also honored Blue River as the Middle Market M&A Advisory Firm of the Year in Michigan, US.

William Loftis, Managing Partner, noted, "We experience no greater honor than when professional acquirers and business owners entrust their transactional needs to our care. Blue River's growth continually humbles me."

January 2023 marks Blue River's twentieth anniversary.

About Blue River

Blue River Financial Group is a middle-market investment banking and M&A advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience across 50 global industries, Blue River has become one of the nation's premier providers of buy-side, sell-side, and valuation services. It assists public corporations, private equity groups, and other institutional acquirers in deal-sourcing, negotiating, and closing transactions, and guides business owners through the selling process. Learn more at https://goblueriver.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT

Dana Bolgar Popov

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue River Financial Group
Nurses respond by filing unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board

BROCKTON, Mass., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 550 registered nurses at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, who are unionized with the Massachusetts Nurses Association, filed an unfair labor practice charge against hospital management on January 5, 2023. The charge is over a non-negotiated, unilateral change made by management to the nurses' established holiday schedule. This decision is in clear violation of the nurses' existing union contract, as well as labor law.

Copy of the filed ULP from the MNA.

Specifically, management recently announced that Patriots Day would no longer be recognized as a holiday and instead the holiday would be swapped for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For years, the nurses at Brockton Hospital have proposed, as part of their contract talks, that Martin Luther King Jr. Day be added to the list of recognized holidays. But, for years, hospital management has rejected that proposal.

"We strongly believe that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be a recognized and celebrated holiday at Brockton Hospital. In fact, we have tried, unsuccessfully, to negotiate that into our contract for years," said Nicole Tanner, RN and co-chairperson of the hospital's MNA bargaining unit. "We are not in disagreement on the addition of MLK Day as a holiday. We disagree on how the hospital went about doing this  without negotiating and while the contract is officially closed."

The nurses' union was originally told by management that the holiday change would not affect them, that it was only intended for non-union staff. But management ultimately moved ahead with a hospital-wide rollout, leaving nurses struggling to adjust their calendars and personal commitments as a result.

"For any and all changes to a union contract, there is a legally-protected process that needs to be followed," added Tanya Reynolds, RN and union co-chairperson. "Management 100 percent did not follow the process when they made this change, and, as a result, we are 100 percent confident we will win this unfair labor practice charge."

For the nurses, management's decision to violate the contract and labor law so egregiously is worthy of head scratching. "Nationwide, there are reports of how beaten down and fed up nurses are with a healthcare system that has abused and neglected them and their patients," added Cynthia Boyd, RN and a union co-chairperson. "So many of our colleagues already feel disrespected and taken advantage of. For management to pull a stunt like this while so many of us are at the ends of our ropes is imprudent. It builds no goodwill, and it is a waste of everyone's time, energy, and resources."

The nurses' contract reopens in 2024, and they believe that is the right time to address recognizing MLK Day as the important holiday it is.

A full copy of the union's unfair labor practice charge against Brockton Hospital is included.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sitting in church, praise music surrounded Bob Richardson; however, his life would soon be transformed by a physician sitting a few feet away. His remarkable journey would take him from CPR in the pew to lifesaving care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.

"I was reciting the Lord's Prayer, and everything went dark," Richardson said.

"I was reciting the Lord's Prayer, and everything went dark," reflects Bob Richardson. Tweet this After surviving sudden cardiac arrest, Bob Richardson reunites with Dr. Hassan Pervaiz, Dr. Gary Weinstein and Dr. Brian Le, inside the chapel at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.

Thanks to bystander CPR, Richardson survived sudden cardiac arrest.

Caring outside hospital walls

"I heard a strange noise to my right and saw a woman trying to hold up her husband," said Gary Weinstein, M.D., a pulmonologist on the Texas Health Dallas medical staff. "He was ashen and turning blue  he did not look good."

Weinstein checked for a pulse and felt nothing. Immediately, he began CPR. Minutes later, someone gave him an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Weinstein performed CPR, allowing Richardson to breathe again. A few minutes later, paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital.

Providing quality cardiac care

"Nurses were calling me the 'miracle baby,' but I was just extremely blessed with the right people at the right time," Richardson said.

To address future events of cardiac arrest, an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) was recommended.

"The electronic device is about the size of a stopwatch, and it's connected to the heart with small wires," said Brian Le, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist on the Texas Health Dallas medical staff, who performed the procedure.

Grateful, faithful and focused

"Bystander CPR and AEDs are lifesaving, and it can be the difference between life and death," Le said. Richardson wholeheartedly agrees.

"It was just uncanny that this happened at a church, and Dr. Weinstein was there," he said. "It's a scary experience, but I'm so appreciative for my church family and everyone at Texas Health Dallas."

Learn more here (https://www.texashealth.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/2023/Cardiac-Arrest-Survivors-Care-Begins-at-Church-ends-with-Quality-Treatment-at-Texas-Health-Dallas).

About Texas Health Resources:

Texas Health Resources is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 7 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations. The system has more than 4,100 licensed hospital beds, 6,400 physicians with active staff privileges and more than 28,000 employees.

SOURCE Texas Health Resources
- Chick restaurants nationwide celebrate annual Guest Appreciation Day and company's 15th birthday-

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the best day of the year for chicken salad fans, and it's back on Thursday, Jan. 19. Chicken Salad Chick , the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is celebrating its annual Guest Appreciation Day by giving away a free scoop of the brand's original and best-selling flavor, Classic Carol, to all guests at all locations across the country. Guest Appreciation Day is held every January to mark the company's birthday and to thank guests for their unwavering loyalty and support. This year marks 15 years in business for the Chick.

"The entire Chicken Salad Chick family looks forward to this annual day as an opportunity to treat our guests to a little something extra," said Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. "Our unique brand has continued growing into new cities and neighborhoods over the past 15 years, and we have loved meeting and serving Chick fans old and new. They are the reason we keep getting to spread the joy and comfort of our made-from-scratch chicken salad. We thank them for supporting us in their communities."

The free scoop of Classic Carol will be available all day Jan. 19 in every Chicken Salad Chick restaurant through dine-in, carryout and drive-thru with no purchase necessary. All orders placed online or through the Craving Credits app for delivery or pickup, as well as orders placed and delivered through DoorDash and UberEats will receive a free scoop of Classic Carol per entree purchased.

For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 220 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2022, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Nicole Hunnicutt

Fish Consulting

404-558-4108

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
BAR-U-EAT is demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and changing the packaging paradigm by becoming the first company to offer BPI Certified Compostable Bar Wrappers.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BAR-U-EAT has officially released its new Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified Compostable Packaging for their individually wrapped bars. With this release, they have become the first bar company in the world to offer packaging which carries the certification for the entire package  a move that ensures that their packaging will break down properly in commercial compost systems and not contaminate the environment. It also steps leaps beyond the industry standard of single use plastics.

The new packaging is composed of plant-based materials from FSC Certified sustainably managed forests. It additionally complies with the specifications established in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6400 to be aerobically composted and is biodegradable.

Every year over 2 billion pre-packaged snack, protein, and energy bars are consumed, almost all of which come in single use plastics or multi-layered wrappers. This creates millions of pounds of waste from a non-renewable, non-biodegradable resource. BAR-U-EAT's new packaging being made from renewable, sustainably sourced materials can break down to become nutrient rich soil. This type of packaging is at the forefront of where sustainable packaging technology is headed and where it needs to go to combat waste and the use of finite resources. In fact, BAR-U-EAT is a full 10 years ahead of the curve and is already compliant with California's SB 54 legislation which requires all packaging in the state to be third party verified recyclable or compostable by 2032.

BAR-U-EAT's longstanding mission is to change the way we think about the food that we eat and how it's packaged. They believe that packaged food should be simple and free of oils and preservatives and be packaged in a way that is less wasteful and regenerative to our planet. With BAR-U-EAT's new plant-based packaging, the wrapper your food comes will now become food for our planet.

BAR-U-EAT strives to create the most energy dense, healthy, delicious, and sustainable snacks on the planet to fuel anything that life may throw at you.

Photo Link

For more information on BAR-U-EAT and their products, please contact Jason Friday at 703.609.6695 or email [email protected]

SOURCE BAR-U-EAT
Former IBM Analytics GM brings long track record of growing enterprise technology businesses

Company also appoints SaaS industry expert Vinod Hariharan as Chief Financial Officer

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Totango, Inc., the industry's only composable customer success platform that helps companies drive immediate value, today announced the appointment of Alistair Rennie, former IBM Analytics GM, as Chief Executive Officer. With decades of enterprise software expertise and having served as a Totango board member since 2021, Rennie has a deep understanding of how companies can quickly leverage Totango's technology to strengthen and scale their customer success (CS) practice to drive lifetime value. Rennie succeeds Totango founder Guy Nirpaz, who is transitioning to the role of Executive Chair of the Totango Board of Directors.

Rennie began his career at IBM's Toronto Software Lab, advancing in roles for almost two decades to lead global business units in collaboration, analytics, and financial services software. Rennie joined Great Hill Partners in 2021 as an Executive-in-Residence, and since Great Hill's $100 million Series D investment in Totango, has worked closely with the Totango team as a member of the Board of Directors.

"Last year, Totango added a record number of new name-brand customers across over two dozen industries," said Rennie. "I look forward to building on the strong foundation Guy and the team have established to deliver innovation and value to Totango customers in this critical space. In today's challenging and volatile climate, retaining and growing customer relationships must be a top priority for any business. With built-in best practices and powerful automation, Totango's Composable CS Platform is uniquely positioned to empower customers to realize value quickly, scale their capabilities continuously, and maximize the value of their technology investment."

Rennie assumes day-to-day operations from Nirpaz, an industry innovator who has spent the last 12 years leading Totango to a position of strength in the CS market. Nirpaz now steps into a position that allows him to focus on advising on product innovation and CS evangelism, guiding the industry and customers on the importance of a "Farm Don't Hunt" strategy.

"With Alistair taking the reins, I've never been more excited and confident about Totango's future," Nirpaz said. "I also look forward to continuing to spend valuable time with customers, championing the importance of CS, and advising on how to deliver customer outcomes faster and easier. The customer journey is a company's most important product  and continuously iterating and improving upon that journey requires powerful modular technology."

Totango today also announced former Salesforce and Marketo executive Vinod Hariharan has joined Totango as Chief Financial Officer. Hariharan boasts over 15 years of SaaS financial leadership experience at companies such as Marketo, Salesforce, Bazaarvoice, and PwC. He most recently served as CFO at Alida (formerly Vision Critical), a cloud-based customer experience management platform.

About Totango

Totango is the industry's only composable customer success platform, built on a modular foundation with embedded best practices to meet you where you are today and grow with you as your business needs change. Totango is quick to implement and integrate, fast to value, and efficient to own and operate.

Many of the world's fast-growing businesses and well-established software giants use Totango to get real-time access to customer health, stay alert to risks and opportunities, and engage proactively and intelligently with their customers to increase net revenue retention and drive productivity within their organization. Try it now or request a demo at Totango.com.

SOURCE Totango
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A historic trial victory won last summer by a team of attorneys from the Dallas law firm Hamilton Wingo is being recognized by the Courtroom View Network (CVN) as the "Most Impressive Plaintiffs Verdict of 2022" among the many trials the network broadcast last year.

Hamilton Wingo secured the $7.37 billion verdict on behalf of the family of 83-year-old Betty Thomas, who was stabbed to death in her home by a cable repairman who worked for Charter Communications.

The lawyers representing the Thomas family at trial included Hamilton Wingo partners Chris Hamilton, Paul Wingo, Ray Khirallah, and associates Grant Boston and Allie Hallmark. The family also was represented by attorneys from Dallas' The Law Offices of Brad Jackson and Mullen & Mullen.

"It is an honor to represent Ms. Thomas' surviving children," says Mr. Hamilton. "We are glad that the jury and the judge found Charter responsible for its failures, and we hope this case will help prevent such a senseless tragedy from ever happening again."

While the multibillion-dollar verdict is the largest among the 10 trials highlighted by CVN, the network notes that the list "is not merely a ranking of large jury awards." Instead, CVN "took verdict amounts into consideration along with potentially challenging facts in a case, the parties and attorneys involved and potential impact on related litigation."

The jury's $7.37 billion award in William Goff, et al. v. Roy James Holden, Jr and Charter Communications, No. CC-20-01579, was handed down before the Hon. Judge Juan Renteria in Dallas County Court at Law No. 5 last June.

Hamilton Wingo is one of Dallas' premier trial law firms, having won billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in the past decade alone. The firm's skilled attorneys represent people from all walks of life in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases involving automobile, airline, and other transportation incidents, workplace safety issues, dram shop liability, dangerous products, industrial catastrophes, medical malpractice, premises liability, utility accidents, and water contamination in addition to high-stakes business litigation. To learn more about the firm, visit www.hamiltonwingo.com.

For more information, please contact Bruce Vincent at 214-763-6226 or [email protected].

SOURCE Hamilton Wingo LLP
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Data Centric Security Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Vertical; By Component; By Deployment Mode; By Organization Size; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2022 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global data centric security market size is expected to reach USD 23.62 billion by 2030, according to a new study. The report gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.



The market is growing rapidly due to the presence of key manufacturers in the industry, investments and advancements, a strict regulatory environment, and a rise in the frequency of technology use.



During the pandemic, the manufacturers have taken various initiatives to secure data as work from home was going on. The launches of solutions and services for the security of their data are boosting the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in August 2021, McAfee Enterprise unveiled "MVISION PRIVATE ACCESS," a coordinated strategy to expand data and security protection capabilities to private apps hosted throughout hybrid IT infrastructures and provide granular "Zero Trust" access. As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides in some areas, several businesses are expanding the opportunity to work virtually.



Furthermore, with the increasing incidence of technology adoption, countries are displaying enormous prospects for data-centric security software and services. The launch of the new platform, BYOD policies, CYOD trends, and corporate apps are also expected to make the IT infrastructure more complex and heterogeneous.



Due to the rapid advancements in mobile computing, the BYOD and CYOD patterns are becoming much more prevalent in professional situations. These advancements enable employees to access business data via mobile devices from any location at any time, increasing employee productivity while safeguarding organizational data from potential threats and maintaining its confidentiality and integrity.



Additionally, the growth of the market is being aided by the requirement for data-centric security solutions brought on by the increase in cyberattacks. The market is expanding quickly due to factors such as escalating end-user data security concerns, the move from physical offices to virtual clouds for collaboration, the impending concern over data breaches, compliance requirements, and expanding threat vectors.



Data-centric Security Market Report Highlights

Large Enterprises segment is anticipated to grow rapidly over the forecast period. To efficiently streamline their security, large businesses use various analytical techniques, such as data-centric security. Ransomware-based cyberattacks against large corporations are growing increasingly frequent and damaging.

The government and defense segment accounted for a significant revenue share. To prevent unauthorized parties from using sensitive personal information about residents or secret governmental/military business records online, government and defense deploy data-centric security.

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the largest CAGR over the projected period. Due to the extensive use of internet apps and the surge in vulnerable devices in the area, many vulnerabilities have emerged, leading to various ransomware attacks.

is expected to grow at the largest CAGR over the projected period. Due to the extensive use of internet apps and the surge in vulnerable devices in the area, many vulnerabilities have emerged, leading to various ransomware attacks. Major players operating in the global market include Broadcom Inc., Forcepoint Corporation, Imperva, Inc., IBM Corporation, Micro Focus International PLC, NetApp, Inc., Talend S.A., and, Varonis Systems.

The publisher has segmented the Data-centric Security market report based on component, vertical, deployment mode, organization size, and region:

Data Centric Security, Component Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Software and Solutions

Data Discovery and Classification

Data Protection

Data Governance and Compliance

Data Privacy

Others

Professional Services

Data Centric Security, Vertical Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

BFSI

Government and Defense

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Telecommunications

IT and Enterprises

Retail

Other Verticals

Data Centric Security, Organization Size Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Large Enterprises

SMEs

Data Centric Security, Deployment Mode Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

On-Premises

Cloud

Data Centric Security, Regional Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S

Canada

Europe

Germany

UK

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Netherlands

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Indonesia

Malaysia

Latin America

Argentina

Brazil

Mexico

Middle East & Africa

& UAE

Saudi Arabia

Israel

South Africa

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Executive Summary



3. Research Methodology



4. Global Data Centric Security Market Insights



5. Global Data Centric Security Market, by Component



6. Global Data Centric Security Market, by Vertical



7. Global Data Centric Security Market, by Organization Size



8. Global Data Centric Security Market, by Deployment Mode



9. Global Data Centric Security Market, by Geography



10. Competitive Landscape

11. Company Profiles



Companies Mentioned

Broadcom Inc.

Forcepoint Corporation

Imperva Inc.

IBM Corporation

Informatica Corporation

Micro Focus International PLC

NetApp Inc.

NextLabs Inc.

Netwrix Corporation

Orange Cyberdefense Inc.

Seclore Inc.

Talend S.A.

Varonis Systems.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rz9bdh

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.



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SOURCE Research and Markets
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DataTracks, a global leader in disclosure management software and services, has improved its flagship product, Rainbow Software with an enhanced text block tagging interface for ESEF Phase II mandate. The software upgrade will help companies in the European Union prepare annual reports in Inline XBRL (iXBRL) under ESEF, seamlessly integrating appropriate text block tags.

DataTracks Enhances Text Block Tagging Interface for ESEF Reporting

Under the ESEF mandate, EU-listed companies must submit their annual financial statements in the xHTML format. If the company prepares consolidated financial statements in IFRS, the xHTML document must be marked up with XBRL tags (iXBRL). With these constantly evolving regulatory requirements, EU-listed companies are concerned about finding software that enables them to publish compliant iXBRL reports with rich design. DataTracks Rainbow Software is the go-to solution, which automates and prepares compliant financial reports in multiple formats for filing with regulators such as the ESMA.

DataTracks recently updated its Rainbow Software with a significant improvement to text block tagging interface, this improvement includes 'Swift text blog tagging' and 'Upgraded roll forward'.

Swift text block tagging:

The swift text block tagging feature is particularly useful when the disclosure spans multiple pages and selecting the content range becomes challenging. This feature gives users flexibility to allow users to pin the starting and ending positions in the tagging layer, example - one of text block elements must cover all the note disclosures together.

Upgraded Roll Forward:

The upgraded roll forward feature allows users to seamlessly carry over text block tags from one version to another thus saving time and effort in preparing subsequent drafts. This feature is essential to maintaining the rich design layout of annual reports integrity.

Pramodh S, VP Product Design, DataTracks, said, "We are delighted to roll out the upgraded text block tagging interface ahead of the second phase of the ESEF mandate. The upgraded interface will provide a smooth process for our customers, as the number of text blocks is relatively high (up to 100%) compared to other regulations like SEC in the US. Thanks to our customers & partners for their valuable feedback during the development process. Our engineering team have translated the feedback and implemented them in the product, for a timely launch, despite the complexities involved in rich design layout and the number of pages in annual reports."

DataTracks also offers a wide range of robust and dependable regulatory solutions, including AIFMD, CRD IV, Solvency II, MIFID II, and FATCA, to help European companies meet their compliance requirements.

About DataTracks

With 18 years of experience, DataTracks has provided fully-assisted services to companies around the world in converting their financial statements to XBRL, iXBRL, HTML, and XML formats. The company's regulatory compliance solutions and services have served more than 21,500+ businesses across 26 countries, preparing over 325,000 compliance reports for filing with regulators worldwide.

The experts at DataTracks have excellent knowledge of the ESEF taxonomy, making them an ideal vendor for error-free ESEF filing. Whether you choose DataTracks' software or services, you get a trusted vendor for your filing needs. For more information, visit https://www.datatracks.com/eu/.

For Business Enquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +31 20 225 3702

Media Contact: [email protected]

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/663546/DataTracks_Logo.jpg

SOURCE DataTracks
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dental equipment market size reached USD 6.20 Billion in 2021 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period, according to latest analysis by Emergen Research. Increase in prevalence of dental disorders, rising medical tourism, and technological advancements in dental equipment are some key factors driving dental equipment market revenue growth. Gum disease is a major issue in the United States, and it is frequently ignored. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately half of individuals in the United States aged 30 and above have gum disease.

The likelihood of getting this ailment rises with age. It is more frequent in males than in women, causes more health risks to low-income people, particularly those living below the poverty line, and affects current smokers more than non-smokers or past smokers. In addition, prevalence of oral cancers also contributes to the market expansion. According to World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, the global incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer is expected to be 377,713 new cases and 177,757 deaths. Oral cancer is more frequent in men and older persons is more lethal in men than in women and are significantly influenced by socioeconomic factors.

Request Free Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/1538

Drivers:

Increasing demand for medical tourism is leading to an increase in global demand for dental equipment. In 2021, 630,000 foreign health tourists visited Dubai, according to data issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) during the current Arab Travel Market in Dubai. Dermatology (43%), dentistry (18%), and gynecology (16%) were the three medical disciplines that drew the most health tourists. The top three regions attracting dental health tourists were the Arab and GCC region (45%), Asia (28%), and Europe (15%). The expenditure of international patients was approximately USD 198 million. Several governments are promoting medical tourism to provide advanced and cost-effective treatments.

For instance, on September 2022, The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) redesigned Medical Korea's official website, which now includes information on using Korean medical services. It also provides useful information for visitors to Korea, such as medical visa kinds, visa processes, and tax refunds for cosmetic surgery. It also includes health suggestions for serious disorders including cerebral infarction, breast cancer, and respiratory ailments, as well as everyday activities to boost immunity and focus.

Restraints:

There are some issues and difficulties facing the dental equipment market. One of the significant challenges hindering the growth of the market is the high costs of dental imaging procedures. Dental imaging uses software for viewing the inner side of the teeth. Several factors are considered while selecting software, but the main factor is the cost. On-premise imaging solutions don't have ongoing monthly fees; instead, they need a one-time license payment. Software licensing prices can go up to an average of USD 4,000 depending on the imaging brand. It's crucial to remember that this fee only covers the primary software license. The cost of additional workstations is charged individually. Several image solutions are deemed free when packaged with a hardware purchase.

Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/1538

Growth Projections:

The dental equipment market is expected to register a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period and revenue is projected to increase from USD 6.20 Billion in 2021 to USD 11.59 Billion in 2030. Research and development of dental equipment are expected to support revenue growth of the market.

Current Trends and Innovations:

The dental equipment market is undergoing gradual changes during the forecast period. The development of laser technology has sparked a fascinating trend in the dentistry sector. It can be used for bleaching teeth, eliminating lesions and dental decay, changing gum form, cleaning out root canals, and a variety of other things. Additionally, a growing inclination for beautiful and flawless teeth and an increased focus on dental tourism have made cosmetic dentistry one of the burgeoning businesses that are gaining appeal. The availability of new technology for performing root canal therapy (RCT) such as laser-assisted RCT. It has the ability to reach the deepest pockets and target bacteria areas with greater accuracy. This helps in preserving healthier tooth structure and ensuring it is completely disinfected.

Strategic Initiatives:

Major companies included in the market report are 3M Company, Danaher Corporation, GC Corporation, Dentsply Sirona Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., Institut Straumann AG, Carestream Health, Patterson Companies, Inc., Planmeca OY, and Bien-Air Medical Technologies.

On April 2022 , Carestream Dental is expanding the pool of dentists who are familiar with CBCT imaging and providing more alternatives for current CS 8200 3D customers by releasing the Neo Edition of the CS 8200 3D Family. The CS 8200 3D's Neo Edition, which comes with an optional Scan Ceph module, is an upgrade of the original model that makes it easier to operate, enhances the clinical environment, and results in improved patient outcomes.

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + [email protected] https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/dental-equipment-market

Scope of Research

Report Details Outcome Market Size in 2021 USD 6.20 Billion CAGR (20222030) 7.1 % Revenue Forecast to 2030 USD 11.59 Billion Base Year for Estimation 2021 Historical Data 20192020 Forecast Period 20222030 Quantitative Units Revenue in USD Billion and CAGR in % from 2022 to 2030 Report Coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Segments Covered Product, treatment, end-use, and region Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Rest of Europe, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Rest of APAC, Brazil, Rest of LATAM, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, and Rest of Middle East & Africa Key Companies Profiled 3M Company, Danaher Corporation, GC Corporation, Dentsply Sirona Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., Institut Straumann AG, Carestream Health, Patterson Companies, Inc., Planmeca OY, and Bien-Air Medical Technologies Customization Scope 10 hours of free customization and expert consultation

Custom Requirements can be requested for this Report [Customization Available] @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-for-customization/1538

Emergen Research has segmented dental equipment market on the basis of basis of product, treatment, end-use, and region:

Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

General and Diagnostics Equipment



Dental Consumables



Others

Treatment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

Orthodontic



Endodontic



Periodontics



Prosthodontic

End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)



Hospitals and clinics



Dental Academic and Research Institutes



Others

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2019-2030)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U. K .

K



Italy





Spain





Benelux





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





South Korea





Rest of APAC



Latin America



Brazil





Rest of LATAM

LATAM

Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE





South Africa





Turkey





Rest of MEA

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SOURCE Emergen Research
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion DMS announces integration with Affinitiv XRM, allowing you to simplify your sales process while building customer loyalty. XRM is a fully integrated CRM powerhouse built by dealers for dealers that is now accessible from within VUE DMS.

"XRM has been a great asset to our business. It has increased our customer loyalty and simplified our sales processes. The product is user friendly and has helped reduce our deal processing times." - Kevin Mullins, General Manager - Mack Grubbs Hyundai/Genesis Hattiesburg.

Affinitiv

From Direct Desk inside of VUE DMS, you can view incentives and factory programs based on vehicle selection and customer credit history, adjust customer payment options with retail, lease, and balloon deals, and cut deal times in half with professional electronic paperwork.

Another feature is Showroom Control which will allow you to stay on top of all showroom activity in real-time, empower your team with a single user-friendly screen, and prevent costly errors by monitoring every step of the sales process.

"Our mission at Affinitiv is to drive the next generation of customer experience. We're very pleased that our integration with Dominion DMS will help dealers to achieve this level of customer satisfaction." - Russ Beckenstein, President of Affinitiv XRM.

Using their mobile-friendly app, dealers can connect to XRM through VUE DMS. This app will allow you to manage customer data and interactions wirelessly, accelerate deal processing with available license plate and driver's license scanning, be able to monitor internet leads in real time, and complete follow-up tasks wirelessly.

"Dominion's drive to partner with companies like Affinitiv is one of the main reasons dealerships are moving to Dominion DMS. Our mission is to give you everything you want in a DMS, nothing you don't." - Arlene Clements, VP of Business Development, Dominion DMS.

This announcement is another reason for dealers to reconsider their current DMS relationship and consider what VUE DMS can offer. To learn more about Dominion DMS and its VUE DMS platform, visit DominionDMS.com .

About Dominion DMS:

Dominion DMS partners with automotive dealers to offer modern solutions in an ever-evolving landscape. VUE by Dominion DMS is a cloud-native dealer management system that gives US-based franchised automotive dealers the digital security, flexibility, and efficiency to meet today's rapidly changing market. VUE enables dealers to deliver seamless customer interactions, reduce costs, and protect their business. Through its robust suite of certified SecureVUE APIs, VUE provides technology partners with the access and workflows they need to satisfy our common customers, the dealers. Consider Dominion DMS today. For more information, visit our website , and like us on Facebook , LinkedIn , and YouTube .

About Affinitiv:

Affinitiv is the leading provider of end-to-end sales, service, and marketing technologies for automotive manufacturers, dealer groups, and individual dealerships. Backed by over 20 years of automotive and marketing expertise, Affinitiv supports over 5,500 dealerships and all major automakers nationwide. At the forefront of this high-powered solutions suite is its most critical component, data, which is harnessed by our Customer Data Platform, allowing for highly targeted, timely, and relevant communications throughout the customer journey. With a technology-driven, hyper-personalized, and consultative approach, Affinitiv drives the next-generation customer experience while helping industry participants build profitable, lifelong customer relationships. For more information, visit Affinitiv.com .

MEDIA RELATIONS:

Scott Smith

Product & Content Marketing Manager

Dominion DMS

[email protected]

Russ Beckenstein

President, Affinitiv XRM

[email protected] (847) 955-9740

SOURCE Dominion DMS
Easier Access Helps Wellness-Focused Businesses Streamline Form I-9 Completion and Speed Up New Hire Onboarding

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax  (NYSE: EFX), a global data, analytics and technology company, today announced a partnership with Mindbody , a leading experience technology platform for the wellness industry, to bring the award-winning I-9 Management services from Equifax Workforce Solutions to the Mindbody Partner Store . This partnership provides wellness-focused businesses - such as fitness centers, salons and spas - with access to a more automated, mobile-friendly solution that helps streamline the Form I-9 completion process and simplify employee I-9 verifications, reverifications and audit logs.

"Mindbody strives to connect our customers with everything they need to run their day-to-day operations, empowering them to turn their passion for wellness into thriving businesses," said Fritz Lanman, CEO of Mindbody. "Together with Equifax, we're doing just that  delivering easier access to a proven solution in support of an everyday business need."

All U.S. employers, regardless of size, must comply with federal Form I-9 requirements for each employee. Employers often seek support to help them navigate these complex requirements and ever-changing regulations. I-9 Management from Equifax Workforce Solutions offers a more streamlined I-9 experience for both employers and employees with a solution that's tailored to the company's hiring and onboarding needs.

"Owners of wellness businesses of all sizes are seeking solutions that can help them quickly onboard the new hires they need to grow," said Maria Hayes, Senior Vice President, Digital and Experience at Equifax Workforce Solutions. "By expanding access to our I-9 Management services to the Mindbody platform, we're helping meet them where they are, providing an easier, more automated way to stay on top of their Form I-9 requirements and get new hires to work faster."

The suite of I-9 Management services from Equifax Workforce Solutions is trusted by thousands of large and small employers nationwide to help enable a more accurate, faster and easier capture of the Form I-9 requirements, all while keeping a detailed audit trail. Once selected through the Mindbody Partner Store and purchased through the Equifax e-commerce site, the Form I-9 process is automatically triggered when a new hire is added to the Mindbody platform, harnessing application-programming interfaces (APIs) to enable a more seamless form completion for both employers and employees.

Mindbody customers can access I-9 Management services today on the Mindbody Partner Store . For more information on I-9 Management services from Equifax Workforce Solutions, visit our website .

ABOUT EQUIFAX

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 14,000 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 Workforce Solutions

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
TRIESTE, Italy, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 12th Academic Year of the Ernesto Illy First-level Inter-University Master's Degree in Coffee Science and Economics was inaugurated. The program is targeted at young men and women with undergraduate degrees in economics, engineering and agrarian science, and provides comprehensive training on coffee culture from plant to cup, on the social value of coffee consumption, and on the culture of coffee-producing countries.

This year, twenty students are enrolled in the master's program. They come from sixteen different countries: Brazil, Colombia, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, the United States, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The courses, which will take place in a hybrid format  remote learning initially, followed by in-person classes starting in May  will conclude in December 2023, when students will defend their theses.

In addition to Fondazione Ernesto Illy, the master's degrees supporting partners include the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, the Trieste AREA Science Park, and illycaffe.

Once again, as it has every year since the first Master's in 2010, Fondazione Friuli will fund a scholarship, a meaningful way to encourage local youths from the provinces of Udine and Pordenone, while Fondazione Ernesto Illy will provide 9 full and 5 partial scholarships.

The master's program is directed by a team comprising Andrea Tracogna of the University of Trieste, Pietro Romano of the University of Udine, and Furio Suggi Liverani of illycaffe and Fondazione Ernesto Illy.

The Ernesto Illy Master's Degree in Coffee Science and Economics, the only one of its kind in the world, confirms Trieste's standing a global hub of coffee culture. The programme's 59 docents come from the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, illycaffe and the University of Coffee, the International Coffee Organization, Copenhagen University, Cirad, Unipd, Northen Colorado University, Coffeelab India, Demus, Drexel University, RD2 Vision, Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, VUNA Origin Consulting, MIB Trieste School of Management, Quin, and the Kedge Business School.

By the end of the programme, 249 people from 25 different countries will have earned a Master's Degree in Coffee Science and Economics.

illycaffe is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933. Its mission has always been to offer the best coffee to the world. Illycaffe produces a unique 100% Arabica blend, combining 9 of the best varieties in the world, selected by illycaffe: every day 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the cafes, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafes and shops, at home and in the office. As a result of its innovations, illycaffe contributes to the coffee technology progress at global level. In 1991, the "Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafe para espresso" was launched in Brazil for quality espresso coffee. Illycaffe has contributed to the sharing of the know-how, paying growers a premium price for the best quality selected by illycaffe. Since 2016, with the "Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award", the company has celebrated coffee growers all over the world that, according to illy, have produced the best sustainable coffee. Since 2013, the company has been in the list of the World Most Ethical Companies. In 2019, it enhanced its commitment to pursue a sustainable business model integrating the interest of people with the environment, adopting the status of Societa Benefit (Benefit Company) and adding this commitment into its own bylaws. In 2021, illycaffe was the first Italian company in the coffee sector to obtain the international certification as B Corp as a result of its commitment to comply with the highest standards of social and environmental performance. The company also founded the University of Coffee, which has the objective of sharing culture at all levels, offering a comprehensive and practical training to growers, baristas and coffee lovers. Everything that is "made in illy" is about beauty and art, the founding principles of the brand, starting from its logo, designed by artist James Rosenquist, up to illy Art Collection cups, decorated by over 120 international artists. In 2021, the company had 1305 employees and a turnover of about 500 million. There are 205 illy single-brand shops in over 40 countries all over the world. In 2021, Rhone Capital became a minority shareholder of illycaffe with the aim of contributing to the company's international growth plans.

SOURCE illycaffe
Award-Winning Solar Roof Boasts World's First Nailable Solar Shingle and Installs Like a Traditional Roof

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GAF Energy , a Standard Industries company and the leading provider of solar roofing in North America, today announced the launch of its innovative Timberline Solar roof in the Greater Sacramento area. Timberline Solar , the only system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials, is now available to residents in the Sacramento area for installation by local roofers. The solar roofing system incorporates the world's first nailable solar shingle, the Timberline Solar Energy Shingle (ES), which is assembled domestically at GAF Energy's California manufacturing and R&D facility in San Jose.

"Greater Sacramento area residents now have access to the best solar solution for their homea durable, attractive, affordable solar roof that is manufactured in America and installed by a local roofer they trust," said Jason Barrett, Senior Vice President of Sales for GAF Energy. "We're excited to bring the next generation of clean energy adoption to this part of California."

The Timberline Solar ES boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a quarter inch and integrates with traditional shingles to create a sleek and attractive look. It is the first product to achieve UL's 7103 certification, which certifies that GAF Energy's product meets UL's rigorous electrical, building, and safety standards as a roofing product and a solar energy productthe first of its kind to be recognized as both.

Timberline Solar is the most-awarded solar shingle in the world. Since its launch in January 2022, it has received more than 30 awards, including from CES, TIME, Fast Company, Popular Science, Green Builder, Good Housekeeping and the National Association of Home Builders. To meet demand, GAF Energy is significantly increasing its Timberline Solar manufacturing capacity with the construction of a new 450,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas.

Greater Sacramento area homeowners interested in solar roofing options and roofers interested in installing GAF Energy products can find out more at: www.gaf.energy .

About GAF Energy

GAF Energy is transforming the solar and roofing industries to generate energy from every roof. A Standard Industries company, GAF Energy works with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, GAF, to offer homeowners elegant, roof-integrated solar options through a national network of roofer partners. The company's leading product, the Timberline Solar roof system, incorporates the world's first nailable solar shingle to create an attractive, durable, and reliable solar roof. GAF Energy's products have received numerous awards and honors, including the Fast Company 2022 World Changing Ideas Award, the CES Best of Innovation Award , and an NAHB Best of IBS Award . GAF Energy develops and assembles its products at its R&D and manufacturing facility in San Jose, California.

SOURCE GAF Energy
Tracey Barber promoted to Global Chief Transformation and Growth Officer;

Tamara Greene promoted to Managing Director, Global Brands;

Joceyln Weiss joins as Global Chief Communications Officer

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Havas Creative, the world's most integrated advertising and communications business, has made three key appointments to its senior leadership team to further expand its global capabilities and to boost integrated, cross-market growth.

Left to right: Jocelyn Weiss, Tamara Greene, Tracey Barber (CNW Group/Havas Creative)

Global Chief Marketing Officer Tracey Barber is promoted to Global Chief Transformation and Growth Officer, and Managing Partner, Global Brands Tamara Greene is promoted to Managing Director, Global Brands  both new roles  while former MRM SVP, Director of Global Communications Jocelyn Weiss has been appointed Global Chief Communications Officer. They represent the first major leadership appointments by Havas Creative Global CEO Donna Murphy since she was promoted to the role in July 2022.

These significant appointments underline Havas Creative's focus on further international transformation and follow a number of global, multi-market new business wins including Samsung's HARMAN International, spanning brands such as JBL and Harman Kardon; Randstad; and JLL.

Donna Murphy, Global CEO of Havas Creative, says: "Havas' 'Village' model is the most integrated in the business  and these appointments will bring these local centres of excellence, which focus on collaboration, not competition, together on a genuinely joined-up, at-scale, global level."

Barber has spent the past three years as Havas Creative's Global Chief Marketing Officer, driving year-on-year growth across the network through her leadership of new business, marketing, and internal and external communications. She will retain responsibility for all these disciplines, while additionally taking responsibility for bringing new products and services to market, and curating a seamless, cross-discipline, best-in-class experience for Havas' clients. Based out of the UK and reporting into Havas Creative Global CEO Donna Murphy, Barber will continue to work closely with all regional and key market CEOs, as well as Havas Media Group and Havas Health & You on group-wide growth opportunities.

Greene has been with Havas Creative since 2009, most recently as Managing Partner, Global Brands, and has led global initiatives for Havas' substantial Reckitt account for more than seven years. She has also been instrumental in driving key global new business wins such as Randstad, which saw the world's largest recruitment agency name Havas its first global creative agency of record, and Samsung-owned HARMAN International, with Havas named global agency of record, spanning brand strategy, creative, content, media and production across all its brands (both in 2022). In her new role as Managing Director, Global Brands, Greene will work closely with Havas' agency leaders across the globe to ensure excellence in global client delivery and to boost further integrated, international client growth.

Weiss joins Havas from MRM, where she held the role of SVP, Director of Global Communications. A seasoned corporate communications and PR specialist, her career spans agencies including JWT [now Wunderman Thompson] (Director of Global Communications) and BBDO (VP, Director Corporate Communications North America), as well as a stint at PR company DiGennaro Communications (SVP). As Global Chief Communications Officer, she will report to Barber and oversee Havas Creative's communications strategy  working in close collaboration with its global new business and marketing team to help strengthen the reputation and perception of Havas Creative globally, and with local market teams to ensure the business' key messaging is supported and amplified as widely and as coherently as possible. She will be based out of New York.

Donna Murphy adds: "I'd like to congratulate Tracey and Tamara on their richly deserved promotions, and welcome a communications heavyweight in Jocelyn to the Havas family. It's wonderful to see three brilliantly talented women take on such pivotal roles within our group  roles which will unlock real growth and drive client experience across the globe."

The appointments follow the recent promotion of Shazzia Khan to Global Chief Talent and Innovation Officer (from Chief of Staff and Chief Talent Officer, Havas Health & You), and Claire Telling to Global Chief People Experience Officer (from Chief People Officer, Havas Creative North America)  with both roles spanning both Havas Creative and Havas Health & You under the leadership of Murphy. These new, integrated roles will help deliver a first-class, people-centric experience for both Havas' existing and potential employees and clients alike.

About Havas Group

Havas is one of the world's largest global communications groups. Founded in 1835 in Paris, the Group employs 20,000 people in more than 100 countries and operates through its three business units covering all communication activities. Havas Group's mission is to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses and people. To better anticipate client needs, Havas has adopted a fully integrated model through its 70+ Havas Villages around the world. In these Villages, creative, media and healthcare & wellness teams work together, ensuring agility and a seamless experience for clients. We are committed to building a diverse culture where everybody feels they belong, can be themselves, thrive and grow.

Further information about Havas Group is available on the company's website: havasgroup.com

#MeaningfulDifference

SOURCE Havas Creative
OCALA, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The HiBid.com auction platform grew at a tremendous rate in 2022, setting new records in bidder totals, lots sold, and gross auction proceeds. In all, HiBid.com facilitated the sale of over $2.1 billion in gross auction proceeds and more than 29.7 million lots in 73,850 online-only and webcast auctions. HiBid averaged nearly 1 million bids on the site per day throughout the year, and set an all-time record for the total number of registered bidders using the platform.

HiBid.com brings buyers and sellers together every day with a wide-ranging selection of items across hundreds of categories that appeal to bidders worldwide. HiBid is fully integrated with Auction Flex 360, providing auctioneers with a comprehensive auction management solution that supports internet-only auctions, webcast auctions, and absentee bidding.

In all, HiBid.com facilitated the sale of over $2.1 billion in gross auction proceeds and more than 29.7 million lots... Tweet this

2022 HiBid.com Highlights

GAP: $2.1+ Billion

Lots Sold: 29.7+ Million

Online-Only Auctions: 68,651

Webcast Auctions: 5,199

Auctioneer Highlights

The following list features some of the top-selling HiBid auctioneers for 2022 as well as their most current events.

Bryan's Auction Services

Current event: Trenton Timed Online Auction

Dates: January 14th-17th, 2023

Lots: 1,990+

Featured: This auction includes a wide selection of building supplies, household items, and shop equipment.

Centurion Auctions

Current event: Militaria and Wartime Memorabilia Auction

Date: January 12th, 2023

Lots: 809

Featured: A expansive selection of wartime militaria collections and military memorabilia from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st century is available for bidding in this live webcast auction.

Encore Auctions

Current event: Undeliverable Freight and Return Merchandise

Dates: January 4th-17th, 2023

Lots: 1,259

Featured: Clothing, electronics, and household goods are among the merchandise up for bidding in this auction.

Gold Standard Auctions

Current event: Oklahoma Oil Baron Coin Auction

Dates: December 14th, 2022 through January 22nd, 2023

Lots: 2,785

Featured: Gold Standard Auctions indicates this auction contains some of the nicest known coins, including early copper, silver, and gold currency.

Heritage Global Partners (HGP)

Current event: Amgen 83

Dates: January 19th-20th, 2023

Lots: 796

Featured: Biotech equipment such as biosafety cabinets and refrigerators and freezers, pharmaceutical lab assets, and other items will be up for bidding in this auction.

Joseph Finn Co.

Current event: Surplus for Ongoing Operations of Technoworks Productions

Dates: January 20th-25th, 2023

Lots: 620

Featured: From a complete mobile sound stage to audio consoles and wireless microphones, this auction includes a variety of professional audio equipment.

Key Date Coins

Current event: Rare Coin Auction

Dates: December 23rd, 2022 through January 14th, 2023

Lots: 1,992

Featured: Rare currency, gold, and original rolls of coins are among the highlights in this live webcast auction running on January 12th, 13th, and 14th.

Kraft Auction Service

Current event: 46th Anniversary Antique and Collectible Auction

Dates: January 19th-22nd, 2023

Lots: 3,706

Featured: Vintage comics, toys, and Hot Wheels cars are among the variety of collectibles in this massive auction that also includes auto and motorcycle racing memorabilia.

Seven82Motors

Current event: March 2023 Online Auction

Dates: March 6th-11th, 2023

Lots: 51

Featured: Based in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, this auction features immaculately restored classics, lowriders, and muscle cars.

United Country Real Estate Auction Services

Current event: Escue Commercial Online Auction

Dates: January 8th-23rd, 2023

Lots: 3

Featured: These three land parcels in Brownsville, Kentucky are in a premier location for commercial opportunities with retail, restaurants, and hotel developments.

Washington Surplus Inc.

Current event: Unclaimed Property, Police Seizures, and Government Surplus

Dates: December 31st, 2022 through January 15th, 2023

Lots: 2,643

Featured: A huge selection of consumer goods and collectibles are for sale in this online-only auction.

Wickliff & Associates Auctioneers, Inc.

Current event: Paul Eckert Estate, Session 1

Date: January 26th, 2023

Lots: 300

Featured: This auction is highlighted by antiques and fine art, including many pieces from the 19th century.

If you're looking to sell through HiBid.com, click here to describe what you wish to sell, and a local HiBid auctioneer will help you get started.

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About HiBid and Auction Flex 360

HiBid is an online auction platform supporting webcast auctions, internet-only auctions, and internet absentee bidding. It is also available as a private-label solution. HiBid is integrated with Auction Flex 360, the market leader in auction software for live and online auctions, with capabilities that include cataloging, clerking, cashiering, accounting, mailing list management, inventory management, and multi-parcel. HiBid and Auction Flex 360 were built from the ground up to function together seamlessly.

SOURCE Hibid-AuctionFlex
POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honely is excited to announce the start of a new partnership with NeoZips, an Irvine startup that provides Korea-based clientele an end-to-end service for investing in American real estate.

NeoZips. NeoZips and Honely enter into a strategic agreement.

Honely will provide important analytics to help fuel NeoZips' robust, digital "property management system." Its purpose is to provide a way for NeoZips' clients to monitor the economic status of their current investments and to potentially locate new investment opportunities. Honely uses advanced AI and machine learning models to produce accurate, predictive analytics for the entirety of the U.S. residential real estate market.

Using Honely's AVM, NeoZips will be able to instantly show its clients what their investment property is worth today, whether the home is on or off market. Other popular AVMs struggle to accurately estimate a home's value when it's off market because they heavily rely on listing prices. Honely's model's accuracy is more consistent as they weigh thousands of data points outside of the property's features and listing price, such as macroeconomic indicators and real estate indices. Accurate home-value estimates for off-market homes are critical for NeoZips as many of their clients already own one or more investment properties. Armed with accurate AVM data, investors can make a wiser decision on whether they should sell their property now or continue to hold.

NeoZips also plans to leverage Honely's innovative future-value data. Honely is able to estimate what a home will be worth anywhere from 3 months to 3 years into the future. This unique data will allow for NeoZips clients to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to future market changes. Through its "property management system," NeoZips investors will be able to monitor the rolling changes to their investment property's value by simply searching its address, similar to how a stock investor is able to view the changes to a stock's value by searching the ticker via a mobile application. Honely's future value estimates are available on over 100 million homes and will also be used to help investors locate neighborhoods and properties that are primed for growth.

Through teaming up with Honely, NeoZips proves its commitment to keeping their clients informed and involved with their investments. NeoZips' digital "property management system" will become available to its clients by February of 2023. It will serve as a first-of-its-kind and innovative platform for real estate investing.

Honely Media Contact:

Scot Eisenfelder

9544252056

[email protected]

SOURCE Honely, LLC
Mercurio to lead the Client Organization, Business Development and Marketing teams for Ipsos North America

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsos, one of the world's leading research and insights organizations, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Mercurio as Chief Client Officer.

In this newly expanded role, Mercurio will oversee the unification of Ipsos NA's Client Organization, Business Development and Marketing & Communications teams.

Nick Mercurio

Mercurio, a commercially focused executive with a history of leadership in the Customer Experience (CX), technology, consulting, and market research industries, has spent seven years with Ipsos. Over the past two years, as President and Cluster Leader, he managed several Ipsos Service Lines, including CX, Channel Performance and Automotive & Mobility. In each role, he led his teams to achieve significant year-over-year growth, improved profitability, and stellar client satisfaction scores.

"As a result of my work in CX and the broader experience economy, I've developed a highly customer-centric business mindset," said Nick Mercurio, Chief Client Officer, Ipsos. "Thus, I believe strongly in Ipsos' core value of Client First. I'm excited to collaborate even closer with our clients to understand their needs and harness Ipsos' great heritage of developing future-proof research, insights, and advisory solutions to solve their biggest challenges and help them grow."

Lorenzo Larini, CEO of Ipsos North America, added, "Under Nick's leadership, the new Client & Growth organization will deliver great impact for our growing roster of world-class clients. It will also support Ipsos' continued trajectory as one of the most innovative companies in our industry, a Great Place to Work, and a fast-growing market leader in North America."

Mercurio is based in Seattle and joined Ipsos in 2015 as the leader of its Channel Performance business. Earlier in his career, Mercurio served in leadership and CX consulting roles at InMoment (formerly MaritzCX) and Daymon Worldwide and obtained his MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business.

ABOUT IPSOS

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 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. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Our tagline "Game Changers" sums up our ambition to help our 5,000 customers move confidently through a rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com

SOURCE Ipsos
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- G6 Hospitality LLC, the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that Julie Arrowsmith, President and Chief Financial Officer of G6, has been appointed President and Interim Chief Executive Officer. Rob Palleschi will step down as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, effective today, as he transitions to the position of Chief Executive Officer of American Campus Communities, the nation's premier student housing manager, owner and developer.

Ms. Arrowsmith has served in various leadership positions across the G6 organization over her 28-year career. As President and CFO, she has been responsible for all finance and revenue-driving efforts, including the oversight of the revenue management, sales and e-commerce departments.

"It has been a great honor to be CEO of G6 for the last five years," said Mr. Palleschi. "I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated team members, talented management team and valued franchisees across the nation for their tremendous contributions to G6. With Julie's energy, commitment to G6's values and nearly three decades as part of the G6 team, I could not be more confident in the Company's next chapter."

"It is a privilege to take on this additional responsibility as we position G6 for continued growth," said Ms. Arrowsmith. "We have an incredibly strong team in place across the organization, and I look forward to continuing our work to support our franchise partners and deliver exceptional value for our guests."

Rob Harper, Head of Real Estate Asset Management Americas at Blackstone, added, "There is no one that knows G6 better than Julie, and we are confident the business will see a new level of success under her leadership. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Rob for his years of dedication and stewardship. He has been invaluable to the Company, and we know this will be a seamless transition for team members, franchisees and guests alike."

Ms. Arrowsmith has held various leadership roles with increasing responsibility since joining the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in 1995. Prior to joining G6, Ms. Arrowsmith worked in the audit team at Deloitte. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she received a bachelor's degree in accounting and subsequently earned her CPA license.

About G6 Hospitality LLC

G6 Hospitality franchises more than 1,400 economy lodging locations under the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the United States and Canada. In 2022, Motel 6 was named the "Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand" in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The company also ranked a Top 10 Military Friendly Employer for 2022 and named a 2021 "Best for Vets" employer by Military Times. For more information please visit http://www.g6hospitality.com/.

Contact

Connie McCauslin

G6 Hospitality

[email protected]

(469) 381-9177

SOURCE Motel 6
JUPITER, Fla. and BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc. ("JUPITER" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company advancing a pipeline focused on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and rare diseases, today announced that it has appointed Saleem Elmasri, CPA, as new Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2023. Former CFO, Dana Perez, will remain as a consultant for the Company.

JOTROL Product Differentiation Comparison.

"We are excited to announce Saleem joining our team and bringing his experience as a public company CFO to our Company. As we continue to strategically advance the development of our pipeline and pursue our public offering, Saleem's talents are an integral addition to our management team," stated Christer Rosen, Chairman & CEO.

"I'm excited and privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside the entire Jupiter team," said Mr. Elmasri, newly appointed Chief Financial Officer. "Chris' exemplary dedication to pursuing critical lines of research to help patients suffering from several rare diseases as well as huge unmet medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease is admirable. I look forward to being a part of the team addressing these underserved patient populations and building value for all stakeholders by doing so."

Mr. Elmasri has been working at Titan Advisory Services LLC as Principal since September 2020. Titan Advisory Services LLC is a boutique advisory firm focused on providing collaborative and customized financial operations and CFO services to early-stage companies. Mr. Elmasri was Managing Director at DLA LLC, a professional services firm providing clients internal audit, accounting advisory, and corporate finance services, from June 2019 to April 2021 (ended full time employment September 2020 and became a consultant to DLA through April 2021). Prior to that, Mr. Elmasri worked as Senior Director for Pine Hill Group LLC, a boutique accounting and transaction advisory firm, from March 2018 to June 2019, and worked as Senior Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Big-4 Accounting and Global Professional Services firm, from September 2007 to March 2018. Mr. Elmasri is a CPA and seasoned business professional who has a passion for delivering meaningful and measurable value to clients through practical solutions. Mr. Elmasri has over 15 years of experience in financial and management consulting. Mr. Elmasri began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked on several of the firm's Fortune 500 clients, primarily focused on the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical industry. From PwC, Mr. Elmasri transitioned to lead advisory practices at boutique consulting firms, specializing in transaction and complex accounting advisory. Mr. Elmasri has B.S. degrees in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University.

About JOTROL

JOTROL, the Company's unique and patented platform product, is an enhanced resveratrol formulation designed to safely deliver therapeutically relevant levels of resveratrol. In a Phase I first-in-man trial, JOTROL was administered in ascending doses to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. JOTROL was determined to be safe and well tolerated at all dose levels administered and achieved blood plasma target levels 8-10-fold higher than naive resveratrol administered in historical clinical trials. The study was financed by a grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), entitled Safety and Pharmacokinetics of JOTROL for Alzheimer's Disease. Resveratrol has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and has demonstrated positive effects on oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial function in Friedreich's ataxia (FA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

About Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc.

Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on treating CNS disorders and rare diseases. The Company's platform product, JOTROL, offers potential therapeutic benefit to most central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, ataxias, and metabolic disorders such as Lysosomal Storage Disorders and mitochondrial diseases. Human clinical trial data shows benefits in several indications and the FDA has accepted a first investigational new drug (IND) application of JOTROL. More information may be found on the Company's website www.jupiterneurosciences.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results which are forward-looking statements. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements, depending on factors including whether results obtained in preclinical and nonclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial will be indicative of the final results of the trial; the size of the potential markets for the Company's drug candidates and its ability to service those markets; and the Company's current and future capital requirements and its ability to raise additional funds to satisfy its capital needs. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Alison Silva, President & CBO

Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc.

[email protected]

Media Relations

Alex Rosen, Chief Administrative Officer

Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc.

561-406-6154

[email protected]

SOURCE Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc.
Former Sills Cummis Practice Leader and General Counsel to UMDNJ, Lester Aron Named Deputy Managing Partner of Scarinci Hollenbeck

LITTLE FALLS, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Labor & employment attorney Lester Aron has joined Scarinci Hollenbeck as Deputy Managing Partner. Mr. Aron has practiced law for over thirty years, founded and managed his own law firm, and has served as general legal counsel to a variety of institutions throughout his career. In his new role, Mr. Aron will focus on the firm's practice management and business development.

Labor & employment attorney Lester Aron has joined Scarinci Hollenbeck as Deputy Managing Partner.

"Scarinci Hollenbeck has long been a great place to practice law," stated Mr. Aron. "I look forward to engaging the many talented lawyers and significant clients at the firm. I believe we are poised to expand the firm's reputation and success in new and exciting ways and I am excited to be a part of that journey," he continued.

As Deputy Managing Partner, Mr. Aron draws on his extensive background in law and leadership. He co-founded his own boutique law firm, formerly known as Aron, Salsberg & Rosen where over the course of the next 10 years, he developed a large client base and earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating. He later negotiated the firm's acquisition by Sills, Cummis, & Gross, where he served as partner and co-chaired the firm's education and labor & employment practice groups for twenty years. Mr. Aron has also advised and served as legal counsel for a variety of institutions, including Rutgers, UMDNJ, University Hospital, and the Office of the Governor for the State of New Jersey.

"The legal industry has experienced considerable change since the pandemic began in 2020. Clients are crying out for lower prices and young lawyers are demanding more say and a greater role in originating business," stated Donald Scarinci, Founding Partner of the firm. "Les Aron has the skillset we need to help me manage and navigate competing demands within and outside of the firm. His experience and perspective on law firms is an asset as we grow Scarinci Hollenbeck to meet the needs of the future."

Mr. Aron will be based out of the firm's Little Falls, NJ office located in the Overlook Corporate Center .

This press release was originally published at: https://scarincihollenbeck.com/firm-news/labor-employment-attorney-named-deputy-managing-partner/

About Scarinci Hollenbeck

With a growing practice of more than 60 experienced attorneys, Scarinci Hollenbeck is a regional alternative to a National 250 law firm. With offices in New Jersey, New York City, and the District of Columbia, we serve the niche practice areas most often required by institutions, corporations, entities, and the people who own and control them.

More information on our firm's expertise and range of practice can be found on our website: www.sh-law.com .

Contact: Peter Moeller

Telephone: 201-896-4100

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
TRACY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, announced today the grand opening of Fairgrove and Greenwood, two new single-family home collections bringing eight brand new open concept Lennar home designs to the Tracy Hills master-planned community, located in the rolling hills of Northern California's San Joaquin County.

Home shoppers are invited to join in the grand opening celebration for Fairgrove and Greenwood, taking place Saturday, January 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two new single-family home collections bring eight brand new open concept Lennar home designs to the Tracy Hills master-planned community, located in the rolling hills of Northern California's San Joaquin County.

Home shoppers are invited to join in the grand opening celebration for Fairgrove and Greenwood, taking place Saturday, January 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will include complimentary food and beverages, music and exclusive tours of four dazzling Lennar model homes.

Following the event, self-guided tours will be available at Fairgrove & Greenwood daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

"Fairgrove and Greenwood continue our commitment to bringing beautiful, comfortable and technologically modern new home options to Tracy Hills, one of the most exciting master-planned developments in the area," said Lennar Bay Area Division President Brian Olin. "These two latest collections bring us to seven Lennar neighborhoods within Tracy Hills. We're thrilled to offer many avenues for home shoppers to buy within Tracy Hills and build their lives here."

Homes at Fairgrove range from 1,945 to 2,416 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and two-and-a-half to three baths. Homes at Greenwood range from 2,452 to 2,869 square feet, with four to five bedrooms and three to three-and-a-half baths. The Greenwood community also offers one Next Gen "Home Within a Home" floor plan, featuring a private suite with a private entrance, kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave, living space, bedroom and bath, laundry room with washer/dryer hook-ups, and a patio  perfect for an aging parent, a home office, home gym or even a grown child coming back to the nest. Pricing begins in the $700,000s at Fairgrove and in the $800,000s at Greenwood.

All homes at Fairgrove and Greenwood incorporate the latest technology with conveniences like Ring alarm security systems, keyless entries, and smart thermostats. Every home also comes with Lennar's signature Everything's Included program, where the homebuilder's most popular options and upgrades are built into the base price of the home. At Fairgrove and Greenwood, this includes GE stainless steel appliances, quartz or granite countertops, shaker-style cabinets and a host of other carefully curated interior touches and designer fixtures.

Residents of these two communities will enjoy an amenity rich lifestyle within the 5,411-acre Tracy Hills master-planned community, where Lennar has developed numerous neighborhoods including Pearl, Topaz, Amethyst, Parklin and Sunhaven.

Amenities offered to Tracy Hills residents include a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, game room and lounge area, as well as a multipurpose room for events. Tracy Hills also offers a dog park, picnic area, playground, extensive walking and hiking trails, a market store and a new fire station. Future development includes an elementary school.

Fairgrove and Greenwood are located close to neighborhood shopping and dining, minutes from downtown Tracy, the 580 freeway and an Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) train station, linking residents to the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

The Fairgrove and Greenwood model home and sales office is located at 5422 Ironwood Avenue in Tracy, California. For more information, call (888) 216-2330 or visit the Fairgrove community website, Greenwood community website or www.lennar.com/BayArea.

About Lennar Corporation

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit lennar.com.

Contact: Danielle Tocco

Vice President Communications

Lennar Corporation

[email protected]

Direct Line: 949.789.1633

SOURCE Lennar Corporation
Partnership supports LIU's Digitizing Local History Sources project

BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Island University announced the Palmer School of Library & Information Science was awarded a $1 million grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation to support the University's "Digitizing Local History Sources" program. The funding provides students and faculty additional opportunities to preserve sensitive historical documents relevant to Long Island's history.

"Long Island University is grateful for the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation's continuous partnership and ongoing commitment to preserve Long Island's illustrious history," said Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, President, Long Island University. "This funding opportunity allows our students to further develop their archiving skills while enhancing their academic experience."

Students enrolled in the Palmer School at LIU preserve local Long Island history through advanced digital technology to capture images of important historical documents. LIU students have archived documents from 46 historical organizations, including 75,000 images, amounting to a total of 4,600 gigabytes of data.

Since 2017, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has contributed more than $2.2 million to Long Island University's historical preservation projects. The funds presented by the Gardiner Foundation have enabled Palmer School students to digitize materials provided by various organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Students most recently preserved information from notable historical items, including Walt Whitman's family bible.

"Years ago, the Foundation asked me what I saw as the greatest need for our historical societies. I had recently been to a historic site that was underutilized, and underappreciated. For years this organization had been maintaining an incredible resource of archival material that was virtually unknown. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation's mission is to advance regional history. I reached out to LIU and this project was initiated. Through the RDLGF Board's support and approval, the wealth of historic documents chronically our past are now being shared, and the work of our historic stewards recognized," said Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.

Established in 1987, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation primarily supports the study of New York State history. The organization's purpose is to cultivate, foster and promote interest in the culture, art and traditions of our local history. Foundation leaders aspire to encourage the collection and examination of documents and artifacts.

"Our students are highly skilled and motivated in the digital archiving process", said Dr. Gregory Hunter, LIU professor and Project Director, Digitizing Local History Sources. "The added bonus is that Long Island residents benefit from this program, as important documents pertaining to local history are digitally preserved for all posterity."

The Palmer School of Library and Information Science is the leading library science program in the New York City metropolitan area. It has the only New York State Registered Certificate of Advanced Study in Archives and Records Management (CARM), over 25 dual master's degree programs with New York University, and the only Ph.D. in Information Studies in the region.

About Long Island University

Long Island University, founded in 1926, is a leading research and teaching university that continues to redefine higher education by providing high-quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU has a network of over 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.

SOURCE Long Island University
Oula looks to bring its model of collaborative care  which combines the best of midwifery and obstetrics to launch additional services to support new parents

The announcement comes as the company grows by 10x while maintaining industry-leading patient satisfaction

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oula , the modern maternity clinic transforming the experience of pregnancy and childbirth, today announced that it has raised a $19.1 million Series A funding led by 8VC with participation from existing investors including Chelsea Clinton's fund, Metrodora; the Female Founders Fund; Collaborative Fund; and Alumni Ventures. Seed investors included Great Oaks, January Ventures, Rock Health, Black Jays and individuals such as Kate Ryder of Maven Clinic, Tom Lee of One Medical, and Jonathan Bush of Athena Health. This brings Oula's total funding to $22.3 million and underscores the urgency of rebuilding U.S. maternity care from the ground up.

Since opening their doors in February 2021, Oula is outperforming national, state, and city quality standards, including a lower rate of cesarean births and preterm deliveries. Oula reached full capacity just three months after launching their first location in Brooklyn, New York. This feat was even more remarkable considering that it took place at the peak of the pandemic, while both co-founders and Oula's CXO were pregnant. More than 500 births later, Oula opened its second location in Manhattan, doubled their employee base in just a year, and built a clinical team without spending any capital on recruiting.

"Oula's growth sends a simple but unmistakable message: Maternity care can and must be better," said Kimmy Scotti, 8VC founding partner and mother of two. "Oula's transformative approach is not only refreshing  it's desperately needed."

This funding will continue to advance Oula's full-service pregnancy care that includes prenatal, delivery, and postpartum, while allowing Oula to expand its sonography capabilities as well as group support to offset the pressures of becoming a parent in America. Oula's announcement comes at a critical moment, with U.S. maternal mortality on the rise (particularly for Black women), reproductive rights being stripped away, and parents facing mounting challenges from a shortage of affordable childcare options to lack of paid family leave.

According to the World Health Organization, increasing access to midwives is one of the most powerful ways to reduce maternal deaths, lower preterm birth and cesarean rates, and lower the cost of childcare. One study published in The Lancet found that including more midwives in healthcare systems could prevent more than 80 percent of maternal and infant deaths.

"Ask just about anyone who has been pregnant or is considering giving birth in the U.S., and it's clear that when it comes to maternity care, the status quo isn't serving anyone. Between miserable patient experiences, poor health outcomes, and extraordinarily high costs, there is room for improvement, to put it mildly," said Adrianne Nickerson, co-founder and CEO of Oula. "At Oula, we are focused on providing a great experience and great outcomes for our patients. That means listening to and taking their concerns seriously, prioritizing mental health as well as physical, approaching this work through a lens of equity and inclusivity, hiring diverse and culturally competent staff, providing trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of postpartum care, and empowering patients to advocate for themselves," she added.

The U.S.'s shameful maternal mortality rates are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems in maternity care. Compared to women in other high-income countries, women in the U.S. report the least positive experiences in healthcare and are more likely to report emotional distress. Oula was founded on the belief that improving the experience of pregnancy and childbirth will lead to better health outcomes and lower costs. This focus on experience means that Oula providers spend twice as much time with patients as regular obstetricians do. That additional time leads to deeper connections, which in turn leads to a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's needs and makes it easier to identify potential problems early. Oula takes all major insurances, including Medicaid, which covers more than 40 percent of births in the U.S. One in five Oula patients rely on Medicaid, 54 percent of patients identify as non-white or Hispanic, and one in 10 patients are LGBTQ+.

"This funding [from primarily female investors] makes it possible to expand Oula's care offerings to include sonography and further group support. Oula is proud to offer parents and their babies community and guidance not only up to delivery, but through 'the fourth trimester.' In addition to our postpartum office hours and dedicated monthly space for BIPOC patients and families, we are grateful for the ability to offer new opportunities for groups to come together to work through experiences such as pregnancy loss with the help of trained staff. Pregnancy and early parenthood can be isolating and lonely, and we view our community support offerings as a key part of our patients' care," said Elaine Purcell, co-founder and COO of Oula.

To learn more about Oula, or to book an appointment, please visit www.oulahealth.com . Oula is located at 109 Montague Street in Brooklyn and 202 Spring Street in Manhattan. Link to high res imagery here .

About Oula:

Oula is a modern maternity clinic that brings together the best of midwifery and obstetrics to deliver a personalized, evidence-based pregnancy experience so that everyone has the support they need to thrive before, during, and after birth. With our collaborative medical team, welcoming clinic, and remote care platform, we are setting a new standard for pregnancy that brings together modern medicine and human intuition. Both Co-Founders and Chief Experience Officer were pregnant during the pandemic while they raised capital and opened their first location, reaching full capacity in three months. Oula is venture-backed and has raised $22.3M to-date by investors including Chelsea Clinton's fund, Metrodora. Oula accepts insurance, including Medicaid. Learn more at oulahealth.com.

Catherine Cuello-Fuente at [email protected]

SOURCE Oula
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care: By Application, Technology, Place, Product and by Country, with COVID-19 PoC Breakout and Executive Guides" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The COVID-19 pandemic is ushering in a new world of point of care diagnostics. Infectious disease Dx is changing and will change more in the future. Can a rapidly growing market expand even faster? Find out all about it in this comprehensive report on Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care.



Are targeted tests for specific pathogens going to be obsolete? Will diagnostics replace physicians? Will Point of Care testing move into the Physician's Office or even the Home? How much Covid-19 testing is being done at the Point of Care?



Point of Care testing is proving itself in the market. Players are reporting double-digit growth. Lowering costs, improving outcomes and even helping in the battle against Anti Microbial Resistance. Learn about this market including the issues and outlooks. The two key trends of Point of Care Testing and Molecular Diagnostics are merging with spectacular success. It could possibly displace most frontline test protocols AND save money at the same time.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

New Genotypes Creating New Markets

Aging Population a Boon for All Diagnostics

Developing World Driving ID Dx Growth

Point of Care - Why Centralization is Losing Steam

Self Testing

The Need for Speed

The COVID Pandemic

Market Limitations

Lower Costs

Infectious Disease is Declining

Wellness Hurts

Economic Growth improves Living Standards

Key Topics Covered:

1 Market Guides

2 Introduction and Market Definition

3 The Infectious Diseases - Market Analysis by Disease

3.1 HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS)

3.2 HBV - Hepatitis B

3.3 HCV - Hepatitis C

3.4 HPV - Human papillomavirus

3.5 Influenza

3.6 CTGC - Chlamydia/Gonorhea

3.7 Tuberculosis

3.8 MRSA - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

3.9 VRE - Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

3.10 Blood Screening

3.11 COVID-19

3.12 Pandemic Diagnostics

4 Industry Overview

4.1 Players in a Dynamic Market

4.1.1 Academic Research Lab

4.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer

4.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier

4.1.4 Distributor and Reagent Supplier

4.1.5 Independent Testing Lab

4.1.6 Public National/regional lab

4.1.7 Hospital lab

4.1.8 Physician Office Labs and Clinics

4.1.9 Audit Body

4.1.10 Certification Body

4.2 The Clinical Laboratory Market Segments

4.2.1 Traditional Market Segmentation

4.2.2 Laboratory Focus and Segmentation

4.3 Industry Structure

4.3.1 Hospital Testing Share

4.3.2 Economies of Scale

4.3.2.1 Hospital vs. Central Lab

4.3.3 Physician Office Lab's

4.3.4 Physician's and POCT

5 Profiles of Key MDx Companies

6 Market Trends

7 Molecular Dx - Infectious Disease Recent Developments

8 The Global Market for Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care

9 Global MDx at the Point of Care Markets - By Application

9.1 COVID-19

9.3 Gastrointestinal Infectious Disease

9.4 Sexually Transmitted Disease

9.5 Other Application

10 Global MDx Markets at the Point of Care - by Technology

10.1 PCR

10.2 NGS/Probe

10.3 Other Technology

11 Global MDx at the Point of Care Markets - by Place

11.1 Hospital Point of Care

11.2 Clinic or Physician Office Lab

11.3 Seniors Facility

11.4 Other Place

12 Global MDx at the Point of Care Markets - by Product

12.1 Instrument

12.2 Cartridge

12.3 Other Product

Companies Mentioned





Abacus Diagnostica

Abbott Diagnostics

Accelerate Diagnostics

Ador Diagnostics

Akonni Biosystems

Alveo Technologies

Applied BioCode

Aus Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Binx Health

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

Biocartis

bioMerieux Diagnostics

Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH

Cepheid (now Danaher)

Chembio

Co Diagnostics

Credo Diagnostics Biomedical

Cue Health

Curetis N.V./Curetis GmbH

Diagenode Diagnostics

Diascopic

Diasorin S.p.A

Eiken Chemical

Enzo Life Sciences, Inc

Eurofins Scientific

Fluxergy

Fulgent Genetics

Fusion Genomics

Genedrive

Genetic Signatures

GenMark Dx

Grifols

Hibergene Diagnostics

Hologic

Illumina

Immunexpress

Inflammatix

Invetech

Janssen Diagnostics

Karius

Lexagene

LightDeck Diagnostics

Luminex Corp

Lumos Diagnostics

Mammoth Biosciences

Maxim Biomedical

Meridian Bioscience

Mesa Biotech

Millipore Sigma

Mindray

Mobidiag

Nanomix

Operon

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Panagene

Perkin Elmer

Primerdesign

Prominex

Qiagen Gmbh

Quantumdx

Quidel

Roche Molecular Diagnostics

Saw Diagnostics

Seegene

Siemens Healthineers

Sona Nanotech

SpeeDx

T2 Biosystems

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Veramarx

Veredus Laboratories

Vir

XCR Diagnostics

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/15zf3u

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.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
New Contract Includes 19% Wage Increase, More Than 170 New Nursing Positions, Preserves Excellent Fully Paid Benefits and Devotes More Resources to Recruitment and Retention

Contract To Be Presented To Membership For Ratification Vote Next Week

BRONX, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Montefiore Medical Center, today, announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with leadership of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) on a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We came to these bargaining sessions with great respect for our nurses and with proposals that reflect their priorities in terms of wages, benefits, safety, and staffing," said Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine. "We are pleased to offer a 19% wage increase, benefits that match or exceed those of our peer institutions, more than 170 new nursing positions and a generous plan to address recruitment and retention."

The new agreement includes:

A 19.1% wage increase

An increase of over 170 new nursing positions

Maintaining fully funded health care for eligible nurses and lifetime health coverage for eligible retired nurses

An increase in preceptor and charge nurse pay of $5 per hour over standard wages

per hour over standard wages An increase for Float Pool Nurses adding significantly more RNs and NPs in the Emergency Departments (mirroring in-patient unit staffing obligations)

Continuing to significantly increase our nurse education infrastructure in our EDs

"We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our nurses who have served through very challenging circumstances over the past several years," added Dr. Ozuah.

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 10 hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore , Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine , directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.montefiore.org . Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and LinkedIn , or view us on Facebook and YouTube .

SOURCE Montefiore Medical Center
New mortgage brokerage franchise in Clayton, NC invites you to join them for refreshments, networking and a special ribbon cutting with the Clayton Chamber of Commerce

CLAYTON, N.C., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Motto Mortgage, the first-and-only national mortgage brokerage franchise in the United States focused on transparency and compliance, has a new office in Clayton, North Carolina. Motto Mortgage Quality is now open and serving all markets throughout the Tar Heel State.

Motto Mortgage Quality is hosting a grand opening celebration on Tuesday, January 24th from Noon to 1:00 PM at its office located at 481 E. Main St. Suite 105. The celebration will include a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, refreshments, and staff presentations. This event is open to all in the community who wish to attend.

Motto Mortgage Quality is a customer-first, full-service mortgage brokerage established by Jason Hill and Lisa Hill. Jason has over 20 years of professional experience as a civil engineer with roles as a project manager and business owner. Lisa's professional experience includes over 20 years as a registered nurse. With Jason's years of problem solving and Lisa's years of providing high quality care, Jason and Lisa feel this has prepared them well to excel at quality customer service and customer satisfaction, which is so important in the mortgage industry.

"We are thrilled to be open for business in Clayton and we are looking forward to personally introducing ourselves to the community at our grand opening event. Motto Mortgage Quality offers an advantageous alternative to the traditional mortgage bankers currently operating in Clayton," said Jason Hill. "We provide the scope, scale and support of a large retail lender, while offering the flexibility, autonomy and exceptional service of a local mortgage broker that knows how to navigate the intricacies of the home buying process in your market."

Brigitte Kaliszewski will serve as Branch Manager for the office. Kaliszewski, is a mortgage professional with over 20 years of industry experience and she takes pride in providing exceptional quality customer service to each homebuyer.

Cale Ward will serve as a Loan Originator for the office. Ward is a mortgage professional who served more than five years as a special warfare operator with the United States Air Force in Afghanistan. He takes pride in helping customers finance their dream home.

Loan originators in the Motto Mortgage network have access to competitive loans from various wholesale lenders and work hard to give homebuyers choices  because no loan is one-size-fits-all. A digital mortgage experience is available for borrowers who would prefer to conduct business remotely.

For more information about the grand opening celebration, please contact Motto Mortgage Quality at 833-626-6886. The event is open to all members of the community.

Each Motto Mortgage franchise is independently owned, operated and licensed.

About Motto Mortgage Quality:

Motto Mortgage Quality OFFICE NMLS # 2353968 is a locally owned and operated full-service mortgage brokerage serving all of North Carolina, located at 481 E. Main St., Suite 105 in Clayton, NC 27520. To learn more, please visit www.mottomortgagequality.com or call 833-NCMOTTO.

Brigitte Kaliszewski NMLS: 1142353

Cale Ward NMLS: 2420334

SOURCE Motto Mortgage
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "New Zealand Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

New Zealand data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.65% during 2021-2027

This report analyses the New Zealand data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments.

Factors such as the adoption of cloud computing and advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence, the deployment of 5G, and government support for facilities development are driving the New Zealand data center market.

The cloud service providers such as AWS, Microsoft, and Google have a strong presence in the country. For instance, in April 2022, global cloud service provider AWS announced plans to establish the cloud region, consisting of three availability zones (AZs), in New Zealand by 2024.

The public cloud industry in the country is estimated to generate a revenue of USD 1.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to cross USD 3 billion by 2027, growing with a CAGR of 16.5%. SaaS will lead the revenue growth by contributing around $0.75 billion. Cloud service provider Microsoft announced a cloud agreement with Auckland Transport to improve transport services by reducing cost, improving sustainability, and innovation.

The telecom operators such as Vodafone, 2degrees, and Spark are some significant operators deploying 5G services in the country. For instance, Spark Digital aims to provide 5G coverage to around 90% of the total population of New Zealand by the end of 2023.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

New Zealand has around 28 operational colocation data centers. The major colocation operators are Data Vault, Datacom, Plan B, Spark Digital, Chorus, and Vocus.

has around 28 operational colocation data centers. The major colocation operators are Data Vault, Datacom, Plan B, Spark Digital, Chorus, and Vocus. In New Zealand , Auckland hosts major ICT companies and is one of the leading startup ecosystems. It is a significant city for data center investments in the country. Christchurch and Wellington follow it due to low land cost, space availability, and availability of renewable energy.

, hosts major ICT companies and is one of the leading startup ecosystems. It is a significant city for data center investments in the country. and follow it due to low land cost, space availability, and availability of renewable energy. Various free trade zones are witnessing data center development in New Zealand . GEODIS' Free Trade Area provides tax incentives, end-to-end integrated solutions, and supply chain optimization.

. GEODIS' Free Trade Area provides tax incentives, end-to-end integrated solutions, and supply chain optimization. Most electricity is produced by the country's hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wind. According to the New Zealand renewable energy policy, the country aims to produce 100% of renewable energy by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050

renewable energy policy, the country aims to produce 100% of renewable energy by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050 The country has around eight existing submarine cables, including Hawaiki Nui is under development; the cable owned by Hawaiki Submarine Cable will connect New Zealand to Australia , Indonesia , Singapore , and the US with a cable length of 25,000 km, which is expected to come in service in 2025.

to , , , and the US with a cable length of 25,000 km, which is expected to come in service in 2025. Aotearoa New Zealand's vision is to develop cutting-edge companies producing and exploiting AI technologies by 2030.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and the New Zealand colocation market revenue.

colocation market revenue. An assessment of the investment in New Zealand by colocation and enterprise operators.

by colocation and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across locations in the country.

During the forecast period, a detailed study of the existing market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the New Zealand data center market size.

data center market size. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in New Zealand

Facilities Covered (Existing): 28

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 06

Coverage: 5 Cities

Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in New Zealand

Market Revenue & Forecast (2021-2027)

Wholesale vs. Retail Revenue & Forecast (2021-2027)

Retail Colocation Pricing

Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The New Zealand market landscape investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

market landscape investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the market.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The New Zealand data center market is witnessing the entry of new investors, such as CDC Data Centres and DCI Data Centers, involved in developing facilities in the country.

data center market is witnessing the entry of new investors, such as CDC Data Centres and DCI Data Centers, involved in developing facilities in the country. In 2021, the country also witnessed the deployment of modular facilities; for instance, T4 Group is planning to build a modular center in New Zealand with an investment of around USD 34.6 million .

with an investment of around . In New Zealand , most data centers are procuring renewable energy sources to improve the sustainability of the facilities. For instance, Microsoft is partnering with Ecotricity to power its data center region in New Zealand with 100% renewable energy.

, most data centers are procuring renewable energy sources to improve the sustainability of the facilities. For instance, Microsoft is partnering with Ecotricity to power its data center region in with 100% renewable energy. The New Zealand data center market has the presence of both local and global construction contractors that cater to major operators in the market. For instance, Hawkins is involved in developing the Microsoft data center cloud region in Auckland, New Zealand .

data center market has the presence of both local and global construction contractors that cater to major operators in the market. For instance, Hawkins is involved in developing the Microsoft data center cloud region in . In New Zealand , companies collaborate with IT infrastructure providers to improve infrastructure efficiency in the facilities. Datacom's Orbit Auckland facility is equipped with Stratum-1 NTP (network time protocol) time servers.

Major Vendors

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

Hitachi Vantara

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Aurecon

Beca

Hawkins

Mott MacDonald

Norman Disney & Young (NDY)

& Young (NDY) The Building Intelligence Group

TransWorks

WT

Support Infrastructure Providers

3M

ABB

Alfa Laval

Airedale International Air Conditioning

Black Box

Climaveneta

Caterpillar

Cummins

Cyber Power Systems

EcoCooling

Eaton

KOHLER-SDMO

Legrand

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Thycon

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Datacom

Data Vault

Microsoft

Plan B

Spark Digital

New Entrants

CDC Data Centres

DCI Data Centers

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

Auckland

Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

REPORT COVERAGE:

The segmentation includes:

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography

Auckland

Other Cities

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iszncc

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.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
BRISTOL, United Kingdom, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nulogy's relationship with CEVA Logistics is continuing to forge ahead after its flexible cloud-based software was chosen as the new platform for the co-packing of automotive spare parts at its Melbourne facility in Australia.

CEVA Logistics (CNW Group/Nulogy Corporation)

Nulogy's industry-leading contract packing software is replacing the existing solution in order to meet the growing requirements for the handling of automotive parts. By digitalising operations at the site, Nulogy will drive enhanced visibility and real-time production monitoring, as well as improve materials and inventory management for the business and its customers.

Nulogy has successfully supported the implementation of its solution at several CEVA co-pack sites around the globe, including in the Netherlands, Poland, France, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. This new implementation in Australia expands the use of Nulogy from FMCG sector clients to the automotive sector.

Bart Beeks, Global Contract Logistics Leader at CEVA Logistics, said: "At CEVA Logistics, our focus is on providing our customers with a complete, agile, and efficient warehousing solution. This includes providing state-of-the-art contract packing services and our strengthened partnership with Nulogy will allow us to further digitalise our operations worldwide, especially in growth markets."

Josephine Coombe, Managing Director, Europe, Nulogy, said: "As trusted partners in providing digitalisation across CEVA Logistics' global co-packing network, we're delighted to see the adoption of Nulogy in Australia.

"Innovators like CEVA Logistics recognise the powerful benefits that digitalisation brings to their co-packing businesses, enabling faster, higher quality and responsive service to customer needs whatever the products.

"As automotive customers demand collaborative and responsive partners across their supply chains, our customers enjoy significant competitive advantage in the market because of the customer service, quality and traceability benefits Nulogy delivers."

About Nulogy

Nulogy, a leading supplier of digital supply chain solutions, enables consumer brands and their supplier communities to collaborate on a multi-enterprise platform to deliver with excellence to an ever-changing consumer market. The Nulogy Multi-Enterprise Supply Chain Business Network Platform optimises contract manufacturing and co-packing operations, while empowering consumer brands and their external suppliers to accelerate network responsiveness and collaborate at the speed of today's market.

Visit Nulogy online at www.nulogy.com.

SOURCE Nulogy Corporation
Cargo tonnage also grew as the Southern California airport fortified its role as a global supply chain hub and economic driver

ONTARIO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontario International Airport (ONT) welcomed more than 5.7 million airline travelers in 2022, outpacing pre-pandemic 2019 by 2.8% as the popular Southern California gateway recorded its highest passenger volume since 2008.

At the same time, shipments of air cargo outpaced 2019 volume by nearly 9%, maintaining ONT's position as a major commerce and logistics hub.

Southern California's Ontario International Airport finished 2022 with its highest annual passenger volume since 2008.

"We experienced great demand for air travel through Ontario International in 2022 with passenger levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the entire calendar year," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer, Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). "Our airline partners restored air services suspended because of the pandemic while adding new routes and increased flight frequencies to popular destinations, and passengers showed their preference for our hallmark customer-friendly experience."

Ontario's 2022 passenger volume was 27.6% greater than the 2021 total of 4.5 million and was the highest since 2008, when 6.2 million passenger flew into or out of the airport. Since ONT's return to local control in 2016, passenger volumes are up nearly 36%.

Ontario also ranks among the fastest recovering airports in the U.S. after the severe disruption in global air travel during the early months of the pandemic.

That growth is expected to continue into the new year. Based on current airline schedules, ONT will have 6.7% more flights and 12.3% more available seats in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

Passenger Totals Dec 2022 Dec 2019 Change YTD 2022 YTD 2019 Change Domestic 454,457 485,086 -6.31 % 5,544,921 5,279,722 5.0 % International 22,845 29,703 -23.09 % 195,672 304,010 -35.6 % Total 477,302 514,789 -7.28 % 5,740,593 5,583,732 2.8 %

Passenger Totals Dec 2022 Dec 2021 Change YTD 2022 YTD 2021 Change Domestic 454,457 450,327 0.92 % 5,544,921 4,377,255 26.7 % International 22,845 16,824 35.79 % 195,672 123,373 58.6 % Total 477,301 467,151 2.17 % 5,740,593 4,500,628 27.6 %

Meanwhile, Ontario International has fortified its role as a global air cargo center. For the year, freight and mail that moved through ONT totaled more than 850,000 tons, 8.9% higher than 2019 when the airport handled almost 782,000 tons of cargo.

Ontario ranks among the 10 largest cargo airports in North America, and according to a recent analysis by Oxford Economics, serves as the hub of a global supply chain network that generates $17.8 billion in economic activity.

Air cargo (tonnage) Dec 2022 Dec 2019 Change YTD 2022 YTD 2019 Change Freight 84,578 88,228 -4.14 % 796,955 760,045 4.9 % Mail 5,468 832 557.62 % 54,969 21,948 150.5 % Total 90,046 89,060 1.11 % 851,924 781,993 8.9 %

Air cargo (tonnage) Dec 2022 Dec 2021 Change YTD 2022 YTD 2021 Change Freight 84,578 94,046 -10.07 % 796,955 842,211 -5.4 % Mail 5,468 5,459 0.17 % 54,969 50,428 9.0 % Total 90,046 99,505 -9.51 % 851,924 892,639 -4.6 %

About Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to more than two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).

OIAA Media Contact:

Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected]

SOURCE Ontario International Airport
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the produced water treatment market will witness a YOY growth of 6.22% between 2022 and 2023. The report is segmented by application (onshore and offshore), technology (secondary treatment, primary treatment, and tertiary treatment), and geography (North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South America, and APAC). The produced water treatment market size is estimated to increase by USD 3,200.76 million at a CAGR of 7.93% from 2022 to 2027. - Request a Sample Report.

Produced water treatment market - Vendor insights

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Produced Water Treatment Market 2023-2027

Global produced water treatment market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

The global produced water treatment market is characterized by the presence of several regional and global vendors. The leading vendors are competing to expand their footprint in the market. The competition among vendors is expected to intensify during the forecast period. The high initial investment involved, coupled with costs incurred in complying with stringent regulations, makes it difficult for new entrants to thrive in the globally produced water treatment market.

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Aker Solutions ASA

Aquatech International LLC

Baker Hughes Co.

Enviro-Tech Systems

Exterran Corp.

Frames Energy Systems BV

Genesis Water Technologies Inc.

Halliburton Co.

IDE Water Technologies

Minerals Technologies Inc.

NOV Inc.

Ovivo Inc.

Prosep Inc.

Schlumberger Ltd.

Siemens Energy AG

For Details on the vendor and its offerings  Buy the report!

Produced water treatment market - Geographical analysis

North America will provide maximum growth opportunities in produced water treatment market during the forecast period. According to our research report, the region will contribute 40% of the global market growth and is expected to dominate the market through 2025. The US and Canada are the major contributors to oil and gas production in North America. The majority of the oilfields in the US have neared maturity, leading to increased quantities of produced water. Furthermore, the boom in the US shale gas industry contributes to the vast amounts of produced water in the North American region.

Know more about this market's geographical distribution along with a detailed analysis of the top regions: https://www.technavio.com/report/produced-water-treatment-market-industry-analysis

Produced water treatment market- Key segment analysis

The produced water treatment market share growth by the onshore segment will be significant during the forecast period. The majority of the oil and gas produced worldwide has come from the onshore sector. The produced water treatment market now has a significant basis due to the recent US shale gas boom. Thus, the abandoned onshore shale gas blocks, especially in the US, will come back online, leading to the increased production and use of produced water. This will drive the growth of the global produced water treatment market during the forecast period - Download a Sample

Produced water treatment market - Key market drivers & challenges:

The produced water treatment market is primarily driven by the growing global concern over water scarcity. Places like California in the United States and Chennai in India are places of water shortage and continue to struggle with sufficient amounts of water. These places have big industrial bases and populations. It is entirely feasible for companies to develop and implement water-saving technology, even though certain regions of the world have not yet felt the pressure of water scarcity. These factors are expected to boost the demand for produced water treatment during the forecast period.

The increasing use of renewable energy sources is a huge threat to the growth of the global produced water treatment market. The Euro-VI emission standards, which are now implemented in the EU, have been used as a model for developing emission standards in other nations, including India. As a result, the upstream industry, which uses produced water treatment facilities, will be directly impacted by the decline in demand for oil and gas in these countries. Such factors will significantly impact the growth of the global produced water treatment market during the forecast period.

Download a sample for highlights on market drivers & challenges affecting the produced water treatment market.

What are the key data covered in this produced water treatment market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the produced water treatment market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the produced water treatment market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the produced water treatment market across APAC, North America , Europe , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , and , and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of produced water treatment market vendors

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Related Reports:

Industrial Water Treatment Equipment Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The industrial water treatment equipment market share is expected to increase by USD 8.48 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.47%. The scarcity of water and rising environmental concerns is notably driving the industrial water treatment equipment market growth, although factors such as the impact of hard water on water treatment equipment may impede the market growth.

Water Recycle and Reuse Market by End-user, Technology, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The water recycle and reuse market share is expected to increase to USD 13.58 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 13.65%. The scarcity of water and rising environmental concerns is notably driving the water to recycle and reuse market growth, although factors such as infrastructure requirements for water treatment may impede the market growth.

Produced Water Treatment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 165 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.93% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,200.76 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 6.22 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, South America, and APAC Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key countries US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aker Solutions ASA, Alderley Plc, Aquatech International LLC, Baker Hughes Co., Enviro-Tech Systems, Exterran Corp., Frames Energy Systems BV, Genesis Water Technologies Inc., Halliburton Co., IDE Water Technologies, Minerals Technologies Inc., NOV Inc., Ovivo Inc., Prosep Inc., Schlumberger Ltd., Siemens Energy AG, SUEZ SA, TechnipFMC plc, Veolia Environnement Group, and Weatherford International Plc Market dynamics Parent Market Analysis; Market growth inducers and obstacles; Fast-growing and slow-growing segment 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.

Browse for Technavio "Utilities" Research Reports

Table Of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Technology



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global produced water treatment market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global produced water treatment market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Technology Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Technology Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Application

6.3 Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Onshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Onshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Offshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Offshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Technology

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 43: Chart on Technology - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Technology - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Technology

Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Technology



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Technology

7.3 Secondary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 47: Chart on Secondary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Secondary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Chart on Secondary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Secondary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Primary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Primary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Primary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Primary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Primary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Tertiary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Tertiary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Tertiary treatment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Tertiary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Tertiary treatment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Technology

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by Technology ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 83: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 84: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 United Arab Emirates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on United Arab Emirates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on United Arab Emirates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on United Arab Emirates - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on United Arab Emirates - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Aker Solutions ASA

Exhibit 112: Aker Solutions ASA - Overview



Exhibit 113: Aker Solutions ASA - Business segments



Exhibit 114: Aker Solutions ASA - Key news



Exhibit 115: Aker Solutions ASA - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: Aker Solutions ASA - Segment focus

12.4 Alderley Plc

Exhibit 117: Alderley Plc - Overview



Exhibit 118: Alderley Plc - Product / Service



Exhibit 119: Alderley Plc - Key offerings

12.5 Aquatech International LLC

Exhibit 120: Aquatech International LLC - Overview



Exhibit 121: Aquatech International LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: Aquatech International LLC - Key offerings

12.6 Baker Hughes Co.

Exhibit 123: Baker Hughes Co. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Baker Hughes Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Baker Hughes Co. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Baker Hughes Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Baker Hughes Co. - Segment focus

12.7 Enviro-Tech Systems

Exhibit 128: Enviro-Tech Systems - Overview



Exhibit 129: Enviro-Tech Systems - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: Enviro-Tech Systems - Key offerings

12.8 Exterran Corp.

Exhibit 131: Exterran Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 132: Exterran Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 133: Exterran Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 134: Exterran Corp. - Segment focus

12.9 Frames Energy Systems BV

Exhibit 135: Frames Energy Systems BV - Overview



Exhibit 136: Frames Energy Systems BV - Product / Service



Exhibit 137: Frames Energy Systems BV - Key offerings

12.10 Genesis Water Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 138: Genesis Water Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 139: Genesis Water Technologies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: Genesis Water Technologies Inc. - Key offerings

12.11 Halliburton Co.

Exhibit 141: Halliburton Co. - Overview



Exhibit 142: Halliburton Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Halliburton Co. - Key news



Exhibit 144: Halliburton Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 145: Halliburton Co. - Segment focus

12.12 IDE Water Technologies

Exhibit 146: IDE Water Technologies - Overview



Exhibit 147: IDE Water Technologies - Product / Service



Exhibit 148: IDE Water Technologies - Key offerings

12.13 Minerals Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 149: Minerals Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Minerals Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 151: Minerals Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 152: Minerals Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 153: Minerals Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

12.14 NOV Inc.

Exhibit 154: NOV Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 155: NOV Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: NOV Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 157: NOV Inc. - Segment focus

12.15 Ovivo Inc.

Exhibit 158: Ovivo Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 159: Ovivo Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 160: Ovivo Inc. - Key offerings

12.16 Prosep Inc.

Exhibit 161: Prosep Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 162: Prosep Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: Prosep Inc. - Key offerings

12.17 Schlumberger Ltd.

Exhibit 164: Schlumberger Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 165: Schlumberger Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 166: Schlumberger Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 167: Schlumberger Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 168: Schlumberger Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 169: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 170: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 171: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 172: Research methodology



Exhibit 173: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 174: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 175: List of abbreviations

About Us:

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global pubs, bars, and nightclubs market size is estimated to grow by USD 31.46 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.09% during the forecast period. Europe held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 41%. For more Insights on market size, Request a sample report

Pubs, bars and nightclubs market - Five Forces

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Pubs, Bars and Nightclubs Market 2023-2027

The global cloud data warehouse market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers 

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The threat of New Entrants

Threat of Rivalry

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

Threat of Substitutes

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Pubs, bars, and nightclubs market  Customer Landscape

The report includes the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.

Pubs, bars, and nightclubs market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on Product (Beverages and Foods), Application (Men and Women), and Geography (Europe, APAC, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The market share growth by the beverages segment will be significant during the forecast period. The segment is driven by the increasing demand for alcoholic beverages such as tequila and cognac among consumers. Also, the rising preference for non-alcoholic alternatives coupled with the rising number of health-conscious consumers is contributing to the growth of the segment.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global pubs, bars and nightclubs market is segmented into Europe, APAC, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global pubs, bars, and nightclubs market.

Europe is estimated to contribute 41% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market can be attributed to the presence of many restaurant chains and high consumer expenditure in leisure activities. In addition, the increasing demand for wine, especially among the elderly population is fueling the growth of the pubs, bars, and nightclubs market in Europe .

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Pubs, bars, and nightclubs market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The market is driven by the increasing number of pubs and bars.

The urbanization rate has increased significantly over the years, in both developed countries.

In addition, the concept of socializing at bars and pubs is increasing among the urban youth.

This has resulted in an increase in the number of pubs and bars that offer alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to attract consumers' attention.

Moreover, the rise in the number of airports and expressways in developing countries is encouraging restaurant and hotel chains to rooftop bars and pubs.

All these factors are contributing to the growth of the global bars, pubs, and nightclubs market.

Leading trends influencing the market

The rise in premium products is identified as the key trend in the market.

The rise in drinking habits among consumers has increased the demand for premium beverages.

Many consumers prefer mixing their own cocktails and are exhibiting increased demand for high-quality beverages.

To cater to the growing demand, vendors are changing their menus and adding cocktail lists that feature local, sustainable, or top-shelf spirits.

This is providing significant growth opportunities for vendors as they can make changes in product offerings and target new consumers.

Major challenges hindering market growth

The threat from the rising popularity of home-cooked food and takeaway services is the major challenge in the market.

The food that is available in bars and restaurants has huge amounts of carbohydrates, sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial food additives. These can cause lifestyle-borne diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and obesity.

Hence, the preference for home-cooked meals is increasing among consumers.

This has considerably reduced the number of people going to pubs and restaurants, which is negatively impacting the growth of the market.

Driver, Trend, and Challenges are the factor of market dynamics that state about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this pubs, bars, and nightclubs market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the pubs, bars, and nightclubs market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the pubs, bars, and nightclubs market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the pubs, bars, and nightclubs market industry across Europe , APAC, North America , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, APAC, , and , and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of pubs, bars, and nightclubs market vendors

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The commercial beer dispensers market size is expected to increase by USD 49.55 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 1.7%. The increasing number of brewpubs and microbreweries is notably driving the commercial beer dispensers market growth, although factors such as high initial cost of commercial beer dispensers and need for regular maintenance may impede market growth.

size is expected to increase by from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 1.7%. The increasing number of brewpubs and microbreweries is notably driving the commercial beer dispensers market growth, although factors such as high initial cost of commercial beer dispensers and need for regular maintenance may impede market growth. The beer mug market size is expected to increase by USD 13.51 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.88%. The growing number of pubs, bars, hotels, and home bars is notably driving the beer mug market growth, although factors such as criticality of inventory management and product sourcing may impede market growth.

Pubs, Bars and Nightclubs Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 154 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.09% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 31.46 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.11 Regional analysis Europe, APAC, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 41% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Accor SA, Attaboy, Boadas, Floreria Atlantico, Four Seasons Hotels Ltd., Hakkasan Group, J D Wetherspoon plc, Kings Head Pub, Licoreria Limantour, Maybourne Hotel Group., McKs Tavern, Mitchells and Butlers plc, Oberoi Grou, Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH, PCO, The Atlas, The Cats Eye Pub, The Clumsies, The Dove, and Trailer Happiness Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and 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. 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.

Table of contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global pubs, bars and nightclubs market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global pubs, bars and nightclubs market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 By Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  By Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 By Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  By Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Beverages - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Beverages - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Foods - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Foods - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Application

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 43: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Application

7.3 Men - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 47: Chart on Men - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Men - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 49: Chart on Men - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Men - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Women - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Women - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Women - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Women - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Women - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 55: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 56: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 57: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 59: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 61: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 62: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 63: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 64: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 65: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 79: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 81: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 91: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 99: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 101: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 102: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 103: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 104: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 105: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 106: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 107: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Accor SA

Exhibit 108: Accor SA - Overview



Exhibit 109: Accor SA - Business segments



Exhibit 110: Accor SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 111: Accor SA - Segment focus

12.4 Attaboy

Exhibit 112: Attaboy - Overview



Exhibit 113: Attaboy - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: Attaboy - Key offerings

12.5 Floreria Atlantico

Exhibit 115: Floreria Atlantico - Overview



Exhibit 116: Floreria Atlantico - Product / Service



Exhibit 117: Floreria Atlantico - Key offerings

12.6 Four Seasons Hotels Ltd.

Exhibit 118: Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 119: Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. - Key offerings

12.7 Hakkasan Group

Exhibit 121: Hakkasan Group - Overview



Exhibit 122: Hakkasan Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: Hakkasan Group - Key offerings

12.8 J D Wetherspoon plc

Exhibit 124: J D Wetherspoon plc - Overview



Exhibit 125: J D Wetherspoon plc - Business segments



Exhibit 126: J D Wetherspoon plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: J D Wetherspoon plc - Segment focus

12.9 Kings Head Pub

Exhibit 128: Kings Head Pub - Overview



Exhibit 129: Kings Head Pub - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: Kings Head Pub - Key offerings

12.10 Licoreria Limantour

Exhibit 131: Licoreria Limantour - Overview



Exhibit 132: Licoreria Limantour - Product / Service



Exhibit 133: Licoreria Limantour - Key offerings

12.11 Maybourne Hotel Group.

Exhibit 134: Maybourne Hotel Group. - Overview



Exhibit 135: Maybourne Hotel Group. - Product / Service



Exhibit 136: Maybourne Hotel Group. - Key offerings

12.12 McKs Tavern

Exhibit 137: McKs Tavern - Overview



Exhibit 138: McKs Tavern - Product / Service



Exhibit 139: McKs Tavern - Key offerings

12.13 Mitchells and Butlers plc

Exhibit 140: Mitchells and Butlers plc - Overview



Exhibit 141: Mitchells and Butlers plc - Business segments



Exhibit 142: Mitchells and Butlers plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 143: Mitchells and Butlers plc - Segment focus

12.14 Oberoi Group

Exhibit 144: Oberoi Group - Overview



Exhibit 145: Oberoi Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 146: Oberoi Group - Key offerings

12.15 Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH

Exhibit 147: Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 148: Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 149: Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH - Key offerings

12.16 PCO

Exhibit 150: PCO - Overview



Exhibit 151: PCO - Product / Service



Exhibit 152: PCO - Key offerings

12.17 The Atlas

Exhibit 153: The Atlas - Overview



Exhibit 154: The Atlas - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: The Atlas - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 156: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 157: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 158: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 159: Research methodology



Exhibit 160: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 161: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 162: List of abbreviations

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 consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month, celebrated this year by the thyroid surgeons at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery by publishing a new thyroid nodule size chart that lay-people can use to determine the significance of any thyroid nodule. Thyroid disorders are quite common including thyroid cancers, thyroid goiters, or autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's or Grave's Disease. But by far the most common thyroid abnormalities are thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules are the number one reason for thyroid surgery world-wide, with the need for surgery increasing as the nodule becomes bigger. Tweet this Thyroid nodule size chart showing likelihood for surgery based on thyroid nodule size. Thyroid nodule size chart demonstrates relative size and the effects large nodules have on the thyroid gland. Enlarged left thyroid lobe shown would lead to symptoms like difficulty breathing and swallowing and would require surgical treatment.

A thyroid nodule is a growth on or inside the thyroid. Thyroid nodules are so common that most of us will have at least one in our lifetime. The incidence of having a thyroid nodule increases with age, with most adults over 50 having at least one thyroid nodule. Thus, knowing the significance of a thyroid nodule is very important. Thyroid nodules are the number one reason for thyroid surgery world-wide, with the need for surgery increasing as the nodule becomes bigger.

"We have known for many years about the correlation between thyroid nodule size and the need for thyroid surgery, but until now there has been no published graphic illustrating this relationship," says Dr. Nate Walsh, senior surgeon of the Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. "Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are not cancerous, that does not mean they do not require treatment or can be ignored."

To produce the thyroid nodule size chart, thyroid surgeons reviewed data from the Center's past 10,000 thyroid surgeries to show the percent chance of needing surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid according to the size of the nodule. The presence or absence of other issues such as cancer or hormone production was ignored and only the size of the nodule was considered significant. The relationship between thyroid nodule size and need for surgery became very nicely illustrated when thousands of nodules were graphed together.

In evaluating the size of thyroid nodules requiring surgery, Dr Walsh noted 4 important things to know about thyroid nodules, publishing an article of his findings online. The most important finding was that size is very important and by itself can indicate the chance of needing surgery.

"It's always one of the most common questions we hear after a patient has a thyroid ultrasound," noted Dr Walsh. "They immediately want to know what their chances of needing surgery are. But it is very hard to conceptualize the size of your thyroid nodule when it's given to you in centimeters with no reference point. It's especially tough to think about the nodule size in relation to the size of your thyroid gland since nobody knows the size of a normal thyroid in centimeters to begin with."

To address this issue, Dr Walsh included several common food items that everyone is familiar with and readily knows the size of. "Think about itwhat's easier to understand: hearing that your thyroid nodule is 4 cm in diameter, or hearing that your nodule is the size of a lemon."

The fact is, 4 cm is indeed the cutoff agreed upon by the thyroid surgeons of the Clayman Thyroid Center and confirmed by numerous published medical journal articles. Nodules larger than 4 cm are typically best treated in most people by removing that portion of the thyroid lobe. As nodules get larger over time, which they commonly do, the symptoms they cause worsen. Difficulty breathing and swallowing will start to affect the patient's quality of life and a noticeable lump in the neck may become visible.

Thyroid cancer is another big concern for patients with thyroid nodules. However, aside from the symptoms associated with a large thyroid nodule, bigger is not always worse. Thyroid nodule size does not correlate directly with the nodule being cancerous or benign. Often thyroid nodules are biopsied to test for the presence of cancer; however, the surgeons note that biopsies done on them are only as good as the teams performing and interpreting them.

"It is so important to seek thyroid nodule evaluation at a high-volume specialty center," said Dr. Gary Clayman, founder of the Clayman Thyroid Center. "I hear a lot of patients say 'I had a biopsy done and it was fine.' Thyroid needle biopsies are great tests, but they do not tell the whole story. As many as 50% of thyroid cancers are not diagnosed until after the nodule has been removed through surgery. That should be uncommon, and when it occurs it typically shows a poor preoperative evaluation."

"We do nothing but thyroid surgery, all day, every day. We have seen it all and know what looks suspicious," said Dr. Rashmi Roy, senior surgeon at the Clayman Thyroid Center. "Our ultrasound techs are the most experienced in the world and they can assess so much more than just nodule size, like whether a nodule is solid or filled with fluid (solid is more likely to be cancerous). They can even see what the blood supply to these nodules looks like and determine if the cancer has potentially spread to the lymph nodes in the neck."

Further illustrating this point, a free thyroid ultrasound screening program was held last year at a women's wellness retreat in Tampa, performed by the expert ultrasound techs of the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. Of the women screened, 49% were found to have a thyroid nodule that they didn't know existed and that required further evaluation, with 10% requiring surgery for potential thyroid cancer.

The Clayman Thyroid Center is the nation's highest volume thyroid surgery center, performing approximately 2,000 thyroid operations per year. Its surgeons perform thyroid surgery exclusively and operate at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, Florida, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary. Prior to moving into their new home at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, Drs Clayman, Roy, Suh and Walsh were the heads of endocrine surgery departments at renowned institutions like MD Anderson, Princeton and Mt. Sinai.

Read Dr. Walsh's full article on thyroid nodules: Top 4 Things to Know About Thyroid Nodule Size

Check out Dr. Roy's Thyroid Surgery YouTube channel where she details her most interesting thyroid cases, demonstrates how to check yourself for thyroid cancer and more.

The Clayman Thyroid Center operates alongside its sister surgeons at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, including those of the Norman Parathyroid Center and the Carling Adrenal Center. Together, they are the world's highest volume endocrine surgery practice and are solely dedicated to the surgical treatment of thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal tumors and cancers.

About the Clayman Thyroid Center:

Founded by one of the nation's best-known thyroid surgeons, the Clayman Thyroid Center is the highest volume thyroid cancer referral center in the United States. The Center boasts the most experienced thyroid surgeons in the US who provide personalized care allowing the greatest opportunity for cancer cure, wellness and cosmetic, and functional, outcomes via all types of thyroid surgery from minimal incision to scarless thyroid surgery to advanced cancer care.

www.thyroidcancer.com | (813) 940-3130

About the Norman Parathyroid Center

Located in Tampa, Florida, the Norman Parathyroid Center is the leading parathyroid gland tumor treatment center in the world, performing nearly 3,800 parathyroid operations annually. Well known for cure rates over 99% via an operation that typically lasts about 20 minutes, the Norman Parathyroid Center's success centers on a teamwork approach by the most experienced parathyroid surgeons in the world.

www.parathyroid.com | (813) 972-0000

About the Carling Adrenal Center:

Founded by Dr. Tobias Carling, one of the world's leading experts in adrenal gland surgery, the Carling Adrenal Center is a worldwide destination for the surgical treatment of adrenal tumors. Dr. Carling spent nearly 20 years at Yale University, including 7 as the Chief of Endocrine Surgery before leaving in 2020 to open to Carling Adrenal Center, which performs more adrenal operations than any other hospital in the world.

www.adrenal.com | (813) 972-0000

About the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery

The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is a campus of HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital focused on compassionate patient care and highly specialized treatment of endocrine tumors. We provide a wide array of services necessary for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. Our team includes doctors, surgeons, nurses and technicians who have dedicated their careers to delivering the highest cure rates using the most advanced techniques available. HCA's Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is the nation's highest volume hospital for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal tumors and cancers.

www.hospitalforendocrinesurgery.com

Contact:

Julie Canan

+19414683002

[email protected]

SOURCE Clayman Thyroid Center
CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, today announced the promotion of Heather Rucci to Chief Strategy Officer. Rucci, who has served as the firm's Chief Human Resources Officer since July 2021, will retain oversight of the global human resources (HR) function.

In her new role, Rucci will work across the firm's core businesses, departments and geographies to oversee long-term planning, ensuring alignment on strategic priorities, partnering with leaders on the appropriate deployment of resources, and streamlining global processes and procedures.

Rucci  a 23-year HR veteran who joined RJO in April 2019 as Managing Director, Human Resources  will continue to report to RJO Chairman and CEO Gerald Corcoran.

Corcoran said: "Heather has had an extraordinary impact on the organization in a relatively short period of time. She has taken on critical strategic projects that go beyond her human resources expertise, rising to every challenge and further reinforcing her talent, leadership and vision. I'm delighted that she has agreed to take on this new role and have every confidence that she'll make a significant contribution to our global growth going forward. Heather's deep understanding of our culture and people and her active involvement in so many important projects make her uniquely qualified to serve as our Chief Strategy Officer."

Rucci said: "RJO has an incredible track record of leadership in the industry, and I'm excited to work more closely with the executive team to position the firm for long-term growth and continued success."

Prior to RJO, Rucci served since 2016 as Senior Managing Director, Human Resources Business Partner at Nuveen. She joined Nuveen in 2008 as Assistant Vice President, Human Resources and served in several roles of increasing responsibility during her tenure there. Among her responsibilities were leading the firm's recruitment efforts.

Rucci spent the first 10 years of her career in HR and human capital consulting, first at Mercer Human Resources Consulting and later at Capital H Group. She graduated with distinction from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management/Engineering, with a minor in Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management.

About R.J. O'Brien & Associates

Founded in 1914, R.J. O'Brien & Associates is the largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, serving more than 80,000 institutional, commercial and individual clients globally, in addition to a network of approximately 300 introducing brokers (IBs). RJO services the industry's most expansive global network of IBs, a vast array of middle market firms and many of the world's largest financial, industrial and agricultural institutions. The firm offers state-of-the-art electronic trading and 24-hour trade execution on every major futures exchange worldwide. RJO received the FOW International Award for Non-Bank FCM of the Year for five consecutive years. At the HFM US Quant Awards 2020, RJO won the award for Best Independent FCM  the eighth honor bestowed by the HFM Global publications on RJO and its UK affiliate.

SOURCE R.J. O'Brien & Associates
The premium outdoor-lifestyle brand selected NewStore as part of a larger effort to digitally transform its omnichannel operations

BOSTON and TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NewStore , a modular, mobile-first omnichannel cloud platform for retail brands worldwide, today announced Roots (TSX: ROOT) has launched the NewStore Omnichannel Platform across its digital properties and network of more than 100 retail stores throughout Canada and the U.S. The premium outdoor-lifestyle brand is now using the NewStore order management and store fulfillment solutions to reduce shipping times, improve inventory accuracy, and maximize inventory sell-through across the enterprise.

The NewStore order management and store fulfillment solutions use proprietary routing logic to allocate order requests across Roots' brick-and-mortar locations and distribution centers according to the brand's desired prioritization criteria. This allows Roots to improve customer service levels and manage shipping costs by directing orders to the appropriate store or distribution center. NewStore is also supporting omnichannel capabilities like buy online return in-store (BORIS), further improving the customer experience while driving foot traffic.

Roots launched NewStore's Omnichannel Platform across its digital properties and network of more than 100 retail stores Tweet this

"We chose NewStore because it is a global omnichannel solution that we can extend over time," said Sonya Thomas, VP of eCommerce and Customer Experience, Roots.

"NewStore is an impressive, modern, API-first omnichannel solution. We found their technology easy to implement and it yielded immediate results," added Ron Ijack, VP, Information Strategy & Systems, Roots. "NewStore easily connects to the various Salesforce systems and MuleSoft/Azure middleware that we use, which fulfills an important requirement for our partner to work with our existing tech stack."

"As an iconic Canadian brand, Roots is held to a higher standard by its fiercely loyal customers. With NewStore, Roots' store associates now have the tools they need to create amazing shopping experiences anytime, anywhere," said Stephan Schambach, Founder and CEO, NewStore. "They are one of the many great Canadian brands leading the way for omnichannel retailers everywhere, and their decision to partner with NewStore is a reflection of the activity we are continuing to see in that market."

To learn more about the NewStore Omnichannel Platform, and to request a demo, visit: https://www.newstore.com/

About Roots

Established in 1973, Roots is a premium outdoor-lifestyle brand. We unite the best of cabin and city through unmistakable style built with uncompromising comfort and quality. We offer a broad range of products designed for life's everyday adventures, including women's and men's apparel, leather goods, footwear, accessories, and kids, toddler and baby apparel. Starting from a little cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, Roots has grown to become a global brand. We operate more than 100 retail stores across Canada, two in the United States and ship globally worldwide via roots.com, our eCommerce platform. We also have more than 100 partner-operated stores and sell our products through leading third-party retail sites in Asia. Roots Corporation is a Canadian corporation doing business as "Roots" and "Roots Canada".

About NewStore

NewStore provides Omnichannel-as-a-Service for retail brands worldwide that want to accelerate their digital transformation. Built for speed and flexibility, NewStore allows brands to easily deliver amazing shopping experiences that store associates and consumers love. Its mobile-first, modular cloud platform includes POS, order management, clienteling, inventory, and native consumer apps. NewStore customers such as Burton, Faherty Brand, G-Star RAW, Marine Layer, Scotch & Soda, UNTUCKit, and Vince benefit from the most complete, global omnichannel retail solution available  now supercharged with Tap to Pay on iPhone. The company is backed by General Catalyst, Activant Capital, and Salesforce Ventures. Learn more at www.newstore.com

SOURCE NewStore, Inc.
Ryan Jackson brings more than 20 years' experience in consulting and electrical training

CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Steel Tube Institute (STI), an organization that brings together key producers in the steel industry to advance the use of steel tubing, this week announces Ryan Jackson as STI's new Technical Consultant.

Ryan Jackson

"I'm excited Ryan Jackson is joining the Steel Tube Institute," Steel Tube Institute Executive Director Dale Crawford said. "Ryan's wealth of knowledge and experience will continue a long tradition of STI being a leader in the world of electrical codes and standards. He is a skilled presenter and educator who will bring tremendous benefits not only to our members, but to the electrical and steel industries as a whole."

In his role as Technical Consultant, Jackson will educate, train and support Steel Tube Institute's members to further their professional knowledge in design and technical solutions. In one of his primary initiatives, Jackson will assist in updating the National Electrical Code (NEC), prior to its 2026 release.

"I consider myself an educator and I love to help others increase their understanding of the electrical industry to help move them forward in their careers," Jackson said. "I look forward to meeting even more of the wonderful people in the electrical industry and working to create educational materials around the 2023 National Electrical Code."

Jackson is a (NEC) instructor and textbook author based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a principal member of Code-Making Panel 17 for the NEC, and he will be representing STI on the 2026 NEC Code-Making Panel 3. Jackson also serves on several Standards Technical Panels for UL solutions, a products safety testing and research company. Jackson is a highly-sought-after national seminar instructor, having presented seminars for organizations like Facebook, Utah Valley State College, International Code Council, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, and numerous engineering firms, facilities and contractors throughout the United States. Jackson authored A Complete Guide to the 2020 NEC Changes and A Comprehensive Guide to the 2020 NEC and co-authored several of Mike Holt's textbooks from 2008-2017. Jackson holds numerous certifications including Building Plans Examiner, Commercial Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector and more.

About Steel Tube Institute

The Steel Tube Institute was formed in 1930 when a group of manufacturers joined forces to promote and market steel tubing. Their goal was to mount a cooperative effort to improve manufacturing techniques and inform customers about their products' utility, versatility, and competitive advantages. This, along with providing a forum for the discussion of issues impacting the industry, remains the focus of Steel Tube Institute's efforts. Learn more at steeltubeinstitute.org and visit Steel Tube Institute on Linkedin.

Media Contact:

Natasha Sadek-Saleh

862-684-3344

[email protected]

SOURCE Steel Tube Institute
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Surgical Robots Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global surgical robots market size reached US$ 3.9 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 10.4 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.76% during 2021-2027.

Surgical robots refer to computer-controlled machines that are used for performing minimally invasive (MI) and laparoscopic surgeries. These robots consist of a magnifying high-definition 3-D camera fitted at the tip of the robotic arm that provides an accurate representation of the body parts. They replicate the hand movements of the surgeons and can perform complex procedures using miniaturized surgical instruments that can fit through small incisions. In comparison to traditional surgeries, these robots offer faster recovery time, minimal post-operative discomfort, and reduced risks of infection and scars.

Surgical Robots Market Growth Drivers:

The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders across the globe is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. In line with this, the rising geriatric population, which is more susceptible to medical ailments, is also contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, the extensive utilization of these robots for performing surgeries, along with the increasing preference for MI procedures by both patients and healthcare providers, is providing a boost to the market growth significantly. For instance, neurosurgical robots are being used for precise positioning of needles in deep intracranial lesions and for retracting delicate neural structures.

Various technological advancements and the integration of the healthcare industry with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are acting as other growth-inducing factors. Surgical robots are being equipped with 3D imaging systems, HD microscopic cameras, data recorders, motion sensors and robotic controlled catheters that assist surgeons in performing complex procedures accurately. Other factors, including increasing funding and investments for research and development (R&D) in the field of robotics and medical sciences, along with improving healthcare infrastructure across the globe, are also projected to drive the market further.

Key Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global surgical robots market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. Our report has categorized the market based on product, application and end-user.

Breakup by Product:

Robotic Systems

Instruments and Accessories

Services

Breakup by Application:

Gynecological Surgery

Urological Surgery

Neurosurgery

Orthopedic Surgery

Other Applications

Breakup by End-User:

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global surgical robots market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the key regional markets?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global surgical robots market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end-user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global surgical robots market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction



5 Global Surgical Robots Market



6 Market Breakup by Product



7 Market Breakup by Application



8 Market Breakup by End-User



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Indicators



14 Competitive Landscape

Companies Mentioned

Accuray Incorporated

Auris Health Inc.

CMR Surgical

Corindus Vascular Robotics

Intuitive Surgical

Maxar Technologies Limited

Mazor Robotics Ltd.

Medrobotics Corporation

Medtronic

Renishaw

Smith & Nephew

SRI International Inc.

Stryker Corporation

Think Surgical

Transenterix Inc.

Verb Surgical

Zimmer Biomet.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j9z6nl

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.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tequity, a leading North American M&A Advisory firm specializing in global Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT company transactions, acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Robust Network Solutions, a California-based Managed IT Services provider, in their acquisition by Quatrro Business Support Services with its investment partners VSS and Trivest Partners.

Tequitys MSP Client, Robust Network Solutions, Acquired by Quatrro Business Support Services

Robust Network Solutions is a premier Managed IT services firm headquartered in San Mateo, CA, that specializes in helping companies to innovate and reduce risk, while leveraging existing technology investments.

On the experience working with Tequity, Robust's CEO Bashar Asmar said "We couldn't have chosen a better team to work with. Tequity really knows the Managed IT space and had all the right contacts. Wilf and Diane helped us throughout, providing invaluable input and guidance through each step in the process."

This acquisition further expands Quatrro's position as a leading provider for outsourced managed accounting & finance and IT services. "The addition of Robust's team complements our fast-growing technology services segment with additional experienced leaders in Bashar and Salem. This is an essential part of our growth strategy to complement our rapid organic growth with additional capabilities through accretive acquisitions. We welcome the entire Robust team into our Quatrro family," said C M Sharma, Chairman and CEO of Quatrro.

Mario R. Masrieh, Principal at Trivest Partners shared, "Robust represents the fifth in a series of valued-added acquisitions the Quatrro team has made since we at Trivest and VSS partnered with the team just a few years ago. We are proud to see the Quatrro team continuing to build a leading position in outsourced managed services through great talent and a customer first approach."

Following the acquisition, Robust will leverage Quatrro's scale, enhanced service offerings, and expertise to serve its customer base nationally. Bashar Asmar stated, "We are thrilled to join the Quatrro family. My partner, Salem, and I were drawn by the shared goal of providing clients with a personal touch that goes beyond most other managed service providers. Our team looks forward to the many successes this partnership will bring."

About Robust Network Solutions

Robust Network Solutions is an IT services and consulting firm covering the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Manhattan in NYC. The company is focused on excellent customer service and provides ongoing proactive and strategic IT management and support. Visit www.robustnetworksolutions.com to learn more.

About Quatrro Business Support Services

QBSS is a tech-enabled, cloud-based business support services outsourcing firm that's changing the way companies think about finance, accounting, HR, and technology services. The company streamlines labor-intensive processes by standardizing, optimizing, and automating the business for improved insights. Visit www.quatrrobss.com to learn more.

About Trivest Partners LP (Trivest): Visit https://www.trivest.com

About VSS Capital Partners (VSS): Visit http://www.vss.com

About Tequity

Tequity assists Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT companies with business growth and exit strategies. Our mission is simple: achieve the best outcome for our clients. With decades of combined experience as executives, consultants, and owners of software and technology companies, we leverage our deep industry knowledge across tech ecosystems and our relationships with strategic, growth-focused buyers around the globe to drive successful M&A transactions. Learn more at www.tequityadvisors.com .

Media Contact

Diane Horton

Managing Partner, Tequity Advisors

T: +1 905.581.7424

[email protected]

SOURCE Tequity Advisors
Renewed Emphasis of the Group's Mission aiming to provide financial security and literacy for Highly Skilled Professionals

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Savarick Group of Wells Fargo Advisors unveiled its practice concentration that focuses specifically on the financial needs of medical professionals.

Evan Savarick, Managing Director  Investments and Senior Portfolio Manager, provides industry specific financial insights to medical professionals. This includes asset and liability protection, investment management, student debt strategies, retirement planning, tax planning strategies, and practice incorporation.

This medical concentration has been a part of The Savarick Group for nearly a decade. "Nearly half our clients are in the medical field and this client base has grown substantially via referrals from one doctor to another. This will allow us to further cultivate current client relationships and expand resources for future clientele," said Savarick.

Evan continues, "We realized there was a substantial unmet need, as medical professionals often don't receive any formal financial education. For many, over a decade of their lives is spent learning their craft, and essentially none of that time is focused on financial literacy. Our team takes this opportunity to educate and empower them."

The Savarick Group employs a client-centric approach - providing white glove wealth management services, while always prioritizing their clients' best interest. The team gets to know each of their clients personally, then builds and executes comprehensive investment plans and investment strategies founded on each client's specific financial goals and needs. Their holistic approach is designed to empower clients to feel more confident and achieve financial prosperity.

"We pride ourselves in taking exceptional care of all of our clients and their families," said Savarick. "We feel privileged to have the opportunity to care for to those who work so diligently to maintain our health and wellbeing."

The Savarick Group team includes Evan Savarick and Roy Savarick, Senior Vice President - Investments, along with Molly Pacheco, Associate Financial Advisor, Matthew Savarick, Senior Registered Client Associate and Jennifer Harley, Senior Client Associate.

About Wells Fargo Advisors

Investment and Insurance Products:

 NOT FDIC Insured  NO Bank Guarantee  MAY Lose Value

With $1.88 trillion in client assets as of March 31, 2022, Wells Fargo Advisors provides advice and guidance to help clients maximize all aspects of their financial lives. Our vast network of financial advisors, one of the nation's largest, serves investors through locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Wells Fargo Advisors is a part of Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM), a division within Wells Fargo & Company and one of the largest wealth managers in the U.S. WIM provides financial products and services through various bank and brokerage affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. All data includes Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, as of March 31, 2022. www.wellsfargoadvisors.com

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in 3 U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle market banking provider in the U.S., We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortune's 2021 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo

Contact Information

Shea Leordeanu

Wells Fargo Advisors

[email protected]

SOURCE Wells Fargo Advisors
Visit Included a Tour of Zum's San Francisco Bus Yard and Ride-Along on a Zum EV School Bus

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, David Turk, met with executives and staff at Zum , the nation's leader in modern, sustainable student transportation.

The visit, which took place at Zum's San Francisco bus yard, included a tour of the facilities, a ride on one of Zum's electric buses, and a meeting with Zum leadership, including company founder and CEO, Ritu Narayan, and co-founder and COO, Vivek Garg, as well as Archie Fokin, Executive Director, Transportation Department, San Francisco Unified School District.

Today, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, David Turk, met with executives and staff at Zum, the nations leader in modern, sustainable student transportation.

"We were honored to host Deputy Secretary Turk and discuss our shared commitment to sustainability, innovation and equity in student transportation," Narayan said. "Zum is proud to be leading an industry-wide shift in transitioning the nation's 500,000 school buses from diesel to electric. We commend our district partners and the Administration in supporting our vision for a zero-emission future."

The Deputy Secretary also met some of the Zum operations staff and drivers who serve more than 3,500 students and 200+ bus routes in the San Francisco Unified School District.

Zum serves thousands of schools nationwide, including the nation's second largest school district, Los Angeles Unified School District. Other innovative school districts that have partnered with Zum for their student transportation needs include Oakland Unified School District, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Seattle Public Schools.

Zum's solution addresses:

Sustainability - Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the U.S. student transportation system  the nation's largest mass transit system  costs $28 billion per year. As the first and only 100% carbon neutral student transportation company in the U.S., Zum is committed to transitioning school bus fleets to electric vehicles. Through its Net Zero Initiative , the company has already offset 100% of its fleet's carbon emissions.

Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the U.S. student transportation system  the nation's largest mass transit system  costs per year. As the first and only 100% carbon neutral student transportation company in the U.S., Zum is committed to transitioning school bus fleets to electric vehicles. Through its , the company has already offset 100% of its fleet's carbon emissions. Efficiency - Zum's cloud-based routing platforms decrease commute times and costs. School districts and families are already seeing the benefits of working with Zum: San Francisco Unified School District is on track to save $15 million over the next five years. In Oakland , the number of students spending more than one hour on a bus has dropped from 70 percent to less than 10 percent.

- Zum's cloud-based routing platforms decrease commute times and costs. School districts and families are already seeing the benefits of working with Zum: San Francisco Unified School District is on track to save over the next five years. In , the number of students spending more than one hour on a bus has dropped from 70 percent to less than 10 percent. Transparency - Through the Zum app , parents receive real-time information about vehicle location and their child's pickup or drop off time and status. District administrators and operators are able to track rides, and routes are adjusted in real time to account for absent students or traffic issues.

- Through the , parents receive real-time information about vehicle location and their child's pickup or drop off time and status. District administrators and operators are able to track rides, and routes are adjusted in real time to account for absent students or traffic issues. Safety - Through Zum's proprietary safety technology, driver training, and certification program, SafeGuard, all drivers not only meet and exceed all state and federal requirements but also are trained on and required to adhere to specific protocols while picking up or dropping off students and while driving.

- Through Zum's proprietary safety technology, driver training, and certification program, SafeGuard, all drivers not only meet and exceed all state and federal requirements but also are trained on and required to adhere to specific protocols while picking up or dropping off students and while driving. Equity - Modernizing transportation can address inequalities the current system exacerbates. Students with longer average times on buses report lower grades, fewer social activities and poorer study habits. Because low-income families, children of color and children with special needs are more likely to depend on school buses, they're disproportionately affected. Zum works to ensure equity and access for all students.

Zum's solution is built around the needs of students, families and the teachers, administrators and drivers committed to creating the best educational experience for children. For more information, visit: www.ridezum.com .

About Zum

Zum has reimagined student transportation, the nation's largest mass transit system. Our robust operations and integrated end-to-end cloud-based platform provides a modern student transportation service for school districts purpose-built around the needs of kids and the expectations of their families. Zum provides one seamless, real-time interface for parents, drivers, schools, districts, administrators and operators to transport children safely and with increased visibility and personalized care. Always investing in the wellbeing of the communities, Zum is also the only carbon neutral student transportation provider in the nation with plans to go Net Zero with EV transition. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

CONTACT:

[email protected]

SOURCE Zum
Valour Digital Securities Limited, a Jersey-based securities issuance vehicle cooperating with Cayman-based Valour Inc. as arranger, has obtained the approval in principle by the JFSC and has subsequently submitted a new EU base prospectus documentation covering physically backed ETP-Products with the Swedish Regulator SFSA.

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Valour Inc. (the "Company" or "Valour") (NEO: DEFI) (GR: MB9) (OTC: DEFTF), a technology company and the first and only publicly traded company that bridges the gap between traditional capital markets, Web3 and decentralized finance, is pleased to announce the approval in principle by the JFSC and the submission of an EU base prospectus with the Swedish regulator SFSA for the issuance of physically stored digital assets wrapped by exchange-traded product (ETP) securities.

This expansion of Valour's product line is another significant step forward in the company's mission to make digital assets more accessible and facilitate their integration with traditional assets. These new products will allow investors to diversify their portfolios by adding selected digital asset exposure to their existing traditional securities accounts without the need to open any additional digital asset holding accounts such as wallets with crypto exchanges.

Once approved, the new ETP-securities will be available on regular exchanges in Europe such as Deutsche Boerse Xetra, Euronext, SIX Swiss Exchange etc. being secured by the respective digital assets that are physically stored with regulated custody providers. Physical custody ensures that the underlying assets are stored in a secure location and are pledged for the benefit of the security holders. This provides investors with an added layer of security and protection for their assets. It signifies a crucial stepstone of a stringent and strategic development for Valour and further solidifies its mission to make digital assets more accessible and facilitate their seamless integration with traditional assets.

"We are excited to have received the approval in principle from the JFSC for our asset backed issuance programme, and to have submitted the documentation for final approval to the SFSA," said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of Valour Inc. "This is an important step in our mission to make digital assets more accessible and facilitate their seamless integration with traditional assets. Our goal is to provide investors with a broader range of investment options and the ability to easily diversify their portfolios. This new product line is another significant step forward in achieving that goal."

Alongside with this upcoming new issuance programme Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour's existing product range includes Valour Uniswap ( UNI ), Cardano ( ADA ), Polkadot ( DOT ), Solana ( SOL ), Avalanche ( AVAX ), Cosmos ( ATOM ), Binance ( BNB ), Enjin ( ENJ ), Valour Bitcoin Carbon Neutral , and Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 ( VDAB10 ) ETPs with low management fees. Valour's flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first fully hedged, passive investment products with Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Ethereum ( ETH ) as underlyings which are completely fee free.

About Valour

Valour Inc. (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJ.F) (OTCQB: DEFTF) is a technology company and the first and only publicly traded company that bridges the gap between traditional capital markets and finance. Founded in 2019, Valour is backed by an acclaimed and pioneering team with decades of experience in financial markets and digital assets. Valour's mission is to expand investor access to industry-leading Web3 and technologies. This allows investors to access the future of finance via regulated equity exchanges using their traditional bank account and access.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the Offering; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by Valour and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour exchange traded products by exchanges; growth and development of DeFi and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Valour, Inc.
Vertx Pro Launching at Las Vegas Show, January 17-20

CINCINNATI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertx, the leading manufacturer of tactical apparel and low-profile concealed carry bags and packs, announced it will attend and host an exhibit booth at the upcoming SHOT Show from January 17-20, 2023 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

"Vertx is excited about returning to SHOT Show and announcing the launch of its new sub-brand called Vertx Pro, dedicated to those that serve," said Aaron Silvestain, Director of Brand Development. Vertx Pro products are designed specifically for law enforcement, public safety, military, and federal communities.

Products under the Vertx Pro Brand will only be available via Vertx Pro Dealers, specializing in Public Safety and Federal/Military areas, and on Vertx.com via a credentialing system to verify the end-user is an active professional. The first Vertx Pro Collection consists of styles of pants and shirts, both available in Men's and Women's fits.

"Vertx is proud to bring world-class innovation, design, and forward-thinking to these fields and protect those that protect our freedoms," added Silvestain

The Vertx SHOT Show exhibit will also feature the Next Generation everyday carry bags and packs. Designed for every adventure, every mission, and every day. The Vertx off-body CCW bags and packs come in six sizes and configurations. These comfortable, customizable, and incognito bags can hold all essential gear and allow rapid access to life-saving equipment.

What: SHOT Show 2023

When: January 17-20, 2023

Where: Booth #14253, level 2, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

About Vertx: The Vertx story started when a top federal agency requested more functional, comfortable, and versatile low-profile tactical pants. Leveraging over 175 years of experience, the Fechheimer Brothers Company worked with operators to develop the industry's first tactical pant that combined superior functionality with a low visual profile.

Vertx utilizes world-class designers to develop low-profile apparel, tactical garments, and low-profile concealed carry bags and packs. Vertx is trusted by the nation's top operators and prepared professionals for our innovative designs, functionality, fit, and versatility. As we look to the future, we stand ready to work side-by-side with today's prepared professionals to continue to design, develop and offer the best and most innovative products possible. For more information, visit Vertx.com and Vertx.com/pro

Contact: Ermias Alemayehu

[email protected]

C: (213) 804-1872

SOURCE Vertx
"Our Nucleosomics technology is easy to incorporate into annual wellness visits to support veterinarians in their clinical decision-making, enable earlier detection and treatment of cancer and improve the health and wellbeing of pets and pet owners.

"IDEXX's launch of the Nu.Q Canine Cancer Screen in the U.S. this week, under our previously announced supply agreement, ultimately provides worldwide customer reach through its global reference laboratory network as we continue to commercialize our transformational Nu.Q technology within the companion animal healthcare sector, and capitalize on the significant opportunities available."

Volition is developing simple, easy-to-use, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of life-altering diseases including cancer in both humans and animals. For more information about Volition's Nu.Q technology go to: www.volition.com.

Note to editors:

1. Volition Signs Global Supply Agreement for Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test. Oct 20 2022

2. Findings from a clinical study conducted by Volition and Professor Wilson-Robles and the team at Texas A&M University, peer-reviewed and published in August 2022, showed that:

Volition's Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test detected 76% of systemic cancers ( including lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and histiocytic sarcoma) at 97% specificity versus control.

About the U.S. market segment

The Veterinary Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer at some point, and almost 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer.

In a Pet Owner Survey conducted in June/ July 2021 by The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Foundation, 95% of pet owners Strongly Agreed/Agreed that "My pet is part of my family".

by The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Foundation, 95% of pet owners Strongly Agreed/Agreed that "My pet is part of my family". According to IDEXX, just under 50% of dogs have preventative care visits each year.

Approximately six million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs in the U.S. alone each year, and according to IDEXX its team of global pathologists reviews over one million suspected cancer case submissions in companion animals annually.

IDEXX estimates that its companion animal practice growth quarterly updates reflected ~ 9% wellness visit growth in 2021 and relative strength in 2022 despite a pullback in veterinary clinic capacity.

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national epigenetics company that applies its Nucleosomics platform through its subsidiaries to develop simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of life-altering diseases, in both humans and other animals, including some cancers and diseases associated with NETosis such as sepsis and COVID-19. Early diagnosis and monitoring have the potential not only to prolong the life of patients but also to improve their quality of life. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present.

Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with an innovation laboratory and office in the U.S. and additional offices in London and Singapore.

The contents found at Volition's website address are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. This website address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only.

Media Enquiries:

Louise Batchelor/Debra Daglish, Volition, [email protected] +44 (0)7557 774620

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "aims," "targets," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," "suggests," "could," "would," "should," "may," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other topics, Volition's estimated market opportunity, Volition's expectations related to the potential benefits under the supply agreement with IDEXX , the effectiveness of Volition's blood-based diagnostic, prognostic and disease monitoring tests, and Volition's ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer and other diseases as well as serving as a diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring tools for such diseases. Volition's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, results of studies testing the efficacy of its tests. For instance, if Volition fails to develop and commercialize diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring products, it may be unable to execute its plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include Volition's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in Volition's development pipeline or any other diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring products Volition might develop; Volition's failure to secure adequate intellectual property protection; Volition will face fierce competition and Volition's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics and disease monitoring market and its rapid technological change; downturns in domestic and foreign economies; and other risks identified in Volition's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that Volition files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Volition's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, Volition does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Nucleosomics and Nu.Q and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3F0ChLIvN4

SOURCE VolitionRx Limited
Based on the input of employees, company ranks in Top 100 of favorite U.S. large workplaces

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yardi has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award for the third time as one of the Best Places to Work in 2023.

The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award is based solely on the input of employees, who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a review about their job, work environment and employer on Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies.

"Taking care of our employees and offering opportunities to contribute to our clients' success are guiding principles at Yardi," said Anant Yardi, the company's president and founder. "We are honored to receive this prestigious award again from Glassdoor, and we are grateful for the supportive culture that has been fostered at all levels within our organization."

For 2023, Yardi is No. 76 out of 100 companies on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work US Large list with a 4.4 rating. The company was previously honored in 2020 and 2018.

"The past year brought extreme highs and lows for job seekers and employees, but despite an increasingly uncertain job market, Glassdoor data shows there are still companies hyper-focused on creating outstanding employee experiences," said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor Chief Executive Officer. "It's encouraging to see companies doubling down on employee mental health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, competitive benefits and flexible work environments as we head into 2023. I sincerely congratulate all of the Best Places to Work winners."

Glassdoor's Best Places to Work winners were determined using company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between October 19, 2021 and October 17, 2022. During the year-long eligibility period, employers considered for the large list must have received at least 75 ratings for each of Glassdoor's nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend and six-month business outlook) . The final list is compiled using Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, led by its Economic Research Team , and considers quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. Complete awards methodology can be found here .

For the complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work winners in 2023, please visit: gldr.co/BPTW

About Yardi

Yardi develops industry-leading software for all types and sizes of real estate companies across the world. With over 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with our clients to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com .

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is revolutionizing how people everywhere find jobs and companies they love by providing deeper workplace transparency. Professionals turn to Glassdoor to research ratings, reviews, salaries and more at millions of employers, and to Fishbowl by Glassdoor to engage in candid workplace conversations. Companies use Glassdoor to post jobs and attract talent through employer branding and employee insights products . Glassdoor is a subsidiary of Recruit Holdings, a leading global technology company, and a part of its fast-growing HR Technology business unit. For more information, visit www.glassdoor.com .





SOURCE Yardi
This delightful story about the Duchess of Bedford is the recipient of a Gold Mom's Choice Award.

WOBURN SANDS, United Kingdom, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Author Maria Bucci is the recent winner of the Gold Mom's Choice Award for her scrumptious picture book, Hound on a Scrounge, about an affable dog named Buddy who loves to scrounge under the table for delicious crumbs. Her story chronicles the quintessentially British tradition of "afternoon tea," as told by Buddy himself. Families and educators of young children will delight in this fun read-aloud story that shares an interesting tidbit of history.

Hound on a Scrounge by Author Maria Bucci Buddy's Scrummylicious Scones

Bucci is no stranger to the history of the afternoon tea. The Duchess of Bedford, who began the tradition in the 1800s, lived at Woburn Abbey, a stately home near the author's residence in nearby Woburn Sands. When Bucci discovered the location's link to the origins of afternoon tea, she had a burning passion to write it as a children's book starring her very own Buddy.

In her story, Buddy invites the reader to his world under the dining table, to take part in scrounging for food, of course. The hybrid pup also shares that he is descended from Lord Budster, owned by the Duchess herself. As history tells it, the Duchess became quite hungry whilst visiting Belvoir Castle, but it wasn't yet time for dinner. So, she asked to be made up a plate of delicious sandwiches, cake, and a pot of tea to tide her over. She then elaborated and carried on the tradition at Woburn Abbey. She went on to invite many guests to her teas, who thought it was a great idea. Soon, afternoon tea was enjoyed by many around the entire world, not just England!

Vibrant and amusing illustrations combined with a clever and jocular text make this a story that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Bucci's enlightening picture book is the first in a series of titles about the various origins of food. Hound on a Scrounge is available via her website or at Amazon.

If you would like more information about author Maria Bucci and Hound on a Scrounge, please contact [email protected] or visit https://maria-bucci.com/.

Contact: Maria Bucci

Phone: +44 07971 782355

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://maria-bucci.com

SOURCE Maria Bucci
CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizton Advisory & Intelligence has recently published four latest reports on the regional data center industry. The research reports on Sweden data center, Finland data center, and Norway data center provide detailed insights into the market size, share, investment, and growth opportunities.

The reports include:

Investment Values: ($ Billion)

Area Added: (Thousand Square Feet)

Power Capacity: (MW)

Colocation Market Revenue: ($ Billion)

Investment Opportunities in Top Three Data Center Market

Report Attributes Details Sweden Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 3.83 billion CAGR (2021-2027) 9.19 % Finland Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 1.2 Billion CAGR (2021-2027) 9.08 % Norway Data Center Market Size (2027) USD 1.45 Billion CAGR (2021-2027) 17.25 %

The Sweden data center market is driven by digitalization growth, high connectivity, and increased investments by global colocation and cloud operators. Additionally, the market has implemented GDPR, which drives the demand for the construction of data centers. The Sweden data center market in terms of area is dominated by Stockholm, followed by emerging locations, including Lulea, Falun, Malmo, and others. Stockholm has witnessed the development of Stockholm Data Parks, which has aided the growth of the data center market. Sweden targets to generate 100% of renewable energy by 2040. Hyperscale operators such as Microsoft, AWS, and Facebook signed PPA with various energy producers to procure renewable energy for their data centers. In Sweden, colocation service providers develop facilities in Stockholm Data Parks, where data center facilities are designed to supply waste heat to district heating systems. In Sweden, colocation service providers develop facilities in Stockholm Data Parks, where data center facilities are designed to supply waste heat to district heating systems.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Arista Networks, Atos, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei Technologies, IBM, Lenovo, and NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: AFEC, Bravida, Coromatic, Dornan, DPR Construction, Granlund, Kirby Group Engineering, NCC, Red Engineering, STS Group, Skanska, Sweco, and Swedish Modules

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Alfa Laval, Caterpillar, Carrier, Cummins, Eaton, FlaktGroup, HITEC Power Protection, KOHLER-SDMO, Legrand, NetNordic, Rittal, Reillo Elettronica (Riello UPS), Rolls-Royce, Schneider Electric, Socomec, STULZ, Swegon, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: atNorth, Bahnhof, Conapto, Digital Realty, EcoDataCenter, Equinix, Meta (Facebook), Google, Multigrid, Microsoft, and Northern Data

Click Here to Download the Free Sweden Data Center Market Sample Report

Finland data center market is expected to surpass USD 1.2 billion by 2027. Finland will make significant investments in data center development between 2022 and 2027. Colocation and cloud service providers in Finland are investing in data center facilities during the forecast period. Finland will add around 2.7 million square feet of data center space between 2022 and 2027. In Finland, Helsinki is a favorable location for developing data center facilities. It is the most connected location and the economic hub in Finland. Significant area additions are expected by hyperscale and colocation providers during the forecast period. Cloud service providers, such as Google, that is operating in Finland, are procuring renewable energy for their facility operations. For instance, Microsoft planned to construct a data center region in the country to power its facility by using 100% renewable energy and to support carbon-free operations. Finland will add around 2.7 million square feet of data center space between 2022 and 2027. In Finland, Helsinki is a favorable location for the development of data center facilities. It is the most connected location and the economic hub in Finland. Significant area additions are expected by hyperscale and colocation providers during the forecast period. Cloud service providers, such as Google that is operating in Finland, are procuring renewable energy for their facility operations. For instance, Microsoft planned to construct a data center region in the country to power its facility by using 100% renewable energy and to support carbon-free operations.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Extreme Networks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei, IBM, Juniper Networks, NEC, and Oracle

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: AFRY, Fluor Corporation, Granlund Group, Kirby Engineering Group, Parviainen Arkkitehdit, RED, Ramboll, and Royal Haskoning

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Airedale International Air Conditioning, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delta Electronics, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, Legrand, Rittal, Schneider Electric, STULZ, Trane, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: Equinix and Google

New Entrants: Hyperco and Microsoft

Click Here to Download the Free Finland Data Center Market Sample Report

Norway data center market is expected to reach USD 1.45 billion by 2027. Norway data center market is a significantly growing industry in the Nordic region aided by factors that include government initiatives, growing cloud data center regions, adoption of advanced technology, growth in subsea & inland connectivity, and district heating systems. The country's government is working towards the digital transformation of government operations and the economy. The government of Norway has established its Norwegian Digitalization Agency, which aims to coordinate digitalization in the country strategically.

The government of Norway has established several industrial business parks that offer spaces for business for sustainable operations. Mo Industrial Park, Herya Industrial Park, Haugaland Business Park, and Raufoss Industrial Park are some of the business parks in Norway. The Norway data center market is well connected to several major markets with around 11 submarine cables followed by upcoming cables such as Celtic Norse, Leif Erikson, and N0r5ke Viking, which will be ready for services in coming years. Norway data center market has a significant presence of local and global vendors regarding IT, support, and general construction services. For instance, CTS Nordics have been selected to provide design & build services for Green Mountain's data center expansion project in Oslo.

Key Vendors Profiled in the Report

IT Infrastructure Providers: Arista Networks, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei Technologies, Hitachi Vantara, IBM, Juniper Networks, Lenovo, NetApp, NetNordic, Oracle, Pure Storage, and Super Micro Computer

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: Coromatic, COWI, CTS Nordics, Designer Group, Keysource, RED Engineering, and YIT

Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB, Alfa Laval, Carrier, Caterpillar, Cummins, Eaton, FlaktGroup, HITEC Power Protection, KOHLER-SDMO, Legrand, Piller Power Systems, Rittal, Rolls-Royce, Schneider Electric, Socomec, STULZ, Trane, and Vertiv

Data Center Investors: Bulk Infrastructure, Green Mountain, Green Edge Compute, STORESPEED

New Entrants: AQ Compute, Namsos Datasenter, and STACK Infrastructure (DigiPlex)

Click Here to Download the Free Norway Data Center Market Sample Report

Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Market Research Reports:

Switzerland Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The Switzerland data center market is expected to witness a year-over-year investment of USD 2.787 billion by 2027.

Spain Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: Spain data center market size will witness investments of USD 3.69 billion by 2027.

Czech Republic Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2021-2026: Czech Republic data center market size will witness investments of USD 1 billion by 2026.

Poland Data Center Market - Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The Poland data center market will witness investments of USD 1.81 billion by 2027.

United Arab Emirates Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027: The United Arab Emirates data center market is expected to reach USD 1.72 billion by 2027.

About Us:

Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Click Here to Contact Us

Call: +1-312-235-2040

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818553/Arizton_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- adm Group, a global marketing execution partner to the world's leading brands, today announces the appointment of current Global CEO, Justin Barton, as Executive Chairman. Justin has been CEO of adm since 2014. He has overseen a significant expansion of the business, as well as a re-shaping of the investor base, with Equistone Partners Europe becoming a major shareholder. In his new role, Justin will focus on the growth strategy for the group and will continue to be based in London.

Left to right: Ed Colflesh, Justin Barton, Noah Lapine

Ed Colflesh will become Group CEO. Ed has been CEO of the Americas and has overseen the growth of the region to become the largest part of the adm business. He has enormous experience having worked in senior roles in the marketing and advertising services sector for over 15 years. Based in New York, Ed will lead the business globally and continue to focus on executing our growth strategy, delivering our sustainability and technology strategies and optimising our global operations to keep adm at the forefront of industry.

The role of CEO, Americas will be filled by Noah Lapine. Noah joined the business earlier this year when adm Group acquired Lapine, a consumer engagement agency, where Noah was CEO.

Speaking of the leadership changes, Justin Barton said, "I am extremely proud of everything adm has achieved in the last eight years. The business has transformed during this time, experiencing incredible growth and broadening our global presence. I am thrilled that Ed will be taking over the reigns as Global CEO. Ed has shown exceptional talent and drive, continuing to grow adm as an industry leader in the Americas. I know that he will bring this enthusiasm and ambition to the role of Global CEO."

"I am also delighted that Noah Lapine will become CEO, Americas. Noah is an impressive leader and I have every confidence that he will be a great successor to Ed in this critical region".

Ed Colflesh said "I am incredibly excited to be taking on the role of Group CEO. Our client-centric approach and trusted expertise along with our passion for innovation and sustainable solutions is what makes adm an industry leader and an amazing place to work. I am thrilled to join Justin as we continue to focus on exceptional client delivery and further successes."

About adm Group

adm Group is a global marketing execution partner to the world's leading brands. We are process experts who consult, reengineer and execute global supply chain solutions that focus on delivering efficiencies, effectiveness and sustainability across the marketing supply chain. We have a global footprint with 46 offices in 33 countries, allowing us to deliver local activation of global strategies for brands across the world.

For more information, please visit https://www.admgroup.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981657/adm_Group.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981621/adm_Group_Logo.jpg

SOURCE adm Group
Agreement supports company's efforts to improve resiliency, maintain reliability and improve the customer experience

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Progress has reached a comprehensive agreement with all parties, including consumer, environmental and industrial groups in South Carolina, for its rate review request filed in September of last year.

If the agreement is approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the company plans to implement the increase beginning April 1, with the typical residential customer in South Carolina using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity paying about $10.95 more per month. The agreement will also impact the rates of commercial and industrial customers.

The total increase will be approximately $52 million, about 41% less than the $89 million Duke Energy Progress requested to recover investments made to increase system reliability and resiliency, achieve a cleaner, smarter energy future, and focus on operational excellence and enhancing the customer experience for more than 172,000 customers in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.

Among other provisions, the agreement resolves recovery of coal ash basin closure costs in this case as well as allows Duke Energy Progress a return on equity of 9.6% and an equity component of the capital structure of 52.43%.

The agreement was reached with the Office of Regulatory Staff, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the South Carolina Energy Users Committee, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Coastal Conservation League, Vote Solar, the Sierra Club, the Department of Defense/Federal Executive Agencies, Walmart, Nucor Steel and the Small Business Chamber of Commerce.

"We appreciate the parties giving such thoughtful consideration to the needs of customers and to our ability to continue investing in the state's vibrant economy," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "Especially during these challenging economic times, Duke Energy Progress stands ready to deliver the energy future our customers expect, to respond to destructive storms quickly and safely, to help our customers in need, and to act in our customers' best interests."

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 29,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

24-Hour media line: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
Dr. Christiane Wrann of Massachusetts General Hospital selected for research aimed at using the novel exercise hormone irisin to treat Alzheimer's disease

CLEVELAND, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland have granted an ADDF-Harrington Scholar Award to Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM, Associate Professor in Medicine at the Cardiovascular Research Center and the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Wrann will receive funding and drug development guidance to help advance her research towards potential new therapies for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

"The ADDF-Harrington partnership helps scientists move academic discoveries beyond the lab and eventually into the clinic to improve the lives of people living with and at risk of Alzheimer's," said Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF.

Studies have shown that physical activity, especially endurance exercise, can improve cognitive function in part by reducing inflammation in the brain. Dr. Wrann has focused on figuring out why this is the case and how this can be translated into an effective treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Specifically, Dr. Wrann and her team have isolated a hormone called irisin that is excreted during exercise, which they have shown is a primary driver of the benefits of exercise on the brain. They have also shown in mice that genetic deletion of irisin impairs cognitive function, while its elevation improves cognition and decreases brain inflammation.

The ADDF-Harrington award includes up to $600,000 in financial support. Dr. Wrann and her team will investigate dosing strategies for use in humans and that would allow enough irisin to cross the blood-brain barrier in order do its work. The team is also validating biomarker tests, including a blood test that will enable clinicians to monitor how efficiently the drug is reaching its intended target in the brain.

"This is an exciting new target with strongly supportive data. We are pleased to support Dr. Wrann's work towards a potential new therapy to combat this devastating disease," said Dr. Andrew A. Pieper, Director, Center for Brain Health Medicines at Harrington Discovery Institute, and Professor and Morley Mather Chair in Neuropsychiatry University Hospitals Health System, Case Western Reserve University.

Now in its eighth year, the ADDF-Harrington partnership accelerates the translation of innovative academic research into medicines that will treat, prevent, or slow Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

SOURCE Harrington Discovery Institute
The development center in Croatia is Amagi's first R&D center outside India and will serve as a hub for the company's growth in Europe.

ZAGREB, Croatia, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV, today announced the opening of its very first European R&D center in Zagreb, Croatia. The new center will elevate the quality and speed of the technical support Amagi offers to its European customers while advancing product development efforts.

The development center will be led by Igor Marinic, Marko Horvat, and Danijel Peric who will now become integral to Amagi.

"Our goal has always been to bring more intuitive and intelligent technology into the broadcasting world to help media companies deliver more elevated viewing experiences to their consumers. With a dedicated R&D center in Croatia, we will now be closer to our European customers and will be able to offer them technology support in real-time. Igor and his team are wonderful additions to the Amagi family, and we look forward to growing with them," said Baskar Subramanian, CEO & Co-founder, Amagi.

"Amagi could not have chosen a better destination to further its expansion plans in Europe. Croatia has successfully established itself as a country with top talent on the global technology map. We are positive that the newly opened Amagi R&D center will be one of the key drivers of the company's growth and success in the region," adds Igor Marinic, General Manager - Eastern Europe, Amagi.

Amagi delivers linear channels in over 40 countries around the world, with the majority of clients from the American market. Amagi's customer list includes ABS-CBN, AccuWeather, A+E Networks UK, Cinedigm, Cox Media Group, Crackle Plus, Fremantle, Gannett, Gusto TV, NBCUniversal, Tastemade, The Roku Channel, Vice Media, and numerous other global companies.

About Amagi

Amagi is a next-generation media technology company that provides cloud broadcast and targeted advertising solutions to broadcast TV and streaming TV platforms. Amagi enables content owners to launch, distribute and monetize live linear channels on Free Ad-supported Streaming TV and video services platforms. Amagi also offers 24x7 cloud-managed services bringing simplicity, advanced automation, and transparency to the entire broadcast operations. Overall, Amagi supports 700+ content brands, 800+ playout chains, and over 2100 channel deliveries on its platform in over 40 countries. Amagi has a presence in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Paris, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, and broadcast operations in New Delhi, and an innovation center in Bangalore.

SOURCE Amagi Media Labs Pvt. Ltd.
BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- By 2030, global emissions must drop by almost half to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and mitigate the climate crisis' most severe impacts. Yet, a Ceres analysis of data from 450+ public U.S. companies in the sectors responsible for the most significant amount of emissions showed that 56% have yet to set comprehensive climate goals and 44% don't publicly disclose greenhouse gas emissions data.

That's why the Ceres Ambition 2030 initiative focuses on decarbonizing six of the highest-emitting sectors in our economy, accounting for roughly 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to 2019 EPA data: banking, electric power, food and agriculture, oil and gas, steel, and transportation. Ambition 2030 leverages the power of investors, corporates, and company value chains to catalyze momentum across these sectors. The new Ambition 2030 webpage includes resources for engagement and case studies.

Ambition 2030 stands on three expectations:

Change starts with goals. All companies must set climate targets. Investors and companies can use the Ceres Ambition Spectrum to assess progress towards decarbonization. The Ambition Spectrum evaluates commitments and identifies how a company may progress towards a robust 1.5-degree Celsius-aligned goal. Once top companies set commitments, peer companies will be pulled along through a competitive cascade.

Goals fall short without action. In 2023, every company must release a time-bound plan detailing how it will integrate climate action as a core element of its business model. This year, Ceres partnered with CDP, the We Mean Business Coalition, and EDF to create a report on Climate Transition Action Plans, presenting guidance on aligning business strategies and policy advocacy with emissions reduction goals in a way that is just and equitable.

Once goals and plans are published, regular disclosure is critical. Companies must disclose their actions, assess progress, and adjust. Mandatory climate disclosure, as proposed by the SEC in March of 2022, ensures broad compliance and comparable transparency.

Ambition 2030 data snapshots will be regularly updated to provide accountability and actionable information for companies, investors, policymakers, regulators, and the broader public. The coming seven years will pass rapidly, but critical climate goals are achievable. We will need all hands on deck.

Contact: Reginald Zimmerman

Original Publication

Join us in New York City this March for Ceres Global, where we'll set the course for the global action necessary to build a more just and sustainable world by 2030.

SOURCE Ceres
LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameritas President and CEO Bill Lester announces the following officer elections.

Terrance Cummings is the new 2nd vice president, business development, individual, with an effective hire date of Oct. 24, 2022. He attended the University of Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Science in actuarial science. Cummings is a Society of Actuaries fellow and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Ameritas President and CEO Bill Lester announces the following officer elections. Tweet this

Bill Wysong is the new vice president, underwriting, individual, with an effective hire date of Nov. 7, 2022. He studied business management at West Virginia Wesleyan College and business administration at the University of Phoenix.

About Ameritas 

Ameritas is a marketing name for Ameritas Mutual Holding Company and its affiliated subsidiary companies, including Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York. Founded in 1887, Ameritas offers a wide range of insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses. These products and services include life insurance; annuities; individual disability income insurance; group dental, vision and hearing care insurance; and retirement plans. For more information, visit ameritas.com.

Contact:

Derek Rayment, Sr. Media Relations Specialist

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

Phone: 402-467-7850

[email protected]

SOURCE Ameritas
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Anesthesia Devices Market by Product, End-user, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 report has been published by Technavio. Market size is forecast to grow by USD 3,340.68 million between 2022 and 2027 at a CAGR of 10.7%. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of growth opportunities at regional levels, new product launches, the latest trends, and the post-pandemic recovery of the global market. Download A PDF Sample Report

Regional Analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Anesthesia Devices Market 2023-2027

By region, the global anesthesia devices market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World. North America is estimated to contribute 37% to the growth of the global market over the forecast period. Factors such as the presence of improved healthcare infrastructure, an increasing number of surgeries being performed under general anesthesia, and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and their related risk factors are driving the growth of the anesthesia devices market in North America. Buy the report

Company Profiles

The anesthesia devices market report includes information on the key products and recent developments of leading vendors, including:

Ambu AS - The company offers anesthesia devices such as Bronchoscopes, Video Laryngoscopes, and Resuscitators.

- The company offers anesthesia devices such as Bronchoscopes, Video Laryngoscopes, and Resuscitators. B. Braun SE - The company offers anesthesia devices such as Anesthesia IV Administration Sets and Anesthesia IV Extension Sets.

- The company offers anesthesia devices such as Anesthesia IV Administration Sets and Anesthesia IV Extension Sets. Beijing Aeonmed Co. Ltd - The company offers anesthesia devices such as BD Epilor plastic LOR syringe and BD Durasafe CSE needle set.

- The company offers anesthesia devices such as BD Epilor plastic LOR syringe and BD Durasafe CSE needle set. Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA - The company offers anesthesia devices such as Drager Fabius Plus, Fabius DS Premium, and Primus.

Market Dynamics

The market is driven by factors such as the increasing number of surgeries requiring general anesthesia, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and associated risk factors, and advances in anesthesia technology. However, intense competition among vendors is hindering the market growth.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share among others. Request a Sample

Market Segmentation

By product, the market is segmented into anesthesia delivery machines, anesthesia monitors, anesthesia vaporizers, and anesthesia disposables. The anesthesia delivery machines segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022.

By geography, the market is segmented into North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World. North America held the largest share of the market in 2022.

Related Reports:

The cardiovascular catheters market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 6.97 billion . The rising incidence of cardiac diseases and the growth of insurance providers are notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the high cost of cardiovascular procedures may impede the market growth.

is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by . The rising incidence of cardiac diseases and the growth of insurance providers are notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the high cost of cardiovascular procedures may impede the market growth. The surgical drainage devices market is projected to grow by USD 0.61 billion with a CAGR of 5.14% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026. The rise in the number of surgeries is one of the key drivers fueling the surgical drainage devices market growth. Post-operative complications are one of the factors limiting the surgical drainage devices market growth.

Technavio's library includes over 17,000+ reports, covering more than 2,000 emerging technologies. Subscribe to our "Basic Plan" at just USD 5,000 and get lifetime access to Technavio Insights

What are the key data covered in this anesthesia devices market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period.

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the anesthesia devices market and its contribution to the parent market.

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior.

Growth of the market across North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World.

, , , and Rest of World. A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors.

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of anesthesia devices market vendors.

Anesthesia Devices Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 170 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.7% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3340.68 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 9.41 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Ambu AS, B. Braun SE, Becton Dickinson and Co., Beijing Aeonmed Co. Ltd, BPL Ltd., Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd., General Electric Co., Getinge AB., Intersurgical Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Life Support Systems, Medline Industries LP, Medtech Devices, Medtronic Plc, OSI Systems Inc., Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics, Smiths Group Plc, Vyaire Medical Inc., and Teleflex Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and 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.

Table of contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global anesthesia devices market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global anesthesia devices market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Anesthesia delivery machines - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Anesthesia delivery machines - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Anesthesia delivery machines - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Anesthesia delivery machines - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Anesthesia delivery machines - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Anesthesia monitors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Anesthesia monitors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Anesthesia monitors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Anesthesia monitors - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Anesthesia monitors - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Anesthesia vaporizers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Anesthesia vaporizers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Anesthesia vaporizers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Anesthesia vaporizers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Anesthesia vaporizers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Anesthesia disposables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Anesthesia disposables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Anesthesia disposables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Anesthesia disposables - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Anesthesia disposables - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Hospitals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Hospitals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Ambulatory service centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Ambulatory service centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Ambulatory service centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Ambulatory service centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Ambulatory service centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Clinics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Clinics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 68: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 69: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 71: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 72: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 110: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 111: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 112: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 113: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 114: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 115: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Ambu AS

Exhibit 116: Ambu AS - Overview



Exhibit 117: Ambu AS - Business segments



Exhibit 118: Ambu AS - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Ambu AS - Segment focus

12.4 B . Braun SE

. Braun SE Exhibit 120: B. Braun SE - Overview



Exhibit 121: B. Braun SE - Business segments



Exhibit 122: B. Braun SE - Key news



Exhibit 123: B. Braun SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: B. Braun SE - Segment focus

12.5 Becton Dickinson and Co.

and Co. Exhibit 125: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Overview

and Co. - Overview

Exhibit 126: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Business segments

and Co. - Business segments

Exhibit 127: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key news

and Co. - Key news

Exhibit 128: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key offerings

and Co. - Key offerings

Exhibit 129: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Segment focus

12.6 Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA

Exhibit 130: Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 131: Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 132: Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 133: Draegerwerk AG and Co. KGaA - Segment focus

12.7 Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

Exhibit 134: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 135: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 136: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 137: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.8 General Electric Co.

Exhibit 138: General Electric Co. - Overview



Exhibit 139: General Electric Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 140: General Electric Co. - Key news



Exhibit 141: General Electric Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 142: General Electric Co. - Segment focus

12.9 Getinge AB.

Exhibit 143: Getinge AB. - Overview



Exhibit 144: Getinge AB. - Business segments



Exhibit 145: Getinge AB. - Key news



Exhibit 146: Getinge AB. - Key offerings



Exhibit 147: Getinge AB. - Segment focus

12.10 Intersurgical Ltd.

Exhibit 148: Intersurgical Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 149: Intersurgical Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 150: Intersurgical Ltd. - Key offerings

12.11 Koninklijke Philips NV

Exhibit 151: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview



Exhibit 152: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments



Exhibit 153: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news



Exhibit 154: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 155: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus

12.12 Medline Industries LP

Exhibit 156: Medline Industries LP - Overview



Exhibit 157: Medline Industries LP - Product / Service



Exhibit 158: Medline Industries LP - Key offerings

12.13 Medtech Devices

Exhibit 159: Medtech Devices - Overview



Exhibit 160: Medtech Devices - Product / Service



Exhibit 161: Medtech Devices - Key offerings

12.14 Medtronic Plc

Exhibit 162: Medtronic Plc - Overview



Exhibit 163: Medtronic Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 164: Medtronic Plc - Key news



Exhibit 165: Medtronic Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: Medtronic Plc - Segment focus

12.15 Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics

Exhibit 167: Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics - Overview



Exhibit 168: Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics - Product / Service



Exhibit 169: Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics - Key offerings

12.16 Smiths Group Plc

Exhibit 170: Smiths Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 171: Smiths Group Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 172: Smiths Group Plc - Key news



Exhibit 173: Smiths Group Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 174: Smiths Group Plc - Segment focus

12.17 Teleflex Inc.

Exhibit 175: Teleflex Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 176: Teleflex Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 177: Teleflex Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 178: Teleflex Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 179: Teleflex Inc. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 180: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 181: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 182: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 183: Research methodology



Exhibit 184: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 185: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 186: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
To Enable 1-stop-shop Connectivity across Asia

HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Telecom Global Limited (CTG), the world-leading provider of integrated telecommunication services, jointly announces with SUNeVision Holdings Ltd. (SUNeVision), the number one data centre provider and connectivity hub in Hong Kong, that the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) has officially landed its Hong Kong segment at SUNeVision's HKIS-1 located at Chung Hom Kok. Today marks the introduction of ADC at the first and only carrier-neutral cable landing station (CLS) in Hong Kong, in addition to the new City Point-of-Presence (PoP) at SUNeVision's hyperscale data centre MEGA Plus, connecting the region seamlessly through the robust network capabilities and global presence of CTG.

Asia Direct Cable (ADC) lands Hong Kong segment at SUNeVisions HKIS-1

Addressing Surging Demand for Subsea Cable Capacity in APAC

The ADC system is an advanced submarine cable integrated with the highest number of fiber pairs and system transmission capacity in Asia1, able to transmit over 140 Tbps of traffic with the necessary capacity to support surging demand for heavy transmission flow and bandwidth-intensive applications that include 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud, video streaming and more. The landing of ADC at SUNeVision's HKIS-1, the only carrier and cloud-neutral CLS in Chung Hom Kok would strategically enable CTG to empower their customers to interconnect with the region seamlessly. New connections will undoubtedly unlock a brand-new digital experience and additional service capabilities through the joint efforts from both parties.

First to Acquire One-Stop-Shop Connectivity from SUNeVision's CLS to MEGA-i

SUNeVision's carrier-neutral cable landing station HKIS-1 was built with data centre capabilities certified by ANSI/TIA-942 and direct backhaul access to MEGA Campus including MEGA-i. Interconnecting with MEGA-i, which is home to around 15,000 cross-connects and 9 out of 11 City PoPs of international subsea cables in Hong Kong, users of ADC Hong Kong segment either via CLS or City PoP at MEGA Plus can enjoy one-stop-shop connectivity and interconnect with hundreds of providers through SUNeVision's rich data centre ecosystem with high reliability and efficiency.

Strengthening Hong Kong's Position as an Interconnection Hub between Mainland China and Asia

The ADC system serves as a significant infrastructure linkage for Hong Kong, mainland China to/from key information hubs along the East and Southeast Asia. Hong Kong continues to rank Top 10 globally by data capacity2 and is home to SUNeVision's MEGA-i, the most carrier-dense colocation site in the world3. ADC is the first, critical international cable landed in Hong Kong since 20174, aiming at addressing the long-anticipated demand for seamless data transmission and digitalisation across regions.

Xiaolei Wu, Executive Vice President of CTG said, "In a rising era of digital business, we are witnessing exponential urgency from organisations in Asia-Pacific looking to proactively fast-track their journey of digital transformation to ensure leading positions in their respective industries. This has led to a massive flow of new data that has been generated across the region as a direct result of a rapid race towards digitalisation. As a world-leading provider of integrated telecommunication services, China Telecom Global (CTG) is thrilled to collaborate with SUNeVision and a group of renowned telecom service providers in the expansion of Asia Direct Cable (ADC) to HKIS-1. The synergy produced from joint efforts across the region offers a safe and reliable network gateway for Hong Kong businesses, empowering IT leaders to confidently embark on a successful digital transformation."

Raymond Tong, Chief Executive Officer of SUNeVision said, "Hong Kong maintains as a strategic connectivity hub intersecting with international submarine cable system and domestic land cables in mainland China. Landing ADC Hong Kong segment at the only carrier and cloud-neutral cable landing station in Hong Kong, SUNeVisions's HKIS-1, plus a new City PoP at MEGA Plus, would provide unique neutrality and true connectivity advantages that no other facilities in the region can. We are glad to jointly announce this with CTG and look forward to more win-win collaboration to foster digital business for joint customers in Hong Kong, mainland China to other markets rapidly growing in Asia and the globe."

Source 1 https://www.nec.com/en/case/asia_direct_cable/index.html 2 https://www2.telegeography.com/hubfs/LP-Assets/Ebooks/state-of-the-network-2022.pdf 3 https://www2.telegeography.com/hubfs/LP-Assets/Ebooks/state-of-the-network-2022.pdf 4 https://www.submarinenetworks.com/stations/asia/hongkong

About ADC

ADC is a 9,400-kilometre submarine cable connecting Hong Kong with mainland China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. With eight pairs of optical fibres carrying traffic above 140 Terabytes per second (Tbps), the new Hong Kong segment ready for service in 2023 would complement existing networks between Hong Kong to East and Southeast Asia. ADC will be built and operated by a global consortium comprising CAT (merged with TOT to form National Telecom), China Telecom, China Unicom, PLDT, Singtel, SoftBank Corp., Tata Communications and Viettel.

About China Telecom Global

China Telecom Corporation Limited ("China Telecom"), one of the world's largest providers of integrated telecommunication services, has been unwaveringly strived to enhance its capabilities in maintaining its global footprints while addressing changing demands. In 2000, China Telecom established its first overseas office. In order to further enhance its global service quality and accelerate overseas business expansion, China Telecom established China Telecom Global Limited in 2012, which is headquartered in Hong Kong, China. China Telecom has not only established its presence in 41 countries and regions, but also now offers services around the world to help global customers accelerate their business transformation journeys.

Leveraging its vast network resources of 53 submarine cables with 96T in intercontinental capacity and 241 Points-of-Presence (PoPs) around the world, China Telecom offers a high-performing global network for international carriers, multinational enterprises, and overseas Chinese customers. On the fast track of corporate digital transformation across the globe, China Telecom Global is dedicated to delivering a wide portfolio of high-quality and integrated communications solutions for international operators, multinational enterprises and overseas Chinese customers. Through the comprehensive enhancement of DICT technology, "Cloud-Network Integration" strategy and operational security, we can support industries to better navigate their journey of digital transformation and explore new opportunities in the digital economy.

With an agile and forward-looking spirit, innovative products and business models, and industry-leading technologies, China Telecom is dedicated to creating value for its customers in their business transformation, enabling them to achieve business growth, enhance global footprints and maintain competitive edges by digitalisation.

About SUNeVision

SUNeVision (SEHK: 1686), the technology arm of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SEHK: 0016), is the largest data centre provider in Hong Kong. We provide industry-leading carrier and cloud-neutral data centre services with Asia's number one connectivity. We connect providers of telecommunications, cloud, ISP, CDN, OTT from local, mainland China and global with enterprises of different businesses on our Asia leading data centre ecosystem.

SUNeVision forms MEGA Campus by extending the connectivity edge from highly connected MEGA-i to other high-tier data centres, including MEGA Gateway, MEGA IDC, MEGA Plus and MEGA Two. Facilities on MEGA Campus are interconnected through a dedicated dark fibre network and around 15,000 cross-connects. Together with City PoPs of major submarine cables in our facilities, we enable our customers for direct connections to multi-cloud platforms and multi-cloud exchanges with the best connectivity in town. The addition of cable landing stations HKIS-1 and HKIS-2 to our data centre portfolio will provide a one-stop-solution to cable owners and users, strengthening our position as the leading connectivity hub in Asia. We are committed to supporting Hong Kong as a regional information hub and a strategic gateway to mainland China.

For more information, please visit SUNeVision's website, LinkedIn or WeChat.

SOURCE China Telecom Global
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As applications become increasingly interconnected, Astrix Security , the enterprise's trusted solution for securing app-to-app connectivity, anticipates continued growth in 2023 as punctuated by the company's climbing employee headcount, growing customer roster and expansion into the United States. Astrix Security has opened a new North American headquarters in New York City to further support its customers and strengthen the company's global footprint.

"In today's interconnected ecosystem, we've already seen five high profile OAuth attacks in a short span of eight months, with the latest just last week. As organizations enjoy this app-to-app connectivity, we are seeing a huge demand for solutions that provide security teams holistic visibility into all app-to-app connections - completing their IAM and API security strategy. The traction we've had is a testament to the security gaps that still remain, and the market education that's required," said CEO and Co-Founder Alon Jackson. "Establishing a U.S. headquarters for Astrix was key to our continued expansion and solidifying our presence in America. With our powerful and intelligent team and partners, I am excited to continue making our mark in identifying and protecting this new digital workplace."

Astrix Security continues to see considerable growth in several key areas, including investment attraction. Last year, the company raised 15M in seed funding , led by Bessemer Venture Partners and F2 Capital, with participation from Venrock and over 20 cybersecurity angel investors like BigID, Datadog, Snyk, and Netflix. On the heels of this investment, Astrix Security secured additional funding from Kmehin Ventures, a firm comprised of CISOs from various cutting-edge companies, in Q4 2022.

"As CISOs, we are as immersed in the industry as these startups where the products and solutions are endless. It's not about creating just any solution, but finding a solution that solves a real problem," said Kmehin Ventures. "Astrix Security's ability to provide the bigger picture to third-party connections and associated risks sets them ahead of the pack, and is especially timely given the increasing amount of integrated systems and frequent service supply chain attacks."

In 2022 alone, Astrix Security grew its customer base five-fold and attracted customers at a global scale. The company's award-winning service has allured enterprise customers across a multitude of industries from travel to financial services, including Agoda , Figma (recently acquired by Adobe), and Exabeam , a large S&P 500 REIT company.

"Figma was built on the browser. As a cloud-native company, we work tirelessly to ensure that all of our software is secure and stable for our global users," said Devdatta Akhawe, Head of Security, Figma. "Astrix bolsters our security promise by effectively monitoring risk from SaaS integrations."

About Astrix

Founded in Tel Aviv in 2021, Astrix Security helps cloud-first companies defend against a new generation of supply chain attacks. Astrix provides holistic visibility into all app-to-app connections and automatically detects and remediates over-privileged, unnecessary and malicious integrations to prevent supply chain attacks, data leaks and compliance violations. Led by two veterans of the Israel Defense Force 8200 military intelligence unit, CEO Alon Jackson and CTO Idan Gour, Astrix's team is rapidly expanding. Astrix has raised $15M in Seed funding and is backed by leading investors Bessemer Venture Partners, F2 Venture Capital, and Venrock. Learn more at https://astrix.security or follow us on LinkedIn .

Media contact: Kayla Armstrong, [email protected]

SOURCE Astrix Security
The investment is one of the largest fundraisings in India's senior care service sector

Company aims to reach 2500 assisted living units and to serve over 50,000 seniors in the next two years

The expansion will create substantial employment opportunities for service staff, with more than 2000 employees to be hired

NEW YORK and CHENNAI, India , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Athulya, a leading provider of senior care services in India, has raised US$ 9.3MM funding from North Haven India Infrastructure Partners, a fund managed by Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure, for its forthcoming expansion.

Left to Right - G Srinivasan, J Krishna Kavya, Dr Karthik Narayanan, Co-Founders, Athulya Senior Care

Founded in 2016, Athulya offers assisted living, transition care and home healthcare to address the needs of dependent seniors over the age of 60, and will soon launch palliative care services. Founders Dr. Karthik Narayan, Mr. Srinivasan G, and Ms. J Krishna Kavya have worked with leading healthcare institutions in India and the US and have particular expertise in geriatric care.

Athulya currently manages over 400 assisted living beds across multiple facilities in Chennai and Bangalore and has cumulatively served over 20,000 seniors till date. With the funding, Athulya intends to expand its services across south India to reach over 2500 beds and serve over 50,000 seniors in the next two years. Athulya seeks to create a "continuum of care" by offering services ranging from short-term to long-term care at "your home or our home". The company is focused on achieving international quality standards accreditation for its facilities, which will help in building a strong foundation for its services in an emerging industry.

With a median age of 28.4, India has one of the fastest-growing youth cohorts globally. At the same time, the elder population is expected to more than double over the next three decades. Family social structures have traditionally provided support to dependent seniors but the increasing nuclearization of families and migration are driving the demand for outsourced senior care in India. Various industry reports estimate the current demand for senior living units in India to be around 3,00,000 units, far exceeding the current supply of 20,000 units. As an early mover in this market, Athulya has positioned itself to capitalize on this large unmet demand.

Media Contact:

Suryakant Dash

[email protected]

+91-9884042193

For more information, please visit:

https://athulyaseniorcare.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982358/Athulya_Senior_Care.jpg

SOURCE Athulya
The introduction of unique DevSecOps tools fuels growth and increased market share.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoRABIT has injected new life into the Salesforce DevSecOps industry with exciting developments that gained continuous recognition throughout 2022. The launch of fresh, innovative tools has boosted the company's expansion and contributed to prestigious award wins.

AutoRABIT achieved record growth in new areas of the DevSecOps market through:

Introducing two new tools and a powerful update that expands existing solutions.

Securing a new round of Series B funding.

Opening a global hub for the company in Central Europe .

. Being named a Gold Winner by the Stevie International Business Awards, shortlisted for the 2022 Summer SaaS Awards, and a finalist by the North American DevOps Awards.

"We're very excited to be able to help Salesforce developers and administrators alike in ways our competitors can't match," said Meredith Bell, CEO at AutoRABIT. "Our continued success is due to the hard work of our team, recognizing holes in the industry and addressing them directly."

The addition of AutoRABIT's Record Migrator and CodeScan Shield solutions rounded out its 2022 DevSecOps offerings, serving to increase visibility, maintain consistently high levels of quality, and expedite processes through automation. The 22.2 update introduced new integrations with Slack and Microsoft Teams, enhanced automated processes, and ensured seamless operation with Salesforce's newest update, API version 56.

This insight and ability to find and fill gaps in the Salesforce DevSecOps industry led to AutoRABIT securing $26 million in Series B funding from Full In Partners. AutoRABIT furthered its expansion by opening a new office in Prague to act as the company's international headquarters. The executive team was rounded out by bringing on Rich Flati as Chief Operations Officer and Dustin Dean as Chief Revenue Officer. Flati brings innovative management techniques learned through decades of experience in B2B sales. Dean is the former CRO of numerous software companies where he honed his ability to streamline operations.

CodeScan was recognized by the Stevie Awards for its ability to empower Salesforce developers to create the best possible code, support data security, and scan existing environments for potential vulnerabilities. AutoRABIT was also shortlisted for the Best SaaS Product for Financial Services Award by the Summer SaaS Awards. Additionally, AutoRABIT was the winner for Best Overall DevOps Project  Finance Sector and a finalist for the Best DevOps Tool and Product of the Year by the North American DevOps Awards.

These accomplishments throughout 2022 highlight AutoRABIT's continued ability to push the Salesforce DevSecOps industry forward. These new services and expansions set the company up for a record breaking 2023.

About AutoRABIT:

AutoRABIT was founded in 2015 to help developers regain control of their development cycles, increase deployment velocity, and deliver value within their organizations through a continuous delivery model. Today, AutoRABIT's award winning suite of release management tools is the most comprehensive and secure in the market, and its customers are realizing the benefits of faster and more secure deployment in their Salesforce environments. Learn more at www.autorabit.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Nicole Paleologus

Next PR

[email protected]

SOURCE AutoRABIT
Enterprise Blueprints' deep architecture expertise and proven track record will further enable clients to harness the power of technology in transformations

BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bain & Company today announced its acquisition of Enterprise Blueprints, a provider of enterprise and solution architecture consulting services.

With 93% of companies undergoing technology transformationsbut just 6% on track to achieve their goalsend-to-end support is vital to improving the odds of success. From the strategic design to implementation, companies are seeking a broader range of external support more than ever.

"Our work in enterprise technology helps clients solve complex, high-stakes problems and deliver superior business value," said Stephen Phillips, head of Bain's global ET practice. "Enterprise Blueprints' deep expertise in architecture will add to Bain's end-to-end enterprise technology capabilities."

As one of Bain's fastest growing capabilities, the firm's ET practice has advised companies across industries and around the world. Bain's global enterprise technology team supports core platform modernization programs, the adoption of agile operating models, the development of next-generation data platforms and more.

Enterprise Blueprints supports organizations at various stages from startups to global corporations across an extensive suite of technology architecture services including strategy, resilience, data, cloud, and security and cost optimization. The global team's combined passion for technology and full-stack architecture capabilities have been instrumental in their rapid growth.

"Together, the firms combined expertise will support clients' technology transformations end-to-end, from strategy to the realities of scale delivery," said Phillips. "The acquisition will work to strengthen Bain's pre-existing enterprise technology services with offerings that are especially important in leveraging technology to create competitive advantage."

Following completion of the deal with Bain, Enterprise Blueprints will continue to operate independently as a branded service line within Bain's ET practice and will continue to provide services to its pre-existing clients across financial services and other private and public sectors.

"We are very excited to be joining forces with Bain to offer solutions that help companies achieve maximum results," said Neil Mulholland, CEO of Enterprise Blueprints. "This deal allows us to build on, as well as reinforce, what we've accomplished over the last fifteen years. We look forward to future achievements with Bain; ones that will allow us and our clients to reach even greater heights."

"I am looking forward to working with Neil and his team at Enterprise Blueprints, as well as my colleagues at Bain, to bring enhanced solutions to clients," said Laurent Hermoye, Bain partner who will serve as the executive chairman of Enterprise Blueprints after completion of the deal. "Business results hinge on end-to-end technology transformations now more than ever before."

Media contacts

For any questions or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Dan Pinkney (Boston)  Email: [email protected]

###

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.

Across 64 cities in 39 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. 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.

About Enterprise Blueprints

Enterprise Blueprints is an award-winning specialist technology architecture consultancy.

We work with our clients to solve their most complex architecture related challenges. We provide an extensive suite of services spanning digital, IT, architecture capability, resilience, data, cloud, cyber and cost optimization. We offer clients a range of service models to best meet their specific needs from tailored time and materials to true outcome-based Architecture-as-a-Service offerings. Many of our clients are in the financial service sector and we work with leading organizations of all sizes, from fintech start-ups to FTSE 250, to global corporations. We have been recognized in the Greater London Enterprise Awards as the best specialist IT consultancy and are ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and FSQS accredited. Our global team is our core as a company. Our clients seek out our architects because of their passion for technology, full-stack architecture capability, and their proven track record for pragmatically delivering as trusted team members.

SOURCE Bain & Company
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LongueVue Capital ("LVC"), a New Orleans-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce that Fertility Specialists Network ("FSN"), a provider of clinical, operational, and administrative services to fertility practices, has added Boca Fertility to its network. Boca Fertility offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options to provide superior fertility outcomes for its patients. Led by founder and Medical Director Dr. Moshe Peress, Boca Fertility will continue to operate locally in Boca Raton, FL through its existing brand while leveraging the FSN network to support its physicians and employees. FSN continues to pursue new partnerships with practices in both existing and new geographies.

In 1982, Boca Fertility became the first clinic in Palm Beach County to offer in vitro fertilization ("IVF") and has since remained a leading fertility center in southern Florida. Boca Fertility has been consistently recognized for providing outstanding quality care and an exceptional patient experience.

Boca Fertility represents FSN's flagship practice in the Florida market. FSN is also excited to welcome two new physicians to Boca Fertility in the coming months, and, through support from FSN, Boca Fertility will expand its brand and footprint in the Florida market to provide its uniquely exceptional care to more patients. Boca Fertility is actively pursuing growth through both de novo locations and partnerships with established practices in the surrounding areas.

H. Ron Davidson, CEO of FSN, stated, "We couldn't be more excited to add Boca Fertility to the FSN network. FSN offers comprehensive support to physicians with a patient-focused approach, and we look forward to enriching the quality and reach of Boca Fertility's patient care. From our first conversation, it was apparent Boca Fertility fit naturally within FSN's mission, and we could not be more excited for our future together."

Dr. Moshe Peress, Founder & Medical Director of Boca Fertility, commented, "My team and I are enthusiastic to partner with FSN and LVC. We share a common mission to provide fertility treatment options with superior outcomes. Our partnership will help us expand our individualized and compassionate patient care and provide industry-leading fertility solutions to more people."

"We are thrilled to expand FSN and solidify our presence in Florida with the acquisition of Boca Fertility," said Ryan Nagim, Managing Partner at LongueVue Capital who leads LVC's Healthcare vertical. "Dr. Peress and his team's expertise and passion for fertility treatment was clear from the beginning. We look forward to supporting both the growth of Boca Fertility and building new partnerships with other fertility practices that share FSN's mission."

Principal Austin Rees, Senior Associate Erin Saer, and Associate Rankin Hobbs worked alongside Ryan Nagim on the Boca Fertility transaction. LVC's legal counsel was provided by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC. Boca Fertility was advised by Aberdeen Advisors, Inc.

To learn more about Boca Fertility, please visit www.bocafertility.com.

For more information on Fertility Specialists Network, please visit www.fsnetwork.com.

About LongueVue Capital

Founded in 2001, LongueVue Capital is a New Orleans-based equity investment firm focused on providing transformational growth capital to middle-market companies, drawing upon its successful 20+ year track record of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to drive value creation. With over $850 million of committed capital spanning four funds coupled with 150 years of combined operating and investing experience, the LVC team is an ideal partner for middle-market companies at inflection points and seeking to maximize value for all stakeholders. LVC has made successful investments in a wide variety of industries including healthcare, life sciences, transportation and logistics, food and beverage, specialty packaging, consumer, and industrial services. For more information, please visit www.lvcpartners.com, and for media inquiries, please contact [email protected] or call 504.293.3600.

SOURCE LongueVue Capital
BOULDER, Colo, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A startup company based in Boulder, Colorado has developed a concealer designed to eliminate hickeys. This is the first time a product like this has ever been created and is a major breakthrough in the cosmetic industry. The company is called Hickey Hack and is led by CEO Sven Patzer, who is a 22-year-old college dropout. Sven is a Virginia native and was President of a charity known as Hampton Roads Backpack Attack in 2015, which distributed over 1000 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. Sven is currently spearheading other ventures as well and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Because of this, some are already comparing this young innovator to people like Mark Zuckerberg and Thomas Edison... and with good reason. The product comes in a green color-correcting formula and has already won an award for its innovation. Hickey Hack is quickly becoming a trending topic on social media and is changing how people view hickeys forever. Thanks to this new product, getting rid of a hickey is now easier than ever before.

Hickey Hack Color Correcting Concealer Hickey Hack Color Correcting Concealer Sven Patzer, CEO of Sveny Corp.

This innovative new product offers a variety of unique benefits that have never before been seen in the cosmetic industry. It is designed to be used on all skin types, so there is no need for customization or special considerations when using it. Furthermore, it promises to deliver results quickly and efficiently, making it an ideal choice for those who are looking for fast results without sacrificing quality or longevity. This product also boasts an impressive range of natural ingredients that make it safer than other products on the market, while still providing superior results. The product provides 24-hour moisture and is luxuriously creamy Furthermore, it is an ideal choice for those who are looking for fast results without sacrificing quality or longevity. Hickey Hack is currently available for purchase on Hickeyhack.com and Amazon.com It's clear that this young innovator has a bright future ahead of him; here's hoping he continues to amaze us with his revolutionary products in the years to come!

For more information, please visit Hickey Hack at https://hickeyhack.com/, Instagram, or TikTok.

Media Contact: Sven Patzer, 720-346-3836, [email protected]

SOURCE Hickey Hack
Clinical trial will examine Redsenol-1 Plus efficacy for cancer-related fatigue

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine Ltd., an innovative leader in ginseng and ginsenosides research and application, has announced the launch of a new clinical trial to examine the efficacy of its product, Redsenol-1 Plus Noble Ginsenoside Capsules (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05664009), for treating cancer-related fatigue. The complete trial will be conducted by KGK Science, Inc., one of Canada's premium clinical research organizations and regulatory specialists for the natural health product industry including vitamins & supplements, nutraceuticals, cannabis and hemp industries. The randomized, triple-blind, placebo controlled parallel clinical trial will include males and females diagnosed with all types of cancer.

Redsenol-1 Plus Noble Ginsenoside Capsules

Led by the Chinese Canadian Scientist Peihua Yu, PhD., Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine has specialized in developing proprietary rare ginsenoside extraction methods. Ginsenosides are the active ingredients extracted from Panax (ginseng) species such as Panax ginseng, American ginseng, Panax notoginseng. They have various pharmacological activities and effects, and are widely used as medicinal ingredients in medicines or functional foods.

Rare Ginsenosides, metabolized from naturally occurring ginsenosides in ginseng, exhibit better bioactivity and absorption. However, rare ginsenosides in raw ginseng species are almost undetectable, and even after heat processing, the extraction rate of rare ginsenosides reaches only 1/100,000 - 1/10,000, which means that just 1-10 grams of rare ginsenosides can be extracted from 100 kilograms of red ginseng. The preparation and transformation of rare ginsenosides on a mass scale requires a series of high technologies, with Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine being the world's only producer to have invented four different core technologies which enable the extraction, processing, transformation, and formulation of rare ginsenosides.

Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine's flagship product, Redsenol-1 Plus Noble Ginsenoside Capsules, offers highly bioactive and absorbable rare ginsenoside monomers Rg3(R, S), Rh1(S, R), Rh2(R, S), Rk1, Rk3, Rg5, Rh3, Rh4, Rk2, aPPD(S, R), aPPT(S, R), more potent than common Panax/Korean red ginseng extracts. Redsenol Series has received great recognition among customers, and is available on Amazon, JD.com, Tmall.com and in the pharmacies and health food stores throughout Canada and Hong Kong.

A previous clinical trial investigating the efficacy of Wisconsin ginseng (American ginseng) on cancer-related fatigue was conducted by Mayo Clinic in 2012, and the results showed that Wisconsin ginseng reduced general and physical cancer-related fatigue over 8 weeks without side effects, although the treatment did not provide significant reductions in fatigue at 4 weeks. Wisconsin ginseng administered in capsules in the clinical trial only had 3% ginsenoside content, and the effects of ginseng on fatigue might have been more profound if ginseng containing a higher percentage of ginsenosides was used.

Redsenol-1 Plus featuring a remarkably high rare ginsenoside content is expected to achieve groundbreaking results in the coming clinical trial. "We are proud to launch this detailed, rigorous clinical trial to fully document the efficacy of Redsenol-1 Plus and the use of rare ginsenosides in relieving cancer-related fatigue," said Dr. Peihua Yu, founder and CEO of Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine. "Redsenol Series already has over a hundred thousand satisfied customers and we look forward to a full objective, scientifically-documented report on Redsenol-1 Plus after the trial period," added Dr. Peihua Yu.

About Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine Ltd.

Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine Ltd. is a biotechnology company mainly engaged in the research, production and sales of natural plant-based products. Redsenol by Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine Ltd. is a top ginseng supplement brand featuring multicomponent rare ginsenosides in high concentration. The core technologies owed by the company in rare ginsenoside extraction, processing, transformation, and formulation enable the preparation of easily absorbable rare ginsenosides in large amounts. For more information on Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine, Redsenol-1 Plus and rare ginsenosides, visit https://enophyto.com.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Canada Royal Enoch Phytomedicine Ltd.
Do you hold Capital One common stock? If so, please visit Capital One Financial Corporation Shareholder Investigation or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected] to discuss your rights.

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, is investigating whether members of the Board of Directors of Capital One Financial Corporation ("Capital One") (NYSE: COF) breached their fiduciary duties to Capital One.

If you hold Capital One stock and would like to discuss your legal rights and options, please visit Capital One Financial Corporation Shareholder Investigation or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP
BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing recently during the latter's state visit to China.

The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-Turkmenistan relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, reached important consensus on advancing the building of a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future, and witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and cooperation in other fields.

This marks China's success in establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind at the bilateral level, and signing BRI cooperation documents with all five Central Asian countries.

With similar visions and goals as well as intertwined interests, China and Turkmenistan have achieved fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in multiple fields and at all levels, and seen their bilateral friendly ties grow from strength to strength under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state.

The two countries' decisions to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership, continuously deepen bilateral cooperation across the board, and build a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future is expected to push forward the development of their bilateral relations at a higher level.

SOURCE People's Daily
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank was named to the list of America's Most JUST Companies as recognition for its commitment to serving its workers, customers, communities, environment and shareholders.

JUST Capital, along with media partner CNBC, released the 2023 Rankings of America's Most JUST Companies, including the marquee JUST 100. The Rankings are a comprehensive evaluation of how the nation's largest corporations perform on the issues that matter most to Americans today, including creating jobs in the U.S., paying a fair, living wage, acting with integrity at the leadership level, contributions to community development, community support through volunteerism and contributions to local nonprofits, supporting workforce retention and training, protecting worker health and safety, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace, providing benefits and work-life balance, protecting customer privacy, minimizing pollution, and more.

"We are honored to be named to this year's America's Most Just Companies," said Wendy Bridges, Executive Vice President, Corporate Responsibility. "Comerica has long served as a leader in the corporate responsibility space, and we remain driven to create solutions ensuring the long-term success for our customers, colleagues and communities."

Among the highlights, Comerica placed first among all banks in the Shareholders & Governance category, which examines how a company priorities good governance. It also tied for fifth among banks in the Customers category, evaluating customer service.

For the annual Rankings, JUST Capital collects and analyzes corporate data to evaluate the 1,000 largest public U.S. companies across 20 Issues identified through comprehensive, ongoing public opinion research on Americans' attitudes toward responsible corporate behavior. JUST Capital has engaged more than 160,000 participants, on a fully representative basis, since 2015.

Compared to their Russell 1000 peers, companies in the JUST 100 on average:

Created 12,318 more jobs in the U.S. from 2017 to 2021.

from 2017 to 2021. Pay 72% of workers a family sustaining living wage (8.6 percentage points more than peers).

(8.6 percentage points more than peers). Provide 9 more hours of career development training per employee.

per employee. Offer 2 more weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers and 1 more week of paid leave for secondary caregivers.

for primary caregivers and 1 more week of paid leave for secondary caregivers. Offer 2 more days of paid sick leave .

. Intake 79% less water per revenue dollar .

. Emitted 42% less metric tons of CO2 per revenue dollar .

. Had a 4.5% higher profit margin, 2.3% higher return on equity, and paid 5 times more in dividends.

Further demonstrating its ongoing dedication to environmental initiatives, Comerica recently published its first report aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-related Disclosure (TCFD). The TCFD Report, available at comerica.com/sustainability, highlights Comerica's climate strategy which is focused on supporting customers, integrating climate matters into its business and reducing the bank's emissions footprint.

About Comerica

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Michigan, California, Florida and Arizona. Additionally, Comerica has select businesses operating in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $84.1 billion as of Sept. 30, 2022.

About CNBC

CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news, providing real-time financial market coverage, business content and general news consumed by more than 544 million people per month across all platforms. The network's 14 live hours a day of news programming in North America (weekdays from 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

CNBC also offers content through its vast portfolio of digital products such as: CNBC.com, which provides financial market news and information to CNBC's investor audience; CNBC Make It, a digital destination focused on making you smarter about how you earn, save and spend your money; CNBC PRO, a premium service that provides in-depth access to Wall Street; a suite of CNBC mobile apps for iOS and Android devices; Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice interfaces; and streaming services including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Samsung Smart TVs. To learn more, visit https://www.cnbc.com/digital-products/ .

Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc . For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com .

About JUST Capital

JUST Capital is an independent nonprofit dedicated to measuring and improving corporate stakeholder performance  from fair wages to workforce diversity to climate commitments  at America's largest public companies. Our mission is to tackle the most pressing social challenges of our time by galvanizing the collective power of corporate America. We believe that business and markets can and must be a greater force for good, and that by shifting the resources of the $19 trillion private sector, we can address systemic issues at scale. Guided by the priorities of the public, our research, rankings, indexes, and data-driven tools help deliver on the promise of stakeholder capitalism and an economy that works for all Americans. JUST Capital publishes the annual list of America's Most JUST Companies, the JUST 100, in partnership with CNBC. To learn more, visit: www.JUSTCapital.com .

SOURCE Comerica Bank
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The continuoglucose monitoring market by component, end-user, and geography - forecast and analysis 2023-2027 report has been published by Technavio. Market growth is estimated to accelerate at a CAGR of 6.37% and register an incremental growth of USD 2,588.61 million during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of growth opportunities at regional levels, new product launches, the latest trends, and the post-pandemic recovery of the global market. Download A PDF Sample Report

Company profiles

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Continuoglucose Monitoring Market 2023-2027

The dental surgical equipment market report includes information on the key products and recent developments of leading vendors, including:

Abbott Laboratories: The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as FreeStyle Libre 3 system.

The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as FreeStyle Libre 3 system. B. Braun SE: The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as Space Glucose Control System.

The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as Space Glucose Control System. Dexcom Inc.: The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as Dexcom G6 CGM System.

The company offers continuoglucose monitoring such as Dexcom G6 CGM System. F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd.: The company offers continuoglucose monitoring through its brand Accu-Chek.

The company offers continuoglucose monitoring through its brand Accu-Chek. General Electric Co.

GlySens Inc.

Johnson and Johnson

LifeScan IP Holdings LLC

Medtronic Plc

To gain access to more vendor profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Regional analysis

By region, the global dental surgical equipment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW). North America is estimated to contribute 43% to the growth of the global market over the forecast period. The introduction of new technologies that continuously monitor glucose levels and the increasing number of approvals by the US FDA for new products are driving the growth of the regional market.

Market dynamics

The market is driven by factors such as the rise in the diabetic population, and technological innovations and advances will be crucial in driving the growth of the market. However, the lower diagnosis and treatment rate is hindering the market growth.

Competitive analysis

The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Request a Sample

Market segmentation

By component, the market is segmented into sensors, transmitters, and receivers. The sensors segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022.

By geography, the market is segmented into North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW). North America held the largest share of the market in 2022.

Related reports:

The vital signs monitoring devices market size is projected to grow by USD 4.79 billion between 2022 and 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 9.13%. The growing preference for self-care monitoring devices is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as intense competition among vendors may impede the market growth.

The cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market size is projected to grow by USD 5.52 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.5%. The increasing prevalence of CVDs is notably driving the cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market growth, although factors such as the high costs of CM and CRM devices may impede the market growth.

Technavio's library includes over 17,000+ reports, covering more than 2,000 emerging technologies. Subscribe to our "Basic Plan" at just USD 5,000 and get lifetime access to Technavio Insights

What are the key data covered in this dental surgical equipment market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the cloud data warehouse market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the dental surgical equipment market size and its contribution of the market in focus to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the dental surgical equipment market industry across North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW).

, , , and Rest of World (ROW). Thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of dental surgical equipment market vendors

Dental surgical equipment Market Scope

Report Coverage Details Page number 158 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.37% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,588.61 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 5.61 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key countries US, Canada, Germany, UK, and China Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite Srl, Abbott Laboratories, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, B. Braun SE, Dexcom Inc., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., General Electric Co., GlySens Inc., Johnson and Johnson, LifeScan IP Holdings LLC, Medtronic Plc, Medtrum Technologies Inc., Novo Nordisk AS, NXP Semiconductors NV, Senseonics Holdings Inc., STMicroelectronics NV, Tandem Diabetes Care Inc., Terumo Corp., and Ypsomed AG Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Browse for Technavio "health care" Research Reports

Table of contents:

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Component



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global continuoglucose monitoring market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global continuoglucose monitoring market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Component Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Component Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Component

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Component

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Component



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Component

6.3 Sensors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Sensors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Sensors - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Sensors - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Sensors - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Transmitters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Transmitters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Transmitters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Transmitters - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Transmitters - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Receivers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Receivers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Receivers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Receivers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Receivers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Component

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Component ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Home care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Home care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Home care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Home care - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Home care - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Hospitals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Hospitals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Hospitals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 64: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 65: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 67: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 81: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 83: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 84: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 93: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Abbott Laboratories

Exhibit 112: Abbott Laboratories - Overview



Exhibit 113: Abbott Laboratories - Business segments



Exhibit 114: Abbott Laboratories - Key news



Exhibit 115: Abbott Laboratories - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: Abbott Laboratories - Segment focus

12.4 B . Braun SE

. Braun SE Exhibit 117: B. Braun SE - Overview



Exhibit 118: B. Braun SE - Business segments



Exhibit 119: B. Braun SE - Key news



Exhibit 120: B. Braun SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: B. Braun SE - Segment focus

12.5 Dexcom Inc.

Exhibit 122: Dexcom Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Dexcom Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 124: Dexcom Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 125: Dexcom Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd.

Exhibit 126: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 127: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 128: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 129: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Segment focus

12.7 General Electric Co.

Exhibit 131: General Electric Co. - Overview



Exhibit 132: General Electric Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 133: General Electric Co. - Key news



Exhibit 134: General Electric Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: General Electric Co. - Segment focus

12.8 GlySens Inc.

Exhibit 136: GlySens Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: GlySens Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 138: GlySens Inc. - Key offerings

12.9 Johnson and Johnson

Exhibit 139: Johnson and Johnson - Overview



Exhibit 140: Johnson and Johnson - Business segments



Exhibit 141: Johnson and Johnson - Key news



Exhibit 142: Johnson and Johnson - Key offerings



Exhibit 143: Johnson and Johnson - Segment focus

12.10 LifeScan IP Holdings LLC

Exhibit 144: LifeScan IP Holdings LLC - Overview



Exhibit 145: LifeScan IP Holdings LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 146: LifeScan IP Holdings LLC - Key offerings

12.11 Medtronic Plc

Exhibit 147: Medtronic Plc - Overview



Exhibit 148: Medtronic Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 149: Medtronic Plc - Key news



Exhibit 150: Medtronic Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 151: Medtronic Plc - Segment focus

12.12 Medtrum Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 152: Medtrum Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 153: Medtrum Technologies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 154: Medtrum Technologies Inc. - Key offerings

12.13 Novo Nordisk AS

Exhibit 155: Novo Nordisk AS - Overview



Exhibit 156: Novo Nordisk AS - Business segments



Exhibit 157: Novo Nordisk AS - Key offerings



Exhibit 158: Novo Nordisk AS - Segment focus

12.14 Senseonics Holdings Inc.

Exhibit 159: Senseonics Holdings Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 160: Senseonics Holdings Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 161: Senseonics Holdings Inc. - Key offerings

12.15 STMicroelectronics NV

Exhibit 162: STMicroelectronics NV - Overview



Exhibit 163: STMicroelectronics NV - Business segments



Exhibit 164: STMicroelectronics NV - Key news



Exhibit 165: STMicroelectronics NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: STMicroelectronics NV - Segment focus

12.16 Terumo Corp.

Exhibit 167: Terumo Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 168: Terumo Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 169: Terumo Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 170: Terumo Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 171: Terumo Corp. - Segment focus

12.17 Ypsomed AG

Exhibit 172: Ypsomed AG - Overview



Exhibit 173: Ypsomed AG - Business segments



Exhibit 174: Ypsomed AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 175: Ypsomed AG - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 176: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 177: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 178: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 179: Research methodology



Exhibit 180: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 181: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 182: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Restaurant chain's charitable program raised over $750,000 in 2022 to support future of agriculture

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Culver's Thank You Farmers Project has now eclipsed $4 million raised since its creation in 2013. Through initiatives organized by Culver's on a systemwide level and the fundraising efforts of local restaurants throughout 2022, the program raised $750,000 toward its mission of advocating for the positive impact agriculture has on the world.

Culver's Thank You Farmers Project raised over $750,000 in 2022.

Proceeds raised through the Thank You Farmers Project directly support those actively bringing positive change to the agriculture industry. These beneficiaries include groups making a difference with agriculture efforts in Culver's local communities as well as national organizations working to advance the industry on a broader scale, like the National FFA Organization and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA).

"Supporting the future of agriculture is a mission that has always been important to Culver's," said Alison Demmer, Culver's marketing and public relations manager. "We were so proud to see our guests join in this mission with us in 2022, and we look forward to supporting agriculture together through the Thank You Farmers Project long into the future."

Culver's efforts in the Thank You Farmers Project came to life in three main areas throughout 2022:

Agriculture education: supporting the next generation of leaders in agriculture through the National FFA Organization. In its eighth year, the FFA Essay Contest granted a total of $15,000 to the FFA chapters of three winning students to fund agriculture education and leadership opportunities.



In its eighth year, the FFA Essay Contest granted a total of to the FFA chapters of three winning students to fund agriculture education and leadership opportunities. Sustainability: building engagement around Culver's commitment to supporting agriculture's role in climate-smart solutions for our planet. Culver's continued its support of the Decade of Ag movement and USFRA, including the role Culver's CMO Julie Fussner plays as a member of the organization's board of directors.



Culver's continued its support of the Decade of Ag movement and USFRA, including the role Culver's CMO Julie Fussner plays as a member of the organization's board of directors. Gratitude: showcasing Culver's support of farmers and ranchers by promoting the ag industry and helping Culver's guests gain a deeper connection to their food. In the To Farmers With Love Contest, Culver's encouraged guests to celebrate the hardworking people of the agriculture industry by nominating a farmer in their own life to win a prize. Fifteen winners of the contest each received a $500 cash prize, Culver's gift cards and swag, along with a $575 donation to their local FFA chapter in their name.

To learn more about Culver's commitment to the future of agriculture and how you can show support, visit www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project.

About Culver's:

For over 38 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with farm-fresh ingredients and served with a smile. The ever-expanding franchise system now numbers over 890 family-owned and operated restaurants in 26 states. The restaurants' nationally recognized customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality. Signature items include the award-winning ButterBurger, made from fresh, never frozen beef, and Fresh Frozen Custard, including the famous Flavor of the Day program. For more information, visit www.culvers.com or connect with Culver's on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

CONTACT

Nathan Dupont

608.256.6357

[email protected]

SOURCE Culver's
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced that Sam Khichi will join the company as Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel, effective February 13. He will lead the legal, compliance, and government affairs teams who support CVS Health's strategy to make health care more accessible and affordable, leading to better health outcomes for all.

"Sam brings diversified experience to many key issues for CVS Health, including geopolitical matters, data privacy, and compliance," said CVS Health President and CEO Karen S. Lynch. "He has an exceptional track record of managing complex health care business and legal strategies."

Khichi will become a member of the company's executive leadership team and report to Lynch. Prior to joining CVS Health, he served at Becton Dickinson as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel. He joined Becton Dickinson through the acquisition of C. R. Bard where he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and previously was the Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Catalent Pharma Solutions. Khichi has led significant transformations at complex and large-scale health care organizations.

"This is an exciting time to join CVS Health and be part of a team whose strategy is redefining how health care is delivered in this country," Khichi said. "I have long admired CVS Health for its innovation and leadership in advancing the consumer health care experience. Achieving transformation of this scale requires changing the way information is shared and technology utilized by consumers, employers, and providers and CVS Health is uniquely positioned to lead this change."

Khichi succeeds Tom Moriarty, who plans to retire in April. Moriarty has played a critical role in many significant CVS Health moments, from the company's industry-leading role during the COVID-19 pandemic to helping lead transformative health care acquisitions.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues  including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health  whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system  and their personal health care  by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

Media contact

T.J. Crawford

212-457-0583

[email protected]

Investor contact

Larry McGrath

800-201-0938

[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health
Key trends

Spike in Crypto -Mining Attacks Targeting Energy Providers

-Mining Attacks Targeting Energy Providers Surge in Credential Theft Affecting Retailers

Increase in Data Exfiltration Attacks on Healthcare Providers

CAMBRIDGE, England, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, today released three new cyber-threat trend reports revealing 2022 attack data observed across its global customer fleet.1 The industry reports pertain to the energy, healthcare, and retail sectors respectively.

"These industry-specific reports are the first of their kind released by Darktrace, representing an important effort to surface the data underpinning the rapidly evolving threat landscape that we are defending against," commented Toby Lewis, Global Head of Threat Analysis, Darktrace.

"The trends reveal crucial sector-specific challenges, from the tendency for hackers to siphon off the energy sector's resources in the form of crypto-jacking, through to the invaluable nature of patient data which leads to data exfiltration in the healthcare sector," commented Lewis. "The surge in credential-based attacks across the retail sector reflects the fact that identity theft will be a key trend for 2023, increasing the need for AI-based behavioral analytics for understanding employee actions in rich context and authenticating the actions taken using certain credentials."

Energy Sector: Key Findings

Against the backdrop of a global energy crisis, Darktrace's energy sector report reveals that illegal crypto-mining threats,whereby bad actors steal energy and processing power from other devices and networks, are on the rise across the industry. Notable findings include:

High-priority crypto -mining accounted for 13 times more of all observed cyber incidents in the UK energy sector in 2022 compared to 2021

-mining accounted for 13 times more of all observed cyber incidents in the UK energy sector in 2022 compared to 2021 High-priority crypto -mining accounted for 3 times more of all observed cyber incidents in the US energy sector in 2022 compared to 2021

The report divulges two real-world crypto-mining threat finds from a European and US energy organization respectively, which were both stopped by Darktrace's AI technology. In the former case, attackers were caught attempting to mass pool crypto-mining capabilities using 5 internal servers at the organization.

Retail Sector: Key Findings

As online shopping remains popular, Darktrace's retail sector report reveals that over the course of 2022, criminals increasingly turned toward credential theft, spoofing and stuffing to target this multi-billion-dollar industry's online infrastructure. Notably:

Credential theft, spoofing and stuffing accounted for over 170% more of all observed cyber incidents in the US retail sector in 2022 compared to 2021

Credential theft, spoofing and stuffing accounted for over 14% more of all observed cyber incidents in the UK retail sector in 2022 compared to 2021

Credential theft, spoofing and stuffing accounted for over 70% more of all observed cyber incidents in the Australian retail sector in 2022 compared to 2021

One threat find in the report from August 2022 details the discovery of a never-before-seen attack tool lying dormant inside a well-known UK automotive retailer. Months before Darktrace had been adopted by the retailer, one of its devices had become infected with novel malware that lay dormant, establishing a foothold and waiting for the right time to launch an attack. After deployment, Darktrace AI caught the malware when it made multiple authentication attempts using spoofed credentials for one of the organization's security managers. If successful, the attack could have undermined the organization's entire security posture, allowing malicious software to gain control of the company's infrastructure from within.

Healthcare Sector: Key Findings

Often viewed as a 'soft target' for cyber-criminals, hospitals and other healthcare organizations are extremely rich data sources from which attackers can make a profit by selling patient information such as medical records, credit cards or banking details. Darktrace's healthcare sector report notably revealed:

Data exfiltration was one of the top 3 observed threats faced by healthcare providers globally, with organizations in the UK and Australia suffering an increased volume in 2022

suffering an increased volume in 2022 The most common attack type observed across healthcare globally in 2022 was suspicious network scanning, a form of intelligence gathering which often constitutes the initial phase of a cyber-attack

The report details a real-world sophisticated threat faced by a US healthcare provider in which a malicious PowerShell script was discovered to be deployed on one of the organization's internal servers, an attempt to give bad actors remote control over the target network. The threat was autonomously thwarted by Darktrace's RESPOND technology before attackers could do harm.

About Darktrace

Darktrace (DARK.L), a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, delivers complete AI-powered solutions in its mission to free the world of cyber disruption. Breakthrough innovations from the Darktrace Cyber AI Research Centre in Cambridge, UK and its R&D centre in The Hague, The Netherlands have resulted in over 125 patent applications filed and significant research published to contribute to the cyber security community. Darktrace's technology continuously learns and updates its knowledge of 'you' for an organization and applies that understanding to achieve an optimal state of cyber security. It is delivering the first ever Cyber AI Loop, fuelling a continuous end-to-end security capability that can autonomously prevent, detect, and respond to novel, in-progress threats in real time. Darktrace employs over 2,200 people around the world and protects over 8,100 organizations globally from advanced cyber-threats. It was named one of TIME magazine's 'Most Influential Companies' in 2021.

1 The data pertains to the period January-October 2022 and is compared with the same period in 2021.

Media Contacts

Liz Scanlon

CommStrat (US)

+1 510 295 7542

[email protected]

Tom Bermingham

Brands2Life (UK)

+44 (0) 7983 857 952

[email protected]

SOURCE Darktrace
QUZHOU, China, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, DAS Solar announced the official establishment of the German subsidiary. In the future, DAS Solar German subsidiary will become the center of business in European photovoltaic market, delivering high-efficiency and reliable PV products to European customers.

In recent years, affected by energy crisis, the demand for new energy in Europe has seen explosive growth. With the introduction of energy transformation policies in European countries, the overall development trend of European photovoltaic industry is positive. As a developed photovoltaic market, Germany has a leading installed capacity among the European countries, while it's still the largest potential market in the EU. The establishment of the German subsidiary will boost the strategy of the global expansion. In 2023, DAS Solar will push into markets in Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, which can consolidate and deepen footprint in the new energy sector around the world.

As a new top-tier brand in the PV industry, after four years of rapid development, DAS Solar products have been shipped over 60 countries and regions around the world. With the industry-leading N-type technology, the mass production efficiency of N-type batteries exceeds 25%, and the highest efficiency of modules exceeds 22.6%. DAS Solar has built a reputation for the excellent and reliable product performance.

The establishment of the German subsidiary, according to Mr. Liu Yong, chairman and president of DAS Solar, represents a significant achievement for the international sales network. In order to provide localized customer services including consultation, development, logistics, technical support, DAS Solar will continue to improve the local sales service system in Europe. DAS Solar will endeavor to advance the business international development process, intending to build distribution networks, power plants, and distributed projects, with the ultimate goal of creating a "zero carbon" green home for humanity and assisting in the early achievement of the "carbon neutrality" global goal.

SOURCE DAS Solar
- Acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare diseases that require life-long chronic treatment. Monthly somatostatin analog (SSA) injections are the standard of care as first-line medical treatment.

- Debiopharm is developing Debio 4126, a novel 3-month extended-release octreotide formulation, to optimize acromegaly and GEP-NET patient care by reducing injection frequency, which translates into an improved quality of life and less time spent with medical visits.

- Debio 4126 is currently being investigated in two clinical studies. One of them (study Debio 4126-102) is a phase 1b study in patients with acromegaly or GEP-NETs. This study was designed to characterize the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles of Debio 4126 administered intramuscularly (IM) every 3 months over an extended period.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a Swiss-based, global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first patient was dosed with Debio 4126, a 3-month extended-release formulation of octreotide, in their open-label, non-randomized, single-arm, multicenter phase 1b study (Debio 4126-102). The study is composed of two patient cohorts  1 group of patients with acromegaly and 1 group with functioning GEP-NETs Patients will receive 4 injections of Debio 4126 for a total treatment duration of 48 weeks.

Debio 4126 is currently the only 3-month SSA in clinical development. The development of Debio 4126 arises from Debiopharm's wish to leverage their modified-release Debiosphere technology to alleviate the treatment burden of patients with rare diseases, such as acromegaly and GEP-NETs, by reducing the injection frequency to 4 injections per year.

In healthy volunteers, Debio 4126, an extended-release formulation of octreotide, exhibited good bioavailability and sustained release for up to 3 months.1 It has the potential to offer efficacy and safety similar to those of marketed 1-month SSAs. If successful, Debio 4126 will equip healthcare professionals with a new, more convenient option for treating acromegalic and GEP/NET patients.

"Going into this 2-year long phase 1b trial, we look forward to ascertaining the benefits of this extended-release formulation. We believe that patient quality of life can be improved through the substantially reduced number of injections, from 12 to 4/year," explained Dr Simona Ispas Jouron, Senior Medical Director, Endocrinology & Rare Diseases at Debiopharm.

Prior to this compound, Debiopharm's extended-release formulation expertise extends over more than 35 years with the development of multiple formulations of agonist analogue triptorelin, benefiting patients affected by prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, central precocious puberty (CPP), and uterine myomas.

"The success of triptorelin is linked to our modified-release Debiosphere technology that has contributed to the improvement of the quality of life of patients treated long-term, particularly with our 1, 3 and 6-month formulations of triptorelin and now with Debio 4126. This formulation adds significant value to an efficacious and safe standard of care." expressed Bertrand Ducrey, CEO of Debiopharm.

About Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a rare chronic disorder caused by excessive GH secretion by pituitary adenomas, with more than 95% of cases being benign.2 The condition most commonly affects middle-aged adults, with a slight predominance of female patients (52-60%)3 and equal distribution among ethnicities. The disease is clinically diagnosed based on characteristic symptoms, including progressive skeletal and soft tissue overgrowth, mainly at the extremities (hands and feet) and head. Diagnosis is confirmed biochemically via increased serum concentrations of GH and IGF-1. Acromegaly is associated with a twofold increase in mortality relative to that expected in the general population, mostly due to cardiovascular events. Associated risk factors include hypertension, glucose metabolism abnormalities, dyslipidemia, abdominal adiposity, and peripheral insulin resistance (metabolic syndrome). Untreated acromegaly is associated with a reduced quality of life and life expectancy shortened by approximately 10 years.2



About Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET)

GEP-NETs are rare and complex malignant solid tumors, derived from neuroendocrine cells, occurring in various sites along the gastrointestinal tract. Although these tumors have been considered rare, the most recent data from the US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results show an increase of more than 400% in the incidence of these diseases over the period from 1973 to 2004. 4 Age at diagnosis is generally younger than 50 years, and these tumors may arise sporadically or because of hereditary predisposition. Survival of patients with GEP-NETs depends on the stage and histology. Patients with well and moderately differentiated metastases have a 5-year survival probability of 35%, while poorly differentiated metastases lead to a 5-year survival probability of 4%4

About Debio 4126

Octreotide is a synthetic octapeptide that mimics the pharmacology of endogenous somatostatin (SST). Currently, octreotide is available as immediate-release (Sandostatin) and 4-week long-release formulations (Sandostatin LAR). Debio 4126 is a novel, 3-month extended-release formulation of octreotide being developed by Debiopharm.

Debiopharm's commitment to patients

Debiopharm aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs in oncology and bacterial infections. We identify high-potential compounds and technologies for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy, and then select pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.

For more information, please visit www.debiopharm.com

We are on Twitter. Follow us @DebiopharmNews at http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews

Debiopharm Contact

Dawn Bonine

Head of Communications

[email protected]

Tel: +41 (0)21 321 01 11

References

[1] Bellon A, et al. ENEA. 2022.

[2] Chanson P, et al. Pituitary tumours: acromegaly. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;23(5):555-74.

[3] Fleseriu M, et al. Acromegaly: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2022 Nov;10(11):804-826

[4] Yao, et al. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology vol. 26,18 (2008): 3063-72.

SOURCE Debiopharm International SA
METUCHEN, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MouthWatch, LLC, an industry leader in teledentistry solutions and digital imaging devices , recognized Apple Tree Dental as a telehealth pioneer in dentistry at its fifth annual Teledentistry Innovation Awards ("The Tellies") held November 28, 2022, in New York City.

MouthWatch launched The Tellies in 2018 to help drive visibility for individuals and organizations positively impacting the communities they serve by successfully implementing teledentistry as part of their patient care model.

Heather Luebben, ADT, and Natalie Olsen, DA, accept the 2022 Tellie Award from MouthWatch founder and CEO, Brant Herman, for their incorporation of teledentistry in their eight Centers for Dental Health and service to children with special needs. While Apple Tree Dental has used the virtual dental care approach for more than 18 years, they've continued to explore new and innovative ways to triage urgent dental concerns and provide services to children with special needs such as autism, developmental delays, and rare genetic conditions.

Heather Luebben, ADT, and Natalie Olsen, DA, of Apple Tree Dental , accepted the 2022 Tellie in the Dental Organization category for the organization's incorporation of teledentistry in their eight Centers for Dental Health and dental care to children with special needs.

"Apple Tree Dental and its team of committed providers and staff have been at the forefront of innovation since their formation, with TeleDent now a part of their approach to expanding access to care. The inspiring team at Apple Tree Dental is creating a model for the future of care delivery and we congratulate them on all of their accomplishments and ongoing efforts," said MouthWatch Founder and CEO, Brant Herman.

Apple Tree Dental has made teledentistry an integral part of their dental services to underserved areas in North Dakota and Minnesota. Their incorporation of teledentistry played a crucial role in their mid-pandemic projects that targeted triaging urgent dental concerns and providing services to children with special needs including autism, developmental delays, and rare genetic conditions that typical dental offices are not comfortable treating.

Virtual consultations were crucial to the success of their projects, as Apple Tree Dental recorded increases in pediatric patients seen, reduced wait time for appointments, and more productive in-clinic time. In-office visits were also more accessible to both patients and parents, saving them time, money, missed work time, and the need to arrange for childcare.

The 2022 Tellies recognized innovators in the following categories:

Dentists and Specialists

Dental Hygienists

Oral Health Programs

Educational Institutions

Dental Organizations

Additional 2022 Teledentistry Innovation Award winners included Dr. Jin Xiao, Tiffany Grant, the Fones School of Dental Hygiene, and Floss and Gloss. To learn more about the 2022 Tellie Award winners, visit the Teledentistry Innovation Awards website .

About MouthWatch, LLC:

Headquartered in Metuchen, New Jersey, MouthWatch, LLC is a leader in innovative teledentistry solutions and intraoral imaging devices. The company is dedicated to finding new ways to constantly improve the dental health experience for both patients and providers.

In recent years, the company received the following significant awards and accolades: The 2020 and 2021 Cellerant Best of Class Award for TeleDent, the provider-focused, patient-friendly teledentistry platform. In 2021 and 2022, TeleDent also won Dentistry Today's Top 100 Products, Reader's Choice Top 25, Top Aesthetic and Restorative Products, and Top Innovative Products awards. The MouthWatch Intraoral Camera won Dentaltown Magazine's Dental Townie Choice Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The company was also recognized as NJBIZ's 1-50 Employees Business of the Year and Inc. Magazine's 5000-Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Technology Innovators Media Group recognized MouthWatch Founder and CEO Brant Herman as one of the Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs.

For more information, visit www.MouthWatch.com .

Media Contact

Michael Ventriello

Tel. 732-458-3497

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE MouthWatch, LLC
Rise in consumer disposable income, increase in preference for personalized travel packages, and rise in demand for unique holiday experience drive the growth of the global driving vacation market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Driving Vacation Market by Tour Type (Customized Road Tour, Fixed Departure Tour), by Traveler type (Solo, Group, Others), by Mode of booking (Online travel agency, Direct travel agents): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global driving vacation industry generated $121.2 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $513.3 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 15.7% from 2022 to 2031.

Prime determinants of growth

Rise in consumer disposable income, increase in preference for personalized travel packages, and rise in demand for unique holiday experience drive the growth of the global driving vacation market. However, surge in number of crime rates, such as kidnaping, pickpocket, robbery, terrorist attack, and others restrict the market growth. Moreover, growth of the tourism industry present new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/17966

Covid-19 Scenario:

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global driving vacation market, owing to stringent travel restrictions during the lockdown.

However, the market has a huge scope to gather growth in the post-pandemic.

The customized road tour segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on tour type, the customized road tour segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global driving vacation market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.7% from 2022 to 2031. Travelers are choosing unique and exotic vacation destinations to get away from their hectic daily schedules and gain valuable experiences. Private, quiet, serene, and exotic locations are important factors that people consider when deciding where to travel. People are more interested in learning about and understanding their local culture, so they actively seek out culturally and traditionally intriguing locations. As a result, the growth of the driving vacation market through the customized tour segment is favored.

The group segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on traveler type, the group segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global driving vacation market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The segment includes friend circles, corporate groups, office colleagues, summer camps, school camps, and clubs. Participation in adventure activities has a significant impact on the personality of an individual and other leadership skills, which is one of the main reasons why group driving vacations are gaining popularity in corporations and schools. However, the solo segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.9% from 2022 to 2031, due to benefits such as the ability of travelers to tailor their entire travel experience to their preferences. The inclusion of personalized and private vacations for solo travelers pave the way for growth of the solo travel segment.

The direct travel segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on mode of booking, the direct travel segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly two-thirds of the global driving vacation market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Direct bookings are popular with last-minute passengers or in cases of emergency such as a delayed flight or train, severe weather, and so on. However, the online travel segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 16.1% from 2022 to 2031. An increase in the number of travelers over the last few decades has made traveling more complex than before. In such cases, travel agencies serve as helpful navigators. Furthermore, the online travel agency uses social media platforms to promote online booking offers. The various marketing strategies offered by online travel agencies, such as promo codes, gift cards, and loyalty programs, encourage travelers to book vehicles and accommodations through online sources.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global driving vacation market, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to a large consumer base and presence of a high number of companies offering driving vacation services. However, the LAMEA region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 16.5% from 2022 to 2031, owing to the growing affluent population and an increasing affinity of people towards travel and vacation in the region. Moreover, increase in social media exposure has further supplemented travelling from LAMEA.

Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/17966

Leading Market Players: -

Alamo

Adventures overland,

TourRadar,

Expedia Group Inc.,

JTB AMERICAS, LTD,

SCOTT DUNN LTD,

SOTC travel,

THOMAS COOK INDIA LTD,

LTD, travelsphere,

wexas travel management,

Triumph expedition Pvt. Ltd,

Undiscovered mountains,

AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL,

World travel Inc,

BUTTERFIELD & ROBINSON,

The hertz corporation,

travel leaders group,

PRICELINE (BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.),

Wild frontiers travel.com,

Audley Travel

Trending Reports in Consumer Goods Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount):

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 Ecotourism Market is expected to reach $333.8 billion by 2027

 Wellness Tourism Market is projected to reach $1,592.6 billion by 2030

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

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

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Florida Arbor Day is recognized on the third Friday in January

Company encourages strategic tree planting to maximize environmental benefits, conserve energy and help keep power on

Nearly 11,000 trees distributed since 2017 through Energy-Saving Trees program

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Florida Arbor Day, Duke Energy Florida is collaborating with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees program to give away 1,200 free trees.

Starting on Florida Arbor Day, January 20, Duke Energy customers can request a free tree online at arborday.org/dukeenergy, until all trees are distributed.

The one-gallon trees are shipped directly to customers' homes with planting and care instructions. They are expected to be delivered in time for National Arbor Day, April 28, 2023.

Available tree species include the dahoon holly, sweetbay magnolia, baldcypress, crape myrtle (pink) and crape myrtle (red).

Duke Energy Florida is donating $50,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation to purchase and distribute the trees through its Energy-Saving Trees program.

"For years, Duke Energy Florida has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation in giving away nearly 11,000 free trees to customers and communities throughout the state," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "To provide reliable service, it's important we maintain trees and other vegetation along the lines that deliver electricity to our customers. By planting the right tree in the right place, you are assisting us in providing the safe, reliable service you depend on, while helping to keep the environment healthy and beautiful."

The Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees and Tree Line USA programs demonstrate how trees and utilities can coexist for the benefit of communities and citizens by highlighting best management practices in public and private utility arboriculture. Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its tree management practices for 17 consecutive years.

For information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, please visit Duke Energy's Right Tree Right Place website.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko

Media line: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

SOURCE Duke Energy
GUBEN, GERMANY, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) (the "Company" or "Rock Tech") has received permission for an early start to the construction of its lithium converter in Guben, Germany (the "Guben Converter"). The first significant work onsite for this strategic critical mineral project is expected within the upcoming next weeks.

Early Start for Rock Tech's Lithium Converter Approved (CNW Group/Rock Tech Lithium Inc.)

From 2025, the Guben Converter is expected to produce around 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. For this purpose, Rock Tech recently received approval from the responsible Brandenburg State Office for the Environment for an early start related to the first tranche of permits. Rock Tech plans to start initial work on the project, with an estimated cost of 650 million euros, on its own property on the industrial park in Guben in the upcoming weeks.

Rock Tech applied for the first partial permit and approval for early start in February 2022. In the course of the application procedure, which involved public participation, no objections were received under approval regulations. Rock Tech considers this to be a positive indication of support for the construction of the Guben Converter and at the same time appreciates the efficient and transparent cooperation with the authorities.

"Our converter will be the first of its kind in Europe. The production of our battery-grade lithium hydroxide will be an essential part of the battery mineral supply chains in Europe - this is another reason why the approval by the authority is an important step towards implementation and sends a clear signal to the market," adds Klaus Schmitz, Rock Tech's Chief Operating Officer.

The approval for an early start is also an encouraging indicator that permission for construction of the Guben Converter will be granted in due course. In November, Rock Tech has submitted the second and final tranche of permit applications for this to the authority. Approval for construction of the Guben Converter is expected from summer 2023 onwards.

To date, more than 250,000 working hours and over 45 million euros have been invested by Rock Tech in the planning the design and construction of the Guben Converter. With the early start permission, necessary groundwork as well as the construction of roads, office and storage buildings can begin.

ABOUT ROCK TECH

Rock Tech is a cleantech company on a mission to produce lithium hydroxide for EV batteries. The Company plans to build lithium converters at the door-step of its customers, to guarantee supply-chain transparency and just-in-time delivery. To close the most pressing gap in the clean mobility story, Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest teams in the industry. The Company has adopted strict ESG standards and is developing a proprietary refining process aimed at further increasing efficiency and sustainability. Rock Tech plans to source raw material from its own mineral project in Canada as well as procuring it from other responsibly producing mines. In the years to come, the Company expects to also source raw material from discarded batteries. Rock Tech's goal: to create a closed-loop lithium production system.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The following cautionary statements are in addition to all other cautionary statements and disclaimers contained elsewhere in, or referenced by, this press release.

Certain information set forth in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which information is based on Rock Tech's current expectations, estimates, and assumptions in light of its experience and perception of historical trends. All statements other than statements of historical facts may constitute forward-looking information. Often, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and all other indications of future tense. All forward-looking information set forth in this press release is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements referred to in this section.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to: expectations concerning the Guben Converter, including the design and features of the Guben Converter, as well as the expected costs, capital expenditures, timing and outcomes thereof; statements regarding the Company's future plans, estimates, and schedules relating to the Guben Converter, including the anticipated timing of future activities taken in support of the development thereof; Rock Tech's expectations regarding the FEL3 study including the related activities, findings and uses thereof; potential financing arrangements; the expected economic performance of the Guben Converter and anticipated production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and related processing methods employed; the estimated capital and operating costs of the Guben Converter; the anticipated timing and outcomes of a final investment decision, construction activities and commissioning of the Guben Converter; statements regarding the Company's sustainability and ESG related goals and strategy, including the benefits and achievement thereof and future actions taken by the Company in relation thereto; expected regulatory processes and final outcomes, including in relation to the timing of TG-1 and TG-2 approvals; expectations regarding the electric vehicle industry, including the demand for and pricing of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and the benefits therefrom, and the development of political and regulatory frameworks especially in Germany and the European Union; Rock Tech's opinions, beliefs and expectations regarding the Company's business strategy, development and exploration opportunities and projects; and plans and objectives of management for the Company's operations and properties.

Forward-looking information is based on certain estimates, expectations, analysis and opinions that are believed by management of Rock Tech to be reasonable at the time they were made or in certain cases, on third party expert opinions. It should be noted that, in order to proceed with the planned investment of 650 million euros contained herein, Rock Tech will be required to raise additional funding and the availability of financing on satisfactory terms is not guaranteed. This forward-looking information was derived utilizing numerous assumptions regarding, among other things, the supply and demand for, deliveries of, and the level and volatility of prices of, intermediate and final lithium products, expected growth, performance and business operation, prospects and opportunities, general business and economic conditions, results of development and exploration, Rock Tech's ability to procure supplies and other equipment necessary for its business, including development and exploration activities, and timing related to government approvals. The foregoing list is not exhaustive of all assumptions which may have been used in developing the forward-looking information. While Rock Tech considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results.

In addition, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Rock Tech's control, that may cause Rock Tech's actual events, results, performance and/or achievements to be materially different from that which is expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, performance and/or achievements to vary materially include the risk that Rock Tech will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due, delays in government approval for the construction of the Guben Converter, changes in commodity prices, Rock Tech's ability to retain and attract skilled staff and to secure feedstock from third party suppliers, unanticipated events and other difficulties related to construction, development and operation of converters and mines, the cost of compliance with current and future environmental and other laws and regulations, title defects, competition from existing and new competitors, changes in currency exchange rates and market prices of Rock Tech's securities, Rock Tech's history of losses, impacts of climate change and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Financial Instruments and Other Risks" in Rock Tech's most recently filed Management Discussion and Analysis, a copy of which is filed electronically through SEDAR and is available online at www.sedar.com. Such risks and uncertainties do not represent an exhaustive list of all risk factors that could cause actual events, results, performance and/or achievements to vary materially from the forward-looking information.

It can not be guaranteed that actual events, results, performance and/or achievements will be consistent with the forward-looking information and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. This forward-looking information reflects Rock Tech management's current views as at the date of this press release. Except as may be required by law, Rock Tech undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaims any responsibility, obligation or undertaking to update or to revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, to reflect any change in Rock Tech's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such information is based.

The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purposes of assisting readers in understanding Rock Tech's plans, objectives and goals and is not appropriate for any other purposes.

SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
Rise in the prevalence of old age population that are more vulnerable to epilepsy and increase in awareness regarding the use of epilepsy devices drives the growth of the global epilepsy devices market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Epilepsy Devices Market by Product Type (conventional and wearable devices, EEG, Electrocardiography (EKG), Surface Electromyography (sEMG), Video Detection Systems, Others), by Technology (Deep brain Stimulation, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Responsive Neurostimulation, Accelerometry), by End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" According to the report, the global epilepsy devices industry generated $675.23 million in 2021, and is estimated to reach $1.11 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities-

Rise in the prevalence of old age population that are more vulnerable to epilepsy and increase in awareness regarding the use of epilepsy devices drives the growth of the global epilepsy devices market. On the other hand, strict government regulations concerning the manufacturing of epilepsy device products and product approvals impede the growth to some extent. However, increase in focus on developing cost-effective epilepsy devices and surge in R&D investments in the discovery & development of advanced epilepsy devices are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Download Free Sample Report- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15190

Covid-19 scenario-

Disruptions in production, development, and supply of epilepsy devices hampered the growth of medical device businesses of companies across the world, thus impacting the global epilepsy devices market negatively.

Rise in Covid-19 cases gave way to decline in the number of epilepsy monitoring services as these procedures call for a short physical distance between patients and physicians. However, the market has now got back on track.

The conventional and wearable devices segment to retain its leadership status by 2031-

By product type, the conventional and wearable devices segment contributed to the highest share in 2021, garnering nearly one-third of the global epilepsy devices market revenue, and is expected to retain its dominance by 2031. The same segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031. This is attributed to its advantages such as easy to carry, outstanding wireless readability, and better sensitivity rates in detecting seizures, which allow for better mobility and quality of life among patients with epilepsy, and help to track the remote location of the epileptic patients.

The deep brain stimulation segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period-

By technology, the deep brain stimulation segment held the major share in 2021, garnering nearly two-fifths of the global epilepsy devices market revenue. The same segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031. Increase in demand for deep brain stimulators fuels the growth of the segment.

The hospitals segment to rule the roost-

By end-user, the hospitals segment contributed to nearly three-fifths of the global epilepsy devices market share in 2021, and is projected to maintain the lion's share during the forecast period. This is due to the availability of trained medical staff in hospitals that helps to provide better services to patients. The others segment, however, would display the fastest CAGR of 8.0% by 2031. Surge in the prevalence of various neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and dystonia drives the segment growth.

For Purchase Inquiry- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/15190

North America garnered the major share in 2021-

By region, North America held the highest revenue in 2021, accounting for around two-fifths of the global epilepsy devices market share. This is owing to the strong presence of the major market players across the region. Asia-Pacific, simultaneously, would portray the fastest CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2031. Surge in healthcare expenditure and the growing adoption of various epilepsy devices such as surface electromyography, EEG systems, and accelerometers across the province propels the market growth.

Leading Market Players-

Cadwell Industries

Natus Medical Compumedics Limited

Empatica Inc.

LivaNova PLC

Masimo Corporation

Medpage Ltd.

Medtronic plc

Boston Scientific Corporation

Abbott Laboratories

The report analyzes these key players of the global epilepsy devices market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

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About Allied Market Research:

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 domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

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

933 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

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trace Labs, a Web3 development company, joins EU's efforts to create a smarter and more sustainable built environment with the BUILDCHAIN project . Together with eleven other partners from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary, and Serbia, Trace Labs will use the OriginTrail Decentralized Knowledge Graph (DKG) to build a trusted knowledge base aiming to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and increase transparency and trust, ultimately leading to more sustainable construction projects.

Construction industry lacks trustworthy data exchange

Having received financial support from the European Union, BUILDCHAIN aims to develop technological solutions to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and increase transparency and trust in construction projects using the OriginTrail Decentralized Knowledge Graph.

Efficient, transparent, and trusted data exchange is a powerful tool for driving sustainability, resilience, and energy efficiency in construction, however there are several obstacles for trusted data exchange in this industry today:

Data silos: Construction projects involve multiple parties and stakeholders, each of which may have their own systems for storing and sharing information. This can lead to data silos and lack of coordination, which can make it difficult to access and trust the data.

Construction projects involve multiple parties and stakeholders, each of which may have their own systems for storing and sharing information. This can lead to data silos and lack of coordination, which can make it difficult to access and trust the data. Lack of standardization: Different construction projects may use different formats for storing and sharing data, which can make it difficult to compare and combine information from different projects.

Different construction projects may use different formats for storing and sharing data, which can make it difficult to compare and combine information from different projects. Data security: Construction projects often involve sensitive information, such as building plans, materials lists, and inspection results. Ensuring that this information is kept secure and protected from unauthorized access can be a significant challenge.

Construction projects often involve sensitive information, such as building plans, materials lists, and inspection results. Ensuring that this information is kept secure and protected from unauthorized access can be a significant challenge. Lack of incentives: There are often few incentives for construction companies and other stakeholders to share data and collaborate on projects, which can make it difficult to establish trust and transparency.

BUILDCHAIN to create a complete overview of the building life-cycle

Having received financial support from the European Union, BUILDCHAIN aims to develop technological solutions that will enhance data exchange and transparency in the industry and overcome the above-mentioned obstacles. Over the three-year period, the key innovative players in construction engineering, architecture, and research will build a knowledge base that will be used by various actors to trace all activities related to the complete life-cycle of buildings.

Trace Labs' main contribution will be the integration of OriginTrail Decentralized Knowledge Graph (DKG) with the existing EU Digital Building LogBook system, creating a new powerful knowledge base with blockchain and artificial intelligence capabilities. The DKG will provide a tamper-proof and decentralized database that can be accessed by all parties involved in a building's life cycle, including architects, contractors, building owners and regulators. This helps increase transparency, trust, and collaboration among all stakeholders through:

Connected knowledge assets as digital twins : DKG will provide an open, single source of truth for all building-related data, including plans, materials, inspection results, and more. This will make it easy for all parties to discover, access, and update the information in real time, improving communication and collaboration.

: DKG will provide an open, single source of truth for all building-related data, including plans, materials, inspection results, and more. This will make it easy for all parties to discover, access, and update the information in real time, improving communication and collaboration. Data verification: Using blockchain technology, all data added to the DKG is fingerprinted and cannot be tampered with, ensuring authenticity of the data of the building's life cycle.

Using blockchain technology, all data added to the DKG is fingerprinted and cannot be tampered with, ensuring authenticity of the data of the building's life cycle. Predictive maintenance: AI and machine learning can be used to analyze data from the DKG to identify patterns and predict future outcomes, such as maintenance needs. This can help improve building maintenance and reduce downtime.

AI and machine learning can be used to analyze data from the DKG to identify patterns and predict future outcomes, such as maintenance needs. This can help improve building maintenance and reduce downtime. Compliance and regulations: DKG can be used to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations by storing all relevant information in a standardized way and making it accessible to regulators in real time.

Driving value and technological advancement for construction industry

The advancements and benefits of building information modeling, automation, and digitalization encourage the development of more effective and efficient building information management. Given the fact that the global Building Information Modeling market is worth $14,7 billion and is predicted to grow to $53 billion by 2031 , the BUILDCHAIN project enables the possibility of great value creation and a strong impact on sustainability of the entire sector.

Project information available here: BUILDCHAIN Project | Fact Sheet

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Programme, Climate Neutral, Circular and Digitiesed Production 2022, under grant agreement No 101092052.

About OriginTrail

OriginTrail is an ecosystem dedicated to making the global economy work sustainably by organizing humanity's most important knowledge assets. It leverages the open-source Decentralized Knowledge Graph that connects the physical world (art, healthcare, fashion, education, supply chains, ) and the digital world (blockchain, smart contracts, Metaverse & NFTs, ) in a single connected reality driving transparency and trust.

Advanced knowledge graph technology currently powers trillion-dollar companies like Google and Facebook. By reshaping it for Web3, the OriginTrail Decentralized Knowledge Graph provides a crucial fabric to link, verify, and value data on both physical and digital assets.

Website: https://origintrail.io/

About Trace Labs

Trace Labs is the core developer of OriginTrail  the open-source Decentralized Knowledge Graph. Trace Labs' technology is being used by global enterprises (e.g. over 40% of US imports including Walmart, Costco, Home Depot are exchanging security audits with OriginTrail DKG) in multiple industries, such as pharmaceutical industry, international trade, decentralized applications and more.

Website: https://tracelabs.io/

Email: [email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982453/BUILDCHAIN_Trace_Labs.jpg

SOURCE Trace Labs
New Dipole, Collinear and Yagi Antennas Handle High-Power Input

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairview Microwave, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of RF, microwave and millimeter-wave products, introduces a new series of VHF/UHF dipole, collinear and Yagi antennas. They are useful for a broad range of applications, including trunking, military communications, public safety, land mobile radio (LMR) and amateur radio.

New Dipole, Collinear and Yagi Antennas Handle High-Power Input.

Fairview's new series of VHF/UHF antennas is DC grounded, providing lightning protection. They cover frequencies from 135 MHz to 512 MHz and feature high-power handling of over 200 watts. Their ruggedized designs guarantee reliable performance in all environmental conditions, and they are equipped with multiple gain options with fixed and adjustable dipole configurations.

These pre-configured dipole arrays use internalized cabling, which makes for quick and easy deployments. Their individual folded and straight dipole designs allow for efficient transportation and minimal storage. Additionally, they are available in optional prefabricated arrays with fixed quarter-wave or half-wave spacing from the mast.

"Our new VHF/UHF dipole, collinear and Yagi antennas are engineered to improve signal quality, handle high-power input and cover broad bandwidths. These innovative antennas can be used in a wide range of wireless networking applications," said Kevin Hietpas, Antenna Product Manager.

Fairview's new VHF/UHF dipole, collinear and Yagi antennas are in-stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, contact Fairview Microwave at +1-972-649-6678.

About Fairview Microwave:

A leading supplier of on-demand RF and microwave products since 1992, Fairview Microwave offers immediate delivery of RF components, including attenuators, adapters, coaxial cable assemblies, connectors, terminations and much more. All products are shipped same-day from the company's ISO 9001:2015-certified production facilities in Lewisville, Texas. Fairview is an Infinite Electronics brand.

About Infinite Electronics:

Based in Irvine, Calif., Infinite Electronics is a global electronics supplier offering a broad range of components, assemblies and wired/wireless connectivity solutions serving the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Its brands are Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, ShowMeCables, NavePoint, INC Installs, Integra Optics, PolyPhaser, Transtector, KP Performance Antennas, RadioWaves and Aiconics. Infinite serves its customer base with deep technical expertise and support, with a broad inventory available for immediate shipment, fulfilling unplanned demand for engineers and technical buyers. Infinite is a Warburg Pincus portfolio company.

Press Contact:

Peter McNeil

Fairview Microwave

17792 Fitch

Irvine, CA 92614

(978) 682-6936

SOURCE Fairview Microwave Inc.
Five directors elected to four-year terms; Anderson re-elected Chair of Board

CINCINNATI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati's Board of Directors announced the results of the FHLB's 2022 director elections. Members elected one director from Ohio, two directors from Tennessee and two independent directors. Each director will serve a four-year term that began January 1, 2023. The Board also re-elected J. Lynn Anderson as Chair.

Elected to the Board as an Ohio member director is incumbent Michael P. Pell. Mr. Pell has 40 years of banking experience and serves as President and CEO of First State Bank. Headquartered in Winchester, Ohio, First State Bank operates 13 full-service offices in Southern Ohio and three full-service offices in Eastern Kentucky with $850 million in assets. Mike has served on the FHLB Board since 2019. Mike previously served as Chairman of the Ohio Bankers League and currently serves on the Ohio Banking Commission.

Newly elected as Tennessee member directors are Roy Molitor (Mott) Ford, Jr. and H. McCall Wilson Jr.

Mr. Ford was named CEO of Commercial Bank and Trust Company in 1998 and elected Chairman in 2018. The $1.1 billion bank was founded in 1877 and operates in four markets in West Tennessee. Mott has served on the board of the Memphis branch of the Federal Reserve Board of St. Louis and the Community Depository Institution Advisory Council for the St. Louis Federal Reserve. He is a former Chairman of the Tennessee Bankers Association (TBA), past President of the Independent Division of the TBA and past Chairman of the TBA Government Relations Committee. Mott graduated from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He serves on the Executive Board for the Collierville Chamber of Commerce and has served on numerous nonprofit boards in the Memphis area.

Mr. Wilson is President and CEO of The Bank of Fayette County, a community bank founded in 1905 in Moscow, Tenn. where he has served since June 2021. He began his career at the accounting and consulting firm of Reynolds, Bone and Griesbeck as a Certified Public Accountant. He has served as Chairman of the American Bankers Association's Community Bankers Council, on the Board of American Bankers Insurance Association and the state of Tennessee's Collateral Pool Board. McCall is the current Chairman of the Tennessee Bankers Association and Chairman of the Board for the Title Center of the South. McCall graduated from Christian Brothers University with an MBA in finance and a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Elected as independent directors are incumbents L. Scott Spivey of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Nancy E. Uridil of Avon Lake, Ohio.

Mr. Spivey has over 40 years of financial management experience across several industries ranging from transportation and logistics to telecommunications and packaged goods. From January 2015 to September 30, 2022, Scott served as Senior Vice President and CFO for First Student Inc., North America's largest contractor of school bus transportation services. Scott has held other progressive financial leadership roles with CHEP Americas, CHEP Global Pallets, General Mills, Pepsi Cola, Stride Rite Inc. and Bellsouth. In 2021, Scott was appointed as an independent director of the FHLB Board to fill the one-year term created by a Board vacancy. He holds an MBA from University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Clark Atlanta University.

Ms. Uridil is a retired global consumer products senior executive with more than 18 years of experience in corporate governance, strategy, business operations, systems, personnel management and all functions of supply chain. She served in this capacity for several highly valued consumer products companies including Moen Inc., Estee Lauder and Procter & Gamble. Nancy was initially elected to the FHLB Board in 2014. She has served on several FHLB Board committees and currently chairs its Governance Committee. In her community, she served as Board Chair of the YWCA of Cleveland from 2009-2013. She graduated with honors from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.

J. Lynn Anderson was re-elected to serve as Chair of the Board. Ms. Anderson has over 18 years of experience in financial services, having held various positions of increasing responsibility at Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance, from 1998 to 2003, and at Nationwide Bank from which she retired as President and CEO in 2016. Since 2010, Lynn has served on the board of National Church Residences, the nation's largest notforprofit provider of affordable senior housing, in various leadership roles including Board Chair. She has served as an FHLB director since 2012, including as a member director from 2012-2016, and as an independent director from 2017-present, with a public interest director designation since 2020. Additionally, she has served as FHLB Board Chair since 2021. She holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University with a concentration in accounting. Her second two-year term as FHLB Board Chair began January 1, 2023, and expires December 31, 2024.

The FHLB is a wholesale cooperative bank owned by 618 member financial institutions, including commercial banks, thrifts, credit unions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The FHLB provides members with reliable funding to support housing finance, affordable housing and community investment, and assist with their balance sheet management. It has contributed nearly $841 million for the creation of more than 104,000 units of affordable housing through its Affordable Housing Program since 1990. Additionally, the FHLB's Board of Directors has voluntarily contributed more than $25 million from profits in response to members' community needs including natural disaster home reconstruction, foreclosure mitigation, emergency repair and accessibility rehab for special needs and elderly populations. The FHLB System includes 11 district Banks, is wholly owned by its nearly 6,800 member institution stockholders and does not use taxpayer dollars.

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
Company recognized for recovery following extreme weather in June 2022



AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has received an Emergency Recovery Award from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in recognition of its outstanding response in restoring power to more than 287,000 customers in Ohio and West Virginia following severe weather that produced three confirmed tornadoes and extreme temperatures in June 2022. This is the seventeenth consecutive year that FirstEnergy has been recognized by EEI for its storm response efforts.

From June 13-16, portions of FirstEnergy's northcentral Ohio and West Virginia service areas served by the company's Ohio Edison and Mon Power utilities bore the brunt of three major thunderstorm events with wind speeds higher than 80 miles per hour, followed by a multi-day heat wave that recorded heat indices above 105 degrees. Following the company's Emergency Response Plan, more than 1,800 FirstEnergy line workers, forestry crews and support personnel worked safely to minimize the outage time for customers, ultimately replacing 263 poles, 149 transformers and about 25 miles of wire.

"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the hundreds of FirstEnergy employees and others who worked tirelessly in difficult conditions to get the lights back on for our customers during some of the hottest days of the year," said Sam Belcher, senior vice president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "Our Ohio Edison and Mon Power personnel worked safely around the clock, overcoming challenging weather, impassable roads and other hazardous conditions to be there when our customers needed us the most."

EEI presents awards twice annually to member companies for extraordinary power restoration efforts or assistance to other electric companies after service disruptions caused by weather conditions and other natural events. Winners are chosen by a panel of independent judges following an international nomination process. The awards were presented Wednesday, Jan. 11, during EEI's winter Board of Directors meeting.

"Throughout the past six months, electric companies faced devastating hurricanes, unprecedented heat waves, and many other extreme weather events that impacted the customers and communities we serve," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "I commend FirstEnergy's commitment to restore service for its customers safely and quickly under challenging conditions. FirstEnergy and its storm response team undoubtedly are deserving of this national recognition, and I am honored to present them with this well-deserved award."

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's Note: A photo of FirstEnergy receiving the award from EEI can be viewed/downloaded on the company's Flickr channel.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
Various advantages of foldable houses over the conventional methods of construction drive the growth of the global foldable houses market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Foldable Houses Market by Construction Type (Single Section, Multi-Section), by Architecture type (Slope roof, Flat Roof), by End user (Single Family, Multi Family): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global foldable houses industry generated $7.1 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $16.8 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 9.0% from 2022 to 2031.

Download Free Sample Report (233 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/32222

Prime determinants of growth

Various advantages of foldable houses over the conventional methods of construction drive the growth of the global foldable houses market. However, transportation and erection of the modular structure are the primary challenges, which restricts the market growth. Moreover, foldable houses are considered as one of the suitable options for constructing shelters for homeless people and for those affected by natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes, and others, which presents new opportunities for the market growth in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global foldable houses market, owing to the lockdown measure in countries worldwide and delays in the production and manufacturing of foldable houses which are utilized in residential and commercial spaces.

However, ease in restrictions helped the industry to recover from the loss in 2022.

The multi-section segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on construction type, the multi-section segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for around two-thirds of the global foldable houses market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Multi-section foldable house is large and constructed by joining together more than one folded section, thus making it suitable for accommodating a big family. However, the single section segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.5% from 2022 to 2031. Single-section foldable houses are small and lightweight; therefore, they are easy to transport using smaller vehicles.

The flat roof segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on architecture type, the flat roof segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than four-fifths of the global foldable houses market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Deploying foldable houses with a flat roof are relatively easier than sloped roof foldable houses of comparable size, owing to their simpler designs. However, the slope roof segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.6% from 2022 to 2031. Regions experiencing heavy rain and snowfall demand foldable houses with sloped roofs. A sloped roof drains all the rainwater, unlike a flat roof, thereby preventing roof damage from water logging. In addition to this, in a snow-bound region, a slopped roof uniformly distributes the snow accumulating on it and helps the roof maintain its structural integrity and last long. These advantages contribute to the reduction in the cost of maintenance of the house.



Buy This Research Report @ https://bit.ly/3X0F3qb

The multi-family segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on end user, the multi-family segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly three-fifths of the global foldable houses market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. The number of people living together with their parents even after marriage has risen in many countries such as the U.S., and the UK. This is largely due to the inability of the young generation to afford to live alone and the risk of old age people getting isolated. However, the single-family segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 9.4% from 2022 to 2031. These houses are typically preferred by nuclear families. Countries such as the U.S., Australia, and the UK have a large number of people who leave their houses before the age of 18 and later lead single families.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global foldable houses market, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. An increase in house-related construction activities and growth in housing for single family dwellings are expected to surge the demand for foldable homes in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.5% from 2022 to 2031, owing to its rapidly increasing population.



Purchase Inquiry:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/32222

Leading Market Players: -

Guangzhou Moneybox Steel Structure Engineering Co.,Ltd,

Karmod Prefabricated Technologies,

Rohe Homes Ltd.,

Spark Business Group Pty Ltd.,

Hebei Weizhengheng Modular House Technology Co., Ltd.,

Brette Haus ,

, A-FOLD Houses,

MADI Homes,

Boxabl Inc.,

Henan K-Home Steel Structure Co., Ltd.

Trending Reports in Foldable Houses Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount):



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Global home remodeling market is projected to reach $1,317.50 billion by 2030,

Global roofing market is projected to reach $156.0 billion by 2030.

Cool Roof Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Precast Concrete Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

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.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Transaction Expected to Significantly Enhance the Company's Financial Position and Support Long-Term Growth; Company Secures $33 Million in New Financing to Support Ongoing Operations

Sale Process Being Facilitated Through Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FORMA Brands, LLC ("FORMA Brands" or the "Company"), a builder of beauty brands anchored in innovative and high-quality products, marketing and operations, today announced that its direct parent company, FB Debt Financing Guarantor, LLC, has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with an entity controlled by the agent under FORMA Brands' existing secured debt, Jefferies Finance LLC (together with Jefferies Finance LLC, funds managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and FB Intermediate Holdings, LLC, each in their capacities as secured lenders, the "Investor Group"), under which substantially all of FORMA Brands' assets will be acquired.

The proposed transaction is expected to significantly strengthen FORMA Brands' financial position and provide additional support for the execution of its long-term growth strategy, which will focus largely on the Company's global wholesale and e-commerce operations. FORMA Brands remains committed to collaborating with its global creators and partners to enable its family of brands to bring next-generation beauty products to new and existing audiences. The Company's product development initiatives, brand launch plans and marketing collaborations remain in place. Throughout this process, customers can continue to shop FORMA Brands' portfolio of brands through the brands' online platforms, at leading specialty retailers and through the Company's international Morphe retail stores.

Simon Cowell, President of FORMA Brands, said, "Over the last year, FORMA Brands has been implementing initiatives to stabilize our business and reposition our organization for long-term growth. This agreement is a testament to the strength of our brands most meaningful to our consumers, including Morphe and Morphe 2. We will have additional financial resources available to invest in our multi-category portfolio, product launches and innovative brand and marketing strategy as we advance our vision to inspire creativity, promote inclusivity and connect with consumers around the world through beauty. We appreciate the continued support of our financial partners and believe this is the best path forward for FORMA Brands as we position the business for the long term."

Mr. Cowell continued, "We are excited to reinforce our focus on the opportunities we see ahead for our brands and continue bringing our thoughtfully selected beauty products to consumers through our individual online brand platforms, retail partners and Morphe stores outside the U.S. We thank our stakeholders for their continued support, including our global creators, influencers, affiliate and retail partners and our vendors and suppliers, all of whom play a key role in helping us curate the next generation of beauty brands and products. I also extend my deepest appreciation to our team members for their commitment to FORMA Brands and for always going the extra mile to deliver thoughtfully selected products to our consumers."

To facilitate the sale process, FORMA Brands and all of its domestic direct and indirect subsidiaries today initiated voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The proposed transaction is subject to higher or better offers, court approval and other customary conditions. The Company has received a commitment for approximately $33 million in debtor-in-possession financing from the Investor Group, which, subject to court approval, will be available to support the business and its operations throughout the court-supervised sale process.

The agreement with the Investor Group includes FORMA Brands' wholesale operations, online platforms and international Morphe retail stores.

FORMA Brands has filed a number of customary motions seeking court approval to continue supporting its operations during the court-supervised process, including the continued payment of employee wages and benefits without interruption. FORMA Brands expects to receive approval for these requests.

In connection with the court-supervised sale and restructuring process, the Company has appointed Stephen Marotta as Chief Restructuring Officer. Mr. Marotta is a Senior Managing Director at Ankura Consulting Group, LLC with more than 35 years of financial restructuring experience. He previously served as Chief Restructuring Officer at Brooks Brothers and Payless ShoeSource, among others.

Additional information is available on the Company's website. Court filings and other information related to the proceedings are available on a separate website administrated by the Company's claims agent, Kroll, at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/formabrands; by calling Kroll at (646) 440-4153, or (888) 627-6210 for calls originating outside of the U.S. and Canada; or by emailing [email protected].

Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal advisor to FORMA Brands, Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is serving as financial advisor and Configure Partners, LLC is serving as investment banker.

About FORMA Brands

FORMA Brands is a builder of beauty brands anchored in innovative and high-quality products, marketing and operations. Each brand showcases differentiated products and a unique story, addressing different segments of the beauty market, while embracing many forms of beauty. The Company's products are sold through the top beauty retailers worldwide, including Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Mecca, Douglas, Selfridges, and Target. For more information on FORMA Brands, please visit: www.FORMABrands.com.

Contacts

Michael Freitag / Leigh Parrish / Aura Reinhard

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212.355.4449

SOURCE FORMA Brands
ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Immediate Past President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, has been tapped to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Principal Deputy Director.

Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD

Shah served as ASTHO president between March 2021 and September 2022. In partnership with ASTHO's Board of Directors, he led ASTHO through one of the organization's most challenging periods: the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah was responsible for communicating and overseeing the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for all age groups, culminating in nearly 80% of the entire U.S. population receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. In addition, his home state of Maine is among the most vaccinated states in the countrya testament to Shah's leadership. Shah also played a key role shaping national COVID-19 policy through frequent meetings with other state leaders and federal officials.

"Dr. Shah was a leader among peers during an extremely tumultuous period where changes were happening by the minute. Dr. Shah's counterparts and our ASTHO team looked to him for advice and encouragement during a time of extreme stress, and he handled the extra burden on his shoulders with humor and poise. We know he will continue to bring the voice of state public health officials to his new role. I cannot think of a better person to serve as the CDC's next principal deputy director," says Michael Fraser, PhD, ASTHO CEO.

Shah has served as director of the Maine CDC since June 2019 and currently serves on the ASTHO board of directors. He has broad experience in public health which includes his time as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where he implemented key initiatives to address the state's opioid crisis, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and reduce childhood lead poisoning.

As an attorney and a public health economist, Shah previously advised professionals and governments around the nation and globe on improving the delivery of healthcare. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Ministry of Health in Cambodia, where his work included investigating and managing disease outbreaks as an epidemiologist. Shah received both medical and law degrees from the University of Chicago. He also studied economics at Oxford University.

ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories and Freely Associated States, and Washington, D.C., as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in public health practice.

SOURCE Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
LOS ANGELES , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- California law firm Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C. announced today that tenured transactional attorney Wesley King has been elevated to Partner, effective January 1, 2023.

"Wesley has the skills and commitment to client service required from all of our Partners," says Managing Partner Hemal Master. "He is a leader in the legal profession, in the community, and at the firm. We appreciate his continuing efforts to our firm and our clients and are excited for the next chapter in his career here at Frandzel."

King represents commercial banks, private lenders, funds, and other financial companies in a wide variety of transactional matters, including real estate transactions and finance, commercial loan documentation, and other secured transactions. King focuses his practice on complex financial transactions and has successfully closed a range of such matters, including note finance transactions, asset-based lines of credit, leveraged buyouts, municipal bond offerings, international loans, venture capital and technology financings, warehouse lines of credit, and other secured transactions. Moreover, King advises, structures, negotiates, and documents loan restructurings, distressed debt workouts, and other business disputes with the goal of maximizing collections and avoiding costly litigation for his clients.

Before joining Frandzel, King practiced in public finance, facilities, and real estate transactions, and handled municipal bond and real estate litigation for public schools. This past litigation experience informs King's transactional practice, making him a more comprehensive advisor and advocate for his clients. Prior to practicing law, King worked for several commercial real estate developers and an international hedge fund, giving him a keen insight into his clients' business needs.

King is also active in the greater Los Angeles legal community. In 2016, King served as President of the LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and served on the organization's board of governors for five years. He remains active in the legal community, regularly speaks at local law schools, mentors law students, and participates in pro bono activities.

Whether negotiating and documenting a major real estate transaction, representing a creditor in a highly complex Chapter 11 business reorganization, or defending a "bet the company" litigation matter, Frandzel strives to meet the needs of its clients quickly and efficiently. Because at Frandzel service is, and has been for over 35 years, the final word.

Frandzel is a recognized leader offering legal counsel and litigation services to financial institutions and businesses. For over three decades we've been providing clients with time-tested results and business insights to help them succeed. We are known for our highly responsive service, lasting client relationships and solutions that work.

SOURCE Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C.
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Facts and Factors study, The global frozen bakery products market was worth around USD 21,952.8 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 30,615.3 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.7% over the forecast period.

Frozen Bakery Products Market: Overview

Frozen bakery products have seen a surge in demand in the past few years owing to rising demand for ready-to-eat and convenience foods and this trend is anticipated to be prominent over the forecast period. The increasing working women population is also expected to boost demand for frozen bakery products.

Rising investments in the retail industry are also expected to propel frozen bakery products market growth over the forecast period. The development of the integrated retail sector is also expected to favor the frozen bakery products market potential through 2028. However, the high costs of production are anticipated act as a restraining factor for the global frozen bakery products market growth in the long term.

The rising disposable income of the general population across the world is also expected to positively impact frozen bakery products market potential through the forecast period.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.fnfresearch.com/sample/frozen-bakery-products-market

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Facts and Factors methodology

Facts and Factors published the latest report titled "Frozen bakery products Market By Category (Gluten-Free, Conventional), By Product Type (Bread and Rolls, Cakes and Pastries, Cookies and Biscuits, Others), By End-Use (Food Service, Food Retail), and By Region  Global and Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, and Forecasts 2022  2028" into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Frozen Bakery Products Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing demand for Convenience Foods.

The world has seen a substantial increase in the working population and this has driven the demand for convenience foods which has subsequently driven the demand for frozen bakery products. Working professionals have less time on their hands to make food and this has created a new demand for packaged and ready-to-eat foods from this sect of the population and this is driving the frozen bakery products market potential through 2028. The global frozen bakery products market is anticipated to be driven by this increasing demand from the working population.

Frozen Bakery Products Market: Restraints

High Cost of Production for Frozen Bakery Products to Hamper Market Growth.

Frozen bakery products are manufactured in special facilities that require special equipment which increases costs and this is expected to be a major factor that slows down the frozen bakery products market potential over the forecast period. Frozen bakery products companies are expected to invest in research and development to reduce the cost of frozen bakery products manufacturing equipment and boost market potential through 2028.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report @ https://www.fnfresearch.com/buynow/su/frozen-bakery-products-market

Global Frozen Bakery Products Market: Segmentation

The global frozen bakery products market is segregated based on category, product type, end-use, and region.

By Product Type, the market is divided into breads & rolls, cakes & pastries, cookies & biscuits, and others. The bread and rolls segment is anticipated to be the dominant segment over the forecast period and will account for a major market share. This segment is anticipated to see high demand owing to the rising consumption of these products across the world.

By category, the frozen bakery products market is segmented into conventional and gluten-free. The conventional segment accounts for a major market share but the gluten-free segment is expected to rise at a fast pace over the forecast period.

Get More Insight before [email protected]: https://www.fnfresearch.com/inquiry/frozen-bakery-products-market

List of Key Players in Frozen Bakery Products Market:

Dawn Food Products Inc.

EUROPASTRY

Lantmannen Unibake

ARYZTA AG

General Mills Inc

Conagra Brands Inc.

Grupo Bimbo

Cole's Quality Foods Inc

Bridgford Foods Corporation

Associated British Foods plc.

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Frozen Bakery Products Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Frozen Bakery Products Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Frozen Bakery Products Market Industry?

What segments does the Frozen Bakery Products Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Frozen Bakery Products Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 21,952.8 Million Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 30,615.3 Million Growth Rate CAGR of almost 5.7 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016  2021 Forecast Years 2022  2028 Segments Covered By Type, By Application, By Payload and By Propulsion System Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Dawn Food Products Inc., EUROPASTRY, Lantmannen Unibake, ARYZTA AG, General Mills Inc, Conagra Brands Inc., Grupo Bimbo, Cole's Quality Foods Inc, Bridgford Foods Corporation, Associated British Foods plc, and Others Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.fnfresearch.com/customization/frozen-bakery-products-market

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Recent Developments

In March 2021  Dawn Foods an American manufacturer and distributor of bakery products announced the acquisition of JABEX a family-owned firm specializing in fruit-based bakery products based in Poland .

Regional Dominance:

Asia Pacific region leads the global Frozen Bakery Products market.

Asia Pacific region leads the global frozen bakery products market and is expected to register growth at the fastest CAGR of all regions. The increasing per capita disposable income of the population in this region is anticipated to majorly drive the frozen bakery products market potential over the forecast period. India and China are expected to be the most prominent markets for frozen bakery products in this region through 2028 owing to changing consumer preferences and rising consumption of frozen bakery products.

The frozen bakery products market will also see a good demand outlook in the regions of Europe and North America over the forecast period owing to changing consumer preferences and lifestyle trends.

Global Frozen Bakery Products Market is segmented as follows:

Frozen Bakery Products Market: By Category Outlook (2022-2028)

Gluten-Free

Conventional

Frozen Bakery Products Market: By Product Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Bread and Rolls

Cakes and Pastries

Cookies and Biscuits

Others

Frozen Bakery Products Market: By End-Use Outlook (2022-2028)

Food Service

Food Retail

Frozen Bakery Products Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Press Release for Frozen Bakery Products Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/news/global-frozen-bakery-products-market

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According to Facts and Factors, the global food pathogen testing market size was worth around in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 8% between 2022 and 2028. Enzyme Label Analyzer Market Report 2022  2028 : According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global enzyme label analyzer market size was worth around USD 2.32 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 3.96 billion by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 7.90% between 2022 and 2028.

According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global enzyme label analyzer market size was worth around in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 7.90% between 2022 and 2028. All-in-One Cooking Food Processors Market Report 2022  2028 : According to Facts and Factors, the global all-in-one cooking food processors market size was worth around USD 1987.88 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 3068.89 million by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 6.4% between 2022 and 2028.

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SOURCE FnF Research
SYDNEY, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research has recently published a Report, titled, "Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market" The report offers an extensive analysis of key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segment, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and competitive landscape. An exceptional Fruit and Vegetable Processing market report contains market insights and analysis for Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry which are backed up by SWOT analysis. In this report, several aspects about the market research and analysis for the Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry have been underlined. This market research report acts as a great support to any size of the business whether it is large, medium or small. The precise and state-of-the-art information provided via Fruit and Vegetable Processing marketing report helps businesses get aware about the types of consumers, consumer's demands and preferences, their point of view about the product, their buying intentions, their response to particular product, and their varying tastes about the specific product already existing in the market.



Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the global fruit - vegetable processing market is growing at a CAGR of 7.95% in the forecast period of 2022-2029.

Download Sample Copy of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-fruit-vegetable-processing-market

Market Overview:

The processing of fruits and vegetables is very important before the direct consumption of food ingredients. The main purpose of the processing is to retain the color, taste, texture and nutrition while increasing the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetable processing. Advanced fruit and vegetable processing technologies have several advantages, and quality means four things in color, texture, flavor, and nutrient content. Most of these processes rely on heat, and fruit and vegetable quality parameters that highly heat sensitive.

Rising understanding of fruit and vegetable benefits is a major factor fruit - vegetable processing market. Rising demand for convenience foods, increasing food service industry, and increasing modern retail outlets drive the fruit -vegetable processing market growth. On the other hand, food recall incidences, complex supply chain, and high inventory carrying costs hinder the growth of the fruit - vegetable processing market in the 2022-2029 forecast period. Furthermore, the post-sales service contracts and government funds for SMEs will create ample opportunities for the market to grow.

The major challenges faced by the processors and manufacturers are the high capital investment for equipment and stringent regulations that ensure consumer safety in the fruit - vegetable processing market.

Some of the major players operating in the Fruit and Vegetable Processing market are:

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft,

SPX FLOW,

Krones AG,

Tetra Pak International S.A.,

ALFA LAVAL,

JBT.,

I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A,

Feldmeier Equipment, Inc.,

Scherjon Dairy Equipment Holland B.V.,

Coperion GmbH,

Van den Heuvel Dairy & Food Equipment B.V.,

GEMAK,

Sealtech Engineers Private Limited,

Inoxpa S.A.,

Stephan Machinery.,

SSP Pvt. Ltd,

Saputo Inc.,

Mahanagar Engineering Pvt. Ltd,

Dairy Tech India.,

ABL TECHNOLOGIES LTD,

Varsha Engineers

Get Full PDF Research Report to Understand More @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-fruit-vegetable-processing-market

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Fruit and Vegetable Processing market

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, and geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market

The major challenges faced by the processors and manufacturers are the high capital investment for equipment and stringent regulations that ensure consumer safety in the fruit - vegetable processing market.

This fruit - vegetable processing market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localised market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on fruit - vegetable processing market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Consider DBMR for this Report which would Help Impact Your Revenues Positively

This study offers the latest product news, trends, and updates from the industry's leading players who have leveraged their market position.

It also offers strategic plans and standards to arrive at informed business decisions adopted by the main players, thereby advocating your go to market strategies.

In addition, it offers insights into the dynamics of customer behaviour that can help the organization better curate market strategies

Usage of exclusive tailor-made tools along with primary research, secondary research and our in-house data model helps us in extracting the exact market numbers

Mapping the customer in 3P grid comprising of Purpose, Planning and Positioning, thereby delivering a solution by keeping the prospecting client at the sweet spot

The market research report includes all of the market's valuable elements, such as sales growth, product pricing & analysis, growth opportunities, and recommendations for addressing market challenges

The report covers all the primary mergers & acquisitions, alliances, and collaborations that have generated additional opportunities for market players or in some cases, challenges

To Gain More Insights about this Research, Visit @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-fruit-vegetable-processing-market

Key Industry Segmentation: Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market

By Type

Pre-Processing,

Peeling/Inspection/Slicing,

Washing & Dewatering,

Fillers,

Packaging & Handling,

Seasoning Systems

By Operation Type

Automatic,

Semi-Automatic

By Material

Fruits,

Vegetables

By Product Type

Fresh,

Freshly Cut,

Canned,

Frozen,

Dried & dehydrated,

Convenience

By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

Regional Analysis/Insights: Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market

The countries covered in the fruit - vegetable processing market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico in North America, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe in Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America as a part of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa(MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa(MEA).

North America dominates the fruit - vegetable processing market and will continue to flourish its trend of dominance during the forecast period due to the mature fruit - vegetable processing industry and the involvement of major corporations. Asia-Pacific is expected to score the highest CAGR due to the increasing health-conscious population, higher disposable incomes and the growth of the middle class population

Table of Contents:

Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market: Regulations Market Overview Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market, By Operation Type Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market, By Type Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market, By Material Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market, By Product Type Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market, By Region Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analyses Company Profile Questionnaires Related Reports

To Check the Complete Table of contents, click here @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-fruit-vegetable-processing-market

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Temasek, Future Fund, CPP Investments, and Lexington Partners join GPCA's Board of Directors

NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) announces the appointment of four new Board Directors:

Rohit Sipahimalani, Chief Investment Officer at Temasek;

Craig Thorburn , Director at the Office of the Chief Investment Officer of Future Fund;

, Director at the Office of the Chief Investment Officer of Future Fund; Frank Su , Managing Director, Head of Private Equity Asia at CPP Investments; and

, Managing Director, Head of Private Equity Asia at CPP Investments; and Jose Sosa del Valle , Partner at Lexington Partners.

United by a long-term investment approach, GPCA Members are leading private capital investors active across Asia, Latin America, Africa, CEE and the Middle East, who collectively manage more than USD2 trillion in assets. The organization's proprietary data and market intelligence highlight forward-looking trends such as digitalization and energy transition, as well as the societal impact of private capital investments.

GPCA's Singapore office  co-funded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore  is the organization's headquarters for the region, located in Asia's central financial hub.

Cate Ambrose, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of GPCA, commented:

"I am thrilled to welcome four new Board members from some of the most influential institutions committing capital across global markets today. As individuals, they are closely aligned with GPCA's focus on inclusive and sustainable growth, and they bring valuable perspectives on the fundamental shifts that will define future opportunity for private capital investors."

Additional Information

GPCA's Board of Directors:

GPCA Chair: Drew Guff, Managing Director and Founding Partner, Siguler Guff & Company

Runa Alam, CEO and Partner, Development Partners International

Cate Ambrose, CEO, GPCA

Otavio Castello Branco, Senior Managing Partner and Board Member, Patria Investments

Torbjorn Caesar, Senior Partner, Actis

Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and CEO, Gulf Capital

William E. Ford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Atlantic

JP Gan, Founding Partner, INCE Capital

Andrew Kuper, Founder and CEO, LeapFrog Investments

Brian Lim, Partner and Head of Asia and Emerging Markets Investments, Pantheon Ventures

Renuka Ramnath, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, Multiples Alternative Asset Management

Mauricio Salgar, Managing Director, Advent International

Rohit Sipahimalani, Chief Investment Officer, Temasek

William Sonneborn, Senior Director, International Finance Corporation

Jose Sosa del Valle, Partner at Lexington Partners

Frank Su, Managing Director, Head of Private Equity Asia, CPP Investments

Craig Thorburn, Director, Office of the Chief Investment Officer, Future Fund

About Global Private Capital Association:

The Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) is a non-profit, independent membership organization representing private capital investors who manage more than USD2 trillion in assets across Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Our mission is to connect and influence key market participants, by promoting the sectors, strategies and deals that will drive investment returns and meet societal needs. With headquarters in New York and Singapore, GPCA includes LAVCA, the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America. Visit GlobalPrivateCapital.org to find out more.

SOURCE Global Private Capital Association
Leading window treatment franchise to provide premium window treatments, consultation services to Punta Gorda with Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, is increasing its footprint in Florida after announcing the opening of Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County. The new home-based center is owned and operated by Shawn Coston. This is the 17th Gotcha Covered location in the state.

Shawn Coston, left, is the owner and operator of Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, this business will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Charlotte County including Punta Gorda and Babcock Ranch. The center will offer a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

"Florida is bustling with opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to purchase their own business," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "The opening of Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County is a great opportunity for our brand to continue cementing our footprint in the state. With Shawn (Coston) at the helm, the homeowners and businesses of Charlotte County are gaining a valuable asset in their community."

Coston brings a variety of experience to the Gotcha Covered brand including jobs in facilities, casino resorts and carpentry.

Once Coston decided to begin a journey in franchising, he and his wife discovered Gotcha Covered while researching potential businesses to purchase.

"We loved the business structure Gotcha Covered offered," said Coston. "The franchise fell within our skill sets perfectly, and we really enjoyed the idea of creating our own schedule. Our overall experience with the franchise has been amazing.

"The sky is the limit for what Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County can accomplish. We are going to keep our heads down, work hard and become a staple in our community."

Adding 40 new franchise locations in 2022, Gotcha Covered currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Charlotte County, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/charlotte-county/.

About Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Gotcha Covered
Many Low-Carbon Products Will Likely Be in Short Supply Over the Next Decade, Warns New Report from World Economic Forum and Boston Consulting Group

BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysis from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030 to limit global warming to the required 1.5 degrees. A recent report from the IPCC shows that emissions are expected to increase by nearly 11%.

Many low-carbon-alternative products, particularly in the industrial sector, still come at a cost premium of 50% or more. But as these new technologies scale and government intervention continues, declining cost premiums will create opportunities for companies to pioneer green markets. Winning in Green Markets: Scaling Products for a Net Zero World, a report published today by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), examines how companies can commercialize sustainability by finding, creating, and shaping green markets.

"This decade has the opportunity to see a massive scale-up of climate solutions and the creation of large markets for low-carbon materials, products and services," said Antonia Gawel, Head of the Climate Change at the World Economic Forum. "Business and government have a critical role to play to provide the capital, technology, policy and legislation to meet our climate goals on time. This year's Annual Meeting in Davos will convene these leaders to accelerate climate ambition and investment."

According to the report, as green technologies scale, cost premiums will decline or disappear altogether. The pace of cost parity depends on location and government policies. Meanwhile, early movers must find a way to offset higher costs and transform the "green cost premium" into a "green revenue premium" by translating lower emissions into a business value. rsted, Tesla, and Beyond Meat are examples of companies that achieved first-mover advantage by creating a compelling green offer before cost parity was achieved.

An Increasing Demand for Green Materials and Services

A June 2022 BCG sustainability consumer survey showed that while less than 10% of consumers choose sustainable products to "save the planet," the number increases roughly two to four times (to 20%-43% of consumers) when sustainability is linked to other benefits such as health, safety, and quality. The number increases yet another two to four times (to roughly 80%) when barriers such as convenience, lack of information, and cost are addressed. Based on these consumer trends, coupled with increasing government action and pressure to act from employees, investors, and other stakeholders, companies can build a compelling business case for the development of green options. For early movers, there is a largely untapped and rapidly growing market willing to pay for green products.

As of November 2022, 1,957 companies had set certified science-based emissions reductions targets, and a further 2,103 had committed to setting them. A recent survey of 81 members of the World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders found that while almost half were already paying a green premium for at least one input, most of them were not increasing base material costs to consumers. Reasons cited for absorbing higher costs included: investment in overall sustainability goals, securing access to inputs critical to capturing or expanding share in a promising new market, and hedging against future climate legislation.

Supply and Demand Imbalance Will Generate "Green Scarcity"

Despite substantial and increasing demand for green materials, many supply-side players are not responding at the pace needed, creating green scarcity. In most major value chains, the market share of downstream players with science-based value chain decarbonization commitments far surpasses the share of upstream players who would need to supply the green materials to achieve these commitments. This market share gap can be more than 20 percentage points. According to the report, the highest scarcity risk for 2030 is projected to be in green plastics and chemicals, where production capacity will likely not meet consumer demand. On the other hand, while green steel is scarce right now, producers have announced plans to bring significant production capabilities online this decade.

Turning Ambitious Decarbonization Commitments into Customer Value

As upstream companies struggle to shape a de-commoditized market, downstream players still struggle to develop net-zero products that would be compelling to consumers. The report details six actions companies must take to commercialize sustainability:

Design a target portfolio of green offerings for a net-zero world

Shape value propositions based on these green offerings

Engage with customers on green products

Create a green pricing strategy

Develop the corresponding market environment

Transform to thrive with key enablers across the business

"The benefits of climate action are clear, and the costs of inaction pose a threat to all of humanity," said Patrick Herhold, a BCG managing director and partner and coauthor of the report. "Decisive corporate action has become an imperative and an opportunity to not only lead in a growing market but to create and scale the green markets that will transform our economy."

Download the publication here:

https://www.weforum.org/whitepapers/winning-in-green-markets-scaling-products-for-a-net-zero-world

Media Contact:

Eric Gregoire

+1 617 850 3783

[email protected]

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
WUHAN, China, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CES is the most influential tech event in the world  the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. CES 2023 was back in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-8. Guide Sensmart, the leading thermal camera manufacturer appeared in Central Hall as an excellent producer of high-performance thermal imagers.

Guide Sensmart at CES SHOT show

At CES 2023, Guide Sensmart showcased its representative products  PT Series HD High-Performance Thermal Camera, TK Gen2 and TD Series Handheld Thermal Imaging Monocular, TN Series Handheld Thermal Binoculars, TU Series Thermal Imaging Riflescope and MobIR 2S/2T Thermal Camera for Smartphone, etc.

These products attracted a lot of attendee, most of whom showed great interest in PT Series. PT-Series, the world's first portable thermal camera with MP-level IR resolution, possesses new functions that other thermal cameras do not have. The dual 8 MP and 16 MP visible light lenses allow for both wide-area and telephoto views. NFC one-touch transfer allows data interchange between this camera and another mobile device in 5 seconds. As long as an update is available, users can upgrade the PT Series through the OTA. The 5G module provides users with the ultra-reliable, low-latency network they need. This is the first time the infrared thermal imaging camera has been used with a 5G network. Applications for PT Series are numerous. In electric power, PT Series assists the operation and maintenance engineers to conduct thermal analysis of equipment status and potential defects. In intelligent manufacturing, the irregular heat distribution can be detected to improve production efficiency. In building inspection, it assists in energy assessment, fault diagnosis, leakage source location, etc., to provide a basis for accurate maintenance.

Would you want to put all of Guide Sensmart's great thermal cameras to the test? Then stop by SHOT Show 2023 (booth No. 40548) in Las Vegas, the world's largest trade show for hunting, shooting sports, outdoor activities, and security, where our new device, DU50 Day & Night Vision Scope will be launched. We can't wait to meet you in Las Vegas!

About Guide Sensmart

Guide Sensmart is the subsidiary of Guide Infrared (SZ.002414), the world leading infrared thermal imaging systems manufacturer with over 20 years of experience in the infrared industry and mass production capacity. For more information, visit https://www.guideir.com/

SOURCE Wuhan Guide Sensmart Tech Co.,Ltd
Kite's Christi Shaw, AbbVie's Jag Dosanjh, and LexisNexis Risk Solution's Liz Paulson Earn Top Industry Honors

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) announces the 2023 Woman of the Year, Honorable Mentor, and STAR. Recognized for their outstanding contributions to healthcare and the advancement of women in the workplace, the honorees will be celebrated at HBA's 33rd annual Woman of the Year event on 16 May in New York City and virtually around the globe.

Healthcare Execs Grab Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Top Honors Christi Shaw, CEO of Kite, one of the few female CEOs in pharma, garners Woman of the Year 2023 honor by the HBA.

Christi Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Kite, a Gilead Company, was selected as the 2023 Woman of the Year. Jag Dosanjh, President, U.S. Neuroscience and Eye Care, AbbVie, is the recipient of the Honorable Mentor award. Liz Paulson, Associate Vice President, Life Sciences for the Healthcare Business of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, is recognized with HBA's Strategic Transformation Achievement Recognition (STAR) volunteer honor.

"Advancing medicine, advancing patient care, and advancing equity in our global workforce are shared values of this year's honorees driving transformational change and impact," said Wendy White, interim CEO and 2022 STAR, HBA. "The HBA is proud to recognize these leaders for their significant contributions to our community, for women in the workforce and for the greater global good."

The HBA Woman of the Year award honors a female senior executive whose accomplishments have resulted in significant contributions to the healthcare industry.

Woman of the YearChristi Shaw, Kite, a Gilead Company

This year's awardee, Christi Shaw, has been a recognized trailblazer for decades, serving in senior leadership positions at Lilly, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson. During the course of her more than 30 years in the industry, she has spanned a broad range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, infectious disease, cardiology, neuroscience, Alzheimer's disease, medical devices, and more. She has been responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of product portfolios, from discovery and development to commercialization and manufacturing.

Christi joined Kite, a Gilead Company, in 2019 as CEO to advance what was then considered almost science fiction  creating potentially curative cancer treatments from a patient's own cells (CAR T-cell therapy)  into what is reality today for thousands of patients around the world with specific types of blood cancer. In three short years, Kite has grown to be the largest CAR T-cell therapy company in the world, with an extensive in-house manufacturing network devoted to creating this specialized treatment for patients.

Christi has built a highly coordinated, patient-focused team at Kite united around the mission to cure cancer, which has led to a period of explosive growth for the company. The Kite team now includes more than 4,000 employees dedicated to all aspects of cell therapy from business development and R&D to commercial and manufacturing.

Believing that it is only through great teamwork that great healthcare can be delivered is a hallmark of Christi's authentic leadership. She understands everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, and for her, it's personal after losing both her mother and sister to the disease. These experiences have empowered Christi to become a leading industry voice advocating fiercely for patients. In addition to her role at Kite, Christi is the co-founder of a foundation that helps patients access oncology clinical trials and she sits on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

In addition to serving as an advocate for patients, Christi has been a role model and mentor for women throughout her career. She holds a unique position as one of the rare female CEOs in a male-dominated industry, where more than nine in 10 biopharma CEOs are men.

The HBA Honorable Mentor award recognizes individuals who demonstrate long-term support for the advancement of women in healthcare, have a personal dedication to developing, mentoring, and promoting women in the industry, and support HBA's mission.

Honorable MentorJag Dosanjh, AbbVie

This year's Honorable Mentor award goes to Jag Dosanjh, President of Neuroscience and Eye Care, AbbVie, who has been instrumental in bringing both AbbVie and Allergan into the HBA. In 2019, Jag spearheaded Allergan's efforts to form its first women's leadership initiative and ensured that this progress carried over with AbbVie. As a leader, Jag championed integrating diverse perspectives into the work culture, bringing people together to identify hidden strengths and unleash talent.

Jag continues to be an inspiration when it comes to giving back to the HBA community. As AbbVie's co-executive sponsor of its U.S. Commercial Diversity Council, he has helped foster a clear dedication to advancing women of all backgrounds including championing the Rising Star and Luminary awards. He has volunteered time both as a speaker and sponsor at HBA events as he continues to act on his commitment to advance gender parity. With a long history of mentorship, thought leadership, and supporting female talent, Jag epitomizes the HBA Honorable Mentor award.

Finally, for over two decades, the HBA has been recognizing a volunteer leader with the Strategic Transformation Achievement Recognition (STAR).

STARLiz Paulson, LexisNexis Risk Solutions

This year, Liz Paulson, Associate Vice President, Life Sciences for the Healthcare Business of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, will be honored for her outstanding efforts to grow and expand the HBA and advance its strategic goals. As an icon and trusted source of information for nearly 20 years, Liz helped establish and springboard many of HBA's most successful programs.

She played a lead role in launching the HBA Next Operating Model, resulting in global expansion including the establishment of regional governing boards across the world. Liz served on HBA's global board for five years, and was recently invited to HBA's Advisory Board. She has been recognized with many HBA honors including the 2018 HBA Chair award, one of the organization's highest honors; the Chapter Excellence Award while president of the Boston Chapter in 2016; and the LEAD Award in 2015.

Liz is a respected mentor at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and with the HBA, and recently served as mentor in HBA's inaugural Honoring Opportunities for Partnerships & Equity (HOPE) program. She was selected as a LexisNexis Risk Solutions HBA Luminary in 2019 for her strong track record of helping advance other women's careers. In addition to her commitment to the HBA, Liz has spent her career championing the use of data to improve healthcare. She serves as a shining example of transformational leadership and never fails to bring her whole self to every role, project, or initiative she leads.

For inquiries about a media pass to HBA's Woman of the Year event; interview opportunities; or information about HBA's signature award programs, please contact [email protected] or visit HBAnet.org/awards.

About the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA)

The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement and impact of women in the business of healthcare. With representation in countries across the globe, the HBA serves a community of nearly 70,000 individuals and 180 Corporate Partners. The HBA provides networking forums to build relationships; knowledge sharing and access to thought leaders to broaden perspective; educational programs to develop leadership skills; and high-profile industry recognition of outstanding women and companies to promote visibility of their achievements.

SOURCE Healthcare Businesswomen's Association
SEOUL, South Korea and FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair, Euisun Chung, has been honored with the MotorTrend Person of the Year award, having secured the number one position in MotorTrend's esteemed 2023 Power List.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung Related Documents View PDF

MotorTrend named Chung 'Person of the Year' for "leading Hyundai Motor Group into a new age." It also highlighted the exceptional caliber of the vehicles developed under Chung's watch, stating: "The vehicles coming out of Hyundai Motor Group are notable for their eye-catching design, quality, clever packaging, and good value  and they are proving increasingly difficult to beat."

This latest critical acclaim follows a proliferation of MotorTrend awards for the Group's models, which include the Genesis G90 being hailed as its 2023 Car of the Year and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 named its 2023 SUV of the Year. Previously, the Genesis GV70 and Kia Telluride took similar honors.

In addition to his skill in plotting the course for the Group's current success, MotorTrend extolled Chung's "big-picture" thinking and his ability to initiate solutions traditionally regarded beyond the bounds of the automotive industry.

"As Executive Chair, Chung is putting his stamp on the company's future. His grasp of where the world and the industry are headed, combined with a desire to make the planet a better place, spurs a broader mission to become a leader in electric vehicles and advanced mobility," observed MotorTrend. It also highlighted the Group's pioneering role in smart city planning and a myriad of mobility solutions, including robots and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Commenting on the depth of Chung's vision, MotorTrend added: "In that sense, he does his father and grandfather proud, pushing the entire Hyundai Motor Group to new levels. The man and his vision, and the juggernaut that his company is becoming, loom loud and large. For his vision and leadership, then, Euisun Chung is our 2023 MotorTrend Person of the Year."

Also ranked on MotorTrend's Power List are Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group (3); Jose Munoz, President and Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company (10); SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center (28); and Karim Habib (44), Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group
BANGALORE, India , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Industrial Robotics Market is Segmented by Type ( Parallel Robots , Articulated Robots , SCARA Robots , Cylindrical Robots, Cartesian Robots ), by Application (Electrical and Electronics, AutomotiveChemical, Rubber and Plastic, Metal and Machinery, Food, Beverages and Pharmaceuticals): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Robotics Category.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Industrial Robotics market size is estimated to be worth USD 41270 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 63340 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.4% during the review period.

Major factors driving the growth of the Industrial Robotics Market:

Industrial robots assist in boosting productivity by cutting costs and creating high-quality goods. The majority of industrial robots are made up of a controller, sensors, robotic manipulator, drive, and end-effector.

Download Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-22R1100/Global_Industrial_Robotics

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS MARKET:

By providing characteristics like trainability, memory, dexterity, and sensing, the introduction of revolutionary industrial collaborative robots is bridging the gap between machines and humans. Innovative technologies like collaborative robots are rapidly being used across a variety of industries to improve precision and quality of work due to rising consumer demand for higher-quality products and increasing industrial productivity. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Industrial robotics market.

Many manufacturing tasks are more expensive to handle by a person than by a robot. Additionally, this may free up personnel so they can apply their knowledge and abilities in fields like engineering, programming, and maintenance. Industrial robots can offer improved production quality and more precise and dependable operations when used in conjunction with other technology like the industrial internet of things (IIoT) or 3D printing robots. Reduced cycle times and real-time monitoring to enhance preventative maintenance procedures are further advantages. This factor is expected to further increase the Industrial robotics market size.

Because robots are suitable for simple and demanding working environments, they are used and introduced primarily in assembly, screw tightening, electronic parts insert, transfer, and inspection processes in the electrical and electronic industry. This helps to alleviate the labor shortage, increase productivity, and maintain quality. Robots can complete the same task faster than people by using heavy sprayers to clean residue from the walls and floors. Chemical plants adhere to OSHA safety regulations by utilizing robots to clean dangerous tanks. Additionally, since operators are still needed for the robots, people do not lose their jobs. These trends will further drive the growth of the Industrial robotics market size.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/reports/QYRE-Auto-22R1100/global-industrial-robotics

INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS MARKET SHARE

Between 2018 and 2023, APAC is anticipated to hold the highest geographic share of the industrial robotics market. The cheap cost of production is the primary factor driving the industrial robots market, allowing numerous manufacturers to locate their production facilities in APAC, particularly in nations like China, Korea, and India. Another significant trend that firms have taken is automating plant capacities, which has increased demand for industrial robots in the APAC area.

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- Personal and Domestic Service Robots Market

- Wheel Drive Humanoid Robot Industry

- Work Class Underwater Robotics Market

- Robotics Prosthetics market size is projected to reach USD 1247 million by 2028, from USD 754.4 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 7.4% during 2022-2028.

- Cognitive Robotic Process Automation Market

- Consumer Grade Robotics Market

- Food and Beverage Industrial Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Electronic and Electrical Market

- Industrial Robotics System Integration market size is projected to reach USD 33620 million by 2028, from USD 22010 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 6.1% during 2022-2028.

- Pharmaceuticals Industrial Robotics Market

- Automotive Industrial Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Heavy Industries Market

- Industrial Articulated Robotics Market

- Industrial Robotics in Rubber and Plastic Market

- Delivery Robot market size is estimated to be worth USD 20 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 50 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 16.5% during the review period.

- Robotics market size was valued at USD 12,153.1 million in 2020, and is expected to reach USD 149,866.4 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 27.7% from 2021 to 2030.

- Surgical Robotics Market

- Cleaning Robots market was valued at USD 2551.4 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 4119.8 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- Robot Process Automation (RPA) Market

- Social Robots market size is estimated to be worth USD 572.4 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1076.5 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 11.1% during the review period.

- Industrial Management and Maintenance Service Market

- Industrial Controls and Factory Automation market size is projected to reach USD 208150 million by 2027, from USD 128090 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.2% during 2021-2027.

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Including the contract transfers of the external studies planned for the successful out-licensing and commercialization of SAL200

BOSTON and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- iNtRON Biotechnology ("iNtRON", www.intodeworld.com) has announced today that the Tech Transfer process of SAL200, endolysin-based new biologic, is in the final stage.

According to the Company official, the Tech Transfer process took a little longer than expected due to the massive volume of data transferred from the previous Partner. Along with the data that have been transferred during the last three months, it was required to take over the studies of external institutions that the previous partner had been conducting. Through the renewal of the contracts with the external institutions, the Company has taken various measures to continue the clinical study of SAL200.

The Tech Transfer process has been carried out well as most materials including the US FDA approved SAL200 IND related documents have been secured except few from the CRO, and the follow-up studies are also in progress as planned.

The follow-up studies are being conducted through a number of external institutions according to the transferred rights, which are necessary for the clinical trial of SAL200 to be conducted as planned by the US clinical experts.

The Company official explained, since the data generated by the follow-up studies will be important for the out-licensing of SAL200, the Company has focused on transfer of the documents and studies by the external institutions in a while, and the Company will be able to focus more on the out-licensing of SAL200 when the Tech Transfer process is fully completed soon.

Dr. KANG, Sang Hyeon, CTO of iNtRON said, "We believe that our strategy and the clinical trial plan for SAL200 has been very well prepared through the consultation with clinical experts. We will make much of efforts to take over the rights of external studies that support our well established plan and to ensure that those progresses lead to good results in out-licensing of SAL200."

About SAL200, TONABACASE

SAL200 is a novel endolysin-based anti-staphylococcal drug formulated for injection. Its active pharmaceutical ingredient is the recombinant phage endolysin SAL-1, derived from the staphylococcus-specific bacteriophage SAP-1. SAL200 is proven to be effective in treating staphylococci-associated infections including MSSA, MRSA, and other so-called superbugs through the previous in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. The phase 1a, 1b MAD and 2a study for SAL200 was completed successfully in Korea and the further development is going to be conducted in global. The IND application for the US Phase 2 study has been approved by FDA in January, 2022.

About iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.

iNtRON (www.iNtODEWORLD.com) is a bio-new drug developing venture company and a leader in bacteriophage-based technology for human with aim to develop and investigate into the 'Immune & Immunotherapeutics' market. While pursuing global research and business development (R&BD) investments since the foundation and accelerated development after entering its IPO in KOSDAQ, the company honed in on innovating BIO New Drugs by developing various 'First-in-Class" and "First-in-Concept' bio-drugs and conducting clinical studies in phases. The Company is committed to development of innovative innovation in the infectious diseases and 'Immune & Immunotherapeutics' area.

About iNtODEWORLD, Inc.

iNtRON has established its wholly owned US subsidiary, iNtODEWORLD, Inc. in 2017. iNtODEWORLD was initially registered in Delaware and the headquarter office is currently located in Boston. iNtODEWORLD provides news, updates and platform development progresses of iNtRON to its potential global partners and collaborators along with its own R&BD works in the US.

Contact Us

YOON, Kyung Won (Kevin) / CEO, Vice President / [email protected]

SHIN, Tae Kyu (TK) / BD Team Leader / [email protected]

BD Team / [email protected]

www.intodeworld.com

iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.

#708, 148, Sagimakgol-ro, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si,

Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

iNtODEWORLD, Inc.

1500 District Avenue, Suite 2097, Burlington, MA 01803, USA

it is iNtRON.

SOURCE iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.
The agreement extends the cooperation, improving Israel's national grid monitoring to 1,000 kilometers. PrismaPower will alert on events occurring on the network and enhance the ability to incorporate renewable energy into the existing grid. Dr. Eran Inbar: "It is a significant scale, on a global level. We are proud to work with Israel Electric Corporation."

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has announced that the agreement will extend its cooperation with Prisma Photonics which has been using optical fibers to monitor the national transmission grid since 2020. The extension will expand Prisma Photonics' coverage to 1,000 km (over 620 miles), which is 20% of the transmission grid. The solution will monitor events threatening the regular operation of the power network and alert on faults with exact geographical locations. Monitoring will allow better grid management, fast fault response, and increase the grid's reliability. In addition, collected weather and grid data will optimize the existing network, paving the way to better integrate renewable energy sources on the path to net zero emissions and IEC's long-term sustainable vision.

PrismaPower uses the existing optical fiber network to monitor hundreds and even thousands of kilometers on the grid. It measures weather conditions around the electrical lines, locating faults and vandalism. The information and alerts pinpoint the location of the closest power tower, enabling quick response to restore service to normal. PrismaPower also uncovers slow processes such as partial discharges, which can harm the network, thus allowing preventive maintenance and increasing the power network's resiliency.

"We're happy to expand our collaboration with Prisma Photonics and believe in the power of advanced technology to address environmental and climate challenges, taking the energy ecosystem forward," says Amir Livne, Senior VP of Strategy and Innovation, IEC. "Prisma Photonics adds an important aspect to Israel Electric Corporation's commitment to innovation, developing and improving our existing grid while facing the growth in power demand and realizing our long-term net zero and renewable energy visions. A reliable, valuable, and accessible electric supply for Israel must be maintained."

"We are extending our coverage to 1,000 km using new technology to a span no one has attempted before. It is an impressive and trustful step by IEC, following our initial collaboration", says Dr. Eran Inbar, Prisma Photonics CEO. "The extension could improve the Israeli power ecosystem, presenting an innovative solution to market obstacles here, in Israel, and abroad. Adding Dynamic Line Rating to assess transmission line capacity will enhance power delivery over existing lines during peak demand. Without installing additional sensors on the wires, all this will be accomplished over IEC's existing optical fiber network."

The Prisma Photonics system is based on a groundbreaking technology anchored in several patents. Having won several technological contests worldwide, infrastructure operators have already used its technology globally. PrismaPower is the world's first fiber optics based electrical overhead powerline monitoring solution capable of monitoring thousands of kilometers. The IEC deployment will grant both companies valuable data across different seasons and geographies collected from overhead and underground transmission lines. This data contains important insights that will help enhance the grid's reliability. The extension by IEC reflects the importance that IEC sees in advanced novel technologies that ensure the safety and integrity of the transmission system side by side with environmental accountability.

About Prisma Photonics

Prisma Photonics helps keep the most critical large-scale infrastructure up & running with a quantum leap in utility monitoring. Assisting utility operators in their journey to net zero emissions and environmental goals, our customers take responsibility for their assets with real-time actionable insights. Featuring an innovative pay-as-you-grow model, we join Hyper-Scan Fiber-Sensing technology with machine learning responding to safety and operational scenarios.

Founded in 2017 by an expert team with a proven track record of building and scaling companies in the lasers and deep-tech domain  Prisma Photonics enables response-ability at scale.

SOURCE Prisma Photonics Ltd.
The expansion will double the number of students in the program at its Arlington campus and will create three opportunities each year for students to enter the program.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advancing its efforts to meet the call for more nurses in Florida and across the U.S., Jacksonville University announced the expansion of its successful one-year Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in close collaboration with a new clinical partner: Mayo Clinic.

Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Fla.) is expanding its 12-month accelerated nursing program with clinical partner Mayo Clinic to meet the call for more nurses in the U.S.

The Jacksonville University and Mayo Clinic 12-month Second Degree BSN Program within the Keigwin School of Nursing offers qualified individuals an accelerated path to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just one year. Applications are now open for the new program and classes are expected to begin in Summer 2023.

"We're building on the highly successful ABSN programs already offered within the nationally recognized Keigwin School of Nursing with a long-time, world class partner in healthcare, the Mayo Clinic," said President Tim Cost. "Jacksonville University and its preeminent nursing faculty are proud to educate students alongside skilled nurses in the most esteemed hospital in the state of Florida. We look forward to continuing to invest in our partnership with one of the most trusted names in healthcare."

In 2021, Jacksonville University first launched its 12-month ABSN program in close partnership with renowned provider Baptist Health, based at JU's campus in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, Fla. In 2022, the University announced it is expanding the program to its Palm Coast location with the help of clinical partners such as Flagler Hospital. With the addition of the Mayo Clinic partnership, students now have three pathways into the program with three separate start times throughout the calendar year  fall, spring and summer  offering more flexibility for those looking to make a career change into nursing.

Students enrolled in the Mayo Clinic ABSN program will receive premier nursing education and faculty expertise from Jacksonville University's esteemed Keigwin School of Nursing along with hands-on skills training from Mayo Clinic's experienced, talented clinical nurse teachers. The Mayo Clinic ABSN cohorts will utilize a Dedicated Education Unit model, an innovative academic practice partnership that allows for flexible clinical scheduling, socialization to the role of a nurse, enable professional growth and foster relationships with Mayo Clinic staff. Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field are eligible for the accelerated degree program, with the completion of several prerequisite courses for those coming from outside healthcare backgrounds.

Students will earn their clinical hours at the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, named the No. 1 Hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-2023. The comprehensive medical center is one of three locations in the U.S., with the others in Rochester, Minnesota and Phoenix, Arizona.

"Nurses are the heartbeat of Mayo Clinic and a critical part of the quality care that we provide to our patients," said Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO, Mayo Clinic in Florida. "Educating and training the nurses of tomorrow is a top priority across all of health care and we look forward to partnering with JU on this accelerated nursing program."

Jacksonville University's nationally recognized nursing programs are among the most sought-after programs at the University, with nearly one in every four students at JU majoring in nursing. The accelerated programs are also proven to be effective in providing exceptional hands-on education and preparing students for nursing careers. The Keigwin School of Nursing boasts a 96.6% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) through the third quarter of 2022  one of the highest pass rates in the state.

For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit www.ju.edu/mayonursing.

About Jacksonville University

As northeast Florida's premier private institution of higher education, Jacksonville University is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities in the South. Founded in 1934, the University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including in-demand degrees in Nursing, Business, Marine Science, Engineering, Finance, and Psychology, as well as those in the highly specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Healthcare Administration. With its five colleges, eleven schools and four institutes, Jacksonville University's 235-acre riverfront campus is minutes from downtown and from beautiful area beaches.

Contact:

Laura Phelps

Sr. Director of Communications

Jacksonville University

[email protected]

SOURCE Jacksonville University
HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jebsen Capital portfolio company Razor Group ("Razor") has announced its latest successful financing round of USD 70mn in equity capital. As an early supporter of Razor and lead investor of its previous Series B round, Jebsen Capital also participated in this latest round led by consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton. Jebsen Capital is excited about the path ahead for Razor as a leading global e-commerce player.

Founded in Berlin in 2020, Razor's mission is to build a next generation global consumer goods conglomerate by acquiring profitable e-commerce businesses and online merchants and providing them with the scale, expertise, and resources to expand their reach to customers worldwide. With a focus on backing businesses with the highest product quality and customer satisfaction, Razor intends to use the funding from this investment round to execute selected consolidation opportunities, to support organic growth initiatives focused on brand extensions and new product development, and to expand its international presence.

As an immediate first step of this strategy, Razor also announced that it has acquired VALOREO, the leading e-commerce player in Latin America backed by prominent institutional investors including L Catterton, Kaszek Ventures, and Presight Capital, giving Razor a significant presence in the region. Over the last 12 months, Razor Group has generated close to $400 million in Pro-Forma LTM Net Revenues.

For more information: www.razor-group.com

About Jebsen Group/Jebsen Capital

Founded in 1895, Jebsen Group is a leading brand builder and a focused marketing, investment and distribution organisation. A family-owned private company with over 125 years of continuous presence in Greater China, Jebsen is committed to supporting its partners' needs in building market demand, generating sales and connecting customers across the region. Under the master brand of Jebsen, the Group has four core business lines  Motors, Beverage, Consumer and Jebsen Capital.

Jebsen Capital is the Jebsen Group's growth equity investment business line and in-house asset manager. It invests in category-defining companies that bring new products, services and experiences to the modern consumer. From offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Berlin, Jebsen Capital puts its own capital behind entrepreneurs it believes in, which enables it to be a long-term partner, not bound by fund life cycles. Partnering with Jebsen Capital allows its portfolio companies to harness more than a century of experience in building iconic brands in Greater China.

For more information:www.jebsen-capital.com and www.jebsen.com.

SOURCE Jebsen Group
The brand's 4th location in Florida opens on January 18, inviting fans to enjoy its world-famous fried chicken

WEST COVINA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant sensation Jollibee is rapidly expanding across North America and sunny Orlando, Florida is next on the list. Known for offering delicious food at great value, Jollibee is bringing its friendly customer service and signature brand of joy to the city of Orlando.

Jollibee opens in Orlando, Florida on January 18, 2023.

On January 18, 2023, Jollibee will debut its Orlando storefront at 11891 East Colonial Drive and invites hungry Floridians to experience what sets Jollibee apart from its competitors  extraordinary menu offerings and friendly customer service. Jollibee specializes in all things fried chicken and is widely revered for its crispy, juicy, Chickenjoy fried chicken and delectable Chicken Sandwiches. In fact, international food authority Eater.com recently named Jollibee "the best chain fried chicken in America" after its Chickenjoy bested 14 global brands in four rounds of contests.

For those planning to visit Jollibee's first location in Orlando, here's everything you need to know:

Address : 11891 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826

: 11891 East Colonial Drive, 32826 Hours of Operation : 9AM  12AM , seven days a week.

:  , seven days a week. How To Order: Customers can pick up their orders to go or enjoy the convenience of the two-lane drive-thru service beginning on opening day. Dine-in, online ordering, and delivery will not be available on opening day, but will be made available in the coming weeks.

Customers can pick up their orders to go or enjoy the convenience of the two-lane drive-thru service beginning on opening day. Dine-in, online ordering, and delivery will not be available on opening day, but will be made available in the coming weeks. What To Order  a rundown of Jollibee's tried and true menu favorites: Chickenjoy : Jollibee's signature fried chicken. Each piece is delicately hand-breaded to be crispy on the outside, cooked with precision to be juicy on the inside, and marinated to the bone for next-level flavor. Chicken Sandwich : This sandwich features a crispy, juicy chicken breast fillet, spread with umami mayo, and served on a toasted brioche bun. Find out why this newly launched sandwich has been lauded for its "intense crunch" by The Takeout , and discover how the umami flavor profile and signature Jollibee seasonings meld together to create a perfect chicken sandwich offering. Spicy Chicken Sandwich : A spicy version of the original chicken sandwich features sriracha mayo and fresh jalapenos for added crunch and heat. Peach Mango Pie : Make sure to leave room for this mouth-watering dessert made with peaches and real Philippine mangoes enveloped in a light and crispy crust.



"Get ready Orlando! We are ready to serve up the most delicious fried chicken you have ever had," said Maribeth Dela Cruz, President, Jollibee North America. "From the minute you walk through our doors - or line up at our first-ever two-lane drive-thru - to your very last bite, we are determined to make every experience at Jollibee a joyful one for our guests."

New Menu Items

The fried chicken will always be the star of the menu for many longtime fans, but Jollibee is rolling out new menu items to fall in love with at select locations across North America in 2023  Orlando included!

Baked Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese: A special blend of macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheddar and baked in-house to achieve the ultimate creamy, cheesy accompaniment.

A special blend of macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheddar and baked in-house to achieve the ultimate creamy, cheesy accompaniment. Mandarin Orange Crispy Chicken Salad: Jollibee's sliced crispy chicken tenders served on a bed of premium, fresh produce.

Jollibee's sliced crispy chicken tenders served on a bed of premium, fresh produce. Biscuits: Freshly baked, warm, and flakey.

Jollibee's Orlando location marks the brand's 87th restaurant in North America and fourth location in Florida - the sunshine state first welcomed Jollibee to Jacksonville (11884 Atlantic Blvd) back in 2017. Following the success of that opening, the brand established locations in Pinellas Park (4057 Park Blvd N, Ste 120) in 2020 and in Pembroke Pines (11029 Pines Blvd) in 2021. Jollibee will continue bringing its joy to new U.S. markets in 2023 as the brand works to become one of the world's top-five restaurant chains. Follow Jollibee at @jollibeeus on Facebook, @jollibeeus on Instagram, and @jollibeeusa on TikTok to get updates on Jollibee's upcoming store openings and other exciting announcements and events, including new product launches and special promotions.

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 6,300 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, India, and Australia.

Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand.

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World's Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone. To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

SOURCE Jollibee
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global juicer market size is estimated to increase by USD 2,346.13 million between 2022 and 2027. The market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 18.41% - Request a sample report

Global juicer market  Vendor analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Juicer Market 2023-2027

Vendor offerings -

AB Electrolux - The company offers different types of juicers that provide fast, fresh, and simple blends.

The company offers different types of juicers that provide fast, fresh, and simple blends. Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - The company offers different types of juicers that are easy to clean, work efficiently, and ensure minimum wastage.

The company offers different types of juicers that are easy to clean, work efficiently, and ensure minimum wastage. Breville USA Inc. - The company offers different types of juicer machines, presses, and extractors with various types of features and colors.

The company offers different types of juicer machines, presses, and extractors with various types of features and colors. Cuisinart - The company offers several types of electric juicer machines at different price levels with many features and colors.

The company offers several types of electric juicer machines at different price levels with many features and colors. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape -

The global juicer market is fragmented, with the presence of a substantial number of international players as well as a few small-scale regional players. A few prominent vendors that offer juicer in the market are AB Electrolux, Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Borosil Ltd., Breville USA Inc., Cuisinart, DeLonghi Spa, Donlim, Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Havells India Ltd., Hurom America Inc., Joyoung Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Kuvings, Midea India Pvt. Ltd., Newell Brands Inc., Omega Juicers, Panasonic Holdings Corp., SEB SA Co., Treasure Retail Pvt. Ltd., and TTK Prestige Ltd. and others.

The global juicer market is evolving, and it is expected to grow exponentially during the forecast period. Owing to the presence of significant growth opportunities, vendors are reaching out to new customers. This will also encourage them to form partnerships and strategic alliances. The market requires constant innovation, as product differentiation is low. Moreover, companies must sustain themselves in a highly competitive market in terms of pricing and data accuracy requirements to gain market share. All these factors are estimated to propel the demand for juicers, which will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Global juicer market - Segmentation assessment

Global juicer market - Customer landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on product (centrifugal juicer, masticating juicer, and triturating juicer) and end-user (residential and commercial).

The market share growth of the centrifugal juicer segment will be higher than the other segments during the forecast period. Centrifugal juicers are highly popular among residential users. They are considered more effective when compared to other types of juicers. In addition, centrifugal juicers are cost-effective, which is increasing their adoption in household applications.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global juicer market is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global juicer market.

APAC is estimated to account for 41% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The rising income of the middle-class population has led to an increase in the spending power of consumers in the region, which is driving the growth of the market. During the forecast period, APAC is expected to be the fastest-growing region owing to the health and wellness trend, especially in emerging economies such as China and India . The demand for smoothies and juices made of fruits and vegetables is also increasing, which will further propel the growth of the juicer market in APAC during the forecast period.

Download a sample report

Global juicer market  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles of consumers are driving the juicer market growth. Rapid economic growth in the developing countries of APAC, such as China and India, has increased the disposable incomes of consumers. As a result, there has been a significant shift in the lifestyles of consumers, which has increased the consumption of homemade products. Moreover, the increasing use of preservatives and other chemicals in packaged food is compelling consumers to look for other options, which, in turn, will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Key trends - The rising focus on manufacturing energy-efficient and lightweight juicers is a key trend in the juicer market. Residential and commercial end-users prefer energy-efficient products to reduce costs and save energy. Hence, many manufacturers are offering energy-efficient products. These products involve fewer emissions of harmful substances. Moreover, the increasing awareness about climate change, the growing focus on environmental issues, and the rise in energy prices will drive the demand for lightweight juicers. Such developments will support the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Fluctuations in raw material prices and operational costs may impede the juicer market growth. The price of juicers depends on factors such as manufacturing costs, labor costs, prices of raw materials, and transportation and marketing costs. Hence, any fluctuation in these prices directly impacts the prices of juicers. This may compel consumers to choose low-cost local brands, which reduces the profit margins of vendors. Such concerns are expected to adversely affect the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this juicer market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the juicer market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the juicer market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the juicer market across APAC, Europe , North America , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , and , and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of juicer market vendors

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Juicer Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 168 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 18.41% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,346.13 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 26.56 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 41% Key countries US, China, India, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AB Electrolux, Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Borosil Ltd., Breville USA Inc., Cuisinart, DeLonghi Spa, Donlim, Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Havells India Ltd., Hurom America Inc., Joyoung Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Kuvings, Midea India Pvt. Ltd., Newell Brands Inc., Omega Juicers, Panasonic Holdings Corp., SEB SA Co., Treasure Retail Pvt. Ltd., and TTK Prestige Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and 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. 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.

Browse for Technavio's consumer discretionary market reports

Table of contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global juicer market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global juicer market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Centrifugal juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Centrifugal juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Centrifugal juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Centrifugal juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Centrifugal juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Masticating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Masticating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Masticating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Masticating juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Masticating juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Triturating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Triturating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Triturating juicer - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Triturating juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Triturating juicer - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 65: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 AB Electrolux

Exhibit 112: AB Electrolux - Overview



Exhibit 113: AB Electrolux - Business segments



Exhibit 114: AB Electrolux - Key offerings



Exhibit 115: AB Electrolux - Segment focus

12.4 Bajaj Electricals Ltd.

Exhibit 116: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 117: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 118: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 119: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 120: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Segment focus

12.5 Breville USA Inc.

Inc. Exhibit 121: Breville USA Inc. - Overview

Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 122: Breville USA Inc. - Product / Service

Inc. - Product / Service

Exhibit 123: Breville USA Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Cuisinart

Exhibit 124: Cuisinart - Overview



Exhibit 125: Cuisinart - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Cuisinart - Key offerings

12.7 DeLonghi Spa

Exhibit 127: DeLonghi Spa - Overview



Exhibit 128: DeLonghi Spa - Business segments



Exhibit 129: DeLonghi Spa - Key news



Exhibit 130: DeLonghi Spa - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: DeLonghi Spa - Segment focus

12.8 Donlim

Exhibit 132: Donlim - Overview



Exhibit 133: Donlim - Product / Service



Exhibit 134: Donlim - Key offerings

12.9 Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.

Exhibit 135: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Overview



Exhibit 136: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 137: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Key news



Exhibit 138: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Key offerings

12.10 Hurom America Inc.

Exhibit 139: Hurom America Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Hurom America Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 141: Hurom America Inc. - Key offerings

12.11 Joyoung Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 142: Joyoung Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 143: Joyoung Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 144: Joyoung Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.12 Koninklijke Philips NV

Exhibit 145: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview



Exhibit 146: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments



Exhibit 147: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news



Exhibit 148: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 149: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus

12.13 Kuvings

Exhibit 150: Kuvings - Overview



Exhibit 151: Kuvings - Product / Service



Exhibit 152: Kuvings - Key offerings

12.14 Midea India Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 153: Midea India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Midea India Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Midea India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.15 Newell Brands Inc.

Exhibit 156: Newell Brands Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 157: Newell Brands Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 158: Newell Brands Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 159: Newell Brands Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Newell Brands Inc. - Segment focus

12.16 Omega Juicers

Exhibit 161: Omega Juicers - Overview



Exhibit 162: Omega Juicers - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: Omega Juicers - Key offerings

12.17 SEB SA Co.

Exhibit 164: SEB SA Co. - Overview



Exhibit 165: SEB SA Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 166: SEB SA Co. - Key news



Exhibit 167: SEB SA Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 168: SEB SA Co. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 169: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 170: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 171: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 172: Research methodology



Exhibit 173: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 174: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 175: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-headquartered Juniper Biologics Pte Ltd, a science-led healthcare company focused on commercialising novel therapies, has been granted distribution rights for Caris Life Sciences (Caris)' molecular profiling services in South East Asia. Caris is the leading molecular science and technology company actively developing and delivering innovative solutions to revolutionize healthcare. The company's suite of market-leading molecular profiling offerings assess DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps patients, physicians and researchers better detect, diagnose and treat patients.

Headquartered in the U.S., Caris has built the world's largest and most informative platform for analysing cancers with the most advanced and comprehensive tumor profiling available, which includes Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing across 22,000+ genes. Caris' suite of molecular profiling services provides oncologists with clinically important genomic information on key biomarkers and molecular signatures in oncology across all solid tumours.

Raman Singh, Juniper Biologics' CEO, said: "Through Caris molecular profiling, oncologists are able to recommend improved personalised treatments that specifically target a patients' cancer. This is a massive development in the advancing of cancer care options, many of which are antiquated and still failing patients. With this targeted approach, we collectively offer patients, especially those with rare or aggressive cancers, a real chance of recovery."

"Caris molecular profiling is the information bridge between tumor biology and cancer treatments, enabling the delivery of precision medicine by helping to illuminate a clearer path in personalized treatment selection for physicians and their patients. Our exclusive partnership with Caris Life Sciences to commercialise and distribute this service in South East Asia will make a real difference in empowering healthcare professionals to make the most informed decisions for their patients."

Andreas Tsukada, Caris Life Sciences' SVP, President of Japanese Operations and Head of International, said: "We are pleased to partner with Juniper Biologics for the distribution of molecular profiling in South East Asia, further supporting Caris' goal of improving the lives of as many people as possible. This collaboration provides healthcare professionals the access to best-in-class diagnostic technologies that will enable them to make more precise and individualised treatment decisions for their cancer patients."

About Juniper Biologics

Backed by The Sylvan Group, Juniper Biologics is a science - led healthcare company focused on delivering novel therapies to improve the health and quality of life of patients, by building a growing presence in Oncology, Rare/Orphan Diseases and Gene Therapy. It was founded on a vision to provide treatments for unmet medical needs focused on specialist therapy areas in which it can make the most difference. Through bold and transformative science, Juniper Biologics is committed to creating possibilities that have the potential to become the next generation of life-changing medicines for patient communities in China, Japan, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa.

For more information, please visit www.JuniperBiologics.com and follow us on Linkedin

About Caris Life Sciences

Caris Life Sciences (Caris) is the leading molecular science and technology company actively developing and delivering innovative solutions to revolutionise healthcare and improve patient outcomes. Through comprehensive molecular profiling (Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing) and the application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, Caris has created the large-scale clinico-genomic database and cognitive computing needed to analyse and unravel the molecular complexity of disease. This information provides an unmatched resource and the ideal path forward to conduct the basic, fundamental research to accelerate discovery for detection, diagnosis, monitoring, therapy selection and drug development to improve the human condition.

With a primary focus on cancer, Caris' suite of market-leading molecular profiling offerings assesses DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps patients, physicians and researchers better detect, diagnose and treat patients. Caris' latest advancement is a blood-based, circulating nucleic acids sequencing (cNAS) assay that combines comprehensive molecular analysis (Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing from blood) and serial monitoring  making it the most powerful liquid biopsy assay ever developed.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris has offices in Phoenix, New York, Denver, Tokyo, Japan and Basel, Switzerland. Caris provides services throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and other international markets.

To learn more, please visit CarisLifeSciences.com

SOURCE Juniper Biologics
Obtained international green certifications for the first time in Korea by the eco-friendly PET spunbond textile from recycled plastic bottles

Strengthens global network through the eco-friendly product line-up with the brand name " FINON ECO "

HANNOVER, Germany and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kolon Industries Inc. (KRX: 120110), top chemical materials and textile maker in South Korea, exhibits its polyester spunbond textile (brand name: FINON) at 'DOMOTEX Hannover 2023' in Germany from 12-15 January (local time). The company plans to speed up the implementation of global marketing strategy in the European market through this world wide opportunity.

Kolon Industries' exhibition booth in DOMOTEX Hannover, 2023

'Domotex Hannover 2023' is a world leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings. Exhibitors and trade show attendees introduce and exchange information about the latest trends in the global flooring industry. It has been held every year since it was first held in Hannover, Germany in 1989 and more than 730 exhibitors from 50 nations are participating this year.

The South Korean textile maker has been exhibiting in DOMOTEX Hannover every year since 2011. This time, the company is focusing on groundbreaking networks and enhancing partnerships with customers by presenting the newly launched eco-friendly PET spunbond line-up, the brand name "FINON ECO". In particular, the company was the only non-woven textile manufacturer to participate in 'THE GREEN COLLECTION', a special eco-friendly product exhibition of DOMOTEX Hannover. "FINON ECO" has been proven to be effective in sustainability by obtaining the GRS (Global Recycle Standard) and EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certificates.

"Participating in DOMOTEX Hannover has always been a definite must for us. Our goal is to enhance global partnerships and show our differentiated technology in the global market through this world wide platform", explains Hyeonjun Choi, Director of the company's non-woven business.

Polyester spunbond is a non-woven fabric that is bonded after being spun in the form of filaments. It is widely used as carpet backing, media filters, construction, civil engineering materials and more. Kolon Industries Inc. was the first synthetic textile manufacturing company in South Korea and started the spunbond business in 1985. It has developed its own technologies to supply high quality products with excellent mechanical properties and durability to customers worldwide.

Contacts

Kolon Industries Inc.

Yeji Jung

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982086/Kolon_Industries__exhibition_booth_in_DOMOTEX_Hannover__2023.jpg

SOURCE Kolon Industries Inc.
Consigned by a descendant of the original owner, the portrait is one of four paintings of the Lakota leader created by NY artist Caroline Weldon and is believed to be the only one still in private hands

CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 18, 2023, Blackwell Auctions will offer a painting of one of the most historically important figures of the 19th century, Lakota chief Sitting Bull (1831-1890). American history will forever denote Sitting Bull as the dynamic military, spiritual and political leader who united the Sioux people to defeat US General George Armstrong Custer at Little Big Horn in 1876.

Portrait of Sitting Bull, 1890, by Caroline Weldon. Oil on canvas. This painting from life, thought to be lost, will be offered at Blackwell Auctions (Florida) in March. The artist's relationship with the Lakota leader was the subject of a 2017 movie.

The portrait is one of four known to have been painted of Sitting Bull by Caroline Weldon (1844-1921), a New York artist who traveled to North Dakota in 1889 and became the chief's confidante and personal secretary until 1890, when they had a falling out over his support of the Ghost Dance movement. A fictionalized account of their relationship and her interest in painting him is the subject of a 2017 movie, Woman Walks Ahead, with Jessica Chastain as Weldon.

Of Weldon's four portraits, one is held at the North Dakota Historical Society in Bismarck, while another is in the collection of the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. Two of the four were presumed lost, but this painting  an oil-on-canvas  was consigned to Blackwell Auctions of Clearwater, Florida, by the descendant of its original owner, a railroad construction engineer from Minnesota.

"The cultural significance of this piece can hardly be overstated," said Edwin Bailey of Blackwell Auctions. "The painting represents at once the poignant intersection of two marginalized groups  the indigenous peoples of America and women artists."

The March auction, titled The American Sale, will also feature a large collection of important historical American documents with a timeline from 1650 to the mid-20th century. The selection includes pieces signed by Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison, Mark Twain, Robert E. Lee, Charles Lindbergh, and more than 50 significant military and political figures. Additionally, there are handwritten pieces from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Other items include a clock and several books, some signed, which were owned by Annie Oakley and obtained with provenance from one of her descendants. The sale features dozens of 19th-century firearms by Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson and other legendary gunmakers. A selection of tintypes, daguerreotypes, CDVs and cabinet cards of historical figures, including Native Americans and Civil War soldiers, will also be presented.

"Serious collectors of American history will be delighted when the auction goes online in late February," Bailey said. "The vast majority of the items in this sale haven't changed hands in generations."

For additional information, visit www.blackwellauctions.com or contact Edwin Bailey at 727-546-0200. Bidding is available online through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, HiBid and through the Blackwell Auctions app (IOS and Android), as well as absentee and by phone.

Media Contacts:

Blackwell Auctions

Edwin Bailey

727-546-0200, [email protected]

PR Office

Catherine Saunders-Watson

610-373-5959, [email protected]

SOURCE Blackwell Auctions
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MANTARO PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) ("Mantaro" or the "Company") is pleased to report complete results from the 21 diamond core holes drilled by the Company in 2022 at the Golden Hill property in Bolivia ("Golden Hill"). Significant intercepts from the drill program are summarized in Table 1 below, including newly reported intercepts.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Figure 1: Plan View of Drill Holes (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 2: Section Showing Drill Results for Holes GH0001, GH0002, GH0009 and GH0013 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 3: Section Showing Drill Results for Holes GH0003, GH0004, GH0007 and GH0014 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 4: Section Showing Drill Results for Holes GH0005 and GH0006 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 5: Section Showing Drill Results for Hole GH0008 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 6: Section Showing Drill Results for Hole GH0018 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.) Figure 7: Section Showing Drill Results for Hole GH0019 (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.)

Significant gold mineralization intercepted over approximately 1 strike kilometer in Mantaro's maiden drill program at Golden Hill, including at the previously un-drilled Gabby prospect. Mineralization remains open along structure to the north of the La Escarcha mine and to the south of the Gabby prospect.



Broad zones of gold mineralization, including high grade zones, intercepted across the 'C' structures 100 strike meters north of previous intercepts, extending high grade gold mineralization to over 300 strike meters along the 'C' structures beneath the La Escarcha pit (see figures 2-5 below).



Newly reported assay results include:



15.02 m at 2.70 g/t gold (including 3.10 m at 8.47 g/t gold) from 64.53 m downhole and 9.16 m at 1.25 g/t gold (including 1.19 m at 5.85 g/t gold) from 82.84 m in GH0008 at the La Escarcha mine; and





7.5 m at 1.08 g/t gold (including 0.6 m at 6.20 g/t gold) from 88.5 m downhole in GH0018 at the Gabby prospect.

Stephen Clayson, CEO of Mantaro states:

"These results are overall tremendously encouraging for Mantaro's first pass drilling program at Golden Hill. The Company's next phase of activities in relation to Golden Hill will include working to understand the controls on the high-grade zones within the mineralization, as well as some preliminary modelling with a view to targeting a maiden gold resource estimate in due course.

We are in the process of determining Mantaro's priorities for the coming months, and expect to provide shareholders with a further update soon. I look forward to an exciting year ahead with Mantaro."

Table 1. Significant Intercepts from 2022 Diamond Core Drilling by Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. at Golden Hill, Bolivia

NB: newly reported intercepts (principally holes GH0008, GH0009, GH0014, GH0018 and GH0019) shown shaded and with asterisk in the far lefthand column.

Hole ID East North Azimuth(deg.) Dip

(deg.) From

(m) To (m) Downhole

Interval (m) Au g/t GH0001 561772 8159854.3 100 -34.0 66.00 68.00 2.00 1.65 and







108.00 109.00 1.00 16.70 and







129 130 1.00 0.65 GH0002 561921 8159827.0 280 -62.0 18.23 19.57 1.34 3.89 and







41.84 45.00 3.16 2.26 including







41.84 43.23 1.39 4.85 and







119.58 21.98 2.40 6.13 including







119.58 120.72 1.14 12.65 GH0003 561714 8159789 100 -45 104 106.15 2.15 1.03 and







118 125 8.00 0.30 and







136 137 1.00 0.56 and







141 142 1.00 0.93 and







171.51 176.2 4.69 5.15 GH0004 561754 8159769 100 -37 88.10 89.54 1.44 1.01 and







99.63 100.46 1.37 5.82 and







125.15 125.90 0.75 3.51 GH0005 561741 8159700 100 -38 67.6 71 3.40 8.27 including







67.6 69.62 2.02 11.82 *and







72 73 1.00 1.20 and







87 92 5.00 7.57 including







88.34 92 3.66 10.16 and







105.00 119.00 14.00 3.57 including







108.1 116.9 8.8 4.91 GH0006 561740 8159702 100 -58 67.00 70.00 3.00 4.00 including







67.58 69.47 1.89 6.23 and







76.00 80.00 4.00 6.46 including







76.00 78.00 2.00 12.73 and







89.00 91.00 2.00 1.26 GH0007 561713 8159789 100 -50 111.91 116.19 4.28 2.14 including







111.91 113 1.09 3.84 *GH0008 561770 8159953 100 -45 64.53 79.55 15.02 2.70 *including







70.62 73.72 3.10 8.47 *and







82.84 92 9.16 1.25 *including







86.81 88 1.19 5.85 *and







94.8 98.32 3.52 1.00 *GH0009 561723 8159861 100 -37 125.9 134 8.1 0.52 *and







141 142.12 1.12 0.87 GH0010 No significant intercepts GH0011 No significant intercepts GH0012 No significant intercepts GH0013 No significant intercepts *GH0014 561839 8159758 100 -35 24 25 1.00 1.21 GH0015 No significant intercepts GH0016 No significant intercepts GH0017 No significant intercepts *GH0018 561780 8159243 102 -35 88.5 96 7.5 1.08 *including







91.56 92.16 0.6 6.20 *and







97.98 99.72 1.74 1.42 *including







97.98 98.72 0.74 3.02 *GH0019 561733 8158836 095 -30 13.91 18 4.09 0.81 GH0020 No significant intercepts GH0021 No significant intercepts





























Additional drilling is required to determine true widths as all holes intercepted veins at an oblique angle. The assays are not capped.

Broad gold mineralization was intercepted across the 'GC' structure in the northern most and southern most holes at the Gabby prospect (holes GH0018 and GH0019 respectively).

Holes GH0015, GH0016 and GH0017 were drilled to test the down dip extensions of quartz shear zones mapped at surface across the central Gabby area. These structures were intercepted at depth in all holes, however gold grades were of low tenor with no significant gold values intercepted. The Company has taken thin section samples of these barren quartz shear zones to better understand the gold deportment within the Gabby system, which will assist in guiding future drilling.

About the Golden Hill Property

Golden Hill is centered on a broadly north-south trending regional structure that hosts the La Escarcha underground mine and the Gabby, Garrapatillia and Brownfields workings and gold-bearing vein occurrences in its western hanging wall. The same structure hosts numerous saprolite gold and hard rock gold deposits to the north and south of Golden Hill over a strike length of at least 25 kilometers - underpinning the significant control the structure exerts on gold mineralization.

A northwest-trending splay of this structure hosts areas of alluvial and saprolitic/hard rock workings within Golden Hill and immediately to the north. At least six strike kilometers of these structures are known within Golden Hill in addition to the four kilometers between La Escarcha and Brownfields which have been mapped in detail. Known mineralization and surface anomalism is open along strike on all structures.

Mineralization between La Escarcha and Brownfields is characterized by a series of broadly parallel, north-south trending, very steeply dipping quartz veins that are between 1 to 5 meters wide. Mineralization is hosted in mafic metavolcanics, at the contact of metavolcanics and metasediments, and within metasediments.

Veins are well exposed in underground workings at La Escarcha where they comprise multiphase white quartz and slivers of wall rock which are fracture oxidized. Veins are up to 5 meters wide and contain significant visible gold. Most gold appears to be free hosted in fractures within quartz and pyrite.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Mantaro follows industry-recognized standards of best practice and quality assurance/quality control. Samples were submitted for laboratory analysis in batches of 40 - comprising 35 half cut core samples, two field blanks, two certified reference material standards and one staged duplicate. Samples were sealed in plastic bags using single use tie-locks and delivered to ALS Oruro in Bolivia - thereby ensuring chain of custody. Since the ALS facility in Bolivia is only a preparation facility, sample pulps were sent to ALS Ireland for fire assay. To date, all batches have passed QAQC and blanks and CRMs were within acceptable tolerance limits. All diamond holes were started in PQ diameter, occasionally downsizing to HQ in difficult drilling conditions past 150 meters. Core recovery across all veins was nearly 100%.

Qualified Person

Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph. D., FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

About Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.

Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill orogenic gold property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored Precambrian Shield, Bolivia.

In Peru, the Company has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria silver property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay properties.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The medical publishing market is forecasted to grow by USD 1,708.31 million from 2022 to 2027. Moreover, the growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.75% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. American Medical Association, Athenahealth Inc., Australian Medical Association Ltd., BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd, Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd, EBSCO Industries Inc, Elsevier Ltd, Hearst Communications Inc., Informa Plc, International Business Machines Corp., John Wiley and Sons Inc., Massachusetts Medical Society, McGraw Hill Education Inc., MDPI, OMICS International Pvt. Ltd., RELX Plc, Springer Publishing Co, Thieme Medical Publishers Inc, and Wolters Kluwer NV are some of the major market participants. To know about the vendor offerings, request a sample report.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Medical Publishing Market 2021-2025

Medical publishing market 2023-2027: Segmentation highlights

The medical publishing market share growth by the journals segment will be significant. Journals are the basic source through which new scientific knowledge is circulated. Public funding for research and higher education institutions is largely supported by the content of publications and the money spent on them. Due to the rise in clinical trials and the expansion of scientific and medical research, medical journals are seeing rapid growth. The industry is also being driven by the quick adoption of OA.

share growth by the segment will be significant. Journals are the basic source through which new scientific knowledge is circulated. Public funding for research and higher education institutions is largely supported by the content of publications and the money spent on them. Due to the rise in clinical trials and the expansion of scientific and medical research, medical journals are seeing rapid growth. The industry is also being driven by the quick adoption of OA. 47% of the market's growth will account from North America during the forecast period. Due to the rising number of diseases around the world, the region is seeing significant investments in clinical trials and research. In order to develop pharmacological treatments that are efficient and have few adverse effects, the US government is funding clinical trials and research. The US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all contribute funds to a variety of health initiatives. Over the course of the forecast period, these factors will support market expansion.

The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others, Buy the Report.

Medical publishing market 2023-2027: Scope

The medical publishing market report also covers the following areas:

Medical publishing market 2023-2027: Drivers & challenges

The rise of digital publishing will fuel the growth of the medical publishing market. Online magazines, e-books, and articles are all a part of digital publishing. Adding source connections to articles, making medical articles instantly available, updating articles in real-time, and providing safe access to articles are all advantages of digital publishing. New methods of presenting medical research are made possible by digital publishing, such as poster presentations at medical conferences. These elements have boosted the acceptance of digital publishing among medical publishers and researchers.

However, the high subscription costs for electronic and print media are the major challenges likely to hamper the growth of the medical publishing market during the forecast period. A significant portion of the publishers' income comes from the sale of combined subscriptions to academic institutions and library consortiums. At first, publishers received a lot of money from high subscription fees. On the other hand, this had a negative effect on market expansion over time. The fixed budgets of library consortia and scientific institutions have not kept pace with rising journal prices. As a result, the high price of medical journals and articles keeps vendors out of the potential market, which in turn limits the expansion of the global medical publishing business.

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Medical publishing market 2023-2027: Segmentation analysis

Product Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)

Journals



E-books



Print books

Type Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)

Open access model



Subscription-based model

Region Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)

North America



The U.S.





Canada



Europe



The U.K.





Germany





France





Rest of Europe



APAC



China





India



South America



Chile





Argentina





Brazil



Middle East & Africa

& Africa

Saudi Arabia





South Africa





Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Medical publishing market 2023-2027: Key highlights

What are the key data covered in this medical publishing market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the medical publishing market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the medical publishing market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the medical publishing market across North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , APAC, , and and Thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of medical publishing market vendors

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Magazine Publishing Market by Type, Application, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 : The magazine publishing market is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 0.65% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,549.6 million. The increase in the use of smartphones and tablets is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the increasing competition among magazine publishers may impede the market growth.

: The magazine publishing market is estimated to decline at a between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by The increase in the use of smartphones and tablets is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the increasing competition among magazine publishers may impede the market growth. Stock Video Market by Application, License Model, Image Source, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The stock video market share is expected to increase to USD 275.41 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.31%. The benefits of using stock videos for visual content creation is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the high price of stock videos may impede the market growth.

Medical Publishing Market Scope

Report Coverage Details Page number 164 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.75% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1,708.31 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 2.32 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 47% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled American Medical Association, Athenahealth Inc., Australian Medical Association Ltd., BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd, Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd, EBSCO Industries Inc, Elsevier Ltd, Hearst Communications Inc., Informa Plc, International Business Machines Corp., John Wiley and Sons Inc., Massachusetts Medical Society, McGraw Hill Education Inc., MDPI, OMICS International Pvt. Ltd., RELX Plc, Springer Publishing Co, Thieme Medical Publishers Inc, and Wolters Kluwer NV Market dynamics Parent Market Analysis; Market growth inducers and obstacles; Fast-growing and slow-growing segment 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.

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Table Of Contents :

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global medical publishing market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global medical publishing market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Journals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Journals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Journals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Journals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Journals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 E-books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on E-books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on E-books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on E-books - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on E-books - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Print books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Print books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Print books - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Print books - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Print books - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Type

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Type

7.3 Open access model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Open access model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Open access model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Open access model - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Open access model - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Subscription-based model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Subscription-based model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Subscription-based model - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Subscription-based model - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Subscription-based model - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 73: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 American Medical Association

Exhibit 112: American Medical Association - Overview



Exhibit 113: American Medical Association - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: American Medical Association - Key offerings

12.4 Athenahealth Inc.

Exhibit 115: Athenahealth Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 116: Athenahealth Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 117: Athenahealth Inc. - Key offerings

12.5 Australian Medical Association Ltd.

Exhibit 118: Australian Medical Association Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 119: Australian Medical Association Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: Australian Medical Association Ltd. - Key offerings

12.6 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Exhibit 121: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 122: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - Key offerings

12.7 Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd

Exhibit 124: Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 125: Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Charlesworth Publishing Services Ltd - Key offerings

12.8 Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd

Exhibit 127: Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 128: Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd - Key offerings

12.9 EBSCO Industries Inc

Exhibit 130: EBSCO Industries Inc - Overview



Exhibit 131: EBSCO Industries Inc - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: EBSCO Industries Inc - Key offerings

12.10 Elsevier Ltd

Exhibit 133: Elsevier Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 134: Elsevier Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 135: Elsevier Ltd - Key offerings

12.11 Hearst Communications Inc.

Exhibit 136: Hearst Communications Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Hearst Communications Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Hearst Communications Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 139: Hearst Communications Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Hearst Communications Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Informa Plc

Exhibit 141: Informa Plc - Overview



Exhibit 142: Informa Plc - Product / Service



Exhibit 143: Informa Plc - Key offerings

12.13 International Business Machines Corp.

Exhibit 144: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 145: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 146: International Business Machines Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 147: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus

12.14 John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Exhibit 149: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 150: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 151: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 152: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Segment focus

12.15 Massachusetts Medical Society

Exhibit 153: Massachusetts Medical Society - Overview



Exhibit 154: Massachusetts Medical Society - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Massachusetts Medical Society - Key offerings

12.16 McGraw Hill Education Inc.

Exhibit 156: McGraw Hill Education Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 157: McGraw Hill Education Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 158: McGraw Hill Education Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 159: McGraw Hill Education Inc. - Segment focus

12.17 OMICS International Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 160: OMICS International Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 161: OMICS International Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 162: OMICS International Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 163: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 164: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 165: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 166: Research methodology



Exhibit 167: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 168: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 169: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports, covering 800 technologies spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Company's global reach now includes the underserved and under-connected Pacific Islands, including Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and American Samoa

ZURICH, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitto, a leading provider of global omnichannel communications solutions, today announced it delivers routing of business messaging into nine Pacific Islands regions directly through each island's mobile carrier network (MNOs). Mitto's strategic relationships with MNOs across the Pacific Islands region provide widespread direct connectivity for businesses seeking fast and reliable omnichannel reach to consumers in a technologically underserved region.

Isolated geographically from continental landmass and larger regional hubs, Pacific Islands have historically been underserved technologically. According to GSMA Intelligence data, only 38% of the Pacific Islands population were subscribed to mobile service in 2018 compared to the broader south-east Asia Pacific regional average of 68%. Mobile internet penetration in the Pacific Islands is the lowest of any region in the world, just 18% at the end of 2018, leaving more than 9 million people in the Pacific Islands region offline. Additionally, roughly half of the countries and territories have only one mobile operator and, according to the report, "The often challenging natural environment and topography are limiting factors on the provision of mobile coverage or access to other basic services, while low population densities and relatively modest population totals mean operators and other ecosystem players often struggle to scale new services and deployments in a cost-effective manner."

"Residents in the Pacific Islands region represent an important consumer base for global brands yet they remain overlooked and underserved technologically," said Andrea Giacomini, CEO of Mitto. "At Mitto, we care deeply about connecting the unconnected and enabling businesses to reach customers anywhere in the world through omnichannel communications. Our expanded direct connectivity across nine Pacific Islands countries brings much-needed connectivity to consumers there and brings MNOs of the remote region into the global A2P ecosystem."

Mitto's carrier relationships in the Pacific Islands builds upon and expands the company's fast-growing MNO partner ecosystem, which powers comprehensive, high-quality customer engagement via omnichannel communications for global brands. Recently, Mitto has established direct connectivity to all MNOs in Switzerland and in Argentina , as well as the top three in Japan .

Mitto now has direct connectivity to the following MNOs across the Pacific Islands:

Country Mobile Network Operator Micronesia FSMTC Cook Islands Vodafone Palau PNCC American Samoa Bluesky Papua New Guinea Telikom/bmobile Solomon Island bmobile Palau Palau Telecoms Marshall Islands MINTA Oceanlink Kiribati

With a decade of experience enhancing omnichannel messaging through quality technologies, an advanced routing platform, and strategic direct partnerships with hundreds of operators throughout the world, Mitto enables optimized communications experiences for the entire ecosystem of MNOs, messaging aggregators, global brands, and consumers.

Mitto will be in attendance at the Pacific Telecommunications Coincil's Annual Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii January 15-18. If you'll be attending the event and would like to meet with our team of messaging experts, please request a meeting here .

For more information, please visit mitto.ch

About Mitto:

Mitto is a leading provider of global, omnichannel communications solutions, supporting business growth with advanced customer engagement technology and messaging enablement. Offering easy-to-integrate SMS, Voice, and Chat App APIs, next-generation business messaging, and end-to-end phone number management, Mitto's platform ensures the world's largest brands and MNOs are ready for what's next. Follow Mitto on Twitter: @mittoglobal

Media Contact:

SHIFT Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Mitto
Company Expands into Multiple Markets and Launches New Flavors

SILVER CITY, N.M., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mixed-Up Cocktail Co (Mixed-Up Cocktail), creator and processor of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) canned cocktails under the parent company Little Toad Creek Distillery, today announced the company's notable 2022 market growth. Among many of the highlights that round out the fiscal year-end include introducing two new flavors  Lemon Raspberry Mojito and Apple Bourbon Mule  into the market for a total of eight flavors, expanding the team to 80 employees, and entering the Colorado, California, and Texas markets for consumer reach. The company has also won multiple awards this year, including double gold, at esteemed spirits tasting competitions.

Founders Teresa Dahl-Bredine (right) and David Crosley (middle). Mixed-Up Cocktail Co offers 8 bold flavors made from real fruit juice and 10% ABV.

"Mixed-Up Cocktail Co has proven a strong choice among consumers, especially against RTDs from household-name companies," says Teresa Dahl-Bredine, co-founder of Mixed-Up Cocktail Co alongside husband David Crosley. "Our cocktails are made with all-natural ingredients, 10% ABV, and with no chemicals or preservatives  qualities that modern customers demand. They can immediately taste the difference and we're receiving re-orders when competitors are not. I am very excited to see what we'll accomplish in this upcoming year."

In 2022, Mixed-Up Cocktails Co met its goals of introducing a variety of flavor profiles beyond its original Classic Mule, including:

Mules: Mojito Mule, Grapefruit & Gin Mule, Watermelon Jalapeno Mule, and the latest seasonal Apple Bourbon Mule

Ritas: Classical Margarita and Mango Margarita from house-made blue agave spirits

Mojitos: Lemon Raspberry

To support growth for 2023, Mixed-Up Cocktail invested heavily in experienced employees, such as:

Sales Manager

Ambassadors

Director of Marketing

Mixed-Up Cocktail Co has shown strong favor in tasting competition and continues to earn the approvals of judges worldwide, recognized with:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: 1 Double Gold, 1 Gold, 2 Silver

New York World Spirits Competition: 1 Double Gold, 1 Gold, 1 Silver

The Fifty Best: 3 Double Gold, 2 Gold, 1 Silver

PR%F: 4 Double Gold, 1 Gold, 2 Silver

Mixed-Up Cocktail brought the product straight to the consumer:

Total Festivals/Events - 50+

500+ Total Tastings

Launching into California , Colorado , and Texas

, , and Launch distribution in several new states and Europe coming soon

coming soon Distribution with Coast Beverage, Admiral Beverage Corporation, Colorado Craft Distributors, Flood Distribution, and Mission Valley Distribution

Plans to launch online sales orders in early 2023 with Getstocked.com

About Mixed-Up Cocktail Co

Mixed-Up Cocktails are made by Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery in Silver City, New Mexico. Little Toad Creek first opened in 2012 in the remote mountains of the Gila Wilderness. Over the years, the company (founded by New Mexico natives Teresa Dahl-Bredine and David Crosley) has operated multiple tasting rooms and developed countless recipes for beer, spirits, cocktails, and food.

In 2020, Little Toad Creek launched Mixed Up Cocktail Co, insisting on bringing only the best ingredients to the can. They distill, blend, can, and pasteurize at our facilities, which allows them to ensure the quality of ingredients and final product. They are currently upsizing their facility, adding two new stills and state-of-the art can filling, pasteurizing and packaging equipment, which will allow them to go from the current 1000 cases per week capacity to 20,000 cases per week. Production is slated to begin at the new facility in February 2023. Mixed-Up Cocktail Co is continually investing in the growth and sustainability of the company.

For more information, contact:

Sidney Reed - Director of Marketing

720.207.3068

[email protected]

SOURCE Mixed-Up Cocktail Co
Americans Trust Nurses More Than Any Other Profession, says Gallup

CANTON, Mass., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 22nd consecutive year, Americans say they trust nurses more than any other profession, according to an annual Gallup survey released on January 10.

Nurses are viewed as having "very high" or "high" ethical and honesty standards by 79% of the public, a full 15 points higher than any other profession and significantly higher than professionals such as business executives, who are highly trusted by just 12% of Americans.

"Nurses have earned the trust of the American people by putting patient safety above all else," said Katie Murphy, a practicing ICU nurse, and President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. "The public has seen nurses give everything to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic while fiercely advocating for improvements to care quality and access.

"It is past time that hospital executives show nurses the same respect and trust as the public," Murphy said. "The public trusts that they will receive the care they need in their most vulnerable moments. To provide that care, nurses need hospital executives to prioritize bedside staffing and resources above corporate profits."

Even as nurses feel the public's trust and stand once again as the nation's most ethical profession, they face enormous challenges doing their job. According to the 2022 State of Nursing in Massachusetts survey, more than 8 in 10 registered nurses said the quality of patient care in hospitals had gotten significantly worse over the previous two years as they described being emotionally exhausted, increasingly disengaged and more likely to leave the profession or reduce their hours.

33% of nurses in the Spring 2022 survey reported planning to leave nursing sooner than originally planned. Among newer nurses with 0 to 5 years of experience, 37% were planning to leave sooner  the highest percentage of any group.

82% of Massachusetts nurses who will leave nursing sooner because of the pandemic report not having enough time with their patients, according to the survey.

nurses who will leave nursing sooner because of the pandemic report not having enough time with their patients, according to the survey. 69% of nurses say their biggest obstacle to care is understaffing/having too many patients.

In December, the MNA issued a statement detailing four critical priorities for the Healey Administration, including protecting healthcare access, addressing the hospital staffing crisis, investing in public healthcare services, and eliminating healthcare inequities.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the existing fault lines in our broken healthcare system," Murphy said. "With the public's full support of nurses, now is the time to make lasting, structural improvements that will benefit patients, caregivers, and all our communities."

Gallup notes that since nurses were added to the survey in 1999, they have topped the list of most trusted professions every year except in 2001, when firefighters were recognized shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for their heroism and bravery.

"Nurses continue to garner the highest ethics rating from Americans among a diverse list of professions, a distinction they have held for more than two decades," Gallup said in its release. "The 79% of U.S. adults who now say nurses have 'very high' or 'high' honesty and ethical standards is far more than any of the other 17 professions rated."

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
The New York based brand taps into their roots with a campaign captured in New York's iconic Little Italy

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- When Co-Founder and Designer Carolina Cordon-Bouzan began to imagine what jewelry a modern day Romeo and Juliet might wear, she knew there had to be diamondsbut in 2023, they'd be lab-grown, of course. And instead of Verona, Italy, the couple would probably be seen strolling down Mulberry Street straight into the center of Manhattan's Little Italy. Dressed in effortlessly chic yet perfectly coordinated ensembles, the pair would be in search of a charming hole-in-the-wall pasta joint for the evening.

Love in Little Italy: The Lock Collection Love in Little Italy: The Lock Collection

MONTSERRAT New York is a reflection of reimagined tradition in a modern style. This Valentine's Day, the brand created a collection of wearable, sustainable art for every kind of romantic. When designing any collection, Cordon-Bouzan looks to Greek and Roman mythology and Shakespeare for inspiration. She begins to weave the intricate stories of muses, lovers, and unconditional affection into modern day life of MONTSERRAT New York wearers. Whether it's in Downtown Manhattan sipping martinis alongside MONTSERRAT New York's co-founders or dining with their lover  the new collection proves truly to be timeless.

"I imagine that the modern day Romeo and Juliet would be a downtown couple, slightly campy and alive and in love. The pieces in this collection are made to be worn year-round, but are the perfect gift for a loveror platonic loveron Valentine's Day," says Cordon-Bouzan. "One of the first pieces I designed is the Cantinori Necklace and Earrings, made for a date I was going on with my now-husband at Il Cantinori, a New York and MONTSERRAT New York staple. There's something so magical about a date in New York at a pasta spot, and I really wanted to bring that experience to life with this collection and campaign."

The Lock Collection and Love in Little Italy campaign are now live and available exclusively from MONTSERRAT New York at montserrat-nyc.com. The Love in Little Italy collection starts at $275 and features three pieces, all boasting an 18K gold plated 925 recycled sterling silver lock featuring a lab-grown diamond.

Media Contact:

Sydney Schiff // Sydney on the Scene

(813) 601-4601

[email protected]

SOURCE MONTSERRAT New York
New 30-minute documentary about the Stone Mountain carving is the first AHC Originals Production for the nearly 100-year-old Atlanta History Center

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first for the institution, Atlanta History Center will release its new documentary Monument: The Untold Story of Stone Mountain on January 12, 2023. Kristian Weatherspoon, Vice President of Digital Storytelling at Atlanta History Center, directed the documentary, which includes a range of deep historical research and perspectives on the Stone Mountain carving offered by historians, scholars, museum professionals and engaged members of the community. The documentary builds on years of work since the institution launched its Confederate Monument Interpretation Initiative in 2016, led by President & CEO, Sheffield Hale.

New film about Stone Mountain carving: first AHC Originals Production for the nearly 100-year-old Atlanta History Center Tweet this Atlanta History Center explores the controversial history of the Stone Mountain carving through online resources and a documentary film.

"As I made presentations about the history of the Stone Mountain carving, it became really clear to me that a lot of people, both in Atlanta and around the state, don't know the full history," said Hale, who is featured in the film. "This stood out to us at Atlanta History Center as an opportunity to use our historical resources and research to offer a full and accurate history. Informing factual discussions about our state's shared history is what we do."

The Stone Mountain memorial was initially proposed in the 1910s by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The early carving effort was inextricably linked to the revival of the Ku Klux Klan in 1915, which took place on top of Stone Mountain. Though that initial effort was left partially completed for decades, segregationist politician Marvin Griffin took up the cause in 1954 in a fiery campaign speech 57 days after Brown vs. Board of Education ruling overturned the legal basis for segregation laws in public schools. After being elected governor, he approved the placement of the Confederate Battle Flag on the state flag in 1956 and the purchase of Stone Mountain by the state of Georgia to complete the carving as a symbol of resistance to integration in 1958. The carving was completed in 1972. Today, Stone Mountain Park is still owned by the state of Georgia. State law requires the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which governs the park, to maintain "a suitable memorial to the Confederacy." (OCGA 12-3-192.1)

"When I was thinking about how to tell this complex history, having a range of perspectives and experiences was really important to me," Weatherspoon said. "Up until now, many discussions about Stone Mountain haven't showcased the whole history, which includes the powerful medium of film."

The film is the first documentary short film product by the in-house storytelling team, AHC Originals. Other projects addressing different topics in Atlanta and Georgia historythrough shortform videos, blog posts, and a podcastare in the works.

"This medium is new for us as a history center, but it's an exciting direction," said Hale. "As we seek to serve as many people as possible, AHC Originals is a critical piece to reaching people who might not visit an exhibition at our museum."

For more information, and to view the film, please visit https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/monument. The webpage also includes extensive primary sources documenting historical evidence presented in the film, further reading, blog posts on related topics and more.

About Atlanta History Center

Founded in 1926, the Atlanta History Center is an all-inclusive, 33-acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the nation's largest history museums, including Cyclorama: The Big Picture experience; three historic housesthe 1920s Swan House, the 1860s Smith Farm, and the 1830s Wood Cabin; Goizueta Gardens; Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook event space; a museum shop; Souper Jenny cafe; and BRASH coffee shop. In addition, the Atlanta History Center owns and operates Atlanta History Center Midtown, which includes the Margaret Mitchell House, gallery space, and event spaces. Atlanta History Center Midtown is currently closed. For more information, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com .

SOURCE Atlanta History Center
CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Japan used construction equipment market is estimated to witness the sale of around 50,455 units by 2029. Investment is planned for redevelopment & urban planning in Tokyo city in 2022. The government is also investing in redevelopment projects in western Japan's Kansai and Kinki areas. In 2022, the government announced a ~USD 407 billion stimulus package to offset rising fuel and grain prices caused by the war in Ukraine. The government has also planned to invest USD 113.9 billion till 2030 for the development of renewable energy industry. USD 33.5 billion in funds are allocated for the decarbonization of power sources, and investment is also planned for decarbonization in the manufacturing industry and research & development of the renewable energy industry. Such growth enablers by the country's government have played a key role in supporting Japan used construction equipment market growth.

Japan Used Construction Equipment Market

Growth in e-commerce and logistics industries in Japan prompts the demand for warehouses. Logistics companies are investing over $6 billion in expanding their centers across Japan. According to the ministry of economy, trade & industry, the logistics industry is expected to grow on average of 8% for the next five years. Some major logistics projects are Logiport Nagoya, Kobe Nagata logistics center & LF Nara facilities in the Ikoma region. Hence, growth in logistics & e-commerce industries expect to have positive impact on the demand for used forklifts & telescopic handlers in Japan. By 2029, used forklift and telescopic handlers segment value in Japan is estimated to reach $169.3 million.

Market Size and Forecast are Projected in:

Value ($ Billion)

Volume (Units)

Japan Used Construction Equipment Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) USD 1 BILLION Market Size (2022) USD 814.6 MILLION CAGR (2022-2029) 2.97 % Market Size (Volume) 50,455 Units (2029) Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2029 Type Earthmoving Equipment, Road Construction Equipment, and Material Handling Equipment End-Users Construction, Manufacturing, Mining, and Others Key Vendors Key Vendors: Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo Construction Equipment, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kubota, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Kobelco, SANY, Liebherr, AND Hyundai Construction Machinery Other Prominent Vendors: Yanmar, Takeuchi Manufacturing, Tadano, and Toyota Material Handling Auctioneers Profile: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, NORI Enterprise Co, Ltd, Hitachi Construction Machinery, TOZAI BOEKI CO. LTD, and YANAGAWA SHOJI Co LTD. Distributors Profiles: WWB KENKI, Chukyo Juki Ltd, and Tokuworld Corporation Corp Page Number 118 Customization Request If our report does not include the information you are searching for, you may contact us to have a report tailored to your specific business needs https://www.arizton.com/customize-report/3620



Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

Key Highlights

The Earthmoving segment has the largest share of Japan used construction equipment market. The excavators held the largest share in the earthmoving segment in 2022.

used construction equipment market. The excavators held the largest share in the earthmoving segment in 2022. In 2021, the country's government planned to invest USD 708 billion in economic recovery. The investment is directed at the development of public infrastructure & digital technology. Investment is also planned for Expo 2025 in the Osaka region of the country. The government is investing in renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions by 46% by 2030.

in economic recovery. The investment is directed at the development of public infrastructure & digital technology. Investment is also planned for Expo 2025 in the region of the country. The government is investing in renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions by 46% by 2030. Japan is facing the challenge of aging infrastructure. More than 50% of roads, bridges & tunnels will be older than 50 years by 2033. Therefore, the government increases its focus on repairing and maintaining roadways, highways & bridges. The rise in repair and redevelopment is expected to drive sales of used earthmoving equipment in Japan used construction equipment market.

is facing the challenge of aging infrastructure. More than 50% of roads, bridges & tunnels will be older than 50 years by 2033. Therefore, the government increases its focus on repairing and maintaining roadways, highways & bridges. The rise in repair and redevelopment is expected to drive sales of used earthmoving equipment in used construction equipment market. Growth in the logistics industry due to the growing demand for goods in the global and domestics market supports the demand for used forklifts & telehandlers in Japan used construction equipment market. The country's export witnessed a sharp rise of 21.5% in 2021. Moreover, it is anticipated that using robotics & automation in the manufacturing industry will temporarily solve the labor shortage issue and it is estimated that the industry will witness a 2.4% growth in output in 2022.

used construction equipment market. The country's export witnessed a sharp rise of 21.5% in 2021. Moreover, it is anticipated that using robotics & automation in the manufacturing industry will temporarily solve the labor shortage issue and it is estimated that the industry will witness a 2.4% growth in output in 2022. The country witnessed a surge in warehouse space across the country in 2021. The country's E-commerce and logistics industry growth triggers the demand for large warehouse spaces in major cities. Growth in the logistics & E-commerce industry is expected to positively impact the demand for used forklifts & telescopic handlers in Japan used construction equipment market.

used construction equipment market. The demand for new generation used excavators with ICT and remote monitoring technology is gaining market share in Japan . Skilled labor shortage & rising accident cases at construction sites prompt the use of automated used construction equipment in Japan .

. Skilled labor shortage & rising accident cases at construction sites prompt the use of automated used construction equipment in . In 2021, demand for used forklifts witnessed high growth in Japan used construction equipment market due to the rise in the E-Commerce sector. Used hydraulic excavators are used for disaster management projects in the country. In 2022, Hitachi Construction Machinery Japan signed 83 disaster agreements with local municipalities to provide equipment for disaster response & recovery in Japan .

Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

Key Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Volvo Construction Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Kubota

Sumitomo Heavy Industries

Kobelco

SANY

Liebherr

Hyundai Construction Machinery

Other Prominent Vendors

Yanmar

Takeuchi Manufacturing

Tadano

Toyota Material Handling

Auctioneers Profile

Ritchie Bros . Auctioneers

. Auctioneers NORI Enterprise Co, Ltd

Hitachi Construction Machinery

TOZAI BOEKI CO. LTD

YANAGAWA SHOJI Co LTD.

Distributors Profiles

WWB KENKI

Chukyo Juki Ltd

Tokuworld Corporation Corp

Market Segmentation

Type

Earthmoving Equipment:

Excavator



Backhoe Loaders



Motor Graders



Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)

Material Handling Equipment

Crane



Forklift & Telescopic Handlers



Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Rollers



Asphalt Pavers

End Users

Construction



Manufacturing



Mining



Others

About Us:

Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers innovative research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Click Here to Contact Us

Call: +1-312-235-2040

+1 302 469 0707

Mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
New City-Center Location Supports Company Growth Goals

WARSAW, Poland, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety Inc. (NYSE: MSA) today marked the grand opening of its EMEA Global Business Services Center in Warsaw. Celebrated today with an official ribbon-cutting event, the company's newly designed business "hub" is located in the city-center and will centralize a wide range of business functions that support the company's international business goals. MSA Safety also operates a Global Business Services Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to support its Asia Pacific region.

"Our Warsaw Global Business Services Center is part of our continuous improvement plan to streamline our international footprint, increase in the company's competitiveness, and invest in key areas like customer service," said Bob Leenen, President of MSA International. As an example, Mr. Leenen noted that the new Business Services Center will provide live, specialized product support, in local languages, to MSA customers and channel partners throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

MSA Safety is the global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced safety products and system that help protect workers and facility infrastructure around the world. The company currently employs 220 associates in Warsaw. Over time, MSA Safety plans to grow its Warsaw presence to approximately 300 associates working in positions spanning several functions, including finance and accounting, human resources, IT, purchasing, supply chain, logistics, marketing, customer service and inside sales.

For more than 100 years, the mission of MSA Safety has been to help protect people at work by developing innovative and market-leading safety products, systems and technologies.

"While MSA has had operations in Poland since 1996, we're looking forward to having a stronger presence in Warsaw and growing with more associates to help us advance mission of helping men and women stay safe on the job," Mr. Leenen concluded.

About MSA Safety

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2021 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the United States, north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. MSA Safety has manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, the company realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

SOURCE MSA Safety
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV) to Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Myovant will receive only $27.00 in cash for each share of Myovant that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn ([email protected]) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-myov/ to learn more.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200

New Orleans, LA 70163

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
The Nobel laureate's research has focused on understanding the effect of uncertainty on asset prices and he developed a pioneering formula for the valuation of stock options

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The MIT Sloan School of Management recently announced that Myron Scholes , Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business , Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, and co-originator of the Black-Scholes/Merton option pricing model, was named the recipient of the S. Donald Sussman Award for the 20232024 academic year.



The honor is awarded to individuals or groups who best exemplify S. Donald Sussman's career as a successful investor in quantitative investment strategies and models. Scholes was selected for his path breaking contributions to this field, as well as his research focused on understanding uncertainty and its effect on asset prices and the value of options.

Myron Scholes, Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. Credit: Europaisches Forum Alpbach/Markus Prantl

"We are pleased to honor Dr. Scholes with this award in recognition of his pioneering contributions in the study and application of the science of finance," said MIT Sloan Dean David Schmittlein . "The groundbreaking work he did as a professor here at MIT Sloan paved the way for new financial tools and better risk management in the field of investinga legacy of innovation that continues at the school today."

"Myron Scholes captures the essence of the Sussman Award as a finance scholar of the highest caliber who has also taken theory into investment practice successfully on multiple occasions," said MIT Sloan professor Andrew Lo , director of MIT Sloan's Laboratory for Financial Engineering, and a member of the award committee. "It's also a happy bit of serendipity that Myron's selection this academic year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Black-Scholes/Merton option pricing papers, so we're looking forward to celebrating both events at MIT Sloan."

Scholes holds a B.A. in economics from McMaster University and received both an MBA and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. After finishing his dissertation, Scholes took an academic position at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where his asset pricing research alongside Fischer Black and Robert C. Merton resulted in the famous Black-Scholes/Merton option pricing model. Scholes was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1997 for his new method of determining the value of derivatives.

"I am excited to return to MIT Sloan to receive the Sussman Award. MIT was instrumental in launching my academic career," said Scholes. "On the several occasions that I met Mr. Sussman, I learned from our conversations. We both respected the contributions of theory, empirical research, and their applications to the investment process. It was fifty-two years ago, when I was a young professor at MIT, that Fischer Black and I collaborated on the development of the option-pricing technology."

Scholes continued his academic career with faculty positions at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Stanford University. He retired from teaching in 1996 from Stanford where he still holds the position of Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance Emeritus. Scholes has studied the effects of tax policy on asset prices and incentives and developed a new theory of tax planning under uncertainty and information asymmetry which led to a book with Mark A. Wolfson called Taxes and Business Strategies: A Planning Approach (Prentice Hall, 1991). He wrote papers on testing the efficiency of option-market prices, the tradeoffs in returns to risk in asset pricing whether total or systematic risk, the effects of dividend policy on asset prices and estimation techniques with non-synchronous trading. Among other papers, he wrote several articles on investment banking and incentives. His most recent paper is on carbon emissions and portfolio management.

Scholes is currently the Chief Strategic Investment Strategist at Janus Henderson Investors and a board member of Andersen Consulting. Previously he served as the Chairman of Stamos Capital, and Platinum Grove Asset Management and on the Dimensional Fund Advisors Board of Directors, American Century Mutual Fund Board of Directors and the Cutwater Advisory Board. He was a principal and Limited Partner at Long-Term Capital Management, L.P. and a Managing Director at Salomon Brothers.

The annual Sussman Award lecture will be held in early September 2023.

About the S. Donald Sussman Award

The award is named in honor of S. Donald Sussman, who has worked in alternative investments for more than 30 years and manages funds that focus on both quantitative and fundamental strategies. He is the founder of Trust Asset Management, the Paloma Funds, and New China Capital Management LLC. Sussman was the recipient of Institutional Investor's Alternative Investment News Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He is a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, and co-chair of the Investment Committee of Carnegie Hall. He attended Columbia College and received a B.S. and an MBA from New York University.

The Sussman Award is overseen by the MIT Sloan Finance Group. Sussman lecturers receive a $100,000 cash prize and share their insights on quantitative finance and the financial industry through public lectures to be delivered at MIT Sloan during the year of the award.

About the MIT Sloan School of Management

The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at mitsloan.mit.edu.

For further information, contact:

Casey Bayer or Patricia Favreau

Director of Media Relations Associate Director of Media Relations

(617) 253-0576 617-253-3492

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE MIT Sloan School of Management
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. Continuing the planet's long-term warming trend, global temperatures in 2022 were 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.89 degrees Celsius) above the average for NASA's baseline period (1951-1980), scientists from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York reported.

2022 effectively tied for Earth's fifth warmest year since 1880, and the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest nine on record. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Kathleen Gaeta

"This warming trend is alarming," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Our warming climate is already making a mark: Forest fires are intensifying; hurricanes are getting stronger; droughts are wreaking havoc and sea levels are rising. NASA is deepening our commitment to do our part in addressing climate change. Our Earth System Observatory will provide state-of-the-art data to support our climate modeling, analysis and predictions to help humanity confront our planet's changing climate."

The past nine years have been the warmest years since modern recordkeeping began in 1880. This means Earth in 2022 was about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 1.11 degrees Celsius) warmer than the late 19th century average.

"The reason for the warming trend is that human activities continue to pump enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the long-term planetary impacts will also continue," said Gavin Schmidt, director of GISS, NASA's leading center for climate modeling.

Human-driven greenhouse gas emissions have rebounded following a short-lived dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, NASA scientists, as well as international scientists, determined carbon dioxide emissions were the highest on record in 2022. NASA also identified some super-emitters of methane  another powerful greenhouse gas  using the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation instrument that launched to the International Space Station earlier this year.

The Arctic region continues to experience the strongest warming trends  close to four times the global average  according to GISS research presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, as well as a separate study .

Communities around the world are experiencing impacts scientists see as connected to the warming atmosphere and ocean. Climate change has intensified rainfall and tropical storms, deepened the severity of droughts, and increased the impact of storm surges. Last year brought torrential monsoon rains that devastated Pakistan and a persistent megadrought in the U.S. Southwest. In September, Hurricane Ian became one of the strongest and costliest hurricanes to strike the continental U.S.

Tracking Our Changing Planet

NASA's global temperature analysis is drawn from data collected by weather stations and Antarctic research stations, as well as instruments mounted on ships and ocean buoys. NASA scientists analyze these measurements to account for uncertainties in the data and to maintain consistent methods for calculating global average surface temperature differences for every year. These ground-based measurements of surface temperature are consistent with satellite data collected since 2002 by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on NASA's Aqua satellite and with other estimates.

NASA uses the period from 1951-1980 as a baseline to understand how global temperatures change over time. That baseline includes climate patterns such as La Nina and El Nino, as well as unusually hot or cold years due to other factors, ensuring it encompasses natural variations in Earth's temperature.

Many factors can affect the average temperature in any given year. For example, 2022 was one of the warmest on record despite a third consecutive year of La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean. NASA scientists estimate that La Nina's cooling influence may have lowered global temperatures slightly (about 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.06 degrees Celsius) from what the average would have been under more typical ocean conditions.

A separate, independent analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that the global surface temperature for 2022 was the sixth highest since 1880. NOAA scientists use much of the same raw temperature data in their analysis and have a different baseline period (1901-2000) and methodology. Although rankings for specific years can differ slightly between the records, they are in broad agreement and both reflect ongoing long-term warming.

NASA's full dataset of global surface temperatures through 2022, as well as full details with code of how NASA scientists conducted the analysis, are publicly available from GISS.

GISS is a NASA laboratory managed by the Earth Sciences Division of the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The laboratory is affiliated with Columbia University's Earth Institute and School of Engineering and Applied Science in New York.

For more information about NASA's Earth science programs, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/earth

SOURCE NASA
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Media are invited to a news conference with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other agency leadership at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Leadership will discuss the next step forward with the agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project.

NASA aims to develop technology and designs for a new generation of lower-emission single-aisle airliners. Through this project, NASA will fund the design, construction, and ground and flight testing for a large-scale demonstrator with an advanced airframe configuration.

The event will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

The agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project also will include the development of related green technologies, with the goal of validating them to inform industry decisions about the next generation of single-aisle aircraft entering the market by the 2030s.

Other agency participants in the news conference include:

 Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy

 Bob Pearce, associate administrator, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

 Brent Cobleigh, project manager

Media interested in attending in-person or virtually must RSVP up to two hours before the start of the event, to Roxana Bardan at: [email protected]. The event will take place in the Webb Auditorium at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building, located at 300 E. Street SW, Washington, D.C.

Learn more about NASA's Sustainable Aviation efforts at:

https://go.nasa.gov/3GzcDMP

SOURCE NASA
The National Pathways Summit will bring together bipartisan political officials with prominent leaders from business, education, labor, Students and the Civil Rights Community who are convinced the "Pathways Approach" is the most promising strategy for reviving the American Dream for millions of young Americans

Summit to be Held March 16th in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Pathways Initiative (NPI), a national coalition of prominent leaders from education, business, government, students and the civil rights community today announced that it will be convening a national education summit in Washington DC on March 16th, 2023 to advance the pathways approach to education.

To learn more about the National Pathways Summit click here.

Today's announcement reflects the growing and diverse support for the "Pathways Approach," the belief that education should focus on helping ALL students navigate pathways leading from school to college to career. The "Pathways Approach" is by far the most promising strategy for reviving the American Dream for millions of young Americans long frustrated by a system that has only reinforced the decline in social mobility, widening economic inequalities, and persistent racial disparities. Now, examples of success need to be brought to scale with the adoption of necessary and needed policy change.

To bring this initiative to life and marshal the support of federal, state and local policymakers, NPI formed a diverse National Pathways Coalition composed of leaders in sectors vital to this effort, including business, education, government, the civil rights community, non-profits, and importantly students and young adults. Our leadership committee and supporters include:

Prominent business organizations such as the State Business Executives as well as major companies.

as well as major companies. Key educational organizations including the Education Commission of the States , Education Trust, the Teachers and Principals Unions , and Pathways innovators like the National Academies Foundation .

, the , and Pathways innovators like the . Government and political leaders including key federal agencies, and Democratic and Republican Governors who have championed pathways initiatives to improve their state systems

Leading Civil Rights Organizations including The Urban League and UNIDOS.

"The numbers are clear  the pandemic decimated educational progress for an entire generation of students," said NPI Chair Stan Litow. "The result is that U.S. businesses, already struggling to find trained and talented workers, will continue to have challenges finding workforce-ready candidates as students move from the classroom, to college, to careers less prepared than ever. We desperately need an effective pipeline from school to college to career. While education issues continue to be divisive, there are consensus policies and solutions that unite leaders across the political spectrum in fields ranging from business, labor, education, and community organizations, as well as parents, and students."

By making targeted and strategic improvements in key policy areas, we can achieve scalable and sustainable change. Initial policy focuses include:

Expanding Pell Grants to cover tuition of students taking college credits while in high school, thus improving college accessibility

Expanding apprenticeships and paid internships for students in high school and college, partly by expanding the existing college work-study programs.

Prioritize career planning and career development in middle and high school to help students develop personal career plans that will guide them after graduation.

Ensure that ALL students have meaningful access to high-quality pathway programs.

"The American Dream is one of the aspirations that binds us as Americans. It is not just about hard work. Americans need access to the relevant skills and knowledge that create opportunity and pathways to a bright future. Educators strive to prepare students for full liveslives enriched by knowledge itself and by meaningful, rewarding work. The schools they work in should be hubs connecting the needs of students, employers and society. Successful CTE programs embed that hub but we need to bring it to scale so all students have pathways to good careers or college or both. Without these pathways, we lose too many students who don't graduate from high school, and even many who do, to low-paying jobs and unfulfilled opportunity," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

"The business community has a vested interest in improving outcomes for students all over the country. If America is going to continue to lead in the 21st Century, we need our students to be prepared to compete in a global economy, and sadly, coming out of the pandemic, test scores show a true crisis. We need to change the paradigm to refocus on providing our students the skills they will need for the careers they want after they graduate. State Business Executives and the larger business community want America's schools to be the best in the world, and we will do our part to advance through Congress the policies adopted by the National Pathways Initiative; policies that will improve opportunities and outcomes for all," said Justin Yancy, Chairman, State Business Executives.

"The education policy debate in Washington has been bogged down in politics for more than twenty years. It has been that long since Congress passed significant education reform. Now, the National Pathways Initiative has put forward a policy agenda with achievable reforms that have bipartisan support. We have already seen Pathways succeed at the state and local level to provide our teachers, administrators, and community leaders with the tools they need to prepare our students to go to college if they choose to, and to advance and succeed in their careers," Ernest Logan is currently Executive Vice President of the American Federation of School Administrators.

"Student Government leaders believe higher education faces an overwhelming crisis. Most students are not prepared for the transition from high school to college, and less prepared for the transition to careers after graduation. Students also face pervasive financial obstacles. We are proud to support the National Education Summit and create a more robust pathway from school to college to career," said Alexandria Chun, President, Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY).

The summit in Washington D.C. will convene all these stakeholders and members of Congress to chart a path forward to adopt these bi-partisan solutions.

About Stanley Litow , Chair of National Pathways Initiative

Stanley S. Litow is a Professor at both Columbia and Duke University. At Duke University, he also serves as Innovator in Residence. Stan is the author of The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward and co-author of Breaking Barriers: How P-Tech Schools Create a Pathway from High School to College to Career.

Stan previously served as President of the IBM International Foundation and as Deputy Chancellor of Schools for the City of New York. Before his service at IBM and the NYC public schools, he served as President and Founder of Interface and as Executive Director of the NYC Urban Corps, operated out of the Mayor's Office.

Stan has served on multiple of Presidential and Gubernatorial Commissions and in addition to his service on the SUNY Board of Trustees; he also serves on the board of Roosevelt House and the Citizens Budget Commission.

Stan helped devise the innovative school-to-college-to-career program called, PTECH as well as the IBM Corporate Service Corps, often referenced as the corporate version of the Peace Corps.

He has received multiple awards for his community service, from organizations such as the Ann Frank Commission, the Marin Luther King Commission, and the Center for an Urban Future as well as the Corning Award from the New York State Business Council.

SOURCE National Pathways Initiative
TOKYO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Express Europe GmbH, a group company NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., held a seminar on logistics for around 140 students of Erasmus University's Rotterdam School of Management on Friday, November 25, at a warehouse operated by Nippon Express (Nederland) B.V. (hereinafter "NX Nederland") in Maasvlakte, Rotterdam.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202212221537-O1-f04DvT5D

Image1: Interior view of NX Nederland warehouse

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202212221537/_prw_PI2fl_NEY1dq29.jpg

Image2: Seminar in progress

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202212221537/_prw_PI3fl_S95N7Y0B.jpg

Erasmus University Rotterdam is an educational institution with a worldwide reputation in the disciplines of medicine, business administration, economics, and international public management and policy. This seminar was conducted as part of the master's program for students majoring in supply chain management at the Rotterdam School of Management to familiarize them with logistics operations in the field. A shipper company was invited to give a presentation on their warehouse operations and the Nippon Express Group's position within the customer's supply chain, after which the students toured the approximately 102,000 m2 warehouse facility. The students asked many questions and engaged in a lively exchange of opinions to see how the theory they had learned in lectures applied to actual operations.

The Nippon Express Group will continue actively engaging in social contribution activities around the world to help develop human resources who can play an active role in the logistics industry.

Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/

Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/

SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
NEW YORK , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent New York City coin collector died before some of his rare pennies will sell at auction for $100,000 or more each later this month. Numismatist and sculptor Stewart Blay was 71. His collection of 162 superb quality Lincoln cents dating back to 1909 has a combined face value of only $1.62 but is expected to sell for over $3 million.

GreatCollections estimates the finest known collection of 162 Lincoln cents may sell at auction for over $3 million. Tweet this Bidding at GreatCollections already is at $255,000 for the finest known example of a 1909-dated Lincoln cent struck at the San Francisco Mint with designer Victor D. Brenners initials, V.D.B., as part of the design on the tails side. (Photo credit: GreatCollections.) Bidding at GreatCollections already is at $323,000 for a late collectors 1958 penny with some letters mistakenly doubled. (Photo credit: GreatCollections.)

"My brother began collecting coins when he was eight years old and started assembling the finest known collection of early Lincoln cents about 50 years ago," explained Blay's sister, Mariette Blay of Oregon. "He was extremely proud of his collection and many of the pennies were exhibited at coin shows."

"For the last 20 years, Stewart Blay's 'Red Copper' Lincoln Cent collection was recognized as the top set of its kind. Many of the 162 pennies in the set are more than 100 years old but still in superb, brilliant mint condition. Five of them already have bids between $112,500 and $323,000 each," said Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections in Irvine, California (www.GreatCollections.com).

"Stewart painstakingly purchased each coin one at a time by attending coin shows around the country and hunting down the best of the best," explained Russell.

Blay consigned his coins to GreatCollections just a few weeks before he unexpectedly passed away on November 25, 2022. The auction of his collection is divided into three parts with each ending on Sundays: January 15, 22, and 29.

"The familiar penny design depicting President Abraham Lincoln was introduced into circulation in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Bidding already is at $255,000 for the finest known example of a 1909-dated Lincoln cent struck at the San Francisco Mint with designer Victor D. Brenner's initials, V.D.B., as part of the design on the tail's side," explained Russell.

The coin with the highest current bid of $323,000 is a 1958 Lincoln cent described as "The King of Doubled Dies."

"It is the finest of only three known 1958 U.S. cents that have severe doubling of letters in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST and the word LIBERTY on the front of the coin," explained Russell.

About GreatCollections

GreatCollections, the official auction house of the American Numismatic Association, specializes in auctioning certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 1 million certified coins, making it one of the leading certified coin companies in the United States with annual sales in 2022 exceeding $270 million. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and a member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about

GreatCollections, visit www.greatcollections.com or call 800-442-6467.

SOURCE GreatCollections
Acquisition expands Pavion's footprint in video security and surveillance

CHANTILLY, Va., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pavion (formerly Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc. "CTSI"), a leading provider of agile, integrated systems for fire, safety, security, and critical communications has acquired Short Circuit Electronics, Inc. ("Short Circuit" or the "Company"). The acquisition expands Pavion's footprint in installation, repair, removal, on-site support, and monitoring of on-premise and on-demand video security and surveillance equipment.

It is the eleventh acquisition for Pavion since partnering with Wind Point Partners ("Wind Point") in June 2020.

Pavion, provider of agile fire, safety, security & critical communications systems, expands its video security footprint Tweet this

Established in 1988, Short Circuit quickly became one of the leading CCTV equipment service providers in the country. The Company's service offerings currently include video security, surveillance, and access control systems installation and service along with equipment removal, refurbishment, and repair. Short Circuit serves more than 40,000 locations across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada from its headquarters in Lee's Summit, Mo.

The acquisition supports Pavion's strategic growth as a systems integrator across three key business units: fire, security, and critical communications. According to President and CEO, Joe Oliveri, the addition of Short Circuit complements Pavion's legacy in providing physical and cyber security and active central monitoring, among other security services.

"Security is already a big part of our business, and one that we're continuously looking to build," Oliveri explained. "Short Circuit adds significantly to the depth and breadth of services we're able to provide throughout North America, which is an important part of our long-term business growth."

"We're thrilled to welcome Short Circuit to the growing Pavion portfolio," said Nathan Brown, Managing Director at Wind Point. "This strategic acquisition enhances our security capabilities while adding further opportunities to serve customers across a broader suite of solutions."

For David Israel, Co-Founder and Vice President of Short Circuit Electronics, the synergy between his business and Pavion was clear from the beginning. "Pavion has a large security practice that's well-aligned to our business and can provide additional security, fire, and integration services to our customers," Israel said. "But it's the company and customer culture that solidified the deal for us. Our core values are the same; both revolve around serving people first and foremost, which was important to us."

Oliveri noted Pavion will continue its strategic acquisition program while investing in integration and optimization in order to best serve customers and fuel growth. Officially launched in October 2022, Pavion unites 12 legacy brands across its three business units: CTSI, DavEd Fire Systems, Collaborative Technology Solutions, The Protection Bureau, Star Asset Security, iON247, AFA Protective Systems, Structure Works, Enterprise Security Solutions, Systems Electronics, Firecom and now, Short Circuit Electronics.

Barry Epstein of Vertex Capital was the sole advisor to Short Circuit on the transaction.

About Pavion

Pavion connects and protects by providing fire, security, and communication integration solutions to customers in 41 U.S. locations and 22 countries. The company brings industry-leading experience to clients in the enterprise, healthcare, education, government, data center and retail industries. Its mission is to bring clarity and transformation to safety, security and communication through integral technology and radical service. Learn more at Pavion.com .

About Wind Point Partners

Wind Point Partners is a Chicago-based private equity investment firm with approximately $5 billion in assets under management. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top-caliber management teams to acquire wellpositioned middle market businesses where it can establish a clear path to value creation. The firm targets investments in the consumer products, industrial products and business services sectors. Wind Point is currently investing out of Wind Point Partners X, a fund that was initiated in 2022. Additional information on Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com .

About Short Circuit Electronics, Inc.

Short Circuit Electronics, Inc. provides video security systems installation, equipment removal and refurbishment, and repair; phone and field support; It serves more than 40,000 locations across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada from its headquarters in Lee's Summit, Mo. Visit shortcircuitinc.com for more information.

Pavion.com | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Media Contact:

Lauren Doyle | 937-241-8378 | [email protected]

SOURCE Pavion
CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plant Phenotyping Market is projected to grow to USD 437 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2022 to 2027 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Increasing expansions and investments for plant phenotyping in developed regions is a major factor driving the plant phenotyping market. Further to this, the rising importance of sustainable crop production using improved crop varieties is also a major factor triggering the market growth of plant phenotyping.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Plant Phenotyping Market"

220  Tables

35  Figures

205  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=236591018

Image sensors dominated the market in 2021 and is expected to display similar trend in the coming years

The image analysis segment is expected to account for the largest share of the plant phenotyping market in 2022. These are standalone or additional accessories that can be installed in plant phenotyping equipment systems. The equipment system may contain software installed by default, but with the increasing demand for different applications, additional software and sensors can be integrated according to the requirement of the end user (service providers or research organizations).

The image analysis segment is expected to account for the largest share of the plant phenotyping market in 2022

The image analysis segment is expected to account for the largest share of the plant phenotyping market in 2022. These are standalone or additional accessories that can be installed in plant phenotyping equipment systems. The equipment system may contain software installed by default, but with the increasing demand for different applications, additional software and sensors can be integrated according to the requirement of the end user (service providers or research organizations).

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=236591018

Europe dominated the market in 2021 with a share of 37.8%, while Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 13.9% from 2022 to 2027.

High emphasis on funding for plant phenotyping experiments from the government and other organizations in Europe and North America has played a vital role in the growth of the plant phenotyping market in these regions.

Developing countries in the Asia Pacific region are likely to witness strong demand for plant phenotyping products and services, especially for being able to meet challenges for the food, fuel, and feed demand for the growing population in such countries, along with being able to develop plants that can survive the changing climatic conditions in these countries.

Key companies in the market include plant phenotyping product manufacturers [such as LemnaTec GmbH (Germany), Delta-T Devices Ltd. (UK), CropDesign - BASF SE (Germany), Heinz Walz GmbH (Germany), Phenospex B.V. (Netherlands), WPS (Netherlands), Phenomix (France), Photon Systems Instruments (Czech Republic), and Qubit Systems (Qubit Phenomics) (Canada)] as well as service providers [such as KeyGene N.V. (Netherlands), Rothamsted Research Limited (UK), The Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities GmbH (VBCF) (Austria), and Equinom (Netherlands)]. These companies have been continuously developing their products and services in response to advanced theories based on spectrometry and imagery techniques.

Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=236591018

Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Agrigenomics Market by Application (Crops and Livestock), Sequencer Type (Sanger Sequencing, Illumina HiSeq Family, PacBio Sequencer, SOLiD Sequencer), Objectives, and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, South America,Row) - Forecast year 2026

Agricultural Testing Market by Sample (Soil, Water, Seed, Compost, Manure, Biosolids, Plant Tissue), Application (Safety Testing (Toxins, Pathogens, Heavy Metals), Quality Assurance), Technology (Conventional, Rapid), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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USA: +1-888-600-6441

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Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/plant-phenotyping-market.asp

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
SAINT PAUL, Minn., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Hageman Salmonella lawyers have filed a lawsuit (19HA-CV-23-161) arising from the fourth Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Great Moon Buffet in West Saint Paul. The same restaurant had been associated with three previous Salmonella outbreaks in 2018, 2019, and the summer of 2021. Pritzker Hageman's legal team is representing a 34-year-old man hospitalized for a debilitating and painful Salmonella infection after eating at Great Moon Buffet in November 2021. Our client's illness happened just a few short months after the third outbreak.

Repeated Food Safety Violations Show Blatant Disregard for Consumer Health

Despite repeated warnings from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), there have now been four known Salmonella outbreaks at Great Moon Buffet since 2018. Over the course of three years, Great Moon Buffet repeatedly committed egregious food safety violations that led health officials to refer to the restaurant as one of the "worst offenders" in Minnesota.

During an investigation of the fourth outbreak, inspectors found several food safety violations that "were even worse than on previous inspections."

Pritzker Hageman Salmonella lawyer Raymond Trueblood says, "Four outbreaks in three yearstwo within months of each othersuggest a frightening disregard for consumer safety. It shouldn't take repeated government intervention to ensure kitchen operations are safe and sanitary."

Contact an Experienced Salmonella Lawyer As Soon As Possible

Pritzker Hageman's team of Salmonella lawyers has represented clients sickened in every major outbreak in the United States, including a lawsuit last year against Great Moon Buffet arising from the third outbreak. If you or a loved one got sick after eating at Great Moon Buffet, you should contact an experienced Salmonella lawyer as soon as possible because laws called "statutes of limitations" may limit the amount of time you have to file a claim.

Contacts

Raymond Trueblood

[email protected]

1-888-377-8900

Alicia Penner

[email protected]

1-888-377-8900

SOURCE Pritzker Hageman, P.A.
Leading Fitness Franchise Expands into the Texas Market with the First of Over 30 New Health Clubs

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Retro Fitness, one of the fastest growing health club franchises, today announced the opening of the first clubs under Project LIFT, a new company initiative to open 500 health clubs in 50 Black and Brown communities across the country over the next 5 years. BlackRock's Impact Opportunities Fund and James Collins, Managing Partner of Eastwood Capital Partners, together have committed to developing a minimum of 80 new Retro Fitness Health Clubs in four different regions in the country, the first of which are now open in Dallas, Texas.

"We are excited to partner with James Collins on our Project LIFT initiative and to announce the first four new health clubs in Dallas, Texas," said Andrew Alfano, Chief Executive Officer at Retro Fitness. "This investment is the largest development deal in the history of the company, more importantly we are proud that it is about making a significant difference and giving back to Black and Brown communities."

Retro Fitness is looking to incentivize others to take this journey with them. Project LIFT investors will benefit by receiving a waived franchise fee and 50% off year one royalties. Additionally, Retro Fitness will be donating a percentage of its royalties back to an organization within the community for the life of the business. This initiative further supports Retro Fitness' commitment to making a lasting, profound impact on the health club industry and the communities in which they serve.

"It has been extremely gratifying working with the Retro Fitness team and seeing the first health club locations under its Project LIFT initiative come to life," said James Collins, Managing Partner at Eastwood Capital Partners. "I'm excited to see the positive impact we make with these first locations in the greater Dallas area, and I'm even more excited to continue my partnership with the Retro Fitness team as we open more health clubs for local communities to benefit from, in more ways than one."

As a world class franchise, Retro Fitness is one of the few franchisors in any industry that offers a true, full suite of services. In addition to real estate site selection and negotiation, construction and delivery of a true turnkey box, dedicated area managers and a Support Center for training and development, they also offer services that consist of an in-house media agency, call center, accounting services and more, all to ensure franchisees and investors are supported from the start.

The first four locations are now open in the greater Dallas area. For more information on the addresses of the new locations, please see below:

Mesquite-Galloway Avenue, 2524 N. Galloway Avenue, Mesquite

Dallas-Beltline Rd. 7989 Belt Line Road, Ste #200, Dallas

Richardson-Beltline Rd. 1301 E. Beltline Road, Richardson

Garland-Broadway Blvd. 3265 Broadway Blvd Suite 102, Garland

For more information on how to become an investor in Project LIFT, please visit RetroFitness.com/Franchising/Project-LIFT/.

About Retro Fitness:

For nearly 20 years, Retro Fitness has been providing members with a timeless approach to exercise, health and fitness. With 200 health clubs open or in development, Retro Fitness is one of the fastest growing High Value-Low Price fitness franchises in the United States. With a new executive leadership team led by former Starbucks executive, Andrew Alfano, Retro Fitness provides investors and franchisees with a full suite of services including real estate site selection, training, in-club support, marketing services, and operations to deliver a turnkey and operational solution.

About James Collins :

James Collins is an experienced private equity investor. During his 22 years of private equity investing, Collins has been an integral member of deal teams that have invested approximately $0.5 billion of equity capital in several platform investments  consumer products and retail, business services, communications, and transportation and logistics companies. Prior to working as a private equity investor, Collins worked as a strategic management consultant and mergers and acquisitions investment banker at Bain & Company, Inc. and Bowles Hollowell Connor & Co., respectively. Collins earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University and his Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He currently sits on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors, including Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, Board of Directors, chairing its Finance, Investment and Audit Committee, and serving as a member of Points of Light's Executive Committee.

SOURCE Retro Fitness
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Scottie Resources Corp. ("Scottie" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE: SR8) is pleased to report new assays on its Blueberry Contact Zone including two high-grade shallow intercepts in drill hole SR22-170 of 8.21 g/t gold over 19 metres and 6.30 g/t gold over 8.15 metres. These most recent intercepts compliment the already released results from the 2022 exploration program and support the company's goal of defining a road accessible gold deposit in BC's Golden Triangle. The Blueberry Contact Zone is 100% owned and royalty free and is located 2 kilometres north-northeast of the past-producing high-grade Scottie Gold Mine, 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC, along the Granduc Road.

Figure 1: Segmented vertical long section of the Blueberry Contact Zone and plan view illustrating the distribution of the sections. Highlighting the distribution and status of drilled targets from the 2022 season and the reported results thus far, grade contour model was created from pre-2022 drilling of the structure. (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.) Figure 2: Overview plan view map of the Scottie Gold Mine Project, illustrating the distribution of the most recent results, and the overall scope of the 2022 drill and the completed 2022 loop electromagnetic geophysical grids. (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.)

Table 1: Selected results from new drill assay results (uncut) from the Blueberry Contact Zone.

Drill Hole

From

(m) To

(m) Width*

(m) Gold

(g/t) Silver

(g/t) SR22-170

32 40.15 8.15 6.30 1.7

50.5 69.5 19.00 8.21 0.4 including 51.8 53.3 1.50 73.3 5.0

104.05 105 0.95 1.24 9.0

125.2 126.75 1.55 1.65 0

190.45 192.15 1.70 3.87 2.0 SR22-196

199 200.49 1.49 1.11 2.0

283 284.5 1.50 2.97 55.0 SR22-197

228.5 231.5 3.00 1.64 6.5

293 305 12.00 1.54 2.7 including 293 296 3.00 4.72 5.5

312 321 9.00 1.40 7.9

327 328 1.00 1.14 29.0

355.5 357 1.50 1.67 5.0 SR22-202

42.6 46.1 3.50 5.63 1.9

53.1 54.1 1.00 2.09 0

63.1 69.6 6.50 3.04 0 including 68.1 69.6 1.50 11.4 0

84.9 85.95 1.05 43.8 10.0 SR22-207

359 361 2.00 9.34 8.0

417.25 420.5 3.25 3.46 1.2 including 419.5 420.5 1.00 9.70 0

423.5 424.5 1.00 1.33 44.0

429.5 430.81 1.31 4.52 40.0

* True thicknesses of mineralized intercepts are undetermined

President and CEO, Brad Rourke: "The majority of drill holes from our 2022 drill program were expansionary holes testing step outs with spacings greater than 75 metres from previous drilling. These recent results exemplify the continued success we've had in hitting wide high-grade intercepts along the structure and are a testament to the scale and tenor of the deposit that we have tapped into. Our 2023 drill campaign will continue to expand and test for new high-grade zones along the Blueberry Contact."

About the Blueberry Contact Zone

The Blueberry Zone is located just 2 kilometres 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 and 2021, coupled with surficial mapping and sampling suggest that this splay is in fact a major N-S mineralized structure, of which the Blueberry Vein was only a secondary structure. This zone is much wider than pursued in previous exploration models and drilling in 2022 has expanded its strike length to >1,450 metres and its depth to 390 metres. The zone is steeply dipping, and there is no current restraint on its potential depth; the mineralization at the adjacent Scottie Gold Mine has a vertical extent greater than 450 metres. The Blueberry Zone is located on the Granduc Road, 20 kilometres north of the Ascot Resources' Premier Project, which is fully financed for construction (Dec 12, 2022). Newcrest's Brucejack Mine is located 25 kilometres to the north.

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.

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples taken during the 2022 field season were analyzed 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.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. 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 59,000 hectares 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.

SOURCE Scottie Resources Corp.
Secured Launches First-Ever Automated AI-Enabled Commercial Drone Surveillance Solution

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Secured, a service-disabled veteran owned small business security technology firm, is revolutionizing the field of drone surveillance with the first commercially-available automated AI Object Recognition & Change Detection software designed to merge sensor data in near real-time. Already making waves in the industry, the company has been awarded over $4,000,000 in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) customization and development in 2023 by a US-based non-profit foundation. Due to the nature of the work, the NPO cannot be named at this time, however, this groundbreaking innovation has the potential to revolutionize security in the global food production industry, amongst others, with its unique ability to identify landmines and other man-made objects.

"This new platform allows us to utilize innovative drones to help farmers around the globe with their crop production." Tweet this Secured has been awarded over $4,000,000 in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) customization and development for its first commercially-available automated AI Object Recognition & Change Detection software. This unique drone software is designed to merge SAR and LiDAR sensor data in near real-time and allowing scanners to penetrate heavy vegetation and many ground surfaces.

"This new platform allows us to utilize innovative drones to help farmers around the globe with their crop production, soil health, and ultimately provide more food safely around the world," says CEO Gabe Rubio.

Secured is an advanced cybersecurity and technology firm established by brothers Gabriel "Gabe" and Cody Rubio. Secured offers a range of services designed to help protect businesses from cyber threats and data breaches as well as provide automated custom software solutions.

Secured's CEO, Gabe Rubio, is a pioneer in the cybersecurity industry with over 20 years of experience. Gabe served in the US Navy as a Cryptologic Officer before joining the National Security Agency in 2006 where he served in a variety of technical and leadership positions. Since then, he has led a number of cyber-focused companies, most recently as the CEO of Siege Technologies.

"Secured is very unique in what we do," says Gabe. "We're able to apply our expertise in the Intelligence Community into the industry. Whether we are creating unique tools like AI-driven drones or providing security and compliance consulting, we're focused on providing the best possible tools to our clients to compete in the changing industry."

Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Cody Rubio, joined forces with his brother after serving as Director of Business Development for the New York-based multifamily investment firm, Ashcroft Capital. He brings nearly two decades of marketing and business development expertise to the table.

"This exciting technology that we're developing can truly make an impact globally," says Cody. "The ingenuity and creativity of the security products that we're building coupled with the expert service levels we are providing is unmatched," he continued.

The UAS product that Secured is currently providing and continues to develop has much more robust capabilities than a typical commercial drone. The drone is gas-powered with extended flight times, allowing for more ground coverage. It is retrofitted with Synthetic Aperture Radar and LiDAR cameras allowing scanners to penetrate heavy vegetation and many ground surfaces. To learn more about Secured's capabilities, set up a call at www.MySecured.tech.

For more information on Secured's solutions:

https://mysecured.tech

SOURCE Secured
The funding will be used to develop Sena's tech platform.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sena Health announced today that it has partnered with Care2U, an in-home acute care provider backed by Regal Healthcare Capital Partners. The partnership, through which Care2U invested in Sena, will help expedite the development of the Sena Health Technology Platform and will facilitate additional expansion.

Founded in 2020, Sena Health partners with hospitals, payers, and medical groups to enable hospital-level care in patients' homes. Sena's Care Coordination Center operates 24/7/365 and coordinates in-home care for a wide range of medical conditions through its network of community providers throughout the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region.

Sena Health strives to form high-quality strategic partnerships. "We were very selective in choosing a strategic investment partner," said Dr. Anthony Wehbe, Founder and CEO of Sena Health. "Sena is excited to work with Care2U and Care2U's capital partner, Regal Healthcare. Regal has a unique model investing in healthcare teams and forming partnerships across the country to create value for all stakeholders."

Regal Healthcare Capital Partners provides operational expertise and financial backing to accelerate growth for leading healthcare entrepreneurs. "We are thrilled that Care2U will invest in and partner with the team at Sena Health," said Dr. David Kim, Co-Founder and General Partner of Regal Healthcare Capital Partners. "Sena has a demonstrated ability to innovate at-home care diverse models and to partner with leading institutions around the country."

About Sena Health

Sena Health enables healing at home for many medical conditions that would typically require a hospital stay. Care Coordinators are available 24/7/365 and facilitate the seamless delivery of hospital-level services into patients' homes according to patients' needs and preferences. Sena Health also provides consulting services, program launch support services, and the staffing and technology to support each patient. Sena provides support services to developers of advanced at-home care across six states with a strong growth trajectory.

About Care2U

Care2U is a New York-based digital healthcare company that provides care in the home to patients with a wide range of medical needs. Care2U's home-based interventions enhance patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and re-admissions.

About Regal

Regal Healthcare Capital Partners is a New York-based private equity and investment firm that partners with leading healthcare entrepreneurs in fragmented sectors of healthcare. Regal's team and core investor group of healthcare professionals provide a unique combination of operational expertise and financial backing to accelerate growth. Regal's mission is to help healthcare entrepreneurs grow their businesses so that they can provide high-quality, patient-centric care to more patients while creating value for all stakeholders.

For more information, please contact us at 609-888-6039 or [email protected]

SOURCE Sena Health
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA), and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, and docketed under 23-cv-00003, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Avaya securities between November 22, 2021 and November 29, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchase or otherwise acquired Avaya securities, you have until March 6, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Avaya purports to be a "global leader in digital communications products, solutions and services for businesses of all sizes delivering its technology predominantly through software and services." The Company claims that its "global, experienced team of professionals delivers award-winning services from initial planning and design to seamless implementation and integration, to ongoing managed operations, optimization, training and support."

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company's internal control over financial reporting ("ICFR") was deficient in several areas; (ii) as a result of these deficiencies, the Company had failed to design and maintain effective controls over its whistleblower policies and its ethics and compliance program; (iii) the Company's deteriorating financial condition was likely to raise substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On July 28, 2022, Avaya announced the termination of its Chief Executive Officer James M. Chirico, Jr.. The Company also announced preliminary Q3 2022 financial results that included expected revenues and adjusted EBITDA well below previously given guidance and an unquantified but "significant" impairment charge. In addition, Avaya withdrew its 2022 guidance.

On this news, Avaya's stock price fell $1.19 per share, or 56.99%, to close at $0.90 per share on July 29, 2022.

Then, on August 9, 2022, Avaya announced that: (1) it determined there was substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern; (2) it would not timely file its financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2022; (3) its Audit Committee commenced internal investigations into circumstances surrounding the Company's financial results for the quarter; and (4) the Audit Committee also commenced an investigation into matters raised by a whistleblower.

On this news, Avaya's stock price fell $0.51 per share, or 45.54%, to close at $0.61 per share on August 9, 2022.

Finally, before the market opened on November 30, 2022, Avaya disclosed in a Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the SEC that "control deficiencies [] management had been reviewing represent material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting" and that "management's assessment of ICFR included in Item 9A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year 2021 ended September 30, 2021, filed with the [SEC] on November 22, 2021 [] should no longer be relied upon." Specifically, the Form 8-K stated that the Company "did not design and maintain effective controls related to the information and communication component of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission framework," "did not design and maintain effective controls to ensure appropriate communication between certain functions within the Company," and "did not design and maintain effective controls over the ethics and compliance program."

On this news, Avaya's stock price fell $0.16 per share, or 14.28%, to close at $0.96 per share on November 30, 2022.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu ("Gaotu" or the "Company") (NYSE: GOTU). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Gaotu and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 23, 2021, China unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its education sector, banning companies that teach the school curriculum from making profits, raising capital or going public, effectively ending any potential growth in the for-profit tutoring sector in China.

On this news, Gaotu's American Depositary Share ("ADS") price fell $6.06 per ADS, or 63.3%, to close at $3.52 per ADS on July 23, 2021.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Generac Holdings, Inc. ("Generac" or the "Company") (NYSE: GNRC). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Generac and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On August 1, 2022, Generac's channel partner Pink Energy filed a lawsuit against Generac, revealing that Generac's "defective" SnapRS components caused millions of dollars of damage, giving rise to liability that threatened Pink Energy's solvency (the "Pink Energy Complaint"). The disclosures in the Pink Energy Complaint caused Generac's stock price to fall $3.31 per share. The liability created by defective SnapRS components ultimately forced Pink Energy to declare bankruptcy on October 7, 2022.

In the wake of Pink Energy's bankruptcy, on October 19, 2022, Generac revealed that it had taken "pre-tax charges totalling approximately $55 million, including approximately $37 million of clean energy product warranty-related matter and approximately $18 million of bad debt expense related to a clean energy product customer that has filed for bankruptcy." The $37 million charge related to warranty expenses appears to reflect Generac's belated acknowledgment of its increased liability to redress defective SnapRS units. The $18 million charge related to "bad debt expense" reflects receivables owed by Pink Energy, and possibly other partners or customers burdened with defective SnapRS products, that would not be paid. These disclosures caused the Generac's stock price to decline by $37.44 per share, or 25%.

Then, on November 2, 2022, Generac released its earnings results for the third quarter of 2022, and lowered sales guidance on its solar energy business for the remainder of the year by approximately 40%. On a conference call with investors and analysts held that same day, Generac's Chief Executive Officer Aaron Jagdfeld attributed the lowered guidance to "the loss of a major customer during the quarter, along with the specific warranty-related issue"i.e., the defective SnapRS component and the Pink Energy bankruptcy that resulted directly from that defect. Analysts expressed shock upon learning how dependent Generac's clean energy business was on Pink Energy, with several analysts noting that investors had not been told of the significant concentration of that business with a single partner. As a result of these disclosures, Generac's stock price declined by $8.99 per share, or 8%.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Welltower Inc. ("Welltower" or the "Company") (NYSE: WELL). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Welltower and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On December 7, 2022, Hindenburg Research published a report titled, "Welltower: Exposing The Shell Game." Among other things, the report claimed that the Company transferred the management of underperforming facilities to an undisclosed related party. In addition, according to the report, the new partner firm Integra "seems to barely exist. The entity was registered 6 months ago, according to Delaware corporate records. Its website was registered on the same day." Further, the report alleged that, "Integra's CEO, 29-year-old David Gefner, appears to have no background in the skilled nursing space at all. Integra has no employees on LinkedIn except for Gefner, who claims to have worked at the 6-month-old entity for 11 months."

On this news, Welltower's stock price fell $3.20 per share, or 4.69%, to close at $65.00 per share on December 7, 2022.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Silvergate Capital Corporation (NYSE: SI), and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and docketed under 22-cv-01968, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Silvergate securities between November 9, 2021 and November 17, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Plaintiff pursues claims against the Defendants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Silvergate securities during the Class Period, you have until February 6, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Silvergate is a digital currency company. Its platform, the Silvergate Exchange Network, provides payments, lending, and funding solutions for an expanding class of digital currency companies and investors. Silvergate is also the parent company of Silvergate Bank which provides financial services that include commercial banking, commercial and residential real estate lending, mortgage warehouse lending, and commercial business lending.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Company's platform lacked sufficient controls and procedures to detect instances of money laundering; (2) that Silvergate's customers had engaged in money laundering in amounts exceeding $425 million; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was reasonably likely to receive regulatory scrutiny and face damages, including penalties and reputational harm; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On November 15, 2022, Marcus Aurelius Research tweeted that "Recently subpoenaed Silvergate bank records reveal $425 million in transfers from $SI crypto bank accounts to South American money launderers. Affidavit from investigation into crypto crime ring linked to smugglers/drug traffickers."

On this news, the Company's Class A common stock price fell $6.13, or 17%, to close at $29.36 per share on November 15, 2022, on unusually heavy trading volume.

On November 17, 2022, The Bear Cave newsletter released an article about several companies with potential exposure to recently collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, including Silvergate. The article highlighted the connection linking Silvergate to a money laundering operation that transferred $425 million off cryptocurrency trading platforms.

On this news, the Company's Class A common stock price fell $3.00, or 10.7%, to close at $24.90 per share on November 18, 2022, on unusually heavy trading volume.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
The James is Now Available to Franchise, Accelerating Sonesta's Global Development Strategy and Further Advancing its Presence in the Lifestyle Market

NEWTON, Mass., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) today announced the expansion of its global development strategy to include The James brand as part of the Sonesta Franchise portfolio in the U.S. and in Latin America, offering franchisees a high-end lifestyle option in top urban and resort destination markets.

Currently, The James Nomad, New York (which features Scarpetta Restaurant and The Seville), is the prototype for future properties under its license agreement. Sonesta will reflag two of The Royal Sonesta properties from its managed portfolio later this year to The James brand  The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North and The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle.

"The James is a lifestyle brand that provides guests with a unique hospitality experience based on high quality services and amenities supported by a timeless design," said Elizabeth Harlow, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer of Sonesta. "The James' ambiance is locally inspired, influenced by each hotel's local community to provide each traveler with a memorable guest experience. The James' hallmark is its commitment to creating an emotional connection with each guest."

The James brand caters to both visitors and local guests, offering a unique experience at each property. With destination worthy beverage and food, each hotel will partner with restaurateurs, transforming each restaurant into a destination.

"Adding The James to our franchise portfolio meets our goal of expanding our Upper-Upscale and lifestyle market offerings and helps position Sonesta as an industry leader in franchising," said Brian Quinn, Chief Development Officer of Sonesta. "The James is a sophisticated urban retreat that appeals to a broad, affluent and multigenerational audience. The introduction of this brand is another example of the exciting ways we are developing and evolving Sonesta's growing franchise portfolio."

In September 2021, Sonesta Franchising debuted in the U.S. with a complete platform of franchise services, hotel operations and franchise support. Featuring 14 industry-leading brands, Sonesta Franchising offers a wide range of hotel services to fit the needs of every type of traveler.

About Sonesta

Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,200 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 16 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts; Sonesta Select; Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites and Sonesta Cruise Collection operating in Egypt, also; Sonesta Posadas del Inca; Hotel RL; Red Lion Hotels; Red Lion Inn & Suites; Signature Inn; GuestHouse Extended Stay; Knights Inn, Americas Best Value Inn and Canadas Best Value Inn. For more information about Sonesta and its locations, visit franchise.sonesta.com or email [email protected] .

Media Contact:

Lorie Juliano Sonesta Head of Communication Franchise & Development [email protected]

SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiro, the brand experience agency within the GES collective, today announced the appointment of Luke D'Arcy as Global Executive Vice President of Business Development. In his new role, D'Arcy will direct and oversee the efforts of the experiential marketing agency's growing worldwide team and work in close conjunction with today's top brands to deliver dynamic, impactful experiences for audiences.

Luke D'Arcy, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Spiro

D'Arcy brings more than 20 years of brand experience to the Spiro table, most recently holding numerous executive roles at Momentum Worldwide, where he helped develop and propel experiential marketing initiatives for the likes of American Express, Coca-Cola, Nike and Samsung, among other major names. A Harvard Business School alumnus, D'Arcy also honed his skills at lauded global advertising agencies Havas Creative and Iris and served as partnership director during the launch of Sir Richard Branson's United Kingdom-based Formula 1 Virgin Racing team.

D'Arcy's efforts have also helped rack up more than 15 of advertising's top honors, earning recognition from Adweek, Cannes Lion, Clio, Diversity and many other trusted industry authorities.

"At Spiro, our success starts with hiring leaders who have a proven history of delivering high-impact results," said Spiro Global President Jeff Stelmach. "Luke D'Arcy's track record speaks for itself, and we're honored to welcome such a seasoned and decorated leader to the Spiro family as we kick off 2023."

D'Arcy assumes his new position at Spiro effective immediately. For more on Spiro, visit ThisIsSpiro.com.

About Spiro

Spiro, part of the GES collective, is the global brand experience agency for the NEW NOW. We create global events and experiences that redefine how humans connect, and we bring them to life across integrated physical, digital, mobile and hybrid mediums. Working with some of the world's most recognized brands, Spiro's strategists, creators, innovators, builders, marketers and specialists are skilled in analytic & strategic event management, creative design, and production. Working together, we deliver high-impact experiential exhibits, conferences & events, product launches, sponsorship activations, and consumer pop-ups that unite audiences  wherever they may be.

Media Contact:

Ashley Serafin

[email protected]

SOURCE Spiro
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiro, the brand experience agency within the GES collective, today announced the appointment of Luke D'Arcy as Global Executive Vice President of Business Development. In his new role, D'Arcy will direct and oversee the efforts of the experiential marketing agency's growing worldwide team and work in close conjunction with today's top brands to deliver dynamic, impactful experiences for audiences.

Luke D'Arcy, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Spiro

D'Arcy brings more than 20 years of brand experience to the Spiro table, most recently holding numerous executive roles at Momentum Worldwide, where he helped develop and propel experiential marketing initiatives for the likes of American Express, Coca-Cola, Nike and Samsung, among other major names. A Harvard Business School alumnus, D'Arcy also honed his skills at lauded global advertising agencies Havas Creative and Iris and served as partnership director during the launch of Sir Richard Branson's United Kingdom-based Formula 1 Virgin Racing team.

D'Arcy's efforts have also helped rack up more than 15 of advertising's top honors, earning recognition from Adweek, Cannes Lion, Clio, Diversity and many other trusted industry authorities.

"At Spiro, our success starts with hiring leaders who have a proven history of delivering high-impact results," said Spiro Global President Jeff Stelmach. "Luke D'Arcy's track record speaks for itself, and we're honored to welcome such a seasoned and decorated leader to the Spiro family as we kick off 2023."

D'Arcy assumes his new position at Spiro effective immediately. For more on Spiro, visit ThisIsSpiro.com.

About Spiro

Spiro, part of the GES collective, is the global brand experience agency for the NEW NOW. We create global events and experiences that redefine how humans connect, and we bring them to life across integrated physical, digital, mobile and hybrid mediums. Working with some of the world's most recognized brands, Spiro's strategists, creators, innovators, builders, marketers and specialists are skilled in analytic & strategic event management, creative design, and production. Working together, we deliver high-impact experiential exhibits, conferences & events, product launches, sponsorship activations, and consumer pop-ups that unite audiences  wherever they may be.

Media Contact:

Ashley Serafin

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982567/Darcy.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1774232/Spiro_Part_Of_The_GES_Collective_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Spiro
Succeeds Jim Schnepper, Who Joins the Standard Advisory Board

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Industries, a privately-held global industrial company operating in more than 80 countries with over 20,000 employees, today announced the appointment of John Altmeyer as Chief Executive Officer of GAF, North America's largest roofing manufacturer. After 28 successful years at GAF, Schnepper, who was appointed President of GAF in 2017 and became CEO in 2021, has stepped down and is joining the Standard Advisory Board.

"John Altmeyer is a renowned industry leader who will draw upon his deep experience, relationships and track record to drive GAF's next stage of growth," said David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries. "Over the past few years, as Executive Chairman, Commercial Roofing, John set GAF up to be as successful in commercial as it is in the residential market. We now look forward to working with him as he leads the entire company into the future."

"We are grateful to Jim Schnepper for his dedication to GAF over his many years with the company and wish him success in his next chapter," said David Winter, co-CEO of Standard Industries. "As one of the industry's most respected executives, John is the right person to step in as CEO of GAF. He will build on the momentum he helped create in GAF's commercial business and continue to strengthen and expand GAF's broader leadership in the industry."

Schnepper led GAF during a period of tremendous growth and transformation and through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of his nearly three decades with the company.

"It has been an honor working at GAF to help Americans protect what matters most," said Schnepper. "As I leave the company to focus on my young familyincluding my one-year-old tripletsand take the time to explore future opportunities, I know I leave GAF in great hands with Standard Industries and John's leadership. I look forward to joining Standard's advisory board and watching the incredible team at GAF continue to lead the industry."

Altmeyer's new role is effective immediately. He joined GAF in 2021 as Executive Chairman, Commercial Roofing. Under his leadership, GAF Commercial sales have more than doubled and significant strategic progress has been made to set the business up for continued growth. He previously served for 21 years as President of Carlisle Construction Materials.

"I am thrilled to lead GAF, as I share David and David's ambitions to continue growing and evolving the best company in the industry," said Altmeyer. "I thank Jim for everything he's done for GAF, and I'm grateful for his guidance during this transition. We will further build on GAF's best-in-class service, product innovation and customer relationships across all areas of the business. I came to GAF because I know this team will win, and I am excited to lead them forward."

About Standard Industries

Standard Industries is a privately-held global industrial company operating in over 80 countries with over 20,000 employees. The Standard ecosystem spans a broad array of holdings, technologies and investmentsincluding both public and private companies from early to late-stageas well as world-class building solutions, performance materials, logistics, real estate and next-generation solar technology. Throughout its history, Standard has leveraged its deep industry expertise and vision to create outsize value across its businesses, which today include operating companies GAF, BMI, Grace, GAF Energy, Siplast, Schiedel, SGI, and Standard Logistics, as well as Standard Investments and Winter Properties. Learn more at www.standardindustries.com.

About GAF

GAF is North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer and a part of Standard Industries. GAF's products include a comprehensive portfolio of roofing and waterproofing solutions for residential and commercial properties as well as for civil engineering applications. GAF provides end-to-end support for architects, specifiers, contractors and property owners seeking high-quality performance and technical guidance. Through its innovative and customer-driven solutions, the company has protected homes, businesses, families and communities for over 130 years. Learn more at www.GAF.com.

Media Contacts

Lizzie Wolff, VP of External Communications, Standard Industries

[email protected]

Andy Hilton, Chief Communications Officer, GAF

[email protected]

SOURCE Standard Industries
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar Service Brands , a multi-brand residential and commercial service organization that includes Restoration 1 , bluefrog Plumbing + Drain , The Driveway Company and Softroc , ends the year with 56 franchise agreements awarded across all brands, the relocation of its headquarters to Dallas, new executive leadership and multiple awards.

"Over the past year, Stellar Service Brands has grown and evolved, and our success demonstrates the strength of our franchise concepts," said Sherry Rose, chief executive officer of Stellar Service Brands. "As we continue to work together, our network has grown stronger and better serves our communities. Customers place their trust in our network because we simply put them first."

Highlights across the Stellar Service Brands network in 2022 include:

Stellar Service Brands:

Relocation of Stellar Service Brands HQ to Dallas ;

to ; Named Jessica Wescott chief operating officer and chief financial officer;

chief operating officer and chief financial officer; Named Caleb Ward vice president of finance;

vice president of finance; Held annual convention in Fort Worth, TX.

Celebrated and honored nearly 60 women at Women in the Trades ' gathering at 2022 Convention;

' gathering at 2022 Convention; Announced Sherry Rose as one of the top 10 women to watch in the "Women of Wonder" issue by Franchise Dictionary Magazine;

Restoration 1:

bluefrog Plumbing + Drain:

Awarded over 15 franchise agreements;

Set to expand its presence in Massachusetts ;

The Driveway Company:

Awarded three franchise agreements, with expansion in Solano County, CA ; Cumming, GA ; and West Chester, PA ;

; ; and ; Ranked 62 in Entrepreneur's 2022 Top New and Emerging Franchises list;

Softroc:

Awarded over 10 franchise agreements, with expansion in Atlanta, GA ; Lubbock, TX ; Naperville, IL ; Melbourne, FL ; Waco, TX ; Coral Springs, FL ; Orlando FL ; The Woodlands, TX ;

To learn more about opening a franchise with Stellar Service Brands, visit Restoration 1 , bluefrog Plumbing + Drain , The Driveway Company , or Softroc .

About Stellar Service Brands

Based in Dallas, Texas, Stellar Service Brands is a holding company that includes Restoration 1 , an award-winning franchise that specializes in a wide array of emergency mitigations, restoration and reconstructions services; bluefrog Plumbing + Drain , a trusted franchise in plumbing repair and installation; The Driveway Company , a leading franchise for concrete driveway repair and maintenance; and Softroc , a provider of poured in place rubber surfacing. Together, they include more than 525 franchise locations awarded across the U.S. With the investment and support of MPK Equity Partners, Stellar plans to continue expanding by adding brands that share the company's goal of providing exceptional home and commercial services.

SOURCE Stellar Service Brands
WASHINGTON and SEATTLE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditional studies have placed High Velocity Clouds (HVCs) at great distances, in the halo and beyond. However new research suggests that the distance to HVC Complex M may be much closeronly 150 pc. These findings appear in a paper entitled "The Distance to High-Velocity Cloud Complex M " that has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Astrophysics. and presented at the 241st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society held in Seattle, Washington in January 2023.

The debate over the origin of High Velocity Cloud (HVC) complexes goes back to the early days of radio astronomy in the 1960s. HVCs are concentrations of hydrogen gas with velocities that are not consistent with the regular rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy. Some HVC complexes could have been part of another galaxy that was disrupted by a close encounter with the Milky Way. Others may have been ejected from the Galaxy and are only now falling back.

In principle, a star behind an HI cloud might show HVC absorption features, but a star in front would not. If the distances to the stars are known, the cloud should lie between them. This seemingly straightforward method is complicated by the relatively recent understanding that the HI gas is filamentary. Thus, the assumption of homogeneity over the entire radio beam for a feature with a cloud-like appearance does not seem to hold up. In fact, warnings against using a non-detection to constrain the distance have now appeared in the literature. As a result, the traditional absorption line studies can provide a well-defined upper limit but not a lower limit to the distance.

Even the customary naming of various HI structures can be confusing as data quality improves. What appeared to be isolated "clouds" in maps from old surveys might now be seen as parts of filaments as sensitivity, resolution, and dynamic range improve. New results show that the well-known HVCs designated as MI, MIIa, and MIIb, which appeared as clouds in earlier studies are, rather, local density concentrations or line-of-sight enhancements in a long, twisted filament that arcs across the sky (see figure).

"These new surveys of interstellar hydrogen are such an improvement," said Gerrit Verschuur, the lead author on the paper who has been studying HVCs for much of his career. "It's the quality of the data that motivated us to take a new look at the old HVC problem."

The data are from the l21-cm galactic neutral atomic hydrogen survey taken with the 100-m telescope in Effelsberg, Germany. MI is traveling faster than the surrounding gas. Recently, at least astronomically speaking, it caught up with and began interacting with/crashing into/passing through the arched filament of Complex M.

"If this is the case, we can use our distance to MI to bootstrap the distance to Complex M," said Joan Schmelz, an astronomer at USRA and a co-author on the paper. "Both are much closer than previously thought - about 150 pc away."

If the distance to the Complex M is 150 pc, then the mass is about 120 solar masses. If the original energy source were a supernova, this mass would be a combination of the matter from the explosion as well as gas swept up as the blast wave moved through interstellar space. The energy implied using the observed line-of-sight velocity, -85 km/s, is 8.4  1048 ergs. Integrating over 4 steradians, the total energy for a spherically symmetrical explosion is estimated to be 1.9  1050 ergs, well within the energy budget of a typical supernova.

The remaining neutron star would be the smoking gun required to prove the supernova model, but without a bright binary companion, a pulsar signature, or mass transfer, it would be all but invisible to us. As a result, other explanations for the larger-scale distribution of anomalous-velocity hydrogen are still very much in play, but the distance to Complex M gets us one step closer to unravelling the longstanding HVC mystery.

About USRA

the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.

 2022 Universities Space Research Association

425 3rd Street SW, Suite 950, Washington DC, 20024

PR Contact:

Suraiya Farukhi

[email protected]

443-812-6945

SOURCE Universities Space Research Association
BREA, Calif. , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp, a leading global provider of visual solutions, worked with the Gaia Hotel Bandung in Indonesia to transform their event spaces into cinematic venues with the 135" All-in-One LED Display Solution Kit. With a foldable screen and 360 silent wheels, the display can be moved easily between 26 meeting and event spaces. The pre-assembled design offers an easy setup and can be used instantly for meetings, weddings, and conferences. These different features minimize the cost of time and labor significantly.

ViewSonic's 135 All-in-One LED Display Solution Kit with a foldable screen(LDS135-151) helps the Gaia Hotel Bandung to provide a perfect event venue for both business and leisure guests. The solution not only saves the downtime and expensive renovations of the traditional wall-mounting display but minimizes the costs of time and manpower for troublesome configuration and installation.

The five-star Gaia Hotel Bandung boasts 280 accommodation rooms and 4 F&B outlets alongside 26 event venues of various interior designs and sizes for meetings, weddings, and conferences. The current audiovisual equipment used in these spaces has limited screen size and poor sound. The equipped traditional LCD walls not only had distracting image grids in between that were visible to viewers but they were also fixed to the walls permanently. It would require a big investment to renovate the venue and equipment. To solve this obstacle, a comprehensive solution that offered a simple set up and more flexibility, alongside incredible imagery and high-fidelity audio was needed.

"It is our goal to be a leading brand to elevate the hospitality industry in Indonesia. One of the ways is to offer state-of-the-art audiovisual experiences to our guests in our event spaces," said Subakti Wangsanegara, Managing Director of Gaia Hotels & Resorts. "ViewSonic's solution answered our difficulties with the large display's mobility and flexibility. It helped us minimize the costs, staff resources, and time needed to set up the display. Our guests were impressed by the cinematic images and the spatial audio of the innovative AV solution."

"Our All-in-One LED display solution kit is designed to bring more flexibility for events, exhibitions, or any short-term usage for businesses. By adding a foldable screen feature to the ultra-large display, the solution kit can offer greater convenience for transportation at a lower cost and effort," said Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We are happy to see that this innovative solution has been adopted in the hospitality industry and brought valuable experiences for both our customers and their guests."

ViewSonic's 135" All-in-One LED Display Solution Kit comes pre-assembled in a secure flight case. The foldable design of the LED display reduces the packaging size significantly to offer greater convenience for transportation. Set with a motorized floor stand on silent 360 wheels, Gaia Hotel Bandung could move it between 26 event spaces across different floors effortlessly. It only required two staff members to unpack and set up the screen in 10 minutes  thus minimizing cost, labor, and time.

With the bezel-free, slim, and sleek design, the movable ultra-large LED display blends easily into any decor and fits any space. Whether it's a romantic wedding video or a high-stakes commercial presentation, guests at Gaia Hotel Bandung could relish the immersive pictures and the cinema-grade Harman Kardon acoustics at their events.

Moreover, the All-in-One Direct View LED Display Solution Kit features built-in operating system with Wi-Fi accessibility. Guests could easily operate it and share their videos or presentations wirelessly from mobile devices onto the display without hassle. Ultimately, these features make it easier for the hotel staff to manage events successfully.

To learn more about how ViewSonic assists Gaia Hotel Bandung to offer world-class facilities with the 135" LED Display Solution Kit, please visit the following links for the full story and case study video.

During ISE 2023 (January 31st to February 3rd), ViewSonic will showcase the 135" All-in-One Direct View LED Display Solution Kit at booth 2Q600 to demonstrate the innovative audiovisual solution. For more information, please visit ViewSonic at ISE.

About Gaia Hotel Bandung

Spanning over 2.3 hectares on a valley facing luscious mountains, The Gaia Bandung offers an experience beyond mere 5-star elegance. The Gaia Hotel Bandung offers guests the ability to enjoy the nature of the surrounding area while giving a range of options that bring rest, recreation, and creative excitement. At The Gaia Hotel Bandung, we invite guests to discover different dimensions of rest and leisure through a wide offering of facilities and opportunities to create a uniquely personal experience. https://thegaiabandung.com/

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

SOURCE ViewSonic
More than 26,000 events and activities planned by traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, and home education options

MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of a year of huge changes in the education policy landscape  during which more than two dozen states expanded education options for parents in 2022  National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28) is poised to help transform those options into actual school choices for countless families. Through events and activities at local schools, conversations on social media and among friends and family, and large-scale school fairs and rallies, more parents will be thinking about finding the right educational fit for their sons and daughters during National School Choice Week (NSCW) than at any other time of the year.

In its thirteenth year, the Week is unique in its emphasis on partnering with and celebrating every type of school: traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning options, private schools, homeschooling, learning pods, and microschools. Of the 23,000 schools planning events and activities for the Week:

16.3 percent of all regular K-12 public and private schools, including 13.7 percent of public schools and 24.5 percent of private schools, are participating in NSCW 2023.





of all regular K-12 public and private schools, including 13.7 percent of public schools and 24.5 percent of private schools, are participating in NSCW 2023. 8.79 million students attend schools that will participate in NSCW 2023, an increase of 19.5 percent over the number of students attending NSCW-participating schools in 2022.





students attend schools that will participate in NSCW 2023, an increase of 19.5 percent over the number of students attending NSCW-participating schools in 2022. 2,413 counties, or 76.8 percent of all counties across the U.S., are home to a school that will participate in NSCW 2023.





across the U.S., are home to a school that will participate in NSCW 2023. 14.3 percent of NSCW-participating K-12 schools are located in geographic areas where the median household income is 150 percent or less of the HHS Federal Poverty Guideline; comparatively, 10.3 percent of all U.S. K-12 schools are located in such geographic areas.





of NSCW-participating K-12 schools are located in geographic areas where the median household income is 150 percent or less of the HHS Federal Poverty Guideline; comparatively, 10.3 percent of all U.S. K-12 schools are located in such geographic areas. 26.9 percent of NSCW-participating K-12 schools are located in geographic areas where nonwhite residents comprise more than 50 percent of the total population; comparatively, 19.1 percent of all U.S. K-12 schools are located in such geographic areas.

"School Choice Week shows the many sides of school choice on a macro and micro scale," said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, which organizes the Week.

"On the one hand, it's a time when individual conversations are happening across the country between dads and daughters, teachers and students, and community leaders and parents. On the other, cities and states at large are taking stock of the education options they make available to parents, celebrating the success of students in all types of schools, and challenging themselves to be more proactive in putting kids first when it comes to education."

National School Choice Week will be celebrated from Jan. 22-28, 2023. More information and resources for journalists interested in covering the Week at schoolchoiceweek.com/multimedia . More information for families can be found at schoolchoiceweek.com/mystate .

National School Choice Week (NSCW) informs, inspires, and empowers parents to discover the K-12 education options available for their children, including traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and homeschooling. Every January, tens of thousands of schools, organizations, and individuals plan unique events and activities to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options in their communities. The Week is a project of the nonpartisan, nonpolitical National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com

SOURCE National School Choice Week
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thread Bank ( "Thread" ) announced today that it has joined a newly launched Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) Association. The association was formed by Bankers Helping Bankers (BHB), a bankers-only social+ platform for collaboration and education.

"Banking-as-a-Service and fintech partnerships are enabling Thread to broaden its reach on a scale that could not otherwise be realized," said Chris Black, Thread CEO and President. "The BHB BaaS Association provides us a unique opportunity to collaborate with and benefit from similarly focused, innovative and leading community banks and other fintech partners on best practices, setting of industry standards and ensuring regulatory expectations are met."

The BHB BaaS Association is a premiere governance association with the purpose of promoting, creating, and supporting Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and is aimed at serving the unique needs of BaaS sponsor banks. The Association seeks to:

Coordinate legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts to encourage the responsible delivery of BaaS by federally insured depository institutions.

Promote best practices and standards for the delivery of BaaS products to non-banks.

Build a community of like-minded bankers and other industry participants to share experiences, insights, and learnings.

Connect federally insured financial institutions to the technology partners who will help them facilitate a successful BaaS program.

BaaS is seeing a tremendous increase in bank participants fueled by rapid expansion in fintech funding and a constant supply of new startups. It is a highly specialized business that requires unique technology, regulatory and compliance expertise, and operational capabilities.

Tanner Mayo, co-founder of BHB, said, "Bankers delivering BaaS are leaders in profitability and innovation. It is essential that banks getting into this space do so in a safe, sound, and regulatory-compliant way. This association is intended to help them embrace the opportunities of BaaS, while proactively identifying and mitigating risks."

About Thread

Thread combines best-in-class technology with a streamlined experience to reduce the time, effort, and mental energy of business and personal banking. Formerly Civis Bank, Thread was recapitalized by investors with a shared vision of helping business visionaries and dreamers succeed with a financial ecosystem that is connected, contextual, and customer-first. In addition to helping to shape the future of banking through the deployment of new technologies and new methods to deliver banking products and services, Thread operates two full-service branches in East Tennessee, as well as an LPO/DPO and executive office in Brentwood, Tennessee where the holding company is headquartered.

About The BHB BaaS Association

The BHB BaaS Association was formed with the purpose of promoting, creating, and supporting Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) in a safe and compliant way. Our goal is to teach and guide bankers through education, collaboration, and find new ways for community banks to make money. BaaS is a highly specialized niche and one that is seeing a tremendous increase in bank participants. Bankers are enabling financial services across the country, there simply aren't enough BaaS Sponsor banks to meet the growing demand from hundreds of FinTech applicants. The BaaS Association aims to serve the unique needs of BaaS Sponsor banks. For more information, visit www.baasassociation.com.

Media Contact:

Thread Bank

[email protected]

423-272-2200

SOURCE Thread Bank
NYSE American: UEC

This TRS filing for Shea Creek is the first Saskatchewan resource estimate reported by the Company since its acquisition of UEX Corporation ("UEX") in August of 2022.

resource estimate reported by the Company since its acquisition of UEX Corporation ("UEX") in August of 2022. Combined Shea Creek resources of 95.63 million lb. U 3 O 8 on a consolidated basis are comprised of 67.57 million lb. at 1.491% U 3 O 8 in the indicated resource category and 28.06 million lb. at 1.015% U 3 O 8 in the inferred category, respectively.

O on a consolidated basis are comprised of 67.57 million lb. at 1.491% U O in the indicated resource category and 28.06 million lb. at 1.015% U O in the inferred category, respectively. UEC attributable share of combined resources are 46.95 million lb. U 3 O 8 , comprised of 33.18 million lb. indicated and 13.78 million lb. inferred (Table 1).

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Company's Shea Creek Project (the "Project" or "Shea Creek"). UEC indirectly owns 49.0975% of the Project and Orano Canada Resources ("Orano") owns the remainder and is the Project operator.

Background:

Figure 1 - UEC Athabasca Projects - UEC news release Jan 12, 2023 (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) Figure 2 - UEC Shea Creek Project, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp)

As a U.S. domestic and domiciled company, UEC is now reporting all mineral resources in accordance with Item 1302 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300");

S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants and to align U.S. disclosure requirements more closely for mineral properties with current industry and global regulatory standards; and

The mineral resource estimate set forth in this TRS for the Shea Creek Project have not previously been reported under the S-K 1300 format.

The TRS was prepared under S-K 1300 and was filed on January 11, 2023 with the SEC through EDGAR on Form 8-K and is also available on SEDAR as a "Material Document" filed on January 11, 2023. The TRS was prepared on behalf of the Company by Mr. James Gray, P.Geo., of Advantage Geoservices Limited, Mr. David Rhys, P.Geo., of Panterra Geoservices Inc., and Mr. Chris Hamel, P.Geo., UEC's Vice President Exploration, Canada.

About Shea Creek

The Shea Creek Project is located in the Western Athabasca Basin (Figures 1 & 2), approximately 15 km south of Orano's past-producing Cluff Lake mine and 50 km north of NexGen's Arrow and Fission Uranium's Triple R deposits. The Shea Creek deposits were the first new discoveries in the rapidly developing Western Athabasca uranium district. Shea Creek is a joint venture between UEX (49.0975%) and Orano (50.9025%). Uranium mineralization at Shea Creek is located at just above, and extends well below, the unconformity between Athabasca Group Sandstone and the underlying older basement rocks, which occurs at depths between 700 and 800 m.

Four unconformity-related deposits have been discovered to date on the Shea Creek Project: Kianna, Anne, Colette and 58B; and all four deposits remain open for expansion. These deposits occur along a three km stretch of the greater than 30 km long Saskatoon Lake Conductor Trend. Uranium occurs as unconformity-style uranium mineralization with basement ore shoots that can extend more than 200 m below the unconformity surface and up to 100 m above the unconformity.

UEC believes there is a very high potential to expand uranium resources in the basement rocks within the existing footprint of Shea Creek. The discovery potential along the remaining 26 km of the Saskatoon Lake Conductor Trend is also considered to be very good given the sparse drilling along the trend. One of the best results along the trend is located only two km south of the Anne deposit, where drillhole SHE-002 intersected 0.34% U 3 O 8 / 0.4 m. Limited follow-up drilling in the SHE-002 area in 2015 encountered a wide zone of indicative hydrothermal clay alteration and anomalous uranium that has been observed proximal to the Shea Creek deposit.

Resource Disclosure

The Shea Creek mineral resource estimate for the four deposits were determined using a cut-off grade of 0.30% U 3 O 8 . A total of 2,056,000 tonnes containing 67.57 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 1.491% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the indicated mineral resource category. A total of 1,254,000 tonnes containing 28.06 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 1.015% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the inferred mineral resource category.

The current mineral resource estimate includes the results from 477 diamond drill holes totalling 402,800 m which were drilled from 1992 to 2012. On average, indicated resource blocks were located within eight m of a drill hole and inferred blocks within 16 m. Mineralized wireframes of the Colette, 58B, Kianna and Anne zones bound perched, unconformity, and basement mineralization was prepared at a 0.05% U 3 O 8 mineralized threshold to constrain the mineral resource estimate at each deposit area. The estimate was completed by ordinary kriging using Gemcom software with block sizes of five by five by five m. The impact of anomalously high-grade samples was controlled through a process of grade capping and as well as interpolation distance restrictions for some zones.

The mineral resource estimate primarily utilized uranium geochemical analyses from the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, obtained through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ("ICP-MS") for all samples with grades lower than 1,000 ppm U 3 O 8 and using Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for samples determined by ICP-MS to contain uranium concentrations higher than 1,000 ppm U 3 O 8 . Duplicate and independent check analyses were performed on approximately 5% of the mineralized assay database.

In cases where geochemical analyses were not available due to incomplete sampling or core recovery issues, downhole gamma probe data were used to calculate equivalent uranium grades obtained using a DHT27-STD gamma probe which collects continuous readings along the length of the drill hole. Probe results were calibrated using an algorithm calculated from comparison of probe results against geochemical analyses in previous holes in the Shea Creek area.

Table 1  Shea Creek Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.30% U 3 O 8 cut-off grade

Deposit Area Indicated Inferred Tonnes U3O8

(%) U 3 O 8

(Lb) UEC Share

U 3 O 8 (Lb) Tonnes U3O8

(%) U 3 O 8

(Lb) UEC Share

U 3 O 8 (Lb) Collette 327,000 0.787 5,674 K 2,786 K 492,000 0.717 7,768 K 3,814 K 58B 142,000 0.773 2,419 K 1,188 K 81,000 0.510 906 K 445 K Kianna 1,027,000 1.535 34,743 K 17,058 K 547,000 1.390 16,772 K 8,235 K Anne 560,000 2.002 24,735 K 12,144 K 134,000 0.883 2,6120 K 1,282 K Total 2,056,000 1.491 67,570 K 33,175 K 1,254,000 1.015 28,057 K 13,775 K

Notes: 1) Sum of indicated and inferred tonnes and pounds may not add up to the reported total due to rounding. 2) Indicated and inferred mineral resources as defined in 17 CFR  229.1300 of S-K 1300. 3) Resources are reported as of October 31, 2022. 4) The point of reference for mineral resources is in-situ at the Project. 5) Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 6) UEC attributable resources are calculated based on UEX's 49.0975% equity in the Project.



Summary capital and operating cost estimates are not included with the TRS since the Company is reporting the results of an initial assessment.

The TRS has been prepared and the technical information in this news release respecting the TRS has been reviewed by each of Messrs. James Gray, P.Geo., David Rhys, P.Geo., and Chris J. Hamel P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, Canada, for the Company, all Qualified Persons under Item 1302 of S-K 1300.

Figure 1 - UEC Athabasca Projects

Figure 2 - Shea Creek Project

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for the green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming. These two production platforms are anchored by fully operational central processing plants and served by seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of North American warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a Western Hemisphere pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vietnam higher education market size is estimated to increase by USD 481.32 million. The market's growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period - request a sample report

Higher education market in Vietnam  Vendor Analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Vietnam Higher Education Market 2023-2027

Vendor offerings -

ABEO Inc. - The company offers higher education through Abeo Academy.

The company offers higher education through Abeo Academy. Adobe Inc. - The company offers higher education platform through Adobe Creative Cloud.

The company offers higher education platform through Adobe Creative Cloud. Anthology Inc. - The company offers higher education products such as CRM Anthology Reach, SIS Anthology Student, and LMS Blackboard Learn.

The company offers higher education products such as CRM Anthology Reach, SIS Anthology Student, and LMS Blackboard Learn. Apple Inc. - The company offers higher education products such as Macbook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Pencil.

The company offers higher education products such as Macbook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Pencil. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape -

The higher education market in Vietnam is fragmented, with the presence of various international and regional players offering innovative education solutions to the potential higher education end-user segments. A few prominent vendors are ABEO Inc., Adobe Inc., Anthology Inc., Apple Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., IDP Education Ltd., Innotech Vietnam Corp., Nash Squared, Oracle Corp., Orient Software Development Corp., Pearson Plc, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and others.

The vendors in the market compete on the basis of price, product, quality, and innovation. They are innovating higher education curriculums by integrating the courses with technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Vendors are also attracting international students by offering distance learning programs for various disciplines. They are focusing on continuous innovations to maintain their market presence. The price wars among vendors will compel vendors to expand their customer base further during the forecast period.

Higher education market in Vietnam - Customer landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

Higher education market in Vietnam - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on product (software and hardware) and end-user (private colleges, state universities, and Community colleges).

The software segment will grow at a higher rate than other segments during the forecast period. It is further segmented into support and solutions. The support segment includes education apps, digital educational publishing, learning analytics, and others. The use of analytics software enables higher educational institutes to access and integrate data across multiple systems seamlessly. Hence, vendors of technologies such as learning analytics, gamification solutions, assessment tools, and content authoring are expected to witness growth opportunities during the forecast period.

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Higher education market in Vietnam  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - The advent of changes in educational content delivery methods is driving the market growth. Colleges and universities are investing in hardware and software, which has led to the implementation of new technologies for education. Moreover, new forms of content delivery methods such as gamification-supported flipped classrooms and active learning are being implemented. Such methods can help enhance student engagement, which will fuel the market growth during the forecast period.

Key trends - The growth of internationalization is a key trend in the market. Internationalization refers to the integration of intercultural and international dimensions with education. The Government of Vietnam is planning to design and implement a centrally coordinated investment program for internationalization. Thus, the internationalization of higher education will promote employment opportunities for Vietnamese students. Thus, the growth of internationalization will support the growth of the higher education market in Vietnam during the forecast period.

Major challenges - The rising cost of higher education may impede the market growth. The cost of higher education is higher in private colleges when compared to government colleges in Vietnam. Moreover, there is a lack of well-paying job opportunities. If tuition costs continue to increase, the country would fail to meet this objective of higher education. Thus, the rising cost of higher education will negatively impact the growth of the Vietnam higher education market during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this Vietnam higher education market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Vietnam higher education market between 2023 and 2027

higher education market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the Vietnam higher education market and its contribution to the parent market

higher education market and its contribution to the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Vietnam higher education market vendors

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Related Reports:

The higher education testing and assessment market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.32% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 6,481.55 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by product (academic and non-academic), end-user (educational institutions, universities, training organizations, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The size of the online higher education market in the US is expected to increase by USD 33.35 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 19.82%. This report extensively covers segmentation by subjects (commerce and management, STEM, Arts, and others) and courses (non-degree courses and degree courses).

Higher Education Market in Vietnam Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 144 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 15.3% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 481.32 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 15.0 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled ABEO Inc., Adobe Inc., Anthology Inc., Apple Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., IDP Education Ltd., Innotech Vietnam Corp., Nash Squared, Oracle Corp., Orient Software Development Corp., Pearson Plc, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and 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. 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.

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Table of contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Country Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Courses



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 08: Parent market



Exhibit 09: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 10: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 11: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 12: Chart on Vietnam - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 13: Data Table on Vietnam - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 14: Chart on Vietnam : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 15: Data Table on Vietnam : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Higher education market in Vietnam 2017 - 2021

2017 - 2021 Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Higher education market in Vietnam 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Course Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Course Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 20: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 21: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 22: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 23: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 24: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 25: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 26: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 27: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 29: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 31: Chart on Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Chart on Software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 35: Chart on Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Chart on Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 39: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 40: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 42: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Private colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 44: Chart on Private colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Private colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 46: Chart on Private colleges - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Private colleges - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 State universities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 48: Chart on State universities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on State universities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 50: Chart on State universities - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on State universities - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Community colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 52: Chart on Community colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Community colleges - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 54: Chart on Community colleges - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Community colleges - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 56: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Market Segmentation by Courses

8.1 Market segments

Exhibit 57: Chart on Courses - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Courses - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

8.2 Comparison by Courses

Exhibit 59: Chart on Comparison by Courses



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Comparison by Courses

8.3 Undergraduate - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 61: Chart on Undergraduate - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Undergraduate - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Chart on Undergraduate - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Undergraduate - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.4 Masters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 65: Chart on Masters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Masters - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Chart on Masters - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Masters - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.5 PhD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 69: Chart on PhD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on PhD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Chart on PhD - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 72: Data Table on PhD - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.6 Market opportunity by Courses

Exhibit 73: Market opportunity by Courses ($ million)

9 Customer Landscape

9.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 74: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 75: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 76: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 77: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 78: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 79: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 80: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 ABEO Inc.

Exhibit 81: ABEO Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 82: ABEO Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 83: ABEO Inc. - Key offerings

12.4 Adobe Inc.

Exhibit 84: Adobe Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 85: Adobe Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 86: Adobe Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 87: Adobe Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 88: Adobe Inc. - Segment focus

12.5 Anthology Inc.

Exhibit 89: Anthology Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 90: Anthology Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 91: Anthology Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Apple Inc.

Exhibit 92: Apple Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 93: Apple Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 94: Apple Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 95: Apple Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 96: Apple Inc. - Segment focus

12.7 Dell Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 97: Dell Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 98: Dell Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 99: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 100: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 101: Dell Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

12.8 Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 102: Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 103: Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: Genius Edu Management System Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.9 HCL Technologies Ltd.

Exhibit 105: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 106: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 107: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 108: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Segment focus

12.10 IDP Education Ltd.

Exhibit 109: IDP Education Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 110: IDP Education Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 111: IDP Education Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 112: IDP Education Ltd. - Segment focus

12.11 Innotech Vietnam Corp.

Exhibit 113: Innotech Vietnam Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 114: Innotech Vietnam Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 115: Innotech Vietnam Corp. - Key offerings

12.12 Nash Squared

Exhibit 116: Nash Squared - Overview



Exhibit 117: Nash Squared - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Nash Squared - Key offerings

12.13 Oracle Corp.

Exhibit 119: Oracle Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 120: Oracle Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Oracle Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 122: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus

12.14 Orient Software Development Corp.

Exhibit 124: Orient Software Development Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Orient Software Development Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Orient Software Development Corp. - Key offerings

12.15 Pearson Plc

Exhibit 127: Pearson Plc - Overview



Exhibit 128: Pearson Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 129: Pearson Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: Pearson Plc - Segment focus

12.16 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 131: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 132: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 133: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 134: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 136: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 137: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 138: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 139: Research methodology



Exhibit 140: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 141: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 142: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
Industry Veterans Bring Experience, Record of Success

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phonism, the extensible network device management company, has raised additional funding and added proven executives to its leadership team. Marc Tribbe and James Lee augment Founder and CEO Steve Lazaridis' efforts by bringing a combined focus on product development and growth. With these additions, Phonism adds 60+ years of experience in telecommunications and technology, at a time when the company is expanding offerings and driving customer growth.

Phonism expands leadership team with rockstar executives. The best way to Provision, Deploy, and Manage VoIP Devices.

Cloud-based Phonism allows service providers to innovate with a vendor-agnostic, radically simple, less costly way to configure, deploy and support VoIP based telephony devices. With Phonism, providers provision MAC addresses, drop-ship devices, and invoice quickly. This typically means 1-3 additional months of billable revenue and much happier customers.

"Having known Marc and James for years, it made perfect sense to bring them on board. Marc's an exceptional product visionary, and James brings a wealth of expertise in SaaS strategy and operations. Having them join at this critical juncture accelerates implementation of our vision: Be the most extensible network device management solution on the planet," says Steve Lazaridis.

Tribbe is Phonism's first Chief Product Officer, bringing vision, creativity, and product experience. Lee joined as Chief Operating Officer and leads the Growth Team, focusing on marketing, sales, onboarding, and customer success. Together, they have collaborated on multiple business opportunities for over 25 years.

Early in their careers, Tribbe and Lee were colleagues at Cincinnati Bell, working on the earliest VoIP initiatives in the company. Lee became a co-founder of RoundTower Technologies, an IT Solutions Provider, in 2007. For the next 12 years, he focused on sales - helping drive growth from zero to nearly a half billion in annual revenues. AHEAD, a leader in digital business platforms, acquired RoundTower in 2020.

Tribbe founded Park Bench Solutions (PBS) in 2012, the company behind the award-winning "odin" Productivity Platform and API for Cisco BroadWorks. Lee joined PBS as an Advisory Board Member in 2014, then in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer. As a team, they doubled its customer base and quadrupled recurring revenues over the next two years before selling PBS to Rev.io, a telecom billing and back-office software leader.

Since inception in 2012, Phonism steadily built an impressive collection of devoted, longtime clients. Following last year's record-breaking success, Phonism attracted new investors who infused capital to fuel product enhancements and growth. This funding enables Phonism to prepare for immediate company-wide expansion. In the past year alone, Phonism doubled headcount and is actively looking to fill additional key positions.

Phonism's expanded leadership team will attend Cloud Connections 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale, January 16-18th.

About Phonism

Phonism is brand-agnostic and supports configuration of any supported device through a simple, uniform interface between brands and models.

We speak phone, so you don't have to.

To see Phonism in action or to learn more, visit Phonism, call 813-200-7922 or email [email protected].

Contact Information

Tom Cain

[email protected]

813-200-7922

SOURCE Phonism
Jerusalem, Jan 12 : A knife-wielding Palestinian man stabbed and wounded an Israeli settler before being shot and killed at a settlement in the occupied West Bank, Israeli authorities said.

The Palestinian, a resident of ad-Dhahiriya city near the flashpoint city of Hebron, stabbed a 30-year-old Israeli man in the southern West Bank, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Israeli casualty sustained moderate wounds and was taken to a hospital, the rescue service added.

The assailant was shot and killed by a civilian passer-by, state-owned Kan TV news reported.

The attack took place at the Yehuda Farm, an illegal outpost near Hebron, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli troops killed a 21-year-old Palestinian man during an arrest raid in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank, according to a statement issued by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The incidents were the latest in a surge of violence in the West Bank, a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel has kept controlling the territory despite a Palestinian struggle and international criticism.
Nairobi, Jan 12 : Kenya has announced plans to reduce its fiscal deficit in order to preserve the country's debt sustainability.

Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, told journalists on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, that the government targets to reduce the fiscal deficit from 6.2 per cent of GDP at the end of the 2021/22 financial year which ended in June 2022 to 5.8 per cent in June 2023.

"This will lead to stability in growth of the public debt," Kiptoo said during the public hearings for the financial year 2023/24 and the medium-term budget preparation.

He disclosed that the growth-friendly fiscal consolidation will be achieved through enhancing revenue collection and suspending expenditures in some recurrent areas such as domestic and foreign travels, Xinhua news agency reported.

He revealed that the fiscal deficit is projected to decline further to 4.3 per cent of GDP in the 2023/24 financial year budget and 3.5 per cent of GDP over the medium term.
United Nations, Jan 12 : The UN top envoy for Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, has said that success in the Colombian peace process depends on the government's efforts to curb violence.

"There is a fundamental reality that has to be acknowledged. The lasting success of the Colombian peace agreement, which we all wish to see, is contingent on the ability of the Colombian authorities to address the persistent violence that poses its greatest threat," he told the Security Council in a quarterly briefing on Wednesday.

The government is making an admirable effort to do so, in part, through differentiated dialogues with the illegal armed groups aimed at ending the violence. If these dialogues are successful, this would greatly contribute to generating the security conditions necessary for the different provisions of the 2016 peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to materialise, said Massieu, the UN Secretary-General's special representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

"The effective implementation of the (2016) agreement in itself would bring about the transformations required for lasting peace to take root," he added.

While pressing forward with the implementation of the 2016 agreement, government engagement with illegal armed actors has continued in the framework of its "total peace" policy, said Massieu.

Last month the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) concluded the first round of peace dialogues in Venezuela amid a constructive environment. They plan to hold a new round in Mexico in the coming weeks. The parties' decision to reinitiate discussions is widely supported in Colombian society and is valued especially by communities affected by the conflict in several regions, he added.

The New Year began with a hopeful announcement by Colombia President Gustavo Petro of six-month cease-fires with several illegal armed actors operating in various areas across the country, he said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

"If carefully designed and carried out with commitment, these de-escalation measures agreed with armed groups can help to significantly reduce violence and suffering of conflict-affected communities while building trust in ongoing dialogues." The Security Council's decision on Wednesday to authorise the expansion of the UN Verification Mission's mandate to include the 2016 agreement's comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapters in its verification tasks will enable the mission to increase its contribution to peace in Colombia, Massieu added.

"There are plentiful opportunities ahead for peacebuilding in Colombia. The role of the UN and the solid support of this (Security) Council remain as important as ever," he said.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : Three persons were killed and three others critically injured after two groups opened fire at each other during a fight over a land dispute, in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district, police said.

The incident took place at Govindpur of Katka Raman gram panchayat under the Faridipur police circle late on Wednesday evening.

The deceased include Sardar Paramvir Singh and Devendra Singh, while the third victim was yet to be identified, the police added.

Three persons have suffered bullet wounds in the firing and are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

A heavy police force has been deployed in the village to avoid any further scuffle.

According to the police spokesman, a group led by former pradhan of Raipur Hans gram panchayat, Suresh Singh allegedly opened fire first.

The former pradhan had a dispute with the three deceased over the possession of nearly 135 bigha of land. In retaliation, the second group also opened fire, the police said.

Several persons have been detained for questioning in the case.
Kabul, Jan 12 : At least five people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry in Kabul, police said.

The Islamic State terror group's Khorasan unit (IS-K) has taken responsibility for the attack which took place at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday evening, the BBC reported.

According to the Taliban-led Afghan government, the suicide bomber had tried to enter the Ministry premises but failed.

Several countries have embassies in the area, including China and Turkey.

The Italian humanitarian agency, Emergency NGO in Kabul said it had received more than 40 wounded people and the casualty numbers were continuing to rise.

"We have received more than 40 patients in the hospital, it is difficult to draw up a final number, we are continuing to respond," TOLO News quoted Stefano Sozza, the NGO's Country Director in Afghanistan, as saying in a statement late Wednesday.

"This is the first mass casualty in 2023, but certainly one of those with the most patients since the beginning of 2022. So much so that we have also set up beds in the kitchens and canteen." Spokesman for the Kabul security department, Khalid Zadran said the Taliban regime has condemned the "heinous" attack and will punish the perpetrators.

There was widespread condemnation for the attack.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a tweet "strongly" condemned the blast and called it a terrorist act, adding that it is against human and Islamic values.

In a statement, the UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said: "Violence is not part of any solution to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan. Our condolences to the families affected." The Charge d'Affaires of the British Mission to Afghanistan, Hugo Shorter said in a tweet that "the UK rejects such senseless and indiscriminate acts of violence".

Afghanistan has been rocked by dozens of blasts since the Taliban seized power last year, mostly claimed by IS-K.
Colombo, Jan 12 : The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has urged creditors India and China to agree a write-down of their loans as soon as possible in an effort to "help us to start repaying their obligations".

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday night, the bank's Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said: "The sooner they give us finance assurances that would be better for both (sides), as a creditor, as a debtor. That will help us to start repaying their obligations.

"We don't want to be in this kind of situation, not meeting the obligations, for too long. That is not good for the country and for us. That's not good for investor confidence in Sri Lanka." Sri Lanka, which is currently amidst the worst-ever economic crisis since its independence in 1948, defaulted on its debt repayments and negotiated a $2.9 billion bailout.

But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not release the funds until India and China first agree to reduce Sri Lanka's billions of dollars of debt.

China's lending to Sri Lanka stands at around $7 billion while India is owed around $1 billion.

The Sri Lankan government had initially hoped to agree a new payment plan with China and India by the end of 2022.

Weerasinghe told the BBC that it was possible an agreement could come later this month but added "this all depends on the other parties -- our creditors really have to make that decision".

"Sri Lanka had now provided them with all the information on the country's borrowings they needed," he added.

But if India and China agree to write down their loans to Sri Lanka another potential problem looms in the form of private creditors, who account for 40 per cent of the country's external debt stock.

Asked about Sri Lanka's private bondholders, the Governor told the BBC: "We engage with private creditors in good faith negotiations. And what we are seeing is that they are very positive and they are willing to engage with us." Weerasinghe said he expected that once agreement from bilateral creditors has been agreed the IMF funds could be distributed to Sri Lanka within "four to six weeks".

Also speaking to the BBC on Wednesday night, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, said the greater onus to move was on China, as the biggest bilateral lender.

"We hope that they do not delay because Sri Lanka does not have time to delay. They need these assurances immediately. For the sake of the Sri Lankan people, we certainly hope China is not a spoiler as they proceed to attain this IMF agreement," she added.

The Governor's remarks came just days after a large group of international economists on January 8 called for Sri Lanka's bonds, to be "cancelled".

"All of Sri Lanka's creditors must ensure debt cancellation sufficient to provide a way out of the current crisis," they said.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : In a bizarre incident, a businessman borrowed an SUV of his ad film-maker friend and tried to sell it when the latter delayed repayment of a loan of Rs 6.5 lakh.

However, the businessman was caught when the regional transport office called the film-maker to verify the sale during paperwork.

As per reports, the victim, identified as Arun Singh of Gomti Nagar is a good friend of a real estate developer Achal Dwivedi.

Arun is in a film-making business and runs his office from his house in Gomti Nagar. His wife is the proprietor of the company.

Arun fell short of cash and he took a loan of Rs 6.5 lakh from Achal on December 6, 2022 to run his business smoothly.

"In due course of time, Arun paid back Rs 4 lakh of the loan and promised to pay up the remaining sum later. In the meanwhile, Achal played a trick by borrowing Arun's SUV saying he had some urgent work.

Achal did not return the SUV which made Arun apprehensive.

"Achal kept on delaying and took to browbeating when I insisted that he return the SUV. He used to barge into the company's office and bully us. He also sent intimidating messages on WhatsApp. I had come to know from my well-wishers and RTO officials that Achal was planning to sell my SUV. It will be a great loss to me. I am ready to pay the remaining sum," he said in the FIR.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), North Zone, Qasim Abidi said that there was a case of criminal breach of trust against Achal.

Police sources said that the two had been friends since the last 10 years. The owner of a second-hand car bazaar where Achal was planning to sell the car enquired about the registration details from the RTO and then informed Arun about the deal.
Washington, Jan 12 : US President Joe Biden's legal team has found a fresh batch of classified documents at a second location following the initial discovery of confidential material dating back from the time when he was Vice President at his former think tank office in Washington, media reports said.

Since the original batch of about 10 documents was discovered in November 2022 at the Penn Biden Center think tank near the White House, but only came to light this Monday, Biden's aides have been searching for any additional classified materials that might be in other locations he used, an informed source told CBS News on Wednesday.

The classification level, number and precise location of the fresh batch of documents was not immediately clear.

It was also not known when the additional documents were discovered and if the search for any other classified materials Biden may have from the former Barack Obama administration is complete.

The White House has not yet commented on the newly discovered batch.

Earlier on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to answer questions about the first cache of files during her daily press briefing, the BBC reported.

"This is under review by the Department of Justice" she said. "I'm not going to go beyond what the president shared yesterday." On Tuesday, Biden said he was "surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office" which he periodically used from mid-2017 until the start of his 2020 presidential campaign.

The President said he doesn't know "what's in the documents" that were found in a locked closet.

"They found some documents in a box in a locked cabinet, or at least a closet. And as soon as they did, they realised there were several classified documents in that box," Biden said.

The attorneys "did what they should have done" by immediately calling the National Archives, he added.

The classified documents found inside the Penn Biden Center closet are reportedly US intelligence memos and briefing materials that covered topics including Ukraine, Iran and Britain.

The controversy comes as Biden faces scrutiny from a new Republican majority in the US House of Representatives, the BBC reported.

"Now that Democrats no longer have one-party rule in Washington, oversight and accountability are coming," James Comer, the new chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said on Wednesday.

The committee is launching inquiries into the President and his family, including a request for the White House to turn over documents and communications related to the classified files.

The Presidential Records Act requires all presidential and vice-presidential documents to be turned over to the National Archives.

The developments come as the Department of Justice is investigating former President Donald Trump's handling of a trove of classified documents seized from his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, by federal agents in the summer of 2022 Federal investigators have recovered at least 325 classified documents from Trump as part of their inquiry.

In a post on his social media app, Truth Social, the former President said earlier this week: "When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House?"
Washington, Jan 12 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India was not interested any longer in the "mini" trade deal that was once under discussion with former US President Donald Trump and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not on the table because President Joe Biden's administration in not currently interested in negotiating one with any country.

India and the US have decided to focus instead on greater market access, ease of doing business between the two countries and a larger footprint regarding trading, investment and business, the Minister said on Wednesday.

Two specific targets for this elevated engagement were semiconductors and defence production.

Goyal made the remarks while speaking with reporters after discussions with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at the 13th meeting here in Washington D.C. of the Trade Policy Forum, which is the highest platform for trade talks between the two countries.

Recent trade relations between India and the US have been marked by lack of significant progress, specially after President Biden took office, in stark contrast to the frenetic pace set by the two sides just a year before in the run-up to Trump's visit to India in February 2020, in anticipation of a deal.

Talks collapsed and Goyal had blamed the Trump administration for it, saying the former administration kept shifting the goal-post.

"In terms of the mini trade deal, I think it was too mini to really merit any great effort on both sides," Goyal said of the negotiations. "And we have even forgotten most of those issues. We are looking at much much bigger ambitions in our trade with the US." Goyal had himself led the talks on the Indian side then, as now, and he had at one stage exuberantly declared that the deal was "just a phone call away".

The Minister was also dismissive of the withdrawal of preferential zero-duty benefits the US had provided to imports from India under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme.

Trump had ordered the withdrawal of the benefits in 2019, just a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his second term, to compel India to concede more market access to US products as part of a trade deal Washington was trying to inflict on New Delhi.

India was exporting more than $6 billion worth of goods to the US under this scheme at the time, which accounted for 22 per cent of its total exports to America, according to US data.

All of them were mostly small-business owned.

"I've not heard any significant clamour from Indian industry to focus our energies on the GSP issue," he said, adding: "It's not something which has been a high on our priority lists or something on which we spent a lot of time to discuss. It was discussed more in passing and I have placed on records our request that GSPA be restored." "India highlighted its interest in restoration of its beneficiary status under the US Generalized System of Preferences program," said a joint statement issued after the TPF meeting.

"The US noted that this could be considered, as warranted, in relation to the eligibility criteria determined by the US Congress." While India was no longer interested in a mini-trade deal or was very keen on the restoration of GSP, the Minister did indicate that it would be interested in an FTA as India was signing such deals with other countries, such as Australia and the UAE, and is in active discussion with Canada, the UK, Israel as well as the EU.

But not with the US. And because the Biden administration doesn't want it.

"The US is currently not looking at any free trade, free trade in any country whatsoever, as a matter of their political policy," Goyal said, affirming reluctance on the part of the US to consider a big, ambitious deal.

India-US trade stood at $160 billion in 2021, which is huge from where it was a decade ago, but remains way too short of the $500-billion target assigned to it by Biden when he visited India as Vice President in 2013.

Goyal put that target on an inter-galactic rocket to $1 trillion in 2021.

India-US trade was once seen as the only significant drag on the relationship which was otherwise on an upward trajectory, fueled by bipartisan support on either side.

It has been relegated since to a lesser irritant compared to problems caused by Modi's blatant pitch for a second term for Trump at the 'Howdy Modi' event in 2019, which put him further at odds with Democrats, and India's position on Ukraine.
It's snow time in Munnar, the 'Kashmir' of South India. Image Source: IANS News

It's snow time in Munnar, the 'Kashmir' of South India. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : Want to experience snow? then rush to Kerala's Munnar -- the 'Kashmir' of South India.

Temperatures have been falling in and around Munnar, a popular hill station in Idukki district located around 1,600 metres above sea level.

"Areas like Pampadamshola, Vattavada received snow and tourists are making a bee line to Munnar. Temperatures in certain areas here have fallen to zero degree starting January. Earlier, the coldest month used to be December, but not any more," said a local.

Notably, Munnar is home to unique species of greenery especially the neelakurinji (that blossoms only once in twelve years) besides the endemic species of Nilgiri Thar, grizzled giant squirrel, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, elephant, gaur, Nilgiri langur and the sambar.

And with snow clad meadows in areas like Vattavada and nearby areas, domestic tourists especially from Kochi, which has a good number of techies, are heading to Munnar.

Moreover, with the airports at Kochi, Coimbatore and Madurai all lying within 110 kms to 165 kms, resort owners are expecting a brisk business.
London, Jan 12 : British newspaper The Guardian has confirmed that hackers accessed some of its employees' data in the ransomware attack in December last year.

An internal email, seen by The Record, said that it is "now clear that we experienced a highly sophisticated cyber attack involving unauthorised third-party access to parts of our network, which appears to have been triggered by a phishing attack." The cyber attack was described as affecting many of the company's key systems, the IT network and "some" of its data.

The Guardian said it was a criminal ransomware attack.

"We have seen no evidence that any data has been exposed online thus far and we continue to monitor this very closely," said the news organisation.

The Guardian warned UK staff that attackers had accessed their sensitive personal information.

In December, the leading UK-based newspaper confirmed its systems have been hit by a "serious IT incident".

The publication said the cyber attack affected parts of the company's IT infrastructure.

"Online publishing is largely unaffected, with stories continuing to be written and published to the Guardian website and app," wrote the media editor at the publication.

Guardian Media Group Chief Executive Anna Bateson and Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner said in a note to employees that "We believe this to be a ransomware attack but are continuing to consider all possibilities." In September last year, hackers breached the internal systems of US business publication Fast Company.

In October, The New York Post also confirmed that it was hacked.
Los Angeles, Jan 12 : Actor Ezra Miller is expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful trespassing in a Vermont burglary case, with two other charges against the actor being dropped.

The 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'The Flash' star is reported to have entered a plea deal, after being accused of stealing several bottles of alcohol from the pantry of a neighbour last May. Miller was charged with burglary last August, reports 'Variety'.

According to a police report, authorities discovered that bottles were missing from the homeowners' residence. After collecting statements and reviewing surveillance footage, police found probably cause to charge Miller with felony burglary.

According to NBC News, a clerk for Vermont Superior Court confirmed that the parties have agreed to drop two charges, one of petit larceny and another of burglary in an unoccupied dwelling. Miller is expected to plead guilty of unlawful trespassing on Friday in Bennington County Superior Criminal Court.

Court documents indicate that prosecutors are recommending that Miller face 89 to 90 days in a suspended sentence, in addition to a year's probation and a $500 fine. The maximum sentence would have been 26 years.

The Vermont charges are only one group of a series of controversies and legal issues that Miller has faced in the past year. The actor was twice arrested in Hawaii, first for disorderly conduct and harassment and then for second-degree assault. Miller has also previously been accused of choking a woman in an Icelandic bar.

Last August, Miller apologised for their behaviour and stated that they would be undergoing mental health treatment.

The actor was introduced as Barry Allen a.k.a. The Flash in 2017's 'Justice League'. Miller will star in the superhero's first solo film, set to hit theaters on June 23.
Chennai, Jan 12 : An NGO has demanded the police and authorities in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district to take immediate action against two upper caste men attacking three Dalit women while they were taking a bath in a stream.

According to the Madurai-based NGO Evidence, the incident took place on January 1 and the police were yet to take action.

In a statement, the NGO director Kathir said that Shakthidevi, Devi and Sreedevi were taking bath in the stream in Kothangudi village when the two men, Iyyappan and Muthumaran, threatened them and beat them up.

Although Sreedevi lodged a complaint with the Nagudi police station on January 3, no action has been taken so far, the director said.

He also claimed that Iyyappan's wife is the vice president of Perungattu panchayat and was trying to influence the probe.

The NGO further said that District Collector Kavitha Ramu and District Superintendent of Police Pandyan must meet the victims and conduct a proper investigation into the matter.

The three victims have also lodged a complaint with the Tamil Nadu SC/ST Commission, State Human Rights Commission, and State Women's Commission demanding action.

This is latest incident in the district related to caste discrimination.

Late last month, human excreta was found in the drinking water tank that supplied water to an SC colony in Vengaiyavayal village.

The village also did not allow people from the Dalit community to pray in temples earmarked for the upper caste.

The double tumbler system also existed in Vengaiyavayal under which Dalit people were being given water and tea in separate tumblers in hotels.
Chennai, Jan 12 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the Northeast monsoon will withdraw from Tamil Nadu from Thursday. This, according to the weather department, would lead to a dip in temperature by two to three degree Celsius.

The IMD has also forecast dry weather till Pongal day. The weather department said that the IMD has predicted a withdrawal of the Northeast monsoon from January 12 based on prevailing dry weather and predictions of dry weather over the next few days.

The meteorological department has predicted mist in certain areas of Chennai and the city may experience a maximum temperature of 29 degree Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius.

Many places in Tamil Nadu are experiencing cool weather with Namakkal recording a minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius and among the hilly areas, Valparai recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) experienced a minimum temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius.
Kampala, Jan 12 : Uganda has declared an end to the Ebolaoutbreak in the country after no new case was reported over a period of 42 days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) requires that for a country to be declared Ebola-free, it should spend 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus) without any new cases reported, reports Xinhua news agency.

Minister of Health Ruth Aceng made the announcement in the Central Region district of Mubende, which was the epicentre of the outbreak that was first reported on September 20, 2022.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement congratulated Uganda and its partners for the robust and comprehensive response to combat and defeat the virus.

"Uganda has shown that Ebola can be defeated when the whole system works together, from having an alert system in place, to finding and caring for people affected and their contacts, to gaining the full participation of affected communities in the response," said Ghebreyesus.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said Uganda's long experience in responding to epidemics allowed the country to rapidly strengthen critical areas of the response.

"With no vaccines and therapeutics, this was one of the most challenging Ebola outbreaks in the past five years, but Uganda stayed the course and continuously fine-tuned its response," said Moeti.

According to the WHO, this outbreak was caused by the Sudan Ebola virus, one of six species of the Ebola virus, against which no therapeutics and vaccines have been approved yet.

In efforts to stop the possible spread, Uganda worked with the WHO and other partners, including vaccine developers, to identify candidate therapeutics and vaccines for inclusion in trials.

Three candidate vaccines were identified and over 5,000 doses of these arrived in the country, according to the WHO.

"While these candidate vaccines were not used during this outbreak, they remain the contribution of Uganda and partners to the fight against Ebola," said WHO Representative in Uganda Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam.

"The next time the Sudan ebolavirus strikes, we can reignite the robust cooperation between developers, donors and health authorities, and dispatch the candidate vaccines." The WHO said although the outbreak in Uganda has been declared over, health authorities are maintaining surveillance and are ready to respond quickly to any flare-ups.

Neighbouring countries remain on alert and are encouraged to continue strengthening their capacities to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, the WHO added.
Los Angeles, Jan 12 : Pakistan-origin actor-comedian Kumail Nanjiani is a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to his role as Kingo in 'Eternals', but that doesn't mean he's in an uproar over direct ors such as Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino criticising the ongoing film franchise.

"I obviously love the movies Tarantino makes or Scorsese makes," Nanjiani recently told Esquire magazine, reports 'Variety'.

"And I may disagree with Scorsese's opinion on superhero movies, but I mean, who else has earned the right to have an opinion?" Nanjiani added, "If Scorsese hasn't earned the right to have an opinion on movies, then none of us should have an opinion on movies. It's so strange that people get upset about it." Scorsese later clarified that his criticism of Marvel has nothing to do with quality and everything to do with exhibition. The Oscar winner expressed worry over how the dominance of Marvel and comic book movies is pushing out smaller movies from being screened in movie theaters. Francis Ford Coppola supported Scorsese's claims and said Marvel films "lack risk." Nanjiani saying Scorsese has "earned the right" to criticise Marvel echoes similar statements made by Jon Favreau in the immediate aftermath of Scorsese and Coppola's original comments.

Favreau launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe by directing "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2." He also has a recurring role in the franchise as Happy Hogan.

"These two guys are my heroes, and they have earned the right to express their opinions," Favreau told CNBC at the time. "I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if they didn't carve the way. They served as a source of inspiration, you can go all the way back to 'Swingers.' They can express whatever opinion they like." As for Nanjiani's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he's still waiting on the studio to call him about the 'Eternals' sequel.

"I would love to come back," Nanjiani recently told Total Film magazine.

"But I'm sort of waiting to hear when or if that's going to happen. I'm hoping I get to do more. I had a great time playing that character. It'd be a shame if he's a sort of one and done. But, you know, the decision's not mine to make."

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : The Opposition in Kerala has accused the ruling CPI(M) of "patronising" the mafias, especially those engaged in distribution of banned tobacco products.

The Congress and the BJP tore into the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government following the suspension of a CPI(M) councillor A. Shahnawaz at Alappuzha by the district party unit after a lorry carrying banned tobacco products was taken into custody.

It turned out that the lorry belonged to Shahnawaz and two people arrested with the consignment were close associates of the councillor, who first feigned ignorance of the two arrested.

But later, pictures of the three celebrating Shahnawaz's birthday recently surfaced forcing the party to take action.

While the two youths, who were members of the youth wing of the party, were ousted, Shahnawaz was only suspended, allegedly due to proximity with State Minister for Culture, Fisheries Saji Cherian, who till recently was the Alappuzha district CPI-M secretary.

Giving a clean chit to Shahnawaz, Cherian said a committee has been formed to probe into the allegations, even as they have no evidence against him.

According to sources, of the 14 members who assessed the situation arising after the lorry was seized, 12 were strong Shahnawaz supporters.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan alleged that for long they have been saying that the CPI-M leaders were shielding the mafias operating in the state.

"We want Chief Minister Vijayan and CPI-M state secretary to comment on the matter as on the one hand this government is spending crores against the ill-effects of drugs but on the other, its party cadres and leaders themselves are acting as agents in trading these banned products," Satheesan said, adding that there have been few such instances that have surfaced by now.

"When we raised the issue in the state Assembly on December 9, the CPI(M) leaders, including Vijayan, dismissed it saying that one should not go by media reports. The situation has arisen because the government has got a second term and they are enjoying and misusing the power," added Satheesan.

State BJP president K.Surendran said the main reason why the cadres and local leaders are engaging in mafia activities is because they get patronage from the top brass, just as Shahnawaz got the full support of Cherian.

"The very fact that the party sat down to discuss the issue after three days confirms that the wrong-doers enjoy the patronage of the higher ups. Just see the recent report of the Left convenor and former CPI-M Minister E.P.Jayarajan's family engaging in resort business. Right from top to bottom, the Kerala CPI-M is neck deep in corruption and when these issues crop up, the CPI-M deflects it by diverting the attention to other issues," Surendran asserted.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Veteran actor and celebrity chat show host Simi Garewal, who is popularly known for her show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal', will be seen talking to the housemates on 'Bigg Boss 16'.

Simi took to Instagram and shared a video of her meeting contestants inside the Bigg Boss house. Simi looked ravishing as she was seen wearing her signature all-white look as she chatted with Shalin Bhanot, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and others.

In the video, contestants are seen entering a room decorated with mostly whites, inspired from Simi's iconic show.

A voiceover in Hindi is heard saying: "For the first time in 16 years, there will be rendezvous with Simi Garewal..." The clip, then moves to Simi, who asks Priyanka to choose between two options love and fame.

Simi says "Aapke samne do plate hain, ek mein hai stardom, doosri plate main hain unconditional love. You have two plates in front of you... One plate has stardom while another has love." Priyanka chose love.

Simi then asks Shalin. While her complete question was not shared in the clip, Simi had said, "Ek (plate) mein Tina hai... (On one plate, you have Tina...)" To which, Shalin replies: "Doosri plate mein kuch bhi aur hoga, mein woh doosri plate chununga (Whatever the second plate has, I will choose that).

Defending Shalin, Simi jokingly says: "Don't be so hard on him." For the caption, Simi wrote: "In Big Boss house tonight! On ColorsTV!"

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 16
January 10, 2023 will be remembered as a solidarity day when the oppressed people of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) staged protests in all three divisional headquarters in support of the on-going social upheaval in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).

This is an important development. The protests held in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Mirpur cities were organised by students and civil society.

None of the so-called nationalist parties such as the JK National Awami Party, United Kashmir People's National Party, JK People's National Party, the National Equality Party JKGBL, the JK liberation Front or those who are collectively referred to as pro-Pakistan parties like JK People's Party, JK Muslim League (N), Jamaat-e-Islami or the ruling party in PoJK the JK Tehreek-e- Insaaf have raised their voice for the people of PoGB.

It is not a coincidence that all of the above mentioned nationalist parties are staying aloof from crucial political developments taking place in PoGB.

Intrinsically, (whether consciously or by default) these parties follow the general line of the Pakistan military establishment when it comes to the so-called Kashmir issue.

Pakistan military establishment promotes the ideology of Jinnah's two-nation theory. Therefore, being a Muslim majority region, Kashmir is considered part and parcel of the false concept that all Muslim majority princely states at the time of partition of India would accede to Pakistan.

The second doctrine that the Pakistan military has been promoting is the idea that somehow the State of Jammu and Kashmir should become an independent state and therefore be ruled by a Muslim majority and thus become a 'natural' ally of Pakistan.

Both of the above mentioned narratives regarding Jammu Kashmir are promoted vigorously through the Pakistan media and ISPR. And have conveniently been adopted by every political party in PoJK.

The pro-Pakistan parties, understandably, tow the line of the Pakistan military establishment by promoting the idea of Jammu Kashmir's accession to Pakistan.

The Nationalist parties, on the other hand, survive and are allowed to campaign since they conveniently propagate the doctrine that since Jammu Kashmir was an independent state at the time of partition hence all parts should be 'liberated' and reconstitute the erstwhile state that was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, the last king of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The only people in PoJK who are not allowed to establish a political party or a campaign group and work freely are those who call for the reunification of PoJK and PoGB with India. They base their argument on the signing of the instrument of accession between Maharaja Hari Singh and the last governor general of India, Lord Mountbatten.

The nationalist parties raise the slogan of 'Azadi' but it is directed toward Indian Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir and not Pakistan. They have never campaigned for liberation of PoJK from Pakistan and limit their demands to increase in legislative powers and economic issues such as cuts in taxes of fuel, end of load shedding, reinstatement of subsidies etc. Hence, their political struggle is aimed at anti-India rhetoric and/or reformist demands from their occupier.

It is in this backdrop that the protests taken out in all divisional headquarters in PoJK on January 10 become extremely significant. The PoGB solidarity protests were initiated by college students and civil society who has thus far have been relying on Pro-Pakistan or nationalist parties for expressing their political and economic demands, and which has led them nowhere.

All this has now suddenly changed. The refusal of political parties in PoJK to join the rebellious crowds protesting in temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius has been so blatant that the civil society and the youth in PoJK have braved to take independent initiative and come out in droves on to the streets fully charged.

The students all over PoJK are now questioning three things. Firstly, they are questioning the ability of the nationalist parties to be strong enough to force Pakistan to deliver reforms.

Secondly, they are pointing a finger toward Pakistan for their misery and refuse to trust its government and military's political narrative regarding Jammu Kashmir.

And finally, they have begun to look for an alternative to the illegal occupation of Pakistan and are now getting mentally prepare to rejoin Jammu and Kashmir and Laddakh by entering into a voluntary union with the Republic of India.

The instrument of accession signed on October 26, is the only life line thrown at the people of PoJK and PoGB 75 years ago that could guarantee food, shelter and prosperity of approximately 6 million oppressed people of PoJK and PoGB, who in actuality are by default Indian citizens.

The time for pro-Pakistan and so-called Nationalist parties seems to be up. Now is the time for extending and fraternising solidarity among the subjugated people of PoJK and PoGB as well as time for action.

In the coming weeks and months more and more independent and deceptively spontaneous protest should be expected which may enter a stage of combat and with a single stroke of revolutionary upheaval get rid of the Pakistani occupation and bush aside the so-called impotent nationalist parties and groups.

The PoGB solidarity protest held Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and in Mirpur in PoJK on January 10 are a manifestation of just that.

(Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is and author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoJK. He currently lives in exile in the UK.)
Srinagar, Jan 12 : With the arrival of winter in Kashmir, life used to become slow as the power curtailment, frequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, shifting of the government offices from Srinagar to Jammu used to be the norms that were followed religiously in the erstwhile J&K State.

However, in 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir' life has changed during the past three years. There are no power outages, no shortage of essential commodities and no shifting of Durbar. Even the highway connecting Srinagar with Jammu has remained open in winter.

Record number of tourists visiting Kashmir even in freezing temperatures has turned tourism into an all weather industry. Hotels, guest houses and huts in tourist resorts across the Valley are full and off-season has turned into a bumper season.

After August 5, 2019 -- when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories-Kashmir has turned into one of the most vibrant places in the country.

During the past three years the Centre has given a major push to hydroelectric power with a total investment of about Rs 51,000 crore, with a focus on improvement in infrastructure and power generation in the Union Territory. The results are evident as the pesky power cuts have vanished and the people are getting electricity even during the winter months.

Highway woes end The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is on its way to become an express highway as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is working round the clock to turn this important thoroughfare into an all weather road.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit to Kashmir in 2015 had announced Rs 80,000 crore package for building 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir'. The package included money for constructing new roads and highways, building schools, improving power infrastructure and other projects.

However, the then regime led by People's Democratic Party (PDP) in J&K didn't pay much attention towards spending the money on the projects which it was meant for. The work on turning Srinagar-Jammu National Highway into an express highway was carried on at a snail's pace, which led to the frequent closure of the road. Other projects which the money was meant for remained confined to papers only.

After 2019 the work on the all important Srinagar - Jammu highway has been expedited and by 2024 it's expected to become a four lane road. Two corridors of the highway i.e. Srinagar to Qazigund and Udhampur to Jammu have already been turned into four lane roads and the work on the remaining corridors is going on at a very fast pace. Qazigund -Banhial tunnel and Nashritunnel have already reduced the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by many hours. The journey between the two cities that used to take 12-hours is completed within 6 to 7 hours.

The landslide prone zones along the highway have been plugged and the National Highways Authority of India is ensuring that Jammu- Srinagar National Highway remains open even during inclement weather conditions.

Ease of living With the onset of winter season essential commodities used to vanish from the markets in Kashmir, the perishable items, including green vegetables were rare to find during winter months. Shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders used to be a routine.

As on date green vegetables are found in markets even in January month and the LPG shortage has become a history. Kashmir is thriving like other parts of the country as the government during the past three years has made life easy for people. A common man has understood what the ease of living means.

Abrogation of Article 370, a temporary provision in the Constitution, has brought Kashmir closer to the Union of India. The unprecedented development which the Himalayan region has witnessed during the past three years has proven beyond doubt that the so-called special status was nothing but an impediment which kept J&K and its people deprived of development.

Life going on without disruptions The speedy construction of roads, improvement in healthcare, education sector, sharp decline in terror-related activities and no protests and stone pelting incidents and tourism becoming a 12-month activity have changed the very concept of governance in J&K.

Life going on without disruptions that were caused due to separatist sponsored shutdowns and street protests have improved the economic scenario in Kashmir.

According to the figures dished out by the officials fifty three development projects worth Rs 58,477 crore in various sectors such as roads, power, health, education, tourism, agriculture, skill development are being implemented in J&K under the Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP).

Investors from the rest of the country and even abroad have sent investment proposals worth thousands of crores to the J&K government.

Besides providing government jobs to more than 20,000 aspirants, the administration has created employment avenues for nearly 5.2 lakh youth through various self-employment schemes.

People of Jammu and Kashmir have understood that they are an integral part of the Union of India and they have to stand under one flag and follow one Constitution.

During the past three years many positive rights of the people which they were unable to avail due to Article 370 being in vogue have come into play and it has brought them at par with the citizens across the country.

Durbar Move scrapped In 2021 the Jammu and Kashmir government scrapped Durbar Move, the 149-year-old biannual tradition of government officials shifting capitals between Srinagar and Jammu.

Prior to scrapping of this practice about 10,000 employees working in the Civil Secretariats in Jammu and Srinagar used to move between the two cities twice every year with Jammu being the winter capital and Srinagar the summer capital.

The erstwhile J&K state was the only place in the country having two capitals.

Shifting of Durbar involved huge expenses. The practice nurtured inefficiency and led to lack of governance.

After 2021, the Civil Secretariats, highest seats of power, function both from Srinagar and Jammu for all the 12-months.

Offices in Srinagar and Jammu don't remain deserted anymore. The government officials remaining available round the year have added a new dimension to the idea of governance.

People don't have to run from pillar to post to get their grievances redressed as most of the services are available online. Ones who used to shriek work and run away from responsibilities have been shown the exit door.

Politicians, who for 70-years had created a notion that life in Kashmir during winter cannot be normal, have been left with nothing to sell as the time has proven that they didn't put the requisite efforts to provide basic amenities to a common man during the difficult times.

Kashmir has turned into an all weather destination and people are living normal lives even in freezing temperatures. The end of 70-year long status-quo has changed the concept of living in Jammu and Kashmir.
Washington, Jan 12 : Embattled US Congressman George Santos, who has admitted to lying about his educational history and professional biography, has reiterated that he would not step down.

Santos, a 34-year-old Republican elected in last year's midterm elections to represent New York's 3rd congressional district, tweeted on Wednesday, "I will NOT resign!", reports Xinhua news agency A group of Republicans -- including Congressman Anthony D'Esposito, who represents New York's 4th congressional district -- urged Santos.

D'Esposito said in a statement on Wednesday that Santos' "many hurtful lies and mistruths surrounding his history have irreparably broken the trust of the residents he is sworn to serve".

"For his betrayal of the public's trust, I call on Congressman George Santos to resign," he added.

Late last year, Santos' admission came following an investigation by The New York Times.

"My sins here are embellishing my resume. I'm sorry," he had acknowledged that time.

Even in the past, US politicians have lied about their life stories and policy proposals to court support.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, re-elected to a third term last year, built his political prominence by portraying his parents as exiles from their native Cuba.

However, The Washington Post published in 2011 found that the Republican's account "embellishes the facts" and that "the real story of his parents' migration appears to be a more conventional immigrant narrative".

Herschel Walker campaigned against abortion access in 2022 as the Republican nominee for US Senate in Georgia. But his former girlfriends have accused him of encouraging or paying for abortion.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who ran for the White House several years ago, issued a public apology in 2019 for her past claims of Native American ancestry.

"Washington has created a culture where it's acceptable to lie to further your own interest," former US Congresswoman and Fox News contributor Tulsi Gabbard commented while reacting to Santos' scandal.

"But even when politicians do get caught, people just shrug their shoulders and move on," Gabbard continued. "So, no one should be surprised that the American people don't trust these politicians." Public trust in Congress reached an all-time low, with only 7 per cent of Americans expressing "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in it, according to a Gallup poll.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : It was celebration time for Nandamuri Balakrishna's fans as the leading Tollywood actor made an appearance at a theatre in Hyderabad to mark the release of his much-awaited movie, 'Veera Simha Reddy', on Thursday.

Fans erupted in celebrations with slogans of 'Jai Balayya' when Balakrishna reached Bramaramba theatre in Kukatpally area to watch the movie with him.

It was early Sankranti for die-hard fans of Balayya, as the actor is popularly known. The first big release of the year was welcomed by film buffs in a grand manner.

There was festive atmosphere at theatres in both the Telugu states as the actor's fans celebrated the movie's release by reaching theatres in rallies. They were seen singing and dancing. In Telangana's Nizamabad, the actor's fans took out a huge car rally.

Directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the movie stars Shruti Haasan as the female lead. The movie makers promised that Balayya will be seen in a never seen befire mass and action-packed role.

Balayya is said to have played dual role in the action thriller. The big cast includes Varalaxmi Sarathkumar from Kollywood and Duniya Vijay from Sandalwood.

The makers have huge expectations from the movie which has music by S. Thaman. The songs line Mass Mogadu and Jai Balayya and trailer of the movie with power-punch dialogues and intense action have already received huge response from the fans.

'Veera Simha Reddy' features the cinematography of Rishi Punjabi and has been edited by the National Award-winning Navin Nooli.

Trade experts hope that it will turn out to be a money churner at the box-office. They expect massive collections during Sankranti holidays.

'Veera Simha Reddy' will clash with megastar Chiranjeevi's 'Waltair Veerayya', scheduled for release on Friday.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Uttarakhand government informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that the affected areas in Joshimath were being handled by the National and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF).

This comes after a plea was moved to the HC requesting that the Centre establish a high-powered joint committee to investigate the sinking of the Joshimath.

J.K. Sethi, Deputy Advocate General of Uttarakhand submitted at the court that two committees have already been formed with a rehabilitation package being prepared.

A division bench headed by Justice Satish Chander Sharma was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Rohit Dandriyal.

The bench was informed that both the state and Centre are seized of the matter.

Sethi said: "We have deployed NDRF, we are working on the issue. We have resettled and relocated many people, we are working on that. We are seized of the matter. Ground work is being done." As Sethi informed the court that the Supreme Court will be hearing a similar PIL on January 16, Dandriyal sought for a short adjournment and said that he will withdraw the plea on the next date of hearing if some order is passed by the SC.

The petition was filed for the affected districts of Joshimath, asking for the formation of a commission and ordering members of all pertinent ministries to look into this immediately.

The argument made in the petition was that the construction work done in Joshimath in previous years served as a trigger for the current situation and that by doing so, the respondents infringed the inhabitants' fundamental rights.

The argument also claimed that the respondent is currently required to behave as a welfare state and is obligated to provide its inhabitants with contemporary, livable housing.

It further stated that it is imperative that the Government of India recognise the hardship of the residents of the Garhwal region and take action to give them access to the necessities for a decent living.

The plea stated: "In one of the strangest phenomena to strike the holy town nestled in the serene hills of Chamoli at a height of 6,000 ft, houses started developing cracks and damages since 2021, leaving residents anxious and worried. Since the first reports of the cracks in 2021 after landslides in Chamoli, over 570 houses have sustained damages or cracks as residents experienced seismic tremors repeatedly in the subsequent years." "It is home to one of the four cardinal pithas established by Adi Shankara. Since February 7, 2021, the area was severely affected by the 2021 Uttarakhand flood and its aftermath," the plea further read.

On January 9, the HC asked the petitioner to see if any similar plea has been moved in the Supreme Court as well.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : India's leading digital payments and financial services company Paytm will be a key beneficiary of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) incentive scheme, brokerage firm Morgan Stanley said on Thursday.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the incentive scheme of Rs 26 billion for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (P2M) for FY23, compared with Rs 15 billion in FY22.

"Apart from banks, Paytm should be a key beneficiary of the above. On our estimates, Paytm would have received 5-7 per cent of the FY22 incentive, and assuming a similar share for FY23, this would represent 3-5 per cent of our contribution profit estimate (1 per cent higher than what we previously assumed for FY23)," the brokerage firm mentioned.

One97 Communications's associate Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) is the top beneficiary and leading remitter bank for UPI transactions.

PPBL being an issuer and PSP Bank in itself along with being an acquirer of UPI transactions.

Under the scheme, acquiring banks are provided with financial incentive for promoting point-of-sale and e-commerce transactions using RuPay debit cards and BHIM-UPI transactions.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder, CEO & MD of Paytm, tweeted: "Huge commitment by GOI Cabinet to push Digital Payments thru UPI and RuPay. The #DigitalIndia mission of our government will bring long term benefits to our economy." During its last earnings call, Paytm's top management had said that the UPI merchant payments (which are free for the merchant) have become revenue generating given the government is encouraging digital payments in the form of incentives for UPI P2M transactions.

"UPI helps us with efficient customer and merchant acquisition and allows us to better monetise our platform by upselling financial services as well as payments devices," it said.

This incentive scheme will facilitate building of a robust digital payment ecosystem and promoting RuPay Debit Card and BHIM-UPI digital transactions.

In line with the objective of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', the scheme will also promote UPI Lite and UPI 123PAY as economical and user-friendly digital payments solutions and enable further deepening of digital payments in the country, across all sectors and segments of the population.

The government also intends to continue the financial support for digital payments announced in the previous Budget, with a focus on promoting use of payment platforms that are economical and user-friendly.

The scheme has been formulated in compliance with the aforesaid Budget announcement, the Cabinet announcement included.

The Paytm Super App continues to see growing consumer engagement with the average MTU for the quarter ended December 2022 at 85 million, registering a growth of 32 per cent YoY.

The total merchant GMV processed through the platform for the quarter ended December 2022 aggregated to Rs 3.46 lakh crore ($42 billion), marking a YoY growth of 38 per cent.
Panaji, Jan 12 : Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that solution to the Mhadei water distribution will come out very soon.

A delegation, led by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Wednesday night met Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi and placed before him the impact of water diversion on Goa. A Shekhawat has tweeted stating that the Goa delegation led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant met him at his Delhi residence and there was an exchange of views regarding the water distribution of Mhadei.

"Solution to this issue will come out soon," he said.

Earlier, the delegation had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Wednesday and urged him to withdraw approval given to Karnataka's detailed project report (DPR) for the disputed Kalsa-Bhanduri dam project.

Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral, Water Resource Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane, Protocol Minister Mauvin Godinho (all BJP), Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP) and Independent MLA Chandrakant Shetye were part of this delegation.

Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik and Rajya Sabha Member Vinay Tendulkar were also present on the occasion.

"Goa Government's delegation on Mhadei met the Hon'ble Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji in New Delhi today and urged for immediate constitution of the Mhadei Water Management Authority as given in the award and also urged for the withdrawal of the DPR sanctioned by CWC," Sawant tweeted.

Since Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that the Centre has cleared the much disputed Kalasa-Bhanduri dam project in his state, people in Goa have started to vent their anger over the issue and public meetings are being held.
Colombo, Jan 12 : Anxiously awaiting Beijings response for a request on debt restricting, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held talks with chief of China's Export-Import (Exim) Bank.

"Wu Fulin, Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China, held a fruitful video conference with Ranil Wickremesinghe, President and Minister of Finance of Sri Lanka, and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and Sri Lanka's current debt issues," the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted on Thursday.

President Wickremesinghe also discussed about Sri Lanka's current debt issue during the talks.

"The two sides agreed to further strengthen exchanges and collaboration on the resolution of Sri Lanka's debt issues, and help the island's economic recovery and sustainable development," the Chinese Embassy tweet added.

In December 2022, President Wickremesinghe said that China has requested Sri Lanka to speak to the (Exim Bank with regard to the debt restructuring process.

In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to provide $2.9 billion over four years to help salvage the country from its worst economic crisis but Sri Lanka must arrange debt structuring with its debtors mainly China, India and Japan.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has urged India and China to agree a write-down of their loans as soon as possible in an effort to "help us to start repaying their obligations".

Sri Lanka, which is currently amidst the worst-ever economic crisis since its independence in 1948, defaulted on its debt repayments and negotiated a $2.9 billion bailout.

But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not release the funds until India and China first agree to reduce Sri Lanka's billions of dollars of debt.

China's lending to Sri Lanka stands at around $7 billion while India is owed around $1 billion.

The country suffered with severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines and cooking gas forcing people stay in days' longs queues.

As an immediate measure, India, the closest neighbour, assisted Sri Lanka with nearly $4 billion in the first six months from January 2022.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has launched 'Chalo Gaon ki Ore', a mass outreach programme to consolidate its base among voters at the grassroots level.

BSP national president Mayawati has directed party leaders and senior functionaries to start visiting villages to interact with voters.

A party functionary said, "The state government's 'goof-up' on OBC reservations for the urban local body polls has given the BSP an opportunity to reach out to voters and expose the BJP's anti-reservation mindset".

'Chalo Gaon Ki Ore' has been designed by the party to hammer on the issue.

The BSP's campaign has OBCs as the target audience though the party has not ruled out reaching out to others.

"When we go to villages, we find a mixed audience. But we know what we have to talk about. It is how the state government is not serious about OBC reservations," said party national spokesperson Dharamvir Chaudhary.

The OBCs and the most backward among them are on the priority list of political parties for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mayawati has asked her leaders to mobilise the voters at the booth level. Four booths will be organised into a sector and a public meeting will be held at the sector level.

She has also asked her party members to keep the interaction more personal and direct.

"We do not know when urban local body polls will be held in the state. It may take time. In that case, these meetings will help the party to prepare a ground for the 2024 general elections also," said the party leader.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : As global investment bank Goldman Sachs begins job cuts that are expected to affect 3,200 employees or about 6.5 per cent of its workforce, affected employees have started looking for new jobs on LinkedIn, and among those impacted are Indian workers in the US on H-1B visas.

Shilp Soni, a software engineer from India, who spent 1.7 years in the company in Texas, is among those who lost their jobs at Goldman Sachs.

Impacted by the layoff, Soni took to LinkedIn, where she shared her situation and how she managed to land a job in the US despite coming from a rural family in India.

"I take pride in being the first person in my family to pursue a Masters in a foreign country. I come from a rural family so it has been one roller coaster of a journey, overcoming social and financial restrictions to come here," Soni wrote in her LinkedIn Post.

Keeping up the fighting spirit after losing the job, Soni says, "knowing from where I started, being laid off hurts. But, I am still hopeful that this may not be the end of my journey here in the US. So, I have decided to keep fighting and make use of my limited time to find a new job".

Her LinkedIn profile now reads that she is "open to work and looking for Software Engineer and Full Stack Engineer roles".

Moreover, LinkedIn in late 2022 was flooded with stories of laid-off H1-B workers.

Himanshu V, an IIT-Kharagpur graduate who earlier worked at GitHub, Adobe and Flipkart, lost his job at Meta.

"I relocated to Canada to join Meta and 2 days after joining, my journey came to an end as I am impacted by the massive layoff," Himanshu said in a LinkedIn post.

Raju Kadam, who worked at Meta for nine months, said he wasn't expecting to be laid off as he had had "strong performance in all quarters" since joining the social network.

He had said that he has been in the US for 16 years now and has seen the worst downturns, "but I never lost my job".
New York, Jan 12 : More than 200 people held a candlelight vigil in McKinney, Texas, in the memory of a nine year-old Indian-origin boy who was allegedly stabbed to death by his father last week.

Subramanian Ponnazhakan, 39, was booked on capital murder charge and his bail was set at $1 million, the McKinney Police said.

"What can a nine-year-old do to deserve this? I feel really bad," Suroma Sinha, who attended the vigil at Hughes Elementary told WFAA, a Dallas-based news channel.

A lot of people who left flowers, stuffed toys and notes at the venue said they want people to know that help is available, and that "humanity still lives".

"From the father's perspective... emotionally something went wrong," Vijay Ranganathan, a resident, told the news channel.

Police said they got a call from a neighbour last week who said that a woman had found her son "unconscious and bleeding" inside a home near Highway 380 and Custer Road.

When officers entered the house "forcefully", they found the woman's husband in the act of inflicting self-harm with a knife for which he was admitted to a hospital.

The boy, who was the only son, was found with multiple stab wounds in the garage, and was pronounced dead on the spot.

Police said that further investigations are on in the case.

"We continue to keep the child's mother and their entire family in our thoughts and prayers during this unspeakably difficult time," a McKinney Police Department spokeswoman had said.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it would file its response by February first week on a plea filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to declare the Ram Setu a national heritage monument.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha assured Swamy that the matter will be taken up for hearing in the second week of February.

The bench also told the BJP leader that the matter was unlikely to be heard today as a constitution bench was going on.

The matter was listed for hearing on Thursday.

Swamy said the Solicitor General had made a commitment to file the reply and asked the court to summon the Cabinet Secretary in the matter.

He submitted before the bench: "Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said the counter will be filed by December 12. But it has not been filed yet. Earlier, they said it's ready...." Mehta contended that discussions are underway and the matter is under consideration, and urged the court to schedule the matter for hearing in February first week.

The bench posted the matter for hearing in the second week of February.

Swamy's plea sought a direction to the Central government and the National Monument Authority to declare Ram Setu as a monument of national importance.

Ram Setu, which is also known as Adam's Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island or Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.

Swamy contended that the government has already accepted the existence of Ram Setu and in 2017, a meeting was also convened to examine his demand, but things have not moved after that.

In April last year, a bench headed by the then Chief Justice S.A. Bobde had directed that the plea seeking National Heritage Status for Ram Setu be listed before the next Chief Justice of India.

The UPA government, in 2007, had proposed a Sethusamudram project.

Under this project an 83-km-long deep-water channel was to be made by extensive dredging and removal of the limestone shoals, to link Mannar with Palk Strait.

Swamy moved against this decision in the court and the government resorted to another plan to link Mannar with Palk Strait.
Kochi, Jan 12 : Praveen Rana, who was heading an investment and marketing company near here and was on the run after being taken into custody by the Kerala Police on Wednesday from near Coimbatore, was brought to Trissur and his arrest was recorded.

Feeling the heat from his depositors who had invested around Rs 100 crore after he promised a huge return on investment - which was as high as 42 per cent - Rana whose company Safe and Strong went into trouble after he ducked the investors and the police on January 6, and went into hiding.

However, he was traced out to a quarry in Coimbatore when he made a call to his wife using a quarry workers mobile phone.

This call of his was traced by the Police and he was picked up on Wednesday by the Kerala Police.

Later he was brought to Trissur and after the preliminary paper work, his arrest was recorded and while being taken to the district hospital for routine medical examination he told the media that he will return all the money to his investors.

"See, I am doing business and it had just started. When a sapling is planted it takes time to become a tree and in business also it's like that. So give me the time as I have no intention to cheat. I will return all the money to my investors," said Rana.

Rana was in the news last year for his flamboyant lifestyle and his sudden rise to stardom had surprised one and all and his fall also became a topic for debate as no one knows where the Rs 100 crore that he had collected had disappeared.
Agartala, Jan 12 : All political parties and candidates will have to publish criminal antecedents of their candidates at least three times in newspapers, television channels and on their websites, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said here on Thursday.

The CEC said that all political parties and candidates would have to publish the criminal antecedents of their candidates at least three times in newspapers, television channels and on their websites with reasons for the selection of such candidates.

"People must know the background of all candidates before the election," the CEC told the media after the full commission headed by Kumar and two Election Commissioners -- Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel - reviewing the poll preparedness of Tripura Assembly elections, expected to be held in later next month.

He said that anyone, including the voter, can lodge complaint with the commission through the cVIGIL app launched by the poll panel. "Through the cVIGIL app, the Commission deals with any complaint on a fast-track basis within 100 minutes. The cVIGIL is an innovative mobile application for citizens to report about the violation of Model Code of Conduct and expenditure during the elections. The cVIGIL stands for Vigilant Citizen and emphasises the proactive and responsible role citizens can play in the conduct of free and fair elections," the CEC said.

The uniqueness of the app is that it only allows live photo and video with auto location capture from within the app to ensure digital evidence for flying squads to act upon in a time-bound manner, he added.

Kumar said that to make all the process of the election, randomisation of use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), deployment of polling personnel, official and the security forces would be done in presence of the Central Observers and senior officials concerned. The CEC said that micro observers would be deployed in all the polling stations and would be the central government officials only.

The full Election Commission accompanied by many senior officials, arrived here on Wednesday afternoon to review the preparations of the forthcoming assembly polls in Tripura.

The poll panel first met the leaders of the political parties and then the state and district level officials, including the District Magistrates and the Superintendent of police of eight districts.

The CEC said that the Commission is determined and committed to holding free, fair, violence-free elections and if anyone, including the officials, fails to follow the Commission's guidelines and instructions, it would take appropriate actions against the erring officials.

A three-tier security would be provided to the warehouses where the EVM and other poll materials would be stored and the polling stations with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would be engaged in the first tier, he said.

Kumar said that appropriate instructions have been given to the Banks and the Reserve Bank of India about the bulk transactions of money while appropriate monitoring arrangements would be put in place about the functioning of social media. The EC also stressed on the need for an inducement-free assembly elections in Tripura, and asked the central and state agencies to take appropriate steps in this regard, officials said.

Ruling BJP, opposition CPI-M, Congress, Trinamool Congress and other parties have separately urged the EC to hold the Assembly polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao and State Police Nodal Officer G.S. Rao gave a detailed presentation to the Commission regarding poll preparedness and security arrangements for Assembly elections, expected to be held later next month.

The Commission also reviewed the preparations with the Chief Secretary J. K. Sinha, Director General of Police Amitabh Ranjan and all the Secretaries of Tripura government on Thursday.

The full commission and the accompanied officials on Thursday afternoon left for poll-bound Meghalaya.

From Meghalaya, the full EC would go to another poll-bound state Nagaland on January 13 and would return to Delhi on January 15.

After returning to Delhi, the Election Commission would likely announce the schedule of the election in three northeastern states, considering the Class 10 and 12 examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education.
Patna, Jan 12 : A female college student was arrested on charges of smuggling firearms on Thursday in Bihar's Arwal district.

Mohammad Kasim, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Arwal confirmed the incident. The student was travelling with two youths, including her boyfriend Ranjit Kumar on a bike.

The arrest was made during the vehicle checking campaign on NH 139 under the Kinjar police station.

"The accused was travelling with two youths on one bike. The SHO of the Kinjer police station, who was also patrolling the road, suspected something fishy as they were travelling at a high speed and did not stop the vehicle after policemen signalled them for checking. Our officers suspected that the accused probably kidnapped the girl and therefore were driving at high speed," Kasim said.

"The SHO and other police teams chased the bikers. After a brief chase, the two youths including Ranjit Kumar managed to flee from the spot while the girl failed to run. She was carrying a bag. When our cops opened the bag, they found four country-made Kattas, a magazine of a pistol, cash Rs 13,240, a smart phone, a button phone and an Apache bike," Kasim said.

During brief interrogation, the accused revealed that she was living with Ranjit Kumar in a rented accommodation in Patna and was preparing for a competitive examination. She further said that she and her boyfriend used to smuggle arms and ammunition as well. Ranjit Kumar is a notorious criminal involved in robberies and snatching in Patna, Arwal, jahanabad, Aurangabad, Bhojpur and Gaya.

The alleged girl is a native of Gopalpur village under Makhdumpur police station in Jahanabad district.
New Delhi, Jan 12: The news that Saudi Arabia is ready to provide assistance to cash starved Pakistan has made headlines. But policymakers' worries continue as the timing of the assistance to the South Asian nation will be critical to avert a default. Pakistan with just about $4.5 billion foreign exchange reserves, requires assistance from other countries and agencies almost immediately.

Saudi Arabia will undertake a feasibility study expanding its investments to $10 billion in Pakistan while extending the deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan to $5 billion after it rolled over $3 billion in December.

For one, none of the assistance promised by Saudi Arabia is new, though in a recent statement, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) affirmed its supportive stance towards Pakistan.

"Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has directed to study augmenting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's investments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which have previously been announced on August 25, 2022 to reach $10 billion," SPA said. Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been repeatedly assuring the country of Saudi assistance. Clearly, the investment proposal is not new.

Local newspaper Dawn earlier said that though Pakistan may receive planned foreign assurances that will help meet the country's debt repayment obligations this year. "But what happens in the next fiscal year and after? The unfortunate reality is that we as a nation are not ready to accept the precariousness of our situation and continue to live beyond our means," it noted.

Pakistan's foreign exchange kitty currently comprises borrowed money with China providing assistance of $2.3 billion, and Saudi rolling over $3 billion debt. The International Monetary Fund which has halted its financial assistance programme has also provided $1.2 billion.

"Today, each dollar we have is borrowed; we are currently maintaining negative reserves. So we are now at the mercy of certain friendly countries for our survival. If they pump in more dollars, we will survive the crisis and not default," Dawn quoted Fahad Rauf, head of research at Ismail Iqbal Securities as saying.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Union Home Ministry has given a set of instructions to the states and Union Territories regarding fundamentalism in jails across the country. The MHA has written to the states asking them to keep prisoners with a radical ideology separated from other inmates.

Along with this, the Centre has instructed the authorities to house the prisoners who have the propensity and potential to negatively influence other inmates in separate enclosures.

The MHA asked all the states and Union Territories who had not yet adopted the Model Prison Manual 2016, to take the necessary steps to implement it.

At the same time, the state prison authorities have been asked to start de-radicalisation sessions in jails, where special attention has to be paid to misguided criminals to change their mindsets.

It has also been directed that the authorities should ensure the separation of various categories of prisoners including under-trails.

The letter stated that the prisoners imprisoned for crimes related to narcotics and smuggling of drugs should be kept away from other prisoners.

Apart from this, the letter appealed to the state prison authorities to make special efforts to use video conferencing facility in all district level jails and courts.

Wherever such a facility is not available, suitable arrangements may be made by the state authorities by taking up the matter on an urgent basis with the court authorities.

The Home Ministry asked the authorities to launch a special recruitment drive to fill up the vacant posts in all categories of prison staff, as there should be no staff shortage in prisons and correctional services.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Veteran actor Pankaj Berry, who is currently seen playing the role of a father, Dilpreet in the show 'Dil Diyaan Gallan', said that he connected well with his role as somewhere it reflects his emotions and guilt.

The actor said that he found himself guilty of not being so caring as a son towards his parents, and the family drama also brings out similar realisation and pain.

He told IANS: "I was born in a joint family and have seen how much effort parents put in the upbringing of their children. But when they grow up and start living their own life, somewhere they forget their responsibility towards their parents. Even I feel that I had to be more caring for my parents. I wish I had given more prominence to them rather than solely focusing on fulfilling my dreams. That is why I accepted this role so that maybe after watching the show, others don't make similar mistakes and never allow any communication gap with their parents." The show is all about the pain and agony of parents because of the differences with their children. Pankaj plays a father who is depressed because of his son. He added that his son is also going abroad and he is not willing to send him.

"I told my wife that my condition is going to be like Dilpreet (his character) as Arjun is going abroad, why we don't let him study here in India; but my wife is strong and she asserted that it is important for his career. I also agree, children must follow their dreams but always try to stay in touch with their elders through video calls or phones or by visiting them whenever they have time." Sharing a shooting experience in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, he recalled: "While we were shooting in Punjab, an old man came to me and told me in Punjabi, you are showing a reality. He said: 'My son stays in Canada but we hardly visit there as they are all busy in their life and we just keep waiting for them.' In another incident, we had to shoot a wedding sequence and we were in a village in Eastern UP, there the owner of the house where we were shooting told me that his two sons are staying away from him and he showed me their rooms which were locked. He added that he is not talking to one of his sons as my character in the show." The 66-year-old actor made his TV debut with 'Gul Gulshan Gulfaam' and also went on to act in 'Tenali Rama', 'Junoon', 'Ek Tha Rusty', 'Swabhimaan', 'Peshwa Bajirao' and he was last seen in 'Kaatelal & Sons'.

Speaking about his interest in acting and how it started, he said: "I was passionate about acting since childhood. I used to take part in my elder brother's theater group. However, it was during the final year of graduation when I took part in a festival and received a lot of appreciation for my work. From here, I decided to take formal training in acting. I joined the Department of Indian Theatre and while staying in Chandigarh and got two major breaks. However, the films never released but I reached Mumbai. And from there I never looked back." He also recalled the tough period of his life after he met with an accident during the shoot of the 1993 action film 'Sainik' starring Akshay Kumar: "That was the worst phase of my life. I was getting so many roles before this mishap. It led to major physical, mental and financial trauma. But I managed to recover and started getting projects." He further shared that he is never interested in doing saas-bahu saga. He prefers to do challenging roles and this is the reason he took up this show.

Pankaj revealed about his upcoming projects and said: "There are several projects that I am doing and they will be releasing soon including 'Shubh Nikaah', 'Zindagi Shatranj Hai', and 'Manihaar'.
Phnom Penh, Jan 12 : Lightning strikes claimed 63 lives in Cambodia in 2022, down 24 per cent from 83 deaths a year earlier, a disaster control spokesman said on Thursday.

Besides the fatalities, thunderbolts injured 58 others last year, Soth Kim Kolmony, spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), told Xinhua news agency.

He attributed the decline to people's awareness of protecting themselves from being struck by lightning.

"To avoid the dangers of lightning strikes, people, especially those living in rural areas, should stay in houses or shelters when there is a storm or rain," he said.

Kolmony added that to help prevent casualties in the future, especially in the provinces that have the highest number of victims, the NCDM plans to install lightning protection equipment in some high-risk areas.

"NCDM will visit high-risk provinces to review and assess the actual needs and report to the leaders for approval before installing lightning protection equipment in those provinces," he said.

According to the spokesman, lightning strikes occur often during the rainy season from May to October.

In addition to the casualties from lightning strikes, rainwater flooding, which hit parts of the country in September and October, also claimed 14 lives, as storms killed three people and injured 71 others last year, he said.
Patna, Jan 12 : Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar Yadav on Thursday refused to withdraw his controversial statement on Ramcharitmanas.

"There are five to six 'Chand' of Ramcharitmanas's Sundar Kand and Uttar Kand which are objectionable and I have objection to it. That's why I said that it spreads hatred in society. I am firm on it and will not withdraw at any cost. A person announced a Rs 10 crore bounty for slitting my tongue, I want to say that please, someone get rich by doing it," Yadav said.

"Ramcharitmanas spreads hatred in the society. It stops Dalit, Backward Class people and women from education. It stops equality for them in society. Manusmriti spread hatred in the first era, Ramcharitmanas in the second era and M.S. Golwarkar's 'Bunch of Thoughts' in third era," he said.

"If people would want to shoot me, they can do it but I will not withdraw my statement and cannot apologise," he further said.

Earlier, Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya announced a bounty of Rs 10 crore for anyone who slits the tongue of Chandrashekhar Yadav if he does not apologise for his statement in one week.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he will ask the education minister for his comment on Ramcharitmanas. "I am in Darbhanga and I have no details about his actual statement," he said.

Samrat Chaudhary, the leader of opposition in Bihar legislative council said: "Chandrashekhar Yadav is a mentally disturbed person. The Bihar government should admit him to the Koilwar mental hospital of Koilwar in Bhojpur district." Hari Bhushan Thakur, another BJP MLA said: "If he is a man, he must make a controversial statement on Islam. He will be beheaded (Unka Sar Tan Se Juda Ho Jayega). He should apologise for his statement." "The minister of Nitish Kumar is disturbing the religious sentiment of common people. He will pay the price of it. Chandrashekhar Yadav has hurt the sentiments of lakhs of people. CM Nitish Kumar is dividing the communities through caste-based census. Hence, what can we expect from his minister," said Chirag Paswan, MP and LJPR president.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed bail plea of Ashutosh Bhardwaj, an accused in the Kanjhawala death case in which a 20-year-old woman was dragged by the car for 12 kilometers from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala in the early hours of January 1.

Metropolitan Magistrate, Rohini court, Sanya Dalal said that considering the gravity of the offences, the fact that the investigation is at an initial stage and the offences alleged against the accused are exclusively triable by sessions court, this court is not inclined to grant bail.

By claiming that co-accused Deepak was driving the car, Bharadwaj allegedly deceived the inquiry, according to Additional Public Prosecutor (AAP) Atul Srivastava.

"There is a thin line of difference having knowledge and subsequently having knowledge. We are investigating the case...When he (Bharadwaj) was a free man, he misled the investigation. He can mislead again in future," the APP said.

As per sources, Bhardwaj, the car owner and brother of Amit, Ankush Khanna had talks with the five accused and as Amit did not have driving licence, Deepak was told to tell police that he was in the driving seat at the time of incident.

Counsel representing Bhardwaj, had moved the plea on January 9 seeking bail on grounds that the offences are bailable in nature and that the accused has cooperated with police post incident.

However, Srivastava, opposed the plea arguing that Bhardwaj had handed over the car involved in the accident to co-accused, who did not possess a driving licence.

The APP questioned Bharadwaj's "behaviour," claiming that despite being legally required to tell the police, the defendant deceived the prosecution.

"It shows that the accused Bharadwaj might be in agreement with other accused," he said.

The APP stated that it is never our case that Bharadwaj was in the car, but rather that he gave another co-accused who lacked a driver's licence access to the car that was involved in the accident.

The prosecution also informed the court that it had not yet been possible to determine each accused person's role in the case based on their live location or Google Timeline.

Shilpesh Chaudhary, Bharadwaj's counsel, argued that none of the claimed offences were non-bailable because the accused was not in the car when the incident occurred.

He claimed that after the alleged occurrence, Bharadwaj worked with the police and assisted in the capture of two co-accused.

On January 9, the court sent the six accused to 14 days' judicial custody.

Other than Bhardwaj, the accused have been identified as Deepak Khanna, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mitthun and Manoj Mittal.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : More than 18,000 toys from major stores across the country, including those of Hamleys and Archies, have been seized by the government through 44 raids conducted in the past two weeks, official sources informed.

The raids or enforcement drives were conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) against toy sellers for selling toys without conforming to the quality norms specified by BIS.

In addition to this, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to three major e-commerce players namely Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal, for alleged violation of toys quality control order, sources informed.

Since January 1, 2021, the government has made it mandatory for toys to conform to the Quality Control Order norms specified by BIS.

BIS director general Pramod Kumar Tiwari told media persons on Thursday that the raids were conducted as they had been receiving complaints against violations from several quarters against toy sellers and makers.

Apart from Hamleys and Archies, raids were conducted between December 28, 2022 and January 12, 2023 on retail stores of WH Smith, Kids Zone and Cococart, which are located at malls and airports across the country.

Tiwari further informed that legal action would be intitiated against retailers.
Bhopal, Jan 12 : Madhya Pradesh High Court denied bail to former minister Raja Pateria, who was arrested for his controversial statement on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pateria had approached the HC after his bail plea was denied by a district court a few days back. However, the Congress leader got no leniency for his alleged remarks on Prime Minister Modi during a meeting with party workers in Panna district.

"It is noticed that it has become a fashion for some public leaders to seek popularity of the followers without caring for the consequence of deliverance. This practice is not only belittling the image of public leaders in the society but also becoming a cause of increase in criminality in the politics," Justice Sanjay Dwivedi observed while hearing Pateria's bail plea on Wednesday.

The court also mentioned that the use of foul language was not expected from a public leader. The bench said there was no occasion for the applicant, who is a public leader, to use such derogatory language for the prime minister of the country.

"The manner in which the crime has been committed, the applicant cannot be granted bail as it will give a wrong message to the society," Justice Dwivedi said while dismissing Pateria's application.

Pateria was arrested on December 13, 2022, from his residence in Hata town of Damoh district and is currently in judicial custody. Pateria's remarks on PM Modi had sparked a political controversy here in Madhya Pradesh. Pateria had not only faced ire from the ruling BJP, but also faced criticism from the Congress leader.

Pateria was booked by under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 451 (house-trespass), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (statements conducting public mischief), 506 (criminal intimidation), 115 (abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life if offence not committed) and 117 (abetting commission of offence by the public).
Chennai, Jan 12 : The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of several bank unions, on Thursday decided to go on two-day strike from January 30 to press for their various demands, a top All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) official said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of UFBU held in Mumbai on Thursday.

"UFBU meeting was held today in Mumbai. since there is no response from Indian Banks' Association (IBA) on our demands despite letters, it has been decided to revive our agitation and to give a call for strike on January 30 and 31," AIBEA General Secretary C.H. Venkatachalam told IANS.

According to him, the strike is to press for the following demands: five days banking, updation of pension, residual issues, scrapping of National Pension System (NPS), immediate starting of negotiation on charter of demands for wage revision, and adequate recruitment in all cadres.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah called a meeting on Thursday over the Joshimath crisis.

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, RK Singh, Bhupendra Yadav, Gajendra Shekhawat along with senior officers were present at the meeting.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, BRO and NDRF officials also participated.

Shah had sought information about the situation in the holy city in a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, and provided assurances of help.

The Home Ministry and Amit Shah have been closely monitoring the Joshimath situation.

According to sources, information regarding the relief and rescue operations being carried out in the city were shared in the meet, apart from discussing future strategies.

NDRF and SDRF teams are present in the city in view of the increasing number of cracks appearing in buildings, the risk of landslides and land subsidence.

At the same time, a high-level central team under the leadership of Border Management Secretary Dr Dharmendra Singh Gangwar has been taking stock of the situation.

BJP national president J.P. Nadda also spoke to Dhami on the issue.
Islamabad, Jan 12 : The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday rejected UK media reports that a uranium package seized at London's Heathrow Airport originated from the country, saying the reports were "not factual", media reported.

On Wednesday, British police revealed that a "very small quantity" of uranium was detected in a package that arrived at Heathrow Airport last month. They added it did not appear to be linked to any direct threat or any public health threat, Geo News reported.

The amount of radioactive material, caught during routine scanning on December 29, was extremely small and had been assessed by experts as posing no risk, Richard Smith, head of London police's Counter Terrorism Command said.

Later, a report by The Sun claimed that the package originated from Pakistan before arriving aboard an Oman Air passenger jet from Muscat. The shipment was addressed to an Iranian-linked firm in the UK, it was understood.

In response to media queries on the matter, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "We have seen the media reports. We are confident that the reports are not factual." The official added that no information to this effect had been shared with them officially by the UK authorities, Geo News reported.

A spokesperson of Scotland Yard told Geo News, "We can confirm officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were contacted by Border Force colleagues at Heathrow after a very small amount of contaminated material was identified after routine screening within a package incoming to the UK on 29 December 2022." "I want to reassure the public that the amount of contaminated material was extremely small and has been assessed by experts as posing no threat to the public. Although our investigation remains ongoing, from our inquiries so far, it does not appear to be linked to any direct threat," said Commander Richard Smith.

The official added that the agency would continue to follow up on all available lines of inquiry to ensure this was definitely the case.

"No arrests have been made at this time and officers continue to work with partner agencies to fully investigate this matter and ensure there is no risk to the public. Border Force agents isolated the shipment in a radioactive room and, upon determining it was uranium, called in counter-terror police." Hamish De Bretton-Gordon, former commander of the UK's nuclear defence regiment, said, "Uranium can give off very high levels of poisonous radiation. It could be used in a dirty bomb. The good news is the system worked and it has been interdicted."
Kolkata, Jan 12 : A Trinamool Congress leader was shot dead in broad daylight at Ketugram in West Bengal's East Burdwan district on Thursday morning, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Dulal Sheikh, 45.

Police are investigating the matter.

District Trinamool leaders claimed that the murder was a fallout of some family problem. However, local BJP leaders have claimed that the event was the fallout of infighting in the ruling party over illegal sand mining in the area.

It is learnt that the victim was a trader in construction materials, including sand. On Thursday, he was having a cup of tea at a roadside stall, when some masked miscreants came on a motorcycle and shot him from close range.

Trinamool panchayat member Sale Hasan claimed that in all probability this was a fallout of family feuds. His associate Mithun Miya claimed that probably the assassins came from outside. "It is true that the victim was an active Trinamool Congress leader. But our party has no connection with the tragic incident," he added.

However, local BJP leader Krishna Ghosh claimed that infighting with the local Trinamool leaders in the area was going on for quite some time over the share in illegal sand mining. "Dulal Sheikh's murder was a fallout of that infighting," he said.
Chennai, Jan 12 : The Stalin government has asked the Tamil Nadu Federation of Power looms association to identify 3,000 more power looms for producing sarees and dhotis meant for distribution to the public through ration cards as part of the Pongal gift hamper of the government.

The state government has already given orders for 99,56,883 dhotis and 1,26,19,004 sarees to 225 power loom weavers cooperative societies. 17,455 power looms are engaged in the production of these dhotis and sarees for executing the mega order of the state government.

T.P. Rajesh, Commissioner of Handlooms had in a letter to the Federation directed the association to identify 3,000 more power looms and to complete the work on time. The federation has been directed to identify the power looms and to send the list of looms and contact phone numbers and other contact details to the respective Assistant Directors of Handlooms in Erode, Tiruchengode, Coimbatore, and Tiruppur districts.

There was criticism from all corners when the government delayed placing orders for the production of dhotis and saris meant for Pongal gift hampers. While generally, the government places the orders in either May or June, this year it was delayed till October first week and this has led to the delay in executing the project.

Sources in the Handloom department told IANS that only 60 to 70 per cent of the production of sarees has been completed while only 45 to 50 per cent of the production of dhotis is completed. With Pongal on Sunday, almost half of the eligible will not be able to get the free dhotis from the government and 30 per cent of the women will not get sarees during the festival. This would mean that completing the order for dhotis and sarees may require a minimum of 30 days more.

It has to be seen whether any power loom cooperative society will come forward to execute the order from the government at this last moment.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Fair price shop dealers have opposed the government's decision to stop the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), saying that they will incur a loss of Rs 484 crore due to the move.

To compensate for their loss, they have sought an honorarium of Rs 50,000 per month for fair price shops dealers from the Finance Ministry in the forthcoming Union Budget.

All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation General Secretary, Biswambhar Basu told media persons on Thursday that the discontinuation of the scheme from January 2023 onwards, after being in existence for the past more than two and a half years, will incur a major blow to ration shop owners across the country.

He said that if their demand is not met then they will launch a "Do or Die" agitation across the country and will ensure a ration bandh for 72 hours from February 7 till February 9.

In addition to this, the dealers will also hold a rally at Ramlila Grounds here on March 20, followed by a march to Parliament, Basu added.

The government last month had announced that PMGKAY would be discontinued from January 2023 onwards while it would give free ration to beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act for a period of one year from January 1, 2023 till December 2023.

It was also announced that the free ration scheme would be named PMGKAY.
Hubballi, Jan 12 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday accused the opposition Congress party of resorting to false promises in a bid to return to power in the state. Bommai was reacting to KPCC president DK Shivakumar's poll promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to every household if elected to office in the 2023 assembly polls.

Speaking to the media here, Bommai said, "The Congress leader's statement shows his frustration and this has given a feeling that Shivakumar doesn't have the intention of implementing it. The Congress party wants to win the election by making false promises." With the assembly polls due to be held in the first half of this year, political activity is heating up in the state. On Wednesday, the state unit of the Congress launched a bus yatra from Belagavi. Taking a leaf out of Delhi chief minister and Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal's poll strategy, Shivakumar had announced free electricity of upto 200 units to each household if the Congress is elected.

Bommai described Shivakumar's statement as 'irresponsible'. "It would have been acceptable had the same statement been made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as he is a novice to politics. When the Congress government failed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for six hours how can they give the free power?" Bommai wondered.
Porbandar, Jan 12 : Foodgrains worth over Rs one crore went missing from a PDS godown after which the government sealed the storage facility in Porbandar.

Porbandar District administration sealed Public Distribution System (PDS) godown, and after an internal inquiry, action will be taken against erring officials.

District Civil Supplies Officer Hiral Desai told mediapersons: "From Ranavav PDS godown, some 7000 bags of wheat and rice valued in between Rs 1 crore to 1.5 crore are missing. So, the godown is sealed. A detailed report will be submitted to the state government." According to sources, the mismatch was noticed by a third party auditor, who had come for inspection in first week of January. During inspection, he found that real stock and figures on record are mismatching, post which the auditor immediately drew attention of the district's senior authorities.

Porbandar's Deputy Manager Ushaben Bhoye has claimed that she had noticed the mismatch in December itself and she too had filed a report in December.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced the leadership team for the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai later this year with the CEO of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC), Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, being appointed President-Designate for the summit.

Al Jaber has served as the UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change since 2010, and has participated at 10 previous UN COP Summits. He is the CEO of the ADNOC and this is the first time a UN climate summit will be hosted by a serving CEO of an oil company.

As such there will be intense scrutiny on his role and goals as the summit approaches, with many observers unhappy that he has not stepped down as the CEO of the ADNOC for the duration of his work.

Al Jaber is an influential member of the UAE government, holding roles as a Minister of Industry, CEO of the ADNOC and chairing the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, otherwise known as Masdar.

Born in 1973, the 49-year-old was educated in the US and the UK, and has been the face of the UAE's energy sector over the last decade, setting up Masdar in 2006 while running the UAE government's strategic investment arm.

Al Jaber is not in the Royal family, making his rise all the more remarkable, and is known to have a strong global contacts book among world leaders and CEOs.

In a 2021 speech accepting an award from an oil industry intelligence group, he said Masdar was evidence the UAE is "ahead of the curve... leadership viewed clean and renewables as a natural and logical extension of UAE's role as a global energy leader." COP28 will be the third time a major UN climate summit has been held in the Middle East, with Qatar (2012) and Egypt (2022) previous hosts.

Given worsening geopolitics, rising climate damages and a fractious end to the COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh 2023 promises to be a tough year.

Al Jaber will be under deep scrutiny: this is the first time a serving oil executive has assumed the top role at a UN climate summit.

The country has a huge per capita carbon footprint: the world's 4th largest behind Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

However, climate activists criticized Al Jaber's appointment. For Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International, his appointment "poses an outrageous conflict of interest".

"Al Jaber's appointment as COP28 President is outrageously regressive and deeply problematic to say the least! Fossil fuels are the root cause of the Climate Crisis. His position as CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company raises grave conflict of interest issues," he told IANS.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), it's the seventh-largest petroleum and other liquids producer in the world with export revenues topping $70 billion.

Proven oil and gas reserves are vast: 98 billion barrels of oil and 215 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Responding to the appointment, Christiana Figueres, UN climate chief (2010-2016), said, "The International Energy Agency (IEA) has been abundantly clear that there is no more atmospheric space for any new oil, gas or coal. This policy clarity echoes the findings of science and the increasing demands of public opinion.

"COP28 must not only align itself with this reality, but in fact accelerate global decarbonisation. There is no other path forward." Climate justice activist from Uganda, Vanessa Nakate, said, "COP28 needs to see real money put into the loss and damage fund agreed in Egypt. But alongside this, COP28 must speed up the global phase out of fossil fuels -- we cannot have another COP where fossil fuel interests are allowed to sacrifice our futures to eke out another few years of profit.

"And finally, the voices of civil society and young activists are crucial in holding governments to account -- they must be heard in Dubai without intimidation."
New Delhi, Jan 12 : With the global economy grappling with uncertainties coupled with the recent Covid mayhem in China, manufacturers are increasingly looking for options to shift their manufacturing base outside of China. This yields an enormous opportunity for India to emerge as the manufacturing hub and global superpower of the world.

"There is an enormous opportunity in India, especially given the change in the geopolitical world and companies looking to find a country for manufacturing, other than China. The country has a talented workforce, particularly around technology," said Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania.

However, India needs to address some of the fundamental challenges to fast-track its journey of becoming a global superpower with education being one of the biggest challenges.

"There simply aren't enough schools in India and most importantly, there aren't enough qualified teachers in the country to educate all the students, because of the enormous number of children here. And similarly, there aren't enough University positions in India for all the talented and capable people. While India is now beginning to open up its higher education to foreign universities like the University of Pennsylvania, universities aren't going to invest heavily and jump in, without Assurances," added Emanuel.

The University of Pennsylvania was the first university in the US to teach Sanskrit and also unveiled the University of Pennsylvania Institute for the Advanced Study of India (UPIASI) 25 years back.

Emanuel also opines that India will have to demonstrate its capability to perform high-value manufacturing to prove its mettle across the globe.

"I think the way forward for India is to show that it can do high-value manufacturing, and with high-quality output and consistency. There's nothing like the ability to demonstrate that you can fulfill the market demand and quality education will play a pivotal role here," added Emanuel.

While the NEP 2020 holds enormous potential to transform the Indian education segment, the need of the hour is to ensure a holistic collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and private players to ensure the last-mile delivery of quality education.

India already has the advantage of a vast human resource, and it is time for the country to utilise and upskill it to emerge as the economic hub of the globe.

For this, a significant investment in research and innovation as well as the digitalisation of education is of utmost importance as citing the colossal number of students in the country, digital learning is not an option but a necessity for India.
Kochi, Jan 12 : A day after he was convicted in an attempt to murder case and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, Lakshadweep Lok Sabha member Mohammed Faizal on Thursday approached the Kerala High Court against the trial court's order.

The Kavaratti Sessions Court on Wednesdat convicted four people including Faizal, of the Nationalist Congress Party, in an attempt to murder case of a Congress party leader during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress leader was the son-in-law of former Union Minister and Congress veteran P.M. Sayeed who represented the island for several years till he passed away.

In his appeal, Faizal stated that the evidence against the applicants consisted of the depositions of three prosecution witnesses who were workers of the Congress, while the accused (applicants) belonged to the NCP.

Soon after the verdict came from the Kavaratti, all the four accused was airlifted to a jail in Kerala's Kannur.
Daman, Jan 12 : Police in the Union Territory of Daman have arrested two persons, Naveen Patel and his brother Ashok Patel, in an extortion case. A scrap dealer had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that the duo extorted money from him.

In a press statement on Thursday, the police stated that a resident of Nani Daman running a scrap business had lodged a complaint with the coastal police station on Wednesday. He alleged that three months ago, Naveen Patel and his brother Ishwar alias Ashok Patel approached him and his partner, and threatened that if the complainant wants to run his scrap business, they will have to pay money every month.

After lodging a complaint, the police initiated an investigation and found evidence in support of the allegation made against Naveen Patel and Ishwar. Both were arrested on Thursday for extortion and insulting and provocative acts by several persons for a common intent.

According to Bharatiya Janata Party sources, in 2015 Naveen Patel was caught on camera manhandling a female councillor for which the BJP had suspended him from the party. A year ago Patel was elected president of the Daman District Panchayat.
Earlier, the court reserved its ruling on a petition filed by real estate magnate Sushil Ansal seeking a temporary halt to the streaming of the series, expected to be launched on January 13.

New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the release of the upcoming Netflix series <dbl-qts>Trial By Fire<dbl-qts>, which is based on the 1997 Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy.

Earlier, the court reserved its ruling on a petition filed by real estate magnate Sushil Ansal seeking a temporary halt to the streaming of the series, expected to be launched on January 13.

A single-bench judge of Justice Yashwant Varma was dealing with the case seeking interim relief.

Ansal had filed a suit seeking permanent and mandatory injunction against the series and a restraint of further publication and circulation of the book titled "Trial By Fire - The tragic tale of the Uphaar Tragedy" by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost their two young children in the 1997 catastrophe.

In November 2021, a Delhi court sentenced Gopal Ansal and his brother Sushil Ansal to seven years in prison each for tampering with evidence. However, the sessions court lowered it to the already completed period in July of last year, and thus they were released after serving little over eight months of the total sentence.

Neelam Krishnamoorthy also serves as the chairperson of the Association of the Victims of the Uphaar Tragedy, which has fought long and hard for justice against the Ansals.

Representing Ansal, senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal had stated that Ansal's real name is used three times in the trailer, hurting his reputation and other rights, despite the series' warning that it is a piece of fiction.

In response, Justice Varma had said: "This may be their critique of their judgment and anguish of the parents, but it cannot be a claim for defamation." Ansal's counsel also said: "Today the only glimpse we have into what's going to be released is the book which makes it clear that I've gotten away scot free.

"What we have today is more than a prima facie basis to make an allegation that the movie is going to be a mischaracterisation of me, the process and judgments." Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar appearing for Netflix had submitted: "On September 19, 2016 the book was released. On December 18, 2019, there are news reports that a web series is going to be created. On November 8, 2021, the plaintiff was sentenced to 7 years with Rs 2.25 crore fine, widely reported by the media.

"There is an appeal in the sessions court and in July, conviction is upheld but reduces the sentence for the period already undergone. This is all in the public domain. But what's more significant is the date of December 14, 2022 where we announce that we're going to have web series from January 13. On December 14, our intention to screen it on January 13 is shown to the press. And this plaintiff knocks on the door at the last minute." Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa had argued on behalf of Krishnamoorthy that Ansal was previously aware of the book's publishing because it was mentioned in a 2012 plea presented to the Supreme Court.

Responding to this, Nayar had argued: "I have to interject. I didn't know about this. A gentleman who tampers with evidence, who was convicted for section 304A, should now be convicted for perjury? Complete misrepresentation of fact." Ansal has contended that the publication of the contested series will further harm him and will constitute a major violation of his fundamental rights, particularly his right to privacy.

He also claimed in the lawsuit that he had apologised to the victims' families in front of the Supreme Court and expressed regret for the terrible incident.

Additionally, he claims that after learning that the contested series is based on the contested book, he purchased a copy of it and was shocked to find that it contained a one-sided narration of the unfortunate incident.

--IANS spr/vd

</dbl-qts></dbl-qts>

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting raids at the premises of former Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram in Delhi and Jaipur in connection with a Prevention of Corruption Act case.

The raids are currently going on for last six hours. A CBI source said that a few incriminating documents have been recovered in the raids.

As of now, the CBI has not given any official statement on the matter. No arrest has been made so far.

Further details are awaited.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Thursday that it has arrested Mahesh B. Ojha, the head of Karan Group Builders & Developers, Mumbai, in a fraud and cheating case involving an amount of more than Rs 500 crore.

Ojha was produced before a special PMLA court here, which sent him to 10-day ED custody.

The ED said that multiple FIRs related to fraud and cheating in the name of investment in real estate projects were registered by Karnatka Police.

"Our investigation revealed that the complainant had invested a total of Rs 526 crore in different real estate projects undertaken by various groups and individuals. Subsequently, this amount was siphoned off by showing it as to be paid to various persons and collecting cash and commission in lieu of bank entry," an ED official said.

The ED said it has learnt that out of the total investment of Rs 526 crore made by the complainant, a bulk amount of Rs 121.5 crore was invested in a real estate project undertaken by Karan Group Builders & Developers, headed by Ojha.

This amount was routed through various entities and subsequently diverted by Ojha through another network of entities and people.

Ojha was earlier arrested by the CID, Bengaluru, and is presently in judicial custody.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a case of a bank loan fraud of Rs 4957 cr against Pratibha Industries, it's Directors and others and is conducting raids in Mumbai and Thane.

According to information, a complaint was lodged on September 12, 2022 by Sanjay Kumar Tiwary, Deputy General Manager, Stressed Assets Management Branch, Bank of Baroda, Mumbai against Pratibha Industries Limited, it's Directors Ajit Bhagwan Kulkarni, Ravi Kulkarni, Sunanda Datta Kulkarni, Sharad Prabhakar Deshpande and others for causing a wrongful loss of Rs 4957.31 crore (Rs. 4735.67 crore as per the complaint made by Bank of Baroda and Rs 221.64 crore as per the mandate dated 13.09.2022 given by SBI - one of the Consortium Member Bank) to the Consortium of Banks led by Bank of Baroda. The CBI after receiving the complaint lodged a case under sections 120-B, 420 IPC and 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the PC Act and formed a team to look into the matter.

The account of Pratibha Industries was classified as NPA on December 31, 2017. Subsequently the accounts were also declared as fraud by the members of the consortium banks.

Pratibha Industries was into development of infrastructure projects, which included designing, engineering and execution, construction of complex, integrated water transmission, distribution projects, water treatment plants, mass housing projects, precast design and construction, road construction and urban infrastructure etc.

"The accused had diverted huge amount of money from the borrower company to its related parties & subsidiaries and subsequently, these advances were written-off by the company. The company had entered into fictitious sales & purchase transactions in order to inflate its turnover. Further, to avail credit facilities from the lender banks, the work-in-progress was allegedly inflated and huge amount of Vender Liability was directly adjusted against Customer Account without having any supporting document for the same," the CBI said.

On Thursday the CBI conducted raids at 14 locations belonging to the accused and bank officials which led to recovery of several incriminating documents and articles.
Jaipur, Jan 12 : Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Thursday expressed concern over practice of calling an Assembly session without prorogation, saying that it is "dangerous for democracy".

Addressing the concluding session of the All India Conference of Presiding Officers in the state Legislative Assembly, he said: "The practice of calling the session directly without proroguing it is dangerous for democratic systems. Due to this, legislators do not get additional opportunities for the prescribed number of questions and constitutional procedures are not completed." "There is a need to pay serious attention to the formal prorogation of the legislative assemblies and the convening of a new session," he said.

Expressing concern over the low number of meetings in the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), the Governor said that the members should effectively discuss the issues related to the public with full preparation.

He said that MLAs should be present during the debates on important subjects in the House. He also emphasised on promoting the Private Member's Bill. He said that a quick system should be developed to provide research material related to major decisions related to parliamentary proceedings in the Houses.

Speaking on discussions that ordinance bills are not passed by Governor, Mishra said: "Governor is not a person, he is a constitutional body and when he is satisfied on constitutional grounds that the ordinance is justified, then only he gives approval to it.

He said that the power to summon the assembly session on the recommendation of the state government is vested in the governor.

Further, he described Parliament and Legislative Assemblies as temples of democracy and said that people's representatives should rise above politics here and consider issues of public interest sensitively.

He said that whatever debates or business take place here, it should be for the sustainable development of the common man.

He said that the presiding officers have an important role in parliamentary democracy and they are also guardians of the powers and privileges of the members of the Legislature in a way.

The presiding officers should play their effective role to strengthen democracy, he added.

He said that the Speaker of the House is the final interpreter of the rules relating to the functioning of the House.
Singapore, Jan 12 : Elon Musk, who failed to pay the rent for Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, has now asked its remaining staff in Singapore to stop coming to office and work remotely as the company has reportedly failed to pay the monthly rent.

According to reports, Twitter employees were informed about the decision via email to leave the CapitaGreen building here and work from home.

Singapore serves as Twitter's headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region.

Casey Newton of Platformer said in a tweet on Thursday that "Twitter employees were just walked out of its Singapore office - its Asia-Pacific headquarters - over nonpayment of rent".

"Landlords walked employees out of the building," he posted.

In the US, Twitter has been sued as it failed to pay $136,250 rent for its office space in San Francisco.

According to a complaint filed by landlord Columbia Reit, Twitter is late on rent at 650 California Street on the edge of Chinatown, USA Today reported.

The lawsuit was filed on December 29 in state court in San Francisco.

The company's headquarters are located at 1355 Market St, where Twitter has also reportedly fallen behind on rent.

Musk also converted rooms at the Twitter headquarters into small bedrooms, featuring unmade mattresses, drab curtains and giant work monitors.

The beds were prepared for remaining "hardcore" staffers to be able to stay overnight at the office.

Sources told Forbes that there were maybe "four to eight such rooms per floor" at the Twitter HQ.

Twitter was also sued in December 2022 for refusing to pay for two charter flights, according to the reports.
San Francisco, Jan 12 : Microsoft has announced that it will roll out new power mode options, including shutdown (energy saving) to Xbox Series X and S consoles in a bid for sustainability and cost savings.

This update to users' power settings will reduce their power consumption while their console is off, and will not affect performance, gameplay, or their console's ability to receive overnight updates to the system, games or apps.

Moreover, the company said that the remote features are supported while the console is powered on, however, remote wake is not supported while it is shut down.

Users can adjust their settings at any time, choosing what works best for them.

"We encourage all players to learn more about the power setting options available to you. Every small step we take has a larger collective impact - and choosing shutdown (energy saving) can have a real, meaningful impact," said the company.

"For example, for every 2 consoles that switch to Shutdown (energy saving) for one year, we will save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by one tree planted and grown for a decade," it added.

Further, Xbox One consoles will also begin to see the new power mode options, including the energy-saving mode - shutdown.

In order to determine the best way to inform players of the change, Xbox One consoles will test multiple messaging options.

The purpose of this effort is to provide Xbox One gamers with the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience, the company mentioned.

Using shutdown (energy saving) will enable Xbox One consoles to receive system, game, and app downloads overnight, just like Xbox Series X|S.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Amid the recent controversies surrounding Air India flights, a foreign national has narrated his sad travel experience, citing poor and pathetic services by the airline when his international flight got delayed.

Narrating his bad experience in the Air India flight on January 5, Loic Sanlaville, on his Facebook page, wrote that he found out that his flight to Delhi was cancelled while reaching Paris airport.

"You made everyone wait 1h30 before finally sending a bus to drive us to a hotel. Finally left the day after in an aircraft without a screen, without reading light, without water in the toilet (when I flushed, the button fell down!!!)." Sanlaville noted that missing his connecting flight to Mumbai from Delhi airport due to the delay, he was not provided any food or a bed.

"Of course I miss my connection to Bombay and spent a second night in Delhi airport, no food, no bed, no "good night on your chair". Ok I m slightly over reacting here , I received a mail from Air India after waiting 6h near my boarding gate, and finally get informed: change of gate, cross the entire airport again (from gate 27 to 52)," he wrote.

He wrote that he had to eat the worst food during the course of travel, and then could not get his bag even 24 hours after landing.

"Cherry on the cake, the staff in Paris told me to collect my bags directly in Bombay, that was a wrong statement. I reached Bombay without bags. So after 48h of Travelling (eating the worst food in the history of aeronautics). I spent the day trying to call the baggage department. When the server was not down, they promise me that I'll get my bag in the evening... Finally got a call at 11pm to say half of my luggage reached Bombay, I should come to collect it tomorrrow...This morning I call again the baggage dept, my second bag is still in Delhi. So 24h after landing, still no bags," Sanlaville said in his Facebook page.

"Air India was a good company, but without maintenance of the aircrafts (sic), without any care for your customers, you'll quickly become the company to avoid," he said.

India's aviation regulator has taken note of many such incidents which occurred in Air India flights in the recent past. The DGCA last week had said that the response of Air India has been lackadaisical and delayed with regard to two incidents of passenger misbehaviour occurring on Air India flight AI-142 on from Paris to New Delhi on December 6, 2022.

One passenger was caught smoking in the lavatory, was drunk and not listening to the crew. Another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory.
Kolkata, Jan 12 : BJP Lok Sabha member from Bishnupur constituency in Bankura district of West Bengal, Saumitra Khan on Thursday was criticised after he described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the incarnation of Swami Vivekananda.

"Swamiji has taken rebirth with a new look as Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For us, Swamiji is equivalent to God. At the same time, what the Prime Minister is doing for the country it can be said that he is the incarnation of Swamiji of the New India," Khan told media persons while attending a programme of the party's youth wing at Bishnupur on Thursday.

His comments on the occasion of 161st birthday of philosopher, author and religious teacher Swami Vivekananda.

Criticising Khan, West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Firhad Hakim said that Khan has lost his brain. "It is extremely difficult to assume what element he is," Hakim said.

Former Lok Sabha member of CPI-M, Samik Lahiri said that Khan, who is currently sidelined in his own party, is trying to gain some extra points through such comments.

"He can continue with his attempts. But who gave him the right to insult Swami Vivekananda in that process?" Lahiri questioned.
Kolkata, Jan 12 : The process of the beginning of talks for separate Kamtapur statehood with the Union government is almost at the final stage, underground Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) chief Jeevan Singh has claimed.

In a statement dated January 11, accessed by IANS, Singh has claimed that the discussion on this count with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will start soon.

The underground KLO chief has also thanked Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma for mediating in the matter.

"In this New Year 2023, I am very happy to inform you that the process of bilateral discussions between the Government of India and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) has reached its final stage under the able leadership of Narendra Modi Ji, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and Amit Shah Ji, Hon'ble Union Home Minister of India with active mediation from Himanta Biswa Sharma, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam," the statement from Singh has read.

The underground KLO chief also claimed in the statement that KLO representatives of KLO will reach India shortly to participate in the bilateral talks. It is believed that Singh is currently hiding somewhere in Myanmar.

KLO's proposed separate Kamtapur state is planned to be carved out of Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts in northern West Bengal, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri and Goalpara districts in Assam, Kishanganj district in Bihar and Jhapa district in Nepal.

On December 9 last year only, the KLO chief sent messages to different media persons claiming that claimed that formation of the separate state on this count is just a matter of time and also said that Greater Cooch Behar or Kamtapur state became a part of India following a merger-agreement on August 28, 1949.

His last message came at a time when different parts of the northern region of West Bengal were frequently witnessing rail-blockade agitations by Kamtapur State Demand Forum, a joint forum of Kamtapur People's Party and Kamtapur Progressive Party.
Taipei, Jan 12 : People in China have been warned against travelling to visit their elderly relatives during the lunar new year holiday, as Covid spreads rapidly through cities and into regional and poorer areas, the media reported.

Prof Guo Jianwen, a member of the state council's pandemic prevention team, urged people "don't go home to visit them" if elderly relatives had not yet been infected, The Guardian reported.

"You have all kinds of ways to show you care for them, you don't necessarily have to bring the virus to their home," Guo said on Thursday.

The holiday period, which begins on January 21, was supposed to be a return to festivities and travel after the lifting of most restrictions in December but instead it is coinciding with a wave of infections.

Health authorities said this week the peak of infections had passed in several big provinces and cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

But there are serious concerns for regional areas where health resources are more limited and older people are more likely to be unvaccinated.

"The situation in rural China is very murky," said Chen Xi, an assistant professor specialising in ageing and public health at Yale University.

"We have strong reasons to believe rural China will get much worse as the spring festival approaches," The Guardian reported.

There have been reports from people in rural areas across China of mass infections, deaths, and healthcare woes, including areas where authorities say infections are yet to peak, The Guardian reported.

Villagers in Guangdong province reported shortages of medication and oxygen supplies.

In Shaanxi, a musician who played at funerals reported being busier than ever, while a woman returning to her small Hunan village decried at least six new customary funeral sheds - temporary structures built for people to mourn an individual.
Chennai, Jan 12 : Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who is in the midst of a raging controversy in the state after he skipped certain portions from the written text of his speech in the Assembly and also referred to the state as "Tamizhagam", is leaving for New Delhi for a one-day meet.

He will be returning back on January 14 as Tamil Nadu's biggest festival, Pongal falls from January 15 to 18.

Ravi had courted controversy after skipping two paragraphs in the written speech which were highlighting the Dravidian model of governance, and lauding the contribution of Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, C.N. Annadurai and Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi. However, he had read about Karunanidhi in a different sentence.

The Governor had abruptly gone out of the house -- without waiting for the customary National Anthem -- when the Chief Minister moved a resolution seeking to remove the portions read out by the Governor and it was passed by the house.

A group of senior DMK leaders led by party parliamentary party leader and former Union Minister, T.R. Baalu had met President Droupadi Murmu on the issue. However, there are no official reports on what transpired at the meeting.
San Francisco, Jan 12 : Microsoft will give its staff in the US "unlimited time off", no longer requiring them to formally record vacation.

According to The Verge, the new 'Discretionary Time Off' policy will apply to all employees on the pay role.

"How, when, and where we do our jobs has dramatically changed. And as we've transformed, modernizing our vacation policy to a more flexible model was a natural next step," according to an internal email to employees.

However, hourly workers at the tech giant will not get unlimited time off, nor will employees outside the US.

The changes in vacation policy will begin on January 16, Even new Microsoft employees don't need to wait to accrue vacation time anymore, according to the report.

"Microsoft will offer 10 corporate holidays, leaves of absence, sick and mental health time off, and time away for jury duty or bereavement alongside this new unlimited time off policy," it added.

Those with unused vacation balance will get a one-time payout in April.

The workers outside the US will keep their current vacation benefits because of different laws and regulations in their countries.

Some other companies like Salesforce, Oracle and Netflix also offer same unlimited time off policies for employees.
Greater Noida: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari with Tata Harrier car at the Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Photo: Anupam Gautam/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Greater Noida: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari during the inaugural event of Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Photo: Anupam Gautam/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Greater Noida, Jan 12 : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, along with Minister of Heavy Industries, Mahendra Nath Pandey, officially inaugurated the Auto Expo 2023 here on Thursday.

The event will be open for businesses on January 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will open for the general public from January 14 to 18 from 11 a.m. However, the closing timings are 8 p.m. for January 14-15, 7 p.m. for January 16-17 and 6 p.m. for January 18.

In his inaugural address, Gadkari urged the auto industry to enhance safety features in vehicles to reduce deaths due to road accidents.

Gadkari said in his opening remarks that the government's goal is to cut down on accidents by 50 per cent by the end of 2024, as he requested the auto industry to take suo moto action for road safety as the government doesn't want to make anything mandatory.

Gadkari said: "We aim to make India's automobile industry the world leader in terms of manufacturing, but our goal is to cut down on road accidents by 50 per cent by the end of 2024." The minister claimed that many young individuals between the age group of 18 and 34 die in road accidents.

He emphasised that as road infrastructure has improved, so too has the pace at which cars are driven.

"I'm sending you my best wishes once more, knowing that in five years this industry will become the world's leading manufacturing hub. You are all capable of doing achieving this goal," Gadkari said.

The minister also asked the auto sector for assistance on the scrapping front.

"During the scrapping process, the cost of raw materials for the automotive industry was reduced by 33 per cent, while sales increased by 10-12 per cent. Additionally, becaus people who are going to junk their car are going to buy a new one, your turnover will rise," Gadkari said.

He also suggested the auto companies to offer discounts to buyers of new cars who present their scrappage credentials.

"If you can offer a discount, it will be advantageous for you because it will boost your sales and earnings," the minister said.

According to Gadkari, it is possible to repurpose metals and semiconductors from scrapped vehicles, which will lower the price of finished goods.

On air pollution, the minister emphasised that now is the moment to cut back on fossil fuel imports and EV exports.

"Sometimes, I do not feel like coming to Delhi because of air pollution," he said.

Speaking onthe occasion, Mahendra Nath Pandey lamented that despite India having only 1 per cent of the world's automobiles, it accounts for 11 per cent of all road-related fatalities worldwide.

Pandey also said that fast chargers for e-vehicles are being developed by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which will soon be available in the market.
Chandigarh, Jan 12 : The 20th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council Standing Committee, dealing with inter-state issues of the northern states, on Thursday saw Punjab putting forward its case pertaining to its rights.

The meeting in Mohali near here saw officers from the Inter State Council Secretariat of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in attendance along with Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh and Adviser to the UT Chandigarh, besides Secretaries of the different departments of Chandigarh.

Punjab presented its viewpoint on whole gamut of sensitive issues viz. river waters of Punjab, the state's right to Chandigarh and Panjab University, demand for a tribunal to assess current situation with regard to the river waters, increasing international flights from the Mohali airport, starting UDAN scheme from four airports, strengthening the international borders, uniform policy for purchasing land, etc.

In his inaugural speech, Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua batted for the cooperative federalism and said such meetings are the right platform for bringing to the fore inter-state matters and debate upon their solutions.

He made it clear that as per the current state of river waters, Punjab itself is facing shortage of water, hence it doesn't has extra water to spare for the other states.

"These are emotional issues for Punjab and being the parent state, it has full right on its capital but which has been denied to it all along," said Janjua, adding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also pressed state's claims on these issues.

He said that in keeping with the principles of One Nation One Family, there must be a uniform policy concerning buying and selling of land in all the states of the country. It is imperative for Punjab for these issues to be sorted out, he added.

During the agenda wise discussions, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Krishan Kumar apprised that the level of water which was available with Punjab at the time of river waters agreements has come down drastically and the state itself is face to face with the paucity of this precious resource.

He argued that a new tribunal regarding the assessment of Ravi-Beas river waters is the need of the hour, besides pressing for water to Punjab from Yamuna.

Likewise, the unnatural construction of the Hansi-Butana canal causes 38 villages in Punjab to be flooded, he said.

Rooting for the resolution of Lissara Nallah by Haryana, Kumar also highlighted the importance of mini hydel projects on the Bhakhra Main Line, apart from making a strong case for a permanent member from Punjab in the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

Financial Commissioner, Revenue, K.A.P. Sinha pointed out that Chandigarh must go to Punjab for the latter being the parent State. He further made out a robust and rationale case for the resident of any state being able to purchase land in another state.

Presenting the case of Punjab for increasing the international flights from the Mohali International Airport in a logical and crystal clear manner, Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation, Rahul Bhandari said Punjab has invested in the project and moreover, it is the demand of present scenario considering a huge number of Punjabi diaspora in Canada and other countries to expand the number of international flights.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A Hindu temple in Melbourne was allegedly vandalised by anti-India supporters and defaced with anti-India graffiti, saying 'Hindustan Murdabad', media reports said.

The walls of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne's northern suburb of Mill Park were also marked with praises of Indian terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale -- a supporter of the creation of Khalistan for Sikhs -- as a 'martyr', The Australia Today reported.

"We are deeply saddened by the anti-India graffiti at the gates of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mill Park, Melbourne, Australia by anti-social elements. The BAPS temple in Mill Park, like all temples of BAPS worldwide, is an abode of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values," the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in an official statement on Thursday.

"When I reached the temple today morning, all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus," a local resident told the paper.

Makrand Bhagwat, Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria state President, told The Australia Today that "any kind of hatred and vandalism against places of worship is not acceptable and we condemn it".

He added that the issue will be raised with the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Multicultural Minister of Victoria.The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha expressed gratitude to the governments of Australia and India as well as local community organisations "for their continued support." "BAPS Mandirs across Australia are symbols of a thriving multicultural society which nurture Australian values of respect, mateship and tolerance", the statement said.

In September last year, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada was defaced by alleged Khalistani miscreants with anti-India graffiti.
Ahmedabad, Jan 12 : A senior citizen couple attempted suicide by cutting their wrists and throats. The wife died because of excessive bleeding while the man is admitted in a private hospital.

Sarkhej Police Inspector Vikramsinh Chavda told the media, "Kiranbhai (69) and his wife Usha cut their wrists and throats with a knife. They were bleeding profusely, both were rushed to a private hospital where Usha was declared dead. Her body has been sent for post mortem whereas Kiranbhai is admitted for further treatment." The officer said it is not yet clear why the couple did this. On Thursday morning, Kiranbhai left a message for his nephew and their doctor informing them that they are committing suicide. Kiranbhai's nephew informed the police and fire brigade.

The couple was living in the US till just two years ago when they returned and settled in Ahmedabad.
Patna, Jan 12 : Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey had to flee the protest site in Bihar's Buxar after farmers pelted stones on his convoy on Thursday afternoon.

As per videos uploaded on social media, Choubey, after reaching the protest site, faced stiff resistance from agitating farmers, who pelted stones on him and his convoy. The situation reached such a stage when Choubey had to hurriedly move away to save himself. Police rescued him and took him to his car.

The farmers were protesting for 86 days now to seek compensation, according to the fresh circle rate, of their lands in Banarpur village under Chausa block after a thermal power company had acquired them. They turned violent after Buxar police allegedly carried out a baton charge on them in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

Choubey, despite being a local MP, did not go to Banarpur village even as the farmers were protesting against the thermal power company for the last 86 days.

Following the police action in the night, where allegedly women and children were also targeted, the farmers went on rampage and set afire more than 20 vehicles, including half a dozen police vans, on Wednesday morning. The situation is currently very tense in the village.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A delegation of Delhi University Principals Association (DUPA), comprising Jaswinder Singh, DUPA president and principal of Khalsa College, Manoj Sinha, principal of Aryabhatt College, and the principals of three other colleges on Thursday met Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. They brought to his notice the serious constraints being faced by 12 colleges under Delhi University, which are funded by the Delhi government.

The DUPA and the principals sought the LG's intervention in resolving the issue of the delay in releasing sanctioned grants. The DUPA in its representation said, "numerous new and relevant courses were started in these colleges to cater to the needs of the emerging economy and provide employment to the youth and as a consequence many teaching and non-teaching positions were filled, the approval of which is pending with the government. The sanctioned grants are also often delayed on one pretext or the other." The serious issues that are affecting the quality of education in these colleges include deliberate curtailment of funds, non or delayed payment of salaries to staff, non-sanctioning of teaching and non-teaching posts by the Delhi government and day to day interference and harassment by incapable and inexperienced persons appointed to the Governing Bodies of these colleges by the AAP government, said the LG Secretariat.

The DUPA has requested the LG "to intervene and take steps to ensure ex post facto approval of all the positions and allow further recruitment for the teaching and non-teaching posts as it is happening in other colleges of University of Delhi. It is further requested to ensure transferring the sanctioned grants to the above colleges." The LG Secretariat has in turn marked the representation submitted by DUPA along with another representation submitted by the Delhi University Karmachari Parishad to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for remedial action on priority.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : In a huge embarrassment for the Congress, Sudhir Tambe, the party's official candidate for the January 30 biennial elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) for Nashik Division Graduates' constituency, backed out of the race here on Thursday.

Instead, his son Satyajeet Tambe has filed his nomination as an Independent candidate, saying he will seek support from all the parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and meet Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis soon, though the latter has not committed anything.

"I have decided to step back in favour of youthful leadership of my son," Sudhir Tambe told mediapersons, amid speculations that the father-son duo may switch loyalties to the BJP.

Tambe's abrupt decision took the Congress by shock and rekindled memories of the rude political setbacks that the party had suffered during the MLC bypolls in June 2022, followed by the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The top state and central leaders of the Congress were at total loss to comment on the developments with state Congress chief Nana Patole claiming that he is yet to get a full report as to what exactly transpired and how the official nominee did not file his papers as directed.

"We are trying to get the full information from our senior leaders in Nashik, including Congress Legislative Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, the local party unit and others," said Patole.

The party's chief spokesperson, Atul Londhe, said that they had no idea what transpired in the Tambe family, but Sudhir Tambhe has contacted neither the state or the Central leadership of the Congress so far.

The Tambe father-son duo rattled the party hours after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge formally announced Sudhir Tambe's candidature. He would have contested for the third time had he not backed out of the race.

Now, there are indications that the party may crack the whip on Tambe in the form of disciplinary action for disregarding Kharge's directives.

Some leaders are also wondering if all this transpired due to any pressure or external influence, or was a well-planned political conspiracy.

The fast-paced happenings took place a day after the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi staged a show of unity for the biennial polls to five MLC seats to be held on January 30.

Besides Patole, the meeting was attended by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Jayant Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and other senior leaders from the three alliance partners.

The five MLC seats comprise three from Teachers' constituencies and two from Graduates' constituencies, and the MVA had expressed confidence that it will bag all the five by giving 'one-to-one fight' to the ruling BJP-Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS) combine.

Unaware of what was in store after 24 hours, the Congress had displayed a large heart by deciding to give the Nagpur Teachers' constituency seat to Sena (UBT).

The Congress would contest the Nashik and Amravati Graduates' constituencies, currently held by BJP's Ranjit Patil, who has been re-nominated.

The NCP will contest the Aurangabad Teachers' constituency for which it has nominated sitting MLC Vikram Kale, while MVA ally, Peasants & Workers Party, will contest the Konkan Teachers' constituency repeating its sitting MLC Balaram Patil.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Hubballi : , Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon the citizens of the country to make the 21st century as "the century of India".

"We have to make the 21st century the century of India. The country has to be ahead of developed countries. Our world is going to change," PM Modi said on Thursday.

He said this while addressing the gathering after inaugurating the National Youth Festival in Hubballi in Karnataka.

PM Modi stated that the power of women is keeping the spirit of the country up. "Indian women are flying fighter jets. They have achieved new heights," he added.

In the last eight years, many programmes have been launched for the youth.

"We have created a great future for the youth. India is marching ahead in all sectors," he said.

Youth power is the main reason for this. There is progressive development in all sectors. Money is flowing towards Indian startups. Foreign investment is also pouring in, PM Modi stated.

This phase is historical for the youth. Global industries are looking towards India.

"The runway is ready. Your take off is awaited. India is a country of youth. The country has the strength of youth," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday expressed optimism for a satisfactory outcome in bilateral settlement of WTO disputes with the US.

Addressing the media after the conclusion of the 13th Ministerial Trade Policy Forum (TPF) dialogue in Washington, he said that the forum has resulted in a smoother, friendly and trusted business environment for businesses from both sides to expand their trade and investment.

He said that both sides had a robust discussion on finding bilateral solutions to outstanding WTO disputes between them and hoped for a satisfactory outcome in the next few months over these issues.

About the 13th Ministerial TPF dialogue, Goyal said that issues related to resolving WTO disputes, restarting of exports of wild caught shrimps, speeding up of business visas, resilient supply chains, data flow, and addressing climate change were discussed.

The TPF, which was relaunched in a new form in November 2021, has become a very robust and outcome oriented platform to have free and frank discussion on a plethora of issues of mutual interest, he added.

Explaining the background on exports of wild caught shrimps from India to the US, Goyal said exports were banned by the US due to concerns around turtles in the areas where shrimps were being fished. He said that fruitful discussions took place between both for restarting wild caught shrimps exports. He said that a turtle excluder device which will minimise impact of fishing on sea turtle population has been designed with support from the US.

The minister said that exports will be restarted post the successful completion of trials of these devices.

Goyal said India has requested the US to expedite the issuance of business visas to facilitate faster movement of business persons across both sides.

Another important focus issue was the discussion around strengthening resilient global supply chains. Goyal said both the countries are keen to have an effective and trusted supply chain between them in several areas including telemedicine services.

He further informed that discussions took place on environmental issues around sustainable finance to promote innovative clean technology, circular economy, and technology required to address climate change.

He informed that both nations have shared interest to have greater flow of data between two countries and are continuing engagement on data protection and privacy.

The minister also announced that a new TPF working group on resilient trade has been created. "This new working group will enable both sides to deepen our dialogue on a range of issues which will help us enhance our resilient supply chains and also help us create sustainable bilateral trade relationships to meet challenges of tomorrow." Briefing about his meeting with his US counterpart Gina Raimondo, Goyal said he had a positive dialogue and that she will visit India in March along with a high-powered delegation of CEOs. He said CEO forums on both sides are putting in lots of effort to come up with a robust framework to help expand trade business and manufacturing.

Goyal told media persons that several other aspects related to India becoming self-sufficient in areas like semiconductor, defence production, strengthening laws around quality standards, were also discussed.

He also informed India will be hosting the next round of talks on IPEF in February in New Delhi.

About his engagements with CEOs of US companies during the course of his visit, the minister said they are looking at India as a trusted partner to diversify their dependence on the geographies and to expand their own manufacturing set-ups. US companies have ambitious plans and are looking to invest large capital and bring technology to India, Goyal added.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Chinese PLA is increasing the number of troops in their area, near the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Indian Army has this vital information and it is keeping a close vigil on the development. Without naming China, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that there is a slight increase in the deployment of adversary troops in the Ladakh sector of the LAC.

India has also maintained adequate force deployment along the LAC and is ready to deal with any situation, he added. General Pande said that the situation at the northern border remains stable but unpredictable. He said one of the main challenges facing the Indian armed forces today is the situation at the northern borders. "There is a slight increase in the number of troops opposite our Eastern command. We are keeping a close watch on the movements." The Army Chief said the Indian Army is capable, powerful and ready to tackle any adverse situation at the international borders. The Army is creating a huge road network in our part alongside the international border. Simultaneously, India is boosting infrastructure near the India-China border. These border connecting roads will be 'all weather roads'. Tunnel and bridges are also been constructed to reach the border in the minimum time, General Pande added.

He said that India and China are holding talks at both the military and diplomatic levels to resolve the issues. Five of the seven issues have been resolved through talks. The Army Chief said that during the last 3 years, around Rs 1300 crores have been spent in Ladakh on infrastructure and habitat requirements.

For Jammu and Kashmir, he said the ceasefire understanding with Pakistan happened in February 2021, and is going well. Though cross-border terrorism continues, so we remain alert, he added.

Speaking on the effect of the Russia-Ukraine war on India he said this war is a lesson for India. "We carried out an analysis of what lessons there are for us at the operational, strategical and tactical levels. We have to contextualise these lessons. We have incorporated them in terms of larger weapons platforms, cyberspace" he added. The Army sees this as an opportunity also.

General Pande said that they are exploring indigenous solutions to several things including spare parts.
Patna, Jan 12 : Following a controversial statement by Bihar education minister Chandrashekher Yadav, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided to burn his effigy across the state on Friday for hurting the sentiments of Hindus.

VHP national president Dr RN Singh said that the Bihar education minister has given the statement due to his appeasement politics.

"He has given the statement to please a particular community and give a message to them that he can talk against Hindus without any problem. The minister should apologize for his statement. The state government should sack a senseless education minister," Singh said.

"VHP will burn the effigy of the Bihar education minister in Patna and the entire state to make people aware about how educated he is," Singh added.

VHP Bihar president Kameshwar Chaupal said: "When Hindu culture was under threat, the Hindu community had saved their culture through Ramcharitmanas in the entire world. Ramcharitmanas is showing the light to people who are disappointed and depressed. Why is the Bihar education minister not understanding how Shri Ram ate the "Joothe Ber" of Mata Shabri. He has also given the status of his brother Bharat to Nishadh Raj. Ramcharitmanas is like a sea and the Bihar education minister is picking snails at its cost." "Ramcharitmanas would not be understood by everyone. Only a knowledgeable person can understand it," Chaupal said.

On Wednesday evening, Bihar education minister Chandrashekher Yadav claimed that Manu Smriti in the first era, Ramcharitmanas in the second era and MS Golwalkar's "Bunch of Thoughts" spread hatred in the third era in society.
Chandigarh, Jan 12 : The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Thursday withdrew its orders regarding the arrest of Principal Secretary, School Education, Jaspreet Talwar and her presentation before the Commission.

According to the fresh order, the Principal Secretary School Education will appear before the commission without police action on January 17.

The Principal Secretary was summoned for hearing in the matter of appointment of junior and general category principals as education officer and principals of year 2010.

In a communication to the DGP last week, the court officer of the NCSC clearly mentioned that a warrant has been issued against Jaspreet Talwar, Principal Secretary, for not attending the hearing before the Commission on January 2.

"The NCSC, while exercising power of the Civil Court under Article 338 (8), orders you to arrest and bring her before the commission at 11 a.m. on January 17," said the court officer.

The NCSC had further asked the DGP to return the warrant on or before January 17 at 11 a.m. with an endorsement, certifying the day and the manner in which the orders have been executed, or the reason why it has not been executed.
Bhopal, Jan 12 : In a heart-wrenching incident, a couple in Bhopal attempted to end their own, and their four minor children's, lives by consuming poison but only the youngest died, police said on Thursday.

The couple and their three eldest children were under treatment at Hamidia hospital, and while the couple are reportedly out of danger, the children are still in a critical condition.

According to police, Kishore Jatav, 40, a resident of Khajuri area in Bhopal and a contractor by profession, on late Tuesday consumed poison with his wife Sita, 35, after mixed poison with milk and feeding it to their four minor children.

Their youngest child - Purva, 8, succumbed on Wednesday night during treatment, while the elder three - Kanchan, 15, Abhay, 12, and Annu, 10 were still fighting for their life at the Hamidia hospital, as on Thursday night.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bairagarh, Antima Samadhiya said that Jatav and his wife had mixed insecticide in milk and had fed it to all their four children on the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Jatav, who regained consciousness on Wednesday after treatment, told the police that he was debt-ridden, due to which he was compelled to take the extreme step. He, however, did not elaborate on the amount that he had procured as loans from different people.

State Home Minister Narottam Mishra told the press on Thursday that he has directed police to investigate the matter.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A man has been detained by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from the national capital's Jahangirpuri area for allegedly having connection with a Canada-based Khalistani terrorist, an official said on Thursday.

A team of Special Cell had picked up a few people from the Jahangirpuri area.

They were suspected to have links with the Canada-based Khalisthani terrorist, ahead of the Republic Day.

"They were questioned and one person has been detained in connection with the matter," a senior police officer said.

Further details are awaited
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) on Thursday signed an MoU to strengthen cyber security.

The ISB Institute of Data Science and Cyberabad police inked the MoU at ISB campus in Hyderabad.

DCP, Crimes, Cyberabad Police, Kalmeshwar Shingenavar, and ISB Institute of Data Science Executive Director, Professor Manish Gangwar, signed the agreement in the presence of ISB Dean, Professor Madan Pillutla.

The ISB Institute of Data Sciences and the SCSC, the collaborative body of Cyberabad police and the information technology industry, will undertake joint collaborative research activities on cyber security in areas of mutual interest.

They will endeavour to collectively publish reports that inform policy practices in cyber security, create projects for ISB's AMPBA students to work on as a part of their coursework and strive to organise joint conferences and workshops to bring together academia, government, policy, and industry.

Shingenavar noted that cyber crimes are growing. After the pandemic, cyber crimes have become a major challenge not just for India but for all law enforcement agencies the world over. He hoped that this partnership with ISB Institute of Data Science will help in better policy formulation and enforcement to prevent cybercrime instances.

Gangwar said he was glad that the Institute is joining hands with Cyberabad police in its efforts to further strengthen cyber security through the use of state-of-the-art research in data science. This reflects the ISB's mission of working closely with the government and society to contribute to the betterment of the community we live in, he added.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Congress held a meeting on Thursday on the Election Commission proposal of voting rights to migrants. The ECI has called a meeting of political parties on Monday.

Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Jairam Ramesh and others deliberated on the issue over which the Congress has raised serious objections. Digvijaya Singh after the meeting said, "Where has the EC got the figure of 3 crore migrant labourers." The Election Commission of India in December had said that it is ready to pilot remote voting for domestic migrants, and the migrant voters need not travel to their home states to vote.

The ECI has developed a prototype Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine and has invited political parties for a demonstration of the prototype.

The prototype RVM can handle multiple constituencies from a single remote polling booth.

"The migration based disenfranchisement is indeed not an option in the age of technological advancement. The voter turnout in General Elections 2019 was 67.4 per cent and the Election Commission of India is concerned about the issue of over 30 crore electors not exercising their franchise and also differential voter turnout in various states/UTs," the commission had said.

The ECI said that there are multifarious reasons for a voter not opting to register in a new place of residence, thus missing out on exercising the right to vote.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A call claiming there was a bomb on Spicejet's Delhi-Pune flight sent security personnel at the IGI Airport into a tizzy on Thursday evening.

Soon after receiving the call, the Delhi Police personnel, and CISF officials immediately swung into action and the whole flight was throughly checked.

A senior police official said that they didn't find any suspicious material.

"Security drill was be followed as per SOP. The flight was stopped," said the official.

Further details are awaited.
Melbourne, Jan 12 : There will be two sister acts in the main draw of the Australian Open after teenagers Brenda Fruhvirtova and Polina Kudermetova successfully navigated qualifying to make their Grand Slam main draw debuts.

No.135-ranked Fruhvirtova pulled off her second comeback from a set down in as many days, defeating Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in 2 hours and 53 minutes.

No.182-ranked Kudermetova had a more straightforward time, needing only 76 minutes to advance 6-4, 6-2 past Asia Muhammad. Both Fruhvirtova and Kudermetova were making their Grand Slam qualifying debuts.

Fruhvirtova, the youngest player in the Top 250, became the fifth-youngest qualifier in Australian Open history and the youngest since Marta Kostyuk in 2018. The Czech is the younger sister of No.80-ranked Linda, herself the youngest player in the Top 100 at 17 years old. Kudermetova's older sibling is No.9-ranked Veronika.

Three more players took the total number of teenage qualifiers to five. No.8 seed Diana Shnaider, 18, completed a dominant week with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Anastasia Tikhonova in just 55 minutes. Shnaider, who was ranked No.877 this time last year and now sits at a career high of No.105, has dropped just 16 games in three qualifying matches.

An all-teenage final round saw the Czech Republic's Sara Bejlek, 16, back up her upset of No.1 seed Alycia Parks in the previous round by racing past 18-year-old Erika Andreeva 6-2, 6-3.

The 19-year old Selekhmeteva also advanced in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 over Sophie Chang. Bejlek and Selekhmeteva have both qualified for their second major main draw, having debuted last year at the US Open and Roland Garros respectively.

Three former Top 30 players also returned to the Australian Open main draw. CoCo Vandeweghe, the 2017 semifinalist, needed three sets to hold off the plucky Yuriko Miyazaki, but came through 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6[1] after the Briton fell away in the match tiebreak.

No.3 seed Anna Karolina Schmiedlova completed her qualifying campaign without the loss of a set after beating Elizabeth Mandlik 6-4, 6-4, and former US Open quarter-finalist Lesia Tsurenko came through 6-4, 6-2 over Leolia Jeanjean. However, former World No.10 Kristina Mladenovic was unable to join them, falling 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to Katie Volynets.

Elsewhere, former NCAA champion Arianne Hartono qualified for her second Australian Open in a row, overcoming No.14 seed Laura Pigossi 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 2 hours and 22 minutes, as per WTA.

A clash of 2001-born former junior standouts saw No.17 seed Clara Burel advance 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 past Olga Danilovic, while Italy's Lucrezia Stefanini advanced to her first major main draw after Sachia Vickery retired due to an ankle injury trailing 6-0, 3-0.

The 16 qualifiers were rounded out by Eva Lys, Katherine Sebov, Cristina Bucsa and Selena Janicijevic. Their placements in the main draw are below.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A range of issues including G7/G20 collaboration, LiFE, Marine and Plastic Waste and COP-27 were discussed in a bilateral meeting on Thursday which was held here between Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Akihiro Nishimura, the Japanese Minister of Environment.

Yadav acknowledged and appreciated the efforts made by Japan in bringing new technologies to India. He stressed that India and Japan may explore strengthening bilateral cooperation especially on circular economy and resource efficiency, low carbon technology, green hydrogen among others.

Speaking on this occasion Bhupender Yadav said that it is a coincidence that both Japan and India have taken over Presidencies of the G7 and G20 respectively, and this presents an opportunity for both countries to set the agendas and priorities for shaping the future of the world towards "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth, One Family, One Future", which also is the theme of India's G20 Presidency.

Yadav further added that during India's G-20 Presidency, LiFE is one of the important priorities for all the working groups cutting across many ministries and departments. He also sought support of Japan for India's G-20 Presidency, and also assured India's support for Japan's G-7 Presidency.

Addressing the 1st India - Japan Environment week, Yadav stated that to build a better world and a better future leaving no one behind, "we should promote just and equitable growth for all in the world, in a sustainable, holistic, responsible, and inclusive manner".

Highlighting the importance of LiFE for tackling the environmental challenges and the crises of climate change, pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, Yadav said Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

Yadav said the need of the hour is to orient industrial development towards sustainable production and to be a tool for nudging sustainable consumption.

Concluding the meeting, both countries also agreed to further promote cooperation between the two countries as well as to work together in multilateral frameworks.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A Delhi-based advocate Vineet Jindal has filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Cyber Crime Unit, Dwarka, against Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar.

According to Jindal, Shekhar's statement about the three holy books -- Manu Smriti, Ramcharitmanas and Bunch of Thoughts -- was provocative and derogatory.

Jindal complained that the statement was made with the sole objective of hurting Hindu sentiments.

Citing a video and recent news reports on the internet, Jindal has contended that Shekhar said that the three holy books have been spreading caste-related hatred in different eras.

According to Jindal, during his speech at an event, Shekhar claimed that books like Manu Smriti, Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas and Bunch of Thoughts by Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar worked towards keeping 85 per cent of the population in the country backwards. He claimed that while Manu Smriti abuses the lower castes, Ramcharitmanas advocates keeping lower caste people illiterate.

Jindal, who is also a social activist, claimed that Shekhar said that Ramcharitmanas prevents Dalits, lower castes and women from getting education, and therefore it should be burnt.

He complained that by these words against the books, Shekhar is targeting the Hindu community with the intent to divide and incite hatred by using derogatory words. "The contents of the statement made by him clearly show his intent of instigating enmity between two groups on the grounds of caste and he also made inciting statements against Hindu community," Jindal's complaint read.

Jindal said that being a Hindu by religion, his religious sentiments have been deeply hurt by this statement.

He said that by making such a statement, Shekhar has committed an offence under Sections 153A &B, 295, 298 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, which are cognizable offences and very serious in nature.

Jindal has requested the DCP to lodge an FIR against Shekhar under these sections and take strict legal action.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : After receiving international acclaim and bagging a Golden Globe award, RRR team now has its eyes set on the biggest of them all - Oscar.

The Golden Globe award for Best Original Song has heightened the expectations of not just S.S. Rajamouli and his team but the entire Tollywood.

RRR for Oscars has been one of the top trends for the last couple of days and the fans of Junior NTR and Ram Charan are rooting for the epic action drama to bag the Academy awards.

Rajamouli with both the heroes of the movie and other members of the team were present in Dolby Theatre, Hollywood when music director M.M. Keeravani received the Golden Globe award for Naatu Naatu song.

The foot-tapping hit has become the latest national craze and the spotlight is on what made this song so different that it beat the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

The song has already been shortlisted for the 95th Academy Awards. It will be known on January 24 if the song makes it to the nomination list.

Adding to the excitement of his fans, Ram Charan has said that if RRR goes on to win the Oscar he will dance his heart out with Junior NTR.

The popular actor said in an interview that they would again dance for 17 times if the movie bags the Oscar. He was referring to the number of takes shot during the shoot for the song.

The combination of music director M. M. Keeravani's melodious music, lyrics of Chandrabose, voice of Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and choreography by Prem Rakshith Agave the song which proved an icing on the cake for the blockbuster.

Prem Rakshith's team is said to have recorded as many as 80 variations of hook steps. It finalised the best variation which went on to prove a huge hit.

It will be interesting to see if Ram Charan and Junior NTR recreate the magic on stage if the movie bags the biggest award.

The 95th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 12.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The successor firms of the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Indian government never suggested at the time of settlement that it was inadequate and also cited one of the conspiracy theories involving then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The firm's counsel emphasised that the depreciation of the rupee since 1989 cannot become a ground to seek a top-up of compensation now for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing successor firms of the UCC, submitted before a bench a five-judge bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul that at the time of the settlement (of 1989), the Indian government never said it was inadequate.

He submitted before a bench - also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S. Oka, Vikram Nath, and J.K. Maheshwari - that there are affidavits starting from 1995 and ending as late as 2011, where the Indian government has opposed every single attempt to suggest that the settlement is inadequate.

During the hearing, Salve also cited several conspiracy theories connected with the case. He said in one of the theories it was claimed the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had met Warren Anderson in a hotel in Paris before the settlement, and added that Anderson had by then retired as the UCC Chairperson.

He argued that depreciation of the rupee since 1989 cannot become a ground to seek a top-up of compensation now for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims.

After hearing detailed arguments in the matter, the top court reserved its verdict on Centre's curative petition seeking an additional Rs 7,844 crore from the successor firms of UCC for extending greater compensation to the victims.

Salve said they are arguing the settlement has become inadequate because the rupee depreciated but it cannot be ground for top-up compensation now. He pointed out that the settlement of USD 470 million was due to an order passed by a district judge in 1987.

He submitted that nothing has been ever suggested by the Central government or anybody else that the UCC offered more in any negotiation on a settlement than what was accepted between the parties.

The apex court also heard submissions from senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Karuna Nundy, representing the intervenors.

Earlier, the top court had grilled the Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the Centre, on how the government could file a curative petition without filing the review. It told the AG that the Central government was not prohibited from granting relief to the Bhopal gas tragedy victims, and it cannot absolve from itself from the welfare state principle by saying, "I will take it from them (successor firms of Union Carbide Corporation), as and when taken from them, I will pay".
Kolkata, Jan 12 : The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, whose 161st birth anniversary is being celebrated throughout the country on Thursday, had spent Rs 943 crore on welfare works, both in India and overseas, during the 2021-22 financial year.

The figures were announced recently at Ramakrishna Math's 113th annual general meeting at Belur Math, the global headquarters of the institution at Belur in Howrah district.

In the financial year under review, Ramakrishna Mission spent an amount of Rs 451.44 crore for spreading education, which, according to the estimates of the mission, benefited 2.41 lakh students.

The mission authorities also spent Rs 337.75 crore for providing free treatment to the needy people throughout the country.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, thousands of Swamiji's followers assembled at his birthplace on Simla Street in North Kolkata to pay their tribute to the great son of India. Thousands assembled at Belur Math as well.

The general secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Subirananda, addressed the devotees about the lessons of Swamiji at Belur Math.

Different cultural associations and clubs also organised events in different parts of the state to celebrate the occasion.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari, among others, also paid their tributes to Swamiji.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Congress on Thursday alleged that the CBI raided the premises of former Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram as he had joined the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and a former Army General were also targeted because of joining the Yatra.

"A former RBI Gov walks in #BharatJodoYatra, BJP attacks him. A retired Army Gen does - he's maligned. Now a former Finance Secy who joined is booked by the CBI. Modi's FDI policy - Fear, Defamation & Intimidation - is at work here. This is the mindset of a coward. But BJY will roll on," Ramesh tweeted.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted raids at the premises of Arvind Mayaram in Delhi and Jaipur in connection with a Prevention of Corruption Act case, relating to supply of security threads for Indian banknotes.

Mayaram, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently serving as an advisor to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

The CBI had lodged an FIR against Mayaram, then Secretary of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry, officials of UK-based De La Rue International Ltd, and unknown officials of the ministry and the RBI for allegedly helping the UK-based firm get a contract to supply thread for bank notes.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : In a cheerful news for the commuters, the much-awaited second phase of Mumbai Metro Line 2A and Line 7 have been given safety clearances by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), days ahead of the formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said here on Thursday.

The Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), S.V.R. Srinivas, said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis inspected the lines on Thursday.

Srinivas said that the testing of rolling stock, signalling system, civil works, tracks and speed trials have been completed successfully and the CMRS's mandatory safety certification for the Phase II of both lines was received on Thursday.

"We are now ready to provide world-class services to the Mumbaikars after receiving the clearances for the commercial operations of the lines," said Srinivas.

The Line 2A connects Dahisar East with DN Nagar Andheri, while Line 7 links Dahisar East with Andheri East, on the two main arterial throughfares - the New Link Road and Western Express Highway, respectively.

Line 2A is 18 km long with 17 stations enroute, while Line 7 is 17 km long with 13 stations. They are expected to have a daily ridership of over 3 lakh commuters.

Incidentally, the Phase 1 of both the lines was inaugurated in April 2022 by then CM Uddhav Thackeray, and both the lines have been popular with over 25,000 commuters travelling daily.

An interchange has been provided for the two lines at Andheri East and Andheri West with the existing - and the city's first - Mumbai Metro One line that links Versova and Ghatkopar, which started in June 2014.

The regular services on the second phase of Line 2A and Line 7 are expected to start by the month-end, officials said.
Patna, Jan 12 : As controversy swirled over Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar Yadav's remarks on the "Ram Charit Manas", the ruling JD-U on Thursday also criticised his statement and asked him to withdraw them.

"The statement of Chandra Shekhar Yadav is absolutely wrong. It is attributed to hurting sentiments of common people. He should withdraw his statement," JD-U MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told IANS.

"On several occasions, he was seen worshiping Lord Ram during Ram Navmi celebration. His photographs are available in public domain while he was worshipping in Maa Durga in Puja Pandals. It is hard to understand why he is showing dual character.

"He may be trying to give a message to his individual supporters of his constituency and his district. I firmly believe that a large number of followers among them believe in Ram Charit Manas and they may go away from him after his comment on the holy book. As he belongs to the RJD, it is up to the top leaders of the party to take action on him," Kumar added.

A senior leader of RJD claimed that Yadav's statement was needless.

"He should have avoided such a statement. There was not any occasion or atmosphere to comment on such a holy book," the leader, who requested anonymity, said.

RJD national spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari told IANS: "It was an individual statement of Chandra Shekhar Yadav and the party has nothing to do with it. Our party respects all religions. The Education Minister has clarified it and said that five to six 'Dohas' of Ram Charit Manas are objectionable. Still, our party does not believe in such a statement." Meanwhile, BJP leaders are continuing to launch attacks on the Minister and his RJD for making the comments.

BJP state President Sanjay Jaiswal said: "No one would be surprised by the hateful statement of Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar Yadav.

"The Bihar Education Minister comes from that group who do not see the religion of terrorists. Chandra Shekhar ji is carrying the RJD's treacherous tradition which is insulting the holy books of Hindu community," he alleged.

"He uses professor before his name but his mind became blunt as soon as he went into the 'Lathdhari' party..

"The Ramayana was written by Maharshi Valmiki. He was the one who gave the shelter to Mata Sita and her two sons Luv and Kush. It is well known what the caste of Maharshi Valmiki is. I personally believe that Saint and Maharshis have no caste but the party like the RJD is searching castes and communities in holy books like Ram Charit Manas. Nitish Kumar has made the Education Minister a person of small knowledge who brought the education system of the state in the abyss. Nitish Kumar should sack him immediately," Jaiswal demanded.
Jaipur, Jan 12 : The two-day 83rd All India Presiding Officers' Conference concluded on Friday, after discussions on issues like India's leadership of the G-20, the need to make Parliament and legislatures more effective, accountable, and productive, and the need to maintain a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the judiciary in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution.

In his valedictory address, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, referring to the dialogue and discussions held during the Conference, said that legislative institutions should implement the conclusions, drawn from such discussions, in their conduct.

Describing presiding officers as the final interpreters of the rules, he called on all public representatives to work with sensitivity towards public interest. On the legislative process, he said that a majority in the house should not be the only basis for passing bills, but public interest and healthy debates should be the main basis.

Mishra added that decorum and discipline are extremely necessary within the House, and it is not proper to pass bills amidst disruption. Seeking enhanced participation of public representatives in legislative process, he observed that debate and discussions in the House benefit all members and active participation brings many benefits in public life.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his valedictory address, said that the All India Presiding Officers' Conference has always played an important role in establishing sound democratic traditions and parliamentary practices and procedures in legislative bodies and for sharing best practices among different legislatures.

In the Conference, nine Resolutions were adopted to make democracy more accountable, participative and meaningful, he said.

Birla highlighted that in the Amrit Kaal of independence, when the country is witnessing massive transformation, the role of legislatures has become more important.

Emphasising on meaningful, disciplined and productive discussions in the legislative bodies, he said that there should be maximum dialogue in the Houses, proper use of technology and strong connect between the people and the legislature. "Let this message go among the public that the growing hopes and aspirations of the people can be fulfilled through the legislatures," he said.

He noted that during the discussion in the legislatures, especially during the Question Hour, the proceedings should run smoothly without any disruption, and called for maintaining dignity and decorum in the House and for increasing the number of sittings.

Birla suggested that the Presiding Officers encourage those public representatives who participate in good debates and discussions and prepare an action plan to act against those members who constantly obstruct the proceedings of the House, so that dignity of the House is not compromised. He observed that India's democracy inspires all countries, so Presiding Officers and public representatives should contribute in making legislative bodies ideal institutions.

He also reiterated the need for uniformity of rules and procedures in legislatures, as this will help in strengthening parliamentary democracy.

Birla said that parliamentary committees, or 'mini parliaments', have an excellent tradition of working above party lines, and need to be further strengthened so that they can comprehensively review government policies and programmes and ensure accountability of the executive.

Referring to India's G20 Presidentship, Birla said that this is an opportunity to showcase the world about India's democracy and its capabilities.

He thanked the Rajasthan Governor, Chief Minister, and Speaker for successfully organising the Conference.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hoped that the resolutions and decisions taken during the two-day Conference will have long standing implications. Appreciating the idea of financial autonomy to state legislatures, he also lauded the initiatives and innovations taken in the Rajasthan legislature to improve its efficiency and efficacy.

The Rajya Sabha's Deputy Chairman, Harivansh said that Indian Parliament has always been on the forefront of making endeavours to effect institutional reforms for enhancing legislative productivity. He urged the public representatives to ensure smooth conduct of legislative business and to engage in productive and meaningful discussion in the House.

Rajasthan Speaker, Dr C.P. Joshi expressed his gratitude to the Vice President and Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker for their guidance. Emphasising that without financial autonomy legislatures cannot function efficiently, he suggested that some measures are required to be taken for this purpose.

Citing the glorious traditions of the Rajasthan Assembly, he hoped that public representatives through their conduct will not only maintain the standard but will also enhance it further.

Twenty Speakers, including the Lok Sabha Speaker, five Speakers/Chairpersons, 12 Deputy Speakers, and four Deputy Chairpersons, including of the Rajya Sabha, participated in the Conference.
Chennai, Jan 12 : There were rumours aswirl since Wednesday that the noted Malayalam actress Aishwarya Lekshmi, who has become popular across Indiu after appearing in 'Ponniyin Selvan-1' is in a relationship with Tamil star Arjun Das.

The rumour mills worked overnight after Aiswarya shared a photo of hers with Arjun along with a love emoji. The photo of the actors became viral, with fans of both Aiswarya and Arjun going gaga over it.

Aishwarya, however, came out with a post on Instagram stating that they are just friends and not in love and that the picture was shared on social media not to make a relationship announcement.

"I didn't think my last post would get so much attention," wrote Aishwarya. "We happened to meet, took a photo, and posted it. There is nothing else going on here. We are friends."

She added: "To Arjun fans who have been messaging me since yesterday, calm down. He is yours."

Sources in the Malayalam film industry told IANS that this photo was reportedly shot on the sets of the Malayalam gangster movie 'King of Kotha' in which Dulquer Salman is playing the lead. Arjun Das and Aishwarya are also acting in the movie directed by Abhilash Joshi, son of Malayalam's hitmaker, Joshi.

Malayalam superstar and former Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi's son, Gokul Suresh, is also playng a major role in the movie.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Kochi, Jan 12 : A man in Kerala's Kochi was arrested on Thursday for murdering his wife about 17 months back, and claiming she had run away.

Sajeevan was taken into custody after the police questioned him for three days over the mysterious disappearance of his 32-year-old wife Remya on August 16, 2021.

According to the police, Sajeevan finally admitted that on August 16, 2021, he and his wife Remya had a tiff and in a fit of rage, he strangulated her to death.

After keeping the body in his house in the day, he dug a pit near the car porch and in the night, he buried her there.

Later he told his children that their mother has gone away with another man and asked them to keep a secret as it would affect the future of all.

He then tutored his children to say that it should be told that she has gone to do a course in Bengaluru so as to fetch a job abroad.

Then Sajeevan registered a man missing complaint with the police but Remya's brother was unconvinced and he filed a complaint with the police. However, nothing happened since then.

Things changed after the Kerala Police decided to reopen all missing cases in the wake of the sensational news of two women being murdered, allegedly as part of a human sacrifice ritual, came to light in the state when the dismembered bodies of the women were recovered from the house of Laila and her husband at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district in October.

Since then the police was keeping a close tab on Sajeevan and he was called in for questioning several times.

It was early this week that the police sensed that he was hiding something and grilled him extensively, leading him to break down and confess to having committed the murder of his wife.

The police have by now exhumed the mortal remains from the pit and after the scientific examination is done, will the police be able to confirm that the remains are of Remya.
Karnaprayag : , Jan 12 (IANS) The authorities have ordered evacuation of residents of Bahuguna Nagar of Karnaprayag to safer places as panic gripped the people after many houses developed cracks.

The latest crisis comes close to the heels of subsidence of land in Joshimath that affected hundreds of houses, shops and other establishments.

Apart from Bahuguna Nagar, several houses in the Upper Bazar ward of the town are also at risk.

A team of district administration had inspected the affected areas in the town on Wednesday.

Tehsildar Surendra Dev said that the administration had inspected the areas earlier also and had identified 27 unsafe buildings.

Along with this, a geological survey and major remediation plan were recommended.

A team of IIT Roorkee has surveyed the areas twice.

Meanwhile, the military personnel in Joshimath were shifted to safer places after some houses in the army camp area developed cracks.

Besides, the weather is also posing a challenge as rainfall has been reported from Joshimath and the surrounding areas.

Also, the demolition of houses and two hotels -- marked unsafe after cracks had developed -- started on Thursday.

The two hotels -- Hotel Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View, apart from developing cracks, have tilted backwards.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take immediate steps to make the country free of the burden of tobacco.

"Controlling tobacco use will be a primordial prevention, especially when it comes to the young population, which will save many millions of lives. We at FAIMA request you to kindly look into this matter as early as possible and take immediate steps to help the country become tobacco-free," read the letter.

The doctors' association said in the letter that tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats in the country, which not only leads to loss of lives, but also has heavy social and economic costs for the public.

The FAIMA has also launched a campaign to educate the people about the ill-effects of tobacco.

"The most prevalent form of tobacco use in India is smokeless tobacco such as 'khaini', 'gutkha' and 'paan' with 'zarda'. Other smoking forms of tobacco are 'bidi', cigarette and 'hookah'. We request you to control the use of tobacco in every form to save the population and remove public health threats," read the letter.

"Through the 'Tobacco-Free India' campaign, we are trying to make the public aware of the ill-effects of tobacco. We initially launched the campaign at every medical college of the country; later, we will expand it in the public domain," said Ajay Kumar Singh, national president, FAIMA.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it has held consultative meetings with state governments in connection with declaration of a particular community as minority on the basis of state population but the comments from Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and Telangana are still awaited.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, in a status report, said: "That, inspite of consultative VC meetings dated July 25, 2022, September 10, 2022 and December 5, 2022 held under the chairmanship of Secretary with the officers of the said states/UTs and several reminders issued. However, inputs/comments from the remaining 6 state governments/UTs namely Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and Telangana are still awaited." It said it has sent a reminder to the four states and two UTs in the matter on December 21, 2022.

The written response came on a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and others. The top court is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday.

In the previous hearing, the Central government had sought time from the court to hold consultations with the state governments.

In November last year, the Central government had told the apex court that on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level, it has held consultative meetings with all states and other stakeholders, and 14 states have furnished their views so far.

The top court is hearing the petitions, including the one filed by Upadhyay, which sought directions for framing guidelines for identification of minorities at the state level, contending that Hindus are in minority in 10 states.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : After the meeting to elect the Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) proved futile due to the tussle between AAP and BJP councillors on January 6, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Thursday proposed four dates for holding the polls to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.

Underlining that the MCD is being run without a Mayor for the last eight months, the AAP government sent a proposal to the L-G for holding the Mayoral election on January 18, 20, 21 or 24.

"A proposal has been sent to the L-G for holding the Mayoral election in Delhi on January 18, 20, 21 or 24. He has been requested that the MCD has been working without a Mayor for the last eight months. Therefore, it is not good to delay it further," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

The first meeting to elect the MCD Mayor on January 6 was adjourned due to a ruckus in the house over the oath administered to the aldermen nominated by the L-G.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday chaired a meeting with officials at the Haryana Bhavan here on the G-20 meeting to be be held in the state.

"A four day G20 summit meeting will be held in Haryana from March 1 to 4, tentatively. Meeting will be on the anti-corruption working group. There will be brainstorming on how to end corruption in the administrative system.

"We have asked all the departments to make preparations at their own level. We will show our work to the world level by setting up stalls of family identity cards which are effective in preventing corruption in Haryana," he told media persons after the meeting.

Khattar also said that on the last day, the state "will have the honour to show its culture and tradition to the guest from different countries. We will invite guests to visit Gurugram's Camera Museum, Sultanpur Lake, and Pratapgarh Farm".

Noting that the UN has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, he said that they will treat the guests to coarse grain food and cuisine of Haryana.
Joshimath : , Jan 12 (IANS) The demolition of houses and two hotels rendered unsafe due to land subsidence here has started on Thursday. The two hotels -- Hotel Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View, besides developing cracks, have also tilted backwards.

The demolition is being done under the supervision of the Central Building Research Institute by teams of National Disaster Response Force, Public Works Department and State Disaster Response Force.

According to sources, the demolition of the hotels began after discussion on compensation was held between the property owners and the district administration.

The Uttarakhand government has announced an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh per affected family.

A State Disaster Response Force official has said the demolition would not be done in the night due to the cold weather and rainfall.

Earlier, the local residents were assured that they would be given appropriate compensation.

Later, people staging demonstrations against the demolition were also asked to disperse.

Inspector General of Police, Garhwal Range, Karan Singh Nagnyal all activities in the areas around the hotels that would be demolished have been stopped to ensure safety of the people.

The authorities have so far marked 723 houses unsafe.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : With just a few months left for the Karnataka Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is focussing on public meetings to reach out to the voters, apart from holding organisational gatherings to prepare strategy to regain power in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a roadshow in Karnataka before inaugurating the National Youth Festival in Hubballi.

"Yuva Shakti is the driving force of India's journey, their aspirations decide the country's destination. Even in sports, India is going ahead towards becoming a major global power. This is becoming possible due to the capability of the youth of India," the Prime Minister said.

BJP President JP Nadda has also held multiple gatherings in Karnataka.

Sources said the party's central leadership has also stepped on the ground to break the chain of issues around anti-incumbency.

According to sources, BJP is trying to connect to all segments of the people in Karnataka. The party is meeting SC/ST people, while it is also talking of upliftment of OBCs, and also going to "mutts" to strengthen the party's ideology.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is making a strong outreach among SCs and STs in Karnataka. By hiking reservation for SCs by two per cent, 15 to 17 per cent and for STs by four per cent, from three to seven per cent, CM Bommai has created a flutter in the Opposition camp, sources said.

The party has chosen to project the central schemes and PM Modi's leadership during the crucial polls.

Nadda asserted that the Modi government's various welfare schemes, including Garib Kalyan Yojana of distributing five kilo rice and one kilo dal to 80 crore poor people, housing and healthcare were meant to uplift the poor and deprived classes of the society.

"By inking a pact with Israel based semiconductor giant, CM Bommai has worked to make Nava Karnataka a policy plank for knowledge based economy. Karnataka accounts for most of startups and unicorns which benefited from CM Bommai's pro-policy for entrepreneurs." Nadda, who was in the state for a two-day visit, spent most of his time meeting religious leaders, apart from visiting several mutts.

Party leaders admit that the BJP hopes the efforts will help it regain ground lost due to corruption and controversies plaguing the government's initiatives and development activities.

"Nava Karnataka" slogan of Bommai will be the election theme of the BJP.

Sources said PM Modi is expected to unveil a large number of development projects which will change the poll narrative in Karnataka
Chennai, Jan 13 : A 45-year-old man belonging to the Narikuruvar community died while making a 'country bomb' to hunt wild animals. His son was grievously injured.

Police said that Murugan (45) used to regularly make country bombs to hunt wild animals. His son Bhagavathi (20) also used to be with him in the bomb-making and hunting of wild animals.

The incident occurred when the wife and daughter of Murugan had gone out for work and only the father and son were at home. Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing a loud noise and smoke emanating from Murugan's residence.

Bhagavthi was also found injured and both the father and son were rushed to the Arcot Government Hospital where Murugan was declared brought dead. Bhagavathi is undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

M. Prabhu, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ranipet is heading a team of police officers to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident. Arcot police have registered a case in the matter.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at nine locations in Jaipur, Kota and Sawai Madhopur districts in Rajasthan in connection with a case related conspiracy by the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The NIA said that secret information was received from reliable sources that PFI members Sadiq Sarraf and Mohammed Asif, along with other PFI officer-bearers, members and cadres, were indulging in unlawful activities by promoting violent acts through their provocative utterances and activities, besides promoting enmity and hatred among different religious groups in India.

It has been alleged that their inflammatory speeches and lectures on various platforms were aimed at disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. In pursuance to the conspiracy, Sadiq Sarraf, Mohammad Asif and unknown others were radicalising Muslims youth to commit unlawful activities and terrorists acts in various parts of India, including in Rajasthan.

During the searches, digital devices, sharp-edged knives, and incriminating materials have been seized.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that if India's small scale industry would get support from the government they can compete with China.

Addressing a gathering in Punjab's Ludhiana during his ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said, "The Prime Minister's 'billionaire friend' cannot compete with China, India's small industries can do it by providing employment to crores of youth in the country." Taking a jibe at Narendra Modi government, he said, "The Kauravas of the 21st century have a blindfold of greed and arrogance, they neither a vision nor a thought for progress." The Congress MP further said that the BJP government's policies like demonetisation and 'wrong' GST have hurt Ludhiana. "Demonetisation and GST were not policies, but weapons to destroy small-scale industries." "The focus of the Central government is only on two-three families. No one is paying attention to the small scale industry. Big houses cannot provide employment to the country, but small scale industries can. Centre is not doing anything for small scale industry. If small scale industry gets help then we can compete with China," Rahul Gandhi asserted.

He accused the BJP of "spreading fear, hatred and violence in the country". "Brother is being pitted against brother, one religion against the other, one caste against the other," he added.

The Congress leader, during his Yatra in Punjab on Thursday, met five groups - professional wrestlers, members of round-table NGOs working in the field of education, RTI activists, members of 'Ek Zaria' NGO which is working in the medical science field, and intellectuals on the Himalayan issues.
Garbe Industrial Real Estate has found a prominent tenant for its existing property in Holzgerlingen, south of Stuttgart. Tesla Germany will move into the building with a total usable space of 18,600 square metres. The electric car manufacturer has been delivering new vehicles to regional end customers from there since

Photos: Garbe Industrial Real Estate



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Vanguard Properties , Saint Helena Ca in the famed Napa Valley I have always felt in life its important to surround oneself with people who will help you grow and provide support. This embodies the Vanguard Properties culture. James Nunemacher, Vanguard Properties CEO.

Vanguard Properties, the well-known, privately owned and operated San Francisco-based Real Estate firm announced today their arrival to the Napa Valley with the first office opening in St. Helena, California headed by Josh Dempsey, Napa County Regional Director and Sales Manager

The new office is located 1345 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena, California. Originally, The Taylor, Duckworth & Company Foundry Building was built in 1884 to accommodate a foundry and machine works, with a specialty in wine presses so important to Napa Valley. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 1982. The buildings interiors, designed by Chris Miniello of Birch and Tailor, have transformed the space without disturbing the original structure; embellishing it by using natural stone surfaces throughout and introducing a subtle, modern and neutral design palette.

The Vanguard Properties seasoned markets of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and the East Bay agents and clients have embraced our brand, style and successes said Frank Nolan, President, Vanguard Properties. Recognized for their exceptional marketing, Vanguard Properties attracts top agents as well as new agents to be a part of the family".

Those who have a passion for the business and are or want to be deeply rooted and respected in the community will gain from our human support said James Nunemacher CEO, Vanguard Properties.

The cross pollination between four offices in San Francisco, five in Sonoma County three in Marin County and another in Lamorinda will not only serve local Napa buyers looking for property locally, but around the United States and the world with Vanguard Properties partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

I have always felt in life its important to surround oneself with people who will help you grow and provide support. This embodies the Vanguard Properties culture.

said James Nunemacher, Vanguard CEO.
We work with global companies whose customers are interacting with them in dozens of languages beyond those commonly supported, said Jeff Catlin. Were fully committed to expanding our pioneering work to offer accurate and full-featured text analytics across the most languages for customers.

Lexalytics, an InMoment company and pioneer in AI-based, natural language processing (NLP) technology, announced today that it has improved accuracy and expanded NLP capabilities for 11 non-English languages it supports. Now, global brands and businesses can analyze unstructured data natively and benefit from full-featured text analytics to better understand their customers and make more informed decisions across 31 total languages.

While some companies offer a range of NLP features in languages other than English, few cover the sheer number that Lexalytics supports. Many rely on machine translation before processing which can significantly decrease the accuracy of the analysis. Because Lexalytics processes text data in its native language, it can take into account specific nuances and complexities of that language, and better understand the meaning and context of the text, leading to more accurate results.

"We work with global companies whose customers - both current and prospective - are interacting with them in dozens of languages beyond the ones commonly supported in the data analytics landscape," said Jeff Catlin, Head of Lexalytics, an InMoment company. Weve always been at the forefront of providing the most depth and breadth among enterprise NLP providers, and were fully committed to expanding our pioneering work to offer accurate and full-featured text analytics across the most languages for our customers.

Lexalytics has expanded feature coverage to include entities, themes, summarization, sentiment (at both the document and item level), categorization, and part-of-speech tagging for the following 11 languages: Arabic, Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese. Lexalytics continues to offer full-featured support for an additional 20 languages, including Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay (Bahasa Melayu), Mandarin (traditional), Mandarin (simplified), Portuguese, Romanian, Singlish (Singapore colloquial English), Slovakian, Slovenian and Spanish.

These expanded language capabilities are available for customers of Lexalytics Salience, Semantria API, and Spotlight application, as well as InMoments XI Platform.

About Lexalytics, an InMoment Company

Lexalytics, an InMoment company, processes billions of words every day, globally, for data analytics companies and enterprise data analyst teams that need to tell powerful stories from text data. Our products combine natural language processing with artificial intelligence to transform text in all its forms into usable data. Lexalytics solutions can be deployed on premises, in the cloud, or within a hybrid cloud infrastructure to reveal context-rich patterns and insights for voice of customer, voice of employee, customer experience improvement, market research, social listening, news monitoring, and other business intelligence programs. For more information, please visit http://www.lexalytics.com.
Hybrid Meetings that feel like you're all in the same room "At Whereby, were interested in understanding and addressing the human problems were all experiencing in the post-covid, hybrid world. Todays release is our most significant attempt to-date to do exactly that." - Andy Tyra, Chief Product and Technical Officer at Whereby.

Today, many companies are embracing a hybrid model of working where employees come into the office only a couple of days per week, and work from home the rest of the time. This quick adaptation to a new way of working has brought with it many challenges, from technical to cultural issues. Video conferencing company Whereby is transforming the way companies work in a hybrid-working world, with its new Co-location Groups feature, available now in Beta for free to all Whereby Meetings users.

Multiple laptops in the same room, all mics on, no problem.

At Whereby, were interested in understanding and addressing the human problems were all experiencing in the post-covid, 'hybrid' world. Todays release is our most significant attempt to-date to do exactly that. says Andy Tyra, Chief Product and Technical Officer at Whereby.

The new feature allows users that are physically together to form a co-location group, for example, when in an office or co-working space. This enables each participant in a conversation to join a virtual meeting using their own laptop. Wherebys patent-pending technology then selects the microphone closest to whoever is speaking, while also blocking audio from playing back to those in the same room, effectively solving the main pain points of todays hybrid meetings:



Remove echo (audio feedback)

Remove the need for dedicated rooms with expensive video conferencing hardware

Provide an inclusive experience for distributed teams, both remotely and in the office

Andreas Bovens, Lead Technical Product Manager at Whereby comments:

Weve seen companies spend thousands of dollars on conference room hardware that is overly cumbersome to use, and doesnt always help: these setups often make remote workers feel excluded from meetings, as they miss out on face-to-face conversations and subtle interactions happening in the room.

As a company, Wherebys mission is to enable people to work from anywhere, whether that be in an office or from home, and their new hybrid meeting technology seeks to improve an often difficult and expensive experience.

Co-location Groups is now available in Beta on all Whereby Meetings plans, including the free tier. To learn more visit https://where.by/HybridMeetings

About Whereby:

Built by privacy-friendly Europeans, Whereby is video calling wherever you want it. No apps, downloads, or hassle. Simply start a Whereby Meeting right from your browser or embed Whereby directly into your product, app, or website. Our technology allows you to connect with customers and coworkers with the touch of a button. Whereby is ranked as the Easiest to Use video conferencing platform by G2 and is recommended by The New York Times Wirecutter. Its used by millions of users around the globe.
Katherine Boardman, SVP of People and Talent at BlueConic "Two years in a row! How do you beat it? Theres nothing more gratifying than recognition that those hard decisions are paying off.

Built In today announced that BlueConic was honored in its 2023 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, BlueConic earned a place on the Boston Best Midsize Places to Work and Boston Best Places to Work lists. The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in large tech markets across the U.S.

"Two years in a row! How do you beat it?" asked Katherine Boardman, SVP of People and Talent at BlueConic. "We have amazing customers who hold us to incredibly high standards. Meeting those expectations requires a world-class platform, and equally as important, best-in-class people. To attract and retain our fearless BlueCrew, weve adapted to changing conditions while maintaining whats defined our culture and made us who we are from the very beginning. Theres nothing more gratifying than recognition that those hard decisions are paying off.

Built In determines the winners of Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for DEI and other people-first cultural offerings.

Its my honor to congratulate this years Best Places to Work winners, says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. These exemplary companies understand their people are their most valuable asset, and theyve stepped up to meet the modern professionals new expectations, including the desire to work for companies that deliver purpose, growth and inclusion. These winners set the stage for a human-centered future of work, and we cant wait to see that future unfold.

About Built In

Built In is creating the largest platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industrys most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves 2,000 customers, innovative companies ranging from startups to those in the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them hire otherwise hard-to-reach tech professionals. http://www.builtin.com

About Built Ins Best Places to Work

Built Ins esteemed Best Places to Work Awards, now in its fifth year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Startup Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 100 Best Large Places to Work and Editors Choice: 100 Best Hybrid Places to Work. The program honors companies  remote, hybrid and in-office  with the best total rewards packages across the U.S. and in the following tech hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC.

About BlueConic

BlueConic, the leading pure-play customer data platform, liberates companies first-party data from disparate systems and makes it accessible wherever and whenever it is required to transform customer relationships and drive business growth. Over 350 companies worldwide, including Forbes, Heineken, Mattel, Michelin, Telia Company, and VF Corp, use BlueConic to unify data into persistent, individual-level profiles, and then activate it across customer touchpoints and systems in support of a wide range of growth-focused initiatives, including customer lifecycle orchestration, modeling and analytics, digital products and experiences, audience-based monetization, and more. BlueConic is a global company with offices in the US and Europe. Learn more at http://www.blueconic.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @BlueConic.

Contacts:

Karolina Throssell

Iden

karolina@iden.global

http://www.iden.global
"Virginia Opera is committed to telling diverse stories," says Peggy Kriha Dye. "Fellow Travelers is one of many productions we've planned that feature modern stories and contemporary music. What is so exciting for us is to see new works such as Fellow Travelers connect with audiences and patrons."

Fellow Travelers is a contemporary masterpiece that has thrilled audiences across the country since it premiered in 2016. Composed by Virginia native Gregory Spears with a libretto by Greg Pierce and based on the 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers is a must-see theatrical event in 2023. The New York Times dubbed the opera one of the best classical music events of 2016 and a near-perfect example of fast-flowing musical drama, while the Chicago Tribune declared it one of the most accomplished new American operas. Press passes are available by contacting Virginia Operas Director of Marketing, Amanda Ivy, at Amanda.ivy@vaopera.org

The Red Scare infiltrated American society, politics, and culture, and Fellow Travelers delves into the murky, political world of Washington, D.C. in the 1950s. During this period, homosexuals were unjustly targeted by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee as homosexuality was wrongfully equated to communist sympathy. Together, McCarthy and his cronies worked to ruthlessly root out gays and lesbians from the federal government. This dark period of American history, the Lavender Scare, led many individuals to lose their jobs, careers, and more.

Set against this historical backdrop, Fellow Travelers tells the story of two men, Hawkins Fuller and Timothy Laughlin, as they fall in and out of love, struggling to find personal happiness in a world spiraling out of control. Notable for its representation of LGBTQ+ characters, Fellow Travelers is ultimately a historical opera about the difficulties of living in a repressed society and the consequences of living an inauthentic life.

When I saw the premiere of Fellow Travelers in Cincinnati, Ohio, I knew we had to bring this work to Virginia, explains Artistic Director, Adam Turner. Not only was it composed by a Virginian who grew up attending performances at Virginia Opera, but I saw myselfand the lives of so many otherson stage. Representation matters. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the work we produce.

Virginia Opera is committed to telling diverse stories, says Peggy Kriha Dye, General Director and CEO of Virginia Opera. Fellow Travelers is one of many productions weve planned that feature modern stories and contemporary music. What is so exciting for us is to see new works such as Fellow Travelers connect with audiences and patrons. There is an energy surrounding these pieces, and I think Fellow Travelers represents what opera has always done best: explore important stories through powerful emotions and gorgeous music.

Virginia Operas production of Fellow Travelers welcomes renowned stage director, Kevin Newbury, who also directed the world premiere of Fellow Travelers, lauded by The New York Times for its heart-wrenching yet musically lucid drama the music, libretto, and sure-handed direction by Kevin Newbury create a tidal pull that rushes the action along and the audiences sympathies with it. The Wall Street Journal said, Kevin Newburys directingwas as honest and touching as the opera. Known for his staging of contemporary work, Newburys productions have been seen at most major opera houses across the United States.

We cannot wait to bring Kevins original production of Fellow Travelers to our audiences, Turner continues. He is one of the high-profile directors working today, and Im sure this cinematic production will resonate with audiences.

Fellow Travelers is sung in English with English surtitles, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform Spears gorgeous, evocative score. Conducted by Turner, Fellow Travelers is sure to be a musical and dramatic highlight of the 2022-2023 season.

Fellow Travelers cast features baritone Joseph Lattanzi as Hawkins Fuller, who premiered the role at Cincinnati Opera and was praised by The New York Times for his buttery-baritone, luxuriant and robust, and tenor Andres Acosta as Timothy Laughlin, whose acting the Star-Tribune noted skillfully externalized the feelings of a credulous ingenu beguiled by the bright lights and bustling egos of the big city. While these two artists have sung these roles across the country to critical acclaim, this marks the first time they will perform Fellow Travelers together.

The cast also includes soprano Katherine Pracht as Hawkins confidant Mary Johnson, Katrina Thurman as the gossiping Miss Lightfoot, and baritone Joshua Jeremiah as Senator McCarthy and additional roles. Local artist John Fulton will portray Senator Potter and additional roles, while Virginia Operas Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Kaileigh Riess, Kyle White, and Jeremy Harr round out the cast, playing a variety of different roles.

Surrounding this production, Virginia Opera has engaged local groups to create programs that use the opera as a springboard for community conversation. Sponsored by Virginia Humanities, Virginia Opera is hosting Creators in Conversation statewide where audiences can meet and learn about the opera from composer Gregory Spears along with special guest, novelist Thomas Mallon in Fairfax. Additionally, each market will host Nite Out activities to inform audiences about the LGBTQ+ community of Virginia, and each weekend will feature pre-show lectures, artists talkbacks, and more. Visit vaopera.org/events for more information.

Fellow Travelers is a relevant opera with a stunning score, Dye concludes. I cannot wait to welcome audiences new and old to this masterpiece of our time.

Tickets for Fellow Travelers can be purchased at vaopera.org/fellow-travelers or by calling 866.673.7282.

Please be advised that Fellow Travelers features adult content not suitable for audiences under the age of thirteen.

Creators in Conversation Series

Sunday, January 22, at 2:00 PM, Cocktails & Conversation in Richmond featuring composer Gregory Spears

Monday, January 23, at 7:00 PM, Artists in Conversation in Fairfax featuring composer Gregory Spears and novelist Thomas Mallon

Tuesday, January 24, at 5:30 PM, Cocktails & Conversation in Norfolk featuring composer Gregory Spears

Fellow Travelers Performances

Harrison Opera House, Norfolk, Virginia

Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Student Night at the Opera

Friday, January 27, 2023, at 8:00 pm

Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 7:30 pm

Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 2:30 pm

Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 8:00 pm

Sunday, February 5, 2023, at 2:00 pm

Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, Virginia

Friday, February 10, 2023, at 8:00 pm

Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 2:30 pm

Fellow Travelers Production Notes

Music by Gregory Spears

Libretto by Greg Pierce

Based on the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon

Sung in English with English Surtitles

Orchestra provided by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Fellow Travelers Cast and Creative

Andres Acosta*

Timothy Laughlin (tenor)

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Tony, West Side Story, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari; Nemorino, Lelisir damore, Seattle Opera; Jasper, The Snowy Day, Houston Grand Opera

Upcoming: Mr. Rodriguez, Awakenings, BMOP Records; Ismaele, Nabucco, Washington Concert Opera; Javier, Ghosts, San Diego Opera

Joseph Lattanzi

Hawkins Fuller (baritone)

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Dandini, La Cenerentola, 2020

Recent Highlights: Hawkins Fuller, Fellow Travelers, Cincinnati Opera World Premiere; Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Atlanta Opera; Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, Jacksonville Symphony

Upcoming: Silvio, I pagliacci, Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera; Soloist, Carmina Burana, Sacramento Choral Society

Katherine Pracht*

Mary Johnson (mezzo-soprano)

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Elizabeth Cree, Elizabeth Cree, Chicago Opera Theater; Lady Wang, Dream of the Red Chamber, China tour; Ottavia, Lincoronazione di Poppea, Florentine Opera

Upcoming: Helen, February (Laura Kaminsky world premiere), Opera on the Avalon, Newfoundland

Katrina Thurman*

Miss Lightfoot (soprano)

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Meretaten, Akhnaten, The Metropolitan Opera; Musetta, La boheme, Florentine Opera & Lyric Opera of Kansas City; Maria, The Sound of Music, Anchorage Opera

Upcoming: Soloist, Mobbluz featuring ePOP, Kimmel Cultural Center of Philadelphia; Guest Soloist, Alumni Recital, Opera in the Ozarks

Joshua Jeremiah*

Estonian Frank/Interrogator/Senator McCarthy (baritone)

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Rigoletto, Rigoletto, Houston Grand Opera; Donner, Das Rheingold, Nashville Opera; Lt. Horstmayer, Silent Night, Minnesota Opera

Upcoming: Gianni Schicchi, Gianni Schicchi, Hawaii Opera Theatre; Tateh, Ragtime, Toledo Opera

John Fulton*

Senator Potter/General Arlie/Bartender (baritone)

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Jake, Porgy and Bess, Fort Worth Opera; Robbins, Porgy and Bess, Berlin Philharmonic; Figaro, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Colorado

Upcoming: Full-time Regular Chorus Member, San Francisco Opera, 2023

Kaileigh Riess^

Lucy (soprano)

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Isabel, The Pirates of Penzance, 2022

Recent highlights: Caroline (cover), A Thousand Acres (world premiere), Des Moines Metro Opera; Anne Trulove, The Rake's Progress, Boston University; Contessa Almaviva, Le nozze di Figaro, University of Southern California

Upcoming: Annina (Violetta cover and performance), La Traviata, Virginia Opera

Kyle White^

Tommy McIntyre (baritone)

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Samuel, The Pirates of Penzance, 2022

Recent Highlights: Nardo, La Finta Giardiniera, The Hungarian State Opera; Schaunard, La boheme, Kentucky Opera; Older Thompson, Glory Denied, Boston Conservatory Opera

Upcoming: Giorgio Germont (cover and performance), La Traviata, Virginia Opera; Valentin, Faust, Wolf Trap Opera

Jeremy Harr^

Potters Assistant/Bookseller/Technician/French Priest/Party Guest (bass)

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Police Sergeant, The Pirates of Penzance, 2022

Recent Highlights: Don Alfonso, Cosi fan tutte, Finger Lakes Opera; Don Basilio, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Saratoga; Zuniga, Carmen, Pittsburgh Opera

Upcoming: Dottore Grenvil, La Traviata, Virginia Opera; Baron Ochs, Der Rosenkavalier, Pacific Northwest Opera; Tchelio (cover), The Love for Three Oranges, Des Moines Metro Opera

Adam Turner

Conductor

Artistic Director since 2018 (previously Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor, 2014-18)

Recent Highlights: The Pirates of Penzance, Die Walkure, The Marriage of Figaro, Three Decembers, Virginia Opera; Il Trovatore, Toledo Opera; Three Decembers, San Diego Opera; The Light in the Piazza, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Man of La Mancha, Central City Opera; Eugene Onegin, Intermountain Opera Bozeman

Upcoming: Kiss Me, Kate, Central City Opera

Kevin Newbury

Stage Director

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Director, Hansel and Gretel, 2011

Recent Highlights: Director, Castor & Patience, Cincinnati Opera; Director, Bernsteins MASS, Ravinia Festival/PBS Great Performances; Director, Bel Canto, Lyric Opera of Chicago/PBS Great Performances

Upcoming: Director, The Righteous, Santa Fe Opera; Director, Eighty-Sixed (NYC); Director, Bel Canto, Aspen Music Festival

Brandon Eldredge

Associate Conductor & Chorus Master

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Co-Conductor & Chorus Master, The Pirates of Penzance, 2022

Recent Highlights: Co-Conductor, Two Remain, Central City Opera; Associate Conductor & Chorus Master, Die Fledermaus, Central City Opera; Associate Conductor, The Sound of Music, Virginia Opera/Virginia Arts Festival

Upcoming: Co-Conductor & Chorus Master, La Traviata, Virginia Opera; Cover Conductor, Virginia Symphony Orchestra; Associate Conductor & Chorus Master, Romeo et Juliette, Otello, and Kiss Me, Kate, Central City Opera

Thomas C. Hase

Lighting Designer

Virginia Opera Debut

Recent Highlights: Company, The Barrymore Theatre, Broadway, New York, NY; Der Frieschutz, Vienna State Opera, Austria; The Demon, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona & Opera National de Bordeaux, France

Upcoming: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi, San Diego Opera, San Diego, CA; Candide, The Atlanta Opera, Atlanta GA; Powder Her Face, The Nederlandse Reisopera, Netherlands

James P. McGough

Wig and Make-up Design

Resident Wig and Make-up Designer since 2006 (previously Wig and Make-up Artist, 1998-2006)

Recent Highlights: Wig and Make-up Designer, Light in the Piazza, Die Fledermaus, Two Remain, Central

City Opera; Wig and Make-up Designer, A Hitchcock Halloween, Cultural Arts Foundation of America; Season Wigmaster 2000-2006, The American Players Theatre; Wig and Make-up Designer 2006 -2013, The Fort Worth Opera; Wig and Make-up Designer, various, The Atlanta Opera; 2017-2019; Wig and Make-up artist, Spoleto Festival USA, 2017-2019

Karen T. Federing

Director of Production Residency Programs & Production Stage Manager

Recent Highlights: Director of Production (2002-2022), Central City Opera; Stage Manager, Sweeney

Todd, Opera Omaha; Production Manager, Cavalleria Rusticana at the Live Nation Seaport Pavilion, Boston Lyric Opera; Adjunct Instructor in Stage Management, Carnegie Mellon University; Stage Manager, Carmen, Tulsa Opera

Nora Winsler

Assistant Director

Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Assistant Director, The Pirates of Penzance, 2022

Recent Highlights: Director, All is Calm, Opera North; Assistant Director, Die Walkure, Virginia Opera; Assistant Director, Tenor Overboard (premiere), The Glimmerglass Festival

Upcoming: Assistant Director, La Traviata, Virginia Opera; Assistant Director, Carmen, Des Moines Metro Opera

*Denotes VA Opera Debut

^Denotes Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist

ABOUT VIRGINIA OPERA

Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs.
OutSolve and DirectEmployers Association announces today that they have entered into a partnership agreement that is expected to provide one-stop Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) compliance solutions. The partnership gives DirectEmployers Members access to OutSolves strategy-led enterprise affirmative action plan (AAP) development services, along with pay equity, EEO-1/VETS, DEI, and ESG solutions. DirectEmployers Association, a nonprofit association that provides OFCCP VEVRAA mandatory listing services, will also become OutSolves exclusive VEVRAA mandatory job listing partner, offering these services to OutSolve customers.

This strategic alliance enables the combined customer base, and the industry, to have a one-stop solution that addresses all aspects of OFCCP compliance, said Jeremy Mancheski, President and Founder of OutSolve. From AAP plan formation to VEVRAA job listing, and everything in between, the DirectEmployers and OutSolve collaboration will provide dependable and holistic services that touch every stage of the AAP compliance lifecycle. DirectEmployers will be OutSolves exclusive partner for job listing and recruitment marketing solutions.

In 2022, OFCCP introduced the OFCCP Contractor Portal and changed the way they approach enforcement. Contractors must use the portal to register and certify that they have met their compliance obligations, consequently making it easier to identify contractors who are non-compliant. This alliance gives contractors the best in AAP expertise and the tools needed to safeguard and cover all compliance bases.

The industrys most influential experts have recognized that the days of 'check-the-box' are far behind us, commented Candee Chambers, Executive Director of DirectEmployers Association. For companies who value their reputation and want to ensure they are in full compliance, a comprehensive solution is essential. When seeking a partner, OutSolve was our top choice. They have the skills and capacity to deliver compliant affirmative action plans, and they can offer our Members other services to round out their compliance efforts.

About OutSolve

OutSolve is a leading employment compliance company specializing in Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs' (OFCCP) affirmative action compliance, EEO-1/VETS reporting, diversity, equity, and inclusion, pay equity analysis, and ESG.

Since 1998 OutSolve has been a trusted resource to companies across all sizes and industries, and today we support more than 2,000 organizations and complete over 19,000 affirmative action plans annually. Our expert consultants have deep-rooted expertise in regulatory compliance, and our 98% retention rate is a shining testament of their commitment to stellar customer care.

About DirectEmployers Association

DirectEmployers Association is the forefront leader in OFCCP compliance, with roots extending far into online recruitment. Situated in Indianapolis, Indiana, since 2001, DirectEmployers has continued to grow and expand over the years and currently has over 1,000 employer Members from the Fortune 2000. Each of these global employers look to the Association for advice, guidance, and support for all things related to OFCCP compliance (U.S.-based employers), recruitment marketing, and most recently, custom application and software development.
SCANOSS, a leading provider of software composition analysis (SCA) and Open Source Intelligence, has announced the release of CPE to PURL (Package URL) relations as open source. This move will allow organizations to keep track of known vulnerabilities in any of their SBOM (Software Bills of Materials) securely, anonymously and free. Security is of the utmost importance when it comes to managing software assets, and the ability to track and manage dependencies is a crucial aspect of ensuring the security and compliance of an organization's software assets.

CPE (Common Platform Enumeration) is a standardized naming system for IT products and platforms, including operating systems, applications, and hardware. It is important for organizations to know the CPE for each open source component they use, as it allows them to connect with the known vulnerabilities associated with that component as listed in the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) database. By tracking and managing these dependencies, organizations can ensure that their applications are secure and compliant.

PURLs, on the other hand, are package, unique URLs that can be used to identify and locate online resources, such as software assets. By linking CPEs to PURLs, organizations can more easily track and manage the dependencies in their software applications, as well as ensure that they are using the most up-to-date versions. This process is known as creating a SBOM, which is a complete list of the dependencies in a software application and the known vulnerabilities associated with each one.

The release of CPE to PURL relations as open source will have several benefits for organizations. First and foremost, it will allow them to more easily track and manage the dependencies in their software applications, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and minimizing the risk of security vulnerabilities. It will also enable organizations to more easily share information about their software assets with other parties, such as suppliers and customers.

In addition, the open source nature of CPE to PURL relations will allow organizations to customize and extend the functionality of the system to meet their specific needs. This will enable them to better meet the unique requirements of their business and ensure that they are able to fully leverage the benefits of the system.

Overall, the release of CPE to PURL relations as open source by SCANOSS is a significant development for organizations looking to more effectively track and manage the dependencies in their software applications. It will enable them to ensure compliance with industry regulations, minimize the risk of security vulnerabilities, and more easily share information with other parties. The ability to connect CPEs to known vulnerabilities listed in the CVE database is particularly important for ensuring the security and compliance of an organization's software assets.

SCANOSS is the first open, configurable OSS Inventory & Intelligence platform that was built specifically for modern DevSecOps and supply chains, empowering them to deliver greater license, security, quality and provenance visibility for the broader DevOps team and supply chain partners. By freeing developers to focus on writing great, compliant code that they and their team can completely trust, applications are finished earlier, their quality is consistently higher, and development costs are dramatically lower. For more information, please visit https://scanoss.com/landing/purl2cpe.
The HeroZona Foundation and Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65s are excited to announce a community celebration, Unity in the Community Celebration Happy Hour, on Monday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be hosted at Post 65 (1624 E. Broadway Rd.) in Phoenix, during which guests can enjoy drink and food specials, and performances from two local DJs, DJ Money Mike and DJ Nonstop.

Every year, we look forward to planning and hosting celebrations in remembrance of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and HeroZona Foundation Co-Founder, Alan AP Powell. These events allow our community to learn about his work, pay tribute to the incredible strides he made for our country, and discuss how we can continue his legacy.

There is no cost of entry for the event, and all community members are welcome. Southern comfort specials will be provided for free by All About Food, the legions in-house restaurant run by chef Michelle Daniels.

All About Food LLCs philosophy is to introduce food in a positive light by providing south Phoenixs community of veterans and veteran families with cuisine from all around the world. Daniels and her team crafted a menu that includes soul food classics like southern fried catfish, Mediterranean starters like hummus and veggies, and signature dishes like the A.A.F. burger and the T.L.W. chopped salad.

We want to give the community a place to gather, build camaraderie and celebrate the change that Dr. King helped create across our nation, said Dennis E. Prince Sr., Sons of the American Legion Commander. We want to keep his dream alive and make sure were continuing to build toward what he envisioned for this country almost 60 years ago.

Tough times never last, but tough people do, said Charles Temple, Arizona Consultant Services CEO. Were excited to be part of this celebration, that is a way to keep on sharing Dr. Kings message for the current generations and beyond.

HeroZona and the American Legion Post 65 have been hosting an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration for more than three decades, since the events inception in 1992. The event is supported in part by APS, 101.1 The Bounce, Mega 104.3, Arizona Consultant Services and more.

The foundation has launched a variety of community programs including The Bridge Forum Time for Change Summits, which bring leaders from across the country together to discuss racial inequality, police relations, veterans issue, mental health and more. Other initiatives include Phoenix Tools 4 School, Holiday Bike Giveaways, MLK Celebrating the Dream, Veterans Reach to Teach and the HeroZona Forgotten Heroes Breakfast.

For more information about the foundations community program partnerships visit herozona.org or follow on Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg.

About the HeroZona Foundation

The HeroZona Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers Heroes in the community through entrepreneurship, employment, and education. The group works with veterans, first responders and those that bring social good to future generations and under-served communities. The foundations mission is to create opportunities for the brave men and women who serve their country, and community, every day. For more information, please visit HeroZona.org.

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TuneCores partnership with Sentric has allowed us to better serve independent songwriters and put more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Were excited to renew our partnership and continue providing our artists with the resources they need to develop and sustain their careers long-term.

TuneCore, the leading development partner for self-releasing artists, and UK-based publishing administrator Sentric Music Group have renewed their partnership. The agreement allows TuneCore to utilize Sentrics industry leading technology and direct global collection network to increase revenue opportunities for TuneCore publishing songwriters.

The renewal coincides with an expansion of TuneCores services. Through the original partnership, forged in 2018, TuneCore artists are able to submit unlimited songs for a one-time $75 set-up fee and a competitive 15% commission and optional sync service. The renewal deepens the partnership between TuneCore and Sentric, allowing TuneCore to offer songwriters more flexibility, advances, and a new high-end publishing interface.

Andreea Gleeson, CEO, TuneCore commented, TuneCores partnership with Sentric has allowed us to better serve independent songwriters and put more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Were excited to renew our partnership and continue providing our artists with the resources they need to develop and sustain their careers long-term.

Chris Dampier, Vice President, TuneCore Publishing commented, Self-released songwriters are the most underserved community in the music business. At TuneCore our mission is to educate and empower them so that they dont lose what is rightfully theirs, and our expanded partnership with Sentric ensures that we are able to help them claim more of their money than ever before.

Since its inception in 2012, TuneCore Publishing Administration has paid over $100 million to songwriters who utilize the service, with more than 80% of total publishing revenue collected since partnering with Sentric in 2018. 2022 marked TuneCores 10th consecutive year of 20% or greater year-over-year growth in gross publishing revenue.

Access to Sentrics global network also directly helped foster substantial growth in international payments to domestic TuneCore artists, with international sources accounting for less than 10% of royalties paid to artists in 2019, compared to over 40% in 2022.

Chris Meehan, Founder of Sentric Music Group commented, We are delighted to have been able to enable TuneCore to service the market of independent artists both with domestic and international payments over the last 5 years. Our longstanding partnership shows a commitment to the sector, and we will continue to elevate our services, technology and network to ensure this continues.

Through the partnership with Sentric, TuneCore has been able to provide songwriters with membership to all available global performance and mechanical royalty societies, allowing access to additional revenue streams and faster payouts.

About Believe:

Believe is one of the worlds leading digital music companies. Believes mission is to develop local artists and labels in the digital ecosystem by providing them the solutions they need to grow their audience at each stage of their career and development. Believes passionate team of digital music experts around the world leverages the Groups global technology platform to advise artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,610 employees in more than 50 countries aim to support local artists and labels with a unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naive, Groove Attack and AllPoints. Believe is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: BLV, ISIN: FR0014003FE9) http://www.believe.com

About TuneCore:

TuneCore is the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists to build audiences and careers  with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration, and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels, and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent, and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games, and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Atlanta, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore across 5 continents.http://www.tunecore.com

About Sentric Music Group:

Part of Utopia Music, Sentric Music Group is a global, award-winning independent publisher. Based in Liverpool, with offices in London, Hamburg and New York, it boasts an international infrastructure including direct royalty collection in over 200 territories. Sentric represents more than 4 million works and over 400,000 songwriters either directly or via industry partners, including music publishers, independent labels, management companies and distributors that benefit from Sentrics publishing administration, co-publishing and creative services. http://www.sentricmusic.com
IDX Selects Medality to Help Radiologists Learn at Work IDX is truly invested in the ongoing professional development of our Radiologists, in subspecialties of their interest. Our dedication to Medical Leadership and the provision of expert patient centered care, is enhanced through our partnership with Medality.

Today, Integral Diagnostics (IDX), a leading provider of medical imaging services across Australia and New Zealand, announced that it has selected Medality as its radiology training and development partner of choice. IDX will integrate Medalitys practice development solutions into its RIS/PACS workflow for IDX radiologists across its 72 clinics.

Medality helps radiology groups expand their breadth of practice in high growth, advanced imaging areas. Its case-based approach to training and practice development helps radiologists upskill across all subspecialties and imaging modalities in as little as five minutes a day. With more than 4,000 bite-sized training videos and over 4,000 integrated, scrollable cases, Medality makes learning accessible from anywhere, anytime.

Integrated into the RIS/PACS workflow, Medality also makes it possible to learn at work  so IDX can truly invest in their teams skills without adding additional time and burden to their workday.

IDX is truly invested in the ongoing professional development of our Radiologists, in subspecialties of their interest. Our dedication to Medical Leadership and the provision of expert patient centered care, is enhanced through our partnership with Medality, said Dr. Lisa Sorger, Chief Medical Officer for IDX.

As a leading employer of radiologists in the region, IDX knows that well-trained, well-equipped and happy radiologists make the best clinicians. Medality is now being rolled out to more than 90 radiologists across 72 IDX clinics throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Our mission is to transform the way radiologists learn and thrive, shared Daniel Arnold, the CEO and Co-Founder of Medality. We found a perfect partner in IDX, whose belief in professional development, continuing education, and dedication to empowering radiologists to learn new skills matches our own.

Medalitys case-based education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and totals more than 600 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits across its platform. Learners can also earn SA-CME credits that meet the American Board of Radiology requirement for MOC as well as credits for MQSA, SCCT, NASCI, state licensure requirements and more. Courses are developed in partnership with hundreds of top academic faculty, such as Dr. David Yousem, Dr. Stephen Pomeranz, Dr. Petra Lewis, Dr. Don Resnick, Dr. Rachel Brem, Dr. Suresh Mukherji, Dr. Stefan Zimmerman, and Dr. Lacey McIntosh.

About Integral Diagnostics

Integral Diagnostics (IDX) is a leading provider of medical imaging services across Australia and New Zealand serving patients and their referrers at 72 radiology clinics. IDXs mission is to create a healthier world, which requires investing in state-of-the art equipment, employing the highest quality clinicians and investing in continuous improvement. Learn more at https://www.integraldiagnostics.com.au/.

About Medality

Medality is the leading practice development platform for radiologists and medical imaging organizations. Medality helps thousands of radiologists from over 100 countries upskill in high-growth, advanced imaging areas with case-based microlearning video courses and integrated cases designed to simulate clinical practice from anywhere, anytime. Imaging organizations use Medality to improve diagnostic and reporting quality, reduce turnaround times, and expand their breadth of practice quickly in the areas they need it most. Learn more at http://www.medality.com.
Blue Run Spirits Hires Trey Wade to Develop and Lead Private Barrel Program Trey will turn this into the preeminent barrel selection experience in the world and one of the critical pillars of Blue Run's long-term growth plan, elevating the overall Blue Run customer experience to an even higher level.

Blue Run Spirits today announces Trey Wade has joined the fast-growing, Georgetown, Kentucky-based whiskey company in the role of Chief Experience Curator for Blue Runs soon-to-be-announced Private Barrel Program. Wade starts immediately, reporting to CEO and cofounder Mike Montgomery.

Wade, a well-known figure in the American whiskey industry, joins Blue Run having served as the Vice President of National Partnerships for the Black Bourbon Society for three years. An Executive Bourbon Steward, he has participated in more than 120 barrel selections and contributed to dozens of blending projects for well-known brands. In 2021, Trey collaborated with Blue Run on its inaugural 12 Days of Bourbon release, which set records for selling out 12 days in a row, each in less than two minutes.

Tapping into his years of experiential marketing experience at Dell, Amazon and Five Hour Energy, Wade will manage the curation of Blue Runs first Private Barrel Program, developing an experience that is quintessentially Blue Run. The project will kick off in February, allowing select businesses, spirits societies and individuals to choose from a collection of carefully selected barrels, securing their own whiskey perfectly suited for them but with the distinct characteristics for which Blue Run is known.

We were introduced to Trey through Black Bourbon Society, founded by Samara Davis, and we knew instantly he shared the same vision and values as Blue Run, said Montgomery. After working with him on our first 12 Days of Bourbon project in 2021, I could see he had the attention to detail and the overall bourbon experience that would be perfectly suited to lead our Private Barrel Program. In short order, Trey will turn this into the preeminent barrel selection experience in the world and one of the critical pillars of our long-term growth plan, elevating the overall Blue Run customer experience to an even higher level.

Wade will also oversee Blue Runs corporate partnerships and culinary alignment.

It struck me immediately that Blue Run was doing something different and interesting in the whiskey industry, said Wade. There was an energy and a passion to reach a wider whiskey audience that I found infectious. I am very excited to bring yet another dimension to this vibrant organization.

Blue Run Spirits has introduced 13 bourbon and rye whiskey releases since the company launched in October 2020, selling 21,000 9 liter cases in 2022  a 300% year-over-year increase. It is forecasting sales of 32,000 9 liter cases in 2023. Blue Run plans to invest nearly $51 million in a 35,000-square-foot distillery and a 20,000-square-foot rickhouse in Georgetown, Kentucky which will break ground in Q2 2023.

We feel strongly that the team at Blue Run should accurately reflect the diverse community that is embracing our whiskies, continued Montgomery. Shaylyn Gammon serving as our Whiskey Director and now Trey developing and leading our Private Barrel Program reflects our commitment to Blue Runs founding mission and values.

Blue Run Spirits can be purchased in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Washington (launching Q1 2023) (Republic National Distributing Company); Georgia (Savannah); South Carolina and Tennessee (Advintage); Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C. (Prestige-Ledroit); Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, and Wisconsin (Breakthru); New Jersey (Fedway Associates); New York (Empire); Kansas (Worldwide Beverage Group); Arkansas (Arkansas Wine and Spirits); Connecticut (Connecticut Distributors, Inc.); Massachusetts and Rhode Island (launching February 1, 2023) (Horizon); Alberta and Ontario (launching Q1 2023) (Evergreen); and online at http://www.bluerunspirits.com/shop powered by Seelbachs.

Find Blue Run Spirits online at http://www.bluerunspirits.com, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

EDITOR NOTE: Hi-res bottle images can be found HERE.

ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits is an evolution of the traditional spirits company, creating award-winning bourbons and rye whiskies through time-honored traditions matched with inclusive, forward-looking vision. It all starts with the whiskey itself, carefully crafted by Blue Run Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge and Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon. That precious liquid is then housed in striking packaging adorned with Blue Runs signature butterfly medallion, marking the metamorphosis of a centuries-old industry as Blue Run reaches across the bar to welcome todays younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. Blue Run Spirits was founded in 2020 and was named one of the 50 most innovative companies in America by Bloomberg.

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Phyllis Carver, a proud mother and grandmother who resides in Las Vegas with her two dogs Diva and Benny, has completed her new book Las Vegas Life: Cocktails and Casino Stories Book One of a Trilogy: a captivating tale of two teens living in Las Vegas whose love for each other sparks a lifelong adventure.

Casino life, the knowledge of Las Vegas, and the curiosity about the people living in Las Vegas have mesmerized worldwide tourists for many years, writes Carver. Gambling has been a part of Nevadas Wild West long before this Silver State joined the United States of America in 1864, yet gambling only became legal in Nevada in 1931.

Book One, in the trilogy of the Las Vegas Life books, portrays the beginning of an exceptional lifelong love story of two, young, and beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada teenagers, Cece and Ian. Book One starts in the mid-1950s and on through their many years together in Las Vegas. The twists and turns throughout the trilogy are completely unexpected as each story continues on to unfold into the many exciting, thrilling, and emotional experiences in the couples lives together, while continuously introducing you to their ever growing personalities, their happy and evolving love story, their futures, their family, their true friends, as well as other interesting, kind, and/or deceitful acquaintances along their life journeys in their casino environments and in their casino experiences. So sit back, relax, hold on, and enjoy!

Published by Page Publishing, Phyllis Carvers spellbinding tale is inspired by the authors own experiences working in Las Vegas casinos for many years with her husband, Eddie, and the fascinating stories she gathered from others during that time. Expertly paced and full of unforgettable characters, Carver weaves a fascinating story that is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of readers, leaving them desperate for the next installment in the lives of Cece and Ian.

Readers who wish to experience this enthralling work can purchase Las Vegas Life: Cocktails and Casino Stories Book One of a Trilogy at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.


With excavation complete and crane installed, Toronto is abuzz about BAZIS latest high-rise condominium development; 8 Wellesley condos, a 50-storey tower designed by IBI Group and GBCA Architects, located in the heart of the city.

Whether a studio, 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom, all suites at 8 Wellesley offer sophisticated spaces with hints of luxury rendered in thoughtful details. Refined finishes. Integrated linear kitchens. Gold-toned display shelving, organic materials, and open concept design that creates an expansive sense of space.

Close to world-class shopping, world-class universities, world-renowned business centres, 8 Wellesley is the perfect choice for students and professionals who share a desire to live in the citys most sought-after location.

While all that Toronto has to offer is just steps away, 8 Wellesley offers premium amenities designed exclusively for residents. A 6,300 square foot fitness centre rivals the most luxurious gyms in the city. The space combines high-performance facilities with luxurious interior design, and is just an elevator ride away. The 24/7 co-working space has private rooms, communal tables, study banquettes, indoor/outdoor lounge, and a fireside lounge. Quality is everything. That is the philosophy that has shaped the amenity programming at 8 Wellesley.

Toronto homebuyers and investors are excited; 8 Wellesley is a unique opportunity, at an exceptional location. Visit 8 Wellesley Condos now to receive more information.

More about BAZIS:

Over the past 20 years, Toronto has experienced a transformation in its skyline. BAZIS has played an important role in that redesign and has set the highest standards of excellence in the real estate industry. Buyers can rest assured that when a development holds the BAZIS brand, it is synonymous with the luxury living, unique design, and outstanding quality evident in BAZIS remarkable track record of Toronto developments, including Crystal Blu, Emerald Park, Exhibit and 1 Yorkville.
BlackArch Partners (BlackArch) is pleased to announce that TFH Reliability Group, LLC, the parent company of Allied Reliability (Allied or the Company), a portfolio company of Capstreet, has been acquired by Shell USA, Inc. (Shell).

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Allied Reliability is a holistic asset health and reliability solutions provider, bringing together processes, content, knowledge, data and technology to optimize the asset journey for its customers. The Companys reliability-centered solutions include condition monitoring, advanced diagnostics, lubrication systems and services, electrical services, consulting and training, and several aftermarket products and services.

BlackArch was retained by Allied and Capstreet to serve as the Companys exclusive financial advisor. The transaction builds upon BlackArchs significant momentum in the industrial services, technology and distribution sectors and is a further example of the firms ability to deliver tailored and highly strategic outcomes for innovative, market-leading businesses.

Kevin Bourbonnais, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied, stated, Working with the BlackArch team was a very positive experience. Not only did their team bring sound financial advice to the transaction, but they were great thought partners as we navigated the sale process. The BlackArch model is one of active engagement with Management, always collaborating to achieve the optimal approach. This approach definitely resulted in a great outcome for all involved.

Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet, added, Every transaction is unique, so we appreciate BlackArchs thoughtful and tailored approach, which resulted in an exceptional outcome for the Company and all of its stakeholders. Even before advising on this transaction, BlackArch served as a valued strategic advisor to Allied over the course of the last four years.

About Allied Reliability

Allied Reliability specializes in protecting assets and driving reliability improvements for reciprocating and rotating machinery using proven solutions and in-depth application expertise. The company leverages internal engineering, manufacturing, and project management capabilities, as well as the resources of leading manufacturing partners, to yield meaningful improvements in productivity, longevity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, safety, and environmental compliance. For more information, visit https://www.alliedreliability.com/.

About Capstreet

Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreets investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework to help accelerate growth and profitability, and help create long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreets investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, http://www.capstreet.com.

About Shell USA (Pennzoil-Quaker State Company d/b/a SOPUS Products)

Pennzoil-Quaker State Company d/b/a SOPUS Products, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc. ("Shell") that comprises Shell's US lubricants business. The term "Shell Lubricants" collectively refers to Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. Shell sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications in over 100 countries. Shell was named the leading global supplier of finished lubricants for a 16th consecutive year, according to the 20th edition of Kline & Company's report Global Lubricants: Market Analysis and Assessment 2021. Please visit http://www.shell.com/lubricants for more information.

About BlackArch Partners

BlackArch is a leading middle-market investment bank offering a full spectrum of advisory services to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. BlackArch addresses the needs of companies with specialized services that include M&A advisory, strategic advisory and private capital solutions. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, BlackArch features a total of 12 industry-focused practices that cover all sectors of interest to middle-market investors; BlackArch professionals have closed more than 400 transactions in 16 countries on four continents. Please visit our website, http://www.blackarchpartners.com, for more details.

Securities offered through BlackArch Securities LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success.
Millennials in Government: How Agencies are Adapting with M365 & Teams Research shows that Millennials and Gen Z now make up 62% of the workforce. Leaders are finding that these generations are different from Baby Boomers and Gen X. Adapting to maximize productivity from each employee is key - even more so as the generational shift progresses in the workplace.

Crow Canyon Software, creator of NITRO Studio business process automation, announces a free webinar for government agencies revealing how to adapt to generational differences in the workplace with Microsoft 365 & Teams. This webinar will take place on 1/19/23 at 11 am PT.

Research shows that Millennials and Gen Z now make up 62% of the workforce. Leaders are finding that these generations are different from Baby Boomers and Gen X. Adapting to maximize productivity from each employee is key - even more so as the generational shift progresses in the workplace.

"I am thrilled to share this insight with the community. We hear so much about how hiring and managing employees isn't how it used to be. It is essential to address the root cause and leverage it into a benefit." says Krista White, Director of Marketing for Crow Canyon.

Webinar to include:



Why generations work differently

Digital natives vs. digital immigrants

How to adapt to each generation's style

How to maximize productivity from each generation

Learn more here: https://www.crowcanyon.com/resources/webinars/generational-differences-in-the-workplace/

About Crow Canyon Software

Crow Canyon Software is the #1 business process automation solution, specializing in augmenting Office 365 and SharePoint platforms with custom or pre-built solutions. Dedicated to supporting the success of organizations worldwide, Crow Canyon provides the #1 no-code custom automation solution, NITRO Studio, to support complete organizational growth and increased productivity.

Crow Canyon Software also boasts 24 years of experience advising organizations on growth automation and providing migration support.

Twitter: @CrowCanyonSW LinkedIn: @crow-canyon-software https://www.crowcanyon.com/

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Used Vehicles with All-Wheel Drive at Auto Sales and Service

All-wheel drive vehicles are becoming more and more popular as they offer many advantages over traditional two-wheel drive vehicles. By buying a used vehicle with all-wheel drive, drivers can enjoy all the same benefits at a fraction of the price they spend on a new one. All-wheel drive vehicles are better equipped for handling lousy weather and off-road conditions than any other vehicle on the market. They also provide superior traction in slippery conditions and can help you stay safe on winter roads by providing extra grip when accelerating or turning sharply. Additionally, all-wheel drive vehicles often have improved fuel efficiency compared to two-wheel drive models due to their ability to switch between power sources when needed.

Auto Sales and Service, a used car dealership near Indianapolis, now offers all-wheel drive vehicles for sale. This new inventory of AWD cars, trucks and SUVs provides drivers with more options for safe driving in all weather conditions. Drivers who are looking for a used vehicle with AWD are encouraged to visit the dealership's website: https://www.autosalesandserviceinc.com/ to learn more.

When drivers shop at Auto Sales and Service for their next used vehicle with all-wheel drive, they can find plenty of options from top manufacturers like Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Subaru and more! All used vehicles come with limited warranties to ensure the drivers satisfaction after purchase and each vehicle is inspected by certified technicians before sale.

Potential drivers interested in more detailed conversations can contact a member of the dealership sales team directly by calling 833-959-3983. The dealership is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located at 1860 N Arlington Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46218.
We are so honored to once again be included on this prestigious list, said Fish Window Cleaning President, Randy Cross.

Fish Window Cleaning was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, the worlds most comprehensive franchise ranking. The Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs, the 2023 Franchise 500 ranks Fish Window Cleaning as #278 for its performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

Originally founded by Mike Merrick in January of 1978, Fish Window Cleaning has been franchising for 25 years. The brands first franchise location opened in Tampa, FL in 1998 and has since grown to be a system of over 275 franchise locations across the United States.

We are so honored to once again be included on this prestigious list, said Fish Window Cleaning President, Randy Cross. While the last couple of years have been challenging for our staff and franchisees, this ranking is validation of their hard work and efforts, as well as the strength of our brand and model. I am very excited about whats ahead in 2023.

In Entrepreneurs continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the companys 44-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

Over its 44 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. FISHs position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view Fish Window Cleaning in the full ranking, visit entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2023 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 17th.

About Fish Window Cleaning

Fish Window Cleaning was founded in St. Louis in 1978 and is now the largest window cleaning franchise in the country, with over 275 locations nationwide. FISH provides service to more than 200,000 commercial and residential customers. Free estimates and customized service plans tailored to each customers needs and budget are just a few offered benefits. For more information, visit fishwindowcleaning.com or call 1-877-707-FISH (3474).
Gabrielle Ayzen With almost a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Gabrielle is extremely passionate about bringing people together and organizing experiences that will last a lifetime.

Gabrielle Ayzen is the Founder of Travel Fwrd, a private members club that focuses on luxury travel experiences. Growing up in Miami, she has always been drawn to the active lifestyle this beautiful city has to offer. Graduating from the University of Miami Business School and being a member of the Real Estate Club has further shaped her career towards working in the business management and real estate field. Travel Fwrd specializes in providing high-end clientele with exclusive access to upscale experiences throughout the globe including luxury hotel and private villa accommodations, fine dining services, residential real estate, luxury yacht charters, and private jet charters. With almost a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, she is extremely passionate about bringing people together and organizing experiences that will last a lifetime.

Visit Gabrielle Ayzen's Haute Residence Profile: https://www.hauteresidence.com/member/gabrielle-ayzen/

ABOUT HAUTE RESIDENCE

Designed as a partnership-driven luxury real estate portal, Haute Residence connects its affluent readers with top real estate professionals, while offering the latest in real estate news, showcasing the worlds most extraordinary residences on the market, and sharing expert advice from its knowledgeable and experienced real estate partners. The invitation-only luxury real estate network, which partners with just one agent in every market, unites a distinguished collective of leading real estate agents and brokers and highlights the most extravagant properties in leading markets around the globe for affluent buyers, sellers, and real estate enthusiasts. HauteResidence.com has grown to be the number-one news source for million-dollar listings, high-end residential developments, celebrity real estate, and more.

Access all of this information and more by visiting http://www.hauteresidence.com
Hannibal Public School District received two propane school buses earlier this year, with four more en route and an additional three on order. Simply put, propane was a way that Hannibal transportation could save taxpayer dollars while providing a cleaner alternative fuel to diesel.

Hannibal Public School District #60 has utilized funding from incentive programs like the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean School Bus Program and the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council to double down on its commitment to substantially reduce its carbon footprint with propane school buses. Plans for a fully propane-fueled fleet are in the works.

As we researched the various alternative fuels, propane stood out as the best option for our school district, said Scott Speer, transportation director for the district.

Located in northeastern Missouri, Hannibal Public School District received two propane school buses earlier this year, with four more en route and an additional three on order. With the addition of the new propane buses, 22% of the district's fleet will run on clean, low emission fuel.

The nine propane buses are replacing diesel buses that are about 20 years old and emit known carcinogens. Unlike diesel, propane autogas is a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive fuel, and is classified as a non-contaminant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Four of the propane school buses will be awarded $22,000 per bus through the first round of funding of the Clean School Bus Program, which has the stated goal of replacing old diesel buses with clean-operating school buses.

Additionally, the district will receive a $2,000 rebate per bus through the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. The Council, created by state statute to provide propane safety and education programs, has pledged $1 million to help school districts transition from diesel buses to propane models.

Propane school buses are clean and affordable solutions that eliminate the particulate matter and harmful emissions found with diesel buses. Speer said that the staff and board of directors were thoughtful about selecting an affordable, practical clean fuel for its new buses; they looked at several options before landing on propane autogas.

Electric buses are very popular right nowHowever, an electric bus costs more than three times the amount of a diesel-powered bus, said Speer.

The district looked at the entire picture when making its decision, including the initial purchase of the buses, infrastructure, fuel and ongoing maintenance costs.

When comparing infrastructure costs, compressed natural gas buses would have required an extensive renovation to our facilities, and that has a significant cost. Conversely, propane is incredibly stable and does not require our facility to undergo extensive renovations. Furthermore, propane itself is a much more affordable fuel than diesel. Simply put, propane was a way that Hannibal transportation could save taxpayer dollars while providing a cleaner alternative fuel to diesel, said Speer.

Compared to diesel, buses fueled by propane autogas lower total cost of ownership for school districts by saving on fuel, fluids and filters. Supplies such as diesel particulate filters, manual regeneration and diesel exhaust fluid, and other complex after-treatment devices arent needed on a propane bus. Oil changes on propane buses are also simpler and less expensive.

Big River Oil, which successfully won the bid to supply propane to Hannibal Public Schools, has partnered with the district to assist in the purchasing and installation of the infrastructure necessary to fuel propane buses on school property. The district can fuel two buses at once with its stations, with the ability to scale upward when needed. Propane infrastructure costs less to install than any other transportation fuel.

Propane school buses are better for our children, better for our community and better for the environment, said Steve Ahrens, president of the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. They eliminate harmful tailpipe emissions while stretching taxpayer dollars. Hannibal Public School District 60 is truly making a wise investment. By choosing propane buses, the district was able to remove an additional seven diesel buses from school bus stops than if they had chosen to go with electric buses.

The district, which operates a fleet of 37 buses, is currently paying $4.10 per gallon of diesel and $1.69 per gallon of propane. The alternative fuel federal excise tax credit will further accelerate fuel savings for the district by $0.37 per gallon.

Any savings from propane buses will be used to help support a high-quality education for all of Hannibals students, said Speer.

Hannibal Public School District was one of two schools in Missouri to receive funding for propane buses through the Clean School Bus Program in 2022. Today, there are more than 300 propane buses operating in Missouri and more than 20,000 across the nation.

###

About MOPERC: The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the Missouri Legislature. Dedicated to propane education and public awareness, MOPERC provides industry training, consumer safety, appliance rebates and market development programs. The council is composed of 15 volunteer directors and administered by an executive staff. Visit PropaneMissouri.com.
Innophos is the exclusive licensed distributor of Oxyjun in North America Cardiac health is of the utmost importance for todays consumers, and we are excited about the beneficial findings of Oxyjun from this study.

Innophos, a leading international producer of nutritional specialty ingredients and custom formulated solutions, today announced the release of new clinical findings from ENovate Biolife highlighting Oxyjun, a premium branded extract of Terminalia arjuna. Extracted from the bark of the Arjuna tree, Terminalia arjuna has traditionally been used for cardio protection purposes. The findings from this latest human clinical trial demonstrate advanced benefits in the areas of cardiac output and perceived reduction in physical fatigue in study subjects.

Cardiac health is of the utmost importance for todays consumers, and we are excited about the beneficial findings of Oxyjun from this study, said Dr. Bruce Abedon, R&D Senior Manager at Innophos and co-author of the study. As the exclusive licensed distributor of Oxyjun in North America, our team at Innophos is committed to providing the highest quality, science-backed products, and continuing our partnership with ENovate Biolife.

The new study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Multidisciplinary Health, featured 72 male and female subjects ranging in age from 30-70 years old that took 400 mg of Oxyjun daily for 56 days. Subjects were evaluated on both cardiac output based on left ventricular ejection fraction (the volume of blood flowing from the heart to the body with each beat) as well as their perceived level of physical fatigue based on a validated, multi-question Fatigue Severity Scale instrument.

Consumption of Oxyjun resulted in numerous improvements in the health of subjects including:



6.28% increase in cardiac output (vs. 0.24% for placebo)

22.5% perceived reduction in physical fatigue (vs. 8.5% for placebo)

No adverse events related to consumption of Oxyjun for any of the study participants

Find out more about the studys findings at PubMed and visit the Innophos website to learn more about the benefits of Oxyjun.

Oxyjun is a registered trademark of ENovate Biolife LLC.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This ingredient is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Innophos

Innophos is a leading international producer of specialty ingredient solutions that deliver far-reaching, versatile benefits for the food, health, nutrition, and industrial markets. We leverage our expertise in the science and technology of blending and formulating phosphate, mineral, enzyme, and botanical based ingredients to help our customers offer products that are tasty, healthy, nutritious, and economical. Headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey, Innophos has manufacturing operations across the United States, in Canada, Mexico, a
John Szabo, Master Sommelier and award-winning author, in concert with Volcanic Wines International (VWI) are proud to announce the return of the International Volcanic Wine Conference (IVWC), which will take place in New York City on June 21st 2023. The event follows the highly successful previous editions, held in March 2018 and in June 2019, and Szabos acclaimed book on the subject, Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power, published in 2016.

Volcanic Wines International was established in 2018 in order to promote the establishment of a Volcanic Wines Movement and provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. The first two editions of International Volcanic Wine Conference (IVWC), organized by Volcanic Wines International were a catalyst and facilitator in bringing together the worlds volcanic regions. The success of the events has led to the creation of a Volcanic Wine Brand, defined as a unique category of wines produced under some of the most extreme viticultural conditions on the planet. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high-quality wines with a true sense of place.

Wines from volcanic soils have captured the attention of wine media and industry professionals as well as educated wine lovers in recent years, commented Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners. They have been featured in countless influential publications - The New York Times, The Guardian, Decanter, Wine & Spirits Magazine, The Drinks Business, Gault Millau and JancisRobinson.com among others -, while sommeliers have embraced their distinctive characteristics.

A first-of-its-kind, the 2018 conference brought together producers from all over the world, helping raise the profile of volcanic wines. It was held exclusively for qualifying wine trade and media, with 300 industry professionals in attendance at the event. During the conference, guests were able to sample wines from over 50 wineries representing 16 different volcanic wine regions, and engage with some of the worlds leading volcanic wine experts.

The 2019 edition brought together over 60 wineries from 30 different wine regions and attracted more than 300 attendees among distributors, importers, sommeliers, journalists, influencers and wine consultants.

The pandemic has forced us to momentarily suspend our in-person events, but our work of research and of understanding of the complex world of volcanic wines has never ceased, said award-winning author and Master Sommelier John Szabo This years conference will be the perfect opportunity to introduce new volcanic regions and continue our mission to define and elevate the volcanic wines category in the eyes, and palates, of industry professionals and wine lovers.

The first and second editions have also represented the ideal opportunity to host eight Masterclasses led by John Szabo MS, as well as eminent professors and regional representatives. Sponsored by the participants, these tasting seminars aimed at educating the audience about the nuances of volcanic wines and deepening the knowledge of the most unique volcanic regions of the world, highlight what differentiates each and every area and what unites them. They also provide participants with the unprecedented opportunity to taste a vast collection of wines from volcanic soils, with producers on hand to further explain their unique attributes.

Additional details regarding the 2023 conference, including confirmed participants and seminar schedules, will be announced in the following months.

For more information and latest updates, be sure to visit the Volcanic Wines International official website http://www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, as well as following the VWIs Facebook (Volcanic Wines International) and Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) pages.

###

About John Szabo

Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the MS after his name in 2004. He holds the international Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honors, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. Hes principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canadas premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He contributes to many international trade and consumer publications and is currently co-writing a book on wine chemistry. He is a regular guest speaker at events worldwide and has traveled to virtually every wine producing country on earth, (volcanic and otherwise!) in pursuit of fine wine and to keep on top of this fascinating industry. In his spare time, he tends to his new vineyard in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

About Volcanic Wines International (VWI)

The mission of Volcanic Wines International is to take the leading role in defining and establishing a Volcanic Wine Movement, and to provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high quality wines with a true sense of place.

About Colangelo & Partners

Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on closing the loop between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com/
JDog Brands, the Veteran-founded and focused parent franchisor of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care, has been selected by Balfour Beatty Communities, a leading residential real estate investment and management company, to provide junk removal and floor/carpet cleaning services to its military housing communities located across the United States.

Given the size and scope of many of these military housing communities, Balfour Beatty Communities relies on qualified contractors to provide targeted services, said Kevin Kopa, president of JDog. We are one of their approved vendors, and we provide services through our JDog Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care businesses.

The two companies initially connected through a JDog franchisee working for Balfour Beatty Communities at their military housing community located at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After a decision-making process with Balfour Beattys contract management team, the JDog network was approved as a national vendor for Balfour Beatty Communities.

For franchisees, the relationship presents significant opportunity, as military housing accommodates a substantial number of families and sees a relatively high turnover rate as troops are moved in and out as duty stations change. Balfour Beatty Communities is able to notify JDog franchisees ahead of time that there will be a space in need of junk removal or floor care, and the business owners can plan accordingly to complete the service and help prepare the space for future residents in a timely manner.

"As one of the nation's largest providers of military housing, we're proud to work with JDog Brands, a Veteran-founded business with 90% Veteran franchisees, in support of our 56 military housing communities," said Brian Morris, Contracts Manager at Balfour Beatty Communities. "There is a high volume of work that often needs to be completed in a short span of time in our military communities, and our partnership with JDog helps us keep up with demand and provide high-quality service to our residents."

ABOUT JDOG BRANDS

Headquartered in Berwyn, PA, JDog Brands was founded by Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan, JDogs CEO, and his wife, Tracy Flanagan, when they recognized the struggle many Veterans faced when acclimating back to civilian life. JDog Junk Hauling & Removal and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care create business ownership opportunities exclusively for Veterans and their families with nearly 300 JDog franchises across the country. JDog Brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step of their business ownership journey. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit jdogbrands.com.
Promoting crystalline technology: Penetron North Africa welcomed clients, buyers, and distributors to Libya Build Expo 2022, the largest annual construction industry show in North Africa. This year, we were honored to have Abd Alhmid Dibiba, the Prime Minister of Libya, visit the Penetron booth.

The 12th annual Libya Build Expo took place from May 30th-June 2nd, 2022, at the Tripoli International Fairgrounds in Tripoli, Libya. Penetron North Africa welcomed clients, buyers, distributors  and a special guest  to raise awareness of Penetrons innovative crystalline concrete waterproofing technology.

The Libya Build Expo is the largest annual construction industry show in North Africa. With over 300 exhibitors from around the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and Asia showing off innovations, products, and services for the construction and design industry, the Expo welcomes approximately 14,000 construction industry professionals to the Tripoli venue every year.

This year, we were honored to have Abd Alhmid Dibiba, the Prime Minister of Libya, visit the Penetron booth, says Kadem A. Elbarghathi, Managing Director of Penetron North Africa. He took a moment to learn about our crystalline waterproofing technology  and see the number of Libyan projects we recently completed.

Showcasing the profiles of how Penetron products are used in different applications, along with technical illustrated posters of how Penetrons crystalline technology makes concrete impermeable, the Penetron team encountered a high level of interest among the Expo visitors.

This years Libya Build Expo was a very positive event for Penetron, adds Kadem A. Elbarghathi. Were already looking forward to next years show, which is scheduled for May 22-25, 2023 in Tripoli. See you there!

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs, and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.
Dean has shown himself to be creative and strategic in the sales process and laser-focused on his clients needs. His experience and technical expertise will be valuable assets for his partners.

RapidScale, a Cox Business company, welcomes Dean Hovind as a cloud solutions consultant for the central south region. Reporting to Mark Szotkowski, Hovind will be responsible for building strategic partner relationships, enabling partners in the channel, and helping deliver RapidScale managed cloud solutions to customers.

With over 15 years of direct selling and channel sales experience, Hovind has a solid background in managing enterprise accounts, complex solution selling, developing strategic partner relations, and business development. He is knowledgeable in data center solutions, fiber networks, telecommunications, and cloud-based solutions. Prior to RapidScale, he was an executive vice president for business development at Quantum Symphony, an IT consulting firm. He also served as a director of global partnerships at Evoque Data Center Solutions. Hovind has expertise in customer relationship management, managed services, partner-ecosystem relations, and sales operations, and held account director and manager roles at other various telecom and IT services companies.

Were thrilled to have such a seasoned technology sales leader join the team, said Szotkowski. Dean has shown himself to be creative and strategic in the sales process and laser-focused on his clients needs. His experience and technical expertise will be valuable assets for his partners.

About RapidScale

For IT and business leaders looking to scale, secure, and simplify their IT, RapidScale, a Cox Business Company, is the next-generation managed cloud services provider that aggregates best-in-class cloud technology under a single management portal, enabling IT to accomplish more and providing an exceptional end-user experience. By delivering simple and secure access to company data and applications from anywhere, any time, on any device, RapidScale sets itself apart from other cloud providers through its team of technology experts, award-winning end-user customer support, flexible co-management options, and easy-to-use management portal. For more information on RapidScale, visit http://www.rapidscale.net.

About Cox Business

Cox Communications owns Cox Business and is a facilities-based provider of voice, video, and data solutions for commercial customers. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at http://www.cox.com.

The commercial division of Cox Communications, Cox Business, provides voice, data, and video services for more than 355,000 small and regional businesses nationwide, including health care providers, K12 and higher education; financial institutions; and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top-tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division. For more information, please visit http://www.coxbusiness.com.

Media Contact

Nikki Salazar

RapidScale, a Cox Business Company

nikki.salazar@rapidscale.net
Sandler Partners, the leading independent Technology Solutions Distributor, and one of the nations fastest-growing private companies, welcomes David Povlick to their growing Sales Engineering team. In his new role as Senior Sales Engineer  Midwest, he will support Partners and their customers by identifying necessary solutions and helping guide them toward beneficial approaches.

David has a strong background in UC, telecommunications, virtualization, and security. He joins Sandler Partners with over 2 decades of experience, most recently with Nextiva. At Advanced Telecommunications of Illinois (ATI) he rose through the ranks, moving from an entry-level Field Technician role up to senior positions as Director of Project Management and Data Operations, Operations Manager, Senior Technology Engineer, and General Manager. He will carry the same work ethic for Partners in the Midwest, with a focus on delivering highly effective solutions that meet their customers' needs.

David brings a great background, and expertise, that will benefit Partners, states Gerry Davis, SVP of Sales Engineering. His strong UC & Collaboration experience, plus knowledge of the virtualization, security, and application space, is something we look forward to extending to our community. He will help Partners in the Midwest accelerate their growth on a daily basis  from education to assistance with supplier selection to helping on customer discovery calls. David is a great resource for Midwest Partners and Sandler Partners across the nation.

David will play a key role in Sandler Partners Midwest operations, providing direct, hands-on sales engineering assistance. While Sandler Partners is known for this kind of active support, and nurturing the Human Element, Partners also have access to 24/7 real-time empowerment via the Sandler Portal's suite of enhanced online tools. Leading the way with intelligence and expertise, both human and tool-based, is just part of the story for how Sandler Partners helps Partners thrive.

About Sandler Partners

Sandler Partners is Americas fastest-growing independent Technology Solutions Distributor of Connectivity and Cloud services. Theyve expanded beyond their telecom roots to deliver best-in-class Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Continuity, and Cybersecurity solutions. With over 200 suppliers, theyre able to remain vendor-agnostic, empowering the Partner community of sales agents, VARs, and MSPs to deliver the best price, performance, and products that address the challenges, and meet the goals, for organizations of all sizes, industries, and complexity, both now and as they evolve into the future.

How Partners, and Their Customers, Benefit

Independently owned. Independent spirit. The Sandler Partner community gain access to an industry leading support network of sales, marketing, and engineering professionals, plus the Sandler Portals Marketing Center (with customizable campaigns), and sales tools like SCOUTs real-time cable pricing and the Solution Finder. Partners can rely on whatever level of support they need. Sandler Partners also have the industrys strongest agreements and a proven track record of ensuring all commissions are found, tracked, and paid.
HRH Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy Welcomes Guests to the Royal Savoy Ball, December 17, 2022, New York City "Helping those in need is the true spirit of chivalry, which is the mission of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders.

The 25th Ballo di Savoia (Royal Savoy Ball), the annual winter charity gala hosted by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders was celebrated on Saturday evening, December 17, 2022 at a new venue, The University Club in New York City. The benefit gala was under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Victor Emmanuel and Princess Marina of Savoy. The Savoy Foundation welcomed back His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Piedmont and his cousin His Royal Highness Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, who were guests of honor for this occasion. The royal gala also marked the 450th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. A commemorative medal to celebrate this historic anniversary was presented to each Savoy Ball guest. The Ball was part of a four-day weekend of events organized by the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, continuing the spirit and tradition of charitable giving and hospitaller care of the historic dynastic orders of knighthood and merit of the thousand-year Royal House of Savoy.

More than 300 patrons, benefactors and guests gathered to support the Savoy Foundations 25th annual white-tie dinner-dance. The event raised funds in support of the Savoy Foundation's philanthropic mission - Chivalry for Children's Causes - and the events primary beneficiaries: The Cooleys Anemia Foundation which funds medical research fighting thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusion and daily drug treatment; and A Chance In Life Inc., formerly Boys and Girls Town, which provides resources for empowering, life affirming educational and health-related programs for youth in under-resourced communities on Staten Islands North Shore.

Prior to Saturdays evening Gala, a welcome reception on Friday evening, December 16, was held at the Lotos Club for guests attending the Royal Savoy Ball. At the ball on Saturday, gala attendees enjoyed a champagne reception, hors doeuvres and signature cocktails before the main program began with a royal fanfare. Following the main seated dinner, guests enjoyed a sumptuous Viennese dessert table in the adjoining room and ballroom dancing with the Mitch Kahn orchestra.

Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Fra Cav. Gr. Cr. John T. Dunlap, Lieutenant of the Grand Master and head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, H.E. Ambassador Comm. Paul Beresford-Hill, Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Lady Dewi Sukarno, Dr. Frank Markus and Dr. Natasha Frank. Other guests included: Mr. and Mrs. Marco Grassi, H.E. John Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Gary. L. Krupp, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Soloway, Mr. Christopher Page, Mrs. Jean Shafiroff and Mr. Katsutoshi Tanaka. Carl J. Morelli, Esq., Savoy Foundation Chairman Emeritus also was in attendance and was saluted with a special presentation in appreciation for his 25 years service as the American Delegate of the Orders of Savoy in the USA.

A highlight of the evening were the remarks by Prince Emmanuel Philibert who praised the achievements of the Savoy Foundation in the past 29 years. The childrens causes to which the American Foundation contributes so significantly, represent an important continuation of my familys tradition - helping those in need. That is the true spirit of chivalry which is so impressive in the work the American Foundation does.

Craig Butler, President and CEO of the Cooleys Anemia Foundation, expressed his gratitude to the Savoy Foundation for the impact that the funds raised at the charity ball would have for patients suffering from the ravages of thalassemia. A Chance in Life Inc. was represented by Gabriele DelMonaco who spoke about the needs of the under-served youth on Staten Island and the need to provide shelter, education, and leadership development for at-risk youth.

In commenting as to the Ballo di Savoia weekends success, Joseph Sciame President, American Foundation of Savoy Orders and the 2022 Ballo Chairman, stated: We are all so very happy and proud with the outstanding success and camaraderie of the 2022 Ballo did Savoia. We truly brought together many distinguished guests all led by HRH Prince Emmanuel Philibert and his cousin HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia. The many guests who supported our Journal efforts that memorialize our history and more, as well as those who gave to benefit the two charities all have led to many dollars for the good of children in fulfilling our mission: Chivalry for Children's Causes. I am very proud to serve as the new American Delegate for the Savoy Orders in the USA since this past October and look forward to many great events.

The Savoy Ball of New York continues a thousand-year tradition of goodwill and charitable giving through its Patrons, Benefactors and Sponsors: Grand Patron: Brent Freeman; Patrons: Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Desiderio, Esq.; Drs. Natasha and Markus Frank; Hon. William Martini; Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Miller, Esq.; Carl J. Morelli, Esq.; and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pecora; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Viscogliosi; Mr. and Mrs. George C. White; Benefactors: A Chance In Life Inc.; Canadian Delegation of Savoy Orders; Cooleys Anemia Foundation; Dr. Frank Craparo; Anthony J. Cipriano; Mr. Richard Cuneo; Mr. Salvatore Galletti; Eric J. Ierardi, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. McClory, OSIA NYS Grand Lodge Foundation; Japanese Delegation of Savoy Orders; Mr. Jean Tamenne; Grand Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Leslie, Mr. Christopher Page and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Soloway.

For more information on supporting the Savoy Foundation's Chivalry For Childrens Causes, click here

CONTACT:

Larissa Van Duser, American Foundation of Savoy Orders, amsavoy@aol.com, +1 646-489-1242

ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION AND THE AMERICAN DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS

Headquartered in New York City, the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes all 50 of the United States of America, is among the 35 delegations of the Savoy Orders located throughout Europe, the Americas and Japan.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, incorporated a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, has supported local, national, and international charities focusing on medical, educational, and humanitarian fields, including philanthropy for U.S. veterans, hospitals and relief agencies for children, the poor, sick and elderly. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization in Roster Consultative Statues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In 2019, the Savoy Foundation launched a new charitable initiative - Chivalry for Childrens Causes - a multi-year program assisting institutions and charitable organizations that provide aid to children and families in need, building stable, healthy families. The program is made possible thanks to generous support from the members and friends of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders.

ABOUT THE ROYAL HOUSE OF SAVOY

The Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy are among the oldest orders of Knighthood and Merit in the world. The Savoy Orders are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and have 35 Delegations worldwide that support the Orders ongoing charitable works. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, Prince of Naples and Duke of Savoy, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. Prince Emmanuel Philibert is his son and the hereditary crown Prince of Italy and currently serves as President of the Council of the Savoy Orders.

In 1946, when the Kingdom of Italy came to an end, the House of Savoy was Europes oldest reigning dynasty. The heads of the House of Savoy had ruled, first as counts, then as dukes and finally as kings, for almost a thousand years. Descended in the direct male line from a tenth-century vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Savoys ruled the Alpine state of Aosta, as well as Savoy, where they established their capital at Chambery. Their dominion was eventually extended to include Piedmont and other territories in what are now Italy, France and Switzerland. By the eighteenth century, the Savoys were kings of Sicily and then Sardinia, and it was under their aegis that the Italian states were united by 1871.

The Royal Familys heritage can be seen in castles and palaces, and in the beauty of the northwestern Italian city of Turin, the Savoys' magnificent capital in the heart of Piedmont in the 16th into the 19th centuries. The dynastic chivalric traditions of the Royal House of Savoy continue. The Order of the Annunciation and the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, two of the world's oldest knightly institutions, are still alive today, epitomizing the dynasty's medieval spirit while supporting very modern charitable works in Italy, Switzerland, France, Japan, the United States and elsewhere. Chivalry lives. Today, the House of Savoy remains one of the oldest royal dynasties.
Skyhook's Solar Station in Detroit The switch to more sustainable modes of transportation will require charging infrastructure that performs across weather conditions and is not grid-dependent - Skyhook Solar CEO Daniel Delano

Skyhook Solar, a pioneer of clean energy solutions, today announced the successful launch of a Skyhook Solar Station to power MoGo Detroits new e-charging bikeshare station. The deployment is the first of its kind for MoGos ebikes, advancing Michigans vision for a vibrant, connected community with a range of mobility options.

Skyhooks solar charging components have proven successful in even the darkest and coldest times of the year when other solar solutions fall short. Skyhooks success speaks to the potential for micromobility to perform as a carbon-neutral transportation solution amidst a range of weather conditions. With the successful launch of this partnership, Skyhooks Solar Stations have now been incorporated into five systems in North America.

The switch to more sustainable modes of transportation will require charging infrastructure that performs across weather conditions and is not grid-dependent, said Skyhook Solar CEO Daniel Delano. With our Detroit launch, weve proven that implementing the necessary charging infrastructure for micromobility fleets need not be labor-intensive or costly for cities and municipalities preparing for a more sustainable future.

Skyhook is at the forefront of the micromobility revolution as cities continue to grapple with transportation challenges in the wake of growing city populations and climate change. High-performance eco-friendly solutions for charging micromobility fleets and electric vehicles will be critical in addressing these challenges, and Skyhook Solar Stations have proven successful in a great range of locations.

Adding Skyhooks solar e-charging station to our system continues to solidify MoGo as a leader in micromobility, said Adriel Thornton, Executive Director of MoGo. Bikeshare as a mode of transportation is already sustainable in a number of ways; adding emissions-less infrastructure will only advance our sustainability efforts.

Skyhook Solars modular, movable solar generators are uniquely designed to provide access to power without the expense and long lead time of grid-tied charging infrastructure. The Skyhook platform is designed to be installed in hours in both remote areas and cities. The Solar Stations unique bifacial panel design delivers more energy with less maintenance  an ideal feature to cut bike share operating costs.

MoGos vision is to ensure that all people in Metro Detroit have access to equitable and reliable transportation. With ebikes that are ridden three times more often than our standard pedal bikes, charging stations are vital to MoGos growth and success, as they keep ebikes charged without removing them from the system. With the addition of Skyhooks station, our vision for the future continues to be realized.

Funding for MoGo's Skyhook station was made possible by a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

About Skyhook Solar

Skyhook Solar is the leader in clean energy solutions for charging electric vehicles and micromobility fleets, including ebikes and scooters. Our standalone Solar Stations generate plug-and-play power practically anywhere  whether theres grid infrastructure or not.

Deployed without permitting or site construction, Skyhook Solar Stations can be rolled out fast and at scale to not only deliver EV and micromobility charging solutions but also to bring broadband internet to places where it currently does not exist.

At Skyhook, we envision a future where everyone has access to sustainable and carbon-neutral utilities that facilitate a more sustainable and equitable planet. Were on a mission to make that vision a reality.

Skyhook Solar is proudly based in Carbondale, CO. To learn more, please visit https://www.skyhooksolar.com/.

About MoGo

With 650 bikes located at 78 stations in Metro Detroit, MoGo is a non-profit organization that strives to serve a wide range of people and needs. MoGo is made possible by generous support from its title sponsors, Henry Ford Health and Health Alliance Plan (HAP), the city of Detroit, Shift Transit and Downtown Detroit Partnership, who have been partners in fostering healthy, vibrant, and active communities through bikeshare since 2017.

To learn more, please visit https://mogodetroit.org/.
Stephanie Haas "I am confident Stephanies skills and leadership will continue to enhance our capabilities in providing superior service to agency customers and policyholders, said Greg Crabb, president and chief executive officer at Amerisure.

Amerisure Insurance is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Haas to vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary. In this role, Ms. Haas will lead Amerisures office of corporate legal.

We are very pleased to name Stephanie Haas as Amerisures vice president of general counsel and corporate secretary, said Greg Crabb, president and chief executive officer at Amerisure. With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and an extensive legal background, I am confident Stephanies skills and leadership will continue to enhance our capabilities in providing superior service to agency customers and policyholders.

Ms. Haas most recently led corporate litigation at Amerisure and provided legal oversight on underwriting, product, coverage, and compliance issues. She also led the organizations government affairs function, interacting frequently with regulatory bodies and industry trade associations to both assure compliance and advocate for the company and industry.

Prior to joining Amerisure in 2018, Ms. Haas served as vice president, assistant general counsel at QBE Insurance, where she managed complex, high-valued litigation matters and provided legal guidance to various business units. She began her insurance career as a casualty claims adjuster before obtaining her law degree.

Ms. Haas earned a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate (with honors) from the University of Minnesota. She is also admitted to practice law in Illinois and with the U.S. Supreme Court.

About Amerisure Insurance

Amerisure is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. Amerisure has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit amerisure.com.
Freedom: A Collection: a potent selection of poetic writings that encourage readers in the pursuit of Christ. Freedom: A Collection is the creation of published author Steven G. Ryder, Sr., a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who graduated from Baptist Bible College, now Summit University.

Ryder shares, Freedom: A Collection was Gods choice!

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Steven G. Ryder, Sr.s new book brings readers a powerful anthology that is certain to encourage the spirit.

Ryder draws from a deep, abiding faith in God and passion for creative writing that stretches back beyond the 1960s.

Consumers can purchase Freedom: A Collection at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Freedom: A Collection, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Speakers will discuss the need for different types of data to construct a complete clinical picture  and how a data-driven approach can drive impact across both research and clinical practice.

The value of real-world data is clear. The acceptance of real-world evidence (RWE) is growing. But is this enough to propel RWE from being a nice-to-have to a must-have?

PicnicHealth is hosting a four-part webinar series to reframe the ROI for RWE generation and tackle the question: beyond the return on investment for RWE, what is the risk of inaction?

This webinar will explore relevant examples of how Data Science and Digital Health are accelerating pharmaceutical innovation and driving impact for patients. Bringing together global experts with diverse perspectives spanning regulatory, R&D and health tech, this conversation will highlight innovative, RWD-driven approaches to drug development and regulatory decision-making. Speakers will discuss the need for different types of data to construct a complete clinical picture  and how a data-driven approach can drive impact across both research and clinical practice.

Register today to learn more about the transformational value of real-world data for drug development and regulatory decision-making.

Join Jesper Kjr, Director of The Data Analytics Centre at the Danish Medicines Agency, Co-Chair for HMA / EMA Big Data Steering Group; Najat Khan, Chief Data Science Officer and Global Head of Strategy & Operations, Janssen Research & Development; Noga Leviner, Co-Founder & CEO, PicnicHealth; and Evelyn Pyper (webinar moderator), Evidence Strategist, PicnicHealth, for the live webinar on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 8:30am EST (2:30pm CET/EU-Central).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit The RWE ROI Series: The Transformational Value of Real-World Data for Drug Development and Regulatory Decision-Making.

ABOUT PICNICHEALTH

PicnicHealth is a healthcare technology company that partners directly with patients to build deep real-world datasets. The company leverages state-of-the-art machine learning, combined with human curation, to port complete medical records into an easy-to-use online application. The platform gives patients unprecedented access to and control over their medical records and, with their consent, the opportunity to contribute this valuable data to further scientific research. Learn more at PicnicHealth.com.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

Contact:

Vera Kovacevic

Tel: +1 (416) 977-6555 x371

Email: vkovacevic@xtalks.com
Town of Guilderland Joins Community of Local Buyers with the Empire State Purchasing Group We look forward to being able to improve our efficiency by using the Empire State Purchasing Group.

Today, the Town of Guilderland announces it has joined the Empire State Purchasing Group, a regional purchasing community by Bidnet Direct. Local government agencies throughout New York State utilize the purchasing group for bid and vendor management. The Town of Guilderland invites all potential vendors to register online with the Empire State Purchasing Group to access its upcoming solicitations by visiting http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/townofguilderland.

The Town of Guilderland joins the Empire State Purchasing Group and the community of nearly 325 participating local government agencies located throughout New York. Along with a variety of bid and vendor management solutions, the Town of Guilderland gains access to a bid library to help with bid creation, a shared pool of vendors, and association with like-minded purchasing professionals in the area.

Collaboration is important to us, says Lynne Buchanan, Town Clerk of the Town of Guilderland. We look forward to being able to improve our efficiency by using the Empire State Purchasing Group. In addition to our time savings, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state. We invite all of our current vendors to register, she continued.

Vendors interested in doing business with the Town of Guilderland and other nearby government agencies are encouraged to register at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/townofguilderland. Benefits of joining the Empire State Purchasing Group include:



Centralized location for bids from nearly 325 participating agencies

Bid alerts customized to the vendors products or services

Reliable and timely delivery of notifications, addenda and documents

Advanced notice of Term Contract expiration

E-Bid and E-Quote Submission

The Empire State Purchasing Group is one of Bidnet Directs regional purchasing groups throughout the country. It provides the Town of Guilderland a bid and vendor management solution, document and addendum distribution, and tracking of all activity throughout the procurement process.

About the Town of Guilderland:

Guilderland is readily accessible from, and offers access to, all locations within the region and beyond. Interstate highway interchanges in or near Guilderland offer easy routes to Boston, Syracuse and Buffalo on I-90, to New York City and Montreal on I-87, and to Binghamton and the Southern Tier on I-88. Passenger rail service is provided at the nearby Amtrak stations in Schenectady and Albany/Rensselaer, and the expanded and upgraded Albany International Airport is a short drive from anywhere in Guilderland.

Schools in Guilderland are among the best in New York State. Shopping and professional services of all varieties are located within or in close proximity to the Town.

The uniquely varied nature of the Capital District provides Guilderland residents with the opportunities represented by world-class higher education, research, health care, retail, wholesale, commerce, transportation, and cultural affairs.

At the same time, Guilderland provides a community environment offering quiet and secure residential living in both suburban and rural settings.

About Bidnet Direct:

Bidnet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. Bidnet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Empire State Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers
"KwiKom has a proven track record of stellar customer service and capacity to expand. Their high-caliber team and impressive services portfolio align perfectly with WANRack's vision for growth.

WANRack, LLC (WANRack), a national leader of custom fiber optic network deployments headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Iola, Kansas-based JMZ Corporation d/b/a KwiKom Communications (KwiKom). KwiKom builds and operates fiber optic and fixed wireless broadband networks that serve residential and business customers in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The two companies will continue operating under their respective brands following the acquisition.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The closing of the agreement is subject to closing conditions and customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

"We are extremely excited to welcome KwiKom into the WANRack family, said Mike Brigman, WANRack's President & Chief Operating Officer. "KwiKom has a proven track record of stellar customer service and capacity to expand. Their high-caliber team and impressive services portfolio align perfectly with WANRack's vision for growth.

Zach Peres, President of KwiKom stated, "KwiKom's mission is to connect communities, big and small. Our team has built a great network and business over the past 10 years, and we are geared up for future growth! In partnership with WANRack and their financial partner, CBRE Investment Management, we will now be able to exponentially advance our strategic goals. The two companies are an excellent fit!"

Noi Spyratos, Managing Director of CBRE IM Private Infrastructure stated, Were excited to support the continued growth of our portfolio company WANRack through the acquisition of KwiKom. This transaction will enhance WANRacks presence in Kansas and beyond, and expand our service offerings to now include FTTx capabilities.

TD Securities acted as the exclusive financial advisor to WANRack on the transaction.

About WANRack

WANRack provides high-bandwidth, fiber-based infrastructure and related services to schools, hospitals, libraries, enterprise and carrier customers throughout the continental United States. Service offerings include E-Rate-compliant lit fiber, dark fiber, and special construction solutions. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the company provides bespoke fiber solutions, which eliminates countless points of failure found in typical legacy networks. To learn more about WANRack, visit http://www.wanrack.com.

About JMZ Corporation, d/b/a KwiKom Communications

KwiKom provides internet and voice services today, with video service launching in the first quarter of 2023. Founded in 2010, KwiKoms ever expanding network services an area of more than 30,000 square miles, across 75 counties in four states. For the last five years, KwiKom has been expanding into gigabit fiber network services to homes and businesses across multiple markets in Kansas. To learn more about KwiKom, visit http://www.KwiKom.com.

###

SOURCE WANRack, LLC

For more information, call Macie Heller at (913) 909-5491, or email macie.heller@wanrack.com.


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  An expansive, multidecadal agricultural dataset is now available from Purdue University. The Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC) drainage research data are from a long-term subsurface drainage project that was conducted at SEPAC in Jennings County, Indiana, from 1984 to 2020. SEPAC is one of eight Purdue Agricultural Centers (PACs) across Indiana that researchers use to conduct applied field crop and animal research. This project was funded in part by the Agricultural Research and Graduate Education (ARGE) office at Purdue and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The original goals of the project were to evaluate the effects of different subsurface drain spacings on drain flow and corn growth and yield, says Eileen Kladivko, professor in the Department of Agronomy and lead-author of the study. A significant finding was that modern drainage is effective at improving crop growth and yield on these soils that had traditionally not been tile drained; therefore, farmers and landowners in this region have a greater confidence that installing drainage can be a worthwhile investment.

Additional objectives were added over the years, especially related to movement of agricultural chemicals through the soil into the drainage waters. Now publicly available for use, these data capture changes in drain flow, water quality and crop yield across times of significant change in farm management practices. The main data included are drain flow and nitrate-N concentrations and loads from each of six tile drains, collected on a daily basis, from 1985 through 2015. The agronomic data include crop yields (corn, soybean) and grain moisture content from 1984 through 2020. Weather data were collected on site or at nearby weather stations and are included in the dataset.

We need long-term studies like these, over a number of years of varying weather patterns, to know the actual impacts of agriculture on water quality and the practices that can improve water quality, Kladivko says. Water quality is affected both by human activities and natural weather variations, and decadal studies are important to understand the impacts of both.

This is a rare type of dataset, having so many years of data all put together, so its really a tribute to Purdue to have had such an experiment and to have such data available for others to use, says Laura Bowling, professor in the Department of Agronomy and co-author of the study.

The dataset includes four Purdue Extension publications and a list of research publications, along with the data mentioned above. Data may be useful for researchers, agency staff, extension personnel and farmers/landowners testing various models of drainage, water quality and crop yield with time.

Key findings include the greater loss of nitrate into drainage waters with narrower drain spacings, and the impact of cover crops on reducing nitrate losses to drainage water, says Kladivko. We still need more work on technologies to improve our aging drainage systems for both adequate drainage and improved water quality across the vast tile-drained landscapes of Indiana and the Midwest, and without PACs, long-term research like this dataset would not have been possible.

This research has been an important part of the PAC Field Days, providing educational opportunities for commodity producers, crop/livestock advisors and others seeking knowledge in crop production, farm management, land use and other issues.

For more information and to view the data: https://purr.purdue.edu/publications/3954/1

Writer: Nyssa Lilovich, 765-494-7077 nclilovi@purdue.edu

Sources: Eileen Kladivko, kladivko@purdue.edu

Laura Bowling, bowling@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
Marissa Tremblay, assistant professor of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences at Purdue University and an expert in geochronology, led an all-woman team of researchers into the wilds of Antarctica to research the climate history of the continent  and the planet. (Purdue University photo courtesy of Marissa Tremblay)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The standard image of Antarctica is vast, featureless sheets of ice and blowing blizzards. But soaring rocky mountains with deep valleys cut like a knife into the continent of Antarctica, evoking the lavish landscapes of the American Southwests Monument Valley. Here, ancient rocks reach for the cold blue sky, and here is where Marissa Tremblay, assistant professor of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences in Purdue Universitys College of Science, led her team of science experts  all of whom happen to be women.

Their goal in traveling to what is essentially the ends of the Earth was to look far into the past of Antarcticas climate history. Researchers have long examined ice cores to understand the climate history of Antarctica, but that research can go only as far back as the oldest ice they can access.

To dig deeper into the past  to learn more about some of Earths warm periods, when Antarctica lost much of its ice  scientists need to look to the rocks.

Tremblay is a noble gas geochemist who has pioneered a new way of looking at rocks and analyzing what temperatures they have experienced using tiny amounts of noble gas inside the rock. She has already used this technique to study climate history in the European Alps and other places, and she hopes that Antarctic rocks will tell an even older story, taking a deeper dive into ancient history.

One of the most exciting things about this trip  other than the trip itself  is the possibility of revealing how warm the Antarctic continent was before our oldest ice core records, Tremblay said. Understanding what Antarctica, and the Earth, looked like in the past can help us peer into and predict potential futures.

Tremblay and her team trekked into Antarcticas remote McMurdo Dry Valleys to sample rocks and record the weather, temperature and atmospheric conditions at a number of sites. The rocks here, at one of the driest and most remote places on Earth, are devoid of ice. They have been exposed to the atmosphere, and almost nothing else, for millions of years.

The team included Tremblays doctoral student Emily Apel, who is focusing on this research as part of her dissertation; geologist Jennifer Lamp of Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, who oversaw the weather and temperature instruments; and geochemist Marie Bergelin of the Berkeley Geochronology Center, who sampled rocks and helped install the instruments.

The rock samples they collected are being sent in cold storage on a ship to Tremblays lab at Purdue. Once they arrive, she will use her unique expertise to analyze the samples and conduct more detailed research alongside Darryl Granger, Purdue geologist and professor of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences.

Three to 3.3 million years ago, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were similar to today, and sea levels were 50 feet or more higher  about the height of a five-story building! Tremblay said. This required the entire Greenland ice sheet to have melted, as well as a significant portion of the Antarctic ice sheets. Today, ice sheets cover most of Antarctica, but they are vulnerable to climate change. But just how vulnerable are they, and how much will they contribute to sea level rise as our planet continues to warm? Those are the questions were hoping to answer with this new research.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Writer/Media contact: Brittany Steff, bsteff@purdue.edu

Source: Marissa Tremblay, tremblam@purdue.edu
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ABC/Stewart Cook

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/11/2023



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile have revealed their priorities when it comes to planning their wedding.Serena and Joe already got married in a quickie courthouse wedding in New York in October, but they have plans for a bigger wedding -- for family and friends to join -- in September 2023.Serena and Joe are currently deep into their weddings plans, as they just met with their wedding planner Christina Janda last week.And Serena recently took to Instagram Stories to conduct a Q&A session with her fans, many of whom asked about her upcoming nuptials.When asked what's important to her for her big day, Serena replied, "So I think wedding priorities are obviously personal and different for every couple.""But these are a few that Joe and I want to focus on: Guest experience -- we want our friends and family to have a super fun and memorable experience. Good food + good drinks + good music," she continued, according to BachelorNation.com.Serena added, "And as people that work in the social media space we are so excited to see how the photos and videos turn out!"Another fan wanted to know how the planning process has been going for the couple, who fell in love on 's seventh season in 2021."It's going great!" Serena gushed. "It's definitely overwhelming and can be a little stressful, but shout out to our wedding planner Christine for helping us through it!"Serena also shared a link to a YouTube video that shows the pair touring their first-choice wedding venue, The Cedar Room in Charleston, SC, late last year.While they had second and third backup options in mind, Serena noted how she and Joe hoped to love Option No. 1 so they could just stop their search.Serena gushed about how The Cedar Room "looked even better in person" and she thought Charleston would be "the perfect weekend wedding destination.""I don't have any personal connection to this place, but I think us getting married here will give us a personal connection. This place will become special because it's where we'll have our wedding!" Serena explained."My only complaint with Charleston -- the one thing that is going to be a huge issue on our wedding day -- is the freaking humidity here. Guys, look at my hair!"At the end of the video, Serena and Joe confirmed they had decided on The Cedar Room as their venue."We are super excited, and we think this space is going to be beautiful for our wedding. Next up is wedding dress shopping!" Serena said.In November 2022, Joe and Serena said they had no desire to televise their wedding and share it with Bachelor Nation fans.Joe looked at Serena in a YouTube video and said, "Anything in this world can change, but I highly doubt it."The pair, who currently live in New York together , had intended to keep their first wedding a secret and only share the news with close family and friends, but a person apparently spotted them at the courthouse and so Serena and Joe were worried the story may get leaked.Serena and Joe therefore posted a sweet video of their union on Instagram late last year, announcing their marriage in their own special way.The 7 finale, which featured Joe's marriage proposal to Serena, aired in October 2021.Serena told Us Weekly in September that she and Joe hadn't started planning their wedding yet."We have to be a little flexible in terms of venues and such and what's available," Serena told Us at the time. "But we would love to get married next September. We definitely wanna get married next year."Serena also revealed that she and Joe would've be open to "maybe August or October" in 2023 as well.Serena admitted she was "very overwhelmed by the planning process" but felt ready to dive in."Joe will start off saying, 'Whatever you want,' but he is an opinionated guy. He has a vision for the wedding, for sure," Serena shared in September."I think it's actually gonna be very 50/50. I want it to feel like our wedding, not my wedding. And if anything, I would say he's probably more opinionated than I am about this stuff... It'll be a team effort."As far as her wedding gown goes, Serena didn't have a dream dress in mind as of last year."I think once we see the venue and where we pick to get married, I'll be able to start envisioning a mood board for the dress and the hair and the makeup," Serena explained."But I don't wanna, like, look or feel like anyone else on that day. You know, I love my neutral, glowy bronzed makeup and that's probably what I'm gonna do on my wedding day even though that's what I do every day because that's what I love."She added, "For my wedding dress, I want it to be comfortable. If I have to wear it all night, I want to be comfortable in it."Serena and her fiance celebrated their engagement party in July 2022, and that's when their parents met each other.Serena and Joe believe they established a strong relationship foundation while filming .Serena, for instance, never let the fact Joe's ex-girlfriend of nearly two years, Kendall Long , was on the beach get in the way of her connection with Joe.Serena kept her eye on the prize, avoided jealousy, and trusted Joe as Kendall sought closure.Looking back on Joe's marriage proposal, Serena previously told Becca Kufrin on her "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast how she was in "complete shock" by Joe's decision to propose marriage on the show."The logical thing to do would be like, 'This is crazy. This is so fast, let's just do the step-by-step thing and get engaged down the line,'" Serena explained at the time."I was so emotional when he got down on one knee and I was so excited to say 'yes.' I was obviously in complete shock but I knew he was the one."Serena called the moment "beautiful" and insisted she had no regrets about the quick engagement.Prior to appearing on 7, Joe got eliminated very early from Becca's season of The Bachelorette and met Kendall on Season 5 of Paradise.Despite being happy and in love, Joe and Kendall broke up because they couldn't agree on whether to live in Chicago or Kendall's home city of Los Angeles long-term.Joe gave Los Angeles a chance during and after his stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2018 and wanted to move back to Chicago to be with his friends and family, but Kendall apparently wouldn't even consider relocating and trying out a life in Chicago. (Kendall is now engaged and living with her fiance in Germany).And Serena dumped Matt James on his The Bachelor season that aired in early 2021 after her hometown date.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
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Disney named a new board chairman on Wednesday while continuing to fend off billionaire investor Nelson Peltz's bid to join.

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Nike executive Mark Parker was elected chairman following an annual meeting of shareholders, Disney said in a press release. Parker has been a board member for seven years and is the executive chairman of Nike.

Parker succeeds Susan E. Arnold, whose 15-year term limit as chairwoman precluded her from seeking re-election. The board will be reduced to 11 members sans Arnold.

"Mark Parker's vision, incredible depth of experience and wise counsel have been invaluable to Disney, and I look forward to continuing working with him in his new role, along with our other directors, as we chart the future course for this amazing company," said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.

"On behalf of my fellow Board members and the entire Disney management team, I also want to thank Susan for her superb leadership as Chairman and for her tireless work over the past 15 years as an exemplary steward of the Disney brand."

The board nominated several of its members for re-election, while recommending shareholders not support the nomination of Peltz. Trian Group nominated Peltz, who founded Trian Fund Management. L.P. in 2005. The group also proposed amendments to the board's bylaws.

Peltz is considered an activist investor who seeks to gain significant influence over how The Walt Disney Company operates. According to CNBC, Peltz believes the company has "lost its way" as its financial performance has weakened in the past year.

Disney plans to file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as does Trian Group, setting the stage for a corporate tussle over the future of the company.

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"The Walt Disney Company remains open to constructive engagement and ideas that help drive shareholder value," Disney said.

"While senior leadership of The Walt Disney Company and its Board of Directors have engaged with Mr. Peltz numerous times over the last few months, the Board does not endorse the Trian Group nominee, and recommends that shareholders not support its nominee."
Prince Harry's memoir Spare released on Tuesday amid a flurry of media appearances has already sold over 1.4 million copies.

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Per Penguin Random House, the publishers of the record-setting memoirs by Barack and Michelle Obama , the book's sales from the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom include hardcover, audiobook, and e-book versions.

Spare sold 400,000 copies in the United Kingdom alone, making it the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the country's history.

"We always knew this book would fly but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations," Larry Finlay, the managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House, told The Guardian.

"As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry [Potter]."

In the memoir, Harry, 38, details his tumultuous relationship with the British royal family including his father King Charles, and his brother Prince William . He also talks about grieving over his mother, Princess Diana , who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

In the book, as excerpted by People, he wrote about his feelings after asking to drive through the Pont de l'Alma tunnel that his mother died in, at 65 mph, the same speed the car she was a passenger in was going when it crashed.

"It had been a very bad idea," Harry wrote. "I'd had plenty of bad ideas in my twenty-three years, but this one was uniquely ill-conceived. I'd told myself that I wanted closure, but I didn't really. Deep down, I'd hoped to feel in that tunnel what I'd felt when JLP gave me the police files -- disbelief. Doubt. Instead, that was the night all doubt fell away.

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She's dead, I thought. My God, she's really gone for good."

Harry said that it was the first time he realized his mother was truly gone and that instead of diminishing his pain over the loss, it made it much worse.

Harry has been on a major press tour, sharing details about the book and the royal family with interviewers ranging from Good Morning America's Michael Strahan to Stephen Colbert.

Reviews of the book have ranged from sympathetic to scathing, but they are not slowing sales.

"We sold books in every location -- and we sold a lot of them," Shannon DeVito, the director of books at Barnes & Noble told the New York Times. "Some people came in right before work, some people came in on their lunch break, some people came in after," she continued. "But the velocity of sales throughout the day was gigantic."

Reportedly, Spare was sold for $20 million as part of an overall deal that includes his wife Meghan and other book projects the couple may release.

"Spare is the story of someone we may have thought we already knew, but now we can truly come to understand Prince Harry through his own words," Gina Centrello, president and publisher of the Random House Group, said in a statement.

"Looking at these extraordinary first-day sales, readers clearly agree, Spare is a book that demands to be read, and it is a book we are proud to publish."

Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming remains the gold standard of memoirs selling over 15 million copies. It was published in November 2018 and has become one of the best-selling books of all time. It has outsold her husband's memoir A Promised Land which has sold 8 million copies since its release in 2020.
RRR songwriter M.M. Keeravani accepted the Golden Globe for the movie's "Naatu Naatu," but did not get to finish his speech. Keeravani told UPI he was trying to thank his mother, who died Dec. 12 -- the day of the nominations.

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"That was the last good news I shared with her," Keeravani told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "She felt very happy and that was the last thing I told her before she passed away."

The date of the Golden Globe Awards was important to Keeravani, too. Jan. 10 marked the 36th anniversary of the day Keeravani began his apprenticeship with composer K. Chakravarthy.

"Both the dates were very significant to me," Keeravani said. "That's what I wanted to convey further, but the time was up."

RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) is a Telugu action film with musical numbers like the award-winning "Naatu Naatu." Ram Charan Teja and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. play real-life revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, respectively, in a historical fiction about their early adventures together.

Raju and Bheem sing and dance to "Naatu Naatu" at a party held by British officers during the British Raj in the 1920s. They humiliate the British men who cannot keep up with their moves, pulling their suspenders in synchronized choreography.

Keeravani complimented Rama Rao and Charan Teja's stamina in his acceptance speech. The composer told UPI he could not even perform the choreography to his own song.

"I was motivated to repeat the steps they did, but I realized how difficult it was," Keeravani said. "That was the intention of the director -- that what they are doing can't be done by each and every other person."

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In mythologizing Raju and Bheem, director S.S. Rajamouli gave them superhuman dance moves. They also rescue children from explosions, attack the British with an army of animals and ride on each other's shoulders in the film's action scenes.

Keeravani worked with Rajamouli, the actors and choreographer Prem Rakshith in developing "high-energy and high-voltage dance steps" for "Naatu Naatu."

The actors did not sing themselves, however. They lip-synced to Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava's song.

"When you sing and dance, the singing tends to go off key," Keeravani said.

"Naatu Naatu" began with lyrics by Chandrabose, which Keeravani set to music. "Naatu" refers to cultural heritage, or "something that belongs to a village" as Keeravani explained.

"It's the power of dance, power of fun moments and power of the motherland," Keeravani said of them.

RRR also closes with another Keeravani song with lyrics by Ramajogayya Sastry, "Etthara Jenda." Keeravani said "Etthara Jenda" is also celebratory, but more specifically patriotic.

"It's dedicated to all the warriors and freedom fighters," Keeravani said.

RRR opened in March internationally, making $154 million worldwide, $14.7 million of which came from the United States. Screenings with Rajamouli, cast and Keeravani in attendance continue to sell out in Los Angeles as recently as Monday.

"Our emotions are the same," Keeravani said of American audiences that embrace RRR. "The languages are different, but the feelings we have, we share for each other. They're good feelings."

RRR is the 12th Rajamouli film that Keeravani has composed. Keeravani said he hopes fans also discover Eega, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which are all streaming on Netflix, along with a Hindi version of RRR.

"There's no hypocrisy because he's my brother," Keeravani said of his relationship with Rajamouli. "There's nothing to hide from him and there is no ego. He can argue with me very freely."

Indian films blend dramas like action, musical and romance, and Keeravani said he had eclectic tastes himself. Before getting into the movie business, he said, The Exorcist and Enter the Dragon were his favorite films.

"Mostly I'm a great fan of horror and kung fu," Keeravani said.

So far, Keeravani has only worked in film music. He hopes one day to produce music independently, too.

"I'm looking for the right producer to collaborate with," Keeravani said. "In the future, I may collaborate with some artists from the west."

One American artist Keeravani regrets he missed at the Golden Globes was fellow nominee Rihanna. She was seen congratulating the RRR team when they won, but Keeravani didn't cross paths with her.

"I missed a great chance at meeting her because she's one of my favorites, too," Keeravani said. "I like her 'Disturbia' song very much. I hope I get a chance to meet her and convey the same."

"Naatu Naatu" is on the Oscars' shortlist for Original Song nominations, along with Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
On Mondays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Alps Road and on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. on the corner of Barnett Shoals and Gaines School Road, a group of politically active citizens, often retirees, put on public demonstrations through the progressive grassroots organization Indivisible Georgia District 10.

Indivisible GA 10 covers the 25 counties of Georgias 10th congressional district, GA-10, and strives to unite the community through political activism. The group aims to end voter suppression both in their communities and in the nation at large.
Georgias second national championship victory in two years came with a bittersweet feeling.

A number of players on the team were donning red and black for the last time in their college careers. Nolan Smith, Kenny McIntosh, Stetson Bennett, and other parts of the Bulldogs winningest senior class were among the numerous players who have been crucial to the teams success.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunny. Near record high temperatures. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.
BRATTLEBORO  Just before the defense rested and closing arguments began, Kevin Parker and his attorney Chris Montgomery met privately to disc
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Jim Condos has served as Vermont Secretary of State since 2011. He served for eight years in the Vermont Senate representing Chittenden County, and for 18 years on the South Burlington City Council.
Prescription drug prices go up as locally-owned pharmacies go down

To the editor: I second Gino Palmeri's remarks in a letter to the editor ("Hotel Pharmacy will be missed," Jan. 9) about the loss of Brattleboro's Hotel Pharmacy, which has been a boon to our community, thanks to the Giamartinos' welcoming style of management, fair pricing, and always excellent soundtrack.

Letter: Hotel Pharmacy will be missed To the editor: Nothing lasts forever, especially small family-owned businesses. When I heard

The literal cost of this loss  and the acquisition by Walgreens  was driven home to me when I went to pick up a prescription at Walgreens for the first time this weekend, in anticipation of the change-over. A prescription that has consistently cost me $37 at Hotel was priced by Walgreens at  are you sitting down?  a staggering $250. My insistence that this had to be a mistake was greeted with a matter-of-fact assurance that it wasn't, and that I had been "lucky" to have bought it at such a low price previously.

Hotel Pharmacy to close, Walgreens to acquire BRATTLEBORO  Hotel Pharmacy customers have been alerted that the business will close at 6 p

I'll keep this short and won't lapse into a tirade about drug pricing, but this was a graphic illustration of where we seem to be headed as locally-owned and operated pharmacies are driven out of business. If you have to pay for prescription medication, especially out-of-pocket, be sure to check your locally-owned options (in Townshend and Greenfield, Mass., I'm told) before the big chains mow them down and empty your wallet. And contact your elected representative about regulating drug pricing.

Steve Carmichael

Brattleboro, Jan. 10
Property dispute with former deputy foreign minister Kong Korm dates back to the 1980s

Kong Korm was once Cambodias deputy foreign affairs minister and is the father of Kong Monika, a senior official in the main opposition Candlelight Party.

UPDATED at 9:08 a.m. on 01-12-2023

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered an opposition party advisor to turn over his house to the government within a month, the latest wrinkle in a property dispute that dates back to the 1980s.

Kong Korm, who was once Cambodias deputy foreign affairs minister, is the father of Kong Monika, a senior official in the main opposition Candlelight Party.

Since 1982, he has been living on property that Hun Sen claims is owned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is time for the ministry to take the land back, Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook account Wednesday.

He said that although he has allowed Kong Korm to live on the property, the former deputy minister has since faked documents to try to establish ownership for himself.

A government sub decree in 1989 conferred ownership of the disputed property to him, Kong Korm told RFAs Khmer Service on Wednesday.

I didnt secretly apply for the land title. I received the land titles in 1990 and 2015 for ownership of the house and land, he said.

Kong Korm claims that Hun Sen is threatening him for his association with the Candlelight Party. The party secured around 19% of votes in last Junes nationwide local elections while Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, secured around 80% of the contested seats.

Kong Korm is a former member of the ruling party, but he changed his political affiliations in the 1990s, when he returned home after a stint as Cambodias ambassador to Vietnam.

He said that despite the threats, he will remain a supporter of the opposition.

I love democracy, he said. I wont support the ruling party [in exchange] for my house and clemency.

Defamation suit

Meanwhile, the ruling partys office in the southeastern province of Tboung Khmum filed a defamation suit against Kong Korm over comments he made during a recent speech to Candlelight Party members, where he mocked the CPP by alleging that it has origins in Vietnam.

According to the suit, the comments were an attempt by Kong Korm to incite chaos.

The CPP asked the court to prosecute Kong Korm and fine him U.S.$500,000 in compensation for damages.

Kong Korm maintains that his comments did not incite anyone.

I want to raise awareness about my opponents. The CPP doesnt want us to raise any issues that [negatively] affect them, he said. Hun Sen has reacted and asked [other parties] not to say anything that hurts the CPP.

The lawsuit is an attempt to disrupt the upcoming general elections, scheduled for late July, said Am Sam Ath of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights.

He urged the ruling party to forgive the comments, engage in dialogue with the opposition and avoid lawsuits to have a good environment so the election will be recognized as free, fair and just.

Translated by Samean Yun. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.

Update corrects the English spelling of Kong Korm's name.
Kong Korm writes letter admitting his mistakes and thanks prime minister for his forgiveness.

Kong Korm, a Cambodian opposition party advisor, says he made mistakes by not fully understanding the process of obtaining ownership of the home.

Cambodian opposition party advisor Kong Korm has agreed to voluntarily turn over his estimated U.S.$10 million house to the government, bringing to an end a property dispute that dates back to the 1980s.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, ordered that the senior advisor to the main opposition Candlelight Party, who was once Cambodias deputy foreign minister, vacate his home within the month, saying that it was the property of the ministry.

Kong Korm, who is the father of senior Candlelight party official Kong Monika, has been living in the home located in the heart of the capital Phnom Penh since 1982. He had maintained that the property was legally his based on land titles he received in 1990 and 2015.

The change in heart came after he and his wife met for three hours with Om Yentieng, head of Cambodias Anti-Corruption Unit, whom Hun Sen ordered on Wednesday to investigate the case.

"My wife and I have agreed to return the land ....in Cham Kar Mon district, Phnom Penh, back to the government, Kong Korm wrote in a letter addressed to Om Yentieng Wednesday.

He said he made mistakes by not fully understanding the process of obtaining ownership, and he apologized for wasting the Anti-Corruption Units time by causing the investigation.

We thank the Anti-Corruption Unit and the government, specifically Prime Minister Hun Sen, who have forgiven my mistakes, he wrote.

Hun Sen said on his Facebook account that he would take no further legal action against Kong Korm over the matter.

I have decided not to sue him and I agree to end the case when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs repossess the house next week, Hun Sen said.

RFA was unable to reach Kong Korm for comment as of Thursday.

Political commentator Kim Sok told RFAs Khmer Service that in giving in to Hun Sen, Kong Korm was choosing freedom over wealth.

The decision was made to lose wealth in order to avoid prison or threats to personal security, said Kim Sok.

Kim Sok said that he believes Kong Korm legally owns the property, but that he may have presented a threat to Hun Sen because he knows the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party inside and out as a former member, dating back to the days he was a senior government official in the 1980s and 1990s.

Legal trouble might jeopardize Kong Korms right to assist the Candlelight Party during the upcoming general election in July, or his son Kong Monikas right to run for office, Kim Sok said.

Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Anyone who fails the test, or doesn't qualify due to 'unhealthy practices,' will lose their press card

Chinese journalists work near a screen showing content from China Media Group, a grouping of all Chinese state-media, at a press conference held on the sidelines of the 20th Party Congress in Beijing on Oct. 20, 2022.

China says it will require its journalists to take a national professional exam that will test their political correctness and allegiance to Chinas rulers. Those who dont toe the party line could have their press credentials revoked, mimicking a crackdown on the country's lawyers.

From July 1, anyone engaged in newsgathering and editing work in news organizations across China will be required to take the same exam in order to get a "journalist certificate," according to a Dec. 30 directive issued by the country's media regulator, the National Press and Publication Administration.

Applicants must support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, conscientiously study, publicize and implement Xi Jinpings thoughts on the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, resolutely implement the partys theory, line, principles and policies, and adhere to the correct political direction and public opinion guidance, the directive states.

The exams will be set from a bank of questions and answers written by the administration, while the ministry of human resources will be charged with running the exams nationwide and deciding who is eligible to sit them in the first place.

Anyone who has a record of previous "unhealthy newsgathering and editing practices" will be turned away, the rules said, as will anyone who has been dismissed from public office or received a criminal conviction.

The press regulator will keep files on all journalists' professional qualifications and integrity, the directive said.

Beijing-based current affairs commentator Hua Po said press cards are only valid for five years, meaning that journalists will likely need to retake the exam every five years.

"It's a way of strengthening control," Hua said. "I fear that they want to strengthen journalists' grasp of ideology; they won't be able to watch from the sidelines any more."

Steadily tighter clampdown

The exams are compulsory for aspiring journalists and those already working in the sector. However, existing journalists' press cards will be revoked if they fail the exam, meaning they must leave the profession, the rules said.

The clampdown on China's officially approved journalists started with a 2014 requirement for journalists to study Marxism, followed up by ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping in 2016, when he warned during visits to state media organizations that state media are part of the party family, and have a duty to safeguard its authority.

Chinese journalists work at a press center for the 20th Party Congress in Beijing on Oct. 20, 2022. Credit: Associated Press

The government brought in a less well-defined political test for journalists in 2020 with the advent of a new centrally issued press pass, but the new exam will be far broader, and test journalists' ability to give politically correct answers in a professional setting.

"The amount of control they have will be higher than ever, now that it has moved to a unified national examination," said a former journalist who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals. "Journalists aren't allowed to speak out ... or to tell the truth."

"It's a tragedy for journalists; it means things will only get tougher for them in future -- it'll be kind of like the lawyers, who have to be reissued with their license."

Statistics from the state-run All-China Journalists Association showed a total of 194,263 accredited state journalists in China as of December 2021.

However, only 180,075 journalists passed the 2021 political testing and vetting process, with 24 news organizations and 353 journalists stripped of their credentials due to "suspected violations of laws and regulations."

China is the worlds biggest jailer of journalists, with a total of 110 currently behind bars, the Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders said in a 2022 annual report.

Alien concept

Taiwan-based Chinese dissident Gong Yujian said the notion of the press as having the freedom to criticize those in power was an alien concept in China.

"Under this one-party dictatorship, there is no freedom of the press, nor any freedom of speech," Gong said. "Any journalist with a conscience can't last."

He said most media organizations that published cutting-edge reporting about official corruption and injustice like Southern Weekend and historical journal Yanhuang Chunqiu were purged in around 2015, while dissidents who give interviews to foreign media organizations are routinely jailed for doing so.

A former Chinese journalist who gave only the pseudonym Chen said he had worked in a state-run newspaper but had never needed to take any exams to keep his press card.

He said the exam will likely lead to a cull of journalists across the country.

"If there are fewer reporters, it will be harder for the public to find out about things, and fewer news organizations will make it easier to control them," Chen said.

A veteran journalist who gave only the nickname Xiao Qiong, for fear of political retaliation, said the previous test that the new exam will replace requires people to parrot a bunch of patriotic slogans.

"You must love China, love the party, and support the Chinese Communist Party," she said. "The news media must function as the mouthpiece of the party. That is the gist of it, then there are other questions too."







Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (second from left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, Jan. 4, 2023.

Beijing says it remains committed to joint oil exploration with Manila in the disputed South China Sea despite a Philippine Supreme Court decision that declared a previous such deal, also involving China, unconstitutional.

The court this week voided a 2005 agreement with China and Vietnam because it involved wholly foreign-owned companies exploring waters for natural resources belonging to the Philippines.

During a state visit to China last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume exploration talks at an early date, after Manila had terminated negotiations in June 2022 due to Beijings territorial claims in the sea region.

On Thursday, reporters asked Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin about last weeks discussions with Marcos in light of the court ruling.

The 2005 deal was an important step by the three countries to implement the [Declaration on the Conduct of Parties] and a useful experiment for maritime cooperation between parties to the South China Sea. It played an important role in promoting stability, cooperation and development in the region, Wang said during a daily press conference.

China remains committed to properly handling maritime disputes in the South China Sea with countries directly concerned, including the Philippines, through dialogue and consultation, and to actively exploring ways for practical maritime cooperation including joint exploration, he added.

For its part, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it was still studying the Supreme Courts decision but that all its actions and policy recommendations are, at all times, anchored on the Philippine constitution and laws.

Cases decided by the Supreme Court form part of our legal system, and the Department is duty-bound to take applicable cases into consideration in any future discussion with China on oil and gas, the department said in a statement Thursday.

The Philippines depends heavily on oil imports but has had a hard time finding foreign partners to help with tapping into its offshore energy reserves because of Chinas overlapping claims.

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the ruling had made the legal parameters for a joint exploration with a foreign company clearer.

Manila, he said, could tap Beijing as a service contractor to comply with the court ruling.

The service contractor is the agent and the Philippines government is the principal, Carpio said in a message to reporters.

The Philippines will have full control of the operations under the service contract.

Manila pushed for a similar direction under Marcos immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. However, Beijing rejected it because it would have been tantamount to acknowledging Philippine sovereignty in the area, a former Department of Energy official involved in the negotiations told RFA-affiliate BenarNews on Thursday.

Under Duterte, Manila and Beijing in 2018 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development.

Last June, Duterte terminated the talks after both sides failed to resolve the issue of sovereignty over Reed Bank, the proposed exploration site, because of Beijings claims that overlap with Manilas in the South China Sea.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea on historical grounds, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Beijing also claims historic rights to areas of the waterway that overlap Indonesias exclusive economic zone

Beijing has ignored a 2016 international arbitration court ruling won by Manila that invalidated Chinas vast claims in the South China Sea.

Marcos has repeatedly stated that his government would assert the ruling. Manila already has filed 65 diplomatic protests against Beijing under Marcos leadership.

In June, when Manila terminated the exploration deal with Beijing, then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said both sides had tried their best, local media reported.

Locsin said: Three years on and we have not achieved our objective  developing oil and gas resources so critical for the Philippines but not at the price of sovereignty. Not even a particle of it.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service
China hits out at British officials for meeting with Lai's legal team, who tried to meet with the prime minister.

Signage for Next Digital and Apple Daily are seen outside the offices of the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong on June 17, 2021.

Authorities in Hong Kong on Thursday delisted pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai's Next Digital amid a war of words over his treatment between China and Britain.

Next Digital's share listing, which had an estimated market value of H.K. $765 million (U.S. $98 million) was canceled from 9:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, according to a statement from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which said the company had "failed to ... resume trading in its shares by Dec. 16."

Taiwan financial expert Luo Cheng-tsung said the move had little to do with financial regulation and everything to do with political developments in Hong Kong, where the ruling Chinese Communist Party has taken direct control of the city's daily life, citing the "chaos" of the 2019 protest movement that called for fully democratic elections.

"This development was inevitable given the changing of the political line in Hong Kong and changes in the situation for Hong Kong media organizations," Luo said, blaming a citywide crackdown on dissent under a draconian national security law imposed on the city from July 1, 2020.

"Investment risks will increase to the extent that Hong Kong is becoming more like mainland China," he said.

The delisting of Next Digital comes amid an ongoing war of words between Britain and China over calls for Lai's release.

Lai's lawyers recently called for a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a bid to discuss ways to secure the release of Lai, who is a British citizen.

Instead, they met with junior foreign office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan on Jan. 10, according to the Hong Kong government.

Sunak told the House of Commons on Jan. 11 that he would "remain robustly engaged" in the matter, and that his government is already taking action on Hong Kong, "not least [by] providing refuge for hundreds of thousands of people and being robust in standing up to what we believe to be Chinese aggression and the undermining of the settlement that we fought so hard to achieve."

Beijing's foreign ministry commissioner's office in Hong Kong said the British government was "interfering in Hong Kong affairs."

"[This office] strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the meeting between U.K. foreign office officials and Jimmy Lais purported 'international legal team' and their rhetoric that interfered in Hong Kong affairs," it said, accusing them of "trying to whitewash anti-China forces in Hong Kong."

"The facts and evidence of Jimmy Lais case are clear, and Hong Kong courts will make a fair verdict," a spokesman for the office said in a statement on its website that was echoed word-for-word by a statement from the Hong Kong government.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said on Jan. 10 that the ministry "remain[s] concerned about the targeting of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, and are following these cases carefully."

"We continue to make clear to mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities our strong opposition to the National Security Law, which is being used to curtail freedoms, punish dissent and shrink the space for opposition, free press and civil society," he said.

The ministry "remain[s] concerned about the targeting of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, and are following these cases carefully," says Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Britains Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister. Credit: AFP file photo

Lawyers 'have lost confidence'

Lai was sentenced on Dec. 12 to five years and nine months in jail for fraud, in what analysts said was a further blow to attempts to restore the city's reputation as a financial and business hub.

Meanwhile, his trial on several charges of "collusion with a foreign power" under the national security law has been postponed until September 2023, and Beijing has permitted the Hong Kong government to disbar foreign lawyers from representing him.

Australia-based activist and lawyer Kevin Yam said Lai's legal team appears to be making a bid to turn Lai's case into a diplomatic matter, now that they are likely to be banned from representing him in court.

"It's pretty clear that Jimmy Lai's lawyers have lost confidence in Hong Kong's legal system, and feel that such cases would be better handled at the diplomatic level, as in the case of Chinese dissidents Wang Dan and Chen Guangcheng," Yam said.

"It's possible that they have noticed a softer tone from China on diplomatic matters in recent months and see that as an opportunity to deal with it at a diplomatic rather than a legal level," he said.

"It's sad, because it confirms that Jimmy Lai is being treated like a hostage."

He said Hong Kong has already suffered irreparable damage to its reputation as an independent, common law judiciary.

"That request alone was enough to send the message that nobody is confident that Hong Kong's legal system can handle cases in a non-political manner," he said. "That battle has been lost."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
A woman works on a protest sign in Jakarta showing crossed-out portraits of junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, during a rally against the Myanmar military coup he led, April 24, 2021.

As the 2023 chair of ASEAN, Indonesia must push Myanmar to end violence and restore democracy nearly two years after the Burmese generals overthrew an elected government, Human Rights Watch said Thursday in launching its worldwide annual report.

The New York-based watchdog group urged Indonesia and eight other members of the regional bloc to not support the Myanmar juntas planned election this year until it releases political prisoners. Myanmar is one of ASEANs 10 members.

As the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2023, Indonesia should promote new and stronger action to address widespread abuses by the military junta in Myanmar, HRW said in a news release accompanying the release of its World Report 2023.

HRWs Asia director called on Indonesia to take action to hold the Myanmar junta accountable for its failure to implement a regional five-point consensus.

At an emergency summit in Jakarta in April 2021 and in the presence of the Burmese junta chief, ASEAN leaders adopted this plan that aimed to end post-coup bloodshed and turmoil as well as return Myanmar to a democratic path.

Ending Myanmars litany of abuses requires action, not just words, Elaine Pearson told reporters in Jakarta. ASEAN should consider suspending the Myanmar junta for its repeated failure to uphold the blocs commitment to a people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN.

A military coup in Myanmar ousted the government led by Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021.

The five-point consensus called for an end to violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, mediation by a special ASEAN envoy, provisions of humanitarian assistance and a visit to Myanmar by an ASEAN delegation.

Indonesia and other ASEAN countries have expressed disappointment at the juntas failure to implement the consensus, and human rights advocates and others have widely criticized the regional bloc for its collective weakness in pressing the junta in Naypyidaw to abide by the plan.

Regional observers and analysts, as well as the previous foreign minister of Malaysia, have said it was time to get rid of the consensus and devise a new plan that was time-bound and included enforcement mechanisms.

Despite such concerns, Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who met on Monday, said the five-point consensus was the best route to resolving the crisis in Myanmar.

Two days later, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said her nation, as the holder of this years ASEAN chair, was setting up a special envoys office to deal with Myanmar under terms of the consensus.

[I]ndonesia will make every effort to help Myanmar out of the political crisis, she said. Only through engagement with all stakeholders, can the 5PC [five-point consensus] mandate regarding facilitation for the creation of a national dialogue be carried out.

A protester against Myanmars junta holds a sign criticizing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Mandalay, Myanmar, June 5, 2021. [Stringer/Reuters]





On Thursday, Pearson called on ASEAN and the United Nations to not lend legitimacy to polls planned by the junta for this year, calling it a charade and sham.

Indonesia should be working with a smaller group of like-minded governments to take concrete measures to stop the junta from violating the rights of its citizens and tell the junta that there will be no support for any election until all political prisoners are freed, she said.

Since the coup, the Burmese junta has carried out a widespread campaign of torture, arbitrary arrests and attacks that target civilians, the United Nations and human rights groups have said. More than 2,700 people have been killed and more than 17,000 have been arrested in Myanmar, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

However, an analyst at Jenderal Soedirman University in Purwokerto, said Indonesia should ensure that the election proceeds because it could be the first step to a more durable peace in Myanmar.

As the election is planned for August, the Indonesian government can still put more pressure on Myanmar, Agus Haryanto told BenarNews.

Reconciliation isnt working

Along with allowing the vote to proceed, Indonesia should promote reconciliation in Myanmar, not just among the elite, but at the grassroots level as well, he said.

We are seeing the influx of Rohingya refugees to Aceh. Its an indication that reconciliation isnt working in Myanmar, he said.

Last week, Indonesias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Rohingya arrivals at Aceh totaled 574 last year, adding that since 2020, 1,155 Rohingya have arrived in Aceh.

Amnesty International said the latest Rohingya arrival highlights the deteriorating situation in Myanmar following the military coup, as well as the dire conditions at refugee camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district.

About 1 million Rohingya, including about 740,000 who fled Myanmar since a brutal military offensive in Rakhine began in August 2017, live in the crowded refugee camps in Coxs Bazar, a southeastern district by the Myanmar border.

Many of the stateless people have grown desperate because they see no hope of being repatriated to Myanmar, rights advocates and NGOs in the region have said. The Rohingya in Bangladesh cannot work or properly educate their children at these camps.

In 2022 alone, more than 2,000 Rohingya have taken to the sea in smugglers boats in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, with nearly 200 reportedly people dying so far, UNHCR said.

Members of Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion elite police force stand guard in Dhaka amid a threat of violence from a group aligned with the Islamic State, Dec. 29, 2018. [Anupam Nath/AP]

Regional concerns

The HRW report also highlighted concerns about the state of human rights in other countries in South and Southeast Asia in 2022.

In Bangladesh, it noted increased attacks against political opposition party members, raising concerns about violence and repression ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.

Human Rights Watch also alleged that the government had increasingly targeted human rights organizations.

It said a leaked government memo appeared to show that the Finance Ministry and the Prime Ministers Office were tasked in response to the U.S. sanctions with monitoring foreign funding to several human rights organizations, referring to sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion elite police unit.

In Malaysia, police routinely torture suspects in custody with impunity, HRW alleged.

It added that at least 20 people had died while detained in police custody last year.

The report said the government took a major step backward on police accountability by creating a toothless Independent Police Commission, which has limited powers to compel evidence be produced and cannot hold hearings.

In the Philippines, the climate for human rights has hardly changed following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s inauguration in June.

Since taking office, the namesake son of the former longtime Filipino dictator and administration officials have tried to reassure international leaders that Marcos Jr. is committed to human rights and that the situation has improved.

Human rights and civil society groups, however, debunked these claims with reports to the council of continuing human rights violations, the report said, referring to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In Thailand, where a government with deep ties to the military is still led by the ex-army chief who led a coup in 2014, HRW took Prayuth Chan-o-chas government to task over using a March 2020 emergency decree linked to the COVID-19 pandemic to crack down on demonstrators.

[A]t least 1,469 people have been prosecuted under this draconian law  primarily for taking part in democracy protests. Police and prosecutors have leveled charges such as violating social distancing measures, curfew restrictions, and other disease control measures, the report said.

It noted that most of the criminal complaints remained after the government lifted the decree on Oct. 1.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service
Authorities claim Myo Linn died of an illness but his family say his body was covered in wounds.

National League for Democracy member Myo Linn, who died during questioning on Jan. 5, 2023.

Junta troops killed a member of Myanmars National League for Democracy who had been held for two days in the countrys central Mandalay region, according to family members.

Soldiers arrested Myo Linn, 54, at his home in Myittha townships Htein Kan Gyi village on Jan. 3, residents told RFA, saying he was detained for no apparent reason.

Two days later authorities told his family Myo Linn had fallen ill and died.

The family were allowed to see the body but it was not released by the junta. One of Myo Linns relatives, who didnt want to be named for security reasons, said his body had wounds all over.

His family members were informed of his illness on the fifth but Myo Linn had already died, the relative said. When the family members saw him he had wounds on his hands, knees and feet, and there was a large hole in his head.

The family held a ceremony for Myo Linn in his home village on Wednesday.

Calls by RFA to the junta spokesman for Mandalay region, Thein Htay, seeking comment on his death went unanswered.

The National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in national elections in 2020 but the military ousted the NLD-led government in February the following year.

Since then the junta has arrested more than 1,200 party members and lawmakers.

The partys human rights department said last September that 67 members, including two former members of parliament, had died in prison or during interrogation.

The junta has killed 2,725 people since the 2021 coup, according to data released Wednesday by Thailand-based human rights organization the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Two prisoners were killed in an ensuing crackdown, which rights monitors say is a war crime.

An inmate protest at a prison in southern Myanmar that prompted a deadly crackdown last week was sparked in part by preparations for the execution of a schoolteacher, Radio Free Asia has learned.

The revelation sheds new light on the cause of the incident at Pathein Prison in the Ayeyarwady region, the latest in a string of more than 15 violent crackdowns on protests by political prisoners  termed riots by authorities  in the nearly two years since the military seized power in a coup.

On the night of Jan. 5, guards discovered a mobile phone in the possession of 33-year-old Wai Yan Phyo, a prisoner of conscience serving 28 years for taking part in an anti-coup protest, sources with knowledge of the prison and others assisting political prisoners at the facility told RFA last week.

Following the discovery, guards pulled Wai Yan Phyo  also known as Yar Su  and two other inmates from their cells and beat them throughout the night before returning them the following morning, the sources said.

RFA originally reported that when the three men explained to their fellow inmates what had happened to them and demanded they be released, authorities refused, sparking a protest by other prisoners.

But on Wednesday, family members of political prisoners at Pathein Prison told RFA that, in addition to frustration over guards treatment of the trio, the protest was also prompted by preparations for the execution of a school teacher sentenced to death by hanging at the complex. Details of the teachers case were not immediately clear.

Guards responded by beating and opening fire on the protesters. Wai Yan Phyo was hit in the head by three bullets and died on the spot.

Nearly 70 inmates suffered gunshot wounds and other injuries, including Pho La Pyae, Win Min Htet, Soe Yu Kyaw, Wai Zaw Lat, Aung Tun Myint, Kyaw Ye Aung, Ye Thway Ni and a yet-to-be-identified eighth man, who were left in critical condition. Win Min Htet, 31, also known as Mae Gyi, later succumbed to his injuries, according to former political prisoners with knowledge of the situation at Pathein Prison.

Speaking to RFA on Wednesday, a relative of Wai Yan Phyo said that only his mother was allowed to see his body before officials had it cremated.

In the cemetery, the prison authorities showed his mother [only] his injuries from being beaten, the family member said. They tried to prove to her that there were no gunshot wounds.

According to the relative, not even Wai Yan Phyos wife was allowed to see his body before the cremation. His ashes were returned to the family, the relative said.

The funeral photo of Wai Yan Phyo, a political prisoner killed in the crackdown during the Pathein Prison protest on Jan. 5, 2023. Credit: Citizen journalist Chickens in a cage

A former political prisoner who served time at Pathein Prison likened inmates at the facility to chickens in a cage with no rights.

[The guards] can do whatever they want to them at any time, the former prisoner said.

The prisoners safety should be the number one priority in prison. This is also one of the Prison Departments [stated] goals, he said. They are solely responsible for the safety and lives of the prisoners.

Several calls by RFA seeking comment from Naing Win, the spokesperson for the juntas Prison Department, went unanswered Wednesday.

A statement issued by the junta on Jan. 6 referred to the prison protest as a riot incited by troublesome inmates. It said around 70 prisoners destroyed a door leading from their cell block to an adjacent courtyard and attacked authorities, injuring 2 police officers and 9 prison guards. It acknowledged the death of an inmate, who it said was killed by fellow prisoners, and said 63 others were injured.

A former prison warden, who declined to be named for security reasons, told RFA that last weeks protest turned deadly because the officials chose not to address the cell phone discovery in accordance with the law.

In retrospect, if they had dealt with the discovery of the mobile phone  peacefully and in accordance with the law, there is no reason this would have happened, he said. But because they mishandled the problem, the incident got out of control.

Gathering evidence of a war crime

An official with Thailands Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said that incidents like the one at Pathein Prison are happening in prisons all over the country, and suggested the military regime is targeting and oppressing political prisoners with malice.

He also called the beating, shooting and killing of prisoners who are not in any position to resist a cruel and inhumane act, adding that the officials responsible for the incident will have to face the consequences one day.

According to the AAPP, at least 13,360 people have been detained on political charges since Myanmars Feb. 1, 2021 coup  1,937 of whom have been sentenced to prison.

Myanmars shadow National Unity Government on Wednesday referred to the crackdown as a war crime, telling RFA that its Ministry of Human Rights is gathering evidence to prosecute prison officials.

This incident has been accurately reported to the United Nations and all human rights monitoring groups, said Aung Myo Min, the NUGs human rights minister. Although there has been no punishment yet, we will continue to hold the officials of the prison department responsible for this crime as seriously as those who carry out the military's war crimes.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Papua New Guineas leader says his countrys strength is inseparable from a secure Indo-Pacific region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) listens as Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape speaks at a press conference in Papua New Guineas capital Port Moresby on Jan. 12, 2022.

The leaders of Papua New Guinea and Australia say they want negotiations for a wide-ranging security treaty between the two countries to be completed by the end of April.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNGs Prime Minister James Marape held talks in Port Moresby Thursday and both addressed the Pacific island countrys parliament.

An Australian prime minister hadnt visited PNG since 2018, partly due to disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. Albaneses trip coincides with increased efforts by the United States and Australia to counter Chinas burgeoning influence with Pacific island countries.

Papua New Guineas and Australias defence and security is deeply connected. We share a mutual strategic interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Marape and Albanese said in a joint statement.

The statement said the foreign ministers of the two countries had been entrusted with completing substantive negotiations for the security treaty by April 30.

Papua New Guinea, which gained independence from Australia in 1975, is the most populous Pacific island nation but also among the poorest. Stability for the country has remained elusive as it grapples with tribal violence and challenges such as corruption, lack of roads and basic healthcare.

China has become an important market for Papua New Guineas exports while also providing infrastructure and other assistance. It is building a hospital for PNGs military and helped to bankroll the Pacific countrys hosting of the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2018.

Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands last year, a possible precursor to a Chinese military presence in the Pacific, alarming the United States and Australia.

Marape and Albaneses statement on the Australia-PNG security treaty said it would provide a legally binding framework for security cooperation and contribute to regional security and stability.

It would allow for deeper and more regular security-information sharing, facilitate joint security operations and improve the scope and depth of ongoing practical cooperation, according to the statement.

Marape, in his speech to PNGs parliament, said the regions security is intertwined with his country improving its economic strength.

A better, stronger and safer PNG is a better, stronger and safer Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, he said. One cannot talk about the Indo Pacific without progressing the PNG agenda because we are right in the heart and the center of this confluence.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
Palaus government said the US has offered to double its economic assistance.

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. is pictured during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Micronesia's President David Panuelo and Marshall Islands' President David Kabua at the State Department in Washington, United States, Sep. 29, 2022.

The United States and Palau, an island nation located in the militarily strategic western Pacific, are close to formally renewing their security and economic relationship after agreeing a doubling in U.S. assistance.

The United States and Palau signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday that paves the way for a final compact, according to a statement from the office of Palaus President Surangel Whipps Jr. U.S. congressional approval of the final agreement is required.

The relationship between Palau and the U.S. should be a partnership  Palau offers strategic importance in terms of stability in the region and provides defense rights to the U.S., Whipps said in the statement.

The Compact and its economic assistance provisions should be a mechanism for Palau to increase its resiliency from threats like the pandemic, climate change and market disruptions, he said.

Palau along with the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia are independent states that, under agreements known as compacts of free association, have ceded security to Washington in exchange for economic assistance and the right for their citizens to live and work in the United States.

The agreements are up for renewal and analysts have said the outcome of the negotiations will be an important signal of Washingtons commitment to the region as China presses its campaign for greater influence with Pacific Island states.

In Palaus case, U.S. security arrangements have previously been agreed until 2044 and it is economic assistance that is being negotiated.

The memorandum of understanding reiterates U.S. rights and obligations under the compact including Palau denying the forces of other nations access to its territory and airspace, according to Palaus statement.

Situated near the Philippines and Indonesia, Palau has dominion over an ocean territory as large as the state of Texas that is crucial to U.S. dominance in the Pacific at a time when China is rapidly increasing its military strength.

The U.S., under the compact, also has the right to station forces in Palau, but has not had a permanent military presence in the island nation for decades.

It plans to build an over-the-horizon radar station in Palau by 2026, according to Defense Department documents.

The statement said the amount of U.S. assistance agreed over the next two decades is more than twice a 2020 proposal that was rejected by Palau. Palaus chief negotiator and vice-president at that time, Raynold Oilouch, had reported that the U.S. offer in 2020 was U.S.$400 million.

New economic assistance could begin from Oct. 1 if a full agreement is reached and approved by Congress, Palaus statement said.

It includes economic assistance for Palaus government operations, infrastructure and U.S. domestic programs.

The last compact signed in 2009 by the Obama administration was not funded by Congress until 2018.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
Britain's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, sign a defense agreement at the Tower of London on Jan. 11, 2023.

The United Kingdom and Japan have signed a major defense pact, praised as historic by the British prime minister but frowned upon by the Chinese government.

The Japan-U.K. Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), signed by Rishi Sunak and his counterpart Fumio Kishida on Wednesday, would allow both countries to deploy forces to the others territories and is generally seen as a move to counter Chinas rising clout in the Indo-Pacific.

Downing Street said in a statement that the newly-inked pact is the most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century.

The U.K. is the first European country, and the second in the world after Australia, to have signed such an agreement with Japan. The deal still needs to pass both countries parliaments to take effect.

Sunak said it cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific amid the unprecedented global challenges of our time.

In March 2021, London released a new integrated foreign, defense and security policy with a tilt towards the Indo-Pacific, in which Japan was identified as Britains key ally in East Asia.

For his part, Kishida said "Japan and the U.K. are partnering to take on the responsibility of addressing the strategic issues faced by the international community.

China has not made an outright protest but a spokesman said the U.K-Japan defense pact should not target any imaginary enemies, still less replicate the obsolete mindset of bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific.

The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition, Chinas Foreign Ministrys spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing in Beijing.

Last month, Tokyo launched a new National Security Strategy designating China an unprecedented "strategic challenge" and boosting defense spending with a focus on counterattack capabilities  a major shift from Japans postwar pacifism.

China said it was firmly opposed to and strongly dissatisfied with the Japanese strategy that seriously deviates from the basic facts and provokes regional tension and confrontation.

The U.S. meanwhile welcomed the move, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling Japan "our indispensable partner in addressing the most pressing challenges to global stability."

The U.K.s carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Navy carrier strike groups conduct multiple carrier strike group operations in the Philippine Sea on Oct. 3, 2021. Credit: U.S. Navy





Landmark agreement

As its name suggests, the new agreement applies to both the U.K. and Japan in a reciprocal manner.

Immigration and other logistic procedures will be simplified at both ends to facilitate troops bringing in arms and ammunition, as well as taking part in joint exercises and training activities.

British troops were deployed here in Japan during the Allied Occupation 1945-1952, so this is not the first time, noted Jeff Kingston, Professor of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo and a veteran Japan analyst.

In 2021, Britains most-advanced aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, made its first port call in Japan and took part in a joint exercise with Japanese and U.S. Navy warships in the Pacific.

By signing the defense pact, Kishida is trying to boost NATO cooperation and stepping up deterrence towards China by expanding strategic partnerships and meeting with counterparts in preparation for the coming G7 in his hometown Hiroshima, Kingston told RFA.

The Kishida government is tasked with an explanation, to the Japanese public first of all, about the recent major transformation in Japans defense policy, as well as the expansion of the defense budget amid anxieties over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The current diplomatic tour, that will also see Kishida visiting the White House and meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday, will boost domestic support, said Kingston.

During the trip that kicked off Monday, the Japanese prime minister visited France and Italy and will make a stop in Ottawa to meet with Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before heading to Washington.

As Chair of the Group of Seven (G7) this year, Kishida is expected to highlight the importance of unity among the groups members during his trip, Japans Yomiuri newspaper said.
Authorities apparently want to restrict news of rising case numbers as deaths continue to climb, sources say.

People in protective gear handle bodies in this screenshot from a video in Lithang county in Sichuans Kardze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China.

Chinese authorities in Tibet are clamping down on the taking of photos or video recordings at local cemeteries in a bid to keep news of rising COVID deaths in the region from reaching the outside world, Radio Free Asia has learned.

Deaths in Tibetan areas of China have continued to climb after lockdowns aimed at controlling the spread of the disease were ended by authorities in early December, Tibetan sources said on Tuesday.

Around 15 to 20 dead bodies are now brought each day to a cemetery in Drigung in the Tibet Autonomous Region and to other cemeteries in the capital of Lhasa, one source living in the area said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The Chinese government has placed tight restrictions around the cemeteries in Lhasa, the source said. People are not allowed to take pictures or videos of the scenes in the cemeteries or to share them.

A crematorium in Lithang county in Sichuans Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has meanwhile been overwhelmed by the numbers of dead brought in by Jan. 3, another source said, also asking for anonymity in order to avoid the attention of authorities.

Even though most of those who died were elderly people and people with underlying health issues, others were people who were believed to have recovered from COVID but then died suddenly after their recovery, RFAs source said.

We have not been able to confirm all the causes of death, as access to hospitals and other medical facilities is now restricted, the source added.

Sources also told RFA that four people  two of them local government employees died in Dragyab county in Chamdo prefecture on Jan. 7. And bodies are now being brought in large numbers for cremation to the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Sichuans Serta county from nearby areas, other sources said.

Chinas government has meanwhile opened Tibet again to visitors from other areas of China, with authorities in Lhasa announcing free admission to tourist attractions in the capital, sources say.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Dang Viet Ha, the head of the Vietnamese agency responsible for registering cars, trains, ships and other industrial products, is seen after his arrest on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Police arrested the head of the Vietnamese agency responsible for registering cars, trains, ships and other industrial products on charges of taking bribes on Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Security posted on its website.

The arrest of Dang Viet Ha came after police said they conducted investigations on 83 suspects in a nationwide crackdown on alleged corruption in offices under the agency, called the Vietnam Register.

The investigations spanned 13 registration centers, including eight in Ho Chi Minh City, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Public Security, told reporters on Wednesday.

On the eve of the arrest, Vietnams Law Newspaper posted an online story about Ho Chi Minh City police arresting Dang Viet Ha after summoning him from Hanoi. The paper explicitly pointed to wrongdoings in his role at the Vietnam Register as the reason for his arrest. But 30 minutes after it was posted, the story was taken down without further explanation.

On January 6, the Ministry of Transport decided to assign Nguyen Vu Hai, the deputy head of the Vietnam Register, to take over the agency as the investigation continues.

In Dong Nai, police raided and locked down a local vehicle registration and inspection center on Jan 10th, the day before the arrest. Authorities in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces prosecuted 19 people on bribery charges relating to motor vehicle inspection on the same day.

On Jan 11th, the Vietnam Register announced that it had suspended the operation of 30 registration and inspection centers throughout the country due to ongoing police investigations.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Nawar Nemeh and Malcolm Foster.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says it has launched an investigation into the online appearance of a video on social media purporting to show the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner of war.

The SBU announced the probe on April 12 as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy blasted Russian forces as "beasts" over the video of the alleged decapitation. It has not been independently verified.

The Kremlin called the video "horrible," but added that its authenticity needed to be studied as "we live in a world of fakes."

"There is something that no one in the world can ignore: how easily these beasts kill.... We won't forget anything, nor will we forgive murderers," Zelensky said in a video message posted on Twitter on April 12.

Amid growing outrage over the video, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said officials were studying the video to identify those responsible, as well as the victim.

The SBU said the investigation would try to determine whether there had been a violation of the rules of war that say prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated.

"We will find these inhumane.... They will definitely be punished for what they did," the head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, was quoted as saying.

Earlier, Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Zelenskiy, said on Telegram that there will be an accountability for everything.

According to CNN, a video posted on social media on April 8 appeared to show the beheading of corpses of two Ukrainian soldiers lying next to a destroyed military vehicle. The video was purportedly filmed by members of the private Russian mercenary group Wagner.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Reports on Russian social media claimed the video was shot near the eastern city of Bakhmut, which has been devastated by weeks of heavy fighting.



Another video posted on social media on April 11 appeared to show Russian forces torturing a Ukrainian prisoner and cutting off his head. RFE/RL could not independently verify the footage.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "This is terrible footage, and first you need to check the authenticity. If it is confirmed, then we need to find where and by whom," the action was committed.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said it was "absurd" that Russia currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council while "Russian terrorists" have invaded Ukraine.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said it was "appalled" by the particularly gruesome videos.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines human rights chief, said he will request that the UN Human Rights Committee investigate. Lubinets said he also has written to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.



A public execution of a captive is yet another indication of a breach of Geneva Convention norms, international humanitarian law, a breach of the fundamental right to life, Lubinets said.

For its part, the EU said it remains committed to holding war criminals accountable.

We don't have more information on the veracity of the video. Having said that, if confirmed, this is yet another brutal reminder about the inhumane nature of the Russian aggression," EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said.

Since its troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been accused of committing various war crimes, accusations it denies.

Last month, the United Nations expressed deep concern over what it says were summary executions of prisoners of war by both Russian and Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.

Earlier in April, the UN Human Rights Council overwhelmingly voted in favor of extending and expanding the mandate of an investigative body probing possible war crimes in Ukraine.

The Geneva Convention, the international law regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, says any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention.

With reporting by AFP, CNN, and AP
The human rights crises that unfolded in 2022 caused immense human suffering but also opened new opportunities for global leadership on human rights, the acting executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on January 12 as the organization released its annual world report on human rights.

Tirana Hassan referred to a new model for global leadership on human rights in her introduction to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2023, saying that in a world in which power has shifted, it is no longer possible to rely on a small group of governments in the northern part of the globe to defend human rights.

The responsibility must fall on individual countries -- big and small -- to apply a human rights framework to their policies and then work with each other to protect and promote human rights, she said.

"The past year has demonstrated that all governments bear the responsibility of protesting human rights around the world," Hassan said. "Against a backdrop of shifting power, there is more space, not less, for states to stand up for human rights as new coalitions and new voices of leadership emerge."

The 712-page report looks at the state of human rights in nearly 100 countries where the independent international organization works.

It cites atrocities committed by Russia in its war in Ukraine, China's treatment of Uyghurs, actions by the Taliban that have put millions of Afghans at risk of starvation, and protests in Iran prompted by opposition to the mandatory hijab for women as among the "litany of human rights crises in 2022."

Hassan said the world's mobilization around Russia's war in Ukraine "reminds us of the extraordinary potential when governments realize their human rights obligations on a global scale."

Moscow has accompanied its brutal military actions in Ukraine with a crackdown on human rights and anti-war activists, "throttling dissent and any criticism of Putins rule," she said. But one positive outcome of Russia's actions has been to activate the full global human rights system created to deal with such crises.

This extraordinary response showed what is possible for accountability, but the challenge will be for governments to "replicate the best of the international response in Ukraine and scale up the political will to address other crises around the world until there is meaningful human rights improvement."

On Iran, she said the protests against the mandatory use of the hijab are just the most visible symbol of repression.

"The demand for equality triggered by women and schoolgirls has morphed into a nationwide movement by the Iranian people against a government that has systematically denied them their rights, mismanaged the economy, and driven people into poverty," she said.

Hassan also blasted U.S. President Joe Biden, who she said "eviscerated" his pledge to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah state" over its human rights record with a "bro-like fist bump with Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman."

She also said the Biden administration, despite its rhetoric about prioritizing democracy and human rights in Asia, has tempered criticism of abuses and increasing authoritarianism in India, Thailand, the Philippines, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia for security and economic reasons.
Three months ago, General Sergei Surovikin was tapped by the Kremlin to take the helm of the lurching Russian invasion of Ukraine, becoming the overall commander of the operation and taking over at a time when Russian forces had recently suffered one major retreat and were on the verge of a second.

Praised by nationalists and hard-line Russian critics of the militarys performance, Surovikin heralded his promotion by ordering a campaign to bomb Ukraines power infrastructure and plunge its population into darkness and cold. He also withdrew Russian troops from the only regional capital they had seized since the invasion, a tactical retreat that gave Ukraine a victory but also helped fortify Russian lines.

In recent weeks, Russian forces, alongside soldiers from the notorious private military company Wagner, had embarked on a blunt-force, frontal assault to capture the Donbas cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, with reports of World War I-style infantry charges that left fields carpeted with Russian corpses.

On January 11, Surovikin was demoted.

With the Russian invasion in its 11th month, and with no end in sight, President Vladimir Putin shuffled the Ukraine military command, replacing Surovikin with the longtime chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, a close ally of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Surovikin kept his rank but was made Gerasimovs deputy, alongside two other, lesser-known top officers.

The move, which marked the fourth time Putin has rearranged the command of the war, surprised Russian and Western experts alike and stoked new questions about the Kremlins endgame for the largest war in Europe in nearly 80 years.

Is it because Putin is already impatient with Surovikins methods and lack of successes that Putin can portray as victories to the Russian people? Perhaps, said Mick Ryan, a former Australian Army major general and an analyst on Russian military doctrine.

Is this more about palace politics, with the open hostility and competition between the Russian military and the Wagner Group forcing Putins intervention? he said. Or because Surovikin -- with a direct link to Putin -- was becoming more powerful relative to Gerasimov?

All of the above, some analysts suggested, pointing to heated rivalries in circles close to Putin, in addition to impatience in the Kremlin with the lack of progress on the battlefield.

Civilian leaders often replace military commanders when the war is not going well, said Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and now a military expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Think about how many generals Lincoln went through before settling on [Ulysses S.] Grant, he said, referring to decisions by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln during the U.S. Civil War in the 1860s.

The bottom line, said Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the RAND Corporation, a U.S.-based think tank, is that Russias most competent senior commander was replaced with an incompetent one, indicating that there were multiple factors behind the reshuffle.

"This is a story that has it all: infighting, power struggles, jealousy, Massicot said in a post to Twitter.

By all accounts, the invasion is going badly for Moscow. Western officials say Russias casualty toll  soldiers killed or wounded  is nearing 100,000. (Ukraine has suffered similar losses, according to Western estimates.)

On the battlefield, Russian forces failed in their initial primary objectives: to swiftly seize Kyiv, topple the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and cow the Ukrainian military into surrender. Their biggest success of the first few months was the capture of the port of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, in late May.

Even after reorganizing command structure over the summer and regrouping units in the eastern Donbas region, Russian forces failed to make major gains other than the capture of the Luhansk region cities of Syevyerodonetsk and Lysychansk in June.

And then came the autumn.

Ukrainian troops, bolstered by powerful new Western weaponry, stunned Russian forces, sweeping through the Kharkiv region, north and west of the Donbas, and capturing the Donetsk region rail hub of Lyman.

Amid the battlefield turmoil, the Kremlin shuffled several top generals, including one, Colonel General Aleksandr Lapin, who came under withering criticism from hard-line nationalists, including Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov and Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, for the loss of Lyman.

In late September, Putin announced a mobilization of tens of thousands of Russian reservists and others, a move seen as an acknowledgment that Russias military needed more men.

Until the start of this war, Gerasimov was seen as one of the better Russian theorists of the modern era. But his reforms have not resulted in battlefield or strategic success. It is unlikely his presence on the battlefield will change things.

On October 8, Putin tapped Surovikin, who had garnered a reputation for unsentimental brutality commanding Russias expeditionary force in Syria six years earlier, to be the first unified commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine. His promotion was hailed by Prigozhin and others.

Two days after his appointment, Surovikin unleashed the first of multiple barrages of missiles and drones aimed at destroying Ukraines energy infrastructure -- a campaign that Ukrainian and Western officials have described as terrorism.

On November 9, he ordered Russian troops to retreat to the east bank of the Dnieper River, giving Ukraine a triumphant recapture of the city of Kherson. Though criticized by hard-line hawks, the retreat was seen as a shrewd tactical maneuver by Surovikin, albeit one that Russia would have preferred to have avoided.

A decision of that symbolic importance was most likely endorsed by Putin, meaning at that point Surovikin had Putins trust.

Less so now, it appears.

The change is the fourth that Putin has made since the launch of the invasion on February 24. Part of the blame for Russias initial failures in the early months of the invasion lay in the lack of a single unified command for the operation.

In April, General Aleksandr Dvornikov became the overall commander. He was replaced two months later by Colonel General Gennady Zhidko, until Surovikins appointment in October. But until Surovikins appointment, analysts say, there was no single unified commander.

This is not unique to Russia, Cancian said. Militaries that have not had recent high-level combat experience don't have a good sense about the quality of their senior leadership when faced with the novel demands of a high-intensity war.

Before the invasion, Surovikins new direct superior, Gerasimov -- chief of the General Staff for more than a decade -- was viewed as a stolid, competent strategist. More important, perhaps, hes an ally of Shoigu, whose leadership has also been derided by hawkish critics but who is a close confidant of Putin.

Until the start of this war, Gerasimov was seen as one of the better Russian theorists of the modern era, Ryan said. But his reforms have not resulted in battlefield or strategic success. It is unlikely his presence on the battlefield will change things.

Some observers said Gerasimovs new post may be a poisoned chalice -- giving him command at a time when Ukraines increasingly well-armed forces are itching for new counteroffensives, Russian casualties are expected to spiral higher, and bad news will need to be communicated to Russias ultimate commander in chief, Putin.

Gerasimov will likely preside over a disorganized command structure plagued by endemic, persistent, and self-reinforcing failures that he largely set into motion in his initial role before the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War said on January 11.

Have Putin andShoigu finally put in place all the elements to set up Gerasimov as the fall guy for all of Russias failures in the war? Ryan asked.

Sergei Markov, a Kremlin-allied political analyst and vocal backer of the war, argued that the shuffle would mean little operational change, and Surovikin would remain the main on-the-ground commander, while Gerasimov would remain in Moscow.

Markov also said the decision was prompted by the success of the Wagner mercenaries who played a key role in the capture of Mariupol and Syevyerodonetsk, and who are playing a major role in Bakhmut and Soledar. Those efforts been accompanied by an increasingly public presence for Prigozhin.

The appointment of Gerasimov as commander of [Russian] forces came about due to the success of Wagner, Markov said in a post on Telegram. The effectiveness of Wagner soldiers in these battles turned out to be much higher than the effectiveness of regular troops.

As of January 12, Prigozhin, Kadyrov, and other strident critics of Shoigu or the progress of the war were largely quiet, with little of the shrill commentary that helped push out other officers, like Lapin.

Adding further to the drama, experts said: a behind-the-scenes power struggle building between two political factions, with Shoigu and Gerasimov on one side and Surovikin and Prigozhin on the other.

Putin, as an unprofessional military man and one who does not understand how to salvage the whole affair, is wavering between them, Tatyana Stanovaya, a longtime Russian political expert, said in a post to Twitter.

The political wrangling was a major factor in the personnel shuffle, aimed at bolstering Shoigu and Gerasimov in what it said was their rivalry with Surovikin, Prigozhin, and other hawks, the Institute for the Study of War said.

Gerasimovs elevation is likely, in part, a political move to weaken the influence of hawks and critics of the Defense Ministry and a signal for Prigozhin and other actors to reduce their criticism of the ministry, the think tank said.

Russias forces faced another, more recent, battlefield disaster on New Years Eve, when Ukrainian troops hit a village in the Donetsk region where soldiers were billeted. The predawn strike killed 89 soldiers, according to an official statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, but Ukrainian officials and some Russian military bloggers say the death toll could be in the hundreds.

Roman Svitan, a reserve Ukrainian military officer and defense commentator, agreed that the shakeup would bring no substantive change -- except that responsibility for any future defeats or withdrawals or negative news would now fall on Gerasimovs shoulders.

Theyve just taken [Surovikin] out of the information space, Svitan told Current Time, adding that the general was not demoted and he didnt fall anywhere. Its just a game for the public.
A tennis complex built in just six months in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a tournament organized by the family of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic officially opened on April 12.

The facility, burdened by irregularities during construction and criminal charges over the bidding process, opened in Banja Luka just ahead of the scheduled start on April 16 of the Srpska Open, which is expected to draw several top players from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour, including top-seeded Djokovic.

Hundreds of people attended the opening ceremony, including members of the Djokovic family, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, and Banja Luka Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic.

The government of Republika Srpska, one of Bosnias two entities, and Banja Luka, it administrative center, invested about 30 million Bosnian marks ($16 million) in the construction of the tennis complex, which has both outdoor and indoor clay courts, each with seating for several hundred people.



Transparency International in Bosnia in February filed a complaint against Banja Luka and the Republika Srpska government because money for the construction of the court was allocated to the Tennis Association in the form of a grant.

The complaint said the maneuver got around the legal procedure for seeking bids for construction projects.

Questions also were raised about the permit for the project. Construction began in November, but a permit was not issued until January and covered only preparatory work. The tennis complex received a valid building permit only a few days ago.

Authorities two weeks ago conducted searches in the Banja Luka City Hall, based on charges of abuse of official position against Stanivukovic and Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic.

The two were reported on February 9 by a member of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nebojsa Vukanovic, who has accused them of misusing budget funds for the construction of the tennis complex.

The Prosecutor-General's Office did not respond to RFE/RLs request for information about the search, including whether a case had been opened.

Stanivukovic told RFE/RL in February that he assessed the construction of the tennis complex court to be in the national interest.

"You have to be brave to do things that are on the edge of legal norms but still in accordance with them and morally correct," he said.

Djordje Djokovic, brother of the tennis star and one of the principal organizers of the Srpska Open -- previously known as the Serbian Open -- visited the complex while it was under construction on several occasions but never commented on the criminal accusations or the lack of a building permit for construction.

"As far as we are concerned, we are the organizers of the tennis tournament. We do not deal with building permits or politics," he said at a press conference on March 7.

He founded the company Legacy International, a branch of his Belgrade-based company with the same name, in Banja Luka at the beginning of November.

The tournament is usually held in Belgrade but has been moved to Banja Luka for 2023 while the existing grounds in the Serbian capital are renovated.

The tournament, which is scheduled to run from April 16-23, is part of the ATP 250 series. Aside from Djokovic, other current and former ATP top 10 players registered are Andrei Rublev, Stanislas Wawrinka, and Gael Monfils.

With reporting by Milorad Milojevic
PRISTINA -- Senior U.S. diplomat Derek Chollet, who is visiting the Balkans this week for talks with the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia, said normalization talks between Pristina and Belgrade have reached "a critical moment" and its time to break the diplomatic stagnation.

Chollet, speaking with reporters on January 11 after talks in Pristina with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin and other leaders, said the United States is willing to expend "diplomatic energy" on "a comprehensive agreement on normalized relations centered at mutual recognition."

"I think it's time for us to get down to the work in hand," he said.

Washington shares a vision of Kosovo fully integrated into Europe-Atlantic structures and sees its diverse multiethnic society as a strength, he told reporters.

"We believe that the government of Kosovo should celebrate that diversity and should establish policies that bring success to all Kosovars, regardless of their ethnicity," he said.

But he stressed that Kosovo must fulfill all obligations under the Brussels Agreement -- the EU-facilitated dialogue to normalize Kosovo-Serbia relations -- including the formation of an association of municipalities with majority Serb residents.

"We believe that the association is an urgent issue. It is an urgent issue on the agenda of the dialogue. It has taken on even greater importance after the recent events in the north," Chollet said.

Tensions over Kosovo were heightened last month when ethnic Serbs set up roadblocks in northern Kosovo over the arrest of an ethnic Serb ex-police officer.

The roadblocks were dismantled after Kosovar authorities announced the release of the former policeman, who had been held on suspicion of being involved in an attack on Central Election Commission officials.

Belgrade and Pristina have been in an EU-led dialogue on the normalization of relations since 2011. Kosovo, which has an overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian majority, broke away from Serbia after a war in 1998-99 and declared independence in 2008, but Belgrade has never recognized it.

Chollet said that what he heard in Pristina was "a strong desire" of the Kosovo government to engage meaningfully in normalization talks.

"I really expect to see some talks soon, and thats something we will take tomorrow when I see [Serbian] President [Aleksandar] Vucic," he said.

His message to both Pristina and to Belgrade is that there should be no provocative acts. He said the next meeting between Kurti and Vucic should happen as soon as possible but didn't give a date.

Kurti's press office said the talks with Chollet emphasized the need for active and constructive engagement in dialogue and for intensification of efforts toward the full normalization of relations with mutual recognition at the center.

President Kosovar Vjosa Osmani said in the meeting that the increased engagement of the United States in the dialogue with Serbia is "decisive to ensure a successful result for the benefit of the citizens of Kosovo."

With reporting by Amra Zejneli of RFE/RL's Balkan Service
Press Release

January 12, 2023 Hontiveros: Agency other than CAAP should lead NAIA meltdown investigation After the aviation body backtracked on several statements, Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) should not lead the investigation on the NAIA New Year air traffic meltdown that led to delays and flight cancellations in the middle of the holidays. "What if the negligence is from CAAP's end? There's a clear conflict of interest if they are investigating themselves. Hindi lang iyon, pero paiba-iba ang nilalabas nila sa media at ang nirereport nila sa Kongreso. Perhaps we at the Senate should consider a different aviation body that could join the investigation," she said. "CAAP cannot even get its facts straight. It's been one and a half weeks since the incident, dapat klaro na sa kanila kung ano ang naging problema. At kung hindi pa nila alam, mas malala pa iyan sa nangyari. That would make them both negligent and incompetent. The CAAP should not, in any way, attempt to absolve itself of any faults," she also said. Hontiveros said that cross-checking their documentation is crucial to any meaningful step forward. She said a third party should double check both the equipment log and the manual log of the system error. "Let's identify who entered the manual log of the system error. The Senate needs their firsthand account of what they had observed to cross-check CAAP's statements. The suppliers of the equipment should also check the logs themselves and provide that information to the Senate committee," she said. She also said that the CAAP should explain to the Senate how it ruled out cyberattacks within 24 hours as a cause for the NAIA meltdown. The senator added that increased cybersecurity steps should be taken because the meltdown was also a security risk. "Paano nakarating ang CAAP sa ganitong konklusyon sa mahigit-kumulang 24 na oras lang? Siguraduhin natin na hindi basta-basta na naman na pahayag ito. We want to be immensely thorough before we rule out a cyberattack. Let's get this verified by our other cybersecurity bodies like the DICT. Kung di man cyber-attack ito, if our systems are that vulnerable, it means we are exposed to possible attacks from entities that can shut down our major airports so easily," she said. "I brought up these same security risks for our national grid, the NGCP. Extensive measures need to be explored and put in place so that there are no sizeable weaknesses in our cybersecurity," she added. The senator said that if proven that the mistakes leading up to the NAIA mess were 'simple and basic', the people accountable could be charged with gross negligence. She also said that small incidents in the following days since the New Year fiasco should be investigated as well to understand the scope of the country's aviation shortcomings. "This mess could have been much worse. There was a report that the paths of two planes were dangerously close to each other and could have resulted in a mid-air collision that day. This was a tragedy narrowly avoided. There should be no scapegoats or free passes from liability. If someone became sloppy, they must be held accountable. In all honesty, this seems to be an extraordinary event caused by very basic mistakes. Totally unacceptable," she concluded.
Smiths greatest masterpiece to be sold in the New York watch auction Phillips in Association with Bacs and Russo announced the first public sale of Roger Smiths Pocket Watch Number Two, an historically important timepiece that represents a landmark achievement in the industry and the cornerstone of the 21st-century English...

Gecamines subsidiary gets $75 million to build new unit Gecamines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's state mining firm, announced on Tuesday that its subsidiary has acquired $75 million in finance to establish a new hydro-metallurgical facility to create minerals used in semiconductor fabrication...

Caledonia raises $5.8m in Zimbabwe Caledonia Mining Corporation has reported the conclusion of a $5.8-million placement on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange. It said the placement received strong support from both new and current institutional investors, with a total of 423 951 Zimbabwe...

De Beers realises $540m from third sales cycle De Beers has announced a provisional rough diamond sales value of $540 million for the third sales cycle of 2023, according to Anglo American. Revenue raked in rose 8% compared to the $497 million registered during the second rough diamond sales...
Weather Alert

...National Weather Service Cold Water Safety Message... ...Please check with state and local authorities regarding guidelines for allowed activities... * Very warm air temperatures today around 80 are expected today. This may cause people to underestimate the dangers of the cold water temperatures which are currently only in the lower 40s across Lake Champlain, and in the upper 30s to lower 40s in the regions' smaller lakes and rivers. * The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to anyone immersed in the water. According to the US Coast Guard, when the water temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of immediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high. Anyone on small boats, canoes or kayaks should plan accordingly if recreating this weekend and use extreme caution to avoid this threat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life jacket!
A single-story, 17,475-square-foot Hindu temple will be built just south of State Route 78 near the western entrance of the San Pasqual Vallley.

The temple will sit on land just east of the Escondido city boundaries and west of the City of San Diegos San Pasqual Agriculture Preserve on unincorporated property. There are a number of residential homes nearby and a sand mining operation to the north.

The project was unanimously approved in February by the countys Planning Commission but the issuance of a major land use permit was appealed by neighbors to the Board of Supervisors who unanimously denied the challenge last week.

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The temple, built on 10 acres of a vacant 19-acre plot north of and adjacent to Old San Pasqual Road, will become the third in the United States serving the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation, which also operates similar temples in Detroit and Houston, as well as Toronto.

Neighbors who opposed the project told the board it doesnt fit with the rural, agricultural-themed character of the surrounding area and they worried about the traffic the temple would generate.

It is a violation of all the regulations we sought to protect the valley, said Susan Schneider. It will stick you in the eye every time you enter the valley. What a nightmare. Generations will wonder, why is that there? Why is it here? It doesnt fit in.

Added neighbor Hiram Andrade: This is an issue of non-compatibility in this semi-rural agricultural area.

But representatives of the foundation and members of the countys planning staff said the temple, plus a 7,764-square-foot building to house five priests, a small barn and 116 parking spaces, will be situated 10 feet to 20 feet below the highway and other roads and that landscaping plans call for adequate sight buffering.

The temple will be only 20 feet tall, planners said, though a few steeples will rise as high as 42 feet.

A traffic study showed that because worshipers will usually be meeting in small groups at off-peak times, there will be no significant traffic impacts. Even during special events, a maximum of 400 people will be allowed on the temple grounds at one time, according to the permit.

Although some expressed concern about wells on the land and the impact the temple might have on groundwater supplies, planners said the project will use only municipal water.

While zoned primarily for rural residential or agricultural uses, a church is allowed in the area with the issuance of a major use permit. Supervisor Dianne Jacob pointed out that two large churches in Escondido, which are much closer to neighboring homes, exist a couple miles away.

Supervisor Ron Roberts said all the requirements for a permit had been met. He said some of the opposition comments were a bit disturbing.

I dont think that because we have trouble pronouncing peoples names thats a reason to turn down a project, Roberts said. And, unfortunately, given the tenor of some of the comments, such as this is going to be a stick in the eye and things like that, I feel that (approval of the project) is the right thing to do here.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Kelly Van Jen with her son Jason, 22, and husband, James, beside a koi pond at their Vista home and business, KoiLand, on Tuesday.

This weekend, the 31st annual Koi Show returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, where visitors can see up to 300 of the colorful, oversize carp swimming around in portable pools.

But that number pales in comparison to the koi collection of longtime exhibitors James, Kelly and Jason Van Jen. The Vista family has nearly 4,000 koi in 23 ponds at their lushly landscaped, 1-acre hilltop home.

The Van Jens are the owners of KoiLand, a 22-year-old family business that specializes in selling imported Japanese koi and building and maintaining koi ponds around San Diego County.

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Scotty Yee, president of the Koi Club of San Diego, which hosts this weekends two-day show, called the Van Jens a staple of the regions koi hobbyist community.

Mike Poyner, a club member for more than 25 years, said he and his wife have bought many koi from the Van Jens over the year.

In terms of building new koi ponds and waterfalls throughout San Diego County, I would describe James Van Jen as the Johnny Appleseed of koi ponds, Poyner said.

Kelly Van Jen watches koi fish through a window in a koi pond at KoiLand in Vista Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Poyner said Van Jen is known for his encyclopedic knowledge on the fish. How long do they live? How much are they worth? Which colors are the most prized? And are they edible? Van Jen said hes heard them all.

Van Jens fish fascination began 60 years ago when he was a boy growing up in Long Island, N.Y. An elderly neighbor died and the children on the street raided her backyard pond for goldfish. When he got there, the pond was empty, but he spotted a dying fish on the ground and was able to save it.

In his teens, he transitioned from common goldfish to fancy varieties. Then in 1978, about four years after he moved to Southern California to work in construction, he began collecting koi.

What I liked about koi is how much calmer they are than goldfish and how much more they respond to your presence, he said. They watch you walk by, they can recognize different people, they know when theyre about to be fed and they can figure out how not to be caught.

Koi fish eat directly from the hand of Jason Van Jen, 22, at KoiLand in Vista Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Van Jen said that koi breeding started out in the 1600s with plain-looking carp that Japanese farmers raised in their rice paddies to fertilize the crop with their waste. During the winter months, the farmers brough the fish inside their homes and treated them like pets.

Over time, the farmers chose to breed only those with the gentlest temperaments and most beautiful coloring. Eventually the fish became prized by hobbyists and even emperors. In the 1980s, a collector is said to have paid more than $1 million for a koi.

Van Jen built a pond for his koi and before long other collectors were asking him to build their ponds. By 1996, the demand for koi ponds and waterfalls was so great that he started KoiLand.

Van Jen runs the business with his wife of 25 years, Kelly, and their 22-year-old son, Jason. Now 65, Van Jen is planning to retire soon and turn the business over to Jason, whos had a passion for koi since childhood.

Hes the best fish catcher Ive ever seen, Van Jen said of his son. He literally thinks like a fish so he knows where theyre going to go before even they do. As a boy, he just loved being around them.

James Van Jen and his wife Kelly feed koi fish in a koi pond at KoiLand in Vista Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune )

The Van Jens moved to their mountaintop property on Bittersweet Hill 26 years ago and have gradually turned it into a Japanese-inspired showplace for their ponds and waterfalls.

The ponds range in size from 500 to 20,000 gallons and from small covered quarantine tanks for newly imported baby fish to swimming pool-sized tanks for mature koi, which can grow up to 30 inches in length between their 4th and 10th birthdays.

A big part of the family business is servicing and restoring more than 100 koi ponds around San Diego. Many ponds need repairs from do-it-yourself installations where rocks have saturated the water with bacteria, improper plants have upset the ecosystem, diseased fish have been introduced without a quarantine and the pond is so shallow that the fish are easy pickings for raccoons and herons.

All of the Van Jens home ponds are either covered or at least 3 feet deep. Many have glass-viewing panels on the side where the fish seem to enjoy looking out at humans as much as the other way around.

The Van Jens build their own low-wattage water pumps, which are powered by 98 rooftop solar panels, and they recycle all of their water. As a result, one of the biggest expenses is feed. In warm weather, the fish can go through 10 pounds of pellets a day.

The Van Jens dont breed their own fish. They prefer the quality and consistency of fish from Japan, which are shipped here as 6-inch babies. Van Jen has worked with the same Japanese breeders for decades and said theres an art to figuring out which babies will turn out the prettiest once theyre grown. Brilliant red babies will often lose their color to age and sunburn before they mature.

The most prized fish, which he sells for up to $500, are those with the purest colors of red, orange and white. The rarest koi is the toncho, which has a perfectly round red spot on its forehead.

Koi fish swim in a koi pond at KoiLand in Vista Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Legend has it that koi can live hundreds of years, but Van Jen says the typical lifespan is 30 to 40 years. And no, theyre not bred for eating, which is the question asked most often by koi show visitors.

The show features fish, pond materials and other merchandise for sale; instruction on how to build a pond and waterfall; a koi competition; and, at 1 p.m. Sunday, a koi auction.

Van Jen said the cost of transporting the fish, pool and equipment is often more than hell make in sales at the annual show, but he loves the opportunity to reconnect with other koi enthusiasts.

Its a nice little community here and I enjoy seeing some of my old customers who make a holiday of it and come for the weekend, he said.

31st Annual San Diego Koi Show

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday March 4.

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds Activity Center, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

Admission: Free. Parking is $14.

Details: koiclubofsandiego.org

James Van Jen feeds koi fish from a balcony at KoiLand in Vista Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune )

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Audience members, front row from left, Abby Karpewicz, Elizabeth Homewood, Rachel Homewood, Emry Harn, Coltin Welch and Tieryn Welch and (second row from left) Marine Capt. Josh Welch, Lauren Welch and Christin Welch watch Home of the Brave at La Jolla Playhouse.

Matt Vinci of Carmel Valley is just 17, but in those years, he has moved eight times. The son of a Navy captain, hes grown accustomed to saying goodbye to newfound friends whenever his dad gets new orders.

But that doesnt mean the Cathedral Catholic High School senior hates the military lifestyle. Its challenging, he said, but its also a privilege.

People should know that were not suffering, Vinci said. We do it because we love it. Its fun.

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Vinci is one of more than 200 San Diego County and Oahu youth who were interviewed by playwright Lee Cataluna for Home of the Brave, a play for young audiences about the ups and downs of life in a military family.

Commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse for its 2018 Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour, its now visiting elementary school campuses countywide through March 30.

La Jolla Playhouse Managing Director Michael Rosenberg, left, shares a story with Home of the Brave playwright Lee Cataluna, who flew in from Hawaii to see performances for military families on March 11. (Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Cataluna, a Hawaii-based journalist and playwright, said she found some universal truths in her interviews with schoolkids at locations that included Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Because theyre forced to move so often, military children become incredibly adaptable. After a while, Cataluna said she got to a point where she could pick out military kids in a crowd.

Kids that grow up in military families that move a lot tend to be very observant, she said. They drop into a situation and assess very quickly and they get to know people fast. They just have a way about them. Theyre friendly, but theyre reserved.

Tieryn Welch, 8, of Escondido has moved three times with his parents, Marine Capt. Josh Welch and Lauren Welch. The Welch family  which includes recently adopted siblings Christin, 10, and Coltin, 6  was among an invited group of military families at the Playhouse on Saturday afternoon for a free performance of Home of the Brave.

Tieryn, who attends North Broadway Elementary in Escondido, enjoys the familys paripatetic lifestyle, which is portrayed both positively and negatively in the funny and touching 45-minute play.

I love that we get to move all around and see new places, he said. I could make friends with a rock.

But his younger brother, Coltin, said he could more easily identify with a scene in the play where two siblings are fighting.

Cataluna said many of the children she interviewed have complicated sibling relationships, forged by constant moves and a lack of lifelong friends.

Your siblings become your friends, she said. Theyve been through everything with you. Sometimes they want to kill each other but they know, no matter what, that they will always have each others back.

Actor Kendrick Dial, left, waits for actresses Julia Cuppy, center, and Carolyn Agan to give up their fathers uniform as he is re-stationed elsewhere and the family will have to move again in Home of the Brave, a play for young audiences produced by La Jolla Playhouse. (Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Home of the Brave features four adult actors playing elementary school kids who are struggling with, and celebrating, military life.

Theres a girl who refuses to unpack her boxes since she expects it wont be long before theyre needed again. Theres a trio of siblings who have a cookie-tasting session via Skype with their deployed dad. And in one of the most touching scenes, a girl talks about hiding love notes and mementos in the pockets of her fathers combat fatigues, just before he deployed. The scene brought many children and parents in the audience to tears.

Cataluna said that ever since the play started its tour eight weeks ago, it has resonated with audiences. But it had a profound impact on children at a school in San Diego where a third of the children are homeless and many have parents who were deported because they were undocumented.

Matt Vinci attended the play with his sister, Lizzie, 16, and their mom, Lauren. Her husband, Capt. Greg Vinci, has been in the Navy for 25 years. She thought the play captured the angst children endure when their parents deploy, as well as their confidence and independence.

It really shows what its like when a dad is gone for 6, 9, even 12 months, and the different ways kids handle that loss, Lauren said.

Cataluna has had 18 plays produced over the years, including many by Honolulu Theatre for Youth. That theaters artistic director, Eric Johnson, directed the play, which will be presented again next year in Hawaii.

The plays central theme is the question most military kids say they struggle with: answering the seemingly simple question where are you from?

After the performance, almost all of the actors and crew told the audience they grew up in military families themselves and home means many different things to them. It could be where they were born, where their parents are from or where they live now. Or it could be anyplace where they can be together as a family.

You never realize how fraught that question can be, Cataluna said. Sometimes its funny. Sometimes its complicated. One girl said its not an easy life, but its totally doable and its worth it if your parent loves his or his job.

For information on Home of the Brave, visit lajollaplayhouse.org/pop-tour-2018.

Ebrahim Salaam Jr., 9, looks past his mother Gema Salaam, to comment to his father Ebrahim Salaam, left, before the start of Home of the Brave, a new childrens play about military life that La Jolla Playhouse is taking around to San Diego County schools this month. (Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune )

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Afghan soldiers look out through the security hole of one of the gates at the airport after a firing incident in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. An Afghan Army officer opened fire on foreign troops Wednesday after an argument at the airport in the capital _ the latest in a spate of deadly incidents that have occurred inside government or military installations, the Defense Ministry said. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

Eight American troops and a U.S. contractor died Wednesday after an Afghan military pilot opened fire during a meeting at Kabul airport - the deadliest episode to date of an Afghan turning against his coalition partners, officials said.

The Afghan officer, who was a veteran military pilot, fired on the Americans after an argument, the Afghan Defense Ministry said.

All nine killed were American, according to a senior U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information has not yet been made public.

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The shooting occurred in an operations room of the Afghan Air Corps at Kabul airport.

Suddenly, in the middle of the meeting, shooting started, said Afghan Air Corps spokesman Col. Bahader, who uses only one name. After the shooting started, we saw a number of Afghan army officers and soldiers running out of the building. Some were even throwing themselves out of the windows to get away.

Five Afghan soldiers were injured. At least one Afghan soldier was shot - in the wrist - but most of the soldiers suffered broken bones and cuts, Bahader said.

An Afghan pilot who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the gunman as Ahmad Gul from Tarakhail district of Kabul province.

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sahibi, the brother of the shooter, who was killed in the incident, had been battling financial troubles. Sahibi said his brother had no ties to insurgents.

He was 48 years old, Sahibi told Tolo, a private television station in Kabul, He served his country for years. He loved his people and his country. He had no link with Taliban or al-Qaida.

He was under economic pressures and recently he sold his house. He was going through a very difficult period of time in his life.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the shooting and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims. He said those killed were trainers and advisers for the Afghan air force. The president ordered his defense and security officials to investigate the recent incidents to determine why they occurred.

It was the seventh time so far this year that members of the Afghan security forces, or insurgents impersonating them, have killed coalition soldiers or members of the Afghan security forces.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the gunman was impersonating an army officer and that others at the facility helped him gain access.

However, Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said the gunman was an Afghan military pilot of 20 years.

An argument happened between him and the foreigners and we have to investigate that, Azimi said.

Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks on government and military installations across Afghanistan.

-On April 18, an insurgent managed to sneak past security at the heavily fortified Afghan Defense Ministry compound in the capital and killed two Afghan soldiers and an officer.

-Two days before that, an Afghan soldier walked into a meeting of NATO trainers and Afghan troops at Forward Operating Base Gamberi in Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan and detonated a vest of explosives hidden underneath his uniform. The blast, the worst before Wednesdays shooting, killed six American troops, four Afghan soldiers and an interpreter.

-On April, 15, a suicide bomber dressed as a policeman blew himself up inside the Kandahar police headquarters complex, killing the top law enforcement officer in the restive southern province.

-In northwest Afghanistan, a man wearing an Afghan border police uniform shot and killed two American military personnel on April 4 in Faryab. The gunman was upset over the recent burning of the Quran at a Florida church, according to NATO intelligence officials.

-In February, an Afghan soldier, who felt he had been personally offended by his German partners, shot and killed three German soldiers and wounded six others in the northern province of Baghlan.

-In January, an Afghan solider killed an Italian soldier and wounded another in Badghis province. The two soldiers were cleaning their weapons at a combat outpost when an Afghan soldier approached them with an M16 rifle and asked to use their equipment to clean his gun. The Italians saw that the Afghan soldiers rifle was loaded and asked him to unload it, at which point the Afghan soldier shot the two Italians and escaped from the base.

Before the airport shooting, the coalition had recorded 20 incidents since March 2009 where a member of the Afghan security forces or someone wearing a uniform used by them attacked coalition forces, killing a total of 36. It is not known how many of the 282,000 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed in these type of incidents.

According to information compiled by NATO, half of the 20 incidents involved the impersonation of an Afghan policeman or soldier. The cause of the other 10 incidents were attributed to combat stress or unknown reasons. NATO said that so far, there is no solid evidence - despite Taliban assertions - that any insurgent has joined the Afghan security forces for the sole purpose of conducting attacks on coalition or Afghan forces.

---

Baldor reported from Washington.
An international team of researchers has detected abundant polyaromatic compounds, organic magnesium compounds, aliphatic branched carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and olefins in the Tissint meteorite, which landed near the city of Tissint in Morocco on July 18, 2011.

Tissint is one of only five Martian meteorites that have been observed as they fell to Earth.

This sample of Mars was formed hundreds of millions of years ago on our next-door planetary neighbor and was launched into space by a violent event.

Mars and Earth share critical aspects of their gross planetary evolution, and while life evolved on Earth, the issue of probable past and current Martian life is the subject of intense research by landed and orbital assets at Mars, said lead author Dr. Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, a researcher at the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich.

Water and organic molecules, the key prerequisites for habitability and evolution of life, have been detected on Mars, and habitable zones in the deep Martian subsurface potentially suitable for microbial life have been proposed.

The presence of methane, organic molecules, and aliphatic/aromatic compounds on Mars has also been found. Discussion as to the origin of these molecules is still ongoing.

Dr. Schmitt-Kopplin and colleagues were able to thoroughly analyze the Tissint meteorites organic inventory, revealing a link between the type and diversity of organic molecules and specific mineralogy.

Their efforts resulted in the most comprehensive catalog ever made of the diversity of organic compounds found in a Martian meteorite or in a sample collected and analyzed by a rover.

The work uncovered details about how the processes occurring in Mars mantle and crust evolved, especially with regard to abiotic organics that formed from water-rock interactions.

Of particular interest was the abundance of organic magnesium compounds, a suite of organic molecules not previously seen on Mars, which offer new insights about the high-pressure, high-temperature geochemistry that shaped the deep Martian interior and indicate a connection between its carbon cycle and its mineral evolution.

Understanding the processes and sequence of events that shaped this rich organic bounty will reveal new details about Mars habitability and potentially about the reactions that could lead to the formation of life, said Dr. Andrew Steele, a researcher at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Samples returned from Mars by future missions should provide an unprecedented amount of information about the formation, stability and dynamics of organic compounds in real Martian environments.

The findings were published January 11, 2023 in the journal Science Advances.

_____

Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin et al. 2023. Complex carbonaceous matter in Tissint Martian meteorites give insights into the diversity of organic geochemistry on Mars. Science Advances 9 (2); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add6439
Somalia: Vote on the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)*

This afternoon (21 December), following the vote on a draft resolution on Myanmar, the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution regarding a request by the AU to revise the operational timelines for the drawdown of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The UK, the penholder on Somalia, authored the draft text.

Pursuant to resolution 2628 of 31 March, which reconfigured the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) into ATMIS, the AU was expected to withdraw 2,000 ATMIS personnel by 31 December as part of the missions phased drawdown. The draft in blue extends the deadline for this drawdown until 30 June 2023, while reconfirming the commitment of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for ATMIS to exit Somalia by 31 December 2024. The penholder circulated the first draft on 13 December, and while in-person negotiations of all 15 Council members were not convened, comments were submitted (and the text was revised) via email correspondence. Silence was broken yesterday (20 December) by the African members (Gabon, Ghana, and Kenya), who wanted to underscore the AUPSCs support for the drawdown by the end of June 2023. After a slight revision of the language, the text was put into blue yesterday.

Background

On 11 November, the AUPSC met to consider the Somali governments request to extend the first phase of ATMIS operational timeline. This is apparently necessitated by a number of factors, including the delay in the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan (STP) and the National Security Architecture, which have been developed to facilitate the gradual handover of security responsibilities from AMISOM/ATMIS to the Somali security forces. A particular challenge in this regard has been the lack of progress in terms of force generation and integration. In the face of this challenge, there seems to be a concern that the premature withdrawal of these personnel may create a security vacuum that could likely be exploited by Al-Shabaab.

ATMIS has been conducting joint operations with Somali security forces to dislodge Al-Shabaab from some of its strongholds in south and central Somalia. It has also been providing various forms of support to them in their ongoing offensive military operations against the terrorist group, including air assets; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and casualty and medical evacuations. As a result, there seems to be concern that the withdrawal of ATMIS forces may affect these operations.

In its communique adopted following the 11 November meeting, the AUPSC expressed its support for the Somali governments request for the extension of the ATMIS operational timelines and directed the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to transmit the communique to the Security Council for endorsement of its decision. On 9 December, Ghana sent an identical letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council communicating the AUPSC decision on the matter, a copy of which was also circulated to all Council members on 13 December.

Draft Resolution

To respond to the AUs request, the penholder proposed a short draft text authorising the extension of the drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS personnel by six months (that is, until 30 June 2023).

Several reporting requirements are outlined in the draft in blue. It extends the timeline stipulated in resolution 2628 (from 15 February 2023 to 30 April 2023) for reporting on the progress made in implementing the benchmarks contained in the Secretary-Generals letter of 30 September on UNSOMs strategic review. As noted in the draft in blue, this report is expected to be produced jointly with the AU and in close consultations with Somalia and donors. The draft in blue requests a further report by 30 April 2023 that includes a sector-by-sector assessment of security and ATMIS performance. Finally, the draft text in blue requests Somalia to provide an updated force generation plan by 30 April 2023.

It seems that the financing of ATMIS was raised during the negotiations. At a 7 September Council meeting on Somalia, the acting head of ATMIS, Fiona Lortan, informed Council members that the mission is facing a funding shortfall of between $40 and $50 million and appealed for sustainable, predictable, and adequate financing. In its 11 November communique, the AUPSC also reiterated its call for the Security Council to consider authorising access to UN assessed contributions to secure financing for AU-led peace support operations including ATMIS. While some members wanted to incorporate language on financing in the text, several members concurred that the financing of AU peace operations is a broader issue that did not need to be mentioned in the text. As a result, the draft in blue does not mention financial resources for ATMIS.

In the draft text in blue, the Council decides to hold a formal meeting on ATMIS no later than 31 March 2023, with the participation of Somalia, the AU, the EU, and ATMIS troop-contributing countries. It seems that this meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss financial support for ATMIS, as well as progress in the drawdown of the mission.

It appears the draft has widespread support, although at least one Council member would have preferred if the drawdown was extended for three months, rather than six months in the text in blue. This would have meant that the withdrawal of 2,000 ATMIS personnel would have been temporally aligned with the reauthorisation of ATMIS in March.

____________________________________________________________________________

*Post-script: On 21 December, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2670, extending the deadline for the first phase of the drawdown of AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) personnel until 30 June 2023.
Vietnam remains a magnet for Singaporean investors, with sustainable development being a promising area of collaboration in the coming time, according to Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the Year of the Cat 2023, the diplomat highlighted that Singapore has been Vietnams top source of foreign investment since 2020.

This reflected investors strong confidence in Vietnams strong economic fundamentals and prospects. Despite the tense geopolitical context and economic headwinds, Vietnam is recording impressive post-pandemic recovery, he said.Ambassador Jaya noted that the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) are a cornerstone of Singapores economic engagement with Vietnam.

They have attracted $ 16.2 billion in investments and created over 300,000 jobs in Vietnam so far, the diplomat said, calling them an enduring icon of our bilateral partnership.It is a partnership wherein Vietnam and Singapore companies complement each other and constantly seek to improve so that they meet the evolving needs of both sides, he added.For instance, the third VSIP in Binh Duong committed to incorporating IR4.0 practices and green technologies. This helped secure LEGO Groups investment to build its first-ever carbon-neutral plant.

Given that Vietnam and Singapore have both committed to significantly reduce carbon emissions over the coming decades, the diplomat pointed to sustainability as a promising area of collaboration between them in the coming time.Climate change would be the key planetary challenge of this century, he said, adding managing the issue requires governments and businesses to harness their collective will and resources.Collaboration in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, carbon credits and green financing will enable us both to achieve our goals in the upcoming green energy transition, he stressed.

He said Singapore hoped to work towards fostering bilateral and regional connectivity and interoperability to support the growth of businesses and investments in innovation and technology.The new areas of collaboration provide the basis for developing a green and digital partnership that will shape up our bilateral relations for the coming decades, he added.

On the bilateral ties, the diplomat said Vietnam and Singapore have maintained their steadfast friendship, and have strong foundation of mutual trust and a tradition of mutual support.He said bilateral engagements were sustained throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and both countries assisted each other in times of need.Since the opening of their borders earlier this year, Vietnam and Singapore resumed high-level exchanges, which reflected their common interest in expanding cooperation to include new and emerging fields.

Following President Nguyen Xuan Phucs state visit to Singapore in February 2022, Singaporean President Halimah Yacob paid her first foreign trip to Vietnam since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, making it the first time both nations exchanged state visits in one year, he said.

These capped off a year of high-level visits, including an official visit to Vietnam by the Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin in May and DPM/Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat in September. The interactions allowed the two sides to reaffirm and strengthen their multifaceted and substantive bilateral relationship.
Oxford Insights from the UK has formally announced its Government AI Readiness Index 2022, where Vietnam enjoys a 7-position increase to the 55 th place globally and 6th in ASEAN.



Accordingly, in this evaluation, Vietnam has an average grade of 53.96, compared to 51.82 in 2021. It has surpassed the international average of 44.61.

Vietnam has a great potential for the development of technology thanks to its young population that possess high-level digital skills. They can easily welcome and adapt to cutting edge digital solutions implemented in the country.

Government AI Readiness Index 2022 is a report done in 181 nations. It evaluates the ability of a government to exploit AI applications to operate and offer services to its citizens.
Adani Group, a ports-to-energy conglomerate, stated ambitions to invest Rs 60,000 crore in the coal, energy, renewable energy, agriculture, and mineral exploration industries. However, the group did not provide investment schedules.

"During one-to-one interaction with Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the sidelines of the two-day Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Indore, Pranav Adani, managing director (Agro, Oil & Gas), and director of Adani Enterprises, said that his group has plans to invest Rs 60,000 crore in the areas of mineral, energy, agriculture, renewable energy and coal," an official release said.

The GIS was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day. The chief minister asked him to give priority to the local youths in employment to which Adani said, "It is our duty".

The group will run skill development centers as per its requirement to train the youths of the state and it also has plans to establish a hospital in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan also apprised him about opportunities to set up food processing units in the state, the release said. Meanwhile, addressing the GIS summit, Aditya Birla Group head Kumar Mangalam Birla said that his group is planning to invest Rs 15,000 crore in the state.

"We have old ties with Madhya Pradesh. Though it is not our birthplace, it is definitely our workplace. In the next five years we are thinking of investing Rs 15,000 crore in different sectors in the state," he said. At present, seven businesses of Birla Group are running in the state and their total investment has crossed Rs 60,000-crore mark. Referring to the state's economic progress in the last decade, he said that Madhya Pradesh has presented itself as a "ready for the future" state.

He informed that over 25,000 employees in the state are part of the Birla Group. In separate interactions with the chief minister, while Dalmia Bharat Group's Puneet Dalmia has expressed interest in setting up a cement plant, Godrej Industry's Nadir Godrej showed interest in making investments in the area of real estate in view of the growing urbanization, the release said. ITC Group's Sanjiv Puri while interacting with Chouhan said that the group plans to expand Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO) from 300 to 1,000 in the state with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore, it said.

Besides, Chouhan also held one-to-one interactions with Tata International's Noel Tata, Accenture Group's Rekha Menon and Reliance Industries' Nikhil R Meswani. Meswani informed Chouhan that the 5G network will be expanded to the tehsil level by the year's end and also said that at present 175 petrol pumps are being operated by the group and their number will be doubled.

He informed us that the group has plans to invest big in the solar energy sector and a necessary survey and studies are going on in the Chambal area. He also showed interest in setting up full processing units of textiles in the state, the release added.
Introduction

All cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a public ledger known as Blockchain. This means anyone can view it and even trace the transactions to the sender or recipient's wallet address. With some advanced tools created today, it is even now possible to identify the real-world identities of the parties involved. To combat this present challenge and still make all crypto transactions impossible to trace, crypto mixers were invented to obscure the origin of cryptocurrency funds. With this tool, it is now possible to hide the identities of both the sender and receiver whenever they buy cryptocurrency online.

Considering the fact that this tool can facilitate money laundering and promote cyber crimes, many countries today now place some restrictions on the use of crypto mixers. This work has therefore examined the legal status of crypto mixers across the globe. You will also find in this work the major advantages and disadvantages of using the crypto mixer.

Meaning of crypto mixers

Crypto mixers, also known as crypto tumblers, are online services that allow users to obscure the origin of their cryptocurrencies by mixing them with several other transactions. The goal of using a crypto mixer is to protect the user's privacy by making it difficult for anyone to trace the movement of their funds.

Are crypto mixers legal to use?

Crypto mixers are not illegal to use in and of themselves. However, they can be used to facilitate illegal activities, such as money laundering, tax evasion, and drug trafficking, among others. As a result, the use of crypto mixers may be subject to certain legal restrictions, depending on the jurisdiction in which you are located and the specific laws that apply therein. It is important to be aware of and comply with all applicable laws and regulations when using crypto mixers.

There are some countries where the use of crypto mixers is not explicitly prohibited and with no specific laws regulating their use. In these countries, the legal status of crypto mixers may depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case and the application of general legal principles.

One such country is the United States. Here, the use of crypto mixers is not explicitly prohibited and there are equally no laws specifically addressing the use of these services. However, the use of crypto mixers may be considered a violation of anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations if they are used to conceal the source of funds or to evade taxes.

Otherly, there are some remarkable countries where the use of crypto mixers is explicitly prohibited by law. For example, in 2018, the Central Bank of Iran banned the use of all digital currencies, including Bitcoin, and the use of crypto mixers is considered a violation of this ban.

A similar situation could be found in India too. In July 2019, the Reserve Bank of India prohibited all banks and financial institutions from providing services to individuals or businesses dealing in virtual currencies, including the use of crypto mixers.

Pros of using the Crypto mixer

Helps in concealing the identity of the users for each transaction performed on the Blockchain.

Makes crypto trading more decentralized.

Cons of using the crypto mixer
Chumbak and four additional direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands have already been bought by Goat Brand Labs, an e-commerce brand roll-up company, bringing its portfolio to 20 whole, the company confirmed. In the D2C brand space, this is another another big sale. This is the best offer for Goat since the company's founding in 2021. Goat is backed by Flipkart Ventures and Tiger Global. The other four brands were not addressed by the company in its prepared statement. Comparatively, they are smaller than the Chumbak.

A homegrown home and lifestyle brand, Chumbak clocked gross sales of about Rs 100 crore in the last 12 months, according to a person briefed on the matter.

It sells various products, such as bags, accessories, home decor and other products, through its online platform and physical stores. Sources said the company clocked close to Rs 66 crore in revenue in 2022 with a loss of nearly Rs 35 crore. In 2021, it clocked revenue of Rs 52 crore and a loss of Rs 34 crore.

Goat has acquired a majority stake of around 80% in Chumbak while its cofounders hold around 13%. Post the acquisition, Goat will continue to work with Chumbak's founders Shubhra Chadda and Vivek Prabhakar, along with CEO Vasant Nangia.

E-commerce brand roll-up firms typically acquire anywhere between 70-80% of a firm and then work with the founders to scale the brand and its products further.

The Bengaluru-based firm was last valued at Rs 273 crore, in November 2020, as per data from Tracxn. Sources directly aware of the matter said Goat had acquired the brand at a significantly lower value than its previous valuation. Chumbak has raised over Rs 300 crore in funding since starting in 2009.

Gaja Capital and Matrix Partner held a 42.5% and 25.7% stake in the firm, respectively, as two of its largest investors. For Chumbaks investors, the deal isnt yielding any return on investments. This is not a venture capital deal where it is priced based on the last valuation. There was a discussion on how to structure the deal and its definitely lower than the previous valuation of the company, one of the people mentioned above said.

The D2C brand space saw a massive infusion of capital across categories due to the Covid bump-up in online shopping. Last December, Hindustan Unilever Limited invested in Zywie Ventures, which sells plant-based supplement brand Oziva, and Nutritionalab, which owns nutritional products under Wellbeing, to enter the Rs 30,000 crore health and wellness market.

On December 8 that HUL was in talks to buy Oziva. TMRW, an Aditya Birla Group venture, also said in November that it will be investing Rs 290 crore in eight D2C brands, including casual wear brand Bewakoof. Goat co-founder Rishi Vasudev said the plan is to make Chumbak a Rs 500 crore brand by 2025.

Chumbak, since its founding days, has been an Indian homegrown D2C brand that appeals to a global audience. Our vision is to make Indian D2C brands world famous and we have built multiple capabilities for that, said Vasudev. This partnership is the perfect recipe to grow the brand exponentially by expanding its global reach, both online and offline, through a tech and data-driven approach.

Last year, Goat acquired multiple well-known D2C brands, including The Label Life, and true Browns. Goat, which raised $50 million in a mix of equity and debt funding last June, competes against Alpha Wave-backed Mensa Brands, e-commerce firm FirstCrys Globalbees, as well as the local arm of US firm Thrasio here. Rameswar Misra is Vasudevs cofounder at Goat.
Online business in India is becoming more competitive. According to NITI Ayog, the digital payments market in India is expected to grow to USD one trillion by 2023. It has become essential for e-commerce business owners to keep abreast with the latest industry developments, particularly in technology. With the digital transformation, the e-commerce landscape needs to amp up online payment methods for customers and ensure an expected level of convenience, ease of use, and security. As per the survey, unduly slow checkout processes contribute to high cart abandonment rates. Cashfree Payments offers maximum e-payment methods for hassle-free and instant online payments.

Let's know the five online payment trends for 2023 that will shape the future of e-commerce:

SoftPOS- SoftPOS (Software Point of Sale) is the perfect software-based solution for merchants looking to enhance the online payment experience for customers. Cashfree Payments offers a solution where business agents can use their smartphones as digital POS machines instead of carrying a physical POS machine. SoftPOS solution can be used in online and offline stores, E-commerce marketplaces, NBFC platforms, food delivery platforms, hyper-local delivery platforms with multiple delivery agents, and other platforms. The customers can tap their contactless card onto the merchant's smartphone and make the payments. The software also allows businesses to accept payments by generating unique UPI QR codes on smartphones or sending payment links over WhatsApp or SMS. One unique feature of this payment method is that businesses can accept payments through multiple business agents and centrally monitor all transactions. EMI/Pay later - Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is the emerging trend in the E-commerce startup space. It allows consumers to make purchases and opt to pay at a later date in one or more installments. E-commerce businesses have enormous potential to expand or retain their customer base by offering such payment options. Cashfree Payments' new BNPL suite provides the broadest pay-later partner network through a simple, one-time integration. Merchants can offer various pay-later options to the consumers, for example-debit card EMI, credit card EMI, BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later), No-cost EMI, and cardless EMI. In short, merchants fund their customers under this financing option to increase product sales, especially bigger ticket items. Prepaid cards and wallets - In 2023, businesses can launch their cards and offer them to their consumers, employees, and partners for royalty and rewards, payroll, expense management, and more. These cards may not necessarily be physical. They can be virtual cards, wallets, or wearables. Cashfree Payments introduced a card issuance solution that fits the needs of the Fintech, logistics platform, E-commerce, and high-growth businesses. One of the growing use cases of prepaid cards and e-wallets is to enable incentive payouts on cards instead of direct transfers to bank accounts. This allows businesses to earn interchange revenue with the spending on the card. Payment Links - Payment Links by Cashfree are the easiest way to accept payments from customers for the business. This payment method works without taking the customers to any app or website. Now, D2C brands, the travel sector, the hospitality sector, the education sector, utility products or service providers, and other businesses that do business using social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., don't need a website to get paid anymore. Merchants can share the Payment Link with the customer via different channels like SMS, WhatsApp, email, etc.; upon clicking the link, customers can pay using all available payment methods. Once the payment is made using the link, the merchant will receive a notification. This payment-receiving feature also allows businesses to set the expiry for the link, enable partial payments, or send Payment Links in bulk. Custom Payment Forms-Businesses can collect payments from multiple customers using the Payment Form without integration or coding. A Payment Form is a web page that can be customised to fit business needs. One can add products, and descriptions, insert product images, set an amount, add custom input fields to collect information and do much more to show off the brand's personality. The payments can be collected in minutes by sharing the form URL with customers on SMS, email, and other messaging apps or by embedding it on the website/app.

E-Payments are the future of India. In the coming years, we will see a revolution in digital payment methods. Most of the mentioned trends will play a significant role in e-commerce. Millennials and Gen Z are using more and more cashless payment methods, and businesses have an excellent opportunity to tap this customer segment through trending payment options. E-commerce businesses must determine which payment method best works for the company's growth. The more payment facilities available to the customers, the higher the convenience and ease of use which will ultimately help increase the sales and conversion rate.
There has been a talk by the government with stakeholders who objected to the regulatory framework for live commerce in India. Under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Standards has started to assess the need for guidelines for the new form of e-commerce as mentioned by a renowned media house. There is a follow of moves by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the issuance of international standards for live commerce.

The Indian standards recognition email reviewed by the media house has sought comments from members of the retail, e-commerce, and e-payment services sectional committee after the ISO floated a ballot for registering a new proposal on live commerce. The norms specified by the ISO have started the process of issuing new international standards to find a vote from member countries on whether a preliminary working item should be issued or not.

There are member countries examining the proposal in the context of policies or rules and trade interests. BIS confirmed the development of the media following email queries. A member of the BIS committee stated that it received the international standards bodys request for comments. A reporter stated, The idea essentially here is whether to follow the ISO guidelines or to customize as per market need.

Company Edification

The committee includes top-notch representatives from companies including Amazon India, Flipkart, Tata group, Reliance Industries, Paytm, Shiprocket, BigBasket, and others. There are includes officials from the ministries of electronics and information technology, MSME, corporate affairs, addition to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Quality Council of India, and industry bodies including the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The government move has arrived at a time when live commerce is witnessing increased participation from top e-tailers such as Flipkart, Amazon India, and Myntra. Live commerce is a fair business in China and it relies on influencer shopping experts that hold live sessions on e-commerce platforms. The idea is for shoppers for making such purchases while the Livestream runs. There are queries answered by the experts. At present, there are no separate guidelines for live commerce in India except the broader ones for the e-commerce marketplace with regard to online shopping.

Live Commerce

Live commerce can be completed through multiple routes, which include social media platforms as well as short-video applications, where influencers, in partnership with brands, showcase products. Platforms such as Myntra and Amazon have contracts with influencers and various commercial aspects that are incorporated into the same.

There is a survey by the community Local Circles that showed 70 percent of its respondents felt live commerce will get useful and were keen on engaging in live commerce. Acquiring the queries resolved in real time, pricing discussions, and after-sales queries that were among the features consumers might prefer in getting clarity during the sessions.

One grey part of live commerce is the accountability of the so-called influencers in selling products. One person aware of how live commerce evolves stated, The influencers are handpicked by the platforms in consultation with brands on their popularity and reach, among other factors.

Regulation Of Rules

Indian authorities have already started the construction of a regulatory framework around influencers. The same includes guidelines by the government for social media influencers that are to prescribe penalties for failing in disclosing financial ties with brands. In a separate article, the securities and exchange board of India (SEBI) is working on rules for the regulation of financial influencers after taking note of the increasing number of influencers advising to trade online without a license.

A spokesperson for Myntra stated that it had been a five-fold increase in traffic from M-Live (its live commerce vertical). As per the Flipkart-owned firm, it has been in recently held news that there is a sale event in December that saw over 300 live sessions from brands such as Puma, Adidas, Nivea, Levis, and others, along with leading influencers such as Santoshi Shetty, Karron S, and others. An eCommerce industry executive stated that the idea is getting closer to getting users to spend more time on the platform through the sessions and one can make a purchase that is based on the session even after it is over.

Amazon India stated that streamed more than 450 hours of cumulative content during the festive sale season in 2022 and almost 10 percent of all visitors on Amazon India watched a live stream during the first week of the flagship sale event. There is a bet on live commerce and it has long-term potential in India as there is an essential role in how it is playing out in China. Among the established e-commerce geographies, China was among the first to witnessing explode of sales through the channel.

In 2021, the management consulting McKinsey & Co stated that the value of China is a live eCommerce market that grew at a compounded annual growth (CAGR) of more than 280 percent between 2017 and 2020 reaching an estimated $171 billion in 2020. The report noted that fashion and beauty were the top categories for live commerce in China and the concept could gain traction in a post-pandemic scenario with the in-store physical experiences drying up.

Conclusion

Experts are stating there are outside of China which are witnessing commerce that has been unable for gaining traction in the Southeast Asia region, where there are several companies in the feature launch.

However, India is estimated for offering substantial potential with more than 600 million users of short-form video by 2025, which is a report by Bain & Co in collaboration with Flipkart as shown.
As per NASSCOM (East) chairman Sanjoy Chatterjee, the startup ecosystem in eastern India, especially West Bengal, is improving. NASSCOM, the premier trade body of IT and ITeS sector, has so far incubated 221 start ups in the region so far, he told a press conference here.

It set up the warehouse for mentoring the largest start up ecosystem in the eastern part of the country seven years ago. Out of the 221 incubated start ups, 79 were funded, including 49 with the second series. These start ups included both technology and non-tech ones in the MSME and large enterprises space.

"The start up ecosystem in the east, particularly West Bengal, is improving.A large number of IT and ITeS firms are going to start operations from the city," Chatterjee said. Besides NASSCOM, the other major incubators in West Bengal are IIM Innovation Park and IIT Kharagpur among others.

Elaborating on NASSCOM's efforts in Bengal, he said it will hold the first Bengal Entrepreneurs Summit on Technology in the city on January 19 and more than 400 start ups are expected to attend the event.

Among the participants will be start ups from the tech, IoT, blockchain, data science and fintech, besides venture capitalists and angel investors, he said. Currently, nearly 16 start ups are being mentored at the NASSCOM warehouse and many of them remotely, Chatterjee added.


Seized during the search of the residence were quantities of fentanyl, oxycontin and other controlled substances. Also seized were quantities of United States currency.



As a result of the aforementioned seizure, Francis Leonard Merva, 57, of Mahanoy City, was charged with violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act and Pennsylvania Crimes Code as follows:

Possession With the Intent to Deliver (fentanyl)

Possession With the Intent to Deliver (oxycontin)

Possession of a Controlled Substance (fentanyl)

Possession of a Controlled Substance (oxycontin)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Merva was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge, the Honorable Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail. Merva was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge, the Honorable Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.





On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, members of the Pennsylvania State Police and Schuylkill County District Attorneys Office, Drug Task Force conducted a joint investigation which resulted in the execution of a Court Authorized Search and Seizure Warrant on a residence located within the Borough of Mahanoy City.
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Cannon-Brookes has built a reputation over the past year in shaking up the strategy and management of AGL. His quest to overhaul Australias largest emitter has resulted the company fast tracking of its timetable to reduce emissions. When commercial judgement and egos collide, the energy produced could probably rival that of the project they are fighting about. Forrest and Cannon-Brookes teamed up more than a year ago to provide funding for Sun Cable. The enormous size of the project and the big names behind it caught the eye of the community and a tick from the government and served as a marvellous piece of green branding for Australia. If it were to fail as a result of this dispute, Australia would sustain a reputational green-eye.

But in the closing months of 2022, a sizable chasm emerged between Sun Cables two high-profile backers around the management, control and funding of the company. Shareholder agreements give both billionaires equal rights and vetoes over Sun Cable and its funding. They were the largest contributors to a $210 million capital raising that Sun Cable completed in the early months of last year. Those who have dealt with Cannon-Brookes and Forrest wondered from the start how the two type-A personalities would be able to share the control of a company. This capital could be drawn down by Sun Cable in instalments  but only after meeting various progress hurdles. In November last year, one of those hurdles that related to Indonesian permits was not met by Sun Cables management, which is led by its founder and chief executive David Griffin.

This meant the $65 million that was due to reach Sun Cables coffers was held back while the two billionaire protagonists argued about the terms under which it would be released. Each vetoed the others plans to recapitalise the company. After these agreed facts, accounts of what happened next diverge  depending on which of the warring parties is recounting. Other shareholders in Sun Cable are said to have agreed with the Cannon-Brookes proposal that the money be given to the capital-needy company but with stricter rules around operations. The route of the proposed transmission cable. The Cannon-Brookes camp says Forrest wanted the founders holdings to be diluted and the management to be replaced by Forrests people.

The Forrest side suggests that Sun Cable management is profligate, burning through cash too quickly and questions its ability to manage a project this size. But team Forrest is not saying that taking control of Sun Cable was a condition of its ongoing funding support. Rather it believes that the current management hasnt got the expertise to deliver on a project of this size and was unwilling to take the advice from Forrests team, which has expertise in large infrastructure projects. On the other hand, Cannon-Brookes has supported management to remain in their jobs but on the condition that some tighter key performance indicators were met. The only thing on which they can agree is that the result was a stalemate between the two big shareholders, which in turn left Sun Cable without the funding it needed to continue trading. The impasse will now be adjudicated by the administrators. But it will likely not spell the end of the project.

There is a very real chance that both billionaires will put in bids to buy or recapitalise the company, which is hopeful of signing a supply deal with the Singapore government over the next 12 months. In a pointed statement on Thursday, Cannon-Brookes private company Grok said: We have made it clear in our statements that we remain committed to the company. If there is an opportunity to remain invested alongside a consortium with constructive partners it is something we would certainly consider. Loading Squadron Energy, which is the company through which Forrest holds his interest in Sun Cable, wont rule out a continuing involvement but only if a different management and board are put in place. Squadron chairman John Hartman said on Thursday: A project with the scale and ambition of Sun Cable requires vision and precise execution.
They could quite easily operate in a cashless economy just as most businesses do, but they probably dont want to, she said. Companies in general that operate with a lot of cash in their system are often less strict in their accounting than they ought to be and operate in the grey market. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is backing a cashless gaming card. Credit: Rhett Wyman ClubsNSW, which has vowed to fight the proposal in the lead up to the March state election, has raised concerns that the cashless card would empower government bureaucrats to monitor spending and track gambling transactions. It also said a cashless gaming card would require players to create an ID that links a bank account to their gambling transactions.

There has been no thought about who will have access to the data and for what purposes. Recent data hacks show that there are significant privacy risks when large amounts of data are held in a central location, it warns. Loading Garbarino said while clubs may be concerned about government oversight, punters would also see how much they were spending on gambling on bank statements. This was often less obvious when they were spending cash. University of Sydney professor Sally Gainsbury, who specialises in gambling psychology research, said poker machines were unique in requiring the use of cash. The argument that people wouldnt play if there was no cash hasnt ever been tested, she said. There is no evidence to suggest thats the case.

Professor Sally Gainsbury specialises in gambling psychology research. Credit: Richard Windeyer It is like a muscle memory thing. People are used to playing cash, so there would be an adjustment period. But just in the same way that people have migrated from the physical TABs to online, it is highly likely that with the right set up people could easily migrate over to a cashless system, particularly if it was mandatory. Gainsbury said because most other consumer activity was cashless or facilitated cashless transactions, most punters would adapt, but this was untested. Gaming NSW was in the early stage of conducting a trial at a club in Newcastle. There is a lot of evidence that customers are moving towards cashless ways of paying for almost every other activity, she said. It would be surprising if there was something so unique about poker machines that consumers wouldnt transition.

University of Sydney PhD student Thomas Swanton has been researching the impacts of different payment methods on gambling. Gainsbury and Garbarino are supervising his work. Loading He recently presented some of his findings on consumer views on cashless gambling. It showed that while some punters were concerned they might find it harder to control spending using cashless methods of payment, the system could be established to require them to set limits. They could get regular activity statements and push notifications if they exceeded a set limit on spending and incorporate this with self exclusion systems. One of the study participants who uses poker machines said cashless gambling was a step in the right direction if its linked into a self-exclusion scheme that limits the amount of funds that can be accessed on the card.

For me its a massive advantage over cash because cash is unlimited ... and it should be linked to your identity, the study participant said. Loading Another said: Having a card helps facilitate that transparency on how much Ive actually put into a machine because in the past I wouldnt have a clue. The research also found the cashless system would need to be mandatory to be effective in preventing people from switching to cash after blowing their card limit. Some participants raised concerns about privacy and freedom of choice if cashless gambling methods were introduced.
Best-selling author Colleen Hoovers upcoming adult colouring book has been scrapped just a day after it was announced, following a backlash on social media where the wildly popular author was accused of being tone-deaf.

The colouring book, which was announced on Wednesday, and set to be released on April 4, 2023, was inspired by her chart-topping novel It Ends with Us, which details domestic abuse.

Hoover posted on Instagram saying that she had decided to pull the colouring book. Credit: Atria

Fans took to social media following the announcement on Wednesday to voice their hurt and concern that the author was making light of issues of emotional manipulation and gaslighting by turning the story into an activity book.

How can you write a book about domestic abuse, about gaslighting, about general emotional manipulation, and then think to yourself, you know what I should make to commemorate this? A colouring book, one upset TikTok user said.
Lisa Marie Presley has died after being rushed to hospital following a suspected cardiac arrest.

According to TMZ, the 54-year-old daughter of Elvis Presley was in the intensive care unit on life support with a temporary pacemaker, and placed in an induced coma before she passed away.

Lisa Marie Presley (right), seen with her mother Priscilla, has died after she suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in California. Credit: Invision/AP

Emergency medical technicians reportedly performed CPR at Presleys home in Calabasas, California, and TMZ claimed paramedics were able to regain a pulse before Presley was taken to hospital.

TMZ also reported that Presleys housekeeper found the singer-songwriter unresponsive in her bedroom, and ex-husband Danny Keough performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
A surgeon named in a coronial inquest into a mans death in NSW carried out procedures on more than 2000 Victorian and NSW patients whose cases will now have to be reviewed, according to Safer Care Victoria (SCV).

The patients all had colonoscopies at Albury Wodonga Health, Albury Wodonga Private Hospital and Insight Private Hospital in Albury between 2018 and 2022.

The recall impacts residents in the Albury-Wodonga region in Victoria and NSW. Credit: Getty

In a media release, the healthcare watchdog said an independent panel of experts reviewed procedures performed by Dr Liu-Ming Schmidt since 2018, finding evidence that some colonoscopies performed or supervised by Schmidt were incomplete or lacked thoroughness.

A recent coronial inquest in NSW heard that Schmidt performed surgery on the wrong end of a mans colon in 2019. The man in his 70s died from complications of peritonitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal wall and covering the abdominal organs) following the error.
Who I am today is formed by the good things that I have done in my life. Not just the good things, but the mistakes that I have made and how I have learnt from that. Thats how you grow, and at that time clearly the pages in a book, a history book, had not had the impression on me that they should have at that time. Did you feel a pressure to reveal this today? As has been said, youve known about this for 20 years. As has been said, it is something that I have had to carry with me for my life. And when it was put to me two days ago, I thought, and [its] something I have struggled with and have thought about raising and never did. And so when it was raised with me, as I said, it is my, it is a massive mistake, a terrible mistake that I made and it was important, it was important for the people of our state to hear it from me, in circumstances where I know that this day today, and what I am saying, is going to cause people immense pain. Premier, have you turned your thoughts yet at all to how damaging this might be for your election campaign? No

Premier, you said you didnt realise that wearing this costume was a problem, would be offensive when you did it, but you realised one day later. That doesnt make sense if you said you didnt realise at the age of 21 how offensive this would be, but you realised it the day you wore the costume. My parents spoke to me the next day. What did they say to you?

They said what I did was wrong, and insensitive. Were your parents at the party? Yes.

Premier, youve called for lifetime bans for people at the Australia Cup final who used Nazi salutes. This is quite astonishing given some of those things that youve said  How does this all fit in with that? Well, as I said, my life, my experience in life and the journey that I have gone on, I have become a very passionate supporter of the Jewish people. I have understood first-hand through the experiences and the people I have spoken to, the books Ive read, and I have become incredibly passionate. As [former NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive] Vic Alhadeff and I spoke about today, he knows how passionate I am and have been since I have been in public life, in supporting our Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, and our veterans as well who, and their families and many died fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addresses the media about how he wore a Nazi outfit to his 21st birthday. Credit: Rhett Wyman Back in 2021, you announced an extension to [the Jewish] Museum and in that same year you announced a state funeral for [Holocaust survivor] Eddie Jaku. Are you telling us you did both those things while knowing that you held this secret? You didnt think that was an appropriate time to disclose this? There were other times as well that I have thought about doing this. And perhaps I think that as treasurer, the Jewish Museum  this has probably driven me, in my personal way to do whatever I could to help the Jewish community in my role as a parliamentarian and as treasurer.

Loading That was something I know so well because I have done what I have done, that it could be few more important things than to help young people understand and appreciate, and thats why I made that investment as treasurer. The answer to your question, there has been a number of times, it has been an issue of personal anxiety to me, and I felt in myself, that driven by this, there were things I would do in my role to support the Jewish community in our state, and thats what I did. What would you say to people who say youre only doing this now because it was going to be released on the eve of an election? I have grappled with this for my life. I have had this for my life, and the reason  there was a number of times and courses of events that I have thought about this, but when it was put to me, I felt that this is difficult to say because I know how hurtful it is for so many people right across our state. And it was important that I, as premier of this state, addressed this and apologised for the hurt and the pain that this is going to cause.
Speaking as a woman and member of the Catholic faithful, I believe many will have mixed feelings about Cardinal George Pells death. Back in 2011, Pell presided over a model of church that was the antithesis of what many Catholics of faith, living in a modern democracy, found acceptable.

Child abuse within the church had broken trust. I was among progressive Catholics working desperately to reform a church that was clearly ignorant of the terrible harm its clerical culture had caused. Even when it amounted to criminal behaviour, the church was resistant to criticism of its lack of transparency and accountability and the failures of its leadership  all devastatingly exposed by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

George Pell, pictured in 2002, when he was archbishop of Sydney. Credit: Peter Rae

Pell, as we know, was imprisoned on charges of child abuse, but this conviction was quashed by Australias High Court. Many will mourn his death this week. He was a significant figure in Australian and international Catholicism. He was instrumental in rectifying financial corruption within the Vatican.

But Pell also led a church in Australia that subordinated and alienated its women  and continues to do so.
A leading Queensland university has called for new rules to curtail what it has described as the international student transfer poaching market.

Brisbane-based Queensland University of Technology argued, in a submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry, that there was a need to extend the requirement for students to complete part of their principal program of study with their host provider.

QUT is concerned other universities are poaching their international students.

Instead of six months, as it is now, students should be required to stay for at least 12 months, QUT argued, to reduce the onshore withdrawal/transfer market.

And if students continued to abandon the universities that facilitated their move to Australia, the trailing visa risk should be carried by the institution where they ended up enrolled.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said survivors of sexual abuse should be foremost in peoples thoughts in his first public comments following the death of Cardinal George Pell.

During a Thursday morning press conference, Andrews sent his condolences to Pells family and friends and extended a message of support to the survivors of child sexual abuse and their loved ones. The high-ranking Catholic leader died in Rome on Wednesday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit: Scott McNaughton

Legacy is a matter for others to judge, Andrews said. Im not here to do anything other than send one message of condolence to his family and friends.

But I think, more importantly, at what will be a very challenging time for victim survivors, [its important] to send the clearest possible message: That we see you. We believe you, we support you, and youre at the centre for not only our thoughts  not only our words  but our actions.
The death toll among livestock in Western Australias flood-ravaged Kimberley region is feared to be well into the tens of thousands.

But as waters recede and attention turns to the disasters impact on local businesses, there is also a warning on the dangers lurking in the regions swollen waterways.

Floodwaters in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Credit: Andrea Myers

Freshly minted Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis travelled to the region on Wednesday, which has been battered by floods and heavy rainfall in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.

The floods have had a devastating impact on the regions once-thriving pastoral stations, which have lost scores of cattle, buildings and stockyards.
Former Victorian Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett says the Albanese government must detail its plans for the advisory body in draft legislation before the referendum or risk being responsible for its failure.

Kennett, a Voice supporter, was a member of the co-design process led by Indigenous leaders Marcia Langton and Tom Calma, which was tasked by the former Morrison government with developing a model for how a Voice to Parliament could work.

Former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett has called for the prime minister to release draft legislation on how the Voice will be established. Credit: Getty Images

He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese owes it to the public to outline before the referendum how he planned to convert into legislation the extensive detail in the final 269-page Langton-Calma report.

If he fails to do that, and the referendum fails because theres a lack of detail, then sadly, having started this process, which I support, in my opinion, he will be responsible for its failure. And that would be an awful thing for him, and for the government and for the community, Kennett said.
ICAC delay a disservice to Berejiklian and voters NSW ICAC must surely stand for Not Sure When I Can Announce Corruption. Must be after the next election (ICAC under fire over Berejiklian report delay, January 12). John Lenton, Wagga Wagga Lives and careers are ruined while we wait for ICAC that takes years to submit a report (Well vote in the dark over premiers fall, January 12). This process is flawed and needs urgent surgery. Nicholas Cowdery argues it cannot be rushed to be fair, but the stronger argument comes from Alexandra Smith that we should expect more from this agency that wields huge power and, innocent or guilty, costs people their livelihoods as they await a finding. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach The NSW ICAC, servant of the state government, has a question to answer for the citizenry it was created to serve: Is the delayed Berejiklian/Maguire decision a matter of maladministration or legal complexity, or is it driven by political expediency? In NSW, the dogs keep barking as the political caravans roll slowly on. Bill Leigh, Pennant Hills

Former premier Gladys Berejiklian Credit: The ICAC findings with respect to the Berejiklian saga might well have been delivered before the recent federal election, but the Coalition government at the time was behind in the polls and didnt need any more bad news. State election in March. Deja vu. No more relevant elections for years to come after March. Such is life in Oz. John Hinde, Millers Point Could it be that in holding back the Berejiklian report the ICAC is trying to maintain its integrity and independence by not wishing to influence the election one way or the other? Brian Collins, Cronulla How unfair it is to the former premier to have these extraordinary delays in providing a report. The excuses for this are unacceptable. Bill Windeyer, Longueville No matter what ICAC finally decides about Berejiklian and her former boyfriend, her epitaph will surely be her statement that pork barrelling is what you do when youre in government and what it says about the atmosphere in the Coalition at the time. One is entitled to ask is it really any different now? Gary Barnes, Mosman

A delayed ICAC report on Gladys Berejiklian; Troy Stolz taking on Chris Minns in Kogarah; David Elliott with scores to settle; the teals flexing their NSW muscle and public sector pay claims waiting in the wings. This will be one state election for the ages. To misquote Charles Darwin, it could all come down to the survival of the trickiest. Barry Ffrench, Cronulla Early uni offers are efficient and fair Plenty of people achieve academic success in tertiary education without producing a great ATAR (Universities delay early offers  but they still undermine year 12, critics warn, January 12). The system needs a rethink. The article suggests students become complacent when they receive early offers. A better word could be relieved that they can still do tertiary study regardless of the inequality in high school education in Australia. It also suggests the current system is efficient and fair. Many public school students in NSW are taught by teachers not qualified in specialist areas such as maths and science. I found out today that private schools employ scientists to teach science and lead practical lessons. That doesnt sound fair.

We are told we need to protect the integrity of the HSC. What integrity when some students have a clear advantage over others? What integrity when your access to higher education is determined by your address or parents income more than your ability to process information? If universities have determined the qualities and skills their prospective students need to complete their studies why dont we trust them? It is time to let go of the idea that anyone can do anything when the odds are stacked against so many. If we are not willing to use our resources to properly fund all students to be taught the same then we should not be testing them the same and expecting the same results. Let students show they can have success in tertiary education through whatever means they can. Annette Reynolds, Bawley Point The so-called review of the early uni offer scheme, by the universities themselves, is a farce and continues to undermine the integrity of the HSC. The now stated condition of having to complete the HSC makes a mockery of the whole process  the universities are admitting that this was not previously required. Year 12 students are totally confused, have no voice or say in the process, at a time of immense stress which only goes to show how commercialised higher education is in this country. Michael Blissenden, Dural What was he thinking? At least the now NSW premier cant claim that members of the royal family made him do it (Deeply ashamed: Perrottet wore Nazi costume to his 21st birthday, smh.com.au January 12). Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)

Canberra must lead the way The downfall of a massive and forward-looking renewable energy project, because a couple of rich men couldnt agree on funding structure, shows that Australias response to the climate crisis must be led and funded by our government and its publicly accountable authorities (Billionaires bust-up spells end for $25b cable project, January 12). Energy action that is necessary for our survival should not be controlled by random billionaires. It is quite incongruous that our PM merely labels such a massive venture an exciting project then passively lets it collapse. Australias borrowing power, knowledge base and sovereign strengths are sufficient to bring such a project to fruition for our nation; it only takes foresight and statecraft, as shown by many great politicians in crises in the past. Tim Dashwood, Killara Unions money grab Unions are being extremely disingenuous in asking non-members to contribute to the cost of pay negotiations (Health Services Union wants to charge non-members $500 each for wage deals, January 12). The request itself is reasonable but asking $500 a year, more than 80 per cent of what a full member pays, is ridiculous.

Negotiating pay surely cant cost $500 per employee, nor be 80 per cent of what unions do. The size of the proposed charge makes this look like an opportunistic power grab now that Labor is back in government.

In any event, unions are probably shooting themselves in the foot. If everyone gets slugged with a mandatory $500 a year, it wont be long before the emergence of a Union Lite, offering the same service at a fraction of the price. Competing unions would be bad for employers, employees and, most of all, the existing unions.

Fraser Rew, Redfern

See you on Sunday Hey, Anthony, barbecue at my place on Sunday (The PM, the premier and a billionaires private helicopter: What Albanese did at the weekend, smh.com.au, January 12). You know, just to show you dont play favourites with the rich and famous. No helicopter, Im afraid. And no need to tweet about this one, either. But no lobbying for a private airport, maybe just a bit of chat about the NDIS and NBN. Looking forward to it. Cheers Mark Sapsford, North Turramurra Dogged by canines In the 1960s, as I wandered through the streets as a child, dogs were everywhere (Letters, January 12). Cowering dogs, aggressive dogs, nursing dogs with swaying undercarriage and, of course, friendly dogs.

Over time dogs were contained, neutered and healthier. Anthropomorphism is rampant and dogs are called Ryan and Belinda rather than Snoopy and Fido. I am constantly told as another staffy rushes up to me; Dont worry, he/she wont hurt you. Its just the seconds of terror before the approach that concern me.

Please can dog owners understand the animal you are nurturing. Your dog is not aware that the small wallaby or echidna is an endangered species and the sand that they dig in contains a myriad of marine species, small and large that help support an ecosystem.

Yes, dog ownership is growing and its a huge industry. But we do have to balance the needs of dogs and the requirements of a healthy environment. Scott Warnes, Suffolk Park I understand your correspondents. I am incensed by the similar behaviour of small children and the indifference of their parents. Perhaps dog and toddler bans for these first world problems? Or maybe (gasp!) some old-fashioned tolerance? Nigel Vertigan, Wentworth Falls

The ocean is filled with billions of fish and large mammals. All of them are pooping into the ocean, all of the time. Hold that thought the next time you and your family go for a swim.

No need to write letters of complaint. Neil Quinn, Vincentia Monument to failure There is an art installation boom in the Sydney CBD, so I propose all these bikes be welded together into a mammoth sculpture (1600 brand new share bicycles gather dust after Mobike collapse, January 12). This will be a potent reminder of the governments irresponsibility in granting business licences without any regard for accountability as well as the futility of our efforts in reducing our contribution to landfill. Cristina Corleto, Stanmore Pomp and animosity What Prince Harry has made public is that his family are like any other family; cranky, tired and loving (Letters, January 12). Its just like reading about ourselves but with pomp, palaces and the press. Mary Julian, Glebe

Apparently the new cure for a traumatic childhood is to make $100 million plus criticising everyone who upset you. Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West Im pleased to see all the fuss arising from the public airing by Harry of his familys dirty laundry. It demonstrates that this royal family is not special or superior, and there is no justification for their perpetual status as head of state of any country, let alone Australia. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach What is the point of the British royal family? Not the individuals but the institution. Ann Babington, Lambton The digital view Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au


Singapore: Singapore has been quick to point out it has plenty of options to achieve its renewable energy goals, following the collapse of Sun Cable, the $35 billion Australian solar megaproject that has been placed into voluntary administration.

Sun Cable has ambitions to supply as much as 15 per cent of Singapores energy via the Australia-Asia PowerLink, an undersea cable from the Northern Territory. It has also signed a deal with Indonesia, through whose waters the 4200-kilometre cable would largely be laid.

Singapore, however, has received more than 20 bids from around the region for a contract to supply the city-state with low-carbon electricity, its government said, adding it would achieve its goals.

Singapore has limited scope to produce its own solar power and is looking abroad for help with its transition to net-zero. Credit: Bloomberg

Sun Cable is on shaky ground after entering into voluntary administration amid a stand-off between its billionaire backers Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest.
Washington: House Republicans have opened their long-promised investigation into President Joe Biden and his family, wielding the power of their new majority to demand information from the Treasury Department and former Twitter executives as they laid the groundwork for public hearings.

Now that Democrats no longer have one-party rule in Washington, oversight and accountability are coming, Republican James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).

Representative James Comer talks to reporters as he walks to the House chamber, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Credit: AP

The Republican-led committee sent a series of letters requesting financial information from the Treasury Department about financial transactions by members of the Biden family that were flagged as suspicious activity. Those reports are routine, with larger financial transactions automatically flagged to the government, and are not evidence on their own of misconduct.

Committee members also requested testimony from several former Twitter executives who were involved in the companys handling of an October 2020 story from the New York Post about Hunter Biden, the presidents younger son. Republicans say that story was suppressed for political reasons.
TAMPA FL:--- Seven Seas Water Group, a multi-national provider of Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) solutions, today announced the visit to the Pointe Blanche drinking water plant by Governor Ajamu Baly of Sint Maarten.

The new Governor acknowledges the importance of water reliability and visited one of the islands three drinking water production plants on Wednesday, December 14th. The plants are owned and operated by Seven Seas Water Group, which has been responsible for the reliable operations on the island since 2007.

Seven Seas Water Group has invested in and operated the Pointe Blanche, Cupecoy, and Cay Bay plants over the last fifteen years, providing the island with quality drinking water. Through its Water-as-a-Service arrangement, Seven Seas Water Group provides cost-efficient solutions, guaranteeing quality and quantity of water to residents, while the island can focus on expanding its businesses and attracting tourists.

We are honored to welcome his Excellency Governor Baly to our state-of-the-art water desalination treatment plant at Pointe Blanche. We take pride in serving the country of Sint Maarten, partner with GEBE, and excel as the provider of this critical resource, said Henry J. Charrabe, CEO of Seven Seas Water Group who is visiting Sint Maarten. We are excited to work with the Government of Sint Maarten to continue to deliver drinking water and increase treatment capacity, as well as extend our services on the island. Seven Seas Water Group is committed to investing further, including relocating the Cupecoy plant to allow room for water plant capacity expansion for residential and commercial developments. In addition, Seven Seas Water will continue its commitment with the cooperation of the Sint Maarten Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley, to provide scholarships and internships for local Sint Maarten students and water professionals to gain further knowledge of the water industry.

With an outstanding reputation for reliable and efficient water and wastewater treatment solutions, the Seven Seas Water Group Water-as-a-Service approach helps solve water and wastewater infrastructure challenges globally. The company is committed to achieving a 2050 Net Zero Goal and received an all-star sustainability rating by GRESB.
Skeena Announces Updates to Management Team

Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, NYSE: SKE) (aSkeenaa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/skeena-resources-ltd/ ) announces that, effective immediately, Skeenaa?s Chief Operating Officer (aCOOa), Shane Williams, has left the Company to pursue other endeavours. RandyA Reichert, President & CEO, will temporarily assume the duties of COO in addition to his normal role.

aOn behalf of the Board and all Skeena employees, I want to thank Shane for his contributions to the Eskay Creek Project. We wish him well in his future endeavors,\ stated Walter Coles, Executive Chairman.

In addition, Skeena is pleased to announce the promotion of Adrian Newton to Vice President (aVPa) of Exploration. Reporting to Paul Geddes, Skeenaa?s Senior Vice President of Exploration and Resource Development, Mr. Newton is an integral member of the exploration management team. He will continue to oversee exploration programs and assist with the strategic growth of the Companya?s portfolio of projects in the Golden Triangle. Mr. Newton has worked on Skeenaa?s Exploration Team for almost 5 years and has over 18 years of precious metals focused international experience working with junior exploration through to major mining companies.

The Companya?s President & CEO, Randy Reichert, commented aIt is a pleasure to have Adrian move into the VP of Exploration position. Adrian has demonstrated his technical prowess with the Eskay Creek deposit and has been instrumental in the recent exploration successes on the Projecta.A

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in September 2022 which highlights an open-pit average grade of 4.00 g/t AuEq, an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.4B, 50% IRR, and a 1-year payback at US$1,700/oz Au and US$19/oz Ag. Skeena is currently continuing exploration drilling at Eskay Creek.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles Jr.A

Executive Chairman

Randy Reichert

President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute aforward-looking informationa and aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, aforward-looking statementsa). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as aanticipatesa, abelievesa, aproposesa, acontemplatesa, ageneratesa, atargetsa, ais projecteda, ais planneda, aconsidersa, aestimatesa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, apotentiala and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results amaya, amighta, awilla, acoulda, or awoulda be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward- looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the results of the Feasibility Study, processing capacity of the mine, anticipated mine life, probable reserves, estimated project capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, results of test work and studies, planned environmental assessments, the future price of metals, metal concentrate, and future exploration and development. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Companya?s Annual Information Form (aAIFa) dated March 31, 2022. Such forward-looking statements represent the Companya?s management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and other key variables; changes in mine plans and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; and other risk factors identified in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 31, 2022, the base shelf prospectus dated November 11, 2020, the prospectus supplement to the Companya?s base shelf prospectus dated September 20, 2022 and in the Companya?s other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any forward- looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
Issue of Securities Pursuant to Long Term Incentive Plan Awards

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the aCompanya or aCaledoniaa  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/caledonia-mining-corporation-plc/ ) announces that following the maturing of long term incentive plan awards on January 11, 2023 which were made under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan of the Company (the aPlana), a total of 24,389 common shares of no par value in the Company are being issued to members of staff within the Companya?s group, including in the form of depositary interests and Zimbabwe depositary receipts in respect of such shares, on or about January 16, 2023.A The following aPersons Discharging Managerial Responsibilitya within the meaning of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (aPDMRsa) shall receive the securities set out below:

Further details of the issues of securities to such persons are set out in the notifications below.A

Application has been made by Caledonia for the admission of depositary interests representing all the issued shares to trading on AIM and it is anticipated that trading in such securities will commence on or about January 17, 2023. Following issue of all the shares, the Company will have a total number of shares in issue of 17,283,312 common shares of no par value each. Caledonia has no shares in treasury; therefore, this figure may be used by holders of securities in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company.

For further information please contact:

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Mark Learmonth Tel: +44 1534 679 802

Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 7817 841793

Cenkos Securities plc (Nomad and Joint Broker)

Adrian Hadden Tel: +44 207 397 1965

Neil McDonald Tel: +44 131 220 9771

Pearl Kellie Tel: +44 131 220 9775

Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker)

Scott Mathieson/Kane Collings Tel: +44 20 3100 2000

BlytheRay Financial PR

Tim Blythe/Megan Ray Tel: +44 207 138 3204

3PPB

Patrick Chidley Tel: +1 917 991 7701

Paul Durham Tel: +1 203 940 2538

Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe)

Debra Tatenda Tel: +263 77802131

IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor  Zimbabwe)

Dzika Dhana Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39

Lloyd Mlotshwa

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Note: The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (aMARa) as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company\-s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.A

A

A

A
Press Release

January 12, 2023 REVILLA DURING SENATE PROBE ON NAIA AIR TRAFFIC GLITCH: "IT IS UNACCEPTABLE!" During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services on Thursday afternoon (January 12), Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. lamented the air traffic glitch that happened at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the first day of the year. The fiasco resulted in operational shutdown not only of NAIA, but all airports in the entire country, thereby causing massive inconvenience to many passengers as total cancellation of flights happened. "Hindi ito ang hangad nating pambungad sa bagong taon at sa inaasahan nating pagpapalakas ng ating ekonomiya at turismo." "It is unacceptable - especially because of the massive inconvenience it has caused the people. Dagdag na pasakit ang delays at cancellations ng mga flights - lalo na ang hirap at bigat sa bulsa ng rebooking.", the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services strongly said. Immediately after the New Year's Day incident, Revilla filed Senate Resolution No. 391 that sought the investigation of the Senate on the matter to further evaluate Philippine airport operations and management including its existing facilities and equipment. As reported by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the disruption happened when the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) de-energized the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) equipment as the former detected a flaw in the system. "We seek for the truth behind the recent system glitch. Nais ko malinawan sa mga nangyari dahil ang higit animnapung libong kababayan nating apektado ng insidente ay hindi biro.", the lawmaker further remarked. Many affected travelers stormed social media to air their grievances. Some passengers already in-flight returning to the Philippines had to experience flight diversion due to the unavailability of the country's airports to accommodate landing. Many have also experienced waiting in NAIA for more than 8 hours after their flights were canceled, only to be told that they would not be able to fly within the day and in the coming days. "Sa ganitong sitwasyon, yung pinaka-importante, paano ang mga pasahero? Have their needs been catered to when the incident occurred? And even more importantly, we have to determine what really happened? Was it a mere technical or equipment failure? Or was there negligence? Sino ba ang dapat managot? Meron ba ditong economic sabotage?", Revilla posed questions. The solon further mentioned that he filed Senate Bill No. 1646 which seeks to provide development and modernization fund for CAAP to ensure upgrades to its standards, systems and procedures and Senate Bill No. 1654 which aims to strengthen the civil aviation agency by addressing the deficiencies in the management of that government instrumentality. Revilla said that both bills will allow the country's civil aviation to be at par with international standards.
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A vital criterion for large investors remains the stability, predictability, and transparency of the legislative framework, however this criterion was not met for the measures taken by Romania in the energy domain, the latest edition of the Business Sentiment Index (BSI) published by the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) argues, told Agerpres.

"A vital criterion for large investors remains the stability, predictability, and transparency of the legislative framework, as also highlighted by the latest edition of the Business Sentiment Index (BSI) published by the Foreign Investors Council. This criterion was not met for the measures taken by Romania in the energy domain, most of them being adopted in 2022 through emergency ordinances [GEO] without the necessary time to consult with the parties involved. Although important market players are making major efforts to adapt to new regulations, compliance and implementation are becoming increasingly burdensome given the tight deadlines, multiple changes over the past year and imperfections in the legislation, and thus the functioning of the market is affected," a FIC release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday shows.

According to the quotes source, Europe is facing an unprecedented energy crisis, the main challenge being to identify those balanced measures and tools for viable and sustainable solutions that support all actors, reduce cost pressure and protect vulnerable consumers. At the same time, important investments in the energy system are needed in order to ensure energy security and independence in the future.

Taking into consideration the complexity of the crisis and the specificities of each country (resources, national fiscal framework, legislative measures in force), the EU Regulation 2022/1854 allows wide flexibility by setting only a minimum rate of 33pct for contribution tax that can be achieved also through measures already existing at the level of each state.

The organisation's representatives argue that the adoption of GEO 186/2022 did not take into account the existing legislative framework that already implied a series of solidarity measures for vulnerable consumers, taxes on additional revenues, contributions for the fund dedicated to the energy transition, but also energy prices capping. By adopting GEO 186/2022, Romania become the only country with a significant existing taxation that has introduced also in parallel the solidarity contribution. Two-thirds of the EU countries that chose to introduce the solidarity contribution applied the minimum rate of 33pct, and more than half of the countries chose to apply only for one year (not for two, as is the case for Romania)," according to the FIC representatives.

The FIC reiterates the need for a predictable legislative framework and consultation with the business environment to reach the best solutions to ensure energy security, protecting vulnerable consumers and the viability of all actors involved in the energy sector, and at the same time, member companies' openness for dialog with state authorities to provide analyses and the expertise of professionals from private sector.

"We continue to be the partners of the Government in identifying sustainable measures to overcome the energy crisis, but also to ensure Romania's economic development," the FIC release mentions.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the police imposed fines of 300,000 RON on some commercial companies where they discovered irregularities regarding foreign employees, the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) informed on Thursday, in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

On January 10 and 11, the immigration police from Bucharest and Dolj and Satu Mare counties completed the verification of documents presented by the representatives of eight commercial companies.

IGI specifies that the immigration police in Satu Mare sanctioned a commercial company with a fine of 180,000 RON, as 18 foreigners, aged between 30 and 51, from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, were detected without permits and individual employment contracts.

The representative of a commercial company from Dolj county was penalized for contravention with a fine in the total amount of 70,000 RON, in accordance with the provisions of OG no. 25/2014, because seven foreigners who were staying illegally were accepted to work, the Inspectorate mentions.

And the immigration police from Bucharest sanctioned two commercial companies with fines totaling 60,000 RON, one of them being fined 20,000 RON for hiring a young man from Bangladesh without an employment permit, and the second was sanctioned with 40,000 RON, as it hired two foreigners from Sri Lanka, respectively Bangladesh, to work without employment permits, the General Inspectorate for Immigration also states.
Accession to the Schengen Area is a major priority for Romania, minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu said, on Thursday, noting that our country counts on Sweden's support in this file, as a mediator, having taken over the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1.

The head of the Romanian diplomacy recalled, in the press conference organized by the Swedish Embassy in Bucharest on the occasion of taking over the Presidency of the EU Council, the way in which our country managed the situation created by the war in Ukraine, showing that Romania was a "de facto guardian of EU security ".

As regards the vote against joining the Schengen Area in the JHA Council on December 8, Aurescu said "Romania was unfairly denied its legitimate expectations".

"We count on the support of the Swedish Presidency", he said, pointing out that our country is in "the most favorable position so far".

"We are not starting from scratch, but building on everything we have achieved so far," added Bogdan Aurescu.

In her turn, the Swedish ambassador in Bucharest, Therese Hyden, pointed out that "the Schengen file will be on the agenda of an official meeting, when the conditions are favorable", namely when Austria changes its position regarding Romania, and the Netherlands changes its position regarding Bulgaria.

We took over this important file from the Czech Presidency and we will work intensively, she added.

It is too early to say when this process will end, said Therese Hyden, in terms of a time horizon.

Minister Aurescu specified that, at this moment, there is a dialogue with the Austrian side, in order to create the "premises for a favorable context".

"We must not generate hasty expectations," he said.AGERPRES
Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor, president of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (co-ruling UDMR), declared on Wednesday night for the public broadcaster TVR Info that the situation of the minister of the Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, regarding his doctoral thesis is not related to the accession process of our country to the Schengen area.

"I don't want to comment on this matter, we are colleagues, but there is also a lawsuit pending, I will not comment. I simply do not understand this rush for the title of doctor, as if it were a noble title. I do not understand, I do not want to comment, Mr. Bode will probably solve it as he knows best," Kelemen Hunor said.

Asked how Bode's situation could complicate Romania's accession to Schengen, the UDMR leader said: "This matter has nothing to do with the Schengen area, Mr. Bode is not entering the Schengen area, now let's not confuse the jars in the pantry too much. If Mr. Bode were to enter as an individual, then maybe there would be a problem, but Mr. Bode, as an individual, does not enter the Schengen area."

According to the deputy prime minister, "things are not connected".

"Let's not customize things. When it comes to the Romanian state, then things are one way, when it comes to a person, no matter who that person is, it is the responsibility of that person, what he/she did or what he/she will do. But don't confuse things, that it is not the individual Mr. Bode looking for entering the Schengen area," the UDMR leader said.

The Internal Affairs minister Lucian Bode declared, on Wednesday, that the phrase "deeply flawed" regarding his doctoral thesis is a subjective assessment of the Ethics Committee of Babes-Bolyai University (UBB, ed. n.), an "empty value judgment of academic significance, while the norms were respected" and that he will go forward in court because his case "exceeded the limits of the law, but also of reason".

The Ethics Committee of the UBB in Cluj-Napoca has established with regard to the doctoral thesis of the minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, general secretary of the National Liberal Party (cio-ruling PNL, ed. n.), that the suspicions of plagiarism are confirmed in the vast majority, as it is shown in a statement sent on Wednesday by the educational institution.AGERPRES
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca met on Thursday at the Victoria Palace of Government with Alfonso Garcia Mora, International Financial Corporation Vice-President, with talks highlighting that this arm of the World Bank Group is interested in developing investments in areas related to infrastructure, energy transition, and the reduction of development gaps between regions, the government said in a release.

"According to the analyzes carried out at government level, investments played a key role in the recorded economic growth. This encourages us to continue, alongside our partners, to encourage investments, both public and private. Romania's economic edges include energy resources, well-trained workforce and a respectful approach to investors at the level of the Executive. According to Harvard surveys, Romania ranks 19th in the world among the most complex and sophisticated economies, and we can climb to the top 10 until 2030," the prime minister said as cited in the release.

According to the government, the European funds, which last year exceeded a record-high of 11 billion euros, together with the more than 80 billion euros available to Romania until 2029, represent an essential development resource whose beneficial impact can be enhanced by the financial instruments offered by the IFC, which has already invested over 4.7 billion dollars in Romania.

"In order to speed up the pace of investments and implicitly of economic development, the IFC representative expressed the willingness to provide the best practices and mechanisms for capitalizing on the public-private partnership, according to successful models applied in other developed countries. Also, the sides highlighted the need to provide financing to Romanian companies that need capital to expand their businesses," the release says.

Prime Minister Ciuca also expressed Romania's engagement in global efforts to support Ukraine following the outbreak of the Russian military aggression, including from the perspective of securing supply chains and by using the national infrastructure to facilitate the export of grain or other products.

"Along with the modernization, restoration or expansion of transport networks in this context, the sides looked at the important role of Constanta Port which has generated a concerted effort to capitalize on its potential. The IFC is interested in contributing to this effect, by accessing the global network of experts and economic actors it is connected to, by the model of the Port of Singapore," the release states.

In order to boost the pace of attracting foreign investments to Romania, which, according to central bank estimates, could exceed the record level of 11 billion euros for last year, the Romanian Investment and Foreign Trade Agency will be integrated into the government and the IFC's joint effort to speed up the economic development of Romania based on investments, the government also said. AGERPRES
The Embassy of Romania to the United States of America reported on Thursday that 30 trucks with aid donated by Americans will arrive in Ukraine through the humanitarian hub in Suceava, Romania.

According to press statement released by the embassy, it is the first humanitarian aid batch from the US to be shipped via the Romanian hub.

The "Driven to Assist Ukraine" campaign, launched in March 2022 in the US state of Utah has collected 40 tonnes of material things worth almost 1 million US dollars and 4 million US dollars in cash, the source mentioned.

The donations consist of clothing, shoes, beds, personal care products, diapers, gloves, socks, blankets, and emergency kits.

"It took a titanic effort to manage to ship the donations from the US to the European humanitarian hub in Suceava, but we succeeded. We have recently learned that all these donations are very well received by Ukraine and those who need them in these hard times. I hope with all my heart that these donated items will bring a ray of warmth and hope into the lives of those who have lost so much. We have also learned that it is the first humanitarian aid batch from the US to the humanitarian hub in Suceava," says Mircea Divricean, the honorary consul of Romania in Utah, who was directly involved in organising the transport.

Romanian ambassador to the US Andrei Muraru thanked for the effort made, noting that the process was coordinated and managed exemplarily, with solidarity and empathy towards the refugees. AGERPRES
In the midst of a corporate spiral of sharply sagging sales and soaring debt, Bed Bath & Beyond announced Tuesday that it would close more stores across the country, including the location at the Meadows in Lake Saint Louis.

The store at the Fairview Center in Fairview Heights closed on Sunday.

The store in Osage Beach, Missouri, and several locations throughout Illinois were also placed on the list of about 150 Bed Bath & Beyond stores that have closed or will close in the coming months.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said, Through store optimization, we regularly evaluate each location based on a variety of factors, including lease renewal and proximity to our other stores. Store closing sales will commence and continue over the next few months.

Tuesday, the company reported that sales dropped 33% for the quarter that ended Nov. 26, 2022, compared to the same quarter in 2021. Losses grew by more than 423% over the same time.

Last week, the company warned that it was considering all strategic alternatives, including restructuring, taking on additional debt or filing for bankruptcy.

These measures may not be successful, it said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On Monday, S&P Global Ratings said, While not actively in default, the company is highly vulnerable.

It also said, We believe the likelihood of other strategic alternatives, such as asset sales, have significantly diminished. In our view, the companys rapid cash burn and ongoing inventory challenges reflect worsening vendor relationships that are unlikely to be resolved without an immediate and large injection of capital.

President and CEO Sue Gove said in a press release that the companys troubles stemmed from a period when its marketing and strategy veered away from the preferences of its loyal customers. Another factor, she said, was that inventory was constrained.

Media outlets have been reporting tense relationships with its suppliers of such popular items as stand mixers, vacuum cleaners and air fryers.

Gove was appointed interim CEO last June. The job was made permanent in October.

Along with the Bed Bath & Beyond stores scheduled to close, the company also said that six Buy Buy Baby stores and two Harmon locations would also close. Both companies are part of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Bed, Bath & Beyond stock rose $1.42 Tuesday to close at $3.49, a gain of 69%.
The latest Gerard Butler actioner, Plane, lifts off this weekend, a brawny thriller that knows just what it is and delivers on that promise. It makes for an opportunity to take a look back at Butlers career, as hes settled comfortably into his mid-budget action-hero role in the past decade, with the results often more entertaining than not.

Though Butler appeared as Dracula in Dracula 2000 (streaming on Starz), cropped up in Angelinas Jolies Tomb Raider sequel, Cradle of Life, in 2003 (streaming on HBO Max) and co-starred as the Phantom in Joel Schumachers 2005 Phantom of the Opera (available to rent on all platforms), it seems the world didnt much sit up and take notice of Butler as a major star until Zack Snyder stripped him down to his skivvies to play King Leonidas in 300 (rent it on all platforms), which became a phenomenon back in 2006.

Despite his success as the Spartan general, Butlers newfound stardom took him down the rom-com path for a while, as he put in turns opposite Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You in 2007 (rent on all platforms), Katherine Heigl in 2009s The Ugly Truth (streaming on Starz or available to rent) and Jennifer Aniston in 2010 in The Bounty Hunter (streaming on Hulu and available to rent). During this era, he managed to star in the wacky video game action thriller Gamer (2009), directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (stream it on Netflix, Prime Video and Hulu).

But in recent years, Butler has stayed in a specific lane, and if youre a fan of that lane, his work is quite satisfying. Often, its Gerard Butler Saves The World, quite literally, in Greenland (2020), when he outdrives an asteroid hitting the Earth. If it sounds insane, it is, but Greenland is also better than it has any right to be (stream it on HBO Max), which is par for the course with the latest Butler blockbusters.

Theres 2018s Hunter Killer, a zippy submarine thriller in the vein of The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide, in which Butler captains a sub through treacherous waters in order to prevent a coup in Russia (rent it on all platforms). Or, theres his role as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the bloody, bombastic Has Fallen trilogy, comprised of Olympus Has Fallen (2013; rent it), London Has Fallen (2016; streaming on Netflix) and Angel Has Fallen (2019; rent it), in which Butler plays a Secret Service agent with a very specific set of skills (single-handedly preventing terrorists from attacking world leaders).

In between all those Has Fallens, Butler co-starred in Alex Proyas delightfully campy and over-the-top take on ancient mythology, Gods of Egypt (2016), in which Butler (a Scotsman), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (a Dane) and Geoffrey Rush (an Aussie) play a bunch of Egyptian gods. Its completely daffy but so much fun. Rent it on all platforms.

Often, Butler is even more fun to watch when hes breaking bad, such as in 2009s Law Abiding Citizen, directed by F. Gary Gray and co-starring Jamie Foxx (stream it on HBO Max), in which Butler plays a grieving man who takes justice into his own hands.

But Butlers most entertaining recent action role might be in Christian Gudegasts underrated Heat knockoff, Den of Thieves, which sees Butler eating a doughnut out of a bloodied box in the middle of a crime scene, chopping it up in a Benihana opposite a hulked-out Pablo Schreiber, and shouting into a phone, theyre addicted to heists! In Den of Thieves, Butler is the chaotic cop in the vein of Al Pacinos Vincent Hanna; Schreiber is a Long Beach-bred Neil McCauley on steroids. The two circle each other, then clash in a downtown LA bank heist/shootout, and its wildly entertaining. Stream it on Netflix to cap off your Butler binge.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- From 1975 to 2019, there was a decrease in age-standardized stroke mortality for men and women, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Cande V. Ananth, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and colleagues conducted a sequential time series analysis to examine stroke mortality trends among 4,332,220 people aged 18 to 84 years in the United States between 1975 and 2019. Trends in overall, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke were examined.

The researchers found that from 1975 to 2019, there was a decrease in age-standardized stroke mortality from 87.5 to 30.9 per 100,000 (incidence rate ratio, 0.27; average annual decline, 2.78 percent). Among men, the age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 112.1 to 38.7 per 100,000 (incidence rate ratio, 0.26; average annual decline, 2.80 percent). With increasing age, stroke mortality increased sharply. A steeper decline in ischemic than in hemorrhagic strokes was observed.

"The contribution of predisposing risk factors to declines in stroke mortality underscores opportunities to develop public health campaigns and interventions to reduce untoward behaviors that negatively affect stroke and metabolic health," the authors write.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Consumers may want to check the expiration dates if they ordered COVID-19 tests through the federal government recently. Although the actual expiration had already been extended by six months for the iHealth COVID-19 tests, some will still expire soon, NBC News reported.

Nora Boydston, of Douglas County, Colorado, was among those who ordered the four free tests in December, which arrived with expiration dates listed as this past July or August. Even after adding the extension by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two of her tests expired Jan. 2, NBC News reported. The other two expire next month.

Zach Rogers had a similar experience, receiving tests in December that will expire on Valentine's Day, NBC News reported. "That was a little disappointing, just given that there's this new COVID variant going around and cases are continuing to go up," said Rogers, who lives in Portland, Oregon. "I'm worried that I'm not going to have a test that is available, that hasn't expired yet, in the event that I need it."

Individuals ordering free tests can see a notice on the U.S. Postal Service site that advises checking the extended expiration dates on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. Consumers can find their test by batch lot number; the lot number is printed on the back of each test box.

Neither the FDA nor the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is in charge of the test distribution program, responded to requests for comment.

Susan Butler-Wu, M.D., an associate professor of clinical pathology at the University of Southern California, advised caution about using expired tests. The recommendation is to throw away tests that are actually expired, extension not included, Butler-Wu told NBC News. Anyone testing with an expired test should watch for the test's pink control line to clearly appear. "If there's any funky business with that control, that is not a valid test result and you cannot use that," she said.
WARRENTON  After more than 18 years of waiting, Ashley Kinnear finally learned the name this week of the man police now believe is behind the grisly 2004 murder and dismemberment of her mother.

Mike A. Clardy, 63, of Maryland Heights admitted to police this week he met Deanna Howland for the first time on June 26, 2004, when he hired her as a sex worker before killing her in his St. Ann home, police officials announced at a Warrenton news conference that Kinnear attended with her brother Thursday afternoon.

Kinnear said shell never forget getting the call Tuesday that there was finally an arrest in the case.

I felt every emotion, even some I cant put into words, she said in an interview Thursday. I was shaking and crying, but mostly I was excited and thankful. Its not just me and my family whos never forgotten about her for the last 19 years. The investigators have been working on it all these years too.

Clardy was charged in St. Louis County Wednesday with second-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse in the killing of Howland, a 35-year-old Alton mother whose decapitated torso was discovered at a Wright City rest stop off Interstate 70 two days after her death.

Police Thursday said forensic genetic genealogy was the key to breaking open the investigation.

At the point where we zeroed in on the suspect, it was one of the better moments of my career, said Warren County sheriffs Lt. Scott Schoenfeld, indicating toward Kinnear and her brother: Were going to be able to hold the person who committed this crime and who took their mother away responsible for what he had done.

The charges are the latest among dozens of cold cases across the country to identify suspects through forensic genetic genealogy, the practice of identifying suspects or their relatives by comparing crime scene DNA to genetic profiles in genealogy databases.

The Major Case Squad submitted crime scene DNA taken from Howlands body and a knife found near her torso to the FBIs Investigative Genetic Geneology Team in 2021 and within a year the FBI identified Clardy as a match.

Clardy was arrested Tuesday at the duplex he shares with his wife on a quiet block of Charlemagne Drive in Maryland Heights.

Clardy was injured in an unrelated 2004 accident after Howlands killing and is today legally blind, police said. He has no prior convictions, according to Missouri court records. Hes not been linked to any other killings, officials with the Major Case Squad said.

Clardy told police Tuesday he got into a disagreement with Howland after hiring her, leading him to kill her at his 2004 residence in the 3500 block of Dixie Drive in St. Ann. He told investigators he then dismembered her body and abandoned parts of her remains in both St. Louis County and Warren County, charging document say.

Melinda DiBlasi, who co-owns the Olivette Diner at 9638 Olive Boulevard with her husband, Vince, said Thursday that Clardy and his wife have been regulars at the diner for more than 12 years. The couple are both vision impaired and took Ubers or got a ride to the restaurant almost every Sunday, sometimes accompanied by his wifes adult son, she said.

You would have no idea he was capable of this, DiBlasi said. They were regulars, but he never got upset or angry. I am just totally shocked.

From the beginning, police knew DNA would be key to the case that captured widespread attention in Warren County, but Clardy was never a suspect until recent months, investigators said.

It took police more than 12 years to identify Howlands body.

There were few early signs to her identity apart from Caesarean section scars and a black bra, the lone piece of clothing found with the torso.

Police spent hundreds of hours combing through missing person reports, but it wasnt until Howlands family members submitted DNA in 2016 that the body was identified.

Since then, Kinnear said investigators with the Warren County sheriffs office and the Major Case Squad regularly contacted her about new attempts to find a DNA match.

They stayed on it, she said. I dont think wed be here if they didnt.

Howland had at least five children by age 35 when she was killed, but would see her kids sporadically because she struggled with drug addiction, Kinnear said.

She would pick me up when she was out of jail and always say, You know I love you right? I have an addiction, but dont forget that, Kinnear said Thursday. She was always bubbly and upbeat around me when I would see her. I didnt ever see her use drugs in front of me.

Kinnear said the month of her mothers disappearance, Howland had promised to come to watch her star in her school play, How to Eat Fried Worms. She remembers her mother then failing to show at a bus stop the night of the show.

Kinnear, then 12, slowly got more and more worried.

I really knew something was wrong when she didnt call me on my birthday, Kinnear said. She never missed my birthday. So every year I would wonder where she was. I knew she wouldnt just leave us.

Kinnear said now someone has been charged, shes thrilled, but still full of questions about the man now charged in the crime.

I want to know how he felt living with it for 18 years. The good part of my heart hopes he was remorseful, but another part of me knows you dont do something like this by accident, Kinnear said.

Kinnear added: I want to know what brought him to this. I want to know why, but maybe Ill never know.
FRANKLIN COUNTY  A double shooting outside a hotel in Washington, Missouri, left a woman dead and a man injured Wednesday, authorities said.

The man and woman were "the only ones involved in the incident," police said. Police did not say who shot whom.

The shooting was about 6:40 p.m. Wednesday on the parking lot of Best Western hotel, 2621 East Fifth Street in Washington.

The woman died at the scene, and the man was taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington. Police did not release his condition.

The chief's office on Thursday said the department was still investigating the shooting and had no updates to release about the case.
FLORISSANT  No radioactive testing is planned for additional Hazelwood schools following an October report of contamination at Jana Elementary, despite calls from elected officials.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should test all Hazelwood School District properties as soon as possible, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, wrote Wednesday to Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the commanding general of the Corps.

Concerned parents deserve certainty about the safety of their childrens learning environment and on that, USACE can and should help, the letter reads, echoing a similar request last month from the Hazelwood School Board.

The school, which opened in 1970 at 405 Jana Drive, sits in the flood plain of Coldwater Creek. The creek was contaminated with radioactive waste generated by Mallinckrodt Chemical, which processed uranium in the 1940s and 50s for the nations atomic weapons program.

An independent report by a private company last year found high levels of radioactivity in the school and around the playground. In follow-up testing, the Army Corps and a St. Charles engineering firm could not replicate the results and called the school safe for use.

Army Corps representatives will meet with congressional staffers this week to continue the dialogue and find a path forward. The federal agency is reviewing its options under its original directive to test and clean up Coldwater Creek, according to a statement.

We recognize the collective concerns regarding the safety and well-being of the community, reads the statement.

The Hazelwood School Board closed Jana Elementary in October, sending students to five other district schools.
ST. LOUIS  A commission created in 2020 to raise the performance of county coroners across Missouri amassed more than $675,000 from death certificate fees but has too many vacancies to operate.

Of eight seats on the Coroner Standards and Training Commission, half sit empty: two coroner positions, a medical examiner and child death pathologist. Unless more appointments are made by Gov. Mike Parson, and approved by the state Senate, the panel wont make quorum for the next meeting on Feb. 21.

I am hopeful that we can, said Chairman Michael Taylor.

Taylor, 48, of Marshfield, in Webster County, is currently the only coroner on the commission. In late December, he took over as chairman after Sid Conklin, of Randolph County, stepped down after serving eight months. Willie Harlow, of Saline County, resigned in August.

Conklin, no longer a coroner, said the commission wasnt fully appointed when he was at the helm.

We had to have every member available to have quorum, he said. Any time you start a new board, a new commission, there is going to be serious growing pains.

During his tenure, Conklin said no formal recommendations were made.

We were just kicking around different ideas, he said.

Among its duties, the commission is supposed to create statewide training standards for coroners, including their operations, legal responsibilities, technical skills and knowledge, according to state statute.

Coroners have considerable power. They determine the cause and manner of death, and can request further investigation of suspicious incidents, like autopsy and toxicology reports. Yet, in Missouri, coroners have nearly no job requirements. No medical training is necessary.

While medical examiners are appointed, more experienced and typically well-paid, coroners are elected to four-year terms. They must be U.S. citizens over the age of 21 who have lived in Missouri one year and within the county of service for at least six months leading up to the election.

The 2011 death of Jaykeb O. Minor in Howard County helped motivate the creation of the commission by the Legislature. Inconsistences were found in the death investigation. No autopsy was done. Drug overdose was initially considered as a possibility. Ultimately, the manner in which he died was determined to be natural, caused by cardiac arrhythmia.

A Post-Dispatch review of the 2020 death of 25-year-old Dianna Holden in rural Oregon County showed that no autopsy and toxicology reports were requested in her death. She was found naked, with a gunshot wound to the head, in a small room shed shared with a man more than twice her age.

Officially, the sheriff and coroner agreed it was a suicide, which family and friends scrutinized. The man by Holdens side that night also said he wished more had been done in the case  to help clear his name.

Oregon County Coroner Tom Clary said in an interview then that he didnt write a death report. Everything was done verbally. At the time earning $11,400 a year as coroner, he was also a funeral home director. In years of service, he didnt recall ever disagreeing with local law enforcement about the official cause and manner of death, a ruling for which coroners are ultimately responsible.

There is no need for a separate office, he said.

Coroners are supposed to get 20 hours of training each year, which many accomplish by attending Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association conferences. If they dont, $1,000 is supposed to be taken from their pay, said Steve Murrell, past president of the association. But, he said, some counties dont make the deduction.

Theres no teeth, he said. There has got to be a watchdog. Its hard to unseat an elected official. If you arent doing what the standards say, there should be a way to get them out of office.

The coroner commission hasnt put forth new training standards yet.

We want to look at things clearly, said Chairman Taylor, also a fire chief. While we want to get it done, we dont want to just rush through it and have a standard that is not effective.

The commission was created to be fully appointed, said Rep. Dan Houx, R-Warrensburg, involved in the legislation.

Unfortunately, that hasnt happened yet, but it will be coming, he said. Ill be looking into it next week when I get back to Jefferson City.

Kelli Jones, spokeswoman for Parson, a Republican, said they are aware of the vacancies.

We are in the process of working on new appointment(s) to the commission so they can get back up and running, she said by email. At this time, we are waiting on potential candidates for appointment to complete their applications, so we can move forward.

Apart from Taylor, other members of the commission are: Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Brendon Fox, Madison County Sheriff Katy Jo McCutcheon and Dylan Bryant, of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

A spokeswoman for the department said more than $675,000 has been collected from death certificate fees to support the efforts of the coroner commission. Anything over $500,000 is considered surplus, swept into state general revenue.

If there is a death investigation that you think wasnt handled professionally by a coroner, please go to the Post-Dispatch tipline at https://www.stltoday.com/news-tip/#
#CIDHEnPeru Delegacion #CIDH esta en Lima, Arequipa y Juliaca. Los Comisionados @StuardoRalon, Vice Pdte y @JoelHernandezG, junto al equipo tecnico, se reunen con autoridades y amplios sectores sociales para recibir informacion sobre las protestas sociales y el contexto actual. pic.twitter.com/AOmGfqgtJh
Regarding "Justice Department reviewing potentially classified documents found at Biden Center" (Jan. 10): In my opinion, the Post-Dispatch seems to hide news items that may reflect badly on President Joe Biden. On Jan. 10, the newspaper printed a mere 62-word story on page A-7 about the classified documents found at a Biden office. In comparison, The New York Times ran an article of about 1,500 words.

Similarly, the Hunter Biden laptop story seems to receive little ink. About the only mention is Kevin McDermott describing it as a Republican joke ("What to give to your favorite crooked politicians this holiday season" Dec. 24). If it is really that funny, then print some of it.

The Post-Dispatch needs to live up to its legacy. Print the news in an honest fashion, and allow the readers to decide its merit.

Stuart Clark  Bridgeton
Whats the plan?

I hope you trust there is always a plan, Captain Riyolok Keevan assured the roughly 300 travelers, from babies to seniors, on board the Walt Disney World Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Halcyon.

Of course, families should always have a travel plan. As we all saw over the holidays, even the best-laid travel plans can go awry through no fault of our own.

Starcruiser Halcyon is one travel experience that allows guests to control their own travel destiny. We decide whether we want to help the good guys or the bad ones who message us on the special Data Pad app suggesting clandestine meetings. (The crew obligingly lend portable chargers, so no one runs out of juice.) They make it so hard to decide which side to choose, said 14-year-old Clovis Hawkins here with his family, all big Star Wars fans.

(Check out TakingTheKids.coms Web Story on our Starcruiser Experience)

For the uninitiated, the First Order is a totalitarian state in the Galaxy, successor to the Evil Empire. The Resistance, of course, is a coalition of freedom fighters in the tradition of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Fun fact: The Halcyon, celebrating its 275th anniversary, is the ship where Han Solo and Princess Leia honeymooned.

Of course, most aboard  who have paid just over $4,800 a couple for the two-night voyage (about $5,299 for two adults and a child)  are well-versed in everything Star Wars, sporting robes and tunics evocative of their favorite characters. This includes Twilek lekku head tails of the striped montrals of a Togruta. A Loth-cat crew meetup was even scheduled on board.

Pablo and Adriana Rodriguez came from Colombia with their toddler just for the experience. I have been a huge Star Wars fan my whole life, said Pablo Rodriguez, who explained his wife booked the trip for his 35th birthday.

The Giannettis are here on a babymoon from Seattle; Danieli is a huge fan; his wife Amy not so much, though she was especially enjoying watching him have so much fun. To each his own, she laughed.

The Pietros, from Texas, were celebrating their 10th anniversary with their three sons, 9, 8 and 6. This is a way to be immersed in Star Wars in a new way, said Jake Pietro.

Not the least of which is a VIP experience at Star Wars: Galaxys Edge at Disneys Hollywood Studios where the signature rides, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Millennium Falcon are among the most popular at Walt Disney World necessitating the longest waits.

We dont have to wait long either to get into Olgas popular cantina. There, over drinks, all varieties of nefarious galactic deals are made. Those who were so inclined could also get reservations to Savis Workshop to make their own lightsabers, or to the Droid Workshop packed with fans creating their own droids.

One New Mexico mom of two teens opined that her husband had said no way to spending the money for the two-night voyage  until the family experienced the Rise of the Resistance interactive experience. Then we had to come, she said. You arent just watching. You are in the experience, she said.

Exactly. There are lessons in lightsaber training, training as a team on the bridge, food in unfamiliar colors and flavors, or at least funny names (Bantha filets with moonrock potato  steak and roasted potatoes) and cocktails and mocktails, desserts like Blue Bantha Milk whip and games like Sabacc. A big hit is the iced Felucian Shrimp Cocktail with Redball Jungle Cocktail Sauce and Ocean Weed.

Trust that the force will guide you, our lightsaber instructor tells us as we try to focus on the ancient combat defense moves.

Our in-room droid can sing us a lullaby or renew our wedding vows. We even have a large window to see what were passing on our voyage  asteroid fields, planets, even a swarm of Tie Fighters.

There are new characters, like Gaya the galactic musician superstar, and familiar ones like Chewbacca, the Wookie. Every crew member remains in character. When we tell one bartender we are from Earth, he replied, Never heard of it.  I think you are making that up!

The kids especially like engaging with Lt. Herman Croy and his stormtroopers from the First Order, on board trying to find Resistance spies. Breakfast and lunch are buffets with dinner a sit-down affair

One character may ask you to keep a secret. Another beseeches you to deliver a message, defend the ship, or turn in a Resistance fighter. My husband aided in a heist of fuel for the Resistance. (Keep that on the QT, please!)

You really feel like you are in space. offered Ella, 12, with her family from Toronto. Everything is so detailed.

Sure, its expensive. (Check the Walt Disney World website for exact pricing and dates. Bookings are available through September 2023. There are cabins that sleep four or five and even two Grand Captain Suites that sleep eight.) Disney officials say to avoid disappointment, book several months in advance.

But for those we met, it wasnt about the money. Just ask grandmother Lorna Gill, here with her children and grandchildren  12 of them in all from around the country.

Its about the one-time experience together, she said. And the memories, of course. We dont get that much time together, she explained.

Gotta go the Resistance is texting me.
Since February, Russian defense production has been crippled by detailed and regularly updated sanctions based on continuing searches for smuggled Western parts. Such was the case with the Russian Orlan-10 UAV, whose production should have been shut down by 2016 sanctions but wasnt. Oran-10s then required several Western electronic boards and chips that were not manufactured in Russia and had to be imported. By 2017 it was clear that Russia was not simply using existing stockpiles of now banned components to build new Oran-10s. This was a major problem because Orlan-10 was a key observation asset as it could spot targets for Russian artillery or rocket fire. Oran-10 can operate high enough to be safe from rifle or machine-gun fire and it is difficult for a lightweight anti-aircraft missile like Stinger to hit. At night it is even less vulnerable to ground fire.

In Ukraine some Orlan-10s continued to be shot down or crashed because of equipment failure. The wreckage could be examined for the presence of banned components and these items were still there. The banned items were common, not custom-manufactured for Orlan-10s. There were dozens of distributors you could order from. Government efforts to sort out which distributors were selling the Oran parts to a firm with a link to Russia had come up empty. In late 2022 three media organizations, RUSI, Reuters and iStories, pooled their resources and soon found out how the banned components were getting to Russia.

The key to this effort was iStories, a Russian investigative media organization that was created in early 2020 to investigate and report corruption and misbehavior in general inside Russia. The i stands for important and iStories output was often very important if you were Russian and angry at the rampant corruption inside Russia and the war in Ukraine. iStories is a non-profit news gathering operation created in response to the growing government repression of Russian media. Two years after it was founded, the Russian government banned iStories and arrested some of its staff. By then most of the iStories staff was operating from outside Russia. The iStories website moved after the 2022 ban but could still communicate with sources inside Russia because iStories had distributed techniques on how to get around Russian restrictions on the use of the Internet. The iStories staff and their many informants inside Russia made it easier to take the material RUSI and Reuters had on the smuggled Orlan components and track down the missing link that was funneling the parts into Russia. Russia considers iStories an enemy of the state and the feeling is mutual. If there are more efforts like the Oran smuggling operation Russia may decide to escalate and add some members of the iStories staff to the kill list maintained by the FSB and GRU overseas assassination programs. FSB (the former KGB) and GRU (Russian overseas military intelligence) handle foreign espionage and dirty tricks. Going after high-profile news organization personnel is rare because it causes such a huge blowback.

Orlan-10 is one of two modern UAV designs Russia is known to have. It weighs about 15 kilograms (33 pounds) and can carry a payload of up to 6 kilograms of various kinds of recon equipment, including infrared cameras, or an array of multiple cameras used for creating 3-dimensional maps. Its gasoline engine provides a cruise speed of 90 to 150 kilometers an hour, a service ceiling of about 5 kilometers, and a flight endurance of 18 hours. Together with control and launch equipment, the Orlan-10 costs approximately $480,000. The aircraft is launched via a portable, folding catapult, and lands by shutting down the engine and deploying a parachute. Orlan-10s entered service in 2012 and were used in Ukraine and Syria before 2022. Russia uses all this combat experience to help export sales of Orlan-10s and its new electronic warfare features.

In 2016 Russia introduced a new accessory for Orlan-10s which turns them into the equivalent of a cell phone tower, or a cell phone tower detector and jammer. Troops with the proper equipment and software can use an Orlan 10 to send and receive text, voice and images (including video). This system works with another Orlan 10 accessory, the RB-341V (Leer-3), that will precisely locate cell phone towers and can also jam those within six kilometers. Locating the towers is important because troops on the ground can then go destroy or capture the equipment. Artillery or airstrikes can, with an accurate location, destroy the cell phone gear remotely.

These capabilities are nothing new, American aircraft have had this stuff for over a decade. Its not particularly high tech but it does represent a unique aspect of modern warfare in which cell phone networks often continue to function on modern battlefields and, if the commercial networks are out of operation in a battle area, the military can deploy temporary ones suited to their own use. Russia has, since the 1990s, made quite a lot of money exporting military grade electronic weapons. They dont have the latest stuff, but are willing to provide gear that is still restricted to military use in the West.
by Austin Bay January 11, 2023

Confident propagandists relentlessly play "Nothing to see here, move along."

Their don't-believe-your-eyes con game has despicable goals. No. 1: Suppress evident facts that expose their official worldview (narrative) as self-serving fantasy. No. 2: Buy time to peddle lies that blur the real-world situation that challenges their self-serving political, legal and economic agendas.

President Joe Biden's Jan. 8 outing in El Paso, Texas, was confident propaganda. He didn't see The Border -- a huge binational zone of chaos, human suffering and war of great strategic consequence we will examine in a moment. Instead, Confident Joe beheld sanitized areas in an American city. Prior to his arrival, cops and cleaning crews tore down illegal camps and moved migrants to out-of-sight holding areas.

Dishonest media failed to deplore this orchestrated case of "migrant cleansing" and very likely "people in cages" in out-of-sight places. But the scam helped Confident Joe suppress dreadful facts created by a porous border and hide the future-shaping war the U.S. and Mexico are both losing thanks to Confident Joe's far-Left-infected immigration and border security policies.

In early 2009 sensationalists claimed that Mexico was a failed state. Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa rebutted the accusation, pointing out the 2009 Mexican federal government was quite strong. Failed states have no real government.

At the time Mexico was having evident success in the Cartel War President Felipe Calderon launched in December 2006 after he decided Mexico's drug cartels posed more than a criminal challenge.

Calderon chose the Mexican military because it was his country's least corrupt institution. The Cartel War was and is a systemic struggle where political will and modernization were the decisive weapons. Winning for Mexico required systemic political and economic modernization. That meant corruption must be attacked and penalized. Endemic political, economic and judicial corruption shielded Mexican criminals. The cartels target the U.S. drug market. Multibillion-dollar drug profits in the U.S. give cartels political and cultural power within Mexico. Mexico needed U.S. security, political and moral aid. That would have required reform north of the border.

President Enrique Pena (elected in 2012) had corruption issues and lacked Calderon's commitment. But he ended up using the military as his primary anti-cartel instrument.

December 2018: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) becomes president after winning an overwhelming electoral victory. In his inaugural address he invoked a word that transfixes Mexico: Impunity. Under his administration "Corruption and impunity" will end he said.

For angry and disenchanted Mexican citizens, "impunity" means embedded injustice within their nation's governing institutions and society.

Donald Trump gets credit for understanding a border wall not only hindered illegal immigration it obstructed cartel smuggling. AMLO eventually agreed that Trump's U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement was a good deal for Mexico -- real jobs and honest income.

The Jan. 5 shootout in Sinaloa state is a warning for Mexico that it still faces well-armed and well-financed internal enemies. Three days before Biden's El Paso photo op, 3,600 Mexican soldiers and security personnel captured Ovidio Guzman, the son of jailed Sinaloa (aka Pacific) cartel kingpin Joaquin Guzman. The operation resulted in a 10-hour battle with gunmen in a town near Culiacan. Security forces captured 50-caliber sniper rifles and two dozen vehicles with add-on armor.

Culiacan is 500 miles from the US-Mexico border but the cartel wages war throughout North America -- yes, the border war now reaches New York City. In December the DEA announced during 2022 the U.S. seized 50 million fentanyl-laced pills and 10,000 pounds of powder -- "379 million potentially deadly doses." The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels produced most of the fentanyl at "secret factories in Mexico with chemicals largely sourced from China."

When Biden opened the southern border, the cartels started using migrants to ship product. They also began making millions from human smuggling.

War on corruption? The cartel chiefs must chuckle at Hunter Biden's laptop revelations. So far Confident Joe's dishonest media pals have thwarted punishment.

An undefended U.S. border increases cartel profits and makes Mexico more vulnerable. Drugs, crime and social support costs sap the U.S. The demographic shifts present additional challenges.

Who benefits? Communist China, drug cartels and corrupt politicians. Quite a strategic consequence.
"PhotoJoseph" YouTube Channel Uses Blackmagic Cloud and Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini for Remote Workflow

Blackmagic Design today announced that YouTuber PhotoJoseph relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX) and audio post production software to produce content for his YouTube channel @PhotoJoseph.

Fremont, CA( )

PhotoJoseph launched his YouTube channel in 2016 as a resource for aspiring photographers and filmmakers, initially live streaming up to five times per week to explore the techniques and gear behind the industry, and eventually changing formats to primarily edited content. In 2021, he made the switch to fully complete all of his post production work in DaVinci Resolve Studio. In addition to the video content posted on the channel, PhotoJoseph still live streams regularly and discusses new industry tools as well as tutorials for his viewers, all from his studio.

Just recently, PhotoJoseph added a Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini and standardized on Blackmagic Cloud to accommodate his growing team and outsource editing. With two assistant editors based out of Ukraine, and a new Spanish language localization team in Colombia, PhotoJoseph needed a way to share and collaborate on his large project libraries with his remote team.

I love the clean, seamless workflow of the Cloud Store Mini, he said. I use a SmartView Duo monitor in my rack or another monitor at my desk to keep an eye on the live status of my Cloud Store Mini via its HDMI monitoring output, including storage maps, speed graphs, active users and more. Its such a cool feature to see whats going on in real time.

With a multi camera setup to shoot his video content, PhotoJoseph relies on an ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K live production switcher and six HyperDeck Mini broadcast decks for recording. Ultimately storing the footage captured on the HyperDeck Minis to the Cloud Store Mini via a 10G network, PhotoJoseph relies on the Blackmagic Proxy Generator App to generate proxies from the original footage which are then automatically synced to Dropbox for his editors to access remotely.

Depending on the project, my assistant editor may begin editing a rough cut of my video on Blackmagic Cloud, PhotoJoseph explained. Im then able to review their edits and make changes myself from my laptop, anywhere in the world. With Blackmagic Cloud and the collaboration features in DaVinci Resolve 18, Im no longer constrained to my office, which has really opened my creativity.

He added, Blackmagic Cloud has also allowed me to expand my team beyond my local talent. I can now hire anywhere in the world, and truly collaborate with the best in the business.

PhotoJoseph reflected that he was originally drawn to DaVinci Resolve Studios color grading features but soon found himself using additional tools. I use the Fusion page to create simple effects, like animated titles or a touch effect on an iOS screen, and occasionally dive deep into that rabbit hole creating wild compositions seemingly beyond my abilities, while Fairlight is particularly helpful for sweetening my dialogue and balancing the sound. Overall, DaVinci Resolve Studio allows me to create better looking and sounding content, all within a single platform.

Looking ahead, PhotoJoseph is using his Blackmagic Cloud workflow to help set up his newest venture, PhotoJoseph Espanol, a Spanish language version of his YouTube channel. PhotoJoseph is already starting work with a remote team in DaVinci Resolve to dub his videos, provide Spanish subtitles and update the titles and text.

PhotoJoseph concluded, With Blackmagic Design, I can accomplish so much more and work on projects that I could have never done before. Im excited to see what I can create next!

Press Photography

Product photos of DaVinci Resolve Studio, Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini, ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, HyperDeck Mini, SmartView Duo and all other Blackmagic Design products are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/images

About Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design creates the worlds highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Designs DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the companys Emmy award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB: MMNGF) ("Metallic Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce initial assay results from the 2022 field program at the Keno Silver project located in the historic Keno Silver district of the Yukon; Canada's most important silver mining district. These results cover the East Keno area and represent the first in a series of results to be released from the Company's 2022 exploration program, which included 3,265 meters (m) of diamond core drilling in 23 drill holes focused on expansion of advanced stage, "resource-ready" targets in anticipation of an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023.

Exploration in 2022 at East Keno focused on drilling of the Greater Fox area targets (Fox, UKHM and Zone 2) first discovered by the Company in 2020, through systematic exploration efforts including mapping, geochemical soil sampling, geophysics, and drilling (see Figure 1). This work outlined the first known occurrence of Ag-Pb-Zn sheeted veins and includes the widest intervals of continuous mineralization ever reported in the Keno Hill silver district at up to 177 meters thickness. The sheeted vein mineralization (spaced distinct parallel Ag-Pb-Zn veins) at Fox is found in geologic settings that may be repeated as significant additional targets across the property which, as yet remain undrilled. The East Keno target areas of Fox, UKHM and Zone 2 have become substantial advanced-stage targets, poised for further expansion drilling and near-term resource delineation.

2022 East Keno Exploration Highlights

Mineralization was intercepted in each of the eight holes (1,386 m) drilled at East Keno in 2022 (see Table 1). Both bulk-tonnage and high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization was encountered.

Drill intercepts at the Fox target in 2022 averaged 136 m of sheeted vein mineralization (including up to 177 m wide); a significant broadening of the identified mineralized zones encountered in 2020 and 2021 drilling at Fox.

At the Fox target, hole FOX22-03, returned sheeted vein zones of 144.5 m @ 41.4 g/t silver equivalent (Ag Eq), including 27.66 m at 105.8 g/t Ag Eq.

A total of 107 high-grade samples (over 100 g/t Ag Eq and greater than 0.5 m in width) were intercepted in in the 2022 East Keno drilling, including: Z222-01, 0.5 m @ 222.7 g/t Ag Eq (182 g/t Ag, 1.10% Pb, 0.03% Zn) FOX22-02, 0.5 m @ 806.9 g/t Ag Eq (555.0 g/t Ag, 3.24% Pb, 3.14% Zn) FOX22-03, 0.59 m @764.0 g/t Ag Eq (463.0 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.79% Pb, 5.41% Zn) UKHM22-01, 0.55 m @1087.0 g/t Ag Eq (953.0 g/t Ag, 3.56% Pb, 0.28% Zn)



Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, "The 2022 drilling at Fox is indicative of the huge potential at East Keno and has significant implications for further exploration success and future resource development. The sheeted Ag-Pb-Zn vein system identified at Fox had not been recognized in the district prior to Metallic's systematic exploration efforts and our team has since identified additional new areas as potential hosts of similar mineralization. We have now extended mineralization at the Fox deposit over 300 m along strike and 150 m down-dip starting from surface, where it remains open in all directions. A total of 18 drill holes define the Fox zone and show good continuity of the broader mineralized system with a relatively shallow dip. Resource modelling is currently underway focused on the large-scale bulk-tonnage resource potential for the Fox target area."

"The Company expects to announce additional drill results from both the Keno Silver Project (Primarily at advanced stage targets Formo and Caribou) and the La Plata Cu-Ag Project over the coming weeks and we look forward to discussing these and other developments at events throughout Q1."

2023 AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack

Metallic is very pleased to announce that we have been invited to participate in this year's AMEBC Mineral Roundup conference in Vancouver and will be displaying intervals of drill core from the Keno Silver project and our La Plata Project on Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday, the 26th. Key members of our management and technical teams will be on hand to discuss the project and opportunity. Visit us at booth #1016 in the Core Shack. For more information and to register, visit here.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference - Presentation

Metallic President, Scott Petsel, will be providing a corporate update and participating in a moderated roundtable discussion during the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on Sunday, January 29th at 3:30 PM in the Yukon Pavilion. For more information, visit here.

Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits

East Keno Target Areas - Fox, Zone2 and UKHM

The East Keno area is represented by 15 multi-kilometer scale soil and geophysical anomalies which indicate additional potential for broad-scale mineralization in the least explored part of the Keno Hill silver district. Five of these anomalies have been drilled with initial positive results and an additional five other targets are drill ready. The Fox target, now with 2,748 meters drilled in 18 holes over three years, will be the focus of continued expansion and resource definition drilling in future programs.

Exploration of the East Keno area by Metallic Minerals began in 2018 with soil geochemical sampling and progressed to initial reverse circulation drilling in 2020 which returned several significant high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn sulfide vein intervals (KE20-01 0.77m @ 1,397 g/t Ag Eq) and numerous broad bulk-tonnage scale intervals (KE20-01, 28.2 @ 64 g/t Ag Eq and KE20-02, 22.1 m @ 48 g/t Ag Eq). The 2021 field program in East Keno combined additional reverse circulation drilling and initial diamond core drilling in warranting additional confidence in the target areas.

Drilling combined with extensive mapping and other geologic data has demonstrated a transition at East Keno from north to south from typical Keno style Ag-Pb-Zn mesothermal mineralization at Fox to mixed mesothermal and epithermal styles of mineralization at Zone 2 and UKHM. Epithermal mineralization is often associated with higher silver grades as demonstrated on the west side of the district at Silver King and Husky SW. The broad zones of mineralization at Fox, are now recognized as shallow dipping high-grade sheeted mesothermal Ag-Pb-Zn veins that appear to be associated with a regional scale thrust fault structures. This is a target concept that is broadly repeated across the district, and more specifically at multiple untested targets in the East Keno area.

Mineralized widths from the 2022 drilling on the Fox target returned the widest zones of continuous mineralization ever reported in the Keno Hill silver district and on a grade thickness basis are comparable in contained metal with some of the richest zones from the western part of district (see detailed 2022 results in Table 1 below). The Fox deposit sits within a multi-kilometer scale silver-in-soil anomaly leaving significant room to grow the footprint of mineralization for the Fox target both laterally and down dip. The westernmost drilling in the Fox target area, FOX22-05 and FOX22-06, demonstrates increasing widths of mineralization that will be tested in future programs along with untested areas of very high-level silver in soil values.

Drilling at the earlier stage Zone 2 and the UKHM targets have returned significant silver values including broad envelopes of mineralization similar to the Fox zone along with narrower high-grade silver intervals typical of the district. All drilling on these early-stage targets has been at shallow depths and these targets remain open for expansion with further drilling (see 2022 results in Table 1 below).

2022 East Keno Drilling

The focus of the 2022 drilling at Fox was extend known outlines of mineralization to enhance potential near-term resource opportunities. Single drill holes at UKHM and Zone 2 further confirmed these areas, both broad-scale mineralization and higher-grade epithermal style Ag-Pb-Zn veins, as priority targets for significant additional drilling and focus (See Figure 2).

Table 1 - Highlights of 2022 Drill Results from the East Keno Target Areas

Bulk Tonnage Intervals Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Ag Eq1 (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) FOX22-01 11.8 147.75 135.95 25.8 7.9 0.01 0.03 0.33 incl 51 79.7 28.7 47.1 14.5 0.02 0.04 0.62 FOX22-02 15.3 191.88 176.58 16.5 6.4 0.00 0.03 0.18 incl 69 78.5 9.5 76.5 31.1 0.01 0.19 0.83 and incl 174.81 186.81 12 52.2 15.5 0.00 0.04 0.75 FOX22-03 15 159.5 144.5 41.4 14.6 0.01 0.04 0.52 incl 29.55 101.75 72.2 68.1 22.6 0.01 0.06 0.89 and incl 74.09 101.75 27.66 105.8 29.5 0.02 0.09 1.54 FOX22-04 28.9 154.3 125.4 36.2 10.6 0.01 0.03 0.50 incl 28.9 114.85 85.95 49.3 14.8 0.01 0.05 0.67 and incl 67.48 114.85 47.37 73.9 21.6 0.01 0.07 1.06 FOX22-05 11.24 117 105.76 15.7 4.0 0.01 0.01 0.20 incl 27.96 82.55 54.59 21.0 5.0 0.01 0.01 0.28 FOX22-06 10 136 126 33.5 7.6 0.008 0.02 0.51 incl 65 117.15 52.15 63.2 13.0 0.01 0.03 1.03 and incl 79 90 11 122.1 23.8 0.014 0.05 2.05 UKHM22-01 59.5 112.5 53 26.7 20.2 0.01 0.06 0.07

High-Grade Intervals Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Ag Eq1 (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) FOX22-01 13.95 14.45 0.5 466.5 206.0 0.02 1.12 4.81 and 38.57 39.07 0.5 361.2 115.0 0.01 0.68 4.85 and 73.84 79.7 5.86 151.3 45.1 0.06 0.11 1.90 and 121.5 122 0.5 488.9 55.0 0.00 0.13 9.34 FOX22-02 32.5 33 0.5 806.9 555.0 0.01 3.24 3.14 and 158.08 158.58 0.5 315.3 43.0 0.01 0.04 5.76 and 174.81 175.5 0.69 281.0 22.0 0.00 0.03 5.61 FOX22-03 29.55 30.14 0.59 764.0 463.0 0.23 0.79 5.41 and 34.31 34.81 0.5 582.2 316.0 0.08 1.39 4.57 and 50.1 50.73 0.63 657.1 207.0 0.10 0.29 9.33 and 99.53 100.53 0.5 740.1 77.0 0.03 0.01 14.52 and 153.85 154.35 0.5 817.4 656.0 0.00 1.42 2.50 FOX22-04 28.9 29.4 0.5 294.1 133.0 0.12 0.07 3.16 and 53.49 54 0.51 355.7 140.0 0.14 0.66 3.91 and 67.48 68 0.52 846.7 109.0 0.10 0.16 15.75 and 114.35 114.85 0.5 555.6 43.0 0.02 0.01 11.02 FOX22-05 27.96 28.46 0.5 558.4 171.0 0.11 0.19 8.01 FOX22-06 40.5 41 0.5 397.5 134.0 0.361 0.44 4.96 and 80.6 86.3 5.7 132.2 14.4 0.016 0.02 2.46 Incl 85.8 86.3 0.5 526.9 58.0 0.019 0.10 7.02 and 114 115 1 337.0 110.0 0.03 0.19 4.70 UKHM22-01 59.5 60 0.5 989.6 763.0 0.32 2.18 2.59 and 107.3 107.85 0.55 1087.0 953.0 0.02 3.56 0.28 Z222-01 69.9 72.5 2.6 79.6 45.1 0.00 0.29 0.49 and 129.5 130 0.5 222.7 182.0 0.02 1.10 0.03

Notes to reported values:

Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $20/oz silver (Ag), $1.00/lb lead (Pb), $1.40/lb zinc (Zn). Recovered Silver Equivalent in Table 1 is determined as follows: Ag Eq g/t = [Ag g/t x recovery] + [Au g/t x recovery x Au price/ Ag price] + [Pb % x 10,000 x recovery x Pb price / Ag price] + [Zn% x 10,000 x recovery x Zn price / Ag price]. In the above calculations: 1% = 10,000 ppm = 10,000 g/t. The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 95% for precious metals (Ag/Au) and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations. Intervals are reported as measured drill intersect length.

Figure 2 - East Keno and Greater Fox target area with 2022 drill results and composite grade thickness values (Ag Eq1)

About Metallic Minerals

Metallic Minerals Corp. is an exploration and development stage company, focused on silver, gold and copper in the high-grade Keno Hill and La Plata mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory, directly adjacent Hecla Mining's operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco in September 2022. In April 2022, Metallic announced the inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for its La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800

Email: [email protected] Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420

Qualified Person

The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding exploration projects on Metallic Minerals' mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Debbie James, Senior Geologist for TruePoint Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

All samples were assayed by 36 Element Aqua Regia Digestion ICP-MS methods at Bureau Veritas labs in Vancouver with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilized a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including blank, duplicate, and standard reference samples.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals 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 or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) said that the activist investor Trian Fund Management nominated its co-founder Nelson Peltz to join the companys board.

Disney is opposing such a nomination and urged its shareholders to vote against Trians proposal at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting.

The Walt Disney Company remains open to constructive engagement and ideas that help drive shareholder value. While senior leadership of The Walt Disney Company and its Board of Directors have engaged with Mr. Peltz numerous times over the last few months, the Board does not endorse the Trian Group nominee, and recommends that shareholders not support its nominee, and instead vote FOR all the Companys nominees, Disney said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trians senior leadership and Disneys management team, including CEO Bob Iger and CFO Christine McCarthy, met on Tuesday in an attempt to find an agreement and avoid a proxy battle.

Disney reportedly offered a board observer role to Peltz, which he rejected. He was also asked to sign a standstill agreement.

Talks were unfruitful, the report added, prompting Peltz to start preparing for a proxy fight, which should have been announced today. However, Disney came out with a statement yesterday and urged its shareholders to vote against Trians proposal.

According to WSJ, Trian told Disneys management that they lack cost discipline, as well as accusing them of excessive compensation practices and overpriced M&A deals. According to the WSJ, Trians stake in Disney is worth less than $1 billion but the company would like to increase its stake in the media giant.

At the same time, Disney announced that Mark Parker, a member of the Disney Board and Executive Chairman of Nike (NYSE: NKE), will become the Chairman of its Board.

Mark Parkers vision, incredible depth of experience and wise counsel have been invaluable to Disney, and I look forward to continuing working with him in his new role, along with our other directors, as we chart the future course for this amazing company, Iger said.

Parker will also head a newly created succession-planning committee that will search for a new CEO.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
Nelson Peltz founding partner of Trian Fund Management LP. speak at the WSJD Live conference in Laguna Beach, California October 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake

By Aditya Soni and Akash Sriram

(Reuters) -Activist investor Nelson Peltz on Thursday formally launched a battle for a board seat at Walt Disney Co to rescue the entertainment giant from what he called a "crisis" of overspending on the streaming business, the purchase of 21st Century Fox and failed succession planning.

The billionaire's move is a serious challenge to Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, who recently returned from retirement to lead the company for a second time. The battle would pit the activist investor known for his work at consumer firms against Iger, one of the most popular executives in Hollywood.

Disney's shares, which have tumbled 39% in the past year, jumped more than 4%. Some analysts pointed to Peltz's past successes in bringing changes at firms.

Iger is expected to focus on performance of the money-losing Disney+ streaming business he helped launch in 2019. Peltz told CNBC on Thursday that Disney should either jettison that business or buy the rest of rival streaming service Hulu. Disney has a majority stake in Hulu; Comcast Corp owns the rest.

Disney has said it expects the streaming business to be profitable by 2024, after it lost nearly $1.5 billion in the last reported quarter.

The tussle with Disney could be Peltz's biggest proxy battle since an acrimonious fight to bag a seat on the board of Tide detergent-maker P&G. During his more than three-year tenure on P&G's board, the firm's stock price rose nearly 80%.

Peltz's Trian Fund Management owns a 0.5%, or roughly $900 million stake in Disney. The fund on Thursday filed documents with the U.S. securities regulator for his election as a director after Disney denied him a board seat.

"Investors would appreciate additional assurance that past problems won't repeat," Rosenblatt Securities said. "Peltz - with a change-maker history at targets including P&G, (Kraft) Heinz and Wendy's - could provide a measure of that."

Unless Peltz settles with Disney, investors will vote this year on whether he should sit on the company's board. Last year, the annual shareholder meeting was held on March 9.

Disney also needs to boost capital expenditure at its parks business, where it probably raised ticket prices "too hard," he said in a CNBC interview. It "is more than a media company and is a consumer company," he said.

Disney did not respond to requests for comment.

'WELL-LIKED CEO'

Iger has already rolled back some price hikes that the parks division implemented under previous CEO Bob Chapek, and started his second stint with a vow to focus on cost cuts and profitability.

Analysts believe the executive, who Peltz says he does not want to replace, could be a major hurdle in the activist's plan.

"Iger is a well-liked CEO, not only within Disney and its employees but also in Hollywood and the stock market. Peltz might find it tough to gain traction with this campaign," said Ben Barringer, equity research analyst at Quilter Cheviot.

During Iger's first tenure, Disney made several key acquisitions, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and 21st Century Fox. Its market capitalization rose five-fold

The company has also faced pressure from Third Point's Daniel Loeb to spin off cable sports channel ESPN, refresh its board and buy Comcast's stake in Hulu - which has around 46 million subscribers.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram, Aditya Soni, Chavi Mehta and Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and David Gregorio)
The Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing unveils its largest and most diverse class of research fellows

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing today appointed 34 scholars and subject matter experts to join its diverse, global community of research fellows. The announcement comes as the Institute convenes its annual Fellows Workshop in Honor of Louis O. Kelso and launches a Coursera Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to educate the public about employee share ownership.

As researchers and policymakers explore how equity and profit shares in companies can broaden private property ownership, our research fellows are focused on answering critical questions, said Joseph Blasi, the J. Robert Beyster Distinguished Professor and Director of the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Additionally, the free Coursera curriculum will make the insights of the Institutes past and present research fellows accessible to interested citizens, employees, and thought leaders.

The Institute is the worlds leading academic research hub dedicated to the study of employee share ownership, equity compensation, profit sharing, and worker cooperatives. The 2022-23 class of research fellows represents the largest and most diverse cohort in the 15-year history of the program. They are:

Rina Agarwala , Johns Hopkins University, Kendeda Fellow

, Johns Hopkins University, Kendeda Fellow Yifat Aran , University of Haifa (Israel), Institute Fellow

, University of Haifa (Israel), Institute Fellow Filippo Belloc , University of Siena (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow

, University of Siena (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow Tanya Smith Brice , Council on Social Work Education, Kendeda Fellow

, Council on Social Work Education, Kendeda Fellow Adriane Clomax , University of Southern California, Kendeda Fellow

, University of Southern California, Kendeda Fellow James de le Vingne , Employee Ownership Association (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow

, Employee Ownership Association (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow David Finegold , Chatham University, Senior Fellow

, Chatham University, Senior Fellow Matthew Fisher-Post , Paris School of Economics (France), Institute Fellow

, Paris School of Economics (France), Institute Fellow Fred Freundlich , Mondragon University (Spain), Kendeda Fellow

, Mondragon University (Spain), Kendeda Fellow Mark Clayton Hand , Southern Methodist University, Institute Fellow and Corey Rosen Fellow

, Southern Methodist University, Institute Fellow and Corey Rosen Fellow Jayasri (Joyce) Hart , Own It! Louis Kelsos Macroeconomic Fix Filmmaker, Executive Fellow

, Own It! Louis Kelsos Macroeconomic Fix Filmmaker, Executive Fellow Renee Hatcher , University of Illinois Chicago, Kendeda Fellow

, University of Illinois Chicago, Kendeda Fellow Molly Hemstreet , Industrial Commons & Opportunity Threads, Executive Fellow

, Industrial Commons & Opportunity Threads, Executive Fellow Denise Kasparian , University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kendeda Fellow

, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kendeda Fellow Esteban Kelly , United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Executive Fellow

, United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Executive Fellow Jungook Kim , Chatham University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Chatham University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Kyoung Yong Kim , Villanova School of Business, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Villanova School of Business, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Felice Klein , Boise State University, J. Robert Beyster Fellow

, Boise State University, J. Robert Beyster Fellow Fabio Landini , University of Parma (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow

, University of Parma (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow Alison Lingane , Project Equity, Executive Fellow

, Project Equity, Executive Fellow Jens Lowitzsch , Europa-Universitat Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany) & Kelso Institute Europe at Berlin, Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute

, Europa-Universitat Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany) & Kelso Institute Europe at Berlin, Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute Christopher Mackin , Harvard Law School, Ray Carey Fellow

, Harvard Law School, Ray Carey Fellow Campbell McDonald , Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow

, Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow Cian McMahon , St. Marys University (Canada), Patrick J. McGovern Fellow

, St. Marys University (Canada), Patrick J. McGovern Fellow Jack Moriarty , Ownership America, Institute Policy Analysis Fellow

, Ownership America, Institute Policy Analysis Fellow Eve OConnor , Harvard University, Institute Fellow

, Harvard University, Institute Fellow Simon Pek , University of Victoria (Canada), Social Capital Partners Fellow

, University of Victoria (Canada), Social Capital Partners Fellow Sarah Reibstein , Barnard College, Institute Fellow

, Barnard College, Institute Fellow Andrew Robinson , Leeds University Business School (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute

, Leeds University Business School (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute Adria Scharf , Rutgers University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Rutgers University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Aquilina Soriano Versoza , Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, Executive Fellow

, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, Executive Fellow Valerie Whitcomb , Salisbury University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Salisbury University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Nancy Wiefek , National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Joseph Cabral Distinguished Scholar and Fellow

, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Joseph Cabral Distinguished Scholar and Fellow Trevor Young-Hyman, University of Pittsburgh, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

The Institute made the announcement before its annual Fellows Workshop in Honor of Louis O. Kelso (January 13-15), one of the worlds largest convenings of experts on capital shares in the workplace.

Broadening our reach beyond campus, the Institute also revealed the launch of its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for the public and employees, Our Share: Employee Ownership as a Wealth Sharing Tool. Developed by the Institutes Director of Education and Collaboration, Adria Scharf, the free course uses a series of short, engaging videos to introduce the basics of employee share ownership. It is the first course on the virtual learning platform Coursera focused on this topic.

About the School

The Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) is the worlds leading source of expertise on managing and representing workers, designing effective organizations, and building strong employment relationships.

About the Institute

SMLRs Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing conducts empirical research, analyzes policy, and sponsors the leading global fellowship program and academic conferences in the field. The Institute also manages a program to help college professors teach about these subjects (The Curriculum Library for Employee Ownership) and a technical assistance center (The NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership). One recent initiative (The Employee Ownership Online Education Program), sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, features free online videos to help retiring business owners sell to their employees.

About the Fellowships

The Beyster family established the research fellowship program and the J. Robert Beyster endowed professorship in 2008. With generous support from the Beyster Foundation for Enterprise Development, the Employee Ownership Foundation, and other donors, it has grown to become one of the largest fellowship programs at Rutgers University with more than 200 research fellows and faculty mentors worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005863/en/

Press

Steve Flamisch, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations

848.252.9011, [email protected]

Source: Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations




"In the case of Puno, which is the most affected area, the impact is very negative. The situation is complicated considering that this region is the one with the highest poverty levels, that is, 43% of its population. In addition, more than S/500 million (over US$131.5 million) has not been executed," he said in remarks to RPP Noticias.





The Cabinet member lamented that protesters are attacking State-owned infrastructure, which is detrimental to them because these furniture and properties constitute the foundation to provide good services to citizens.





50 vehicles within its jurisdiction have been burned," the minister explained. "Today (Wednesday), I received a report from the National Superintendence of Tax Administration (Sunat) , which revealed that more than," the minister explained.





"These 50 vehicles were going to be donated to the Regional Government of Puno and to provincial municipalities in a bid to contribute to the improvement of their management," he added.





Executive Bureau





In this sense, the Cabinet member affirmed that the Government strongly seeks to engage in dialogue in order to stop excesses and prevent further accumulation of economic losses to the detriment of the country and the region.





lithium. This is something that the people of Puno are asking for," the government official stated. "We talked to the Minister of Energy and Mines yesterday (Tuesday), and we have found it convenient to launch an Executive Bureau for the industrialization of. This is something that the people of Puno are asking for," the government official stated.





"We will work this week to establish strategies and take advantage of this important resource. Also, we will make use of Puno's potential," he added.





Afterwards, he called on the people of Puno to prioritize dialogue in order to move their region forward.





(END) RGP/SDD/RMB/MVB
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb+ (Good) of The Bahrain National Insurance Company BSC (c) (BNI) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect BNIs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

BNIs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), robust liquidity, and a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset class. AM Best expects BNIs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level over the medium term, supported by internal capital generation despite relatively high dividend distributions to its parent, Bahrain National Holding Company BSC. Partially offsetting rating factors include high reinsurance dependence and elevated asset risk, with exposure to equities, real estate and unlisted securities representing 51% of shareholders equity at year-end 2021.

BNI has a track record of strong operating performance, demonstrated by five-year (2017-2021) return on equity (ROE) of 14.0%. Improving technical profitability in recent years, following the negative effect one-off reserves strengthening incurred in 2017 and 2018, has supported a solid five-year (2017-2021) weighted average combined ratio of 93.0% (2016-2020: 106.2%). Operating performance remained strong in 2021, translating in a ROE of 20.1% (2020: 18.4%) and a combined ratio of 78.1% (2020: 81.6%). Going forward, AM Best expects the companys returns to remain strong prospectively.

BNI has a well-established franchise as one of the largest non-life insurance companies in Bahrain, where it wrote gross written premium of BHD 27.0 million (USD 72.1 million) in 2021. In particular, the company holds a market-leading position in the motor line of business. Although BNI benefits from a strong brand and good reputation locally, the companys business profile assessment is constrained by its concentration to Bahrains small and highly competitive non-life insurance market.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005624/en/

Anna Sheremeteva

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 4397

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

Alex Rafferty, ACA

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0312

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
HARVEY, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atkore Inc. (the Company) (NYSE: ATKR), a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions, today announced that the Company will release its First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 results before the market opens on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. (ET) that same day.

Interested investors and other parties can listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.atkore.com/events-and-presentations. The online replay will be available on the same website following the call.

Conference Call Information Dial In: 888-330-2446 (Domestic) 240-789-2732 (International) Conf ID: 5592214

A telephonic replay will be available approximately three hours after the call. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Replay Information Dial In: 800-770-2030 (Domestic) 647-362-9199 (International) Conf ID: 5592214

To learn more about Atkore Inc. please visit the company's website at https://investors.atkore.com/

About Atkore Inc.

Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities are building better together  a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world.

With a network of manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005052/en/

Media Contact:

Lisa Winter

Vice President - Communications

708-225-2453

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

John Deitzer

Vice President - Treasury & Investor Relations

708-225-2124

[email protected]

Source: Atkore, Inc.
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris: TTE) (LSE: TTE) (NYSE: TTE) has launched its eighteenth biogas production unit1 in France, which will be the largest in the country with a maximum capacity of 160 gigawatt hours (GWh).

Named BioBearn and located in Mourenx in the south-west of France, this new unit, fed with organic waste, has begun feeding its first cubic meters of biomethane  a renewable, decarbonized and locally produced gas  into the natural gas transmission network operated by Terega. It will produce 69 GWh in 2023 and then ramp up progressively to keep pace with the rapidly growing demand for biogas.

The project, which illustrates TotalEnergies' commitment to promoting the circular economy, will convert 220,000 metric tons of organic waste into 200,000 metric tons per year of digestate, a natural fertilizer, and 160 GWh of biomethane, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 32,000 people. BioBearn will enable the Lacq basin, a historical gas area, to pursue a local and sustainable growth, this new unit allowing to avoid the emission of 32 000 tons of CO2 per year.

The development of BioBearn began in 2016 and involved all local stakeholders, including over 200 from farming and the food industry, the local community and elected officials, allowing the project to adapt to the needs and potential of the territory.

TotalEnergies is proud to commission France's largest biogas unit and would like to thank all project stakeholders for their support. This new plant is part of TotalEnergies' commitment to promote biogas, a clean gas that strengthens the country's energy sovereignty and the development of the circular economy. This project allows TotalEnergies to increase its production capacity to 700 GWh in biogas and is a new step in the objective to reach 20 TWh by 2030," declared Olivier Guerrini, Vice President, Biogas Business Unit, TotalEnergies.

BioBearn key figures 160 GWh biomethane production capacity , equivalent to the average annual needs of 32,000 people , and covering all uses of natural gas

, equivalent to the average annual needs of , and covering all uses of natural gas Over 220,000 tons/year of organic waste: residues from local farming activities and agri-food industry.

residues from local farming activities and agri-food industry. Almost 200,000 tons/year of digestate, a natural, hygienized fertilizer, that will be sprayed on farmland within 50 km of the unit, saving almost 5,000 tons of chemical fertilizer.

***

TotalEnergies and Biogas

TotalEnergies is the segment leader in France, with now close to 700 GWh of biogas production capacity and aims to become a major player internationally by partnering with market leaders such as Clean Energy in the United States and Adani in India. The Company is active across the entire value chain, from project development to marketing of this renewable gas and its by-products (biofertilizers, bioCO2). It aims to produce at least 20 TWh per year by 2030  equivalent to the annual consumption of four million French consumers and a reduction in CO2 emissions of four million tons.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

@TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms TotalEnergies, TotalEnergies company or Company in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words we, us and our may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

_______________________

1 Including seven anaerobic digestion sites producing biomethane for injection into the gas network and eleven biogas production units supplying electricity and heat via Combined Heat & Power process.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111006055/en/

TotalEnergies Contacts

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l [email protected] l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l [email protected]

Source: TOTALENERGIES SE
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (Block Height: 771,530)  Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. (TSX-V: CBIT; OTCQX: CBTTF) (Cathedra or the Company), a Bitcoin company that develops and operates world-class bitcoin mining infrastructure, is pleased to announce the following operations and corporate updates.

The Company has received an additional 1,385 Bitmain Antminer S19J Pro machines from its 2021 futures order, 920 of which are being installed at the Companys mine in Washington. The final 773 S19J Pros from the 2021 futures order are expected to be delivered in Q1 2023, as the Company elected to ship these machines via ocean freight rather than air freight to conserve cash. The Company continues to evaluate potential deployment opportunities for the remaining 1,238 S19J Pros to further increase its bitcoin mining hash rate.

In recent weeks, the Company has optimized its operations at two sites by underclocking certain of its existing machinesreducing power draw to improve machine efficiency, as measured by energy consumed per unit of hash rate produced (joules per terahash, or J/TH). The Company performed these optimizations at its Washington mine and one of the data centers at which it hosts machines in Tennessee. The Company selected these two sites to maximize operating cash flow under current market conditions and expects to complete this optimization in the next week, after which it estimates the Washington site will produce 88 PH/s using 2.0 MW (vs. 52 PH/s from 2.0 MW previously) and the Tennessee data center will produce 24 PH/s using 0.6 MW (vs. 37 PH/s from 1.1 MW previously). Following these optimizations, the Company expects to realize average efficiency across these two sites of 23 J/TH, as opposed to 35 J/TH before the optimization, representing an improvement of approximately 36%. After these changes, the Company estimates its active bitcoin mining fleet will produce approximately 226 PH/s.

In December, the Company prepaid the full outstanding principal balance on its last equipment loan for a total of US$270,690. The equipment loan carried interest at 15% and was prepaid at par. This equipment loan was collateralized by 180 MicroBT Whatsminer M30S machines, which have been moved to storage to make room for the optimizations at the Washington mine.

Additionally, during December the Company entered into a series of agreements with various parties to sell certain credits and coupons which it had received from third-party vendors for cash. Under these credit and coupon sales, the Company has raised US$683,398 in cash proceeds since December 6, 2022, and expects to receive an additional US$937,605 in the coming weeks. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held C$3,227,000 (US$2,383,000) in cash and cash equivalents.

Finally, in accordance with its ongoing efforts to conserve cash, the Company has made further reductions to corporate salaries, now saving an estimated US$285,000 per year in payroll expenses. Additionally, the Company has reached an agreement with its board of directors to restructure the boards compensation plan. Under the restructured plan, the Company will reduce its total cash directors fees by US$62,400 per year and in return grant its directors a total of 1,560,000 restricted share units under the Companys long-term incentive plan for the 2023 fiscal year. The restricted share units will vest one year following the date of the grant, being January 6, 2023.

Management Commentary

In market conditions like these, one must think like a cockroach. After deploying these additional machines, improving the efficiency of some existing machines through underclocking, and further reducing our overhead, we will continue to generate positive EBITDA under current market conditions.

About Cathedra Bitcoin

Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. (TSX-V: CBIT; OTCQX: CBTTF) is a Bitcoin company that develops and operates world-class bitcoin mining infrastructure.

Cathedra believes sound money and abundant energy are the fundamental ingredients to human progress and is committed to advancing both by working closely with the energy sector to secure the Bitcoin network. Today, Cathedras diversified bitcoin mining operations total 203 PH/s and span three states and five locations in the United States. The Company is focused on expanding its portfolio of hash rate through a diversified approach to site selection and operations, utilizing multiple energy sources across various jurisdictions.

For more information about Cathedra, visit cathedra.com or follow Company news on Twitter at @CathedraBitcoin or on Telegram at @CathedraBitcoin.

Cautionary Statement

Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this release about future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking information. Other forward-looking information includes but is not limited to information concerning: the intentions and future actions of senior management, the intentions, plans and future actions of the Company, as well as the Companys ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue increasing as currently anticipated; the ability to profitably liquidate current and future digital currency inventory; volatility of network difficulty and, digital currency prices and the resulting significant negative impact on the Companys operations; the construction and operation of expanded blockchain infrastructure as currently planned; and the regulatory environment of cryptocurrency in applicable jurisdictions.

Any statements that involve 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 information and are intended to identify forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Companys normal course of business. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, 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 information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005303/en/

Media and Investor Relations Inquiries

Sean Ty

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Source: Cathedra Bitcoin Inc.
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CD Capital Natural Resources Fund III ("CD Capital) successfully monetizes its equity investment in Filo Mining for a total consideration of C$158.3 million.

Filo Mining is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned Filo del Sol copper-gold-silver deposit located in Chile's Region III and adjacent San Juan Province, Argentina. CD took a strategic stake in the company back in 2020 enabling an expansion program of drilling to define deeper sulphide mineralisation. The Filo del Sol project has since been described as a high-sulphidation epithermal copper-gold-silver deposit associated with one or more large porphyry copper-gold systems with overlapping mineralizing events.

This drilling, undertaken over the past couple of years, has delivered some of the most spectacular mineralised intercepts of copper and gold the market has witnessed in decades. Recent drill results, such as the recent announcement of drill hole FSDH071 intersected 1,028.0m at 1.16% CuEq from a depth of 292m, including;172.0m at 2.14% CuEq from 408.0m and 237.5m at 1.49% CuEq from 776.0m, continue this success.

CD Capital was one of the early institutional investors to finance the drilling at Filo and the exploration success has been witnessed not only by the markets but also with Filo Mining attracting investment from BHP, who precipitated a C$100m strategic investment into Filo Mining in May 2022.

CD Capital is proud to have been an early institutional investor, alongside the Lundin Group, to support and finance the exploration and project development. The drilling is proving to be transformative for the company and has positioned it for future growth, confirming CD Capital's vision in supporting the leadership of the Lundin Group and the Filo del Sol project.

Founder & CEO of CD Capital, Carmel Daniele, noted the eventual monetization of the funds holding in Filo Mining, was part of the fund's normal course of business and mandate terms, delivering a substantial multiple of invested capital since acquisition. The project has more to deliver and CD looks forward to seeing this project flourish into a leading global copper and gold producer. "CD Capital is proud to have been involved in one of the largest copper discoveries in decades and personally has been one of the highlights of my career to see it come into fruition. It has been a truly spectacular investment for CD Capital Fund IIIs investors and we are confident Filos journey to more success will continue. We look forward to the opportunity of partnering up on similar world-class projects led by top tier management teams with a strong proven track record, such as the Lundin Group, through the combination of our long-term patient institutional capital and our sector expertise to unlock value from exciting future projects in the pipeline.

Chairman of the board of Filo Mining, Adam Lundin, commented, "We are appreciative for the support from CD Capital, who again believed in the vision of a Lundin Group entity in its early days. The equity participation alongside the family at the beginning of COVID in 2020 allowed us to continue to advance Filo del Sol into what is turning into truly a world class discovery. I would also like to extend a special thanks to CD Capitals Founder & CEO, Carmel Daniele, for her continued valuable contributions as a Board member of Filo Mining. It has been an amazing journey and we will continue to unlock more value from this fantastic asset. We look forward to creating further value for CD Capital investors on current and future ventures within the Lundin Group."

About CD Capital Group

Over the past 15 years, London based CD Capital has launched three Private Equity funds, having raised circa US$1 billion in long-term patient capital, predominantly from leading North American institutional investors, including endowments and foundations, family offices and corporate pension funds. CD Capital develops world-class projects globally in precious metals, critical metals for greening the world, as well as fertilisers for global food security. CD Capital has a unique focus on partnering up with repeat management teams that have a strong track record in successfully developing projects in Latin America, such as Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Guatemala as well as Canada, Finland, Greenland and Australia.

CD Capital was founded in 2006 by Ms Daniele, who was one of the first in London to set up a dedicated fund focused on private mining assets and winning the prestigious Mines & Money Fund Manager of the Year award in 2008. Since establishing CD Capital, Ms Daniele has built a world-class investment technical team of industry insiders and has been an active sponsor and employer of women studying mining geology at Imperial College, London, resulting in a successful nomination to the 100 Women in Mining for 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005568/en/

Dominic Chapman

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

+44 (0) 207 389 1450

Carmel Daniele

Founder, CIO & CEO

[email protected]

+44 (0) 207 389 1450

www.cd-capital.com

Source: CD Capital
Urban Renaissance is part of Dassault Systemes The Only Progress is Human initiative to inspire the use of virtual worlds to drive sustainable innovations

Exciting collaboration is with renowned Korean artist Yiyun Kang, who was recently awarded the British Council Alumni Award for Culture and Creativity in 2022.

Immersive experience taking place at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul explores how sustainable cities can thrive as urbanization increases

VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dassault Systemes today announced Urban Renaissance, the most recent installment in its The Only Progress is Human initiative to shape a better future. Urban Renaissance showcases Dassault Systemes vision of the city of tomorrow through an innovative 3D video mapping projection designed by Korean artist and researcher Yiyun Kang and projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/

Image copyright Dassault Systemes - Yiyun Kang

Geofuture is my large-scale public projection work that maps the DDP in Seoul. Inspired by Dassault Systemes vision of designing our city, this project imagines our future life that will be realized by sustainable innovation, said Yiyun Kang.

The city of tomorrow needs to be resilient to be sustainable. We need new solutions that enable citizens to benefit from a virtual twin of their city to test solutions in the virtual world before implementing them in the real world, said Victoire de Margerie, Vice President, Corporate Equity, Marketing & Communications, Dassault Systemes. Urban Renaissance will explore how sustainable cities can thrive as urbanization increases. For this, we chose the vibrant city of Seoul, and to collaborate with Yiyun Kang, an exciting, renowned local artist who reflects our vision of urban renaissance  a vision for the sustainable and healthy city of tomorrow.

The reveal of Urban Renaissance and a related talk show will be broadcast during a live event on LinkedIn, YouTube and Dassault Systemes website on January 31 at 17h00 CET. Viewers will have the opportunity to discover the artists monumental artwork projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and learn what the city of tomorrow will look like according to Dassault Systemes and experts such as Bogdan Zaha from Zaha Hadid Architects. To watch Urban Renaissance live, click here.

The virtual twin experience of a city improves quality of life for its citizens

With growing populations and an increasing number of climate issues, cities need to be more sustainable and healthy in all aspects, while also continuing the pursuit of a better quality of life for all. This will be possible by creating sustainable buildings, using renewable materials, involving citizens in the definition of the city of tomorrow, providing more inclusive public services, and finding new solutions for mobility, agriculture and greener energy.

Dassault Systemes is leading the way by providing the technology to model, simulate, analyze, visualize and experience complete cities in the virtual world, to improve how they are built in the real world and the quality of life within them. These virtual twin experiences  visual, digital, 3D models that represent reality with scientific accuracy and are tested and perfected in the context of their use  consider the city environment as well as the infrastructure and commodities needed to build it. Citizens, businesses and city officials can use them to work together to imagine a more sustainable, circular future while simulating and understanding the social and ecological impacts of every design decision they make, before implementing the optimal solution.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza: a symbolic building for Urban Renaissance

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the perfect example of what can be designed using Dassault Systemes software, as it was conceived and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects using CATIA - one of Dassault Systemes solutions. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, abbreviated as DDP, is a major urban landmark in Seoul with a neofuturistic design characterized by its powerful curving forms. The building is the centerpiece of South Korea's design, art and fashion hub and a popular destination for both local residents and tourists.

About Yiyun Kang

Dr Yiyun Kang received her BFA from Seoul National University, MFA from UCLAs Design & Media Arts, and PhD from Royal College of Art (RCA). Kang is currently a visiting lecturer at the RCA and a fellow of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). She held exhibitions at numerous art institutions including the Seoul Museum of Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, and participated in international events such as Venice Architecture Biennale (Venice, Italy) and Shenzhen New Media Art Festival. Kang did her artist residency in V&A, Korea National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and Seoul Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, she participated in the transcontinental contemporary art project CONNECT, BTS as the only Korean artist; in 2017, she received the Red Dot Award with Deep Surface, a commissioned exhibition by Max Mara. Kangs work has been acquired by V&A. Kang is featured in Bloombergs Art+Technology series and her writings have been published in the Leonardo Journal (MIT Press) and Practices of Projections, published by Oxford University Press. Kang has been awarded the British Council Alumni Award for Culture and Creativity in 2022. She participated in several conferences and symposiums including SIGGRAPH and NEXUS Pavilion, organized by La Biennale di Venezia. Kang also gives lectures at Politecnico di Milano (Milano), SOAS University of London (London), and Sothebys Institute of Art (London), Seoul National University (Seoul) and KAIST (Daejeon). Recently Kang had a solo exhibition Anthropause at PKM gallery (Seoul), and her group exhibition Cubically Imagined is traveling from Paris to Hong Kong, Moscow and Beijing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dassault Systemes The Only Progress is Human initiative:

Launched in 2020, The Only Progress is Human features a series of acts aimed to increase awareness of societal and environmental challenges and inspire the use of virtual worlds to drive sustainable innovations. Prior to Urban Renaissance, these acts included: Virtual Harmony, a unique musical and visual experience demonstrating how virtual worlds can change the way we experience emotions; Water for Life, a set of initiatives to help industry consume smarter and protect the worlds most precious resource; and Living Heritage, a student program to experience six UNESCO World Heritage Sites as they may have existed in the past while nurturing skills to innovate for a more sustainable world. Visit: https://www.3ds.com/progress-is-human

SHARE THIS ON TWITTER

Presenting Urban Renaissance, featuring a 3D mapping project illustrating the city of tomorrow by Korean artist Yiyun Kang #progressishuman #3DEXPERIENCE @Dassault3DS

Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube

About Dassault Systemes

Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating 'virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production. Dassault Systemes 20,000 employees are bringing value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit our website.

 Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass icon, the 3DS logo, CATIA, BIOVIA, GEOVIA, SOLIDWORKS, 3DVIA, ENOVIA, NETVIBES, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM, 3DEXCITE, SIMULIA, DELMIA, and IFWE are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a French societe europeenne (Versailles Commercial Register # B 322 306 440), or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/

Dassault Systemes

Press Contacts

Corporate / France

Arnaud MALHERBE

[email protected]

+33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

North America

Natasha LEVANTI

[email protected]

+1 (508) 449 8097

EMEAR

Virginie BLINDENBERG

[email protected]

+33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

China

Grace MU

[email protected]

+86 10 6536 2288

India

Kriti ASHOK

[email protected]

+91 9741310607

Japan

Yukiko SATO

[email protected]

+81 3 4321 3841

Korea

Jeemin JEONG

[email protected]

+82 2 3271 6653

AP South

Jessica TAN

[email protected]

+65 6511 6248

Source: Dassault Systemes
Researchers enrolled the first set of patients in the Alpheus Medical phase 1 clinical trial for people with recurrent brain tumors

MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nearly all people who develop high-grade gliomas will have regrowth of their tumors at some point, even after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Looking to harness the potential of non-invasive ultrasound technology, clinicians at Northwell Health and clinical trial investigators at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research have begun to participate in the Alpheus Medical, Inc phase 1 clinical trial and enrolled its first set of patients at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005272/en/

Yehuda Haber (left) speaks with Dr. Michael Schulder about the Alpheus Medical ultrasound clinical trial. (Credit: Feinstein Institutes)

There are few therapeutic options to treat these recurrences for many patients diagnosed with high-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma. This multi-site clinical trial looks to study the safety and optimal dosage of an investigational novel sonodynamic therapy (SDT) platform, which targets solid body cancers through ultrasound.

For people living with recurrent brain tumors, new options are long overdue, said Michael Schulder, MD, director of the Brain Tumor Center at Northwell Healths Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery, a professor in the Feinstein Institutes Institute of Molecular Medicine, and principal investigator on the clinical trial. We are eager to offer this new clinical trial to participants and are grateful for their participation so that we can study this potentially beneficial therapy.

Yehuda Haber, 62, was one of the first patients to enroll in the trial and undergo treatment at NSUH and the first with his type of brain tumor. Diagnosed 20 years ago with oligodendroglioma, Mr. Haber, a former Israeli Navy SEAL, was treated with radiation and oral chemotherapy. Three years ago, he was referred to Dr. Schulder for treatment with laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), an innovative technology to treat small tumor growths. He has had four of these procedures, each of which was successful. However, Dr. Schulder advised him that LITT alone would not be a long-term solution. On October 12, Mr. Haber enrolled in the Alpheus clinical trial, which is aimed at treating the whole tumor.

I never expected my brain tumors to come back, but when they did, I knew I didnt want to go through the painful radiation and chemo treatment again, said Mr. Haber. When Dr. Schulder told me about this new trial, I didnt hesitate to sign up. I hope this treatment works for me and others fighting for their lives. Nothing can keep me down!

The non-invasive drug-device combination treatment targets cancer cells throughout the entire brain hemisphere using low-intensity, large-field ultrasound. The method can be done in an outpatient setting, allows for repeat applications, and does not require imaging during the session. The trial plans to enroll up to 33 patients with high-grade gliomas, including glioblastomas, across three sites across the country.

Clinical trials to assess safety and effectiveness are a pivotal step before new medical technology can advance into widespread use, said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research. Dr. Schulders clinical research on brain tumors produces essential new knowledge to guide future therapeutic strategies.

Alpheus Medical is the sponsor of the trial. For more information, go to: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05362409

About the Feinstein Institutes

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50 research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its five institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, and molecular medicine. We make breakthroughs in genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine  a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit http://feinstein.northwell.edu and follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005272/en/

Matthew Libassi

631-793-5325

[email protected]

Source: The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client SSM Holdings, LLC (dba Ontronics) to RGF Capital, LLC. The transaction closed on December 29, 2022.

Ontronics, located in Plano, Texas, is a reverse logistics company and global leader in the secondary mobile device space. The Company specializes in device monetization through the repairing and remarketing of mobile devices and accessories. Ontronics has served more than 2,000 clients in over 80% of the countries in the world. Most of the worldwide customers of Ontronics are reselling these devices through online portals such as Amazon, eBay, etc. Some clients specialize in repair and refurbishment and those clients focus on broken and damaged devices.

Prior to the transaction, Ontronics was wholly owned by Shawn Moeenuddin, who operated as President of the business. Going forward, Mr. Moeenuddin will continue his role as President and will become a Partner at Ontronics.

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, RGF Capital, LLC is a well-established private equity group. Ron Farrell, the Chairman/CEO has over 40 years of experience in financial/business consulting, private placements, public offerings, venture capital, private equity transactions, and roll up transactions. Mr. Farrell has personally directed the acquisition or sale of over 40 companies and 4 public offerings during his career. The Firms success is based on its guiding principles: To build companies that are looked at as leaders in their respective industries, to create above average returns for partners and the management of the companies acquired, and to be good corporate citizens and regarded as a Company of Integrity.

Don Ho, Managing Director M&A with Generational Equity, was the lead deal maker that successfully closed the transaction. Don Ho was supported by Executive Managing Director of M&A  Central Region, Michael Goss and Vice President, M&A, Jacob Mangalath.

We are very honored to represent Shawn and help him achieve his goal of partnering with a sophisticated and experienced private equity group. The growth strategy that both Shawn and Ron have in store for Ontronics will allow the business to further accelerate its growth, as well as better serve its customers while providing new opportunities for the staff, said Mr. Ho.

Ho added, Though Ontronics is already a major leader in the secondary mobile device market worldwide, we believe the partnership with RGF Capital will allow the company to grow to be the dominant player. We are excited for the future of Ontronics.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 300 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named the company Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005223/en/

Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

[email protected]

Source: Generational Equity
NEW YORK & NOIDA, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced that State Farm, the leading provider of auto, home, and commercial insurance, has selected the company to reimagine its IT service desk and infrastructure operations. HCLTech will leverage its differentiated portfolio and proven execution capabilities to accelerate the modernization of its hybrid cloud environment for State Farm.

This collaboration will further modernize State Farms back-end IT services and infrastructure through automation, advanced technology tools and mature processes. This will enable State Farm to focus on critical technology priorities while elevating IT support experiences for its customers, agents and employees.

Some State Farm employees supporting this work will transfer to HCLTech to continue their important role in delivering cutting-edge technology services to State Farm. These employees will have access to HCLTechs global network and a wide range of opportunities across industries, including a variety of training and development programs that are core to HCLTechs culture of innovation.

HCLTech was selected because of its reputation in supporting Fortune 500 companies, said Ashley Pettit, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for State Farm. Working successfully with them relies, in part, on the skills and knowledge of talented employees currently doing this work at State Farm.

We are thrilled to welcome the incoming talent and combine the companies mutual expertise to help State Farm develop a stronger technology foundation, said Srinivasan Seshadri, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Financial Services, HCLTech. We are committed to supporting State Farm in its endeavor to serve its customers through advanced technologies and practices.

For more information, visit: www.hcltech.com.

About HCLTech

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 222,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering and cloud, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending December 2022 totaled US$ 12.3 Bn. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

Forward-looking Statement

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the statements containing the words 'planned', 'expects', 'believes', 'strategy', 'opportunity', 'anticipates', 'hopes' or other similar words. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding impact of pending regulatory proceedings, fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services, Business Process Outsourcing and consulting services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, customer acceptances of our services, products and fee structures, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, our ability to integrated assets in a cost-effective and timely manner, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, the success of our brand development efforts, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies / entities in which we have made strategic investments, withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property, other risks, uncertainties and general economic conditions affecting our industry. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements made herein will prove to be accurate, and issuance of such forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objective and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005620/en/

HCLTech

Michelle Rico, Americas

[email protected]

Elka Ghudial, EMEA

[email protected]

Devneeta Pahuja, India and APAC

[email protected]

Source: HCLTech
Kevin brings expertise in partnership development, innovation, and strategic growth

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cherre, the industrys leading real estate data integration and insights platform, today announced that Kevin Shtofman has joined the team as the Head of Innovation. In this new role, Kevin will be responsible for expanding Cherres go-to-market capabilities, global partner alliances, and long-term strategic growth.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005641/en/

Cherre, the industrys leading real estate data integration and insights platform, announced that Kevin Shtofman has joined the team as Head of Innovation. (Photo: Business Wire)

With over a decade of experience at enterprise organizations such as CohnReznick, Deloitte, and EY, Kevin brings a unique perspective to this pivotal moment in Cherres growth. Kevin noted, Its extremely rare to be a part of a category-defining company this early on. This is that opportunity for me, and Im excited to ride this rocket ship!

Prior to Cherre, Kevin served as Chief Experience and Chief Operating Officer at data visualization provider, NavigatorCRE. Throughout his career, Kevin has held senior positions focused on real estate and technology, investment analysis and management, and organizational growth. Hes a respected speaker at industry events covering topics such as innovation, data analytics and management, and the next wave of real estate tech disruption.

We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to the team, said Cherre CEO and Co-Founder L.D. Salmanson. Kevins industry experience coupled with his demonstrated ability to strategically expand company capabilities will be a key part of the next chapter in Cherres exponential growth.

Cherre seamlessly connects disparate real estate data into a single source of truth, empowering companies to instantly explore all their connected data for immediate and actionable insight. Cherre has the largest real estate knowledge graph in the world and enables customers to uncover granular insights, automate workflows, and build models and visualizations.

Learn more at cherre.com.

About Cherre

Cherre is the leader in real estate data and insight. We connect decision makers to accurate property and market information, and help them make faster, smarter decisions. By providing a unique single source of truth, Cherre empowers customers to evaluate opportunities and trends faster and more accurately, while saving millions of dollars in manual data collection and analytics costs. Cherre launched in 2016 and is located in New York City.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005641/en/

Cherre Media

Audrey Surette

PAN Communications

[email protected]

Source: Cherre
?? El Ministerio de Salud informa que 3660 personas han sido dadas de alta por #ViruelaDelMono y se han detectado 3 casos nuevos en los ultimos dias. Todos vienen recibiendo asistencia medica y se viene realizando seguimiento a sus contactos. pic.twitter.com/EfGMBRXx0l
Medvisit is Canadas oldest doctor home visit company and the largest in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It was acquired by Mednow in August 2021

Mednow Pharmacists will perform an in-home medication review and medication cabinet clean up for eligible housebound patients under the Ontario Drug benefits program

The Medication reconciliation will attempt to flag any potential medication issues for the physician in an easy-to-use report

Medvisit service has been provided to over 400,000 patients in the GTA, serviced by over 100 Doctors

Mednow Pharmacy continues its push for more clinical services for patients, provided conveniently at their homes

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mednow Inc (TSXV: MNOW) (OTCQX: MDNWF), Canadas on-demand virtual pharmacy has expanded its suite of services to its at-home Medvisit and other patients.

Medvisits expanded suite of services includes an at-home medication review program for patients who are not physically able to attend a community pharmacy. The addition of the at-home medication review program, conducted by our team of licensed traveling pharmacists, allows the physician who will see the patient afterwards to focus on treating the patient and not on performing a medication history. Pharmacists are experts in drug therapy and can help as part of the medical team to make processes more efficient. The service is covered for eligible and consenting patients by the Ontario Drug Benefits Program. It is an example of non-dispensing related revenue available to pharmacies in Canadas largest province.

By offering this service to patients who are unable to physically visit a pharmacy, we believe we are able to improve medication management and adherence, leading to better health outcomes for our patients. The key is collaborating with the physicians who appreciate a pharmacist doing the medication reconciliation. We all know a senior who could use help cleaning out their medication cabinet, doing a run through of all their medications with a pharmacist, and ensuring that a pharmacist-doctor team can help where needed. We are confident that this program will be well-received by both our existing Medvisit patients and new users and look forward to its contribution to our overall growth and success. Most importantly it is in line with our promise to bring the power of the pharmacy and pharmacist conveniently to where people live, says CEO and Co-Founder, Ali Reyhany.

Medvisit is Canadas largest and longest standing doctor house call service, having been in operation for over 30 years. Medvisit conducts approximately 30,000 patient home visits per year and has served over 400,000 patients since inception. Patients that are unable to leave their home rely on over 100 doctors in the Medvisit network for the treatment of acute and episodic illness and injury.

The combination of pharmacy and doctor home visits through the Mednow platform has created synergies that greatly benefit patients. By offering a comprehensive review of their medications and treatment plan prior to our in-home medication visits, Mednow and Medvisit are able to provide the highest level of care at the forefront of chronic disease management.

Medvisit is a very attractive platform for Mednow as we strive to become a household name in Canadian healthcare. Combined with our virtual care business, we can now send a physician to a patients home when a virtual visit is not adequate to meet the patients needs in the GTA. Our fully digital pharmacy, unique medication adherence solutions and telemedicine offering are ideal compliments for Medvisits client base that have limitations on mobility. The market for pharmacy and healthcare services in Canada is large and remains ripe for positive disruption. Mednow aims to continue adding services to its platform that change the way healthcare is delivered to patients, said Ali Reyhany, CEO and Co-Founder of Mednow.

Through the Medvisit patient network, Mednow is well positioned to offer a full platform of services to a large subset of patients that can benefit greatly from a full suite of digital healthcare and delivery services.

Mednow is focused on improving delivery of pharmacy services in Canada through digitization to provide better patient access to pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals. Mednow offers instant access to pharmacists in the Mednow app (Apple | Android | web browser) or on the phone (1-855-MEDNOW-1) and offers fast, free delivery of prescription medication to patients across Canada.

Mednow is also pleased to announce that further to its news release dated November 7, 2022, the Company has amended the terms and increased the size of its private placement offering of secured convertible debentures (each, a Convertible Debenture) to up to $4,000,000 (the Offering). In addition, the Company has elected to carry out the Offering on a non-brokered basis as opposed to a "commercially reasonable efforts" agency offering basis as previously contemplated. In connection with the revised terms of the Offering, the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) has approved an extension for completion of the Offering to February 9, 2023.

The Company has amended certain terms applicable to the Convertible Debentures previously announced on November 7, 2022. Each Convertible Debenture will bear interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum and mature eighteen (18) months following the date of issuance (the Maturity Date). The principal amount of each Convertible Debenture (the Principal Amount) will be convertible into 5,555 units (each a Unit) based on a conversion price of $0.18 per Unit (the Conversion Price). Each Convertible Debenture will be convertible at the option of the holder at any time during the period beginning on the later of: (i) the four month anniversary of the date of issuance of the Convertible Debenture; and (ii) the date on which the Company completes an equity financing with aggregate proceeds to the Company of at least $4,000,000 (other than pursuant to the Offering), and ending on the Maturity Date.

Each Unit will consist of one Class A common share in the capital of Mednow (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of 48 months from the date of issuance thereof, subject to applicable policies of the TSXV.

The net proceeds received by the Company from the Offering are intended to be used for strategic acquisition opportunities, working capital and for general corporate purposes. The Convertible Debentures issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months from the date of issuance.

The Offering remains subject to receipt of TSXV approval and all other necessary regulatory approvals.

About Mednow

Mednow (TSXV: MNOW) (OTCQX: MDNWF) is a healthcare technology company offering virtual access with a high-standard of care. Designed with accessibility and quality of care in mind, Mednow provides virtual pharmacy and telemedicine services as well as doctor home visits through an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare that is focused on the patient experience. Mednows services include free at-home delivery of medications, doctor consultations, a user-friendly interface for easy upload, transfer, and refill of prescriptions, access to healthcare professionals through an intuitive chat experience and the specialized PillSmart system that packages prescriptions in easy to use daily dose packs, each labeled with the date and time of the next dose.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms of the Offering and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Although Mednow believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance and that such forward-looking information is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release including, without limitation, that the Offering will close and will do so on the proposed terms; that the Company will be able to utilize the net proceeds of the Offering in the manner intended; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; that applicable regulatory approvals will be received; and assumptions regarding political and regulatory stability and stability in financial and capital markets.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others: the risk that the Company may not complete additional tranches of the Offering; the risk that the Offering may not be completed on the anticipated terms; the risk that required regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSXV, for the Offering are not obtained; the risk that the Company may not be able to use the proceeds of the Offering as intended; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; recent market volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; the conflict in Eastern Europe; the Companys ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, 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 U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005306/en/

Investor:

Benjamin Ferdinand

1-855-686-6300

[email protected]

Source: Mednow Inc.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Offshore wind analyst Aegir Insights closes its first round of external funding with financing from Denmarks independent state loan fund, Denmarks Export & Investment Fund.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230110005587/en/

Offshore Wind Analyst Aegir Insights Receives Financing From Denmark's Export & Investment Fund, formerly the Danish Green Investment Fund. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The growth loan from Denmarks Export & Investment Fund is a recognition of both the robustness of Aegir Insights as a business, and the companys role in furthering the energy transition through modern, data-driven and adaptable intelligence for the offshore wind sector.

As part of the investment process, Aegir Insights was evaluated across several ESG criteria and committed to continuous improvement and transparent reporting.

Scott Urquhart, CEO of Aegir Insights, says: I am proud of what we have accomplished together with our investors and industry partners, and excited to accelerate our journey as a differentiated analytics business founded on deep industry experience, proprietary models and cutting-edge data. Our solutions for offshore wind investments are helping to deploy more capacity, faster and at lower cost. We believe focus on ESG and transparent reporting will translate into better business performance for both Aegir and our customers.

Michael Zollner, Chief Commercial Officer responsible for SMEs for Denmarks Export and Investment Fund says: Aegir Insights presents an advanced analytical tool - a software that can accelerate the transition toward green solutions by saving both time and resources for other projects within the construction of offshore wind turbines. To Denmarks Export and Investment Fund, Aegir Insights presents a unique example of how to make the transition to greener solutions good business, with their scalable solution, which has the potential to broadly share knowledge within the industry, as well as catalyze positive, green change.

The loan from Denmarks Export & Investment Fund supplements the equity funding received in October, where renowned energy sector leader Jon Erik Reinhardsen along with two other private investors provided funding for Aegir Insights continued growth journey.

Jacob Winning Lehmann, Chairman at Aegir Insights, says: We welcome Denmarks Export & Investment Fund as a funding partner to Aegir Insights. The loan provided marks an end to our first external funding round, and we are really happy that we in less than three months have secured seed financing for our efforts leading towards a potential Series A funding round in 2023.

The funding will assist Aegir Insights in accelerating tech- and software development plans as well as growing its organization. BearingPoint Capital advised Aegir Insights on the external financing round.

About Aegir Insights:

Smarter, faster, greener.

Aegir Insights provides premium commercial analytics and models to help inform investment strategy and capital allocation for leading players in the offshore wind and power-to-x (PtX) sectors. Aegir Insights differentiated strategy includes its technology-led approach in cooperation with clients and academia, and its senior team having deep industry experience from leading developers including Orsted, Vattenfall,Vestas and Siemens. Aegir Insights also serves as a trusted government advisor in development of offshore wind and PtX markets.

Learn more about Aegir Insights here: www.aegirinsights.com

About Denmarks Export & Investment Fund:

Denmarks Export & Investment Fund is the result of a merger of Denmarks Export Credit Agency (EKF), the growth fund Vaekstfonden and the Danish Green Investment Fund.

Learn more about Denmarks Export & Investment Fund here: www.eifo.dk

BearingPoint Capital:

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. The company operates in three business units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Consulting covers the advisory business with a clear focus on selected business areas. Products provides IP-driven digital assets and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers M&A and transaction services.

BearingPoints clients include many of the worlds leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more than 13,000 people and supports clients in over 70 countries, engaging with them to achieve measurable and sustainable success.

Learn more about BearingPoint Capital here: www.bearingpoint.com

Jon Erik Reinhardsen:

Jon Erik Reinhardsen is a Norwegian business executive currently holding positions including Chairman of the Board of Equinor ASA, board member of Telenor ASA, and other senior appointments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230110005587/en/

Signe Soerensen

Communication Manager

+45 8190 8153

[email protected]

Source: Aegir Insights
Company will provide systems engineering support to the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded a $349 million contract by the U.S. Navy to continue supporting In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) functions for Afloat and Ashore Tactical Networks (TACNET).

Our expertise in network engineering, modernization, sustainment and logistics positions us to provide long-term support to the U.S. Navy for afloat and ashore networks, said Bob Genter, president, Defense & Civilian Sector at SAIC. We have provided services to this program for decades and are excited to help the Navy continue its IT modernization and transformation initiatives.

Under the five-year contract, SAIC will continue to provide management, engineering, technical, integrated logistics, configuration management, and life cycle support for afloat and ashore TACNET and command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems.

For more than 15 years, SAIC has supported the Navys TACNET program by providing systems engineering services to help the Navy transmit and receive information to support combat readiness. SAIC will primarily perform work under this contract in San Diego, California.

NIWC Pacific provides technological and engineering support critical to information warfare for the Navy, as well as for the Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard programs. Systems development and support includes basic research and prototype development through systems engineering, and integration to life cycle support of fielded systems.

To learn more about SAICs work with the Department of Defense, visit www.saic.com/defense.

About SAIC

SAIC is a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator driving our nations technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

We are approximately 26,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.4 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release contain or are based on forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as expects, intends, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, guidance, and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Legal Proceedings sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SECs website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAICs expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005055/en/

Thais Hanson

703.676.8215 | [email protected]

Source: Science Applications International Corp.
BRYAN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Saint-Gobain, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed LLC, today announced that the company intends to build a new, state-of-the art manufacturing facility and distribution center in Bryan, Texas, reaffirming its commitment to provide sustainable, quality products to its customers in the southern United States.

This new facility in Bryan, the first new construction of a CertainTeed roofing plant in the United States since 2017, comes as Saint-Gobain continues to implement its global Grow and Impact strategy, which includes expanding its presence in key, fast growing markets. The facility, which will co-locate the distribution center with the manufacturing site will reduce distances for product transportation, lowering the companys carbon footprint and aligning with Saint-Gobains global vision of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Construction toward the distribution center is expected to begin in 2023 with completion of the entire project expected several years after. In total, the company expects to create approximately 130 full time jobs in Bryan.

The project is generously supported with a direct contribution of 211 acres of land and a zero-cost rail easement valued at $7.3 million, locally supported industrial infrastructure valued at approximately $3 million, $546,000 in direct payments from the Texas Enterprise Fund, and ten years of property tax savings which will result in millions of dollars of savings from the Chapter 313 program.

Our new manufacturing facility and distribution center symbolizes our commitment to our customers in the southern United States, to the State of Texas and to the City of Bryan and its citizens, said Carmen Bodden, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Roofing. As the leader in light and sustainable construction, this new facility will ensure our business has the materials necessary to continue serving our customers while remaining focused on minimizing our environmental footprint.

Exceptional global companies, like CertainTeed, are investing in Texas because we offer unmatched business operating advantages, including a world-class business climate, highly skilled workforce, reasonable regulations, and lower taxes, said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Located in the heart of the Texas Triangle, Bryan is a prime location for CertainTeed's new manufacturing and distribution facility. The future of Texas is bright, and I look forward to an ongoing partnership with CertainTeed as we continue to expand opportunity for all Texans.

The planned expansion into Bryan follows several other major investments made by CertainTeed Roofing over the past year, including a recent groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate construction toward a $167 million glass mat facility on its Oxford, North Carolina campus.

With over 120 manufacturing locations in the United States, every current and future member of the companys team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations, including our facilities in Texas, can be found on the companys careers website.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 115 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firms slogan Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed, inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, solar, fence, railing, trim, insulation, drywall and ceilings. www.certainteed.com.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Groups commitment is guided by its purpose, MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME.

44.2 billion in sales in 2021

167,000 employees, located in 76 countries

Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit http://www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005203/en/

Media

Peter Clark

Saint-Gobain North America

[email protected]

Source: Saint-Gobain
LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

SMAIO (Software, Machines and Adaptative Implants in Orthopaedics  Euronext Growth Paris ISIN: FR0014005I80 / Ticker: ALSMA) (Paris: ALSMA), a French player specialized in complex spine surgery with a global offer comprising software, adaptative implants and related services, today announces its indicative financial calendar for 2023.

Events Dates 2022 full-year revenue Tuesday, January 17, 2023 2022 full-year results Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Annual General Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 2023 2023 first-half revenue Tuesday, July 18, 2023 2023 first-half results Wednesday, October 18, 2023

This preliminary agenda may be modified. Each publication will be released after market close.

About SMAIO

A precursor in the use of clinical data and imaging of the spine, SMAIO designs global solutions for spine surgery specialists. The Company has recognized expertise thanks to KEOPS, its Big Data management software that has become a global reference with more than 100,000 patient cases documented.

SMAIO offers spine surgeons a comprehensive platform, I-Kontrol, incorporating planning, implants and related services, enabling them to treat spinal pathologies in a safe, effective and lasting way.

SMAIO is positioned at the forefront of innovation with the ambition of providing surgeons with the first active robotic solution enabling a high level of performance and repeatability to be achieved.

Based in Lyon, France, SMAIO benefits from the skill and expertise of more than 30 highly specialized staff.

For further information, please visit our website: www.smaio.com

Marche de cotation : Euronext Growth Paris

ISIN : FR0014005I80

Mnemonique : ALSMA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005482/en/

SMAIO

Philippe Roussouly

President directeur general

Renaut Fritsch

Directeur financier

[email protected]

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky/Quentin Masse

Relations investisseurs

[email protected]

T. : 01 44 71 94 92

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Relations medias

[email protected]

T. : 01 44 71 94 98

Source: SMAIO
The 53-page eBook counsels readers on the benefits of localizing websites, graphics, videos, and more

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smartling, the enterprise translation solutions company, partnered with Dyspatch, the leading low-code, no-code email production platform, to release Ultimate Guide to Translating Your Marketing Materials, a new eBook containing extensive how-tos and best practices for marketers looking to localize their content for multilingual and international audiences.

The 53-page report offers marketers, both unfamiliar and experienced, deep insights into the key differentiating factors between localization and translation and how to execute based on content type. Laden with step-by-step guides, quotes, and context that includes images, the eBook is a useful tool for those looking to familiarize themselves with modern localization initiatives and best practices.

Were excited to expand our partnership with Dyspatch and provide their customers with the high-quality localization services needed to accommodate their various audiences, said Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling. The eBook will provide those curious about the impact of localization with a framework that will give them the confidence to develop their program further. Knowing your customers and speaking their language should be fundamental to the way a business should run. We look forward to helping enterprises expand globally and reach new customers they otherwise would not be able to.

The report follows the late 2022 integration of Dyspatchs lightweight email-building platform into Smartlings industry-leading machine translation technology. Dyspatchs builder software works with marketers to create dynamic emails shown to get higher ROI and engagement, and has worked with the likes of Canva, Blue Apron, Postmates, and Grover, among others. As a leader in the translation industry, Smartling provides a specialized module utilizing Neural Machine Translation, which is capable of providing translation quality comparable to that of human translation, with their proprietary Machine Learning models and human-in-the-loop delivery platform. Together, the two companies can ensure their customers receive culturally and linguistically accurate content at scale.

Smartling has become one of the leading voices in the localization and language technology markets. We have adapted our offering, fully integrating their capabilities into our platform. Bringing in Smartling was a popular request made by several of our customers, and were happy to be taking our platform to the next level by combining our services, said Matt Harris, CEO of Dyspatch. The eBook is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the value localization initiatives have and how they should be conducted effectively.

For more information about Smartling, visit smartling.com.

About Smartling

Smartling provides AI-enabled Translation Management software and Language Services that enable customers to localize content across devices and platforms. The company is recognized by CSA Research as the #1 Leader for Language-Oriented TMS, and by users on G2 as the #1 rated Translation Management System. Smartling uses a data-driven approach to localization, which enables its customers to achieve higher-quality translation at a lower total cost. Smartling is the platform of choice for hundreds of B2B and B2C brands, including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Shopify, Momentive (formerly SurveyMonkey) and Lyft. Smartling is headquartered in New York, with offices in Dublin and London.

About Dyspatch

Dyspatch is an industry-leading email production platform designed to help businesses focus more time on innovation and less time on implementation. Dyspatch empowers non-technical email teams to increase engagement and conversions by providing amazing email experiences at scale. Build beautiful, interactive email templates in minutes using pre-coded content blocks, and easily collaborate with key stakeholders all within Dyspatch. Easily integrate with your existing email service providers for sending.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005140/en/

Press

N6A on behalf of Smartling

[email protected]

Press

Alison Fisher

Director of Marketing at Dyspatch

[email protected]

Source: Smartling
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT) announced that on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, the company will be hosting Stream On to share how Spotify is unlocking new possibilities for creators to better connect with and build a powerful global audience across mediums. This year's Stream On will provide updates on Spotifys creator tools, features, and programming in an event streamed live from the Arts District in Los Angeles. The event will be live-streamed on For the Record and Spotifys YouTube channel and be available for on-demand viewing immediately afterwards. No login required.

About Spotify Technology S.A.

Spotify is the worlds most popular audio streaming subscription service with a community of more than 456 million Monthly Active Users and 195 million Premium Subscribers. With a presence in 184 markets, and more than 80 million tracks including 4.7 million podcast titles, it has transformed the way people access and enjoy music and podcasts.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005207/en/

Investor Relations:

Bryan Goldberg

Lauren Katzen

[email protected]

investors.spotify.com

Public Relations:

Adam Grossberg

[email protected]

Source: Spotify Technology S.A.
New 5G Americas white paper focuses on evolution of enterprise cellular private network deployment models, RAN technologies, mobility, security, and operational requirements.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The rise in private 5G and 4G/LTE network deployments is rapidly expanding, as enterprises continue the digitization of their operations to boost automation and improve data security. 5G Americas, the voice of 5G and 4G LTE for the Americas, today announced the release of Enterprise Evolution with 5G Adoption, which explores how organizations are now supported by many 5G solutions from vendors across many industry verticals.

Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, said, The promise of private 5G has been driving digitization trends that are laid down for Industry 4.0. While the private 5G enterprise ecosystem is still maturing, the technology is unleashing new solutions to meet changing enterprise needs.

Enterprise Evolution with 5G Adoption focuses on developing deployment models, progressing RAN technologies, emerging mobility requirements, as well as security and management needs that are being required by enterprises. It addresses the challenges of the complexity of the cellular Radio Access Network (RAN) in initial enterprise adoption. For enterprise IT departments used to the ease of Wi-Fi deployment, the 5G RAN raises considerations involving additional spectrum requirements, coverage, device-centric use cases, performance per device, enterprise-owned and operated radios, virtualization, and transport considerations.

Additionally, the white paper outlines factors involving enterprise mobility, including scenarios used by different industry verticals, cellular identity onboarding, mobility in an enterprise context, application-based vs network-based mobility, shared networks, and roaming between public and private networks.

Some key topics surrounding enterprise deployment of private 5G networks (P5G) explored in this 5G Americas report include:

Enterprise deployment trends

RAN, mobility, and security considerations

Additional management and operations implications

Azita Kia, Sr. Technical Lead, Mobility CTO Office, Cisco said, Private 5G has emerged as an important option to provide carrier grade network performance to enterprises. It continues to evolve and improve as use cases are better understood, and various aspects of end-to-end solutions mature. There will be an important role for Private 5G, as it co-evolves alongside other enterprise-ready technologies.

About 5G Americas: The Voice of 5G and LTE for the Americas

5G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organizations mission is to facilitate and advocate for the advancement and transformation of LTE, 5G and beyond throughout the Americas. 5G Americas is invested in developing a connected wireless community while leading 5G development for all the Americas. 5G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. More information is available at 5G Americas website and Twitter.

5G Americas Board of Governors Members include Airspan Networks Inc., Antel, AT&T, Ciena, Cisco, Crown Castle, Ericsson, Intel, Liberty Latin America, Mavenir, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated, Samsung, Shaw Communications Inc., T-Mobile US, Inc., Telefonica, VMware, and WOM.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005702/en/

5G Americas

Viet Nguyen

+1 206 218 6393

[email protected]

Source: 5G Americas
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Turo, the worlds largest car-sharing marketplace, has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees Choice Award in the U.S. small and medium company category recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2023. Unlike other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees Choice Award, now in its 15th year, is based solely on the input of employees, who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment, and employer on Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies.

Turos mission is to put the worlds 1.5 billion cars to better use, but none of that is possible without our team. Every Turist should see their drive, talent, and commitment reflected in this award, said Turo CEO Andre Haddad. Turo is dedicated to building an excellent company culture, and I am proud to see that commitment recognized with this award.

The selection caps off a year of major achievements for Turo that include the acquisition of leading French peer-to-peer car sharing company, OuiCar, expansion into New York and Australia, and ongoing robust growth. To continue this momentum and foster additional success, Turo continues to invest in employees, including hosting a semi-annual company retreat, Turbo Week, and offering a $2,000 learning and development budget to support the professional growth and development of each of their employees.

Glassdoors Best Places to Work winners were determined using company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between October 19, 2021, and October 17, 2022. To be considered for the U.S. small and medium company list, a company must have had fewer than 1,000 employees and received at least 30 ratings across each of Glassdoors nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend and six-month business outlook). The final list is compiled using Glassdoors proprietary algorithm, led by its Economic Research Team, and considers the quantity, quality, and consistency of reviews. The complete awards methodology can be found here.

For the complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work winners in 2023, please visit gldr.co/BPTWSMB.

Turo is the worlds largest car sharing marketplace where guests can book any car they want, wherever they want it, from a vibrant community of trusted hosts. Whether theyre flying in from afar or looking for a car down the street, searching for a rugged truck or something smooth and swanky for a once-in-a-lifetime event, guests can take the wheel of the perfect car for any occasion, while hosts can take the wheel of their futures by sharing their underutilized personal vehicles or building an accessible, flexible, and scalable car sharing business from the ground up. Turo is home to a supportive and collaborative community that shares thousands of vehicles across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

To learn more about Turo, please visit www.turo.com.

Source: Turo Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005467/en/

[email protected]

Source: Turo Inc.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company celebrates opening a new office in Kuala Lumpur, one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia and the largest city in Malaysia. This will be the largest Xsolla office globally outside of Los Angeles, where it is headquartered. This expansion helps Xsolla offer its growing list of innovative products to even more game companies worldwide.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005298/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

"We welcome Xsolla's entry into Malaysia, and their confidence in our digital content ecosystem is a glowing endorsement of Malaysia's capabilities and capacities. We will continue to strive to facilitate further expansion and growth of key partners in utilising the nation as a hub to land and expand to the wider ASEAN region. With the new national strategic initiative, Malaysia Digital (MD), in place, we are confident that Malaysia will continue to be the digital hub of choice," said Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC.

Xsolla provides industry-leading solutions helping mobile, pc, and web-based video game developers to expand their audiences and monetize their games better. The expansion into Kuala Lumpur is in line with the growing number of gamers and mobile game companies in Asia, enabling Xsolla to provide products that align with market needs and help our partners engage directly with consumers.

"Xsolla has recognized the importance of growth within the gaming industry and the region. By establishing a local entity within Kuala Lumpur, we will expand our network to help developers provide exclusive access to gamers and their preferred payment method to purchase their favourite games," said Ilya Mamontov, Managing Director of Xsolla in Malaysia. "Because of our regional expansion, we will be adding new talent to the Xsolla development team here in Kuala Lumpur to support the local efforts and our global team."

Xsolla helps video game developers fund, launch, market, monetize and sell their games in over 200 countries worldwide. Its advanced tools and services can enable developers to accelerate their gaming business by reaching players who want to pay for their gaming experiences using their preferred payment method locally. Xsolla has already helped provide developers with access to new gamers by enabling transactions in 130+ currencies and 20+ languages.

"We are making great strides around the world to help our partners market, sell and monetize their games in over 200+ regions," said Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. "As a global company, this office opening will continue our mission of helping our game partners achieve even greater success in this ever-evolving market."

About Xsolla

Xsolla is a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsollas mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Xsolla is headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and cities around the world. Xsolla supports major gaming companies like Valve, Twitch, Roblox, Ubisoft, Epic Games, KRAFTON, Nexters, NetEase, Playstudios, Playrix, miHoYo, Pearl Abyss, NCSoft, and more.

For additional information and to learn more, please visit xsolla.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005298/en/

Derrick Stembridge

Director of Public Relations, Xsolla

[email protected]

Source: Xsolla
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Yasho Lahiri has joined Kramer Levin as a partner in the firms New York office. He will practice in the Investment Management group, broadening its private fund formation practice.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005615/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

For more than two decades, Mr. Lahiri has played an integral role in launching traditional and innovative private investment funds and other alternative investment vehicles. He has advised sponsors of private equity funds, credit funds, venture capital funds, infrastructure funds, hedge funds, cryptocurrency and other virtual asset funds, and funds focused on making positive social impacts and ameliorating climate change.

Kramer Levin co-managing partners Paul H. Schoeman and Howard T. Spilko said, Yashos fund formation experience broadens our fund formation practice and will realize synergies between our Investment Management group and our other destination practices  in particular, Private Equity, Banking and Finance, Securitization, Restructuring, Insurance and Derivatives  adding value in all of these areas for our clients.

Yasho is a highly experienced, creative fund formation attorney, with particular strength in developing innovative fund structures, along with a broad range of traditional fund structures, said Corporate Chair Ernest S. Wechsler. We are confident that Yasho will provide significant value to a broad range of fund sponsor clients.

I am excited to join Kramer Levin, said Mr. Lahiri. The firms broad and growing practice representing sponsors of private equity, credit and other funds represents an exciting platform on which to continue growing my fund formation practice.

Mr. Lahiri earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from Emory University.

About Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic solutions that address todays most challenging legal issues. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, and Paris and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005615/en/

Jennifer Manton

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

212.715.7612

[email protected]

Peter Pochna

Rubenstein for Kramer Levin

212.843.8007

[email protected]

Source: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) is said to be suing the leaders of the financial-aid business Frank, a company it acquired for $175 million in 2021.

The finance giant alleges that the company's leaders misled the bank by creating millions of fake student accounts to show it had a growing business.

The WSJ reported that the bank filed a lawsuit against Frank executives Charlie Javice and Olivier Amar last month in a Delaware Federal court. They claim widespread fraud.

Frank is marketed as a business that helps families navigate the college financial aid process.

Javice was said to have approached JPMorgan about an acquisition in the summer of 2021.

JPMorgan was reported to have said in its court filing that "rather than reveal the truth, Javice first pushed back on [JPMorgan's] request, arguing that she could not share her customer list due to privacy concerns."

However, after JPMorgan insisted, "Javice chose to invent several million Frank customer accounts out of whole cloth."

Before the bank sued her, the WSJ said Javice filed a separate lawsuit against JPMorgan, stating she is owed millions in expenses incurred. The suit also says she was fired in November.

Javice also claimed JPMorgan "manufactured a for-cause termination in bad faith," while her lawyer claimed JPMorgan's lawsuit is "nothing but a cover."

By Sam Boughedda
Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE American: MNK) today announced that Dr. Peter Richardson, B.Med.Sci., BM, BS, MRCP (UK) has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, effective January 12, 2023. With more than 30 years of research and development experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Richardson will have executive responsibility for Mallinckrodt's branded research and development (R&D), medical affairs, safety, and regulatory affairs functions. He will serve on the Company's Executive Committee and succeeds Steven Romano, M.D., who departed Mallinckrodt in December 2022.

Dr. Richardson previously served as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Antares Pharmaceuticals, overseeing all pharmaceutical research and development activities across the organization. Prior to this role, Dr. Richardson held senior leadership positions in research and development at several pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, Mannkind Corporation and Adare Pharmaceuticals.

"Peter is another strong addition to our Executive Committee, and I am very pleased that he is joining Mallinckrodt to lead our portfolio expansion efforts as Chief Scientific Officer," said Siggi Olafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Peter is an experienced industry leader with a proven track record of successfully managing product development pipelines and executing clinical programs, underpinned by a passion for scientific innovation and patient care. I am confident that his expertise and vision will be key to advancing our pipeline and bringing value-enhancing therapies to market for the benefit of our patients."

Dr. Richardson said, "Mallinckrodt has undertaken a significant transformation under Siggi's leadership, with a focus on pursuing pipeline opportunities and reinforcing the foundation of the business to strengthen the Company's long-term position. I look forward to working with the Mallinckrodt team to continue the progress underway and develop innovative products that have a meaningful impact on the lives of patients."

Grant of Inducement Award

In connection with Dr. Richardson's appointment, the Company agreed to grant to Dr. Richardson an equity award, which is being made in reliance on Section 711(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the Company Guide). The employment inducement equity award consists of (i) a restricted stock unit award covering 75,091 ordinary shares of the Company, which will vest ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the effectiveness of his appointment, subject to his continued employment, and (ii) a performance stock unit award covering 75,091 ordinary shares of the Company, which will vest in its entirety following a performance period that ends on December 27, 2024, as outlined in the applicable award agreement. These awards were approved by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of the Company, without shareholder approval as "employment inducement grants" under Section 711(a) of the Company Guide, which requires public announcement of inducement awards.

About Dr. Peter Richardson

Dr. Richardson is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 30 years of experience in research and development leadership, including building and supporting product development pipelines and clinical program management. He most recently served as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Antares Pharmaceuticals, where he set the strategic direction of Antares Pharmaceuticals' research and development program. Prior to this role, Dr. Richardson was with Adare Pharmaceuticals from 2016 through 2020, serving as Chief Medical Officer and President, Adare Pharmaceuticals U.S., and Vice President, Research and Development. Earlier in his career, Dr. Richardson served as Chief Medical Officer, Head of Global Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Alcon, a Novartis Company, Chief Scientific Officer, Corporate Vice President at MannKind Corporation, and several roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, culminating in his position as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Development Alliances.

Dr. Richardson holds a B.Med.Sci. from the University of Nottingham and a BM, BS from the University of Nottingham Medical School. He completed Stanford University Graduate School of Business' executive program and is a member of the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.

About Mallinckrodt

Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The Company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding Mallinckrodt's leadership, efforts for portfolio and pipeline expansion, development efforts, financial condition and operating results, legal, economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Mallinckrodt's businesses, and any other statements regarding events or developments Mallinckrodt believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, may be "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as updated by Mallinckrodt's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 1, July 1 and September 30, 2022 and other filings with the SEC identify and describe in more detail the risks and uncertainties to which Mallinckrodt's businesses are subject. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations Daniel SpecialeGlobal Corporate Controller and Chief Investor Relations Officer314-654-3638[email protected]

Derek BelzVice President, Investor Relations314-654-3950[email protected]

MediaMichael Freitag / Aaron Palash / Aura ReinhardJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher212-355-4449

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2023 01/23.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mallinckrodt-announces-appointment-of-dr-peter-richardson-mrcp-as-chief-scientific-officer-301719804.html

SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Company's Shea Creek Project. UEC indirectly owns 49.0975% of the Project and Orano Canada Resources owns the remainder and is the Project operator.

Background:

As a U.S. domestic and domiciled company, UEC is now reporting all mineral resources in accordance with Item 1302 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300");

S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants and to align U.S. disclosure requirements more closely for mineral properties with current industry and global regulatory standards; and

The mineral resource estimate set forth in this TRS for the Shea Creek Project have not previously been reported under the S-K 1300 format.

The TRS was prepared under S-K 1300 and was filed on January 11, 2023 with the SEC through EDGAR on Form 8-K and is also available on SEDAR as a "Material Document" filed on January 11, 2023. The TRS was prepared on behalf of the Company by Mr. James Gray, P.Geo., of Advantage Geoservices Limited, Mr. David Rhys, P.Geo., of Panterra Geoservices Inc., and Mr. Chris Hamel, P.Geo., UEC's Vice President Exploration, Canada.
A person enters the JPMorgan Chase & Co. New York Head Quarters in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., June 30, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

(Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase & Co on Thursday shut down its Frank website, a college financial planning platform it bought in 2021, after suing the startup's founder and another executive for creating nearly 4 million fake customer accounts.

The largest U.S. bank by assets had paid $175 million for Frank in a bid to deepen its ties with students. The bank said it was led to believe by founder Charlie Javice and Chief Growth Officer Olivier Amar that more than 4.25 million students had created accounts on Frank.

However, when JPMorgan sent marketing test emails to a list of Frank's customers that the company had provided, only 28% of them were delivered, the bank alleged.

JPMorgan said it generally sees a delivery rate of 99% with similar campaigns.

"(JPMorgan) paid $175 million for what it believed was a business deeply engaged with the college-aged market segment with 4.265 million customers; instead, it received a business with fewer than 300,000 customers," the bank said in the lawsuit filed last month.

An attorney for Javice, however, denied the allegations.

The founder had sued JPMorgan a few days earlier, alleging that the bank terminated her employment in November "in bad faith", seeking to avoid $28 million in payments that were due to her after a "series of groundless investigations" into her conduct.

"After JPM rushed to acquire (Javice's) rocketship business, JPM realized they couldn't work around existing student privacy laws, committed misconduct and then tried to retrade the deal," Javice's attorney said, adding that the bank's lawsuit was "nothing but a cover".

On Thursday, Frank's website said it was no longer available.

"Ms. Javice was not and is not a whistleblower. Any dispute will be resolved through the legal process," a spokesperson for JPMorgan said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Devika Syamnath)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Attorney Robert Hur speaks to the media after the arraignment of former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, outside of the U.S. District Court, in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Michael A. McCoy

By Sarah N. Lynch and Jarrett Renshaw

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday announced the appointment of a special counsel to investigate President Joe Biden's handling of sensitive government documents - an inquiry that could cast a shadow over the Democrat's expected run for re-election in 2024.

The top U.S. law enforcement official made the announcement hours after a White House lawyer on Thursday disclosed that Biden's legal team had found a second set of classified papers from his time as vice president at a storage space at his Delaware home. The White House on Monday disclosed that classified documents from his vice presidential days were discovered in November at a think tank in Washington.

Garland said Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney in Maryland, would serve as special counsel.

Special counsels are sometimes appointed to investigate politically sensitive cases and they carry out their responsibilities with a degree of independence from the Justice Department leadership, including Garland, who was appointed by Biden. Special counsels sometimes, but not always, pursue criminal charges.

Garland in November named a special counsel, Jack Smith, to oversee Justice Department investigations related to Donald Trump including the Republican former president's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump, defeated by Biden in 2020, in November announced a 2024 run for the presidency.

A special counsel, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, in 2019 during Trump's presidency documented contacts between the businessman-turned-politician's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, but found insufficient evidence to bring a charge of criminal conspiracy. Mueller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice in trying to impede the Russia investigation, but then-Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, subsequently cleared him.

An independent counsel, a post similar to that of a special counsel, served during Bill Clinton's presidency investigating the 1990s Whitewater political scandal and the Democratic president's sexual relationship with a White House intern named Monica Lewinsky. That inquiry led to Clinton's impeachment by the House of Representatives, though he was acquitted by the Senate.

Biden, 80, is expected to formally launch a re-election campaign in coming months. The disclosures about the documents already have caused him political worries.

The president told reporters on Thursday that he will get a chance to speak on "all of this soon," before reading from a prepared statement that echoed the information the White House put out moments earlier.

"As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents, classified material seriously. I also said we're cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department's review," Biden said.

Biden said his legal team found a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in his personal library at his Wilmington home. The library is attached to his garage, which Biden said is locked.

Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, said in a statement on Monday that classified materials were identified in a locked closet by personal attorneys for Biden on Nov. 2 when they were packing files at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a University of Pennsylvania think tank.

Officials said Biden's attorneys discovered fewer than a dozen classified records inside the office and informed the U.S. National Archives, the agency responsible for the preservation of government records, turned over the materials and cooperated with the Archives and the Justice Department. Biden said he was "surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that office" and did not know their contents.

In Trump's case, FBI agents carried out a court-approved search last August at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. About 100 documents marked as classified were among thousands of records seized during the search. Biden in September called his predecessor's handling of classified documents "totally irresponsible."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Will Dunham and Howard Goller)
FILE PHOTO: Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its factory in Shanghai, China January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

(Reuters) -Electric carmaker Tesla Inc has delayed plans to expand its Shanghai factory, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Tesla had planned to start work on expanding the plant as part of a strategy to more than double its production capacity in China to meet growing demand for its cars in the country and export markets, Reuters reported in February.

That would have helped Tesla produce up to 2 million cars per year at the Shanghai plant.

But the reported delay in the expansion could stall the U.S. carmaker's plans. Tesla's shares fell 3% to $119 in morning trading.

Tesla China did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Last week, the company also cut prices in China by 6% to 13.5% for the second time in less than three months, fuelling forecasts of a bigger price war amid weaker demand in the world's largest auto market.

Deliveries of Tesla's China-made cars hit their lowest in five months in December. Tesla's Shanghai plant, which was expanded last year, also exports vehicles to Europe.

Concerns that Chief executive Elon Musk is diverting his focus and resources to social media platform Twitter ahead of Tesla have been a drag on the electric-vehicle maker's stock. It had lost more than 60% in value last year.

(Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Tiyashi Datta; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Maju Samuel)
MELBOURNE, FLA., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two of the nations leading institutions of higher education will work together to bring Brevard County its first medical school, leaders announced today.

The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) and Florida Institute of Technology have entered into an affiliation agreement to establish a four-year osteopathic medical school on Florida Techs Melbourne campus.

The announcement will be livestreamed starting at 11 a.m. EST.

We are excited about our proposed new campus in affiliation with Florida Tech. Over the past three years, we have operated a regional academic center in Brevard County for our medical students clinical clerkship rotations; 34 of our third- and fourth-year students are currently conducting these rotations, said John L. Hummer, co-founder and president of BCOM. Based upon the success of this regional academic center and the positive relationships established with key stakeholders, the natural next step was to develop an additional four-year medical school location in Florida.

The need for physicians is growing rapidly in the Sunshine State.

Florida will be short approximately 18,000 physicians by 2035, according to a 2021 study from The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida and the Florida Hospital Association. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported that only 32% of Floridas population has adequate primary care and that nearly half of primary care physicians are expected to retire in the next 15 to 20 years.

Additionally, in 2021 research into the medical workforce, AAMC found that 47.4% of Florida-based medical school graduates practiced medicine in Florida and 78.8% of physicians who completed both medical school and residency in Florida remained in the state to practice.

We desperately need the next generation of highly trained physicians around Florida and across our nation, said Florida Tech Interim President Robert King. This affiliation with the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine allows Florida Tech and its students to be part of the solution to one of the biggest challenges facing our society todayensuring adequate access to high-quality medical professionals. We are excited about the prospects.

BCOM executed the affiliation documents to open the additional location with Florida Tech in November 2022 contingent upon final approval from the colleges accrediting body and state licensure. The inaugural class will include 100 students and is expected to matriculate in July 2024 and to graduate in May 2028.

We are grateful for Florida Techs invitation to establish a mutually beneficial affiliation agreement, which is based upon a shared mission of addressing the significant physician shortage, especially in underserved areas, said Dr. Bill Pieratt, dean of BCOM.

The medical school will be in Florida Techs L3Harris Commons via a sublease agreement. Burrell students will be able to use Florida Tech's libraries, fitness facilities, student health services and housing. The agreement also allows for collaborative research and teaching opportunities between both institutions. A vital component of the affiliation agreement is the Medical School Pathway program, whereby Florida Tech pre-med students will be guaranteed admission into Burrell if they meet the established criteria for academic performance.

Marco Carvalho, Florida Techs executive vice president, provost and chief operating officer, said with their success in shaping the brightest young minds with hands-on instruction and cutting-edge technology, BCOM and Florida Tech are a logical and powerful fit.

We are pleased to welcome Burrell to our campus and look forward to the academic and research connections we will most certainly forge, Carvalho said.

To date, Burrells campus in New Mexico has graduated 430 osteopathic physicians. Of its graduates, 99.5% have been successfully placed into medical and surgical residency training programs. Currently, Florida ranks third in the country among the states where Burrell's applicants reside.

Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions. According to the Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, the number of osteopathic physicians in the U.S. climbed to nearly 135,000 in 2021. Today, one in four medical students in the U.S. are training to be osteopathic physicians.

Click here for the following additional information:

Attachment

Adam Lowenstein Florida Institute of Technology 321-674-8964 [email protected] Karla Walton Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine 575-674-2237 [email protected]

Source: Florida Institute of Technology
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EasTower Wireless Inc. (EasTower or the Company) (TSXV: ESTW), announces that as a result of its inability to complete an equity or debt financing, it has been forced to cease business operations. The Company has negative cash flow and has been trying to raise capital to continue its operations and meet its obligations. To assist the Company with meeting its current working capital requirements and bridge the gap until a potential financing, EasTowers founder and CEO, Vlado P. Hreljanovic, had personally loaned the Company US$90,000 in October 2022 and USD$67,200 in November 2022 (both previously announced by the Company).

In addition, Mr. Hreljanovic loaned US$116,000 to the Company in December 2022 pursuant to an unsecured demand promissory note bearing interest at 8% per annum from the date of issue, payable on maturity. The loan is unsecured and is fully redeemable, without bonus or penalty, at any time by the Company.

The Company currently has cash of US$33,344 and account receivable of US$103,925 as a result of work already completed. Current accounts payable equal US$359,393.

The Company will begin a process of identifying and evaluating businesses or assets with a view to completing a Change of Business or Reverse Takeover (as such terms are defined by the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange). As of the date hereof, no such agreement or understanding in respect of a Change of Business or Reverse Takeover has been consummated.

In addition, the Company wishes to correct information from its November 23, 2022 press release. Two senior officers of the Company (Mr. Hreljanovic and Margaret Perialas) have agreed to accept an aggregate of 14,257,297 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of CAD$0.01 per share in satisfaction of a portion of accrued and unpaid salary from May 2020 to March 2022, representing an aggregate of US$106,429.52 of indebtedness.

The Company also announces its intention to complete a debt conversion transaction with an arms length service provider, pursuant to which the Company will issue 4,500,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of CAD$0.01 per share in satisfaction of CAD$45,000 of indebtedness. The transaction is subject to approval of the directors of the Company and regulatory approval from the Exchange. In addition, the shares will be subject to an Exchange four-month hold period.

The Company has also been notified by the Exchange that as a result of ceasing business operations it no longer meets the Exchanges Tier 2 Continued Listing Requirements (Tier 2 CLR). Accordingly, in accordance with section 3.2 of Exchange Policy 2.5, the Exchange has placed the Company on notice for transfer to NEX with a deadline of 90 days if it is not able to provide evidence it has become in a position to meet Tier 2 CLR.

Accordingly, in accordance with section 3.2 of Exchange Policy 2.5, the Exchange has notified the Company that it will be providing it notice of its failure to meet Tier 2 CLR (the Tier 2 Notice). The Exchange will allow the Company 90 days from the date of the Tier 2 Notice to meet Tier 2 CLR. If, after that 90 day period, the Company does not meet all Tier 2 CLR, the Exchange may either, at its discretion, transfer the Issuers listing to NEX or suspend and delist the Listed Shares of the Issuer. The NEX is a separate board of TSXV that provides a trading forum for listed companies that have fallen below TSXV's ongoing listing standards.

The common shares of the Company will resume trading on the Exchange upon completion of the Exchanges resumption review.

For further information

Vlado P. HreljanovicChief Executive OfficerPh: (561) 549-9070Email: [email protected]

Shareholder Communications Contact

Email: [email protected]

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.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words may, would, could, should, potential, will, seek, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, including: the Companys anticipated business objectives; the completion of the transactions; transfer to NEX; and resumption of trading; are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Companys current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation: receipt of necessary approvals for the transactions; closing conditions for the transactions being satisfied or waived; and closing of the transactions noted herein. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, including those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Companys disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

Source: EasTower Wireless Inc.
ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE: FTS) will release its 2022 financial results on Friday, February 10, 2023. A teleconference and webcast will be held the same day at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern). David Hutchens, President and Chief Executive Officer and Jocelyn Perry, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will discuss the Corporation's 2022 annual financial results.

Shareholders, analysts, members of the media and other interested parties in North America are invited to participate by calling 1.416.764.8658. International participants may participate by calling 1.888.886.7786. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No passcode is required.

A live and archived audio webcast of the teleconference will be available on the Corporation's website, www.fortisinc.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until March 10, 2023. Please call 1.416.764.8692 or 1.877.674.7070 and enter passcode 760995#.

About FortisFortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with 2021 revenue of $9.4 billion and total assets of $64 billion as at September 30, 2022. The Corporation's 9,100 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.

Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com, or www.sec.gov.

A .pdf version of this press release is available at: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/b1a9d97e-d08b-4a56-96a2-ed3b3a80b968

For further information contact

Investor Enquiries:Ms. Stephanie Amaimo Vice President, Investor RelationsFortis Inc.248.946.3572 [email protected] Media Enquiries:Ms. Karen McCarthyVice President, Communications & Corporate AffairsFortis Inc.709.737.5323 [email protected]

Source: Fortis








"We will verify the human rights situation in three days. The idea is to listen to as many voices as possible," he said at a press conference held after his meeting with the Peruvian President





In this regard, the IACHR Rapporteur for Peru announced that the mission will listen to different civil society organizations and the families of the victims.





According to Ralon, an invitation has also been extended to representatives of business organizations. Besides, a meeting with various legislators is being planned for January 13.





On the same day, a press conference will be held to present the first conclusions of the work carried out in the country.





Solidarity with victims





The representative of the visiting delegation did not give details on the topics discussed at the meeting with the Peruvian Head of State.





Likewise, he preferred not to say whether they will travel to Juliaca, in Puno, where protests and riots have been held this week, resulting in the loss of human lives.









In this regard, Ralon remarked that the IACHR delegation stands in solidarity with the families of the victims.





"We lament the loss of lives, both of demonstrators and law enforcement officers," he said.





(END) FGM/JCC/RMB/MVB

With a meeting with the President of the Republic Dina Boluarte , the delegation of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) , which was invited to monitor the political situation in the country, began its visit to Peru.Published: 1/11/2023
TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenland Resources Inc. (NEO:MOLY, FSE:M0LY) (Greenland Resources or the Company) is issuing this press release in response to a request from the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) to comment on the recent trading activity of its stock.

Other than the fact that molybdenum prices have increased significantly in the past month, the Company is not aware of any material, undisclosed corporate developments and has no material change to report at this time.

About Greenland Resources Inc.

Greenland Resources is a Canadian public company with the Ontario Securities Commission as its principal regulator and is focused on the development of its 100% owned world-class Climax type pure molybdenum deposit located in central east Greenland. The Malmbjerg molybdenum project is an open pit operation with an environmentally friendly mine design focused on reduced water usage, low aquatic disturbance and low footprint due to modularized infrastructure. The Malmbjerg project benefits from a NI 43-101 Definitive Feasibility Study completed by Tetra Tech in 2022, with Proven and Probable Reserves of 245 million tonnes at 0.176% MoS2, for 571 million pounds of contained molybdenum metal. As the high-grade molybdenum is mined for the first half of the mine life, the average annual production for years one to ten is 32.8 million pounds per year of contained molybdenum metal at an average grade of 0.23% MoS2. The project had a previous exploitation license granted in 2009. With offices in Toronto, the Company is led by a management team with an extensive track record in the mining industry and capital markets. For further details, please refer to our web site (www.greenlandresources.ca) and our Canadian regulatory filings on Greenland Resources profile at www.sedar.com.

For further information please contact:

Ruben Shiffman, PhD Chairman, President Keith Minty, P.Eng, MBA Engineering and Project Management Jim Steel, P.Geo, MBA Exploration and Mining Geology Nauja Bianco, M.Pol.Sci. Public and Community Relations Gary Anstey Investor Relations Eric Grossman, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer Corporate office Suite 1410, 181 University Av. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3M7 Telephone +1 647 273 9913 Email [email protected] Web www.greenlandresources.ca

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward looking statements"), which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "hopes", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, and their valuation, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: our mineral reserve estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock confirming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to the technical studies; estimated valuation and probability of success of the Companys projects, including the Malmbjerg molybdenum project; prices for molybdenum remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Companys projects; capital decommissioning and reclamation estimates; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the projected and actual effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the factors relevant to the business of the Corporation, including the effect on supply chains, labour market, currency and commodity prices and global and Canadian capital markets, fluctuations in molybdenum and commodity prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar versus the Euro); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in Greenland, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities regulations, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking information.

Neither the NEO Exchange Inc. nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Source: Greenland Resources Inc.
Highly Anticipated Acquisition of the Specialty Mushroom Company Marks a Milestone for the Company

Summary:

GrowLife has completed the acquisition of assets from Bridgetown Mushrooms, effectively marking its full entrance into the burgeoning space

GrowLife has been actively investing time and financial resources into Bridgetown over the past year, setting the table for rapid expansion in 2023.

Executives have scheduled a conference call with investors to go over their growth plans for 2023 on January 19th 2023 at 4:30pm EST

KIRKLAND, WA, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  GrowLife, Inc. (OTCQB: PHOT) announced today that on January 6, 2023, it has completed its acquisition of certain assets of Bridgetown Mushrooms, one of the leading growers of gourmet and functional mushrooms in the United States. GrowLife previously announced that it had reached a definitive agreement with Bridgetown in June 2022. Todays announcement marks its official entrance into the booming mushroom sector and is now the core focus of the Company.

Founded in 2018, Bridgetown has been a leading producer and supplier of fresh gourmet and functional mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest, and is now expanding nationwide to include a variety of functional mushroom infused products, as well as a new line of Mycology Supplies, specifically designed to meet the growing needs of commercial mushroom farmers across the country. Consumers continue to seek natural wellness alternatives to implement into their daily routines and mushrooms are one of the leading ways to do so. Bridgetown will continue to optimize its operational efficiencies and capacity through the acquisition, leading to great revenue generation potential and market penetration.

Since early 2022, GrowLife has been investing both time and financial resources in assisting Bridgetown on its expansion efforts to help meet what has been overwhelming demand in all three of Bridgetowns Mushroom divisions.

"The completion of this acquisition was a pivotal milestone for GrowLife as we have now positioned the company to be a national leader in the expanding mushroom category," said GrowLife CEO Dave Dohrmann. "Bridgetown is a proven business with a wonderful brand that has been built over the past 5 years. Now is the time to expand the brand nationwide, taking advantage of what are optimal growth conditions. The current demand for gourmet mushrooms, functional mushroom products and mycology supplies continues to be insatiable and there is not enough supply to keep up. Its the perfect time to expand as customers are beating down the door wanting product and that is a great problem to have. Bridgetowns leadership, who will remain in place, have a proven track record in both the science and operation of such a business and I am confident in their ability to meet our operational goals. With the support of our organization as a parent company, we plan to work hand-in-hand with the Bridgetown executive team as we continue to build what we foresee as a multimillion-dollar, profitable organization.

"We could not be more excited to close this acquisition and get to work with the new tools available to us in building this business," said Trevor Huebert, Founder of Bridgetown Mushrooms. "Dave has already brought so many ideas and opportunities to the table where we may not have had them without this acquisition. He has a macro view on the financial and operational landscape and GrowLifes vision of growing Bridgetown perfectly aligns with ours. We look forward to meeting the demands of our growing customer base across all lines of our business and now have the ability to do so.

In an effort to communicate with current and potential shareholders and outline their growth plans for 2023, Dave Dohrmann and Trevor Huebert will be hosting a conference call on January 19, 2023 at 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time. Investors are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the webinar by emailing [email protected]. Additionally, analysts interested in participating in the live webinar are encouraged to email [email protected] in order to receive specific dial in instructions.

Interested participants can register for the webinar at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R509K61ZSl-KNnp32hf7ZA

About GrowLife, Inc.

GrowLife, Inc. was founded in 2012 and today is the owner of Bridgetown Mushrooms, acting as its parent Company.

About Bridgetown Mushrooms

Founded in 2018 in Portland Oregon, Bridgetown Mushrooms is currently one the largest producers of gourmet and functional mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest. The Company grows a variety of functional and gourmet mushrooms which are in turn sold through multiple commercial and consumer sales channels. The company also develops and markets mushroom based products nationwide as well as manufactures and sells Mycology supplies to meet the demand for commercial mushroom farmers across the United States.

For more informationwww.bridgetown-mushrooms.comInstagram @btshroomsInvestor Relations Contact:[email protected]

Source: GrowLife, Inc.
WILMINGTON, Mass., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heilind Electronics, a leading global distributor of electronic components and authorized distributor for Molex, is stocking and shipping Molexs OneBlade 1.00mm Wire-to-Board Connector System.

OneBlade connectors single housing can be used interchangeably as a vertical or right-angle header consisting of only three components, which mitigates the risk of material shortages. This also means less production tooling is required; the innovative design allows Molex to invest in additional capacity when needed to support customers demands in a timely manner.

The connectors also feature a housing designed for vacuum pick and place, removing the need for cover tape, and increasing production efficiency.

OneBlade Wire-to-Board Connector Systems dual-contact design offers secure electrical contact and reliability for disruption-free operations. These products are ideal in consumer, home appliance and data center applications.

Visit Heilinds website for more information about Molex's OneBlade 1.00mm Wire-to-Board Connector System.

About Heilind Electronics

Heilind Electronics, Inc. (https://www.heilind.com) is one of the world's leading distributors of connectors, relays, sensors, switches, thermal management and circuit protection products, terminal blocks, wire and cable, wiring accessories, and insulation and identification products. Founded in 1974, Heilind has locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.

Attachment

David P. Warren Heilind Electronics 972-489-4752 [email protected]

Source: Heilind Electronics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JTV, the national jewelry retailer and broadcast network, today announced the launch of its expanded livestream shopping series. JTVs livestream capabilities will seamlessly enable jewelry aficionados and shoppers alike to engage with experts, educators, celebrity partners and more, while shopping a curated and topical assortment of JTVs wide product collections.

Since 1993, JTV has served as a premier shopping destination for jewelry, gemstones and accessories. Known for its original shopping broadcasts led by todays leading jewelry experts and hosts, JTV is home to a variety of fan-favorite series and has cemented itself as a leader within the home shopping space. With its new livestream features, JTV will expand upon its interactive resources while providing an elevated, fun, and memorable shopping experience for consumers in 2023 and beyond.

Shopping for jewelry is a very personal experience, so were excited to offer varied ways for consumers to browse products and tune into discussions surrounding their favorite brands and jewelry topics, said Donna Burns, Executive Vice President of Broadcast Sales, JTV. JTVs livestream series will help our community stay well-connected as they explore the dazzling world of jewelry and gemstones through live, engaging experiences.

JTVs livestream segments will include exciting pre- and post-show discussions of JTVs most popular broadcast segments such as Gem Discoveries, Personalized Style, Early Access and more. JTV will also offer new creator-focused livestreams with Jewel School hosts Susan Thomas and Katy Smith. JTV experts will also feature a range of other topics, from educational to fashion and styling to top jewelry picks of the week. With these entertaining and informative livestream series, consumers will enjoy real-time access to JTVs jewelry and gemstone experts as they showcase todays leading trends.

For more information about JTVs livestream series, please visit jtv.com/show/jtv-extra and facebook.com/JTVExtra. For more information about JTV, please visit JTV.com and follow @JTV on Instagram, @jtv on Facebook, @jewelrytv on Pinterest and @jewelry on Twitter.

About JTV

JTV (Jewelry Television) is a leading retailer of jewelry and gemstones in the United States. With a proven 29-year history, JTV leverages an omni-digital strategy designed to elevate the customer experience through holistic, digitally-driven touch points, including live TV programming, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to 70 million U.S. and Canadian households, an industry leading mobile optimized e-commerce platform, and a robust and engaging social media presence. As part of its commitment to customer satisfaction and the development and distribution of educational content, the company employs numerous Graduate Gemologists and Accredited Jewelry Professionals. JTV.com is one of the largest jewelry e-commerce websites in the country according to Internet Retailer's Top 500 list for 2021. For more information, visit JTV.com and JTV's social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

Media Contact 5W Public Relations [email protected] 212-999-5585

Source: Jewelry Television
Anaheim, CA, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiveWire Ergogenics Inc. (OTC: LVVV), a company focused on acquiring, managing, leasing, and licensing special purpose real estate properties and operations conducive to producing high-quality, handcrafted, and organically grown specialty cannabis products for medical and recreational adult-use in California, today announces that it has shipped its second wave of Estrella Weedery co-branded products, the premium cannabis concentrate Halfsies, in cooperation with Cannavision Labs for statewide California distribution.

Bill Hodson, CEO of Livewire Ergogenics, states, "Through our partnerships and licensees, we shipped the first of our value-added products of Live Resin vape cartridges for statewide business-to-business and direct-to-consumer distribution throughout California. The product has been well received, and distributors are filling reorders from retailers and delivery services. Based on this initial success, we immediately followed up with the second entry of our value-added specialty products; the Estrella River Farms grown and Cannavision Labs manufactured Halfsies live rosin and live resin. Several more "Estrella Weedery" branded products will follow shortly.

The Halfsies premium cannabis concentrate, the brainchild of our partners at Cannavision Labs, is made with a blend of half Live Resin processed with hydrocarbons, and Live Rosin processed with ice, water, heat, and high pressure. It is a unique combination that creates a one-of-a-kind concentrate bursting with flavor and potency. Our live resin is made from fresh-frozen cannabis flower cultivated at our Estrella Ranch that is carefully extracted to preserve the plant's natural terpenes and cannabinoids. This results in a concentrate manufactured by Cannavision Labs that is bursting with flavor and aroma and delivers a truly authentic and natural cannabis experience.

The live rosin is made using a solventless extraction process that preserves the integrity of the plant material. This results in a pure and potent concentrate free from potentially harmful chemicals or contaminants. By combining these two high-quality concentrates, Cannavision Labs created a truly unparalleled product in terms of flavor, potency, and purity. Whether you're a seasoned cannabis connoisseur or just starting, this concentrate will surely be a hit. Try it out today and experience the unmatched quality and enjoyment of our half-live resin and half-live rosin blend.

Cannavision LabsCannavision Labs is a fully licensed contract manufacturer and distributor of premier cannabis goods. It offers a wide variety of manufacturing and fulfillment solutions, from white labeling to toll processing services and bulk products, based on the founding principle of creating a holistic product that maintains the true essence of the natural plant. By creating a delivery method that is easy and accessible, anyone can consume cannabis goods discretely. The company distinguishes itself from other manufacturers in consistently producing safe cannabis goods that can be consumed recreationally and therapeutically. It aims to provide pharmaceutical-grade concentrates, always using methods and standards for safe production and dosing. Cannavision is always working towards manufacturing and releasing innovative consumer goods that will revolutionize the cannabis market.

Cannavision Labs strives to create equal opportunity in the workplace. In an industry dominated by men, our mission is to spread diversity by uplifting women and minority-owned companies while providing the highest quality cannabis goods on the market. For more information, go to https://cnvsnlabs.com.

The Livewire Estate Grown Weedery

Estrella Ranch is a historic ranch property in Paso Robles, the center of California wine country. Through its subsidiary Estrella Ranch Partners, the Company has transformed this stunning property into the world's first "Estate Grown Weedery," with three acres of high-end, organic sun-grown cannabis products and eventually becoming the ultimate Cannabis tourist and education destination. Estrella Ranch is the central hub for all Livewire operations in California and shares valuable resources as needed with Livewires subsidiary Makana Ola Ranch in Humboldt, California. Makana Ola Farms is a 40-acre property with a 10,000 sqft cultivation area located in the heart of Humboldt County in Northern California, the birthplace of California's cannabis cultivation. Makana Ola is a well-guarded secret of unique marijuana horticulture with a long tradition of quietly growing amongst the giant redwoods. The Livewire Estate Grown Weedery cultivation approach focuses on the cost-effective production of the best quality organic-style cannabis in California while generating the smallest possible carbon footprint and using as few of California's energy resources as possible. Visit https://estrellariverfarms.com.

About LiveWire Ergogenics Inc.The Company focuses on acquiring, managing, and licensing well-qualified cannabis real estate locations of fully compliant facilities to produce cannabis-based products for statewide distribution in California. This includes developing and licensing high-quality organic cannabinoid-based specialty products and services to create the high-quality "Estrella Estate Grown Weedery" brand, cultivated by its subsidiary/affiliate companies Estrella Ranch Partners, Estrella River Farms, and Makana Ola. LiveWire Ergogenics does not produce, sell, or distribute products that violate the United States Controlled Substances Act. For more information about LiveWire Ergogenics, visit www.livewireergogenics.com. For non-material updates, follow LiveWire Ergogenics on Twitter @livewireLVVV, or go to www.stockwatchindex.com/livewire-ergogenics.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or the Company's future performance. Readers are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should carefully review various risks and uncertainties identified in this release, the Company's Social Media postings, and matters set in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Attachment

LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. The Halfsies premium cannabis concentrate, the brainchild of our partners at Cannavision Labs, is made with a blend of half Live Resin processed with hydrocarbons, and Live Rosin processed with ice, water, heat, and high pressure.

Source: LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc
SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NKGen Biotech, a biotechnology company harnessing the power of the bodys immune system through the development of natural killer cell therapies, today announced the appointment of Paul Y. Song, MD as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective January 10, 2023.

We are thrilled to welcome Paul as our new CEO and the experience, vision and leadership Paul brings to NKGen Biotech, said Sangwoo Park, Founder and Chairman of NKGen Biotech. Paul will play a critical role in leading our companys corporate strategy and the advancement of our potentially life-changing clinical portfolio in oncology and neurodegenerative disease. Pauls passion for helping patients along with his focused expertise in NK cell therapeutics will provide NKGen with the guidance it needs to successfully meet its milestones and continue to show significant progress towards commercialization.

I am honored to lead NKGen at this pivotal time as the Company advances its novel NK cell therapies through the clinic and in new disease indications, stated Paul Y. Song, MD, CEO of NKGen Biotech. I strongly believe in the Companys science and platform, unmatched manufacturing expertise, and talented leadership team making NKGen uniquely positioned to expand the overall NK cell therapy market well beyond oncology. NKGen has several key milestones on the immediate horizon in 2023 for both our autologous SNK01 and our allogeneic SNK02 NK cell therapy, and I am very optimistic that we will soon be able to show the true potential of our enhanced NK cell products to address a high unmet need for disease modifying treatment in advanced cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Song has nearly 25 years of experience as a biopharma executive, clinician, and translational medicine expert. Most recently, Dr. Song served as Co-founder and CEO at FuseBio Therapeutics, a company developing immune modulating therapies for cancer. Prior to FuseBio he was Chief Medical Officer at NKMax America leading the NK cell therapy clinical program strategy; CMO at Cynvenio Biosystems, a clinical stage genomic peripheral blood monitoring company; and CMO/Senior Advisor for Berg Health. Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Song was an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers Samuel Oschin Cancer Center.

Dr. Song is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist with expertise in translational medicine, clinical trials, and therapeutic development within oncology and immunology. He graduated with honors from the University of Chicago and received his M.D. degree from The George Washington University. Dr. Song completed his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Chicago where he served as Chief Resident and completed a brachytherapy fellowship at the Institute Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France. He was also awarded an ASTRO research fellowship in 1995 for his research in radiation inducible gene therapy.

About NKGen Biotech

NKGen Biotech, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous, allogeneic, and CAR-NK Natural Killer (NK) cell therapeutics. Leveraging our proprietary cell expansion and activation technology and cutting-edge cell manufacturing expertise, we have the ability to infinitely expand natural killer cells while significantly enhancing cytotoxicity across our peripheral blood-derived products. NKGen Biotechs lead product candidate, SNK01 (autologous NK cell therapy) is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced refractory solid tumors both as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents, including checkpoint inhibitors and cell engagers. SNK02 (allogeneic NK cell therapy) received IND clearance in 4Q2022 with clinical trials planned in 2023. NKGen Biotech is committed to the vision of executing on our clinical strategies with the goal of commercializing our NK cell therapies to help save and sustain patients lives worldwide. The company and its commercially licensed cGMP facility are headquartered in Santa Ana, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.nkgenbiotech.com.

Contact:Denise Chua, MBA, CLS, MT (ASCP)Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications949-396-6830[email protected]

Source: NKGen Biotech
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Acrow Group is pleased to announce it has recently been certified in accordance with ISO 14064-1. The accreditation was awarded by the internationally recognized Achilles Carbon Reduce Scheme and commemorates the Groups commitment to the reduction of its carbon footprint.

ISO 14064 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization in 2006 to address the quantification and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as well as the verification of resulting data. The standard provides organizations with the steps to developing GHG inventories, and government policymakers a foundation of best practice in developing initiatives to address climate change.

Specializing in pre-engineered modular steel bridging solutions that help develop, improve and repair essential infrastructure in urban and rural areas, the Acrow Group has a long commitment to sustainability in all its forms. This has included continuously improving the energy efficiency of their processes, and in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing production and transport operations to reduce environmental and social impact.

As global suppliers, we have seen first-hand the impacts of accelerating climate change in a growing number of locations, said Michael Treacy, CEO of Mabey Bridge, an Acrow Group Company. Accreditation to ISO 14064-1 formalizes the work we have already completed and enables us to set achievable goals to further manage and reduce our emissions.

Bill Killeen, CEO at Acrow Group, added, As climate challenges accelerate in their intensity and impact, the public and private sectors are increasingly looking for more sustainable solutions from experienced suppliers across supply chains. We are committed to fully supporting our customers by minimizing our environmental impact to the extent possible and creating a sustainable legacy for future generations.

About Acrow

The Acrow Group has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military and emergency use. Acrows extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.

Media contact: Tracy Van BuskirkMarketcom PRMain: (212) 537-5177, ext. 8; Mobile: (203) 246-6165[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2dc34327-2402-43c0-80a2-74fb271fb531

Acrow Press Release Acrow Press Release

Source: Acrow Bridge
ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire -- THUNDER ENERGIES CORP (OTCBB: TNRG) reports the fair market value assessment issued by the engagement of Lane A. Griffin, a professional geologist, to assess the reserves of gold and other valuable minerals present at Thunder Energies' Nevada mining property.

The valuation is based on his visits to the 3,200 acre parcel in northeast Nevada, nearby mining activity and reports, as well as rock sample results, independently examined, that Griffin collected. American Assay, Sparks, Nevada, conducted the rock analysis for Griffin.

Griffin places the value of the property at $33 million. Thunder Energies has received a formal valuation report from Griffin in addition to the rock sample reports prepared by American Assay.

The geologist collected seven rock samples to assess the value of the minerals of the property. His findings, by location, were as follows.

{Sample 1} Representative sample of lower mine dump, copper and iron oxide stain on fractures, anomalous amounts of copper, lead, zinc, antimony, bismuth, and silver

Representative sample of lower mine dump, copper and iron oxide stain on fractures, anomalous amounts of copper, lead, zinc, antimony, bismuth, and silver {Sample 2} Representative sample of mine dump, iron oxide and copper stain on marble host rock, elevated amounts of copper, bismuth otherwise moderate amount of metal enrichment

Representative sample of mine dump, iron oxide and copper stain on marble host rock, elevated amounts of copper, bismuth otherwise moderate amount of metal enrichment {Sample 3} mine lower dump, representative sample with grey quartz and marble, slightly elevated levels of all metals but not ore grade

mine lower dump, representative sample with grey quartz and marble, slightly elevated levels of all metals but not ore grade {Sample 4} Phalen mine upper mine dump, representative sample, iron oxide and copper stain, dark brown granite and marble host, ore grade mineralization, 22% lead with almost 20 oz/ton silver, 1.7% zinc and elevated gold and copper.

Phalen mine upper mine dump, representative sample, iron oxide and copper stain, dark brown granite and marble host, mineralization, 22% lead with almost 20 oz/ton silver, 1.7% zinc and elevated gold and copper. {Sample 5} same location as above, select sample, metal detector was used to identify high grade sample, dark brown, metallic appearance, ore grade mineralization, 4.9% lead with 7.6 oz/ton silver, 1.4% zinc, and elevated copper and bismuth.

same location as above, select sample, metal detector was used to identify high grade sample, dark brown, metallic appearance, mineralization, 4.9% lead with 7.6 oz/ton silver, 1.4% zinc, and elevated copper and bismuth. {Sample 6} mine dump below drift 800 m south of Phalen mine, granite and meta-sediments, dark brown with quartz, anomalous amounts of copper and zinc but no concentrations of metals in general

mine dump below drift 800 m south of Phalen mine, granite and meta-sediments, dark brown with quartz, anomalous amounts of copper and zinc but no concentrations of metals in general {Sample 7} mine dump below shaft just west of marble quarry, granite and meta-sediments, copper and iron stain on fracture, marble chips, anomalous amounts of all metals but elevated copper at 1.5%

Also noted by the geologist were deeded water rights that are sufficient to supply a substantial surface mining operation, and reserves of various critical base metals. The property has various surface and subsurface, mineral, rights as well.

Thunder Energies entered into a joint venture and partnership agreement with Fourth and One this past spring, as previously announced by company management.

Griffin previously issued the following executive assessment of the property as part of his initial engagement.

In 2013, gold mineralization was recognized on the west side of the Kinsley project in limestone and shale beds within the Hamburg Formation and Secret Canyon Shale, units that had not previously been recognized as potential hosts of gold mineralization. Subsequent drilling in 2014 returned numerous high-grade gold intercepts within the Secret Canyon Shale at the Western Flank target, including 10 holes with intercepts ranging from 6 to 20 g Au/t over core lengths of 15 to 50 metres.

Drilling in 2015 through 2020 extended portions of the Western Flank mineralization to the east. The gold at Western Flank occurs within thinly bedded units that are replaced by fine-grained pyrite and arsenical pyrite.

The styles of alteration, mineralization, and geochemistry at the Kinsley project are similar to those of sediment-hosted gold deposits located in the Carlin and Cortez trends of Nevada, approximately 150 to 200 kilometres to the west of the project. The geological setting of mineralization at Kinsley is similar to the Long Canyon deposit, located 90 kilometres to the north of Kinsley.

Thunder Energies management initially declined to comment on the assessment, noting it speaks for itself, and stating that would continue to be the company's position. Company management intends to partner with experienced, qualified, mining entities to extract mineral resources from the several thousand acres owned.

Property rights, as mentioned above, include both surface and subsurface rights, and water rights, all as part of a joint venture with Fourth and One. Thunder Energies, as part of its overall monetization of the property, anticipates master planning and then developing the surface of the property in addition to the mineral extraction.

For more information about Thunder Energies, its SEC filings, and business activities, please visit: www.thunderenergiescorp.com

Safe Harbor Act: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involves risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic business conditions, and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

CONTACT

Investor Relations Rick Freeman CMO MAJORMEDIA INC E: [email protected] P: 570.468.2205

Donald R. Keer, P.E., Esq. Corporate Counsel Thunder Energies Corp. 3663 Greenwood Circle Chalfont, PA 18914 215-962-9378

Wire Service Contact: InvestorWire (IW) Los Angeles, California www.InvestorWire.com 212.418.1217 Office [email protected]

Source: Thunder Energies Corp
WHITEHORSE, Yukon, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) (Victoria or the Company) is pleased to provide diamond drill and surface trench assay results received to date from the 2022 Dublin Gulch exploration program for the Lynx target, one of the high priority on/near-surface gold targets within the Dublin Gulch Gold Camp. During the 2022 season, 27,215 meters (m) of diamond drilling was completed across the Dublin Gulch claim package, inclusive of 6 drillholes for 1,971m at Lynx. In addition, 12 surface trenches totalling 936 meters were constructed and sampled as part of the ongoing evaluation of Lynx.

Highlighted assay results for 3 fully and 1 partially received Lynx exploration drillholes are presented below:

24.69 g/t Au over 6.5m from 170.5m in LX22-037C**, including: 63.32 g/t Au over 2.5m from 172.0m 2.46 g/t Au over 27.2m from 70.3m in LX22-040C, including: 83.90 g/t Au over 0.5m from 70.3m, and 1.89 g/t Au over 7.1m from 292.2m

Highlighted assay results for 10 Lynx exploration trenches for which assays have been received to date are presented below:

1.11 g/t Au over 38.0m from 24m in TRLX22-030C1.06 g/t Au over 10.0m from 16m in TRLX22-031C0.62 g/t Au over 44.0m from 22m in TRLX22-032C

Exploration at Lynx in 2022 has demonstrated consistent gold mineralization across a large target area, commented Paul Gray, VP Technical Services of Victoria. Through the Lynx campaign multiple strong gold intercepts were observed and mineralization was established across 750m of strike length and over 300m in width.

2022 diamond drilling was designed to extend the previous historic drillholes by targeting the intrusive-metasedimentary contacts and structures mapped in newly constructed surface trenches. Exposures opened during the trench programs returned strongly anomalous scorodite, bismuth and siderite related sulphide veins within predominantly altered granodiorite lithologies. The style of mineralization and attitude of veins are strikingly similar to those previously noted at the Olive and Raven Zones.

Exploration in 2022 at Lynx built on the success of the 2020 and 2021 campaigns (4.65 g/t Au over 32.0m in trench TRLX20-5; 2.00 g/t Au over 32.3m from 7.6m in drillhole LX21-025C  See Company News Releases dated December 8, 2020 and March 1, 2022) and was designed to extend the known near-surface gold mineralization as well as target its vertical extents. To date, approximately 750m of mineralized strike has been tested and the target remains open in all directions, with particular potential defined to the east. Assays for 4 of 6 Lynx drill holes and 10 of the 12 surface trenches have been received to date, and are presented below in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1: Lynx 2022 Diamond Drillhole Highlighted Results

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length* (m) Gold (g/t) LX22-036C 8.8 18.5 9.7 1.58 including 16.0 18.5 2.7 4.24 LX22-037C** 72.0 121.7 49.7 0.24 and 170.5 177.0 6.5 24.69 including 172.0 174.5 2.5 63.32 LX22-038C 3.1 94.0 91.0 0.42 including 48.0 57.0 9.0 2.57 and 212.8 217.4 4.6 1.85 LX22-040C 5.0 34.0 29.0 0.31 and 70.3 97.5 27.2 2.46 including 70.3 70.8 0.5 83.90 and 292.2 299.3 7.1 1.89

*True widths are estimated to be approximately 90% of drilled lengths**Denotes partially received assays for drillhole  0 to 70m in DDH LX22-037C remain pending

Table 2: Lynx 2022 Surface Trench Highlighted Results

Trench ID From (m) To (m) Length* (m) Gold (g/t) TRLX22-030C 16.0 74.0 58.0 0.84 including 24.0 62.0 38.0 1.11 TRLX22-031C 16.0 26.0 10.0 1.06 TRLX22-032C 22.0 66.0 44.0 0.62 TRLX22-036C 0.0 20.0 20.0 0.50 and 80.0 124.0 44.0 0.26

A set of drill sections, trench and plan maps to accompany these Lynx results, along with drill collar data, will be made available on the company website (www.vgcx.com).

About Lynx:Lynx is located centrally in the Dublin Gulch claim block, approximately five kilometers southwest of Raven, the main target of Victorias 2021 exploration campaign, and is centered on a 400 by 700 meter elliptical exposure of Cretaceous granodiorite stock that intrudes overlying metasedimentary Proterozoic Hyland Group and Devonian-Mississippian Keno Hill Quartzite Formations. The Lynx target exhibits similar characteristics to Victoria Golds Nugget and Raven exploration targets and has seen limited exploration by previous operators including a preliminary drilling/trenching campaign in 1997 that received follow-up drill testing in 2004. Since 2020, the Lynx target has undergone systematic exploration within the framework of Victorias intrusion related mineralization model.

Analytical MethodAll exploration drill core from the Dublin Gulch 2022 programs were analyzed at MSALABS of Terrace, B.C. utilizing the ICP_230 34-element analytical package with FAS-111 30-gram fire assay with AA finish for gold on all samples. All core samples were split at Victoria's exploration facilities and shipped to MSALABS Terrace, B.C. preparation facility. There, samples were sorted and crushed to appropriate particle size (coarse crush) and representatively split to a smaller size (250 grams) for MSALABS Langley, B.C. analytical facility. A comprehensive system of standards, blanks and field duplicates was implemented for the 2022 exploration campaign and is monitored as chemical assay data become available.

Qualified PersonThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., as the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About the Dublin Gulch PropertyVictoria Gold's 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the Property) is situated in central Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 375 kilometers north of the capital city of Whitehorse, and approximately 85 kilometers from the town of Mayo. The Property is accessible by road year round, and is located within Yukon Energy's electrical grid.

The Property covers an area of approximately 555 square kilometers, and is the site of the Company's Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits. The Company issued a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine dated December 3, 2019 (the 2019 Eagle Technical Report). Since the date of the 2019 Eagle Technical Report, the Company has produced gold from its Eagle Mine. Based on the 2019 Eagle Technical Report and after adjusting for depletion through December 31, 2021, the Eagle and Olive deposits include Proven and Probable Reserves of 2.7 million ounces of gold from 133 million tonnes of ore with a grade of 0.64 grams of gold per tonne. Based on the 2019 Eagle Technical Report and after adjusting for depletion through December 31, 2021, the Mineral Resource for the Eagle and Olive deposits has been estimated to host 207 million tonnes averaging 0.63 grams of gold per tonne, containing 4.2 million ounces of gold in the "Measured and Indicated" category, inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves, and a further 28 million tonnes averaging 0.61 grams of gold per tonne, containing 0.6 million ounces of gold in the "Inferred" category.

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Except for statements of historical fact relating to Victoria, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information, including any information related to Victoria's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as plan, expect, budget, target, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may, will, could or should occur, and includes any guidance and forecasts set out herein (including, but not limited to, production and operational guidance of the Corporation). In order to give such forward-looking information, the Corporation has made certain assumptions about its business, operations, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general, in particular in light of the impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease (COVID-19) on each of the foregoing. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with managements expectations, contracted parties provide goods and services on agreed timeframes, equipment works as anticipated, required regulatory approvals are received, no unusual geological or technical problems occur, no material adverse change in the price of gold occurs and no significant events occur outside of the Corporation's normal course of business. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information. These factors include the impact of general business and economic conditions, risks related to COVID-19 on the Company, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, anticipated metal production, fluctuating metal prices, currency exchange rates, estimated ore grades, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in Victoria's corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in development and production time frames, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainty of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, higher prices for fuel, steel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, final pricing for metal sales, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, requirements for additional capital, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation and labour disputes, risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations. Although Victoria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding Victoria's expected financial and operational performance and Victoria's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof, as the case may be, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management of the Corporation as at the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information contained herein and the documents incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

For Further Information Contact:John McConnellPresident & CEOVictoria Gold CorpTel: 604-696-6605[email protected]

Source: Victoria Gold Corp
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.(CSE: VEGI) (OTCQB: VGGIF) (FSE: 77I) ("Boosh" or the "Company") a premier plant-based brand in the "better for you" food sector, is pleased to announce that it has secured and drawn down on the first tranche of a new operating line of credit.

The Operating Line provided by Summit Bancorp Inc. will provide the Company with up to $500,000 to be drawn at its discretion. As part of the agreement, Summit will also be advising the Company on various capital market strategies to drive shareholder value. The Company has already drawn down $125,000 of the Operating Line which it will use to fulfil sales orders. Each drawdown is repayable three years after the initial date of advance and bears interest at fifteen percent per annum. The line is fully open and can be repaid at anytime without penalty.

"We are very excited to have secured this facility," said Connie Marples, CEO. "The current equity raise along with this facility will allow us to accelerate order fulfillment. We plan on announcing additional details around this shortly."

The Company also announces that Jen Eged has resigned as a director of the Company for personal reasons. Boosh would like to thank Ms. Eged for her contribution to the company and wishes her well.

Connie Marples

Founder/CEO

[email protected]

Telephone: 778 840 1700

www.Booshfood.com

About Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.:



Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Boosh Food (www.booshfood.com) offers high quality, non-GMO, gluten free, 100% plant-based nutritional comfort foods for the whole family. Through a separate subsidiary, Beautiful Beanfields, (www.beanfields.com) the Company owns Beanfields, a plant-based chip brand sold in over 7,000 stores throughout North America. Boosh, good for you and good for planet earth.

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations concerning the size of the Financing, its ability to close the Financing in whole or in part or at all and its plan for the proceeds of the Financing. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151080
Press Release

January 12, 2023 Zubiri: Why No CCTV on CAAP Equipment? Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is decrying the lack of security measures in the facilities of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), following his line of questioning during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services on Thursday, regarding the shutdown of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Air Traffic System at the beginning of the year. "I cannot fathom the idea that the CNS/ATM would conk out on its own," said Zubiri, referring to the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management. "So this should be treated like a forensic investigation. We need to lay out the timeline of the day, from when it happened to the repair of the machinery and equipment." As Zubiri requested CAAP to submit closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the area housing the damaged equipment that caused the air traffic control shutdown, he was surprised to learn that there are in fact no CCTV cameras in the areas in question. "Are you trying to tell me that in this most sensitive section, there is no CCTV footage?" CAAP Director General Manuel Antonio-Tamayo confirmed that there are no CCTV cameras in the area, but explained that there are strict security measures in place, and only authorized personnel can enter. They maintain a log of the personnel on duty. Zubiri marked this as a national security concern. CCTV footage would have greatly aided the investigation into the shutdown, allowing for the easy identification of any personnel around the equipment during the time of the incident. A CCTV system would also allow for real-time monitoring, and prevent any breaches in security in the future. "Sen. JV Ejercito and I had the chance to go to a nuclear power facility in France when we were there on official business, and we had to go through four different security checks to get in. Every corner had CCTV cameras, not one blind spot," Zubiri stressed. "Hindi ko po maintindihan na walang security footage diyan sa pinakamaselang lugar ng mga equipment ng CAAP. Hindi natin alam, baka may double agent na diyan, o may tao na diyan na nag-sabotage ng equipment. We will never know. We will have to believe them hook, line, and sinker, from the logs. With CCTV footage, we would have been able to see if the system was overheating, if the system was diverted." "It is unforgivable that we do not have a monitoring surveillance system in that facility." In the absence of security footage, Zubiri said, "We need to come up with a minute-by-minute report of the timeline." "And we need to have tighter security and surveillance systems for CAAP now," Zubiri insisted. He said that the Senate is always prepared to apportion the necessary budget needed to improve CAAP's security systems, particularly to protect their equipment, which can very quickly shut down the country's entire aviation sector, endanger the lives of passengers, and threaten national security. Zubiri's line of questioning also revealed possible lapses in maintenance over CAAP's equipment, given that the authority is not presently working with a third-party maintenance provider, and is instead doing in-house maintenance checks. DG Tamayo said that they are in talks with French company Thales regarding this, but issues over outstanding claims going back to 2013 have made the company unwilling to enter into another contract. Japanese company Sumitomo Corporation was also involved in a joint venture with Thales to construct the air traffic management building, but has since stepped back from conducting their maintenance services, following the expiration of their contract in 2020. "Let us dig deeper into this issue on the maintenance--or the lack of maintenance--on these equipment," Zubiri said. "If we want to reach middle-income status as a nation, if we want to beat our neighbors in the region, we have to think higher levels of service for our people."
Lamentamos que enfrentamientos en #Cusco hayan originado fallecimiento del presidente de comunidad de Anansaya Urinsaya Ccollana de Anta, Remo Candia Guevara. Pedimos al director del Hospital Lorena comunicarse con fiscal de turno para la realizacion de la necropsia de ley. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/vGAUraXVnl
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - FenixOro Gold Corp. (CSE: FENX) (OTCQB: FDVXF) (FSE: 8FD) is pleased to provide an update to shareholders and investors as it embarks on its plans for 2023. Fundamentally, 2022 was a very successful year and the Company achieved many significant milestones:

Continued exploration success across the Abriaqui project including an ongoing significant update of the Resource Potential Model

The discovery of new high-grade targets in the southern block that will guide the next phase of exploration drilling

The acquisition of the fully permitted and operating high-grade Escondida gold mine that will provide a growing stream of cashflow for the Company going forward. This represents the initiation of a long-planned strategy of constructing a portfolio of high-grade gold mines that show potential for growth and enhancement

FenixOro CEO John Carlesso commented: "Fundamentally the Company accomplished many significant achievements in 2022. We are well-positioned and focused on continuing to build on these successes. With the gold price showing strength early in 2023 we see tremendous opportunity ahead of us to demonstrate the additional growth potential at Abriaqui and utilize the unique skill sets of our team to add value through portfolio construction."

Resource Model Update

At the flagship Abriaqui project through the end of 2022, 25 holes have been drilled and more than 40 gold-bearing veins have been intersected with widths up to 7.7 meters. In several areas these veins coalesce into vein-stockwork complexes up to 20 meters in width. In the Press Release of March 19, 2021 the resource potential of 4 of these veins was estimated based on data from the first nine drill holes. The potential was estimated at 1.6 -2.4 million ounces of contained gold at grades of 6.5 - 8.5 g/t gold.

The company is finalizing an updated resource potential estimate based on the full drill database which has increased significantly and now includes 26 modeled veins. This new calculation will include depth extensions as much as 300 vertical meters below the level modeled in the 2021 exercise on some veins. The new model will not include the recently discovered, but as yet undrilled Prospera Vein in the Southern block. Continuous channel sampling on that vein averaged 39 g/t gold and 254 g/t silver with 3.06% zinc and 0.73% copper along 100 meters of the vein. Note that these modeling exercises are estimating resource potential and not calculating 43-101 compliant resource or reserve categories as these calculations require drill holes to be more tightly spaced.

Preparations for Phase 3 Drilling Program

Preparations are being made for Phase 3 drilling which will focus on the lightly explored southern block. Holes will include the first tests of the Prospera vein and an intriguing area of coincident gold-in-soil and magnetic anomalies. Veins in the Southern block have average gold grades similar to those in the more heavily drilled North block with significantly higher silver, zinc, and copper. They are exposed at elevations 200-400 meters higher than in the north block leaving that much more depth potential.

Escondida Acquisition and Production Strategy

The acquisition of the Escondida Mine (see press release December 12, 2022), a fully permitted producing gold mine with the potential to improve and expand production, will provide the company with the opportunity to generate valuable cashflow in the near term. The property includes one currently operating mine which has underground development along 250 meters of strike and 120 meter depth with high grade mineralization open in all directions. Surface mapping indicates a minimum of five kilometers of strike on four principal gold bearing veins on the 1050 hectare license. No drilling has been done and an aggressive program is planned as a first pass test of project-scale potential. With its current operational capacity the mine has been producing roughly 100 oz of gold per month.

Management is currently evaluating additional acquisition opportunities that meet threshold criteria for grade and the potential for expansion and enhancement of operations. This represents the initiation of a long-planned strategy to construct a portfolio of high-grade producing gold mines. An expanding production profile will strengthen the Company's ability to sustain itself in challenging market conditions and thrive in an environment of a rising gold price. A cash flow generating portfolio will also provide stability for the ongoing development of the flagship Abriaqui project while reducing the Company's reliance on capital markets for funding.

About FenixOro Gold Corp.

FenixOro Gold Corp is a Canadian company focused on acquiring and exploring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. FenixOro's flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is the closest project to Continental Gold's Buritica project. It is located 15 km to the west in Antioquia State at the northern end of the Mid-Cauca gold belt, a geological trend which has seen multiple large gold discoveries in the past 10 years including Buritica and Anglo Gold's Nuevo Chaquiro and La Colosa. As documented in "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Abriaqui project Antioquia State, Colombia" (December 5, 2019), the geological characteristics of Abriaqui and Buritica are similar. Since the preparation of this report a Phase 1 drilling program has been completed at Abriaqui resulting in a significant discovery of a high grade, "Buritica style" gold deposit. A Phase 2 drilling program has recently commenced.

FenixOro's VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the discovery team at Buritica for Continental Gold in 2007-2011. At the time of its latest public report, the Buritica Mine contains measured plus indicated resources of 5.32 million ounces of gold (16.02 Mt grading 10.32 g/t) plus a 6.02 million ounce inferred resource (21.87 Mt grading 8.56 g/t) for a total of 11.34 million ounces of gold resources Buritica began formal production in November 2020 and has expected annual average production of 250,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of approximately US$600 per ounce. Resources, cost and production data are taken from Continental Gold's "NI 43-101 Buritica Mineral Resource 2019-01, Antioquia, Colombia, 18 March, 2019"). Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of FenixOro's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the closing of the Private Placement, and Abriaqui. Although FenixOro believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. In particular, there is no guarantee that Abriaqui will produce viable quantities of minerals, that the Company will pursue Abriaqui or that any mineral deposits will be found, or that the Private Placement will close. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and FenixOro does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

There are currently no NI 43-101 compliant resources or reserves in the project area. The analysis of Phase 1 drill results is intended to estimate the potential for future resources which will require significant additional drilling to define. The comparison between Abriaqui and the nearby Buritica project is meant only to indicate the similarities between the two in terms of geological setting. FenixOro does not imply that exploration results and/or economic characteristics of a potential future mine at Abriaqui will be similar to those seen at Buritica.

FenixOro Gold Corp

John Carlesso, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.FenixOro.com

Telephone: 1-833-ORO-GOLD

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151125
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Kesselrun Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KES) (OTCQB: KSSRF) ("Kesselrun" or the "Company") is pleased to share a review of the highlights and accomplishments of the 2022 exploration program on the Huronian Gold Project, including further drill results from the Fisher and Huronian Zones, as well as the outlook for 2023.

Highlights

2022 highlights saw significant expansions of all known zones and the discovery of multiple new zones

22HUR168 on the Fisher Zone intercepted 8.0 g/t Au over 0.6 m within a 13.7 m interval which averaged 0.5 g/t Au

22HUR155 on the Huronian Zone intercepted 8.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m within a 10.4 m interval which averaged 0.7 g/t Au

2023 will see refinement of the mineralization model, integration of the geophysics in targeting and drill testing





Figure 1: Schematic Plan Map - Huronian Mine Area - Huronian Gold Project



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4206/151072_ec1996f4443aba44_001full.jpg

Exploration on Kesselrun's 100% owned Huronian Gold Project is focused on outlining and growing gold mineralization in the numerous known zones located in close proximity to the former producing Huronian Gold Mine as well as the discovery of new zones elsewhere on its underexplored and extensive 4600-hectare land package.

2022 Highlights

Discovery of new high-grade zones in the Fisher area and a near doubling of the strike and depth extents of the main Fisher Zone

Doubling the strike length of the McKellar Zone

Refining and continuing to prove model through high-grade intercepts across zones

NuTEM and Magnetics Geophysical Survey over entire Huronian project area

Fisher Zone

At the beginning of 2022, the Fisher Zone was modeled as a singular high-grade zone with a strike length of ~ 400 m and a depth of ~175 m. As a result of effective modeling and successful drilling, Kesselrun was able to identify multiple new high-grade zones on both the hanging-wall and foot-wall sides of the main zone as well as extend the main zone to a strike length of ~700 m and depth of ~250 m. A further twelve holes were drilled near the end of the 2022 exploration program testing strike extents of known zones as well as new targets within the Fisher area. Results are summarized in Table 2. below. 2023 planned drilling will test strike and depth extents of all Fisher area zones.





Figure 2: Schematic Long Section - Fisher Zone



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4206/151072_ec1996f4443aba44_002full.jpg

Table 1: Summary of Significant Drill Intercepts - Fisher Zone (1)

Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) 20HUR003 Fisher 6.0 63.0 57.0 1.8

including 7.0 12.2 5.2 15.7 20HUR004 Fisher 12.0 57.1 45.1 6.2

including 15.6 20.5 4.9 42.1 21HUR067 Fisher 125.9 132.5 6.6 10.4

including 131.9 132.2 0.3 204.0 21HUR069 Fisher 142.7 149.4 6.7 6.4 21HUR080 Fisher 199.6 216.7 17.1 0.9

including 200.2 200.8 0.6 11.8 21HUR082 Fisher 186.5 190.1 3.6 6.0



186.5 187.5 1.0 18.6 21HUR112 Fisher 165.6 170.5 4.9 5.5



169.9 170.5 0.6 25.1 22HUR147 Fisher 126.6 127.6 1.0 49.5



(1)Widths are drill indicated core length as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths with at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts.

Table 2: Summary of Further Drill Intercepts - Fisher Zone (2)

Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) 22HUR157 Fisher 46.2 47.2 1.0 1.5 22HUR158 Fisher FWB 39.0 49.4 10.4 0.2

Fisher FWA 92.5 97.0 4.5 0.8 22HUR159 Fisher no significant values 22HUR160 Fisher 93.3 103.8 10.5 0.4 22HUR162 Fisher 92.8 93.5 0.7 2.1 22HUR163 Fisher HWA 8.0 17.1 9.1 0.5

Fisher 44.9 47.0 2.1 1.6 22HUR164 Fisher 22.3 36.0 13.7 0.4 22HUR165 Fisher 148.3 165.0 16.7 0.2 22HUR166 Fisher 186.0 187.0 1.0 1.1 22HUR167 Fisher 102.1 103.1 1.0 2.5

Fisher FWB 146.5 147.5 1.0 1.2 22HUR168 Fisher HWB 34.0 47.7 13.7 0.5

including 34.5 35.1 0.6 8.0

Fisher 183.7 202.0 18.3 0.3 22HUR169 Fisher HWB 74.0 79.0 5.0 0.2

Fisher 161.0 210.9 49.9 0.2



(2)Widths are drill indicated core length as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths with at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts.

McKellar & Huronian Zones

Kesselrun was successful in greatly extending the strike length of the McKellar Zone during 2022. At its furthest drilled holes to the west, the zone now has a total length of ~1200 m which doubled the 2021 zone strike length of 600 m. The McKellar zone has only been drilled to a depth of ~150 m leaving great potential at depth. As well, a further kilometre of strike length remains untested to the far southwest. Plans for 2023 will see further drilling to extend the McKellar Zone to depth, infill drilling and testing of the far southwest strike extents.

The Huronian Zone hosts the past producing Huronian Mine and its associated underground workings. Drilling amongst the workings has proved the zone still hosts significant unmined gold mineralization as well as giving a better understanding of the controls on mineralization which will be utilized to better target depth and strike extents on the zone in 2023. A further three holes were drilled near the end of the 2022 exploration program further testing areas within and near the historic underground workings. Results of those drill holes and a summary of significant drill intercepts on the Huronian Zone are summarized in Table 4. below.





Figure 3: Schematic Long Section - McKellar Zone



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4206/151072_ec1996f4443aba44_003full.jpg

Table 3: Summary of Significant Drill Intercepts - McKellar Zone (3)

Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) 21HUR056 McKellar 17.7 85.5 67.8 1.6

including 79.7 85.5 5.8 7.2 21HUR077 McKellar 8.2 9.2 1.0 13.7

and 80.8 91.8 11.0 0.7 21HUR078 McKellar 91.6 98.9 7.3 30.3

including 94.0 95.9 1.9 113.7 21HUR091 McKellar 50.1 56.0 5.9 6.4

including 51.8 52.4 0.6 47.8 21HUR125 McKellar 18.2 116.0 97.8 0.3

including 18.2 33.6 15.4 0.9 21HUR126 McKellar 17.5 62.3 44.8 0.6

including 59.8 62.3 2.5 3.5 22HUR151 McKellar 137.6 148.7 11.1 1.7

including 143.0 144.0 1.0 16.4 22HUR170 McKellar 15.0 139.0 124.0 1.8

including 21.0 32.6 11.6 14.4

including 26.0 26.8 0.8 184.0 22HUR176 McKellar 125.9 138.0 12.1 0.7

including 137.0 138.0 1.0 7.2 22HUR178 McKellar 12.0 36.0 24.0 1.3

including 12.0 12.6 0.6 48.0



(3)Widths are drill indicated core length as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths with at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts.





Figure 4: Schematic Long Section - Huronian Zone



To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4206/151072_ec1996f4443aba44_004full.jpg

Table 4: Summary of Past Significant and Further Drill Intercepts - Huronian Zone (4) (5)

Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) 20HUR029 Huronian 29.0 36.0 7.0 2.7

including 35.1 36.0 0.9 13.0 21HUR040 Huronian 263.4 266.3 2.9 7.3

including 263.4 263.9 0.5 34.2 21HUR054 Huronian 115.4 119.5 4.1 16.2

including 115.4 116.0 0.6 81.5 21HUR063 Huronian 311.0 311.9 0.9 12.9 21HUR066 Huronian 192.5 194.4 1.9 10.5

including 193.0 193.9 0.9 22.0 21HUR070 Huronian 381.0 384.0 3.0 13.6

including 382.7 383.6 0.9 41.8 21HUR075 Huronian 386.9 407.8 20.9 1.0

including 392.5 393.1 0.6 12.6 22HUR155 (5) Huronian 314.2 324.6 10.5 0.7

including 322.3 322.8 0.5 8.8 22HUR156 (5) Huronian 136.7 141.2 4.5 0.5 22HUR161 (5) Huronian 300.0 304.5 4.5 0.9



(4)Widths are drill indicated core length as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths with at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts.

(5)Previously unreleased results.

NuTEM & Magnetics Geophysical Survey

Kesselrun carried out a NuTEM and Magnetics geophysical survey in 2022 over the entire project area. In the Huronian Mine area the geophysics is expected to assist in identifying new zones of gold mineralization as well as extensions of known zones. In the southern portion of the project area, on strike from the adjacent Moss Lake Gold Project where outcrop exposure is below average, the geophysics, integrated with the reconnaissance drilling performed at the end of last year's program, will identify high priority targets and focus exploration efforts in 2023.

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, stated, "With over 36,000 metres drilled since kicking off our inaugural drill program in 2020 we have grown the footprint of the McKellar and Fisher Zones significantly while discovering multiple new zones within the Fisher area. The Huronian Zone has been shown to host significant remnant gold mineralization in the historically mined area and that the gold mineralization remains robust at depth and open down plunge. Much of the Huronian Gold Project area remains underexplored and the NuTEM/Magnetics survey and associated reconnaissance exploration initiated last year will assist the team in proving up the significant potential that we believe exists. 2023 will see Kesselrun advance the project to the next stage in what we believe will be a rising gold market."

About the Huronian Gold Project

The 100% owned Huronian Gold Project hosts the past producing Huronian Mine, Northwestern Ontario's first gold mine with an historic resource estimate of 44,592 oz Au at an average grade of 15.3 g/t Au in the indicated category and 501,377 oz Au at an average grade of 14.4 g/t Au in the inferred category. The resource estimate presented for the Huronian Project is historic in nature. Kesselrun Resources' qualified person has not completed sufficient work to confirm the results of the historical resource. Kesselrun Resources is not treating this as a current mineral resource but is considering it relevant as a guide to future exploration and includes it for reference purposes only. The historic resource was estimated by Minescape Exploration Inc. in 1998. Further drilling will be required by Kesselrun Resources to verify the historic estimate as current mineral resources.

As well, the Huronian Gold Project hosts the same lithological package of rocks, as interpreted from both Government of Ontario and Kesselrun Resources mapping, compilation and modelling, on strike from the adjacent Moss Lake Gold Project with an NI 43-101 complaint resource estimate of 4.17M oz Au at an average grade of 1.1 g/t Au in the inferred category (2). Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on Kesselrun Resources' property.

(6) Goldshore Resources Inc. news releases November 15, 2022.

Qualified Person

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of Kesselrun, is the Qualified Person responsible for the project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this news release.

QAQC

Kesselrun has implemented a quality control program to comply with industry best practices for sampling, chain of custody and analyses. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at the core processing site as part of the QA/QC program in addition to the control samples inserted by the lab. Samples are prepared and analyzed by Activation Laboratories in Thunder Bay. Samples are analyzed for gold using Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 10 g/t gold are analyzed using Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Selected samples are also analyzed with a standard 1 kg metallic screen fire assay. All results reported herein have passed QA/QC protocols.

About Kesselrun Resources Ltd.

Kesselrun Resources is a Thunder Bay, Ontario-based mineral exploration company focused on growth through property acquisitions and discoveries. Kesselrun's management team possesses strong geological and exploration expertise in Northwest Ontario. For more information about Kesselrun Resources, please visit www.kesselrunresources.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.

For additional information please contact:

Kesselrun Resources Ltd.

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President & CEO

807.285.3323

[email protected]

Corporate Communications

1.866.416.7941

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Kesselrun, including, but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, dependence upon regulatory approvals, the execution of definitive documentation, the availability of financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151072
Ottawa, Ontario and Royal Oak, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG)(the "Company" or "Northern") and Graphex Technologies LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Graphex Group Limited(NYSE American: GRFX) (HKSE: 6128) (collectively "Graphex"), announce that Graphex will participate in Northern's previously announced selection process (January 10,2023) for a site suitable for the construction of a large-scale graphite processing facility in the Baie-Comeau region. The plant is planned to supply coated spherical graphite anode material to the EV/battery markets in North America and beyond. On December 21, 2022 Northern and Graphex announced the signing of a non-binding letter of intent to negotiate a joint venture agreement to build a North American mine-to-battery supply chain.

Northern and Graphex will work closely with the Department of Innovation and Development for the Manicouagan/Baie-Comeau region of Quebec to identify and evaluate sites that could accommodate processing facilities to produce up to 200,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of battery anode material where they could conduct their proposed joint venture. Northern would provide security of raw mineral supply (graphite concentrate) and it is contemplated that Graphex would license and/or contribute its technology, plans and expertise for building and operating the plant(s). Construction of the proposed battery anode material plant would be subject to the identification and acquisition of an appropriate site, receipt of regulatory approvals and financing.

The Manicouagan/Baie-Comeau region presents uniquely advantageous infrastructure and operating conditions for the Joint Venture to achieve its objectives, including ample renewable energy (hydro power), greenfield and brownfield locations, a deep sea international port, and most importantly a welcoming local, regional, and national political and financial environment with favorable incentive potential.

The current supply picture for natural graphite in North America is marked both by a significant shortfall in the availability of non-China-sourced graphite raw material that is needed to meet projected demand, and the complete absence of experienced commercial-scale downstream processing to transform that raw material into battery-grade anode material. The collaboration between Northern and Graphex seeks to solve both issues on an industry-wide level by providing OEMs and battery makers with a transparent, ESG compliant supply of quality product needed to meet current and future demand.

Northern owns the only graphite mine that is producing at commercial scale in North America with a current output of 15,000 tpy of graphite mine concentrate. It also has three development projects with the resources to produce over 100,000 tpy by 2025 and 300,000 tpy by 2027.

Graphex has a decade-long history of processing mine concentrates and produces 10,000 tpy of high yield, high quality battery anode material. Graphex is the only current commercial downstream processor of natural graphite into battery anode material that intends to develop an anode material processing plant in North America.

"This is an integral step towards finalizing the terms of a binding joint venture agreement with Graphex to produce Coated Spherical Graphite Anode Material for the North American EV/Battery market," said Hugues Jacquemin CEO of Northern Graphite. "Over the next few months we look forward to making further announcements on this and other initiatives that are in advanced stages of negotiation."

"The potential to secure an appropriate site in the Baie-Comeau area in collaboration with Northern would allow Graphex to accelerate the expansion of its experienced mid-stream processing capabilities into North America," said John DeMaio, CEO of Graphex. "Given the need for large volumes of anode material and the emphasis placed on creating domestic North American supply chains, the Graphex-Northern-Baie-Comeau collaboration represents a significant advancement toward making a domestic supply chain for graphite anode material a reality sooner rather than later."

"The addition of Graphex to the Baie-Comeau anode material project is excellent news for the region and for the development of the battery strategy in Quebec," explained Guy Simard, Director of Industrial Development for Innovation and Dveloppement Manicouagan. "This partnership adds significant value to the project by bringing together the expertise and capabilities of Northern as a natural graphite producer with those of Graphex as an anode material producer."

About Northern Graphite

Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high value products critical to the green economy including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies.

Northern is the only significant graphite producing company in North America and is positioned to become the third largest outside of China when its Namibian operations come back online. The Company also has two large scale development projects, Bissett Creek in Ontario and Okanjande in Namibia, that will be a source of continued production growth in the future. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable countries. www.northerngraphite.com.

About Graphex

Graphex Group Limited, is a Cayman Island company with its principal offices in Hong Kong and regional offices in Shanghai and Royal Oak, MI, USA. Graphex is focused on the development of technologies and products to enhance renewable energy, particularly the production of spherical graphite and graphene, key components in EVs/lithium-ion batteries as well as in other uses. Graphex has extensive commercial experience in the deep processing of graphite and producing battery grade purified spherical graphite. Current production is 10,000 tpa and an expansion is underway to increase production to 20,000 tpa within the next 12 months. Graphex intends to further expand existing operations to 40,000 tpa over the next three years. Graphex is currently among the top suppliers of specialized spherical graphite to the EV and renewable energy industries and holds patents in areas including products, production methods, machinery design, and environmental protection. Graphex's strategy is to expand its operations globally to support energy transition and electrification efforts worldwide. www.graphexgroup.com.

For additional information

Please visit the Company's website at http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/, the Company's profile on www.sedar.com, our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.

LinkedIn



YouTube



Twitter



Facebook

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward- looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others, the Company's intentions with respect to the planned construction of a battery anode material processing plant, bringing its Namibian operations back on line, advancing its developments projects to production, and developing the capacity to manufacture value added products. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations; and the availability of adequate financial resources. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. 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.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151160
Nicosia, Cyprus--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Novustrader, the new prop-trading firm, launching its funding program in January 2023. Following extensive testing and efforts to build the best available product, Novustrader provides up to $500,000 in trading capital to global traders, with the flexibility to use all kinds of trading strategies and styles and share 75% of the profits while bearing the losses.

Novustrader Launches the Ultimate Prop Firm Designed for Global Traders in January 2023

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/150701_novustrader_550.jpg

The biggest obstacle of skilled traders is having access to substantial initial capital. This is the major reason why Novustrader was created. To provide access to capital to traders to show their skills and prove themselves. This is achieved by building a technologically advanced proprietary trading firm that provides sophisticated software on the trading side and constant support on the whole trading process and on whatever else needed from its clients.

Andreas Lambrou, CEO of Novustrader, mentioned, "With over 20 years extensive experience in the markets and our passion for trading, led us to putting into practice our vision that everyone can be a global online trader.Our company's mission is to give the opportunity to ordinary people to become successful traders and help professional traders achieve their targets.For this reason, we have developed the right opportunity from each type of trader.From novice to expert. From small and conservative to large and aggressive."

Novustrader is offering one-step evaluation model. Accounts start from $5,000 all the way up to $500,000. The one-time fee starts from the minimum fee of $49 up to the maximum fee of $4,999.

Some of the major factors that set Novustrader apart from their competitors are:

Designed for all kind of traders with all trading styles.

MT4 and MT5 trading platforms offered through Eightcap, a multi regulated broker.

Offering the best payment solutions.

Up to $500,000 trading accounts.

1-step evaluation program, simple rules.

Trade in any of their 300+ instruments from the most famous markets in the world.

Company info: Novustrader has its operational offices in Cyprus, with local offices in SEA, LATAM and UAE. For more information about Novustrader visit www.novustrader.com. For inquiries, contact customer support at [email protected] and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Company Name - Novustrader

CEO - Andreas Lambrou

Email - [email protected]

Website - www.novustrader.com

Location - Nicosia, Cyprus

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/150701
BlueSnap Places 9th on Built In's Top 100 Best Places to Work in Boston, MA

BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In announced that BlueSnap was honored in its 2023 Best Places to Work Awards. Specifically, BlueSnap earned a place on four Built In's Best Places to Work list including Best Places to Work in Boston, Best Midsize Places to Work in Boston, Best Midsize Places to Work U.S. and Best Places to Work in the U.S. The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in large tech markets across the U.S.

"We're honored to be recognized by Built In for our world-class culture and benefits," says Ralph Dangelmaier, CEO of BlueSnap. "At BlueSnap, we are committed to fostering an open, positive and innovative culture that empowers our employees to achieve the very best not only for themselves, but also for our customers. We're on a mission to transform global payments, and we celebrate employees from all different industries and backgrounds who help make this possible."

Built In determines the winners of Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities and other people-first cultural offerings.

"It's my honor to congratulate this year's Best Places to Work winners," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "These exemplary companies understand their people are their most valuable asset, and they've stepped up to meet the modern professional's new expectations, including the desire to work for companies that deliver purpose, growth and inclusion. These winners set the stage for a human-centered future of work, and we can't wait to see that future unfold."

ABOUT BUILT IN

Built In is creating the largest platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves 2,000 customers, innovative companies ranging from startups to those in the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them hire otherwise hard-to-reach tech professionals. www.builtin.com

ABOUT BUILT IN'S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Built In's esteemed Best Places to Work Awards, now in its fifth year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Startup Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 100 Best Large Places to Work and Editor's Choice: 100 Best Hybrid Places to Work. The program honors companies  remote, hybrid and in-office  with the best total rewards packages across the U.S. and in the following tech hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC.

ABOUT BlueSnap

BlueSnap helps businesses accept global payments a better way. Our Global Payment Orchestration Platform is designed to increase sales and reduce costs for all businesses accepting payments. BlueSnap supports payments across all geographies through multiple sales channels such as online and mobile sales, marketplaces, subscriptions, invoice payments and manual orders through a virtual terminal. And for businesses looking for embedded payments, we offer white-labeled payments for platforms with automated underwriting and onboarding that supports marketplaces and split payments. With one integration and contract, businesses can sell in over 200 regions with access to local card acquiring in 47 countries, 100+ currencies and 100+ global payment types, including popular eWallets, automated accounts receivable, world-class fraud protection and chargeback management, built-in solutions for regulation and tax compliance, and unified global reporting to help businesses grow. BlueSnap is backed by world-class private equity investors including Great Hill Partners and Parthenon Capital Partners. Learn more at BlueSnap.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluesnap-recognized-with-four-of-built-ins-2023-best-places-to-work-awards-in-the-us-301720499.html

SOURCE BlueSnap
AMSTERDAM and LONDON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today announced that Cboe Clear Europe, its Amsterdam-based clearing house, has received permanent recognition by the Bank of England to operate as a central counterparty (CCP) in the UK. This recognition was effective from January 10 2023, and applies to cash equities and equity derivatives.

Arnoud Siegmann, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer, Cboe Clear Europe, said: "We are delighted to announce the removal of Brexit uncertainty for UK-based clearing members and UK trading venues that wish to continue to access Cboe Clear Europe and benefit from its services on a permanent basis. This recognition helps demonstrate our long-term commitment to our cash equities services in the UK and will be important in further extending our equity derivatives service among UK participants, in support of Cboe Europe Derivatives (CEDX). We greatly appreciate the efforts of both the Bank of England and our EU regulators for helping to provide this recognition, which is a great outcome for European capital markets as a whole as it reduces the likelihood of liquidity fragmentation."

Cboe Clear Europe, which is an EU-authorised CCP under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), is the first non-UK CCP to achieve permanent recognition by the Bank of England. Since the end of the Transition Period between the UK and EU in 2020, it has been a participant in the UK's Temporary Recognition Regime for non-UK CCPs, which allowed it to continue to offer cash equity clearing to UK clearing participants and trading venues while it sought permanent recognition under the UK regime.

As a leading pan-European cash equities clearing house, Cboe Clear Europe currently offers clearing services to 47 trading venues. The company enables Clearing Participants to manage their counterparty credit risk and also to maximise operational efficiencies through automated processing and the provision of netting opportunities. It diversified into equity derivatives clearing in 2021 to support the launch of CEDX, Cboe's pan-European equity derivatives exchange. CEDX is seeking to grow the region's derivatives markets by prioritising on-screen liquidity and providing participants with meaningful cost savings and capital efficiencies by offering the ability to trade and, via Cboe Clear Europe, clear a broad range of pan-European contracts on a single marketplace.

Cboe Clear Europe operates as an independent subsidiary of the Cboe group, retaining a separate governance structure and management team. It is headquartered in Amsterdam and regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank and by Autoriteit Financiele Markten. Further information on the company and its services can be found here: clear.cboe.com/europe

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, FX and digital assets, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

Media Contacts Analyst Contact Tim Cave Angela Tu Kenneth Hill, CFA +44 (0) 7593 506 719 +1-646-856-8734 +1-312-786-7559 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

CBOE-EECBOE-CCBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Volatility Index, VIX and Cboe Global Markets are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth year in a row, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) President and CEO Patrick Pacious has been named one of the highest-rated CEOs, according to Comparably's 2022 Best CEO rankings. The accolade, which positions Pacious alongside chief executives of some of the world's most well-known companies  from Microsoft and Adobe to Google and IBM  comes on the heels of his fifth year at the helm of Choice and reflects the company's latest period of success.

"Choice Hotels has transformed itself these past few years, and this latest recognition is a powerful testament to not just the strength of our strategic investments and growth, but also to the fortitude of all our associates who have gone the extra mile to take our business and brand promise to new heights," said Pacious. "Together, we're leading the way  supporting more than 13,000 franchise owners who put their trust in Choice brands each day while continuing to create rewarding experiences for the loyal guests who stay with us  and our future has never been brighter."

Pacious has been Choice Hotels' president and CEO since September 2017, and throughout his successful tenure has established a proven track record of building and strengthening brands. In addition to cementing Choice Hotels' legacy in the midscale travel segment with the successful transformation of the company's flagship Comfort brand, Pacious propelled Choice's extended stay segment with new brands following the strategic acquisition of WoodSpring Suites in 2018 and the launch of Everhome Suites in 2020. In 2021, under Pacious' stewardship, Choice also became the first hotel company to exceed its pre-pandemic performance. Most recently, Pacious guided the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas, the largest transaction in the company's history, which added nine brands and further extends the company's reach into the upscale segment.

In addition to helping empower small business owner success and creating memorable experiences for guests when traveling, Pacious has led an inclusive corporate culture. As a result, he was named the Lodging Magazine 2022 Person of the Year and Choice was also recently recognized as a best-in-class franchisor and leading employer by several groups, including:

Top Franchise for Diversity 2022 by Entrepreneur Magazine

World's Best Employers 2022 by Forbes

America's Best Employers for Veterans 2022 by Forbes

World's Top Female-Friendly Companies 2022 by Forbes

Comparably determined this year's Best CEOs through ratings anonymously provided by employees. The final data set was compiled from nearly 15 million ratings across 70,000 U.S. companies on Comparably.com and segmented into two ranked lists: Top 100 CEOs from Large Companies (those with 500 or more employees) and Top CEOs from Small/Mid-Size companies. Choice Hotels is the only hotel company to be recognized on this annual list.

For information about Choice Hotels' leadership, visit www.media.choicehotels.com/our-leadership.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. Choice Hotels has more than 7,500 hotels, and nearly 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2022. The Choice family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a broad range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

 2023 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.
JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jan. 12, 2023  CMS Energy announced today it will provide 2022 year-end results along with a business and financial outlook at 9:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

A webcast of the presentation will be available on CMS Energy's website, cmsenergy.com. An audio replay will be available approximately three hours after the webcast and will be archived for 30 days on CMS Energy's website in the "Investor Relations" section.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based energy company featuring Consumers Energy as its primary business. It also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our website at cmsenergy.com. To sign up for email alert notifications, please visit the Investor Relations section of our website.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichiganTwitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergyLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

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SOURCE CMS Energy
LAVAL, QC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce it has been awarded the Bronze-level Parity CertificationTM by Women in Governance for its progress towards gender parity in the workplace.

"We are proud to be receiving this certification as it is a testament to the values we live by and signals we are moving in the right direction towards gender parity," said Suzanne Poirier, Senior Vice President, Operations, at Couche-Tard. "Our team at Couche-Tard is committed to fostering a culture that provides an environment for women to fully participate and grow in their careers as well as advancing equality between women and men in the workplace."

Women in Governance's Parity Certification helps organizations increase the representation of women in sectors where they have historically been underrepresented and in senior management positions. This innovative certification evaluates parity at an organization's decision-making level as well as at every level of the organization, with particular attention paid to the multiple impacts of diversity in women's career advancement (intersectionality). The certification also assesses the organization's commitment to implementing processes that enable women to achieve career advancement, thus creating a pipeline of diverse female talent.

"At Couche-Tard, diversity and inclusion is a strong pillar of our sustainability strategy and the winning culture we strive daily to protect and promote," said Ina Strand, Chief People Officer at Couche-Tard. "We know we have more work to do, and we will use the feedback we receive to continue on our journey of creating an environment where all our people can excel, grow and bring their authentic selves to work."

As part of its diversity and inclusion journey, Couche-Tard has launched several business resource groups, beginning with the Women's Council, to support underrepresented team members. It has also developed and participated in talent programs to create pipelines for advancement including leadership development courses and mentorship programs dedicated to accelerating and developing minority team members. These efforts and more have resulted in true progress in more equitable gender representation, opportunities and pay across all parts of the company from store to senior management levels.

About Women in Governance

Women in Governance (WiG) is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support women in their career advancement and access to decision-making bodies, as well as progressive organizations striving to close the gender gap in the workplace. The organization pursues its mission with its Parity Certification, inspiring events, as well as robust governance training and mentoring programs. More information is available at www.womeningovernance.org.

About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Alimentation Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and mobility, operating in 24 countries and territories, with more than 14,300 stores, of which approximately 10,900 offer road transportation fuel. With its well-known Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, it is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, as well as in Ireland. It also has an important presence in Poland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Approximately 122,000 people are employed throughout its network. For more information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., or to consult its audited annual Consolidated Financial Statements, unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis, please visit, please visit: https://corpo.couche-tard.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation, including those with respect to the potential transaction. Positive or negative verbs such as "believe," "can," "shall," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "assume" and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Couche-Tard and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of Couche-Tard's control. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated in or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information available as of the date of the release.

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SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Global leader in pet health showcases Pulse, the industry's first cloud-based veterinary operating system, gives veterinary community first look at GluCurve Pet CGM

PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Covetrus, a global leader in animal-health technology and services, today announced its plans to showcase an array of the company's innovation and technology at VMX 2023, the world's largest veterinary education conference which will take place in Orlando, Fla., January 14-18.

The company will highlight Pulse, the first of its kind veterinary operating system (vOS); debut the Covetrus GluCurve Pet CGM, the first and only continuous glucose monitoring system for diabetic pets; and conduct three educational seminars, offering attendees new insights into practice management and pharmaceutical compounding for companion animals.

"VMX is one of the premier veterinary conferences and a great place for us to showcase our unique innovations and technologies, launch new products, and connect with our veterinary partners," said Benjamin Wolin, president and CEO, at Covetrus. "At this year's conference, we will feature Pulse, the industry's first cloud-based vOS; launch the Covetrus GluCurve Pet CGM, our new technology benefiting diabetic pets; and highlight how Covetrus solutions help practices with challenges we hear from the industry every day. We invite all VMX 2023 attendees to stop by our Covetrus booth #3926 to learn more."

Covetrus highlights for VMX 2023 include:

Pulse:Pulse is an innovative cloud-based veterinary operating system (vOS) that seamlessly connects veterinarians to the technology they need to optimize their operations amid workforce challenges and a drumbeat of demand. A first-of-its-kind vOS, Pulse drives efficiencies by consolidating the applications practices rely on for day-to-day operations into an all-in-one integrated system. With its user-friendly design and cloud-based accessibility, Covetrus Pulse arrives just in time to meet the urgent needs of a veterinary community that is stretched to capacity. A study released in early 2022 revealed that Pulse saved time and provides relief to overworked, understaffed veterinary practices.3

Covetrus GluCurve Pet CGM:According to studies, 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 175 cats have diabetes and until now, treating them could be a challenge for pet parents and veterinarians1,2. GluCurve Pet CGM records blood sugar levels every 3 minutes for up to 14 days. Readings are displayed for the pet owner in the GluCurve app for iOS and Android and uploaded to a veterinary patient management web portal. In the web portal, data are analyzed and organized into time saving graphs and tables, along with additional features such as glucose curve comparisons and overlays, insulin dose calculators, best practice guidelines, and more.

In December 2022, Covetrus entered into a co-branded distribution agreement with ALR Technologies SG Ltd (OTCQB: ALRTF), the diabetes management company that manufactures the GluCurve Pet CGM.

Sponsored Educational Sessions:

Session Title: The Founder of Fear Free Reveals His Top 10 Powerful Tips From the Trenches of PracticeSaturday, January 14th from 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm.

Dr. Marty Becker, the founder of Fear Free and a Covetrus consultant, will discuss his top 10 most powerful tips for managing a practice and making the culture shift to Fear Free.

Session Title: Top 5 Ways to Save Time and Drive RevenueSunday, January 15th from 10:15 am  11:00 am

Covetrus' own Dr. Link Welborn, Chief Veterinary Officer, and Stephanie Foster, director of customer education, will share the top five ways technology can improve efficiencies throughout the patient visit, create more time for the veterinarian and staff to spend with patients and drive more revenue through personalized and connected care.

Session Title: Compounding: Taking the fear out of medications with personalized prescriptionsTuesday, January 17th from 5:45 pm  6:45 pm

Dr. Bruce Dell, director of research and development at Covetrus, will discuss pharmacy compounding and the technical enhancements, various dosage forms, accreditation, and regulatory trends on the horizon.

About CovetrusCovetrus is a global animal-health technology and services company dedicated to empowering veterinary practice partners to drive improved health and financial outcomes. We are bringing together products, services, and technology into a single platform that connects our customers to the solutions and insights they need to work best. Our passion for the well-being of animals and those who care for them drives us to advance the world of veterinary medicine. Covetrus is headquartered in Portland, Maine with more than 5,700 employees serving over 100,000 customers around the globe. For more information about Covetrus visit covetrus.com.

Media Contact: Christopher Allman-Bradshaw[email protected]com

1 O'Neill, D G et al. "Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus among 193,435 Cats Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England." Journal of veterinary internal medicine vol. 30,4 (2016): 964-72. doi:10.1111/jvim.14365 2 Yoon, Samuel et al. "Epidemiological study of dogs with diabetes mellitus attending primary care veterinary clinics in Australia." The Veterinary record vol. 187,3 (2020): e22. doi:10.1136/vr.105467 3 Covetrus press release. "Study Reveals New Covetrus Technology Saves Time, Provides Relief to Overworked, Understaffed Veterinary Practices." July 26, 2022

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SOURCE Covetrus
CALGARY, AB, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer John Brooks will address the CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference on Jan. 19, 2023, at 4:25 p.m. ET.

CP will provide access to the live audio webcast at investor.cpr.ca. A replay will also be available following the conclusion of the event.

About Canadian PacificCanadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

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SOURCE Canadian Pacific
MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dyester Corp., the leading company in the creation of domes and other complementary products is excited to announce the release of their innovative Tentspaces division, offering high-end luxury glamping tents. Unlike common pop up tents you see around town, this is a specialty field offering upscale tents specifically created for living outdoors. The tents are large structures which are unique in the glamping industry. The tents are constructed offering the buyer the opportunity to live in a tent on a permanent basis if they so choose. Tentspaces units are sold across the globe in outdoor spaces.

Barry Sendach, CEO of Dyester Corp says, "Tentspaces offer an affordable place to camp or live. Structures are friendly to the environment, easy to set up and decorate, and feels like a home for a fraction of the price."

Dyester Corp was also recently featured on episode 331 of the Bloomberg Network Show "The World's Greatest," now in its 16th year, receiving worldwide accolades and exposure by a wide diverse network of users. "World's Greatest!" is a 30-minute show on Bloomberg Television dedicated to highlighting the world's greatest companies, products, places, and people. Every show is a high-speed tour featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and breathtaking visuals from locations around the world.

Dyester has been expanding into all types of unique outdoor life structures such as domes, yurts from and even bathrooms, flooring and shipping container homes. Their warehouse facilities for the instock program are located in Jacksonville, Florida, shipping within 48 hours instead of the usual 8-week delivery time. With headquarters in Boca Raton, FL, their container homes are manufactured in-house in Southern Florida, working like a traditional home.

For more information, please visit dyester.com and tentspaces.com

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SOURCE Dyester Corp Inc
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) priced Connecticut Avenue Securities (CAS) Series 2023-R01, an approximately $731 million note offering that represents Fannie Mae's first CAS REMIC transaction of the year. CAS is Fannie Mae's benchmark issuance program designed to share credit risk on its single-family conventional guaranty book of business.

The reference pool for CAS Series 2023-R01 consists of approximately 68,000 single-family mortgage loans with an outstanding unpaid principal balance of approximately $22.6 billion. The reference pool includes collateral with loan-to-value ratios of 60.01 percent to 80.00 percent, which were acquired between January 2022 and February 2022. The loans included in this transaction are fixed-rate, generally 30-year term, fully amortizing mortgages and were underwritten using rigorous credit standards and enhanced risk controls.

Fannie Mae will retain a portion of the 1M-1, 1M-2, and 1B-1 tranches, and initially will retain the full 1B-2H and 1B-3H first-loss tranches.

Class Offered Amount ($MM) Pricing Level Expected Ratings (S&P/KBRA) 1M-1 $429.855 1-month average SOFR plus 240 bps BBB+ (sf) / A- (sf) 1M-2 $247.164 1-month average SOFR plus 375 bps BBB- (sf) / BBB (sf) 1B-1 $53.730 1-month average SOFR plus 510 bps BB+ (sf) / BBB (sf)

BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofA") is the lead structuring manager and joint bookrunner. Barclays Capital Inc. ("Barclays") is the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner. Co-managers are Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), Nomura Securities International Inc. ("Nomura"), StoneX Financial Inc. ("StoneX"), and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("Wells Fargo"). Selling group members are Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Drexel Hamilton, LLC and African-American & women-owned Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC.

With the completion of this transaction, Fannie Mae will have brought 54 CAS deals to market, issued over $59 billion in notes, and transferred a portion of the credit risk to private investors on over $1.98 trillion in single-family mortgage loans, measured at the time of the transaction.

To promote transparency and to help credit investors evaluate our securities and the CAS program, Fannie Mae provides ongoing, robust disclosure data, as well as access to news, resources, and analytics through its credit risk transfer webpages. This includes our innovative Data Dynamics tool that enables market participants to interact with and analyze CAS deals that are currently outstanding in the market and Fannie Mae's historical loan dataset. In addition, our EU Resources and UK Resources webpages help European Union and UK institutional investors, as well as those managing funds subject to EU/UK regulations comply with EU/UK securitization regulations.

In addition to our flagship CAS program, Fannie Mae continues to transfer mortgage credit risk through its Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT) reinsurance program.

About Connecticut Avenue SecuritiesCAS REMIC notes are issued by a bankruptcy-remote trust. The amount of periodic principal and ultimate principal paid by Fannie Mae is determined by the performance of a large and diverse reference pool. For more information on individual CAS transactions, visit our credit risk transfer webpage.

About Fannie MaeFannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit:fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroomhttps://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom

Photo of Fannie Maehttps://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center1-800-2FANNIE

Statements in this release regarding the company's future CAS transactions are forward-looking. Actual results may be materially different as a result of market conditions or other factors listed in "Risk Factors" or "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. This release does not constitute an offer or sale of any security. Before investing in any Fannie Mae issued security, potential investors should review the disclosure for such security and consult their own investment advisors.

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SOURCE Fannie Mae
Executive strategy and research event features insight into new demand for energy efficiency and management solutions

DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates today announced keynote speakers from Austin Energy, CPS Energy, EnergyHub, and GAF Energy for its 14th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, being held February 13-15 at the Omni Hotel in Austin, Texas. The research firm recently released new research from its consumer survey of 10,000 internet households showing 54% of internet households say their energy costs are too high, 44% are actively working to reduce energy at home, and 16% would like to use less energy but don't know how.

The executive research and strategy conference features energy leaders focused on the growth of energy management. Topics and insights focus on the transformation of the utility business model, the impact of connected devices on distributed energy resource management, and effective incentives to help save and reduce energy. Event sponsors include the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Rapid Response Monitoring, Copper Labs, Schneider Electric, and Questline Digital.

"As traditional sources of power become rarer and more costly, demand for renewable energy solutions will grow," said Chris White, Research Director, Parks Associates. "Consumers respond to economic incentives the most, and as traditional electrification continues to become more costly, many households will become more open to adopting renewable alternatives like solar and home storage."

Keynotes speakers include the following industry leaders:

Martin DeBono, President, GAF Energy

Erika Diamond , SVP , Head of Customer Solutions, EnergyHub

SVP EnergyHub DeAnna Hardwick , EVP , Customer Strategy, CPS Energy

EVP Karl Popham , Manager, Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies, Austin Energy

Session speakers feature key industry players:

Parks Associates will feature its latest consumer and industry insights throughout the event, featuring data from its ongoing quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households. To register, visit the event website or apply for a Press Pass here. To request data or an interview, contact Rosey Sera, [email protected], 972-490-1113.

About Smart Energy Summit

The 14th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, hosted by international research firm Parks Associates, addresses energy & renewables technology trends in the residential and small-to-medium business markets. The executive conference features experts from utilities, retailers, software providers, manufacturers, and energy, broadband, and security service providers.

Follow the event on Twitter @SmartEnergySmt, #SmartEnergy23. www.smartenergysmt.com

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SOURCE Parks Associates
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Colbeck Capital Management, a leading middle-market private credit manager focused on strategic lending, supports ongoing care initiatives provided by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Colbeck Capital co-founder and managing partner, Jason Colodne and his wife, Anita, are proud advocates and supporters for the hospital and the Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program at CHOP.

CHOP was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Housed within CHOP's Harriet and Ronald Lassin Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU), the Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program is devoted to meeting the growing clinical and research needs of premature and low birth weight infants. CHOP is one of the few places in the world able to provide specialized care for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which is more common in premature babies.

Support provided by donors, like the Colodne family and Colbeck Capital Management, is essential for CHOP to continue to serve the community. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as a new inpatient hospital with a dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia.

Philanthropic efforts support more than just hospital and outpatient care facilities. These funds often assist families in need, helping with specialized health care costs, giving their children a chance at healthy futures and a better quality of life. Funds assist with research, training, and education programs to create new opportunities for care and treatment. From groundbreaking cures for chronic diseases to community services for the most vulnerable populations, philanthropy fuels discovery and transforms the lives of CHOP patients, today and for generations to come.

To find out more about CHOP and how you can support, please visit chop.edu/giving.

To find out more about Colbeck Capital Management, please visit colbeck.com.

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SOURCE Colbeck Capital Management
The brand's 4th location in Florida opens on January 18, inviting fans to enjoy its world-famous fried chicken

WEST COVINA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant sensation Jollibee is rapidly expanding across North America and sunny Orlando, Florida is next on the list. Known for offering delicious food at great value, Jollibee is bringing its friendly customer service and signature brand of joy to the city of Orlando.

On January 18, 2023, Jollibee will debut its Orlando storefront at 11891 East Colonial Drive and invites hungry Floridians to experience what sets Jollibee apart from its competitors  extraordinary menu offerings and friendly customer service. Jollibee specializes in all things fried chicken and is widely revered for its crispy, juicy, Chickenjoy fried chicken and delectable Chicken Sandwiches. In fact, international food authority Eater.com recently named Jollibee "the best chain fried chicken in America" after its Chickenjoy bested 14 global brands in four rounds of contests.

For those planning to visit Jollibee's first location in Orlando, here's everything you need to know:

Address : 11891 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826

: 11891 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826 Hours of Operation : 9AM  12AM, seven days a week.

: 9AM  12AM, seven days a week. How To Order: Customers can pick up their orders to go or enjoy the convenience of the two-lane drive-thru service beginning on opening day. Dine-in, online ordering, and delivery will not be available on opening day, but will be made available in the coming weeks.

Customers can pick up their orders to go or enjoy the convenience of the two-lane drive-thru service beginning on opening day. Dine-in, online ordering, and delivery will not be available on opening day, but will be made available in the coming weeks. What To Order  a rundown of Jollibee's tried and true menu favorites:

Chickenjoy : Jollibee's signature fried chicken. Each piece is delicately hand-breaded to be crispy on the outside, cooked with precision to be juicy on the inside, and marinated to the bone for next-level flavor.

: Jollibee's signature fried chicken. Each piece is delicately hand-breaded to be crispy on the outside, cooked with precision to be juicy on the inside, and marinated to the bone for next-level flavor.

Spicy Chickenjoy : The fiery version of the classic Chickenjoy is seasoned to perfection and spicy from the inside out.

: The fiery version of the classic Chickenjoy is seasoned to perfection and spicy from the inside out.

Chicken Sandwich : This sandwich features a crispy, juicy chicken breast fillet, spread with umami mayo, and served on a toasted brioche bun. Find out why this newly launched sandwich has been lauded for its "intense crunch" by The Takeout , and discover how the umami flavor profile and signature Jollibee seasonings meld together to create a perfect chicken sandwich offering.

: This sandwich features a crispy, juicy chicken breast fillet, spread with umami mayo, and served on a toasted brioche bun. Find out why this newly launched sandwich has been lauded for its "intense crunch" by , and discover how the umami flavor profile and signature Jollibee seasonings meld together to create a perfect chicken sandwich offering.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich : A spicy version of the original chicken sandwich features sriracha mayo and fresh jalapenos for added crunch and heat.

: A spicy version of the original chicken sandwich features sriracha mayo and fresh jalapenos for added crunch and heat.

Peach Mango Pie: Make sure to leave room for this mouth-watering dessert made with peaches and real Philippine mangoes enveloped in a light and crispy crust.

"Get ready Orlando! We are ready to serve up the most delicious fried chicken you have ever had," said Maribeth Dela Cruz, President, Jollibee North America. "From the minute you walk through our doors - or line up at our first-ever two-lane drive-thru - to your very last bite, we are determined to make every experience at Jollibee a joyful one for our guests."

New Menu Items

The fried chicken will always be the star of the menu for many longtime fans, but Jollibee is rolling out new menu items to fall in love with at select locations across North America in 2023  Orlando included!

Baked Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese: A special blend of macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheddar and baked in-house to achieve the ultimate creamy, cheesy accompaniment.

A special blend of macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheddar and baked in-house to achieve the ultimate creamy, cheesy accompaniment. Mandarin Orange Crispy Chicken Salad: Jollibee's sliced crispy chicken tenders served on a bed of premium, fresh produce.

Jollibee's sliced crispy chicken tenders served on a bed of premium, fresh produce. Biscuits: Freshly baked, warm, and flakey.

Jollibee's Orlando location marks the brand's 87th restaurant in North America and fourth location in Florida - the sunshine state first welcomed Jollibee to Jacksonville (11884 Atlantic Blvd) back in 2017. Following the success of that opening, the brand established locations in Pinellas Park (4057 Park Blvd N, Ste 120) in 2020 and in Pembroke Pines (11029 Pines Blvd) in 2021. Jollibee will continue bringing its joy to new U.S. markets in 2023 as the brand works to become one of the world's top-five restaurant chains. Follow Jollibee at @jollibeeus on Facebook, @jollibeeus on Instagram, and @jollibeeusa on TikTok to get updates on Jollibee's upcoming store openings and other exciting announcements and events, including new product launches and special promotions.

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 6,300 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, India, and Australia.

Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand.

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World's Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone. To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

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SOURCE Jollibee
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE American: MNK) ("Mallinckrodt" or the "Company"), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that Dr. Peter Richardson, B.Med.Sci., BM, BS, MRCP (UK) has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, effective January 12, 2023. With more than 30 years of research and development experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Richardson will have executive responsibility for Mallinckrodt's branded research and development (R&D), medical affairs, safety, and regulatory affairs functions. He will serve on the Company's Executive Committee and succeeds Steven Romano, M.D., who departed Mallinckrodt in December 2022.

Dr. Richardson previously served as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Antares Pharmaceuticals, overseeing all pharmaceutical research and development activities across the organization. Prior to this role, Dr. Richardson held senior leadership positions in research and development at several pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, Mannkind Corporation and Adare Pharmaceuticals.

"Peter is another strong addition to our Executive Committee, and I am very pleased that he is joining Mallinckrodt to lead our portfolio expansion efforts as Chief Scientific Officer," said Siggi Olafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Peter is an experienced industry leader with a proven track record of successfully managing product development pipelines and executing clinical programs, underpinned by a passion for scientific innovation and patient care. I am confident that his expertise and vision will be key to advancing our pipeline and bringing value-enhancing therapies to market for the benefit of our patients."

Dr. Richardson said, "Mallinckrodt has undertaken a significant transformation under Siggi's leadership, with a focus on pursuing pipeline opportunities and reinforcing the foundation of the business to strengthen the Company's long-term position. I look forward to working with the Mallinckrodt team to continue the progress underway and develop innovative products that have a meaningful impact on the lives of patients."

Grant of Inducement Award

In connection with Dr. Richardson's appointment, the Company agreed to grant to Dr. Richardson an equity award, which is being made in reliance on Section 711(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the Company Guide). The employment inducement equity award consists of (i) a restricted stock unit award covering 75,091 ordinary shares of the Company, which will vest ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the effectiveness of his appointment, subject to his continued employment, and (ii) a performance stock unit award covering 75,091 ordinary shares of the Company, which will vest in its entirety following a performance period that ends on December 27, 2024, as outlined in the applicable award agreement. These awards were approved by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of the Company, without shareholder approval as "employment inducement grants" under Section 711(a) of the Company Guide, which requires public announcement of inducement awards.

About Dr. Peter Richardson

Dr. Richardson is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 30 years of experience in research and development leadership, including building and supporting product development pipelines and clinical program management. He most recently served as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Antares Pharmaceuticals, where he set the strategic direction of Antares Pharmaceuticals' research and development program. Prior to this role, Dr. Richardson was with Adare Pharmaceuticals from 2016 through 2020, serving as Chief Medical Officer and President, Adare Pharmaceuticals U.S., and Vice President, Research and Development. Earlier in his career, Dr. Richardson served as Chief Medical Officer, Head of Global Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Alcon, a Novartis Company, Chief Scientific Officer, Corporate Vice President at MannKind Corporation, and several roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, culminating in his position as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Development Alliances.

Dr. Richardson holds a B.Med.Sci. from the University of Nottingham and a BM, BS from the University of Nottingham Medical School. He completed Stanford University Graduate School of Business' executive program and is a member of the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.

About Mallinckrodt

Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The Company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding Mallinckrodt's leadership, efforts for portfolio and pipeline expansion, development efforts, financial condition and operating results, legal, economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Mallinckrodt's businesses, and any other statements regarding events or developments Mallinckrodt believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, may be "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as updated by Mallinckrodt's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 1, July 1 and September 30, 2022 and other filings with the SEC identify and describe in more detail the risks and uncertainties to which Mallinckrodt's businesses are subject. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations Daniel SpecialeGlobal Corporate Controller and Chief Investor Relations Officer314-654-3638[email protected]

Derek BelzVice President, Investor Relations314-654-3950[email protected]

MediaMichael Freitag / Aaron Palash / Aura ReinhardJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher212-355-4449

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2023 01/23.

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SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moov, the largest global marketplace for used semiconductor equipment, today announced David Duke as Head of Enterprise Partnerships. A 27-year semiconductor industry veteran, Duke has led over $1bn in strategic fab-level sales and exclusive remarketing of semiconductor equipment, including developing and running the largest equipment resale operations in the world at GlobalFoundries and GE Capital.

"We are excited to welcome equipment remarketing pioneer and semiconductor industry veteran, David Duke, to Moov," said Moov CEO and co-founder Steven Zhou. "David's expertise stems from decades of experience devoted to semiconductor equipment, first as an executive at top equipment manufacturers focusing on their service offerings, and then building the largest remarketing programs in the world at GE Capital and GlobalFoundries. David Duke is the type of world-class talent we know will continue to make Moov successful as we deepen our global partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers in 2023 and beyond."

Duke has held executive positions at semiconductor equipment behemoths AMAT, KLA, and Cymer (ASML), focusing on equipment services. At GE Capital, Duke served as VP of Sales, leading US and European sales of semiconductor and test equipment. At GlobalFoundries, Duke was responsible for acquisitions, valuations, and recovery of surplus assets, building GlobalFoundries' remarketing process to world-class standards. Most recently, Duke served as President of US and Korea for Kateeva, a precision deposition equipment manufacturer.

"I was initially drawn to Moov because Moov's approach is highly transparent, ethical, and truly has customers' best interests in mind," said David Duke, Head of Enterprise Partnerships at Moov. "With the technology, marketplace data, and full aftermarket service suite Moov offers, manufacturers can more robustly incorporate used equipment into their enterprise procurement strategy and recoup capital on pre-owned assets at a scale never before possible."

Duke will be responsible for establishing and growing Moov's new Enterprise Partnerships division. In this role, he will oversee enterprise partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers to leverage surplus equipment in a way that moves the needle strategically beyond individual tool sales. Moov offers chipmakers a turnkey solution to resell idle assets. Moov's global marketplace and wealth of secondary capital equipment market data offers sellers immediate access to global demand and data-driven valuation solutions to make more intelligent decisions. Moov's global team offers expertise in equipment sales including compliance with trade and financial regulations. The new Enterprise Partnerships division will focus on complex, multi-asset sales including supporting manufacturers' equipment needs during fab acquisition or divestiture. For more information on Moov's strategic equipment remarketing services contact [email protected].

About Moov Technologies Inc.

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, and Austin, Texas, Moov is a technology-driven marketplace and asset management platform that matches buyers and sellers of pre-owned semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Built by a team with more than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing equipment brokerage industry, Moov's platform ensures accurate listings and faster transactions. CEO Steven Zhou and Managing Director Maxam Yeung co-founded the company in 2017. To learn more, please visit Moov.co.

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Moov Technologies
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Through At-Impact, NetImpact was awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Information Technology Operations (Cypress) contract in providing full scale IT support and modernization. This contract supports the FPAC mission area, whose 22,900 employees and near $22 billion budget authority serves the nation's farmers, ranchers, and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. The FPAC Information Solutions Division (ISD) operates and maintains IT applications and services supporting all NRCS systems, including hybrid application and database operations, security operations, and application modernizations. NRCS is transforming IT Operations enabled by emerging areas of DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) based automations, and Public Cloud.

NetImpact leverages PlatformFirst, ParadigmSHIFT, MCD to evolve NRCS' Cloud, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and SRE services

NetImpact will provide full scale support for the entirety of the NRCS operational environments, delivery platforms, cloud automation and pipelines, and application support which spans 1,000 virtual servers; 120 applications, services, and/or components; and the migration of existing and future services to secure AWS and other SaaS cloud environments. NetImpact will leverage its portfolio of DX360 digital transformation solution platforms including PlatformFirst, ParadigmSHIFT, Mission-Centered Design to help mature and evolve NRCS' Cloud, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and SRE services.

"At NetImpact, we are passionate about transformative innovation and applying Emotionally Intelligent Technically Exceptional (EQTE) best practices," Stephanie Wilson, NetImpact COO remarks. "We are honored to be selected by USDA as the partner for this incredibly significant and forward-leaning initiative that will accelerate their mission delivery services."

Applying modern best practices and its DX360 emergent solutions, NetImpact will optimize the entirety of the operational environments (including on-premise, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), delivery platforms, pipelines, existing and planned systems, Cloud management and AWS services, and application automation. NetImpact's approach to increase self-service and idempotent automation capabilities, improve self-healing and immutability infrastructure, and cloud migrations is expected to reduce operational and development costs for NRCS.

About NetImpact

NetImpact Strategies, Inc. has been a Trusted Advisor driving impact through digital transformation for the Federal Government for over a decade. NetImpact partners with customer agencies to deliver solutions that empower them to meet their missions and achieve impactful and lasting value through our DX360 solutions across Strategic Consulting, Mission Software Development, Data Insights, Cloud and Infrastructure, and Cyber as well as our bespoke COTS products built on ServiceNow and Microsoft. Follow NetImpact on their website or LinkedIn for more.

Public Relations Team[email protected]

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SOURCE NetImpact Strategies
11:49 | Puno (Puno region), Jan. 12.

Traffic is restricted not only in urban areas but also for the people trying to enter or leave regions that face difficulties especially for the supply of gas and fuel.





Puno





In Puno, market vendors decided to serve customers, but only by selling them basic goods in order to supply families with food. The stalls for other items are closed.





According to a live report via TVPeru, trading would end at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Then, the owners of those stalls would join the mobilizations scheduled for today.





Public transportation bus services remain suspended. Only taxis and private vehicles circulate, while the entrances and exits for inter-provincial traffic are closed due to road blockades.





new marches are expected today amid the concern of sectors linked to tourism that have zero activities. Following the mobilization and the community eucharist ceremony held last Wednesday in memory of 17 deceased people amid





Tacna





In Tacna, the situation is calm right now following Wednesday's events. However, mobilizations are expected to resume this morning on the second day of strike.





Only taxis and private vehicles circulate, while buses and public transportation vehicles in general are not seen on the streets at this moment.





Meanwhile, members of the National Police and the Armed Forces are deployed at strategic points in the southern city, such as the Plaza Vea supermarket. They are being guarded to prevent violent acts and looting by protesters, such as those that occurred yesterday.





Other shopping centers and stores in general are closed due to the announcements of new demonstrations. Customers were served at markets until 9:00 a.m. for the supply of basic goods.





The TVPeru correspondent said the police have indicated that demonstrations can be held but in a peaceful manner. They have also called on citizens not to start violent acts.





It was indicated that pickets have already been called in the districts of Ciudad Nueva and Gregorio Albarracin, as well as at Ovalo Tarapaca (Tarapaca Roundabout) in Downtown Tacna.





Arequipa





Traffic has been restored in Arequipa following the unblocking of the road at kilometer 48 in La Joya. Therefore, gas-transporting trucks have been allowed to enter the White City so as to avoid shortage.





The unblocking of the road occurred following conversations and actions adopted by the National Police and the Air Force. Thus, stranded vehicles started to circulate on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. after the agreed truce.





Meanwhile, in the city, although public transportation services run as usual, markets such as the Andres Avelino Caceres Platform, San Camilo, and Rio Seco had announced that they will be closed today and join the strike.





The exits and entrances from the northern area of Arequipa to Puno and Cusco are blocked. Thus, there is no communication via land with said regions.





Demonstrations will continue today. Therefore, law enforcement agents are duly deployed and on alert, especially in La Joya, in order to prevent the road from being blocked once again.





Madre de Dios





Following the confrontation events on Puente Billinghurst (Billinghurst Bridge) in Puerto Maldonado, this road remains blocked.





According to a report by TV Peru, the number of protesters has increased on Thursday morning.





This is the fourth day since the steel bridge the largest in Peru has been taken over, and new confrontations are feared today since Peace March promoters have called for another mobilization scheduled for today.





Clashes, involving sticks and stones between the two groups, have left a large number of people injured.
Leaders to leverage vast expertise to grow customer base, innovate new solutions and support clinicians

BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuroglee, a provider of personalized, evidence-based digital therapeutics and virtual care solutions to treat and manage patients with neurologic conditions, announced today that it has expanded the depth and real-world experience of its executive team with the addition of three leaders in their respective fields. Neuroglee's new chief medical officer (CMO), chief technology officer (CTO), and senior vice president of Clinical Strategy and Operations offer neurocognitive patient care and research expertise and have achieved digital health and data science-driven success throughout their careers.

Sheela Myers, MD, MS, CPE, is Neuroglee's new CMO. As an experienced neurologist and physician executive, Dr. Myers will enable physicians managing patients with neurologic conditions to maximize the value of Neuroglee's offerings, which include both digital health and remote virtual clinic support from Neuroglee's own multidisciplinary neurocognitive care team. Dr. Myers will guide, educate and support primarily external physicians and other clinicians who have prescribed patients the Neuroglee Connect platform, as well as consult internal clinicians on patient care and quality improvement.

The opportunity to lead the industry in a new care delivery model that combines advanced data science, remote patient monitoring and virtual care to slow the progression of highly complex conditions motivated Dr. Myers to join the Neuroglee management team.

"Neuroglee is the first time I have observed a clear connection between a nonpharmacologic intervention for patients with neurocognitive impairment and an adaptive care model that can slow the decline in disease and give patients hope for improvement," Dr. Myers said. "This is unique in an environment where there has been insufficient access to neurology specialists and a glaring lack of effective treatments for well over 20 years. It is inspiring to see an intervention that can stabilize and prevent disease progression while also supporting patients and care partners in understanding their disease and working together on prevention."

Before joining Neuroglee, Dr. Myers was vice president and CMO at Atrium Health Pineville, a 307-bed advanced tertiary hospital in Charlotte, N.C., and was the regional medical director for Atrium Neuroscience Institute  Neurology. Prior to Atrium, Dr. Myers was a neurologist with Inova Health System. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology and bioethics at the University of Virginia and a master's degree in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown University. After receiving her medical degree from Georgetown, Dr. Myers completed her residency in neurology at Emory University and Georgetown, as well as a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology.

Ramesh Natarajan is Neuroglee's CTO. Natarajan, who has more than 20 years of IT product development and cybersecurity experience, will be responsible for ensuring the performance, reliability, ease of use, security and data privacy of the front end and back end of the Neuroglee Connect digital health platform. On the front end, Natarajan will ensure the user interface is intuitive and engaging to enable a seamless experience for patients and caregivers throughout the multiple therapeutic, diagnostic and educational components of the solution. Natarajan will also drive the continued improvement of Neuroglee Connect's back-end components, including the collection of streaming data from patients' digital therapies, wearables, assessments and other inputs that are fed into a machine-learning (ML)-powered and automated adaptive learning process that supports clinicians in creating the most effective and personalized care plans that also identify interventional opportunities.

Natarajan's development and leadership background is ideally suited to guide the continued improvement of Neuroglee Connect's artificial intelligence (AI) and ML capabilities. Most recently, as vice president of engineering at cybersecurity firm CyGlass, Natarajan created a solution that identifies, detects and responds to threats on networks using an AI and ML engine in the cloud without the need for clients to update software or hardware.

"What attracted me to Neuroglee was how the solution could make such a significant impact on a large and complex health problem that only continues to grow as the last of the Baby Boomer generation reaches age 65 in 2030," Natarajan said. "With no established standard of care, it is up to companies like Neuroglee to offer digital therapies that can, with clinician direction and oversight, help slow the progression of neurodegenerative conditions. Building a digital health platform with the right data management and user design elements that help fulfill our mission will be a tremendously rewarding responsibility."

Natarajan completed his undergraduate studies in computer science and engineering at the National Institute of Technology in Trichy, India. He then went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Pia Banerjee, PhD, is Neuroglee's senior vice president of Clinical Strategy and Operations. As a clinician executive, she will design and oversee Neuroglee's clinical care pathway, including creating the patient journey to achieve clinical outcomes as well as optimizing the experience for patients and care partners across the digital therapeutic and virtual clinic solutions. Dr. Banerjee will also lead the reimbursement scaling strategy and scientific approaches so that Neuroglee delivers maximum value to health systems, patients and payers.

Before Neuroglee, Dr. Banerjee was the director of Neuropsychology Research Operations at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, where she led a cross-functional team across program development, operations and patient care for nationwide, longitudinal cognitive health studies of cancer survivors across all ages, including older adults. Dr. Banerjee also launched and scaled telehealth and digital health initiatives across the hospital.

"In researching the mechanisms and trajectories of neurologic conditions, I have seen first-hand how therapeutic options are often limited for patients when cognitive difficulties are first detected," Dr. Banerjee said. "Neuroglee offers options to patients who are experiencing cognitive difficulties at the earliest stages to improve the trajectory of cognitive function, promote emotional and physical health and enhance quality of life. Neuroglee Connect is a personalized approach for managing neurologic conditions and comorbidities that is shown to be very effective and deliver the greatest benefit to patients and care partners."

Dr. Banerjee earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a master's degree and PhD in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her internship and fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at UCLA, specializing in neurological conditions.

"To be able to attract such deeply experienced leaders as Sheela, Ramesh and Pia is an amazing advantage for Neuroglee as we enter the next stage of growth serving a market with significant care gaps for patients with neurodegenerative and other neurologic conditions," said company founder and CEO Aniket Singh Rajput. "Their decades of knowledge and expertise combined with a passionate commitment to improving neurological care will enable us to expand and optimize the life-changing services and experience we offer to patients and their families while also helping providers more efficiently deliver optimal outcomes by reducing the demand on their time and resources."

Learn more about Neuroglee's entire leadership team here.

About Neuroglee

Neuroglee discovers, develops and commercializes personalized evidence-based digital therapeutics (DTx) and virtual care solutions to treat and manage patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The company also is breaking new ground by offering first-of-their-kind virtual specialty care clinics for patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment related to difficult-to-treat conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Using several novel digital biomarkers, Neuroglee's adaptive learning platform leverages machine learning to dynamically and continuously personalize and optimize treatment based on patients' unique cognitive and physical needs. By combining best-in-class cognitive rehabilitation strategies and remote care management, Neuroglee can be used independently or in conjunction with pharmacotherapy to help delay or slow the worsening of symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative conditions. For more information, please visit neuroglee.com.

Media ContactTara StultzAmendola Communications for Neuroglee440-225-9595[email protected]

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SOURCE Neuroglee Therapeutics
NEW YORK , Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent New York City coin collector died before some of his rare pennies will sell at auction for $100,000 or more each later this month. Numismatist and sculptor Stewart Blay was 71. His collection of 162 superb quality Lincoln cents dating back to 1909 has a combined face value of only $1.62 but is expected to sell for over $3 million.

GreatCollections estimates the finest known collection of 162 Lincoln cents may sell at auction for over $3 million.

"My brother began collecting coins when he was eight years old and started assembling the finest known collection of early Lincoln cents about 50 years ago," explained Blay's sister, Mariette Blay of Oregon. "He was extremely proud of his collection and many of the pennies were exhibited at coin shows."

"For the last 20 years, Stewart Blay's 'Red Copper' Lincoln Cent collection was recognized as the top set of its kind. Many of the 162 pennies in the set are more than 100 years old but still in superb, brilliant mint condition. Five of them already have bids between $112,500 and $323,000 each," said Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections in Irvine, California (www.GreatCollections.com).

"Stewart painstakingly purchased each coin one at a time by attending coin shows around the country and hunting down the best of the best," explained Russell.

Blay consigned his coins to GreatCollections just a few weeks before he unexpectedly passed away on November 25, 2022. The auction of his collection is divided into three parts with each ending on Sundays: January 15, 22, and 29.

"The familiar penny design depicting President Abraham Lincoln was introduced into circulation in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Bidding already is at $255,000 for the finest known example of a 1909-dated Lincoln cent struck at the San Francisco Mint with designer Victor D. Brenner's initials, V.D.B., as part of the design on the tail's side," explained Russell.

The coin with the highest current bid of $323,000 is a 1958 Lincoln cent described as "The King of Doubled Dies."

"It is the finest of only three known 1958 U.S. cents that have severe doubling of letters in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST and the word LIBERTY on the front of the coin," explained Russell.

About GreatCollections

GreatCollections, the official auction house of the American Numismatic Association, specializes in auctioning certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 1 million certified coins, making it one of the leading certified coin companies in the United States with annual sales in 2022 exceeding $270 million. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and a member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about

GreatCollections, visit www.greatcollections.com or call 800-442-6467.

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SOURCE GreatCollections
Acquisition expands Pavion's footprint in video security and surveillance

CHANTILLY, Va., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pavion (formerly Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc. "CTSI"), a leading provider of agile, integrated systems for fire, safety, security, and critical communications has acquired Short Circuit Electronics, Inc. ("Short Circuit" or the "Company"). The acquisition expands Pavion's footprint in installation, repair, removal, on-site support, and monitoring of on-premise and on-demand video security and surveillance equipment.

It is the eleventh acquisition for Pavion since partnering with Wind Point Partners ("Wind Point") in June 2020.

Pavion, provider of agile fire, safety, security & critical communications systems, expands its video security footprint

Established in 1988, Short Circuit quickly became one of the leading CCTV equipment service providers in the country. The Company's service offerings currently include video security, surveillance, and access control systems installation and service along with equipment removal, refurbishment, and repair. Short Circuit serves more than 40,000 locations across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada from its headquarters in Lee's Summit, Mo.

The acquisition supports Pavion's strategic growth as a systems integrator across three key business units: fire, security, and critical communications. According to President and CEO, Joe Oliveri, the addition of Short Circuit complements Pavion's legacy in providing physical and cyber security and active central monitoring, among other security services.

"Security is already a big part of our business, and one that we're continuously looking to build," Oliveri explained. "Short Circuit adds significantly to the depth and breadth of services we're able to provide throughout North America, which is an important part of our long-term business growth."

"We're thrilled to welcome Short Circuit to the growing Pavion portfolio," said Nathan Brown, Managing Director at Wind Point. "This strategic acquisition enhances our security capabilities while adding further opportunities to serve customers across a broader suite of solutions."

For David Israel, Co-Founder and Vice President of Short Circuit Electronics, the synergy between his business and Pavion was clear from the beginning. "Pavion has a large security practice that's well-aligned to our business and can provide additional security, fire, and integration services to our customers," Israel said. "But it's the company and customer culture that solidified the deal for us. Our core values are the same; both revolve around serving people first and foremost, which was important to us."

Oliveri noted Pavion will continue its strategic acquisition program while investing in integration and optimization in order to best serve customers and fuel growth. Officially launched in October 2022, Pavion unites 12 legacy brands across its three business units: CTSI, DavEd Fire Systems, Collaborative Technology Solutions, The Protection Bureau, Star Asset Security, iON247, AFA Protective Systems, Structure Works, Enterprise Security Solutions, Systems Electronics, Firecom and now, Short Circuit Electronics.

Barry Epstein of Vertex Capital was the sole advisor to Short Circuit on the transaction.

About Pavion

Pavion connects and protects by providing fire, security, and communication integration solutions to customers in 41 U.S. locations and 22 countries. The company brings industry-leading experience to clients in the enterprise, healthcare, education, government, data center and retail industries. Its mission is to bring clarity and transformation to safety, security and communication through integral technology and radical service. Learn more at Pavion.com.

About Wind Point Partners

Wind Point Partners is a Chicago-based private equity investment firm with approximately $5 billion in assets under management. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top-caliber management teams to acquire wellpositioned middle market businesses where it can establish a clear path to value creation. The firm targets investments in the consumer products, industrial products and business services sectors. Wind Point is currently investing out of Wind Point Partners X, a fund that was initiated in 2022. Additional information on Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.

About Short Circuit Electronics, Inc.

Short Circuit Electronics, Inc. provides video security systems installation, equipment removal and refurbishment, and repair; phone and field support; It serves more than 40,000 locations across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada from its headquarters in Lee's Summit, Mo. Visit shortcircuitinc.com for more information.

Pavion.com | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Media Contact:Lauren Doyle | 937-241-8378 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Pavion
Schools taking action to improve indoor air quality (IAQ)

Improved IAQ has a significant impact on the academic performance of students

BPA Solutions offers services and products to help schools enact IAQ strategies

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SinglePoint Inc.'s subsidiary, BPA Solutions, recognizes the potential for schools to promote healthier learning environments through better indoor air quality as students and staff return for the start of the new semester. Improving the quality of indoor air (IAQ) within school facilities as soon as possible can promote healthier breathing and improved cognitive function, result in higher test scores, diminish illness triggers, and reduce overall absenteeism.

School buildings are often some of the most populated facilities in the nation, with four times as many people indoors as other spaces with similar floor plans. As such, buildings with inadequate ventilation and filtration methods, as well as little purification technology, can become breeding grounds for air pollutants such as mold, particulates, and infectious diseases. These pollutants can exacerbate conditions such as allergies and asthma, affecting nearly 1 in 13 school children and becoming a leading source of school absenteeism. Despite their physical development, minors are more susceptible to changes within their air environments; Bettering IAQ is an investment in protecting student health and building more comfortable academic settings.

To achieve awareness of IAQ and strategies that promote clean indoor air, the federal government has provided various resources for school officials to access. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has compiled the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit to give guidelines and management plans that can help improve indoor air quality in schools. Congress has approved billions through the American Rescue Plan, ESSER funds, and the ARP EANS program to enable upgrades and systemwide modifications for school buildings. On average, school buildings are about 50 years old, and with their HVAC systems often reflecting their age, IAQ improvements are necessary and valuable.

Students and staff, returning from winter break, should be able to fully engage in learning that is underpinned by fundamental and positive changes to their air environments; this is particularly done by improving methods of ventilation and filtration as well as the use of portable air purification units. These upgrades can clean the air of spores, smoke, exhaust fumes, and airborne diseases like COVID-19. Increasing learning, attention, and performance should be an immediate priority for any school system.

As a premier provider of healthy solutions and a clean air consultant, BPA Solutions can help school districts navigate government funding, IAQ protection plans, and related products to provide clean air throughout school buildings. Thus far, the Company has supplied thousands of units through multiple states and worked with schools to obtain federal and state funding. Over $121 billion are currently available to schools through publicly funded programs to improve indoor air quality, safety, and ventilation.

BPA Solutions can be a cooperative partner in schools' processes to identify, analyze, manage, and solve issues dealing with indoor air quality within an academic infrastructure.

About BPA Solutions

At BPA Solutions, we believe in providing schools and other governmental agencies with products designed to create healthier, safer public gathering places. As we grow, we remain constantly committed to finding new ways we can provide quality resources to communities and the places they gather. To learn more visit, www.bpasolutions.com.

About SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: (OTCQB: SING

SinglePoint is a sustainable lifestyle Company focused on the solar energy and storage and indoor air purification markets. The Company plans to build the largest renewable energy solutions network and modernize the traditional solar energy and energy storage business model. SinglePoint continues to execute its acquisition strategy by exploring future growth opportunities in indoor air purification and ventilation, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's websites: www.singlepoint.com, www.bostonsolar.us, and www.boxpureair.com.

Contact Information[email protected]843.936.6649www.solutionsbpa.com

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SOURCE SinglePoint Inc.
WASHINGTON and SEATTLE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New research suggests that the High Velocity Cloud (HVC) Complex M may be the result of a supernova that blew up about four million years ago. The findings will be featured in the Astrophysical Journal in a paper entitled Radio and Gamma-ray Evidence for the Supernova Origin of High Velocity Cloud Complex M: Schmelz, J.T. (2022), Verschuur, G.L. and presented at a press conference at the 241st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society held in Seattle, Washington in January 2023.

Radio data from the 100-m telescope in Effelsberg, Germany and g-ray data from the NASA's Imaging Compton Telescope (COMPTEL) reveal a cavity of interstellar neutral hydrogen gas centered at galactic coordinates (l, b) ~ (150, 50) with a radius of about 33. The best view of the cavity is at a velocity of -25 km/s (see Fig 1), which shows a circular cross section on the back (receding) face of this cavity. Complex M is on the front (approaching) face. The cavity is also visible in 1-30 MeV g-ray emission (Fig 2).

"The supernova that created this cavity would also sweep up nearby hydrogen gas," said Joan Schmelz, an astronomer at USRA and the lead author on a recent paper describing the new results. "Complex M may have ridden the blast wave to reach the observed high velocities."

Attempts to explain the origin and energy of HVCs go back to the early days of radio astronomy in the 1960s when researchers discovered huge clouds of interstellar hydrogen gas whose velocities did not conform with the regular rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy. Promising models included condensations in the hot galactic halo, parts of the outer spiral structure, return flows in a galactic fountain, infall to the Galaxy, and fallout from the Perseus super-shell. With the notable exception of the Magellanic Stream, which was torn out of the Magellanic Clouds in a tidal interaction with the Milky Way, the debate over the origin stories for HVCs continues.

Although supernovae were considered as the source of HVC energy, they were rejected based on the evidence available at the time from optical absorption studies that placed the HVC at kiloparsec distances, thereby making the energy considerations unlikely.

Using the know distance to Complex M, 150 pc, and assuming that the cavity is spherical, researchers were able to bootstrap the distance to the original, explosive source of the cavity, D = 307 pc, calculate the radius of the cavity, R = 166 pc, and approximate the expansion velocity, vE ~ 40 km/s, of the cavity. The total energy of the expanding cavity is 3.0  1.0  1050 ergs, well within the range of a single supernova.

As the blast wave from this supernova propagated outwards, it began to sweep up interstellar gas and carved out the Local Chimney, a low-density extension of the Local Bubble that reaches into the galactic halo.

"The source of the explosion might be an isolated neutron star," said Gerrit Verschuur, a co-author on the paper who has been studying HVCs for much of his career, "but finding it would be like searching for an invisible needle in a haystack."

Although the detection of this elusive neutron star would be solid evidence in support of the supernova model, the very existence of the cavity as well as the physical parameters that result assuming the new nearby (at lease astronomically speaking) distance, make this scenario a viable contender for the origin story of Complex M.

About USRA

the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.

 2022 Universities Space Research Association

425 3rd Street SW, Suite 950, Washington DC, 20024

PR Contact:

Suraiya Farukhi [email protected] 443-812-6945

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SOURCE Universities Space Research Association
The invention that was shared with the world: Experts came together quickly in early 2020 to create a 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swab. Today, more than 100 million swabs have been produced across the globe using this USF-patented design, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is honoring the USF Health team Feb. 16, 2023.

Media assets (credit USF Health): https://usf.app.box.com/s/cvmsdo4i9yx5wd9ad7wevdihna624xfe

TAMPA, Fla. SOMERVILLE, Mass. and NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Florida (USF) has been awarded the Patents for Humanity award by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent of the 3D-printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, created in the early part of the pandemic as a solution to the disrupted commercial production of standard flocked NP swabs critical in diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

USF is among an exclusive group of winners receiving this year's Patents for Humanity awards, being named alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the NIH, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences Inc., and Caron Products. All will be honored by the USPTO at an awards ceremony on February 16, 2023.

USF is earning this recognition for its innovative solution to the commercial NP swab shortage. Due to the urgent need worldwide, the 3D-printed NP swab team decided to forgo monetization of their invention and provided the design files and clinical data at no cost to hospitals, clinics and licensed medical device companies around the world as long as the swabs were produced for their own use.

Over the span of one week in March 2020, teams from USF Health, Northwell Health, Tampa General Hospital, and Formlabs worked together to develop a 3D printed swab prototype using Formlabs' 3D printers and biocompatible (not harmful), autoclavable materials (able to withstand elevated temperature and pressure of an autoclave). The prototypes were then benchmarked against standard flocked swabs for viral sample retention in the laboratory and tested for patient safety and comfort by USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine researchers. After passing these tests, the teams initiated a multisite clinical trial at dozens of hospital sites across the United States, including Tampa General Hospital, Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, comparing performance of the 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swabs with flocked swabs.

From that point on, the USF/Northwell design was shared with hospitals, health systems, the military, and clinics around the globe. To date, the USF-patented design for the 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swab has been shared with institutions in more than 60 countries that have produced more than 100 million swabs.

"I am so proud of how our USF Health team stepped forward to combine their expertise and innovation with the teams from Tampa General Hospital, Formlabs and Northwell Health to help save lives around the world," said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president for USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and executive vice president and chief academic officer at Tampa General Hospital. "This recognition by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office validates both the tremendous power of academic medicine, especially during a crisis, and the values and commitment these teams have for contributing to the greater good."

"Our goal from the start was to help as many people as possible, as fast and safely as possible," said Summer Decker, PhD, professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and director for 3D Clinical Applications in USF Health's Department of Radiology, who led the 3D printed NP swab team. "In order to do that, we assembled a team of experts in our fields and worked together toward a real-world solution. We then made our files public so that any hospital, clinic or health system could print them for their own facilities and get them to the frontline of COVID-19 testing in patients. Only when you know what you are truly facing, in this case COVID-19, can you actually fight it. This swab was a critical, missing component of the global medical community's ability to do just that. We are very humbled by this recognition by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for our efforts and very grateful for this incredible opportunity to help not just USF Health and Tampa General Hospital, but also other hospitals and medical centers throughout the world."

"COVID-19 demanded innovation and collaboration, not only from those on the front lines but across industries," said Todd Goldstein, PhD, director of 3D Design and Innovation at Northwell Health. "It's an honor to receive this recognition from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and we hope that our 3D printed nasal swab design helped alleviate burden during the height of the pandemic and showed what cooperation, even in times of crisis, can achieve."

"We were proud to unite with USF Health, Formlabs and Northwell Health to work quickly and collaboratively to save lives during the height of COVID-19 when swabs were in short supply and in such high demand," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "This recognition is a true testament to not only the power of academic medicine, but the hard work, sacrifice, innovative spirit and perseverance of our clinical teams and their ability to act quickly and think strategically. We are thankful for the partnerships we developed with other health leaders to find innovative and cost-effective solutions to protect the health of our region and beyond."

"With quick thinking and action from USF Health, the global shortage of traditional nasopharyngeal swabs was minimized with an entirely 3D printable design that could be easily printed in health care facilities around the world," said Gaurav Manchanda, director of Medical Market Development at Formlabs. "We were honored to help in this effort and pleased to see the reliability, scalability, and accessibility of our 3D printing solutions put into action. By combining the centralized quality, regulatory, and medical manufacturing expertise at Formlabs with a decentralized production network of global medical customers, local health institutions were able to print and use millions of swabs needed during the shortage. Formlabs is proud to be recognized alongside USF Health, Northwell Health, and Tampa General Hospital in the USPTO Patents for Humanity COVID-19 category."

About the USF Health at the University of South Florida

USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians group. The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success, and generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. For more information, visit health.usf.edu.

About Northwell Health

Northwell Health is New York State's largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals, 850 outpatient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 81,000 employees  18,900 nurses and 4,900 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners  are working to change health care for the better. We're making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Tampa General Hospital

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic medical center, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2022-23 Best Hospitals, and is tied as the third highest-ranked hospital in Florida, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic medical center's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  first nationally in the 2022 America's Best Employers for Women and sixth out of 100 Florida companies in the 2022 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging powered by Tower outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even receive home visits in select areas through TGH Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

About Formlabs

Formlabs is expanding access to digital fabrication, so anyone can make anything. By combining clinically-validated 3D printing technology, in-house QA/RA expertise, accessible pricing, and a wide range of materials, the company enables healthcare professionals, medical device engineers, and life sciences researchers to enhance surgery, device development, orthotics, and cell culture devices. Formlabs has FDA-registered, ISO 13485 certified manufacturing facilities and a wide range of biocompatible, sterilizable materials made for both SLA and SLS print engines, enabling large-scale medical device production. Its solutions have been used in thousands of publications and are trusted by the world's leading health systems and medical device manufacturers.

USF Health at University of South Florida media contact: Sarah Worth, [email protected]

Northwell Health media contact: Matthew Libassi, [email protected]

Formlabs media contact: Meredith Chiricosta, [email protected]

Tampa General Hospital media contact: Karen Barrera, [email protected]

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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
THE INDIA FUND, INC.

January 12, 2023

VIA EDGAR

Attention: Filing Desk

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

RE: The India Fund, Inc. (the Fund) (File Number 811-08266)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 17g-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), enclosed for filing on behalf of the Fund please find: (i) a copy of the Funds Financial Institutions Bond, Policy Number B080121822P22 (the Bond); and (ii) a copy of the resolutions approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a Board meeting on October 2, 2022, which authorize the purchase of the Bond in a form and in an amount which is consistent with Rule 17g-1(d) under the 1940 Act.

Premiums have been paid for the period from November 30, 2022 to November 30, 2023. The bond is written for a $1,250,000 limit of liability.

Sincerely, /s/ Megan Kennedy Megan Kennedy, Vice President & Secretary The India Fund, Inc.

Enclosures

1900 Market Street, Suite 200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

THE INDIA FUND, INC.

After discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted at the November 2, 2022 Board meeting at which all of the Board members were in attendance:

RESOLVED, that the officers of the Fund be, and hereby are, authorized to enter into a Directors and Officers / Errors and Omissions insurance policy on substantially the same terms as the expiring policy; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appropriate officers of the Fund are hereby authorized to take or cause to be taken all such action and to execute or cause to be executed such documents as may be deemed by them necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions of the foregoing resolution, and that the taking of any such action shall constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the officer or officers hereunder; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors, including all the Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund (as that term is defined by Rule 2(a)(19) under the 1940 Act), hereby determines that a fidelity bond issued by Axis Specialty Europe SE, covering officers and employees of the Fund for the period November 30, 2022 to November 30, 2023 in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17g-1 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17(g) of the 1940 Act, in the amount of $1,250,000 is reasonable in form and amount, after having given due consideration to the value of the aggregate assets of the Fund to which any such covered person may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of such assets and the nature of the securities in the Funds portfolio; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that each of the officers of the Fund are hereby designated to make all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to give all notices on behalf of the Fund required by paragraph (g) of Rule 17g-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Section B - Crime Policy

Declarations

Policy Number: B080121822P22 Item 1. Named Insured: The India Fund, Inc Principal Address: 1900 Market Street,

Suite 200,

Philadelphia, PA 19103,

United States of America. Item 2. Policy Period: From: 30 November 2022 To: 30 November 2023 both days at 12:01 a.m. local time at the Principal Address stated in Item 1 above. Item 3. Limit of Liability: USD 1,250,000 in the aggregate. Item 4. Single Loss Limit: USD 1,250,000, each Single Loss reducing to: 4.1 USD 50,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.9 (Uncollectable Items of Deposit); 4.2 USD 50,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.10 (Audit Expense); and 4.3 USD 250,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.11 (Unauthorized Signatures) Item 5. Sub-Limits: The following sub-limit applies to the stated cover. Insuring Agreement 1.13 (Fraudulent Retention of Funds or Property): USD 1,000,000 in the aggregate The amount shown above shall be a part of, and not in addition to, the Limit of Liability Item 6. Single Loss Deductible: USD 0, increasing to: 6.1 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.2 (On Premises); 6.2 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.3 (In Transit); 6.3 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.4 (Forgery or Alteration); 6.4 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.5 (Securities);

Page i

6.5 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.6 (Counterfeit Currencies); 6.6 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.7 (Computer or Telephonic Fraud and Malware); 6.7 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.8 (Stop Payment Order Liability); 6.8 USD 5,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.9 (Uncollectable Items of Deposit); 6.9 USD 5,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.10 (Audit Expense); 6.10 USD 5,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.11 (Unauthorized Signatures); 6.11 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.12 (Larceny and Embezzlement); 6.12 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.13 (Fraudulent Retention of Funds or Property); and 6.13 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.14 (Extortion) 6.14 USD 25,000 each Single Loss under Insuring Agreement 1.15 (Fraudulently Induced Instructions) Item 7. Premium: Included in the premium set forth in the Declarations for Section A. Item 8. Amount of Fund Assets: USD 523,400,000 Item 9. Responsible Person: The Named Insureds Chief Compliance Officer (or designated alternate). Item 10. Prior Policy: Section 2 of Investment Company Insurance Policy and Financial Institutions Bond - Policy Number B080121822P21.

Page ii

Section B - Crime Policy

The Insurer hereby undertake and agree, in consideration of the payment, or promise to pay, to the premium specified in the Declarations to indemnify the Insured for Loss Discovered during the Policy Period or the Extended Reporting Period (if applicable), up to an amount not exceeding the Limit of Liability, to the extent and in the manner provided in this policy.

1. Insuring Agreements

1.1 Fidelity

Loss resulting from dishonest or fraudulent acts or Theft committed by an Employee acting alone or in collusion with others.

However, with regards to Loans and Trading, such dishonest or fraudulent acts or Theft must be committed by the Employee with the intent to obtain financial benefit for:

(a) the Employee; or

(b) any person or organization in collusion with such Employee; or

(c) any other person or organization (who were not a counterparty) intended by such Employee to make an improper financial benefit.

As used in this Insuring Agreement, financial benefit does not include any employee benefits earned in the normal course of employment including: salaries, commissions, fees, bonuses, promotions, awards, profit sharing or pensions other than bonuses, commissions or profit sharing paid to an Employee for a specific transaction with which such Employee was involved and in respect of which that Employee had committed a dishonest or fraudulent act covered under this policy.

1.2 On Premises

(a) Loss resulting from the physical loss of, destruction of, damage to, or mysterious unexplainable disappearance of Property while such Property is lodged or deposited within offices or premises located anywhere.

(b) Loss resulting from the loss of or damage to:

(i) furnishings, fixtures, supplies or equipment within an office of the Insured covered under this policy resulting directly from larceny or theft in or by burglary or robbery of such office, or attempt thereat, or by vandalism or malicious mischief; or

(ii) such office resulting from larceny or theft in, or by burglary or robbery of such office or attempt thereat, or to the interior of such office by vandalism or malicious mischief,

provided that:

1) the Insured is the owner of such furnishings fixtures, supplies, equipment, or office or is liable for such loss or damage; and

2) the loss is not caused by fire.

1.3 In Transit

Loss resulting from the physical loss of, destruction of, damage to, or mysterious unexplainable disappearance of Property while such Property is in transit anywhere.

Special Condition

Coverage under this Insuring Agreement begins immediately upon the receipt of such Property by the transporting person or organization and ends immediately upon delivery to the designated recipient or its agent.

Page iii

1.4 Forgery or Alteration

Loss resulting from:

(a) Forgery or alteration of, on or in any Negotiable Instrument (except an Evidence of Debt), Acceptance, Withdrawal Order, receipt for the withdrawal of funds or Property, Certificate of Deposit or Letter of Credit;

(b) transferring, paying, redeeming or delivering funds or Property or establishing any credit or giving any value on the faith of any written or printed instructions, advices, requests or applications directed to the Insured or any Financial Organization acting on behalf of the Insured, which instructions, advices, requests or applications purport to have been signed or endorsed by:

(i) any customer or client of the Insured;

(ii) any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund; or

(iii) any Financial Organization,

but which instructions, advices, requests or applications either bear a signature which is a Forgery or have been altered without the knowledge and consent of such customer, client, shareholder, subscriber Financial Organization;

(c) any Financial Organization transferring, paying, redeeming or delivering funds or Property or establishing any credit or giving any value on the faith of any written or printed instructions, advices requests or applications which instructions, advices, requests or applications purport to have been signed by or on behalf of the Insured or by a Financial Organization acting on behalf of the Insured but which instructions, advices, requests or applications either bear a signature which is a Forgery or have been fraudulently altered.

Special Condition

For the purposes of this Insuring Agreement 1.4, a mechanically reproduced facsimile signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature.

1.5 Securities

Loss resulting from the Insured, or any Financial Organization acting on behalf of the Insured, having in good faith for its own account or for the account of others:

(a) acquired, sold or delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability on the faith of any original:

(i) Certificated Security;

(ii) deed, mortgage or other instrument conveying title to or creating or discharging a lien upon real property;

(iii) Evidence of Debt;

(iv) Instruction to an Issuer; or

(v) Statement of Uncertificated Security,

which

(1) bears a signature of any maker, drawer, issuer, endorser, assignor, lessee, transfer agent, registrar, acceptor, surety, guarantor, or of any person signing in any other capacity which is a forgery; or

(2) is altered; or

(3) is lost or stolen;

Page iv

(b) guaranteed in writing or witnessed any signature upon any transfer, assignment, bill of sale, power of attorney, Guarantee or any items listed in (i) through (v) above;

(c) acquired, sold or delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability on the faith of any item listed in (i) through (v) above which is counterfeit.

Special Condition

For the purposes of this Insuring Agreement 1.5, a mechanically reproduced facsimile signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature.

1.6 Counterfeit Currency

Loss resulting from the receipt or acceptance by the Insured, in good faith, of:

(a) any money orders which prove to be Counterfeit or to contain an alteration; or

(b) any Counterfeit Money of any country.

1.7 Computer or Telephonic Fraud and Malware

Loss resulting from:

(a) Computer or Telephonic Fraud; and/or

(b) the modification or deletion of any Electronic Data or Computer Program due to Malware.

Special Condition

It is agreed that:

1) those Electronic Communications which are transmitted through touch tone telephone communication systems or by telex, TWX or telefacsimile; and

2) all Telephonic Communications,

must be Tested.

1.8 Stop Payment Order Liability

Loss resulting from any and all sums which the Insured shall become obligated to pay by reason of liability imposed upon the Insured by law for damages:

(a) for having either complied with or failed to comply with any written notice of any customer or client of the Insured, any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund or any authorized representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber to stop payment of any check or draft made or drawn by such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber or any authorized representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber; or

(b) for having refused to pay any check or draft made or drawn by any customer or client of the Insured, any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund or any authorized representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber.

1.9 Uncollectable Items of Deposit

Loss resulting from:

(a) payments of dividends or fund shares, or withdrawals permitted from an account of a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund based upon uncollectible items of deposit of a customer, client, shareholder or subscriber credited by the Insured or the Insureds agent to the Mutual Fund Account of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber; or

Page v

(b) any item of deposit processed through an automated clearing house which is reversed by a customer or client of the Insured or a shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund and deemed uncollectible by the Insured.

Loss includes dividends and interest accrued not to exceed fifteen per cent (15%) of the uncollectible items which are deposited.

This Insuring Agreement applies to all Mutual Funds with exchange privileges if all Fund(s) in the exchange program are insured by a National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA for uncollectible items of deposit. Regardless of the number of transactions between Fund(s), the minimum number of days of deposit within the Fund(s) before withdrawal as declared in the Fund(s) prospectus shall begin from the date a deposit was first credited to any Insured Fund(s).

1.10 Audit Expense

Loss resulting from expense incurred by the Insured for that part of audits or examinations required by any governmental regulatory authority or Self-Regulatory Organization to be conducted by such governmental regulatory authority or Self-Regulatory Organization or by an independent accountant or other person, by reason of the discovery of Loss sustained by the Insured and covered by this policy.

1.11 Unauthorized Signatures

Loss resulting from the Insured having accepted, paid or cashed any check or withdrawal order made or drawn on an account of a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund which bears the signature or endorsement of one other than a person whose name and signature is on file with the Insured as a signatory on such account.

Special Condition

The Insured shall have on file signature of all persons who are signatories on such account.

1.12 Larceny and Embezzlement

Loss and costs directly arising from larceny and embezzlement, covering each officer and employee of the Insured, who may singly, or jointly with others, have access to securities or funds of the Insured, either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such securities.

1.13 Fraudulent Retention of Funds or Property

Loss resulting from the Fraudulent Retention by a third party recipient of any funds or Property, as a direct result of:

(a) the misdirection or erroneous transfer of such funds or Property by the Insured or by a Financial Organization acting upon instructions from the Insured, to a third party recipient account other than that actually intended; or

(b) the transfer of such funds or Property by the Insured or by a Financial Organization acting upon instructions from the Insured, to a third party recipient account in an amount greater than that actually intended.

Special Condition

The Insured shall make reasonable efforts to secure the recovery of such funds or Property.

Sub-Limit of Liability

The Insurers maximum aggregate limit of liability under this Insuring Agreement shall be sub-limited to the amount stated under Item 5 of the Declarations.

1.14 Extortion

Loss resulting from the loss of Property surrendered away from an office of the Insured or the transfer of funds as a result of a threat communicated to the Insured:

Page vi

(a) to do bodily harm to a director, officer, trustee or Employee of the Insured, or a relative or an invitee of such director, officer, trustee, Employee, who is, or allegedly is, being held captive or under threat;

(b) to damage the premises, property (including Property) or other assets of the Insured or for which the Insured are legally liable;

(c) to delete or modify the Insureds Computer Programs or the Insureds Electronic Data;

(d) to sell or disclose confidential information to another person or party by reason of having gained unauthorized access to the Insureds Computer System;

(e) to compromise the security, confidentiality or integrity of confidential information stored within the Insureds Computer System;

(f) to cause the Insured to transfer, pay or deliver any funds or property (including Property) by means of a Computer System used or operated by the Insured;

(g) to spread Malware from the Insured's Computer System to the Computer Systems of others;

(h) to interrupt the Insureds normal operations by means of a denial of service attack on the Insureds Computer System.

Special Conditions

It is agreed that prior to the surrender of such Property or transfer of funds:

(i) in relation to the threats set out in sub-clauses (a) through (h) above inclusive - the person receiving the threat has made a reasonable effort to report the extortionists threat to a director of the Insured;

(ii) in relation to the threats set out in sub-clauses (a) and (b) above - a reasonable effort has been made to report the extortionists threat to local law enforcement authorities; and

(iii) in relation to the threats set out in sub-clauses (c) through (h) above inclusive - the aforementioned director is satisfied that the person making the threat is both capable of carrying it out and reasonably likely to do so and that the threatened action is technologically feasible.

1.15 Fraudulently Induced Instructions (Social Engineering Fraud)

Loss resulting from a Fraudulently Induced Instruction.

Special Exclusion

This Insuring Agreement does not cover Loss which is covered by any other Insuring Agreement within this policy.

2. Extensions

2.1 Interpretation

This policy shall be interpreted with due regard to the purpose of fidelity bonding under Rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (i.e., to protect innocent third parties from harm) and to the structure of the investment management industry (in which a loss of Property resulting from a cause described in any Insuring Agreement ordinarily gives rise to a potential legal liability on the part of the Insured), such that the definition of Loss herein shall include an Insureds legal liability for direct compensatory damages resulting directly from a misappropriation, or measurable diminution in value, of Property.

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2.2 Difference in Conditions

If the Insurer is not liable for Loss under this policy, but cover for the same Loss would (but for the time at which such Loss was Discovered) have been available to any Insured based upon the terms, conditions and exclusions of the Prior Policy, then this policy shall provide cover in accordance with the terms, conditions and exclusions of the Prior Policy.

If the amount of any sub-limit or any single loss limit under the Prior Policy for any Loss is greater than any sub-limit or any single loss limit provided by this policy for the same Loss, then the sub-limit or any single loss limit under this policy for such Loss shall be increased to the same amount as that provided under the Prior Policy.

The Declarations shall be deemed to be amended accordingly in accordance with this provision with respect to the relevant Loss.

In no way shall this extension serve to increase the Limit of Liability, and all sub-limits and single loss limits payable under this policy shall be part of, and not in addition to, the Limit of Liability.

3. General Conditions

3.1 Nominees

Loss sustained by any nominee organized by the Insured for the purpose of handling certain of its business transactions and composed exclusively of its Employees shall, for all the purposes of this policy and whether or not any partner of such nominee is implicated in such Loss, be deemed to be Loss sustained by the Insured.

3.2 Additional Exposures

(a) Additional Offices

Except as provided in sub-clause (b) below, this policy shall apply to any additional office(s) established by the Insured during the Policy Period and to all Employees during the Policy Period, without the need to give notice thereof or pay additional premiums to the Insurer for the Policy Period.

(b) Merger or Consolidation

If during the Policy Period, an Insured shall merge or consolidate with an institution in which such Insured is the surviving entity, or purchase substantially all the assets or capital stock of another institution, or acquires or creates a separate investment portfolio, and shall within sixty (60) days notify the Insurer thereof, then this policy shall automatically apply to the Property and Employees resulting from such merger, consolidation, acquisition or creation from the date thereof; provided, that the Insurer may make such coverage contingent upon the payment of an additional premium.

(c) Acquisition or Creation of Funds

(i) If during the Policy Period, an Insured creates or acquires a fund, other than by reason of the events described in sub-clause (b) above; and if the total consolidated assets of such fund are less than or equal to the amount set forth in Item 8 of the Declarations then, subject to all the other provisions of this policy, coverage shall automatically apply to any Loss sustained by that fund.

(ii) If during the Policy Period, an Insured creates or acquires a fund, other than by reason of the events described in sub-clause (b) above; and if the total consolidated assets of such fund are greater than the amount set forth in Item 8 of the Declarations, no coverage shall apply to any Loss sustained by that fund unless the Insured provides the Insurer with full particulars of such acquisition or creation, agrees to any additional premium and/or amendment of the provisions of this policy the Insurer requires and pays any premium required.

(iii) There shall be no coverage for:

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1) any Loss sustained by any such fund resulting from an act committed or an event occurring prior to the consummation of a transaction described in (i) or (ii) above; or

2) any Loss sustained by any such fund resulting from an act whenever committed or an event whenever occurring, which together with an act committed or an event occurring prior to the consummation of such transaction, would constitute a Single Loss.

In no event shall any transaction among Insureds constitute an acquisition or creation of funds.

(d) Fund Name Changes

If during the Policy Period, a fund changes its legal name in accordance with the organizational documents of such fund and, if applicable, in accordance with state law, and such name change does not occur in connection with a transaction described in sub-clauses (b) or (c) above, then such fund shall automatically qualify as an insured fund under its new name, in addition to its prior name.

3.3 Representation of Insured

The Insured represents that the information furnished in the Application is complete, true and correct, to the best of the knowledge of the person who completed such Application.

Any misrepresentation, omission, concealment or incorrect statement of a material fact, in the Application or otherwise, which was deliberately made with the intent to deceive, shall be grounds for the rescission of this policy.

3.4 Joint Insured

If two or more Insureds are covered under this policy, the First Named Insured shall act for all Insureds. Payment by the Insurer to the First Named Insured of Loss sustained by any Insured shall fully release the Insurer on account of such Loss. If the First Named Insured ceases to be covered under this policy, the remaining Named Insured shall agree with the Insurer as to which one of them shall act on behalf of the all of the remaining Insureds (including but not limited to the receipt of any Loss payments). The liability of the Insurer for Loss which the Insurer would have been liable had all such Loss or Losses been sustained by one Insured will not exceed the Limit of Liability.

3.5 Legal Proceedings Against the Insured

The Insurer will indemnify the Insured against court costs and reasonable legal costs, charges, fees, disbursements and expenses incurred and paid by the Insured in defense of any Legal Proceeding.

The Insureds, and not the Insurer, have the duty to defend any Legal Proceeding. The Insurer shall be entitled to effectively associate with the Insured in the defense and the negotiation of any settlement of such Legal Proceeding if it that appears reasonable likely that such Legal Proceeding will involve the Insurer making payment under this policy. The Insured shall provide all reasonable information and assistance required by the Insurer in connection with such Legal Proceeding.

4. Exclusions

This policy does not cover:

4.1 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from forgery or alteration, except when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, 1.4, 1.5 or 1.7.

4.2 Loss due to military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection unless such Loss occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in Insuring Agreement 1.3, and unless, when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge of such riot, civil commotion, military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection on the part of any person acting for the Insured in initiating such transit.

4.3 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from the effects of nuclear fission or fusion or radioactivity.

This exclusion shall not apply to Loss resulting from industrial uses of nuclear energy.

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4.4 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from any director or trustee of the Insured (other than one employed as a salaried, pensioned or elected official or an Employee of the Insured), except:

(a) when performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an Employee; or

(b) while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed by resolution of the board of directors or trustees of the Insured to perform specific, as distinguished from general, directorial acts on behalf of the Insured.

4.5 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from the complete or partial non-payment of, or default upon, any loan or transaction involving the Insured as a lender or borrower, or extension of credit, including the purchase, discounting or other acquisition of false or genuine accounts, invoices, notes, agreements or Evidences of Debt, whether such loan, transaction or extension was procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, fraud or false pretences; except when covered under Insuring Agreements 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7 or 1.15.

4.6 Loss resulting from any violation by the Insured or by any Employee:

(a) of any law regulating:

(i) the issuance, purchase or sale of securities;

(ii) securities transactions upon security exchanges or over the counter market;

(iii) investment companies; or

(b) of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law, unless it is established by the Insured that the act or acts which caused the said loss involved fraudulent or dishonest conduct which would have caused a loss to the Insured in a similar amount in the absence of such laws, rules or regulations,

unless such loss, in the absence of such law, rule or regulation, would be covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, 1.4 or 1.5.

4.7 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from the failure of a financial or depository institution, or its receiver or liquidator, to pay or deliver, on demand of the Insured, funds or Property of the Insured held by it in any capacity, except when covered under Insuring Agreements 1.1, 1.2 or 1.7.

4.8 Loss caused by a dishonest, fraudulent, malicious or criminal act of an Employee, except when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1 or when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.2 or 1.3 and resulting directly from misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance or destruction of or damage to the Property.

4.9 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from transactions in an account of a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund, whether authorized or unauthorized.

This exclusion does not apply:

(a) when such Loss results directly or indirectly from unlawful withdrawal and conversion of Money, securities or precious metals, directly from an account of a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund by an Employee, provided such unlawful withdrawal and conversion is covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1;

(b) when such Loss is covered by Insuring Agreement 1.7.

4.10 damages resulting from any civil, criminal or other legal proceeding in which the Insured is adjudicated to have engaged in racketeering activity, except when the Insured establishes that the act or acts giving rise to such damages were committed by an Employee under circumstances which result directly in a loss to the Insured covered by Insuring Agreement 1.1. For the purposes of this exclusion racketeering activity is defined in 18 United States Code 1961 et seq., as amended.

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4.11 Loss through the surrender of property away from an office of the Insured as a result of a threat:

(a) to do bodily harm to any person, except loss of property in transit in the custody of any person acting as messenger provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge by the Insured of any such threat; or

(b) to do damage in the premises of property of the Insured,

except when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, 1.7 or 1.14.

4.12 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from payments made or withdrawals from an account of a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund involving erroneous credits to such account.

This exclusion does not apply:

(a) when such payments or withdrawals are physically received by such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber or a representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber who is within the office of the Insured at the time of such payment or withdrawal;

(b) when such Loss is covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, 1.7 or 1.15.

4.13 Loss involving items of deposit, which are not finally paid for any reason, including but not limited to Forgery or any other fraud, except when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, 1.7, 1.9 or 1.15.

4.14 Loss resulting directly or indirectly from counterfeiting, except when covered under Insuring Agreements 1.1, 1.5, 1.6 or 1.7.

4.15 loss of any tangible item of personal property which is not specifically enumerated in the definition of Property if such property is specifically covered by other insurance of any kind and in any amount obtained by the Insured.

4.16 loss of property while in the mail.

4.17 loss of potential income, including but not limited to interest and dividends, not received by the Insured because of a loss covered under this policy, except when covered under Insuring Agreement 1.9.

4.18 damages of any type for which the Insured is legally liable, except compensatory damages, but not multiples thereof, arising directly from a Loss covered under this policy.

4.19 all costs, charges, fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by the Insured:

(a) in establishing the existence of or amount of Loss covered under this policy, other than Preparation Costs or except to the extent covered under Insuring Agreement 1.10; or

(b) as a party to any legal proceeding whether or not such legal proceeding exposes the Insured to Loss covered by this policy, except to the extent covered under General Condition 3.5 (Legal Proceedings Against the Insured).

4.20 indirect or consequential loss of any nature, other than Preparation Costs or Verification and Reconstitution Costs or except to the extent covered under Insuring Agreement 1.10.

4.21 loss due to liability imposed upon the Insured as a result of the unlawful disclosure of non-public material information by the Insured or any Employee, or as a result of any Employee acting upon such information, whether authorized or unauthorized, except to the extent covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

Insuring Agreement 1.7 of this policy does not cover any Loss:

4.22 caused by an identifiable Employee or a person or persons in collusion with an identifiable Employee, except to the extent covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

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Prior knowledge by any Employee that a fraudulent or malicious act by any other person or persons, has been or will be perpetrated, shall for the intent and purpose of this policy be deemed to be collusion if such Employee willfully or deliberately withholds knowledge from the Insured of any such act. Such withholding of knowledge from the Insured because of a threat to do bodily harm to any person or damage to the Insureds premises or property shall not be deemed to be or to constitute collusion.

4.23 resulting from the accessing of any confidential information.

This exclusion shall not apply:

(a) to the extent that such confidential information is used to support or facilitate the commission of an act covered under this policy;

(b) to the extent that such Loss covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

4.24 resulting from mechanical failure, faulty construction, error in design, latent defect, wear or tear, gradual deterioration, electrical disturbance, Recording Media failure or breakdown or any malfunction or error in programming or errors or omissions in processing.

This exclusion shall not apply:

(a) to the extent that the occurrence of any of the events listed in the above enables the commission of an act covered under this policy;

(b) to the extent that such Loss covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

4.25 by reason of the input of Electronic Data by a third party who had authorized access to an authentication mechanism.

This exclusion shall not apply:

(a) where the third party referred to above obtained access beyond the level for which that third party was authorized;

(b) theft of funds or Property transferred to any third party recipient as a result of any such input, provided there is no collusion between such third party recipient and the person effecting such transfer and that it is a condition of coverage hereunder that the Insured takes all reasonable steps to secure the recovery of such funds;

(c) to the extent that such Loss covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

4.26 resulting from Computer Programs which were corrupted or which contained fraudulent or malicious features at the time of their acquisition from a vendor or consultant, where those Computer Programs were developed for sale to or are sold to multiple consumers.

This exclusion shall not apply:

(a) where no other purchaser of said Computer Programs has notified the same vendor or consultant of the same fraudulent features during a period of sixty (60) days from the date of Discovery;

(b) if, at the time of Discovery, such fraudulent features were contained solely on the Computer Programs sold to the Insured;

(c) if such fraudulent features were inserted subsequent to the date of acquisition by the Insured;

(d) to the extent that such Loss covered under Insuring Agreement 1.15.

5. Loss Discovered

This policy applies to Loss Discovered by the Insured during the Policy Period or the Extended Reporting Period (if applicable).

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6. Aggregate and Single Loss Limits of Liability

6.1 Aggregate Limit of Liability

The Insurers total liability for all Losses discovered during the Policy Period shall not exceed the Limit of Liability. The Limit of Liability shall be reduced by the amount of any payment made under the terms of this policy.

Upon exhaustion of the Limit of Liability by such payments:

(a) the Insurer shall have no further liability for Loss or Losses regardless of when discovered and whether or not previously reported to the Insurer; and

(b) the Insurer shall have no obligation under General Condition 3.5 to continue the defense of the Insured, and upon notice by the Insurer to the Insured that the Limit of Liability has been exhausted; the Insured shall assume all responsibility for its defense at its own cost.

The Limit of Liability shall not be increased or reinstated by any recovery made and applied in accordance with Section 9.3. In the event that a loss of Property is settled by the Insurer through the use of a lost instrument bond, such loss shall not reduce the Limit of Liability.

6.2 Single Loss Limit of Liability

Subject to the Limit of Liability, the Insurers liability for each Single Loss shall not exceed the applicable Single Loss Limit shown in Item 4 of the Declarations. If a Single Loss is covered under more than one Insuring Agreement or Coverage, the maximum payable shall not exceed the largest applicable Single Loss Limit.

7. Notice/Proof - Legal Proceedings against Insurer

7.1 The Insured shall give written notice to the Insurer of any Loss as soon as reasonably practicable after it has been Discovered and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of the Policy Period.

7.2 The requirement contained in sub-clause 7.1 above to give notice of a Loss shall be suspended and of no effect and/or modified (as the case may be) if such notice is in respect of a Restricted Notification.

The suspension and/or modification of the requirement to notify the Insurer of any Loss under sub-clause 7.1 above in respect of a Restricted Notification shall end when and to the extent that the relevant legal or regulatory prohibition is lifted. Such notification, if permitted to do so by the relevant regulatory, police or prosecuting authority, shall be accompanied by evidence as to why the Insured was initially prevented from disclosing the existence of or details of any Loss to the Insurer. On notification of the Loss (in accordance with the foregoing), such Loss shall be deemed to have been Discovered and the Insurer notified at the time the Responsible Officer first became aware of the Loss.

7.3 Within six (6) months after such Discovery (or, where a Restricted Notification applies, within six (6) months of the Responsible Person first becoming aware that the relevant legal or regulatory prohibition has been lifted), the Insured shall furnish to the Insurer proof of loss, duly sworn, with full known particulars. At the Insureds request, and upon agreement of the Insurer, such period of time shall be extended to permit the Insured more time to determine the amount and/or particulars of its loss.

7.4 Lost Certificated Securities listed in a proof of loss shall be identified by certificate or bond numbers if such securities were issued therewith.

7.5 Legal proceedings for the recovery of any Loss hereunder shall not be brought prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days after the original proof of Loss is filed with the Insurer.

7.6 This policy affords coverage only in favour of the Insured. No suit, action or legal proceedings shall be brought hereunder by anyone other than the named Insured.

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7.7 If the Insured is an institution under the supervision of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, it is understood and agreed that in case of any Loss hereunder discovered either by the Insured or by the Federal Home Loan Bank of which the Insured is a member, the said Federal Home Loan Bank is empowered to give notice of the Loss to the Insurer within the period limited therefore.

8. Valuation

8.1 Deductions

In determining the amount collectible under this policy for any Loss, all funds received and able to be lawfully retained by the Insured from any source whatsoever in connection with any matter from which a claimed Loss has arisen, including payments and receipts of principal, interest, dividends, commissions and the like, whenever received, shall be deducted from the amount actually paid out, advanced, taken or otherwise lost. The value of all property (including Property) received and able to be lawfully retained by the Insured from any source whatsoever in connection with any matter from which a claimed Loss has arisen, whenever received, shall likewise be deducted from the Insureds claimed Loss. It is understood, however, that nothing in this policy shall be construed to mean that a claim is not recoverable hereunder until the amount of such deductions have been ascertained.

8.2 Securities

(i) If Certificated Securities are able to be reissued then the Insured may reissue them, or arrange for them to be reissued, with the prior approval of the Insurer (such approval shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld) and the value of those Certificated Securities shall be the actual cost of their reissue plus any interest charges incurred in doing so.

(ii) To the extent that the Limit of Liability is not exhausted by the Insured in the reissuing of Certificated Securities in accordance with sub-clause 8.2 (i) above, the amount of Loss shall also include any premium required to be paid by the Insured to purchase lost instrument bonds for the reissuing of duplicate Certificated Securities without reference to their total face value.

(iii) The amount of Loss shall also include any sums which the Insured may be required to pay either during the Policy Period or any time thereafter by reason of any lost instrument bonds issued or purchased by the Insured as referred to in sub-clause clause 8.2 (ii) above.

(iv) The Insured shall pay the cost of obtaining such lost instrument bond referred to in sub-clause clause 8.2 (iii) above for that portion of the Loss which falls within the applicable deductible amount or which is in excess of the Limit of Liability remaining available for the payment of Loss.

(v) The Insurer shall reimburse the Insured for the cost of obtaining such lost instrument bond referred to in sub-clause clause 8.2 (iii) above for the amount of Loss which exceeds the applicable deductible amount and is within the Limit of Liability.

(vi) If for any reason it is not possible to re-issue Certificated Securities the value of such Certificated Securities shall be determined by the closing London market value of such Certificated Securities on the day of Discovery of the Loss (or if Discovered during a weekend or national holiday, on the next business day thereafter). The basis of valuation shall include any accrued interest (including coupons), dividends and privileges up to the date of Discovery of the Loss.

(vii) The valuation of Certificated Securities shall include external interest or interest charges up to the date of Discovery of the Loss necessarily incurred by the Insured, or for which the Insured is legally liable, as the direct result of a loss of Certificated Securities covered under this policy.

(viii) In case of a loss of subscription, conversion, redemption or other similar privileges the value of such privileges shall be the closing London market value of such privileges immediately preceding the expiration thereof.

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8.3 Precious Metals

The value of precious metals shall be determined by their average London market value on the day of Discovery of the Loss (or if Discovered during a weekend or national holiday, on the next business day thereafter).

8.4 Electronic Data, Electronic Communications and Computer Programs

(i) To the extent that a Loss comprises solely the cost of reconstituting Electronic Data, Electronic Communications or Computer Programs following the Impairment of such Electronic Data, Electronic Communications or Computer Programs, the valuation of such Electronic Data, Electronic Communications or Computer Programs shall be the cost of labor for the actual transcription or copying in order to reproduce such Electronic Data, Electronic Communications or Computer Programs, including the cost of purchasing a software licence necessary to reproduce such Electronic Data, Electronic Communications or Computer Programs.

If Electronic Data or Computer Programs were purchased from a third party, the valuation of such Electronic Data or Computer Programs shall include the purchase price of that Electronic Data or Computer Programs from that third party if that price is less than the cost of transcription or copying.

(ii) If Electronic Data cannot be reproduced and that Electronic Data represents:

1) securities, or other instruments having a value, then the valuation shall be as indicated in sub-clause 8.2 (Securities) above; or

2) Evidences of Debt, then the valuation of such items shall be as indicated in sub-clause 8.2 (Securities) above; if such Evidences of Debt cannot be valued as indicated in sub-clause 8.2 (Securities) above, then the Evidences of Debt shall be valued in accordance with sub-clause 8.8 (Lending) below. In the event that it is not possible to value the Evidences of Debt as indicated in sub-clause 8.2 (Securities) above or in accordance with in sub-clause 8.8 (Lending) below, then the valuation of such Evidences of Debt shall be the actual monetary value of the debt on the day of Discovery of the Loss (or if Discovered during a weekend or national holiday, on the next business day);

3) Money, then the valuation of such Electronic Data shall be its actual monetary value at the time of the Loss. However, in the event that such Loss is suffered in a currency other than the currency stated in the Declarations, then the valuation of such Electronic Data shall be as indicated in sub-clause 8.9 (Currency Valuation) below.

8.5 Recording Media

The value of Recording Media shall be the replacement cost of Recording Media of the equivalent kind or quality plus the value of any Electronic Data or Computer Programs stored on such Recording Media, as described in sub-clause 8.4 (Electronic Data, Electronic Communications and Computer Programs) above.

8.6 Books of Accounts and Records

The value of books of accounts or other records used by the Insured in the conduct of their business, shall be the cost of blank books, blank pages or other materials plus the cost of labor and computer time for the actual transcription or copying of data which shall have been furnished by the Insured in order to reproduce such books and other records.

8.7 Other Property

In the case of the loss of, damage to, or destruction of any property (including Property) other than as described in sub-clauses 8.2 to 8.6 above, the value of such property (including Property) shall be the actual cash value of such property (including Property) on the day of Discovery (or if Discovered during a weekend or national holiday, on the next business day thereafter).

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8.8 Lending

The value of Lending shall be the amount of monies paid out, advanced or withdrawn by the Insured in relation to such Lending (subject always to sub-clause 8.1 (Deductions) above).

8.9 Currency Valuation

In the event that a Loss is suffered in a currency other than the currency stated in the Declarations, the rate of exchange applicable thereto for the purposes of determining the valuation of Loss shall be the closing mid-spot rate on the London market on the day of Discovery of its Loss (or if Discovered during a weekend or national holiday, on the next business day thereafter).

9. Assignment-Subrogation-Recoveries-Cooperation

9.1 In the event of payment under this policy, the Insured shall deliver, if so requested by the Insurer, an assignment of such of the Insureds rights, title and interest and causes of action as it has against any person or entity to the extent of the Loss payment.

9.2 In the event of payment under this policy, the Insurer shall be subrogated to all of the Insureds rights of recovery therefore against any person or entity to the extent of such payment, provided, however, that the Insurer shall not be subrogated to any such rights or claims one named Insured under this policy may have against another named Insured under this policy.

9.3 Any recoveries (whether effected by the Insurer or by the Insured) shall be applied net of the expense of such recovery in the following order:

(a) firstly to the satisfaction of the Insureds Loss which would otherwise have been paid but for the fact that it is in excess of either the Limit of Liability or the Single Loss Limit;

(b) secondly, to the Insurer as reimbursement of amounts paid in settlement of the Insureds claim, and

(c) thirdly, to the Insured in satisfaction of any deductible amount.

Recovery on account of Loss of securities as set forth in Section 8.2 or recovery from reinsurance and/or indemnity of the Insurer shall not be deemed a recovery as used herein.

9.4 Upon the Insurers request and at reasonable times and places designated by the Insurer the Insured shall:

(a) submit to examination by the Insurer and subscribe to the same under oath; and

(b) produce for the Insurers examination all pertinent records; and

(c) cooperate with the Insurer in all matters pertaining to the Loss.

9.5 The Insured shall execute all papers and render assistance to secure the Insurer the rights and causes of action provided for herein. The Insured shall do nothing after discovery of Loss to prejudice such rights or causes of action.

10. Limit of Liability under this Policy and Prior Insurance

10.1 With respect to any Loss set forth in Section 6 of this policy which is recoverable or recovered in whole or in part under any other bonds or policies issued by the Insurer to the Insured or to any predecessor in interest of the Insured and terminated or canceled or allowed to expire and in which the period for discovery has not expired at the time any such Loss thereunder is Discovered, the total liability of the Insurer under this policy and under such bonds or policies shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the amount carried hereunder on such Loss or the amount owed to the Insured under such other bonds or policies, as limited by terms and conditions thereof, for any such Loss if the latter amount be the larger.

Page xvi

10.2 If the coverage of this policy supersedes in whole or in part the coverage of any other bond or policy of insurance issued by an insurer other than the Insurer and terminated, canceled or allowed to expire, the Insurer, with respect to any loss sustained prior to such termination, cancelation or expiration and discovered within the period permitted under such other bond or policy for the discovery or loss there under, shall be liable under this policy only for that part of such Loss covered by this policy as is in excess of the amount recoverable or recovered on account of such Loss under such other bond or policy, anything to the contrary in such other bond or policy notwithstanding.

11. Other Insurance

11.1 The insurance provided by this policy shall apply as excess over any more specific valid and collectible insurance (except in respect of any insurance specifically written as excess layer insurance to this policy).

11.2 In the event that the amount recoverable from any more specific valid and collectible insurance by the Insured exceeds the amount of the retention under this policy, such retention shall not be applied in calculating the indemnity due from the Insurer under this policy.

12. Ownership

This policy shall apply to loss of Property: (1) owned by the Insured; (2) held by the Insured in any capacity; or (3) for which the Insured is legally liable. This policy shall be for the sole use and benefit of the Insured named in the Declarations.

13. Deductible Amount

The Insurer shall be liable hereunder only for the amount by which any Single Loss exceeds the Single Loss deductible amount for the Insuring Agreement or Coverage applicable to such Loss, subject to the Limit of Liability and the applicable Single Loss Limit.

14. Termination or Cancelation

14.1 This policy terminates as an entirety upon occurrence of any of the following:

(a) sixty (60) days after the receipt by the Insured of a written notice from the Insurer of its desire to cancel this policy; or

(b) immediately upon the receipt by the Insurer of a written notice from the Insured of its desire to cancel this policy; or

(c) immediately upon the taking over of the Insured by a receiver or other liquidator or by State or Federal officials; or

(d) immediately upon the taking over of the Insured by another institution; or

(e) immediately upon exhaustion of the Limit of Liability; or

(f) immediately upon expiration of the Policy Period.

14.2 This policy terminates as to the subsequent acts of any Employee or any partner, officer or employee of any processor  (a) as soon as any Insured, or any director or officer not in collusion with such person, learns of any dishonest or fraudulent act or Theft committed by such person at any time, whether in the employment of the Insured or otherwise, whether or not of the type covered under Insuring Agreement 1.1, against the Insured or any other person or entity, without prejudice to the loss of any Property then in transit in the custody of such person, or (b) fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Insured of a written notice from the Insurer of its desire to cancel this policy as to such person.

14.3 Termination of the policy as to any Insured terminates liability for any Loss sustained by such Insured which is Discovered after the effective date of such termination.

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14.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 14, this policy shall not be canceled, terminated or modified except after written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party and the Securities and Exchange Commission not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of cancelation, termination or modification.

14.5 If the Insured is an institution Insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, termination or cancelation of this policy in its entirety, whether by the Insured or the Insurer, as provided in parts (a) and (b) in the first paragraph of this Section 14, shall not take effect prior to the expiration of ten (10) days from the receipt by the Federal Home Loan Bank of which the Insured is a member of written notice of such termination or cancelation unless an earlier date of termination or cancelation is approved by said Federal Home Loan Bank.

15. Notice Provisions

This policy shall not be canceled or terminated as provided in Section 14, or modified by rider, except after written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party, and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such cancelation, termination or modification.

16. Extended Reporting Period

16.1 If the Insurer or the Insured cancel or decline to renew this policy, the Insured shall have the right, upon payment of an additional premium of sixty per cent (60%) of the Full Annual Premium, to an extended reporting period of one hundred and eighty (180) days or upon payment of an additional premium of one hundred per cent (100%) of the Full Annual Premium, to an extended reporting period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days following the effective date of such cancelation or non-renewal in which to give written notice to the Insurer of any Loss Discovered during such extended reporting period arising out of acts committed or events occurring prior to the end of the Policy Period and otherwise covered by this policy.

16.2 The rights contained in this Section 16 shall terminate, however, unless written notice of such election together with the additional premium due is received by the Insurer within thirty (30) days of the effective date of cancelation or non-renewal. The additional premium for the extended reporting period shall be fully earned at the inception of the extended reporting period. The extended reporting period is not cancelable. The rights contained within this Section 16 shall not apply to any cancelation of this policy resulting from non-payment of premium.

17. Definitions

 Acceptance means a draft, which the drawee has, by signature written thereon, engaged to honor as presented.

 Account Code means a confidential and protected string of characters that identifies or authenticates a person and permits said person to gain access to a Telephone System for the purpose of making long distance toll calls or utilizing voice mail box messaging capabilities or other similar functional features of a Telephone System.

 Application means:

(a) the application for this policy, any attachment to any such application, any other materials submitted with or incorporated into any such application and any documents submitted to the Insurer specifically in connection with the underwriting of this policy; and,

(b) to the extent made by or required of the Insureds:

any public documents filed during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the inception date of this policy by the First Named Insured with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar federal, state, local or foreign regulatory body, and any other written public statement or certification required by law to be made by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or other Executive Officer of the First Named Insured regarding the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such Insureds financial statements, SEC filings, or internal controls; whether or not such public documents, statements or certifications are furnished to the Insurer.

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 Certificate of Deposit means an acknowledgment in writing by a Financial Organization of receipt of Money with an engagement to repay it.

 Certificated Security means a share, participation or other interest in property or an enterprise of the issuer or an obligation of the issuer, which is:

(a) represented by an instrument issued in bearer or registered form;

(b) of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets or commonly recognized in any area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment; and

(c) either one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests or obligations.

 Computer or Telephonic Fraud means:

(a) the Impairment of:

(i) any Electronic Data (including but not limited to any Electronic Data contained in any Electronic Communication); and/or

(ii) any Computer Programs; and/or

(iii) any Uncertificated Security; and/or

(iv) any Electronic Communications on which the Insured, or any Financial Organization or Service Bureau acting on behalf of the Insured, have acted or relied; and/or

(b) the Insured, or any Financial Organization or Service Bureau acting on behalf of the Insured, having acted or relied upon any Electronic Communications or Telephonic Communications, purporting to have been, but were not, sent or made by:

(i) any office or department of the Insured; and/or

(ii) a customer or client of the Insured, any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund or an authorized representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber when acting in that capacity; and/or

(iii) another Financial Organization; and/or

(iv) a Service Bureau;

(c) a Financial Organization, a customer or client of the Insured, any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund or an authorized representative of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber when acting in that capacity or a Service Bureau having acted or relied upon any Electronic Communications or Telephonic Communications, purporting to have been, but were not, sent or made by:

(i) the Insured; or

(ii) another Financial Organization or Service Bureau acting on behalf of the Insured; and/or

(d) the unauthorised use of an Account Code or System Password contained in a Telephone System owned or leased by the Insured, with the intention of directing telephone toll charges onto the Insured.

 Computer Programs means a collection of instructions that describes a task, or set of tasks, to be carried out by a Computer System, including but not limited to application software, operating systems, firmware and compilers.

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 Computer System means a computer and all input, output, processing, storage (including but not limited to cloud computing and off-line media libraries), intranets and communication facilities including related communication or open systems networks and extranets which are connected directly or indirectly to such a device and any internet or media enabled smartphones, televisions and handheld tablet computers or similar devices with similar capabilities, whether data or WiFi enabled.

 Counterfeit means an imitation of an actual valid original, which is intended to deceive and to be taken as the original.

 Custodian means:

(a) any party with which the Insured has a written or electronic agreement for the provision of purchasing services, safekeeping, registration and entitlement records for the Insured;

(b) any regulated central securities depository.

Custodian shall also include a sub-custodian, being any regulated person or organization which:

(i) is involved in the provision of custodial services; and

(ii) has a written or electronic agreement with the custodian detailed in sub-clause (a) or (b) above for the provision of such services.

 Deductible means the amount stated in Item 6 of the Declarations.

 Depository means any securities depository (other than any foreign securities depository) in which a Fund may deposit its securities in accordance with Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 Discovered or Discovery means when any Responsible Person first becomes aware of, or has any knowledge of, any act, omission or event which could reasonably be foreseen to give rise to a Loss covered by this policy, even though the exact amount or details of such Loss, act, omission or event are not known at the time of such discovery.

Discovery also occurs when any Responsible Person first receives notice of an actual or potential claim in which it is alleged that the Insured is liable to a third party under circumstances which, if true would constitute a loss under this policy.

 Electronic Communications means instructions, messages, information or payments that have been, or appear to have been:

(a) transmitted electronically:

(i) through an Electronic Communication System; or

(ii) over the Internet; or

(b) communicated through the delivery of Recording Media.

 Electronic Communication System means any system which permits the electronic transmission of instructions, messages, information or payments, including but not limited to:

(a) any touch tone telephone communication system;

(b) telex, TWX or telefacsimile; and

(c) any Computer System which operates automated teller machines or point of sale terminals.

 Electronic Data means facts or information converted to a form usable in a Computer System or an Electronic Communications System and which is stored on or capable of being stored on Recording Media.

 Employee means:

(a) any of the Insureds officers or employees while performing services for the Insureds offices; and

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(b) any of the officers or employees of any predecessor of the Insured whose principal assets are acquired by the Insured by consolidation or merger with, or purchase of assets or capital stock of, such predecessor; and

(c) attorneys retained by the Insured to perform legal services for the Insured and the employees of such attorneys while such attorneys or the employees of such attorneys are performing such services for the Insured; and

(d) guest students pursuing their studies or duties in any of the Insureds offices; and

(e) directors or trustees of the Insured but only while performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer or employee or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to the property of the Insured; and

(f) any individual or individuals assigned to perform the usual duties of an employee within the premises for the Insured, by any agency furnishing temporary personnel on a contingent or part-time basis; and

(g) each natural person, partnership or corporation authorized by written or electronic agreement with the Insured to perform services as electronic data processor of checks or other accounting records of the Insured; and

(h) any employee or any partner of any named Insured; and

(i) any consultant whilst performing services or duties on behalf of the Insured; and

(j) each officer, partner or employee of:

(i) any Depository or Exchange;

(ii) any nominee in whose name is registered any security included in the systems for the central handling of securities established and maintained by any Depository; and

(iii) any recognized service company which provides clerks or other personnel to any Depository or Exchange on a contract basis,

while such officer, partner or employee is performing services for any Depository in the operation of systems for the central handling of securities; and

(k) each officer, director, trustee, partner or employee of:

(i) an investment adviser;

(ii) an underwriter (distributor);

(iii) a transfer agent or shareholder accounting record-keeper; or

(iv) an administrator authorized by written or electronic agreement to keep financial and/or other required records,

for a Fund, but only while:

(1) such officer, partner or employee is performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer or employee of an Insured; or

(2) such officer, director, trustee, partner or employee is acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to the Property of the Insured; or

(3) such director or trustee (or anyone acting in a similar capacity) is acting outside the scope of the usual duties of a director or trustee.

Employee does not include any officer, director, trustee, partner or employee of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting record-keeper or administrator:

Page xxi

(a) which is not an affiliated person (as defined in section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of a Fund or of the adviser or underwriter of such Fund; or

(b) which is a Bank (as defined in section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940).

 Evidence of Debt means an instrument, including a Negotiable Instrument, executed by a customer or client of the Insured and held by the Insured which in the regular course of business is treated as evidencing the customers or clients debt to the Insured.

 Exchange means any national securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 Extended Reporting Period means the extended reporting period set forth under Section 16 (Extended Reporting Period) of this policy.

 Financial Organization means:

(a) any bank, credit institution, financial institution, undertaking for collective investment in securities, investment firm, stockbroker, asset management company, building society, friendly society, or similar organization;

(b) a regulated investment exchange or automated clearing house.

(c) any Custodian.

 First Named Insured means the entity first named in Item 1 of the Declarations.

 Forgery means the signing of the name of another person or organization with intent to deceive; it does not mean a signature, which consists in whole, or in part of ones own name signed with or without authority, in any capacity, for any purpose.

 Fraudulent Retention means:

(a) the wrongful retention of funds or Property by a third party recipient without contractual or other legal right to such retention;

(b) the inability to recover any funds or Property erroneously transferred into the account of a third party recipient, despite all reasonable efforts to secure such recovery, solely because:

(i) the third party recipient is unknown; or

(ii) such funds or Property have been misappropriated.

 Fraudulently Induced Instruction means any instruction for the purpose of directing or transferring funds or property (including Property) and/or updating Vendor account information communicated to the Insured or an employee of the Insured by:

(a) a natural person purporting to be a director, officer, partner, member, sole proprietor or other employee of the Insured or by an individual acting in collusion with such person to instruct other employees of the Insured to transfer, pay or deliver funds or property (including Property) and/or update Vendor account information, but which instruction was in fact fraudulently transmitted by someone else without the authority and knowledge of such director, officer, partner, member, sole proprietor or other employee of the Insured;

(b) a natural person purporting to be a director, officer, partner, member, sole proprietor or employee of a Vendor or a customer or client of the Insured or a shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund (including but not limited to any director, officer, partner, member, sole proprietor or employee of such customer, client, shareholder or subscriber) or by an individual acting in collusion with such person, but which instruction was in fact fraudulently transmitted by someone else without the authority and knowledge of such director, officer, partner, member, sole proprietor or employee of a Vendor or a customer or client of the Insured or a shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund; or

Page xxii

(c) a natural person purporting to be an authorised representative of any Financial Organization acting on behalf of a Vendor or a customer or client of the Insured or a shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund with authorisation to make such instructions, but which instruction was in fact fraudulently transmitted by someone else without the authority and knowledge of such authorised representative.

 Full Annual Premium means the premium level in effect immediately prior to the end of the Policy Period.

 Fund means any investment company which is specifically listed in this policy or created or acquired during the Policy Period in accordance with sub-clause (c) of General Condition 3.2 of this policy.

Fund shall also include any private entity whose sole purpose is holding or acquiring on behalf of one or more investment companies (as described above) debt or equity investments and/or interests in financial derivatives, either directly or indirectly, including any blocker, feeder or other entity that facilitates the transfer, collection or distribution of funds between or among any Insured Entities and/or investor in an investment company (as described above), including but not limited to controlled foreign corporations. For the avoidance of doubt, Operating Entities are not covered.

 Guarantee means a written undertaking obligating the signer to pay the debt of another to the Insured or its assignee or to a financial institution from which the Insured has purchased participation in the debt, if the debt is not paid in accordance with its terms.

 Impairment means fraudulent, dishonest, malicious or criminal:

(a) preparation; and/or

(b) input; and/or

(c) modification; and/or

(d) deletion,

whether actual or attempted by or at the behest of any person or persons.

 Instruction to an Issuer means a written order to the issuer of an Uncertificated Security requesting that the transfer, pledge or release from pledge of the Uncertificated Security specified be registered.

 Insured means:

(a) the Named Insured; and

(b) any other entity designated as an Additional Named Insured under this policy.

 Insurer means AXIS Specialty Europe SE.

 Legal Proceeding means any legal proceeding brought to determine the Insureds liability for any Loss, claim or damage which, if established, would constitute a collectible Loss under this policy.

 Lending or Loan means any of the following:

(a) all extensions of credit by the Insured and all transactions creating a creditor or lessor relationship in favour of the Insured, including but not limited to transactions by which the Insured assumes an existing creditor or lessor relationship and includes any such extensions of credit, whether authorised or unauthorised; and/or

(b) any note, account, agreement or other Evidence of Debt assigned or sold to, or discounted or otherwise acquired by the Insured, including but not limited to the purchase, discounting or other acquisition of false or genuine accounts or invoices.

 Letter of Credit means an engagement in writing by a Financial Organization or other person made at the request of a customer that the Financial Organization or other person will honor drafts or other demands for payment upon compliance with the conditions specified in the Letter of Credit.

Page xxiii

 Limit of Liability means the amount stated in Item 3 of the Declarations.

 Loss means:

(a) direct financial loss sustained by the Insured and as set out in the policy;

(b) Preparation Costs; and/or

(c) Verification and Reconstitution Costs.

 Malware means any unauthorized, corrupting or harmful software code, including but not limited to computer viruses, ransomware, Trojan horses, keystroke loggers, spyware, adware, worms and logic bombs.

 Money means a medium of exchange in current use authorized or adopted by a domestic or foreign government as a part of its currency.

 Named Insured means the entity(ies) specified in Item 1 of the Declarations.

 Negotiable Instrument means any writing:

(a) signed by the maker or drawer; and

(b) containing any unconditional promise or order to pay a sum certain in Money and no other promise, order, obligation or power given by the maker or drawer; and

(c) is payable on demand or at a definite time; and

(d) is payable to order or bearer.

 Operating Entity means an entity whose primary purpose is to carry on a commercial or industrial enterprise rather than the making, holding, management, realization or disposal of investments or reinvestments of any kind.

 Policy Period means the period of time from the inception date shown in Item 2 of the Declarations to the earlier of the expiration date shown in Item 2 of the Declarations or the effective date of cancelation of this policy.

 Preparation Costs means costs, charges, fees, disbursements and expenses incurred and/or paid by the Insured, with the prior written approval by the Insurer (such approval not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld), for independent outside accountants, solicitors or other specialists or professional persons to determine, or attempt to determine the amount and/or extent of any direct financial loss covered under this policy.

 Prior Policy means the policy identified in Item 10 of the Declarations.

 Property means Money, Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Negotiable Instruments, Certificates of Deposit, documents of title, Acceptances, Evidences of Debt, security agreements, Withdrawal Orders, certificates of origin or title, Letters of Credit, insurance policies, abstracts of title, deeds and mortgages on real estate, revenue and other stamps, tokens, unsold state lottery tickets, books of account and other records whether recorded in writing or electronically, gems, jewelry, precious metals of all kinds and in any form, and tangible items of personal property which are not hereinbefore enumerated.

Property shall include Recording Media.

 Recording Media means the physical components or materials on which Electronic Data or Computer Programs can be recorded.

 Responsible Person means the person(s) stated under Item 9 of the Declarations.

 Restricted Notification means when the Insured is prevented from disclosing the existence of or details of any Loss to the Insurer after it has been Discovered due to any legal or regulatory prohibition imposed by or on behalf of any regulatory, police or prosecuting authority anywhere in the world.

Page xxiv

 Self-Regulatory Organization means any association of investment advisers or securities dealers registered under the federal securities laws, or any Exchange.

 Service Bureau means a natural person, partnership or corporation authorised by written or electronic agreement with the Insured to perform data processing services using Computer Systems.

 Single Loss means all covered Loss, including court costs and legal costs, charges, fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by the Insurer under General Condition 3.5, resulting from:

(a) any one act or series of related acts of burglary, robbery or attempt thereat, in which no Employee is implicated; or

(b) any one act or series of related unintentional or negligent acts or omissions on the part of any person (whether an Employee or not) resulting in damage to or destruction or misplacement of property; or

(c) all acts or omissions other than those specified in (a) and (b) preceding, caused by any person (whether an Employee or not) or in which such person is implicated; or

(d) any one casualty or event not specified in (a), (b) or (c) preceding.

 Single Loss Limit means the amount(s) stated in Item 4 of the Declarations.

 Statement of Uncertificated Security means a written statement of the issuer of an Uncertificated Security containing:

(a) a description of the issue of which the Uncertificated Security is a part;

(b) the number of shares or units: transferred to the registered owner; pledged by the registered owner to the registered pledgee; released from pledge by the registered pledgee; registered in the name of the registered owner on the date of the statements; or subject to pledge on the date of the statement;

(c) the name and address of the registered owner and registered pledge;

(d) a notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer and any adverse claims to which the Uncertificated Security is or may be subject or a statement that there are none of those liens, restrictions or adverse claims; and

(e) the date the transfer of the shares or units to the new registered owner of the shares or units was registered, the pledge of the registered pledgee was registered or of the statement, if it is a periodic or annual statement.

 System Password means a confidential and protected string of characters that identifies or authenticates a person and permits said person to gain access to the Telephone System or any portion thereof in order to perform security functions, system administration or maintenance functions.

 Telephonic Communications means instructions, messages, information or payments made over the telephone or by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or other forms of IP or broadband telephony.

 Telephone System means a private branch exchange, a third party hosted telephony service, voice mail processor, automated call-back attendant or a Computer System with a similar capacity.

 Tested means a method of authenticating the contents of a communication by utilizing:

(a) a valid test key, including but not limited to a digital signature, public key cryptography, asymmetric cryptography or other similar technologies or encryption methods, for the purpose of protecting the integrity of that communication; or

(b) a Personal Identification Number (PIN); or

(c) a call back procedure to an authorised person, other than the individual initiating the communication.

Page xxv

 Theft means robbery, burglary or hold-up, occurring with or without violence or the threat of violence.

 Uncertificated Security means a share, participation or other interest in property of or an enterprise of the issuer or an obligation of the issuer, which is:

(a) not represented by an instrument and the transfer of which is registered upon books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer;

(b) of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets; and

(c) each one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests or obligations.

 Vendor means any entity with which the Insured has a legitimate pre-existing arrangement or written or electronic agreement to provide goods, services or other activities to the Insured.

 Verification and Reconstitution Costs means costs, charges, fees, disbursements and expenses incurred and/or paid by the Insured, with the prior written approval by the Insurer (such approval not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld), for the verification or reconstitution or removal of:

(a) Computer Programs or Electronic Data which have been the subject of Impairment; or

(b) Malware.

 Withdrawal Order means a non-negotiable instrument, other than an Instruction to an Issuer, signed by a customer or client of the Insured or any shareholder of or subscriber to shares issued by any Fund authorizing the Insured to debit the customers, clients, shareholders or subscribers account in the amount of funds stated therein.

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Appendix A  Pre-Approved Legal Counsel

Attaching to and forming part of Policy No. B080121822P22 issued to The India Fund Inc

TBC
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549 ________________ Schedule 14A ________________ Information Required in Proxy Statement

Schedule 14A Information Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  Check the appropriate box:  Preliminary Proxy Statement  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a -6 (e)(2))  Definitive Proxy Statement  Definitive Additional Materials  Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a -12 New Vista Acquisition Corp

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) _________________________________________________________________ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):  No fee required.  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.  Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0 -11 .

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NEW VISTA ACQUISITION CORP 125 South Wacker Drive, Suite 300

Chicago, IL 60606 PROXY STATEMENT FOR EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

OF

NEW VISTA ACQUISITION CORP Dear Shareholders of New Vista Acquisition Corp: You are cordially invited to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting (the  Extraordinary General Meeting ) of New Vista Acquisition Corp, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the  Company ,  New Vista ,  we ,  us  or  our ), to be held on February 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, located at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001 (the Extraordinary General Meeting), or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be postponed or adjourned, or to attend virtually via the Internet. You will be able to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and submit your questions during the Extraordinary General Meeting by visiting www.cstproxy.com/newvistacap/2023 . While shareholders are encouraged to attend the meeting virtually, you will be permitted to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP only if you (i) are fully vaccinated against COVID -19 and show proof of such vaccination, (ii) complete a visitor health form upon arrival and (iii) reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Extraordinary General Meeting by contacting Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, telephone (212) 735 -3000 . The accompanying proxy statement is dated January 12, 2023 and is first being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about January 12, 2023. Please promptly submit your proxy vote by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy, so that your shares will be represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. It is strongly recommended that you complete and return your proxy card before the Extraordinary General Meeting date to ensure that your shares will be represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Instructions on how to vote your shares are on the proxy materials you received for the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Extraordinary General Meeting is being held to consider and vote upon the following proposals: (a) Proposal No. 1  The Extension Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the  Charter ) pursuant to an amendment to the Charter in the form set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company must either (i) consummate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, which we refer to as our initial Business Combination or (ii) cease its operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete such initial Business Combination and (iii) redeem all of the New Vista Class A Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company ( New Vista Class A Shares ), included as part of the units sold in the Companys initial public offering that was consummated on February 19, 2021 (the  IPO ), from February 19, 2023, to February 19, 2024 (the  Extension , such period, the  Extension Period  and such end date, the  Extended Date ); (b) Proposal No. 2  The Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Charter pursuant to an amendment to the Charter as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares to the extent that such redemption would result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 (the  Redemption Limitation ) in order to allow the Company to redeem public shares irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation (the  Redemption Limitation Amendment  and such proposal, the  Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal ); (c) Proposal No. 3  The Liquidation Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Charter as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to permit our Board, in its sole discretion, to elect to wind up our operations on an earlier date (the  Liquidation Amendment  and such proposal, the  Liquidation Amendment Proposal  and, collectively with the Extension Proposal and the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal, the  Charter Amendment Proposals );

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(d) Proposal No. 4  The Trust Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Companys investment management trust agreement, dated as of February 16, 2022, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company ( Continental ) and the Company (the  Trust Agreement ) pursuant to an amendment to the Trust Agreement in the form set forth in Annex B of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate our initial Business Combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion (the  Trust Amendment  and such proposal, the  Trust Amendment Proposal ); and (e) Proposal No. 5  The Adjournment Proposal  as an ordinary resolution, to approve the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of any of the Charter Amendment Proposals (the  Adjournment Proposal ), which will only be presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting if, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting to approve any of the Charter Amendment Proposals. Each of the proposals is more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement, which you are encouraged to read carefully. The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow the Company more time to complete an initial Business Combination. The Charter provides that the Company has until February 19, 2023 to complete an initial Business Combination. While the Company is currently evaluating initial Business Combination opportunities, the board of directors of the Company (the  Board ) has determined that there may not be sufficient time before February 19, 2023 to consummate an initial Business Combination. Therefore, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of our shareholders to extend the date by which the Company must complete an initial Business Combination to the Extended Date. The purpose of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is to eliminate from the Charter the Redemption Limitation in order to allow the Company to redeem public shares, irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation. The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Company to be allowed to effect redemptions irrespective of the Redemption Limitation. The purpose of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal is to amend our Charter to enable the Board, in its sole discretion, to liquidate the Trust Account and dissolve in accordance with law and to redeem all of the New Vista Class A Shares included as part of the units sold in the Companys IPO prior to the scheduled end of the Extension Period (including a date prior to the current termination date), after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to, the prospect of identifying a target and negotiating and consummating a business combination prior to the end of the Extension Period. The purpose of the Trust Amendment Proposal is to allow the Company to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate a business combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion. The Trust Amendment parallels the Charter Amendment Proposals. In connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders may elect to redeem their shares for a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account established in connection with the IPO (the  Trust Account ), including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then -issued and outstanding New Vista Class A Shares, regardless of how such public shareholders vote on the Charter Amendment Proposals or if they vote at all. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved by the requisite vote of shareholders and implemented, the remaining public shareholders will retain their right to redeem their New Vista Class A Shares upon consummation of our initial Business Combination if and when it is submitted to a vote of our shareholders, subject to any limitations set forth in the Charter, as amended. In addition, if the Extension Proposal is approved and implemented, the remaining public shareholders will be entitled to have their shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date, subject to any limitations set forth in the Charter, as amended. Such limitations include that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public shareholder is acting in concert or as a group for purposes of acquiring, holding or disposing of New Vista Shares will be restricted from redeeming its New Vista Class A Shares with respect to more than 15% of the New Vista Class A Shares sold in the IPO. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 15% of the New Vista Class Shares sold in the IPO, then any such shares in excess of that 15% limit would not be redeemed for cash, without our prior consent.

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Based upon the amount held in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2022, which was $277,450,461, the Company estimates that the per -share price at which public shares may be redeemed from cash held in the Trust Account will be approximately $10.05 at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting. The closing price of a New Vista Class A Share on January 11, 2023, was $10.12. The Company cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their New Vista Class A Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares. Pursuant to the Charter, a public shareholder may request that the Company redeem all or a portion of such public shareholders public shares for cash if any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved by the requisite vote of shareholders and implemented. You will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you: (a) (i) hold public shares or (ii) hold public shares as part of units and elect to separate such units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares and (iii) such redemption would not result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 (unless the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is approved and implemented); and (b) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 8, 2023 (two (2) business days prior to the vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting), (i) submit a written request to Continental, the Companys transfer agent, that the Company redeem your public shares for cash and (ii) tender or deliver your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) to the transfer agent, physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company. Any demand for redemption, once submitted to the Company, may not be withdrawn unless the directors of the Company determine (in their sole discretion) to permit the withdrawal of such redemption request (which they may do in whole or in part). If you tendered or delivered your shares for redemption to Continental and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that our transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting our transfer agent at the phone number or address listed under the question Who can help answer my questions? below. Additionally, we will not redeem shares if (i) none of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, (ii) none of the Charter Amendment Proposals are implemented (even if approved), or (iii) the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and redemptions would cause the Redemption Limitation to be exceeded. In any of these scenarios, you will not receive cash for public shares. In the event that the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we receive notice of redemptions of public shares approaching or in excess of the Redemption Limitation, we and/or the Companys sponsor, New Vista Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the  Sponsor ), may take action to increase our net tangible assets to avoid the Redemption Limitation, which may include, at our and our Sponsors option and in our and its sole discretion, any, several or all of the following actions: (a) attempting to secure waivers of certain of our significant liabilities, including the deferred underwriting fees and (b) entering into non -redemption agreements with certain of our significant shareholders. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and the Redemption Limitation is exceeded, either because we do not take action to increase our net tangible assets or because our attempt to do so is not successful, then we will not proceed with the amendments set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement and we will not redeem any public shares. In such case, public shares which a public shareholder elects to redeem but which are not redeemed shall be returned to such public shareholder or such public shareholders account and such public shareholder will retain the right to have their public shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023. Holders of units of the Company must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If holders hold their units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank, as applicable, that they elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if a holder holds units registered in its, their own name, the holder must contact Continental directly and instruct it to do so. Your broker, bank or other nominee may have an earlier deadline by which you must provide instructions to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants in order to exercise redemption rights with respect to the public shares, so you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary. Public shareholders may elect to redeem all or a portion of their public shares even if they vote for the Charter Amendment Proposals.

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If the Extension Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, we will (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem our public shares, at a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest ( less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to New Vistas obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, or, if the Extension Proposal is approved, the Extended Date. Approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Class A Shares and New Vista Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the  New Vista Class B Shares  and together with the New Vista Class A Shares, the  New Vista Shares ) issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal also requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal also requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Trust Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of 65% of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the holders of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, the Company will file an amendment to the Charter with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies (the  Cayman Registrar ) in the form of Annex A hereto to extend the time it has to complete an initial Business Combination until the Extended Date, to remove the Redemption Limitation and to permit the Board to elect to wind up its operations on an earlier date. The Company will then continue to work to consummate an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date. If the Extension Proposal, the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal, the Liquidation Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension is implemented, then in accordance with the Companys Trust Agreement, the Trust Account will not be liquidated (other than to effectuate the redemptions described above) until the earlier of (a) receipt by the trustee of a termination letter (in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement) or (b) the expiration of the Extension Period. Notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the amendment to the Companys Charter with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Redemption Limitation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights.

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THE COMPANYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL, THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, THE LIQUIDATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, THE TRUST AMENDMENT PROPOSAL AND, IF PRESENTED, THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL. The Board has fixed the close of business on January 10, 2023, as the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting (the  Record Date ). Only shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. Further information regarding voting rights and the matters to be voted upon is presented in the accompanying proxy statement. You are not being asked to vote on an initial Business Combination at this time. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares in connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, you will retain the right to vote on an initial Business Combination if and when such transaction is submitted to shareholders and the right to redeem your public shares for cash from the Trust Account in the event a proposed initial Business Combination is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date. If an initial Business Combination is not consummated by the Extended Date, assuming the Extension is implemented, the Company will redeem its public shares. All of our shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting via the Internet at www.cstproxy.com/newvistacap/2023 . To ensure your representation at the Extraordinary General Meeting, you are urged to complete, sign, date and return your proxy card as soon as possible. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank on how to vote your shares. You may revoke your proxy card at any time prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting. A shareholders failure to vote in person or by proxy will not be counted towards the number of New Vista Shares required to validly establish a quorum. Abstentions and broker non -votes will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established but will have no effect on any of the proposals. We believe that each of the proposals is a non -discretionary  matter, and therefore, there will not be any broker non -votes at the Extraordinary General Meeting. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Please sign, date and return your proxy card as soon as possible. You are requested to carefully read the proxy statement and accompanying Notice of the Extraordinary General for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the Extraordinary General Meeting. If you have any questions or need assistance voting your ordinary shares, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC ( Morrow ), our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 662 -5200 , or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658 -9400 . On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank you for your support of New Vista Acquisition Corp. January 12, 2023 By Order of the Board, /s/ Dennis A. Muilenburg Dennis A. Muilenburg Chief Executive Officer and Charmain of the Board of Directors If you return your proxy card signed and without an indication of how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR each of the proposals. TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST (I) IF YOU HOLD NEW VISTA CLASS A SHARES, ELECT TO SEPARATE YOUR UNITS INTO THE UNDERLYING PUBLIC SHARES AND PUBLIC WARRANTS PRIOR TO EXERCISING YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC SHARES, (II) SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER AGENT AT LEAST TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE VOTE AT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF THAT YOUR PUBLIC SHARES BE REDEEMED FOR CASH AND (III) TENDER OR DELIVER YOUR SHARES OF NEW VISTA CLASS A SHARES (AND SHARE CERTIFICATES (IF ANY) AND OTHER REDEMPTION FORMS) TO THE TRANSFER AGENT, PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY USING DTCS

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DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BANK OR BROKER TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS. IN THE EVENT THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS NOT APPROVED OR NOT IMPLEMENTED AND WE RECEIVE NOTICE OF REDEMPTIONS OF PUBLIC SHARES APPROACHING OR IN EXCESS OF THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION, WE AND/OR OUR SPONSOR MAY TAKE ACTION TO INCREASE OUR NET TANGIBLE ASSETS TO AVOID THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION, WHICH MAY INCLUDE, AT OUR AND OUR SPONSORS OPTION AND IN OUR AND ITS SOLE DISCRETION, ANY, SEVERAL OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS: (A) ATTEMPTING TO SECURE WAIVERS OF CERTAIN OF OUR SIGNIFICANT LIABILITIES, INCLUDING THE DEFERRED UNDERWRITING FEES AND (B) ENTERING INTO NON -REDEMPTION AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN OF OUR SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS. IF THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS NOT APPROVED OR NOT IMPLEMENTED AND THE REDEMPTION LIMITATION IS EXCEEDED, EITHER BECAUSE WE DO NOT TAKE ACTION TO INCREASE OUR NET TANGIBLE ASSETS OR BECAUSE OUR ATTEMPT TO DO SO IS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THEN WE WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE AMENDMENTS AND WE WILL NOT REDEEM ANY PUBLIC SHARES IN THE OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. IN SUCH CASE, PUBLIC SHARES WHICH A PUBLIC SHAREHOLDER ELECTS TO REDEEM BUT WHICH ARE NOT REDEEMED SHALL BE RETURNED TO SUCH PUBLIC SHAREHOLDER OR SUCH PUBLIC SHAREHOLDERS ACCOUNT AND SUCH PUBLIC SHAREHOLDER WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR PUBLIC SHARES REDEEMED FOR CASH IF THE COMPANY HAS NOT COMPLETED AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION BY FEBRUARY 19, 2023. This proxy statement is dated January 12 , 2023

and is first being mailed to our shareholders with the form of proxy on or about January 12 , 2023.

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IMPORTANT Whether or not you expect to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting, you are respectfully requested by the Board of Directors to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy promptly, or follow the instructions contained in the proxy card or voting instructions provided by your broker. If you grant a proxy, you may revoke it at any time prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting.

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New Vista Acquisition Corp

125 South Wacker Drive, Suite 300

Chicago, IL 60606 NOTICE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 10, 2023 Dear Shareholders of New Vista Acquisition Corp: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Extraordinary General Meeting of New Vista Acquisition Corp, a Cayman Islands exempted company (which refer to as the  Company ,  New Vista ,  we ,  us  or  our ), will be held on February 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, located at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001 (the  Extraordinary General Meeting ), or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be postponed or adjourned, and will be available to attend virtually via the Internet. You will be able to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and submit your questions during the Extraordinary General Meeting by visiting www.cstproxy.com / newvistacap / 2023 . While shareholders are encouraged to attend the meeting virtually, you will be permitted to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP only if you (i) are fully vaccinated against COVID -19 and show proof of such vaccination, (ii) complete a visitor health form upon arrival and (iii) reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Extraordinary General Meeting by contacting Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, telephone (212) 735 -3000 . The Extraordinary General Meeting will be held to consider and vote on the following proposals: (a) Proposal No. 1  The Extension Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the  Charter ) pursuant to an amendment to the Charter in the form set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company must either (i) consummate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, which we refer to as our initial Business Combination, or (ii) cease its operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete such initial Business Combination and (iii) redeem all of the New Vista Class A Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company ( New Vista Class A Shares ), included as part of the units sold in the Companys initial public offering that was consummated on February 19, 2021 (the  IPO ), from February 19, 2023, to February 19, 2024 (the  Extension , such period, the  Extension Period  and such end date, the  Extended Date ); (b) Proposal No. 2  The Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Charter pursuant to an amendment to the Charter as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares to the extent that such redemption would result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 (the  Redemption Limitation ) in order to allow the Company to redeem public shares irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation (the  Redemption Limitation Amendment  and such proposal, the  Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal  and, collectively with the Extension Proposal, the  Charter Amendment Proposals ); (c) Proposal No. 3  The Liquidation Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Charter as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to permit our Board, in its sole discretion, to elect to wind up our operations on an earlier date (the  Liquidation Amendment  and such proposal, the  Liquidation Amendment Proposal  and, collectively with the Extension Proposal and the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal, the  Charter Amendment Proposals ); (d) Proposal No. 4  The Trust Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Companys investment management trust agreement, dated as of February 16, 2022, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company ( Continental ) and the Company (the  Trust Agreement ) pursuant to an amendment to the Trust Agreement in the form set forth in Annex B of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate our initial Business Combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion (the  Trust Amendment  and such proposal, the  Trust Amendment Proposal ); and

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(e) Proposal No. 5  The Adjournment Proposal  as an ordinary resolution, to approve the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of any of the Charter Amendment Proposals (the  Adjournment Proposal ), which will only be presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting if, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting to approve any of the Charter Amendment Proposals. The above matters are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement. We urge you to read carefully the accompanying proxy statement in its entirety. Approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal also requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Trust Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of 65% of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the holders of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the filing with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Redemption Limitation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights. In connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders may elect to redeem their shares for a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account established in connection with the IPO (the  Trust Account ), including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding New Vista Class A Shares, regardless of how such public shareholders vote on the Charter Amendment Proposals or if they vote at all. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved by the requisite vote of shareholders and implemented, the remaining public shareholders will retain their right to redeem their New Vista Class A Shares upon consummation of our initial Business Combination if and when it is submitted to a vote of our shareholders, subject to any limitations set forth in the Charter, as amended. In addition, if the Extension Proposal is approved and implemented, the remaining public shareholders will be entitled to have their shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date, subject to any limitations set forth in the Charter, as Amended. Such limitations include that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public shareholder is acting in concert or as a group for purposes of acquiring, holding or disposing of New Vista Shares will be restricted from redeeming its New Vista Class A Shares with respect to more than 15% of the New Vista Class A Shares sold in the IPO. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 15% of the New Vista Class Shares sold in the IPO, then any such shares in excess of that 15% limit would not be redeemed for cash, without our prior consent.

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Pursuant to the Charter, a public shareholder may request that the Company redeem all or a portion of such public shareholders public shares for cash if any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved by the requisite vote of shareholders and implemented. You will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you: (a) (i) hold public shares or (ii) hold public shares as part of units and elect to separate such units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares and (iii) such redemption would not result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 (unless the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is approved and implemented); and (b) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 8, 2023 (two (2) business days prior to the vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting), (i) submit a written request to Continental, the Companys transfer agent, that the Company redeem your public shares for cash and (ii) tender or deliver your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) to the transfer agent, physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company. Any demand for redemption, once submitted to the Company, may not be withdrawn unless the directors of the Company determine (in their sole discretion) to permit the withdrawal of such redemption request (which they may do in whole or in part). If you tendered or delivered your shares for redemption to Continental and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that our transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting our transfer agent at the phone number or address listed under the question  Who can help answer my questions ? below. Additionally, we will not redeem shares if (i) none of the Carter Amendment Proposals are approved, (ii) none of the Charter Amendment Proposals are implemented (even if approved), or (iii) the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and redemptions would cause the Redemption Limitation to be exceeded. In any of these scenarios, you will not receive cash for public shares. In the event that the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we receive notice of redemptions of public shares approaching or in excess of the Redemption Limitation, we and/or the Companys sponsor, New Vista Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, may take action to increase our net tangible assets to avoid the Redemption Limitation, which may include, at our and our Sponsors option and in our and its sole discretion, any, several or all of the following actions: (a) attempting to secure waivers of certain of our significant liabilities, including the deferred underwriting fees and (b) entering into non -redemption agreements with certain of our significant shareholders. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and the Redemption Limitation is exceeded, either because we do not take action to increase our net tangible assets or because our attempt to do so is not successful, then we will not proceed with the amendments set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement and we will not redeem any public shares. In such case, public shares which a public shareholder elects to redeem but which are not redeemed shall be returned to such public shareholder or such public shareholders account and such public shareholder will retain the right to have their public shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023. Holders of units of the Company must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If holders hold their units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank, as applicable, that they elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if a holder holds units registered in its, their own name, the holder must contact Continental directly and instruct it to do so. Your broker, bank or other nominee may have an earlier deadline by which you must provide instructions to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants in order to exercise redemption rights with respect to the public shares, so you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary. Public shareholders may elect to redeem all or a portion of their public shares even if they vote for the Charter Amendment Proposals. If the Extension Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, we will (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem our public shares, at a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest ( less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public

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shareholders rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to New Vistas obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, or, if the Extension Proposal is approved, the Extended Date. The Companys sponsor is New Vista Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the  Sponsor ). The Sponsor and the Companys directors and officers have agreed to waive their respective rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account in respect of any New Vista Class B Shares held by it or them, as applicable, if the Company fails to complete an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any New Vista Class A Shares they hold if the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination by such date. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, or, if the Extension Proposal is approved, the Extended Date. The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to Company if, and to the extent, any claims by a third party (other than New Vistas independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (a) $10.00 per public share or (b) such lesser amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the assets in the Trust Account, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Companys indemnity of the underwriters for the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third -party claims. The Company has not independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Sponsors only assets are securities of the Company and, therefore, the Sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. None of the Companys officers or directors will indemnify the Company for claims by third parties, including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. Based upon the amount held in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2022, which was $277,450,461, the Company estimates that the per -share price at which public shares may be redeemed from cash held in the Trust Account will be approximately $10.05 at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting. The closing price of a New Vista Class A Share on January 11, 2023, was $10.12. The Company cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their New Vista Class A Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, such approval will constitute consent for the Company to (i) remove from the Trust Account an amount (the  Withdrawal Amount ) equal to the number of public shares properly redeemed multiplied by the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares and (ii) deliver to the holders of such redeemed public shares their portion of the Withdrawal Amount. The funds remaining in the Trust Account after the removal of such Withdrawal Amount shall be available for use by the Company to complete an initial Business Combination on or before the Extended Date. Holders of public shares who do not redeem their public shares now will retain their redemption rights and their ability to vote on an initial Business Combination through the Extended Date if the Extension Proposal is approved. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and there are significant requests for redemption such that the Companys net tangible assets would be less than $5,000,001 upon the consummation of an initial Business Combination, the Charter would prevent the Company from being able to redeem its public shares. The withdrawal of the Withdrawal Amount will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account, and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be significantly less than the approximately $277,450,461 that was in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2022. In such event, the Company may need to obtain additional funds to complete its initial Business Combination, and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on terms acceptable to the parties or at all.

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Only shareholders of record of the Company as of the close of business on January 10, 2023 (the  Record Date ) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Extraordinary General Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Each of the New Vista Shares entitles the holder thereof to one (1) vote. On the Record Date, there were 34,500,000 New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, including (a) 27,600,000 New Vista Class A Shares and (b) 6,900,000 New Vista Class B Shares. The Companys warrants do not have voting rights in connection with the proposals. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Proxy voting permits shareholders unable to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person to vote their shares through a proxy. By appointing a proxy, your shares will be represented and voted in accordance with your instructions. You can vote your shares by completing and returning your proxy card or by completing the voting instruction form provided to you by your broker. Proxy cards that are signed and returned, but do not include voting instructions, will be voted by the proxy as recommended by the Board. You can change your voting instructions or revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting by following the instructions included in this proxy statement and on the proxy card. It is strongly recommended that you complete and return your proxy card before the Extraordinary General Meeting date to ensure that your shares will be represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. You are urged to review carefully the information contained in the enclosed proxy statement prior to deciding how to vote your shares. If you have any questions or need assistance voting your New Vista Shares, please contact Morrow, our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 662 -5200 , or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658 -9400 . January 12, 2023 By Order of the Board, /s/ Dennis A. Muilenburg Dennis A. Muilenburg Chief Executive Officer and Charmain of the Board of Directors IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 10, 2023 This Notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting and Proxy Statement are available at

www.cstproxy.com/newvistacap/2023.

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NEW VISTA ACQUISITION CORP

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

To Be Held at 10:00 a.m., New York City time on February 10, 2023 This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board for use at the Extraordinary General Meeting of New Vista, and any postponements or adjournments thereof. The Extraordinary General Meeting will be held on February 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, located at One Manhattan West, New York, New York 10001, or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be postponed or adjourned, and will be available to attend virtually via the Internet. You will be able to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and submit your questions during the Extraordinary General Meeting by visiting www.cstproxy.com/newvistacap/2023 . While shareholders are encouraged to attend the meeting virtually, you will be permitted to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP only if you (i) are fully vaccinated against COVID -19 and show proof of such vaccination, (ii) complete a visitor health form upon arrival and (iii) reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Extraordinary General Meeting by contacting Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, telephone (212) 735 -3000 . Each capitalized term used but not defined in this proxy statement has the meaning given to it in the accompanying Notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This proxy statement contains forward -looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  Exchange Act ), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward -looking statements may relate to the Companys initial Business Combination and any other statements relating to future results, strategy and plans of the Company (including statements which may be identified by the use of the words plans, expects or does not expect, estimated, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, targets, projects, contemplates, predicts, potential, continue, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, should, might, will or will be taken, occur or be achieved). Forward -looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward -looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:  the amount of redemptions by our public shareholders;  our being a company with no operating history and no operating revenues;  our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;  our ability to complete our initial Business Combination (as defined above);  our expectations around the performance of a prospective target business or businesses;  disrupted global supply chains and significant volatility and disruption of financial markets;  increased expenses associated with being a public company;  our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial Business Combination;  our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial Business Combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;  the potential incentive to consummate an initial Business Combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for public investors due to the low initial price for the Founder Shares paid by our Sponsor and certain members of our team;  our potential ability to obtain additional financing, if needed, to complete our initial Business Combination;  our pool of prospective target businesses;  our ability to consummate an initial Business Combination due to the uncertainty resulting from the coronavirus (COVID -19 ) pandemic and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, global hostilities, or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases);  the ability of our directors and officers to generate potential initial Business Combination opportunities;  our public securities potential liquidity and trading, including compliance with continued listing standards;  the lack of a market for our securities;  the use of proceeds not held in the Trust Account (as defined above) or available to us from interest income on the Trust Account balance;  the Trust Account not being subject to claims of third parties;  our financial performance;

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Additional information on these and other factors that may cause actual results and the Companys performance to differ materially is included in the Companys periodic reports filed with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the Companys Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including those factors described under the heading  Risk Factors  therein, and the Companys subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10 -Q . Copies of the Companys filings with the SEC are available publicly on the SECs website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained by contacting the Company. Should one (1) or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward -looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward -looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. These forward -looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligations to update or revise the forward -looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING These Questions and Answers are only summaries of the matters they discuss. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully the entire document, including any annexes to this proxy statement. Why am I receiving this proxy statement? This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being sent to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board for use at the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held virtually and in person or by proxy on February 10, 2023, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. This proxy statement summarizes the information that you need to make an informed decision on the proposals to be considered at the Extraordinary General Meeting. New Vista is a blank check company incorporated on December 21, 2020, as a Cayman Islands exempted company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial Business Combination. On February 19, 2021, New Vista consummated its IPO of its units, with each unit consisting of one (1) New Vista Class A Share and one -third of one redeemable warrant to purchase one (1) New Vista Class A Share, which included the full exercise by the underwriters of their over -allotment option in the amount of 3,600,000 units. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, New Vista completed the private sale of 5,680,000 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.50 per private placement warrant to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to us of $8,520,000. Following the closing of New Vistas IPO, a total of $276,000,000 ($10.00 per unit) of the net proceeds from the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants was placed in the Trust Account, with Continental acting as trustee. Our Charter provides for the return of the IPO proceeds held in the Trust Account to the holders of public shares if we do not complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023. The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow the Company more time to complete an initial Business Combination. While the Company is currently evaluating initial Business Combination opportunities, the Board has determined that there may not be sufficient time before February 19, 2023 to consummate an initial Business Combination. Therefore, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of our shareholders to extend the date by which the Company must complete an initial Business Combination to the Extended Date. The purpose of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is to eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares to the extent that such redemption would result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 in order to allow the Company to redeem any public shares redeemed, irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation. The purpose of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal is to amend our Charter to enable the Board, in its sole discretion, to liquidate the Trust Account and dissolve in accordance with law and to redeem all of the New Vista Class A Shares included as part of the units sold in the Companys IPO prior to the current termination date), after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to, the prospect of identifying a target and negotiating and consummating a business combination prior to the end of the Extension Period. The purpose of the Trust Amendment Proposal is to allow the Company to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate a business combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion. The Trust Amendment parallels the Charter Amendment Proposals. What is being voted on? You are being asked to vote on the following proposals: (a) Proposal No. 1  The Extension Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Charter pursuant to an amendment to the Charter in the form set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company must either (i) consummate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, which we refer to as our

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initial Business Combination, or (ii) cease its operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete such initial Business Combination and (iii) redeem all of the Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, from February 19, 2023, to the Extended Date; (b) Proposal No. 2  The Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal  as a special resolution, to amend the Companys Charter pursuant to an amendment to the Charter in the form set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares to the extent that such redemption would result in the Company having net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001 in order to allow the Company to redeem public shares irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation; and (c) Proposal No. 3  The Liquidation Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Charter as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement to permit our Board, in its sole discretion, to elect to wind up our operations on an earlier date; (d) Proposal No. 4  The Trust Amendment Proposal  a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement, pursuant to an amendment to the Trust Agreement in the form set forth in Annex B of the accompanying proxy statement to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate our initial Business Combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion; and (e) Proposal No. 5  The Adjournment Proposal  as an ordinary resolution, to approve the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of any of the Charter Amendment Proposals, which will only be presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting if, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting to approve any of the Charter Amendment Proposals. If the Extension Proposal is approved, we plan to hold another extraordinary general meeting prior to the Extended Date in order to seek shareholder approval of an initial Business Combination and related proposals. You are not being asked to vote on an initial Business Combination at this time. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares in connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, you will retain the right to vote on an initial Business Combination if and when such transaction is submitted to shareholders and the right to redeem your public shares for cash from the Trust Account in the event a proposed initial Business Combination is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date. If an initial Business Combination is not consummated by the Extended Date, assuming the Extension is implemented, the Company will redeem 100% of its public shares. Can I attend the Extraordinary General Meeting? The Extraordinary General Meeting will be held on February 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, located at One Manhattan West, New York, New York 10001, or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be postponed or adjourned, and will be available to attend virtually via the Internet. You will be able to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and submit your questions during the Extraordinary General Meeting by visiting www.cstproxy.com/newvistacap/2023 . The Extraordinary General Meeting will comply with the meeting rules of conduct. The rules of conduct will be posted on the virtual meeting web portal. We encourage you to access the Extraordinary General Meeting webcast prior to the start time. Online check -in will begin fifteen minutes prior to the start time of the Extraordinary General Meeting, and you should allow ample time for the check -in procedures. While shareholders are encouraged to attend the meeting virtually, you will be permitted to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP only if you (i) are fully vaccinated against COVID -19 and show proof of such vaccination, (ii) complete a visitor health form upon arrival and (iii) reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Extraordinary General Meeting by contacting Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, telephone (212) 735 -3000 . You may submit your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre -addressed postage -paid envelope. If you hold your shares in street name, which means

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your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the broker, bank or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares. Why should I vote to approve the Extension? Our Board believes shareholders will benefit from the Company consummating an initial Business Combination and is proposing the Extension to extend the date by which the Company has to complete an initial Business Combination until the Extended Date. The Extension is expected to give the Company the opportunity to complete its initial Business Combination. If the Extension Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, we will (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem our public shares, at a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest ( less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to New Vistas obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, or, if the Extension Proposal is approved, the Extended Date. We believe that the provisions of the Charter described in the preceding paragraph were included to protect the Companys shareholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period if the Company failed to find a suitable initial Business Combination in the timeframe contemplated by the Charter. We also believe, however, that given the Companys expenditure of time, effort and money on pursuing an initial Business Combination and our belief that the Business Combination is in the best interest of New Vista and our shareholders, the Extension is warranted. The sole purpose of the Extension Proposal is to provide the Company with sufficient time to complete an initial Business Combination, which the Board believes is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. A copy of the proposed amendment to the Charter is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A . Our Board recommends that you vote in favor of the Extension Proposal, but expresses no opinion as to whether you should redeem your public shares. Why should I vote to approve the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal? The purpose of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is to eliminate from the Charter the Redemption Limitation in order to allow the Company to redeem any public shares redeemed, irrespective of whether such redemption would exceed the Redemption Limitation. Shareholders are entitled to exercise redemption rights in connection with the proposals to be voted on at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Under the Companys Charter, it cannot consummate an initial Business Combination unless it has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of an initial Business Combination. In addition, if holders of enough of the public shares were to seek redemption rights in connection with the consideration of these proposals, even if the amendments were approved by the requisite vote of shareholders, the Company would not be able to implement the amendments or provide redemption rights as its Charter requires that it must have at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets to do so. The Company believes that these limitations which may prevent it from completing an initial Business Combination are not needed. The purpose of such limitation was initially to ensure that the public shares not deemed to be a penny stock pursuant to Rule 3a51 -1 under the Exchange Act in the event that such public shares failed to be listed on an approved national securities exchange. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and there are significant requests for redemption such that the Companys net tangible

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assets would be less than $5,000,001 upon the consummation of an initial Business Combination, the Charter would prevent the Company from being able to consummate an initial Business Combination even if all other conditions to closing are met. We believe that the provisions of the Charter described in the preceding paragraph were included to protect the Companys shareholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period if the Company failed to find a suitable initial Business Combination in the timeframe contemplated by the Charter. We also believe, however, that given the Companys expenditure of time, effort and money on pursuing an initial Business Combination, and our belief that an initial Business Combination is in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, the Extension is warranted. In connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders may elect to redeem their shares of New Vista Class A Shares for a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount as of two business days prior to the vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting in the Trust Account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then -issued and outstanding shares of New Vista Class A Shares, regardless of how such public shareholders vote on the Charter Amendment Proposals, or if they vote at all. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented, we will not proceed with the Extension if redemptions of public shares cause us to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Proposal, as provided in the Charter. Liquidation of the Trust Account is a fundamental obligation of the Company to the public shareholders and the Company is not proposing, and will not propose, to change that obligation to the public shareholders. If holders of public shares do not elect to redeem their public shares, such holders shall retain redemption rights in connection with an initial Business Combination. Assuming the Extension is approved, the Company will have until the Extended Date to complete its initial Business Combination. Our Board recommends that you vote in favor of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal, but expresses no opinion as to whether you should redeem your public shares. Why should I vote to approve the Liquidation Amendment Proposal? The purpose of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal is to amend our Charter to enable the Board, in its sole discretion, to liquidate the Trust Account and dissolve in accordance with law and to redeem all of the New Vista Class A Shares included as part of the units sold in the Companys IPO prior to the scheduled end of the Extension Period (including a date prior to the current termination date), after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to, the prospect of identifying a target and negotiating and consummating a business combination prior to the end of the Extension Period. Accordingly, the Board believes that it is in the best interests of our shareholders to provide additional flexibility to wind up our operations, in which case we will liquidate the Trust Account and dissolve in accordance with law and to redeem all public shares. If a suitable business combination is timely identified, the Company intends to hold another shareholders meeting prior to the expiration of the Extension Period in order to seek shareholder approval of a potential business combination. Our Board believes that shareholders will benefit from enabling the Board to liquidate the Trust Account and dissolve in accordance with law and to redeem all public shares on a specified date following the effectiveness of the amended charter and prior to the scheduled end of the Extension Period (including a date prior to the current termination date), after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to, the prospect of identifying a target and negotiating and consummating a business combination prior to the end of the Extension Period. Why should I vote to approve the Trust Amendment Proposal? The Companys current Trust Agreement provides that the Company has until 24 months after the closing of the IPO, and such later day as may be approved by the Companys shareholders in accordance with the Companys charter to terminate the Trust Agreement and liquidate the Trust Account. The purpose of the Trust Amendment is to allow the Company to extend the date by which the Company would be required to consummate a business combination from February 19, 2023 to February 19, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by our Board in its sole discretion. The Trust Amendment parallels the Charter Amendment Proposals.

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When would the Board abandon the Extension Proposal? Our Board will abandon the Extension if our shareholders do not approve the Extension Proposal. Additionally, if the Extension is approved but the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented, we are not permitted to redeem New Vista Class A Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001, and we will not proceed with the Extension if redemptions of our shares of New Vista Class A Shares in connection with the Extension would cause us to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Proposal. Additionally, notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the filing with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Redemption Limitation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights. When would the Board abandon the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal? Our Board will abandon the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal if our shareholders do not approve the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal or if our shareholders approve the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal but do not approve the Extension Proposal. Additionally, notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the filing with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Redemption Limitation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights. When would the Board abandon the Liquidation Amendment Proposal? Our Board will abandon the Liquidation Amendment Proposal if our shareholders do not approve the Liquidation Amendment Proposal or if our shareholders approve the Liquidation Amendment Proposal but do not approve the Extension Proposal. Additionally, notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the filing with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Liquidation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights. When would the Board abandon the Trust Amendment Proposal? Our Board will abandon the Trust Amendment Proposal if our shareholders do not approve the Trust Amendment Proposal or if our shareholders approve the Trust Amendment Proposal but do not approve the Extension Proposal. Additionally, notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board may decide to abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Trust Amendment Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to the effectiveness of the filing with the Cayman Registrar. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Trust Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights.

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How do the Company insiders intend to vote their shares? The Sponsor, the Companys directors, officers and initial shareholders and their permitted transferees (collectively, the  Initial Shareholders ) collectively have the right to vote approximately 20% of the Companys issued and outstanding New Vista Shares, and are expected to vote all of their shares in favor of each proposal to be voted upon by our shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Sponsor and the Companys directors, officers and advisors, or any of their respective affiliates, may purchase public shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting, although they are under no obligation to do so. Any such purchases that are completed after January 10, 2023 (the  Record Date ) may include an agreement with a selling shareholder that such shareholder, for so long as it remains the record holder of the New Vista Shares in question, will vote in favor of the proposals and/or will not exercise its redemption rights with respect to the New Vista Shares so purchased. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood that the proposals to be voted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting are approved by the requisite number of votes. In the event that such purchases do occur, the purchasers may seek to purchase shares from shareholders who would otherwise have voted against the proposals and elected to redeem their shares for a portion of the Trust Account. Any such privately negotiated purchases may be effected at purchase prices that are below or in excess of the per -share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. Any public shares held by or subsequently purchased by our affiliates may be voted in favor of the proposals. None of the Sponsor or the Companys directors, officers or advisors or any of their respective affiliates may make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Who is the Companys Sponsor? The Companys sponsor is New Vista Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The Sponsor currently owns 6,684,500 New Vista Class B Shares and is controlled by its managing members  Dennis A. Muilenburg, Kirsten Bartok Touw and Travis S. Nelson. Each of Mr. Muilenburg, Ms. Bartok Touw and Mr. Nelson are U.S. persons. Each of Mr. Muilenburg, Ms. Bartok Touw and Mr. Nelson may be deemed to beneficially own shares held by our Sponsor by virtue of their shared control over our Sponsor. Subject to the other parties involved in our initial Business Combination, the Company does not believe that any of the above facts or relationships regarding the Sponsor would, by themselves, subject our initial Business Combination to regulatory review, including review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), nor does the Company believe that if such a review were conceivable that, based solely on such facts or relationships, such Business Combination ultimately would be prohibited. However, if our initial Business Combination were to become subject to regulatory review and approval requirements, including pursuant to foreign investment regulations and review by governmental entities such as CFIUS, such Business Combination may be delayed or ultimately prohibited. For more information, see the section entitled  Risk Factor  Our initial Business Combination may be delayed or ultimately prohibited if such initial Business Combination is subject to regulatory review and approval requirements, including pursuant to foreign investment regulations and review by governmental entities such as CFIUS . What vote is required to approve the Extension Proposal? Approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. What vote is required to approve the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal? Approval of the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

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What vote is required to approve the Liquidation Amendment Proposal? Approval of the Liquidation Amendment Proposal also requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two -thirds of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. What vote is required to approve the Trust Amendment Proposal? Approval of the Trust Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of 65% of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. What vote is required to approve the Adjournment Proposal? Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the holders of the New Vista Shares issued and outstanding, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who do so in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. What if I want to vote against or dont want to vote for any of the proposals? If you do not want any of the proposals to be approved, you should vote against such proposals. A shareholders failure to vote by proxy or to vote in person at the Extraordinary General Meeting will not be counted towards the number of shares required to validly establish a quorum, and if a valid quorum is otherwise established, such failure to vote will have no effect on such proposals. Abstentions and broker non -votes will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established but will have no effect on either of the proposals. We believe that each of the proposals is a non -discretionary  matter, and therefore, there will not be any broker non -votes at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Will you seek any further extensions to liquidate the Trust Account? Other than the Extension until the Extended Date, as described in this proxy statement, we do not anticipate seeking any further extension to consummate an initial Business Combination. How are the funds in the Trust Account currently being held? With respect to the regulation of special purpose acquisition companies like the Company ( SPACs ), on March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the  SPAC Rule Proposals ) relating to, among other items, disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; the condensed financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including a proposed rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPACs duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. With regard to the SECs investment company proposals included in the SPAC Rule Proposals, while the funds in the Trust Account have, since the Companys initial public offering, been held only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. Treasuries, to mitigate the risk of being viewed as operating an unregistered investment company (including pursuant to the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), the Company may, at any time, instruct Continental to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash until the earlier of the consummation of the Business Combination, the Companys initial business combination and liquidation of the Company.

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What happens if the Extension Proposal is not approved or not implemented? If the Extension Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, we will (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem our public shares, at a per -share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest ( less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to New Vistas obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, or, if the Extension Proposal is approved, the Extended Date. The Sponsor and the Companys directors and officers have agreed to waive their respective rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account in respect of any New Vista Class B Shares held by it or them, as applicable, if the Company fails to complete an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any New Vista Class A Shares they hold if the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination by such date. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023. The Company will pay the costs of liquidation from its remaining assets outside of the Trust Account. What happens if the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented? If the Extension Proposal is approved but the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented, we will not redeem public shares to the extent that, if the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented, accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause us to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets. In the event that the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and we receive notice of redemptions of public shares approaching or in excess of the Redemption Limitation, we and/or the Sponsor may take action to increase our net tangible assets to avoid the Redemption Limitation, which may include, at our and our Sponsors option and in our and its sole discretion, any, several or all of the following actions: (a) attempting to secure waivers of certain of our significant liabilities, including the deferred underwriting fees and (b) entering into non -redemption agreements with certain of our significant shareholders. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and the Redemption Limitation is exceeded, either because we do not take action to increase our net tangible assets or because our attempt to do so is not successful, then we will not proceed with the amendments set forth in Annex A of the accompanying proxy statement and we will not redeem any public shares. In such case, public shares which a public shareholder elects to redeem but which are not redeemed shall be returned to such public shareholder or such public shareholders account and such public shareholder will retain the right to have their public shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination by February 19, 2023. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, what happens next? The Company is continuing its efforts to complete an initial Business Combination. The Company is seeking approval of the Extension because the Company may not be able to complete an initial Business Combination prior to February 19, 2023. If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Company expects to continue evaluating initial Business Combination opportunities in pursuit of entering into an initial Business Combination agreement and seeking shareholder approval of an initial Business Combination. If shareholders approve such initial Business Combination, the Company expects to consummate an initial Business Combination as soon as possible following shareholder approval and satisfaction of the other conditions to the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

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Upon approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals by the required number of votes, or approval of the Extension Proposal by the required number of votes in the event the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented and as a result of the redemptions, the Redemption Limitation is not reached, the Company plans to file an amendment to the Charter with the Cayman Registrar in the form attached as Annex A hereto. The Company will remain a reporting company under the Exchange Act, and its units, New Vista Class A Shares and public warrants will remain publicly traded. Assuming the Extension Proposal is approved, if our Board abandons the Redemption Limitation Amendment, public shareholders will not have their public shares redeemed if the Redemption Limitation is exceeded. If our Board abandons all of the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders will not be entitled to exercise redemption rights. If any of the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and implemented, any removal of any Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account will reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of shares of public held by the Sponsor through the shares of New Vista Class B Shares. If the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is approved and implemented, the Company will redeem public shares irrespective of the prior Redemption Limitation. Only if the Redemption Limitation Amendment Proposal is not approved or not implemented, we will not proceed with the Extension if redemptions of public shares cause us to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Proposal, as provided in the Charter. If the Extension is approved, the Sponsor will continue to receive payments from the Company of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2021, by and between the Company and the Sponsor (the  Administrative Services Agreement ). If (i) the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and we amend the Charter, or (ii) the Redemption Limitation is exceeded, will our securities remain listed on Nasdaq Capital Market following shareholder redemptions? Our public shares, units and warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We are subject to compliance with Nasdaqs continued listing requirements in order to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. Such continued listing requirements for our public shares include, among other things, the requirement to maintain at least 300 public holders, at least 500,000 publicly held shares and the Market Value of Listed Securities (as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5005) of at least $35 million. Pursuant to the terms of our Charter, in connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, public shareholders may elect to redeem their public shares and, as a result, we may not be in compliance with Nasdaqs continued listing requirements. If our securities do not meet Nasdaqs continued listing requirements, Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange. If Nasdaq delists any of our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list such securities on another approved national securities exchange, we expect that such securities could be quoted on an over -the -counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: (i) a limited availability of market quotations for our securities, (ii) reduced liquidity for our securities, (iii) a determination that our public shares are penny stocks which will require brokers trading in our public shares to adhere to more stringent rules, including being subject to the depository requirements of Rule 419 of the Securities Act, and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities, (iv) a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future, and (v) a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business in connection with an initial Business Combination. The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as covered securities. Our public shares, units and warrants qualify as covered securities under such statute. If we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under such statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities. Where will I be able to find the voting results of the Extraordinary General Meeting? We will announce preliminary voting results at the Extraordinary General Meeting. We will also disclose voting results on a Current Re
About Amarin

Amarin is an innovative pharmaceutical company leading a new paradigm in cardiovascular disease management. From our foundation in scientific research to our focus on clinical trials, and now our commercial expansion, we are evolving and growing rapidly. Amarin has offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey in the United States, Dublin in Ireland, Zug in Switzerland, and other countries in Europe as well as commercial partners and suppliers around the world. We are committed to increasing the scientific understanding of the cardiovascular risk that persists beyond traditional therapies and advancing the treatment of that risk.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to U.S. federal securities law, including beliefs about Amarins key achievements in 2022 and the potential impact and outlook for achievements in 2023 and beyond; Amarins 2023 financial outlook and cash position; Amarins strategic direction and actions management has taken to stabilize our U.S. business and position Amarin for growth and value creation; the runway for growth as Amarins strategic focus shifts toward expanding the business in Europe and other international markets; objectives of Amarins cost reduction program and other cash preservation initiatives, Amarins commitment to identifying and rigorously evaluating new highly qualified, independent candidates for Amarins Board of Directors, including full, comprehensive evaluation of Sarissa Capital Management LPs proposed nominees; and the overall potential and future success of VASCEPA (marketed as VAZKEPA in Europe) and Amarin generally. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in Amarin can be found in Amarins filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Amarins annual report on Form 10-K for the full year ended 2021. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Amarin undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. Amarins forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of significant transactions the company may enter into, such as mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or any material agreements that Amarin may enter into, amend or terminate.

Availability of Other Information About Amarin

Amarin communicates with its investors and the public using the company website (www.amarincorp.com) and the investor relations website (investor.amarincorp.com), including but not limited to investor presentations and FAQs, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. The information that Amarin posts on these channels and websites could be deemed to be material information. As a result, Amarin encourages investors, the media and others interested in Amarin to review the information that is posted on these channels, including the investor relations website, on a regular basis. This list of channels may be updated from time to time on Amarins investor relations website and may include social media channels. The contents of Amarins website or these channels, or any other website that may be accessed from its website or these channels, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.

Additional Information
LAS VEGAS (Tribune News Service)  A sergeant with the Nevada Army National Guard in Henderson has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and domestic battery by strangulation of his live-in girlfriend at their Las Vegas apartment.

Sgt. Anthony Bernard Thomas, 38, of the military police, surrendered Friday with the assistance of supervising military officers as he reported for drill formation at the Henderson Armory, the Metropolitan Police Department reported.

Thomas, whom police said also was a security guard at Caesars Palace, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and subsequently bailed out of custody, according to jail records.

Las Vegas officers made the arrest following an investigation into alleged domestic violence incidents reported by Thomas girlfriend on Oct. 22 and Nov. 4, in which the suspect allegedly held his hands on her neck to the point she could not breathe, police said in an arrest report.

In the report, police claimed that, based on the victims statement, Thomas tried to kill another person in the two incidents.

The victim first called police at 2:15 a.m. Oct. 22 to the unit she shared with Thomas at the Emerald Suites extended stay hotel, 9145 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Thomas, she reported, came home intoxicated between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. and began to argue with her, pushed her into the bedroom, threw her on the bed and straddled her, according the arrest report.

She attempted to leave, but the suspect placed both hands around (her) neck and began to strangle (her) until she felt she was going to pass out, police reported.

I literally thought I was going to die, she stated to officers.

She told him, I cant breathe to which he allegedly responded, Youre not going to breathe anymore, police reported.

Her dog then jumped on top of Thomas, who loosened his grip on her, police said. When she threatened to notify police, Thomas left the apartment.

She called police, who noted bruising on her neck that resembled hand and finger imprints.

Detectives from the departments Family Justice Center launched an investigation and phoned the victim on Nov. 4, when she told them of another, more serious attack that occurred two days before, police said.

She reported that in the afternoon of Nov. 2, Thomas was again in a state of drunkenness and that after she asked him to assist her with duties around the apartment, he became agitated, grabbed her and put her on the bed, straddled her and placed his hands on her neck until she briefly fell unconscious and woke up on the floor.

Thomas, still straddling her on the floor with his hands around her neck, said, Die ... die, the victim told police.

The woman later said that she while she still loved Thomas, she had reason to believe he was going to kill her and though she had no money she had decided to leave Las Vegas, according to police.

The victim permitted patrol officers to take digital photos as evidence of marks and bruising to her neck, cuts and scratches elsewhere on her body and her black and bruised eyes, police reported.

Thomas made his initial appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court on Saturday, and a judge ordered him held on $20,000 bail, which he posted, based on court and jail records.

The next hearing in Justice Court on his criminal case has been scheduled for Feb. 8.

jburbank@reviewjournal.com

2023 Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Visit reviewjournal.com .
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, Amnesty Internationals global press office said in a statement.

Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, which has left residents of Nagorno Karabakh without access to essential goods and services. Freedom of movement and protection of economic and social rights for those affected must be ensured, Amnesty Internationals global press office tweeted.

#Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the #Lachin corridor, which has left residents of Nagorno Karabakh without access to essential goods and services. Freedom of movement and protection of economic and social rights for those affected must be ensured  amnestypress (@amnestypress) January 11, 2023

The Lachin Corridor is blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. The corridor is the only travel and supply route for the 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). The blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essential products such as food and medicine prompted Nagorno Karabakh authorities to introduce rationing. Hospitals are keeping planned surgeries on hold. 1,100 residents of Nagorno Karabakh, including 270 children who were in Armenia when the road was blocked are unable to return to their homes.
Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription.

NAPLES, Italy  Some active-duty service members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and faced expulsion from the military say a recent Defense Department announcement rescinding the mandatory inoculation order is a hollow victory.

The action, which was announced this week by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and is required by the defense authorization bill passed last month, doesnt address damage to military careers or restore the faith of service members sidelined by their refusal to take the vaccine, said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Caroline Crumbacker.

It feels like I should be able to take a breath and feel like I got the outcome I wanted, said Crumbacker, who is assigned to Naval Support Activity Naples in Italy and isnt certain whether she will continue her military career past her January 2025 enlistment end date. But at the same time, I cant let my guard down.

Crumbacker and other unvaccinated service members said they felt trivialized and ostracized because of their objections and were sidelined when it came to deployments, training and other opportunities.

The Pentagon directive issued Tuesday lets commanders continue to decide whether unvaccinated service members are assigned or deployed to any country, including those with a vaccine requirement. Such restrictions may limit career progression.

I feel like the next four years would be me trying to undo the past year-and-a-half, two years just to get back to the spot where I was already competitively (for advancement), said Crumbacker, who at one time thought she would complete 20 years in the Navy. Why would I want to stay in an organization that treated me like that when (I) was struggling?

Although Austin rescinded his August 2021 mandate requiring troops to be vaccinated against COVID-19, he made it clear he believed the order was correct, saying the department would continue to promote and encourage the vaccinations.

All commanders have the responsibility and authority to preserve the departments compelling interest in mission accomplishment, Austin stated.

While the memo ended pending involuntary separations for unvaccinated service members who asked for waivers on religious, medical or administrative grounds, it didnt help the thousands already pushed out of the service solely for refusing the vaccine.

Those who were involuntarily separated for vaccination refusal may petition to have an other-than-honorable discharge reviewed, which could allow them to reenlist. But there is no potential for them to return at the level they were at before, a Pentagon spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes on Thursday.

Austin said 96% of all active-duty and reserve service members combined are fully vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective in preventing disease and minimizing the risk of hospitalization or death in immunized people who contract the virus.

A 2022 study found that mRNA vaccines were 90% effective in preventing death from COVID-19 in adults 60 days after they received a second booster shot, according to data on the CDC website.

Many unvaccinated service members who sought waivers saw their requests denied.

For example, the Navy and Army have involuntarily separated 1,639 and 1,851 active-duty service members, respectively, for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the latest data available on their websites.

In addition, 402 Navy reserve sailors have been involuntarily separated for refusing the vaccine. No Army National Guard or Army Reservists have been separated for the same reason, the data show.

Meanwhile, the Navy has approved 16 permanent medical and 51 permanent religious accommodation requests for active-duty and reserve personnel. The Army had approved 65 permanent medical and 123 permanent religious waiver requests as of Dec. 8.

Involuntary separation data for the Air Force wasnt included with its December COVID-19 update.

For the Marine Corps, 3,717 of its members had been separated as of Dec. 1 for refusing the vaccine, according to the services website.

The service had approved 23 waivers on religious grounds and 333 medical or administrative exemptions, according to the data.

Army Sgt. Louis Paulsen, who is assigned to a base near Naples, Italy, said his request for a religious accommodation and subsequent appeal were denied.

Even if there werent consequences, Paulsen, who joined the Army 5 years ago, said he probably wouldnt continue past his 2024 enlistment end date.

He said his faith in the Army has been destroyed because the service didnt follow its requirements when it came to offering the least restrictive means to meet its objectives and accommodate his traditionalist Roman Catholic beliefs.

The Catholic Church deemed the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines morally permissible in 2021 but left room for objections of conscience.

Paulsen said his refusal to take the vaccine wasnt a conscientious objection based on the churchs statements, but rather due to his own religious beliefs and reasoning.

There are means of protecting force health while still accommodating religion," said Paulsen, who named face masks and social distancing as among those options. Those are the least restrictive means other than forcibly having people put something into their body that very seriously compromises their religion in a permanent, nontemporary fashion.

Paulsen also is disappointed that the Defense Department has not indicated a willingness or plan to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination policy or the treatment of vaccine objectors.

Theres no lessons learned here, Paulsen said. This could happen again.

Stars and Stripes reporter Doug G. Ware contributed to this report.
Base tours offer an easy way to see Europe with other members of the military community. Here is a sampling of trips scheduled as of Jan. 13, 2023. Please update this information and add tours by sending an email to Marcus Klockner at kloeckner.marcus@stripes.com.

Belgium

SHAPE TRIPS AND TOURS: Call 06544-3884. Email shapetripsandtours1@gmail.com or visit www.shape2day.com.

Germany

ANSBACH OUTDOOR RECREATION: Feb. 11, Oberstdorf, Feb. 11, $119-$129 adults, $99 children ages 16-18, $89 children ages 5-15; Feb. 17-20, Corvara (Italy), Presidents Day weekend, $399 adults, $249 children ages 14-17, $199 children ages 13 and under. DSN 467-3225/CIV 09802-83-3225 or MWR Central DSN 467-1780 or CIV 09802-83-1780.

BAUMHOLDER OUTDOOR RECREATION: Jan. 21, Black Forest, $69 adults, $49 children; Jan. 28, Amsterdam, $99 adults, $79 children ages 12 and under; Feb. 11, Paris, $99 adults, $79 children ages 11 and under; Feb. 25, Prague, $99 adults, $79 children ages 11 and under; March 4, Epenay (France) champagne tour, $139; March 17-19, Copenhagen, $179-199. DSN 485-7182 or CIV 06783-67182.

GRAFENWOEHR OUTDOOR RECREATION: Jan. 30, March 6, Grafenwoehr, rock climbing; Feb. 14, March 11, ski and snowboard trip, Skiwelt (Austria), $159 adults, $109 children ages 6-15, $49 children ages 5 and under. DSN (314) 475-8529 or CIV 09641-83-8529

KAISERSLAUTERN OUTDOOR RECREATION: Feb. 16-20, delights of Tunisia, $1,199 adults (single room), $999 adults (double room), $849 children ages 3-11, $449 children ages 2 and under; Feb. 16-20, carnival in Venice, $699 adults (single room), $549 adults (double room), $479 children ages 3-11, $199 children ages 2 and under. DSN 493-4117 or CIV 0631-34064117.

RTT TRAVEL RAMSTEIN: Jan. 14, Cochem, castle and medieval dinner, 109 euros; Feb. 17-20, Northern delights, 659 euros; Feb. 24- 27, Arctic igloo adventure, 1109 euros; Call CIV 06371-463650 or see www.RTTtravel.com. RTT FLIGHT TOURS/RAMSTEIN: Call 06371-463650 or see www.RTTtravel.com.

SPANGDAHLEM INFORMATION, TICKETS AND TRAVEL: DSN: 452-6567 or CIV 06565-61-6567.

STUTTGART OUTDOOR RECREATION: Jan. 31, Fishing in Germany: Get your German Fishing License!, $100 per family, $60 per person. DSN 431-2774 or CIV 0703-2774.

WIESBADEN OUTDOOR RECREATION: Jan. 21, recreational shooting, $10-$15; Jan. 31-April 29, hunting course, Wiesbaden, $269; Feb. 18, Black Forest, ski and snowboard, $119-$149; March 18, Muerren (Switzerland) ski and snowboard, $169-$199; April 22, Keukenhof flower parade, $369 adults; $349 children ages 11 and under. DSN 337-5760 or CIV 06117-055760; email usarmy.wiesbaden.imcom-eurospe.list.mwr-outdoor-recreation@mail.mil.

Italy

USO ROME: Daily: 8 a.m., Rome, 36 euros adults, 28 euros ages 2-8; 9:30 a.m., Borghese Gallery, 45 euros adults, 35 euros children; 3 p.m. daily, Love and Death in Rome: 2,700 Years of Scandals, 40 euros adults, 33 euros ages 5-17; daily: 10 a.m., Vatican museums and St. Peters Basilica, 65 euros adults, 46 euros ages 5-17; 9:30 a.m. daily, ancient city (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill), 60 euros adults, 45 euros children ages 5-17; 7 p.m. daily, Rome at Twilight, 29 euros adults, 23 euros ages 5-17; 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily, Underground Rome, 46 euros adults, 38 euros ages 5-17; 2 p.m. daily, catacombs, 45 euros; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Arts and History Elite Walking Tour, 35 euros adults, 28 euros ages 2-12; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Rome by Night with dinner and music, 75 euros adults, 60 euros ages 2-12; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, Jewish Ghetto, Tiberina Island and Trastevere, 35 euros adults, 28 euros ages 2-12; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Baroque Rome and Caravaggio, 35 euros adults, 28 euros ages 2-12; Mondays, Florence (semi-private walking tour), 52 euros adults, 39 euros ages 5-17; call CIV 06-397-27419 or visit www.rome.uso.it.

The Netherlands

SCHINNEN: (+31) (0) 46-443-7561 or DSN 360-7561 or email usarmy.schinnen.imcom-eurospe.list.schinnen-fc@mail.mil.

Spain

ROTA OUTDOOR RECREATION: Jan. 21, Grazalema, hiking El Pinsapar; Jan. 13, Feb. 3, Feb. 17, Granada, ski and snowboard trip; Jan. 28, Pinar de la Algaida, mountain bike ride; Feb. 11, Hiking Garganta del Capitan in Los Alcornocales Natural Park; Feb. 25, bike ride in Olvera; March 11, bike ride in Tarifa; March 18, Via Ferrata Grazalema park. DSN 727-3101 or CIV 095682-3101/3208.

ROTA ITT: Jan. 21, Sevilla historical tour; Jan. 28, Jamon Iberico foodie tour; Feb. 4, Vejer de la Frontera historical tour and Bolonia Roman ruins; Feb. 11, Ronda historical tour; Feb. 19, Cadiz, carnival parade; March 4, Plaza de Toros visit, wine tour and lunch. DSN 727-3101/3208 or CIV 095682-3101/3208.
It feels ghoulish to look for good news in Russias war in Ukraine, given how much misery that conflict has inflicted. But geopolitical tragedies can serve pedagogical purposes. If nothing else, this war has illustrated what a world without American power would look like  and what it looks like when America uses that unmatched power well.

My day job involves teaching Johns Hopkins University undergrads and grad students about international relations. I periodically have to remind myself that one can forgive millennials and members of Gen Z for having a jaded view of Americas global role.

For two decades, the standout events in U.S. foreign policy were costly, failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If youre not old enough to remember the reunification of Germany in 1990 or the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91, you may struggle to think of an international mega-crisis Washington managed with aplomb.

This isnt to give credence to overwrought critiques of American statecraft in the two decades after the Cold War. Many foreign policy successes are invisible, because they involve preventing awful outcomes  perhaps additional, catastrophic terrorist strikes after 9/11; or a global depression in 2008-09  as well as achieving good ones.

But if your consciousness of U.S. foreign policy is bookended by the Iraq invasion in 2003 and the humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, you might wonder whether Washington really knows what it is doing. And if you grew up in a post-Cold War world where the global wars and vicious rivalries of the 20th century seemed like ancient history, you might ask what the value of the American-led international order really is.

The Ukraine War has been doubly enlightening. First, it starkly illustrates just how grim and brutal a post-American world might be. A Ukraine left to its own devices would have quickly succumbed to President Vladimir Putins invasion. It would now be suffering show trials, the execution and imprisonment of its leaders, and harsh punishment of anyone who resisted Russian rule.

The reason so many Eastern European countries have clamored to get into Americas alliance network over the past 25 years is that they understand that the sort of aggression and barbarism we have seen in Ukraine have been the norm for much of human history. Such outrages have simply been suppressed, to an unprecedented degree, by Americas self-interested but comparatively benign leadership since World War II.

Fortunately, the Ukraine war has also offered a timely case study in just how mighty and effective an engaged America can be. President Joe Bidens administration hasnt gotten everything right: Its early assessments of Ukraines will to fight were far too pessimistic, for instance, and its initial efforts to deter Russian nuclear escalation were muddled and confusing. But the overall performance has been pretty good, helping Ukraine thrive in a war it wasnt supposed to survive, and demonstrating that the world wont be truly multipolar anytime soon.

The U.S. intelligence community usually makes news when it gets things wrong. But what other country has an intelligence establishment that could have gotten so much right about events half a world away?

Americas spies sniffed out Putins aggression months in advance and gave Ukraine critical warning on how the invasion would unfold. The U.S. has delivered real-time information that has allowed Kyiv to plan its most effective offensives and carry out its most spectacular strikes. That performance is presumably not lost on President Xi Jinping of China, who now must worry that any bid to attack Taiwan might quickly become the worst-kept secret on earth.

The war is also a testament to the influence Americas global alliance network provides: Washington rallied dozens of advanced democracies in multiple regions to support Ukraine and sanction Russia.

That response, in turn, has advertised Americas capacity to inflict economic pain. The sanctions and export controls that Washington and its friends have imposed may not force Putin out of Ukraine, but they will force his country into a future of stagnation and technological backwardness.

Then there is the contrast between Russian military gear  tanks that combust catastrophically when hit, missiles that dont get close to their targets  and American military equipment. By providing just 20 HIMARS rocket launchers, Washington helped Kyiv turn the tide of Europes largest land war since 1945; one wonders how much damage Ukraine might be doing with 40 of them instead.

None of this slights the performance of the Ukrainians, whose skill, resilience and creativity have been simply awesome. But even here, the war is a useful antidote to some recent American pessimism: Contrary to what one may have thought after the dispiriting denouement in Afghanistan, some U.S. security partners are quite competent and committed after all.

Overconfidence can be deadly, and what has happened in Ukraine is no guarantee that Washington will succeed in the next crisis with Beijing, Moscow or Tehran. But a war in which the U.S. is not even directly involved has provided a vital lesson for America and its rivals: Theres still just one superpower.

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Hal Brands is the Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies, co-author of Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China and a member of the State Departments Foreign Affairs Policy Board. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.
STUTTGART, Germany  Elite U.S. Air Force pararescue troops and other quick-reaction forces were involved in the rescue of two people at an undisclosed location in the Horn of Africa, military officials said Thursday.

The mission, carried out in late December, entailed a sizable force that included an HC-130J recovery aircraft, Guardian Angels from the 347th Rescue Group and combat rescue helicopters, the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing said in a statement.

Alert crews were activated during the pre-dawn hours and responded quicker than the required theater response times, said the Ramstein, Germany-based wing, which has forward-based units in Africa.

The rescue team operated under the command of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group and the Joint Personnel Recovery Center.

The two people rescued were from a partner force, the 435th wing said in a statement. The military declined to say what country the troops were from, but the U.S. provides a wide range of assistance to Somalias military.

In the Horn of Africa, the U.S. operates out of Djibouti, home to Camp Lemonnier, and in neighboring Somalia, where U.S. special operations troops work with forces involved in a decadeslong fight against Islamic militants.

In recent years, U.S. troops also have come under occasional attack in Somalia, where they have operated out of remote military outposts.

The December rescue was in and out of the undisclosed area without incident, the statement said.

Rescuers rushed to the nearest medical facility for surgery, according to the air wing.

The HC-130Js were then called to move the more seriously wounded person to another location for further treatment. Both injured people survived, the wing said.

The rescue unit responds to emergency battlefield situations to return American or partner forces to friendly control, said Lt. Col. Thaddeus Ronnau, regional director of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africas joint recovery center.

While personnel may be behind enemy lines or far from needed support, this team is equipped to travel great distances and fight their way in and out if necessary to make the mission happen, Ronnau said in the statement.
The suspect in the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was "fed up" being repeatedly asked the same questions by a medical specialist while being held for psychiatric evaluation, according to sources.

On Tuesday, the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office completed its about 170-day evaluation of Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, to determine his mental fitness to stand trial.

Yamagami had been sent to prosecutors on charges of murder and violating the Firearms Control Law. The prosecutors intend to indict him on charges of murder and other offences by Friday, when the detention period ends.

According to Yamagami's 77-year-old uncle, many people other than relatives have sent his nephew books, clothing and cash totaling more than 1 million yen. Yamagami reportedly holds a number of qualifications, including a certificate in real-estate transactions. Some people have sent him study materials for Grade 1 of the Eiken Test in Practical English Proficiency and an English-Japanese dictionary.

His uncle recommended through another relative that Yamagami obtain the top-level Eiken certification. "It'll likely be a long way off, but I hope he studies and makes use of [the qualification] in the future," the uncle said. "I don't want to talk about how I feel about the case, but I hope the court makes a proper decision based on the facts."

Yamagami's psychiatric evaluation detention, which began July 25, was initially scheduled to last until Nov. 29. At first, medical specialists interviewed him about once a week. However, after the evaluation deadline was rescheduled for Jan. 10, the interviews were increased to about twice a week from mid-November.

During questioning following his arrest on July 8, Yamagami was quoted by the Nara prefectural police as saying he had a grudge against the Unification Church, to which his mother had made large donations. During interviews with a medical specialist, he was repeatedly questioned about the church  officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification  and at one point told visiting relatives he was "fed up" being asked the same questions over and over.

While being held for evaluation, Yamagami was only allowed to meet with a limited number of relatives and lawyers. Recently, he reportedly had started to share more details about what he was thinking and feeling at the time of the shooting. During his evaluation at the Osaka Detention House, he pored over newspapers and magazines reporting on the case and showed interest in the government's moves on issues related to the Unification Church, the sources said.

The deadline for Yamagami's psychiatric detention has changed repeatedly. On Nov. 17, the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office requested the Nara Summary Court extend the deadline, and it was moved to Feb. 6. However, Yamagami's lawyer appealed this decision, and the Nara District Court brought the deadline forward to Jan. 10.

According to Yamagami's lawyer, the district court's decision said that "the disadvantage caused to the suspect due to extending the detention period should be taken into consideration," but also that "a considerable period of time was necessary to accurately learn about the suspect's upbringing and living conditions."

The prosecutors again requested an extension in December and the summary court extended the period by about two weeks. However, this decision was annulled by the district court following an appeal by Yamagami's lawyer.

Ken Takaoka of the Gifu Prefectural Kibogaoka Children's Medical and Welfare Center, a psychiatrist with extensive experience in psychiatric evaluation who specializes in psychopathology, said, "From what I've seen and heard in the media, [Yamagami] weighs things carefully and has excellent understanding." On the subject of Yamagami being bored by the same questions, he said, "Medical specialists often repeatedly ask about important points on different days to confirm whether [a suspect] gives the same answer."

Regarding Yamagami's 5-month psychiatric detention, Takaoka said, "This is a high-profile case that is attracting a lot of attention from society, and the specialist probably quizzed Yamagami carefully about his family environment and how he grew up to discern whether he had a mental disorder and the impact that such factors may have on the case."
HSINCHU AIR BASE, Taiwan  Mirage fighter jets soared over this air base near the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, a routine day for aircraft that answer threats to their nations airspace.

The aerial display by the French-made multirole, single-engine, fourth-generation fighters was part of drills that Taiwan is holding this week to show off its military capabilities ahead of this months Lunar New Year holiday.

Dozens of local and foreign journalists watched the fighters ascend with glowing afterburners, touch down a short time later and taxi to camouflaged concrete hangars.

Taiwanese planes scramble as if by schedule as the islands military responds to regular approaches by Chinese military aircraft. Beijing considers democratic, self-governing Taiwan to be a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Taiwans Ministry of National Defense issues daily statements about Chinese military activities in the waters and airspace around the island. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, for example, the ministry reported eight Chinese aircraft and three vessels in the previous 24 hours.

Taiwanese armed forces monitored the situation and tasked aircraft, naval vessels and land-based missile systems to respond, according to the ministry.

Tensions around Taiwan spiked Aug. 3, when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped in Taipei on a broader tour of Asia. The visit prompted China to stage weeklong live-fire drills that encircled the island and included ballistic missile launches.

Taiwans defense ministry tweeted Thursday morning that 15 Chinese military aircraft and warships had been detected around the island in the past 24 hours. A subsequent tweet said six of the aircraft crossed the straits median line and entered Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone.

Standing in front of a large Taiwanese flag, near a pair of jet fighters and rows of bullets and missiles, Mirage pilot Lt. Col. Wu Bomber Bong-yeng told journalists: Fight as we train; train as we fight.

Members of the Hsinchu-based 2nd Wing, which operates 54 Mirage 2000s, are ready to defend Taiwans airspace, he said.

Taiwanese pilots dont just scramble to meet Chinse planes, Wu said. They also train regularly for real-world missions.

Wu declined to say whether he had personally intercepted Chinese aircraft approaching Taiwan, but said: We are fighter pilots. We are prepared to face every type of challenge.

China was recommitted in the new year to safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity and smashing plots for Taiwan independence, a spokesman for its Taiwan Affairs Office said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.

The malicious support for Taiwan independence among anti-China elements in a few foreign countries are a deliberate provocation, Ma Xiaoguang said at a biweekly news conference, according to the news agency.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Defense Department civilian employees in Japan mounted an email and phone campaign directed at Congress this week, hoping to reverse a Pentagon decision to reduce their access to medical care at military hospitals.

The group behind the campaign, Japan Civilian Medical Advocacy, also started a petition drive last year after the Defense Health Agencys Indo-Pacific region announced it would limit civilians access to on-base care. The petition had more than 2,000 signatures as of Thursday.

Let Congress Know We Are Still Here! reads a Sunday post on the groups Facebook page. Help us contact representatives across the United States, letting them know that DHA continues to put a chokehold on the [Military Treatment Facilities] here in Japan and has further restricted our access to regular care.

Many civilians were caught off guard in October when DHA announced they should make plans to find health care in the surrounding Japanese communities. Limited access to care has created a crisis that puts individuals, their coworkers and their families at risk, according to the post.

The DHA Indo-Pacific region director, Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Heck, said in October the agency is mandated by law to prioritize health care for active-duty service members and their families.

As of Jan. 1, DOD employees like schoolteachers, commissary workers and contractors are limited to urgent or acute care and some specialty clinics at base hospitals. Some U.S. civilian employees of Stars and Stripes fall into this category.

For routine health maintenance and ongoing care for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer, they are encouraged to seek Japanese health care providers. The alternative is to rely on space-available appointments after the military hospitals schedule service members and their families.

Yokosuka Naval Base, the homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet, in September became the first installation in Japan to limit civilian employees to space-available appointments for most health care needs.

At this point more bases are being impacted, so there are more voices wanting to be heard, Amber Malone, a teacher at The Sullivans Elementary School at Yokosuka, told Stars and Stripes on Wednesday by Facebook Messenger.

Malone, of Carmel, Maine, said she contacted offices in her home state for U.S. Sens. Angus King, an independent, and Susan Collins, a Republican, whose staff members took her information and promised to pass it on to their offices in Washington, D.C.

Staffers at both offices said they hadnt heard of the issue, Malone said. She said she provided them with position statements from her Facebook group, the Yokosuka, Atsugi and Zama Civilian Medical Forum, along with updated space-available polices from DHA and other information.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Azeri president Ilham Aliyev continues to lie to the international community about the month-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor, United States Congressman Frank Pallone said in response to Aliyevs latest statements made during a press conference.

Aliyev continues to lie to the international community about the month-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor. There is clear evidence it's causing a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh by blocking critical food and medical supplies from getting to civilians.

It's also disturbing that the only time Aliyev celebrates "free speech" is when it is used to threaten the lives of Armenians. I have worked with my Armenian Caucus colleagues to push State Department and other world leaders to take serious action to end this man-made disaster.

120,000 innocent lives could be at risk in the coming days. We cannot stand idly by as this very real disaster unfolds before our eyes. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure the U.S. uses every diplomatic tool possible to bring this cruel blockade to an end, Pallone tweeted.

The Lachin Corridor is blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. The corridor is the only travel and supply route for the 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). The blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essential products such as food and medicine prompted Nagorno Karabakh authorities to introduce rationing. Hospitals are keeping planned surgeries on hold. 1,100 residents of Nagorno Karabakh, including 270 children who were in Armenia when the road was blocked are unable to return to their homes.
WASHINGTON  Japan will take a more proactive role in its own defense as part of an agreement Wednesday between the United States and Japan to deepen their military and security cooperation and bring more stability to the Indo-Pacific region.

Today, we welcomed a historic alliance decision to optimize U.S. force posture in Japan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a joint news conference as part of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting at the State Department.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation to counter potential threats from China and North Korea was at the center of the talks, which included Austin, Japanese defense minister Yasukazu Hamada, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The leaders said the driving force for the new arrangements boils down to making it easier for Washington and Tokyo to uphold rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has taken on increased importance in recent years due to tension over the sovereignty of Taiwan and provocative Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

An adjustment of U.S. troops in Okinawa and Japanese plans to build new runways on an island used for military exercises are part of the new agreement. Tokyo has also agreed to develop counter-strike capabilities and double defense spending by 2027, pledges that signal a major shift in traditional Japanese military policy.

I'm grateful that were meeting at such a consequential time as Japan strengthens its own defense and further contributes to regional peace and stability, Austin said.

Another part of the new pact includes creating the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment  an improved quick-strike force  on Okinawa by 2025. Austin said the unit will be quicker, more lethal, more capable and will operate with more intelligence, surveillance and transportation capabilities.

Austin said the enhanced agreements reflect the "ironclad commitment" by the United States to defend Japan with all its capabilities, including nuclear weapons, and counter Chinas destabilizing actions in the region.

Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, called the growing U.S.-Japanese alliance an enduring cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has repeatedly identified China as the top U.S. military and economic competitor and has labeled North Korea as a prominent pacing challenge.

We agree that [China] is the greatest shared strategic challenge, Blinken said. Our alliance has never been more crucial to realizing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The deepening ties between Washington and Tokyo also will include new cooperation in space, the officials said Wednesday. However, specifics on this wont be shared until later this week.

We agreed that attacks to, from or within space present a clear challenge, Blinken said. That is significant.

Wednesdays talks were a prelude to a meeting at the White House on Friday between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Earlier this week, Kishida struck a new defense pact with Britain that is also aimed at reining in China. Hamada will meet with Austin again at the Pentagon on Thursday.

Tensions have been rising for years between the U.S. and China over several issues  from trade to the coronavirus and Taiwans status as a sovereign territory. Other tensions have centered on various Chinese military actions in the South China Sea. Most recently, the Pentagon said a Chinese fighter jet in late December unsafely buzzed an Air Force reconnaissance plane there  at one point coming within about 20 feet of the U.S. aircrafts nose, forcing the pilot to take quick action to avoid a crash.

Beijing claims China owns parts of the South China Sea and all of Taiwan.

Some experts contend Wednesdays agreement with Japan is not enough if the United States wants to effectively manage the problems that China presents now and in the future.

We may have some tests [with China] that may come upon us in the next five to seven to 10 years, Michele Flournoy, the undersecretary of defense for policy under former President Barack Obama, said Tuesday during a discussion at the Rand Corp. in Washington. I dont think we understand the Chinese calculus.

Like Blinken, Flournoy helped co-found WestExec Advisors, a Washington consulting firm in 2017. She also worked in the Pentagon during former President Bill Clintons administration and she was said to be a serious candidate for defense secretary under Biden until Austin got the job.

I dont think we understand [our adversaries] well, Flournoy said.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden honored the late former Defense Secretary Ash Carter at a memorial service Thursday and said he was a man of integrity who blazed new paths in the Pentagon and busted through red tape to make the military the finest fighting force in the world.

This is beyond my capacity to accurately assess the incredible man Ash was, Biden said during the ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. Ash was a force. He was a force of nature.

Carter died of a sudden heart attack on Oct. 24 at the age of 68. He became former President Barack Obamas fourth defense secretary in early 2015 and served in the post until Obamas final day in office in January 2017.

During Carters time in the Pentagon, he opened all military roles to women, lifting the final barriers to female troops serving in every combat position. His administration also allowed transgender Americans to serve  and saw value in sending military aid to Ukraine, many years before Russia carried out its invasion.

His genius was evident, his integrity was unfailing and his commitment to service before self was literally inspiring, Biden said. To lose someone you love so suddenly  someone who should have had so many years ahead of them  the suddenness, in my view, magnifies the grief. It makes it just inescapable.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also attended the ceremony.

Ash always put the troops first, said Austin, who spoke after Biden. America is more secure because of Ashs intellect and leadership. But, above all, Ashs loved ones will remember him for his huge heart.

Carter had said one of his most meaningful achievements in the Pentagon was breaking through red tape and speeding the creation of an improved armored vehicle to better protect troops from roadside bombs. That led to the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, of which more than 24,000 were sent to Afghanistan and Iraq.

During Bidens remarks Thursday, the president sought to comfort Carters family. He died just a few months before the arrival of his first grandchild.

I wish so deeply that Ash had lived to enjoy the new honorific [title] he was looking forward to  being a grandfather, Biden said. But hes smiling right now, looking down.

After leaving the Pentagon, Carter became director of Harvard Universitys Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Biden said the former defense secretary, physicist and professor had far-reaching vision and relentless innovation.

We all will forever bear the imprint of Ash Carter, thank God, Biden said. May God bless Ash Carter, dear friend, great American. And may God continue to protect our troops, who Ash so loved and loved him back.

Several other top government officials also attended Thursdays celebration of Carters life, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
WASHINGTON  There have been hundreds of new reports of unidentified aerial phenomena  the governments term for UFO-type sightings  and many of them remain unexplained, according to a new intelligence report.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued the report Thursday and sent the classified version to Congress. The unclassified 11-page version notes roughly 350 new UAP sightings from March 2021 to Sept. 1, 2022.

The intelligence agency is required by law to produce the UAP report, and the Pentagons All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office is tasked with investigating the sightings.

The AARO determined 163 of the new sightings appeared to involve balloons or balloon-like entities, according to the report. About two dozen appeared to be drone or drone-like vehicles, and a handful of others appeared to be clutter.

The Pentagon office is putting more effort into studying the other 171 reported sightings for which investigators have no preliminary explanation, the report states.

The majority of new UAP reporting originates from U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aviators and operators who witnessed UAP during the course of their operational duties, the report states. Regardless of the collection or reporting method, many reports lack enough detailed data to enable attribution of UAP with high certainty.

In 2020, the Pentagon created a task force to study mysterious aerial phenomena reported by military personnel. With a dedicated team now available to study strange flying objects, it was expected the government would receive many more UAP sightings  an expectation confirmed by Thursdays report.

In early 2021, for example, the national intelligence office said there had been just 144 sightings reported in the previous 17 years. Some of the reported sightings have been captured on video, including three from the Navy that were declassified in early 2020.

Thursdays assessment found none of the sightings have yielded evidence or indications of extraterrestrial life  but one of the ongoing concerns, it notes, is that the unexplained objects might still be dangerous.

UAP events continue to occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight or adversary collection activity, the report states. This may result from a collection bias due to the number of active aircraft and sensors, combined with focused attention and guidance to report anomalies.

The report underscores that some of the sensitive areas tied to the sightings include nuclear power plants and military depots where nuclear weapons are possibly stored.

Analyzing and understanding the potential threats posed by UAP is an ongoing collaborative effort, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman, said in a statement. The safety of our service personnel, our bases and installations, and the protection of U.S. operations security on land, in the skies, seas, and space are paramount. We take reports of incursions into our designated space, land, sea, or airspaces seriously and examine each one.

The study concludes greater awareness for UAPs will continue to produce more sightings and government agencies will have to try to determine what they are and where they came from.
Mark Lovell, 58, was shot dead at close range in his car at Ardcarn Park in Newry last month.

Border gang victim Mark Lovell is believed to have been murdered as part of the same continuing feud which claimed the life of crime boss Robbie Lawlor, the High Court heard today.

Mr Lovell, 58, was shot dead at close range in his car at Ardcarn Park in Newry last month.

A link was drawn between the two killings, as one of the men charged with murdering Lawlor in north Belfast made a renewed application for bail.

Counsel for 47-year-old Patrick Teer claimed he has been wrongly plunged into a nightmarish situation through an innocent association with his co-accused.

Lawlor, 36, was gunned down in broad daylight outside a house in the citys Ardoyne area on April 4, 2020.

The murder formed part of a violent drugs dispute between rival criminal factions with connections to Drogheda, Dublin, Sligo and beyond Ireland.

Neither Teer, of Thornberry Hill in Belfast, nor 39-year-old co-accused Adrian Holland, from Etna Drive in the city, are suspected of being the gunman.

Mark Lovell

Instead, they have been charged as part of a joint enterprise, based on their alleged involvement in events surrounding the killing.

Prosecutors allege the plot to lure Lawlor to his death was devised weeks earlier.

Holland travelled to a Sligo hotel and met an unnamed international drug dealer in a trip paid for by his co-accused, it is claimed

Teers barrister argued today that he should now be released from custody due to the passage of time and a softening of his alleged role.

Sean Devine said: My client has been in a nightmarish situation; this is his first ever experience of the criminal justice system.

He added: His sole (alleged) involvement is that of an association with Mr Holland.

Mr Justice OHara was told the prosecution do not regard Teer as a top-ranking member of an organised crime gang.

But a Crown lawyer submitted: This is a circumstantial case not based on any one piece of evidence.

If there is prima facie evidence of being involved in a crime of this nature it must mean they are a trusted member, part or cog of that organised crime gang.

Opposing Teers release, she insisted that the underworld dispute is ongoing.

Police believe the murder of Mr Lovell in Newry (on December 1) was part of that feud, the prosecutor said.

It was stressed that detectives are still hunting for the gunman and others involved in the attack on Lawlor.

If released there is a risk (Teer) will go back into that role and there will be crime up to and including murder, the lawyer added.

Adjourning the bail application, Mr Justice OHara said he will give a ruling at a later date.
Heated comments were directed at Mr Justice Conor Dignam by the teachers sister, solicitor Ammi Burke, and mother Martina

Enoch Burke (centre, back) arriving to the High Court with his parents (front), Sean and Martina Burke. Photo: Collins Courts

There were chaotic scenes in court as relatives of Enoch Burke shouted at a judge today during his application for an injunction restraining a school from holding disciplinary proceedings or sacking him.

Heated comments were directed at Mr Justice Conor Dignam by the teachers sister, solicitor Ammi Burke, and mother Martina after the judge announced shortly after 3.50pm that he would have to adjourn for the day at 4pm, the normal time the court rises.

Ammi Burke demanded that the judge respond to a claim made by her brother that the chairman of Wilsons Hospital School had lied under oath, while Martina Burke accused the judge of planning to run out the door.

Neither had a right of audience to address the court.

The fractious scenes were the latest in a series of interventions which have been made during court hearings by members of Mr Burkes family since the teachers suspension last August and subsequent defiance of a temporary injunction restraining him from attending the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.

Enoch Burke arriving at the High Court this morning.

On a previous occasion last October both Mr Burke and his mother had to be removed from the Court of Appeal over comments made to a judge.

The latest incident came as the suspended teacher was making an application to the High Court for orders aimed at stopping the school from holding a disciplinary meeting on January 19 or any other date or from dismissing him.

In submissions to the judge, Mr Burke claimed John Rogers, the chairman of the schools board of management, had told an outright lie in an affidavit.

The issue is central to claims by Mr Burke that he was denied fair procedures by the school when it suspended him following incidents where he publicly questioned a request from former principal Niamh McShane that a transgender student be referred to as they rather than he.

Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, refused to comply with the request on religious grounds.

After Mr Burke made the lie claim, Mr Justice Dignam said he would need to have Mr Rogers affidavit opened to the court, either by Mr Burke or counsel for the school.

Following a short delay, during which Mr Burke consulted with Ammi Burke and his brother Isaac, the teacher indicated he would read it out

But as he was about to begin, Mr Justice Dignam pointed out there were only a few minutes left and asked when both sides would be in a position to resume.

The teacher said he was just after bringing to the attention of the court a lie on which the whole case hangs.

You are now telling me you have to go in seven minutes, he said, before accusing the judge of essentially buying yourself time to respond.

Mr Justice Dignam said this was an outrageous suggestion.

The judge said he could not make any finding on what Mr Burke had alleged while the case was ongoing and pointed out that Wilsons Hospital was entitled to fair procedures by having Mr Rogers affidavit opened to the court.

At this point, Ammi Burke interjected and began shouting at the judge.

She claimed it was a little bit rich to say the other side deserve fair procedures and that it was entirely preposterous for the judge to announce he had to leave in seven minutes time.

At this point Martina Burke began shouting too. You are planning to run out the door now, she shouted.

The interruptions continued for several minutes, with Martina Burke repeatedly shouting: Is it OK to lie under oath? and What are the consequences of lying under oath?.

The judge eventually adjourned the hearing until tomorrow morning.

Mr Burkes allegation about Mr Rogers relates to an averment in an affidavit sworn by the school chairman this week.

In the affidavit, Mr Rogers said that a report by Ms McShane, which formed the basis for Mr Burkes suspension, was read out but not discussed at a meeting of the board on August 15 last year. Mr Burke was suspended a week later.

Mr Burke claims the averment is contradicted by correspondence in which he said Mr Roger twice said the report was discussed at the meeting.

The teacher spent 108 days in jail for contempt of court last year after refusing to abide by the suspension and a subsequent temporary court order restraining him from attending the school.

Despite not purging his contempt, Mr Justice Brian OMoore finally ordered his release from Mountjoy Prison on December 21 after finding the teacher was exploiting his imprisonment for his own ends.

Despite being warned by the judge that he could face imprisonment again or the sequestration of his assets if he breached court orders again, Mr Burke showed up at the school last Thursday and again on Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

An application from the school for the sequestration of assets is to be heard next week.

At todays hearing, Mr Burke advanced seven grounds on which he believes an injunction should be granted restraining the disciplinary process from going ahead.

The teacher claimed that the actions of the school in suspending him were in breach of various articles of the constitution, including those relating to freedom of conscience and free profession and practice of religion.

He claimed an email from Ms McShane was a demand and coercive.

A second ground was that no serious misconduct had taken place warranting a stage four disciplinary process.

He claimed incidents cited in a report by then principal Niamh McShane, in which he interrupted a church service and also questioned her at a subsequent dinner, did not amount to misconduct, let alone serious misconduct.

A third ground was that there had been no consideration of his unblemished employment record and excellent service at the school.

Mr Burke read to the court various letters and messages from students about his performance as a teacher and listed achievements by his pupils in debating and essay competitions.

A fourth ground was that Ms McShanes report contained findings and conclusions he was not given an opportunity to respond to, denying him fair procedures and natural justice.

A fifth ground was that the report did not make findings of fact fairly.

A sixth ground was that the report was read at a board meeting on August 15, 2022, where he was not present, again depriving him of natural justice and fair procedures.

He claimed the meeting should not have taken place and that procedures demanded that he should have been given an opportunity to respond to the report in writing before any consideration of it by the board.

The final ground advanced was an accusation that the outcome of the disciplinary process was predetermined.

Counsel for the school will respond tomorrow.
A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said an investigation into Mr Woodlands death will now be carried out

A convicted burglar who was before the courts this week has been found dead in his cell in Limerick Prison.

Edward Woodland (23) who was sentenced to four years in prison this week at Ennis Circuit Court was discovered by staff at Limerick Prison this morning.

All deaths in custody are notified to gardai who investigate if needed as well as preparing a file for a coroners inquest.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said an investigation into Mr Woodlands death will now be carried out.

"The Irish Prison Service can confirm that there was a death in custody of a person in the custody of the Irish Prison Service on 12th January 2023 and the next of kin have been notified.

This death in custody will be investigated by the Irish Prison Service, The Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroners Office.

Woodland was jailed alongside his father Patrick (48) and two others for the 2018 raid on a rural house while a 97-year-old man slept inside.

Judge Eoin Garvan remarked that the burglars showed humanity in the midst of a serious crime when they left the house after discovering the elderly man asleep.

Judge Garvan said that it would have been very traumatic for the mans son returning to his home on the afternoon and not knowing if his father had been interfered with or tied up.

During this weeks sentence hearing the judge also described as extraordinary the State paying disability benefit for the burglary gang member because of his lactose intolerance.

I am sure that the taxpayer will be delighted to know that Department of Social Welfare pays disability benefit for lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is a common condition in which people are unable to digest lactose, which is mainly found in milk and dairy products.

The less said about this the better but it seems to be an extraordinary reason for obtaining social protection disability payment.

The gang had set up the raid with Edwards uncle John Woodland meeting the farmer on the pretence of buying silage to lure him away from the farmhouse.

The other raiders then kicked in the door of the house and broke a lock before ransacking the property looking for cash until the realised a man was asleep.

All three were caught "red handed by gardai as they tried to escape through fields around Mr OConnors home.

Nothing was taken in the burglary and Judge Garavan said no threat of violence or violence was used.

Imposing sentence, Judge Garavan said the burglary offence carried out by the gang is of intense social concern and there must be a deterrent.

He said such offences terrify people in rural areas where there is little protection against this and who do not have gardai on their doorstep.

He said the absolute fear and trauma to the victims that can be occasioned by such offences in rural areas cannot be overstated.

Judge Garavan said that the offence was premeditated and carefully thought out and gardai were on the scene as they knew that a burglary was going to take place as a result of intelligence received.

In sentencing, Judge Garavan imposed a five-year prison term on Patrick Woodland of Greenmount Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, a five-year prison term with the final year suspended on Edward Woodland with the same address, a five-year prison term on John Woodland of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Avenue, Limerick, with the final two years suspended and three and a half years on Paul Kiely Glencairn, Dooradadoyle, Limerick with the final one and a half years suspended.

A detective garda gave evidence that Patrick Woodland and John Woodland were each jailed for three years in 2012 for a similar type of burglary in Galway.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia should not engage in negotiations with Azerbaijan regarding the opening of the Lachin Corridor, since Armenia is not a party to the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020 regarding the Lachin Corridor. The authorities of Artsakh have the opportunity to directly negotiate and speak directly with Azerbaijan, and they themselves deal with the problem, and Armenia will support every decision of Artsakh, ARMENPRESS reports the President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan said in a briefing with journalists.

Referring to the statement of the Artsakh Security Council, in which concern was expressed regarding a number of claims and views expressed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the press conference, Simonyan said, the Artsakh Security Council, Artsakh authorities and Artsakh representatives have the opportunity to directly negotiate and speak directly.

"And not only do they have the opportunity, but they themselves are engaged in it. And as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan mentioned during the press conference, the Republic of Armenia will support any of their positions. And, frankly speaking, it is not clear what kind of disagreement we are talking about when you are the contacting party yourself," said Alen Simonyan.

According to the President of the National Assembly, the authorities of Artsakh are in direct contact in one way or another with the representatives of the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as with the representatives of the Russian military contingent.

"I constantly have telephone conversations with the authorities of Artsakh. At the moment, these contacts have decreased, but these contacts exist and there are people who carry out these contacts. I can say that this connection has existed for a long time. I think the authorities of Artsakh should note that Armenia has declared that it will support their every decision and will continue its efforts in the direction of solving this problem," stressed Alen Simonyan.

To the question why Armenia does not negotiate with Azerbaijan on the Lachin Corridor issue, the President of the National Assembly answered that if Armenia becomes a party, then it will cancel the trilateral declaration on November 9, 2020.

Simonyan does not rule out that Azerbaijan's goal is to involve Armenia in this dialogue in order to try to force the opening of a similar corridor through the territory of Armenia.

"I assume that the Lachin corridor was closed precisely for the reason that, for example, such a corridor would be forced on us through the territory of Armenia. Why should we enter into that conversation?" said Simonyan.

According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia did not participate in the trilateral meeting with Russia and Azerbaijan scheduled in December in Moscow because of the Lachin Corridor.

To the question if this means abandoning the Artsakh problem, as the opposition claims, Simonyan answered that it is absurd to give such a qualification.

"What we are doing is the maximum that Armenia can afford. Abandoning it would be leaving the cooperation somehow, but Armenia is doing everything and will continue to do everything," concluded Simonyan.
Cathy Murphy said she was absolutely embarrassed and had not had a drink since the incident

A young woman who is studying to work with troubled teenagers had to be pepper-sprayed by Gardai after she went berserk when stopped in a car while drunk.

Cathy Murphy was a passenger in a car which was stopped by Gardai in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on February 1st, 2022.

Gardai stopped the car to speak with the driver at Glentain Manor but Murphy, who was a front seat passenger, began to interrupt Gardai.

She began to hurl abuse at Garda Corin Cahill as she tried to speak with the driver and would not stop when asked to desist by Gardai.

Gardai eventually arrested the 29-year-old accused under the Public Order Act.

However, Murphy continued to shout abuse and resist arrest and Gardai were forced to use their pepper spray on the woman before putting her in handcuffs and taking her to Letterkenny Garda Station.

Murphy, with an address at Meadowbank in Letterkenny, was charged with being intoxicated in a public place, interfering with Gardai and causing a breach of the peace.

Her solicitor, Mr Rory O'Brien, said his client was a single mother of three children who had moved to Donegal from Dublin to start a new life.

He said she had no previous convictions, was never in trouble before and was "absolutely embarrassed that she had allowed herself to act in such a way."

He said she was in a car with a family member and obviously had alcohol taken but should have never reacted the way she did when stopped by Gardai.

He added that his client was currently undertaking an adult education course with the hope of working with young people who had themselves strayed off the path of life.

"She has committed a wrong but has led a blameless life and anybody can make one mistake in their life," he added.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham said this was a serious matter especially when Gardai had to go to the extent of using their pepper spray.

Judge Cunningham said she wanted to hear from the accused.

Ms Murphy said "I am truly sorry and I generally don't behave that way. I have never been in trouble but I had been drinking since twelve o'clock that day."

She added that she had not had a drink since the incident.

Judge Cunningham ordered the accused to pay a donation of 200 to Little Blue Heroes and adjourned the case until May 8th next.
Kyles mother Anita Flavin told the court what Kyle was getting was better than taking a chance by going to trial.

A six-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who sued over the care he received in a hospital ICU after his premature birth has settled his High Court action for 3.75m.

Kyle Flavin was born at 27 weeks, two minutes after his twin brother Callum, at University Maternity Hospital, Limerick. on April 26,2016 and both boys were in good condition but transferred to the ICU.

Liability was denied in the case by the HSE and the court heard that causation was at issue.

The settlement represented 25pc of the full value of the case.

The HSE claimed the clinical care provided to address Kyles extreme prematurity and early clinical complications was appropriate and in keeping with acceptable clinical care standards.

Kyles Counsel Liam Reidy SC, instructed by Cantillons Solicitors, told the court the case related to Kyles care in the maternity hospital ICU.

Counsel said Kyle was given Vitamin K and it was noted later he had bruising and later a bleed in one side of his brain.

It was their case the baby was given more Vitamin K and it was their contention this was the wrong course of action, counsel said.

Their experts would claim the baby should have been given fresh frozen plasma for a problem with clotting, he said.

It was their case Kyle later suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage and another brain bleed, he said.

Kyles mother Anita Flavin told the court what Kyle was getting was better than taking a chance by going to trial.

I know it is a large amount of money but its not what we hoped for. Kyle is very young His future is uncertain . We fear for the unknown, she said.

When her twins were born, Kyle was slightly smaller than his brother, but he was a fighter and she and her husband Paul thought Kyle was the stronger baby at the time, she said.

She said Kyle is still fighting and doing well and goes to the same school as his brother.

Kyle, from Listowel, Co Kerry, through his mother, sued the HSE over the treatment he received at University Maternity Hospital Limerick in 2016.

It was claimed Kyle had been denied the opportunity to have the infusion of fresh frozen plasma.

There was an alleged failure to prevent pulmonary haemorrhage.

It was further claimed there was a failure to recognise and treat the babys coagulopathy on April 27, 2016, and he suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage and consequent intraventricular haemorrhage.

All the claims were denied.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey was satisfied it reflected the litigation risk in the case.

He conveyed his best wishes to Kyle and his family.
Gardai launched an investigation in relation to the crash and later charged Ms Lowry who first appeared in court in November 2022

Mary Lowry is due in court on January 25 over a fatal road crash that claimed the life of a motorcyclist.

The 59-year-old with an address in Dundrum, Co Tipperary, is due to appear before Nenagh District Court after she was charged with careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly in December 2021.

Mr Connolly (51) who was from Skehennarinky, had been riding the motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger at Spring House, Bansha on a charity bike outing when the accident occurred.

Mary Lowry

Gardai launched an investigation in relation to the crash and later charged Ms Lowry who first appeared in court in November 2022.

It is understood that Ms Lowry, appeared before Thurles District Court just before Christmas and is due back again, in Nenagh, in two weeks time.

Ms Lowry faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding 10,000 If convicted.

Recently the Court of Appeal decided the law does not require a mandatory driving ban for those convicted of careless driving causing death, if it is their first offence.
Mr Hayes said the Council believed Coady was supplying and selling drugs on a consistent and regular basis which was having a detrimental impact on people in the area.

A convicted drug dealer has been banned from several parts of Limerick for a period of two years, after a court heard he had helped fuel a drug scourge in the Treaty City.

William Coady, (32), of Verdant Crescent, Limerick City, was banned from the greater Kings Island area including, St Marys Park, Verdant Place, Assumpta Park, Lee Estate and Nicholas Street.

Judge Marie Keane granted a application by Limerick City and County Council for an exclusion order against Mr Coady at a hearing of Limerick District Civil Court, Thursday.

The Council sought a maximum three year exclusion against Coady, in a prosecution brought under the Housing Act.

The court heard Coady is currently serving a 12-month jail sentence for possession of drugs for sale or supply, imposed last October, and that his release date was scheduled for July this year.

Coady, who was handcuffed to two prison officers, represented himself in court.

He complained he would be left homeless because the exclusion order zone included a council-owned property where he resided in the eyes of the law as a guest of his mother, the only approved tenant.

Responding to Coadys complaining, Judge Keane told him: Youre an adult, its a matter for you to source youre own accommodation, its not a matter for the local authority.

Seamus Hayes, Housing Officer, Limerick Council, gave evidence the local authority had received numerous complaints, from different sources that Coady was dealing drugs in the Kings Island/St Marys Park area.

Mr Hayes said he raised the Councils extreme concern with Coadys mother in June 2020 and again in January 2022, and advised her that her sons alleged conduct could have a serious impact on her tenancy annd the local community, but this had no positive impact.

Mr Hayes said the Council believed Coady was supplying and selling drugs on a consistent and regular basis which was having a detrimental impact on people in the area.

He said there was a huge problem with drugs and drug dealing in the Kings Island area.

The housing officer agreed with Ger Reidy, Leahy Reidy Solicitors, for the Council, that other persons were in fear of giving evidence against Coady in court,but that he stood over his testimony.

Mr Hayes said the Council and Gardai jointly launched Operation Copog in January 2021 to try to tackle drug dealing in the Kings Island/St Marys Park area.

The Council and Gardai were committed to tackling the drugs problem in the area . The Council had cleared away unauthorized developments associated with the drug problem, and Gardai conducted searches, arrested people, and seized drugs.

We believe the area is the most seriously affected area in the city because of drugs, and we believe the Exclusion Order has to cover the entire Kings island area, said Mr Hayes.

Coady, cross-examining Mr Hayes asked the housing officer, how am I the only fella being picked out of a bunch in the whole of the city, when there are more people around, Mr Hayes replied he could not comment on any other cases.

Garda Eimear OSullivan, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, told the court the unit had received numerous complaints Coady was actively involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the greater Kings Island area.

William Coady

Garda OSullivan said the local community lived in fear because there were numerous people in the area suffering from addiction, which she said, leads to begging, robberies, burglaries for persons in addiction to feed their habit.

This is major concern to people in the are, she added.

Garda OSullivan said Coadys presence in the community had a negative impact on the lives of local people.

She said Coady had a number of criminal convictions, ten of these were for drugs offences, including six convictions for possessing drugs for sale or supply, and four for simple possession.

Garda OSullivan said there was a very significant drugs problem in the St Marys Park and Kings Island area which was exacerbated by Mr Coadys presence there.

Coady did not contest Garda OSullivans direct evidence to the court.

Mr Reidy, for the Council, told the court Coadys alleged conduct i the community was very clearly anti-social behaviour and that the Councils application seeking an exclusion order was in keeping with good estate management.

Judge Keane said she was satisfied Coadys alleged conduct in the community meets a threshold of anti-social behaviour.

Approving an exclusion order against Coady for a two-year period, to start upon the date of his release from prison, she told him: Mr Coady you are nothing more than a guest of your mother and when you're a guest you are obliged to behave yourself.

One has an obligation to abide by basic social (norms) and not engage in anti-social behaviour and not cause distress to people.

Judge Keane concluded that the residents of the greater Kings Island area including the children there, were entitled to live their lives without fear or exposure to anti-social behaviour.
Judge Nolan said there had been coercion involved, but that Shane Finn (24) still had a responsibility not to break the law

A man who agreed to hold 74,000 worth of cannabis after masked men threatened to kill him in front of his child has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Shane Finn (24) of Killinarden Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs for sale or supply at his home on July 17, 2021.

The court heard that Finn was also warned that his brother would be cut up in prison if he didnt agree to hold the drugs.

Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan said there had been coercion involved, but that Finn still had a responsibility not to break the law.

Judge Nolan noted that the offence had been committed while Finn was on bail as part of a suspended sentence for a previous drug offence.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Detective Garda Bernard Briody told Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, that gardai called to the accuseds house with a warrant while they were investigating a separate robbery matter concerning the accuseds brother, Jamie Finn.

Gardai came upon the drugs stored in a black bag while searching the house, the court heard.

The accused immediately accepted responsibility for the cannabis and told gardai he had been forced to hold them. He said he was told that his life and that of his family would be in danger if he didn't hold them.

Finn was arrested and told gardai he did not know the men who had called to his door as they were wearing masks and also that he didnt know the quantity of drugs in the bag.

I was told to keep it or my brother would be cut up in prison and Id be watched and killed in front of my child, Finn told gardai.

When asked why he thought he had been picked to hold the drugs, Finn replied: Id say it was because of my brother.

Garda Briody said he believed Finn that he was under duress and noted that the accused has since moved away from Tallaght and has not come to any adverse garda attention. Finn has one previous conviction for the possession of cocaine and heroin.

Gda Briody agreed with Garret Baker SC, defending, that Shane Finns brother Jamie who is in custody is a very different kettle of fish and involved in a much higher level of criminal offending.

The garda further agreed that the accused has no trappings of wealth and had not been given a cent for holding the drugs; nor was he to be given any of the cannabis. On his arrest, Finn told gardai he couldnt even afford chairs in his house, the court heard.

Mr Baker said his client was a vulnerable, fragile person who had been preyed upon by sinister elements and found himself in a very difficult position.

The court was given medical reports showing that Finn has been suffered ongoing anxiety since he was a teenager and is currently on anti-psychotic medication.

Mr Baker said one of Finns brothers had died tragically from a drug-related illness and that his late father, who had severely physically abused Finn as a child, had also suffered from drug addiction.

The court heard that apart from occasional cannabis use, Finn had never reached the addiction levels of his brothers and father.

Letters were presented to the court from Finns partner and his mother which spoke highly of him. The court heard that Finn is in a stable relationship and has a three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Judge Nolan said mitigation in the case was clear and included the threats made against Finn and his family, his guilty plea and his cooperation.

However, the judge said that Finn had already been given a considerable chance, and that it would be going much too far to give him a second suspended sentence.
The death in custody will now be investigated by the Irish Prison Service,

Robert O'Connor, who died after being attacked in Mountjoy Prison

A MEMBER of a notorious burglary gang has been found dead in his prison cell today.

The man is his 20s was found unresponsive this morning at Limerick Prison where he was serving a sentence for breaking into a rural home four years ago.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed there has been a death in custody and the next of kin have been notified.

This death in custody will be investigated by the Irish Prison Service, The Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroners Office.

The deceased man had been part of a Munster-based criminal gang and had been the target of a garda operation against them.

Another inmate died in the same prison on Christmas after becoming unwell.

He was named as father of one Michael Knapp Ryan (34) who was from St Mary's Park in Limerick city and had a number of convictions for violent disorder.

There was no suggestion of foul play his death and he was laid to rest on New Years Eve.

Robert O'Connor, who died after being attacked in Mountjoy Prison

Fifteen people died in prison in 2022 up until September, compared to eight such deaths noted for all of 2021, according to figures provided by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

These included Robert OConnor (34), from Darndale, Dublin, who died in hospital last August following an attack in Mountjoy Prison.

His death is now the subject of a murder investigation.

Four suspects were identified by prison staff shortly after the attack and have been questioned by gardai.
Ashling (23) died after being attacked while jogging on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore one year ago today

A memorial fund established to honour Offaly teacher Ashling Murphy has been receiving hundreds of donations and tributes after being launched one year after her death.

Ashling (23) died after being attacked in broad daylight while jogging on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12 last year.

A mass will take place this evening to mark the first anniversary of her death today.

The popular teacher was also a talented musician, dedicated to teaching traditional music as part of her love of Irish culture.

Her death was met with shock all over the country  and the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund has been set up to fulfil the legacy of her short but full life.

Its main aim is the further enhancement, development and advancement of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people, through the provisions of education, tuition, and equipment.

People can donate and fundraise through an online iDonate page, which is overseen by the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund committee.

We are on social media  Facebook and Instagram  or people can link directly to the iDonate page on idonate.ie/cause/AshlingMurphyMemorialFund. People can donate directly on that page, or they can register a fundraising event with us, said a spokeswoman for the committee.

The aim of the fund is to remember Ashling for who she was. She had a lot left to give and we can ensure her legacy continues, said a spokeswoman for the committee.

It is heart-warming to know that Ashling is still very fondly remembered by so many

Ashlings family and partner have expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who sympathised with them, sent mass cards, flowers, bouquets and offered their condolences in many ways on their sad loss.

The Murphy family also expressed their deep gratitude to their loving neighbours and friends, and said words cannot describe the immeasurable efforts and supports received immediately, during the days that followed, and the on-going support offered to them since Ashlings death.

Other groups will mark Ashlings anniversary today. The Amber Womens Refuge in Kilkenny will host a vigil to honour her memory and the memory of other women who have died by violence in the last year in Ireland.

People attending the event  at 5pm at the Castle Yard, Kilkenny  are asked to bring a candle.

Tullamore Mens Shed has installed a bench at the memorial site where Ashling was attacked on the banks of the Grand Canal. The site is also marked with with flowers and photographs in her memory.

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann has established three scholarships, each of 2,000, to recognise and remember her talent and legacy.

Ashling had only graduated from the Mary Immaculate teacher training college in Limerick shortly before her death.

The college, in conjunction with the Irish National Teachers Organisation, jointly launched an entrance scholarship in memory of Ashling last November.

Ashlings first anniversary mass will take place today at 7pm in St Brigids Church, Mountbolus, Killoughey, Co Offaly  the church where her funeral took place last year.
Megan Woodham, who was part of 1m cocaine gang, was caught smuggling ketamine into the jail where she was a healthcare assistant

A woman who handed over packages of drugs to an inmate in the prison where she worked cried out I love you' to her family as she was sent down for six years.

Megan Woodham, who was part of 1 million cocaine gang, was caught smuggling ketamine into the jail where she was a healthcare assistant.

Woodham (30) used her job to conceal the shipments of drugs which she then handed over to inmate Daniel Doran. She also used her home in Wigan as a "safehouse" for a gang involved in the supply of millions of pounds of cocaine.

Other members were handed lengthy spells behind bars at Liverpool Crown Court this week.

Doran, of Hall Lane in Kirkby, was a serving prisoner at HMP Risley in Warrington between December 2021 and February 2022, a trial previously heard.

Woodham was employed as a health worker in the jail and they both, together with co-defendants Kelsey Higgins and John Butler, were "involved in the supply of a very large quantity of high purity cocaine", David Watson, prosecutor, said.

The inmate had access to a mobile phone while behind bars which he used to "organise the moving of cocaine from location to location" from his cell "under the noses of authorities".

Daniel Doran

Woodham who "formed some sort of relationship" with the 32-year-old through her work would "willingly assist him by allowing her home address to be used for the storage of parcels" of drugs.

Megan Woodham appeared before Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty in December of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine, following a two-week trial.

Woodham, of Ormskirk Road in Wigan, was also convicted of conspiracy to supply class B drugs, namely ketamine.

Woodham appeared before judge Stuart Driver via video link from custody where she was sentenced to six years in prison.

She was joined by Doran (32) of Hall Lane in Tower Hill, Kirkby, and Higgins (26) of Ridgewood Way in Bootle.

Doran was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, while Higgins was incarcerated for 13 and a half years  both for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

A further defendant, Valerie Doran (54) of Hall Lane in Tower Hill, Kirkby, was found guilty of money laundering. She is due to be sentenced on January 20.

The investigation is in connection with a previous conviction of John Butler (27) of Clements Way in Tower Hill, who was found in possession of cocaine with an estimated street value of 1 million in January last year.

Patrols stopped a black Volkswagen car driven by Butler carrying 10kgs of cocaine on Heysham Road in Netherton last January.

He was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

DS Peter Sloan, from Merseyside Police, said: We welcome this latest sentencing of Doran, Woodham and Higgins today, which highlights the fact that we will leave no stone unturned.

This was a complex investigation which has developed from the arrest of Butler and a subsequent investigation resulted from that stop check.

Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run county lines.

Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, their criminal intent and their greed.

I would ask anyone who has any information about who is supplying or selling drugs in their area to contact us so we can take action.
It was during the reign of Benedict that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith attempted to silence me.

Much has been written this week about Pope Benedict. In the past, it was customary not to speak ill of the dead.

I respect that custom, yet it is also necessary to tell the truth or at least not to tell lies.

I need to be honest with you, the reader, here. It was during the reign of Benedict that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith attempted to silence me (and four other Irish priests, all of whom were members of the Religious Orders).

I dont know if Benedict ordered the witch hunt or whether it was carried out by his clerical minions. It doesnt matter because it was Vatican policy anyway.

What I can say is that it was a horrible experience which I have thankfully left behind me now. I carry no grudge against Benedict. He has now met a more merciful God than the one he sometimes preached.

There are opposing opinions about Benedict, as there are about all leaders. One sees him as the one who restored orthodoxy to the Catholic Church; the other view is that he insisted on orthodoxy at the expense of

Pastoral compassion. Both judgements are partly true. No human is perfect; we all make mistakes whether we admit it or not.

As a young theologian, Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict) advised German bishops to promote reform at the Second Vatican Council. He wrote speeches for German bishops severely criticising the Holy Office, the Vatican department responsible for defending the faith.

He said its methods of silencing prominent theologians prior to the Second Vatican Council was a source of scandal to the world. Later as a cardinal, he headed the Holy Office and sadly carried out a purge of theologians he disagreed with.

It is clear that Benedict sacrificed his life as a professional theologian to answer the call of Pope John Paul II. He became the voice of repression on behalf of Pope John Paul II. He also sacrificed a life of scholarly retirement when he was elected Pope at the age of 78.

During his life, he changed from being a brave progressive theologian in his youth to becoming, quite early on in his life, the voice of Conservatism.

Ratzinger abandoned teaching at the Liberal Tubingen University for the more conservative University of Regensburg. He admitted he couldnt cope with students who continually challenged him. Nor could he accept the rough and tumble of academic debate. He was the expert who knew best.

There was a Jesuit priest who brought a group of Americans to meet Benedict at a papal audience and introduced the pope as my friend. The pope corrected him: You were my student, not my friend.

I have long held that the suppression and the secrecy which existed during the papacies of John Paul and Benedict were disastrous for the church. It is arguable that we will never fully recover from them. We needed the freedom to find new ways to explain faith to people in the 21st century. The window of opportunity was small and we missed it.

Yet it must also be said that whatever his reasons for resigning from the papacy, it was both the most courageous and the most correct decision. He was open at that time to the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit and was brave enough to follow it through.

It will be his greatest contribution, making it possible for popes to resign in the future. What was once unthinkable, is now acceptable.

I dont doubt that Benedict was a humble man who wanted what was best for the church. He was humble enough to recognise that the Holy Spirit would guide the church without him.

Benedict got to know that clerical politics at its worst conspired to elect him Pope and had become an unmanageable evil within the Church. His legacy is a mixed bag.

Few priests or interested lay people will forget how he made liturgy virtually irrelevant when he ignored the advice of translation experts, preferring instead literal translations which simply cannot be meaningfully read out loud.

On the other hand, Benedict did advance the church in its handling of clerical sex abuse. He gathered relevant details of abuse from bishops all over the world and eventually advised them to hand over all investigations to the civil authorities. Hundreds of abusive priests were dismissed.

He advised John Paul II to dismiss Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado, a serial child abuser and rapist who founded and led the rich Legionaries of Christ Order. John Paul refused. Less than a year after he became Pope Benedict dismissed Degollado and investigated the whole Order.

The details of the mounting toll of abuse shocked and troubled him. He could and did spell out the damage this would do to the Churchs credibility. He pointed an accusing finger at various hierarchies, including Ireland. Yet he failed to accept that Rome was ultimately responsible for this systemic failure.

I have no doubt that I was censured because I had the audacity to highlight the Vaticans failure to protect children. I was just one of many who clearly saw the Churchs willingness to sacrifice innocent children simply to preserve the Vaticans reputation.

Priests, bishops, cardinals and popes will never be forgiven for what they did to children and to Christs good name. Nor should we be forgiven.

Mad as it seems, it was a photocopy of my article in the Sunday World which was used to condemn me. I now realise that had Benedict not resigned he and his clerical clique would have excommunicated me.

Benedict, as a bishop, cardinal and pope falsely exalted the position of Catholic priests, holding them to be above the lay faithful. If you are one of the many believers who suffer from young(ish) clerical dictators, in your area, you know the damage this false view of priesthood perpetuates.

It has led to a general malaise in a Church which seems to have disengaged from the real world.

Just before his resignation, Benedict gave us an insight into his own frame of mind. He said the papacy was a great weight on his shoulders. I felt like St Peter and the Apostles in the boat in the Sea of Galilee

The Lord has given us many days of sunshine and a light breeze, the days when fishing is plentiful. But there were also times when the water was rough and the Lord seemed to be sleeping.

I like the verdict of Sister Sharon Holland, an American canon lawyer who worked with Benedict in the Vatican. The generosity, intelligence and integrity of Pope Benedict were crowned by his last papal act of courage and humility, she said. His resignation.
"Theres a saying that goes...You dont know what you have until you lose itbut the reality is, we both knew exactly what we had, exactly what we wanted, its just we never thought wed lose it.

Ashling Murphys boyfriend has shared a heart-breaking tribute to his partner on the 1st anniversary of her death.

The 23-year-old school teacher was attacked in broad daylight while jogging on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co. Offaly last January 12.

Her boyfriend Ryan posted an emotional tribute to his soulmate last night, sharing a heart-breaking message to remember his girlfriend.

"Time can move at a pace which can be impossible to comprehend but one thing for sure is no matter how fast time may pass, there isnt a single second that goes by where my heart doesnt ache for you, he said.

"Theres a saying that goes...You dont know what you have until you lose itbut the reality is, we both knew exactly what we had, exactly what we wanted, its just we never thought wed lose it.

"You are the one who has made me the person I am today, the only reason I get out of bed every morning, the only reason I got through graduation, the only reason Ive continued on and started my working career.

Ashling Murphy pictured on her graduation day.

"Everything I have done and everything that I do is completely for you, he wrote.

"I Love and miss you so much Ash. Forever my soulmate.

His tribute was shared by the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, set up by family and friends this week to fulfil the strong legacy left by Ashling, even in her short life.

The fundraiser launched on the anniversary of her death, describing the young 23-year-old as breath-takingly talented and a beautiful, caring, loving, compassionate and warm-hearted person.

A memorial mass will take place this evening to mark the first anniversary of her death.

Her family have requested privacy as they are continuing to grieve the heavy loss of Ashling every day, they said in a recent statement.

They have decided not to engage in any interviews with the media for the moment.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia records that the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, with his latest statements, finally frankly states that the claims made about the so-called corridor have nothing to do with the trilateral declaration of November 9. In an interview with ARMENPRESS, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia Vahan Hunanyan emphasized that there is only one mentioning about a corridor in the statement, and that is the Lachin Corridor, which has been illegally blocked by Azerbaijan for more than a month.

Hunanyan also noted that with his latest statements, the President of Azerbaijan inadvertently admits that Azerbaijan, grossly violating its international obligations stipulated by the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, has been keeping 120,000 Artsakh Armenians under siege for more than a month and purposefully bringing Nagorno-Karabakh to a humanitarian disaster.

- President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated in an interview to the Azerbaijani media that all those who do not want to live in Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan can leave, because the way for them to leave is open. How would you interpret that?

- With this statement, the president of Azerbaijan inadvertently admits that Azerbaijan, grossly violating its international obligations stipulated by the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, has been keeping 120,000 Artsakh Armenians under siege for more than a month and purposefully bringing Nagorno-Karabakh to a humanitarian disaster. Azerbaijan admits that the ultimate goal of its actions is to subject Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, to deprive the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh of the opportunity to live in their own homeland.

Under these circumstances, we call upon the interested international partners to oblige Azerbaijan to stop the blocking of the Lachin Corridor and to save the Artsakh Armenians from the imminent disaster through clear actions. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh must not be deprived of their natural right to have a homeland and to live in their homeland.

- In the same interview, once again speaking about the so-called "Zangezur Corridor", the president of Azerbaijan admitted that there is no such term in the trilateral declaration of November 9. At the same time, he threatened that "there will be a corridor, regardless of whether Armenia wants it or not." What can you say in this regard?

- Armenia has repeatedly stated that it is interested in the opening of all transport and economic infrastructures in the region in line with the November 9 declaration. We are ready to implement this within the framework of the national legislation in the shortest period of time, within the framework of the agreements reached on the preservation of the sovereignty of the countries and the jurisdiction over the roads. At the same time, Armenia will never agree to the provision of an extraterritorial corridor.

It is welcome that the leadership of Azerbaijan finally frankly states that the claims made about the so-called corridor have nothing to do with the trilateral declaration of November 9. In the declaration, there is only one mentioning about a corridor, and that is the Lachin Corridor, which has been illegally blocked by Azerbaijan for more than a month.

And the threats to open a corridor by force once again clearly demonstrate the violation of the key international principle of non-use of force or the threat of force by Azerbaijan, as well as the absolute contempt of official Baku for the agreements reached with the participation of international mediators.

Once again, we must record that the actions, belligerent rhetoric and maximalist approaches of the Azerbaijani leadership seriously endanger the possibility of achieving peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

- In the interview, Ilham Aliyev also referred to the EU observation mission, expressing his displeasure with the possibility of deploying a new observation mission in Armenia.

- First of all, we would like to emphasize that Armenia highly values the role of the EU mission, which ended on December 19, 2022 in strengthening stability and security in the region and preventing new aggressions against Armenia. We have also expressed our willingness to continue the mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU in the context of the implementation of the Union's new observation mission in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The displeasure of the president of Azerbaijan is incomprehensible to us. After all, let's repeat, we are talking about the possibility of carrying out the mission in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Apparently, the Azerbaijani side is afraid that the new EU mission will become an obstacle for launching a new aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the risk of which remains very high.

- Does this mean that the negotiations can be considered completed?

- Absolutely not, in December 2022 we presented our proposals for the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan or, as it is customary to say, the draft peace treaty to the Azerbaijani side, and now we are waiting for their response.
All afternoon people had been placing bouquets of flowers at the memorial and many of those at the vigil did so too

All afternoon people had been placing flowers at the memorial

Ashling Murphy's father Ray joined in a musical tribute to his daughter this afternoon at the site in Offaly where she met her death.

Over 100 people walked to the memorial on the bank of the Grand Canal near Tullamore a year to the day after Ashling was killed when she was out for a jog.

Incessant rain earlier in the day cleared as friends and neighbours congregated at the shrine and prayed a decade of the rosary, led by Tom Lawless, undertaker at the 23-year-old schoolteacher's funeral in January last year.

All afternoon people had been placing bouquets of flowers at the memorial and many of those at the vigil did so too, reflecting in silence before some well wishers with musical instruments played a selection of traditional tunes.

People walk to the memorial this afternoon

Ray Murphy joined on the banjo and among the musicians was James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School where Ashling had been working.

Ashling Murphy was an accomplished traditional musician whose instrument of choice was the fiddle and along with being a regular performer and competitor, she gave fiddle lessons and established a trad group for the pupils at her school.

The young woman had completed a day's teaching at the primary school just a few miles from Tullamore on January 12 last year and decided to stop at the canal bank for a run on her way home to her nearby native area of Blueball.

The vigil took place just hours before the first anniversary Mass for Ashling at St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus.

All afternoon people had been placing flowers at the memorial

The Murphy family have founded the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund which will invest in the advancement of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage.

Ashling's boyfriend Ryan Casey posted a loving tribute on the Memorial Fund's social media page where he addressed his soulmate.

He said: Time can move at a pace which can be impossible to comprehend but one thing for sure is no matter how fast time may pass, there isnt a single second that goes by where my heart doesnt ache for you.

A man has been charged with the murder of Ashling Murphy and the case is due before the courts in June.
The news comes as Ireland battles record numbers of patients waiting on trollies in overcrowded hospitals across the country.

A team of Canadian recruiters led by a government minister are setting out on a six-day tour of Irish cities to recruit doctors.

The news comes as Ireland battles record numbers of patients waiting on trolleys in overcrowded hospitals across the country.

"We certainly feel and hope that there will be significant interest amongst health-care professionals in Ireland, said Newfoundland and Labrador Health Minister Tom Osborne.

He told CBC News that he is leading a team of 11 recruiters who will touch down in 4 Irish cities to convince doctors to make the move.

Doctors and nurses are being sought to fill gaps in the Canadian healthcare system, ones similar to what Ireland is currently facing.

We feel that we can be competitive, he said, revealing to CBC News that potential hires will receive incentives.

Matthew Sadlier, chair of the consultant committee for the Irish Medical Organisation, admitted a major loss of Irish doctors will have impacts on the Irish health system.

"It is quite worrying that our doctors may be leaving us," he said.

"There's a perfect storm happening at the moment. We are hit with serious difficulties in the working environment in the Irish health-care service.

"Doctors are suffering extreme burnout, he told CBC News.

Canadian recruiters arrive in Ireland just months after a billboard sponsored by the Department of Health in Victoria, Australia popped up near Dublins Mater Hospital.

Victoria, Australia. Now recruiting healthcare workers... join the community, it said. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne, Australia."

A record number of 931 people were on trolleys in Irish hospitals last week, with large numbers of doctors and healthcare staff working overtime to speed up patient discharges.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has threatened industrial action over hospital overcrowding.

The union said it was seeking safe staffing levels and would consult members about industrial action over the next month.

It comes as the HSE confirmed more than 10,000 members are currently out of work, representing around 8pc of the workforce, in a week where emergency department attendances hit record heights.

INMO president Karen McGowan said it had become impossible to provide safe care to patients in overcrowded settings due to the threat of viruses circulating.

She said nurses and midwives had been left traumatised by what they witnessed.
It is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin, Damien English said in a statement.

Junior Minister Damien English has resigned after questions were raised about a planning application he made 14 years ago.

Mr English said he informed the Taoiseach on Wednesday night of his decision to resign as a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application, made in 2008, and it is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin, he said in a statement.

This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so.

I would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD. I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency.

I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State. I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government.

I would like to recognise the support and sacrifice of Laura and my family at all times.

Mr English also posted a video statement on social media announcing his resignation.

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Mr Englishs resignation follows a story published by The Ditch website on Wednesday which said he did not disclose that he already owned a house in Castlemartin, Co Meath, when making a planning application to Meath County Council to build a one-off rural home in Cookstown in Kells, Co Meath.

The law requires that anyone wishing to apply to build a one-off home must declare that they do not already own a home or owned a home in the past in which they have resided.

Mr Englishs planning application said he did not own a dwelling - despite the fact that the long-serving Fine Gael Meath West TD did own the house at Castlemartin, which The Ditch on Monday reported he had not declared on his Dail register of members interests for over ten years.

The Ditch further reported that Mr English had in March 2006, when he was an Opposition TD, spoken about the dangers of not being truthful to a local authority about housing developments.

A person building a one-off house cannot afford to be cheeky with the council or to take any risks. These people face the full rigour of the law and the council comes down on them if they step sideways, the Fine Gael TD said in the Dail in March 2006

In an earlier statement issued on Wednesday, Mr Englishs spokesperson argued that Sipo guidelines on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts are clear on the matter.

They cited guidance which states that an office holder is not required to disclose information regarding his or her private home or that of a spouse or civil partner, and any subsidiary or ancillary land to such home that is not being used or developed primarily for commercial purposes.

The guidance further states: Also excluded is a holiday home and any other private home used by an office holder or his or her family, and any land that is subsidiary or ancillary to it which is required for its amenity or convenience and is not being used or developed primarily for commercial purposes.

Mr Englishs spokesperson added: As per this guidance from Sipo, the property was not included on the declaration form as it is solely for use by him and his family.

Prior to Mr Englishs resignation, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, however, made a formal complaint to Sipo alleging the Fine Gael TD for Meath West breached the Ethics in Public Office Act.

Mr Murphy argues that the matter requires further investigation.

In a statement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he agreed with Mr Englishs resignation.

Last night, Damien English TD offered me his resignation as Minister of State for Employment Affairs, Business and Retail, he said.

He informed me that 14 years ago, when applying for planning permission, he made a declaration to Meath County Council that was not correct.

It was his view given the circumstances that his position was not tenable. I agreed and accepted his resignation.

Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland, Minister of State for Integration Joe O'Brien said Mr Englishs behaviour wasnt up to the standard expected of elected representatives and he made the right decision.

Well, I think Damien has made the right decision. I learned of the news very recently myself. It's clear that his behaviour wasn't up to the standard of what is expected, rightly expected, of all of us in public office and I think he's made the right decision today. I have to say, I don't know a lot of the detail only the fact that he owns a home that he didn't declare. That's quite a serious omission, and I think he made the right decision to resign today, he said.

Speaking on the same programme, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the reshuffled Cabinet is "in some respects following the pattern" of the last one in terms of "ministerial resignations".

"But I think Damien has made the right call," she added.
A Garda spokesman said they are appealing to any witnesses to make contact with them.

Two pedestrians were killed within a 15 minute period on Dublins streets last night.

In the first fatal collision, a man in his 40s was killed in a tragic road traffic accident in Dublins north-inner city shortly after 7pm.

Just fifteen minutes later, a 23-year-old male pedestrian also died after being struck by an SUV in West Dublin.

At approximately 7:00pm, Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the first crash after receiving reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian that occurred on Summerhill Parade,

The pedestrian, described as a man in his 40s, was brought to the Mater Hospital to be treated for his injuries where he was later pronounced dead.

A Garda spokesman said they are appealing to any witnesses to this crash make contact with them.

Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

"They are also appealing to those with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time, to make it available to them.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda.

In a separate incident, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was also killed after being struck by an SUV on the N81,

The man was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, a woman in her 40s, did not require hospital treatment.

The deceased has been removed to the Dublin City Morgue where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

An examination of the crash site has been completed and the road has since fully reopened to traffic.

The Garda spokesman has also appealed for anyone who may have seen anything to contact Tallaght Garda Station.

"Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

"They are also appealing to those with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time, to make it available to them.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station 01 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The new exhibition is a joint initiative between Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Derry and Derry City and Strabane District Council

Plans are underway to create a permanent Derry Girls exhibition in the city made famous by the hit TV show.

The Sunday World can reveal the exhibition is scheduled to open in Derrys Tower Museum next summer.

It will stay there for a year before being taken to other venues throughout the UK and Ireland.

The new exhibition is a joint initiative between Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Derry and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

It is being described by those involved as a flagship tourism project for Northern Ireland.

The hope is the exhibition will attract thousands of fans from all over the world who have fallen in love with the comedy series.

First screened on Channel 4 in 2018, Derry Girls is now a massive global success after it became available on Netflix.

The show, which follows the adventures of five teenage friends, Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and the wee English fella James during the 1990s, was the most successful comedy series for Channel 4 since Father Ted.

More than two million people watched each episode.

The series, which was inspired by writer Lisa McGees own experiences growing up in Derry, has also given the citys tourism industry a huge boost.

Local tour guides say more and more visitors are telling them they decided to travel to Derry as a result of the comedy show.

Among the most popular places for visitors is a Derry Girls mural on the wall of a city centre pub where fans can take a picture of themselves with the stars of the show.

There are also dedicated Derry Girls tours which visit areas of the city where the series was filmed.

From next summer, the proposed new exhibition will be at the heart of the visitor experience for Derry Girls fans.

As well as focusing on the popularity of the show, the exhibition will also look at the legacy of Derry Girls.

Many commentators have praised the show for its portrayal of life, especially for young people, in Northern Ireland during the latter stages of the Troubles.

In one famous scene, two groups of Protestant and Catholic teenagers brought together for a cross-community event are asked about their differences and similarities.

A blackboard to highlight similarities between Protestants and Catholics remains empty, while another blackboard used to show differences is packed with suggestions such as Protestants hate Abba and Catholics have more freckles.

Derry Girls last ever episode was a stand-alone special set around the time of the Good Friday Agreement vote, which happened to coincide with Orlas 18th birthday.

Towards the end of the show, viewers said an emotional goodbye to the cast as they were seen voting in favour of the peace agreement.

accolade

Among the many well-known fans of the show are Oscar-winning film director Martin Scorsese who recently revealed he has been watching Derry Girls.

An episode of The Simpsons which aired in March 2022 featured an ice cream parlour called Dairy Girls Ice Cream. Simpsons writer Matt Selman confirmed in a Tweet that it was a reference to Derry Girls, adding it was the least we could do.

Lisa McGee last month received the Freedom of Derry accolade in recognition of her success, making her the first woman to be given the award.

At the event, she spoke about her pride in creating Derry Girls.

Im immensely proud to be from Derry. As a writer working in television, an industry thats notoriously tough to break into and to survive in, being from Derry has always felt like my superpower, she said.

Its just steeped in story and full of storytellers. I always thought it was an unfair advantage.

Its just been my greatest privilege to be able to write Derry Girls, to be able to showcase our amazing sense of humour and warmth and humanity.

And Im going to continue writing about the place I come from, the place I love.
She has described the luxury trip through nature reserves as one of the best experiences of her life.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Comedian Joanne McNally is on a luxury safari around Kenya with model boyfriend Alan, sharing snaps on social media.

The co-host of My Therapist Ghosted Me has been apart from pal Vogue Williams as she takes in the African landscape.

She has described the trip through nature reserves as one of the best experiences of her life.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Hosted by the lavish East African Experience Company and luxury Elewana Collection, Joanne has seen elephants, lions, giraffes and more gallivanting around the Kenyan landscape.

The comedian also met local tribes, sharing the trip to the Maasai tribe with Instagram followers.

"Anyway the whole thing was absolutely amazing, and eye-opening cos theyve lost so many animals to drought, there were animal carcasses strewn all around the ground outside the village, she said.

Joanne explained the pair have vowed to get involved and help out.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

"Im only on say three of my trip to Kenya and its already one of the best experiences of my (very young short) life!

Followers rushed to the comments to wish Joanne a brilliant time as she yesterday shared some moments from their accommodation.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

Joanne joked that her work is done here with a photo of boyfriend Alan re-applying his sun cream in a gold chain and a pair of GAA shorts.

The headline-making uniform of actor Paul Mescal while he was out-and-about has often been praised online, with Joanne saying:

"GAA shorts and a chain, its been a tough road but I think my work here is done.

Joanne shared snaps from the safari on her Instagram.

The pair, who met on celebrity dating app Raya, previously enjoyed a trip to Barcelona together.

It has been clear from social media snaps that Joanne had a rough start to the year, revealing on her Instagram stories that she has been sick, had a root canal  and her car crashed into a local cafe.

"2023 has had a pretty spicy start. In the last 48 hours, Ive had that 24-hour vomiting bug. For anyone thats had it, its doing the rounds, its gross, she said, speaking to the camera with a devil filter on.

Then this morning I had the start of a root canal done. One of my teeth is hanging out of my head.

Joanne then revealed that her model boyfriend Alan Byrne, nicknamed Prada Peter was driving her car earlier that day and accidentally drove into a coffee shop nearby.

This morning Alan drove my car into the local coffee shop. My car  not his. He left the handbrake off. He said he did it by accident, well never know.

No, nobody was hurt. People are asking me if anyone (was) hurt. Nobody was hurt, thank god. Imagine he'd run someone over and I was just posting a video online for the craic? Im not that insane.

Nobodys hurt, thank god. Nobody was hurt, the 39-year-old said.
Don't eat his crunchy nut cornflakes and leave him with no breakfast in the morning. You should never send a man to work on an empty belly

Colin Farrell, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy for "The Banshees of Inisherin," left, and Martin McDonagh   Invision

The good people behind Kelloggs Crunchy Nut have promised Colin Farrell he will never go without his favourite cereal again, after the actor complained about co-star Barry Keoghan eating his breakfast.

The Dublin star had the audience in stitches at the Golden Globes where he was awarded the Best Actor in a Motion Picture gong in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Barry ate Colin's breakfast

In his speech for the award given for his role in the Banshees of Inisherin, Colin, staring down Barry who was in the audience, said: Barry, when you are sharing a house with an actor you are working with, a word of advice Barry.

Don't eat his crunchy nut cornflakes and leave him with no breakfast in the morning. You should never send a man to work on an empty belly.

Barry obviously didnt take the good, humoured jab seriously and was seen cracking up in his seat but Kellogg's have no responded, vowing that this will never happen again.

"With this in mind, we are sending Colin a Crunchy Nut Emergency Hotline number so he can call us anytime he wakes up to find Barry has eaten his favourite cereal, Sarah OBrien, Kelloggs Crunchy Nut Marketing Manager declared.

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It was a big night for Irish film which won a total of three awards.

Although Keoghan missed out on the Best Supporting Actor title, Martin McDonagh seized the prize for Best Screenplay and the film also won Best Picture  Musical or Comedy.
Update 10.00am: Firefighters are at the scene of an oil spill from a truck in Mount Maunganui.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand communications northern shift manager Colin Underdown says the oil has come from a truck's spilled fuel tank.

"We are currently damming it," says Colin.

"The time on clearing it will depend on how big the spill is and where it has gone. The council will check the stormwater drain and we will clear the road itself."

EARLIER 9.24am: Motorists are being asked to avoid Jean Batten Drive in Mount Maunganui.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there has been a diesel spill on the road.

"Firefighters are on the scene and they look like they are trying to contain the spill.

"It looks like around 200 litres of diesel has been spilt from a truck on the road."

The caller says they are unsure how the spill happened.

SunLive is working on getting more information and will provide an update when we can.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
A convicted fraudster who lived in New Zealand under a false identity for decades should get another chance to stay, a tribunal has ruled.

The woman, who is now 51, was born in Samoa. In 1991, she assumed the identity of a Tokelauan national  a member of her extended family  and travelled to New Zealand on her passport.

As Tokelau is within the Realm of New Zealand, those from the territory are citizens by birth and can hold Kiwi passports.

The woman, identified only as MX in a recent decision from the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, has lived in New Zealand ever since.

She later sponsored her Fiji-born husband to come to New Zealand using her assumed identity. He has since become a citizen and the couple had three children, who are also citizens.

The womans fraud was not discovered until 2000, when the relative whose identity shed assumed applied for a New Zealand passport.

MX was convicted of using a false passport and presenting a misleading arrival card at the airport. She was sentenced to 100 hours community service and served with an order that she be removed from New Zealand.

However, in the 20 years since, she has remained in the country and mounted a series of appeals for a residency visa, saying she had nothing to return to in Samoa.

She told the tribunal she had built strong ties to Aotearoa over the past 30 years  she and her husband own a home and a rental property in Auckland and run a commercial cleaning franchise here.

She had more than paid the price for her fraud and since served almost three life sentences of stress and uncertainty because of her lack of residence status, she claimed.

In examining her case, the tribunal noted the woman did have strong ties to Aotearoa  however, she was only able to build them because she unlawfully entered New Zealand, then remained here for decades.

Despite being ordered to leave in 2000, she stayed and further established and entrenched her family life and settlement here.

The womans ongoing disregard for the integrity of the immigration system was disappointing, the tribunal said.

-Anna Loren/Stuff.
Love him or loathe him, believe him or disbelieve him, it doesnt matter.

Because Prince Harrys polarizing 416 page ghostwritten memoir Spare is proving to be a favourite pot boiler in Tauranga this week.

Paper Plus in Bethlehem Town Centre ordered in 44 copies of the book. The day before yesterdays release date, there had been pre-approved sales of about 30 and the rest had gone by midday yesterday. The store spent yesterday afternoon asking people to tie-ho because more copies were on the way from Auckland  hopefully by tomorrow.

I am surprised by the response, says Bethlehem Paper Plus owner Donna Gardner. But I have read it, its worth it. And she gave the reporter a strong recommendation. Get it and read it.

The world has been bombarded with Spare spoilers over the last week Harry using cocaine and weed, Harry and William having a donnybrook, Harry losing his virginity to an older woman behind a pub, Harry killing 25 Taliban, Kate and William encouraging Harry to wear the infamous Nazi party costume and Harry begging Charles not to marry the dangerous Camilla. Raw, frank and revealing confessions and accusations. So do we need to buy and read the $60 book after all the publicity.

The reality check is this, says Donna Gardner. Theres a lot of media spin. Theres so much sensationalism by the media to sell their newspapers. And really his book is all about there being two sides to the story. Prince Harry is saying this is actually what happened and this is how the media tried to spin it. We dont need to be doing this to each other, so lets stop it.

Tauranga City Library on Devonport Road is putting Prince Harrys Spare up there alongside a new Lee Child release, or Michelle Obamas The Coming  just on borrower interest alone. And because of that interest, Spare, the book will be added to the librarys top title collection which means borrowers will get just a two week loan to plough through the 400 plus pages. Because other readers are waiting.

Content team leader at the library Michelle Sims says ten copies of the standard print format turned up today, another five are on the way. There are 85 holds on those copies, thats 85 people registered to borrow the book from the library. That level of holds is amongst the highest we ever get, says Michelle. Yes, a very high level of interest.

The library also has four copies of the large print format on order and there are 23 holds on those. Prince Harry actually narrated the audio version of Spare and there are four holds on the two audio copies the library has ordered.

Its reported two thirds of all Britons now have a negative attitude towards Prince Harry. And if that negativity and all the full and frank TV interviews and the book excerpts leaked to newspapers over the past week were expected to dull interest in the book, it hasnt.

The book broke sales records for a non-fiction book on publication day in Britain. And New Zealanders are expected to continue their fascination for the royals as well.

Donna Gardner from Paper Plus at Bethlehem Town Centre says she hears people saying Prince Harry is just another whinging pom. "But no, Spare is very well written and I am pleased I read it because it has given me another perspective of how the royals are treated. Also they are human, and who hasnt made a mistake in their life and done dumb s..t."
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech at the 12th session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia. The Prime Minister referred to the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Offic eof the Prime Minister.

In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan noted:

"Honorable Prime Minister Garibashvili,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Within the framework of the 12th session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia, I once again welcome Prime Minister Garibashvili and the delegation headed by him.

There is no doubt that the friendship of the Armenian and Georgian peoples based on common values, civilizational and historical commonalities is the solid basis of our active partnership and a reliable guarantee for the future, and the further expansion and deepening of relations with Georgia is among the important priorities of Armenia's foreign policy.

2022 can be called the year of overcoming the difficulties and consequences of the previous period. I would like to state with satisfaction that due to consistent efforts, we were able to record economic growth and our economies have returned to normal levels in many areas.

I would like to note with satisfaction that today our intergovernmental relations are at a qualitatively new stage and are recording dynamic development in various fields. The vivid proof of my words are the regular official and unofficial meetings of the leaders of Armenia and Georgia, during which we have the opportunity to address the entire agenda of bilateral relations. This tendency is also maintained in many other areas, where active bilateral contacts take place at various levels.

However, for expanding and deepening our economic relations, there is a clear mutual understanding to identify the unrealized potential and more effectively use the opportunities arising from it. In that regard, a significant share in the agenda of today's session of the intergovernmental commission is reserved for the promotion of mutual investments, strengthening of business ties, creation of more favorable conditions for small and medium businesses, interaction between the sectoral departments of the two countries and issues aimed at the development of joint economic programs.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the economies of almost all countries suffered significant negative effects, and our countries were not an exception, as a result of which the indicators of mutual trade decreased somewhat in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. However, in January-November 2022, the volume of trade turnover, according to statistics of Armenia, increased almost twice compared to 2021, amounting to 759 million US dollars. Here, Georgian statistics publishes a higher figure- 1 billion USD, and I am sure that you calculated more correctly than we did. It is very important that we compare the numbers not to 2020, 2021, but to 2019, where the figures were record high. In this regard, in January-November 2019, the volume of trade turnover with Georgia was 481.7 million USD, and in 2022, compared to the same period of 2019, the increase was 57.6%. I think this indicator is, for obvious reasons, even more important, because for us and for you, 2019 was a very successful year, perhaps the most successful of the previous years.

If we compare the indicators of 11 months of 2022 with the annual indicators of 2019 (554.7 million), then even in this case in the 11 months of 2022 the trade turnover with Georgia increased by 36.9% compared to 2019. In other words, 11 months have already exceeded the entire volume of 2019, for which I want to congratulate all of us. This means that what we speak, we agree, the business world also receives that message, we also create conditions for our relations to develop dynamically.

I am sure that the positive dynamics of foreign trade indicators will be maintained in the coming years, thanks to the growth of the economies of our countries and the development of cooperation.

I would like to note with satisfaction the high economic growth in our countries. Both Armenia and Georgia recorded double-digit economic growth in 2022. I think also our cooperation and good relations played a very important role in that. The GDP growth in Armenia in January-September 2022 was 12.6%.

The priority given to the transport sector within the framework of bilateral cooperation and the cooperation in a number of international transport structures give us the opportunity to take realistic steps in the initiatives providing nodal connection of both North-South and East-West routes. These are also issues of the strategic dimension of our discussions, in the direction of which we must continuously work.

Regular passenger transportation between Armenia and Georgia is carried out both by land and air. As for cargo transportation, it is necessary to make additional efforts and carry out joint continuous work to ensure their easier movement, including through control, using modern technological solutions. In this context, I would like to emphasize the importance of the commissioning of the new bridge named "Friendship" at the Bagratashen-Sadakhlo checkpoint of the Armenian-Georgian interstate border in August last year.

Armenia also attaches great importance to railway transport cooperation and the expansion of multimodal transport, including the organization of sea transport.

For Armenia, Georgia, as a transit country, also has a great role in terms of reliable and safe supply of energy resources, communication and telecommunications. In 2022, 365 million kWh of electricity was exported from the Republic of Armenia to Georgia, which is more than the exports from Armenia in the previous 10 years combined. We hope that we will be able to maintain the present dynamics in this area.

Taking into account the relevance of information technologies and their day-by-day increasing role in almost all spheres of life, the development of cooperation between Armenia and Georgia in the fields of digitalization, telecommunications, high technologies, as well as cyber security becomes imperative.

Active contacts with Georgia continue in the field of education and science. I am happy to state that since last year, Georgian language is taught in three schools in Armenia, and that number will definitely increase. For increasing that number, we expect the support of our Georgian partners to raise the level of Georgian language teaching in Armenian schools, and we expect support in the preparation and training of Georgian language specialists in order to be able to carry out in a proper volume, because the main obstacle we have today is the scarcity of the number of specialists.

Within the framework of interdepartmental cooperation, the certification program for teachers of public schools teaching Armenian in Georgia was developed, which was launched in 2022. It is planned to expand the program, which will also include teacher training courses.

I would like to note with satisfaction that effective work is underway to create a center of Georgian studies at Yerevan State University and to develop the chair of Armenian studies at Ivane Javakhishvili State University in Tbilisi.

Today, the Armenian-Georgian cooperation in the field of culture is entering a qualitatively new phase, in which the status of merely acknowledging each other's cultures is changing to the level of forming a unified cultural field based on the principle of togetherness, and jointly positioning ourselves in the international cultural-touristic market. I also consider it necessary to emphasize organizing tours of Georgian and Armenian cultural groups, mutual visits of cultural figures, organizing exhibitions and other events. I mean that Georgian cultural figures and collectives should perform in Armenia and Armenian collectives and artists should perform in Georgia as well. I hope that as a result of our discussions, that process will also activate.

One of the important directions of our cultural cooperation is the preservation of historical and cultural monuments, and in that context we need to activate the cooperation between institutions responsible for issues of cultural heritage.

Speaking about cultural interaction, I would like to thank our Georgian partners for the renovation of the Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre, as well as for supporting the activities of the theatrical troupe.

The tourism sector also has significant development potential in our countries. In 2022, the number of tourists visiting Armenia was more than 1.6 million, increasing by about 90% compared to last year. I am sure that mutual tourist visits between our two countries also have the potential to grow. I would like to mention that according to preliminary data, the number of visitors from Georgia to Armenia in 2022 was about 190 thousand and this number obviously has the potential to increase.

I believe that there is still unrealized potential in creating regional tourism packages between our countries, and jointly working in this direction will bring cooperation in the field of tourism to a new level. By the way, I want to say that during my first visit to Georgia, when we were meeting with representatives of the Georgian business community, the first issue they raised was that the roads from Tbilisi to Yerevan are in a very bad condition, and I promised them that we will definitely solve that issue. Now I am happy to record that the Tbilisi - Yerevan roads are in excellent condition. So, I hope that our tourism companies, according to our agreement, will activate visits, directions and cooperation. Particularly given the fact that I think that we are signing an important document in this regard, the agreement between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia on mutual visa-free travel for citizens of both countries, which means that our citizens and we can already pay mutual visits without a passport, with ID cards, which is also very important and reflects our cooperation.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you for this cooperation. What is this list of cooperation about? By and large, this is about the fact that our bilateral relations are not single-layered, nor double-layered, nor three-layered. Our relations are multi-layered, and I am sure that this quality of our high-level political relations will allow these layers to become more and more for the good of the Republic of Armenia, for the good of Georgia, for the good of the region and the age-old friendship of our two countries and peoples.

I welcome you again and wish good luck."
Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, Amnesty Internationals global press office said in a statement.

January 12, 2023, 09:56 Amnesty International calls on Azerbaijan to end blockade of Lachin corridor

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, which has left residents of Nagorno Karabakh without access to essential goods and services. Freedom of movement and protection of economic and social rights for those affected must be ensured, Amnesty Internationals global press office tweeted.
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The official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented on the media's question about the statements by Armenia regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

January 12, 2023, 12:27 Russia MFA spox: Difficult to assess Armenias position when statements about same issue differ significantly

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: News.am informs.

- How will you interpret Prime Minister of Armenia N.V. Pashinyan's statement, at the press conference on January 10 of this year, about the readiness of the Armenian side to sign a document, based on Russian proposals, on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

It is difficult to give an assessment to the position of the Armenian side when the statements of official Yerevan on the same issue differ significantly. During the mentioned press conference, the Prime Minister of Armenia spoke about the intention to sign a document based on the Russian proposals, and at the same timeabout the preferability of a "compound solution"which is proposed by the Westof the conflict.
apollo_1999 BHPian



Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Kolkata Posts: 51 Thanked: 159 Times

View My Garage





Road-trip to an unforgettable land, Garpanchkot (West Bengal)

This is my first travelogue on team-bhp.



It was December again and my hands were itching for a winter road trip. after quite a bit of discussion we decided to head to garpanchkot, the unforgettable land. it is located at the foothills of Panchet Hill in the district of Purulia, around 250km from Kolkata. Garpanchkot is covered with lush green hills as well as a few historical monuments.





Artemis getting filled up!



After a basic visual inspection of the car, we started our trip on a foggy winter morning at around 6 am.Using the Belghoria expressway, it took us around 50 mins to reach the NH 19 Dankuni toll plaza and we didn't encounter any major traffic. After crossing the toll plaza it was quite challenging to keep up a steady pace as the condition of the road starts to worsen combined with a substantial amount of goods carrying vehicles. There were numerous diversions and in some places, single lane traffic movement resulted in long snarling jams.





On Belghoria expressway towards Dakshineswar





Old Vivekananda Setu











we took our breakfast break at Hindusthan hotel and ordered some lip-smacking aloo paratha. All together it was around a 40mins break and with our tummies full we hit the road again.









locomotive on rubber wheels



The condition of the roads was quite good after Burdwan and subsequently, we were able to maintain a speed of around 85-90kmph easily till Asansol.















Near Bidhannagar, Durgapur towards Asansol





Nice artwork, I guess KGF 2 fever is still not over yet!





Even better one



In the meantime, we decided to complete our lunch, and what better way to relish our hunger than by having some authentic veg Bengali food.







We took a left turn from Dendua - Neamatpur Four Point crossing towards kultora leaving NH 19, this 24km stretch towards garpanchkot was filled with bumps and potholes and there was also congestion along certain places throughout the road.

We checked in at the WBFDC garpanchkot Nature Resort situated at the foothills of the Panchet hills, there is a natural charm all around this resort.





Entrance of the WBFDC garpanchkot Nature Resort









Mesmerising view





Artemis enjoying nature



After a brief conversation with the resort manager, it was time to hit the roads again toward the Garpanchkot Pancharatna Temple also known as the Ras mandir. The drive was around 10km through beautiful scenic roads with lush green forests all around. Surprisingly the condition of the road was very good.





View of panchet hill





Ras mandir









panaromic view around the temple



There is a trail along panchet hill that leads to the Raghunath Mandir. I must say it was quite a bit of a climb and we enjoyed every bit of it. I was spellbound by the view at the top. there was not much to view at the temple since restoration work was going on







Starting of the trail





some more distance to cover





Breathtaking view from the top!





Entrance of the Raghunath mandir





Restoration work of the mandir at full swing Hello everyone,This is my first travelogue on team-bhp.It was December again and my hands were itching for a winter road trip. after quite a bit of discussion we decided to head to garpanchkot, the unforgettable land. it is located at the foothills of Panchet Hill in the district of Purulia, around 250km from Kolkata. Garpanchkot is covered with lush green hills as well as a few historical monuments.After a basic visual inspection of the car, we started our trip on a foggy winter morning at around 6 am.Using the Belghoria expressway, it took us around 50 mins to reach the NH 19 Dankuni toll plaza and we didn't encounter any major traffic. After crossing the toll plaza it was quite challenging to keep up a steady pace as the condition of the road starts to worsen combined with a substantial amount of goods carrying vehicles. There were numerous diversions and in some places, single lane traffic movement resulted in long snarling jams.we took our breakfast break at Hindusthan hotel and ordered some lip-smacking aloo paratha. All together it was around a 40mins break and with our tummies full we hit the road again.The condition of the roads was quite good after Burdwan and subsequently, we were able to maintain a speed of around 85-90kmph easily till Asansol.In the meantime, we decided to complete our lunch, and what better way to relish our hunger than by having some authentic veg Bengali food.We took a left turn from Dendua - Neamatpur Four Point crossing towards kultora leaving NH 19, this 24km stretch towards garpanchkot was filled with bumps and potholes and there was also congestion along certain places throughout the road.We checked in at the WBFDC garpanchkot Nature Resort situated at the foothills of the Panchet hills, there is a natural charm all around this resort.After a brief conversation with the resort manager, it was time to hit the roads again toward the Garpanchkot Pancharatna Temple also known as the Ras mandir. The drive was around 10km through beautiful scenic roads with lush green forests all around. Surprisingly the condition of the road was very good.There is a trail along panchet hill that leads to the Raghunath Mandir. I must say it was quite a bit of a climb and we enjoyed every bit of it. I was spellbound by the view at the top. there was not much to view at the temple since restoration work was going on Last edited by apollo_1999 : 9th January 2023 at 23:32 .
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, met with the Ambassador of France to Georgia, Sheraz Gasri.At the introductory meeting, the conversation touched on the existing relations between Georgia and France and the prospects of future cooperation.It was noted that France is a friend and reliable partner of Georgia. The head of the government thanked the French ambassador for his strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as the policy of non-recognition.The importance of France's support for Georgia's integration into the European Union and NATO was emphasized at the meeting. It was noted that Georgia will continue to support European values and play a constructive role in supporting peace and stability in the region.Lelo party leader Badri Japaridze, called the investment of 300 million dollars by the state in the Anaklia port project a 'realm of fantasy' in an interview.According to him, no reputable investor will enter the project, where the state will have a 51% share."The government of Georgia allegedly terminated the contract with the Anaklia Development Consortium due to a delay of several months. The question arises - who benefited from this, our state? of course not. Three years have passed and we have not laid a finger on the finger, we have lost huge opportunities. Such decisions are taken by the current government. Investing 300 million dollars by the state is the realm of fantasy. Where the state will have 51%, no reputable investor will enter. Therefore, the statement we heard on this matter is for propaganda purposes," said Japaridze.
Socialist International (SI) has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along Lachin Corridor.

January 12, 2023, 12:45 Socialist International urges Azerbaijan to ensure freedom and security of movement along Lachin corridor

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Socialist International (SI) stresses its concern regarding the blocking of Lachin corridor as the unique land connection between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh region, the organization said in a declaration.

We urge the Azerbaijan authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020.The humanitarian situation is critical and hence the SI strongly calls on the parties to dialogue and negotiation and prevent the humanitarian crisis the blocking may cause in the civil population.
We are approaching a major technological pivot where much of the processing we do personally happens not on our local PC but in the connected cloud.

At the forefront of this charge is Qualcomm, which uses Arm technology to complete its PC solution. Microsoft has followed Apple toward Arm, but unlike Apple, it partnered with Qualcomm to get there. To chase this opportunity, Qualcomm also bought Nuvia, which, on paper, has better technology than Apples.

In response to this acquisition, Arm pulled Nuvias license to prevent the advancement, apparently forgetting that Qualcomms license already covered a similar effort. Given history, there is a decent chance that Apple is at least partially behind this and is working to prevent the creation of a better solution than its own, coupled with a premature move by Arm to increase profits from PC-targeted Arm solutions.

Lets explore this litigation mess, and well close with my product of the week, which is AMDs latest Ryzen 7000 series processor.

The Coming PC Pivot

The PC market is moving from a heavy focus on localized performance to connectivity to cloud services and battery life.

On my last couple of trips, Ive noticed that airplane Wi-Fi, which until now barely worked for web browsing and email, now works for streaming. Its still not fast enough to stream games, but the jump in performance is notable. This was an area that significantly lagged home use, and especially remote 5G performance, and prevented this pivot.

Its increasingly likely that this limiting factor will evaporate as we move to 6G in the second half of the decade, making connectivity and battery life much more compelling. Assuming Qualcomm and Microsofts effort continues to be successful, this would favor that solution over others.

Intel has already begun to shift its roadmap to this opportunity, and it looks like it will be ready for the pivot. Intels solution, which promises a hybrid approach with both the performance you need when you need it and the battery life and connectivity you want in a bi-model solution, should provide a decent defense of its dominant PC market share.

AMD and Nvidias response to this trend is less defined, particularly since Nvidias attempt to buy Arm fell through. But I expect both companies also see this opportunity and risk and are moving to address it.

Bad Timing

This means that if Qualcomm doesnt execute sharply, its advantage could evaporate due to an inability to perform and a successful pivot by the existing entrenched vendors. What Arm should be doing is throwing all of its support behind Qualcomms anything-but-certain gambit to assure better an Arm-focused outcome instead of trying to cripple the effort before it can get to critical mass.

On the economic side, while I understand the desire to get a higher license fee for a part that will likely have a higher gross margin, creating a market pivot comes with high costs. Anticipated extra gross margin would be consumed by marketing efforts and sales discounts designed to drive this Arm-favored pivot.

Put differently, the time to negotiate a new pricing deal is after the effort is successful and Qualcomm has the extra income to make such an increase work  not when the company is trying to penetrate a hostile market and needs every financial resource it can get.

In short, Arm acts as if Qualcomm is taking unfair advantage of Arms favorable pricing, which might be sustainable if Qualcomm had already been successful. Even so, Qualcomms existing license agreement would still have to be overcome, but at least the numbers would work in its favor.

Anti-Competitive

Apple undoubtedly has a great deal of say at Arm since it has licensing terms that may be more favorable than Qualcomms. This last would likely be a closely held secret but consistent with deals Ive seen with other Apple suppliers. Apple is known for getting deals that are so good its suppliers often wonder if they would have been better off passing on them.

As I see it, Apple really doesnt want an Arm solution, particularly one blessed by Microsoft, to be better than what its using. The Qualcomm solution using Nuvias technology looks to be substantially better. Apple already conceals higher margins that result from using cheaper technology in its premium lines  like avoiding touch screens that are common in competing PC products.

Having a significant performance disadvantage coupled with a lack of compelling cloud performance solutions would cost Apple a lot of its less religious base, particularly creators.

Moving again to cripple Qualcomm so that its better solution doesnt come to market would be consistent with what Apple attempted in prior efforts, which included a backed hostile takeover by Broadcom and a bogus complaint with the FTC.

RISC-V Benefit

What really makes this interesting is that, before this happened, there was an anti-Arm effort coming from the RISC-V consortium. RISC-V has similar capabilities to Arm but a much more modern and licensee-friendly business model.

This model had already shifted a lot of developers from Arm to RISC-V, so this ill-advised hostile action between Arm and one of its largest licensees has put a spotlight on RISC-Vs better (in terms of licensee benefits) business model.

Thanks to Nvidias failure to acquire Arm and the resulting IPO that funded Arm independence but didnt adequately fund development, Arms future revenues could be at risk, which would impact its ability to do the debt financing it will need to advance its technology.

In the end, Qualcomm and Microsoft should be looking more favorably at RISC-V over Arm due to this ill-timed and poorly considered legal action.

Wrapping Up

It is often the case that when companies are struggling, they turn to litigation to make up for their operational problems. This rarely works because CEOs generally dont understand how litigation actually works, and, as a result, they put more faith in this approach than history justifies.

Arm is in trouble primarily because it depended on Nvidia acquiring it to fund its future growth and success, and now its hungry for revenue. But a licensing model (both Arm and Qualcomm are licensing experts) requires trust between the parties and a deep understanding of the bigger picture so that the end result is successful and profitable for both entities.

Crippling Qualcomm at the front of a massive war against x86 is ill-advised, given Qualcomms success was never assured and that Intel, in particular, seems to be successfully pivoting to address this threat to its market share.

To be successful, Qualcomm needs Arms help. Instead, Arm is hurting the effort to a degree that could cause it to fail. The obvious move for both Qualcomm and its Microsoft partner is to move to RISC-V, thereby putting this entire issue in the rearview mirror.

Such a move would either kill Arm or, more likely, turn it into what would effectively be a poorly funded Apple subsidiary. That end would make Apple less competitive over time, as well.

I think we are beginning to see the end of Arm, and while Arm is likely to hold others responsible, it will only have itself to blame.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Processor

For most of its life, AMD has been subordinated to Intel. Thats how the PC market was conceived: Intel needed a second x86 vendor to meet IBMs requirement that the part not be sole-sourced.

The relationship between Intel and AMD was anything but friendly because AMD didnt like being subordinate to Intel and wanted more market share than Intel would allow. To be fair, Intel was still doing most of the heavy lifting in terms of market creation and maintenance, so it felt taken advantage of.

Last decade, Intel tried to treat x86 as a cash cow and cut back significantly on development and ecosystem maintenance, which allowed AMD first to catch up in terms of performance and then bypass Intel by a significant margin on servers, workstations, and PCs.

Intel maintained leadership in terms of the installed base, compliance, and overall resources, but AMD took the performance crown. Intel is attempting to catch up and is, as noted above, pivoting aggressively to address the battery life and connectivity threat that Qualcomm represents.

But when it comes to PCs, AMDs Ryzen 7000 owns the performance crown at the moment. Though be aware that performance is relative, and Intels 13th-generation parts look more competitive.

Image Credit: AMD

Ive assembled my first Ryzen 7000 desktop system, and one of the huge benefits is that, as Intel did a few years back, AMD has gotten rid of the pins on the chip, which pretty much eliminates where many of us broke ours (breaking a pin on assembly was almost a given). In addition, you no longer have to change the backing plate when adding a heavy air or water cooler.

All of this makes building a system faster and easier than before. So, more power, easier assembly, and a nice result make the new Ryzen 7000 processor line my product of the week.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network.
Applying artificial intelligence to medical images can be beneficial to physicians and patients, but developing the tools to do it can be challenging. Google on Tuesday announced its ready to meet that challenge with its new Medical Imaging Suite.

Google pioneered the use of AI and computer vision in Google Photos, Google Image Search and Google Lens, and now were making our imaging expertise, tools and technologies available for health care and life sciences enterprises, Alissa Hsu Lynch, global lead of Google Cloud MedTech Strategy and Solutions, said in a statement.

Gartner Vice President and Distinguished Analyst Jeff Cribbs explained that health care providers who are looking for AI for diagnostic imaging solutions have generally been forced into one of two choices.

They can procure software from the device manufacturer, the image repository vendor or from a third-party, or they can build their own algorithms with industry agnostic image classification tools, he told TechNewsWorld.

With this release, he continued, Google is taking their low code AI development tooling and adding substantial health care-specific acceleration.

This Google product provides a platform for AI developers and also facilitates image exchange, added Ginny Torno, administrative director of innovation and IT clinical, ancillary and research systems at Houston Methodist, in Houston.

This is not unique to this market, but may provide interoperability opportunities that a smaller provider is not capable of, she told TechNewsWorld.

Robust Components

According to Google, Medical Imaging Suite addresses some common pain points organizations face when developing AI and machine learning models. Components in the suite include:

Cloud Healthcare API, which allows for easy and secure data exchange using an international standard for imaging, DICOMweb. The API provides a fully managed, scalable, enterprise-grade development environment, with automated DICOM de-identification. Imaging technology partners include NetApp for seamless on-prem to cloud data management, and Change Healthcare, a cloud-native enterprise imaging PACS in clinical use by radiologists.

AI-assisted annotation tools from Nvidia and Monai to automate the highly manual and repetitive task of labeling medical images, as well as native integration with any DICOMweb viewer.

Access to BigQuery and Looker to view and search petabytes of imaging data to perform advanced analytics and create training datasets with zero operational overhead.

Use of Vertex AI to accelerate development of AI pipelines to build scalable machine learning models, with 80% fewer lines of code required for custom modeling.

Flexible options for cloud, on-prem, or edge deployment to allow organizations to meet diverse sovereignty, data security, and privacy requirements  while providing centralized management and policy enforcement with Google Distributed Cloud, enabled by Anthos.

Full Deck of Tech

A key differentiator for Medical Imaging Suite is that were offering a comprehensive suite of technologies that support the process of delivering AI from beginning to end, Lynch told TechNewsWorld.

The suite provides everything from imaging data ingestion and storage to AI-assisted annotation tools to flexible model deployment options at the edge or in the cloud, she explained.

We are providing solutions that will make this process easier and more efficient for health care organizations, she said.

Lynch added that the suite takes an open, standardized approach to medical imaging.

Our integrated Google Cloud services work with a DICOM-standard approach, allowing customers to seamlessly leverage Vertex AI for machine learning and BigQuery for data discovery and analytics, she said.

By having everything built around this standardized approach, we are making it easier for organizations to manage their data and make it useful.

Image Classification Solution

The growing use of medical imaging, coupled with manpower issues, has made the field ripe for solutions based on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

As imaging systems become faster, offer higher resolution and capabilities such as functional MRI, it is tougher for the infrastructure supporting those systems to keep up and ideally, stay ahead of what is needed, Torno said.

In addition, there are shortages in the radiology workforce that complicate the personnel side of the workloads, she added.

Google Cloud aims to make health care imaging data more accessible, interoperable, and useful with its Medical Imaging Suite (Image Credit: Google)

She explained that AI can identify issues found in an image by comparing it to a learned set of images. It can recommend a diagnosis that then just needs interpretation and confirmation, she noted.

It can also surface images to the top of a work queue if a potential life-threatening situation is detected in an image, she continued. AI can also organize workflows by reading images.

Machine learning does for medical imaging what it did for facial recognition and image-based search. Rather than identifying a dog, frisbee or chair in a photograph, the AI is identifying tumor boundary, bone fracture or lung lesion in a diagnostic image, Cribbs explained.

Tool, Not Substitute

Michael Arrigo, managing partner at No World Borders, a national network of expert witnesses on health care issues, based in Newport Beach Calif., agreed that AI might help some over-worked radiologists, but only if its reliable.

Data must be structured in ways that are usable and consumable by AI, he told TechNewsWorld. AI doesnt work well with highly variable unstructured data in unpredictable formats.

Torno added that many studies have been done around AI accuracy and will continue to be done.

While there are examples of AI finding things that a human did not, or being just as good as a human, there are also examples where AI misses something important, or isnt quite sure what to interpret as there could be multiple issues with the patient, she observed.

AI should be seen as an efficiency tool to accelerate image interpretation and aid with emergent cases, but not completely replace the human element, she said.

Big Splash Potential

With its resources, Google can make a significant impact on the medical imaging market. Having a major player like Google in this space could facilitate synergies with other Google products already in place at health care organizations, potentially enabling more seamless connectivity to other systems, Torno noted.

If Google concentrates on this market segment, they have the resources to make a splash, she continued. There are many players in this space already. It will be interesting to see how this product can leverage other Google functionality and pipelines and be a differentiator.

Lynch explained that with the launch of Medical Imaging Suite, Google hopes to help accelerate the development and adoption of AI for imaging by the health care industry.

AI has the potential to help ease the burden for health care workers and significantly improve and even save peoples lives, she said.

By offering our imaging tools, products and expertise to health care organizations, we believe the market and patients will benefit, she added.
Hijacking of social media accounts has reached epidemic proportions in the last 12 months, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

The non-profit, which provides assistance to the victims of identity theft, revealed in its 2022 Consumer Impact Report that social media takeovers have increased by 1,000% during the period.

In a survey of consumers, the ITRC found that 85% had their Instagram accounts compromised, while 25% had their Facebook accounts hijacked.

The report also found that 70% of the victims of account hijacking were permanently locked out of their social media accounts, and 71% had friends contacted by the hackers that compromised the account.

It may be easy to dismiss this type of identity crime as a mere inconvenience, the report noted, but it can have a profound financial and emotional impact on people.

For example, 27% of account hijacking victims told the ITRC theyd lost sales revenue when they lost control of their social media.

For some people, where social media is a communication platform for family and friends, losing access can range from an annoyance to heartbreaking, said Mike Parkin, senior technical engineer at Vulcan Cyber, a provider of SaaS for enterprise cyber risk remediation, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

For others, where they are making money from Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, losing their account can mean a substantial hit to their income, he told TechNewsWorld.

Abusing Trust

One of the biggest assets for any kind of phishing attack is having a trusted channel of communication, observed John Bambenek, a principal threat hunter at Netenrich, an IT and digital security operations firm based in San Jose, Calif.

If I get a phishing email from Citibank, I know I can ignore it because I dont bank there, he told TechNewsWorld. If you are using a social media account to attack the contacts of your victim, they are already preconditioned to accept your message as valid.

We tend to trust people were close to when they message us on social media, added Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech, a reviews, advice and information website for consumer security products.

If I get a message from my mother, Im going to implicitly trust it, he told TechNewsWorld. If someone takes over her social media account, it wouldnt be hard for them to trick me into sending them money, my Social Security number, or my account password.

By abusing this sort of trusted relationship, he said, account takeovers can spread and be difficult for victims to detect when compared to, for example, a phishing email.

Popularity Breeds Hackers

An account owner isnt the only victim of an account hijacking, noted Matt Polak, CEO and founder of the Picnic Corporation, a social engineering protection company in Washington, D.C.

By impersonating the actual owner of the account, a bad actor can create posts or send private messages that fool contacts into doing something they would not otherwise do, such as clicking on a malicious link, handing over credit card information or their credentials  which can lead to further account compromise  or depositing money into the attackers account, he told TechNewsWorld.

So social media account takeover can be not only harmful to the person whose identity is being impersonated, but also to those who are targeted by the criminal using the account, he added.

Social medias popularity has made it a target of web predators, maintained Roger Grimes, a data-driven defense evangelist with KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider, in Clearwater, Fla. Whatever becomes popular becomes hacked, he told TechNewsWorld. Its been true since the beginning of computers and is just as true today.

That is why it is crucial that we create a personal and organizational culture of healthy skepticism, where everyone is taught how to recognize the signs of a social engineering attack no matter how it arrives  be it email, web, social media, SMS message, or phone call  and no matter who it appears to be sent by, he said.

Robust Authentication Needed

Some of the blame for account hijacking can be pinned on social media operators, maintained Matt Chiodi, chief trust officer at Cerby, maker of a platform to manage Shadow IT, in San Francisco.

None of the prominent social media platforms offer robust authentication options to their billions of users, he told TechNewsWorld. This is unacceptable for tools that are so widely used by consumers and critical to enterprises and democracy.

These unmanageable applications do not support security standards, such as single sign-on or automated user creation and removal through a standard known as SCIM, he said. These two standards are the bread and butter of what keeps many enterprises crown jewel applications secure. But none of them are supported, and its the main reason criminals go after social accounts.

The ITRC also reported a slight decline in repeat victims of identity theft. In 2022, 26% of surveyed victims said theyd been a victim before, compared to 29% in 2021.

Awareness may be one reason for that decline, posited Carmit Yadin, founder and CEO of DeviceTotal, maker of a risk management platform for un-agentable devices in Tel Aviv, Israel.

When someone gets hacked, he takes it seriously, she told TechNewsWorld. He will learn and know what not to do next.

Before getting hacked, she continued, he may have heard about these attacks but wasnt aware of their consequences.

Harder To Find Targets?

Another possible reason for the decline was offered by Angel Grant, vice president for security at F5, a multi-cloud application services and security company in Seattle. Victims of identity theft often wrongfully feel shame and embarrassment that they did something wrong, he told TechNewsWorld. Because of that, they often do not report when they are impacted.

The decline could also be a sign that identity thieves may be finding it harder to find easy targets and harder to get new ones, suggested Ray Steen, CSO of MainSpring, a provider of IT-managed services in Frederick, Md.

After falling prey to one identity attack, victims frequently clean up their digital footprint and adopt better security practices, he told TechNewsWorld.

In this light, a 3% decrease in victims is not as encouraging as it may first appear, he said. I would hope for larger improvements.

Unfortunately, he added, cyber actors take at least one step forward for every step their victims take towards better security, and they are constantly developing new methods of attack.
In a nutshell: Bill Gates has an impressive CV: co-founder and, at various times, chairman, chief executive officer, president, and chief software architect of Microsoft; the sixth wealthiest person in the world; author; and renowned philanthropist. But what people really want to know is which phone he uses as his daily driver. That question has now been answered, and it seems Gates is a fan of foldables, though not ones from his former company.

Gates revealed his love for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 in a Reddit AMA last year, saying that it was both a great portable PC and phone. If you're wondering why he didn't opt for a Microsoft Surface Duo 2, it's probably because it isn't very good and not a proper foldable as the device uses two separate panels connected by a hinge.

Gates took part in another Reddit AMA yesterday, where he was asked if he's using a new phone as a regular daily driver. He is: a Galaxy Z Fold 4. With a personal fortune of $111 billion, the phone's near $2,000 price tag is unlikely to be a concern for Gates, but it sounds as if he never even paid for the handset as Samsung Chairman JY Lee gave it to him when they met in South Korea.

The billionaire confirmed he's still a fan of Microsoft products by mentioning that he uses Outlook and other software from the Redmond firm on his Z Fold 4. Gates also highlighted the enormous unfolded screen size as a reason not to use a tablet, just the phone and his "portable" Windows PC.

Another part of the question asked if Gates could confirm rumors that the next Microsoft Duo would ditch the dual screens and go for a Fold-style foldable screen. But while Microsoft does involve its former boss in some research and product plans, he is not up to date on its hardware roadmap.

Like Gates, we love pretty much everything about the Galaxy Z Fold 4, one of the few exceptions being its price, awarding it a score of 85 in our review.
Facepalm: Nothing is bringing its inaugural smartphone to the US, albeit not in the traditional sense. The London-based tech firm has announced a beta membership program for its US audience. In exchange for $299, members will receive a final model of the Phone (1) featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage (the same one that is sold globally). It'll come loaded with Nothing OS 1.5, which is powered by Android 13, and you'll also have the opportunity to claim a Nothing Community Black Dot.

Nothing is quick to note that its handset might not work with all US carriers and since the software is still in beta. In the FAQ for the beta program, the company said 5G is not supported on AT&T. T-Mobile does support 5G on the Phone (1), but not across all bands. Compatibility with Verizon is listed as "very limited" as 5G and CDMA networks are not supported.

Nothing further points out that some apps, including Netflix and YouTube, might not function properly with Nothing OS 1.5. "The OS can hinder the use of the phone in ways we can't predict," the company added.

The beta program will run until June 30. After that, the phone is yours to keep and you can upgrade to the final version of the operating system. There is a 14-day return period but after that, you're stuck with the device with no additional warranty coverage.

Nothing's Black Dot is simply an NFT gifted to early supports that can be used to unlock access to Nothing's official Discord channel.

Nothing launched its Phone (1) last July but only in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In December, founder Carl Pei told CNBC that they didn't launch in the US out of the gate due to all of the additional technical support needed such as unique carrier customizations on top of Android. "We felt that we weren't ready before," Pei noted.

It's great to see Nothing find its way to the US but we wish it was with a phone sporting proper support for carriers and apps. As it stands, the beta offering certainly isn't a candidate for a daily driver.
Auction software provides consumers an exciting, competitive approach to purchasing the goods and services they need. However, launching your online auction site has historically meant learning sophisticated coding languages or paying a costly design agency for thousands of dollars and months of labor.

This is where our list of the top 5 best auction marketplace software comes in, providing unrivaled quality at affordable cost. Here's all you need to know if you want your auction site done properly and affordably.

What Is Auction Management Software?

For starters, auction software offers a digital platform for users to plan, administer, and execute live auctions. Businesses use the software to conduct live auctions as a centralized channel for commercial processes or NGO fundraising events. Many auction software also provides functionality for remote and internet auctions.

What Is the Best Auction Software?

Among all features, the top four aspects that positively affect user satisfaction with auction software are tickets, auction listings, bidder profiles, and ease of use. So far, the top 5 best auction marketplace software, such as AuctionSoftware.com, can provide all of these and more.

#1 AuctionSoftware.Com

AuctionSoftware is a comprehensive white-label solution for all auction needs in any business, including vehicles, electronics, cattle, liquidation, pharmaceuticals, etc. Its seamless and comprehensive solution supports Forward Auction, Reverse Auction, Penny Auction, and Silent Auction, employing 8 various bidding techniques and the most recent technological stack, mainly node.js and REACT.js.

Rajesh Rajaram, CEO and Founder of AuctionSoftware.com, says that they "stand alone in Auction market due to the usage of these latest technologies to support the microsecond bidding with thousands of bidders bidding at the same time." To back up this claim, Rajaram demonstrated that 500 successful customers had implemented the Auction Software product in various markets. All are based on a fundamental technology "bidding engine" developed in 2014 through substantial R&D.

The unique aspect of this software is that they have concentrated solely on growing their software for types of auctions such as forward, Dutch, extended, snipper, reverse, silent, penny, and so on in the auctioneering industry. This aspect shows its commitment to covering all verticals and proving its platform to be robust and widely preferred.

Despite starting as a small business, AuctionSoftware has maintained the faith and support of Cadillac costumes such as GMF, Ingram, Itochu, Nellis Auction, Slibuy, and others for many years.

The recent game changer, the comprehensive SAAS model "Auction.io," has a plugin that sellers can enable and benefit from on the go. With about $500, you can have your website up and running in minutes. It is well worth every penny.

Key Features

Auction.io as SaaS and AuctionSoftware as Enterprise version

To be clear, AuctionSoftware.com is the enterprise version, and Auction.io is the SaaS version.

Auction.io is a template-driven auction site with minimum or no customization required to allow anybody to create a marketplace similar to eBay in 60 minutes. Not only that. It also has a "Live Auction" feature, allowing them to conduct live auctions on their website rather than relying on another hefty subscription-driven third-party website.

Meanwhile, AuctionSoftware.com is a buy-and-sell tool that can be configured to do Forward Auction, Reverse Auction, Penny Auction, and Silent Auction. They are well-suited for enterprise and government institutions looking to implement auctions, buy it now, and reverse via online markets. Read more information about these features below:

PennyAuction: A sort of all-pay auction in which each minor incremental bid requires all participants to pay a non-refundable charge.

SilentAuction: An English auction version in which bids are written on a sheet of paper. The highest listed bidder wins the item at the end of the auction. Before parents gather in schools, they visit BID, view the goods online, and communicate through SMS.

AuctionReverse: The reverse auction functionality allows the service buyer to enter exact requirements into the secure web-based reverse auction platform and service providers to make real-time bids.

AuctionForward: The Forward auctions are electronic auctions that sellers may utilize to sell their things to a large number of potential purchasers. Individuals, companies, and other entities can act as sellers and purchasers. Items are frequently auctioned off on a dedicated website (e.g., eBay.com). Buyers can place ongoing bids on the things they want. The highest bidder eventually wins the object.

Built for Small, Medium, and Large Auction Sites: Individuals or businesses interested in creating their auction site or adding to our auction calendar and going up today can easily keep in touch with AuctionSoftware.com. You can also select bespoke front-end design for medium sites, which is created with the Framer X [React.js] tool. You can create your design or have the site do it for you. All services are available through API, making them scalable.

Finally, on request, AuctionSoftware.com will create a white-branded website with your design and functionality for a huge auction site. It is entirely adaptable and highly customizable software that fulfills the customer's needs.

AuctionSoftware.com allows you to create an auction site in just 60 seconds. Using a turn-key marketplace and auction solution, you can begin your auction in minutes. This solution provides everything you need to get started and sell on your internet store. You may hire professionals to help you with every stage of design, from layout and feature design through testing and product launch. Or, launch your auctions as-is or adjust them to meet your unique business needs. Regardless, its eCommerce professionals will assist you in selecting the appropriate features for your business strategy.

Benefits

Build auction site faster

Customize with ease and flexibility

Buy and Sell or Buy Now feature

Get your own auction marketplace

Detailed view of the product to be auctioned

Real-time pricing

CEO Rajaram thinks that dedication enables you to meet destiny, collect strength, and conquer the obstacles and challenges experienced along the route to success. Even though he had failed several times, Rajaram continued on the same path set in his head, allowing him to swing hard on the rejection and overcome the obstacles. "To make a difference, we need to be distinctive and do things differently," so AuctionSoftware and its clever features were born.

Since 2014, AuctionSoftware.com has created several auction websites for small, medium, and large company customers in every industry. Every year, the software platform processes around $180 million in transactions. And it might be the answer to your auction needs! For more information, visit AuctionSoftware.com.

#2 Easy.Auction

You may sell your own items and services or allow people to offer their own with this auction software. This site was created specifically to help companies or individuals sell practically everything. Unlike other auction marketplace software, you can pay one-tenth the price of "the big boys" but get the same quality and even better support and service. Easy.Auction allows you to select from various color palettes or put their 20 years of web design knowledge to work, building a site that meets your requirements.

You are not trapped into any long-term service commitments; the auction software is priced on a monthly basis. There is also a simple dashboard to use, change, and grow. Most significantly, it makes your website completely impenetrable by including premium-grade security protections.

Easy.Auction will aim to run your auction site's lightning-fast server in either the United States or the European Union, depending on your preferences. All plans now include Turbo Boost page enhancements, which allow pages to load 20X quicker than on standard hosting. If you don't want to go through the setup tutorial, this auction software for nonprofits, businesses, and more is also accessible for post-launch adjustments and upgrades.

Key Features and Benefits

Built for all products up for purchase

Reasonably priced with optimum security

Easy to navigate and ideal for beginners

Hosts auction websites 20X faster

Lets you set your branding

#3 WeAuction

WeAuction is an online auction marketplace software that allows you to create your own website with your own identity without having to construct one from scratch. Launch your own online auction site by adding your logo and brand colors. An online auction may supplement your live auction. WeAuction is well-known for its instant video streaming. As a result, all players can bid in real-time.

If you're concerned about the expense of online auction software, WeAuction's cheap rates will save you from breaking the bank. You only need to pay for transactions after the first setup. As a result, no fees are paid if no item is sold at the online auction. And if you're worried about not getting the quality you paid for, WeAuction has been in the auction business for more than 15 years. Its services are the product of its experience in this specific sector paired with the best development talents.

WeAuction has established itself as the industry leader in the organization of internet auctions in the Dutch real estate market. So far, it has staged over 1120 auction events, sold over 11,000 goods, and produced over 1.3 billion euros in revenue.

Key Features and Benefits

Online auction through video streaming

Provides real-time bidding around the globe

High-level security standards for all your products

Multiple APIs to connect to your business apps

#4 AuctionMethod

AuctionMethod is a cloud-based auction management software jam-packed with features allowing you to manage all biddings easily. It includes auction websites that may be customized, consignment administration, invoice generating, and payment processing.

The program is designed for enterprises that want to develop online auction platforms. It enables auctioneers to construct mobile-friendly auction websites. It also allows businesses to produce online invoices, accept credit card transactions, and send automatic text messages to customers alerting them of upcoming auctions.

You will receive a suite of software tools for your whole auction crew. This includes detailed lot listings with infinite images, documents, and linked videos. The Auctioneer Toolbox mobile application simplifies the cataloging of auction lots and the buyer pickup procedure. Sales tax management and reseller tax exemption automation are available. In addition, a dedicated buyer's premium handling service with specific costs for auction bills and consignor statements is available.

Key Features and Benefits

Provides a set of auction tools for nonprofits and businesses

One-stop-shop for all auction requirements

Flexible ways to manage auctions, bidders, and products

Built with reliable technology

A comprehensive auction system that can improve corporate efficiency

#5 Auctria

Auctria is a cloud-based campaign management system for small and medium-sized NGOs. It provides website management, payment processing, bid sheets, donation receipts, and reporting capabilities within a single suite. This auction marketplace software allows you to develop individual web pages for each bidding event. The website is up to use when selling event tickets, handling online registrations, and maintaining information like donor contacts, auction items, and bid amounts.

Bidder automation is available in Auctria, allowing you to handle registration, bid offers, and close-outs. You may also handle auction-related documents such as bid sheets, display pages, gift certificates, and auction catalogs with the solution. After the events, you may manage close-out and handle payments, contributions, tickets, items, receipts, and a wide range of currencies.

Auctria allows any internet-connected user to administer and watch all auction operations. Administrators can operate efficiently behind the scenes. The auction is open to both donors and buyers. You and your team may access the same auction marketplace software from any place or computer platform simultaneously.

Key Features and Benefits

Streamlines everything about auction processes

Online and mobile bidding

Operates auctions and keeps track of the progress

Automatic text messages for impending auctions

Easy to manage and ideal for beginners

The best auction marketplace software offers capabilities for keeping track of inventory and price. They feature tools for managing time, inventory, and sales during live auctions. Based on the product, they also provide reports that show earnings, remaining inventories, sales data, and other parameters.

Some fundraising software includes facilities for conducting auctions, a dedicated set of tools for other processes, and an overall insight into the auction's progress. Most auction software has varied options for different company needs. However, solutions from AuctionSoftware, Easy.Auction and WeAction are the best to consider.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lego will soon construct its first carbon-neutral factory in Vietnam as a part of its environmental mission.

In 2006, the toymaker giant stopped producing in the United States and moved its operations to Mexico. This was done after closing its Enfield, Connecticut, facility. Lego at the time claimed declining sales as a result of kids favoring electronic toys.

However, it looks like Lego has shifted its focus to more important efforts, namely, an environmental initiative. Lego will soon build its sixth global manufacturing center in Vietnam, reportedly its first carbon-neutral factory.

Green Queen reports that Modern technology will be used in the vast project, powered primarily by solar energy, to mold, process, and pack the plastic connectable bricks produced by the 90-year-old Danish company.

Read Also: US, China Tech War: Huawei Reports Flat 2022 Revenue Amidst US Sanctions

Lego's Carbon Neutral Factory

Nikkei Asia reports that construction on the new Lego factory is scheduled to begin by mid-2025

To become a carbon-neutral facility, the facility will limit its usage of non-renewable resources and minimize its energy use. Lego says it will also streamline its supply chain and help its expansion across the region, with all electricity coming from an on-site solar "park."

The first carbon-neutral factory for Lego, the largest toy manufacturer in the world by revenue, just broke ground in Asia. The US$1 billion project will cover 44 hectares when it opens the following year.

Lego's Environmental Initiatives

Lego unveiled recycled plastic bricks for the first time in June 2022, calling it its newest step toward sustainability.

The PET plastic from used bottles was used to create the bricks, which were the first to pass the company's standards for quality and safety. A team of around 150 employees is reportedly searching for environmentally friendly options for the producer.

"The biggest challenge on our sustainability journey is rethinking and innovating new materials that are as durable, strong, and high quality as our existing bricks - and fit with Lego elements made over the past 60 years. With this prototype we're able to showcase the progress we're making." Vice President of Environmental Responsibility at the Lego Group stated.

What Is Vietnam's Role in US-China Trade War?

According to the South China Morning Post, the US-China trade war started in 2018 when Washington increased tariffs on manufacturing operations in China and Vietnam after attracting more interest from international investors.

In 2018, FDI in Vietnam climbed by 9.1% to US$19.1 billion; in 2019, it increased by 6.7% to US$20.38 billion. That year saw a considerable increase in investment from China and Hong Kong to Vietnam, with increases of 165 and 24%, respectively.

However, Vietnam has significantly more land than Guangdong, China's most populous and prosperous province and a major manufacturing center in the south of the country, but Guangdong's GDP was less than a fifth as large in 2021, and Vietnam's population is roughly 80% that of Guangdong.

Related Article: TSMC Eyes Japan Expansion as US-China Chip Tensions Continue

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla is now the top luxury car brand in the United States for 2022, and it beat the long-time brand that took this spot, BMW, for the first time ever. The clean energy company whose cars center on electric vehicles is also considered as a luxury car brand in this award, featuring premium features and comfort that it provides all passengers.

Elon Musk took this time to congratulate the team, particularly with a massive past year in sales and distribution which was up to their standards as per its last quarter report.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A sign is posted at a Tesla showroom on November 5, 2013 in Palo Alto, California. Tesla will report third quarter earnings today after the closing bell.

Tesla Beats BMW as Top Luxury Car Brand in the US for 2022

According to Automotive News Research and Data Center, Tesla overtook BMW as the top luxury car brand in the United States last year, and it is the first time after 28 years since the last one. In 2022, Tesla outsold BMW by a massive 158,612 units in the country, and the German car brand was 1.3 percent down from its 2021 numbers.

Tesla failed to grab this spot last 2021 as it was 23,244 short of taking this title from the globally known German automotive company.

DriveTeslaCanada said that last year, Tesla sold an impressive 491,000 electric vehicles, and BMW only managed to sell 332,388 cars in the US.

Read Also: Tesla Model Y AWD with 4680 Battery is Now Available - Priced Cheaper Than Long Range?

Elon Musk Congratulates the Tesla Team

The owner and top executive of Tesla still took his time to congratulate the team for a job well done in 2022.

Musk's Tesla beats two German car brands in the United States, namely BMW and Mercedes-Benz, where the latter placed third with around 286,000 sales in the country. Note that these numbers are estimates of Automotive News.

Tesla's 2022 Performance

Tesla's 2022 performance is still a strong one despite somehow losing leadership during the latter parts of last year due to Musk taking over as Twitter CEO. In the particular time that its CEO became Chief Twit, the company marked 405,000 electric vehicles delivered for its global operations, beating its previous records and expectations.

The US-based clean energy company is also the leading brand in other countries, and according to reports, Tesla leads Norway in its electric vehicle transition. In the Scandinavian country, Tesla holds a massive 12.2 percent market share and it is a significant achievement for the company's operations.

Tesla also took over the Toyota Camry as the best-selling vehicle in Australia for 2022.

Being a massive name in the electric vehicle industry, as well as a top brand in the world, Tesla's performance and growth put it on track to a significant spot in the industry. It is a massive achievement for this US-based car brand, as it officially takes back the spot from imports after 28 years since the last time an American company held the title.

Related Article: Tesla Seeks Massive Texas Gigafactory Expansion Worth Over $700 Million

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple is developing and adding touch screens to its Mac computers, after being resisted from bringing this support a few years ago. Steve Jobs was known as the person who does not want this feature on computers, as he described it as an "ergonomically terrible" idea.

(Photo : Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - AUGUST 17: Bottles of hand sanitizer sit next to a laptop showing a Zoom meeting as students begin classes amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the first day of the fall 2020 semester at the University of New Mexico on August 17, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Bringing Touchscreen to Macs

Several concerns were made by Apple in the past regarding adding touch screens to its computers.

One argument is that it does not work well on laptops, as the company offers a better version for people who aim to have a touch interface device, which works for an iPad. Another concern is by producing touchscreen Macs, iPad sales may decrease.

But several teams and engineers are currently working together actively on a new project by Apple, as the company develops bringing touch screens to Macs for the first time.

As per Bloomberg's report, Apple has been considering this feature very seriously since competitors have increasingly added this feature to its devices, including Dell Technologies Inc., HP Inc., Microsoft, Lenovo Group Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. and Acer Inc.

Apple remains as the only company among major computer makers to not offer this feature.

Additionally, Mac sales became much bigger than before, and Apple wants to take advantage of offering a computer lineup as interesting as possible. By bringing a new feature on these devices, the company wants to retain the traditional design, which will still include a standard trackpad and keyboard.

Apple could launch its first touchscreen Mac in 2025, as part of the company's larger updates for MacBook Pro. But expanding touch support to more of its Mac models is also possible in the future.

Previous Stand

Before Steve Jobs' passing, he opposed the idea of bringing touch screens to Mac as he called it an "ergonomically terrible" idea. "Touch surfaces don't want to be vertical. And after an extended period of time, your arm wants to fall off," he stated in 2010 when the first iPad generations were released.

Meanwhile, 9To5Mac reported that Marketing Executive Tom Boger also opposed this idea in 2021. He stated that iPad is the world's "best touch computer", and bringing the touch screen support to Mac will not make it any better as Mac is totally optimized for direct input.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook also maintained Jobs' idea of not bringing this feature to Macs. When Microsoft Corp. released a touchscreen laptop in 2012, he stated that blending tablets and laptops was equivalent to combining a toaster with a refrigerator.

Also Read: Apple MacBook Air 15-inch Reportedly Releasing in 2023

Last 2016, Apple added a Touch Bar for Macs instead of adding touch screens. But The Verge reported that this feature started to phase out with the release of the redesigned 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros in 2021.

In a CNET interview with Software Engineering Senior Vice President Craig Federighi, the company made prototype Macs with touch screens. However, the company did not see the potential of releasing this up until now.

Related Article: Apple Remains Silent on Macbook News for 2022; Rumors Speculate Next Move for 2023

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Russia continues to work in direction of complete unblocking of Lachin Corridor in accordance to the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement signed between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing.

January 12, 2023, 15:18 Russia explains why UN Security Council joint statement was not adopted

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Consistent steps are being taken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the peacekeepers in the direction of de-escalation. A solution acceptable for all parties must be found. Presently only humanitarian aid convoys are passing along the corridor, Zakharova said.

At the same time, Zakharova said that public provocations and attacks against the Russian peacekeepers are unacceptable for them. That process can significantly harm the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, she added.

Speaking about the United Nations Security Council not adopting a joint statement after the emergency meeting on the Lachin Corridor, Zakharova said that the French authors of the statement ignored Russias proposals.

It was emphasized that despite our constructive approach, the French authors of the document ignored the overwhelming majority of the Russian proposals. Our Western partners did not find the courage to lay out facts in the text. Particularly, to mention the trilateral statement between the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, which is the fundamental pillar for the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization. Anyhow, we will engage not in populism but rather substantial work to resolve the situation around Lachin Corridor, Zakharova said.
Trina Solar, a Chinese solar maker, has announced that they will open a 6.5 GW silicon solar wafer facility in Vietnam mid-year to supply the US market, as reported by Electrek.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 16: Intersolar North America conference attendees pass by the Trina Solar booth July 16, 2008 in San Francisco, California. The Intersolar North America conference is being held for the first time in the U.S. and has attracted nearly 12,000 attendees and 210 solar companies that will be displaying their products through Thursday at the Moscone Center.

It can be recalled in December 2022, the US Department of Commerce investigated and found four Chinese companies, including Tribal Solar, attempted to bypass US duties by minor processing in Southeast Asian countries before they ship to the US. It was reported that Trina Solar was conducting their minor processing in Thailand.

However, Trina Solar responded by saying that their sales, operations, finance, and management teams are all within Trina Solar US. They also assured that the recent findings will not affect their future regional plans, as well as their existing customers in the US.

Should the preliminary finding is confirmed, Trina Solar will be subjected to company-specific tariffs that will be applied in June 2024 the two year tariff waiver in June 2022 expires. With this, Trina Solar is subject to a 254 percent import tariff.

According to the Chinese solar market, their Southeast Asia cell and module manufacturing facility will use wafer capacity in Vietnam to meet their US market requirements. This will also exempt them from circumvention.

The company further asserted that they were already expanding production locations, arranging their business operations, and diversifying supply chains before the investigation of the DOC to comply with US regulations. They are also making efforts to minimize the tariff impact on their products.

Also Read: Rocket Lab's Supply of Solar Energy Will Power US Space Force's New Missile Warning Satellites

New Developments on the Way

Earlier this week, the company announced that their 210mm n-type I-TOPCon cells will be rolled off its e8GW factory production lines in the Suqian, Jiangsu province. These cells will be used to produce the next-generation Vertex N Modules, with power output of up to 605W, reaching 22.4 percent efficiency.

The Suqian facility started construction in July 2022 and the manufacturing equipment was installed at the end of November 2022.

Solar in the US

Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the solar market will grow over the next few years. Despite the fact that the solar market has been facing new challenges, such as trade tensions, the demand and market value will increase.

The Chinese solar market will continue to push for development on the way to close their deficits. This is a signal that they are aware of the potential impact of the new trade restrictions. However, they will do their best to supply the US market-even at a price. They are also firm in their push to dominate the global solar market.

Related Article: IKEA to Sell Solar Panels in the US - Here's How to Get One

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple's top media streaming apps are soon getting a native-run experience on the Windows 11 operating system, for all people to enjoy the same features despite not running on the macOS. These apps include the Apple TV+ and the Apple Music, which were previously accessible via the Microsoft operating system, but only via the web browser.

While there is a preview available now for all to see, there is still a gray area for the applications' release dates in the future, but speculations claim that these are coming shortly.

Apple Apps Coming to Windows: Apple TV+, Apple Music

(Photo : Microsoft App Store)

Apple TV Preview

Windows 11 will soon host two of the famous Apple subscription features available for the computer OS users. According to 9to5 Mac, there are internal previews of these apps already available, but not yet released to the public.

Apple TV+ and Apple Music already have a preview from the Windows Store for its future arrival on the app distributing platform of the company.

It does not have any special features that users may differ from its macOS counterpart, aside from some keyboard shortcuts, accessibility, and other minor things.

(Photo : Microsoft App Store)

Apple Music Preview

In Apple Music's case, it will feature a better app than the previous iTunes release from Apple for the Microsoft Windows, focusing mostly on music streaming. For the Apple TV+, it will be the first time for its app version to arrive soon.

Read Also: Microsoft Windows 11 Rolls Out iCloud Photos Integration: Here's How it Works

When will the Apple TV+ and Apple Music Arrive?

Microsoft and Apple did not reveal when the Apple TV+ and Apple Music apps will arrive in the world, but this preview signifies that it is nearing the timeline. Soon, users no longer have to resort to web browser players to access the Apple TV+ and Apple Music, for all media streaming needs for the Windows 11 operating system.

Windows OS' Apps

It is a globally-known fact that Android applications can run natively on Windows 11 after its 2021 update which allowed the experience to take place on the computer. People can download APKs and open them directly on Windows 11, with the entire experience available on their PCs or laptops without the need to mirror it from the smartphone.

There is also a smartphone link that allows users to connect their compatible Android smartphones which enable different features like calls and notifications to be received on the computer. Moreover, this allows people to experience seamless compatibility between their computers, which was first debuted by the macOS and iOS.

Microsoft's Windows is still the largest computer operating system in the world, and the company has multiple experiences available here for users who want different things to do on the computer. For those wanting to utilize their Apple subscriptions through Windows 11, there are apps coming soon for all to get via the Microsoft computer.

Related Article: Microsoft Notepad: Old App Tests out New Tab Features for Windows 11

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T-Mobile US Inc. has been considering acquiring the prepaid carrier owned in part by actor Ryan Reynolds, Mint Mobile. The company has long been rumored to be up for sale.

(Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, VA - AUGUST 18: A T-Mobile retail store on August 18, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. T-Mobile announced Wednesday that a data breach exposed the personal information of 7.8 million current customers and 40 million people who had applied for credit.

Acquiring Mint Mobile

T-Mobile is the second largest mobile service provider in the United States. As the company enters a new year, several acquisitions are being considered by the company for business growth. This includes Mint Mobile.

Mint Mobile is owned in part by actor Ryan Reynolds and was introduced as the budget wireless provider compared to larger telecom companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

The budget provider company is a division of Ultra Mobile and has long been rumored to be up for sale. As per Bloomberg's report, T-Mobile is currently discussing with the company regarding a potential acquisition.

If the acquisition became successful, the brand of Mint Mobile could potentially change to 'Mint by T-Mobile', as previously acquired companies of the company changed it into that like 'Metro by T-Mobile'.

No confirmation whether Ultra Mobile would also be sold alongside Mint Mobile and if T-Mobile was only interested in the division company. Both telecommunication companies did not release a statement regarding this matter and both did not respond to comment, as per CNET.

In 2019, Reynolds became a part-owner of Mint Mobile and currently owns about  of the company. The actor starred in different television and social media advertisements, which gave the company exposure to his 21 million Twitter followers and 47 million Instagram followers.

T-Mobile's Other Expansions

Last November 2022, T-Mobile expanded its 5G Home Internet services as their broadband tier includes an additional 70 new cities. Doing this solved the problem of millions of households not having access to broadband internet.

5G Home Internet service costs $50 per month. Users who are enrolled in the Magenta Max phone plan will have $20 off for the broadband service every month. This would also allow new customers to try this tier for free within 15 days.

This move from the company is not surprising as T-Mobile released a study that shows that Home Internet products have been making a huge impact on the market. The company stated that they were able to garner over two million customers for this tier.

T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer Mike Katz stated, "Fixed wireless is disrupting a historically broken broadband industry, offering choice and competition at a time when consumers need it most."

Also Read: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Service is Now Available For Just a Monthly Price of $25

In 2020, T-Mobile completed a merger with Sprint as they both committed to building the best broad and deep nationwide 5G network. This gained the company a one-year lead in 5G service among rivals like AT&T and Verizon Communications.

By acquiring Mint Mobile, T-Mobile may also have a plan on expanding its services to have an advantage in the market.

Related Article: T-Mobile's 'Un-Carrier On' Suitcase Sports Apple AirTags, Wireless Battery Charger

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Google Meet's in-meeting emoji reactions feature is finally coming to users this January, several months since the search giant announced it.

The tech behemoth confirmed that it is on its way to Google Meet on various platforms, such as the web and iOS.

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: People walk past the Google pavilion at CES 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and features about 4,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees.

So if you are an Android user, you will have to wait a little longer than iPhone users. Google-powered phones are seemingly getting left behind.

Google Meet In-Meeting Emoji Reactions

The tech giant announced last year that Google Meet is adding a new feature that allows users to react using emojis during meetings.

As per a report by The Verge, the feature brings a new option that lets meeting participants drop an emoji during a video conference. The option works similarly to how Facebook emoji reactions on posts do, or better yet, what Zoom offers.

Emoji options include thumb up, heart, launching, and clapping reactions. It also provides a thumbs-down reaction.

It sure is a handy tool for both the host and other participants, notes The Verge. The latter can easily share their feelings, while speakers get a live reaction from their audience without much disruption.

Emoji lovers have been waiting for this feature since April 2022. After all, Google says that it is rolling out the feature to Meet on the web for Chrome browser users.

However, 2022 has bid us farewell, and it has yet to see the light of day.

This time, Phone Arena reports that the reactions feature is now on its way to iPhone users and those using Meet via the web. Meet Hardware devices also support the new feature once it rolls out.

Not Available to Android Users?

Given that, the in-meeting emoji reactions are skipping Android devices.

If you are an Android user, you might want to join Meet sessions via the Web, in the meantime. You do not necessarily have to buy an iPhone right away, as the tech giant says it is "coming soon."

So it looks like Google is working on it. Yet, the reason behind the delay is unclear.

Read Also: MKBHD's Voice Assistant Battle: Siri Vs. Alexa Vs. Google Assistant Vs. Bixby

When are Emoji Reactions Coming to Google Meet?

The renowned tech firm confirmed that the much-awaited feature is coming to Meet users this January 16, Monday.

As such, users could finally start firing up emoji reactions during meetings starting next week.

However, Phone Arena notes in its report that hosts could turn off this feature if they want to. By default, though, the new Google Meet feature is turned on.

Related Article: Google Meet UI Upgrade for Samsung Smart TVs Now Available-What Changed?

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Twitter says that the alleged stolen data of 200 million users, which hackers reportedly leaked online, were not from its systems.

The social media giant has finally spoken up regarding recent reports claiming millions of user data have been stolen by hackers and leaked online.

(Photo : CONSTANZA HEVIA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Twitter logo is seen on the exterior of Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, California, on October 28, 2022. - Elon Musk began his first full day leading Twitter, with critics and fans anxious to see how the world's richest man will run one of the most prominent social media platforms.

Twitter Says 200 Million Users' Leaked Data Are Not from its Systems

The Elon Musk-owned social media now says that it has not found any evidence that proves that the alleged stolen user data came from the system of Twitter.

The Twitter Support account disclosed in its tweet that they did a "comprehensive investigation" reports claiming that "Twitter user data was being sold online."

But the investigation of the social media giant "found no evidence that this data originated from the exploitation of our systems, the Musk-led firm notes in its tweet.

The social network adamantly stated that "the 200 million datasets could not be correlated with the previously reported incident or any data originating from the exploitation of Twitter systems.

The Twitter Privacy Center also uploaded a post detailing the incident. It notes that the social media firm takes the protection of the privacy of its users "very seriously." And as such, they immediately investigated the reports claiming hackers stole millions of users' data.

Read Also: Elon Musk's Twitter Cost-Cutting Aftermath: Lack of Janitors Force Employees to Bring own Toilet Paper

How Did the Email Addresses Leak Online?

Bleeping Computer notes in its report that the social network has yet to explain how millions of email addresses paired with their users have leaked online.

Instead, the post only assumed that the leaked data, which includes email addresses, "is likely a collection of data already publicly available online through different sources."

(Photo : GLENN CHAPMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Employees walk past a lighted Twitter log as they leave the company's headquarters in San Francisco on August 13, 2019. - Twitter on August 13 said that by the end of the year users will be able to follow a small number of interests the same way they follow people.

So it remains to be seen how the email addresses of millions of Twitter users have been publicly made available.

But the Musk-owned company assures its users that the allegedly stolen data does not include any "passwords or information that could lead to passwords being compromised."

It is worth noting, though, that security experts warn that the leaked email addresses could potentially lead to hacking schemes like phishing. It comes as threat actors now have access to their information, such as Twitter usernames, names, and email addresses.

Nevertheless, Twitter encouraged all users to enable two-factor authentication to protect their accounts from hacking. They may use third-party authentication apps to do so.

The tech firm reveals that they are already reaching out to Data Protection Authorities and other regulators in various parts of the world to share this information.

Related Article: Twitter to Launch Coins, a Secret In-development Digital Asset, According To Leaks

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla's plans to expand its Shanghai facility have reportedly been delayed due to Starlink data concerns that may pose a problem for the automaker to grow further in China.

Data Concerns

According to insiders that Bloomberg has talked to, the plant's capacity was supposed to increase to about 2 million vehicles a year as a result of the so-called phase-three expansion. It was expected to begin in the middle of the year.

One of the persons familiar with the matter claimed that certain central government officials had raised concern about the company's extensive presence in Asia's largest economy because of its ties to Elon Musk's satellite network Starlink.

Beijing has become more worried about data security and social stability. Apparently, Tesla vehicles' Starlink system would enable customers to avoid China's Great Firewall.

Both Tesla and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. are led by Musk, who in 2019 began launching Starlink satellites.

Before the opening of regular trading in New York at 5:13 AM, Tesla shares had already given up as much as 2% of their previous gains.

At a time when tensions are high between the US and China, the public's displeasure with the US electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is increasing in tandem with the delay.

About the weekend, Tesla owners in China flocked to dealerships to vent their frustration over being left out of the latest round of price decreases. In 2021, Tesla automobiles were barred from Chinese military and residential facilities citing privacy concerns related to the vehicles' in-built cameras.

Strategic Expansion

Tesla's development and expansion of its Shanghai factory, stages one and two, are complete.

After 2022's renovations, the facility that began construction in 2019 can crank out 1 million Model 3 cars and Model Y SUVs each year. Expansion into a third phase would have required a lot more building space and land.

One of the persons indicated that unless they get further information from high-ranking central government officials, the third phase's future is uncertain.

According to the sources, Tesla has the backing of Shanghai's municipal government.

The Shanghai Tesla plant is expected to produce over 710,000 vehicles in 2022, accounting for around 52% of the company's global production.

On the other hand, Tesla has opened shops in Thailand as part of its ongoing Asian expansion as sales slow in China.

Also, the carmaker is allegedly close to a preliminary arrangement to build up a facility in Indonesia that could build as many as 1 million vehicles annually.

See Also: Tesla Seeks Massive Texas Gigafactory Expansion Worth Over $700 Million

Hurdles and Competition

The slowing economic development and adherence until recently to Covid Zero have affected consumer demand in China, the world's largest automotive and EV industry.

Tesla has responded to months-long lockdowns and supply shortages by lowering pricing and maintaining incentives.

These moves are crucial, considering that the December 2022 deliveries were down to roughly 56,000 units as plant improvements and weak customer demand caused manufacturing to be briefly halted. During the same time, BYD, a local competitor, delivered 111,939 EVs.

Related Story: Tesla Beats BMW as the Top Luxury Car Brand in the US for 2022, Musk Congratulates Team

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Twelve janitors at Twitter's New York City headquarters are on strike to protest the company's decision to fire off all cleaning staff hired by contractor Flagship Services without explanation.

This is the latest round of layoffs at Twitter since Elon Musk seized control on October 27, 2022.

Acts of Protests

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, members of the 32BJ SEIU union who had been laid off from Twitter held a demonstration outside the company's headquarters in New York City, The Guardian reports.

Twitter informed the staff that their employment and the associated contract were terminated as of the evening of December 19, 2022. According to these sources, Twitter has kept the same personnel since 2015, even while switching contractors in the past.

Denis Johnston, senior vice president and head of 32BJ SEIU's commercial section, said New York's vital cleaners had done too much for the city to be disrespected that way.

He added that janitors risked their lives to keep employees and the public safe during the pandemic and are crucial to the city's economic revival in the wake of the outbreak.

'Not Right'

Laureta is a single mother who has worked as a janitor at the company's New York City headquarters for years. She was allegedly let go without any warning.

"I want to go back to work, and I want to know why Elon Musk is getting rid of us," Laureta told The Guardian. She thinks the decision was not right.

Another janitor, Merita, who has been with Twitter since it opened a New York office in 2015, has spoken out against the layoffs. She cited the negative effects on her health as a result of losing her health insurance and the recurring cost of the medicine she uses to treat her stomach issues.

"We need health insurance; that's why we need to fight for our jobs back to have our union, healthcare, everything," Merita stated.

There was no mention of why Flagship Services' contract was abruptly terminated or who would be replacing the janitors in the notice they were given.

Related Story: Elon Musk Reportedly Fires More Twitter Employees Working on Content Moderation

Accountability

Cleaning staff at Twitter's San Francisco offices were dismissed unexpectedly in early December 2022, as well.

San Francisco city attorney David Chiu has said that he is looking into whether Twitter breached the law with the abrupt cutbacks. The regulations require firms to retain personnel for at least 90 days during a shift between contractors.

About half of Twitter's staff has been let go since Musk took control. The company's treatment of them has led to several lawsuits and calls for arbitration.

See Also: Twitter Faces Lawsuit for Failing to Pay Office Space Rent in San Francisco

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As guaranteed by Elon Musk, Twitter has started implementing its updated user interface. Only iOS users can currently access the new design, which is available on the Twitter app.

The "For you" and "Following" tabs are now pinned to the top of the user's timeline and take the place of the previous "Home" and "Latest" tabs, making it simpler to switch between the two.

Updated User Interface

Users can swipe between tabs to see tweets recommended "for you" or tweets from accounts the user is "following," according to the Twitter Support handle.

By default, users will only see tweets from accounts they follow. Swiping instead of pressing the star or sparkle icon, which users previously used to select the "For you" and "Latest" options, can change timelines.

Read Also: Microsoft 365 Basic: $2 for 100GB OneDrive, Outlook Web, But No Office Apps

Mashable India tells us that it is important to note that the new interface is yet to be available for Android users and has yet to be rolled out to customers in India. The launch date for the Android version has yet to be announced by Twitter.

More from the Bird App

According to Musk, the updated user interface is just part of a more extensive makeover for Twitter. The platform's most significant new feature is set to debut in February and will allow users to publish "long-form tweets" as part of the upgrade.

Musk had previously stated that users could write tweets with up to 4,000 characters; however, the actual character count is still unknown.

Twitter users could first share their thoughts and ideas in 140 characters, but in 2018, the app raised the limit to 280 characters.

Musk has hinted that users will be able to post tweets with up to 4,000 characters in December 2022, but his most recent tweet still needs to confirm the character limit.

In a broad sense, it is anticipated that the new user interface and the upcoming long-form tweets feature will provide users with a more unique and exciting experience on the platform. Twitter users will eagerly anticipate the new design's gradual rollout and the upcoming feature.

In Other News

Twitter users on iOS devices may have recently noticed an issue with media cropping on their timelines. In a tweet from Twitter Support, the company acknowledged the problem and apologized for any inconvenience.

The tweet stated, "Did you post an image, video, or gif, and it got cropped? Sorry about that. We're working to fix an issue on iOS..."

The social media giant did not provide a timeline for when Twitter would resolve the issue. But they have told users that they're working on a fix and will let them know as soon as it's ready.

Meanwhile, Twitter has released a statement addressing recent media reports of users' data being sold online. The company has conducted a thorough investigation and has found no evidence that the data being sold was obtained by exploiting a vulnerability in their systems.

We were recently made aware of reports that Twitter user data was being sold online. After a comprehensive investigation, we found no evidence that this data originated from the exploitation of our systems. Read more here: https://t.co/4LnVG6gzae  Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) January 11, 2023

Stay posted here on Tech Times for more updates.

Related Article: Twitter Says 200 Million Users' Leaked Data Were NOT Stolen from its Systems

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
King Charles III visits Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed to meet with local hardship support groups and tour the new facilities, in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire (REUTERS)

The King is focused on state visits to Germany and France amid reports that senior royals want to ban the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the coronation, the Standard understands.

It is believed the King wants members of the royal household and his family to adopt a keep calm and carry on approach despite the fallout over his second sons bestselling memoir Spare.

The King is said to be working on preparations for two planned state visits at the end of March to France and Germany. These will be the first state visits of his reign and he will be accompanied by Queen Camilla. His team is said to be finalising details with the Foreign Office and he will be joined by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on the visits.

While Buckingham Palace is not commenting, the Standard understands the King is putting his energy into making the visits his priority.

One senior figure told the Standard: These two visits to our closest and most influential European neighbours are hugely important for cementing our diplomatic and deeper ties with these countries. This soft power diplomacy is what our King and the royal family do and do well. When all the noise dies down and it will, the King and the working royals will continue to do what is important, working for our great country for the people of our great country.

King Charles III during his visit to Aboyne (PA)

The explosive claims in the book have cast doubt on preparations for the Kings coronation  with senior royals, said to include Prince Edward and Princess Anne, thought to have concerns about Harry and Meghans presence at the historic event.

As well as fears their attendance could overshadow the ceremony, there are also worries about whether more secrets could be reproduced in an updated edition of the book.

One royal source told The Sun: There have been discussions among the family, including Edward and Anne. They do not want private conversations at the coronation making it into the paperback edition of Spare.

The King was on Thursday in Scotland for his first public engagement since Harrys bombshell memoir hit the shops. His visit included a trip to Aberdeenshire to the Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed to tour its new facilities and meet local charity groups.

Story continues

His return to royal duties comes as Spare became the fastest selling non-fiction book in history after hitting shelves on Tuesday. Its sales have been boosted by headlines around the world recounting stories of sex, drugs and war in Afghanistan, including Harrys claim he killed 25 members of the Taliban.

The Duke of Sussex: Prince Harrys memoir Spare hits bookshelves at midnight as fans queue

(PA Wire)

(AFP via Getty Images)

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(Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

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(AP)

The memoir also details Harrys tempestuous relationship with his family, including allegations of a violent argument with his brother that ended with William knocking Harry over during a clash at his London home.

According to the publisher, the English language edition of Spare sold more than 1.4 million copies across the UK, Canada and the US on Tuesday.

President and publisher of the Random House Group Gina Centrello said: While many books by public figures can be fairly categorised as celebrity memoir, Spare is not that.

Vulnerable and heartfelt, brave and intimate, Spare is the story of someone we may have thought we already knew, but now we can truly come to understand Prince Harry through his own words.

Looking at these extraordinary first day sales, readers clearly agree, Spare is a book that demands to be read, and it is a book we are proud to publish. During the publicity blitz for the book, Harry revealed he has not spoken to his brother or father for some time.

He also risked deepening the rift with Charles with a series of critical remarks in the book about his stepmother Camilla  including claims he and his brother did not want his father to marry her and that her bid to rehabilitate her public image came at a cost to his.

Asked by ITV journalist Tom Bradby whether he will attend the coronation if he is invited, Harry said: Theres a lot that can happen between now and then.

But the door is always open. The ball is in their court. Theres a lot to be discussed and I really hope that theyre willing to sit down and talk about it.
Discover the untold story of the designer and architect Charlotte Perriand, told by Virginie Girod. Charlotte Perriand worked for one of the greatest architects of her time: Le Corbusier. It revolutionized interiors, imposing its style: industrial design. Charlotte Perriand's creations are currently the most sought after on the design market. Tilting chaise longue, "shadow" chair, swivel armchair... many artists have been inspired by the works of Charlotte Perriand. Economy of means, rationality of spaces and forms, use of raw and industrial materials, these were the mantras of this talented architect. Virginie Girod tells you the story of this woman, who was able to revolutionize interiors between functionality and aesthetics. Find Virginie Girod in Madame Figaro on newsstands on April 14 with an unpublished portrait. https://madame.lefigaro.fr "Au Cur de l'Histoire" is a Europe 1 Studio podcast.
With the future of the former Avondale shipyard hanging in the balance, the Jefferson Parish Council is urging a panel of key state officials to support the Port of South Louisianas request for $445 million in state-approved bonds to buy the site.
A pair of proposed constitutional amendments are the first measures cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams since he was sworn into office last week.

Williams, R-Sennett, supports a resolution introduced by U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican, to set term limits for members of Congress. Under the proposed amendment, members of the House of Representatives would serve no more than three two-year terms, while U.S. senators would be limited to two six-year terms.

The resolution has 44 cosponsors, 43 of whom are Republicans. The lone Democratic supporter is Maine U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.

Williams' cosponsorship of the proposal follows through on a pledge he signed during the campaign for the 22nd Congressional District seat. He promised to support the resolution to impose term limits for members of Congress.

Williams also cosponsored a resolution authored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican, to amend the Constitution and require the Supreme Court to have nine justices.

The proposed amendment has 92 cosponsors, all of whom are Republicans.

The measure is a response to calls for increasing the number of Supreme Court justices. Some Democrats support adding justices to counter the court's existing conservative majority.

The U.S. Constitution has not been amended in more than 30 years. Members of Congress have proposed amendments, but they have not advanced through the legislative process.

To amend the Constitution, Congress must pass a resolution with the support of two-thirds of each house. It is then sent to the states for ratification. Three-quarters of state legislatures (38 states of 50) are needed to ratify a constitutional amendment.
Bernard Arnault appointed his daughter Delphine to run LVMHs second-biggest brand, Dior, as the 73-year-old billionaire continues to elevate his children to key posts in his luxury empire.

The move comes after Antoine Arnault, the eldest son, was recently given a wider role within the business, replacing Sidney Toledano as chief executive officer and vice chairman of Christian Dior, the holding company through which the family controls LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

The worlds richest man, Bernard Arnault, has been giving his children greater responsibilities. Credit: Bloomberg

The worlds richest man has been giving his children greater responsibilities throughout the group in recent years, raising questions about succession, though theres no indication he plans to step back anytime soon. Last year, LVMH lifted the age limit of its CEO, allowing the family patriarch to stay at the helm until hes 80.

The promotion will give Delphine more of a frontline exposure at Dior, said Luca Solca, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.
New York: Sam Bankman-Fried said he did not steal money and blamed the collapse of his now-bankrupt FTX exchange on a broad crash in cryptocurrency markets, in a highly unusual blog post, a month after his arrest on US fraud charges.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan in December said Bankman-Fried stole billions of dollars from FTX customers to pay debts for his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research, purchase lavish real estate, and donate to US political campaigns.

FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves court in New York on January 3. Credit: Bloomberg

He has pleaded not guilty. The Substack blog post on Thursday (US time) - a rare public statement by a US criminal defendant - amounts to a preview of the defence case Bankman-Fried may present when his trial begins on October 2.

I didnt steal funds, and I certainly didnt stash billions away, Bankman-Fried wrote.
Melbourne man charged with murder after body found in home

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Upon his return to Australia, Cardinal George Pells body will be interred in the crypt underneath St Marys Cathedral, where a bomb exploded and was the final stop for a mysterious suitcase of bones.

The cathedrals crypt  a 42-metre long and 21-metre wide underground room  is the final resting place for seven other deceased archbishops of the Sydney Catholic archdiocese and sits under the western edge of the cathedral near Hyde Park.

The crypt underneath St Marys Cathedral in Sydney. Credit: St Marys Cathedral

Despite spending the majority of his life in Victoria, including serving as the archbishop of Melbourne, the cardinal will be laid to rest in Sydney because it was his more recent appointment, said Dr Joel Hodge, a senior lecturer in theology at the Australian Catholic University.

The key thing is that hes being buried at the cathedral, where his chair was, Hodge said, referring to the traditional chair of the archbishop that no other person can occupy.
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney sought a seat on a prestigious House committee  and she got it.

Tenney, R-Canandaigua, has landed a spot on the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee is responsible for writing tax policy and has jurisdiction over revenue-focused issues, such as Medicare and Social Security.

The House Republican Steering Committee met Wednesday and assigned GOP members to Ways and Means and other committees.

"As a tax and business attorney and small manufacturing firm owner, I understand the struggles faced by seniors, small businesses and family farms," Tenney said in a statement. "I will serve as a strong voice for hardworking New Yorkers and a tenacious and compassionate advocate for our region."

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Tenney said she will support policies that reshore manufacturing jobs and advocate for a fairer tax code. She wants to hold the Internal Revenue Service accountable and pledged to protect Medicare and Social Security.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, who was named chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, welcomed Tenney to the committee.

"A longtime small business owner herself, she is a fierce advocate for working families," Smith said. "Together, we will fight for a tax code that delivers better jobs and higher wages for all Americans and advances the interests of American workers and entrepreneurs. I look forward to serving our country together in this pivotal time."

Tenney, who represents the 24th Congressional District that includes Cayuga County and all or parts of 11 other upstate New York counties, told The Citizen during the 2022 campaign that she hoped to get a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Several current and former upstate New York members of Congress have served on the committee. U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, is a member. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, whose district included parts of the Southern Tier, western New York and Finger Lakes regions, was on the panel until his resignation last year.

Past members of the House Ways and Means Committee from upstate New York include former U.S. Reps. Amo Houghton and Tom Reynolds.

Another New York Republican, U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, will join Tenney on the House Ways and Means Committee.

The assignment will put Tenney in a prime position to deliver on one of her legislative priorities. She wants to make the Trump tax cuts permanent. Former President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017  Tenney supported the bill in Congress. The individual income tax cuts that were part of the law are due to expire in 2026.
The remains of deceased woman, tightly wrapped and covered in bedding material, lay hidden at a Brisbane unit complex for about eight years.

Cleaners found the human remains in a void behind concrete Besser blocks at the complex in Alderley Avenue on December 7.

Police declared a crime scene after human remains were found under a unit complex in Alderley in December last year. Credit: Google Maps

A two-day autopsy revealed the woman might have died as far back as 2009, and her body had been at the complex since November 2015.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the woman had not been identified but she was aged between 30 and 55 years old and had worn size 10 clothing.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he didnt discuss the Fox familys business interests during a five-hour barbecue at billionaire Lindsay Foxs Portsea mansion on Saturday.

At a press conference on Thursday, Andrews said nothing inappropriate had occurred at the private event, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also attended. The barbecue was held before Albanese flew out to the flood-affected Kimberley region in Western Australia.

I deal with many, many people and I deal with everybody appropriately, Andrews said.

It was a barbecue, he repeated several times when questioned about the event. And Ill boldly predict that it wont be the only barbecue I go to this summer.
Universities have flooded Victorian school-leavers with 23 per cent more offers this year, with extra places in health, engineering and IT following a near half a billion dollar federal push to boost student numbers in those fields.

Almost 17,000 second round university offers were made to Victorias secondary school graduates on Friday, bringing the total number for this year to some 64,000.

Roger Huang has already been offered a place studying science at Monash, but is hoping to study a double degree. Credit: Joe Armao

There has been a 6 per cent rise in the number of students who have received an offer compared with last year, with many receiving multiple pitches from universities.

More than 58,000 students have applied through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) this year.
Carole Cook

(image provided by BHBPR)

Actor Carole Cook died Wednesday, January 11 of heart failure at the age of 98. She was just three days shy of her 99th birthday.

Born in Abilene, Texas and a graduate of Baylor university, Cook  born Mildred  got her star as a member of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Desilu Review. Ball was her mentor, even suggesting Cook change her name to Carole, in tribute to Carole Lombard. Cook and Ball's relationship would continue for decades, with Ball frequently casting her in The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. She even served as Cook's matron-of-honor.

On stage, Cook was only the second actor in the entire world to play Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, bringing the musical to Australia and New Zealand over the course of two years. She also had the distinction of being the only actor to play Mame Dennis in major productions of both the musical Mame and its source material, the play Auntie Mame.

Cook originated the role of Maggie Jones in the Broadway, Los Angeles, and Tokyo companies of 42nd Street. She appeared in 70, Girls, 70 at New York City Center Encores!, the national tour of Steel Magnolias, and the original production of The Threepenny Opera. He screen appearances include The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Sixteen Candles, Disney's Home on the Range, and Grey's Anatomy.

Cook was honored with a plaque on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2019. She is survived by her husband, Tom Troupe, and other family members.
Cate Blanchett stars as Lydia Tar in director Todd Field's Tar

( Focus Features, LLC.)

Cinematically, the year that just ended may have come down to a question of Tar or Avatar 2.

The public has already cast its vote for James Cameron's elaborate waterworks display, which has so far raked in $1.7 billion globally. But January 4, another county was heard from: the New York Film Critics Circle. In a three-hour awards ceremony that was hosted by TAO in downtown Manhattan, the pick of some 50-plus New York film scribes was Tar, which, to date, has managed to squeeze only $5.6 million from the masses and is just the third feature of director Todd Field. They're sure to catch Oscar's eye, which is still ever-roving over other contenders.

One of Hollywood's genuine legends, director Martin Scorsese, presented the critics' prize for Best Picture of 2022 to fledgling Field, who wrote and directed it. Scorsese made a surprise appearance, and it instantly upped the celebrity quotient of the evening. He came with choice words for Old Hollywood and its mad chase after big box-office numbers and kind words for Now Hollywood, which takes audience in unfamiliar and uncharted directions.

"For so long now, so many of us see films that pretty much let us know where they're going," said Scorsese. "I mean, they take us by the hand, and even if it's disturbing at times, sort of comfort us along the way that it will be all right by the end. Now this is insidious, as one can get lulled into this and ultimately get used to it. Leading those of us who've experienced cinema in the pastas much more than thatto become despairing of the future of the art form, especially for younger generations.

"But that's on dark days," Scorsese continued. "The clouds lifted when I experienced Todd's film, Tar. What you've done, Todd, is that the very fabric of the movie that you have created doesn't allow this. All the aspects of cinema and the film that you've used, attest to this."

Cate Blanchett and Todd Field

( Dave Allocca/StarPix)

In addition to directing Tar, Field concocted a complex character study for Lydia Tar, and turned Cate Blanchett loose on the role, letting her have her way with it, winning first the Volpi Cup for Best Actress in September and the New York critics' nod for Best Actress in December. A brilliant conductor, Bernstein-trained and specializing in Bach, Tar is the first chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. A prodigious talent, she arrogantly and unwisely believes her gift makes up for her problematic, predatory behavior. When she learns it doesn't, her world comes crumbling down.

"You make it so that we exist in her head," Scorsese told Field. "We experience only through her perception. The world is her. Time, chronology and space become the music she lives by. We don't know where the film's going. We just follow the character on her strange, upsetting road to her even stranger final destination. Now, what you've done, Todd, is a real high-wire act."

For Blanchett, Field is "the most inventive collaborator I've ever encountered," and she told how he could really get the juices going: "Todd is the type of director you go on a hike with, and he'd warn you that you will almost definitely encounter a bear, and there's a strong possibility that you might lose a limb or part of your face, and you find yourself really excited. Bears? Fuck, yeah!"

Tar wasn't the only film to lead the list of critics' wins with just two victories. The Banshees of Inisherin logged up a couple, but it was hard to find an Irishman in the house. Martin McDonagh, who won the Best Screenplay honor with his original screenplay about two Irish BFFs who call off their friendship, and one of those friends, Colin Farrell, was the critics' choice for Best Actor.

The Irish star also was voted Best Actor by the group for After Yang, making him one of five leading men doubly honored by them in the same year: Brad Pitt in 2011 for Moneyball and The Tree of Life, Robert DeNiro in 1990 for Awakenings and Goodfellas, Jack Nicholson in 1974 for Chinatown and The Last Detail, and William Powell in 1947 for The Senator Was Indiscreet and Life With Father.

Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong in Everything Everywhere All At Once

( A24)

This year's supporting-player winners who started out as child stars unleashed a torrent of tears.

Ke Huy Quan, now 51 and the group's pick for his support in Everything Everywhere All at Once, first hit the screen at 13 as Short Round in 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and then, a year later, as "Data" Wang in The Goonies. But after a stint on ABC's Head of the Class in the 90s, the phone didn't ring again for three decades so he transitioned to other film-industry jobs.

"I promised my wife I'm not going to cry tonight," Quan told the audience, "but I remember the day when I got the call from my agent and he said that I got the role of Waymond. I remember screaming so loud and was overwhelmed with emotions. It was one of the happiest days of my life because it was a role that I waited for a long, long time." He closed with thanks to the two Daniels who directed the film, Kwan and Scheinert, for "making me feel like a kid again."

Keke Palmer, the critics' choice for Best Supporting Actress (as the UFO chaser in Jordan Peele's sci-fi Western, Nope), reached the screen at age 11 in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and started hitting a good stride two years later as Akeelah in Akeelah and the Bee. Now a 29-year-old expectant mother, she has since expanded her acting talent to singing, producing, TV hosting, and social-media celebrity.

"I've been performing all my lifeit's really all I've known," the actor admitted while smiling through some tears. "My parents introduced me to performing as a vessel to express myself. Sometimes I feel insane for how [apparent] my emotions are. But this craft has never judged me.  I'm thankful to acting for another great memory that we get to have together."

A total of 15 awards got distributed over the course of the evening. Among them: Best Director: S.S. Rajamouli for an epic from India, RRR; Best Foreign Language Film: Eo, a Polish film about a donkey; Best Cinematography: cameraman Claudio Miranda for his high-altitude Cruising in Top Gun: Maverick; Best First Film: Charlotte Wells for Aftersun; Best Nonfiction Film: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed; and Best Animated Feature: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.

Now, Oscar, what do you think of that?
Written and directed by Tina Landau, Redwood will close the 2023-24 season at La Jolla Playhouse.

Idina Menzel will star in the new musical Redwood at La Jolla Playhouse.

( Allison Stock)

Broadway icon Idina Menzel will return to the stage in a new musical, Redwood, which will premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2024. The story was first reported by Variety.

Menzel will play Jesse, a woman who leaves New York for a cross-country trip to Northern California, where she can escape among the giant Redwood trees. "I'm more of a recluse than people think I am," Menzel told Variety in an interview. "I definitely grapple with that a lot in my life, just like, Can I just put it all down and leave and do something different?'"

Menzel first approached Landau (who conceived and directed SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway) two decades ago with the idea, which was originally based on the story of Julia Butterfly Hill, a woman who lived in a Redwood for two years to prevent it from being chopped down. The two women have been developing the musical ever since.

Redwood features music by Kate Diaz, with lyrics by Diaz and Landau.

A Tony Award winner for Wicked, Menzel last appeared on Broadway in If/Then.
A methadone provider will move in with an Auburn recovery organization, giving local people recovering from addiction a new treatment option and the organization a source of financial sustainability.

Farnham Family Services, of Oswego, will move into the second floor of Nick's Ride 4 Friends at 13 Chapel St., across from the Holiday Inn on North Street, in March.

The move is supported by a $200,000 grant Farnham received from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support last year. In Auburn, Farnham will offer a specialized outpatient program that includes clinical services and access to the three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid addiction, which along with methadone are buprenorphine and naltrexone.

Nick's Ride 4 Friends Executive Director Ashley Moench told The Citizen that local people who need methadone currently must travel to Trumansburg, Oswego or Syracuse daily.

"It's about time we offer this to our community," she said. "We're happy to house it."

Farnham is also partnering with Nick's Ride to arrange peer support, and Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs to arrange counseling. The provider's executive director, Eric Bresee, told The Citizen he expects to serve 250 people a day in Auburn. That's how many Farnham serves in Oswego, which has similar demographic and overdose data. The provider has additional locations in Fulton and Mexico.

Bresee said the opening date of the Auburn facility depends on an inspection by the Drug Enforcement Administration  a requirement of methadone providers  among other factors.

Moench said Nick's Ride made a "strategic offer" to land Farnham, stressing the facility's location in the city but away from the downtown area, making it accessible but "off the beaten path." Bresee said that appealed to the provider, as the privacy of the people it serves is important. Both directors also expect the partnership between their organizations to create synergy benefiting the people they serve.

"We see this as being a one-stop shop for people struggling with opioid use disorder and addiction," Moench said.

Bresee added, "The fact (Nick's Ride) is already known as a resource for people struggling with substance use disorder makes it a nice fit for us."

Nick's Ride will benefit from the partnership another way, Moench said. Farnham will be a long-term lessee, providing the young organization a source of income at its new facility for years to come.

"We're one step closer to financial sustainability," she said. "We can look forward to a long relationship as their landlord in addition to expanding access for people with opioid use disorder."
Two recent land transfers in Cayuga County are being celebrated for their potential to help protect Owasco Lake.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust on Wednesday announced it accepted the donation of a conservation easement on 160 acres of farmland in the town of Scipio. And the Nature Conservancy announced the transfer of a 161-acre property in Sempronius to the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council.

According to a news release, the Scipio donation came from Barbara Post and her five siblings  Roger, Marilyn, Ken, Nancy and Linda. The property has expansive views of Owasco Lake and the surrounding area, including the land trusts Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve on the opposite shore.

Originally purchased by Barbaras grandfather, the property has been in the Post family for more than a century. Three generations of the family farmed the land, primarily raising Angus beef cattle and a variety of crops.

The six siblings are planning to sell the property, however, they first wanted to ensure their longtime family farm was forever protected from development.

It would be sad to see this farm turned into a suburban development, Barbara Post said in a statement. Its the best thing we can do.

The land trust said that the conservation easement will ensure the farm is not developed and will also protect the lakes water quality. Predominantly a mix of agricultural fields, a stream winds its way along the southern and eastern borders of the property and flows into the lake 4,000 feet downstream. The easement also expands vegetated buffers along the stream which will reduce runoff to the lake. Later this year, land trust staff and volunteers plan to plant native trees and shrubs on the expanded buffer.

Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that permanently limit future land use in order to protect the lands conservation value. Lands subject to conservation easements remain in private ownership, on local tax rolls, and available for traditional uses such as farming and hunting.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust owns and manages a network of over 46 nature preserves that are open to the public and holds perpetual conservation easements on 173 properties that remain in private ownership.

Also on Wednesday, the Nature Conservancy in New York announced that the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council became a land-owning entity for the first time by taking ownership of land in Sempronius for a nature preserve.

The Sempronius parcel will be called Fillmore Nature Preserve in an agreement the Nature Conservancy said was made possible through grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.

The Nature Conservancy said the project is part of an "ongoing effort to support local community organizations in managing water resources as an essential natural resource and source for public drinking water."

In a news release, the Nature Conservancy said it acquired the property in 2021 to help protect clean drinking water and reduce contributors to harmful algal blooms, and that a study ranked the property among the 10 most impactful parcels in the Owasco Lake watershed with the greatest effect on water quality if left in their natural states.

The parcel includes diverse forests and approximately 40 acres of freshwater wetlands, and is located near the birthplace of President Millard Fillmore and Fillmore Glen State Park.

Clean drinking water is essential, but its being threatened by a changing climate. Bigger storms can wash away more sediment and bring more contaminated runoff to our lakes. At the same time, our lakes are getting warmer. The combination of more pollution and warmer lake water leads to more and more harmful algal blooms, said Olivia Green, The Nature Conservancys Finger Lakes water quality specialist in a statement. But nature offers a solution. By protecting wetland systems, we let nature slow down and filter the water that sustains us. We are thrilled to partner with Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council to protect these resources and the health of our communities.

The transfer of this property is a testament to the strong partnership between the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council and The Nature Conservancy," Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council Executive Director Adam Effler said. "Protecting ecosystem services for the benefit of water quality expands upon the Management Councils public service initiatives, while simultaneously securing an asset that builds organizational resiliency. We look forward to our new role stewarding the Fillmore Nature Preserve and making its beautiful trails available to the public.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. ("Bosch Suzhou"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bosch Group, on Jan. 12 signed an investment agreement with the Administration Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park to build an R&D and manufacturing base for core new energy vehicle (NEV) parts and autonomous driving technologies in Suzhou city, Jiangsu province, according to a post on Bosch Group's WeChat account.

Per the agreement, the construction of the new R&D and manufacturing base is expected to be completed in mid-2024.

Photo credit: Bosch

In addition, Bosch Group plans to invest a total of about 7 billion yuan ($1.038 billion) over the next few years in the aforesaid project, so as to boost the development of its NEV- and autonomous driving-related businesses.

With a capacity building area of roughly 300,000 square meters, the new facility will be mainly used for the R&D and manufacturing of the electric drive products equipped with the new-generation SiC power modules, the IPB (Integrated power brake) 2.0 system, and intelligent decoupled braking system. Besides, the R&D of many core autonomous driving technologies like Bosch Chinas high-level intelligent driving solutions will be conducted at the new base as well.
The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources will kick off its second annual Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership seminar series in Riverton Jan. 26.

The seminar series, titled Ranching in the West, includes four sessions held at community colleges across the state, culminating in a one-day leadership symposium on the UW campus in Laramie. All five events are open to the public as well as UW and community college students.

For those unable to attend in person, all events will be livestreamed and recorded via Zoom.

In the first session, hosted by Central Wyoming College, a panel of natural resource managers, grazing permittees and others will discuss ranching on public lands. Panelists include Jason Pindell of the Shoshone National Forest Service; Reg Phillips, ranch manager of the Diamond D Ranch in Dubois; John Elliott, field manager of the Lander BLM office; Sublette County rancher Joel Bousman; and UW Extension educator Barton Stam.

Topics discussed in subsequent sessions include managing the people side of agriculture, technology and innovation, revenue diversification, and leadership skills and application.

I think for the students its a cool opportunity to learn in a non-traditional way from practitioners who are out in the industry, says RMAL Associate Director Randall Violett. In terms of community folks, its a professional improvement opportunity, an opportunity to learn from their peers and answer questions they might have.

For community members and students not taking the course for credit, the cost is $25 per session or $100 for all five sessions. To register, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal.

UW students who choose to enroll in the seminar series as a for-credit course are required to participate in all five sessions.

Topics, dates and locations for the 2023 seminar series are as follows.

Ranching on Public Lands: Jan. 26, Central Wyoming College  Riverton

Managing Human Resources on the Ranch: Feb. 16, Sheridan College  Sheridan

Technology and Innovation: March 2, Eastern Wyoming College  Torrington

Revenue Diversification: March 30, Northwest College  Powell

Leadership Symposium and Luncheon: April 20, University of Wyoming  Laramie

Sessions hosted by community colleges are scheduled for 4:00-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided.

To learn more, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal. Contact RMAL Program Coordinator Anne DeMersseman at ademerss@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-3206 with questions.
Brief Note on behalf of

Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan (BGPMUS) &

Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti (BGPSSS)

IN

CURATIVE PETITION NOS. 345-347 OF 2010 IN CA NOS. 3187-3188/1988

BRIEF NOTE BY SANJAY PARIKH, SENIOR ADVOCATE

1. Applicants herein - BGPMUS & BGPMSS who represent the gas victims, have filed IA Nos. 22-24 in the present Curative Petition. They were the first to approach the Honble Court ( in W.P(Civil) No. 843/1988) for interim relief measures for the gas victims with respect to food, medical and ex-gratia cash assistance, even before the Settlement orders dated 14/15.2.1989 was passed.

2. BGPMUS had filed Review Petition No. 229/1989 and BGPMSS had filed WP(C) 293/1989 challenging the Settlement Orders. In the judgement (Charan Lal Sahu 1990(1) SCC 613 at 706, para 127) by which the constitutional validity of the 1985 Act was decided, this Honble Court held that appropriate notice to the gas victims was necessary before arriving at any settlement but in the circumstances, as a measure of post decisional hearing, observed that they will have an opportunity of hearing in the pending review proceedings.

3. The Review Petitions filed before this Honble Court were supported by the Union of India. The present Curative Petition has been filed by the UOI as parens patriae of the victims of the worlds largest industrial disaster. The applicants representing the gas victims are therefore, directly concerned with outcome of the present proceedings.

4. The orders dated 14/15.2.1989 were passed by the Supreme Court directing settlement in exercise of its plenary power and under Article 142 of the Constitution:

(i) The order dated 14.2.1989 notes having given our thoughtful consideration for several dayswe hold it just, equitable and reasonable to pass the following order. The order then records the amount of U.S. Dollars 470 millions. Thereafter in para-2 the Court records its appreciation for the parties in accepting the terms of settlement suggested by this Court. Reason noted was pressing urgency to provide immediate and substantial relief to the victims. UCC Vs UOI 1989(1) SCC 674

(ii) The settlement was therefore, not an ordinary settlement in a suit between two parties. It was an order of the Court which was accepted by the parties.

(iii) It was for this reason that justification was provided suo moto by this Court in its order and judgement dated 4th May 1989 [1989 (3) SCC 38] as to how the sum of 470 million US Dollars was arrived at. The order categorically states that the basis was justness on assumption of truth and if justness of the settlement is questioned on the basis of supplemental information or material having a crucial bearing on the fundamental assumptions basic to the settlement resulting in serious miscarriage of justice, it will be endeavour of this Court to undo any such injustice and that those who trust this Court will not have cause for despair. (para-38). The Court records in para-14 that it would initiate proceedings to set aside order dated 14.2.1989, even suo moto, in a certain eventuality.

(iv) These observations were referred to in Charan Lal Sahu 1990(1) SCC 613(para121) as well as in the Review Judgement [(1991) 4 SCC 584, para  48 and 174].

(v) In para 56-65, the Review Judgement [(1991) 4 SCC 584) decided the question whether this Court had jurisdiction to withdraw and dispose of the suit dehors Art 139-A? The majority justified passing of the order of 14/15.2.1989 on the basis of Art. 136 and 142 of the Constitution.

(vi) In the same Review judgment, in exercise of its plenary jurisdiction and powers under Art 142 that Re: Quashing and Termination of Criminal Proceedings, the Settlement was reviewed, and the quashing and termination of criminal proceedings brought about by the Settlement order was set-aside (paras 74-93). Similarly, the part of the settlement relating to immunity from future criminal liability was also set aside. (Para. 94-104).

5. On the basis of the aforenoted, it is submitted that the settlement order being passed under Art.136 read with Art.142 and its recognition in subsequent orders/judgments, this Honble Court has power, which it always retained, to pass necessary orders if it is satisfied that in the changed situation, the settlement order ceases to be just and that continuation of the same order would result in grave miscarriage of justice.

6. This Honble Court in its under order dated 4th May 1989 examined whether the Settlement amount of INR 725 crores was just and reasonable by apportioning it under different heads for each category of victim - i.e. death, utmost severe cases, permanent disability, temporary disability, minor injuries. This amount being provided for immediate relief ought to have been disbursed to victims immediately as that was the purpose of the settlement. The amount was meant for the approximate number of victims envisaged under the order dt. 4th May, 1989. Therefore, the interest accrued thereon was also meant for the same number of victims.

7. Subsequently, upon adjudication of the claims by the Claims Tribunals, the number of victims was found to be drastically higher. Therefore, the additional amount on the same parameters, as given in the order dt. 4th May 1989, ought to have been provided to the additional number of victims. This Honble Court had retained with itself the power and jurisdiction to grant additional compensation for the victims of the disaster to satisfy the justness in changed circumstances, as mentioned above.

8. The present proceedings do not amount to seeking review/setting aside of the settlement order but effectuating the continuing process of imparting complete justice in exercise of its inherent powers and in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 142, which this Honble Court had exercised while ordering the settlement. There is no impediment for this Honble Court to hold that if further amount is not granted, it will affect the justness of the settlement and would therefore, result in grave miscarriage of justice.

9 That in para-174 of the Review Judgement refers to para-38 of the May 4,1989 order as well as Charan Lal Sahu to hold that the review proceedings therein were sui generisin nature and its purpose was to ensure that no miscarriage of justice occurs in the matter in a matter of such great moment. It further added: It is of utmost importance that great issues of human suffering are not subordinated to legal technicalities. But owing to the fact that the number of affected victims was not available, as it became available later, the judgement said that on the material on record, the settlement fund should be sufficient to meet the needs of a just compensation... (pr. 174-176). If the material was available to show unjustness of compensation, this Court, as it observed, would not have hesitated to do the needful. It is therefore, not a case where the Court is powerless to look into the settlement order for passing such order which is just and fair.

10 The Review Judgement recognizes the continuing process of adverse/toxic impact of the gas leak on the victims (Pr. 29-33, 124-135, 141, 205-209).

11 Categorization of victims was done in absence of medical records because of which the victims/their dependents being deprived of fair assessment of their injuries (even death cases) and award of compensation based thereon and enhancement of compensation if with passage of time, the injury aggravates. The process of finalising the medical records is still not complete. See the last order dated 3.1.2023 passed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in Cont. Petition (C) 832/2015.

12 The Office of the Welfare Commissioner has been submitting Fortnightly Reports of Number Of Victims whose claims have been processed and sanctioned. Last of such reports (giving statistics as on 15.12.2022) shows the increased number of sanctioned cases of deaths, permanent/partial disability and temporary partial disability, as well as the number of cancer and renal failure cases which have been sanctioned. (Compilation-2, Vol-IV of UOI, Page 1633).

13 Medical surveillance is of utmost importance. BHMRC has medical records of over 4.5 lakh gas victims spanning 22 years. But that data has not been digitalized, analyzed or categorized.

14 On an average, every day about 2000 gas victims undergo medical treatment at BMHRC, while in the six hospitals and 19 clinics run by the Gas Relief Department of the State Government, another 4000 gas victims undergo medical treatment. These victims cannot under any circumstances be termed as remaining "temporarily injured" or merely suffering from "minor" injuries even after 38 years of the occurrence of disaster.

(Anuj Kapoor)

Counsels for BGPMUS & BGPSSS

(Applicants in IA No. 22-24)

Date: 12.01.2023
In the last month of 2022, the three major Japanese automakers, namely Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, and Nissan Motor were all confronted with a less-than-expected annual sales performance in China, with Nissan taking the heaviest toll and Toyota the slightest.

The sales cutback in December 2022 marked the respective second, fourth, and fifth consecutive month for Toyota, Honda, and Nissan to sell less vehicles in China than a year ago. However, despite the overall downturn in China sales, all the three Japanese automakers in fact saw their monthly sales volume significantly recover from a month ago.

Toyota Motor sold 184,000 new vehicles in the worlds largest auto market in December, representing a 19.8% decline from a year earlier. The automakers full-year China sales volume amounted to 1,940,600 vehicles in 2022, notching down 0.2% year over year. According to Toyota Motors announcement on January 10, the year 2022 marked the first year in a decade for the company to see a year-on-year decline in annual China sales since 2012.

Through last year, GAC Toyota, the joint venture between GAC Group and Toyota Motor, celebrated its annual output and sales both exceed 1 million units for the first time ever. GAC Toyota produced 1,009,265 vehicles yearly, representing a 22.6% year-on-year jump. In the same year, the joint venture saw its full-year auto sales rise 21.4% from a year earlier to 1,005,000 units.

In November 2022, the automakers other joint venture in China, FAW-Toyota, held an event to celebrate its 10 millionth vehicle rolling off the production line.

In December 2022, Honda Motor sold 138,512 vehicles in China, indicating a 77.29% leap from a month earlier but a 17.9% drop from the previous year.

In terms of the separate performance of the companys two Sino joint ventures, GAC Honda saw a 13.12% decline over a year ago to 70,370 vehicles in December, while Dongfeng Honda recorded a 22.27% year-on-year decrease by selling 68,142 vehicles in the same period.

As to the full-year performance, Honda Motor sold 1,373,122 vehicles across China, indicating a 12.1% slip compared to that of 2021. Of the vehicles sold last year, 231,274 units were electrified vehicles (including HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs).

In December 2022, Nissan Motor sold 70,482 vehicles in China, representing a 46.9% hike month-on-month but a 41.7% plunge compared to the same period in 2021. In 2022, Nissan Motor witnessed its annual China sales exceed 1 million units, which marked the automakers eighth straight year with such sales record.

The Japanese automaker sold a total of 1,045,197 vehicles across the Chinese auto market last year to reflect a 22.1% drop from the previous year.

For clarity, the annual China sales Nissan Motor reported were composed of the full-year passenger vehicle sales of Nissan, Venucia, and Infiniti brands, as well as the light commercial vehicles sales of Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. for the Jan.-Sept. period, and Zhengzhou Nissan for the entire year.

Under the successively weakening sales results, Nissan Motor set out to stage a comeback in the worlds largest auto market with a vigorous deployment plan in developing battery-electric vehicles.
After announcing last March that the Pac-12 conference will leave their San Francisco offices by June 2023, the conference has reportedly picked its new home.

According to George Avalos of The Mercury News, the Pac-12 will lease a 42,000-square-foot office space in San Ramon, California, about a 40-minute drive inland from San Francisco. The Bishop Ranch business park will be the home of the Pac-12s production studio, where about 850 live events a year will be produced, and will have more than 100 employees and freelancers on gameday.

The Pac-12 is expected to move to the new place this summer. While financials werent revealed, based on information revealed last year, the biggest motivator to moving may be the cost of rent.

Last March, it was revealed that the Pac-12 was paying about $8.35 million per year in rent for their conference headquarters. That monumental number dwarfed anything the SEC ($318,000) or Big Ten ($1.5 million) pay for rent. At that time, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff announced that the conference would move out of San Francisco and have most employees continue to work from home to save on rent. The decision was estimated to save each Pac-12 school about $7 million over the next decade.

Places like San Ramon are in higher demand for companies in recent years. With rent rising in cities like San Francisco, and office space not being as crucial due to a wider acceptance of working from home, a town like San Ramon is within close range to other companies within Silicon Valley that they can be a viable cost-effective alternative.

[The Mercury News]
10 Russian Oligarchs Who Used Golden Visa Route to UK Have Since Been Sanctioned: Minister

Ten Russian oligarchs who were recipients of the UKs so-called golden visas have since been sanctioned as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has revealed.

The Tier 1 Investor visa, launched in 2008, has often been called a golden visa, as it offered residency to those investing 2 million ($2.4 million) or more in the UK, and allowed their families to join them.

The UK Home Office scrapped the visa just days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022, citing security concerns, including people acquiring their wealth illegitimately and being associated with wider corruption.

The government first commissioned the review into this visa route in 2018 after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain. After keeping the findings secret for years, the government released details of that investigation to Parliament on Thursday.

High-Risk Individuals

In a written statement to the House of Commons, Braverman said that a small number of people who were granted the visa might have obtained their wealth through corruption or organised crime.

She said: The review of cases identified a small minority of individuals connected to the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route that were potentially at high risk of having obtained wealth through corruption or other illicit financial activity, and/or being engaged in serious and organised crime.

But she stressed that while these individuals potentially poses a risk of having connections to criminality, it does not mean guilt has been proven.

UK law enforcement have access to this data and are taking action as appropriate under their operational remits. Information on all high-risk individuals has been discussed with the Home Offices independent operational partners and a range of actions has and is being considered including, where appropriate, immigration action.

She added: Whilst unable to comment specifically due to operational sensitivity of work, as an example of the range of actions we are taking I can say that we have already sanctioned 10 oligarchs who had previously used this route as part of our extensive response to Russian aggression in the Ukraine.

In total, more than 12,000 golden visas have been granted, including more than 2,500 to Russians, according to government data.

The programme continued even after Parliaments Joint Intelligence and Security Committee said in 2020 that the government was welcoming oligarchs with open arms.

The sign outside the Home Office in Westminster, London in an undated file photo. (Yui Mok/PA)

Mistakes Wont Be Repeated

The statement was published five years after a review of golden visas was announced by then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd in the wake of the 2018 Novichok poisonings in Salisbury.

In her statement, Braverman insisted the Home Office was robust in refusing leave where this is appropriate, but said it had found there were inherent difficulties with the scheme both in terms of security and economic value.

She added, I am determined this government will ensure such mistakes are not repeated.

The review did not find evidence of a systemic failure across financial institutions to carry out appropriate customer due diligence checks on visa applicants in the period in question.

But Braverman said there was evidence of applicants seeking out and exploiting financial institutions that had the weakest customer due diligence controls, adding that some of the organisations involved have since been fined by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The immigration system was not as well equipped to respond to the risks posed by the visa route and would require caseworkers to have specialist expertise in detecting potentially complex cases of financial crime, she said in the statement.

The home secretary said alternative visa options were being considered carefully and any future investment-based scheme must not offer entry solely on the basis of the applicants personal wealth.

She added: We must ensure that kleptocracies such as Russia are not able to act with impunity overseas. That is why the UK has taken strong action since the start of the war and why we will continue to do so in the years to come.

Totally Inadequate

The main opposition Labour Party branded the response totally inadequate.

Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers have finally recognised and admitted that 10 of those sanctioned following Russias invasion of Ukraine had come to the UK on golden visas but had failed to provide answers to basic questions raised about the scheme, adding, It is disgraceful for the home secretary to dodge scrutiny in this way.

She said Braverman should come to Parliament and publish a far more detailed report answering the national security questions posed by the findings.

Layla Moran, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, claimed the statement stinks of a cover-up.

She said: We need to know to what extent the government let Kremlin-linked oligarchs treat this country as their playground. If the Conservatives have nothing to hide, then they will have nothing to fear. The review must be published in full, right away.

PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report.
A friendly rivalry between ESPN New Yorks morning and afternoon shows morphed into a vicious tirade and now a potential radio war with WFAN.

Last week, Michael Kay went on-air and threatened to have Ray Santiago fired over a ratings quip. Santiago, who produces the stations morning show hosted by Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg, made a joke about The Michael Kay Shows recent ratings slide.

After Kays vengeful and spiteful rant gained traction this week, he claimed the tirade was all for show and lauded his ability as a performer. Kay was supported by his ESPN Radio co-hosts Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg who claimed they knew the threatening rant was just a performance.

WFANs Gregg Giannotti, however, doesnt buy it. During his Thursday morning show with co-host Boomer Esiason on WFAN, Giannotti slammed Kay for threatening the job of a producer and he obliterated the ESPN Radio host for attempting to play it off as a performance.

Radio War? Or is Gio just being performative? pic.twitter.com/uk7QGM086L  Brandon Contes (@BrandonContes) January 12, 2023

Gimme a break, Giannotti ranted of The Michael Kay Show trio Thursday morning. You dont have to sit there and bootlick him any longer. Hes gonna retire. It doesnt matter if you kiss his ass or not, its not gonna be the difference in you getting that job when he leaves. Just stop it. Just stop kissing his ass. He was wrong! Call him out for it! He was absolutely wrong. Its not performance art. You were pissed off!

While lauding his ability as a performer, Kay admitted he was upset with Santiagos ratings joke. And while its likely that Kay never considered making a phone call to get the 15-year ESPN Radio producer fired, there was legitimate anger behind his his petty tirade. Kay, a self-admitted thinned-skinned and vengeful person, was not just performing, he was sensitive about a joke and sought to remind Santiago of his power.

Instead, I gotta believe its performance art? Are you freaking kidding me?! Giannotti added. If it is performance art, why are you pulling back the curtain?! Does the magician show you where he keeps the rabbit before he pulls it out of the hat? If youre such a great performer, then continue your bit! But then you pulled back the curtain to tell everybody about it cause you werent man enough to step up and say you were wrong!

And for someone to be in the business as long as he has, Giannotti continued. To pull that kind of lie and bullcrap was embarrassing. Absolutely embarrassing. I sit here and I bust everybodys balls, Ill point out mistakes, but if I ever  EVER  go and say on the airThis guy needs to be fired, you have permission to punch me right in the face. Because that is a ridiculous, RIDICULOUS abuse of power.

Giannotti seemed pretty bothered by Kays actions, although maybe he was just being performative.

[WFAN, via CBS Sports Network]
14 Malian Soldiers Killed by Explosives in Multiple Attacks

BAMAKO, MaliCoordinated attacks by Islamic terrorists have killed 14 Malian soldiers and wounded nearly a dozen, the army said.

Multiple improvised explosive devices detonated between Dia and Diafarabe villages as well as between Koumara and Macina towns in central Mali, said Col. Souleymane Dembele, the director of public relations for the army, in a statement Wednesday.

During the same attacks, which occurred earlier this week, Malis forces killed more than 30 terrorists, Dembele said.

The West African nation has been riddled with violence linked to al-Qaida and the ISIS terrorist group for a decade. Thousands of people have been killed.

Malis ruling junta, which seized power in two coups starting in 2020, has been struggling to beat back the terrorists, especially since French troops pulled out of the country in August amid frayed relations with the junta. France has been in the region since 2013 when it sent in troops to Mali to push back extremists encroaching on the capital, Bamako, but the extremists have since regrouped.

Extremists groups continue to wreak havoc in the Sahelian nation despite the juntas employment of mercenaries to stem the rise of violence. Its clearly not working, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis.

The high casualty count underscores an untiring effort of extremist groups to weaken any remaining resolve of Malian soldiers. If more of these attacks take place, the junta will need to resort to additional security assistance, he said.
Absolutely Unfair: GOP Lawmakers Decry Alleged Double Standards Over Biden Classified Documents

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) talks to reporters after being reelected as chair of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington on Nov. 15, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

GOP lawmakers have alleged a double standard that favors Democrats over Republicans in the wake of revelations this week that classified documents from the Obama-Biden administration were discovered in the Biden Penn Center in November.

Their remarks came ahead of an announcement on Jan. 12 that more classified documents were since discovered in the garage of one of Bidens homes in Deleware. The same day, Attorney General Merrick Garland said he appointed former Trump-appointed Justice Department official Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate Bidens handling of classified materials.

Many have sought to distinguish the revelations this week from the governments actions against former President Donald Trump, whose Florida home was raided by the FBI last summer during which classified documents were discovered, and who is currently investigated by Special Counsel Jack Smith. But Republican figures contend that the same treatment should apply in both cases.

Where is the FBI raid on the Joe Biden crime family after the revelations that he stole classified materials while serving as Vice President and stored these documents at Bidens think tank that has received over $50 million in Chinese gifts? Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who serves on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 11.

The University of Pennsylvania, which houses the Biden Penn Center, has received a sum of $54.6 million between 2014 and 2019 from China, based on public records, according to the New York Post. The Center denies that its received any donations from China.

Differential Treatment

The differential treatment of the Trump and Biden cases comes down to party affiliation, according to a former GOP congressman.

The principle difference is that one is a Republican and the other is a Democrat, former Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told the Epoch Times.

The government is predominantly Democrat, not just at the elected official level, but at the bureaucratic level, added Brooks.

I absolutely believe that there is a bias in our investigative agencies and judicial system against Republicans. How bad the disparity is, is open to debate.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) agreed, saying that conservatives are punished for actions that are largely ignored by a government dominated by ideological liberals.

We have a big problem with the National Archives and Records, Greene told The Epoch Times.

The congresswoman said that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which is in charge of documents generated by the office of the president and vice president, has two different standards: one that favors Biden and the other that punishes Trump.

This is an organization that we will be investigating, through the House Oversight Committee as to their handling of these documents. And were also going to be questioning the Department of Justice and the FBI into why the hypocrisy and why the difference because its absolutely unfair, Greene said.

The White House has stressed that it is cooperating with NARA and the Department of Justice on the matter, while Biden said earlier this week he was surprised to learn of the documents found at the Biden Penn Center and did not know what the records contained.

VP Cant Declassify

Greene also contended that there is an even bigger distinction in the case of Bidens classified documents.

The difference is this: Joe Biden was vice president of the United States when he took classified documents. That means he stole classified documents because the vice president is not allowed to declassify anything. And he has no right to take classified documents, she said.

Its completely different for the president of the United States, Greene added, who she said can declassify documents at any time for any reason.

Trump maintains that before leaving office he declassified the documents found at his residence.

But Brooks, who previously worked as a defense attorney and a district attorney said that while he agrees that there is bias in how the government treats these cases between the GOP and Democrats, hes seen no evidence that Trump used established processes to declassify documents found in his possession.

I dont give much weight to that distinction, said Brooks. Because today, there has not been any evidence produced that Donald Trump, in fact, did the things that youre supposed to do to declassify documents.

A former intelligence officer who has worked on security issues in Europe and the Middle East said while its an open question whether Trump followed the process to declassify documents in his possession, no such allowance can be made for Biden.

A former vice president has no authority to remove classified documents from a secure facility, even for the purpose of using it as background references for writing a book, Del Wilber, who served in Iraq and Eastern Europe as a counter-intelligence advisor, told The Epoch Times.

If it were necessary for a former vice president to review classified documents they would have to submit a formal request to review those documents with the authority maintaining control, and then go to a secure facility to view them, Wilber said, adding said that on the face of the case, Biden didnt do that.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House, NARA, and Department of Justice for comment.
AI Could Help Australian Farmers Test for Carbon

Trees growing on forest land adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park are shown Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, near Ashford, Wash. The land is part of a new project of 520 acres on private timberland that allows the private nonprofit Nisqually Land Trust to sell so-called "carbon credits" to individuals and companiesincluding Microsoft Corp.who are hoping to offset their carbon footprints. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Researchers are hoping that a project that uses artificial intelligence and satellite imagery could make it cheaper and easier for landowners to realise the potential of carbon on their farms.

Mohammed Rahman from Federation University is leading the research that includes the development of a machine that can then learn to give accurate soil carbon estimates.

My aim is to develop the algorithm that will measure the soil carbon by analysing the images, the computer scientist told AAP.

By using free images from NASA and the European Space Agency Sentinel satellite, Rahman aims to turn the imagery into two-dimensional maps so farmers can prioritise where they capture and store carbon.

Carbon farming involves landholders removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through methods like tree planting and increasing decomposing plant material and microbes to store carbon in the soil.

Rahman said while theres plenty of work happening in carbon farming, he hopes his research could be a game changer for those wanting to understand the potential of their land.

The three-year research project aims to help reduce costs and make carbon farming more accessible and is also looking at whether farmers can rely on mobile imagery.

The problem Im trying to solve is to get more farmers to participate in the incentive programs, the PhD student said.

A unique feature of the project would be the adoption of two separate models to improve accuracy, a physics-based model and a machine-learning model.

If we can get an accuracy of 70 percent (from mobile images), that can be used as a rapid testing method like we do rapid COVID testing, he said.

This week a review of Australias carbon credit market by former chief scientist Ian Chubb found the system needs more transparency, with carbon collection data to be more publicly available, to encourage participation.

In November, the federal government awarded eight projects, almost $29 million in grants to accelerate technologies that reduce the cost of soil carbon measurement.

One problem about carbon measurement is  you have to take samples and send them to the laboratory, and it might take a few hours to a few weeks, and its expensive, Rahman said.

Carbon Farmers of Australia head Louisa Kiely welcomed the research and said using satellite imagery to work out whats underneath the soil is the holy grail.

But she said in the short term; data will still need to be collected so that the results can be calibrated.

This research may provide a step in the right direction, but modelled estimates will still require field samples to ensure the modelling is accurate, Kiely said.

Victorian farmer Peter Moore, whose land was used to carry out some of the research trials, said while hes long known the benefits of soil health, having extra information about carbon levels would help.

If I get the information, I can actually determine just how much nitrogen I might need, these sorts of things, Moore said.

John Connor from the Carbon Market Institute said ongoing research is vital for the industry to scale up.

Accurate measuring and monitoring is central to any carbon project and will become even more important as we expect to see more uniform data collection and transparency as the industry grows.
Alabama Official Indicted on Voter Fraud Charges, Ballot Stuffing in Democratic Primary

The chairman of Alabamas Perry County Commission was indicted on felony and misdemeanor voter fraud charges in connection to the midterm primary and general elections, officials said.

Albert Turner Jr., the official whos also the son of a well-known civil rights activist, was charged with voting multiple times in Alabamas primary elections in the spring of 2022 and for allegedly ballot harvesting during the Nov. 8, 2022, midterm elections, according to a joint statement from Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill and 4th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Michael Jackson issued on Jan. 11.

Turner was allegedly caught inserting multiple ballots into a voting machine in May 2022 during the Alabama Democratic primary, Jackson said. It isnt clear what candidates he submitted the ballots for.

He was there most of the day stuffing filled-out ballots in favor of the candidates he was supporting, Jackson told media outlets on Jan. 11. Witnesses came forward, and we felt we had enough to present to a Perry County grand jury.

In November 2022, Turner allegedly mailed in an undisclosed number of absentee ballots, according to Jackson and Merrill.

Perry County Commissioner, District 1, Albert Turner Jr. (Perry County)

It is alleged that Mr. Turner presented multiple completed absentee ballots for mailing from the U.S. Post Office, the statement reads. Both of these matters are currently under investigation.

When asked about whether the alleged fraudulent activity could impact the outcome of elections, Merrill said that it is not appropriate at this time to comment because a lot of variables that factor into that decision and these matters are currently under investigation, according to the statement.

Since January 19, 2015, we have worked extraordinarily hard to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat in Alabama, Merrills office stated. While the accused is innocent until proven guilty, it is important to know that this incident, just like the other 1,805 incidents we have investigated over the last eight years, will receive the full attention of this office as we confirm for the people for the State of Alabama that we are the gold standard for election administration in the United States.

Lengthy Response

Responding to the charges, Turner told The Associated Press that hes aware of the charges but did nothing inappropriate or illegal.

I am not concerned about any charge he has announced and I will not waste any energy on political theatre. It is mighty funny that Little Mike waited until he was leaving office to make his charge, because he knows he cant prove his case, Turner told AP.

Turner didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

A Jan. 11 statement that was issued by a Facebook account associated with Turner said hes also not concerned about Michael Jackson and his bogus change of ballot stuffing and mailing too many absentee ballots, suggesting that the indictment was politically motivated.

The people were tired of politically motivated prosecutions by an incompetent district attorney, the page reads. It is not going unnoticed that two days before he leaves office for good, he sends out a press release before he gets an arrest warrant or notifies the accused of the charges. Chairman Turner [stated] he has not received any paperwork outlining the charges against him. Sheriff Jones when contacted has not received any paperwork to arrest the Chairman.

The statement also said that Turner agrees that the ballot box was stuffed during last years elections but not by him. Instead, it was done by the people of Perry County and the 4th Judicial District, according to the statement, which also claimed that Merrillwhos set to leave officeis a womanizer.

Merrill was at Turners courthouse office two weeks ago asking that the Chairman throw him some business at his new government relation job with a Mississippi-based engineering firm, the statement reads.

Turner was first named to the county commission in 2000 to serve the remainder of his fathers term. Hes since won several reelections, AL.com reported.

His father, Albert Turner, was a civil rights activist who had been an adviser to Martin Luther King Jr., and he helped lead the voting rights march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital Montgomery in 1965.

Alabama has seen seven convictions of voter fraud in the past eight years, Merrills office said in the statement. Those with information relating to instances of voter fraud or the case are advised to call the Alabama Secretary of States Office at (334) 242-7210.
Amazon to Appeal US Labor Boards Certification of Union Victory in New York

Amazon workers and supporters march during a rally in Castleton-On-Hudson, New York, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Rachel Phua via AP)

Amazon said it plans to appeal the official certification of its workers attempts at unionization in New York by the federal governments labor relations board.

Regional director Cornele Overstreet of the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) upheld an Amazon warehouse unions victory in New York City in her decision on Jan. 11.

The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) celebrated the labor board directors ruling in a tweet. Were ecstatic right now, said ALU interim president Chris Smalls, stating that this is very historic for workers.

Smalls, who was fired by Amazon, was the unions co-founder.

The e-commerce retailer attempted to overturn the ALUs win at its JFK8 facility in Staten Island, New York back in April 2022.

The certification is the first step toward forcing the online retail giant to having to bargain with its workers via a contract.

The news comes after Amazon announced that it would lay off more than 18,000 staff last week due to economic uncertainty in 2023.

We knew it was unlikely that the NLRB regional office would rule against itself, and intend to appeal, Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said in a press statement.

As weve said since the beginning, we dont believe this election process was fair, legitimate or representative of the majority of what our team wants, she added, explaining that the company will make an appeal.

Amazon Unionization Movement Gains Momentum

This is the first time that employees at an Amazon facility in the United States have decided to unionize the history of the company after demanding higher pay and job security.

Labor organizers have been critical of practices such as productivity tracking at the warehousing facilities.

At least 55 percent of the 8,000 employees eligible to vote for unionization last March had opted in favor of joining the union, with 58 percent turnout.

Amazon attempted to slow the ALUs efforts, with workers at two different facilities in New York rejecting unionization since.

The union lost two subsequent elections by wide margins, one at a smaller facility across the street from the original warehouse and a second one at a site outside Albany, New York.

Meanwhile, the company objected to an unethical conflict of interest between the labor board and the union.

The retailer argued that the NRLB violated its own rules, as a labor board official proceeding over the matter, seemingly implied that the government agency was endorsing the ALU in its ruling.

The NLRB regional director decision overruled Amazons objections, with her decision largely in line with an NLRB hearing officers recommendations in 2022.

Online Retail Giant Will Appeal Labor Boards Ruling

Amazon was given the option to appeal the decision to a larger NRLB review panel or start negotiating with its employees in Staten Island.

The online giant will be appealing the ruling to labor board members in Washington, where pro-labor Democrats hold a majority.

If it loses that appeal, the company could simply refuse to negotiate with the union, which would set in motion another round of complaints and appeals that could last months or even years.

Even if there is no collective bargaining agreement, the official certification provides workers with rights, such as the ability to bring a witness to meetings, which could lead to discipline, and prohibits the company from unilaterally changing working conditions without consent, ALU attorney Seth Goldstein told Bloomberg.

Smalls urged Amazon to start negotiating with his union, referring to the latest decision.

If theyre a good company, and in good faith, and they listen to their workers, and their workers are asking them to come to the table, then they should come to the table, reported Bloomberg. But thats still to be determined. Whatever move they make, well have a move to make as a counter.

A separate attempt by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in Bessemer, Alabama, is seeking to organize workers at an Amazon warehouse there.

The NRLB determined that Amazons behavior at a 2021 unionization in Bessemer made a fair election impossible and that a second attempt at a vote hinges on contested ballots.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Arkansas Gov. Sanders Bans Latinx From Government Documents

Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the America First Policy Institute Agenda Summit in Washington on July 26, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order on Tuesday prohibiting the word Latinx from official use in the state government.

The order (pdf), which was among several Sanders signed, came just hours after she was sworn in as the new governor.

The order states that ethnically insensitive and pejorative language has no place in official government documents or government employee titles, and that the government has a responsibility to respect its citizens and use ethnically appropriate language, particularly when referring to ethnic minorities.

The term Latinx has been used by some social commentators in recent years as a gender-neutral alternative to the Spanish words Latina and Latino.

Sanders, a Republican, cited a Pew Research study published in 2020, which found that just 23 percent of U.S. adults who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino had ever heard of the term Latinx, and only 3 percent used the word.

The survey was conducted among 3,030 U.S. Hispanic adults in December 2019 as part of the yearly National Survey of Latinos.

President Donald Trump stands with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who announced that she is stepping down as the White House press secretary, during a rally in Orlando, Fla., on June 18, 2019. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Tuesdays order also pointed to the Real Academia Espanola, a Madrid-based institution that governs the Spanish language, which has officially rejected the use of x as an alternative to o and a in Spanish.

One can no more easily remove gender from Spanish and other romance languages than one can remove vowels and verbs from English, the executive order states.

Under the order, all state offices, departments, and agenciesunless granted an exemption by Sanderswill have to review existing official documents of their respective entities regarding the use of the term Latinx in official state documents, and submit a report to the governor detailing the findings of their review.

Within 60 days, they will have to replace the term Latinx in all forms with the terms Hispanic, Latino, or Latina.

The move was welcomed by many, but proponents of changing the language disagreed.

Ed Morales, author of Latinx: The New Force in American Politics and Culture, told NBC News that Sanders decision to remove the term Latinx from official use in the state government suggests that the Republican Party is increasingly pandering to the anti-woke agenda.

It is something that seems to be tied to things that they object to, which is really anything that prioritizes marginalized people and marginalized points of view, Morales told NBC News.

People hold up signs during a rally against critical race theory being taught in schools at the Loudoun County Government center in Leesburg, Va., on June 12, 2021. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Sanders Goes After CRT in Schools

Sanders, the first-ever female governor of Arkansas, signed a string of other executive orders on her first day in office, including one prohibiting indoctrination and banning the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in Arkansas schools.

Schools must educate, not indoctrinate students; and their education policies must protect children and prepare them to enter the workforce, the order states. Teachers and school administrators should teach students how to thinknot what to think.

CRT controversially redefines human history as a struggle between the oppressorstypically considered to be white people of European ancestryand the oppressed, encompassing all other identity groups, similar to Marxisms reduction of history to a struggle between the bourgeois and the proletariat.

The theory has slowly expanded in recent decades through academia, government structures, school systems, and the corporate world, despite opposition from parents and communities across the country.

Other notable orders signed by Sanders on Tuesday included one initiating an immediate freeze on new government hiring and promotions in an effort to reduce government financial waste and ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely, and another aimed at limiting government overreach and reducing bureaucracy.

Another order is aimed at protecting the states information and communication technologies from the influence of adversarial foreign governments such as China.
Astronomers Discover Milky Way Galaxys Most-Distant Stars

A meteor is photographed near the Milky Way during the annual Perseid meteor shower in Pico de las Nieves, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, on Aug. 13, 2021. (Borja Suarez/Reuters)

WASHINGTONAstronomers have detected in the stellar halo that represents the Milky Ways outer limits a group of stars more distant from Earth than any known within our own galaxyalmost halfway to a neighboring galaxy.

The researchers said these 208 stars inhabit the most remote reaches of the Milky Ways halo, a spherical stellar cloud dominated by the mysterious invisible substance called dark matter that makes itself known only through its gravitational influence. The furthest of them is 1.08 million light years from Earth. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

These stars, spotted using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Hawaiis Mauna Kea mountain, are part of a category of stars called RR Lyrae that are relatively low mass and typically have low abundances of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. The most distant one appears to have a mass about 70 percent that of our sun. No other Milky Way stars have been confidently measured farther away than these.

The stars that populate the outskirts of the galactic halo can be viewed as stellar orphans, probably originating in smaller galaxies that later collided with the larger Milky Way.

Our interpretation about the origin of these distant stars is that they are most likely born in the halos of dwarf galaxies and star clusters which were later mergedor more straightforwardly, cannibalizedby the Milky Way, said Yuting Feng, an astronomy doctoral student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who led the study, presented this week at an American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle.

Their host galaxies have been gravitationally shredded and digested, but these stars are left at that large distance as debris of the merger event, Feng added.

The Milky Way galaxys inner and outer halos in an undated illustration. (NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)/Handout via Reuters)

The Milky Way has grown over time through such calamities.

The larger galaxy grows by eating smaller galaxiesby eating its own kind, said study co-author Raja GuhaThakurta, UC Santa Cruzs chair of astronomy and astrophysics.

Containing an inner and outer layer, the Milky Ways halo is vastly larger than the galaxys main disk, and central bulge that are teeming with stars. The galaxy, with a supermassive black hole at its center about 26,000 light years from Earth, contains perhaps 100 billion400 billion stars including our sun, which resides in one of the four primary spiral arms that make up the Milky Ways disk. The halo contains about 5 percent of the galaxys stars.

Dark matter, which dominates the halo, makes up most of the universes mass and is thought to be responsible for its basic structure, with its gravity influencing visible matter to come together and form stars and galaxies.

The halos remote outer edge is a poorly understood region of the galaxy. These newly identified stars are almost half the distance to the Milky Ways neighboring Andromeda galaxy.

We can see that the suburbs of the Andromeda halo and the Milky Way halo are really extendedand are almost back-to-back,' Feng said.

The search for life beyond the Earth focuses on rocky planets akin to Earth orbiting in what is called the habitable zone around stars. More than 5,000 planets beyond our solar system, called exoplanets, already have been discovered.

We dont know for sure, but each of these outer halo stars should be about as likely to have planets orbiting them as the sun and other sun-like stars in the Milky Way, GuhaThakurta said.

By Will Dunham
Attorney General Appoints Special Counsel to Investigate Documents Found at Bidens Home, Former Office

Attorney General Merrick Garland names a special counsel to investigate the handling of classified records found at President Joe Biden's home and former offices in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel on Jan. 12 to investigate whether any person or group broke the law in the handling of classified materials found in an office President Joe Biden had used, as well as in one of Bidens homes.

This appointment underscores for the public the departments commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters and to making decisions indisputably guided only by facts and the law, Garland, a Biden appointee, said in a prepared statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ) headquarters in Washington.

Garland appointed Robert Hur, a former federal prosecutor, as special counsel.

The attorney general said the extraordinary circumstances at play required the appointment.

Regulations state that the attorney general will appoint a special counsel when he determines that a criminal investigation is warranted and investigation or prosecution by the Department of Justice present a conflict of interest for the Department or other extraordinary circumstances and that under the circumstances, it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to assume responsibility for the matter.

The appointment comes after lawyers for Biden said they discovered documents with classified markings inside offices that Biden had used from 2017 to 2019, as well as inside two areas of the presidents home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Garlands briefing was the first time the Department of Justice publicly commented on the matter.

Biden has said that he was surprised to learn of the discovery of documents inside the offices at Penn Biden Center in Washington. Earlier on Jan. 12, he defended holding the documents at his home, telling reporters that they were in a locked garage rather than sitting out on the street.

We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake, Richard Sauber, a lawyer for Biden, said in a statement after Garlands announcement.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Discovery

The White House stated that the initial discovery took place on Nov. 2, 2022, and that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which is charged with taking possession of presidential records after an administration leaves office, was immediately notified. NARA was said to have received the materials the next day. Representatives for NARA declined to comment on the matter.

According to Garland, the DOJ wasnt notified of the matter until Nov. 4, 2022. The notification was made by the NARA Inspector Generals Office.

The public wasnt informed of any of the discoveries until Jan. 9.

Below is a timeline of the classified document discovery (source):

Nov. 2, 2022: Bidens attorneys find files with classified markings at Penn Biden Center, where the president had worked from 2017 to 2019. (White House)

Nov. 2, 2022: Bidens attorneys notify NARA of the discovery. (White House)

Nov. 3, 2022: NARA takes possession of the documents. (White House)

Nov. 4, 2022: NARA Inspector Generals Office alerts a prosecutor with the DOJ. (Attorney General Garland)

Nov. 9, 2022: FBI launches assessment to determine whether any classified information was mishandled, in violation of the law. (Garland)

Nov. 14, 2022: Garland assigns U.S. Attorney John Lausch to conduct an initial investigation. (Garland)

Dec. 20, 2022: Bidens lawyers inform Lausch that more documents bearing classified markings were found at Bidens residence in Wilmington. FBI agents travel to the location and secure the documents. (Garland and White House)

Jan. 5, 2023: Lausch briefs Garland and advises that further investigation by a special counsel is warranted. (Garland)

Jan. 9, 2023: White House discloses discovery of documents at Penn Biden Center. (White House)

Jan. 12, 2023: Biden lawyers inform Lausch that one more document was found at Bidens home. (Garland)

Jan. 12, 2023: White House discloses discovery of documents at Wilmington residence. (White House)

Jan. 12, 2023: Garland appoints Richard Hur as special counsel. (Garland)

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch, left, in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Lausch Recommended Special Counsel

Garland said Hurs appointment was informed by an initial probe by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch, a Trump appointee who started probing after Biden lawyers revealed the first discovery.

Lausch was informed by lawyers for Biden on two additional occasionson Dec. 20, 2022, and Jan. 5that they had found more classified materials, Garland said.

Lausch advised Garland that further investigation of the matter by a special counsel was warranted and Garland agreed.

Lausch said he wasnt available for any longer-term involvement because he plans to leave the Department of Justice soon, according to Garland. Lausch stood beside Garland but didnt speak during the press conference. Neither Garland nor Lausch took questions.

Hur, who didnt appear at the briefing, joined the DOJ in 2003 and worked there on and off until 2021.

Hur will investigate whether any person or entity violated the law with this matter, Garland said.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment, Hur said in a statement released by the DOJ. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service.

Trump appointed Hur as a U.S. attorney in 2017. Hur announced in February 2021 that he was resigning to return to private practice.

Hur donated to then-Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCains (R-Ariz.) campaign in 2008, according to federal records.

Republicans had been calling for Garland to appoint a special counsel after he appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigation into former President Donald Trumps handling of materials with classified markings.

Will you appoint a special counsel to investigate President Bidens alleged retention of classified records, as you did for President Trump? Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote to Garland in a recent letter.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Fox News that not appointing a special counsel would hurt the country.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) has asked the Pentagon whether Biden holding the records damaged national security, while Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) requested a damage assessment from the U.S. intelligence community, which carried out such an assessment on the records held by Trump.
Austin Says Taiwan Invasion by China Not Imminent

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) participate in the Peace, Security, and Governance Forum during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 13, 2022 in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

As China is escalating its military drills around Taiwan, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said he did not foresee an imminent attempt by China to invade the island nation, which Beijing deems part of its territory, Reuters reported.

The comment was made on Jan. 11 during a press conference alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Japanese counterparts.

Weve seen increased aerial activity in the straits, weve seen increased surface vessel activity around Taiwan. But whether or not that means that an invasion is imminent, you know, I seriously doubt that, Austin said.

The U.S. and Japans top military officials and diplomats were participating in U.S.-Japan 2+2 dialogues held in Washington D.C. ahead of a meeting between the U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida scheduled for Friday.

Justin characterized the Chinese regimes activities as very provocative and believed that it showed their endeavor to establish a new normal.

We will continue to watch and we will continue to work with our allies and partners to do everything that we can to ensure that we promote peace and stability in the strait and in the region overall, he said.

Second Combat Drill

On Jan, 8, one day before the arrival of the Lithuanian delegation in Taiwan, the CCPs military launched combat drills in the waters and airspace around the island that focused on land and sea assaults. It was the second such exercise in less than a month.

Taiwans Defense Ministry stated that it detected 57 Chinese aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan at 6 a.m. local time on Jan. 8, with 28 of the warplanes entering Taiwans air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and crossing the Taiwan Strait median line. Among them, two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers flew to the south of Taiwan, according to the ministry map.

Aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems were tasked with responding to the Peoples Liberation Armys (PLA) activities, the Taiwanese ministry stated. The PLA is the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) military wing.

A statement from the Chinese command on Jan. 8 said that the goal of the military drills was to counter what it called provocative actions by Taiwan and external forces. It noted that forces held joint combat readiness patrols and actual combat drills in Taiwans sea and airspace, with a focus on land strikes and sea assaults.

Taiwans Reaction

In response, Taiwans presidential office called the PLAs Eastern Theatre Commands remarks groundless accusations.

The office said that Taiwan and China both have the responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, in a statement.

Taiwans Defense Ministry said the PLAs false accusation and irrational provocation had severely destabilized regional security, citing the PLAs recent aircraft incursions into the Taiwan Strait median line.

We seek neither escalation nor conflict, the ministry said in a statement. [Taiwans] armed forces constantly monitor our surrounding area and respond to activities accordingly. We can, and we will keep our homeland safe.

Taiwans president has ruled out armed confrontation with China, saying that her government is willing to engage with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to reach a mutually agreeable arrangement.

In her national address on Oct 10, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed regrets over Chinas escalating use of trade restrictions, military intimidation, and diplomatic pressure to undermine Taiwans sovereignty.

I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides, Tsai remarked.

Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait, she added.

Tsai stated that Taiwan is ready to talk with China to bring about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but that this cannot come at the expense of the people of Taiwans independence and democracy.

The broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people and our various political parties is that we must defend our national sovereignty and our free and democratic way of life. On this point, we have no room for compromise, she said.

The CCP regularly uses its military to intimidate Taiwan, as seen on Dec. 25, 2022, when it sent 71 planes and seven ships toward the island in its largest show of force since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited Taiwan in August 2022.

A total of 1,727 Chinese aircraft crossed into Taiwans ADIZ in 2022, surpassing the previous years 960, AFP reported, citing data released by Taiwans Defense Ministry.

Aldgra Fredly and Reuters contributed to this report.
Australian Labors Biggest Carbon Tax Will Cripple Businesses, Opposition Argues

Australian Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen speaks to media following an energy ministers meeting in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2022. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)

The Opposition has warned that the Australian federal governments new carbon tax will come at a heavy cost for businesses suffering from the cost of living crisis.

Under the centre-left Labor governments new safeguardwhich the previous centre-right Coalition government introducedAustralias biggest polluters will be required to reduce their net emissions by almost 35 percent by 2030.

It requires the 215 facilities that annually produce over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases to limit their net emissions below a baseline limit.

Businesseses can offset the excess emission when the baseline limit is exceeded s by purchasing carbon credits.

But Ted OBrien, the Shadow Minister for Energy, said the policy was the biggest carbon tax Labor has introduced and is three times more expensive than the carbon tax under former Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

In 2014, the Gillard government priced carbon at A$23 (US $15.31) a tonne, compared to $75 a tonne under the Albanese government.

Labors back, and so is the carbon tax, OBrien told Sydneys radio 2GB on Jan. 11.

And itll be up to $100 by 2034 times the price.

Economic insanity is a tax on individual families and consumers. I mean, there is no chance that we are going to have all the companies under this scheme that are able to reduce their emissions, by the way.

Despite Australia seeing the fastest rate of decline of emissions demanded by the government in the world, the government is demanding companies reduce their emissions faster than even the union, OBrien added.

So what it means is theyre going to have to pay by these credits, which is going to cost them a lot of money.

Right now, theyre struggling. Christmas has come and gone. Our prices are through the roof, and theyre only going higher. We are in a cost-of-living crisis. And the Albanese governments solution is lets now introduce a carbon tax.

You can grow the economy and do the right thing on the climate change side. But you dont watch the economy and hurt Australians in the process. Thats what Labors doing, he said.

Energy Bill Skyrockets

Despite Labors election promise to reduce power bills by $275, Australian households are still bracing themselves for a double to triple-digit hike in their gas bill after two of Australias largest energy suppliers announced new gas rates.

AGL, the countrys largest electricity generator, has raised gas prices for Victorian, New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and South Australian customersfrom Jan. 1 for customers on standing offers and from Feb. 1 for customers on variable rate market contracts.

With the new rates, residential customers in Victoria on variable rate market contracts would suffer the most, having to pay an extra $326 per year on average, which equates to a 24.9 percent increase, while Victorian residential AGL customers on standing offers will need to pay an extra $304 per year (21.6 percent).

Meanwhile, Origin Energys gas price hike, which is set to take effect from Feb. 1, will also see Victorian households average household hit the hardest, having to pay $370 more per year (22.1 percent increase).

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the reformed safeguard mechanism is expected to deliver 205 million tonnes of abatement to the end of the decade, equivalent to cutting emissions from Australias cars by two-thirds over the same period, Bowen said.

The 215 mining, oil, and gas facilities emit around 28 percent of the countrys emissions, or 143 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, in 2022-23, according to government projections (pdf). The safeguard changes aim to reduce this to 100 million tonnes by 2030.

The proposed baseline decline rate is to be 4.9 percent every year to 2030, with the system to commence on July 1.

Rebecca Zhu contributed to this article.
In an effort to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, the Coconino National Forest has proposed significant changes to its camping and campfire restriction policy.

The proposed changes would include year-round camping bans in key areas as well as temporary widespread motor vehicle restrictions during times of heightened fire risk. While there remains concerns for how the proposal will impact unsheltered populations that live in the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff city leadership has expressed general support in the changes.

Should changes be adopted, new restrictions are expected to take effect in April.

Following the 2022 fire season, in which the Tunnel and Pipeline fires wreaked havoc on the Flagstaff community, there was significant public outcry for tighter fire restrictions on the Coconino National Forest. Experts have generally agreed that rising temperatures, extended drought and a forest loaded with fuel by historic fire suppression have created perfect-storm conditions for a wildfire that could pose existential threats to the City of Flagstaff.

The new set of proposals is designed to address the immediate concern for future large human-caused wildfires and are part of a long-term risk reduction strategy focused on forest health and resiliency, forest officials stated.

In taking a hard look at everything the Flagstaff Ranger District could do to reduce risk from human-caused wildfire, we found it necessary to consider additional steps during the hotter and drier part of the year, said Deputy Ranger Nick Mustoe. Our top priority is the safety of our communities, and were confident that these proposed changes balance community safety with public land access.

The proposal consists of two major components. The first is increasing the boundaries of a year-round camping and fire ban adjacent the City of Flagstaff. The new boundary would encompass much of the Dry Lake Hills area south of the San Francisco Peaks, a select area near the Cinder Hills OHV area and a swath of land north of Walnut Canyon National Monument.

The second component would be the enforcement of a motorized vehicle ban that would take effect during stage 2 fire restrictions, which typically begin in mid-June and last about a month. This motorized vehicle ban would cover the entirety of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and Mount Elden area, as well as Pumphouse Wash near Kachina Village and the forest between Lake Mary and Walnut Canyon.

While the motorized vehicle ban might seem extreme to some, The fact of the matter is about 98% of our fires start within a stones throw of a motor vehicle, said District Ranger Matt McGrath. By keeping motor vehicles out of this area during that time of increased fire danger, that gives us a much better opportunity to prevent a catastrophic fire on the west side of the Peaks.

McGrath clarified that Snowbowl Road and the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort would stay open and be allowed to function normally under the proposed motorized vehicle restrictions. Trail heads would also stay open and be accessible non-motorized travel, including hikers, bikers and horse riders.

Extension of the year-round camping ban is an effort to improve the effectiveness of existing fire bans in key areas -- which McGrath says are difficult to enforce.

Both of our probably human-caused fires last year started in areas that have permanent fire restrictions," McGrath said. Some people are just going to do things that they ought not do.

Compared to enforcing bans against campfires, which may be lit late at night or in areas not visible to forest officials, enforcing camping restrictions is more realistic, McGrath said.

I wont say its easy for us to enforce, he said. But closing gates and keeping people off of roads is easier than us patrolling every road and finding every illegal camper or illegal campfire.

The issue, however, is that the forests around Flagstaff and some key areas that would be impacted by the ban are home to people who cannot afford housing elsewhere.

A long-term problem we all share in this community is that a lot of unsheltered folks live on the forest because they dont really have many other options, McGrath said. We need to ask how we can be understanding and respectful of them as humans trying to get by while also trying to protect the Peaks and the community from catastrophic fire.

When forest officials presented the proposal to Flagstaff City Council, many members shared these concerns.

There are two sides to every coin, and theres going to be a population that is already marginalized who are going to be impacted disproportionately by some of these decisions, said Vice Mayor Austin Aslan. I would ask that you continue to have a special sensitivity to that.

The discussion turned to what kind of planning or public outreach could be done to make sure that unsheltered people affected by the proposed bans would have access to other options.

Its a community issue, said Councilmember Deborah Harris, who added that it seemed unfair to ask the Forest Service to act alone in finding solutions for unsheltered populations living in fire-sensitive areas.

All of us have to do this, she said.

To that end, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett urged exploration of what kind of agreements could be made with local nonprofits to create a shelter plan for those displaced under the proposed restrictions. Councilmember Lori Matthews, who has significant experience with Flagstaff Shelter Services and founded nonprofit Anew Living, noted that emergency shelter networks were well established, but not necessarily in this case of long-term displacement.

I think well have forest closures from now until forever, Matthews said. I think we should have a handshake agreement with nonprofits.

According to City Manager Greg Clifton, the city does have shelter plans for emergent situations, but it was unclear whether this planning would effectively address the concerns related to the fire restriction proposal.

Daggett requested that the plans be made to available to city council for review.

Concerns notwithstanding, city leadership and staff generally voiced in favor of the Forest Service proposal.

We think it makes a lot of sense, said Paul Oltrogge, city wildland fire manager. It speaks to the realities we all deal with of living in a fire-dependent ecosystem and a city that is always going to be dealing with fire.
BC Mountie Under Investigation for Running Trudeau Satire Website

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police "E" Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on April 13, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

A British Columbia RCMP officer may be facing disciplinary measures for running a website that contains satirical comments about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the policies of his Liberal government.

The Church of Trudeau website, which appeared to be in operation last November and December, features a man who often appears in sunglasses and in a position of prayer. Descriptions on the website make what seems to be satirical comments about the prime minister and a variety of Liberal policies, including immigration, monetary, and the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Some content also takes aim at Trudeaus remarks during last years Freedom Convoy protest, including his comments that protesters were a small fringe minority.

The website, along with its social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, are no longer in function.

The man running the site has been reportedly identified as a Trail, B.C., RCMP officer. The Epoch Times reached out to the B.C. RCMP Trail detachment for confirmation of the officers identity, but didnt hear back by publication time. However, RCMP has reportedly publicly confirmed that it is looking into the situation.

The RCMP officer involved with the website is likely facing disciplinary actions, according to an RCMP statement to Global News, in which a spokesperson said the contents of the Church of Trudeau website are discriminatory and fell short of the professional standard expected of an officer.

The RCMP is aware of the website and videos produced by one of our police officers, the statement reads. The RCMP, upon learning of the website, acted quickly to have the discriminatory and offensive content taken down as well as address any internal conflict within the affected workplace.

A fulsome review of the highly unprofessional offending materials was completed and administrative options are being considered.
On Monday, CBS broke the news that, days before the midterm elections, roughly ten documents with classification markings were found among Joe Bidens vice presidential files in a private office he once used. A federal prosecutor is investigating, and the FBI is involved.

Mainstream media news analysts caution that this apparent mishandling of material differs from former President Donald Trumps retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home, which ultimately triggered an extraordinary FBI search last year.

So, what is the difference between Bidens and Trumps classified documents?

In this episode, Larry Elder sits down with nationally syndicated talk show host Sam Bushman to give a side-by-side look at the Trump and Biden classified documents.

After American was deemed harmful language by Stanford guide, another word has been canceledthis time by the University of Southern California. Washington Examiner commentary writer Christopher Tremoglie joins the show again to discuss his article USCs nonsensical decision to declare the word field as racist.

Laura Wellington, an award-winning childrens television creator, joins the show to discuss the trials unvaccinated parents of vaccinated adult children are going through.

The Larry Elder Show is sponsored by Birch Gold Group. Protect your IRA or 401(k) with precious metals today: http://larryforgold.com/
Biden Education Departments Latest Plan for Socializing Higher Education

President Joe Biden speaks on a previous student debt relief scheme as Education Secretary Miguel Cardona looks on in Washington on Oct. 17. (Alex Wong/ Getty Images)

Commentary

The U.S. Department of Education on Jan. 11 released new rules for income-based repayment of student loans, in what amounts to nothing less than a new socialism of higher education.

The scheme will cause a massive inflow of loans into the new system and cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.

Income-based repayment is affordable by definition. Currently, borrowers pay about 10 percent of their discretionary income over about 20 years, and whatevers leftincluding all accrued interestis forgiven.

Such a plan should be reserved only for people who have no other way to pay a larger amount because it keeps them from defaulting and therefore maximizes loan payments in an affordable way.

But the new rules dramatically change the calculus:

Payments are generally cut in half to 5 percent of income from 10 percent.

The number of payments is generally cut in half to 10 years from 20 years.

Income under which payments are $0 is raised to 225 percent of the poverty line from 150 percent.

All payments, including payments of $0, trigger cancellation of that months interest.

In other words, borrowers will get more than 75 percent off their total payments.

Which borrowers will choose that option? Almost everyone.

The Department of Education argues, arbitrarily, that there should be greater parity between graduate and undergraduate borrowers, in terms of their incentives to choose an [income-driven repayment] plan. Since graduate borrowers generally owe twice as much money ($41,000 vs. $20,000), they benefit much more from such a plan.

The departments solution is to take graduate debt as the normwhich is the opposite of realityand make undergraduate debt operate similarly.

As a result, the department estimates that the point at which this scheme breaks eventhe point at which income is too high for even a 5 percent payment to benefit a borroweris $75,500 for undergraduate borrowers.

Putting that in context, An income of $75,500 for ages 22 to 25 ranks at the 98.21 percentile, according to the Personal Finance Data calculator. And 225 percent of the poverty line$30,600is at the 78th percentile for ages 2225, so a huge majority of borrowers will pay nothing.

That means only about the top 2 percent of young earners are likely to stick with their current loan-repayment plan. Everybody else will take the payment cuts. The department could easilybut appears not toadmit that this will happen.

Whos paying the bill for 98 percent of tens of millions of borrowers to get this windfall? Americas 100 million taxpayers, of course, yet again.

With this latest forgiveness scheme, the Education Department transfers hundreds of billions of dollars to college-educated people at the expense of taxpaying blue-collar workers and those who already met their responsibilities and paid their debts.

Think of it this way: For every $100 billion of debt forgiveness or payment reductions, thats another $1,000 out of each taxpayers pocket.

Furthermore, it is well-documented that colleges raise tuition when loans are made easier and more lenient.

Thats basic economics: Consumers can afford to pay more, so producers charge more for their unique products. For example, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, each dollar of federal loan subsidy has led to 60 cents of tuition increases.

The Department of Educations moves over the past two years are just extending an unsustainable cycle well never escape until Congress fundamentally overhauls student loans, such as by returning them to the private market.

It should not seem counterintuitive to observe that if the government stops throwing trillions of dollars into higher education tuition, tuition will stop rising at unsustainable rates.

Colleges might then finally have to stop the administrative bloat that enables many of them to have dozens, if not hundreds, of administrators who divide and alienate students from each other in the name of diversity.

The Department of Education cant make college free, but its making strides in bringing socialism to higher education. Congress shouldnt stand for that.

Reprinted by permission from The Daily Signal, a publication of The Heritage Foundation.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
President Joe Biden in September expressed his alleged anger that confidential documents were found in boxes at former President Donald Trumps residence.

Well, it turns out that Biden had his own boxes of top-secret documents. We look at what the Biden documents might have contained, why he might have kept them, what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) might have to do with it, as well as the legal and political consequences for Biden.
Ive mentioned before that I am a bibliophile. I like to read and I like to collect booksnot as a hoarder, although my overflowing bookshelves might say otherwise. I do pass on books that I know family or friends might enjoy. Since I was a young child, Ive been fascinated with books and all the places that they can take you, from flights of fancy to heady histories.

Over the course of my reading and reviewing a variety of books for The Epoch Times, several readers have reached out recommending James Mustichs 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List.

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List by James Mustich. (WorkmanPublishing)

On the cusp of a new year, with all our resolutions and good resolve, perhaps reading more can be added to the list. This volume is an inspirational place to start.

In the Company of Books

Author James Mustich cofounded and was the guiding force for two decades of the acclaimed mail-order book catalog A Common Reader: Books for Readers With Imagination. Also a book lover from an early age, he has surrounded himself with countless reads. He was a bookseller for some 40 years.

Fourteen years in the making, the books pages will feed a diversity of reading appetites and satisfy every kind of reading devotion.

Mustich makes no claim that this is a comprehensive list; rather, it contains entertaining essays that he hopes will invite discussion and perhaps inspiration to pursue new interests or reinvigorate old ones. Hes all about encouraging fresh reading and stimulating new ideas.

The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton. (PenguinRandomHouse)

Its a personal compendium that will no doubt inspire hours of browsing and encourage a lifetime of reading. Its a tome for sure, but open it at any point and readers will be pleasantly surprised at what they might find. Theres much serendipity just in how the selections are designed and presented.

Entries are arranged alphabetically by author. So as an example, youll find Alice Walkers The Color Purple opposite The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton. A curious juxtaposition but it works, and there are many of these. Another example is All Passion Spent: A Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman by Vita Sackville-West sitting next to The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence by Carl Sagan.

The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence by Carl Sagan. (BallantineBooks)

However, when it comes to William Shakespeare, he has his own section, which takes up several pages. Theres no getting around how influential Shakespeare is to the literary worldfamiliar texts that can forever offer readers new truths for hearts and minds.

Pick a Page

When I first opened the book, sort of as a preview of coming attractions, I landed on the page with The Poems of Catullus by Gaius Valerius Catullus, a Latin poet of the late Roman Republic. I was brought back to my college days, for what is not to like about this poet who wrote much about human emotions? In more than two dozen of his poems, he speaks of a woman whom he adores.

Sitting opposite Cormac McCarthys The Road, where a father and son face an apocalyptic world, is one of my favorite childrens books: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. This mallard couple is searching as well, but in their case they are searching for a place to start their family of adorable ducklings. Both of these selections, landing opposite each other due to their authors last names, curiously share similar themes: bonding, caring, and searching.

Its these kinds of serendipitous arrangements that make Mustichs collection so delightful and savory. Another childhood favorite of mine is Hugh Loftings The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, which sits opposite Jack Londons The Call of the Wild. Certainly, there are conversations with animals in both.

St. Augustines Confessions, exploring the story of a soul, is followed by Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, exploring an emperors enduring wisdom. Then, readers will move right along into a section on the beloved books of Jane Austen.

Not limited by the 1,000 choices, Mustich, a true book aficionado, adds suggestions of other works by the same author and/or recommendations of similar themes after each entry. More than 6,000 titles by 3,500 authors are recommended.

Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey. (McGrawHill)

The first essay is Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey, an American author, essayist, and environmental activist who died in 1989. The last essay is A Part of Myself: Portrait of an Epoch by Carl Zuckmayer, a German writer and playwright who died in 1977. His older brother was the composer, conductor, and pianist Eduard Zuckmayer.

In between, there are hundreds of worthy selections for children, teens, and adults. They range from the illustrious to the semi-forgotten, all chosen with care by Mustich for the readers pleasure. Start at the beginning or open at any part; its a treasure trove of authors, plots, and characters sure to entertain and inspire.

This is a rich reading reference volume, a bucket list for book lovers to cherish, and a must-have on your library shelf.

Mustichs expansive scope and keen eye for surprise details will leave readers with little doubt of what to read next.

Happy New Year! Happy Reading!

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List

By James Mustich

Workman Publishing Company, Oct. 2, 2018

Hardcover: 960 pages
California Braces for Next Series of Storms

People look on as a tow truck pulls a car out of a flooded intersection in Mill Valley, Calif., on Jan. 4, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

State emergency officials are preparing for the likely possibility that Californias Monterey Peninsula will become an island as more storms hit the rain-soaked region this weekend.

Crews were moving ambulances, firefighters, and first responders to the areas around Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach Jan. 12 as they anticipated rivers in the area to rise and cut residents off from the rest of the state, California Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Brian Ferguson told The Epoch Times.

The state has been battered by an unrelenting series of atmospheric river storms in the past two weeks, leaving flooded rivers, mudslides, death, and destruction behind.

So far, 18 people have died as a result, Ferguson said. The number of casualties rose Wednesday after another person died in Sonoma County.

Rescuers resume their search on Jan. 11, 2023, for 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was swept away by floodwaters near San Miguel, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2023. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Many Californians were drying out during a break in the weather Thursday but are in for another soaking this weekend.

Just outside of South Lake Tahoe in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the sun was shining Thursday outside the local Strawberry Station General Store. The store is a stopover for locals and travelers along Highway 50 in search of snow chains or necessities.

Today, weve got blue skies, so that makes it nice, store owner David Schlosser told The Epoch Times.

About three feet of snow was stacked around the yellow building, sticking to its red metal roof. Much of it was melting off as the day wore on. The store sits at about 5,500 feet in elevation along the freeway leading to ski areas and the tourist destination of Lake Tahoe.

Business has been slow this winter, though, Schlosser said.

We do have some busy days for sure, but between the busy days, its really slow, he said. When these big storms come in, people have learned not to travel on those days.

Vehicles travel along a snow-lined U.S. Route 50 the morning after a winter storm pelted the region with a large amount of snow, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2023. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Forecasters with the National Weather Service were expecting this weekends storms to dump heavy rain on the states northern region and deliver more mountain snow.

Well start to get our next system moving across the state Friday, Matt Solum, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told The Epoch Times.

The next two storms will pick up Saturday and Sunday, easing by Tuesday in a continuation of the atmospheric river system that brings in long narrow rivers of moisture drawn from the tropics, Solum said.

The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to be hit hardest this weekend, Solum said. Heavy rain could drench the state as far south as Fresno and north to the Oregon border. Southern California may get lighter rain compared to the northern regions, but cooler temperatures with the storm could bring snow to mountain areas at about 5,000 feet in elevation.

Theres a cold front moving through as we get into Saturday and Saturday night, Solum said.

A drone view of a tree that fell during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2023. (Fred Greaves/Reuters)

Snow has already piled up in the Sierra Mountains in central California in the past two weeks, reaching above the yearly snowpack average. The University of California at Berkeleys Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 4.3 inches of water-logged snow in 24 hours.

The National Weather Service reported Jan. 11 Californias snowpack reached 102 percent of the April 1 averagethe typical date when the states snowpack level peaks.

The state now has 226 percent of average snowpack for this time of year, which is higher than the snowpack peak of 19821983 in all three sections of the Sierra Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall totals have reached records in some counties since Dec. 26. According to the National Weather Service, record totals were seen in Oakland at 12.9 inches, the San Francisco Airport at 11.6 inches, and Stockton at 8.1 inches.

A man wades through a flooded street in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2023. (Nic Coury/AP Photo)

Other locations recorded high amounts, including Santa Barbara which received 12.1 inches, Napa recorded 11.21 inches, and downtown Sacramento saw 9.6 inches during the same time.

California averaged 8.6 inches of precipitation and the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area received an average of 13.3 inches, the National Weather Service reported.

Emergency shelters have opened across the state aiding people affected by evacuations. About 840 people were housed at them Thursday, mostly in Merced, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties, the state reported.

Evacuations continued throughout the state in the hardest-hit areas. Emergency officials reported about 21,000 people were under evacuation orders, according to the latest count issued Wednesday.

The coastal regions near Santa Cruz were slammed with flooding and devastation in the spate of wet weather.

Seacliff State Beach remained closed Thursday. The beach and most state parks in Santa Cruz County were set to be closed through Jan. 12 after sustaining extensive damage in the recent storms, California State Parks reported.

Kim Ochoa leaves her Merced, Calif., home, which is surrounded by floodwaters, as storms continue to batter the state on Jan. 10, 2023. (Noah Berger/AP Photo)

Britt Hoberg, supervisor at the Santa Cruz Wharf, told The Epoch Times the popular fishing wharf was only closed one day last week and remained open this week.

The wharf, situated next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, lost about a dozen pilings and a few sprinkler systems under the structure but was in good shape overall. As long as the sea swell doesnt rise, the wharf should stay open, he said.

The swell is what gets us, Hoberg said. We should do fine and it should stay open.

The beach outside the boardwalk, however, was full of driftwood.

The beaches are open, but theyre just covered with giant logs and all kinds of fun stuff, Hoberg said.
Canada Projected to Have More Seniors Than Children This Year for the First Time: Chief Actuary

Senior citizens make their way down a street in Peterborough, Ont., May 7, 2012. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

Canadas chief actuary is projecting the country will have more seniors than children this yearthe first time in history the nation has reached that population age ratio.

In 2023, Canada is projected to have 7,471,000 children, defined as individuals 0 through 17 years old, and around 7,663,000 seniors, or individuals aged 65 years and older, according to Chief Actuary Assia Billig. Children were projected to account for 19.2 percent of the population and seniors 19.7 percent.

Billig wrote the projections in her Actuarial Report On The Old Age Security Program published in 2020, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

New population estimates released by Statistics Canada (StatCan) on Jan. 11 show that seniors accounted for 18.8 percent of Canadas population as of July 2022, while children aged 0 to 14 years old accounted for 15.6 percent.

The total numbers from each age group equalled around 7.3 million seniors and 6 million children under 15 years old. StatCan did not provide population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years old in the report.

Although seniors accounted for just 18.8 percent of Canadas population as of last July, StatCan is projecting individuals aged 65 and over will make up 25 percent of the population by 2068.

The agency also predicts that the percentage of Canadians aged 85 and older will grow by three times in about 40 years.

While less evident in some projection scenarios that favour higher immigration, lower life expectancy and (above all) higher fertility, the aging of the population very much remains a reality, and thus seems to be unavoidable over the next 50 years, StatCan wrote in its 2022 report Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2021 to 2068.

Aging Population

The agency also said last April that the number of seniors in Canada is growing six times faster than the number of children.

From 2016 to 2021, the number of persons aged 65 and older rose 18.3% to 7.0 million. This is the second largest increase in 75 years, StatCan wrote in a report on April 27, 2022.

The agency also said that a record retirement wave is looming for Canada as a large portion of the nations working-age populationindividuals aged 15 through 64 years oldis over 55 years old.

The working-age population  has reached a turning point. Never before has the number of people nearing retirement been so high, the report said, adding that 21.8 percent of the age group was between 55 and 64 years old.

This is an all-time high in the history of Canadian censuses and one of the factors behind the labour shortages facing some industries across the country. The aging of many baby boom cohortsthe youngest of whom are between 56 and 64 years todayis accelerating population aging in general.
President Joe Bidens aides have reportedly found a second batch of classified documents at a new location. The White House is refusing to answer key questions.

Abortion is on the floor of the House Wednesday. Whats in this Republican-led born alive bill, and why do Democrats oppose it?

As the global supply chain tries to recover from the lockdowns, how can we secure it for future events? Former Under Secretary of State Keith Krach joins us to assess.

According to the Biden administration, the COVID-19 pandemic isnt officially over yet. The Biden administration is extending the public health emergency for another quarter.

Internist and cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough joins us to discuss the recent rollback of the militarys vaccine mandate. When it comes to vaccine efficacy and safety, are we following the science?

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the number of deaths in China from COVID-19 is being underreported. WHO officials are asking for more information.
Cardinal George Pell: Victim of Miscarriage of Justice in Australia

Commentary

Cardinal George Pell, Australias most senior Catholic leader, died in Vatican City on Jan. 10, aged 81. He will be buried in St Marys Cathedral in Sydney, where he served as archbishop for 13 years.

Pell was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1941, the second and youngest child to an Anglican father and a devout Irish Catholic mother. He was first appointed Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, and then Archbishop of Sydney in 2001. Finally, in 2003, Pell was appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott says that Australia has lost a committed defender of Catholic orthodoxy and a staunch advocate for the virtues of Western Civilisation.

Abbott described Cardinal Pell as a true saint of our times whose incarceration on charges that the High Court ultimately scathingly dismissed was a form of crucifixion: reputationally at least a kind of living death.

In 2017, Cardinal Pell was charged and found guilty of historical child sex abuse, but the conviction was later unanimously squashed by the Full Bench of the High Court of Australia.

Legal affairs commentator, Chris Meritt, told Sky News Australia that the fact that an old, sick man spent a long time in prison and was eventually shown by the highest court in the land to be innocent, it still, it ranks up there  as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice weve ever seen in this country.

A statue is seen outside the closed St Marys Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, on April 12, 2020. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Pell Case

George Pell v The Queen (pdf) is a case that involved allegations of sexual conduct against a minor by one of the most senior prelates in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Australia.

Due to the hostile reception during his appearances, anyone unfamiliar with him would have been inclined to believe that Pell was responsible for child sexual assaults within the Church.

But nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, Cardinal Pell was a pioneer in fighting against institutional child sex abuse. Second, he was not even in charge of a diocese or an archdiocese when the historical cases of child abuse took place.

Prior to the trial, Victorias Chief Commissioner Graeme Aston had implied that Pell was guilty by referring to the accusers as his victims, thus extinguishing the benefit of the doubt from the minds of potential jurors.

The Archbishop Of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell addresses the media during a press conference ahead of World Youth Day Sydney 08, at the Polding Centre on July 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Pell appealed against his conviction on grounds that the jury had disregarded the required standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a remarkably short time, with little comment or precedent to support their decision, the two trial judges summarily dismissed his appeal.

We do not experience a doubt about the truth of [the accusers] account, or the Cardinals guilt, they said.

Not so brief was the dissenting reasoning of Justice Mark Weinberger. In a compelling 215-page dissection of the case, he concluded:

The complainants allegations against the applicant were, to one degree or another, implausible  There is to my mind a significant possibility that the applicant [Pell] in this case may not have committed these offences.

Cardinal Pells legal team filed their special leave to the High Court on Jan. 3, 2020. In a seven-to-zero ruling handed down on April 7, 2020, the Full Court summarily dismissed the accusation as it found no evidence that Pell had committed any crime (pdf).

The Court also stated that the jury had failed to entertain the benefit of the doubt and that the Victorian Court of Appeals had committed significant errors of law.

Australian Leaders Ignore Acquittal

Two days after the Courts acquittal, Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria, declared that his sympathies did not lie with the innocent person whom the highest court of the land had unanimously found to be wrongfully imprisoned for more than 400 days.

I make no comment about todays High Court decision. But I have a message for every single victim and survivor of child sex abuse: I see you. I hear you. I believe you, he said.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews speaks at a media conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 24, 2021. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the Victorian premier was not the only Australian politician to show no regard for the principles of natural justice and due process of law.

Before the High Court even had the chance to overrule Pells unfair conviction, the then Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, commented: Our justice system has affirmed no Australian is above the law.

He also argued that those courts whose decisions were ultimately overturned by the High Court had done their work well.

These statements of our political leaders should invite a reflection of their commitment to the realisation of the rule of law.

Cardinal Pell was released from jail soon after the High Court quashed all his convictions.

I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice, he said shortly after his acquittal was announced (pdf).

According to David Flint AM, a constitutional law professor, because Pell dared to take unpopular positions on matters such as abortion, euthanasia and global warming, he basically became the victim of unjust treatment and character assassination.

Rather than being hated, he should be admired for this. But such is the narrow thinking of the elites today that dissent is intolerable, and any dissenter must be punished, Flint said.

The case against Pell was part of a broader war over everything he so bravely symbolised. While the case against him was notoriously weak, motivations for convicting an innocent person were strong, and our judicial system is permanently compromised as a result.

To conclude, Cardinal Pell was a courageous man and a true defender of the Christian faith. He endorsed all of the traditional beliefs and biblical teachings of the Church and was not afraid to say so.

Vale Cardinal George Pell. A true soldier of Christ.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
China and US Battle for the Moon and Stars

The massive Artemis I rocket is ferried atop a mobile launch platform en route to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 17, 2022. (Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

The terrestrial arms race has morphed into Space Wars as China and the United States race to control the moon, satellite orbits, and Mars.

[China] is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to achieve that objective, Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, director of staff of the U.S. Space Force, said in a presentation at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) on Nov. 27, 2022.

Bill Nelson, the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), warned that the Chinese regime could claim the resource-rich areas of the moon. In 2020, China already released a plan for a $10 trillion Earth-moon economic zone. The CCP is clearly planning to cash in on space exploration for economic gain.

There is also a danger of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) staking out the most desirable orbits and radio frequencies. Furthermore, in a Jan. 1 interview, Nelson told Politico that he is concerned that China could set up scientific research operations on desirable tracts of moon land and claim sovereignty over it. Last year, the CCP set up an Earth-orbiting space station and conducted several missions where they orbited the moon and retrieved samples. In 2025, Beijing plans to establish an autonomous lunar research station near the moons south pole.

In addition to extracting economic profits, the CCP has strategic reasons for wanting to win the space race. Armagno told ASPI that she is concerned that the Chinese will catch up and surpass the United States and that they could militarize space. According to the general, the CCP is developing military space technology in the areas of satellite communications and reusable spacecraft, such as Chinas Long March 8R, Long March 9, and suborbital and orbital spacecraft.

A Long March 7Y4 rocket carrying the Tianzhou 3 cargo ship launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center, in Chinas southern Hainan Province, on a mission to deliver supplies to Chinas Tiangong space station, on Sept. 20, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

During a Dec. 20, 2022, China Central Television broadcast, Chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Wu Yansheng outlined the countrys space goals, including concepts for a crewed lunar landing, creating space-transportation infrastructure, and on-orbit servicing as well as Beijings vision for space governance, space law, and space domain awareness.

Chinas overall moon and space strategy focuses on developing domestic capabilities rather than depending on international cooperation. To this end, CASC completed and launched the Tiangong space station in 2022. Over the next 10 to 15 years, Beijing plans to complete three Change robotic landing missions and establish the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). One of the unmanned missions to Mars is supposed to return with samples.

While Beijing is seeking partners for the IRLS, the United States will not be invited. And the IRLS will exist parallel to the U.S. Artemis program.

By the decades end, Beijing plans to land taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) on the moon. China is considering using nuclear propulsion rather than a rocket engine to decrease the time to Mars and back from 900 days to 500. All of this is part of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings strategic plan to build a strong space nation.

Xis vision is for China to be the worlds No. 1 aerospace power by 2030 and to become a fully comprehensive space power by 2045. The realization of this vision will require efficient, low-cost space transportation, a focus on exploration, and expansion of national civil space infrastructure, which would combine telecommunications, navigation, and positioning constellations with global coverage.

Although colonizing the moon and Mars is still a long way into the future, China and Russia already have killer satellites that can destroy U.S. satellites and wreak havoc among ground forces.

Members of the newly activated U.S. Space Forces Korea (USSFK) stand in formation during the units activation ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Dec. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs via U.S. Space Forces Korea)

To counter the CCPs space ambitions, former President Donald Trump inaugurated the U.S. Space Force in 2019 as a branch of the U.S. military under the Air Force with a relationship similar to the one between the Marine Corps and the Navy. On Dec. 14, 2022, the U.S. Space Force activated its first overseas command, U.S. Space Force Korea (SPACEFOR-KOR), whose mission is to oversee space operations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area.

Meanwhile, NASAs Artemis program is in full swing and tasked with establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon in preparation for a manned mission to Mars. NASA recently completed the 26-day Artemis I mission photographing the moon.

The United States is now locked in a space race with China like it was with the Soviets 60 years ago. The USSR and the United States were competing first to put a man in space and later to put a man on the moon for reputation and prestige.

The stakes with China are direr, though, as its not about bragging rights but about claiming dominion over the moon and Mars. Domination in space may be the deciding factor in future wars, as modern armies depend on satellites for communication, navigation, and guiding missiles.

The new Defense Appropriations Bill for 2023 includes $26.3 billion in funding for the Space Force. Additionally, the U.S. chip ban has been expanded to cover space technology. In August last year, seven Chinese aerospace companies were added to the blacklist. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in an Aug. 23 statement, U.S. technologies that support space and aerospace activities should not be used to support the PRCs [Peoples Republic of China] military modernization.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has named two nurse practitioners as its Advanced Practice Providers of the Year for 2022.

Laura Johnson at Flagstaff Medical Centers Intensive Care Unit and Jason Litzinger at NAH Medical Groups Camp Verde Campus were recognized for their amazing attitude, respect for colleagues and for the skilled, compassionate care provided to patients, according to the announcement.

This is NAHs fourth year of this award, which recognizes providers who go above and beyond in patient care, quality and safety as well as community engagement. Recipients are nominated by their colleagues based on their display of NAH values.

Johnson began nursing in Phoenix in 2004, at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center, where she worked in the cardiac telemetry unit as a licensed practical nurse until she earned her registered nursing degree (also in 2004). After a few years as RN case manager at Hospice of the Valley, she began travel nursing in 2012, working in Kansas City, Missouri before joining FMC in 2013.

After earning a masters degree in 2016, she was accepted into a post-graduate residency at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She returned to FMC in late 2019 after working as a nurse practitioner intensivist in the surgical and liver transplant ICU since 2017.

Litzinger specializes in family medicine, including newborn and geriatric patients and has also been in healthcare since 2004. He also works as a provider informatics consultant at NAH and has experience with the veteran population. In addition to several other degrees, he earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice at Aspen University in Phoenix.

According to the announcement, Litzinger believes in actively listening to each patient so he can utilize his knowledge and collaborate with the patient to create a plan of care together.

NAHs acting CEO, Josh Tinkle, congratulated the two.

Laura and Jason are invaluable to the NAH teams in Flagstaff and Verde Valley, he said. They give exceptional care, show compassion for patients and families [and] are dedicated to the task at handWe are pleased to honor them with this award.

More about NAH can be found at nahealth.com.
Chinas Mass Zero-COVID Protests Challenged CCPs Grip of Power: Prominent Human Rights Activist

People hold white sheets of paper in protest of COVID-19 restrictions, after a vigil for the victims of a fire in Urumqi, in Beijing, China, on Nov. 27, 2022. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

Large-scale protests that erupted in China against the regimes zero-COVID policies, with protesters calling for freedom and an end to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), showed the determination of the Chinese people discontented with the partys rule, according to a human rights activist.

Mass protests against COVID-19 lockdowns that broke out at the end of November 2022 and spread across China, including major cities, are hugely significant, said Benedict Rogers, a renowned British human rights activist.

Rogers considers them the most significant protests since those of Tiananmen Square in 1989, due to their large scale and the message voiced by protesters who were calling for an end to the CCP, Xi Jinpings resignation, and demanding freedom.

While some protests occurred in China after 1989, they were mostly focused on specific issues, mainly labor rights, Rogers told EpochTVs Crossroads program in a recent interview.

This is the first time that weve seen, across the country, people demanding the end of the CCP, Xi Jinping to resign, and calling for freedom and democracy, Rogers pointed out. Although the protests were sparked by the draconian zero-COVID policy, the COVID lockdowns, and the tragic fire in Urumqi, protesters mainly chanted Xi Jinping step down and We want freedom, Rogers explained.

The protests were triggered by the deaths of at least 10 peopleaccording to official reportsin Xinjiangs capital city of Urumqi in northwestern China when first responders were unable to reach an apartment fire that was left to burn for hours due to COVID-19 blockades and locks throughout the residential compound.

Angry city residents broke blockades and pushed down fences, shouting slogans of down with the Communist Party and Xi Jinping should resign.

After the protest erupted in Xinjiang, large-scale protests against the CCPs unsustainable zero-COVID control measures have also occurred in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, and other cities.

Since the deadly fire, there have been 43 public protests across 22 cities in China, according to a tally by Nathan Ruser, a researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Throngs of protesters in different cities held high their blank sheets of papera metaphor for whats left unsaidto express their discontent with the regimes intolerance of dissent and suppression of free speech.

Chinese authorities maintain a tight grip on the countrys internet via a complex, multilayered censorship operation that blocks access to almost all foreign news and social media and blocks topics and keywords considered politically sensitive or detrimental to the CCPs rule. Videos of or calls to protest are usually deleted immediately.

Tightening Repression Under Xi Jinping

Rogers believes that if the Chinese people resorted to such demonstrations knowing the huge risk that protesting entails, it suggests the kind of unspoken pact that perhaps existed in the past between the people and the CCP has been completely undone.

That unspoken pact allowed the party to claim its legitimacy from the fact that it was presiding over economic reforms leading to significant improvements in living standards, explained Rogers, author of China Nexus: Thirty Years in and Around the Chinese Communist Partys Tyranny.

Xi Jinping has undone that unspoken pact completely, both with his repression [and] also with the economic slowdown. Thats come partly as a result of the zero-COVID policy but also partly as a result of his own hostility to private enterprise and entrepreneurialism. Hes undone many of the economic reforms of his predecessors, and I think the people of China have [been] showing that theyve had enough now.

The CCP has always been repressive, but when Xi Jinping took over the leadership in 2012, he then took the country and the party in an even more repressive direction, really intensified the crackdown, Rogers said.

Xi also took a much more ideological approach in the early years of his rule, a sort of ideological framework of six key documents, in particular: Document Number Nine, Rogers noted. These six documents really spell out the CCPs explicit total hostility to values of human rights, of democracy, of civil society.

The documents, which emerged in 2013, laid out CCPs intention to eliminate and prohibit any discussion of universal values of human rights, Rogers continued.

Theres a specific document that relates to higher education and banning discussion of what they call liberal values in higher education, Rogers said. There are also documents relating to censorship of the internet, control of religion, and all the other areas of space that the party basically wants to completely dominate and control, and suppress any alternative views.

An internal memo, called Central Document No. 9, was issued by the Central Committee of the CCP in April 2013. The document urges the party to combat dangerous Western values. It also asks journalists and college teachers to steer clear of seven unmentionable topics, which include universal values, press freedom, civil society, citizens rights, the partys historical aberrations, the privileged capitalistic class, and the independence of the judiciary.

The Regime Eases Zero-COVID Policy

On Dec. 7, 2022, the Chinese regime relaxed its strict zero-COVID measures following the mass protests. The relaxation marked the most significant changes to the draconian zero-COVID policy since Beijing first implemented it three years ago. The measures have inflicted hardship on tens of millions of people, dragged down Chinas economy, and isolated the nation from the world.

The regime loosened rules pertaining to quarantine, travel restrictions, lockdowns, and mandatory testing. Under the new guidelines, authorities no longer require people to present negative test results or a green health code for entry in most places, with the exception of nursing homes, medical institutions, childcare centers, and primary and middle schools.

The health code is a color-based QR code system for authorities to trace close contacts and control peoples movements. Utilizing big data and mobile technology, the regime assigns citizens three codes on their mobile phones, including a health code, a vaccination code, and an itinerary code.

Before the easing up on the COVID policy, a green code was essential for tens of millions of people to take buses, enter workplaces and supermarkets, or even use public toilets. Losing a green code meant the carrier lost access to almost everywhere.

Local officials were also banned from designating large areas, such as entire residential compounds and communities, as high-risk.

Alex Wu, Frank Fang, Eva Fu, Dorothy Li, and Jane Lin contributed to this report.
Chinas Top Military University Issues 19 Obituaries in 2 Weeks Amid COVID Outbreak

A military officer adjusts a student's cap during military training at the Tsinghua University in Beijing on Sept. 7, 2006. (China Photos/Getty Images)

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), a Chinese military university, released 19 obituaries from late December to early January, including an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, amid a recent surge in COVID-19 infections sweeping across China.

From Dec. 24, 2022, to Jan. 5, 2023, 14 professors, two associate professors, two Communist Party branch heads, and one senior engineer at HIT passed away, according to the universitys official website.

Chinese media reported that they all died from illness and did not provide further information.

Wang Zhongqi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and expert in turbomachinery aerodynamics, died of illness on Dec. 25 at the age of 90. Wang studied at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute from 1960 to 1962, and received an associate doctorate in science and technology from the institute.

He is one of the founders of Chinas turbomachinery field, a developer of the bowed-twisted blade theory in China, and a pioneer in the design of the bowed-twisted blade. Wang received numerous awards from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in his lifetime, according to his eulogy.

Of the 16 professors, eight worked in the field of aerospace engineering, and almost all had received awards from the CCPs Ministry of Aerospace Industry on multiple occasions.

At least 11 of the deceased were known to be Communist Party members.

7 Sons of National Defense

The Seven Sons of National Defense is a group of leading Chinese universities with deep roots in the military and defense industry. They collaborate closely with the Peoples Liberation Army.

These seven universities are HIT, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Harbin Engineering Universityall directly under the CCPs Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

HITs main campus is located in Harbin city, Heilongjiang Province. It also has campuses in Weihai city of Shandong Province and Shenzhen city of Guangdong Province. The school was founded in 1920.

In May 2020, the United States included 13 Chinese universities in its Entity Listincluding Northwestern Polytechnical University, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, HIT, and Harbin Engineering Universitydue to their involvement in the CCPs military industry, weapons, aerospace, electronic information, chemical, and material projects.

On Dec. 18, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued another announcement, adding 77 entities to its Entity List to protect U.S. national security.

The United States accused these companies and institutions of violating human rights and being involved with weapons of mass destruction and other military activities that benefit the CCP, posing risks to U.S. national security.

The Seven Sons of National Defense, along with 11 other Chinese universities, were included in the U.S. sanctions list.

In June 2020, the United States announced that it would cancel the visas of Chinese students and researchers who have direct ties to Chinese universities affiliated with the Chinese military and deport them from the country. The international students involved are from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Harbin Engineering University, HIT, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing Institute of Technology, and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Space.
Classified Documents Found in Bidens Home: Presidents Lawyer

Classified documents from the Obama-Biden administration were found in a second location linked to President Joe Biden, a lawyer for the president said on Jan. 12.

After the discovery of materials with classified markings at the Penn Biden Center in WashingtonBiden worked out of the center from 2017 to 2019lawyers for the president searched Bidens residences in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Richard Sauber, one of the lawyers, said in a statement released by the White House.

Those two homes in Delaware are the other locations where files from his Vice Presidential office might have been shipped in the course of the 2017 transition, or the transition of Biden from vice president to a private citizen, according to Sauber.

During the search, the lawyers discovered documents with classified markings in a storage space inside the garage at the Wilmington residence. Additionally, a document marked classified was found in an adjacent room.

No classified materials were found at the Rehoboth Beach home, according to Sauber.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was immediately notified and the lawyers arranged for the department to take possession of the documents, Sauber said.

The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The White House said it is cooperating with a review by the Department of Justice and that it was coordinating closely with DOJ officials when it searched Bidens residences.

Biden, reading from a piece of paper in Washington, told reporters that the materials were found in a locked garage that also contains a Corvette. People know I take classified documents and classified material seriously, Biden said.

Reporters play frisbee outside Joe Bidens home in Wilmington, Del., in 2008. (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Previous Discovery

The Biden administration had revealed on Jan. 9 that materials with classified markings were found at the Penn Biden Center on Nov. 2, 2022. Sauber claimed that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) was alerted that day and took possession of the documents the following morning and that Bidens attorneys have since been working with the DOJ to make sure any records from the Obama-Biden administration are appropriately in possession of the Archives.

Biden administration officials have not explained why they waited months to disclose the finding to the public.

Biden said he was surprised to learn about the discovery.

I dont know whats in the documents, he added while in Mexico City this week.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that she was not going to go beyond what Biden and Sauber had shared on the matter. At one point, after being repeatedly pressed on the subject, she told a reporter that we work very well together but we do not have to have this kind of confrontation.

Former President Donald Trump is under investigation for possessing materials with classified markings at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after leaving office in 2021.

Documents from Trumps time in office were transferred to NARA in 2022 but Trump still held others. FBI agents raided Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 and seized thousands of documents, including roughly 100 marked classified.

DOJ lawyers allege Trump may have violated multiple statutes, including the Espionage Act, by holding the documents.

Neither Trump nor Biden have been charged with a crime.

Trump has said he declassified the documents before leaving office. Presidents have declassification authority; vice presidents do not.

Biden had criticized Trump as totally irresponsible for the handling of the materials last year.

The FBI declined to comment on the discovery of classified materials from the Obama-Biden administration.

Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers remarks at the U.S. Justice Department Building in Washington, on Nov. 18, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Public Interest

Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, appointed a special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump after the former president announced his 2024 presidential bid.

I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel, Garland said.

Republicans have urged Garland to appoint a special counsel to probe Biden.

A special counsel is necessary to assure the public about the handling of classified documents by Donald Trump, you should apply a special counsel to the mishandling of classified documents by President Biden when he was vice president, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Fox News.

Some called for raids on Biden-linked properties.

How many more batches of classified documents need to be found before Biden gets raided by the FBI? Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) wondered after news of the discovery of the second batch of documents was reported.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters in Washington that Congress has to investigate this.

I do not think any American believes that justice should not be equal to all, he said. And we found for this administration  whatever comes out, that they utilize, they try to falsify it, try to have different standards for their own beliefsthat doesnt work in America.

Democrats have generally downplayed the discovery of the documents.

I have full faith and credit in President Biden, said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the House minority leader. I believe that hes doing everything to take the appropriate steps to determine what happened and how to move forward in a responsible fashion.
CNP: Beijings Self-Defeating Strategic Methodology

Chinese military delegates leave the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, at The Great Hall of People in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2022. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Commentary

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is paying a significant price for relying on its flawed methodology of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) computation to forecast and rate strategic threats and opportunities.

The methodology of the CNP system was developed and briefly popularized, albeit not by the CNP name, by Western political risk analysts in the 1980s and 90s out of earlier U.S. intelligence community attempts to understand the global strategic framework. It was gradually discarded or moved into the background because results proved it to be unrealistic as a single framework to forecast human behavior on a large scale.

Despite attempts to broaden the criteria for quantifying targets and, therefore, to forecast future events, there were still very few intelligence or policy successes.

Nonetheless, the methodology was picked up from the West by CCP planners and never really discarded.

In the late 19th century, Anglo-Irish writer Oscar Wilde accused Americans of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothingof, in essence, having knowledge without wisdom or, worse still, assuming that their collection of isolated facts and beliefs translated into knowledge. Wilde would probably have said that the reverse of the Imperial Chinese: full of inscrutable wisdom yet without the world sensitivity needed to understand and stave off outside forces.

The process of quantifying essentially tangible elements of a society enables analysts to have a superficial view of its architecture and performance trends and to make trend projections based on those indicators. It seemingly enables analysts to understand the target without having to comprehend deeper issues of national and subnational cultures, identity, language, and motivational factors.

This process, because it encourages a unilateral rather than an interactive process of understanding, automatically leads analysts into the fundamental intelligence failure of mirror-imaging: the assumption that the target audiences logic and motivational patterns are the same as those of the analyst or, worse, paternalistically assuming a behavior pattern in the target society that fits a simplistic matrix of assumptions.

This is a widespread failing in all intelligence and policy assessments of a cross-cultural nature and exists even within societies (exemplified by the failure of rural and urban populations to understand each other). Still, its a failing thats dangerous in the intelligence analysis of ideologically rigid aspirants, as well as successful dominant powers.

Its a process of hubris, not humility.

Its a process that embodies the perfect bubble of self-reinforcing logic rather than the messiness of interactive comprehension.

Not insignificantly, the processes adopted by CNP and political risk analysis began to become codified within the CIA during the 1960s, under such questing minds as Ray Cline, who became the head of the agencys Directorate of Intelligence (196266) and later director of the State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research (196973).

The CIAs headquarters in Langley, Va., in a file image. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

It was part of an attempt by such intellectuals as Cline to transform intelligence analysis and strategic trend comprehension from an art into a science. It was probably encouraged by the CIAs failure to forecast the Soviet-backed invasion of South Korea by North Korea, among other intelligence failures.

The U.S. private sector, particularly the investment community, attempted to emulate government practice in order to better forecast economic and investment trends and decision-making. Indeed, the close relationship between the private and government sectors in the United States made it inevitable that the dark sciences of the intelligence community would appeal to the private sector.

Nonetheless, the United States, particularly in the past few years, has continued to hold skewed views of threats and opportunities because of its inherent prejudices in assessing Russia, China, and other societies. But the approach adopted by China took the political risk model and made it more rigid and doctrinaire, creating systemic flaws that reinforce CCP bias and preclude the accumulation of necessarily intuitive, experiential, and sensory situational awareness.

CNP attempts to quantify or place a value on all relevant factors in a nation-states strategic complexion, assigning a numerical score to each factor and weighing the totals to determine the relative strategic strength of the country in economic, social, and security terms. The result is a single ranking number for each target society. The composite indices that comprise the CNP number ostensibly take into account all military, political, economic, and cultural factors.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for photos on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 15, 2022. (Alexandr Demyanchuk/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Western, private sector political risk analysts of the late 20th century were often able to persuade even seasoned country-watchers and investors of the mathematical logic of their assessments, only to see natural factors intervene to create outcomes different from those projected by the science. Investors, burned by such science, moved away from reliance on it.

But Chinese communists dont have the luxury of breaking so easily with doctrine.

The counterpoint to a system such as CNP comes within the realm of the psychological strategies and even the accidental (or environmental) identification that analysts, policymakers, and diplomats acquire with their target societies because of interaction with them. This is called clientitis, in U.S. State Department lingo, and it represents a possible threat of intellectual capture of an official by the target audience. From an intelligence perspective, this represents the danger that an official who becomes too engaged or friendly with a target audience risks losing the objectivity of his own countrys perspective.

During World War II, Marshal Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto of the Imperial Japanese Navy was aware ofand deeply admiredthe nature of the U.S. society and geopolitical entity. Still, he was forced to put aside his belief in the inherent strategic depth of the United States to support the belief that an attack on the U.S. Fleet at Pearl Harbor could force the United States to remain out of the Pacific War. It was a triumph of domestic Japanese prejudice over perceived clientitis. The result was that the Pearl Harbor decision was fatal for Imperial Japan.

CCP planners study Imperial Japans failure, deriving valuable lessons from it. But their inability to break out of the Partys paranoiawith the attendant risk of being seen to identify with outside and inferior societiesmeans that they dont understand the world they seek to dominate.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Peaceful Parenting: What It Is and How to Implement It
Congressman Ken Buck Condemns Big Tech Censorship, Anti-Competitive Practices

Illustration picture shows a mobile phone and laptop with the Google website on Dec. 14, 2020. (Laurie Dieffembacq/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) has called out Big Tech for abuses of power, singling out Google as the greatest threat to speech in the market. The congressman has introduced a bill in the House that would attempt to limit the economic and political sway of several tech giants.

Speaking to the Heritage Foundation on Jan. 11, Buck railed against what he sees as unfair business practices. The congressman recalled the story of Parler, the pro-free speech social media startup that faced numerous hurdles from competitors and pressure from U.S. officials in 2021.

Parlers popularity skyrocketed in late 2020 and early 2021 as conservatives flocked to the platform in response to the censorship surrounding the Hunter Biden laptop story coverage and the removal of former President Donald Trump from Twitter.

Overall, the app was the 10th most downloaded social media app in 2020 with 8.1 million new installs, TechCrunch reported.

Following the Jan. 6. 2021, Capitol breach, political pressure mounted against the startup, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) publicly calling for Apple and Google to remove the app from their platforms.

What are Apple and Google Play doing about this? the congresswoman wrote on Twitter two days after the riots.

That evening, Google removed Parler from its Google Play Store. The following day, Apple did the same. Parlers cloud services were revoked shortly afterward by Amazon as well.

They were able to take Parler down in a matter of a few days, Buck said. Twitter was being used at the Capitol on January 6. Facebook was being used.  Parler was a competitor, and January 6 provided the perfect excuse to wipe it out.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole on Aug. 6, 2022. (Bobby Sanchez for The Epoch Times)

Influencing Election Outcomes

Buck also took aim at Google, saying the tech company wields too much power, allowing it to influence U.S. election outcomes. The congressman stressed the importance of using government regulation sparingly so as to not disrupt market dynamics.

Im a free market person. I apply that principle to just about everywhere, Buck said. When Google controls 94 percent of the searches in this country, you dont have a free market.

He warned that Googles market dominance can have devastating effects on our elections, mentioning how the search engine has allegedly altered frontpage results to be more flattering for Democratic candidates.

In 2016, SourceFed pointed out that Google search results for Hillary Clinton yielded more favorable auto-complete suggestions despite many unlisted negative terms receiving greater traffic from users.

Buck, a ranking member of the House Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subcommittee, said lack of competition is the problem.

They affect the outcome of elections because there is no free market, he said.

Congress needs to step up and update the law.

The congressman put forth a bipartisan package of billswhich passed in the House in September 2022to fight against the tech behemoths. Additional funding for the Department of Justice to enforce antitrust law, incentives for states to conduct antitrust cases of their own, and mandatory disclosures for companies that receive subsidies from China are some of the ways the package hopes to curb Big Techs power.

Assuring the conservative Heritage Foundation audience that he doesnt wish to undermine capitalistic ideals, Buck praised tech entrepreneurs for their work.

I give these folks credit. Theyre geniuses, he said. Im not sure they are bad; they are just taking advantage of a system.

Buck said he disagrees with drastic solutions proposed by fellow Republicans such as Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who has considered a country-wide ban for the Chinese video app TikTok.

We know that competition is what allows innovation, he said, emphasizing that allowing competition strengthens the United States in the long run. The one thing we can do better than anyone in the world is innovate.

However, the congressman does recognize the risks posed by foreign apps such as TikTok and said the app is clearly a tool that the Communist Party is using in China to monitor U.S. data.

In December 2022, President Joe Biden signed a law banning the use of TikTok on government mobile devices, the proposal originating from legislation previously introduced by Buck and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

Journalist Glenn Greenwald praised Buck as one of the most serious Big Tech opponents in the GOP House in a November 2022 tweet.

Buck concluded his speech by encouraging everyday people to make efforts to disrupt tech monopolies, encouraging consumers to use alternatives to Amazon and Google. He acknowledged that such decisions might result in a decrease in the quality of service.

One of the reasons these companies are powerful is because theyre good, Buck said. You actually can have an impact on the market with your personal choices.  Be part of this solution.
Court of Appeals Agrees to Expedite Kari Lakes 2022 Election Case

The Arizona Court of Appeals agreed to expedite consideration of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lakes lawsuit alleging that the 2022 election was flawed.

In a brief order, issued on Jan. 9 and made public the next day, the court ordered a reset of the matter for conference on February 1, 2023, and agreed with Lakes arguments that her challenge should be handled as a special action petition. The court date was reportedly scheduled for March.

Lawyers for Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, the states former secretary of state, has until Jan. 17 to respond and argue why Lakes challenge should be rejected, according to the order. Lake had petitioned both the states Appeals Court and Supreme Court after a Maricopa County judge rejected her case after a two-day trial in December.

But earlier this month, the Arizona Supreme Court denied Lakes petition to transfer her election lawsuit to the high court and said it will be heard before the Appeals Court first.

In December, Lake filed a lawsuit against Hobbs in her capacity as secretary of state, Maricopa County supervisors, Maricopa Recorder Stephen Richer, and other officials, asserting that the countys handling of the election was seriously flawed and disenfranchised Election Day voters. Lake, a former broadcast journalist, argued that such disenfranchisement and election voting issues were enough to swing the election in her favor. She lost by 17,000 votes.

A Maricopa County judge, Peter Thompson, threw out Lakes lawsuit on Dec. 24 and said she did not produce enough evidence, but he ruled that Lake should not be sanctioned and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars. Days before that, Thompson tossed out 8 of Lakes 10 election claims.

A portion of Lakes lawsuit included claims that she would have won or had a better chance of winning if dozens of Maricopa County ballot printers worked properly on Election Day. A number of those printers created ballots that couldnt be read by tabulators, Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates and Richer confirmed during a Nov. 8 news conference, telling voters to place those ballots in drop-boxes or find another location to vote.

Supervisors in Maricopa recently sought to produce a report to determine why those ballot printers didnt work in November. They hired former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor to carry out an investigation, the county confirmed last week.

Lakes lawyers previously argued that those Maricopa officials allegedly admitted, after first denying, that illegally misconfigured ballots were injected into the election and triggered the tabulators to reject tens of thousands of ballots. Lawyers stated Republican voters on Election Day were disproportionally impacted.

During the two-day trial, Lake called on independent pollster Richard Baris, who testified that he believes the Election Day technical problems disenfranchised enough voters that it would have changed the outcome of the race. Maricopa Election Day voters, he asserted, mostly trended Republican and that between 25,000 to 40,000 people who would normally have voted actually didnt cast ballots as a result of the tabulator and printer errors.

Baris told the court that his estimate was primarily influenced by the number of people who began answering his exit polls but didnt finish the process during the midterm contest.

Hobbs First Address

In a ceremony earlier this month, Hobbs was sworn in as Arizona governor, and on Monday, delivered her first speech to the state Legislature. In the address, she took a veiled shot at Lake and other state Republicans.

The new Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs takes the oath of office in a ceremony at the state Capitol in Phoenix, on Jan. 2, 2023. (Ross D. Franklin, Pool/AP Photo)

Chasing conspiracy theories, pushing agendas for special interests, attacking the rights of your fellow Arizonans or seeking to further undermine our democracy will lead nowhere, Hobbs said.

Other officials who formally took office earlier this month were Adrian Fontes as secretary of state and Kris Mayes, who won by only about 280 votes, as attorney general. Both Democrats defeated Republicans who subsequently challenged their losses in court.

Mayes opponent, GOP candidate Abe Hamadeh, filed a motion in Mohave County on Jan. 6 to again challenge the Nov. 8 election results in the attorney general race and argued there is new evidence of voter disenfranchisements. It came, according to his suit, after hundreds of ballots were located in Pinal County.

We simply ask that we be given the opportunity to apply the Pinal County process across the board to conduct a physical inspection and hand count of ballots that if the Pinal County issue repeats itself anywhere else in the state could be outcome determinative in this election, Hamadeh wrote on Twitter.
DHS Secretary Mayorkas Responds to Republican Plans to Impeach Him

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas answers a reporter's question during a news conference with Mexican counterparts at the State Department in Washington on Oct. 13, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has responded to a Republican congressmans efforts to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, stating that Congress can do better.

Secretary Mayorkas is proud to advance the noble mission of this department, support its extraordinary workforce, and serve the American people, a DHS spokesperson told The Epoch Times on Jan. 11 in an emailed statement.

The department will continue our work to enforce our laws and secure our border, while building a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system, the spokesperson continued. Members of Congress can do better than point the finger at someone else; they should come to the table and work on solutions for our broken system and outdated laws, which they have not updated in over 40 years.

On Monday, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) introduced three articles of impeachment (pdf) against Mayorkas, charging that the DHS chief had committed high crimes and misdemeanors and violated his constitutional oath of office.

Commenting on the matter Wednesday, Fallon noted in a tweet: In his conduct while Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in violation of his constitutional oath, engaged in a pattern of conduct that is incompatible with his duties as an Officer of the United States. He must go.

DHS, however, confirmed that Mayorkas has no plans to resign and asserted that the charges against him were not only factually inaccurate but also failed to meet the constitutional standard of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

The Articles

Specifically, the first impeachment article accuses Mayorkas of failing to maintain operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders of the United States as outlined by the Secure the Fence Act of 2006.

Over 5,500,000 illegal aliens have crossed our southern border under the leadership of Secretary Mayorkas, the resolution notes. There have now been 20 straight months with over 150,000 illegal border crossings. Secretary Mayorkas has presided over a 180-percent increase in encounters at the southern border compared to the previous administration.

Attributing that increase to Mayorkass policies, the resolution asserts that the official has encouraged illegal immigration by terminating border wall construction contracts, ending the Trump-era Remain in Mexico immigration policy, and attempting to end the Title 42 policy that has allowed for the quick expulsion of illegal immigrants since the start of the COVID pandemic.

The second impeachment article alleges that Mayorkas willfully provided perjurious, false, and misleading testimony when he testified twice before Congress last year on April 28 and Nov. 15, that the government had operational control of the border and that the border was secure.

Meanwhile, the third article alleges that Mayorkas knowingly slandered Border Patrol agents and misled the public by supporting claims that Border Patrol agents used whips on illegal immigrants even after he had been alerted by subordinates the narrative was false.

Republicans on Offense

In recent months, Republicans have repeatedly called for Mayorkass removal from officea call Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pledged to answer in November when it became clear that Republicans would retake control of the House.

He cannot and must not remain in that position, McCarthy said of Mayorkas on Nov. 22 while visiting the southern border. If he does not resign, House Republicans will investigate every order, every action, and every failure to determine whether we should begin an impeachment inquiry.

The then-minority leader added: If Secretary Mayorkas was in charge of a private company, he would have been fired by now. The American public deserves more and expects better. Enough is enough.

Shortly after McCarthy was elected Speaker of the House and other members of Congress were sworn in on Friday, Fallon vowed to make good on McCarthys promise by filing articles of impeachment against Mayorkas.

Before they were filed on Monday, however, Mayorkas responded to the news Sunday in an interview with ABC News.

Ive got a lot of work to do, and were going to do it, he said, noting that he had no intention of resigning.

We are dealing within a broken immigration system that Congress has failed to repair for decades, he added. And there is unanimity with respect to that reality.

On Wednesday, DHS echoed that sentiment, noting, After inheriting a broken and dismantled immigration system, the Biden-Harris Administration has managed an unprecedented number of noncitizens seeking to enter the United States, interdicted more drugs, and disrupted more smuggling operations than ever before, all while reversing the cruel and harmful policies of the prior Administration.

DHS also held that the uptick in immigration was a hemispheric challenge, as opposed to an American one, driven by individuals seeking refuge from repressive governments and lack of economic opportunity.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced new measures aimed at securing the border and slowing the flow of illegal immigration, including turning away Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who arrive illegally at the border, and rejecting illegal aliens who do not seek asylum first in a country they traveled through en route to the United States. At the same time, up to 30,000 people per month from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela who arrive in the country legally, will be allowed to come to the United States for two years and be allowed to work, provided they have a sponsor and pass background checks.

The policy announcement came days ahead of Bidens first trip to the border, when he visited El Paso, Texas, on Sunday.

As of yet, it remains unclear if or when the House will consider Fallons resolution. However, should the DHS chief be formally impeached by the House, it is unlikely that the Democrat-controlled Senate would vote to convict him, which requires a two-thirds vote.
Earl of Sandwich Temporarily Returning to Downtown Disney

People walk through the Downtown Disney shopping and eating area in Anaheim, Calif., on Feb. 1, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Earl of Sandwich will return to Downtown Disney in February as a pop-up location and restaurant at the former La Brea Bakery, which announced its closure Jan. 9.

La Brea Bakery was one of the flagship businesses operating in Downtown Disney since its opening in 2001.

Ultimately, according to Disney officials, Portos Bakery will assume the location permanently, later this year.

The pop-up shop will have grab-and-go options, while Earl of Sandwich Tavern, will offer sit-down dining inside the former La Brea restaurant.

The returnalbeit temporaryof Earl of Sandwich comes after last years demolition of the restaurant along with AMC Theatre and other businesses as part of the renovation of the West end of Downtown Disney.

Disney officials have not announced if it will rebuild the restaurant at its previous location.

Portos is known, of course, for its bread and pastries, as well as for its fried potato balls stuffed with seasoned ground beef, and other signature Cuban dishes.
Emotional Support Experiment With AI Chatbot Prompts Backlash

Chatbots are most often used for low-level customer service and sales task automation, but researchers have been trying to make them perform more sophisticated tasks such as therapy. (Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock)

The co-founder of an online mental health support service is facing backlash for allegedly using an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to automate responses to users without their consent.

Rob Morris, who started the Koko mental health forum when he was a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, posted about the experiment on Twitter before being accused of conducting an experiment on unwitting users in the comment thread.

Some important clarification on my recent tweet thread: We were not paring people up to chat with GPT-3, without their knowledge. (in retrospect, I could have worded my first tweet better to reflect this), Morris posted on Twitter.

The reaction came after Morris posted a Twitter thread about an experiment in which he said Koko provided mental health support to about 4,000 peopleusing GPT-3.

GPT-3, or Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 3, is an AI model that can mimic human communication through text, using an initial text sent by a human as a prompt.

On Koko, people can anonymously share their mental health struggles and ask for peer support, and other users can reply with messages of encouragment or advice.

The experiment involved using GPT-3 to draft replies in what Morris called the co-pilot approach, with humans supervising the AIs responses to about 30,000 messages.

He said messages composed by AI were rated higher than those written by humans, and response time went down 50 percent to well under a minute.

The experiment was pulled from the platform pretty quickly, Morris said, because once users learned that the messages were co-written by an AI chatbot, it didnt work.

Simulated empathy feels weird, empty, he wrote in the thread. Machines dont have lived, human experience so when they say that sounds hard or I understand, it sounds inauthentic.

In addition, Morris said people tend to appreciate knowing someone is making an effort and spending time in their day to help, a sacrifice that is, in itself, helpful to those in need. However, this mutual engagement isnt shared with a chatbot that generates a message in seconds.

This emotional disconnect, however, can eventually be overcome by machines, Morris postulated, hinting at a potential future for AI therapy.

The Backlash

Several accounts in the replies to Morris thread asked whether Morris had obtained authorization from an institutional review board (IRB) to conduct the experiment, with some others saying the exercise was unethical.

Its sad that you had to run a dehumanizing experiment on a vulnerable population to come to this conclusion, wrote one user in the replies to Morris thread.

Another user wrote, You performed research on human subjects without obtaining informed consent????

Informed consent is a general principle applied in research settings that requires the human subjects of an experiment to be informed of the experiment and given the option not to participate.

Morris responded to the backlash by saying that there were some large misperceptions about what we did.

Morris said people werent chatting with AI directly and that peer supporters were offered GPT-3 to craft their responses to see if it would make them more effective. He said using GPT-3 was optional for the peer supporters.

Morris Responds

Morris later told the tech platform Gizmodo that he didnt experiment on unwitting users but on himself and his Koko team, and that all responses generated with AI were sent with a disclaimer that the message was written with the help of Koko Bot.

Whether this kind of work, outside of academia, should go through IRB processes is an important question and I shouldnt have tried discussing it on Twitter, Morris told Gizmodo. This should be a broader discussion within the industry and one that we want to be a part of.

The technical inexhaustibility of AI seems at this point to be only limited by its absence of authentic emotions, according to Morris.

Its also possible that genuine empathy is one thing we humans can prize as uniquely our own, Morris said in his orignal Twitter thread. Maybe its the one thing we can do that AI cant ever replace.

The Epoch Times reached out to Morris for comment.
FAA Reveals Alleged Cause of Nationwide System Going Down, Causing All Flights to Be Grounded

Planes are parked on the tarmac in a file photo taken on Oct. 24, 2020. (Reuters/Tyrone Siu/File Photo)

The cause of a key system outage that triggered nationwide chaos at airports after all flights were grounded on Jan. 11 has been revealed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had indicated that no malign actors caused the system to go down but told news outlets that officials cant rule it out. However, the FAA issued a statement later on Jan. 11 indicating that the outage was caused by an internal system error.

The FAA is continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system outage, the FAA said in the statement. Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file.

The FAA didnt disclose why the database file was damaged.

At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack, the statement reads. The FAA is working diligently to further pinpoint the causes of this issue and take all needed steps to prevent this kind of disruption from happening again.

All flights across the entire United States were grounded for about an hour after the FAA carried out a nationwide ground stop, a first since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to tracking website FlightAware.com, more than 8,500 flights were delayed and well over 1,000 were canceled on Jan. 11.

The cancellations and delays continued into Jan. 12. Data from the FlightAware website, which itself appeared to be down on the morning of Jan. 12, shows that more than 600 flights to, from, or within the United States were delayed, while 82 were canceled.

Feedback

The system outage and widespread flight delays triggered more Republican vitriol against Buttigieg, the former mayor of a medium-sized Indiana city and a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. Since taking office, there have been questions about Buttigiegs qualifications to lead the Department of Transportation.

Pete Buttigieg couldnt organize a one-car funeral, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote on Twitter. He was never remotely qualified for this role.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who recently apologized for describing GOP holdouts who didnt vote for newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as terrorists, sharply criticized Buttigieg.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 10, 2021. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Today the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) grounded all flights because of a failure in their old, outdated system, Crenshaw wrote. So what was [Buttigieg] doing behind-the-scenes to prevent outages like this from happening?

Buttigieg was making acronyms more inclusive by renaming the NOTAM system from Notice to Airmen to Notice to Air Missions,' Crenshaw wrote in a subsequent Twitter post.

I wish I was joking. Wokeism is a disease. Next time, try doing your job, Pete.

Modernization

Despite the recent criticism targeting Buttigieg, the FAA has long struggled to modernize some long-standing parts of air traffic control. A 2021 Transportation Department Office of Inspection General (OIG) report repeatedly cited challenges in the FAAs multibillion-dollar Next Generation Air Transportation System infrastructure project.

The OIG said that its work has shown that FAA has struggled to integrate key NextGen technologies and capabilities due to extended program delays that caused ripple effect delays with other programs.

In October 2022, the FAA said it was working to end a long-ridiculed, decades-old practice of air traffic controllers using paper flight strips to keep track of aircraft. But adopting the change at 49 major airports will take the FAA until late 2029.

The FAA has also been trying to modernize the NOTAM system to improve the delivery of safety critical information to aviation stakeholders, according to its website. The system provides pilots, flight crews, and other users of U.S. airspace with relevant, timely, and accurate safety notices.

Theres a great deal of work needed to reduce the backlog of sustainment work, upgrades and replacement of buildings and equipment needed to operate our nations airspace safely, FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims said at the time.

In Florida, a system known as the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) used to control air traffic prompted the FAA on Jan. 2 to issue a ground stop order, slowing traffic into airports and snarling hundreds of flights. The problem with the ERAM system at a major regional air traffic control center in Miami was behind dozens of flight delays at the Miami International Airport and flights into other airports in the southern U.S. state.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Facebook Is Dead Unless You Post Something That Does Not Matter

Commentary

Since Elon Musk has taken over Twitter, its been quite a wild ride. Thousands of doctors and scientists have been unbanned and are now speaking. Same with journalists. Accounts that posted against COVID restrictions and mandates are now unthrottled. Brownstones account is now at 31K and my own personal reach is up some 175 percent.

Of course, this is also infuriating. When we needed these voices the most was during the biggest attacks on liberty in our lifetime. Now that the powers that be have been forced by public opinion to dial back their oppressions, these voices can speak again. Its good that the truth is getting out there but imagine the kind of difference it would have made for these 33 months if there had been no blocks on information from the start?

Its a creepy feeling to know based on disclosures so far that I was certainly throttled. It did not matter what I posted, it got no traction. The censorsmeaning certainly the governmentlearned over time that there might be too much provocation associated with outright bans. Turning down the dial on reach was a better way.

Of course during this entire period, the same platform also invited you to pay for reach. Throw them a few bucks and they will give you some eyeballs. When the money runs out, you are back to where you were. You couldnt prove the throttling. You just sensed it in your bones but when you complained about it, people would throw it back at you: you just fail to admit that your content is unworthy!

In any case, now we know. There were FBI agents embedded all over the platform. The White House and various deep-state actors were pushing Twitter to censor. After a while, it became the main job of the platform to block reach rather than actually doing what they are supposed to do.

Twitter is quasi-free now but what about the rest?

For years, my Facebook account has been irrelevant to me. I dont even know why I bother using it at all. We know for sure that Facebook has been subject to the same controls that once affected Twitter. Same goes for LinkedIn and Google, of course. No doubt about that. My typical post sits there with almost no reach at all.

What Ive not known is whether Im targeted directly or my account has long been restricted by virtue of keywords and content. As everyone knows, I shifted my life 3 years ago to post entirely about the invasions of life, liberty, and property that commenced in 2020.

I did this not because I wanted to abandon other research projects but rather because COVID became a window into the nefarious works of the ruling class I had long opposed. Plus few others seemed willing to speak out. Most of my own ideological set was predisposed to leave this subject to the experts and thus went silent. I went the other direction.

That decision killed my reach on Facebook. There was nothing I could do about it so I decided just to forget it. But yesterday morning, a friend had a great idea. He suggested that I post a cute animal picture with no other comment other than to say it is a test. I did this very thing and posted the following picture.

The results: an explosion of reach! Out of nowhere it was like the old Facebook, with comments and conversations and shares, plus many hundreds of likes. Absolutely amazing! At least for me, this test suggests something important. Zuckerberg is surely flagging accounts but the main means of control is content. Say something that means something and your post disappears from feeds. Post something stupid and irrelevant and you can have all the views you want.

Of course Facebooks business is selling your content in order to sell ads. Thats it, nothing more. But as a tool of state control of the public mind plus surveillance, it is extremely useful to state actors. And in the last three years, it has served this purpose very well. The platform is not dead, contrary to what seemed true, but rather directed toward a particular purpose. Its not just selling ads. Its selling an anodyne impression of a neutered public mind.

To be sure, if some website offered a deal to usersyou post pics of lunch, cats, and flowers, and we give you adsand it worked, fine. Thats normal terms of use. Thats not what is going on. Via explicit and implicit pressure, combined with irresponsible management, Facebook turned over its entire business model to government to deploy on behalf of regime interests. The customers and stockholders were the victims.

What applies here is also true for YouTube, Instagram, and all the rest of the mainstream platforms, which constitute the vast swath of social media content in existence. I like the alternative platforms but they are small players by comparison. The freedom and reach we get today on Twitter is beautiful but how long can it last? Is this a brief window that is opened before it shuts again?

Nothing has changed on the rest of them, which means that nothing has changed with regard to the state-directed censorship that took over our lives three years ago. Thats a terrifying reality, and especially so for intellectuals and writers who imagined some years ago that these tools would be a gift for making a difference in the world.

Im inclined to think that the Elon Musk takeover of Twitter is a flukea lucky one to be sure but the strange exception. He should watch his back. The main drive to control the conversation and shape the public mind is still with us: bad actors working to limit criticism of themselves and their policies. It is just as intense now as it was at the height of the lockdowns and drive for universal vaccination.

Weve never needed the First Amendment more than we do now. And just when it became most necessary, it failed. We should all hope for victory in the lawsuits going on against the government but what does victory mean? Who or what is going to make sure this does not happen again? We still dont have a clear answer to that but it is the burning question especially since it is all still happening right under our noses.

And many people are okay with that and just want to believe that all anyone really cares about are cute pictures of animals.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Why the FAA System Failure Stopped Air Traffic

Flights across the United States were grounded on Jan. 11 following a failure of the crucial Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system run by the Federal Aviation Administration. File photo from June 1, 2022. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

The Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), made headlines early on Jan. 11 when the system went down, causing a nationwide grounding of flights in the United States.

The NOTAM system provides pilots and other aviation professionals with information about potential hazards or disruptions to flight operations. NOTAMs are used to communicate information about things like closed runways, airspace restrictions, and out-of-service navigation aids.

The early morning malfunction of NOTAMs caused an interruption in the service that offers real-time reports to pilots and others in the flight industry.

This prompted a nationwide ground stop to all flights in the morning hours of Jan. 11, which lasted about an hour-and-a-half before the FAA announced it was resuming flights at 8:50 a.m. (ET).

Problems with the FAAs warning system are significant because of the impact it can have on air traffic.

A malfunction or outage of NOTAM systems causes the FAA to stop flights to ensure safety.

In the event of a ground stop, no flights are allowed to take off from a specific airport or group of airports.

Unfortunately for travelers, the outage caused a nationwide pause in air transportation, which is an infrequent occurrence.

National Public Radios report on the travel issues stated that this might be the first time the FAA has grounded all U.S. flights since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

How NOTAM Impacts Aviation

Eric Blinderman, the senior director of communications at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, told The Epoch Times that there is no backup for the NOTAM system that can be used in case of a long-term outage, which is part of what caused the recent ground stop.

According to Blinderman, the impact is so widespread because the FAA oversees the national airspace and all operations at and around the more than 5,000 public-use airports nationwide. This could potentially cause delays that stretch into the next days or even weeks.

All pilots should be concerned about delays. Regulations state that all pilotscommercial and privateneed to be aware of all aspects of their flights, and the NOTAM system provides up-to-date information essential to all flights, Blinderman said.

The FAA has significant control over the commercial flight industry in the United States and is responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation. This includes the certification and operation of commercial airlines.

This agency also establishes and enforces regulations for the operation of commercial flights. These regulations cover; pilot qualifications and training, aircraft maintenance and inspection, air traffic control procedures, and many other aspects of aviation.

Airlines are required to comply with these regulations and are subject to regular inspections and audits by the FAA to ensure compliance.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says there has been no indication of a cyber attack causing the NOTAM malfunction. File photo from March 7, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In addition, the FAA also plays a crucial role in air traffic control, which enables the safe and efficient movement of aircraft.

It provides guidance to pilots and air traffic controllers to ensure safe distance and altitude between aircraft and efficient flight patterns.

Overall, the FAA has a broad range of powers to regulate and control the commercial flight industry. This helps to ensure that U.S. flights are operated safely and efficiently and that passengers and flight crews are protected.

Investigation Into Outage

The FAA released a statement about eight hours after the ground stop ended saying they are investigating the problems that led to the malfunction of their safety program.

We are continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system outage, the FAA said.

Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file. At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack. We are working diligently to further pinpoint the causes of this issue and take all needed steps to prevent this kind of disruption from happening again.

However, the Department of Transportation has not ruled out nefarious activity as the reason behind the computer outage, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

Were not prepared to rule that out, Buttigieg told MSNBC when he was asked if foul play, such as a cyberattack, was involved. There hasnt been any indication of that.

Former presidential candidate Buttigieg highlighted that there is no proof that malicious actors were involved in the disruption that impacted more than 9,800 flights.

There is no direct indication of any kind of external or nefarious activity, but we are not yet prepared to rule that out, Buttigieg said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivered a similar remark on Twitter when she said, there is no evidence of a cyberattack.
FBI Ads Warn Chinese Americans of CCPs Repression Efforts in US

The FBI is placing targeted ads asking members of the Chinese American community to come forward if they have been victimized by Chinas communist regime while living in the United States.

In a pair of Chinese-language paid advertisements posted to Facebook, the FBI asks those who have been the victims of various crimes to report their stories to the authorities.

Attention! the ads say. Have you been a victim of any of the following crimes?

The crimes listed in the ads include cyberstalking, cyber harassment, physical harassment, assault, extortion, blackmail, and harassment through the Chinese social media app WeChat.

If so, you may be a victim of transnational repression by the Chinese government.

The ads have been running since Dec. 28, 2022, and predominantly focus on 25- to 44-year-old individuals in the greater Philadelphia area.

CCP Engages in Transnational Repression

The ads appear to be part of a larger effort by the FBI to publicize transnational repression schemes orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state.

Transnational repression is a crime that refers to actions taken by foreign governments to stalk, intimidate, or assault people in the United States.

The America ChangLe Association in New York on Oct. 6, 2022. An overseas Chinese police outpost, called the Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, is located inside the building. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Some countries governments harass and intimidate their own citizens living in the U.S., an FBI webpage says on the issue. These governments may also target naturalized or U.S.-born citizens who have family overseas or other foreign connections.

Foreign governments most often target activists, dissidents, journalists, political opponents, and members of ethnic or religious minority groups, the webpage said.

Of 12 major examples of transnational repression listed by the FBI, 10 were related to the regime in Beijing. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has brought several high-profile cases over the past year against CCP spies who were engaged in efforts to intimidate or forcibly repatriate Chinese dissidents living in the United States to China.

One such case announced in March 2022 alleged that a former CCP intelligence agent worked with authorities in China and a private investigator in the United States in a conspiracy to stalk, harass, intimidate, and attack a China-born U.S. Army veteran to prevent him from running for Congress.

Another detailed the efforts of the CCP to intimidate the family of a U.S. Olympian and her family, who had spoken out against CCP human rights abuses on social media.

In many instances, the CCP has compelled dissidents to return to China by threatening family members who still live in China with indefinite detention.

In other cases, the regime has sought to explicitly pit ethnic Chinese against one another by sowing division based on race loyalty.

Just this month, for example, a Chinese student living in Boston was indicted for stalking and threatening another Chinese student who posted pro-democracy flyers. The defendant, Wu Xiaolei, also allegedly sent the personal information of the pro-democracy student to communist authorities back in China so that the CCP could target the students family.

I already called the tipoff line in the country, the public security agency will go greet your family, Wu said in a WeChat group, according to the complaint.

Similarly, the CCP has established more than 150 overseas police stations worldwide, including at least three in the United States.

The outposts have been linked to the regimes transnational repression campaigns. Numerous experts think the purpose of the facilities is to coordinate efforts designed to compel Chinese dissidents to return, to face the wrath of the CCP.

While the legality of such stations in the United States hasnt been established, FBI Director Christopher Wray has stated that they present a national security concern, and the FBI raided one such location in New York City last fall.

I have to be careful about discussing our specific investigative work, but to me, it is outrageous to think that the Chinese police would attempt to set up shopyou know, in New York, lets saywithout proper coordination, Wray said during a Nov. 17, 2022, hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

It violates sovereignty and circumvents standard judicial and law enforcement cooperation processes.

Due to the prevalence of such malign influence emanating from the CCP, the FBIs Facebook ads may be part of a broader effort to seek out and eliminate hostile conspiracies within predominantly Chinese communities.

An FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the agency addresses transnational threat issues in many ways including social media ads, threat intimidation guides available in different languages, and on its website.

Many victims are not aware transnational repression is illegal. As a result, the FBI strives to educate communities about [transnational repression], the methods used, and how to report to the FBI, the spokesperson said in an email.

This article was updated to include a statement from the FBI.
Federal Prosecutors Looking Into FTX Associates Political Donations in Oregon

Former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried (C) arrives to enter a plea before US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in the Manhattan federal court, New York, on Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

As part of a widening investigation into disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, federal prosecutors are now looking into campaign donations in Oregon from Bankman-Fried and Nishad Singh, a former director of engineering at FTX.

The prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY) are also learning about Singhs role in the fraud allegedly conducted by FTX.

Investigators are likely to uncover a tangled web of connections in the state, where Bankman-Fried and associates spent tens of millions of dollars, primarily to benefit the Democrat party and congressional candidates.

Campaign finance records show that the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO) PAC received a $500,000 contribution in 2022, which it reported in campaign finance filings as coming from the cryptocurrency startup Prime Trust based in Nevada.

But Prime Trust was allegedly used as a pass-through, with the funds actually coming from Singh.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has tasked the states election officials with investigating whether Singh or the DPO broke a state law against making or accepting political donations under a false name.

If evidence of such activities is discovered, the SOS can ask Oregon Attorney Ellen Rosenblum to launch a criminal investigation into the matter.

We play the initial fact-finding role. If we find something, we hand it over to the Department of Justice, said Ben Morris, with the Oregon Secretary of States office.

The Elections Division is trying to determine whether Singh misled members of the DPO when the donation was made, whether someone within the DPO posted the contribution fraudulently, or whether it was an honest mistake.

Making a campaign contribution under a false name is a felony. The DPO denied any wrongdoing.

Based upon documentation received from our bank, the DPO reasonably believed that this contribution was, in fact, from Prime Trust LLC, wrote DPO executive director Brad Martin in a recent statement.

The investigation began in late November and could take up to three months.

The DPO did not respond to multiple requests for a comment.

A Tangled Web

The involvement of Bankman-Fried and Singh in Oregon campaign finances initially came to light in April, when the campaign of Democrat Carrick Flynn, a primary candidate for Oregons new 6th Congressional District, incorrectly reported that it had received $14 million from Prime Trust.

A Prime Trust spokesperson soon issued a statement denying that it was the contributor.

Prime Trust was identified in the PAC filing solely because the transferred funds were held in an account under Prime Trusts name for the benefit of a specific customer, and Prime Trust originated the wire transfer at the direction of that customer, explained Erin Holloway, president of global marketing for Prime Trust, in a statement.

It was later revealed that the funds were from Bankman-Fried ($13 million) and Singh ($1 million).

According to the group Open Secrets, more than $10 million of that was spent to support Flynn. Thats twice the $5 million that Bankman-Frieds hedge fund, Alameda Research, gave to President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign, which was the second largest amount from any supporter, the group stated.

Flynn reportedly received more than twice the outside spending of any other congressional candidate in the nation during the 2022 primary, due primarily to Bankman-Frieds largesse.

In a related move that drew the ire of the other candidates for the new seat, the House Majority PAC, a super PAC closely affiliated with Pelosi and other top Democrats, also pledged support for Flynn spending roughly $1 million on ads on his behalf.

Six candidates vying for the 6th CD seat released a joint statement decrying the move.

We strongly condemn House Majority PACs unprecedented and inappropriate decision  the statement said. We call on House Majority PAC to actually stand by our partys values and let the voters of Oregon decide who their Democratic nominee will be.

Campaign operatives speculate that the House Majority PAC supported Flynn to curry favor with Bankman-Fried, who had given $6 million to the PAC and promised to play a significant role in Democratic fundraising well into the future.

Dark-Money Group

Other connections between FTX associates and Flynn raised alarms as well.

Flynn received the endorsement of a group called Guarding Against Pandemics, a dark-money group that can obscure its donors, which is run by Sam Bankman-Frieds brother, Gabe Bankman-Fried.

It is allegedly funded by Sam Bankman-Fried.

Two employees of that group are listed among donors to Flynns campaign, including Michael Sadowsky, who also serves as president of the Protect Our Future PAC.

According to a transcript of a May 14 interview, Flynn told Vox that hes never met or talked with Bankman-Fried but is friendly with Gabe Bankman-Fried.

Flynn speculated that the support was based on their shared interest in preventing pandemics and the effective altruism, a philosophical and social movement to help all humans, animals and people who are not born yet.

Despite the unprecedented support, Flynn was eventually defeated in the primary race and Democrat Andrea Salinas went on to victory in the general election, becoming the first to represent Oregons new 6th district.

According to a report by writer Teddy Schleifer in the digital newsletter Puck, SDNY prosecutors have asked for a recipient of cash from Singh to provide information about the contribution, including details about the form and method of payment for the contribution made in Singhs name.

Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried awaits trial on eight criminal charges, including violation of campaign finance laws, and is on house arrest at his parents home on $250 million bail.
R | 2h 8m | Murder Mystery | January 6, 2023

Murder mysteries such as The Name of the Rose, Murder on the Orient Express, or Death on the Nile are usually situated in well-defined, cordoned-off communities. Its then up to the intruding outsiderthe detectiveto sniff out the intrigue and connections, until he manages to get hold of a loose strand of yarn and unravels the sweater of secrecy shrouding said community in untruths.

Based on a novel by Louis Bayard, director Scott Coopers The Pale Blue Eye sets the mystery at a wintry West Point Military Academy in 1830. The somber drearinessfrom the misty woods to the overhanging cliffs and quiet, trickling watersis Gothic. And yet, paradoxically, while snowy almost to the point of being shot in black and white, with its night scenes lit by candles, fireplaces, and lanterns, the setting has an atmosphere bordering on coziness.

Police detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

The Murder

A West Point cadet has been found hanged, and a highly decorated police detective (Christian Bale) who lives not far hence, is reluctantly called out of retirement for the case. And soon the cat-and-mouse game is on.

Bale plays detective Augustus Landor, a recent widower, with the heavily mustachioed beardfulness and weary doggedness he employs in all his 1800s roles. The pervasive melancholy in this case stems from the life of seclusion that hes been living since the disappearance of his beloved teenage daughter Mattie (Hadley Robinson).

Police detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Landor is the gruff but reliable detective. Hes charmless, gloomy, tactless, jaded, and harbors grudges against the military institution that hes been requested to assist. Hes opposed to the way the curriculum takes students apart before building them back up againand has no problem voicing his opinions.

Academy Superintendent Col. Sylvanus Thayer (Timothy Spall) informs detective Landor that the cadets body was desecrated, and local coroner Dr. Marquis (Toby Jones) leads us through the grisly visuals whereby its revealed that the victims heart was cut out. A scrap of paper bearing the remnants of a cryptic message is left in his hand (revealed after the good detective, accompanied by gruesome sound effects, overpowers the rigor mortis of the corpses closed fist. Lovely. But effective).

Sniffing Out the Evil Doers

Landors much wilier than the stuffy, by-the-book, ramrod West Point staffers Capt. Hitchcock (Simon McBurney) and the superintendent, whove requested his services. They demand quick answers because the honor of the academy is at stake during congressional hearings, which adds greater tension to the proceedings.

Police detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale, L) with Cadet Fourth Classman E.A. Poe (Harry Melling), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Landor is also impressed by the depth of perception demonstrated by one of the victims classmates, the rather eccentric Cadet Fourth Classman E.A. Poe. That would be one Edgar Allan Poe (played by Harry Melling; best known to date as Harry Potters chubby spoiled cousin, Dudley Dursley).

Poet Poe was, in fact, a West Point cadet, matriculating in March 1830, but its dubious as to whether the historical fellow was as over-the-top and campy as Mellings portrayal. My guess would be absolutely not. This almost veers the film toward a Poe origin story but ends up having more of a Sherlock Holmes trajectory, with Mellings portrayal of Poe as an overly enthusiastic junior Watson to detective Landors dour, upper Hudson Valley Holmes.

Police detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale, L) with Cadet Fourth Classman Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Landor deputizes Poe, and the mystery soon deepens when another body is discovered. And another. And some desecrated sheep and goats into the bargain, all of which, of course, add up to many red herrings.

(LR) Occult scholar Jean-Pepe (Robert Duvall), detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale), and Cadet Poe (Harry Melling), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Landor also confides in Patsy, a barmaid (a supremely underutilized Charlotte Gainsbourg), his love interest, and confidante. Local occult scholar and authority Jean-Pepe (the 92-year-old Robert Duvall) explains that the organ removal from the victims bodies is likely due to Satanic ritual. Dr. Marquiss wife (Gillian Anderson) has such a passive-aggressive, invasive, under-the-radar shaming manner that it makes you lift an eyebrow as to what lurks behind such a demeanor. And young Poes budding romance with the Marquises daughter, the enigmatic Lea Marquis (Lucy Boynton), renders a few more breadcrumb clues. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has a blink-and-youll-miss-it extra role.

Dr. Marquis (Toby Jones) and his wife (Gillian Anderson), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Landor, while claiming to be a hellhound on the trail of truth, clearly has some tricks and ulterior motives up his sleeves. This is alluded to early on, when hes strictly forbidden to drink alcohol while on the casea rule he immediately and satisfyingly proceeds to ignore, which hints at the wit and street smarts of the storied New York City detective whose reputation precedes him.



Overall

The Pale Blue Eye is a plodding but engrossing watch. While mega-A-lister Bale can chew the scenery with the best of them, he generously allows himself to be upstaged by Mellings molasses-thick, Richmond, Virginia-drawling Poe, with his scary-doll, wide-eyed, and wildly gesticulated orations.

Lea Marquis (Lucy Boynton) with Cadet Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling), in The Pale Blue Eye. (Scott Garfield/Netflix)

Melling, far from Hogwarts, has since dropped his baby fat, matured, and morphed into a thespian with an odd, angular magnetism. He very much physically resembles Poe here, whether or not the puppyish version of the famous American writer is an appropriate actor choice. Between Bale and Melling, its a showdown of brooding charisma versus flamboyant hamming.

The film supplies many false conclusions and misleading accusations and coincidences. As the mystery deepens, Cooper maintains our uncertainty as to whether The Pale Blue Eye will give way to full-on supernatural horror or remain in the human realm.

It is possible to guess where its all headed and who the killer is, but only if you keep a very sharp lookout for the fleeting clues. Its a pulpy paperback mystery masquerading as a leather-bound classic literary novelone written by, say, (as the humorously disdainful young Poe puts it) the deplorable Fenimore Cooperand therefore much more fun than one might think.

The Pale Blue Eye began streaming on Netflix, Jan. 6.

Movie poster for The Pale Blue Eye.

The Pale Blue Eye

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Timothy Spall, Simon McBurney, Robert Duvall, Toby Jones, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Hadley Robinson

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 8 minutes

Release Date: Jan. 6, 2023

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Finance Official Wanted to Shield Banks After Freezing of Convoy Supporters Accounts: Emails

Deputy Finance Minister Michael Sabia responds to a question as he testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Nov. 17, 2022 . (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

The federal deputy finance minister wanted to keep the heat off the bank branches after accounts belonging to supporters of the Freedom Convoy movement were frozen, according to internal emails from the finance department.

You should know that there have been threatening activities at certain bank branches, Michael Sabia wrote to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Feb. 18, 2022. This is causing the banks considerable concern for the safety of their employees. Indirectly, if we arent careful on this, they will pull back.

No bank branches, depositors or types of threatening activities were mentioned in the email, according to Blacklocks Reporter, who first reported on the emails.

Sabias email came four days after the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14, using it as a means to quash the protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions by truckers and their supporters in Ottawa and across the country.

A day after the act was invoked, the Liberal government issued the Emergency Economic Measures Order that mandated Canadian banks and other financial institutions freeze the accounts of any individual or entity that engaged, directly or indirectly in the convoy movement, deemed illegal under the measures.

By official estimate, some $7.8 million held in 267 bank and credit union accounts and 170 bitcoin wallets were frozen.

The [RCMP] Commissioner said that people with frozen accounts should go to their banks to have them unfrozen, Sabia wrote. This is a MISTAKE. They should go to local law enforcement. This keeps the heat off the bank branches and reduces the risk of violence.

Sabias email was forwarded to Public Safety Canada and on to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki.

I think we need to create a process, wrote Lucki in her email. Probably similar to what we do when we impound a vehicle. The owner comes to the detachment to get a slip that permits the impound to release the vehicle.

Secret Minutes

In a cabinet meeting on Feb. 19, 2022, Freeland discussed the proposal from banks to have depositors whose accounts were frozen first report to the police before they could access their money.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance reported on a conversation she had with Chief Executive Officers at the major banks, said the meetings minutes which were classified as Secret, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

Banks were pleased that the Government was working on a plan that would see individuals with their accounts frozen report to police, prior to the bank to have their accounts unfrozen.

The proposal was not brought into force as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 23, saying the situation no longer constituted an emergency.

Testifying before the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) on Nov. 24, Freeland said she was concerned about the impact of the freeze on bank tellers, when probed about what she was trying to convey in the Feb. 19 minutes.

My central concern was, you know, that some poor teller not get yelled at and be held responsible, and even be in a dangerous situation, Freeland told Commission co-lead counsel Shantona Chaudhury.

And so that was part of the thinking behind having these measures, to give the banks, at all levels, including the tellers, the ability to say, This is the governments decision, its not my decision.

Affect More Than The Protester

A week before Freelands testimony, Commission counsel Gordon Cameron told the POEC that the federal finance department seemed unconcerned about how the freeze had affected the Freedom Convoy protesters and supporters.

Who takes responsibility for the fact that these accounts were frozen; that people couldnt pay their rent, that people couldnt buy their groceries; who takes responsibility for that? he asked Isabelle Jacques, assistant deputy minister of finance, on Nov. 17.

People had notice ahead of time, and if a decision was made to stay on the premises, to continue to stay involved in those activities, these people knew what could happen, Jacques replied.

Cameron disagreed, saying the finance department had tried to deter the protest by impacting the protesters families and supporters.

Youre starting to affect more than the protester, and you know that, he said. In the first scenario, youre saying to the protester, We are going to cut off the money youre using to buy gas for your truck, or whatever. And in the second mode, youre saying, We are going to cut off your familys money that they use to buy groceries and pay their rent, so youd better get out of this protest.
Florida Aims to Ban Tracking of Firearm, Ammo Purchases in 1st-in-Nation Policy Proposal

Florida officials have put forward a proposal to prohibit the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases, arguing that the collection of data by state financial institutions violates the Second Amendment.

The trio of Florida state officialsall Republicanslaid out on Jan. 10 the Florida Arms and Ammo Act, a first-in-the-nation policy proposal to bar tracking guns and ammo sales via merchant category codes.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, along with state Sen. Danny Burgess and state Rep. John Snyder, argued that the adoption of the tracking codes would create a quasi-registry of Floridians who have bought guns and ammo legally.

We are all blessed to live in the free state of Florida where our Second Amendment rights are valued and protected, but Democrats in Washington continue to try to chip away at these rightsand we must stay vigilant, Simpson, a former state Senate president who was recently sworn in as agriculture commissioner, said in a statement.

Firearm-Specific Tracking Codes

Gun-control advocates and Democrat lawmakers pushed for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to recently adopt new merchant category codes that can be used to identify retail sales of firearms and ammunition when made by credit card.

A coalition of national gun-control groups, including Guns Down America, Giffords, Brady, and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, issued a joint statement applauding the new tracking codes when the ISO approved their creation in September 2022.

The groups stated that the decision paves the way for credit card companies to help law enforcement preempt mass shootings and firearm trafficking by identifying suspicious patterns of firearms and ammunition purchases via the merchant codes for roughly 9,000 federally licensed firearms dealers across the United States.

Major credit card companies have opted to implement the codes, with congressional Democrats applauding the decision in a letter (pdf) to executives at American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.

This sensible decision also reflects a commitment to prevent gun violence and the unnecessary loss of life, reads the Oct. 20, 2022, letter, which was signed by 118 Democrats.

Republican Pushback

Following the rollout of the codes, two dozen Republican attorneys general urged credit card companies to ditch plans to track gun sales in the United States through firearm-specific transaction numbers.

They argued that tracking firearm purchase data only matters if your institutions are considering using that information to take further, harmful actionlike infringing upon consumer privacy, inhibiting constitutionally protected purchases by selectively restricting the use of your payment systems, or otherwise withholding your financial services from targeted disfavored merchants.

The attorneys general warned that theyre prepared to take legal action to protect our citizens and consumers from unlawful attempts to undermine their constitutional rights.

The Jan. 10 move by Florida officials expands on that effort.

Line in the Sand

Simpson suggested that there would be legal consequences for the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases via the codes.

The Florida Arms and Ammo Act draws a line in the sand and tells multinational progressive financial institutions and their allies in Washington that they cannot covertly create a backdoor firearm registry of Floridiansor else, he said.

Burgess vowed to work closely with Snyder in the state legislature to get this important bill to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss desk by the end of the year.

This is the United States of America. You dont get penalized for exercising a constitutional right, Burgess said in a statement. The Second Amendment is nonnegotiable, and here in Florida, we are going to fight to protect the rights of Floridians.

Snyder warned that the use of the tracking codes would create a comprehensive database of law-abiding Floridians that the proposed legislation would prevent.Gun owners will not be targeted by financial institutions in the free state of Florida, Snyder said.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has also criticized the adoption of the firearm-specific merchant codes, calling them an erosion of Second Amendment rights.

The decision to create a firearm-specific code is nothing more than a capitulation to anti-gun politicians and activists bent on eroding the rights of law-abiding Americans, one transaction at a time, an NRA spokesperson said.

Gun-Control Push

On the campaign trail and since taking office, President Joe Biden has pledged to get tougher on guns, citing the need to curb gun-related violence.

Biden has publicly said he would back measures that ban magazines that carry 10 rounds or morewhich are very common and are owned by millions of Americansand so-called assault weapons, a term that some Republicans have said isnt clearly defined and intentionally vague to allow the gun-control net to be cast more widely.

A widely cited study (pdf) released by the Department of Justice found that assault weapons were rarely used in gun crimes, but the DOJ concluded that the 1994 ban on them may have had a larger impact if it remained in place after 2004.

For years, Biden and Democrats have sought to criminalize what they describe as high-capacity magazines, which also arent clearly defined, much like assault weapons.

Legislation introduced in 2021 in the U.S. Senate would ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, mirroring regulations in a dozen states, including California and New York.

The Department of Justice wrote in a 1999 report (pdf) that a 1994 federal ban on such magazines didnt lead to a significant drop in shootings or murders.

In June 2022, Biden signed a gun control measure into law, representing the most sweeping gun law in decades.

Key provisions of the legislation include expanding federal background checks for buyers between the ages of 18 and 21, adding incentives for states to adopt so-called red flag laws, expanding access to mental health programs, and enhancing school security in a bid to prevent mass shootings.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Sounds Alarm Over Stealth Chinese Purchase of Cambridge Chip Startup

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks during a debate on the Procurement Bill in Parliament, Westminster, London, on Jan. 9, 2023. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Alicia Kearns on Wednesday wrote to Business Secretary Grant Shapps, calling for a review into the Chinese takeover of a UK semiconductor company.

She said the investment into Cambridge University start-up Flusso wasnt reviewed under the National Security and Investment Act because the name of the acquirer was not mentioned when the takeover was announced in August, and that the opacity surrounding this takeover suggests that the buyers intended it to be carried out by stealth.

Flusso CEO and co-founder Andrea De Luca said Shanghai Sierchi Enterprise Management Partnership, the acquiring vehicle, did notify the UK government about their purchasing intention.

It comes as the UK government blocked or imposed restrictions on a number of Chinese takeovers of British companies that are involved in the UKs critical infrastructure or dual-use technologies, or technologies that have both civilian and military applications.

The Acquisition

Flusso, a fabless semiconductor company, designs micro-electromechanical system flow sensors. It developed the FLS-110, which it described as the worlds smallest flow sensor.

The company was set up in 2016 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge. It boasts of being fully embedded in the Cambridge tech cluster and having access to the citys world-class technology expertise, skills, and support.

In August 2022, Flusso announced its 28 million ($31 million) takeover by a company and a global private equity (PE) fund, but didnt name the acquirer.

According to Companies House documents, Shanghai Sierchi Enterprise Management Partnership bought 100 percent of Flussos shares on Aug. 11, 2022.

On the same day, Shi Feiran and Zhou Dan, both based in Shanghai, were appointed as directors of the company.

According to South China Morning Post, Chinese corporate registry information shows that Sierchi was set up at the end of 2021. The report said Sierchi is 80 percent owned by Zhenxin Equity Investment Partnership, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based investment conglomerate Baoding Investment that has a number of private and state-owned backers.

The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify the information, but Flusso is listed on the website of Baoding Investment as one of its investment projects.

Its unclear who owns the other 20 percent of Sierchi.

UK Tech News (UKTN), which first reported on the revelation of the Chinese buyers identity, cited De Luca as saying Sierchi is controlled by the private equity firm and company mentioned in the August announcement.

De Luca also told the publication that the unnamed company chooses to not publicise its name because its going through an initial public offering and doesnt want to affect the IPO.

Under the UKs National Security and Investment Act, businesses and investors may be legally required to notify the government about certain sensitive acquisitions.

De Luca told UKTN that Sierchi did notify the UK government and that Flusso had supported Sierchi and the UK government throughout the entire assessment process before closing the transaction.

Kearns: Economic and National Security Concern

In her letter to Shapps, Kearns said Baoding is 73 percent controlled by the Chinese regime, meaning the UK, in waving through the transaction, is giving the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) direct access to one of our leading tech start-ups in an area of vital strategic importance.

Citing the UK governments recent intervention in the Chinese acquisition of Welsh microchip company Newport Wafer Fab and vision-sensing technology from the University of Manchester under its new national security law, the Foreign Affairs Committee chair argued the takeover of Flusso most certainly meets the threshold for a review.

Kearns warned of the CCPs ambition to become a tech superpower and establish geopolitical leverage, saying the Chinese takeover of leading company in designing and selling flow sensors represents a significant economic and national security concern.

The relationship between the UK and the Chinese regime has become increasingly strained following Beijings upending of democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong, its reciprocal sanctioning of British politicians who are vocal critics of its human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and the beating of a Hong Kong protester by Chinese diplomats in Manchester.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a major foreign policy speech on Nov. 28 last year that the so-called golden era of the SinoBritish relationship is over, and that the UK will strengthen its resilience and economic security.

Since the National Security and Investment Act come into effect last year, successive business secretaries have made 14 interventions in foreign investments over national security concerns, eight of which targeted Chinese buyers.

Following the acquisition of Newport Wafer Fab by Chinese-owned Dutch company Nexperia, Shapps on Nov. 16 ordered the newly-named Nexperia Newport Limited to sell most of its shares, ruling the takeover had breached national security laws.

After former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg issued an order in September last year blocking Redrock Investment Ltd.a subsidiary of Chinas state-owned State Development and Investment Corp.from accessing sensitive information about Britains power grid, the acquirer decided not to proceed with the acquisition, according to a notice of revocation of Rees-Moggs order published on Dec. 20.
French Prime Minister Unveils Pension Changes, Unions Call for Strikes

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers her speech during a press conference in Paris on Jan. 10, 2023. (Bertrand Guay, Pool via AP)

PARISFrench Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Tuesday unveiled a contentious pension overhaul aimed at raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, which prompted vigorous calls for strikes and protests from leftist opponents and labor unions.

Speaking in a news conference in Paris, Borne said the minimum retirement age to be entitled to a full pension will be gradually increased by three months every year, starting this year, in line with a longstanding pledge by President Emmanuel Macron.

In addition, people will need to have worked for at least 43 years to get a full pension, starting from 2027, she said.

Working more will allow future retirees to get higher pensions, Borne said.

By 2030, our system will be financially balanced, she added.

Those who started working before the age of 20 will be able to get early retirement, Borne added. Specific categories of workers such as police officers and firefighters will also be able to retire earlier.

The government argues that French people live longer than they used to and therefore need to work longer to make the pension system financially sustainable. All French workers receive a state pension.

Labor unions unanimously expressed their disapproval of the proposed changes after talks with Borne last week. Some are in favor of an increase in payroll contributions paid by employers instead.

The countrys eight main labor unions announced a national day of strikes and protests on Jan. 19.

Laurent Berger, head of the CFDT union, denounced one of the most brutal pension reforms of the past 30 years. Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT union, urged workers to go on strike that day and the next days, adding that the union is committed to prevent that bill from passing.

A heated debate in parliament also is to be expected, starting next month.

Macrons alliance lost its parliamentary majority last yearand most opposition parties are opposed to the changes.

Borne vowed to seek compromise with some other political groups. Macrons lawmakers hope to be able to ally with members of the conservative The Republicans party to pass the measure.

The president of The Republicans group at the Senate, Bruno Retailleau, appeared satisfied with the planned changes, saying on Twitter that the reform proposed by Elisabeth Borne echoes the one we vote at the Senate.

Otherwise, the government may use a special power to force the law through parliament without a voteat the price of much criticism.

The pension reform is an electoral promise from Macron, who failed to implement a similar measure during his first term. The proposal at that time sparked nationwide strikes and protests, before the COVID-19 crisis led the government to postpone the changes. Macron was reelected for a second term last year.

Frances Retirement Guidance Council issued a report last year showing that the pension system is expected to have a deficit over the next decade, with the government having to compensate.

Frances main MEDEF employers union issued a statement welcoming an indispensable reform to save our pension system.

The minimum retirement age applies to people who have worked enough years to qualify. Those who do not fulfil the conditions, like many women who interrupt their career to raise their children and people who did long studies and started their career late, must work until 67 to retire without penalty.

The average pension this year stands at 1,400 euros ($1,500) per month once taxes are deducted. But that average masks differences across pension schemes depending on professions.

Borne said the reform will allow the minimum state pension for low-income workers who have a full career to increase by 100 euros ($107) on average, reaching about 1,200 euros ($1,288) per month.

Over the past three decades, French governments have made numerous changes to the system but each reform has been met with massive demonstrations.

By Sylvie Corbet
Georgia Assembly Adopts Rules on Legislative Privilege After 2020 Election Probe

The Georgia state House and Senate adopted rules on Wednesday that say communications between lawmakers and people outside the legislature should be shielded by legislative privilege after some lawmakers were forced to testify in a 2020 election-related special grand jury probe.

The U.S. and Georgia constitutions say that lawmakers shouldnt face questioning for activities such as communications with third parties that might take place during public policy debates and discussions related to making laws.

The Republican-controlled legislature voted to support the rule change language, while most Democrats voted against it. The Georgia General Assembly routinely adopts rules at the beginning of each two-year session.

House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, a Republican representing District 104, said on the House floor ahead of the vote that the purpose of the rule change is to recognize and remind members of that legislative privilege and reflect in the House rules what is already in place through constitutional means about legislative privilege.

The rule change will also allow constituents who may have contact with a representative or an elected official to have a greater sense of relief that that legislator can determine whether or not that communication might become public at some other point, which could be a real benefit to the public, Efstration said.

During the debate on the House floor about the rules change, Efstration contended that lawmakers cant all be experts on every issue that comes up before us and that they rely on others who do have expertise.

That communication in order to help us make those determinations would be protected, he added.

Democrats, on the other hand, question whether Republicans are attempting to conceal evidence from the period following the 2020 elections when several GOP members highlighted Trumps claims of election fraud in Georgia.

Are we trying to protect that because of some of the issues in elections that came up with elections? asked Senate Minority Whip Harold Jones II, an Augusta Democrat.

Fred Smith, a constitutional law professor at Emory University in Atlanta, said that district attorneys have powers that must be respected as well.

Its hard to imagine that a state legislative rule could kind of trump a DAs ability to engage in their own state constitutional responsibilities, up to the line provided for in the Constitution, Smith said.

Rule Change Might Not Hold Up in Court

Changing the language of the legislative rules does not necessarily mean it would hold up in court. Judges across the country have usually denied broad claims of legislative privilege.

Last year, a Georgia judge compelled some lawmakers who tried to invoke legislative privilege as a shield to testify before a special grand jury in Atlanta. The grand jury sought to investigate whether former President Donald Trump and his allies violated the law by attempting to interfere in election results following the 2020 election.

Judge Robert McBurney of Fulton County Superior Court ruled in July 2022 that lawmakers have extensive immunity but can be questioned about their discussions with anyone outside the legislature. Lawmakers have claimed that they should be completely exempt from testifying.

McBurney ordered that the grand jury could not ask questions concerning communications between lawmakers or legislative staff members, citing legislative privilege as the reason. But he found that such immunity ought not to be a shield that benefits those outside individuals or otherwise obscures from the grand jurys view the full scope of the alleged efforts to subvert Georgias elections.

The special grand jury has finished its work, issuing its final report and findings after many months of witness testimony, and McBurney ordered the panel dissolved on Jan. 9 (pdf).

The court stated that the decision of whether to publish the report, as requested by the special grand jury, remained open. A hearing to determine whether the report will be made public is planned for Jan. 24 in Atlanta.

The dissolution of the special grand jury also moves the investigation forwards to explore possible criminal charges against the former president and his allies. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will decide whether to pursue an indictment from a regular grand jury.

In Georgia, special grand juries cannot issue indictments but might instead provide a final report recommending certain actions.

The Associated Press and Chase Smith contributed to this report.
Georgia Congressman Vows Probe Into Biden Storing Classified Documents, and an End to Two-Tiered System of Justice

The two-tiered system of justice that has favored President Joe Biden and his family and targeted President Donald Trump and his allies should be exposed and destroyed, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga) said in an interview on Newsmakers by NTD and The Epoch Times aired on Jan. 11.

We cannot have a two-tiered system of justice, Clyde said. We have to make sure that where one existsand Im not going to say if one exists, we know one exists. But where one exists, it is exposed, and it is destroyed.

Clyde explained that there are many concerning questions surrounding the classified documents found at the Penn Biden Center, including that when the center opened in 2018, it received a significant anonymous donation from the Chinese.

U.S. Rep.-elect Clay Higgins (R-La.) (R) puts a Bible on the back of Rep.-elect Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) (L) as he votes for House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2023, in Washington. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Penn Biden Center, when it opened in 2018, had a significant anonymous donation, over 15 million dollars from the Chinese, Clyde said.

Who? Who in China gave over 15 million dollars to the Penn Biden Center? And what did they get for it? Those are critical questions that need to be answered.

To find out, Clyde said the House Oversight Committeeof which he was a member last year, and will likely be this yearplans to investigate.

Weve already sent a letter to NARA [the National Archives] to get their side of the information. And were going to see what the Justice Department and the Executive have to say, as well, Clyde promised.

Two-Tiered Justice No Longer

Clyde said that last year, NARA claimed it had received all classified documents from the Obama-Biden administration.

Obviously, we know that statement is now false, Clyde said about the discovery that Biden allegedly stored classified U.S. intelligence materials related to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK in his private office, and from the time he was vice president.

What else is out there? We need to know that, too, Clyde said. And the second thing is, how is President Biden potentially compromised by these documents?

Referencing the two-tiered justice system and obtaining answers, Clyde asked, Is the Department of Justice going to execute a raid on the Penn Biden center to ensure that they got all the documents that are actually there? How do we know that? How do we know that all the documents were actually turned over?

Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers remarks at the U.S. Justice Department on Nov. 18, 2022 in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

We have one system of justice for every solitary person. We are all equal, whether youre President of the United States, or vice president of the United States, or Joe citizen. Thats the way our country works. And we must hold to that. And its Congresss responsibility to ensure that that happens, Clyde stated about the pending investigation into Bidens handling of classified documents.

Clyde pointed out that elected leaders were never supposed to have more power than the people they represent. He specified that the Founding Fathers set up a system of government that was supposed to be accountable and transparent to the people.

What the government does, has to be transparent to the people. They elect us, and we serve them, Clyde said of the House Oversights obligation to investigate Biden.

And thats why it is so critically important that what youre seeing here, you know, these classified documents found in the closet of Vice President Bidens office in the Penn Biden Center, which he used for three years.

Its so important to figure out what impact these documents had on President Biden, and then also let our country know, is the President now President Biden, is he potentially compromised?

The Unfolding Classified Document Debacle

On Jan. 10, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) released a statement via Twitter that his committee is launching a probe into Bidens alleged mishandling of classified documents.

The Committee is concerned that President Biden has compromised sources and methods with his own mishandling of classified documents. Under the Biden administration, the Department of Justice and NARA have made compliance with the Presidential Records Act a top priority, the statement reads.

Additionally, the statement points out that though the public, and Congress, are just now being made aware of the improper handling of classified material, NARA was aware of it before the 2022 midterm election.

For months, NARA failed to disclose to Committee Republicans or the American public that President Bidenafter serving as Vice Presidentstored highly classified documents in a closet at his personal office. NARA learned about these documents days before the 2022 midterm elections and did not alert the public that President Biden was potentially violating the law.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, during a hearing in Washington on July 27, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, NARA instigated a public and unprecedented FBI raid at Mar-a-Lagoformer President Trumps hometo retrieve presidential records. NARAs inconsistent treatment of recovering classified records held by former President Trump and President Biden raises questions about political bias at the agency, Comer wrote.

Since the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center, it has also been revealed that Biden allegedly stored classified documents at his residence in Wilmington, Richard Sauber, one of the presidents lawyers, admitted in a statement released by the White House.

During a search, lawyers found documents with classified markings stored in Bidens garage in Wilmington, as well as in an adjacent room.

On Jan. 10 in Mexico City, Biden said he was surprised to learn about the documents discovered at the Penn Biden Center.

On Jan. 11, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden and his team are cooperating fully with the [Justice Departments] review.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Signs Executive Order Banning CRT in Arkansas

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders talks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, on April 29, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order banning indoctrination and critical race theory (CRT) in the state after being sworn in as governor.

Schools must educate, not indoctrinate students and that the states education policies need to protect children and prepare them to enter the workforce, according to the executive order, obtained by the Daily Caller.

CRT controversially teaches that America is fundamentally racist, promotes skin color as a persons primary characteristic, and assigns moral fault to individualsusually white peoplesolely based on their skin color.

CRT has been a controversial ideology meeting resistance from parents and communities across America, who argue that it teaches a distorted definition of what racism has traditionally meant.

Sanders executive order, signed Jan. 10, declares CRT antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality, and fairness.

It is the policy of this administration that CRT, discrimination, and indoctrination have no place in Arkansas classrooms, the executive order reads.

Prohibited Indoctrination

The executive order directs Arkansas education secretary to ensure that prohibited indoctrination is not communicated to students by any public school employee, public school representative, or guest speaker.

CRT is considered prohibited indoctrination because it encourages students to adopt, affirm, and profess ideas that white people are inherently racist, in violation of the Civil Rights Act.

This prohibited indoctrination would include anything that teaches that people of one color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law are inherently superior or inferior to people of another color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law, the order states.

The order bans any requirement for school employees or students to attend any training sessions or orientations that on prohibited indoctrination or CRT.

Curriculum Transparency

In signing the executive order as one of her first acts as governor, Sanders has taken the stance that government education policies must empower parental rights and foster curriculum transparency across the state.

The order directs the secretary of the states education department to review the rules, policies, materials, and communications of the department to ensure they comply with Title IV and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act states.

Arkansas state constitution and the U.S. Constitution provide equal protection under the law, regardless of color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, and national origin.

Sanders executive order directs the states secretary of education to probe the department for any items that promote ideologies such as CRT that purposely encourage students to discriminate based on race and other protected attributes.

Any items that are found to indoctrinate students with ideologies like CRT, such as rules, regulations, policies, materials, or communications, must be changed or annulled, according to the order.

Sanders Signals Turning Point

Sanders took the oath of office in the lower chamber of the state Legislature ahead of a joint session and was formally inaugurated on the state Capitol steps on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking for roughly 15 minutes at her inauguration, Sanders said her ascension to the office marks a turning point in the history of Arkansas that would usher in a new era of good jobs, great schools, safer streets, and stronger families.

The people of Arkansas, in their vast wisdom, have entrusted a new generation to lead. This is our moment. This is our opportunity, she said.

Sanders, whose father Mike Huckabee was Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007, is the first woman to hold the governors office in Arkansas. Her election marks the first time a father and daughter have been elected to the role.

During her campaign, Sanders, who served for nearly two years as White House press secretary under former President Donald Trump, focused mainly on national issues. She regularly promised to use the office to fight the policies of President Joe Biden and the radical left.

She succeeded incumbent Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, who left office as he cannot seek re-election to a third term because he is term-limited. Hutchinson endorsed Sanderss bid, along with Trump.
Group Targeting Musks Twitter for Climate Misinformation Is Linked to Fusion GPS, Disinformation Campaign

Elon Musk speaks at the 2020 Satellite Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., on March 9, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A group behind a study finding an increase in climate change misinformation on Elon Musks Twitter also funded Fusion GPS, the private investigative firm behind the debunked Steele dossier, as well as another group reportedly connected to an election disinformation campaign.

Advance Democracy, a non-profit helmed by ex-Democratic staffer Daniel Jones, shared a study exclusively with USA Today Tuesday claiming that instances of posts referencing terms including climate fraud, climate hoax, and climate scam increased more than 300 percent in 2022. However, Advance Democracy has funded groups behind now-debunked claims involving the 2016 presidential election, as well as a group reportedly connected to a disinformation campaign in the 2017 Alabama special Senate election.

The non-profit in 2020 paid $140,000 to Bean LLC, the parent company of Fusion GPS, for research consulting services. Fusion GPS was hired by Perkins Coie, a Democrat-linked law firm retained by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee, to conduct opposition research on the Trump campaign between April 2016 and October 2016; Fusion GPS commissioned Christopher Steele to produce a now-discredited opposition research report on the Trump campaign, according to public tax filings.

Many of the Steele dossiers allegations have been subsequently debunked and proven false.

Advance Democracy has previously funded Fusions parent company to the tune of $6,051,251 as of 2020, according to the Washington Examiners review of earlier tax filings.

Additionally, Advance Democracy paid $540,000 to the research firm Yonder, according to public tax filings; Yonder was previously known as New Knowledge, the Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported. New Knowledge CEO Jonathon Morgan reportedly participated in a disinformation operation during the 2017 Alabama special Senate election between Doug Jones and Roy Moore, ostensibly to study how Russian disinformation campaigns during the 2016 election operated, according to The New York Times.

However, the campaign was intended to help Doug Jones, according to the NYT, and attempted to link Moore to thousands of fake Russian accounts.

We orchestrated an elaborate false flag operation that planted the idea that the Moore campaign was amplified on social media by a Russian botnet, an internal report read, according to the NYT.

New Knowledge was also reported to have been behind a report at the request of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that investigated Russian influence in the 2016 election, arguing Americans unease with censorship put the United States at a disadvantage with regards to foreign disinformation. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence then issued a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election which cited New Knowledges research extensively.

Advance Democracy has previously provided reports on online misinformation and disinformation to other news sites including Politico and The Washington Post, focusing on perceived election misinformation and alleged threats to democracy.

Advance Democracys study, which could not be found on their website, claimed that most tweets containing purported climate change misinformation were not labeled by Twitter. The group also claimed that climate change misinformation was proliferating on other social media platforms.

Advance Democracy found that in almost all cases that the proliferation of climate change denialist content increased in the past year, and in many cases, dramatically so, Jones told USA Today.

Advance Democracy did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Health Hazard Warnings Issued in NSW and South Australia as Mosquito Population Skyrockets

This close-up photograph shows a mosquito in Montlouis-sur-Loire, central France, on October 21, 2022. (Guillaume Souvant/AFP via Getty Images)

Health authorities in New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia have warned their residents to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes as flooding and summer weather conditions have caused dangerous mosquito-borne viruses to emerge in the two states.

On Jan. 11, NSW Health announced that the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus was detected in a mosquito in Menindee, a small town in the far west of the state.

The agency said the recent floods and rain in the area were most likely behind the emergence of the virus.

While the primary hosts of the MVE virus are waterbirds such as herons and egrets, it is not transmitted via touching an infected animal or eating animal products.

In addition, people cannot catch the virus from another person.

Health Protection NSW executive director Richard Broome said while many people do not display any symptoms after getting infected with the virus, some will develop a severe infection and even neurological problems in some rare cases.

Only a small proportion of people infected with the virus will experience symptoms, which include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and muscle aches, Broome said.

Among those who get a severe infection, some may die or have lifelong neurological complications.

Currently, there are no vaccines or effective treatments for MEV. Therefore, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites.

Avoiding mosquito bites will also protect against other mosquito-borne infections, including Japanese encephalitis, Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest virus, Broome said.

The last time that infected cases in humans were identified in NSW was in 2011.

Mosquito Boom in South Australia

Meanwhile, South Australia Health has issued a warning for the state residents after finding the number of mosquitoes carrying the Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus in the state surging by five times.

Both viruses can cause a similar range of symptoms in humans, including fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pains, stiffness or swelling, and rashes.

These symptoms appear seven to ten days after the infected get bitten by mosquitoes and will normally fade off after a few weeks. However, some people may suffer joint pain and severe tiredness for many months.

At the same time, the health authority discovered high to extreme numbers of a mosquito species carrying several dangerous viruses, such as Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis and West Nile Virus, in the Mallee region, west of Adelaide.

The Japanese encephalitis virus cannot be transmitted from infected animals to humans, between humans and humans, or via eating meat from infected animals.

While the virus normally does not cause any symptoms after infection, some people may develop brain inflammation, which can cause permanent damage to the nervous system or even death in some rare cases.

At present, there are vaccines for Japanese encephalitis. However, no vaccinations nor cures are available for the Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.

Flooding at Scotts Creek, in South Australia, on Dec. 30, 2022. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

South Australian Chief Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said this summer was potentially the worst season in the state with all the mosquito-borne viruses detected.

Weve got all the elements combining  with the water, the flooding, cold spring, wet spring and now a hot summer. We are seeing the mosquito population really booming, she said.

In the face of the mosquito boom, the chief health officer called on people to take measures to avoid getting bitten.

How to Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes

According to NSW Health, people can avoid mosquito bites by doing the following things:
Despite the lack of evidence of the safety of antipsychotics in children, who are smaller in size and still rapidly developing, the number of prescriptions to English youth has doubled between 2000 to 2019, a study suggests.

The researchers from the University of Manchester examined over seven million children and adolescents aged three to 18.

They discovered that youth prescriptions of antipsychoticsdrugs used to treat major mental illnesses, such as autism, schizophrenia, and ADHDincreased from 0.06 percent to 0.11 in the past two decades.

While the percentage is small, co-author and senior research fellow at the University of Manchester Matthias Pierce said that the higher prevalence of these disorders, as well as a growing trend to prescribe antipsychotics by clinicians, is concerning.

However, [it] will help clinicians to evaluate the prescribing of antipsychotics to children more fully and will encourage them to consider better access to alternatives, Pierce said.

Antipsychotics have been associated with long-term side effects, including sexual dysfunction, infertility, and weight gain leading to diabetes.

The team examined 7.2 million children and adolescents from general practices in England. (Dana.S/Shutterstock)

Most Prescribed Antipsychotic Drugs

For mental illnesses apart from depression and eating disorders, the researchers discovered that risperidone was the most prescribed drug, accounting for over 70 percent of prescriptions.

We report 20 times more risperidone prescriptions than previously observed, the authors wrote.

The most prescribed drug for depression was quetiapine, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and associated with the side effects of high blood pressure, vomiting, and fatigue.

The most prescribed medication for eating disorders was olanzapine, with the principal side effect being weight gain, with young males appearing to be at a heightened risk.

A similar study involving a 12-week examination of the use of antipsychotic drugs in children revealed that at the conclusion of the study, all children displayed behavioural change. However, all participants also showed significant adverse effects.

Before agreeing to start their child on antipsychotics to manage aggressive behaviour, parents should ask about alternative treatments, according to Mark Olfson, a research psychiatrist at Columbia University in New York.

He said these might include anger management, counselling for parents on how to address aggression, and other psychosocial options.

The study was published on Jan. 10 in the Lancet Psychiatry.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an unprecedented number of emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for drugs, tests, and medical devices since the beginning of the pandemic.

Between March 2020 and June 2021, more than 600 EUAs were authorized, according to Fortune.

This has caused concern among health care professionals, with some studies claiming that overreaction by regulators may have led to a decline in industry standards (1, 2).

As clarified in the journal Yale Medicine, An EUA can only be granted when no adequate, approved, available alternatives exist, and when the known and potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. A EUA also only lasts as long as the public health emergency for which it was declared.

Prior to 2020, the public health emergency that allowed the highest number of EUAs was the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, with 22 EUAs overall for personal protective equipment (PPE), antivirals, and diagnostic tests. The only emergency-authorized vaccine prior to the 2020 pandemic was the anthrax vaccine.

Given the drastic increase in EUAs, experts worry that this time, the FDA has gone too far.

The Normalization of EUA Drugs and Lack of Informed Consent

Cardiologist Dr. Jack Askins has pointed out that the unprecedented onslaught of emergency authorizations in drugs, vaccinations, medical devices, COVID tests, and PPE has normalized EUA drugs and products as being fully FDA-approved rather than being investigational.

Prof. Linda Wastila from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, whose expertise is in pharmacotherapy and drug policy, told The Epoch Times that the torrent of 600 EUAs makes it very difficult for health care professionals to remain informed of the approval statuses of new drugs.

For example, Askins previously told The Epoch Times that he noticed some of his colleagues who prescribe Paxlovid lacked adequate awareness of the many interactions and contraindications Paxlovid has with other drugs.

Paxlovid can interact with 43 different drug classes and over 550 active drug ingredients.

Even before the pandemic, it was hard for clinicians and pharmacists to keep up, given that around 40 novel therapeutics are approved by the FDA yearly, not counting generic drugs.

Wastila said that compared to traditional FDA-approved products, there has been less informed consent with the EUA products during the pandemic.

Informed consent is defined as the process in which a health care provider educates a patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention, and patients must make their own voluntary decision.

Informed consent is especially important with EUA products as they are investigational products. Articles on EUAs have compared taking these products to participating in experimental trials (1, 2).

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Part of informed consent is letting patients know that what they are taking is experimental and that they have the right to refuse.

But Askins highlighted that very few patients were provided informed consent when they took EUA products such as the vaccine.

He said that three patients, each of whom received the bivalent booster as a fourth shot, were admitted to his clinic. He asked all three if they were given information on the potential risks and the emerging data on concerns and problems with it.

All three said no, he said, I do not think they understand emergency use authorization versus full FDA approval.

It also should be noted that EUAs do not come with long-term safety data.

While drugs fully approved by the FDA come with a densely written package insert on side effects and drug mechanisms, for many EUA products, such as the COVID-19 vaccines, these sections are left blank.

A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson said this was intentional, leaving it to consumers to search online for the most up-to-date information on safety and effectiveness as the data is published.

However, Wastila sees this lack of information as potentially dangerous.

To me at least, [it] conveys the fact that they dont really know whether a product is safe and effective when its an EUA product.

The Erosion of Drug Safety Standards

Dr. David Bell, formerly a medical officer with the World Health Organization, said that the overuse of EUAs during the pandemic has lowered drug safety standards put in place to protect patients.

EUA products are very different from FDA-approved drugs. However, public health agencies encouragement to use EUAs has blurred the separation between EUAs and FDA-approved drugs.

Wastila fears that EUA is replacing FDA approval as the norm.

[EUAs] have lost all meaning, said board-certified internist and nephrologist Dr. Richard Amerling. People dont hear emergency use; they only hear authorized.

Askins argued that there has been intentional public messaging from the FDA to make EUA appear just as safe and equivalent to a fully tested and licensed product.

In August 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine under the label of Comirnaty.

Having an FDA-approved vaccine should have nullified the EUA for other COVID-19 vaccines, or at the very least, the Pfizer EUA vaccine.

Yet, the Pfizer EUA vaccine remains on the U.S. market. The FDA also wrote that for the Pfizer vaccine, doses distributed under the EUA are interchangeable with the licensed doses.

COVID-19 vaccine vials marked Comirnaty in Berlin, Germany, in a file image. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images)

An order issued in November 2021 by Judge Allen Windsor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida rejected this claim, stating that while the two versions may be medically interchangeable, they are not legally interchangeable.

Judge Windsors order also mentioned that FDA officials could not prove that Comirnaty vaccines even exist in the United States.

Nevertheless, the full FDA approval of Comirnaty has led many health providers to assume that the Pfizer injections being administered are the licensed versions.

Wastila recounted an experience at her former local pharmacy.

She was picking up some antibiotics and, while chatting with the pharmacist, she asked about the uptake of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

[The pharmacist] goes, Oh, theyre great. Everyones so happy that theyre FDA approved, Wastila recounted. Thats literally a quote from the pharmacists mouth.

I said, Theyre not FDA approved, though. She goes, Oh, Pfizer is.

So Wastila asked to see an unopened package of the vaccine, and the pharmacist showed the doctor a vial.

The pharmacist presented an EUA vaccine; it did not have the Comirnaty label, which would be printed according to labeling requirements.

Wastila told the pharmacist that the pharmacy was still using the EUA vaccines.

[The pharmacist] was just like kind of amazed, said Wastila, But theres no informed consent if even your dispensers arent aware that it is EUA or FDA approved.

More Emergency Declarations and EUAs Likely To Come

Health experts argue that COVID-19 pandemic management has already lowered the standards for future emergency declarations and EUAs.

Dr. Robert Malone, biochemist and one of the inventors of the mRNA drug platform, said that monkeypox, which was declared a public health emergency in August 2022 with no deaths in the U.S. at the time, is a good example of this reduced standard.

Given that the disease almost exclusively affects men who have sex with men, a specific population demographic, and has led to 20 deaths in the United States thus far, Bell and Wastila both said that it was ludicrous that it was deemed a public health emergency.

Now the cats out the bag, [public health emergency declarations] can be used really easily now because there are precedents [such as] COVID-19 and monkeypox that were not very severe, Bell said.

The smallpox vaccine, commercially labeled as JYNNEOS, was also rapidly given EUA approval in a matter of days.

The FDA wrote that it was inferred that a smallpox vaccine would be effective against monkeypox, given that both viruses are from the same family.

However, according to a statement made by the CDC on Oct. 19, 2022, there was no data on the effectiveness of JYNNEOS or ACAM2000, an alternative to JYNNEOS, for monkeypox.

A sign announcing monkeypox vaccination is set up in Tropical Park by Miami-Dade County and Nomi Health in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 15, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The vaccine also has cardiological side effects. Pooled data across 22 studies showed that of the more than 7,800 people vaccinated, six developed cardiac-related adverse events that were determined to be causally related to vaccination.

Concerns have been raised about the respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, in children. Though the virus has not been declared a national public health emergency, declarations have been made in Oregon and Colorado, and some health experts have urged a national declaration.

Weve had RSV and the flu every year, and all of a sudden, its become a big issue again, and its because were afraid of every viral infection, [were] normalizing being fearful of every contagion, said Wastila.

Loss of Trust in Public Health

As a pharmacotherapy professor who is in contact with pharmacists and staff working with the FDA, Wastila confessed that the pandemic has been a rude awakening for her.

Physicians, dispensers, and pharmacists just blindly follow the safety and effectiveness of a product just because it has the FDA seal of approval, even if that approval is an EUA.

Though financial backdoor dealings have been suspected and discussed for decades, Malone argues that the pandemic has brought corruption to the surface.

Financially, 65 percent of the FDAs budget comes from pharmaceutical companies, with a large proportion of this money coming through sponsorship for drug approval applications.

Comparing major drug regulators on conflicts of interest, according to data by Maryanne Demasi (The Epoch Times)

The 1992 Prescription Drug User Fee Act, also known as the PDUFA, requires pharmaceutical companies to pay the FDA for drug approvals.

Wastila said that after speaking to colleagues and students who work in the FDA, she senses that the PDUFA may have established a culture of entitlement from the drug companies to have their drugs approved and marketed.

The sponsors feel like, hey, weve paid for this, she said, Its like a pay-for-play situation.

Many members of drug evaluation boards also receive financial payments from drug companies.

When evaluating a drug, there needs to be zero conflict of interest, said Amerling. Declaring that you have a financial conflict of interest doesnt make it go away.

Bell said that the low uptake of vaccines in children under five years of age is a sign that people no longer trust public health agencies.

They [The FDA] were unable to produce any solid data showing that theres an all-cause benefit to those children, said Bell.

For health care professionals and members of the public who once trusted the FDA, some feel that they no longer have a place to go for advice on treatments.

Amerling said this would force clinicians to be very conservative with their treatment.

As the Chief Academic Officer at The Wellness Company, Amerling educates doctors to prescribe only medications with a safety record of at least several years.

Dont be that person to jump on the bandwagon with a new product, he said, Post-marketing experience can reveal unanticipated adverse events, and youre not going to see them even with the initial studies, even if theyre well done.

When medium and long-term risk is unknown, its best to err on the side of caution, especially if benefits are small.

Wastila added that there has been a considerable information gap on drug safety since the pandemic, with little scrutiny from drug regulators.

A graph showing age against absolute number of syncope (fainting) reports filed to VAERS according to doses 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccines. (Jessica Rose)

The Pfizer bivalent boosters, for example, were approved after being tested in eight mice.

Though the FDA asked for post-market studies on myocarditis and pericarditis as part of Pfizers vaccine approval (pdf), Pfizer announced trials to look into these events in September 2022, almost two years after the vaccines entered the market. Moderna launched two trials in November 2022.

Wastila said that there is a huge necessity for an independent drug regulator that is not affiliated financially or professionally with the government, academic institutions, and, most importantly, the drug industry to provide unbiased opinions on drug safety.

Safetys always been the stepchild of the safe and effective mantra, she observed.
KAMPALA, UgandaUgandas latest outbreak of the Ebola virus is over, the government and the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

Health Minister Ruth Aceng told journalists that no new cases had been registered in the past 42 days.

This outbreak was the first in a decade of the less common Sudan strain which, unlike the Zaire strain that has caused outbreaks in neighboring Congo in recent years, has no proven vaccine or therapeutics.

Uganda had recorded 142 cases including 56 deaths since the outbreak was announced in September. Ebola, which can sometimes manifest as a hemorrhagic fever, spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials.

This was Ugandas fifth outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola, the WHO said.

A medical worker disinfects a tent used for suspected Ebola victims inside the Ebola isolation center of Madudu Health Center III, in the village of Madudu, in the Mubende district of Uganda on Nov. 1, 2022. (Hajarah Nalwadda/AP Photo)
Highly Trained and Violent Provocateurs in Crowds on Jan. 6, US Capitol Police Captain Testifies

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

Provocateurs infiltrated the crowd that marched to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) official testified during a criminal trial in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. on Jan. 11.

Isnt it true that you had a lot of people, a large quantity of people walking down two streets that dead-ended at the Capitol? Bradford Geyer, one of the lawyers representing defendant Richard Barnett, asked Capt. Carneysha Mendoza, the official.

Yes, sir, she said.

Okay. And would it be fair to say that at least at some of the leading edges of that crowd, they contained bad people or provocateurs; is that fair? Geyer asked.

Its fair, Mendoza said.

She agreed with Geyer that the people were dangerous, violent, and highly trained.

Highly trained, violent people who work and coordinate together? Geyer asked.

Yes, Mendoza said.

Highly trained violent people who work and coordinate to remove barriers, overwhelm police, and attack police? Geyer asked.

Are you talking about did they do that during the event? Mendoza wondered.

Yes, Geyer said.

They did, Mendoza said.

Richard Barnett, a supporter of then-U.S. President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Jan. 6, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

The 20-year veteran of the USCP, who oversees approximately 300 full-time officers, said that intelligence came in before Jan. 6 that indicated certain groups were planning to attend the demonstrations to agitate the crowds.

Affirmative; thats correct, Mendoza said.

Thats typical for any protest that we do. Ive been doing protests for 20 years, and thats typical of any protest. Theres usually a group and a counter-group or a group and several counter-groups. So thats typical, yes, she added.

Barnett, of Gravette, Arkansas, was photographed with his foot on a desk in the office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

He is on trial on three charges stemming from the U.S. Capitol breach, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds while armed with a dangerous weapon, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and theft of public money, property, or records. Barnett pleaded not guilty and in 2022 rejected a plea offer from prosecutors.

The USCP intelligence division has been roundly criticized since Jan. 6 for failure to disseminate its late-breaking threat analyses beyond the top echelon of commanders.

A December 2022 report created by Republican members of the U.S. House (pdf) said the Capitol Police Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division (IICD) should have anticipated better.

Prior to that day, the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) had obtained sufficient information from an array of channels to anticipate and prepare for the violence that occurred, read the report, developed by Republican Reps. Jim Banks of Indiana, Rodney Davis of Illinois, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, and Troy Nehls of Texas.

However, officers on the front lines and analysts in USCPs intelligence division were undermined by the misplaced priorities of their leadership, the report said. Intelligence was under the purview of then-Assistant Chief Yogananda Pittman and administered by Julie Farnam.

Richard Barnett (C) arrives at federal district court with his attorneys Joseph McBride (L) and Bradford Geyer for jury selection in his trial in Washington on Jan. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Perimeter Impacted

Key portions of the Capitol complex were cordoned off with bike racks linked together and snow fencing, with people being warned that the area behind the barriers was restricted. A map shown during the trial showed a red line around the area, indicating the perimeter.

Mendoza said she walked around the perimeter the night before the Capitol was breached.

Defense lawyers played footage and showed images while Mendoza was on the stand that featured multiple people tearing down the fencing and signs. Mendoza agreed that video footage showed people breaking up the perimeter USCP had established.

Some of the integrity of the perimeter was changed, during the day of the breach, Mendoza said on the stand.

Mendoza was scheduled to return to work after a late night in the 3 p.m. hour but received a call at about 1:30 p.m. from a colleague, who asked where Mendozas team was situated. Mendoza commands the forces civil disturbance unit. The peer told Mendoza that she might want to come in early, prompting the official to jump in her car and head to work.

Mendoza did not know the Capitol was breached until she reached the building. She was let inside a little-known door and pushed her way to a line of officers, but they were soon overrun. The officers dispersed to other points and tried to prevent the rioters from getting past them. They also worked to expel rioters from the building using what was described as less lethal force, or techniques that wouldnt kill.

Officers, assisted by federal and local law enforcement, eventually succeeded and Congress was able to reconvene and certify the electoral vote from the 2020 election.

So in your experience on that day and based upon what you learned from your colleagues earlier in the day, were there people there who pushed through barriers, removed barriers, threw barriers over the side, removed fencing, and eased the flow of people into places where they shouldnt be? Geyer asked at one point.

Yes, Mendoza replied.
House GOPs Priorities Should be Biden Family, Weaponization of Government, Border Crisis: Heritage Oversight Project Head

An American flag flies at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol, (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

For the first time in four years, the Republican Party holds control of the House of Representatives, and with it, the crucial ability to conduct oversight of other branches of the federal government.

But while Republicans undoubtedly have a laundry list of topics they would like to delve into, Mike Howell, director of the Oversight Project at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has highlighted what he considers are three oversight and accountability priorities for the chamber going forward.

So, the Biden familys corruption is huge, Howell noted in a Jan. 9 interview with The Epoch Times.

[Republicans have] already indicated that to be their priority, and it is a completely legitimate role for Congress to engage in this, he added.

In November, House Republicans announced plans to investigate the president for his potential connections to his family members foreign business dealings.

The Bidens alleged corruption, Howell stressed, creates not only ethics and transparency concerns but also raises the question of whether we had a free and fair election or if the FBI, DOJ, and others in Big Tech meddled in it.

Noting that he believes such meddling did occur, he added, That absolutely needs to be a priority because were coming up on another presidential election in two years, and we cannot have meddling in it again.

On Wednesday, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced new actions in the committees inquiry into the Biden familys business dealings, including requesting so-called suspicious activity reports and other financial records linked to the family from the Treasury Department.

Additionally, Comer called on three former Twitter executivesformer Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, former Deputy General Counsel James Baker, and former Global Head of Trust and Safety Yoel Rothto appear at a public hearing the week of Feb. 6.

For the past two years, the Biden administration and Big Tech worked overtime to hide information about the Biden familys suspicious business schemes and Joe Bidens involvement, Comer said in a statement. Now that Democrats no longer have one-party rule in Washington, oversight and accountability are coming.

Law Enforcement

In recent months, the release of internal documents and communications between Twitter employees and government officials at the FBI have raised alarm, given that many of those communications surrounded the suppression of election-related speech and information.

For instance, it is now known that when the New York Post released its bombshell report about Hunter Bidens business dealings just weeks before the 2020 presidential election, FBI employees used their influence to discredit the information and limit its spread across social media.

According to Howell, such overreach on the part of law enforcement should also be a top investigative priority for the House, and with the House Judiciary Committees newly created select subcommittee to investigate the weaponization of the federal government, House leadership would appear to agree.

The 1975 Senate Church Committee that investigated abuses by U.S. intelligence agencies has been cited as a model for the new subcommittee, which would have the authority to review ongoing criminal investigations and the ways in which executive branch agencies collect and use information about American citizens and the entities they work with in the process.

Bidens shown that he will literally use the federal government and intelligence powers to go after conservatives, Howell asserted. He will weaponize the Department of Justice to do things that go after parents while Supreme Court justices homes are terrorized and pregnancy crisis centers are firebombed. So, this Church Committee needs to make sure thats not happening moving forward.

Border Crisis

The third crucial oversight matter Howell identified was the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico bordera situation he holds to be the result of deliberate malfeasance on the part of President Joe Biden.

Biden purposely opened the border, he contended. He did this full well knowing what would happen if you were to do that.  It was all done to create a crisis to hold hostage for an amnesty trade, and we cannot have our national security working against the American people in such a way.

While illegal immigration is an issue that has plagued the nation for decades, the Biden administrations handling of the issue has thus far been characterized by record-breaking encounters and arrests at the southern border and legal skirmishes over whether to terminate the Trump-era Title 42 policy that facilitated the rapid deportation of migrants traveling from countries with high infection rates of COVID-19.

Last week, the president announced new steps his administration will be taking to secure the border, including the expansion of a parole program that was previously restricted to Venezuelans to include noncitizens from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Under the program, eligible applicants can seek legal status for two years if they enter the country legally, find a sponsor, and pass a background check.

Another measure the administration announced is the new ability of those intending to apply for asylum to schedule an appointment at a port of entry to start their claim. While the majority of such claims are ultimately rejected, the lengthy legal process often takes years for claims to be adjudicated, and those rejected are not always deported.

On Sunday, Biden took his first tour of the border since becoming president, spending several hours in El Paso, Texas, to assess the situation and resources needed.

According to Howell, however, the visit was merely a photo op designed to help Biden portray himself as a moderate heading into the upcoming presidential election.

What hes doing now is hes going down to the border, he announced his new plans, which are just the industrial scale importation of illegal aliens into the U.S., and then hes going to say, I cant do anything to solve this crisis unless the Republicans give me amnesty.

As for how the House should address the matter, Howell said Republicans first move should be to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whom Republicans have accused of breaking immigration law.

On Jan. 9, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) introduced articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in the House, holding that Mayorkas failed to execute the Secure Fence Act of 2006 by not maintaining operational control of the southern border, and that he willfully provided perjurious, false, and misleading testimony to Congress while testifying before Congress on Nov. 15 and April 26 of last year.

In a statement provided to ABC News, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Marsha Espinosa pushed back against those claims.

Secretary Mayorkas is proud to advance the noble mission of this Department, support its extraordinary workforce, and serve the American people, Espinosa said. The Department will continue our work to enforce our laws and secure our border, while building a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. Members of Congress can do better than point the finger at someone else; they should come to the table and work on solutions for our broken system and outdated laws, which they have not updated in over 40 years.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House and Department of Justice for comment.
In this episode of Counterculture, Danielle discusses the recent Twitter Files drop, which reveals just how deep the swamp really is. Our governments involvement in censorship goes beyond what many imagined. Danielle interviews Roma Daravi about this problem and how this will play out down the road.
Proper behavior at home or the workplace

When renting a home, apartment, office, or shop, its important to get along with the other tenants, and especially with the landlord.

Neatness Counts

Show consideration to the landlord and other tenants by keeping the area in front of and around your area clean, including parking areas. Clean up after pets, especially if they stray over to a neighbors area to leave an unwelcome gift, and anywhere else where it could be a nuisance. Be careful taking the trash out; make sure it all goes into the dumpster without spilling out, and close the lid afterward to contain odors within.

Be Upfront

At some point, things break, so let the landlord or property manager know as soon as possible. If it was your fault, offer to pay for required repairs or replacement; if it simply wore out and the condition was documented when you moved in, you shouldnt be liable for replacement. If you realize there will be a problem making a rent payment on time, discuss it with the landlord or property manager as soon as possible rather than surprising them.

Use Your Charm

Theres nothing to be gained except a bad reputation by nitpicking every tiny issue, or being antagonistic toward other tenants, even if theyre at fault. If you need a repair or situation addressed, send a polite, respectful email to the management team, with a follow-up call to make sure it was received, and allow for a few days to see the result. If an automatic renewal isnt provided for in the lease documents, landlords may be inclined to replace high-maintenance, frequently complaining tenants.

Read the Fine Print

If the lease says no pets, dont assume that your cute ferret or well-behaved toy poodle will be the exception. This also applies to adhering to policies regarding assigned parking spaces, the use of storage areas, guest policies, and rules about hosting large gatherings. The Quiet Enjoyment clause of the lease agreement means you can be held responsible for violating noise ordinances or other behavior that irritates or offends the other tenants. You are also responsible for your belongings, so consider obtaining renters insurance.

Act Like an Owner

Taking pride in your home or office is a great way to make your stay pleasant. Keep in mind that this doesnt mean making changes to the exterior without prior approval from the actual owner. Instead, consider making yourself at home by adding personal touches such as a festive doormat. Inside, hang art, using methods that can be readily reversed when you move out. If you see discarded minor trash such as a soda can, take it to the refuse area.
In-N-Out Expands to Tennessee

Southern Californias famous restaurant chain In-N-Out Burger announced Jan. 10 it will open stores in Tennessee. Plans for a corporate office in the City of Franklinjust south of Nashvilleare also underway.

In-N-Out will open up its first restaurants in the eastern state in 2026, according to the company.

We are very excited to provide Tennesseans with our quality burgers, fries and shakes, Lynsi Snyder, the companys president, said in a Jan. 10 statement.

The company plans to invest $125.5 million in the move and create more than 275 new jobs in Williamson County, Tennessee, according to the states Department of Economic and Community Development.

The proposed corporate office will occupy a 100,000-square-foot office off Interstate 65 in Franklin, with human resources, internet and technology, and operations management employees occupying the space.

Gov. Bill Lee thanked the burger chain for bringing business into the state.

Tennessees unmatched business climate, skilled workforce, and central location make our state the ideal place for this family-run company to establish its first eastern United States hub, he said in a statement Wednesday. We thank In-N-Out for planting roots in Williamson County and creating new jobs for Tennesseans.

Franklin Mayor Ken Moore Lee also supported the burger chains arrival.

We are proud to add In-N-Out Burger to the ever-growing list of world-class companies that have decided to establish operations within the City of Franklin, he said in a statement.

The chain was established in Baldwin Park, California, in 1943 and is now reportedly worth $3 billion with stores also in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Oregon.
Investigation Continues into Massive Chemical Plant Fire in Illinois

Firefighters tackle a large blaze at the Carus Chemical Plant in LaSalle, Ill., on Jan. 11, 2023. (ABC Affiliate WLS via Reuters)

A massive fire that erupted Wednesday morning at a chemical plant in La Salle, Ill., has been contained, and no injuries have been reported.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at approximately 9 a.m. at the Carus Chemical plant, La Salle Fire Chief Jerry Janick said during a press conference at about 2:30 p.m. La Salle is about 90 miles southwest of Chicago.

Responders arrived to a well-involved structure fire and initiated MABAS alarms for additional help, the city of La Salle wrote in a press release shared on social media.

Carus manufactures potassium permanganate used to treat drinking water and wastewater. It also produces other chemicals, including phosphates and polymers, according to its website.

All employees were evacuated from the plant, and all of them were accounted for, Janick said during the press conference.

The blaze caused significant damage to the building.

Videos shared by local news outlets showed large plumes of smoke coming from the plant. Some residents reported hearing explosions, but Janick said he could not confirm, and the cause of the fire was not yet determined.

The city implemented a shelter-in-place order for the areas north and west of the plant as a precaution due to a large amount of smoke in the area, Janick added.

And right now, were still bringing in additional equipment to assist in the final extinguishment and investigation, he said.

Giant Plume

Veronica Borzumato, who lives a few blocks away from the plant, told WBBM News that she was in her bedroom around 9 a.m. and heard what sounded like a dozen dump trucks rolling through.

She said she looked outside and saw a giant plume of yellowish, greenish, bluish-pink smoke.

It was like nothing Ive ever seen before, Borzumato added.

La Salle Police said an oxidizer was released as a result of the fire. People are instructed not to touch the substance and provided instructions for deactivating it.

In order to deactivate it, you will need 1:1:1 mixture of: 1 gallon of water, 1 gallon of peroxide, 1 gallon of vinegar, police said, according to ABC7 News.

The fire started in the plants shipping department, a Carus official said in a statement.

We are thankful everyone is safe, and we are also grateful to the LaSalle Fire Department and crews from the surrounding area who responded to address this situation to keep the area safe, Carus Vice President of Operations Allen Gibbs said in a press release.

Carus priority is to protect the health and safety of the employees, emergency personnel who are responding to this fire and the nearby community, he added.

Janick said officials are continuing their investigation and addressing environmental concerns.
Irvine City Council Favors Expansion, Districting

The Irvine City Council voted 41 on Jan. 10 to consider expanding the council from four to six members and dividing representation into districts.

Currently, councilors are elected at largeby all eligible city votersand represent the whole city.

Switching to districts would mean candidates would be elected by only those who live in their district. The elected mayoral seat would not be impacted.

Its just so hard to reach out to the entire city and make connections with the voters, Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder said during the meeting. If we have districts, itll make it more accessible to more people to be able to run.

Vice Mayor Tammy Kim, who cast the sole dissenting vote, told The Epoch Times she supports expanding the council but doesnt see the necessity of switching to districts in Irvine.

Under the California Voting Rights Act, district voting is intended to provide fairer representation to minority communities. In cities like Santa Ana, districting allowed for the first-ever Vietnamese councilor to be elected, Kim said.

The problem is Irvine is a newer city, she said. Were one of the most thoroughly integrated and diverse cities in the United States.

She said Irvine doesnt fit the purpose for districting per state law, as districting would end up violating the California Voting Rights Act by cracking communities, she said.

Kim said districting also could also lead to less representation for residents, as councilors may then only be interested in their own districts problems rather than those in Irvine proper.

If we were divided into districts, then the only care and concern that any council member will have is that particular district, she said.

But Councilman Larry Agran, who has advocated for district elections at prior meetings, told The Epoch Times such a change would not affect representatives interest in other districts issues.

Because youre elected from one part of town  doesnt mean were uninterested or unapproachable with regard to other issues in town, he said. Im interested in everything that goes on in the city.

Agran said he believes switching to districts is necessary because of Irvines large population, noting it would allow councilors to focus on hyper-local issues.

They provide for a better form of representation, he said. It permits councilors to simply have a better understanding of the local problems and opportunities in [their] area of town.

For Irvine to shift to districting, the city would require an amendment to its charter, as well as an ordinance, public outreach, and hearings.

The amendments would require voter approval, with the next available dates not until the next statewide primary or general election in 2024.

City staff will report back to the city council at a later date with more information on district elections and council expansion.
Israels Accelerating Democracy

Following the greatest repudiation of the left in Israeli history, right-wing lawmakers are aggressively honoring their election promises

Commentary

With the formation of Israels new government last month, an amalgam of Benjamin Netanyahus conservative Likud Party and six small religious parties, many fear that the country will become less democratic, even theocratic.

Those fears are misplaced, despite Israels proportional representation electoral system, which gives the small parties outsized leverage in determining policies affecting the entire population. The new government is not only unambiguously non-woke and more nationalistic than the previous left-of-center government, but its proposed policies also tend more to free markets, more to classical liberalism, and more to democracy than those of any previous Israeli government.

The continuation of free-market policies is nothing new in Israel, despite its past membership in the Socialist Internationale. Netanyahu began his dismantling of the managerial states stranglehold over Israels economy in the 1990s, giving rise to entrepreneurship and the countrys reputation as the Start-up Nation.

But now the free-market reforms are also being initiated by the religious parties, rather than just the secular Likud. I will pursue a broad free-market policy, Bezalel Smotrich, the Religious Zionism party chairman, wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the eve of his appointment as Israels new finance minister. This includes removing the government price controls and import restrictions that have limited competition and kept consumer prices high, as well as regulatory reforms and a loosening of bureaucratic control over small businesses. Inspired by U.S. right-to-work laws, we will pursue similar measures to reduce union control in Israels labor force.

Smotrichs first act as finance minister was to abolish a punitive tax on disposables, which the previous left-leaning government imposed on climate change and other environmental rationales. Other ministers announced that Israel would be shutting down its public broadcasting news channel and completing plans to privatize its post office.

While the religious parties share Netanyahus desire for a free market, they outdo him in making a priority of democratic reforms and the rule of law. Nowhere is this clearer than in the religious parties insistence on reform of Israels Supreme Court. Unlike the procedure in western countries where the governments of the day decide who will sit on their supreme courts, in Israel the Supreme Court has perpetuated itself and its leftist bent through a process that dismisses the preferences of elected leaders. The court has given itself a veto over the appointment of any new members whose ideology, legal philosophy, or judicial temperament offends it, leading to an autocratic, activist judiciary operating in an echo chamber that has arbitrarily overruled laws on a legal justification it invented called reasonableness.

Netanyahu backs curbing the courts aberrant powers, saying The truth is that the balance between the branches of government has been violated over the past two decades. This unusual phenomenon does not exist anywhere else in the worldnot in the United States, not in Western Europe, and not during Israels first 50 years of existence.

Religious parties are also determined to allow freedom of religion throughout Israel, including at the Temple Mount, consistent with references to the Temple in the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament, which say my house will be a house of prayer for all nations. Unlike the practice in western democracies, which forbid discrimination on the basis of religion, in Israel the police bar Jews and Christians, but not Muslims, from praying on the Temple Mount, the holiest site for Jews, the hallowed ground where Christ confronted the money changers, and the third holiest site for Muslims. Under the new governments proposals, Muslims, Christians, and Jews will all be free to worship where and how they choose.

These reforms and others have led to condemnations around the world. The United Nations Security Council was called into session to condemn an Israeli minister who visited the Temple Mount, in sync with the United States and European countries that declared their opposition to any reforms that would give Jews equal access to the Temple Mount.

The most extreme condemnations have come from the Israeli left. Now that the Israeli government is fulfilling the promises that led to its election victorythe greatest repudiation of the left by the electorate in historya retired Supreme Court President claimed the reforms were suffocating Israeli democracy, likening them to a revolution of tanks. The chairman of the Israeli Bar Association claimed that the State of Israel is on the fast track to becoming a dictatorship. The outgoing prime minister fumed that This isnt judicial reform, this is extreme regime change, this is canceling the Declaration of Independence, this is cutting Israel off from the family of liberal countries. Rallies organized by the left waved banners charging the new government with having orchestrated a coup detat.

If the new government has orchestrated a coup, it has been directed against those who managed for decades to usurp power that Israels founders never intended, and whose sense of entitlement to power knows no bounds. The coup certainly wasnt directed against the citizenry who expressed their will at the ballot box.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Justice System a Revolving Door: Former Police Officers Say Canada Fails to Deter Violent Repeat Offenders

OPP officers escort Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala's casket prior to his funeral in Barrie, ON. on Jan. 4, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

Canadas legal system is failing to keep violent repeat offenders in jail due to lax bail policies, say retired law enforcement officers who spoke to The Epoch Times, while some criminologists say that without solving the root causes of violence, stricter bail control may not be enough. Calls for bail reform from some police chiefs and politicians have followed the recent murder of Ontario rookie police constable Grzegorz Pierzchala on Dec. 27, 2022. Pierzchala was allegedly shot by a 25-year-old suspect on bail for previous charges of assaulting a police officer and possessing an illegal handgun after a court-ordered weapons ban.

Ontario Provincial Police Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala is shown in this undated handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO, OPP)

Former police officer Larry Comeau, who retired from the RCMP after 37 years of service, told The Epoch Times its tragic that it took the murder of a young officer to shine a light on Canadas revolving door justice system.

He says there are too many social activist judges that are not handing out tough sentences that serve both as a deterrence and protect citizens.

The justice system seems to have changed its focus to getting an accused person back out on the street in record time, Comeau added.

Rob Stocki served as an Ottawa police officer from 1997 to 2009 and retired at the rank of sergeant. He says that in Canada, you are innocent until proven guilty, but the rights of those charged and not yet convicted must be balanced with the rights of citizens to be protected from dangerous criminal behaviour.

Crimes that involve violence, firearms, or drugs, should require an accused to be held pending trial, Stocki told The Epoch Times, adding that bail hearings should put the onus on the accused to demonstrate why they should be released.

He said he saw instances where judges decided whether to grant bail based on how crowded the prisons were at the time. Stocki says in appropriate cases, suspects awaiting trial could be confined to their homes with a monitoring device, and jailed only if they break their release terms.

Stocki says the government has it backward when it comes to addressing crime, particularly when it comes to recent federal gun legislation targeting legally obtained guns instead of criminal activity.

The federal government is attacking law-abiding gun owners who do not reflect a crime category, while eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for criminals who commit firearm offences, he says.

The government has made it harder to keep dangerous offenders incarcerated, he added.

Social Issue

Stocki notes that the former police chief of Toronto raised similar frustrations with the bail system.

In 2019, then-Toronto police chief Mark Saunders spoke to reporters after officers seized drugs and a firearm from a suspect on bail for previous firearms charges. The chief said 53 people arrested by police in August and September of 2019 for gun crimes were re-arrested while already out on bail. Of those 53 suspects, 24 received bail a second time.

Ive said from the start, its a social issue, it really is, said Saunders. So if were going to get this right, its not about arresting or re-arresting, its not about incarceration forever.

Leland Keane, who served as an RCMP officer for 32 years, and as a former director of the Mounted Police Association of Canada, told The Epoch Times that politics is playing a role in how suspects and convicts are treated by police and by courts. In the 90s, he says, there was a shift; the judiciary started to be more lenient on politically sensitive topics of economics and race.

Keane says he favours elected prosecutors and police chiefs who have to run on an actual record of public safety. He also favours more citizens and police being armed.

Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry (L), and Randall McKenzie (R) were arrested and charged with first-degree murder, in the death of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala on Dec. 27, 2022. McKenzie was out on bail for previous assault of a law enforcement officer and under a weapons ban. (Photo courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)

Law school graduates have no idea how to keep streets safe. Victims and police do, says Keane, who retired as a decorated police officer and firearms instructor. He said his life was never threatened by a legal firearm owner, but once in his career, his life was saved by one.

Police should be required to be armed off duty and paid accordingly. Retired police should be permitted to continue to carry. This all deters crime and keeps the public safer, suggests Keane. He says there is zero reason or evidence to prohibit citizens from owning firearms for sport, self defence or hunting, because the biggest threat to the public is from repeat offenders who were released early or not even incarcerated.

He said gun control measures of the 90s have not resulted in any measurable impact on crime whatsoever.

Repeat Offenders

On Dec. 5, James Ramer, chief of police in Toronto, Canadas largest city, told reporters that bail hearings for the most serious firearms offences should be heard by an Ontario Court or Superior Court judge, not a justice of the peace, in order to hold the most high-risk offenders more accountable for their dangerous actions.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters on Dec. 30, that Pierzchala was the fifth police officer murdered since September 2022, and the governments catch and release bail policies found in Bill C-75 were to blame.

The accused was out on bail after having allegedly committed similar violent offences, said Poilievre.

He said he regularly met police officers across the country who arrest a violent criminal in the morning, and then again in the afternoon after they have been released on bail.

In June 2019, Bill C-75 updated the bail provisions in Canadas Criminal Code for the first time since 1972, with police and judges being told to follow a principle of restraint in imposing bail, with the stated intention to reduce backlog in the courts. Police were given the authority to impose conditions on an accused on the spot, rather than requiring a bail hearing before a judge. Indigenous, marginalized, and vulnerable suspects were to be given special consideration.

Jane Sprott, a criminology professor at the Toronto Metropolitan University, told The Epoch Times that the majority of people in provincial prisons are legally innocent, awaiting trial. Bail is necessary, she says, because it isnt financially possible to hold everyone charged with an offence in prison. She also notes suspects who are detained can lose their jobs and housing while in detention awaiting trial.

Simply holding people in prison is not an effective, or efficient, crime control strategy. She said, We cannot predict, with any accuracy, who will do what, wed be forced to keep all people awaiting trial in prison.

The Supreme Court has ruled that suspects have the right to reasonable bail, and must not be denied bail without just cause, which reinforces the presumption of innocence and safeguards the liberty of accused persons.

Crime Prevention

Sprott says that after conviction, a jail term may be necessary as a deterrence, but all available evidence shows that it will not reduce crime.

If anything, there are mild increases in offending after imprisonment, she said, adding that preventing crime needs solutions outside the justice system.

Professor Darryl Davies, a criminology professor at Carleton University and former parole officer with 20 years of experience in the Canadian criminal justice system, says spending billions on corrections and police is ineffective. The solution is crime prevention, he says.

Darryl Davies, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Carleton University, speaks in Ottawa, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Davies told The Epoch Times the vast majority of people released on bail do not reoffend and that police shootings are relatively rare.

He said the bail process is prejudicial against unemployed, less affluent people but bail reform isnt the answer.

Its a fundamental question of violence, our inability to provide adequate programs and services for people who are mentally ill. We have done an atrocious job of addressing this. We simply abandon and criminalize mental illness, states Davies.

Davies adds more gun control also isnt the solution.

An individual in Saskatchewan was able to stab 15 people. The reality is we cannot prevent people from killing each other. It all starts with dysfunctional families that are wracked by alcohol, spousal abuse, drug addiction, lack of parental supervision, lack of respect for people, said Davies.

Crown prosecutors need to advocate for stiff sentences for repeat offenders, as a start, he says.

The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. Davies says someone with a history of violence and assault, is probably not a suitable candidate for bail.

Davies predicts violent crime will continue after the horrific societal disruption caused by COVID. Extreme government measures beginning in March 2020 caused isolation and disruption, exacerbated levels of violence, and put pressure on people already in crisis, he suggests.

Government authorities did not think about how lockdowns would push people over the edge, and impact spousal abuse, elderly abuse, and child abuse.

We have been experiencing unprecedented restrictions on our freedom. Fear and anxiety has been at an all-time high. This has generated enormous instability, he says.
Korean Firm Plans $2.5 Billion in New Solar Panel Plants in Georgia

ATLANTAA South Korean solar panel maker said Wednesday that it will invest more than $2.5 billion to build factories in Georgia in what it says is the largest solar investment in American history.

Qcells, a unit of Hanwha Solutions, projects it will supply about 30 percent of total U.S. solar panel demand by 2027, including making solar panel components usually manufactured outside the United States.

As demand for clean energy continues to grow nationally, were ready to put thousands of people to work creating fully American made and sustainable solar solutions, from raw material to finished panels, Qcells CEO Justin Lee said in a statement.

President Joe Biden described the announcement as a win for workers, consumers, and our climate, with the Democrat saying in a statement that it would provide good jobs, reduce American reliance on other countries for solar components, lower the cost of solar panels and help lower carbon emissions.

A new $2.31 billion plant in Cartersville, about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta, will hire 2,000 workers.

The law included provisions from Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both Democrats, allowing companies to claim tax credits for making solar panel parts.

The Cartersville plant will make silicon ingots and wafers and solar cellskey ingredients in a solar panel. The company will use polysilicon made at an REC Silicon plant in Moses Lake, Washington. Hanwha last year bought 21 percent of REC, whose shares are listed in Norway. The company also signed a deal seeking silicon metal from a Ferroglobe refinery in Alloy, West Virginia.

Qcells now makes solar modules capable of generating 1.7 gigawatts of electricity each year at a plant in Dalton, about 75 miles northwest of Atlanta. The company already announced a $171 million second phase there last year to add 470 workers. It said Wednesday it will build a $181 million third phase, hiring an additional 500 workers to push employment there above 1,700.

Following the expansions, the company will make 8.4 gigawatts worth of modules, or about 10,000 solar panels a year, in the United States. That will include a capacity of 5.1 gigawatts in Dalton and 3.3 gigawatts in Cartersville.

My goal remains to make Georgia the world leader in advanced energy production, Ossoff said in a statement.

Warnock, Ossoff and Biden administration officials say Bidens strategy is working to enhance the nations manufacturing base as part of the transition to clean energy.

I think its fair to say that this deal is President Bidens vision come to life, Biden clean energy adviser John Podesta told reporters.

The Biden administration says its policy has driven $300 billion in private investment by industries including semiconductors, clean energy, electric vehicles and batteries, with nearly $25 billion of that coming in Georgia. That includes two $5 billion-plus electric vehicle plants, and a $4 billion-plus battery plant announced for Cartersville in December. Hyundai Motor Group is building one of the vehicle plants and is partnering with fellow South Korean firm SK Group to build the Cartersville battery plant.

Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who relied on his economic management to win reelection last year, credited the states business climate. Georgia officials have particularly recruited electric vehicle and battery plants.

Qcells has long been a pioneer in the solar industry, and it solidified Georgias place as a leader in renewable energy and sustainable technology when it cut the ribbon on the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere in 2019, state Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said in a statement.

Bidens national climate adviser, Ali Zaidi, said U.S. factories are on track to more than quadruple the output of solar panels by 2024, from 7 gigawatts when Biden took office to 33.5 gigawatts. Thats enough to enable about 5 million homes to switch to clean solar energy each year, Zaidi said.

The total incentive package from state and local governments wasnt immediately clear. Qcells could qualify for more than $65 million in state income tax credits, at $5,250 per job over five years, as long as workers make at least $31,300 a year. Local officials have said Qcells workers in Dalton have starting wages of $17 an hour.
LA Seeks Permanent Tenant Protections by End of January

LOS ANGELESA day after a bid to keep the citys COVID-19 state of emergency in place until permanent tenant protections are implemented failed by one vote, some councilors are pressing their colleagues to move quickly to enact protections for renters who could face eviction after the end of the month.

Temporary tenant protections are set to expire on Jan. 31, with the end of the emergency. The council has voted twice to end the state of emergency at the end of the month, with two amendments seeking to extend it failing.

Four councilors joined tenant groups outside City Hall for a rally on Jan. 11 morning, laying out three protections they would like to see implemented before the emergency expires: Universal just cause to require a reason for evictions, relocation fees for rent increases of more than 10 percent, and a one-month grace period for rent before evictions.

The council voted in December to set an end date for the emergency after extending it indefinitely every month since March 2020. It must vote on continuing the emergency each month.

Councilors Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez again filed an amending motion on Jan. 10 to scrap the end date, which fell one vote short of the eight required. A similar motion fell two votes short in December.

Councilman Soto-Martinez said that these tenant protections could help slow down the increase in homelessness.

Council President Paul Krekorian backed the end date, seeking to separate tenant protections from the COVID-19 state of emergency. Krekorian also pledged to place items on the agenda pertaining to tenant protections once they are passed out of committees.

Potential protections would first be discussed in the Housing and Homelessness Committee, chaired by Raman. If the committee cannot come to a consensus, Krekorian could move to bring the matter directly to the council.

We have 20 days to push those three policies forward so we dont see thousands of evictions in the city of LA, Hernandez said.

Last October, the council voted 120 to approve a package of recommendations from a council committee to sunset the renter protections.

Under the council action, landlords will be able to resume increasing rent on rent-controlled apartments, which account for three-quarters of the units in Los Angeles, beginning in February 2024.

Tenants who have missed payments since March 2020 will have to meet two repayment deadlines. Under state law, they have until Aug. 1, 2023, to pay back missed rent between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021.

Under the citys moratorium, tenants will have until Feb. 1, 2024, to repay rent accumulated from Oct. 1, 2021, to Feb. 1, 2023.
Major Australian Union Pushes for Non-Members to Pay Up

One of Australias largest unions wants to see non-union members pay them for any future successful negotiations for higher wages and conditions.

This is despite union membership falling to an all-time low in 2022.

Union membership has been on the decline in Australia for decades, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Unionone of the countrys largestwould like to reverse this.

Imagine walking into a fishing club or a footy club and demanding all the benefits without being a member. You wouldnt even get through the door, said Steve Murphy, national secretary of the AMWU.

But thats the situation we have at the moment in our workplaces. Many thousands of workers benefit from the outcomes of collective bargaining agreements fought for by unions but dont join union members in the fight for higher wages, safer conditions, and better workplace rights.

Such a move to compel non-union members to pay would give the organisations a major financial boost, particularly in light of declining membership numbers which have eroded the monetary base of unions.

Unions Dying Out In Australia

The move comes after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the rate of union membership fell in 2022 to an all-time low of 12.5 percent for the 11.4 million employed Australians in August 2022. This is a decrease from the 14.3 percent which was recorded in August 2020.

Trade union membership has generally declined since 1992. From 1992 to 2022, the proportion of employees who were trade union members has fallen from 41.1 percent to 12.5 percent (from 45.5 percent to 11.4 percent for men and 35.9 percent to 13.6 percent for women), the ABS said in their report.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (centre) and ACTU President Michele ONeil (4th left) take part in the 2021 Labour Day March in Brisbane, Australia, on May 3, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

The ABS statistics also revealed that younger people are no longer actively joining trade unions, with just two percent of employees aged 15-19 years and five percent of those aged 20-24 becoming members. This is in comparison to 19 percent for employees aged 55-59 and 21 percent for employees aged 60-64.

Currently, the peak union body, Australian Unions, notes the first monthly fee for apprentices, contractors, casuals, and part-timers are set at $56 for a full-time membership and $28 for part-time members as part of their new campaign to attract more members.

However, union membership can cost upwards of $500 annually with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), for example, charging adult full members $530 annually.

Australians Have a Right Not to Join, Says Opposition

Opposition workplace relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disgraceful to force workers to pay for services they did not ask for.

It is nothing more than the ailing union movements way of propping up their declining membership, she told AAP. Australians have the right not to join a union, and they should never be forced to do so.

Senator Michaelia Cash during an appearance at Education and Employment Committee at Parliament House on March 25, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The senator criticised the Albanese governments recently passed Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill that will enable multi-employer bargaining meaning businesses could be compelled into entering sector-wide negotiations on wages and conditions, rather than have workplace negotiations occur on a business-by-business basis.

At the time, the Business Council of Australia opposed the move saying it undermined competitiveness.

Now, I represent these [small] companies, but it is not a good thing for the big employers to be forced to bargain together, CEO Jennifer Westacott told ABC radio.

Thats not going to be good for small business, thats not going to be good for innovation, thats going to be anti-competitive.
Should China accept immigrants?

I know some Chinese students who graduated from university and have no Hukou in the city. When they want to come back to their hometown, their ration of land or welfare was gone. They leave their hometown for four years in university, and they lost their entitlement. Any immigrant going to China will live a life that will be labeled by the West as a Human Rights violation. The US has reported every year on the Human Right Record of China. Why on the hell does the world want to send immigrants to China when China cannot meet the Western Human Rights standard?

Europe has a larger area of territory than China but only has half the size of the population. The US has a territory about the size of China and has less than one-fourth of the population. All the population of developed countries combined is about the same as China, yet they possess about four times the territory and several times of the wealth and capital. And most importantly, they have better Human Rights records and a better democratic system. They can take all the refugees in the world and the population is still not the size of China's.

China will accept immigrants, according to its own regulation. It is her sovereignty. It is not should or should not. It is capable or not. It is not fair to ask China to accept immigrants while the West blames her birth control as killing. Chinese sacrificed a lot to control the size of their population, and now some international power wants to influence the demography of China.
Media Company Bows To Law Schools Boycott of Its Annual Best Report

Harvard Law opted out of the U.S. News's best law schools ranking annual report in November 2022. Pictured is Langdell Hall at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on May 10, 2010. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

In reaction to a mass defection of institutions participating in its annual rankings of the best law schools, U.S. News and World Report announced that it will change the methodologies and practices it uses in its evaluations.

The media companys decision is a manifestation of a seismic change in higher education and the legal sector that is front and center of a heated national conversation on affirmative action and inclusion policies.

It is a dialogue getting hotter and it pits the position that change is needed against the tenet that a significant portion of that change is wokeness and political correctness run amok and will weaken America.

Yale Law School announced on Nov. 16, 2022, it would no longer participate in the U.S. News Best Law Schools issue. File photo from Feb. 7, 2007. (Public Domain)

Critics claim the metrics that U.S. News uses in its rankings encourage institutions toin their quest to improve or hold on to their placeoperate in a manner favoring applicants from comfortable socio-economic backgrounds, inhibits building a more diverse student body and discourages offering support to students seeking to pursue a career in public service.

U.S. News issued a release on Jan. 3 addressing concerns with its ranking methodologies and detailing the adjustments it is implementing.

In the past few weeks, U.S. News has engaged more than 100 deans and representatives of law schools as part of our review of our Best Law Schools ranking, said Kim Castro, editor and chief content officer for U.S. News.

We listened to their recent feedback and are developing ways to be responsive while maintaining our independence, mission, and purpose.

Based on those discussions, our own research, and our iterative rankings review process, we are making a series of modifications in this years rankings that reflect those inputs and allow us to publish the best available data.

Prestigious and Influential

For more than 30 years, the rankings have wielded immense influence over prospective law students and their considerations as to which schools they will apply to, employers choosing who to hire, the desire of alumni to donate to their alma mater, and academics deciding where they would like to teach.

On Nov. 16, Yale Law, which has occupied the top spot on the U.S. News list since it first came out in 1987, rocked the world of legal education when it announced it would no longer participate in the U.S. News Best Law Schools issue.

Yales decision to no longer provide U.S. News with internal information and data launched a wave of law schools quickly following suit, with Harvard Law making its own announcement later that same day and University of Californias Berkeley Law doing so the following day.

By the middle of December, every school on the U.S. News top 14 (T14) list, except for University of Chicago Law and Cornell Law, was on board with the boycott.

University of Chicago and Cornell have not amended their decision to continue cooperating with U.S. News.

Push to Increase Diversity

The avalanche of law school departures from the U.S. News rankingsand the companys responsestems from a broad-ranging push of an agenda by progressives in the interest of admitting more students of color.

A story in The Epoch Times published on Dec. 16 discussed the movement, also championed by progressives, of law schools to do away with the requirement that applicants take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)and how, starting in 2025, the American Bar Association, the organization that accredits law schools in the United States, will no longer require its members to mandate applicants submit LSAT scores.

Also discussed in the article are examples of growing resistance to affirmative action policy, namely, two cases being reviewed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the casesStudents for Fair Admissions Inc. v. Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College, and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. University of North Carolinathe petitioner filed a lawsuit asserting that the schools have employed and are employing racially and ethnically discriminatory policies and procedures in administering the undergraduate admissions program.

Going Forward

Some who have taken issue with the U.S. News rankings have called on the publication to halt the annual feature.

U.S. News has rejected that demand and will continue to rank even law schools that do not share information and statistics with the publication.

The 2023-2024 U.S. News Best Law Schools issue will be released in the spring.

And what is the response of law school deans and those championing systematic change in higher education to the overtures of U.S. News and its commitment to adjust and make changes to its ranking methods?

Mixedand even when positive, not enthusiastically so.

The response of at least one dean has to be just about the opposite of that for which U.S. News had hoped.

On Jan. 9, Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken issued a statement in which she said, Having a window into the operations and decision-making process at U.S. News in recent weeks has only cemented our decision to stop participating in the rankings.

No law school has announced that it will return to cooperating with U.S. News and World Report in the development of its best law schools segment.
The cruel Pyrenees Mountains stared down at Virginia Hall in November 1942. As a spy for Britains Special Operations Executive (SOE), Hall had risked her life gathering information and establishing safe houses for downed Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots. Though this brave American woman had operated for over a year out of the French city of Lyon, much longer than most spies, now her cover was blown. Losing her left leg in a hunting accident years earlier made the normally treacherous trek from France into Spain even more difficult for Hall. Her hip ached, what was left of her leg bled, and her prosthetic legwhich she called Cuthbertwas falling apart.

Cuthbert is being tiresome, but I can cope, she radioed London during her climb.

If Cuthbert is tiresome, have him eliminated, they advised.

Though at times it seemed impossible to keep going, Hall knew the suffering on the mountain in front of her was nothing compared to what she would face from the Gestapo if she had remained. Finally, Hall and the men traveling with her reached the top of the pass. Her salvation was within reach, but just as with the ongoing war, the path ahead was still long and daunting.

The Making of a Secret Agent

Even though few women served as spies in World War II, Hall was a perfect fit. She had attended college in France, spoke five languages, and had worked for American embassies throughout Europe before the war. She served as an ambulance driver in France after the Germans attacked. As she was leaving the country, Hall met George Bellows, who recruited her for Britains SOE. SOE was created with the hope that its agents would not only be able to pass along useful information, but also encourage the resistance in France and eventually commit acts of sabotage. In Winston Churchills words, the job of SOE was to set Europe ablaze.

Virginia Hall operated a 111 MKII Radio in 1944 to send intelligence reports in Morse code to the Office of Strategic Services. To generate electricity, the radio was attached to a car battery that was charged by pedaling an upturned bicycle frame. The Daisies Will Bloom at Night by Jeffrey W. Bass, 2006. Oil painting. (Public domain)

Hall soon joined SOE, with her cover being that she was a reporter for the New York Post. Not long after arriving in France in September 1941, Hall determined that the city of Lyon was perfect for her mission and quickly set up her circuit, code-named Heckler. She passed on vital information and established safe houses for the RAF pilots. One of her more daring exploits was engineering the mass escape of 12 of SOEs most valuable agents, not long after her arrival.

Saving Nazi-Held Prisoners

Twelve SOE agents, feeling lonely, had responded to an invitation from one of SOEs wireless officers to meet up on October 24. This gathering was a massive breach of security, and it had disastrous results. All the agents were arrested and imprisoned. For six months, the agents suffered in Perigueux, an impenetrable prison in southwest France. Gaby Bloch, the wife of one of the agents, approached Hall and asked her to help get the men out. Hall knew it wouldnt be easy, but she agreed.

First, Hall appealed to American ambassador Admiral William D. Leahy. Leahys effort didnt free the men, but it did result in their transfer to the Mauzac internment camp. Here, Bloch could ensure the men received adequate nourishment to regain their strength, and though the barbed wire fences and watchtowers posed problems, they would be easier to overcome.

For her bravery and ingenuity, Hall was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from Gen. William J. Donovan, September 1945. (Public domain)

Hall instructed Bloch to recruit guards to carry messages for them. Hall and Bloch smuggled in items so the men could craft a key to their door. Most impressively, Hall and her friends hid a radio in the wheelchair of a double-amputee priest who visited the men in prison. To the mens astonishment (and the astonishment of London as well), the men could now communicate freely with the outside world. They even passed along information they heard from a guard about the location of a munitions factory, resulting in its bombing a few nights later.

Meanwhile, Hall planned the mens escape route, which would take them over the Pyrenees and into Spain. When the night finally came, the men opened the door with their key and dashed one by one to the spot in the fence they had cut with wire cutters. Through their daily exercise, they had previously timed their sprints to the fence, and they now executed them precisely. All the men made it out, and soon they were across the mountains and back in London to an SOE command who was amazed at what their American agent had accomplished.

A May 12, 1945, memorandum to the president from Gen. Donovan regarding the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Hall. (Public domain)

Working for the Americans

Hall continued her work for months, but in November, the Nazis were closing in. Many of her friends had been arrested, and the Germans would soon take over the Free Zone, occupying all of France. It was then that she made it into Spain and eventually back to London. SOE refused to deploy her back to France because she was too well known and hunted by the Gestapo.

Instead, Hall trained as a wireless operator and convinced the newly formed American counterpart to the SOE, the Office of Strategic Services, to deploy her. In March 1944, Hall returned to France. Before the end of the war, she would pass along vital information and outfit countless resistance groups, eventually commanding one herself and directing many acts of sabotage. After the war, Hall moved back to America and worked for the CIA before retiring in 1966. Throughout her career as a secret agent, she was pursued by the enemy at every turn. But in the end, they never managed to captureas the Germans referred to herthe Limping Lady of Lyon.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Mexican Crime Cartels Wage Narcotic and Demographic War on USA

A cartel scouts campsite can be seen below a tree on the Mexican side of the border wall near Naco in Cochise County, Ariz., on Dec. 6, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Commentary

Confident propagandists relentlessly play Nothing to see here, move along.

Their dont-believe-your-eyes con game has despicable goals. No. 1: Suppress evident facts that expose their official worldview (narrative) as self-serving fantasy. No. 2: Buy time to peddle lies that blur the real-world situation that challenges their self-serving political, legal, and economic agendas.

President Joe Bidens Jan. 8 outing in El Paso, Texas, was confident propaganda. He didnt see The Bordera huge binational zone of chaos, human suffering, and war of great strategic consequence we will examine in a moment. Instead, Confident Joe beheld sanitized areas in an American city. Prior to his arrival, cops and cleaning crews tore down illegal camps and moved migrants to out-of-sight holding areas.

Dishonest media failed to deplore this orchestrated case of migrant cleansing and very likely people in cages in out-of-sight places. But the scam helped Biden suppress dreadful facts created by a porous border and hide the future-shaping war the United States and Mexico are both losing thanks to Bidens far-Left-infected immigration and border security policies.

In early 2009 sensationalists claimed that Mexico was a failed state. Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa rebutted the accusation, pointing out the 2009 Mexican federal government was quite strong. Failed states have no real government.

At the time Mexico was having evident success in the Cartel War President Felipe Calderon launched in December 2006 after he decided Mexicos drug cartels posed more than a criminal challenge.

Calderon chose the Mexican military because it was his countrys least corrupt institution. The Cartel War was and is a systemic struggle where political will and modernization were the decisive weapons. Winning for Mexico required systemic political and economic modernization. That meant corruption must be attacked and penalized. Endemic political, economic, and judicial corruption shielded Mexican criminals. The cartels target the U.S. drug market. Multibillion-dollar drug profits in the United States give cartels political and cultural power within Mexico. Mexico needed U.S. security, political and moral aid. That would have required reform north of the border.

President Enrique Pena (elected in 2012) had corruption issues and lacked Calderons commitment. But he ended up using the military as his primary anti-cartel instrument.

December 2018: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) becomes president after winning an overwhelming electoral victory. In his inaugural address he invoked a word that transfixes Mexico: Impunity. Under his administration Corruption and impunity will end he said.

For angry and disenchanted Mexican citizens, impunity means embedded injustice within their nations governing institutions and society.

Donald Trump gets credit for understanding a border wall not only hindered illegal immigration it obstructed cartel smuggling. AMLO eventually agreed that Trumps U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement was a good deal for Mexicoreal jobs and honest income.

The Jan. 5 shootout in Sinaloa state is a warning for Mexico that it still faces well-armed and well-financed internal enemies. Three days before Bidens El Paso photo op, 3,600 Mexican soldiers and security personnel captured Ovidio Guzman, the son of jailed Sinaloa (aka Pacific) cartel kingpin Joaquin Guzman. The operation resulted in a 10-hour battle with gunmen in a town near Culiacan. Security forces captured 50-caliber sniper rifles and two dozen vehicles with add-on armor.

Culiacan is 500 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border but the cartel wages war throughout North Americayes, the border war now reaches New York City. In December the DEA announced during 2022 the United States seized 50 million fentanyl-laced pills and 10,000 pounds of powder379 million potentially deadly doses. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels produced most of the fentanyl at secret factories in Mexico with chemicals largely sourced from China.

When Biden opened the southern border, the cartels started using migrants to ship product. They also began making millions from human smuggling.

War on corruption? The cartel chiefs must chuckle at Hunter Bidens laptop revelations. So far Confident Joes dishonest media pals have thwarted punishment.

An undefended U.S. border increases cartel profits and makes Mexico more vulnerable. Drugs, crime, and social support costs sap the United States. The demographic shifts present additional challenges.

Who benefits? Communist China, drug cartels, and corrupt politicians. Quite a strategic consequence.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Minnesota Man Sentenced in Killing of Tribal Police Officer

ST. PAUL, Minn.A Minnesota man was sentenced Tuesday to 37 years in prison for the shooting death of a tribal police officer.

David Brian Donnell Jr., 30, pleaded guilty in April to second-degree murder in the killing of 37-year-old Officer Ryan Bialke.

On July 27, 2021, five officers with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department went to Donnells home in Redby to conduct a welfare check. When officers arrived, Donnell, who was on the porch, went inside the home.

Because Donnell had an active tribal warrant and was refusing to comply with orders, officers breached the door. Donnell opened fire and Bialke was struck by gunfire, prosecutors said.

Donnell continued firing and one officer returned fire as the four remaining officers fled into nearby woods. He fired at least 22 rounds from his rifle, prosecutors said.

Bialke died at the scene. Donnell fled but was arrested soon after at a nearby home.

The Red Lake Reservation is in northwest Minnesota, about 160 miles from the Canadian border. It covers about 1,260 square miles and is home to about half of the tribes 14,000 members.
Nebraska Governor Announces Pick for US Senate Seat Vacated by Ben Sasse

Nebraskas new governor on Jan. 12 appointed the just-departed governor who backed his campaign to the U.S. Senate.

Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican, appointed former Gov. Pete Ricketts, another Republican, to a seat vacated by former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).

Pillen said he viewed Ricketts as the best person to represent us in the Senate.

He also said he did not want to pick a placeholder.

I think its very, very important when you fill an appointment, you have a person committed to the long haul, he said at a press conference announcing his choice.

Pillens office had asked for applications from interested parties in December 2022. Pillen received 111 applicants and interviewed nine people.

Im very grateful for this unexpected opportunity to be able to continue to serve the people of Nebraska, Ricketts said.

Ricketts spent more than $1 million to give to a political action committee that ran advertisements attacking Pillens primary candidates, and $100,000 to Pillens campaign, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

I was proud to support you in your campaign, Ricketts said on Thursday.

Ricketts was prevented by term limits from running for a third term.

Sasse left Congress on Jan. 8 to become president of the University of Florida.

Sasse was reelected in 2020. Senate terms are six years. Ricketts will serve until early 2025. Voters will get to select who holds the seat in the 2024 election, then who will serve a full term in the 2026 election.

Jim Pillen in a file photograph. (Courtesy of Jim Pillen)

Reactions

The Nebraska Democratic Party decried Pillens move.

The totally transparent process happened in 3 days, they interviewed 9 people out of the 111 that applied, the party said in a statement.

The Nebraska Republican Party congratulated Ricketts.

We look forward to having you defend Nebraskas Good Life values in D.C., the party said.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined the press conference announcing the appointment.

We know that Pete knows the state of Nebraska. And we know that Pete loves the state of Nebraska. I know that he is going to a wonderful job in continuing to serve the people of this state. And I look forward to partnering with him as we move forward on the big issues that are before us, Fischer said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that Pillen could not have found a more capable leader to take the baton from our colleague Senate Sasse and fight for the Cornhusker State, highlighting in part how he sees Ricketts as having led the fight against COVID-19 in Nebraska without losing common sense.

Ricketts could have made the appointment before he left office, but he chose to leave it up to his successor. Pillen defeated Democrat state Sen. Carol Blood in the general gubernatorial election.

Ricketts, a former financial executive, failed a run for the U.S. Senate in 2006, losing to then-Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) by more than 164,000 votes.

Ricketts said he intended to bring the experience he gained while governor to Washington. He believes government can work and that Congress can hold the Biden administration accountable. He also hopes to challenge the Chinese Communist Party.

Once Ricketts is sworn in, the Senate will go back to 49 Republicans and 51 Democrats or independents who caucus with the Democrats. Republicans lost one seat, a Pennsylvania seat, in the midterm elections.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) during a hearing in Washington on June 16, 2020. (Tom Williams/Pool/Getty Images)

More on Selection

This is a very, very hard decision, Pillen said.

Pillen indicated he expects Ricketts to run and win in both 2024 and 2026, and that Ricketts wont resign like Sasse did, a factor that helped him choose the former governor.

Gov. Ricketts has assured me that no matter who calls him for a different job, he is committed to the United States Senate, Pillen said.

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, had said that Pillen would continue the legacy of backdoor dealings that his predecessor allegedly carried out if he picked Ricketts.

Pillen responded to questions about the pick, including the suspicion that Ricketts support of his campaign led to the appointment, saying a lot of work was done to vet and think through candidates.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the election during which Sasse won reeelection. It was the 2020 election. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
New Texas Bill Would Raise Penalty for Illegal Voting to Felony, Joins Similar Pre-Filed Bills

Change would restore what had been in place until 2021

Voting booths are seen at Glass Elementary School's polling station in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images)

On the first day of Texass 88th regular legislative session, a Republican state representative filed a bill that would increase the criminal penalty for the offense of illegal voting from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony.

Its the latest in a string of similar bills that had been pre-filed by Republican lawmakers ahead of the states legislative session this year to increase the severity of the punishment for illegal voting, amid unresolved concerns of voting irregularities in Harris County that allegedly took place during the November 2022 election.

Currently, Texas law says illegal voting is a Class A misdemeanor.

HB 1243 (pdf), filed by state Rep. Cole Hefner on Jan. 10, would amend Texass statute to say that if a person is convicted of illegal voting, it would amount to a felony of the second degree. Meanwhile, if the person is convicted of having just attempted to vote illegally, it would be categorized as a state jail felony.

The penalties associated with the changes in the bill would be more severe, according to the Texas Penal Code. Class A misdemeanors in Texas are punishable by up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail. Meanwhile, felonies of the second degree are punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and 2 to 20 years in jail. As for a state jail felony, the convicted person can be punished by confinement in state jail for between 180 days to two years, and be fined up to $10,000.

Same or similar bills have also been pre-filed, seeking to amend Section 64.012(b) of Texass Election Code. HB 1243 has the same wording as HB 52 (pdf), which was filed by Republican state Rep. David Spiller on Nov. 14, 2022. Other bills pre-filed by other state GOP lawmakersHB 222 (pdf), HB 397 (pdf), and SB 166 (pdf)would also increase the penalty for illegal voting from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony.

Illegal voting had previously been categorized as a second degree felony until the passage of a sweeping voting reform bill SB 1 in 2021, in which a last minute amendment to the bill had lowered the penalty to a class A misdemeanor. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill but subsequently called on Sept. 30, 2021 for the reversal of the provision.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a statement the following day thanking the governor for placing a correction to the amendment. Patrick said that the Texas House added the amendment to SB 1 last minute and it went under the radar until Abbott, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Patrick himself found it & agreed then it must be corrected.

Separately, HB 39 (pdf) was pre-filed by a GOP lawmaker, seeking to amend Section 276.013(b) of Texass Election Code to increase the penalty for election fraud from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony.

There are more than 70 bills related to voting and election laws, with Republican-filed bills largely seeking to boost election integrity, and Democrat-filed bills largely seeking to expand voter access.

In the Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections, Texass Harris County saw voter complaints of delayed openings at polling places, paper ballot shortages, staffing shortages, and other issues. This prompted Harris Countys District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat, to request on Nov. 14, 2022 the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) to investigate the matter. Her request was a follow up on Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts call on the same day for the Texas secretary of state, the Attorney Generals Office, and the Texas Rangerspart of the TDPSto do the same.

The TDPS said this is an active and ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers, and no further information is currently available.

The Texas secretary of state and the Texas Attorney Generals Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Update: This article has been updated for clarity.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) joins Newsmakers to talk about President Joe Bidens improperly stored classified documents. Biden lambasted former President Donald Trump for doing the same thing. What does Congress plan to do about it?

Jenna Ellis, former senior adviser and counsel to Trump, discusses the reaction of Republicans in Congress to the classified document discovery, and whether she thinks Biden will get a fair shot to prove innocence.

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) talks about why he supported Kevin McCarthy from the beginning for House speaker. He discusses the reasons for the dispute among Republicans in the House over McCarthy, and whether there were positive outcomes.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), House Judiciary Oversight Committee and Government Reform Committee member, helped lead the opposition against McCarthy, and ultimately never voted for McCarthy in voting rounds. Find out what his thoughts are now that McCarthy has been elected.

House Committee on Appropriations member Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) didnt vote for McCarthy initially, but ultimately McCarthy got his vote. He talks about why he switched, and what he hopes to see happen with future spending bills.

Freshman Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), a House Freedom Caucus member, opposed McCarthy until McCarthy agreed to certain rule changes. He talks about what he and the Freedom Caucus hope to achieve, and what the significance will be among the larger body of Republicans.
No State Memorial for Cardinal George Pell as Premier Cites Sexual Abuse Victims Distress

The Archbishop Of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell addresses the media during a press conference ahead of World Youth Day Sydney 08, at the Polding Centre on July 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out a state funeral or memorial service for Vatican leader Cardinal George Pell saying it would be distressing for survivors of sexual abuse.

Pell, formerly the archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney, died from heart complications in Rome on Jan. 10 following hip replacement surgery.

The 81-year-old gained notoriety in Australia after standing trial and being found guilty in 2017-18 for the alleged sexual abuse of two teenage choirboys in 1996. This verdict was later overturned by the countrys peak judicial body.

Premier Andrews said state funerals were normally offered to families, and in this case, there would be no offer from his government.

I couldnt think of anything that would be more distressing for victim-survivors than that, he told reporters on Jan. 12.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews delivers his victory speech at the Labour election party in his seat of Mulgrave in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 26, 2022. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

We should never ever forget that predator brothers and priests were systematically moved around knowingly. It was part of a strategy from one working-class parish to the next.

His comments also come after federal Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton said the Andrews government needed to reflect on the states treatment of Pellthe cardinal was initially tried and found guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

On his passing, the fact he spent a year in prison for a conviction that the High Court of Australia unanimously quashed should provide some cause for reflection for the Victorian Labor government and its institutions that led this modern-day political persecution, Dutton said in a statement.

Pell never lost faith in his God, his country, and in justicedespite the tests and trials he endured in life.

In response, premier Andrews said he wouldnt dignify those comments with a response.

Pells body will be returned to Australia to be buried at St. Marys Cathedral.

A Divisive Legacy

Cardinal Pell was accused and convicted of molesting two teenage choirboys at St. Patricks Cathedral during his time as Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996.

The conviction was later overturned and quashed by all seven justices of the High Court of Australia, who found the Victorian courts did not entertain reasonable doubt on the veracity of 23 witness testimonies.

Pell spent 13 months behind bars and returned to Rome. He maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.

The cardinal has received praise from former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard.

The Cardinal was a committed defender of Catholic orthodoxy and a staunch advocate for the virtues of Western Civilisation, Abbott wrote on Twitter.

In fact, he was a very pastoral priest who well understood the human stain and was more than capable of empathising with sinners while still counselling against sin.

His incarceration on charges that the High Court ultimately scathingly dismissed was a modern form of crucifixion; reputationally at least a kind of living death.

Pells Role Auditing the Vatican and Opposing Marxism

Before his trial, he was appointed by the Pope in 2014 to the role of cardinal prefect of the Secretariat for the Economyin charge of the Vaticans finances and the third-highest office in the Catholic Church.

Pell set to work on the enormous task of reforming the institutions finances with the cardinal revealing to The Australian newspaper that he had uncovered over a billion euros in unauthorised accounts, subsequently closing over 3,000 of them and referring 200 for investigation.

Prior to his death, Cardinal Pell authored a piece for the Spectator Magazine criticising the Synod on Synodalitya meeting of Vatican leaders on what God expects of the Church going forward.

The current Synod produced a 45-page booklet that Pell called a toxic nightmare.

He wrote that Catholics largely did not endorse the findings of the Synod.

Continued meetings of this sort deepen divisions, and a knowing few can exploit the muddle and goodwill, he said.

The ex-Anglicans among us are right to identify the deepening confusion, the attack on traditional morals, and the insertion into the dialogue of neo-Marxist jargon about exclusion, alienation, identity, marginalisation, the voiceless, LGBTQ as well as the displacement of Christian notions of forgiveness, sin, sacrifice, healing, redemption.
Officer Testifies in Case of New York Couple Kidnapped and Smuggled Into Quebec

A Surete du Quebec police car is seen in Montreal on July 22, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)

A Quebec police officer told a trial today that a couple from Upstate New York were kidnapped and smuggled into Quebec in 2020 because of a drug deal involving their grandson.

Investigator Guillaume Poirier is on the stand in the trial of Gary Arnold, a Quebec man facing seven charges in an alleged conspiracy to abduct James and Sandra Helm.

The couple in their 70s were taken from their home in Moira, N.Y., on Sept. 27, 2020, and discovered by police two days later in Magog, Que., about 125 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

Poirier says that six days before their abduction, the couples grandson, Mackenzie Helm, was arrested in the United States by the Drug Enforcement Administration with 50 kilograms of cocaine on him.

He says the couples son Michael discovered that his parents were missing and was contacted by people using Quebec-based phone numbers seeking a ransom in exchange for their release.

Poirier says police used cellphone records to track the source of the ransom calls and to retrace the route used to smuggle the couple into Quebec.

James and Sandra Helm were transported by boat into Quebec through the First Nations territory of Akwesasne before they were taken to a chalet in Magog, where they were freed after two days by a provincial police tactical unit.
Ottawa Gives $1.2 Million Funding to New Research Projects Countering Online Harms

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez prepares to appear before a Senate committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 22, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The federal government has granted $1.2 million in funding to 16 new research projects intended to counter online disinformation and other online harms and threats, some of which are described as alt-right or credibility attacks on journalists.

The 16 projects were selected following an annual call for proposals launched in July 2022 by the Digital Citizen Contribution Program (DCCP). The program is part of the Department of Canadian Heritages Digital Citizen Initiative (DCI), which promotes civic, news, and digital media literacy through funding third-party educational activities and programming to help citizens become resilient against disinformation.

The funding announcement was made on Jan. 11 by Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

One of the projects, being conducted at Concordia University in Montreal, will study internet memes and games as possible alternative media sources for disinformation.

The Concordia project aims to detail current activity by the Canadian alt-right in amateur game creation and wider game culture, particularly in the areas of memes, minigames and game mods, in order to create typologies and frameworks for mapping the evolution and spread of such content.

It will also work to raise awareness among the wider public about alt-right activity in game culture.

The University of British Columbias Global Reporting Centre is receiving funding for a project called Shooting the Messenger: Credibility Attacks on Journalists.

The project aims to study and help counteract online campaigns that discredit and harass journalists and locate these activities in broader efforts to misinform publics.

This project has a strong focus on Canadian journalists but is also investigating how the targeting of journalists and media institutions in Canada compares to other countries, reads the projects description.

A number of the projects aim to counter racism in various communities or municipalities in Canada.

Other Projects

Another project, titled Prevalence and Types of Online Harms Encountered by Canadians in Day-to-Day Use of Digital Media, is being conducted at McGill University in Montreal.

The project aims to create an evidence-based risk assessment model for digital media companies in order to show them the range of harms and risks individuals might experience on a day-to-day basis while using their platforms.

The project also says its purpose is also to hold platform companies accountable for the online harms that might be present on their services.

The Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network is also being funded to carry out a project that will study possible ways to protect Canadian organizations from queerphobic cyber-violence.

Organizations that serve 2SLGBTQ+ people become targets of online homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia, which can intersect with racism, classism, sexism, and ableism, says the project description.

Rodriguez and LeBlanc also announced on Jan. 11 a new $1.5 million DCCP call for proposals to fund projects that will raise awareness about tools and services offered by non-government organizations and online platforms to counter online harms against children. This includes, more generally hate speech, incitement to violence, child sexual exploitation material, and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, the description says.

The federal government previously announced, in its Fall Economic Statement in November 2022, that it was extending the DCI and providing it with $31 million in new funding over four years beginning in the 202223 fiscal year.
There are conflicting reports about whether the strategically important town of Soledar in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine has been captured by Russian forces.

On Tuesday, the head of the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group, which has been fighting in the area around Soledar and Bakhmut for months, claimed that his fighters had taken control of the entire territory of Soledar while urban warfare was continuing.
Our Rights Didnt Go With the Boat: Aboriginal Land Council Claims Ownership Over Stranded Yacht

A supplied image shows a yacht, abandoned during the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, washed up at Christmas Beach on truwana/Cape Barren Island, Tasmania, on Jan. 5, 2023. (AAP Image/Supplied by Vica Bayley, Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania)

A shipwrecked yacht on a remote Australian island has become the centre of a dispute between the vessels owner and the local Aboriginal Land Council, which claimed the yacht belongs to them.

The 40-foot Huntress suffered a mishap during its Sydney to Hobart race on Dec. 28, 2022, when it hit an unidentified object which sheared off part of its rudder.

The skipper and seven crew members were rescued, while the vessel was later washed up on Christmas Beach on Cape Barren Island off the northeast coast of Tasmania.

It was salvaged by an insurance company overnight on Jan. 8 before being towed back to mainland Tasmania the following day.

But the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania has claimed the shipwrecked vessel was the property of Aboriginal people and demanded either ownership over the yacht or a third of its value.

Michael Mansell, the councils chairman whos also an Indigenous activist, argued the salvage operation should not have been done because it drifted to the shores of Aboriginal land.

Physically, the boat may have been taken from our land, but our rights didnt go with the boat, he told AAP.

It may well be that the salvage guys, the owner and the insurance people were not aware of the Aboriginal right to ownership of any vessel that gets washed up on the shore.

The common law of salvage states that an individual who risks himself voluntarily to successfully help recover another persons ship or cargo in danger at sea is entitled to be rewarded by the owner of the property saved.

But John Kavanagh, a master mariner and principal lawyer at Pacific Maritime Lawyers noted that under the salvage law, a salvor does not become the owner of a salved vessel.

Property (ownership) of ships (or cargo or anything else) does not change just because it has washed up on a beach somewhere, regardless of whose beach it is, he wrote in an email to The Epoch Times.

Kavanagh further argued that there are some practical issues associated with salvage that make Mr Mansells assertions at least unwise.

Assuming for a moment that Mr Mansell is correct (and I would be very surprised if he was), then it would mean that an oil tanker that ran aground on the island would also become part-owned by the Land Council, which would mean that the Land Council would be responsible for meeting the costs of salvage and the oil spill clean-up, he added.

With ownership of ships comes the responsibility for cleaning up the mess involved across a wide range of maritime laws and conventions, both national and international.

With ownership of marine assets comes responsibility and liability, and I dont understand why the Land Council would want that for a stranded ship.

The insurance company which carried out the salvage operation, Total Dive Solutions, said in a media statement the salvage could not have been possible without the support and assistance of the local Indigenous community.

Dystopian Legal World

The legal dispute comes as the centre-left federal Labor government is pushing for the Indigenous Voice to parliament, which would lead to the establishment of a body made up of Indigenous people to consult all levels of government about policies that impact the Aboriginal community.

A referendum on the Voice is due to be held in the second half of 2023.

Queensland Senator Gerard Rennick said on Thursday that the dispute over the Huntress yacht offers a glimpse into the dystopian legal world following a successful referendum on the Voice.

Property rights will be turned upside down, he wrote in a Facebook post.

Concerns about the legal implications of the Indigenous Voice were also recently brought up by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton who said the government hasnt been able to back up the sweeping constitutional reform that the Voice proposes.

By starving the Australian people of the basic detail of the Voice, the prime minister is really setting the Voice up for a fail and setting back reconciliation, and thats something that he has to answer to the Australian public on, he said in an open letter on Jan. 8.

People wont lightly change the constitutioneven if they believe in the causeunless theres a compelling argument to do so.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese replied to Dutton in a Twitter post, saying, people are over cheap culture war stunts.
Painting Zebra Stripes on Cows Wards Off Biting Flies

Ranchers might want to consider painting zebra stripes on their livestock. According to a new study published in PLoS ONE, the measure reduces the number of biting flies on cows by more than half.

Biting flies are one of the great banes of cows worldwide. The irritating insects cause cows to graze less, eat less, sleep less, and also to bunch together into tightly clumped groups, which stresses the animals and leads to more injuries. The damage done by biting flies equates to roughly $2.2 billion in yearly economic losses for the U.S. cattle industry.

Seeking a potential solution to this situation, a team of Japanese researchers cleverly applied lessons from research on zebras. Animal scientists have long pondered the function of zebras distinct stripes, and a growing consensus now suggests that they deter insects, possibly by confusing bugs motion detection systems that control approach and landing.

And so, the researchers painted six Japanese Black cows with black-and-white stripes, which took just five minutes per cow. They then observed the cows for three days, taking high-resolution images of them at regular intervals to count the insects on the animals and also recording any fly-repelling behaviors like leg stamping, tail flicking, and skin twitching. The same cows were also observed for three days with painted-on black stripes (to see if it was the paint chemicals, not the coloring, that repelled flies) and with no stripes at all.

The apparent effects of the stripes were remarkable. The number of biting flies observed on zebra-striped cows was less than half the number seen on unpainted cows and far less than cows painted with black stripes. Moreover, zebra-striping reduced fly-repelling behaviors by about 20 percent, indicating that the cows were less bothered by the insects.

Number of biting flies on legs and body (a) and the frequency of total fly-repelling behaviors (b) of the experimental cows. Unpainted = CONT / Striped = B&W / Black Stripes = B (Kojima et al./PLoS ONE)

The cattle industry commonly sprays pesticides to combat biting flies, but the researchers say that painting stripes with non-toxic materials could be cheaper, healthier for livestock, and better for the environment.

The study should first be replicated with a much larger sample size and different breeds of cows, however.

More effective techniques to ensure the persistence of black-and-white stripes on livestock during the biting fly season (34 months) may be necessary in order to apply this method to animal production sites, the researchers also write.

Should the impressive results of this study be confirmed, this could truly prove to be an inspirational and ingenious translation of a seemingly mundane scientific finding to make the world a better, more humane, and healthier place.

Source: Kojima T, Oishi K, Matsubara Y, Uchiyama Y, Fukushima Y, Aoki N, et al. (2019) Cows painted with zebra-like striping can avoid biting fly attack. PLoS ONE 14(10): e0223447. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223447

From RealClearWire
Passengers Stuck on Amtrak Train for 37 Hours

Passengers board an Amtrak train inside New York's Penn Station in New York on July 7, 2017. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

More than 500 passengers on an Amtrak train traveling from the Washington D.C. area to Florida had to spend 37 hours on board their train due to a rail derailment on its route.

The Amtrak Auto Train departed at 5.30 pm Monday from Lorton, Va., and was expected to reach its destination in Sanford, Fla., within 17 hours.

But due to a CSX freight train derailment ahead of it, the train was delayed for an extra 20 hours, much of which was spent stationary in rural South Carolina, where they waited for a relief crew to arrive.

During this period, passengers were allegedly told that they couldnt get off the train, reported NBC.

Some passengers phoned 911, which train staff urged them to stop doing, according to a video shown on ABC News.

For those of you that are calling the police, we are not holding you hostage, a conductor can be heard saying. We are giving you all the information in which we have. We are sorry about the inconvenience.

A conductor could also be heard telling people not to open their windows to smoke on the train.

Passengers were also requested over the intercom to cease posting videos and photos on social media, reported NBC.

ABC News reported that there were 563 passengers on board the Amtrak train.

The freight train that caused the delay collided with an unoccupied vehicle on the tracks in Lake City, S.C., shortly before 11 p.m. Monday, CSX said in a statement. No injuries were reported.

Amtrak communicated with ABC News about the delay as it occurred.

The train was detoured off its normal route in order to continue operating south, Amtrak said.

We have been providing regular updates to customers, along with meals, snack packs and beverages, it said. The onboard staff is working with pet owners to provide bathroom breaks.

The train finally reached its destination on Wednesday morning.
Pennsylvania Senate Essentially Ends Impeachment of Philadelphia DA

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks to a reporter at the election party of public defender Tiffany Caban moments before she claimed victory the Queens District Attorney Democratic Primary election, in the Queens borough of New York City, on June 25, 2019. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

The Pennsylvania Senate essentially ended the impeachment trial of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday with a 2820 vote to postpone indefinitely. Because it is postponed, the Senate could take it up again, but in the halls of the Capitol in Harrisburg, the appetite for impeachment among leadership is waning.

Wednesdays decision could be appealed to the state Supreme Court, but the mostly Democrat Court is unlikely to change the decision.

Krasnera Democrat whose campaign was funded in part by billionaire George Soroswas accused of declining to prosecute many drug, theft, and prostitution cases and implementing bail policies that quickly put violent offenders back on the street, often to offend again.

The impeachment trial, which was brought by the House and would have been managed by the Senate, was supposed to consider removing Krasner from his elected office.

Statistics show that gun crimes and homicides are up in Philadelphia, and 992 people died by homicide in Philadelphia between Jan. 1, 2021, and Oct. 16, 2022, according to a report about crime in the city.

Krasner on Crime

Those who voted for impeachment in the House latched onto a serious subjectgun violencewith an unserious, unconstitutional, and anti-democratic approach: impeachment of a democratically elected official for his ideas and policies, Krasner posted on Twitter in late December in response to the impeachment.

He touted the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office Gun Violence Task Force in a press release in December. The task force, made up of police officers, state agents, and county prosecutors, was awarded $20 million for technological and forensic modernization and upgrades from the Pennsylvania Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution grant program.

Also in December, Krasner announced the launch of a new unit within the district attorneys office focusing on holding individuals who commit carjackings accountable. As of September, there had been 1,000 carjackings in the city according to Philadelphia Police Department data.

After homicide and shooting victims, carjacking is the third most prevalent crime happening nation-wide, Philadelphia Police Inspector Charles Layton said in a press release announcing the Carjacking Enforcement Unit.

In November, state Rep. Bryan Cutler, then Speaker of the House, spoke in the chamber about why increased crime in Philadelphia matters to the entire state.

The district attorney is currently acting in a legislative capacity by simply declaring entire sections of law void. Nonprosecutable. Will not go after that, Cutler said. Why is that important? Because they are the laws of the Commonwealth, duly passed, and signed into law by this chamber, the Senate, and the governor.

In Philadelphia, the rate of dismissal of cases is much higher than in all other counties in Pennsylvania, he said, noting that the high rate of people dying in Philadelphia is the business of the Legislature.

What is going on right now in the city  does, in fact, impact all of us, Cutler said. It is literally the heart and soul, the economic driver of our Commonwealth. That matters. It is a huge portion of the tax base. But when you have people who are fearful to go into the city to work, to recreate, to visit family  where does that leave us?
Plane Makes Emergency Road Landing Near Chicago, No Injuries

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.A small plane made an emergency landing on a suburban Chicago tollway, authorities said.

No injuries were reported. The pilot was the only person aboard the plane, Bolingbrook fire officials said.

The Beechcraft Bonanza plane landed on the right shoulder of southbound Interstate 355 near Bolingbrook around 2 p.m. CT, Illinois State Police said.

The plane did not strike any vehicles or fixed objects on the ground, police said. However, it caused traffic to back up just before the start of the afternoon rush hour.

The plane, based in Denver, Colorado, was traveling from Middleton, Wisconsin, to Brookeridge Air Park in Downers Grove, Illinois, according to the plane tracking website FlightAware.com.

The Bolingbrook Fire Department said on its Facebook page the plane experienced engine failure.

No further details were immediately available.
Born shortly before the end of the Civil War, Harry Hill Bandholtz (18641925) seemed destined to become a military man inclined toward diplomacy over violence.

At 17, he joined the Illinois National Guard and earned the rank of lance sergeant. He was nominated to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1890. As part of the U.S. Army during peacetime, he spent several years teaching at the Michigan Agricultural College. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, he served as a captain of the 7th Infantry Division. His courageous actions in Cuba earned him a Silver Star (awarded posthumously).

At wars end, he was stationed in the Philippines, which had been annexed by the United States after the Treaty of Paris. The early years were hectic and violent with the start of the Philippine-American War, which continued until July 1902.

During his 13 years in the Philippines, Bandholtz earned a reputation as an officer who could resolve conflicts through peaceful means. In one dramatic event, he walked into a rebel camp, armed only with a local guide, and convinced the rebel leader, Col. Antonio Loamo, to surrender his men and guns.

He served in various capacities in the Philippines, including provincial governor of Tayabas Province, chief of the Philippines Constabulary, and commander of the Veteran Army of the Philippines. Proving the trust and respect he had garnered, he was the only American army officer elected to office by the Filipinos.

Along with his ability to interact diplomatically with friend or foe, Bandholtz also exuded excellent organizational skills. When America entered the Great War in 1917, he was assigned command of 29th Divisions 58th Brigade. His experience and expertise was noted by high command and he was promoted to U.S. Army provost marshal general for Gen. John J. Pershings American Expeditionary Force in France. Pershing had been displeased with the state of the Provost Department, which policed the Army. When Bandholtz took over, he reorganized the department of 40,000-plus members, which included creating a Division of Criminal Investigations and professionalizing the AEFS Military Police Force. As the war drew to a close, he established the Military Police Corps.

Shortly after the war, he remained in Europe as the American representative for the Inter-Allied Military Mission. He helped oversee the withdrawal of Serbian and Romanian troops from Hungary. Reminiscent of his walking into the Filipino rebel camp, Bandholtz, armed only with a riding crop, prevented Romanian troops from sacking the countrys National Museum in Budapest.

When asked about that October day, he said, I simply carried out the instructions of my Government, as I understood them, as an officer and a gentleman of the United States Army.

The statue of Major General Bandholtz in front of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary. (Misibacsi/ CC BY-SA 3.0)

In 1921, he resolved the West Virginia Mine Wars when he commanded 2,000 federal troops and orchestrated a double-envelopment of the combatants. The bloody insurrection, which had lasted 10 years, ended without a shot fired.

Bandholtz, over his career, exemplified what it meant to be an officer and a gentleman by resolving conflicts through the use of force, but most notably through diplomacy.

Known as the Father of the Military Police Corps, he was inducted into the Military Police Corps Hall of Fame in 1992the halls inaugural year. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal on July 9, 1918, only seven months after the medal was introduced. He also has a statue erected in Budapest commemorating his actions to save the nations artifacts.

The diary he kept during his time in Hungary was published posthumously and was considered by professor, historian, and editor of the diary, Fritz-Konrad Kruger, as a monument to an upright, fair-minded and humane American, who has represented the best type of his countrymen in an unfortunate land.
Queensland to Fast-Track Oil Refinery Upgrade

Queensland will fast-track approvals for Ampol to upgrade one of the two remaining oil refineries in the nation within two years.

Acting Premier Steven Miles has called in the ASX-listed fossil fuel producers application to upgrade its ageing Brisbane plant to produce low-sulphur petrol by the end of 2024 when that becomes mandatory under federal law.

The federal government is in talks over a taxpayer-funded grant for Ampol to upgrade its refinery, which along with Viva Energys Brisbane facility, it considers as strategically important.

The state governments move to call in the project will speed up the approvals process to allow the company to break ground sooner.

This is one of only two refineries in the country; its critical to fuel security for Queensland and for the entire nation, Mr Miles said.

This project will allow Ampol to deliver to Queensland businesses and consumers cleaner lower emissions fuel, it will safeguard the 850 jobs here directly employed and contractors, as well as create 300 additional jobs (in the construction phase).

Ampol executive general manager Andrew Brewer welcomed the state governments support for speeding up approvals for a project that will effectively extend the life of the 58-year-old refinery.

Were looking to see effectively ultra-low sulphur gasoline product come on time  for the Australian market by the end of 2024, he told reporters.

So its an aggressive project schedule, and were looking to work hard on it.

Australian oil refineries have posted years of losses as they struggle to compete against larger Asian rivals and decarbonisation policies put them under further pressure.

However, supply disruptions caused by the pandemic and soaring fuel prices last year raised concerns about Australias long-term fuel security and spurred the former Morrison government to consider other means of propping up refineries.

The former government agreed to offer Ampol and Viva grants of $125 million each to upgrade their refineries by the end of 2024, which are being renegotiated by the Albanese government.

Despite bipartisan support for fossil fuel refiners, BP ceased operations at its West Australian plant and Exxon Mobil shut its Altona plant in Victoria last year.

BP plans to refit its Bokarina facility to make biofuel for commercial aviation by 2025, while Oceania Biofuels is planning a $500 million commercial aviation fuel bio-refinery in Gladstone in central Queensland.
GOP Lawmakers Say Born Alive Bill Shows Newborns That Survive Abortions Are Deserving of Medical Care

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and other Congressional members hold a press conference on Jan. 11, 2023, in a still image from video released by NTD. (NTD)

Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) shared their support of a bill that passed in the House on Jan. 9, dubbed the Born Alive act, which requires medical practitioners to provide medical care for babies born after an attempted abortion.

The bill, titled the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (pdf), would prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion.The bill on Wednesday before the House passed it on a 220-210 vote, followed by the passage of a resolution that condemned acts of arson and vandalism against pro-life organizations.

The idea that we would have a child that would because of a botched abortion and be born alive, and then they would not receive proper medical care is soul-crushing and across America, there are all kinds of people who, even if they believe in abortion rights, they know that that baby is deserving of medical care, Johnson told NTD News.

Thats what the Republican House is going to say with a clear voice today that that is a human being that is worthy of protection and worthy of the appropriate medical care, Johnson added.

The bill passed in the House with the support of 219 Republicans and one Democrat, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, voted in favor of the bill. On Wednesday, the House also passed a resolution condemning acts of arson and vandalism against facilities operated by pro-life organizations.

While the Born Alive bill passed in the House, it is likely to face tougher odds in the Democrat-controlled Senate. In 2019, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Nebr.) introduced a similar bill to the Senate in 2019, but the bill failed to garner the 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster. Sasses 2019 bill did garner support from three Senate Democrats, CBS reported at the time.

Last session, what you saw was nearly every single Democrat, voted in support of having abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, Van Duyne said. I think what were trying to do is set the the tables right again, let it be known where we do stand on abortion, where we stand on life. And I think its the timeliness of finally getting into the majority to be able to have something like this pass after seeing some of the monstrous bills that passed last Congress, I think its important for the American people that they recognize that we actually do appreciate and do on focus on life.

Republicans Say Bill Gives Women a Voice

In addition to providing a standard of care to newborns that survive an abortion, the Born Alive bill also requires hospitals to report violations to law enforcement authorities, and penalizes the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.

The bill also states that a mother of a newborn that survives an abortion may not be prosecuted under the bill. The legislation also creates a cause of action for the mother of an abortion survivor to sue an abortion provider.

I think were trying to give women a voice, Van Duyne said of the protections in the bill for mothers of newborns that survive an abortion.

And if they do feel threatened in any way, they should be able to have a consequence, and have an ability to be able to go and seek protection and to seek support, she added.

Johnson said the Born Alive bill is not just a messaging bill.

This is something that is thoughtful, its deliberate, it tries to make sure that we have the appropriate resources to mothers who need additional care, Johnson said.

Abortion Group Calls Republican Measures Extremist

NARAL Pro-Choice America condemned the House votes to pass the Born Alive bill and the resolution condemning attacks on pro-life groups, calling the votes an assault on abortion.

Once again, Democrats are fighting for our reproductive freedom and the 8 in 10 Americans who support the legal right to abortion, while Republicans are doubling down on their anti-choice extremist values, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju said in a press statement.

NARAL Pro-Choice America said the Born Alive bill would interfere in personal family decisions while the resolution condemning attacks on pro-life groups is meant to muddy the waters and detract from the GOPs extremely unpopular anti-reproductive freedom agenda.

Johnson rejected the premise that the Born Alive bill represents an extreme restriction on abortion.

Lets remember the facts that were talking about here. A child has been born alive. Its heart is beating, its eyes are blinking. It has breath. It is there in a medical facility with medical professionals who can save its life. Taking care of that baby is not extreme. It is basic human dignity, he said.

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) also argued against the idea that the Born Alive bill represents an extreme position, arguing instead that supporting abortion up to the moment of birth represents the more extreme position.

Last Congress we saw the most extreme nature of Democrats, when you agree to the abortion of a baby up until the moment of birth, thats extreme, Van Duyne told NTD News ahead of the House vote. What were saying is lets set the expectations that we do support life, that we do value life.

House Republican, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, expressed some concern about the messaging of the bill before its passage.

Its tone-deaf at this point. Its never going to pass the Senate. Its never going to get to the presidents desk to be signed into law, Mace said Tuesday, NBC reported. Were only paying lip service to the pro-life movement. If you want to make a difference and reduce the number of abortions with a Democrat-controlled Senate, the No. 1 issue we should be working on is access to birth control.

Mace said the majority of voters in her district opposed the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case. Despite her stated concerns, Mace voted in favor of the bill on Wednesday.
Republican Congressman Calls for Audit of Federal Reserve

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) reintroduced on Jan. 10 his Federal Reserve Transparency Act in the House of Representatives, an annual tradition for the congressman. Dubbed the Audit the Fed bill, the legislation is an evolved iteration of a bill put forth by former congressman Ron Paul (R-Tex.) back in 1983.

Its official! Massi wrote in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon. I just reintroduced my bipartisan bill to audit the Federal Reserve, HR 24.

Its official! I just reintroduced my bipartisan bill to audit the Federal Reserve, HR 24. #auditthefed pic.twitter.com/KxXj3JK4hp  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 10, 2023

Massies bill would require a full audit of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve system and the Federal Reserve banks.

Pauls original bill, despite being introduced in the early 1980s, did not receive a vote in the House until 2012, where it passed 33798 with overwhelming bipartisan support. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) refused to hold a senatorial vote on the legislation despite having advocating for a Federal Reserve audit earlier in his career.

The rationale behind the initiative, espoused by free market conservatives like Paul and Massiewho blame the U.S. central bank for its role in the countrys economic instabilityis that transparency would better allow the public to prepare for and avoid financial crises.

Ive been talking about it for decades and arguing that we had a financial system that was very friable, very vulnerable, and it was the Fed that was creating the bubbles, said Paul during a speech at the CATO Institute in 2009. Therefore, we should be looking into it and preventing these problems rather than waiting for a cataclysmic financial crisis to hit.

Rep. Massie has echoed similar sentiments in the recent past and offered criticisms of his own as to why the public deserves more insight in the central bank.

The Federal Reserve has, on the one hand, many privileges of government agencies while retaining benefits of private organizations, such as being largely insulated from Freedom of Information Act requests, Massie said during a speech on the House floor in 2014. The Federal Reserve can enter into agreements with foreign central banks and foreign governments, and the GAO [Government Accountability Office] is prohibited from auditing these agreements.

The GAO periodically conducts reviews of the Federal Reserve, but these are not full-scale audits and do not include arrangements made with foreign counterparts. Massies bill would require the comptroller general, the head of the GAO, to conduct a full audit of the Fed.

Acting Fed Chair Jerome Powell also stressed the importance of transparency at a symposium in Stockholm, Sweden, on Tuesday.

With independence comes the responsibility to provide the transparency that enables effective oversight by Congress, which, in turn, supports the Feds democratic legitimacy, said the central banker, adding that the Federal Reserve has made substantial progress on that front. Over the past several decades, we have steadily broadened our efforts to provide meaningful transparency.

Powell has cautioned against the audit the Fed movement in years past, however, saying it could impose undue political pressure on monetary policy.

Critics of the proposal say that U.S. central bankers are already sufficiently audited. Though not conducted by the comptroller general, the Fed is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm retained by the office of the inspector general.

According to a former trader on the Federal Reserves Open Market Trading Desk, Joseph Wang, nearly all of the central banks financial activities are disclosed to the public, though often with a lag. That said, Wang acknowledged there are certain obfuscated areas.

One thing that might be of interest to the public is the Feds new FIMA [Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration] repo facility, where it lends money to foreign central banks and governments against Treasury collateral, he told The Epoch Times. The borrowers of that facility are not disclosed, but even governments not necessarily friendly to the United States could borrow through it.

Massie is not the only member of Congress carrying the Ron Paul torch. Pauls son, Rand, a U.S. senator from Kentucky, continues to advocate for more central bank transparency, introducing bills similar to Massies in the Senate in recent years.

In a 2017 interview with Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Rand Paul was asked why Americans should want to audit the central bank, to which he replied, I think an easier question is why wouldnt we want to audit the Fed? Its about transparency. Its about knowing what your government does.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Lawsuit Takes Aim at Our (Dis)Information Overlords

Commentary

At this point, references to George Orwells dystopian masterpiece 1984 are cliche.

The prevalence of authoritarian government control over what we see and hear is so unanimous that the analogy is hardly insightful.

But stillwhat else better encapsulates the perfect inversion of truth as our regimes standard operating procedure?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., founder and chairman of the nonprofit Childrens Health Defense, has filed a lawsuit against the Trusted News Initiative (TNI), an information curation project that presents itself as an organizational partnership fighting for global citizen access to reliable news.

In perfect Orwellian fashion, TNI happens to be anything but trustworthy.

The group is led by the UK government-owned broadcaster BBC and includes member organizations such as Meta, Google/YouTube, The Washington Post, and Twitter. Its website states that TNI intends to improve how news organisations can rebuild trust and tackle the next disinformation challenges.

Kennedys lawsuit (pdf) makes antitrust and constitutional claims against the TNI outlets for working together to collectively censor online news about COVID-19 and the 2020 presidential election. It aims at the rampant corruption of legacy media and its collusion with Big Tech to maintain an iron grip on the information narrative.

I wont pretend to be a constitutional lawyer who can minutely analyze the particulars of the lawsuit or weigh in on the legal strength of the case.

Supporters wait on the National Mall during a rally wherein President Donald Trump challenged the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election on the Ellipse in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Rather, my intention here is to shed some light on the social phenomenon of propaganda forums, of which TNI is an excellent examplealthough hardly the only one.

Founded in 2020, TNI hosts a virtual conference that seeks to educate and inform leaders in the news industry on identifying, combating, and (although its unlikely to admit it) censoring information that it deems to be dangerous or threatening.

What qualifies in the latter category? You guessed it: anything that doesnt perfectly align with the interpretation of events that emanates from the newsrooms of legacy media outlets or official government press releases. Those who challenge the status quo are subsequently targeted for public relations annihilation. The primary focus of TNI is then, of course, on silencing dissenting voices about issues such as vaccines and COVID-19 policy. Questions about the legitimacy of elections or voter fraud are obviously a no-go as well.

But this isnt news to you (no pun intended), since youre reading The Epoch Times, one of the few sources of information thats actually concerned with digging for the truth, no matter how uncomfortable the revelations that endeavor may unearth. This, of course, means that its the exact type of outlet thats in the crosshairs of those institutions and organizations whose very existence is predicated on maintaining information hegemony.

In the introduction to TNIs 2022 conference, BBC Director Tim Davie decried the assault on truth in recent years. According to Davie, this has culminated in a full-on information war in Ukraine in whichyou probably guessed it againRussia is the ultimate villain.

Russia has criminalized independent journalism, Davie said, and blocked independent news sources including our own BBC platforms.

Now, at this point, you should probably be laughing at loudI know that I was. One of the highest-ranking individuals at the BBC, one of the worlds foremost state-run propaganda outlets, is telling us that theres misinformation about the war in Ukraine and that independent journalism is under attack?

The sheer gall of those who have fashioned themselves as our information overlords is enough to make you believe that the whole thing is a parody.

Independent journalism surely is under attack. Perhaps in Russia, but certainly right here at home. The RFK Jr. lawsuit is based on the fact that theres a ruthless assault on anyone who deviates from the accepted script. As much as organizations such as TNI may want to brush aside the Twitter Files, its revelations are impossible to discount if you actually care about independent journalism, orfor that matterthe truth.

Twitters new owner, Elon Musk, released Twitter Files that published the social media platforms secret blacklists. (Michael Gonzalez/Stringer/Getty Images via NTD)

Figures such as those at the BBC, of course, dont care about actual honest reporting. They care about their position. The incestuous relationship between government and media works to direct the public hive mind toward the formers desired endsof which maintaining their comfortable spot sitting upon the backs of a quiescent populace is central.

Does the BBC not know that its being fed obviously biased information from Western intelligence? Of course it does. And its own reporting on events subsequently justifies the policy positions to the citizenry.

Politicians subsequently get to appear as though theyre acting in accordance with the public will. Meanwhile, military and intelligence involvement subsequently expand according to those entities analysis of information fed to the legacy-media mouthpieces. Add in the potential for lucrative private sector deals, and the actual criteria for trustworthy news begins to take shape.

Media leaders, politicians, military and defense officialson and on we go in a neverending cycle of self-aggrandizement and personal enrichment.

Everyone wins. Except for the people.

This isnt a new concept, however. Weve seen this from the beginning with the fact-checking phenomenon, which is essentially idea laundering between legacy media and social media (with plenty of government pressure) to maintain the formers relevance. Big Tech makes it so that the only information that qualifies as reliable happens to be coming from the legacy outlets that are reporting the regime-approved narrative. If actual independent journalism was allowed to flourish unencumbered, the mainstream would not only lose its position atop the information hierarchyit would also go bankrupt.

It isnt just money, however. Getting to decide whos a trusted news source and whos dangerous disinformation is just as much (if not more) about status. The likes of those at legacy media outlets, the fact-checkers, the censors, the specialists in fake news, and the college professors combatting media disinformationall of themhave divined themselves as our new priestly class.

They decide what can be spoken and whats verboten; whats sacrosanct and whats heresy. In their self-declared position as our moral and intellectual superiors, they get to exert real power over our liveswhat we say, what we write, and even (as is their hope) what we think.

This isnt inconsequential. The American Founders believed freedom of expression to be the most fundamental factor of our humanity. No man or woman has the right to unduly inhibit your God-given ability to believe, speak, and live your life by what you understand to be the truth (so long as it isnt infringing on the rights of others). Without the protection of that right, theres no America.

In Orwells 1984, Big Brother maintained total control over the dissemination of information in a manner that manipulated the public consciousness to serve the ends of the regime at any given time. As the political expediencies of the moment changed, so too did the narrative. The intention, however, wasnt to merely keep the people subservient to Big Brother. Rather, they had to be in awestruck veneration of him.

Thats what most people miss about the book. Control over individual thought wasnt a means to the end of physical control; the control of thought was the end in and of itself. Likewise, our own information curators want to quash dissidence not because it competes with their narrative. They want to quash dissidence because control over what we believe is what their very position is predicated upon. In an otherwise unfulfilled life, its their means to that most profoundly human need for honor, respect, and adoration.

After the main character was physically beaten down and entirely demoralized by his authoritarian government, the final lines of 1984 read as follows:

Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his [Winston, the books protagonist] nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

I say never give up that struggle. Mutilating your soul in prostration to the regime is no victory. Never love Big Brother.

Love the Truth.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Coalition Responds to Newsom's Blasphemous Billboards with Pro-Chastity Message





NEWS PROVIDED BY

Life Legal Defense Foundation

Jan. 11, 2023



NAPA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- Last September California Governor Gavin Newsom's campaign paid to promote abortion via public billboards in seven states, including Ohio. Some of Newsom's billboards used the words of Jesus to invite women to travel to California for abortions: "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:31



In response to Newsom's blasphemous billboards, a coalition of pro-life organizations is placing billboards in the same locations as Newsom posted his pro-abortion billboards. One such billboard is located in Columbus, OH.

View the pro-life coalition's billboard at abortionlessfuture.com

"We need to have a conversation in this country --including in the pro-life movement-- about the true cause of most abortions," said coalition spokesman Mark Harrington. "The billboards are intended to remind people of the inconvenient truth that the main driver of abortion is irresponsible sexual activity."



The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 86.3% of abortions are performed on unmarried women. The abortion ratio was 46 abortions per 1,000 live births for married women and 412 abortions per 1,000 live births for unmarried women  a nine-fold difference.



If men and women stopped having sex outside of relationships truly committed to protecting the lives of the babies they create, the demand for abortion would largely disappear. Pro-life resources could then focus on helping families welcome their unexpected additions.



The Coalition for an Abortion-Free Future is made up of national pro-life organizations committed to saving children in the womb and ending abortion.



For more information or interviews contact Catherine Short (707) 224-6675 or info@AbortionLessFuture.com.



1. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7110a1.htm



SOURCE Life Legal Defense Foundation



CONTACT: Catherine Short, 707-224-6675


A Beatrice man is being recognized for his business achievements by the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce.

Wilfred Dick Tegtmeier, who passed away in 2013, is being inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

A pioneer in the lawn mower industry, Tegtmeier turned sketches drawn in his basement into two successful businesses, eventually employing more than 600 Nebraskans and giving Beatrice the unofficial title of "Lawn Mower Capital of the World.

This years honorees embody the vision, grit and community loyalty often ingrained in our boldest-thinking Nebraskans, said Nebraska Chamber President Bryan Slone. The impact each of them has had on our communities, quality of life, and state reputation and identity is awe-inspiring.

Tegtmeier designed his first line of lawn mowers at Kees Manufacturing in the 1970s before starting Exmark Manufacturing with partners in 1983 and launching a new line. In 1988, he formed a new mower company, Encore Manufacturing, which grew quickly.

Exmark is now a division of Toro Company. Encore was sold to China-based World Lawn Power Equipment on the condition that the facility continue operating in Beatrice.

Tegtmeier was active in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Beatrice Optimists, Gage County Economic Development and Nebraska Diplomats, in addition to representing Nebraska on several trade missions.

Tegtmeier will be among the honorees inducted during a hall of fame banquet on Feb. 2 in Lincoln.
Rush to Renewables May Destabilize Grid as Electricity Dependence Soars

Government policies are pushing ever more Americans onto the U.S. electric grid even as the climate-change experiment makes the grid increasingly unstable.

In August, Massachusetts joined California, New York, and Washington in passing laws to restrict the use of oil and gas in new home construction. Several states have also set dates for banning the sale of gasoline-powered cars.

At the federal level, the electrification effort has included heavy subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations, even a contemplated ban on gas stoves. On top of government efforts comes the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement, which has succeeded in arm-twisting corporations and public utilities into compliance with its net-zero emissions agenda.

All of this makes Americans more dependent on the electric grid at a time when utilities are accelerating the closure of coal and gas-fired plants, leaving the grid increasingly reliant on intermittent wind and solar power. This has sparked warnings from utility infrastructure experts that Americas dash toward renewables could be driving our electric grid toward instability.

Running while were tying our shoes is the analogy I would give, John Moura, director of reliability assessment at the North American Electricity Reliability Corp. (NERC), told The Epoch Times. The NERC is charged with regulating electric utilities to ensure that they can deliver electricity whenever it is needed.

The NERC produces an annual long-term reliability assessment (LTRA). According to the 2022 LTRA, while many areas of the grid are expected to meet demand, several areas are at high risk of falling short. Two high-risk areas are California and a mid-continent zone running from Ontario down through the Great Lakes region to Louisiana.

The projected shortfall continues an accelerating trend  as older coal, nuclear, and natural gas generation exit the system faster than replacement resources are connecting, the LTRA states. In addition to the high-risk areas, areas of elevated risk included New England and the entire western United States outside of California.

(Source: NERC, Long-Term Reliability Assessment Report, December 2022)

A report by industry experts Paul Bonifas and Tim Considine, titled The Limits to Green Energy, puts it more bluntly:

It is unknown what level of VRE [variable renewable energy] can be added to the grid before it breaks or becomes unaffordable. However, it is all but certain that at some unknown point, the grid will become unreliable and costs will skyrocket. And yet, more VREs are built every year.

Is a 100 percent renewable grid technology possible, is it reliable, and is it economical? No, no, and no.

The report states that the incessant shutting down of reliable power sourcesgas, coal, and nuclearwill be destabilizing, and the costs to conform the grid to weather-dependent renewable power generation are significant and unknown.

Many of the issues stem from the physics of electricity and the architecture of our power grid, which Moura calls the largest machine in the world. Americas electric grid features hundreds of power plants situated throughout the United States connected to transformers that convert that power so it can be transmitted throughout the about 700,000-mile network of high-voltage transmission lines. The electricity then makes its way to neighborhood transformers that progressively step down the voltage so that it can be safely used in homes.

Because the electricity on the grid cant sit idle or be stored for long periods, it must be consumed as it is created. Conversely, at the moment that people turn on the heat, charge a car, or flip a light switch in their homes, that electricity must be generated at the moment at some point along the grid.

Electricity consumption and generation must always be balanced, Bonifas and Considine write. If it isnt, the power grid could collapse. Thankfully, the immense size and interconnectedness of electricity grids make the balance issue easier to handle; billions of electrical loads across the country are constantly being added and removed, averaging out at any given moment.

Under normal conditions, the LTRA report states, the North American grid has performed reliably. Because of the grids enormous size, a shortage of electricity in one area when demand is peaking can be covered by shifting excess supply from other areas; however, the grid has increasingly been struggling to do this in recent years, leading to outages on very hot or cold days, when people need electricity the most.

Supply Increasingly Depends on Weather

The problem comes when weather-dependent sources such as wind and solar are introduced into the grid at increasing rates. The problem is not just that VREs only generate power when the weather cooperates, but also that even when the weather is cooperating, the timing is off. For example, peak solar generation typically occurs about five hours before peak demand during the daytime, and peak wind generation often comes at night when demand is lower. And there are also seasonal mismatches between supply and demand for renewables.

In the winter, one of the particular challenges with solar is that peak electricity demand is happening usually when the sun is down, early morning, or early evening, Moura said. You can add as much solar as you want, but it wouldnt be there to contribute to that time period and serving demand.

This highlights the large gap with renewables between how much they can produce under ideal conditions and what they actually produce when they are put into the grid. This measurement of actual versus potential output is called the capacity factor. Capacity factors for wind and solar are 25 percent and 35 percent, respectively, versus 50 percent for coal, 55 percent for natural gas, and 93 percent for nuclear. But even those percentages likely overstate the usefulness of wind and solar because 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia currently have renewable energy mandates that require utilities to buy from renewable sources first, often leaving traditional sources idle.

Because of the unpredictability of VREs, fossil fuel and nuclear power stations must be on hand to act as a smoothing system that can be ramped up or down at will, and rebalance intermittent supply with demand. When renewables made up a small subset of power generation, the grid was able to more effectively manage their variability. But the United States is now moving in the direction of having renewables be the dominant source of its electricity without having assessed the cost of necessary grid upgrades, or even at what point this transition pushes the grid to its breaking point.

Various storage options have been proposed to replace the smoothing function of fossil fuels and nuclear generators, but whether they can be viable at scale and cost-effective, and when, remains an unanswered question.

Its really our conventional fossil-based fuelthats what we can store en masse today, Moura said about existing reliable energy storage options. Batteries are emerging, but its still infinitesimally small compared to what we would need in the future.

Electricity Dependence Rapidly Increasing

While the grid struggles with intermittent supply, demand is rising steadily. NERCs report states: In many parts of North America, peak electricity demand is increasing, and forecasting demand and its response to extreme temperatures and abnormal weather is increasingly uncertain.  Specifically, electrification of residential heating requires the system to serve high demand on especially cold days.

The grid must be set up to handle peak demand, which is difficult to predict in terms of demand levels and timing. For example, despite a fairly mild winter, Tennessee, one of the more robust segments of the grid, experienced rolling blackouts around Christmas when temperatures suddenly dropped below zero Fahrenheit for several days.

What kind of resources do I have available that can readily be there, that I can constantly be assured will show up on the coldest of cold days? Moura said. If I look at my options, they are slowly dwindling. I used to have more, but now I cant build any oil generators; it really is hard to build gas generators in certain states; no ones building any more coal.

Another potentially huge boost in demand will likely come from EVs. Sales of EVs increased by two-thirds in 2022, to more than 800,000, or nearly 6 percent of all cars sold.

The whole system, Moura said, is designed to serve air-conditioning load, summer peak load, which is typically the maximum demand for electricity in a given year. To put EVs in perspective, he said, one electric vehicle charger is equivalent to about two-and-a-half normal-sized air conditioners.

California, which is one of several states seeking to ban the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035, was recently forced to tell residents to limit charging their EVs during a summer heat wave because the grid couldnt handle the demand.

Today, we dont have the generating capacity that would be needed to serve any percentage of the total EV cars in a given area, Moura said. No area has the capacity to handle it today. We have a lot of things that are electrifying as wellmanufacturing processes, crypto mining, population growth.

The LTRA recommends holding off on shutting down coal, gas, and nuclear plants until more is known about whether the grid can handle the variability.

Weve raised the flag, saying we need to secure more firm resources, that the states need to act, and its really the states that have this authority to ensure that generation doesnt prematurely retire, Moura said. Part of the strategy around managing the pace [of transition] is not prematurely retiring these before weve got all our ducks in a row and weve got a reliable system that we can count on.

One country that isnt racing into the renewable energy transition is China. As Western nations move forward with their plan to shut down more than 75 percent of their coal plants, China is adding 33 gigawatts of new coal-based power generation. China currently consumes six times as much coal as the United States.
Russian Forces Claim Victory in Soledar, Set Sights on Bakhmut

Russian forces are reportedly advancing on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, having claimed victory in the nearby city of Soledarassertions that have been denied by officials in Kyiv.

We have made clear progress, Igor Kimakovsky, a spokesman for the Moscow-backed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR), said on Jan. 12.

Soledar is practically ours, Kimakovsky said, according to Russias TASS news agency.

He went on to claim that Russian forces had also made gains in the vicinity of Bakhmut and the nearby town of Avdiivka.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) speaks to General Staff Chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov (R) as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sits (L) on Sept. 6, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik via AP)

Russian forces deployed in the area include DPR militiamen and the Wagner Group, a paramilitary organization directed by the Kremlin.

On Jan. 11, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, declared that Russian forces are in control of Soledar.

I want to confirm the complete liberation  of the territory of Soledar, Prigozhin said in a statement.

Soledar and Bakhmut are located in the Donetsk region, which was annexed by Russiaalong with three other regionsin September 2022.

Ukraine and its Western allies see the move as an illegal land grab, and Kyiv has vowed to recover the lost territories by force of arms.

Ukrainian officials have dismissed Russian claims of victory in Soledar as propaganda, saying the towns fate remains undecided.

The terrorist state and its propagandists are trying to pretend that part of our town of Soledar  is some sort of Russian possession, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Jan. 11.

Fighting [in Soledar] continues. The Donetsk theater of operations is holding.

Known for its expansive salt mines, Soledar sits roughly five miles northeast of Bakhmut, a transport hub that Ukraine relies on to resupply its forces on the eastern front.

Military analysts say the fall of Bakhmut (Artyomovsk in Russian), where fighting has raged for the past several months, would severely disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. It also would pave the way for a Russian advance on the towns of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key Ukrainian strongholds to the northwest.

Moscow Reshuffles Commanders

On Jan. 11, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced sweeping changes to the command structure of Moscows invasion of Ukraine, now in its 11th month. According to a ministry statement, Gen. Valery Gerasimov has been named supreme commander of operations, replacing Gen. Sergey Surovikin.

Under the new command structure, Surovikinwho was appointed to the post in October 2022will return to his previous role as commander of Russian aerospace forces.

The ministry attributed its decision to the broader scope of current operations and the need for closer coordination between military branches and services.

The move also aims to improve logistics support and the command effectiveness of ongoing military operations in Ukraine, according to the ministry.

On Jan. 12, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the reshuffle is related to the expanded scope of objectives that will be addressed.

Gerasimov, who also has served as deputy defense minister, is said to be a master tactician who has written extensively on military strategy.

In September 2022, Valeriy Zaluzhny, commander of Ukraines armed forces, told Time magazine that he had learned from Gerasimov. Describing Gerasimov as the smartest of men, Zaluzhny said hes read everything he ever wrote.

In the recent shakeup, Shoigu also appointed Gen. Oleg Salyukov as commander of Russian ground forces and Col.-Gen. Alexey Kim as deputy chief of the armed forces.

Russian marines take position during RussiaBelarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Ukraine Conducts Drills Near Belarus

In a related development, the Ukrainian military reportedly is conducting drills in the countrys northwest near the border with Belarus, a key Russian ally.

In October 2022, Moscow dispatched thousands of troopsand substantial amounts of military hardwareto Belarusian territory. Soon afterward, the Russian air force began staging regular patrol flights over the countrys 675-mile border with Ukraine.

Late last month, Belarusian officials stated that Russian-deployed Iskander missile systems and S-400 air-defense systems were up and running in Belarusian territory.

The stepped-up military cooperation has raised renewed concern that Belarus might be used as a staging ground for a Russian advance on Kyivas was seen in the opening weeks of the invasion.

The Ukrainian capital is only 95 miles south of the Belarusian border.

A Russian offensive from Belarus could potentially threaten the supply of weapons to Ukraine from neighboring Poland. It also would force Kyiv to divert badly needed resources away from the southern and eastern fronts, where fierce fighting continues.

They can try, but were ready for them, said one Ukrainian army colonel taking part in the military exercises near the border. Every turn and every junction has been dug up.

Belarus hasnt played an active role in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, even as Russia and Belarus have been bound since 1999 by a Union State treaty aimed at bolstering economic and military ties between the two countries.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly said he has no intention of sending Belarusian troops into Ukraine to fight alongside their Russian counterparts.

On Jan. 12, a Russian delegation headed by Salyukov paid a visit to Belarus. During his visit, Salyukov was expected to inspect Russian forces deployed in the country, according to a Belarusian Defense Ministry statement.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Samsung Reportedly Moves Its Top-of-the-Line Product Out of CES Venue to Avoid Intellectual Property Theft

The company moves its top-end TV to a nearby hotels non-public showcase

Attendees view Samsung Electronics Co.s Micro LED TVs displayed during a media preview ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) of Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 3, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

Samsung Electronics exhibition hall at CES 2023 was different from previous years. The company did not display its top-of-the-line TV at the main venue of the Las Vegas Convention Center, reportedly to avoid being copied by Chinese companies.

According to South Korean experts, Samsungs tolerance for Chinese plagiarism has reached its limit, and advanced tech companies worldwide are strengthening their vigilance against China.

This years Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the worlds largest annual trade show of tech, was held in Las Vegas from Jan. 6 to Jan. 8. According to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the venues host, more than 3,000 companies from 173 countries participated in the event.

Among them, 550 companies were from South Korea, second only to the United States, with more than 1,500 companies participating in the venue.

Samsung Electronics, per usual, had the largest exhibition hall among participants at the venue. However, this year was different. The companys new top-end TVs and home appliances were not present at the event, substituted with the companys SmartThings technologies.

Attendees wait in line beneath a large LED display of smart connected home products to enter the Samsung Electronics booth, during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 6, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, Samsung unveiled the new products at a nearby hotel. The showcase was non-public, allowing only selected local consumers and media personnel into the showroom.

According to South Korean media Chosun Ilbo, the main product at the non-public showcase was Samsungs new line of 4K Mirco LED TVs. This year, the companys Micro LED TV lineup included seven sizes: 50, 63, 76, 89, 101, 114, and 140-inch. Previously there were only three sizes ranging from 50 to 76 inches.

Micro LED TVs are made with displays that consist of many micron-scale LEDs. Unlike traditional LCD or LED TVs, Micro LED TVs do not need backlights.

South Korean media widely described Samsungs move to withdraw the top-end product from its main venue as really rare.

A Samsung official explained to South Korean paper, Chosun Ilbo, that it is not uncommon for people from competing companies, especially Chinese, to come to the exhibition hall to measure the thickness of the latest TVs, and even measure the temperature of the screen, and then launch their counterfeit products.

Lee Ji-yong, a professor at South Koreas Keimyung Universitys Department of International Studies, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 6 that Chinese companies have an extensive history of blatantly copying others products, and Samsung has suffered greatly as a result.

Chinese companies have violated intellectual property rights to a severe degree Samsung has woken up this time, and its tolerance toward [Chinese competitors] has reached its limit, Lee said.

This goes to show that companies with cutting-edge technologies are becoming more vigilant against China. Now that Samsung has done this, advanced tech companies around the world may imitate this approach in the future.

Samsungs The Wall, a 146-inch MicroLED television, is displayed at the Samsung booth during CES 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.,

Chinese Knockoffs of Korean Products At CES 2023

According to Korea Economic Daily, LG Electronics staff found a product identical to LG Styler, a smart steam closet system, at the CES booth of TCL Technology, a Chinese consumer electronics company.

An LG spokesperson demostrates the LG Styler, a household clothing care machine, at the LG booth during CES 2016 at the Las Vegas Convention Centerin Las Vegas, Nev. on Jan. 6, 2016. (David Becker/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the washing machine and dryer next to TCLs steam closet at the exhibition also appear reminiscent of Samsungs BESPOKE washing machine and dryer set.

Likewise, a similar situation occurred at the booth of Hisense, a Chinese home appliance maker.

The company sign for Hisense appliance and electronics manufacturer is displayed at CES 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 6, 2023. (David Becker/Getty Images)

Hisenses M1 Series TV that doubles as a picture frame appear to imitate the Gallery Mode TVs launched by Samsung and LG several years ago.

Data from Omida, a London-based market research firm, showed Samsung Electronics ranked first with a 20.2 percent share in global TV sales in the third quarter last year, and LG Electronics ranked second with a 12.0 percent share. In third and fourth place were TCL Technology and Hisense, with shares of 11.7 percent and 10.1 percent, respectively, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Another Yonhap report suggested that due to the deepening conflict between the United States and China and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Vivo, and OPPO did not participate in this years CES.

According to the Consumer Technology Association, the host of CES, there were only about 480 Chinese exhibitors at this years event, accounting for about 16 percent of the participants, a significant decrease compared to previous years.

It said before the global pandemic, Chinese companies accounted for more than one-third of the participants.
Satellite images are highlighting Chinas death surge, showing an uptick in the number of vehicles parked at funeral homes.

A Pfizer-made COVID-19 drug is soon to be removed from Chinas health insurance list. Beijing is complaining the drug is too expensive, while the drugmakers CEO disagrees.

Bipartisan efforts are working to counter the Chinese communist regime. U.S. lawmakers are launching a new committee on China.

Germany confirmed it wont send weapons to Taiwan. One lawmaker says its not a question of military aid.

A Chinese warship has been spotted deep in the South Pacific. What does the sighting say about Beijings latest military moves?

Topics in this episode:
Second Amendment Groups Expect New House Majority to Stand and Fight For Gun Owners

Pro-gun advocates say Congress must defend Constitution

Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) listens to floor proceedings in the U.S. House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker on Jan. 6, 2023. Gun rights advocates expect McCarthy and House Republicans to use their majority to defend the Second Amendment. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) tried to make hay with Republicans by starting the 118th Congress with a move to defund 87,000 new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, but Second Amendment groups see the new Congress as a mixed blessing at best.

While McCarthy was touting efforts to rein in the IRS, Gun Owners of America (GOA) decried what it called a misguided effort to address illegal immigration and placate gun control proponents.

This does not align with the pro-gun agenda GOA and the National Rifle Association (NRA) hope will be pushed by the House majority.

According to a statement on the GOA website, a proposed law requiring the FBI to report anyone illegally in the countrybased on information found in firearms purchase background checksto Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not a pro-gun bill.

A picture of Wayne LaPierre is seen at the National Rifle Association (NRA) booth during CPAC 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

This is why gun owners cant blindly trust Congress to fight for our Second Amendment rights. We just ended Pelosis majority, but the new majority wants to use your gun rights as a bargaining chip in the border crisis, the statement reads.

The GOA states that the National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) is unreliable. It has prevented law-abiding citizens from making a legal gun purchase because an unqualified buyer shared the same last name, the GOA claimed.

The Act was initially introduced during the last session and is expected to be brought up again. However, one bill that has been reintroduced is getting a much warmer reception.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) sponsored HR 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (CCRA). The bill has 118 original cosponsors.

It would require a concealed firearm carry license from one state to be recognized in any other state as long as the license holder obeys the laws of that state. It also allows residents of constitutional carry states that dont require a state-issued concealed carry license to carry a gun in other states as long as they obey those states laws.

Hudson first introduced CCRA in 2017. At that time, the bill passed the House on a vote of 231-198 but was not taken up by the Senate.

In a statement on his website, Hudson said constitutional rights should be recognized regardless of geography.

Gun Owners of Americas director of federal affairs Aidan Johnston says he was less than impressed with the first firearms bill of the 118th Congress. (Rebecca Cook/AFP via Getty Images)

HR 38 guarantees the Second Amendment does not disappear when crossing an invisible state line, Hudson wrote in his online statement.

Representatives of pro-Second Amendment groups lauded the bill and called on other members of Congress to support it.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed that the fundamental right to keep and bear arms does not stop at a persons front door. Congress should now affirm that the right to self-defense does not stop at a state line, the statement quotes Jason Ouimet, executive director of the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), as saying.

The CCRA bill is first on the list of items the gun groups want to be addressed.

According to Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for the GOA, the concealed carry act is the most basic way Congress can respect Americans Constitutional rights.

The CCRA will empower American Citizens to lawfully carry arms for their protection nationwide, without the illegal and unconstitutional restraints so many state and local governments place on their citizens, Johnston wrote in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Americans deserve to have their rights restored right now, and Mr. Hudsons bill will do just that.

Next on the list, according to Johnston, is for Congress to take control of federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI.

Johnston said the agencies have been weaponized against citizens in their ability to issue regulations that carry criminal penalties.

Containing Federal Overreach

The Second Amendment advocates pointed to a recent court decision as evidence of what can and should be done to rein in what they consider excesses of the federal agencies.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans ruled on Jan. 6 that an ATF ban on bump stocks was illegal because the ATF has no jurisdiction over the item. The ATF has issued open letters at least three times since 2010 stating that the bump stocks, which enable shooters to increase the rate of fire on certain rifles, were not firearms and not under the jurisdiction of the ATF.

The agency changed course at the behest of former President Donald Trump after bump stocks were used in a mass shooting in Las Vegas in October 2017. By Trumps direction, the ATF changed its definition of machine gun and declared bump stocks illegal.

The Appeals Court ruled that since the ATF had already determined it had no jurisdiction over bump stocks under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the NFA language had not changed; only Congress could legally ban them.

NRA spokesman Lars Dalseide said his organization is also dedicated to containing federal overreach.

The NRA has several legislative priorities for the 118th Congress, in addition to seeing the pro-gun majority in the U.S. House provide a check against an unbalanced executive branch that is determined to deny law-abiding Americans of their right to self-defense, Dalseide wrote in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Call For Process Correction

In addition to the CCRA, both organizations want Congress to stop allowing gun control legislation to be placed in funding bills and other must-pass legislation. They want each bill to be voted up or down based on its merits.

They also want Congress to pass the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today Act (SHORT Act) introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas).

At issue is a device introduced in 2012 to assist shooters with disabilities and others who may need help shooting pistols built on the AR 15 platform. The stabilizing brace attaches to the rear of the pistol and the shooters forearm. This allows the shooter a steadier aim while holding the pistol with one hand.

In 2014, the ATF received requests from law enforcement and firearms dealers about the possible reclassification of pistols equipped with stabilizers as short-barreled rifles (SBR) under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

They were concerned that the brace could be used as a stock, allowing the shooter to shoulder the pistol like a rifle.

The ATF is expected to issue a ruling any day on whether the devices classify the pistols as short-barreled rifles (SBR), which are illegal under the National Firearms Act.

The pro-gun groups say the ruling could make up to 40 million gun owners criminals overnight.

SHORT Act Supported

Marshalls bill would remove short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain other weapons from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act and out from under ATF jurisdiction.

GOA and NRA have both voiced support for the SHORT Act.

Both national organizations vowed to keep fighting for Americans Second Amendment rights. However, they said their work would be for naught unless their respective memberships get involved. Entities can make statements, but politicians must hear from the voters who put them in office.

Our demands are simply that elected officials obey the oaths they took to uphold the Constitution and defend our God-given rights. Unfortunately, House Republicans need that simple fact burned into their minds, which is why GOA needs your help, the groups webpage reads.

Dalseide echoed a similar sentiment on behalf of the NRA.

Now, more than ever, its vital that our members and supporters understand any local and federal threats to their rights, voice their opposition, and hold their elected representatives accountable for their actions, Dalseide said.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.The past few years have been difficult for everyone, and although things are gradually going back to normal, a reminder that there is still beauty in life can go a long way.

Clayton White, who works with patient access at a hospital, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts on Jan. 11, and was amazed by what he saw. He said he had traveled an hour from another city to see the performance for the first time.

It was just worth the trip to get here, said Mr. White. With the past couple of years being cooped up inside with everything going on, to get out and to see something that reminds you about the beauty of life and just learning about getting out there and being surrounded by people and learning different cultures and everything in the world. It was an amazing experience.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists, who made it their mission to revive traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music. Throughout the years, Shen Yun has gone from one to eight equally-sized companies that tour the world simultaneously. Each company has its own orchestra, which combines traditional Chinese and Western instruments.

Mr. White was impressed by the orchestra, and the way the dance and music came together.

Im a huge orchestra person, so the music for me is a big thing. Its been a long time since Ive heard a live orchestra. Getting back into there, and just to see the amazing choreography that they do with the dancers to make sure that every detail is done to precision, is just unbelievable.

Shen Yuns program is made up of a series of dance vignettes, which include story-based dances, as well as songs performed in the traditional bel canto style, and a performance by a soloist who plays an erhu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument with only two strings, but can express a wide range of tones and emotions, much like the human vocal cords.

Mr. White expressed his new-found love for the erhu.

I could have listened to that the whole night by itself, he said. I just loved the way that sounds.

The song lyrics, which urged a return to tradition, were thought-provoking Mr. White as well.

I thought the songs were really, really well done. I thought the lyrics were really beautiful and something that can really sync with you when you think about the words they are singing  When you read the words and what they mean, it just really makes you reflect on everything going on.

To the dancers, Mr. White wished to say, I know the hours and hours of detailed work they have to put in for that kind of perfection. Sometimes it might get overlooked, but I hope they know how much its appreciated and how much its a beautiful thing to bring a different culture for other people to see and learn.

Reporting by Jennifer Liang and Wandi Zhu.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
SoCal Woman Pleads for Help to Rescue Sister and Nephew Detained by CCP

Shuzhi Kang calls for support after her sister and nephew were taken away by the police in China due to their practicing Falun Gong, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Dec. 25, 2022. (NTD Television)

A Southern California woman is pleading for help from local authorities, saying two members of her family have been detained by Chinese authorities due to a spiritual tradition they practice.

Since November, I have lost touch with my sister and nephew, but it turns out theyve been kidnapped by the police, Shuzhi Kang, of Rowland Heights, told The Epoch Times.

After not hearing from the pair, Shuzhi said another family member told her they were taken by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police on Oct. 31, 2022, to detention centers. Police also seized their apartment and some of their personal property, including their vehicle, computer, and a printer.

I was heartbroken when I heard that they have been kidnapped by the CCPs police. My tears came down right away, Kang said.

Kangs sister, Shumei, 60, had been living with her 33-year-old son, Gu Zhang, in Taiyuan, a city in Northern China, when the arrests were made.

Since then, no one has been allowed to visit the pair, nor provide them with clothes or other personal belongings.

Shumei Kang with her son and daughter-in-law on their wedding day. (Courtesy of Shuzhi Kang)

According to Kang, her sister is in whats known as the citys 4th detention center, while her nephew is imprisoned in Taiyuan, the provincial capital located 15 miles away from Gujiao city, in whats called a 3rd detention center.

Per a notice sent to Zhangs wife, authorities said his arrest was due to his practicing Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa.

Both mother and son are practitioners of the spiritual practice, which combines meditative exercises and moral teachings based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

It was introduced in 1992, and its popularity surged in China with nearly 100 million people estimated to have taken up the practice before the Chinese regime started suppressing it, including imprisoning and reportedly killing practitioners, in 1999.

Nearly 5,000 practitioners have lost their lives because of the persecution, and hundreds of thousands more have been arrested, according to minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that records such data.

Gu Zhangs child holding a sign that reads I want dad and grandma to come home soon to celebrate Chinese New Year. (Courtesy of Shuzhi Kang)

With the Chinese New Year near, the pairs detentions have left family members even more concerned, Kang said.

Everyone in my family is tormented by pain since the arrest, and our 94-year-old father has been hard hit by the news, she said. He is yearning for his daughter and grandson to return for the New Year day and night.

According to Kang, she has been appealing to local elected officials for help.

I am contacting the local government and other human rights associations to send letters to [Chinese authorities] asking to release my sister and my nephew, she said.
Special Counsel Previously Oversaw Classified Document Prosecutions as US Attorney

(LR) Prince George's County Police Chief Henry Stawinski, U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, and FBI special agent Jennifer Moore address reporters outside the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Md., on April 9, 2019. (Michael Kunzelman/AP Photo)

The Special Counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate whether any person broke the law in handling classified documents found in an office and at the home of President Joe Biden previously oversaw prosecutions related to improper handling of classified information when he served as U.S. Attorney for Maryland.

Special Counsel Robert Hur, also a former federal prosecutor, oversaw some of the most significant cases in history regarding the prosecution of a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor and employee who both mishandled classified information, the DOJ said in a release when Hur resigned as U.S. Attorney.

The DOJ added those prosecutions under Hurs leadership helped to safeguard sensitive, classified information.

Hur served as the U.S. Attorney for Maryland from 2018, when he was appointed by then-President Donald Trump, to February 2021. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland is one of the nations largest and busiest, according to the DOJ, serving more than six million people.

Hur also created the Offices first National Security and Cybercrime Section and doubled the number of prosecutors assigned to national security and cybercrime matters, the DOJ added.

Classified Material Prosecutions Under Hurs Leadership

The cases involved Harold Martin, a former NSA contractor who stole and retained classified material over two decades and stored it in his home and car, and Nghia Hoang Pho, a former NSA employee who removed and kept at his home massive troves of highly classified national defense information.

Martin was sentenced in 2019 to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for willful retention of the classified national defense information.

For nearly 20 years, Harold Martin betrayed the trust placed in him by stealing and retaining a vast quantity of highly classified national defense information entrusted to him, Hur said in a release at the time Martin was sentenced. This sentence, which is one of the longest ever imposed in this type of case, should serve as a warning that we will find and prosecute government employees and contractors who flagrantly violate their duty to protect classified materials.

The sign outside the National Security Administration (NSA) campus in Fort Meade, Md., on June 6, 2013. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

DOJ said Martin was assigned as a contractor at a number of government agencies from 1993 through 2016, during which he was required to receive and maintain a security clearance. He held security clearances up to Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) at various times.

Top Secret classification means unauthorized disclosure could be reasonably expected to cause grave damage to the national security of the United States. An SCI designation is for extremely sensitive information, according to DOJ.

DOJ said at the time crimes such as Martins not only create risks of unauthorized disclosure, but often require the government to treat the stolen material as compromised, resulting in the government having to take remedial actions including changing or abandoning national security programs.

Pho was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for willful retention of classified national defense information, DOJ said in a 2018 news release announcing his sentencing. He removed massive troves of highly classified national defense information without authorization and kept it at his home. DOJ said Pho also had Top Secret and SCI security clearances.

Removing and retaining such highly classified material displays a total disregard of Phos oath and promise to protect our nations national security, Hur said after Phos sentencing. As a result of his actions, Pho compromised some of our countrys most closely held types of intelligence, and forced NSA to abandon important initiatives to protect itself and its operational capabilities, at great economic and operational cost.

Pho began working on Tailored Access Operations (TAO) at the NSA in 2006, which involved operations and intelligence collection from foreign automated information systems or networks, as well as actions taken to prevent, detect and respond to unauthorized activity within Department of Defense information systems and computer networks, for the United States and its allies.

He also was found to have retained Top Secret and SCI documents and writings in both hard copy and digital formats in his Maryland home.

Garlands Appointment

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Thursday Hur was appointed to conduct an investigation of matters subject to an initial investigation by U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. related to the possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or other records discovered at an office of the president and his private Delaware residence.

Hur was appointed after Lausch recommended him due to being unable to commit to any long-term investigation because of his own impending departure from the DOJ. Hur was not present at a press conference announcing the Special Counsel by Garland, but issued a brief statement released by the DOJ.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment, Hur said. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service.
Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist of former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives at court to face a new criminal indictment and surrender to state prosecutors at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan 12.

The Epoch Times will Livestream the event.
Sydney-Based Hong Kong Artist Holds Exhibition As an Ode to Hometown

Sends an ode to hometown Hong Kong by means of art

Pamela Leung (Right), a Hong Konger immigrated to Australia in the 1970s, spent seven and a half years to get three college degrees after her retirement at the age of 60. She held an exhibition Longing for home in Sheffield, United Kingdom on January 4 to 13, 2023, expressing her immigrants' experiences of leaving Hong Kong. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

A Sydney-based Hong Kong artist who completed her art degrees after retirement holds an exhibition expressing her experiences as an immigrant and as an ode to her hometown.

Pamela Leung immigrated to Australia in the 1970s. After retiring at 60, she spent seven and a half years obtaining three college degrees, including a master of Fine Art from the National Art School in 2016. She then won the Emerging Artist Prize in the 65th Blake Prize 2018.

Her exhibition, Longing for home, is an extension of her eponymous exhibition held in 2022. It makes subtle commentary on the changing political status and social landscape of Hong Kong and how the changes have made it impossible for some Hongkongers to return home. Leung told The Epoch Times, these recent years were a lengthy, trying time for the Hongkongers, and she wanted to express the feeling of Hongkongers leaving home by means of her art. She brought ten pieces of work to the exhibition at Bloc Projects, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Leung spoke to local artists and audience members at the exhibition. She believed that many Hongkongers moving to the U.K. must have complicated feelings celebrating a new year away from home. She reminisced about the day she immigrated to Australia alone in the 1970s to start her own business.

Traditional Chinese Characters

In the last two years, I asked my Hong Kong friends living abroad for a favor, I asked them to help collect newspapers written in traditional Chinese. I used that to finish this artwork. Leung showed her work, Agglomerate, made from paper string to The Epoch Times. She wove the paper string into a round pad that can be extended infinitely, symbolizing the Chinese tradition of passing Chinese culture from generation to generation.

Leung believes that traditional Chinese characters mean a lot to the Chinese people. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) invaded mainland China and simplified Chinese characters 70 years ago, which devastated the connotation of traditional Chinese characters completely. Traditional Chinese has a history of 5,000 years, and now only people in Hong Kong and Taiwan use it.

I still insist on using traditional Chinese, and please, all my friends must find me those newspapers still using traditional Chinese characters. During the interview, she showed the latest Epoch Times in Chinese edition brought by her friend in the U.K. She laughed and said The Epoch Times Chinese edition was the most collected newspaper by her friends as The Epoch Times has spread worldwide and only The Epoch Times insists on using traditional Chinese characters.

Pamela Leungs artwork Agglomerate is woven by the newspaper and written in traditional Chinese. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung

Pamela Leungs 95-year-old mother teaching her to weave for her interactive artwork Agglomerate in a photo taken in February 2022. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

Pamela told the story behind her artwork, I was not familiar with weaving. I gave my 95-year-old mother credit for her work. Weaving is a traditional handicraft. My mother taught me, and I taught the others. I wanted to represent the meaning of passing on traditional handicraft through everyone who participated in the production of this artwork.

Encouraging the Next Generation

With $300AUD in her pocket and a suitcase, Leung, at the age of 20, got a 3-month visa and traveled solo to Australia with courage. That was in the 1970s. I really burned bridges and never planned to come back to Hong Kong at that time.

Recalling that time, Leung said she could not remember how she got the courage to do it. Her familys financial situation was not that good, she only knew some simple English expressions at that time and had no relatives overseas. She just hoped to have some breakthrough and not be restricted by her parents.

After heading to Australia, Leung, who only received a high school education, was introduced to work as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant by her friend. She then worked as a typesetter in a publishing house. At first, Australia did not have strict control over identity. Chinese people working as illegal laborers were very common. She worked two jobs for seven years without any rest days.

Leung recalled the days that she started her business. It was a tough time, but through her perseverance, she got over it. Later, my boyfriend in Hong Kong also came to Australia, and we built our family together. We bought our house and fought for our business from scratch. We didnt know about socializing and had no friends. We just kept working and worked for our living.

After giving birth to two children in the 1980s, Leung stopped working for her boss and started her own business. I first founded a shop for kids selling kids clothing for ten years. After that, I wanted to fulfill my dream of opening a coffee shop. When I was small, I thought having a coffee shop was very romantic with the music, antique furniture, and customers enjoying books and chats. However, it was not that romantic in reality, and it was tough. Ten more years passed, and my children grew up. I also retired.

Leung made the decision to pursue a university degree at 60 years old. She recalled, I always wanted to go to university. I did not have the chance to do this. Now I had time, and I could pay my tuition fee, so I wanted to give it a shot.

She studied at the National Art School at Darlinghurst, the best art school in Australia. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) in the NAS in 2012 and studied different art courses, including painting and drawing. She then got her bachelor of Fine Arts Honors in Drawing and then a Master of Fine Arts in Painting.

It was not easy for her. She said, I didnt have a good foundation for using the English language. It was tough. I cried and told my mum after my second examination. I was 60 at that time. I thought I did badly in my exam and could not remember things well at my age.

Pamela Leung (L) with her 90-year-old mother (R), after Leungs graduation ceremony from the National Art School, in Sydney, Australia, on May 18, 2017. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

Leung, as an artist, participated in exhibitions all over the world and visited different cities in Australia, in addition, to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sweden, Paris, and London. She found her second life. In 2018, she won the 65th Blake Prize Emerging Artist Prize, an art prize with a long history.

Pamela Leung (C) received the 65th Blake Prize Emergency Artist Prize on May 19, 2018. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

Nostalgia

Leung has profound experience in immigration. After studying Art, she used different ways to express her ideas about life and society. Since 2016, she has held exhibitions worldwide and found art is a very flexible way to let her express her ideas freely.

She believed that the installation art bears a deep mark of a generation. From April to May 2022, Leung held the Longing for home exhibition in Australia for the first time. Through video, drawing, sculpture, and cross-platform installation art, she expressed her helplessness, fear, and anxiety against the immigration wave in the last two years due to the social movement and the Hongkongers who left their home to pursue freedom.

She introduced, most artwork in this exhibition is related to home, such as the neon lighting showing ngor you fan uk kei (I want to go home) in Cantonese, and a video recording of a well-known song, The Moon Represents My Heart, sung by 13 Hongkongers who immigrated to different countries. The song is a song that everyone is familiar with at our age, which can directly express our feelings about missing our home, she said.

A neon sign reading ngor you fan uk kei in from of Pamela Leungs Longing for home exhibition in Sydney on April 7. 2020. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

In addition, some of her work reflected the status quo of Hong Kong, such as the installation art representing eggs and high walls, meaning people are fragile, but the authorities are strong. The artwork is a typewriter working hard, but it cant type out any words. She also used crushed newspaper to reproduce a white paper to express Hongkongers inability to speak of the situation in Hong Kong but hoped outsiders would still understand.

A malfunctioning typewriter expressing the meaning of silence at Pamela Leungs Longing for home exhibit in Sydney on May 2, 2022. (Courtesy of Pamela Leung)

The exhibition Longing for home in Australia was a notable success. While visiting her relatives in the UK in the winter of 2022, Leung contacted artist Clara Cheung who immigrated to the UK. They hit it off when they first met and together curated the exhibition Longing for home II in a short time. They found Bloc Projects, an art space, to display their artwork. This allowed Leung to bring her exhibition from Australia to the U.K.

Recalling her 40-year immigrant life, Leung encouraged the new generation of Hongkongers, As long as you can suffer hardship, you can overcome everything confronting you. It is not easy to start over in a new place. I understand the feeling of leaving our hometown and how hard it is to be far away from home.

Even without money, education level, or technology, I always tell the younger generation to Believe in themselves. Once you can suffer the hardship and step out, you will always get an opportunity! She also hopes that the exhibition Longing For Home can help immigrant Hongkongers to reflect on 2023. To never forget their home and wait patiently for the days we can go home.

Longing for home will run from Jan. 4 to 13, 2023, at Bloc Projects, in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Erich Tiemann will once again serve as the chairman of the Gage County Board of Supervisors.

During the first County Board meeting of the year, Tiemann was unanimously voted as president of the seven-member board.

Tiemann thanked the board members for their support, and said its been an honor to serve on the board.

This is a fantastic job, working for you guys, he said. We were talking before the meeting, it makes it really nice on a board when you have great people around you, great elected officials. Our jobs look good because of the people that work for the county. Thats really a good situation to be in.

Tiemann represents District 3 on the board, which is located in Riverside Township, just southeast of the city of Beatrice.

He is starting his third term on the Board of Supervisors.

Fellow board member Emily Haxby was also elected by her fellow board members to serve as the vice president on the board.

Tiemann has served as the board chairman since 2019, when he replaced Myron Dorn. Dorn left the board that year for his first term with the Nebraska Legislature as the District 30 representative.

County Board member Terry Jurgens, who nominated Tiemann for board president during the meeting, said both men have been great leaders for the County Board.

Myron Dorn was our chairman in the past before he moved on and I knew his shoes would be hard to fill, but youve done that job well, Jurgens said.

Tiemann represents the county as a board member of the NGage economic development group, as well as as board member of NIRMA and the board chair of Southeast Nebraska Development District. Hes previously served two terms as board member of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and is a past member of the Beatrice City Council.
Taiwan Officer Reveals Details of Rare Interaction With NATO

HSINCHU, TaiwanA Taiwan air force officer revealed details on Wednesday of a rare interaction between the islands military and NATO, describing how he had attended a six month academic program with senior officials in Italy.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, has no formal diplomatic relations with any NATO members, but has close defense ties with the United States, the islands main international source of arms and NATOs largest member state.

Speaking to reporters on a trip to the Hsinchu air base in northern Taiwan, air force Lieutenant Colonel Wu Bong-yeng said he had attended a six month course at the NATO Defence College in Rome in 2021, returning to Taiwan in January last year.

This was an academic exchange, not a military exchange, he said. Of course they were very curious about Taiwan.

They need to understand our countrys situation, and our abilities, he said.

NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwans defense ministry told Reuters that Wu was not the first officer it had sent to the defense college. It did not elaborate.

While the Taiwanese and U.S. militaries do cooperate, including some Taiwanese fighter pilots training in the United States, the island has only limited interactions with other foreign militaries.

Lieutenant Colonel Wu Bong-yeng poses for a photo at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

In its new strategic concept agreed in June, NATO described China as a challenge to the alliances interests, security and values, as an economic and military power that remains opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up.

China has increased its military, political and economic pressure on the island over the past three years to assert its sovereignty claims, which are strongly rejected by Taiwan.

Taiwan has vowed to defend itself it attacked and says only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.

On Sunday, China again carried out combat exercises near Taiwan, the second time it has done so in less than a month. In August, China staged large-scale war games around Taiwan to express anger at then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Taipei.

Hsinchu, better known internationally as a semiconductor production hub, is also home to one of the islands most important air bases with responsibility for the defense of Taiwans north.

Flying exercises involving the air forces French-made Mirage jets were held in front of the media on Wednesday in what the defense ministry said was part of routine drills.

Taiwans air force is well trained but dwarfed by that of Chinas, and has come under strain from having to repeatedly scramble to see off almost daily incursions by Chinese jets near the island and in its air defense zone.

By Ann Wang and Fabian Hamacher
Woman Denied Organ Transplant Because of Vaccine Status Asks Supreme Court to Hear Her Case

A terminally ill woman is seeking a Supreme Court of Canada decision on the constitutionality of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for receiving an organ transplant, says the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).

Sheila Annette Lewis, who is not vaccinated for COVID-19, filed a leave to appeal application this week against Alberta Health Services (AHS) and six doctors who reportedly removed her from an organ transplant list on which she had high-priority status.

JCCF said on Jan. 11 that Lewis has been challenging the constitutionality of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for transplant candidates put in place by AHS for the past year, but was unsuccessful at both the Alberta Court of Queens Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal in 2022. Both found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms doesnt apply to the COVID-19 vaccine policies of AHS, the Alberta Hospital where she would receive her transplant, or her transplant doctors.

Both courts have also dismissed Lewiss claims under the Alberta Bill of Rights, according to the JCCF.

Ms. Lewis is nearing the end of the legal road, Allison Pejovic, a JCCF lawyer and legal counsel for Lewis, said in a press release. She has made the difficult choice to stand against an unethical and unscientific vaccine mandate which has come between her and her chance to survive. We hope the Supreme Court of Canada is interested in hearing this very important case.

The JCCF said Lewiss court application focuses on the national importance of her case, and hopes to convince the Supreme Court to give definitive findings on the following:

Whether doctors working within a provincial government transplant program are immune from scrutiny under the Charter and provincial bills of rights legislation Whether government health care providers such as AHS can avoid Charter scrutiny of their policies which are similar to doctors policies for transplant candidates Whether it is constitutional to remove a dying persons chance at life-saving surgery when she does not agree to take a novel drug still in clinical trials

After Lewis lost her case in the Alberta Court of Appeal last winter, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith questioned the ruling that a transplant candidate must follow mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policies.

I am seeking a second opinion on that particular case, and I know that there is at least one other case as well, Smith said at a Nov. 29, 2022, press conference. She told reporters on Nov. 28 that she had also made phone calls to organizations that reportedly have discriminated against unvaccinated residents.

The JCCF said Lewis had renewed hope for her survival hearing the premier say she was seeking a second medical opinion with respect to the COVID-19 vaccine policy for transplant candidates.

Following Smiths announcement, the Alberta hospitals transplant team contacted Lewis and told her she had 10 days to get the COVID-19 vaccines before they removed her from the transplant program entirely. JCCF said this move would likely make Lewis ineligible for an organ transplanteven if the premier removed the COVID-19 vaccine policy for transplant candidatesunless she started over and re-applied to the transplant program.

The court application noted that without an organ transplant, Lewiss death is a certainty.

Ms. Lewis does not have time to waste; her health is deteriorating by the day, JCCF said.

JCCF said there is no guarantee that the Supreme Court of Canada will agree to hear Lewiss case, noting that the Supreme Court considers an average of between 500 to 600 applications for leave to appeal, and only hears about 65 to 80 cases.

This case is under a publication ban. Due to a Court Order, the Justice Centre may not reveal the names of the doctors, the hospital, the city where the transplant program is located, or the name of the organ that Lewis needs for life-saving surgery.
Texas Governor Backs Market Overhaul for Power Grid; Lawmakers and Experts Push Back

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has thrown his support behind the Texas Public Utility Commissions (PUC) proposal to overhaul the market design of the states power grid.

On Tuesday, Abbott sent a letter to the PUC commissioners (pdf) expressing his support and urging them to adopt the grids redesign plan that was introduced in November. The PUC oversees the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, an independent nonprofit responsible for operating the grid.

State lawmakers ordered the PUC to develop grid reliability reforms following the February 2021 freeze that left millions of Texans without power for days. The statewide outage led to at least 246 deaths.

Chairman Peter Lake introduced the proposed market redesign called performance credit mechanism, or PCM, in November. This design would require electric companies to purchase electricity using credits awarded by the state to power plants that deliver during peak demands.

Abbotts letter to his PUC appointees urging the adoption of the market redesign arrived two days ahead of the commissioners scheduled meeting to consider approving the plan.

The PCM best meet this call because it is based on a reliability standard, incentivizes new dispatchable generation, and maintains Texas energy-only market, Abbott wrote. The fact that generators have already publicly committed to build thousands of new megawatts of dispatchable resources if the PCM is adopted and implemented by the PUC further supports this point.

The PUC chair and its five commissioners are appointed by the governor.

Pushback From Lawmakers and Experts

The proposal has received pushback from some lawmakers and other experts.

In December, Republican state Sen. Charles Schwertner and the other eight members of the Senate Business & Commerce Committee sent a bipartisan letter to the PUC commissioners addressing their concerns over two market redesign proposals discussed during a November hearing, as reported by The Epoch Times.

As was discussed during the November 17th Senate Business and Commerce Committee hearing, there is significant concern the proposals being considered by the Commission, including the Forward Reliability Market (FRM) and Performance Credit Market (PCM) options not only fail to meet the directives clearly stated in SB 3, but more importantly, will not guarantee new dispatchable energy in a timely and cost-effective manner, the letter stated.

The senators asked the PUC to consider the unintended consequences of any type of proposal that creates more uncertainty for market participants.

Further, any holistic market design change, including the PCM, that goes beyond the scope of SB 3 should not be adopted by the Commission without further consultation with the Legislature, the letter continued.

A woman walks through falling snow in San Antonio on Feb. 14, 2021, during a winter storm that caused much of Texas power grid to collapse. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

Unproven Model

Energy consultant Ed Hirs said the PCM model is unproven and does not address the states problems with the grid.

Everyone knows that power plants on the ERCOT grid have different costs of capital and different costs of operation. To maintain reliability, the state needs to make sure that the existing portfolio of plants and new-build plants can provide their owners with a return on investment, Hirs told The Epoch Times in an email. The PCM does not do that.

The proposed model is designed to give the greatest financial benefits to generators that produce the cheapest electricity.

Nothing in the PCM plan ensures that the current dispatchable power plants do not leave the ERCOT market because they are noneconomic, Hirs added.

Power plant closures across the state add to the grids vulnerability.

The coal-fired Pirkey Plant in Hallsville, Texas, is among several upcoming closures.

Sabine Mining Company, which has operated the mine since its opening in 1984, said it supports keeping the 720-megawatt Pirkey Plant open, but operations will shutter in March due to the high cost of compliance with state and federal regulations.

We believe the Pirkey Plant is a reliable and resilient asset, and the continued long-term operation of the facility is in the best interest of our employees, the local community, region, and the state, Director of External Affairs David Straley told The Epoch Times in a statement.

In addition to providing several hundred Texans with great careers, it provides thousands of Texans and other citizens in the SPP region with reliable and affordable electricity. We believe the U.S. electrical grid is becoming less dependable with the switch to intermittent energy sources, but keeping the Pirkey Plant operating will help with grid stability and reliability where it is needed most, Straley continued.

Sabine was under an agreement with Southwestern Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, to operate the mine through 2035.

Wind turbines are viewed at a wind farm in Colorado City, Texas, on Jan. 21, 2016. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Need for Dispatchable Energy

Lake also acknowledged the need for more dispatchable energy during the November hearing.

Because these dispatchable generators are being displaced by wind and solar most of the time, its harder and harder for them to stay in business, which is why we want to build the reliability service you directed us to build, Lake said during the November hearing.

Republican state Rep. Todd Hunter asked Lake if the PCM model would guarantee new power generation.

Yes, sir, Lake answered. I think the PCM is the way to go to guarantee reliability.

However, the PCM model could take years to implement.

The PCM will take 2 to 4 years to implement if it can be implemented, Hirs said. That means Texans will be forced to participate in ERCOT weather roulette for the next several years.

Abbotts letter asked the PUC to develop a solution for the interim.

During the transition to the new reliable market design and the construction of new dispatchable generation resources, the PUC should also put in place a bridge solution to ensure sufficient supply for the growing power demand in Texas, Abbott wrote in his letter.

The governor reminded the PUC commissioners that the states growing population and the economy are adding stress to the grid.

Time is of the essence, Abbott wrote. Texas is adding new residents and businesses every year, and the demands of the power grid will continue to grow. I have full confidence that you will be able to meet this new demand by adopting and implementing a new market design that prioritizes reliability and meets the directives passed during the last legislative session.
The World Economic Forum Will Dictate the 4th Industrial Revolution

Founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab delivers remarks at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on May 23, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

Beginning in the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution fundamentally altered the fabric of society. With the means of production moving from homes to factories, society became more urban and industrialized.

The Second Industrial Revolution, which began in the 1850s, gifted humanity with advanced technologies, such as airplanes and automobiles. This was the age of entrepreneurial endeavor, with the likes of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company, developing the assembly line mode of mass production.

Less than a century later, the Third Industrial Revolution occurred; humans were introduced to cell phones as big as computers and computers as big fridges. Space, once a place visited through telescopic lenses, could now be explored in person. John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, and Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, even if the skeptics tell you otherwise.

The Brits led the way with the First and Second Industrial Revolutions; the United States spearheaded the Third Industrial Revolution. However, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will look a bit different. Thats because the World Economic Forum (WEF), with a nod to communist China, will lead the way.

WEF founder Klaus Schwab has repeatedly spoken about the global economys restructuring and how this process will inevitably result in various social tensions. To progress as a society, however, these tensions, he suggested, are necessary. Last year, Schwab encouraged listeners to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a new era that will fuse our physical, our digital, and our biological identities.

This wasnt Schwabs first time discussing the new revolution. In fact, he coined the term. He firmly believes that this fusion of various worlds (physical, digital, and biological) will impact all disciplines, economies, and industries and even challenge ideas about what it means to be human.

From Jan. 16 to Jan. 20, the WEFs annual meeting will take place. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to the WEFs website, will be a focus of many conversations. Readers are told that to navigate certain current friction points, such as climate change and geopolitical fragmentation, companies around the world must foster emerging technologies of 4IR as well as optimize for agility.

If youre imagining a dystopian future in which humans are monitored even more closely, then youre imagining correctly. This brings us to China, a country that has received great praise from Schwab and is at the forefront of the new revolution.

In China, the physical, digital, and biologi cal are strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For years, Beijing has been exporting this particular style of governance around the world.

With a history of intellectual property (IP) theft (in 2019, 1 in 5 U.S. companies claimed that China had stolen their IP) and academic espionage, this revolution will be defined by big data and various artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Couple the Chinese regimes willingness to steal IP with its improvement in educational standards, and you have a recipe for significant growth. As an increasing number of Chinese students embrace STEM subjects, a growing number of Americans are turning away from them. With fewer STEM graduates, the United States may struggle to compete with an increasingly aggressive, competitive, and technologically savvy China.

With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, both AI and quantum computing will play integral roles in shaping the societies of tomorrow. Thats bad news for Americans.

According to Nicolas Chaillan, the Pentagons former chief software engineer, the United States has no competing fighting chance against China in 15 to 20 years. Right now, he argued, its already a done deal; it is already over.

A screen shows visitors being filmed by AI security cameras with facial recognition technology at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing on Oct. 24, 2018. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Although the U.S. government spends three times the amount China does on defense, it has little to show for it. In fact, according to Chaillan, Chinas advances in AI, machine learning and cyber capabilities, make U.S. cyber defenses look utterly pathetic. Bureaucratic red tape and overregulation are preventing the country from competing with China.

Moreover, China is close to creating the quantum internet, an online world that will be virtually unhackable. If successful, this would give the CCP an unprecedented level of geopolitical and technological clout.

Having lived in the country for an extensive period of time, Ive witnessed Chinas fully automated warehouses, its robot-run restaurants, and its driverless taxis. Already the dominant player in 5G, China is a technological powerhouse. Going forward, the countrys high-tech dominance will have a major impact on every aspect of life, including the nature of warfare.

The Future of War

Schwab goes to great lengths to stress the following: The current revolution is like no other; its not simply a natural progression from the previous one. Its completely new, like nothing that ever came before. The synergistic nature of quantum computing and AI, as well as biotechnology and nanotechnology, will change our lives in ways that we can scarcely imagine.

As strategic experts David Barno and Nora Bensahel have noted, this revolution is giving rise to a host of new, highly innovative weapons systems, including railguns, directed energy weapons, hyper-velocity projectiles, and hypersonic missiles. Not surprisingly, this type of weaponry will dramatically increase the speed, range, and destructive power of conventional weapons beyond anything previously imaginable.

Unlike China, the U.S. military appears to be overly reliant on legacy systems, they said, thus giving the CCP a distinct advantage. With research and development, China continues to increase expenditure at an annual rate of 16 percent of its gross domestic product; the United States, meanwhile, is falling even further behind. In Shenzhen alone, a city of 12 million people, Beijing has invested more than $100 billion in tech-based research. Chinas astounding progress should come as little surprise. This is a country that builds cities faster than most countries build houses.

The United States and China, already engaged in a new cold war, may find themselves engaged in a real war in the not-so-distant future. If they do, then China, rather than the United States, may have the upper hand. The consequences of this could prove to be severe.

In the words of David P. Goldman, a columnist for Asia Times, the CCP wants to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution and thereby win the future. If it succeeds in doing so, the consequences for the United States will be disastrous. Americans will become considerably poorer, American politics less stable, and the U.S. economy dominated by an adversary.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is already upon us. Now is the time for the United States to ensure that the Chinese regime doesnt dominate it. As for the WEF, sadly, whether we like it or not, the elites in Davos, Switzerland, are destined to play a defining role in this tech-fueled metamorphosis.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
They Bought the Property for $250,000 in 2002; Now, Theyre on the Hook for a $200,000 Dam Repair

When Larry Penner, 74, and Jayme Penner, 69, bought a 25-acre parcel in the interior of British Columbia for $250,000 in 2002, with rolling hills, creeks, a waterfall, and lake views, the couple thought they had bought a piece of paradise.

Then the Penners found out there was a nearby concrete dam built by a government cabinet minister for personal use in the 1960s, one that was illegal and improperly constructed and leaving them on the hook for up to $200,000 to meet regulatory demands.

It turns out the property, situated 19 kilometres west of Kamloops, had water licences dating back to 1873, but unbeknownst to the Penners, a dam had been built on nearby Cherry Creek in 1967 by then-B.C. highways minister Philip Gaglardi.

The dam is not owned by the Penners, but they told The Epoch Times that the water licences associated with the dam were attached when they purchased their property.

According to the B.C. government, if you own land that contains or has access to surface water or groundwater, you must pay the province to use the water annually and obtain a water licence.

Larry Penner, property owner. (Photo Courtesy Larry Penner)

Despite documented issues with the dam since it was built, according to old provincial records, landowners have been charged annually for a water licence for the last 50 years.

On Jan. 3, Mr. Penner and a neighbour were fined $2,000 each for not completing repairs on the dam ordered by the province.

History

In the course of being fined, Penner obtained a 78-page government disclosure with the dams history, which he said took nearly a year to get from the province. He has also filed a Freedom of Information request to uncover more.

Government records provided to The Epoch Times dating back more than 50 years indicate the dam was improperly constructed from the start.

The dam is north of the Trans-Canada Highway and upstream of the CP Railway. The original 1967 plans for the dam were drawn by a professional engineer who worked in the Department of Highways for Victoria.

Gaglardi had planned a pumphouse to divert water to irrigate his land to the west and north, and while he applied for the permit, the public servant constructed the dam to unacceptable standards and before receiving provincial approval, according to government documents.

The minister, who leased the land from his sons to breed Arabian horses, was accused of using government materials, employees, and equipment to build the dam, without government authorization for the dam or for the use of provincial resources.

On Feb. 24, 1968, an article in the Daily Sentinel accused Gaglardi of falsifying provincial records, after two highway department employees swore affidavits that they worked on the private dam and had been paid on the provinces dime.

Gaglardi claimed the work was done by government workers due to an emergency that threatened to wash out the dam on Cherry Creek.

Dam Still Standing

A provincial engineer documented that the vertical face of the dam was placed on the downstream rather than the upstream side.

Penner said he was shocked to learn from government documents that the dam is basically backward.

The perpendicular side of the diversion structure is on the downstream side, resulting in increased risk of the structure overturning, he said.

To offset the risk, Gaglardi propped up the dam against a rock with a steel beam. Letters from the provinces engineers to Gaglardi throughout 1968 repeatedly stated the dam would fail and overturn under a full water load.

A steel beam props up the illegal dam on Cherry Creek. (Photo Courtesy Larry Penner)

The province at the time said it could not accept Gaglardis engineers representation that the dam was safe.

Multiple orders were issued against Gaglardi regarding the dam in 1968, including one that stated, No authority exists for the storage of water by this concrete dam, adding that the dam creates a hazard.

One particular 1968 document notes the government was aware that the removal of the dam would constitute a burden on the owner.

On March 7, 1968, a government order by the provinces district engineer stated that Gaglardi must present a proposal to make the dam safe and that failure to do so may result in an Order to remove the structure.

On April 2, 1968, a provincial engineer documented that no repairs had been carried out as ordered, the dam gates were in a closed position instead of open as instructed, and water was being pumped to irrigate lands, contrary to previous government orders.

Province Reverses Orders

About two months later, in a June 25, 1968, letter, a provincial official concluded there were no longer concerns about the safety of the dam.

H.D. DeBeck, then-comptroller of water rights, wrote Gaglardi stating that due to the relatively small quantity of storage impounded behind the dam, the province had concluded there was no hazard to the CP railway track downstream if the dam failed.

In light of this conclusion, wrote DeBeck, there appears no further necessity for Water Rights Branch involvement in the safety of this structure.

The letter indicates that the clauses in the water licence that required approval of plans would be deleted, and instructions pertaining to the construction of the dam would be rescinded.

Fifty years have passed by and the dam is still standing. The Penners own the land bordering Cherry Creek, and a provincial employee is demanding that the couple carry out repairs on the dam and assess the stability of the dam and to recommend maintenance requirementsunder the supervision of a biologist and dam safety engineer. The repair is estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A letter states that the province is unaware of the structural history of the dam.

The B.C. Ministry of Forests is responsible for water licences. The Epoch Times contacted the ministry for comment but was told it was unable to respond by press time.

No Solution

Mr. Penner applied three years ago to abandon the water rights and licence because he was not using any of the water. He says his neighbour, who also has a licence on the creek, uses his own share of the water plus the two shares proportioned to Mr. Penners licences.

The neighbour could not be reached for comment. According to Penner, the neighbour does not want to remove the dam because he uses the water to irrigate his land.

Penner said they told the province that the only party using the water is the neighbour, but there has been no response. Penners abandonment application has not been processed or responded to, he says. Despite the issue with the dam, the neighbours are cordial, Penner adds.

The Penners cannot sell the property without disclosing the dam issue to a potential buyer. In the meantime, they cannot get the province to cancel the water licence, they are being held responsible for repairs, and they cannot repair the dam that was improperly constructed more than 50 years ago.

His wife says it has been unbearable, the stress and expense of fighting against the province in a situation that seems to have no solution.

Liability

The province should never have transferred water licences for the dam to unsuspecting landowners, according to the Penners lawyer, Jeff Frame.

The province knew that the dam was a problem from the very start, he said, and wants current landowners to pay to fix a problem caused by [a government minister] and swept under the rug by the province.

Frame said if a private citizen did what the province did, it would be considered fraud.

We have all the documents to prove the dam is illegal. The province knew all along the dam was illegal, and the province tried hard to keep my clients from finding out.

The Penners are considering legal action against the province.
Toronto Police Looking for Victims After Teens Allegedly Assaulted Multiple People

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Aug. 9, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov)

Toronto police say they are looking for victims after a group of up to 10 girls allegedly assaulted several people at public transit stations last month.

Police say the assaults took place on Dec. 17 between 10 p.m. and midnight at five downtown subway stations.

They are describing the assaults as random.

Police are asking anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact them.

The assaults took place the same night that eight teenage girls allegedly swarmed and stabbed a homeless man in the downtown core who later died in hospital.

Three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds and two 16-year-olds are facing second-degree murder in the death.

Police have said they believe the teens in that case congregated after meeting on social media and are from homes across the Greater Toronto Area.

The victim was identified this week as 59-year-old Ken Lee and police previously said he had moved into the citys shelter system in recent months.
Trade Panel Sides With Canada and Mexico on Auto Manufacturing Rules

An employee works on an assembly line at startup Rivian Automotive's electric vehicle factory in Normal, Ill., on April 11, 2022. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Reuters)

A dispute panel for the free trade agreement in North America has ruled in favour of Canada and Mexico in their interpretation of the rules for the production of automobiles.

The dispute pertained to the U.S. having a stricter interpretation of the rules that govern the quantity of parts sourced in North America that must end up in a vehicle for it to qualify for duty-free treatment under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The rules state that North American-made cars need to contain a minimum of 75 percent regional parts.

Mexico and Canada argued that if a core part of the vehicle, such as the engine or the transmission, has 75 percent of regional content, the trade pact allows for that number to be rounded up to 100 percent when calculating the overall regional content contained in the product.

The U.S. disagreed and said it shouldnt be rounded up.

The panels decision was announced on Jan. 11 after the conclusion of the North American Leaders Summit held in Mexico City.

It said the U.S. interpretation is inconsistent with the agreement rules.

Canada welcomes the findings of the panels report, which reaffirm our understanding of the negotiated outcome on the rules of origin for automotive products, Minister of International Trade Mary Ng said in a statement.

Canada is deeply committed to rules-based international trade and is glad to see that the dispute settlement mechanisms in place are supporting our rights and obligations negotiated in CUSMA.

Mexico had originally filed the complaint in January 2022 and Canada joined it shortly after, saying the new rules of the agreement were meant to not only deepen regional integration, but also help automotive companies to be more competitive.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Trade Representative said the decision is disappointing.

Adam Hodge said in a statement the panels interpretation could result in less North American content in automobiles, less investment across the region, and fewer American jobs.

We will engage Mexico and Canada on a possible resolution to the dispute, including the implications of the Panels findings for investment in the region.

Mexicos Ministry of Economy said in statement it would start in the coming days a process of dialogue and cooperation with its partners to address the panels decision.

Flavio Volpe, president of Canadas Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, said the decision was good for Canada and Mexico and that it showed the dispute resolution of the trade pact is effective.

Reuters contributed to this article.
Trudeau Says Continued Military Investments Needed in Response to Persistent Threats From Authoritarian States

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will continue investing in the Canadian military as a response to persistent threats from foreign authoritarian statesciting Russia and China as examples.

Trudeau, who spoke at a press conference in Ottawa on Jan. 12 alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, also emphasized Canadas commitments in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which includes an increased military presence in the area.

Were all recognizing that the world is changing, Trudeau told reporters. The world changed when Russia chose to invade a peaceful neighbour.

We understand the persistent threats caused by unstable or authoritarian states around the world and thats going to require us, unfortunately, to continue to step up and Canada has been there with significant investments in our armed forces.

The federal government announced on Jan. 9 that Canada would be investing $19 billion over the next nine years to purchase 88 Lockheed-Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace its outdated fleet of CF-18 Hornets, making it the largest investment Canada has made in its air force in 30 years.

Part of creating prosperity and peace for our citizens means investing in the security architecture that is going to be unfortunately important in the coming years, Trudeau said.

The prime minister added earlier in the press conference that there will be a certain focus on the Indo-Pacific region due to the rise of increasingly contesting authoritarian powers, whether it be Russia on the one hand or China, which he acknowledged Canada called an increasingly disruptive global power in its Indo-Pacific strategy released in November 2022.

China Strategy

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said last November before releasing the Indo-Pacific Strategy that Canada will have to both challenge and cooperate with China in the future depending on the situations nature.

We will challenge China when we ought to, and we will cooperate with China when we must, she said on Nov. 9, 2022. Its sheer size and influence makes cooperation necessary to address the worlds existential pressures.

Trudeau echoed Jolys words during his Jan. 12 press conference, saying Canada will judge when to contest China and when to work with with the nation.

There are areas in which we need to work with China, but there are other areas in which were going to have to compete with China, and other areas in which were going to have to directly contest China, he said.

Whether its on human rights, whether its on respect for international rules and a rules-based order, and that approachwhich is thoughtful, aligned, coordinated, and responsible, focused on creating opportunities for people in our countries and around the worldis going to continue in our approach on China.
University of California Professors Withholding 40,000 Grades After Strike: Faculty Association

Students walk through Sproul Plaza on the University of CaliforniaBerkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif., on April 23, 2012. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A faculty survey conducted by the Council of University of California (UC) Faculty Associationsa larger agency for faculty organizations across UC campusesreported professors are withholding about 40,000 fall semester final grades as of Jan. 11, an agency spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

The UC must now work out how it will return thousands of final grades for the fall 2022 semester in the aftermath of a six-week strike by 48,000 academic workers.

The strike ended Dec. 23 when UC ratified its contract with leaders of the United Auto Workers, the union representing the strikers. But because academic employees such as teaching assistants are often responsible for grading, the strike left many classes without teaching assistants to grade assignments and end-of-semester exams.

Additionally, some professors chose to leave fall grades unsubmitted out of solidarity with academic workers.

Leaders from several unions told UC labor officials in a Jan. 4 letter that neither their members nor faculty are required to complete the work assigned to strikers.

Senate faculty members and lecturers have no obligation to volunteer to pick up labor struck by [academic student employees] employed in their classes, the letter read. Readers and teaching assistants in [the union] enjoyed legal protections during their strike, and their appointments for the fall quarter terminated on December 31 at the latest while the strike was active.

If the UC needs additional labor to submit fall grades, it can hire people, the union officials said.

A UC spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment by press deadline.

Some campuses extended the deadlines for instructors to submit final gradeswith UC Davis extending its deadline from Dec. 14 to Dec. 27, UC Berkeley extending it from Dec. 21 to Dec. 31, and UC Irvine extending its deadline from Dec. 16 to Jan. 19.

UC Davis Provost Mary Croughan said in a statement last month that not receiving a grade on final exams will not influence UC Davis students grade point average, financial aid, or eligibility for veteran benefits or visa status.

The ratified contract will raise the minimum pay for both academic student employees and graduate student workers from about $24,000 to $34,000, according to UC officials.

Other notable benefits include providing up to $2,025 in childcare reimbursements per semester and waiving supplemental tuition for nonresidents for up to three years for those who have advanced to candidacy in their graduate degree programs.

Meanwhile, the contract ratified Nov. 29 for postdoctoral scholars includes up to a 23 percent salary increase by October, up to $2,500 annual childcare reimbursement with annual $100 childcare increases over the next three years, two-year initial appointments, and a new paid leave program with 100 percent pay for up to eight weeks, according to union officials.

The contract for academic researchers includes a pay raise of 4.5 percent for the first year, 3.5 percent for the second, third, and fourth years, and 4 percent in the fifth year; eight weeks of 100 percent paid family leave; increased bereavement leave; and a new system to address workplace conduct and conflict resolution.
UK Could Introduce Knee Scans and Dental Tests for Illegal Immigrants Who Claim to Be Children

An inflatable craft carrying illegal immigrants crosses the shipping lane in the English Channel off the coast of Dover, England, on Aug. 4, 2022. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Scientific advisers have recommended the Home Office introduce MRI scans and X-rays of teeth and bones to check the biological age of illegal immigrants who claim to be children, but the advisers say the tests should be voluntary.

In January 2022 former Home Secretary Priti Patel said: The practice of single grown adult men, masquerading as children, claiming asylum is an appalling abuse of our system which we will end. By posing as children, these adult men go on to access childrens services and schools through deception and deceit, putting children and young adults in school and care at risk.

She commissioned the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee (AESAC) to advise the Home Office on scientifically based methodologies which might assist in determining the age of unaccompanied minors whose age was disputed.

The committees report, published earlier this week, says, It must be accepted that there is no infallible method for either biological or social-worker-led age assessment that will provide a perfect match to chronological age.

But it recommends four methods that could give a reasonable indication of an individuals true age:

Radiography (X-ray) of the third molar (wisdom teeth).

Radiography (X-ray) of the bones of the hand and wrist.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the knee bones.

MRI of the clavicle (collar bone).

In 2003 the High Court set down guidelinesfollowing a test case brought by the London Borough of Mertonon how the age of unaccompanied minors be tested if there is no documentary evidence of their age.

The AESAC report said any new process would have to be Merton-compliant.

Risk of Ionising Radiation Is Small

The report said: There are strong views on the use of ionising radiation in the age assessment process and the interim committee has listened to and debated these arguments at length. However, the risk is recognised to be small and the benefits of a reliable age assessment are considerable for the ongoing health and wellbeing of the individual while minimising safeguarding risks.

The report said illegal immigrants should be given clear information explaining the risks and benefits of biological evaluation in order for them to be able to give their informed consent.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, has urged Home Secretary Suella Braverman to overrule the advice about making the tests voluntary because of suspicions that many migrants have lied in order to be treated as juveniles.

He told The Times of London: It is surely in the interests of minors to have supportive evidence confirming they are indeed children. In the event of anyone refusing to be scientifically assessed, the government must have the courage and political will to take a commonsense approach based on physical appearance. It would be absurd to have to accept a claimed age just because a person refuses to be scientifically assessed.

Killers Refused to Undergo Dental Tests

In 2007 two Nigerian-born brothers who were convicted of killing a woman during a robbery at a christening party in south London had to be sentenced as juveniles because they refused to give permission for dental tests which would have indicated their true age.

Diamond Babamuboni was supposedly 17 and his brother Timy claimed to be 15 but their trial heard their mother had given conflicting accounts of their dates of birth and their Nigerian birth certificates were thought to be forgeries.

Prosecutor Brian Altman, QC, said the pair had declined to undergo dental tests.

Mr. Justice Gross told the brothers they would have got 16 years in jail, instead of the eight years he sentenced them to, if they had been proved to be adults.

The AESAC report said: Development of the third molar is useful for assessing the age of males and females up to around 18 years of age. Development of the hand/wrist or knee can be used to assess the age of females up to around 16 years of age and males up to around 18 years of age.

It adds: The clavicle displays the longest period of growth-related activity in the human body, and is therefore of particular value for assessing age of males and females from around 15 years up to around 25 years of age.

The report goes on to say, If the existing Merton-compliant process and biological assessments are carried out independently it would be possible to use a likelihood ratio approach based on the known development timeframe of teeth and bones.

This approach could compare the likelihood of the age assigned following the Merton-compliant process being possible against the likelihood that the claimed age is possible and show which carries stronger support, it added.

The Home Office said just over half of illegal immigrants whose ages were challenged were found to be over 18.

A Home Office spokesman told The Times of London: We will now consider the recommendations. Through our Nationality and Borders Act, we will introduce scientific methods to assess the age of asylum seekers.
A Papillion man was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison after being found guilty of three counts of felony cruelty to animals resulting in death.

Edward Luben, 57, agreed to enter the guilty pleas in exchange for the Sarpy County Attorney's Office dismissing nine other charges of cruelty to animals, including four felonies.

Luben was sentenced to three one-year terms in prison to be served one after the other. He also was ordered not to own animals for 15 years.

In December 2021, the Nebraska Humane Society and the Papillion Police Department served a search warrant at Luben's house near 84th Street and Centennial Road to recover evidence of animal neglect.

Officials seized and removed 665 animals from the home, including exotic birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. About 70 of the 665 animals were found dead during the search, and two animals had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.

The Nebraska Humane Society evaluated and treated the surviving animals.

"These animals were living in deplorable conditions," Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Dominique Jones said at the time. "Many of them were severely malnourished or had physical impairments due to their living conditions. The fact that so many of the animals survived is a testament to the Nebraska Humane Society's work."

People with information about possible animal abuse or neglect may contact the Nebraska Humane Society at 402-444-7800, ext. 1.

PhotoFiles: Devastating tornadoes in Nebraska history Grand Island Tornadoes Milford Tornado Tilden Tornado American Flag Tornado hits Osceola Bel Air homes destroyed Tornado Touchdown Beatrice Tornado Regal 8 Hotel Hebron Tornado Damage Hebron Tornado Diamond Picture Theater 1954 Pilger Tornado Thayer County Courthouse Nina Street in 1975 Trenton Tornado Thayer County Farm Farmhouse west of Tilden Hallam tornado Pilger tornado damage
UK Government Within Its Legal Rights to Intervene in Scotlands Gender Recognition Law: Report

A new report has made the case that the UK government can intervene in Scotlands new gender reforms as they will dramatically affect laws in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Scotland became the UKs first country to back a self-ID process for legally changing gender when it passed The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in December.

Writing for the Conservative think tank Policy Exchange (pdf), Lecturer in Public Law Michael Foran said the Bill will fundamentally change the nature of the Equality Act in Scotland and across the United Kingdom.

The Scottish Saltire (L) and the Union Flag flutter above Stirling Castle in the historic town of Stirling, central Scotland, on Aug. 7, 2019. (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Equality Act 2010

Lord Keen, a former advocate general for Scotland and justice minister backed the report.

The Bill allows anyone over the age of 16 to self-ID via a statutory declaration to obtain a new birth certificate, which changes the recording of their registered sex at birth to their chosen gender.

There is also no requirement for an applicant to undergo surgery or hormone therapy and the process to change sex on birth certificates has been simplified.

Furthermore, the time period applicants need to live in the acquired gender will be reduced from two years to three months, with the requirement for a medical diagnosis and evidence removed.

Forans concern was of the potential impact of the Scottish Governments gender recognition legislation upon the operation of the Equality Act 2010, an Act which addresses issues reserved to the UK government and which operates throughout the UK.

The Scottish Government is a devolved government, meaning issues that have a UK or international impact remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament alone.

It would not only be impractical but constitutionally improper for the UK Government to permit a devolved legislature to enact a provision that had a material impact upon the operation of the law throughout the United Kingdom, said Foran.

Major Changes

Foran noted that there are six ways in which the Scottish Gender Bill will change how UK law works.

It will change the operation of the law in relation to single-sex services, making it potentially more difficult for women-only spaces to exclude biological males, wrote Foran.

It will change the operation of the law in relation to single-sex associations which cannot discriminate on the basis of gender reassignment in their membership admissions, he added.

The report found that single-sex girls schools in England will have to admit biologically-male pupils under the Bill.

It will change the law relating to single-sex schools. The law as it stands provides that 1618-year-old biological males who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate cannot be excluded from single-sex girls schools, he said.

There is no exception for gender reassignment discrimination in relation to schools. This Bill will confer on certain biological males a legal right of admission to girls schools, a right which otherwise does not exist, he added.

Critics of the legislation say that a self-identification system could be exploited, or male prisoners may abuse the system. The proposals have encountered recent criticism from the UK government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which in October called for more consultation with all those affected by proposed changes.

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, during day two of the debate for the Stage 3 Proceedings of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, on Dec. 21, 2022. (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA Media)

Veto Power

Foran said that the UK government is within its legal rights to make a section 35 order prohibiting the Bill from gaining royal assent in its current form.

Though he added that there is a separate question concerning whether or not the UK government believes this course of action to be prudent or desirable.

If the UK government does choose to make an order, it will then be open to the Scottish government to reintroduce the Bill into the Scottish Parliament sufficiently revised such that it does not modify the law relating to reserved matters, he added.

This will place an effective pause on the introduction of the Bill and allow time for both governments to constructively negotiate about changes to the Bill that will clarify its precise legal implications and address any additional concerns relating to its impact on UK wide equality law, he said.

He said that it is not an outright veto power, it merely prevents the Bill from receiving royal assent and in practice this opens a dialogue between the two governments to ensure that a revised version of the Bill will not affect the operation of the law relating to reserved matters in a manner unacceptable to the UK government.

Safety Issues for Women and Children

When the Bill was passed, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said that the UK government could consider taking it to the Supreme Court.

We share the concerns that many people have regarding certain aspects of this Bill, and in particular the safety issues for women and children, he said.

We will look closely at that, and also the ramifications for the 2010 Equality Act and other UK-wide legislation, in the coming weeks, up to and including a Section 35 order stopping the Bill going for Royal Assent if necessary, he added.

In response to potential intervention Monday, the LGBT charity Stonewall said that ending reciprocal recognition of Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs) from countries that support trans people changing their legal gender using a self-determination model is a disgraceful low for the UK Governments approach to LGBTQ+ rights.

A Scottish government spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email:

The Bill as passed is within legislative competence, and was backed by an overwhelming majority, with support from members of all parties. Any attempt by the UK Government to undermine the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament will be vigorously contested by the Scottish Government.

We have always been clear that the Bill does not impact on the Equality Act, and the Bill as passed puts that position beyond doubt, he added.
UK MP Removed From Conservative Party Says He Will Continue to Question COVID-19 Vaccines

Andrew Bridgen also threatened legal action against those who made antisemitism accusations

Andrew Bridgen, who has had the Conservative Party whip removed after criticising COVID-19 vaccines, in a file photo issued on Jan. 11, 2023. (PA Media)

An MP who was removed from the UK Conservative Party for questioning COVID-19 vaccines on social media said he was saddened but not downhearted about the decision and has announced plans to take legal action against individuals who have accused him of racism.

Andrew Bridgen MP made the announcement in a video statement on Thursday, in which he referred to a now-deleted post on Twitter made by a consultant cardiologist, who reportedly told him that the situation with the COVID-19 vaccines is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.

In his first statement since losing the Conservative whip, he said that he was saddened to hear yesterday of my suspension, but Im not downhearted.

Lost the Whip

On Wednesday Bridgen was suspended by the Tory chief whip for spreading misinformation about COVID vaccines.

To lose a political partys whip means to be expelled from the party altogether, meaning Bridgen is now suspended from sitting as a Conservative MP and must sit without affiliation.

Whip Simon Hart said: Andrew Bridgen has crossed a line, causing great offence in the process.

As a nation, we should be very proud of what has been achieved through the vaccine programme. The vaccine is the best defence against COVID that we have.

Misinformation about the vaccine causes harm and costs lives. I am therefore removing the whip from Andrew Bridgen with immediate effect, pending a formal investigation.

Antisemitism

In the video statement, Bridgen said his post on Twitter was in no way anti-Semitic but that if anyone was offended, he wanted to apologise for any offence caused.

Bridgens post drew outraged responses from Conservative ministers such as Matt Hancock, Nadhim Zahawi, and Sajid Javid, as well as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the comments were utterly unacceptable.

Obviously it is utterly unacceptable to make linkages and use language like that and Im determined that the scourge of anti-Semitism is eradicated, Sunak told MPs.

Im disappointed that the chief whip Simon Hart, with the support of the Prime Minister, has chosen to spend me as a member of the conservative parliamentary party, said Bridgen.

My tweet of 11th of January was in no way anti-semitic. Indeed, it alluded to the Holocaust being the most heinous crime against humanity in living memory. Of course, if anyone is genuinely offended by my use of such imagery, then I apologise for any offence caused. I wholeheartedly refute any suggestions that I am racist, he said.

He added that he was speaking to a legal team, who will commence action against those who have led the calls suggesting that I am.

On Wednesday Lord Mann, the governments independent adviser on anti-Semitism, said Bridgen should be barred from standing for the Tories at the next election.

There is no possibility that Bridgen can be allowed to stand at the next election, he said.

Bridgens post linked to an article authored by Professor Josh Guetzkow, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Institute of Criminology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which was published by ZeroHedge.

Guetzkow wrote on Twitter that the claims of anti-Semitism against Bridgen were cheap shots that undermine the fight against genuine anti-Semitism, regardless of whether or not hes correct about the level of harm caused by the [COVID-19] jabs.

Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, administers a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock at a vaccination centre in London, on April 29, 2021. (UK government)

The fact that I have been suspended over this matter, says much about the current state of our democracy, the right to free speech, and the apparent suspension of the scientific method of analysis of medicines being administered to billions of people, said Bridgen.

He added that there are very reasonable questions to be asked about the safety and effectiveness of the experimental mRNA vaccines, and the risks and benefits of these treatments. He referred to the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

He added that there are reasonable questions to ask of a government that is considering extending the use of these experimental vaccines to children as young as six months of age and noted that we have a government who indemnifies vaccine manufacturers from claims against the harms caused by their products.

I was saddened to hear yesterday of my suspension, but Im not downhearted. Ive received huge support from ordinary people, medical workers who are too intimidated to speak out, said Bridgen.

And of course from those whove experienced vaccine harms themselves, or to a loved one. Hopefully, the media interest around my suspension will finally get the issue of vaccine harms into the media who have been so reluctant to cover this issue for so long, he added.

Wilful Blindness

Bridgen has been increasingly vocal in questioning the COVID-19 vaccine.

He made a claim in a parliamentary debate in December, in which he called for an immediate suspension of the use of mRNA vaccines.

He claimed that a person within a prominent leadership role in the British Heart Foundation had sent non-disclosure agreements to researchers to prevent data on potential harms from being made public.

In response, the British Heart Foundation released a statement on social media that said they did not recognise these claims and strongly refute all allegations made about colleagues in senior leadership roles within the British Heart Foundation.

In the parliamentary debate on vaccine harms, Bridgen said that there is a key psychological barrier that has prevented these facts from being acknowledged by policymakers and taken up by the UK mainstream media.

That psychological phenomenon is wilful blindness. It is when human beingsincluding, in this case, institutionsturn a blind eye to the truth in order to feel safe, reduce anxiety, avoid conflict, and protect their prestige and reputations, he added.
UK Urges Iran to Halt Execution of BritishIranian Alireza Akbari

Alireza Akbari, Iran's former deputy defence minister, speaks during an interview with Khabaronline in Tehran, Iran, in this undated picture obtained on Jan. 12, 2023. (Khabaronline/WANA/Handout via Reuters)

The UK government has condemned the planned execution of a BritishIranian dual national by Iran and has appealed for it to not go ahead.

Iran must halt the execution of BritishIranian national Alireza Akbari and immediately release him, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote in a tweet on Jan. 11. This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life.

Akbari, a former deputy defence minister of Iran, was arrested in 2019 and accused of espionage for British intelligence agency MI6, a charge he denies.

Iranian state media reported earlier on Jan. 11 that Akbari had been sentenced to death on charges of spying for the UK.

He was one of the most important agents of the British intelligence service in Iran who had access to some very sensitive centres in the country, Irans Intelligence Ministry stated. Akbari had fully knowingly provided information to the enemys spy service.

His death sentence has been upheld by Irans Supreme Court, report Nournews, an Iranian news agency affiliated with the countrys top security agency.

Fears of Imminent Execution

Akbaris wife, Maryam, told the BBCs Persian-language service that she was invited to a final meeting at the prison, where he has been put in solitary confinement, an apparent sign that an execution is imminent.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said, Our priority is securing his immediate release, and we have reiterated our request for urgent consular access.

Irans announcement of the death sentence came just hours after BBC Persian broadcast an audio message from Akbari, in which he said he was tortured and forced to confess on camera to crimes he didnt commit.

I was interrogated and tortured for over 3,500 hours in 10 months. All of that were recorded on camera.  By using the force of gun and making death threats, they made me confess to false and baseless claims, he said in the audio message.

On Jan. 12, Irans Islamic Republic News Agency published a video that it said shows that Akbari played a role in the assassination of the countrys top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Fakhrizadeh, killed in an attack outside Tehran in 2020, was widely seen by Western intelligence as the mastermind of clandestine Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran Industrialising Hostage-Taking

Alicia Kearns, Conservative Party chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons, accused the regime in Tehran of reacting because it felt cornered as a result of international sanctions and the continuing wave of anti-government protests.

It is another horrifying example of the Iranian regime, because they feel they are cornered, because there is such significant pressure from sanctions, weaponising British nationals and industrialising hostage-taking, she told BBC Radio 4s PM on Jan. 11.

Following the recent executions of anti-government protesters, Kearns said Western countries should respond with fresh sanctions against the regime.

Every time the Iranian government assassinates an individual involved in the protests, there should be sanctions applied by Western governments the next day to make the point that we stand by those protesting for the basic rights of Iranians. Otherwise, we are showing no meaningful support to them, she said.

Akbari was a close ally of Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, who served as defence minister from 1997 to 2005 when Akbari was his deputy.

Kearns said the regime may have singled out Akbari because of his closeness to Shamkhani, whom she described as a moderate voice calling for discussions and dialogue in response to the current protests.

I wonder if this is an effort to undermine that individual. It is also a chance for the Iranians to reiterate their narrative that the British government [and] the American government are trying to undermine the regime and overthrow the Iranian regime, she said.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (R) and Anoosheh Ashoori, who were freed from Iran, disembark after landing at RAF Brize Norton in England on March 17, 2022. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Longstanding Pattern

Tehran has detained a number of dual and foreign nationals in recent years, including BritishIranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was held in 2016 and released last year.

Amnesty International called Akbaris death sentence distressing and deeply concerning and urged the UK government to do more to prevent the execution.

Theres a longstanding pattern of BritishIranians being arrested, mistreated, and arbitrarily jailed by the Iranian authoritiesin cases sometimes amounting to state hostage-takingbut an execution would represent a terrifying intensification of this process of using foreign nationals as diplomatic pawns, said Freshta Sharif, Amnesty International UKs individuals at risk campaign manager.

She noted that the UK has a weak record when it comes to lobbying for the release of arbitrarily jailed Britons in Iran.

Ministers must be able to show they have a clear plan for ensuring the threat of execution is lifted from Alireza and that allegations he was tortured and forced to falsely confess are fully investigated, she said.

PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report.
US Congressmen Show Strong Support for AUKUS Following Criticism From Senators

The Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785) is moved to Newport News Shipbuilding's floating dry dock in preparation for the September 6 christening in Newport News, Virginia, U.S. August 31, 2014. U.S. Navy/John Whalen/Huntington Ingalls Industries/Handout via REUTERS

Nine U.S. Congressmen have publicly declared their strong support for the AUKUS pact and commitment to help Australia develop nuclear submarine capabilities.

In a letter to President Joe Biden (pdf), they wrote that it could be a unique opportunity to expand the industrial base to support both U.S. and Australian submarine construction.

Far from a zero-sum game, the potential for the United States to provide or build new submarines under AUKUS, should that be the recommendation of the trilateral consultation, could very well be a rising tide that lifts all boats, the congressmen said, referencing a letter to the Biden Administration from two Senators warning against selling nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

Reports emerged a week earlier that Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and recently retired Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) expressed concerns that supplying Australia with Virginia-class nuclear submarines would stretch the U.S. industrial base to breaking point.

We are concerned that what was initially touted as a do no harm opportunity  may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced U.S. SSNs (nuclear attack submarine), Reed and Inhofe said in a letter dated Dec. 21 and later leaked in January.

But the nine members of the House said the goals of AUKUS were a multi-generational effort and worth embarking on for the security of the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The letter was signed by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), and Blake Moore (R-Utah).

They acknowledged that the U.S. submarine industrial base had been strained by COVID-19 restrictions. But said the situation will not remain static over the coming decades.

While the present challenges in delivering new Virginia class submarines need to be fully considered in any discussion about the way ahead, so too must be the potential value and benefit of a fully integrated industrial base that could come as a result, they wrote.

Exact Pathway Still Under Consideration

Trilateral consultations continue to surround how the United States and the United Kingdom will support Australia in developing domestic nuclear capability.

Discussions of directly selling U.S.-made nuclear submarines emerged following concerns that Australia faced a capability gap once its current diesel-powered Collins class submarines begin to retire from 2038.

In addition, Australia may need to wait until the 2040s to build its first submarine with a domestic nuclear industry, which it will need to build from scratch.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2022 that government projections showed the first delivery of submarines most likely starting in the mid-2040s.

(L-R) Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin participate in a joint news conference after the 32nd annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 6, 2022 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The United States has also recognised the capability gap issue, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declaring in December that the country will not allow Australia to have a capability gap going forward.

Our goal is to design the optimal pathway for Australia to get nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines as quickly as possible, he told reporters following the annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial meeting.

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is seen during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy in Darwin, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2021. (POIS Yuri Ramsey/Australian Defence Force via Getty Images)

We recognise where Australia is and when its capability begins to diminish. And, of course, we will address all of that in that pathway that we create.

Previous Governments Almost Bought Nuclear Subs

Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton, who was the defence minister when the AUKUS pact was formed, noted that the senators rightly pointed out constraints in their supply chain, but Australia and the United Kingdom could help address the issue.

Australia would come to the table with the ability to potentially increase that output. It may be that the three countries are looking at a common platform so that there is the ability for the three countries to be involved in the production process, he told ABCs 7:30 program.

Dutton also said that when it came down to reality, Australia is a trusted and reliable partner to the United States and the United Kingdom.

I think the times ahead will demand that of us, and were a very willing partner to provide that support to our allies and to our partners and friends in the region, he said.

Australian federal leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton MP reacts during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 28, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Previously, Dutton revealed that the Morrison government was close to approaching the United States to purchase two Virginia-class nuclear submarines to address the capability gap.

We would have our first two subs this decade. I had formed a judgment that the Americans would have facilitated exactly that, he wrote in an op-ed for The Australian. The further eight subs (we had always said at least eight), making 10 in total, could have been built in South Australia, which honours our commitments.

Sen. Reed Backs AUKUS

Following the leak of Reed and Inhofes letter to the public, Reed took to social media to express his staunch support for the AUKUS agreement.

However, he highlighted that responsible oversight and a stable industrial base were vital to ensuring the programs success.

Im proud to support AUKUS, the United States historic military agreement with the UK and Australia, he wrote in a series of posts on Twitter on Jan. 10.

This powerful partnership is central to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, dramatically improving the capabilities of our allies, and increasing our engagement in the region.

Importantly, AUKUS also lays the foundation for the most significant integration of our undersea and other military capabilities ever achieved. I am encouraged by the progress our nations have made.
US Is No Longer the Unrivaled Superpower of the World: Expert

There is a change in the geostrategic paradigm that the world has lived through for the last decade, and the United States is no longer the unrivaled superpower of the world, according to Dr. Thomas F. Lynch III, a distinguished research fellow at the U.S. National Defense Universitys Institute for National Strategic Studies.

Lynch said in a recent interview on Capitol Report, a political news program on NTD, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times, that in terms of history and international relations theory, the United States was the only true superpower, but the situation has changed in the past 1520 years.

And by superpower, I mean a country that had both unique capabilities, primarily militarily, but also economic and diplomatic, unrivaled by other countries. Second, that we applied those capabilities outside of our own region; that is, we applied them globally. And third, that other countries perceived us as being really a global, strident power that could influence them on a day-to-day basis, said Lynch.

However, in the past 15-20 years, other countries started asserting their aspirations and interests, which were not aligning with that of the United States. These countries were ambitious about converting their sinews of power into things and situations that would allow them to display unique attributes, he said.

According to Lynch, these countries included Russia, which asserted itself militarily but also with respect to its gas and oil reserves. China started developing and building itself economically and then increasingly converted that power into military and other diplomatic tools and assets.

So Russia and China have emerged, I would say, probably from the mid-2000s, but certainly since about 2014 and 2015 as other great superpowers who have the unique capabilities, who are operating globally not just in their own regions, and who other countries perceive as having voice and gravitas, militarily, economically, and diplomatically, Lynch told Capitol Reports host, Steve Lance.

The geostrategic framework that existed since the end of the Cold War no longer exists. The United States faces countries with power and reach but disagree with the framework for international relations, which the United States and its allies and partners established after the Second World War and built upon after the 199091 collapse of the Soviet Union, according to Lynch.

Weve applied those internationally; we all kind of know them and feel them. Theyre the norms, rules, and procedures about how we do commerce, and trade and finance, and how we pursue international rights for humans abroad, and how we try to expand this zone of openness and democracy, said Lynch, the author of three books and editor of Strategic Assessment 2020: The Into a New Era of Great Power Competition.

Well, neither Russia nor China agrees with all of those premises. And now because they have power, because they have great power status, they are challenging that, he said.

USS Abraham Lincoln (L) and JS Kongo (front) sail in formation during a U.S.-Japan bilateral exercise at the Sea of Japan on April 12, 2022. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force via AP)

US Armys Strength

The Heritage Foundation released a report in October 2022 that warned the U.S. military is at risk of being unable to meet the demands of Americas national interests. The 2023 Index of U.S. Military Strength acknowledged for the first time that the United States has now been adapting its national defense strategy to deal with two global scenarios, vis-a-vis China and Russia, Lynch said.

The Heritage acknowledged [it] this year and said, Hey, we are weak because we cant necessarily apply enough force to deal with both  a Russia scenario, per se, and then also a second scenario, perhaps a China military scenario. And I think thats a valuable assertion.

The expert believes that the response of the U.S. military to the concerns addressed by this report would be that in the last four years, it has worked to adjust and adapt and move the military to meet challenges posed by communist China and Russia.

And so I think what Heritage has done is unique, but I think it may lag a little bit from where our own budgeters and the U.S. military is and is trying to move, said Lynch, adding that what the United States has done, particularly in the past two years, is to develop its military in order to better interact and interrelate with partner militaries.

For example, he said, the United States has been encouraging Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to build out and develop their military and their capabilities.  Of course, so weve been working with and trying to get them to expand their military and their viability, said Lynch.

He said even the attitudes of countries, such as Australia and India, that werent seriously interested in working with the U.S. military three to four years ago had changed their views.

And you see that with, with some of the things that are being done in this relationship called the QUADwhich is the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Indiawhich is a lot about non-military tools, binding together and showing a common front against a country like China that has very different values and views, but also is moving towards more military interoperability, more bilateral, trilateral, multilateral exercises at sea, in the air, and on land, said Lynch.

He believes the Heritage report may or may not have given enough credit to U.S. work with partner militaries.

Its not just by us spending more, although thats necessary  were going to have to rely on friends, allies, and partners, not just NATO, but also friends, allies, and partners in the Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific.
US, Japan Announce New Plans to Bolster Alliance, Expand Joint Security in Outer Space

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) listens as Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (R) makes opening remarks during a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 11, 2022. (Sandra Sanders/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States and Japan on Jan. 11 unveiled new plans to strengthen their alliance amid growing threats from North Korea and communist China, including extending security cooperation to outer space.

In a joint statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, stressed the importance of the U.S.Japan Alliance, which Blinken said has served as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, for more than seven decades.

Were committed to upholding shared values of democracy and human rights, defending the international rule of law, continuing to lead the world in tackling global challenges that no one country can solve alone, like the climate crisis and deadly viruses, Blinken said.

Chinese Regime Is a Strategic Challenge

We agree that the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face, Blinken said.

Hayashi, meanwhile, said that Chinas communist regime presents an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, adding that its foreign policy to recreate international order to serve its self-interest is a grave concern for the Japan-U.S. Alliance and for the whole of the international community.

The four officials said that Japan and the United States would continue to be united in raising objections against the Chinese regimes attempts to change [the] status quo in the East China Sea, including its attempts to undermine Japans administration of the Senkaku Islands, uninhabited islands in the East China Sea located northeast of Taiwan.

The Rocket Force, under the Eastern Theater Command of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), fires live missiles into the waters near Taiwan from an undisclosed location in China on Aug. 4, 2022. (Eastern Theater Command/Handout via Reuters)

China has claimed the Senkaku Islands as its sovereign territory.

The four leaders also confirmed their strong opposition against unlawful claims and coercive and provocative efforts and actions by China in the South China Sea, and the importance of maintaining peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, according to the statement.

Elsewhere, officials said that the 12th Marine Regiment, an artillery regiment, will remain in Japans southern island of Okinawa and be redesignated as the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment by 2025.

The regiment will be equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as anti-ship and transportation capabilities, in case of a Chinese incursion into Taiwan or other hostile acts by the Chinese regime, according to officials.

Okinawa houses more than 25,800 U.S. military personnel and 31 military installations.

USJapan Cooperation in Space

Blinken stated that he and Hayashi are set to sign a new agreement later this week at NASA on U.S.Japan cooperation in space.

This agreement has been a decade in the making; it covers everything from joint research to working together to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon, Blinken said.

Under that agreement, attacks to, from, or within space could trigger Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. That article states that each party will act to meet the common danger if an armed attack is carried out against either party in the territories under the administration of Japan.

Threats From North Korea

Outside of China, the officials reaffirmed their unwavering commitment toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea. At the same time, the United States also strongly endorsed Japans decision to acquire ship-launched U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles made by Raytheon Technologies to give it counterstrike capability amid concerns of an impending attack by the Chinese regime or North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) and his daughter at the site of a missile launch at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Nov. 18, 2022. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea fired more than 60 missiles last year, including ballistic missiles that passed over Japan in October 2022. Meanwhile, during military drills in August 2022, the Chinese regime fired several missiles that landed in waters near Taiwan, which neighbors Japan.

On Jan. 8, Beijing sent 57 aircraft and four naval vessels near Taiwan during military combat exercises, of which 28 warplanes reportedly entered Taiwans air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and crossed the Taiwan Strait.

Earlier this week, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the United States is closely monitoring possible efforts by Beijing to provide military assistance to Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to help the Kremlin evade international sanctions.

During the Jan. 11 meeting with his Japanese counterparts, Blinken said the two nations are working with the rest of their G-7 partners to impose further coordinated sanctions on Russia while simultaneously working to help Ukraine repair, restore, and defend the countrys embattled energy grid.

The Jan. 11 meeting between the United States and Japan comes as U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Jan. 13, where the two are set to discuss a number of regional and international issues.
US to Begin Training Ukrainian Troops to Use Patriot Missile System in Oklahoma

US army officers stands in front a U.S. Patriot missile defense system at the Hatzor Airforce Base on March 8, 2018. (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)

Around 100 Ukrainian troops are set to arrive in the United States as soon as next week to begin training on how to use the Patriot surface-to-air guided-missile defense system.

I can confirm that training for Ukrainian forces on the Patriot air defense system will begin as soon as next week at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Pentagon Press Secretary and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a Tuesday Pentagon press conference.

The training will prepare approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers to operate, maintain and sustain the defensive system over a training course expected to last several months.

For months, the Ukrainian government has been requesting that the United States provide the Patriot air defense systems, which can target aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.

Ukraines requests for Patriot air defense systems have come as Russian forces have targeted Ukraines power grid with missile strikes. In a recent visit to Washington D.C., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, Russia is using winter as a weapon  freezing people, starving people, cutting them off from one another.

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on Dec. 21, 2022. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Last month, the United States agreed to begin supplying Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems for the first time.

Once the Patriot missile systems can be fielded, Ryder said they will contribute to Ukraines air defense capabilities and provide another capability to the Ukrainian people to defend themselves against Russias ongoing aerial assaults.

Enough Troops to Man a Patriot Battery

During the Pentagon press conference, Ryder explained that the U.S. side selected Fort Sill as the site to train the Ukrainian air defense troops because the U.S. Army base already runs the school that trains U.S. and allied forces to use the Patriot system.

Ryder also explained that the United States is training enough Ukrainian troops to man the single battery worth of Patriot air defense systems that the United States has agreed to provide to Ukraine. A single Patriot battery consists of a truck-mounted launching system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station, and a generator.

A Patriot battery, by definition, takes about 90 folks to operate and maintain that system, Ryder said. So the numbers are commensurate with what one would expect, in terms of operating the Patriot battery that will be delivered to Ukraine.

While Patriot training normally takes several months, Ryder said U.S. trainers do want to speed up the process for the Ukrainian trainees.

The longer those troops are off the line, theyre not actually engaged in combat, and so trying to work with the Ukrainians to see what we can do to accelerate the training timeline, Ryder said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to target and destroy the Patriot air defense systems that the United States plans to send to Ukraine.

Of course, well take them out, 100 percent! Putin said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV anchor Pavel Zarubin, Russias state-owned news agency TASS reported.

Putin said the Patriot missile defense system is fairly outdated and Russia will find an antidote for the air defense system.

It is said that the Patriot systems may be sent to Ukraine. Let them do it; we will weed out the Patriots too, Putin said.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

From NTD News.
Utah Brothers Prepare Next Move After Supreme Court Turns Down Case Seeking to Overturn 2020 Election

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Dec. 4, 2022. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

Petitioners in a case that would remove President Joe Biden from office if successful are preparing to return to the Supreme Court with what they hope is a stronger case after the nations top court turned down a request to review lower court decisions rejecting the effort.

Were not discouraged, Deron Brunson, one of the brothers who brought the case, told The Epoch Times during a break on putting the finishing touches on a petition for rehearing.

That document will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its stance on the case.

If you feel like the petition didnt grab their attention, you go back and request a rehearing, Brunson said. You revisit your claims but make them clearer and stronger.

The petitioners plan to have the petition filed by Jan. 16.

The Case

Raland Brunson, Derons brother, originally brought the case in Utah court in mid-2021. It argues that by not moving to investigate evidence of fraud in the 2020 election, and certifying the results for President Joe Biden, members of Congress violated their oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. A rigged election is an attack against the Constitution and achieves the same results as a war, or to give power to certain people, the suit alleges.

It asked for the removal of many members of Congress and Biden, and the swearing in of former President Donald Trump.

The alleged fraud was said to be, in part, the switching of election laws ahead of the election that made it easier to vote by mail and, in some cases, extended the deadline for receipt of such ballots, the denial of investigations into claims, and Big Tech censorship of fraud allegations.

Three courts have rejected the case, which was moved to the federal system, so far. U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish, an Obama appointee, agreed with recommendations from U.S. Magistrate Judge Jared Bennett, appointed by other judges, that Brunson lacked standing to bring the suit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit agreed. And by turning down a writ of certiorari, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling.

Though Raland Brunson is the only petitioner named in the case, he has been helped by his brothers, with Deron Brunson taking credit for laying out many of the arguments.

Pretty Confident

Deron Brunson said the family remains confident, as they expected the lower courts to rule against them. They were disappointed that the first bid to the Supreme Court didnt work, but are taking advantage of the rules that now allow a petition for hearing.

Justices like to look at something thats substantial, or very controlling, Deron Brunson told The Epoch Times. The petition will focus on key questions such as whether a rigged election is an act of war, whether members of Congress failed to abide by their oath when certifying the 2020 election without investigating reports of election fraud, and whether the oath of office is binding, or whether some form of punishmentsuch as whether the Supreme Court can remove memberscan be imposed.

Its a first impression, so were hoping the Supreme Court will say, yeah, we want to address that,' Deron Brunson said.

Were giving them a chance to write out a lot about this, that will affect America forever.

Improved Position

The writ of certiorari, or request to review the lower court decisions, may not have been strong enough, Deron Brunson acknowledged. So Im making it strong enough, to put the questions to them.

Were hoping this will catch their attention, and it should, he added.

Addressing the ideal end results of the case, the Utah man said that Biden would be removed if the election were determined to have been rigged, and Trump would be inaugurated because in general, in elections where fraud is found, the position goes to the next person who would have won.

That would be very, very exciting, Deron Brunson said. The case would go down in history and build a legacy for Supreme Court justices.

Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law, said justices wont accept the petition for rehearing, pointing to how U.S. lawyers waived their right to file an argument with the court and how no justices asked them for a response.

There is a 0% chance that a petition for reconsideration will be successful. Not 0.1%; not 0.01%; not 0.001%0, Vladeck wrote on Twitter.

Not All Members

The suit doesnt name all members of Congress in power at the time of the certification. Members like Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who outlined allegations of fraud from state Sen. Kelly Townsend, were excluded, along with other members who supported investigating the allegations.

Since the case was filed, another election has come and gone. New members were sworn into office in January.

Those members would not be removed, Deron Brunson said. They wont be touched, he said.
Washingtons Dilemma in Trying to Refill Petroleum Reserves After 220 Million Barrel Drawdown

In an aerial view, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage at the Bryan Mound site is seen in Freeport, Texas, on Oct. 19, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

News Analysis

After the Biden administration released 180 million barrels of oil last year from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in an attempt to rein in gasoline prices, Washington is now facing a dilemma while trying to replenish the SPR as it deals with price and funding challenges.

The release of 180 million barrels of oil last year at roughly $96 per barrel generated $17.3 billion in proceeds for the Department of Energy (DoE), according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal. However, the department does not have these funds to use to replenish the SPR. Out of the $17.3 billion, $12.5 billion was stripped away to be used in the recent spending bill. This leaves the department with around $4.8 billion.

To complicate matters, the full drawdown of the SPR last year was not 180 million barrels but 221.7 million barrels according to data from the DoE. As of Dec. 30, there were roughly 372.4 million barrels of oil in the SPR, which is the lowest level in 39 years.

The agency had earlier indicated that it intends to make oil purchases only when WTI crude prices are at or below the $67 to $72 per barrel level.

Even if the DOE is able to buy WTI oil at $70 per barrel, the $4.8 billion will only procure 70 million barrels, which is 110 million barrels fewer than the 180 million barrels released in 2022. Adding 70 million barrels will only take the SPR to 440 million barrels, an amount it had back in 1984.

Resupplying SPR

Last month, the DoE said that it intends to buy up to three million barrels of oil for delivery to the SPR in February. However, the department has decided to reject the bids for such supplies.

Following review of the initial submission, DOE will not be making any award selections for the February delivery window, an agency spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.

DOE will only select bids that meet the required crude specifications and that are at a price that is a good deal for taxpayers.

WTI is trading at $78 per barrel as of 10:27 a.m. ET on Jan. 12. If prices manage to fall below the $72 level which would trigger DoE purchase intent, the fact that the department is buying WTI crude would push prices higher.

WTI oil prices were trading below $70 per barrel only from contracts beginning in October 2024 as of Jan. 9, which is roughly 20 months away. To attract more bids for SPR resupply in near-term contracts, the DoE will have to offer a higher purchase price.

SPR and China

Meanwhile, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) has introduced the H.R. 22 bill aimed at preventing the misuse of SPR for Chinas benefit.

The bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.

In a Jan. 12 post on Twitter, Rodgers pointed out that the bill will stop the Biden administration from draining Americas strategic petroleum reserves and selling oil to Chinaa country that now has the worlds largest government-controlled stockpile of oil.

Some of the SPR emergency sales from last year had gone to China-owned companies like Unipec America which is wholly owned by Chinese state-run oil firm Sinopec.
What We Know About Robert Hur, Special Counsel Probing Bidens Handling of Classified Documents

Then-U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur delivers remarks during Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's farewell ceremony at the Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building in Washington on May 9, 2019. Hur was appointment special counsel to investigate President Joe Biden's handling of classified records on Jan. 12. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Robert K. Hur, the special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead the probe into President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents, is a former federal prosecutor with a long and distinguished career, according to Garland.

As U.S. Attorney, [Hur] supervised some of the Departments more important national security, public corruption, and other high-profile matters, the attorney general noted in announcing Hurs appointment on Jan. 12.

Hur held the role of U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland from April 2018 until February 2021. He was appointed to that role by former President Donald Trump, and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in March 2018.

Adding that he would ensure Hur received all of the necessary resources to perform his investigation, Garland continued, I am confident that Mr. Hur will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent manner, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this Department.

Hurs appointment as special counsel follows a tumultuous week for the Biden administration as new details regarding the classified documents discovered at President Joe Bidens Wilmington, Delaware, home and former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington continue to come to light.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment, Hur said in a Jan. 12 statement released by the Justice Department (DOJ). I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service.

A Distinguished Career

A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School and former law clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Hur joined the DOJs Criminal Division in 2003, where he served as counsel and special assistant to then-Assistant Attorney General Christopher Wray.

Wray, who is now the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has come under scrutiny in recent months for his leadership as fears of political bias against conservatives have escalated in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach and the bureaus August raid of former President Donald Trumps home.

While working for Wray, Hur worked on counterterrorism, corporate fraud, and appellate matters.

Between 2003 and 2018, Hur went back and forth between the Justice Department and private law practice at King & Spalding, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney from November 2007 to January 2014 and principal associate deputy attorney general from June 2017 to April 2018.

In the latter role, Hur served as the principal counselor to then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, assisting with oversight of the National Security, Civil, Criminal, and Antitrust divisions, all 93 U.S. attorneys offices, and the FBI.

Rosenstein is noteworthy for his involvement in the Trump-Russia collusion investigationparticularly for appointing Robert Mueller as special counsel and signing off on the application to spy on former Trump associate Carter Page.

As U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Hur and his office brought resolved fraud and corruption charges against dozens of officials and public employees, according to the Justice Department. These include former Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh, former Baltimore City Police Commissioner Darryl DeSousa former Maryland Delegate Cheryl Glenn, former Maryland Delegate Tawanna Gaines, and former Maryland State Senator Nathaniel Oaks.

Hur resigned from the position in April 2021, and since then has served as a partner at the Washington law office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he has focused his practice on white-collar criminal matters, regulatory proceedings and enforcement, internal investigations, and civil litigation.
White House Dodges Questions Over Classified Documents Found at Bidens Former Office, Defends Actions

The White House on Jan. 11 dodged questions regarding why the public has only recently been informed about the discovery of classified documents at a former office of the President when they were found two months ago.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in the first press briefing since news of the documents became public on Monday, defended the administrations actions while declining to answer how the documents came to be at the office.

I know you all are going to have a lot of questions on this, but, at this time, Im not going to go beyond what the president said yesterday, Jean-Pierre said, referring to Bidens comments on the matter while in Mexico on Wednesday.

Im not going to go beyond what my colleagues from the White House counsel shared with many of you as well on Monday.  I want to be prudent here and make sure that my colleagues really, truly handle this issue.

When pressed by reporters as to why it took so long for the discovery of the documents to be disclosed, Jean-Pierre said: This is under review by the Department of Justice.

Its under review. Im going to let the DOJ [Department of Justice] do their process. Im just not going to get ahead of it, she said, adding that the White House is going to be limited on what we can say here.

The press secretary also reiterated comments made by White House attorney Richard Sauber, who said on Monday that Bidens lawyers, after discovering the documents inside a locked closet at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, notified the White House Counsels Office of their existence who in turn alerted the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) of the discovery.

(L-R) U.S. President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pose for pictures after speaking to the press during the 10th North American Leaders Summit at the National Palace in Mexico City on Jan. 10, 2023. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

They Did the Right Thing

The agency retrieved the materials the following day.

They did the right thing by turning over the documents to the archives, Jean-Pierre said. Thats what they did. Once they realized that they had them and they were there.

She declined to answer when questioned about whether more documents may come to light in the future.

Under U.S. law, presidential and vice presidential records must be turned over to the NARA for preservation when a president leaves office.

Attorney Sauber said on Monday that the classified documents were found at the Penn Biden Center on Nov. 2, 2022, just days before the midterm elections, but their existence was not disclosed until nearly two months later.

During a visit to Mexico on Tuesday, Biden said he was surprised to learn that the classified documents had been discovered inside the office where he previously worked.

Biden made the comments at a press conference after meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at a trilateral summit.

Law enforcement officers in front of former President Donald Trumps home at Mar-A-Lago in Florida on Aug. 8, 2022. Trump says his residence is being raided by FBI agents in what he calls an act of prosecutorial misconduct. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Surprised to Learn About Classified Documents

They immediately called the Archives  turned them over to the Archives and I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that office, Biden said of his lawyers.

Biden added that he was not aware of what was contained in the documents adding that his lawyer have not suggested I ask what documents they were.

The president also noted that the administration is cooperating fully with the DOJs review of the matter.

Since the announcement regarding the discovery of the documents was made on Monday, Republicans have vowed to launch a probe into the matter, which has come to light roughly five months after the FBIs raid of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence, during which investigators said they seized over 11,000 documents and materials, including around 100 documents marked classified or top secret.

Trump is currently being investigated by the DOJ over his handling of the documents.

In a statement on Jan. 10, newly appointed House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said he is requesting information from NARA and the White House Counsels Office about Bidens failure to return highly classified records from his time as vice president.

For months, NARA failed to disclose to Committee Republicans or the American public that President Bidenafter serving as Vice Presidentstored highly classified documents in a closet at his personal office. NARA learned about these documents days before the 2022 midterm elections and did not alert the public that President Biden was potentially violating the law. Meanwhile, NARA instigated a public and unprecedented FBI raid at Mar-a-Lagoformer President Trumps hometo retrieve presidential records, Comer said.

NARAs inconsistent treatment of recovering classified records held by former President Trump and President Biden raises questions about political bias at the agency, the Chairman wrote.
WHO Encourages Mask Wearing on Long-Haul Flights

Flight attendants walk at the arrival area at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Jan. 8, 2023. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

Countries should consider recommending travelers to wear masks in high-risk settings such as long-haul flights, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Tuesday, citing the rapid spread of the latest COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 in the United Stateseven though nothing currently suggests that it brings more severe disease than previous strains.

Mask wearing on long-haul flights should be a recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread COVID-19 transmission, Catherine Smallwood, the WHOs senior emergency officer for Europe, told reporters at a press briefing on Jan. 10.

In Europe, the XBB1.5 subvariant is being detected in small but growing numbers, WHO and Europe officials said.

Countries need to look at the evidence base for pre-departure testing, and if action is considered, travel measures should be implemented in a non-discriminatory manner, Smallwood said.

That did not mean the WHO recommended testing for passengers from the United States at this stage, she added.

Passengers check in for flights at Newark International Airport, New Jersey, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)

Measures that could be taken include genomic surveillance and targeting passengers from other countries as long as it does not divert resources from domestic surveillance systems. Others include monitoring wastewater around points of entry such as airports.

Her remarks come just weeks after Ashish Jha, the White Houses COVID-19 coordinator, said during a recent discussion with the Philadelphia Inquirer that no study in the world that shows that masks work that well.

Nothing currently suggests that XBB.1.5 brings more severe disease compared to previous strains of Omicron, an official from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently told CBS News. The WHO itself noted in November 2022 that the Omicron COVID-19 variant, although more transmissible, has, in general, caused less severe disease compared to previous COVID-19 variants of concern, such as Delta.

Most Transmissible Subvariant of Omicron

XBB.1.5 is considered to be the most transmissible Omicron subvariant detected so far in the United States, accounting for an estimated 27.6 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United States for the week ending Jan. 7, per CDC data.

XBB.1.5 is another descendant of Omicron, the most contagious and now globally dominant variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. XBB.1.5 is an offshoot of XBB, which was first identified in India in August and quickly became dominant in the country. XBB has also been responsible for the increase in COVID-19 cases in parts of Asia, including Singapore.

XBB is a recombinant of two subvariants that descended from the Omicron BA.2 subvariant. This means that genetic data from two versions of the virus that descended from BA.2 that had infected a person at the same time combined during the viral replication process to form the new XBB subvariant.

Concerns Amid China Opening Up

Concerns about XBB.1.5 fueling a new increase of COVID-19 cases in the United States and other countries come amid a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in China after the country pivoted away from its signature zero COVID policy in early December 2022. The draconian policy had been in effect for nearly three years.

China reopened its borders on Jan. 8, making it easier for Chinese citizens intending to travel internationally to do so and easier for international visitors to visit the country.

More than a dozen countries, including the United States, have since implemented policies requiring COVID-19 tests from travelers from China.

In Europe, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Jan. 10 issued recommendations for flights between China and the European Union, including non-pharmaceutical measures to reduce the spread of the virus, such as mask-wearing and testing of travellers, as well as monitoring of waste water as an early warning tool to detect new variants.

The two agencies recommend random testing may also be carried out on a sample of arriving passengers and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of aircraft serving these routes.

Last week, the EUs Integrated Political Crisis Response group (IPCR), a body made up of officials from the EUs 27 governments, also recommended all passengers on flights to and from China should wear face masks and random testing of passengers arriving from China.

According to data reported by the WHO in early January, an analysis by the Chinese CDC showed a predominance of Omicron sublineages BA.5.2 and BF.7 among locally acquired infections.

The WHO believes China has been underreporting deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 in the country. It acknowledges that the case definition of what counts as a COVID-19 death in China is narrow and not necessarily the case definition that WHO has recommended countries adopt, said Smallwood.

Read More Deaths Among CCP Elites Rise as COVID-19 Wave Hits China

Reuters contributed to this report.
Winnipeg Police Charge Second Man With Attempting to Intimidate Justice Official

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge is seen on Sept. 2, 2021 at the Public Information Office. (The Canadian Press/David Lipnowski)

Police in Winnipeg have charged a second person in the surveillance of a Manitoba judge.

Police say Randal Jay Cameron of Calgary, who is 45, has been charged with attempting to obstruct justice and intimidation of a justice system participant.

Earlier this month, police laid similar charges against John Carpay of Calgary.

Carpay is president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which has been fighting COVID-19 restrictions in court.

Carpay said in 2021 that he hired a private investigator to follow Chief Justice Glenn Joyal, who was hearing a case about health restrictions involving several churches represented by the centre.

Joyal ruled against the churches, saying public health orders did not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Dakar, January 10, 2023  Beninese authorities should drop the false news charges against journalist Virgile Ahouanse and ensure that members of the press do not face legal harassment for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.

On December 19, an officer with the police criminal brigade called Ahouanse, news director of the privately owned internet radio station Crystal News, and asked him to appear the following day at a police station in Porto-Novo, the capital, according to news reports and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ by phone. When Ahouanse arrived at the station on December 20, officers arrested him and held him for 48 hours, he said.

Ahouanse was released on bail on December 22, and is due to appear in court on February 13 to face charges of spreading false news aimed at disturbing the peace, according to those sources. If convicted, he faces up to six months in prison and a fine of 500,000 Central African francs (US$807), under Benins digital code.

Benin authorities must drop the charges against journalist Virgile Ahouanse and reform the countrys digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in New York. Journalists in Benin should not worry that their work may land them in prison or under criminal investigation.

The charge against Ahouanse stems from his investigation published December 14, 2022, which accused police of carrying out extrajudicial killings, the journalist told CPJ. During his detention, authorities questioned him about that investigation for more than five hours.

Upon his release, the special prosecutor at the Court of Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism imposed bail conditions requiring Ahouanse to surrender his passport, not leave the country, and return to the police station every Friday, according to the journalist and those news reports.

CPJ has previously documented how authorities use Benins digital code to jail journalists for their work. CPJs calls and messages sent via messaging app to Benin police spokesperson Roger Tawes did not receive any replies.
A lawsuit that sought to bar Yellowstone County from pursuing efforts in the future to privatize management at MetraPark was dismissed Thursday in District Court.

"Whether the newly-constituted (county) commission will even further entertain privatization is pure speculation," Yellowstone County District Court Judge Rod Souza wrote in his ruling. "Further, any procedure they would use is pure speculation. Finally, any purported future wrongdoing of Oak View (Group) is pure speculation. Therefore, there is no ripe claim or justiciable controversy."

Gene Jarussi, a retired Billings attorney, had asked District Court to stop Yellowstone County from any future attempt to privatize MetraPark and to bar the county from working with Oak View Group.

Thursday's ruling ends a court battle that started last fall. In September, Jarussi filed a complaint with District Court asking that the countys entire process for seeking bids from private companies wanting to take over management at MetraPark be declared invalid.

In his complaint, Jarussi argued that county leaders had inappropriately handled the process in looking to privatize management of the county-owned event facility. He specifically sought that one of those private companies, Oak View Group or OVG, be disqualified from participating in the future.

Specifically, Jarussi said that communication between county commissioners Don Jones and Denis Pitman and OVG violated the "no contact" clause included in the public bid process and that the two sides colluded to bring about a specific outcome.

Both Jones and Pitman have repeatedly denied the accusations.

Pitman is no longer a commissioner. He lost his seat to Mark Morse, who ran as a challenger to Pitman in the June primary elections. Morse has been sympathetic to Commissioner John Ostlund's point of view; Ostlund long opposed the way Pitman and Jones went about exploring privatization.

The county responded in October to Jarussi's lawsuit by terminating its bid process and rejecting the two bids it had received from the two private companies. OVG and ASM Global, both L.A.-based events and venue management companies, had submitted bids with the county last fall.

Yellowstone County then filed a motion in District Court to dismiss Jarussi's lawsuit.

After the county terminated its bid process, Jarussi amended his complaint in November and argued that the county stopping the bid process didn't solve the other issues involved with the county's quest to privatize management at Metra.

He asked Yellowstone County District Court for "declaratory and injunctive relief regarding any future attempt by this board to privatize Metra, and particularly seeks to enjoin any future management contract with OVG," he wrote in his court brief.

Thursday's ruling dismissing Jarussi's complaint was welcomed by the county.

"The county commissioners have been working to address the needs of the county in the best ways possible," Jeana Lervick, chief in-house deputy county attorney, said in a statement. "This issue, in particular, was one where they listened to the concerns of the community and shifted course. We are pleased that they can move on and continue to provide Yellowstone County with the best possible community services."
Guns, drugs seized in police anti-crime blitz

PHUKET: An anti-crime campaign by Region 8 Police over five days in the run-up to the New Year holidays resulted in 619 arrests and the seizure of 430,029 methamphetamine tablets (ya bah), 305 grams of crystal meth (ya ice) and 88 firearms.

crimepolice

By The Phuket News

Thursday 12 January 2023, 10:52AM

The news was announced at Provincial Police Region 8 headquarters at Tha Chatchai, at the northern tip of the island,yesterday evening (Jan 11).

Region 8 Police are responsible for overseeing police operations in seven provinces of Upper Southern Thailand: Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Surat Thani, Chumphon and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

Present to announce the results of the campaign, held Dec 19-23, was Pol Maj Gen Wanchai Ekaphonphit, Deputy Commissioner of the Region 8 Police.

Maj Gen Wanchai said the campaign was conducted as part of preparations to open the country to welcome tourists on the the two coasts, of Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, to build confidence and faith among the people and tourists.

The search-and-seize operation targetted influential people, firearms, drugs, explosives, prostitution and car thefts, he said.

Search warrants were used to target guest rooms, guesthouses, villas, resorts, all forms of crime syndicates that affect people and tourists, Maj Gen Wanchai added.

The campaign identified more than 517 target cases in the seven provinces of Region 8 Police jurisdiction, he continued.

The breakdown tally of target cases per province was: Surat Thani 112 cases, Nakhon Sri Thammarat 88 cases, Chumphon 79 cases, Krabi 75 cases, Phuket 66 cases, Phang Nga 54 cases and Ranong 43 cases.

A total of 619 suspects were arrested, with DNA samples collected from 415 suspects, Maj Gen Wanchai confirmed.

In total, 377 of the arrests were related to narcotics. Many of the arrests were also related to firearms, with 88 firearms and 1,199 rounds of ammunition seized, he said.

Nakhon Sri Thammarat province saw 32 guns seized followed by Surat Thani province with 19 guns and Chumphon province with 14 guns, he added.

Seventy-one of the arrests related to outstanding arrest warrants, he noted.

It is the policy of national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat handed down on October 1, 2022, through deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and [subsequently through] Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, for the police to take action to build confidence and faith in the safety of life and property for local people and tourists to support the opening of the country and the 2023 New Year festival, especially in important tourist areas where foreign tourists and Thai people prefer to travel, Maj Gen Wanchai said.

There have been continual and serious raids in the area of Region 8 Police to make the southern tourist areas of Thailand safer from various crimes, and ready to welcome tourists, and reduce crime in the area for people to live in peace, he concluded.
Phuket Grand Run 2023 confirmed

RUNNING: Phuket officials have announced that the Phuket Grand Run 2023 will take place on Saturday, Jan 28 at Saphan Hin Park.

Running

By The Phuket News

Thursday 12 January 2023, 03:02PM

The family themed fun run is a night event that will start at 6pm and includes races to be contested over two separate distances of 5km and 10km.

There are currently early bird entrance fees available, with the 5km run reduced from B399 to B299 and the 10km run reduced from B599 to B499.

As an additional incentive to choosing whichever distance they prefer, those who opt to purchase VIP entry tickets will be afforded a meet and greet with both Miss Grand International and Miss Grand Thailand 2022 and be provided with special T-shirts that can be signed. The entry fee for VIP registrants is B999.

The early bird offer to secure discounted entry is open now until Jan 21.

Part of the proceeds raised from the occasion will be donated to the Phuket Red Cross, organisers confirmed in an official press release.

Applications can be made online at: https://soft.events/run/phuket-grand-run-2023

For more information please contact 080-5262121 or visit the Phuket Grand Run Facebook page.
Today

Mostly cloudy with some showers in the afternoon. High 44F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Rain and snow tapering off in the evening. Decreasing cloudiness late. Low 27F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 40%.

Tomorrow

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Montana State University Billings Science Expo will host a kickoff event on Saturday for all budding young scientists in grades 1-12 in the 24-county region.

Hosted by MSUB science professors and science educators from Billings School District 2, the kickoff event will focus on the scientific method and use activities to help young scientists explore their projects for the Science Expo in March.

The kickoff event is free to all participants. Students in grades 1-6 will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Glacier Room at MSUBs Student Union on the university campus. Students in grades 7-12 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Yellowstone Science and Health Building on the MSUB university campus in the ground floor physics lab, Room 038.

The 2022 MSU Billings Science Expo is scheduled for March 3 and 4 and is in person. There will also be a virtual option.

Major sponsors of the kickoff event and the Science Expo itself include Billings Clinic, Exxon Mobil, Electrical Consultants, Inc., and Sibanye Stillwater.

The MSU Billings Science Expo is a regional science fair sanctioned by the International Science and Engineering Fair with more than 200 annual participants. Students in grades 1-12 in the 24-country region are eligible to enter their project into the fair and compete for gifts, cash prizes, awards, scholarships, and for a place to compete at the Montana State Fair and on the international stage during a two-day event, all at no cost due to the generosity of the expos sponsors.

The Science Expo is also looking for individuals to judge the projects and talk to students about their projects. Judges are asked to evaluate 3-4 projects and are invited to a free judges dinner and orientation.

Register to enter the Science Expo or to be a judge.

Contact MSUB Science Expo Director Daniel Willems, Ph.D., at daniel.willems@msubillings.edu for more information.
Joel Bothello, an associate professor of management at Concordia University, uses historical and fictional accounts of the Black Death to analyze humanitys responses to disruptions like COVID-19.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
A man suspected of rape is in custody following an investigation by Billings police, and a social media campaign launched by the teenage survivors mother.

Tyson Lee Garza, 39, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexual intercourse without consent and unlawful restraint, according to a statement from the Billings Police Department.

This morning when I got the call about the arrest, we were just overjoyed, said Violet Bad Bear, whose post on Facebook describing the suspect and his truck was shared over 1,000 times.

Billings detectives started investigating her daughters attack on Dec. 30. About three days later, Bad Bear said, she got tired of waiting for updates from police. With permission from a BPD detective, the Hardin woman shared what details she could on Facebook, asking anyone who saw the post to be on the lookout for a white man with a tattoo on his neck driving a dark copper Ford Ranger.

Bad Bear also called Billings casinos and gas stations, sharing what happened to her daughter and giving a description of the suspect. She received tips from all over the state, and was thankful to the police and those who responded to her post.

Although she isnt certain if the information she provided directly led to Tysons arrest, Bad Bear said she relayed every tip to BPD.

I was really impressed with our community, and how they came together to get this guy off the street, Bad Bear said.

Over half of all women in the United States have experienced sexual violence during their lifetime, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, a non-profit dedicated to preventing sexual assault and assisting survivors, reported that from 2009 through 2013, about 63,000 children a year were victims of sexual abuse.

Signs that a teen may have suffered sexual abuse, according to RAINN, include major changes in their eating habits, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Bad Bear wanted to pull her daughter out of school and shelter her, she said, but her daughter refused.

Honestly, shes so strong, Bad Bear said. Her strength gives me strength She didnt want anybody else getting hurt, and she did so good through every interview, through everything.

RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can connect survivors to confidential support and referrals, with dozens of programs for survivors available in Montana.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at (800) 656 4673. The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has a directory for victim services in the state at mcadsv.com/victim-service-programs-by-region/.
SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel struck out eight and allowed only five hits as Wheeler defeated Griswold in its season opener. Bergel walked just one batter and allowed two earned runs.

CAMI BROWN, Stonington, Softball, Junior; Brown finished 11 for 16 in four games for the Bears. Brown doubled four times, tripled twice and drove in nine runs.

CASEY MACERA, Westerly, Girls Lacrosse, Freshman, Macera scored five goals in a Division III win against Rocky Hill. Westerly ended a 15-game losing streak with the victory.

ADAM CARPENTER, Chariho, Baseball, Junior; Carpenter pitched a two-hitter in his varsity debut as the Chargers beat East Providence. Carpenter carried a no-hitter into the sixth. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.

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The fate of a devastated salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine hung in the balance Wednesday as Ukraine said its forces were holding out against a furious Russian onslaught in one of the fiercest recent ground battles of the nearly 11-month war.

Ukrainian and Russian forces fought street by street to hold or gain ground in Soledar, according to military analysts. The towns fall, while unlikely to provide a turning point in the war, would be a prize for a Kremlin starved of good news from the battlefield in recent months.

It would also offer Russian troops a strategic springboard for their efforts to conquer other areas of Donetsk province that remain under Ukrainian control. Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk province, which together make up the Donbas region bordering Russia, were Moscows main stated targets in invading Ukraine, but the fighting has stood mostly at a stalemate.

The spokesman for Ukraines Eastern Group of Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, said Wednesday that Russian claims of Soledars capture were untrue, Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne reported.

Cherevaty offered no further details, saying only that the General Staff of Ukraines armed forces would provide more information later.

The General Staff in its Wednesday morning update only listed Soledar among cities and towns that continue to be shelled by Russian forces.

Late Tuesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group, a private Russian military contractor, claimed in audio reports posted on his Russian social media platform that his soldiers had seized control of Soledar, though he also said that fighting continued in a cauldron in the citys center.

The Associated Press was unable to verify that claim.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Russian forces had positive dynamics in advancing in Soledar, but he stopped short of declaring its capture when asked about the claims that it has come under Russian control.

Lets not rush and wait for official statements, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week that everything is completely destroyed in the area due to relentless shelling and weeks of close, house-to-house combat.

The whole land near Soledar is covered with the corpses of the occupiers and scars from the strikes, Zelenskyy said. This is what madness looks like.

Soledar, known for salt mining and processing, has little intrinsic value. But it lies at a strategic point 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the city of Bakhmut, which Russian forces are aiming to surround.

Taking Bakhmut would disrupt Ukraines supply lines and open a route for Russian President Vladimir Putins forces to press toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk province.

Soledars fall would make holding Bakhmut much more precarious for Ukraine, Michael Kofman, the director of Russia Studies at the CAN nonprofit research organization in Arlington, Virginia, noted Wednesday.

The costly war of attrition, with expected heavy casualties, may make Russias victory as costly as a defeat, however.

I dont think the outcome at Bakhmut is that significant compared to what it costs Russia to achieve it, Kofman said in a tweet.

The Wagner Group, which now reportedly includes a large contingent of convicts recruited in Russian prisons, has spearheaded the attack on Soledar and Bakhmut.

Western intelligence has estimated that the Wagner Group constitutes up to a quarter of all Russian combatants in Ukraine.

A success in Soledar and Bakhmut would help Prigozhin, who has openly criticized Russias military leadership, to increase his clout at the Kremlin.

Russia illegally annexed Donetsk, Luhansk and two other Ukrainian provinces in September, but its troops have struggled to advance. After Ukrainian forces recaptured the southern city of Kherson in November, the battle heated up around Bakhmut.

The Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces were up against concerted Ukrainian resistance around Bakhmut.

The reality of block-by-block control of terrain in Soledar is obfuscated by the dynamic nature of urban combat  and Russian forces have largely struggled to make significant tactical gains in the Soledar area for months, the Washington-based think tank said.

An exceptional feature of the fighting near Bakhmut is that some of it has taken place around entrances to disused salt mine tunnels which run for some 200 kilometers (120 miles), according to Western intelligence reports.

Several front-line cities in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces have witnessed intense fighting in recent months. Putin identified the Donbas region as a focus from the wars outset, and where Moscow-backed separatists have fought there since 2014.

Russia captured almost all of Luhansk during the summer. Donetsk escaped the same fate, and the Russian military subsequently poured manpower and resources around Bakhmut.

On a different front, Zelenskyy on Wednesday visited the western city of Lviv and held a high-level meeting on the security situation near Ukraines border with Kremlin ally Belarus, the presidents office said in a statement.

Russia has stationed more than 10,000 of its soldiers in Belarus and conducts regular military drills in the country, which has a roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) border with Ukraine. The Kremlin used Belarus as a staging ground to send troops and missiles into Ukraine when it invaded on Feb. 24.

Concerns have risen in recent months about the Kremlin potentially pressuring Belarus into opening up a new front in Ukraines west, possibly to target supply routes for Western weapons and other overseas aid that have helped Kyivs forces sustain a defense and to launch a counteroffensive.

Zelenskyy said there were no immediate worries about Minsk joining the war but added: We must be ready, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Putin claimed Wednesday that Russia had successfully resisted Western pressure, especially sanctions, over its invasion of Ukraine and vowed that the country has enough resources to beef up its military while continuing social programs and meeting other development targets.

Nothing of what our enemies forecast has happened, Putin said in a video call with top members of his Cabinet.

We will strengthen our defense capability and will undoubtedly solve all issues related to supplies to military units involved in the special military operation, he said, using the Kremlins euphemism for the war.

He said Russia has received 200 billion rubles (about $3 billion) in additional revenue from higher oil and gas prices caused by the war.

(AP)




A man accused of attacking police with a machete near New Yorks Times Square on New Years Eve is now facing federal terrorism charges after he became determined to wage jihad against the U.S. government, authorities announced Tuesday.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that Trevor Thomas Bickford was charged with federal crimes in connection with his self-avowed jidad against U.S. government officials and his knife attack on three police officers in Times Square.

Bickford was already charged with attempting to murder police officers, assault and attempted assault in state court in Manhattan. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence.

State prosecutors have said Bickford shouted Allahu akbar at about 10 p.m. on New Years Eve before striking one officer in the head and attempting to grab another officers gun. He was shot in the shoulder by police during the confrontation and was held without bail after he was arraigned by video from a Manhattan hospital.

The Legal Aid Society, a public defender organization representing Bickford, has urged the public to refrain from drawing hasty conclusions and to respect the privacy of our clients family.

Bickford, 19, of Wells, Maine, began studying radical Islamic ideology last summer, authorities said.

They said he decided in November to wage jihad against U.S. officials and officials of other governments he thought to be anti-Muslim.

He was charged with four counts of attempted murder of officers and employees of the U.S. government and people assisting them. Each charge carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison in event of a conviction. He was expected to appear in federal court at a later date.

A criminal complaint in Manhattan federal court said Bickford told a family member in late November or early December that he wanted to go to Jordan or Afghanistan to be a suicide bomber for his religion, and he told an older brother, a soldier in the U.S. military, in text messages in mid-December that he wanted to go to Afghanistan to join the Taliban.

He booked a ticket to fly to Jordan on Dec. 12 but didnt board the flight, the complaint said.

A day later, according to the complaint, the FBI conducted a voluntary interview with him in which Bickford said he had bought tickets to fly to New Delhi, India, several weeks earlier, planning to then go on to Afghanistan. There he hoped to ally with the Taliban and persuade them to help him fight the oppression of Muslims in Myanmar, formerly Burma, the complaint added.

The complaint said Bickford claimed he didnt agree with the Talibans use of violence against civilians and had no intention of joining al-Qaida.

It said he began reading the Quran in May or June and attending mosques, but he didnt think the mosques were adequate, so he began following imams on YouTube.

The FBI began investigating Bickford in mid-December based in part on concerns that members of his family expressed about Bickfords behavior, the complaint said.

It said family members reported that Bickford had recently converted to Islam and begun frequenting mosques in and around Maine and New Hampshire, where Bickford lived with different family members.

They reported that he also began researching the Taliban and expressed interest in traveling to Afghanistan to join the Taliban before buying a crossbow that he planned to bring with him to Afghanistan, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Bickford ultimately scrapped his November plans to travel overseas and instead decided hed wage jihad against the U.S. government within the United States as part of his plan to wage jihad against officials of governments that he believes are anti-Muslim, including the U.S. Government.

As part of that effort, Bickford traveled from Maine to New York City for the Dec. 31 attack, the complaint said.

After the Times Square attack, Bickford disclosed in a law enforcement interview that he carried out the attack for the purpose of waging jihad and that Bickfords mission involved targeting military-aged men who worked for the U.S. Government and killing as many such officials as he could, the complaint said.

Bickford told law enforcement that he walked around Times Square on Dec. 31 prior to his attack trying to figure out the right time to kill, the complaint said. It added that he said he spent a long period of time praying in the vicinity of Times Square before the attack.

Bickford intended to die in the attack, in an effort to achieve martyrdom, the complaint said. Bickford believed his attack was unsuccessful, because he did not kill any officers, and he did not die himself.

(AP)




Local Republican leaders in New York on Wednesday called for the immediate resignation of their new GOP congressman George Santos, who is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family heritage.

His lies were not mere fibs. He disgraced the House of Representatives, Joseph Cairo Jr., chair of the Nassau County Republican Committee, said at a news conference. Hes not welcome here at Republican headquarters.

Santos, swarmed by reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, flatly rejected the call to resign, saying, I will not.

The call was an extraordinary rebuke of the freshman congressman whose election months ago flipped a Democratic House seat and was initially one of the GOPs highlights of the November election. The denunciation by local Republicans also amps up the pressure on Republicans in Congress to rebuke or sideline Santos.

Cairo and other Republicans said Santos deceived voters and the Nassau County GOP and they were particularly incensed by his lies about having Jewish ancestry.

Rep. Anthony DEsposito, another Republican newly elected to represent Long Island, spoke at the news conference via video from Washington and joined Cairos call for his colleagues resignation.

George Santos does not have the ability to serve here in the House of Representatives and should resign, DEsposito said.

The local party has no mechanism to remove Santos from office. He was sworn in to the U.S. House last week.

The move comes a day after two Democrats from New York asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate Santos. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, in a letter to the committee, said Santos also failed to file timely, accurate and complete financial disclosure reports and the reports he did file are sparse and perplexing.

Earlier this week, the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center lodged a complaint with the Federal Election Commission and urged regulators to investigate Santos. The mountain of lies Santos propagated during the campaign about his life story and qualifications, the center said, should prompt the commission to thoroughly investigate what appear to be equally brazen lies about how his campaign raised and spent money.

Initially, the victory by Santos, an openly gay Republican, was seen as one of his partys bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming midterm election. But as reports began to emerge that Santos had lied about having Jewish ancestry, a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree, he turned into a distraction and an embarrassment to the party as it took control of the House.

During his campaign, he referred to himself as a proud American Jew. But he later backtracked on that claim, saying his mothers family had a Jewish background, and he told the New York Post in an interview, I said I was Jew-ish.

Bruce Blakeman, a Jewish Republican and the elected Nassau County Executive, said he and other members of the sizeable Jewish population in the area take their religion and heritage seriously. He said it was ridiculous for Santos to call himself a Jew, but said it was beyond the pale and outrageous for Santos to have said in an interview that his grandparents survived the Holocaust.

He cannot serve anymore. He does not deserve that right, Blakeman said. He is a stain on the House of Representatives.

Blakeman said his office would have no interaction with Santos or his staff until he resigns and that the county would redirect any of Santos constituents seeking help to the office of DEsposito in the neighboring congressional district.

We do not consider him one of our congress people, Cairo said.

Santos first ran for Congress in 2020, losing to Tom Suozzi, a Democrat. He ran again in 2022, facing Democrat Robert Zimmerman in a district that includes some Long Island suburbs and a small slice of Queens.

(AP)




Brazils capital prepared for the possibility of more violent demonstrations Wednesday by people seeking to overturn the presidential election, with local security officials blocking access to buildings trashed four days earlier by a horde of rioters.

A flyer promoting a mega-protest to retake power circulated on social media platforms, particularly Telegram, and urged protesters to turn out in two dozen cities, including the capital. It was unclear how large or violent such demonstrations might shape up to be, but skittish authorities took no chances.

Speaking to journalists in Brasilia, the federal appointee who has assumed control of the capitals security said police were shutting down the main avenue to traffic and limiting pedestrian access with barricades. They are blocking all access to the square that was the site of Sundays mayhem, said the official, Ricarado Cappelli.

He said a small area on the avenue has been reserved for peaceful demonstrations, but will be surrounded by police and the national guard and all protesters searched upon entry.

The right to protest freely will always be respected and cannot be confused with terrorism, Cappelli said.

Citing the call to action on social media, a Supreme Court justice ordered local authorities in cities across Brazil to prevent protesters from blocking roads or occupying public spaces and buildings. Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered arrests and fines for people and companies who participate or help with logistics and funding.

The nation remains on edge after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro rampaged through Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace on Sunday, laying ruin to the governments three most important buildings. Officials arrested or detained some 1,500 people by the following morning, hundreds of whom were sent to prison.

Though there is no evidence of fraud in the Oct. 30 presidential election, the protesters have claimed the true winner was far-right Bolsonaro. He has fired up his base about the vulnerability of electronic voting machines despite independent experts assurances they are closely scrutinized. Bolsonaro also has warned his supporters that the elections leftist victor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, would impose communism.

The fresh call for an uprising Wednesday sparked concern that the crackdown hadnt damped the will of radicals. Among those who vow to continue struggling is Daniel Bressan, 35, who traveled some 300 miles from the interior of Parana state to join Sundays protest in Brasilia. He was detained by police the next morning, though he denies participating in any of the vandalism.

A lot of people are going to be afraid to go to the streets and be arrested  I myself fear persecution by the legal system  but Im not going to stop fighting and Im not going to get discouraged, Bressan said by phone from the federal polices temporary holding center. Im ready for everything. Our freedom is worth more than our lives.

Jailing rioters represents only part of the governments effort to hold people responsible, with authorities also seeking to track down those who enabled the uprising. That includes organizers who summoned protesters to the capital and paid their way as well as local security personnel accused of either standing by and allowing the destruction to occur, or even cooperating.

Justice Minister Flavio Dino told local press this week that authorities have identified some of the protests financiers. He said they are based in the south and center-west regions that Bolsonaro carried in the election. Without identifying individuals, he said they are members of the agribusiness sector, local business owners and people registered to own firearms.

Dino previously said the riot was apparently intended to spark a domino effect around the country. He has referred to the encampments that had been set up by Bolsonaro supporters outside military buildings to call on the armed forces to overturn election results as incubators of terrorists. Authorities cleared away the camps in Brasilia and other cities after the rioting.

In November, the Supreme Court froze 43 bank accounts of people accused of having financed roadblocks that disrupted highway traffic in the wake of Lulas victory. At least 30 were in the center-west state of Mato Grosso, Brazils top soybean producer.

De Moraes, the Supreme Court justice, also ordered preventative detention for the men who were serving Sunday as head of the federal districts security and military police chief, as well as searches of their residences. Both men have been fired since the rioting.

Absolutely NOTHING justifies the omission and collusion of the security secretary and the military police commander, de Moraes wrote in his decision, which was made public late Tuesday.

The justice also denounced the protest encampments sponsored by diverse financiers.

There are strong indications that the conduct of criminal terrorists could only have occurred with the willful participation or omission  which will be determined in these investigations  of the aforementioned public authorities, de Moraes wrote.

The fired security secretary, Anderson Torres, had been Bolsonaros justice minister. Cappelli, the federal appointee who now controls the secretariat, said Wednesday that Torres assumed his new position, immediately fired subordinates and then traveled to Florida.

Cappelli previously told local media there were signs Torres actions amounted to intentional sabotage of security ahead of Sundays violence.

Torres said Tuesday night on Twitter that he was interrupting his vacation and returning to Brazil to present his defense. He said ethics and legality had always governed his actions.

(AP)




Far fewer U.S. police officers died while on the job in 2022 than a year earlier, due mostly to a drop in COVID-19 deaths, though the number killed by gunfire remained relatively high, according to a report released Wednesday.

Sixty-four of the 226 officers who died in the line of duty last year were fatally shot, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said. That matched the death-by-gunfire tally from 2021, with the shooting death figures from both years reflecting an increase in the average annual fatality toll over the past decade and an indication of a disturbing trend, said Bill Alexander, executive director of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington.

We really do have some concerns about these numbers specific to firearms fatalities, Alexander said. From 2010 to 2020, by comparison, 53 officers on average were killed by gunfire each year.

The country has seen an overall rise in violent crime in recent years, especially from gun violence. The exact causes are hard to pinpoint, but experts say potential factors include the pandemic, which has killed more than 1 million people in the U.S., as well as civil unrest and fears about the economy.

The overall number of police deaths dropped in 2022 by 61% from an all-time high of 586 a year earlier, as reduced coronavirus infection rates and widespread availability of vaccines meant fewer officers died from COVID.

The organization tallies COVID-19 deaths from officers infected with the virus in the line of duty. The virus remained the No. 1 killer of police last year.

There was also an increase in fatalities related to vehicle crashes. Forty officers died in traffic crashes last year, an increase of nearly 30% from 2021.

Texas had the overall largest number of deaths in the line of duty with 33, followed by New York with 12. California and Georgia each had 11.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private nonprofit in Washington that built and maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial monument, as well as a database of officer deaths dating to 1786. The data in its yearend reports come from federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.

(AP)




Just two days after it was revealed that a batch of highly sensitive classified documents were found in a closet at Joe Biden post-VP years office in November, at least one more batch of classified documents were found at a location separate from the office where the first batch was found, NBC News reports.

What exactly are in the classified documents that Biden apparently illegally kept with him after his vice-presidential years is not publicly known, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has refused to answer any questions about them  including why it took two months for the White House to announce the discovery.

The documents found at the Biden office and an unspecified location  speculated to be his beach house in Delaware  were required to be turned over to the National Archives when he left the vice presidency in January 2017.

Former President Donald Trump is currently under investigation by the Justice Department for his own failure to turn over classified documents to the National Archive after his presidency. Unsurprisingly, mainstream media outlets have given the former Republican president any benefit of the doubt in his case, while assuming by default that Bidens illegal retention of the classified documents was a mistake.

President Biden claimed on Tuesday that he was surprised upon hearing that classified documents were found at his office. Theres no word on whether he is surprised anew that another batch of classified documents was found at another location.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Western Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke accused Democrats on Tuesday of weaponizing the federal government to persecute Republicans, using himself as an example and calling for a House investigation.

The twice-elected representative and former Interior secretary spoke as House Republicans voted to create a subcommittee to investigate federal investigators. The "deep state" refers to non-political-appointee federal government workers who aren't turned out of office during transfers of power. The employees are viewed by some politicians as deeply entrenched partisans.

On party-line vote Republicans created the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Members of the eight-Republican, five-Democrat, subcommittee werent readily identified, though Republican Jim Jordan, of Ohio, was recognized as chairman.

Jordan in a floor speech framed the subcommittees purpose as protecting free speech, while Zinke and Democrats pointed to the investigation of Trump-era conservatives as the intended focus.

The right to speak is most important and that's what they're going after. And that's why we've had dozens of whistleblowers come talk to us. We want to focus on that because we want it all to stop, Jordan said in response to Democrats suggesting during the livestream session that the First Amendment argument was a foil for creating a committee to go after the Department of Justice for investigating Trump officials.

The creation of the Committee was seen as a concession granted to Freedom Caucus members in exchange for support of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker. Jordan is a caucus leader who backed McCarthy last week as a small faction of caucus members repeatedly nominated Jordan as an alternative. Both Zinke and Eastern Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale voted for the subcommittee.

"Today's extremist wing of the party held the rest of their caucus hostage as they demanded a steep price for their support. And today we have the first of their many demands on display, an open-ended investigation into whatever conspiracy theories may be headlining the right wing echo chamber at the moment, with unchecked authority to undermine ongoing criminal and intelligence investigations," said Rep Jerry Nadler, Democrat of New York.

Zinke, who backed McCarthy, spoke directly Tuesday to his brief term as secretary of The Department of Interior, during which liberal non-profits filed multiple public records requests concerning Zinke, producing information that led to investigations of Zinke by Interior's inspector general.

There is no doubt the federal government deep state coordinates liberal activists and uses politicians and willing media to carry their water. The deep state run secret messaging campaigns with one goal in mind to increase its power to censor and persuade the American people, Zinke said.

Those investigations led to Zinke resigning short of two years after his confirmation. The allegations ranged from Zinkes wife traveling with him in government vehicles, which isnt allowed, to Zinke violating the federal law prohibiting political statements by tweeting pictures of his Trump socks. The socks have the former presidents image on the cuff. Those allegations were inconsequential.

However, the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General found that Zinke involved himself in negotiations concerning a Whitefish commercial development, from which he benefitted. The development, which involved land owned by a nonprofit veterans park foundation Zinke created, could have progressed behind a firewall without Zinkes involvement. But he did get involved, using government resources and staff in the process. Parties in the project had other business before Interior, which posed conflicts of interests for the Interior secretary.

In another investigation, the inspector general found that Zinke intended to mislead investigators about conversations he had with lobbyists and lawmakers concerning a tribal casino in Connecticut.

Zinke has repeatedly dismissed the investigations as meritless and politically motivated.

Tuesday, the representative pointed to nonprofit, issue-based advocacy groups funded by largely anonymous donors as instigators of the investigations, calling them dark money groups funded by liberal billionaires and foreign investors that repeatedly attempt to destroy the American West. In many cases, they want to wipe out the American cowboy, completely remove public access to our lands and turn Montana into a national park, Zinke said.

Zinke named the Western Values Project specifically in his prepared remarks about the non-profit groups that attacked him. An employee of WVP passed on a chance to comment for this article.




Until Wednesday, few travelers had ever heard of a Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, nor did they know that the system used to generate those notices could cause widespread travel misery.

As they arrived at airports in the morning, they quickly found out.

The Federal Aviation Administration computer system that compiles and distributes essential safety information for pilots went kaput. That temporarily grounded all flights nationwide and touched off a cascading air traffic jam that will take at least a day to unclog. More than 1,300 flights were canceled and 9,000 delayed by early evening on the East Coast because of the outage, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

The system has been around for more than a half century and it has evolved from paper to computers. Its in the process of being updated.

WHAT ARE NOTAMs?

They are compilations of essential preflight information for pilots, airline dispatchers and others that include details about things such as potential bad weather on the route, runway and taxiway changes at airports and closed airspace that must be avoided. The notices began in 1947 and were modeled after a system used to warn ship captains of hazards on the seas.

A pilot cant legally take off until he or she has reviewed the information. John Hansman, an aeronautics professor at MIT, said most airlines subscribe to services that gather NOTAM information from the FAA and package it for each flight. Airline dispatch centers relay it to pilots. In this case, the services couldnt get the information because the FAA system malfunctioned, he said.

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM?

The FAA said preliminary indications traced the outage to a damaged database file. The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.

The system stopped working at 8:28 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, but because there werent many departures at that hour, pilots were able to get the information verbally. At daybreak in the East, the system was still out, and there were too many flights leaving to brief pilots individually.

Its likely that the main system had a problem, and the backup didnt work correctly. The FAA rebooted the main system around 5 a.m., but it took a while to verify that all the information was validated and available, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. So the FAA ordered all flights grounded Wednesday morning and planes were stuck for hours to make absolutely sure the messages were moving correctly and the information for safety purposes is working the way it should, Buttigieg said.

Longtime aviation insiders could not recall a systemwide FAA outage of this magnitude caused by a technology breakdown.

HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONDING?

Buttigieg said that the NOTAM system is constantly being updated, and a key question is whether its outdated.

We will not allow anything to take place that is not safe, Buttigieg told reporters. This is precisely why our focus right now is on understanding, identifying and correcting anything related to the root cause of how this happened in the first place.

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., said the NOTAM malfunction is inexcusable, and a result of a Transportation Department and FAA failure to properly maintain and operate the air traffic control system.

Graves, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said the FAA has been without a permanent leader for nearly a year. He said he expects a full briefing on the outage.

HAS THERE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM BEFORE THIS?

Not of this magnitude. Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically, said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis. While the cause of Tuesdays breakdown was not immediately clear, Campbell said there was concern about FAAs technology, and not just the NOTAM system.

Other FAA technology also is aging, Campbell said. So much of their systems are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable but they are out of date, he said.

The bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year allocated $25 billion to airports, with roughly $5 billion for air traffic control facilities. Congressional staffers said some of that money could be spent on equipment. But Buttigieg said any NOTAM upgrade may have to wait for a new FAA funding bill.

I think this gives us a really important data point and a really important moment to understand what were going to need moving forward, he said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has criticized the way NOTAMs are presented after an Air Canada jet nearly landed on four other planes waiting to take off from San Francisco International Airport in 2017. Pilots had missed information about a closed runway that was buried among numerous notices.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO COMPENSATE PASSENGERS?

Airlines will be on the hook for refunds and other compensation, even though the FAA was at fault for the outage. Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline executive, said passengers are entitled to a full refund if an airline cancels a flight for any reason.

Major airlines including Delta, American, Southwest and United were waiving change fees for Wednesday flights  and, in some cases, Thursday flights  to make it easier for passengers to change their travel plans.

The government has no legal obligation to reimburse travelers, which is maddening, said Brett Snyder, a travel agent and author of the Cranky Flier travel blog.

Secretary Buttigieg should set the right example here and reimburse people directly from the government coffers, he said.

COULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?

Not clear. Congress already was going to look into aviation technology after Southwest Airlines crew-scheduling system went haywire during the holidays, leading to nearly 17,000 canceled flights in the last 10 days of December. Now the system that sends NOTAMs, and backup systems, will be part of the inquiry.

We will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages, Sen. Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said in a statement. The public needs a resilient air transportation system.

(AP)




The volume of classified documents is vastly different, the circumstances of discovery worlds apart.

But the revelation that lawyers for President Joe Biden have located what the White House says is a small number of classified documents in a locked closet is an unexpected wrinkle for a Justice Department already investigating Donald Trump over the retention of top secret documents at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate.

Despite abundant factual and legal differences in the situations, Trump seized on the news in hopes of neutralizing his own vulnerability  at least in the court of public opinion. The development is unlikely to affect the Justice Departments decision making with regard to charging Trump. But it could make a criminal case a tougher sell politically, hardening the skepticism of Republicans in Congress and others who have doubted the basis for a viable prosecution.

I dont think that it impacts Trumps legal calculus at all, but it certainly does impact the political narrative going forward, said Jay Town, who served as U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Alabama during the Trump administration.

To the extent that the political narrative is a consideration, he added, it does make it harder to bring charges against former President Trump as it relates to the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago.

The Mar-a-Lago investigation is being handled by a special counsel, while the Justice Department assigned the top federal prosecutor in Chicago, a Trump administration holdover, to scrutinize the Biden matter. Its all unfolding as newly ascendant Republicans have taken control of the House, with plans to target the department with complaints of politicized law enforcement.

Already, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, has requested a damage assessment of the classified documents from the director of national intelligence. And Trump, referring to the FBIs seizure in August of boxes of classified record at Mar-a-Lago, asked on his social media platform: When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House?

He later asked why the Justice Department had not announced the discovery before Novembers midterm elections.

There are significant differences between the Trump and Biden situations, including the gravity of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the Mar-a-Lago matter.

The search of his property was the culmination of months of back-and-forth between government officials and Trump representatives over the retention of presidential records.

The National Archives and Records Administration obtained 15 boxes from the Palm Beach, Florida, property last January, contacting the FBI after discovering classified records. But Trump representatives for months resisted requests by the Archives to return all documents. And even after Justice Department officials last spring issued a subpoena for classified records and visited Mar-a-Lago, associates of the former president failed to provide the entire batch of documents, officials say.

FBI agents returned in August with a warrant that showed they were investigating crimes including the willful retention of national defense information and efforts to obstruct the federal probe. They say they located documents with classification markings in a storage room and office desk drawer and in total have recovered roughly 300 such records from the property.

It remains unclear whether Trump or anyone else might be charged, or when a decision will be made. The former president is facing potential criminal charges as part of a separate probe in Atlanta, where a special grand jury investigating efforts to overturn Georgia election results has finished its work.

Meanwhile, the White House is now trying to draw a distinction between the Mar-a-Lago case and the discovery of classified records in the Washington office space of Bidens former institute.

A counsel to the president, Richard Sauber, said that a small number of documents with classified markings from the Obama-Biden administration were found on Nov. 2 by the presidents personal lawyers as they packed files in a locked closet to vacate space at the Penn Biden Center.

The statement said the White House contacted the Archives that day, that the Archives took possession of the documents the next morning and that there had been no prior request for the records by the Archives  drawing an apparent contrast with how the Trump team handled Archives requests.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Mexico City, Biden said he was surprised when he was informed about the documents. He said his attorneys did what they should have done when they immediately called the National Archives about the discovery.

I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there are any government records that were taken there to that office, Biden said. I dont know whats in the documents, he added, saying his lawyers have suggested he not inquire what was in them.

Even so, key questions remain, including the content and exact number of the Biden records, how they arrived at the center, why they stayed there, and why the administration waited more than two months to acknowledge their discovery. The Justice Department has also stayed quiet.

The Biden news represented a stroke of good fortune for the former president, who developed a reputation as Teflon Don during his long business career for repeatedly avoiding consequences, and who for months had wrongly compared his handling of presidential records to the efforts of his predecessors.

Politically, the revelations come at a fortuitous time for Trump as he prepares to ramp up campaigning after launching another bid for the White House late last year. Investigations into his own handling of classified documents as well as his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election have been escalating, and the new developments could provide political cover, particularly among casual audiences too busy to delve into the particulars of either allegation.

Certainly it gives him a talking point. Not that needing something to be true has ever stopped him before, said Tim Miller, a former Republican strategist-turned-Trump critic who worked for Jeb Bushs 2016 campaign.

Investigations into Espionage Act violations, like the one the Justice Department is conducting with regard to Trump, typically turn on whether the conduct was willful and intentional  versus careless and accidental.

That was always going to be the case with the Trump probe, but establishing Trumps willfulness and intent beyond a reasonable doubt is likely to be especially important now if the Justice Department is to ensure public confidence in any indictment it brings  and to show that the allegations amount to more than simple misplacement or mishandling of government secrets.

It could be said that this development will increase even further the need for any criminal charges against Trump, or people associated with him, regarding the Mar-a-Lago matter to be supported by just a pulverizing quantum and quantity of evidence that is so overwhelming as to leave no doubt that criminal prosecution is warranted as a matter of law, said David Laufman, a former Justice Department official who oversaw the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

(AP)




British officials are racing to track down all members of an Iranian cell after a shipment of uranium destined for them was seized by authorities at Londons Heathrow Airport.

The uranium was reportedly shipped in the cargo hold of a commercial passenger jet and was on the way to UK-based Iranian nationals, when security scanners at Heathrow picked up on the deadly shipment, with which terrorists may have been planning to create and detonate a dirty bomb.

The shipment arrived at the airports Terminal 4 from Pakistan on an Oman Air jet, with its final destination being an Iran-based firm that works in the UK. Who exactly was supposed to be the recipient of the uranium shipment is unclear, and no arrests have yet been made.

The race is on to trace everyone involved with this rogue non-manifested package, a British security official said. Security bosses are treating this with the seriousness it deserves. Protocol was not followed, and this is now an anti-terror operation. There are real concerns over what the Iranians living here wanted with non-disclosed nuclear material.

We can confirm officers from the Mets Counter Terrorism Command were contacted by Border Force colleagues at Heathrow after a very small amount of contaminated material was identified after routine screening within a package incoming to the UK on December 29. The material has been identified as being contaminated with uranium, the Met Police said in a statement.

Though the amount of uranium may have been small, it could potentially mean that other small shipments of uranium already made it through the airport and into the hands of terrorists planning a dastardly act.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




An HOA in a Florida community is being accused of antisemitism after it filed a lawsuit against a homeowner who installed a gate on his fence to make it easier for Orthodox Jews to get to shul on Shabbos.

The Avalon development in Boca Raton, Florida, is about a two-mile walk to the nearest shul, posing a lengthy walk for Orthodox Jews who want to daven there on Shabbos. Those who wanted to get there had to walk down Highway 441, until one day, a resident of the development installed a gate on his fence and allowed Jews to use it, significantly cutting down the walk time.

But the Avalon developments HOA responded by slapping the homeowner with a lawsuit, claiming that its illegal because it adds an unauthorized access point into the community  despite numerous homes having broken fences, or no fences at all.

Once we knew this was nothing new to the community other than Orthodox Jews were using it then we knew it was more than just, Oh, you cant make an adjustment to your property,' an unnamed Avalon resident told CBS12.

CBS12 says it emailed the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the HOA, who said he would address their questions poking holes in their complaint. He never got back to them.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Likud MK Ariel Kallner on Tuesday filed a complaint to the police against former Meretz MK Yair Golan for calling for a large-scale public uprising against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus government, including its planned judicial reforms. Golan also couldnt resist including inciteful words against Chareidim, claiming that the government is allowing them to do whatever they want with our tax money.

Friends, theres only one way to oppose this malicious and evil government  a large-scale civil uprising, Golan, who also served as the deputy IDF chief of staff in the past, stated. The destruction of the justice system, unlimited political appointments, license for the Chareidim to do whatever they want with our tax moneywhy should we agree, why should we accept this on our heads, on our pockets, on our lives? We will never agree.

Starting tomorrow morning, were changing tactics, Golan continued. No more polite demonstrations on Motzei Shabbat, no more hollow talks on evening posts on social media. Only actions. Only results. Businesses will be shut down, services will be halted, roads will be blocked, and he who purports to rule via corrupt, hedonistic, extremist and dark people will discover that the people are sovereign.

Were the sovereign and well determine the fate of our country. The power belongs to the people but it wont happen without a determined and brave struggle.

Golan has a long history of uttering inciteful and outrageous statements and even compared Israel to Nazi Germany at a Yom HaShoah event in 2016.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Prince Harry wrote in his memoir Spare about his admonishment from former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, zl, after he wore a Nazi uniform to a party in 2005.

Harry wrote that his father, now King Charles, sent him to Rabbi Sacks home after the debacle, which occurred when Harry was 20.

Pa sent me to a holy man. 51. Bearded, bespectacled, with a deeply lined face and dark, wise eyes, he was Chief Rabbi of Britain, that much Id been told. But right away I could see he was much more, Harry wrote.

An eminent scholar, a religious philosopher, a prolific writer with more than two dozen books to his name, hed spent many of his days staring out of windows and thinking about the root causes of sorrow, of evil, of hate. He didnt mince words.

He condemned my actions. He wasnt unkind, but it had to be done. There was no way round it. He also placed my stupidity in historical context. He spoke about the six million, the annihilated. Jews, Poles, dissenters, intellectuals, homosexuals. Children, babies, old people, turned to ash and smoke. A few short decades ago.

Id arrived at his house feeling shame. I now felt something else, a bottomless self-loathing. But that wasnt the rabbis aim. That certainly wasnt how he wanted me to leave him. He urged me not to be devastated by my mistake, but instead to be motivated. He spoke to me with the quality one often encounters in truly wise people: forgiveness.

He assured me that people do stupid things, say stupid things, but it doesnt need to be their intrinsic nature. I was showing my true nature, he said, by seeking to atone. Seeking absolution. To the extent that he was able, and qualified, he absolved me. He gave me grace. He told me to lift my head, go forth, use this experience to make the world better.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The discovery in central Poland of hundreds of objects that were most likely hidden by their Jewish owners during World War II provided a rare and precious find, officials said Wednesday.

Around 400 items, including silver-plated menorahs, hanukkiahs, tableware and daily use items were uncovered in the city of Lodz last month during the renovation of a house and yard.

Those residents who buried these items did so most likely thinking that they would one day return for them, that they would be able to retrieve them, Lodz Deputy Mayor Adam Pustelnik said.

Most likely, these people lost their lives in the Holocaust, Pustelnik said. Such stories are truly rare and precious and also are a great lesson for us all.

The items were packed in a wooden box and wrapped up in newspapers, said Krzysztof Hejmanowski, a building inspector with the Warbud construction company, whose crew came across the stashed trove.

Officials said the recovered objects will be transferred to the citys Archaeology Museum. Experts think the box was hidden early on in the war.

The address where the objects were found, at 23 Polnocna Street, was located just outside the perimeter of the Litzmannstadt Ghetto. The occupying Nazi Germans established the Jewish quarter in Lodz in February 1940, and until August 1944 and it held about 200,000 Jews from across Europe. Most died there or in concentration camps.

A Municipal Investment Administration official, Magorzata Loeffler, said the items and their history stir emotion and deep thought about the fact that we are not alone, that we leave something behind.

(AP)




Israel Police on Thursday arrested one of the three Neturei Karta members who entered the Palestinian city of Jenin earlier this week, a statement from the police said.

The suspect was arrested for the alleged crimes of entering Area A as well as supporting and identifying with a terrorist organization.

The police are bringing the suspect to court later on Thursday to request an extension of his arrest. Further arrests are expected in the near future.

The Jerusalem District of Israel Police and security forces fight throughout the year against terrorist operatives of any kind, instigators of terrorism, supporters of terrorists, and anyone who helps them, Israel Police stated. This is serious and irresponsible conduct contrary to the law, that whether it stems from extremist ideology or religious extremism or otherwise  will be handled with determination and zero tolerance by the police. The police also emphasize that the entry of Israelis into Area A is prohibited and constitutes a dangerous security offense that could lead to the loss of lives.

Following the publication of the videos of the visit on social media, a police investigation was opened at the Bet Shemesh police station. The probe was launched for the members alleged violation of identification with a terror organization, a crime that carries a lengthy prison sentence.

The three Neturei Karta members met with senior Islamic Jihad officials and visited the home of Bassam al-Saadi, a senior Islamic Jihad terrorist currently detained in Israel, whose arrest led to the three-day Operation Breaking Dawn in August.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The fate of a devastated salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine hung in the balance Wednesday in one of the bloodiest battles of Russias invasion, while Ukraines unflagging resistance and other challenges prompted Moscow to shake up its military leadership again.

Russian forces used jets, mortars and rockets to bombard Soledar in an unrelenting assault.

Soledars fall, while unlikely a turning point in the nearly 11-month war, would be a prize for a Kremlin starved of good battlefield news in recent months. It would also offer Russian troops a springboard to conquer other areas of Donetsk province that remain under Ukrainian control, such as the nearby strategic city of Bakhmut.

Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk province, which together make up the Donbas region bordering Russia, were Moscows main stated territorial targets in invading Ukraine, but the fighting has settled mostly into a stalemate.

In an apparent recognition of battlefield setbacks, Russias Defense Ministry announced the demotion of the head of Russian forces in Ukraine after only three months on the job. Russias top military officer  the chief of the militarys General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov  was named as the replacement for Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who was demoted to deputy.

During his short time overseeing the troops in Ukraine, Surovikin was credited with strengthening coordination, reinforcing control and introducing a campaign to knock out Ukraines public utilities as a pressure tactic. But he also announced a humiliating withdrawal in November from Kherson, the only regional center Russian forces had captured just weeks after the Kremlin illegally annexed the area. His demotion signaled that Russian President Vladimir Putin wasnt fully satisfied with his performance.

Gerasimov, meanwhile, was seen as the top architect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and critics have blamed him for Moscows military setbacks.

Britains Defense Ministry said putting Gerasimov in charge is an indicator of the increasing seriousness of the situation Russia is facing, and a clear acknowledgement that the campaign is falling short of Russias strategic goals. It added in a tweet that Russian ultra-nationalists and military bloggers critical of Gerasimov are likely to greet the news with extreme displeasure.

The Russian Defense Ministrys formal explanation was that expanded military tasks and the need for closer interaction between branches of the military as well as increasing the quality of supplies and the efficiency of directing groups of forces prompted the leadership changes.

On the battlefield, a Ukrainian officer, near Soledar, told The Associated Press the pattern is that first the Russians send one or two waves of soldiers, many from the private Russian military contractor Wagner Group, who take heavy casualties as they probe the Ukrainian defenses. When Ukrainian troops suffer casualties and are exhausted, the Russians send a fresh wave of highly-trained soldiers, paratroopers or special forces, said the Ukrainian officer, who insisted on anonymity for security reasons.

Ukrainian officials denied Russian claims that Soledar had fallen but the Wagner Groups owner repeated the assertion of a breakthrough late Wednesday.

Once again I want to confirm the complete liberation and cleansing of the territory of Soledar from units of the Ukrainian army, Yevgeny Prigozhin wrote on his Russian social media platform. Civilians were withdrawn. Ukrainian units that did not want to surrender were destroyed. He claimed about 500 people were killed and that the whole city is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukraines military said late Wednesday Russian forces had suffered huge losses in the Soledar fighting.

The AP was unable independently to verify either sides claims.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stopped short of declaring the municipalitys capture, telling reporters Russian forces had achieved positive dynamics in advancing in Soledar. Lets not rush, and wait for official statements, he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weighed in Wednesday in his nightly video address: Now the terrorist state and its propagandists are trying to pretend that some part of our city of Soledar  a city that was almost completely destroyed by the occupiers  is allegedly some kind of Russias achievement. He said Ukrainian forces in the area are holding out against the Russians.

Soledar, known for salt mining and processing, has little intrinsic value but it lies at a strategic point 10 kilometers (six miles) north of the city of Bakhmut, which Russian forces want to surround.

Taking Bakhmut would disrupt Ukraines supply lines and open a route for the Russians to press toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk province.

Soledars fall would make holding Bakhmut much more precarious for Ukraine, Michael Kofman, the director of Russia Studies at the CAN nonprofit research group in Arlington, Virginia, noted.

The war of attrition, with heavy casualties, may make a Russian victory as deadly as a defeat.

I dont think the outcome at Bakhmut is that significant compared to what it costs Russia to achieve it, Kofman said in a tweet.

The Wagner Group, which now reportedly includes a large contingent of convicts recruited in Russian prisons and constitutes up to a quarter of all Russian combatants in Ukraine, has spearheaded the attack on Soledar and Bakhmut.

Delivering victory in Soledar and Bakhmut after months of Russian frontline difficulties would help Prigozhin, who has criticized Gerasimov, increase his clout in what has emerged as somewhat of a rivalry with Russias military leadership.

Russian troops have struggled to gain control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and another Ukrainian province the Kremlin illegally annexed in September, after incorporating the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. When Russian forces withdrew from Kherson, the battle heated up around Bakhmut.

Putin identified the Donbas region as a focus from the wars outset, and Moscow-backed separatists have fought there since 2014. Russia captured almost all of Luhansk during the summer. Donetsk escaped the same fate, and the Russian military subsequently poured manpower and resources around Bakhmut.

The Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces were up against concerted Ukrainian resistance around Bakhmut.

The reality of block-by-block control of terrain in Soledar is obfuscated by the dynamic nature of urban combat  and Russian forces have largely struggled to make significant tactical gains in the Soledar area for months, the Washington-based think tank said.

An exceptional feature of the fighting near Bakhmut is that some has taken place around entrances to disused salt mine tunnels, which run for some 200 kilometers (120 miles), according to Western intelligence reports.

In other developments:

 Putin claimed Wednesday that Russia had successfully resisted Western pressure, especially sanctions, over its invasion of Ukraine and vowed that his country has enough resources to beef up its military while continuing social programs. Nothing of what our enemies forecast has happened, Putin said in a video call with his Cabinet. We will strengthen our defense capability and will undoubtedly solve all issues related to supplies to military units involved in the special military operation, he said, using the Kremlins euphemism for the war. Reports have circulated that Russia is struggling to produce enough weapons, equipment and clothing for its troops battling in Ukraine.

 Polish President Andrzej Duda said his country is willing to send German-made Leopard tanks to help Ukraine as part of a larger international coalition. Duda spoke after meeting in Lviv with Zelenskyy, who said Ukraine needs tanks to win the war. In Britain, another staunch Ukraine ally, Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman said no final decision has been made whether to send tanks.

 The Russian and Ukrainian human rights commissioners agreed to swap more than 40 military prisoners, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The two warring parties have exchanged prisoners multiple times, in one of the few areas of cooperation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country has proposed establishing a corridor to bring the wounded to Turkey. This is our humanitarian duty, our duty of conscience, he said.

(AP)
Vodafone has appointed the chief executive of its Italian business Aldo Bisio as group chief commercial officer, as part of a major-shake up of senior management.

Bisio, who joined the group in 2014, will take on the new role with immediate effect but will hold onto his current job.

Meanwhile the boss of Vodafone Spain Colman Deegan will step down from the role on 31 March as the country joins the group's 'European Cluster', reporting to Serpil Timuray, the group told investors on Thursday. Deegan will continue to work with interim group chief executive Margherita Della Valle until the end of July.

Shake-up: The boss of Vodafone Spain has stepped down in the latest shake-up of senior management at the telecoms giant

Vodafone shares rose today and were up 4.82 per cent or 4.23p to 92.05p this afternoon. But the group's share price has fallen over 20 per cent in the last year and is down about 60 per cent on a five-year basis.

In December, Vodafone announced that group chief executive Nick Read was leaving the company after four years by mutual consent. He was replaced by chief financial officer Della Valle on a temporary basis.

The executive shake-up follows a challenging period for Vodafone, which in November warned on profits.

It cited higher energy costs, fierce competition in Spain and Italy, and a weak performance in Germany, its biggest market accounting for around 30 per cent of group revenues.

Della Valle said: 'I want to thank Colman for his leadership of Vodafone Spain and congratulate Aldo and Serpil on their new responsibilities as we work together to accelerate our commercial performance and drive shareholder value.'

On Monday, Vodafone confirmed it was selling its Hungarian arm. Just shy of half of the business will go to the Hungarian government while 4IGs Antenna Hungaria, the provider of national digital terrestrial television and radio in Hungary, will receive a 51 per cent stake.

Hungarys economy minister said the purchase would strengthen Hungarian national ownership in a sector with the deal expected to close at the end of the month. subject to customary conditions.

Back in October, Vodafone confirmed talks with Hutchisons Three over a merger in Britain to create a UK market telecoms leader which would surpass EE and Virgin Media O2 in terms of mobile customer numbers.
A federal jury has found a California man guilty in the January 2019 robbery of a Bismarck bank.

Robert Wolter, 38, will be sentenced later. He faces a possible 20-year prison term and a $250,000 fine. A jury found him guilty after a two-day trial at the federal courthouse in Bismarck.

Wolter was arrested at the Newark Liberty International airport in New Jersey, intending to fly to Africa, in February 2019. That was about three weeks after a man wearing a disguise entered the U.S. Bank on Expressway Avenue in Bismarck and told bank employees to put money into a bag.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials during a currency examination at the airport found Wolter was carrying $4,500 more than he had declared. While he was in custody in New Jersey, officials in San Jose, California, found evidence related to the Bismarck robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider.
Former Barclays boss Jes Staley faces new claims about his relationship with disgraced Jeffrey Epstein  including a suggestion that he may have been involved in Epsteins sex-trafficking operation.

The claim was contained in court papers filed in New York by the US Virgin Islands, which is suing Staleys former employer JP Morgan for allegedly turning a blind eye to Epsteins crimes.

Epstein, who died in 2019, was a client of Staley when he worked for JP Morgan.

Fresh claims: Former Barclays boss Jes Staley is accused of regularly visiting Jeffrey Epstein in the US Virgin Islands and corresponding with him while he was behind bars

Staley, 66, became chief executive of Barclays in 2015 but quit in November 2021 after a preliminary probe by City regulators into his relationship with Epstein.

The banker is accused of regularly visiting Epstein in the US Virgin Islands and corresponding with him while he was behind bars, according to the papers. Parts of the documents from the ongoing case are blacked out but some were unredacted this week.

Between 2008 and 2012, Staley exchanged approximately 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JP Morgan email account, the papers say.

These communications show a close personal relationship and profound friendship between the two men and even suggest that Staley may have been involved in Epsteins sex-trafficking operation.

Staley corresponded with Epstein while Epstein was incarcerated and visited Epsteins Virgin Islands residence.

The claim also states that human trafficking was the principal business of the accounts Epstein maintained at JP Morgan.

It said the bank did business with Epstein from 1998 to 2013 and serviced about 55 accounts related to the financier, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The papers said none of the emails between Epstein and Mr Staley were flagged in connection with risk reviews of Epsteins accounts and that JP Morgan even asked Staley to discuss the human trafficking allegations with Epstein.

The bank was said to have ignored numerous red flags. The accounts were used to pay women and related companies, among them numerous women with eastern European surnames who were publicly and internally identified as Epstein recruiters and/or victims, the documents said.

One woman paid more than 490,000 by Epstein had according to news reports contained in JP Morgans due diligence reports been purchased by him at the age of 14, the papers stated.

In July 2013, after Staley had left JP Morgan, the US banks compliance officer terminated its relationship with Epstein.

Staleys lawyer declined to comment, but a lawyer representing him has previously said: We wish to make it expressly clear that our client had no involvement in any of the alleged crimes committed by Epstein.

JP Morgan declined to comment.

Epstein was found dead in 2019 in his jail cell in Manhattan aged 66 in what was ruled a suicide, while awaiting trial on charges of sexual abuse of minors and sex trafficking.

Last June, his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, 61, was sentenced to 20 years for trafficking minors for sex.
Squaw Gap acquired telephone service in 1971, "one of the last regions in the country" to do so, the book said.

Five other sites in North Dakota, mostly water bodies, have been renamed.
Russia changes commander again in Ukraine as battle for Soledar rages

Moscow named a new commander for its invasion of Ukraine while Russian private military firm Wagner Group said its capture of the salt mining town Soledar in eastern Ukraine was complete, though the Ukrainian military said the battle was not over.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday appointed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov as overall commander for what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine, now in its 11th month.

The change effectively demoted General Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed only in October to lead the invasion and oversaw heavy attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said his forces had captured all of Soledar and killed about 500 Ukrainian soldiers after heavy fighting.

I want to confirm the complete liberation and cleansing of the territory of Soledar, Prigozhin said in a statement.

The whole city is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers, he said.

The crackle of gunfire and roar of armoured vehicles reverberated around sleepy west Ukrainian towns near the Belarusian border as Kyivs forces trained for the threat of a fresh assault across a new front in the north.

Ukraine fears Russia could build up forces on the territory of its ally Belarus before striking in the northwest or even try to drive towards Kyiv as it did when it invaded last February.

By reopening a northern front, Russia would stretch Kyivs forces, which have been focused for months on battles raging in the east and south, forcing it to divert troops to the north.

Colonel Roman Voloschuk of the 104th Territorial Defence brigade sought to project strength on the sidelines of military drills in three secret locations in Ukraines northwest.

They can try, but were ready for them. Weve prepared, every turn and every junction has been dug up. There will be colossal resistance from every building, he told Reuters.

Soldiers from his territorial defence unit, one of hundreds of militias raised shortly before Russias Feb. 24 invasion, said they were well prepared to face down any new threat.

They will get their comeuppance we are waiting for them, said Artur Horodniuk, a 28-year-old machine gunner.

Anticipating what kind of attack Ukraine may face, Kyivs troops on Wednesday practised urban warfare, firing assault rifles, driving armoured vehicles and freeing hostages.

In another exercise in the snowbound countryside, troops practised ambushing and destroying reconnaissance groups, a feature of the first Russian assault from Belarus that Moscow abandoned early last April.

Voloschuk said the mild winter so far would help defence efforts as it had left river levels higher than usual and many of his soldiers were battle-hardened from last years fighting.

PRESSURE

Despite bringing colossal pressure onto the eastern town of Soledar in recent days, Russian forces have appeared on the back foot on the battlefield for months and a sudden assault from Belarus would mark an astonishing change of dynamic.

Konrad Muzyka, head of defence analysis firm Rochan Consulting, said a slow buildup of Russian forces could be observed in Belarus, but it was much smaller than the force which piled into northern Ukraine last February.

Nevertheless, a Russian offensive was possible and a push into west Ukraine could jeopardise supply lines of weapons from Europe, he added.

Serhiy Nayev, commander of Ukraines Joint Forces, said Ukraine had enough troops to defend the current threat and would match any increases on the other side of the border if needed.

At present, the balance of forces and equipment between our side and the enemy is not in favour of the enemy, he said.

Local Ukrainian commanders said there were 15,000 Russian troops in Belarus  too few to launch a major offensive.

There has been a slew of military activity for months in Belarus, ranging from joint exercises to the establishment of a joint regional Belarusian-Russian military force.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in December in a rare trip to Minsk, prompting speculation it preceded an attack on Ukraine, possibly with the direct involvement of the Belarusian army, even though Minsk has said it will not enter the war.

Muzyka put the chances of Belarus joining on Russias side at 50-50, noting the intensity of the military training exercises there was the highest since the Cold War. Belarus could send 100,000  200,000 conscripts to the war, but its dated equipment would not provide new capabilities, he added.

Despite talking up the danger in comments last month, Ukrainian general Nayev now downplayed the threat of a new offensive from across the border. We do not see an increase in the presence of Russian troops on Belarusian territory, he said, but he added anything was possible in future.

SOURCE: REUTERS
People in China worried on Thursday about spreading COVID-19 to aged relatives as they planned returns to their home towns for holidays that the World Health Organization warns could inflame a raging outbreak.

The Lunar New Year holiday, which officially starts from Jan. 21, comes after China last month abandoned a strict anti-virus regime of mass lockdowns that prompted widespread frustration and boiled over into historic protests.

That abrupt U-turn unleashed COVID on a population of 1.4 billion which lacks natural immunity, having been shielded from the virus since it first erupted in late 2019, and includes many elderly who are not fully vaccinated.

The outbreak spreading from Chinas mega-cities to rural areas with weaker medical resources, is overwhelming some hospitals and crematoriums.

With scant official data from China, the WHO on Wednesday said it will be challenging to manage the virus over a holiday period considered the worlds largest annual migration of people.

Other warnings from top Chinese health experts for people to avoid aged relatives during the holidays shot to the most-read item on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo on Thursday.

This is a very pertinent suggestion, return to the home townor put the health of the elderly first, wrote one user. Another user said they dare not visit their grandmother and would leave gifts for her on the doorstep.

This is almost the New Year and Im afraid that she will be lonely, the user wrote.

More than two billion passengers are expected to take trips over the broader Lunar New Year period, which started on Jan. 7 and runs for 40 days, Chinas transport ministry has said. That is double last years trips and 70% of those seen in 2019 before the pandemic emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

LACK OF DATA CRITICISED

The WHO and foreign governments have criticised China for not being forthright about the scale and severity of its outbreak, which has led several countries to impose restrictions on Chinese travellers.

China has been reporting five or fewer deaths a day over the past month, numbers that are inconsistent with the long queues seen at funeral homes. The country did not report COVID fatalities data on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Liang Wannian, the head of a COVID expert panel under the national health authority, told reporters that deaths could only be accurately counted after the pandemic was over.

Although international health experts have predicted at least 1 million COVID-related deaths this year, China has reported just over 5,000 since the pandemic began, a fraction of what other countries have reported as they removed restrictions.

Looking beyond the death toll, investors are betting that Chinas reopening will reinvigorate a $17 trillion economy suffering its lowest growth in nearly half a century.

That has lifted Asian stocks to a seven-month peak, strengthened Chinas yuan currency against the U.S. dollar and bolstered global oil prices on hopes of fresh demand from the worlds top importer.

TRAVEL CHALLENGES

After three years of isolation from the outside world, China on Sunday dropped quarantine mandates for inbound visitors in a move expected to eventually also stimulate outbound travel.

But concerns about Chinas outbreak has prompted more than a dozen countries to demand negative COVID test results from people arriving from China.

Among them, South Korea and Japan have also limited flights and require tests on arrival, with passengers showing up as positive being sent to quarantine.

In a deepening spat between the regional rivals, China has in turn stopped issuing short-term visas and suspended transit visa exemptions for South Korean and Japanese nationals.

Despite Beijings lifting of travel curbs, outbound flight bookings from China were at only 15% of pre-pandemic levels in the week after the country announced it would reopen its borders, travel data firm ForwardKeys said on Thursday.

Low airline capacity, high air fares, new pre-flight COVID-19 testing requirements by many countries and a backlog of passport and visa applications pose challenges as the industry looks to recovery, ForwardKeys Vice President Insights Olivier Ponti said in a statement.

Hong Kong Airlines on Thursday said it does not expect to return to capacity until mid-2024.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The Azerbaijani National Confederation of Organizations of Entrepreneurs (Employers) (ASK) and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed an agreement on mutual understanding and cooperation, Azernews reports.

The purpose of the agreement is to expand the prospects for cooperation with business circles operating in Serbia and increase the export-import potential of business entities and investments in both countries.

In keeping with the agreement, it is planned to conduct joint business missions of the ASK and the Chamber of Commerce, exhibitions and business forums, and joint implementation of projects, as well as the study of best practices through the exchange of information and specialists.

In order to increase the export and investment potential of our country, as well as expand economic ties in accordance with the ASK's priorities for external relations, we continue to expand cooperation with business support organizations existing in other countries, the ASK said in a report on the website.

Azerbaijan and Serbia cooperate in a variety of economic sectors. The Azerbaijan-Serbia Declaration on Strategic Partnership, signed in 2013, and the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Partnership, signed in 2018, laid the groundwork for developing relations.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Serbia amounted to $10.3 million in January-November 2022.
With workforce woes continuing to afflict North Dakota businesses, some lawmakers believe the state should expand its search for talent beyond the nations borders.

The state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., and employers in every sector of the economy have encountered staffing difficulties. Job Service North Dakota recently estimated that 40,000 positions are available statewide.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, is sponsoring two proposals that aim to bring more legal immigrants into the fold.

Senate Bill 2142 would create an immigration office within the state Department of Commerce to facilitate the recruitment of foreign health care workers. The Senate Industry and Business Committee held a well-attended hearing for the bill on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 2151 would create an immigration office within the Bank of North Dakota that broadly encourages the resettlement of refugees and immigrants. The office would also administer an incentive program that offers working immigrants up to $160,000 in forgivable loans if they remain in the state. A hearing has not yet been scheduled for the bill.

Both bills have garnered support among Republicans, who hold a supermajority in the Legislature. Sens. Kristin Roers and Ron Sorvaag, both R-Fargo, are cosponsors on SB 2142, while House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Senate Majority Leader David Hogue have added their names to SB 2151.

Mathern told the Senate committee on Tuesday that SB 2142 would help labor-starved hospitals and nursing homes fill persistent holes in their workforce.

The goal of this bill is to attract health care workers to live, work and stay in North Dakota, Mathern said. This is not an attempt to get temporary workers to meet temporary needs. This is an attempt, like in the homestead days, to actually get people to live here.

Mathern said his bills represent a return to the strategy behind the Homestead Act, which attracted tens of thousands of foreign settlers to modern-day North Dakota in the late 1800s with the promise of free land.

But the idea of a government-run immigration office existed even before European settlers in northern Dakota began proving up land claims.

Lawmakers in the Dakota Territory established a bureau of immigration to facilitate the ingress of immigrants in 1874 -- about 15 years before North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the union as separate states.

In 1915, North Dakota policy makers created a position for an immigration commissioner, but amid the economic struggles of the Great Depression, legislators abolished the post in 1933.

The elimination of the office coincided with the beginning of a gradual decline in North Dakotas population, which continued until the Bakken oil boom in the late 2000s.

Representatives and workers from the states medical field endorsed SB 2142 on Tuesday, though they called on lawmakers to broaden the proposal beyond its health care-centric scope.

Roers, a nurse manager with Sanford Health, told the committee Tuesday she began helping her employer bring nurses from overseas last year, and she has found that the immigration process can be slow and arduous for health care providers.

The Republican senator said establishing a state-run immigration agency would especially benefit medical providers that don't have the resources to hire an international recruiting agency.

Shelly Peterson, the president of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, said the workforce crisis in the states nursing homes is the worst it has ever been.

Half of North Dakotas nursing homes stopped accepting new admissions last year due to labor shortages, she said. Six long-term care facilities closed in 2021 and 2022, and at least two more are due to shut their doors next year, Peterson added.

If we cant secure our own staff and significantly decrease our reliance on contract staff, our financial viability will never return and more facilities will close, Peterson said. We are slipping, and we need your help.

An office of immigration could coordinate and expedite the placement of international nurses, CNAs and housekeepers at nursing homes, Peterson said.

Celestine Olale, a nurse from Kenya who works in Fargo, said a state immigration office would be very helpful in assisting the international nurses to be able to settle in and get the right documents in place.

Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness testified that a provision in SB 2142 calling for an immigration lawyer to work within the Department of Commerce wouldnt be allowed without the attorney generals permission. She added that such a lawyer couldnt give legal advice to private companies or citizens.

Hogue said he signed onto SB 2151 as a co-sponsor because he believes Mathern is on the right track by attempting to address workforce shortages through legal immigration. Hogue did not comment on specifics of the bill.

Senate Industry and Business Committee Chairman Doug Larsen, R-Mandan, said his panel will continue to work on the bill in the coming days and weeks before voting on whether to recommend its passage.
The Taoiseach has said that protests should be peaceful and should not involve hatred or racism directed towards any group of people.

Leo Varadkar made the comments following an incident outside a shelter for migrants in Ballymun, Dublin.

Videos emerged over the weekend of a crowd of people outside a building in Ballymun where families were living, chanting get them out, with one person holding a sign saying Ireland is full.

Speaking on Wednesday evening, Mr Varadkar said: I think its very important that communities are consulted, but I think its very important, as well, that any protest is peaceful and that there should be no hatred or racism directed towards any people under any circumstances.

We are dealing with an unprecedented situation in the world at the moment. We welcomed 70,000 people from Ukraine, people who are fleeing war.

About 40,000 people we welcomed into Ireland from outside of Europe because weve given them work permits and work visa because we need them to run our public services and to keep our economy strong.

We also have a larger number than would have been in the past coming here seeking international protection.

It would have been 3,000 or 4,000 in most years. That has now gone up a lot. It was 14,000 last year, and that is putting pressure on the system, certainly the difficulty finding accommodation.

Mr Varadkar also said there were ongoing discussions at Government level about bringing in more robust measures to deter illegal arrivals into Ireland.

I think one thing we would definitely need to do, we were speaking about this at the Cabinet meeting earlier, is make sure that decisions are made about those applications much more quickly, Mr Varadkar added.

So that if somebody is a genuine refugee, and theyre entitled to international protection, that they get it.

Some of the things that well examine over the next couple of weeks is how we can make sure that we have more appropriate and more robust border controls to make sure that people arent able to enter the country illegally because the vast majority of people come here from overseas do so legally and thats absolutely right, but those who dont we have to protect against that.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he has a strong issue with people protesting outside facilities that are housing families.

He said that many people have left Ireland in the past.

We should also be conscious of the human impact of such protests on children who are witnessing this and its something I have an issue with, Mr Martin added.

When it comes to protests outside where people are living, I think that crosses a line.

Earlier, Minister for Justice Simon Harris rejected referring to them as protests.

Weve to be very careful calling these protests. In my mind, thats not what they are, he added.

In my mind, when people turn up outside a building that is providing temporary shelter to people, including women and children, and start saying things like, shout to get them out, out, out, out, thats not a protest, in my view. In my view, thats intimidation.

In my view, it is not in any way, shape or form reflective of the communities in which these accommodation facilities are in.

Mr Harris praised Dublin Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy, a Ballymun native, for showing excellent leadership on this.

She very clearly and articulately made the point about, of course, the importance of working with communities; the importance of keeping communities informed, of course; the importance of providing information, but not allowing anybody to hijack the viewpoints of a community.

Ms Conroy said the scenes were embarrassing and upsetting, and she believed the protests had been orchestrated, adding: Its not what were about in Ballymun.

It is a statement of the blinding obvious that there are certain individuals who travel from one part of our country to the next part of our country to the next part of our country, added Mr Harris.

He said he was aware that gardai are taking these matters very seriously.

As Minister of Justice, my primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of all individuals in this country and that includes safety of people who have come here seeking refuge under the international protection agreement.

Mr Harris said that in response to the 70,000 people from Ukraine who have arrived in Ireland since last February, communities have embraced them and held demonstrations in solidarity.

I think theres a balance to this. Im not willing to go down a road where I suggest that the so-called protests are in any way reflective of the broader scenario, he said.

The minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is overseeing the Justice portfolio while Helen McEntee is on maternity leave.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he hopes the decision to exclude Mary Lou McDonald from a meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is not a new precedent.

The Sinn Fein leader was told she could not attend the meeting to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Stormont political deadlock.

Mr Cleverly insisted Sinn Fein were not excluded from a meeting with him in Belfast, stating that the party vice president Michelle ONeill was invited to attend but opted not to.

The party withdrew from the roundtable talks with Mr Cleverly on Wednesday.

The decision to exclude Ms McDonald from the talks was criticised by the Irish government, with Mr Varadkar saying it is not usual practice to tell other parties who should be on their delegation.

I know when I visit Northern Ireland tomorrow (Thursday) to meet with the different political parties, Deputy McDonald will be part of the Sinn Fein delegation, Mr Varadkar said on Wednesday evening.

Its never been our practice to tell other people who should be on their delegation.

If you ask to meet somebody or somebody comes to meet you, it really should be for them to decide whos on their delegation and who leads it.

Thats the approach that we take, it had been the approach that the British Government took in the past, so I hope this was a one off and that doesnt represent a change of policy.

Mr Cleverly defended the decision, stating that the meeting was to hear from political representatives in Northern Ireland and he would meet Irish politicians in the near future.

Deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin said the decision by his British counterpart was unfortunate.

Mr Martin said: I dont know the background to it at all, but that said I dont think it will be an impediment.

I had a good discussion with Michelle ONeill earlier in the week.

I think everyone is up for working constructively to try and resolve these issues and get the Executive up and running.

Our objective of this government is to have the mandate that was given in the last Assembly elections fulfilled in terms of the Assembly being convened and also the Executive being established in line with the results of the election.

I would hope that, notwithstanding what happened today, that it will not act as an impediment. I dont think it will.

The two leaders will travel to Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Mr Varadkar is to meet with representatives of Stormonts five political parties, while Mr Martin will hold talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is hopeful that an agreement can be reached between the EU and the UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol which will unlock the Stormont stalemate.

After meeting with political parties in Belfast, Mr Varadkar said protocol negotiations were not in the proverbial tunnel yet but said he would like to see a deal which was acceptable to unionists.

The Taoiseach, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Tanaiste Micheal Martin all held meetings in Northern Ireland on Thursday as part of efforts to resolve the dispute over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Sir Keir said he believed there was a window of opportunity which could see agreement over the protocol.

Stormonts power-sharing government collapsed almost a year ago when the DUP withdrew its first minister in protest against the trading barriers created by the protocol.

Mr Varadkar and Sir Keir had separate meetings with the main Stormont parties to discuss the deadlock.

The talks continued to be overshadowed by the row over the exclusion of Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald from a meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly earlier in the week.

Speaking on his first visit to Northern Ireland since being reappointed as Taoiseach, Mr Varadkar said: I am hopeful that it will be possible to come to an agreement on the protocol that will allow it to work more effectively, hopefully become more acceptable broadly across society here and will then allow the institutions to be re-established.

He added: I am keen to repair and restore relations, not just with the political parties here but also with the UK Government and between the European Union and the UK.

I think the reason why relations became strained in the first place was because of Brexit but there is no point revisiting all that.

Certainly since then lots of us have made mistakes. I have acknowledged that the way the protocol was implemented was too strict and too rigid and that created real difficulties.

I am totally of the view that we can work together to make changes that are necessary, that can get back to a very low number of checks.

We would like to get to the point where we can agree something that works for everyone and works on a cross-community basis.

Mr Varadkar said that a deal over the protocol did not guarantee that Stormont would return.

He said: It will still be of value in its own right but obviously our desire is that we should have the first thing happen which is an agreement on the protocol then unlocking the restoration of the assembly and the executive, but its not a given that one follows the other.

Mr Varadkar, who is deeply unpopular with some sections of unionism, denied that he had ever used the threat of a return to violence in Northern Ireland during Brexit negotiations.

He said: What I did was express concerns at the time, concerns that were held by the chief constable, were held by the garda commissioner, that the re-establishment of border posts between north and south could lead to violence.

Labour leader Sir Keir said it was time to seize the opportunity over a protocol deal.

He said: Notwithstanding the challenges I do think there is a real window of opportunity for progress in relation to the protocol. It is very important now that we seize that opportunity.

I think there has been positive things happening in recent days and having had discussions all day today with the political parties I do think there is that window of opportunity for progress.

Obviously there are difficulties and challenges.

It is really important now that we move forward and take that opportunity.

Sir Keir said he was personally invested in ensuring that there was political progress in Northern Ireland.

He said: I think there is a joint interest in making sure that we have progress in Northern Ireland.

I am personally invested in this. I worked here with the Policing Board for five years.

It is personal for me and for the Labour Party having played such a big part in the Good Friday Agreement, of which we celebrate the 25th anniversary this year.

Speaking following his meeting with the Taoiseach, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Irish premier now has a better understanding of the difficulties the protocol has created for the province.

Sir Jeffrey said: We reiterated our seven tests as being the basis for judging any agreement as to whether it meets the requirements to respect Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market and to facilitate ongoing cross-border trade.

Thats why an agreement that works for everyone has to be a way forward.

Sinn Fein president Mrs McDonald said her party had a very constructive meeting with the Taoiseach.

She told the media: We have reflected our absolute determination that government must be restored here in the north its unacceptable that we stagger on without an executive.

We have also shared our strong view that a deal on the protocol is possible and we believe that the window we now have has to be grasped with both hands.

Earlier in the day, Tanaiste Mr Martin held talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough.

Hopes of a deal over the contentious protocol were raised this week when the EU and UK reached agreement on sharing customs data.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: There has been a tiny bit of progress made in talks with the European Union.

There is still a way to go, but we are talking in good faith, and as I stand here now there are talks going on, so lets see where they get to.
[January 12, 2023] Sunvera Group Expands into Pennsylvania Market with New Partnership

Sunvera Group, a management service organization supporting ophthalmology practices across a spectrum of subspecialties, has formed a new partnership with Zimm Cataract & Laser Center and its affiliate, Premier Surgical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. This partnership establishes Sunvera Group's presence in the Pennsylvania market and extends its network of Midwest ophthalmology practices and surgery centers. Focused on delivering leading technology and personalized care to its patients, Zimm Cataract & Laser Center provides a collection of services such as cataract surgery, LASIK vision correction and comprehensive eye care. Zimm Cataract & Laser Center is led by Erie native E. Matthew Zimm, D.O. Additionally, Premier Surgical Center is the first ophthalmic-focused ambulatory surgery center in Erie, Pennsylvania, providing patients with the latest technology and advanced techniques in surgical eye care. "Dr. Zimm and his team of medical professionals are a perfect example of the kind of industry leaders Sunvera Group is looking to partner with and grow together," said Greg Nodland, CEO of Sunvera Group. "We are confident this will be a valuable partnership for both organizations as we begin our expansion into the Pennsylvania market." Prior to the addition of Zimm Cataract & Laser Center, Sunvera Group partnered with Ohio-based Ophthalmic Physicians Incorporated in December of 2022, a further expansion of the organization's Midwest presence. "All of us at Zimm Cataract & Laser Center and Premier Surgical Center look forward to building a successful partnership with Sunvera Group," said Dr. Zimm. "With thedeep support they are known for providing, we're confident that our practice will continue to go above and beyond the already-exceptional care and consideration we give to our patients."



Sunvera Group is a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners. McGuireWoods LLP provided legal services to Sunvera. Physician Growth Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Zimm Cataract & Laser Center and Wade, Goldstein, Landau & Abruzzo, P.C. provided legal services. About Sunvera Group

Sunvera Group is a management services organization dedicated to providing first rate management and administrative solutions to ophthalmology practices and ambulatory surgery centers in the Midwest. Sunvera Group's comprehensive set of support functions includes capital for growth, billing and collections, marketing, credentialing support, human resources and physician recruitment, benefits and payroll, information technology, and financial and accounting services. Currently, Sunvera Group supports 22 ophthalmology clinics and four ambulatory surgical centers in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. www.sunveragroup.com About Zimm Cataract & Laser Center Zimm Cataract & Laser Center has been serving the Erie, PA and surrounding community for more than 40 years. Led by E. Matthew Zimm, D.O. and his team of ophthalmologists, optometrists and eye care professionals, they are dedicated to delivering high quality and personalized care to patients. Zimm Cataract & Laser Center offers the full range of eye care services, including bladeless LASIK vision correction, laser and traditional cataract surgery, advanced technology lens implants, and the treatment and management of glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and dry eye. In addition, Premier Surgical Center consists of 2 large operating suites focused solely on ophthalmic surgery, providing advanced technology and quality care. www.drzimm.com About Ridgemont Equity Partners Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based middle market private equity firm that has provided buyout and growth capital to industry-leading companies in the business and tech-enabled services, industrial growth, and healthcare sectors for nearly three decades. The principals of Ridgemont have refined a proven, industry-focused model designed to build distinctive middle market companies. For more information, please visit www.ridgemontep.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005098/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Vapor IO Expands Its Edge Computing Grid to Europe Through a Partnership With Cellnex

Vapor IO, developers of the Kinetic Grid platform, the world's first Open Grid network for delivering edge and grid services, has teamed up with Cellnex Telecom, the leading independent wireless telecommunications operator in Europe, to expand its network edge to Europe. The first deployment will be in Barcelona and will add to the 36 cities already served by Vapor IO in the United States. This edge grid is expected to expand over the next couple of years throughout Europe thanks to the vast infrastructure for digital services that Cellnex currently operates. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005127/en/ Vapor IO partners with Cellnex to begin expansion to Europe (Graphic: Business Wire) This collaborative project aims to improve the delivery of new, monetizable services by reducing data traffic towards the core of the wireless and fiber networks, enhancing data sovereignty and enabling the development of stable, low latency services such as real-time computer vision for public safety, smart retail, industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging and online gaming. Moreover, the project will enable the efficient deployment of virtualized radio access network technology (Open RAN or vRAN). Cellnex is making available portfolio of small edge data centers and tower ground space for hosting the necessary equipment for edge computing. In addition, several fiber routes, provided by Cellnex and/or Cellnexs mobile network operator customers, will interconnect these edge data centers creating a "grid" of edge nodes.



Vapor IO's global Kinetic Grid platform delivers next generation internet and communications capabilities to metropolitan regions by bringing networking and automation software that enables micro modular data centers, software defined networks and hyperscale backbones to operate autonomously in highly-distributed edge locations, such as cell tower sites and edge data centers. Serving the world's largest wireless carriers, cloud providers, web-scale companies and other innovative enterprises, Vapor IO's Kinetic Grid combines neutral, multi-tenant colocation with software-defined interconnection and high-speed networking to deliver flexible, highly-distributed Internet and communications infrastructure at the edge of the wired and wireless networks. Eduardo Fichmann, Global Director of Innovation and Product Strategy at Cellnex, said: "Cellnex is delighted to enable Vapor IO's neutral host Kinetic Grid to Europe, starting in Barcelona. We invite our anchor tenants and global telecom service providers to leverage this partnership to virtualize the computing infrastructure in such a way that it will allow the federation and optimization of the use of computing resources and of the network itself by third-party applications on a neutral host model."

"This agreement with Vapor IO," adds Eduardo Fichmann, "strengthens Cellnex's strategy of leveraging infrastructure in locations co-located with operator equipment at the towers or edge data centers, that will give rise to organic revenue growth for the company. It is expected that in the coming years there will be an explosion in applications and services that require computing in places physically closer to the end user, which implies an increase in the demand for this type of infrastructure. Vapor IOs track record of building dozens of markets at scale using a just-in-time delivery model, and Cellnex's industrial model of deploying and managing distributed telecommunications infrastructure at scale in Europe, will allow the roll-out of edge nodes in European locations over coming years." Cole Crawford, Vapor IOs Founder and CEO, noted: "Vapor IO and Cellnex share a common commitment to neutral host infrastructure. Vapor IO's Kinetic Grid is both cloud-neutral and carrier-neutral, meaning it is one of the few locations at the edge where both carriers and clouds can meet on equal terms. We invite cloud and technology providers to leverage our edge and grid computing infrastructure to deploy new classes of high-performance applications that cannot be serviced by today's cloud infrastructure." About Vapor IO Vapor IO is developing the largest global Open Grid networking, colocation and interconnection platform capable of supporting the most demanding low-latency workloads at the edge of the wireless and wireline access networks. The company's Kinetic Grid architecture combines neutral host colocation with software-defined interconnection, high-speed networking, and telemetry-based intelligence. The company's technologies deliver the most flexible, highly-distributed edge infrastructure at the edge of the last mile wired and wireless networks. Vapor IO Kinetic Grid services are available in 36 US markets, including its first six operating markets (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Pittsburgh). For more information: https://www.vapor.io/ About Cellnex Telecom The efficient deployment of next-generation connectivity is essential to drive technological innovation and accelerate inclusive economic growth. Cellnex Telecom is the independent wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructures operator that enables operators to access Europe's most extensive network of advanced telecommunications infrastructures on a shared-use basis, helping to reduce access barriers for new operators and to improve services in the most remote areas. Cellnex manages a portfolio of more than 138,000 sites - including forecast roll-outs up to 2030 - in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. The company is listed on the continuous market of the Spanish stock exchange and is part of the selective IBEX 35 and EuroStoxx 100 indices. It is also present in the main sustainability indices, such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Sustainalytics, FTSE4Good and MSCI. Cellnex's reference shareholders include Edizione, GIC, TCI, Blackrock, CPP Investments, CriteriaCaixa and Norges Bank. For more information: https://www.cellnex.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005127/en/

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North Dakota regulators on Wednesday fined a coal company and a pipeline company for separate violations.

The state Public Service Commission levied a fine of $10,000 against Caliber Midstream for a pipeline siting violation in McKenzie County, and $5,000 for violations at the Beulah Mine that impacted several watersheds.

A PSC inspector last April determined that the Mercer County coal mine owned by Dakota Westmoreland Corp. did not follow its approved surface water management plan.

Two sediment pond embankments were breached, and there was an uncontrolled discharge into a drainage way, according to Commission Chair Randy Christmann. He said there were no real significant environmental impacts, and the company cooperated with regulators.

The Beulah Mine did complete all remedial action specified in the notice of violation within the prescribed time periods, Christmann said.

However, this was the third violation at the Beulah Mine for water management violations, Christmann said, and the second violation within three years for failure to construct and maintain adequate water management.

It certainly was not enough to, in our opinion, require reclamation, he said.

Westmoreland attorney Jon Heroux told the Tribune that there was significant heavy rainfall last March that led to the overflow of the ponds.

So we spent a significant amount of time on pond embankments where we promptly repaired those, he said.

Caliber Midstream

The commission approved a siting permit and issued a $10,000 fine to Caliber Midstream for operating a 2.6-mile natural gas pipeline without a permit.

The line connects Calibers Hay Butte Plant to the Northern Border Pipeline west of Watford City. The PSC temporarily granted approval for the pipeline in November 2021, as the line had been operating since 2014 without a state permit.

I think what happened is the company wanted to make changes to the way they operated this pipeline. In the process, they realized that hadnt been permitted to begin with, Commissioner Julie Fedorchak said.

She said Its not an excuse to not know what the law is and follow it.

Caliber Midstream did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment.
[January 11, 2023] Built In Honors Skimmer in Its Esteemed 2023 Best Places To Work Awards

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In today announced that Skimmer was honored in its 2023 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, Skimmer earned a place on Built In's 50 Best Startups to Work For in Austin . "A company is only as good as its team, and we've got a great team," said Skimmer CEO, Jack Nelson . "A company is only as good as its team, and we've got a great team," said Skimmer CEO, Jack Nelson. "We're not only committed to building the best platform for our customers, but to making Skimmer a committed, transparent, inclusive workplace for great talent - in Austin and around the world." Built In determines the winners of Best Places to Work based on company data abot compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for DEI, and other people-first cultural offerings.



"It's my honor to congratulate this year's Best Places to Work winners," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "These exemplary companies understand their people are their most valuable asset, and they've stepped up to meet the modern professional's new expectations, including the desire to work for companies that deliver purpose, growth and inclusion. These winners set the stage for a human-centered future of work, and we can't wait to see that future unfold." ABOUT BUILT IN

Built In is creating the largest platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves 2,000 customers, innovative companies ranging from startups to those in the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them hire otherwise hard-to-reach tech professionals. www.builtin.com ABOUT SKIMMER Skimmer's category-defining Pool Service Software Platform has helped thousands of pool service businesses engage efficiently and professionally with pool owners across the U.S. The SaaS platform provides pool service businesses access to features that simplify work orders, route optimization, pool tech management, billing and invoicing, customer communication, and payments. Everything you need to run your pool service business, all in one app. Learn more at getskimmer.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/built-in-honors-skimmer-in-its-esteemed-2023-best-places-to-work-awards-301719677.html SOURCE Skimmer

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[January 11, 2023] WiseTech Founder Richard White Acquires Corporate KYC Leader Kyckr Limited

Kyckr, the corporate KYC company providing businesses with legally-authoritative real-time data on prospective and existing customers and suppliers, has been acquired by Australian tech-entrepreneur and WiseTech Global Limited founder Richard White through his personal investment vehicle RealWise KYK AV Pty Ltd. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005584/en/ Richard White is an Australian based tech billionaire and founder of WiseTech Global (Photo: Business Wire) Kyckr provides companies with real-time access to aggregated corporate Know Your Customer (KYC/KYB) and Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) data from over 300 company registries and primary regulated sources around the world, enabling them to undertake real-time due diligence on over 120 million companies globally. This allows organisations to minimise their exposure to commercial risk, prevent financial crime such as money laundering and ensure regulatory compliance by better understanding their customers and suppliers. Commenting on the acquisition Mr White who founded and owns over 40% of WiseTech Global, one of the most valuable tech companies on the Australian Securities Exchange, with a market capitalisation of over A$16 billion said, "Businesses today operate in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace, where compliance with laws and regulations related t anti-money laundering, sanctions and an ever-expanding list of financial crime typologies is becoming increasingly high-risk, complex, time-consuming and costly.



"I see in Kyckr the opportunity to replace manual processes and aggregate real-time data from disparate sources to provide a scalable, reliable, highly compliant and cost effective KYC/KYB/UBO tech platform solution in the same way that WiseTech's CargoWise has replaced multiple single-point legacy systems in the complex and fragmented global logistics sector with integrated global technology that drives productivity, reduces compliance risk and facilitates planning, visualisation and control." Ian Henderson, CEO of Kyckr said, "The Kyckr team is delighted to have the strategic guidance, support and vision that successful tech-entrepreneur and founder Richard White provides. We are embarking upon an exciting evolution of our powerful offering to broaden its scope by building an integrated global software solution to enable businesses to navigate the highly complex and dynamic compliance and counterparty risk management challenges that they face in an increasingly interconnected and digital marketplace."

About Kyckr Limited

Kyckr is a B2B information services company that aggregates, organises and structures the world's primary source company data to help businesses reduce the risks associated with counterparty relationships. Unlike traditional data companies which source data from multiple, secondary sources, Kyckr provides accurate data with trusted, legally-authoritative provenance. This helps organisations to avoid the significant regulatory and commercial costs associated with using poor quality data. Through the combination of accurate data with innovative technology, Kyckr's solutions help businesses to succeed in the fight against fraud, money laundering and financial crime. Kyckr is wholly-owned by serial-entrepreneur and founder of WiseTech Richard White through his personal investment vehicle RealWise KYK AV Pty Ltd. To learn more about Kyckr, visit www.kyckr.com About Richard White

Richard White is an Australian based tech billionaire and founder of WiseTech Global, a leading developer and provider of software solutions to the logistics execution industry globally. WiseTech's customers include over 18,000[1] of the world's logistics companies across more than 165 countries, including 42 of the top 50 global third-party logistics providers and 24 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders worldwide[2]. Its flagship platform, CargoWise, forms an integral link in the global supply chain and executes over 72 billion data transactions annually. For more information about WiseTech Global or CargoWise, please visit wisetechglobal.com and cargowise.com Richard is also an investor in a number of other technology companies including Songtradr; Espresso Displays and Genics. He holds a Masters of Business Information Technology (MBIT) from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), is a Fellow of UTS, one of UTS' Luminaries, an Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology (FEIT) UTS and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). [1] Includes customers on CargoWise and platforms of acquired businesses whose customers may be counted with reference to installed sites

[2] Armstrong & Associates: Top 50 Global 3PLs & Top 25 Global Freight Forwarders ranked by 2020 logistics gross revenue/turnover and freight forwarding volumes View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005584/en/

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[January 11, 2023] Astro-E closed Seed Round Financing, and Asia Green Fund Participated in the Investment

BEIJING, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Astro-Energy Technology(hereinafter referred to as Astro-E), a service provider of household new energy products and systems, announced that it has closed tens of millions RMB in its seed round financing. This round of financing was led by CAS Venture Capital, followed by Asia Green Fund (hereinafter referred to as AGF) and Ningbo Angel Capital Guiding Fund. The funding will be mainly used for R&D and production of the photovoltaic micro-inverter, as well as the development of key production equipment for flexible thin-film solar cells. Astro-E was established in Jan. 2022. The technology of the company is supported by the Institute of Electrical Engineering Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the R&D team members are all from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Several technologies of the company have independent intellectual property rights, and it is committed to promoting the development of a new energy industry in China and the transformation of scientific and technological achievements of carbon emission reduction. The main products of the company are the smart micro hotovoltaic power manager and flexible thin-film solar cells. Products are oriented to high-end new energy markets such as distributed photovoltaic, building energy-saving power generation, electric vehicles, mobile energy, and aerospace, etc.



Under the status of global carbon neutrality and energy shortage, the transformation of the energy structure is accelerating and the advantages of distributed photovoltaic which is not limited by land resources and low transmission cost are gradually highlighted. Thus, the newly installed capacity and proportion of distributed photovoltaic are increasing. Liu Xiangxin, Founder of Astro-E, is a head expert in the field of CdTe solar cells and has more than 20 years of industry R&D experience. Astro-E has developed the only domestic micro-inverter (power manager) which is specialized in various thin-film solar cell modules. The first-generation microinverter TM-LV2000MI and other products suitable for silicon solar cell modules will be put on the market in early 2023.

Allen Yu, Managing Director of AGF, said: "Astro-E is an important layout of AGF in the field of green investment. We are optimistic about the application of distributed photovoltaics in many emerging scenarios like the construction industry and automobile field under the dual-carbon target, and highly recognize the product value and technical barriers of Astro-E's smart micro inverter and CdTe thin-film cells. It is expected that Astro-E can quickly fill the supply vacancy and continue to help the development of the photovoltaic industry and green buildings in China through the innovation of materials and technologies. " View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/astro-e-closed-seed-round-financing-and-asia-green-fund-participated-in-the-investment-301719774.html SOURCE Asia Green Fund

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[January 11, 2023] VVDN strengthens its services portfolio with the addition of Automotive Engineering and Manufacturing Services for global markets

GURUGRAM, India, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VVDN Technologies, a global provider of embedded product engineering, manufacturing and digital services and solutions company, announced that it will expand its portfolio by offering automotive engineering and manufacturing services to automotive OEMs, suppliers, fleet owners and start-ups globally. In the domain of Automotive, VVDN comes with the capabilities in designing, developing and manufacturing automotive products from driver assistance solutions to digital cockpit solutions including Mirrorless Camera System, ADAS, Battery Management System (BMS), Infotainment Systems, Digital Instrument Clusters, Surround View System (SVS) and Telematics Control Unit (TCU). There is also deep focus on E-Mobility by supporting designs for residential as well as commercial EV chargers across various geographies. With strong focus on R&D, VVDN offers hardware and software development, RF design, system testing and mechanical services. The company has already set up automotive R&D centers in Gurugram, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kochi along with state-of-the-art test labs. On the manuacturing front, the company has invested heavily on PCBA, Proto Shop, Mechanical Mold and Tooling for Auto components, Injection Molding, Die Casting, Sheet Metal, etc.



VVDN's digital team is also working on the cloud suite, a rich toolbox of cloud-enabled software to help automotive manufacturers adapt different applications such as telematics, E-Mobility etc. and help embrace digital technologies. Vivek Bansal, President and Co-founder, VVDN Technologies: "We are very much looking forward to bringing our deep expertise in the automotive electronics which will augment VVDN's services revenue. VVDN has been partnering with leading automotive manufacturers, tier I suppliers, by helping them design, develop and manufacture their next generation electronics. Not just the electronics but even software has revolutionized the automotive industry. We are excited to offer end-to-end value in the application development such as telematics, E-Mobility etc. which is critical to the digital transformation and growth of our customers."

VVDN is participating in Auto Expo 2023 - Components show in New Delhi, from Jan 12-Jan 15. The company will be showcasing a lot of solutions demonstrating its capabilities in electronics engineering, mechanical, manufacturing as well as digital space.



VVDN Booth: Hall 3FF, Booth B36

For scheduling meetings, contact: [email protected] About VVDN: VVDN is a Product Engineering & Manufacturing company focused on designing & manufacturing end-to-end products across several technology vertical markets (5G, DataCenter, Networking and Wi-Fi, Vision, Automotive, IoT, Cloud & Apps). VVDN's India HQ is located at Gurgaon, India and its North America HQ's is located in Fremont, CA, USA. VVDN serves global customers across several regions including US, Canada, Europe, India, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. VVDN has 11 advanced Product Engineering Centres in India and across the globe, and 7 Manufacturing facilities located at Manesar, Gurgaon, and Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India, which includes in-house best-in-class SMT Factory, Molding & Tooling Factory, Die Casting, Antenna Assembly, metal stamping, Product Assembly Factory, and Product Certifications labs. VVDN's Engineering & Manufacturing facilities are fully compiled to develop & manufacture Enterprise, Consumer, Industrial, and Automotive-grade products. Media Contact: Kunwar Sinha

[email protected]

+91-9971887719 SOURCE VVDN Technologies

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[January 12, 2023]

Nokia Core Networks portfolio in full compliance with all GSMA security requirements

Press Release

Nokia Core Networks portfolio in full compliance with all GSMA security requirements

12 January 2023

Espoo, Finland  Nokia today announced that its Core Networks portfolio is in full compliance with all security requirements defined by the GSMAs bi-annual Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) audit.

In contrast to the previous audit, a wider set of Core Networks products were assessed in the most recent audit, including IMS/Voice Core, Subscriber Data Management, Signaling and Policy, Packet Core, Cloud Infrastructure and Security.

The latest audit underscores the highest standards that go into Nokia product development, security testing, and software life cycle management.

Other Core products which were part of the audit included Shared Data Layer, Nokia Container Services, Network Exposure Fnction, and NetGuard Endpoint Security.







NESAS audits and tests network equipment across the telecommunications industry to ensure it conforms to a security benchmark and the requirements of regulators, governments, and mobile operators.

Fran Heeran, SVP & General Manager of Core Networks, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: This is a reflection of the exceptional work and focus across the teams here at Nokia, and the rigorous security standards that underpin our Core Networks portfolio. There are no exceptions when it comes to security. Our customers demand it and this audit underlines the security quality that the Nokia Core Networks portfolio delivers.

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About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.

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[January 12, 2023] Dassault Systemes Presents Urban Renaissance, Featuring a 3D Mapping Project Illustrating the City of Tomorrow by Korean Artist Yiyun Kang

Dassault Systemes today announced Urban Renaissance, the most recent installment in its "The Only Progress is Human" initiative to shape a better future. Urban Renaissance showcases Dassault Systemes' vision of the city of tomorrow through an innovative 3D video mapping projection designed by Korean artist and researcher Yiyun Kang and projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/ Image copyright Dassault Systemes - Yiyun Kang "'Geofuture' is my large-scale public projection work that maps the DDP in Seoul. Inspired by Dassault Systemes' vision of designing our city, this project imagines our future life that will be realized by sustainable innovation," said Yiyun Kang. "The city of tomorrow needs to be resilient to be sustainable. We need new solutions that enable citizens to benefit from a virtual twin of their city to test solutions in the virtual world before implementing them in the real world," said Victoire de Margerie, Vice President, Corporate Equity, Marketing & Communications, Dassault Systemes. "Urban Renaissance will explore how sustainable cities can thrive as urbanization increases. For this, we chose the vibrant city of Seoul, and to collaborate with Yiyun Kang, an exciting, renowned local artist who reflects our vision of urban renaissance - a vision for the sustainable and healthy city of tomorrow." The reveal of Urban Renaissance and a related talk show will be broadcast during a live event on LinkedIn, YouTube and Dassault Systemes' website on January 31 at 17h00 CET. Viewers will have the opportunity to discover the artist's monumental artwork projected onto the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and learn what the city of tomorrow will look like according to Dassault Systemes and experts such as Bogdan Zaha from Zaha Hadid Architects. To watch Urban Renaissance live, click here. The virtual twin experience of a city improves quality of life for its citizens

With growing populations and an increasing number of climate issues, cities need to be more sustainable and healthy in all aspects, while also continuing the pursuit of a better quality of life for all. This will be possible by creating sustainable buildings, using renewable materials, involving citizens in the definition of the city of tomorrow, providing more inclusive public services, and finding new solutions for mobility, agriculture and greener energy. Dassault Systemes is leading the way by providing the technology to model, simulate, analyze, visualize and experience complete cities in the virtual world, to improve how they are built in the real world and the quality of life within them. These virtual twin experiences - visual, digitl, 3D models that represent reality with scientific accuracy and are tested and perfected in the context of their use - consider the city environment as well as the infrastructure and commodities needed to build it. Citizens, businesses and city officials can use them to work together to imagine a more sustainable, circular future while simulating and understanding the social and ecological impacts of every design decision they make, before implementing the optimal solution.



Dongdaemun Design Plaza: a symbolic building for Urban Renaissance

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the perfect example of what can be designed using Dassault Systemes' software, as it was conceived and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects using CATIA - one of Dassault Systemes' solutions. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, abbreviated as DDP, is a major urban landmark in Seoul with a neofuturistic design characterized by its powerful curving forms. The building is the centerpiece of South Korea's design, art and fashion hub and a popular destination for both local residents and tourists. About Yiyun Kang

Dr Yiyun Kang received her BFA from Seoul National University, MFA from UCLA's Design & Media Arts, and PhD from Royal College of Art (RCA). Kang is currently a visiting lecturer at the RCA and a fellow of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). She held exhibitions at numerous art institutions including the Seoul Museum of Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, and participated in international events such as Venice Architecture Biennale (Venice, Italy) and Shenzhen New Media Art Festival. Kang did her artist residency in V&A, Korea National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and Seoul Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, she participated in the transcontinental contemporary art project CONNECT, BTS as the only Korean artist; in 2017, she received the Red Dot Award with Deep Surface, a commissioned exhibition by Max Mara. Kang's work has been acquired by V&A. Kang is featured in Bloomberg's Art+Technology series and her writings have been published in the Leonardo Journal (MIT Press) and Practices of Projections, published by Oxford University Press. Kang has been awarded the British Council Alumni Award for Culture and Creativity in 2022. She participated in several conferences and symposiums including SIGGRAPH and NEXUS Pavilion, organized by La Biennale di Venezia. Kang also gives lectures at Politecnico di Milano (Milano), SOAS University of London (London), and Sotheby's Institute of Art (London), Seoul National University (Seoul) and KAIST (Daejeon). Recently Kang had a solo exhibition Anthropause at PKM gallery (Seoul), and her group exhibition Cubically Imagined is traveling from Paris to Hong Kong, Moscow and Beijing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Dassault Systemes' The Only Progress is Human initiative: Launched in 2020, The Only Progress is Human features a series of "acts" aimed to increase awareness of societal and environmental challenges and inspire the use of virtual worlds to drive sustainable innovations. Prior to Urban Renaissance, these acts included: Virtual Harmony, a unique musical and visual experience demonstrating how virtual worlds can change the way we experience emotions; Water for Life, a set of initiatives to help industry consume smarter and protect the world's most precious resource; and Living Heritage, a student program to experience six UNESCO World Heritage Sites as they may have existed in the past while nurturing skills to innovate for a more sustainable world. Visit: https://www.3ds.com/progress-is-human SHARE THIS ON TWITTER Presenting Urban Renaissance, featuring a 3D mapping project illustrating the city of tomorrow by Korean artist Yiyun Kang #progressishuman #3DEXPERIENCE @Dassault3DS Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube About Dassault Systemes Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating 'virtual twin experiences' of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production. Dassault Systemes' 20,000 employees are bringing value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit our website.  Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass icon, the 3DS logo, CATIA, BIOVIA, GEOVIA, SOLIDWORKS, 3DVIA, ENOVIA, NETVIBES, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM, 3DEXCITE, SIMULIA, DELMIA, and IFWE are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a French "societe europeenne" (Versailles Commercial Register # B 322 306 440), or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005058/en/

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[January 12, 2023] actyv.ai Raises Pre-Series A Funding to Fuel Global Expansion, Product Enhancement

actyv.ai, a Singapore-headquartered, category creator in the enterprise SaaS with embedded B2B BNPL and insurance space, has raised a total of $12 million as part of Pre-Series A funding round from 1Digi Ventures, Singapore, the family office of Raghunath Subramanian, Founder and Global CEO of the company. This includes an earlier tranche of $5 million from 1Digi Ventures in 2022. This will fuel global expansion, product enhancement, portfolio growth and talent acquisition. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230110005650/en/ Embedded offerings platform actyv.ai raises a total of $12Mn in pre-series A funding (Photo: Business Wire) In December 2022 alone actyv.ai's total BNPL throughput crossed $100 million. The company delivers significant value for enterprises and their allied partner ecosystem through its technology platform. The company partners wih over 20 leading financial institutions enabling embedded BNPL. Over 25,000 distributors and one lac retailers are onboard the platform.



Commenting on this, Raghu said, "We have a proven track record in product development, business growth and attracting talent. Our AI-powered SaaS platform with its embedded offerings, drives substantial operational efficiencies to the entire supply chain ecosystem. The additional funds validate our being category creators in this space and the conviction to augment our platform's capabilities." He added, "PwC has been a true partner in progress, guiding and supporting us in the latest fund raise. They have been brilliant in setting up our headquarters in Singapore and building our internal governance structures. As we enter the hyper-growth phase and increase our global footprint, we look forward to further strengthening this association."

Talking about their partnership with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Raghu said, "Their legal expertise and counsel has helped establish a strong legal framework and advised in relation to fund raise and corporate matters for actyv.ai. We shall continue to benefit from their legal guidance." "HSBC has extended their support in seamlessly establishing the banking infrastructure across geographies. We look forward to a long-lasting association with them," said Raghu. About actyv.ai actyv.ai is an AI-powered enterprise SaaS platform with embedded B2B Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and insurance, transforming the global B2B supply chain by making business transactions faster and easier. Through its partnerships with financial institutions, actyv.ai enables enterprises, suppliers, distributors and retailers to grow. actyv Go, actyv Score, actyv PayLater, actyv Insure and actyv Invest are the various product categories on the platform. For more information, please visit: https://www.actyv.ai/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230110005650/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Xsolla Announces New Office Location in Kuala Lumpur as Part of Continued Expansion and Commitment to Asia

Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company celebrates opening a new office in Kuala Lumpur, one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia and the largest city in Malaysia. This will be the largest Xsolla office globally outside of Los Angeles, where it is headquartered. This expansion helps Xsolla offer its growing list of innovative products to even more game companies worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005298/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) "We welcome Xsolla's entry into Malaysia, and their confidence in our digital content ecosystem is a glowing endorsement of Malaysia's capabilities and capacities. We will continue to strive to facilitate further expansion and growth of key partners in utilising the nation as a hub to land and expand to the wider ASEAN region. With the new national strategic initiative, Malaysia Digital (MD), in place, we are confident that Malaysia will continue to be the digital hub of choice," said Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC. Xsolla provides industry-leading solutions helping mobile, pc, and web-based video game developers to expand their audiences and monetize their games better. The expasion into Kuala Lumpur is in line with the growing number of gamers and mobile game companies in Asia, enabling Xsolla to provide products that align with market needs and help our partners engage directly with consumers.



"Xsolla has recognized the importance of growth within the gaming industry and the region. By establishing a local entity within Kuala Lumpur, we will expand our network to help developers provide exclusive access to gamers and their preferred payment method to purchase their favourite games," said Ilya Mamontov, Managing Director of Xsolla in Malaysia. "Because of our regional expansion, we will be adding new talent to the Xsolla development team here in Kuala Lumpur to support the local efforts and our global team." Xsolla helps video game developers fund, launch, market, monetize and sell their games in over 200 countries worldwide. Its advanced tools and services can enable developers to accelerate their gaming business by reaching players who want to pay for their gaming experiences using their preferred payment method locally. Xsolla has already helped provide developers with access to new gamers by enabling transactions in 130+ currencies and 20+ languages.

"We are making great strides around the world to help our partners market, sell and monetize their games in over 200+ regions," said Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. "As a global company, this office opening will continue our mission of helping our game partners achieve even greater success in this ever-evolving market." About Xsolla Xsolla is a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla's mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Xsolla is headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and cities around the world. Xsolla supports major gaming companies like Valve, Twitch, Roblox, Ubisoft, Epic Games, KRAFTON, Nexters, NetEase, Playstudios, Playrix, miHoYo, Pearl Abyss, NCSoft, and more. For additional information and to learn more, please visit xsolla.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005298/en/

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[January 12, 2023] FREYR Battery Signs First E-Mobility Offtake Agreement with Impact Clean Power Technology to Supply Up to 14 GWh of LFP Cells

FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) ("FREYR"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has announced a conditional offtake agreement ("COA") with Impact Clean Power Technology ("Impact"), a leading manufacturer of battery systems for transportation, industry and stationary energy storage for renewable energy sources, traditional power generation, rail, and telecommunications. Under the terms of the agreement, FREYR will supply 10 - 14 GWh of clean, next-generation battery cells based on the 24M Technologies, Inc. ("24M") SemiSolidTM platform to Impact from 2025 - 2030. FREYR intends to supply Impact with clean battery solutions based on the same battery cell architecture as the ESS products that will be produced at its Giga Arctic battery production facility in Mo i Rana, Norway. The LFP cells will be integrated into Impact's E-Mobility products for use in commercial vehicles as well as other applications. "This COA with Impact marks our first commercial agreement to produce fit-for-purpose LFP cells for the E-Mobility market alongside our already strong traction in the ESS sector. Following today's announcement, FREYR's portfolio of offtake and long-term sales agreements now exceeds 130 GWh of production in both ESS and E-Mobility markets through 2030, which demonstrates our growing commercial presence globally," remarked Tom Einar Jensen, Co-Founder and CEO of FREYR. "Impact and FREYR share an ambition to accelerate the urgently required decarbonization of the world's transportation systems, which as of today account for roughly 25% of global carbon emissions. Commercial vehicles could generate more than 1 TWh of cumulative battery demand on a stand-alone basis by 2030 in Europe and the U.S. to comply with the Paris Agreement 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. With our low cost and long cycle life LFP cell, produced in our facility powered solely by renewable energy, we expect to support the net zero pathway for a large share of commercial vehicle manufacturers," Jensen added. FREYR is targeting the commercial and passenger vehicle markets to complement the company's continued strong traction in the ESS space. By producing clean, next-generation battery solutions and aspiring to localize and decarbonize supply chains, FREYR is seeking to provide a distinct and competitively differentiated LFP cell offering from conventional technology suppliers based in Asia. FREYR's LFP cells for the ESS and E-Mobility markets are based on 24M's SemiSolidTM platform, wich enables lower-cost and more sustainable lithium-ion battery production.



"We sought a sustainable LFP producer in Europe that could supply our facility in Warsaw, aiding us in meeting the growing demand for batteries in the E-Mobility space. In FREYR, we have a like-minded partner that is dedicated to the decarbonization of important sectors like commercial transportation," said Bartlomiej Kras, CEO at Impact. The contract between FREYR and Impact covers the period until 2030, with potential for further extension. This framework agreement is non-binding and the orders will be carried out in accordance with the needs of Impact and may reach a value of $1.8 billion based on BNEF's recent 2025 lithium price estimates and other conditions.

About FREYR Battery FREYR Battery aims to provide industrial scale clean battery solutions to reduce global emissions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, FREYR's mission is to produce green battery cells to accelerate the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems globally. FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in Vaasa, Finland, and the United States. FREYR intends to install 50 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and 100 GWh annual capacity by 2028 and 200 GWh of annual capacity by 2030. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com About Impact Clean Power Technology A leading manufacturer of battery systems for transportation, industry, and stationary energy storage for RES, traditional power generation, rail, and telecommunications. In addition to the domestic market, Impact Clean Power Technology sells its products throughout Europe, New Zealand, and the United States. The investment of Impact's battery systems GigafactoryX will boost the company's production capacity to up to 5 GWh per year. www.icpt.eu Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding any expected deliveries between FREYR and Impact, including FREYR's intention to supply Impact with clean battery solutions based on its products that will be produced at the Giga Arctic facility; any anticipated uses of FREYR's LFP cells in Impact's products and applications; FREYR's traction in the ESS market; FREYR's expected 130 GWh production through 2030; the projection that commercial vehicles could require more than 1 TWh of cumulative battery demand by 2030 in Europe and the US to stay in line with the Paris Agreement of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius; the ability for FREYR to support the net zero pathway for a large share of commercial vehicle manufacturers; FREYR's targeted markets and its aspiration to localize and decarbonize supply chains; any competitive differentiators between FREYR's products and those of conventional technology suppliers in Asia; any expected benefits or impact of the use of 24M's technology; and the estimated value of any agreements between FREYR and Impact are forward-looking and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYR's control and difficult to predict. Information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the "Risk Factors" section in FREYR's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 1, 2022, as amended, and in other SEC filings available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005292/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Pritzker Private Capital Elevates Chris Trick to Co-Head of its Manufactured Products Group

Pritzker Private Capital ("PPC"), a leader in family direct investing, today announced the elevation of Investment Partner Chris Trick to Co-Head of the firm's Manufactured Products group. Mr. Trick will lead the Manufactured Products group alongside Operating Partner Terry Sutter. PPC's Manufactured Products group invests significant capital in high-quality, growth-focused leaders in food & beverage, packaging, household & personal care and specialty industrial businesses. Since joining Pritzker Private Capital in 2014, Mr. Trick has been instrumental in identifying partnership opportunities with family-owned and founder-led businesses across the manufactured products sector. He recently led PPC's platform investments in Bardstown Bourbon Company, an innovative distiller and bottler of Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey, and Monogram Foods, a developer and producer of meat snacks, appetizers and sandwiches. In addition, Mr. Trick has been instrumental in more than 40 add-on acquisitions across the firm's family of operating companies, including supporting ProAmpac's expansion into one of the world's largest flexible packaing manufacturers and C.H. Guenther & Son's growth as a leading manufacturer of specialty bakery and frozen food products for multinational QSR brands.



"I am thrilled to announce Chris' well-earned promotion in recognition of his impressive contributions to our firm and our family of companies," said Michael Nelson, Managing Partner at PPC. "Chris has established a very successful investing track record and built strong relationships with leading family- and entrepreneur-owned businesses in the manufactured products sector and. I am confident he will continue to play a key role as we execute our differentiated strategy of connecting family capital with family-owned businesses and expand our Manufactured Products platform." "Chris' leadership has been indispensable to our partnerships with management teams and founding families across our operating companies," said Tony Pritzker, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pritzker Private Capital. "Chris lives out our core values of honesty, integrity and loyalty in his approach to driving long-term growth and value creation."

Prior to his tenure at PPC, Mr. Trick served as an associate with KRG Capital Partners after beginning his career as an investment banking analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. Mr. Trick received his MBA with honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds a B.S. in finance from the University of Notre Dame. About Pritzker Private Capital

Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm's differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005250/en/

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Efforts to raise North Dakota medical marijuana patients' 30-day THC limit cleared the state Senate on Wednesday after a divided committee vote to kill the bill.

The Senate in a 33-14 vote passed Senate Bill 2068, brought by Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

The bill originally sought to double the amount of THC in products such as tinctures and lotions that medical marijuana patients may purchase in a 30-day period, from 4,000 milligrams to 8,000. THC is what gives marijuana users a high.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had given the bill a 4-3 "do not pass" recommendation. But the bill passed with a change to 6,000 milligrams instead, after the Senate approved a floor amendment by Roers.

Roers, a nurse, has said the bill strives to address differences in THC amounts in differing products and to move patients away from smoking dried leaves and flowers to using manufactured products, which she said have a consistent dose of THC.

"I hate to be before you to ask you to play doctor today, but the experts in the field are telling us that the statute that's in place currently is not quite working, and so we want to move that up just to 6,000 milligrams so hopefully we can keep people as comfortable as possible, whether it's for cancer or any of the other debilitating diseases that they have been certified to be able to use this product for," Roers told the Senate.

Much of the Senate's debate focused on the floor amendment for 6,000 milligrams. Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, D-Fargo, said the 8,000 milligrams bill should advance.

Judiciary Committee Chair Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, voiced concerns about potential, future increases to patients' THC limits and how it might affect their tolerance.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, said, "Bringing it up to 6,000 -- next time it's 8,000, next time it's 12,000; we're playing a game with numbers, and (the) Judiciary Committee, the majority, felt like it is so uncertain what we're dealing with here."

Sen. Judy Estenson, R-Warwick, a retired nurse, said the Senate "should make some effort to give the people the drug that they need."

Patients are limited every 30 days to purchases of 2.5 ounces of dried leaves and flowers or 4,000 milligrams of THC in products such as concentrates, tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches and lotions, according to state Medical Marijuana Director Jason Wahl.

North Dakotas 30-day THC limit is on the very, very, very low end, if not the lowest in medical programs compared to other states, according to Wahl.

North Dakota voters in 2016 approved of a state medical marijuana program; it has 8,898 active patient cards, with manufacturing facilities in Bismarck and Fargo, and eight dispensaries statewide, including one in Bismarck.
[January 12, 2023] Atlas Global Brands Signs LOI with a Licensed Cannabis Producer

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CHATHAM, ONTARIO and TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Company adds new state-of-the-art facilities and cultivation processes to increase annual production capacity



Atlas Global Brands Inc. (CSE: ATL), (formerly Silver Phoenix Resources Inc. Silver Phoenix) (CSE: SP), a global cannabis company with expertise across the cannabis value chain, announces that it has entered into a binding letter of intent (LOI) pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the outstanding securities of a privately-owned licensed cannabis producer (the Licensed Producer), based in Ontario with facilities and cultivation processes that are GACP and CUMCS certified to add an additional 3,500 KGs in annual production capacity (the Proposed Transaction). The Proposed Transaction will be structured as a share exchange pursuant to which the vendors will be issued 10,000,000 common shares in Atlas at a deemed price of $1.00 per common share. The final structure of the Proposed Transaction will be determined by the parties following receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice. The privately held Licensed Producer uses an innovative genetic selection program to search for outstanding phenotypes, enhancing its ability to achieve the full genetic potential of its cultivars. This genetic selection program generates hundreds of candidates of a particular strain, then uses data to identify the seedlings with the strongest lab-tested levels of both THC and terpenes, and the most desirable traits for its indoor growing environment. With the addition of a nursery operation, the Licensed Producer has access to hundreds of genetics from around the world. In a highly competitive space that demands the best quality at the best prices, we are excited to add this low-cost indoor Licensed Producer to our platform, further strengthening our ability to fulfill demand by thoughtful expansion of production capacity, said Sheldon Croome, Interim CEO of Atlas Global. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to investing in our core business, as we position Atlas as a global growth and innovation platform. We will continue to identify other strategic and accretive acquisitions that will accelerate our global growth, scale and reach. Leveraging the existing GACP and CUMCS certifications, alongside a genetic selection program, Atlas expects to be able to rapidly commercialize an enhanced brand portfolio, drive international growth, and deliver accretive margin expansion by capitalizing on its strategy to maximize value in deliveringquality products to global markets through its vertically integrated supply chain.



The parties intend to enter into a definitive agreement in respect of the transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") by February 1, 2023, or such other date as may be agreed to by the Vendors and the Company. The Proposed Transaction is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including, as applicable, approval of the CSE, completion of due diligence reasonable or customary in a transaction of a similar nature, and entering into a definitive agreement, among other conditions. The Proposed Transaction would be an arms-length transaction for the Company and would not constitute a fundamental change or result in a change of control of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the CSE. The Proposed Transaction is expected to close early in Q1 2023. Upon entering into the Definitive Agreement, the Company intends to issue a further press release which will disclose the finalized terms of the transaction.

About Atlas Global

Atlas Global is a global cannabis company operating in Canada and Israel with expertise across the cannabis value chain: cultivation, manufacturing, scalability, marketing, distribution and pharmacy. Atlas currently serves eight countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In addition to a differentiated product mix, geographic dispersion of brands demonstrates additional diversification. Atlas currently operates two fully accredited and licensed cannabis facilities, including one EU-GMP facility. Additional Information Sheldon Croome

Interim CEO

780-784-5920

[email protected] Alyssa Barry

Media and Investor Relations

1-833-947-5227

[email protected] 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. Forward-looking information in this news release is based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including assumptions that all conditions to the closing of the Proposed Transaction will be satisfied and that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms set forth in the LOI. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Such risk factors may include, among others, the risk that required approvals and the satisfaction of material conditions are not obtained in connection with the Proposed Transaction, the risk that the Proposed Transaction is not approved or completed on the terms set out in the LOI or that a Definitive Agreement will not be entered into in connection therewith. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information 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.. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements set forth herein concerning the Company reflect management's expectations as at the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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.



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[January 12, 2023] SOFAR Reveals New Brand Identity and Website Reflecting Its Focus on a Net-zero Future

FRANKFURT, Germany, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SOFAR, the global leading supplier of PV and energy storage solutions reveals a new brand campaign in Shenzhen, China and Frankfurt, Germany, displaying the company's commitment to innovation and its role in powering a net-zero future. In line with two offline venues, SOFAR also launches a live streaming to reach global audience, which has been rebroadcast by 15 media platforms. Through the combination of physical event and live streaming, SOFAR emphasizes its commitment to posing a positive impact on building a more sustainable and low-carbon planet, making renewables accessible and available for all. A new logo, with new implications Simplified from 'SOFARSOLAR' to 'SOFAR', the company endows its new brand name with new implications. Each letter is taken from a relevant word, 'S' for sustainable, 'O' for net-zero, 'F' for future-proof, 'A' for affordable and 'R' for reliable, which emphasizes its ambition on reshaping the future energy structure with advanced digital energy solutions. A new VI, a new look The new wordmark has been modernized in both the color and the font. Adopting aurora green that stands for clean energy and cerulean blue that represents digitalization, the new brand image dmonstrates a deep integration of these two elements.



A futuristic-look website, for better experience SOFAR has upgraded its website with a futuristic look which is optimized to offer visitors smooth, user-friendly and more interactive experience. Employing horizontal switch for the homepage, the new website (https://www.sofarsolar.com/) is able to provide users with a more creative interface. Apart from presenting a comprehensive ecosystem of future digital energy, the new website makes it possible for visitors to see the dynamic product deconstruction and have a more vivid understanding of SOFAR system solutions.

Meet Xiaohang, SOFAR's new avatar To everyone's surprise, SOFAR also unveils its new brand avatar - Xiaohang. Endowed with the characteristics of being lively, enterprising, honest and knowledgeable, this new avatar embodies the spirit of integrity, exploration and consideration of SOFAR, which helps build a brand image with affinity. Stepping into the 10th anniversary of its rapid expansion, SOFAR leads the PV & Storage technology revolution as one of global TOP5 Hybrid Inverter Suppliers. In 2022, SOFAR launched the pioneering all-in-one residential solar + storage system SOFAR PowerAll, bolstering its leading position in PV and energy storage sector. By the end of 2021, SOFAR shipped over 1 million inverters to more than 100 countries worldwide, empowering global customers on the journey towards a more sustainable and low-carbon lifestyle. "Upholding the mission of technology drives green energy, we are devoted to making contributions to green transition as the leading provider of digital energy solutions," said Guy Rong, Senior Vice President of SOFAR. "In the future, we will keep focusing on renewable energy technologies, making investment in R&D and adhering to innovation-driven growth, thus bringing forth our sustainable, net-zero, future-proof, affordable and reliable solutions for more communities." Rong concluded. About SOFAR SOFAR is a global leading supplier of solar PV and energy storage solutions and committed to be the leader of digital energy solutions. SOFAR has always insisted on independent innovation, established a global R&D network with three R&D centers. As the world's fastest-growing solar energy brand, SOFAR compound annual growth rate reaches 86% and its annual production capacity reaches 10GW for PV & storage inverters and 1GWh for batteries. By the end of 2021, SOFAR had shipped over 1 million inverters to more than 100 countries, becoming the TOP5 Global Hybrid Inverter Suppliers. Learn more about SOFAR by visiting: https://www.sofarsolar.com/. SOURCE SOFAR

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[January 12, 2023] BigBear.ai Secures 10-Year Multiple Award $900 Million IDIQ Contract with the U.S. Air Force

BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI), a leader in AI-powered analytics and cyber engineering solutions, today announced it has been awarded a multiple award $900 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Air Force. The contract vehicle allows BigBear.ai to compete for task orders delivering capabilities, systems, and synthetic environments to the Air Force as a prime contractor. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Architectures and Integration Directorate expects the work on awarded task orders to be completed by 2032. Under the terms of the contract, BigBear.ai can also compete for task orders supporting the research and development of new echnologies, creation of rapid prototypes, capability testing, and solution implementation.



"BigBear.ai understands the importance in bringing cutting-edge and resilient solutions to each mission and we are honored to be selected for this opportunity," said Tony Barrett, President and General Manager of Federal Markets at BigBear.ai. "This contract will allow us to continue our long-term partnership with the U.S. Air Force and support as a prime contractor in future opportunities." About BigBear.ai

BigBear.ai delivers AI-powered analytics and cyber engineering solutions to support mission-critical operations and decision-making in complex, real-world environments. BigBear.ai's customers, which include the US Intelligence Community, as well as customers in manufacturing, logistics, commercial space, and other sectors, rely on BigBear.ai's solutions to see and shape their world through reliable, predictive insights and goal-oriented advice. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, BigBear.ai has additional locations in Virginia and Michigan. For more information, please visit: https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on Twitter: @BigBearai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005289/en/

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[January 12, 2023] SAIC Awarded $349M Contract to Support U.S. Navy Tactical Networks

Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded a $349 million contract by the U.S. Navy to continue supporting In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) functions for Afloat and Ashore Tactical Networks (TACNET). "Our expertise in network engineering, modernization, sustainment and logistics positions us to provide long-term support to the U.S. Navy for afloat and ashore networks," said Bob Genter, president, Defense & Civilian Sector at SAIC. "We have provided services to this program for decades and are excited to help the Navy continue its IT modernization and transformation initiatives." Under the five-year contract, SAIC will continue to provide management, engineering, technical, integrated logistics, configuration management, and life cycle support for afloat and ashore TACNET and command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems. For more than 15 years, SAIC has supported the Navy's TACNET program by providing systems engineering services to help the Navy transmit and receive information to support combat readiness. SAIC will primarily perform work under this contract in San Diego, California. NIWC Pacific provides technological and engineering support critical to information warfare for the Navy, as well as for the Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard programs. Systems development and support includes basic research and prototype development through systems engineering, and integration to life cycle support of fielded systems. To learn more about SAIC's work with the Department of Defense, visit www.saic.com/defense. About SAIC SAIC is a premier Frtune 500 technology integrator driving our nation's technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.



We are approximately 26,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.4 billion.???? For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom. Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release contain or are based on "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "guidance," and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC's website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC's expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005055/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Bonaventure's Investment Activities Exceed $1 Billion in 2022

Bonaventure, an integrated asset manager focused on the development, construction, and property management of innovative lifestyle multifamily communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions, today announced that its investment activities exceeded $1 billion in 2022, demonstrating sustained growth and the company's proven ability to successfully navigate changing market conditions. Over the past year, Bonaventure acquired six multifamily communities across its target markets, comprising 1,399 units for $358 million. Five assets are located in Virginia (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Richmond, Hampton and Newport News) and one is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. As it relates to development activities, Bonaventure delivered phase one of Palmer's Creek, a 200-unit luxury attainable multifamily community located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Attain at Harbour View, a 300-unit luxury market rate multifamily community located in Suffolk, Virginia. The company also continued to build out its development pipeline with the addition of seven properties under construction. These projects include: Four senior living communities totaling 560 units in Virginia (Chesapeake, Spotsylvania, and Alexandria) and Cary, North Carolina, which represents a new market for Bonaventure. Three multifamily communities comprising 821 units located in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, Virginia, as well as Huntsville, Alabama, which is also a new market for Bonaventure. Bonaventure also took over management of a multifamily community in Richmond, Virginia and sold one luxury multifamily property in Williamsburg, Virginia for $100 million, delivering an attractive return on invested capital. Commenting on the year's business activity, Bonaventure founder and CEO, Dwight Dunton, said: "2022 was a highly productive and very successful year for Bonaventure on a number of fronts. We significantly increased our acqisition activity year-over-year and executed our development pipeline, demonstrating our ability to consistently source transactions and investment opportunities that meet our strict investment criteria. Moreover, we entered new markets, added great talent across the enterprise and formed mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations that enable us to reach new investors, expand our professional network and help cultivate the next generation of industry talent. Our team has acted with diligence and patience at every turn of the market and stayed the course of our strategies, delivering remarkable results in the process."



Bonaventure continued to add exceptional talent to its team in 2022 with the hiring of Barry H. Bass as Chief Financial Officer, a key role to advance the company's strategic growth priorities. Furthermore, Bonaventure formed strategic partnerships with third parties to support its business and ESG goals. Its partnership with iCapital provides a customized end-to-end technology solution that enables financial advisors and their accredited clients to access Bonaventure's alternative investment offerings. A partnership with Family Office Networks (FON) expanded the firm's investor universe, providing Bonaventure access to more than 500,000+ subscriber participants, including more than 10,000 family offices. The company's partnership with Project Destined provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate to students from underserved communities. Given Bonaventure's vertically-integrated platform, deep knowledge of its target markets, extensive capital relationships, and experience investing through multiple economic cycles, the company is uniquely positioned to grow and deliver enduring value to its stakeholders.

About Bonaventure Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, Bonaventure is an integrated alternative asset management firm specializing in multifamily design, development, construction, investment and property management. Bonaventure has over $1.5 billion of assets under management, is an expert at utilizing low-cost financing, and manages over 6,000 apartment units across 31 communities primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions. Since its founding in 1999 by Dwight Dunton, with the intent to create best-in-class capabilities connecting capital to assets, the focus of the firm has been to generate excess returns on a risk adjusted basis while building enduring value through ingenuity. To learn more, visit www.Bonaventure.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005316/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Wee-Cig International Corp. Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire The Jamaican Brew House

Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Wee-Cig International Corporation (OTCMarkets: WCIG), a company focused on identifying and growing top tech companies in emerging markets, today announced that we have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire The Jamaican Brew House. The Jamaican Brew House (JBH) is a producer of an exclusive neutral liquid base made from cannabis that can be used in a range of food and beverage applications. The naturally soluble liquid eliminates the need for emulsification or nanoencapsulation, resulting in a finished product that has consistent CBD/THC content and is free of the taste of cannabis terpenes. JBH is the first company to utilize a botanical process to naturally create a neutral cannabis base and is further differentiated by its innovative products, unique flavor profiles, and customer-first experience, making cannabis products moe enjoyable for consumers. The team at JBH includes sales and marketing leaders from the beverages industry, cannabis and food processing, and a corporate advisory team, all of whom will bring their industry knowledge to the company's operations.



This acquisition will bring a patent pending technology to Wee-Cig International Corporation, which the Company intends to immediately commence marketing. The Company expects to enter into a definitive agreement with JBH no later than thirty (30) days from entry into this LOI, with a closing during the first quarter of fiscal 2023. "I am extremely excited to announce we have entered into a Letter of Intent," comments Efraim Babayov, CFO of Wee-Cig International Corporation. The expansion of operations of The Jamaican Brew House is expected to be the focus of our company in 2023 and will bring a new and existing operating segment. I believe this acquisition once concluded will provide tremendous value to our company and shareholders."

Concurrent with the entry into this Letter of Intent, Mr. Russell Korus, CEO, President and director of the Company, has resigned all positions. Mr. Efraim Babayov has agreed to assume the role of interim CEO and President. About Wee-Cig International Corporation Wee-Cig International Corporation is a publicly traded holding and acquisition company (WCIG) with a particular talent in identifying top tech companies in emerging markets and helping them get to the next level. Constantly scouring the technology landscape to find the best investment

opportunities, Wee-Cig targets companies that capitalize on unique opportunities by leveraging extensive, decades long industry relationships and management expertise. For more information,

visit: https://weecigcorp.com/ For media inquires contact:

Wee-Cig Media Relations

[email protected]



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[January 12, 2023] eleven-x's Innovative Parking Solution eXactpark Wins "Overall Smart City Solution Of The Year" from 2023 IoT Breakthrough Awards Program

WATERLOO, Ontario, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eleven-x , a global leader providing comprehensive, high-performance, wireless IoT and Smart City solutions, today announced that its eXactpark solution has been named Overall Smart City Solution Of The Year in the 7th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program conducted by IoT Breakthrough , a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market today.

The innovative smart parking monitoring solution, which is already being utilized by cities and institutions across North America, enables a stress-free parking experience for drivers and improved oversight for parking managers. The comprehensive solution combines a sensor-based real-time occupancy monitoring technology and a complete software platform that provides insight on parking availability for wayfinding as well as more efficient parking management. Parking has a major impact on driver experience, budgets, and traffic congestion for cities, campuses, and all types of private organizations. A smart parking experience starts with drivers knowing exactly where an available space is and ends with seamless payment, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. eleven-x is delivering on this experience, transforming the parking experience through its breakthrough parking technology, eXactpark. Their smart platform provides elements for anyone that engages with parking by combining sensor-based space occupancy monitoring, real-time data, and intelligent enforcement amongst other features included in the comprehensive platform. The foundation of the eXactpark smart parking solution is a wireless SPS-X parking sensor, which received the IoT Breakthrough Award for IoT Sensor Product of the Year last year. The patent-pending sensor employs multiple technologies along with advanced edge processing, to provide ultra-long battery life, reliability and most impotantly greater than 99.5% accuracy - the highest in the industry. It can be installed in various environments including on-street and surface lots as well as above or in-ground, ensuring accuracy in any environmental condition.



The eXactpark software suite provides advanced real-time analytics of more than 20 key parking metrics such as stall occupancy status, turnover, demand overtime, duration, and pinch point indicators. Insights gained through historical data can be used for dynamic pricing initiatives and infrastructure planning efforts. Parking administrators can set overstay alarms and alerts that are specific to different zones, stall types, and duration to ensure effective management of spaces. Additionally, the solutions wayfinding app provides drivers with real-time access to parking availability removing the need for circling and searching. It can also highlight the location and usage status of specialty spaces like those for EV Charging and Accessibility. Parking has wide ranging impact on everything from climate change to land use, economic development and community livability, said Dan Mathers, CEO & Co-Founder of eleven-x. With eXactpark, smart cities can address traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve urban mobility and better utilize limited resources. These collective outcomes not only help improve the parking experience, but also the overall lives of residents and visitors. Because of this, we are thrilled eXactpark was chosen as the Overall Smart City Solution Of The Year.

The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. This years program attracted more than 4,000 nominations from companies all over the world. For more information on eleven-xs eXactpark solution please visit exactpark.com. About eleven-x Inc.

eleven-x has a world-renowned reputation as a global leader providing wireless, high-performance, IoT and Smart City solutions for cities, campuses, and enterprises. Customers rely on the companys expertise to deliver comprehensive solutions that are easy-to-use, fully scalable to help reduce costs, drive additional revenues and most importantly, deliver better services. eleven-x is currently transforming the parking experience through its industry leading parking technology offering eXactpark, a sensor-based space occupancy monitoring solution and comprehensive software platform, which enables frictionless parking for drivers and parking managers. Built on the award-winning, patent-pending SPS-X sensor, eXactpark helps customers achieve their key goals of traffic reduction, real-time status availability, improved compliance, increased revenues, lower operating costs and reduced GHG emissions. The solution is being utilized by cities and institutions across North America to successfully address mobility challenges. Visit eleven-x.com for more information and follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , and YouTube . About IoT Breakthrough

Part of the Tech Breakthrough , a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com . Media Contact:

eleven-x Inc.: Mark Hall - [email protected] | phone: 1.226.887.0011



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[January 12, 2023] Fourth Annual Global InsurTech Competition Opens for Submissions

InsurTech NY will Award Startups $200,000 in Prizes NEW YORK,, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InsurTech NY has started accepting applications for its Global Startup Competition for early-stage InsurTechs. The competition features a prize pool of $200,000 that will be selected by three judging groups  InsurTech Fund, carriers and brokers, and InsurTech investors. Startups will be judged based on their expression of the most commercial potential in the application. The top ten teams will present live at the InsurTech Spring Conference held on March 29 - 30 in NYC to the entire conference audience. The 2022 finalists presented to an audience of more than 600 people at the NY Marriott Marquis. "The Global InsurTech Competition allowed us to raise awareness about the challenges in the market for roofing repairs post claim and our solution for the industry," said Garrett Kurtt, CEO of OneClick Data and winner of the 2022 competition. The judging pools are comprised of insurance carriers/brokers, venture capitalists, and angel investors. Judges will score each company based on their investment and market potential. The judges represent organizations including Avanta Ventures, Candid Insrance Investors, Founders Shield, Gallagher, Lockton, Park City Angels, QBE Ventures, Starr Insurance, TIAA, and Tokio Marine.



"Every InsurTech needs exposure and investment to grow," said David Gritz, Managing Director of InsurTech NY. "Past competition winners have attracted more than $45 million in funding post-competition and had exposure to hundreds of insurance carriers and brokers." Contestants are eligible for the competition if they ended 2022 with less than $250,000 in revenue. The top ten finalists will be announced in early March and will present in person at the 2023 InsurTech Conference . The deadline for submissions is February 10, 2023.

About InsurTech NY InsurTech NY is an international gateway to bring together the insurance innovation community. It brings together carriers, brokers, investors, and InsurTech startups via educational and networking events, a competition, an accelerator, and a startup lab. InsurTech NY's mission is to accelerate corporate innovation, drive talent to insurance, make regulation innovation-friendly, and improve access to investment. See more at www.insurtechny.com or follow the company on social at linkedin.com/company/insurtechny . Contact: David Gritz

[email protected]

212-634-9516 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fourth-annual-global-insurtech-competition-opens-for-submissions-301720351.html SOURCE InsurTech NY

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[January 12, 2023] Mastercard Names Devin Corr as Head of Investor Relations

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) today appointed Devin Corr as executive vice president of investor relations, effective May 1, 2023. This appointment comes as Warren Kneeshaw announced he will retire from Mastercard. Kneeshaw joined Mastercard in 2016. Under his leadership, Mastercard's investor relations program has been highly recognized, as he effectively managed investor interactions, including during both a CEO and CFO transition. Kneeshaw will continue to serve in an advisory capacity and work on special projects through the end of the year. Prior to joining Mastercard, Kneeshaw held various finance and investor relations roles at Qualcomm, Textron, Nortel Networks and Procter & Gamble. "Warren has played a key role in the continued growth of the company's profile across the investor community over the past six-plus years," said Sachin Mehra, chief financial officer. "His deep relationships with the investment community - and across the organization - have helped us advance our strategy and navigate a unique economic environment over the past few years." As executive vice president of investor relations, Corr will oversee the team responsible for cultivating relationships with the investment community His team will continue to focus on educating and updating investors and providing management and the board with feedback on how the market views the company. Corr will work closely with several groups, including with the management committee, the corporate controller and corporate secretary, to deliver key information to a range of stakeholders.



"Devin brings a unique perspective to this role. Not only does he have a deep knowledge of our diverse business, but his tenure working on several equities' desks will help continue to evolve our relationship with our stockholders and the broader investment community," said Mehra. Corr currently serves as the chief financial officer for Mastercard's Data and Services activities. Before moving into this role, he served in a number of finance leadership positions, including support of Consumer Products and the company's UK, Ireland, Nordic and Baltics division. Corr originally joined Mastercard in 2013 to manage customer risk management activities across the Americas.

Earlier in his career, Corr worked in equity trading at UBS and equity research at Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch. He also spent time at General Motors treasurer's office. Corr earned his Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Economics from Cornell University. About Mastercard Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005440/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Advantum Health Announces the Release of ATOM, a Holistic Platform for Healthcare RCM

A new brand and website accompany the release of ATOM for Advantum clients seeking technology-driven revenue cycle management optimization LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantum Health , an industry-leading practice revenue management authority, announced the official release of ATOM, an innovative and proprietary platform that serves as the technology backbone for the company's experienced RCM team. The ATOM application is composed of integrated modules addressing Workflow, Charge Entry, Denial Analytics, Prior Authorizations, Quality Assurance, Audits and Reporting. Deployment is customized to meet the unique needs of each Advantum client. Permission-based users access real-time status updates, dashboards, reports, industry benchmarking, predictive analytics and education all within the web-based ATOM portal. Tammy Taylor, CEO of Advantum Health, discussed the evolution of ATOM, saying, "ATOM was created as an internal tool with our front-line staff and development team working hand-in-hand Over time, the platform has evolved into an integrated suite of powerful applications that streamline workflow, improve accuracy and efficiency, and deliver actionable insight and real-time updates to our clients. We are pleased to officially share ATOM with the world through a new brand and web presence."



ATOM leverages automation and machine learning to amplify the quality of Advantum's client services, improving payment velocity and turnaround time, boosting KPIs and risk scores, and maintaining transparent communication and seamless workflow. Jamie Reid, Senior Vice-President of IT Infrastructure and Security at Advantum Health, explained the relationship of ATOM to a client's existing technology platforms, stating, "ATOM functions as an integrated overlay with functional modules orbiting the workflow core, delivering two-way communication and ensuring that the system of record stays current and accurate. Essentially, the existing practice management platform acts as the source of truth, with ATOM functioning as a component of the ecosystem with only light direct intervention by the provider's team. Our development team has worked tirelessly to build a platform that is user-friendly. In fact, we are finding that ATOM is so efficient and intuitive for new users that minimal training is required."

Powered by ATOM, the Advantum Health team allows valuable healthcare clinical, financial and operational staff to focus on their real jobsleaving the tasks associated with RCM to the pros. To learn more about ATOM and Advantum Health, visit www.advantumhealth.com/technology . About Advantum Health Advantum Health, powered by the ATOM platform, is an industry-leading practice revenue management authority, delivering comprehensive solutions for revenue cycle optimization, including billing, coding, focused follow-up, credentialing, authorizations, eligibility and auditing. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Advantum's global team of experts is over 600 strong, and the company is powering rapid growth fueled both organically and through acquisitions. Learn more at www.advantumhealth.com . Contact:

Trish Thomas

[email protected]

+1 720-224-4923 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advantum-health-announces-the-release-of-atom-a-holistic-platform-for-healthcare-rcm-301719152.html SOURCE Advantum Health

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[January 12, 2023] XY Retail Partners with BinHexS to Bring Speed and Flexibility to Retail Platform

XY Retail, the global commerce solution that helps retailers streamline omnichannel operations and foster the strongest, most meaningful and profitable relationships with their customers, today announced its partnership with Italy-based IT services company BinHexS. The new partnership strengthens XY Retail's ability to provide post-installation support services and better implement roll-out activities. XY Retail is a cloud-based, unified omnichannel commerce solution for luxury retailers looking to improve flexibility and speed to further meet customers' requests on its platform. Working with clients like Bally, Loewe, Versace and Giorgio Armani, BinHexS brings a high level of focused skills, knowledge and experience within the retail and fashion industry to deliver a worldwide network of partners to support XY's clients. "We believe BinHexS to be a perfect partner to support XY Retail," said Susan Jeffers, CEO of XY Retail. "The company has always provided extensive support to prominent fashion brands. With that quality of experience, we're confiden BinHexS will help to drive XY forward as we look to expand our platform in 2023."



BinHexS has become the premier name in fashion IT services, offering tailor-made technological solutions to address each client's individual needs and focus points. Now working alongside XY Retail, the company brings in the resources and expertise to support XY's growth and expand its capabilities. About BinHexS:

BinHexS, an IT services company, was established in 2006 from the idea of ??its founding partners to offer an innovative approach to the provision of traditional IT services. Through the optimization of IT processes and the implementation of the most innovative solutions, BinHexS accompanies its customers on their expansion journey. Learn more at www.binhexs.it. About XY Retail: XY Retail is the only headless unified commerce platform and POS built from the ground up for retail brands that want to streamline their omnichannel operations, foster meaningful customer relationships, and redefine the in-store experience for consumers and store associates. Luxury brands worldwide have adopted XY Retail's API-driven, mobile-first cloud platform to modernize their stores and manage their entire global retail operations - from data decisioning, stock management, and order management to hyper-personalized clienteling and merchandising experiences. The platform also boosts commerce by enabling retailers to fulfill online orders up to 300 percent faster. XY Retail is headquartered in New York and Milan and operates in over 23 countries. The company is backed by Stage 1 Ventures and Monta Vista Capital. Learn more at www.xyretail.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005025/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Crypto Exchange Blofin Released - Attention Drawn to Innovative and Traditional Financial Market

George Town, Cayman Islands, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blofin brought its crypto futures trading exchange into existence on January 12th. On the first day of operation, Blofin's trading system shows its ultimate performance in infrastructural stability and in market depth, both of which grounded the maximization of users' returns and the best shot to take market opportunities. The launch of the Blofin exchange received a lot of attention and recognition. The Blofin platform provides an exceptional user experience with its trading engine at high speed and tight security. The system processes thousands of orders per second. And it has the proven capability to resist terabytes of HTTP DDoS and L3/4 DDoS attacks. Users can then trade safely and efficiently on the Blofin platform with negligible latency and barely slippage. Blofin exchange received brilliant feedback from industrial experts who paid close attention to its launching. Harry Man, Partner of Matrix Partners China, is impressed by the vision of the Blofin team and the progress it has achieved so far: "We are content to see Blofin launch its crypto futures trading system. In the tides of industrial development, projects, especially trading platforms, have undergone iterations dramatically. Bringing a new trading platform into existence, Blofin has stuck to its mission that a good exchange should be trustworthy, easy to use, and always put the users' funds' securiy at priority. We believe Blofin will continue working on it."



Blofin partners with industry-leading institutions to provide multi-layer security measures for what crypto traders care about most. First, the platform draws the decentralized Merkle Tree verification to prove users reserve. Second, it uses the wallet as a service (WaaS) to keep users assets in third-party custody. Third, Blofin users can get preferential reimbursement in accidents from Fireblocks, which is the leading crypto assets custody provider in the U.S. Additionally, the platform is committed to adopting a Know-Your-Transaction solution from AnChain.AI, to ensure the most cutting-edge practice. "Blofin's integration of key measures including AI-powered algorithms, infrastructure, and analysis demonstrates their commitment to security in the digital asset ecosystem," commented Victor Fang, CEO, Chairman of Board, and Co-founder of AnChain.AI. The Blofin team celebrated the release of the exchange platform with a press handout and an endorsement from practitioners. The clearance of leverage in the crypto market has basically ended with price drops and institutional bankruptcies, while the risks within the industry have been released. The future of the crypto industry depends on both the macro market's influence and the industry's innovation. We are optimistic about all companies or projects that innovate in their own fields, provide better products and services, and operate honestly. The successful launch of blofin.com is our first step to the moon, said Matt Hu, Founder and CEO of Blofin, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2017.

The Blofin team has carried out ambassador, referral, and affiliate programs simultaneously with the platform launch. Through these programs, the team will be able to reach out to more crypto enthusiasts who have the same vision and maximize the influence of the brand. Now, the orientation activities are in full swing. About Blofin: Blofin was established in 2019 as a world-class crypto-fiat financial services institution. On Jan. 12th, 2023, Blofin launched its futures trading exchange platform packed with pragmatic security measures, including AI-powered algorithms, infrastructure, analysis, and more. Blofin team consists of serial entrepreneurs, executives from the traditional finance industry, professional traders, risk control professionals, and more.

Media Contacts: Qi Ai Content Manager from Blofin E: aiqi(at)blofin.io https://twitter.com/Blofin_exchange Victor Fang victor.fang(at)anchain.ai Harry Man harry.man(at)matrixpartners.com.cn

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[January 12, 2023] Insurity Launches New Analytics Feature for Sure Premium Audit, Enabling P&C Carriers to Improve Efficiency of Their Premium Auditing Processes by 15%

Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced the launch of Sure Premium Audit Analytics, a new product of its Sure Premium Audit solution that incorporates robust predictive analytics from Insurity Predict into the auditing processes to optimize premiums and operational efficiency by up to 15%. For many P&C carriers, detecting exposure risk remains challenging in the premium auditing process. It can be complex, if not rare, for premium audit departments to have the ability to audit their entire book of business. Rather, the current premium auditing process for many carriers is highly reactive and based on standard policy features, including location, premium, and industry. Sure Premium Audit Analytics tackles these challenges head-on with robust predictive models, and machine learningbuilt leveraging Insurity's 20-plus years of industry experience in the premium audit space. With Sure Premium Audit Analytics, carriers can enhance their audit workflows with embedded AI and machine learning to optimize the premium audit process by predicting audit results before the audit is even ordered. Carriers can streamline the auditing process by creating custom predictive models on a low-code, configurable interface.



Fully integrated into the Sure Premium Audit platform, P&C carriers and existing Sure Premium Audit customers can get started quickly with Insurity's turnkey analytics system. Insurity Predict allows customers to integrate these predictive models into any workflow or in-house tool. "Premium audits can be a time-consuming process, resulting in carriers leaving hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars of missed premium on the table," said Sylvester Mathis, Chief Insurance Officer at Insurity. "Sure Premium Audit Analytics takes the guesswork out of identifying premiums to audit by proactively flagging policies possessing the characteristics to generate exposures outside initial estimates. Audit costs are reduced or practically eliminated and time-consuming processes are removed by leveraging the most efficient audit methods."

To learn more about how Sure Premium Audit Analytics can benefit your organization, please reach out to [email protected]. About Insurity Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 15 of the top 25 P&C carriers and 7 of the top 10 MGAs in the US and has over 400 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and the industry's most robust analytics offerings, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners and TA Associates. For more information, visit www.insurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005584/en/

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[January 12, 2023] ETHDenver's #BUIDLathon and Community-Owned Innovation Festival Returns in February 2023

ETHDenver, the world's largest and longest running annual Ethereum event, is returning in February 2023 to Denver, cementing the Rocky Mountain region and the State of Colorado as a thriving hub of Ethereum and blockchain innovation. The free-to-attend event kicks off with its #BUIDLWeek from February 24 to March 1st with workshops and events for #BUIDLers, including developers and creators, to connect with sponsors and other #BUIDLers, learn new tools and skills, and prepare for the ETHDenver #BUIDLathon. Following #BUIDLWeek, ETHDenver's main event takes place March 2nd through 5th featuring its #BUIDLathon and Innovation Festival that focuses on education, community, and #BUIDLing. "ETHDenver is about bringing diverse creativity around a common purpose and aims to propel the global blockchain ecosystem into the future," said John Paller, founder and executive steward of ETHDenver. "Our artistic, community-driven festival is unlike any other event in the space because there is no cost for attendees, creating an accessible immersive and educational experience for anyone interested in participating. We welcome anyone that is interested in ideating and #BUIDLing towards a decentralized future to join us to get started or continue in their journey." The Innovation Festival features panels and talks with top blockchain influencers and experts on the latest trends in decentralization and all things blockchain. Speakers will include Vitalik Buterin, founder/creator of Ethereum; Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado; Kimbal Musk, founder of Big Green DAO, a non-profit led philanthropic DAO; Marguerite "coin_artist" deCourcelle, CEO of Blockade Games, an indie studio with a focus on AI/blockchain-based video games; and more. The Innovation Festival also includes technical workshops, art installations, live music, networking events, an expo area, lounges, and more. Staying true to one of its core values of accessibility, ETHDenver offers free childcare and complimentary food trucks for attendees.



The community participating in ETHDenver's #BUIDLathon shows up to contribute to the global blockchain ecosystem, whether by #BUIDLing decentralized applications (dApps), contributing to or starting infrastructure level projects, writing documentation, designing UI/UX, or creating graphics. The thousands of #BUIDLathon participants will compete for over $2 million in bounties and prizes and potentially be invited to the Bufficorn Ventures Incubator; SporkDAO's community investment fund. Startup founders attending ETHDenver are encouraged to apply for the BuffiTank Pitchfest, where winners may become Bufficorn Ventures portfolio companies. Last year, ETHDenver gathered more than 9k in-person attendees from 110 countries on six different continents. This year, it is expected to draw in an even larger crowd. Given the explosive growth of the event last year, it will now be held in a new, larger location downtown, in the National Western $SPORK Castle in the RiNo Art District.

Additional programming details and speakers to be released soon. For more information on ETHDenver, visit ethdenver.com. ABOUT ETHDENVER: ETHDenver is the world's largest annual Web3 #BUIDLathon and Community Innovation Festival. The community that attends ETHDenver have one overarching goal: to contribute to the global blockchain ecosystem. Contributions can be made in many ways ranging from #BUIDLing decentralized applications to writing tutorials and white papers. The Festival provides mentors, resources and educational content to assist in teaching, connecting and expanding all attendees' involvement in the space. Practicing what they preach since 2018, ETHDenver provides attendees with a futuristic experience by embedding Web3 tech experimentation throughout the event. See the full list of 2022 winners here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005580/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Accrete AI Named a Cool Vendor in AI Core Technologies

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Accrete AI, a leading provider of configurable dual-use AI solutions, today announced that the Company has been recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor in AI Core Technologies. Accretes continually learning AI platform, Nebula, powers configurable AI solutions that automate analytical work to help enterprises deal with information overload problems in mission-critical environments at the scale and complexity of the open-source web. Nebula accumulates interdisciplinary knowledge by continuously reading, understanding, and learning from multi-modal and multi-structured data. The platforms modularity and ability to accumulate, transfer, and build upon tacit domain knowledge facilitates templatization which is the key to scalability. Accretes first blockbuster templated solution powered by Nebula, Argus for open-source threat detection, is relevant to both government and commercial customers, and is being used in production by the U.S. Department of Defense. According to Gartner, The Cool Vendors in this research have demonstrated novel capabilities anging from causal AI to foundation models and decision intelligence that enables continuous intelligence design patterns.



The incredible excitement around foundational AI with the success of companies such as OpenAI and Hugging Face underscores that the market is realizing that AI is the next evolution of software. Nevertheless, most generative AI is static, offline, and limited in domain-specific applications. We are very proud to be recognized as a Cool Vendor in AI Core Technologies for Nebula, said Prashant Bhuyan, Accrete AI CEO, Founder, and Chairman. He added, Nebula leverages breakthroughs in the application of core AI technologies such as transformers, large language models, explainable AI, and human-computer interaction to create real-world value. At Accrete, we believe the purpose of intelligence is productivity. In order for AI to be more productive than humans, the AI must be able to perform analytical work at a scale and quality that would otherwise require armies of experts. View a complimentary copy of the December 2022 Cool Vendor report to learn more about AI core technologies and why Accrete is a Cool Vendor https://www.accrete.ai/accrete-cool-vendor-2022

Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology buyers to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designations. Gartner research publications consist of the options of Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including all warranties of merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. GARTNER is a registered trademarks and service mark, and COOL VENDORS is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner, Cool Vendors in AI Core Technologies, 23 December 2022, Arun Chandrasekaran, et. Al. About Accrete AI Accrete's mission is to create AI so powerful that it amplifies human reasoning and enables government entities and commercial enterprises to grow in previously unimaginable ways. Accrete, founded in 2017, delivers configurable dual-use AI solutions that automate complex analytical work for both government and enterprise customers with a focus on defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Accrete has 128 employees globally and is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Alexandria, Va. and Wellesley, Mass. For more information, visit www.accrete.ai. Contact: [email protected]

Company: Accrete

Phone: (415) 640-1230

Web: www.accrete.ai



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[January 12, 2023] The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) announces location for Quebec Biomanufacturing Training Facility

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) announced today its expansion into Quebec with the location of their future Biomanufacturing Training Facility in Montreal. Located at 4100 Molson Street, in the heart of the Technopole Angus, the new 4544 square foot training facility will contain leading-edge pilot-scale bioprocessing equipment that will allow employees to gain practical skills that are immediately transferable to process scale-up and clean room environments. The facility will be equipped with laboratories and classroom spaces built to deliver the highest quality bioprocessing training. With this new facility, CASTL can deliver on-site customized hands-on and theoretical training for entry-level employees through to senior management and post-secondary students. "CASTL is excited to buildout partnerships with academia, industry, and government in Quebec to address the future skills needs of the bioscience sector. This new facility located in Technopole Angus responds to the demand for highly skilled personnel in Quebec's growing biomanufacturing sector. We're pleased to partner with Societe de developpement Angus on this initiative," said Penny Walsh-McGuire, Executive Director, CASTL. Located just a few kilometres from downtown Montreal in the heart of the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough, Technopole Angus is a significant health care hub in East Montreal and houses public and private medical clinics and many organizations offering research, health, and wellness services. "The arrival of the CASTL Biomanufacturing Training Facility at Technopole Angus marks a step forward in our efforts to establish the Personalized Healthcare Zone in eastern Montreal. We are looking forward to trainees coming to the facility and discovering everything this site has to offer," said Christian Yaccarini, CEO of la Societe de developpement Angus. In April 2022, CASTL announced the intent to establish a biomanufacturing training facility in Quebec. The facility development is made possible through a contribution of $2.5 million from the Quebec Government. It is expected to open in Fall 2023. "This new training centre will strengthen our province's expertise in the areas of health and innovation, as well as bolster Quebec and Montreal's position as leaders in the life sciences field. It's a major asset to develop and attract new talents in the east end of Montreal," said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible forthe Metropolis and the Montreal Region.



A national initiative supporting Canada's life sciences ecosystem, CASTL offers training specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. CASTL is supported by National Lead Partner adMare BioInnovations and its adMare Academy. "As a major hub of biotechnology and innovation, Montreal is a phenomenal choice for CASTL's new biomanufacturing training facility," says Christine Allen, adMare's VP of Ecosystems. "adMare is thrilled to welcome CASTL to Montreal, where we can continue to work closely together to train the talent in the Canadian life sciences ecosystem, as their national lead partner."

In September 2022, CASTL opened its first biomanufacturing training facility in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Additional facility locations within Canada are being considered to ensure broad geographic access to this type of critical training. For more information on CASTL's Biomanufacturing Training Programs visit www.castlcanada.ca or email [email protected]. About CASTL

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between academia, industry, and government to address the future skills needs of the Canadian life sciences sector. Specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, CASTL delivers on the economic and sectoral demand for individuals who are work-ready to enter, thrive and meet the needs of the fast-growing Canadian biomanufacturing industry. CASTL is the exclusive provider of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) licensed training programs in Canada. Based in Ireland, NIBRT develops and delivers state-of-the-art training and education programs for the world's leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies and partner academic institutions. CASTL is supported by National Lead Partner adMare BioInnovations and its adMare Academy.

www.castlcanada.ca About Societe de developpement Angus

Developer, manager and brainchild behind the Technopole Angus, the SDA is a social-economy enterprise that develops real estate projects that drive urban revitalization. The organization adheres to the principles of sustainable development in an effort to create significant spin-offs for local communities. Technopole Angus is both an urban revitalization project and a "full-scale" sustainable-development and social-innovation lab. Today, the sector is thriving thanks to all of the organizations, businesses, and commercial establishments in the area. The new eco-district across from Jean-Duceppe Park bustles with workers and thousands of residents from all walks of life, including students and families.

www.sda-angus.com About adMare BioInnovations

With a wealth of globally competitive scientific discovery, Canada is primed to lead the life sciences world. To make this a reality, at adMare BioInnovations, we use our scientific and commercial expertise, specialized R&D infrastructure, and seed capital to build strong life sciences companies, robust ecosystems, and industry-ready talent - and re-invest our returns back into the Canadian industry to ensure it is sustained for the long-term. As part of our commitment to build talent, we have created the adMare Academy, dedicated to providing the specialized training required to foster the next generation of highly qualified personnel who will drive the growth of Canadian life science companies.

www.admarebio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005533/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Lessen Acquires SMS Assist, Signaling A New Era for Property Technology and Services

Lessen, the premier tech-enabled, end-to-end solution for outsourced real estate property services, announced today a strategic acquisition of SMS Assist, an industry-leading facilities maintenance technology company. By merging the complementary strengths of both companies, Lessen will continue to tackle real estate's pain points, providing its customers with a scalable, tech-enabled, enterprise solution for commercial and residential services. The two companies will serve a national footprint of approximately 250,000 residential and commercial properties and facilitate approximately 2.5 million repair and maintenance orders per year - in tandem with bolstering a broader range of property services. "Lessen recognized early on the opportunity to provide an enterprise-level solution that solved the real estate industry's long-tenured property services pain points," said Jay McKee, founder and CEO, Lessen. "This deal demonstrates the increasing demand within the underpenetrated, $330 billion addressable North American property services market for a unified, extensible delivery platform that provides transparency, efficiency and data-driven insights for the entire real estate ecosystem including investors, owners, managers and service providers." The transaction consists of both cash and stock, with Lessen raising approximately $500 million in combined new debt and equity, in addition to SMS Assist stockholders exchanging a portion of SMS stock for Lessen stock, resulting in an increased combined company valuation of over $2 billion in enterprise value. Debt and equity investors who backed this transaction include Monroe Capital, Varde Partners and Koch Real Estate Investments. Additionally, clients who invested in the deal with Lessen include Invitation Homes and American Homes 4 Rent, among others.



Following the close of the transaction, Lessen's McKee will continue to lead the newly combined company as CEO and serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Michael Rothman, founder and chairman of SMS Assist said, "The acquisition unlocks significant value through synergies building on a long operating history and will show we are well positioned together with Jay at the helm, leading from a consistent track record of growth." Kyle Asher, co-head of opportunistic investing at Monroe Capital said, "As of one of the largest investors in the transaction and an active direct investor in the real estate space, Monroe is impressed by the independent growth of both Lessen and SMS with their combination creating a platform offering residential and commercial technology-enabled property management services."

Brad Greiwe, co-founder and managing partner at Fifth Wall, a current Lessen investor, shared, "This transaction is an ideal representation of Fifth Wall's flywheel with our limited partners, portfolio companies, commercial partnerships and fresh capital coming together to create an end-to-end industry-leading company. While proptech consolidation is far from an anomaly, a venture-backed technology company purchasing an incumbent player is not something you see every day. It is a true validator of Jay and his entire team at Lessen and their success; we look forward to their next chapter." How It Works The new, combined technology platform will allow the many service providers-from contractors, painters, plumbers to electricians and more-to act as one, performing work at a national level not previously possible. This work will be overseen and inspected for quality by Lessen's in-house project managers. The combined solution will help owners overcome skilled labor shortages, while simultaneously reducing administrative burden, providing efficiency and real-time project updates. Contractors and providers of all sizes are already joining Lessen and SMS Assist's existing network of more than 25,000 professionals, allowing them to gain access to work and get paid rapidly with less expense to their business. This acquisition also provides Lessen with additional scale to enhance its materials sourcing and last-mile logistics capabilities to unlock key growth opportunities for clients and contractors. Advisors Evercore acted as the exclusive financial advisor, and Fenwick & West LLP acted as legal counsel to Lessen. J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC acted as financial advisor and Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP as well as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal advisors to SMS Assist. About Lessen Lessen is the premier provider of tech-enabled, end-to-end renovation, turn, and maintenance services for the residential real estate rental industry. Powered by our proprietary technology suite, our local field project managers deploy and oversee a network of vetted service professionals in 40+ markets delivering consistency, quality and speed, at scale. Lessen enables our clients to overcome labor shortages, reduce headcount and overhead, grow and scale their business and benefit from our supply chain and buying power to secure project materials - Lessening burden, saving our clients time and money. Lessen Inc. is a venture-backed, privately held company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more, please visit Lessen.com. About SMS Assist SMS Assist is redefining the way service providers and property owners work together by delivering unprecedented transparency and control within the facilities maintenance industry. Retail stores, banks, restaurants, rental homes, and more make up the over 200,000 properties that rely every day on our technology platform, in-house subject matter experts and 24/7 support. We leverage our network of 20,000 skilled providers across more than 55 trades to deliver an exceptional maintenance experience to the communities where we live and work. SMS Assist has offices in Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ. To learn more, visit SMSAssist.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111006044/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Planet and NASA Harvest Launch Commercial Partnership to Enable and Advance Food Security Offering to Deliver Policy-Grade Agricultural Assessments

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, and NASA Harvest, the federal space agency's Global Food Security and Agriculture Program, today announced a partnership to further support the joint Food Security and Agricultural Monitoring Solution. The offering aims to deliver policy-grade agricultural monitoring and assessments of potential threats to global food security. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005711/en/ Crop type classification map, Ukraine, 2022 || This 2022 crop type classification map of Ukraine was produced in season with 94% accuracy at 3m resolution, validated with ~4700 ground data samples. Red boundary lines denote Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory, and the various coloration across the country denotes sunflower (light blue), winter wheat (yellow), rapeseed (orange), other summer crops (dark blue), and areas not planted (brown) as of October 2022. (Map generated courtesy of: NASA Harvest; Data courtesy of: Planet, Kyiv Polytechnic, NASA, and Institute for the Study of War) The offering will combine Planet's satellite data and other publicly-available datasets with the analytics expertise of the combined NASA Harvest team, facilitated by the University of Maryland and University of Strasbourg - creating an assessment tool that could play a key role in anticipating and averting food shortages and famines. This work was first piloted to monitor fields in Ukraine in 2022 to track frontline agricultural activity and assess the impact of war on crop production. Replicating that process, and building on existing NASA Harvest expertise in the public sector and Planet's commercial offerings, the work is now being scaled to conduct regional and global assessments. The solution will be offered to national governments, multilateral institutions, NGOs and other interested parties around the world.



"The world's food security is at a moment of enormous uncertainty - triggered not only by the war in Ukraine, but by many other serious challenges, especially those linked to climate," said Andrew Zolli, Planet's Chief Impact Officer. "From drought in Somalia to flooding in Pakistan, the combination of real-time satellite imagery and sophisticated analytics can illuminate many types of risks to our global food systems, helping us adapt agricultural practices, adjust global supply chains, and mitigate risks to poor and vulnerable communities." For decades, the NASA Harvest team has been developing innovative satellite-based techniques to monitor commodity crops such as wheat, maize, soybeans and rice. The team also collects and analyzes environmental, economic and social science data to create a full picture of the pending food landscape.

"Planet's data was able to help us create a field-by-field analysis of what was planted, what was harvested and what was disrupted, which has been critical to understanding what is happening in Europe's breadbasket," said Inbal Becker-Reshef, Program Director for NASA Harvest, referring to the pilot project, further adding that "this effort plays a key role in NASA Harvest's broader initiative to provide rapid agricultural assessments for policy support in the face of food security and market threats." "This level of understanding can greatly benefit other organizations to monitor and predict potential issues in their own regions, moving us from research to impact," Becker-Reshef continued. "It was important to both of our organizations that we make these analyses more broadly accessible in order to improve agriculture-related decision-making around the world, leveraging the unmatched high spatial and temporal resolution that Planet data offers." While this marks the first commercial relationship between Planet and NASA Harvest, the pair has a well-established history of impact- and science-related initiatives. The collaborations grew out of NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program, under which Planet has been providing data to NASA scientists and federally-funded researchers since 2018. For example, Planet and NASA Harvest supported the Government of Togo in its COVID-19-related food security relief efforts by creating a cropland map of the entire country, delivered within 10 days of receiving the request, allowing the government to mobilize quickly to ensure food security during the global pandemic. For more information about accessing the Food Security and Agricultural Monitoring Solution, please email [email protected]. About Planet Labs PBC Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites, capturing over 30 TB of data per day. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to over 800 customers, comprising the world's leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation trading on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on Twitter. Forward-looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, the ability of Planet Labs PBC (the "Company") to capture market opportunity and realize any of the potential benefits from current or future product enhancements, new products, or strategic partnerships and customer collaborations. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future events and results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's periodic reports, proxy statements, and other disclosure materials filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available online at www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website at www.planet.com. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. About NASA Harvest About NASA Harvest: NASA Harvest is NASA's Global Food Security and Agriculture Consortium. Our mission is to enable and advance adoption of satellite Earth observations by public and private organizations to benefit food security, agriculture, and environmental resiliency in the US and worldwide. Established by NASA in 2017, we operate as a multidisciplinary and multisectoral Consortium of leading scientists and agricultural stakeholders, led by researchers at the University of Maryland and implemented together with our partners across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005711/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Insights on the Cloud Enterprise Application Software Global Market to 2027 - Increasing Demand for Cloud-Based Computing and Shifting User Inclination Toward a Customer-Centric Approach Drives Growth

DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global cloud enterprise application software market size reached US$ 116.84 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 274.51 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.3% during 2021-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Cloud enterprise application software (EAS) refers to advanced business solutions that organizations integrate to perform various operations with enhanced productivity and efficiency. It involves enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCP), sales force automation (SFA), customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI), and web conferencing solutions. These applications manage enterprise assets, help with contact center operations management (CCOM), enhance customer relations, track inventory, and predict future product demand. Apart from this, cloud EAS aids in automating business procedures and interpreting reported data and visuals. Consequently, the solution is used by various end-users to mitigate business inconsistencies, communicate, manage content, and optimize the overall workflow.



Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market Trends:



Increasing demand for cloud-based computing and the shifting user inclination toward a customer-centric approach have facilitated the widespread adoption of cloud EAS across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This can be further attributed to rapid industrialization, escalating internet penetration, and the growing organizational need for enhanced business management solutions. In line with this, the extensive adoption of software as a service (SaaS) cloud computing service model that helps reduce information technology (IT) infrastructural costs and synchronizes, updates, and stores documents, is acting as another growth-inducing factor. Additionally, the large-scale integration of big data analytics, security interface, social media applications, and mobile app development platforms to perform complex cloud-based applications and optimize existing security compliances are impelling the market growth. Moreover, the implementation of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and work-from-home (WFH) models, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has further supplemented the need for hybrid cloud computing enterprise applications for asset mnagement. Apart from this, strategic collaborations amongst key players to launch product variants with additional features are creating a positive outlook for the market.



Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accruent LLC (Fortive Corporation), Epicor Software Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, IFS AB, Infor Inc. (Koch Industries Inc.), International Business Machines Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, QAC Inc., Salesforce Inc. and SAP SE.





Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global cloud enterprise application software market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global cloud enterprise application software market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the solution?

What is the breakup of the market based on the industry vertical?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global cloud enterprise application software market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry? Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Solution

6.1 Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Supply Chain Management (SCM)

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Web Conferencing

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Business Intelligence (BI)

6.5.1 Market Trends

6.5.2 Market Forecast

6.6 Business Process Management (BPM)

6.6.1 Market Trends

6.6.2 Market Forecast

6.7 Content Management System (CMS)

6.7.1 Market Trends

6.7.2 Market Forecast

6.8 Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)

6.8.1 Market Trends

6.8.2 Market Forecast

6.9 Others

6.9.1 Market Trends

6.9.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Industry Vertical

7.1 Manufacturing and Services

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Healthcare

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Retail

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Government

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast

7.6 Oil and Gas

7.6.1 Market Trends

7.6.2 Market Forecast

7.7 Telecom

7.7.1 Market Trends

7.7.2 Market Forecast

7.8 Others

7.8.1 Market Trends

7.8.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Region



9 SWOT Analysis



10 Value Chain Analysis



11 Porters Five Forces Analysis



12 Price Analysis



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Market Structure

13.2 Key Players

13.3 Profiles of Key Players

13.3.1 Accruent LLC (Fortive Corporation)

13.3.1.1 Company Overview

13.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.2 Epicor Software Corporation

13.3.2.1 Company Overview

13.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.2.3 SWOT Analysis

13.3.3 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

13.3.3.1 Company Overview

13.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.3.3 Financials

13.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.4 IFS AB

13.3.4.1 Company Overview

13.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.5 Infor Inc. (Koch Industries Inc.)

13.3.5.1 Company Overview

13.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.6 International Business Machines Corporation

13.3.6.1 Company Overview

13.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.6.3 Financials

13.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.7 Microsoft Corporation

13.3.7.1 Company Overview

13.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.7.3 Financials

13.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.8 Oracle Corporation

13.3.8.1 Company Overview

13.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.8.3 Financials

13.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.9 QAC Inc.

13.3.9.1 Company Overview

13.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.10 Salesforce Inc.

13.3.10.1 Company Overview

13.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.10.3 Financials

13.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.11 SAP SE

13.3.11.1 Company Overview

13.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.11.3 Financials

13.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ozvsl 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 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insights-on-the-cloud-enterprise-application-software-global-market-to-2027---increasing-demand-for-cloud-based-computing-and-shifting-user-inclination-toward-a-customer-centric-approach-drives-growth-301720006.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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[January 12, 2023] Zefiro Methane Appoints Tina Reine as Chief Commercial Officer

With 15 years of experience in the environmental markets, Ms. Reine is one of the founding members of J.P. Morgans carbon trading desk. Ms. Reine holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and will be leading Zefiros initiatives to optimize earnings from carbon offsets earned by completing orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) is pleased to announce that Tina Reine has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Zefiro, which has applied to have its common shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). Listing is subject to receipt of conditional listing approval from the CSE and fulfilling all of the CSEs requirements. Building upon an accomplished career in finance and the environmental markets, Ms. Reine will primarily be responsible for optimizing the Companys earnings from carbon offsets earned through the completion of orphaned and abandoned wells located throughout the United States. Ms. Reine is also highly versed in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects of carbon offsets, which can enhance their value proposition for corporate and institutional purchasers. As Director of Carbon Markets at World Kinect Energy Services , Ms. Reine was responsible for both structuring deals and origination. Ms. Reine started her environmental markets career in London at Cantor Fitzgerald s Environmental Markets group in 2007, selling forward contracts on carbon offsets. During this time, Ms. Reine also participated in policy debates in the United Kingdoms Houses of Parliament to develop standards and registries for the voluntary trading market. Ms. Reine also helped build out the environmental markets division at J.P. Morgan and at NextEra Energy , managing an equity investment portfolio of carbon projects. Ms. Reine holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School in New York City. Regarding her appointment as CCO of Zefiro, Ms. Reine commented, Carbon offsets are more relevant than ever as an instrument for neutralizing emissions to help save the environment. Zefiro has an extraordinarily straightforward business model of capping wells, claiming carbon offsets from doing so, and strategically liquidating hose offsets on public exchanges. With over USD $2 billion in carbon offset trading volume in the U.S. voluntary markets alone in 2021 (quadrupled from the previous year), these are very exciting times for this space and I am delighted to be helping to lead the way as Zefiros CCO upon launch.





Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. Curt Hopkins Curt Hopkins, CEO For further information, please contact: Zefiro Investor Relations

1-800-274-ZEFI (1-800-274-9334)

[email protected] THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER. About Zefiro Methane Corp. Zefiro develops methodologies to reduce methane emissions by capping orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells, while originating carbon credits. Under executive leadership to include the former carbon market team at J.P. Morgan, Zefiro actively deploys crews to decommission wells throughout the United States. With unprecedented global demand for carbon offsets as corporations and institutions work towards net-zero targets, Zefiro is strategically aligning with industry leaders for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the Company, the Companys business, the industry in which the Company operates, the Companys opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Companys available cash resources and other statements about future events or results. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information 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 timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely manner. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Zefiro Methane Corp. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ecd23159-526a-481a-9f8a-25295aaeac48



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Congress fraud George Santos (RNY) told NBC News he will resign  if "142 people ask for me to resign" (see video below). Oh wait, the serial liar then clarified his latest fib in an interview with Steve Bannon, claiming he meant to say "142,000," as in the number of people in his New York district who voted for him (or, rather, the man they thought was George Santos).

From NBC:

He later clarified in an interview on Steve Bannon's War Room with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that he was referring to the more than 142,000 people who elected him in November's race for New York's 3rd Congressional District. Santos said he would be in Congress "until those same 142,000 people tell me they don't want me." Santos has said repeatedly this week that he will not step down, despite calls for him to do so from leading Republican officials in his home state and a handful of his GOP colleagues in the House. A growing number of Republican lawmakers have called for Santos to resign in recent days, including at least four in New York and one other out of state. Top officials from Santos' own local Republican Party, the Nassau County GOP, held a press conference Wednesday and said he needs to step aside.

Meanwhile, feeble Rep. Kevin McCarthy (RCA) has kept quite busy twiddling his thumbs, an exercise I'm sure we'll see a lot more of in the coming years from the MAGA-controlled Speaker of the House.

George Santos this morning ducking into an elevator: "If 142 people ask me to resign, I'll resign." Later tells @ABC he meant 142,000, the number of people who voted for him. Latest on this, including new comments from @RepJeffries on @abc7ny at noon. pic.twitter.com/blG0UFBkJw  Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) January 12, 2023

Front page thumbnail image: Santos in a "George For NY" campaign handout photo
[January 12, 2023]

NASA Seeks Community Feedback at Great Lakes Science Center Free Day

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland invites the community to share ideas and opinions on how to improve Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

As part of Great Lakes Science Center's free admission day on Jan. 16, NASA will host an open-forum discussion from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to make recommendations on how to improve community engagement, including

Methods of improving communication of NASA topics to the broder community

Ways to increase diverse interest in NASA STEM activities, outreach events, internships, and employment

Strategies to encourage equity of participation in NASA opportunities







In alignment with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision to build an equal and inclusive community, NASA seeks to inspire a new, more inclusive generation. NASA is committed to creating equitable opportunities; removing barriers for underrepresented audiences; and engaging, inspiring, and promoting diverse student populations in STEM.

For more information on NASA, visit:

www.nasa.gov/glenn

Jacqueline Minerd

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland

216-905-6774

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-seeks-community-feedback-at-great-lakes-science-center-free-day-301720717.html

SOURCE NASA
[January 12, 2023] DSM - delivery of shares

This is a press release by Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Royal DSM), pursuant to the provisions of Sections 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) (the Decree) in connection with the public offer by Danube AG (to be renamed DSM-Firmenich AG) for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of DSM (the Exchange Offer). This press release does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. This press release is not for general release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, the United States or any other jurisdiction where such release, publication or distribution would violate applicable laws or regulations. HEERLEN, Netherlands, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the Offering Circular published on 22 November 2022, Royal DSM is required to announce transactions relating to the ordinary shares in its capital in accordance with the Dutch public offer rules. This includes the delivery of treasury shares to employees in view of settling the vesting of share units or the exercise of stock options. Pursuant to commitments entered into prior to issuing the Offering Circular, DSM has on 12 January 2023, delivered 200 ordinary shares to employees in view of settling the exercise of an equivalent number of stock options granted under the respective DSM Incentive Plan (average exercise price 101.85). On the date hereof, the total number of issued and outstanding DSM ordinary shares is 173,080,210. As a consequence of the delivery included herein, the number of outstanding DSM ordinary shares increased by 0.0001%. DSM

Royal DSM is a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet. DSM's purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM's products and solutions address some of the world's biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders  customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. The company was founded in 1902 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com. Or find us on:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/3108

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DSM

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DSMcompany

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmcompany For more information







DSM Media Relations Gareth Mead tel. +31 (0) 45 5782420 email [email protected] DSM Investor Relations Dave Huizing tel. +31 (0) 45 5782864 email [email protected]

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/329419/dsm_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dsm---delivery-of-shares-301720700.html

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[January 12, 2023] Mobeus and Oblon Collaborate on a Non-Headset Genre of Virtual Reality

Mobeus, the innovative technology startup behind Airglass, and Oblon, one of the world's largest intellectual property law firms, have collaborated on a portfolio of patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other international intellectual property regulatory bodies for a new genre of virtual reality (VR) that does not require any additional hardware such as (augmented reality) AR glasses or VR headsets. The collaboration began over two years ago and aims to create a more inclusive and accessible VR experience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005637/en/ The portfolio includes inventions that add a 'futuristic gesture-like experience' to the outside of any computer and a 'depth-like metaverse experience' to the inside of any computer screen, without needing a headset," said James Love, a partner at Oblon (Photo: Business Wire) "Mobeus has taken a step forward in pioneering innovation that will transcend the current hardware limitations for virtual reality," said Mike Sutcliff, co-founder and CEO at Mobeus. "It is exciting to enable users of any proficiency to reap the rewards of technology like we saw Tom Cruise used in the movie Minority Report. This portfolio of patents shows our commitment to being a forward-thinking tech company that will help customers deliver superior immersive and interactive experiences." "The portfolio includes nventions that add a 'futuristic gesture-like experience' to the outside of any computer and a 'depth-like metaverse experience' to the inside of any computer screen, without needing a headset," said James Love, a partner at Oblon. He adds, "The first time I tried the prototype comprising the inventions was transformative; the connectedness you feel with your old screen is a new relationship between us and our existing devices."



The eventual virtual smart glass technology will enable consumers to see and interact with any existing document, media, website, game, or app within the depth of the new virtual reality genre. The result is an interactive perception of depth surrounding a screen derived from the built-in camera on the device. The reach of this new path to virtual reality includes consumers who have existing devices but might need more hardware to experience current genres of virtual reality, such as AR and VR. While putting the portfolio of applications into a broader context, Maryam Imam, Head of Intellectual Property at Mobeus, said, "Just like we all added a browser to our devices to see the Internet, we might add a virtual smart glass to our devices to see this new genre of virtual reality. Working with this team has been the highlight of my career; the team here is pioneering."

The portfolio was developed by an international team of inventors, engineers, and designers. An introduction of the technology is available as Mobeus Airglass, a lite, immersive and interactive experience that mixes meetings and illustrations into a sense of depth around the screens of Apple Macs and Microsoft PCs. "The inventors at Mobeus are truly on the cutting-edge, with a revolutionary innovation almost every week," said Robert Tarcu, a partner at Oblon. "We at Oblon dedicate our one-of-a-kind staff and professional resources to help cultivate these innovations into an exciting portfolio." Mobeus will demonstrate the new virtual reality genre using a prototype of the company's virtual smart glass technology at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. To learn more about Mobeus and its innovative product capabilities, please visit mobeus.com. About Mobeus Mobeus is an innovative technology startup based in Sparta, New Jersey. The company aims to reduce friction between people and technology by enabling a novel form of expression. Mobeus is a fully remote company with an international team of inventors, engineers, and designers passionate about creating products that deliver a superior creative experience. Their flagship product, Airglass, is a video and audio communications tool that creates a sense of depth on conventional screens, allowing users to mix people and applications simultaneously. At Mobeus, the team strives to develop cutting-edge technology and solutions that enhance humanity, positively impact relationships, and give people a new way of interacting in the digital world. Learn more at mobeus.com About Oblon Assisting clients for over 50 years, Oblon is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States. Oblon's professionals provide a full range of intellectual property services to some of the world's leading innovators. Oblon is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia within steps of the United States Patent and Trademark Office with an affiliate office in Tokyo, Japan. Visit oblon.com for more information on the firm. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005637/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Army Captain Le Roy Torres Receives New, Four-Dimensional Lung Scan in Miami

Captain Torres is One of Thousands of US Military Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits While Deployed MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 4DMedical, the leading developer of functional imaging software for respiratory illness, announced that Army Captain Le Roy Torres received a four-dimensional scan using 4D's XV LVAS technology today at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. 4DMedical's XV LVAS technology, which received FDA clearance in May 2020, can help physicians accurately detect areas of high and low ventilation in all parts of the lung, during all phases of the breath, with accuracy and without the need for an invasive biopsy. Captain Torres is one of the more than 3.5 million American service members at risk of suffering debilitating respiratory illness following exposure to toxic burn pits during overseas deployment. His symptoms and those similarly afflicted include shortness of breath, headaches, autoimmune and gastrointestinal issues, memory loss, and toxic brain injury. He became nationally known when his health issues cost him his career in the military and as a State Trooper in Texas. "My scan today is a major step forward for fellow veterans who are suffering from burn pit exposures and are desperate for answers," said Captain Le Roy Torres. "Unfortunately, prior to passage of the PACT Act, the XV LVAS software wasn't available and that meant I had to get a surgical lung biopsy. It was frankly a horrendous experience and incredibly painful. With the passage of the PACT Act, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Congress can develop protocols and use cutting-edge technologies that will bring new and expanded health care services to thousands of veterans like mewho suffer from deploment related respiratory disease."



Following 9/11, more than 3.5 million military service members were exposed to hazardous toxins from burn pits that impact respiratory health. These health impacts have been largely undiagnosed due to underreporting and lack of effective prevention and treatment optionsuntil passage of the PACT Act. Such exposures can present as relatively mild conditions like asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, but are also associated with more serious ailments including lung cancer, COPD, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, established a presumption of service connection for 23 conditions related to the smoke from burn pits and other toxic exposures. The XV LVAS scan can uniquely differentiate between healthy and diseased lungs, making the process easier for veterans to claim disability benefits and medical care for their respiratory illness.

"Painless, fast, and really accurate, 4D's scan is a groundbreaking screening tool which provides insights into lung function, providing certainty and hope to hundreds of thousands of veterans, including my husband," said Rosie Torres, Senior Adviser to 4DMedical. "After exposure to burn pits, our veterans deserve the best health care diagnosis and prognosis, as well as access to benefits and proper medical services. 4DMedical's advanced, four-dimensional scan can be a blueprint for getting many more veterans access to better diagnosis and treatment through the PACT Act." Moving forward, the detailed information provided by the XV LVAS report will help doctors shape and improve Captain Torres' health care options. Captain Torres was recently recommended by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with his wife, Rosie, Jon Stewart and John Feal, for the Presidential Medal Of Freedom for their contributions to veterans health care. About 4DMedical: 4DMedical is a global medical technology company transforming respiratory diagnostics for all lung disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and cancer. 4DMedical technology is providing clinicians with greater insights into lung function and the impact of diseases and treatment interventions. Learn more at: https://4dmedical.com/ Contact: Lizzy Guyton

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/army-captain-le-roy-torres-receives-new-four-dimensional-lung-scan-in-miami-301720803.html SOURCE 4DMedical

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[January 12, 2023] Coho AI Secures $8.5M Seed Funding to Accelerate SaaS Companies Growth by Seizing the Potential of Product Usage Data

Coho AI (https://coho.ai/), the product-led revenue platform, secures $8.5 million in seed funding led by Eight Roads, TechAviv, and a select group of angel investors, including company co-founder Ariel Maislos, Shlomo Kremer, Natan Linder, and other high profile founders. The funding round allows Coho AI to further build its platform that accelerates growth for B2B SaaS companies by effectively "lifting the hood" on their customer usage data. Coho AI helps foster a future of product-led growth by putting data at the forefront of decision-making. SaaS products give businesses access to more data than ever, but most companies struggle to leverage it properly. Teams dedicated to boosting customer revenue, retention, and sales often do not have the kowledge or tools necessary to utilize data effectively. Understanding such data often requires extensive effort by R&D and data experts, while making it meaningful for GTM teams, requires the right methodology from growth experts. For these reasons, in-house solutions that exist today do not succeed in accelerating revenue growth.



Coho AI helps established companies that have reached Product-Market Fit evolve into product insight-driven businesses. Coho AI shows companies that a product-led growth (PLG) methodology can be applied to a wide range of SaaS companies and in different stages of a customer life-cycle. By 2025, Gartner estimates that 75 percent of SaaS providers will apply product-led growth techniques to drive existing customer growth and expansion. Coho AI puts a spotlight on product usage data, showing that it can, and should, be utilized throughout the customer journey to maximize growth. This approach can reduce churn while boosting go-to-market and customer success capabilities. The platform allows customers to:

Visualize: Creating a single source of truth for all GTM teams and provides a 360 degree overview of every user and account at any point in time. Analyze: Coho AI's analysis algorithm (patent-pending) measures the value the user extracts from the product, defines customer journeys and generates recommendations to reduce drop-offs and improve growth. Prioritize: The platform automatically generates a customer health score, enabling users to prioritize their efforts. Act: Real-time triggers allow ongoing identification of growth opportunities in the entire customer revenue lifecycle. These triggers apply to real-time workflows in CEPs, CRM's and other internal tech stacks. "SaaS companies are in a unique position where they can actually measure the value their users extract from their products. By correlating this information with data coming from CS, sales, and support, we create a customer observability platform, which is crucial to generating sustainable and proactive revenue growth says Itamar Falcon, CEO of Coho AI. "Securing our funding is a huge step towards our platform's capability to help businesses succeed in a tough and unpredictable market. Especially when KPIs are now more focused on sales efficiency and NRR. As revenue teams need more product insights, we aim to provide an out-of-the-box solution to a problem which companies tried to solve internally until now." "Coho AI's platform enables SaaS companies to act on their product usage data like never before," says Davor Hebel, Managing Partner at Eight Roads. "Today, more and more companies are adopting a PLG methodology, leading to huge demand for a platform such as Coho AI." About Coho AI

Founded in 2021, Coho AI empowers growth teams to deliver value to customers while increasing conversion rates, as well as assisting customer success and sales teams in targeting revenue growth opportunities. The Coho AI product-led revenue platform, powered by artificial intelligence, integrates seamlessly with existing B2B SaaS tools to provide a holistic analysis of all touch points the user has with the product. By creating understandable and actionable insights, Coho AI helps foster a future of product-led growth, putting data at the forefront of decision-making. For more information, please visit https://coho.ai/ About Eight Roads

Eight Roads Ventures is a global venture capital firm managing $11bn of assets across offices in the UK, China, India, Japan, and the US. Together with our associated funds, including our US sister fund F-Prime Capital, our 50-year history of investing includes partnerships with over 300 companies such as Alibaba, AppsFlyer, Chewy, Fareye, Fever, Flywire, Fireblocks, Funnel.io, Gloat, Hibob, Icertis, Neo4j, Otrium, Owkin, Paidy, Spendesk, Toast, Wallapop and Xoom. www.eightroads.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005667/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Mary Kay Inc. Company-Sponsored Foundations Give Millions Supporting Women's Causes Around the World

Throughout 2022, iconic beauty brand Mary Kay-along with its company-sponsored foundations-gave more than 3 million dollars to support women's causes around the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005756/en/ Female entrepreneurs in Chuxiong, Yunnan Province increased their income and helped preserve the Yunnan Embroidery cultural industry thanks to Mary Kay Women's Entrepreneurship Program. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) When Mary Kay Ash, legendary businesswoman and philanthropist, opened her business in 1963, she dreamed of empowering women internationally through entrepreneurship, innovation, hard work, and giving back. Nearly 60 years later, Mary Kay employees, Independent Beauty Consultants, and members of the global community keep her dream alive through generous contributions to four company-sponsored foundations delivering impactful support to women and their families in need. The full foundation reports can be viewed here. Here's what they were up to in 2022: Cancers Affecting Women In the U.S., the Mary Kay Ash Foundation (MKAF) funded 37 cancer researchers conducting groundbreaking research against cancers affecting women.

43% of MKAF cancer research projects are led by women; 100% of clinical trials are women-led.

MKAF funded nearly $1.7 million in grants for cancers affecting women. Gender-based Violence MKAF funded nearly $1.4 million in grants supporting services for women survivors of domestic violence.

MKAF supported 4 local domestic violence shelters in Norh Texas providing women seeking help with vital resources and safety.

In collaboration with Mary Kay, MKAF supported global partners committed to end violence against women and girls, including CARE and UN Trust Fund. Together, MKAF partners completed over 550 projects around the world.

Instituto Mary Kay and Mary Kay Brazil received the Silver Award for the Red Cross Campaign "Campanha Sinal Vermelho Contra a Violencia Domestica" at ABEVD Associacao Brasileira das Empresas de Venda Direta (Brazil DSA) Anual Congress.

In Canada, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation awarded $10,000 each to 16 domestic violence shelters across Canada, totaling $160,000.



Women and Their Families Mary Kay China and its company-sponsored programs and fund have provided support through the following efforts:

Mary Kay Women's Entrepreneurship Program In cooperation with China Women's Development Foundation, interest-free revolving loans were provided to four women entrepreneur initiatives in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Ningxia, and Jilin. The initiatives directly benefited 133 women by increasing their annual per capita income by RMB 20,000 yuan.





Young Women's Future Fund In cooperation with Adream Foundation, the Young Women's Future Fund remaining balance will be used to build four Mary Kay Dream Classrooms in Jiangxi to enhance girls' literacy education.





Mary Kay China Charity Program Since March 2022, the Mary Kay China Charity Program has allocated 1,049,800 yuan to provide protective materials and living supplies to 73 communities in 15 cities as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Thanks to the joint efforts of Mary Kay China and its Beauty Consultants, the "Smile 1000" project raised funds for 112 cleft-lip repair surgeries in 2022. To date, Mary Kay China has raised funds for 991 surgeries and is on track to achieve the goal of 1,000 smiles in 2023. By May, 1,391 Beauty Consultant volunteers had delivered 331 beauty lessons to 9,147 women.

About Mary Kay One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty company in 1963 with one goal: enriching women's lives. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey to economic independence through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in enriching lives today for a sustainable tomorrow, partnering with organizations from around the world focusing on promoting business excellence, supporting cancer research, advancing gender equality, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005756/en/

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[January 12, 2023] Advancing Employee Share Ownership, Rutgers University Appoints 34 Research Fellows

The Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing today appointed 34 scholars and subject matter experts to join its diverse, global community of research fellows. The announcement comes as the Institute convenes its annual Fellows Workshop in Honor of Louis O. Kelso and launches a Coursera Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to educate the public about employee share ownership. "As researchers and policymakers explore how equity and profit shares in companies can broaden private property ownership, our research fellows are focused on answering critical questions," said Joseph Blasi, the J. Robert Beyster Distinguished Professor and Director of the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. "Additionally, the free Coursera curriculum will make the insights of the Institute's past and present research fellows accessible to interested citizens, employees, and thought leaders." The Institute is the world's leading academic research hub dedicated to the study of employee share ownership, equity compensation, profit sharing, and worker cooperatives. The 2022-23 class of research fellows represents the largest and most diverse cohort in the 15-year history of the program. They are: Rina Agarwala , Johns Hopkins University, Kendeda Fellow

, Johns Hopkins University, Kendeda Fellow Yifat Aran , University of Haifa (Israel), Institute Fellow

, University of Haifa (Israel), Institute Fellow Filippo Belloc , University of Siena (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow

, University of Siena (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow Tanya Smith Brice , Council on Social Work Education, Kendeda Fellow

, Council on Social Work Education, Kendeda Fellow Adriane Clomax , University of Southern California, Kendeda Fellow

, University of Southern California, Kendeda Fellow James de le Vingne , Employee Ownership Association (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow

, Employee Ownership Association (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow David Finegold , Chatham University, Senior Fellow

, Chatham University, Senior Fellow Matthew Fisher-Post , Paris School of Economics (France), Institute Fellow

, Paris School of Economics (France), Institute Fellow Fred Freundlich , Mondragon University (Spain), Kendeda Fellow

, Mondragon University (Spain), Kendeda Fellow Mark Clayton Hand , Southern Methodist University, Institute Fellow and Corey Rosen Fellow

, Southern Methodist University, Institute Fellow and Corey Rosen Fellow Jayasri (Joyce) Hart , "Own It! Louis Kelso's Macroeconomic Fix" Filmmaker, Executive Fellow

, "Own It! Louis Kelso's Macroeconomic Fix" Filmmaker, Executive Fellow Renee Hatcher , University of Illinois Chicago, Kendeda Fellow

, University of Illinois Chicago, Kendeda Fellow Molly Hemstreet , Industrial Commons & Opportunity Threads, Executive Fellow

, Industrial Commons & Opportunity Threads, Executive Fellow Denise Kasparian , University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kendeda Fellow

, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kendeda Fellow Esteban Kelly , United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Executive Fellow

, United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Executive Fellow Jungook Kim , Chatham University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Chatham University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Kyoung Yong Kim , Villanova School of Business, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Villanova School of Business, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Felice Klein , Boise State University, J. Robert Beyster Fellow

, Boise State University, J. Robert Beyster Fellow Fabio Landini , University of Parma (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow

, University of Parma (Italy), Nachson and Arieh Mimran Fellow Alison Lingane , Project Equity, Executive Fellow

, Project Equity, Executive Fellow Jens Lowitzsch , Europa-Universitat Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany) & Kelso Institute Europe at Berlin, Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute

, Europa-Universitat Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany) & Kelso Institute Europe at Berlin, Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute Christopher Mackin , Harvard Law School, Ray Carey Fellow

, Harvard Law School, Ray Carey Fellow Campbell McDonald , Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow

, Ownership at Work (UK), Executive Fellow Cian McMahon , St. Mary's University (Canada), Patrick J. McGovern Fellow

, St. Mary's University (Canada), Patrick J. McGovern Fellow Jack Moriarty , Ownership America, Institute Policy Analysis Fellow

, Ownership America, Institute Policy Analysis Fellow Eve O'Connor , Harvard University, Institute Fellow

, Harvard University, Institute Fellow Simon Pek , University of Victoria (Canada), Social Capital Partners Fellow

, University of Victoria (Canada), Social Capital Partners Fellow Sarah Reibstein , Barnard College, Institute Fellow

, Barnard College, Institute Fellow Andrew Robinson , Leeds University Business School (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute

, Leeds University Business School (UK) & Ownership at Work (UK), Faculty Fellow and Mentor of the Institute Adria Scharf , Rutgers University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Rutgers University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Aquilina Soriano Versoza , Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, Executive Fellow

, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, Executive Fellow Valerie Whitcomb , Salisbury University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow

, Salisbury University, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow Nancy Wiefek , National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Joseph Cabral Distinguished Scholar and Fellow

, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Joseph Cabral Distinguished Scholar and Fellow Trevor Young-Hyman, University of Pittsburgh, Employee Ownership Foundation Louis O. Kelso Fellow



Broadening our reach beyond campus, the Institute also revealed the launch of its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for the public and employees, "Our Share: Employee Ownership as a Wealth Sharing Tool." Developed by the Institute's Director of Education and Collaboration, Adria Scharf, the free course uses a series of short, engaging videos to introduce the basics of employee share ownership. It is the first course on the virtual learning platform Coursera focused on this topic.

About the School

The Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) is the world's leading source of expertise on managing and representing workers, designing effective organizations, and building strong employment relationships. About the Institute

SMLR's Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing conducts empirical research, analyzes policy, and sponsors the leading global fellowship program and academic conferences in the field. The Institute also manages a program to help college professors teach about these subjects (The Curriculum Library for Employee Ownership) and a technical assistance center (The NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership). One recent initiative (The Employee Ownership Online Education Program), sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, features free online videos to help retiring business owners sell to their employees. About the Fellowships

The Beyster family established the research fellowship program and the J. Robert Beyster endowed professorship in 2008. With generous support from the Beyster Foundation for Enterprise Development, the Employee Ownership Foundation, and other donors, it has grown to become one of the largest fellowship programs at Rutgers University with more than 200 research fellows and faculty mentors worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005863/en/

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5G is one of the more important technologies for most enterprises, and network software provider Mavenir is on a mission to deliver more 5G solutions to communication service providers. Recent proof of this is Mavenir teaming up with Intel and HCLTech to develop and provide scalable private 5G network solutions for CSPs and broader cross-vertical enterprises.

Now, Mavenir is looking to help CSPs particularly in the Latin America region. CSPs in Latin America understand how important it is to modernize, automate and future-proof networks. As 5G starts to become a reality in Brazil and the Latin America region, Mavenir is in the drivers seat to provide its end-to-end solutions portfolio to CSPs in Latin America to modernize networks and transition to cloud-native.

Mavenirs portfolio enables a globally proven, flexible, and cost-effective journey to 5G with multi-generational support for 2G, 3G and 4G to modernize existing mobile networks while evolving to 5G.

That is why the operators are working with Mavenir; to modernize the core and setting the stage for the future where cloud-native networks will be the only way to fulfill the promise of 5G.

A few examples of Mavenir in Latin America include the partnership with E-Networks to launch Guyanas first 5G voice over LTE (News - Alert) and Telefonica Hispam selecting Mavenirs IMS Core technologies for network transformation across fixed and mobile in Mexico, Colombia and Chile  deployed on Telefonicas (News - Alert) private telco cloud infrastructure.

Mavenir is guiding CSPs through this journey as they strengthen and automate current 2G, 3G and 4G networks by implementing a new cloud-based and microservices architecture to support all the Gs, as they transition to incorporating 5G, said Antonio Correa, Senior Regional Vice President of Southern Europe, Caribbean & Latin America at Mavenir.

With Mavenir, CSPs in Brazil and the rest of Latin America benefit from Mavenirs core with the agility, adaptability, scalability and easy deployment and maintenance with automation on any cloud.

Edited by Alex Passett
Rampant shootings continue to start the new year.

This morning we start with with a collection of info on a deadly spate of gunfire overnight.

Here's the first report . . .



Homicide: 700 Block Of Lewis



This morning just before 2:15am, officers were called to the 700 block of Lewis on a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located a victim in front of a residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.



An additional 911 call was received around the same time reporting a shooting at the Express Stop at 8501 Winner Road. Additional officers responded to that location and located two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.



EMS responded to both scenes. The two victims at the gas station were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, the victim at the residence on Lewis was confirmed deceased by medics at the scene.



Officers have detained a subject of interest and they are not looking for any additional parties at this time.



Homicide detectives and Crime Scene personnel have responded to both scenes. They will be processing both scenes for evidence, speaking to any potential witnesses, and looking for any surveillance video in regard.



If you have any information, you are asked to call detectives at 816-234-5043. Or you can remain anonymous by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

One dead, two hurt in Kansas City shootings Thursday KANSAS CITY, Mo. -One person is dead and two are in critical condition after back-to-back shootings in Kansas City, Missouri Thursday morning. Around 2:15a.m. officers were called to the 700 block of Lewis Ave. on a reported shooting. There police found a victim inside the home with a gunshot wound.

One dead, two others injured in overnight shootings in Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri police have one person in custody after two early morning shootings they believe are connected.Police said one person was shot and killed in the the 700 block of Lewis around 2:15 a.m. Thursday.Around the same time, officers said two people were shot a short distance away at the Express Stop gas station on Winner Road.

1 person killed, 2 others critically injured in overnight shooting in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri police say three people were shot near Independence and Lewis avenues overnight Thursday. Officers were called to the area around 2:15 a.m. When they arrived, KCPD located one person dead outside of a home in the 700 block of Lewis.

Developing . . .
The latest update to this story . . .

"A suspect is in custody after allegedly threatening Kansas City Councilman Brandon Ellington on various Facebook posts Tuesday, while walking around Ellingtons neighborhood with a rifle."



Yesterday our blog community sent word about scary gun threats directed at a Kansas City councilman.

The incident was addressed by police amongst others.

For the purposes of this blog . . . We are only unpacking the politics of it.

Fox4 filed the first report and we'll take their lead . . . They did not name the person making the threat because there is no formal charge as of this writing. We want to keep the comments open on this post so we can only ask that readers do not name the guy either. He is a Navy veteran, a former union auto worker, (other than one notable incident involving a former Mayor) a generally well-regarded denizen of the local political scene and a good person. In this story nearly everyone acknowledges he has struggled with mental health issues. Over the years we've had a coffee and a beer with the guy and, as far as we know, he continues to diligently work toward recovery and finding his way in good faith.



As always, our job and main focus in this blog is to examine the political implications of local events as objectively as possible . . .

First, here's the basics of the sitch . . .



(Councilman) Ellington said the man came to his front porch before leaving and getting the gun he was seen with later, roughly 20 blocks away.



I start getting tagged in all these posts with the gentleman carrying the gun, a rifle, talking about hes coming back over here, Ellington said. I went down and filed my order of protection because thats what I need to do legally.



However, the story doesn't stop there . . . Last night councilman posted an extended interview wherein he blames his 3rd District At-Large opponent Melissa Patterson Hazley for the incident.

He also casts blame on a "political apparatus" for orchestrating the alleged harassment.

The councilman uses his words carefully but everyone who votes in this town knows he's talking about Freedom, Inc. as his feud with the organization that has lasted longer than a decade continues at the outset of silly election season.

Because this is a citywide election . . . KCMO voters from every part of this town will have a say.

And so, the councilman's allegations are important.

Don't take our word for it . . . Check the clip . . .



Now, our job in this instance is to be objective and fair . . .



What the Fox news report does not contain is a note from Councilman Ellington's opponent on the political angle to the story.

Here's the statement from the 3rd District At-Large Melissa Hazley Patterson campaign edited to remove any identifying information that was, sadly, included . . .



Our campaign was made aware of a mental health incident involving Kansas City resident . . .



Let me be clear: I do not condone violence in any form.



I have spoken to hundreds of Kansas City residents and they especially care about reducing gun violence, which is plaguing our community. This issue is a top priority of mine as I am committed to focusing on the issues most important to the citizens of Kansas City.



HE has no official affiliation with my campaign and I hope and pray that he receives the proper mental health care that he needs and is not a harm to himself or others. The safety and well-being of all members of our community is vitally important.

#################



Now . . .

Here's the reality that is most important for every voter in our cowtown:

One day into Kansas City election season there's already debate involving a BIG-ASS RIFLE.

We can only hope that candidates and their supporters all work together to elevate the discourse as we move forward.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
On Saturday, US Congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA) was sworn in with his hand on the first issue of the Superman comic book from 1939. The comicwhich he borrowed from the Library of Congresswas accompanied by a copy of the US Constitution, Garcia's US citizenship certificate, and a photograph of his parents who died from COVID-19.

"I came to America at the age of 5 as a Spanish-speaker," Garcia, the first LGBTQ immigrant to serve in Congress, told CNN. "As a kid, I would pick up comics at old thrift shops and pharmacies and that's how I learned to read and write in English."

[Superman represents] "truth and justice, an immigrant that was different, was raised by good people that welcomed them. If you look at Superman values, and caucus values, it's about justice, it's about honesty, it's doing the right thing, standing up for people that need support."

After the ceremony, the comicunder police escortwas returned to the Library of Congress.

From Smithsonian:
The good news is this story is the family & loved ones have some sense of resolution despite their heart-breaking loss.



However, here's a glimpse at the backstory that many locals might not know.

First, an MSM confirmation . . .





"FOX4 has confirmed with the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office that Billy Dupree is related to current prosecutor Mark Dupree, though they wouldnt tell us their relation."

Now . . . Here's a press release on the topic from Kansas City's most prolific crime fighter . . .

Kansas City anticrime activist fought to make Kansas City Law Enforcement act of tips that stated Wyandotte County DA Mark Duprees Nephew Billy Dupree was the killer of Delisha Kelly.





Alonzo Washington is a long time Kansas City anticrime activist & comic book publisher who helps local law enforcement solve murders & other crimes on a monthly basis. He gained national and international attention after his efforts solved the Precious Doe/Erica Green child beheading murder case. Currently, he is being featured in documentary titled: Deadliest Mums & Dads: Who killed Precious Doe for solving the crime. The program is streaming on Discovery Plus Networks nationally in America and internationally in the United Kingdom Africa and Spain.



In 2019 Mr. Washington was contacted be a frustrated tipster who claimed to know who killed Delisha Kelly but was being ignored by Kansas City law enforcement because the suspected killers were relatives of District Attorney Mark Dupree. The original tip claimed that two of the DAs relatives were involved with the murder of the teenaged slain female.



Alonzo swiftly began to contact members of law-enforcement to encourage them to investigate these tips more seriously. Mr. Washington has direct contact with homicide units and police chiefs all over the Kansas City Metropolitan area due to the fact that he gives them tips on a monthly basis that solves murders often.



He contacted the Kansas City Missouri homicide unit and the Kansas City Kansas police chief to inform them that Delisha Kelly was killed in Kansas City, KS & then dumped in Kansas City, MO. Before he did that the Kansas City Missouri Police Department was officially working the case and the Kansas City Kansas Police Department wasnt. Although, both departments were telling tipsters that the case belonged to the opposite agencies. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department would say it was the Kansas City Kansas Police Departments murder case and the Kansas City Kansas Police Department would say it was the Kansas City Missouri Police Departments murder case to tipsters who contacted them.



All of that quickly changed after Alonzo Washington began to do public postings on his popular social media platforms & contact law enforcement officials demanding that they act of the tips he gathered in the murder of Delisha Kelly. Shortly, after he began to advocate for the case he was able to arrange a team of FBI agents to meet with his tipster out of state so the tipster could give details about the murder of Delisha Kelly.



Alonzo Washingtons tipster had a taped confession of the killer admitting he killed the teenager and Alonzo Washington didnt reach out to Kansas Law Enforcement until he heard the recording himself. After Alonzo Washington arranged for FBI agents to meet with his tipster the Kansas Attorney General picked up the case.



Although, without Alonzo Washingtons efforts to make sure tips that implicated the nephew (Billy Dupree) of the Wyandotte County District Attorney(Mark Dupree) were being investigated seriously & properly Delisha Kellys murder never wouldve been solved.



Alonzo Washington believes that this murder shouldve been solved many years ago and he thoroughly believes that it only took this long to charge of this murder suspect due to his relationship with the Kansas City Kansas district attorney.



Please review the various social media postings that Alonzo Washington posted about this case & the tips he sent directly to the Kansas City Kansas Police Chief stating that Billy Ivan Dupree was the killer of Delisha Kelly in 2019.

#######################



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Tonight we feature a quick collection of court cases, crime reporting and all manner of ALLEGED misdeeds as the start of the new year proves to be increasingly violent and sketchy.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

A Kansas City mother tried to get her kids out of foster care. She was one of 2022's last homicides Shayla Curts, the young mother of a toddler and infant, was pregnant with her third child when she was shot and killed by a man in December. Her family says this might not have happened if Jackson County's child welfare system had worked like it was supposed to.

Everything we know, and don't know, about the Excelsior Springs, Missouri rape and kidnapping case NOTE: Details in this story may be considered graphic to some. The details read like a horrible true crime podcast - a woman showed up at an Excelsior Springs, Missouri, home pleading for help. She said she'd been taken from Kansas City, held in a small room in a basement, bound, beaten, and raped.

Kansas City woman sentenced for robbing pizza delivery driver KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City woman will spend 14 years in prison for her role in the robbery of a pizza delivery driver. Rochelle E. David, 24, previously pleaded guilty to robbery and using a firearm during a crime. Court documents show David ordered a pizza on Oct.

Authorities are asking for help to locate a potential witness in the Excelsior Springs kidnapping, rape case It's the first case update the public has heard in months. The Excelsior Springs, Missouri Police Department announced Wednesday it is searching for a potential witness in a kidnapping and rape case that rocked the small community in October.Police said investigators, in conjunction with the Clay County Investigative Squad, have identified 36-year-old Jaynie M.

Kansas Clergy not mandatory reporters for child sex crimes KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Following a involving child sexual abuse by Catholic Clergy in Kansas, the KSHB 41 I-Team has been digging into allegations made in the past, as well as examining possible solutions to prevent this type of abuse in the future.

Agape Boarding School will shut down this month after years of abuse allegations Dozens of former students have gone public with their allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse at the Stockton-based Christian residential facility, which opened in 1996. For the last few years, Agape has been at the forefront of the state's reckoning over abuse allegations at unlicensed faith-based boarding schools.

KC man charged in connection with sexual assault in Grandview KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - According to the prosecutor's office, a Kansas City man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault that took place at the victim's residence in Grandview. Deonte' T. Watson, 31, has been charged with first-degree rape or attempted rape and first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy.

Homeland Security seeing more internet-based human trafficking cases involving children Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with the Department of Homeland Security and a number of federal and state partners have designated January as Huma

Independence police say water damage is eating away at their headquarters, want new building The Independence, Missouri, Police Department says it's time to build a new police headquarters, they say the old building is not safe. The request comes after a months-long KMBC 9 News investigation into hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime pay for work at the current building.Police said to imagine your basement leaking for 50 years, and no matter what you do to fix it, the water just keeps finding a way in.

Former Kansas drug treatment clinic owner sentenced for meth trafficking KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former owner of an Olathe, Kansas, clinic that treated opioid addiction has been sentenced in federal court for possessing methamphetamine to distribute. Trevor J. Robinson, 46, of Olathe was sentenced by U.S. District Judge on Jan. 10 to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole.

KCPD Commercial Vehicle Enforcement helps Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Abby HooverManaging Editor The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department's (KCPD) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Squad will be participating in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative January 9 through 13. During their routine random commercial vehicle inspections, officers will be disseminating informational materials provided by Truckers Against Trafficking trying to raise awareness about the issue.

Developing . . .
This local news doesn't really fit anywhere else but we're posting it because it's important for parents and anybody concerned about the future of this cowtown.



Accordingly, here's a bevy of topics on the perilous sitch confronting students . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City scales back district closures after pushback: 'We have that power to defend our schools' Kansas City Public Schools is considering a scaled back plan to close schools as it copes with low enrollment and aging buildings. The district's Board of Education announced at its October meeting that it was considering closing 10 schools as part of a multi-year strategic plan to give its students the same programs and activities offered to students in suburban districts.

Missouri should consider the Rocky Mountain road to universal school lunch * Missouri Independent Better grades, improved health and higher lifetime earnings are why Missouri should join the growing list of states that provide universal school meals to all public school students. In 2017, researchers at Syracuse University published a study on the impact of free school lunches on all New York City middle school students.

KCK public school workers being trained to use Narcan for overdose emergencies KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Preventative and proactive. That's how educators in Kansas City, Kansas describe their training to use Narcan, the emergency spray that's used to save anyone who's overdosed on fentanyl. Fifty doses of the life-saving tool are now owned by KCK Public School administrators, 153 district employees have been trained to administer Narcan, including fellow nursing staffers and district police officers.

Missouri legislators propose bills addressing child care shortages The Columbus Park YMCA Head Start has two classrooms; each can hold 17 students. These days, it only uses one.The YMCA operates five Head Starts in the Kansas City area. Heather Gilliam heads them."We are currently short-staffed," Gillam told KMBC on Wednesday. "We could be a lot busier than we are right now.

Hearing for Kansas City's Genesis School charter set KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri state commission schedules a hearing to discuss the possibility of revoking a Kansas City school's charter. The Missouri Charter Public School Commission put Genesis School on notice last month.

Developing . . .
Here's a peek at the first on the list . . . Parents should expect more as enrollment continues to decline:



KCPS said 35 of its 37 currently operating schools are now recommended to stay open. But two schools -- Longfellow and Troost elementary schools -- are recommended to close or be converted next school year.



The district also doesn't have any plans to build or open any new schools at this time.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City Public Schools only calling for two schools to close now KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After public criticism, Kansas City Public Schools is now only recommending to close two school buildings instead of 10. The district shared changes to its Blueprint 2030 plan with the board at a meeting Wednesday night. KCPS said 35 of its 37 currently operating schools are now recommended to stay open.

Central High School to remain open, Longfellow Elementary would close under revised Blueprint 2030 plan KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Central High School and seven other schools in the Kansas City Public Schools won't close under the district's revised Blueprint 2030. However, Longfellow and Troost Elementary remain on the outside looking in. Last fall, the district released an initial Blueprint 2030 plan, that among other things, proposed the closure or repurposing of 10 schools.

Developing . . .
The new year gives way to the same old stories . . .

Desperate online trolls, activists and weirdos float rumors with no regard to the public trust or safety.



As always, we want to share facts in our own silly way . . .



Facebook post with claims of serial killer has 1,400+ shares "No evidence in any homicide investigation supports or suggests a serial killer in the city or the area," the department said in a release.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it.
In behavior reminiscent of Donald Trump's reluctance to pay people who provide him with goods and services, Elon Musk has simply stopped paying rent on a number of Twitter offices around the world. Why give all that money away when you can pay lawyers a fraction of the amount and stall forever?

Musk's latest cost-saving measure? Suspend rent payments to Twitter's office in Singapore, which has served as the company's Asia headquarters since 2015.

After employees found themselves on the street, Twitter management told them to work from home. I thought Musk said everyone had to come into the office, or they'd be fired. Maybe that's his next move.

From Gizmodo:
Britain's employment laws are stricter than America's, but that didn't stop Elon Musk firing Twitter staff there en-masse as if U.S. at-will employment rules prevailed worldwide. Now those affected are threatening legal action about a "sham redundancy" that amounted to them being locked out the office and told to sign their rights away if they wanted anything at all.

UK trade union Prospect, which represents more than 100 UK Twitter employees, also wrote to the company this week raising concerns about its layoff process, including claims that Twitter is "choosing not to honor" its promise that employees laid off following Musk's acquisition would receive severance with terms no less favorable than prior to his takeover.

Prospect also said the company has given workers "an arbitrary date to sign their rights away" in order to receive better separation terms, although negotiations over the layoffs are ongoing. (Typically, negotiations over mass layoffs by UK companies involve discussions of the reasons for terminations and how to minimize their size and impact.)

"It is to be celebrated that in the UK it is not possible to simply fire employees en masse at will as Twitter has done in other countries," Prospect,said in the letter. "Rest assured, Prospect will continue to lobby the Government and raise public awareness about employers who treat their workers like commodities to be discarded on a whim."
The Prime Minister says legislation will soon be brought to Parliament to allow for business
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).
Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova has allowed the first seven Slovaks to participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine.

That's according to the Slovak news outlet Pravda, Ukrinform reports.

"As of Monday, January 9, the president issued a total of 26 decisions, of which seven allow and 19 do not allow service in a foreign army," Martin Strizinec, the president's spokesperson, told Pravda.

However, the presidential office does not publish details about these persons for security reasons.

The report notes that Slovak legislation considers joining the armed forces of a foreign country as a criminal offense punishable by up to ten years in prison. To obtain the appropriate permission, it is necessary to contact the president of the country.

Several European countries, such as Denmark and Latvia, immediately allowed their citizens to participate in hostilities in Ukraine.

According to the report, the Czech authorities also responded in an exemplary manner. In the first few days, the Czech Ministry of Defense received approximately 100 requests for permission to participate in the battles, which must be approved by the head of state.

Since there is no collective possibility of such consent in the Czech Republic, President Milos Zeman and Prime Minister Petr Fiala agreed on guarantees of impunity. They announced that the president would grant amnesty to these people after they return home.
Ukrainian defenders have eliminated more than 100 Russian invaders near the town of Soledar, Donetsk region.

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said this in a post on Facebook.

"This happened thanks to the coordinated work of the soldiers of the Special Operations Forces, artillery and rocket forces. The operators of the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces discovered an enemy concentration in several locations. Artillery was directed to defeat the enemy, and a Tochka-U tactical missile system was also used in one location," the report said.

As a result, more than 100 Russian soldiers were killed in action and two machine guns and two mortars were destroyed.

Read also: Ukrainian forces repel enemy attacks on 12 settlements
On January 11, 2023, two civilians were killed and eight injured in Russian attacks on the territory of Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the data from regional military administrations, one person was killed and five injured in the Kherson region, one killed in the Donetsk region, two injured in the Zaporizhzhia region and one injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

A reminder that, on January 11, 2023, Russian troops opened fire on nine regions of Ukraine. Casualties among civilians were reported.

Photo: illustrative, Kyrylo Tymoshenkos Telegram channel

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Q: My mother-in-law passed away more than 25 years ago. Her son, his wife and their children lived in the house. They still live there, maintain the home and pay the taxes.

A probate estate was never opened when Mom passed away, as she didnt have anything of value and lived with us. The only thing she owned was the house. My husband and his brother are the only children left. How can they get the deed changed to their names? Both sons are in their mid-70s now. They are worried as to what will happen to the property when they pass away.

A: They are right to be worried. Theyre 25 years late in taking care of this issue. Even though its been business as usual for your husband and his brother, they really must take action as soon as possible.

In the best case, your husband and his brother can sign paperwork as the sole survivors of your mothers estate. If thats the case, they would be the only ones to inherit the property. Having said that, you didnt mention anything about your father-in-law. Is he still living? If he is, he may have some ownership rights to the home. And, if she died first and he passed some time after, we hope that his only children are your husband and his brother.

You also mention that they are the only children left. Were there other siblings alive when your mother-in-law passed away? Did they have children? If so, those grandchildren may have ownership rights to the property.

The real question is: What does everybody want to do with the house? Do both siblings agree that the home should go to the brother that lives in the house with his kids? Do the brothers feel as though they own equal shares of the property?

For each of these questions, there are different answers and, to some extent, those answers may differ from state to state.

However, your husband and his brother would be wise to sit down with a probate attorney or a real estate attorney and look at their options. Lets say that everyone agrees the property should wind up with the brother that lives in the home. In some states, your husband may be able to convey his ownership in the home to his brother by deed as the sole surviving heirs of your late mother-in-law. But the process may require some additional paperwork and the assistance of a title company.

We think that many attorneys may recommend that you open up a probate case. This would officially transfer ownership of the home from your late mother-in-laws name into the name of each brother or into the name of the brother who lives in the property. While probate can be expensive, you may find an attorney willing to help in this situation for a much lesser sum than normal.

Your husband and his brother might even find that they can open the probate case on their own if they read up on how probate court works, ask for assistance from the court clerks and are persistent. Doing it yourself isnt easy, and going into court may lead to a maze of complexities. But if your husband and his brother have the time and inclination, they can try to take it on.

Otherwise, the laws in which the property is located should control how the property would transfer from your mother-in-law. And, if your brother-in-law dies prior to taking care of the issue, youll then have to have his heirs (spouse and/or children) sign documents. (This is a good reminder to take a long, hard look at your own end-of-life documents and make sure your estate plans are in good shape.)

There are cases where people wait as long as your husband has to open up probate. Often, after a quarter century so many people have died that it can take a long time to locate all of the living heirs to have them sign documents. You also run the risk that one or more of the heirs will only sign the conveyance document if they get something in return. And when that happens, the whole property can go up for grabs as each heir stakes a claim to what they think they should get as their inheritance.

So, get moving. Decide what you want done with the home. Its not the best situation to have your husband and his brother own the home together if you know he and his brother agree that your brother-in-law should end up with the property. Your brother-in-law should also decide if he wants to hold title on his own (inheritances can be kept separate), or as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, or in a trust naming his spouse and/or children as beneficiaries.

You and he should decide now what to do and how to move forward, and then find some help. If you or he dies before this is done, there will just be another layer of complication for your heirs to untangle.
This morning Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners have destroyed Russias Su-25 assault aircraft in the eastern direction and Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in southern Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In the morning of January 12, 2023, the air defense missile units of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed Russias Su-25 assault aircraft in the eastern direction and Orlan-10 operational-tactical level UAV in southern Ukraine, the report states.

A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and January 12, 2023, Ukraines Defense Forces destroyed 285 enemy aircraft and 276 helicopters.

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The command of the Russian armed forces is strengthening the grouping of troops on the territory of Ukraine by relocating those mobilized from the training grounds of Belarus and Russia to the areas bordering Ukraine.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar announced this at a briefing of representatives of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine at Military Media Center, Ukrinform reports.

"The enemy is relocating the mobilized from the training grounds in Belarus and Russia to the combat zone and border areas, and continues to focus the main efforts on Donetsk region. The highest activity of the enemy is observed in the Bakhmut, Lyman and Avdiivka directions," she said.

In addition, Maliar reported that as of January 10, the Russian army included about 280 formations, together with the operational reserve (250 last week). The enemy rotates the units as part of the regional grouping of troops (forces) on the territory of Belarus.

According to her, the situation in the areas of hostilities remains difficult.

"In the absence of the necessary amount of military equipment, the Kremlin actively uses human resources to achieve success on the battlefield," Maliar emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, Russian invaders register teenagers, born in 2005-2006, for the draft.

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Under the guise of holding joint military exercises, the Russian armed forces will soon deploy a Russian grouping of troops in Belarus, which can be used for aggressive actions against Ukraine. In addition, Russia is building up its aviation grouping in Belarus.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Brigadier General Oleksii Hromov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this at a briefing on Thursday, January 12.

"It is worth noting that a joint operational exercise of the Russian and Belarusian armed forces - Union Shield 2023 - is to be held in Belarus. At the same time, instead of Exercise Center 2023, it is planned to hold the West 2023 maneuvers of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus. The peculiarity of these activities is that in both cases, a Russian grouping of troops will be deployed in Belarus, which can be used for respective actions. Based on the above, the potential threat of an offensive by the Russian armed forces from Belarus will remain in place throughout the year," Hromov said.

He noted that at this moment, no measures have been observed that the enemy is forming a strike grouping to resume offensive operations from Belarus.

Currently, the enemy has intensified railway transportation along the state border of Ukraine and is moving their units to Belarus to restore their combat capability. In addition, units of the armed forces of the occupying country, which have been conducting combat coordination on Belarusian training grounds since October 2022, are being moved from Belarus.

Hromov said that Belarus had extended the ban on flights of civilian aircraft over its territory until April 1, and Russia is building up its aviation grouping in Belarus.

"In Belarus, restrictions on flights of all types of civilian aircraft, including UAVs, in the south of the country, including in the Brest and Gomel regions bordering Ukraine, have been been extended until April 1. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the holding of joint flight and tactical exercises of the air component from both states in the period from January 16 to February 1 of this year. Under the guise of conducting the specified exercises, the enemy is building up an aviation grouping in Belarus. Last week, at least ten Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters were moved to the Machulishchy airfield. It is also expected that operational and tactical aircraft will be relocated to the Belarusian airfield. Flights of long-range aircraft of the aggressor country in the Belarusian airspace are not excluded," Hromov said, adding that given the above, the threat of airstrikes and the use of kamikaze drones against Ukraine from the Belarusian airspace is increasing.
Belarus currently does not pose a direct threat to Ukraine, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are gradually increasing their defensive capabilities on the border.

According to Ukrinform, the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, said this in a post on Facebook.

"At the moment, the situation on the part of Belarus does not pose a direct threat to Ukraine. We are constantly in communication with foreign partners, in particular, with partners from the United States, Poland, etc. Our intelligence is also constantly working. Currently, the units of the Belarusian armed forces that have are deployed along our state border have not changed either in size or in quality. But we are aware of the information we have and keep calm. Calm means that we professionally perform the tasks assigned to us, gradually increasing our defense capabilities and engaging in measures to improve the skills of our personnel," Nayev said.
On January 12, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a regular meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief regarding the situation on the battlefield, namely in the Donetsk regions Bakhmut and Soledar.

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Reports on the current situation on the main directions of the front and possible actions of the enemy were heard. Separately, the participants focused on the situation in the hottest areas, such as Bakhmut and Soledar. The importance of prompt and uninterrupted provision of the units defending this area with all necessary means and ammunition was emphasized, the report states.

Additionally, the members of the Staff considered the issue of strengthening the defense forces with the help of equipment and weapons coming from partners.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov had a phone call with Sebastien Lecornu, Minister for the Armed Forces of France, and thanked him for supporting Ukraine.

Had a fruitful conversation with my French friend Sebastien Lecornu. Appreciate France for continued support of Ukraine and for the decision to provide AMX-10 RC to the Armed of Ukraine, Reznikov wrote on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

According to Reznikov, Ukraine noted high efficiency of the Crotale air defense system and applaud for the opportunity to strengthen the protection of Ukraines sky.

As reported, at the beginning of January, President Emmanuel Macron announced France's decision to send AMX-10 RC armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine. This is a French armored fighting vehicle manufactured by GIAT Industries for reconnaissance purposes.

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Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience at a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.

"Strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience was discussed during the meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. Together with our partners, we are developing mechanisms that will contribute to balancing the energy system amid constant Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure," Shmyhal posted on Telegram.

Moreover, the proposals of Ukrainian energy companies and the issue of purchasing the necessary equipment were considered during the meeting.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Ukraine relies on U.S. help in this area and thanked for the support.

As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers plans to launch a large-scale reconstruction of the damaged and destroyed property in 2023 at the expense of budget funds, funds from international partners and donors, as well as seized Russian assets.

Photo: Telegram/Denys Shmyhal

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Western countries will introduce a new round of sanctions against the Russian oil sector next month.

That's according to Wall Street Journal, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The U.S. and its allies are preparing their next round of sanctions on Russia's oil industry, aiming to cap the sales prices of Russian exports of refined petroleum products in an expansion of novel penalties the West has imposed on the country's crude," the article reads.

It is stated that in meetings across Europe this week, Treasury officials are discussing the details of the coming sanctions on Russian oil products, which are set to go into effect February 5.

"The penalties will set two price limits on Russian refined products: one on high-value exports such as diesel and another on low-value ones such as fuel oil," WSJ said, referring to people familiar with the plans.

The new limits will follow moves last month by the U.S., European Union and their allies in the Group of Seven advanced democracies to cap the price of Russian crude exports at $60 a barrel. Those sanctions have had a relatively muted impact on global prices, encouraging Western officials who want to pressure Russia's budget while minimizing volatility in critical global energy markets.
Ukraine will consider a proposal from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to build a logistics hub intended for grain and food product deliveries.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, following a meeting between Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Solskyi, Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and Nigerias Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Ukraine is interested in developing such a logistics project and is ready to consider the details, Solskyi noted.

The meeting was held as part of the visit by a delegation of the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry to African countries.

The parties discussed the possibility of establishing cooperation and expanding trade relations between the two countries, namely creating a logistics hub for regular grain and food product deliveries.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has had a fruitful conversation with President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto. The parties discussed food security and the Grain from Ukraine initiative.

The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Had a fruitful conversation with President of Kenya William Ruto. Thanked for the constructive cooperation in the UN, for the support as a member of the UN Security Council. We talked about the Ukrainian initiative Grain from Ukraine, food security and the creation of grain hubs in Africa, Zelensky wrote.

According to the President of Ukraine, the parties agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

A reminder that the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian food program was initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As part of this program, partner states purchase Ukrainian-produced grain and send it to the countries facing a humanitarian crisis. The program is implemented in partnership with the UN World Food Programme.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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Buffalo Police said a school bus that was evacuated and cordoned off with yellow tape late Wednesday afternoon on Prospect Avenue did not pose a danger to children or residents.

The bus was cleared by a Buffalo Police Department K9 shortly after 5 p.m. The bus had been surrounded by a heavy police presence, with the intersection of Massachusetts and Prospect avenues blocked off.

Police asked residents near the school bus to evacuate their homes around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday after a threat was called in related to the bus.

Twenty-seven students and the bus driver were in the bus at the time of the call, but they were off the bus before police arrived, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia said.

School resource officers and Buffalo Public School Chief of Security Barbara Lark joined police and other emergency responders at the scene.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has put into effect the National Security and Defense Council decision as of January 12, 2023 on the introduction of economic sanctions against Royal Pay Europe LLC with a legal address in Latvia.

The relevant decree is published on the website of the Presidents Office, Ukrinform reports.

"To support a proposal submitted by the National Bank of Ukraine related the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)," the decree reads.

Personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) are applied to the legal entity "Royal Pay Europe" LLC (SIA "Royal Pay Europe"). The location of the legal entity is Latvia, Riga.

Sanctions provide for the following measures for five years: blocking of assets, preventing the withdrawal of capital outside of Ukraine, suspension of economic and financial obligations, prohibition of participation in privatization and leasing of state property, prohibition of transactions related to securities issued by persons to whom sanctions have been applied.

Photo: President's Office

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Presidents Andrzej Duda of Poland and Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania in Lviv on Wednesday, January 11.

The head of state published a photo of their meeting on his Telegram channel, Ukrinform reports.

"From the first days of the full-scale invasion, we have felt the support of our fraternal peoples of Poland and Lithuania. I am grateful to Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nauseda for their visit. Thank you for helping our people," Zelensky said.

Zelensky is on a visit to Lviv on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu have discussed Ukraine's defense needs.

Kuleba said this on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

"In our call, Urmas Reinsalu and I discussed Ukraine's military needs which can be covered by Estonia. Looking forward to good news. I also thanked Estonia for its initiative on a compensation mechanism and stressed it is an important element of our Peace Formula. Russia must pay," he wrote.

Estonian President Alar Karis earlier said that the most important thing now is to provide military aid to Ukraine so that it wins the war.

In the past, Estonia transferred supplied Ukraine with Javelin missiles, howitzers, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles, communication equipment, medicines, personal protective equipment and dry rations.

In cooperation with Germany, Estonia handed Ukraine two field hospitals and medicines worth about 15 million euros. Estonia will present Ukraine with a third field hospital in cooperation with the Netherlands and Norway.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed security challenges with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and thanked for humanitarian aid and willingness to increase sanctions against Russia.

Discussed current security challenges with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades. Thanked for humanitarian aid for Ukraine and willingness to support the increase in sanction pressure on the aggressor country, Zelensky wrote on Twitter.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that after he returned from Washington at the end of December, he has held about 30 talks with leaders and representatives of partner states.

On January 11, the second summit of the Lublin Triangle was held in Lviv with the participation of the presidents of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has said that reports by some media outlets about Ukraine's alleged request not to include Belarus in the latest packages of EU sanctions are not true.

The ministry's spokesperson, Oleg Nikolenko, said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Reports by some media about Ukraine's alleged request not to include Belarus in the latest EU sanctions packages are not true," Nikolenko said.

He also recalled that a number of personal sanctions (the Lukashenko regime, the military command, propagandists, 25 government bodies and companies of the Belarusian military industry, including the Ministry of Defense and the State Security Committee, as well as eight Belarusian companies) and sectoral sanctions (the central bank and four other Belarusian banks, a ban on the supply of dual-purpose goods, services, deposits, euros, fertilizers, as well as a ban on the activity of cargo operators) had been imposed on Belarus for supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Nikolenko added that instead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is aware of the discussion between the EU member states of the issue of further synchronization of sanctions imposed on Russia. "At the same time, according to our information, there is currently no consensus within the European Union," he said.

The diplomat noted that Ukraine and its partners are now actively working for the most meaningful implementation of the tenth EU sanctions package, the adoption of which is long overdue.

On January 12, media reports said that one of the reasons why Belarus was not sanctioned together with Russia in the latest EU packages was the fact that Ukraine allegedly requested this.
The peace summit, due to be held under the mediation of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, may take place at the UN headquarters in New York on February 24.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, said this in a statement to the Anadolu news agency, Ukrinform reports.

The diplomat recalled that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his statement at the G20 summit presented a ten-point peace plan that envisages the security of Ukraine and the region, food security, energy security, and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

"I am grateful to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu, who officially announced that Turkey supports Ukraine's proposed peace plan and is ready to participate in its implementation," he said.

Bodnar also noted Turkey's mediation initiatives and successfully implemented initiatives, including the opening and functioning of the "grain corridor."

Earlier, Bodnar denied reports of Turkey's supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Edvards Smiltens have held a meeting in Kyiv to discuss political, humanitarian and defense support for Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Latvias political, humanitarian and defense support is important for our country, Zelensky stressed.

In addition, Zelensky thanked Latvia for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as for the warm welcome of Ukrainians who had been forced to leave the country due to the Russian invasion.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Video: Volodymyr Zelensky's Telegram channel

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with the newly elected Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, Edvards Smiltens, and Latvian parliamentarians in Kyiv.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Shmyhal, Latvias support for Ukraine remains unwavering.

We discussed financial and humanitarian assistance, as well as the continuation of sanctions policy against Russia. I stressed the need to impose restrictions in the field of Russias nuclear energy. Also, we raised the issue of air defense system supplies and bringing the top Russian leadership to justice, Shmyhal wrote.

Shmyhal also thanked Latvia for its decisive support for Ukraine on the path towards the EU and NATO membership, and in the struggle for freedom and democracy.

Photo: Denys Shmyhal, Facebook

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In a phone call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel discussed joint steps to counter Russian aggression.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Had a phone call with Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel. Informed him about the situation on the battlefield. We discussed joint steps to counter Russian aggression. We also touched upon the implementation of the Peace Formula, Zelensky wrote.

A reminder that, on December 2, 2022, Luxembourg supported Ukraine with EUR 75 million worth of military equipment, which is 16% of the countrys defense budget for 2022.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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This year Ukraine will pursue the adoption of two resolutions of the UN General Assembly  on the implementation of the peace formula and on holding Russia accountable for waging its war against Ukraine.

According to Ukrinforms own correspondent in New York, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar told this to reporters at the UN headquarters.

These are two main resolutions that we will focus our diplomatic efforts this year. Number one step in February  this is peace formula. And the second one will be Russias accountability, she said.

According to Dzheppar, an extraordinary special session of the General Assembly can be convened to approve the resolution on the peace formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G20 summit, while the resolution on accountability will be considered later this year.

According to Dzheppar, the text of the resolution on the peace formula will be agreed with a group of Ukrainian partners, she explained: The idea actually is to enshrine the very idea of the peace formula, its points and its vision and its philosophy. So we hope that it will be considered at the end of February, dedicated to the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

According to Dzheppar, the peace formula is very clear and corresponds to the UN Charter.

We are very much committed to any peace negotiation that comes and brings us to one result - territorial integrity, sovereignty, peace for our people, she said, stressing that Ukraine is not going to trade its soil, and without having Russias army out of its territory, Ukraine will not discuss any peace negotiation.

So the peace formula is the basis of our visions, but it doesnt mean that we are ready to sign up any agreement on the cost of Ukrainian interest, she stressed.

Dzheppar reminded that the International Criminal Court is already investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide in Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, Emine Dzheppar addressed an open debate on strengthening the rule of law at the UN Security Council on Thursday.

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By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani fashion designer Gulnara Xalilova continues to conquer the fashion world.

The famed designer left the Norwegian public in awe, showcasing elegant silk scarves and costumes with traditional Norwegian and Karabakh ornaments, Azernews reports, citing Trend Life.

The exhibition "Northern Stories by C?ZG?" opened its doors at Deichmann Bjorvika cultural center in Oslo.

The large-scale event was co-organized by the Azerbaijani House in Oslo and the Council of Scandinavian Azerbaijanis.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani House in Oslo, Coordination Council of Scandinavian Azerbaijanis Ramil Aliyev, representatives of the Azerbaijani House in Oslo Arzu Rzayeva and Gunay Aliyeva as well as the Norwegian public attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"For the second time, I present my fashion creations in Norway, a homeland of the outstanding archaeologist, traveler, and writer Thor Heyerdahl, who, after many years of research, came to the conclusion that the Vikings had come from Azerbaijan. In ancient times, they started their journey to Scandinavia from the territory of our country, said Gulnara Xalilova.

She also recalled her fashion collection "Kharibulbul and Karabakh", presented in Cosmopolite Concert Hall in Oslo in May 2022. In her collection, the designer reflected the traditions and features of Karabakh traditional costumes.

Gulnara Khalilova once again pleasantly surprised local fashionistas with beautiful gowns with Norwegian ornaments. They highly appreciated the fact that Norwegian ornaments were transferred on silk for the first time.

As a rule, Norwegian ornaments are traditionally reflected in knitted and embroidered suits and dresses.

Notably, Gulnara Xalilova's collections have been successfully exhibited at fashion weeks and international events in the USA, Britain, Sweden, Austria, Romania, Turkiye, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Norway, and other countries.

Xalilova is the author of a number of books dedicated to the traditions of clothing, including the history of Azerbaijan's national clothing, textbooks, and catalogs for higher education institutions.

She is a member of the Eurasian Ethno Designers Association.
A drug dealer faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years after pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to a fentanyl charge, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross reported.

Devon Clark, 33, also known as Booski, entered the plea to a charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Sentencing is scheduled for June 8.

Prosecutors said that officers who executed a search warrant Nov. 13, 2019, at Clark's home on West Hazeltine Avenue in Kenmore and his vehicle found quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, drug packaging materials and approximately $3,220 in cash.

Search warrants executed Jan. 16, 2020, at two residences associated with Clark on Holmes Street in Buffalo turned up a small amount of marijuana, ammunition and drug paraphernalia, prosecutors said.

Ross noted that the plea follows an investigation by Kenmore and Lackawanna police, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Published January 11, 2023

MONROE, LA  The University of Louisiana Monroe has received approval for federal funding for two projects that will make a positive impact for citizens of Louisiana. The amount for both projects totals $2,505,000, which will be funded by the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill recently passed in the U.S. House and Senate. The projects were supported by Louisianas federal legislators after originating in the form of Community Project Funding (CPF) requests.

Louisiana District 5 U.S. Representative Julia Letlow sponsored the request for the State Mesonet Network Project. This project was approved for $2,000,000 as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2023.

Mesonets are interconnected networks of instrumented monitoring stations across an entire state or region that measure temperature, humidity, pressure, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, precipitation, and soil conditions. The Mesonet and its data will be used for critical weather and climate monitoring that will affect sectors such as severe and hazardous weather forecasting, homeland security and emergency management, aviation, energy and renewables, agriculture, transportation, and education.

Our universities are the economic engines of our region, and I was proud to help secure this substantial federal investment for the University of Louisiana Monroe, Congresswoman Letlow said. This project at ULM will provide critical information to our farmers, small business owners, and community leaders so they can better plan and respond to weather events, she added.

The funding will be used to purchase equipment to support the installation of 100 mesonet sites across Louisiana. At least one site will be installed in every parish, with some parishes having multiple sites, given their size and population distribution.

U.S. Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy sponsored the request for the Mobilized Aid and Disaster Relief for Emergencies (M.A.D.R.E.) project. ULM was awarded $505,000 for the project as part of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2023. The project will support evacuation shelters in Northeast Louisiana during disasters such as hurricanes. M.A.D.R.E. is the brainchild of an interprofessional group of students and faculty from the ULM College of Health Sciences and the ULM College of Pharmacy.

The M.A.D.R.E. project will help Northeast Louisiana build healthier and safer communities, said Dr. Cassidy. It serves Louisiana families with a double purpose, both of which are focused on saving lives.

M.A.D.R.E. will use a mobile pharmacy unit that will be deployed when people are displaced from their homes and usual avenues of healthcare due to natural disasters. During non-disaster times, the unit will provide support in rural and medically underserved communities to provide great access to prescriptions, vaccinations, and health screenings.

ULM is very grateful to Congresswoman Letlow and Senator Cassidy for their support of these impactful projects that will help us further our mission of changing lives, not just in our region, but across Louisiana, said ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry.
A Getzville man who threatened to kill Amherst police officers on social media has been sentenced to 33 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.

Prosecutors said Benjamin Bolton, 38, posted threatening messages on his Instagram and Twitter accounts April 10, 2022, after two encounters with Amherst officers during the previous weeks.

One of postings included a photo of Amherst police headquarters and said, "Fictionally speaking, it's time for this building to be blown up with all the cops and judges inside."

Prosecutors said officers investigating a report of a man carrying a rifle near Sweet Home Road on March 18 stopped Bolton and advised him that firearms are prohibited in certain parts of Amherst.

Prosecutors also noted that Bolton was taken into custody April 8 when officers followed up on a report that a driver who tried to cut off another vehicle in a coffee shop drive-through on Transit Road had flashed a handgun at the other motorist.
Yes, there's some snow on the way.

No, it won't be much to worry about.

Light snow is in the forecast for Friday, according to the National Weather Service office in Buffalo, which could blanket the Buffalo area in 2 to 3 inches of snow. Niagara County and the Southern Tier could see a few inches more, up to about 5 inches.

"But it's nothing to freak out about," assured Liz Jurkowski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Here's what to expect.

Rain will move into the region this afternoon, Jurkowski said. And that rain will switch over to snow sometime overnight, likely after midnight.

The light snow is expected to continue through Saturday morning. The snow is expected to affect the Friday morning commute.

Temperatures are expected to be in the low 40s during the day Thursday before slowly dropping below freezing Friday morning and dipping into the 20s and even teens on Saturday.

For Sunday, when the Buffalo Bills host a playoff game against the Miami Dolphins, the forecast is calling for cloudy skies, a light breeze and temperatures in the low to mid 30s on Sunday.

"A pleasant day to do outdoor activities," Jurkowski said of the conditions. That should be welcome news for Bills fans headed to Highmark Stadium.
January 11 2023

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has called for the retroactive installation of sprinklers in all public buildings following the publication of a report into the 2017 Cameron House Hotel fire.

Sheriff Thomas McCartney observed that a sprinkler system may have been decisive in preventing the deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson, agreeing with the recommendations of expert witnesses, including architect Peter Drummond and Gary Love, retired watch manager of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

Critically the report calls for fire assessment guidance to be expanded to take account of the specific risks associated with historic buildings.

In their response to the Cameron House fatal accident inquiry, the architect's body wrote: "The RIAS believes sprinklers save lives, and that the time has come for the Scottish Government to legislate for the retrospective installation of sprinkler systems in all buildings used by the general public. In many cases  particularly with regard to historic buildings  there are complexities and technicalities that may need to be overcome. However, we agree with the Sheriff that any issues of complexity are outweighed by potential safety benefits.

"Our position is clear: there should be no legislative, financial or technical obstacles to ensuring public safety."

In the New Year, three guests were killed at Perth's New County Hotel following another blaze.
January 12 2023

A planning row in Gorebridge, Midlothian, could see a newly built home demolished over a projecting roofline thought to be detrimental to the character of the town.

Midlothian Council initially refused consent to David and Dawn Allan in 2017, arguing that the design by Liston Architects was neither traditional nor a sufficiently high-quality contemporary design.

This was subsequently overturned by a follow-up application in 2018, swapping white render for stone and a timber and glass screen. The home was duly built in 2020 only for the owners to discover that a building warrant had been issued in error by the council.

Outlining the situation in an appeal to the Scottish Government Dawn Allan wrote: "In 2019 I was issued with a building warrant and a letter to confirm I could proceed with the construction. My builders built the house according to this warrant plan with a few changes made along the way for which we submitted retrospective planning.

"It was discovered during this application that the building warrant was granted in error by Midlothian Council as the planning had not in fact been granted to accompany it. This was only discovered once the house was built in 2020."

Midlothian Council has now served an enforcement notice on the property as the building does not comply with the approved plans. The owners now have until 20 April to make the required changes or else demolish the building by 20 June.
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Jan, 2023) Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai will host the 22nd edition of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS) World Congress from 17-21 January 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The event will bring together 7,000 specialised doctors from 180 countries, and 90 companies that will exhibit the latest therapeutic and diagnostic solutions in the sector.

Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and President of IFOS World Congress Dubai 2023, said the event reflects the emirates growing profile as a preferred venue for major global healthcare, medical and scientific events as well the UAEs emergence as a leading healthcare market.

The first IFOS World Congress to be held in the Gulf region, the 22nd edition of the event is being organised in cooperation with the GCC ORL Head and Neck Society and the UAE ORL Head and Neck Society. Dubai was announced as the host of the global event early this year following IFOSs decision to relocate the event from its originally planned host country.

Led by the UAE ORL Head and Neck Society with support from Dubais Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Health Authority, the event is an exceptional platform for knowledge exchange and networking between stakeholders and professionals in the field. The IFOS World Congress Dubai is the first in-person edition of at the global gathering since 2017. Building on the success of previous meetings, the 2023 event will explore new horizons for enhancing ORL treatment and improving patient care and wellbeing.

Dr. Hussein Al Rand, who is also the Head of the UAE ORL Head and Neck Society, as well as the President of the GCC ORL Head and Neck Society said the IFOS World Congress Dubai will feature a total of 43 lectures on the latest developments in various ORL specialisations including audiology, speech and balance.

Dr. Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the Dubai Health Authority, said winning the bid to host the prestigious IFOS World Congress reflects Dubais emergence as a major venue for global scientific and medical conferences. Events organised by the emirate bring together scientists, healthcare industry leaders, doctors and policymakers from across the world to exchange new ideas and knowledge.

Dr. Al Mulla said Dubai has become a prominent destination for investment and talent in the sector and a major catalyst for the healthcare industrys growth in the region and beyond. The IFOS World Congress will provide an opportunity to bring together stakeholders in the global ORL field to explore new ways to promote growth, development and innovation, he added.

On the sidelines of the Congress, four training workshops will be held at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences on 14th and 15th January on middle ear infections, cochlear implants and stapes replacement, Dr. Al Rand further said. Another set of workshops on 16th and 17th January will provide training on using endoscopes and surgical navigators. A total of 22 doctors from various Arab countries will participate in each workshop.

On 22nd January, two workshops will be held at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, one on respiratory failure and snoring, and the other on plastic and functional surgeries. Each of these workshops will feature the participation of 20 doctors, he added.

The International Federation of ORL Societies (IFOS) is a non-political organisation representing over 50,000 otolaryngologists from about 120 member nations. Founded in 1965, IFOSs mission is to identify critical global ORL care needs and disorders to propose treatment and prevention solutions and set priorities for these needs.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Jan, 2023) The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place near the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital Kabul, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles.

The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Afghan people and to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.
(@FahadShabbir)

Braslia, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ) :Security was boosted in Brasilia Wednesday as backers of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro vowed fresh protests just days after riots that shocked the Brazilian capital.

Demonstrations called for several cities on Wednesday evening were slow to get started, however, with officers in anti-riot gear and helicopter backup left twiddling their thumbs for what had been billed as a major mobilization.

AFP observed virtually no turnout in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, nothing like the "gigantic" rally promised to "take power back" from Bolsonaro's successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

One of just two protesters in Sao Paulo, law student Luis Augusto Gomes Machado, said he answered the call "to defend free expression, which is a constitutional right." The 20-year-old said that though he opposed Lula, he was against Sunday's trashing of the presidency, Congress and Supreme Court in Brasilia by thousands of Bolsonaro backers.

Eager to prevent a repeat of Sunday's riots, authorities Wednesday blocked roads leading to the Esplanade of Ministries in the capital in anticipation of renewed unrest.

The esplanade houses all government ministries as well as the three buildings targeted in Sunday's violent uprising.

In an invitation posted on social media, Bolsonaro backers were urged to turn out in Brasilia and other cities in a country left deeply divided by October elections in which leftist Lula narrowly beat far-right Bolsonaro.

Ever since Bolsonaro's defeat, his most hard-core defenders have been clamoring for the military to launch a coup against Lula.

And on Sunday, hundreds of protestors clad in the yellow-and-green colors of the Brazilian flag -- coopted by Bolsonaro and his backers as a symbol of nationalist fervor -- stormed the symbolic seats of power.

Dubbed "fanatical fascists" by Lula, they clashed with police, beat up journalists, and left a trail of destruction in their wake.

Hundreds have been arrested and Brasilia has been quiet since police on Monday rounded up so-called "bolsonaristas" who had been camped out in the capital since October.

According to a poll published Wednesday by the Sao Paulo-based Atlas Intelligence data company, nearly one in five Brazilians said they approved of Sunday's capital rampage.

"All the public security forces are mobilized" to protect Brasilia from a repeat, deputy justice minister Ricardo Cappelli told reporters.

"There is no scenario under which the unacceptable events that occurred on the 8th (of January) will be repeated." Lula appointed Cappelli to command the Brasilia security forces after Sunday's riots.

In scenes strongly reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol, "bolsonaristas" tore paintings and damaged furniture, broke windows and invaded the offices of judges, lawmakers and the presidency itself.

Authorities are working to identify the organizers and financiers of the uprising.

Lula, who met members of Congress in Brasilia on Wednesday, described the protesters as "a group of crazy people who do not understand that the election is over." On Tuesday, authorities issued arrest warrants for two former senior officials over the riots, including Anderson Torres, who was Bolsonaro's justice minister.

He was fired as Brasilia security chief, along with military police chief Fabio Augusto, after Sunday's scenes.

While Augusto is reportedly already in custody, Torres is expected to arrive in Brazil soon from the United States.

Torres is charged with "omission" of his duties and "collusion" with the protesters.

Torres and Bolsonaro, also in the United States where he this week received medical care, have both denied any involvement in Sunday's events.

The security forces in Brasilia have come under stinging criticism over their response to the riot.

Video posted on social media showed some of them filming the violence rather than intervening to halt it.

More than 600 people out of an initial 1,500 detained following the riots remained under arrest Tuesday.
ANKARA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ) :Law enforcement abuse in Greece remains "widespread," said an international rights group in its yearly report released on Thursday.

"Law enforcement officials failed adequately to respond to hate crimes and in some cases were complicit in them," the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report said.

Greece, which welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, failed to protect the rights of other asylum seekers and migrants and continued to push new arrivals back to Trkiye, it added.

"While the Greek government continued to deny it engages in illegal push-backs, it reported in early September 'averting' 150,000 irregular arrivals in 2022," the report said.

It underscored that Athens regularly disregards an increased number of emergency orders issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent the summary return of asylum seekers stranded along the borders with Trkiye, and at imminent risk of push-back.

Citing a report by Mary Lawlor, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights defenders, HRW said there is an "environment of fear and insecurity for human rights defenders" in the country, particularly those working on migration.

As to the state of media freedom, the report reiterated that Greece fell 38 positions within a year in Reporters Without Borders' 2022 report on the Press Freedom Index, making it the lowest-ranked EU country.

Counting the various occasions on which foreign and Greek journalists were threatened or persecuted by Greek authorities, the HRW said: "It recommended Greece to establish legislative and other safeguards to improve the physical safety and working environment of journalists."Citing a separate report on the state of racism and intolerance in the country, HRW warned that racially motivated police violence has been a growing trend since 2018, especially during the pandemic.
For more than a quarter century, the New Phoenix Theatre on the Park never lacked for atmosphere or broad-ranged programming.

If the theater sometimes lacked packed houses, well, that was OK, too.

"Although we were never going to be huge, we made a niche for ourselves," said Richard Lambert, the theater's founder and executive director. "You walked in, and it was a hodgepodge of little collections of art tableaus and stuff. The Phoenix might be remembered as a funky little joint that made a lot of people happy for over a quarter of a century."

Lambert also acted and directed in numerous productions at the theater at 95 Johnson Park since its opening in 1996.

A liquidation sale of the theater's possessions was held Dec. 10. The 1884 building has a buyer, pending the sale's approval by the New York State Attorney General's Office since the building is owned by a nonprofit.

Other theater companies performed at the venue, where many in the Buffalo theater community got their start.

Road Less Traveled Productions was one.

"Richard gave me my first professional directing experience at the New Phoenix," said Scott Behrend, executive and artistic director at Road Less Traveled Productions. "I directed a couple of plays for him there, and shortly after that I started Road Less Traveled Productions, and that is where we produced our very first play in 2003.

"The New Phoenix Theatre under Richard's leadership was an important incubator of new talent and new theater companies for most of its existence. It also reflected Richard's eclectic personality, vision and design that was definitely embedded there," Behrend said.

The venue included a second-floor rehearsal space and a third floor where Lambert lived in the early years.

Lambert had hoped the building would remain a theater, perhaps with some of its space reimagined for other purposes. But he doesn't expect the building to remain one.

One person who expressed interest in buying the building wanted to keep the theater but backed out after calculating the renovation costs, Lambert said.

The prospective buyer, Chris Wan, said all options remain. The theater was put on the market for $480,000 and the ultimate sales price was $380,000.

Because a nonprofit owns the building, the proceeds of the sale, if it goes through, will be divvied up among other nonprofits.

While Lambert will not receive any of the sales proceeds, "the one gift I do get is making a bunch of smaller companies happy," he said, referring to the proceeds being distributed among nonprofits.

In the early days of the New Phoenix, "if someone said here's a check for $25,000, I would have been ecstatic and doing cartwheels," he said.

The death on Dec. 28, 2022, of Mark Moretti, Lambert's husband and the theater's board chairman, led to the closing of the New Phoenix.

"I didn't have the energy to do it without him," said Lambert, 63, who relocated months ago to St. Petersburg, Fla.

Lambert bought the 6,300-square-foot building for $43,000 in 1995, and donated it to the New Phoenix in 2001. He did that so it could be eligible for grants to repair the roof, windows and other needs he couldn't afford.

"I thought I could be a big fish in a small pond, when I was just grateful to be swimming around," Lambert said. "We didn't do the top-tier stuff, not what Randy and Vincent did," he said, referring to Randall Kramer, executive and artistic director of MusicalFare Theatre, and Vincent O'Neill, co-founder and former artistic director of Irish Classical Theatre.

But those in the industry credit Lambert for his work.

"I think the New Phoenix Theatre was a little gem," O'Neill said. "I loved their varied programming. I thought Richard was a good leader."

O'Neill also liked how Lambert used the theater as a flexible space, continually coming up with different configurations.

"It was a theater that was popular, and the programming was varied, so it attracted a broad audience and was one of the better theaters in Buffalo," he said. "Losing Richard is a big loss."

Betsy Bittar, a former New Phoenix board member, also lamented Lambert's departure.

"All he's ever done is pour his blood and tears into everything related to that theater," Bittar said. "It was just a labor of love for him."

Lambert said he's not sure what the future holds for him.

"I have to figure out if there is a next chapter, and what I am supposed to do when this funk lifts," he said.
Nairobi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :A regional force which backed the Ethiopian government in its brutal two-year war against Tigrayan rebels has withdrawn from a strategic city in Tigray, the army said Thursday.

It said the pullout by the Amhara special forces from Shire followed Wednesday's announcement by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that it has begun surrendering its heavy weapons.

The moves are a key part of a November peace deal between the Federal government and the TPLF to end the conflict in northern Ethiopia that has claimed untold numbers of lives.

"Today, the Amhara special force which had been undertaking a national mission (in Shire) with the defence force has left the area as per the agreement," the federal defence force said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Under the agreement between the once warring sides, foreign forces and those that are not part of the Ethiopian national army were to withdraw "concurrently" with the rebel disarmament.

Residents and aid workers have reported the presence of both Amhara forces and Eritrean troops in Shire and other parts of Tigray, accusing them of atrocities including murder, rape and looting.

A withdrawal of Eritrean troops, who played a key role on the battlefield backing Ethiopian government forces, has long been a demand of the Tigrayan rebels as well as Western governments.

But the peace deal makes no specific mention of the Eritrean army.

Access to Tigray remains restricted to journalists and it is not possible to independently verify the situation on the ground.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation has planned to arrange an International Workshop on "Defining Research and Innovation Strategy for Excellence" in the month of February

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ):COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation has planned to arrange an International Workshop on "Defining Research and Innovation Strategy for Excellence" in the month of February.

According to an official of COMSTECH, the workshop, scheduled to be held from February 20-24, is being arranged in collaboration with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

The workshop, to be held at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), will be designed to address the interest of university management, research scholars, officials and policymakers, enforcement officers, in universities of Least Developed Countries of the OIC.

The workshop is aimed at identifying core competencies and focus areas within Research and Innovation framework, that aligns the university research and innovation portfolio with national needs and global challenges.

The objectives also include promoting entrepreneurial activities by leveraging upon the university research base, to find innovative, low-cost, indigenous solutions to diverse societal challenges and transfer technologies and innovations through prolific collaborations with public and private enterprises technology diffusion.

Resource persons from the National University of Science and Technology, (NUST) will deliver lectures and share experiences on how to improve the quality of research by investing in its human resources, creating an environment conducive to research, and fostering applied research and innovation in academic institutes.

NUST has become an example to follow for evolving its education, research, and innovation ecosystem.

NUST worked diligently in developing contemporary facilities, academic curricula, international linkages, competent faculty, and nurturing talents for the nation.

NUST has formulated its Research and Innovation Excellence Strategy (RISE) 2025 as its five-year strategic initiative that will build upon the momentum gained during the last three decades and is chalked out by horizontal-vertical partitioning of different components of the ecosystem  education, research, and innovation.

NUST Research and Innovation Strategies for Excellence  NUST RISE 2025, will help in building its achievements and propel NUST to reach new heights in service to the nation, global community, and meeting diverse challenges for humanity.

About the registration, the official informed that the physical participation is limited only to Africa through the web link: https://forms.gle/zsoZDsoiTezVLe37A while the virtual participation will be through https://forms.gle/1zF9fNQBTmWa5vFL9.

The new paradigm of higher education places universities in a pivotal role within a knowledge-based economy, connecting all aspects of society. Sustaining leadership for the next decades and beyond requires futuristic thinking, adequate planning, and staying relevant in a fast-changing world.

Research excellence often requires collaborative, interdisciplinary working across the University, within the region and beyond; extending to other higher education institutions and businesses, nationally and internationally. To attain excellence in research and innovation, new knowledge and indigenous solutions could be developed to address the great global challenges.

Universities are an ideal conduit for innovation, taking research towards commercialization and impacting the communities.

Studies show, the top academic institutes have closely worked with industry, public organizations extensively to increase their research productivity.
Prime Minister's Special Representative (PMSR) for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Thursday termed Saudi Arabia (SA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all-weather friends of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ):Prime Minister's Special Representative (PMSR) for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Thursday termed Saudi Arabia (SA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all-weather friends of Pakistan.

Expressing gratitude to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Hafiz Ashrafi told APP that the UAE had helped Pakistan in the trying time by not only rolling over the existing loan of $2 billion, but providing additional $1 billion.

Ashrafi, who is also the Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, said the generous support would further cement the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.

He said the recent visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the UAE would open new avenues of cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and energy.

He also lauded Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for coming to Pakistan's help in the critical economic situation.

Citing the statement of Saudi Crown Prince for increasing the Kingdom's assistance and investment in Pakistan, he said it was explicit evidence of exclusive diplomatic and religious affinity between Pakistan and the KSA.

The special assistant said as per reports the Saudi Fund for Development would conduct a study on increasing the deposit amount with State Bank of Pakistan to $5 billion from $3 billion and it would also assess the options to enhance its investments in Pakistan to $10 billion.

He also thanked the international donors, including the KSA and the UAE, for committing over $9 billion to help Pakistan recover from the ravages of massive floods and exceeding its external financing goals at a Geneva meeting co-hosted by the United Nations and the Government of Pakistan.

This generous aid for rehabilitation and reconstruction and other climate change-related damages would help flood-affected populations recover and rebuild infrastructure, he maintained.

Ashrafi also appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for drawing the world's attention towards the massive loss of life and property caused by the recent floods in Pakistan.

On the recent visit of Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, he said it was a good omen that the new army chief paid his first visit to the holy land where he was accorded a warm welcome.

"We should be proud of our military leadership. He may bring big investment in the country, which will help it come out of the recent financial crisis."
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday visited national and cultural landmark of Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday visited national and cultural landmark of Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi.

The prime minister was welcomed by Khalifa Bin Tahnoon, Executive Director Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office in Crown Prince's Court.

PM Shehbaz attended the solemn Guard of Honour ceremony. Afterwards, he laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Monument, which comprises 31 panels leaning on one another to symbolise the unity and solidarity between the UAE's leadership, people and heroic soldiers.

The prime minister also toured Wahat Al Karama, where he was briefed about the memorial, which embodies the sacrifices of valiant Emirati soldiers. At the end of the tour, he wrote a note on the memorial's guest book, expressing his appreciation for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) brave martyrs.

Wahat Al Karama is a national and cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi, which was established to commemorate the heroic actions of the UAE's martyrs and their sacrifices in defence of the motherland.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a two-day visit

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a two-day visit.

The UAE's Minister of Economic Affairs Abdullah Touq Al Marri received the prime minister and his delegation on their arrival at the Abu Dhabi airport.

The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the cabinet.

The prime minister is visiting the UAE on the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This is the third visit of Shehbaz Sharif to the UAE after assuming the office of prime minister.

During the visit, the prime minister will meet the UAE president with a particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties between the two brotherly countries and creating increased opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in the UAE.

The prime minister will also meet the UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

During the meetings with the Emirati businessmen and investors, the prime minister will discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

The UAE is home to around 1.7 million Pakistanis who have been playing a pivotal role in the success story of the UAE, for the last five decades, contributing to the progress, prosperity and economic development of the two countries.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev discussed bilateral and regional issues with Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in a meeting in the capital Baku on Wednesday

ISTANBUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ):Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev discussed bilateral and regional issues with Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in a meeting in the capital Baku on Wednesday.

Aliyev said the countries' "bilateral relations based on strategic partnership are developing successfully" and "emphasized the importance of high-level reciprocal visits in this regard," according to a statement by the Azerbaijani presidency.

He said the two countries have "successful cooperation in various fields, including energy," citing the "effective functioning of the Southern Gas Corridor," which supplies European markets with gas from the Caspian Sea.

He hailed "Italy's contribution to the expansion of Azerbaijan-NATO and Azerbaijan-European Union relations," and reaffirmed Baku's commitment to further strengthen relations with Rome, the statement said.

The two discussed ways to utilize the "good prospects for expanding cooperation in energy, construction, tourism, agriculture, the defense industry and others." Crosetto told Aliyev that the Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "is determined to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan further," the statement added.
Hina on Thursday strongly condemned bombing outside the Afghan Foreign Ministry in Kabul and extended sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ) :China on Thursday strongly condemned bombing outside the Afghan Foreign Ministry in Kabul and extended sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident.

"We noted relevant reports. China firmly opposes all acts of violent terrorism. We strongly condemn this incident, mourn for the victims and extend sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing.

Responding to a question about safety of the Chinese nationals in Kabul, he said,"As far as we have learned, there have been no Chinese casualties in this terrorist attack" He hoped that Afghanistan would take resolute and effective measures to protect the safety of the people and institutions of China and all other countries in Afghanistan.

As per media reports, at least five persons were killed and about 40 others were wounded in a bombing outside the Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul on Wednesday.
BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) China has agreed to cooperate with the United States on climate change issues, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Thursday.

"On Wednesday, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua held a video conference meeting with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. The parties agreed to continue cooperation, jointly respond to the challenges related to climate change," the ministry said on social media.

In November, media reported that Xie had informally met with Kerry during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt.

It was reported that both sides were interested in resuming negotiations to limit methane emissions, combat deforestation and accelerate the transition to green energy.

In August 2022, China suspended negotiations with the United States in a number of areas, including climate change, after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. China condemned Pelosi's trip in the strongest terms, saying it was a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan.
(@FahadShabbir)

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte accompanied by Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra will visit Washington next week to meet with US President Joe Biden, media reported on Thursday.

Rutte and Biden are expected to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and economic cooperation between the two countries, Dutch broadcaster NOS cited sources as saying.

The Dutch prime minister last visited the United States in 2019. That time, he met with then US President Donald Trump.
(@FahadShabbir)

WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has lifted a ban that prohibited Poland from sending migrants coming to the country from Belarus back to its Eastern neighbor, the Polish Border Guard said on Wednesday.

In December 2021, the ECHR temporarily banned Poland from deporting migrants who had already come to Poland from Belarus and appealed to the court. The decision concerned 40 applications from over 90 migrants that arrived in Poland after illegally crossing the Polish-Belarusian border.

"After reviewing the materials provided by Poland and migrants' representatives, the court has terminated or has not prolonged a temporary measure on all 40 cases," the guard said in a statement.

The border guard stated that the court had stopped considering applications in 25 cases as no contact with applicants could be established, with some of them moving outside of Poland to other EU states.

Representatives of some migrants appealed to the ECHR long before these foreigners illegally crossed the border and, thus, abused the ruling made by the court, the Polish authorities said.

Relations between Belarus and its European neighbors have soured due to the migrant crisis that unfolded last year, with Poland, Latvia and Lithuania accusing Minsk of facilitating the transfer of migrants across its borders. Minsk denied all accusations and said it could no longer deal with the inflow of migrants due to European sanctions.
Memo to Gov. Kathy Hochul: Just because other governors did it  dating back to former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, who served from 1959 to 1973  doesnt make it right.

Hochul should keep that in mind as she continues, in modified form, the unwarranted practice of hiring new staff to work directly for her, as the governor, but paying them through various state agencies or public authorities.

There are about half-million-dollars of reasons to believe that paying the governors staff directly from the governors budget is the right approach. Not to mention, doing so offers the taxpaying public the transparency Hochul promised.

Putting a twist on an old practice does not make it acceptable. The governors spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays attempted to explain her boss policy by saying that in this administration, agency payrolls are not used for hiring without a clear nexus between the purpose of the agency making the payment and the persons role within the Governors Office.

Fine, but why do it at all? There seems to be obvious reason but obfuscation.

Hochul should know better, as she had to deal with the controversy left in the aftermath of the hiring practices of her predecessor, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. It was the subject of an FBI investigation, which Cuomo called a charade. The inquiry did not result in criminal charges. Still, in September, the Hochul administration agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to the federal government related to Cuomos use of the practice.

Hochuls office provided data in mid-December indicating that while 263 people were employed in the Governors Office  including the governor, herself  nearly half of them  121  were being paid by other state agencies.

The practice runs counter to the pledge of transparency Hochuls made upon taking office 17 months ago. For no good reason, it complicate the task of identifying the public cost of staffing the governors office.

Obtaining information about which Executive Chamber employees are paid by the chamber requires filing a Freedom of Information Law request with the state comptroller. Discovering information about which agencies or public authorities are paying chamber staff becomes even more cumbersome. Helpful to taxpayers, an Albany think tank, the Empire Center for Public Policy, obtains those payrolls through FOIL requests, then posts the data on its website annually.

Hochuls office pointed out that it has posted a list of chamber staff on the governors website. The list had not been updated since June. That is, until The News sought comment from Hochuls office. Now the information is more current.

Even former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who sought to end the practice, understood the wrongness of it, even if his proposal included increasing his offices budget by $3 million.

Hochul must figure out some way to pay her staff without resorting to old gubernatorial sleights of hand.

  

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.
The European Union has allocated additional 25.5 million euros ($27.4 million) in humanitarian aid to a number of African countries facing the food crisis, local conflicts and displacement, the European Commission said on Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) The European Union has allocated additional 25.5 million Euros ($27.4 million) in humanitarian aid to a number of African countries facing the food crisis, local conflicts and displacement, the European Commission said on Thursday.

"The European Commission has allocated an additional amount of 25.5 million euros in several African countries dealing with the repercussions of an unprecedented food crisis, but also with the results of conflict and displacement, as part of humanitarian funding allocated last year," a statement read.

In particular, the union has allocated 2 million euros to Algeria, Cameroon and Chad each, 4 million euros to the Central African Republic, 10 million euros to Sudan, and a total of 5.5 million euros to countries in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

The funds will be spent on reinforcing social protection schemes and key sectors, such as food assistance, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, the European Commission said. The aid will also be used to support newly displaced populations and host communities in conflict areas.
Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth elements, essential for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, has been discovered in Sweden's far north, boosting Europe's hopes of cutting its dependence on China

Kiruna, Sweden, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ) :Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth elements, essential for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, has been discovered in Sweden's far north, boosting Europe's hopes of cutting its dependence on China.

Swedish mining group LKAB said Thursday the newly-explored deposit, found right next to its iron ore mine, contained more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides.

"This is the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in our part of the world, and it could become a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition," LKAB's chief executive Jan Mostrom said in a statement.

"We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles," Mostrom added.

While the find is believed to be the biggest in Europe, it remains small on a global scale, representing less than one percent of the 120 million tonnes estimated worldwide by the US Geological Survey.

In 2021, the European Commission said that 98 percent of the rare earths used in the EU were imported from China, prompting Brussels to urge member states to develop their own extraction capacities.

LKAB's find was presented as a delegation from the European Commission visited Sweden, which took over the rotating EU presidency at the start of the year.

"Today, the EU is way too dependent on other countries for these materials," Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference, pointing specifically to Russia and China.

"This must change. We must take responsibility for the raw material supply needed for the (green) transition," she added.
Germany pledged to deliver 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine and train Ukrainian servicemen in the first quarter of 2023, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Thursday

BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Germany pledged to deliver 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine and train Ukrainian servicemen in the first quarter of 2023, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Thursday.

"We promised Ukraine that in the first quarter of 2023, we would supply 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and we would also organize training," Lambrecht told reporters.

On January 5, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden in a telephone conversation agreed to send heavy military equipment to Kiev in 2023.

Berlin, in particular, announced its readiness to supply Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Patriot air defense systems.

Western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation there on February 24, 2022. In April 2022, Moscow sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Kiev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian forces.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell asking for sanctions to be imposed against Turkey for illegal fishing activities in Greek territorial waters and the provocative behavior of the Turkish coast guard, Greek media reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

On January 5, as the Greek Coast Guard boat was attempting to identify three Turkish fishing vessels that were illegally fishing near the island of Farmakonisi in the Aegean Sea, a Turkish patrol boat tried to ram it. Greek officers fired warning shots to deter the Turkish vessel.

"The above repeated Turkish practice creates a dangerous security environment and increases the risk of an 'accident' that could then be instrumentalised by Ankara in order to scale up tension between Greece and Turkey," Dendias wrote in the letter as quoted by Athens News Agency on Wednesday.

The diplomat also stressed the need to take countermeasures if Turkey continues its illegal actions, demanding that Turkish fish products be banned from the EU market, according to the news outlet. Dendias added that such a reaction could serve as a warning sign for Turkey and would demonstrate the European Union's solidarity with Greece on this issue.

Turkey and Greece have been at odds for decades, with the risk of an armed conflict arising several times since 2020. Disputed issues include competing territorial claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular in the region of the Aegean Sea, the Greek-Turkish divide in Cyprus, and the delimitation of maritime borders.
US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Thursday that he has full faith in President Joe Biden to responsibly handle a probe into the discovery of classified materials in one of his former offices

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Thursday that he has full faith in President Joe Biden to responsibly handle a probe into the discovery of classified materials in one of his former offices.

On Monday, US media reported that Biden's personal attorneys discovered classified documents at a think-tank office while vacating the work space, prompting US Attorney General Merrick Garland to assign a Federal prosecutor to probe how the sensitive materials ended up there without oversight.

The ten classified documents recovered from the think-tank office covered topics related to Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom, media also reported.

"I have full faith and credit in President Biden. I believe that he's doing everything to take the appropriate steps to determine what happened and how to move forward in a responsible fashion, and I'm confident that he will continue to do so," Jeffries said during a press conference.

The Biden administration is fully cooperating with authorities on the matter, a White House counsel said in a statement.

On Wednesday, US media reported that Biden aides discovered a second trove of classified documents while searching for additional classified materials at the former Biden offices. White House Special Counsel Richard Stauber issued a statement saying the second batch consists of a small number of Obama-Biden administration records with classified markings. All but one of these documents were found in Biden's garage at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. One document was discovered among stored materials in an adjacent room.

Biden is unlikely to face any serious consequences if it were found he mishandled the classified documents, experts told Sputnik. However, the controversy might complicate pursuing a probe into former US President Donald Trump's own alleged mishandling of sensitive materials, George Mason University law professor Francis Buckley said.

On Thursday, Congressman Paul Gosar told Sputnik that Republican lawmakers will investigate the matter as a serious felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence of up to ten years.
BUDAPEST (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Hungarian President Katalin Eva Novak warned against NATO's involvement in the Ukraine crisis and called on the alliance to be guided by pragmatism rather than emotions.

"In this issue (the Ukraine conflict), ones should be pragmatic but also think about the survival of Europe. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should keep out of the war; we should not allow ourselves to give in to emotions and get involved in the conflict because of it," Novak said during a meeting with ambassadors of foreign states, as quoted by the MTI news agency.

The president called on diplomats to work in a spirit of mutual respect for each other's cultures and pragmatism.

Western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation there on February 24, 2022, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. In April 2022, Moscow sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Kiev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian forces.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

A number of large-scale military exercises, including international ones, will be held in Kazakhstan in 2023, the press service of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Wednesday

ASTANA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2023) A number of large-scale military exercises, including international ones, will be held in Kazakhstan in 2023, the press service of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Tokayev met with Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov and heard his report on the results of the ministry's activities in 2022 and plans for the current year.

"The Supreme Commander-in-Chief was reported to on the measures planned for 2023 to maintain combat readiness, and conduct large-scale exercises, including at the international level," a statement read.

Zhaksylykov provided information on the level of combat readiness, improvement of the composition and structure of the Kazakh army, and operational and combat training measures conducted last year, the statement added.

According to the statement, the defense minister noted that the special operations forces were created in Kazakhstan last year, while the potential of airborne assault troops was also being increased.

Zhaksylykov also informed Tokayev about supplying the armed forces with modern equipment and weapons, developing territorial defense forces, improving military infrastructure, and building up peacekeeping capabilities.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will visit the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland to discuss climate issues, the State Department said on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2023) US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will visit the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland to discuss climate issues, the State Department said on Wednesday.

"Kerry will travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE, on January 12-16 to participate in engagements surrounding Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week," the statement read.

The special envoy will represent the United States at the International Renewable Energy Agency General Assembly, the Global Energy Forum, the World Future Energy Summit and in additional meetings with foreign counterparts on climate diplomacy priorities for 2023, the statement said.

"He will then travel to Davos, Switzerland, on January 17-20 to engage global governmental and private sector leaders at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on climate action," the statement added.

Kerry will discuss such issues as climate resilience, finance, reducing deforestation, shipping decarbonization, ocean stewardship, energy security, methane mitigation and long-term sustainable growth, according to the statement.
Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson has made no secret of his hopes of a dramatic political comeback. But the enduring "partygate" scandal threatens that, as graphic new revelations emerge

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2023 ) :Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson has made no secret of his hopes of a dramatic political comeback. But the enduring "partygate" scandal threatens that, as graphic new revelations emerge.

Contradicting his later denials that any lockdown rules were broken, Johnson allegedly joked at a boozy 10 Downing Street event in November 2020 that it was "the most unsocially distanced party in the UK".

Staff shredded documents when civil service and police investigations loomed, and some had sex at one riotous party the night before Prince Philip's funeral, according to aides interviewed for an ITV podcast.

"As the disgraced former prime minister plots his comeback, he reminds us all yet again why he's totally unfit for office," Angela Rayner, the opposition Labour party's deputy leader, responded.

"While people were unable to say goodbye to loved ones or mourn with their families, he was breaking his own rules with reckless abandon and then lying to the British people." The ITV podcast came out this week just as a parliamentary committee is due to open an investigation that could see Johnson suspended or even expelled from the House of Commons.

The "privileges" committee is looking into whether he lied to the Commons, starting in December 2021 after one damning video emerged, when he told MPs that "the rules were followed at all times".

"We all watched it live and we were just gobsmacked," one Downing Street source who attended parties told ITV.

"We were all just shocked that he would even deny it. He was there. We were there. We were all there together." Johnson -- along with eventual successor Rishi Sunak -- was fined by London police for another Downing Street event in June 2020 that violated his own government's rules on social distancing.

Sunak's spokesman said on Thursday: "At all time staff were given clear guidance to retain any relevant information and cooperate with the investigation." - 'Final nail' - After his fellow Conservative MPs tired of the non-stop scandal and forced him to resign, Johnson tried to stage a sensational return in October when Liz Truss was herself forced out of Number 10.

But after a hurried dash back from a Caribbean holiday and a fevered weekend of campaigning, he bowed out of the race, allowing Sunak to take over.

One Tory MP called the ITV report "the final nail in his self-created comeback coffin", according to the Independent newspaper.

But Johnson and acolytes such as former minister Nadine Dorries are famously thick-skinned, and the ex-premier has been burnishing his legacy and continued relevance via a series of well-paid speeches.

"Most sane people know they (Conservative MPs) were completely wrong. Nothing has gone right for us since the day they removed Boris Johnson," Dorries told TalkTV on Tuesday.

Johnson gave an impassioned defence of his record at London's Tory-oriented Carlton Club Tuesday for the unveiling of a portrait of him -- which showed a thinner, energetic-looking figure.

The unveiling was meant to be the centrepiece of what the Sunday Times said was the start of a comeback campaign ahead of UK local elections in May, which opinion polls predict will turn out badly for Sunak.

Other senior Johnson loyalists have founded a new group, dubbed the Conservative Democratic Organisation, insisting that party members get a say over Sunak's leadership.

But a former minister told the Independent: "This will make the privileges committee inquiry more difficult for Boris -- if this is stood up, he clearly knew what was going on.

"I worry that some of his supporters are oblivious to reality and may try causing unnecessary disruption by still pushing him."A spokesman for Johnson did not deny that he said the "most unsocially distanced party" line.

But he stressed that the then-leader had "worked constantly" to ensure the government did all it could to protect lives and jobs during the pandemic.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on January 17 in Moscow and discuss the restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as other issues on the bilateral agenda will be discussed, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"It is planned to continue an exchange of views on a number of topical international and regional topics, including the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian Nuclear Program, interaction between the two countries on international platforms, including the UN, the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), the situation in Syria, Afghanistan, Transcaucasia and the Caspian issues," Zakharova told a briefing.

The spokeswoman added that the ministers will also discuss the trade and economic issues of bilateral agenda, including the implementation of key joint energy, transport projects, as well as the the negotiation process on the conclusion of a free trade zone agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Its 100% female-owned and run  and its about damn time.

Courtesy/ Amanda Lauro

If you ask the average person what comes to mind when they think of beauty pageants like Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe, sadly, it isnt the inspiring women who compete for the crown, their impressive academic pursuits, or charitable work. Instead, it is likely two cultural linchpins: When Miss Teen South Carolina Lauren Caitlin Upton stumbled through her response to a question and left us with soundbytes like, U.S. Americans and the Iraq during the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant (for the record, the online reaction to her flub was so hateful she contemplated suicide) and when Miss Universe host Steve Harvey called the wrong name at the 2015 pageant, first saying Miss Columbia had been crowned Miss Universe, before coming back on stage a few minutes later to correctly state that Miss Philippines was actually the winner. But new female leadership at the Miss Universe Organization wants to revamp those trite perceptions. Globally.

First, you should know that the Miss Universe pageant is part of the Miss USA family: When a woman is crowned Miss USA, she can then go on to compete at Miss Universe. And while the leadership of both Miss America and Miss USA have been working for years to flip the antiquated narrative surrounding these pageants, Miss Universe is now poised to do so on a global level.

After being owned by men for its entire 71 years (most notably Donald Trump for almost 20 of those years), this past October, the MUO (Miss Universe Organization) was purchased by JKN Global Group, a Thailand-based media company owned by Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip  who is now the first female to own the organization.

While Jakrajutatips name is new to Americans, the billionaire is a beloved public figure in Thailand, where shes appeared on Thai versions of Project Runway and Shark Tank and has nearly 7 million followers on Instagram. She is also a transwoman, a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, and the founder of a Thai-based transgender rights organization called Life Inspired for Transsexual Foundation (LIFT). Her goal for her newly acquired pageant? To be the number one global womens empowerment platform.

Story continues

Courtesy

In school, I was bullied a lot and sexually harassed by my own teachers, and why I had to be different has always been my question mark, Jakrajutatip shares. Why did I have to struggle this much? Now, I know. Everything Ive gone through brought me here where I can help raise the voices of women around the world.

Jakrajutatips purchase marks an exciting shift for the MUO, as it is now run entirely by women for the first time. In January of 2022, Amy Emmerich  formally the president and chief content officer of Refinery29 after years in TV production  was hired as the CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, joining longtime president Paula Shugart.

I was very unsure at first, Emmerich says of when she was first approached about the job. The brand is really misunderstood in the U.S. still, but it is the Super Bowl for many countries, and experiencing the pageant and meeting the women really touched me in a big way.

They know me as a feminist and everyone thinks pageants are the opposite, but why are we still looking at this system through the male gaze? - Amy Emmerich, CEO of the Miss Universe Organization

:

Emmerich says that once she accepted the position, her friends were shocked. They know me as a feminist and everyone thinks pageants are the opposite, but why are we still looking at this system through the male gaze? she says. These women have a choice in everything they do, and they have a confidence that I still dont have at 47. Plus, with a fan base of 23 million and counting on social, this is a global platform like none other that allows for conversations about the rights of women across the world.

Shugart has been the MUOs president for 24 years. Emmerich calls her the brands guiding star and praises her for holding together the organization through multiple owners and for knowing all the intricacies of the politics involved in running an institution fueled by so many different countries and governments. She also says she thrust Shugart through feminist bootcamp when she came on as CEO, and then the pair went to work.

Paula loves to say these women are the next generation of leaders, and its incredible for them to come together and meet each other, understand their differences, yet find their common ground. All this has a stronger meaning and purpose, and the brands mission is to create a future forged by women, so I think it makes more sense to do that with women at the helm, says Emmerich.

For the past year, Emmerich, Shugart, and their small but mighty team have propelled the brand toward a more modern and equitable future. Some of the most immediate changes are that all women between the ages of 18-28 are now allowed to compete in the Miss Universe pageant system, including those who have previously been excluded: women who are trans, mothers, pregnant, married, and divorced. They are also working to turn the televised competition into a platform to learn about the contestants versus a pageant to simply look at them.

Courtesy

There are close to 90 women this year, so they dont get much time on stage, but were trying to maximize that time, says Emmerich. This is a job interview for a global ambassador who is ready to work and many of these women will go from under 10,000 social media followers to more than 2 million overnight. What story do they want to tell with that power?

Audiences will hear more from the contestants  who are called delegates  throughout the three-hour televised event and will learn more about their stories and backgrounds in various ways. One particularly creative storytelling method is that each delegate will be wearing a personalized cape during the swimwear portion of the program. The capes were delivered to each woman as a blank canvas, and they were asked to design the capes to share a message or cause close to their heart or something that represents them and their country. After the competition, the customized capes will be auctioned off for charity. Viewers will also notice more diversity in the judges this year and moving forward. Gone are the days of the panel simply being filled with A-Listers. Now, well see everyone from politicians to CEOs and artists  all powerful women in their own fields.

That means no more Steve Harvey hosting, either. This years pageant will be co-hosted by Olivia Culpo (who was Miss Universe 2012) and Jeannie Mai Jenkins, while Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and American Ninja Warrior co-host and Access Hollywood correspondent Zuri Hall will serve as backstage commentators.

From now on, you will feel the feminine energy coming off the screen when you watch, says Emmerich. This isnt a competition, but a celebration of femininity and female power, and youre going to feel it!

As the leadership works to have the organization support women at every touchpoint, the delegates will feel a difference on their end, as well. Each woman receives a gift bag upon arrival at the pageant. This year, they found the contents were carefully selected from small, women-owned businesses (Emmerich estimates the brands represented are 95% women-owned this year).

Emmerich and Jakrajutatip also have plans to build a leadership training course, have worldwide speaker tours (think MUO meets TED Talk) and build a delegate database to help form a sense of community between each years contestants. We want to help these women build a long-term sisterhood to share their successes and their endeavors on a larger level, says Emmerich.

Courtesy

:

It's also clear that having Jakrajutatip at the helm will systemically shape the MUO. From a business standpoint, shell be applying the same business savvy and tenacity that propelled her to becoming the third-richest person in Asia and Asias richest trans woman and applying it to the business side of the MUO.

From now on, you will feel the feminine energy coming off the screen when you watch. This isnt a competition, but a celebration of femininity and female power, and youre going to feel it! - Amy Emmerich, CEO of the Miss Universe Organization

It has been a sleeping giant for a long time, she says of the organization. Now its my job to leverage the legacy of the brand and take it further. First up is a Miss Universe branded mineral water that will be manufactured in Jakrajutatips factory in Thailand, and the consumer products side will continue to grow with skincare, cosmetics, swimwear, and lingerie lines in the future.

As for progressively moving the needle of an organization that only a few years ago finally allowed trans women to join its ranks and just this year adjusted the definition of what a Miss Universe looks like enough to include mothers or married women, Jakrajutatip is all over that, as well.

I became a woman at age 39 and a mother at age 40, and today I am seen as every woman, but I never changed my voice, because I want people to know that being different is normal, she says. We need to embrace our differences, and now I have a platform to help raise the voices of all women around the world.

The Miss Universe pageant takes place in New Orleans on Jan. 14 and will stream exclusively on Roku at 7 p.m. ET.

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Read the original article on InStyle.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Russia will seek the release of Sputnik Lithuania editor Marat Kasem, who was arrested in Latvia, through relevant international organizations, including the UN and the OSCE, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

Kasem, a Latvian national working at Sputnik Lithuania editorial desk in Moscow-based international media group Rossiya Segodnya, was detained during a trip to the Latvian capital on January 3 and sent to the Riga Central Prison two days later on accusation of having violated EU sanctions against Russia as well as of espionage  an offense punished by up to 20 years in prison.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the detention was an act of revenge against the Russian media, adding that the journalist felt politically persecuted and spoke about it often.

"We will work to involve relevant international structures, including the UN and UNESCO, in the release of the Sputnik Lithuania editor ... we will also blame the OSCE for inaction. If this structure still position itself in some capacity, it must produce a result," Zakharova told reporters.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova said that the third round of negotiations with Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets had taken place, where they discussed the results of work on mutual assistance to civilians.

Moskalkova participates in the international conference "The Future of Human Rights in the 21st Century" in Ankara, where a trilateral meeting of the ombudsmen of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine was also held.

"The third round of negotiations with the ombudsman of Ukraine took place. We summed up the work on mutual assistance to civilians, including locating and family reunification," the Russian ombudsman said on Telegram.
ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskalkova said on Thursday that her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, at the meeting in Turkey demonstrated a pragmatic approach and readiness for dialogue, which should not be politicized.

On Wednesday, Moskalkova had a trilateral meeting with Lubinets and Turkish human rights commissioner Seref Malkoc in Ankara.

"Yes, I see that they (Ukrainian officials) have a pragmatic approach approach and are ready for dialogue. To date, we already have concrete results on the search for the missing and on the mutual return of children to their families. I hope that the dialogue will continue. The most important thing is that it should not be politicized, but should be based only on humanitarian, human rights principles," Moskalkova told a briefing.

The Russian official added that the creation of a humanitarian corridor was not on the agenda of the meeting with Lubinets as such strategic issues are discussed by the defense ministry of both countries.

"We did not discuss such issue. Because issues of global, strategic nature are being worked out and discussed by the defense ministries of Russia and Ukraine. It is very important not to replace state bodies, but to act in a coordinated manner," Moskalkova said, answering a question about the likelihood of the creation of a humanitarian corridor.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara is in favor of the opening of a humanitarian corridor between Russia and Ukraine to help women and children, as well as those wounded and affected by the Ukraine crisis.
(@FahadShabbir)

The United States is committed to continue to work to negotiate the release of US citizen Paul Whelan from Russia, former US Ambassador Bill Richardson's office told Sputnik on Thursda

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) The United States is committed to continue to work to negotiate the release of US citizen Paul Whelan from Russia, former US Ambassador Bill Richardson's office told Sputnik on Thursday.

The office confirmed that Richardson helped negotiate the release of US Navy veteran Taylor Dudley from Russian custody. Dudley was released earlier on Thursday.

"We remain very concerned for Paul Whelan and committed to continue to work on his safe return, as we have been for the last four years, as well as other Americans," Richardson said in a statement his office provided to Sputnik.

The Russian authorities arrested Paul Whelan in December 2018 and a Moscow court sentenced him to 16 years in prison on charges of espionage. Whelan, who is also a citizen of Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, has maintained that he is innocent and insisted that he arrived in Russia for a friend's wedding.
USMs Byrnes Named Chair of Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:40am | By: Van Arnold

Colette Byrnes, Director of Event Services for The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) Gulf Park campus, views partnership and leadership as key objectives in her role as the new chair of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2023. Byrnes has served as a member of the board since 2020.

It is important to continuously grow the Universitys relationship with our external community partners across the coast, and because the Gulf Park campus serves as a host location for so many chamber events, I felt this was an excellent opportunity get involved, Byrnes said of her decision to originally apply for chamber membership.

In her USM position, Byrnes is responsible for strategic planning, policy development, and budget management for Gulf Park Event Services. She assists both internal and external customers in reserving event spaces and classrooms at the Gulf Park Campus for events ranging from wedding receptions and social events to small conferences and University Presidential events.

Byrnes notes that the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce features a proactive board of directors with a robust agenda. Her primary responsibilities as chair include supporting the board across all programs, while providing guidance and leadership to ensure goals are met.

The board also plans and manages fundraising programming in support of scholarships and small business and teacher grants, said Byrnes. Our main fundraisers include the annual Taste of Long Beach, Breakfast with the Mayor, and Touch-A-Truck. I also represent the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Byrnes points out that her time as a board director provided rewarding opportunities, with more to come as she embarks on her new position.

The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful resource for the local business community, and I am honored to serve as the 2023 chair, she said. 2022 was a banner year for the chamber, and I am excited to continue gaining the forward momentum our immediate past chair cultivated.

Byrnes graduated with a bachelors degree in Resort, Tourism, & Hospitality Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and obtained her masters degree in Business Administration from USM. Before taking the USM position, she worked with Starwood Hotels for more than five years at hotels and conference centers in Pittsburgh, San Diego, and New Orleans. Byrnes is a member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors  International (ACCED-I) and Coast Young Professionals. She resides in Gulfport with her husband, Thomas TJ Byrnes, Jr.
The open pit of the Touquoy gold mine is seen amid the surrounding forests in Moose River, N.S. (Steve Lawrence/CBC - image credit)

Nova Scotia's only gold mine is cutting dozens of jobs as it winds down operations after five years.

St Barbara, the Australian company that owns the Touquoy gold mine in Moose River, N.S., said in a statement on Thursday that 44 positions are being eliminated. Ten other workers are being offered "alternative opportunities."

Overall, the company said it's reducing the number of jobs in its Atlantic operations from 292 to 182, but 56 of the positions being eliminated are already vacant.

Staff were informed of the cuts on Jan. 3-4, the statement said, with mining activity expected to wrap up by the end of January. Workers still employed at the mine will mill ore stockpiled at the site.

The open pit mine opened in 2017, and is located about 60 kilometres northeast of Halifax. It's the only operating gold mine in the province.

Environmental concerns

Last year, environmentalists raised concerns about a proposal by St Barbara's Canadian subsidiary, Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia Inc., to raise the height of a wall around a tailings pond at the site.

A provincial court judge also ordered Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia to pay $250,000 in fines and other penalties in February 2022, after it pleaded guilty to federal and provincial environmental charges.

Steve Lawrence/CBC

Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia admitted it had failed to properly test for the level of sediment in water that could be hazardous to fish habitat, and that it had failed to report findings regularly to government, as required.

St Barbara has proposed developing three other gold mines in the province. All are at different stages of environmental review.

The company also has operations in Australia and in Papua New Guinea, according to its website.

MORE TOP STORIES
Pope Francis holds his traditional audience for directors and staff of the Vatican Inspectorate of Public Safety, the Italian security forces that maintain public order and provide security in St Peters Square and the areas surrounding Vatican territory.

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis took the opportunity of the traditional audience with members of the Vatican Inspectorate of Public Safety to thank them for the service they provide with self-denial and a spirit of sacrifice.

Created as part of the implementation of the Lateran Accords between Italy and the Holy See, the Inspectorate is an Italian police force charged with maintaining public order in St Peters Square and the areas adjacent to the Vatican. The Pope recognized their work in providing security during gatherings of the faithful and pilgrims at the Vatican, as well as their assistance during papal visits to the city of Rome and on pastoral visits to Italy.

For all this, I heartily reiterate my esteem and appreciation for your helpfulness and for your dedicated and professional service.

The Holy Father encouraged members of the Inspectorate to persevere in the ideals and intentions that inspire their life and work, and said he hoped their work, with all its difficulties, would always be animated by the desire to help your neighbour and your community.



Bearing witness to the love of God

At the same time, he invited them to be inspired by the Gospel, in order to courageously bear witness to Gods love everywhere, including in the workplace. He told the police officers that their service can be a sign of Gods closeness to the brothers and the sisters whom you meet every day, and who await a gesture of kindness and welcome from you.

This service, he continued, is a concrete way to be artisans of peace, in a world that desperately needs people to build peace with deeds, not words.

Pope Francis concluded his remarks by assuring those present of prayers, and by entrusting them to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St Michael, the patron of police officers.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, speaks with Vatican Media following his audience with Pope Francis.

By Valerio Palombaro

Pope Francis on Thursday received the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on a visit to the Vatican. During his visit, Grossi also held talks with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin; and the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

In this interview with Vatican Media, Grossi stressed the need to find multilateral solutions to international crises and to avoid nuclear escalation. In particular, he dwelt on the delicate situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, announcing that he will soon visit Ukraine for the fifth time since the conflict began.

Interview with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi



Pope Francis has strongly denounced the seriousness of the nuclear threat that hangs over humanity today. What are your feelings about this threat?



I met Pope Francis because his voice, his message on these threats at this difficult time - with a complex international agenda - seems indispensable to me. The work of the IAEA has become urgent: it is a work not only dedicated to the issue of Ukraine. There is also Iran and North Korea. Right now, it is clear that securing the nuclear facilities in Ukraine has become urgent, indispensable. Of course, as for the current situation, it is always precarious, always fragile: the bombing around and sometimes on the Zaporizhzhia plant continues. After my visit last September, I was able to establish a continuous presence of the Agency in Zaporizhzhia: right now my commitment is to reach a political agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, to ensure a nuclear protection and safety zone around the plant.



Read also 09/01/2023 Pope: In face of nuclear threat and risks to freedom, let us build peace together In his address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis calls for an "immediate end to this senseless conflict" in Ukraine and the abolition of the death ...

The Pope has repeatedly expressed support for a multilateral approach in major international crises: how important is this support from the Holy See?

It is fundamental! The support of the Holy See is fundamental because it emphasizes the importance in terms of peace  with a universal voice as the voice of the Holy Father is  and in particular in this conflict in Ukraine, which is a conflict in Europe but is also a conflict that is involving Christians around the world. Listening to the voice of the Holy Father is indispensable: that is why the Director General of the Agency  not only because he is Catholic  finds himself in this spiritual guidance of the Holy Father, but also because of the real strength in the world of this voice at this time of war.

The audience of the Pope with the Director General of the IAEA

You mentioned the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the possibility of this safety zone. Among other things, you visited Ukraine. What are the expectations regarding this possibility of creating a safety zone?

Obviously, it is not an easy negotiation because it is an issue that involves technical and also political and military aspects. As I said yesterday, here in Rome: the negotiating table has become bigger. I don't just talk to diplomats, to political leaders, but also to the military: generals, colonels, people who have military objectives in an active combat zone. And I also have to make this clear to the international community, because for the military forces of two enemy countries  right now  this zone is a zone of intense military activity. My challenge is to get to a point where there is a sanctuary-ization  with a neologism, so to speak  of the plant that is seen not as a problem but as a solution to any more serious consequences: in fact, it is clear that a nuclear accident would have consequences not limited to one of the two warring states, but to a greater geographical area and perhaps to the whole of Europe. And for this there is the insistence of the Agency and myself. So, right now there is a lot of talk about territorial, perimeter aspects, which are the concerns of the militaries of the two sides. I have made progress. Next week I will be in Ukraine again, the fifth time since the beginning of the conflict, to continue this round of negotiations. After that it is not confirmed but I think it is possible to go to Russia as well.



Read also 26/09/2022 Archbishop Gallagher to IAEA: 'A world without nuclear weapons is possible' Attending the 66th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Archibishop Paul Richard Gallagher speaks against the use of nuclear weapons, while thanking the IAEA for ...

The Pope, speaking a few days ago to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, expressed concern about the stalemate regarding the Iranian nuclear agreement. Is there any chance of progress on this?

The Pope is right: there is an impasse, the negotiations have broken down, there are many meetings and exchanges and that is why the Agency  and I personally  do not want to leave this political vacuum around such a volatile and dangerous issue. There are two parallel paths: that of the overall agreement, the so-called JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action); and also the bilateral negotiation between the Agency and Iran. We have not been able to make progress. Iran, at the same time, is making progress: progress in the process of uranium enrichment, [and] in the development and construction of more and more advanced centrifuges. This is really worrying because, of course, these are steps towards proliferation, while we have to avoid it. I hope I can go to Tehran. I always say that the Agency is a place of agreement, a space, a platform for mutual understanding. So I am ready to travel and start again, if possible, as soon as possible.

The exchange of gifts during the audience

Pope Francis has repeatedly denounced the immorality not only of the use of nuclear weapons, but also of their possession. What can the international agency you lead do to promote the exclusively peaceful use of nuclear power?

The exclusively peaceful use of nuclear power is important, especially at this time when another crisis, that of climate change, has hit humanity. It is clear that there is I will not say a rediscovery, but a much more intense focus on the ability of nuclear energy to provide a clean, carbon-free solution for the global economy. You can see it in Eastern Europe, you can see it in China, you can see it in emerging South Asia, just about everywhere you can see this. At the same time, as you rightly say, the problem of possession of nuclear weapons is always there. Of course we have to  and I as director of the Agency have to  recognise that this is a gradual process and that now the obligation of the moment is to prevent more and more countries from seeking nuclear weapons, especially in an international context of tension. Countries, many have the idea  and this is an absolutely incorrect idea  to think that perhaps at this time the possibility of national development of nuclear weapons should be reconsidered. That is what the Agency must say No to: we already have a difficult international situation and we must not make it more difficult still. If there is one thing that is clear  the Holy Father, the Church have said it  it is that nuclear weapons do not provide security: it is the opposite. It is the opposite! And this must be said. We must have the patience and the ability to convince states, and that is not easy.
Guan Yao, who lives in California, never thought that on his last video chat with his grandmother in Beijing he would watch her die.

He had installed a tiny robot camera in his grandmother's home some time ago so they could be in constant contact after he moved to the U.S. in 2016. She took to the device, holding it almost as if it provided the comfort of his touch.

Guan was video chatting with her throughout the last four hours of her life on December 22.

The 85-year-old had tested positive for COVID-19 and had had a fever for days. Two days before dying, she finally got a bed in a hospital.

Guan watched her blood oxygen saturation level suddenly turn from a low of 70 to a question mark. The doctor announced her death after an electrocardiogram.

"Her final death certificate said kidney failure because she had kidney disease before," Guan told VOA Mandarin from his home in the Los Angeles area. "Not COVID."

On the same day, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an epidemic report stating that "there were no new deaths of COVID."

Before his grandmother died, Guan, 39, an IT professional, had already lost four relatives in his extended family since December 14: his father-in-law, his father, an uncle and another elderly female relative. Among them, only Guan's grandmother and uncle had tested positive for COVID-19. The others died before getting tested.

His father-in-law died of asthma. His father had heart disease and died in his sleep. His uncle's medical images showed the white lungs associated with COVID-19 when he was sent to the hospital, but his death certificate states Parkinson's disease as the cause.

China's "zero-COVID" policy reversed almost overnight after three years on December 7, when the government issued the "New Ten Measures" for epidemic prevention that announced the relaxation of coronavirus-containment controls.

A tsunami-like COVID outbreak followed, its magnitude suggested by countless tragedies reported every day on social media despite China's relentless internet censorship.

"The last day of 2022 ended with a funeral, and 2023 started with another funeral. In just half a month, the old people around here have been infected and died one after another. The sadness is lasting a bit too long," wrote a poster from Jiangsu province.

"I work in a hospital, and I see people die every day. The crematorium works 24 hours every day, but people still have to wait in line," wrote a poster from Guangdong.

Guan said, "The reopening was too sudden, prompting such a large-scale outbreak, and the medical system was completely unprepared for a large number of infection cases."

Until January 7, the official death toll from COVID-19 remained at 30.

"The statistics are definitely underreported by a lot," said Guan, a political activist who is a board member of Dialogue China, a nongovernmental think tank established by Tiananmen student leader Wang Dan. "My aunt said that she was in the emergency room and saw four or five people die and be carried away in such a short period of time."

Tan Hua, who is in Shanghai and is infected with COVID-19, told VOA Mandarin that we don't have access to the official data now, and we don't pay attention to the data on severe disease and death, because it's completely inconsistent with how we feel around us."

When Guan's father died, the family found a one-stop service from the funeral home and spent about 30,000 yuan or roughly $4,400 to cremate him  twice the usual price. Without paying extra, they had to wait in a long queue.

When Guan's grandmother died, the hospital said the government had a collective arrangement and that all the bodies would be stored in the funeral home, waiting for collective cremation.

An official notice informed the family that the morgues in hospitals and funeral homes were full and that local warehouses had been turned into temporary morgues until the collective cremation scheduled for January 19.

For unknown reasons, Guan said his grandmother's body was not sent to the temporary morgue and was cremated on December 31.

Three years ago, when the pandemic broke out in Wuhan, Guan bought masks for his family in Beijing and told them not to believe the government. He thought they were spreading lies to cover up the pandemic. He never imagined that after three years of lockdown, China would witness death on such a scale.

"The three years [of lockdown] were meaningless," Guan said. "It's really unacceptable that so many loved ones have passed away. Whenever I think about it, I get really, really angry and sometimes I bang on the table at breakfast."

When other overseas Chinese media approached Guan, hoping to interview him about the deaths in his family, he declined.

"I worried that they [the government] were going to do something under the rug," he said. "My grandmother was such an important relative, and if she couldn't be cremated because of my [media] appearance, my family would hate me for the rest of my life."

Now that all five of his relatives have been cremated, Guan said that he doesn't mind telling his story.

"Five relatives left in eight days. It's too unusual. Someone has to tell the story," he said.

The Lunar New Year arrives on January 22 this year. Guans father always spent New Year's Eve with his mother, Guan's grandmother. Being so far away across the Pacific Ocean, Guan would make video calls to his grandmother on the holiday, sharing New Years blessings, chatting about family affairs and making jokes.

This year, he keeps thinking of his grandmother who died not knowing that her only son had died three days before her.

"There is no one left home," Guan said. "To be honest, there is nothing to celebrate this year."

Hai Bao and Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to sign a new security deal with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea as Canberra looks to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. Albanese arrived in Port Moresby on Thursday aiming to deepen defense ties with Australias nearest neighbor.

Regional security is expected to dominate talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

The leaders are discussing a formal Bilateral Security Treaty that is expected to be ratified by June. Details of the accord have yet to be made public.

Just a few kilometers of sea separate the countries. This is the first visit to Papua New Guinea by an Australian prime minister since 2018. Albanese will be the first foreign leader to address the country's parliament.

Analysts say his visit is part of Canberras efforts to counter Chinas diplomatic and trade ambitions in the Pacific.

Australia is pursuing what officials call a family-first approach to security in the region  a strategy based on close bonds regional countries have that experts believe deliberately exclude China.

Last year China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, a close neighbor of Papua New Guinea. The archipelago is about 2,000 kilometers northeast of Australia, with a population of 700,000. At the time, Solomons leader Manasseh Sogavare said the pact with China would offer protection from external or internal threats and was no different than a security agreement already in place with Australia. Beijing, however, failed to convince other Pacific countries to join a broader regional pact.

Pat Conroy, Australias minister for international development and the Pacific, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Thursday that Albanese visit to Papua New Guinea will deal with environmental and security issues.

It is also about joint efforts to combat things like climate change and about strengthening the Pacific regional architecture with a Pacific family first approach to security needs throughout the Pacific. So, it is all about strengthening Australias and PNGs relationship and making it clear that we are the security partner of choice, said Conroy.

Australias foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has made several visits to Pacific countries since Albanese Labor party won a federal election last May.

Last month, Wong signed a new security accord with Vanuatu.

While attempting to counter Chinas ambitions in a region it regards as its traditional sphere of influence, Australia is also attempting to soothe relations with China, its most important trading partner.

Geopolitical and trade disputes have damaged the bilateral relations to such a degree that in recent years both sides have barely been on speaking terms, but theres now an apparent thaw in relations.

Albanese met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last year.

Canberra and Beijing have conceded that there will inevitably be disagreements between them but both sides have indicated they are seeking stable, honest dialogue and an end to diplomatic hostilities.
Brazilian federal prosecutors on Wednesday requested the investigation of three congressional allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly inciting the worst attack on the country's democratic institutions in decades.

The call for the probe came as the government of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had prepared stepped-up security measures to face renewed protests on Wednesday, but mass demonstrations proposed on pro-Bolsonaro social media to "retake power" failed to materialize.

Police said 1,159 people arrested in connection with Sunday's storming of government building in Brasilia remained in custody. Some 684 others were released for "humanitarian reasons" after detention, including elderly people, those with health issues and parents of young children, police said.

Organizers of the anti-government demonstrations have called in recent weeks on social media to block roads and refineries, bring down power lines and cause enough chaos to prompt a military coup to overturn the election that Bolsonaro lost to Lula last October.

Ricardo Cappelli, the federal official in charge of public security in the capital appointed in the wake of Sunday's riots, said all security forces had been mobilized to prevent a repeat of the rampage, when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters staged protests in Brasilia, ransacking the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential offices.

"Those who lost the election and are trying to create a crisis will not succeed," Cappelli told a news conference.

Lula said on Wednesday that those involved in Sunday's attack would have the right to defend themselves, but any proven wrongdoing will be punished. He also criticized Bolsonaro for not accepting the election result and called those who stormed and vandalized public buildings in the capital "crazy."

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued a ban on roadblocks that have been used by anti-government demonstrators to create economic disruption and ordered local authorities to prevent the storming of public buildings.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Moraes' arrest warrant for Anderson Torres, Bolsonaro's former justice minister who oversaw public security in Brasilia during Sunday's riots. Moraes accused Torres of "negligence and connivance."

Torres was fired for his failure to stop Sunday's chaos and his arrest warrant alleged complicity with the demonstrators, who marched to the center of the capital under police escort. Torres said on Tuesday he would return to Brazil to face charges from Florida, where he has been on vacation since before the riots.

Moraes also ordered the arrest of Fabio Augusto Vieira, the head of Brasilia's military police, one of a number of officials responsible for protecting government buildings in Brasilia. Vieira hasn't made any public comment since the order was issued.

The court also upheld the 90-day removal from office of former Brasilia Governor Ibaneis Rocha, Torres' former boss.

Prosecutors have also sought to freeze Bolsonaro's assets.

Despite the threat of new protests, Brazilian financial markets closed higher, with Brazil's benchmark stock index Bovespa rising 1.5%.

"So far, despite the polarized environment, evidenced by a violent invasion of Brazil's state buildings on January 8, we see reasons to believe that governability will not be an immediate issue," economists at JPMorgan said.

Bolsonaro, who left Brazil 48 hours before his term ended at the end of December and has yet to concede defeat to Lula, told media from Florida that he planned to return to Brazil earlier than planned for medical reasons, without specifying a date.
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Britain and Japan signed a defense agreement Wednesday that could see troops deployed on each others territory. As Henry Ridgwell reports, its a sign of growing concerns over Chinas military power.
A Republican member of Wisconsins bipartisan elections commission on Wednesday stood by comments he made crowing about depressed turnout among Black and Hispanic voters in heavily Democratic Milwaukee, saying he wont resign as a fellow commissioner as others have called on him to do.

Commissioner Robert Spindell, who also served as a fake elector for former Republican President Donald Trump, said his comments sent in an email to about 1,700 people in December were not bragging about voter suppression.

I will not stand for that, Spindell said in an interview. The last thing I want to do is suppress votes.

Spindell said his email was an attempt to detail positive steps Republicans took to counter the Democratic message in Milwaukee. That was thanks to what Spindell called a well thought out multi-faceted plan that included recruiting strong Republican candidates, efforts to boost them, a presence on Black talk radio shows along with Negative Black Radio Commercials.

Spindell provided the email, first reported on Tuesday by Urban Milwaukee, to The Associated Press on Wednesday. He also provided the AP with a similar message titled Republicans Did Exceptionally Well! that he said he handed out to supporters at his Christmas party and other Republican events.

Spindell, who is white, says in the email that Republicans can be especially proud of the City of Milwaukee (80.2% Dem Vote) casting 37,000 less votes than cast in the 2018 election with the major reduction happening in the overwhelming Black and Hispanic areas.

The Democratic candidates were unable to obtain  even though they really tried hard  the votes they needed, expected and demanded from the Black Community, Spindell wrote. There is still a great deal of much more concentrated work we need to do in the Black and Hispanic Communities by continuing to show how the Democratic Elected Officials and Candidates are not watching out for the livelihoods of the people who live in these areas and the Republicans can.

Wisconsin Elections Commission member Mark Thomsen, a Democratic attorney, called on Spindell to step down, saying he has shown he cannot be fair.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious @badachie My fellow commissioner Bob Spindell has shown he cannot be fair and should resign from the WEC.@BobSpindell  Mark Thomsen (@MarkThomsenWI) January 11, 2023

Spindell dismissed the request, saying it was the third or fourth time Thomsen had asked him to resign.

Devin Remiker, executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, called efforts to suppress Black and Hispanic votes in Milwaukee repugnant and also said Spindell isnt qualified to serve. Remiker called on Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu to rescind Spindells appointment.

The Milwaukee-based Black Leaders Organizing for Communities also called for LeMahieu to rescind Spindells appointment.

It is incredibly racist to brag about lowering Black and Brown turnout, it is also unacceptable to have these comments and views held by an election official, the group said in a statement. His comments show blatant bias. Bob Spindell and his allies are the only ones who are intentionally undermining our democratic process.

LeMahieu did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Thomsen and Spindell frequently clash on the commission, which oversees elections in Wisconsin.

Fake elector lawsuits

Spindell is also a defendant in three separate pending lawsuits related to him serving as a fake GOP elector.

One in federal court seeks $2.4 million in damages from Spindell and the other fake electors, alleging that they were part of conspiracy by Trump to overturn the election. Another lawsuit in Dane County circuit court alleges that Spindell should have recused himself from a complaint filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission seeking action against the fake electors, of which Spindell was one. A third lawsuit alleged Spindell did not comply with the state open records law for documents requested related to his being a fake elector.

All of the lawsuits were brought by Law Forward, a liberal-backed Madison-based law firm.

Democrats made a concerted effort to increase turnout among nonwhite voters in Milwaukee in 2022. Republicans also worked to increase turnout, including opening offices in the Democratic stronghold that is home to the states largest population of Black voters.

Democrats had mixed success in 2022, with Gov. Tony Evers winning reelection but Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson also winning. He narrowly defeated Mandela Barnes, who is from Milwaukee and was seeking to become the states first Black senator.
China criticized a defense pact signed Wednesday between Britain and Japan that could see troops deployed on each others territory. Both London and Tokyo have described China as a "challenge" in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific is a pacesetter for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical games. China is a partner for cooperation for all countries instead of a challenge, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Beijing.

Defense cooperation between the relevant countries should be conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation among countries and should not create imaginary enemies or introduce the outdated mindset of bloc confrontation into the Asia-Pacific region, Wang said.

Reciprocal pact

The defense deal was signed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak in the Tower of London, a medieval fortress that houses the crown jewels. The two leaders were shown a set of Japanese samurai armor that was presented to Britains King James in 1613 by Shogun Tokugawa to mark the first trade agreement between England and Japan.

The pact is officially called the Reciprocal Access Agreement and was agreed to in principle last May. It is the first time that Japan has signed such a deal with a European ally. Thousands of American troops are stationed in Japan as part of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.

In a statement, Sunaks office said, In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we navigate the unprecedented global challenges of our time.

Fighter jet

The two countries also agreed to work, alongside Italy, on the development of a new sixth-generation fighter jet. The British firm BAE Systems is already working on a prototype known as Tempest. It would be the biggest Japanese-European defense cooperation program ever undertaken.

Joint exercises

Japan is seeking to shore up defense ties in the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine and Chinas military expansion, analyst Jonathan Eyal of Britains Royal United Services Institute said.

It's an open secret that [British] special forces have been training on Japanese territory. The reality is that the militaries of the two countries have been training for a number of years now. This will be easier in to do in Japan because the legal framework will be in place, Eyal told VOA.

There is every intention of helping the Japanese in terms of training. And the key element is training for rapid response. The fear of Japan is that they may be confronted with a fait accompli with, let's say, the Chinese seizure of some uninhabited Japanese island, to which the Japanese at the moment are unable to respond adequately, Eyal added.

Asia-Pacific tilt

For Britain, the defense pact is part of a geopolitical tilt toward the Asia-Pacific region.

The only influence that Britain can have  on what is becoming the center of gravity of world security concerns  is through a system of alliances. There is a view in London that the Europeans cannot continue to ask for U.S. protection in Europe without helping the U.S. with the security provision in Asia, Eyal told VOA.

Sunak and Kishida also discussed Britains accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal signed by 11 countries. Britain is seeking new trade agreements following its exit from the European Union.

US-Japan security

The Japanese prime minister is visiting European and North American allies from the Group of Seven, including France, Italy, Canada and the United States. Japan currently holds the G-7 presidency.

Following talks between foreign and defense ministers in Washington on Thursday, the United States and Japan agreed to further strengthen security cooperation. In a joint statement, the two countries said China presented an "unprecedented threat to the international order.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday named a special counsel to investigate how classified government documents ended up being stored at a former Washington office of President Joe Biden and at his Wilmington, Delaware, home.

Garland, the top U.S. law enforcement official, selected career prosecutor Robert Hur, a former lead federal prosecutor in the eastern state of Maryland, to conduct the probe. Hur also served as a high-ranking Department of Justice official during the administration of Bidens immediate predecessor, Republican Donald Trump.

Garlands decision followed his earlier appointment of special counsel Jack Smith to conduct a similar investigation of Trump. For months, the former president balked at turning over sensitive classified documents to the National Archives and Records Administration as required by U.S. law when he left office two years ago and had them shipped to Mar-a-Lago, his oceanside retreat in Florida, where he lives.

Garland told reporters at the Justice Department that Hurs appointment underscores for the public the departments commitment to both independence and accountability for particularly sensitive matters."

Some Republicans had called for Garland to name a special counsel to investigate the Democratic president.

New House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, at a news conference in the U.S. Capitol, said, "I think Congress has to investigate this. I do not think any American believes that justice should not be equal to all."

As special counsel, Hur, 49, will have more independence than a normal federal prosecutor to investigate Bidens handling of the classified documents as he left the vice presidency in early 2017, but ultimately will answer to Garland.

Document discoveries

Two sets of classified documents linked to Biden have been discovered. They include about 10 at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a Washington research group Biden helped create after his eight years as second-in-command to then-President Barack Obama. Another collection was discovered at Bidens Wilmington home, with all but one of the documents in the garage. The other document was found in an adjoining room.

Bidens personal lawyers immediately turned over all the materials to the National Archives, which is responsible for storing and preserving presidential records.

Bidens case contrasts in significant ways with the investigation of Trumps handling of classified documents. Trump left Washington in early 2021 with hundreds of classified documents, eventually relinquishing some of them after demands from the archives, while the FBI collected dozens of others last August in a court-approved search of his office, a storage area and other rooms at Mar-a-Lago.

Garland initially named John Lausch, the top U.S. attorney in Chicago and a Trump appointee, to look at Bidens cache of documents. Garland said Lausch a week ago recommended that a special counsel be named.

Watch related video by Laurel Bowman:

Hurs investigation will examine whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter, Garland said.

After the Hur appointment, the White House said it would continue to cooperate with the investigation.

We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake, the White House said.

Hours ahead of the Garland appointment of Hur, Richard Sauber, a special counsel to Biden, said that after the initial documents were found at the Penn Biden Center, Biden's lawyers searched other locations where records might have been sent.

Sauber, in a statement, said Biden's lawyers also searched Biden's vacation retreat near the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but found no other papers.

Sauber said the Department of Justice was "immediately notified" after the documents were found in Wilmington and that department lawyers took custody of the records.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Biden attempted to minimize the discoveries in an apparent effort to contrast his case with the months-long dispute between Trump and the archives over the classified documents that were transferred to Mar-a-Lago.

As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified material seriously," Biden told reporters, adding that his administration is "cooperating fully  with the Justice Department's review.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns purge of former Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, who was instrumental in two summits with the U.S. in 2018-19, could have sent a shock wave through the ranks of Pyongyangs diplomats, said experts.

If Ri was executed, as some unconfirmed reports have suggested, the shock would be even greater.

Ri disappeared from public view two years ago, prompting speculation about his fate. The respected diplomat had played a key role in the summits between North Korean leader Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018 and Hanoi in 2019.

He was last seen at a Central Committee meeting of North Koreas ruling Workers Party in December 2019. Ri was last mentioned by North Korea state media in April 2020, when he was removed from the State Affairs Commission, a top decision-making body.

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea said Jan. 5 it had determined that Ri was purged, but added it was uncertain whether he was executed.

In June 2022, Choe Son Hui, formerly the first vice minister of foreign affairs, was assigned to fill the post Ri had occupied.

Ri was seen as a respectable diplomat and loyal aid to Kim, so a purge would have startled many within North Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to experts.

If Ri Yong Ho has indeed been purged, and particularly if he has been executed, it will likely send a shock wave through the ranks of DPRKs diplomats, said Evans Revere, a former State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea.

North Koreas official name is the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"If someone as prominent, loyal and capable as Ri can be removed, then the same fate could befall anyone in the current North Korean hierarchy. I suspect that some North Korean diplomats are right now wondering about their own futures and considering their options," continued Revere.

Ri accompanied Kim to the summits with Trump and, after the talks collapsed in Hanoi, announced at a press conference that Trump had rejected a proposal made by Kim. Trump said he walked out of the summit after a disagreement over a deal with the North Korean leader.

Recalling Ris participation at the summits, John Bolton, a White House national security adviser during the Trump administration, said Ri didnt say very much at the talks as Kim did pretty much all the talking.

Bolton said Kim may have purged Ri because he was dissatisfied with the outcome of the Hanoi summit.

It may have been his advice, his prediction about what would happen in Hanoi and not anything that he himself did, said Bolton. Its a dangerous place to have a career next to [Kim].

Kim offered dismantlement of the Yongbyon nuclear facility in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions that had been imposed on North Korea. The U.N. Security Council successively imposed heavy sanctions on North Korea beginning after its first nuclear test in 2006.

Ken Gause, an expert on North Korean leadership and the director of strategy, policy, plans and programs division special project at the Center for Naval Analyses, said, You had a failure in Hanoi, and someone had to take the blame for that.

There would have been a certain amount of shock or surprise over Ris ouster within the diplomatic circle in North Korea, Gause said. It could have been meant to send a message to the diplomatic corps.

Gause does not think Ri was executed as it is uncommon for North Korea to execute someone from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although senior military officials have been executed.

Ri was appointed as the minister of foreign affairs in May 2016. He made a speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September 2017, slamming Trump and citing U.S. threats as grounds for North Korea maintaining its nuclear weapons program.

Ri spoke amid heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula after North Koreas first launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles in July 2017.

In a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the September 2017 gathering, Ri again lodged complaints about what North Korea viewed as U.S. hostility, according to Jeffrey Feltman, the then-U.N. undersecretary general for political affairs. Feltman, who attended the meeting, said Ri invited him to Pyongyang as the meeting ended.

When he was in Pyongyang three months later, Feltman said he privately delivered a message from Trump to Ri saying the U.S. president was willing to meet with Kim under the right conditions. According to Feltman, Ri expressed bewilderment and in an unemotional tone of voice said, Why should I believe you that he, under the right circumstances, be willing to sit down with our leader?

Feltman, who is now at Brookings, a Washington think tank, said Ri was disciplined in presenting regime policies. Among these was the argument that Pyongyang needed nuclear weapons for self-defense because the regime, including Kim, believed the U.S. would soon launch an attack.

Feltman said he got no hint that North Korea was willing to denuclearize when he met with North Korean officials.

Alastair Morgan, the U.K. ambassador to North Korea from December 2015 to December 2018, said Ri struck him as composed, competent and courteous, when he talked with him in Pyongyang at a Ministry of Foreign Affairs New Years reception in January 2018.

Other foreign diplomats and representatives of humanitarian aid organizations attending the event were allowed to intermingle freely and speak with North Korean officials, said Morgan. He said he has been told by his successor that the format for the event changed in 2019 to a fixed seating dinner, reducing the opportunity for interchange.
A town in France has decided to hide from public view a sign noting its brief connection to the former supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The sign, which includes a portrait of Khomeini, stands on private land in Neauphle-Le-Chateau, outside of Paris, but it is visible from the street.

Khomeini stayed there for several months in late 1978 and early 1979 before returning to Iran.

Amid the current protests in Iran sparked by the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a collection of 40 groups asked the town government to take several steps to distance itself from its links to Khomeini, including hiding the sign.

International Women's Law League posted on Facebook that its representatives met Wednesday with the towns mayor, Elisabeth Sandjivy, to discuss their requests.

Agence France-Presse reported that Sandjivy told the news agency the sign will be hidden, probably by way of a large panel installed on the sidewalk to block it.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
The foreign ministers of Germany and France have arrived in Ethiopia to support a November peace deal between federal and Tigray authorities to end two years of brutal war.

Annalena Baerbock and Catherine Colonna met Thursday with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as part of their diplomatic outreach.

The November deal has seen steady progress with basic services restored to the Tigray region, increased aid, and a first handover of heavy weapons by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front to Ethiopias federal forces.

Witnesses say Eritrean troops in December withdrew from at least two cities in Tigray but its not yet clear if they intend to leave the region entirely.

The European leaders will also meet with officials at the Addis Ababa-headquartered African Union.

The AU brokered the Tigray peace deal and its monitors arrived in the region this month to oversee its implementation.

Germany and France also want to help with food insecurity caused by a record drought in the Horn of Africa and a squeeze on grain supplies and increased food prices resulting from Russias war on Ukraine.

The ministers two-day visit includes a trip to a World Food Program warehouse in Ethiopias Oromia Region, where donated wheat from Ukraine to help address the hunger is being stored.

The German and French governments financed delivery of the much-needed grain and are expected to announce fresh aid to people in areas that have been most affected by Ethiopias civil war.

Baerbock said her visit was intended to support Ethiopia on its way to lasting peace and accountability for human rights abuses.

U.N. investigators say there is evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides in the conflict, including rapes, torture, and extra-judicial killings.

A U.N. report in September said the Ethiopian government and its allies also used starvation as a weapon of war, which it denies.

Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium estimate that between 385,000 and 600,000 civilians died in Ethiopia since war broke out in November 2020 from conflict, hunger, disease, and lack of medical care.

The U.N. says millions were displaced in the war and more than five million Tigrayans need humanitarian aid.
German police Thursday continued efforts to clear hundreds of climate protesters occupying the western village of Luetzerath to prevent the demolition of the town for the expansion of a coal mine.

Police began moving in Tuesday after a regional German court Monday rejected the last legal effort by the protesters to stop the demolition of the town located in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Utility company RWE wants to extract coal beneath Luetzerath, which it says is necessary to ensure energy security in Germany. The company reached a deal with the regional government last year that allows the village to be destroyed in return for ending coal use by 2030, rather than 2038.

But the protesters  some of whom have occupied the town for as long as two years  say bulldozing the village to expand the nearby Garzweiler coal mine would result in huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The government and the utility company argue that the coal is needed to ensure Germany's energy security.

Though reports say many protesters have left voluntarily, there were reports of minor clashes with police that include rock throwing and fireworks. The Reuters news agency, quoting a local police spokesman, reported two people were detained and another three are in custody since the operation started.

Removing those who do not want to leave will not be an easy task, as the village has several houses and buildings where the protesters have holed up or have taken positions on rooftops.

A police press spokesperson told the French news agency AFP the operation "could last several weeks" with another demonstration planned for Saturday. High-profile figures, including Greta Thunberg, and other prominent climate campaigners are expected at the demonstration, lending reinforcements to the protesters.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Human Rights Watch says African nations need to do more to address the widespread displacement, killings and other abuses that have come about from the continents many conflicts. The rights group published a new report this week that summarizes human rights trends in 23 African countries.

Mausi Segun, head of Human Rights Watch Africa, said that in many African countries, the population is caught up in conflict and simply has nowhere to turn.

"Some of the most egregious of human rights violations continue to cascade in the context of conflict," Segun said. "Civilians have continued to bear the brunt of armed conflict, communal violence, political and social unrest as well as government repression against critical and independent voices in several African countries. All of these have resulted in the destruction of lives and livelihoods."

According to ACLED, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there were at least 36,000 violent events and more than 50,000 deaths caused by violence in Africa last year.

Human Rights Watch said in at least 15 armed conflicts, in the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin area, the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa, government forces and armed groups have been implicated in abuses against civilians.

"Armed insurgents, and in many cases, government forces, have inflicted terror and horror on civilians caught amid the fighting," Segun said, "and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee both within and outside their national borders where many face discrimination, rejection and sometimes violent repulsion."

Political, religious and social intolerance have also increased, according to human rights researchers.

The report said hate speech, attacks on perceived political opponents, increased competition for resources and other factors continue to fuel communal tensions, insurgency and extremist recruitment in some African countries.

The rights group praised the African Union and regional blocs including ECOWAS for taking action, such as reconciling Ethiopia's warring factions, condemning coups in West Africa and refusing to recognize any attempt to seize power by force.

Carine Kaneza Nantulya, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Africa Division, said the continental body is not doing enough to investigate human rights violations.

"They do hold a summit, they do talk about it," she said. "For instance, they want the peace and security to conduct a study and assessment of the driving causes behind these different crises, but the gap there is that there is no emphasis of justice and accountability."

That should be at the core of decisions, Nantulya said, to sustain the processes and to provide redress and justice to the millions of victims of the crises.

In the Central African Republic and Guinea, the rights group noted progress in ensuring justice for serious crimes.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has opened trials against militia leaders in the Central African Republic and Sudan, both of which have committed serious crimes against civilians.

The Washington-based organization HRW Africa Division urges African leaders and governments to implement policies to monitor and report human rights violations in conflict zones. They say such a move could help prevent atrocities and humanitarian crises.
Human Rights Watch is voicing concerns about "violence and repression" ahead of Bangladesh's general elections this year, as attacks against opposition political leaders and workers continue to rise.

"The ruling Awami League is promising free and fair elections in response to increased international scrutiny but is belying those claims by ramping up repression," Meenakshi Ganguly, the organization's South Asia director said in the group's World Report, published Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party was widely alleged to have massively rigged the electoral process during 2018 general elections.

Now with general elections due late this year, but not yet announced, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the country's largest opposition party, has been insisting that AL should not be in power when the polling takes place. The BNP held sit-in demonstrations January 11 in major cities across the country seeking Hasina's resignation and the installation of a neutral caretaker government, among other demands, before the next general elections are held.

"The AL formed the governments twice by fraudulently winning general elections in 2014 and 2018. If the party remains in power during the next general elections, it will resort to a massive level of rigging again. This government has to be unseated ahead of the next general election," BNP leader AKM Wahiduzzaman, told VOA.

"Over the coming months, we will hold scores of peaceful rallies, highlighting our political demands in the interest of free, fair and peaceful general elections," he said.

On Wednesday, Hasina called opposition leaders extremists and said that they would not topple her government from power that easily.

"They are living in a fool's paradise if they think that they will give us a push and we will collapse," Hasina said.

Demanding the installation of a neutral caretaker government ahead of the general election, among other things, the BNP has been campaigning for some months. The party has held many political rallies across the country during this period, highlighting its demands.

According to the BNP, the law enforcement agencies tried to stop most of its rallies, and over 9,000 of its leaders and workers have been arrested in the past five months. In addition, at least eight BNP activists participating in political rallies were shot dead by police during the period, the party alleged.

Ganguly added that the last two Bangladeshi general elections were "not free and fair, marked by violence, the crackdown on the opposition, intimidation of voters and opposition candidates."

"The ruling Awami League-led government is once again telling its international friends that it is committed to democracy, but a spate of politically motivated cases and arrest of opposition leaders and supporters present facts to the contrary," Ganguly told VOA.

In recent months, the United Nations, the United States and other countries and rights groups have urged the Hasina government to hold the next national election in a free and fair manner.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said earlier this week that his party always came to power through "fair electoral processes."

"Our party has already promised that all parties will participate in the next general elections and it will be a free and fair election. And, it will be acceptable to all," he told reporters in Dhaka.

However, the opposition leaders say they do not trust the Awami League.

Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, another senior BNP leader said that "a neutral, nonpolitical caretaker government must be in power in Bangladesh" when the next general election takes place.

"In no situation, shall we take part in the general election if the current government stays in power and conducts it," Roy told VOA.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in Canada Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Kishida is on a tour of Group of Seven, or G-7, leading industrialized countries as Japan assumes the rotating presidency of the group.

A statement from Trudeaus office said the two leaders will discuss Japans priorities for its G-7 presidency as well as further strengthening bilateral trade between the two countries.

Kishida arrived in Canadas capital, Ottawa, after a visit to London Wednesday, where he and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a defense agreement, which will allow the countries to deploy forces on each other's soil, the latest move toward closer security ties.

The Japanese prime minster is also set to travel to Washington for talks with President Joe Biden Friday at the White House.

Ahead of that meeting, Japanese defense and foreign ministers met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, where they announced an agreement to step up security cooperation in the face of shared worries about China.

At a joint news conference Wednesday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken applauded Japans recent pledge to double its defense spending by 2027. He said Japans new strategies, their identified challenges and how they plan to address them, align closely with U.S. strategies.

Blinken also announced that during Kishidas visit Friday, he will sign an agreement regarding U.S.-Japan cooperation in space. He said the agreement has been a decade in the making and it covers everything from joint research to working together to land the first woman and person of color on the moon.

Defense Secretary Austin is scheduled to hold another meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada Thursday at the Pentagon to discuss the new security cooperation agreement.

As part of his G-7 tour, Kishida has also visited France and Italy.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EST.

8:14 p.m.: A senior U.S. envoy has expressed strong concern about the activities of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner and its attempts to recruit soldiers in Serbia and elsewhere in the world, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said he voiced these concerns during talks in Belgrade Thursday with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Wagner Group, owned by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, reportedly has been active in dozens of mostly African states, working with governments on pro-Russian propaganda and other military and political projects.

The group has boasted about its presence in Serbia, the only European state besides Belarus which has not joined international sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine.

7:20 p.m.: 



6:15 p.m.: Huddled in an underground shelter in war-battered east Ukraine, Oleksander and Lyudmila Murenets spend more time together these days than at any other point in their four decades of marriage, Agence France-Presse reports.

The tension is starting to show.

"You talk a lot," Oleksander, 68, sneered at Lyudmila, 66, on a recent morning as she tried to explain how much water is required to make homemade vodka.

Later, when Lyudmila corrected his attempt to say "thank you" to a foreign visitor, Oleksander cut her off completely. "Who is the boss of this house?" he said.

These flare-ups have become routine after 10 months in the cramped basement of their apartment block in Siversk, a former front-line town that was shelled almost beyond recognition and where windows still rattle day and night from artillery booms.

5:27 p.m.: 

4:20 p.m.: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukrainian forces defending Bakhmut and Soledar in the east would be armed with everything they need to keep Russian troops at bay in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, Agence France-Presse reported.

Kyiv said earlier its troops were fighting to retain control of the now-battered industrial towns in the east, which Russian mercenaries claimed earlier this week to have taken.

The Kremlin has made capturing the Bakhmut -- and Soledar with it -- its primary objective after nearly one year of fighting, having been forced to abandon more ambitious goals such as seizing the capital Kyiv.

"I want to emphasize that the units defending these cities will be provided with ammunition and everything necessary, on time and without interruption," Zelenskyy said in a statement after a meeting with senior military officials.

3:18 p.m.: As the European Union thinks about injecting more subsidies into its industry to counter U.S. efforts to ramp up its green technologies sector, fears only increase that the continents giants will profit at the cost of the small member states, The Associated Press reported.



And if the EUs approval of subsidies to counter the impact of Russias war in Ukraine are anything to go by, such fears are justified.



Sweden, which holds the EU presidency, warned Thursday about the need to preserve a balance to make sure that Germany and France dont strong-arm smaller member states and boost their national powerhouses will billions in subsidies that others simply dont have.



It would fundamentally threaten the EUs cherished single market where all industries from the 27 nations, be they from wealthy Germany or poorer Bulgaria, can compete as much a possible on an equal footing.



The EUs response to the U.S. subsidies imbedded in the $369 billion Inflation Reduction Act must avoid a competition on who can provide the most state aid within the EU, Swedish Industry Minister Ebba Busch said. We would have a situation where we would distort competition on the internal market, and particularly, disadvantage the smaller states within the union.



2:30 p.m.: Russia on Thursday released a U.S. citizen who had crossed into its Kaliningrad exclave in the first weeks of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last February, former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who met with the man at the border in Poland, said in a statement, according to Reuters.

U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, 35, was backpacking in Europe when he crossed the Polish-Russian border in April, Jonathan Franks, a lawyer who represents families of Americans detained overseas, said in an email to reporters.

Dudley's circumstances while in Russia were unclear and his case had not been previously publicized.

The U.S. State Department was aware of reports that an American citizen had been deported from Russia, said a spokesperson who declined to comment further on the case, citing privacy considerations.

Russia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Polish foreign ministry declined to comment on the case.

2:05 p.m.: In Odesa, a volunteer brigade does what it takes to protect their homeland. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Russian shells have been a part of daily life in the city of Odesa. But a determined set of locals is fighting back, from hairdressers to police officers who are part of a territorial defense effort. VOAs Anna Kosstutschenko has this report.

1:45 p.m.: Burst riverbanks, thick mud and waterlogged fields could be seen for miles around northwest Ukraine's border with Belarus on Thursday, making the prospect of a Russian assault from across the border unlikely for now despite recent warnings from Kyiv, Reuters reported.

Ukrainian officials have warned of a new looming Russian assault, with Belarus to the north named as one possible launchpad, as Moscow seeks to revive its faltering invasion.

Russia and its close ally Belarus have beefed up their joint military grouping in Belarus and plan to hold joint aviation drills there from next Monday.

Against this backdrop, the borderland's thick forests and treacherous swamps are guarded by the Volyn territorial defense brigade, one of hundreds of Ukrainian units recruited from local people willing to defend their communities.

1:05 p.m.:



12:30 p.m.: A court in Russia's southwestern city of Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Crimean Tatar activist and religious cleric Raif Fevziyev to 17 years in prison on charges of plotting to seize power and organizing the activities of a terrorist group, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Fevziyev, an imam of a Muslim community in Crimea, has rejected all of the charges, saying the case against him was fabricated by Russian police.He was arrested along with four other Crimean Tatar activists by Russia-installed police in Ukraine's Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula last August after their homes were searched.

Ukrainian officials condemned the arrests of Fevziyev and four other Crimean Tatars at the time with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling the move "a blatant violation of human rights."

On January 11, the same court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced five Crimean Tatars to lengthy prison terms on charges of being members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir religious group that is banned in Russia but is legal in Ukraine.

Rights groups and Western governments have denounced what they describe as a campaign of repression by the Russian-imposed authorities in Crimea who are targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar community and others who have spoken out against Moscow's takeover of the peninsula.

12:10 p.m.: People, parcels, and a dog: there is a volunteer connecting Moldova and Ukraine. Bogdan Ovsienco, a businessman from Chisinau, Moldova, has been volunteering since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He goes to Ukraine several times a week and carries passengers and parcels in both directions. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this story.



11:35 a.m.: A congress of Ukrainian judges on Thursday appointed the last of eight new members to an important judicial oversight body, a move experts and officials have said is critical to Kyiv's push to reform its judiciary, Reuters reported.



The European Union made cleaning up the courts one of its main recommendations when it offered Ukraine the status of candidate member last June, four months after Russia's invasion.



The selection of the new members to the High Council of Justice (HCJ) means the body can resume its work overseeing the appointment, dismissal and disciplining of judges.

11:05 a.m.:



10:40 a.m.: President Vladimir Putin's defense minister has appointed Russia's most senior general, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, 67, to lead its war in Ukraine, the most dramatic in a series of senior command changes since Russia invaded in February, Reuters reported.



Many of the nationalist war bloggers who have license from the Kremlin to criticize the conduct of the war have blamed Gerasimov for the fact that a superpower military - supposedly modernized and expensively re-equipped in the last 15 years - has failed so signally to subjugate its much smaller neighbor.



Critics in Ukraine, the West and even inside Russia cast the Russian armed forces as naive, poorly prepared and equipped, slow to react, and riven by disparate and often distant command structures.



Supporters of the defense ministry say Russia often performs poorly at the start of wars, and that many of the problems that have become apparent in supply, technology and command over the past 10 months have been or are being resolved.



Gerasimov played key roles in Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and in Russia's game-changing military support for President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Civil War. The U.S. State Department sanctioned him the day after the invasion of Ukraine, saying he was one of three senior Russians alongside Putin who were directly responsible for the war.



By putting Gerasimov in direct command, Putin can send a signal to the West about his determination to win the war, reinforce the standing of the army relative to Prigozhin and Kadyrov's militias and, not least, make his top general more accountable for the day-to-day conduct of the invasion.



10 a.m.:

9:35 a.m.: The British government said on Thursday that a small number of people who were granted so-called "golden visas" for millionaire investors might have obtained their wealth through corruption or organized crime, Reuters reported.

The government last year scrapped the visas, which offered a route to residency for those investing at least 2 million pounds ($2.43 million), days before the invasion of Ukraine amid government concerns about the inflow of illicit Russian money.



The government first commissioned the visa's review in 2018 after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain. After keeping the findings secret for years, the government released details of that investigation to parliament on Thursday.



"The review of cases identified a small minority of individuals connected to the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route that were potentially at high risk of having obtained wealth through corruption or other illicit financial activity, and/or being engaged in serious and organized crime," Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in a written statement to parliament.



The flow of tens of billions of pounds in investment helped London preserve its position as one of the world's top financial capitals. But the government has been concerned by the source of some of the wealth, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.



9:10 a.m.: Russias war in Ukraine has wrought a devastating toll on civilians and shattered civilian life in much of the country, Human Rights Watch said Thursday in its World Report 2023. Russian forces have committed apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture, summary executions, and enforced disappearances. They have carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure, leaving millions of civilians periodically without electricity, water, and heat as winter temperatures plunged, Human Rights Watch said.

8:45 a.m.: Widespread opposition to Russias invasion of Ukraine demonstrates the strength of a unified response against human rights abuses, and there are signs that power is shifting as people take to the streets to demonstrate their dissatisfaction in Iran, China and elsewhere, a leading rights group said Thursday, according to The Associated Press.



A litany of human rights crises emerged in 2022, but the year also presented new opportunities to strengthen protections against violations, Human Rights Watch said in its annual world report on human rights conditions in more than 100 countries and territories.



After years of piecemeal and often half-hearted efforts on behalf of civilians under threat in places including Yemen, Afghanistan, and South Sudan, the worlds mobilization around Ukraine reminds us of the extraordinary potential when governments realize their human rights responsibilities on a global scale, the groups acting executive director, Tirana Hassan, said in the preface to the 712-page report.



8:15 a.m.:

7:50 a.m.: A Russian-installed official in Ukraine's Donetsk region said on Thursday that "pockets of resistance" remained in the Ukrainian town of Soledar, undermining claims that the town had been taken by Russian forces, Reuters reported.



Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the powerful head of the Wagner private military group whose soldiers are fighting to capture the town, had said on Wednesday that Soledar was under the "complete control" of Russian forces.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ridiculed those claims, and independent analysts say fighting is likely ongoing in the town.



"At the moment, there are still some small pockets of resistance in Soledar," Andrei Bayevsky, a military figure and Russian-installed local politician, said in an online broadcast.



7:30 a.m.: The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Thursday that aid workers are reaching Ukrainians living near the front lines with lifesaving assistance.

7:10 a.m.: Russia could raise the upper age limit for citizens to be conscripted into the armed forces as soon as this spring as part of Moscow's plans to boost the number of Russian troops by 30%, Reuters reported, quoting a senior lawmaker.



President Vladimir Putin gave his backing in December to defense ministry proposals to raise the age range for mandatory military service to cover Russian citizens aged 21-30, rather than the current range of 18-27.



The chairman of the Russian parliament's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said in an interview with the official parliamentary newspaper that Russia could raise the upper age limit for conscription to 30 for this year's spring draft. But only after a one-to-three year "transition period" would the lower limit be raised from 18 to 21 years, Kartapolov said.



6:55 a.m.:



6:40 a.m.: The scale of alleged torture and detentions by Russian forces in Kherson is beginning to emerge, Reuters reported Thursday.



Oksana Minenko, a 44-year-old accountant who lives in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, said she was repeatedly detained and tortured by occupying Russian forces.



Her husband, a Ukrainian soldier, died defending Khersons Antonivskyi bridge on the first day of full-scale war, she said. During several interrogations in the spring, Russian forces submerged her hands in boiling water, pulled out her fingernails and beat her in the face with rifle butts so badly she needed plastic surgery, according to Minenko.



Reuters wasnt able to independently corroborate individual accounts shared by Minenko and other Kherson residents but they fit with what Ukrainian authorities and international human rights specialists have said about conditions and treatment during detention, including detainees being blindfolded and bound, subject to beatings and electric shocks and injuries, including severe bruising and broken bones, forced nudity and other forms of sexual violence.



The Kremlin and Russias defense ministry didnt respond to Reuters questions, including about alleged torture and unlawful detentions. Moscow, which has said it is conducting a special military operation" in Ukraine, has denied committing war crimes or targeting civilians.

6:15 a.m.:

6 a.m.: Ukraine said Thursday its forces were fighting to retain control of Soledar, a town in the eastern Donetsk region, but the situation remained "difficult."

"The fiercest and heaviest fighting is continuing today in the area of Soledar," Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar told reporters, Agence France-Presse reported.

"Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting stubbornly," she added.

Russian mercenary group Wagner claimed earlier this week its forces had captured Soledar, but the defense ministry in Moscow said fighting was ongoing and Ukraine denied any full takeover.

Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the fight for Soledar and the nearby town of Bakhmut, a key military objective for Russia's troops.

Malyar claimed during the press conference Thursday that Russian forces were "suffering heavy losses".

Russia wants to gain control of the entire eastern Donetsk region which it claimed to have annexed last year, despite not having complete military control over it.

Its capture of Soledar would allow Russia to sell a much-needed victory back home after months of humiliating setbacks.

But observers of the conflict have said Soledar itself  a salt mining town with an estimated pre-war population of over 10,000 people  is of little strategic importance.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said this week that Bakhmut  and with it Soledar  could be a launching pad to retake the city of Donetsk, a Russian stronghold since 2014.

5:40 a.m.:

5:15 a.m.: Russia questioned on Thursday whether Sweden had "something to hide" over explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year, as it slammed Stockholm for not sharing information in the ongoing investigations into the blasts.

Swedish and Danish authorities are investigating four holes in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines which link Russia and Germany via the Baltic Sea and have become a flashpoint in the Ukraine crisis.

According to Reuters, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Sweden's refusal to engage with Russian prosecutors was "confusing" and said Moscow had a right to know the details of the probe into the explosions, which occurred last September.

Moscow proposed to Stockholm the establishment of a joint investigation into the blasts, which could see three of the four lines of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas projects put permanently out of use. But both Sweden and Denmark have rejected the idea of Russian participation.

At a briefing in Moscow on Thursday, Zakharova suggested there were reasons for that decision.

"Maybe Russian investigators, conducting an objective investigation, could come to an inconvenient conclusion... about who conducted this act of sabotage, terrorism. About who thought it up, and who carried it out," she told reporters.

Zakharova said Sweden was "concealing" facts about what it had discovered in the investigation, suggesting that "the Swedish authorities have something to hide".

Sweden and other European investigators say the attacks were carried out on purpose, but they have not said who they think was responsible. Moscow, without providing evidence, has blamed the explosions on Western sabotage.

Construction of Nord Stream 2, designed to carry Russian gas to Germany, was completed in September 2021, but was never put into operation after Berlin shelved certification just days before Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine in February.

4:55 a.m.:

4:40 a.m.: Russia is building up its forces in Ukraine but Ukrainian forces are holding out in fierce fighting for control of the eastern town of Soledar, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

She told a news briefing that the number of Russian military units in Ukraine had risen to 280 from 250 a week earlier.

"They (the Russians) are moving over their own corpses," Malyar said of the fighting for Soledar. "Russia is driving its own people to the slaughter by the thousands, but we are holding on."

4 a.m.: Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova said on Thursday that both Moscow and Kyiv are interested in future contacts between their rights commissioners, Reuters cited the TASS news agency as reporting.

Following a meeting this week in Turkey with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, Moskalkova said she believed Ukraine had adopted a pragmatic approach to ongoing discussions between the two sides, TASS reported.

At that meeting, the pair agreed the latest prisoner exchange between the two sides, with each releasing another 40 captured fighters.

"They have taken a pragmatic approach and are ready for dialog," Moskalkova said on Thursday, speaking of her Ukrainian counterparts.

"We already have concrete results on the search for missing people, and [the] return of children to their families. I hope the dialog is continued. The most important thing is that it should not be politicized, but based exclusively on humanitarian and human rights principles," TASS quoted her as saying.

3:45 a.m.:

3:30 a.m.:

3:10 a.m.: "Each additional watt of electricity they manage to wring into the power grid defies Russian President Vladimir Putin's nearly 11-month invasion," The Associated Press reported about Ukrainian power plant workers, who are keeping the nations power grid working through "bravery, dedication, ingenuity and dwindling stocks of spare parts."

2:50 a.m.:

2:30 a.m.: Reuters reported that Russia's Gazprom said it would ship 35.5 million cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Thursday, in line with similar levels reported in January 2023, but around 15% down on daily shipments seen in the final months of 2022.

2 a.m.:

1:30 a.m.:

1:10 a.m.: The past year has seen a litany of human rights crises across the world, from Ukraine to China to Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch says in its latest annual report, released Thursday. The authors also say, however, that new champions of human rights have emerged. Henry Ridgwell reports:

12:30 a.m.:

12:01 a.m.: Forces from Russia's Wagner Group on Wednesday found the body of one of two British voluntary aid workers reported missing in eastern Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing the private military firm.

The firm did not mention the name of the dead man but said documents belonging to both Britons had been found on his body.

A photo posted alongside the statement appeared to show passports bearing the names of Andrew Bagshaw and Christopher Parry, the two missing workers.

Ukrainian police said on Monday they were looking for the pair who went missing in east Ukraine, the scene of heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukrainian police said the two left the city of Kramatorsk for the town of Soledar on Friday morning and were reported missing on Saturday evening after contact with them was lost.

Some information in this report came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
HIDALGO, Mexico (BP)  A Baptist woman is hospitalized in critical condition after a beating tied to unjustly applied local customs and laws in an indigenous Catholic community in Mexico, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported.

Catholic leaders are accused of severely beating Maria Concepcion Hernandez Hernandez because of her Baptist faith.

Hernandez Hernandez, a member of the Great Commission Baptist Church in the majority Catholic community of Rancho Nuevo, was not expected to live after the leaders tied her to a tree and severely beat her Dec. 21, Anna-Lee Stangl, CSW joint head of advocacy, told Baptist Press Jan. 5. Hernandez Hernandezs pastor, Rogelio Hernandez Baltazar, was beaten and detained when he intervened, CSW reported, referencing local sources.

The beatings allegedly stemmed from a dual legal system in Mexico that allows local indigenous communities to govern based on customs that vary by village, Stangl said, known as the Law on Uses and Customs.

Some of these villages interpret that as, they can mandate what everyone in their village believes and practices, Stangl said of the uses and customs laws. The law actually says that it has to be operated in accordance with the constitution and human rights protections. But in practice, the government very rarely intervenes to make sure that thats done.

Since 2015, the indigenous community has prohibited Protestants and other religious minority landowners from accessing their land or cultivating crops. Among the 450 residents of the village, about 160 are members of the Baptist church, CSW told Baptist Press.

The Baptist church has been growing even in the midst of the aggressions, CSW quoted a source.

The U.S. Department of State, in is 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom; the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, in its 2017 Annual Report; and persecution watchdog Open Doors International, in its 2021 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution, have all reported that customs and use laws have led to the persecution of religious minorities.

Persecution from customs and use laws is more common in isolated communities with large indigenous populations, Stangl said, particularly Hidalgo, Guerrero, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla and Michoacan.

CSW has asked Southern Baptists to pray for the communities and advocate with U.S. congressional leaders for intervention.

This case is really typical in that its been going on for at least seven years, Stangl said of the Rancho Nuevo case. It began with the village taking away the basic rights of the Protestants and telling them they couldnt vote anymore, they could no longer access medical services. In 2018 they forbade their children from attending the local school, which is a public school. Then it escalated to what we saw on the 21st of December.

Hernandez Hernandez was attacked when she visited a plot of land she owns after a neighbor asked her to remove two trees, CSW reported, a move that might have been designed to intentionally draw Hernandez Hernandez to her attackers.
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French abbreviation MSF, welcomed Cameroon's release of five members of its staff detained for a year on charges of helping separatists. MSF maintains it helps anyone who needs medical care and says it will only resume work in separatist areas with government security guarantees.

The group this week welcomed the military tribunals December 29 acquittal of the five workers  four of them Cameroonians and one Indian.

The military arrested two of the staff in December 2021 in Nguti, a southwestern town on the border with Nigeria, while they were transporting a patient with a gunshot wound to a hospital.

The military said the patient was a separatist and the next month arrested two more MSF staff members, accusing them of collaboration.

The French aid group said they abide by medical ethics of helping all in need but could not continue in the area under the threat of arrest.

In May, MSF suspended operations in Cameroons southwest.

Despite the dropped charges, MSFs Operations Manager for Central Africa Sylvain Groulx said they cannot yet resume the needed aid work.

"We are obviously waiting to try to engage with the government so that we may resume our activity and we hope that they [the government] will be willing to sit down and discuss with us because these are lifesaving activities that we had to stop. It is very difficult for ministry of health ambulances to access certain areas. We were able to negotiate our access with all the actors and we were exceptionally allowed to do that, saving many lives," said Groulx.

Paul Atanga Nji is Cameroon's minister of territorial administration. While not specifically mentioning MSF, he told state broadcaster CRTV Tuesday that any aid groups helping rebels would be charged in court.

He said they will not allow aid groups that are believed to be separatist accomplices to operate in Cameroon. Nji said Cameroons military is working hard to bring order in the restive western regions. He said government hospitals have proven they have all that it takes to save the lives of people who need assistance.

Hospitals in Cameroons conflict areas have struggled to maintain services and staff, who say they have been victims of both military and separatists.

Nineteen-year-old University of Buea student Benedict Luma said MSF saved his uncles life in 2020.

"My uncle bled excessively when he was shot in the leg. Everyone was afraid he would die because there was no hospital around. Our neighbors advised us to call Doctors Without Borders on the phone, and in less than an hour, their ambulance came to save my uncle's life," he said.

Doctors Without Borders has provided medical aid in Cameroon to victims of Boko Haram Islamist militants along the northern border with Nigeria since 1984.

Until last May it also provided surgical care and malaria and COVID-19 treatment in Cameroon's restive South-West region.

The aid group says it treated more than 1 million patients in Cameroon in 2020 alone.

Cameroons English-speaking separatists are fighting to break away from the French-speaking majority that it says treats them as second-class citizens.

Since the conflict broke out in 2017, the UN says more than 3,500 people have been killed and 750,000 displaced.
Pakistans government has rejected British media reports that a uranium-contaminated cargo shipment seized at Londons Heathrow Airport originated from the South Asian nation.

No information to this effect has been shared with us officially. We are confident that the reports are not factual, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswomen Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told VOA on Thursday.

British police said in a statement earlier this week they had detected a very small amount of contaminated material after routine screening within a package incoming to the UK on December 29.

Police have reported no arrests in connection with the incident.

British tabloid The Sun, which first reported the incident, said the shipment was destined for Iranian nationals in the United Kingdom, originated from Pakistan and arrived on a flight from Oman.

Richard Smith, head of London police's Counter Terrorism Command, noted on Wednesday that the amount of radioactive substance was extremely small and posed no threat to public health or public safety.

Smith added that further inquiries into the incident were underway.

"We will, of course, follow every avenue to see what the background of this was and satisfy ourselves that there's no further threat," he said.

Low-enriched uranium can be used to fuel civilian power generation plants. Its highly enriched form is a key ingredient in nuclear weapons.

Pakistan is a declared nuclear weapons state and runs several China-built civilian nuclear power generation plants.

Islamabad maintains it has developed a robust security and safety system for its nuclear development programs.

Syed Muhammad Ali, a Pakistani author of several books and research publications on nuclear issues, described as very irresponsible media outlets for naming Pakistan without independent and technical investigations.

It is technically not possible to verify the origin of any radioactive material unless the investigators already have samples of that material from the same source, which is obviously not the case or possible for any UK department to have record or access to the samples of radioactive sources of the countries, which are being alleged as involved, Ali said.

He noted that the IAEA is the only institution with the technical capacity and mandate to independently verify such incidents.


Police in riot gear began evicting climate activists Wednesday from a condemned village in western Germany that is due to be demolished for the expansion of a coal mine.

Some stones and fireworks were thrown as officers entered the tiny hamlet of Luetzerath, which has become a flashpoint of debate over the country's climate efforts, Wednesday morning.

Police spokesperson Andreas Mueller said the attacks on officers were not nice but noted that most of the protest so far had been peaceful.

He said police would stick to their tactic of trying to avoid any escalation by offering to let any activists who leave on their own accord to do so without facing further police measures or prosecution.

Still, some protesters complained of undue force by police and others said the scale of the police response -- with officers brought in from across the country and water cannons on standby -- was itself a form of escalation not justified by the peaceful protest. At least one woman screamed in apparent pain as officers used force to remove her from a roadblock outside the village.

By Wednesday afternoon dozens of activists remained camped out in Luetzerath, some in elaborate tree houses, as police slowly moved through the village clearing barricades and a communal soup kitchen.

Some activists read books or played the accordion while perched atop 3-meter tripods. A few sat or stood on the roofs of Luetzerath's remaining buildings despite the chilly wind.

I'm really afraid today, Petra Schumann, a 53-year-old local who had been at the site for several days, said from a top-floor window of one of the few remaining houses. Schumann said she still held out hope of preserving what's left of Luetzerath until nothing is left standing; hope dies last.

Environmentalists say bulldozing the village to expand the nearby Garzweiler coal mine would result in huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The government and utility company RWE argue the coal is needed to ensure Germany's energy security.

However, a study by the German Institute for Economic Research calls into question the government's stance. Its authors found other existing coal fields could be used instead, though the cost to RWE would be greater.

Another alternative would be for Germany to increase production of renewable power, cut demand through energy efficiency measures, or import more coal or gas from abroad, the study found.

Citing the study and the urgent need to curb global carbon emissions, protesters refused to heed a court ruling Monday that effectively banned them from the area.

Some activists expressed particular anger at the environmentalist Green party, which is part of both the regional and national governments that reached a deal with RWE last year allowing it to destroy the village in return for ending coal use by 2030, rather than 2038.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, a Green who is Germany's economy and climate minister, defended the agreement as a good decision for climate protection'' that fulfills many of the environmentalists' demands and saves five other villages from demolition.

I think climate protection and protests need symbols but the empty hamlet of Luetzerath, where no one lives any more, is the wrong symbol from my point of view,'' Habeck told reporters in Berlin.

Climate campaigners counter that expanding a massive open-cast coal mine goes against Germany's international commitments to reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. The country is expected to miss its ambitious targets for the second year in a row.

Luetzerath is now the European place of crystallization for the climate movement, said Lakshmi Thevasagayam, a spokesperson for the Luetzerath Lives activist group. We know that the coal under Luetzerath isn't needed for energy security -- it must remain in the ground so that we can achieve climate justice.

Now we can do something against the climate catastrophe, but at some point we won't be able to anymore, Thevasagayam said. She accused police of engaging in a complete escalation by moving ahead with the eviction Wednesday.

RWE said in a statement that a 1.5-kilometer fence will be built around the site. It appealed to activists to peacefully end the illegal occupation of the site it legally owns.

Andreas Mueller, the police spokesperson, said authorities were prepared for the eviction operation to last weeks, if necessary.

The heads of several environmental organizations planned to visit Luetzerath on Thursday to express solidarity with the activists there. A large protest was also scheduled near the site Saturday, attended by prominent Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
As one of the most high-profile trials to stem from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack got under way, U.S. prosecutors on Thursday accused leaders of the far-right Proud Boys group of plotting an assault on American democracy.

In an opening argument, federal prosecutor Jason McCullough told jurors that Proud Boys chairman Henry "Enrique" Tarrio and four other leaders engaged in sedition by using force to try to keep Donald Trump in office after he lost the 2020 presidential election.

"On January 6, they took aim at the heart of our democracy," McCullough told jurors.

Defendants' lawyers said it was Trump, not the Proud Boys, who spurred thousands of supporters to attack the Capitol.

"Hes the one that told them to march over to the Capitol and fight like hell. Enrique didnt say that," said Sabino Jauregui, a lawyer for Tarrio.

'These men did not stand back'

The case marks the third time the U.S. Justice Department has charged members of extremist groups with the rarely prosecuted crime of seditious conspiracy after Trump supporters invaded the Capitol in a failed bid to prevent lawmakers from certifying his November 2020 election loss to Biden.

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and another chapter leader of the far-right militant group were found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November, and another trial is pending against four more members.

The Civil War-era law, which prohibits people from plotting to overthrow or destroy the U.S. government, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

When it became clear that Trump would not win re-election, "these men did not stand back. They did not stand by. Instead, they mobilized," McCullough said, paraphrasing a comment Trump made in a debate before the election that the Proud Boys should "stand back and stand by."

All five Proud Boys defendants have pleaded not guilty and their attorneys will argue that they did not plot to block the peaceful transfer of power.

Prosecutors have brought criminal charges against more than 950 people following the assault. Four people died during the chaos, and five police officers died of various causes after the attack.

Trump allies also under scrutiny

Under Special Counsel Jack Smith, the Justice Department is also investigating efforts by Trump's advisers to overturn his election defeat.

In the Proud Boys case, the government accuses Tarrio and four other group members, some of whom led state chapters, of purchasing paramilitary gear for the attack and urging members of the self-described "Western chauvinist group" to descend on Washington.

They say Tarrio directed the attack from Baltimore because he had been ordered to stay out of Washington after being arrested on January 4 for burning a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic African-American church in December 2020.

Prosecutors say Tarrio met with Rhodes, the Oath Keeper founder, at an underground parking garage after being released from custody.

Prosecutors accuse the four other defendants - Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola - of being among the first members of the crowd to charge past the barricades that had been erected to protect the Capitol.

A fifth member of the group, North Carolina chapter leader Charles Donohoe, pleaded guilty to other charges in April 2022 and could potentially be called as a witness in the case.

Biggs and Nordean are accused of tearing down a black metal fence that separated the crowd from police, Donohoe of throwing water bottles at police, and Pezzola with grabbing an officer's riot shield.

The indictment said Pezzola used the stolen shield to break a window, allowing members of the mob to enter the Capitol.
Malis army says 14 troops were killed and 11 wounded Tuesday in central Mali when their vehicles struck explosives planted by Islamist militants.

In a press release Wednesday, the army said there were two explosives that detonated simultaneously.

The attacks were in central Mali, a region that has seen increasing violence in recent years from Islamist militants.

The army statement says Malis airborne special forces engaged what it called terrorists, killing 31 of them, including 14 as they were burying their dead.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attacks.

Mali has been battling an Islamist insurgency since 2012. It started in the north of the country before spreading.

The militants took control of northern Mali in 2012, until the French army intervened in 2013 to drive them out.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced last year that French troops would withdraw from Mali after months of tensions between Paris and Bamako.

France deplored Malis military governments working with Russian Wagner mercenaries, who have been accused of committing atrocities in the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Syria, and Ukraine.

Malis military government denies working with mercenaries and says there are only official Russian military instructors in the country.

Mali has been under military rule since an August 2020 coup that ousted former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Violence has continued to move south ever since, with ongoing attacks in central Mali and increasing attacks in southern Mali.

Militants on January 2 attacked a civil defense post about 80 kilometers from the capital, killing five people.

In July, militants killed six people in an attack on a checkpoint 70 kilometers from Bamako followed by another attack one week later on Malis main military camp, just 15 kilometers from the capital.
Myanmar refugees have been trapped in Thailand for more than a year waiting to be released for travel to third countries. According to NGOs assisting the refugees, there are around 1,100 people who have been approved for resettlement in the United States and other countries but havent been allowed to leave Thailand.

These people have received refugee status from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand. They are receiving assistance from the International Organization for Migration, which has placed the refugees in temporary housing pending their release to leave the country.

However, after more than a year, it feels like we are in prison, said Kalayar, a refugee trapped in Thailand. She agreed to be identified by only one name because of her security concerns in Thailand. It has been more than a year since she and her family were put in a hotel, called a safe house, in Mae Sot, a town on the Thai-Myanmar border.

A former political prisoner, Kalayar, 53, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 1995 by a previous military junta for her political activities. After her release, she became a freelance journalist. When the military launched a coup in February 2021 and cracked down on protests and media organizations, she hid inside the country for months before she and her family escaped to Thailand in September 2021.

She told VOA by Zoom that the family has been staying at the safe house since November 1, 2022.

On March 23, 2022, we received the approval letter from the U.S. government to settle in the United States as refugees, she said, explaining that her family then completed all required medical examinations and vaccinations by the end of April. So, the steps we must take to enter the United States have been completed.

But Kalayar and her family still dont know why theyre not yet allowed to depart Thailand.

We heard that the Thai government has upheld the release of refugees, she said. It is restricted by the Thai government, but we dont know why.

Kalayar reached out to the IOM and the Resettlement Support Center, a U.S. organization responsible for processing refugee cases, but neither one provided a clear answer about the travel restriction.

VOA has yet to receive responses to inquiries filed with both organizations.

It feels like we are being kept in a zoo, Kalayar told VOA. The IOM provides three meals, but the food is not good. Yet we are not given a choice  we have to eat it or nothing. We are not allowed to leave the hotel courtyard. There is no income. Being a refugee, we are not allowed to work in Thailand.

Kalayar also said she and fellow refugees are without health care and risk arrest if they venture outside the safe house seeking treatment at their own expense.

If we get sick, we have to ask for help online from friends who are doctors, she said. It's as if these doctors are guessing and giving prescriptions. Medicines cannot be bought outside. So we asked the staff at the hotel to help us buy the medicine prescribed by the doctors.

Neither of her children has been able to attend school since the coup.

VOA inquiries to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok were referred to the U.N. refugee agency, which the embassy officials described as the agency primarily responsible for registration of refugee status and referrals for resettlement.

The U.S. State Department in Washington did not immediately provide any explanation for the delay.

Morgane Roussel-Hemery of UNHCRs office in Thailand told VOA that the Thai government possesses sole authority to decide who is eligible for international departures.

Thai officials have not yet responded to queries filed by VOA by phone.

Duncan McArthur, acting executive director of the Border Consortium, a Bangkok-based NGO that provides food, clothing and support for an estimated 87,000 Myanmar refugees scattered across nine camps in western Thailand, could only speculate about the travel restrictions.

He said Thai government officials might be scared of creating a pull factor for democracy activists and other people to come to Thailand as a steppingstone to go to third countries.

Thailand currently hosts more than 95,000 refugees, primarily from Myanmar, though the country is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no specific domestic legal framework for protection of urban refugees and asylum-seekers.

According to McArthur, we estimate  over 20,000 people have fled into Thailand from fear of political persecution since the coup from urban areas.  About half of them, 11,000, have contacted UNHCR.

Thailand is quite strict on new arrivals coming into Thailand but is trying to be pragmatic, he said. They're trying to not create any more instability than there already is. They're trying to find their way best to deal with it, which we might not necessarily agree with but you can understand from their perspective.

Myanmar refugees like Kalayar hope the U.S. and other Western countries that have accepted them for resettlement will reach an agreement with the Thai government to allow them to depart as soon as possible.

We don't know for sure who is stopping us from leaving and why it cannot be resolved. We still have many questions, Kalayar said.

According to McArthur, that's going to take some negotiation and advocacy and some reassurance to the Thai government that it's not going to create a pull factor for other opportunistic people, this kind of thing. So that's going to take some negotiation to try to reassure them that that's not going to happen.
Afghanistans ruling Taliban indicated Thursday they may ease a ban on womens education, saying work is underway to resolve this temporary step.

The statement came in response to a call by an alliance of Muslim-majority countries for the Islamist group to reverse its bans on girls education and Afghan female aid workers.

The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, based in Saudi Arabia, convened an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee Wednesday to discuss the Taliban curbs on women.

A post-meeting OIC declaration described the bans as violations of Islamic law and the methodology of Prophet Muhammad, urging the Taliban to reconsider decisions banning women from education and work.

The OIC expresses its disappointment over the suspension of female education in Afghanistan and the decision ordering all national and international nongovernmental organizations [NGOs] to suspend female employees until further notice, the statement said.

Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in his response Thursday said that his government welcomes the OIC meeting and its declaration. But in a statement issued to media, Mujahid urged the international community not to interfere in internal affairs of Afghanistan.

The concern of this organization regarding women's education is understandable, he said. But [the] Islamic Emirate has taken a temporary step and is working to create conditions to resolve the issue, Mujahid said, using the official title for the men-only Taliban administration in Kabul. He did not elaborate.

The OIC said on Wednesday it also had decided to send its special envoy for Afghanistan to Kabul to deliver the organizations message to the Taliban leadership directly.

The Taliban have imposed wide-ranging restrictions on women since returning to power in August 2021, banning teenage girls from secondary schools and blocking many women from work.

Last month, the Islamist rulers abruptly ordered an indefinite ban on female university education and forbade Afghan women from working for NGOs, saying they were not wearing the Islamic headscarf or respecting other official Shariah rules.

The NGO ban has forced major international humanitarian groups to suspend their operations in Afghanistan, saying they cannot work without female staff.

The Norwegian Refugee Council, or NRC, which has also halted its programs, warned earlier this week that the ban on female staff could push as many as 6 million Afghans into famine.

NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland said in a statement that a continued ban of female workers at NGOs could leave 13.5 million people without a safe water supply and 14.1 million people without protection services.

No foreign government has granted formal legitimacy to the Taliban administration, mainly over human rights concerns and treatment of Afghan women. The Taliban have repeatedly defended their policies, insisting they are governing Afghanistan strictly in line with local culture and Sharia.
Russia's top military officer was put in charge of troops fighting in Ukraine on Wednesday, a move that appears to reflect the Kremlin's dissatisfaction with the current leadership and flaws in the military's performance.

Russia's Defense Ministry said that General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was named the new commander of the unified group of forces in Ukraine.

The previous commander, General Sergei Surovikin, was demoted to become Gerasimov's deputy along with two other generals.

The reshuffle, which was formally ordered by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, came with Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval, signaling that he still has trust in his top military leaders who have faced broad criticism for the troops' performance in the conflict.

It also suggests a recognition of flaws in carrying out what Putin called "the special military operation" in Ukraine.

While announcing Gerasimov's appointment, the Defense Ministry said it was aimed at improving coordination between various forces fighting in Ukraine.

"Raising the level of leadership of the special military operation is linked to the expansion of the scale of the tasks being fulfilled as part of it and the need to organize closer interaction between branches of the military and to increase the quality of supplies and the efficiency of directing groups of forces," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Surovikin was credited with strengthening coordination and reinforcing control over Russian forces in Ukraine after his appointment in October. His demotion to the No. 2 role signaled that while Putin wasn't quite happy with his performance, he still trusts the general's expertise.

Soon after Surovikin was appointed in October, Russian troops pulled back from the southern city of Kherson under the brunt of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The retreat from the only regional center captured by Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine on February 24 came weeks after its annexation by Moscow and dealt a painful blow to the Kremlin.

In his turn, Gerasimov, who was seen as the top architect of the Russian action in Ukraine as the country's top military officer in charge of strategic military planning, was also widely blamed for Moscow's military setbacks.

His critics included Yevgeny Prigozhin, a millionaire businessman with close ties to Putin. Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group military contractor has played an increasingly prominent role in the fighting, has accused Gerasimov of incompetence and blamed him for a string of Russian military setbacks.

Such criticism was shared by Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who deployed troops from his region to fight in Ukraine and repeatedly urged the Kremlin to up the ante in the conflict.

The criticism of Gerasimov from Prigozhin and Kadyrov rose to a high pitch in September, when Russian troops were forced to pull back from Ukraine's northeastern region of Kharkiv by a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Kadyrov particularly accused Gerasimov of covering up for his protege, Col. Gen. Alexander Lapin, who was in charge of the troops that retreated from the Kharkiv region.

Despite such attacks, Lapin was promoted to become the chief of staff of ground forces earlier this week. His promotion along with Gerasimov's new appointment appear to signal that Prigozhin and Kadyrov have little influence over the Kremlin's decision-making despite their increasing public activity.

Putin on Wednesday also gave a televised dressing down to Denis Manturov, a deputy prime minister in charge of aviation and other high-tech industries.

Putin demanded that Manturov act more quickly in contracting new aircraft and cut him short during a televised video call with Cabinet members when he tried to defend his performance.

When Manturov said he would try to make sure it's done during the first quarter, Putin angrily snapped that it should be done within a month. "You don't try to do all you can, you do it within a month, no later than that," Putin said.


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A Turkish court has convicted the head of Turkey's Medical Association of terrorism propaganda, as rights groups warn of an intensifying legal crackdown on civil society ahead of elections this year. For VOA, Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
A Madrid court ordered two Spanish women who married Islamic State fighters remanded in custody Wednesday on terror-related charges after they were flown back from Syrian detention camps with 13 children, legal documents showed.

They arrived at the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Base near Madrid late Monday nearly two months after the Spanish government agreed to fly them home from the notorious Roj detention camp in Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria.

Detained on arrival, Yolanda Martinez Cobos and Luna Fernandez Grande were brought before a judge on Wednesday at the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court.

After hearing their statements, the judge ordered they be held in pre-trial detention without bail on charges of "joining a terror organization"  namely Daesh, which is the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

In his ruling, the judge said there was "a concrete flight risk given the serious charges against them," as well as an "obvious" risk of reoffending.

But he did not suspend their parental rights given that they would be in prison, which meant there was "no potential risk of them continuing the possible indoctrination of their children."

Their children are currently in the care of Madrid's regional social services.

El Pais newspaper, which interviewed the pair and a third Spanish woman at another Syrian detention camp in 2019, said Martinez, now 37, had four children, while Fernandez, 34, had five.

The other four children were orphans with grandparents in Madrid whom Fernandez had cared for in the camp. They, too, were now in the custody of social services.

'Unwavering commitment to IS'

In his ruling, the judge said the women and their husbands had been investigated in 2014 for their involvement in the so-called Al-Andalus Brigade. It was set up in Madrid to radicalize and recruit volunteers and help them reach Syria and Iraq to carry out attacks.

The pair "participated in activities supporting Daesh before and after moving out to the Syrian-Iraqi conflict zone with their husbands in mid-2014," the judge said.

After they left, there was "no reliable information" about them until they appeared, alongside a third woman, in the El Pais video interview published in 2019.

Despite Martinez's efforts to distance herself from membership in IS, her remarks in the interview  in which she said they were given a house, and her husband got a job in the IS courts  told a different story.

"Her words gave her away, because only members would be given a house and a job in the administration" of the IS caliphate, the judge said. The fact she remained in the area "shows her and her husband's unwavering commitment to Daesh," he added.

Fernandez, he said, played "a key role among the women within the Al-Andalus Brigade." Her remarks in the same interview demonstrated a "radical and extremist internalization of Islam."

El Mundo newspaper said Fernandez was a widow but that Martinez's husband was in jail in Syria.

Third woman missing

In November, Spain agreed to repatriate three women, but the third  identified in the 2019 El Pais interview as Lubna Miludi from Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta  could not be located.

The United Nations welcomed the women's repatriation from the Roj camp. A spokesman described conditions in the Syrian detention camps as "almost inhuman and extremely challenging."

Over the past decade, thousands of extremists in Europe traveled to Syria to become IS fighters. They often took their wives and children to live in the "caliphate" it set up in territory seized in Iraq and Syria.

Since the caliphate fell in 2019, the return of family members of fighters either captured or killed has been a thorny issue for European countries.

The United States has pressed for repatriations as the best long-term solution and said it was "grateful" to Spain.

"We urge all governments to follow Spain's example and repatriate their nationals, especially women and children," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands have also repatriated relatives of jihadist fighters.




By Laman Ismayilova

Swedish photographer and filmmaker Mikael Silkeberg has presented a documentary "The Legend of Kharibulbul" in Washington, Azernews reports.

The film was shot on the initiative of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Sweden, with the support of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO and the Culture Ministry.

The documentary contains interviews with a number of outstanding scientists and cultural figures about Karabakh and Shusha, as well as video shots of historical figures.

The film also focuses on the opinion of Western scientists about Eastern culture, Azerbaijani literature, music, mugham, and nature.

The documentary premiered in November, 2022.

During the filming process, Mikael Silkeberg visited Shusha, Fuzuli, and Aghdam.

The documentary aroused great interest among the US audience.
Five Indium Corporation Experts to Present at IPC APEX Expo Published: 12 January 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

CLINTON, NY  Indium Corporations technical experts will share a variety of presentations on topics ranging from e-Mobility, achieving low voiding through solder preforms, high-performance metal thermal interface materials, low-temperature solder alloys, and low-temperature solder paste for wafer-level packaging at IPC APEX Expo, Jan. 24-26, San Diego, Calif., U.S.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Using Flux-Coated Preforms to Repeatably Achieve Low Voiding Under Power ICs: An Automotive Case Study by Regional Technical Manager and Technologist  Advanced Applications Andreas Karch

Wednesday, Jan. 25

High-Performance Phase Change Metal TIMs by Product Development Specialist for Thermal Interface Materials Milos Lazic

Thursday, Jan. 26

e-Mobility/EV Automotive Technical Conference Special Session, co-chaired by Global Head of e-Mobility and Infrastructure Brian OLeary.

Energy Consumption Reduction Using Low-Temperature Solder Alloys by Senior Product Development Specialist Claire Hotvedt

A Lower-Temperature Lead-Free Solder Paste for Wafer-Level Package Application That Outperforms SAC305 by R&D Manager, Alloy Group Dr. HongWen Zhang

Karch provides technical support, including sharing process knowledge and making technical recommendations for the use of Indium Corporations materials for customers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Products include solder paste, solder preforms, fluxes, and thermal management materials. He has more than 20 years of automotive industry experience in PCB assembly and power electronics, including the advanced development of customized electronics. He received an award for developing one of the top 10 innovative patents for automotive LED assembly. Andreas is an ECQA-certified integrated design engineer and earned his Six Sigma Yellow Belt. His thorough understanding of process technologies and project management skills reinforces Indium Corporations commitment to providing world-class service to our customers in Europe.

Lazic is responsible for developing new thermal materials and products, and providing solutions for customer challenges and applications. He also develops new testing methods to evaluate power and thermal products, and gathers data on new and existing products for marketing presentations. He joined Indium Corporation in March 2018 as a Technical Support Engineer, primarily responsible for servicing the troubleshooting and application needs of customers in the Northwest, California, and Rocky Mountain regions. In 2018, he took on the role of Coordinator for the Live@ Programa global initiative designed to align Indium Corporation and its industry partners in the promotion of agile response, resource management, and efficiency improvement. Prior to joining Indium Corporation, he worked as the Deputy Technical Director at Radio-Television Nis in Serbia. He earned his masters degree in electronics engineering and his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nis in Serbia. He is an Energy Efficiency Engineer certified by the Serbian Chamber of Engineers in Belgrade; a Certified SMT Process Engineer; and is fluent in English, Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian. Lazic was awarded the Silver Quill Best Paper Award in 2020.

Hotvedt plays a highly visible and critical role in the future of Indium Corporations solder paste business. This role exists in a cross-functional team environment in which she facilitates team initiatives to execute the new product development process and deliver fully scaled, launched, marketable product solutions for PCB Assembly solder pastes. Additionally, Claire provides training to the Sales & Tech teams about new products and is responsible for introducing these products to industry-leading customers. Hotvedt joined Indium Corporation in May 2018 as a Research Technologist. In 2019, she took on the role of Product Development Specialist, where she has been integral in the development and commercialization of the Durafuse LT technology and other high-reliability alloy offerings, including Indalloy276 and Indalloy292. Prior to joining Indium Corporation, she was employed as a product development engineer at a Rochester-based photoresist developer and as a validation engineer at a Syracuse-based firm. She was first introduced to Indium Corporation as a summer intern in 2014, where she researched the extraction of indium from LCD screens. She earned a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester, with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. In college, she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Societies. She is a Certified SMT Process Engineer (CSMTPE).

OLeary is responsible for promoting Indium Corporations full range of products and services for e-Mobility, which includes electric cars, trucks, eVTOLs, charging stations, etc. He joined Indium Corporation in 2014 and has more than 20 years of experience in the electronics industry. He authored two books on thermal profiling called Profiling Guide for Profitability and Profiling Guide for Six Sigma. He currently serves as the chair of the IPC e-Mobility Quality & Reliability Advisory Council. In addition to regular technical conference participation, he co-hosts a free monthly webcastEV InSIDER Livewith Loren McDonald of EVAdoption and a high-profile industry stakeholder as a guest. In the webcast, they discuss current pressing issues and hot topics in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape.

Zhang is manager of the Alloy Group in Indium Corporations Research & Development Department. His focus is on the development of lead-free solder materials and the associated technologies for high-temperature and high-reliability applications. He and Dr. Ning-Cheng Lee invented the mixed-alloy solder technique to combine the merits of constituents to improve wetting, reduce processing temperatures, modify the bonding interface, and control the joints morphology, thus improving reliability. On the basis of this technique, the BiAgX solder system was invented as an alternative high-temperature lead-free solder. Dr. Zhang has a bachelors degree in metallurgical physical chemistry from Central South University of China, a masters degree in materials science and engineering from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Science, a masters degree in mechanical engineering, and a Ph.D. in material science and engineering from Michigan Technological University. He has extensive experience in various aluminum (Al) alloys and fiber/particle-reinforced Al-based composite materials, and Al-rich and ZrHf-based amorphous alloys. Dr. HongWen Zhang co-authored two book chapters on high-temperature lead-free bonding materials. He and his colleagues had seven patents granted globally and numbers of patents filed. He has published approximately 20 journal publications in the field of metallurgy, materials science and engineering, physics, electronics materials, and mechanics. He has also been invited as a peer reviewer for numerous journals. Dr. Zhang has a Six Sigma Green Belt from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. He is also a certified IPC Specialist for IPC-A-600 and IPC-A-610D.
The past year has seen human rights crises worsening around the world, from Ukraine to China to Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch said in its latest annual report, released Thursday.

But new voices of leadership for championing human rights have emerged, according to the report.

World Report 2023 looks at the state of human rights in nearly 100 countries where the New York-based organization works.

The obvious conclusion to draw from the litany of human rights crises in 2022 from Russian President Vladimir Putins deliberate attacks on civilians in Ukraine and Xi Jinpings open-air prison for the Uyghurs in China to the Talibans putting millions of Afghans at risk of starvation  is that unchecked authoritarian power leaves behind a sea of human suffering, the report says.

But 2022 also revealed a fundamental shift in power in the world that opens the way for all concerned governments to push back against these abuses by protecting and strengthening the global human rights system, says the report.

Ukraine

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the reports authors say the global community deserves credit for unleashing what it calls the "full arsenal" of the human rights system, including an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

We saw immediate responses from the international community to mobilize around key human rights supports, including establishing international justice mechanisms [and] evidence gathering for war crimes, Tirana Hassan, acting executive director at Human Rights Watch, told VOA.

In towns such as Bucha and Izyum, there is widespread evidence of the torture, execution and rape of Ukrainian civilians by occupying Russian soldiers. The United Nations Human Rights Council has documented several hundred civilian killings, thought to be a fraction of the total.

Following a visit to Ukraine in December, Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said the war "continues to be marked by gross violations of international human rights law."

In some cases, Russian soldiers executed civilians in makeshift places of detention. Others were summarily executed on the spot following security checks  in their houses, yards and doorways. Even where the victim had shown clearly that they were not a threat, for example, by holding their hands in the air. There are strong indications that the summary executions documented in the report may constitute the war crime of willful killing, Turk told reporters Dec. 15.

Human Rights Watch said the West could have acted against Russia before its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Putins brazenness has been made possible largely because of his long-standing free hand to operate with impunity," the report says. "The loss of civilian life in Ukraine comes as no surprise to Syrians who suffered grave abuses from airstrikes following Russias intervention to support Syrian forces under Bashar al-Assad in 2015.

China

Human Rights Watch highlights ongoing abuses in China, including the mass detention, torture and forced labor of as many as a million Muslims in the Xinjiang region. Beijing denies the accusations.

In October, a U.N. resolution to open a debate on abuses by Beijing against the Uyghurs fell short by two votes. However, the report says the closeness of the vote shows the potential in cross-regional alliances and fresh coalitions to come together to challenge the Chinese governments expectation of impunity.

Hassan said the U.N. vote was an important moment.

What we have seen for the first time in a very long time is cracks in the authoritarian armor, she told VOA.

Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed numerous laws violating the fundamental rights of women and girls, including freedom of movement, right to work and a livelihood, and access to education and health care.

Taliban security forces throughout the year carried out arbitrary detentions, torture, and summary executions of former security officers and perceived enemies, the reports says.

Iran

In Iran, protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini after she was detained by morality police have grown into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

Human Rights Watch said the execution of at least four protesters in recent weeks must trigger a stronger global response.

We need to move beyond international solidarity for protesters and need to make sure that governments all over the world are holding Iranian officials to account, Hassan told VOA.

Myanmar

The report cites increasing human rights abuses in Myanmar, where the authors say the regime is launching assaults on communities across the country that oppose the 2021 military coup.

The junta security forces have carried out mass killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, and other abuses that amount to crimes against humanity," the report says. "Freedom of speech and assembly face severe restrictions. Expanded military operations have resulted in numerous war crimes against ethnic minority populations in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Shan States.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Human Rights Watch says the recent African Union-led peace process has resulted in a fragile truce.

Ensuring that there is accountability for the egregious crimes that took place in the Tigray region, for example, is going to be critical for this cease-fire and this truce to actually hold, Hassan said.

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch criticized the government for abusing Rohingya refugees.

"Rohingya refugees, facing impossible conditions for safe and voluntary return to Myanmar, suffer threats, extortion, and ill-treatment by Bangladeshi security forces and other authorities," the report said.

HRW also said refugees reported threats, extortion, arbitrary arrests and torture by police.

Climate change

Human Rights Watch says climate change is having an increasing impact on basic rights in every corner of the world, from devastating floods in Pakistan to wildfires in the United States. It says governments have a legal and moral obligation to regulate industries such as fossil fuel extraction that are incompatible with protecting basic rights.

Governments should act with urgency in upholding human rights in their responses to climate extremes and slow-onset changes that are already inevitable, protecting those populations most at risk, including Indigenous peoples, women, children, older people, people with disabilities, and people living in poverty, the report says.
Ukraines deputy foreign minister said Thursday that Kyiv will pursue adoption of a resolution in the U.N. General Assembly that would enshrine President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 10-point peace formula.

The Ukrainian leadership decided that the priority number one that will be considered in February is the resolution dedicated to the peace formula, Emine Dzhaparova told reporters at the United Nations, where she attended a Security Council meeting on the rule of law.

February 24 marks one year since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At the Group of 20 Summit in November, Zelenskyy addressed the meeting by video and presented his 10-point vision for ending Russias war against his country.

It includes the withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of hostilities, as well as nuclear safety, food and energy security, releasing prisoners of war and deported persons.

[U.N.] Ambassador [Sergiy] Kyslytsya will now keep on pushing for the modality of consideration of this resolution because we might call for a special session to adopt this resolution, Dzhaparova said.

She emphasized that the peace formula is the basis for a discussion, but it does not mean that Kyiv is ready to sign up to any agreement that goes against its interests.

We are very much committed to any peace negotiation that comes and brings us to one result: territorial integrity, sovereignty, peace for our people, she said. But as my president has been constantly saying, we arent going to trade any inch of Ukrainian soil, and without having Russias army out of Ukraine, we will not discuss any peace negotiation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, however, has said Kremlin officials would refuse to use Zelenskyys "peace formula" as a basis for negotiations, calling Kyiv's intention to drive Russia out of eastern Ukraine and Crimea "an illusion," according to Russia's state-run RIA news agency.

The Kremlin on January 5 said Putin had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow was ready for peace talks only under the condition that Ukraine "take into account the new territorial realities," a reference to Kyiv acknowledging annexed territories.

Dzhaparova said that Ukraine may also seek a second General Assembly resolution later in the year for setting up a special international tribunal to hold Russias leadership accountable for its invasion  the crime of aggression.

The International Criminal Court at The Hague is already investigating potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on Ukrainian territory since Russias invasion.
The World Health Organization said Wednesday it is calling on China to provide more information about its surge in COVID-19 cases.

WHO still believes that deaths are heavily underreported from China, and this is in relation to the definitions that are used but also to the need for doctors and those reporting in the public health system to be encouraged to report these cases and not discouraged, Michael Ryan, WHOs emergencies director, told reporters.

Ryan did praise Chinas efforts to increase the number of designated beds in intensive care units and in using antivirals early in the course of treatment.

A lack of extensive data from China has led a number of countries to require testing for Chinese travelers.

In the absence of data, countries have made a decision to take a precautionary approach and (WHO has) said that that is understandable in the circumstances, Ryan said.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
A statue in Benin of one of the female warriors of Dahomey, which appeared in the Hollywood film 'The Woman King,' was likely built by a sanctioned North Korean company, according to evidence discovered by VOA's Korean Service. In an exclusive interview with VOA, the Beninois government denies the statue was constructed by North Korea. Henry Wilkins reports from Cotonou, Benin.
Zambia's former ruling Patriotic Front party has rejected a report by the International Monetary Fund saying corruption flourished under its government.

The IMF said this week the political elite under former president Edgar Lungu bent rules to access lucrative government contracts. Current President Hakainde Hichilema pledged to tackle corruption and secured $1.3 billion in IMF debt support after Zambia defaulted to creditors.

An IMF mission conducted a study last year focusing on governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities in Zambia at the request of local authorities.

The assessment revealed serious weaknesses across all state functions, especially public financial management and the granting and managing of contracts of large infrastructure projects. It said the cost of high-profile projects were inflated by as much as 200 percent under Lungu, with the extra money going into the pockets of well-connected Lungu supporters.

Several former government officials were arrested on corruption charges. However, the arrests ended in bail, with defendants denying the accusations. No convictions have been secured.

Patriotic Front spokesperson Raphael Nakachinda denied the IMF allegations of large-scale corruption under Lungu.

Nakachinda told VOA that while in government, the Patriotic Front had put in place measures to ensure transparency and accountability in public procurement. He challenged the current government to take legal action against any of its former leaders found wanting.

"We ensured at the time that we were in office that all government contracts go through a rigorous public bidding process to ensure transparency and accountability and there are sufficient laws in Zambia to allow citizens to object, appeal or challenge any government contract process they deem is shrouded in corruption. The tender process is a public process and therefore those allegations are malicious," Nakachinda said.

Presidential spokesperson Anthony Bwalya told VOA that the IMF report is a confirmation of what the government of Hichilema has always known  that corruption in Zambia had worsened under the Lungu administration.

"This is why the president has made it a fundamental priority to win the fight against corruption as part of the process towards rebuilding the economy," Bwalya said. "We have set up the financial crimes fast track courts to expedite the process of holding accountable perpetrators of grand scale corruption, we have also reformed the public financial management systems for better transparency as well as reforming the public procurement process."

For Boyd Muleya, an economist at the research organization the Centre for Policy, Trade and Development, the IMF report is an important step toward enhancing the fight against corruption in Zambia.

"We are happy that there's a drum up towards ensuring that the rule of law is brought back, that transparency is enhanced, we are still yet to hear the progress on access to information in this country," Muleya said.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection  a faith-based non-governmental organization that champions social justice  told VOA the alleged corruption affected the poor the most in the past 8 years, because they were left without access to basic social services like water, food, sanitation and health.

According to the World Bank, about two-thirds of Zambia's population lives on less than two dollars a day.


The state-controlled Herald newspaper reports that the High Court has ruled in favor of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited and its managing director, Wicknell Chivayo, in a case in which they were seeking an order declaring that its contract with the Zimbabwe Power Company to set up a 100 megawatt solar project in Gwanda was valid and binding.

Justice Siyabonga Paul Msithu took a swipe at ZPC for frustrating its contractor who was awarded a tender that was sanctioned by the countrys State Procurement Board.

Intratrek and Chivayo made a US25 million damages claim from ZPC for breach and repudiation of contract.

Cabinet sanctioned the tender awarded by the State Procurement Board soon after the company beat five others bidders.

ZPC had terminated the contract claiming that Intretrek had failed to fulfil the conditions laid down before the implementation and and enforcement of the contract.

An assessment done by ZPC and Intratrek, according to the Herald newspaper, indicates that all pre-commencement works equivalent to the advance payment of US$5 million were completed and ZPC owes Intratrek US$693,000 with work valued at US$1,191 million not paid for and yet to be executed.
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says some of its activists were abducted and beaten up on Thursday by suspected Zanu PF supporters when they travelling in a bus from Caledonia to a voter registration center.

In an earlier tweet, CCC interim spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said, Weve received a report that a bus carrying 80 citizens mobilized by the @CCCZimbabwe from Caledonia to the registration centre was blocked by suspected ZANU PF thugs. Thomas Mugwagwa & Tarisai Jeke were forcibly taken.

A few hours ago, Mahere said, Thomas Mugwagwa and Tarisai Jeke have been found but they were badly beaten. They were forcibly taken when a bus carrying 80 citizens going to register to vote was barricades by Zanu PF thugs. Our rapid response team is on the ground getting them medical & legal help.

Suspected Zanu PF activists beat up CCC supporters, including elderly people, at a party meeting in Murewa. A local resident was arrested in connection with the assault.

Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, was unreachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.

The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference has condemned the violence saying it has no place in independent Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the ZCBC said, We the members of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) would want to condemn the barbaric act of violence captured on a video that circulated on social media over the weekend. The most disturbing thing is that the violent acts are meted out against senior citizens, people who should be enjoying the rights brought about by our independence. What is more worrisome is that the violence captured in the video is politically related. A voice can be heard asking the senior citizens as to what a particular political party has done for them.

As the nation heads towards the harmonized elections, we urge all political players to desist from the use of violence and the use of young people to commit violent crimes. Violence should not be employed to gain political mileage. The peoples fundamental rights should be respected at all times.

The ZCBC said citizens of this nation have rights enshrined in our Constitution. Among those rights is the freedom of choice, association and political rights. We would like to urge all parties to be responsible in their campaigns. Sell to the people your ideologies, and convince them with your arguments. As you do so, respect their choices. There is no citizen who should be intimidated or coerced, and worse still, be beaten to make a choice. That speaks against human dignity.

As a nation we have in the past seen a lot of violence around elections; let this election be different. The people of this country dream and yearn for a free, credible and fair election. Its not the casting of ballots that ascertains that, its the environment we create before, during and after elections.

The ZCBC said it is therefore incumbent on the government, political parties, and all institutions that we create a level playing field.

Equal opportunities should be given to all who want to participate in this coming election. There should be no fear or favour. Heinous violent crimes such as the one captured on the Murehwa video should be condemned by all parties.

We, therefore, call for zero tolerance to violence. The culture of violence speaks against the moral fabric of our society. To curb nurturing such a culture we call upon the government through its various institutions to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice and may the victims of that violence be protected and given the necessary care.
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Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Russian shells have been a part of daily life in the city of Odesa. But a determined set of locals is fighting back, from hairdressers to police officers who are part of a territorial defense effort. Anna Kosstutschenko reports. Camera: Pavel Suhodolskiy
Dell is committed to helping customers digitally transform their IT infrastructures to deliver next-gen IoT, and AI and 5G-enabled services, no matter their geographic location. Southeast Asia is no exception.

Brunei, with a population just under 450,000 as of 2021, set a goal for itself to become a smart nation with the Brunei Vision 2035. And to help support Brunei and fast-track its progress of modernizing its network infrastructure, Dell (News - Alert) is in collaboration with Unified National Networks.

UNN is the integrated national telecommunication network operator of Brunei Darussalam, providing the full scope of fixed and mobile services on national level and utilizing international assets to provide connectivity services across Asia.

Through the collaboration, Dell is deploying solutions to modernize UNNs data centers, which are based on hyperconverged, active-active architecture for production and disaster recovery. The solutions provided by Dell move UNN to the next level of their transformation journey and be future-proofed to deliver next-gen IoT, AI and 5G-enabled services.

Daniele Cuocci, senior vice president, data center and IT, UNN, praised Dell for the level of competence and knowledge the company displayed when strategizing and deploying its solutions.

With Dell Technologies as our transformation partner, we are now able to deliver better and more secure virtual infrastructure to our customers, said Cuocci. We are further working with Dell to enhance our cloud program by implementing additional cyber security services."

The results are nothing short of positive. The portfolio of solutions deployed by Dell using VxRail, PowerEdge, Unity XT, PowerVault storage arrays and PowerProtect DD Series Appliances allow UNN to reduce the total cost of ownership for its data centers.

Since the deployment of the solutions, UNN increased investment in accelerating the development of their next-gen IaaS solutions.

Our expertise in telecom solutions and in-depth knowledge of the communication service provider market, along with the strength of our portfolio, helped us deliver the desired business outcomes for UNN, said Anothai Wettayakorn, vice president, Dell, Asia Emerging Markets and South Asia CSB.

Wettayakorn also said that the UNN partnerships next focus is to introduce software-defined networking. This means through VMware NSX as a way support the development of UNNs next-gen services.

Edited by Alex Passett
Last March, 1C - The Sanctuary and Mission of Hope collaborated to send over 60,000 meal kits to Haiti, to help combat food insecurity among the children there.

"I feel that if people like us don't come together to put together these events and supply these meal kits for the children in Haiti, they won't get to eat," said Lonnie Anderson, a church elder.

The meal kits do come with a cost, which is where the church's annual fellowship feast fundraiser comes in. On Jan. 13 and 14, at 6 p.m. the church will offer a prime rib dinner at $40 a person, to help raise funds for the initiative. All of the food was donated, according to Ministry Coordinator Keri Robbins.

"Every ticket, the $40 ticket price goes 100% percent toward the meal packing event we're going to have March 4," Robbins said.

The event started last year, Robbins said, when the Rev. Jim Thelen connected then intern Tim Oberdieck with Mission of Hope for a mission project. With its success last year and hopeful turnout this year, Robbins said the church wants to see this event become a community event, not just a church event.

"We want to get other churches, other organizations involved because there's very much a need in Haiti for these kiddos to get food every day," Robbins said.

Their monetary goal is to raise $24,000, which will fund the 80,000 boxes they will pack at the March 4 packing event. Anderson said he initially got involved because he can relate, to some extent, with the children the food is sent to.

"My passion is, when I see the hungry kids of Haiti I look back to my childhood. I have 10 other siblings, my mother raised 11 children on her own, so I know what it's like wondering if you're going to have a meal the next day," Anderson said.

The meals are simple, fortified rice, protein of some type and dried vegetables, but much better than nothing, Robbins said. She added that in the United States, there are ways for those in need of food to find some kind of support, whereas in other countries, there are not.

"We want to make sure that these lives get transformed because without food they can't go to school, they can't learn, they can't do anything," Robbins said. "It's giving them an opportunity to just eat which they really need especially in such an impoverished country."

Anderson said that even those who don't come to the church or get involved in community activities like this should come to the fundraiser or help pack meals and that if people could see the children who it helps, they would get more support than they already have.

"Do we want you to come to church and join us? Yes, we'd love that, but the biggest thing with getting involved is you're doing a good deed for someone else," Anderson said. "If people could look and see those children and that was their brother or sister, wouldn't they want to help?"

Those interested in reserving a seat for $40 or a table of eight for $320 can register at 1cchurch.com
Ireland gets green light to label wine as dangerous.

Italian wine producers have objected strongly to Ireland's plan to require health warning labels on wine bottles, outlining the links between alcohol and fatal cancers, after the move was approved by the EU Commission.

Under plans by the Irish government, bottles of wine, beer and spirits sold in Ireland will have to carry health warnings listing links between alcohol consumption and cancer, similar to the system already in place on cigarette packets.

The warning labels will also state the dangers of liver disease from over-consumption and the risks of drinking while pregnant, reports The Irish Independent.

Italy's foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani said Ireland's decision to place health warnings on Italian wine was "absurd" and did not take into account "the difference between moderate consumption and alcohol abuse".

Ireland's decision to place a label on all alcoholic beverages,including Italian wine, is absurd. Despite the opposition of the @Europarl_EN.It doesnt take into account the difference between moderate consumption and alcohol abuse.Ill ask the @EU_Commission to intervene on @wto  Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) January 12, 2023

The move was slammed as a "direct attack on Italy" by Coldiretti, the county's main agricultural lobby, which describes the labels as "alarmist" in a statement on its website.

Noting that Italy "is the world's leading producer and exporter with more than 14 billion in turnover, with over half coming from abroad", Coldiretti says the move by Dublin risks setting a "dangerous precedent" in the EU.

"It is completely improper to equate the excessive consumption of spirits, typical of the Nordic countries, to the moderate and conscious consumption of quality products with lower alcohol content such as beer and wine", reads the statement.

Coldiretti president Ettore Prandini said the EU is right to protect citizens' health but this "cannot be translated into simplistic decisions that risk unjustly criminalising individual products regardless of the quantities consumed".

Via libera a su #healthwarnings per tutte le bevande alcoliche.



Una normativa unilaterale, discriminatoria e sproporzionata commenta @sweetlemongal, chiedendo al Governo di attivarsi per osteggiarla e prendere posizione contro mutismo #UE.https://t.co/tAf44Lfn01  Federvini (@Federvini) January 11, 2023

Federvini, Italy's federation of producers, exporters and importers of wines, has called on the Italian government to take action "to oppose a rule that goes against common sense and reality".

In a statement of the Federvini website, president Micaela Pallini described Ireland's plan as "discriminatory and disproportionate" because "it does not distinguish between abuse and consumption."

Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of the Italian Wine Union (UIV), also slammed the move as "a dangerous step forward" that risks setting an "extremely dangerous precedent in terms of labelling alarmist messages on wine consumption".

This article was updated following the intervention of Italy's minister for foreign affairs.
Although Sen. Danielle Conrad says shes disappointed with the Legislatures swing toward partisanship since she left in 2015 and by a decision not to honor her request to return to a seat on the Appropriations Committee where she previously served for eight years, the Lincoln senator is looking ahead with enthusiasm now.

Her appointment to the Education Committee and to the Government and Military Affairs Committee puts Conrad at the center of major battles in the 2023 legislative session that include proposed redistribution of state school aid and construction of voter photo ID requirements that were mandated by voter approval of a constitutional amendment.

The increase in partisanship has been on display during early organization of the nonpartisan 2023 Legislature and approval of committee assignments, Conrad said Tuesday during an interview outside the legislative chamber.

Its disappointing, but not surprising, she said.

But Conrad said it will not deter her from her goals of championing working families and advocating for civil rights and civil liberties as well as doing what she can to protect the nonpartisan nature of the Legislature.

Conrad wants to establish a child tax credit for Nebraska families and make sure working families have more resources to succeed. Thats the centerpiece of my personal agenda.

And she intends to provide a strong voice for protecting Nebraska voting rights, a strong voice for protecting access to reproductive rights and a strong voice for criminal justice reform along with support for public education and open government.

Conrad resigned as executive director of ACLU of Nebraska to seek the District 46 legislative seat representing northeast Lincoln.

The increase in partisanship in the Legislature since she was last there is reflected by committee assignments that were finally approved after nearly six hours of often acrimonious debate, Conrad said, and thats disappointing.

But Conrad said she is very impressed with Gov. Jim Pillens outreach to senators.

The Republican governors contacts have been meaningful, frequent and authentic, the Democratic member of the Legislature said. Weve spoken five to 10 times and there have been texts and meetings.

Its never personal for me, Conrad said. Its always about policy.

Conrad said she is hopeful that senators will find common ground as the 90-day legislative session unfolds.

Theres a lot of talent, a lot of heart here, she said.

We all voluntarily ran to serve in a nonpartisan Legislature. We took an oath to protect the state constitution that requires that. It does not mean one side gets everything.

It means we check our party labels at the door, Conrad said. Partisanship does not align with our framework. And I think protecting this institution is critical.

But I am very clear-eyed as to how this institution has changed.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2023
The Italian flag, or Il Tricolore, is one of the most recognisable flags in the world.

With its trio of green, white, and red splashed across Italian restaurant signs all over the world and printed on T-shirts in tourist kiosks across the country, the Italian flag is an icon of Italy and Italian culture. But stripes of greed, white, and red werent always synonymous with Italy

Where do the colors green, white, and red in the Italian flag come from?

Originally designed under Napoleon's rule, the Italian flag was heavily influenced by another Tricolore-- the French flag.

Though the national Italian flag would go through many different iterations before becoming what it is today, the colors green, white, and red have been a recurring pattern throughout its history.Oddly enough, there is no clear answer to what the symbolism is behind the three colors.

There are multiple theories regarding Italys Tricolore. One is that the colors carry idealistic significance: green for freedom, white for faith and purity, and red for love.

Others believe that the colors have religious significance, representing the three theological virtues: Green for hope, white for faith, and red for charity.

Another theory is that the colors represent Italys geographical landscape and history. Green for the countryside, white for the snowy Alps, and red for the blood of the Italian people shed over the course of Italys history.

How long has the Italian flag existed?

The Italian flag precedes Italys unification. Before unification in 1861, each republic in Italy had a different flag.When Napoleon began conquering Italian states after the French Revolution began in 1789, he changed the landscape of Italy, creating new republics and destroying former territories.

Following Frances call for national unity, many Italians formed political and military groups to focus efforts on creating unity within their republics.

Also read:

The colors green, white, and red were originally taken from the civic militia in the Transpadane Republic, an unofficial government in Milan. Militia members wore the colors on their uniforms.In 1797, the Cispadane Republic in Modena, established by Napoleon, designed its flag with the trio of colors in horizontal stripes and a central emblem.

When the Cispadane Republic merged with nearby regions to create the new Cisalpine Republic, the stripes were rotated counterclockwise to the vertical stripes they are today, with green on the left, white in the middle, and red on the right.

However, this was not the final form of the Italian flag. Later, the short-lived region known as the Italian Republic, located in the north of Italy, also had a green, white, and red flag, but organized in a geometric pattern.

The geometric pattern mirrored patterns from Napoleonic military flags. When the Italian Republic became the Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon as its emperor, the flag design was slightly altered, and a golden Napoleonic eagle was placed in the center.

When did Italy get an official Italian flag?

From 1798 to 1848, the Tricolore was an unofficial symbol of ununified Italian nationalism.When Napoleons rule ended in 1814, a new chapter of Italian history began. Italy was geographically united as one country in 1848, and the Tricolore became a celebrated symbol of Italy.

Many regions began adopting flags that reflected elements of the Tricolore, adding to a sense of national unity. On 23 March 1848, the flag was used by Italian troops in battle against the Austrian army, making it an official symbol of Italian confederation.

The following month, the flag was adopted by the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1861, it became the official flag of the Kingdom of Italy.

When Italy was officially united as a monarchy under the rule of the Royal House of Savoy in 1861, a shield, cross, and crown were added to the center of the flags three stripes.

The shield and cross represented the House of Savoy, and the crown symbolised the monarchy. In 1946, when Italy changed from a monarchy to a republic, the flag returned to the simple, vertical Tricolore.Finally, the flag legally represented all of Italy, geographically, politically, and historically.

What is the flag of Italy used for in Italy?

As well as being a symbol of national unity and pride, the Italian flag is a cherished symbol of Italys history and the complicated road to becoming the Italian Republic.Also read:

As in many countries, it is illegal to disrespect the Italian flag. Any form of vandalisation or destruction to an Italian flag is considered a crime, and perpetrators risk being fined up to 5000 euro or potential imprisonment.The Italian flag can be seen hanging outside of government buildings, or being flown on holidays and ceremonial occasions.
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When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took office in November promising stability, the last thing he needed on his plate of woes was a trade war with Europe. Although the UK-European Union data agreement announced Tuesday is a long way from a comprehensive deal to resolve the Brexit impasse over Northern Ireland, it makes one a lot more likely.

To recap, Britain and the EU are at loggerheads over the Northern Ireland Protocol, the provision of the Brexit divorce treaty that kept Northern Ireland in the EUs single market for goods in order to avoid a hard border with Ireland. The agreement resulted in a customs border on the Irish Sea that the UK says is creating intolerable frictions. The Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland collapsed the power sharing executive there over the issue, refusing to take part unless the Protocol is scrapped. Boris Johnsons government was determined to play hardball. Invoking the doctrine of necessity, it drafted legislation to unilaterally override the parts of the Protocol it didnt like, a middle finger to treaty obligations. The EU warned it wouldnt negotiate with a gun on the table and moved to take legal action against the UK for breaking its international treaty obligation.

Now, a deal is not certain, but it certainly seems in sight. The shenanigans of Johnson and missteps of Liz Truss did further damage to Britains international reputation and public finances. Britain is on track to be the worst-performing G7 economy this year. Vladimir Putins invasion provided another reality check  its one thing to demonize the EU in peacetime; quite another when theres a real demon sending tanks into a European country.

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There is also perhaps more political space in Britain for a deal these days. Polls show a growing realization among voters that Brexit has brought no discernible gains but considerable costs in terms of trade friction that Brexiters had dismissed as project fear. Sunak had risked his career to back Johnson over Brexit and campaigned for the Tory leadership on a promise to scrap some 4,000 laws inherited from the EU and press on with the Protocol bill. But hes also a pragmatist, not an ideologue, and staying that course would be suicidal.

Brexit has piled on both economic, political and reputational costs for Britain. But if Sunak can shepherd through a deal on Northern Ireland in the coming months, he has a chance of putting UK-EU relations on a more positive footing and removing an obstacle to closer relations with Washington.

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At first glance, Tuesdays agreement to share trade data seems like small beer. The Protocol itself allows the EU to request customs information on a consignment moving through a Northern Irish port; and in 2020, Michael Gove had promised remote, continuous access to five UK databases with real-time information. But the EU complained that access was never forthcoming; without it, the EU could not carry out the risk assessments required by the Protocol and therefore couldnt protect the single market. The lack of data sharing was a drag on trust and made further negotiations pointless.

Last year, the UK created a single access system from the different databases, at last providing real-time customs data on goods moving through Northern Irelands ports. Bloomberg reported that the EU has suggested some improvements following a trial period over the past two months, but the change seems generally to have gone down well.

But remaining obstacles are also complex and politically fraught. They include disagreements over agri-food checks, customs requirements and the role of the European Court of Justice. The EU has proposed an express lane to facilitate GB-NI trade, but insists suppliers should complete extensive customs requirements, while the UK wants a reduced burden for those declared trusted traders.

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Trust is the key ingredient to any broader deal, and as ever, itll be the political obstacles that prove trickiest to surmount. Brexiters in the Conservative Party are no longer all-powerful, but they can still create problems for the prime minister. Conservatives are also wary that Nigel Farages Reform UK will seize on any deal to pick off Brexit voters, further hurting the Tories chances of closing the gap with Labour. Should Sunak withdraw or effectively defang the Protocol Bill (it contains a clause that would allow any UK-EU treaty to supercede its provisions) and scrap the promised bonfire of EU regulations, he will be accused of betraying the cause.

And any deal would have to pass muster with the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland, whose single favorite word is no. Sunak, though, is the unionists worst nightmare; hes a numbers man who will remind them of just how much Northern Ireland gains from government subsidies.

There is the narrowest of landing strips, and it will require all sides to claim a victory of sorts. The EU will twist and bend itself into a pretzel to amend the Protocols workings without abandoning the actual agreement, even if that means ultimately widening European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovics negotiating mandate as the UK has been demanding. It will not give up the ECJs role  it is, after all, the ultimate arbiter of the single market that Northern Ireland is part of. But there are perhaps ways to add flexibility into how trade disagreements are addressed that should reassure all but die-hard Brexiters.

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Will it be enough to get a deal over the line, much less by April 10, the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland? There are reasons to be hopeful, but it will take all of Sunaks powers of persuasion, and more, to make it happen.

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 Why Cant Tesla Drive US Oil Demand Lower? Plastics: Javier Blas

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics. Previously, she was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.

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Early Wednesday morning, a computer outage involving a Federal Aviation Administration system disrupted flights across the US. A corrupted computer file might be to blame for the failure, which the agency managed to fix through the oldest IT trick in the book: turning the system off and then on again.

Its the latest and biggest example of the outsize role technological glitches play in a world reliant on increasingly complex technological systems.

Consider a few less-noticed examples from just this week:

 Seattle-based Amazon blamed a glitch for publicly misrepresenting how much advertisers had spent on holiday campaigns and how well those campaigns performed, reported Business Insider. As a result, some advertisers threw good money after bad, while others left opportunities on the table. Amazon is trying to make it up to them by issuing credits for more advertising; one hopes no glitches will mar those campaigns.

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 A judge in Michigan is set to rule on a class action lawsuit stemming from a problem in the states computer system that incorrectly flagged some benefits recipients as fraudsters. Michigans unemployment agency went after them, garnishing their wages and seizing their tax refunds. The attorney representing the victims is seeking damages to cover the suite of maladies that followed  everything from bankruptcy and eviction to job loss and divorce.

 And in Maryland, a college savings plan promised a months-long computer error had been fixed, only to hear from tuition-paying parents that they still couldnt access the money in their accounts. The plans executive director insisted that quality control measures were put in place and that the issue had been corrected.

Futurist Amy Webb has tracked such glitches and years ago predicted that we would be seeing more of them. Glitches can be funny if they result in nonsensical Netflix movie descriptions, but not so much if they cause your Nest thermostat to turn off the heat.

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Over the years, glitches have halted trading on stock exchanges from Toronto to Tokyo. In a 2015 essay for Harvard Business Review, Webb predicted an increase in glitches due to so much new technology coming online so quickly  without the usual testing. We dont always know in advance how the new systems will interact, at scale, either with legacy systems or other new technology.

As domestic aviation was thrown into disarray Wednesday morning, news outlets and social media quickly began describing the outage as a glitch, the verbal equivalent of the shruggie emoticon. Flying is canceled and we dont know why! \_()_/

In theory, a glitch is something more spontaneous and less explicable than a regular old software bug. But in reality, glitch is a term that covers a number of technical sins  particularly those that have no clear cause. If we could explain it, in other words, it wouldnt be a glitch.

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In some cases, what we call a glitch is found to be more like a loophole that additional safeguards could have uncovered. But using the term glitch sometimes is a subtle attempt to absolve an organization from responsibility, ascribing the fault to the black box of inscrutable computer systems. Its the digital ages equivalent of mistakes were made.

Its also a word that tends to minimize the consequences; by definition, a glitch seems small or fleeting. Which creates quite a contrast when its impact is thousands of delayed and canceled flights. A mega-glitch seems like a contradiction in terms.

Id venture to guess that most of us have gotten used to experiencing technical glitches on a regular, even daily basis. They might not bring the entire US air network to a standstill, but they are still exhausting reminders of how complicated the simplest things have become and how powerless the end user is to overcome them. Theyre an invisible tax on modern existence. They are the microaggressions of digital life.

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Earlier this week, I drove to the bank to deal with the discovery of fraudulent withdrawals from my checking account. After parking across from the local branch, I tried to pay for parking using an app the town adopted. But I didnt have enough cellphone reception to use the app, because residents have vigorously opposed adding new cell towers in precisely the part of town that has paid parking. After searching for signal up and down the street, holding my phone out in front of me like a digital dowsing rod, I finally got enough signal  to watch the app crash.

Should I be more upset with the mobile phone company, the app or the Nimby residents who blocked the cellphone tower? Glitchiness itself becomes the scapegoat, absolving any particular entity from blame or rage. And conditions in US airports on Wednesday reportedly were similar, with fatalism holding sway over fury.

And thats understandable. Because the technologies that make headlines when they break down mostly function as planned  and our lives are generally made much easier and safer thanks to the complex software systems that organize aviation, optimize ad spending and beam credit card payments up into space and back down again. I might not enjoy googling washing machine error code F21 but its definitely better than spending an entire day scrubbing my households laundry with cold water and lye. And before parking apps existed, you better believe I muttered under my breath about hidebound municipal governments and archaic metal payment tokens.

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Whether you want to fly safely from Cleveland to Tampa or simply pay for parking, our technologically complex world relies on many things going right: A relies on B, and B relies on C. Yet building dependable systems is always expensive and often politically challenging. And so we beat on, boats against the current, rescheduling our flights, reversing the charges, resetting our passwords. Another day, another glitch.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Southwests Biggest Mistake Was Forgetting Its Own Culture: Beth Kowitt

 FedExs Problems Are About FedEx, Not the World: Thomas Black

 US Airline Passenger s Deserve a Bill of Rights: Brooke Sutherland

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Sarah Green Carmichael is a Bloomberg Opinion editor. Previously, she was managing editor of ideas and commentary at Barrons and an executive editor at Harvard Business Review, where she hosted HBR IdeaCast.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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One of the many problems with having former President Donald Trump around is that it becomes extremely difficult to assess normal misbehavior. Its a significant reminder of how Trump continues to corrupt the nations politics. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight That, so far at least, is the story behind the revelation that President Joe Biden improperly had classified documents at a think tank office and in his Delaware home. Its impossible to discuss this properly without mentioning the many ways in which what Biden apparently did is nothing like what Trump did.

There is still much that we dont know about the Biden incidents, and it certainly deserves a thorough investigation. But the crucial difference is plain: Trump has claimed to be above the law when it comes to classified materials, while Biden has said that he will fully cooperate with an investigation into the matter.

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Trump has publicly attacked the process from the start. He didnt voluntarily hand over anything to the National Archives and instead has fought the agency every step of the way to retain documents the government knew were missing. Bidens team, in contrast, voluntarily turned over items that the archives werent aware of. And Trump appears to have retained far more documents, and handled them far more cavalierly, than Biden did.

I wont speculate on the legal consequences. But presidents swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and have the responsibility to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. The core principle of constitutional government is the rule of law; thats why the presidential oath is to protect the Constitution, not the nation or the land or its people.

For a former president (and now presidential candidate) to publicly claim that the law doesnt apply to him is a far worse offense, and far more disqualifying for future office, than almost anything that could be done with classified information. And that is what Trump has repeatedly done, whether by claiming executive privilege to defend his possession of classified materials or with his assertion of absolute immunity from lawsuits, or simply in how he regularly dismisses the legitimacy of judges and prosecutors who apply the law to him.

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While we dont want to assess Biden based only on the extremely low bar of doing better than Trump, as long as Trump remains on the scene (and retains millions of supporters), it isnt just a natural comparison, but a necessary one.

When Biden makes a false claim, as he has been known to do throughout his career including as president, we shouldnt dismiss it just because Trump did worse. But we also should keep in mind that all politicians make that sort of error at times, and if Biden does it more often than many, he is still nothing like Trump.

We dont yet know why classified documents turned up at Bidens home and office. It could be the result of minor filing mistakes by others that Biden handled well once someone realized the error. Or it could be something worse. Attorney General Merrick Garlands decision to appoint a special counsel to look into the matter might turn out to be overkill, but its another reminder, along with Bidens pledge of cooperation with the probe, that in this administration the president isnt above the law.

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The comparison to Trump is useful not because it underscores that everyone makes mistakes, but because it reminds us what disregard for the rule of law really looks like. At the same time, it doesnt absolve Biden from what he has done  whatever that turns out to be.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Republicans in Congress Have an Ethics Problem: Julianna Goldman

 The Houses Republican Rebels Have a Point: David A. Hopkins

 American and British Conservatives Are Frozen in Failure: Clive Crook

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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If you believe that software is eating the world, the war in Ukraine seems incomprehensibly low-tech. In many areas, it looks barely distinguishable from World War I-style trench warfare, and Ukraines repeated requests for more artillery and tanks suggest a reliance on World War II-era warfighting methods. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Tanks seem a bit old school. Seems like lite, mobile, gps/drone/sat targeting items are dominating these days. Am I missing something? Are tanks still superior when backed up, like carriers are backed up in a fleet? computer game industry pioneer Richard Garriott tweeted recently. Elon Musk, another tech leading light, replied that tanks are a deathtrap now. With neither side having air superiority, youre left with infantry & artillery  essentially WW1.

Neither Garriott nor Musk is a military expert, so there have been plenty of angry rebukes from people who are, as well as some milder and more substantive responses pointing out that modern warfare is all about combined arms, and every kind of equipment has its uses. The techies arent entirely naive, though. They  both astronaut Garriott and SpaceX chief executive officer Musk  know that high-tech war is only possible when its many components work in seamless concert. Thats the missing bit in Ukraine. Both Russian and Ukrainian technological capabilities are hastily patched-together quilts that often leave the troops reliant on age-old killing machinery  on the primary, brute force function of a tank, a howitzer, a machine gun. All kinds of 21st-century equipment are being used, but old school meat-grinder fighting is still deciding the direction of the war.

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In 2018, Vladimir Putin declared that Russia possessed a compact, high-tech military. Almost a year of the Ukraine invasion has shown that this military is not high-tech enough to be as compact as it has become, thanks to the massive downsizing in the 2000s and 2010s that cut the officer cadre from more than 300,000 to 150,000.

An ideal modern military is a highly connected one. Ground units communicate securely to coordinate their actions and get timely air, artillery and tank support. Satellites and drones help locate enemy troops, headquarters and ammunition depots, targeting missile strikes and artillery fire to cost-effectively inflict maximum damage to the enemy. Electronic warfare messes up enemy communications. On paper, Russia had all these capabilities when it invaded in February 2022.

But Western analysts warned even then that some systems were at best untested. In September 2021, a Chatham House report said that Russia has successfully integrated unmanned vehicles into its military operations, but it is a long way from incorporating aerial and ground vehicle teaming for more effective battlefield management. In April of the pre-war year, Brussels-based satellite expert Bart Hendrickx wrote that Liana, the post-Soviet Russian satellite intelligence project, had been plagued with delays and technical problems, and better satellites would only become available in a few years.

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The invasion revealed a much harsher reality for Putin and his generals. Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrated the failure of redesigned Russian communication systems for units on the ground. Military blogger Andrei Morozov, a communications specialist who has fought in Ukraine since 2015, has detailed this fiasco in a long series of blog posts. According to Morozov, modern communications systems, such as the Azart, were in fact developed, but military units only received elements of them, which werent particularly useful without the entire system in place. As the war began, they ended up depending on commercially available, cheap Chinese-made radios. Satellite intelligence, too, failed to supply timely data, and Russian troops had to rely on decades-old maps and massive quantities of ammunition in the absence of precise targeting. Small Russian drones that could be used to target fire or extend communications range existed  but too few of them were available to the troops.

Given these issues and Russias failure to establish air superiority, perfectly coordinated modern warfare was a non-starter. As Bryan Clark wrote in a July 2022 report for the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute,

Years of underfunded aviation training and maintenance and the rapid introduction by NATO of Stinger shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles have largely grounded Russian jets and helicopters during the Ukraine invasion. So when Russian troops crossed the border, they faced a situation not unlike the armies of World War I. Without airpower, the Russian assault crawled at the speed of their trucks and tanks. And although they proved effective in the Donbas during the last decade, Russian drones are controlled by line-of-sight radios operating in the Ka- and Ku-bands, which prevented them from straying too far from their operators on the ground. With Russian columns moving along multiple axes into Ukraine and unable to send EW drones well over the horizon, any jamming of Ukrainian forces, some of which were interspersed between Russian formations, would have also taken out Russian radios.

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Ukrainians, for their part, quickly got their hands on elements of modern military communications  from US-made SINCGARS radios to satellite intelligence from Western militaries and private companies, which could quickly be passed on to troops on the ground via Musks Starlink terminals. Supplies of the heavy weaponry whose deadly work could be coordinated using these systems lagged, however, and Russia used its advantage in brute force to advance in the east during last spring and summer. By then, the Russian military managed to bring to bear some of its more high-tech capabilities, too  for example, using electronic warfare to fight off the threat of the vaunted Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. Ukraines victories last fall resulted from the effective use of Western communications technology in tandem with the heavy weapons it did receive from the West, such as the HIMARS multiple rocket systems, and the creative use of small mobile groups, also enabled by superior high-tech intelligence and communications. Ukrainians knew and could target the Russian troops weak spots.

To win the war, they now are determined to put together a modern combined-arms machine, thus Ukraines insistent requests for more artillery, anti-missile systems and tanks. Russia, for its part, needs to catch up in the high-tech area, a pursuit hindered but not prevented by Western sanctions. It must speed up the production of communications devices and drones as well as beef up its satellite intelligence, obtaining or replacing hundreds of Western components  a process that is inevitably slower than Ukraines procurement of Western weaponry.

Meanwhile, as both sides need time to catch up in the respective areas where they now lag, they are sending thousands of soldiers into relatively old-fashioned battle  to storm trenches and ruined buildings relying on little more than speed and luck, to face artillery fire that is, at best, targeted using commercial drones, to face Soviet-era tanks that can still wreak death and destruction despite their death-trap design. The lives of these soldiers are sacrificed so that the belligerents can gradually evolve into 21-century armies from ones built for a previous war. As President Volodymyr Zelenskiy put it in a recent nightly video address, Thanks to the resilience of our soldiers in Soledar, we have won for Ukraine additional time and additional strength. With both sides now inured to losses that are incredibly heavy by this centurys standards, todays bloodbath around Soledar, Bakhmut, Svatovo and Kreminna amounts to little more than biding time in a conflict that continues to destroy both countries  the befuddled invaders and the stubborn defenders alike.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:



Thanks for the Tanks, But Send the Abrams and Leopard, Too: Andreas Kluth



Economic Chaos of a Taiwan War Would Go Well Past Semiconductors: Hal Brands



All Is Not Quiet on the Eastern Front: Niall Ferguson

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. He recently published Russian translations of George Orwells 1984 and Franz Kafkas The Trial.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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More than two decades since NATO went to war to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, the Balkan region is on edge again. Escalating tensions between Kosovos government and the countrys ethnic Serbian minority have raised the prospect of renewed fighting that could draw in neighboring Serbia and put at risk the 3,700 NATO troops still stationed in Kosovo.

With Western governments focused on Ukraine, the long-festering Kosovo-Serbia dispute may seem like a distraction, but ignoring the problem would be a mistake. The US and Europe should apply greater pressure on both sides to return to the negotiating table and avert another Balkan war before it begins.

Home to some 1.8 million people, mostly ethnic Albanians, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state and has supported efforts by ethnic Serbs living in the countrys north to resist the authority of the central government in Pristina. A 2013 agreement brokered by the European Union calls for Kosovo to allow a degree of self-rule for ethnic Serb communities. However, Prime Minister Albin Kurti opposes making any such concessions so long as the Serbian government in Belgrade denies Kosovos right to exist.

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The standoff intensified last fall, when Kurtis government implemented rules requiring that ethnic Serbs use license plates issued by Kosovos government, not Serbias. The policy triggered the mass resignation of ethnic Serbs serving in local government, including some 600 police officers. Residents in Kosovos Serb-majority areas erected barricades to block the entry of government forces; when authorities started arresting the protesters, Serbia raised the combat alert for its military forces and threatened to intervene. Under pressure from Western officials last month, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic persuaded the protesters to remove the barricades, but the underlying tensions have persisted.

The EU has set a deadline of March for Kosovo and Serbia to reach a deal on normalizing relations. Although the prospects for success appear dim, the alternative is worse. Failed negotiations would embolden opportunists on both sides to stir up sectarian passions for political gain. As was true during the Balkan wars of the 1990s, even low-level clashes could rapidly escalate into full-scale ethnic conflict, this time with thousands of NATO troops caught in the middle. Such hostilities would further worsen relations between the West and Russia, which is seeking to increase its influence over Serbia and prevent its integration into the EU.

Europe cant afford another war. Preventing one will require ramping up engagement in the region and leaning on all parties to resume dialogue. Western diplomats should press Kurti to suspend policies seen as provocative by Kosovos Serbian minority, so long as Serbs stop attacking police and other government officials. The EU should rule out advancing Serbias application for membership in the union until Belgrade commits to a timetable for recognizing Kosovos sovereignty. For its part, the US should make clear to Kosovos leaders that NATOs willingness to keep its forces on the ground isnt indefinite. Continued Western military support for Kosovo should be contingent on signs of progress toward a peace settlement that grants greater self-government for Serb communities.

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For decades, the Balkan nations have been struggling to escape a history of division and strife. Sustained Western diplomacy is needed to avert another war in the region  and to begin building a more hopeful future for its people.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Putin Wants Bosnia and Serbia to Back His War: James Stavridis

 Dont Start a New War Over License Plates: Andreas Kluth

 Europes Warm Winter is Putins Nightmare: Javier Blas

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Nine days after Avraham Eisenberg began to borrow curve cryptocurrency tokens on Aave, a decentralized lending platform for digital assets, he found his $38 million(1)loan abruptly liquidated by terminator bots. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight An estimated $10 million loss on a failed punt sounds only mildly annoying, compared with everything else going on in Eisenbergs life  the self-described applied game theorist was arrested in Puerto Rico recently for allegedly draining $110 million from trading platform Mango Markets. Still, the zapping of the traders short CRV position, as the curve tokens are known, has sparked a lively debate.

The abruptly curtailed life of the loan is a feature of decentralized-finance, or DeFi, marketplaces that allow volatile cryptocurrencies to be lent against one another. The trader had borrowed CRV tokens by posting USDC, a dollar stablecoin, as collateral.

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If this were conventional debt, the borrower would get a margin call when the lender became uncomfortable with the collateral covering it. On a public blockchain, anybody can track such situations. To keep the system safe, arbitrageurs are encouraged to step in. These are algorithms that raise a so-called flash loan (more on them later) to liquidate vulnerable short positions. They pocket a reward from the software code  smart contract  running lending protocols such as Aave.

Although not directly linked to the Eisenberg loan, recent work by academic researchers has concluded that DeFi harbors a systemic fragility, wherein liquidations engender other liquidations. Collateral prices get affected across trading venues; the malaise spreads. Flash loans are to blame  theyre so fast and frictionless that decentralized lending becomes inherently crash-prone.

At the opposite end are practitioners who believe teething problems are normal for a nascent industry. DeFi deserves a fair chance to create a cheaper alternative to intermediary-driven traditional finance, or TradFi, which  for all the progress since the advent of the 17th-century goldsmith-banker  still relies on expensive taxpayer-funded bailouts. Remember the subprime crisis?

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In Eisenbergs case, theres nothing remarkable about his own loss. Whats problematic is that Aave, the platform, was left nursing a $1.6 million bad debt after algorithms  taking advantage of a 75% run-up in CRV on Nov. 22  closed the short position. At first blush, this seems to be a point in favor of the fragility hypothesis of University of Calgary economist Alfred Lehar and Christine A. Parlour, a UC Berkeley finance professor. According to them, a crucial difference between DeFi and TradFi is that the former doesnt place any capital constraints on arbitrageurs. Is that a problem? Well, it could be.

DeFi borrowing and lending is anonymous. In the absence of credit-scoring, or recourse to the borrower or his reputation, loans must always be worth considerably less than the collateral, especially because the token thats being borrowed and the coin its being borrowed against can both fluctuate wildly. To keep the lending pool secure, algorithms scour digital platforms for breaches of loan-to-value norms. When they zero in on shaky debt  Eisenbergs position exceeded the system-set permissible LTV of 0.89 on Nov. 22  theyre programmed to seek a flash loan, use the proceeds to close some part of the original debt, wrest the collateral and sell it to cancel their liability.

Unlike in conventional finance, these four things happen in a single block of validated information. Either the transaction goes through in its entirety and all copies of the distributed ledger reflect it, or not at all. Which is why the bots dont need to bring in capital to pocket their promised liquidation incentive  4.5% in the Eisenberg episode. They dont pose any credit risk to lenders advancing the money to carry out the kill. Expertise is more likely to be the constraint rather than capital because of the existence of flash loans, Lehar and Parlour note.

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Thats full marks for capital efficiency. But we must also count the cost to the lending system from the absence of friction. And therein lies the nub of the whither DeFi debate: Did the bad debt left to Aave result from an irresolvable fatal flaw, or could a design tweak have prevented it?

In a paper covering the episode, a group of blockchain professionals have come up with a possible answer. Beyond a threshold, liquidations on Nov. 22 turned toxic. Each forced closure of his loan made Eisenbergs remaining position a little riskier when weighed against the available collateral. That, in turn, invited another bot, and the whole thing cascaded out of control. If the fixed 4.5% liquidation incentive had been dynamic, if it had fallen progressively with the thinning of the collateral cover, the platform could have avoided accruing any bad debt.

Toxic liquidations are dangerous for the protocol since they mathematically guarantee that the users portfolio health will worsen through no fault of their own, Jakub Warmuz and his co-authors note. As a general rule of thumb, sudden short-minded responses to complex dynamical behaviors lead to outcomes worse than what the response set out to achieve. They should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

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Fixes need to arrive sooner rather than later. Not because our next mortgage is going to be DeFi  good luck with putting a municipalitys property register on a public blockchain. The main motivation is that a big part of the conventional trade in goods could benefit if decentralized finance allows a crate of wine or the Japanese yen owed by its importer to become an asset on the blockchain. So that money could be raised against it more cheaply than would be possible now after paying fees to middlemen. In November, JPMorgan Chase & Co. did a small trade on Aave, taking its first live position on a public blockchain. With giants of TradFi starting to dabble in DeFi, the whole thing is turning serious.

Whether the future of DeFi is utopian or dystopian isnt something finance professors or practitioners can determine on their own. A piece of software code acting as a complete contract, leaving no room for courts to intervene if things go wrong, requires us to imagine, among other things, a less salubrious ending to Shakespeares Merchant of Venice. Legal and cultural philosophers should also bookmark the Eisenberg liquidation. They might have to wade into the debate soon.

More from Bloomberg Opinion:

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 Will Cryptocurrencies Ever Be a Safe Investment?: Andy Mukherjee

 Beware the Dangers of Too Much Crypto Regulation: Tyler Cowen

 Beware Crypto Billionaires Boasting of Audits: Lionel Laurent

(1) See Toxic Liquidation Spirals: Evidence from the bad debt incurred by AAVE, a paper by Jakub Warmuz, Amit Chaudhary and Daniele Pinna.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services in Asia. Previously, he worked for Reuters, the Straits Times and Bloomberg News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Silicon Valley is Americas innovation capital, but lenient remote work policies and a spate of layoffs have fueled an exodus of workers and cleared the way for rising investment in other tech hubs, especially Austin and Miami.
Big Spring Director of Curriculum and Instruction Nicole Donato said schools have always seen gaps in learning.

"Students are always going to have gaps when they enter kindergarten," she said. "[On the] first day of school, there are gaps between the 20 kids or however many kids are sitting in there, and so to say that there's never a gap in any kids' learning isn't reality in education."

As local school districts resumed in-person classes and advanced forward in the coronavirus pandemic, the focus now becomes not whether learning gaps exist, but rather defining what those gaps are, examining COVID-19's role in them and contemplating how districts can try to close them moving forward.

One measure to help define those potential gaps in education is test scores.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card, measures areas like reading and math in fourth and eighth grade across the United States. National assessment data is not available at a district or individual school level, but Mark Blanchard, assistant superintendent of secondary education at Cumberland Valley School District, said 2022 results showed "pretty universal" loss across the country.

"So there's obviously speculation that COVID was a disruptive event to the school environment for everybody," he said. "So how could there not be some type of impact? But this was the first real national indicator of the degree to what that impact might have been."

The Pennsylvania System of State Assessment is a statewide standardized assessment given in English and language arts and math in grades 3 through 8 and in science in grades 4 and 8.

Results from individual schools can be found online at the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website, but for the state as a whole, 60.9% of students received proficient or advanced scores in ELA and 42.4% in math in 2019. In 2022, 54.6% of students scored proficient or advanced in ELA and 34.4% in math.

When it comes to PSSA scores, Kevin O'Donnell, South Middleton School District's superintendent, said the district's recent results are generally about 2% to 5% below what they were prior to the pandemic.

"That varies," he said. "I'm giving you a range of two to five there because it depends on the grade level [and it] depends on the content area, but when we see a decrease, we see a decrease between 2% to 5%."

Blanchard, too, noted decreases in recent elementary scores at Cumberland Valley.

"It was evident that there's still some work that we need to do in those areas," he said.

At a high school level, Keystone Exams are year-end assessments that serve as a component of Pennsylvania's graduation requirements. These assess students' proficiency in Algebra I, Literature and Biology.

Below is the percentage of students who received proficient or advanced scores on the Keystone Exams in 2019 and 2022 according to results from the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

Big Spring High School: 60.1% in Algebra I and 66.5% in Literature in 2019, 75% in Algebra I and 53.6% in Literature in 2022

Boiling Springs High School: 80.1% in Algebra I and 76% in Literature in 2019, 80.5% in Algebra I in 2022 (2022 Keystone Exam Literature Scores were not listed for Boiling Springs High School)

Carlisle High School: 68.7% in Algebra I and 82.4% in Literature in 2019, 61.3% in Algebra I and 69% in Literature in 2022

Cumberland Valley High School: 68.4% in Algebra I and 81.6% in Literature in 2019, 85.3% in Algebra I and 83.5% in Literacy in 2022

Mechanicsburg Senior High School: 76.4% in Algebra I and 83.5% in Literature for 2019, 79.9% in Algebra I and 80.8% in Literature in 2022

Blanchard said Cumberland Valley's middle and high school students have, for the most part, seemed to bounce back academically from the pandemic.

"So I compared our (20)22 test scores to our (20)19 test scores, middle school and high school [and] they are virtually the same, in fact, better in some cases," he said.

He said he went back to 2019 because that was the last set of assessment results before the coronavirus pandemic hit and most schools stopped in-person learning in March 2020.

Test score data can be used to identify potential learning gaps or challenge areas by closely examining the numbers and identifying patterns, Blanchard said.

In identifying patterns, he said districts can begin to investigate certain programs to determine if changes need to be made.

Gaps beyond grades

While test scores provide statistical insight into potential learning loss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, school officials identified other gaps beyond the academic data.

"What we noticed over time and not a lot of time, was the gaps were multidimensional, so not only academic, but then behavioral, social and emotional, [or] mental health needs," Big Spring Superintendent Kevin Roberts said.

Michael Gogoj, assistant superintendent at Carlisle Area School District, said he saw a gap in social interaction when students returned to a hybrid version of in-person and online school after exclusively virtual learning.

"Last year, students just seemed much more reserved and much more hesitant to get involved in classrooms and even to speak," he said. "It was a much more introverted environment."

At the middle and high school levels, students took longer to come out of their shells, Gojoj said. He said the district has invested resources like COVID-19 grant funding into counseling services as well as mental health and behavioral support.

Gogoj said he's seen a "dramatic difference" in student interaction this year after students kicked off the academic year in person.

Students in the Mechanicsburg Area School District represent all levels of achievement, Assistant Superintendent Andrew Bitz said. Some students made "great strides" throughout the pandemic and continue to excel while others continue to require support, he said.

Bitz said that while some needs may be rooted in the pandemic, needs can be derived from a variety of factors, including factors aside from COVID-19, such as circumstances in students' homes.

"COVID taught us one thing for sure," Gogoj said. "It's that we want our kids in school, in the classroom each and every day, as the best way ... to function."

Missed material

For the past year and a half, that wasn't always the case, and as time passes, the focus turns to what students missed during the era of Zoom classes and hybrid learning.

That can be hard to quantify, said Denny Shambaugh, president of the Keystone Teachers Association, a Camp Hill-based nonprofit organization that provides liability insurance and legal assistance to educators.

Now retired, Shambaugh taught math and computer science at Susquenita High School in Perry County for 42 years. He said he saw evidence of a learning gap when he served as a long term substitute for pre-calculus and trigonometry classes at Susquenita this fall.

"As the year progressed, I was finding that some of my students were having trouble with what I thought was a concept that they should have mastered by now, factoring binomials and trinomials," he said. "I talked to a fellow math teacher about this, and he said that maybe part of the issue was COVID-related. Some students who first learned factoring during the COVID time of in-and-out of physical school, and having remote teaching affected their retention of this."

In addition to missed content, Donato said last year's freshmen struggled with independent study skills, note-taking skills and the ability to empathize and get along with others, concepts emphasized at the middle school level, which was interrupted for that group of students.

At the primary level, Donato said she saw missing foundational skills in math and reading, an observation shared by Saint Patrick School Principal Antoinette Oliverio.

"First graders missed all of kindergarten, so they didn't know their letters [or] they didn't know their sounds" Oliverio said. "Second grade, missed first grade and half of kindergarten. So they didn't know how to sit in a circle or raise their hand."

With some areas of overlap, each district is working on its own ways to address the challenges and gaps that popped up or expanded over the past three years.

Ongoing outlook

Educators and officials seem to be in agreement that the gaps can be closed, but answers vary on how long that will take.

"I'm confident in the system, that over time, we'll be able to bridge those gaps," Roberts said. "It just takes a little bit of time."

Officials seem to believe that content-related gaps could close within the next few years.

"I think for some of our students within a year it should help us do that," Donato said of closing the gaps. "Some of our students that have larger gaps, it may take an additional year. ... I think there's definitely the potential to do that within two years at the most."

Oliverio said she anticipated COVID-19-related gaps requiring at least one year after this one to be closed.

Other gaps in areas like social and mental health could take longer.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Despite much evidence to the contrary, Alexandra Daddario still does not consider herself a famous person. But there are moments when she is reminded, as she was recently at a cafe and juice bar in Manhattans West Village. For most of an hour-long conversation, she had managed to sip her honey almond matcha latte unnoticed. Then a college-age woman approached the table, as giddy as she was effusive. Excuse me, the young woman said. Ive literally seen you in The White Lotus. Youre my favourite actress. Daddarios striking sea-blue eyes widened in genuine surprise. She glanced around, as if to verify that there were, in fact, no other White Lotus actresses in the cafe. But there was only this woman whom millions watched in her Emmy-nominated performance as Rachel in Season 1 of the HBO series. This woman who has since taken her first lead in a major TV series, Anne Rices Mayfair Witches, now streaming on AMC+, in which she plays Dr Rowan Fielding, a neurosurgeon who discovers that she is descended from the family of Mayfair witches. Daddario smiled, stood up and put her arm around her admirer. In her cheetah-print coat, black turtleneck and strappy black sandals she was, she acknowledged, a little overdressed for the setting, but she had come straight from a photo shoot. She clicked into red-carpet mode as the womans friend took a picture on her phone. Is that OK? she asked, examining the photo to make sure a do-over wasnt necessary. It wasnt.

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This was familiar territory for Daddario, 36, who is no stranger to successful self-curation. Her Instagram account, with nearly 23 million followers, is full of tasteful photos of herself in Paris, at home in Los Angeles with her new husband, or on vacation with no clothes in the infinity pool; its a careful mix of #inspo and sex appeal that marks the expert millennial influencer. Call it cheugy, call it smart; either way, she appears to be doing something right. But after a string of action-adventure roles  demigod Annabeth Chase in two Percy Jackson movies, intrepid lifeguard Summer Quinn in Baywatch  Daddarios choice of characters in recent years, and her persuasiveness in inhabiting them, speak of greater depths. Like Rachel, who faces anguish over recent big decisions, Rowan must also reckon with opposing forces inside her. There is darkness beneath her comely exterior. It was that complexity, Daddario said, that drew her to the series, based on Rices Lives of the Mayfair Witches horror trilogy from the 1990s. Rowans less savory impulses were especially a draw. If you were given powers, what would you do? Daddario asks. Would you be able to control yourself and do only good? I dont know if any of us can say yes. Mayfair Witches is AMCs second big series to draw from Rices work. The network acquired rights to 18 of Rices novels in 2020, the year before her death, including the many books of her Vampire Chronicles series and the Mayfair trilogy. The reimagining of Interview With the Vampire, which premiered in October, was the first of at least five Rice-based series it hopes to debut.

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Those two book series have combined to sell tens of millions of copies and earn a famously protective fan base, known for scrutinising every decision taken in a screen adaptation. Daddario is familiar with that kind of stress. The pressure was similar when she was doing Percy Jackson. Youll always have people who think something is supposed to be this or that way, so you just have to go in with good intentions and try to bring life to the character, she says. The new series showrunner and creator, Esta Spalding (On Becoming a God in Central Florida), who is an executive producer with Michelle Ashford (Masters of Sex), point to Daddarios versatility as a major factor in their decision to cast her as Rowan. Alexandra Daddario as Dr. Rowan Fielding and Harry Hamlin as Cortland Mayfair in Mayfair Witches. Credit:Alfonso Bresciani/AMC The tricky thing about this part is that shes going to become a witch, but she starts out a surgeon, Spalding says. So you have to believe this woman is going to stride through the hallways of a hospital and open a persons brain up and do an operation. Daddario, the daughter of New York lawyers, knew well the pressures and requirements of the white-collar world, too. After attending the Professional Childrens School, an Upper West Side institution geared towards aspiring child actors and dancers, she booked her first professional role, as Laurie Lewis on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children, when she was 16. After small TV roles on Law & Order and The Sopranos, her big break came at 22 when she landed the female lead in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, based on the childrens fantasy novels by Rick Riordan.

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Kids are such a great fan base, she says. They dont judge the movie harshly because they dont know any better than to just love the characters. Alexandra Daddario in, from left, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The White Lotus and Mayfair Witches. Credit: That experience prepared her somewhat to star in the reboot of another popular franchise seven years later. Although Baywatch was a critical flop, it changed her trajectory. Two years later, she was part of a stellar female ensemble in Marc Cherrys Why Women Kill. And then came the pop-culture juggernaut that was the first season of The White Lotus. Her turn as Rachel, a newlywed who begins to suspect that her decision to marry the rich and obnoxiously entitled Shane (Jake Lacy) might have been a huge mistake, provided one of the seasons few truly sympathetic characters. Loading Rachel in that season was one of the few characters who needed to be kind of likable in a way the other characters didnt, says Mike White, who wrote and directed both seasons of the series. Alexandra had an unpretentious, natural approach to the character that was very sweet. Daddario, who has said she experienced similar romantic heartbreak to Rachels, slipped right into the role. Coming out of COVID, I really connected with her. She lives in this fantasy world where everything is going to be OK and is always trying to please. There was something so heartbreaking and cathartic about being able to tell that story.

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Born Andrew Jonas Gunsberg, he changed his name to Osher, the Hebrew word for happiness, to signify his more joyous outlook on life. I could not think of a more fitting name for this man. For his perfectly aligned hair, kind smile and nice suit make every day feel like a rose ceremony.

Osher, like Queen Elizabeth II before him, represents constancy. His decades-long career means he is woven into our cultural fabric, like a handsome brooch. As we journey into the uncharted waters of The Thrachelor, we feel safe under his steely gaze. And boy do we need that safety.

The season opens as the Bachelor Titanic sinks. The ocean fills with countless women in their very, very early 20s. To save these hopeful beauties, Network Ten throws them three life preservers shaped like the different breeds of white man. But as the hot air escapes the three men, they deflate. All hope is lost. That is until the captain deploys the life raft. He rides in to save these women from a sexist and brutal public. He shields them from the raging waters and raging men. The women cheer and sing, Thank God for Osher Gunsberg.

Its no secret that Australia loves Osher. A quick Google search will reveal weve been asking questions such as Is Osher vegan? Does Osher have kids? and Is OSHA from The Bachelor married? And while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is single and ready to mingle, Im sorry to say that our Osher is married To the art of The Bachelor! (And to his wife.)

Personally, I am a long-time supporter of Osher. He has been with me since his Andrew G days on Australian Idol. His bouncy, blonde hair convinced me to spend too much money texting to save my favourite contestants. Osher was with me through the highs and the lows. Puberty was tough, mainly because Lee Harding was unfairly eliminated from season three of Australian Idol. I was a nervous wreck. But in that trying time, Osher offered a calm, ordered perspective in a world of disorder. How can one man soothe a volatile nation? Call it talent. Call it skill. Or call it, in the words Mr Wasabi Lee Harding himself, Osher being on 11, he can go-go-go.

Something that is not on 11 is this new season of The Bachelors. The ratings for Monday nights premiere were the lowest in the history of the franchise. Perhaps because in an attempt to make the show appeal to a broader audience, it now appeals to no one. The show has walked away from diverse representation more quickly than Pepsi walked away from Kendall Jenner.

Theres no denying that the program has an ongoing problem with diversity across a myriad of spectrums. Its the kind of show where producers put a woman in her 40s on a stick and run around after men saying Oooooh spooky! Dont let it touch you! Not to say that they havent given diversity a whack. But after an attempt last season at welcoming queer culture into the mansions fold, the franchise bellowed never again and has gone for an aggressively straight format; offering us three men looking for love. Oh, the diversity! Theres a tall one, a yoga one and a drummer one, who can only be described as Potato Gun Kelly. All the shades of beige.
As local school districts kicked off their year of in-person learning in 2022, many for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it became obvious that the return to school did not equate to a return to normal.

"I think a lot of people thought in September, were back to normal, like here we go, were back to normal ... but we came in and were like, wow, we have some gaps to fill," Saint Patrick School Principal Antoinette Oliverio said.

At the primary level, schools have focused on early literacy and developing routines, while secondary schools appear to be targeting content acquisition.

While several districts in Cumberland County are implementing initiatives and reintroducing pre-pandemic programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels independently, a lot are also addressing certain challenges with a districtwide approach.

Making up for lost time

Kevin O'Donnell, who serves as South Middleton School District's superintendent, said he believes the biggest cause of a COVID-19 learning gap is lost instructional time.

That impacted schools beyond Bubbler nation.

"I think probably one of the biggest challenges for both students and for the schools is where is the time to address some of the concerns," said Mark Blanchard, Cumberland Valley School District's assistant superintendent of secondary education. "How do we incorporate the time that we need to specifically address those challenges within the existing day, short of holding students back or increasing the length of the school day, two things that are nonstarters for most people."

Some high schools adjusted schedules to include a period for resource or switched to block scheduling, while a few local schools built time into primary school schedules, adding time for students to reinforce or enrich what they already learned.

This year, Cumberland Valley launched a districtwide approach to help students readjust to school life called Unit Zero.

"It wasn't all day, but it was during those first two weeks, we really focused on this idea of responsibility," Blanchard said. "What does responsibility look like in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria?"

He said kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers used the initiative in their classrooms to help set norms in the school day after COVID-19's interruption. With Unit Zero, students relearned (or learned for the first time) how to engage with teachers and how to study. This helped students start the year on the same page and with a clean slate.

"It was met universally with a positive response that this was a really good way to get everybody kind of recalibrated," Blanchard said.

Curriculum changes

Several local school districts made adjustments to their curriculum, or the subjects that comprise the course of study in the schools.

O'Donnell said South Middleton used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding through COVID-19 to take a look at curriculum and resources.

"That has really allowed us the opportunity now to say what's working, what's not working, what are the needs of our students," he said. The district pulled together a group of individuals at the end of last year to examine different resources he said.

This year, South Middleton is piloting an English and Language Arts program for students in kindergarten to fifth grade to deliver content, and while it's too early to tell if there's been a difference in student learning because of the program, O'Donnell said administrators are collaborating with teachers for feedback.

At Cumberland Valley, the story is similar. Blanchard said the district is piloting a reading program at the sixth-grade level with a separate committee examining Cumberland Valley's math program at the elementary level. The goal is to help catch gaps students have as they transition from elementary to middle school, he said.

Cumberland Valley and South Middleton officials said curriculum changes come about through data review and feedback from teachers.

Big Spring School District has implemented curriculum changes with the return to in-person learning, though the district's director of curriculum and instruction, Nicole Donato, said not all of the changes were caused by the pandemic.

The district had a curriculum audit in April 2021, and Donato took her current job that July.

"That was the first task that [Superintendent] Dr. Roberts gave me like, 'Here's the audit, you need to review the audit and then take the recommendations and decide what we need to do first,'" she said. "Out of that came the curriculum management plan."

That plan outlines a cycle of when curriculum is written and evaluated. Once curriculum for the district is designed, it will be reviewed and evaluated three years later, with revisions to take place if necessary, Donato said.

She said Big Spring is in the design phase and it will take until the 2024-25 school year to design all district courses to match with Big Spring's profile of a graduate, a concept that maps out the skills students should have when the time comes to toss their caps.

A big difference in the new curriculum design is the emphasis of priority standards in content, Donato said, adding this is something Big Spring never included before in curriculum design.

"There are so many standards within education that to teach them all you're really just checking a box," she said. "So looking ahead, we're really trying to figure out which standards are the umbrellas and being able to go deeper with fewer standards because that's where the kids are going to retain information."

Donato said that coming out of COVID-19, and as the district works to revise and write curriculum, her goal is to identify these priority standards.

Analyzing attendance

Another challenge some area school districts highlighted is the recovery of regular school attendance.

"We talked about the loss of time, and you're also continuing to lose time as a result of nonattendance," O'Donnell said about South Middleton schools.

He said that before the pandemic, regular school attendance at South Middleton hovered around 96% or 97%, a number that dropped to 90% or below during the 2020-21 school year. That number has rebounded slightly, landing at around 93% with the most recent graduating class, but it's still less than what it had been before the pandemic, O'Donnell said.

The district has focused on partnering and following up with families about attendance.

"There are different challenges and barriers as to why a student isn't regularly attending," O'Donnell said. "So by partnering with families and encouraging them to come in for meetings for attendance, improvement conferences, and having those conversations and trying to figure out how in a collaborative way the district can work with families, the families can work with districts of our district and make sure that we're getting that regular school attendance."

He said the initiative isn't new, it just became a primary focus as the district began to explore learning loss resulting from students not being in school.

O'Donnell said it's still early in the year to determine results, but he said that compared to this time last year, the district is in better shape with attendance.

Other districts did not notice an ongoing struggle in regaining attendance after the return to in person learning.

This demonstrates that while local schools faced the same pandemic, the challenges they face (and solutions they implement) aren't all the same.

Big Spring School District Superintendent Kevin Roberts said that throughout the pandemic and during this academic year, he's randomly selected dates to examine the attendance levels at each of the district's buildings.

"We really never saw a tremendous fluctuation in the attendance rate even throughout the pandemic," he said. "So we continue to do well. Our attendance rate usually is quite strong anywhere from, you know, 95% or 96% up to 98% or 99% per day, which is just outstanding."

Tending transiency

Transiency proved to be a factor at some districts as well, especially with places like the Carlisle Area School District and Saint Patrick School.

"We have some buildings where a significant percentage of students are there who were not with us the year before, right," said Michael Gogoj, Carlisle's assistant superintendent. "And students even come in now and to a new building in the middle of the year. On top of that, you probably know that we house the Army War College in town, and so a lot of our students who are in War College families are here with us for one year, maybe two years."

He said this isn't the case in every district. It could also be a cause for additional gaps for students.

"Basically, we very much take the approach that we're looking at the students who are kind of in front of us, at any given time to see what they may need, because the student body changes pretty dramatically from year to year for Carlisle," Gogoj said.

Saint Patrick School also cited more students the school hadn't seen before with an increase in enrollment throughout the pandemic.

Oliverio said the school went virtual in March 2020 and opened for fully in person instruction that August, so students never experienced the extended hybrid learning that took place in many local public schools.

Last year Saint Patrick welcomed about 100 additional students, she said.

While not all the new students enrolled because the school offered in-person learning, that was often a deciding factor to families who were on the fence, Oliverio said.

Much like Carlisle, new students at Saint Patrick came from a variety of education situations, including home school and hybrid learning.

"We will get students that haven't had a similar experience to us, which creates you know, natural gaps in their curriculum differences or perhaps they had no or very little in-person teaching experience during a greater expanse of time there," said Betsy Reeder, a third-grade teacher at Saint Patrick School.

To help get a sense of where new students are in their education, Oliverio said they're assessed before they even walk in the door. This assessment gives the school an opportunity to determine what skills students have and where they may be lacking.

Saint Patrick School can then determine a game plan for that student moving forward, Oliverio said.
The national president of the Health Services Union wants to charge workers who arent members an annual $500 fee for any pay rises won through wage deals.

Gerard Hayes, one of several major union figures to call for the scrapping of a Howard-era ban on charging bargaining fees for people who arent paid-up members, described the building argument within the movement as a moral issue.

Health Services Union national president Gerard Hayes wants to charge non-members $500 a year if they benefit from pay deals negotiated on their behalf. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

We are here on the back of other people, and I think free-riding is not the Australian way, Hayes said.

Hayes said an ongoing case before the Fair Work Commission to land aged-care workers a 25 per cent pay rise could raise some workers pay packets by $10,000 a year.
Washington: US Attorney-General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to investigate President Joe Bidens handling of secret documents after a second batch of classified material from his time as vice president was found in his private home.

Days after it was revealed that an earlier batch of documents had been discovered in a think tank office Biden had used after leaving the Obama administration, the president confirmed that a separate set of materials had been found by his lawyers in a storage space in the garage of his Wilmington residence. A document was also found in his personal library. He insists he does not know what the documents contain.

Joe Biden last year described Donald Trump as irresponsible for keeping hundreds of classified records at his private Florida residence. Credit: AP

The issue has become a political headache for the White House, considering the criticism Biden levelled at former president Donald Trump over the classified documents seized by the FBI at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

In a 60 Minutes interview last year, Biden described Trump as irresponsible for keeping hundreds of classified records at his private Florida residence.
The e-learning course on Leadership and Management Development (LMD) developed by the WCO has been translated into Arabic and made available to Members on the WCO CLiKC! e-learning platform. The course addresses Customs senior managers and aims to develop and promote a leadership-oriented organization-wide culture, so that, hopefully, the organization can easily and more effectively achieve its vision and deliver its strategy while living its values.

This e-learning course is divided into five parts and should take around 2.5 hours to complete.

This translation has been made possible with the support of the WCO Regional Training Centre in Jordan and funding from Norway through the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme.

The course is now available in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic on the WCO CLiKC! e-learning platform.

Access to the WCO CLiKC! e-learning platform can be requested through the national coordinators.

For more information, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org
HILLSBORO  A Jefferson County jury convicted a Fenton man of involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in a 2021 crash that killed a young couple and their infant son.

David G. Thurby dropped his shoulders and stared straight ahead as the verdicts were read. He was led away in handcuffs and will be sentenced in about two months.

The jury deliberated five hours Wednesday before finding Thurby guilty of three counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, a lesser charge than what prosecutors sought.

Prosecutors had wanted Thurby convicted of DWI resulting in death, but the jury rejected that.

Second-degree involuntary manslaughter means causing death through criminal negligence, such as not keeping a proper lookout while driving. The heavier charge that was rejected by the jury included the element of intoxication.

With the lesser charge, Thurby could be sent to prison for up to 12 years. If the jury had opted for the DWI felony, Thurbys prison sentence could have been up to 45 years.

The April 13, 2021, crash on Highway 30 near Byrnes Mill Road killed Lacey K. Newton, 25, her fiance Cordell S. Williams, 30, and their 4-month-old son. They lived in Bonne Terre.

Over the three days of testimony, the jury heard that the arresting trooper wrote multiple and conflicting police reports; that he stored Thurbys blood samples in a locker for two weeks because the patrols refrigerator was full; and even that Thurbys name was missing from the blood vials.

No name on the tube! defense attorney Travis Noble told jurors in his closing argument Tuesday. I almost fell over.

Thurbys manslaughter charges carry a punishment of up to four years in prison on each count  instead of 15 years on each count on the more severe charges that the jury turned aside.

After the verdict, Cecilia Williams, whose son and grandson died in the crash, said in an interview that she was glad Thurby was convicted and back in custody.

But she was upset Thurby escaped the DWI felony.

Unfortunately, they put a rookie trooper on the case, and he messed up the handling of the blood, Williams said.

Thurbys relatives left the courthouse in Hillsboro without speaking to a reporter.

Even though his client was taken away in handcuffs, Noble said he considered it a win in a way because the DWI element wasnt a part of the verdict. Noble, a Clayton-based attorney, left the courthouse holding a cigar and wearing his go-to Tom Ford coat with fur collar.

Im disappointed obviously they found him guilty, Noble said, But on the big scheme, when you look at this case, the fact that the (cars) black box said he was going 107 miles per hour, and hes running into the back of a mother, a father and 4-month-old and they burn to death ...

Winning the DWI part was huge, Noble said.

Jefferson County Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Hollingsworth did not talk to a reporter, saying he wasnt permitted to speak to the media. His boss, Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski, was unavailable.

Newton was driving a car that was hit from behind by Thurbys vehicle about 10 p.m. that April night. Both vehicles ran off the road and hit trees, police said. Newtons car caught fire, and police first thought only two adults were dead. They later found the infants body inside the burned vehicle. Thurby suffered minor injuries.

In closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutor Hollingsworth told jurors that Thurby was flying down Highway 30 after spending hours in a tavern drinking. Thurby failed to keep a lookout, Hollingsworth said, when he plowed into a car, killing three people in a fiery crash. Hollingsworth said Thurbys blood-alcohol level was 0.17%, more than twice the legal limit.

Evidence suggested that Thurbys car was traveling as fast as 107 mph in a 60 mph zone. Noble, the defense lawyer, said in his closing arguments that Newton had crystal meth and marijuana in her system and was driving as slowly as 17 mph, perhaps having just pulled onto the highway. Noble suggested that Newton failed to yield to Thurby.

Prosecutor Hollingsworth countered vehemently, saying that a driver who is properly watching out for cars in front of him could go around a slower-moving car.

He wants you to blame Lacey, Hollingsworth added. Shes not the one who caused that crash. Without Thurby, there aint no crash.

As Noble focused on what he saw as mishandling of Thurbys blood samples, prosecutor Hollingsworth told jurors they had witnessed a masterful performance by a fast-talking defense attorney. Hollingsworth said Nobles questioning of the arresting Missouri Highway Patrol trooper on Friday turned the trooper to jelly.

But performance, Hollingsworth said, is not evidence.

The trooper had made mistakes, the prosecutor conceded, and this case was a perfect storm of strange things happening.

But he also did his job, Hollingsworth said of the trooper. The trooper arrested Thurby, noting that Thurby smelled of liquor and that his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and the trooper obtained a search warrant for Thurbys blood sample.

Thurby, 27, did not testify at trial. He works as a laborer rehabbing homes, Noble said.

More than 50 spectators filled the courtroom, seemingly split between the victims supporters and Thurbys friends and family. Some in Thurbys camp cried after the verdicts were read.

Williams, the grandmother of the couples two surviving sons, has asked the Missouri Legislature to enact a bill called Bentleys Law, which would require drunken drivers to pay child support if they kill the parents of a minor.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Vic Melenbrink said sentencing would be sometime in March though a date hasnt been set.

314-340-8115
An area man faces felony charges this week after allegedly assaulting a woman and reportedly smashing her cell phone as she spoke to 911 dispatchers Sunday in Park Hills. Authorities said the man ran from officers but was tracked by a K-9 and found lying under a nearby tree.

Austin Patrick Shivers, 26, of Imperial, has been charged in St. Francois County with second-degree domestic assault, first-degree property damage, and resisting an arrest for a felony.

According to a probable cause statement from the Park Hills Police Department, on Sunday, an officer was dispatched to an address on Sixth Street regarding an abandoned 911 call.

When the officer arrived, he reported hearing items being thrown around inside the residence, loud bangs, and a woman screaming. The officer said he approached the door and saw Shivers and the woman in the living room of the house.

In the report, the officer recalled seeing Shivers place his hands around the womans throat. The man allegedly tried to drag the woman into a bedroom adjacent to the living room. Additionally, the officer reported seeing Shivers hit the woman with a water bottle which reportedly struck her in the head and facial area.

The woman managed to break free from Shivers and unlock the house door, according to police. The officer on the scene reportedly entered the residence, and Shivers fled on foot out the rear of the house.

The report states a St. Francois County deputy arrived at the address and deployed Teo, one of the departments trained K-9s. Authorities said the dog tracked Shivers from the back door of the Sixth Street residence down Dix Avenue, which runs perpendicular to the property. The search ended when an officer reportedly found Shivers lying under a tree in the 700 block of Dix Avenue. The man was then taken into police custody.

According to the report, an officer spoke with the woman after the reported altercation and noticed redness around her neck, bruising around her arms, and an injury to her finger. The officer said he saw the womans cell phone had been shattered into pieces.

The woman reportedly said that she and Shivers had previously been in a relationship, but the pair recently separated. She told police that Shivers had pinned her down and started choking her. The woman said she called 911 and, during the call, Shivers took her phone and put it in his pocket. She said the man began choking her again until she could not breathe.

The report states that an emergency dispatcher called back after the 911 call was disconnected. Shivers reportedly gave the phone back to the woman, telling her to say everything was fine.

When the woman gave the dispatcher her address and asked for help, the report states Shivers took her phone and threw it against the wall and the floor. The value of the iPhone 14 was estimated at $1,200, according to the report.

The woman said Shivers continued pinning her against the wall, allegedly threatening her. She said that when police arrived, the man was trying to drag her into the bedroom until she was able to unlock the house door.

Shivers was booked at the St. Francois County Detention Center, and a $50,000 bond was set in the case initially; however, that bond amount was amended to $20,000 Monday during Shivers first court appearance.

If released on bail, Shivers is ordered to comply with GPS and pre-trial monitoring. He is further prohibited from contacting the alleged victim in this case while awaiting trial.

Court records indicate that Shivers is serving active probation terms handed down to him in two previous resisting arrest cases.

A search of the mans criminal history showed multiple prior convictions for offenses, including fourth-degree assaultspecial victim, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while revoked, driving while intoxicated, and two counts of resisting arrest.

Shivers now has five pending criminal cases, four of which are St. Francois County cases, while the other is out of Jefferson County. The pending charges include resisting arrest, fourth-degree assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while revoked, leaving the scene of an accident, and DWI, along with the new charges filed this week.

At his initial court appearance Monday, Shivers waived arraignment and applied for a public defender. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 19 for a counsel status hearing.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that he has recruited Maddie McMillian Green, formerly of Farmington, to serve as Deputy Attorney General for Policy. In this role, Green will handle policy, legislation, and stakeholder outreach for the office.

I have had the pleasure of working with Maddie in the past, and I couldnt be more excited to have her on my senior team, said Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Maddie will be an incredible asset to the Office in this role, and I look forward to working with her to better serve Missourians.

Green previously served as assistant attorney general for Special Litigation under the Schmitt administration, handling critical litigation at the state and federal level. She was also the lead attorney for the Hope Initiative, fighting against human trafficking in Missouri.

Prior to joining the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, Green served as chief of staff to the First Lady in the Missouri Governors Office, where she worked closely with the Governors policy and legislative teams on issues including foster care, adoption, and child welfare advocacy.

She then served as manager of strategic initiatives and special assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), where she worked with the Governors Cabinet and the states 16 executive departments to make government work better for the citizens of Missouri. Alongside the COO, she helped design and coordinate the states first flagship leadership development programs.

Green earned her law degree from the University of Missouri. Before law school, Green graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in economics and political science.

I am grateful to General Bailey for the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Missouri in this new capacity, said Green. I look forward to engaging stakeholders across the state and advancing General Baileys policy initiatives in Jefferson City.

Green serves on the Missouri CASA Association Board of Directors, the University of Missouri Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy Alumni Council, and the Mizzou Kappa Alpha Theta Advisory Board. In 2021, she participated in the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Leadership Missouri program.

Natives of Southeast Missouri, Green and her husband split their time between St. Louis and Jefferson City. Green graduated from Farmington High School in 2013. Her parents are Kelly McMillian and Joe Steiger. Her grandparents are Mike and Carla McMillian, lifelong residents of Farmington.
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the illegal exploitation of natural resources by ethnic Armenian separatists in Azerbaijans Karabakh, Azernews reports.

The General Secretariat urged all matters of dispute to be resolved through dialogue and highly commended Azerbaijan's efforts in this regard.

Exploitation of mineral deposits without due regard to environmental standards is not only a breach of international law and the national legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, but is also a source of serious and legitimate concern, the statement said.

Recalling the resolution, adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers at its 48th session in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 22-23 March 2022, the General Secretariat further called for the normalization of relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each others sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states, covering four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest in economic, socio-and-political areas. The OIC has Institutions, which implement its programs.

To recap, following discussions with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on December 3 and 7, 2022, Azerbaijani specialists from the Ministries of Economy, Ecology, and Natural Resources, the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy, and AzerGold CJSC were to conduct primary monitoring on illegal exploitation of mineral deposits on Azerbaijani territory. However, the monitoring failed due to the provocation of ethnic Armenians. The peaceful protest that started on December 12, 2022, continues up to today and marks Day 30.




NWS Weather Alert NOTE: This information is provided by the National Weather Service. Forecast may differ from local information provided by our own 69News Meteorologists

...ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING... A combination of low relative humidity, westerly breezes, and dry fine fuels will lead to an elevated risk for fire spread with any potential fire starts Thursday afternoon and evening across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the eastern shores of Maryland. Minimum relative humidity values this afternoon will range from 22 to 26 percent across the region. Winds will be somewhat lighter and not as gusty as the past couple of days. However, this afternoon into early evening west winds will still be sustained 8 to 12 mph, and a brief gust to 20 mph cannot be ruled out. Fine fuels in the form of dry or dead vegetation will be quite dry as well, and conducive to fire starts and fairly quick fire spread. This is particularly true in areas that have not received hardly any rainfall in the last 10 days, across much of Pennsylvania to northern and central New Jersey. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread fire quickly. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and eduction, please visit your state's forestry or environmental protection website.
Piedmont Virginia Community College plans to host a free screening and discussion next week of a documentary addressing the destruction of Charlottesvilles Vinegar Hill neighborhood. The films directors will be in attendance.

The screening will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Room 229 of the Main Building Auditorium on campus.

Raised/Razed debuted in May 2022. The film is Lorenzo Dickerson and Jordy Yagers examination of the effects of federally funded urban renewal programs through the lens of Vinegar Hill, a former Black neighborhood in downtown Charlottesville.

PVCC said the screening is in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is the day before the event on campus.

We hope that the documentary and discussion provide an opportunity to reflect about the past, PVCC President Jean Runyon said in a statement, and also look forward to the future with a commitment to inclusion, equity and social justice.

Connie Jorgensen, an assistant professor of political science and civic engagement coordinator at PVCC, will moderate the discussion with Dickerson and Yager.

The event is free and open to the public. To learn more, visit www.pvcc.edu/raised.
The Charlottesville-based Virginia Institute of Autism has completed its merger with Roanoke-based St. Vincents Home.

Leaders of the two organizations said the mission of the new merged group, under the Virginia Institute of Autisms name, will be to become the largest nonprofit provider of pediatric and adult educational and behavioral services for people with autism and related disabilities in the commonwealth.

In the future, the Virginia Institute of Autism will incorporate St. Vincents Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center, Katies Place Day Support as well as other adult and family services in Roanoke into the new groups operations while continuing to provide day schools and adult and behavioral services in Charlottesville, according to a statement.

Virginia Institute of Autism CEO Dr. Ethan Long will continue in his capacity as leader of the nonprofit organization. St. Vincents CEO Angie Leonard will serve under him as chief operating officer for the southwest region.

The new organization employs roughly 300 people providing services to more than 200 students, 175 outpatient families and nearly 100 adults older than 22 in nearly 30 communities nationwide. The merger did not result in any staff layoffs, the statement said.

We are excited to continue offering our evidence-based services uninterrupted, and we believe that our larger footprint allows us to better advocate on behalf of our families at the state and local levels, affecting policy and funding in ways that benefit those we serve, said Long in the statement.

The Virginia Institute of Autism was founded in 1996. It is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities. The institute has administrative offices and adult services at 491 Hillsdale Drive, day schools facilities at 1414 Westwood Road and outpatient behavioral services at 3500 Remson Court, according to its website.

St. Vincents was originally founded by St. Andrews Catholic Church in Roanoke in 1893 as an orphanage, according to the organizations website. The orphanage, which later became known as the Achievement Center, merged with the Blue Ridge Autism organization in 2009. That merged organization, called BRAAC, began offering services to young people with learning and behavioral challenges ages 2 through 22 before expanding into family and adult services shortly thereafter. In 2019, the organization began offering all of its services and programs under the St. Vincents name.

Im excited, Leonard said in a statement back in October when the merger was first announced. In addition to strengthening our programs and services, coming together allows us to advocate better on behalf of our families at the state and local levels, affecting policy and funding in ways that benefit those we serve.
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Bishop Robert Barron has announced plans to host a large Eucharistic Congress in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester this summer.

The Diocesan Eucharistic Congress entitled This is My Body will be held on June 10 in Mankato at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

The Eucharistic Congress will include talks on the importance of the Eucharist from well-known speakers including Bishop Barron, Dr. Timothy OMalley, Barbara Heil, Dr. Hosffman Ospino, Sr. Alicia Torres and Sr. Emy Ychikawa.

The day will include opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and Confession and will conclude with a Mass celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for Body of Christ) and a Eucharistic Procession. Music will be provided by Luke Spehar and a track for Spanish speakers will be available.

The Eucharistic Congress will be an opportunity to gather the faithful of my diocese and beyond to witness to and to strengthen the belief that Jesus Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist, said Bishop Barron. The first Eucharistic Congress held in the United States was in my hometown of Chicago more than 30 years before I was born. There were 400,000 who attended theopening Mass held in and around Soldier Field and even more who attended a procession held at St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary!

This summers event is expected to bring 5,000 people to Mankato and will take place during the United States Bishops National Eucharistic Revival which Bishop Barron himself envisioned when he was chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis.

I very much look forward to this Eucharistic Congress and see it as a tremendous opportunity to invigorate the faith of the people of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester whom I am blessed to shepherd, said Bishop Barron.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester serves the 20 southernmost counties of Minnesota with more than 130,000 Catholics and 99 parishes, four high schools, 30 elementary schools and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary on the campus of Saint Marys University in Winona.

Registration for the Congress is available now for members of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and will open up to general public on April 1. To register and learn more about the Congress, please visit www.eucharist.dowr.org.

Touring the River Valley: Winona County What do you love most about Winona County? (filmed in 2021) Lakeview Hills Lake and High School Greenery Hills Greenery Structures Water Hills Farm Turbines Farm Farm Welcome to Utica Tractor Farm land Solar panels Crop land Farm equipment Cows Farm land Water Winona County sign Flag Water Whitewater State Park Bridge Greenery Hills Walking path Water Fire tower Garvin Heights Garvin Heights Garvin Heights Sugar Loaf River Bridge Winona County
Many Winona County residents rely on privately owned wells for drinking water, and well owners are responsible for testing and protecting their drinking water. Minnesota Department of Health recommends testing for nitrates, the most common contaminant, every two years.

At high levels, nitrate could pose harmful risks, especially to infants and pregnant women. Improper well construction/location and failing septic systems or overuse of fertilizer can contribute to higher nitrate levels.

Watch the new TAP IN Initiative video: Water Testing, Winona County at www.co.winona.mn.us/562/Wa-ter-Testing. It was collaboratively developed by Winona County and five southeastern Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation districts. Well owners can learn how to protect their well water.

Test your well water. Well test kits are available from the Southeastern Minnesota Water Analysis Lab, a regional certified lab at, via olmsted.mn.us or by phone at 507-328-7495.

Attend area water testing events. The Minnesota Well Owners Association is a nonprofit that will be offering a free water screening clinic for nitrates and chlorides from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the St. Charles Community Center (830 Whitewater Ave., St. Charles). Please bring your drinking water (8 ounces) in a clean plastic or glass container.

Eliminate well contamination sources on your property. Dont mix hazardous chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers near your well, and make sure the ground slopes away from your well. If your drinking water has contaminants, consider a well treatment system. Water conditioning professionals can assist!

Fix any structural issues that can compromise drinking water integrity.

Septic systems that are failing can leak untreated wastewater to your groundwater. Contact Winona County septic system staff to have your system inspected and learn more about current American Rescue Plan Act funds to help fix or replace septic systems where groundwater is vulnerable. A licensed septic system installer or pumper is needed for repair and replacement work. The Winona County Septic System webpage has a list of licensed installers and financial assistance applications: https://www.co.winona.mn.us/280/Septic-Systems.

Abandoned, unused wells and damaged well casings can provide a direct pathway for contaminants to enter groundwater. While property owners are responsible for the costs of sealing or maintaining wells, before you start any well improvement project, contact Winona County, as well as a licensed well driller: https://www.co.winona.mn.us/344/Wells. If your property is within a community wellhead management area, contact managers for that community system. Funding may be available for sealing unused wells. Financial assistance may also be available from various grants. For example, well sealing funds will soon be available to residents within the Whitewater River Watershed.

Let safe drinking water be a resolution you can keep.
There will be several more comfortable beds to sleep in in Sauk City.

This week there was a ribbon cutting for a brand new hotel in town. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Sauk City opened to much fanfare, with Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce members in attendance.

The new hotel has 72 guest rooms and 15 suites.

When we purchased this property years ago, I had a dream that something special would go here, Sauk City village president Jim Anderson said.

He spoke at the ribbon cutting, with cake, sandwiches, meatballs, cheese cubes, chicken skewers, refreshments and more offered to guests.

Its been a community effort, he said. Weve done so much as a team to make this possible.

The new hotel has an indoor pool, a fitness center, a board room for up to 20 people, and a small party room, perfect for pool parties or family gatherings.

The hotel is locally owned and operated by Cornerstone Hotel Management, based in nearby DeForest. It is being managed by Brian Brandstetter.

Brandstetter spoke briefly at the ceremony, saying, Were happy to be a part of this community.

Cornerstone Hotel Management was founded by Brandstetter in 1996 and has evolved into a full service hotel management company. Cornerstone now operates eight hotels, seven of which are in Wisconsin, three restaurants and three conference centers.

The new four-story hotel, located in Sauk City at 747 Phillips Boulevard, has an indoor heated pool, a small convenience market open 24 hours a day, and a breakfast area. Breakfast is included in a guests stay. The hotel also has five accessible rooms. Connecting rooms are also available.

Holiday Inn is a chain of hotels headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee, it now operates more than 1,100 locations in the United States.

Now, theres one more in Sauk City, which can expect an economic boost because of it.
Baraboo City Council President Joel Petty had just one thing to say to longtime Ald. Phil Wedekind after he announced this term would be his last.

Well done, Phil, Petty said. Well done.

Wedekind, who turned 90 in the first week of December, informed his fellow council members during their Nov. 22 meeting that after nearly 23 years in the seat, he was taking his leave.

With his departure, District 1 was left without an incumbent. Candidates recently filed their paperwork for the upcoming April election.

Incumbent Ald. Jason Kent, who represents Dist. 4, is seeking reelection. As is Ald. Scott Sloan, who currently serves as the Dist. 7 incumbent. Sloan had previously sat as the Dist. 4 representative, but moving to a new home meant he left the council in early November 2019. Initially appointed to his seat in 2013, Sloan was again appointed to replace outgoing Ald. John Alt in March 2020. Kent was also initially appointed to his current seat after Sloan stepped down from Dist. 4.

Wedekind said he had a replacement in mind as he announced he would not be seeking reelection in April. One person filed candidacy nomination papers for the seat.

The Dist. 1 candidate is David Olson, a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County.

Mayor Rob Nelson also thanked Wedekind for his time on council and expressed that they will be sad to see Wedekind leave.

There are no county board seats up for reelection this spring. There will be a primary Feb. 21 within Sauk County for voters to decide between four Wisconsin Supreme Court justice candidates and to narrow down the slate of eight Baraboo School Board candidates to three. The spring general election is slated for April 4.

GALLERY: Scenes from Baraboo city council meetings 041422-bara-news-council1 032422-bara-news-council1 032422-bara-news-council2 031022-bara-news-council1 031022-bara-news-council2 121621-bara-news-parks-plan-01 112621-bara-news-council2 112621-bara-news-council1 091621-bara-news-council2 081321-bara-news-development1 081221-bara-news-council2 071521-bara-news-council2 071521-bara-news-council3 062421-bara-news-council2 042921-bara-news-council2
Charges have been filed against a Portage teen for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old and stealing nearly $20,000 in vaping cartridges in December.

Angel M. Perales Oyola, 17, is charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years old, felony retail theft  greater than $10,000, burglary of a building or dwelling, and two other felony and misdemeanor theft offenses. His cash bond was set at $10,000 at his initial appearance on Jan. 3.

At a hearing Wednesday in Columbia County Circuit Court, Perales Oyola was in custody and waived time limits for a preliminary hearing to take place.

If found guilty of the sexual-assault charge, Perales Oyola could face up to 25 years in prison followed by up to 15 years of extended supervision. He faces up to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision if convicted of felony retail theft.

According to the criminal complaint:

Portage Police responded to a call at Jims BP in Portage on Dec. 8 for a report of a burglary. An officer spoke with a witness who saw a broken window at the gas station.

The officer reviewed surveillance video from the business. The video showed a male approach the gas station at 2:06 a.m. and then break the window. The person then went into the business, broke the glass of a cabinet and emptied the contents into two duffel bags, then crawled out the broken window and ran from the scene.

The manager of the gas station told the officer approximately $19,500 worth of vape cartridges missing.

Also according to the complaint, Portage Police to a home on Dec. 22 for a report of a burglary. The officer spoke with two people at the home who said a firearm, two passports and about $100 in cash was been missing from a safe.

The officer spoke to a 15-year-old at the home, who told the officer Perales Oyola had been at the house and the two were hanging out, when Perales Oyola sexually assaulted the teen, despite the teens effort to make him stop, the complaint states.

The next day, according to the complaint, a Columbia County sheriffs deputy was sent to a report of disorderly conduct at a home on Highway 16. A search warrant was executed at the home, and authorities found vape cartridges matching the brand stolen on Dec. 8.

Perales Oyola was questioned about the burglaries. He allegedly admitted to stealing from the safe at the Portage home. Perales Oyola also said he had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old at the residence on Dec. 22, the complaint states.

A pre-trial hearing is set for Feb. 20 with a return date set for March 29.
Kay Mackesey dedicated pretty much her entire adult life to Lake Delton and the Dells area in general, and received more due recognition.

The former Clerk-Treasurer-Coordinator for the village, who retired on New Year's Eve in 2022, was honored with a proclamation honoring her for more than 60 years of service during a village meeting on Jan. 9. Village president John Webb presented her with the proclamation, after which she received a standing ovation from a larger-than-normal attendance at the village meeting.

Mackesey, who graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1958, began her tenure with the village on May 2, 1962. She worked as a billing clerk and deputy treasurer in Reedsburg prior to her position in Lake Delton.

"Kay C. Mackesey is an outstanding resident and public servant who has contributed so much to our community," said Webb, reading the proclamation. "The Village of Lake Delton would not be as successful as it is today without her many contributions."

The proclamation also expressed gratitude to Mackesey for her work ethic, dedication, and commitment to the village and its residents. Webb embraced Mackesey upon presenting her with the proclamation. The village's administration building is named after her (Kay C. Mackesey Administration Building).

"I'd like to thank the public for always being so kind to me and working so nice with me," said Mackesey. "Am I going to miss this? Absolutely I am. There's no doubt about it, but you know what? I think I've got a lot of exciting pages to write in my next chapter."

After marrying her husband, John, in 1961, Mackesey applied for the clerk position in the village after the previous clerk decided to resign. She mentioned watching the village drastically grow in terms of population size, budget, property value, and tourism.

"I never hated going to work," said Mackesey. "I loved my job and was dedicated to my job. I just appreciate the village president and trustees a lot for allowing me to serve that long and for the members of the community to be so kind to me."

Gary Hansen, the village's public works director who is retiring in 2023, expressed his gratitude to Mackesey after the presentation for her role in the village and with him. He said that Mackesey has been a mentor to him and helped him execute his position.

"We wish you a long, long retirement with a lot of fun, and I hope it's going to be a great time for you," said Hansen to Mackesey, who also praised the long working relationship she had with him. "I am so grateful for the 34 years of the relationship I've had with you. It has been awesome. There is no one I respect more than you."

Mackesey said that she helped establish the village's water and public works departments and was part of creating the joint sewage treatment facility with Wisconsin Dells. The installation of a "comprehensive water system" was followed by an "explosion of development," according to Mackesey.

Development that occurred during Mackesey's tenure includes Wilderness Resort, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park, as well as many restaurants, smaller hotels, and other businesses. That development, along with increased population and other factors, caused the village budget to balloon from around $70,000 to more than $7 million during her time, and the property value to increase to more than $1 billion, according to Mackesey.

"It was very interesting," said Mackesey. "There were so many developers that came to town and that was really the great part of my job, to be able to meet all of these people and see all these unique ideas that they had for development. Look at what it's brought. It was an exciting experience."

One of the most significant events during Mackesey's six-decade tenure was the Lake Delton breach in 2008 following a massive amount of rain. She said that the floods washed away two houses in the village into the Wisconsin River.

Photos: Relive draining of Lake Delton in epic 2008 floods Lake Delton breach, 2008 Draining Lake Delton, 2008 Tommy Bartlett site, 2008 Washed-out Highway A, 2008 Damage from new channel, 2008 High and dry, 2008 Collapsed road, 2008 Stranded boat, 2008 No lake view, 2008 No water skiing, 2008 Seeing the bottom, 2008 Searching for treasure, 2008 Lake still dry, 2008 Business dries up, 2008 Aftermath of flood Towing boats, 2008 No more lake, 2008 Drained Lake Delton aerial, 2008

"The area that 'dammed' off the lake from County (Highway) A broke and the lake drained over County A and went into the Wisconsin River," Mackesey recalled. "It was a very sad situation."

She then commended the village, Sauk County, and state government for their collective efforts in refilling Lake Delton, which was done in one year following the floods. Mackesey described the draining and subsequent recovery as "scary" and "amazing."

Mackesey was also one of the two Grand Marshals for the 2022 Wo-Zha-Wa parade in Wisconsin Dells on Sept. 18.

Roger Tofson, Kay Mackesey selected as Wo-Zha-Wa Grand Marshals Roger Tofson, a former barber shop owner in Wisconsin Dells, and Kay Mackesey, the longtime Clerk-Treasurer-Coordinator in Lake Delton, are the Grand Marshals for the 2022 Wo-Zha-Wa Days parade.

On May 1 of last year, the village held a party for her at Bobbers Island Grill in honor of her 60th year in her position. Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson spoke at the party, which was filled with Lake Delton officials and residents and was labeled by village trustee Tom Diehl as a "combination 60th anniversary and retirement party."
A new year often brings with it opportunity to revisit decisions made in the past. Were approaching two years since President Joe Biden took office, and we continue to see the damaging effects of his administrations policies on the American economy.

I had cause to revisit a column I wrote Feb. 4, 2021, regarding Bidens executive order to cancel the ongoing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline as a profound mistake for our energy-dependent economy, and here in Wisconsin with the loss of hundreds of pipeline construction jobs. A comment I made then was, the ripple effect of additional jobs and economic activity that accompanies construction projects was also brought to a screeching halt.

Its interesting to note on Jan. 22, 2021, three Wisconsin Congressmen met at the headquarters of the Michels Corp. in Brownsville, where Rep. Brian Steil, R-Janesville, stated, hundreds of Wisconsin workers lost their jobs because of what Joe Biden did. We didnt know Tim Michels of Michels Corp. would be the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, losing to Gov. Tony Evers. The Keystone XL wasnt at the forefront of the Michels campaign, but I would suspect animus toward Bidens decision may have added fuel to his decision to run.

We can now quantify the magnitude of Bidens buffoonery regarding Keystone XL. A Jan. 6 Washington Times story reviewed a key Department of Energy report. The 18-page document ... concluded that the project would have produced 16,149 to 59,468 temporary jobs with an economic impact of $3.4 billion to $9.6 billion, largely confirming criticism from Republicans and the energy sector. The story does reference the temporary nature of the construction jobs, but the economic impact, and chilling effect on the energy industry cannot be understated.

This story also stated that quiet release (of the report) to certain lawmakers last month came 10 months after the congressionally mandated due date of Feb. 13, 2022. Why wasnt the report released on time? How will Biden and the Department of Energy be held accountable for mismanagement?

Such a damaging report may have been kept secret amid record gas prices and the midterm elections, as it would have been detrimental to Democrats. With the elections over, the Biden administration can safely share this ruinous news with a sort of oops, our bad approach.

Instead of investing in North American energy, more efficient means of delivery, and creation of thousands of jobs amid billions in new economic activity, the Biden administration chose to cuddle up to the socialist regime in Venezuela. An Oct. 5 Fox News story stated, the Biden administration is reportedly gearing up to wind down sanctions against Venezuelas authoritarian regime. It further stated, a barrel of oil produced in the United States was significantly cleaner than what was produced in Venezuela. We must tell the corrupt Venezuelans to keep their dirty oil.

Biden also sought favors from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, controlled by Saudi Arabia. An Oct. 13 CNBC story stated that OPEC had a plan to announce its largest supply cut since 2020, sending gas prices across the globe even higher. The Biden administration asked Saudi Arabia ... to delay its decision on oil input by a month. ... Notably, the White House request would have delayed the decision until after the U.S. midterm elections. Another election coincidence? For the past 50 years or so, the U.S. and much of the world has been dependent on the whims and desires of OPEC, often with disastrous results.

What about others in the Biden administration? We rarely ever hear from Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Why? She made a slip May 21, 2021, saying using a pipeline is the best way to transport fuel. We do hear from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who in testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 19 stated, the more pain we are all experiencing from the high price of gas, the more benefit there is for those who can access (an) electric vehicle. What utter hubris. Hard to bring a can of electricity back to your car to charge it if your massive battery dies due to extreme cold.

No level of government subsidies for electric cars will substitute for petroleum and the thousands upon thousands of petroleum by-products produced that pervade every facet of our society, including the plastic keyboard on which I type these words. The Biden administration continues its political games. Biden has failed the American people with an energy boondoggle costing billions, and needs to be held to account.

Republican House majority, are you listening?
Alumni from "67" School make dumplings during the 2023 "Happy Chinese New Year" Festival at the China Cultural Center in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 10, 2023. More than 50 alumni from "67" School took part in an event here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, saying that they will always cherish the friendship between Laos and China. In 1960s, China built the "67" School in Nanning, the capital city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The school is named after the year of 1967 when the two countries decided to build such a school, which later set up kindergarten and primary school classes of grade one to six, receiving more than 1,000 Lao teachers and students. [Photo by Tamon Huengmeexay/Xinhua]

VIENTIANE, Jan. 10 (Xinhua)  More than 50 alumni from "67" School took part in an event here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, saying that they will always cherish the friendship between Laos and China.

President of the Lao Women's Union Inlavanh Keobounphanh, Lao Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Khampheng Saysompheng and more than 50 alumni participated in the 2023 "Happy Chinese New Year" Festival held at the China Cultural Center in Laos.

Keobounphanh delivered a speech on behalf of the alumni from "67" School, saying that Laos and China, connected by mountains and rivers, and sharing similar customs and habits, have been in close contact and helped each other since ancient times.

In the 1960s, the Chinese government helped more than 1,000 Lao people study in China, while now, the Laos-China Railway is becoming a road for the Lao people to get rid of poverty, said Keobounphanh.

"We are deeply grateful to the Chinese government and people for their selfless help. We will never forget the mountainous kindness of Chinese government and will always cherish our precious friendship," she added.

Li Yiping, director of the China Cultural Center in Laos, said the alumni from "67" school is a historical witness of the friendship between China and Laos, and they are the inheritors of the friendship.

She added that the China Cultural Center in Laos will be a gateway for alumni to keep in touch, and will be a warm home and a bridge in deepening the friendship between Laos and China.

In 1960s, China built the "67" School in Nanning, the capital city of southwestern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The school is named after the year of 1967 when the two countries decided to build such a school, which later set up kindergarten and primary school classes of grade one to six, receiving more than 1,000 Lao teachers and students.

Alumni from "67" School participate in the 2023 "Happy Chinese New Year" Festival at the China Cultural Center in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo by Tamon Huengmeexay/Xinhua]

Alumni from "67" School participate in the 2023 "Happy Chinese New Year" Festival at the China Cultural Center in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo by Tamon Huengmeexay/Xinhua]

President of the Lao Women's Union Inlavanh Keobounphanh (1st R) makes dumplings with alumni from "67" School at the China Cultural Center in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo by Tamon Huengmeexay/Xinhua]

(Source: Xinhua)
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Deana Hebert finds her daughter 26 years after abduction, she is now fighting for a new law.
Kentucky State Police Post 1 is searching for this man, suspected of stealing heavy equipment from a Mayfield business and selling it in Arkansas.
Britains Trades Union Congress (TUC) has announced a national right to strike day of protests on February 1 against the Conservative governments proposed anti-strike laws. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said there were plans to hold events across the country against this spiteful new billwhich is unworkable and almost certainly illegal.

He described the legislation as an attack on the fundamental right to strike, introducing draconian restrictions which will tilt the balance of power even more in favour of bad bosses and make it harder for people to win better pay and conditions.

Trades Union Congress leader designate Paul Nowak speaking at the CWU rally [Photo: WSWS]

But amid the largest strike wave in generations, with hundreds of thousands of workers engaged in industrial action and hundreds of thousands more returning ballots soon, the TUC will not organise coordinated action even for one day.

According to the Guardian, plans for a day of protests were discussed by unions representing staff in the NHS [National Health Service], railways, education and civil service at the TUCs London headquarters. But a suggestion of coordinated strikes did not command enough support.

A union source told the paper, One of the things that was seriously discussed at the meeting, which [some unions] were trying to get over the line, was a coordinated day of action on 1 February. However, that looks very, very, very unlikely to happen. But some unions will still go out together on 1 February as part of their rolling industrial action thats happening anyway.

The health unions played an openly despicable role. The Guardian writes that Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing [RCN], made clear her opposition to coordinated action by different unions and said the RCN would not join such a move. It goes on, Officials in other unions said they feared that any concerted stoppage, involving massive disruption to a range of key public services, could reduce public support for the ongoing campaign of strikes.

The pseudo-left Socialist Workers Party, with knowledge of the meeting through its members in the union bureaucracy, writes, some of the health union leaders were strongest against a day of strikes. They feared that a general strike would lose the special case for the NHS and the pure reputation of health workers.

Especially galling as their excuses are, Cullen and the health unions are only the most brazen expression of the whole bureaucracys efforts to suppress the UKs strike wave.

Across the length of their months long disputes, the rail unions, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the University and College Union (UCU) have barely even overlapped strike days. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT), ASLEF and TSSA rail unions have frequently called their membersall in the same industryout on different days. The CWU kept its Post Office, Royal Mail, and BT disputes separate, selling out the BT strike last December. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has brought out just 5,000 of its 100,000 members mandated to strike, in a series of small, isolated actions.

Any union representatives at the TUCs meeting who pushed for a day of coordinated strikes did so not because they are closer to the workers or want to wage the class struggle, but because they are more worried about the consequences of being seen to do so little. As PCS leader Mark Serwotka warned his fellow bureaucrats at the TUC last October:

I have made a number of speeches over the years saying that when history is written, the trade union movement will have been seen to have failed in fighting austerity, and we have to learn that lesson. And part of the lesson we have to learn, I think, is leaving individual battles to be fought on their own is a mistake.

PCS union leader Mark Serwotka speaking at a rally in London in October 2022 [Photo: WSWS]

On Wednesday evening the PCS became the first union to announce a one-day strike on February 1, in an effort to stem the reputational damage suffered by the trade unions. It has, moreover, said that for the first time all 100,000 members eligible to strike will take part. A further 33,000 PCS members are presently balloting for strike action across five additional departments of the civil service.

There is every possibility that other unions could also announce strikes on February 1 as part of their ongoing rolling actions. But this will not extend into a broader initiative against the government. Most unions will limit themselves to taking part in a collection of protests as part of the bureaucracys legal and parliamentary campaign against the anti-strike laws. Nowak and other union leaders have already promised to abide by the legislation, encouraging workers to wait for the courts or a Labour government they claim will revoke it.

The contradiction between the determination in the working class for a fight against the Tory government and the desperate desire of the union bureaucracy to prevent one is extreme.

The class struggle in Britain is at its highest level in decades. More working days were lost to strikes in the five months between June and October last year than in any similar period back to 1990, more than a million. Official figures are not yet available, but research firm Capital Economics and the trade unions both estimate that more than a million days were lost in December 2022 alone, the highest monthly figure since July 1989.

Meanwhile, the trade union bureaucracy has moved in the opposite direction. It is even more hostile to the struggle of the working class today than it was a decade ago. On November 30, 2011, up to two million public sector workers joined a one-day strike organised by 37 different trade unions against attacks on their pensions under the austerity regime of David Camerons Conservative government.

What happened afterwards holds vitally important lessons for workers today. Billed by pseudo-left groups as the beginning of a revival of militant trade unionism, the November 2011 strike instead marked the beginning of the bureaucracys final betrayal of the pensions dispute.

Within weeks, the TUC called off all future action and individual unions began entering negotiations to give the government what it wanted. By February 2012, only the National Union of Teachers (NUT), University and College Union (UCU), Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and Educational Institute of Scotland (EiS) would agree to hold ballots for another joint day of action in March that year. When it came to it, the PCS and EiS pulled out, and the NUT and UCU restricted the action to London.

In todays vastly more explosive social conditions, the bureaucracy is so fearful of the class struggle getting out of its control that its betrayals are even more naked.

Its pseudo-left defenders are forced to work overtime producing apologias. On January 4, the World Socialist Web Site wrote in response to a Socialist Worker exclusive claiming the trade unions were planning a unified day of strikes that could involve over a million workers on Wednesday 1 February. Noting the articles many caveats and the real actions being taken by the unions said to be involved, we named the supposed coordinated strike plan a fraud.

Socialist Worker article, "Over one million workers could strike on 1 February" published on December 20, 2022 [Photo: Socialist Worker]

Of the SWPs caution about a union-led day of action, Left to themselves, it will be largely passive and the end of a process rather than a beginning, we wrote, This is an extraordinary statement. The process is never defined but can only be the most obscure reference possible to the intended betrayal of the UK strike wave by the bureaucracy.

On January 6, the WSWS insisted that the trade unions would not fight the anti-strike laws, explaining that the TUC had pre-emptively disowned any struggle against the legislation, with its lead followed by the entire bureaucracy, including its nominally left and militant representatives.

The WSWS and the Socialist Equality Party have been proven correct. The union bureaucracy and its pseudo-left backers are leading the working class to what would be a bitter defeat.

For workers who recognise the urgent need for joint, all-out action in defiance of the governments anti-strike laws and in defence of pay, jobs and conditions, the task is to establish new organisations of struggle capable of doing this work in defiance of the union leaderships.

The SEP calls for the building of rank-and-file committees in every workplace, and, with its sister parties around the world, has founded the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to assist in this fight. Contact the IWA-RFC and the WSWS today.
Proud Boys and other fascists march towards the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. [AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster]

This week in Washington D.C. five members of the fascist Proud Boys militia group are set to go to trial for actions that culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.



The Proud Boys were one of several far-right militias, including the Oath Keepers, summoned by then-President Donald Trump and his Republican allies to block congressional certification of Joe Bidens Electoral College victory and keep Trump in power as president-dictator.



Among those facing charges for their role in the failed coup are the former chairman of the group, Henry Enrique Tarrio of Miami, Florida, and four of his top lieutenantsEthan Nordean of Auburn, Washington; Joseph Biggs of Ormond Beach, Florida; Zachary Rehl of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dominic Pezzola of Rochester, New York.

Five members of the Proud Boys are facing seditious conspiracy charges. [Photo: New York Times]

These five have been charged with seditious conspiracy, i.e., engaging in a premeditated plan to overthrow the government. The defendants have been charged with at least nine felonies in all, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; destruction of government property; and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. Pezzola, one of the first fascists to break into the Capitol, using a police riot shield he had stolen, has also been charged with robbery.





After Trump told the militia group to stand back and stand by during his September 2020 televised debate with Biden, the Proud Boys began organizing in support of Trumps efforts to stay in office regardless of the election results. The group promoted Trumps lies about mail-in ballots on social media and began sharing memes and selling merchandise with the phrase, Stand back and stand by.



After Trump lost the election, the Proud Boy leaders communicated publicly through social media and online appearances on far-right programs their intention to violently support Trumps bid to retain power.



They participated in both of Trumps Million MAGA marches, held in Washington D.C. in November and December of 2020. The events served as dry runs for the attack on Congress and allowed the Proud Boys to coordinate in person with other militia groups and with high-level Trump surrogates Roger Stone and retired general Michael Flynn.



The December 12 MAGA March was staged two days prior to the date, December 14, when the slates of presidential electors as certified by state election officials met in their respective state capitals and the official result nationally was finalized, with Biden, who won the popular vote by more than 7 million votes, winning 306 electoral votes to Trumps 232.

On December 19, Trump posted a tweet calling for a wild protest in D.C. on January 6, the date of the joint session of Congress tasked with ratifying the Electoral College vote. Within 24 hours of Trumps tweet, Tarrio and other Proud Boy leaders set up a Ministry of Self Defense (MOSD) leadership group.



In the weeks leading up to January 6, the MOSD group, comprised of hand selected members, according to prosecutors, made preparations for the attack on Congress. As outlined in a nine-page document titled 1776 Returns, which was shared within the MOSD group, the Proud Boys planned to occupy crucial buildings in Washington D.C. on January 6, including the Capitol, to stop the certification.



Tarrio, who has acknowledged working for years as an FBI informant, was arrested by the D.C. Metropolitan Police on January 4 for having burned a Black Lives Matter banner during the December 12 MAGA March and for possessing two high capacity magazines. The other four Proud Boy leaders currently on trial led the Proud Boys contingent in the attack on the Capitol on January 6.



Despite their well-documented history of violence and public declarations in support of Trumps stolen election lie prior to January 6, the Proud Boys were allowed by the US Capitol Police to take pictures in front of the Capitol and mass at the Washington Monument prior to spearheading the assault that left hundreds injured and several dead, and nearly succeeded in overturning the election.



The Proud Boys trial has already been delayed several times. Jury selection took 10 days. Many potential jurors were rejected after they expressed knowledge of and disdain for the far-right group.



Jury selection was completed on Monday, but opening arguments were delayed after a lawyer for Biggs had his license suspended. As a result, the judge postponed opening arguments until at least Thursday.



Norm Pattis, one of two lawyers for Biggs, had his Connecticut law license suspended for six months after it was revealed that while he was representing the fascist Alex Jones in the Sandy Hook school shooting defamation trial last year, he sent private medical information to other lawyers representing Jones in separate cases in Texas. The information had been turned over to him by relatives of the victims as part of the discovery process.



The Proud Boys trial is the third trial in recent months of defendants facing charges of seditious conspiracy. Last month, Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and Florida Oath Keeper chapter president Kelly Meggs were found guilty. Four other members of the Oath KeepersJoseph Hackett, Roberto Minuta, David Moerschel and Edward Vallejoare currently on trial for the same charges.



Former Proud Boys chairman Tarrio is a close associate of Trump political crony Roger Stone, who himself is an honorary member of the group. Tarrio has claimed through his lawyers and in interviews that he was in constant communication with Metropolitan D.C. police officer Shane Lamond leading up to the attack on Congress.



This past December, Tarrios lawyers attempted to add Lamond to their witness list to prove that the Proud Boys plans were known in advance to law enforcement. Tarrios lawyers say that at both Million MAGA marches, in November and December of 2020, Tarrio was in touch with Lamond in person and by phone.



Sabino Jauregui, a lawyer for Tarrio, argued in court last month that prior to January 6, Tarrio told Lamond where the Proud Boys would be staying, where they would be marching, and that they planned to leave their black and yellow colors at home and dress up incognito for the attack.



How can there be sedition if the Proud boys are telling law enforcement their plans? Jauregui asked at a hearing in December, according to a report in the New York Times.



Lamond is under criminal investigation for his longtime association with Tarrio and is currently on leave. However, he is not the only cop to have enjoyed a relationship with the fascist and terrorist. Before leading the Proud Boys, Tarrio worked undercover for the FBI after he was accused of fraud in 2012.



Biggs, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars also enjoys close connections with the police. In a March 2021 court filing, a lawyer for Biggs said that his client was an active FBI informant in 2019 and 2020, and that he had been working with local police as early as 2018, reporting locations of alleged Antifa activity.



Rehl, who, along with Biggs and Nordean, led the Proud Boys who marched from the Washington Monument to the Capitol on January 6, is the president of the Philadelphia chapter and also has ties to the police. Rehl is the son and grandson of Philadelphia police officers according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.



Charles Donohoe, a Proud Boy leader who last year pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of assault, is expected to testify against his former comrades at the trial. Like Tarrio, Biggs and Rehl, Donohoe enjoys close ties with law enforcement.



For his profile picture on his Telegram channel, the former president of the Piedmont, North Carolina chapter of the Proud Boys, used an image of himself shaking hands with a Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police officer whom he knew from his time in the Marine Corps.

DC Metropolitan cop Colin Cole shakes hand with North Carolina Proud Boy chapter president Charles Donohoe. [Photo: Telegram]

Last November, the New York Times, citing court papers, reported that the FBI had as many as eight informants inside the Proud Boys prior to the attack on Congress.

There is little question that the leadership of the federal and local police agencies in and around Washington D.C. were aware of the violent plans being hatched by the militia group prior to January 6 and decided to do nothing to prevent the attack.



The judge overseeing the trial is US District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee. While a majority of those found guilty of committing crimes in relation to Trumps coup have been given a light sentence, Judge Kelly has been especially lenient.



According to a recent analysis conducted by the Washington Post, Kelly has gone below prosecutions recommendation in every January 6 trial he has overseen. He continued this streak on Tuesday when he sentenced white supremacist Anthim Baked Alaska Gionet to 60 days in jail and two years probation. Gionet previously pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing on Capitol grounds.



Despite being found guilty and sentenced, Gionet was allowed to go free following the hearing on Tuesday. Talking to reporters outside the courtroom, Gionet said he considered his sentence a win.


This past December, the US Department of Labor (DoL), headed by Democrat Marty Walsh, reported the death toll of workers killed on the job had precipitously increased by 8.9 percent in 2021 to 5,190. For the prior year, there were 4,764 worker lives lost on the job.

University of Michigan academic workers struck in September 2020 to prevent their exposure to COVID-19 [Photo: WSWS]

Each December, the Labor Department releases a report on occupational deaths from the previous year. The year-long delay in the release of figures is an indication of the lack of any serious investment in the reporting, let alone prevention, of workplace deaths and injuries by the poorly funded and undermanned Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury in 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. The fatal work injury rate of 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers was the highest annual rate since 2016.

Once again, the transportation industry leads all other sectors in fatalities on the job by a wide margin. In 2021, 1,032 truck drivers were killed at work, up 16.3 percent from 887 drivers killed in 2020. Construction and extraction occupations had the second highest occupational deaths (951) in 2021.

Work related fatalities due to falls, slips and trips increased 5.6 percent in 2021, from 800 fatalities in 2020 to 850 in 2021. Falls, slips and trips in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 370 of these fatalities in 2021, an increase of 7.2 percent from 2020.

In 2021, workers between the ages of 45 and 54 suffered 1,087 workplace fatalities, a 13.9 percent increase from 2020. This age group accounted for just over one-fifth of the total fatalities for the year (20.9 percent).

According to the website CDL Training.org, the life expectancy for truck drivers is 61 years old, or more than 15 years lower than the US life expectancy in general. At the same time, life expectancy in the US has dropped as a result of the pandemic to 76.1 years old in 2021, the largest decline in nearly 100 years.

The uptick in 2021 deaths corresponded to the full reopening of the economy after workers forced the shutdown of many industries in 2020 due to the pandemic. On returning to the job workers were forced into long, often exhausting and dangerous hours due to the labor shortage. The unions colluded in this process, downplaying the dangers of the still rampant COVID virus and assisting in the cover-up of the full extent of COVID infections and deaths.

It should be pointed out that the Labor Department figure of more than 5,000 deaths in 2021 does not include the likely tens of thousands of workers who were infected on the job and died of COVID.

In fact, those figures are no longer even being collected and reported as part of the effort of the ruling class to normalize mass death caused by COVID.

In April 2022, the AFL-CIO union federation issued its annual report on workplace-related deaths, which estimated that another 120,000 worker deaths had been caused by occupational illnesses in 2020. The report also noted that the median OSHA penalty was a paltry $9,753 for killing a worker, a fine so low as to be a virtual blank check for industrial murder by corporations.

The AFL-CIO noted, Americas workplaces are a primary source of COVID-19 outbreaks, with thousands of workers infected and dying as they work in indoor, poorly ventilated spaces. The report admitted that information on outbreaks remains limited due to the lack of a national data collection effort, a failure abetted by the policies of the unions which sought to herd workers back into COVID-infected workplaces in order to continue generating profits for Wall Street.

Since taking office in 2021, the Democratic Biden administration has continued the herd immunity policy of the Trump administration, systematically dismantling all COVID mitigation measures, while falsely declaring the pandemic over. Meanwhile, the White House has set new records for military spending to fund the US-NATO proxy war with Russia and preparations for war with China.

The killing and maiming of workers in Americas industrial slaughterhouse continued into 2022. Among the victims were:

Stephen Dierkes, a 39-year-old Caterpillar worker, who was killed at a Mapleton, Illinois foundry on June 2, 2022 when he fell into a crucible of molten iron at the safety violation-plagued facility. At the time of the accident, the WSWS reported, Another worker noted in a social media post that Stephen had only been there for 5 days and he should not have been on the iron floor without sufficient training.

Brothers Ben and Max Morrissey, ages 32 and 34, who were killed in an explosion and fire at the BP Husky refinery in Oregon, Ohio on September 20, 2022. Workers at the refinery point to BP Huskys cutting of corners as contributing to the fatal explosion. A veteran pipe fitter told the WSWS, During a 10-hour day, we only had one 45-minute break. BP allowed us to have every other Sunday off. One of our guys on night shift had a heart attack which could have been caused by not allowing us adequate breaks. Not to mention the shutdown took place in the spring/summer. Long, hot days and only allowed one break. Carelessness and forgetfulness are results of fatigue and BP should be ashamed to break down our conditions. Their penny pinching ultimately led to tragedy.

Courtney Edwards, 34, a mother of three children, who was employed as a ramp agent by American Airlines. Courtney was working outside when she apparently lost her footing and was drawn into a running aircraft engine. This tragedy underscores the heightened risk to life and limb faced by workers in the transportation industry.

On December 27, 2022, 61-year-old Rick Jacobs died at the Amazon DEN4 warehouse in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after experiencing a cardiac event just before shift change. Witnesses say managers erected a makeshift barrier of cardboard bins around the dead worker so the day shift workers, who were not informed about the death, could continue production. Finding out what had happened after walking through there made me feel very uncomfortable, a DEN4 worker told the Guardian. There is a blatant disregard for human emotions at this facility.

Baltimore Amazon warehouse [Photo: GovPics]

The US leads most other industrialized countries in annual workplace-related deaths, with the exception of the worlds workshop, China, whose National Bureau of Statistics reported 66,000 workplace deaths in 2015. In the UK, there were 142 workplace deaths reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which was a 29 percent increase from the prior year, reflecting the intensifying crisis of workplace safety globally.

Bangladesh, with a population of over 165 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world and a contractor for cheap labor on behalf of multinational corporations. The Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies reported 1,034 lives lost on the job in the last year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) released their joint 2021 report, stating that 2 million people die from all work-related causes each year. The data was for 2016, and they found the primary risk factor was working long hours, which was linked to a staggering 750,000 deaths. No new report has been issued. The ILO, however, reported 2.78 million workplace deaths from injury or illness in 2019.

In 2019, the United Nations-affiliated ILO established the Global Commission on the Future of Work, which is composed of business and government representatives on the one hand and union bureaucrats on the other. Its claim to fight for social justice in the 21st century is belied by the ILO selection for chairman: the current South African president and ex-trade union bureaucrat for the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), Cyril Ramaphosa.

In August 2012, Ramaphosa was on the Lonmin Board of Directors and supported the police massacre of 34 striking Lonmin platinum miners during the Marikana Massacre.

The appalling state of workplace safety underscores the urgency of workers forming rank-and-file committees independent of the trade union bureaucrats to enforce safe and healthy workplace conditions. This is an international issue under conditions where multinational corporations can shift production from country to country in the search for higher profits. To unite workers against the common corporate foe, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) has established the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

The fight against the pandemic, exploitation, inequality, war and dictatorship is a fight against the entire capitalist social and economic order. Workers of all countries must be united in a common political offensive to take power, expropriate the oligarchs, and establish a socialist society based on the rational, scientific and democratic control of production for the purpose of serving social need, not private profit.
Sinan Ates, former chairman of the Turkish Grey Wolves or Ulku Ocaklar paramilitary group of the fascistic Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a faculty member at Hacettepe University, was murdered in an armed attack in the heart of Ankara on December 30.

Sinan Ates sits at his desk in front of the logo of the Grey Wolves and a photo of MHP founder Alparslan Turkes and current leader Devlet Bahceli. [Photo: @sinanates16]

Ates, who became the leader of Grey Wolves on the orders of MHP leader Devlet Bahceli in 2019, was among those who remained loyal to Bahceli during the establishment of the Good Party after the split in the MHP in 2017. Ates resigned as chairman on April 2020, however, on the instruction of Bahceli, and started working at Hacettepe University in Ankara.

Although it was claimed that Ates had to leave the post due to differences of opinion, he had expressed his loyalty to the far-right leader in his resignation statement on Twitter, stating, The General Presidency of the Grey Wolves will be the most sacred title I will carry for the rest of my life. As long as I live, I will be at the command of my leader Mr. Devlet Bahceli and my cause.

In the days following the murder, around a dozen people were detained, including the alleged instigator Dogukan Cep, a fascist mafia leader nicknamed Dodo, an MHP Istanbul provincial executive and two special operations police officers. Cep had been wanted for years due to his conviction for the 2013 shooting death of leftist youth Hasan Ferit Gedik during an anti-drug demonstration in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, Gizem Memioglu, a former head of the MHP's women's branch in Taskopru district of Kastamonu, was found dead in her home last week, although it is not yet known whether this is linked to Ates's murder. Memioglu had resigned from her post in December 2021.

The reports raise the question of the role of the MHP and elements within the state in the Ates murder. Two assassins on motorcycles were reportedly transferred from Istanbul to Ankara in a vehicle accompanied by special operation officers. It is also reported that a suspect was detained from a house where an MHP deputy was present and was later released. The alleged shooter in the murder is still at large.

Last March, Cagr Unel, the former leader of the Grey Wolves in Mersin, responded to an assault by a group by opening fire, killing two people, allegedly MHP members. Unel is considered one of the names close to Ates.

On his social media account, Yavuz Selim Demirag from the Good Party-affiliated daily Yenicag wrote, The Sinan Ates assassination is a political murder. The instigators used this criminal gang as a subcontractor. They may try to pass it off as a [common] judicial case. We must take the allegations of intense pressure on the police seriously.

According to Demirag, Ates was popular in far-right circles and was seen as a possible successor of Bahceli as leader of the MHP.

Before his murder, Ates made political visits, which led to a backlash from the Grey Wolves. He visited governorships, police departments, municipalities, sheikhs, tribal leaders and prominent fascists across the country. Shortly before his death, he wrote on social media from Igdr, on the eastern border of the country, I had sent you greetings from the southernmost and northernmost parts of Turkey. Now I send you greetings from the easternmost part of Turkey, i.e. Igdr.

There are various speculations about events that led to Atess murder. Some claim that Ates was building a faction within the party against Bahceli. Others claim he had recently become close to the Good Party, while some elements, especially within the MHP, are spreading allegations that he was linked to Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen in the US, who Ankara claims led the putschist officers in the NATO-backed 2016 attempted coup against Erdogan. What is certain is that the suspects arrested after Atess murder are related with the MHP and related fascist mafia gangs.

This raises the possibility that Ates may have been killed in a power struggle within the MHP. The funeral was attended by thousands of people and representatives from the Good Party as well as Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP), with which the MHP is allied. However, no one representing the MHP, of which Ates was a member, attended the funeral. Remarkably, neither the MHP nor the Grey Wolves made a statement on the murder.

In addition to his possible goal of becoming leader of the MHP, his friendship with the prominent figures of the Good Party, which is reflected on social media, also points to his growing conflict with the MHP leadership.

The MHP, an ally of the Erdogan government, and the Good Party, part of the bourgeois opposition bloc led by the Kemalist Republican Peoples Party (CHP), have a long and filthy record of political assassinations. Since the late 1960s, the ultra-nationalist fascists have functioned as a paramilitary force auxiliary to the state. They are responsible for countless assaults on striking workers and protesting students, the murder of journalists, and numerous attacks and massacres of leftists, Alevis and Kurds.

In 2017, the Good Party emerged as another mouthpiece of sections of the ruling class unhappy with the MHPs increasing integration into the AKP government and Ankaras growing conflicts with the US-led NATO allies. The faction led by Meral Aksener, who founded the Good Party, tried for a long time to convene an extraordinary congress within the MHP, but their attempts failed. It then severed ties with the MHP leadership after the NATO-backed 2016 coup attempt, when the MHP entered into an open alliance with the AKP, and especially during the April 16, 2017 presidential referendum.

In the run-up to the June 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections, the Erdogan government, which has been in power for 20 years, has lost credibility due to rising social inequality and the cost of living, as well as its profit against public health response to the pandemic. It is very close to losing power in the elections.

In this context, an internal power struggle by the MHP, a partner of the AKP-led Peoples Alliance, would be undesirable for the Erdogan government. Polls show that the MHPs potential vote is around only 7 percent. However, its support is critical for Erdogan to have a chance in the presidential election. A connection of the murder to the MHP leadership, if it were to be established, would pose serious problems for the Peoples Alliance.

Indeed, through its control over the police and the judiciary, the Erdogan government is seeking to treat this as a simple case of murder and close it down. The operation on the Ates assassination is being carried out not by the organized crime bureau, but by the homicide bureau of the Ankara Police Department, even though it is clearly a political murder. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag did not make a statement for days about this assassination in the heart of Ankara.

This official indifference to the murder of a fascist politician should be taken as a warning by working people. Amid growing political crisis and emerging class battles ahead of the elections, far right and fascist elements linked to the state, whatever their internal conflicts, are a deadly threat to the working class and the Kurdish people.
Britain stepped up its critical role in NATOs war against Russia this week, confirming that it intends to send Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

The Financial Times and Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday a Downing Street official saying that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has instructed Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to work with partners in the coming weeks and go further and faster with our support for Ukraine including the provision of tanks.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits UK troops stationed in Estonia at Tapa military base. In the background are some of the UK's Challenger 2 tank fleet. December 19, 2022, Tapa, Estonia. [Photo by Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.5

The spokesperson added, We are accelerating our support to Ukraine with the kind of next-generation military technology that will help to win this war It is clear that battle tanks could provide a game-changing capability to the Ukrainians.

According to various sources the decision will be finalised at the January 20 meeting of the United States-led Ramstein contact group of defence ministerscomprising the 50 nations flooding Ukraine with ever more advanced, lethal weaponry.

The move takes places just days after the US, France and Germany announced that they will send over a 100 tanks and other armoured, tracked vehicles to Ukraine. As the WSWS noted, the dispatch of light tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine will only be the prelude to the sending of main battle tanks to Ukraine.

This is now the reality. Britains Challenger 2, along with the US-made M1 Abrams and German-manufactured Leopard, is one of the most advanced, heavily armoured battle tanks in the world. Deployed in imperialist military operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq, there is only one reported case of the tank being lost in actiondestroyed by friendly fire from another Challenger in Iraq in 2003.

It is unclear how many Challengers London will send, with Sky News reporting Monday from a source that Britain might offer around 10 Challenger 2 tanks, enough to equip a squadron.

After years of budget cuts to the armed forces following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Britain no longer possesses a large tank fleet, with just 227 of the Challenger 1 and 2 in operation. Only one other country, Oman, uses Challengers in its armed forces. According to the Forces website, One hundred and forty-eight Challenger 2s are currently being upgraded to Challenger 3s(at a cost of 800 million)with the remaining 79 vehicles from the fleet set for retirement. In sharp contrast, there are more than 2,000 Leopards being operated by 13 European governments.

Forces boasted that Russia would be fighting an undefeated platform in the Challenger 2. The Express went further with a headline, UK tanks set to open up third Ukraine front and cut off Crimea in real problem for Putin, asserting, The Challenger 2 tanks are one of only three world-class tanks capable of destroying their Russian equivalents [T-72s and T-90s], alongside the US Abram M1s and the German Leopard 2s.

Soldiers of 1 A Squadron, Queens Royal Lancers (QRL) patrolling outside Basra, Iraq onboard a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank during Operation Telic 4. [Photo: defenceimagery.mod.uk/ for reuse under the OGL (Open Government License).]

It cited Professor Michael Clarke, a prominent military analyst, that Challenger 2 tanks have the Chobham Dorchester armour, meaning they can take a direct hit from a [Russian] T-72 and it would still not destroy them.

Clarke mapped out the strategy for Challenger tanks leading the way in seizing the Crimean peninsula from Russia. If they [Ukraine] have the luxury of going first when the weather starts to ease, then my view is they would use [the Challenger 2 tanks] to open up a third front from Zaporizhzhya directly south to the coast, to [the city of] Melitopol.

That would cut off Crimea, insulate it in quite an important way. It would give the Russians real problems. It would actually split the land bridge that the Russians have established in two and make Crimea very vulnerable. And it wouldnt be that difficult to do if they had the tanks and the armoured fighting vehicles.

Articles in the media across the political spectrum hailed the fact that Britain is set to be the first nation to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine, spurring other NATO powers to do likewise.

The Economist titled its response, The West should supply tanks to UkraineAllies have been too cautious about giving it the means to resist Russian aggression, stating that with the imminent decision to send Challenger tanks, Ukraines other allies should follow that lead; Poland is keen.

It was good news that America, France and Germany are at last sending more powerful weaponsBradley Fighting Vehicles, the similar French AMX and the German Marder. But that is not enough; these are armoured infantry carriers with guns, rather than true tanks, which have tougher armour and more powerful cannons. To defeat Russia, Ukraine will need more: heavy tanks and longer-range missiles. It concluded in a swipe at Germany, The assessment that providing a Marder is much safer than sending in a Leopard is flawed. War is dangerous, but Ukraine needs to finish the job. It should be given the tools it needs.

The London Times editorialised, while Britain deserves credit for the offer to supply Challengers, the reality is that it has precious few to offer from its own stocks: a few dozen at a stretch, but not the hundreds Ukraine needs to reverse the Russian gains of last year.

A large-scale Ukrainian armoured offensive would need an injection of hundreds of modern tanks, which means Leopards or Abrams

Britains gesture, it advised, will encourage allies to think again about handing Kyiv the tools to finish the job. The armoured salvation of Ukraine ultimately lies in the hands of the Americans and Germans.

Poland said this week it would send Leopard 2 heavy tanks, but that this is dependent on Berlin giving allied countries permission to export the German-made hardware. On a visit to Lviv Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said, A company of Leopard tanks will be handed over as part of a coalition that is being built.

Steffen Hebestreit, the spokesman of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said Wednesday, There is no change in the situation now because of the step that the British government has announced. Hebestreit described the move by Scholz and Biden to send Marder and Bradley armoured vehicles as a qualitatively new step, but what will happen next [we] will have to see along the way as part of international coordination.

Politico noted that Scholz told a regional election rally in Berlin Monday that tank deliveries to Ukraine must be discussed together with friends and allies and especially with our transatlantic partner, with the United States of America.

Social Democratic Party leader Scholz faces massive pressure to grant the export licences from within his own party and its warmongering Greens and Free Democratic Party governing partners.

Pressure was ramped up by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who on Wednesday told German TV station ARD, Even if Germany has certain rational arguments for not doing it [allowing other countries to send Ukraine Leopard tanks], Germany will still do it at a later date. He added, We have already seen this with the self-propelled howitzers, with the IRIS-T air defense system, and most recently with the Marders and Patriot [air defense] systems.

Kuleba added, Its always a similar pattern: First they say no, then they fiercely defend their decision, only to say yes in the end.

Given the main role of the US in conducting NATOs war, it is clear that the demands on Germany are being propelled by the Biden administration. Politico reported Wednesday, Talks between the US and Ukrainians are continuing over providing American-made Abrams tanks, but there has been little progress as the Biden administration thinks a European-led solution is best.

On Thursday, Germanys economics minister and vice chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party) declared, There is a difference between making a decision for yourself and preventing others from making a decision, opening the door for Germany to allow Poland to export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Hundreds of millions of people in Europe and internationally are being dragged into a maelstrom. On Monday, Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian Security Council secretary, told the weekly Argumenti i Fakti, The events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kyivthis is a military confrontation between Russia and NATO, and above all the United States and Britain.

Britains ruling elite are insisting that in order to confront Russia and rising threats globally, in the words of the Financial Times, The future of Britains military, and how much it costs, is a more urgent matter today than at any time since the end of the cold war. The brutal offensive against the living standards of the working class is to be ramped up by orders of magnitude to pay for the vast rearmament underway.
This is the first of a two-part article. Part two can be read here.

* * *

We appeal to the medical community and to the relevant national and international bodies to recognize the potential for airborne spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is significant potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets (microdroplets) at short to medium distances (up to several meters, or room scale), and we are advocating for the use of preventive measures to mitigate this route of airborne transmission.

 Letter to the World Health Organization by 239 scientists, July 6, 2020

Among the greatest failures, indeed crimes, of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been the coverup and distortion of the science of airborne transmission, the way in which SARS-CoV-2 spreads from person to person. As the fourth year of the pandemic begins, the vast majority of the worlds population has virtually no understanding of this science and what measures must be taken to prevent viral transmission.

Implicated in this coverup are the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health agencies and governments throughout the world.

The principled stand taken by scientists like Drs. Jose-Luis Jimenez, Lidia Morawska, Donald Milton, Linsey Marr and their colleagues early in the pandemic to place front and center the issue of airborne transmission went unheeded by the worlds top public health officials, as well as governments and corporations.

Instead, all of these institutions and their leaders have prioritized corporate profits over the health of society, rejecting the necessary public health measures and renovations to infrastructure that could dramatically slow and ultimately stop viral transmission globally.

While lip service on the role of airborne transmission has recently been given by figures such as White House COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha, no effort has been made to use the vast resources at their disposal to educate the public on this science. Concretely, nothing has been done to actually improve indoor air quality in the vast majority of public spaces.

Clearly acknowledging and educating society on the science of airborne transmission of not only COVID-19, but all respiratory pathogens, would require governments and businesses to clean the air in indoor spaces in order to protect the public.

The global burden of disease from respiratory pathogens

The need to address indoor air sanitization is, perhaps, the single most important public health concern in the modern era. It is as crucial as when Dr. John Snow recognized the cholera epidemic that was killing tens of thousands of English working class people in the mid-1800s was not a product of miasma in the atmosphere, but simply of drinking contaminated water. It would take another 30 years before German physician Dr. Robert Koch isolated the bacterium Vibrio cholerae in 1883, proving Dr. Snows theoretical and epidemiological work sound.

Robert Koch, left, and John Snow, pioneers in the field of public health in the 19th century.

The overwhelming evidence and the consequent public health drive to address the threat posed by cholera meant that by the late 19th century, cholera epidemics came to an end in European and US cities, once water supply sanitation was improved. Yet, more than 140 years after Dr. Kochs discovery, unsafe water sources continue to kill 1.2 million people each year, especially in the poorest regions of the world, where they account for 6 percent of all deaths. This underscores the persistent and deep inequities that exist under capitalism.

With regards to respiratory viruses, the transmission of infectious viral particles via aerosols was not a new discovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Decades of work by scientists internationally had repeatedly confirmed these modes of transmission for respiratory pathogens, such as tuberculosis, measles and SARS-CoV-1. In particular, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies were published on the airborne transmission of influenza viruses.

Besides the more than 20 million excess deaths attributable to COVID-19 thus far, acute respiratory infections are among the three main causes of deaths and disability worldwide, accounting for nearly 4 million deaths per year. Most are caused by viruses such as RSV, influenza, rhinovirus and adenoviruses. These figures do not even begin to capture the deleterious impact of epidemics on health systems, as is currently occurring in crowded US emergency departments, ICUs and hospitals as a whole.

Pulmonary diseases caused by infectious pathogens and air pollution are further exacerbated by these same system failures in a vicious cycle.

Nearly 200 million people (4 percent of the global population) have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which kills roughly 3.2 million people each year. Asthma affects 350 million people and is the most common chronic disease of children. Pneumonia (a bacterial respiratory disease) kills 2.4 million each year and is the leading cause of deaths in those under the age of five and over 65. Additionally, 10 million people develop tuberculosis and 1.4 million die each year, second only to COVID-19 as the leading cause of infectious disease in 2021.

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, it was recognized that superspreader events occurred indoors in under-ventilated spaces, a hallmark of an airborne pathogen. Given the evidence that was available before and early on in the course of the pandemic, there was an urgent need to protect the population through innovations that could keep indoor spaces safe from airborne transmission.

Illustration of droplets and aerosols released during talking; these may carry viruses if the person is infected. The large droplets fall rapidly to the ground in close proximity. The small aerosols are much more concentrated in close proximity, and they can remain floating in the air and spread throughout the room, leading to (reduced) exposure at a distance. Adapted from Tang et al. [Photo by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez]

An estimated 90 percent of a persons life is spent indoors. This means that the technology to ensure that hospitals, schools, factories and all public spaces are free of pathogens is necessary to secure the health and longevity of the population.

Ensuring occupied spaces are pathogen-free is crucial in efforts to eliminate COVID-19 and any future pandemic pathogen, as well as those that have been labeled as the common cold and flu viruses that sicken so many each year. Every knowledgeable scientist has said that there is no question about if another pandemic will occur, but when. Renovating indoor air infrastructure will be crucial to an elimination strategy and to protecting the lives of the population, present and future.

Vaccines and therapeutics aid in reducing the risks of developing severe and life-threatening disease should someone become infected. Though important adjuncts for a comprehensive approach, they are not preventive measures.

Respirators like N95s are also critical, but should serve as secondary layers of protection. The use of passive systems that do not rely on personal initiative have great value, and ensuring the continuous elimination of pathogens within enclosed spaces would be ideal. Throughout the world, air filtration and ventilation systems must be modernized and fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

One of the most powerful passive technologies available, which has been almost entirely ignored throughout the pandemic, is far-ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which can disinfect and inactivate pathogens on surfaces, as well as in water and in the air. This report will review the more than 100-year history of scientific research and real-world experience with the use of UV irradiation.

The history of ultraviolet light and infection control

Ultraviolet (UV) light [beyond violet, the highest frequency of visible light] is a form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, just below the visible light spectrum encompassing wavelengths from 10 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm. The UV radiation spectrum is divided into three main regions, termed UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm) and UVC (100-280 nm). Solar radiation, the light from the sun, encompasses three components of the electromagnetic spectrum: infrared, visible light and UV. When sunlight enters the atmosphere, all the UVC and most UVB is absorbed by the ozone, water, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

The place of ultraviolet (UV) in the electromagnetic spectrum [Photo: International Ultraviolet Association]

UVA accounts for approximately 95 percent of the UV radiation that reaches the Earths surface. It is the cause of the initial tanning effect and burning associated with sun exposure, as well as skin aging and wrinkling, and studies indicate it can be a factor in developing skin cancer. Although UVB also has a physiological effect, it only penetrates the superficial skin layers and is responsible for delayed tanning and skin burns from too much sun exposure. Like UVA, it also speeds up the aging of our skin and can cause changes in the regenerative basal skin cells that lead to cancer.

Parts of the UVC spectrum are the most damaging type of UV radiation, but because it is completely filtered in the atmosphere, these light rays never reach the surface. Mercury lamps generate conventional germicidal UV (250 to 280 nm) and are placed in ceilings in conjunction with ventilation, as biophysical and experimental evidence suggests direct exposure to them can be hazardous.

UVC of 200-230 nm wavelengths can be generated by so-called excimer lamps that use simple molecules composed of only two atoms (dimers in chemistry). The formation of excited dimers produces a photon of UV light at a particular wavelength. For instance, a Krypton and Chlorine excimer lamp emits a 222 nm wavelength photon while a Krypton-Bromine lamp will generate a photon of 207 nm wavelength.

Interestingly, light in this narrow range of 200 to 230 nm has the potential to offer tremendous capacity to disinfect surfaces and spaces of viruses and bacteria while being safe to people exposed to it. Evidence for the safety of this range of UVC has been mounting for the last two decades. In particular, work done by Russian and Dutch scientists in early 2000 with short wavelength UVC (206 nm) and wound decontamination spurred the work by Manuela Buonanno, David Welch, David Brenner and colleagues at the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University Medical Center in New York to begin examining the potential for such technology, leading them to coin the term Far UVC for this range of wavelengths.

UV technology, however, has been around for more than 100 years. The German chemist and physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter made the first observation of ultraviolet radiation in 1801. After hearing about William Herschels discovery of infrared radiation (heat rays) in 1800, Ritter looked for its opposite, cooling radiation, at the other end of the visible spectrum. During his experiments, he noted that photographic paper impregnated with silver chloride transformed from white to black faster at the violet end of sunlight. He called these chemical rays ultraviolet radiation.

His work led to developing the first electrochemical cell, the dry cell battery, and the development of a storage battery. Ritter died in poverty and weakened health, most likely secondary to exposure to the chemicals he used in his experiments, in 1810, at the age of 36.

In the late 1870s, Arthur Downes and Thomas P. Blunt published a report in the scientific journal Nature about the antibacterial effects of the shorter wavelengths of sunlight. They placed solution-filled test tubes in sunlight and found it prevented the development of pathogenic bacteria. Soon after, they proved that the UV portions of light had germicidal properties.

Twenty-five years later, in 1902, the German ophthalmologist Ernst Hertel, building on the work done by his predecessors, determined that UVC light, rather than UVA or UVB, was most effective at killing microorganisms. Niels Ryberg Finsen, a Faroese-Icelandic physician and scientist, received the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1903 for his work on treating lupus vulgaris, a tuberculosis skin lesion, with concentrated light radiation.

As early as 1908, the city of Marseille, France used UVC to disinfect water supplies using mercury lamps that were known to emit ultraviolet light. By 1928, the ultraviolet irradiation of milk was introduced along with the disinfection of fruits and vegetables.

Fredrick L .Gates, working at the laboratories of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York, investigated the use of mercury lamps against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus coli bacteria, varying the wavelengths used. He demonstrated that the incident energy required to kill the exposed bacteria was most effective at the 265 nm wavelength. He also found that this wavelength corresponded to the absorption spectrum of nucleic acids, the genetic molecules of life, hinting at the idea that these were the targets that made UV at these wavelengths efficient disinfectants. At the time, DNA was yet to be discovered and its role in the process of life remained unknown.

A decade later, in 1944, Alexander Hollaender and John W. Oliphant, working at the Industrial Hygiene Research Laboratory and Division of Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health, continued Gates work. They speculated, It is quite possible that the high sensitivity of many agents at about 260 nm is based on the important function deoxyribose nucleic acid [DNA] plays in biological activities. The comprehension of the biological mechanism for UVCs action was a critical insight in utilizing it for its germicidal properties.

However, it was the contributions by American scientist and Harvard sanitary engineer Professor William Firth Wells (a World War I veteran) and his wife, Dr. Mildred Wells, that were the essential components in the understanding of the airborne nature of respiratory pathogens and the utility of UV light in disinfecting enclosed spaces.

The pioneering research of William and Mildred Wells

The experiments described in this paper were undertaken in the fall of 1937, as a test of the hypothesis that the confined atmospheres of our habitations constitute the vehicle for the epidemic spread of contagion. Even though endemic incidence (person-to-person type of spread) may be due to any one of several modes of spread such as physical contact, direct hits by Flugge droplets [large-respiratory droplets], or air, the phenomenon of epidemic contagion (the dynamic network of person-to-group infection) is indicative of spread through the medium of a common source: air. If epidemic respiratory contagion can be controlled by radiant disinfection of air, then air must be such a vehicle of spread.

Professor William F. Wells, Harvard Sanitary Engineer, 1942 study, The Environmental Control of Epidemic Contagion

Wells work proceeded from that of German bacteriologist Carl Flugge, who showed that microorganisms expelled from the respiratory tract as droplets were essential for disease transmission.

In 1910, just two decades after the germ theory of disease had been recognized and accepted, American epidemiologist Charles Chapin wrote his seminal book, The Sources and Modes of Infection. Chapins success with infection prevention led to conceptualizing contact infection as the primary source of transmission of disease. As Professor Jose Luis Jimenez and colleagues recently wrote, He [Chapin] would go on to conflate close proximity with the actual mechanism of transmission, engendering a confusion that would muddy understanding for decades.

In 1934, in opposition to the erroneous conception of the droplet/contact transmission of respiratory pathogens put forth by Chapin, Wells noted:

It would be incorrect to conclude [...] that air receiving infected droplets cannot convey such infections long distances. To do so would be to neglect a most important characteristic of liquid droplets, namely their tendency to evaporate. Evaporation causes the volume of water droplets to change, and this change becomes more rapid as the droplet decreases in size.

Wells hypothesized that these very small droplet nuclei, what he called aerosols, dried before they reached the ground and could remain in the air for an extended time, causing others to breathe them in. His theory of droplet nuclei, as Nicholas Reed wrote in his 2010 article on the history of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) for air disinfection, had been sparked by investigations into respiratory infections associated with dust-suppressive water sprays used in New England textile mills. The COVID-19 pandemic and the controversy surrounding the airborne nature of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has largely vindicated Wells work posthumously.

Qualitative representation of the dominant medical/public health thinking in the West about how many important diseases transmit through the air, with some critical steps and practitioners marked as text. [Photo by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez]

The intersection of Wells work on the mode of transmission of respiratory infections and the advancements being made in the use of UV radiation for disinfection was a critical milestone in public health and the understanding of the modes of disease transmission on a conscious level. But it failed to garner the critical mass in terms of influencing the powers that be and bringing the science forward and accepted on a social scale. History, however, always returns to these moments when the contradictions and fallacies that remain once again rear their head.

Indeed, Wells suspected that tuberculosis and measles were airborne, later proven to be correct. In 1935, he aerosolized the bacteria B. coli and exposed the organisms to UVC at 254 nm, demonstrating they could be effectively killed in a short time. In a manner, the experiment proved both the ability to convey the airborne character of pathogens and the utility of UV radiation to inactivate them.

In 1936, Dr. Deryl Hart used UVGI to disinfect hospital operating theaters at Duke University Hospital, resulting in a massive drop in postoperative infection rates from 11.6 percent to 0.24 percent. It is noteworthy that by the 1930s, Westinghouse Electric moved quickly, utilizing the talents of its research and development engineers, to create the first patented and commercially available UV lamps for use in health care settings.

This was a remarkable feat for its time as antibiotics were just being developed and hospital-acquired infections were oftentimes a grave prognosis. Even in the modern era of antibiotics, close to 2 million Americans develop such infections, and close to 100,000 die every year. Beside being among the top five killers in the US, they also lead to unnecessary annual costs of $28 to $45 billion. In emerging economies, such infection rates are three to 20 times higher than in Western countries.

Perhaps the most important work conducted by Wells, his wife and collaborator T. S. Wilder was an experiment conducted at Germantown Friends School (four years) and public schools of Swarthmore (one year), both in Pennsylvania, from 1937 to 1941.

Ultraviolet lights were installed in the ceilings of each of the four grades of the primary department, as well as the music room library, nature room, halls, lunchroom, restrooms and gymnasium. There were no ventilation systems other than windows. Air flow to the upper part of the rooms occurred through natural convection currents. The higher grades acted as controls and did not have UV lights in their classrooms, but did share common spaces. Details of rates of measles, mumps and chickenpox in the years before the experiment and during the study were available to the researchers and chosen as indices for review.

How ultraviolet light fits in to a disinfection system

Remarkably, the primary classes with UV lights showed both a blunting and reduction of measles infections when compared to the upper classes. At the time, measles was the most infectious respiratory virus known. Likewise, the incidence of mumps and chickenpox was considerably reduced in the primary classrooms.

Wells and colleagues also remarked that in rural areas, schools acted as vectors for such infections, where susceptible children became infected while in class and then brought the disease home. In urban centers the larger opportunity for multiple exposures meant a more random pattern of infections. They highlighted that epidemic controls in schools alone in urban settings would be difficult but still important to consider.

Upper room UVGI at Swarthmore and Germantown Friends Schools 1941. [Photo: William Wells study, "The Environmental Control of Epidemic Contagion"]

Wells et al. added, Incidence in diseases to which exposures are multiple within and without the school becomes a measure of susceptibility rather than exposure, and prevention will become manifest only when the last source of infection is eliminated. They pointed to the benefits of preventing childhood infections, especially in poorer districts where mortality is high.

Most importantly, the authors concluded:

The results obtained in the experiments described here lend support to this hypothesis [the spread of epidemic contagion through the medium of confined atmospheres], and point to the immediate application of methods described to prevent the occurrence of contagious diseases [by radiant disinfection of air] 

Part two of this article can be read here.
The World Socialist Web Site is proud to announce the launch of its Ukrainian-language edition (wsws.org/uk).

The Ukrainian edition of the WSWS will provide an international socialist perspective for workers and student youth and lay the foundations for a Ukrainian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). It will publish major articles of the WSWS and key programmatic and historical documents by the ICFI.

The first postings are 1) the WSWSs New Years statement, 2023: The global capitalist crisis and the growing offensive of the international working class; and 2) an essay by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North on the struggle waged by Lenin in 1922-23 against Stalins chauvinist attitude toward national minorities in the newly formed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Since February 2022, the ICFI has opposed both the US-NATO proxy war against Russia and the Putin regimes reactionary intervention in Ukraine. Like the Russian edition of the WSWS, a central focus of the Ukrainian WSWS will be the fight for the international unity of the working class of the former Soviet Union and the building of a unified movement of workers in Ukraine and Russia to put an end to the disastrous war as part of a global revolutionary movement by the working class against imperialism and capitalism.

In the 1917 October Revolution and the subsequent Civil War, Ukrainian and Russian workers fought side by side against capitalism and for socialism. Between 1941 and 1945, both national groups made immense sacrifices in the common struggle against the Nazi invasion and in defense of the Soviet Union.

The workers of Ukraine have paid a particularly bitter price for the Stalinist repudiation of the internationalist program of the October Revolution, based on the bankrupt concept of the building of socialism in one country. The decades of Stalinist betrayals culminated in the destruction of the Soviet Union by the Soviet bureaucracy and the restoration of capitalism, which was an unmitigated socio-economic and political disaster for the working class. The unfolding war in Ukraine today can only be understood as the end product of this historic betrayal of the October Revolution by Stalinism.

Throughout this period, however, the Trotskyist movement has defended the traditions of Marxism and revolutionary internationalism against the betrayals of Stalinism and various petty-bourgeois opportunist and nationalist tendencieschief among them Pabloismwhich wrote off the working class as a revolutionary force and instead sought to subordinate it to the dominant Stalinist, social democratic and trade union bureaucracies.

Today, the International Committee of the Fourth International is the sole Trotskyist and, indeed, socialist and revolutionary party. We are confident that the program and perspectives of Trotskyism will find a powerful response among an advanced layer of Ukrainian workers, youth and intellectuals, who will join the fight to build the Fourth International as the world party of socialist revolution.
Supporters of the IYSSE are campaigning at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan to build support among students and youth for a mass movement to stop the war in Ukraine.

On December 10, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality held an online rally to launch the global struggle against the conflict instigated by the US and NATO. Campaigners distributed copies of the IYSSE statement, A call to youth throughout the world: Build a mass movement to stop the Ukraine war!

The initiative won broad support among UM students, the vast majority of whom have never known a day when the US was not at war.

Lola, the daughter of Russian immigrants, said, There are so many students from immigrant households here, we need to have this discussion on war.

When the war first erupted, we opposed it immediately, she added. We all agreed, This is brother against brother. But now there are arguments at my house every day. We have to be careful about protesting because our family members who live in Russia could be threatened.

A colleague who has family members living in both Russia and Ukraine added, From my experience among the people of both countries, neither wants a war. At the end of the day, they want to find a peaceful resolution, which the United States is not attempting to find right now. The vast Russian land mass contains reservoirs of many strategic minerals and resources of energy. He said, The reason this is going on is about money and how they can spin a narrative to maximize a profit.

Harrison, a student at University of Michigan [Photo: WSWS]

Harrison from Ludington, Michigan agreed. I oppose war in general as an exploitation of the working class. He referred to political leaders in both parties who have made their political careers endorsing, funding and supporting one war after another. But they are not the ones dying, he said. The workers are the ones who are getting killed. And we have millions of others who are dying from COVID, and its not getting much press coverage.

Its frustrating for my generation of the working class to not have access to basic things like education and being able to afford a place to live, he continued. Everything is so expensive, and there is a housing shortage here. I have two jobs and student loans as well. He explained the reality that exposes the universitys claims of assisting disadvantaged students. I come from a working class family, and it is still not affordable.

Campaigners discussed the geopolitical, historical and class background of the conflict, cutting through the US-NATO propaganda that the war is being waged on a humanitarian basis.

A number of international students from China stopped at the table to discuss different aspects of global crisis and burgeoning threat of world war.

Claire declared that she would definitely attend the upcoming meeting. She said that the ostensible purpose for the formation of the European Union in the aftermath of World War II was to prevent the return of world war, but that was being repudiated. I wrote my final exam on the zeitenwend, the turning point in European politics. The whole point of European integration following the Second World War was to prevent war in the future. the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed all that. I am very interested to attend your meeting.

Viveka, a student in the pre-med program at the University of Michigan [Photo: WSWS]

Viveka is a pre-medical student from Detroit who has worked in the Emergency Room department of Sinai Grace Hospital in Downtown Detroit. The war is horrible. Innocent people are dying on both sides of the conflict. It has affected the world food supply, and millions more will suffer because of it.

Krista said, The war was popular for about five minutes. Then the reality set in. I will attend this meeting because I need to learn more about the causes of the war. Im smiling because we are building a world movement to stop the war.

Krista, a student at University of Michigan [Photo: WSWS]

Harry studies human rights throughout the world. This war is horrible for human rights for mankind everywhere. This is threatening the outbreak of world war. The great powers are playing checkers with the lives of real people. I do not agree with that. This is impacting normal people in both Russia and Ukraine, who have no impact on geopolitics. That is really sad.

The expansion of the US is really alarming. Especially the way in which it dominates the world culturally. There are movies that are funded heavily by US interests. It is alarming to me that the State Department has a huge wing that is dedicated to ensuring that Top Gun is militarily accurate and promoted globally. That is really alarming to me that the media is so directly connected to the state.

If you are a journalist and you go out and criticize in the state, you are silently removed from that political, journalist workforce. It is especially concerning in my experience that power has been incredibly consolidated within the United States. And it is very scary right now that power has been consolidated in the hands of a very small group of people.
Nearly ten thousand commercial flights in the US were grounded early Wednesday after a key safety communications system operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) became inoperable.

People check into their flights at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. [AP Photo/John Locher]

The FAA ordered a ground stop that lasted for several hours after the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) systema platform that provides real-time alerts and technical information to aviation personnel about flight hazards and other conditionssuddenly became incapable of accepting updates at 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The system eventually had to be rebooted at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday.

According to FlightAware, an airline tracking service, more than 9,700 US departures were delayed and 1,300 flights were cancelled on Wednesday resulting in chaos at airports across the country as travelers were left stranded and confused about what was going on.

Several major airlines such as Delta, American and United announced on Wednesday that they were waiving fees associated with passenger flight changes due to the delays and cancellations. According to media reports, international flights to and from Europe were not impacted because the planes had already taken off before the outage and had alternative systems in place to transmit the information.

While the pause was lifted by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the collapse of a critical information system that provides updates on things such as military flights, runway closures, bird hazards, low-altitude construction and numerous other obstacles revealed the decrepit state of the US transportation infrastructure. A tool that was adopted in the US as an indispensable air safety system in 1947 was transformed into its opposite on Wednesday morning.

According to an unnamed aviation official who spoke to CBS News, the failure of NOTAM is a major safety issue. Aviation experts also told the Associated Press they could not recall a technology breakdown causing an outage of this scale.

Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis, told AP, Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically.

Former pilot and aviation safety expert John Cox told the AP that the subject of modernizing the NOTAM system has been discussed for years. Ive been flying 53 years. Ive never heard the system go down like this. So, something unusual happened, Cox said.

Peter Greenberg of CBS News reported that the last time flights were grounded for so long was in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

As of this writing, no official explanation has been provided by the FAA for the failure. Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation told CNN, We are going to see the ripple effects from that, this mornings delays, working through the system during the day. Buttigieg had no idea what the source of the problem was, saying, Now we have to understand how this could have happened in the first place.

Later, after the transportation secretary came under public scrutiny for the failure, Buttigieg resorted to innuendo, saying federal authorities were not dismissing the possibility of nefarious activity in the NOTAM system failure. Stopping short of blaming a cyberattack for the disaster, Buttigieg said, we are not yet prepared to rule that out.

However, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted, There is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes. The FAA will provide regular updates.

NBC News reported that the source of the problem was traced to a corrupted data file, according to an unnamed senior government official. The FAA also issued a statement that said the agency was continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the NOTAM system outage. The agency said, Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file. At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack.

Actually, the antiquated state of the NOTAM system is well known. Tim Campbell said, So much of their systems are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable, but they are out of date, and he added that there has long been concern about the FAAs technology and not just the NOTAM system.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Travel Association is calling for upgrades to the American transportation systems. Geoff Freeman, chief executive of the travel association, wrote, Todays FAA catastrophic system failure is a clear sign that America's transportation network desperately needs significant upgrades.

The collapse of the FAAs NOTAM system is the second time in a month that the failure of a key information technology component resulted in dangerous chaos in US air travel. Days before Christmas 2022, a severe winter storm resulted in nearly 20,000 flights being cancelled. The crisis was centered at Southwest Airlines, where the computerized crew-assignment system failed under the impact of a surge in the volume of data scheduling changes.

Workers in the airline industry and air travelers are rightfully asking why, after decades have passed and many billions have been spent on the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), the basic tools of airline safety have been left by the US government and the airline industry to languish in a state of obsolescence.

Additionally, the public has a right to know whyafter trillions of US dollars have been spent on military technology over the decades, including the presently approved $700 million on each of 100 B-21 nuclear armed stealth bomberstheir safety in air travel hangs in the balance on computerized systems that are decades old and unable to function.

These questions are bound up with the crisis of the capitalist system, which continuously elevates profits over human life and subordinates fundamental issues of health and safety to the insatiable drive by the financial elite for ever-greater wealth accumulation.
Aides and attorneys for President Joe Biden discovered a second group of classified documents retained in a private office after his terms as vice president, and have turned them over to the National Archives, it was reported Wednesday.

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

The report fueled further demands from congressional Republicans for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Biden, similar to the special counsel chosen by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the apparently illegal retention of hundreds of classified documents by former president Donald Trump.

The differences between the two cases outweigh the similarities, given that the number of documents is much smaller, Biden claims to have been unaware of them, and they were turned over to the National Archives voluntarily. Trump initially refused to turn over the documents in his possession, and his legal representative in the affair lied to the FBI, claiming that all the documents had been returned when more than 100 were still stored at Trumps estate at Mar-a-Lago.

But the Biden documents have become another weapon in the political warfare in Washington, which has escalated enormously with the takeover of the House of Representatives by the Republican Party, which holds a narrow majority of 222 to 212, the same margin that the Democrats held during the first two years of Bidens term.

The White House said that the documents had been found packed in boxes in a locked closet in Bidens former office at a University of Pennsylvania facility in Washington D.C., where Biden was a visiting professor for three years, 2017-2020, after he ended his two terms as vice president and before he announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

While a Wall Street Journal editorial cited a CNN report that some of the documents had the highest possible classification, sensitive compartmented information, most press reports claim that the Justice Department is reviewing the documents after they were turned over by the National Archives, and that the classification level has not yet been revealed.

Speaking at the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City, Biden said he was surprised to learn that classified documents had been found at his former office, and that he did not know what they were.

He said aides were closing up that office last November and found the documents, and immediately notified the White House counsels office, which turned them over to the National Archives the following day. They did what they should have done, he said. They immediately called the Archives.

Trump, of course, weighed in on social media with his usual barrage of lies and exaggerations, claiming that Biden should have received the same treatment from the FBI and the Justice Department as he had confronted last year. When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? he asked.

Attorney General Merrick Garland immediately announced that he had named the US Attorney for Chicago, John Lausch, a Trump appointee, to take charge of the investigation into the Biden documents. According to press reports, Lausch will be interviewing many former Biden aides, some of whom are now prominent officials in the administration, about whether they had knowledge of the documents or access to them during the time Biden was a private citizen.

That did not satisfy Trump and his supporters, who demanded the appointment of a special prosecutor, like Jack Smith, chosen to conduct investigations of Trump in two areas: his retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, and his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, carried out by a mob of his supporters at his instigation.

Representative Mike Turner, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, asked for the US intelligence agencies to conduct a damage assessment of the documents found at the Biden office. The members of the Intelligence Committee, for both parties, are selected by the Speaker, and Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he would bar the former Democratic chairman, Adam Schiff, as well as another Democratic member, Eric Swallwell, from continuing on the committee.

Representative Steve Scalise told the media at his first press conference as House majority leader that they should pursue the issue of Bidens holding on to classified documents. For years when Vice President Biden left office, it looks like he took classified documents with him and he was very critical of President Trump, Scalise said.

Representative James Comer (Republican), who heads the Committee on Government Oversight, filed a request with the National Archives for an accounting of all its actions on the Biden documents, including communications between the archives, White House aides and Department of Justice officials. His letter suggested that he was concerned about a possible political bias at the archives.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, chipped in with a request for a briefing on the Biden documents.

Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said that the Biden administration withheld information about the discovery of the documents until after the midterm elections. Jordan also heads a select subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, established Tuesday in a party-line 221-211 vote to investigate the investigations into Trump and other top Republicans.

In addition to the select subcommittee, the House voted to establish another special investigative committee, which has overwhelming bipartisan support. By a vote of 365-65, with unanimous Republican support (219-0) and the backing of better than two-thirds of Democrats (146-65), the House established a new panel to investigate Chinas economic, technological and security progress, and its competition with the United States.

This is effectively a committee to prepare a case for economic and ultimately military warfare against China, with a purview that includes Chinas role in the supply chain for critical US goods, US aid to Taiwan, and supposed Chinese influence on universities and governmental institutions in the United States.

In the rules package adopted on Monday, the Republican majority redirected the existing committee on the origins of coronavirus to take up claims that China deliberately manufactured SARS-CoV-2 and the role of US officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci in approving joint research efforts with the Wuhan lab that supposedly contributed to the pandemic. This a full-fledged witch-hunt based on conspiracy theories peddled by anti-communist Chinese exile groups and fascist aides to Trump like Steve Bannon.
Azerbaijani and Pakistani officials discussed cooperation in the pharmaceutics sector.

The discussions took place between Chairman of the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) Elshad Nuriyev and Pakistani Ambassador in Azerbaijan Bilal Hayee and CEO of IBL Group Seyid Nadim Ahmed.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the possibility of implementing joint investment projects with the residents of Pirallahi Industrial Park. Moreover, IBL Company expressed its interest in investing in the pharmaceutical industry in Azerbaijan.

A meeting has been held between the chairman of Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA), Elshad Nuriyev, and Pakistani Ambassador in Azerbaijan Bilal Haye and CEO of IBL Group Seyid Nadim Ahmed. At the meeting, it was pointed out that the IBL Company is interested in investing in the pharmaceutical industry in industrial zones, and the possibilities of implementing joint investment projects with the residents of Pirallahi Industrial Park were discussed, EZDA posted on Facebook.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan cooperate in various sectors of the economy. The relations between the two countries date back to 1991. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $20 million in January-November 2022.
Ericsson announced that it would put aside SEK2.3 billion (US$220m) as part of a potential resolution with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), regarding its alleged breaches under a deferred prosecution agreement.

In a statement, the Swedish vendor said it has not yet reached a resolution with the DOJ in regard to the alleged breaches and discussions are ongoing.

The money will be recorded in Ericssons Q4 results as other operating expenses in the income statement of segment other.

Ericsson said in its statement: The company believes that this is a sufficiently reliable estimate of the financial penalty associated with any potential breach resolution, and this provision also includes estimated expenses for the previously announced extended monitorship.

During a corruption probe from the DOJ, Ericsson admitted to paying millions in bribes and falsifying documents between 2000 and 2016, in markets such as Iraq to conduct business. As a result, the vendor agreed to pay US$1 billion to the US government.
Arch Capital Management, a leading Asia-Pacific-focused private equity real estate investment manager, has this week announced the launch of affiliate Digital Halo (DH), a regional digital infrastructure platform based in Singapore. DH will capitalise on the growing demand for digitized information tech and operations solutions in Southeast and North Asia, starting with a data centre in the Philippines.

DH says it will invest in, develop and operate digital infrastructure assets including data centres, fibres and towers, as well as renewable power. In the data centre sector, DH will offer built-to-suit and colocation solutions to meet hyperscale and enterprise customer requirements in the target markets. It aims to develop next generation, state-of-the-art data storage and processing facilities that prioritise sustainability, powered by renewable energy and featuring energy and water-efficient designs.

The first DH data centre will be launched in Manila. Together with its affiliated investment vehicles, DH will manage and own a proposed 70MW data centre campus on a 3.75-hectare freehold land parcel in Cainta. The proposed development involves a retrofit of an existing industrial facility with 6MW planned IT capacity in the first phase, with ready-for-service commencing from end 2023.

This initiative extends the Asia-Pacific strategic partnership announced by Arch Capital with wealth and asset management company Manulife Investment Management in February 2022 beyond real estate to digital infrastructure.
Remarks by Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD - Announcement of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund

Speech

It is a pleasure to be here today in Armagh - a centre of faith and learning, as well as the ecclesiastical capital of this island for more than 1500 years.

Bill Clinton described Armagh as a city whose faith and tolerance are making a new era of peace possible.

We are gathered in the beautiful Robinson Library, a place where knowledge is shared, where the overlapping stories of this island we call home are collected.

From medieval religious manuscripts, Dean Swifts personal copy of Gullivers Travels to works on medicine, science, history and law, this building is a living monument to collective endeavour.

Collective endeavour is of course the essence of civil society work. As you know, in supporting and improving our communities, we never travel alone.

It is right that my Departments Reconciliation Fund is supporting both the Robinson Library and the Cardinal O Fiaich Library on their project to preserve and curate the papers of two great prelates of this island, Cardinal O Fiaich and Archbishop Eames. Each played instrumental roles in the process of peace and reconciliation.

Those papers are a striking reminder of the leadership from all sections of society that made the peace process possible.

Individuals, organisations, communities, reaching out, and asking themselves and each other difficult questions. Listening, learning, and coming to accept if not always agree.

25 years on from April 1998, we still need leadership  people prepared to take the bold steps required to ensure the full functioning of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, ready to deliver in full on the Agreements promise of a peaceful, prosperous and generous island.

That is challenge to politicians but also to all those who share this island. What can we do to make this a better place?

Many of you here today are delivering on that challenge. Even in the darkest times on this island, civil society never lost sight of the duty of hope, striving for a better future.

Civil society opened the door for those acts of astonishing bravery by political leaders from all traditions that got us to the peace of 1998 and helped us to navigate what came after.

I see the work that civil society does to build better futures, finding innovative ways within which we can share this rock on which we live.

I value that work and thank you for it.

It is why today I am announcing a new 3 million Shared Island Civic Society Fund, part of my Governments Shared Island Initiative. We are inviting applications immediately.

This Fund responds to the need which came through the Shared Island dialogues that civil society across the island would benefit from support to enable them to work more effectively together on issues of common interest.

In its first three years, the Shared Island Civil Society Fund will enable organisations to work on a regional, national or sectoral cross-border basis on such issues including:

- Climate and Environment

- Community development

- Heritage and conservation

- Social Enterprise

- Charity and Voluntary Sector

- and Sport.

I hope that this provokes more interesting and useful collaborations between community practitioners across the island, whether on rural and community development, tackling gender-based violence, or the role of arts and culture.



The Fund should also open up new opportunities for conversations on challenges and opportunities within our own communities from fresh perspectives.

There is so much to be learned from each others experiences. From these exchanges I hope that new initiatives, new bonds, can be created, making this a better place for us all.

This the heart of my vision for a Shared Island. An island in which the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement is attained, with deeper cooperation and connections across borders and communities.

I want to engage with all communities and traditions on the island to build a vision for our shared future.

Let us work together on issues and opportunities that reach beyond questions of identity.

Let us challenge ourselves to broaden our sympathies without abandoning our loyalties, and to live the values of the Good Friday Agreement by building a better, peaceful and prosperous future for our young people.

This Shared Island Civic Society Fund sits alongside other concrete commitments, including the 1billion Shared Island Fund to enhance cooperation and investment across the island as a whole  through targeted capital investment, transforming our understanding of the social and economic dynamics of our island through rigorous and systematic research, and the ongoing Dialogue series to hear from all communities on their ideas, expectations, fears and hopes for the future.

When I established the Shared Island Initiative, I was very clear that for it to work, it must be a whole-of-government priority. That is why it is essential that it is coordinated at the heart of government.

And each Department must play its part. This new Fund is one part of the Department of Foreign Affairs response, and I look forward to working with colleagues and officials to further develop the Departments Shared Island programme in the time ahead.

But delivering a shared island is also a whole-of-society endeavour. That is why it is essential that society is resourced, through this Shared Island Civic Society Fund, to play its part.

In this 25th anniversary year of the Good Friday commitment, let me underline once more that the relentless commitment of civil society to forge a better future for their communities is matched by the relentless commitment of my Government to its responsibilities as a co-Guarantor.

We are doing everything we can to restore the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and to support a lasting, stable foundation for relationships in Northern Ireland and between and within these islands.

I know that we dont travel alone as we do so. Allow my last words to be in gratitude to every single one of you that joins us in these efforts.

A chairde agus a chomhghleacaithe  go raibh maith agaibh.

Thank you.

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https://twitter.com/PasadenaFD/status/1612865743573643264/photo/1 Pasadena Fire Dept. @PasadenaFD PFD and PPD are on scene 700 blk. west California Blvd. A Tesla driver hit the accelerator instead of the brake, drove through a wall and into a pool. Three occupants in vehicle including a child. Good samaritans jumped into the pool and rescued the occupants. @PasadenaGov

Pasadena Fire Department

Three people, including a 4-year-old child, were rescued on Tuesday after a Tesla drove into a pool of a residential home.

Lisa Derderian, a public information officer for the city of Pasadena, tells PEOPLE that the driver of the vehicle said she hit the gas instead of the brakes after the weather at the time may have distracted her, causing the Tesla to go through a retaining wall and into the pool.

Derderian adds that the three passengers were rescued within seconds by two staff members from the Pacific Oaks Children's School near the 700 Block of West California Boulevard residence where the incident occurred.

RELATED: Tesla Plunges 250 Feet Over Notorious Stretch of Highway 1 in Calif., 4 in Critical Condition

While the home's owners were at their residence at the time of the incident, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m., they were unaware of what had happened, prompting one of the two staff members to dive into the pool and assist the vehicle's passengers before it began to submerge.

PFD and PPD are on scene 700 blk. west California Blvd. A Tesla driver hit the accelerator instead of the brake, drove through a wall and into a pool. Three occupants in vehicle including a child. Good samaritans jumped into the pool and rescued the occupants. @PasadenaGov pic.twitter.com/euHlfLGfrz  Pasadena Fire Dept. (@PasadenaFD) January 10, 2023

Following their rescue, the three passengers were evaluated on scene by fire personnel but did not require medical attention. Derderian adds that a heavy tow vehicle was required to remove the Tesla from the pool several hours later.

A photo accompanying a tweet from the Pasadena Fire Department detailed the aftermath of the incident, showing the white Tesla deeply submerged underwater in the pool as loose bricks surrounded it.

Story continues

The Pasadena Fire Department said in the social media post that "good samaritans jumped into the pool and rescued the occupants" and confirmed that both they and the Pasadena Police Department responded to the incident.

RELATED VIDEO: Tesla Plunges 250 Feet Over Notorious Stretch of Highway 1 in Calif., 4 in Critical Condition

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.

While Tuesday's event is believed to have been an accident, it is currently under investigation by the Pasadena Police Department.
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

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Shutterstock; Getty (2); TID

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Story continues

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A highly contagious new subvariant of the COVID-19 virus that's fueling rising case numbers in the northeastern United States has been detected in Arizona, but unlike some other parts of the country it's not yet dominant here.

Arizona historically has been hit with surges of COVID-19 later than most other states and the level of the XBB.1.5 subvariant that's been detected here so far is extremely low. While its levels could rise in the coming weeks, that's not inevitable, said David Engelthaler, who leads the infectious-disease division of the Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute.

"Although we've been seeing it (XBB.1.5) here in Arizona since early December, it hasn't taken off yet. It's not one of our dominant strains. Here, it's one of dozens of subvariants we seem to have in Arizona right now," Engelthaler said. "The best we can do in my mind is work with the most vulnerable, those that are over 70 years of age, make sure their immunity is boosted, whether it's from a recent infection or a recent booster shot. That's just going to continue to prevent them from getting a serious outcome."

It's not clear whether XBB.1.5 causes more severe illness than other variants of COVID-19 and it's also not a given that it will cause a surge of cases in Arizona, some experts say, noting that XBB.1.5 took off on the East Coast during cold winter temperatures and a holiday season when people were more likely to be gathering in large groups indoors.

Arizona's warmer weather may prove to be advantageous against high levels of XBB.1.5 transmission.

"Right now, we are relying on data and the data isn't great. We are flying blind a little bit. We don't have great testing data anymore, especially with a lot of home testing and most of that doesn't get reported," Engelthaler said. "We can still watch the trends, and that's important to do. ... It definitely should not be considered a panic moment but what is important is that we continue to keep watching this closely."

Story continues

'The most transmissible subvariant that has been detected yet'

XBB.1.5 is "not a game changer" to Efrem Lim, an Arizona State University virologist. It's still part of the omicron family of variants, so it's not a new variant. ASU scientists as of Wednesday had identified 12 cases of XBB.1.5 in the positive COVID-19 tests they've sequenced.

"XBB.1.5 sounds different, but it is a recombinant of two omicron sublineages. So it's still omicron," Lim said.

Omicron and its descendants have a preference for upper respiratory cells and doesn't tend to cause deep lung pneumonia and severe, systemic infections, Engelthaler said.

Also, it's helpful that the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine is tailored omicron. While XBB.1.5 is derived from the BA.2 subvariant of omicron and XBB.1.5 is derived from BA.5, the updated booster shot has been shown to generate antibodies that recognize BA.2, Andy Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a Jan. 6 interview published on the school's website.

XBB.1.5 is more of a threat to people who are unvaccinated, University of Arizona virologist Felicia Goodrum said.

"In the vaccinated population, there is little to worry about  the vaccine is holding strong in protecting against severe disease and hospitalization and is just as effective against this variant," Goodrum wrote in an email. "Vaccinated people may still get infected and have mild illness. The threat is to unvaccinated people, the elderly who do not mount sufficient immunity even to a vaccine and people who are immunocompromised. This is the same for all variants."

There is no reason not to expect that XBB.1.5 will dominate in Arizona, Goodrum wrote.

"All variants have arrived here later than the NE and NW areas of the countries. It should take no more than a few weeks as people travel in and out," she wrote. "XBB.1.5 is highly transmissible so that can pose a problem for hospitals in that they will feel the strain of more cases."

The good news is that an unusually early and severe flu and respiratory syncytial virus season in Arizona appears to be waning, which could remove some stress from the health care system in the event that there is a rise in severe COVID-19 illness, though many hospitals continue to struggle with staffing shortages.

The not-so-good news is that XBB.1.5 is really contagious, or as University of Southern California virologist Paula Cannon recently told USA Today, it's "crazy infectious." World Health Organization officials on Jan. 4 said XBB.1.5 had been detected in 29 countries and is "the most transmissible subvariant that has been detected yet."

XBB.1.5 as of the week ending Jan. 7 was estimated to comprise more than 70% of reported cases in northeastern regions of the country that include New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to model-based projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

XBB.1.5, which has also been nicknamed the kraken variant, made up nearly 28% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S. as of the week ending Jan. 7, according to CDC estimates, though Lim said the CDC estimates are not always the same as what's actually happening on the ground as positive cases are sequenced.

"Is it going to be as prevalent in a few weeks?" Lim said. "We can't say that there is going to be a surge coming just because of XBB.1.5. Now, as people have been traveling for the holidays, could that result in more cases in two or three weeks? It's possible ... but I wouldn't say it's necessarily going to be driven by XBB.1.5."

The notable rise of Covid hospitalizations in the Northeast, where XBB.1.5 variant accounts for ~75% cases, among people age 70+, especially in Massachusetts (approaching ~80% of its BA.1 wave)https://t.co/OYKQV32gvz pic.twitter.com/aVyTHlHXiQ  Eric Topol (@EricTopol) January 7, 2023

Here are five things to know about XBB.1.5:

People who have been vaccinated or previously infected are still vulnerable to infection from XBB.1.5

XBB.1.5 appears to evade antibodies from vaccination and from prior infection. It has a mutation called F486 that easily invades and binds to human cells, allowing the virus to replicate and transmit more efficiently than prior descendants of the omicron variant.

"We now have all this population level of immunity from prior exposure," Engelthaler said. "It doesn't prevent us from getting infection because it (XBB.1.5) doesn't really care too much about our antibody loads."

At least five in six American adults likely have some level of immunity to COVID-19, either through vaccination or previous infection, according to a December report from the COVID States Project, a multi-university project comprising researchers from Harvard University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and Rutgers University. The researchers found that individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 report being sick for fewer days than unvaccinated people.

"It still seems to readily cause infection, but those infections are typically mild  very much upper respiratory, in many cases just mild cold-like symptoms or scratchy throat," Engelthaler said. "But it is not causing anything more serious, causing anything in the lower lungs."

The fact that XBB.1.5 can evade immunity and has an increased ability to infect cells is to be expected as a virus mutates over time, Lim said.

"When we have many more mutations occurring as a totally new variant  those are the kind of variants that could lead to a new surge."

It's unclear whether XBB.1.5 causes more severe illness than other COVID-19 variants, but it may still cause Long COVID

"The data is not really good yet, especially with these new subvariants, the milder illness, how much of that actually results in Long COVID," Engelthaler said. "It is being studied closely but that is a possibility. It's also a possibility with a lot of our other viral illnesses. It's not a COVID-only phenomenon. We're just learning more about the long-term effects of viral infections.

Lim said the threat of Long COVID is a key reason why people need to continue staying home when they are sick and take other precautionary steps like wearing masks in indoor public areas when community transmission levels are high. Long COVID can happen after an individual's first case of COVID-19, but also after a reinfection, he said.

"We still don't have a really good way to treat Long COVID," Lim said.

Older people and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk

Older people have a more difficult time maintaining immunity to COVID-19, which makes them more vulnerable. And people of all ages with weakened immune systems are at risk of serious illness from XBB.1.5 or any COVID-19 variant.

The antiviral Paxlovid appears to work against XBB.1.5

There's nothing about XBB.1.5 that would make it resistant to the antiviral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid, Lim said.

Dr. Ashish Jha, White House COVID-19 response coordinator, tweeted Jan. 4 that both Paxlovid and the oral pills Molnupiravir "should work fine" against XBB.1.5 "based on what we know." Jha later tweeted that anyone who is infected and is at elevated risk of serious illness from COVID-19 should take Paxlovid, even if their symptoms are mild.

"Anyone over 50 with a chronic disease should consider getting Pax," he tweeted.

The updated COVID-19 booster shot should help but most Arizonans haven't received it

"The most important thing the public needs to know is that the vaccines are the best defense to protecting themselves and others," the UA's Goodrum wrote. "Two doses of any of the mRNA vaccines plus at least one booster will provide very strong protection against severe disease. "

If people are high risk or care for people that are, they should consider using a high quality mask (KN95 or better) in public places with lots of people, Goodrum wrote.

"Masking, distancing and hand washing are really effective ways to limit transmission in addition to vaccination. Combining a few of these measures with vaccination is really very protective."

Even though public health officials recommend the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine, just 14% of the Arizona population over the age of five had received it as of Jan. 4, CDC data shows.

Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The highly contagious XBB.1.5 is in Arizona. Here's what that means
Still Burning Down the House

David Byrne and Fatboy Slims immersive disco pop musical about the life and times of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos, Here Lies Love, will make its Broadway debut July 20 at New Yorks Broadway Theatre, following previews beginning June 17. The project was originally released as an album in 2010, had its New York stage premiere at the Public Theater in 2013, and has since played in London and Seattle.

For the Broadway incarnation of Here Lies Love, Alex Timbers will direct, with Annie-B Parson overseeing choreography. The venue will be completely reconfigured into a dance club environment, where audiences will stand and move with the actors. More information will be available through HereLiesLoveBroadway.com.

More from Spin:

Marcos served as first lady alongside her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos, from 1965 until his 1986 overthrow. She was well-known for her extravagant lifestyle, which included ownership of 2,700 pairs of shoes and a penchant for disco music. After a five-year exile to Hawaii, she returned to the Philippines in 1991 and was the first wife of a foreign head of state to stand trial (for racketeering and fraud) in an American court (she was acquitted). Later in life, she served extensively in the Philippine House of Representatives. Marcos is currently 93 years old; her son, Bongbong, assumed the presidency of the Philippines last summer.

As a team of binational American producers  Filipinos among us  we are thrilled to bring Here Lies Love to Broadway, said Hal Luftig, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna, Clint Ramos, and Jose Antonio Vargas. We welcome everyone to experience this singularly exuberant piece of theatre. The history of the Philippines is inseparable from the history of the United States, and as both evolve, we cannot think of a more appropriate time to stage this show. See you on the dance floor!

Story continues

Additional creative team members include David Korins (scenic design), Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and Peter Nigrini (projection design).

Byrne is coming off the massive, two-and-a-half-year Broadway success of American Utopia, which was adapted from his 2018 album of the same name. Hes also behind the new immersive experience Theater of the Mind, which is running through Jan. 22 at Denvers York Street Yards.

As for Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook, the DJ/producer is touring internationally this year before Here Lies Love gets underway, with dates on tap in New Zealand and the U.K. through late March.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Still Burning Down the House appeared first on SPIN.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Ezra Miller poses at "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child parts 1 & 2" on Broadway opening night at The Lyric Theatre on April 22, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller is reportedly planning to take a plea deal in the Vermont burglary case.

The 30-year-old actor is expected to plead guilty to one charge of unlawful trespassing at a hearing in Bennington County Superior criminal court on Friday, according to NBC News and the local VTDigger outlet. NBC News reported that the agreement was reached in order to have the burglary and larceny charges dropped.

A rep for Miller did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

NBC News also reported that a maximum sentence could have been 25 years of prison time, and that prosecutors had suggested the movie star spend 90 days in a "suspended sentence" and one year probation, plus a $500 fine.

Miller is facing charges after allegedly taking alcohol from a man's home in Stamford. The actor entered not guilty pleas to the felony burglary and petit larceny charges in October. At the time, Miller's attorney said in a statement that Miller "accepted the court-imposed conditions of not contacting or entering the home of the inhabitants."

"Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health," the statement added at the time. (Miller goes by they/them pronouns.)

RELATED: A Timeline of Ezra Miller's Recent Controversies

Actor Ezra Miller attends the photocall for 'URBAN DECAY' stayNAKED launch event on August 20, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea.

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage Ezra Miller

In an August press release, the Vermont State Police said it was alerted of "several bottles of alcohol [being] taken" in a Stamford home belonging to Winokur at around 5:55 p.m. local time on May 1, "while the homeowners were not present." After looking at surveillance footage and taking statements, police said they had "probable cause" to charge Miller "with the offense of felony burglary into an unoccupied dwelling."

Following months of alarming behavior and other arrests, the actor  who stars in the upcoming The Flash film, scheduled to be released in theaters June 16  issued a statement in August apologizing, saying they were seeking treatment for mental health issues.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment," Miller said in a statement at the time. "I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life."
House conservatives on Thursday bashed a resolution that called for a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be installed in the U.S. Capitol to honor the Kyiv leader.

Absolutely NOT! We serve AMERICA NOT UKRAINE! Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote on Twitter, sharing a photo of the resolution introduced Monday by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

Wilsons proposal would direct the House Fine Arts Board to obtain a bust of the Ukrainian president and then to find suitable, permanent location for the statue in the House side of the U.S. Capitol Complex.

There is now a House resolution that seeks to put a display of Zelenskyys head in the US Capitol. Was the $100+ billion to Ukraine not enough? Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) wrote on Twitter.

The call for a Zelensky tribute comes just weeks after he made an unprecedented trip to the U.S., his first out of Ukraine since Russia invaded in February, where he met with President Biden in the Oval Office and gave a historic address to a joint session of Congress.

Days after the visit, Congress passed its massive government funding bill, which included some $45 billion in aid for Ukraine, and the Pentagon pledged another $1.85 billion and the use of the U.S. Patriot missile system to shore up Ukraines air defense.

The House conservatives opposition to their fellow Republicans resolution Thursday highlights tensions within the GOP over how to respond to the Russia-Ukraine war and whether the new GOP-run House will support continued aid to Kyiv.

Wilson first introduced the resolution to add Zelenskys bust in March, shortly after the start of the war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Intense fighting in eastern Ukraine showed the benefits  and limitations  of HIMARS, experts say

A HIMARS in Skede, Latvia during a military exercise in September 2022. GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images

US-provided HIMARS rocket artillery aided Ukraine's rapid advance around Kharkiv in September.

HIMARS destroyed Russian positions and depots, allowing Ukraine to retake a huge swath of territory.

But Russian forces adapted and were able to limit HIMARS' effectiveness in fighting around Kherson.

If there is one weapon that symbolizes the Western arms that have helped Ukraine fight off Russia's invasion, it's the US-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System multiple rocket launcher, or HIMARS.

The success of Ukraine's recent counteroffensives has been partly attributed to HIMARS, of which the US has sent at least 20 to Ukraine.

But was HIMARS was really that effective? It was initially devastating, but Russian forces eventually learned how to cope with it, according to two US defense experts.

When HIMARS made its debut in Ukraine during the summer, it was hailed as a wonder weapon. GPS-guided rockets fired from the truck-mounted mobile launcher destroyed Russian headquarters and especially ammunition dumps, which helped curtail Russian artillery fire.

An image from footage released by Ukraine's Defense Ministry thanking the US for providing HIMARS. Ukraine Ministry of Defense

HIMARS paved the way for a stunningly successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region that began in early September and turned the balance of the war against Russia. It became evident that HIMARS was also harming Russian morale when Russian media ran dubious stories claiming the rockets had secret capabilities, such as changing their trajectory.

But when Ukraine used HIMARS in its counteroffensive against the city of Kherson on the Black Sea in southern Ukraine in late August, the outcome was different.

"It took Ukraine more than two months to retake the entire right bank of Kherson after beginning its offensive," Michael Kofman, director of the Russia Studies Program at CNA, and Rob Lee, a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program, wrote in late December.

"Kherson reveals that the overall effect of HIMARS may be overstated, and its impact leveled off after the first two months of use on the battlefield," Kofman and Lee wrote.

Story continues

Russian forces were able to sustain artillery fire and ultimately withdraw from Kherson with most of their equipment despite the threat from Ukraine's precision weapons, like HIMARS and specially designed artillery shells.

The adaptations Russia made in response to HIMARS "included displacing logistics hubs out of range, hardening command posts, and introducing decoys to make targeting more difficult," Kofman and Lee wrote.

A collapsed bridge across the Dnieper River near Kherson on January 5. Ximena Borrazas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Tactically, Russian forces at Kherson were in a difficult position: They held a bridgehead on the western bank of the Dnipro River, with only a few vulnerable ferries and a traversable dam to transport supplies and reinforcements from the main Russian positions on the east bank.

Despite Ukraine's employment of an impressive array of capabilities  from HIMARS and tanks to drones and special-operations forces  its offensive still ran into stiff opposition.

"The fighting was grinding, with high rates of attrition on both sides," according to Kofman and Lee. "Kherson offers a cautionary tale on the challenge of offensive maneuver against an entrenched opponent with sufficient artillery and air defense."

All of which raises a question: Was HIMARS so good or was Russia so bad? For example, the Russian army relies on a highly centralized logistic network that depends on a few railroad lines rather than on a more flexible truck transport to get supplies to the troops.

At the same time, Russia doctrine calls for massive artillery barrages. This led to huge ammunition dumps being positioned close to the front for convenience. It also meant that those huge stocks of artillery shells were within range of HIMARS rockets that  guided by GPS coordinates supplied by drones or satellites  could hit pinpoint targets 50 miles away.

"The requirements of high volume of fire were incompatible with adaptation to long-range precision strike," Kofman told Insider.

A Ukrainian unit commander shows off a HIMARS vehicle in Eastern Ukraine in July 2022. Anastasia Vlasova for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Russia failed to take precautions and was slow to adapt to long-range Western rockets and artillery supplied to Ukraine. Nonetheless, Russia eventually did adapt.

This raises another question: If much of HIMARS' success was due to Russian mistakes, how effective will these rockets against other adversaries in other potential conflicts, such as a Chinese invading of Taiwan?

For example, Ukrainian gunners enjoyed targeting data from US satellites that Russia couldn't attack for fear of escalating the war. Ukraine had access to US intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance "that played an important role, but due to political parameters was untouchable by Russia," Kofman said. "This is why you can't port findings easily into a war with direct US involvement."

Any military capability is most effective when introduced in sufficient quantity on the battlefield, but eventually the enemy adapts, Kofman said. "There are no silver bullets."

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Joni Mitchell is set to receive the 2023 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, an honor that will be bestowed at a tribute concert due to be filmed in Washington, D.C. on the first day of March, with a television premiere on PBS as that month comes to a close.

No performers have yet been announced for the March 1 live show, which will air on PBS March 31 at 9 p.m. ET. Ken Ehrlich, who served as the Grammys executive producer for three decades, will produce the show along with WETA in Washington and the Library of Congress.

More from Variety

This is a very prestigious award, Mitchell said in a simple statement. Thank you for honoring me.

It will mark the second year in a row that Mitchell has received one of the top honors available to any music artist, after she was feted this past spring as MusiCares Person of the Year at a dinner and concert prior to the Grammys. That all-star show was reportedly not filmed for broadcast purposes, so the Gershwin tribute will offer a chance for a much wider audience to see fellow artists perform her songs.

Lionel Richie received the Gershwin Prize last year, following Garth Brooks getting the honor in 2020. Others who have feted with the award since Paul Simon became its first recipient in 2007 include Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Carole King and Tony Bennett. The national prize for lifetime achievement in popular song is named after songwriting brothers Ira and George Gershwin.

Although no location was immediately announced for the concert, the event has been held in recent years at DAR Constitution Hall. In its early years, the annual took place at locations ranging from Washingtons Warner Theater to the East Room of the White House.

Story continues

Joni Mitchells music and artistry have left a distinct impression on American culture and internationally, crossing from folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us for the ages, said Carla Hayden, the librarian of the Library of Congress. Mitchells music has so many artists and music lovers all singing her tunes. We are honored to present the Gershwin Prize to this musical genius.

The Gershwin Prize concert is not the only public event already on Mitchells calendar for 2023. In June, the middle night of a Brandi Carlile three-night stand at the Gorge in Washington  the other Washington  will be devoted to a Joni Jam. That show is expected to follow along the lines of a surprise set that took place under the same name at last summers Newport Folk Festival, when Carlile and other artists sang Mitchells songs and she herself sang at length and played guitar in public for the first time since suffering an aneurysm in 2015.

Elton John recently noted on his radio program  and Carlile confirmed to Variety  that a live album of the Newport Festivals Joni Jam will be released some time in 2023.

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.
Joni Mitchell will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, with plans for a tribute concert in Washington, D.C. that will air on PBS stations on March 31.

Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, said in a statement that Mitchells music and artistry have left a distinct impression on American culture and internationally, crossing from folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us for the ages.

More from Deadline

Mitchell joins past recipients including Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney. The award is named for the songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, and recipients are selected by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board of scholars, songwriters and music specialists.

The Library of Congress also noted that Mitchell redefined the role of women musicians, overseeing all aspects of her albums.

In a statement, Mitchell said, This is a very prestigious award. Thank you for honoring me.

Mitchell attended the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021, when she was among the five recipients.

Mitchell will receive the award at a concert on March 1. The event is a co-production of WETA-TV, Ken Ehrlich Productions and the Library of Congress.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSBpDzO883/?hl=en prettygirldoc813's profile picture prettygirldoc813 Oh wow thats terrible! Prayerfully, same weather system that caused this devastation will give you a bountiful harvest in the next season! 7h7 likesReply davisthelion's profile picture davisthelion Sending you all of our love from Austin, TX. You are an inspiration to all of us seeking a deeper connection with the soil. 7h13 likesReply angxlicanxcole's profile picture angxlicanxcole Thinking of you. The comeback will be tenfold.  2hReply atlgrow's profile picture atlgrow I lost my little garden as well. I can only imagine how difficult this is for a full farm. Looking forward to seeing you all bounce back this spring. 7h4 likesReply patchworkcityfarms's profile picture patchworkcityfarms Verified #farmerj #farmerbae #locallygrow #organicallygrown #blackfarmer #womenwhofarm #blackgirlmagic #aglanta #certifiednaturallygrown #atlanta #georgiagrown #blackinthegarden #farmfresh #seasonsbest #instagood #farmtotable #eatyourveggies #homegrown #instafood #urbanfarm #seasonaleating #freshisbest #donate #fundraiser #patchworkcityfarms 8hReply gjlogue's profile picture gjlogue  1hReply mbselzler's profile picture mbselzler Oh no I'm so sorry, I would love to help with a day of work. Let me know.  2hReply queenneeka's profile picture queenneeka Same thing happened to our little garden all my cabbage collards even the rosemary all gone smh!! But we will grow again. More life sis!! 1hReply kingwhitey's profile picture kingwhitey Im so proud of your accomplishments in the farm world I pray that the community will support you just as hard as you do them. Thank you so much God Bless 4hReply shackby_the_sycamore's profile picture shackby_the_sycamore Oh such terrible news.. I absolutely love how this lady has made such a beautiful farm.. I hope to see you back and doing what you love. 5hReply ms_boring_otaku's profile picture ms_boring_otaku You inspired me to build a garden dont give up 4hReply trudytotty's profile picture trudytotty Done. Love and appreciation from the very soggy SF Bay Area. If possible (hard right now I know), roll those cameras on the wort of it. Patchwork City Farms will rise from this devastation. Footage will be $$ for the cause . 2hReply hiking.ale's profile picture hiking.ale Love from Costa Rica  5hReply essence_golden's profile picture essence_golden You have the most beautiful eyes  6hReply ashleysavageau's profile picture ashleysavageau Donated! Stay strong! 4hReply 8 HOURS AGO Add a comment More posts from patchworkcityfarms Meta About Blog Jobs Help API Privacy Terms Top Accounts Locations Instagram Lite Contact Uploading & Non-Users English

Jamila Norman/Instagram

Magnolia Network's Jamila Norman has been left devastated after most of her farm was wiped out.

Following last month's flash freezes and the dangerously cold temperatures that hit the United States in what the National Weather Service called a "once-in-a-generation storm," little is left of Norman's Patchwork City Farms, a 1.2-acre farm in Atlanta, Georgia.

"The polar storm that came through Atlanta has decimated 90% of Patchwork City Farms' crops," explained an announcement shared through Norman's social media accounts on Wednesday.

According to the Patchwork City Farms' website, prior to the storm, the farm grew a variety of crops including vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.

RELATED: 5 Things to Know Before You Plant Your First Garden, According to 'Homegrown' 's Jamila Norman

Following last month's extreme winter weather, which caused Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to declare the area in a state of emergency, Normal revealed that the farm is left struggling to produce crops to sell through its online farm shop or local markets.

"While we're absolutely devastated, we're currently working overtime with our team to replant crops and could use your help to get the Farm back up and running," the announcement continues, advising that supporters can help Patchwork City Farms by sending monetary donations and by sharing their social media posts to increase awareness.

"Every little bit counts, and we really appreciate you," Norman stressed in the post's closing. "Thank you so much for supporting Patchwork City Farms! "

While speaking to PEOPLE in March 2021, the veteran farmer explained that interest in sustainable agriculture and naturally grown produce began to increase during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

RELATED VIDEO: This Teen Gardener Has Thousands of Fresh Veggies

"Interest has gone through the roof. People who were like, 'I've always wanted to have a garden, but I just never had time,' well, now they're home with nothing but time," she told PEOPLE at the time. "The local food movement and growing your own food, it's been building, but the pandemic really put a big spotlight on it."

Story continues

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During an interview with House Digest in September 2022, Norman expressed that putting a spotlight on gardening was something she always desired.

"I moved to an area of Atlanta that's a historically Black part of town, and food options were not the best," said Norman. "Having a garden was something that I always wanted to have, and being here and seeing that there's not a lot of food options, but there was also a lot of land and empty green space  It was like, 'Well, I'll be part of the solution and create that fresh food and try to address fresh food access in my community.' That's what prompted me to start growing food, realizing, "Hey, this is a need for this community.'"
Soldiers carry the coffin of a 20-year-old Russian serviceman in St Petersburg, Russia, in April 2022. AFP via Getty Images)

A Wagner Group fighter was buried with military honors in Russia last week, The Insider reported.

He joined the infamous group while serving a murder sentence in a Russian penal colony.

He was convicted in 2017 of beating his own mother to death.

A man serving time for murdering his own mother, but who was released to fight in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has been buried in Russia as a hero.

Sergei Molodtsov, 46, was buried with military honors in Serov, Russia, last Thursday after he was killed fighting in Ukraine, reported The Insider, a Latvia-based online publication that is not affiliated with Insider.

It is not immediately clear how or where he died.

Molodtsov was a part of the infamous Wagner Group, a private mercenary army that's been strongly linked to the Kremlin and has been accused of war crimes in Ukraine, local authorities said.

Molodtsov joined the group while serving time in a penal colony for the murder of his own mother, the head of Serov urban district confirmed to local Russian media outlet E1.

He drunkenly beat his elderly mother to death, breaking her jaw, shoulder, face, and head, according to a 2017 conviction verdict, E1 reported.

Molodtsov was sentenced to more than 11 years in a penal colony, but ended up serving a little more than 5 years before being drafted to fight, it said.

In a jarring statement given his background, Serov local officials described Molodtsov in a Facebook post as a "happy-go-lucky guy" who was "always there for those in need of help."

At his funeral, Russian soldiers carried his caskets and military veterans made farewell speeches, per The Insider.

The New York Times reported last week that the Wagner Group has recruited more than 35,000 convicts to serve in its army, citing information provided by prisoner-rights organization Russia Behind Bars.

Footage released earlier this month reported to show Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin freeing the first batch of two dozen former convicts sent to fight in Ukraine.

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In the video, Prigozhin is seen addressing the men, who had completed their six months of service, warning them about their future conduct.

"Don't drink, don't use drugs, don't rape broads, behave yourselves," he said.

The Daily Beast, citing interviews with ex-Wagner fighters, reported earlier this week that convicted murderers and rapists are quickly becoming "Russia's new heroes," after their claimed capture of the embattled Ukrainian town of Soledar.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Whether it be the glittering green turrets of the Emerald City, the cozy gin joint known as Ricks American Cafe or the austere, highly polished corridors of the Death Star, a well-crafted film location can become its own character, taking on a life and personality alongside the people and creatures who inhabit it.

The films of 2022 explored far-flung islands, multiverses, bullet trains and Old Hollywood. From a farmhouse in rural Texas to a dank basement in a Denver suburb, the films breathed life into many locations that are now as memorable as the stories they witness. Some films took us back to explore new parts of familiar locales, including Pandora, Wakanda, Gotham City and Woodsboro. Whether old or new, it was a year of rich environs and intimate hiding places.

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We returned to a well-known place in Top Gun: Maverick, following Capt. Pete Maverick Mitchell (Tom Cruise) back to the pilot-training facility in San Diego. Top Gun may look different after 35 years, but each training sequence incorporates the uniqueness of the jets involved.

From the opening sequence in the California desert to the snowcapped mountains of a distant enemys country, these pilots find peace, comfort, and safety in the tight confines of a cockpit.

Where Top Gun pilots take the battle to the skies, Gina Prince-Bythewoods The Woman King tells the story of warriors on the ground in the 1820s West African kingdom of Dahomey. For a citizen of Dahomey, the invitation to join the all-female Agojie denotes honor and esteem. Many women find themselves at the palace, whether by their own choice or discarded by their relatives. Outside its grand gates, the Agojie are mysterious, revered and feared. As aspiring warriors train and prepare to fight slave traders from Europe and neighboring tribes, the Agojie find a home and family together within the walls of the palace.

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Fighting a different, quieter war, Women Talking centers deep, urgent conversation within a community. At the heart of Sarah Polleys adaptation, the women of a Mennonite village seek a way forward after a series of brutal, violent abuses and attacks. With limited time to debate their options, the women assemble in a barn for long stretches of discussion. They could meet in someones living room or gather around a kitchen table. Instead, the neutral location affords each participant equal footing. Every- one is free to speak her mind in ways she never has before.

As a barn is a place to keep life-sustaining grain or animals, this building serves as a place to protect the women who must choose whether to sustain the life of the community, or break free and forge a different path. The barn itself feels sometimes big and open, and at other times claustrophobic, depending on who speaks and what they have to say. The shifting perspective gives the sensation that the barn itself breathes, listens, and shares their fears and hopes.

Lydia Tar (Cate Blanchett), the titular character of Tar, maintains a place of simultaneous refuge and entrapment in Todd Fields film. The celebrated composer lives in Berlin with her wife and daughter, though she keeps a separate apartment as a workspace and occasional hideout.

For Lydia, the second apartment is a space to indulge her creative passions, to block out distractions and other responsibilities. As her curated life becomes increasingly unsteady, so does the sanctuary of that space. Noisy neighbors, disembodied voices and an overall sense of imbalance encroach on her until there is no quiet place in all of Berlin.

Another tortured artist in search of refuge is the king of rock n roll in Baz Luhrmanns Elvis. For those of us on the outside, Elvis Presleys (Austin Butler) life was all glamour and excess. The truth was something more sinister and heartbreaking. We visit the haunts of Presleys youth: His childhood home, hot spots on Memphis Beale Street and tent revivals where he found his voice. In many ways, it seems idyllic. What could be better than becoming the biggest rock star the world has ever seen?

As Presleys public life becomes bigger and more decadent, culminating in a long-term residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, his loneliness and isolation become more palpable. Ensconced in a penthouse suite high above the Vegas Strip, the Elvis of Luhrmanns creation doesnt gaze out upon the town from an ivory tower, but from a prison. Trapped in a terrible contract, desperate to break free from the oppressive Col. Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the International Hotel is both the site of Presleys captivity and the only place where he can do what he loves most: bring his music to the world.

The prettiest of places can become the most constricting of enclosures when two old friends are at odds. This is true of the fictional island where we find Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) in Martin McDonaghs The Banshees of Inisherin. With its verdant hillsides, picturesque seacliffs and windswept cottages and pub, Inisherin is the type of charming setting that comes to mind when we think of a simpler life. The people of this tiny island, across the sea from mainland Ireland, may not be wealthy, but they are content. But when Padraic and Colms sudden dispute ripples across the island, Inisherin itself bears impartial witness to the feud. When Padraics sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) has a chance to leave, she asks her brother to go with her. But he cant do it. Not because he is trapped, but because Inisherin accepts him even when others do not.

Rian Johnson also introduced us to a living island, this time off the coast of Greece in Glass Onion. The title refers to the structure commissioned by billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) for the island, and shares a name with the watering hole that became a favorite meeting spot of the mysterys core group of friends. Brons version is a flashy tribute to wealth masquerading as a symbol of progress. From its perch above Brons private island, the gleaming dome overshadows the humble beginnings it is meant to represent. The humble beginning in a now-shuttered bar where Bron first met the friends he calls his Disruptors. Though we only see that Glass Onion in a few brief flashbacks, it is so important to the Disruptors that it begins to feel like the one old friend who is missing from the reunion weekend. Brons glass tribute is quite literally an empty shell of the place it is meant to memorialize.

In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert use a small, family-run self-service laundry and an impersonal IRS building as the home base for their dizzying journey through a multiverse. Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) and her family face an audit with an agent named Deirdre Beaubierdra (Jamie Lee Curtis) just as the multiverse is about to collapse. It is fitting that most of the harrowing parts of Evelyns fight happen within the concrete walls of the Internal Revenue Service as she taps into other versions of herself to fight armies of public employees. In a carnival funhouse of obstacles, sight gags and strange dangers, the building itself seems to stage the attack against Evelyn.

On the other side of town, the Wangs laundry and the apartment upstairs brim with overstuffed bags of washing, winking and smiling with their whimsical, googly eyes. For Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), the business is the dream that keeps his family together. For his wife, Evelyn, it is the place she ended up when nothing else worked out. Their frightening, chaotic adventure teaches both of them valuable lessons about their home and each other and particularly helps Evelyn find new appreciation for the little business that has given her so much.

The idea of a location as a character isnt new, but many of the years films have taken us to places we want to get to know, not just to visit. It has been a year of self-reflec- tion and introspection, for people, and for places.

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Mom of 4 Boys Crushed to Death in Argentina House Collapse Says Hero Older Son Tried to Save His Brothers

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Four young boys have died in Argentina after a ceiling collapsed on top of them, according to local reports.

The four victims  twins Benicio and Noah Nisi, both 4, Lorenzo del Rio, 6, and Santino Hardoy, 10  were in their bedroom late Sunday night when the ceiling above them collapsed, according to Argentinian newspaper Clarin.

The ceiling at the El Jaguel property collapsed underneath five tons of construction material that 51-year-old Catalino Daniel Lopez left there earlier that day, Clarin and TN.com reported.

RELATED: Toddler with the 'Most Loving Spirit' Killed as Giant Redwood Crushes His Family's Home

A fifth brother, 15-year-old Valentine Benitez, tried to help rescue his siblings from the rubble, per the reports. Noah died while being transported to the Santamarina Hospital.

The three other boys were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mom of 4 Boys Crushed to Death in Argentina House Collapse Says Hero Older Son Tried to Save His Brothers

Facebook

The victims' mother, Pamela Sabrina Nisi, praised Valentine for his efforts while mourning the loss of her other four sons on Facebook. She says he was the one who found Noah, and helped pull him to safety.

"He was my hero," she wrote in Spanish on Facebook, adding that he helped her sift through the rubble.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

The ceiling collapse occurred just two weeks after Pamela and her family moved into the home with Lopez, according to Clarin.

The Argentinian newspaper said the home in question was described to them as "old and very precarious" in nature.

Mom of 4 Boys Crushed to Death in Argentina House Collapse Says Hero Older Son Tried to Save His Brothers

Facebook

Lopez has been charged with aggravated manslaughter, but has since been released from custody, per the report.

RELATED: Mom and Daughter Saved in Dramatic Rescue After Sinkhole Swallows 2 Cars in Storm-Battered California

Alejandra, Pamela's mother, told TN.com that her daughter is "devastated" by the deaths of her sons.

Meanwhile, Pamela has continued to mourn her sons on Facebook. "I will never forget them... I lost my other half with you.... " she wrote alongside photos of her late children.
The newest entrant to TVs Upfront Week has little to do with traditional TV.

Just as companies like Walt Disney, NBCUniversal and Fox try to tempt Madison Avenue with previews of new programming in hopes of wooing billions in ad cash, so too will Netflix. The streaming giant plans to hold its own upfront presentation in New Yorks Paris Theater  which it owns  on May 17. smack dab in the middle of a stretch of days during which TVs biggest players make pitches of their own.

More from Variety

A Netflix spokeswoman confirmed a report about its upfront intentions in Adweek, but declined to offer granular details about the event. Netflix does so after launching an ad-supported tier last year, teaming up with Microsoft to help it in its cause, and enlisting former Snap executives Jeremi Gorman (above, pictured) and Peter Naylor to head up sales efforts. Media companies typically try to sell the bulk of their ad inventory for their next programming cycle each year as part of the industrys upfront market.

Finding time to hold a presentation can be difficult during a week crowded with events, but Netflix was provided with a noticeable opening by Paramount Global. The owner of CBS late last year said it would abandon a long-held tradition of pitching advertisers from New Yorks Carnegie Hall, choosing instead direct one-on-one meetings with various clients and media agencies.

Netflix isnt the first digital competitor to try and make inroads during the event. Hulu made an attempt when it launched last decade. And Googles YouTube last year held an event early in the week. For years, digital publishers have typically chosen to hold forth during a series of NewFronts. organized by the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

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And yet, lines are starting to blur. All the mainstream TV companies also are trying to sell digital inventory available on ad-supported or subscription-based streaming hubs.

Netflix will vie with companies that have far more experience in haggling with advertisers and who have a greater amount of programming hours that are consumed live by bigger simultaneous audiences. Even so, with linear audiences in ongoing decline, advertisers are eager to get their messages in front of consumers, particularly those who have migrated to popular streaming vehicles.

VIP+ Analysis: Netflix Rules After Awful 2022  for Now

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The Game Awards 2017 - Arrivals - Credit: WireImage

Justin Roiland, the co-creator and lead voice actor of the hit animated series Rick and Morty, is facing charges of felony domestic violence stemming from a 2020 incident.

NBC News reports that Roiland was arrested and charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud, and/or deceit following the incident, which involved a Jane Doe victim he was dating at the time.

More from Rolling Stone

Roiland pleaded not guilty to the two charges, and the criminal complaint, arrest affidavit, and subsequent legal hearings remain sealed. NBC News reported on the criminal case against Roiland after he appeared Thursday at a pretrial hearing in Orange County, California. A trial date has not yet been set, but Roiland was ordered to attend another pretrial hearing on April 27.

The incident reportedly occurred in Jan. 2020, and Roiland was charged in May 2020. He was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August of that year and was formally arraigned in Oct. 2020. That same month, a protective order was filed against Roiland prohibiting him from contacting or going within 100 feet of the Jane Doe victim; that protective order remains in effect until Oct. 2023.

According to NBC News, Roilands attorneys told the court that he was offered a plea deal. News of the charges against Roiland comes just days after a new animated series hes executive producing, Koala Man, debuted on Hulu.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Roilands attorney, T. Edward Welbourn, said, It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been. To be clear, not only is Justin innocent but we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorneys office has completed its methodical review of the evidence. We look forward to clearing Justins name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.

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Roiland and Dan Harmon co-created Rick and Morty in 2013, and in the decade that followed, the series has reportedly become a billion-dollar franchise. In 2018, after accusations of inappropriate conduct were levied against Harmon during his time working on Community, he admitted to sexually harassing a former writer on the show, Megan Ganz.

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has appointed Pete Ricketts, the states former GOP governor, to fill retired Sen. Ben Sasses seat through 2024.

Ricketts, who served two terms and endorsed Pillen in the race to replace him last year, will run in a special election next fall to fill out the remaining two years of Sasse's Senate term. Ricketts said on Thursday that he is committed to running for the seat in both 2024 and 2026.

Before appointing Ricketts, Pillen said he weighed the former governor's ability to win statewide elections as well as his commitment to run for a full term, which would help develop seniority in the Senate. Ricketts will come in as a the most junior member of the chamber when he is sworn in on Jan. 23.

Theres never been a Nebraskan who has had to run for statewide election in two consecutive terms  its an extraordinarily rigorous challenge, Pillen said. I dont believe in placeholders.

Sasse resigned this month to become president of the University of Florida, creating the vacancy. He had distinguished himself for his criticisms of former President Donald Trump, whom Sasse eventually voted to convict in his impeachment trial, but the departed senator also focused much of his energy on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

Ricketts said he cant think of specific issues he and Sasse disagree on, adding that he expects to be a reliably conservative vote and continue focusing on appointing right-leaning judges.

Both Pillen and Ricketts brushed off questions about backroom deals when it came to filling the seat. Ricketts was a top backer of Pillens campaign, raising some questions in the state about filling the vacancy. Sasse did not resign until after Pillen was sworn in, allowing Ricketts to fill the seat without having to self-appoint himself.

Pillen said backroom deals are not my DNA.

I have no concerns about the process, said Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), the senior senator from the state.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated last year he wanted Ricketts to fill the vacancy left by Sasse. He said on Thursday that Fischer and Ricketts "will instantly form an extremely effective one-two punch for Nebraska in the Senate" and praised Ricketts for his governing record and winning governor races "by gigantic margin."

Pillen said he interviewed nine candidates for the job and that none were Democrats. Nebraska is now a reliably red state, and Democrats have not won a Senate race there since 2006.

Yet Pillen suggested he didnt want to take any chances by appointing a senator who could blow the seat in a primary or general election. He said Ricketts political experience was a big separator in the interview process; it also doesnt hurt that Ricketts is personally wealthy, with the ability to self-fund should he face a primary challenge.

Ricketts said he would pass on any other opportunities that come along over the next 10 years as he shifts his focus to federal office.

One of things we as Republicans need to win elections is to have a broad tent, Ricketts said. Im committed to running in 24 and 26 to serve the people of Nebraska.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines of Montana said he looks "forward to working with Pete to stop Joe Bidens harmful agenda and keep Nebraska red in 2024."
After widespread failures on Ukraine's battlefield, Russians are increasing cyberattacks on civilian services such as electricity and internet  a new offensive designed to break the will of everyday citizens and turn the tide of the war.

While Russia has relied more on missile strikes than cyber weapons to accomplish its goals in Ukraine, the attacks against energy, government and transportation infrastructure groups show that cyberattacks are still a key part of Moscows overall strategy to break the will of Ukrainians.

The longer Russia wages this war, the harder it is going to be on those Ukrainian people and the more vulnerable they'll be to destructive cyberattacks against the critical infrastructure, Rob Joyce, the director of cybersecurity at the NSA, said in an interview. I'm concerned that the Russian actors will increasingly look to amplify the things they're doing with kinetic effects in that space.

The pace of cyberattacks directed against Ukraine has been unrelenting over the past 12 months. While attacks have been aimed at military targets  such as a widely condemned attack on Ukrainian satellite company Viasat early in the conflict that disrupted Ukrainian military communications  hackers are taking aim even more at critical utilities used in daily life.



More than 2,000 cyberattacks were aimed at Ukrainian organizations in 2022, according to statistics from Ukraines Computer Emergency Response Team provided to POLITICO. While more than 300 of these attacks were against the security and defense sector, more than 400 attacks targeted groups impacting civilian life, including organizations in the commercial, energy, financial, telecommunications and software sectors. More than 500 other attacks were aimed at government groups.

Arecent report from Ukraines State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection found that while the pace of cyberattacks against Ukraine slowed overall between September and December of 2022, these attacks were increasingly aimed at public services and energy instead of military targets.

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Moscow is attempting to make these attacks as psychologically difficult for Ukrainians as possible, insiders say. Microsoft warned in a December report that the Kremlin is coordinating cyberattacks and missile strikeson Ukrainian energy and water groups, and that these destructive cyberattacks may spread to countries, such as neighboring Poland, and private companies providing aid to Ukraine. These include organizations that provide humanitarian aid.

Many of these attacks carried out were designed to affect the civilian populace rather than any military targets, said John Hultquist, vice president of threat intelligence at cybersecurity company Mandiant, which has helped support Ukraines cyber defenses. We think that some of these attempts, on power particularly, are doneto strike fear into every Ukrainian and really just up the psychological toll.

Attacks have included anunsuccessful effort aimed at an electrical substation that would have disrupted power for millions of Ukrainians, an incident eerily similar to previous successful Russian-linked attacks in 2015 and 2016 that shut off the lights in portions of Ukraine. Those two earlier attacks both took place in the dead of winter, likely to cause maximum discomfort for Ukrainians, a tactic Russia is continuing to pursue during the current colder months.

Weve seen the Russians target civilian infrastructure in unsuccessful attempts to undermine the Ukrainians will to fight, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) said in a statement provided to POLITICO.

Joyce said Russian hackers have successfully compromised groups in the emergency, transportation and communications sectors as well, and were targeting surveillance cameras to potentially inform troop movements. He stressed that while overall cyberattacks have not had the widespread impact predicted they would prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this is not due to a lack of effort on Moscows part.



We know they continue to try to gain access, Joyce said.

Ukrainian officials are acutely aware of the increasing threats to civilians in cyberspace, and are working to defend against them. Hultquist noted that Ukrainian defenders have been hyper-vigilant at identifying and responding to intrusions, and pointed to this as a major factor in preventing many attacks.

These efforts have not, however, prevented Moscow from attempting to take down systems. Victor Zhora, deputy chair and chief digital transformation officer of Ukraines SSSCIP, said that the public sector is now attacked twice as much as the military sector.

The key purposes of Russias hacking activity are espionage, misinformation and damaging critical infrastructure that impacts large amounts of population, Zhora said in a lengthy statement provided to POLITICO. Russias activities in Ukraine, their unprovoked aggression in cyberspace, has the same goals as their so-called military strategy for Ukraine, i.e. terrorizing Ukrainian civilians.

These cyberattacks are only likely to intensify as the conflict grinds on in 2023. Zhora said that complex attacks on power grid operators and electricity distributors were ongoing, and warned that Moscow is targeting less secure companies that provide software to critical infrastructure groups in order to gain backdoor access.



Joyce said the NSA is always worried about supply chain compromises, citing the example of the SolarWinds attack in 2020, in which Russian government hackers used a vulnerability in software to infiltrate the networks of over a dozen U.S. federal agencies for months. He stressed his concern that Moscow will only become more brazen in its cyberattacks aimed at civilians if the war does not go in its favor.

[Im] more and more concerned for the outcomes as they get more and more desperate, Joyce said. They will use all the different means at their disposal from kinetic through non-kinetic.

Ukraine may not be the only target. Following the invasion last year, President Joe Biden warned of potential Russian cyberattacks not only on Ukraine, but on the networks of the U.S. and other Ukrainian allies, prompting a nationwide effort to strengthen critical systems. While no successful major Russian cyberattacks on the U.S. in retaliation for assisting Ukraine took place in 2022, the threat remains.

We have not seen the Russians really seriously deploy the formidable cyber capabilities we know they have in an attempt to target the West in this conflict, Warner said. Should they do so, they need to know that we also have formidable cyber capabilities that could be used to respond.
Staff members at Twitters Asia headquarters in Singapore have been told to clear their desks and work from home indefinitely, according to a new report.

An email sent Wednesday informed staff that they would be required to leave Twitters premises by 5 pm that day, and they would be required to continue their work from home on Thursday, Bloomberg reported.

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An unnamed source told the digital outlet that Singapore-based Twitter staff members have since been reassigned as remote workers in Twitters internal system.

It is unclear whether the move is permanent. Representatives for Twitter did not immediately respond to Deadlines request for comment. However, a spokesperson for CapitaLand, the owner of Twitters Singapore offices, told Bloomberg that the social media company remains a tenant at CapitaGreen.

Late last year, staff members at Twitters HQ in San Francisco also received a message from senior staff members informing them that their office had been closed, effective immediately. No reason behind the move was given but the office reopened a week later.

The message also instructed staff members to refrain from discussing confidential company information on social media, with the press or elsewhere, but dozens of staff members continued to announce their resignations following Musks acquisitions.

By November 2021, Musk had already made half of Twitters workforce, around 3,700 staff, redundant following his acrimonious $44BN takeover of the social media platform. At the time, the BBC quoted an unnamed source at Twitter who speculated the company would likely have less than 2,000 people left. The company had around 7,500 staff when Musk took over.

Story continues

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The U.S. will station an upgraded Marine Corps unit with the ability to fire anti-ship missiles in Okinawa, Japan, in a move aimed at deterring China, top U.S. and Japanese officials announced on Wednesday.

The revamped unit, to be called the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, will also be equipped with advanced intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Wednesday.

These actions will bolster deterrence in the region and allow us to defend Japan and its people more effectively in an increasingly challenging security environment, Austin said, calling the unit more versatile, mobile and resilient.



The move sends a strong signal to China that the U.S. can quickly defend Japan, and the new unit will be able to rapidly respond to contingencies, Defense Department officials said.

A Marine Littoral Regiment is a hard-to-detect unit designed for operations in coastal waters. It is equipped with Naval Strike Missiles mounted atop unmanned variants of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. The units comprise 1,800 to 2,000 service members.

Austin announced the news during a joint press conference at the State Department with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Japanese counterparts, and comes two days before President Joe Biden is slated to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.

While the number of American troops in Japan wont change, Austin said the U.S. believes the new unit, which is replacing the 12th Artillery Regiment, will be more lethal, more agile, and more capable. The move is expected to be completed by 2025, he said.

The change is also essential to deter China from a possible invasion of Taiwan. "What we've seen from China in recent years is  an effort to undermine the longstanding status quo that's maintained peace and stability for decades," Blinken said.

That was an implicit reference to China's intensifying military intimidation of Taiwan, which in recent weeks included an incursion of a record number of nuclear-weapons capable bombers into the self-governing island's air defense identification zone. Those moves constitute Beijing's efforts to "establish a new normal" favoring Chinese military power in the Taiwan Strait, Austin said, while adding that he doubted that "an invasion is imminent."

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Japan is home to 18,000 U.S. Marines, primarily based on Okinawa. But the large American military presence has been a source of tension with Tokyo for years. In all, the U.S. has roughly 54,000 troops in the country.



The deployment reflects what Blinken said was a mutual recognition that China "is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face."

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada used unusually blunt language in describing China as posing an "unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge" to the U.S.-Japan alliance. Hamada also expressed concern about "enhanced military cooperation" between Beijing and Moscow, an implicit reference to Chinese-Russian live-fire naval exercises in the East China Sea last month.

The news comes weeks after Tokyo unveiled its biggest military build-up since World War II, approving more than $2 billion in defense spending including hundreds of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Both Austin and Hamada referenced growing military tensions between Japan and China over the disputed island chain that Japan refers to as the Senkakus and what Beijing calls the Diaoyutai. China has fueled that friction with increasingly frequent incursions of ships into Japanese territory. "Japan and the U.S. will continue to be united in raising objections against China's attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea," Hamada said.

Blinken also said the two nations will strengthen cooperation in space and cyberspace, including affirming that attacks in space could trigger Article V of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, which stipulates that the U.S. will defend Japan from an attack.

Joint U.S.-Japanese cooperation on space exploration aims "to land the first woman and person of color on the moon," Blinken said.
EXCLUSIVE: Independent studio wiip has preemptively acquired An Honest Man, an upcoming novel by Michael Koryta, to develop as a television drama series, with Koryta attached to pen the adaptation.

An Honest Man tells the story of Israel Pike, a man just released from prison for killing his own father, who returns to his ancestral island home in northern Maine and quickly becomes the primary suspect when seven men, including two Senate rivals and the prosecutor who sent Pike to prison, are found dead aboard a yacht drifting offshore. Lt. Jenn Salazar of the Maine State Police takes the lead in the investigation on Salvation Point Island, operating with secrets of her own to protect.

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The novel will be published by Mulholland Books July 25, 2023.

wiips Paul Lee, Mark Roybal and Nate Winslow will executive produce alongside Koryta.

During his tenure at 20th Century Fox, Roybal acquired Korytas Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) which starred Angelina Jolie and Jon Bernthal and was directed by Taylor Sheridan.

Nate and I are thrilled to be working with Michael again, said Roybal. An Honest Man is Michael at his apex: finely wrought characters dealing with real human pain seamlessly interwoven into a twisty, suspenseful narrative that focuses on the corrosive forces of class and violence in a coastal Maine town. Michael is going to adapt this into one hell of a show.

I love storytelling where the setting is an active character, and the Maine island communities offer an amazing contrast between Rockwellian mythology and primal reality, idyllic versus brutal, and nobody is realizing that sort of thriller on the screen better than Mark Roybal, Koryta said. He knows that true suspense comes only through authentic emotional investment.

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Koryta is the New York Times-bestselling author of 14 novels, a novella, and multiple short stories. His work has been praised by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Lisa Unger, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, Daniel Woodrell, and Sandra Brown among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger, among other honors.

Koryta is repped by Angela Cheng Caplan of Cheng Caplan Company, Allison Binder of Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson + Christopher, and Richard Pine of InkWell Management.

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Ray Fister works at his Third ward office and recording studio. Fister created the Life Between the Lines podcast in 2008, and new episodes are available every Monday.

Ray Fister always loved wine, but as a native of Ohio he didnt grow up immersed in the world. He took a trip to Napa in 2001 and fell for the region, the wines, and the people making them. He wanted to learn more.

Letting curiosity lead the way, he began taking trips and tasting more wines. In 2008, he put his experience in media and recording together and began a podcast, Life Between the Vines. Today, he can say hes interviewed more than 1,200 winemakers and industry professionals.

Covering wine, winemakers and industry insiders worldwide, Fister manages the audio podcast and Vino Video from his recording studio and office in the Third Ward, where for more than two decades he has run Fifth Floor Recording Studio. Chances are, youve heard the work he does in his day job, in which hes done everything from local commercials for car dealers to audio and production work for Disney and Family Guy.

He created Life Between the Vines as a wine lover who wanted to learn more, but with the idea that wine should not be homework. Its a one-stop place for learning, with interviews, videos and Vino Lingo specific terminology hes gathered along the way.

That language that is a large part of the wine world also inspired his new self-published book: Vino Lingo. A lighthearted and educational read for any wine lover,

"Vino Lingo" includes winemakers from around the world. Among those with Wisconsin ties, Fister included Oregons Susan Sokol Blosser and Steve Johnson of Parallel 44 in Door County.

Fister will be at a book signing and talk at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at Rays Wine & Spirits, 8930 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa. He lives on a horse farm in Racine County with his partner, Kathryn. His podcast website is lifebetweenthevines.com.

In the beginning

My first big interview ever was with Alan Arkin. He happened to be visiting our college. I was 18 or 19 and a writer on our newspaper staff.

Blending his interests

I became a wine lover a long, long time ago, started with basic italian wines.  It became a passion. I really enjoyed wine. I was in the audio business. It made sense to merge them. My first trip to Napa in 2001, and like every dope who goes there I was like I want to live here! It is beautiful. We talked to some winemakers, asked what do you think about giving interviews? That trip and the reaction to it was the start.

Story continues

Getting started

The first interview we did was here in Milwaukee. Jeff Bundschu of Gundlach Bundschu was at Bacchus for a dinner. I asked him Can you come and talk? He said Ill give you an hour. He was here for two hours. It was an absolute blast, and he gave us some names. To this day Im in touch with those people. Im very grateful to Jeff.

How he interviews

The majority are done on site. Of course during COVID it wasnt, that was all by phone. I had been going to Napa at least once a year, but by 2009 or 2010 I was going several times a year.

All wine lovers welcome

Ive interviewed winemakers, a few vineyard masters, a couple somms. I had a guy not far from me here, he was a home winemaker. Im not a snob. I've interviewed over 1,200 people. This guy has vineyards in his backyard, I don't know what to expect, and he blew me away. He made some very good whites. There are some good whites that can be made here in Wisconsin.

About Vino Lingo

I started Vino Lingo probably around 10 years ago. I wanted to focus on the idea of education in a simpler way by single words or phrases. Some were meant to be very serious, terroir, maceration, and some were meant to be a little goofy.

Fun with photos

This is a fun project. I didnt want the winemaker just posing with their bottle, it grew from there. I had a winemaker in Willamette Valley with 12 bottles and a magnum in his hand. It became a bit of a thing. Sarah (Fowler) at Peju, she wanted the record, originally posed with 48 bottles but didnt want someone to beat that.  She got down cross legged, we put three cases in front of her and we took the picture through that. It is 72 bottles. No one will ever break that record.

Lingo we should all learn

Like anything else, start with the basics. The one word you hear the most is terroir, and it is the one the most mangled. It is not just about dirt, it is everything in combination.

Wine that made him want to learn more

It was Cabernet. I drink everything now, but my go-to is always Cabernet. I love Pinot Noir, but it is a such a fussy little beast, not just in the vineyard. I just had one the other day, from the Carneros area, and it was really, really good, but I've had a few others that were just eh 

It is about discovery. I love Sauvignon Blanc. I love bubbles. I love pet nats, those are just making me crazy these days. There are so many types of wines, it is just exploring them. There is no wine I dislike. It is the journey.

Where the journey takes him

Italy twice. I got lucky to go on trips with buyers and somms and other writers. My first trip was up in Piedmont, and that was incredible, drinking all these sparkling wines. It was great fun 

This summer, we went to Abruzzo (in Italy), about three hours east of Rome. All these wines I tasted there, they cant get them here.

Finding interviews

I go after people I have heard of or get turned on to by other winemakers, that is the best. The have you talked to so and so in Texas or Virginia? The second come from public relations people who contact me. I just had one that contacted me about a winery in Argentina, run by a Frenchman.

My favorite, I got an email from a woman in Idaho. They have urban wineries in Boise. She said We're doing wine here, would you like to interview us? I knew every state made wine, asked what kind of wine are you making? All sparkling. They are running a great business in the Snake River Valley AVA.

Trends and tastes

I think Cab Franc is big now, and Pet-nats are growing (Pet-nat is an abbreviation for "petillant naturel). Sparkling has gotten bigger for people. Men originally rejected it, but now they're getting into it. Everybody is dealing with climate change. The biggest issue is looking to the future, will they be able to grow what they're growing?

Memorable moments

The most fun I've had is at Premiere Napa Valley. You go to the barrel tasting and there are 200 plus winemakers.  I leave these things with 30 to 35 interviews. It is the best day of my life 

The winemakers have become friends. I was at a trade show in Sonoma in November. I walk in and Amy Aiken, who used to make Meander Wines, is there. She's a wine rep now, and a Wisconsin girl. It is crazy fun.

His splurge

My monetary limit these days is 30 to 50 dollars. I used to spend 80 to 100. I don't anymore. I have a really nice cellar, and I can't afford it anymore. But that one big bottle is a 2001 Opus. I bought that back in the days when it was about $125.

Social media changed the conversation

Number one, it is access. I can go to anything I want, turn it off when I want. I don't have to listen to commercials. The access to everything is what it is about. Type in wine podcast on Apple and youll be there for a day going through just a few of them. The ability to reach out to people all over the world has changed. In college I was a reporter on our newspaper staff, back when Ready Reference was what it was all about. It has made it easier and more complex. you have so many different ways to get to people.

More:At 50, Wollersheim Winery has a woman winemaker in the wings

More:A 'graduate school' in wine: Waterford founder expands but keeps intensity

Fork. Spoon. Life. explores the everyday relationship that local notables (within the food community and without) have with food. To suggest future personalities to profile, email psullivan@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Life Between the Vines podcaster passes 1,200 interviews, writes book
Domestic extremists are "are often radicalized online and look to conduct attacks with easily accessible weapons," an unclassified version of report done by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found.

The version of the congressionally mandated report, sent to both the Senate and House intelligence committees in October, was made public late last week by the ODNI.

A bulletin from June 2022 and attached to the report says the domestic violent extremist landscape in the United States is "evolving" and centers around "ideological and sociopolitical" grievances which pose a "sustained threat of violence" to the American public.

Domestic violent extremists killed 13 people in 2021, carrying out "at least" four lethal attacks, according to the bulletin by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the National Counter Terrorism Center -- the same number as in 2020.

"Domestic violent extremists represent one of the most persistent threats to the United States today," the report says, echoing much of what the administration has been saying since President Joe Biden took office.

John Cohen, the former acting undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at DHS said the numbers are part of a "disturbingly high level of violence."

PHOTO: In this Dec. 11, 2014, file photo, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seal hangs on a fence at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

MORE: How has domestic extremism changed 2 years after Jan. 6

It's "not just lethal attacks but targeted mass casualty attacks and acts of targeted violence by individuals who are inspired by violent extremist ideological beliefs," Cohen, now an ABC News contributor, said.

Since 2019 however, the government has used five categories to classify domestic extremism, among them anti-government violence and anti-abortion violence.

MORE: Domestic violent extremism investigations doubled from 2020 to 2021: FBI, DHS

"The FBI recognizes a DT incident as an ideologically-driven criminal act, including threats made to or acts of violence against specific victims, in furtherance of a domestic political and/or social goal," the report says.

Story continues

As stated previously by FBI Director Christopher Wray, the FBI was conducting 2,700 domestic terrorism investigations, 38% of those focused on anti-government extremists, followed by 31% of them focusing on civil unrest.

The report notes these could be inflated due to the high number of Jan. 6 investigations.

The bulletin attached to the report says anti-government violent extremists could conduct "sporadic attacks on critical infrastructure and federal, state and local facilities, as well as violent physical assaults against their perceived ideological opponents."

MORE: Domestic extremists pose 'heightened threat' to 2022 midterms: Law enforcement

The FBI has been the subject of scrutiny from congressional Republicans who have alleged the the past, that the FBI targets people on the right and unfairly opens investigations against them.

"There are no differences in how the FBI reviews and prioritizes DT and IT threats, and each threat issue is reviewed independently; however, the threat band dictates priorities within these programs.," the report says.

The FBI says they've received more than 8,700 domestic extremist criminal referrals in 2021.

Reporting DVE incident is not mandatory, but the FBI makes "every effort" to document lethal and non-lethal DVE incidents, the report says.

2022 10 FBI-DHS Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism by ABC News Politics on Scribd

Domestic extremists killed 13 in 2021, US intelligence assessment finds originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
At least one person was killed and two others were critically injured in a shooting that broke out in a Minneapolis parking lot on Wednesday night, police said.

"This is a very active and ongoing investigation, but we believe that there is at least one person who is a suspect who remains at large at this time," Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told reporters at a press conference late Wednesday.

According to the Minneapolis Police Department, officers were on the scene of a car crash at approximately 8:20 p.m. local time when they heard multiple gunshots a few blocks away in the McKinley neighborhood of Minnesota's largest city. They responded and found a man and a woman, both suffering from gunshot wounds, in an SUV near the parking lot of Gold Star Foods, police said.

The man was transported to North Memorial Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, while the woman was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was listed in critical but stable condition, according to police.

Officers also located another man with life-threatening gunshot wounds lying on the street across from the parking lot. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the victim's identity, along with the cause and nature of his death.

MORE: Grand jury to decide vigilante's fate in fatal Texas taqueria robbery shooting

Police said preliminary information indicates two men on foot approached the man and the woman seated in the parked SUV. One of the men on foot walked around the vehicle to the driver's side door, which was opened. The male driver then put the car in reverse, dragging the man with the open door, according to police.

At some point, gunshots were fired from at least the other man on foot. A gunshot detector system marked 23 rounds being fired from the Gold Star Foods parking lot at that time, police said.

Story continues

The SUV got stuck on a snowbank and the man who was being dragged ran from the parking lot before collapsing on the street. The second man on foot fled the scene and remains on the run, according to police.

Police said at least two handguns were recovered from the scene -- one from inside the vehicle and another on the street next to the collapsed man. Police believe a third firearm is in possession of the fleeing suspect.

MORE: Virginia school shooting: 6-year-old brought gun in backpack, fired during instruction

So far, no arrests have been made.

"I think this just speaks volumes to the challenges that we are facing," O'Hara told reporters. "This is a scene here, where -- from what we know so far -- there were at least three guns on the scene and it just shows the crisis that we are facing."

"We are already living in a country that has more guns than people and there's 10-20 million more guns entered into circulation each year," the police chief added. "It's an incredible challenge for us to be able to partner with all of our law enforcement partners and also partner with our community organizations to try and take as many guns out of the hands of people who should not have them before situations like this happen."

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be submitted online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. All Tips are anonymous and anyone providing information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward, according to police.

Minneapolis parking lot shooting leaves at least 1 dead, 2 critically injured originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
More than 100 National Guard troops have been deployed to help with the search for a young boy who was swept away by raging floodwaters in central California on Monday morning.

The "first wave" of troops arrived Wednesday and "more" will be arriving Thursday "to assist with the search as conditions permit," according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

The missing child -- identified as 5-year-old Kyle Doan -- was traveling in a truck with his mother when their vehicle became stranded in floodwaters just before 8 a.m. local time near San Miguel, a small town inland from California's central coastline. Bystanders were able to rescue the mother but floodwaters swept the boy out of the truck and downstream, authorities said. There was no evacuation order in the area at that time.

At approximately 3 p.m. local time, an underwater search and rescue team was forced to call off their efforts after several hours "because the extreme weather conditions became too unsafe for first responders," according to San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla.

MORE: California storms live updates

PHOTO: This undated photo provided by the Doan family shows Kyle Doan. The 5-year-old was swept away by floodwaters near San Miguel, California, on Jan. 9, 2023. (AP)

An unrelenting series of powerful storms wielding torrential rain, heavy snow and gusty winds have walloped California over the past week and are expected to continue to do so until Jan. 18. At least 17 people have died in the state due to the recent stormy weather, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A break in the powerful storms allowed the search to resume Tuesday morning, though authorities warned that the conditions "remain extremely dangerous."

"The water level is high and continues to be fast-moving," the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Tuesday. "The public is strongly cautioned not to conduct self-initiated searches and put themselves in harms way and become a victim requiring resources that would otherwise be used for searching."

MORE: What's causing the deadly California storms?

Story continues

PHOTO: In this photo released by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 11, 2023, rescuers search for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan near San Miguel, California. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office)

Search operations were conducted for most of Tuesday, utilizing various resources, including the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's search and rescue team, underwater search and rescue team, drone team, deputies, detectives and air operations.

On Wednesday, other local law enforcement agencies pitched in, providing dive team members, search and rescue team members and K9 units from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, as well as personnel with sonar equipment from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Approximately 80 personnel were involved in the search operations that day.

"Search efforts will continue the rest of the day and will continue tomorrow as well if warranted," the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Wednesday.

MORE: Why California's trees are faring well amid the torrential flooding downpours

PHOTO: In this photo released by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 11, 2023, rescuers search for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan near San Miguel, California. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office)

Kyle Doan is a kindergartener at Lillian Larsen Elementary School in San Miguel. His mother, Lindsy Doan, is a teacher at the same school, according to San Miguel Joint Union School District Superintendent Karen Grandoli.

"San Miguel is a small, very close-knit community and everyone has the family in their thoughts and prayers during this unfathomable tragedy," Grandoli told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday. "The family is continuing to search for him in hopes that he might be found. Staff is beginning to organize support for the family. We are determining what their immediate needs are at this time. The school will have counselors on campus to support students and staff as soon as the school reopens which will hopefully be tomorrow. Like most districts in San Luis Obispo County, we are closed today due to the severe weather and dangerous road conditions."

The missing boy, whom authorities have not declared dead, is described as having short dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. He is 4 feet tall and weighs 52 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket with a red liner, blue jeans and blue and gray Nike sneakers, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

ABC News' Marilyn Heck and Alyssa Starr contributed to this report.

Search continues for 5-year-old boy swept away by floodwaters in storm-hit California originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Story at a glance

The research assessed participants perceptions of Jewish stereotypes.

Responses showed 85 percent of Americans think at least one anti-Jewish trope is somewhat true.

The tropes focused on common anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, including that Jews are clannish.

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) highlights widespread antisemitic beliefs among the American public.

Eighty-five percent of Americans think at least one anti-Jewish trope is somewhat true compared with 61 percent who said the same in 2019, according to survey responses from 4,000 individuals collected in the fall of 2022.

The 20 percent of Americans who believe six or more tropes marks the highest level measured in decades, the ADL found, with authors classifying topline results as cause for concern. In 2019, just 11 percent of respondents believed six or more anti-Jewish tropes.

Taken together, the report shows antisemitism in its classical fascist form is emerging again in American society, where Jews are too secretive and powerful, working against interests of others, not sharing values, exploiting  the classic conspiratorial tropes, said Matt Williams, vice president of the ADLs Center for Antisemitism Research in an interview with The Washington Post.

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.

The survey follows an updated process developed by the ADL to measure more specific aspects of antisemitism, which included crafting more nuanced questions for participants.

Young adults tended to hold less belief in anti-Jewish tropes than their older counterparts, though they tended to hold significantly more anti-Israel sentiment than older adults, responses showed.

But authors note the difference in young adults holding less belief in anti-Jewish tropes compared with older adults is substantially less than measured in previous studies.

The authors cited a survey carried out in 1992 which revealed a 19-percentage point gap between those under 40 and those over 40 with regard to belief in anti-Jewish tropes. At the time, researchers wrote the steady influx of younger, more tolerant Americans into the adult population contributed to an overall decrease in antisemitism.

Story continues

The new results suggest antisemitism in that classic, conspiratorial sense is far more widespread than anti-Israel sentiment, Williams told The Washington Post.

The vast majority of Americans (90 percent) believe Israel has a right to defend itself against those who want to destroy it, while 79 percent consider Israel a strong U.S. ally.

But 40 percent of respondents at least somewhat agreed that Israel treats Palestinians like Nazis treated the Jews. Nearly 20 percent at least slightly agreed with the statement I am not comfortable spending time with people who openly support Israel.

The latest findings follow additional research showing half of Americans feel antisemitism has increased in the past few years, in the wake of several high-profile events.

In 2017, neo-Nazis marched in the deadly Charlottesville, Va., Unite the Right rally, and in 2018, a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue marked the deadliest attack on Jews in the United States history.

As part of the ADLs survey, respondents were asked to rate the truthfulness of 14 statements containing anti-Jewish tropes, including Jews have too much power in the business world and Jews dont care what happens to anyone but their own kind.

Seventy percent of Americans said they feel Jewish people stick together more than others, while 53 percent believe Jews go out of their way to hire other Jews.

Nearly 40 percent of Americans said Jews are more loyal to Israel than the United States. Nearly a quarter believe Jews have too much control and influence on Wall Street.

The ADL has been measuring belief in 11 anti-Jewish tropes since 1964. The latest findings show 3 percent of all Americans in 2022 believe in all 11 of these tropes, corresponding to around 8 million people.

Changes in survey response options along with how well respondents were sampled makes it difficult to assess if antisemitic views have increased over time, however.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The A-frame in Whitewater, California, is an architectural gem located between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

Travelers seeking unique and cozy stays in the California desert have a new spot to check out. Foxden Hospitality, the husband and wife duo behind the striking Joshua Tree Country Club and quirky and super luxurious Desert Dog House, have recently completed the latest addition to their growing portfolio of one-of-a-kind rental homes, and it is just as architecturally stunning as the rest.

Whitewater Cabin sits on five acres outside Palm Springs in the quaint town of Whitewater. What makes the property stand out among the area's desert landscape, often dotted by very modern and sleek constructions, is its classic A-frame log cabin design, more in sync with places such as the Rockies or the Blue Ridge Mountains. The one-bedroom home was built with handcarved cedar timbers imported from Canada's British Columbia but ideally blends in within its striking golden-hued surroundings and the San Jacinto Mountains in the background.

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

"Whitewater Cabin transports guests to another place and time, where nature reigns supreme, and the living is easy," Brookelyn Fox, founder of Foxden Hospitality, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure.

The open-concept two-story layout boasts oversized windows letting in plenty of sunlight and allowing travelers to admire the expansive views from any room. A flight of stairs leads to the main bedroom, anchored by a king-size bed draped in breezy linens and featuring a dedicated workspace. The rustic-chic bathroom has a clawfoot soaking bathtub next to a beautiful mural of the sky.

Rattan baskets, leather seating, gray upholstery, and ample wood accents in an earthy palette decorate the downstairs living room. Another cool  and functional  design element: a vintage record player.

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

The serene outdoor patio is the ideal spot for a morning yoga session, while the nearby fire pit is perfect for post-dinner drinks and stargazing. And if it's not too chilly, travelers can take a nap or read a book in the hammock or take a dip in the private plunge pool.

Story continues

Courtesy of Foxden Hospitality

The home is set amid 2,850 acres of scenic Joshua Treeadjacent wilderness, a short walk away from refreshing wading pools and hiking trails.

Nightly rates at Whitewater Cabin start from $300, and you can book your stay on Airbnb or Foxden's website.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
The 21-year-old is a fashion, wellness and now beauty star in her own right.

Emma Chamberlain at the "Bones And All" red carpet for the Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 02, 2022. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Emma Chamberlain, YouTube phenomenon, coffee entrepreneur and fashion darling, can officially add luxury beauty ambassador to her list of occupations. The 21-year-old, who has partnered with fashion brands like Cartier and Louis Vuitton, is the new face of Lancome, becoming the French cosmetics company's youngest global ambassador.

The brand shared the news of the partnership via Instagram on Thursday, along with a quote from its new young face: "I have always had my own notion of beauty and didn't project myself within the beauty industry because of the duality that I show, mixing comfort, with being nicely put together...when Lancome came to me, I felt so honored and excited that the brand understood and appreciated who I am."

Along with the announcement, Lancome also released the first of a four-part YouTube video series Chamberlain is set to debut called "How Do You Say Beauty in French?" In the episode, the internet celeb is seen "breaking into" and riding a bike around the company's Paris headquarters to explore what the office life is really like. She then walks through Lancome's diagnosis and skin-care deep dive with International Scientific Director Dr. Annie Black.

"Skin care is science, you know?" says Chamberlain in the five-minute clip.

Emma Chamberlain for Lancome. Photo: Courtesy of Lancome

This isn't Chamberlain's first foray into beauty: In 2021, she became an ambassador and "creative director" for Bad Habit, a skin-care brand from incubator Forma Brands, the company behind Morphe that also announced it had filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday. She "quietly left" the brand when her one-year contract expired, per Business of Fashion.

Partnering with a young, Gen Z-beloved personality as its latest celebrity face is a clear strategy shift for Lancome, which has yet to tap into the youth market in a meaningful way. As influencer-driven brands like those under the Forma umbrella flounder, could melding buzzy personalities with legacy brands become the dominant alternative marketing tactic?

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Advertising signs adorn the Office Equipment Company building at 119 S. 4th St. The building no longer exists.

Hidden on the walls of old buildings scattered across Louisville are fading remnants of the citys past.

Theyre called ghost signs, and theyre typically hand-painted advertisements of bygone businesses  some dating back to the late 1800s.

These signs once lined commercial corridors in cities and towns around the world, advertising in bold text every manner of business: pharmacies and grocery stores, saloons and manufacturing plants.

Theyre such a special thing, said Branden "Alyx" McClain, a muralist and owner of Slugger City Signs, one of the few remaining purveyors of this lost craft in Kentucky. They show age and history, how busy certain areas were  a healthy environment.

A combination of skilled artisans applying heavy (often lead-based) paint on porous brick has allowed these signs to survive decades of being exposed to the elements or, in some cases, being buried under layers of paint.

History:The Chanukah Parties and Jewish history of Ouerbacker Court in Old Louisville

That texture that comes over time and that weathering is a special, unique thing, McClain said. As an artist, its damn near impossible to recreate.

But this once-thriving industry practically vanished as companies increasingly turned to faster and cheaper methods of sign production.

I could count on both hands the people in Kentucky that would do it from a traditional stance and not just project a graphic design image up on a wall, said McClain, 30.

With its robust stock of historic buildings, Louisville is a veritable treasure trove of ghost signs.

Still, many have vanished, faded beyond recognition or demolished with the buildings they once adorned.

Corner entrance of the Preston Pharmacy on East Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard) facing northwest to South Preston Street. The building no longer exists.

There are websites devoted to documenting this lost art form. About 10 years ago, Amy Purcell, associate curator with the University of Louisvilles Archives & Special Collections, noticed archivists elsewhere discussing how best to preserve ghost signs.

I think theres a certain art to it that you just dont see anymore, Purcell said. Theres a little bit of a mystery.

Story continues

Purcell brought the idea to Mary Carothers, professor of photography, urban and public art, who assigned photography students to fan out across the city. They photographed dozens of ghost signs, some of which are still visible today.

Below are 10 ghost signs still visible in Louisville:

H.G. Young Druggist

1764 Frankfort Ave.

H.G. Young Druggist. 1764 Frankfort Ave., Louisville.

Perhaps one of the best-preserved ghost signs can be found in the citys historic Clifton neighborhood, at the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Pope Street. On the east-facing wall of what is now The Champagnery is a sign that reads: H.G. Young Druggist.

The pharmacy operated at that location as far back as 1900. Four years later, it was included among a list of businesses that doubled as branch offices for The Courier Journal and Louisville Times, accepting payment for classified ads.

More:The Cottage Inn is coming back! What we know about its grand reopening

Neff Pharmacy

2522 Portland Ave.

Neff Pharmacy. 2522 Portland Ave., Louisville.

In 1999, after a 70-year run, Neff Pharmacy officially closed the doors to its shop at the corner of Portland Avenue and North 26th Street. Two faded pharmacy signs remain on the buildings west-facing wall: Neff Pharmacy in block letters can still be seen near the roof line. At ground level, the sign spanning most of the brick wall is largely illegible except the phrase, prescriptions are our business.

That intersection is actually a treasure trove of hand-painted signs. Across 26th Street are two signs for Shaheens apparel, in business since 1922. And the building across Portland Avenue is adorned with signs for a veterinary clinic and hardware store  the latter still operational.

Schotts Exchange

3200 Rudd Ave.

Schott's Exchange. 3200 Rudd Ave., Louisville.

The Portland neighborhood also includes one of the more mysterious ghost signs. The barely legible sign on the east corner of a brick, two-story building at Rudd Avenue and North 32nd Street appears to read, Schotts Exchange. Theres a word before Schotts, though its obscured by utility pipes.

The word might be Ed, as in Ed Schott, who, according to the website Kentucky Cop Stories, owned the saloon that occupied the building in 1899  a little over 10 years after it was built. The lively tavern changed ownership over the years, according to the website, and served as the backdrop for a few politically motivated clashes between patrons. Schott himself was eventually sentenced to three years in prison for taking part in one of those fights, in which Jefferson County Jailer John R. Pflanz was attacked.

More:From boutique hotels to a gaming venue, 4 downtown Louisville developments to watch in 2023

Nicks Bread

802 S. Clay St.

Nick's Bread. 802 S. Clay St., Louisville.

Look behind the beloved Smoketown restaurant, Shirley Maes Cafe, and you'll see the massive letters of Nicks Bread outlined on the brick wall.

Ads for Nicks Bread, made by Nick Warissee Baking Co., appeared in The Courier Journal at least as far back as 1919. As for the building on South Clay Street, it was built in 1880 as the home of a tobacco company manager, according to Shirley Maes website. It eventually became a grocery store and, later, bar, before being purchased in 1988 by Shirley Beard, who gave it its current name.

Levy Bros.

235 W. Market St.

Levy's Bro's. 235 W. Market St., Louisville.

One of downtown Louisvilles most iconic buildings, Levy Brothers department store, occupied the corner of Third and Market streets for roughly 86 years before closing in 1979. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was outlined in electric lights in 1908, which, according to The Encyclopedia of Louisville, spawned a popular local phrase: Lit up like Levys. It now houses The Old Spaghetti Factory on the ground floor. But a large Levy Bro's sign is still visible high up on the buildings east-facing wall.

Ohio Valley Bags and Burlap Co.; Enro Shirts

1010 S. Preston St.

Ohio Valley Bags and Burlap Company and Enro Shirts. 1010 S. Preston St., Louisville.

Another of Louisvilles entries on the National Register of Historic Places, this Shelby Park building dates back to 1886 and was once home to Falls City Jeans and Woolen Co., makers of what became known as Kentucky Jeans.

Enro Shirt company and Ohio Valley Bags & Burlap later operated out of this South Preston Street building, and signs for both companies are still clearly visible outside the front entrance.

The building is now home to The Burkhart Company.

O.K. Storage

1100 E. Broadway

OK Storage ad. 1100 E. Broadway, Louisville.

In 1927, O.K. Storage started construction on a towering brick building at Broadway and Barret Avenue at a cost of $150,000, according to a Courier Journal article from February of that year. The building, now home to Louisville Office Furniture, still bears O.K. Storage signs on its east and west sides. The west side, however, is currently covered by a Louisville Hometown Heroes banner.

A view of East Broadway and the O.K. Moving and Storage Company. This sign is currently covered by a Louisville Hometown Heroes banner.

Columbia Trust Co.; Whirlaway (and others)

2532 S. 4th St.

Longtail Building. Columbia Trust Co. Whirlaway Inn. Whiskey by the drink. 2532 S. 4th St., Louisville.

Those who want to imagine how these signs would have looked when freshly painted can head to the corner of South 4th Street and Montana Avenue, where the LongTail Building is adorned with restored ghost signs advertising the brick, two-story buildings 160-year-old history as a grocery store, a bank and the beloved Whirlaway Tavern.

McClain was one of two sign painters tasked with restoring the buildings ghost signs. Most remain the original design (the LongTail signs are all new additions). But in a nod to the buildings horse racing betting history, McClain added to the Columbia Trust Co. sign the tagline: A safer bet than your shoe.

The building now advertises itself as a multi-use entrepreneurial event space.

J. Hoffmann & Son Highland Grocery

916 Baxter Ave.

J. Hoffmann & Son Highland Grocery. 916 Baxter Ave., Louisville.

There appears to be little record of this grocery, whose name stretches across the brick between the second- and third-floor windows along the front of the venerable Outlook Inn on Baxter Avenue. But the bar, known for its Bloody Marys, advertises itself as one of the citys oldest, having existed as a tavern of some kind since 1860.

Dixie Dry Cleaning

990 E. Breckinridge St.

Dixie Dry Cleaning. 990 E. Breckinridge St., Louisville.

Last on the list is a ghost sign that, until recently, had been hidden from the public. As recent as 2017, the building at 990 East Breckinridge, housing a home security company, was clad in what appeared to be taupe-colored wood paneling and stone atop a brick base. Eventually, the paneling and stone exteriors were removed, revealing a ghost sign for Dixie Laundry and Dry Cleaning  and the tag line: Save by Cash & Carry!

Advertisements for the laundry can be found in The Courier Journal as far back as the late '30s. One ad in June 1943 sought applicants for steady work now and after the war.

More:New Netflix docuseries 'Don't Pick Up the Phone' delves into infamous McDonalds hoax calls

Jonathan Bullington is an investigative reporter. Reach him at: 502-582-4241; JBullington@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @jrbullington.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where to find Louisville's hand painted historical advertising signs
Two cars fell into a 15-foot sinkhole as California was battered by intense rainstorms this week. A Los Angeles Fire Department rescue team had to help the passengers out of their cars when the road collapsed in Chatsworth, San Fernando Valley, trapping the cars below. The sinkhole, which is still expanding, is estimated to be 40 feet deep and could get significantly worse, local authorities say. Here's what experts think might happen next.

1

Trapped In a Sinkhole

A mother and her teenage daughter had to be rescued on Monday when their Nissan fell into the sinkhole on Iverson road just south of the 118 Freeway, along with another pickup truck that fell on top of their car. The people in the pickup were able to safely exit their vehicle, but the mother and daughter were trapped.

LAFD extricating one of two patients from a 15ft sink hole in Chatsworth. Two vehicles became trapped as the roadway crumbled. #sinkhole pic.twitter.com/jdMhatkpH3  Sal (@news__dude) January 10, 2023

2

Emergency Teams Respond

The Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire and Ventura Fire responded to the emergency and carefully extracted the mother and daughter from the sinkhole. The dangerous rescue operation took approximately an hour. "It was a dynamic rescue," says LAFD Cpt. Erik Scott.

3

Rescue Operation

Cpt. Scott explains the rescue was delicate as the cars were still moving. "The cars were shifting, moving," he says. "Firefighters did an outstanding job with the calculated rescue. We lowered ladders and ultimately did what we call a high angle rope rescue where we had our big aerial ladder truck, lower a firefighter on a rope, secure a harness, lift those people to safety."

Story continues

4

More Rain Expected

More rain is expected in the coming days, and local authorities are concerned. "It's deeper, it's going to keep eroding away," John Lee, Councilmember for District 12, said. "So, what we need to do, we're expecting more rain, we have to figure out a way to divert the water. It's still very unstable, so we need to create a bit of a slope in the front end to be able to bring the cars out."

5

Be Careful

Crews with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works are working hard to stabilize the sinkhole. People are being warned to take extra caution when driving in severe weather conditions. "It serves as a reminder, you don't ever want to drive across a roadway where you can't see your pavement," Cpt. Scott says. "This is exactly why we provide those warnings."
After several months of contentious debate and pressure from Muslim residents, Hamtramck City Council voted Tuesday night to allow the religious sacrifice of animals on residential property.

Muslims often slaughter animals during the holiday of Eid al-Adha and Hamtramck has one of the highest percentage of Muslim residents among cities in the U.S.

The all-Muslim city council voted 3-2, with Mayor Amer Ghalib casting an additional vote in favor making it 4-2, to amend a city ordinance to allow religious sacrifice of animals at home. After the vote to approve, applause broke out from members of the public, who packed the meeting to speak out before the vote.

"If somebody wants to do it, they have a right to do their practice," Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Mohammed Hassan said at the meeting, which was livestreamed.

Some residents and animal rights advocates have expressed opposition to the ordinance changes, saying they will lead to animal cruelty and sanitation problems in Hamtramck, one of the most densely populated cities in Michigan. They said they worry about people being traumatized by seeing the throats of goats, lambs and cows being slit in backyards, with blood splattering and entrails falling out.

But Hassan said allowing animal slaughter will not make the city "blow up with the nasty blood, contamination."

At a Jan. 10, 2023 City Council meeting, Hamtramck speakers discuss changing a city ordinance to allow religious animal slaughter, which Muslims often perform during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. The council voted to approve amending the ordinance to allow it. Still image from livestream.

Ghalib and other supporters of the new ordinance say state and federal law protect their religious rights under the U.S. Constitution, noting a Supreme Court decision 30 years ago that prohibited city bans on animal sacrifice practiced by followers of the Santeria religion.

They also note some in the Jewish community perform animal sacrifices during holidays, including a group of Orthodox Jews who travel to Hamtramck every year on the eve of Yom Kippur to slaughter chickens at a halal butcher run by Muslims. Ghalib said banning animal slaughter could prompt lawsuits against the city alleging civil rights violations. The city attorney also said the ordinance changes are legal and that banning sacrifice could risk lawsuits.

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The passing of the amendment is an example of the growing political and cultural clout of the city's Muslim population, most with roots in Yemen or Bangladesh. At Tuesday's meeting, some also expressed objections to the flying of a LGBTQ Pride flag on city property along Jos. Campau Avenue, saying it clashes with their faith. Some residents have accused the city of trying to undermine their religion with the flag and by trying to restrict animal sacrifices.

More:Hamtramck debates allowing animal slaughter for religious holidays

More:LGBTQ and faith communities struggle for unity in Dearborn, Hamtramck

Councilman Khalil Refai, who had previously opposed allowing animal sacrifices, was not present at Tuesday's meeting and did not vote. City Councilwoman Amanda Jaczkowski, who also previously opposed allowing animal slaughter, flipped her position and voted Tuesday in favor of it. In December, Jaczkowski had voted in favor of the city continuing its ban on animal slaughter; the council had voted 3 to 2 last month to ban animal slaughter.

"The majority of people, including the majority of Muslims that I know, do not want slaughter to be allowed in the city of Hamtramck," Jaczkowski had said last summer.

But at Tuesday's meeting, she said she has to follow the legal advice of the city.

"Do we want to risk the city getting sued?" she asked.

The controversy arose last summer after the city had revised its animal ordinance to deal with the issue of how to feed cats. During that revision, some on the council recommended the city add a sentence that would prohibit animal slaughter.

Hamtramck City Council on Jan. 10, 2023 voted to allow animal sacrifices for religious reasons. Left to right: Councilman Mohammed Alsomiri, who voted, No; Councilwoman Amanda Jaczkowski, who voted, Yes; Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Mohammed Hassan, who voted, Yes; Mayor Amer Ghalib, who voted, Yes; Councilman Nayeem Choudhury, who voted, Yes; Councilman Muhith Mahmood, who voted, No. Councilman Khalil Refai was not present. Still image from livestream of meeting.

That proposal drew outrage from some Muslim residents, who raised concerns on Facebook and at council meetings. The council then struck that proposal to ban the slaughter and moved to make additional revisions ensuring the right to animal slaughter.

Hassan on Tuesday criticized the subcommittee that sought to ban animal slaughter last year.

"Our committee tried to prohibit what was already there," Hassan said. "They tried to close the door for us."

Goats shipped from a Texas ranch in the holding section of the ENA Meatpacking facility in Paterson, New Jersey before they are to be slaughtered. ENA, one of the largest Halal slaughterhouses in the United States, is a family-run business that slaughters and prepares goats, lambs, cattle and chickens, serving the Muslim community for Eid al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, one of two major Muslim holidays.

The current animal ordinance in Hamtramck appears to ban religious slaughter done by individuals at home, reading: "No person shall slaughter any animal in the City except for properly licensed commercial facilities in the business of food preparation or police in the course of their duties or as permitted by law."

Hamtramck has some businesses that perform animal slaughter for customers who like consuming halal chickens and other types of meat.

An earlier version of the proposed additions to the ordinance had rules governing religious slaughter - such as requiring a fee, notifying the city, and blocking it from public view - but those sections were later removed before the council voted on it, Jaczkowski said.

According to a copy of the new animal ordinance provided Wednesday by Hamtramck Clerk Rana Faraj, the city ordinance changes approved Tuesday by the council include:

A sentence was added to a section prohibiting local ownership of various animals such as cows, sheep and goats that reads: "This section does not apply for temporary religious sacrificial purposes as permitted by law."

A new section was added that is titled "Religious Animal Sacrifice." It says that the other parts of the ordinance, which prohibit animal cruelty, can't be used to "hinder the religious freedom of any person or group." It also says animals slaughtered must be killed in a humane way, whether by mechanical or electrical means; or by means often used in kosher and halal practices, "whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument. "

Residents doing animal sacrifices need to "dispose of all waste in accordance with local, state, and federal law."

About 30% to 38% of Hamtramck's residents are of Yemeni descent, and 24% are of Asian descent, largely Bangladeshi, according to 2020 census data. A majority of the two groups are believed to be Muslim. Last year, Hamtramck became the first city in U.S. history where Muslims make up the entire elected city council. Also, Ghalib became the first Muslim mayor of Hamtramck, which previously had only Polish American mayors in its history.

The council's decision was praised by Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan, who said in a statement: "We welcome the Hamtramck City Council's vote, which blocked those who sought to place undue burden on Muslim residents who uphold their sincerely held religious practice in conjunction with Eid al-Adha."

Ghalib said at the meeting he is open to revising or even rescinding the changes if they don't work out. He said the city will observe how the sacrifices play out this year.

"If it's allowed by the state and the federal (law) ... then follow our legal advice ... give it a try," Ghalib said at the meeting.

More:Immigrants' trip to buy slaughtered cattle near Adrian turns into dispute with farmer

Ghalib and Hassan said some have proposed donating money to help with the sacrifices. Hassan said a potential donor spoke of spending $1,000 on a large container to dispose of the animal parts that could be placed on a corner at a set time around the Eid holiday.

Councilman Nayeem Choudhury said this is an issue of religious freedom.

"Our rights come first," he said. I was "born ... Muslim, and that's my faith, and I will stick with my same faith."

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or Twitter @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hamtramck City Council approves religious animal sacrifices at home
Red wine is a classic drink to pair with steak, as we are all well familiar with by now. But did you know that whiskey goes quite well with red meat too? The folks at Hudson Whiskey and Pat LaFrieda are taking this concept to another level and betting that whiskey actually infused into steak is something that youll consider trying.

The new Dry (Aged) January Hudson Whiskey-Aged NY Strip Steak Kit is available to order now, and as you can tell by the name is loosely centered on this month of abstention (even though whiskey is involved). Whether you participate in Dry January or not, this does sound like a mouthwatering collaboration. Each kit comes with two 16-ounce NY dry-aged strip steaks infused with Bright Lights, Big Bourbon; a pair of Hudson Whiskey rocks glasses; a cocktail recipe card and a code to order a bottle of the bourbon from Caskers to enjoy with your meal or at a future date.

More from Robb Report

When it comes to quintessential New York food, there is nothing like a juicy NY strip, other than perhaps a NY strip dry-aged with Hudson Whiskey, said Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors owner, Pat LaFrieda, in a statement. We are always looking for new innovative ways to evolve our offerings and were excited to work with Hudson Whiskey to bring our first ever Dry January kit to consumers, whether they participate in the challenge or not.

Hudson Whiskey is made at Tuthilltown Distillery in upstate New York, and is credited as being the first legal distillery in the state to open since Prohibition. Its now owned by William Grant & Sons, which also has scotch distilleries like Glenfiddich and The Balvenie in its portfolio. The Hudson Whiskey lineup was rebranded a few years back to highlight its New York connections, even though the distillery is about two hours outside the city, with names like Do The Rye Thing and the aforementioned Bright Lights, Big Bourbon. Hudson Whiskey is New York attitude distilled, and its important to us to support and collaborate with like-minded local brands, said senior brand manager of American whiskeys for William Grant & Sons Jill Palais. Who better than New Yorks undisputed King of Meats.

Story continues

You can order the steak and whiskey kit now directly from the Pat LaFrieda website for $158 plus shipping.

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Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
I just watched a 1944 movie, "Passage to Marseille," staring Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains (the Casablanca cast). After Bogarts characters death, Rains reads a letter Bogarts character has written to his son:

"That deadly conflict was waged to decide your future. You are the heir of what your father and his friends have won for you with their blood. It would be too tragic if men of good will should ever again be too lax or fail again to build a world where youth may love without fear and where parents may grow old with their children. And where men would be worthy of each others faith."

A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade evacuated from the battlefield into a hospital in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

These words also describe the hopes of the world in the founding of the United Nations, as the best protection mankind could conceive against another world war: the commitment of the nations of the world to resolve disputes peacefully, and protect the territorial integrity of countries against invasion by its neighbors. The UN worked as intended when Iraq invaded Kuwait, and the Security Council voted to force Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait under the action of a multi-national military force.

But in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the UN Security Council is incapable of acting similarly, due to Russias veto of any such action by the Security Council. However, UN Resolution #377, enacted in November of 1950, authorizes the UN General Assembly to act in place of the Security Council to end such a conflict when Security Council action is blocked by a veto. The UN General Assembly has only voted on two censure resolutions with no actions to force a cease fire, and no consequences if not honored. So these resolutions have had no impact on Russias actions in Ukraine. And the destruction of the civilian infrastructure, the human atrocities and war crimes, have continued for more than 10 months.

December 24, 2022: An injured man stands on a street after Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, where five were killed and 20 injured. - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted Russian "terror" after shelling left at least five dead and 20 injured in Kherson city, which Kyiv's forces recaptured in November.

The continuing conflict on the battlefield is becoming increasingly dangerous to the civilian population in Ukraine and to the world. Russias consistent missile attacks on the civilian infrastructure, to deny civilians far from military targets the basic elements of life such as electricity, heat and water, are on-going war crimes. Human atrocities continue to be discovered as Ukraine reclaims Russian occupied territories. Ukraine is not going to surrender to Russia and give up its sovereignty. Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to politically survive a battlefield loss to Ukraine. Putin needs an off-ramp that he can position to his citizens as having achieved the initial purposes for sending troops to Ukraine.

Story continues

It seems under Resolution #377, the UN General Assembly could enforce a cease fire and install a multi-national Peacekeeping Force. Rather than oppose this action, Putin could "spin" it as achieving the goals he announced for the invasion: eliminating the Nazi influence, preventing Ukraine from invading Russia, and protecting Russian-speaking people in Eastern Ukrainian, all secured by the UN actions.

The Russian annexation of Crimea and the Eastern districts would be negotiated after the current conflict ends. The UN should insist on supervising these negotiations, with the threat of facing a vote in the General Assembly to lose their Security Council seat if Russia does not agree to cancel annexation and withdraw from Ukrainian territory.

U.S. President Joe Biden and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky hold a joint news conference Dec. 21, 2022, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C.

President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made a courageous journey to the United States to address to a joint session of Congress regarding the needs Ukraine has to defend its democracy and territorial integrity on the battlefield. Congress has approved an appropriation of about $45 billion in 2023 to enable Ukraine to survive Russias attacks. But this approach will only prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian population during the coming cold winter, and ensure that the destruction of Ukraines civilian infrastructure and the ongoing human atrocities and war crimes would continue for perhaps another year. U.S. leadership in the UN General Assembly to force a vote on action to end the military conflict under a UN-enforced cease fire could end this illegal conflict without further suffering in Ukraine or further investments from the U.S. and NATO in weapons.

Let us hope that the U.S. administration and our UN ambassador will take bold steps in the UN General Assembly and lead the UN to act under Resolution #377 to end this unlawful invasion now.

Robert Viney is a Naval Academy graduate and former nuclear submarine officer who made special operations patrols in Vietnam and Cold War areas, before spending 30 years as a business executive, business coach and adjunct professor of leadership. He is a resident of Mason.

Robert Viney

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: UN has the power to end destruction, suffering in Ukraine
The Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to Liverpool on Jan. 12. The royals are visiting Merseyside to thank those working in healthcare and mental health support for their work during the winter months.

The Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to Liverpool on Jan. 12. The royals are visiting Merseyside to thank those working in healthcare and mental health support for their work during the winter months.

In their first public appearances since Prince Harry released a memoir publicly airing strife within the royal family, King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton put on a united front  including by declining to talk to reporters.

The memoir, which officially came out on Tuesday, leaked in its entirety last week after bookstores in Spain began selling and giving it away despite extreme security measures and a strict embargo date.

Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace has commented publicly on claims made in the book or the Duke of Sussexs recent media appearances.

Members of the royal family stuck to the same plan on Thursday, as the Prince and Princess of Wales and King Charles headed out on separate outings and spoke with members of the public along the way. The fact that the events were on the same day was notable in itself  typically, members of the royal family try not to overlap their engagements in order to draw more attention to their outings.

The monarch did not speak with reporters during his outing in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where he was visiting the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed.

King Charlesvisits the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, to meet with local hardship support groups and tour the new facilities on Jan. 12.

King Charlesvisits the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, to meet with local hardship support groups and tour the new facilities on Jan. 12.

William and Kate visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the Open Door Charity in Liverpool.

The two did not respond to a question about Harrys book prior to heading into the hospital, as captured on video by People magazines Simon Perry. Its unclear whether they intentionally ignored the question or did not hear it.

William asked about the comments in Harrys book as he arrives with Kate at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital #spare#princeharrypic.twitter.com/c8hmg4Td0P  Simon Perry (@SPerryPeoplemag) January 12, 2023

At the other event, William did not respond when a reporter asked if hed had a chance to read your brothers book at all. Lizzie Robinson of ITV News shared a video:

Story continues

The Prince of Wales did not respond when asked if hed had a chance to read your brothers book at all during a visit to the Open Door Charity in Liverpool todaypic.twitter.com/wylvaYE556  Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) January 12, 2023

Though the royals rarely speak directly to the press during engagements, shouting a question was worth a shot; William responded to a reporters query in 2021, just after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, spoke in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

He told a reporter at the time that hadnt spoken to his brother yet, but I will do, and said that the royals were very much not a racist family.

Prince William says he hasnt spoken to his brother yet but will do and they are very much not a racist family. pic.twitter.com/3j0AulDDOB  Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) March 11, 2021

Harry spoke about his fractured relationship with his brother and father in both his memoir and his numerous media appearances.

During his interview with ITVs Tom Bradby on Sunday, the duke claimed that while his family has shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile, he does want Charles and William back.

At the moment, I dont recognize them, he said, adding, As much as they probably dont recognize me.

While the royal family has refrained from public comment on claims by Harry and Meghan, theyve made more subtle cues that their side remains unified. Hours after the release of the final episodes of Netflixs Harry & Meghan docuseries last month, the family appeared together at a holiday event organized by Kate Middleton to honor the late Queen Elizabeth.

At the event, some of the women in the royal family dressed in the same color, seemingly in direct response to Meghans claim in the series that there was a rule against wearing the same color as other family members at events.

More revelations from Prince Harrys Spare memoir and media tour:
Vladimir Putin is likely looking for a fall guy to blame for the equipment and technological struggles his troops are facing in Ukraine, according to a think-tank.

In a cabinet meeting Mr Putin publicly put down his deputy prime minister Denis Manturov for delays issuing state orders to the aviation industry.

The Russian president directed the deputy prime minister not to play the fool as he instructed him to complete the task within a month.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dubbed it normal workflow for the cabinet, but it signifies cracks in the Russian leadership over how the war effort is being conducted.

Meanwhile Ukraine is struggling to evacuate nearly 600 people, including children, from the mining town of Soledar, where efforts continue to repel Russian troops.

Russias Wagner militia claims to have taken Soledar after intense fighting it said had left the town strewn with Ukrainian dead.

And a senior Russian politician said Moscow could raise the conscription age from 27 to 30 in time for a spring draft, a plan to boost the number of Russian troops by nearly a third.

Key Points

Hundreds of civilians trapped in Soledar as Russian troops move over their own corpses'

Satellite images show scale of destruction in Soledar

Unexploded grenade removed from chest of Ukrainian soldier

Putin appoints new war leader for faltering invasion

Body of missing Briton found in Ukraine, says Wagner Group

Putin looking for scapegoats as Russian troops suffer weapons shortage

05:02 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin is likely looking for a fall guy for the struggles his troops are facing in Ukraine, according to a think-tanks report.

The Russian president is likely seeking scapegoats for the Russian defence industrial bases struggle to address equipment and technological shortages, said the Institute for the Study of War.

Mr Putin publicly criticised Russian deputy prime minister Denis Manturov for aviation industry enterprises not receiving state orders during a cabinet of ministers meeting on Tuesday, the ISW pointed out.

Story continues

The Russian president said that some enterprises have yet to receive state orders for 2023 and are not hiring more staff or preparing to increase output for potential orders in the future.

He also interrupted the deputy prime ministers explanation that the ministry had already drafted orders for civil and military industries, leading Manturov to admit that Russia had not issued a portion of documents for aircraft manufactures that would approve state funding for their projects.

Putin argued that the enterprise directors informed him that they had not received any state orders amidst current conditions in Russia and urged Manturov to not play a fool, reported the ISW.

The deputy prime minister then attempted to soften the demand by stating that the ministry will try to do everything possible, to which Mr Putin responded that he should not try his best but instead complete the task within a month.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later downplayed the altercation as a normal workflow.

Wagner Group trying to recruit soldiers in Serbia, US envoy alleges in Belgrade

05:02 , Andy Gregory

The Russian mercenary group, Wagner  spearheading attacks in Bakhmut and Soledar  is attempting to recruit soldiers in Serbia and elsewhere in the world, a senior US envoy has alleged.

Speaking after a meeting with Serbian president Alexander Vucic, US State Department counsellor Derek Chollet told reporters: We have seen that the Wagner Group is seeking to recruit soldiers from Serbia and elsewhere and thats something we think cannot stand, he told reporters after the meeting.

I dont know if there are concerns [in Serbia], we talked about our concerns and we are looking forward to working with the government here in Belgrade and elsewhere where Wagner is active to put an end to their activities, he added.

Wagner Group, owned by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, reportedly has been active in dozens of mostly African states, working with governments on pro-Russian propaganda and other military and political projects, and has boasted about its presence in Serbia  the only European state besides Belarus which has not joined international sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine.

Ukraine discusses steps needed for Soledar in coming days, says Zelensky

04:25 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he and his officials have analysed the steps needed for Donetsk where the wars fighting is mostly concentrated.

Of course, the top issue is Soledar, Bakhmut, the struggle for the Donetsk direction in general. We have analyzed in detail what decisions are needed, what reinforcements are needed, what steps should be taken by commanders in the coming days, he said in his nightly address.

Mr Zelensky added that he has also discussed the situation with the supply of weapons and ammunition to the troops, relevant interaction with Ukraines allies.

His statement that Ukrainian forces maintain positions in Soledar may be referring to defensive positions near but not in Soledar, according to the US-based think tank ISW.

Other countries could follow Poland and Lithuanias example, says Zelensky

03:59 , Andy Gregory

The support offered to Ukraine by Poland and Lithuania may mean that other countries will follow their example, president Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested.

Speaking to Polish state-run broadcaster TVP Info after Warsaw pledged to give Ukraine Leopard tanks, Mr Zelensky said: Poland and Lithuania can strategically start steps concerning obtaining tanks for Ukraine.

Somebody always has to set an example ... this step may help us in that other countries will follow in the footsteps of Poland and Lithuania.

In their meeting with Mr Zelensky on Wednesday, Polish president Andrzej Duda pledged Leopard Tanks, while Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said his country would supply anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition.

Russia likely controls 'most, if not all', of Soledar - report

03:57 , Arpan Rai

Geolocated footage of Soledar taken in the last two days shows that while Russian forces likely control most parts of the region in Donetsk, they do not have full control over the territory.

Russian forces have also likely pushed Ukrainian soldiers out of the western outskirts of the settlement, according to the US-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War.

The Ukrainian general staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks against Sil in Donetsk Oblasta settlement over a kilometre northwest of Soledar and beyond previous Ukrainian positions, it said in an intelligence update of the continuing war yesterday.

It added that some Russian sources claimed that Russian forces are still clearing Soledar of remaining Ukrainian forces as of yesterday.

Russian military bloggers have also posted footage yesterday showing Wagner Group fighters freely walking in Soledar and claimed that they visited the settlement alongside Russian forces.

However, Moscow has not officially announced the capture of long-contested territory which it believes will catapult Russian forces towards capturing Bakhmut in a bloodied siege.

All available evidence indicates Ukrainian forces no longer maintain an organised defence in Soledar, the ISW said.

NYT accidentally leaks numbers of Russian soldiers who criticised Ukraine war and Putin

03:20 , Arpan Rai

The New York Times accidentally published the phone numbers of Russian soldiers critical of Vladimir Putin in the metadata of a September 2022 expose, Motherboard reports .

The article at issue, Putin Is a Fool: Intercepted Calls Reveal Russian Army in Disarray, details Russian soldiers speaking candidly about Russias failings in the war on Ukraine and offering the sort of sharp criticism of president Vladimir Putin thats rarely heard in public for fear of reprisals.

He wants to take Kyiv. But theres no way we can do it, one soldier said in the calls that form the basis of the piece, which were intercepted by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.

Another soldier says Putin is gravely mistaken about how he describes the war.

NYT accidentally leaked phone numbers of Russian soldiers who criticised Ukraine war

Ukrainian units holding positions in Soledar and inflicting significant losses, claims Zelensky

02:55 , Andy Gregory

Ukrainian forces are holding their positions in the besieged town of Soledar and are inflicting significant losses on Russia troops, president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has claimed.

Moscow is seeking to capture the town near Bakhmut, in what would mark its first significant gain in months, and the Wagner mercenary group claimed to have seized it earlier today, while a Russian-installed official in Donetsk region said pockets of resistance remained.

Mr Zelensky thanked two Ukrainian units in Soledar which he said are holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. He did not give more details.

Mr Zelenskyy also said he had met senior Ukrainian commanders on Thursday and analysed in detail what reinforcements were needed in Soledar and nearby towns, and what steps should be taken in the coming days.

We also discussed the situation regarding the supply of weapons and ammunition to the troops and the relevant cooperation with our partners,

Russia releases US citizen who entered Kaliningrad at outset of war'

01:51 , Andy Gregory

Russia has released an American citizen who crossed into its Kaliningrad exclave in the first weeks of the Ukraine war, according to former US diplomat Bill Richardson, who met the man at the border in Poland.

US Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, 35, was backpacking in Europe when he crossed the Polish-Russian border in April, said Jonathan Franks, a lawyer who represents families of Americans detained overseas.

Mr Dudleys circumstances while in Russia were unclear and his case had not been previously publicised.

The US State Department was aware of reports that an American citizen had been deported from Russia, a spokesperson said, but declined to comment further on the case, citing privacy considerations, according to Reuters.

Surgeons remove unexploded grenade lodged in Ukrainian soldiers chest

00:48 , Andy Gregory

Remarkable pictures show a hand grenade said to have been lodged in a Ukrainian soldiers chest before surgeons removed it, reports my colleague Sukhmani Sethi.

The unexploded device, just beneath the heart of the soldier, was taken out in the presence of two sappers to ensure the safety of the medical staff Ukraines deputy defence minister said. It is not clear how the grenade got there.

(Hanna Maliar/ Facebook)

The operation was carried out without using electrocoagulation, a technique used in surgery to control bleeding by passing electric currents through tissue, to prevent the grenade from detonating.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraines Deputy Defence Minister, posted the X-ray on social media, writing: Not every wound in the heart area is deadly! Another post showed a surgeon with bloodied gloves, still wearing his apron and bouffant cap, with the grenade held in his hand.

Surgeons remove unexploded grenade lodged in Ukrainian soldiers chest

Russia says Chinas easing of Covid rules poses no dangers'

Thursday 12 January 2023 23:44 , Andy Gregory

Russia sees no dangers from Beijings relaxation of coronavirus restrictions and will not impose extra restrictions on people arriving from China, its consumer safety watchdog has said.

We do not expect any special dangers here today, news agency Tass cited Anna Popova, head of the Rospotrebnadzor watchdog, as telling state television. We are not introducing any additional measures against people arriving from China.

Beijing abandoned mandatory quarantine for those visiting the country on Sunday, and Chinas ambassador to Moscow said four days later that Russian and China are ready to resume mutual travel as soon as possible and deepen their strategic cooperation.

Russia has increasingly sought close ties with Beijing since waging war in Ukraine.

Sunak better think twice before sending tanks to Ukraine, says top Russian diplomat

Thursday 12 January 2023 23:06 , Andy Gregory

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy has told LBC that Britains prime minister Rishi Sunak had better think twice before sending tanks to Ukraine.

Mr Sunak is becoming more and more involved with direct confrontation with a military power, Mr Polyanskiy said Rishi, warning that the stakes are very high.

Andrew Marr: What would you say to Rishi Sunak if he was sitting here?



First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitriy Polyanskiy: I would advise him to better think twice@AndrewMarr9 pic.twitter.com/hBjLXBybCF  LBC (@LBC) January 12, 2023

Scottish Government to end contract for cruise ship used to house Ukrainians

Thursday 12 January 2023 22:21 , Andy Gregory

Ukrainian refugees currently living in a cruise ship are to be moved off the boat and into longer term accommodation, the Scottish Government has said.

It confirmed that the contract to use the MS Ambition, which is currently docked near Glasgow, would come to an end on 31 March this year.

Neil Gray, the minister with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine, said use of the vessel - currently home to about 1,170 Ukrainians, including 420 children  was always intended to be a temporary measure.

He added that the Scottish Government would now look to make full use of both existing and new volunteer hosts to provide somewhere to stay for the refugees.

The announcement that its use is being ended comes after ministers last month extended the contract for another ship being used to house refugees, the MS Victoria which is docked outside Edinburgh, for a further five months.

PA

Hundreds of civilians trapped in Soledar as Russian troops move over their own corpses'

Thursday 12 January 2023 21:33 , Andy Gregory

As fighting rages for control of Soledar, as many as 559 civilians, including 15 children, remained in the city and could not be evacuated, Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko has warned.

Ukraine has acknowledged Russian advances on the besieged city, which Moscow seeks as its most significant gain since a series of retreats late last year.

Russian soldiers are moving over their own corpses in the push for the city, Ukraines deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said on Thursday, adding fighting was still fierce.

My colleague Liam James has more in this report:

Ukraine admits Russian advances on Soledar as Putins new war leader raises questions

Russian military shakeup due to woes in Ukraine, says Pentagon

Thursday 12 January 2023 20:46 , Andy Gregory

Russias persistent troubles in Ukraine likely led to latest shake-up in military leadership, the Pentagon has said  urging Moscow to end the war instead of turning to new generals.

Russia appointed chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov to oversee the military campaign in Ukraine on Wednesday  just months after Sergei Surovikin was appointed to the role. Mr Surovikin will now stay on as a deputy.

It likely does reflect some of the systemic challenges that the Russian military has faced since the beginning of this invasion, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said.

Weve talked about some of those things in terms of its logistics problems, command and control problems, sustainment problems, morale and the ... failure to achieve the strategic objectives that theyve set for themselves.

Turkey summons Swedish ambassador as Nato talks continue

Thursday 12 January 2023 19:59 , Andy Gregory

Swedens relations with Turkey  critical to its hopes of joining Nato  hit another sour note this week, after Ankara summoned Stockholms ambassador over a demonstration in the Swedish capital in which a puppet of Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan was hung from its feet.

Staffan Herrstrom was summoned to Turkeys foreign ministry on Thursday and Ankaras reaction was conveyed to him, a Turkish diplomatic source said, telling Reuters: Our expectation that the perpetrators of the incident need to be identified, the necessary processes be carried out and Sweden uphold its promises was emphasised.

Sweden applied to join Nato after Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, but Ankara insisted that Sweden needed to take a clearer stance against those it sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish militants and the organisation it blames for a 2016 coup attempt.

Finland and Sweden signed a three-way agreement with Turkey in 2022 aimed at overcoming Ankaras objections to their Nato membership, and talks are ongoing.

Scenes of protests in Stockholm have been a particular issue mentioned by Turkish authorities in the past, with Mr Erdogan saying members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) should not be allowed to parade around Sweden.

On Thursday, footage shared by pro-government Turkish media showed what they said was a protest by PKK members in which they hung a puppet of Erdogan outside the Stockholm city hall. Very few people could be seen in the footage.

Swedens foreign minister called the portrayal of Mr Erdogan by protesters as abhorrent, saying that Stockholm protects an open debate about political choices, but strongly distances itself from threats and hatred against political representatives.

Putin conceptually supports expanding draft age limit, says Kremlin

Thursday 12 January 2023 19:12 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin conceptually supports expanding the conscription age, the Kremlin has said, after the chair of Moscows defence committee said this could happen in time for the spring draft.

While the president supports such a move  having backed the idea in December  Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the exact details were up to the defence ministry to work out.

The role of conscripts in Ukraine came under intense focus soon after Russias invasion last February, with the defence ministry acknowledging some had been sent to fight there despite statements from Mr Putin that this would not happen.

Russia could expand conscription age in time for spring draft'

Thursday 12 January 2023 18:25 , Andy Gregory

Russia could expand the conscription age limit in time for the spring draft, a senior politician has said, as Moscow seeks to boost the size of its military by 30 per cent.

In December, Vladimir Putin backed defence ministry proposals to raise the age range for mandatory military service to cover Russian citizens aged 21-30, rather than the current range of 18-27.

The chair of the Russian parliaments defence committee, Andrei Kartapolov, told Moscows official parliamentary newspaper that Russia could raise the upper age limit for conscription to 30 for this years spring draft.

But only after a one-to-three year transition period would the lower limit be raised from 18 to 21 years, Mr Kartapolov said.

Critics said the idea of a transition period was a transparent attempt to increase the number of Russians eligible to be called up for military service to plug massive manpower shortages resulting from heavy losses in the war in Ukraine.

Mr Kartapolov sought to dismiss the idea that this was a blatant attempt to fill huge shortages of troops as a result of heavy losses in Ukraine, insisting that there were no plans to increase the number of conscripts once the draft age has risen to 21.

The number of conscripts we have is decreasing every year. And that number will not be increased, the Tass news agency quoted him as saying, adding that the number envisaged was in the region of 200,000.

Satellite images show devastation to Russian-controlled mining town

Thursday 12 January 2023 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of bomb craters have pierced fields in eastern Bakhmut and schools and agricultural warehouses have been reduced to charred remains in the hottest spot of fighting in the war in Ukraine, new satellite images show.

The fresh satellite images taken by Maxar between 3 and 10 January show fields and adjoining roads completely destroyed by bombs in eastern Ukraines Bakhmut. Aerial view of the region taken before the continuing Russian military offensive showed lush green farms.

Another image shows several civilian buildings such as schools and agricultural warehouses hollowed out by multiple Russian shelling attacks and reduced to their skeletons and surrounded by ashes.

Arpan Rai has more:

Satellite images show devastation to Russian-controlled mining town

Ukraine takes key step towards reform of judiciary

Thursday 12 January 2023 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A congress of Ukrainian judges on Thursday appointed the last of eight new members to an important judicial oversight body, a move experts and officials have said is critical to Kyivs push to reform its judiciary.

The European Union made cleaning up the courts one of its main recommendations when it offered Ukraine the status of candidate member last June, four months after Russias invasion.

The selection of the new members to the High Council of Justice (HCJ) means the body can resume its work overseeing the appointment, dismissal and disciplining of judges.

Looking forward to the reformed HCJ showcasing rule of law and integrity in practice, the EUs ambassador to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, wrote on Twitter.

Ukraines parliament has already passed all the legislation sought by the EU before the start of accession talks with Kyiv, the speaker of the assembly said last month. But implementing those laws and achieving membership is widely expected to be a long road.

Some watchdogs have also warned that powerful interests are prepared to push back against reforms, especially in the judiciary.

In a statement on Thursday, the DEJURE Foundation, a non-governmental organisation which tracks judicial reform, expressed concern over the quality of the eight new selections.

(Judges) demonstrated their unpreparedness for true agents of change in the judicial system, it said. We will evaluate the new team by their decisions, the new HCJ has a chance to dispel the doubts of society.

Anti-corruption authorities in Kyiv have also doubled down in recent months on their battle against graft.

Russian forces press closer to salt-mining town Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 16:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia has said its forces are edging closer to capturing a salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine, which would mark an elusive victory for the Kremlin but at the cost of heavy Russian casualties and extensive destruction of the territory.

Ukraines Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said in televised remarks that more than 100 Russian troops have been killed in the battle for Soledar over the past 24 hours.

The Russians have literally marched on the bodies of their own soldiers, burning everything on their way, he said while reporting that Russian forces had shelled a dozen towns and villages in the region in the past day.

Russian forces are using mortars and rockets to bombard Soledar in an unrelenting assault, battling for a breakthrough after military setbacks have turned what the Kremlin hoped would be a fast victory into a grinding war of attrition that has dragged on for nearly 11 months.

Civilians are trying to survive amid that bloodbath as the Russians are pressing their attacks, Mr Kyrylenko said.

Soledars fall would be a prize for a Kremlin starved of good battlefield news in recent months, after losing the significant city of Kherson in December.

It would also offer Russian troops a springboard to conquer other areas of the eastern Donetsk province that remain under Ukrainian control, particularly the strategic city of Bakhmut.

The Russian tactic in the assault on Soledar is to send one or two waves of soldiers, many from the private Russian military contractor Wagner Group, who take heavy casualties as they probe the defences, a Ukrainian officer near Soledar told the Associated Press.

When Ukrainian troops suffer casualties and are exhausted, the Russians send in another wave of highly trained soldiers, paratroopers or special forces, to get a new foothold on the battlefield, said the Ukrainian source.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the selfless and courageous action of Russian troops, which he said is helping them to press forward in Soledar.

Gigantic work has been done in Soledar, he said.

But he stopped short of confirming a claim by Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin, who boasted about capturing Soledar on Wednesday.

There is still a lot to be done and its too early to stop and rub our hands, the main work is still ahead, Mr Peskov said.

Fighting is also continuing elsewhere in Ukraine.

The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Thursday that two civilians had been killed and eight wounded in Russian attacks on Wednesday.

Citing data from regional officials, Mr Tymoshenko said one civilian died and five were wounded in the southern Kherson province, where shells hit a maternity hospital, private houses and apartment buildings, while one person was killed in Donetsk.

Two people were wounded in south-eastern Zaporizhzhia province, with another civilian sustaining injuries in south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk province.

Who is Russia's new war commander Gerasimov and why was he appointed?

Thursday 12 January 2023 15:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

General Staff Valery Gerasimov was appointed chief of the general staff and deputy defence minister by Putin on Nov. 9, 2012, three days after Putins long-time ally Sergei Shoigu was made defence minister.

Each of the men holds one of the three nuclear briefcases that can order a Russian nuclear strike.

Gerasimov played key roles in Russias seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and in Russias game-changing military support for President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Civil War.

The U.S. State Department sanctioned him the day after the invasion of Ukraine, saying he was one of three senior Russians alongside Putin who were directly responsible for the war.

Nevertheless, Gerasimov sometimes speaks with U.S. Army General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gerasimov was born on Sept. 8, 1955, in Kazan, rising through the ranks from Russias tank forces to graduate in 1997 from the Military Academy of the General Staff.

Valery Gerasimov, new commander of Russias forces in Ukraine (Sputnik/AFP/Getty)

Ukraine hopes for tanks from the West

Thursday 12 January 2023 15:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

With the West upping the ante in a way that seemed unthinkable a few months ago, the United States, Germany and France last week pledged armoured fighting vehicles - and the focus has now shifted to main battle tanks.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, who was cheered in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Wednesday, promised a company of 14 German-made Leopard battle tanks, part of what he called an international coalition.

Despite briefly seeming blindsided, Germany, whose permission would be required, on Thursday appeared to yield.

Germany should not stand in the way of other countries taking decisions to support Ukraine, independent of which decisions Germany takes, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said.

Britain has also said it is considering sending tanks.

Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24, saying Kyivs ties with the West threatened Russias security. Ukraine and its allies call it an unprovoked war to seize territory.

In Kherson city, recaptured by Ukrainian forces in November, prosecutors said they were investigating at least 10 sites where Russian occupiers had tortured hundreds of Ukrainians.

Oksana Minenko, a 44-year-old accountant whose husband died defending the city on the wars first day, told Reuters she had repeatedly been interrogated during occupation. Russians submerged her hands in boiling water, pulled out her fingernails and beat her in the face with rifle butts, she said last month.

One pain grew into another, she recounted, with scarring visible around her eyes from what she said was an operation to repair the damage. I was a living corpse.

Her account could not be independently verified. Moscow denies abusing civilians in occupied areas.

Poland to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, if others do, too

Thursday 12 January 2023 14:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Poland has decided to send a company of Leopard tanks to help neighboring Ukraine in the war with invading Russia, President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday.

But Duda, on a visit to Lviv, said that the move would be possible only as an element in a larger international coalition of tank aid to Kyiv.

Polands leaders have been indicating that they were in talks with other countries over a potential international coalition that would send the German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine. They havent named the countries.

Within this potential international coalition, we have taken the decision to contribute a first package of tanks, a company of Leopard tanks, which, I hope, together with other companies of Leopard and other tanks that will be offered by other countries will .... be able to strengthen Ukraines defense, Duda told a news conference in Lviv.

A company consists of 14 tanks.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda (AP)

Putin replaces infamous General Armageddon after just three months in Ukraine military shake-up

Thursday 12 January 2023 14:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Vladimir Putin has authorised another shake-up in the military leadership leading the invasion of Ukraine, while Kyiv mocked claims that it had lost the town of Soledar which is at the centre of a furious Russian assault.

Russias defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, has been appointed as overall commander of forces in Ukraine, one of a number of changes in recent months as Mr Putin seeks a success story to sell at home.

It is clear that pressure is building on the Kremlin, with the move in effect demoting Gen Sergei Surovikin, who had been named Russias top battlefield commander in Ukraine only last October after a spate of offensives by Kyivs troops that turned the tide of the war.

Gen Surovikin had earned the nickname General Armageddon from the Russian media for his reputed ruthlessness.

Liam James has more:

Putin replaces infamous General Armageddon after just three months in job

Russian mercenary group claims body of British man missing in Ukraine found

Thursday 12 January 2023 13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian mercenary group has claimed the body of one of two British men who went missing in eastern Ukraine last week has been found.

Andrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28, were last seen on 6 January heading to the town of Soledar, where fighting has been especially fierce in recent days. There has been no contact with the pair since they left Kramatorsk at 8am on Friday.

They had been voluntary workers sent to Ukraine to support humanitarian efforts.

The Independent has not been able to verify the reports from Wagner.

Read more here:

Russian mercenary group claims body of British man missing in Ukraine found

Russia's new deputy commander in Ukraine war inspects troops in Belarus

Thursday 12 January 2023 13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A delegation headed by the commander of Russias ground forces, Oleg Salyukov, visited Belarus on Thursday to inspect the combat readiness of a joint force stationed there, the Belarusian defence ministry said.

The visit took place a day after Salyukov was named as one of the deputy commanders of Russias military operation in Ukraine in the latest of a series of reshuffles.

Russia and its close ally Belarus have beefed up their joint military grouping in Belarus and plan to hold joint aviation drills there from next Monday.

The exercises form part of a pattern of activity that has prompted Ukraine to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin may try to use Belarus to launch a new ground invasion of Ukraine from the north.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko allowed Putin to use his country as one of the launchpads to invade Ukraine last February, when Russian forces were beaten back in an attempt to take the capital Kyiv.

Military analysts say Russia has also used Belarusian facilities to train up newly mobilised soldiers who were called up last September to boost its forces in Ukraine.

However, Belarus has not sent its own troops into Ukraine in support of Russias special military operation there.

Unexploded grenade removed from chest of Ukrainian soldier

Thursday 12 January 2023 12:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An unexploded grenade was successfully removed from the chest of a Ukrainian soldier, senior officials in Kyiv have said.

Ukraines deputy defence minister, Hanna Maliar, uploaded a photo of an X-ray of the weapon which was lodged in the soldiers body.

In a Facebook post, the minister wrote: Military doctors conducted an operation to remove a VOG grenade, which did not break, from the body of the soldier.

The operation was carried out by one of the most experienced surgeons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - Andrew Willow without electrocoagulation, as the grenade could detonate at any time.

Ukraines internal affairs ministerial adviser, Anton Gerashchenko, wrote on Telegram: The unexploded part of the grenade was taken from under the heart. The grenade did not explode, but remained explosive.

(Hanna Maliar/ Facebook)

Surgeon holds the VOG grenade in his hand following the successful operation (Hanna Maliar/ Facebook)

Russian-installed official says Ukrainian 'resistance' persists in Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 12:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian-installed official in Ukraines Donetsk region said on Thursday that pockets of resistance remained in the Ukrainian town of Soledar, undermining claims that the town had been taken by Russian forces.

Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the powerful head of the Wagner private military group whose soldiers are fighting to capture the town, had said on Wednesday that Soledar was under the complete control of Russian forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ridiculed those claims, and independent analysts say fighting is likely ongoing in the town.

At the moment, there are still some small pockets of resistance in Soledar, Andrei Bayevsky, a military figure and Russian-installed local politician, said in an online broadcast.

Our guys continue to push the enemy in these places. In general, the operation has been going well, and already the western outskirts of Soledar are completely under our control, he added.

(AP)

The Kremlin and Russian defence ministry have remained quiet on the situation around the town. In its daily military briefing on Thursday, the Russian defence ministry said only that offensive actions in the Donetsk region were continuing successfully, with no reference to Soledar.

A map displayed in the briefing showed Soledar straddling areas marked under Russian control, but singled out no recent fighting or significant hits on Ukrainian forces in the area.

If Russian forces do manage to capture the town, it would mark the first territorial advance in the conflict by Russia since last July.

Western military analysts also disputed Prigozhins claims his forces had taken the town. Russian forces have not yet fully captured Soledar despite recent Russian advances, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War wrote.

(AP)

Russia could expand draft age as soon as this spring - lawmaker

Thursday 12 January 2023 11:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia could raise the upper age limit for citizens to be conscripted into the armed forces as soon as this spring, a senior lawmaker has said, as part of Moscows plans to boost the number of Russian troops by 30 per cent.

President Vladimir Putin gave his backing in December to defence ministry proposals to raise the age range for mandatory military service to cover Russian citizens aged 21-30, rather than the current range of 18-27.

The chairman of the Russian parliaments defence committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said in an interview with the official parliamentary newspaper that Russia could raise the upper age limit for conscription to 30 for this years spring draft. But only after a one-to-three year transition period would the lower limit be raised from 18 to 21 years, Kartapolov said.

Critics said the idea of a transition period was a transparent attempt by Russian authorities to increase the number of Russians eligible to be called up for military service to plug massive manpower shortages resulting from heavy losses in the war in Ukraine.

Russias armed forces are a mix of contracted soldiers and conscripts. Shoigu has outlined plans to increase the total number of combat personnel to 1.5 million from 1.15 million.

Asked about the possible changes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin conceptually supported raising the conscription age, but the exact details were up to the defence ministry to work out.

The role of conscripts in Ukraine came under intense focus soon after Russias invasion last February, with the defence ministry acknowledging some had been sent to fight there despite statements from Putin that this would not happen.

In September, Russia announced its first mobilisation since World War Two, calling up more than 300,000 former soldiers - including ex-conscripts - in an emergency draft to support the war in Ukraine. Western governments say Russia has lost tens of thousands of soldiers in nearly 11 months of fighting.

Russian troops moving over their own corpses in bloody Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 11:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian forces are moving over their own corpses as casualties mount in Soledar, Ukraines deputy defence minister said.

Fighting is fierce, Hanna Malyar said in a briefing on Thursday.

Moscow has so far held off proclaiming victory in Soledar, although ultra-nationalist Russian mercenary group Wagner has claimed control in the area.

Ukraine has acknowledged Russian advances but said on Thursday its own garrison had not withdrawn.

(AP)

In Ukraine, power plant workers fight to save their 'child'

Thursday 12 January 2023 10:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Around some of their precious transformers  the ones that still work, buzzing with electricity  the power plant workers have built protective shields using giant concrete blocks, so they have a better chance of surviving the next Russian missile bombardment.

Blasted out windows in the power plants control room are patched up with chipboard and piled-up sandbags, so the operators who man the desks 24/7, keeping watch over gauges, screens, lights and knobs, are less at risk of being killed or injured by murderous shrapnel.

As long as there is equipment that can be repaired, we will work, said the director of the plant.

Read more:

In Ukraine, power plant workers fight to save their 'child'

Ukrainian troops hold out in Soledar as Russia builds up forces - Kyiv

Thursday 12 January 2023 10:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia is building up its forces in Ukraine but Ukrainian forces are holding out in fierce fighting for the eastern town of Soledar, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Thursday.

She told a news briefing that the number of Russian military units in Ukraine had risen to 280 from 250 a week earlier as Moscow tried to gain the strategic initiative.

Fighting is fierce in the Soledar direction, Malyar said. They (the Russians) are moving over their own corpses.

Russia is driving its own people to the slaughter by the thousands, but we are holding on, she said.

Another senior military official, Brigadier General Oleksiy Gromov, told the briefing that the military situation in Ukraine remained difficult, with the heaviest fighting on the eastern front.

Russian forces were trying to cut through Ukrainian lines and surround Ukrainian troops, he said.

Gromov also said the danger of an attack being launched from Belarus, a Russian ally to the north of Ukraine, would remain throughout this year.

Ukrainian troops holding out in Soledar (REUTERS)

Russia says it is interested in future talks with Ukraine's human rights commissioners - TASS

Thursday 12 January 2023 09:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova said on Thursday that both Moscow and Kyiv are interested in future contacts between their rights commissioners, the TASS news agency reported.

Following a meeting this week in Turkey with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, Moskalkova said she believed Ukraine had adopted a pragmatic approach to ongoing discussions between the two sides, TASS reported.

At that meeting, the pair agreed the latest prisoner exchange between the two sides, with each releasing another 40 captured fighters.

They have taken a pragmatic approach and are ready for dialogue, Moskalkova said on Thursday, speaking of her Ukrainian counterparts.

We already have concrete results on the search for missing people, and return of children to their families. I hope the dialogue is continued. The most important thing is that it should not be politicised, but based exclusively on humanitarian and human rights principles, TASS quoted her as saying.

Russian mercenary group claims body of British man missing in Ukraine found

Thursday 12 January 2023 08:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian mercenary group has claimed the body of one of two British men who went missing in eastern Ukraine last week has been found.

Andrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28, were last seen on 6 January heading to the town of Soledar, where fighting has been especially fierce in recent days. There has been no contact with the pair since they left Kramatorsk at 8am on Friday.

They had been voluntary workers sent to Ukraine to support humanitarian efforts.

Emily Atkinson reports:

Russian mercenary group claims body of British man missing in Ukraine found

While evacuating a psychiatric hospital in Ukraine, there was one question on my mind

Thursday 12 January 2023 08:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As we drove through Kherson oblast and into the city, the face of this war was visible, Julien Binet writes.

For several kilometres, the destruction was absolute, with towns and villages wiped off the map by continuous shelling  not a single school, home or medical facility left intact.

When we reached Kherson city, the explosions were near constant. In different parts of the city, there were incoming Russian shells, outgoing Ukrainian shells and demining teams detonating ordinance left behind by retreating Russian forces.

In two to three minutes, we heard around 10 blasts from the demining teams. The sound was deafening; we felt the resonance of each explosion in our chests.

Read more here:

Opinion: While evacuating a hospital in Ukraine, there was one question on my mind

Demoted Russian general made military fall guy

Thursday 12 January 2023 07:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian defence ministry statement said its latest command reshuffle was meant to improve contacts between military branches and the effectiveness of the command structure.

One prominent military blogger who posts on the Telegram messaging app under the name of Rybar said Surovikin was being made the fall guy for recent Russian military debacles.

Those included a Ukrainian attack on a Russian barracks that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers over New Years.

Surovikin was ordered to head the campaign after Ukrainian offensives turned the tide of the war and drew attention to poor training, equipment and morale among Russian forces.

Russian president Vladimir Putin and now demoted General Sergei Surovikin (REUTERS)

If pro-Russian forces succeed in taking Soledar, it would be a stepping stone in Moscows thrust to capture Ukraines eastern Donbas industrial region. The town would be a base to attack the nearby city of Bakhmut, a supply line hub in eastern Ukraine, where defenders have held out for months.

Before Wagners latest statement, the Kremlin stopped short of claiming victory and acknowledged heavy casualties.

Lets not rush, lets wait for official statements. There is a positive dynamic in progress, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

A Reuters photographer who reached the outskirts of Soledar in recent days said many residents had fled the town in perishing cold. Smoke could be seen rising over the town and the incoming artillery fire was relentless, she said.

Ukrainian military says strike kills over 100 Russian solders in Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 07:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

More than a hundred Russian soldiers were killed in the battle of Soledar after Ukrainian forces launched a missile at a grouping of troops, the command of Ukraines Special Operations Forces said.

(AP)

Putin authorises military shake-up in Ukraine

Thursday 12 January 2023 07:00 , Liam James

Vladimir Putin has authorised another shake-up in the military leadership leading the invasion of Ukraine  while Kyiv mocked claims that it had lost the town of Soledar which is at the centre of a furious Russian assault.

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, had been appointed as overall commander of forces in Ukraine, one of a number of changes in recent months as Mr Putin seeks a success story to sell at home.

It is clear that pressure is building on the Kremlin, with the move in effect demoting General Sergei Surovikin, who had been named Russias top battlefield commander in Ukraine only last October after a spate of offensives by Kyivs troops that turned the tide of the war. General Surovikin had earned the nickname General Armageddon from the Russian media for his reputed ruthlessness.

A Defence Ministry statement said the reshuffle was meant to improve contacts between different military branches and the quality and effectiveness of the command structure.

Moscow seeks control of Soledar to strenghten its position around the nearby besieged city of Bakhmut and provide a stepping stone to other cities in the eastern Donbas region. On Wednesday evening, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky mocked claims by the Russian mercenary Wagner group that it has taken control of the town  the scene of some of the most intense fighting since Moscows invasion began.

Putin shakes up military leadership amid pressure over Ukraine invasion  latest

Russia redeploying airborne forces in vulnerable eastern Ukraine - MoD

Thursday 12 January 2023 06:48 , Arpan Rai

Russia has now moved almost all elements of its airborne forces for heavy fighting this month in eastern Ukraines Kremina front line after finding it vulnerable, the British defence ministry has said.

...Russia has almost certainly allocated elements of the 76th Guards Air Landing Division of the VDV (airborne forces) to reinforce the Kremina front line after assessing the sector was significantly vulnerable, the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

The defence ministry noted heavy fighting around the town of Soledar, Donetsk oblast, and on the approaches to Kremina, Luhansk oblast over the last two days.

Until November 2022, Russia committed almost the whole of the deployable VDV as long-term, ground-holding troops along the frontline in the Kherson area. the MoD said.

Now redeployed to the Donbas and southern Ukraine, commanders are likely attempting to employ VDV more in line with their supposed doctrinal role as a relatively elite rapid reaction force, it added.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 12 January 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/YKWMG9VA4c



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/7mHRspwurz  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 12, 2023

Fighting continues in Donetsk, says Zelensky

Thursday 12 January 2023 06:11 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the military offensive in Ukraines eastern region is continuing as he suggested the deployment of Western-type tanks in the war.

Now the terrorist state and its propagandists are trying to pretend that some part of our city of Soledar  a city that was almost completely destroyed by the occupiers  is allegedly some kind of Russian achievement, he said in his nightly address.

Mr Zelensky added: But the fighting continues. The Donetsk direction is holding out. And we do everything, without stopping for a single day, to strengthen Ukrainian defence. Our potential is growing. And I thank all our partners who help in this.

Western-type tanks are the work of our entire anti-war coalition and this is a new level of our potential, Mr Zelensky said.

Why has Russia changed the commander-in-charge of Ukraine war yet again

Thursday 12 January 2023 06:00 , Arpan Rai

Moscow has picked Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, as the new commander of the unified group of forces in Ukraine.

The reshuffle, which was formally ordered by defence minister Sergei Shoigu, clearly came on Russian president Vladimir Putins approval, signaling that he still has trust in his top military leaders who have faced broad criticism for the troops performance in the conflict.

It also suggests a recognition of flaws in carrying out what Mr Putin calls the special military operation in Ukraine and comes weeks after hundreds of Russian soldiers were killed in an attack on barracks.

Top Russian military officer put in charge of Ukraine action

Body of one of two British men missing in Ukraine found, Russian mercenary group claims

Thursday 12 January 2023 06:00 , Liam James

The body of one of two British men who went missing in eastern Ukraine last week has been found, a Russian mercenary group has claimed.

The men were last seen on 6 January heading to the town of Soledar, where fighting has been especially fierce in recent days. There has been no contact with the pair since they left Kramatorsk at 8am on Friday.

They were identified on Monday as Andrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28. Reports suggest they had been voluntary workers sent to Ukraine to support humanitarian efforts.

In a statement, Russias Wagner group claimed it had found the body of one of the two men. It did not mention the name of the dead man but said documents belonging to both Britons had been found on his body.

Soledar city littered with corpses of Ukrainian soldiers - Wagner chief

Thursday 12 January 2023 05:38 , Arpan Rai

The leader of Russias Wagner Group mercenaries has claimed that the heavily contested city of Soledar is littered with the remains of Ukrainian troops.

I want to confirm the complete liberation and cleansing of the territory of Soledar, said Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner and a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He claimed that a Wagner unit has killed about 500 Ukrainian soldiers after heavy fighting.

The whole city is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers, he said.

Satellite images show scale of destruction in Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 05:13 , Arpan Rai

Thousands of bomb craters have pierced fields in eastern Bakhmut and schools and agricultural warehouses have been reduced to charred remains in the hottest spot of fighting in the war in Ukraine, new satellite images show.

The fresh satellite images taken by Maxar between 3 and 10 January show fields and adjoining roads completely destroyed by bombs in eastern Ukraines Bakhmut. Aerial views of the region taken in August  before the continuing Russian military offensive  showed lush green farms.

Another image shows several civilian buildings such as schools and agricultural warehouses hollowed out by multiple Russian shelling attacks and reduced to their skeletons and surrounded by ashes.

Read the full story here:

Satellite images show destruction of Soledar as Russia nears capture of key city

Deal on safe zone for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant getting harder  IAEA

Thursday 12 January 2023 05:00 , Reuters

Brokering a deal on a safe zone around Ukraines Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is getting harder because of the involvement of the military in talks, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday.

The Soviet-era plant, Europes largest, was captured by Russian forces in March, soon after their invasion of Ukraine. It has repeatedly come under fire in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.

I dont believe that [an agreement] is impossible, but it is not an easy negotiation, International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italian public television RAI.

Mr Grossi, who previously said he hoped to broker a deal on protecting the plant before the end of 2022, said talks with Kyiv and Moscow had become more complicated because they involve not just diplomats, but also military officers.

It has become... a longer and more difficult (negotiating) table, said Mr Grossi, speaking in Italian.

Putin says Russian economy stable despite sanctions

Thursday 12 January 2023 04:00 , Liam James

Vladimir Putin said the Russian economy, financial and banking system were stable and would remain so this year depsite sanctions.

The Russian president said he planned to embark on a series of socio-economic reforms to make life better for Russians, amid mounting anger over the Ukraine invasion.

The Kremlin said it had not yet seen any cases of the price caps on Russian oil imposed by the West last month.

Russian forces fire on 13 Kharkiv areas, officials say

Thursday 12 January 2023 03:00 , Liam James

Russian forces shelled 13 settlements in and around Kharkiv region largely returned to Ukrainian hands in September and October, the Ukrainian military said.

Local officials said rockets hit a pyrotechnics storage facility, setting off a chain of fireworks explosions.

Firefighters outside the facility as fireworks turn the night sky red (Getty)

Fireworks explode after a missile hit the pyrotechnics storage facility in Kharkiv (EPA)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the warehouse (Reuters)

Putins latest battle: Why Russia is fighting so hard to claim Ukrainian town of Soledar

Thursday 12 January 2023 02:00 , Liam James

The fate of the devastated salt-mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine hangs in the balance with Ukraine saying its forces were holding out against a furious Russian onslaught in one of the fiercest and costliest recent ground battles of Moscows invasion (Joe Sommerlad writes).

As fierce fighting in the Ukraine war continues, Russia has claimed what it believes to be a significant symoblic and strategic victory by announcing the capture of Soledar in Donetsk.

Combatants from the notorious Wagner Group of mercenaries, led by Vladimir Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, declared late on Tuesday that they had taken control of the eastern mining town in the Donetsk region, home to what is said to be Europes largest salt mine and, prior to the war, a population of around 10,000 people.

Were Russian forces to definitively secure Soledar, it would mark its first meaningful territorial gain since last summer.

Russia has been forced into several humiliating retreats in the north, northeast and south since then as Ukraine mounted an impressive counter-attack in the autumn.

Why Russia is fighting so hard to claim Ukrainian town of Soledar

UK and Japan sign defense deal amid rising concern about China

Thursday 12 January 2023 00:30 , Liam James

The leaders of Britain and Japan are signed a defence agreement that could see troops deployed to each others countries.

The two countries are strengthening military ties amid growing concern about Chinas increasing military assertiveness and designs toward Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province.

The British government said the defense agreement cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. It is due to be signed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and UK leader Rishi Sunak during a meeting in the symbolic setting of the Tower of London fortress.

The two leaders were meeting at the Tower of London, a 1,000-year-old former palace and prison that houses the Crown Jewels. Mr Sunaks office said they would view Japanese armor presented to King James in 1613 by Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada of Japan to mark the first-ever trade agreement between England and Japan.

Japan has joined Western nations in condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and imposing sanctions against Moscow. Japan also has supplied Ukraine with helmets and other non-lethal military aid.

Russia and Ukraine agree to prisoner swap

Wednesday 11 January 2023 23:30 , Liam James

The Russian and Ukrainian human rights commissioners agreed to swap more than 40 military prisoners, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency quoted the Russian official as saying.

The two warring parties have exchanged prisoners multiple times, in one of the few areas of cooperation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country has proposed establishing a corridor to bring the wounded to Turkey for treatment.

We can ensure they receive medical treatment and send them back, Mr Erdogan said. This is our humanitarian duty, our duty of conscience.

No final decision on sending British tanks to Ukraine

Wednesday 11 January 2023 22:33 , Liam James

British prime minister Rishi Sunak said no final decision has been made on whether to send tanks to Ukraine.

The UK has been considering whether to provide Challenger 2 battle tanks.

Polands prime minister Andrzej Duda today announced he would send Leopard battle tanks but urged allies to make similar offers.

Russia says EU becoming vassal of Nato

Wednesday 11 January 2023 21:30 , Liam James

Russia said that the European Union was becoming a vassal of Nato, citing the signing of a joint declaration in which the two organisations pledged to deepen their cooperation in response to Russias war in Ukraine.

In the declaration on Tuesday, Nato and the EU stated: Today, we are faced with the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. Russias brutal war on Ukraine violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

They pledged to take our partnership to the next level in response to the growing threats and challenges.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the move confirms the complete subordination of the European Union to the tasks of the North Atlantic bloc, which is an instrument to guarantee US interests by force.

She said the Europeans faced the unenviable fate of an American vassal, losing their positions in world politics and economics, falling into increasing dependence on Washington with every step.

The statement was in line with Moscows efforts to cast the war in Ukraine as part of an existential struggle with Western nations it says are bent on Russias destruction.

Putin authorises military shake-up in Ukraine

Wednesday 11 January 2023 20:30 , Liam James

Vladimir Putin has authorised another shake-up in the military leadership leading the invasion of Ukraine  while Kyiv mocked claims that it had lost the town of Soledar which is at the centre of a furious Russian assault.

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, had been appointed as overall commander of forces in Ukraine, one of a number of changes in recent months as Mr Putin seeks a success story to sell at home.

It is clear that pressure is building on the Kremlin, with the move in effect demoting General Sergei Surovikin, who had been named Russias top battlefield commander in Ukraine only last October after a spate of offensives by Kyivs troops that turned the tide of the war. General Surovikin had earned the nickname General Armageddon from the Russian media for his reputed ruthlessness.

A Defence Ministry statement said the reshuffle was meant to improve contacts between different military branches and the quality and effectiveness of the command structure.

Moscow seeks control of Soledar to strenghten its position around the nearby besieged city of Bakhmut and provide a stepping stone to other cities in the eastern Donbas region. On Wednesday evening, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky mocked claims by the Russian mercenary Wagner group that it has taken control of the town  the scene of some of the most intense fighting since Moscows invasion began.

Putin authorises another military shake-up for forces in Ukraine

Body of missing Briton found in Ukraine, says Wagner Group

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:55 , Liam James

Forces belonging to Russias Wagner group on Wednesday found the body of one of two British voluntary workers who had been reported missing in eastern Ukraine, the group said in a statement.

It did not mention the name of the dead man but said documents belonging to both Britons had been found on his body.

The statment was released alongside pictures of what appeared to be passports of two British men, Andrew Bagshaw and Chris Parry, who had been volunteering to help people evacuate from the frontline of the war before being reported missing after last being seen on Friday.

Putins latest battle: Why Russia is fighting so hard to claim Ukrainian town of Soledar

Wednesday 11 January 2023 19:00 , Liam James

The fate of the devastated salt-mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine hangs in the balance with Ukraine saying its forces were holding out against a furious Russian onslaught in one of the fiercest and costliest recent ground battles of Moscows invasion (Joe Sommerlad writes).

As fierce fighting in the Ukraine war continues, Russia has claimed what it believes to be a significant symoblic and strategic victory by announcing the capture of Soledar in Donetsk.

Combatants from the notorious Wagner Group of mercenaries, led by Vladimir Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, declared late on Tuesday that they had taken control of the eastern mining town in the Donetsk region, home to what is said to be Europes largest salt mine and, prior to the war, a population of around 10,000 people.

Were Russian forces to definitively secure Soledar, it would mark its first meaningful territorial gain since last summer.

Russia has been forced into several humiliating retreats in the north, northeast and south since then as Ukraine mounted an impressive counter-attack in the autumn.

Why Russia is fighting so hard to claim Ukrainian town of Soledar

Ukraine stages war games by Belarus

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:30 , Liam James

Ukrainian forces staged military exercises near the Belarusian border amid fears that Russia will launch another offensive from its allys territory, as it did at the start of the invasion in February.

President Volodymyr Zelensky downplayed warnings of Russian preparations in Belarus but said nevertheless we must be ready both at the border and in the regions.

Ukrainian troops in joint drills of armed forces, national guard and Security Service of Ukraine near the border with Belarus (Reuters)

A camouflaged Ukrainian soldier during war games near Belarus (Reuters)

Ukrainian troops stage an interrogation during drills near Belarus (Reuters)

Poland to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, urges allies to follow

Wednesday 11 January 2023 18:00 , Liam James

Poland has decided to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition, the Polish president said today as Warsaw seeks to play a leading role in reaching a consensus among Western allies on such support.

Kyiv has been requesting heavy military vehicles such as the German-made Leopard 2, which would represent a significant step-up in Western support to Ukraine.

A company of Leopard tanks will be handed over as part of coalition-building, Andrzej Duda said during a visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. We want it to be an international coalition. A company typically consists of 14 tanks.

Mr Duda said that he hoped that the Polish tanks, together with tanks from other countries, would soon travel to Ukraine.

In pictures: fierce battle continues to be fought in eastern Donetsk

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian servicemen fire a 120 mm mortar towards Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut (AP)

Ukrainian Army serviceman Vitalii

Ukrainian serviceman Hryhorii, 42, of the 43rd Heavy Artillery Brigade emerges from a German howitzer Panzerhaubitze 2000 in Soledar (REUTERS)

Kharkiv: Fireworks explode in sky after Russian strike hits Ukrainian factory

Wednesday 11 January 2023 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A huge fire raged at a fireworks factory in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, after it was hit by a Russian strike late on Tuesday, 10 January, according to local authorities.

Footage shows fireworks exploding in the sky after the attack.

Specialists of the State Emergency Service are working on site, said Oleh Synehubov, head of Kharkivs military administration.

No casualties have been reported.

The attack comes after two people were killed and five others, including a 13-year-old girl, were wounded by a rocket strike on Monday, 9 January in Kharkiv.

Kharkiv: Fireworks explode in sky after Russian strike hits Ukrainian factory

80 per cent of people seeking protection in Germany last year from Ukraine

Wednesday 11 January 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Roughly eight out of 10 people seeking protection in Germany last year came from Ukraine as part of the largest flight of people in Europe since World War Two, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

After Russias invasion in mid-February, 1,045,185 people who fled Ukraine were registered in Germany, it said, adding that most of them were women and children.

Russian President Vladimir Putins criminal war of aggression against Ukraine has triggered the largest flight movement in Europe since World War Two, said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in a statement.

In addition to the Ukrainian refugees, who do not need to go through an asylum procedure, over 244,000 people filed an asylum application last year, 27.9% more than the year before.

The majority of asylum applications came from people from Syria, followed by nationals of Afghanistan, Turkey and Iraq.

In other parts of the world, people are also fleeing war and terror, which is reflected in the significant increase in the number of asylum applications filed in 2022, said Faeser.

Russia promotes Gerasimov in military leadership shake-up

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday appointed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov as commander of the combined forces group for Moscows special military operation in Ukraine.

Announcing the appointment, the defence ministry said the changes were designed to increase the effectiveness of managing military operations in Ukraine, more than 10 months into the campaign.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, and Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia Valery Gerasimov (Sputnik)

Russia's Putin and Iran's Raisi discuss energy and transport in telephone call

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian president Vladimir Putin discussed energy and transport projects with Irans President Ebrahim Raisi in a telephone call on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.

Moscow and Tehran have moved to forge closer relations following Russias invasion of Ukraine last February and the two are among the worlds largest oil exporters.

In a readout of the call, the Kremlin said the two leaders had discussed how to further develop mutually beneficial projects in the energy, transport and logistics sectors and also stated their desire to normalise the situation in Syria.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Vladimir Putin, left, greet each other as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stands at right (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Ukraine and Russia agree new prisoner swap in talks - Russian official

Wednesday 11 January 2023 15:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia and Ukraine have agreed on an exchange of 40 prisoners of war each, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said on Wednesday after meeting her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets in Turkey.

Moskalkova and Lubinets were meeting on the sidelines of an international ombudsman conference in Ankara. Photos showed them sitting on opposite sides of a table.

It is very important that the ombudsmen of Ukraine and Russia, in the absence of diplomatic relations (between the two countries), take concrete actions to help people, Moskalkova told reporters.

Russia and Ukraine have conducted numerous prisoner swaps - most recently on Sunday - amounting to hundreds of captives each in the course of the war, which is now in its 11th month.

In a separate press appearance, Lubinets said the swap agreed on Wednesday was part of a broader arrangement by which both sides regularly exchange prisoners but underscored that they had not signed any official agreements.

We will not sign any agreements, but we have the straight connection between Ukraine ombudsman and ombudsman of Russian Federation, he said.

Lubinets added that the Ukrainian side had voiced, among other issues, its concerns over alleged Russian violations of the Geneva Convention in its treatment of Ukrainian POWs.

Earlier, Moskalkova said on the Telegram messaging app that she and Lubinets had also discussed the issue of servicemen missing on both sides, and civilian humanitarian issues.

She said she had asked Lubinets to help Ukrainian citizens who want to visit relatives in Russia.

Given the current difficulty of establishing humanitarian corridors inside Ukraine, Moskalkova said the ombudsmen should help specific people to move between regions and countries, saying Turkey could play an important role.

Separately, Russias state-owned RIA news agency quoted Moskalkova as saying important words about the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine had been spoken during her meeting with her Ukrainian and Turkish colleagues.

Moskalkova said a ceasefire was necessary to stop human rights violations, RIA reported. She also asked Turkey, a NATO ally, to stop supplying arms to Ukraine.

As Moskalkova and Lubinets met in Ankara, a fierce battle was raging for the small town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine.

Both were later due to visit the Turkish presidential palace, where President Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to make a speech for the conference.

In pictures: Battle continues to rage in Bakhmut

Wednesday 11 January 2023 14:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Ukrainian serviceman smokes a cigarette at his position at the frontline near Bakhmu (AP)

Ukrainian servicemen prepare to fire a 120 mm mortar towards Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut (AP)

(AP)

(AP)

Ukraine says Russian forces have not fully captured Soledar

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraines deputy defence minister said on Wednesday that Russian forces were trying without success to break through Ukrainian defensive lines to fully capture the eastern town of Soledar and that fierce fighting was raging.

Heavy fighting continues in Soledar, the official, Hanna Maliar, wrote on Telegram.

The enemy has again replaced its units after sustaining losses, has increased the number of Wagner (Russian mercenaries) and is trying to burst through our forces defence and fully seize the city, but is not having success.

Commander of the Ukrainian army, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, gives instructions in a shelter in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with the Russian forces (AP)

US army vehicles brought ashore in the Netherlands as part of Nato mission

Wednesday 11 January 2023 13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

US army vehicles tanks are brought ashore in the Netherlands as a military unit is transported to Poland and Lithuania.

The move is part of a Nato mission to reinforce the alliances eastern flank after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Vlissingen, Netherlands.

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(EPA)

(REUTERS)

Nato and EU to boost protection for pipelines and key infrastructure

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nato and the EU are launching a task force to boost protection of critical infrastructure in response to last years attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and Russias weaponising of energy, the organisations leaders said on Wednesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the sabotage of the Russia-to-Germany pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September showed the need to confront this new type of threat.

This is a task force where our experts from Nato and the European Union will work hand-in-hand to identify key threats to our critical infrastructure, to look at the strategic vulnerabilities that we do have, she said in Brussels, speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Western and Russian officials have traded accusations over the Nord Stream blasts, but officials in Sweden and Denmark investigating the attack have not named any possible culprits.

Von der Leyen said the task force would initially come up with proposals on transport, energy, digital and space infrastructure.

Western officials say the Nord Stream attacks and sudden cutoffs of gas from Russia since the start of Moscows war in Ukraine have highlighted how dependent many EU and Nato members are on key infrastructure and Russian energy.

Stoltenberg, speaking just before meeting von der Leyens Commission to discuss security, said the task force would be part of increased cooperation between Nato and the EU.

Resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure are a key part of our joint efforts, as we have seen both with President Putins weaponising of energy and ... the sabotage of the North Stream pipelines, he said.

We want to look together at how to make our critical infrastructure, technology and supply chains more resilient to potential threats and to take action to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Putin tells government that situation in annexed areas of Ukraine 'difficult'

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the situation in the areas of Ukraine that Russia says it has annexed was difficult in places.

However Putin, speaking at a televised meeting with officials, said Russia had all the resources it needed to improve life in the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow unilaterally claimed to have annexed in September.

(AP)

Estonia tells Russia to reduce number of diplomats in Tallinn

Wednesday 11 January 2023 12:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Estonia has told Russia to reduce the number of diplomats at its embassy in Tallinn by February, the Baltic countrys foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

It said in a statement Russia should lower the number of diplomats to eight, which equals the number of Estonian diplomats in Moscow.

The Russian embassy in Tallinn on its website lists 17 diplomats.

Since the Russias invasion of Ukraine, Estonia has already expelled three diplomats.

In light of the fact that during the war of aggression, the staff of the Russian embassy is not engaged in advancing Estonian-Russian relations, it is our view that there are no grounds for the current size of the Russian embassy, the ministry said on Wednesday.

In pictures: The battle rages in Soledar as waves of Russian forces attack eastern Donetsk

Wednesday 11 January 2023 11:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A tank fires a round, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Soledar (via REUTERS)

Ukrainian soldiers watch as smoke billows during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in Soledar (AP)

Ukrainian servicemen administer first aid to a wounded soldier in a shelter in Soledar (AP)

Russian ammunition depot destroyed near Soledar

Wednesday 11 January 2023 10:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Footage shows a Russian ammunition depot destroyed near Soledar in eastern Donetsk where intense fighting has taken place in the last week.

Russian defence ministry says it has surrounded east Ukraine's Soledar

Wednesday 11 January 2023 10:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russias defence ministry said on Wednesday that Russian airborne units had surrounded the Ukrainian town of Soledar from the north and south, while Russias air force struck Ukrainian positions in the town, Russian agencies reported.

In its daily briefing, the defence ministry said that Russian assault units were fighting for Soledar, a small town in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region that has been the focus of fierce fighting for months.

Ukraine says Russia does not yet control Soledar

Wednesday 11 January 2023 09:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraines military denied on Wednesday that Russian forces had taken control of the eastern town of Soledar, and said the intensity of battles in the area could be compared to fighting in World War Two.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the eastern military command, told Ukrainian television the battle for Soledar was important and that Ukrainian forces had not allowed Russian forces to break through front lines.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the situation on the ground in Soledar.

Kharkiv: Fireworks explode in sky after Russian strike hits Ukrainian factory

Wednesday 11 January 2023 09:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A huge fire raged at a fireworks factory in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, after it was hit by a Russian strike late on Tuesday, 10 January, according to local authorities.

Footage shows fireworks exploding in the sky after the attack.

Specialists of the State Emergency Service are working on site, said Oleh Synehubov, head of Kharkivs military administration.

No casualties have been reported.

The attack comes after two people were killed and five others, including a 13-year-old girl, were wounded by a rocket strike on Monday, 9 January in Kharkiv.

Kharkiv: Fireworks explode in sky after Russian strike hits Ukrainian factory

Sweden makes regulatory push to allow new nuclear reactors

Wednesday 11 January 2023 09:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sweden is preparing legislation to allow the construction of more nuclear power stations to boost electricity production in the Nordic country and bolster energy security, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday.

Kristersson has made expanding nuclear power generation a key goal for his right-wing government, seeking to reverse a process of gradual closures of several reactors in the past couple of decades that has left the country relying more heavily on renewable but sometimes less predictable energy.

Swedens energy mix consists mainly of nuclear, hydro and renewables and while it so far has been less affected by the turmoil surrounding gas supplies due to Russias standoff with the West, electricity prices have been high and volatile since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.

The proposed new legislation, which still needs to be passed by parliament, would allow new reactors to be constructed at additional locations across Sweden and was seen being in place in March next year.

We have an obvious need for more electricity production in Sweden, Kristersson told a news conference.

What we are doing today is changing legislation to allow for the construction of more nuclear reactors at more places.

The new legislation would scrap existing rules that caps the total number of reactors at ten and prohibits reactor construction in other locations than where they currently exist, opening the door to building smaller reactors that many see as the most cost-effective nuclear option.

Any expansion of nuclear power in Sweden could take many years given the complexity of such projects while energy demand is expected to rise sharply in coming years.

Sweden currently has six operational reactors, half of what it once had, and temporary closures for maintenance of some of them have contributed to push up electricity prices in the Nordic country in recent months.
By Felix Light and Nailia Bagirova

TBILISI/BAKU (Reuters) -Armenia's prime minister expressed concern on Tuesday about the failure of Russian peacekeepers to take a more active role around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, as Azerbaijan said time was running out for forging a lasting peace deal.

Yerevan wants the Russian peacekeepers to end a month-long Azeri blockade of the only road linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

"We do not criticize Russian peacekeepers, but we do express concern about their activities, and this concern has long-standing roots," Russian state news agency TASS quoted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as saying.

Moscow and Yerevan have a mutual defence pact, but Russia also strives for good relations with Armenia's arch foe Azerbaijan.

The blockade of the road, known as the Lachin corridor, is being led by a group of Azeris identifying themselves as environmental activists.

Armenia says the group comprises agitators backed by the Baku government bent on fueling tensions. Azerbaijan says they are eco-activists protesting against Armenian mining activity and that humanitarian traffic can pass freely along the road.

Both Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh officials have warned of a humanitarian crisis in the blockaded region.

In December, Armenian news site Hetq quoted Pashinyan as saying that Moscow should make way for an international peacekeeping mission if it is unable to reopen the road.

On Tuesday, Pashinyan said Armenia would not hold drills on its territory in 2023 with the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a Russian-led alliance of post-Soviet countries.

Asked about the move, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down talk of a rift, saying Armenia was "our very close ally", and that dialogue would continue.

Russia's foreign ministry said last month that its peacekeepers - deployed along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor - were doing everything they could to help stabilise the situation in the area.

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BORDER THREATS

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought repeatedly over Nagorno-Karabakh, which broke away from Baku's rule after a war in the early 1990s.

In 2020, Azerbaijan retook territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh in a second war that ended in a Moscow-brokered ceasefire and the deployment of Russian troops to the Lachin corridor.

Last September Azerbaijan staged large-scale cross-border attacks inside Armenia that Yerevan described as unprovoked aggression. Azerbaijan said its soldiers were responding after Armenian sabotage units tried to mine its positions.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said in a televised national address on Tuesday that Armenia would be the loser if the sides failed to strike a peace accord this year.

"We can live like this for a long time ... They (Armenia) don't want (border) delineation, which means the border will pass where we deem it necessary," he said, noting that the Russian peacekeepers' mandate expired in 2025.

(Reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi and Nailia Bagirova in Baku; Writing by Felix Light and Jake Cordell; Editing by Gareth Jones)
MUNCIE, Ind.  A Delaware County taxidermist was arrested Wednesday and has been ordered to return "all property back to customers," according to a release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The arrest of Shawn Allen Huntington, 44, of Eaton, came after an investigation by state conservation officers.

Huntington, owner of Buck Fever Taxidermy, was charged Tuesday in Delaware Circuit Court 4 with corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison, and three counts of theft, a Level 6 felony with a maximum 30-month sentence.

He was being held in the Delaware County jail under a $20,000 bond.

According to an affidavit, conservation officers since at least July 2021 had repeatedly discussed with Huntington complaints over taxidermist jobs that were apparently never completed.

The officers reportedly told the Eaton man "these matters can turn criminal when customers are not receiving the products they paid for and items belonging to customers are not being returned."

At one point, Huntington reportedly indicated he was two hunting seasons behind in terms of completing taxidermic projects.

The affidavit also alleged the Eaton man failed to "accurately log/tag information as required by his taxidermy license."

According to the DNR release, a search warrant in the case was served on Wednesday.

More:Muncie man's legal woes grow with racketeering, home improvement fraud charges

A court order also directs Huntington to return "all property to customers who entered a contract with Buck Fever Taxidermy," according to the department.

Customers wanting property returned should come to the Indiana Conservation Officers District 4 headquarters, at 3734 Mounds Road in Anderson, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

They should bring any receipts, canceled checks or other items that show ownership, and a valid form of identification.

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The conservation office can be reached at 765-649-1062.

The corrupt-business-influence charge filed Tuesday alleges Huntington engaged in "a pattern of racketeering activity" between Dec. 23, 2019 and Dec. 3, 2022.

The other three charges list a total of 17 customers now alleged to be victims of theft.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Delaware County taxidermist arrested, ordered to return property
Washington  A far-right media personality who admitted to live-streaming to thousands of viewers his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in prison.

Anthime Gionet, known online as "Baked Alaska," pleaded guilty in July to one misdemeanor count of illegal picketing in the Capitol building.

Prosecutors  who requested a sentence of 75 days in prison  alleged in court on Tuesday the defendant urged others to breach the Capitol before he made his way into the building as it was under siege by pro-Trump rioters. Ultimately, prosecutors said he made his way into two Senate offices, including one belonging to Sen. Jeffrey Merkley of Oregon. In that room, according to the government, Gionet picked up the phone and pretended to call the United States Senate, making unfounded claims of a fraudulent 2020 presidential election.

"We need to get our boy, Donald J. Trump, into office," Gionet is accused of yelling, as depicted in his live stream, "America First is inevitable, let's go, f*** globalists, let's go."

Anthime

In an excerpt from his online video that was played in court during sentencing, the man known as Baked Alaska advocated for further action. "Occupy the Capitol," he said, "Let's go. We ain't leaving this b****."

Another portion of the video evidence presented on Tuesday showed Gionet yelling vulgarities at police as they pushed him and other rioters out of the building. It was after this encounter that prosecutors said the defendant illegally entered the Capitol a second time.

Judge Trevor McFadden, who imposed Gionet's sentence, said he took this "shocking conduct," as well as the defendant's past history in petty crime into account. McFadden also imposed a $2,000 fine and 2 years of probation.

The judge said Gionet's amplification of the "shameful" and embarrassing events of Jan. 6 warranted the prison time he imposed.

His past brushes with the law included tearing down a menorah outside an Arizona county office building and assault, prosecutors said. Such actions, McFadden said, demonstrated a "very troubling vocation" of profiting off of his crimes.

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Gionet's defense attorney emphasized his client's nonviolent nature during the riot, highlighting a portion of video in which the defendant urged other members of the mob not to destroy property.

Gionet, the attorney said, was a "guerilla journalist" inside the Capitol, and lumping him in with other violent protesters that day as he said the government was doing was "disingenuous."

Still, McFadden told Gionet on Tuesday that while he has not seen much remorse from the defendant, McFaddennoted that he was right to have stopped his live-streaming operation.

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Capitol Hill reacts to discovery of documents marked classified at Biden's former office, while Rep. George Santos faces mounting scrutiny
Republican Rep. George Santos of New York in the House Chamber on January 4, 2023. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

George Santos accepted a campaign contribution from an Italian people smuggler, per The Daily Beast.

Rocco Oppedisano was caught trying to smuggle 14 undocumented migrants into the US in 2019.

Oppedisano's family runs a restaurant to which Santos' campaign has made some unusual payments.

Rep. George Santos, who is facing a slew of allegations of campaign-finance violations, took a potentially illegal campaign donation from an Italian national who was caught smuggling undocumented migrants into the US, The Daily Beast reported.

Rocco Oppedisano, who donated $500 to the Santos campaign in September 2022, was stopped by the US Coast Guard in December 2019 when was sailing a yacht from The Bahamas towards Florida, per The Beast.

Custom agents gained entry to the yacht's stateroom and inside found 14 undocumented Chinese migrants, a Bahamian national, and more than $200,000 stuffed into the walls, The Beast reported.

Oppedisano was charged and later pleaded guilty to bringing aliens into the US for commercial and private financial gain, court records show.

He was also charged with illegally seeking to re-enter the US, after he was stripped of US permanent resident status in 2019 following a drug and firearms bust at a home he was staying at in 2009, per The Beast. Oppedisano did not plead guilty to that charge.

While a small sum, accepting a campaign donation from Oppedisano could be seen as hypocritical given Santos' hardline position on illegal immigration, which he has described as having "deadly consequences.". Federal law also prohibits contributions or donations from foreign nationals to US political campaigns.

Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), told The Beast that such a gift would be unequivocally forbidden.

The donation also raised the spotlight on other questionable financial conduct related to Santos, Oppedisano, and Oppedisano's family members.

Rocco Oppedisano's brother Joseph, and niece Tina, run an Italian restaurant in Little Neck, New York, The Beast reported.

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Santos' campaign has spent more than $25,000 at the restaurant, Il Bacco, since his first run for Congress in 2020, federal campaign finance records show, per The Beast.

Financial records show that many of the receipts at the restaurant came in at $199.99  exactly a cent short of the threshold that would require the Santos campaign to keep documentation of the transactions.

The non-partisan group Campaign Legal Center (CLC) called this fact "astounding" in a civil complaint to the Federal Election Commission on Monday.

"The sheer number of these just-under-$200 disbursements is implausible, and some payments appear to be impossible given the nature of the item or service covered," the CLC said.

In an article published by Talking Points Memo on Tuesday, an unnamed former Santos' staffer said there were "weird, weird things" going on with the campaign's finances.

"I don't know why we were at Il Bacco all the time," the staffer said, per TPM.

The source also told the publication that financial impropriety will likely lead to Santos being "perp walked" out of Congress.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On Tuesday, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders banned the word Latinx from all government documents in one of seven executive orders issued within hours of beginning her term. The ban represents the latest move in a series of culture war policies adopted by Republicans in many states nationwide.

A conservative position in the language of cultural sensitivity

The new executive order restricts any future official Arkansas documents from using Latinx and calls on the government to replace the term with the words Latino and/or Latina in previous records.

Sanders gave multiple justifications for the ban:

First, she cited a well-known Pew Research Center study that found only 3% of the Latino and Hispanic U.S. population use Latinx. The nations youngest governors executive order referred to Latinx as an example of ethnically insensitive and pejorative language that seeks to remove gender from the Spanish language and cited the Real Academia Espanola of Madrid, Spain, which has deemed the x suffix improper for the Spanish language.

Latinx became popular among activist circles, LGBTQ people of Latin American origins and various online communities. Proponents of the term argue that it is more inclusive than the gendered Latino/Latina terminology. However, critics of using Latinx say in addition to the word not being widely adopted, it is also an attempt to impose American standards on another language and a form of cultural erasure.

Sanders appeals to such logic in her order. However, citing an institution based in Spain rather than Latin America supports a Eurocentric language interpretation. By contrast, some activists who have not adopted Latinx have suggested using Latine as a gender-neutral alternative that is more consistent with traditional Spanish grammar and pronunciation.

An entry into the culture wars

As noted, Arkansas first female governor issued seven executive orders on her first day in office. Several of them touched on various cultural issues, including a review of state educational policies to fight the indoctrination of students through critical race theory. Sanders also banned the popular TikTok social media app from government devices, citing concerns that Chinese operatives could access Americans information through the app.

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Sanders previously worked as a press secretary for former President Donald Trump. But she may be seeking to raise her profile among other Republican governors of Southern states.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in particular, has built his political brand by restricting discourse in the state, including bans on so-called critical race theory and censorship of LGBTQ content in schools, dubbed the dont say gay law. DeSantis stances  making Florida the place where woke goes to die  has made him a frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. Others, like Greg Abbott of Texas and Virginias Glenn Youngkin, have similarly engaged in highly provocative efforts to control or limit discussions of race and LGBTQ issues. In addition, anti-China rhetoric became a prominent feature of Republican discourse under former President Trump.

So even though there are debates within the relevant communities surrounding the term Latinx, Sanders ban reflects a conservative political agenda rather than simply an attempt at cultural sensitivity.
Rhode Island's first housing "czar" is leaving the job just a year after his reign began, and just as the state kicks off a major overhaul of its programs to make homes more affordable.

Gov. Dan McKee "accepted the resignation" of Housing Secretary Josh Saal, the governor's office announced Wednesday. It did not name a replacement, but said Saal would remain "for a short transition period and our office will have more to say about a leadership plan for the Department over the next few days."

Saal said his resignation will be official "in two weeks."

"We thank Secretary Saal for his work over the past year and look forward to building a Department of Housing that is innovative and responsive to the gravity this moment requires," the McKee administration said in a news release.

Former state Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, who stepped down for an unsuccessful run for treasurer last year, is being considered as a possible replacement, according to multiple sources.

Saal, a Brown University graduate, came to Rhode Island last January from New York City, where he was deputy director of predevelopment in the city's Department of Housing, Preservation and Development. He was hired first as a deputy commerce secretary for housing in Rhode Island and then was elevated to cabinet-level housing secretary last summer when lawmakers created a unified state Department of Housing, which officially came into existence Jan. 1. He was set to make $190,799 in salary this year.

Saal's task was to coordinate and centralize state housing policies traditionally carried out by a handful of separate organizations and state departments, but some questioned whether the 37-year-old had the experience necessary or Rhode Island connections to get it done.

Even before his Housing Department launched, Saal came under scrutiny from top lawmakers wondering why he wasn't moving faster to deploy some of the $250 million budgeted for housing programs this year.

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"I don't think he's done much of a job so far," Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said in December. The Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing on the progress of all state use of federal American Rescue Plan funds, the primary source of the housing money, on Thursday.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who championed the creation of both a housing secretary and a housing department, said the state "could do better" to combat homelessness, a key responsibility of the secretary. Shekarchi is expected to propose a package of legislation to spur construction and housing affordability this year.

I am disappointed by the lack of progress that was made under Secretary Saals leadership and the inadequate reports he recently submitted to the legislature," Shekarchi said Wednesday. "The General Assembly committed unprecedented resources to address affordable housing and homelessness in the last two budgets, and there has been very little funding spent so far... I hope the new secretary will be a person of action with a record of getting things done in Rhode Island.

House GOP leader Michael Chippendale also weighed in, saying the affordable housing shortage "is worthy of a leader who can make an immediate impact forging alliance with the various support organizations across the state and building consensus for a thoughtful plan of action."

Melina Lodge, executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island, a coalition of affordable housing developers, said it "has been evident through news coverage and submission of incomplete reports and plans the secretary hasn't been able to make the progress we thought we would see on the housing and homelessness issues we are facing."

Last fall, Saal was handed the unenviable job of handling and eventually removing a homeless encampment at the front door of the State House.

The McKee administration went to court to have the encampment cleared, but the episode strained the relationship between Saal and advocates for the homeless.

The encampment fight was heating up around the same time Saal released a report  more than two weeks past its statutory due date  recommending housing programs spread across a handful of organizations be centralized under his agency. A separate report, an annual update of state housing statistics, was filed four days late this month.

Then a few days before the start of the new year, Saal went out to bid for a consultant to help with the "development of a statewide housing plan," raising questions about why that hadn't already been done and whether creating a plan should be the housing department's job.

The agencies proposed to come under the Department of Housing umbrella include Rhode Island Housing, the quasi-state agency and lender that has led state housing efforts for decades. And Saal proposed bringing the Housing Resources Commission, a 28-member board that directs funding for affordable housing, under the Department of Housing.

By the start of the new year, some of the groups and organizations Saal was supposed to be leading were bristling at the idea of taking orders from him.

"The States power is hindered by the decentralization of homelessness and housing programs across multiple agencies, including non-governmental and quasi-governmental bodies," Saal's housing reorganization report said.

"At a time when the State is prioritizing housing and investing $250 million into housing development, home ownership, and community revitalization, this preliminary plan proposes a governance model for housing and homelessness that would centralize housing and homelessness functions within the Department of Housing and strengthen the already strong relations between the State and its partners."

He highlighted the issue of competing interests among the different housing players in his resignation letter Wednesday.

"This approach has led to limitations on oversight, and to the unintentional creation of 'silos'  an ineffective practice that the creation of this centralized agency aims to address," he wrote.

Asked by The Journal about Saal's job performance in December, McKee pointed out that he didn't have a department to lead yet and, even after the department was created, would be understaffed for the job it was being asked to do.

In his budget request for the Department of Housing, Saal in October asked for $2.6 million and 15 new employees in the year that starts July 1, up from $1.5 million this year.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Housing Secretary Josh Saal is resigning. What to know
Outside the Kentucky State Capitol Building in Frankfort on Tuesday. Dec. 18, 2018

Kentucky's individual income tax rate dropped at the beginning of this year and may drop even further next year if the Republican supermajority of the Kentucky General Assembly passes its top-priority bill into law during the 2023 legislative session.

The tax cuts are the result of House Bill 8 passed in the 2022 session, which set up a triggering mechanism for the individual income tax rate to drop by half a percentage point each year if certain conditions are met  until it is eventually eliminated.

The individual income tax rate automatically dropped from 5% to 4.5% at the beginning of this year due to the budget conditions being met, while House Bill 1  the top priority of Republicans in the 2023 session  would decrease it further to 4% on Jan. 1, 2024.

Under last year's bill, the corporate tax rate remains at 5% and the sales tax remains at 6%, though the legislation eliminated an exemption for dozens of services being subject to the state sales tax.

More:GOP's top priority, a bill to cut income tax rate to 4%, passes through Kentucky House

The tax cuts are part of Republicans' long-term goal of moving to a system that relies on taxing consumption instead of production, or sales taxes instead of income taxes, believing that better fosters an environment for economic growth.

Republican supporters of these tax changes cite Tennessee as a model to emulate, which has long been without an income tax and has a broader sales tax with a higher rate of 7%  a tax system they credit for the state outpacing Kentucky in economic and population growth in the past two decades.

Critics of the Kentucky GOP tax cut efforts  including Democratic legislators and the left-leaning think tank Kentucky Center for Economic Policy  argue they are regressive measures that mostly help the wealthy and disproportionately burden low-income Kentuckians. They also argue the income tax cuts are permanent, whereas the recent boost in revenue and surpluses is mostly driven by temporary federal stimulus packages of the pandemic era, setting up a situation where sales taxes may need to be increased if state government does not have enough revenue to meet its obligations.

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Here is a look at the income tax structure in other surrounding states.

Tennessee's income tax rate

Tennessee has long been one of the few states without an individual income tax, though their numbers have now grown to nine states.

Tennessee has a 7% state sales tax, though local governments can also levy a sales tax of up to 2.75%. The state also has a higher corporate income tax rate of 6.5%.

Indiana's income tax rate

Indiana's current individual income tax rate will decrease from 3.23% to 3.15% this year, thanks to a law passed in 2022 that will incrementally lower the rate to 2.9% over seven years  so long as state revenue growth reaches at least 2%.

Republican legislators are sponsoring a bill this year that would create a new commission to look for ways to completely eliminate Indiana's individual income tax.

Indiana has a 4.9% corporate income tax and a 7% sales tax.

More:The Kentucky General Assembly's 2023 session kicks off Jan. 3. What to expect

Ohio's income tax rate

Ohio has a progressive individual income tax rate, ranging from 2.7% to 3.99%.

Ohio has no corporate income tax but does levy a tax on gross receipts. The state's sales tax rate is 5.75%, while local governments can levy a sales tax of up to 2.25%.

Illinois' income tax rate

Illinois has a flat individual income tax rate of 4.95% and a corporate income tax rate of 9.5%.

The state's sales tax rate is 6.25%, with local governments able to levy a maximum sales tax of 4.75%.

West Virginia's income tax rate

West Virginia has a progressive individual income tax rate, ranging from 2% to 5.75%, and a corporate income tax rate of 6%.

The state has a sales tax rate of 6% and local governments can levy an additional tax rate of up to 1%.

Virginia's income tax rate

Virginia has a progressive individual income tax rate, ranging from 3% to 6.5%, and a corporate income tax rate of 6.5%.

The state has a sales tax rate of 5.3% and local governments can levy an additional tax rate of up to .7%.

Missouri's income tax rate

Missouri has a progressive individual income tax rate, ranging from 1.5% to 4.95%, and a corporate income tax rate of 4%.

The state has a sales tax rate of 4.2% and local governments can levy an additional tax rate of up to 5.7%.

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky cut its income tax rate. What is the rate in other states?
Stephen J. Dennis, accompanied by lawyer Jeff Pine, appears in District Court on Monday afternoon. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

Editor's Note: For the most recent developments on this case read the article, 'Personal injury lawyer reaches agreement to drop spitting charge'

PROVIDENCE  A personal injury lawyer accused of shoving and spitting on the father of another personal-injury lawyer has brought his own charges against the alleged victim.

Stephen J. Dennis, 59, who is accused of assaulting the 67-year-old father of lawyer Michael Campopiano, says that the father was the hitter and spitter.

Providence police saw Dennis as the aggressor and arrested him on Dec. 3. Nine days later, Dennis lodged a private criminal complaint against Augusto Campopiano Jr., of Cranston, charging him with two counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct. (Rhode Island allows citizens to act as prosecutors and file criminal complaints for misdemeanors.)

Dennis said in a notarized complaint that the elder Campopiano was the aggressor and that he was just trying to defend himself.

The shoving-and-spitting match between the two men occurred at the downtown building where Dennis and Michael Campopiano both have law offices. The only thing that both sides can agree on is that the confrontation stemmed from a soured business relationship between the two lawyers.

Dennis says in a recent lawsuit that Michael Campopiano owes him about $600,000 in a fee-sharing agreement that involved at least 173 clients. Campopiano says he doesn't.

In his complaint, Dennis said that the elder Campopiano brought up the feud when they ran into each other in the vestibule of the office building at 127 Dorrance St. on Nov. 15. Dennis told Campopiano that his son owed him money. Campopoiano said his son felt the same.

Words led to action: Dennis said in his complaint that Campopiano told him to leave his son alone and punched him. Dennis said he grabbed Campopiano's arms and the other man spit in his face. "This started and surprised me, causing me to almost lose my balance and fall back into a doorway," Dennis said in the complaint.

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The confrontation spilled into the hallway, where, Dennis says, Campopiano continued to harass him. He declined comment Thursday through his lawyer, Frank Orabona Jr.

The two men will be back at District Court on Jan. 14 on their dueling cases.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Lawyer accused of spitting attack says he was the victim
A missing Massachusetts woman tried to call friends and family members hours before she disappeared, according to reports.

Ana Walshe, 39, tried to reach her mother, sister and maid-of-honour in Serbia at around midnight on New Years Eve and again at 1am, her mom Milanka Ljubicic told Fox News in an interview.

The family members were asleep at the time, while Ms Walshes friend was at a New Years Eve party and didnt hear her phone, Ms Ljubicic told Fox News from her home in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.

And now, I regret not getting the phone, because shes disappeared, Ms Ljubicic said.

Ms Walshe was last seen at her home in the coastal city of Cohasset in the early hours of 1 January, authorities say.

She had been due to take a ride share car service to Boston Airport that day to return to Washington DC, where she worked in real estate.

Ana Walshe, right, with her mother Milanka Ljubicic during a 2016 trip to Serbia (Facebook / Ana Walshe)

She was reported missing by concerned colleagues on 4 January after she failed to show up to work.

Her husband Brian Walshe, a 47-year-old convicted art fraudster, was arrested on 8 January and charged with misleading investigators about her disappearance.

Ms Ljubicic told Fox News said when they spoke a week earlier on Christmas Day, her daughter had asked: Mama, come tomorrow.

Which means that clearly, there must have been some problems, she said.

Ms Ljubicic suggested she plan a visit for the New Year, but her daughter said not to worry.

And now I cant forgive myself for not just letting things fall where they may, and just go, and whatever happens to me, happens, she said.

In a 9 January criminal complaint affidavit, prosecutors said they found blood and a knife in the basement of the family home.

They further alleged that Mr Walshe visited a Home Depot on 2 January wearing a black surgical mask, black gloves and bought $450 worth of cleaning supplies using cash.

Brian Walshe, 47, is being held on $500,000 bond after being charged with misleading police during their investigation into his wifes disappearance. (2022 The Patriot Ledger)

Investigators said Mr Walshe had said during interviews he had visited a smoothie bar, a Whole Foods store and CVS but had neglected to mention the Home Depot trip.

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Mr Walshes cell phone data also showed he had visited other locations around Massachusetts that day despite being under home confinement orders while awaiting sentencing on art fraud.

On 9 January, police searching for Ms Walshe discovered blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug, and cleaning supplies at a transfer station in Peabody.

Mr Walshe is being held on $500,000 bond after being charged with misleading police during their investigation into his wifes disappearance.
A Mississippi wastewater hauling business has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally discharging industrial waste into the sewer system in the state's capital city, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca said that Partridge-Sibley Industrial Services, Inc., a Jackson-based company, admitted to overseeing the disposal of industrial waste in Jackson from a client based in a nearby city.

More:Lumumba celebrates federal funds approved for Jackson water crisis. Lauds staff, others

More:Jackson water crisis flows from a century of poverty, neglect and racism

The company allowed for pollutant-filled waste to be illegally discharged into the Jackson Wastewater Treatment System, which consists of three wastewater treatment facilities and a sewer system that serves Jackson and some surrounding areas.

PSIs negligent conduct contributed to the discharge of millions of gallons of untreated industrial waste into the Jackson water system, said Chuck Carfagno, a special agent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's criminal enforcement division. EPA and its law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who deliberately violate our nation's environmental laws.

Jacksons water and sewer system has been beset by troubles dating back years. The water system has broken down repeatedly, which has at times forced people in the city of 150,000 to go days without running water.

PSI transported truckloads of industrial waste from Gold Coast Commodities, Inc. to a tank owned by a sewer service company in Jackson. The waste unloaded into that tank was later dumped in the city's sewer system, according to court records.

More:2 Brandon businessmen indicted for releasing industrial waste into Jackson sewer system

Gold Coast Commodities primarily manufactures and sells acidulated bean oils. It also purchases and collects used cooking oil from restaurants and food processing establishments that is then refined into used cooking oil, according to the company's website.

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PSI agreed to pay the maximum fine of $200,000. The company will also be subject to one year of probation, prosecutors said.

Attorneys for PSI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In October, an employee of the company pleaded guilty for his part in the illegal dumping. He was sentenced in December to one year of probation.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi company pleads guilty to federal illegal dumping
A second set of documents was found at President Joe Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, home from his time as vice president.

That's the biggest news out of Washington today as questions mount and Biden says little.

From the USA TODAY political team's latest dispatch:

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel, Robert Hur, on Thursday to further review the handling of classified documents found at a former office space used by President Joe Biden and at his Wilmington, Delaware, home.

Who is Hur?: Hur is a former U.S. attorney in Maryland who will return to the government from private practice in Washington. Hur, who also served as a principal associate deputy attorney general during the Trump administration, is expected to begin work in the coming days. More about Robert Hur.

Why Garland said he's appointing special counsel: The very extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a special counsel, Garland said. "This appointment underscores for the public the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law."

 The latest:The two batches of documents and a timeline

 What we don't know: The biggest questions around Biden's documents that remain unanswered

Real quick: Stories you'll want to read

Members of extremist group Proud Boys on trial: In opening arguments, prosecutors argued the five Proud Boys took aim at the heart of our democracy on Jan. 6, 2021, weaponizing an inflamed pro-Trump mob to achieve their goal of stopping the peaceful transfer of power. What to know about the trial so far.

First Lady recovers: Doctors removed cancerous lesions from Jill Biden's eye and chest this week. Basal cell carcinoma is the most curable form of skin cancer, and she is doing "really well," the president said.

How the Brazil uprising echoes Jan. 6 insurrection: Riots followed sitting president Jair Bolsonaro's unfounded claims that the election results were false, and his defeat was the result of a rigged election. The similarities don't stop there.

Santos won't resign, McCarthy won't act: The mounting calls for New York Rep. George Santos ouster are not swaying House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who said he still plans to allow Santos to serve on House committees.

 Biden's plan for Medicare drug prices: Part of the Inflation Reduction Act grants the federal health program that serves older adults and disabled people the authority to negotiate drug prices. The federal agency will select the first 10 drugs to negotiate later this year but price changes won't begin until 2026.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second set of Biden classified documents found prompts special counsel
Jan. 11JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  An arrest has been made regarding alleged threats directed toward Conemaugh Valley High School students.

East Taylor Police Department Det. Paul Deffenbaugh said the incident was "concluded and handled expeditiously" thanks to cooperation among the involved parties, including Conemaugh Valley School District officials.

Deffenbaugh said more details are expected to be made public on Thursday.

Shane Hazenstab, the district's superintendent, a student from a neighboring school district allegedly made "threats of what he intended to do" at an upcoming high school winter formal dance.

The superintendent said the threats were "general in nature," not pinpointed toward specific individuals.

Multiple Conmeuagh Valley students originally reported the information to school officials on Wednesday.

Hazenstab said the other district and Pennsylvania State Police were contacted, which then led to the involvement of the East Taylor police.

A message from the district was sent out to parents and guardians of Conemaugh Valley students.

"I'm absolutely pleased (with how the process worked)," Hazenstab said. "We always say safety is our single most important thing that we do. We have over 800 people come to our school campus every day  over 700 students and roughly a hundred adults. For everybody to get there safely and go home safely is priority No. 1.

"Everything else is secondary."
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked President Joe Biden's administration to weigh in on whether the justices should decide whether a publicly funded charter school in North Carolina may have violated the rights of female students - deemed "fragile vessels" by the school's founder - by requiring girls to wear skirts.

The justices are considering whether to hear an appeal by Charter Day School, located in the southeastern North Carolina town of Leland and operated by a private educational management company, of a lower court's ruling that found that the dress code ran afoul of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law.

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, asked U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar to file a brief expressing the Biden administration's view on the litigation and whether the Supreme Court should take up the matter.

Aaron Streett, a lawyer for the school, called the Supreme Court's decision to seek the solicitor general's input rather than reject its appeal a "positive sign" that "indicates that the court views this as an important case that may merit further review."

Three female students, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit that accused the school of violating their civil rights. The U.S. Justice Department earlier in the litigation filed a brief agreeing with the ACLU argument that the 14th Amendment applies to the school, which is state-chartered but privately run.

"Girls at Charter Day School have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schools - including the freedom to wear pants," Ria Tabacco Mar, director of the ACLU's Women's Rights Project, said in a statement.

Charter Day School, which enrolls students from kindergarten through eighth grade, emphasizes "traditional values" and has implemented a dress code that its founder, businessman Baker Mitchell, has said would "preserve chivalry" and ensure that girls are treated "courteously and more gently than boys."

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Mitchell, as explained in the lower court's ruling, viewed chivalry as "a code of conduct" under which women are "regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor."

Charter schools are publicly funded but operated separately from school boards run by local governments. They usually are independently run as stand-alone entities but also can be managed by for-profit companies or nonprofit organizations running multiple schools, as in this case.

The school's lawyers said the 2022 ruling by the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals posed an "existential threat" to a conservative-backed movement to increase alternatives for parents who want their children to receive public education by expanding the numbers of charter schools.

Charter Day School argued that the 14th Amendment does not apply to it because it is a private entity, not a "state actor" like public schools operated directly by North Carolina school districts. The 4th Circuit on a 10-6 vote decided that it was a "state actor" because North Carolina delegated to the school its duty to provide free, universal education to students.

The plaintiffs argued that the dress code not only violated the 14th Amendment but also subjected them to discrimination and denial of the full benefits of their education in violation of the civil rights law Title IX, which bars sex discrimination in education. The 4th Circuit agreed regarding the 14th Amendment but did not resolve the Title IX issue.

"Courts may not subjugate the constitutional rights of these public-school children to the facade of school choice," wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Barbara Milano Keenan in a decision joined by her fellow Democratic appointees on the 4th Circuit.

The six dissenting votes on the 4th Circuit came from Republican-appointed judges including Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, who said the school's "chivalric approach should neither be legally banished from the educational system, nor should it be legally imposed."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham)
A state commission investigating the 2019 mass shooting in Virginia Beach hopes to review any useful information gleaned from a laptop allegedly found in the gunmans condo.

Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, who previously announced that the laptop had come into her possession, told the group at its Wednesday meeting in Richmond that she was unable to help. The Virginia Beach Democrat said the laptop was given to the Department of Justice.

Her lawyer, Joseph Sherman, in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot later clarified that he had planned to send the laptop to the DOJs Civil Rights Division prior to the start of the General Assemblys session, but decided to wait because of the volume of people calling to provide more information.

Sherman took the blame for the breakdown in communication, saying he didnt want to mention new developments to Convirs-Fowler while she was preparing for the first day of the legislative session.

Sherman said their intent is to provide a compelling package of evidence, which Convirs-Fowler has been compiling for years, to take to the Civil Rights Division along with the laptop. Theyre inviting those with information about the workplace culture within the city government to come forward.

The laptop is secured off site, Sherman said, and neither he nor Convirs-Fowler have made further efforts to verify its authenticity.

The investigations performed by the city leave a lot to be desired from the stakeholders, and so were seeking an honest review of the factors contributing to the murders, and thats going to require someone to investigate the city, its culture, its workplace environment, and perceived or actual systemic failures, Sherman said. The federal government represents the most powerful protector of civil rights, and it can exercise its authority to help this community.

(Convirs-Fowlers) constituency wants more transparency and less obstruction on behalf of the city into determining why the murderer felt motivated to attack his managers and superiors.

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Sherman said the attorney for the victims families, former Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, has not formally requested the laptop beyond asking that it be turned over to his client, Debbie Borato, the sister of shooting victim Michelle Missy Langer.

Convirs-Fowler told the commission she gave a copy of the laptops contents to Fairfax, which he confirmed last week.

A copy of it is in the hands of the attorney representing the families  so if a copy is wanted by this commission, I suggest reaching out to the families or the attorney, she said.

Convirs-Fowler told the commission Wednesday she had no other information to provide.

For my own safety, I want to make it clear that I do not have this laptop (anymore), she said. Ive had people come to my home  I am getting threats on Facebook, on messenger.

Ryant Washington, the commission chair, said the group was not in the position to demand the device but would send a letter appealing for information.

David Cariens, another commission member, said he had serious concerns about the laptops previous whereabouts.

If I recall correctly, the Virginia Beach police, when they did the search of the shooters condo, said they found no laptop, he said. So this is a major question  why did it turn up now? Who had it?

Cariens said he would like to review the Virginia Beach polices inventory of everything found during their search of the condo, as well as any photographs taken by investigators.

Borato, a Florida resident, obtained the shooters Virginia Beach condo following a wrongful death lawsuit against the administrator of his estate. She and her friend, Beth Mann, said they initially found the laptop on Nov. 22 while they were cleaning the condo preparing for its sale. With Boratos permission, Mann turned the laptop over to Convirs-Fowler.

Convirs-Fowler is one of two legislators who pushed to create the commission, which is tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the tragedy.

The gunman, a disgruntled city employee, fatally shot 12 people May 31, 2019, at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center before he was killed by police.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
The city of Alleman's annexation plan to slow Ankeny's growth failed before a state board on Wednesday.

A state board voted down a proposal Wednesday that would have let a tiny town take a stand against suburban growth.

The state's City Development Board unanimously denied a request from the city of Alleman, population 423, to annex roughly 1,700 acres into its city limits and push its boundaries as far south as Northwest 118th Avenue. The board found that Alleman's request did not meet the standards under Iowa law, and board members expressed concerns about irregular borders, Alleman's ability to provide services, the impact on property owners who might want to sell  and whether approving the plan would run counter to the board's very purpose.

More:Altoona City Council approves annexation to expand to the southeast

The proposal would have taken in several properties moving east toward Interstate 35, even though the owners did not want to become part of Alleman, using a process allowed under Iowa law meant to prevent islands and irregular borders.

"It seems more about stopping Ankeny than any greater public interest," said board member Mari Bunney.

Alleman Mayor Bob Kramme said the goal was to block Ankeny's development to the north and preserve the area's agricultural land. Kramme has said that continued growth into the North Polk Community School District, which is based in Alleman, is bringing too much traffic and straining the city's infrastructure and resources.

Instead, he said, Ankeny should go east, and its continued growth north is going to cause Alleman a lot of pain.

Any development on properties in Alleman would be less dense than in Ankeny, which would be more workable for the town on its own terms, though Kramme said Wednesday there are no plans for development at this time.

Some affected property owners in or near the area said they believe the mayor has been dishonest with them while expressing concerns about the process and the impact it could have on their land.

Others agreed to become a part of Alleman, like Jason Wattonville of the Wattonville family farm, who supported the plan as a way to protect agricultural land, used to grow food to put on the table, from being paved over with concrete.

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The city of Ankeny officially opposed the annexation plan. Polk County government officials did not take an official position, but did send a letter to the board outlining various concerns.

Alleman and Ankeny had an annexation dispute last spring over about 600 acres of land off the Northeast 126th Avenue highway exit that's destined for development. Alleman officials strongly opposed the plan over concerns about the impact of Ankeny's growth on Alleman, and both cities had their eye on property off the interstate that would be prime for commercial or industrial development.

Ultimately, Ankeny won out.

Several property owners have been looped into annexation proposals by Ankeny and Alleman this past year under an Iowa law that allows cities to bring properties into their borders, even if the owners don't agree. Under the 80/20 rule, as long as the owners of at least 80% of the land in the proposal agree, all properties can be annexed.

The 80/20 rule is meant to keep cities in line with Iowa law, which prohibits cities from creating "islands" of county land surrounded by cities and discourages irregular borders, which officials say can create maintenance and service challenges.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Alleman, Iowa annexation plan to block Ankeny's growth fails
Eleven residents of Boone County filed a legal challenge against the City of Lebanon Tuesday, regarding more than 5,000 acres recently annexed into the city for the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) district.

The LEAP District is a proposed tech and manufacturing park in Lebanon anchored by an Eli Lilly project. The state began putting land under contract as early as November 2021. Gov. Holcomb and the IEDC publicly announced LEAP in May 2022, along with the fact that Eli Lilly & Co. committed to 600 acres for a $2.1 billion project.

In December, the Lebanon City Council approved the annexation of 5,225 acres into the city and zoned most of the land for LP (LEAP), a new zoning classification for specific use within the district, which was adopted at that same meeting in a related ordinance.

More:What's a Hoosier? Indiana lawmaker attributes origin to Black Methodist minister

Though the land annexations into the city were voluntary, residents worry that it will change the character of their community, create water challenges and take away valuable farmland, which has long been a part of Boone County's identity.

The plaintiffs argue the project will diminish their property values, their ability to enjoy their homes and will denigrate their health due to increased traffic, noise and pollution.

Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry called the challenge a Hail Mary to stop the LEAP District and that the city "did everything by the book" in regards to the annexation.

"I'm pretty confident that we we'll succeed if this goes to court," he said. "I hope the judge would throw this case out because we don't think there's really any basis for this challenge."

In the complaint, the residents said the annexation was in violation of Indiana Code because it was not included in the city's comprehensive plan, which was adopted in January of 2020.

The residents said that because the land annexed was outside the boundaries of Center Township, which encompasses the city of Lebanon, it was outside the jurisdiction of planning and zoning boundaries under the comprehensive plan.

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The complaint also said that the 5,225-acre annexation was in violation of the city's own Unified Development Ordinance, which says that proposed annexations by default be classified as single-family residential unless a concept plan that follows certain mandatory and strict requirements.

The residents are being represented by lawyer Michael Andreoli, of Zionsville.

It's been reported that the state is hoping to purchase up to 10,000 acres for the project, according to the Boone County Innovation districts website. IEDC chief operating officer and chief of Staff Rosenberg previously told IndyStar the IEDC has identified up to 7,000 acres of land for LEAP, and that the "final number of acres will be determined by the market."

Contact IndyStar business reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Boone County residents file legal challenge to massive LEAP district
FILE PHOTO: Brazil's Minister of Justice and Public Security Anderson Torres walks on the day of a news conference at Headquarters of the Federal Highway Police in Brasilia

By Ricardo Brito

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian police found a draft decree in the home of former President Jair Bolsonaro's justice minister that appears to be a proposal to interfere in the result of the October election he lost, two people familiar with the investigation said on Thursday.

The proposed decree, elaborated after Bolsonaro's narrow defeat by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, would establish an emergency "state of defense" for the national election authority, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), opening the door to altering the result, the sources said.

The document was found on Tuesday when police searched the home of Anderson Torres, who became security chief for Brasilia after Lula took office on Jan. 1, the people said.

A Supreme Court justice ordered the arrest of Torres in connection with the security failures that allowed Bolsonaro supporters to storm government buildings on Sunday trying to provoke a military coup that would oust Lula.

The discovery of the document was first reported by Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.

Torres, who left Brazil for Florida after becoming Brasilia security chief, said on social media that the reported document was likely among others in a stack being thrown out and was "leaked" in his absence to create a "false narrative."

"I respect Brazilian democracy. My conscience is clear regarding my actions as minister," Torres wrote.

Analysts said the measures proposed in the document would amount to an unconstitutional conspiracy to meddle in the election.

A lawyer for the former justice minister, Demostenes Torres told Reuters he was not aware of the document, but noted that it was "impossible" to change the election result.

The lawyer said his client would return to Brasilia on Friday to prepare his defense against the arrest warrant relating to Sunday's insurrection in the capital.

The document was ready for presidential signature, the source told Reuters, requesting anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

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Bolsonaro, who also flew to Florida 48 hours before his term ended, has still not conceded defeat by Lula.

He briefly posted a video this week on social media suggesting Lula had in fact lost the election. In the run-up to the election, Bolsonaro insisted that Brazil's electronic voting system was vulnerable to fraud, although he has never provided evidence to support his claims.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Brad Haynes and Alistair Bell)
Five Connecticut police officers pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges accusing them of cruelly mistreating a Black man after he was partially paralyzed in a police van with no seat belts when the driver braked hard.

The New Haven officers entered the pleas during their second appearances in state court since being arrested in November in connection with the injuries suffered by Richard Randy Cox, who is paralyzed from the chest down. All five remained free on bail and on leave from their jobs.

The officers  Oscar Diaz, Betsy Segui, Ronald Pressley, Jocelyn Lavandier and Luis Rivera  are charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty to persons  misdemeanor charges criticized as too light by Coxs family and lawyers.

The case has drawn outrage from civil rights advocates like the NAACP, along with comparisons to the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore. Gray, who was also Black, died in 2015 after he suffered a spinal injury while handcuffed and shackled in a city police van.

Cox, 36, was being driven to a New Haven police station June 19 for processing on a weapons charge when, police said, the officer driving the van braked hard at an intersection to avoid a collision.

Cox, whose hands were handcuffed behind his back, flew headfirst into the metal partition separating the drivers section from the prisoners compartment, resulting in Cox fracturing his neck.

I cant move. Im going to die like this. Please, please, please help me, Cox said minutes after the crash, according to police video.

Diaz, the officer driving the van, stopped a few minutes later to check on him, according to police video and officials. Cox was lying motionless on the floor and Diaz called paramedics. However, Diaz told them to meet him at the station instead of waiting for them  a violation of department policy, Police Chief Karl Jacobson said.

At the station, some of the officers mocked Cox and accused him of being drunk and faking his injuries, according to surveillance and body-worn camera footage. Officers dragged Cox by his feet out of the van and placed him in a holding cell prior to his eventual transfer to a hospital.

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Gregory Cerritelli, a lawyer for Segui, who was at the police station when Cox arrived, said his client is not responsible for Coxs injuries.

Police officers are often required to utilize their best judgment in assessing situations, and are now being judged with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, Cerritelli said in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Our Supreme Court has consistently held this is not the appropriate standard.

Cox is suing the officers and city for $100 million in federal court for alleged negligence, excessive use of force, failing to provide immediate medical care, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other claims.

In court documents, the officers and the city deny the lawsuit allegations, claim immunity and partially blame Cox for his own actions.

In court filings last week, the officers also accused an ambulance company and emergency medical technicians of failing to give Cox proper treatment before transporting him from the police station to the hospital.

The criminal charges against Cox that led to his arrest have been dropped.

New Haven police say they have put new policies in place in response to what happened to Cox, including eliminating the use of police vans for most prisoner transports and using marked police vehicles instead, along with making sure vans have seat belts.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Cornerbacks are on the rage for the Minnesota Vikings in mock drafts. Analysts have sent five of them so far to the Vikings and I wouldnt expect it to stop anytime soon.

In the meantime, cornerback isnt the only position that the Vikings need, as I believe that wide receiver is the top position of need.

In the latest mock draft from Draft Wire, Luke Easterling believes the same, as he sent the Vikings SMU WR Rashee Rice. Here is what Easterling had to say about the Mustang speedster.

Adam Thielen isnt getting any younger, and the Vikings should find a younger understudy to eventually take over as Justin Jeffersons running mate at receiver. Rice has the size/speed combo that would make him a perfect complement to Jefferson.

I am a huge fan of Rice, as he currently ranks as my WR5 in this class and you can read all about him in my scouting report. If he were to end up with the Vikings, it would be a great get.

Story originally appeared on Vikings Wire
CollegeCounts  Alabamas 529 college savings fund  offers awards of $4,000 for four-year college enrollees and $2,000 for two-year college enrollees in scholarships to eligible recipients pursuing higher education at institutions in Alabama.

The CollegeCounts Scholarship online application is available now through Feb. 28, at treasury.alabama.gov/CollegeCounts-Scholarship.

To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors or first-time college freshmen planning to enroll in an Alabama eligible educational institution in fall 2023. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 with an ACT score of 26 or below and demonstrate financial need. In addition, scholarships are awarded equitably across the State with at least two awards per county depending on applications.

These scholarships must be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load, including computers. Funds can also be applied to on-campus room and board expense or off-campus housing if enrolled at least half-time and billed through the school.

In the last 10 years, we have been pleased to award $9.3 million to more than 2,700 Alabama students going to Alabama colleges. We encourage school counselors and financial aid officers to let students know about this scholarship program. CollegeCounts is investing in Alabamas students, and we hope they will invest in our states future, said Young Boozer, State Treasurer of Alabama.

To learn more about the CollegeCounts Scholarship and eligibility requirements, please visit the website. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 28.

Award recipients will be notified via email by the end of April.

For more information about CollegeCounts, Alabamas 529 Fund and how to open an account, please visit CollegeCounts529.com.
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Finxeed hosted the 2nd edition of Southeast Asia Digital Transformation Summit (SEADTS) 2023 - Ho Chi Minh, connected over 1000 attendees both in-person and virtually, and was an ideal meeting point for the global and local Vietnamese Web 3.0 community.

SEADTS 2023 Ho Chi Minh put together an incredible lineup of innovators, and speakers to form a panel to discuss forging reputation in Web 3.0 and DeFi. Panelists for the summit included Mr. Dinh Tran - Head of the Fintech Application Department of Vietnam Blockchain Association; Mr. Cris D. Tran - Chief Strategy of Onus Chain; Mr. Rene Bernard - First President of Access Blockchain Association and Mr. John Kiew - BD Representative of Certik.





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From left: Truong Thi Thu Nga - Moderator of the panel, Mr. Dinh Tran - Head of the Fintech Application Department of Vietnam Blockchain Association; Mr. Cris D. Tran - Chief Strategy of Onus Chain; Mr. Rene Bernard - First President of Access Blockchain Association and Mr. John Kiew - BD Representative of Certik.





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"Digital trust will be one of the most important things in the coming years, blockchain needs to build digital trust. Building digital trust goes beyond audit and cybersecurity. Digital trust in finance, blockchain, and Web 3.0 should be built for a new future and new investors to create a more secure and safe atmosphere." Mr. Dinh Tran - Head of the Fintech Application Department of Vietnam Blockchain Association stated.





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Mr. Cris D. Tran, Chief Strategy of Onus Chain said: "People love Web 3.0 because it has no centralized power and is non-centrally operated, but that is exactly how we move away from trust. We are talking about a perfectly ideal situation where everyone trusts each other, but it only takes a few bad actors to ruin everything. We need to incorporate supervision, governance, reporting, and compliance while retaining the efficiencies of decentralized component. The impact of whoever can collect this kind of information early and as effectively will end up being a tech giant when Web 3.0 businesses become mainstream."

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"For trust or reputation in central bodies, we have auditors for decades; for decentralized body we have companies like Certik; for individual trust and reputation in Web 3.0 we can rely on the web of trust. The inventor of PGP, Phil Zimmermann invented the web of trust, widely used in cybersecurity, where one person can vouch for another with digital signature algorithms," highlighted by Rene Bernard, First President of Access Association.





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"The awareness level of communities is important, that's why a security scoring system on a real-time basis, algorithmic, AI-driven, computed by liquidity, volatility, and social sentiment is important." John Kiew, Business Development of Certik mentioned.

In line with the summit theme, Finxeed took the chance to launch one of its key initiatives, STOT. It is the world's first certified digital asset prop firm, as the key initiative to further empowerment of trust within the blockchain community. STOT will be a platform for traders to learn, share and grow their trading skills and strategies and gain their credibility scoring profile in the decentralized society.

The past decade of big tech and Web 2.0 social media platforms have slowly shifted our perspectives on building an online presence. Web 2.0 products have enabled us to establish fleeting, disposable digital personas that can be changed or deleted as we - and society - move on with the times. As such misinformation is more present and accessible than ever, and "truth" and "trust" are no longer objective in the eyes of all consumers.





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To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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To create stronger reputation signals in this newest iteration of the web, we're going to need to build off the benefits of the previous versions of the web and leverage the coordination abilities that come from an uncensorable, highly available, and ubiquitous database. We need to align technology with the ethics and value we as a society hold dear as well as to reward participation and holds accountability through immutability and reputation.

About Southeast Asia Digital Transformation Summit 2022

SEADTS 2022 brings together different stakeholders of the digital transformation ecosystem, covering new age technology developers, enterprise solution providers, adopters, policy makers, knowledge partners and think tanks on one platform to analyse and discuss the roadmap of digital transformation in the near future.

About Finxeed

Founded in 2022, Finxeed is a decentralized credibility scoring platform powered by a group of experienced professionals from the fields of finance, technology, and marketing. Finxeed's team specialises in creating cutting-edge solutions for the digitised world. The company is also backed by leading venture capitalists and angel investors who share the vision of creating a trust network through big data to enhance trust, transparency, and security in a decentralized society.

By combining on-chain footprint data collection systems, decentralized credibility scoring, and supervisory technology, Finxeed will build a trust-centric environment that spans the entire blockchain industry vertical, leading the wave in provenance, authenticity, and credibility in Web 3.0 technologies.

Media Contact

Representative: Jaz Pee

Contact: (60) 12 218 9181

Email: jazpee@finxeed.com

Website: www.finxeed.com

Community and social media

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151149
Reuters

Police in the Chinese city of Guangzhou are searching for a motive after a 22-year-old man allegedly drove his black BMW SUV into a crowd of people, killing five and injuring 13.

The incident, caught on surveillance cameras, shows the man traveling at a relatively slow speed as he seemingly swerved to hit as many people as possible. He then threw paper money into the air each time he hit a person, according to the footage.

The incident, which took place during rush hour in the city of 19 million people, garnered immediate outrage online, according to the BBC. Various postings on Weibo, Chinas answer to Twitter, show children among the victims.

He deliberately drove into the people who were waiting for the traffic light, one witness told Hongxin News. He rammed the car into them maliciously. After that, he made a U-turn and hit people again.

The witness added that he was not driving at high speed, but some people couldn't run away in time because they wouldnt have known he was hitting people deliberately.

The man then reportedly got back into his car and chased a police officer on a motorcycle, who was not hurt. Rescue workers reportedly took more than an hour to clear the scene and take the dead and injured away.

One Weibo user described those caught up in the tragedy, writing, The victims could be a girl who dressed up meticulously to go on a date It could be a food deliveryman who earned five yuan after rushing an order. It could be a father who wanted to go home and have dinner with children. It could be a child who was happily shopping, according to the BBC.

The tragedy was the second such deadly attack by a car reported just this year, after an incident in Shanghai on Monday when a hotel guest drove his car into the lobby after an argument with the receptionist.

Police did not immediately release the name of the 22-year-old man in custody in Wednesdays deadly incident.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Brevard County's first medical school will launch in summer 2024 at the Florida Institute of Technology campus in Melbourne.

Florida Tech and the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine entered into an affiliation agreement in November to establish a four-year osteopathic medical school on two floors of Florida Techs L3Harris Commons building via a sublease agreement.

Burrell College is a private medical school that launched in 2013 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and fielded its first class of students three years later.

The inaugural class of 100 students at the new Melbourne medical school is expected to enroll in July 2024 and graduate in May 2028, offering doctorate degrees in osteopathic medicine. This "hybrid" medical school created by both institutions is going through the accreditation process, Burrell College president and co-founder John Hummer said.

More:Florida Tech, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine to make 'major joint announcement'

More:Florida Tech will soon announce partnership with medical school, interim president says

It's been a lot of work, but we know that it's going to be worth it. This relationship brings with it a much-needed medical school to Florida," Travis Proctor, who chairs Florida Techs board of trustees, said during a Thursday morning press event at the Denius Student Center.

"It brings Brevard County its first medical school  a critical resource when you consider that it is determined that Florida will be short approximately 18,000 physicians by 2035," Proctor said.

"Additionally, this is a tremendous opportunity for Brevard County and for the Space Coast to have the resources of a world-class medical school right here on campus," he said.

Burrell College operates under a shared-services partnership with New Mexico State University. That's where the medical school built an 80,000-square-foot building on the NMSU campus, adjacent to the football stadium. The Florida Tech partnership is tailored along similar lines.

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"We will be able to utilize the library at Florida Tech through our relationship with Florida Tech. Student housing will be afforded. Student dining. The health center. And it's really how you can collaborate, versus duplicate, resources," Hummer said.

The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2020.

The Florida Tech-Burrell College medical school will occupy about 40,000 square feet inside L3Harris Commons, where renovations are underway to add classrooms, an anatomy lab, an osteopathic manipulative-medicine lab, and a clinical skills lab, said Dr. Bill Pieratt, Burrell College dean and chief academic officer.

Pieratt said the clinical skills lab will feature "high-fidelity teaching mannequins." Students will also learn skills using mock patients in various medical scenarios.

Nine Burrell College full-time faculty members will staff the Melbourne medical school, Pieratt said, while community physicians will teach on campus and in clinical environments. All told, about 50 faculty and support staffers from both institutions will work there.

Florida Tech pre-med students will be guaranteed admission into Burrell College if they meet established academic criteria, Interim President Robert King said.

Anna Struhar, a Melbourne native and fourth-year student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks during Thursday's event as John Hummer, Burrell College president and co-founder, listens in.

In a press release, the universities detailed the demand for medical school graduates:

Florida will be short about 18,000 physicians by 2035, the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida and Florida Hospital Association reported.

Only 32% of Floridas population has adequate primary care  and nearly half of primary-care physicians are expected to retire in 15 to 20 years, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported.

As of 2021, the AAMC found 47% of Florida-based medical school graduates practiced medicine in Florida, while 79% of physicians who completed both medical school and residencies in Florida remained in the state to practice.

We desperately need the next generation of highly trained physicians around Florida and across our nation, Florida Tech Interim President Robert King said in the press release.

This affiliation with the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine allows Florida Tech and its students to be part of the solution to one of the biggest challenges facing our society today  ensuring adequate access to high-quality medical professionals. We are excited about the prospects," King said.

A morning press conference announced a partnership between Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and Florida Institute of Technology.

Each graduating class will number 100 students during the medical school's initial years. Hummer provided economic estimates that predict a student body of 400 will generate $14 million in community spending per year, assuming average spending of $35,000 per student.

Hummer estimated the Melbourne medical school will generate a total economic impact of $22.6 million per year.

To date, Burrells New Mexico campus has graduated 430 osteopathic physicians. Of those graduates, 99.5% have been successfully placed into medical and surgical residency training programs.

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to help patients achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. John Potomski of Brevard Geriatrics in downtown Melbourne addresses Thursday's medical-school announcement crowd at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Historically, the majority of osteopathic medical school graduates choose a career in primary care, said Dr. John Potomski of Brevard Geriatrics in downtown Melbourne.

A district president with the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Potomski also chairs the Brevard County Commission on Aging.

When I came to Brevard County 40 years ago, there were only four active osteopathic physicians  three of whom have gone to their eternal reward, and one having retired many years ago," Potomski said.

"I am therefore very excited about the future of osteopathic medicine in Brevard County with the development of a four-year medical school here on the campus of the Florida Institute of Technology," he said.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1

Support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida Tech, Burrell College to launch medical school in Melbourne
WASHINGTON  Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday signed an executive order banning the popular social media app TikTok on most state-issued devices, joining a growing number of states in restricting the video-sharing platform over cybersecurity concerns.

The order comes a week after Evers said he planned to ban the app following consultations with the FBI and emergency management officials. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has come under increased scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and national security officials who warn the Chinese government can use the app to spy on users and promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda.

"Defending our state's technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting digital privacy will continue to be a top priority," Evers wrote on Thursday when he announced the ban.

In addition to TikTok, Evers' executive order prohibits the downloading of software and programs from other companies tied to China, including Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corp. and a number of Alibaba products, among other companies.

But the mandate applies only to executive branch, which consists of most of the state's agencies, and does not impact the judicial or legislative branches of the state government, according to the governor's office. It also does not apply to the University of Wisconsin System, as the Department of Administration division enforcing the ban cannot mandate the university system to abide by the order.

UW System spokesman Mark Pitsch in a statement following Evers' announcement said the UW System is "conducting a review of the platform and our potential exposure while moving toward placing restrictions on the application being on UW System-owned devices to protect against serious cybersecurity risks."

Evers' office previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the governor does not have a personal or official TikTok account. He did have a TikTok account associated with this reelection campaign, but his office said that account was not managed on a government device.

Story continues

Last month, Republican members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation called on Evers to ban TikTok on government devices, citing their concerns over the app's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and chair of a select committee that plans to investigate the Chinese Communist Party's growing global influence, last week said he was glad Evers recognized the threat posed by the video-sharing app.

"TikTok is a CCP trojan horse that can track someones location, monitor their keystrokes, and collect other pieces of sensitive information about them," Gallagher said last week. "This app belongs nowhere near any part of our government and Im glad Governor Evers finally made the decision to ban TikTok on state devices."

Gallagher in a statement Thursday urged Evers to delete his campaign's TikTok account and suggested Evers should request that the UW System and other exempt agencies also ban the app on their devices.

Wisconsin now joins more than 18 other states that have banned TikTok on state devices. New Jersey and Ohio said this week they would also put in place bans on the app.

TikTok officials have maintained that they do not share user data with the Chinese government.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers issues order banning TikTok on most state-issued devices
The House on Thursday passed a bill to ban sales from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.

The legislation passed with bipartisan support in a 331-97 vote, with 113 Democrats joining Republicans in backing the measure.

Entitled the Protecting Americas Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, the bill would prohibit the sale and export of crude oil from the reserve to any entity under control of the China Communist Party.

Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant for true energy supply disruptions, like those caused by hurricanes and natural disasters, not to help China.

Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling portions of it to China is a significant threat to our national security, she said.

MORE: What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

PHOTO: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, leaves the Speaker's office to walk to the House chamber, Jan. 6, 2023, to attend the 14th vote for speaker of the House, on Capitol Hill. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP, FILE)

But Rep. Frank Pallone, the energy panels top Democrat, said while he does oppose exporting U.S. oil to China, the Republican measure does not properly address the issue.

If Republicans were serious about addressing this issue, they would have brought forward a bill that banned all oil exports to China, he said on the House floor.

If we truly want to address China using American oil to build its reserves, lets actually take a serious look at that, rather than skirt around the issue because Republicans are scared of Big Oils wrath, Pallone said.

The bill is not expected to be taken up by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

MORE: Biden announces more steps to try to lower gas prices, including next oil release from reserve

PHOTO: An oil storage tank and crude oil pipeline equipment is seen during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, June 9, 2016. (Richard Carson/Reuters, FILE)

President Joe Biden last year announced the release of 180 million barrels from the reserve in an effort to bring down energy prices and stabilize the global market. The release sent the reserve to its lowest level since the 1980s.

The move drew criticism by some Republicans, who argued it was a "stopgap measure" that did little to combat high gas and energy prices.

Story continues

The Biden administration said in December it was beginning to replenish the reserves by buying 3 million barrels of oil.

The Protecting Americas Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act is not the only energy bill House Republicans are expected to bring to the floor now that they are in the majority.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said earlier this month that the Strategic Product Response Act was also among the GOP's priorities in the first few weeks of the new Congress.

The bill would prohibit the non-emergency drawdowns of strategic reserves without a plan to increase energy production on federal lands.

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.

House votes to ban sales from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Sgt. William Kittlaus makes a presentation for the ALICE safety program.

When Pender High School received a bomb threat last April, students were ordered to leave the school for their safety, before deputies and emergency management leaders checked for any destructive devices.

Students were bussed to Malpass Corner Elementary School because of weather, while the Pender County Sheriff's Office and Pender County Emergency Management helped keep order.

For Pender County Schools it's an example of why School Resource Officers (SROs) are needed in buildings throughout the district for alarming situations. Bob Fankboner, Pender County Schools communications coordinator, said they were part of helping out that day in what could have been a very confusing situation.

"In order for learning to take place, students and staff need to feel safe at school," Fankboner said. "It's the number one thing we do as a school system, we work to provide a safe learning environment for everyone, and the SROs play a key part in that."

Many deputies serve as school resource officers in Pender County.

What are SROs?

SROs are important in helping to develop and implement safety plans in coordination with school leaders. The work also includes emergency planning such as tabletop safety exercises and training with the ALICE, an active shooter response program.

Currently, the Pender County Sheriff's Office provides two SROs at each high school, one at each middle school and deputies are rotated at the elementary school level. In Surf City, the town's local police department covers area schools.

More school news:Can a $178M bond for school improvements 'bridge the gap' between east and west Pender?

From the Pender County Sheriff's Office:'Bursting at the seams': Pender County makes progress for new jail

Expanding safety

Burgaw and Pender County recently announced a partnership to increase the presence of SROs by adding a full-time Burgaw police officer to C.F. Pope Elementary School. In February, the SRO duty for Burgaw Middle School will transition from a PCSO deputy to a Burgaw officer. According to county documents, the total first-year cost between the county and the town is $230,364.

Story continues

Funding for hiring and training for PCS is provided by the School Resource Officer grant program through the North Carolina School Safety Grants Initiative. In October, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Center for Safer Schools awarded $74 million to districts and charter schools in the state. Pender County received more than $248,000.

In a news release, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said the funding is critical to ensuring that schools are safe for students and staff.

School safety is a top priority for the Department of Public Instruction as it is for students, families, educators  all of us, Truitt said. It goes without saying that safety is an essential condition for effective teaching and learning. The Center for Safer Schools did a great job ensuring that each applicant received as much funding as possible to meet that critical need.

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest Pender County news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Funding for officers in Pender schools to 'meet that critical need'
Calgary, Alberta --News Direct-- Lithium Chile Inc.

Calgary, AB - TheNewswire - January 12, 2023 - Lithium Chile Inc. (Lithium Chile or the Company) (OTCQB:LTMCF) (TSXV:LITH) is pleased to announce it has added 21,700 hectares on its Salar de Llamara Project, increasing its total to 35,500 hectares. The Llamara Project is highly prospective with surface samples showing high Cesium and Uranium values and a prior government water well returning lithium values of more than 350mg/l. A motorized auger surface sampling program has been completed and assays are pending. The Company is currently completing a 74-kilometer TEM geophysical program over the new claims to define the highly conductive target on the Salar de Llamara. Conditional on the TEM results, a three to five well exploration drill program is planned for Llamara during the second half of 2023.

OPERATIONAL UPDATES:

SALAR DE LLAMARA

Lithium Chile increased its Salar de Llamara property total to 35,500 hectares, making it the Companys largest project in Chile. Following the TEM results, a three to five well exploration drill program is planned for Llamara in the second half of 2023.

SALAR DE LOS MORROS

The Company announces its plans for a three to five well exploration drill program on it Salar de Los Morros property. Prior TEM surveys identified numerous drill targets and accordingly, drilling permits will be filed with Sernageomin, the Chilean mining regulator. No Indigenous communities have claims over the Salar de Los Moros. However, the Chilean Military holds training exercises in the area. Lithium Chile is currently in the process of negotiating access rights with the Chilean Military which will determine the actual start date for its 1,500-metre exploration program which is intended to commence during the second quarter of 2023.

AGUAS CALIENTES

Detailed surface brine, sediment and rock sampling will begin this month on the Companys 2,500-hectare Aguas Calientes property in which prior government sampling returned lithium values of up to 380 mg/l from surface brine pools. Existing permits on part of the claims for borax mining are expected to expedite the Companys permitting process.

Story continues

COIPASA

Discussions continue with interested parties for joint ventures opportunities on several of the Companys Chilean properties, including Coipasa. Negotiating access rights with the indigenous community of Ancovinto is a priority for Lithium Chile in 2023. To assist in community negotiations, EE Law, one of Chiles top environmental and indigenous relations law firms, has been retained to help advance these negotiations.

Michelle DeCecco, Vice President & COO comments, Following the success of our exploration program in Arizaro, Argentina, we are eager to commence operations on the vast portfolio of prospective lithium projects the Company owns in Chile. Recent movements and policy statements from Chiles, Ministry of Mines has increased the interest in Chilean lithium projects; Lithium Chile is in a strong position to capitalize on that interest.

Click Image To View Full Size

ABOUT LITHIUM CHILE:

Lithium Chile is advancing a lithium property portfolio consisting of 111,978 hectares covering sections of 11 salars and 1 laguna complex in Chile and 20,800 hectares in Argentina.

The Company has a NI 43-101 report with an indicated and inferred resource of 2,587,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) from its Salar de Arizaro, Argentina. The Phase 2 development program on the Salar de Arizaro is currently underway with its results to be included in an updated NI 43-101 report which is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2023.

Lithium Chile also owns 5 properties, totaling 21,329 hectares that are prospective for gold, silver and copper. Exploration efforts are continuing on Lithium Chiles Carmona gold/silver/copper property which lies in the heart of the Chilean mega porphyry gold/ silver/copper belt.

Lithium Chiles common shares are listed on the TSX-V under the symbol LITH and on the OTC-QB under the symbol LTMCF.

To find out more about Lithium Chile Inc., please contact Steven Cochrane, President and CEO via email: steve@lithiumchile.ca or Michelle DeCecco, Vice President and COO, via email michelle@lithiumchile.ca or at 403-390-9095.

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.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "anticipated", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and factors that may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, factors and assumptions with respect to: the general stability of the economic and political environment in which the Company operates and the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals. You are cautioned that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Although Lithium Chile believes that the assumptions and factors on which such forward-looking statements are based upon are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Lithium Chile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by such forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Lithium Chile will derive there from. Lithium Chile does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/lithium-chile-adds-21-700-hectares-to-its-salar-de-llamara-project-and-provides-an-update-on-2023-chilean-operations-611343268
Rocky Top could be heard so frequently through the cheers at Neyland Stadium this fall that Marki Lukyniuk couldnt help but pick up the tune, note by note.

Hed only been in the United States for a few weeks, but after the Vols beat Alabama on Oct. 15 Marki quickly learned to play the ubiquitous unofficial University of Tennessee anthem on his violin.

Now he dazzles audiences on campus and around Knoxville with energetic violin performances of the UT standard and other pop and classical tunes to raise money for his home country, Ukraine.

University of Tennessee violin performance student Marki Lukyniuk is photographed in front of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on campus on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Marki, 22, arrived at UT from Ukraine in September to continue his studies while Ukraine continued to battle a war sparked by RussiaOs February invasion.

Marki, 22, arrived at the University of Tennessee in September to continue his studies in violin performance while Ukraine continued to battle a war sparked by Russias February invasion.

I'm not a fighter; I don't even know how to clean a rifle, Marki told Knox News. I love my country and I want to help my country. I couldn't have helped my country more with the rifle than I do with my violin.

His music and message are resonating with the Knoxville community. Marki has performed multiple benefit concerts since coming to Knoxville, quickly gaining fans, and has already raised thousands of dollars through donations and with the help of organizations such as the Civitan Club.

I think (people) love it because I'm trying to convey the message that Ukraine is not just bombed cities and a bunch of soldiers and poor people. I'm trying to show people that we are a beautiful nation with talented people, with good music and beautiful nature and cities, he said.

Even when some suggested he hold off on benefit concerts at UT until next year to get more people involved in his String Players Visionary Club, he persisted.

For subscribers: Tennessee had a huge spike in applications after the Alabama win, and the trend continues

I (wanted) to do it this year because I saw bombings in October. They bombed one of my favorite parks in Kyiv where I spent a lot of time with my friends. It broke my heart and I wanted to donate money out of my own pocket, he said.

Story continues

Marki first began performing benefit concerts in his Ukrainian hometown with his brother Kostia  also a violinist  shortly after the war broke out. They raised money for pregnant women forced to leave their Kyiv pregnancy center after it was bombed and other refugees.

The brothers performed more than 20 benefit concerts across Europe and America. Kostia is now studying violin performance at the University of Miami. Marki hopes to reunite with his brother this summer to play at a Ukrainian festival in Philadelphia.

University of Tennessee violin performance student Marki Lukyniuk plays Rocky Top in front of The Rock on campus on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Marki, 22, arrived at UT from Ukraine in September to continue his studies while Ukraine continued to battle a war sparked by RussiaOs February invasion.

One week of war

Marki was a student at the prestigious Kyiv Conservatory when Russia invaded and bombed Ukraines capital city.

I kind of woke up to this, just one day I kind of woke up and here it is, the war itself, he recalled.

I saw a lot of Russian military machinery and a couple of Russian soldiers. I saw military helicopters and explosions. And I saw damaged houses and damaged goods. It's not a pleasant experience.

With no water and intensifying conflict, Marki knew it was too dangerous to stay. It was scary to just to go to sleep, he said.

After one week, he and his brother  who was also living in Kyiv  fled to their hometown, Chernivtsi. The city has become a haven for refugees because its in Western Ukraine and a safer distance away from Russias border.

Markis family is away from the fighting but still suffers the effects of the war such as enduring multiple blackouts throughout the day. He talks to his parents when he can, and they are proud of him for doing what he can to support their country all the way from Knoxville.

His grandmother is the proudest of him. In fact, he feels a little bit of home every time he hosts a benefit concert because he wears traditional Ukrainian shirts handcrafted by his grandmother, he said. She endures the delicate hours-long process of embroidering each shirt, which reminds him of family and is also another way for him to introduce Knoxvillians to Ukrainian culture.

University of Tennessee violin performance student Marki Lukyniuk is photographed at the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on campus on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Marki, 22, arrived at UT from Ukraine in September to continue his studies while Ukraine continued to battle a war sparked by RussiaOs February invasion.

A taste of home in Knoxville

Marki knew he wanted to continue his education after being forced to leave the Kyiv Conservatory. He began looking into institutions abroad, and became interested in UT when a hometown friend and former Vols student suggested it.

Marki reached out to UT violin professor Miroslav Hristov, told him his story and the complex process of getting Marki transferred started.

He had never been to America before. But Knoxville has welcomed him with open arms. UT staff helped him become acclimated and UT students have been intrigued by his experience and supportive of his efforts to help Ukraine.

He celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time and loved it. We don't have mac and cheese in Ukraine. We don't have sweet potatoes in Ukraine. And I love that stuff, he said.

Im glad I experienced (Thanksgiving) here in Knoxville. I love this community of UT people. Theyre like a huge family. I see how they love their work, and they love UT and they all want to help everyone that need help.

He misses some parts of home, like hanging out with friends at his favorite park, walking around the city and enjoying the food. But hes found a spot to help on that last point. Marki has become a regular at Potchke, a deli on Gay Street that serves Eastern European dishes. He goes for the borscht, a beet soup that originated in Ukraine.

To be honest with you, it felt like home when I took the first bite of it. It was really good. They do it pretty much like traditional borscht should be.

Supporting Ukrainian freedom

Beyond food, Marki is very appreciative of the kindness and support America has shown Ukraine during this time of war.

The Biden administration has committed more than $19 billion in aid since February, and around 82,000 Ukrainians have come to the U.S. through Uniting for Ukraine, a federal program that fasttracks a pathway for Ukrainians fleeing the war to live in the U.S.

Nearly eight million people have fled Ukraine for other countries, and an estimated 40,000 Ukrainian civilians have been wounded or killed since Russia began its attacks more than nine months ago.

Marki personally knows Americans who have hosted Ukrainian refugees and donated money, clothes, food and medications.

I appreciate what people do for me and for my country, he said. I'm glad that now the world is concentrated on Ukraine, they are acknowledging our culture. Theyre acknowledging our freedom and our rights as a free nation.

The Biden administration recently stated theres no indication the fighting will end in the coming months. So Marki will continue supporting his country with hope and a violin.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter for Knox News. He can be reached by email at devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Follow Devarrick on Twitter @dturner1208. Enjoy exclusive content and premium perks while supporting strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: UT student from Ukraine holds benefit concerts to support country
A fire that started at an Illinois chemical plant and sent massive smoke plumes over the city of La Salle has been contained, the city said in a statement.

At around 8 a.m. Wednesday, fire officials responded to a "well-involved" structural fire at Carus Chemical, La Salle fire chief Jerry Janick confirmed. The company said that the fire began in the plant's shipping area, CBS Chicago reported.

Hours later, fire officials were able to contain the fire but additional equipment was being sent to the scene to help fully extinguish the blaze and assist with the investigation, officials said.

Firefighters respond to an extra-alarm fire at the Carus chemical plant in LaSalle, Illinois, on Jan. 11, 2023. / Credit: CBS

There were no reported injuries and all employees were accounted for, Janick said. Officials have not identified the cause of the fire and said investigations were ongoing.

Footage of the fire showed flames engulfing part of the plant with large plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

Unreal smoke inside the Carus Chemical plant in LaSalle. Firefighters say its under control now, no injures reported.@cbschicago pic.twitter.com/iEQDHhKW8x  Sabrina Franza (@sabrinafranza) January 11, 2023

La Salle residents in the 3rd and 4th wards remained under a "shelter in place" order as of Wednesday afternoon, officials said. La Salle police said that a green-colored oxidizer had been released in the area and warned residents not to touch the substance.

According to the company's website, Carus is a family-owned chemical manufacturer founded in 1915. It produces potassium permanganate  an oxidant used to treat drinking water, wastewater and industrial chemicals  along with phosphates, polymers and other chemicals, according to the website.

After the fire was contained, Allen Gibbs, Carus vice president of operations, thanked fire officials for helping keep employees and others in the area safe.

Story continues

"We are thankful everyone is safe, and we are also grateful to the LaSalle Fire Department and crews from the surrounding area who responded to address this situation to keep the area safe." Gibbs said in a statement. "Carus' priority is to protect the health and safety of the employees, emergency personnel who are responding to this fire and the nearby community."

Mike Pence discusses possible 2024 presidential bid

Russia sending replacement Soyuz capsule to rescue International Space Station crew

Northern California sees more rain Wednesday
A meeting of the Pardon Issues Commission under the Azerbaijani President will be held on January 12 at 1600 (GMT+4), Azernews reports.

At the meeting, the commission will consider the received appeals.
FORT EUSTIS, Va.  Based on the initial success of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course pilot at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the Army will expand the course in January 2023 to help increase the quality of individuals entering basic training and provide additional opportunities to serve in our all-volunteer force.

The pilot program stood up in August 2022 to help Americas youth overcome academic and physical fitness barriers to service and meet or exceed the Armys accession standards.

A total of 3,206 students have attended the course as of the end of 2022, of which 2,965 students have already graduated and are continuing to basic combat training.

In the academic track of the course, 95 percent of students increased at least one test category within their first two attempts, increasing their test score by an average of 17 points. In the fitness track, 87 percent of students graduated within their first three weeks of the course, with an average weekly body fat loss of 1 percent.

The initial results of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course have been very encouraging and demonstrate the Armys unparalleled ability to unlock a persons true potential, said Gen. Gary Brito, the commanding general for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. These programs are providing recruits an opportunity to serve and are preparing them not just for the rigors of basic training, but for a life through Army service.

Based on the initial success of the pilot, the Army will add two additional companies at Fort Jackson for recruits who score between 21-30 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Fort Jackson will also still host all recruits who attend the fitness track of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. These recruits will have up to 90 days to meet the Armys desired accession standards.

Additionally, recruits who score between 31-49 on the ASVAB will now be able to volunteer to attend the academic track of the course at Fort Benning, Ga. And offered the opportunity to select the new MOS based on the needs of the Army.

Recruits in this new academic track who do not improve at least one test category will ship to basic training based on their original contract.

A Training and Doctrine Command proof of concept earlier this year showed 87 percent of volunteers with an ASVAB score between 31-49 increased at least one test category after a single test, increasing their test scores by an average of 15 points. These results informed the decision to give volunteers attending this new academic track at Fort Benning one opportunity to raise their ASVAB scores.

The Army will carefully monitor the Future Soldier Preparatory Course expansion and determine if it should be implemented at other Army Training Centers in the future.

We will continue to assess and scale the Future Soldier Preparatory Course to ensure we are successfully preparing and building quality recruits who have the desire and ability to meet our standards and serve honorably in our all-volunteer force, said Brito. The Army will not sacrifice quality for quantity. We are confident that given the right instruction and support, these recruits will be able to perform successfully and meet or exceed the standards expected of every soldier.
Mo Najjar's journey is coming to an end.

Netflix has renewed the acclaimed comedy Mo for a second and final season, concluding Palestinian refugee and title character Mo's trek to obtain asylum in Texas.

Comedian Mo Amer, who stars as Mo, said in a statement, "I'm thankful to continue to tell a universal story of struggle that relates to so many refugees and millions of underrepresented humans trying to be seen around the globe, and to be able to bring the people who loved and rooted for Mo Najjar along for the ride as we close this chapter of his story."

Amer co-created and executive-produced the series with Ramy Youssef. The dramedy debuted last summer to positive reviews, winning a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Television Under 40 Minutes and an AFI Award for being one of the best programs of 2022. Mo also stars Teresa Ruiz, Farah Bseiso, and Omar Elba, all of whom will reprise their roles in the final season.

MO

Netflix Mo Amer in 'Mo'

Amer has described making the series, loosely based on his own experiences as a Palestinian refugee living in Houston, as "an exercise in comedic catharsis." He told The Hollywood Reporter last year, "To be so vulnerable in front of a camera, it's scary, man parsing out the emotions was probably one of the hardest things we did."

Amer's other credits include the series Crashing and Ramy as well as the films Americanish and Black Adam.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

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Tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her pregnancy shortly after withdrawing from the 2023 Australian Open.

Osaka, 25, shared a photo of an ultrasound scan on her social media accounts on Wednesday along with screenshots of life update notes in Japanese and English.

The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun, Osaka wrote.

More from NextShark: Korean IT expert arrested after hacking into over 400,000 home cameras

I realize that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future. One thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, that's my mom haha.

Australian Open officials announced the four-time Grand Slam winner's withdrawal from this year's tournament on Sunday.

However, Osaka told her fans that she hopes to return to tennis in the 2024 Australian Open as this year will be one full of lessons.

More from NextShark: Hidilyn Diaz dominates World Weightlifting Championships with gold medal sweep

The tennis star has reportedly been dating American rapper Cordae since 2019.

Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion and a former world No. 1 player. She has not played a competitive match since September 2022 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The 25-year-old has suffered several bouts of injuries and illnesses since 2021.

Story continues

I dont think theres a perfectly correct path to take in life, but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions, youll find your way eventually, Osaka said in her statement on Wednesday.

More from NextShark: Burglars Who Stole Elderly Asian Couple's Life Savings in SF Arrested

The Australian Open will begin on Jan. 16.

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A middle-aged Russian man sent to prison for beating his elderly mother to death has been honored as a hero in Russias increasingly deranged war dystopia.

Sergei Molodtsov, 46, was killed while waging war against Ukraine as one of the notorious Wagner Groups newly recruited prison mercenaries. He was buried in Russias Sverdlov region with military honorsand received a bizarre tribute from the local administration that described him as a gentle, creative soul and made no mention of his crime.

Relatives remember Sergei as an amazingly special person who loved life. He was an honest man. Truth was the most important thing for him. He always paid heed to others misfortune, helped the weak and the needy, the local administration of the city of Serov said in a statement, calling Molodtsov a happy-go-lucky guy who loved music, freedom, and speed.

In loving memory!

Local officials noted that Molodtsov had been killed in the so-called special military operation while fulfilling his military duty as part of the Wagner Group, but they left out that hed been recruited while behind bars on a murder conviction.

Russian soldiers served as pallbearers at his funeral, and military veterans paid tribute to Molodtsov as a patriot and a hero, according to local outlet Yekaterinburg Online.

The head of the local administration confirmed to the outlet that Molodtsov had been serving a prison sentence when he was recruited by Wagner.

He was serving a sentence for a serious crime, a murderer, Vasily Sizikov was quoted saying.

Molodtsov was hailed as a hero by officials in the same city where a court sentenced him to 11.5 years behind bars in 2017.

The verdict against him notes that while in a state of intoxication, he used his hands and feet to deliver no less than six blows to [his mothers] head, torso, and limbs.

After breaking her jaw, smashing her shoulder and her head, he insisted in court that shed suffered the injuries and died after an accidental fall.

Story continues

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DETROIT  As the Detroit Institute of Arts Van Gogh in America exhibition approaches its closing date of Jan. 22, a lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that a stolen painting is on display in the museum as part of the show.

The lawsuit filed in Detroit federal court claims Brazilian art collector Gustavo Soter purchased Une Liseuse De Romans  also known as The Novel Reader  for $3.7 million in 2017, and Soter estimates that its value now exceeds $5 million.

Soter, identified in the lawsuit as the sole member of Brokerarte Capital Partners LLC, purchased the painting in 2017 and immediately transferred possession  but not the title  to a third party, the lawsuit reads.

This party absconded with the painting, and (Soter) has been unaware of its whereabouts for years," the filing continues, alleging Soter retains the painting's title. "Recently, however, (Soter) learned that the painting was in the possession of the DIA, apparently on loan from a private collection.

A 1888 Vincent van Gogh painting titled "The Novel Reader" is part of the new "Van Gogh in America" exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.

Following the suit being filed, a federal judge ordered the painting in the exhibition not be moved, pending a court hearing.

Update:Judge orders DIA not to move Van Gogh painting after lawsuit claims it was stolen

U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh on Wednesday set a Jan. 19 hearing for oral arguments in the case, and until then: "The Detroit Institute of Arts is hereby ordered to refrain from damaging, destroying, concealing, disposing, moving, or using as to substantially impair its value, the item.'"

The 1888 painting, done in oil on canvas, depicts a young woman reading a yellow book before a yellowed library background. The DIAs exhibition identifies the piece as being borrowed from a private collection in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The lawsuit states that immediate action is urgently needed, and demands the piece be returned to Soter before the exhibition ends so that it does not go back to unnamed the party who loaned it to the museum.

Story continues

Michael Flatley undergoes surgery: 'Lord of the Dance' creator Michael Flatley being treated for 'aggressive form' of cancer

"This exhibition is scheduled to end on January 22, 2023. At that time, the painting will be moved or transferred to a third-party, depriving (Soter) of the opportunity to recover its rightful property," the lawsuit argues, asking the court to grant the plaintiff "immediate possession of the painting or a judgment for the value of the painting."

The DIA issued the following statement:

The Detroit Institute of Arts, like all AAM-accredited museums, regularly enters into loan agreements with other national and international museums and collections. Before agreeing to international loans to the DIA, the museum follows best practices. This includes the research of ownership from scholarly sources, the Art Loss Register, and, where applicable, the U.S. Federal Register."

It remained unclear Wednesday what institution or collector loaned the piece to the DIA.

'I didn't think it was real': 9-year-old girl finds huge megalodon tooth at Maryland beach

"Van Gogh in America" opened Oct. 2 as a historic gathering of 74 works by Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh with the endorsement of the artist's descendants and the official Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

The pieces are borrowed from more than 50 sources around the world; the exhibition is a DIA exclusive and will not travel anywhere else when it closes in Detroit. Since its opening, it has drawn more than 100,000 visitors from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

Reach reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Van Gogh painting at Detroit Institute of Arts was stolen: Lawsuit
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen takes his oath of office during the opening session of the 56th Legislature on Jan. 9, 2023, in Phoenix.

The new chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors took over on Wednesday and promptly extended an olive branch to his fellow Republicans in the Arizona Legislature.

Rather than issue subpoenas, rather than file endless lawsuits, rather than mean tweet disinformation and displeasure, lets sit down and have a conversation about real changes to election laws that will make our state the envy of others,, Chairman Clint Hickman said.

Instead of listening to a guy that sells pillows, lets bring people who actually run elections to the table. Lets start with a shared set of facts and go from there. Lets treat all 15 counties the same and come up with improvements that we can implement in 2024 for future elections. Im willing to put past conflicts aside to do this.

Its a nice idea  certainly one that public officials of goodwill should be able to embrace, especially in a state where there clearly is work to do to improve our elections before 2024.

But the Arizona Legislature? Working with the people on the front lines who actually know how elections work?

I put the chances of that happening somewhere between no way and no way in hell.

This years state Senate looks to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Turning Point USA, the hard-right group that has taken over the Arizona Republican Party. This Senate appears more prone to conspiracy-think, even, than the 2021 crew that threatened to throw Hickman and his fellow supervisors in jail.

The new Senate president is Sen. Warren Petersen of Gilbert, one of the architects of the Senates Cyber Ninjas audit.

The chairwoman of the Senate Elections Committee is Sen. Wendy Rogers of Flagstaff, who wanted to decertify the 2020 election and arrest of elections officials. Last fall, she was caught on tape urging voters to falsely claim identity theft at the polls, hoping to gum up the works in the November election.

Since being tapped by Petersen to run point on election bills, Rogers has vowed to somehow engineer a do-over of Maricopa Countys 2022 election and, of course, she's renewed her call for arrests due to all that fraud that nobody ever seems to find.

Story continues

I want perp walks! she wrote in November fundraising appeal, after being to oversee the Senates election bills.

Rogers' go-to solution to any imagined problem is perp walks. That, or a public gallows where she can hang her political enemies.In the House, it gets worse.

The Municipal Oversight and Elections Committee is chaired by Rep. Jacqueline Parker of Mesa, who, like Rogers, was a co-sponsor of then-Rep. Mark Finchems 2022 proposal to decertify Arizonas 2020 presidential election.Her vice chairman is Rep. Alexander Kolodin of Scottsdale. Hes the attorney who teamed with Trump lawyer Sidney Powell on a lawsuit seeking to overturn the 2020 election due to massive widespread fraud. Last year, he sued to try to kill the states wildly popular early voting program. Hes now working on Abe Hamadehs continuing quest to be declared attorney general.

Also on the House committee are Republican Reps. Austin Smith, a west Valley legislator who has called Maricopa County's 2020 election "a national disgrace," and Rachel Jones of Tucson and Liz Harris of Chandler, both of whom want to decertify the 2022 election.

I will NOT move on like everything is o.k. I will NOT pretend like Fake Katie Hobbs is the legitimate governor of AZ, Jones recently tweeted. I will NOT standby while my favorite state is stolen by radical leftists. I will NOT allow this election to be stolen. #decertifynow"In 2021, Harris ran a door-knocking campaign that claimed to have found massive fraud in the 2020 election. It was debunked in about a minute and a half. More recently, she announced that there were "clear signs of foul play" in the Nov. 8 election and has vowed not to vote on any bills this year unless a new election is held.

Which, come to think of it, maybe isnt such a bad thing.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are Arizona's biggest election kooks in charge of election bills?
Hoda Muthana in an interview with The News Movement that aired in January 2023. The News Movement

Hoda Muthana left America at the age of 20 to join the terrorist group ISIS in Syria.

While she was overseas, Muthana was stripped of her US citizenship and banned from the country.

She told TNM that she felt "broken" after she was told that her citizenship had been revoked.

A woman who ran away from home in Alabama to join ISIS said she felt "broken" when the US revoked her citizenship for aiding the terror group.

Hoda Muthana spoke in an interview with The News Movement (TNM), conducted from a prison camp in Syria where she is being held by US-allied forces.

She said she wanted to return to the US, and volunteered to serve time in prison if necessary.

That seems unlikely to happen  the Obama administration stripped Muthana of citizenship in 2016. In 2019, then-President Donald Trump tweeted that he had personally barred Muthana from the US.

And in 2021 a federal appeals court affirmed that she wasn't a US citizen, and rejected her father's attempt to compel the government to let her return.

The US argued that Muthana should never have been treated as a US citizen since her father was a diplomat for Yemen when she was born.

The appeals court supported that decision, describing Hoda as "a prominent spokeswoman for ISIS on social media, advocating the killing of Americans and encouraging American women to join ISIS."

But in her interview, a visibly emotional Muthana said: "I still believe I'm a [US] citizen now."

"I've been through a lot of horrible horrible things in my life. One of the worst feelings I've ever had is someone telling me I wasn't an American citizen. That broke me completely."

"If I need to sit in prison and do my time, I will do it ... I won't fight against it."

In November 2014, Muthana told her family that she was going to Atlanta on a school trip, but instead flew to Turkey, and crossed into ISIS-held territory in Syria.

During her time with ISIS Muthana married three jihadi fighters, was widowed twice, and gave birth to a baby boy.

Story continues

The Counter Extremism Project, a research nonprofit, said she promoted ISIS propaganda during her time with the group, tweeting in 2014 her intention to burn her US passport and calling for violent attacks in the US.

In her interview, Muthana claimed those tweets were sent by someone else in ISIS after they took her phone. Muthana eventually fled the group during its downfall and was captured by Kurdish forces.

After she expressed a desire to return to the US with her child, former President Donald Trump tweeted in February 2019 that he instructed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to let her come back.

In the TNM interview, Muthana claimed that she was a "victim of ISIS" and that she was brainwashed by online traffickers in 2014 into joining the group.

"Of course, I regret coming here," she told TNM. "If I could take it back I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm hoping my government looks at me as someone young at the time and naive."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Education Reporter

Vanessa Ontiveros is the education reporter at the Yakima Herald-Republic. She grew up near Los Angeles but has happily made Yakima her new home. She is passionate about reporting stories that serve the community and highlight various aspects of the educational system.She also hosts a podcast that discusses local arts education, Yakima Arts Talk, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The daughter of two longtime public school teachers, she is always looking to include community voices in her work.
Yakima County Government, Lower Valley Reporter

Hi, Im Phil Ferolito, longtime reporter with the Yakima Herald-Republic, where I have gained an array of experience from covering small city governments and school districts to big-picture issues concerning county government, crime and the Yakama Nation, a federally recognized tribe with important historical and cultural ties to the land. I began with the Herald-Republic in Oct. 2000 as a copy editor, designing pages, writing headlines and proof-reading stories. Over the years I have covered four Lower Valley municipalities, Granger, Toppenish, Wapato and Harrah, and the Yakama Nation. My goal always has been to shine a light in dark places and bring readers closer to concerning issues, important people, and other events in our community.
A recent grant of more than $300,000 from the state Community College System (ACCS) will allow Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) to better address a workforce need for training bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, among other disciplines within industrial diesel systems technology.

WCCD will expand its existing Basic Automotive, Truck, and Tractor Service and Repair short term certificate program to include Industrial Diesel Systems Technology and provide free CDL training within the year on the Sparks Campus in Eufaula. WCCD currently provides free CDL training through the ACCS Innovation Centers Skills for Success initiative through its Dothan campus, according to a WCCD news release.

Additional workforce needs to be addressed include forklift and CDL class B drivers trained in multi-craft maintenance, who can troubleshoot, inspect, repair, maintain, or overhaul buses, trucks, farm equipment, or any equipment powered by a diesel engine.

Wallace strives to develop new programs to fulfill growing needs in our region, and the Industrial Diesel Systems Technology program will meet the demands from both the manufacturing and transportation industries to create a pipeline of skilled diesel technicians and mechanics, said Martha Compton, WCCD Career and Technical associate dean. We have developed the program through industry partners and advisors to customize training to strategically meet workforce needs.

We are fortunate that the Alabama Community College System Workforce Development Division provides funding opportunities through the Industry Certification Initiative and Special Populations grants to expand high-demand programs to address local workforce development needs, Compton said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 28,100 annual openings are projected for diesel service technicians and mechanics through 2030 to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force. Diesel service technician and mechanic career opportunities are projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030. In 2020, diesel service technicians held about 275,400 jobs in industries that use diesel, trucks, buses, and heavy equipment to support, deliver, haul, and transport products.

While the diesel truck transportation industry is the largest employer for diesel technicians and mechanics, many are employed in multiple industries related to construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Manufacturing industries depend on heavy-duty diesel engines including diesel generators and trucking fleets.

For more information about WCCDs Industrial Diesel Systems Technology program, please contact Martha Compton at mcompton@wallace.edu or 334-556-6822.
Yakima City Government Reporter

Kate Smith is the city government & politics reporter for the Yakima Herald-Republic. She is passionate about connecting people to policy in storytelling that is thorough, fair and compassionate. In Yakima, she is following local elections, city council, budgets & audits, public health, housing & homelessness, public safety, utilities and more.
If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules:

Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy.

The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party.

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Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., attempted to discourage a pregnant migrant from crossing the Rio Grande for fear the migrant would drown during a visit to the southern border on Monday and Tuesday that she described as gut-wrenching.

Britt, who said securing the border with Mexico was among her top priorities during her Senate campaign, met with law enforcement, migrants and victims of drug cartels and human trafficking at the border.

What we witnessed these past 24 hours was gut-wrenching, the senator said in a statement. The raw numbers alone tell us that there is an unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. However, seeing it up close was truly eye-opening, underlining the historic magnitude of the problem and giving faces to the very real human cost of the reckless policies that have caused this disaster.

This trip was an important opportunity for me to listen to and learn from the people who are facing this every single day, from boots-on-the-ground law enforcement officers to courageous survivors of the cartels human and drug trafficking. Now, my team and I will be hard at work formulating and advancing tangible solutions that will help seal and secure the border and defend Americas future.

Britt joined fellow female Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi on a visit to the southern border to better grasp how the Biden administrations policies were contributing to what the legislators deemed a national crisis.

Among the stops on Britts fact-finding trip was the border town city Eagle Pass, Texas, where the senator observed a group of migrants, including several children and a pregnant woman, about to cross the border into the United States.

The pregnant womans husband told Britt they were told the border was open, according to Sean Ross, Britts communications director.

Britt tried to dissuade the couple from crossing the river, but the husband said they left their homes in Honduras in November and its too late to turn back now because the woman is due to give birth, Ross said.

The couple did not give a reason for why they were trying to enter the country.

Fox News drone footage showed the group wading through the Rio Grande:

The senators also visited a ranch on the border whose ability to farm was threatened by migrants who crossed it, adding that Texas authorities helped protect the property.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, at the invitation of Vitaliy Klychko, mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Karacsonys office said.

Karacsony is scheduled to participate in official talks between mayors of capitals in the Visegrad Group and senior Ukrainian officials and European Union diplomats.



The talks will focus on infrastructural and humanitarian aid to Kyiv from Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw, the mayors office said.



The statement quoted Karacsony speaking at an international press conference on arrival as expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the residents of Kyiv suffering from the war in Ukraine.



Budapest stands by Ukraine. The Hungarian government is not the same as Hungary.



Though the Hungarian government often acts in line with the interests of aggressor [Russian] President Putin, millions of Hungarians, with many Budapest residents among them will demonstrate their solidarity with attacked Ukraine and reject attempts to obscure the difference between the aggressor and the victim, the statement quoted Karacsony as saying.



Peace is not possible unless the endeavours of the Ukrainian people are successful, unless Ukraines territorial sovereignty is restored and Russian troops leave Ukrainian territory, the mayor added.
An FIR has been registered against unidentified CISF personnel after an Australian woman alleged that her jewellery and foreign currencies worth Rs 50,000 were stolen from her handbag during an X-ray check when she was transferring from the international to the domestic section at Delhi airport. Akeshni Singh Gour, 40, flew from Sydney to Delhi on an Air India flight and took a connecting flight of the airline to Hyderabad on August 11 when she met with this untoward incident. She travelled to India to attend her father-in-law's funeral.

"The whole thing was an act that involved a number of officials who knew what they were doing and they took advantage of my vulnerability of knowing a mother travelling alone with two very little children (aged 3 and 7) who were both exhausted from a 15-hour flight," reads the FIR, registered on January 4.

Speaking to PTI on phone from her Sydney home, Gour said she realised the theft after she reached Hyderabad and the strong suspicion of involvement of security personnel was due to the fact that throughout the whole journey, the only time her backpack containing valuables was out of her sight was when she went through the screening.

"I wrote to every authority, starting from Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to airport security, Delhi Police, CISF, etc, in the last six months but it was only on December 30 I received an e-mail from SHO IGI Airport to join the investigation," Gour said, adding she travels to India once in a while and this trip was first in six years.

Responding to a PTI query, the office of Apoorv Pandey, Public Relations Officer of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), said they are looking into the matter. The woman said, "On October 11, 2022, I received an e-mail from Arun Singh, AIG/Airport Security, who asked me to pursue the matter with the local police." She also shared a copy of the letter with PTI.

Singh's letter further read, "Local Police is the right authority for the redressal of your grievance." Giving details of incidents, she said during the X-ray screening she took five trays, three for her backpacks, one for suitcase and one additional tray for her laptop. Together with her children, she walked out through the screening process on the other side.

"All trays but the one with the backpack with my personal belongings came out together. I picked all the stuff and later saw the one tray with the backpack going onto the other side where those bags with questionable items go," she said.

"I walked to the other side and the officer asked me for my boarding pass and I said the boarding pass is in that bag itself. He then asked me to take that out which I did as it was sitting right on top," she added.

It didn't raise any suspicion to her when the officer looked at the X-ray screen and asked her to go. Though she found it quite surprising that he didn't even check the bag. "If they found some questionable items, why didn't they check it then? They asked me rather hurry up and go without any inspection," she said.

"I am desperate and hoping to have faith in the legal system of India to assist me not for only my benefit but to also ensure that there aren't any more victims who travel through India and are targeted by these low lives who are supposed to be there in the first place for our safety and security," the FIR reads.
A Pune-bound SpiceJet flight was grounded moments before the takeoff after a call regarding bomb threat was received on January 12, 2023. Delhi Police said they are conducting a search on the plane as per SOP at the Delhi's IGI Airport. "A call regarding a bomb in Pune-bound Spicejet flight from Delhi was received before the takeoff. CISF & Delhi Police are on alert. Flight being checked at Delhi Airport," said Delhi Police.

Sources said the estimated departure time of the plane -- SG 8938 -- was 5:35 pm. The passengers were at the boarding gate and not inside the aircraft when the call was received, they added.

"Officials of the CISF and the Delhi Police are on alert. We were informed by authorities regarding a call they received where the caller said there was a bomb in the Pune-bound SpiceJet plane. The plane is being checked but nothing suspicious has so far been found. However, we are following the security drill in accordance with our standard operating procedure," a senior police officer said.

The officer said efforts are also on trace the caller and ascertain if it was a hoax call.

Earlier this week, a Goa-bound Azur Air flight that originated from Moscow was diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat following a bomb threat. The charter plane with 235 onboard was taken to an IAF airbase in Jamnagar and National Security Guards were called for checking the plane. Security forces carried out an intensive search of the passengers onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight.

The National Security Guard (NSG) found nothing suspicious onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight, and the flight departed from Jamnagar to Goa on next day.

With PTI inputs
There is no evidence of a cyberattack, the White House said on Wednesday following hours of grounding of flights in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to a technical system failure. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking company, more than 9,500 flights within, into or out of the US were delayed and more than 1,300 were cancelled due to the system failure. The number of cancellations and delays has continued to climb despite the agency lifting a ground stop.

"There is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point. The President has directed the Department of Transportation to conduct a full investigation into the causes and provide regular updates. Again, this is incredibly important, a top priority, the safety of Americans who are flying every day," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

"We want to make sure that they're safe. This is a top priority for the President, top priority for the Department of Transportation and certainly the FAA. And so we want to make sure that we get to the root causes so this does not happen again," she said.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, she said, has directed an after action process to determine exactly the root causes and recommended the next steps. "The FAA and DOT will continue to be transparent here about the causes of the issue and how we will ensure a system outage of this magnitude does not happen again," Jean-Pierre said.

"Our number one focus is to make sure that the safety of Americans who are flying. We want to make sure that they're safe. And the second part of this is to make sure that this does not happen again. And so, again, there's going to be an after action process and we'll move from there," she said.

The FAA, she said, is working aggressively to get to the bottom of the root causes of what happened with the system outage today and making sure that it doesn't happen again. "Clearly, the safety of Americans who are flying every day is a number one priority and what they're going to do is to make sure that this doesn't happen again," the press secretary said.
New Delhi: Director Aasmaan Bharadwaj's upcoming caper thriller 'Kuttey' is gearing up for its release this Friday. While the anticipation among the audience to witness the film is at an all-time high, the film is also sailing all the storms to hit the screens on its release. Be it receiving the 'A' certificate or being objected for its title, 'Kuttey' has been surrounded by such allegations for a while now.

Recently a daughter of a policeman appealed in the Jodhpur high court raising abjection on the title as the film is based on the Police department and it may hamper the image of the department. The hearing for the same is scheduled on 12 January. Apart from this, the film certainly brought the hypocritic practice from CBFC to light as the statutory body is passing the film with an 'A' certificate after cutting the abusive language. But ahead of all, the film is all set to release in the theaters on 13th January.

As per our sources, we got to know that, "The makers of the film are not making any amendments in the title and neither they are eliminating any scenes. The film will remain as per the certification and will be released on the date of its release."

The action thriller is produced by Vishal Bhardwaj Films, T-Series Films and Luv Films. The film stars an ensemble cast of Tabu, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Radhika Madan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kumud Mishra and Shardul Bhardwaj.

The film is all set to release this Friday.
Dehradun: The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court Kotdwar, in Uttarakhand on Wednesday approved the narco and polygraph tests of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader`s son Pulkit Arya, the main accused in Ankita Bhandari murder case. In the case, consent was taken from Pulkit Arya on behalf of the Judicial Magistrate through video conferencing, after which the verdict was pronounced. Questions to be asked as per Pulkit Arya`s conditions will also be included in the Narco and Polygraph test. Earlier, this week, the court postponed the verdict for 5 days on the narco and polygraph tests of the accused in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.

The tragic death of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari

The case pertains to 19-year-old Ankita, whose body was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh on September 24. She was reported missing for at least six days before the officials found her body.

Also Read: Ankita Bhandari died due to drowning, had blunt force trauma, reveals preliminary report

She worked as a receptionist at a resort run by Pulkit Arya, the son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya. Pulkit Arya was arrested for allegedly pushing her into the canal following an altercation. Two more people - Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar, have also been arrested in the case.

Narco test remaining in investigation

On December 4, the Uttarakhand Police said that the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case is almost complete. The only procedure that remains is the narco tests of the accused, for which they had sought permission from the Kotdwar court to conduct narco and polygraph tests of all three accused.

Earlier, the three accused, including expelled BJP leader`s son Pulkit Arya refused to undergo narco and polygraph tests, citing that the SIT did not explain why it wanted to conduct narco and polygraph tests after filing the charge sheet.
Two avalanches - a minor at Hangh and another relatively major, occurred in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. A disaster management official said that two avalanches - a minor at Hangh and another relatively major at Sarbal occurred in the district. "We have already cleared one avalanche (Hangh) and traffic is through upto Sonamarg", the official said. "Electricity will also be restored by or before evening, he further said. "Work is on to clear the Sarbal area of the debris and we are hopeful things will return to normal there as well anytime soon", the official said.

People in the area have been in the meantime asked to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement till further directions, they further said. Pertinent to mention three army soldiers including a JCO lost life yesterday near LOC due to an avalanche in Macchil Kupwara.

Also read: Kashmir receives fresh snowfall; Gulmarg, Pahalgam packed with tourists



Further, one labour lost his life, and another is feared dead after being hit by a massive snow Avalanche in the Sonmarg area of Central Kashmir, while a rescue operation is going on to trace the missing labour.



The body of labour working on the Zojila tunnel project was recovered under snow in the Sarbal area of Sonmarg hours after an avalanche hit the area on Thursday.



Officials said that soon after an avalanche was reported in the Sarbal area, men and machinery were activated to rule out any exigency. "After few hours of assessment, a body purportedly of a labour was traced under the snow", the official said.



Meanwhile, ADDC Ganderbal told reporters that there may be at least one more casualty. "Yes, another person is probably missing as suggested by the mobile tracker system." He said, "we have intensified the rescue operation to keep things under control."



Medical teams have been kept on standby in the area in case there is a need for any medical treatment for any injured persons. Pertinent to mention here that two avalanches were reported in the Hangh and Sarbal areas of Ganderbal today.



Earlier three army soldiers including a JCO were killed yesterday after they slipped on the snow track near LOC in the Macchil sector of North Kashmir.
Ayodhya: Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya has demanded the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar must immediately sack the states Education Minister Chandrashekhar for his controversial remarks that the holy book Ramcharitmanas spreads hatred and division in the society. "The way Bihar`s Education Minister has described Ramcharitmanas book as a book that spreads hatred, the whole country is hurt by it, it is an insult to all Sanatanis, and I demand legal action for this statement."

"He should be sacked from the post of minister within a week. And he should apologize, if this does not happen, then I declare a reward of Rs 10 crores to anyone who will chop off the tongue of Bihar`s Education Minister Chandrashekhar," influential Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, Tapaswi Chawani Temple said.

The top seer said that such remarks will not be tolerated at all because Ramcharitmanas is a book that connects and not divides. Ramcharitmanas is a book to establish humanity. It is the form of Indian culture, it is the pride of our country. Such comments on Ramcharitmanas will not be tolerated, the seer warned.

Ramcharitmanas spreads hatred: Bihar minister

Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar has stoked a controversy after he claimed that Ramcharitmanas, an epic Hindu religious book which is based on Ramayana, "spreads hatred in the society". Chandrashekhar made these remarks while addressing the students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University during which he described Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti as books that divide society.

"Why was Manusmriti burnt, because many abuses were given in it against a large section. Why was Ramcharitmanas resisted and which part was resisted? Lower caste people were not allowed to access education and it is said in the Ramcharitmanas that lower caste people become poisonous by getting an education as a snake becomes after drinking milk."

The minister said that Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are books that spread hatred in society as it prevents Dalits-backwards and women in society from getting an education. "Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by Guru Golwalkar... these books are books that spread hatred. Hatred will not make the country great, love will make the country great," he added.

The remarks by the minister drew heavy backlash from the seer community, with another priest terming Chandrashekhar as uncivilized. "Bihar`s Education Minister Chandrashekhar is an uneducated, uncivilized person who does not know anything about Ramcharitmanas. Ramcharitmanas is meant to connect the whole society. Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is the soul of every Indian," he said, demanding the Bihar government to sack the education minister with immediate effect.

"They are doing the work of hurting the religious sentiments of the majority society. And they are working to hurt the religious sentiments of the `Sarva-Hindu` society. We all have objections to this. Lord Ram is the pinnacle of decorum (Maryada Ki Parakashtha). God has taught the whole world the lesson of dignity, humanity and life," he added.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court told the Centre on Wednesday it cannot act like a "knight in shining armour" and decide its curative plea seeking an additional Rs 7,844 crore from the successor firms of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) for giving compensation to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. The top court said it has already spoken about 'maryada' (sanctity) of its curative jurisdiction and is constrained by law despite having some leeway.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul told Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, "It is very easy to dip into someone else's pocket and take out the money. Dip into your own pocket and give the money and then see if you can dip into their (UCC) pocket or not".

The Centre wants another Rs 7,844 crore from the US-based UCC's successor firms over and above the USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) it got from the American company as part of the settlement in 1989.

Justice Kaul, who questioned the Centre over the filing of the curative plea, said, "I began by saying 'maryada' of the jurisdiction. You see, we cannot be a knight in a shining armour. It is not possible. We are constrained by law, although we have some leeway. But we cannot say that we will decide a curative petition on the basis of jurisdiction of an original suit".

A curative petition is the last resort for a plaintiff after an adverse judgement has been delivered and the plea for its review rejected. The Centre had not filed a review petition for rescinding the settlement which it now wants enhanced.

The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath and JK Maheshwari, which heard Venkataramani for over seven hours, including the hearing on Tuesday, said, "As far as liability and quantum of compensation is concerned, it is always open to the parties to say that I want to enter into settlement and get rid of any kind of litigation. Now, you (Centre) want to modify the settlement. Can you do it unilaterally? It is not a decree but a compromise".

Venkataramani said the apex court had endorsed the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 and the scheme under it.

"Anything that was to be determined by the Welfare Commissioner under the Act and the scheme was to be brought before the court at a later point of time. That is exactly what we are trying to do now," he said, explaining the rationale behind filing the curative petition.

The Centre has been insisting that the enormity of the actual damage caused to human lives and environment could not be assessed properly at the time of the settlement in 1989.

The AG said looking at the enormity of the human tragedy, which was unprecedented, it is very important to go beyond some of the conventional principles.

Justice Kaul responded, saying "Nobody doubts the enormity of the tragedy and undoubtedly people have suffered. It is easy to get emotive but we on this side of the bench have to refrain because we do not have the privilege to play to the gallery."

He told Venkataramani the judges have to see on what jurisdiction they are sitting and ultimately every dispute ought to have a closure at some point of time.

"It is not that we are not sensitive to what had happened, but when the Supreme Court does something it has wider ramification. There has to be sanctity of a settlement, especially in today's time, when there is so much international trade and commerce," Justice Kaul said and pointed out that the Centre did not file a review petition but a curative petition after over 20 years of the agreement.

Venkataramani said the tragedy had made huge difference to the lives of people as children were born with deformities and mothers have to bear a burden for a long time.

Justice Kaul said, "You acted on a premise for quarter of a century. Now, you say you want to act differently. No one prohibits the government of India from taking a proactive approach that it feels strongly that these people deserve more. Problem is you are putting it on them (UCC). Can we open everything at this point of time? In curative (petition), this court has to travel a very narrow path."

Venkataramani said he is trying to connect the dots and he is going back to 1989, when the settlement took place but there were more dots after 1989.

Justice Kaul said if in a welfare society, the government is so concerned that the victims need to be paid more, then it should have paid them.

The Attorney General said the question here is not about who pays but whose liability it is to pay.

The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on Thursday.

The top court had on Tuesday questioned the Centre for pursuing its curative plea seeking additional funds from UCC, saying the government cannot reopen a settlement that was arrived at with the company after over 30 years.

The UCC, now owned by Dow Chemicals, gave a compensation of Rs USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore at the time of settlement in 1989) after the toxic methyl isocyanate gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984 killed over 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh more.

The survivors of the tragedy have been fighting for long for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the poisonous gas leak.

The Centre had filed the curative petition in the apex court in December 2010 for enhanced compensation.

On June 7, 2010, a Bhopal court had sentenced seven executives of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) to two years' imprisonment.

The then UCC chairman Warren Anderson was the prime accused in the case but did not appear for the trial.

On February 1, 1992, the Bhopal CJM court declared him an absconder. The courts in Bhopal had issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twice in 1992 and 2009 before his death in September 2014.
There has been chaos at construction giant Hoa Binh Construction Group for the last two weeks, with its board of directors bickering over who the chairman is.

On December 14 the board had approved the resignation of chairman Le Viet Hai, effective January 1, and the appointment of outside director Nguyen Cong Phu as his replacement.

Hais son Le Viet Hieu was named CEO also from January 1.

Hai, who has a 17.14% stake in the company, claimed he would remain chairman of the Founders Committee, which would advise the board of directors and executives.

The decision had been approved by all eight members of the board, he said further.

But Phu dismissed these claims, telling the media that the Founders Committee does not have the authority to veto decisions made by the board.

Besides, Hai had to resign because some board members had discovered "financial wrongdoing" by him, he said.

"I told him If you do not resign, we will call a board meeting and dismiss you."

Hai then fought back, calling for an extraordinary board meeting on December 29 to discuss postponement of the decisions approving his resignation, making Phu the new chairman and his son the CEO.

He told the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) that the decisions had to be postponed because there were issues with the operation of the Founders Committee.

Postponing these decisions would "strengthen the legal basis and firmly establish a new governance model" and "ensure the continuity of the company's management at the time of the Lunar New Year," he said.

"Changing the legal representative will create a bottleneck for payments and settlements."

But four out of eight board members declined to attend the meeting, and five is the minimum quorum needed.

He convened an online meeting on December 31 with the same agenda, but again four members, Phu, Duong Van Hung, Le Quoc Duy, and Albert Antoine refused to participate.

But Hai went ahead, and the meeting minutes said five members were present by including Phu, who sent a message on the Viber chat group.

The meeting "approved" the postponement of the December 14 decisions, meaning Hai will remain chairman for now.

Phu described it as Hais desperate attempts to scuttle his appointment as chairman.

The postponement of the December 14 decisions are not legal, he told the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC).

He needed to take over Hoa Binh to fix the problems caused by Hai's poor management for years, he told the watchdog.

Hai had incurred "unreasonable" expenses on a subsidiary, he added.

Meanwhile, Hai told his employees in a note that Phu and the other members supporting him have an agenda of taking over the company.

Since January 1 both Hai and Phu claim to be the legal chairman of Hoa Binh.

Hai has said that only statements coming from him are valid.

Phu, in reporting the situation to the SSC and HoSE, said the boards decision to make him the chairman was approved by all eight members.

VnExpress learned that Hai and Phu held a personal meeting on Tuesday, but no announcements have been forthcoming.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the need for having an elected government in Delhi after the Centre asserted the Union Territories are an extension of the Union which wants to administer them. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, while continuing the hearing for a third day on the vexatious Centre-Delhi government row over control of services, was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, that Delhi being the national capital has a 'unique status' and citizens of all states living there must have a 'sense of belongingness'.

Referring to a judgement, the law officer said 'Delhi is a cosmopolitan, miniaturised India- it belongs to India'. During the day-long hearing, the bench, also comprising Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha, referred to the subjects on which the Delhi government is incapable of making laws, and asked about the legal and constitutional position with regard to control of services in the national capital.

"As a broad principle, Parliament has the power to legislate upon entries of State and the concurrent list (of the 7th schedule). The Delhi legislative assembly does not have the power to legislate upon lists 1,2,18,64, 65 (Public order, Police and Land etc) of state list," the bench said.

It said the Delhi legislative assembly has the power to legislate in respect of all entries in the State and the Concurrent list as far as they are applicable to the Union Territory.

The bench then said in respect of other entries of the State and Concurrent lists, the Delhi assembly has the right to legislate on subjects applicable to the UT.

"Does the legislative entry of services relate to Union Territory?" the bench asked, adding if Parliament has the legislative control over certain areas, then what about the executive powers of the Delhi government.

The court wanted the solicitor general to tell how legislative control of services were never intended to be part of the legislative powers of Delhi. "The Union Territories are an extension of the Union. The very purpose of creating a geographical area as a UT shows that the Union wants to administer the territory," the solicitor general said.

"Then what is the purpose of having an elected government in Delhi at all? If administration is by central government only, why bother with a government," the bench observed orally.

The law officer said certain powers are co-terminus and the functional control over the officers will always remain with the locally elected government. "Functional control will be that of the elected government and we are concerned with administrative control," he said.

If an officer is not discharging his role as desired, then the Delhi government will have no power to shift him and get someone else, the bench said, adding 'can you say that they would not have any jurisdiction on where he should be posted'.

The law officer referred to the status of Delhi as the national capital and gave illustrations to buttress his submissions as to why the Centre needed to control the services.

"Let us examine the fundamental question, why that control is necessary. Suppose the central government posts an officer and ...As per a policy of the Delhi government, he starts having non cooperation with another state then there would be a problem," he said.

Moreover, whenever a request is made with regard to an officer, the LG takes the action, he said, adding the power rests with the central government.

He then gave the details of the types of services and said All India officers are appointed under the All India Act and they are appointed through the examinations conducted by the UPSC.

"There is no separate cadre for the Union Territories. As far as Delhi administration is concerned, there are three layers- All India Services, DANICS and DANIPS and DASS. For the first two tiers, the appointment is made by the UPSC...," he said. Referring to the constitutional scheme, he said there are Central and State services and UTs have no public service commissions.

The hearing will resume on January 17. Earlier, the top court had termed 'collective responsibility, aid and advice' as the 'bedrocks of democracy' and said it will have to find a balance and decide whether the control over services should be with Centre or the Delhi government or a median has to be found.

The apex court had said on August 22 last year a Constitution bench has been set up to hear the legal issue concerning the scope of legislative and executive powers of the Centre and the National Capital Territory government over control of services in Delhi.

On May 6, the top court had referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the issue of control of services in Delhi.

The apex court had said the limited issue of control over services was not dealt with by the Constitution bench which elaborately tackled all legal questions on the powers of the Centre and the Delhi government in 2018.

"The limited issue that has been referred to this Bench relates to the scope of legislative and executive powers of the Centre and NCT Delhi with respect to the term services. The Constitution bench of this court, while interpreting Article 239AA(3)(a) of the Constitution, did not find any occasion to specifically interpret the impact of the wordings of the same with respect to Entry 41 in the State List.

"We, therefore, deem it appropriate to refer to the above-limited question, for an authoritative pronouncement by a Constitution Bench..., it had said.

Sub Article 3 (a) of 239AA (which deals with the status and power of Delhi in the Constitution, deals with the law-making power of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on the matters enumerated in the State List or the Concurrent List.

The plea by the Delhi government arises out of a split verdict of February 14, 2019 in which a two-judge bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, both now retired, had recommended to the Chief Justice of India that a three-judge bench be set up to finally decide the issue of control of services in the national capital.

Justice Bhushan had ruled the Delhi government had no power at all over administrative services, while Justice Sikri made a distinction. He said the transfer or posting of officers in top echelons of the bureaucracy (joint director and above) can only be done by the Central government and the view of the lieutenant governor will prevail in case of a difference of opinion on matters related to other bureaucrats.

In the 2018 judgement, a five-judge Constitution bench had unanimously held that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is bound by the aid and advice of the elected government, and both needed to work harmoniously with each other.
New Delhi: The national capital, Delhi, is still experiencing a severe cold wave and fog. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, fog conditions have greatly improved over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and West UP as a result of the present Western Disturbances and stronger surface winds. Meanwhile, Northern Railway Senior Public Relations Officer RK Rana stated that 23 trains are running late due to fog. After days of heavy impenetrable fog and very poor visibility, the city finally saw the impact and intensity of the fog diminish from the day before on Wednesday; nonetheless, the fog was still "dense," causing numerous flights and trains to be delayed. According to the IMD, no region in Delhi had a cold wave or cold day on Wednesday.

Delhi | Severe cold wave and fog conditions continue to prevail in the national capital.



Visuals from Akshardham pic.twitter.com/S8MoAxt0KJ  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023

Temperature in Delhi

When the minimum temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius or falls 4.5 degrees below average, a cold wave is declared. From 4.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., the city saw four hours of intense fog, compared to eight hours on Tuesday. More than 26 trains and flights were cancelled. An active Western Disturbance, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official, has shifted the wind direction in Delhi from ice cold northwesterly to warmer westerly and southeasterly, decreasing the fog cover.

Delhi | Smog engulfs Delhi, air quality is in "very poor" category with an overall AQI of 312.



(Top 2 pics- Lodhi road, bottom 2 pics - India Gate) pic.twitter.com/KFlu6q6xjZ  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023

"Due to the current Western Disturbances and consequent stronger surface winds, Fog conditions have significantly improved over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and West UP. Although Dense to Very Dense Fog cover continues over East UP and Bihar," says IMD as quoted by ANI.

Due to the current Western Disturbances and consequent stronger surface winds, Fog conditions have significantly improved over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and West UP. Although Dense to Very Dense Fog cover continues over East UP and Bihar: IMD pic.twitter.com/UeGeiF4ONx January 12, 2023

AQI in Delhi

According to SAFAR, the AQI in the national capital was 312 at 7 a.m. on Thursday, placing it in the'very poor' category (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research). An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'extremely poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The city's air pollution levels had improved significantly on Wednesday, with the overall AQI reading 311 compared to 407 in the "severe" category on Tuesday.
New Delhi: A Metropolitan court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of Ashutosh Bharadwaj, an accused in the hit-and-drag case that killed a 20-year-old woman in the national capital. Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal said considering the gravity of the offences, the fact that the investigation is at an initial stage and the offences alleged against the accused are exclusively triable by sessions court, this court is not inclined to grant bail.

Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava alleged Bharadwaj had misled the investigation by stating co-accused Deepak was driving the car. "There is a thin line of difference having knowledge and subsequently having knowledge. We are investigating the case...When he (Bharadwaj) was a free man, he misled the investigation. He can mislead again in future," the APP said.

According to the prosecution, Bhardwaj had wrongly claimed co-accused Deepak Khanna was driving the car, while it was found during the investigation that it was another accused Amit who was at the wheel. Raising questions about the "conduct" of Bharadwaj, the APP said though the accused was under the legal compulsion to inform the police, he instead misled the prosecution.

"It shows that the accused Bharadwaj might be in agreement with other accused persons," he said. The prosecutor said it is never our case that Bharadwaj was inside the car but that he provided the vehicle involved in the accident to another co-accused who did not possess a driving licence.

The prosecution also informed the court that live location or google time line was yet to be ascertained to establish the role of each accused in the case. Bharadwaj's advocate Shilpesh Chaudhary contended the accused was not present in the car at the time of the incident and all alleged offences were bailable in nature.

He said Bharadwaj had cooperated with police after the alleged incident and helped them arrest two other co-accused. Police had arrested Deepak Khanna (26), Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26), and Manoj Mittal in the case on January 2.

Later, they zeroed in on Ashutosh, who was arrested four days later. All accused were remanded in 14 days judicial custody on Monday. Anjali Singh (20) was killed in the early hours of the new year day after her scooter was hit by a car, which dragged her for more than 12 kilometres from Sultanpur to Kanjhawala.
New Delhi: Amid increasing attacks on minorities living in Bangladesh, a top opposition leader and the joint convener of Gono Odhikar Parishad - Tarique Rahman - has stoked a fresh controversy by saying that Hindu religious scriptures are just porn texts. According to international media reports, Tarique Rahman, in a brazen attack on the Hindu minorities, also said that Hindu religious scriptures offer no moral teachings.

Scriptures of the Hindu religion do not offer any moral teaching - all the religious scriptures are merely porn scripts, Tarique Rahman said in a Facebook live. The video has now gone viral on social media and is also being shared widely by users.

His controversial statement comes in the wake of a growing attack on Hindus and their religious places in Bangladesh. Interestingly, Tarique Rahman is also believed to be a close aide of opposition leader Nurul Haque Nur, who is seeking to oust the present Sheikh Hasina-led government in Bangladesh in the 2024 General Elections.

Gono Odhikar Parishad, which was launched in October 2021, has a large number of Bangladeshi youths and social activists as its leaders. The group also reportedly enjoys enormous support from the terrorist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami.

It may be recalled that the national elections are due in Bangladesh early next year and hardliners, backed by Jamaat-E-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, have begun targeting minorities, especially Hindus, living in the country besides launching a smear campaign against the Sheikh Hasina government.
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday (January 12), paid their respects on the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda and acknowledged the continued impact of his teachings on the country's youth. President Murmu took to Twitter to express her tribute, saying "My tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary! An iconic personality who combined spirituality and patriotism, he propagated Indian values globally. His life and teachings continue to inspire youth to follow their dreams and achieve greater goals."

My tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary! An iconic personality who combined spirituality and patriotism, he propagated Indian values globally. His life and teachings continue to inspire youth to follow their dreams and achieve greater goals.  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 12, 2023

Prime Minister Modi also took to Twitter to pay his respects, stating "His life, patriotism, spiritualism, and dedication will always inspire." He added that "great ideals and ideas" of Vivekananda will continue to guide countrymen.

          ,                     Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023

Modi, who has often mentioned Vivekananda as a major influence on him, is also set to inaugurate the National Youth Festival in Karnataka on Thursday to mark the day. It is clear that the legacy of Swami Vivekananda continues to inspire leaders in India and his teachings remain just as relevant today as they were over a century ago.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate 'National Youth Festival' in Hubballi tomorrow, Jan 12

Vivekananda was a major force in the revival of Hinduism and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. He is best known for his inspiring speeches, especially his speech beginning with "Sisters and brothers of America!", through which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893. His quotes and sayings are widely popular and have been printed on numerous posters and in books.
New Delhi: Amid increasing concerns over China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Japan on Thursday (January 12, 2023) began their first bilateral air exercise.

The 'Veer Guardian-2023' exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is taking place at Japan's Hyakuri air base and will continue till January 26.

The Indian contingent participating in the air exercise includes four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 aircraft, while the JASDF is participating with four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft.

#ExVeerGuardian23



Kon'nichiwa to the Land of the Rising Sun, our home for the next two weeks.#DiplomatsInFlightSuits pic.twitter.com/jWFK0OOj9X  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 10, 2023

The inaugural exercise includes the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces.

They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices.

Experts from both sides will also hold discussions to share their expertise on varied operational aspects.

On Jan 10, #JASDF splendidly welcomed #SU30MKI #IAF (#IndianAirForce) at Hyakuri Air Base. JASDF and IAF will conduct the first JPN-IND bilateral fighter exercise #VeerGuardian in JPN. JASDF will continue promoting JPN-IND #DefenseCooperation to uphold and reinforce #FOIP . pic.twitter.com/UxGpRCmES5  Japan Air Self-Defense Force (@JASDF_PAO_ENG) January 10, 2023

"Exercise 'Veer Guardian' will fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces," India's Ministry of Defence said.

"This exercise will be another step in deepening strategic ties and closer defence cooperation between the two countries," the Ministry added.

An IAF contingent will depart tomorrow for Hyakuri Air Base, Japan for the maiden Exercise Veer Guardian 2023 to be held with Japan Air Self Defence Force from 12 to 26 Jan 2023



IAF will participate with four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemasters & an IL-78 tanker.@JASDF_PAO_ENG pic.twitter.com/vIocSw7ywb  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 7, 2023

India and Japan agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including holding of the first joint fighter jet drills, during the second '2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial' meeting in Tokyo in September last year.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Thursday (January 12, 2023) said that it has busted six YouTube channels that were working in a coordinated manner and spreading false information in India. These six channels were found to be operating as part of a coordinated disinformation network and had over 20 lakh subscribers. According to the Ministry, their videos have been watched over 51 crore times and spread fake news about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elections, proceedings in the Supreme Court and Parliament of India, the functioning of the Government of India, etc.

They also made false claims regarding the ban on Electronic Voting Machines (ECMs), and false statements attributed to senior Constitutional functionaries including the President of India and the Chief Justice of India.

"The channels are part of a fake news economy that thrives on monetization of fake news. The channels use fake, clickbait and sensational thumbnails and images of television news anchors of TV Channels to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic and drive traffic to their channels in order to monetize the videos published by them," the IB Ministry said.

The PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) of the Ministry also released six separate Twitter threads having over 100 fact-checks to counter the fake news spread by these channels.

In another video, Nation Tv has claimed that the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has been taken hostage and assaulted

#PIBFactCheck



These claims are Fake



No such said incident took place



Kindly do not share such misleading videos without verifying the facts pic.twitter.com/Zl7WLkWrOh  PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) January 12, 2023

These are the following "fake news peddling" YouTube channels: Nation Tv (5.57 lakh subscribers), Samvaad Tv (10.9 lakh subscribers), Sarokar Bharat (over 21,000 subscribers), Nation 24 (over 25,000 subscribers), Swarnim Bharat (over 6,000 subscribers) and Samvaad Samachar (over 3.48 lakh subscribers).
Uttarakhand: Himanshu Khurana, the Chamoli District Magistrate, presided over the 19-member committee that was established on Wednesday to determine the cost of a rehabilitation package and distribute the interim package amount to the afflicted people in Uttarakhand's subsidence-hit Joshimath town. The decision to form the committee, which will be made up of local residents, was made during a meeting presided over by the DM. The Uttarakhand government has announced an interim assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh for affected households in Joshimath due to soil subsidence.

Cracks have occurred in 723 buildings in the town, according to officials, and 131 families have been relocated to safer areas. Locals in Joshimath have staged a protest against the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), asking that it leave the state. People have been asked to leave homes and other facilities that have been identified for demolition due to cracks and being deemed "unsafe" by district officials.

Earlier, the owners of Hotel Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View were scheduled for demolition, however the process was suspended following concerns from the owner of Malari Inn and some residents. Protesters sought compensation based on the prices outlined in the master plan for the redevelopment of Badrinath Dham.
In wake of the Joshimath crisis caused due to land-subsidence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today held a high-level meeting with five union ministers. According to reports, Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Energy Minister RK Singh were present in the meeting along with key officials. Shah reviewed the situation in Joshimath during the meeting.

In the meeting, issues related to relief measures for the people and the current situation were discussed in detail. Earlier, the Union Home Minister spoke to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone and took stock of the latest situation. Shah assured all possible help to the state. BJP national president JP Nadda also spoke to CM Dhami.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spent last night in Joshimath and held various meetings today in the wake of land subsidence in the area. He also interacted with the locals.

Due to landslides in the Joshimath city area, 723 buildings have been identified which have developed cracks. In view of security, till date 462 people belonging to 131 families have been shifted to temporary relief camps. Owing to the land subsidence in the Joshimath area, the state government has announced various interim relief measures for the affected families.

Secretary to Chief Minister R Meenakshi Sundaram informed that the government will take care of the affected families and under the disaster relief, each family will be given immediate interim assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh. Sundaram said that an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh is being given as interim assistance to the affected families immediately in which Rs 50,000 is being provided in advance for house shifting and Rs 1 lakh for disaster relief which will be adjusted later.

The secretary said that the survey of the buildings affected by the landslide is being done. The official said that those who want to go to a rented house, they are allowed to be given Rs 4,000 per month for 6 months. Earlier, while holding a meeting with the stakeholders and the local people, he made it clear that those affected by the landslide would be given compensation at the market rate. The market rate will be decided after taking the suggestions of the stakeholders and in the public interest only. He also said that the interests of the local people would be taken care of. (With agency inputs)
New Delhi: In yet another development in the Kanjhawala hit-and-run case that led to the shocking and painful death of 20-year-old Anjali Singh in the early hours of January 1, a team of five forensic experts from the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat visited the crime spot in Delhi. The team arrived in the national capital at the request of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harendra K. Singh. The team will also collect forensic evidence.

Delhi | A team of forensic experts from the National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar examine the car involved in the accident in which a 20-year-old woman was killed in Kanjhawala pic.twitter.com/eq2welqkiI January 12, 2023

20-year-old Anjali was killed in the early hours of January 1 after her scooter was hit by a car that dragged her for over 12 kilometers from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala in the national capital. The CCTV footage showed that her body was dragged by a car for around 12 km. Her naked body was found in the Kanjhawala area.

Delhi Police constituted a total of 18 teams for tracing the accused and investigating the case. Police have so arrested seven accused -- Ashutosh, Ankush Khanna, Deepak Khanna, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mithun and Manoj Mittal. Ankush was granted bail by the court recently.

Delhi Police also added the destruction of evidence` section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the FIR lodged against all the accused. " "The police added section 201 of the Indian Penal Code to the FIR after finding incoherence in the statement of the accused," police sources said. During the interrogation, it was found that the car was driven by Amit and not by Deepak.

The Delhi Police ruled out sexual assault in the case of a 20-year-old woman who died after her scooty was hit by a car and her body was dragged for kilometers in the Sultanpuri area of outer Delhi on January 1. The post-mortem was conducted at Maulana Azad Medical College. Police said the autopsy found "no injury suggestive of sexual assault".

However, Anjali's mother and family relatives termed the accident as a "well-thought-out conspiracy" and demanded all the accused be given strict punishment.
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper burns incense at the National Martyrs Cemetery Road 9 in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, January 11, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper had a working session in the central province of Quang Tri on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in handling war consequences.

Receiving the diplomat, chairman of the provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung said the area of land contaminated with landmines in Quang Tri remains large, calling for further remediation assistance from the U.S. so that the province can realize its goal of becoming the first locality in Vietnam to ensure mine safety by 2025.

He suggested the U.S. Department of State continue to support the implementation of projects benefiting people with disabilities and those infected with Agent Orange/dioxin. Quang Tri wants to further receive the U.S.s humanitarian programs and projects that aid its rural socio-economic development, Hung added.

He expressed hopes the ambassador will introduce Quang Tri's potential in wind, solar and gas-fueled thermal power to potential U.S. firms, pledging the best conditions possible for U.S. investors to make fact-finding trips and conduct feasibility studies for their projects.

Knapper said the embassy highly appreciated the close and effective cooperation between the provincial authorities and non-governmental organizations in projects to remove unexploded ordnance and overcome the consequences of war. Quang Tri has made great contributions to the reconciliation and increasing mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and American people, he added.

The ambassador affirmed that the U.S. Government is committed to dealing with the war consequences and healing the wounds on both sides, based on the principle of being honest with the past and working together towards a prosperous future.

While in Quang Tri, Knapper also visited a mine disposal site in Trieu Phong District, attended the inauguration ceremony of Trieu Dai Kindergarten and offered incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery.

According to the provincial People's Committee, since 1996, the U.S. Government has supported Quang Tri to implement programs and projects in the field of war consequence settlement such as demining, assisting people with disabilities, building schools, health stations, and natural disaster prevention and mitigation. The U.S.'s funding for mine clearance in the locality is estimated at about $91 million.
Dulla Bhatti Festival: Lohri is traditionally a special festival associated with the sowing and harvesting of crops. This time this festival will be celebrated on 14 January 2023. This is a major festival of North India, which is celebrated with great pomp, especially in Punjab and Haryana. On this day (Lohri 2023), people gather at a place in the evening and light a fire and roam around it. Apart from this, the story of Dulla Bhatti (Punjab Ke Nayak) is heard making a circle near the fire. On this day, listening to the story of Dulla Bhatti has special significance. But do you know why the story of Dulla Bhatti is heard on the day of Lohri and what is the significance behind it? If not, then let's know about this story.

Dulla Bhatti - 'Dacoit' to 'Robinhood'

Pindi Bhatti is the place where Rai Abdullah Khan was born in 1547 in the family of Laddi and Farid Khan, whom the world now calls Dulla Bhatti. He was a Muslim Rajput. Four months before his birth, Humayun killed his grandfather Sandal Bhatti and his father Farid Khan. The skins of both were stuffed with wheat hay and hanged outside the village of Bharwa in order to instill fear in hearts of rebels. The reason behind their killing was that they refused to pay the tax to Mughals. Continuing the glory of ancestors, Dullah Bhatti became the Robinhood of that era. Akbar considered him a dacoit. He with his partners used to loot goods from the Akbars zamindars and soldiers then distributing them among the poor.

Dulla Bhatti - Punjab Ke Nayak

The story of Dulla Bhatti is especially heard on the day of Lohri. It is said that during the time of Akbar in the Mughal era, a person named Dulla Bhatti lived in Punjab. Dulla Bhatti was born, as Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti, in a Muslim Rajput family to mother Ladhi and father Rai Farid Khan Bhatti and grandson of Rai Sandal Khan Bhatti in the area of "Sandal Bar" in "SandalWal" modern day Pindi Bhattian now in Pakistan (Sandal Bar is also related to the legend of Mirza Sahiba). It is said that in Sandal Bar girls were being sold to rich merchants. Dulla Bhatti had protected the girls of Punjab at that time. Dulla Bhatti had freed the girls from rich merchants and got them married. Since then, Dulla Bhatti has been honored with the title of hero and every year at the festival of Lohri, his story is narrated in the memory of Dulla Bhatti.

Dulla Bhatti Lohri Story

Lohri is celebrated because of an ancient tradition of worshipping Indra via Agni and another legend is also related to Sati-Shiv. Also, Lohri got its name from Lohita Kalpa. Then how did Dulla Bhatti join Lohri? It also has an anecdote. Sunder das was a farmer, at a time when there was terror of Mughal chieftains at Sandal Bar. He had two daughters, Sundari and Mundari. The intention of the village Lambardar was not good on the girls. He threatens Sunder das to get daughters married to him who in reality wanted to sell them as the slaves in the Middle East Market. Sunder das spoke to Dulla Bhatti. Dulla Bhatti reached village of Lambardar. His fields were burnt. The girls were married where Sunder das wanted them. He gave sugar to them as his well wishes and that day was the day of Lohri and it is the day and today, we celebrate it by reminding the great warrior.

Dulla Bhatti: Relation with Akbar and Death

Akbar wanted to humiliate and kill Dulla Bhatti. It is said that Akbars army of 12 thousand could not catch Dulla Bhatti, so in 1599, he was caught treacherously during fight and then he was hanged. The end for Bhatti came in 1599 when he was hanged in Lahore. Akbar had hoped to make an example of him at the public execution, expecting that he would quake with fear, but Bhatti was steadfast in his resistance to the end. His grave is still in Miani Sahib cemetery where homage is being paid and on every lohri he is being reminded for his deeds.

Dulla Bhatti Lohri Songs

According to mythological beliefs, Happy Lohri is linked to the story of Dulla Bhatti. All the songs of Lohri are related to Dulla Bhatti and it can also be said that Dulla Bhatti is made the centerpiece of Lohri's songs. This folk story is about Dulla Bhatti, who was a brave warrior during the time of the Mughals and who took action against the growing oppression of the Mughals. On the day of Lohri, there is a tradition of worshiping the new crop in Punjab and Haryana. In such a situation, on this day, people light a bonfire and put many types of grains and sweet things in it and circumambulate it and perform giddha (a popular folk dance of women in Punjab region of India and Pakistan).
SHILLONG: The ruling NPP in Meghalaya on Thursday announced a list of 58 candidates for elections to the 60-member assembly in the state. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will be fighting the elections from South Tura in West Garo Hills district, while his deputy Prestone Tynsong will contest from Pynursla in East Khasi Hills district.

Industries Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar is the candidate from Nartiang in West Jaintia Hills district and Transport Minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare will fight the elections from Nongkrem in East Khasi Hills district.

Addressing a rally at the Polo Grounds here, the chief minister said that several MLAs from different parties have joined the NPP over the last five years, which demonstrates that the it "is growing stronger".

The NPP has given nomination to at least 10 MLAs who have switched sides ahead of the elections. Among them are former Congress MLAs Ampareen Lyngdoh (Laitumkhrah) and Mohindro Rapsang (West Shillong), former PDF MLA Hamletson Dohling (Mylliem) and former HSPDP MLA Samlin Malngiang (Sohiong).

"These MLAs have not joined NPP for political gains but for the greater cause of serving the people of the state," Sangma asserted. The party has not announced any candidate for the Mairan seat in Eastern West Khasi Hills district and the South Shillong constituency.

At the rally, the chief minister also released a booklet, titled 'Promises Delivered', outlining the promises his party made ahead of the 2018 elections and the work it has done to achieve those in the last five years.

"The NPP-led government has done more development in Meghalaya in the last five years than what was done in the 50 years of its statehood," he said. "If there is any political party that will ever find a solution to the inter-state border issue, it is the NPP. I can assure you that if we are given the opportunity in 2023, we will resolve the border issue so that the people of the state can live in peace," he added.

The NPP won 19 seats in the last elections and formed the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) with the HSDP, UDP, PDF and BJP to deny the Congress another term in the state. However, Sangma decided to go solo again in this election.

Its main contender in the state is the former CM Mukul Sangma-led TMC. Sangma along with 11 other MLAs of the Congress switched sides to join the TMC last year, making it the main opposition party in the state overnight.

Congress was the single-largest party after the 2018 elections, in which it won 21 seats.

Urging the people of the state to vote for a full-majority government, he said this year will lay the foundation for the next 50 years of Meghalaya and a strong government will ensure that the dreams and aspirations of the people are taken forward.

"I am sure that people will repose their faith in NPP once again to fulfil their dream for a new Meghalaya," he said.

"Nobody can look down on us and say that we are a small state. We will ensure that we become the model state and tell our positive stories to the rest of the country," he added.
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday attacked the BJP over the launch of world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, and inauguration of a Tent City, saying that Modi government's sole motive is to earn money by converting religious places into tourist spots. Yadav also alleged the BJP of wasting money in such programmes while it should have been used to clean the river Ganga under the Ganga Action plan.

"People visit Varanasi in the last phase of their lives or for spirituality and getting knowledge. BJP is making this arrangement (there) for earning money by promoting tourism. What are the nishads (there) who used to steer boats getting out of it. Will only the big industrialists and other traders get facilities," Yadav said while speaking to reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the cruise, and inaugurate a 'Tent City' on the banks of the Ganga river in Varanasi on January 13 via video conferencing. MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi and sail around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, traversing across 27 river systems in the two countries.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Yadav questioned the BJP about the real motive behind the cruise and the Tent City.

"Now will the BJP take away the jobs of the sailors as well? BJP's policy of earning money by making religious places tourist places is condemnable. People from all over the world come to experience the spiritual splendor of Kashi, not for the luxury. BJP will no longer be able to cover the darkness of real issues with external glare," he had said in the tweet.

Yadav also referred to the cleaning of river Ganga under the Ganga Action plan' and said that it is seen that the efforts made so far have not been able to clean 'Maa Ganga'. "Thousands of crores of rupees have been cleaned but not Maa Ganga," Yadav said.

On Global Investors Meet being organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in February, Yadav asked what happened on the ground to the MOUs signed earlier and what incentives are being given to bring more investments. He termed the summit as nothing but preparation for the next elections to betray the people of the state.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh made a big statement on Uniform Civil Code in Lucknow today while addressing a function to mark the birth anniversary of Maharaja Harishchandra ji. The defence minister said that the Modi government is working to fulfil promises made in its manifesto and the work on the Uniform Civil Code is also underway.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi entrusted me with the responsibility of preparing the party's election manifesto. Modi ji told me that we should be careful that whatever promises we made in the manifesto, we shall fulfil them at any cost. We should be careful with that. There should not be any difference in our words and deeds. I said that full precaution is being taken care of. Even when the manifesto was being prepared in 2019, PM Modi asked me to do that. I was the home minister then. We said that Article 370 would be abolished, and we did that. We promised Uniform Civil Code, work is going on to implement it. We fulfilled what we promised," said Singh.

Reacting to the demands by residents, Singh said that while he won't make any promises, he would do his best to get the work done. He said that Indian politics would not have faced the dearth of public trust if the leaders would have fulfilled even one percent of promises made in the past.

It may be noted that states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have already formed committees to implement Uniform Civil Code. While the formation of committees was challenged in the Supreme Court, the top court junked the pleas saying that it's within the purview of states to do so. The BJP-ruled Karnataka is also considering the introduction of a bill to implement UCC in the state.
Madhubani: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday categorically ruled out the possibility of appointing another deputy, other than Tejashwi Yadav, ending speculations that a top leader of his JD(U) was being considered for the job. New faces may, however, be inducted in the council of ministers from the allies RJD and the Congress, he told reporters during his visit to Madhubani as part of his 'Samadhan Yatra'.

"We are a seven-party coalition and each constituent has a fixed share. Those whose ministers vacated posts may be accommodated accordingly. We may have some more from the Congress as well," Kumar said.

Two ministers from the RJD quota - Sudhakar Singh and Kartik Kumar resigned within a couple of months of the formation of the Grand Alliance government in August last year. Moreover, the Congress, which has been given two berths, has been seeking a representation commensurate with its numerical strength in the assembly.

The Congress has 19 MLAs in the 243-strong assembly. The RJD, with 79 MLAs, is the single largest party, while the JD(U) has 45.

Without mentioning Upendra Kushwaha by name, who is the JD(U) parliamentary board chief, Kumar said "I am amused to hear this talk about having another deputy CM. This is nonsense. I was compelled to have more than one deputy CM because of pressure (from the BJP). I need not repeat that I did not even want to become the CM then".

After the 2020 assembly poll, BJP had dropped Kumar's trusted friend Sushil Kumar Modi as the deputy CM and backed two less fancied leaders, Tarkishor Prasad and Renu Devi, for the top post.

Of late there have been furious speculations in a section of the media that Kushwaha, a former union minister who returned to the JD(U)) two years ago and merged his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, could be made a deputy chief minister to cut to size Tejashwi Yadav who is from the RJD.

Kumar has dropped ample hints that he wishes to pass on the mantle to Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, his rival-turned-ally. He has also been hinting that he wished to devote his energies towards uniting the opposition against the BJP ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.
New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday (January 11, 2023) said that the Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is behind the surge in new coronavirus infections in China, has been found in several of the 200 Covid-positive samples of international air passengers that have so far been genome-sequenced. Speaking on the sidelines of a book launch, Mandaviya said that more than 15 lakh international air passengers have so far been screened and 200 of them have tested positive for Covid-19.

"The genome-sequencing of the 200 samples showed that the BF.7 variant was present in several passengers. Our vaccines are effective against this sub-variant," he said.

Earlier on January 9, the health ministry had said that the sentinel-sequencing of 324 Covid-positive samples lifted from the community between December 29 and January 7 had revealed the presence of all the Omicron variants, such as BA.2 and its sub-lineages including BA.2.75, XBB(37), BQ.1 and BQ.1.1(5), among others.

Besides, XBB(11), BQ.1.1(12) and BF7.4.1(1) were the main variants detected in the positive samples of 50 international passengers that have so far been genome-sequenced.

No mortality or rise in transmission was reported in the areas where these variants were detected, the ministry had said in a statement.

India records 171 new Covid-19 cases

Meanwhile, India saw 171 fresh Covid-19 cases, while the active caseload increased to 2,342, according to the Union health ministry on Wednesday. An increase of 23 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The country's infection tally has reached 4,46,80,386, and the death toll stands at 5,30,722, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, the health ministry said.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.09 and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 0.11.

According to the ministry, over 220.15 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (January 12, 2023) addressed the opening session of the "Voice of Global South Summit 2023" and flagged concerns over rising prices of food, fuel and fertilisers, economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as natural disasters driven by climate change. In his virtual address, Modi said that the "world is in a state of crisis" and that it is difficult to predict how long this state of instability will last. He also stressed the need for the Global South to escape the cycle of dependency on systems and circumstances which are not of its making. Modi stated that in the 21st Century, global growth will come from countries of the South.

"We are meeting as a new year dawns and brings new hopes and new energy," he told leaders who joined from different parts of the world.

"We have turned the page on another difficult year, that saw: War, conflict, terrorism and geo-political tensions: Rising food, fertilizer and fuel prices; Climate-Change driven natural disasters, and the Lasting economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is clear the world is in a state of crisis. It is difficult to predict how long this state of instability will last," Modi said.

He said that the Global South has the largest stakes in the future.

"Three-fourths of humanity lives in our countries. We should also have an equivalent voice. Hence, as the eight-decade old model of global governance slowly changes, we should try to shape the emerging order," Modi said.

"Most of the global challenges have not been created by the Global South. But they affect us more. We have seen this in the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, terrorism and even the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The search for solutions also does not factor in our role or our voice," the prime minister added.

Addressing the inaugural session of "Voice of Global South Summit." https://t.co/i9UdGR7sYH January 12, 2023

"Despite the challenges the developing world faces, I remain optimistic that our time is coming," he said and added that the need of the hour is to identify simple, scalable and sustainable solutions that can transform our societies and economies.

"With such an approach, we shall overcome the difficult challenges - whether it is poverty, universal healthcare or building human capacities," PM Modi said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed ignorance over his Education Minister's remark demeaning Ramcharitmanas. Amid the furore over Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekar's remark terming Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic Ramayana, divisive, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar side-stepped the matter claiming he wasn't aware of what the minister said.

"I don't know what he said. I haven`t heard his statement or seen anything about it in the news," the Bihar CM told reporters in Darbhanga on Thursday, on the sidelines of the inauguration of a newly constructed planetarium.

Chandrashekhar had on Wednesday stoked a major controversy claiming that Ramcharitmanas stokes animosity and discrimination in the society. The BJP came down heavily on the minister, demanding that he tenders an apology at the earliest. However, the Education minister on Thursday reiterated his earlier statement, claiming that it the BJP which should apologise for 'not knowing facts'.

BJP leaders have slammed Chandrashekar for his remark demanding his resignation. "The education minister of Bihar is a bogus man. They are not fulfilling their responsibility properly and are spreading religious malice by making unrestrained rants. Also, to hide their inaction, the students of Bihar are trying to trick the youth by making useless statements," said Nikhil Anand, Bihar BJP spokesperson.

On the other hand, Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said, "He is an ignorant education minister. He has insulted the religious sentiments of people. Ramcharitmanas is a way of life, such an education minister should resign immediately. Nitish Kumar has become Dhritarashtra."
Walking down the streets, so the common refrain goes, is like entering a battlefield. But you might think otherwise when you consider the annual statistics for accidents in Vietnam.

Recent articles have provided a wealth of information, reflecting on the realities of tourism in Vietnam fairly accurately. But why is it that whenever Vietnam is mentioned, only bad things and negative connotations come to mind? Should we just accept the fact that our tourism industry has nothing to offer to endear it to foreigners?

In my opinion, there are still many wonderful things about Vietnam that people will always remember. Despite the negativities that have been spread about Vietnamese tourism, I still think there are some unique aspects of the country that international visitors won't find anywhere else.

People generally continue to believe, for instance, that walking down the streets of Vietnam is similar to walking into battles. In Vietnam, however, the number of accidents is inversely proportional to traffic chaos and congestion. It would sound somewhat paradoxical, but do you believe it? This is a point on which visitors can feel completely excited. Vietnam has always been a safe travel destination for tourists from all over the world.

As for Vietnamese vendors, it is not uncommon to find them cursing or scrambling for customers. Not only in Vietnam, but also in the United States and Germany, I have personally witnessed this situation. Therefore, there are numerous other reasons why some tourists do not wish to return to Vietnam, such as environmental pollution, price gouging, and even fraud. And these are the issues that the government should address immediately.

There are complaints that using the luggage carousels in Vietnamese airports is too difficult and time-consuming. But this isn't just our story; I've seen it play out in a lot of other countries, some even worse than Vietnam. The type and size of the luggage are also a problem in this situation. Do not blame the tiny carousel if you have heavy luggage.

On the internet, a lot of helpful advice for travelers visiting various nations has been widely disseminated. One such piece of wisdom is that when traveling, you should pack your luggage to be as small and light as you can, rather than just trying to fit everything in. Whether I'm going across the country or across the world, all I need is one checked bag, a backpack, and a laptop. This makes dropping off and picking up my belongings a breeze.

And there are many other aspects of Vietnamese tourism that, if we take the time to change our perspective a bit, we can realize interesting things about, especially from the shortcomings that still exist. A country is made of citizens with their own set of beliefs and ideals. Of course, as human beings, we're all different. It's unfair to lump everyone together and then use their flaws to downplay their strengths.

It is time that we treated Vietnamese tourism fairly. Let's stop harping on Vietnam's flaws and instead celebrate its strengths. Despite its problems, Vietnam is still a destination worth visiting.
Patna: Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar on Thursday reiterated his statement on Tuesday, claiming that the Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic `Ramayana`, "spreads hatred in the society". He also said that certain parts of Ramcharitmanas propagate discrimination again certain castes. On whether he would apologise for his statement as the Opposition BJP has demanded, he said it is the saffron that should apologise for not being aware of facts.

Addressing students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University on Wednesday, he claimed that the `Ramcharitmanas` and `Manusmriti` divide the society."Why was there resistance to the Ramcharitmanas? It says people from lower castes could be as dangerous as snakes after receiving education," the minister said on Tuesday. He has said revered Hindu texts like Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are against Dalits, other backward classes and women receiving education."Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by saffron ideologue Guru Golwalkar spread hatred.

Love, not hatred, makes the country great," added Chandrashekhar. Earlier this month, Kerala Minister and Communist leader MB Rajesh made a similar statement about Manusmriti claiming that it advocates a `cruel` caste system. Speaking at a programme of Varkala Sivagiri Mutt, Rajesh had said, "If Kerala has an acharya, it`s Sree Narayana guru and not Adi Shankaracharya."
Patna: Bihars Education Minister Chandrashekhar has stoked a bitter controversy by claiming that Ramcharitmanas, an epic Hindu religious book which is based on Ramayana, "spreads hatred in the society". Chandrashekhar made these remarks while addressing the students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University during which he described Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti as books that divide society. "Why was Manusmriti burnt, because many abuses were given in it against a large section. Why was Ramcharitmanas resisted and which part was resisted? Lower caste people were not allowed to access education and it is said in the Ramcharitmanas that lower caste people become poisonous by getting an education as a snake becomes after drinking milk."

The minister said that Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are books that spread hatred in society as it prevents Dalits-backwards and women in society from getting an education. "Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by Guru Golwalkar... these books are books that spread hatred. Hatred will not make the country great, love will make the country great," he added.

Earlier this month, Kerala Minister and Communist leader MB Rajesh made a similar statement about Manusmriti claiming that the cruel caste system is based on Manusmriti. Speaking at a programme of Varkala Sivagiri Mutt, Rajesh had said, "If Kerala has an acharya, it`s Sree Narayana guru and not Adi Shankaracharya. Shankaracharya was an advocate of the cruel caste system that is based on Manusmriti. Sree Narayana guru worked to weed out the caste system. Shankaracharya has not only supported the caste system but has also been its spokesperson."

Sack the minister, says top Ayodhya seer

Reacting to Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar`s controversial remarks over the Hindu religious book Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya has demanded that the Minister should be sacked from his post.

"The way Bihar`s Education Minister has described Ramcharitmanas book as a book that spreads hatred, the whole country is hurt by it, it is an insult to all Sanatanis, and I demand legal action for this statement. That he should be sacked from the post of minister within a week. And he should apologize, if this does not happen, then I declare a reward of Rs 10 crores, to the one who will chop off the tongue of Bihar`s Education Minister Chandrashekhar," Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, Tapaswi Chawani Temple said.

The seer said that such remarks will not be tolerated at all. Ramcharitmanas is a sacred book that connects and not divides.
New Delhi: BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur is still under fire for her statement at a public event in Shivamogga, Karnataka, where she reportedly suggested that individuals should sharpen their knives in order to protect themselves and their families. In response, 103 former bureaucrats had written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla calling for action against the MP.

Pragya Thakur's controversial 'sharpen the knife' statement

During the speech in question, Pragya reportedly said: "Keep your daughters safe and protected. Keep weapons at home. Sharpen the knife used to cut vegetables. If our vegetables are cut well, heads and mouths of our enemies will also be cut well." These statements were met with backlash, with many accusing Pragya of promoting violence and hate speech.'

Also Read: 'Those who drink alcohol, dance on Dec 31st...': BJP MP Pragya Thakur criticises 'western' New Year

BJP MP defends her stance

As quoted by ANI, Pragya issued a statement in her defense. She said, "The public knows what is good.. what is right, what is legal, what is illegal, people of all ideologies live in the country and if I remind them of their rights for the safety of women and girls, then there is no need for them to be troubled." She further added, "They will be happy if my (MP) membership is gone, they will be happy I dont care at all. Those who are opposing me, I have always stood for the self-respect of our self-respecting women, and for the respect of women, I will stand in future. I dont care about such people at all."

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar criticises Thakur for 'hateful language'

The incident also caught the attention of Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar who criticized the MP and said "People who are actually virtuous never speak about violence. They never use hate language instead they speak only to unite people not to divide them. But Sadhvi Pragya is completely doing the opposite, she is asking people to keep sharpened knives at home. Which type of sadhvi is she, I don`t understand."

Pragya's statement has been widely criticized by many for promoting violence and for encouraging people to arm themselves with knives instead of promoting peace and non-violence. This is not the first time that the MP has been in controversy, she has been previously criticized for making divisive statements. The letter from the former bureaucrats to the Lok Sabha speaker calls for action to be taken against the MP and her statements, on the ground of promoting hatred and encouraging violence.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the importance of the `equivalent voice` of the Global South on the international platform and reiterated that their voice is the voice of India, and their priorities are India`s too. Speaking virtually at the inaugural leaders` session of `Voice of Global South: For human-centric development`, PM Modi said, "We supported each other in the fight against foreign rule and we can do it again in this century to create a new world order that will ensure the welfare of our citizens. Your voice is India`s voice and your priorities are India`s priorities."The Summit envisages bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform.

PM Modi shines spotlight on transforming societies, economies

He said India has always shared its development experience with the Global South. "The need of the hour is to identify simple, scalable and sustainable solutions that can transform our societies and economies. Despite the challenges the developing world faces, I remain optimistic that our time is coming," added PM Modi.

Watch PM Modi's closing remarks at 'Voice of Global South Summit':

Sharing my closing remarks at the "Voice of Global South Summit." https://t.co/WXB56kElFZ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023

On India sharing its development model with the Global South, PM Modi said, "We, the global South, have the largest stakes in the future. Three-fourths of humanity live in our countries. India has always shared its development experience with the global south. Our development partnerships cover all geographies and diverse sectors. We supplied medicines and vaccines to over 100 countries during the pandemic. India has always stood for the greater role of developing countries in determining our common future. "

On the prevailing global scenario and concerns around conflict, terrorism, political tensions, rising food, fertiliser and fuel prices, and climate change, he said, "We have seen this in the impacts of Covid pandemic, climate change, terrorism and even the Ukraine conflict."

"We have turned the page in another difficult year that saw war, conflict, terrorism and global political tensions. Rising food, fertilizer and fuel prices, climate change-induced natural disasters and lasting economic impact of the Covid pandemic. It is clear that the world is in a state of crisis. It is difficult to predict how long this state of instability will last. Most of the global challenges have not been created by Global South but they affect us more," added PM Modi.

'Need for equivalent voice for Global South on international platforms'

Saying that the Global South has the largest stakes in the future as three-fourths of humanity lives in these countries, PM Modi stressed the need for an equivalent voice on the world platform.

On India`s G-20 Presidency, PM Modi reiterated that New Delhi`s aim is to amplify the voice of the Global South."As India begins its G20 Presidency this year, it is natural that our aim is to amplify the Voice of the Global South. For our G20 Presidency, we have chosen the theme of `One Earth, One Family, One Future.` This is in line with our civilizational ethos. We believe the path to realizing `oneness` is through human-centric development. People of the Global South should no longer be excluded from the fruits of development. Together, we must attempt to redesign global political and financial governance," said PM Modi.

He also called for a global agenda of `Respond, Recognize, Respect, and Reform` to re-energise the world.

"Respond to the priorities of the Global South by framing an inclusive and balanced international agenda. Recognize that the principle of `common but differentiated responsibilities` applies to all global challenges. Respect the sovereignty of all nations, the rule of law and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. Reform international institutions, including the United Nations, to make them more relevant," the Prime Minister further said.

He also extended his greetings for a happy and fulfilling 2023 to Global South countries on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians.
London: Bernard Arnault, the worlds richest person, has appointed his daughter Delphine to run Christian Dior, the second-biggest brand in his LVMH luxury goods empire, according to a media report.

Arnault, 73, is the chief executive, chair and majority shareholder of the group, which owns a swathe of high-end businesses including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Givenchy, Kering and Moet Hennessy, The Guardian reported.

He announced on Wednesday that his eldest daughter would become Dior's chief executive and chair as part of a shake-up of the 382 bn euro (337 bn pound) conglomerate, the report said.

Delphine Arnault, who is the executive vice-president of Louis Vuitton and is in-charge of its product product-related activities, will take up the new position from February 1.

The 47-year-old joined the family business in 2000 after two years at the management consultancy firm McKinsey and studying at the London School of Economics. She joined the LVMH board in 2003 - becoming the first woman and youngest person to serve on it, The Guardian reported.

Her father said: "Under Delphine's leadership, the desirability of Louis Vuitton products advanced significantly, enabling the brand to regularly set new sales records. Her keen insights and incomparable experience will be decisive assets in driving the ongoing development of Christian Dior."

The appointment marks a return to the brand Arnault first worked for in 2001, where she started working on shoes before rising to become a deputy general manager and working directly with Dior's then creative director, John Galliano.

She was credited with minimising the fallout from Galliano's racist and antisemitic rants at people in a Paris bar in 2011 that led to him being sacked and convicted for racism and anti-semitism.

Arnault has said she was not heavily exposed to the family's brands or extreme wealth as a child, but remembers getting a brown Louis Vuitton No bag on her 18th birthday and attending the first lavish party when she was 21, The Guardian reported.
New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan is one such superstar who enjoys a massive fan following not just in Indian but across the whole world. Recently, the actor went to Auto Expo 2023 to launch the Hyundai motors first all-electric IONIQ5 SUV. Now, the photos shared by a fan has gone viral on social media in which the fan can be seen kissing Shah Rukh Khan on the cheeks.

Not just this, the fan also shared a long note along with the photographs and wrote that he met him at 2 am in the hotel room and lauded the superstars gesture. Thank you @iamsrk For Taking Your Time out for us, 2:00 AM No other superstar did this for their fans like you do, calling us inside your Hotel Room & giving Us Full Time, attention & respect. Thank you for your blessings. I am sorry to disturb you at late night, But I Love u, the fan wrote.

As soon as the pics went viral, netizens also appreciated Shah Rukh Khans gesture. Congrats man! This is dream come true, a user wrote. How amazing! Youre absolutely the luckiest, added another user.

See the viral pics

Thank you @iamsrk For Taking Your Time out for us, 2:00 AM

No other superstar did this for their fans like you do, calling us inside your Hotel Room & giving Us Full Time, attention & respect.

Thank you for your blessings.



I am sorry to disturb you at late night, But I Love u. pic.twitter.com/q6Qbxa1geO January 11, 2023

Meanwhile, SRK finally unveiled the official trailer of his upcoming action thriller film Pathaan on Tuesday, which received massive responses from the fans. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham and is all set to hit the theatres on January 25, 2023.

The film marks SRKs fourth collaboration with Deepika Padukone after Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year. It will also mark his comeback to the movies after a long hiatus of four years. He was last seen in Aanand L Rais Zero alongside Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.
New Delhi: A legal foundation for making the Permanent Account Number (PAN) the exclusive corporate identity for all processes may be introduced in the 2023 budget. According to The Business Standard, Budget 2023 may include a provision that would allow a person or entity to link their PAN card with any other existing identifications they may have in order to simplify procedures. Investors will probably gain from this since they won't need to provide numerous forms of identification to the National Single Window System for project-related clearance and approvals.

Both at the state and federal levels, there are currently at least 20 different IDs. These include the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Tax Deduction Account Number (TDA), Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Corporate Identification Number (CIN), and others.

According to a senior finance ministry official quoted by The Business Standard, the Finance Act, 2023 may include an enabling provision or clause that will provide "legal underpinning" for PAN to be used as the principal identity of an entity.

This action will be in line with suggestions to make conducting business easier. A working committee under the Ministry of Finance, led by an extra secretary (revenue), had published its report at the end of December, recommending that this change be implemented gradually.

According to the article, agencies will have a year to adopt PAN as the principal identification for all types of clearances, registrations, permits, etc. Departments will be allowed up to a year to implement the changes.
New Delhi: Samsung has officially confirmed its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1, hinting that the upcoming smartphone Galaxy S23 series would be launched on that day. This will be the first in-person edition of the event after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. It will also be live streamed on the tech giant's official website.

"A new era of Galaxy innovation is coming. Our innovations are designed to enable incredible possibilities for people today and beyond. The new Galaxy S series will be the epitome of how we define the ultimate premium experience," said Samsung.

"How far can your phone camera go? Dont wait for Galaxy Unpacked. Pre-reserve your next Galaxy now," tweeted Samsung India.

The Galaxy Unpacked will kick off at 11.30 pm. Samsung has also said that customers can Pre-reserve the upcoming Galaxy phone and get benefits worth Rs 5,000.

How far can your phone camera go? Dont wait for Galaxy Unpacked. Pre-reserve your next Galaxy now: https://t.co/RszoutQgpu. #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/fNdRx52Guk  Samsung India (@SamsungIndia) January 12, 2023

As per the rumours, the Galaxy S23 series may feature an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.

It will likely come in three colours -- Cotton Flower, Mistly Lilac, Botanic Green, and Phantom Black, reports 9To5Google.

Meanwhile, Samsung will reportedly reveal its next-generation Galaxy laptops alongside its Galaxy S23 series at the Unpacked event.

The company is expected to refresh its Galaxy Book laptop lineup with improved hardware specifications and better software, according to SamMobile.

The exact specifications of the upcoming Galaxy laptops are still unclear, but the Galaxy Books are expected to feature Intel's 13th Gen processors.

Some models could have the built-in S Pen stylus, while others could have a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU).

With IANS Inputs
NEW DELHI: Veteran actor and celebrity chat show host Simi Garewal, who is popularly known for her show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal', will be seen talking to the housemates on 'Bigg Boss 16'. Simi took to Instagram and shared a video of her meeting contestants inside the Bigg Boss house. Simi looked ravishing as she was seen wearing her signature all-white look as she chatted with Shalin Bhanot, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and others.

In the video, contestants are seen entering a room decorated with mostly whites, inspired from Simi's iconic show. A voiceover in Hindi is heard saying: "For the first time in 16 years, there will be rendezvous with Simi Garewal..."

The clip, then moves to Simi, who asks Priyanka to choose between two options love and fame. Simi says "Aapke samne do plate hain, ek mein hai stardom, doosri plate main hain unconditional love. You have two plates in front of you... One plate has stardom while another has love." Priyanka chose love.

Simi then asks Shalin. While her complete question was not shared in the clip, Simi had said, "Ek (plate) mein Tina hai... (On one plate, you have Tina...)"

To which, Shalin replies, "Doosri plate mein kuch bhi aur hoga, mein woh doosri plate chununga (Whatever the second plate has, I will choose that).

Defending Shalin, Simi jokingly says, "Don`t be so hard on him."

For the caption, Simi wrote, "In Big Boss house tonight! On ColorsTV!"
Passengers from China's Xiamen arrive at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand, January 9, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Thai police have arrested two Chinese citizens, wanted in separate fraud cases worth 2 billion baht ($60 million), on the charge of staying in Thailand illegally.

Thai immigration police officers arrested a 44-year-old man in Chiang Mai Province at the request of Chinese authorities, the Bangkok Post reported.

The man, who was not named, was accused of duping at least 3,000 people into investing in his company registered in China, stealing about 1.4 billion baht from them. The suspect later fled to Thailand, according to Pol Lt. General Phakphumpipat Sajjaphan.

The Chinese man admitted that he does not have a passport and that he had illegally entered Thailand via a border crossing.

He had changed his nationality to avoid arrest and ran a business in Thailand.

Another Chinese man was also arrested in Nonthaburi Province in central Thailand for illegally entering Thailand on a tourist visa in 2019 and staying in the country until he was caught.

The man had opened a firm and lured people into investing in it by claiming the company could issue credit cards. More than 500 people fell victim to the scam, police said.

Pol Lt. General Phakphumpipat Sajjaphan said that the two men were charged with illegal entry and will be be extradited to China to answer charges there.
videoDetails

Ukrainian troops sing the national anthem after release in prisoner swap | Zee News English

| Updated: Jan 09, 2023, 02:27 PM IST

50 Ukrainian servicemen were freed after being released as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. A Video on social media showed a group of men with shaved heads said to be some of the released prisoners, in a bus singing the Ukrainian national anthem. These men were holding up Ukraines national flag.
BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in the Mill park area of Melbourne was allegedly vandalised by anti-India elements with anti-India slogans written on the walls of the temple, located in the suburb of Mill Park, The Australia Today reported. Patel, an onlooker who does not want to reveal his first name told The Australia Today, shared how he witnessed the vandalised walls of the temple when he visited the site on Thursday. "When I reached the temple today morning all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus," Australia Today quoted Patel as saying.

He added, "I am angry, scared, and dismayed by the blatant display of religious hatred towards the peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters." BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir stated that they are "deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate. It said that they have remained committed to "peaceful coexistence and dialogue to all faiths."

Also read: Helicopters collide mid-air over Australian beach, 4 dead in accident

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir further said that they have informed the authorities regarding the incident, as per The Australia Today report. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a video message has extended "warmest wishes" to Pramukh Swami Maharaj ji and the BAPS organisation upon his 100th birth anniversary.

The video message of the Albanese has been shared by Australias High Commissioner to India, Barry O`Farrell. "Your Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on behalf of all Australians, I send my warmest wishes to you and BAPS organisation upon the 100th anniversary of the birth of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

He further added, "I pay tribute to his legacy, his message of serving those...something we can all strive for and as he said, in the joy of others, lies our earn. This legacy lives on here in Australia."Anthony Albanese said that Australia is proud of the BAPS community which has built temples across the nation in the "richest Australian society." He further said, "I look forward to the completion of the large new BAPS temple in Sydney."

Furthermore, he said that India and Australia share a bond of friendship and called the Australian Indian community an "important contributor" to the ties between the two nations. While sharing the video, Barry O`Farrell in a tweet wrote, "His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj ji`s legacy of service has touched the lives of millions & lives on in. It was my honour to convey a message from my Prime Minister @AlboMP to mark @BAPS` centennial celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj`s birth. PM`s Video message (1/2)." Barry O`Farrell further stated, "I was also fortunate to tour the Pramukh Swami Nagar - what an #IncredibleIndia experience."

(With inputs from ANI)
Allison Holthoff, a 37-year-old woman from Nova Scotia, Canada, died after a seven-hour wait in the emergency room. Family members blame complications and shortcomings in the country's health care system for the death. Canadian Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson said in a statement released Monday, "This is a tragic loss, and my heart goes out to them. I understand they want answers. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the patient who died at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre."

Allison Holthoff, went to the hospital after complaining that she wasnt feeling well on New Years Eve. She told her family that she had pain in her abdomen that continued to increase with time. She had an upset stomach on Dec. 31 and went to the emergency room the following morning when the sickness worsened. Her husband, Gunter Holthoff, told CBC News that he had to carry her on his back to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst, Nova Scotia, before finding a wheelchair. Gunter said, "I was rolling her in the wheelchair and she could hardly sit up."

No Medical Equipment

After six hours, Allison was taken from the waiting room into a unit with no medical equipment. It was 6 p.m. by the time Allison finally saw a doctor and received pain medication. While prepping for an X-ray, Gunter recalled her condition getting worse to the point where she couldn't breathe. Medical staff took blood and urine samples during the seven-hour wait, with one nurse asking near the end if Allison was 'always like this' upon seeing her extreme pain. Allison started screaming in pain at around 6 p.m. as medical staff prepped her for an X-ray. Doctors and nurses resuscitated Holthoff three times before determining that they had a '1% chance of keeping her alive' and would not pursue surgery. A doctor told Gunter that his wife had suffered from internal bleeding but could not determine the origin.

Death: The Tragic Incident

Gunter recalled that he was quickly asked to leave the room while medical staff attempted to resuscitate Allison three times. However, she ultimately died. He noted that although the family is still waiting for an autopsy, he believes the healthcare system has a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Cause Of Death

Gunter explained that they arrived around 11 a.m., and while Allison was triaged pretty quickly, she then spent hours in the waiting room before she was seen. They waited for seven hours for someone to attend to her, but she ended up dying. Gunter told reporters on Monday that he still didn't know his wifes cause of death.

Rough Times

Gunter told reporters that his wife had fallen off a horse in September and had complained of pain in the following months. He said it had been 'rough times' for his wife. He found her lying in the hallway on New Years Eve after she tried to ease the pain by taking a bath. Gunter said, "Something needs to improve. I don't want anybody else to go through this. Unfortunately, I feel like we were neglected until it was to a point they couldn't ignore us anymore."

Gunter added to Global News that he just wishes they weren't 'neglected' by the hospital and that their children got to say goodbye to their mother.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- While COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rose around the world between 2021 and 2022, wide gaps remain, according to new research.

Teams from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain (ISGlobal) and City University of New York (CUNY) also noted the need to address vaccine hesitancy with tailored communication strategies.

The pandemic is not over, and authorities must urgently address vaccine hesitancy and resistance as part of their COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategy, said lead researcher Jeffrey Lazarus, head of the health systems research group at ISGlobal.

For the study, researchers surveyed people in 23 countries that were hard hit by the COVID pandemic. Collectively, those nations include more than 60% of the worlds population.

Worldwide, acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines grew from 75.2% in 2021 to 79.1% last year, the survey found.

Meanwhile, vaccine acceptance decreased in eight countries: United Kingdom, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Kenya, Ghana, China and Brazil.

Nearly 1 in 8 respondents who had been vaccinated were hesitant about receiving a booster dose. That was particularly true among younger men and women.

Lazarus and Ayman El-Mohandes, dean of the School of Public Health at CUNY, started the surveys in 2020 in highly populated countries, including Canada and the United States.

The new findings are from their third survey, which was conducted between June and July of 2022. About 1,000 people were surveyed in each country.

Increased hesitancy varied from 1% in the United Kingdom to 21.1% in South Africa.

Meanwhile, parents' willingness to vaccinate their kids rose slightly from 67.6% in 2021 to 69.5% in 2022.

We must remain vigilant in tracking these data, containing COVID-19 variants and addressing hesitancy, which may challenge future routine COVID-19 immunization programs, senior author El-Mohandes said in an ISGlobal news release.

The survey also turned up new information on COVID-19 treatments. It found that ivermectin, a drug used to treat or prevent parasites in animals, was used to treat COVID-19 with the same frequency as approved medications. The World Health Organization and other agencies recommend against using ivermectin.

Nearly 40% of respondents reported paying less attention to new COVID information than they had before. They also had less support for vaccine mandates.

Depending on the country, vaccine hesitancy was associated with female sex (such as in China, Poland and Russia); with having no college degree (in France, Poland, South Africa, Sweden and the United States); and with lower income (in Canada, Germany, Turkey and the United Kingdom).

Our results show that public health strategies to enhance booster coverage will need to be more sophisticated and adaptable for each setting and target population, Lazarus said, adding that messaging should emphasize compassion over fear and be delivered by trusted individuals, especially health care workers.

The researchers said the data could be useful for health system decision-makers, practitioners, advocates and researchers to more effectively address vaccine hesitancy.

The findings were published Jan. 9 in Nature Medicine.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccines.

SOURCE: Barcelona Institute for Global Health, news release, Jan. 9, 2023
ELKO  A Battle Mountain man was arrested on felony charges after police said he presented a forged car title and took possession of the vehicle from an impound lot while the man was in jail.

Richard C. Wolters III, 29, of Battle Mountain was arrested Dec. 28 for grand larceny of a motor vehicle and intent to utter a fictitious bill, note or check.

Police were called Dec. 3 by a man from Wisconsin who said a maroon Chevy Malibu had been stolen from a woman who was in jail on drug trafficking charges. They determined that the car actually belonged to a male inmate, and it had been impounded when the female inmate was arrested on drug charges.

Further investigation determined that Wolters and another man went to the towing service where the car was impounded on Dec. 1. Wolters produced a title to the Chevy showing it had been signed over to him by the owner, according to an Elko Police Department report, and the towing company allowed him to drive away with it.

The male inmate said he did not sign over title, and he believed it had been stolen from his home by the man accompanying Wolters.

Both the male and female inmate have made several reports to police about their property being stolen from their home following their arrest, police said.

Wolters bail was listed at $45,000.

He was also arrested in May on a gross misdemeanor warrant for fighting or challenging to fight, and for violation of probation. Court records also indicate he was arrested in April 2021 for owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person, felony possession of a controlled substance, and furnishing or attempting to furnish a controlled substance to a state prisoner; and in November 2019 for home invasion.

The cars owner was arrested in September on felony firearm and other charges. He also pleaded guilty in 2018 to attempted drug trafficking and possession of a stolen vehicle, but was given probation on both charges.

The woman who was driving the Malibu before it was impounded was arrested in November on drug trafficking charges.
ELKO  The Elko County School District Board of Trustees, which reorganized on Jan. 10, has approved a new policy for high school equivalency assessment that mirrors state statute but will be easier to access and easier to read than the Nevada law.

Paul Allen, director of secondary education for the ECSD, said the policy will align with what the law says, and told the board on Jan. 10 that it is just an effort to make it clear how we conduct our business.

Trustee Jeff Durham questioned why the policy was necessary because its a direct mirror of NRS (Nevada Revised Statutes), and Superintendent Clayton Anderson answered that the district has many policies that are the same as state statutes, but often people only see the school policies.

This is very much for the purposes of all the normal people that have to deal with this all the time, so when kids and parents need to see the policy, it is very frustrating to have to deal with something that says see NRS, Anderson said. It is nice to have something in place at your local school district where you can see that.

He said searching through state statutes is exhausting.

Allen said school policies are the first place that he looks when a question comes up, and he agreed they are a lot easier to find on board docs that state statutes. Policies are accessible through the district website.

The new policy refers to an assessment that in Elko County is the HiSET test, Judy Wintermote, an adult education instructor for the school district, said by phone Jan. 11. The HiSET by PSI Exams is similar to the General Educational Development (GED) test but there are some differences, she said.

Wintermote recommends students and parents check with her for information on pre-testing, testing, the cost of testing and additional details. Wintermote, in Elko, and Dean Stevens at West Wendover provide preparation for testing but not the testing. Local testing is done at Great Basin College.

The new, short policy states that young people may, upon approval by the Board of Trustees, take a high school equivalency assessment if they are at least 16 but less than 17 years old, submit a form approved by the school district, have written permission from a parent or guardian, havent graduated from a high school, and are not enrolled in a high school.

They also must satisfactorily complete the districts adult education course or an approved alternative.

For those between the ages of 17 and 18 who havent graduated from high school and arent enrolled in a high school, they may take a high school equivalency assessment upon approval from the Nevada Department of Education.

The policy also states that those ages 17 and over are not required to complete an adult education course prior to taking a high school equivalency test.

Trustees questioned whether there was a prior policy that the new one replaces, and Trustee Matt McCarty said he didnt find a specific policy.

Anderson said he didnt think the district already had a policy on equivalency tests, but he would look thoroughly.

Durham also questioned whether the policy could include wording that if state statutes changed, the policy would change, however, Anderson said the administration keeps track of changes and would propose an update if needed.

The board, which organized at the Jan. 10 meeting and re-elected Teresa Dastrup as president and chose McCarty as board clerk, unanimously approved the new high school equivalency assessment policy.

New trustee Brooke Ballard was among those voting, but the other new trustee, Adriana Lara, was absent.

Both Ballard and Lara, along with Trustee Susan Neal, were elected to the new Capital Funding Committee that Anderson said will include representation from all around the district.

The aim is to be constantly transparent about capital improvement projects, look at the recently completed facility assessments and look at funding sources for capital improvements, whether through elections or other sources, Anderson said.

ECSD for years had a 75-cent pay-as-you-go tax funding source but that was defeated a couple years ago, and a bond proposal the following year for school construction money also failed at the ballot box.

In other organizational action for the new year, Durham continues as the liaison to the Nevada Association of School Boards, with Dastrup as the alternate, and Ballard and Neal were elected to the Superintendents Advisory Committee, with Dr. Josh Byers as the alternate.

Neal continues as chair of the STARS Committee, and Byers will be on the Emergency Operations Committee. McCarty continues on the Debt Management Commission.
* In the past three years, China has effectively responded to global COVID waves and avoided widespread infections with the original strain and the Delta variant, which are relatively more pathogenic than the other variants. The country has kept its severe COVID-19 cases and death rates among the lowest in the world.

* China has made an array of active adjustments to its COVID-19 response, including 20 measures in November last year, 10 new measures in December and changing the Chinese term for COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection."

* Many experts expressed their confidence that China is returning to its pre-epidemic hustle and bustle, unleashing more economic vitality and opportunities for the world.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has changed its COVID response in light of the evolving situation, coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development.

The optimization of China's COVID response policies is science-based, effective and consistent with the country's reality, overseas experts and scholars have told Xinhua.

They also said that China, in the past three years, has made remarkable achievements in fighting the epidemic, making significant contributions to the global battle against the virus.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN ANTI-COVID BATTLE

Since COVID-19 struck, China has put its people and lives first, doing its utmost to protect people's lives and health.

China's anti-COVID experience offers important lessons for many countries, and its optimized COVID-19 strategy is in the right direction, said Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva.

"When the pandemic emerged in Wuhan, the response from the Chinese authorities was quite good," Flahault told Xinhua in a video interview. "The Chinese government did apply very strict and effective measures at the time to tackle the pandemic and to avoid its spread all over the country."

In the past three years, China has effectively responded to global COVID waves and avoided widespread infections with the original strain and the Delta variant, which are relatively more pathogenic than the other variants. The country has kept its severe COVID-19 cases and death rates among the lowest in the world.

Meanwhile, China's average annual economic growth rate over the past three years was approximately 4.5 percent, higher than the global average and making significant contributions to global economic growth.

Faced with the COVID-19 outbreak, China took all necessary measures to stop the rapid spread of the virus, which ensured people's health and enabled the country to play its role in stabilizing the world economy, said Gu Qingyang, director of Chinese Executive Education and associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore.

"The pandemic lashed global growth, while China, as the world's second-largest economy, has managed to maintain the stability of the global supply chain with its massive trade, even in 2022 when the Omicron variation hit the country," said Gu, whose research interests lie in Chinese economy, Singapore public policy and urban development.

SCIENCE-BASED COVID RESPONSE

Omicron is much less pathogenic and deadly, and China's treatment, testing and vaccination capacity are steadily rising.

Against such backdrop, China has made an array of active adjustments to its COVID-19 response, including 20 measures in November last year, 10 new measures in December and changing the Chinese term for COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection."

Bilal Ahmad, a public health scientist at Pakistan's Central Care, an international non-governmental organization working in health and education, said that countries must be flexible and adaptable in their approach to preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Ahmad said that China adhered to a scientific approach against the virus since the beginning of the outbreak while employing strong economic fundamentals and measures to stimulate demand.

As China downgraded its management of COVID-19 starting this past Sunday, would-be travelers have been flocking to travel websites, which have seen a surge in inbound and outbound orders. On Monday, Thailand welcomed the arrival of thousands of Chinese tourists in its capital of Bangkok.

However, a few countries have imposed discriminatory entry requirements on travelers from China, which experts and scholars widely opposed.

Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization, has urged countries to take science-based precautionary COVID-19 entry restrictions that are proportionate and non-discriminatory.

"For those countries in our region introducing precautionary travel measures at this time, we are calling for such to be rooted in science, to be proportionate and non-discriminatory," Kluge said.

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly also said in a letter to the country's health minister that he does not believe that "there is sufficient public health rationale to impose any restriction or additional requirements on travellers from China."

Health officials in Australian states and New Zealand have reached a "strong consensus" that imposing restrictions on travelers from China was "inconsistent with the current national approach to the management of COVID-19 and disproportionate to the risk," Kelly wrote.

ECONOMIC REBOUND

Currently, China's COVID situation is improving, some provinces and cities have passed their infection peaks, and life and work are returning to normal at an accelerated pace.

Many experts expressed their confidence that China is returning to its pre-epidemic hustle and bustle, unleashing more economic vitality and opportunities for the world.

"As China has adjusted its pandemic prevention policies, outbound Chinese tourists will fuel the global tourism industry, and China-related industrial and supply chains will become more stable," Gu said, adding that robust trade with China will bring more vitality to global growth.

"Some international study institutions downgraded the growth forecasts of major economies in 2023, but they are optimistic about China's potential. Their attitude shows that the Chinese economy will be a major power to boost market confidence and global economic recovery," the scholar told Xinhua.

Bambang Suryono, chairman of Indonesia's think tank Asia Innovation Study Center, said China is Indonesia's largest export market, with the two economies highly interrelated and complementary.

China's economic recovery will boost Indonesia's exports to China, Suryono said, adding that the number of Chinese tourists to Indonesia is expected to jump.

Andrei Ostrovsky, chief researcher of the Center for China Socio-Economic Research at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the adjustment of China's COVID response policies would benefit Russia-China trade and personnel exchanges, and facilitate its contacts with the rest of the world.
The talks between Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh and Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on January 11. (Photo: VNA)

PM Chinh conveyed Vietnamese Party and leaders regards to the Lao PM, and expressed gratitude to the Party, State and people of Laos for their loyal, pure sentiments and wholehearted support and assistance to Vietnam.

Congratulating Laos on the positive results that the country has gained in controlling COVID-19 and boosting socio-economic recovery, PM Chinh said he believed that under the leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the efforts of the Lao Government led by PM Sonexay, Laos will overcome difficulties and continue to successfully implement its 9th socio-economic development plan and the Resolution of the 11th LPRP National Congress.

PM Sonexay underlined the significance of his Vietnamese counterparts visit, noting that PM Chinh is the first foreign leader to visit Laos in 2023, and right after he took office as the leader of the Lao Government.

He thanked Vietnam for the sincere support and impartial assistance that Vietnam has given Laos in the past struggle for national independence and current process of national construction, defence and development. He also spoke highly of Vietnams achievements in stamping out COVID-19, boosting post-pandemic economic recovery and development, and clinching higher role and position in the world arena.

The two PMs affirmed the consistent policy of the two Parties and States towards each other, and agreed to give the highest priority to the reinforcement and development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

They shared delight at the progress and stability of the bilateral cooperation over all areas over the years, with deepening political trust, numerous delegation exchanges at all levels and through all channels, optimised bilateral collaboration mechanisms and hundreds of successful joint activities in the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 in both countries.

Particularly, bilateral economic, trade and investment ties have been strengthened in the right direction, they said. Last year, Vietnamese businesses invested in five new projects and injected more capital to four existing projects with combined investment of 70 million USD, up nearly 50% from 2021. In 2022, two-way trade rose over 21% to nearly 1.7 billion USD, exceeding the set target.

The two PMs agreed that in the time to come, they will work closely together to implement the Vietnam-Laos cooperation strategy for the 2021-2030 period, and the bilateral collaboration agreement for the 2021-2025 period as well as other signed deals in all fields, while increasing all-level delegation exchanges to foster bilateral political ties.

They will step up the theory exchange, while coordinating in ensuring security, social order and safety and promoting security-defense cooperation.

Vietnam and Laos will continue to bolster economic partnership, supporting each other in post-pandemic recovery, socialist-oriented market economy building, and international integration.

The two PMs agreed to continue to maintain two-way trade growth of at least 10-15% each year.

The two sides will continue to improve their business and investment environments and strengthen the connectivity of the two economies, including in hard and soft infrastructure connections.

They also agreed to continue expanding investment partnership, with focus on projects in border localities, while enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation in justice, science-technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges as well as cooperation among localities, especially those along the shared border.

They pledged to continue to collaborate closely in the fields of information and communications, concentrating on educating the youth of the two countries on the tradition of the Vietnam-Laos special ties, and paying greater attention to cooperation in education-training, especially the training of public officials at all levels.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, the two sides agreed to foster their coordination, information exchange and mutual support at regional and international multilateral forums, especially the UN and ASEAN, as well as sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They will work together and with other ASEAN countries to maintain ASEANs intra-bloc solidarity and central role, while maintaining the bloc's common standpoints on strategic matters, including the East Sea issue.

Vietnam is ready to assist Laos to perform international tasks in the time to come, including the role as the Chair of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, PM Chinh affirmed.

Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation agreements in various fields, including digital partnership, mutual civil judicial support, education-training, waterway transport, finance, and diplomacy.

Vietnams central Quang Tri province and Champasak province of Laos also signed a framework agreement on the establishment of friendly cooperation ties.

PM Chinh also took this occasion to invite his Lao counterpart to visit Vietnam at an early date, and the Lao leader accepted the invitation with pleasure./.
In 2022, a wide range of cultural and artistic programmes were held throughout cities and provinces in both countries to celebrate the milestones of Vietnam-Laos relations.

According to NDO, with many rich, unique and practical activities and events, the programme highlighted the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

As two neighbouring countries, Vietnam and Laos have always stood side by side in the struggle for national independence, as well as in todays national construction and development. The bilateral close-nit, loyal and transparent relationship, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people, has become a valuable asset of the two nations.

At a book exhibition on Vietnam-Laos relations held in Vietnam's Da Nang city in August 2022. (Photo: VNA)

The book exhibition entitled The great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam: Highlights on book pages took place in the city of Da Nang, displaying hundreds of books recalling the history of Vietnam  Laos ties and the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane), and President Souphanouvong.

In Lao capital of Vientiane, the Diplomatic Academy under the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently released a book on the 60 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung, the book is a valuable document that provides readers with a deeper understanding of the cooperation between the two diplomatic sectors and two countries in general.

The special relationship between the two countries is also depicted through the photo exhibition which co-hosted by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Lao News Agency (KPL) in Hanoi. With more than 100 typical photos on display, the exhibition vividly spotlighted the close-nit and strong relationship between the two parties, states and peoples.

In 2022, a wide range of cultural and artistic programmes were held throughout cities and provinces in both countries to celebrate the milestones of Vietnam-Laos relations. The performances at the event praised the land, culture and the people in Vietnam and Laos as well as the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Many contests on the history of Vietnam-Laos relations were also launched last year, attracting large numbers of participants, contributing to helping people of the two countries, especially the younger generation, gain a deeper understanding of the special bilateral relationship.

The Year has left a deep impression and spread the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos to people from all walks of life, especially the younger generations of the two countries.

In addition, more than 6,200 entries were sent to a story-telling contest, which was co-organised by the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Friendship Associations, the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, and Vietnam Times magazine.

Through their touching stories, thousands of entrants from both Vietnam and Laos highlighted the solidarity and attachment between the two nations. According to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, the contest contributed to fostering and nurturing the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

The younger generations of Vietnam and Laos are always aware of the importance of the special solidarity between the two countries. Accordingly, the Vietnam-Laos Youth Friendship Meeting and the Following leaders footprints programme in 2022, provided an opportunity for youngsters from the two countries, to gather together and review the friendship tradition between the two peoples.

Through the programme, they showed their determination to play a vanguard role in further consolidating and strengthening the relationship between the two Parties, States and peoples of the two countries.

The Year has left a deep impression and spread the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos to people from all walks of life, especially the younger generations of the two countries. It also helped to deepen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, making practical contributions to the development and prosperity of each country./.
Winners of Vietnams beauty photo contest honoured

The contest was launched by Nhan Dan Television and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), attracting the participation of photographers around the country, reported NDO.

Vu Lam from Hai Phong City won the first-place prize for his photo series entitled Urgently completing projects to celebrate Lunar New Year.

The second-place prize went to photographer Nguyen Long Giang for his photo entitled Happiness of daughter-in-law.

Nguyen Long Giang won the second prize for his photo entitled Happiness of daughter-in-law

Meanwhile, three third-place prizes were awarded to Hoang Van Men, Tran Van Sinh and Truong Xuan Thang, for their photos Celebrating the victory of Vietnamese team on the first days of the new year, Grading the Chung cake wrapping contest and Full Moon Offering.

Unlike the final round of previous years, the final of this years photo contest is a playground for first-place prize winners of monthly rounds.

Accordingly, 12 monthly first-place prize winners took photos according to the theme proposed by the organising board and they were directly selected by the jury.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director of Nhan Dan Television and Head of the Organising Committee of the contest Vu Duy Hung, extended his congratulations to the winners and officially launched the eighth edition of the contest in 2023.

Director of Nhan Dan Television Vu Duy Hung speaks at the awards ceremony./.
A Ceres 1 Y5 rocket, carrying five satellites, lifts off at 1:04 pm Beijing Time from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, Jan 9, 2023. [Photo by Wang Jiangbo/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Galactic Energy, a private aerospace manufacturer in Beijing, launched its fifth Ceres 1 rocket on Monday afternoon, deploying five small satellites into orbit.

The Ceres 1 Y5 rocket blasted off at 1:04 pm from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert and placed the satellites into a preset orbit shortly after, the company announced in a news release.

It was China's first private sector spaceflight of 2023.

Galactic Energy has had five successive successful launches, outperforming other private competitors and its five Ceres 1 flights have placed 19 satellites in orbit.

There are a number of private rocket companies in the country, but only Galactic Energy and i-Space, another Beijing-based private enterprise, have launched successful orbital missions, which refers to a flight by a carrier rocket that deploys a payload into space orbit.

Before Ceres 1, the SQX 1 rocket developed by i-Space launched two satellites and several experimental payloads into space from Jiuquan in July 2019. The model's maiden flight also marked the first orbital mission by a privately built rocket in China. However, the next three SQX 1 launches failed due to technical malfunction.

The Ceres 1 is about 20 meters tall, has a diameter of 1.4 meters and mainly burns solid propellant. With a liftoff weight of 33 metric tons, it is capable of sending a 300-kilogram satellite or several satellites with a combined weight of 300 kg, to a 500-km sun synchronous orbit, or 350-kg payloads to a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 200 km.

Ceres 1 is ideal for clients in search of a small, cost-efficient launch vehicle to deploy mini satellites, its designers said.

The rocket made its debut flight in November 2020 from Jiuquan, taking a small communications satellite into space.

Editor: JYZ
People play traditional Chinese musical instruments to celebrate the opening of a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2023 shows local agricultural products displayed at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

People write auspicious words in Chinese calligraphy as New Year blessings at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

People try local snacks at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

People try local snacks at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

People in traditional Chinese costumes stroll at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

People select goods at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

A woman buys flowers at a shopping festival in Pingyao Town of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2023. The shopping festival featuring local agricultural and cultural products kicked off here on Wednesday to warm up for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Editor: ZAD
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will hold its annual conference offline in late March in Boao, a coastal town in China's southernmost province of Hainan, BFA Secretary General Li Baodong said Wednesday.

This year's conference will focus on the foremost issues regarding the development of Asia and the world and will be devoted to forging global consensus on accelerating post-pandemic economic recovery, Li told a press conference.

It also aims to strengthen policy coordination, solidarity, and cooperation among the international community to handle common challenges and promote common development, Li said.

The conference will incorporate various sideline sessions, with themes including economic development and security, tourism, urban green development, rural vitalization, healthcare, and technological innovation. It will also touch upon subjects such as global climate change and the construction of the Belt and Road.

Once confirmed, the exact dates for the conference will be announced as early as possible, said Li.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

Editor: WJH
KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's easing of COVID-19 restrictions for international travelers has reignited hope among the Ugandan business community, which has argued that trade is going to boom after a three-year lull.

Starting Jan. 8, China canceled nucleic acid tests for international travelers after their arrival in China, even though inbound travelers to China are advised to take a PCR test within 48 hours before their departure.

Issa Sekito, the spokesperson for the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), told Xinhua in an interview Tuesday that the optimization of travel restrictions by China is going to enable Ugandan traders to go physically and import goods from China.

"As traders in Uganda we laud the Chinese government for lifting the quarantine for overseas people and even allowing our traders to physically import their goods, which will result in booming business for the two countries," Sekito said.

He said most of the traders made losses due to limited online orders and deliveries, adding that face-to-face trade is important to business people because they can order what they want instead of entirely depending on online trade.

"Already our traders are excited to go physically and import goods from China. They have been going through a lot of hurdles in terms of ordering online for the goods," he said.

Sekito said KACITA has always carried out sensitization to traders to ensure that before they travel overseas, they received all two doses of COVID-19 vaccines plus a booster.

He said traders are adhering to the government's anti-COVID direction, such as getting vaccinated.

Edith Nabatta, a trader who imports from China, told Xinhua by telephone that business is going to boom following the easing of travel restrictions to China.

Nabatta said she has been importing goods from China through online orders but sometimes her goods could be delayed and this affected her business. "Most of the small traders who buy goods we import from China expect us to be doing delivery after two weeks. But doing it online always took time. Now I am going to travel and make orders physically on the goods."

She said the restrictions had slowed down business, noting that the lifting of the protocols would bring business back to normal.

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong in an article published on Jan. 6 said the COVID-19 situation in China was generally stable and controllable.

"That is why the Chinese government has announced that starting Jan. 8, COVID-19 will be managed with measures against class B instead of the more serious class A infectious disease, in accordance with the law," Zhang said. "For visitors to China, no COVID test will be mandatory upon arrival and no centralized quarantine will be required."

Scrapping of the restrictions comes at the right time for Uganda. Effective Dec. 1, 2022, the country started enjoying zero tariff treatment for 98 percent of taxable items to China, according to the Chinese embassy. The tariff waiver was part of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Senegal in 2021, according to Zhang.

He said the Chinese embassy is willing to help the Ugandan business community to meet the market requirement and specifications.

The trade volume between the two countries in 2021 amounted to 1.07 billion U.S. dollars, registering a 28.5 percent increase year on year, against the shock waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Chinese embassy figures.

Editor: WJH
Businessman and ex-deputy Kostiantyn Zhevaho, who is awaiting a hearing in a French court on January 19 on a request for his extradition to Ukraine in the case of embezzlement of $113 million from Finance and Credit Bank, calls on the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) to take from him testimonies in the case in France.

"I hope and appeal again so that they listen to me and take evidence from me," Zhevaho said on Wednesday in an interview with the Espresso TV channel, whose beneficiary is his son.

The businessman claims that the PGO and the State Bureau of Investigation have previously refused his requests to testify in the case outside Ukraine 15 times.

Zhevaho said that what is happening brings him "a lot of PR negativity, a lot of business negativity, because people do not understand whether I am to blame or not in this case I would like to bring this case either to closure or to consideration in court, but neither the prosecutor's office nor the State Bureau of Investigations are interested in this," the ex-deputy said.

In his opinion, what is happening has a political connotation and is beneficial to the Office of the President, "so they have a program that they are trying to sell deoligarchization to Ukrainians and voters."

"They called me an oligarch, although I am not an oligarch. I am a big, well-known and successful entrepreneur I have built companies that successfully operate both in Europe and in the United States," Zhevaho said, adding that he and his companies provided defense and humanitarian assistance for UAH 1 billion.

He claims that the Office of the President "distributes commands to both the prosecutor's office and the State Bureau of Investigations and has influence on the Pechersky court," which the ex-deputy compared with the Basmanny court in Moscow and other "custom courts that exist in other dictatorships." At the same time, the businessman said that he trusted the Ukrainian Supreme Court.

The businessman added that another reason is the interest to "clean up" some of his assets in Ukraine, which are being seized on the proposal of the State Bureau of Investigations, but did not specify who exactly he suspects of this.

During the interview, the host of Espresso demonstrated the position of the Kharkiv human rights group, which spoke out against the extradition of Zhevaho to Ukraine, including as dangerous for his life and health. "The Russian troops are carrying out punitive practices against businessmen and politicians in the occupied territories, using torture and inhuman treatment against them. In the event of the seizure of the territory where Zhevaho will be imprisoned, he will not be able to leave it, since he will be in a pretrial detention center, which means he will not be able to resist the illegal actions of the Russians. In addition, the constant Russian missile attacks interfere with effective justice and could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, which Mr. Zhevaho will not be able to avoid due to the inability to travel to another locality while in custody," the group said in its statement.

Zhevaho predicted that any decision of the French court on his extradition would be appealed, so the process would continue for several more months.

The SBI accuses Zhevaho and a number of top managers of the bankrupt Finance and Credit bank of organizing a mechanism for embezzlement of $113 million, which caused damage to the interests of the state and the bank's depositors.
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto signed a protocol of intent on cooperation in the field of training and education, Azernews reports.

At the start of the meeting, the ministers passed along the guard of honor, and both countries' national anthems were performed.

Further, the Italian guest signed the Book of Honor in accordance with the protocol.

Informing the visiting delegation about the military-political situation in the region in the post-war period, Zakir Hasanov emphasized that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in the field of military education, as well as within the framework of NATO, continues rapidly, and these relations are highly valued.

He then went on to point out that the current visit is the beginning of a new stage of development in the field of Azerbaijan-Italy military cooperation.

In turn, Crosetto expressed gratitude for the hospitality and highlighted the importance of developing military cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides emphasized the significance of mutual visits in the development of relations between the countries based on strategic partnership. The parties also eyed the further expansion of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres and other issues of mutual interest.

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with the Italian Defense Minister.

Saying that Azerbaijani-Italian bilateral relations based on strategic partnership are developing successfully, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of high-level reciprocal visits in this regard and hailed his recent visit to Italy.

Minister Crosetto noted that the Azerbaijani presidents visits to Italy are always welcomed with great pleasure in this country.

The Italian defense minister expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his appreciation of Italys role in the development of Azerbaijan-NATO and Azerbaijan-European Union relations.

During the conversation, it was noted that there were good prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, construction, tourism, agriculture, defense industry, and others.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 8, 1992. Italy's first embassy in the South Caucasus was opened in Azerbaijan in 1997 and the embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy has been functioning since 2003.

Italy was one of the first countries to express support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, as well as an interest in participating in restoration efforts in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

Azerbaijan is a major supplier of energy to Italy. In Azerbaijan, over 100 Italian companies operate in various sectors. At the same time, Italian firms have contracts worth more than  10 billion ($11.8 billion) for Azerbaijani projects both inside and outside the country. Azerbaijan's total investment in the Italian economy is estimated to be around 1.7 billion ($2 billion), with Italy investing approximately 770 million ($910.8 million) in Azerbaijan.
The German government has allocated funds for the eco-modernization of Ukrainian enterprises under the Best Available Techniques (BAT) for Ukraine program, which provides co-financing of several projects for the implementation of BAT by businesses in the amount of up to EUR 2 million each, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strilets said.

"We understand that we must make great efforts to obtain financial tools to restore our economic sustainability. And it is important to carry out this restoration with technologies that will be less harmful to the environment," Strilets said, whose words are quoted in the release of the ministry with reference to his speech at the national telethon on Thursday.

He clarified that the submission of documents for participation in the program is open, and the selection of projects will continue until February 28, 2023.

At the same time, the minister noted that the Ministry of Natural Resources, together with MPs, finalized necessary framework bill No. 6004-d, which will outline the framework for eco-modernization and restoration of enterprises using the best available technologies and will allow attracting international technical assistance for the implementation of such projects.

The Minister expressed confidence that the experience of implementing this program will be a qualitative start of cooperation with other European partners.

He cited data from the Kyiv School of Economics, according to which, since the beginning of the war, at least 412 enterprises had been damaged or destroyed in Ukraine, of which 64 are large and medium-sized.

As for the post-war recovery of Ukraine in general, according to Strilets, there is indeed a clear understanding at the highest political level of Ukraine that its recovery should be green and using the best available technologies, and the European Green Deal, which Ukraine joined back in 2020, can become the basis of the country's post-war green development.

In his opinion, for Ukraine this is not only an opportunity to contribute to the global fight against climate change, but also to solve the problems that have arisen after February 24, 2022.

"After all, no one will argue that it is important for us to develop green energy, because our energy security and the energy security of Europe depend on it. It is important for us that every destroyed house be restored in line with new standards, and every kindergarten, school, other social facility  built with modern energy-saving technologies. We are already taking steps today to attract investment in such projects," the Minister of Natural Resources said.

According to the information on the website of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), it is implementing the project Best Available Techniques (BAT) for Ukraine on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and will help Ukrainian enterprises introduce these technologies and reduce industrial emissions. The Ministry of Natural Resources of Ukraine is a political partner of the BAT project in the industrial pollution reform.

According to the terms of participation in the project, grants in the amount of 20% of the total costs for the implementation of the BAT project were provided as co-financing, but not more than EUR 2 million per project, within the limits of the available funds of the program.

Some 80% of the grant is paid in parts in accordance with the plan for the purchase of equipment/services of the enterprise, and 20%  after the final audit.
Ukraine and Italy are planning to launch a new bilateral energy partnership that will contribute to the implementation of modern energy-efficient and carbon-free technologies and projects during the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, the press service of the Ministry of Energy reported following an online meeting of Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko and Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin.

"Special thanks for the latest decision of the Italian government to provide EUR 10 million to help Ukraine. This is a substantial contribution to supporting our country in these hard times, when Russia does not stop its barbaric actions and shells the civilian energy infrastructure of Ukraine for more than three months," Haluschenko said.

He thanked the Italian side for the assistance provided to Ukraine for restoration and repair work.

In turn, Pichetto Fratin expressed full support and solidarity to the people of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, assuring that Italy is committed to support Ukraine, including in matters of reconstruction and post-war reconstruction.

In particular, the Italian side expressed its readiness to cooperate in projects on de-carbonization, sustainable development and energy efficiency.

During the meeting, the ministers also discussed an initiative to sign a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen the interaction of both ministries in achieving the goals of climate neutrality and implementing sustainable development projects.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on the world community to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles and Leopard tanks.

"Putin is betting on more delays. He must lose that bet. Ukraine has more than earned our support and respect. It's time to send ATACMS and unleash the Leopards to Ukraine," Landsbergis said on Twitter on Wednesday evening.
German chancellor's stance on supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine is highly dependent on US president  media

Germany is guided by the United States in its decision whether or not to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Politico said, citing informed sources.

According to two German officials, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's stance on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine is largely dependent on U.S. President Joe Biden.

It is noted that at a regional campaign rally in Berlin on Monday, Scholz said the supply of tanks to Ukraine should be discussed "together with friends and allies and especially with our transatlantic partner, with the United States of America."

Earlier, a representative of Scholz said London's plans to supply British-made Challenger two tanks to Ukraine would not change the position of the German government.

"Now the situation has not changed because of the step announced by the British government," German State Secretary Steffen Hebestreit said at a press conference in Berlin.

According to the publication, the UK's plans, which are expected to be officially announced at a meeting of Western defense officials at the Ramstein military base in Germany on January 20, will increase pressure on Scholz.

This is due to the fact that the United Kingdom will be the first country to supply the Ukrainian military with modern Western-made battle tanks.

Thus Scholz's argument that Germany should not go it alone in sending Western tanks would be refuted by British action.

In the meantime, according to Politico, the United States itself does not appear to have any intention of sending battle tanks in the near future.

According to the publication, negotiations between the United States and Ukraine on the provision of Abrams tanks are ongoing, but little progress has been made.

"There has been little progress as the Biden administration thinks a European-led solution is best," a source familiar with the publication said.
The heaviest fighting is currently taking place near the town of Soledar in Donetsk region in Bakhmut direction, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said.

"The fiercest and most difficult battles are taking place today in the area of Soledar in Bakhmut direction. Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting desperately. The enemy, trying unsuccessfully to break through our defenses and capture Soledar, suffers heavy losses," Maliar said at a briefing at the Military Media Center on Thursday.

The Deputy Minister said the approaches to the town today are littered with the bodies of the killed invaders, but the enemy continues to advance directly over the bodies of the dead fighters. "Our defenders are showing maximum stamina and heroism," she said.
Under the guise of exercises, the Enemy is building up its aviation grouping in Belarus, the threat of air-missile strikes and the use of drones from the territory of Belarus is growing, Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromov has said.

"Under the guise of conducting exercises, the enemy is building up an aviation group in Belarus. Last week, at least 10 Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters were relocated to Machulischi airfield. The relocation of operational-tactical aviation aircraft to Belarusian airfields is also expected," he said at a briefing at the Military Media Center on Thursday.

Hromov said flights of long-range aircraft of the aggressor country are not ruled out in the airspace of Belarus.

"In view of the above, the threat of missile and air strikes, the use of kamikaze drones on the territory of Ukraine from the airspace of Belarus is increasing," he said.
The 19th Extraordinary Congress of Judges of Ukraine elected all eight members of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) according to its quota in Kyiv on Thursday, the Council of Judges of Ukraine has said.

"The delegates of the 19th Extraordinary Congress of Judges of Ukraine elected all eight members of the High Council of Justice according to the quota from the judiciary," it said on the website.

Judge of the Civil Cassation Court under the Supreme Court Serhiy Burlakov, who was elected during the second round of secret ballot, became the eighth member of the Supreme Court, the Council of Judges said.

"Thus, the 19th Extraordinary Congress of Judges of Ukraine elected all eight members of the High Council of Justice, which will allow the resumption of the work of the body of judicial self-government, unblock a number of processes in the judiciary related to the work of the courts and personnel issues, as well as continue the implementation of tasks related to judicial reform," it said.

Thus, according to the quota of the judicial community, Judge of the Kharkiv Court of Appeal Alla Kotelevets, Judge of the Civil Cassation Court under the Supreme Court Hryhoriy Usyk, Judge of the Lviv District Administrative Court Oleksandr Sasevych, Judge of the Economic Court of Donetsk Region Yulia Bokova, Judge of the Northern Economic Court of Appeal Olha Popikova, Judge of the Mykolaiv Court of Appeal Tetiana Bondarenko, Judge of the Kherson District Administrative Court Olena Kovbiy, Judge of the Civil Cassation Court under the Supreme Court Serhiy Burlakov became members of the HCJ.

All newly elected members of the HCJ have taken the oath and will work in the body of the judiciary for the next four years.

"The election of candidates from the Congress of Judges of Ukraine will allow unblocking the work of the High Council of Justice and restore its institutional ability to make decisions, since with the newly elected members the quantitative composition of the HCJ will be 15 people, and this is the necessary quorum for the work of a collective body," the Council of Judges said.

As reported, the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv said it expects the appointment of eight new members of the High Council of Justice from the candidates vetted by the Ethics Council.

"G7 ambassadors look forward to the Congress of Judges appointing eight 8 new members of the High Council of Justice from the pool of candidates vetted by Ethics Council. Making the HCJ operational ASAP is an important step in Ukraine's judicial reform, in line with its European path," it said on Twitter on Tuesday.

The 19th Unscheduled Congress of Judges of Ukraine will be held on January 11-13.
The first projects for restoration of houses within the UNITED24 platform will be launched in Irpin (Kyiv region), Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.

"The city that wasn't conquered. Irpin showed the Russian occupiers what the strength of Ukrainian weapons and spirit is. It is here where we launch the first restoration projects within the UNITED24 platform. A total of 18 residential buildings will be restored in Irpin, Borodianka, Hostomel, the villages of Buzove and Myla," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel.

According to him, the UNITED24 platform has collected most of the amount needed for restoration.

"This week, the government allocated the first UAH 465 million to start restoration now. More than 4,000 people will be able to return to their homes," Shmyhal said.
The units in Bakhmut and Soledar will be provided with ammunition and everything necessary promptly and smoothly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram channel following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters.

"I have held a meeting of the Supreme Commander's Headquarters. We discussed the situation in the main directions of the front. Special attention was paid to the battles in Bakhmut and Soledar. I emphasize that the units defending these cities will be provided with ammunition and everything necessary promptly and smoothly. It was about strengthening the AFU with equipment and weapons that come from partners," he also wrote.
Some 37% of foreign journalists name problem with accreditation as most serious in Ukraine  research

More than a third of surveyed foreign journalists in Ukraine consider the difficulty of accreditation for international media to be a significant problem, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) and the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security.

According to the analytical report on the results of the survey, the difficulty of accreditation for international journalists is considered as a "significant" and "rather significant" problem by 37% of respondents, while 60% consider it rather "minor" and "very insignificant" problem.

It is noted that some of the respondents had significant delays in obtaining accreditation, and some were not able to obtain it at all.

"At the same time, in at least one case, two employees of the same company applied at the same time and received accreditation with a difference of several months. Journalists also complain that they sometimes have to wait for months to receive accreditation. At the same time, since reporters often change, delays in obtaining accreditations do not allow them to work outside of Kyiv and closer to the contact line," the report says.

According to the study, freelance journalists had more trouble getting accreditation because they felt the current form was not well suited to their cases. In addition, there are still a large number of local accreditations, but there is no list of them and contacts of responsible persons.

"Sometimes, only when you arrive at the place or even at the checkpoint along the way, you can find out that local accreditation is needed there. This process is very non-transparent and can significantly delay journalists," the report says.

The respondents also noted that the rules for deprivation of accreditation and return or appeals in such a case are opaque or unclear.

The survey was conducted in September-December 2022 using the method of personal interviews among foreign media journalists who visited Ukraine at least once after February 24, 2022 and published at least one material about the war in Ukraine. Some 55 respondents (reporters and foreign media correspondents) were surveyed, representing 28 countries, as well as five Ukrainian fixers who had experience working with foreign journalists in Ukraine. It is noted that most of the respondents were representatives of the G7 countries and countries neighboring Ukraine.

The KIIS emphasized that the study is not representative of all foreign media employees working in Ukraine, and expresses the opinion of only those who took part in it.
By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez has received the credentials of the recently appointed Azerbaijani Ambassador Ruslan Rzayev, Azernews reports via Azerbaijani Embassy.

Ruslan Rzayev conveyed the greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the Cuban leader during their conversation.

Cuba's president praised Azerbaijan for its successful tenure as the organization's chairman while recalling his trip to Azerbaijan to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in 2019.

Moreover, he welcomed Azerbaijan's decision to open an embassy in Cuba.

Furthermore, an exchange of views on the development of relations between the two countries in various areas, the continuation of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, and other issues of mutual interest occurred during the conversation.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 27, 1992. The embassy of Cuba in Azerbaijan was established on October 12, 2007.

The working group on Azerbaijani-Cuban Inter-Parliamentary Relations operates in the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the Cuban-Azerbaijani Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group operates in the National Assembly of Peoples Power of the Republic of Cuba.

In total, ten documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Cuba. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $143,290 in 2021.
Reznikov speaks with French Defense Minister, thanks for decision to provide Ukraine with AMX-10 RC

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has had a conversation with French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Thursday, thanked him for the constant support of Ukraine and for the decision to provide wheeled AMX-10 RC tanks to the Ukrainian army.

Had a fruitful conversation with my French friend Sebastien Lecornu. Appreciate France for continued support of Ukraine & for the decision to provide AMX-10 RC to Ukrainiana army. Noted high efficiency of Crotale & applaud for the opportunity to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian sky. Thank you for standing by Ukraine, Reznikov said on Twitter.

Earlier, following telephone conversations with Zelensky, the French president announced a decision to transfer light wheeled tanks and Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
Albania intends to open an embassy in Ukraine - for the first time during the diplomatic relations of the countries, Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka said on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Albania and Ukraine both belong to the family of free & democratic nations & both have a future in the Euro-Atlantic family. On the occasion of this 30th anniversary, I am happy to announce that Albania will upgrade its diplomatic presence in Kyiv opening its embassy in Ukraine, she said on Twitter.

The Foreign Minister added that Ukraine's heroic resistance is a struggle for freedom and rejection of a return to tyranny, from which both states emerged.

That is why Albania will support Ukraine & its people to the best of its abilities until it prevails against Russias illegal war of aggression, she said.

The Minister stressed that she expects close cooperation with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba for further development and strengthening of cooperation in the future.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with Speaker of the Latvian Saeima Edvards Smiltens on Thursday.

"Latvia's political, humanitarian and defense support is important for our country. I thank Latvia for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as for the warm welcome of Ukrainians who were forced to leave our country due to the Russian invasion," the head of state said on the Telegram channel.

"Latvia is an example of immutable determination in the assistance to Ukraine. You perfectly understand the essence of the Kremlin's regime and the scale of Russian threats," the press service of the President of Ukraine quoted Zelensky as saying on the presidential website.

In his turn, Smiltens emphasized that his country would continue comprehensive support for Ukraine.

The president of Ukraine informed the speaker of the Saeima of the situation on the frontline and noted the importance of prompt decision-making by partners on meeting the key security needs of Ukraine.

During the meeting the importance of the role of the Republic of Latvia as an advocate of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine among the partners in the EU and NATO was emphasized.

"I want to thank you for actively working together with other partners and uniting to achieve our common ambitious goal," Zelensky said.

He expressed hope that such support of Ukraine would help create favorable preconditions for its accession to the EU and NATO, so that it can gain membership in the organizations as soon as the conditions allow.

Zelensky noted the importance of Latvia's decision to join the restoration of the Ukrainian infrastructure facilities affected by the Russian invasion, "We highly appreciate Latvia's decision to participate in the restoration of the infrastructure of the Chernihiv region."

Separately, the parties discussed the issue of bringing to justice all those responsible for aggression against Ukraine, war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as the formation of national and international legal mechanisms of compensation for the damage caused to Ukraine as a result of the Russian war.
Mine safety instructors from Lozova City Organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) regularly conduct information sessions for schoolchildren about the dangers of mines and explosive objects.

"The key goal of the sessions is to learn the rules of safe behavior when detecting mines and other explosive objects," the society said on its official Facebook page on Thursday.

According to URCS, information about unexploded ordnance is relevant for students, since children show an increased interest in such dangerous objects and can get mine-explosive injuries.

Lozova is one of the settlements of Kharkiv region affected by Russian aggression, which was contaminated with explosive objects as a result of hostilities.
A long line of people appears in silhouette, walking along the flat desert in northern Niger. The strong walkers are at the front. The weakest at the rear. Every week hundreds more migrants thrown out of Algeria end up here in Assamaka, the first village on the Niger border.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bilateral cooperation and a number of regional and international issues of common interest in a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said.

During the meeting, El-Sisi asserted the specialness of Egyptian-Saudi relations, which he said represent a pillar of stability for the entire Arab region, particularly in light of the challenges that Arab countries are facing.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Saudi Ambassador in Cairo Osama Naqli.

For his part, the Saudi FM said his country is keen to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries on various levels and to continue the joint work and intensive coordination with Egypt on various regional and international issues.

Saudi Arabia has recently announced it was increasing its investments in Egypt with the aim of supporting the Egyptian economy against the harsh impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The recently-established Saudi Egyptian Investment Company (SEIC), which is owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has acquired minority stakes in four Egyptian state-owned companies in a deal worth $1.3 billion, the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) announced in August.

Moreover, Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed in June 14 investment agreements worth $7.7 billion that cover several areas, including petroleum, renewable energy, green hydrogen, IT, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and cyber security.

The signing was made on the sidelines of a two-day official visit by Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Egypt.

The volume of Saudi investments in Egypt amounts to more than $32 billion through more than 6,800 Saudi companies, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

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With foreign workers making up the vast bulk of private sector jobs in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf's second-largest economy wants to boost opportunities for its own citizens.

The UAE -- like other oil-rich Arab Gulf states -- has often used the public sector as an employment vehicle for its nationals.

But times are changing, said 34-year-old Emirati researcher Khalifa al-Suwaidi, who has himself been looking for a private sector job since quitting a government post in June.

"We've reached a point where we have a diversity among Emiratis in terms of skill sets and expertise," said Suwaidi.

"The public sector can no longer accommodate many of those talents".

Just 12 percent of the country's more than nine million residents are UAE nationals, with over 90 percent of private sector jobs taken by foreigners, according to International Labour Organization figures.

Suwaidi, author of a forthcoming book titled "UAE after the Arab Spring", said he believed some employers overlooked his application because they presumed an Emirati would demand the high wages often paid in lucrative government posts.

"The private sector needs to be more accommodating," he said. "I've been applying for jobs for a while to no avail."

"Larger push"

The government is now strong-arming private firms into hiring local talent, with the aim of ensuring Emiratis make up 10 percent of the private sector workforce by 2026.

Next month, firms with more than 50 employees that fail to fill two percent of their skilled jobs with Emiratis face being fined.

That has sparked a hiring drive, with recruiters noting a "flood of vacancies" from companies -- many of which won't be able to meet their targets.

"It's going to be a tough run," said Hamza Zaouali, the founder of recruitment agency Iris Executives, but noting it was "not possible" for the UAE government to keep growing and hiring.

"The more sustainable way is to make sure the economy continuously absorbs, trains and works with Emiratis," Zaouali said.

It is part of a wider trend, said Eman Alhussein, a non-resident fellow with the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

The UAE is joining "a larger push in the Gulf to change the dynamics of state-society relations" and wean citizens away from government jobs, she said.

"Gulf states want citizens to alter their expectations, give back to the state and accept jobs with longer hours and perhaps reduced income," Alhussein said.

In November, the UAE's Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Abdulrahman Al Awar, said that more than 14,000 Emiratis had entered the job market in 2022, with an average of 100 finding jobs each day.

The government also announced a salary support scheme that provides Emiratis in the private sector with up to AED 7,000 ($1,900) extra if monthly wages are less than AED 30,000.

There is no national minimum wage for Emiratis, but in Sharjah, one of the country's seven emirates, they are entitled to a monthly minimum of AED 25,000.

"Discontent"

The UAE, a top regional hub for multinational companies, ranked among the 10 richest countries in the world in 2020, according to the United Nations.

In 2022, it boasted a per capita GDP of more than $47,000, higher than Britain and France, according to the International Monetary Fund.

It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Middle East, but data on nationwide joblessness among Emiratis' is not publicly available.

In the UAE's financial hub Dubai, Emirati unemployment rose from 2.5 percent in 2012 to 4.2 percent in 2019, according to the Dubai Statistics Center.

Mira Al Hussein, an Emirati researcher at the University of Oxford, said "discontent" has been brewing, especially after laws capping foreign ownership of firms at 49 percent were scrapped last year.

"In the past, Emiratis who were not keen to join the private sector had the option to wait for a public sector job, start their own business, or become the 51 percent local partner in a business," she said.

"The drying up of these multiple sources... has narrowed down the options available."

Debate on the issue shot to attention this month after an advertisement inviting Emiratis to apply for a "sandwich maker" job at the Subway restaurant chain sparked social media criticism, prompting a government probe in the "contentious" post.

"The lack of administrative, financial and technical jobs has led to 'sandwich maker'... Oh, what an age!" read one popular Twitter post.

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With a large surplus of electrical energy produced in the past eight years, Egypt is perfectly willing to supply Sudan with electricity to meet its energy needs, Egyptian Ambassador in Khartoum Hany Salah said.

Salah added that Egypt had managed to generate 59,000 megawatts of electricity and has produced an energy surplus equivalent to 27,000 megawatts. Hence, Egypt, he said, can easily fulfill Sudans electricity needs, estimated to be 4,000 megawatts.

Salah made his remarks during a meeting organised on Wednesday by veteran Sudanese journalist Gamal Anqra in Khartoum under the title: "In love of Egypt".

Egypt provides Sudan with 80 megawatts. This amount is due to increase to 300 megawatts and later to 1,000 megawatts, following the installation of a set of transformers already available in Khartoum.

Technical adjustments to the domestic power grid in the sisterly African nation will also need to take place, the Egyptian diplomat said.

Egypt and Sudans electricity grids were officially linked in April 2020 at a voltage of 220 KV, a year after the 100 km electricity line between the two countries was completed, according to the Egyptian cabinet.

Egypt, a country with an electricity surplus of more than 25 percent according to officials, seeks to act as a regional electricity hub, exchanging electricity with nearby countries during peak demand and exporting electricity to countries in need.

Cairo and Khartoum are also working on a first railway 600km line to connect Egypt's Abu Simbel with Sudan's Abu Hamad.

Officials from both sides had reached an agreement to complete the projects within 5-7 years, the Egyptian diplomat said.

In February 2022, Egypt's Ministry of Transport said the preliminary studies on the first railway line between Egypt to Sudan have been completed.

The connecting line was first proposed in 2010 and was revived in mid-2018.

The first stage of the railway  285 km in length  links Aswan to Abu Simbel in southern Egypt, while the second stage  80 km in length  will reach Wadi Halfa in northern Sudan.

The railway aims to transfer Egyptian products to Sudan, Central Africa and the rest of the African continent as well as raw material from Africa to Egypt.

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Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

"Samir Aouni Harbi Aslan, 41, was killed after he was wounded by a bullet of the Israeli occupation army that penetrated his chest during the aggression on Qalandia camp" for Palestinian refugees near Ramallah, the ministry said.

The Israeli occupation army said it was checking the incident, but did not immediately provide any information.

Aslan, 41, was killed while he was trying to prevent Israeli soldiers from detaining his son during a military raid into the camp, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

While withholding Aslans body bleeding, the gun-toting soldiers prevented people from providing first aid to the slain young man.

WAFA said that a sizable army force barged its way into the refugee camp from several directions and detained at least 15 people.

Following Aslans death, Palestinian national factions have announced a general strike in the refugee camp in mourning of Aslan, as WAFA stated

Aslan is the third Palestinian to have been killed in the West Bank in 24 hours, and the seventh since the start of the year.

On Wednesday, an Israeli civilian shot dead a 19-year-old Palestinian, identified as Sanad Mohammad Samara, a resident of the Hebron district town of Dahriyeh, also died of his critical wounds sustained after being shot by Israeli forces near the illegal colonial settlement of Havat Yahuda, south of Hebron, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Earlier that day, a Palestinian youth, identified as Ahmad Amer Abu Jneid, 21, succumbed to his critical injury sustained earlier during an Israeli army raid of Balata refugee camp in Nablus.

The swearing-in last month of the most right-wing government in Israel's history, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has sparked fears of a military escalation in the West Bank which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Israeli occupation forces have killed seven Palestinians since the start of 2023, including three teens. They killed 224 Palestinians in 2022, including 59 people from the northern West Bank district of Jenin. According to Palestinian Health Ministrys statistics.

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President Emmanuel Macron has said he will not "ask forgiveness" from Algeria for French colonization but hopes to continue working towards reconciliation with his counterpart Abdelmajid Tebboune.

"It's not up to me to ask forgiveness, that's not what this is about, that word would break all of our ties," he said in an interview for Le Point magazine published late Wednesday.

"The worst thing would be to decide: 'we apologize and each go our own way'," Macron said.

"Work on memory and history isn't a settling of all accounts," he added.

But in the interview, he also expressed hope that Tebboune "will be able to come to France in 2023", to return Macron's own trip to Algiers last year and continue their "unprecedented work of friendship".

France's 100-year colonization of Algeria and the viciously fought 1954-62 war for independence have left deep scars on both sides, which Macron has by turns prodded and soothed over his political career.

In 2017, then-presidential candidate Macron dubbed the French occupation a "crime against humanity".

A report he commissioned from historian Benjamin Stora recommended in 2020 further moves to reconcile the two countries while ruling out "repentance" and "apologies".

Macron has also questioned whether Algeria existed as a nation before being colonized by France, drawing an angry response from Algiers.

"These moments of tension teach us," Macron told the Algerian writer Kamel Daoud in the interview.

"You have to be able to reach out your hand again and engage, which President Tebboune and I have been able to do," he added.

He backed a suggestion for Tebboune to visit the graves of Algerian 19th-century anti-colonial hero Abdelkader and his entourage, who are buried in Amboise in central France.

"That would make sense for the history of the Algerian people. For the French people, it would be an opportunity to understand realities that are often hidden," Macron said.

Algeria and France maintain enduring ties through immigration, involvement in the independence conflict, and post-war repatriations of French settlers, touching more than 10 million people living in France today.

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LUANDA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A reception celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Angola was held Wednesday evening in Luanda, Angola's capital.

Around 600 participants from the government, political parties, military forces, Chinese enterprises, and the community attended the event held by the Chinese embassy in Angola.

Chinese Ambassador to Angola Gong Tao said in his address that China and Angola have always adhered to solidarity and mutual assistance, achieving fruitful cooperation and exchanges in various areas during the past 40 years.

For many years, China has been Angola's biggest trading partner, biggest export market, and significant source of investment. In turn, Angola has become China's second-largest trading partner and the largest supplier of crude oil in Africa.

China is willing to work with Angola to push the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights and make more significant contributions to the noble cause of peace and the development of humanity.

Speaking of world peace and development, the Chinese diplomat appreciated Angola's constructive role in international and regional peace and security issues.

Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Esmeralda da Silva Mendonca said that the friendship and cooperation between Angola and China are effectively fruitful, expressing the hope to further strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation.

The two countries established their diplomatic ties on Jan. 12, 1983. 
By Trend

CEO of the Lagazetteaz.fr online newspaper, founded by Trend News Agency in France, Jean-Michel Brun published an article about Iran's continuing propaganda against Azerbaijan.

The video, which features children dressed in combat uniforms and singing in Azerbaijani: "We will punish Azerbaijan for cooperating with Israel against Iran", was recorded in front of the Khudafarin bridges linking Azerbaijan with Iran.

"These bridges are crucial symbols for Azerbaijan. Dating, one from the 11th century, the other from the 13th century, they span the Araz river which connects Azerbaijan with the North-East of Iran where 35 million Azerbaijanis live. Khudafarin symbolizes the historical unity of Azerbaijanis separated in 1828. Occupied for 26 years by Armenia, this bridge notably allowed the Iranians to transit goods, mainly smuggled, weapons, as well as drugs for the Armenian armed forces stationed in Karabakh," said the article.

The liberation of the bridge by the Azerbaijani Army has become one of the events that sealed its victory over the Armenian occupiers. In November 2020, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev raised his country's flag on the Khudafarin bridge. Azerbaijan took control over the route, which caused dissatisfaction with Iran, which no longer would be able to transport goods along it without paying customs duties. Moreover, the opening of the Zangazur corridor will make Iran lose control over trade and transit.

Brun noted that recent events have prompted demonstrations of force along the 700-kilometer border between the two countries.

"For the Iranian mullahs, who support Armenia for strategic reasons, good relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are unacceptable, as they suspect the mentioned relations of being directed against them. Iran even claims that Azerbaijan allowed Israel to establish a base on the Iranian border. The strengthening of Azerbaijan in the region and its alliance with Israel, are of great concern to the Iranian authorities, who fear an impact on the Azerbaijanis in the north of Iran, who consider themselves victims of discrimination," the article noted.

Furthermore, the article added that Tehran, which believes that the strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Israel poses a real threat to the country, fears a split within Iran.

In the author's opinion, despite everything, the possibility of a protracted conflict is not an acceptable prospect for any of the countries in the region.
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry headed on Wednesday to Saudi capital Riyadh to take part in the fifth session of the political follow-up committee between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the level of the foreign ministers.

Foreign ministry's spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said the meeting, that will be held on Thursday, reflects the two sides' keenness on continued consultations and coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The committee was established upon a memo of understanding signed in Cairo in 2007, cocluded the spokesman.

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Saudi Arabia has called on Ethiopia to act responsibly and to demonstrate the political will required to reach a legally-binding agreement with Egypt and Sudan on the rules of filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

These remarks came in a joint statement following the fifth session of the political follow-up committee between Egypt and Saudi Arabia held at the level of the foreign ministers on Thursday.

Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, chaired the meeting.

The Saudi side stressed its full support for Egypt's water security, as an integral part of Arab national security, and for any measures taken by Egypt to protect its national security.

Saudi Arabia called on Ethiopia to refrain from any unilateral measures on the filling and operation of the dam. It also urged Ethiopia to act responsibly to reach a legally-binding deal on GERD in implementation of the presidential statement issued by the UN Security Council in September 2021.

Reaching a binding deal on GERD should come in a way that achieves Ethiopias development goals, prevents any related harm to Egypt and Sudan, and enhances cooperation between the peoples of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, the Saudi side added.

The meeting discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the crises in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, and Yemen, as well as the situation in Iraq and Sudan and the Iranian nuclear programme.

Resolving Yemen crisis

Egypt and Saudi Arabia affirmed full support of UN and international efforts to extend the truce to reach a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, the outcomes of Yemens National Dialogue, and the UNSC decision 2216/2015.

Egypt praised Saudi efforts and initiatives to both encourage dialogue between Yemeni parties and endorse the extension of the truce, within the framework of the Saudi initiative of March 2021.

The two sides also expressed deep concern as the terrorist Houthi militia continues to target the security of international navigational routes in ways that negatively impact global energy security and supply.

Libyan-Libyan political solution

The Egyptian and Saudi sides affirmed support for a Libyan-Libyan solution to the Libyan crisis under the sponsorship of the United Nations. They called for foreign interference in Libyan affairs to cease.

They praised the role played by the Libyan House of Representatives and Libyas Higher Council of State to establish all the frameworks that would allow Libya to head towards a better future. They also praised referring the constitutional document to the two councils for approval.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia stressed the necessity to complete other measures in this regard, including passing electoral laws, adopting executive measures and unifying institutions.

They reiterated support for the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission (JMC) and called for the exit of all foreign forces and fighters and mercenaries from Libya within a specific timeframe.

They also called for dissolving militias in acordance with the UNSC resolutions and the outcomes of the Paris and Berlin tracks.

Coordinating on Palestinian cause

The Egyptian and Saudi sides affirmed the need to coordinate on the Palestinian cause with regional and international powers concerned with the Palestinian affair.

They stressed that reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause requires the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

A solution to the cause should be based on the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant international legitimacy resolutions, Egypt and Saudi Arabia stressed.

Backing Sudan stability

During the meeting, Egypt and Saudi Arabia welcomed the signing in December of Sudans political framework agreement by parties of the transitional phase. They both expressed hope that such a step fulfills peoples aspirations and brings about political stability.

Irans nuclear programme

The two sides affirmed the necessity that Iran fully respects its commitments, in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in a way that prevents the country from acquiring nuclear weapons.

They also affirmed the importance of supporting Arab efforts to urge Iran to abide by the international principles of non-interference in the affairs of Arab countries and maintain the principle of good neighborliness.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia also highlighted the necessity that Iran spares the region destabilising activities, including supporting armed militias and threatening maritime navigation and international trade routes.

The two sides also condemned attempts to harm the security and integrity of navigation in the Arabian Gulf, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea, calling for cooperation to confront such attempts.

Supporting Iraq

Egypt and Saudi Arabia affirmed the need to support Iraq so that it becomes once more a pillar of stability in the Arab region.

They also highlighted the importance of backing Iraq in its war against terrorism, rejecting all forms of foreign interference in Iraqi affairs, and preserving the Arab countrys security and borders integrity.

Preserving Syrian independence

The two sides agreed on the necessity to support efforts of preserving Syrias independence and territorial unity.

They also agreed on backing efforts to combat terrorism in Syria, on ensuring the return of refugees and displaced persons, and on reaching a political solution to the ongoing crisis.

The Egyptian and Saudi sides highlighted the necessity to advance the political process in Syria via Syrian-Syrian negotiations under the sponsorship of the UN envoy. The negotiations should establish a framework for a political solution and tackle the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

The two countries also stressed rejection of threats to launch military offensives that harm Syrian lands and intimidate the Syrian people.

Ending Lebanons presidential vacuum

The two sides called on the political forces in Lebanon to assume their responsibility to promote Lebanon's national interest and to expend efforts to end the presidential vacuum and complete the relevant constitutional entitlements.

Fulfilling these obligations, the two sides added, would pave the way to realising the Lebanese peoples aspirations to political stability. They would also open the door for economic reforms that would allow the country to overcome the many difficulties it has been facing in recent years.

Boosting Arab cooperation

The two sides agreed on boosting bilateral and Arab economic cooperation to face the complicated geopolitical situation and its economic repercussions.

Such cooperation will enhance Arab countries capabilities to face these challenges and to confront their various impacts, the two sides affirmed.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia reiterated rejection of any attempts by regional parties to interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries, to threaten their stability and to undermine the interests of their peoples.

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The Red Sea City of Sharm-Sheikh is hosting an Indian destination wedding that is set to be attended by 337 guests this month, which is the result of Egypts efforts to promote the country as wedding tourism destination, an Egyptian tourism official announced.

A plane carrying the 337 guests arrived at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport from Ahmedabad Airport in India, Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board (ETPB) chairman Amr El-Qady told the show Cairo Talk on Al-Kahera Wal Nas TV channel on Tuesday.

After the wedding, the couple will remain in Egypt for their honeymoon and the guests will return on a pre-scheduled flight, he added.

Wedding tourism is not new for Egypt, said El-Qady, adding that in the past Arabs from different countries often had their weddings in Egypt, but the country has since fallen off the list of preferred wedding destinations.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is looking to bring back wedding tourism as a source of income for the country, especially since Egypt has previous experience in this regard, El-Qady said.

The ETPB contacted the Indian Event Management Welfare Federation-Global (EMF-Global) to coordinate with Indian wedding planning organisations, said El-Qady, adding that there is a class of Indian society who often host their weddings abroad for millions of dollars.

Egypt has so far hosted 49 wedding planning agencies to present the merits of the country as a destination for wedding tourism, El-Qady said, adding that this months Sharm El-Sheikh wedding is a result of these efforts.

El-Qady also said that Egypts Pharaoh's Golden Parade and the reopening of the Avenue of Sphinxes in 2021 gave EMF the confidence to begin business dealings with Egypt.

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Egypts National Dialogue coordinator Diaa Rashwan announced on Thursday that the dialogue is set to start in the 'next few days' after the completion of the preparation work and the defining of the topics set to be discussed by its subcommittees.

According to a statement by the Dialogues board of trustees, the sessions will be held in parallel at least three days weekly and will discuss topics previously agreed upon by the board. They will produce recommendations that will be submitted to the President.

The board of trustees has completed the process of selection of rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs for the dialogue's three main tracks (political, economic, social)  and their 19 subcommittees  over the past three months.

The board announced that the sessions and their discussions will be attended by hundreds of representatives from different political powers, parties, syndicates and unions. They will also be attended by representatives of the civil society, by public figures and experts.

Rashwan, who is also the head of the Press Syndicate, said that the board of trustees of the Dialogue has agreed to discuss 100 topics and that the number of attendees per session will be 30. Therefore, it is expected that a total of 3,000 people will attend the sessions.

According to Rashwan, the 100 topics have been chosen so as to cover the three main tracks: Politics, Economy and Society. Discussions in the 19 subcommittees are expected to broach topics such as the current economic situation, public debt, pensions, as well as the Egyptian Sovereign fund.

The board also announced that it will discuss issues related to politics, including parliamentary elections and freedom of expression.

The members of the National Dialogues board of trustees are confident about the seriousness of the Dialogue, said Rashwan. He affirmed that there existed no predetermined scenario for what was going to happen in the sessions or the discussions.

The dialogue was called for by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi during the annual Egyptian Family Iftar banquet last April.

President El-Sisi has asserted that all intellectuals, syndicates and political forces are invited to the Dialogue. He noted, however, that only one faction was exempted from the dialogue, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood which Egypt designated a terrorist organisation in 2013.

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China's new foreign minister, Qin Gang, has sidestepped a new call by the African Union for permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council during his visit to Ethiopia.

Speaking at the opening of the Chinese-built headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, Qin instead emphasized China's partnership with Africa in security and economic development.

In a statement dated early Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry quoted Qin as saying Beijing supports the African Union's ``greater representation and voice at the UN Security Council and other international organizations,`` but made no direct reference to permanent representation.

African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told a joint news conference that Africa's lack of permanent representation on the Security Council is a ``burning issue,'' considering that most issues on the council agenda are related to African countries.

``It is unacceptable that others decide in the place of others. It is not fair. We need a new order at the international level which will respect the interests of others,'' he said.

China is one of the council's five permanent members.

Qin, who was appointed in December, is on his first overseas visit as foreign minister and is beginning a weeklong trip to Africa. He will also visit Gabon, Angola, Benin, and Egypt.

China's foreign ministers for more than three decades have started their terms by visiting Africa, whose population as a continent rivals China's. China has invested heavily in infrastructure in African countries, including roads, railways and hospitals.

Qin rejected the idea that China is competing in Africa with the United States, which last month sought to reassert its influence with a U.S.-Africa summit in Washington.

``What Africa needs is solidarity and cooperation, not block competition. No one has the right to force African countries to take sides,'' Qin said.

The AU Commission chair said, ``Africa refuses to be considered to be an arena of exchange of influence. ... We are open to cooperation and partnership with everybody, but our principles, our priorities and our interests have to be respected. The partnership we have with China is based on these principles.''

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Around some of their precious transformers - the ones that still work, buzzing with electricity - the power plant workers have built protective shields using giant concrete blocks, so they have a better chance of surviving the next Russian missile bombardment.

Blasted-out windows in the power plant's control room are patched up with chipboard and piled-up sandbags, so the operators who man the desks 24/7, keeping watch over gauges, screens, lights, and knobs, are less at risk of being killed or injured by murderous shrapnel.

``As long as there is equipment that can be repaired, we will work,'' said the director of the plant that a team of Associated Press journalists got rare access to.

The AP is not identifying the plant nor giving its location, because Ukrainian officials said such details could help Russian military planners. The plant's director and his workers also refused to be identified by their full names, for the same reason.

Because the plant can't function without them, the operators have readied armored vests and helmets to wear during the deadly hails of missiles, so they can stay at their posts and not join less essential workers in the bomb shelter.

Each Russian aerial strike causes more damage, leaves more craters and more blast holes in the walls already pockmarked by explosions, and raises more questions about much longer Ukraine's energy workers will be able to keep homes powered, heated, and lit in winter's subzero temperatures.

And yet, against the odds and sometimes at the cost of their lives, they keep power flowing. They're holding battered plants together with bravery, dedication, ingenuity, and dwindling stocks of spare parts.

Each additional watt of electricity they manage to wring into the power grid defies Russian President Vladimir Putin's nearly 11-month invasion and his military's efforts to weaponize winter by plunging Ukrainians into the cold and dark.

Power, in short, is hope in Ukraine, and plant workers won't let hope die.

In their minds, the plant is more than just a place where power is made. Over decades of caring for its innards of whirring turbines, thick cables, and humming pipes, it's become something they have come to love and that they desperately want to keep alive.

Seeing it slowly but systematically wounded by repeated Russian attacks is painful for them.

``The station is like an organism, each organ in it has some significance. But too many organs are already damaged,`` said Oleh. He has worked at the plant for 23 years.

``It hurts me so much to watch all this. This is inhuman stress. We carried this station in our arms like a child,'' he said.

Successive waves of a Russian missile and exploding drone attacks since September have destroyed and damaged about half of Ukraine's energy system, the government says.

Rolling power cuts have become the norm across the country, with tens of millions of people now getting by with only intermittent power, sometimes just a few hours each day.

The bombardments have also forced Ukraine to stop exporting electricity to neighboring Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, and Moldova.

Russia has said the strikes are aimed at weakening Ukraine's ability to defend itself. Western officials say the suffering the cause of the blackouts for civilians is a war crime.

The plant that AP's team visited has been struck repeatedly and heavily damaged. It still powers thousands of homes and industries, but its output is down significantly from pre-invasion levels, its workers say.

All parts of the facility bear scars. Missile fragments are scattered around, left where they landed by workers too busy to clear up. Workers say their families send them off to their shifts with the words: ``May God protect you.''

Mykola survived one of the strikes. He started work at the plant 36 years ago, when Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union.

``The windows flew out instantly, and dust began to pour from the ceiling,'' he recalled. So he could immediately assess the damage, he put on his armored vest and helmet and ventured outside rather than taking cover in the bomb shelter.

``We have no fear,'' Mykola said. ``We're more scared for the equipment that is needed to provide light and heat.''

Russian missile targeters seem to be learning as they go along, adapting their tactics to cause more damage, Oleh said. Missiles used to detonate at ground level, blasting out craters, but now they explode in the air, causing damage over wider areas.

As soon as it's safe, the plant's repair teams scramble - a dispiriting cycle of destruction and rebirth.

``The Russians are bombing and we are rebuilding, and they are bombing again and we are rebuilding. We really need help. We can't handle it here by ourselves,'' Oleh said. ``We will restore it as long as we have something to repair it with.''

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Ukraine said Thursday its forces were fighting to retain control of Soledar, a town in the eastern Donetsk region, but the situation remained "difficult."

"The fiercest and heaviest fighting is continuing today in the area of Soledar," Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar told reporters.

"Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting stubbornly," she added.

Russian mercenary group Wagner claimed earlier this week its forces had captured Soledar, but the defence ministry in Moscow said fighting was ongoing and Ukraine denied any full takeover.

Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the fight for Soledar and the nearby town of Bakhmut, a key military objective for Russia's toops.

Malyar claimed during the press conference Thursday that Russian forces were "suffering heavy losses".

Russia wants to gain control of the entire eastern Donetsk region which it claimed to have annexed last year, despite not having complete military control over it.

Its capture of Soledar would allow Russia to sell a much-needed victory back home after months of humiliating setbacks.

But observers of the conflict have said Soledar itself -- a salt mining town with an estimated pre-war population of over 10,000 people -- is of little strategic importance.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said this week that Bakhmut -- and with it Soledar -- could be a launching pad to retake the city of Donetsk, a Russian stronghold since 2014.

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Russia and Ukraine have not reached a new prisoner exchange agreement during talks in Turkey, Moscow's envoy told AFP on Thursday, saying her earlier remarks about a swap were misinterpreted.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova held rare talks in Ankara on Wednesday with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets.

Turkish state media later quoted her as telling reporters that they had agreed to exchange "more than 40 prisoners" from each side.

But Moskalkova told AFP that those comments referred to the number of people the sides had already exchanged in the past.

"Someone misunderstood something," Moskalkova said on the sidelines of an international conference in the Turkish capital.

"We were talking about the results of our past work. These exchanges already happened."

Moskalkova added that she and Lubinets had exchanged lists of wounded soldiers in preparation for a possible future swap.

"Such exchanges happen all the time. These agreements are reached by the military, and we work jointly with them."

The warring sides have held few direct contacts since Russia invaded its neighbor 11 months ago.

But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has tried to use his good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv to arrange peace talks.

Erdogan said on Wednesday that he backed the idea of setting up a permanent "humanitarian corridor" in a war zone.

Moskalkova called it a "very important proposal" that still needed to be agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The return of the wounded is a constant subject of our discussions, and Mr. Erdogan proposed a new way of solving this issue," she said.

"This will probably still need to be discussed with Russian President Putin, and with the state agencies involved in this line of work."

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The Israeli military shot and killed three Palestinians during arrest raids in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, Palestinian health officials said, the latest bloodshed in months of rising violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

The military, which has been carrying out near-nightly raids in the territory since early last year, said soldiers who entered the Qalandia refugee camp before dawn were bombarded by rocks and cement blocks. In response, the military said troops opened fire at Palestinians throwing objects from rooftops. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the man killed as Samir Aslan, 41.

Aslan's sister, Noura Aslan, said Israeli security forces broke into their house at 2:30 a.m. to arrest his 18-year-old son, Ramzi. As Ramzi was being hauled away, his father sprinted to the rooftop to see what was happening, she said. Within moments, an Israeli sniper shot him in the back.

Aslan's wife called an ambulance, but Noura said the army initially prevented medics from reaching the house. As Aslan was bleeding, his family dragged his body down the stairs and called for help. An ambulance picked him up some 20 minutes later, Noura said.

The Israeli army also raided the northern occupied West Bank on Thursday, entering the village of Qabatiya south of the flash point city of Jenin and surrounding a house in the town. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces fatally shot 25-year-old Habib Kamil and 18-year-old Abdel Hadi Nazal.

The Israeli army said security forces entered Qabatiya to arrest Muhammad Alauna, a Palestinian suspected of planing militant attacks. The army said soldiers shot at a number of Palestinians during the raid, including a man who tried to flee the scene with Alauna, a gunman who fired at the forces from inside his car as well as a group of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli troops. It was not immediately clear what Kamil was doing when he was shot.

The deaths on Thursday bring the total number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year to nine, including two Palestinians killed Wednesday in separate incidents in the West Bank. One was killed during an Israeli military arrest raid in the territory's north and another after stabbing and wounding an Israeli man in a southern settlement.

Israel ramped up its military raids last spring, after a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis killed 19 people. Israel says the operations are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks. The Palestinians see them as further entrenchment of Israel's 55-year, open-ended occupation of land they seek for their future state.

The raids sharply escalated tensions and helped fuel another wave of Palestinian attacks in the fall that killed 10 Israelis. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 2022, Israeli rights group B'Tselem reported, making last year the deadliest since 2004.

The heightened violence comes as Israel's new ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government _ it's most right-wing ever _ is charting its legislative agenda, one that is expected to take a tough line against the Palestinians and drive up settlement construction in the West Bank.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, territories the Palestinians want for their future independent state. Israel has since settled 500,000 people in about 130 settlements across the West Bank, which the Palestinians and much of the international community view as an obstacle to peace.

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By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) held its first meeting of 2023 under the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan on January 11, Azernews reports.

"The #ECO Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) held its first meeting of 2023, on January 11 under the #Chairmanship of the Republic of #Azerbaijan," the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran wrote on its official Twitter page.

In accordance with ECO's rules and procedures, Azerbaijan assumed the organization's chairmanship in January 2023. As a result, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Iran and permanent representative to ECO Ali Alizada took over the chairmanship of the CPR.

While expressing his sincere gratitude to Ambassador Bakhodir Abdullaev for his capable leadership of the Council during 2022 and thanking Uzbekistan for its support of the organization, ECO Secretary General Ambassador Khusrav Noziri congratulated Ambassador Ali Alizada on his appointment as the new Chairman of the CPR.

The secretary-general expressed confidence that the vast experience and knowledge of Ambassador Ali Alizada will be quite valuable for the council in accelerating its efforts for greater regional cooperation in 2023, the year of Green Transformation and Interconnectivity, as declared by the chairmanship of Azerbaijan.

The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) was established in 1964 to strengthen economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye. In 1992, seven more countries joined the organization, making a total of 10: Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Harvard University rescinded a fellowship that it had offered to a leading human rights activist over what he said Monday was his group's criticism of Israel.

Kenneth Roth, who was the executive director of Human Rights Watch, or HRW, until last year, was recruited by the Harvard Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy to become a fellow and he accepted. But a few weeks later, in July, Roth said the center called and told him that the dean of the school, Douglas Elmendorf, had not approved it.

According to Roths article in The Guardian last Tuesday, the former executive director of the HRW said he wasn't given a reason but believes it was due to his and his group's criticism of Israel. It is unclear why it took six months for the decision to become public, though The Nation reported on the issue last week.

A son of a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, Roth acknowledges that his work has made him enemies around the world. In a brief conversation with Elmendorf before his fellowship was denied, Roth said he told the dean that he had been sanctioned by the Russian and Chinese governments and "was pretty sure the Israeli government detests me. That turned out to be the kiss of death".

Over the years, the group has issued a number of reports saying that Israel appears to have committed war crimes against the Palestinians.

And in 2019, Israel expelled the group's local director, accusing him of boycott activity. Roth, who at the time was HRW's executive director, said Israel was joining a "fairly ugly group of governments" that have barred the group's researchers. Two years later, HRW said Israeli policies toward the Palestinians amounted to apartheid.

"This is a shocking violation of academic freedom", Roth told The Associated Press. "I don't understand how an institution that purports to address foreign policy, that even has a human rights policy center, how can it possibly avoid criticism of Israel".

In a statement, the Harvard Kennedy School didn't say why Roth wasn't chosen for a fellowship, only that Elmendorf "decided not to make this fellowship appointment, as he sometimes decides not to make other proposed academic appointments, based on an evaluation of the candidate's potential contributions to the Kennedy School".

The director of the Carr Center, Mathias Risse, called the decision a "profoundly sad moment" for him personally.

"My subsequent conversation with Ken Roth to explain this decision to the extent I could was one of the lowest moments in my professional life", he said in a statement that was sent to the Carr Center community and shared with the AP.

Kathryn Sikkink, the Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights Policy at the Kennedy School, said she "couldn't understand" the decision so she went to Elmendorf for an explanation. He told her that "they would not approve the fellowship because they considered HRW and Roth to have an anti-Israel bias".

"I have seen no credible evidence whatsoever that HRW or Ken Roth are biased against Israel. I consider this misinformation, and for people who know better, actual disinformation", she added.

The move has also angered civil rights and press freedom organizations, many which defended Roth and his work.

"Few people have done more to advance human rights than Kenneth Roth. If Harvard's decision was based on HRW's advocacy under Ken's leadership, this is profoundly troubling _ from both a human rights and an academic freedom standpoint", Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "Scholars and fellows have to be judged on their merits, not whether they please powerful political interests. We urge Harvard to reverse its decision".

PEN America also criticized the move, saying that withholding the fellowship over Roth's "staunch critiques of human rights abuses by governments worldwide raises serious questions about the credibility of the Harvard program itself".

But the decision was applauded by some groups supportive of Israel.

Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, a group that reports on alleged anti-Israel bias by international NGOs, welcomed the university's decision, saying Roth is an "anti-Israel activist far beyond what is called legitimate criticism".

He said his organization was not directly involved in Harvard's decision, but that he believes academic articles he has written that are critical of Roth were reviewed as part of the university's "due diligence".

"The decision is consistent with academic standards", he said. He cited "the obsession that he has with Israel, the completely disproportionate focus, the vindictive and vitriolic language that he uses".

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was not involved in the issue.

The Israel-Palestinian conflict is an extremely fraught subject on college campuses these days.

A boycott movement against Israel has made great inroads on many campuses. Israel's supporters, meanwhile, say the country is unfairly singled out and that the boycott movement masks a deeper agenda to delegitimize and even destroy Israel.

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Former President Donald Trump is planning to hold the first public campaign event of his 2024 White House bid in the early-voting state of South Carolina.

Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Associated Press on Thursday that Trump will visit South Carolina later this month. No other details were immediately announced.

Since announcing his latest presidential run in November, Trump has limited his public campaign appearances to events at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida before an invited crowd or in a virtual setting.

The South Carolina visit, first reported by Politico, comes as Trumps campaign has faced criticism, even among some longtime allies, for its low profile since the announcement.

Trump remained popular in South Carolina throughout his term in office after his decisive 2016 primary victory in the state helped cement his status atop a wide field of rivals. Heading into the 2024 campaign, it's unclear how broad his support is in the state, although he has at least one high-level backer among the South Carolina's GOP leadership.

The night that Trump announced his 2024 bid, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster  who, as lieutenant governor in 2016 was the first statewide-elected official in the country to endorse Trump  said he would again support the former president.

A spokesman for McMasters campaign didnt immediately return a message Thursday regarding whether the governor would attend Trumps event or was part of the planning for it. The governors spokesman said he would wait for an official announcement from the Trump campaign to comment.

Trump's visit to South Carolina comes as two of the state's top Republicans mull 2024 bids of their own.

Nikki Haley, a former governor and onetime U.N. ambassador, said she would take the holiday season to consider a White House campaign, though she told the AP in 2021 that she wouldn't seek the presidency if Trump were already in the race.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, recently reelected to what he has said will be his final Senate term, has been making visits in other early-voting states and launched a political action committee that could become a presidential campaign vehicle.

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The European Centre for Middle East Studies, headquartered in Germany, is organising its third international scientific conference in Tunisia on 25-26 February.

The conference will be held under the title "The Heritage of the Middle East and North Africa: Demise Challenges and Tasks of Preserving Identity."

Representatives of UNESCO, ICESCO and ALECSO organisations are set to attend the conference.

Sattar Jabbar Rahman, founder and CEO of the European Centre for Middle East Studies and head of the conference, told Ahram Online the conference is meant to not only shed light on heritage but also to find mechanisms to protect it.

He pointed out that heritage, in its tangible and intangible forms, is suffering from neglect. The responsibility of protecting heritage lies not only on the shoulders of official institutions concerned with culture and heritage, but also on organisations concerned with protecting heritage, activists, and research centres, including the European Centre for Middle East Studies, he added.

Rahman confirmed that the heritage of the Middle East and North Africa is under threat, which is why the conference devoted five axes to discuss ways to protect it. These axes are: the impact of struggles and armed conflicts on tangible heritage; the role of civil society and cultural institutions in protecting heritage; national and international legislation to protect heritage; digitisation in the service and preservation of cultural heritage; and the impact of urban expansion on heritage.

Armed conflicts have caused some of the worst disasters on the cultural, urban and architectural fronts, said Hala Asslan, an expert with the International Council on Monuments and Sites and UNESCO and vice chairman of the Scientific Committee at the conference.

Asslan told Ahram Online that several conflicts erupted during the first two decades of the third millennium, causing unprecedented destruction in the region and harming the cultural, architectural, and environmental heritage of several Arab countries, especially those located in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, most notably in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Libya. Several sites registered on the World Heritage List were damaged, such as the ancient city of Aleppo, the archaeological site of Palmyra, and the villages of Forgotten Cities in northern Syria, she added.

Chokri Essifi, a researcher in historical and civilisational studies and coordinator of the Office of Academic Relations at the European Centre for Middle East Studies in Germany, told Ahram Online that the local heritage in the Middle East is exposed to several internal and external threats. The most prominent of these is the lack of maintenance, attention, and follow up, their inappropriate use in cultural and tourism development, and the lack of awareness of the importance of this heritage in building national cultural identity.

With regard to external influences on heritage, Essifi revealed that the rapid transformations that the world has been witnessing since the 1990s included a number of influences in the heritage of the Middle East.

The first of these is the continuous attempts to own this heritage. This is in addition to the increase in theft, especially during periods of wars and conflicts that weakened protection measures on heritage and cultural sites.

He stressed that despite the positive aspects of globalisation, the unilateral view in the field of culture and the growing imperialism and one-centric tendency have hindered the trend towards promoting constructive cultural pluralism that does not differentiate between cultures and identities.

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Eighty-four private universities have problems recruiting new students, which means they could end up broke before their current students have graduated. Many more provincial universities are unable to meet their annual student quotas due to the declining population and student preference for Seoul.

According to a report by the Korean Educational Development Institute, the 84 universities' finances are so bad that they can no longer operate normally and conduct proper academic research.

Sixty-two of them are outside the capital. South Chungcheong Province had the most failing universities with nine, followed by North Chungcheong Province (eight), North Gyeongsang Province (eight) and South Gyeongsang Province (six). Ninety-four of them are private universities that need to make a profit.


The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday normal air traffic operations are gradually resuming across the United States after a malfunction affected one of its computer systems, delaying 5,400 flights and cancelling another 900.

The FAA had earlier ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures for several hours due to an issue with its Notice to Air Missions System but now says the "ground stop has been lifted." Military flights in the U.S. were not affected.

The White House initially said that there was no evidence of a cyberattack. But President Joe Biden said "we don't know" the cause of the computer outage. He told reporters he's directed the Department of Transportation to investigate the cause of the disruption.

Biden early Wednesday said he had just been briefed by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who told him they still had not identified what went wrong. "I just spoke to Buttigieg. They don't know what the cause is. But I was on the phone with him about 10 minutes," Biden said. "I told him to report directly to me when they find out. Air traffic can still land safely, just not take off right now."

"We continue to look into the cause of the initial problem," the FAA tweeted.

"I have been in touch with FAA this morning about an outage affecting a key system for providing safety information to pilots," Buttigieg tweeted after the problem was first reported.
China's ambassador to Australia said in rare public comments that relations between the two nations have reached a period of "stability."

Xiao Qian suggested the improving relationship might give Chinese companies more confidence to resume imports from Australia and that bans on coal shipments to China might be lifted.

China's ambassador made the remarks Tuesday during a news conference in Canberra. He told reporters that differences should not be allowed to "hijack" their relationship, saying the Chinese Year of the Rabbit was a chance to "jump over obstacles" that had emerged in recent times.

Geo-political and trade disputes have soured Australia's relationship with China, its biggest trading partner, in recent years. Canberra's call in 2020 for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 was seen in Beijing as a criticism of its handling of the early days of the pandemic.
The leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States met Tuesday in Mexico City for a summit and said they have made the regional partnership stronger after two days of meetings.

During the North American Leaders' Summit, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to strengthen economic ties, including making more goods in the region and ramping up semiconductor production.

Biden said at a news conference after a roughly two-hour meeting at Mexico's National Palace that the three countries "are true partners."

"We are stronger and better when we work together, the three of us, and together we made enormous progress since our last summit from fighting COVID-19 and strengthening our ability to address public health threats to investing in and building a 21st century workforce," Biden said.

They also discussed combating climate change, migration and the movement of drugs and people along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mexico will help the U.S. fight the trade in the synthetic opioid fentanyl, Lopez Obrador said, which has led to the deaths of thousands of Americans. And he urged Biden to push the U.S. Congress for immigration reform and to help fix the status of millions of Mexicans without documentation in the United States. Migration was one of the most talked-about issues at the summit, the Mexican president said.

The three leaders reaffirmed a commitment they adopted six months ago in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which includes the expansion of legal migration pathways, a range of collaborative measures and better communication, both among one another and with their respective publics.

"And the reason why this summit, this trilateral relationship, is so impactful is because we share a common vision for the future grounded on common values," Biden said.
China on Wednesday further tightened entry restrictions for Koreans in retaliation for COVID restrictions on travelers from China here.

After China abruptly halted short-term visas for Koreans in a tit-for-tat on Tuesday, the National Immigration Administration said it is suspending exemptions from port visas and 72/144-visa-free transit for citizens of Korea and Japan.

It cited "discriminatory entry restrictions against Chinese nationals" in the two countries amid a surge of infections in China.

More than 20 countries have made it mandatory for travelers from China to bring a negative PCR test and suspended short-term visas, but Beijing singled out only Korea and Japan for retaliation.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 21:59 | All, Japan

Japan started construction work Thursday for a Self-Defense Forces base on an uninhabited island in a southwestern prefecture, the Defense Ministry said, under a plan to relocate military drills using U.S. carrier-borne fighter jets.

In the work expected to last four years on Mage Island in Kagoshima, the ministry will first build runways and ammunition storage facilities, according to an environmental assessment report made public earlier in the day.

The project will pave the way for the relocation of the practice site for U.S. fighter jets from Iwoto Island in the Pacific, about 1,250 kilometers south of Tokyo, following the construction work on the 8 square km island.

The ministry has proposed paying 2.2 billion yen ($17 million) in compensation to local fishermen who will not be able to operate during the four-year construction period and the following assessment year, according to a fishery cooperative source.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Thursday the new base will be "indispensable" for U.S. aircraft carriers to constantly operate in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Given the most severe and complicated security environment of the postwar era, the government will build this facility and begin its operation at an early date," the top government spokesman told a news conference.

The relocation plan stated in the 2011 U.S. military realignment accord between Tokyo and Washington moved forward after Kagoshima Gov. Koichi Shiota gave the nod to the project last November, citing the "increasingly severe security environment" surrounding Japan, apparently referring to China's maritime assertiveness in the East China Sea.

Meanwhile, Shunsuke Yaita, mayor of Nishinoomote that will host the base, has yet to clarify his stance after winning re-election in 2021 with a campaign pledge to oppose the project.

The U.S. military previously carried out takeoff and landing drills at its Atsugi base near Tokyo, but the training site was moved to Iwoto Island temporarily in the early 1990s due largely to noise complaints from local residents.

The fighters were all transferred from Atsugi to another U.S. military base in the western Japan city of Iwakuni by 2018, resulting in longer flights to the training site. Iwoto Island is around 1,400 km southeast of Iwakuni.

After Washington asked Tokyo to prepare a more convenient and permanent location for the drills, Mage Island, located about 400 km south of Iwakuni, became a candidate site under the U.S. military realignment accord between Japan and the United States in 2011.

Related coverage:

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PM Kishida to try to boost Japan-U.S. security ties in talks with Biden

Japan, U.S. agree China poses "greatest strategic challenge"
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 06:42 | All, Japan, World

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau agreed Thursday that the two countries will bolster security cooperation with an eye on China's increasing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

During their meeting in Ottawa, Trudeau also told Kishida that Canada will provide full support for the success of the Group of Seven summit scheduled for May in Hiroshima, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The ministry quoted Kishida as telling Trudeau that at the gathering in the western Japan city devastated by a U.S. atomic bombing in August 1945, he will demonstrate commitment to the G-7 rejecting any attempt to change the status quo by force.

Kishida and Trudeau confirmed in the Canadian capital that the G-7 leaders will exchange views on global issues such as economic, energy and food security, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, climate change, and health care, the ministry added.

In December, Japan decided to significantly boost its defense spending and acquire enemy base strike capabilities to deter attacks on its territory, amid growing security threats from its neighbors including China, North Korea and Russia.

Trudeau hailed Japan's major defense policy shift under the nation's war-renouncing Constitution, aimed primarily at containing Beijing's military buildup in the nearby waters. The self-ruled democratic island of Taiwan is located between the East and South China seas.

Tensions between Communist-led China and Taiwan have been intensifying, especially after former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as the then third-highest-ranking official in the country, visited the island in early August.

Fears have been mounting that Taiwan may become a military flashpoint in the Asia-Pacific region, as Beijing considers the island a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 as the result of a civil war.

In November, Canada launched its Indo-Pacific strategy designed to seek closer security relations with countries that have been challenging China's influence in the region.

Kishida's trip to Canada was the fourth stop on his weeklong tour of G-7 countries in Europe and North America in the run-up to the May gathering. Japan agreed with France, Italy and Britain to deepen security ties in the face of the unstable geopolitical situation.

On Friday, Kishida, who took office in October 2021, is slated to hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington. The U.S. capital is the final destination on his trip to five nations that started Monday.

Related coverage:

PM Kishida to try to boost Japan-U.S. security ties in talks with Biden

Japan, U.S. agree China poses "greatest strategic challenge"

Japan, Britain sign defense pact amid concern in Indo-Pacific




By Orkhan Amashov

What the year 2023 has in store for the next phase of the tug-of-war involving Azerbaijan and Armenia, for all its general uncertainty, orbits around one probable pattern: in the face of Yerevans continuous disinclination to fulfil the provisions of the 10 November 2020 declaration and unwillingness to sign a peace treaty, Baku will narrow the negotiable agenda items by irreversibly changing the facts on the ground, gradually entrenching its means of influence, both within the zone under Russian temporary control, and enhancing its military positions along the currently undelimited interstate border.

The press conferences of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, both held on 10 January, provided a fairly elucidating glimpse into the official lines to which the sides will adhere in their further dialogue. In Bakus view, Yerevans insistence on the inclusion of the Karabakh theme in the text of a peace treaty is a major stumbling block. Armenia is conscious of the inevitability of recognising Azerbaijani territorial integrity, including this region, but it hopes to incorporate some form of a fluid formula, theoretically keeping alive secessionist ambitions.

Pashinyans task regarding this critical point remains within the pre-existing parameters. During the 10 January press conference, he said: The international community perceives Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan and we may not have been pragmatic when we thought the four UN Security council resolutions were simply written texts we could ignore. And then he added that, in this light, Armenia has the choice to follow the logic of international developments or go against this logic.

This may superficially sound groundbreaking but, in fact, it is not, for similar confessions have been made before, with belated corrections and additional nuances corrupting their original meaning. By following such a gloomy line, Pashinyan seems to explain to Armenian society that it is inevitable that Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh must be recognised by Yerevan, stressing that it is not his fault, but due to the failures of his predecessors.

Simultaneously, his message to Baku could be construed as one suggesting there is a limit as to how far Yerevan could acquiesce with Azerbaijani demands, with treaty-based guarantees for the Armenian population of Karabakh being a necessary condition. The likely probability is that Pashinyan will continue to argue within the self-same parameters, incrementally ditching his reservations in a semi-surreptitious manner. Doing so, before Azerbaijani positions are entrenched in the zone of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, would make a great deal of sense for him. However, cold, hard reason is an unaffordable luxury for him at the moment.

The situation over the Lachin Road, Armenias disgruntlement with perceived Russian inaction and anti-Kremlin protests in Gyumri have considerably deteriorated Yerevan-Moscow relations, with some suggesting that the government of Pashinyan may take steps to leave the Kremlin-led organisations, namely the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Alliance. In reality, the situation is not as on such a knife-edge as may be superficially apparent. Even those who believe such future moves to be necessary still consider these to be currently unwise.

President Aliyev has also clarified that the Russian peacekeeping contingent has manifestly failed to fulfil its duties, resulting in the misuse of the Lachin Road. The roads regime might have been agreed on a trilateral basis via the 10 November 2020 declaration, but its real future is likely to be the subject of the negotiations between Baku and Moscow, which manifested itself earlier, during the construction and completion of the new route, in relation to which Armenia had negligible leverage.

The net effect of the decrease in the Kremlin's influence in the region has had its share of impact on the Moscow-Baku-Yerevan triangle, with its various internal ad hoc alliances being reshaped in a way that gradually increases Baku's prospects and diminishes Yerevan's maneuverability.

Azerbaijans determination to make the Zangazur Corridor project a reality remains steadfast and augmented, with Yerevans resistance gradually losing its trenchant propensities. With work within its jurisdiction in full swing, Baku will continue to capitalise on the cumulative force emanating from the geopolitical equilibrium favouring its interests to make Armenia come to terms with the necessity of providing a two-way communications route between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan.

With Russias influence in the region gradually receding, both Baku and Yerevan are displaying a degree of assertiveness, for the former being a mode of behaviour of practical import, with the latter being circumscribed to rhetoric and unsubstantiated warnings. The two briefings held on 10 January reflected two contrasting narratives, albeit not completely devoid of elements pointing to possible commonalities. As Neil Watson, British Journalist, commented: The gradual closing of the zoo door on the Russian bear is enabling both Armenia and Azerbaijan to reduce the impact of their mutual past colonial oppressor, and that can only be good for measured constructive dialogue.

There is also a discernible thread exemplifying the pattern that is likely to be central to future Baku-Yerevan dynamics: progress is likely to be achieved not through perfectly constructive diplomatic dialogue, but via a complex array of tug-of-war chess moves, with Azerbaijans coercive assertiveness gradually forcing Armenias hand and compelling it to reluctant acquiescence.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 18:51 | All, Japan

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it considers proposals for a South Korean foundation to compensate plaintiffs on behalf of Japanese corporate defendants over wartime labor issues as the best possible option for resolving the matter, during a public hearing held Thursday.

The public hearing, hosted by the ministry to discuss wartime labor issues stemming from Japan's colonial-era rule of the Korean Peninsula, was organized to find a way to compensate South Koreans following 2018 Supreme Court rulings that ordered two Japanese companies to pay damages to the plaintiffs.

Seo Min Jung, the ministry's Asia Pacific bureau chief, said it is difficult to make the Japanese companies pay damages to the plaintiffs but stressed Japan should pass on its apology and remorse about colonial rule, which it has expressed to South Korea, to future generations.

After the 2018 rulings, South Korean courts have ordered the liquidation of local assets seized from the two Japanese companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Nippon Steel Corp., which were sued over alleged forced labor during the 1910-1945 colonial period.

The hearing on Thursday was co-hosted by the ministry and the head of the South Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, a bipartisan group.

Chung Jin Suk, the head of the bipartisan group and a close aide to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, said during the public hearing that he will go to Japan soon and meet senior officials of the Japanese government, adding he will explain to them the South Korean stance on the issue.

The director of the foundation affiliated with the South Korean government also said during the public hearing that he seeks understanding on the option from the public.

In a response to the event in Seoul, a Japanese government source said Tokyo is considering allowing Japanese firms to donate to the South Korean foundation.

But Japan plans to make it a condition that demands for money from Mitsubishi Heavy and Nippon Steel are given up, according to the source.

Although the plaintiffs have urged the Japanese side to apologize for the wartime labor, the source said the government is unlikely to do so and it is expected to stand by its past statements on its colonial rule.

Several plaintiffs have expressed their opposition to the South Korean government's idea that the foundation compensates them, and a civic group on Thursday held a protest against the public hearing, saying that it does not reflect the forced labor victims' opinions.

The civic group supporting plaintiffs living in the southeastern city of Gwangju said Wednesday it decided not to participate in the hearing as the victims were excluded from the event and no information was shared with them.

"We will fight until the day when the forced labor victims finally recover their rights and dignity...through a sincere apology and compensation from the Japanese government and related (Japanese) firms," an official from the civic group said during the protest Thursday.

The issue of compensation has contributed to the deterioration of bilateral relations to the worst level in decades. Japan maintains that all claims stemming from its colonial rule were settled "completely and finally" under a 1965 bilateral agreement.

But Yoon has pledged to take a future-oriented approach toward Japan since he assumed office last May, in an effort to improve bilateral ties.

Yoon met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in November on the fringes of regional summits held in Cambodia, with the two agreeing to work toward an early settlement of issues over wartime labor and disagreements around claims about women who worked in Japan's military brothels during the war.

Related coverage:

Yoon wishes for return to best period of South Korea-Japan relations

Japan, China, South Korea fail to hold summit for 3rd straight year
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 06:08 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday urged Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and encouraged other countries to "stand up" against violations of the U.N. Charter such as the acquisition of territory by force.

The U.N. Security Council meeting, chaired by Hayashi as Japan holds the rotating monthly presidency for January, focused on the importance of the rule of law, an issue also linked to China amid its growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

Hayashi said that an order by the International Court of Justice in March for Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine "must be implemented immediately," adding that the principle of the rule of law "never allows any country to rewrite borders by force or through the flexing of muscles."

He said that "by no means" can international law or the U.N. Charter be used to justify actions such as the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Japanese minister also underscored that deployment of armed personnel to territory under the peaceful administration of another nation to "create a fait accompli" cannot be justified.

Although he refrained from singling out any nation, Hayashi made the remarks in a veiled criticism against China, according to a Japanese government official, given that Chinese military ships have repeatedly entered waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The Tokyo-controlled uninhabited islets are claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the session that the world risks the "rule of lawlessness" unless global crises are addressed, including North Korea's nuclear weapons program and the war in Ukraine, among other issues.

The world body has been widely viewed as dysfunctional in addressing Moscow's war in Ukraine, due largely to the veto power of Russia and China, which hold two of the five permanent seats on the Security Council along with the United States, Britain and France.

Joan Donoghue, president of the International Court of Justice, joined the session virtually.

China has long disputed the ruling by a tribunal of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea against the validity of its "nine-dash line," a maritime region claimed by China in the South China Sea.

China's Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun told Thursday's session that "instead of resorting to third-party mechanisms," countries should try to resolve their differences through negotiation.

Russia's U.N. ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Japan and Western countries of convening the meeting without any intention of thinking "systemically and impartially" about the rule of law.

"Our former Western partners just want to sell the narrative about the apparent responsibility of Russia for causing threats to international peace and security -- ignoring, however, their own egregious violations," Nebenzia said.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the world body, told the council that there was "no international legal basis for Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

Hayashi also said both the council's permanent and nonpermanent seats should be expanded so that nations, especially those in Africa, are included to "better reflect the realities of the current world."

Although Japan has long sought a permanent seat on the council, Hayashi did not address Japan's ambitions directly, instead identifying the enlargement of the Security Council as the "most pressing" part of the U.N. reform process.

Japan was among the five countries that started a two-year term as a nonpermanent member this month. Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland are the other new members of the 15-party council.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 18:28 | All, Japan

A Japanese astronaut on Thursday apologized for a data tampering incident that occurred a few years back, with the country's space agency issuing a warning to the individual who is slated for a second stint on the International Space Station later this year.

Satoshi Furukawa, 58, the third Japanese person to have completed a long-term mission in space, was responsible for an experiment conducted between 2016 and 2017 that simulated life on the ISS. He prioritized conducting research over immediately reporting a mistake, a source linked to the experiment said earlier.

"I sincerely apologize for undermining the trust of the people," Furukawa said during a press conference in Tokyo. On his planned second stint on the ISS, he said, "I would like to carry out my assigned duties faithfully."

The experiment assessed the stress levels and mental well-being of people confined for about two weeks in a closed environment, meant to recreate the conditions inside a space station, in Tsukuba, northeast of Tokyo.

Two researchers who conducted interviews to ascertain the mental state of the participants fabricated data, including making it seem as if other researchers had also participated. Furukawa had supervisory responsibility for the experiment.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency publicly revealed in November that data tampering had occurred.

The source has said the mistake, discovered in January 2018, was reported to Furukawa, but he did not convey the information to JAXA's ethics committee immediately.

Some JAXA executives, including President Hiroshi Yamakawa, were also reprimanded over the case.

"We lost trustworthiness in our research because of lackluster data management," Yamakawa said in a separate statement. "We apologize for not having arranged an appropriate research environment."

Related coverage:

Japan astronaut delayed reporting 2018 research error

Japan space research team tampered with experiment data: JAXA

2 more Japan astronauts scheduled for long missions on ISS: minister
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 15:10 | All, Japan

Around 15 people were taken to hospital following a major pileup on Thursday involving around 20 vehicles near an exit of an expressway in western Japan, local authorities said.

The accident occurred around 9:45 a.m. in the city of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, near an exit onto a suburban road from the Keinawa Expressway.

Those who were taken to hospitals sustained minor injuries, according to rescue workers.

Police said it appears a tanker truck, one of three heavy vehicles involved, impacted a line of vehicles waiting at a traffic light on the suburban road.

The Keinawa Expressway connects Kyoto and Wakayama prefectures via Nara Prefecture.

Related coverage:

2,610 killed in Japan traffic accidents in 2022, new record low
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 21:44 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed disappointment Wednesday over China's decision to suspend the issuance of visas to Japanese travelers in response to Tokyo tightening border controls on visitors from China to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections.

"It is extremely regrettable that China has unilaterally implemented restrictions that seem to have nothing to do with countermeasures against the novel coronavirus," Kishida told reporters while visiting Britain.

Japan has lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels and demanded it terminates the restrictions, he said.

Kishida underscored that Japan's border measures for arrivals from China are temporary, citing the spread of infections in mainland China and the difficulty of grasping the severity of the situation.

"We are implementing it so as not to stop the international flow of people," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference Thursday that Beijing hopes relevant countries will "lift discriminatory restrictions" on Chinese citizens as soon as possible in a scientific manner and in the spirit of mutual respect.

Kishida's remarks came after China took additional steps to counter tighter border controls implemented by Japan and South Korea, suspending visa-free stays in China for citizens of the two countries that are transiting to a third nation.

In Tokyo on Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government will provide support to domestic firms amid fears China's move will negatively impact businesses.

Japan "will closely monitor the infection situation in China as well as how the country discloses information on it," the top government spokesman added.

Since late last year, China has drastically eased its strict antivirus rules, including no longer restricting people's movements, in an abrupt departure from its "zero-COVID" policy involving lockdowns and isolation measures. The development caused an explosion in coronavirus cases nationwide.

Japan responded by tightening border controls for travelers from mainland China, requiring them to test for COVID-19 upon arrival.

As China reopened its borders and abandoned quarantine measures on Sunday, Tokyo further strengthened its border controls for travelers whose trips originated in China, requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped releasing the daily number of new COVID-19 infections and deaths, with the latest figures posted on its website referring to data as of Sunday.

The Chinese government said in late December it would reduce the frequency of infection data released and eventually publish data only once a month.

However, criticism has grown that the government's official data do not reflect the reality on the ground, with only about 14,000 new cases excluding asymptomatic ones and three deaths reported as of Sunday.

On Monday, Henan Province in central China said 89 percent of its population of 99 million has been infected with the coronavirus. Based on a Chinese government notice, people with chronic illnesses who die from deteriorating health following a coronavirus infection are excluded from the country's official death count.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed fresh concerns Wednesday about the underreporting of China's COVID-19 death count.

Wang, the spokesman, insisted Thursday that China has been sharing its infection data with all parties in a "timely, open and transparent manner." He expressed hope the WHO will look at China's COVID response "scientifically and rationally" and that its related statements will reflect objectivity and impartiality.

A Chinese medical expert said at a press briefing in Beijing Wednesday the peak of domestic COVID infections is over, but the number of patients with severe symptoms remains high.

Another expert said the infection situation in the country should be examined later with excess mortality data, which refer to higher-than-average deaths.

Related coverage:

China halts visa-free transit policy for Japan, S. Korea citizens

China suspends visa issuance to Japanese, S. Korean travelers
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 18:37 | Sports, All

A trio of rank-and-file wrestlers stood atop the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with 5-0 records Thursday, led by November's champion, No. 3 maegashira Abi.

Abi easily fended off Wakatakakage (2-3). When the sekiwake charged in low and to the right, Abi reacted in a flash and thrust his opponent to the raised ring's sandy surface.

No. 10 Aoiyama and No. 13 Kotoshoho also won to improve to 5-0 at the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Sekiwake Hoshoryu, the nephew of former Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu, fell from the leading pack when his guileless straight-forward charge collided with resolute No. 1 Daiesho (4-1).

The maegashira dug in his heels, knocked Hoshoryu backward with a pair of well-timed slaps, and the sekiwake, lacking a Plan B, was easily thrust out.

Ozeki Takakeisho, the tournament's highest ranked wrestler in the absence of sole yokozuna Terunofuji who is recovering from surgery, stayed one win back of the leaders at 4-1 after pushing out veteran No. 2 Tamawashi (3-2). Takakeisho will face Abi on Friday.

Aoiyama took his time but held off winless No. 8 Oho before pulling him off balance and finishing him with an overarm throw. Kotoshoho caught a break when the knee of No. 15 Mitoryu (2-3) buckled under him while attempting an overarm throw.

Komusubi Meisei earned his first win by exploiting a miss-step by sekiwake Shodai (1-4), who needs nine more wins to recover the ozeki ranking he lost in November. New komusubi Kotonowaka also beat a former ozeki, sekiwake Takayasu (1-4), to earn his first win.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2023 - 12:56 | All, Japan, World

Japan and Britain signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement Wednesday aimed at facilitating joint military drills amid the increasingly severe security situation in the Indo-Pacific region due partly to China's growing military clout.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak held talks in London on the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which sets rules on the transportation of weapons during joint exercises or disaster relief operations in each other's countries.

Kishida's visit to the British capital was the third stop on his weeklong tour of Group of Seven countries in Europe and North America for talks with their leaders in the run-up to the group's summit in Hiroshima in May.

After the meeting, Kishida told reporters that Sunak, France's Emmanuel Macron and Italy's Giorgia Meloni had agreed to discuss nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation at the upcoming summit in the city devastated by a U.S. atomic bombing in 1945.

Hailing the signing of the RAA, the Japanese prime minister said it "will elevate Japan-Britain security cooperation to a new high."

The British prime minister's office said in a statement the "landmark" defense pact, agreed in principle in May, will rapidly accelerate defense and security cooperation, and allow both Tokyo and London to deploy forces in one another's countries.

Japan signed such a treaty with Australia a year ago and the statement said Britain will be the first European country to have an RAA with the Asian nation, describing it as "the most important defense treaty" between Britain and Japan since 1902, when they signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

"This Reciprocal Access Agreement is hugely significant for both our nations -- it cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security," Sunak said in the statement.

Japan and Britain will start respective domestic procedures necessary to implement the RAA as early as possible.

As part of efforts to boost security cooperation, the countries have also teamed up with Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.

During the meeting at the Tower of London, Kishida and Sunak agreed to arrange a so-called two-plus-two security meeting involving their foreign and defense ministers.

The two prime ministers also confirmed that they will promote negotiations for Britain's accession to a Pacific free trade pact, known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Britain views Japan as a key East Asian ally in its "Indo-Pacific tilt," especially after its exit from the European Union in 2020.

With Japan holding the presidency of the G-7 this year, Kishida is paving the way for a successful summit by visiting its member nations that also include Canada and the United States, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden, respectively.

Kishida, whose constituency is in Hiroshima, is hoping to promote his vision of a world without nuclear weapons at the G-7 summit, amid concern Russia may use a nuclear weapon in its invasion of Ukraine, launched last February.

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Japan, Italy to launch talks to boost security ties

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Video: Los Angeles County in the U.S. approved a motion on Jan. 10, 2023 to declare a state of emergency over the region's homeless crisis. (Xinhua)

It will take a collective effort and collaboration between public and private interest groups and organizations to help work towards solving this insurmountable problem facing the country.



LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States, approved a motion on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency over its homeless crisis.

Homelessness is a specific and prolonged emergency impacting more individuals than other emergencies, said the motion co-authored by L.A. County supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger.

Tents of homeless people are seen in the rain in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

"Homelessness is a complicated and multifaceted issue that requires, among other things, the development of new affordable housing, including land-use policy decisions to permit such housing," said the motion, calling for the county, home to over 10 million residents, to provide critical services to unhoused individuals, including general health, mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

As of early 2022, L.A. County had 69,144 unhoused residents, including 70 percent unsheltered, the highest number of unsheltered persons in the country. Since 2015, the number of unhoused individuals in the county has increased by 55 percent, said the motion.

On her first day as Los Angeles mayor on Dec. 12, 2021, Karen Bass declared a local emergency related to homelessness in the city, the county seat of L.A. County.

A homeless person walks in the rain along the 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, Jan. 10, 2023. (Xinhua)

County officials said the reasons for homelessness are complex. "Those that become unhoused are frequently rent-burdened, live paycheck-to-paycheck, and many report suffering from serious mental illness or substance abuse issues. One-time events such as job loss, medical incidents, significant unforeseen costs, and no-fault evictions, also often lead individuals to become unhoused."

The declaration of a state of emergency over the county's homeless crisis will expedite supportive and material services for those unhoused, they said.

Still, many living on downtown Los Angeles' 6th Street said they have no clue about the motion's impact on them. Some thought it means housing placements.

A man in his 60s, who refused to give his name, told Xinhua he has been allowed by officials to live in a tent on one sidewalk of the street if he can clean the portion of the sidewalk he lives. The man said he is worried about his chance to apply for a place in a shelter because of his past criminal record.

A homeless woman is seen in the rain in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, Jan. 10, 2023. (Xinhua)

Alex Mecl, founder and chairman of Californian nonprofit organization Ribbon for Humanity, told Xinhua the motion is "the first step in the right direction to bring public attention to this escalating crisis in the United States."

"It will take a collective effort and collaboration between public and private interest groups and organizations to help work towards solving this insurmountable problem facing our country," he added.

The homeless crisis is a serious problem for the county, for California, and for the country, said Maggie Wang, co-founder and president of the organization. "The solution to homelessness should be more than a campaign slogan," Wang said.

U.S. federal data showed more than 580,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the country in January 2022. Los Angeles and New York, the two most populous U.S. cities, reportedly have the largest concentrations of homeless people. 
Photo taken on Oct. 9, 2017 shows a gaint tortoise on the Santa Cruz Island, one of the Galapagos Islands, in Ecuador. (Xinhua/Xu Rui)

In 2021, 136,000 tourists visited Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, a figure that almost doubled in 2022, with 54 percent being foreigners (145,445) and 46 percent, nationals (122,243), according to the Galapagos National Park.

QUITO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tourism rebounded in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands in 2022, with a total of 267,688 visitors, close to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, the Galapagos National Park (GNP) said Tuesday.

The GNP, which manages the islands, posted the figure on its Twitter account, saying that the number shows the arrival of tourists in the archipelago is 1 percent away from reaching the figures recorded in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year.

In 2019, the islands located in the Pacific Ocean received 271,000 visitors, but that figure plunged to 73,000 at the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

In 2021, 136,000 tourists visited the islands, a figure that almost doubled in 2022, with 54 percent being foreigners (145,445) and 46 percent, nationals (122,243), according to the GNP.

Located about 1,000 km from continental Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. 
By News Center

Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, who visited Silicon Valley, said that Tesla wants to enter the Turkish market and that the relevant studies are continuing. Stating that Turkiye's work with Tesla is not limited to the automotive industry, Varank added that at the moment, Tesla has already suppliers from Turkiye.

Mustafa Varank, who visited Silicon Valley earlier this week as part of his trip to the USA, shared information about the meetings held at Tesla's Fremont Factory.

Tesla is one of the automobile brands of the future in the automotive industry. It is currently trying to expand its influence all over the world. It is one of the largest companies in China and is trying to be effective in the European market with its factory in Germany, Varank said, referring to Tesla's position in the world market.

It also wants to enter the Turkish market, he added.

Tesla's activities regarding entering the Turkish market with its charging stations are underway. Actually, they were going to come to Turkiye before but the process took a little longer due to their own internal evaluations, the minister explained.

Varank said that their aim is to attract Tesla's investment in technology in Turkiye, noting, Turkiye has a very serious incentive system, especially in terms of investment and research and development.

We say, come and take advantage of this and invest, the minister said.

It is important for them to enter the market, but for us, their investment in technology and production is more important. We have submitted our proposals regarding these, Varank said, adding that currently the USauto giant already has suppliers from Turkiye.

It is important for us that they use such an infrastructure. We will continue negotiations in the future.

The minister added that they invite global brands from all over the world to Turkiye.

We invite all companies in different sectors, as well as in the automotive industry, to invest in Turkiye. After COVID-19, there has been a significant transformation in value chains in the world. We are experiencing a change. Western countries are in search of different suppliers. Turkiye is one of the most important alternatives.

Varank also underscored that Turkiyes work with Tesla is not limited to the automotive industry, adding that Tesla CEO Elon Musk first came to Turkiye to market SpaceX rockets. He reiterated that Turkiye launched its satellites into space through SpaceX and that the country was one of SpaceX's first customers.

Varank, who was in the USA recently to attend the world's largest consumer electronics fair CES 2023, also visited Silicon Valley, where the heart of technology and innovation beats.

Varank visited Tesla's Fremont Factory, one of the largest production facilities in California, and received information about the cars developed by the company and the production model.

He held a meeting with company executives during his visit to the Tesla factory.

The minister also visited Google's headquarters and Stanford University Canary Center for Early Cancer Detection.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang addresses the press jointly with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Jan. 11, 2023.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Wednesday that China stands ready to work with Africa to deepen Sino-African friendly relations and upgrade their cooperation in the new era.

Qin, who addressed the press jointly with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, said this year marks the 10th anniversary since Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the principles of China's Africa policy - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests during his first visit to Africa in 2013.

Over the past decade, thanks to the joint guidance and efforts of Chinese and African leaders, China-Africa relations have made historic achievements that have attracted worldwide attention and entered a new era of forging a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, Qin said.

At the beginning of the new year, he said, everything will be renewed afresh, and China has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all aspects, and the AU and African countries will also mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) -- the predecessor of the AU.

Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Africa to speed up the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and deepen Belt and Road cooperation, he affirmed.

Qin put forward four proposals on the development of China-Africa relations.

First, he emphasized the need to speed up physical exchanges and sharing of visions between China and Africa.

China will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, uphold justice while pursuing shared interests, and expand exchanges and cooperation with Africa in various fields and at all levels, support South Africa in its successful BRICS presidency and Uganda in hosting a successful Non-Aligned Movement summit, Qin said.

China is ready to deepen exchanges and mutual learning on national governance and development experience with Africa, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Qin said, adding that this will lay a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Second, Qin called for the deepening of friendly relations between China and the AU, adding that as China's modernization drive provides new opportunities for Africa, it will continue to support the African Union in leading African countries on a development path suited to their national conditions.

He reiterated China's readiness to further facilitate the synergy of its development strategy with those of African countries and the AU Commission, and help advance Africa's integration.

China has taken the lead in supporting the AU's membership in the Group of 20 (G20) and advocates a bigger role for the AU and African countries in the global governance system, Qin said.

Third, Qin said, greater efforts should be made to upgrade China-Africa cooperation, accelerating the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC, continuing to expand trade with Africa, promoting high-quality development of China-Africa financing and investment cooperation, and broadening new drivers of growth in health, green development and digital economy to provide more support for Africa's economic and social development.

Fourth, Qin noted the need to firmly safeguard solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

He emphasized the imperative to uphold confidence and self-reliance, uphold the common values of humanity, oppose hegemonic, high-handed, bullying, and racially discriminatory acts, jointly uphold genuine multilateralism, promote democracy in international relations, raise the representation and voice of developing countries, especially African countries, at the United Nations Security Council and other international organizations, and work together to make the global governance system more just and equitable. 
Chinese passengers are welcomed by Thai officials at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

"Before the pandemic, travel and tourism used to represent one in 10 jobs globally and one in 10 U.S. dollars that were made globally," said Simpson.

by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is bullish about the sector's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and expects exponential growth over the next decade mainly thanks to a boost from Chinese outbound travelers and foreign visitors to China.

"I have been there (China) many times ... and it's wonderful that the world would be able to open its arms and welcome Chinese visitors again," Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, told Xinhua in a recent video interview.

In early December 2022, China decided to optimize its COVID-19 response with new prevention and control measures to ease the restrictions on travel and visits to public venues. Then, on Jan. 8, the Civil Aviation Administration of China relaxed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights.

Passengers queue for security check at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

"Before the pandemic, travel and tourism used to represent one in 10 jobs globally and one in 10 U.S. dollars that were made globally. It's a really significant sector, which brings a lot of economic benefits and a lot of jobs," Simpson said.

According to a survey conducted last November of more than 26,000 consumers in 25 countries by YouGov for the WTTC, the appetite for international travel was at its highest point since the start of the pandemic with 63 percent of respondents planning a leisure trip in the next 12 months.

It came as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in November said international tourism was on track to reach 65 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 as the sector continued to bounce back.

"We all know that our sector was severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the good news is that travel and tourism are going to bounce back and will grow over the next 10 years almost double the rate of global gross domestic product (GDP)," she said.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) president and CEO Julia Simpson speaks onstage during the WTTC Global Summit in Pasay City, the Philippines on April 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

"REVENGE TRAVEL"

As a non-profit organization, WTTC's members include over 200 CEOs, chairpersons and presidents of the world's leading private sector travel and tourism businesses.

Simpson said that after nearly three years, the phenomenon of "revenge travel", which means traveling to make up for lost time during the pandemic, is expected to lift tourism and boost businesses.

"What we tend to see when people reopen their borders post-pandemic is that you have a lot of pent-up demand for travel. The first such demand comes from family and friends ... such as students working in another part of the world," she said.

Outbound Chinese visitors to the rest of the world were "among the most valuable in an economic sense," Simpson said.

In 2019, those Chinese visitors spent 253 billion U.S. dollars globally, which represented 15 percent of the grand total, according to WTTC.

A group of Chinese tourists pose for a photo at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, March 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

TOP DESTINATIONS

For travelers from China, Simpson said Maldives and Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the U.S. lead the bucket lists of top destinations.

"I'm almost describing here the whole of the world because, actually, Chinese visitors are now everywhere," she said.

The favorite attractions for foreign travelers to China may include the Great Wall, and the sights like Chengdu or Guilin, said the CEO.

"People also like to do mountain walking, go shopping, and they love to understand the culture of China," she said.

This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2023 shows the sunrise scenery at the Simatai section of the Great Wall in Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The RMB has gained popularity in cross-border transactions and settlements as the country steps up efforts to expand the use of the currency in trade and investment, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

Cross-border RMB settlements for trade in goods amounted to 7.92 trillion yuan (about 1.17 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2022, up 37.3 percent from a year ago, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the ministry, told a press conference.

In addition, cross-border RMB settlements for direct investment expanded 16.6 percent year on year to 6.76 trillion yuan last year, according to Shu.

Affected by changes in the global financial market, major currencies have experienced wider fluctuations in their exchange rates, and businesses are more inclined to use RMB in cross-border transactions and settlements, Shu said.

The spokesperson also noted that market demand for the RMB in cross-border investment, financing, and risk management is on the rise.

In response to a question on foreign trade, Shu said the sector has withstood risks and tests and demonstrated strong resilience and vitality despite the volatile external environment over the past three years.

China's foreign trade is expected to hit a new high in 2022, the spokesperson said.

Despite the pandemic-depressed global demand, China's foreign trade moved up another notch in 2021, exceeding 6 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time, official data showed. 
MACAO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Thursday vowed to open up new prospects of the "one country, two systems" practice with Macao characteristics in the new year.

Zheng Xincong, director of the office, said at a reception welcoming the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year which falls on Jan. 22 this year, that the office will continue putting in place the principle of "patriots administering Macao" and promoting the long-term peace and prosperity of Macao.

Extending his New Year greetings to Macao compatriots, Zheng vowed to support the Macao SAR chief executive and government in governing in accordance with the law, and urged Macao to better develop itself while integrating into the overall development of the country.

Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, pledged to firmly implement the "one country, two systems" principle, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, carry out the central authorities' policies to support the development of Macao, and speed up appropriate economic diversification.

Ho also promised efforts to improve people's livelihood, solve the underlying conflicts and problems in socio-economic development, and promote the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, neighboring Zhuhai city, as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to be integrated into overall national development.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah, and former chief executive of the Macao SAR Chui Sai On, attended the reception together with other government officials, legislators and military officers. 
Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, presides over the 83rd Chairperson's Council meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, held its 83rd Chairperson's Council meeting in Beijing on Thursday.

At the meeting, which was presided over by Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, the senior political advisors studied recent remarks delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on CPPCC work.

Wang called for efforts to carefully study, fully understand and faithfully grasp Xi's remarks, thus doing a good job in wrapping up the work of the current-term CPPCC National Committee.

The meeting heard a report on the handling of key proposals put forward at the fifth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee.

Noting that all the 261 proposals in 77 key topics have been properly handled, Wang urged efforts to sum up experience and effective methods to further improve the proposal work.

The meeting heard a report on the research on political advisors' engagement with and service for people from various sectors.

Wang called for efforts to implement the arrangements and requirements set out at the 20th CPC National Congress for improving the systems and mechanisms through which political advisors stay engaged with people from various sectors, and to step up related research.

The meeting also deliberated a series of documents to be submitted to the 25th standing committee session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee for further discussion and deliberation, including the draft agenda and draft schedule for the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. 
MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi discussed bilateral cooperation and the situation in Syria in a phone call Wednesday.

The leaders stressed the need to further develop bilateral cooperation in all spheres, including through the implementation of "mutually beneficial" projects in the energy, transport and logistics sectors, the Kremlin said.

Putin and Raisi both welcomed the joint work carried out within the framework of the Astana process, which plays a key role in the Syrian settlement process.

The presidents agreed on the importance of continuing cooperation to normalize the situation in Syria and restore the country's territorial integrity, according to the Kremlin. 
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's automobile exports soared 54.4 percent in 2022, effectively promoting the overall growth of the sector, industry data shows.

More than 3.11 million vehicles were exported last year, with passenger car exports nearing 2.53 million units, a jump of 56.7 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

In the same period, exports of commercial vehicles climbed 44.9 percent from 2021 to 582,000 units, and exports of new-energy vehicles increased 1.2 times year on year to 679,000 units.

The association attributed the robust growth to factors such as the increasing competitiveness of Chinese auto companies and the overseas supply shortage.

In 2021, China's annual auto exports exceeded 2 million units for the first time, compared to about 1 million units in previous years, the data shows. 
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged congratulations with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi pointed out in his message that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, China and Angola have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, worked hand in hand, and understood and supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

At present, China-Angola relations enjoy a sound development momentum, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi noted.

Noting that he highly values the development of bilateral relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Lourenco to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people friendship and write a new chapter in the robust development of the China-Angola strategic partnership.

For his part, Lourenco said since the establishment of bilateral ties, Angola-China relations have seen continuous development, and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has scored major achievements with satisfactory results.

Noting the two countries agree with each other on many international issues, he said Angola is willing to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China, build a shared win-win future, as well as achieve common progress, prosperity and development, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries. 
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends a symposium to mark a movement initiated by the leadership of the CPC to boost military-government and military-civilian solidarity 80 years ago, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held Thursday in Beijing to mark a movement initiated by the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to boost military-government and military-civilian solidarity 80 years ago.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium.

He Weidong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the movement played an indispensable role at different stages of China's revolution, construction and reform.

The movement, which started in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region 80 years ago, called for the army to support the government and cherish the people and for the government to support the army and give preferential treatment to the families of service personnel.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, stressed the need to enhance military-government and military-civilian solidarity in the new era and rally the strength of all civilians and service personnel around the Party, guided by the plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress.

He urged stronger support for military development and reform as well as for enhancing combat readiness, and the implementation of preferential policies for the families of service personnel.

He also called for the armed forces to actively participate in and support economic and social development and be ready to take up urgent, dangerous, and difficult tasks. 
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Awards were handed out to grassroots role models of 2022 on Thursday at a ceremony held by Xinhua News Agency.

The winners -- consisting of eight individuals, one group and a couple -- were honored for performing selfless actions in their work or helping those in need.

Among those awarded was Qin Xiaoqiang, a SWAT officer in southwest China's Sichuan Province who took part in emergency rescue operations after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Luding County in Sichuan in September 2022. After working for 13 consecutive hours and rescuing three buried people, Qin found out that his own father and sister had died in the quake. Shortly after making arrangements for his family, Qin went back to continue his rescue work.

The other winners include a handicapped person who jumped into a river to save a mother and her daughter who had fallen into the water, a couple who dedicated nearly 30 years to guarding a forest farm, a prosecutor who devoted her spare time to voluntary legal services for minors, and a rural doctor with impaired vision who strove to overcome physical obstacles in order to impart knowledge to children in the countryside.

The role models were selected by netizens and experts.

First launched in 2010, this year's award is the 13th of its kind. 
By News Center

President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the delivery ceremony of the new generation of Firtina howitzer.

Stating that they are determined to make 2023 a turning point in the defense industry together with other sectors, Erdogan said that "2023 will be a year full of good news, with very important developments that will make everyone proud".

He said that they would not stop and consent to the slightest setback until Turkiye will be independent in the defense sector and the cooperation of private and public sectors will push Turkiye from success to success.

Stating that they have not only written a success story in the defense industry but have also realized a revolution mindset, Erdogan emphasized that they have realized many critical projects, which are described as "impossible", "a product of imagination".

Of course, we have not come to this level at a time. Despite numerous resistances, sabotage and betrayals, we have never turned back from this path, he added.

Stating that they see all the achievements of the latest 20 years as a prelude to the vision of the Century of Turkiye, Erdogan said that we are determined to make 2023, the 100th anniversary of the republic, a turning point in the defense industry, along with other sectors. 2023 will be a year full of good news, with very important developments that will make everyone proud.

Expressing that they were proud of the export capacity of the country, Erdogan questioned if they know what happened to the defense exports, which accounted for only 248m dollars 20 years ago.

"We broke a record with 4.4bn dollars. We are among the top 3-4 countries in the world in the production of UAVs, UCAVs, and offensive unmanned aerial vehicles. Our armed and unarmed attack drones are treated with envy all over the world, despite the efforts of some ignorant and technology-impaired people among us.

Wishing that the six new-generation Firtina howitzers delivered will be beneficial to the nation and the army, Erdogan said that "we will increase this number to 140 in total with new deliveries in the coming period".

Emphasizing that the new generation Firtina howitzers have many advantages compared to the models currently in the inventory, Erdogan said.

As a result of the studies carried out, both the survivability and firepower of our howitzers have been increased. I hope your shots will be 100 percent accurate with the new generation Firtina howitzers."

Erdogan further listed new projects in the pipeline:

We will take our National Combat Aircraft out of the hangar and show it to the whole world.

Our jet-powered trainer and light attack aircraft HURJET will make its first flight.

Flight maneuver tests and ammunition integrations of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, our combat unmanned fighter aircraft will be carried out.

We are putting ANADOLU, which will be the world's first UCAV carrier ship, into service this year.

Bayraktar TB3 UCAV, which we will deploy to the ANADOLU Ship, will perform its first flight

Our Gendarmerie General Command will start using our unique helicopter GOKBEY

The door of the National Combat Aircraft is open to partnership

The National Combat Aircraft is open to partnership

Our ATAK-2 helicopter, weighing 11 tons, will make its first flight.

With the IMECE Earth Observation Satellite, the position and route information of ships will be collected.

We will launch the KILICHSAT Cube Satellite into space.

The maritime supply support combat ship DERYA, the first of our I-class frigates Istanbul, and the first of our new submarines Piri Reis will also be included in the inventory this year.

The long-range air defense and missile system S?PER (Shield) will be put into service.

The first deliveries of BOZDOGAN in-sight and GOKDOGAN beyond-sight missiles will be made.

GOKDEN?Z close air defense system will begin to be integrated into ships.

The turbojet engine developed for SOM and ATMACA missiles will be delivered to users.

We will put the Simsek Target Drone in service with its converted form into a cruise missile.

We will complete the integration of national electronic warfare and electronic support codes to F-16s.

Eralp, an early warning radar system, will be delivered.

AESA radars will be integrated into AKINCI UACV and F-16s.

We will start the delivery of Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicle ZAHA and domestically powered Vuran armored vehicles.

Giving good news about the Altay tank, Erdogan said: In May, we are delivering 2 new Altay tanks to our army and the company that will make the power group conduct their tests. Hopefully, after completing the tests of the new Altays, we will start mass production together with our project partners in 2025.
More than 7,000 nurses put on a strike in New York at the beginning of the second week of 2023, which, according to the U.S. media, represented the largest nursing strike in decades in the city.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service








UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has released 6 million U.S. dollars in emergency funding to aid thousands of victims of floods and violence in Cameroon, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths, the world organization's emergency relief coordinator, allocated the Central Emergency Response Fund's aid to help people in Cameroon's far north, northwest, and southwest regions, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Last year, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes and abandon their property because of violence or floods," Dujarric said. "These forced displacements increased protection risks, loss of livelihoods and food insecurity in those impacted areas."

He said the funds would help provide protection, shelter services, food and nutritional assistance.

"Despite the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations to access remote areas due to violence, impediments to movement and poor road conditions, we, along with our partners remain mobilized to provide aid to the most vulnerable," the spokesman said.

Humanitarians will need more than 413 million dollars to help 2.4 million people in Cameroon this year, he said. 




MEXICO CITY, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- "The United States has historically intervened many times in many countries and I believe that it only seeks its own interests." Mexican citizens and experts voiced opposition to interventionism after the North American Leaders' Summit was held in Mexico City. #GLOBALink





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




A protester interacts with the crowd as a car moves past Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues.

Hundreds of nurses wearing red hats continued to line both sides of Madison Avenue near the entrance of Mount Sinai Hospital on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, another smaller group of nurses rallied at the 5th Avenue on another side of Mount Sinai Hospital complex.

Nurses called for more nurses and enforcement of safe staffing requirements while complaining heft salaries and bonuses for management of the hospitals.

Minna Scott, a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Xinhua, "99 percent of nurses have voted to authorize the strike and we're all out here rallying on the street."

Mount Sinai is a private hospital, so it is not under the laws of the New York State to enforce any of the labor laws including that on staffing ratio, according to Scott.

Currently, there are over 500 vacancies of nurses and nurses have to work overtime because of short staffing, said Scott.

"Every day there are more nurses leaving the hospital, not only because they are tired, not because they have enough, but because they are refusing to practice under unsafe labor," added Scott.

"Nurses do not get paid enough. The head of this hospital, according to the Internal Revenue Service, makes 12,437,000 dollars a year. Sure, they could support the nurses and give them raises," said Lorraine Skeen, a retired teacher, who came out in solidarity with nurses.

It's reported that around 7,000 nurses from the two hospitals joined the strike while Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West reached a tentative agreement with the state nursing union on a new contract Sunday with a strike avoided.

The strike will continue until agreements can be reached and the key sticking point in negotiations is making sure there are enough nurses at the bedside to safely care for patients, said a release by the New York State Nurses Association on Wednesday. 

A protester waves to pedestrians outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Protesters chant slogans outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Protesters walk along a street outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Protesters chant slogans outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Protesters walk along a street outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. Thousands of nurses from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Bronx continued to be on strike the third day on staffing shortage, low wage and other issues. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
NANNING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- On an early winter morning, as roosters crow to greet the dawn, and a wisp of smoke rises above the farmhouse roof, villagers in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have started a busy day ahead of the lunar new year, the Spring Festival.

"We've kept a running list of deals and ingredients for the big dinner on New Year's Eve," said 32-year-old Pan Zaoxiang in Longji Township.

Dressed in her holiday best -- the traditional clothing of the Yao ethnic group, Pan was born and raised in Dazhai Village, located in the core area of the famous tourist attraction of Longji Rice Terraces.

The hamlet has been named among the Best Tourism Villages of 2022 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for its breathtaking agricultural view, but Pan said they used to struggle to make ends meet.

Embosomed in mountains, Dazhai Village was very hard to get to, with only one narrow mud path zigzagging down the hills. Daily necessities and products for farm work could only be delivered by carts.

"When I was a child, I longed for the outside world, but that usually took a day and a night to reach the nearest downtown on foot," said Pan.

Facing the harsh living conditions and the deteriorating ecological environment, the Dazhai villagers turned to the mountains and the massive land reclaimed by the elder generations.

By cooperating with tourism companies from the tourist city Guilin, villagers became stakeholders in developing the land into a unique terraced landscape.

"My family plants nearly 10,000 mu (around 666 hectares) of rice on the terraced fields, and that means a year-end bonus of over 10,000 yuan (about 1,478 U.S. dollars)," Pan said, adding that they all maintain the traditional ethnic architecture.

Villagers like Pan also sniffed out the growing business opportunities in catering and accommodation as more visitors poured in.

During this year's Spring Festival, around 230 homestays across the village are expected to be fully booked, said Yu Qiongtong, Party chief of Dazhai.

Celebrations and various kinds of activities will also be held to present the rich history of the Yao ethnic group. Tourists from home and abroad have great interests not only in the beautiful landscape but the culture, said Pan.

"I have prepared an abundance of local cuisines and specialties such as sausages, chilies, and sticky rice in bamboo to welcome tourists during the upcoming new year," Pan said. 
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (Front) speaks during his visit to the construction site of a key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass near Surcin, southwest of Belgrade, Serbia, on Jan. 11, 2023. The key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass is almost finished with excellent quality, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said after visiting the construction site at an interchange near Surcin on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shi Zhongyu)

BELGRADE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass is almost finished with excellent quality, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said after visiting the construction site at an interchange near Surcin, southwest of Belgrade, on Wednesday.

Vucic was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo, representatives of the Serbian government and of the main contractor China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

Vucic said that the road will be opened at the end of March. "Almost everything is finished... this is excellently done," Vucic said.

Once the highway is completed, motorists will be able to reach the Adriatic coast much faster.

Chen said that Vucic's visit proved his dedication to cooperation with China, which she said she expected to become even stronger in the future.

She added that Chinese companies have tremendous confidence in the Serbian market and pointed out that good cooperation will make an even greater contribution to the development of the economies of the two countries. 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R, Front) visits the construction site of a key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass near Surcin, southwest of Belgrade, Serbia, on Jan. 11, 2023. The key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass is almost finished with excellent quality, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said after visiting the construction site at an interchange near Surcin on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shi Zhongyu)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R, Front) visits the construction site of a key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass near Surcin, southwest of Belgrade, Serbia, on Jan. 11, 2023. The key 7.9-kilometer section of the Chinese-built Belgrade bypass is almost finished with excellent quality, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said after visiting the construction site at an interchange near Surcin on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shi Zhongyu)
HONG KONG, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong keeps a competitive edge as an international financial center, Chairman of PwC Asia Pacific and China Raymund Chao has said.

Hong Kong has distinctive advantages in the global economy, as the city enjoys a mature financial system and advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, Chao told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Financial Forum held in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from Wednesday to Thursday.

"Another part of why Hong Kong is important is we've got the largest offshore Renminbi center here, and nobody else can do that," Chao said, adding that Hong Kong has assembled the best professionals in the city to support and deliver the financial services that are needed.

Highlighting the importance of the motherland in strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international financial center, Chao said that "Hong Kong's continuing success relies on the motherland's support, which is a big part of why Hong Kong is successful."

"I flew to Shanghai on Sunday, and I came back on Tuesday night, which was very smooth," he said, as normal travel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong resumed from Jan. 8.

"I think it's excellent. We've been looking for this day for a long time," he added.

In terms of Hong Kong's transformation in the future, Chao said that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is an important topic for sustainable development, with a growing focus on organizations here, which is a positive move.

"Going forward, the good news is two-thirds of organizations have made a commitment to us to reach net-zero targets by 2030."

The HKSAR government recently announced the successful offering of 5.75 billion U.S. dollars worth of green bonds, denominated in dollars, euro, and Renminbi, under the Government Green Bond Programme. The triple-currency offering is the largest ESG bond issuance in Asia, according to an official press release.

Besides, more education is needed to build talent in the city, which is also a big topic in Hong Kong's transformation, he added.

Chao also pointed out that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as an important economic regional hub, has great potential with many opportunities for shared resources.

"Hong Kong has very strong financial resources, and Shenzhen has got a very strong investment in technology and AI, so by driving the synergy and creation, 1+1 is 2."

"We are going to make the pie a lot bigger, and we are gonna bring prosperity to a lot more people," he said.

As to China's economic outlook in 2023, Chao said it's still in strong growth. "I think we are going to see a significant rebound in activities in a number of sectors."

China will always play a very important role, not just in Asia but also on the world stage, he noted. "China is the second largest economy and it did very well, and the Chinese government has been very focused on driving economic activities as we've all seen, so we've got a strong and big engine."

And the Asia Pacific region is expected to be the biggest growth engine for the world going forward with a lot of opportunities. "I think we are going to get more investors as we continue to mature and have a bigger voice on the global stage," Chao said. 
Artists perform during the "Gabon Day" event at the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Liu Guifu/Xinhua)

Investments from China, Gabon's largest trade partner, have contributed greatly to the central African country's socio-economic development, said Gabonese Minister for the Promotion of Investments Hugues Mbadinga Madiya.

LIBREVILLE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Gabon looks forward to more Chinese investments to revitalize its economy and boost bilateral trade, said Gabonese Minister for the Promotion of Investments Hugues Mbadinga Madiya.

"Chinese investments are effective and appreciated by the Gabonese people," Madiya told Xinhua here recently in an exclusive interview.

Investments from China, Gabon's largest trade partner, have contributed greatly to the central African country's socio-economic development, he said.

Calling China a "friendly country," Madiya said people walking around the city of Libreville will see many infrastructures financed by Chinese investors.

Workers unload the first batch of China-donated Sinopharm vaccines at an airport in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, on March 12, 2021. (Xinhua)

Apart from traditional sectors like wood and energy, where Chinese investors are well established, they are also embarking on the construction of special economic zones and industrial parks, which is favorable to tapping the great potential of Gabon, he said.

Madiya said he is "completely confident" with the Chinese economy.

"We have no doubt that the Chinese economy will be able to recover, because the fundamentals are there thanks to its policies to fight against COVID-19," he said.

From Sunday, China started managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, while lifting COVID restrictions on international arrivals.

As the country optimizes its COVID response policies, business delegations from China are heading for global destinations to boost trade and investment in overseas markets.

These decisions "are good news, because we will be able to relaunch investments and move towards a recovery of the world economy," Madiya said.

The Gabonese minister warmly welcomed all interested Chinese investors and entrepreneurs to visit Gabon.

"Virtual communications have their limits. The construction of the economy is all about building relationships between people, between governments and between investors," he added. 
Staff members from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) work in the cab of a battery-powered locomotive manufactured by CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd in Bangkok, Thailand on Jan. 11, 2023. The first battery-powered locomotive manufactured by CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd was launched here on Wednesday to aid Thailand's efforts to improve its railway service while cutting carbon emissions. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

BANGKOK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The first battery-powered locomotive manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Dalian Co. Ltd was launched here on Wednesday to aid Thailand's efforts to improve its railway service while cutting carbon emissions.

Testing of the locomotive was conducted successfully by the State Railway of Thailand at the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok.

Speaking at the testing ceremony, Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said that Thailand is encouraging the use of renewable energy, which is environmentally friendly, to replace the use of fuel in the country's transportation system, as part of the efforts to achieve Thailand's commitment to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 25 percent by 2030.

Saksayam also spoke highly of the cooperation between Thailand and China on railways.

"Thailand and China have been cooperating in various aspects of railway development," he said, "Thailand hopes to develop railway technology cooperation with countries around the world including China, and the success of this test marks significant progress in the battery-powered locomotive project."

Nirut Maneephan, governor of the State Railways of Thailand, said the development of a battery-powered locomotive is part of a plan to improve the efficiency of the railway services.

The locomotive was jointly developed by CRRC Dalian and Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (EA) of the Southeast Asia country.

Amorn Sapthaweekul, EA's deputy chief executive officer, said the battery-powered locomotive made in China, with world-leading technology, meets the needs of Thailand in terms of production costs and the requirements of the Thai government for energy conservation and emission reduction.

According to CRRC Dalian, the battery-powered locomotive was developed for passenger and general freight based on Thailand's original locomotive platform. The six-axle locomotive can haul 2,500-ton freight trains at 70 km per hour or 1,000-ton passenger trains at 100 km per hour. 

A battery-powered locomotive manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Dalian Co. Ltd pulls into station in Bangkok, Thailand on Jan. 11, 2023. The first battery-powered locomotive manufactured by CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd was launched here on Wednesday to aid Thailand's efforts to improve its railway service while cutting carbon emissions. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN top envoy for Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, said Wednesday that success in the Colombian peace process depends on the government's efforts to curb violence.

"There is a fundamental reality that has to be acknowledged. The lasting success of the Colombian peace agreement, which we all wish to see, is contingent on the ability of the Colombian authorities to address the persistent violence that poses its greatest threat," he told the Security Council in a quarterly briefing.

The government is making an admirable effort to do so, in part, through differentiated dialogues with the illegal armed groups aimed at ending the violence. If these dialogues are successful, this would greatly contribute to generating the security conditions necessary for the different provisions of the 2016 peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to materialize, said Massieu, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

"The effective implementation of the (2016) agreement in itself would bring about the transformations required for lasting peace to take root," he said.

While pressing forward with the implementation of the 2016 agreement, government engagement with illegal armed actors has continued in the framework of its "total peace" policy, said Massieu.

Last month the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) concluded the first round of peace dialogues in Venezuela amid a constructive environment. They plan to hold a new round in Mexico in the coming weeks. The parties' decision to reinitiate discussions is widely supported in Colombian society and is valued especially by communities affected by the conflict in several regions, he said.

The New Year began with a hopeful announcement by Colombia President Gustavo Petro of six-month cease-fires with several illegal armed actors operating in various areas across the country, he said. "If carefully designed and carried out with commitment, these de-escalation measures agreed with armed groups can help to significantly reduce violence and suffering of conflict-affected communities while building trust in ongoing dialogues."

The Security Council's decision on Wednesday to authorize the expansion of the UN Verification Mission's mandate to include the 2016 agreement's comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapters in its verification tasks will enable the mission to increase its contribution to peace in Colombia, said Massieu.

"There are plentiful opportunities ahead for peacebuilding in Colombia. The role of the United Nations and the solid support of this (Security) Council remain as important as ever," he said. 
By Trend

Member of the ruling Civil Contract Party of Armenia Vigen Khachatryan exposed another lie of fugitive Russian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan, who illegally seized the power in Karabakh, and claimed that there are allegedly 120,000 Armenians in Karabakh.

Therefore, Khachatryan said that only 40,000 Armenians live in Karabakh, thus exposing Vardanyan, who makes attempts to mislead the international community with his loud statements about a "humanitarian catastrophe", as well as the "starvation of 120,000 Armenians in Karabakh".
* Starting in 2015, China launched 10 pilot national parks to protect the natural environment and biodiversity. In October 2021, the country officially designated five of these pilot projects as national parks, further improving the national park system.

* In December 2022, China took another step, setting out a plan that envisages the creation of the world's largest national park system by 2035. The plan includes a total of 49 candidate sites for the construction of national parks.

* The parks envisaged in the plan will feature various ecosystems, spanning from forests and grasslands to wetlands and deserts, involving over 700 existing nature reserves, as well as 10 world natural heritage sites.

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- As Wang Jinqiang walks to work each morning, his journey is accompanied by the high-pitched calls of Hainan gibbons, a wild animal whose population he is employed to track and count.

Since the start of winter, 56-year-old Wang and his colleagues have spent over 15 days every month living in the mountains of China's southernmost tropical province of Hainan. Their task is to monitor the world's rarest primate, with a view to helping it flourish after decades of pressure from human activity.

Wang is a member of the Hainan gibbon monitoring team in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, one of the first five national parks established in China.

This photo taken in May 2021 shows a Hainan gibbon and its baby ape in south China's Hainan Province. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is the only habitat of Hainan gibbons. (Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park/Handout via Xinhua)

Starting in 2015, China launched 10 pilot national parks to protect the natural environment and biodiversity. In October 2021, the country officially designated five of these pilot projects as national parks, further improving the national park system. In December 2022, it took another step, setting out a plan that envisages the creation of the world's largest national park system by 2035.

The spatial layout plan for national parks was issued jointly by several government bodies, including the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The plan includes a total of 49 candidate sites for the construction of national parks.

These candidate sites, including the five that have already been developed into national parks, cover an area of around 1.1 million square kilometers in 28 provincial-level regions. The sites were selected based on their ecological importance, unique natural landscapes and rich biodiversity, said the plan.

WIDER PARTICIPATION

In the 1980s, the population of Hainan gibbons dropped to around seven due to excessive hunting and lumbering. However, thanks to conservation efforts, the gibbon population in Hainan is currently estimated at 36 individuals living in five family groups, according to the latest official figures.



This aerial panoramic photo taken on May 19, 2022 shows a view of the Wuzhishan section of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Among the key measures implemented was ecological relocation in core protected areas.

Gaofeng Village is located in the core area of Hainan national park. Villagers from Gaofeng were relocated to a government-funded resettlement community, and each family was allocated a two-story house of 115 square meters. Later, the villagers became involved in the edible fungus industry, which helped increase their incomes.

A villager named Fu Guohua said that his family has had easier access to education and medical services since moving to the new community, and their lives have improved a lot. He used to make a living by tapping rubber, earning up to 3,000 yuan (about 443 U.S. dollars) a year. Now he is in charge of a mushroom facility, with a regular monthly salary of 4,000 yuan.

The development of China's national parks, along with the improvement of the ecological environment and human activity, can also be seen in Sanjiangyuan National Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The Sanjiangyuan area is known as Asia's "water tower" as it contains the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers. Madoi County in Qinghai's Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where the Yellow River source region is located, is a fine example of national park construction.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Madoi's main industry was animal husbandry. At that time, each household in the county possessed hundreds of cattle and sheep, and the development of animal husbandry had boosted the local economy.

However, from the late 1980s to the beginning of this century, due to various factors, the wetlands and lakes in Madoi decreased, grassland vegetation degraded, the water conservation capacity dropped sharply and biodiversity was impacted.

To restore the ecological environment, the county government implemented a series of measures, including initiating ecological migration programs, imposing a grazing ban in certain areas, and encouraging local herders to participate in ecological protection. The measures have proven effective, reversing the trend of deterioration in the local ecology.

Rangers patrol the core area of Sanjiangyuan National Park in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, April 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

In addition to these government efforts, institutes, grassroots workers, and locals also play their roles in the ecological conservation of Sanjiangyuan.

Jamwang Phuntsog works at the public security bureau of Zhidoi County, Qinghai's Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, through which the Yangtze River flows. In 2010, he set up an environmental protection volunteer team to pick up garbage in Sanjiangyuan during his spare time, together with volunteers from other professions.

The Shan Shui Conservation Center, an organization focused on nature conservation, cooperated with herder cooperatives to organize them in carrying out snow leopard observation in the Lancang River source region. This has not only increased the herders' incomes but also boosted ecological protection.

The success of China's national parks thus far has been in large part due to efforts at involving local communities in the protection of wildlife and habitats. The completion of the national parks project by 2035 will see a massive expansion of such community involvement, according to analysts.

INTEGRATING ECOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Li Chunliang, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, described the release of the new spatial layout plan as another landmark achievement in the development of China's national park. Li said it is of great significance in guiding the high-quality development of national parks and building the world's largest national park system.

The parks envisaged in the plan will feature various ecosystems, spanning from forests and grasslands to wetlands and deserts, involving over 700 existing nature reserves, as well as 10 world natural heritage sites.

The plan also states that local residents and the public will be directly involved in the protection, construction and management of national parks through franchising, voluntary service and ecological protection positions, to enjoy the ecological benefits brought by national parks.

Tibetan antelopes are pictured in Hoh Xil, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Photo by Song Zhongyong/Xinhua)

The power of national parks to simultaneously benefit nature and human populations can be seen clearly in the case of Sanjiangyuan National Park, where local communities have profited both directly and indirectly from conservation efforts.

According to official statistics, over the past decade, water conservation in the Sanjiangyuan area has risen by over 6 percent on average each year, while grassland coverage has increased by over 11 percent and grass output increased by 30 percent.

The populations of wild animals and plants have continued to increase in the Sanjiangyuan area. The population of Tibetan antelopes -- a species under first-class national protection in China -- in Hoh Xil has increased from less than 20,000 in the 1990s to over 70,000.

Meanwhile, each herder household living inside the Sanjiangyuan National Park has been offered a job opportunity as a ranger with an annual income of over 21,000 yuan. Currently, more than 17,000 rangers work in the park.

Jamwang Phuntsog's environment protection volunteer team has been enlarged to include more than 90 members, most of them herders.

"I am a guardian of the grassroots green culture. Nowadays, the local scenery of green mountains, grass and flowing water reminds me of my childhood," said Jamwang Phuntsog.

(Video reporters: Mi Yingting, Lin Kai, Zhou Xuan, Guo Liangchuan, Han Fangfang, Jiang Mingming, Xiao Yonghang, Yang Jin; Video editors: Liu Yutian, Cao Ying, Chen Sihong, Wang Han) 
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 11 others wounded in a collision between a bus and a truck in the central Iranian province of Markazi on Thursday, Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.

A technical malfunction in the bus's brake system led to the accident that occurred on an intercity road at 6:30 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), Mohammad Pourshams, Markazi's traffic police chief, was quoted as saying.

The bus, which carried 20 passengers, who were all workers of a thread production company, overturned as a result of the collision, he added. 
ANKARA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom to protest the "terror propaganda" against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ministry conveyed Turkiye's reaction over the anti-Erdogan protests held by the supporters of Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Sweden's capital Stockholm on Wednesday, the semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted anonymous diplomatic sources as saying.

The ambassador was informed that Ankara condemned and protested "this heinous act" and demanded such acts not be allowed, said the report.

Ankara emphasized its expectation that Sweden will fulfill its commitments, it added.

A group of protestors hung a puppet likened to Erdogan by feet and shared its video footage on social media affiliated with the PKK, according to the agency.

Sweden, together with Finland, applied to join NATO in mid-May last year. But Turkiye, a NATO member, objected to the bids by the two Nordic countries, citing their ties with the PKK and YPG, which is regarded by Ankara as the Syrian branch of the PKK.

On June 28 last year, Turkiye, Sweden and Finland reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) before Ankara lifted its veto ahead of the NATO Madrid summit.

In the MoU, Finland and Sweden pledged to support Turkiye's fight against terrorism, agreeing to address Ankara's "pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly."

The Turkish parliament has not ratified the Nordic countries' NATO bids yet, citing that they have not met Turkiye's requests for extraditing anti-Turkish "terrorists," including members of PKK and YPG.

The PKK, listed as a terror organization by Turkiye, the United States and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades. 
JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- With rapid implementation of its hardline policies since taking office two weeks ago, the new Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, considered the most rightist in the country's history, has stirred domestic controversy and international criticism.

"We are not waiting, and I think the citizens of Israel already feel this. We formed a different government, with different policies, and we run things differently," Netanyahu told a meeting of his Likud party on Monday, according to a statement issued on his behalf.

On Wednesday, the new Israeli government unveiled for the first time a detailed plan to weaken the Supreme Court and enhance the government's power in the appointment of judges.

The draft legislation, issued by Yariv Levin, Israel's justice minister and a close associate of Netanyahu, would cancel the Supreme Court's ability to cancel laws passed by the parliament, even when a law is deemed unconstitutional or a violation of basic human rights.

Under the bill, seven of the 11 members of a committee responsible for the appointment of new judges will be chosen by the government, when a majority of no fewer than six members of the committee will be enough to approve appointments.

"We received a clear mandate from the public, to carry out what we promised in the elections and this is what we will do," Netanyahu, who is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges, told Monday's Likud meeting.

In a letter of protest issued on Thursday, signed by seven former attorneys general and four other former senior legal officials, denounced the proposed changes, saying they will destruct Israel's legal system.

"We call on the government to withdraw the proposed plan and prevent serious harm to the justice system and the rule of law," the letter read.

The legal system is not the only dangerous line the new Israeli government is trying to cross.

On Jan. 3, just a few days after the new government was sworn in, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a sensitive site in East Jerusalem holy to both Muslims and Jews and a long-time focal point of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

This visit drew a strong backlash from the Muslim world, including the Gulf states that have normalized relations with Israel, and even a warning from the United States.

More worryingly, Ben-Gvir, who holds criminal convictions for inciting racism against Palestinians and supporting Jewish terrorism, instructed on Sunday the police to confiscate Palestinian flags presented in public, although the Palestinian flag is not banned under Israeli law.

The new coalition has also taken punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority. On Jan. 6, the Israeli security cabinet decided to cut about 39.6 million U.S. dollars from the tax money the Israeli government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and freeze building permits in Area C, which is under full Israeli control in the occupied West Bank.

The decision came after the Palestinian Authority's approach to the International Court of Justice in the Hague for an opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's 55-year occupation of Palestinian territories.

The punitive steps were taken as a "response to the Palestinian Authority's decision to wage political and legal war against the State of Israel," Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Jan. 6.

Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, on which the Palestinians want to establish an independent state, and has since controlled or besieged them despite a Palestinian struggle and international criticism. Under coalition agreements, Netanyahu vowed to annex parts of the West Bank. 
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C, Front) speaks at a Security Council meeting on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on all member states to uphold the vision and the values of the UN Charter and the rule of law in particular.

"First and foremost, I urge all member states to uphold the vision and the values of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to abide by international law," the UN chief told a Security Council meeting on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Noting that the rule of law is "foundational to the United Nations, and to our mission of peace," and that the cornerstone of the rule of law is that "all people, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the state itself, are accountable before the law," the top UN official said the rule of law protects the vulnerable, and prevents discrimination, harassment and other abuses.

"It is our first line of defense against atrocity crimes, including genocide. It creates and bolsters trust in institutions. It supports fair, inclusive economies and societies. And it is the basis of international cooperation and multilateralism," he said.

The debate on this topic at the Security Council, said Guterres, "sends a strong message that ensuring the rule of law is our priority, and that all countries must adhere to international standards."

"We are at grave risk of the Rule of Lawlessness," he warned.

The rule of law is foundational to efforts by the United Nations to find peaceful solutions to all these conflicts, disasters and crises and more, and to support the most vulnerable people and communities around the world, said the UN chief.

"I count on member states to support our efforts to promote the rule of law across the board, including on this council," he added.

While the challenges are many, the primacy of the rule of law is essential to the maintenance of international peace and security and for peacebuilding efforts, he said. "I urge member states to make full use of the rule of law as a preventive tool."

He also urged the international community to reinforce the rule of law as a key enabler to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, noting that "Goal 16 on access to justice for all and effective, inclusive and accountable institutions is a critical enabler for the other SDGs."

Turning to his report on Our Common Agenda, Guterres said it calls for a new vision for the rule of law "that is an opportunity to reset and reinforce the centrality of the rule of law in all activities of our organization."

The rule of law is key to addressing existing and future challenges, from nuclear disarmament to the climate crisis, the collapse of biodiversity, pandemics and dangerous diseases, he stressed, adding that the United Nations is uniquely positioned to lead in promoting innovation and progress in accordance with the rule of law.

"There is no other global organization with our legitimacy, convening power and normative impact," he said. 
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister on Thursday condemned a deadly "terror" attack outside Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry in the capital Kabul, saying terrorism is the common enemy of all regional states.

During a phone call with Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan's Taliban-run administration, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the "terrorist attack" was "very saddening" and Iran vigorously condemns it, according to a statement posted on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

Amir-Abdollahian likened Wednesday's attack in Kabul to a deadly "terrorist attack" at the Shahcheragh shrine in Iran's southern city of Shiraz in late October of 2022, calling for a "united policy" to confront terrorists.

For his part, Muttaqi underlined the necessity of fighting terrorism decisively through cooperation among all neighboring states.

At least five civilians were killed in a suicide blast outside the foreign ministry in Kabul on Wednesday, said Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran. 
JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israel's hi-tech exports, excluding services, rose by about 18 percent in 2022, said an annual foreign trade report released by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.

Israel's exports of hi-tech goods amounted to 23.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, compared to 19.98 billion dollars in 2021, the figures showed.

The main hi-tech exports were computers, electronic products and optical products, which increased by 11 percent year on year to 16.7 billion dollars, as well as pharmaceutical products, which jumped by 81 percent year on year.

The latest increase in the hi-tech exports is a continuation of recent years' trend, with more technology companies growing in the software sector, Ohad Cohen, director of the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Economy Ministry, told Xinhua.

"There is a global demand for electronic components, mainly because of the supply difficulties of these products," he noted, adding the global price increases also contributed to the rise in total exports.

Cohen estimated that the growth trend will continue in 2023 despite global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and a shortage of hi-tech workers in Israel.

"From past experience, severe crises did not much affect the Israeli hi-tech, and its exports in particular," he explained.

The report also showed that Israel's total goods exports rose 18 percent year on year to 66.5 billion dollars in 2022, while Israeli imports rose by 16.9 percent to 106.3 billion dollars. 
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Armed groups in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have killed at least 27 civilians so far this week, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, reported that the situation in Djugu territory is tense after raids by members of a coalition of armed groups known as CODECO killed at least 27 people since last weekend, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Supporting the Congolese army, UN peacekeepers conducted patrols in the Roe-Drodo area to protect civilians, Dujarric said.

"This (Thursday) morning, they responded to an exchange of fire between the Congolese army and CODECO in the village of Djodjo," he said. "Members of the armed group fled into the forest. Similarly, UN peacekeepers and the Congolese forces on patrol yesterday (Wednesday) averted another attack by CODECO."

The spokesman said peacekeepers also escorted some civilians back to the site for displaced people in Roe.

The acronym CODECO describes a coalition of armed groups terrorizing Ituri, one of the easternmost provinces in the DRC's mineral-rich east.

While they are variously self-described as the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo, Congo Economic Development Cooperative or by similar terms, they are routinely referred to as members of CODECO. 
Gabonese Minister for the Promotion of Investments Hugues Mbadinga Madiya speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Libreville, Gabon, Dec. 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

LIBREVILLE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Gabon looks forward to more Chinese investments to revitalize its economy and boost bilateral trade, said Gabonese Minister for the Promotion of Investments Hugues Mbadinga Madiya.

"Chinese investments are effective and appreciated by the Gabonese people," Madiya told Xinhua here recently in an exclusive interview.

Investments from China, Gabon's largest trade partner, have contributed greatly to the central African country's socio-economic development, he said.

Calling China a "friendly country," Madiya said people walking around the city of Libreville will see many infrastructures financed by Chinese investors.

Apart from traditional sectors like wood and energy, where Chinese investors are well established, they are also embarking on the construction of special economic zones and industrial parks, which is favorable to tapping the great potential of Gabon, he said.

Madiya said he is "completely confident" with the Chinese economy.

"We have no doubt that the Chinese economy will be able to recover, because the fundamentals are there thanks to its policies to fight against COVID-19," he said.

From Sunday, China started managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, while lifting COVID restrictions on international arrivals.

As the country optimizes its COVID response policies, business delegations from China are heading for global destinations to boost trade and investment in overseas markets.

These decisions "are good news, because we will be able to relaunch investments and move towards a recovery of the world economy," Madiya said.

The Gabonese minister warmly welcomed all interested Chinese investors and entrepreneurs to visit Gabon.

"Virtual communications have their limits. The construction of the economy is all about building relationships between people, between governments and between investors," he added. 

An employee works at a Chinese plastic processing factory in Libreville, Gabon, Dec. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

An employee works at a Chinese bottled water company in Libreville, Gabon, Jan. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

An employee works at a Chinese bottled water company in Libreville, Gabon, Jan. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
WINDHOEK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's government on Thursday launched an integrated food production project to scale up domestic food production, develop agricultural value chains and improve socioeconomic outcomes.

The project launched in Mariental, south-central Namibia, will be supported by partners including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Impact for Africa.

According to a joint statement, the project will develop, prepare and execute an agricultural pilot project, producing numerous high-value crops for local and international markets, and is anticipated to span over 100 hectares, with the pilot phase beginning on an initial five hectares.

Furthermore, the project is expected to bolster agricultural production, boost the local economy and create a long-term pathway for self-sufficiency.

"As Namibia continues on the momentous task of zero hunger by 2030, joint ventures, such as these, are a critical imperative for achieving this goal and for springboarding the achievement of food security and leveraging expertise and resources to accelerate progress toward zero hunger," read the statement.

In addition to supporting an increase in productivity, the partners will work to improve access to markets, technology, capacity, skills, and knowledge required to develop a robust, diversified, and resilient initiative, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the partnership is set to be catalytic in developing cutting-edge proof of concepts that will tackle the complex, rapidly evolving issues relative to transformative food systems, economic transformation, social protection and progression, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The WFP, whose mandate is to provide humanitarian and development assistance and assist nations to achieve zero hunger by 2030, works with partners in numerous countries in saving lives and changing lives, delivers food assistance in emergencies, and works with communities to improve food and nutrition security. 
Summertown Interiors, the UAEs leading fit out contractor specialising in sustainable interiors, said it has completed the refurbishment of LinkedIns Mena headquarters located in Business Central Tower, Dubai.

The revamp work on the 1,600-sq-m two-floor office was done in close collaboration with Dubai-based architectural and design consultancy SAY Studio, project management specialists CBRE Project Management and engineering consultancy firm Cundall.

On the project, Summertown Interiors said the refurbishment was a reflection of LinkedIns mission to connect the worlds professionals to make them more productive and successful.

The team brought this concept to life by creating a physical space that embraces a creative and welcoming hybrid working environment.

The fitout contractor said LinkedIn was aiming to attain both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and WELL Health-Safety Rating Gold Certifications for the new sustainable interior project.

Marcos Bish, Managing Director, Summertown Interiors, said: "It was inspiring to work on such a dynamic and sustainable fit out project for LinkedIn, which was highly tailored to their people and future-focused business model."

"We are delighted that LinkedIn are aiming for both LEED and WELL Gold certified ratings for their new workspace; and hope the LinkedIn team enjoys their new workspace for years to come," he noted.

Some of the key highlights of the new sustainable workplace include collaborative working spaces; a multifunctional training room and dedicated media recording room; a welcoming cafe with a micro-kitchen co-working space; and a well-equipped mothers room and social games room.

The result is a dynamic blend of workspaces that are welcoming and inspiring for LinkedIns employees, stated Bish.

"From desks turned into alternative settings to promote more flexible working styles to meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology to embrace hybrid work for a clear, collaborative experience, the design team prioritised creating a community of new experiences that helps to foster team collaboration and creativity," he explained.

Bish said a key challenge in delivering this complex workspace was to ensure all stakeholders were kept informed of the projects progress throughout.

"Our transparent approach to regular progress reporting and clear communication ensured that the project met the high-end quality expectations of the client. We used our Matterport 3D scanning technology to keep all stakeholders connected, which also enabled LinkedIns European team to keep up to date with the refurbishments progress virtually," he added.

James Fee, LinkedIn EMEA Design + Build Lead said Summertown were excellent to work with on our project - from the initial client set up through to opening for First Day of Business."

"They also worked hard to ensure a team first approach was established and maintained; I think this helped promote a unified approach to problem solving from start to end and helped us deliver the project in a short timeframe on site, actively dealing with many global stakeholders," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
OUAGADOUGOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso set up a patriotic support fund as part of the fight against terrorism in the troubled country, said a government report Thursday.

Issued following the council of ministers held Wednesday evening, the statement said the Fund, which will involve 100 billion CFA francs (about 164 million U.S. dollars), is meant to support the actions of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Motherland, the military auxiliaries in the country. Burkina Faso is faced with a spate of terrorist attacks since 2015.

"The establishment of this Fund should assist in achieving the first two tasks assigned to the Transition by the Charter signed on Oct. 14, 2022, especially, restore and strengthen security throughout the country and provide an urgent, efficient and effective response to the humanitarian crisis," read the statement.

Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo said the Fund will be supplied by a levy on drinks, tobacco, telecommunications and gambling activities. He ensured that contributions from public and private workers remain voluntary, for lack of consensus with trade unions.

The government spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said all members of the government decided unanimously to provide a 5 percent contribution of their monthly salaries. 
NEW DELHI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Six members of a family were killed Thursday in a house fire triggered by a leak in a cylinder of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the northern Indian state of Haryana, police said.

The incident took place inside a house at Tehsil Camp area near Bichpari village of Panipat district.

"A residential house caught fire after a cooking gas cylinder blasted following a leak in it," a police official said. "Six people - a couple in their 40s and their four children (two daughters and two sons) were killed in the fire."

According to the police, the victims had migrated from West Bengal state and the couple was working in a factory in Panipat.

Police said they rushed to the spot along with firefighting personnel after neighbors informed them about the smoke coming out of the house.

"The family was living in a one-room rented accommodation. By the time the fire engine reached the spot, the room was reduced to ashes and the bodies were charred," the official said.

"The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and their extended family in West Bengal was informed."

Police have registered a case in this regard and ordered an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Chances of fire in Indian houses and buildings are usually high as people often ignore safety standards vis-a-vis fire. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of 100 million rupees (about 276,243 U.S. dollars) in compensation to the victims of an Easter Sunday attack, a court document showed.

The Supreme Court made the order when the case on the Easter attack was taken up against the former president and some former senior officials, who were found to have violated the fundamental rights of petitioners for failing to take action to prevent the attacks despite receiving credible information.

The court also ruled that former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former State Intelligence Service director Nilantha Jayawardena should pay 75 million rupees (about 207,182 dollars) each in compensation, while former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to pay 50 million rupees (about 138,122 dollars) and former chief of national intelligence Sisira Mendis was ordered to pay 10 million rupees (about 27,624 dollars).

The Easter terror attack by suicide bombers in April 2019 was one of the worst violent incidents recorded in Sri Lanka's history, with over 260 people killed in the blasts. 
by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- More global cooperation is needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Rasmus Bech Hansen, CEO of London-based health data firm Airfinity, has said.

One lesson to learn from the fight against COVID-19 is the importance of international cooperation, Hansen told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The silver lining of all of this is that we can say that all countries are in the same boat right now ... And I think that opens up for a new era of collaboration between countries," Hansen said.

"It's not going to happen the next one or two months because of the wave, we just have to go past this terrible peak. But once we are on the other side of that, I would envision that this opens up for better collaboration," he said.

Commenting on China's response to the pandemic, he said "China was very good at early detection. They're very good at non-medical countermeasures ... which managed to keep China pretty much COVID-free for a long time."

With Omicron much less pathogenic and deadly and China's treatment, testing and vaccination capacity steadily on the rise, China has downgraded its management of the infectious disease of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B, shifting the focus of the response from stemming infection to caring for health and preventing severe cases.

China was "very quick" to develop its own vaccines, and "in the first vaccine waves, they had high levels of vaccinations very early on," he added.

Considering the rapid spread of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, Hansen warned of the risk of new variants emerging this year.

"At the moment, we are in a situation where many countries short-term will want to have more testing," he said.

"Vaccines are a cornerstone that saved 15 to 20 million lives. Vaccination is a key component to counter any future pandemic threat," Hansen said. 
KIEV, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is tightening up the defense of its border with Belarus, said Serhiy Nayev, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Thursday.

"We professionally perform the tasks assigned to us, and gradually increase our defense capabilities," Nayev was quoted as saying by the Joint Forces' press service.

At the same time, he stressed that the current situation at the border with Belarus does not pose a direct threat of a ground offensive against Ukraine.

Ukraine is in contact with its foreign partners, such as the United States and Poland, over the situation at the Ukraine-Belarus border, Nayev said.

Last year, Ukraine started constructing a wall along its border with Belarus, which includes a ditch, a reinforced concrete fence and barbed wire, among other barriers.

Ukraine and Belarus share a border of about 1,000 km. 
HELSINKI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The learning outcomes and education levels among young people in Finland have weakened since the 1990s, found a report published by the country's Ministry of Education and Culture on Thursday.

The report is the first review of the development of education and culture in the country over the past decades.

Education levels in Finland have remained stagnant since the 1990s, and young people's learning outcomes have been decreasing steadily since the turn of the century, the report said.

The differences in learning outcomes related to the social background have become more obvious than before.

According to the report, the major reason for the drop in learning outcomes was the cuts in funding for education, particularly during and in the immediate aftermath of Finland's deep recession in the 1990s.

In 1990, public expenditure on education was 4.6 percent of the gross domestic product. In 2020 the corresponding share was 4.4 percent.

Finland is no longer the most educated nation, Anita Lehikoinen, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture, commented to national broadcaster Yle on Thursday.

"Our young people are no longer the most knowledgeable. You might think that big and quite radical changes would have to be made," Lehikoinen was quoted by Yle as saying.

The Finnish population's level of education has been decreasing for a few decades, the report said.

In international comparison, the level of education in Finland has fallen since the heydays of the 1990s. For example, the percentage of people with a higher level of qualification has not risen since then, while other countries have seen significant progress.

Aleksi Kalenius, special advisor at the Ministry of Education and Culture, told Yle that Finland was well below the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average in 2020.

However, due to favorable developments in higher education research from the late 2010s, those born in the 1990s may end up having a higher level of education than those born at the end of the 1970s, the report said.

Finland lacks a social consensus on whether it should invest more boldly in raising educational attainment, Lehikoinen acknowledged. 
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tesla has filed a plan to regulators of the U.S. state of Texas to invest about 770 million U.S. dollars for the expansion of its factory near Austin, according to a report by the TechCrunch on Wednesday.

The filings to the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration show the company plans to build new facilities at the site this year, including one for battery cell testing and another manufacture cathode and drive units. Tesla also plans to build a die shop at the factory site, according to the registration.

The expansion comes less than a year after the factory's official opening. The Tesla factory in Austin officially opened in April 2022.

The factory is used to assemble Model Y vehicles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said once the Texas factory achieves volume production, the company will focus on the production of Cybertruck, which is supposed to begin this summer. 
Georgian authorities waiting for Saakashvili to become disabled, says political scientist 12 January, 03:23 PM Mikheil Saakashvili participates via video link in a court hearing considering the possibility of his early release due to his health condition, December 22 (Photo:REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)

The Georgian authorities are doing all they can to make sure former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili is disabled, Georgian political scientist Gela Vasadze said in an interview with Radio NV on Jan. 11.

Asked whether the Georgian authorities would simply let Saakashvili die in jail or a prison hospital, Vasadze said: Most likely, no.

Read also: Saakashvili slams Georgia for refusal to return missile systems to Ukraine

Most likely, it will simply lead to the fact that he will become disabled. Theyre waiting for irreversible processes. They wont hand him over to the United States.

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Vasadze claimed that the Georgian authorities were torturing Saakashvili because they are afraid of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

He said that he used to think that the only person whom the Georgian authorities could listen to was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but now he considers U.S. President Joe Biden to be such a person as well.

There is no one else, unfortunately, he said.

But I dont see any steps on the part of the United States. And of course, they dont listen to Ukraines opinion.

The political scientist reiterated that the Georgian authorities were paying no heed to the position of human rights defenders and rallies in support of Saakashvili, and over the seven months that he has been in the hospital his condition has been getting worse.

They claim that he is pretending and could stay in prison, Vasadze said.

But its obvious theyre afraid to release Saakashvili, because in this case Putins revenge could be instant.

He said that Saakashvili had been the first to challenge Putin. In turn, Putin vowed to destroy Saakashvili and hes destroying him.

Vasadze also confirmed that Putins revenge against Saakashvili has been going on for years, because (Putin) is a petty, vindictive creature.

Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Jan. 8 that Ukraine had officially appealed to the Georgian government to transfer Saakashvili for medical treatment.

On Dec. 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for Saakashvili to be sent for medical treatment abroad.

Saakashvili, who also served as governor of Odesa Oblast from 2015-2016 and holds Ukrainian citizenship, has been behind bars since his return to Georgia on the eve of local elections in the autumn of 2021. He had not been in the country since his second term as president ended in 2013.

Saakashvili has claimed that he was imprisoned for political reasons, and has gone on hunger strike several times in an effort to secure his release.

Read also: Saakashvili slams Georgia for refusal to return missile systems to Ukraine

According to a statement made by Saakashvilis lawyers, family, and supporters, as a result of a hunger strike and improper treatment in prison, the former presidents health is deteriorating seriously, and he needs treatment abroad. Reportedly, Saakashvili has been diagnosed with dementia and tuberculosis, according to attorney Shalva Khachapuridze.

Currently, Saakashvili is said to have been transferred from prison to the Vivamedi medical clinic in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.



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A comprehensive reappraisal of energy systems is urgently needed to prioritise solutions that simultaneously enhance energy security while accelerating the transition towards a just, low-carbon future, says a report.

The new report, Securing the Energy Transition, published today by the World Economic Forum, proposes a comprehensive framework that provides a strategic blueprint to make security and resilience the backbone of a transitioing energy system, and 10 actions to align current interventions to address the energy crisis with long term energy transition goals.

The energy crisis has brought energy security to the forefront of political and corporate agendas and prompted the need to develop responses that are adapted to how the energy system has evolved and to where it needs to transition, said Roberto Bocca, Head of Shaping the Future of Energy, Materials and Infrastructure, World Economic Forum. What is now a global crisis is a real opportunity to steer a more direct course towards a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future for everyone. This requires radical collaboration and a pragmatic approach to confront the complexities of the energy transition with immediate actions.

Opportunities and risks

Energy systems in transition face opportunities and risks from changing energy markets as well as from increasingly decentralised, digitalised, decarbonised and distributed energy supplies  which necessitates a re-evaluation of energy security in the emerging context.

The report proposes a comprehensive framework for a secure energy system to guide countries and policy-makers to plan strategic actions, policies and regulations.

The near-term consequences of the energy crisis require immediate interventions  but these responses offer a valuable opportunity to accelerate progress towards a future for energy that is both secure and sustainable.

No short-term fixes

The energy crisis impacts us all and the world cannot afford short-term fixes to the energy crisis which could increase future risks to both the climate and energy equity. The good news is that the crisis offers an opportunity for interventions that balance energy security with an effective low-carbon transition, said Espen Mehlum, Head of Energy, Material and Infrastructure Program, World Economic Forum

The report proposes 10 immediate actions organised under four key themes:

Supply reinforcements

Prioritise supply from renewable energy and constrain fossil fuel reinforcements to committed emission reduction targets  the IEA recommends $5 of investment in renewables for every $1 spent on new fossil fuel production.

Advocate for a diversified energy and trade matrix  an over-concentration on a few energy suppliers was a key contributor to the current energy crisis.

Address methane leakage from hydrocarbon supply chains  the climate benefits of natural gas are no better than coal if more than 3.4% of it escapes before combustion, but some fields have fugitive emission rates of 6% or more.

Demand management

Maximise electrification and energy efficiency to alleviate and decarbonise demand  high gas prices in the near term will enhance the economics of investing in efficiencies and electrifying industries and home heating.

Nudge social behaviour towards responsible energy consumption  globally the top 10% of households consume roughly 20 times more energy than the bottom 10%, but targeted public information and incentives could encourage top-end consumers to become more efficient.

Fiscal measures and investments

Leverage excess profits from energy market to bridge clean energy investment gap  to reach net zero, investments in clean energy needs significant increase. Immediate deployment that can be achieved also through leveraging the extra profits  estimated in 4 trillions- that have been realised in some parts of the energy markets.

Target vulnerable consumers with fiscal measures, without interfering in market signals  government incentives and subsidies to improve energy affordability should avoid distorting market signals, be more targeted, and incentivise continued investment by private sector and efficient consumption.

Provide reliable signals to investors in energy supply and infrastructure  clear guidance is needed from policy-makers on the outlook for gas demand alongside acceleration of low-carbon sources.

Co-ordination and long-term strategy

Co-ordinate with regional peers to maximise efficiency and minimise costs  for example, joint procurement and co-ordinateed new LNG import facility installation to prevent overcapacity and stranded assets.

Revisit energy security strategies considering shifting technology and fuel landscape  this crisis provides an opportunity for countries to comprehensively redesign their approaches to energy security.

While governments are primarily responsible for ensuring their countries energy security, addressing this crisis in a sustainable manner will require exceptional levels of engagement from and collaboration between governments, companies, international organisations and individual consumers.-- TradeArabia News Service
Ukraine denies media reports on alleged request to EU not to sanction Belarus 12 January, 04:16 PM The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that a number of sanctions have been imposed on Belarus (Photo:NV)

Ukraine has denied media reports that the Ukrainian authorities requested that Belarus not be included in the latest EU sanctions packages, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleg Nikolenko said in a post on Facebook on Jan. 12.

Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak tweeted on Jan. 12 that one of the reasons why Belarus hasnt been sanctioned together with Russia in the EUs last sanctions packages is that Ukraine has requested that Minsk is to be kept out.

Read also: EU comes forward with new sanctions against Belarus and Iran

In turn, Nikolenko said this information doesnt correspond to reality.

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Were aware of the discussion between the EU member states regarding the further synchronization of sanctions imposed on Russia, the official said.

At the same time, according to our information, there is currently no consensus within the European Union. Ukraine and its partners are now actively working on the most meaningful composition of the 10th EU sanctions package  the adoption of which is long overdue.

Nikolenko reiterated that many sectoral and personal sanctions have already been imposed on Belarus, including ones against Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, the military command, propagandists, 25 state bodies, and military and industrial complex companies.



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Ukraines Congress of Judges elects eight HCJ members, activists criticize picks 12 January, 05:00 PM Serhiy Burlakov is one of the newly elected representatives of the Ukraines Congress of Judges (Photo:rsu.gov.ua)

The delegates of the 19th Extraordinary Congress of Judges of Ukraine on Jan. 12 elected all eight members of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) according to their quota, but some of the picks have come in for criticism from anti-corruption activists.

Five members of the HCJ were elected on Jan. 11, while another three were elected on Jan. 12.

According to the results of the second round of secret voting, the following judges were elected:

judge of the Civil Court of Cassation under the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Serhiy Burlakov;

judge of the Mykolayiv Court of Appeal Tetiana Bondarenko;

judge of the Kherson district administrative court Olena Kovbiy;

judge of the Economic Court of Donetsk Oblast Yuliia Bokova;

judge of the Kharkiv Court of Appeal Alla Kotelevets;

judge of the Northern Court of Appeal Olha Popikova;

judge of the Lviv district administrative court Oleksandr Sasevych;

judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Hryhoriy Usyk.

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The election of members of the HCJ according to the quota of the Congress of Judges will allow unblocking the work of the judicial self-government body, many processes in the judiciary related to the work of courts and personnel issues, as well as continuing the implementation of judicial reform.

At the same time, the Anti-Corruption Action Center and head of its executive board, Vitaliy Shabunin, have already criticized most of the choices of judges to sit on the HCJ.

Shabunin said in a Telegram messenger post that there are very serious questions about seven out of eight judges.

He noted that Burlakov and Bokova visited Russia and Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea, Bondarenko hid the facts of traffic violations, and Kotelevets did not take into account the results of the forensic examination during the consideration of the case about a road accident and reduced the compensation to the victim.

Popikova has omitted some real estate in her income declarations for several years, while Usyk privatized an office apartment in Kyiv, having previously transferred two of his own apartments to his sons.

All of them will cover for judges who commit the same actions, Shabunin said.

They have connections with Russia, lie in their income declarations, make decisions outside of the workplace, and tell tales about winnings worth millions, and gifts. It is especially sad that the Moscow patriarchate in gowns is elected to key positions at a time when Ukraine is waging an exhausting war for freedom and independence.

The Center confirmed that Burlakov and his relatives had visited Russia after the start of the Russian occupation of Crimea.

As of 2018, the judges father lived in Russia and was a Russian citizen.

Bondarenko also has connections with Russia. Her brother is a citizen of Russia, and her sister periodically travels there.

Ten HCJ members submitted letters of resignation ahead of time on Feb. 22. It was explained by the fact that the Ethics Council had started evaluation procedures for all members of the Council, except for the head of the Supreme Court.

This made the possibility of further work of the HCJ directly dependent on the decisions and actions of the Ethics Council, while the Councils work in conditions of such dependence violated the guarantees of the independent activities of its members, according to the HCJ.

In late May, the Ethics Council resumed conducting interviews for the High Council of Justice, which began in February. However, non-government organizations criticized it for its decision to hold the interviews with the candidates behind closed doors and to conduct them without online broadcasting  this was explained by martial law.

The High Council of Justice submits applications for the appointment of judges, makes decisions on violations by judges or prosecutors, may dismiss judges from their positions, and gives consent to their detention.



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Ukraines General Staff warns of growing threat of missile strikes from Belarus 12 January, 02:40 PM Mi-24 helicopters were flown to one of the airfields in Belarus (Photo:Wikimedia)

Russia is building up its military aviation group on the territory of Belarus under the guise of joint drills scheduled for Jan. 16, Deputy Chief of Ukraines General Staff Oleksiy Hromov said during a briefing on Jan. 12.

He said that the threat of missile and air strikes launched from Belarus on the territory of Ukraine is growing.

The enemy is building up an aviation group in Belarus under the guise of training, Hromov said.

At least 10 Mi-8 and Mi-24-type helicopters were transferred to the Machulishchy airfield last week. It is also expected that operational and tactical aircraft will be relocated to Belarusian airfields.

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Hromov also said there might be flights of Russian long-range aircraft in Belarusian airspace.

Taking into account the above, the threat of air missile strikes, and the use of kamikaze drones on the territory of Ukraine from the airspace of Belarus is growing, he said.

Read also: Lukashenko reveals what he and Putin talk about during their informal Kremlin meetings

Russia and Belarus will conduct joint tactical air exercises from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1, with the involvement of aviation units.

Military drills on the territory of Belarus have been continuing since April 29, 2022. The last time Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko extended them was on Jan. 2.

During the last few days, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring project reported the arrival of several echelons with Russian military personnel to Belarus. Russia also continues to transfer its military equipment there.

U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Dec. 23 that Moscow has been setting up conditions for a renewed invasion of northern Ukraine  possibly aimed at Kyiv  since at least October 2022. However, there remains no evidence that Moscow is actively preparing a strike force in Belarus.

According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, there are currently around 10,000 Russian troops deployed in Belarus.

On Dec. 27, 2022, State Border Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko said that no enemy strike groups were being formed on the territory of Belarus, and that the situation on the border with Belarus remains under control.

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UN peace formula summit to take place in New York on Feb. 24, says Ukrainian diplomat 12 January, 07:10 PM Bodnar revealed the first details of the preparations for the summit on the peace formula (Photo:Vasyl Bodnar/Facebook)

The summit on the peace formula initiated by Ukraine will be held at UN headquarters in New York on the anniversary of Russias invasion on Feb. 24, 2023, Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar has said, Turkeys Anadolu news agency reported on Jan. 12.

Bodnar said that Ukraine was ready for peace and therefore earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a peace formula consisting of 10 points.

Bodnar also added that Kyiv has an international right to self-defense.

"The situation at the front is difficult, and if Russian troops are attacking from other areas, the situation may worsen, so we need to be prepared for any scenario," he stated.

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At the same time, Bodnar stressed that there was hope for peace, but it would be possible only if Russian troops are completely withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine, and the world puts pressure on Moscow, demanding that it halt is military activities in Ukraine.

"This is a war for liberation and independence, the diplomat concluded.

We need to liberate our lands, restore our territorial integrity, and establish sovereign rights on our sovereign lands. This is the main element of the whole war.

Zelenskyy presented a ten-point formula for peace at the G20 summit in November. It includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for aggression, and security guarantees for Ukraine. Kyiv has invited its foreign partners each to take the lead in one of the points of the plan.

In December, Zelenskyy said that a summit on the peace formula could take place in February, but no specific date was given.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued its war against Ukraine, rejecting talks on Zelenskyys peace formula, while offering no peace proposals of its own.

Ukrainian authorities and military commanders talk about the possible preparation of a new offensive by Russian troops on Ukrainian cities.

The direct participation of Belarus in the war against Ukraine is also not ruled out.

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Three options for the future of Russia 12 January, 01:30 PM

A group of think tanks gathered together and analyzed possible scenarios for the development of the situation in Russia. About 15 contingencies were drawn up, which fall into three main groups.

Group 1: a consolidation of power, which will end in the continuation of the war  either immediately, or after a couple of years of Russia having regained strength, or after a whole generation (at best).

Group 2: chaos and civil war of all against all. This is a threatening scenario not only for Ukraine (because of nuclear weapons and refugees), but also for Europe, and especially the United States, as it would allow the whole of Russia to then fall like an easy trophy into the hands of China, which is already getting too strong.

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The decolonization of Russia is possible and desirable

Group 3 (scenarios which are unlikely, but worth examining): the peaceful reconstruction of the imperial space. If the empire of the USSR peacefully disintegrated in 1991, and its parts continued their lives as different independent countries, then this process simply has to be repeated. Here I would like to emphasize the most important thing: the fate of Russia, its territories, and peoples is the business of the peoples who currently live on the territory of the empire. After all, you and I are not imperialists. We will not capture anyone and impose our will. We will not allow a dying dragon to bite us and turn us into a dragon instead. We do not defend democracy and freedom to become a small copy of Russia, an unfree authoritarian country with imperial inclinations.

According to the previous official Russian census (not the one that was conducted a couple of years ago, where data on national composition remains classified), whose data is still available on the Internet, 22% of the inhabitants of Russia are not ethnic Russians. But experts say that this number could be twice as high, because we know how people can put themselves down as ethnic Russians. By the way, Ukrainians should have a certain empathy for all these peoples, because we were the same as them for hundreds of years  oppressed, Russified, with a murdered culture, with money drained at the expense of our resources, and forced to be mobilized for imperial wars of aggression.

Therefore, the decolonization of Russia is possible and desirable.

What can Ukrainians do here?

Read also: Oleg Zhdanov What is happening around Soledar and what is the Russian army preparing for in Belarus

The first practical thing: Everyone can believe that the Russian empire can and must fall apart. Not to repeat narratives about the "ditch with crocodiles," about"let them all kill each other there," or about how we "must kill all 140 million" (this is physically impossible and it would be the biggest humanitarian disaster in the history of mankind), but to understand: the only path to the long-term security of Ukraine, Europe, and the whole world (at least until the end of the century), is the decolonization of the empire and the reconstruction of the post-imperial space. This means that there will be many new independent states. I am sure that the vast majority of them will be great friends of Ukraine, or if not great, at least reliable trade partners.

The second practical thing: The Ukrainian state must formulate an official position on this matter. This position has not yet been formed, because it concerns the future, and the state is now forced to deal with the present (we need weapons, support, and money). But we still need to draw this picture of the future, because until we have a picture of the post-war world order, the war cannot end. It will continue until the moment until there is a common picture of the post-war world order among Ukraine and its allies.

Third: We must convince our allies that the safest path for all of us is the peaceful reconstruction of the post-imperial space. No one is interested in the continuation of the war, as it is exhausting not only the Ukrainian, but also the world economy. It is creating huge electoral problems for all politicians around the world, so the war must be ended as soon as possible. And for this, it is necessary to give Ukraine the necessary resources, first and foremost military ones. End the war quickly to end the empire, create a new normal order on its territory, and begin to restore everything that has been destroyed. This is a better option than dragging out the war for who knows how long, counting on who knows what.

And finally: Stop believing in "good Russians." After all, they are now occupying European capitals, European discourse in the media, universities, and political structures, telling everyone that "Putin will die and the next day democracy will be established in Russia." This is not to be.

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Kanchan Rai started Ghumante to travel all over Nepal.

Whats in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Shakespeares superfamous line from his masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, undermines the importance of a name given to anyone, but for Ghumante, the name is everything.

The word means a traveller in Nepal, and this very definition has been an identity for Kanchan Rai and some of his friends. They have a loose network of travellers who create travel vlogs and post on YouTube and social media under the name of Ghumante. For the viewers, Ghumante is a person more than a group.

Sometimes Ghumante climbs the snow-covered peaks; other times, it wanders wildly on the plains of the Terai. Sometimes it relaxes on the bases and other times travels through the hills. A busy traveller, through and through

Where is Ghumante? From Churiyamai to Nar Phu Valley, from Darchula to Taplejung, Ghumante has been everywhere. And, it is pointless to ask where have you reached so far because the list of places Ghumante has not reached is shorter.

I just arrived in Kathmandu from Kaski yesterday. It is my job to travel, so wherever I can go, I end up travelling, says Rai, the founder of the Ghumante team.

The travelling geek

Rai, a native of Khotang, says travelling is his life.

Rai was living abroad and working for an IT company, but his desire to explore Nepal made him the Ghumante. Thus, he along with his team created travel vlogs.

Whenever he sees photos of the glimmering snow-capped mountains or the calm water casting the shadows of clouds, be it the photos of colourful flowers blooming or the plains that stretched to infinity, he felt like he was missing a lot of things and the opportunity to travel.

My sisters and friends used to come back from travelling, and I used to get restless seeing them; thinking how people are travelling and I am here in one place.

But to travel, one needs money and equipment. Who will give me the money just so that I want to travel?

However, now, he realises money is not the first requirement, it is ones willpower, determination, and confidence. And, these three qualities made Ghumante and took Rai to all the corners of the country familiarising him with the soil of his country and its vibrancy.

Travelling brought himand other members of the Ghumante teamnot only work and money but name and fame also. When they see me, they ask for a photo, shake hands, and make acquaintances.

Travelling is life

But, how, when, and where did Ghumante start travelling?

After I left my job in IT, I started working as a freelancer and had enough time and some money, Rai says, So I started exploring hills around Kathmandu with friends.

Soon after, Rai reached Kalinchok in Dolakha, then Helambu and Mustang. He says travelling makes people addicted. Travelling was also an escape from the confinement of the house. So, he would gather friends and go on the trip.

I dont like to travel alone at all. I need a friend, he says, A team of four or five people with different tastes would wander having fun and making jokes along the journey.

With time, he learned the art of travelling and his circle of friends also increased.

After they formed the travelling group, Ghumante, they decided to start their journey to the Everest base camp. Everything needed to reach there was prepared, but then, at the last moment, they wanted to change the destination to Panch Pokhari or Sabhapokhari because the EBC was crowded.

I was in Bangkok at that time and we were talking about the trip online. They were all my online friends. Only after I came back to Nepal, I met them.

Then, this group of travellers chose Sabhapokhari as their new destination.

However, it was not easy to travel to the destination and their preparation was not enough. So, the team went to Gupha Pokhari, a peaceful destination, full of solitude. From there, they wanted to take fascinating pictures and videos of the Milky Way band. Our plan to take photos of the Milky Way did not pan out as we imagined, but we were able to experience the first trip of the Ghumante team.

Their second destination was Dolpa, more precisely the Shey Phoksundo lake. This trip encouraged them to travel more, this time to the Api Himal base camp. We chose the destination as it was not crowded and less explored. So, we started exploring such new places, says Rai.

The learning

Travelling around Nepal is not easy.

Happiness is not in the destination but in the journey has become an important lesson for the Ghumante team today. After embarking on a journey, every step is like a surprise. You dont know what youll see, what youll find or experience, he says, Such curiosity keeps the mind occupied. Seeing things you have never seen before and talking to people you have never talked to, your heart melts.

Different people have different appearances and different ways of living. The joy of travelling on foot is that one can get to interact with others wondering about what kind of people will be there?, how do they speak?, how do they make a living?, and how do they enjoy life?.

But, travelling is not always fun; it can also be frustratingnot knowing what is ahead or where to live or what can you eat. You have to take a lot of pain and risk. Sometimes you get to a terrible place. Sometimes it is uncertain whether you will live or die, he says, Other times, you will reach a charming place. And sometimes it will be like playing an adventure game.

The memorable trip

Kanchan Rais heart still beats fast when he remembers a trip to the far west. They had to walk a trail, which was so narrow that only one foot could be placed and they had to grab the grasses tightly for the movement. On such a trail, they walked for hours. If they got off balance even by little, they would fall before they reached their destination.

I had walked many such ways before, but it would be for some 10 to 15 minutes at a time. But here, my muscle got a cramp, but I had to walk anyway,  Rai says, We completed the journey at the risk of our lives: from Kalikot to Badimalika. I thought that trip was the riskiest in my life.

But the recent trip to Bajhang surpassed even that. The trip was so scary that while editing the video, my heart kept pounding, recalling the trip, he adds, After staying there for one night, we returned.

Floods and landslides devastated the area; even the walking path was washed away. So all that was left was a space to step one foot at a time until you reached a village. The village was on a slope. So, if it rained at night, it could wash away the house they were staying in.

Travelling across the country, Ghumante has gathered many such experiences that rarely happen in a persons life. But, Rai says the most important thing is to be able to introduce the country to the world through their vlogs.

This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length.
Representational image: Covid vaccines

Kathmandu, January 12

The government has sought additional 1.5 million doses of the Covid vaccines to administer booster doses in view of increasing infection in neighbouring countries.

The Ministry of Health and Population today wrote to the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (Gavi) for additional dispatch of vaccines. Sagar Dahal, the chief of the Child Health and Immunisation Section, Child Welfare Division, the Department of Health Services, confirmed the writing of a letter to the vaccine alliance for additional doses of vaccines.

Earlier on December 29, the government demanded 1.5 million of booster dose vaccines from the alliance, which has already promised the supplies by coming February 2.

We hope Gavi will respond to us soon this time also.

Nepal is receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent booster from Gavi under the Covax facility.

Meanwhile, the ministry has also urged all people to take booster doses in the wake of the fast spreading of the new variant of coronavirus, BF.7, in neighbouring India and China.
Home  Society  Schools in Nepal to celebrate National Yoga Day on Maghe Sankranti

File: Yoga

Kathmandu, January 12

The Centre for Education and Human Resource Development under the Ministry of Education has directed its lower units to celebrate National Yoga Day at all schools across the country on Maghe Sankranti as per the Nepali calendar.

The day falls on January 15 this year.

As per the instruction, the schools have to organise various functions related to yoga and yoga education on the day.

Before this also, Nepal has been celebrating National Yoga Day on Maghe Sankranti.
Yahoo Espana ha dejado de publicar contenido. Los demas servicios, como Yahoo Mail y el buscador Yahoo Search, no se veran afectados por estos cambios. Te damos las gracias por tu apoyo.
SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiken Group, a global growth agency specializing in assisting global brands with their digital transformation, is pleased to announce several key appointments to its leadership team.

Jan Ong (pictured on the left) & Joshua Ooi (pictured on the right)

In October 2022, Dominic Koh was appointed as CEO of Aiken Digital Vietnam and Global Account Director. Joshua Ooi (pictured on right), who was previously Project Management Office Lead at Aiken Digital, has recently been appointed as General Manager of Aiken Digital APAC and Onyx Island. He will be reporting to Joseph Chua, CEO of Aiken Group.

Kenneth Chiew, who was previously General Manager of Aiken Digital, has taken on a new role as General Manager of Velocity 678, an integrated live commerce arm of Aiken Group. Meanwhile, Jan Ong (pictured on left) has been appointed as Business Director of Aiken Digital's Mastercard account, reporting to Dominic Koh.

Joshua Ooi brings over 15 years of experience in developing insights-led digital campaigns and strong client relationships to his new role as General Manager. He will lead Aiken Digital's strategic planning, business growth and talent development, and act as a thought leader in new business and client partnerships. In his previous role as Partner of Onyx Island, a digital marketing agency, Joshua played an instrumental role in leading the Business team, growing the client portfolio, and expanding the agency's MarTech capabilities.

Jan Ong has been appointed as Business Director, overseeing the Mastercard account of Aiken Digital. Jan has extensive industry expertise, including experience in financial institutions and various merchant verticals (travel, retail, F&B, etc.). During her 6 years at Mastercard Advisors AP, Jan managed several projects, including the launch of Citibank Global Wallet across 14 APMEA markets to spearhead Citi's digital transformation initiatives. She also led various test and learn initiatives in the APAC region, including complex pricing optimization for global F&B clients and A/B testing campaign offers to drive higher customer acquisition, retention, and spend.

Story continues

In her new role, Jan will drive commercial and operational excellence for the Mastercard account of Aiken Digital. She will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Client Services team, and for amplifying the company's brand equity and marketing footprint across established and new digital platforms.

Joseph Chua, CEO of Aiken Group said: "I am excited to welcome these two highly talented individuals to our ever-growing business. Joshua has proven his capabilities in his previous PMO role. His dynamic strategic history and eagerness to explore marketing innovations will elevate our positioning as a whole. Jan's extensive consultancy experience, combined with her professional network, will be beneficial to continuing the success of our business. We believe they have the right mix of skills and expertise to strengthen our business momentum and cement relationships with key players in the agency ecosystem."

Joshua Ooi, General Manager of Aiken Digital APAC and Onyx Island, commented: "I am honoured to take on this role and build upon our success to lead the company into its next phase of growth. We will continue to deliver inspiring work for our partners and clients, creating innovative products of substance. We are only as good as the people we have to deliver success for, so we will further hone our expertise in technological and commercial innovation to become an ecosystem architect that achieves business growth and sustainability for clients."

Jan Ong, Business Director of Aiken Digital's Mastercard account commented: "Having worked across APAC, I have witnessed the evolution of digital needs for brands and consumers in the payment space. There is a paradigm shift in the way consumers interact, engage, and leverage existing and new/emerging technologies in their daily lives. It will be meaningful and exciting to combine the know-how from my previous experiences and build upon Aiken's team and capabilities to help brands/companies make a positive impact."

Aiken Group closed 2022 on a high and is set to chart further growth in 2023. The key appointments accentuate Aiken's strategy to solidify end-to-end business capabilities, aligned with its vision to lead a wave of innovative solutions for clients and partners.

About Aiken Group

Aiken Group is an established growth agency that focuses on developing technology solutions powered by AI to ignite a new generation of growth for companies.

Aiken Group's services include growth consulting, experience design, system development, creative & content development, social commerce and live streaming, ecommerce and SaaS products with end-to-end integrated marketing initiatives.

Aiken has a global footprint with 17 offices worldwide in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Mexico, UAE, US and UK. Founded in 2006 and head-quartered in China, Aiken serves multiple large clients such as Mastercard, Sotheby, L'Oreal and more.

For more information, kindly contact:

Ivan Kon

sg@aikendigital.com

SOURCE Aiken Digital
The future of mining in Saudi Arabia is promising with the unveiling of reserves of minerals valued around SR5 trillion ($1.3 trillion) for exploration, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, has said.

During a penal discussion titled, "Enhancing the mineral development in Africa and West and Central Asia", organised on the sidelines of the International Mining Conference, Al-Khorayef said Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with its endeavour to improve its value chains in gold, phosphate and aluminum. It has also achieved a great progress in laying down the infrastructure for e-cars, he pointed out, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

British Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Grant Shapps also participated in the discussion.

They highlighted the need to take swift action to combat climate change to reach envisioned global objective of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Al-Khorayef underlined that the emerging mining region, extending from Africa to West and Central Asia, needs to swiftly take an action to cope with the increasing global demand on minerals, stressing the role of the United Kingdom to develop reliable supply chains for the entire region and not only for the kingdom.

Al-Khorayef also stressed the global objective of the shift to green energy cannot be realised without international collective efforts.

He also underlined the need for more focused efforts on developing minerals in the region to establish more coherent communities through unified efforts that put in place solutions attract investments and facilitate access to data and technology.

Shapps said there is broad Saudi-British cooperation in the green energy, underlying that Saudi Arabia is the most suitable place to discuss the future of minerals.

The conference saw the participation of more than 200 speakers from the kingdom and various countries on the first day to discuss key issues in minerals and mining industry at the regional and global levels.
LONDON, January 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb+" (Good) of The Bahrain National Insurance Company BSC (c) (BNI) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect BNIs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

BNIs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), robust liquidity, and a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset class. AM Best expects BNIs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level over the medium term, supported by internal capital generation despite relatively high dividend distributions to its parent, Bahrain National Holding Company BSC. Partially offsetting rating factors include high reinsurance dependence and elevated asset risk, with exposure to equities, real estate and unlisted securities representing 51% of shareholders equity at year-end 2021.

BNI has a track record of strong operating performance, demonstrated by five-year (2017-2021) return on equity (ROE) of 14.0%. Improving technical profitability in recent years, following the negative effect one-off reserves strengthening incurred in 2017 and 2018, has supported a solid five-year (2017-2021) weighted average combined ratio of 93.0% (2016-2020: 106.2%). Operating performance remained strong in 2021, translating in a ROE of 20.1% (2020: 18.4%) and a combined ratio of 78.1% (2020: 81.6%). Going forward, AM Best expects the companys returns to remain strong prospectively.

BNI has a well-established franchise as one of the largest non-life insurance companies in Bahrain, where it wrote gross written premium of BHD 27.0 million (USD 72.1 million) in 2021. In particular, the company holds a market-leading position in the motor line of business. Although BNI benefits from a strong brand and good reputation locally, the companys business profile assessment is constrained by its concentration to Bahrains small and highly competitive non-life insurance market.

Story continues

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005624/en/

Contacts

Anna Sheremeteva

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 4397

anna.sheremeteva@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Alex Rafferty, ACA

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0312

alex.rafferty@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

al.slavin@ambest.com
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global battery market size is estimated to increase by USD 229.86 billion between 2022 and 2027. The market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 17.22% during the forecast period - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Battery Market 2023-2027

Global battery market  Vendor analysis

Vendor offerings -

A123 Systems LLC - The company offers batteries that enable fuel economy benefits at incremental cost by utilizing a higher charge acceptance to maximize engine-off time.

Clarios - The company offers batteries that are designed to handle high-discharge conditions and recover from low-charge conditions, supporting a reliable operation.

Cummins Inc. - The company offers batteries with advanced options such as grid-quality power up to 200kW and advanced controls to track battery usage in real time.

EnerSys - The company offers batteries that are designed to meet specific energy storage challenges.

For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global battery market is fragmented, with the presence of several vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer batteries in the market are A123 Systems LLC, Clarios, Cummins Inc., East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc., EnerSys, Exide Industries Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., GS Yuasa Corp., HBL Power Systems Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Korea Battery Co. Ltd., Leoch International Technology Ltd., LG Chem, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., TDK Corp., and Toshiba Corp. and others.

The global battery market is mature owing to the wide applications of batteries in consumer electronics. The demand for batteries is increasing owing to the advanced technologies adopted by major established players. Hence, major players are launching new products and incorporating new technologies. Vendors are also investing in new battery technologies and engaging in M&A. They are investing in new battery technologies and creating environment-friendly products.

Story continues

Global battery market - Customer landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

Global battery market - Segmentation assessment



Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on application (portable batteries, automotive batteries, and industrial batteries) and type (lithium-ion, lead acid, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, and others).

The portable batteries segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. A portable battery is compact and flexible. The demand for portable batteries is rising, with the development of advanced products. Several home appliances, such as calculators, torches, clocks, and timepieces, use portable batteries. The rising popularity of smartphones and tablets is also increasing the use of portable batteries. Hence, the portable battery segment is expected to grow during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global battery market is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global battery market.

APAC is estimated to account for 48% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The demand for batteries is expected to rise in APAC during the forecast period owing to the declining cost of Li-ion batteries. The increasing smartphone adoption rate is also driving the growth of the market - Download a sample report

Global battery market  Market dynamics



Leading driver - The shift in the automotive industry to EVs is driving market growth. The popularity of electric vehicles is growing due to rising concerns about environmental pollution. Several countries have developed policies to reduce air pollution and vehicle emissions. Hence, the proliferation of electric cars will contribute to the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Key trends - Technological developments are a major trend in the market. Batteries have several applications in consumer electronics due to their high energy density. In addition, several vendors are introducing technologies that are new to the market. Wireless charging technology is used in products such as smartphones and smartwatches. Moreover, several suppliers are launching electronic devices equipped with wireless charging technology. These factors will support the growth of the global battery market during the forecast period.

Major challenges - The use of counterfeit batteries is challenging the market growth. Counterfeit products contain toxic ingredients or defective parts, which can pose a risk to consumers. Such products are harmful to the environment, as substances such as toxic dyes and chemicals are often disposed of illegally. These factors will hinder the growth of the global battery market during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this battery market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the battery market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the battery market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the battery market across APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of battery market vendors

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Related Reports:

The consumer battery market size is expected to increase by USD 9.7 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.15%. This report extensively covers the market segmentation by end-user (residential and commercial) and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The e-bike market size is expected to increase by 9.7 million units from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.81%. This report extensively covers the segmentation by type (SLA batteries and Li-ion batteries) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

Battery Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 169 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 17.22% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 229.86 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 15.49 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 48% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled A123 Systems LLC, Clarios, Cummins Inc., East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc., EnerSys, Exide Industries Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., GS Yuasa Corp., HBL Power Systems Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Korea Battery Co. Ltd., Leoch International Technology Ltd., LG Chem, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., TDK Corp., and Toshiba Corp. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. 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.

Browse for Technavio Industrials Market Reports

Table of contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global battery market 2017 - 2021

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

5.4 Threat of new entrants

5.5 Threat of substitutes

5.6 Threat of rivalry

5.7 Market condition

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

6.2 Comparison by Application

6.3 Portable batteries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.4 Automotive batteries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.5 Industrial batteries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.6 Market opportunity by Application

7 Market Segmentation by Type

7.1 Market segments

7.2 Comparison by Type

7.3 Lithium ion - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.4 Lead acid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.5 Nickel metal hydride - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.6 Nickel cadmium - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.8 Market opportunity by Type

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

9.2 Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

11.3 Landscape disruption

11.4 Industry risks

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

12.3 A123 Systems LLC

12.4 Clarios

12.5 Cummins Inc.

12.6 EnerSys

12.7 Exide Industries Ltd.

12.8 Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.

12.9 GS Yuasa Corp.

12.10 Hitachi Ltd.

12.11 LG Chem

12.12 Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

12.13 Panasonic Holdings Corp.

12.14 Robert Bosch GmbH

12.15 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

12.16 TDK Corp.

12.17 Toshiba Corp.

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

13.5 List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Global Battery Market 2023-2027

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Cadre Delivers 1.8x Multiple on Investor Capital Through Asset Sales While Markets Grow Volatile

NEW YORK, January 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cadre, the technology-driven real estate investment manager, today announced the successful sale of an office portfolio in Colorado Springs, CO. Cadres investment in the portfolio generated a 28.1% realized net returns for its investors, highlighting the value discerning investment managers can deliver through institutional-quality deals.1

Through the sale of the Colorado office portfolio, Cadre further adds to its track record of delivering outsized returns to its clients and solidifies its position as a premier online real estate investing platform for individuals, advisors, and institutions. In aggregate, Cadre has delivered an average net IRR of 27.6% to its investors over fourteen total deal exits.1 The Colorado portfolio is the second office investment Cadre exited in recent months  the other, announced in July 2022, achieved a net IRR of 40.2%. The firm has returned more than $460 million in aggregate capital to investors to date.2

While Cadre believes the overall office sector is in the midst of a meaningful transformation, office investments may eventually present compelling investment opportunities in select markets around the country. To this end, Cadre recently published its list of MVP markets highlighting the most promising markets in which select office assets could outperform the national trend over the next 24 months.

"We anticipate that in the coming months and years, we will see a larger push back towards the office, either on a full-time or hybrid basis. In todays uncertain investment landscape, we will continue to evaluate all opportunities we cross with an attractive basis and market-level tailwinds," said Cadres Managing Director and Head of Investments, Dan Rosenbloom. "In completing the lifecycle of our Colorado office portfolio, we have delivered another compelling micro opportunity in a challenging macro environment."

Story continues

Cadres sale of the Colorado office portfolio, comprised of 13 class-A office buildings, achieved a 28.1% net IRR and 1.8x net multiple on invested capital. Cadre secured the portfolio alongside sponsor partner Crescent Real Estate off-market at a meaningful discount to replacement cost. At the time of purchase, Cadre was attracted by the opportunity to own a diversified collection of quality assets with strong existing cash flow and upside potential through additional leasing and the ability to sell assets individually. Located one hour south of Denver, the portfolio offered properties in a tightening office market that had seen seven years with high office occupancy and limited new office space to meet the demand.3 Cadre sold individual assets from the portfolio over a multi-year period, successfully leasing the properties and identifying attractive sale pricing relative to the remaining business plan risk.

"Our most recent portfolio sale demonstrates Cadres agility in uncertain times, working alongside experienced partners to generate returns for our investors," said Ryan Williams, Cadre Founder, Executive Chairman, and Co-Chairman of Cadres Investment Committee. "While we remain highly selective amid uncertainty, our nimble approach to investment management allows us to act quickly when opportunities arise and manage effectively throughout the asset lifecycle."

About Cadre

Cadre is a commercial real estate investment manager that invests alongside individuals and institutions on our tech-driven platform. As a fiduciary, we have a distinct responsibility to investors. Our highly disciplined process features innovations in market selection, asset management, and rigorous due diligence. We are committed to expanding access to this essential asset class, which has long contributed to legacy wealth.

Since inception, Cadre has earned investors 27.6% realized net IRR in more than $5 billion of real estate transactions across the U.S.1 To learn more about Cadre and view the full track record and important disclosures, visit cadre.com/track-record.

Disclaimer

Not Advice: This communication is not to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice in relation to the relevant subject matter; investors must seek their own legal or other professional advice.

Performance Not Guaranteed: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns, or probability projections are not guaranteed and may not reflect actual future performance.

Risk of Loss: All investments involve a high degree of risk and may result in partial or total loss of your investment.

Liquidity Not Guaranteed: Investments offered by Cadre are illiquid and there is never any guarantee that you will be able to exit your investments on the Secondary Market or at what price an exit (if any) will be achieved.

1 Data as of December 1, 2022. IRR calculation represents an equity-weighted average annualized internal rate of return (IRR) for all single-asset realized real estate investments of offerings firm-wide by Cadre since the formation of our Investment Committee on March 31, 2016 through to the date of calculation, after deduction of fees and expenses. Calculations assume no fee breaks or concessions were applied to any underlying offering. Equity multiple represents the investment multiple on equity, which is calculated by dividing the aggregate realized proceeds for the applicable investment after deduction of fees and expenses. Realized and updated target returns are inclusive of all of Cadres completed dispositions. Realized returns are subject to change following final distributions on sold assets. Calculations are generally made as of the date of the sale of the applicable asset and may include targeted proceeds that are to be distributed to the vehicles managed by Cadre (but which have not been realized by the vehicle as of the date of calculation). The calculation of net return figures for each investment pertains to single-asset investment vehicles only. The calculation of net return figures for each investment in a multi-investment fund vehicle is difficult, if not impossible, to prepare with accuracy due to the estimation of fund-wide expenses and other variable fees applicable to each investment that are necessary for such calculations. Returns reflect net performance and are not audited. Other vehicles, such as the Cadre Direct Access Fund LP and parallel vehicles, are also participants in these investments.

2 Gross Distributions to Investors refers to the sum of any income distributions, sale gains, and return of capital without deduction for any investor-specific withholding or preferred equity payments. Updated on 12/1/2022.

3 Source: CoStar, Colorado Springs Northeast & Southeast submarkets. Data as of October 9, 2018.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005024/en/

Contacts

Patrick Lovett

patrick@cadre.com
China will support reconstruction efforts in the northern region of Ethiopia devastated by the Tigray war, newly appointed Foreign Minister Qin Gang said.

Qin made the pledge during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, his first stop on a week-long tour of five African nations.

Beijing was willing to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields and would "encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Ethiopia and participate in the reconstruction process", he said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Qin said China had sent food, vaccines and other humanitarian aid to help people in war-torn areas. "We will continue to do so and will be actively involved in rebuilding conflict-affected areas," he added.

During the talks, Qin also expressed hope that Ethiopia would provide a good business environment and take effective measures to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese workers and institutions.

China evacuated about 600 citizens working on engineering projects and industrial parks in Tigray in 2020, when fighting broke out between the Ethiopian National Defence Force and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Many of the Chinese companies had to suspend operations.

Ahmed noted that Ethiopia was the first stop on Qin's first overseas trip as foreign minister, which showed "the profound friendship between our two countries and the importance of bilateral relations".

He said cooperation between Ethiopia and China in areas such as infrastructure, the green economy and agriculture had seen remarkable results. "It has helped Ethiopia's economic growth rank among the top in Africa. More Chinese companies are welcome to invest in Ethiopia," he said.

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Qin Gang and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen exchange cooperation documents on Tuesday. Photo: Handout alt=Qin Gang and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen exchange cooperation documents on Tuesday. Photo: Handout>

Qin, who until recently was ambassador to the US, also held talks with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, with the two sides signing a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between their foreign ministries.

The visit comes two months after the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF signed a peace agreement to end hostilities in the northern part of the country.

The civil war - which has claimed thousands of lives - erupted in November 2020 after Ahmed's government accused the TPLF, a leftist political party, of attacking its military base to steal weapons.

China has been a key supporter of the Ahmed government as the country faced pressure from Western countries over alleged human rights violations committed by Ethiopian forces in Tigray.

While the United States cut aid and suspended Ethiopia from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act - which provides African countries duty-free access to US markets - China accused the US of "meddling" in Ethiopia's internal affairs.

On Tuesday, Qin said China was pleased with the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the federal government and the TPLF, and that it "believed in the wisdom and ability of the Ethiopian people to independently resolve internal differences". He said China supported "Africans in solving African problems in African ways".

Qin also noted that China had organised a peace conference in the Horn of Africa in June last year, saying it made "positive contributions to building consensus among all parties and promoting peaceful development".

To help broker peace in Ethiopia and other Horn of Africa nations - including Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea - Beijing last year appointed Xue Bing as China's peace envoy for the Horn of Africa. Xue has since visited the region several times.

Tim Zajontz, a research fellow at the Centre for International and Comparative Politics at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, said the Ethiopian government's handling of the conflict in the Tigray region had caused lasting damage to the country's reputation, especially in the West. "Beijing, however, has remained a staunch supporter of Abiy Ahmed's government which is keen to receive more Chinese aid and investments," Zajontz said.

Ethiopia is a key Chinese ally, partly due to its geopolitical significance in the Horn of Africa since the country is the seat of the African Union. It is also strategic for China as it seeks to expand its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the Chinese Loans to Africa Database at Boston University's Global Development Policy Centre, China pledged US$13.7 billion in loans to Ethiopia between 2000 and 2020 that have gone into building roads, power dams and railways.

Qin said a number of key cooperation projects - such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, the Addis Ababa Light Rail, Riverside Green Development and the African Leadership Academy - had been successfully completed or implemented.

On Wednesday, he joined African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat to inaugurate the new Chinese-financed Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Qin called it "another landmark project of China-Africa cooperation" that "will surely make greater contributions to Africa's health cause and people's health and well-being".

The building has been built, furnished and equipped by China as a gift for Africa at a cost of US$80 million.

Qin Gang and Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, tour the new Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa on Wednesday. Photo: AFP alt=Qin Gang and Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, tour the new Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa on Wednesday. Photo: AFP>

China's foreign minister will also visit Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt during his tour.

Seifudein Adem, an Ethiopian global affairs professor at Doshisha University in Japan, said the trip showed China was keen to continue a long-standing commitment to put relations with Africa at the top of its diplomatic agenda.

"If there was a desire on the part of China to do otherwise, this would be the right time to make the necessary adjustments - when one top diplomat was replaced by another," he said, referring to Qin taking over from Wang Yi as foreign minister. "The visit is good news for Sino-African relations."

Lauren Johnston, a China-Africa researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said Ethiopia was almost always on the itinerary since the African Union headquarters is located there, but it was especially important in times of conflict, drought and debt fears.

She noted the politics over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a US$4.6 billion hydropower project that Ethiopia is building across the Blue Nile. The dam has been a source of tension in the Nile basin since the project broke ground in 2011. Sudan and Egypt have said that using water from the Blue Nile - on which Egypt is heavily dependent - to fill the Ethiopian dam could lower the river's water levels.

Lukas Fiala, coordinator of the China Foresight project at the London School of Economics, said the trip was an opportunity for Qin "to lay the foundation for future engagement with African counterparts".

Fiala noted the length of the tour and inclusion of key partners such as Angola and Egypt. "This reflects China's heightened diplomatic outreach as [President] Xi Jinping has returned to the world stage after years of isolation due to the pandemic," he said.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
NEW BRUNSWICK - Maui, the newest full-time staffer at Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH) is ready to work.

With "big paws to fill," the nearly two-year-old golden retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed away in June.

Trained to work in a health care environment, Maui has completed a high-level therapy dog training program to prepare her to work with children and families. Her job is to provide comfort and emotional support for children during their stay.

Named Maui, but born in Georgia, the newest staff member of Children's Specialized Hospital is ready to get to work at her new home here in the Garden State. With "big paws to fill," the 22-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed in June after an illness.

Maui is paired with owner/handler Katie Ahlers, a recreational therapy supervisor.

Part of the RWJBarnabas Health Childrens Health Network, CSH hosted a party in Maui's honor on Monday.

Ahlers flew down to Georgia on Thursday and trained with the Patient Paws staff for a few days and the newly bonded buddies flew back together on Sunday.

"Considering that she just arrived in New Jersey the day before, and taking her first flight," Ahlers said. "I think she really handled the whole day well. She was getting introduced to different staff members. She had some patients. She had her welcoming party, which was a huge turnout. And I think she was just trying to take it all in and try to get adjusted to her new working environment."

Here with Mason, Maui, is the newest staff member at Children's Specialized Hospital and ready to get to work. With "big paws to fill," the 22-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed in June after an illness.

CSH provides inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges  from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns.

Maui was greeted by a number of CSH patients, families and staff members as well as Tom and Michele Meli, founders of Mickeys Kids Charitable Foundation; Steven Berkowitz, a veterinarian at NorthStar VETS in Robbinsville; Debbie Brody of Patient Paws Service Dogs, Inc. and Dr. Matthew B. McDonald III, CSH president and CEO.

"She's going to, no doubt, make a wonderful impact on the physical, mental, social and emotional health of both our patients and our staff and we're thankful to welcome her here at Children's Specialized," McDonald said. "We pride ourselves on helping children who need a little extra help or have any special health care needs. We know that our best care is made possible by a much broader community of supporters."

Story continues

More:Marisa Tufaro Foundation partners with Creature Comfort, bringing therapy dogs to children

While Maui is the only service dog at New Brunswick's CSH, the Mountainside CSH long-term facility has Gallop. Getting Gallop, Burton and now Maui was made possible by Mickeys Kids Charitable Foundation.

Here with Dr. Matthew B. McDonald III, Children's Specialized Hospital president and CEO, Maui, is the newest staff member and ready to get to work. With "big paws to fill," the 22-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed in June after an illness.

One of Mickeys Kids Charitable Foundation's goals is to raise money to get as many service/therapy dogs into the region as possible. Each dog costs between $25,000 and $35,000, Meli said.

"We have to acknowledge that Children's Specialized Hospital was the first hospital in New Jersey to step forward and do this program," Meli said. "I don't know of any other hospital now that had hospital facility dogs in their hospitals, where the dogs are actually employees of the hospital."

Maui was raised at the Patient Paws Service Dogs training facility in Alpharetta, Georgia. A non-profit organization, Patient Paws provides facility dogs to hospitals and service dogs at no cost.

Ahlers said the benefits to having Maui on staff are "endless."

"Having a dog's presence just reduces anxiety, providing the distraction and adding an extra fun component to the mix. I think the list can go on and on, really," she said. "We saw such positive results with our past dog Burton there. We hope that she continues on what he started. We're confident that she's going to be great and have a huge impact on our patients and families as well as staff."

According to Ahlers and CSH, dogs can have a profoundly positive impact not only on patients and their families, but hospital personnel as well.

Named Maui, but born in Georgia, the newest staff member of Children's Specialized Hospital is ready to get to work at her new home here in the Garden State. With "big paws to fill," the 22-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed in June after an illness.

"Maui will be working in therapy sessions with PT (physical therapy), OT (occupational therapy), speech, recreational therapy, Child Life, psych, to address the patient's goals," Ahlers said. "We'll also be spending some time with our staff on the units and then in offices as well as in our recreation room. During free time when the patients aren't scheduled in therapy sessions, they can come in and spend time with her if they want."

Maui is getting used to her new job and home, Ahlers said.

More:PetWellClinic opens second NJ location in Green Brook

"She's settling in nicely so far and we've bonded quickly," said Ahlers. "She loves her little stuffy toys. So as long as they're around, she's super happy and cute and loves to show them to everybody."

Maui was handpicked by Patient Paws from their dogs to specifically become CSH's therapy dog.

"Patient Paws was given information about the type of setting we have here and what the role would be for the dog and then they picked her from the dogs that they had in the program down there," Ahlers said. "Either the dogs go to an individual and become a working dog for somebody that has a disability, or they are placed in a facility to help a hospital."

Here with handlers Katie Ahlers and Emily Tetley, Maui is the newest staff member of Children's Specialized Hospital and is ready to get to work at her new home here in the Garden State. With "big paws to fill," the 22-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever is the facility's new therapy dog and will continue the work of Burton, who passed in June after an illness.

According to Ahlers, Maui gets scheduled for therapy sessions just as a human therapist would be scheduled.

"She has her own schedule in our computer system," Ahlers said. "We do try to limit how many sessions she has a day and, of course, we have to build in rest breaks. Because dogs take on a lot of what humans are feeling and that emotional piece  that can be very draining for them. So we'll kind of figure out how Maui will do each day."

More:Somerset County's newest police K-9 is named

With Burton, Ahlers saw the success of the program.

"I saw it every day," she said. "I was lucky to be a part of all the special moments that Burton created here at our hospital with the patients and families. We're happy Maui's here and eager to see what what comes about with what she does each day for our kids."

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Children's Specialized Hospital welcomes therapy dog Maui
- EV6 recognized for automotive innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience, value

- Second North American Utility Vehicle of the Year win for Kia in three years

- EV6 was selected by jury of 50 automotive experts

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the all-electric Kia EV6 was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) jury. This is the second occasion in three years that the NACTOY jury has named a Kia vehicle as its top choice in the category, and the first win for a Kia electric vehicle (EV).

All-Electric Kia EV6 wins 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (PRNewsfoto/Kia Corporation)

"Since its launch, the Kia EV6 has been inspiring customers and media critics around the world with its advanced engineering and bold design. As the embodiment of Kia's new brand direction, the EV6 is contributing to a dramatic shift in Kia's brand perception and prestige globally," said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO, Kia Corporation. "Following numerous prestigious accolades, including the 2022 European Car of the Year Award, this latest honor from the North American Car of the Year jury is further evidence that the EV6 is not only a highly regarded utility vehicle, but also an exemplary EV. We accept this recognition with humility and will continue our efforts to push our company further forward, always with our customers' experience at the core of what we do."

The EV6 was selected by 50 automotive experts from print, online, radio, and broadcast media. As part of the evaluation process, NACTOY jurors tested vehicles ranging from sports cars to pickup trucks, and assessed criteria including automotive innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience, and value.

The EV6 delivers exceptional performance, ultra-fast DC charging compatibility, available onboard power, and a flat-floor interior that utilizes innovative materials throughout the cabin.

Story continues

The EV6 offers a wide array of advanced driver assistance systems[i], a remarkable level of connectivity features, as well as Kia's latest-generation energy-efficient heat pump, which scavenges waste heat from the car's coolant system. The EV6 is a critical part of the Kia "Plan S" strategy to launch at least two battery-electric vehicles (BEV) per year and build a full line-up of 14 BEVs by 2027.

For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com

[i] Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

SOURCE Kia Corporation
SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The field service management market size was USD 3.45 billion in 2021 and is predicted to cross USD 8.01 billion by 2028, growing at a 12.8% CAGR during the forecast period (20222028).

Westford, USA, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Field service management (FSM) is a technique that uses mobile systems to automate and monitor numerous field operation components. Additionally, it helps with managing components and inventories, processing payments, regulatory compliance measures, knowledge and asset repositories, time and driver log tracking, and payment tracking. As a result, it is widely utilized globally in education, health care, travel, and tourism. Furthermore, due to the growing demand for mobility to get visibility in real-time, the increasing digitization of field services, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality in the field service industry, the field service management market has a bright future.

According to SkyQuest's market analysis, the number of field technicians working across the globe has already topped 20 million, and this number is anticipated to keep growing in the coming years. This emerging trend will allow vendors to offer services to companies in many industries and assist them in overcoming difficulties while setting up solutions for field service management.

Get a sample copy of this report:

https://skyquestt.com/sample-request/field-service-management-fsm-market

Service Contract Management to Dominate the Field Service Management Market in the Application Category

Before the pandemic, the U.S. average for organizational trust was barely 70%, according to Harvard Business Review. Given how difficult circumstances amplify mistrust and fear, it is now more important to concentrate on fostering confidence within the company. According to SkyQuest's projection, between 2018 and 2022, the market size for field service management software in the U.S. increased by an average of 15.0% annually. The businesses may now manage their contractors and related administrative responsibilities through vendor portals.

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Contractors want timely reporting on service delivery, the ability to submit claims, and real-time access to information about work orders, and components availability, just like traditional field employees. Third-party technicians are indistinguishable from an organization's employees thanks to the FSM for outsourced services, which primarily gives visibility into contractor service delivery.

The research report on the field service management market uses a well-balanced combination of primary and secondary research approaches for analysis. The report's readers will also be exposed to a study on market positioning that considers variables including the target audience, brand identity, and pricing strategy. In addition, the market report provides analytical data and strategic planning approaches for company decision-making.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://skyquestt.com/report/field-service-management-fsm-market

Cloud Deployment of Field Service Management Software to Transform the Industry

According to SkyQuest's market insight, 39% of Asian businesses successfully integrated their digital infrastructure on the cloud in 2021, and more than 65% are anticipated to do so by 2023. With today's age becoming more digitally savvy, there is an increasing desire from both employees and enterprises in developing countries like India, China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea for employees to be able to use mobile apps and technology. As a result, the number of mobile workers will keep growing. In the next few years, it is anticipated that the mobile workforce will significantly surge from its current status. The role of the mobile worker is more prevalent than ever, and so is the usage of mobile apps for technical projects, thanks to the extensive range of field services and mobile roles that are now available.

Instead of traveling to the site, technicians can remotely reboot a machine or upload new software using mobility-powered field service management solutions. It is anticipated that equipping technicians with accurate information through a mobile application will increase revenue from field-based sales. Customers may monitor the technician's whereabouts in real time through the smartphone application, ensuring that support will arrive when promised.

The market research report provides a wealth of information about the emerging trends that will shape the development of the field service management market. In addition, the analysis sheds insight into the market's dynamics, including its drivers, constraints, trends, and prospects. Finally, it provides a regional analysis of the field service management market and the company profiles of various stakeholders.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/field-service-management-fsm-market

Key Developments in Field Service Management Market

PTC has signed an official agreement as a part of the acquisition of ServiceMax for about $1.46 billion. ServiceMax is a cloud-native, product-focused Field service management (FSM) tool with features built on the Salesforce platform. These new features include creating and maintaining repair orders, scheduling and dispatching technicians, and managing all pertinent information regarding serviced products, such as the product description, serial number, and service history.

Customers can remotely monitor cars and non-powered equipment on either platform thanks to data integration between market leaders Razor Tracking and EFC Systems by Ever.Ag. The operational logistics offered by Razor Tracking's solutions are vast and include fleet monitoring, geofencing, inspections, safety reporting, dash cameras, maintenance, and more.

The agreement between Zinier and FLS - FAST LEAN SMART to create solutions based on the complete integration of the field service management technology designed by the two firms was announced. To give customers a platform that is easily customizable for automating and optimizing an end-to-end field service solution, Zinier was developed to offer field service operations a new generation of solutions that can be adopted and updated fast.

MiX Telematics, a top global SaaS provider of connected fleet management solutions, has signed an official agreement to buy Trimble's Field Service Management (FSM) business. Due to the merger, our North American telematics subscriber base gains considerable scale, and the firm is also diversified into new industrial verticals.

The market research report from SkyQuest offers a thorough and analytical look at the numerous businesses aiming for a significant market share in the field service management market. This report will assist you in identifying your needs, identifying potential issue areas, finding better prospects, and helping all key leadership processes inside your firm. The research offers a thorough and analytical look at the numerous businesses vying for a significant market share.

Prominent Players in the Field Service Management Market

ServiceMax, Inc. (California, U.SU.S.)

IFS AB (Industrial and Financial Systems) (Linkoping, Sweden)

Oracle Corporation (California, U.SU.S.)

PRAXEDO (Paris, Ile de France)

Salesforce.com, Inc (ClickSoftware) (California, U.SU.S.)

Comarch SA (Krakow, Poland)

Infor, Inc. (New York, U.S.)

FieldAware Group Ltd. (Texas, U.SU.S.)

OverIT S.p.A. (Fiume Veneto, Italy)

GEOCONCEPT SAS (Bagneux, France)

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Fintech Blockchain Market

Global Generative AI Market

Global Document Analytics Market

Global Medical Practice Software Market

Global Vocational Education and Training Market

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CORPORATE NAME CHANGING TO EVERGREEN SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES, INC. GENERATION HEMP OPERATIONS CONTINUING AS A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY

FIRST GREEN ACQUISITION CLOSED IN COSTA RICA ~ $2,750,000 ~

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 // Generation Hemp, Inc., a Dallas/Fort Worth based hemp company (OTCQB:GENH), today announced the board of directors and management team have been studying and actively participating in a number of green bitcoin activities over the past twelve months. Due to management's extensive background in the energy sector, it became apparent that the skills necessary for bitcoin mining in a sustainable energy environment already existed. In particular, locating stranded energy projects on a smaller scale, negotiating land transactions, power purchase agreements, and managing actively operated mining projects all could be done with skill sets already existing within the Company.

Generation Hemp, Inc., Thursday, January 12, 2023, Press release picture

Therefore, after a thorough review, the Company announced today a new strategic direction into sustainable energy projects, starting with bitcoin mining. The Company's name will change to Evergreen Sustainable Enterprises, Inc. ("EGSE") within the next several weeks. However, all existing operations of Generation Hemp will continue to be maintained as a fully operating wholly-owned subsidiary. Generation Hemp remains the largest hemp processing entity (mid-stream hemp processing) in the country, with its operations based in western Kentucky. All existing full time personnel remain in place at both the corporate and subsidiary levels.

As a first move in its sustainable energy bitcoin mining activities, Cryptorica, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EGSE has closed on the purchase of 80% of Toro Energia Sociedad Anonima ("Toro"), a Costa Rican corporation with ownership of a hydroelectric dam in Costa Rica. The source of approximately one megawatt of power produced from the hydroelectric dam (six generators) will be used to power new Bitcoin mining machines at an extremely low cost. The remaining 20% ownership of Toro will be retained by the same family that has owned and operated the dam for over 30 years. Brothers Eduardo Kopper and Roberto Kopper are the current family owners, and their experienced team will continue to host the bitcoin mining operation. Historically, the power produced by this hydroelectric dam had been sold to the Costa Rican Government. In 2020, all private power in the country was curtailed from reduced power demand due to Covid. Within months of the cancelled contract, Eduardo converted his family's three hydro-dams into datacenter hosting facilities for bitcoin mining for third parties. He has not only grown his business from the PR strategy, but he has also gained recognition and adulation from the entire country of Costa Rica's bitcoin mining industry as well. The Kopper brothers have continued to dial in their operations over the past two years.

Story continues

The Toro Dam is located approximately 25 miles from San Jose between two volcano craters. The site generates all its energy from green resources with a proven 98% run time over the years, and has a full-time staff in place under a new Operating & Maintenance Agreement. Staff is onsite 24/7 and has hourly reporting requirements including real time power price, humidity, temperature, and total KW usage.

Hydroelectric power is a clean and renewable energy source that is used to generate electricity by harnessing the energy of falling water and can provide a reliable and a very cost-effective source of energy for bitcoin mining operations. Hydroelectric power can help reduce the carbon footprint of cryptocurrency mining, as many cryptocurrencies are produced using fossil fuels, which continues to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By using hydroelectric power, bitcoin mining can be made more environmentally friendly and sustainable and can help improve the stability and reliability of cryptocurrency networks. Hydroelectric power is a relatively stable and reliable source of energy, compared to other sources such as coal or fossil fuels, which can be prone to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

Gary C. Evans, Chairman and CEO of Evergreen Sustainable Enterprises, Inc. commented, "While the changes we have announced today are significant from a future direction perspective, we believe them to be in the overall best interest of our shareholders for the future. All of our mining sites under development should generate immediate net cash flow to the company during a period when the bitcoin mining sector is down along with the overall capital markets. Current mining site locations in development exceed six and include Arkansas, Kentucky, and Costa Rica. Due to our extremely low cost of energy and our emphasis on green resources, we are being contacted by many different industry participants for potential joint ventures or partnerships at our new sites. Our financial models indicate our ability to generate positive cash flow at substantially lower Bitcoin trading levels than the current price of approximately $18,000. We are deploying the highest quality and most efficient new equipment at a fraction of the cost just six months ago."

Commenting on Toro Energia's new eighty (80%) owner, Mr. Eduardo Kopper stated, "We are very excited to partner with Gary Evans and his team in one of our family assets in order to take our extremely low cost energy and convert this green resource into much higher profits. We are anxious to install 300 brand new bitcoin mining machines over the next few months at the Toro location. We are already discussing additional new venture opportunities. We both have the same philosophy of maintaining very low costs in order to maximize profitability. When the price of Bitcoin starts its upward trajectory, we will be extremely well positioned."

Eduardo Kopper was recently awarded four different awards by Effie Worldwide, which annually recognizes the brands with the most effective marketing strategies around the world. Eduardo's companies, Datacenter CR and Losko S.A. were the recipients for various categories in light of their entrepreneurial marketing strategy creating a successful pivot after the abrupt cancellation of their long-standing power purchase agreement with the country of Costa Rica.

Evans went on to say, "Our existing midstream operations of processing hemp have continued to work in 2022 at close to 100% of capacity as previously announced (see press release dated September 13, 2022). Hemp biomass prices have continued to slowly improve this year as excess supply has dwindled. This situation is going to exacerbate later this year and into next year due to minimal farmer plantings. Generation Hemp is in a unique position to capitalize on this forthcoming shortage due to current inventory levels, farmer relationships, along with anticipated ever-increasing demand in a supply starved market. Management is currently working on additional new product developments after successfully launching our two existing product lines, Rowdy Rooster Hemp (animal bedding) and Gas Monkey Spill-Jack (spill absorbent) over the past twelve months."

As first announced in January 2022, the Company has partnered with Crypt Solutions, Inc. (DBA, Cryptech Solutions), a leading player in the cryptocurrency space and one of the largest volume resellers of ASICS (Bitcoin mining equipment) in North America. Additionally, Cryptech's sister company, DELV Innovation provides USA built infrastructure for mining equipment. As partners in this new development company on certain projects, our combined management teams will provide the necessary talent in every element to successfully source, deploy, and manage bitcoin mining installations and operations. The goal is to establish smaller scale green mining sites (one to ten MWs) in remote locations, utilizing the highest quality mining machines at the lowest acquisition cost due to the downturn in the space (mining machine price correlates to price of BTC), while utilizing some of the cheapest energy available.

About Evergreen Sustainable Enterprises, Inc. (f/k/a Generation Hemp, Inc)

Evergreen Sustainable Enterprises, Inc. is a Dallas/Fort Worth based sustainable green energy company. The company is parent to Generation Hemp, a wholly-owned subsidiary hemp company that operates in the midstream sector. With operations in western Kentucky and Denver, Colorado, the company uses its proprietary technology to dry, clean, process and store hemp. In addition, Generation Hemp also owns and leases real estate to companies needing seed storage facilities located within the greater Denver area.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "estimates," "projects", "forecasts", "proposes", "should", "likely" or similar expressions, indicates a forward-looking statement. These statements and all the projections in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management, and information currently available to management. The actual results could differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection in the forward-looking information. The identification in this press release of factors that may affect the company's future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is meant to be illustrative and by no means exhaustive.

Contact:

Melissa M. Pagen

Generation Hemp, Inc.

Phone: (310) 628-2062

Email: mpagen@genhempinc.com

SOURCE: Generation Hemp, Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/734979/Generation-Hemp-Inc-Announces-New-Strategic-Direction-into-Sustainable-Energy-Projects




DUBLIN, IRELAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2023 / Helo Corp. (OTC PINK:HLOC) ("Helo" or the "Company") is a leading developer of wearable devices at the forefront of data-driven wellness and today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Vyvo Smart Chain Ltd. and VSC Tech Pte. Ltd. ("VSC Tech"). Through this agreement Helo has obtained software licenses and private keys with the intent to have its users' wearable data digitally signed, de-identified and stored on the Foundation's decentralized servers for opt-in monetization.

"The Foundation is developing a breakthrough blockchain-based decentralized health data platform designed to enable users to control and monetize their personal health data," said Sean McVeigh, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe our relationship with the Foundation will provide Helo with a unique selling proposition in today's highly competitive wearable device industry. We anticipate that it will allow Helo users to benefit financially from the monetization of their wearable data. This relationship represents a significant step forward in executing our strategic restructuring initiatives announced September 2022."

Under the terms of the agreement, entered into on January 5, 2023, Helo agreed to pay VSC Tech a negotiated fee to license software and provision Helo device private keys. In addition, the Foundation agreed to recognize and promote Helo on the Foundation's website, vyvo.org , as a Premier Foundation Sponsor for 24 months, store Helo customers' historical and ongoing wellness data and grant Helo rights to receive an allotment of VSC coins upon initial issuance by the Foundation. Helo paid a portion of its initial US$5 million purchase upon signing the agreement and the remainder will be due upon VSC Tech and the Foundation achieving specific technical milestones.

Helo's largest shareholder, Fabio Galdi, serves as Helo's chairman of the board and chief technology officer. He is also a founder, member and CEO of the Foundation and his brother Gabriele Galdi serves as a director of VSC Tech. The Foundation will cover Foundation-related expenses of Messrs. Galdi and they will be entitled to receive VSC coins, in amounts to be determined by the Foundation in the future, but will not receive salaries from the Foundation or VSC Tech.

Story continues

About Helo Corp.

Helo Corp. (OTC PINK: HLOC) is a data-driven wellness technology company at the forefront of data-driven wellness. Helo wearables and other devices are built on Helo's Life Sensing TechnologyTM, which uses state-of-the-art sensors, enhanced signal processing, and algorithms to collect and process specific bio-parameters.

For further information regarding Helo, please see http://www.helocorp.com .

The Company's disclosure statements and unaudited financial statements are available at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/HLOC/disclosure .

About the Foundation and VSC Tech

The Foundation is creating the "First Heartbeat Powered Blockchain" by building a HealthFi ecosystem that promotes and rewards positive lifestyle habits through health data monetization. The Foundation is a Singapore public company limited by guaranty. VSC Tech is a Singapore private company limited by shares, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Foundation.

For further information regarding the Foundation and VSC Tech, please see vyvo.org .

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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 may, "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," potential and similar statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this press release are forward-looking statements and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates, but involve a number of unknown risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the OTC Markets and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

Investors Contact:

investors@helocorp.com

650-646-2193

SOURCE: Helo Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/734984/Helo-Corp-Enters-Blockchain-Technology-Agreement-to-Enable-its-Wearable-Device-Users-to-Control-and-Monetize-Their-Data




Saudi mining group Maaden has awarded a contract worth SR1.04 billion ($278 million) to WorleyParsons Arabia and Jesa International for the construction of the Phase One of its Phosphate 3 complex project in the kingdom.

As per the 42-month contract, the two firms will provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for the project, stated Maaden in its filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul.

The integrated production complex will be built in the industrial cities of Waad Al Shamal and Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia.

On completion, the complex will produce 1.5 metric tonnes per year of phosphate fertilisers, it added.

Maaden said the financial impact will be known after construction completion and start of plant production.

Earlier, TradeArabia had reported that Maaden had completed the utilities commissioning on a $900-million ammonia plant set up in Ras Al Khair.

The ammonia plant, which got commissioned in 2021, was the first project in the $6.4-billion Phosphate 3 expansion scheme to Maadens phosphate fertiliser portfolio, which encompasses the full mine-to-market development process of phosphate fertilisers.

It will add 3 million tonnes of phosphate fertiliser production capacity to Maaden portfolio, thus bringing its total production capacity to more than 9 million tonnes.-TradeArabia News Service
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Expansion in Asia-Pacific region: The Asia-Pacific region, especially China, is expected to see significant growth in the amines market due to increasing industrialization and urbanization in the region. The amines market is driven by increasing demand for amines in various end-use industries such as surfactants, agrochemicals, oil and gas, water treatment, and personal care and homecare products

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global amines market, valued at US$ 31.9 Bn in 2023, is expected to rise at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2023 and 2033. By 2033, the amines market is projected to generate US$ 65.8 billion.



Technical advancements in amine manufacturing have boosted its use in commercial and consumer applications, which is a major market driver. The use of amines in new industrial applications, such as water treatment, is anticipated to spread to other industrial sectors.

The chemical has many uses now as a result of ongoing research and development, which is another driver boosting the market. The market has excellent prospects for expansion as a result of the rising usage of new applications.

For Critical Insights, Request for PDF Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-13026

Stumbling Blocks of the Market

However, the use of amines causes human health issues such as skin diseases, which is a market limitation. One of the main uses of the market is the use of amines in personal care products, which is restricted by strict regulatory laws.

The market for amines is predicted to be restrained by the increased use of bio-based chemicals and products in agriculture.

Pharmaceutical Industry Luring Market Opportunities

The pharmaceutical industry's growing need for amines to manufacture painkillers is predicted to present the amines market with tremendous growth potential. Growing numbers of elderly people and the prevalence of numerous chronic diseases are driving growing demand for healthcare services. As a result, the market for amines is expanding due to the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry.

Story continues

It is anticipated that the growing personal care market, where amines are used to make cosmetics, toiletries, skincare, hair care, and fragrances, will present profitable business opportunities. The purchasing power of consumers for personal care and hygiene products is rising as a result of lifestyle changes.

Regional Outlook

The region that produces the most amines and consumes the most in Europe. Europe currently has the biggest market share as a result. However, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to have the highest development potential for the market due to the rising demand and significant investments made there by industry players.

For More Information, Query or Customization Visit @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-13026

Key Takeaways

Aromatic amines in the product type segment of the amines market are to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period.

MDI segment of the amines market in the end use segment to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2033 to 2033.

U.S. market for amines to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% and reach US$ 13.9 Bn by 2033.

U.K. amines market to expand at a CAGR of 5.5% and achieve US$ 1.4 Bn by 2033.

The Chinese market for amines may advance at a CAGR of 9.3% and reach US$ 23.9 Bn by 2033

By 2033, the Japan amines market might thrive at a CAGR of 7.1% and hit US$ 2.5 Bn.

South Korea market for amines may advance at a CAGR of 6.4% and attain US$ 3.0 Bn by 2033.





Competitive Landscape

The main tactics used by market participants to expand their market share by pooling resources and expertise are partnerships and collaborations.

BASF, Clariant, Invista, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Daicel Chemical Industries Ltd., Dow Chemicals, Ineos, Sinopec, and Taminco are a few of the major businesses highlighted in the study.

Recent Development

Expansion

A new speciality amines plant will be launched by BASF at its location in Nanjing Chemical Industry Park in China, the company stated in September 2017. The new multi-product facility has an annual production capacity of 21,000 metric tonnes.

At the BASF Verbund plant in Ludwigshafen, BASF stated in April 2019 that it would boost the production capacity of alkylethanolamines (AEOA) by 20%.

Launch

A new speciality amines plant will be launched by BASF at its location in Nanjing Chemical Industry Park in China, the company stated in September 2017. The new multi-product facility has an annual production capacity of 21,000 metric tonnes.

At the BASF Verbund plant in Ludwigshafen, BASF stated in April 2019 that it would boost the production capacity of alkylethanolamines (AEOA) by 20%.

Contact Sales for Further Assistance in Purchasing this Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/13026

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario

3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario

3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Product Life Cycle Analysis

3.5. Supply Chain Analysis

Complete TOC with Report preview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/amines-market

Explore FMIs Extensive Ongoing Coverage on Chemicals & Materials Domain

Silicone Market Demand: According to the Future Market Insights research the global Silicone market is estimated to be valued at US$ 18.5 Bn in the year 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% during 2022-2032.

Nanocellulose Market Trends: According to research by Future Market Insights, the nanocellulose market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period.

Carbonate Market Growth: The global carbonate market is projected to have a moderate-paced CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the market is US$ 4.02 Billion in 2022.

Aldehydes Market Analysis: The aldehydes market is likely to register a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period. The market is likely to be valued at US$ 4.57 Bn in 2022 and likely to be valued at US$ 6.64 Bn by 2032.

Furfural Market Overview: The global furfural market size is expected to be worth US$ 506.40 Mn in 2022. The market is projected to witness a robust CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period of 2022-2032, to arrive at a market valuation of US$ 865 Mn by 2032.

About Future Market Insights, Inc.

Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries.

Contact Us:

Future Market Insights, Inc.

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MEDFORD, Ore., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Bean has been once again recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's 44th Annual Franchise 500  the world's first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2023 Franchise 500 ranks The Human Bean as #87 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

The Human Bean breaks through the Top 100 mark in Entrepreneur's 44th annual Franchise 500 ranking.

"We're honored to hold a special place on the Franchise 500 list for the past 11 years in a row."

"We're honored to hold a special place on the Franchise 500 list for the past 11 years in a row," says The Human Bean COO, Scott Anderson. "This recognition confirms the incredible work of our team and franchise family, and we're all just incredibly proud."

About Entrepreneur's Franchise 500

Entrepreneur's editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

"The past year underscores the extraordinary opportunities that the franchise industry presents for entrepreneurs of all levels," says Entrepreneur editor in chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to our 44th annual Franchise 500 list represent some of the most innovative, creative, and trusted brands across many industries and highlight what it takes to build the kind of momentum that drives long- lasting success."

The Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchise partners. The Human Bean's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view The Human Bean in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2023 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands on January 17th.

Story continues

About The Human Bean

With a passion for creating happy 'Human Beans', the company's drive-thrus around the U.S. have established a reputation for friendly baristas, high-quality coffee and innovative flavors. The Human Bean opened its first drive-thru espresso stand in Ashland, Oregon in 1998, and currently supports over 300 locations open or under development in 25 states. Learn more at thehumanbean.com.

(PRNewsfoto/The Human Bean)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-human-bean-ranked-among-the-top-franchises-in-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-301720754.html

SOURCE The Human Bean
Ronald Reid was the last person you would expect to be a millionaire.

He used safety pins to hold his old coats together and cut his own firewood well into his 90s.

He drove a second-hand Toyota Yaris and resisted new purchases.

To stay updated with top startup investments, sign up for Benzingas Startup Investing & Equity Crowdfunding Newsletter

His only real indulgence may have been his daily English muffin and a cup of coffee at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in Vermont, where a friend remembered him sitting at the exact same stool every morning.

In his career as a janitor and gas station attendant, he was known as a hard worker.

But friends and family never suspected he was building an $8 million fortune.

Decades of Compounding Put to Work

When he died in June 2014, Reids will revealed an $8 million portfolio.

It turned out that Reid, in addition to saving diligently for decades, had also been buying quality, dividend-paying companies that he held for the long term.

Reid owned shares of at least 95 companies at the time of his death  names youd recognize like Procter & Gamble, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Johnson & Johnson. Many of these companies increased their dividends every year for decades after he bought them.

Theres no doubt Reids investments were savvy. But his results are a testament to his patience more than anything else. They call to mind an old Warren Buffett observation that the stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.

You may be thinking that you dont have decades to wait, as Reid did. But investors today have one advantage he couldnt dream of.

Giving Ordinary Investors a Shot at Pre-IPO Glory

For 79 years, if you wanted to invest in early-stage companies like Apple Inc. in the 1970s, Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook in 2004 or Airbnb Inc. in 2009, you had to be an accredited investor.

The concept came from a 1933 law that created the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which also held a provision barring any nonfounders or other company insiders from investing in a company before its initial public offering (IPO) unless they had either a consistent income of at least $200,000 or a net worth of $1 million.

Story continues

In theory, this law protected unsophisticated investors from falling for scams or pie-in-the-sky business proposals. But theres no denying that investors like Reid were shut out from potentially lightning-fast profits for almost their entire investing lifetimes.

Washington has now lifted the 79-year ban on access to pre-IPO companies  and already, thousands of regular investors are buying shares of some of the most exciting startup companies in the world today.

Platforms like StartEngine are allowing retail investors to invest alongside venture capitalist legends like Kevin OLeary  Shark Tanks Mr. Wonderful  and Howard Marks, co-founder of Activision.

Its not just the legal right to invest that matters  connections in the world of Silicon Valley are important, too. For example, Peter Thiel, who turned a $500,000 investment in Facebook into $1.1 billion, was acting on a tip from a network of Silicon Valley contacts it took him years to build.

For investors without the time or inclination to network like that, these platforms can offer easy access to companies that some billionaire venture capitalists are already backing. Its possible to buy thousands of shares for just a few hundred dollars, which is important for any investors following the most basic rule of startup investing  to never risk more money than they can afford to lose.

See more on startup investing from Benzinga.

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Benzinga

Although the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector has been suffering a steady downward trend for the last 12 to 18 months, it may be possible to identify bargains. By taking a value stock approach to REITs and identifying those with funds from operations (FFO) growth, trading below book value and paying dividends, the following three REITs seem to qualify. Dynex Capital Inc. (NYSE: DX) is a mortgage REIT with a market capitalization of $659 million. It continues to be available for purchas
ReportLinker

MARKET OUTLOOK. Major cloud service providers in the region expect to expand their presence during the forecast period, which enhances the demand for wholesale colocation services in the region.

New York, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Middle East & Africa Green Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380033/?utm_source=GNW

The Middle East and Africa green data center will witness investments from cloud service providers, such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Oracle, and Tencent. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Israel, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria witnessed commercial investments in deploying the 5G network.



KEY HIGHLIGHTS



 The Middle East and Africa green data center market account for around 10% of the overall data center market in the region. The region, primarily Africa-based countries, has been slow in adopting efficiency in operations due to lower fund availability. However, investment is expected to grow with more funding flowing into the industry and global operators entering the market.

 Colocation operators in the Middle East and Africa green data center market, such as Equinix, Moro Hub, Digital Realty, Gulf Data Hub, and Rack Centre, have been investing in efficient operations to achieve their sustainability goals.

 Innovations in green operations are also being explored. For instance, Saudi Arabia is exploring free cooling using salt and sunlight, wherein this electricity-free cooling technique is being developed at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

 The increased hyperscale data centers in the region and the need to power the facilities with renewable energy will also be a significant revenue boost for renewable energy suppliers and energy companies.



MARKET SEGMENTATION

Segmentation By Infrastructure

 Electrical

 Mechanical

 General Construction



Segmentation By Electrical Infrastructure

 UPS Systems

 Generators

 Other Electrical Infrastructures



Segmentation By Mechanical Infrastructure

 Cooling Systems

o CRAC & CRAH Units

o Chiller Units

o Cooling Towers & Dry Coolers

o Other Cooling Units

 Racks

 Others Mechanical Infrastructure



Segmentation By Cooling Technique

 Air-based Cooling Technique

 Liquid-based Cooling Technique



Segmentation By General Construction

 Core and Shell Development

 MEP & Architectural Design Services

 Physical Security

 Fire Detection & Suppression

 DCIM/BMS



Segmentation By Geography

 Middle East

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o Other Middle Eastern Countries

 Africa

o South Africa

o Other African Countries



PUE of Data Centers is Decreasing?



Data centers operators in the Middle East and Africa region are increasingly targeting a PUE of <1.5, using innovative design, power, and cooling technologies such as hybrid cooling, advanced UPS systems, smart DCIM solutions, and the adoption of renewable energy sources.



Government Interest In Curbing Carbon Emissions Will Drive Middle East And Africa Green Data Center Market Developments



 Several regional governments are driving the requirement for sustainable data center operations to ensure a reduced carbon footprint. Several countries have announced plans to become carbon neutral between 2030 and 2050.

o The Saudi Arabia government aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. It is conducting the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) in November 2022 to chart actionable plans to combat climate change.

o UAE has planned to reduce its carbon emissions by 31% by 2030.

o As per the National Determined Contribution (NDC) 2020, South Africa announced that its range of GHG emissions will be between 398 million tonnes of CO2 to 440 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

 Governments are also partnering with renewable energy companies to develop renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms.



ELEMENTS OF GREEN DATA CENTERS

Innovations In Power Technologies



 As Lithium and Nickel are essential innovations in batteries, the gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, are investing in mining. It has planned to attract investment of around USD 32 billion in the minerals and mining sectors.

 Lepidico, an Australian company, collaborates with Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) for lithium production in the Middle East. It has acquired over 600,000 square feet of land, aiming to invest around USD 95 million to set up its plants in Abu Dhabi.

 To grow the usage of green energy, in August 2021, an investment of over USD 1 million was made by I-G3N, a battery manufacturer in South Africa.

 In March 2022, Siemens announced that it would provide the first microgrid in Qatar, mostly for industrial use. It has collaborated with Qatar Solar Energy for its establishment. It will ultimately lessen the electricity cost and control greenhouse emissions at its facility in Doha.



Innovations In Cooling Technologies



 The use of free cooling reduces the usage of water and power to cool IT infrastructure. For at least part of the year, free cooling can be explored in various countries that witness colder climates.

 Owing to the hotter climate in most Middle Eastern and African countries, liquid cooling will be one of the better and more efficient techniques to ensure better cooling in data centers operating in the region.



Increasing Modular Data Center Design & Deployment



 Modular data center buildouts tackle challenges such as a high PUE, high operational costs of traditional data centers, and high environmental impact.

 The Middle East and Africa have both witnessed significant investments in modular data center deployment, which offers several efficiency-related benefits, including the opportunity for expansion based on business requirements, and lesser use of cement, among other things.

 MDX-Is (Equinix) Lekki Data Center in Lagos, Nigeria, which opened in April 2022, has been built as a modular data center facility according to Tier III standards.



Hyperscale Operators Stacking Up On Renewable Energy PPAs



 Google, AWS, Microsoft, Alibaba Cloud, and Oracle are some hyperscale operators in the Middle East and Africa region. They are all aggressively pursuing the adoption of renewable energy to meet their sustainability goals. For instance, in July 2021, AWS signed a deal with TotalEnergies to power its renewable energy operations and expanded its partnership in various regions, including the Middle East.



Renewable Energy Adoption by Colocation Service Providers



 Equinix, Africa Data Centres, Rack Centre, Moro Hub, Gulf Data Hub, Khazna Data Centers, and Digital Realty are some significant data center service providers operating using renewable energy and aiming to be carbon neutral in the Middle East and Africa green data center market.

 For instance, Moro Hub, a DEWAs digital arm Digital DEWA subsidiary, is constructing a facility at Dubais Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The carbon-neutral green data center, with a more than 100 MW capacity, will be powered exclusively by renewable energy.



VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Prominent Data Center Investors

 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

 Africa Data Centres

 Equinix

 Future Digital Data Systems (FDDS)

 Gulf Data Hub

 Digital Realty

 IXAfrica

 Moro Hub

 Meeza

 Microsoft

 Ooredoo

 Paratus Group

 Rack Centre

 Raxio Data Centres

 Turkcell

 Google



Renewable Energy Providers

 MASE

 Enerwhere

 SolarWind Middle East

 Yellow Door Energy

 Masdar

 Canadian Solar

 SirajPower

 ACWA Power

 EDF Renewables

 Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

 ENGIE

 AMEA Power

 TotalEnergies

 ACCIONA Energia

 Scatec



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. How big is the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

2. What is the growth rate of the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

3. What are the latest Middle East and Africa green data center market trends?

4. Which country holds the largest Middle East and Africa green data center market share?

5. What factors drive the growth of the Middle East and Africa green data center market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380033/?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.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Featuring exhibitions of work by Kapwani Kiwanga, Athena Papadopoulos, Susan For Susan and Serkan Ozkaya opening this spring

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA) announces its 2023 programming, with new exhibitions opening across the spring, summer and fall seasons. After a successful year of programming in 2022, MOCA aims to continue to spotlight world renowned artists and artworks, be internationally recognized for a programme of new commissions, and provide a community space for enrichment, collaboration and creativity.

MOCA Toronto Logo (CNW Group/MOCA Toronto)

Spring 2023

2023 programming at MOCA Toronto kicks off in February with four exhibitions by artists who are Canadian and/or based in Toronto and with numerous never before seen artworks.

The first major survey exhibition in Canada by internationally celebrated Canadian/French artist Kapwani Kiwanga titled Remediation takes place across two-floors of the Museum. Alongside recent key artworks, Kiwanga is creating five new commissions and a site-specific sisal installation, that will all be produced locally. Through this curated selection, Kiwanga expands on her research into how botany has long held a relationship to exploitation and acts of resistance and how plant life has and may intervene in the rejuvenation of contaminated environments. The exhibition is co-organized by MOCA Toronto and the Remai Modern, Saskatoon.

For Greek/Canadian artist Athena Papadopoulos' first institutional solo exhibition in Canada, MOCA has commissioned a site-specific exhibition of large-scale sculptural works. Papadopoulos' distinct sculptures are built up of layers of material excess and have been shaped by the isolating experience of the last two years. Created under the title The New Alphabet, the artworks were made in the UK but will be completed locally in a studio in Toronto.

Collaborative arts duo Susan For Susan's exhibition Trade Show arranges a set of design propositions for an apartment interior, suspended from a gantry system, with a dance between what is playful and what is industrial. The composition of potential product and furniture pieces marks Susan For Susan's first outing in a museum context, and continues MOCA's commitment to exhibiting cultural practitioners whose practices bridge disciplines, particularly between art, architecture, and design.

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On the ground floor in the North End gallery dedicated to single presentations, MOCA is displaying the compelling installation ni4ni from conceptual Turkish artist Serkan O zkaya. This work uses digital technology, combined with a massive mirrored sphere, to create an immersive, site-specific, visitor experience that is poignant, reflexive, and encourages audiences to explore ideas of time, perception and self within the space.

Also continuing into Spring 2023 is AR exhibition Seeing the Invisible following its opening last fall, taking visitors on an exploration of virtual art and nature activating MOCA, Sorauren Park and High Park, with artworks displayed and experienced using a mobile app.

MOCA will continue to commission its lightbox and south-end stairwell, opening with new works by Toronto-based artists Patrick Cruz and Matt Nish-Lapidus.

"At MOCA, we strive to showcase exceptional, accessible and interdisciplinary programming that closely aligns with our mission, vision and values" said Kathleen Bartels, Executive Director and CEO, MOCA. "MOCA's 2023 programming is no exception, with exhibitions that strive for excellence from a multiplicity of perspectives, showcasing high-cabler contemporary art from Canadian and international artists."

Later in 2023

Looking further into 2023, MOCA will launch its summer programming, which includes: the continuation of Remediation, activated by music, sound and movement performances, as well as a new project by Toronto-based painter Emmanuel Osahor. In addition, the exhibition Impostor Cities is presented in full for the first time at MOCA investigating how Canadian cities double as others on screen.

MOCA's fall programming will include a solo exhibition by acclaimed Vancouver-based artist, Liz Magor, offering sculptural moments of suspense; as well as a major, site-specific installation by British artist Phyllida Barlow that will encompass the entire entrance floor.

MOCA is also working towards its second exhibition in The City is a Collection series, which gives audiences a unique opportunity to access privately held, significant contemporary artworks.

For more information on MOCA's fall programming and to purchase tickets, visit www.moca.ca.

Support

Visionary Support for MOCA in 2023 is provided by Gilles and Julia Ouellette, The Price Family, Castlepoint Numa and an Anonymous donor.

Kiwanga's Remediation is supported by BMO as Presenting Sponsor, Richard and Donna Ivey as Lead Supporter, Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation and Fondation DRG as Foundational Supporters, Partners in Art, Hal Jackman Foundation, Liza Mauer and Andrew Sheiner as Major Supporters and the Support of Consulat General de France a Toronto. Ozkaya's ni4ni is supported by The Schulich Foundation. Seeing the Invisible is supported by Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation and The Schulich Foundation as Foundational Supporters and Kiki and Ian Delaney as a Major Supporter.

MOCA is grateful for ongoing support from the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

About MOCA Toronto

The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA) presents rotating exhibitions that prioritize twenty-first-century artistic production, primarily through commissioning of new work. Artists, partnerships, experimentation, and reciprocal initiatives are at the centre of MOCA's mission as a locally rooted and internationally connected organization. Focused on core values promoting equity, inclusion, access, courage, and responsibility. MOCA fosters active participation and engagement to serve as a welcoming cultural hub in the hyper-diverse city of Toronto.

SOURCE MOCA Toronto

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/12/c7460.html
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from four vertical reverse circulation ("RC") holes recently completed at its Atlanta Gold Mine Project located 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend. This drilling is designed to expand drill defined gold mineralization eastward and westward from holes drilled in 2021 and early 2022 south of the historical Atlanta pit (Figure 1) and connect into the southwestern edge of Gustavson's 2020 resource zone across the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone ("AMFZ").

Drilling Highlights From RC Holes:

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT22HG-13 109.8 192.1 82.3 3.60 11.0 Including 147.8 175.3 27.4 9.92 30.9 Including 161.6 173.8 12.2 17.59 33.0 Including 167.6 172.2 4.6 32.47 50.0 AT22NS-69 89.9 135.7 45.7 1.57 8.5 AT22NS-80 80.8 129.6 48.8 1.37 6.6 AT22RC-13 0 19.8 19.8 0.99 7.4

Table 1: All holes released today. The Company has not yet estimated true widths for individual intercepts.



Vertical RC hole AT22HG-13 was positioned to confirm a thick high-grade intercept reported by Goldfields from its angle core hole ARC-2, which returned 3.93 g/t Au over 29m (Table 2). This gold intercept in ARC-2 was substantially higher-grade than any of the surrounding historical holes, suggesting the hole may have cut across a higher-grade, high-angle "feeder" fault. Nevada King's AT22HG-13 was collared west of the Goldfields intercept to test for greater thicknesses of higher-grade gold mineralization on the hanging-wall side of the suspected fault. The hole intersected 82.3m of 3.6 g/t Au , including 4.6m averaging 32.47 g/t Au.





As shown in Figure 2, AT22HG-13 drilled vertically down through the Atlanta West Fault (" AWF "), which explains the mineralization in volcanics and sediments above the unconformity and the wide, high-grade intercepts, particularly within the Eureka Quartzite. Understanding the geometry of this high-grade structure will aid in testing mineralization along strike to the north and south.





Based on its current interpretation, the Company also anticipates encountering additional high-grade gold mineralization in the volcanic/sedimentary package and dacite porphyry on the west side of the fault. New drill sites are currently being prepared surrounding AT22HG-13 where potential high-grade mineralization remains untested north, south, and west , as no drilling has been conducted in the immediate vicinity (Figure 1).





In between the AWF and the Atlanta King Fault (" AKF ") hole AT22NS-69 returned 45.7m of 1.57 g/t Au while AT22NS-80 returned 48.8m of 1.37 g/t Au . Uniform in both grade and thickness, the mineralization in these two holes is hosted within the silica breccia horizon that was intruded by a fine-grained tuffaceous porphyritic dacite and by rhyolitic tuff-dikes and tuff-dike breccia. Both intrusive units are variably mineralized and intrude silicified dolomite that overlies the Eureka Quartzite. Gold mineralization does not generally extend very far into the quartzite, but some of the highest gold grades are often found within 10m of the contact.





Gold mineralization occurring east of the AKF is also hosted in silica breccia intruded by rhyolitic tuff-dikes, but the mineralized horizon overlies massive, Ely Springs Dolomite, as opposed to Eureka Quartzite west of the fault. The AKF is a pre-caldera structure that pre-dated mineralization but strongly influenced the north-trending direction of later, caldera-related faults responsible for localizing the Atlanta hydrothermal system. Starting at the East Atlanta Fault (" EAF "), a series of north-south near vertical faults produced a series of narrow fault blocks progressively down-dropped to the west. Nevada King's 2021 drilling revealed this step-down fault pattern and a new structural model was developed that is guiding the current drilling program.





As part of its program designed to expand the current resource zone, the Company will drill deeper to the west and shallower to the east. Angle hole AT22RC-12 at the east end of Section 22-5N clearly shows both the silica breccia horizon and silicified tuff-dike to be trending eastward along a near-horizontal replacement zone within the dolomite unit, with gold mineralization occurring in the silica breccia and tuff-dike as well as in weakly decalcified dolomite above the tuff-dike sill. This is a well mineralized hole, averaging 1.38 g/t Au over 57.9m (41m true thickness), exhibiting replacement-type mineralization within the carbonate host. This flat-lying replacement horizon continues east of the EAF but higher up the slope and into the East Ridge Target ("ERT")  an area that has never been drill-tested but hosts strong gold-in-soil and rock anomalies (see Figure 1). The Company is currently preparing to drill this target.

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Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, stated, "This latest group of holes, together with the four holes released last week along Section 22-6N, provide us with a much more complete picture of the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone's internal structure and of the controls on the gold mineralization. AT22HG-13 is a very important hole since it not only pegs the location of the AWF, which is rapidly shaping up as the main gold control at Atlanta, but with a core intercept of 3m averaging 37.45 g/t Au (1.2 oz/t) we now see potential for finding multi-ounce gold mineralization. Nevada King's high-grade intercept also validates several historical drill holes that reported intervals exceeding 32g/t Au, so we now have several other locations within the resource zone in which to intiate a search for high-grade mineralization. Our exploration strategy will be the same  step out gradually to define geometry, then follow the interpreted trend. We have a great starting point on the AWF with AT22HG-13, and now we'll simply follow the high-grade mineralization 700m northward to the Company's 2021 high-grade hit in AT21-3 within the North Extension Target. This same high-grade potential may possibly extend southward as well, but additional drilling is needed to test this. It is important to remember that the AWF more or less bisects the Gustavson 2020 resource zone, so establishing a cohesive, higher-grade corridor through the middle of this resource zone should have a strong impact on future resource evaluations.

"The Atlanta target envelope is now open in more directions and over greater dimensions than at any time in the past, with drilling showing mineralization continuing westward to depth and eastward toward the large ERT. At the same time, the Company continues to see significant increases in both grade and thickness compared to historical drill results. As such, Nevada King will continue to follow its current strategy. The team is excited by the progress and looks forward to further unravelling the Atlanta model, and to the next assay results."

Figure 1. Location map for holes reported in this news release along Section 22-5N relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and the footprint of the Gustavson 2020 Resource. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Figure 2. Cross Section 22-5N looking north across the southern portion of the AMFZ. Shallow intrusive activity and closely associated gold mineralization are localized within the volcanic and sedimentary sequence along the western side of the AWF. Significant down-drop across the AWF is evident. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT21-41B* 38.1 73.2 35 1.173 11.3 AT21-43A* 19.8 33.5 13.7 1.9 18.6 ARC-2 155.5 184.5 29.0 3.932 27.5 AT22RC-12 0 57.9 57.9 1.38 14.0

Table 2: Other holes used in Section22-5N. The AT21/22 series holes were drilled by Nevada King. ARC series

of core holes were drilled by Goldfields in 1990. *Denotes hole that bottomed in mineralization.



Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

About Nevada King Gold Corp.

Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. In 2016 the Company began staking large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain Trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada.

The Company is well funded with cash of approximately $10.2-million as of January 2023.

The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine

Resource

Category Tonnes

(000's) Au Grade

(ppm) Contained Au

Oz Ag Grade

(ppm) Contained Ag

Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Nevada King Gold Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp.

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/12/c4222.html
Republican state Sen. Anthony Kern turns his back as Katie Hobbs delivers her State of the State address to the Arizona House of Representatives during the opening session of the 56th Legislature on Jan. 9, 2023, in Phoenix.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs delivered her first State of the State speech on Monday, only to watch as a handful of Republican legislators walked out or turned their backs.

The state of the state Legislature, it seems, is 

Rude.

Granted, it wasnt exactly the Gettysburg Address, but Hobbs delivered a decent enough speech for her first time out, touching on many of the major issues confronting the state. There were no surprises.

We are all here, she began, because we care deeply about Arizona.

Well, most of those in attendance, anyway.

Members of the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus walked out, unwilling even to listen to what a new governor, at the start of a new legislative session, had to say.

As was foreseeable, Katie Hobbs utilized the time-honored State of the State Address to once again promote her radical, woke policy initiatives, rather than address the profoundly serious concerns that Arizonans have regarding the political and fiscal realities of daily life, the caucus group said in a press release after the event.

So now its radical and woke to support public education, to require accountability when spending public money, to protect our dwindling groundwater supply?

Who, I wonder, is really out of step here?

Hobbs speech was hardly a wish list of the left. She called for:

 Overriding the aggregate spending limit so that schools attended by nearly 1 million Arizona children arent faced with widespread layoffs or even closures come April 1.

 Repairing crumbling schools and redirecting to all schools the $68 million in bonus funding that's now reserved only for schools with good test scores.

 Creating a task force to figure out why 1 in 4 teachers are fleeing the classroom and what to do about it.

 Requiring privately owned charter schools to account for our how they spend the publics money.

 Boosting state spending on affordable housing and offering a child tax credit to families earning less than $40,000 a year and exempting diapers and tampons from the state sales tax.

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 Expanding college scholarships, including $40 million for undocumented students who now qualify for in-state tuition rates, thanks to passage of Proposition 308.

 Updating the states water management plan to put a stop to large agricultural interests that are pumping the ground dry in rural areas.

 Holding the line on further restrictions to abortion.

I will use every power of the governors office to stop any legislation or action that attacks, strips or delays the liberty or inherent right of any individual to decide whats best for themselves or their families, Hobbs said.

Youd think the far right  the people who scream about vaccines  would be thrilled with those words.

Instead, some of the states most conservative legislators walked out on Hobbs, the first Democrat to be elected as governor since 2006.

"It took 5 seconds for Katie Hobbs to begin legislating from the 9th floor, so I will not listen to her rhetoric for even 5 seconds," incoming Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, tweeted.

We could not sit idly by while she repeatedly declared her intention to advance her woke agenda that stands at odds with the people of our state, Rep. Jacqueline Parker, R-Mesa, explained, in a press release.

Republican Reps. Alexander Kolodin of Scottsdale and Jake Hoffman of Queen Creek also walked out. Sens. Anthony Kern of Glendale and Justine Wadsack of Tucson, meanwhile, stood and turned their backs.

Class acts, one and all.

Earlier in the day, the Freedom Caucus announced plans to sue Hobbs over last weeks unconstitutional executive order  the one that strengthens worker protections for LGBTQ state employees and contractors.

Imagine filing a lawsuit because the state says it wont fire people for being gay?

The Arizona Freedom Caucus will oppose Katie Hobbs woke agenda, Hoffman, the groups chairman, vowed, during a Monday morning press conference. You can bet your ass that will happen.

You know another sure thing on which you can bet your hindquarters?

The Republicans who walked out on Monday  unwilling even to listen to what the governor had to say  will, in the end, have no voice in how Arizona is governed.

A split government, after all, requires compromise, and compromise requires a level of maturity not seen in the snowflakes who couldn't stand even to listen on Day 1 to what Arizona's new governor had to say.

Monday's stunt was the first step to irrelevance.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Republicans who snubbed Gov. Katie Hobbs are irrelevant
The facility expands Resiliences global footprint and represents the first GMP biopharma facility in the region based in the UAE

SAN DIEGO, January 10, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Resilience, Inc. (Resilience), a technology-focused manufacturing company dedicated to broadening access to complex medicines, today announced that in conjunction with an equity investment in Resilience from Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), an Abu Dhabi sovereign investor, that the two parties have signed a deal intended to help secure the global biopharma supply chain and advance the United Arab Emirates (UAE) life sciences ecosystem through a biopharma manufacturing collaboration  which would result in the construction of a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Under the agreement, Mubadala will establish the new manufacturing facility, which will be operated by Resilience, to manufacture certain biopharmaceutical-related products in the UAE. The facility will include a range of therapeutics for complex diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, as well as vaccines.

As part of the collaboration, Resilience has agreed to provide manufacturing, technology, and operational expertise for the Abu Dhabi-based facility and integrate the site as a node within its global network. The facility would be the first Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) biopharma facility in the region based in Abu Dhabi to manufacture essential life sciences products for advanced biologics.

"We are excited to expand the footprint of our Resilience manufacturing network outside of North America. This is a significant milestone, not just for our company but also for our nation," said Rahul Singhvi, Sc.D., Chief Executive Officer of Resilience. "We look forward to working alongside Americas allies in the region to ensure that trusted, cutting-edge biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity is available to support local, regional, and global economies."

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Commenting on the agreement, Badr Al-Olama Executive Director, UAE Clusters at Mubadala, said: "We are actively investing in innovation and firmly believe that, by strengthening Abu Dhabis national life sciences ecosystem, we are building a future focused, sustainable and knowledge-based economy for the UAE. Through this agreement, Mubadala and its group companies will unlock further opportunities for growth within the life sciences ecosystem, and alongside our key partners, will play an instrumental role in establishing a state-of-the-art biopharma campus that will secure the regions supply chain from Abu Dhabi."

About Resilience

Resilience is a technology-focused biomanufacturing company dedicated to broadening access to complex medicines. Founded in 2020, the company is building a sustainable network of high-tech, end-to-end manufacturing solutions to ensure the treatments of today and tomorrow can be made quickly, safely, and at scale. By continuously advancing the science of biopharmaceutical manufacturing and development, Resilience seeks to free its partners to focus on the discoveries that improve patients lives and protect biopharmaceutical supply chains against future disruptions. For more information, visit https://resilience.com/ and follow us on social media: @IncResilience on Twitter and Resilience on LinkedIn.

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.

Mubadalas $284 billion (AED 1045 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our 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.

For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230110005574/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Resilience

Michele Roberts

Head of Communications

Michele.roberts@Resilience.com

M: +16092848213



Tatjana Heller

Head of Investor Relations and Analytics

Tatjana.heller@resilience.com

M: +17745734579

Mubadala

Mai Shoeib

Head of Communications

UAE Investments

mshoeib@mubadala.ae

M: +971 55 700 3779



Saoud Karmastaji

Vice President

Platform Communications

UAE Investments

skarmastaji@mubadala.ae

M: +971 50 542 0333
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) supports the Ontario government's move to allow pharmacists to prescribe medications for 13 common ailments, enabling the public to have faster access to care, but more is needed to improve access for all. To achieve this, the government must deliver on promises to enable registered nurse (RN) prescribing and fair compensation to retain all health-care workers in Ontario.

"Nurses are delighted that pharmacists will play a larger role in Ontario's health system," RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun shared on Twitter as the news was delivered. "And, I am looking forward to the day nurses stand at the podium with Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones to finally announce RN prescribing," adds Grinspun. Former premier Kathleen Wynne had announced RN prescribing at RNAO's Annual General Meeting in 2013. In March 2019, the College of Nurses of Ontario finalized and forwarded to the government all necessary legislative and regulatory changes for the implementation of RN prescribing in Ontario. Yet, RNs are still waiting. "The time for the government to implement RN prescribing is long overdue," says Grinspun.

"Ontario is amongst the few jurisdictions without RN prescribing in Canada and that impacts the care Ontarians receive on a daily basis. Imagine what this would mean for a resident in long-term care who doesn't need to be transferred to an emergency department to treat a urinary tract infection. RN prescribing and expanded scopes for nurse practitioners (NP) in all nursing homes will prevent unnecessary transfers, enhance residents' quality of life, expedite treatment and save taxpayers' dollars." says Grinspun. Indeed, the most recent data from the Ministry of Long-term Care (July 2022) shows there were more than 15,000 potentially avoidable emergency department visits by long-term care residents in the 2020-2021 reporting year.

During Wednesday's announcement, Premier Ford said nurses "deserve every penny," yet his government is appealing a court's decision that deems Bill 124  wage-restraint legislation that caps nurses' salaries at one per cent  unconstitutional. "Let's talk about Bill 124. The premier says 'the bill is gone' and nurses are getting back to the negotiating table. We're puzzled then as to why the premier is appealing the court's decision," says RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway.

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RNAO urges the premier to allow its colleagues at the Ontario Nurses' Associations and other unions to negotiate competitive compensation for RNs, registered practical nurses and NPs so that they keep working for Ontarians. The starting salary of an RN in Ontario is the second lowest in Canada, let alone compared with the United States.

"Premier, competitive compensation is what will enable us to retain nurses in Ontario so they build their careers here. Let's make 2023 the year when together we shift the focus back to having nurses feel valued so they stay and provide Ontarians with high-quality care across all care sectors," urges Holloway.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/11/c5736.html
DALIAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Dalian Port in northeast China has opened a direct shipping route to import cherries from Chile.

The ship GSL Tinos, loaded with 616 TEUs of Chilean cherries, docked on Wednesday at the container terminal in Dalian after a 22-day trip.

Of the total, 592 TEUs of cherries will be delivered directly to the wholesale markets in China. The others will be transferred to the Republic of Korea (ROK) via Dalian Port.

Chilean cherries are increasingly favored by Chinese consumers, and the market demand continues to rise. "China has become our main market and strategic partner," said Victor Maroto, a representative of Chilean shippers.

According to Liaoning Port Co., Ltd., which owns Dalian Port, Chilean cherries were mostly distributed to the Chinese market through ports such as Busan in the ROK and Shenzhen in China in the past. The opening of the direct shipping route will provide customers in northeast China and northern China with faster service.

In recent years, Dalian Port has continuously built a cold-chain logistics center and promoted the distribution of imported fruits. In 2022, the throughput of imported fruits in Dalian Port increased by 23 percent year on year. 
DP World has teamed up with global shipping services provider AP Moller-Maersk (Maersk), to improve operational efficiencies, enhance customer service and collaborate on decarbonising.

The long-term strategic partnership will provide support for Maersks customers and implement new processes to improve quayside productivity, all leading to faster gate turnaround times at Jebel Ali Port and reduced bunker fuel consumption, DP World said in a statement.

These are alongside visibility tools, which will allow Maersks customers to benefit from real-time information relayed by DP World to plan their supply chains better and ultimately cut their carbon emissions. Maersk will deploy two of its solutions for customers moving their cargo through Jebel Ali -- Maersk Accelerate, a fast-tracking service through priority cargo handling, and Maersk Flex Hub, a cargo storage solution.

Jebel Ali Port is a leading international gateway port, ideally located to serve the East-West trade corridor connecting to 150 cities globally. Lowering carbon emissions is a common goal for both companies and increasingly demanded by customers, who sit at the heart of every decision the companies take. Maersk and DP World will continue collaborating to create new solutions, such as warehousing to drive better customer experience in the future.

Shahab Al Jassmi, Vice President  Ports & Terminals, DP World UAE, said: "Jebel Alis success has been built on progressive collaboration with partners such as Maersk, enabling us to combine our operational efficiencies and expertise to ensure we deliver the best end-to-end solutions to our customers. This synergy has allowed us to develop a successful ecosystem at Jebel Ali that continues to evolve and adapt to the dynamic markets we operate in. We will embark on this journey together to exceed our customers' expectations."

"This collaboration lets us offer solutions to help a key customer and reliable partner like Maersk to achieve their own sustainability goals. It sits alongside our own commitment to cutting our global CO2 emissions by nearly 700,000 tonnes over the next five years, in part by terminal vehicle electrification, sourcing renewable energy and increasing low carbon fuel use," Al Jassmi added.

"In our journey as an integrated logistics provider, we look at every opportunity that can create value for our customers. DP Worlds Jebel Ali Port has been a strategic partner to us for many years, and we have now extended our partnership with a clear focus on improving service delivery to our customers while reducing the carbon footprint through our operations together," said Mads Skov-Hansen, Head of Ocean Customer Logistics, Maersk West & Central Asia.

In January 2022, DP World entered a strategic partnership with the Mrsk Mc-Kinney Mller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, an independent, not-for-profit organisation launched in 2020 to undertake intensive research and development to find practical ways to decarbonise the global maritime trade industry.

Maersk itself aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels and green fuels. DP World has committed to becoming a carbon neutral enterprise by 2040 and net zero carbon enterprise by 2050.

DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem announced plans in November to invest up to $500 million to cut CO2 emissions from its operations by nearly 700,000 tonnes over the next five years. The reduction in carbon emissions represents a 20% cut from 2021 levels, through electrifying assets, investing in renewable power and exploring alternative fuels.--TradeArabia News Service
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.

C$139 million contract completed with CGT Industrial Ltd.~

~Winter Ice Road Construction Begins~

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (Sabina) or (the Company) (SBB  TSX/ SGSVF - OTCQX) is pleased to announce it has finalized the lump sum contract with a northern constructor to build the process plant and ancillary buildings at its Goose Mine on its 100% owned Back River Gold District in Nunavut, Canada. The Goose Mine is the Companys first mine on the 80 km long Back River Gold District, a multi-generational mining district with a demonstrated high-grade world class gold endowment.

CGT Industrial (CGT) is composed of Clark Builders, Gisborne Industrial Construction Ltd. and PTW Energy Services, leaders in their respective fields of construction including concrete, buildings, mechanical and electrical services. Collaborating as a single entity, CGT provides clients with a wide selection of services and the convenience and efficiency of working with a single, expert organization. CGT has extensive experience in mining projects in the Western Arctic dating back as far as 1982.

CGT has provided Sabina with a fixed priced contract of CAD $139 Million for materials and labour to construct the process plant including: crushing circuit, grinding circuit, CIL circuit, pre-leach and tails thickener with tails pumping, gold room, E-houses, control room, O2 plant, fresh water, truck shop, and fire water systems. Additional scope has been added to the original bid proposal which includes the power plant and the Port fuel farm. The contract includes an agreed rise and fall mechanism and other mechanisms to adjust for changes in bid quantities due to design growth and scope changes. These components make up approximately 85% of the direct works on site.

We are happy to finalize the terms of our agreement with CGT, said Bruce McLeod, President & CEO. CGT brings its considerable experience in construction, particularly in the North, to our project. Sabina is unique in that our Project is largely based on self-delivery for the majority of civil works and for underground development. CGTs experience in Northern plant construction de-risks the execution of the Project and provides a higher degree of certainty to the associated costs. Additionally, the construction of our Winter Ice Road WIR to transport equipment and supplies to the Goose site has begun.



Winter Ice Road (WIR)

Story continues

Work on Sabinas WIR is underway, with construction commenced from both the Goose and the Port Facility sites. Transportation operations are expected to start in February 2023 with an anticipated 1300 loads being moved from the Port to Goose.

2022 Photo Gallery Update

2022 was a significant year for the Company and many initiatives were achieved. Sabina procured 95% of all materials and equipment required for construction, earthworks were significantly completed  particularly at the plant & accommodation complex site, the Company went from 26 full time employees in March 2022 to now over 160 employees  and still recruiting. The underground ramp has been developed and advanced (two years ahead of time) to enable the potential optimization of the mine plan. Exploration success continues with work in 2023 focusing on George, Sabinas potential second mine on the District. In addition, Sabinas significant efforts in environment and community relations over the years were recognized with the 2022 PDAC Sustainability Award.

For a Photo Gallery of 2022 site activities, please see here https://www.sabinagoldsilver.com/assets/docs/Sabina%20Photo%20Gallery%20Update.pdf

SABINA GOLD & SILVER CORP

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. is an emerging gold mining company that owns 100% of the district scale, advanced, high grade Back River Gold District in Nunavut, Canada.

Sabina filed an Updated Feasibility Study (the UFS) on its first mine on the district, the Goose Mine, which presents a project that will produce ~223,000 ounces of gold a year (first five years average of 287,000 ounces a year with peak production of 312,000 ounces in year three) for ~15 years with a rapid payback of 2.3 years, with a post-tax IRR of ~28% and NPV5% of C$1.1B at a gold price of $1,600 USD. See National Instrument (NI) 43-101 Technical Report  2021 Updated Feasibility Study for the Goose Project at the Back River Gold District, Nunavut, Canada dated March 3, 2021.

The Project has received all major permits and authorizations for construction and operations.

The Company has arranged a comprehensive project financing package comprised of:

A US$425 million senior secured debt facility, gold prepay and stream package with Orion Mine Finance and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.; and

US$221 million in equity including Zhaojins participation.

The Company is also very committed to its Inuit stakeholders, with Inuit employment and opportunities a focus. The Company has signed a 20-year renewable land use agreement with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and has committed to various sustainability initiatives under the

agreement.

The Company continues to advance exploration and project optimization, including advancing the planned plant expansion to 4,000 tpd from Year two to initial startup.

All news releases and further information can be found on the Companys website at www.sabinagoldsilver.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All technical reports have been filed on www.sedar.com

For further information please contact:

Nicole Hoeller, Vice-President, Communications: 1 888 648-4218

nhoeller@sabinagoldsilver.com

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (the forward-looking statements), including, but not limited to, statements related to the expected use of proceeds of the Offering and the projections and assumptions of the results of the UFS. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the uncertainty of production, development plans and costs estimates for the Back River Gold Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs; the interpretation of drill, metallurgical testing and other exploration results; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; 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; the effects of general economic conditions, commodity prices, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government and regulatory authorities; and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with exploration and project development; the need for additional financing; the calculation of mineral resources and reserves; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; government regulation; obtaining and renewing necessary licenses and permits; environmental liability and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers or directors; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; labour disputes; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; future sales of shares by existing shareholders; and other risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Back River Project and general risks associated with the mineral exploration and development industry described in our Annual Information Form, financial statements and MD&A for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

Bruce McLeod, President & CEO

1800-555 Burrard Street, Two Bentall Centre

Vancouver, BC V7X 1M9

Tel 604 998-4175 Fax 604 998-1051

http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com




Saputo Inc.

MONTREAL, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saputo Inc. (TSX:SAP)  Saputo will release its fiscal 2023 third quarter financial results on Thursday, February 9, 2023. A press release will be issued after markets close, and a conference call is scheduled on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the Companys results.

The webcast will begin with a short presentation followed by a question and answer period. The speakers will be Mr. Lino A. Saputo, Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Maxime Therrien, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.

To participate:

Presentation slides will be included in the webcast and can also be accessed in the Investors section of Saputos website (www.saputo.com), under Calendar of Events.

Conference line (audio only): 1-800-954-0584

Please dial-in five minutes prior to the start time.

Replay of the conference call and webcast presentation

For those unable to join, the webcast presentation will be archived on Saputos website (www.saputo.com) in the Investors section, under Calendar of Events. A replay of the conference call will also be available until Friday, February 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) by dialling 1-800-558-5253 (ID number: 22025772).

Investor Inquiries

Nicholas Estrela

Director, Investor Relations

1-514-328-3117

Media Inquiries

1-514-328-3141 / 1-866-648-5902

media@saputo.com




Photography News: Sigma has introduced the 60-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for E and L-mount mirrorless format cameras

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- B&H is pleased to announce the herculean Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens.

Sigma has just announced a mirrorless version of the herculean 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens.

Compatible with full-frame E-mount and L-Mount cameras, it is the first interchangeable lens to bring 10x magnification to the mirrorless form factor. Like its popular DSLR predecessor, the new sports and wildlife photographers looking for an all-in-one super telephoto lens.

To achieve such impressive reach, the 60-600mm relies on a complex optical design consisting of 27 elements arranged in 19 groups. This includes two F Low Dispersion (FLD) and three Super Low Dispersion (SLD) elements to temper color fringing, aberrations, and other distortions. A Super Multi-Layer Coating has also been applied to combat flare and ghosting. For close-ups, it has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.4 at 200mm.

Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1741153-REG/sigma_60_600mm_f_4_5_6_3_dg_dn.html

Key Features

Full Frame | f/4.5-6.3 to f/22-32

Standard to Ultra-Telephoto Zoom

HLA Linear Focusing Motor

Dual Action Zoom System

OS Image Stabilization

SLD and FLD Glass Elements

Brass Bayonet Mount and Arca-Type Foot

Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Stabilization and autofocusing are arguably as important as optics for a lens of this magnitude. Sigma has revamped both features for the 60-600mm. A brand-new optical stabilization algorithm (OS2) provides 6-7 stops of stability, depending on the focal length being used, so sharp image capture is possible handheld. Additionally, a newly developed High-response Linear Actuator (HLA) motor delivers fast and quiet AF capable of keeping pace with quick-moving subjects. A focus limiter switch on the side of the lens barrel helps speed up subject recognition whether using AF or manual focusing. Further streamlining capture, Dual Action Zoom allows rotary and straight zooming actions. On-lens control also includes three customizable AFL buttons, an AF/MF switch, zoom lock switch, and OS switch.

Story continues

Like its earlier iteration, the 60-600mm is dust and splash resistant so you can use it outdoors with confidence. A water- and oil-repellent coating on its front element further ensures image quality in the face of less than ideal environmental conditions. A tripod collar with a swappable Arca Swiss socket is included for easy mounting and if you somehow need even more reach, the L-Mount model is compatible with Sigma's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.

Learn More About Sigma Lens at B&H Explora Blog

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/videos/photography/sigma-60-600mm

Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3  First Look YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/nUsZUNkdPWg

About B&H Photo Video

As the world's largest source of photography, video, and audio equipment, as well as computers, drones, and home and portable entertainment, B&H is known worldwide for its attentive, knowledgeable sales force and excellent customer service, including fast, reliable shipping. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for over 48 years.

Visitors to the website can access a variety of educational videos and enlightening articles. The B&H YouTube Channel has an unmatched wealth of educational content. Our entertaining and informative videos feature product overviews from our in-house specialists. You can view the B&H Event Space presentations from many of the world's foremost experts and interviews with some of technology's most dynamic personalities. Tap into this exciting resource by subscribing to the B&H YouTube Channel here. In addition to videos, the B&H Explora blog presents new product announcements, gear reviews, helpful guides, and tech news written by product experts and industry professionals, as well as our award-winning podcasts.

When you're in Manhattan, take a tour of the B&H Photo SuperStore, located at 420 Ninth Avenue. The techno-carousel spins all year round at the counters and kiosks at B&H. With hundreds of products on display, the B&H Photo SuperStore is the place to test-drive and compare all the latest gear.

Contact Information

Henry Posner

B&H Photo Video

212-615-8820

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

B&H Photo Logo (PRNewsfoto/B&H Photo)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sigma-announces-60-600mm-f5-6-3-dg-dn-os-mirrorless-lens-for-sony-e-mount-cameras-first-look-youtube-video-at-bh-301719674.html

SOURCE B&H Photo
A Portion of Ticket Sales to Benefit Special Olympics Arizona

Pre-Game Tailgate Party at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Feb. 11, 2023

Pre-Game Tailgate Party at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Feb. 11, 2023

PHOENIX, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, Arizona's largest water park, today announced a partnership with Coca-Cola for the 2023 season. To kick off the partnership, Six Flags will host a Pre-Game Tailgate Party at Hurricane Harbor Phoenix on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 1-6 p.m. The event will feature live music, gaming and a plethora of tailgating activities for the entire family. Additionally, a portion of each ticket sale will benefit the beloved local nonprofit, Special Olympics Arizona.

"Our goal is to continually enhance the experience of our loyal Six Flags guests," said Donald Spiller, General Manager of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix. "We're delighted to offer Coca-Cola at the park for our 2023 season and invite guests to celebrate this new partnership at our February tailgating extravaganza."

The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor/Coca-Cola tailgate party will include:

Live music from local artists and DJs

Food trucks and in-park beverages for the classic tailgating culinary experience

A Mobile esports Gaming Truck - an enormous 80-foot long, 35-ton semi-tractor trailer that transforms into a competition stage and broadcast truck, allowing guests to test their skills and compete in mini esports tournaments with state-of-the-art equipment

Inflatables and games for all ages like cornhole, quarterback toss, field goal kick, obstacle course, a face painting station and more

Athlete Appearances

Pep Rally with Arizona Element Elite cheerleaders

"Fans can quench their thirst with a refreshing Coca-Cola beverage and flex their skills in a variety of fun pop-up challenges, enjoy delicious food, great live music and even show support for Special Olympics Arizona," said Rachel Chahal, Director, Amusement Partnerships for The Coca-Cola Company.

"Coca-Cola and Six Flags have been wonderful supporters of Special Olympics and we're grateful to again partner with them through such an exhilarating tailgate experience," shared Special Olympics Arizona President and CEO Jamie Heckerman. "There will be great music, food, games and the perfect opportunity to show support for our Special Olympics Arizona athletes!"

Story continues

General Admission Tickets will be priced at $20, with a portion of each ticket sale benefitting Special Olympics Arizona. Plus, the event will offer free parking for attendees. Learn more about the upcoming tailgating experience and purchase tickets at sixflags.com/phoenix.

Contact Information:

Heather Austin

Principal

heather@theferrarogroup.com

602-738-9252



Related Files

Six Flags Authorization form.pdf

Authorization Form Coca-Cola (1).pdf

Related Images













Image 1: Pre-Game Tailgate Party at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Feb. 11, 2023





Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, Arizona's largest water park, announced a partnership with Coca-Cola for the 2023 season. To celebrate, they'll join to host a Tailgate Party at Hurricane Harbor Phoenix on Feb. 11.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment




Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz is annoyed that workers arent in the office.

On Wednesday, the coffee company announced that employees who live within commuting distance of its offices would have to go to work three days a week. The policy is slated to take effect on Jan. 30.

Starbucks is asking workers near its corporate headquarters in Seattle to go to the office three days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and a third day to be decided by individual teams. Employees living near regional headquarters are also expected to commute three times a week, though the company said local managers could decide the best days to bring people back.

Starbucks did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

A privilege

In a post on the Starbucks website, Schultz said that working from home had hurt the companys culture. He argued that Starbucks used rituals, like coffee tastings and storytellings, to build a sense of camaraderie among employees, and that returning to the office would revive and reinvent such exercises.

Schultz also wrote that remote work had unintended consequences, fearing that the coffee company was losing the art of collaboration, as well as a connection to a shared mission, something bigger.

But the Starbucks CEO also betrayed annoyance that employees had ignored an earlier request to come back to the office. Schultz wrote that each of us made a promise to each other to be in the office between one to two days a week in a shift to hybrid work last year. Yet he added that, according to badge swipes, its clear that a good number of SSC partners are not meeting their minimum promise. (Starbucks calls its employees partners, and its headquarters the Starbucks Support Center, or SSC.)

Throughout his memo, Schultz called the ability to work remotely a privilege, one not shared by those working in the companys stores, plants, and distribution centers. The CEO made clear that the new office mandate was a requirement.

Story continues

Ill get on my knees

The Starbucks CEO has never been a fan of remote work. At a New York Times conference last June, Schultz complained that workers were not in the office as much as he wanted. Ive pleaded with them. I said, Ill get on my knees. Ill do push-ups. Whatever you want, he noted at the time.

Since then, more companies have expanded their return-to-office mandates. Apple, Meta, Google, Goldman Sachs, and Disney are all pushing workers to come back to the office for most of the working week.

Economic motives are also providing an impetus to get workers back at their desks, with some tech companies asking workers to return to the office in the face of a slowdown in the sector. Both Snap and Salesforce said they would ask employees to return to the office following slow revenue growth.

Starbucks, by comparison, appears to be weathering the current economic uncertainty. In November, the coffee company reported a 9% increase in global sales for the 2022 fiscal year. Strong sales growth in the U.S. offset a decline in international sales, particularly in China, where COVID outbreaks caused a 24% drop in store sales.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Bob Iger just put his foot down and told Disney employees to come back into the office
(Adds Rias Biaxas Knutsen; removes Isabella; shows Rudolf Samoylovich is docked) Jan 12 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). Floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) terminals are added to the table when they near deployment. As of Dec. 27 2022, this includes the Eemshaven terminal in the Netherlands, the Wilhelmshaven and Lubmin terminals in Germany. For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Solaris 152,000 Jan. 9 (A) United States South Hook Methane Princess 135,000 Jan. 9 (A) United States Dragon Rias Biaxas Jan. 12 United Isle Knutsen 180,000 States of Grain Nohshu Maru 177,000 Jan. 12 United States South Hook SM Albatross 171,000 Jan. 12 United States Dragon LNG Enterprise 174,000 Jan. 12 United States South Hook Megara 173,000 Jan. 13 Peru Dragon Castillo De Caldelas 178,000 Jan. 14 United States South Hook Sonangol Benguela 158,000 Jan. 13 Angola Isle of Grain Maran Gas Achilles 172,000 Jan. 14 United States South Hook Maran Gas Agamemnon 172,000 Jan. 15 United States Dragon Soyo 158,000 Jan. 15 Angola Isle of Grain Flex Aurora 174,000 Jan. 16 United States South Hook Fuwairit 138,000 Jan. 18 Qatar Milford Haven LNG Sakura 177,000 Jan. 18 United States South Hook Seapeak Bahrain 170,000 Jan. 19 United States Isle of Grain BW Paris 159,000 Jan. 23 United States South Hook British Achiever 174,000 Jan. 25 United States South Hook SM Bluebird 170,000 Jan. 25 Peru Isle of Grain Minerva Amorgos 170,000 Feb. 3 United States South Hook BELGIUM Bu Samra 261,000 Jan. 10 (A) Qatar Zeebrugge Rudolf Samoylovich 170,000 Jan. 12 (A) N/A Zeebrugge Broog 134,000 Jan. 14 Qatar Zeebrugge Al Deebel 143,000 Jan. 17 Qatar Zeebrugge Fuji LNG 145,000 Jan. 19 Qatar Zeebrugge LNG Merak 174,000 Jan. 20 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Georgiy Brusilov 173,000 Jan. 20 (STS) (L) Russia Zeebrugge Al Daayen 150,000 Jan. 22 Qatar Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Transgas Force 174,000 Jan. 15 United States Gate Magdala 173,000 Jan. 18 United States Eemshaven GERMANY Melanje 161,000 Jan. 30 Angola Wilhelmshaven Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date estimated based on flows data (Reporting by Nora Buli)
SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, passers-by in Singapore's Central Business District were left stunned as busy businessmen and women stopped in their tracks, frozen in time.

Hundreds freeze by Singapores Guoco Tower in stunt by Tiger Beer

The "Bolder Tomorrow" stunt was conducted by Tiger Beer to mark the start of the Lunar New Year on 22 January. It acts as a powerful reminder to stop, reflect and celebrate our accomplishments over the past year as the first step towards a bolder tomorrow.

By freezing in their tracks, the stunt highlighted what's missing in modern society  the courage to stop endlessly chasing the next big win. It comes as new research reveals that Gen Z and Millennials[1] in Southeast Asia are putting so much pressure on themselves to achieve, they aren't celebrating the wins of today.

Images and video of stunt to be available here at 3pm and 7pm respectively

Unprecedented pressures on young adults exacerbated by social media

"A Bolder Tomorrow", the new research report from Tiger Beer, conducted by independent research agency YouGov, reveals that 90% of Gen Z and Millennial Southeast Asians admit to putting pressure on themselves, with a shocking 58% feeling pressured to live up to an "impossible standard". The research reveals that the top pressures they are putting on themselves are:

To be more confident (49%)

To be more active / fitter (44%)

To be more sociable (37%)

Surprisingly, the research revealed 57% of young adult Southeast Asians admit that they are even putting more pressure on themselves than their parents did. Social media is playing a role in the pressure to achieve, with nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents feeling their achievements aren't significant when they compare them to those they see on social media.

Pressure to achieve stops celebration of the small wins

Sadly, the unrealistic pressures that Gen Z and Millennials are putting on themselves are stopping them from celebrating the small wins, with just one in 10 of those surveyed saying that they always celebrate the small wins. Of those who don't always celebrate small wins, 30% say it's because they feel that whatever they do, it's never good enough. In fact, the majority (59%) of young adult Southeast Asians say they don't feel that they've accomplished anything significant this year.

Story continues

Young adult Southeast Asians are also shy of sharing their wins, making them more likely to feel comfortable sharing a photo of their dinner on social media (33%) than their achievements (22%).

Commenting on the stunt, Sean O'Donnell, Global Brand Director, Tiger Beer said: "Tiger Beer believes that we are all born with a Tiger inside us  a version of ourselves that knows no limits to what is possible. But sometimes it can feel like the more we achieve, the further we're expected to go. Our research uncovered that young adults in Asia are putting an unprecedented amount of pressure on themselves and aren't stopping to celebrate life's small wins. So, Tiger Beer is reminding everyone to stop and celebrate the successes that got them where they are today by unveiling a stunt which sees hundreds of people freeze in their tracks in one of Southeast Asia's busiest downtown areas. Stopping to celebrate your achievements is the first step towards achieving even bolder ambitions in 2023."

Time to stop, reflect and celebrate wins makes people feel better

Despite the reluctance, 58% agree it's important to celebrate life's small wins and say they feel better when they take a moment to give recognition to their achievements (68%). And it seems there are lots of reasons to celebrate, including:

A promotion or pay rise (52%)

Buying a house (49%)

Winning an award for work (40%)

Achieving fitness goals (34%).

As we approach Lunar New Year, young adult Southeast Asians are feeling reflective (35%) and ready for a new challenge (37%). As they plan for 2023, two-fifths (41%) plan to care less about what other people think and over a third (35%) plan to acknowledge their achievements more - an important first step towards achieving their goals in 2023.

Notes to editor

A full range of media assets to be available here - including the full research report and images (from 3pm) and video of the stunt (7pm)

Follow @tigerbeer on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on the campaign.

Research methodology

The findings from this release are the result of a survey conducted by YouGov in December 2022.The sample consisted of a nationally representative sample of 3,000+ Gen Z and Millennial Singaporeans, Malaysians and Vietnamese (aged 18 - 42). Following the completion of the survey, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest population estimates.

Press enquiries:

Reen.lee@mslgroup.com

m: +65 9667 3157

About TIGER:

Tiger was born in 1932 on the streets of Singapore. Today, Tiger is the number one international premium beer from Asia and one of the world's fastest-growing beer brands. It is available in more than 50 markets across the globe. Defying the odds to create the ultimate brew, a perfect balance between bold and refreshing, Tiger has been uncaging new ways to take refreshment to the next level and make the impossible possible for decades. Tiger believes that we are all born with a Tiger inside us, a version of ourselves that knows no limits to what is possible. But we often succumb to the status quo because unlike a Tiger, we fear failure. For more information, please visit www.tigerbeer.com .

About HEINEKEN

HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. It employs more than 80,000 employees and operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website . Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram .

[1] All research in this release refers to Southeast Asian people aged 18-42 (Gen Z and Millennials) across Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam

SOURCE Tiger Beer
Twitter is being sued by San Francisco-based Canary Marketing. Muhammed Selim Korkutata/Getty Images

Twitter is being sued for $392,239 after being accused by a marketing firm of not paying its fees.

The San Francisco-based agency said it had been providing merchandise to Twitter since June 2020.

Elon Musk is trying to cut costs at Twitter and has reportedly left some bills unpaid.

Twitter is being sued again after being accused of not paying money it owes vendors.

Canary Marketing, an agency based in San Francisco, is suing Twitter for $392,239.11, plus interest, for breaching its contract with the firm by not paying fees, according to a lawsuit filed on January 6.

The company describes itself in the lawsuit as a multifaceted marketing agency. On its website, it states that it designs, packages, and distributes branded merchandise for clients like Google, Slack, KFC, and Sephora.

According to the suit, Canary Marketing provided merchandise to Twitter from June 2020 until August 2022 under an agreement that Twitter would pay for its services within 60 days of receiving an invoice.

From September 2022, however, the lawsuit alleged that Canary Marketing's invoices were not processed. At the time of filing the lawsuit, a further two invoices remained unpaid, it alleged.

"Twitter appears to interpret the MSA [contract agreement] as allowing it to pay or not pay Canary invoices when Twitter decides to do so," the lawsuit alleged.

Twitter and Canary Marketing did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment outside of normal business hours.



In recent months, Twitter has been hit with several lawsuits over accusations of unpaid fees or rent. It is also facing legal action from its own staff.

Musk has been desperately trying to cut costs at Twitter since his first week as CEO when he laid off roughly half of the company's 8,000 employees. Layoffs have continued through the new year as Musk continues to explore new avenues of trimming costs. One such plan included closing down smaller offices outside its major hubs in California, New York, and London.

Story continues

Musk reportedly stopped paying rent on its offices, including its headquarters in San Francisco, and informed employees to stop paying some of its vendors, per a report by the New York Times. He also considered not paying severance packages that were promised to laid-off staff, per a separate report by the New York Times.

Most recently, Insider's Kali Hays reported that Twitter had not paid rent for a major office in Singapore, though he later paid the past due payment, per sources.

Other cost-cutting measures included refusing to cover employees' work expenses, and auctioning off work furniture and kitchen equipment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Ever since OpenAIs viral chatbot was unveiled late last year, detractors have lined up to flag potential misuse of ChatGPT by email scammers, bots, stalkers and hackers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The latest warning is particularly eye-catching: It comes from OpenAI itself. Two of its policy researchers were among the six authors of a new report that investigates the threat of AI-enabled influence operations. (One of them has since left OpenAI.)

Our bottom-line judgment is that language models will be useful for propagandists and will likely transform online influence operations, according to a blog accompanying the report, which was published on Wednesday morning.

Concerns about advanced chatbots dont stop at influence operations. Cybersecurity experts warn that ChatGPT and similar AI models could lower the bar for hackers to write malicious code to target existing or newly discovered vulnerabilities. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., an Israel-based cybersecurity company, said attackers were already musing on hacking forums how to recreate malware strains or dark web marketplaces using the chatbot.

Several cybersecurity experts stressed that any malicious code provided by the model is only as good as the user and the questions asked of it. Still, they said it could help less sophisticated hackers with such things as developing better lures or automating post-exploitation actions. Another concern is if hackers develop their own AI models.

WithSecure, a cybersecurity company based in Helsinki, argues in a new report also out on Wednesday that bad actors will soon learn how to game ChatGPT by figuring out how to ask malicious prompts that could feed into phishing attempts, harassment and fake news.

Story continues

Its now reasonable to assume any new communication you receive may have been written with the help of a robot, said Andy Patel, intelligence researcher at WithSecure, in a statement.

A representative for OpenAI didnt respond to a request for comment, nor did the researchers for OpenAI who worked on the report on influence operations. The FBI, National Security Agency and National Security Council declined to comment on the risks of such AI-generated models.

Kyle Hanslovan, who used to create offensive cyber exploits for the US government before he set up his own defensive company, Ellicott City, Maryland-based Huntress, was among those who said there are limits to what ChatGPT could deliver. He told Bloomberg News it was unlikely to create sophisticated new exploits of the sort a nation-state attacker can generate because it lacks a lot of creativity and finesse. But like several other security experts, he said it would help non-English speakers craft markedly better phishing emails.

Hanslovan argued that ChatGPT is ultimately likely to give defenders a little bit better of an upper hand than the attackers.

Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, senior director of Sentinel Labs at the cybersecurity company SentinelOne, said ChatGPT knows code better than him when it comes to the painstaking world of reverse engineering and deobfuscation  the effort to uncover the secrets and sorcerers behind malicious source code.

Guerrero-Saade was so astounded by the ChatGPTs capabilities that hes thrown out his teaching syllabus for delving into nation-state hackers. Next week, he said more than two dozen students in his class at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies will hear his belief that ChatGPT can be a force for good.

It can make legible the building blocks of code quicker than he can manually, and more cheaply than expensive software, he said. Guerrero-Saade said he has been asking it to go back and reanalyze CaddyWiper malware that targeted Ukraine and find errors in his and others initial analysis.

Theres really not that many malware analysts in the world right now, he said. So this is a sizeable force multiplier.

In the study on AI-enabled influence operations, the researchers said their main worries were that the campaigns could be cheaper, easier to scale, instant, more persuasive and harder to identify using the AI tools. The report is an effort by Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, OpenAI and the Stanford Internet Observatory.

The authors also outline steps that can be taken before language models are used for influence operations at scale, such as teaching AI models how to be more fact sensitive, imposing stricter restrictions on usage of models and developing AI technology that can identify the work of other AI machines, according to the report and the blog.

But the risks are clear from the report, which was started well before the release of ChapGPT. There are no silver bullets for minimizing the risk of AI-generated disinformation, it concludes.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new amendment to its nationality law, granting the prime minister the authority to give the citizenship.

Higher authorities in the kingdom have approved an amendment to Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System, a Saudi Gazette report said.

The amendment replaced the phrase of by decision of the Minister of Interior in the Article 8 with by an order of the Prime Minister based on Minister of Interior proposal.

Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System stipulates that Saudi citizenship may be granted to a person born in the kingdom of a foreign father and a Saudi mother, if conditions are met, the report said.

The conditions include that he has the status of permanent residence in the kingdom when he comes of legal age, and he is of good conduct and sound character and has not been convicted of a crime or with imprisonment for a period exceeding six months for an indecent act and fluent in the Arabic language.
West Mining Corp.

Vancouver, BC, Jan. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Mining Corp. (West or the Company) (CSE: WEST) (OTC: WESMF) is pleased to announce that assay results have now been received for the 2022 diamond drilling program on its 100% owned Kena Gold-Copper project in southeastern British Columbia. The over 9000 hectare Kena Project, consists of the Kena, Daylight and Athabasca Properties which trend along a 20 kilometre long mineralized belt.



The Kena Property hosts several large gold and copper zones. The Kena Gold and Gold Mountain Zones contain the recent gold resource estimate, hosting 2.77 million ounces of gold inferred and 0.56 million ounces of gold indicated at 0.25 g/t cutoff (Bird, 2021; see News Release dated May 11, 2021).

The 2022 drilling program totalled 2400 metres in 9 diamond drill holes. All holes were drilled toward azimuth 060o and with dips of -50o or -60o. The best results were obtained from the final drill hole GM22-09 with 8.04 g/t gold over 2 metres (at 173.75 metres downhole) and 9.63 g/t gold over 2 metres (at 225.80 metres downhole). The following table summarizes several of the gold intercepts from the 2022 drilling program.

HOLE ID EAST NORTH FROM (m) TO (m) WIDTH (m) GOLD (g/t) GM22-01 479334 5476110 40.40 42.40 2.00 1.29 GM22-03 479235 5476073 25.40 27.59 2.19 0.92 GM22-04 479285 5476020 22.50 24.50 2.00 1.19 30.50 40.50 10.00 0.75 Including 30.50 32.50 2.00 1.49 140.50 142.50 2.00 2.47 GM22-05 479055 5475935 11.00 13.00 2.00 0.87 45.00 55.00 10.00 0.62 85.00 87.00 2.00 0.94 125.00 137.00 12.00 0.91 Including 133.00 135.00 2.00 3.25 155.00 157.00 2.00 0.90 169.00 173.00 4.00 1.17 299.40 315.40 16.00 0.80 Including 299.40 301.40 2.00 2.36 339.40 347.40 8.00 0.76 Including 339.40 341.40 2.00 1.32 GM22-06 479028 5475977 94.50 136.40 41.90 0.64 Including 94.50 95.50 1.00 1.40 Including 97.50 99.50 2.00 1.20 Including 116.50 117.50 1.00 1.45 Including 125.50 126.50 1.00 1.56 Including 134.50 136.40 1.90 1.98 153.40 155.40 2.00 1.02 358.40 360.40 2.00 2.17 GM22-07 478849 5476109 226.00 228.00 2.00 1.11 240.00 254.00 14.00 0.57 Including 246.00 248.00 2.00 1.78 GM22-08 478909 5475784 114.00 118.00 4.00 0.80 GM22-09 478893 5475921 58.90 60.90 2.00 1.21 161.72 177.75 16.03 1.51 Including 173.75 175.75 2.00 8.04 225.80 227.80 2.00 9.63 291.30 293.30 2.00 1.03

Note: Drill widths approximate true thicknesses.

Story continues

Holes GM22-01 to 04 were designed to test a newly identified north-south trending geophysical structure (magnetic gradient). Gold values were returned from several of drill core samples in these holes, however, the anticipated higher grades along this structure were not obtained.

Drill holes GM22-05 to 09 were step out and infill holes up to 300 metres to the north and west of the core of the Gold Mountain Zone designed to expand on the gold resource numbers in that area. Gold in the resource area occurs in strongly silicified shoots surrounded by broad envelopes of consistent disseminated gold mineralization. The Gold Mountain Zone transects the permissive geologic boundary between the Elise volcanic and Silver King intrusive units, extending for >300 metres into the altered, crackle brecciated intrusive. As anticipated broader zones of disseminated gold mineralization were encountered, such as 41.9 metres averaging 0.64 g/t gold in hole GM22-06. Along with the disseminated mineralization, several 2 metre samples returned > 1 g/t gold, most notably in hole GM22-09 with samples of 8.04 g/t and 9.63 g/t gold.

These results indicate continued expansion of the gold mineralization to the west and north of the gold resource. Strong gold soil geochemical and induced polarization geophysical anomalies also indicate that the resource area is also open to the south. Additional database compilation and 3D modelling work is currently underway. A detailed geologic block model, combined with the gold resource shells and geophysical anomalies will be used to guide expanded drilling in 2023.

The Company also announces that Nicholas Houghton has resigned as an officer and director of the Company to focus on other interests. Mr. Aaron Wong will replace Mr. Houghton on the board of directors and as Chief Executive Officer, President and Corporate Secretary of the Company.

Mr. Wong has been working in the capital markets for over 10 years and sits on the board of directors for multiple public companies. He previously led the business development group at Fortuna Investments for four years. He was also formerly an accountant at Ernst & Young LLP as part of the assurance practice specializing in resources, technology, real estate and financial services. Mr. Wong received his Bachelors of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from Western Michigan University.

With each drill result our flagship Kena project continues to grow. The consistent nature of the ever expanding gold and copper zones bodes well for the Company, states Nicholas Houghton. All the work our geological crew have completed over the last two years has seen very strong development at Kena, and indeed the project is in good standing for upcoming years and allows West to consider many options as we proceed onward.

I would also like to thank my fellow directors, Management and Geological team for the support they have shown me over the last two years as I step away from my role with the Company, and take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Aaron Wong to the Company and wish him well as incoming CEO.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

West Minings QA/QC procedures for diamond drill core sampling include insertion of one each of blank, field duplicate, and standard into the sample stream for every 20 drill core samples. At site, core samples are sawed in half, with one half bagged. labelled, zip-tied and trucked directly to MSA Laboratory in Langley, BC for preparation and analyses. The second half of the core is returned to the core box for storage. The field inserted standards (certified reference materials) and blanks were purchased from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. of Langley, British Columbia.

In the laboratory, the samples are dried, crushed to 2mm, then 500 g is split off and pulverized to 75m. A 50 g pulp is then analyzed for gold by fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, plus 41 additional elements by 4-acid digestion and ICP-AES/MS method.

MSA Labs has high quality standards, including both ISO 17025 (Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation and ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) certification. In the laboratory, blanks (analytical and method), coarse duplicates and standard reference materials are internally inserted in the sequences of client samples. Using these inserted quality control samples each analytical batch and complete job is rigorously reviewed and validated by MSA prior to release.

The QA/QC results confirm analytical accuracy and precision.

Linda Dandy, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About West Mining Corp.

West Mining Corp. is a mineral exploration company acquiring and developing advanced and early-stage exploration projects. It is fully focused on its 100% owned, 9000 hectare prospective Kena Project located near Nelson, British Columbia. The Kena Project comprises three adjoining Properties: Kena, Daylight and Athabasca. A recent NI43-101 resource estimate for Kena gave 561,900 oz Au indicated and 2,773,100 oz Au inferred in the Gold Mountain, Kena Gold and Daylight Zones. The Kena Property also hosts the large Kena Copper Zone, along with with the historic Euphrates and Gold Cup gold-silver mines. The Daylight property contains the historic past producing Daylight, Starlight, Victoria, Irene and Great Eastern gold mines. Along trend to the north is the Athabasca Property, with the historic Athabasca Gold Mine. The historic mines and known mineralized zones on these three properties are structurally controlled along a 20 kilometre strike as identified by strong geophysical signatures.

For additional information, please refer to the Companys public disclosure record available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

West Mining Corp.

Aaron Wong

President & CEO

Awong411@gmail.com

###

The Canadian Securities Exchange accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words may, would, could, should, potential, will, seek, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Companys current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to them, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation: the potential of the Companys mineral properties; the estimation of capital requirements; the estimation of operating costs; the timing and amount of future business expenditures; and the availability of necessary financing. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. Such factors include but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and exploration or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward- looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.




Gov. Glenn Youngkin singled out a Germanna Community College nursing graduate when he spoke during Wednesdays State of the Commonwealth speech about the need to boost the number of nurses and other health care professionals trained to fill job openings in Virginia.

She is Kaitlyn Niesent, a Stafford County resident who graduated from Germanna last spring.

The governor called nurses Virginias quiet heroes.

Everyone should be well aware of the fact that we have a serious shortage of nurses, Youngkin said. Virginia hospitals have identified a shortage of more than 4,000 nurses at their facilities and vacancy rates are estimated as high as 40% across healthcare. We must accelerate the education and licensing of thousands of nurses. The budget I introduced in December includes $35 million for the Earn to Learn accelerator, a program designed to get more nurses from the classroom to the front line faster. Kaitlyn Niesent is a nurse from Stafford County and shes here with us in the gallery this afternoon Caitlin would you please stand? She stood to a brief standing ovation.

Kaitlyn was one of the earliest enrollees in Germanna Community Colleges Earn to Learn program ... Shes a registered nurse at Mary Washington Hospitals intensive care unit. Kaitlyn, thank you for being one of Virginias quiet heroes. And now friends. Lets get Kaitlin some reinforcements.

Mary Washington Healthcare and Germanna began a partnership during the pandemic called Earn While You Learn, which helped address the nursing shortage at the time. It allowed nursing students at Germanna to be paid as nursing assistants at Mary Washington Hospital as they worked with trained nurses to get more clinical experience.

I started the Germanna Nursing Program in the middle of the pandemic in the fall of 2020, Niesent said, which only strengthened my passion to care for others. Since the beginning of my journey, I have cared for all patient populations from pediatric to geriatric, and patients in every unit at my local hospital both as a student and as an employee as a nursing assistant. Because of these experiences, pandemic or not, my passion for caring for others has been solidified.

She said she became interested in nursing early.

While living overseas in Okinawa for six years, I served on many mission trips to an orphanage in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. These children were in desperate need of medical attention and the necessities for basic survival. I was inspired by those I saw serving as nurses and other caregivers. They operated the infirmary responsible for treating common colds, administering vaccines, providing wound care, and quality of life care for the most seriously ill children, she said. They were patient, compassionate, and committed that every child received the best care humanly possible. Through these experiences, I developed a passion for caring for others.

Her father is a retired U.S. Marine.

Gullickson noted that Germanna has committed to doubling its number of nursing and related graduates over the next three years in response to the critical shortage.

Within the Germanna service area, nursing and allied health labor shortages match the rest of the nation at 18 to 25 percent, according to Germannas Bruce Davis, special assistant to the president for institutional advancement.

Additionally, he said, the areas nursing shortage is expected to become more severe when the Veterans Administration Clinic opens in Spotsylvania County in late 2023 or early 2024.
As Melite Secino listens to people share stories about loved ones with dementia, she sees them go through the same range of emotions she experienced.

Sometimes theres tears, sometimes theres anger, sometimes both, the Stafford County woman said. Theres also a lot of laughter because what else can you do sometimes but laugh?

Secino passes along tricks of the trade, strategies gained in the last 13 years since her father-in-laws diagnosis threw her into a caregiving role. She started attending support-group meetings, and volunteering as a leader, and has continued since his death in 2013.

It was a godsend when I heard about the association, she said. I made sure I had people around to be with him so I could go to meetings. It gives you a chance to just kind of let go and talk and hear other peoples stories.

On Saturday, various presenters with the Alzheimers Association will host the Fredericksburg Community Forum to discuss conditions that rob people of their memories. Theyll also address local resources and seek ideas about other assistance the association might provide, according to a flyer.

The forum starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Rd., in Spotsylvania County. Those interested in attending are asked to register at form.jotform.com/223555572806057 or call 800/272-3900.

While dementia describes a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills severe enough to interfere with daily life, Alzheimers is a specific brain disease and the most common cause of dementia, according to the Alzheimers Association.

Its prevalence is growing  fast. An estimated 6.5 million Americans have Alzheimers, according to the association, and three of every four patients are age 75 and older.

As more baby boomers reach their golden years, the numbers are projected to almost double by 2050, to an estimated 12.7 million Americans.

Many of them probably will remain at home, being cared for by loved ones. That was the case with Melite and Joseph Secino when they discovered that his father Joseph  whom she came to call Big Joe  wasnt functioning on his own.

Local support

Big Joe was 90 and living alone in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and he sounded good over the phone, she recalled. But on a visit there, she and her husband noticed red flags, such as a number of past-due bills. An Air Force fighter pilot for 32 years, Big Joe had been a stickler for following the rules and meeting deadlines, like paying bills on time.

The Secinos moved him into their Hartwood home in 2010. The younger Joseph Secino was still working full time for the Army, so Melite Secino became her father-in-laws primary caregiver. She was clueless about his condition in the beginning, and grateful for information provided by Lori Myers, who used to head the Fredericksburg office.

Thats since been closed, but Myers, who has retired, and Secino continue to lead a support group at Howell Library. Its one of several local groups that meet:

At Howell Library, 806 Lyons Blvd., Stafford; third Tuesday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m.

At Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Ave., Fredericksburg. One group meets the third Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and another, the fourth Tuesday at 11 a.m.

At Cooper Library, 20 Washington Ave., Colonial Beach; first Wednesday at 5 p.m.

For the three years that Big Joe lived with the Secinos, taking care of him was a full-time job.

We did it all out of love but it still can be exhausting, just staying on top of how hes doing, she said, remembering a time when hed run out of toothpaste and started using deodorant instead.

We had to take him to the emergency room, just to make sure he hadnt ingested anything that was poison and going to make him sick, she said.

Creative strategies

Over the years, support group members shared stories about similar incidents. Caregivers learned to come up with solutions that seemed to settle a somewhat irrational mind, Secino said.

Driving is a huge issue for many elderly patients, whether they have dementia or not, as theyre reluctant to give up their independence.

One family did everything they could to dissuade their elderly father from wanting to get behind the wheel. They hid his keys, cajoled him into getting in on the passenger side, said theyd do the driving and he could navigate.

This family got so desperate, they took all four tires off the car and put it on blocks, Secino recalled. They said, See its broken, you cant drive, and that ended it.

Secino and her husband had to use a different tactic with Big Joe. Hed always been keen on saving money, wanting to leave something for his children. When he insisted on having his car brought to Hartwood from South Carolina, he wanted to drive again  and pulled into traffic in front of a tractortrailer, she said.

The Secinos told Big Joe that if he caused an accident, he could be sued for everything he was worth and lose his life savings.

That seemed to hit home with him, she said.

The family continued to use his car for errands, because that gave Big Joe some comfort, but he never again tried to drive.

Another elderly patient was obsessed with calling his parents. His caregivers tried to tell him that wasnt possible, but he wouldnt let up. Frantic, a caregiver called the Alzheimers hotline  800/272-3900  and was told to make a call.

The representative also said to make arrangements with someone beforehand who knows what youre doing. Then when the elderly patient is in the room, call and leave a message, saying that he is trying to reach his parents and for them to please call back at this number.

That was it, he was happy with that and it was never brought up again, Secino said. They kind of get fixated on something that day, or that week, that really bothers them, so if theyre able to come up with a strategy that helps them calm down or move on, its really important.
PLATTSMOUTH  Cass and Sarpy counties could face a serious situation should another flood occur if repairs on the Platte River arent completed soon.

Thats the opinion of Mike Jensen, Cass Countys zoning administrator and the local spokesman for a group of agencies and governments, all with similar concerns about this issue.

Jensen said the unfinished removal of a causeway, built by two railroads that cross the river on bridges, is obstructing the natural flow of the river because it allowed sediment in the river over the past few years to build up creating a large sandbar.

Its my opinion that the obstruction in the river poses a significant danger to life safety, personal property and critical infrastructure in the area, Jensen said. This obstruction can cause water to back up the flow into parts of Sarpy and Cass counties. This is a severe condition of the river that needs to be corrected before the next flood event.

This concern, according to Jensen, goes back to the historic 2019 flood that caused widespread damage to land, buildings and infrastructure, especially along the Platte and Missouri rivers.

Among the infrastructure heavily damaged were the Platte River railroad bridges used by the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads.

To repair those bridges, the railroads built a causeway, in this case a temporary road of rock, allowing access for repair equipment to the bridges.

According to Jensen, the railroads, after finishing their bridge repairs, removed portions of the causeway, but not all of it.

Thats the issue, he said.

The railroads did not remove the causeway completely, which shifted the river channel creating more pressure on the Cass County side, Jensen said.

The railroads should be responsible for removing this (water) restriction, because since they didnt completely remove the causeway, it is causing this problem. We believe there is clear evidence that this obstruction was caused by the railroads and all costs should be covered by them.

Jensen and officials elsewhere have banded together as a group to seek a solution to this issue.

Engineers for a firm in this group believe the water could rise up to five feet higher than the 2019 flood should another flood event occur, Jensen said.

Based on our analysis, this blockage can cause elevated water during runoff events, which could create flooding upstream of the blockage, said Katy Glover, communications manager for Sarpy County.

Paul Zillig, general manager of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, said, Theres a restricted channel there and it shouldnt be restricted.

John Winkler, general manager of the Papio/Missouri River Natural Resources District, said his agency agrees with the potential problems this obstruction could bring, especially with ice jams on the river.

Its a big issue for us, Winkler said.

The large sandbar created in that area was probably not naturally made, but more likely human induced, he said.

Thats our belief, Winkler said.

Winkler added that the railroads should help pay for the removal of the causeway.

We are willing to work hand-in-hand with the railroads, he said. It should not all fall on the taxpayers. It should be a public/private partnership. Thats what were hoping for.

Sarpy County has proposed a cost share among all the stakeholders, including the railroads to remove the obstruction, Glover said.

The process is ongoing and were looking at funding sources, she said.

In response, Union Pacific said it does not believe the construction of a temporary causeway in 2019 created this sandbar on the Platte River.

In our initial analysis, we found that naturally occurring sandbars disappear and appear periodically in this location, the railroad said through its media relations office. However, in the interest of cooperation, Union Pacific is performing a more detailed analysis of the formation of this sandbar, its causes, and any potential impact of the temporary causeway. We will share the findings with the NRDs.
The latest attempt to increase Nebraska's abortion restrictions is on its way to the Legislature, this time focused on the heavily debated terminology commonly referred to as the "fetal heartbeat."

State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston announced Wednesday her intent to introduce two bills in the coming days, the first called the "Nebraska Heartbeat Act," and the other named the "Nebraska Pregnancy Help Act," which would provide a tax credit for donors supporting pregnancy centers that do not perform abortions. Neither bill has been officially introduced yet.

Though the language hasn't been finalized, the first bill would require physicians to perform an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion to test for a "fetal heartbeat," which is typically detected around six weeks past fertilization, and would prohibit doctors from performing an abortion if one is detected.

This would be significantly stricter than Nebraska's current law banning abortions at 20 weeks past fertilization. Albrecht estimated the bill would eliminate 85% of abortions in the state.

The term "fetal heartbeat" is highly controversial. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said it isn't accurate to characterize an embryo's cardiac activity as a heartbeat until the chambers of the heart are developed around 17-20 weeks of gestation. However, two doctors that spoke in support of Albrecht's bill Wednesday argued the term is correct.

"There's no question biologically or medically that these are two separate human beings," said Robert Plambeck, a Lincoln OBGYN.

Opponents of the bill have already criticized it for being a thinly veiled attempt to ban all abortions. Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who led the filibuster that killed the full abortion ban proposed last year, noted that most women don't even realize they are pregnant until after the legislation would prohibit abortions.

"This bill is about banning abortion, plain and simple," Hunt said in a Tweet. "It would ban abortions before most people even know theyre pregnant."

Albrecht was pressed on this issue, and said she hopes women will understand the bill before it becomes law, and will know to seek medical help if they suspect they are pregnant.

Under the new bill, a physician's medical license could be revoked if they perform an abortion after embryonic cardiac activity is detected. This differs from last year's proposed ban, which would have made it a criminal offense to perform an abortion. Neither bill would penalize the woman receiving an abortion.

The bill bears more resemblance to another piece of legislation that failed to make it out of committee last year. The bill (LB781), introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, also would have required doctors test for embryonic cardiac activity, and would have made it a felony to perform an abortion if one was detected.

Albrecht did not release a draft of the "Nebraska Pregnancy Help Act" Wednesday, but explained that it would provide up to $10 million in tax credits to individuals and groups that make donations to pregnancy support organizations that do not provide abortions.

Andi Curry Grubb, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, criticized the legislation as an attempt to financially support anti-abortion religious groups.

Its essentially a tax credit to churches, Curry Grubb said.

The Nebraska Heartbeat Act includes several notable changes to last years full ban, which Albrecht also introduced. Albrecht said it was difficult for her to make those changes, but they were made because it was clear there was not enough support for a full ban.

We listened to Nebraskans, Albrecht said.

The bill covers many points of contention that opponents took issue with in Albrechts previous bill, including that it did not include exceptions for rape or incest, it would have unintentionally banned contraception and in vitro fertilization and would unfairly penalize doctors.

The new bill includes exceptions for rape and incest, and clarifies the regulations do not apply to in vitro fertilization, ectopic pregnancies or life-saving medical procedures that terminate a pregnancy.

The change in penalty from a felony charge to a license revocation will also likely move the bill to be considered by the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, rather than the Judiciary Committee which considered the full ban. Hunt said she suspected this change was made both to gain support from the medical community, and because the Health and Human Services Committee has a majority of Republican lawmakers, versus Judiciary, which has an equal split of Republicans and Democrats.

Last years full ban failed because it was two votes short of the 33 needed for a filibuster-ending cloture motion. Hunt has promised to filibuster against abortion restrictions again this year, but she is uncertain whether that will be enough to stop the bills this time.

The current Legislature is made up of 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats. However, Hunt said this does not mean Albrecht doesnt have the votes she needs.

I have never seen 17 Democrats agree on anything, Hunt said.

Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a Democrat, voted in support of the full abortion ban last year, and also was one of roughly 30 lawmakers who stood behind Albrecht Wednesday as she announced her new legislation. Albrecht said she believes she has the 33 votes for cloture.

However, the political temperature surrounding abortion has also changed since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, with voters in multiple Republican-dominated states rejecting attempts to pass abortion restrictions.

Hunt said while she believes the overall opinion on abortion has shifted among conservatives in Nebraska, conservative state lawmakers are more extreme, and she doesnt expect any of them have changed their minds on the subject.

This body is much more conservative and much more extremist than the average conservative Nebraskan, Hunt said. And so I would not expect a lot of independent thought coming from these lawmakers.

Albrecht claimed that a majority of Nebraskans support her new bill, citing a new poll by market research group WPA Intelligence on behalf of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America nonprofit. The poll surveyed registered Nebraska voters, and found 58% somewhat or strongly supported protecting a baby with a beating heart.

The poll directly conflicts with an ACLU poll released last year, reporting that 59% of Nebraskans did not support further abortion restrictions.

Meanwhile, Wednesday morning two lawmakers introduced constitutional amendments that would protect abortion rights if placed on the ballot and passed by Nebraska voters.

Hunt introduced a legislative resolution (LR18CA), which would include reproductive freedom with the rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the right to keep and bear arms in the first section of the state Constitution.

She also introduced LR19CA, which would add a new section to the state Constitution protecting the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy, including  abortion care.

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln introduced LR20CA, which would add a section to the Constitution protecting the right of individual privacy and barring any infringement of that right without a compelling state interest.

The U.S. Supreme Court based its 1973 decision legalizing abortion on the right to privacy that earlier rulings had found in the U.S. Constitution. Earlier this month, the South Carolina Supreme Court threw out that states ban on abortions after about the sixth week of pregnancy based on the right to privacy in the South Carolina Constitution.

Curry Grubb said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska have not ruled out the option of seeking a ballot initiative to protect abortion access if Albrechts bill passes.

Were exploring every tool in the tool box, she said.

Photos: Nebraska Legislature begins 2022 session First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022 First day of the Legislature 2022
OMAHA -- An Omaha man reportedly shot and killed himself in the presence of police during a domestic disturbance Monday morning.

According to the Omaha Police Department, police were called to a residence near 167th and Q streets for a domestic disturbance at 10:15 a.m. Monday. Upon arrival, they saw 41-year-old Loren Dexter in the front of the residence.

Police observed Dexter walk away from the home and enter a car in the front driveway. Before officers got out of their cruisers, they heard a single gunshot, reports stated.

Police immediately removed Dexter, who had suffered a gunshot wound, from the car and began performing CPR. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is being investigated by the Omaha Police Departments Officer Involved Investigations Team, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and the Bellevue Police Department.

The case will be presented to a grand jury after the investigation is completed. Nebraska law requires that a grand jury be summoned when a death occurs while being apprehended or in custody by law enforcement.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea's spike in missile tests, growing nuclear ambitions and other provocative acts pose a "serious threat" that could lead to a dangerous miscalculation and spark a wider conflict, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said.

Speaking with The Associated Press at the presidential office in Seoul on Tuesday, the conservative leader reiterated his call for closer security cooperation with the United States and Japan to counter the "dangerous situation" created by North Korea as he played down the prospect for direct negotiations like those pursued by his liberal predecessor.

"We've seen a miscalculation leading to serious wars many times in history," Yoon said, adding that the North's advancing nuclear arsenal poses a direct threat to the U.S. mainland as well as South Korea and nearby Japan.

Much of the nearly hourlong interview focused on North Korea, which carried out a record number of missile tests last year and just weeks ago violated South Korean airspace by flying drones across the border for the first time in five years.

That incursion prompted the South to fire warning shots, scramble jets and fly its own surveillance equipment over the border.

Days later, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un began the new year by ordering the "exponential" expansion of his nuclear arsenal and the development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile.

Some experts believe the testing spree is largely meant to modernize an arsenal that North Korea ultimately would want to use as leverage in future dealings with the U.S. to wrest sanctions relief and other concessions.

"North Korea could have its own internal reasons, but there's no way for our country or any other country to know exactly why they are conducting such provocations," Yoon said.

"These unlawful North Korean provocations can only result in the strengthening of (South Korea's) security response capabilities and a further strengthening of the security cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan," he said.

Yoon, a former top prosecutor, took office in May vowing to take a tougher stance on North Korea. During the presidential election campaign, he accused his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, of being "submissive" to North Korea.

Moon, who met Kim Jong Un three times, was credited with arranging now-dormant nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington and easing fears of war. But he invited criticism that his dovish engagement policy eventually helped Kim Jong Un buy time and perfect weapons technologies in the face of United Nations sanctions.

In a recent newspaper interview, Yoon cited discussions with the U.S. about joint planning potentially involving U.S. nuclear assets.

Asked for further clarity Tuesday, he said the proposed plans include "tabletop exercises, computer simulations and drills  on delivery means for nuclear weapons."

While Yoon didn't reveal further details, some observers have said he likely wants to stress efforts to boost the viability of the U.S. security commitment to protect its Asian ally.

Despite the heightened animosities, Yoon maintained he won't pursue talks for the sake of talks with North Korea, saying past inter-Korean discussions were often politically exploited by leaders in both countries and failed to eliminate the North's nuclear program.

Yoon also accused North Korea of cutting off all communication channels with South Korea. Pointing at a white telephone on a desk that he said is meant for a direct hotline communications channel with the North Korean leader, Yoon said, "The North is obstructing this line and isn't coming to dialogue."

Yoon also voiced his support for Ukraine in its fight to repel Russia's invasion, which he called "unlawful and illegitimate."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged South Korea to provide arms and other military equipment. The Asian country, a growing arms exporter with a well-equipped, U.S.-backed military, has provided humanitarian aid and other support while joining U.S.-led sanctions against Moscow. But it has stopped short of providing arms directly.

Yoon said Korean laws, as well as domestic public opinion, make it difficult for his government to arm Ukraine while it is at war.

An American official said in November that the U.S. agreed to buy 100,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine. South Korea maintains that the rounds it was selling were meant to backfill depleted U.S. stocks.

Yoon expressed openness to similar deals in the future.

"If the conflict (in Ukraine) isn't resolved swiftly, it could send a message to North Korea that the international community would fail to respond to an act of invasion with the appropriate sanctions or punishment," he said, "and that message would further encourage the North to conduct provocations."

On the domestic front, Yoon appeared to still be shaken by the crowd crush tragedy that killed nearly 160 Halloween revelers in late October in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood.

"It's still hard for me to fully understand how such a huge crowd accident can happen in a country with a (developed) system like ours because of a failure in crowd management, " he said.

Photos: Kim Jong Un's public appearances through the years
Saudi Arabias Ministry of Culture (MoC) has obligated the hotels in the Kingdom to acquire the artworks and paintings of Saudi artists, according to a media report.



MoC's obligation came during adding new standards within the regulation of hospitality facilities represented by the inclusion of cultural experiences and local arts in them, reported Saudi Gazette.



The MoC aims to enrich the various cultural programs, such as culinary arts, heritage, artistic and musical works, which comes as part of efforts of enhancing the culture and arts in different sectors.



The MoC's initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism will also strengthen the presence of culture in hospitality facilities by participating in creating an authentic cultural experience that is closely related with the culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia.



It will also promote the presence of local artistic production and the artworks of the Saudi artists, in addition to providing a list of local heritage foods which reflect each Saudi region.



Moreover, it will develop the cultural hotels to highlight the local culture as included in the regulations of hospitality facilities.
Among the festivities in the opening hours of the 2023 legislature: Members of the Colorado House serenaded Minority Leader Mike Lynch's daughter with a rendition of "Happy Birthday," noting her 17th.

As it turns out, the Lynch family has a lot to celebrate.

Son Spencer, who is 14 months older than his sister Carly, received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the fall 2023 school year.

He was nominated to West Point by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Lafayette. Neguse also nominated Lynch for the U.S. Naval Academy, but Lynch indicated he prefers to keep his feet on the ground instead of in the water.

"I'm not a big sea guy," Spencer Lynch said, but added it was still a tough decision.

Spencer is carrying on a family tradition, albeit in a slightly more expedient way.

His father is a graduate of West Point, but the Wellington Republican told Colorado Politics recently he didn't go directly to the academy from high school, as his son will do.

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He admitted it took four years to get into West Point. Once there, he had an illustrious academic career, earning a bachelor of applied science degree in systems engineering and law.

He still has ties to the academy, serving as vice president of his alumni class. Lynch served in the military for eight years after graduation, earning certification as airborne qualified and a Bradley commander.

Spencer's interests lie in military intelligence and, like his dad, systems engineering.

Spencer said he knew about West Point from an early age because of his dad, but made his own decision to apply.

Spencer went to a summer camp, with a mock "plebe" experience, including on leadership, at West Point prior to starting his senior year at Liberty Commons High School in Fort Collins, where he is now school captain, akin to class president.

"I really love my country and want to serve in some way, and I feel like I have natural leadership qualities," he said.
A bill to create an affordability program for Coloradans who need epinephrine auto-injectors has been introduced in the General Assembly.

Epinephrine, best known under the brand name EpiPen, is a life-saving medication used to counter the effects of a severe allergic reaction.

House Bill 1002 from Democratic Reps. Javier Mabrey of Denver and Iman Jodeh of Aurora, and in the Senate by Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Eagle, seeks to cap the cost of a two-pack to $60. Currently, the cost for the brand name product is $690 per pen. For a generic, its about half that.

The bill is already drawing opposition from the health insurance community, and raising eyebrows because of Mabrey's ties to its main backer.

The issue of escalating costs for injectors gained public attention in 2016 when pharmaceutical company Mylan hiked the cost for the EpiPen. Over a seven-year period, the cost for a two-pack reportedly increased from $103.50 in 2009 to more than $608.61 in 2016.

Heather Bresch, the CEO of Mylan whose father is U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, was called before Congress to answer questions about the price hike. Lawsuits followed over what was alleged to be price-gouging and a settlement was reached last year.

But the price is still beyond what many can afford.

The affordability program envisioned under HB 1002 would be open to Colorado residents who have prescriptions for an injector and arent already enrolled in a prescription drug program that already caps the cost.

Under the bill, manufacturers of the injector would be required to cover the difference between a pharmacys cost for the injector and the co-pay. Manufacturers that refuse to participate can be fined as much as $10,000 per month.

Mabrey told Colorado Politics companies do business here will be subject to the fines he envisions in the bill  even if they aren't based in Colorado,

The program would be similar to one the General Assembly set up in 2019 on insulin.

Those who want to take advantage of the lower prices would fill out an application, developed by the Division of Insurance. Both the division and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing would make that application available on their websites, and application forms could also be obtained from pharmacies, health-care providers and health facilities that prescribe or dispense the injectors.

Those who apply for the program who present those documents to the pharmacy or other dispensary in order to obtain the injectors at the lower cost.

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Lawmakers, primarily Democrats, over the past four years have worked to chip away at health care costs, mostly on two legs of a three-legged stool.

Health insurance premiums and hospital costs have been the two legs that have seen the most effort, including through legislation on out-of-network billing, reinsurance and the state-designed health insurance plan, know as the Colorado Option.

Lawmakers been slower to take on the third leg, the cost of prescription drugs for Coloradans. The solutions so far have been to set up a prescription drug affordability board, which drew a big fight from Big Pharma two years ago and hasnt yet gone into full implementation.

The other effort is a law that allows the importation of high cost drugs from Canada.

As to the cost of prescription drugs within Colorado, Democratic lawmakers, through the 2019 bill, capped the cost for insulin to $100 for a 30-day supply. That measure that drew strong opposition from health insurers, CVS and the pharmaceutical industry.

Roberts was a sponsor of that measure. Along with Jodeh, he also sponsored the Colorado Option bill in 2021.

HB 1002 is the brainchild of the Community Economic Defense Project, previously known as the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project

The organization hired the lobbying firm Strategies 360 to lobby on behalf of the bill. But the bill has another ace in the hold: Mabrey is CEDPs staff attorney.

That tie has raised a few questions in the state Capitol.

But when asked about a hypothetical situation and not about Mabrey's specific bill, the legislature's attorneys pointed to a 2006 advisory opinion from the General Assembly's ethics board on lawmakers who have ties to nonprofits, aside from being a director.

The opinion said a lawmaker would not be in violation if they did not have an economic or financial interest in the nonprofit.

HB 1002 has been assigned to the House Health & Insurance Committee but does not yet have a hearing date scheduled.
Health officials are urging Coloradans to test their homes for excessive levels of radon, a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and contributes to as many as 500 lung cancer deaths in Colorado each year.

The gas forms when uranium is broken down in the soil. When a home is built, it creates a space for radon to accumulate.

January marks the first Radon Action Month in Colorado. About 50% of homes in the state have unhealthy levels of radon, testing above the Environmental Protection Agencys recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter, said Michelle Beyrle, El Paso County's public health information officer.

Although the state is aware of the threat posed by radon, there are no requirements for homes or commercial buildings to conduct testing or install mitigation systems.

Building codes in some communities in Colorado have started requiring radon mitigation to be considered as part of the building process, but it is not consistent throughout the state, Beyrle said. Some builders are implementing testing and/or mitigation, even though it is not required. It is also becoming more common to test for radon during the home buying process.

All 64 of the states counties are rated as high risk for elevated radon levels.

In El Paso County, about 48.8% of tested homes had elevated levels of radon, according to KOAA-TV.

At-home tests are available at most hardware stores and cost between $10 and $50. The tests take 48 to 120 hours to complete.

Resources are available through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's website regarding at-home radon testing and finding a certified radon measurement and mitigation contractor.

The department also provides financial assistance to lower income families for radon testing. Those who may qualify for the Radon Mitigation Assistance Program can apply at bit.ly/3vWfWss.
According to Wine Enthusiast, one of the top 'bucket list' spots to consume an alcoholic beverage worldwide is located in Colorado.

Their list sought to highlight some of the most unique places to drink around the globe, giving nods to spots for their theatrical presentation, the history of the destination, and even the 'longest bar.'

The spot in Colorado was picked thanks to being the "highest-altitude distillery in the US"  Breckenridge Distillery, located at 9,600 feet above sea level in Breckenridge, Colorado. This spot shared the category of 'highest-altitude spots' with Orma, a whiskey distillery found at 10,836 feet above sea level in Silvaplana, Switzerland.

After being founded in 2008, Breckenridge Distillery has been on the rise since. It's best-known beverage is the blended bourbon whiskey, which can be found in liquor stores and bars in many places around the country. It's one of the most highly-awarded bourbons in America, winning a number of national and international awards, also being designated as one of the top three bourbons in the country, according to the company website.

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Breckenridge Distillery doesn't stop at making great drinks either  a visit to the destination is an experience in itself. Dubbed one of Whisky Magazine's 2021 'Visitor Attractions of the Year', this spot is complete with an upscale bar, immersive tours of the facility, and guided tastings.

If you're looking to visit the Breckenridge Distillery on your next trip to Breckenridge, you're in luck  it's not far from town and it's open every day of the week. Tours, however, are only offered on Sunday.

Find the full list of 'bucket list' spots to drink here.

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Update: As of approximately 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, the Comcast service interruption has been resolved.

El Paso County is experiencing an outage of comcast services due to an act of vandalism to the Comcast fiber located west of Memorial Park.

Comcast is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.

Outage reports stretch from Fountain to Manitou; Manitou Springs District 14 announcing a delayed start due to internet and phone outages. They have since instituted a cancellation.

Approximately 20,000 residential and business customers were affected by the outage. Crews have been sent to the site and are working to repair the damaged fiber. There is currently no estimated time of repair available.

Comcast reports that customers enrolled to receive automated messages have been notified directly and will continue to receive updates. Customers can also check their Xfinity app for updates regarding the outage.
The federal appeals court based in Denver has rejected the notion that a series of constitutional violations have ensued from a 1996 law that enables Congress to nullify new regulations.

Specifically, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit found no constitutional flaw with the Congressional Review Act, which allows congressional majorities to "disapprove" a regulation from an executive branch agency. If the president signs a disapproval resolution, the regulation never takes effect.

Two groups suing over the repeal of an Obama-era environmental rule argued Congress' actions unlawfully undermined the executive branch in violation of the separation-of-powers principle. But a three-judge panel for the 10th Circuit pointed out that under the U.S. Constitution, measures passed by Congress and signed by the president are lawful. A disapproval resolution, like other legislation, complies with that requirement.

"It makes no difference what internal parliamentary procedures Congress adopts in doing so," wrote Judge Harris L Hartz in the Jan. 10 opinion, "so long as Congress complies with the fundamental constitutional requirements of bicameralism (approval by both Houses of Congress) and presentment (submission to the President for approval)."

Disapproval resolutions under the CRA are, in practice, a tool for Congress and a president of the same political party to rescind regulations issued in the waning months of a prior administration of the opposite party. For example, Republicans introduced 70 disapproval resolutions during President Donald Trump's first two years in office, and succeeded in nullifying multiple Obama administration rules.

By the same token, President Joe Biden signed a disapproval resolution for a Trump-era methane regulation after Democrats regained control of Congress in 2021.

While presidents may veto a disapproval resolution, a successful resolution means a government agency may not reimpose its regulation in "substantially the same form."

During the final month of the Obama administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a "stream protection rule," which would have addressed water contamination due to mining operations. The subsequent Republican-led Congress passed a disapproval resolution and Trump signed it in February 2017.

Citizens for Constitutional Integrity and Southwest Advocates, Inc. then filed suit in federal court in Colorado. They argued the overturn of the stream protection rule allowed the government to permit a 950-acre expansion of the King II Mine in La Plata County. The plaintiffs worried about deleterious effects to water and the larger ecosystem from increased mining.

Their lawsuit made three constitutional claims. First, the CRA allegedly violates the notion of separation of powers by eroding the authority of executive agencies to enact rules. Specifically, the CRA combines with the U.S. Senate's super-majoritarian "cloture" rule to create a "one-way ratchet": Repealing regulations takes only a simple majority of senators, while enacting legislation to restore the rule would be subject to a filibuster unless 60 senators consent to proceed.

Second, the CRA allegedly violates the right to due process and, third, the right to equal protection under the law. Again, operating in tandem with the cloture rule, the plaintiffs argued that having two separate vote thresholds in the Senate means people with "complex problems" solved through agency rulemaking are treated differently than people with "simpler problems" that Congress could address with legislation.

Initially, U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore rejected those attacks on the CRA's constitutionality.

"The Court's role is not to consider the wisdom or utility of the statute," he wrote in August 2021. "The CRA simply allows the Senate to operate differently in different scenarios  when federal agencies propose new rules and when its own members propose new laws."

Moore added that Congress could not violate the separation-of-powers principle because it was the entity that gave executive agencies their rulemaking power in the first place.

The plaintiffs appealed, and the government asked the 10th Circuit to uphold Moore's decision.

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"No court has adopted plaintiffs unprecedented theories, and this Court should not be the first," wrote attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice.

During oral arguments in September, the 10th Circuit panel was skeptical of the notion that Congress oversteps its legal authority whenever it disapproves a rule.

"Congress delegated to administrative agencies to regulate. Why is it a separation-of-powers violation for Congress to decide it wants to bound the circumstances under which an agency can regulate and the things they do regulate?" asked Chief Judge Jerome A. Holmes. "It seems to me that what Congress is doing is saying, 'You, agencies out there, are legislating too much and I dont like the fact that you're doing that. So Im going to impose boundaries on what you can do.'"

Hartz pressed the plaintiffs' attorney to describe how the CRA, in combination with the cloture rule, treated people with "complex" problems differently than people with "simpler" problems.

"Which group do I belong to?" he asked.

"As soon as you face a regulation, we will know which group you belong to," responded Jared S. Pettinato.

"Really? Lets take your regulation here. Which group do I belong to?" Hartz demanded.

Pettinato conceded that everyone, at different times, can be in either category depending on the regulation. Consequently, the panel found the plaintiffs had not shown the existence of a clear class of people the CRA discriminates against based on protected traits like race or sex.

"An environmentalist may be happy with one environmental regulation and distressed by another," Hartz wrote. "The 'class of persons' discriminated against by the CRA will vary depending on what particular regulation is up for consideration by Congress."

Finally, the 10th Circuit concluded the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the Senate's cloture rule.

"The prerogative to change the Senates rules of debate belongs to the Senate alone," Hartz added.

Pettinato said the appellate panel did not explicitly dispute his contention that the Senate's supermajority requirement is unconstitutional, and he is exploring how to move forward in the case.

"Ultimately, the Senates two voting thresholds violate the separation of powers inherent in our constitutional structure and require declaring the filibuster unconstitutional and stopping the King II Mine," Pettinato said.

A trio of faculty members from The George Washington University found in 2021 that since the enactment of the CRA, Republicans had introduced three-quarters of all disapproval resolutions. Although lawmakers introduce resolutions even with the likelihood of a presidential veto, nearly half of Republicans' historical disapproval resolutions came in the first two years of the Trump administration, when Republicans controlled both the executive and legislative branches.

The case is Citizens for Constitutional Integrity et al. v. United States et al.
Desperate to be heard at his sentencing, Bruce Holder disrupted a federal courtroom Wednesday complaining that his trial was a lie built on faulty evidence. At one point, he stood up and walked to the exit door.

Ive had enough of this, he told the deputy before he was persuaded to calm down.

U.S. District Court Judge Christina Arguello gave him life in prison anyway.

Mr. Holder, I have spent hundreds of hours on your case, said Arguello. She said that a life sentence for the 2017 fentanyl-involved death of Jonathan Ellington was sufficient and told Holder that he should save his breath for an appeal.

Holders punishment is the longest sentence ever given for a fentanyl-involved death in a federal case in Colorado. Prosecutors say the 57-year-old Grand Junction man was the patriarch of a booming fentanyl business for which he recruited his own children and lifelong friends to help sell for him. The Gazette wrote a series on his network entitled "Fentanyl Family."

Prosecutors say Holder made dozens of trips to Mexico where he would transport thousands of fentanyl pills in Zip-loc bags hidden behind his glove compartment. To ensure that he wouldn't get caught, he would wait days before he would tear open the dashboard to get them out, according to testimony from his trial. Investigators said he paid $12 wholesale per pill, but they were sold on the street for as much as $30 apiece.

Holder was convicted in April 2021 of distribution resulting in death and of a second charge of distribution resulting in serious bodily injury, along with two other related charges.

Prosecutors contend that Holder supplied the deadly pills that killed Ellington, 30, a marijuana dispensary worker and Aspen hotel bellman who bought them from a co-worker a couple of days after Christmas 2017. He was found slumped over in his room by a roommate Dec. 28, a syringe stuck in his leg.

Though Holder was only charged with Ellingtons death, federal prosecutors insist that he was responsible for at least eight others that were clustered together over a 17-month stretch in 2017 and 2018, as fentanyl was first starting to appear in Mesa County. At that time, fentanyl was new to the streets, and investigators believe he had cornered the market on the drug.

Before Holder had his courtroom meltdown, families who gave their victims statements asked the judge to send him to prison for life.

In a 12-minute video shown on court monitors, Ellingtons parents, Dave and Cheryl Ellington, described a son who had dreams of becoming a doctor, but became hooked on oxycodone after a surgery.

They said he moved with friends to Colorado to get a new start, but had a relapse three days after Christmas 2017.

Bruce Holder is a predator. He is evil. He will destroy and kill again, Dave Ellington said as his wife wiped tears from her face. He should remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life.

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Ellingtons last text to his parents came on Christmas Day from a ski lift. It said, Merry Christmas from above the clouds.

Andrea Thomas sobbed as she shared the chaos the night she got the call that her daughter, Ashley Romero, had died from ingesting half of a fentanyl pill. Her boyfriend bought the drugs inside a local Burger King. He also overdosed and then committed suicide the next day.

Just behind her in the gallery, Romeros 13-year-old son Daniel held a photo of her.

My daughter will never see her son graduate. She will never see his children, Romero said through tears.

Holder was not charged in Romeros death, but investigators believe he sold the original batch of pills that eventually made their way to Romero through a couple of layers of resales.

As he waited to speak, Holder intently watched the row where Romero and her family were sitting the gallery from behind black-rimmed glasses. He faced them, his hands clasped in front of him.

The people who lost their lives? Bless them all, I have great remorse for that, but I didnt do it," he said.

His attorneys argued that that he only supplied the pills to various foot soldiers who then fanned out to sell them. During his statement, defense attorney Patrick Ridley brought up the fact that Holder graduated from high school and trade school even though he never knew his parents and was bounced around to foster families and group homes.

He was tried in federal court because the state of Colorado did not have a distribution-resulting-in-death statute in 2018 when he was arrested. Dan Rubinstein, 21st Judicial District attorney who would have prosecuted Holder, kept an eye on the case from his office.

Mesa County is grateful to the United States Attorneys Office for prosecuting this case in federal court while Colorado went through the legislative process of adopting a similar state version of the crime, he said.

The war on fentanyl appears to be gaining traction. The Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain Division announced this week that 2022 was a record year for fentanyl seizures, with more than 5.8 million potentially deadly doses. The division covers Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Holders life sentence eclipsed the previous milestone sentence that was given a week ago. Nathaniel Corser, 23, of Colorado Springs, received a 20-year federal prison sentence Jan. 5 after being convicted of selling a man two fentanyl pills at a Colorado Springs park on July 4, 2021. Kaeden Norlander died after taking two blue pills that he thought were Percocet.

The point was not lost on U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan.

I want to reaffirm the commitment of our office to go after the predators and criminals who are making and selling this poison to our children," he said. "While weve reached this moment, this battle will continue."
On Tuesday Joe Roybal was officially sworn in as El Paso County's 29th sheriff, the first new face in the position in eight years, while familiar faces were also sworn into various other county offices.

"My promise to you  is that we will keep El Paso County safe for us, for our parents, and (we'll) hand it off to our children much better than we found it," Roybal said to a full crowd of law enforcement officials, elected representatives from across the Pikes Peak region, friends and family at New Life Church in northern Colorado Springs.

Roybal, who has been a member of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office since 1995, succeeds former El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder, who served in the role since 2014.

Undersheriff Jeff Kramer, and the Sheriff's Office's sworn members and professional staff, also swore their oaths.

They joined several other judges and county elected officials who were sworn in at a separate ceremony Tuesday morning at Centennial Hall in downtown Colorado Springs.

Commissioners Holly Williams and Cami Bremer officially began serving their second terms on the Board of County Commissioners, representing the first and fifth districts, respectively.

El Paso County Coroner and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Leon Kelly and Surveyor Richard Mariotti were both sworn in to serve their second terms as several other officials took on new roles. Mark Flutcher, the county's former deputy assessor, officially became county assessor; Steve Schleiker, previously El Paso County assessor, took the oath of office as clerk and recorder; and Chuck Broerman, the county's former clerk and recorder, was sworn in as county treasurer.

In a brief speech Tuesday, Roybal reflected on his childhood growing up as a "young Hispanic kid" in Colorado Springs' Stratton Meadows neighborhood who is "now elected sheriff of El Paso County." He thanked his family and wife for their support in his pursuit of that goal.

In interviews after the ceremony, Roybal said he plans to address legislative challenges "out of the gate" in his tenure, including Colorado's controversial red-flag gun law that allows law enforcement officials and private residents to petition a court for permission to confiscate guns from people considered a danger to themselves or others.

The mass shooting in late November at LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q in Colorado Springs renewed debate over the contentious law on a national level.

El Paso County officials did not pursue a red-flag order against the suspect in the shooting, Anderson Lee Aldrich, who was arrested in 2021 over a bomb threat that forced residents in Lorson Ranch, neighborhood southeast of Colorado Springs in unincorporated El Paso County, to evacuate from their homes for about three hours.

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No formal charges were pursued in that case.

In a press conference in December, Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen said sheriff's officials had recovered guns at the scene of that incident in 2021, which were never returned to Aldrich. Allen criticized media and politicians who made statements on the Club Q shooting, whom he said claimed the District Attorney's Office didn't do enough to keep Aldrich off the streets. Allen has repeatedly refuted that assertion.

Roybal said Tuesday it was his responsibility to balance safety with protecting people's rights.

"It's my job to work with legislatures (and) lawmakers to keep the community safe and protecting (sic) those constitutional rights. I believe we can strike a balance and I hope level heads come together to solve that problem," he said.

Roybal said he also plans to make good on his campaign promises to add new programs and incentives to bolster the number and quality of deputies in the department.

Law enforcement has faced workforce losses and struggled to recruit and retain staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent fracturing of the community's trust in law enforcement, he said.

Roybal said his office will soon announce details surrounding the launch of a new program designed to "attract a wider workforce." He also said he's identified money in the department's budget to increase deputy salaries.

Inmate and mental health care in the jail is "absolutely a priority," the sheriff said. Health care at the facility has been a constant challenge, and the Sheriff's Office has recently weathered criticism as it saw one of the state's largest coronavirus outbreaks among county jails and the office announced a spate of inmate deaths in 2022.

Roybal also said he plans to implement a new jail program similar to the department's Behavioral Health Connect (BHCON) unit, which pairs a deputy and a licensed behavioral health clinician for coordinated responses in the community.

"When one of our citizens (is) in crisis inside the facility, we have those personnel go there to hopefully de-escalate and prevent the use of force inside the jail," Roybal said.

Calling his election as sheriff "a dream come true," Roybal said Tuesday's ceremony was "surreal."

"For this to come to fruition, it means the world," he said.
Two wanted felons were arrested after an hours-long standoff in Security-Widefield in unincorporated El Paso County, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office tweeted a shelter-in-place order in the 600 block of Rowe Lane at about 12:45 p.m., announcing a large law enforcement presence in the area. Anyone within a quarter-mile radius was advised to stay in their homes, and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

At 2:34 p.m. the El Paso County Sheriff's Department tweeted that negotiators had secured the surrender of one wanted felon at a home in the 600 block of Rowe Lane. A second suspect remained inside the residence for more than two hours despite repeated commands to surrender.

At about 5 p.m., the sheriff's office tweeted that the second suspect had been taken into custody and the shelter-in-place directive had been lifted.

SHELTER IN PLACE! Heavy LE activity in the 600 block of Rowe Lane (unincorporated EPC in Security/Widefield). Anyone w/in a quarter mile STAY INSIDE; Anyone else STAY AWAY. Webster Elem School nearby is on Secure Perimeter. MEDIA: Staging info to come. pic.twitter.com/hL4kvZXnhX  EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) January 11, 2023

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The order was originally issued because the office's Tactical Support Group was executing arrest and search warrants at the residence as part of an ongoing investigation.

Both Webster Elementary and the similarly close Mesa Ridge High School were placed on secure perimeter status.

Widefield School District 3 Director of Communications Samantha Briggs said the families of the two schools were contacted about the situation.

"Students who are riders (bus and car) were released as normal and walkers are being held until parents can pick them up or the secure perimeter is lifted," she said.

According to the District 3 website, the "secure" status includes the directive for school staff to "get inside, lock outside doors" and is a protocol used to safeguard students and staff within the building.

This is a developing story. Stay with gazette.com for updates.
Furor on social media and mainstream media reports of a threat to ban the use of natural gas for cooking erupted Monday when a federal official told Bloomberg that gas stoves could be banned because they are unsafe.

Monday, Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. told Bloomberg: This is a hidden hazard. Any option is on the table. Products that cant be made safe can be banned.

According to Bloomberg, Trumka said the commission could issue a proposal this year.

But Patty Davis, spokesperson for the commission, told The Denver Gazette Tuesday the agency has not proposed any regulatory action on gas stoves.

Any regulatory action by the Commission would involve a lengthy process, said Davis. Agency staff plans to start gathering data and perspectives from the public on potential hazards associated with gas stoves, and proposed solutions to those hazards later this year.

Commission Chair Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric issued a statement Wednesday debunking the story.

Over the past several days, there has been a lot of attention paid to gas stove emissions and to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said Hoehn-Saric. Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards. But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.

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The agency is working with voluntary standards organizations to examine gas stove emissions and address potential hazards, Davis said.

More than 12% of current childhood asthma cases in the US can be attributed to gas stove use, according to a Bloomberg story pointing to peer-reviewed research published last month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The research cited by Bloomberg was authored by researchers at Boulder-based non-profit RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) in conjunction with co-authors in Australia and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. The study was partially funded by the National Cancer Institute.

Xcel Energy and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment officials are aware of the controversy.

We take indoor air quality seriously and are carefully looking into this complex issue, said Brian Spenser, deputy communications director for the Colorado Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response in a statement. Right now, Colorado does not have any regulations in place restricting the use of gas stoves. We will continue to closely monitor this discussion.

The health and safety of our customers is a top priority. About 25% of our Colorado customers use natural gas for cooking, Xcel Spokesperson Michelle Aguayo said. We believe the use of natural gas for cooking is safe, but always recommend the use of ventilation, and encourage qualified installation and maintenance by a certified technician.
Address Grand Creek Harbour, a much-anticipated hotel opening, has arrived on the shores of the Dubai Creek offering a luxury guest experience unrivalled in one of Dubais most picturesque locations.



The 223-room hotel offers a range of rooms and suites to make any stay an experience to remember.



The first five-star luxury hotel in Dubai Creek Harbour is a sophisticated waterfront destination, where guests can look forward to relaxed decadence, unrivalled amenities, fabulous flavours, and a stay which soothes and invigorates the soul.



Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group said: This is another momentous occasion for Address Hotels + Resorts in Dubai. The new Address Grand Creek Harbour is a masterpiece of a property, bringing five-star luxury to the stunning surroundings of Dubai Creek Harbour.



Dubai Creek Harbour is expanding at an incredible pace and will be a cornerstone of the citys skyline for years to come - we are delighted to be part of a new community full of excitement and charm. This hotel, with its design, ambiance, luxury, and amenities is a stunning addition to the city - right in the heart of a character-filled and visually spectacular location like Dubai Creek Harbour.



Rooms are beautifully appointed with the very best in design and comfort complimenting your stay. Showpiece suites include Executive, Skyline and Panoramic Suite options with balconies, as well as the three-bedroom Presidential Suite, all of which offer magnificent views of the city and creek, along with a spacious comfort ideal for family and friends.



The hotel is the ultimate destination for couples and families alike with the intimacy of a boutique offering, combined with the energy and amenities to keep the whole family happy. It is also ideal for business, leisure or a combination of both.



Guests wanting to shed the stresses of day-to-day life will find the perfect place to relax in the world class signature The Spa at Address. With three male and three female treatment rooms, along with a sensational treatment room for couples including a jacuzzi, this is certainly a location to allow your strains to ebb away as you rejuvenate in the most opulent of surroundings. The Spas unique holistic approach to wellness will leave you feeling reinvigorated inside and out.



For those looking to raise their heart rate, the fitness centre provides more than 175sqm of technologically advanced equipment across three different rooms and a separate a yoga studio  ideal for getting a healthy sweat on.



Anyone wanting to take a dip can enjoy the magnificent infinity pool and its stunning sunset views  while the little ones can cool off in a dedicated kids pool and splash pad.



Dining options at Address Grand Creek Harbour are equally attractive, with each featuring its own individual offering and panoramic al fresco terraces.



In The Restaurant, enjoy the elegance of various dining areas with refined world cuisine to tease the tastebuds, or unwind in the Cigar Lounge, sampling the many fine mixed drinks and beverages on the menu.



For something a little more spontaneous, head to The Patisserie and be drawn in by delicious coffee aromas. If you are looking for a little bite, once again elegance is the order of the day in this chilled yet refined setting offering outstanding creek views.



The Luma Pool Lounge offers the ultimate in combining culinary and relaxing bliss. Chefs will wow you with Mediterranean fusion cuisine as you dip in and out of the beautiful infinity pool and the enchanting views it offers. At sunset, there is no better place to sit back, sip a beverage, and decompress.



Additionally, with four event spaces, including a Boardroom and Lumas terrace, our team is equipped to help deliver the perfect business or private function experience. While the Club Lounge, and its sophisticated dining options and beautiful views, is the perfect retreat for guests from the suites and Club Rooms to relax with some added privacy or conduct business in quiet comfort.  TradeArabia News Service
Chinas decision to ditch its zero-Covid policy has triggered a surge in flight bookings, according to the latest data from ForwardKeys, a leading provider of flights analytics data and travel intelligence tools.



On December 7, Chinese authorities announced that a negative PCR test would no longer be required for air travel between provinces. Domestic flight bookings immediately surged 56% on the previous week and continued to increase 69% the following week. On December 26, China removed all Covid-related restrictions on domestic air travel; and bookings surged again, reaching 50% of 2019s level in the final week of the year.



As of January 3, domestic flight bookings during the upcoming Chinese New Year period, January 7February 15, were 71% behind pre-pandemic (2019) levels and 8% behind last year, with the most popular destinations being Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, Sanya, Shenzhen, Haikou, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Before the announcement on 7th December, they were 91% behind 2019.



Chinas aviation regulator plans to restore flight capacity to 70% of pre-pandemic levels by January 6, and to 88% by January 31. However, a full recovery is not possible immediately, as the industry needs some time to re-hire staff and meet all flight safety and service requirements.



Also announced on December 26, and taking effect on January 8, were the end of the cap on the number of international flights to China and quarantine measures. In addition, Chinese citizens can now renew expired passports and apply for new ones.



Outbound flight bookings between December 26 and January 3 jumped 192% compared to same period last year, but they are still 85% behind pre-pandemic levels. Currently, the most popular return trips are to Macau, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt. Notably, bookings to Abu Dhabi which has traditionally been a major gateway between China and the West, are 51% behind 2019. Looking at onward bookings from there, 11% will go to Paris, 9% to Barcelona, 5% to London, 3% to Munich and 3% to Manchester.



67% of bookings made between December 26 and January 3 were for travel during the Chinese New Year period.



Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys, commented: Although Chinese New Year is likely to see international travel rebound for the first time in three years, we will need to wait longer before we see a resurgence in Chinese tourists exploring the globe.



The reasons are: First, current scheduled international flight capacity is only at 10% of 2019s level; and owing to approval requirements for traffic rights and airport slots, it will be difficult for airlines to gear back up in less than a few months.



Second, Ticket prices remain high, with average air fares in December 160% higher than in 2019. That said, there has been a downward trend since June, when quarantine was reduced from three weeks to seven days, and then to five days in November, he added.



Ponti continued: Third, some destinations, including the US, the UK, India, Qatar, Canada, Australia and all 27 EU member countries now require a pre-flight Covid-19 test for Chinese visitors; and others, such as Japan, South Korea and Italy, will impose testing on arrival and quarantine for those who test positive.



Finally, a bottleneck processing passport renewals and visa applications is likely; and some countries, such as South Korea and Japan, are restricting short-term visas for Chinese travellers until the end of this month. Right now, we expect the Chinese outbound market will pick up strongly in Q2 2023, when airlines schedule capacity for the spring and summer, which include the May holiday, Dragon Boat festival in June and summer holidays.  TradeArabia News Service
When it comes to spicy foods, the lines between mild, medium and hot are easily blurred. Whether this is good or bad, of course, depends on your palate. Thus, I was certain the midlevel would be just right at Nom Nom Thai.

Wrong.

Its good to ask about spice heat levels before indulging in potentially piquant foods, but the best gauge will always be your taste buds. This only works if youre familiar with the restaurant and know if the chef is heavy handed with chiles and other ingredients that boost the taste temperature.

We were Nom Nom newbies. Now we know.

The spring rolls ($6 for two) ordered as appetizers were not just visually appealing but refreshing. The transparent rice paper wrappers bulge with plump shrimp, shredded lettuce, thin strands of rice noodles, cucumber strips and herbs. The accompanying peanut sauce is creamy and savory. I could eat it by the spoonful  and did.

The winter weather with remnants of snow led our server to suggest the curry laksa noodles ($14.50). He said the hot soup on a cold day would be just the thing.

Hot indeed. Yes, it was fiery but not so much as to detract from the rich coconut milk broth full of shrimp, egg noodles, green onions and small squares of tofu. This is a large, hearty bowl of orange-colored soup (likely due to the combination of ginger and chile sauce) with a piece of bok choy. There is no variation of spice level for this entree.

Kra Prow, aka Thai basil chicken, ($13.50) is among my favorite Thai dishes. The basils licorice-like flavor is savory and distinctly spicy compared to other varieties. Its mixed with sliced carrots, pieces of red bell pepper, chopped bok choy and thin cuts of chicken in a brown sauce. When asked what spice level wed like, we hesitated a bit before opting for mild. We were grateful for the large mound of rice to help offset the spice because this was hotter than the medium cashew stir fry ($13.50; plus $1 upcharge for beef).

The beef stir fry is a medley of sliced zucchini, green and red peppers, onions and plenty of cashews. This was slightly sweet, but in a cloying way, which is offset by peppery heat. Again, the side of white rice was much appreciated.

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Despite the perspiration-inducing dishes requiring multiple glasses of water (which really only provides imaginary relief), I enjoyed these dishes and would ask for lime wedges next time to help mitigate the spiciness.

Prices on the in-house menu have been taped over with new amounts. The carryout and online menus still have old prices, so be aware of the potential increases. Most changes are in the $1 to $2 range. Given the economy, such upswings are not unexpected. Several dishes have upcharges for beef and shrimp.

Nom Nom Thai staff is friendly and the space is comfortable. Wimpy or not, I know on my next visit that mild, perhaps even extra mild, is the level for me.

Nom Nom Thai

Description: Thai cuisine for dining in or carryout.

Location: 3303 N. Academy Blvd.

Contact: 1-719-573-7004; nomnomthaico.com

Prices: $6.50 to $21.99

Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Details: Credit cards accepted. Beer, wine and sake. Wi-Fi.

Favorite dishes: Spring rolls, curry laksa noodles.

Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.
Members of Colorados Supreme Court would violate the state Constitution by approving a rule under which they would step down as overseer of any discipline matter that involves them and appoint appellate judges to replace them, according to public testimony Wednesday about the measure.

The justices are looking to pass a new rule, properly known as Rule 41, that would require the court to recuse itself from several matters of judicial discipline, including those in which a sitting or former justice is accused of wrongdoing in an effort to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.

The rule suggests the seven justices replace themselves with a panel of randomly selected members of the Court of Appeals, a move some say also harbors several conflicts of interest. Others point to similar rules in other states.

The rule is the courts response to a three-year scandal that, in part, had allegations that several instances of judicial misconduct over several years went unreported to the states Commission on Judicial Discipline. The scandal brought forth investigations into former Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Ben Coats. Its unclear whether any other justice is under inquiry.

At a public hearing before the court Wednesday, the executive director of The Judicial Integrity Project in Denver said only voters can change the Constitution that limits how appellate court judges can be used.

Does the Supreme Court have the power to increase the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals to add judicial discipline complaints? No, Chris Forsyth said. The Court of Appeals is a legislatively created court, whose jurisdiction is limited by the statutes. The Constitution does not allow for the Court of Appeals on disciplinary matters.

He added: Absent a constitutional amendment, who presides over disciplinary matters cannot be changed.

The General Assembly is expected to propose voters take up a constitutional amendment in 2024 that would restructure how judicial discipline is handled. Other sweeping changes to how judicial discipline will happen were proposed Monday in House Bill 23-1019, which is sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, and Republican Minority Leader Rep. Mike Lynch of Wellington. Other sponsors include Sens. Bob Gardner, the Republican assistant minority leader, and Julia Gonzales, D-Denver.

Forsyth did not suggest the rule couldnt be approved after a constitutional amendment is passed that would allow for it.

But until then, justices are still allowed to sit in judgment of their peers if they are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Rule 41 would take immediate aim at any conflict of interest the justices could be perceived to have, but Forsyth suggested the rule cannot withstand a constitutional challenge  which ironically would likely be determined by the high court proposing it.

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The discipline commission has said in letters to the court that it prefers a three-person tribunal made up of a lawyer, judge and citizen to oversee any discipline case and the Supreme Court would only determine whether any proposed penalty is legal and justified.

The commission also said any replacement to the Supreme Court should instead come from a pool of district court and appellate judges.

The court currently can dismiss a case outright or decide to keep any proposed discipline from it from becoming public.

But rather than address Forsyths assertion directly, the justices instead peppered him with questions that had more to do with a pair of investigations the Judicial Department paid for to look into the scandal.

Additionally, the justices seemed to praise the thoughts of Brittany Kauffman, the CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver. The organization was co-founded in 2006 by Rebecca Love Kourlis, who stepped down as a Colorado Supreme Court justice to be IAALSs first executive director.

Colorado's extensive use of confidentiality agreements costs millions, silences whistleblowers

Kauffman told the justices that Rule 41 is a good idea and that 13 other states handled discipline matters similarly. The rule, she said, runs parallel to one recommended by the American Bar Association.

Kauffman did not address  and none of the justices asked her  whether Forsyths contention about the appellate court judges and the Colorado Constitution held any merit.

Is there any part of the rule that causes you concern or heartburn, Justice Carlos Samour asked Kauffman.

No, I dont think so, she said.

Its unclear how soon the court might approve, reject or amend the proposed rule.
An El Paso County judge on Wednesday heard from attorneys representing former El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder wanting to dismiss a contempt allegation against their client for allegedly leaking sealed document to the media.

The allegations raised by the defense attorneys for Anderson Aldrich, the alleged Club Q shooter, were in regard to Aldrich's 2021 bomb threat case where Aldrich allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb and told their grandparents that they wanted to be "the next mass shooter."

Aldrich's defense attorney Joseph Archambault argued that Elder, or someone working for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, must have leaked sealed documents to the press while the seal order for the case was still active.

In August 2022, Aldrich's case was dismissed and sealed by an El Paso County judge because Aldrich's mother and grandparents ignored subpoenas and refused to testify, according to 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen.

Archambault requested that Judge Robin Chittum set for a show-cause hearing to further investigate holding Elder in contempt of the court.

Nathan Whitney, an attorney representing Elder and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, argued that the motion filed by Aldrich's defense did not show sufficient proof that Elder or the sheriff's office were specifically to blame for information being leaked to media.

Whitney also argued that because the sealing order had been lifted, there is no longer any jurisdiction to hold anyone in contempt for leaking documents that are no longer under a seal order.

After hearing arguments from both parties, Chittum stated that while she agreed that "someone" had violated the sealing order from the court the defense had not shown sufficient proof that Elder or the El Paso County Sheriff's Office were specifically responsible, and thus could not be held in contempt.

"This is a strange inquiry," Chittum said in reference to the motions filed by the defense. "I have never heard a contempt request that is so gray."

As a result, Chittum denied the defense's request for a show cause hearing and approved the request from the attorneys representing Elder and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to dismiss the motion to hold Elder in contempt of the court.

Whitney confirmed to The Gazette following the hearing that there is no more pending litigation regarding contempt in Aldrich's 2021 bomb threat case.

On Friday afternoon Aldrich will return to Colorado's 4th District Court to for a motions hearing on the 2022 shooting at the LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q in Colorado Springs.

Aldrich currently faces 305 criminal charges for allegedly killing five patrons of Club Q and injuring nearly two dozen more on Nov. 19, 2022. The Gazette reported on Monday that Allen filed a motion to add 12 new criminal charges to Aldrich's case.

Allen proposed the new charges in connection with two victims who survived the attack. The amended charges include attempted murder, attempted assault and bias-motivated crime against each of the victims. The total charge count would rise to 317.

The original charges included 10 counts of first-degree murder, 86 counts of attempted first-degree murder and 48 counts of bias motivated crime.

Aldrich will have their preliminary hearing for the Club Q shooting next month on Feb. 22. Aldrich is currently in the El Paso County jail with no possibility of posting bond.


The drive to evict encroachers from a forest land in Assams Lakhimpur district has left with 299 families in the lurch.

Afnan Habib | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Around 300 people living on a 250-hectare area in Assams Lakhimpur district were left homeless on Wednesday as the effort to expel encroachers from the forest area continued for the second day.

The evicted, most of whom were Bengali-speaking Muslims, lamented that they were unable to gather all of their possessions and that their crops had been ruined in the drive.

The government started the activity on Tuesday to clear around 450 hectares of Pava Reserve Forest. In Mohghuli village, which had 201 families, 200 hectares were cleaned by officials on the first day.

The drive resumed today at 7.30 am. It was completed peacefully. We did not face any resistance, a senior district administration official told PTI.

According to the official, over 70 bulldozers, excavators, and tractors were dispatched to the village of Adhasona as 600 police officers and members of the CRPF maintained watch.

Around 500 Hindu households are living in the forest, according to some of the victims, and the government must evict them too if it is genuinely concerned about encroachment.

The senior official claimed that the Hindu familiesmost of whom belonged to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribeshad petitioned the Gauhati High Court in 2016 to request rehabilitation. The official argued that the court had ordered the eviction to be postponed until another agreement was established.

Additionally, a cooperative society run by BJP MLA Amiya Kumar Bhuyan called Bir Lachit Bahumukhi Samabai Samiti is located in the forest area. It was growing mustard on 450 bighas (over 60 hectares)

The All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) denounced the eviction drive as inhuman and one-sided and held a small demonstration in the Lakhimpur districts Sonapur neighborhood.

The senior official said that since November 2021, the illegal settlers had received repeated reminders to leave the area.

On September 7 last year, we served the final notice and asked them not to grow crops, but they did not pay heed. The evicted land remains under flood waters in the summers, and the encroachers grow crops only in the winter season, he clarified.

One of those impacted by the campaign, Rahima Khatun, claimed that agriculture was their sole source of subsistence.

There is no school or mosque in the part where the drive was being conducted; these tracts were used primarily for agriculture purposes. Our livelihood is now at stake, she said.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashok Kumar Dev Choudhury of Lakhimpur stated that just 0.32 sq km of the 46 sq km Pava Reserve Forest, designated in 1941, was free, and the rest was entirely occupied. Over the past three decades, he said that 701 households have taken over the property in the Pava Reserve Forest.

These residents requested to have their settlement designated as a Forest Village in 2006, but the government denied their request at the time. Eighty-four families filed paperwork in July of last year claiming to own land, but closer examination revealed that they were fraudulent.

Notably, throughout the years, several central and state programs, including the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, MGNREGA, Anganwadi centers, water supply, and rural electrification, have been implemented in this territory.

The DFO said that the state administration had given the go-ahead for a request to plant trees on 200 hectares of property.

We had sent a proposal for afforestation in the remaining 250 hectares too. We hope that the government will give its nod in the coming days, the DFO added.

This is Assams third major eviction drive in a month. One of the major operations in the area was conducted on December 19 in Nagoans Batadrava, uprooting more than 5,000 alleged encroachers. On December 26, another operation was performed to clear 400 bighas in Barpeta.

Since assuming power in May 2021 under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, the government has conducted eviction drives in several regions of the state.

Sarma had informed the Assembly on December 21 that eviction campaigns to remove government and forest areas in Assam would continue so long as the BJP remained in power, despite opposition criticism.

Afnan Habib is a freelance journalist based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He tweets @afnanhabib_
For a Pittsylvania County truck driver, a hunger hankering for a barbecue sandwich ended with a $1 million payoff.

Last month, Tim Allen went to Mills Grill & Grocery at 8481 Mount Cross Road, just outside Danville, according to Virginia Lottery officials. While he was there, he bought two tickets for Virginias New Years Millionaire Raffle.

One of his tickets won $1 million. It was one of five to win the top prize.

I couldnt believe it, he told Virginia Lottery officials. It was the first time Id bought a Raffle ticket.

The other four $1 million winning tickets were bought in Burke, Henrico, Midlothian and Woodbridge, the lottery reported. Seven tickets won $100,000 each. They were bought in Blacksburg, Chantilly, Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Midlothian and Woodstock. An additional 1,000 tickets each won $500.

It feels great! he said as he collected his prize. Pure excitement!

Profits from the Virginia Lottery go to K-12 education in Virginia, according to a news release. Pittsylvania County received more than $8.1 million in Lottery funds for K-12 education last fiscal year.

This marks the second million-dollar ticket sold in Danville recently. Two Danville siblings came last year forward to collect $1 million from the Sept. 20 Mega Millions drawing.
Governor Roy Cooper announced Thursday a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the 2017 murder of a Southeast Guilford High School student.

Investigators are still trying to determine who shot and killed Kate-Lynn Hope Simmons, 18, on June 4 that year outside a party at the North Winds Apartments at 1373 Lees Chapel Road in Greensboro. At approximately 1:21 a.m., officers found Simmons suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was taken to a local hospital and later died from her injuries.

The state's reward is in addition to the existing $5,000 cash reward offered by Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers.

Simmons' family has previously urged the community to help solve this case by coming forward with any information.

"The Governors Clemency Office receives requests for rewards from local law enforcement officials and recommendations from the State Bureau of Investigation," Cooper's press secretary, Sam Chan, said in an email to the News & Record. "The Clemency Office reviews the requests and they are also reviewed by the State Bureau of Investigation."

Chan said the funding for state-issued rewards comes from state funding that requires Council of State Approval.

Authorities ask anyone information concerning this case should contact Greensboro Police Department at 336-574-4020, Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers 336-373-1000 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500.
RALEIGH  Murry Burgess wanted to find housing in Snow Camp, near where she studies how songbirds nestlings respond to artificial light.

But when Burgess and her adviser approached the owner of a mobile home site near where Burgess studies, they were met coldly. Burgess is Black. Her adviser is white.

She wouldnt look at me, Burgess said of the parks owner. She wouldnt answer my questions. She would only talk to my adviser and angled her body away from me.

As a result, Burgess ended up driving more than an hour each way to the site instead of having housing just minutes away.

Burgess and Lauren Pharr, both Ph.D. candidates at N.C. State, recently started an initiative to support biologists and other natural sciences researchers from marginalized communities. They are working to create online training that universities and other organizations can license so advisers and other team leaders better understand the challenges people from marginalized groups face.

When scientists discuss field safety, Pharr said, they are usually talking about avoiding dangerous wildlife or avoiding stepping in stump holes. But scientists who are Black or belong to other marginalized communities have other safety issues  like being aware of the the community around them and how they might be perceived.

We feel like social field safety should be put on the same level and given the same attention because obviously youre talking about someones health, someones well-being, Pharr said.

When Burgess and Pharr raise the issue of social field safety, advisers  who are frequently white  often admit they havent considered it. Only 3.3% of the people employed as biologists or other life scientists in 2019 were Black, according to statistics from the National Science Foundation. Thats 23,000 of the 698,000 biologists or life scientists in the United States.

We love the fact that people admit that theyve never thought about this, Pharr said.

In one high-profile 2020 incident, a white woman called the police and reported that a Black birder was threatening her. That call happened because the birder, Christian Cooper, asked the woman, Amy Cooper, to place her dog on a leash in Central Park.

The woman was later charged with a misdemeanor for making a false report.

We can be fully decked out in our gear with binoculars and our camera, and nine times out of 10, whether were in public, private or urban areas, there will still be some people who will question what are we doing there. So these instances are what have really brought up the need for more awareness, Pharr said.

Pharrs research into how climate change has impacted the nesting success of the red-cockaded woodpecker includes managing a population of the endangered species in North Carolinas Sandhills region. Typically, Pharr works on public lands, and she tries to check in with other researchers who are nearby.

Protecting researchers in the field can also involve placing magnets on cars that identify them as belonging to someone from a given college, something the N.C. State College of Natural Resources recently made available to researchers working in remote locations. It could also include vests or other gear that identifies a researcher, who is likely to be in a remote area, often alone.

Things arent going to be changed or fixed overnight but we can just continue to gradually make progress, Pharr said.
A man from Emigrant, Montana, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping a minor in Helena.

Michael Paul Sullivan had pleaded guilty to a felony count of sexual intercourse without consent of a minor under age 16.

On Dec. 24, 2021, officers responded to a report of sexual assault of a minor. Sullivan and the minor were located in a hotel room and both were taken in for interviews, according to reports filed in Justice Court of Helena.

A witness stated that they had seen Sullivan engaging in sexual intercourse with the minor. According to court records, Sullivan was aware of and provided law enforcement with the minors age. Sullivans statements were noted to be inconsistent with those made by the minor and the witness, said officials.

Sullivan declined to make a statement at his sentencing on Wednesday. The prosecuting attorney read the minors victim impact statement aloud to the court.

I am angry and hurt, read the statement. If more than anything, still denying the fact that anything like this couldve happened to me, and for you to be able to walk through it the way you did makes my head spin. I hope you get the mental help that you need while you sit there and think about what you did. Youre a grown man. You knew better.

Sullivan was sentenced to 30 years in the Montana State Prison with 20 years suspended.

Sullivan will be eligible for parole after two and a half years and upon completing sex offender treatment phases one and two. Hes required to pay the standard surcharges and court costs, which are usually around $80, and the presentence investigation fee of $50. He will have to register as a tier-two sex offender, which means the risk of a repeat sex offense is moderate.

Sullivan has also been charged with two new cases in his home county, Park County.

In the first case, Sullivan was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, felony sex abuse of children and felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. The victim in this case noted that Sullivan told them not to tell anyone and that he knew where to hide a body, according to court reports filed on May 18, 2022, in Park County District Court.

The second case in Park County charges Sullivan with two felony sex crimes against another minor under the age of 16. Sullivan is accused of having sexual contact with the minor in Madison County and Park County, according to court reports filed on March 2, 2022, in Park County District Court.

Sullivan is set for a change of plea hearing on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in Park County District Court in regard to these cases.
Montanas system for child protective services could see major overhauls after this legislative session, the product of work thats been ongoing since a 2018 record high of kids put into foster care drew the attention of lawmakers.

While that number has come down since then and the states child protection agency says theyve implemented meaningful changes, legislators still see plenty of ways the process for reviewing and responding to reports of suspected abuse and how families interact with the legal system can be improved.

Those involved in child protective services, from families to caseworkers and lawyers, judges and advocates, all want to keep children safe, but theres disagreement over the best ways to accomplish that. Debate over proposed legislation has presented challenging discussions, from how judgments are made on parents choices in raising their children to if anonymity in reporting suspected abuse is helpful or harmful.

I just hope that we all keep in mind the point that what everyone wants is for children to be safe and for people to have dignity in their life and for people's rights to be protected, said state Rep. Jennifer Carlson, a Republican from the Churchill area who is carrying two bills that came out of work between the last legislative session in 2021 and this one.

  (The) physical and emotional effects of removal on children are real and (removals) should only be done when it is better than not removing them. We know for a fact that children who have been placed in the foster care system have worse outcomes in terms of education, employment, homelessness, mental health and involvement in the criminal justice system, Carlson said during a hearing this week.

She's carrying House Bill 37, which came out of work done by an interim legislative committee. The bill would require a warrant to remove a child, unless the child is at risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse, and a police officer to be present if a child is removed from a home. Its drawn the most attention of proposed legislation so far during an hours-long hearing this week.

The bill also would clarify substance use, disorderly living conditions or other factors often associated with economic status do not alone constitute abuse or neglect. And the legislation could limit information provided to court-appointed volunteer advocates for children.

Proponents say warrants and law enforcement presence would uphold parents' rights and give caseworkers responding to potentially dangerous situations some protection. They also said that stating substance use does not constitute abuse or neglect would create opportunities to help families on the front end of the spectrum by connecting them with the assistance needed to develop support systems that could prevent the need for removals.

Removing kids without warrants results in harmful, unnecessary and unconstitutional removals of children from their home, said former state Rep. Danny Tenenbaum, a Democrat who has also worked as a public defender, during the hearing.

  You may hear opponents  tell you that Montana does not have a problem. They may ask you to study the issue more or to make symbolic changes that ultimately preserve the status quo. It's time to stop kicking this can down the road. We can no longer operate a child removal system that wrongfully splits up families, Tenenbaum continued.

But opponents, including the Child and Family Services Division of the state health department that would play a role in implementing the bill if passed, said the legislation would not make things better.

Child and Family Services only removes children when it is unsafe and it is urgent and there are no other options to prevent removal, said division administrator Nikki Grossberg in the hearing. Over the past five years we have worked diligently to find safety resources to prevent removals when possible. In doing so we've decreased the removal of children in Montana.

An interim legislative report noted that over the last decade, more than 2,000 kids a year were in either foster or kinship care or another out-of-home placement. Following a high of 3,951 kids in foster care in June 2018, that number dropped to 2,825 this June. In documents prepared for legislative presentations, the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, which operates child protective services in Montana, said the number of kids in care has decreased about 19% over the last two years.

Grossberg said requiring a warrant would delay the removal process and prolong a childs exposure to unsafe circumstances.

Amanda O'Shea Tiernan, a lawyer in Billings who focuses on abuse and neglect cases, said theres no system or infrastructure to produce warrants as fast as the timeframe the bill would require.

During the hearing, many court-appointed special advocates from around the state raised concerns that the bill would limit their volunteer efforts to help kids. Carlson said that she didnt intend for that to be the case, but that parents should have a right to who can access information, like medical records. The advocates must uphold confidently, as lawyers are required to.

Carlson is also carrying another bill that saw much more support, including from the state health department. It would solidify a five-day timeline for an emergency protective services hearing and require pre-hearing conferences, something thats been tried out in pilot projects around the state and has increased the pace at which parents got involved in the legal process.

The pilot projects included holding pre-hearing conferences, which can be attended by all parties and happen before the first court hearing, to discuss visitation guidelines, placement options for the child and treatment needs for the family. The projects also included earlier hearings to get parents into courts earlier to consider if removal and out-of-home placements for children were necessary.

A report from the interim committee found that a faster time frame for emergency protective services hearings and pre-hearing conferences led to a higher level of engagement from parents in both court proceedings and the work needed to reunify families.

John Larson, a district court judge in Missoula and Mineral counties, spoke in support of the bill, saying child protection cases are the most important that come before him and should be prioritized.

Grossberg said that the pilot project changes have improved communication between everyone involved in the removal process. She added that when pre-hearing conferences are attended by all parties involved, it leads to better outcomes in finding permanent places for kids, whether that's with parents or elsewhere.

Other bills proposed this session come from Sen. Dennis Lenz, of Billings, who has focused on child protective services issues for the last several sessions.

One of his bills would eliminate anonymous reporting of suspected abuse or neglect. He said being able to contact a person who made the report to get clarity could help ensure reports are valid.

Why not give us the opportunity to get the clearest information possible? Lenz said in an interview.   If you cant call in and give your name, somethings wrong. Then find someone with fortitude to do it for you.

During a hearing for the bill, he said gathering as much information as possible would lead to more efficient cases, and sometimes that requires calling a reporter back to ask more questions.

Denise Johnson, with the Montana Child Protection Alliance, said she felt anonymous reporting could come from ex partners, neighbors or in-laws who "don't like how you're raising your kids."

We have seen many many many bad actors weaponize CPS to harm another adult, Johnson said. The alliance is a nonprofit founded in 2017 that raises awareness about children's and parents' rights and advocates for support and family preservation services.

But Grossberg told lawmakers the division has increased training to ensure only reports with merit are investigated. She also said of the more than 40,000 calls into a centralized intake hotline each year, of the roughly 7,560 reports that are assigned out for further investigation, roughly 325 were from anonymous reporters.

Lenz has other bills that will be heard as the session advances, and he said his approach this go-around is to try to hit the high points of what contributes to people ending up in the system and addressing where he sees inequities.

Lenz said he likes the idea of a standard in how abuse and neglect cases are handled in courts across the state, and thats why one of his bills would propose studying the feasibility of a court specifically for these kinds of cases.

Consistency always pops up, Lenz said. One judge might have a high bar, one might have a low bar (for determining if parents have abused or neglected a child).

And while he said he knows some bills might face an uphill battle, hes glad legislators are more eager to have conversations about child protective services.

Im wanting us to step back and go How can we come at it differently? Lenz said. When I started, there was big opposition. You either had to have the position of We need to support our social workers or Is this really happening? And now everybodys up to speed.

Asked about the progress made over the last several years, Lenz said he felt things are moving in the right direction.

A person could say I was halfway there, just because I've got people interested now, Lenz said. Other legislators want to look at it.

And while theres many different ideas of how to improve things, one of the opponents to Carlsons bill reminded lawmakers and everyone else invested in the system of their common hope.

I share frustrations with the system. It's a tough but necessary system, said Dr. Lauren Wilson, a pediatric hospitalist in Missoula and president of the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. But we all do share the goals of trying to balance the protection of children and the goal of avoiding needless investigation, removals and the associated harm."
A program that connects kids with school-based mental health services could be transformed back to how it was before changes made by the last legislative session that concerned schools and families.

Gov. Greg Gianforte's budget, released in November and being picked apart by subcommittees during the second week of the Legislature, asks lawmakers to move the Comprehensive School and Community Treatment program back under the purview of the state health department. In 2021, citing frustrations with how the state Department of Public Health and Human Services navigated past funding hurdles, the Legislature moved it to the Office of Public Instruction.

School districts had always been obligated to pick up a third of the cost of the program, but for years did so using in-kind matches like classroom space instead of cash. In 2020 the federal government finally objected to that, and the health department stepped in to pick up the tab, which frustrated some lawmakers.

Following the change, many school districts said they would struggle to find money to cover their share of costs for the program and voiced frustration with the Office of Public Instruction over additional administrative burdens. While the Legislature devoted $2.2 million in stopgap money to help schools offset costs, that funding was spent quickly.

Last year state education officials presented lawmakers with data showing the number of districts participating has gone from a high of 106 in 2014 to 50 on Dec. 6, 2021. The number of teams in schools was at 193, down from a high of 252 in 2016.

DPHHS officials presented to lawmakers Wednesday on the agency's proposed budget.

"Given some of the ongoing administrative hurdles that have been faced, the department has been having ongoing conversations with (the Office of Public Instruction) and we've determined that it's in the best interest of both OPI and (the state Department of Public Health and Human Services) and the schools and children that we serve through CSCT to have CSCT administered through DPHHS," said Rebecca deCamara, the department's Developmental Services Division administrator.

She added the state wants to look at different options going forward, but said there's not a lot of clarity on what those might be yet.

"While we remain committed to CSCT for as long as possible, we're also very interested in pursuing a new Medicaid school-based model and look forward to further conversations," deCamara said.

Department director Charlie Brereton said he wanted to emphasize the program would not disappear in the near future.

"Want to be clear about is that we have no intention to discontinue CSCT at any point in the near future," Brereton said.

He said the plan, if the Legislature allows it, would continue the course at least for a year or more.

"We also want to think in the the future and do a deep dive on whats working, what's not, and ask is CSCT really serving Montana students well in 2023."

Brereton said the program is having a positive effect on kids, but the department wants to look at ways to modernize the program and has heard from schools that they'd like to explore alternative solutions and new ideas.

The budget proposal would mostly rely on state special funds, which would be the money schools are required to put up for their share of the cost, with about $89,600 in state general fund dollars and a similar amount in federal funding. The proposal also would pay for a new budget position to manage the collection and reporting of money to and from the state and federal government.

A budget subcommittee will work on the proposal in the coming weeks and make its recommendations before the budget advances to the House Appropriations Committee, likely in mid-February.
The recent debates on the floor of the United States House of Representatives were an eye opener for many. The fact is these types of debates are necessary for a functioning republic. The reality for the past several years, these discussions/debates have not been taking place.

A few strong patriots stood for the American people, simply seeking a more responsible government. The proposed reforms are a commonsense approach to a more fiscally responsible government. A list of a few: 1. Single subject legislation with a broader ability to amend on the floor. 2. All bills require a 72-hour period for review prior to voting. 3. Spending restrictions and a commitment to work towards a balanced budget. 4. Special separate committees to look into departmental abuses.

Montana needs to be proud of U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale for helping restore true legislative order to the "People's House." Who would have thought, 20 members of Congress with strong convictions and legitimate concerns could change the course of history.

Lana Tibbetts, Terry and

Craig Steinbeisser, Sidney
DECATUR  Decatur Public Schools' Prep Academy has received a $150,000 grant from The Community Foundation, thanks to donors Elizabeth Jeffery and Dave Snoeyenbos.

(The donation) allows us to continue to dream big," said Ashley Grayned, executive director of innovative programs and strategic planning.

The Prep Academy, now in its second year, just opened applications for next year's high school freshmen who want to join the third class.

Students in the Prep Academy take college classes alongside their high school classes and can earn an associate's degree at the same time they earn a high school diploma, at no cost to them or their families, through the district's partnership with Richland Community College. Grayned said the 100 students already in the program are "doing well."

Applications are available for this year's eighth graders at www.dps61.org/prepacademy. Applications are due by Jan. 30.

21 photos of Decatur high school activities through the years
MACON  Empty spaces on the walls and hours spent calling customers are the results of the new Illinois gun law for The Bullet Trap.

Owner Dan Cooley and his staff spent much of Wednesday looking at recent orders and contacting customers who had already ordered and paid for guns that are banned under the legislation, signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.

Customers whose background checks are underway or, in some cases, have come back, will not be able to pick up their guns, and the inventory that falls under the new law had to be put away and can't be sold to Illinois buyers.

The new law bans the sale of high-power assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles and ammunition, and large-capacity magazines

We're in the process of notifying customers that have bought guns for refunds, Cooley said. Guns have been here for delivery that we can't go ahead and transfer, so it's created a huge problem for us. We've pulled our guns down that don't meet the requirements for the new bill as well as the magazines on the wall over there. We're just trying to get up to speed as to what this bill's real effect is.

And because the law went into effect immediately, he added, dealers had no opportunity to make arrangements.

I encourage everyone to go out and contribute to their favorite organization for gun rights, he said. Links to Illinois chapters of gun rights organizations are on his store's Facebook page, he added. It's important that we fight this bill, and it's already in motion. There will be an injunction filed some time next week, hopefully.

If an injunction is filed, he said, dealers will be able to transfer guns already sold to customers while the case makes its way through the courts.

John Hoyt, owner of Guns Galore in Lincoln, and Dave Clark, owner of X Ring Custom in Toledo, said the new law could easily put them out of business.

"It's almost half of what we would normally have on sale here, over half the guns," Clark said Wednesday, noting the new law bans $750,000 worth of merchandise from his Cumberland County store. "(The new law) will put me out of business unless we get lawsuits against it and an injunction."

Hoyt was in the same situation.

"All of my best sellers fall in that category," he said.

Both said they plan to look at what options are left to sell that sort of stock, such as selling to out-of-state buyers.

Hoyt does not believe criminals will abide by the new law anyway, and doubts that the new restrictions will severely impact organized crime. Disrupting gang activity is the only way to actually change things, Hoyt said.

Attempts to limit weapons in these categories are not unique to Illinois or to the Pritzker administration in Illinois history, he said. He also questions the constitutionality of the new law, saying similar attempts have been made before.

Clark said his understanding of the new law is that his only option for selling his now-banned merchandise is to sell to dealers out of state, and that he only has 60 days to do this. However, Clark said he is still studying the document, which is over 100 pages long.

In the meantime, Clark said he is optimistic that lawsuits filed by various firearms rights advocacy groups will result in an injunction on the new law.

"They are ready to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary," Clark said. He added that the new restrictions will likely be the main topic of a Guns Save Life meeting on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 12, in Charleston.

States where gun sales have increased the most since 2011 Gun sales on the rise #25. Texas #24. Missouri #23. Washington #22. Mississippi #21. Oklahoma #20. Vermont #19. Colorado #18. New Mexico #17. Tennessee #16. Wisconsin #15. South Carolina #14. Illinois #13. Georgia #12. Oregon #11. Idaho #10. Rhode Island #9. Ohio #8. Virginia #7. Arizona #6. Maryland #5. Alabama #4. Delaware #3. Florida #2. New Jersey #1. Washington DC
SPRINGFIELD  State Sen. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, and his nephew, the late state Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign, long dreamed of serving in government.

Each fulfilled that shared dream when Tom Bennett was elected to the Illinois House in 2014 and Scott Bennett was appointed to the Illinois Senate in 2015.

But still, Tom Bennett  who spoke to Lee Enterprises in the Illinois Capitol this week  recalls the two thinking when they gathered for family events, Wouldn't it be just a whole lot of fun to be together?

This briefly became possible when Tom Bennett decided to seek appointment to the seat held by state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, who announced in early December his resignation, which took effect Wednesday.

It would have been a great story. Two family members, an uncle and nephew, from opposite political parties serving together in the 59-member Senate in districts that share a border.

But it wasnt to be. Just days later, on Dec. 9, Scott Bennett died unexpectedly from complications to an undiagnosed brain tumor. He was 45 years old.

Just under a month later, Republican leaders in the 13-county 53rd Senate District chose Tom Bennett to fill Barickmans seat. He took office on Wednesday. In one of his last speeches as a member of the House on Tuesday, Bennett remembered his nephew.

Sen. Bennett was a beloved family man and was known for his humor and his quick wit, as a genuine and caring person with friends, family constituents and colleagues  his own party and across the aisle, Tom Bennett said. He could bring a smile to anyone's face and create a space or connection with a laugh.

He added that Scott Bennett was known to rise above partisanship to find common ground for the good of Illinois.

It's still not easy for Tom Bennett to speak of the loss of his nephew. But, in an interview later that evening, it was clear he plans to serve with the same bipartisan spirit the two shared.

"Now, don't get me wrong, we have different views on things," he said of Democrats and Republicans. "You can tell that tonight and every day. But I still look for those places where we can come together. And there are places."

Bennett pointed to more than two dozen bills he has sponsored that have been signed into law, noting that he needed Democratic votes and a Democratic governor's signature for that to happen. He said areas he hopes to work on education, energy and pension issues in his new role.

Bennett credits his "experience, knowledge and relationships" for him receiving the Senate appointment. He calls himself a "doer," a "uniter," and someone who is "visible in my district."

"This whole job, like a lot of jobs, it's about people  trying to understand where they're coming from," Bennett said. "Are they tired? They're worn out? Are they cranky? Are they struggling?

"You need to listen and see what people are thinking," he said. "Leadership, in most ways, comes from knowing what the problems are. And knowing what the problems are comes from listening."

Raised on his family farm in Gibson City, Bennett was a junior high school science teacher before serving as an information technology professional at State Farm for 30 years. He retired upon winning his House seat in 2014.

The sprawling district he now represents includes all or portions of Bureau, Ford, Iroquois, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Putnam, Tazewell, Will and Woodford counties.

Barickman, once viewed as a rising star in the party and at times mentioned as a candidate for higher office, resigned after 12 years in the General Assembly citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

In addition to Tom Bennett's tribute in the House, several of Scott Bennett's Senate colleagues remembered him on Tuesday.

The love was bipartisan.

Tom Bennett said he was "grateful to be chosen" for the appointment, which runs through 2024. Scott Bennett's seat was filled by Champaign Township Supervisor Paul Faraci, one of late senator's best friends.

It seems his legacy will carry on in the Senate both in his district and in the adjacent district that Tom Bennett now represents.

"So now we're jumped in both feet and we're going 100 miles an hour right now, but we're loving it," Bennett said.

18 presidents who have been to Central Illinois  Millard Fillmore Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant Benjamin Harrison Theodore Roosevelt William Howard Taft Woodrow Wilson Franklin D. Roosevelt Dwight D. Eisenhower John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson Gerald Ford Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush George W. Bush Barack Obama Donald J. Trump
SPRINGFIELD  A growing list of Illinois county sheriffs have said they will not enforce the state's semiautomatic weapons ban, a showcase of stiff downstate resistance that threatens to stymie statewide compliance with the new law.

Dozens of county sheriffs across Illinois have said they will not enforce the measure, which took effect immediately after it was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.

Groups such as the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois have signaled plans to file lawsuits over the ban, perhaps as early as next week.

Though there are some discrepancies between the sheriffs' statements, they feature similar language stating their belief that the law is unconstitutional, adding that their offices will not be "checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons" or jailing "any law abiding individuals that have been arrested by other agencies solely for non-compliance" with the law.

The Pritzker administration, in a statement Thursday, slammed the relatively uniform declarations as "political grandstanding at its worst."

"Sheriffs have a constitutional duty to uphold the laws of the state, not pick and choose which laws they support and when," said Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. "We're confident that this law will hold up to any future legal challenges, but again, it is the current law of our state. Anyone who advocates for law, order, and public safety and then refuses to follow the law is in violation of their oath of office."

G-PAC, one of the state's leading gun control advocacy groups, said in a statement that the sheriff's comments were "disturbing."

However, the words of law enforcement officers are being misconstrued, said Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriff's Association, who noted that sheriffs said they simply "believe" the law is unconstitutional.

"The essence is that they're not going to proactively go out and check and make sure that (people with qualified weapons have) registered them with the state police," Kaitschuk said. "And there's no provision in the act that requires them to do so."

The sheriffs refusal to enforce the law puts pressure on the Attorney General to enforce the law in jurisdiction in which the sheriffs operate, so you have a vacuum in those jurisdictions, said Harold Krent, a law professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

If a gun shop in one of those counties were selling banned weapons, for example, the Illinois State Police might have to step in to enforce the law if the local sheriffs office refuses, he said.

Krent said compared to Illinois counties states attorneys response to the SAFE-T Act  filing lawsuits challenging the measure that eliminated cash bail as unconstitutional  the sheriffs who declared they would not enforce the new gun legislation are reacting dangerously.

What I think is so striking is that's taking an active stance, that they're interpreting the Constitution for themselves, he said Thursday. It's a very, it's kind of a radical step, and I think it's one that's, frankly, dangerous.

Pritzker, surrounded by gun control advocates, signed the legislation Tuesday evening under the Capitol rotunda in Springfield, heralding it as one of the "strongest" semiautomatic weapons bans in the country.

Illinois is now the ninth state  and first in the Midwest  to ban military-style firearms. It came just over six months after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Highland Park left seven dead and dozens wounded.

Those who own now-banned weapons prior to the law taking effect will be able to keep them. But they must register their weapons  including serial numbers  with Illinois State Police by Jan. 1.

Under the legislation, the state police is the agency responsible for administering the registry and enforcing the law. Still, the lack of local cooperation could throw a wrench into effective enforcement.

Krent said the sheriffs' action is risky because it sort of suggests that individuals might take the law into their own hands, and thats the problem down the road."

"If you see your people who are sworn to uphold the law deciding they can interpret the Constitution for themselves, then maybe you and I can think that the tax laws are unconstitutional or privacy laws violate the First Amendment," he said. "That has dangerous consequences.

Many gun owners, including some state lawmakers in floor speeches while the ban was being debate, have said they will not comply with the new law.

"Friends, you got to know that the action that you're taking right now is tyrannous ..." said state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia. "You also must know that I and millions of other gun owners in this state will not comply."

Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office did not return a request for comment on possible actions to ensure that local law enforcement officials uphold the law in this case.

The law additionally bans high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns. It also bans devices that can essentially convert any gun into a semiautomatic weapon by allowing the firing of multiple bullets with one pull of the trigger.

It also strengthens the state's "red flag" law, which allows family members or law enforcement to petition a court to have a persons firearms temporarily taken away if they are deemed a danger. The new law lengthens the time from six months to one year.

Krent said he believes a court case will move forward on this issue and eventually reach resolution, but precedence for a ruling already exists on the matter.

A 2015 ruling in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals determined that a Highland Park ordinance banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, defined as any semi-automatic gun that can accept a large-capacity magazine and a number of attachments, was constitutional and not in violation of the Second Amendment.

So at least the controlling precedent is contrary to what the sheriffs said, Krent said.

Still, there is some uncertainty as to how the courts will rule on Illinois' ban, the first enacted since the U.S. Supreme Court decided New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, in which the court laid out a new process for evaluating all Second Amendment cases.

Under the new framework, the government has to prove that the law being defended has a well-established and representative historical analogue," which basically means there's a longstanding tradition of regulation.

"The law here that we now have enacted is constitutional," Pritzker said Tuesday evening. "There was a lot of thought that went into it to make sure that it would be. And, obviously, things will go through the courts and they'll make their determinations. But I feel very confident."

Some clarity could come soon as Maryland's assault weapons ban is being challenged in a federal appeals court. A decision is expected soon.

But in the meantime, the semiautomatic weapons ban is the law.

The question is who gets to interpret the Constitution," Krent said. "Normally, we would say that's the courts role; that's their job is to interpret the law. But I do believe that some presidents sometimes can interpret the Constitution in deciding whether to veto a law, and legislatures can decide whether a law is constitutional when they pass a law. So the different branches do have a rule, but not a sheriff.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
CHICAGO  Chicago-area expressway traffic continued to bounce back with a vengeance from early pandemic lows in 2022, as the regions commuters lost more hours to congestion than drivers in any other major U.S. city studied in a new report.

Its the second year in a row the areas commuters have earned the dubious distinction from mobility analytics firm Inrix. But last year, the firm found drivers spent even more hours stuck in traffic than in 2021 or pre-pandemic. And the upticks likely had little to do with an increasing number of people driving to downtown offices, as trips to the city center remained comparable with the year before, according to the Inrix report.

The report found the average Chicago-area driver spent 155 hours sitting in traffic along major commuting routes in 2022. That was up from 104 hours in 2021, and about 7% higher than pre-pandemic.

Globally, among the cities studied, only drivers in London lost more hours to traffic, Inrix found.

The firm reached the conclusion by analyzing its own data collected from sources like mobile apps, anonymous GPS probes and trucking fleets to look at travel times along major commuting routes at night, when traffic flows freely, compared with travel times during peak periods. The firm analyzed routes to and from areas like the South Side, Naperville, Arlington Heights and other locations.

The delays cost drivers in lost time and fuel expenses. Using federal guidelines on the value of time, Inrix estimated travel delays cost the Chicago area about $9.5 billion in lost time in 2022.

The report also weighted the findings by the size of the city, and by those measurements determined Chicago was the most congested major area in the country. But comparisons between cities can be difficult to gauge.

For example, the report doesnt factor in that Chicago has a network of local roads, many of which can serve as easy alternate routes for drivers looking to avoid expressway traffic, said Joseph Schwieterman, director of DePaul Universitys Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. The report also looks at travel to major employment centers, but doesnt measure travel along other routes, he said.

Within the Chicago area, the upticks could partly be a sign of public transit ridership that remains below pre-pandemic levels, said Bob Pishue, the Inrix transportation analyst who wrote the report. Average weekday ridership on Metra in November was 44% of 2019 levels, and weekday ridership on CTA buses and trains in October was at about 56%.

Increasing travel delays could also be tied to the return of afternoon commute congestion, and likely reflect increased driving outside downtown, Pishue said.

Trips to downtown Chicago increased just 1% in 2022 from 2021, according to Inrix. In New York, trips to downtown were up 17% and in Houston they were up 11%, while trips to downtown Los Angeles fell 1%.

Trips into downtown Chicago had already rebounded somewhat in 2021, leaving less room to grow last year than in cities that saw longer lags, Pishue said.

Downtowns have been the last to recover, and depending on what downtown, its different, he said.

Even as people shift away from public transit ridership, they are driving more to destinations outside downtown, Schwieterman said. As more people work from home, they are compensating by driving to other activities, he said.

The design of Chicagos expressways are also partly to blame, as they funnel traffic into downtown.

The design of our expressway system has hurt traffic flow for generations, Schwieterman said.

Still, fixes could help alleviate traffic and entice riders back to public transit, he said. High-occupancy vehicle lanes on expressways could encourage more carpooling, and bus lanes and peak-period tolling could incentivize drivers to turn away from their cars.

The recent completion of the Jane Byrne Interchange near downtown, after nine years of construction, should also help, he said.

The increasing traffic is particularly unwelcome because it cant be attributed to a population boom, as upticks perhaps could be in cities like Miami, he said.

This is an unwanted distinction, considering our population is growing so slowly, he said.
The sheriffs of several Central Illinois counties say they will not enforce new legislation banning the sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons.

In a letter posted to social media around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers said he believed the law violates the Second Amendment, which he has sworn to uphold.

Therefore, as the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Logan County,  neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, he wrote, nor will we be arresting or housing law abiding individuals that have been charged solely with non-compliance of this Act.

Sheriffs in DeWitt, La Salle, Woodford, Tazewell, Piatt, Grundy, Ford, Richland and Coles counties followed suit, posting letters with the same or slightly varied wording on their social media pages or via news releases.

Lincoln Police Chief Joseph Meister also issued a statement, standing with Landers on the issue and saying he would not disarm the people of Lincoln.

"The job of the Lincoln Police Department is not to search the homes of lawful gun owners who have not committed a crime, or ensure that they register their guns with the State Police," he wrote. "If the Legislature, or Governor, choose to enforce this law by targeting lawful gun owners in the City of Lincoln, they will have to use their own police force to do so."

The law was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday night. It makes Illinois the ninth state, as well as Washington, D.C., to prohibit the sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons.

The legislation bans dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and handguns, .50-caliber guns, attachments and rapid-firing devices. No rifle will be allowed to accommodate more than 10 rounds, with a 15-round limit for handguns.

Those who already own such guns will have to register them, including serial numbers, with the Illinois State Police. The new law enables merchants to sell or return current stock and Illinois-based manufacturers can sell their wares outside Illinois or to law enforcement.

Critics warn the governors signature will trigger court challenges, which will ultimately overturn the law as a violation of the 2nd Amendment.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
Streamings latest hit show, "McCarthy Agonistes," has ended its five-day run. But the protracted vote for speaker of the House highlighted one unexpected yet welcome facet of the Republican Party: actual diversity  and not just of the ideological variety.

I recently wrote about how Black Republicans in the House, in doubling their numbers from just two to four, might be able to leverage their newly found prominence. I didnt expect their opportunity to come so soon.

On the second day of voting, the anti-Kevin McCarthy faction settled on Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida as its preferred candidate for speaker. Donalds, elected in 2020, had announced shortly after the November election his interest in running for the Republican Conference chair position currently held by Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.

Stefanik beat back the challenge easily, but the effort immediately marked Donalds as someone to watch. Sure enough, after supporting McCarthy on the first two ballots, Donalds threw in with the insurgents.

When Donalds name was put forth, the Democratic caucus didnt exactly cover itself in glory. In his speech nominating Donalds, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas observed that, with the Democrats earlier nomination of Hakeem Jeffries, for the first time in history, there have been two Black Americans placed into the nomination for speaker of the House.

Republicans lept to a standing ovation. Democrats were notably slow to rise. Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri later tweeted that Donalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop.  His name being in the mix is not progress  its pathetic.

Quote Progressives have long argued that diversity is a strength of U.S. society, business and culture. By nominating Donalds, Republicans were acknowledging this truth.

Bushs prop language is a demeaning insult, one often made against minority Republicans. Even more, it denies Donalds agency: Hed already made it clear he wanted a significant role in the Republican caucus. Why not offer himself up for a possible major leadership position?

Bushs tweet also betrays an ignorance of how diversity and opportunity work in the real world. Progressives have long argued that diversity is a strength of U.S. society, business and culture. By nominating Donalds, Republicans were acknowledging this truth. Yes, the nomination was symbolic, even quixotic, but so are many early opportunities.

Indeed, McCarthys supporters immediately saw the symbolic value of the Donalds nomination. On the third day of voting, another Black Republican, John James of Michigan, stepped forward to present arguably the best McCarthy nominating speech of the week.

James speech was partly about his own biography, but it was also about the GOP as the historic vehicle for African American aspirational achievement  and McCarthys role over the last two elections in working to diversify the party. The racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the GOP was then highlighted over the next several votes, with nominating speeches delivered by Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Kat Cammack of Florida and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona.

Republicans may not have had their act together in terms of actually naming a speaker  it took them five days to settle on McCarthy (and in the end, Donalds was a supporter). But the debate showed they understand some of the broader politics of diversity. No matter how right-wing various factions in the party might be, or how much trouble they might yet cause, theyve absorbed the progressive lesson that representation matters.
Vote now until noon on April 20th to support the businesses that you think are the best in the New Braunfels area.
Scythian could make a corpse rise up and get down.

Long beloved in Bristol, Scythian makes its triumphant return to the Birthplace of Country Music on Friday, Jan. 20, at The Cameo Theater in Bristol, Virginia. Founded nearly 20 years ago by brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka, Scythian leapt from street corners to stages the world round.

But Bristol maintains a special beat in their enthusiastic arteries.

When we first played Bristol, we played the back deck at OMainnins, said Danylo Dan Fedoryka by phone from his home in Northern Virginia. There was all of this dust. People were clogging. Leah Ross, from Rhythm & Roots, was right up front for three hours. She was clogging the entire time.

Thus began a love affair of which even Dan Fedorykas wife approves and encourages.

I went to Bristol and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on our honeymoon to show my wife, Fedoryka said. Bristol, we go way back.

Scythian most recently performed in downtown Bristol last July. They appeared in Cumberland Square Park during Border Bash and its Fourth of July event. Fedoryka said they chose Bristol and The Cameo to stage its first show of 2023.

Good reason, too. The love Scythian feels for and exhibits about Bristol is shared and equaled by their extraordinarily avid fan base in Bristol.

The Bristol Sessions kind of explains it best, Fedoryka said. There was an ad put in a newspaper in 1927. Everybody came out of the woodwork. That type of spirit doesnt go away. When we come to Bristol, we feel that. That spirit in the music, it comes from you all in Bristol.

Scythian serves spirited music. Like a Saturday night smoke-filled and fightin happy honky-tonk. Like a Sunday morning holy hellfire and brimstone Pentecostal church service. Scythian means to get down for a get-down kinda crowd.

Our earliest fans say that the energy, we sound like we did when they first saw us, Fedoryka said. We started out as street performers. Alex and I performed on street corners before we had a name. On the streets, if its not moving you, why should it move them?

Alex and Dans parents immigrated to America from Ukraine. Music accompanied their journey.

My dad was a mountain man, Dan Fedoryka said.

Their parents instilled music from their homeland into the young boys. Not just any music. Klezmer, which combines Yiddish words for instrument and song to form the word Klezmer, comes from deep Jewish traditions. Its sound, similar to that of Louisianas Cajun, is performed as highly energetic dance music.

If you hear Klezmer music, Fedoryka said, your hips start shaking. If you listen to Irish music, your toes start tapping.

Thats Scythian. As heard on such albums as 2020s Roots & Stones, Scythian rates well as a band to boot the gloom from ones day.

Wed play our Ukrainian music in Bristol, and they got it, Fedoryka said. Weve been doing this for 18 years, and now all of a sudden people want to support Ukraine. We just happened to fall in line with Irish music and grew up in the Shenandoah Mountains. But people now sing, play our Ukrainian stuff. Its mountain music.

Scythian applied their deep and intertwined cultural roots into their latest album, Christmas Out at Sea. However, given that Christmas came and went several weeks ago, will they perform any of those lustrously performed songs in Bristol come January 20?

Good question! Fedoryka said. Well do one for sure, maybe more. Well do The Wellerman Christmas. If people shout for more, we may do more.

Spin Scythians Christmas Out at Sea record. It holds up exceedingly well at Christmas and beyond.

We wanted to do songs that were not in the mainstream, Fedoryka said. None of the songs are original. We did two or three carols per song, layering.

Take the song, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent. Without Scythians recording, its extremely unlikely it found space alongside Jingle Bells this Christmas.

It goes back to the year 200, Fedoryka said of the chantlike, church bells incorporated song. I had never heard it. Now, all of our fans are clamoring for another Christmas album.

Meanwhile, Bristol beams in the headlights for Scythian. Melodic jolts of music injected with fountains of positivity they bring merry to a new year of hopes for merrier times.

Our motto is old time, good times, Fedoryka said.

If You Go

Who: Scythian and Craig Street Ramblers

When: Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.

Where: The Cameo Theater, 703 State St., Bristol, Va.

Admission: $29.98-$39.98

Info: 276-296-1234

Web, audio and video: www.scythianmusic.com
The body of a woman was found in a wooded area on Plateau Road on Wednesday.

A passing motorist saw the body about 15 feet from the highway near where Plateau Road intersects with Trail Winds Street, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. The location is about a quarter mile from Fred T. Foard High School.

Capt. Aaron Turk said the sheriff's office is working to identify the body of the woman that he described as middle-aged. He added that law officers are reaching out to nearby businesses and residents, as well as checking missing persons cases.

He said the department also plans to ask for an autopsy.

Catawba County EMS and Propst Fire Department also responded.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day prayer breakfast

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Multicultural Affairs office will host the universitys inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer Breakfast on Monday.

The breakfast will be at 7 a.m. in the Cromer Center on the Hickory campus.

The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so registration is strongly encouraged. To register, visit www.lr.edu/mlk.

The breakfast and program will last until 10 a.m. The universitys Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Avery Staley, University President Fred Whitt, Director of Multicultural Affairs Terry Phillips and youth and family ministry major Christopher Wilson will speak during the breakfast.

The LadyElle Gospel Ensemble and the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, directed by Ryan Luhrs, will perform.

At 11 a.m., participants may join the annual march organized by the Hickory NAACP. The march will leave off from P.E. Monroe Auditorium on the LR campus and make its way through Hickory to the Ridgeview Recreation Center.

Public parking is available on campus by the Shuford Gymnasium and Moretz Stadium complex and by Grace Chapel. A full campus map, including the surrounding area, is available at map.lr.edu.

Disneys Frozen Sing-Along

The Newton Performing Arts Center will have two interactive showings of Disneys Frozen on Saturday. Attendees can sing along with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf while fake snow falls throughout the theater.

The center encourages people to come dressed as their favorite character. Frozen FunPacks, filled with goodies, can be purchased for families to follow along with activities. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf will be available for photos an hour before the movie starts. Character photos are included with tickets.

The movie will be shown at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at ncauditorium.com.

Standard tickets are $15, or $25 with the Frozen FunPack. Tickets for children ages 2 and younger are $5.

Lenoir-Rhyne concert series to host Imani Winds

The Concert Series at Lenoir-Rhyne will host Grammy-nominated quintet Imani Winds on Sunday. The free performance will be held at 3 p.m. in Grace Chapel and is open to the public.

Imani Winds includes Brandon Patrick George on flute, Toyin Spellman-Diaz on oboe, Kevin Newton on French horn, Mark Dover on clarinet and Monica Ellis on bassoon. The group has recorded seven albums.

Their 2006 recording The Classical Underground and their 2021 recording Bruits were nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Chamber Music or Small Ensemble Performance.

The ensemble performs both familiar classical compositions, often with innovative arrangements, and contemporary pieces. The quintet frequently commissions pieces to bring new voices to the fore and highlight historical and current events through music.

In 2021, the group became the first Faculty Wind Quintet at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and their academic affiliations have included residencies at the Lincoln Center, Duke University, the University of Michigan and the University of Texas at Austin, among many others.
Do you work for an organisation that treats pay information like a state secret?

Do you know what your co-workers get paid?

Can you tell others what you earn?

Well, now you can, following the passing of the Albanese governments Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill reform package, which includes a ban on pay secrecy policies.

The ban is primarily aimed at reducing gender-based pay differences  part of a larger suite of reforms that make gender equity a key principle of the Fair Work Act.

But theres also reason to believe it should benefit other disadvantaged workers in both individual and collective pay negotiations.

Secrecy and the gender pay gap

The gender pay gap in Australia is currently 22.8%. According to federal employment and workplace relations minister Tony Burke, pay secrecy clauses have long been used to conceal gender pay discrepancies:

Banning them will improve transparency and reduce the risk of gender pay discrimination by allowing women to compare their pay with that of their co workers. Differences can be discussed with their manager without fear of punishment.

International evidence support Burkes claim. Studies in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Denmark all report a decline in the gender pay gap as a result of legislation to promote pay transparency.

US research shows womens wages in states prohibiting pay secrecy clauses are 4-12% higher (depending on how the data was analysed) than in states that allow secrecy clauses.

In Canada, pay secrecy law reduced the gender pay gap between men and women by 20-40% (again depending on how data was analysed).

These findings are supported by studies of organisations that have dropped pay secrecy policies. A 2019 study covering approximately 9,000 US employees found womens annual pay growth was 0.4% lower than for men under pay secrecy. This gap disappeared with greater transparency.

Its possible that just ending secrecy clauses is enough to improve outcomes even without people disclosing how much they earn  that the prospect of pay information being shared is enough to focus an organisation on ensuring fair and equitable remuneration.

Secrecy, by contrast, means managers can make decisions they dont have to justify to employees. This heightens the risk of unconscious bias, favouritism, discrimination and stereotyping affecting pay decisions.

What about conflict?

Not everyone wants to share their pay information. Some people are self-conscious about how it will affect their image. Some worry it will affect work relationships.

It may be upsetting for coworkers in a similar role to discover they are paid less than you. It is even more upsetting to find out youre paid less than them.

Employers argue that pay secrecy is needed to minimise conflict between employees. This is based on the jealousy hypothesis, which says that employees reduce their work effort when they find out they are paid less than a colleague.

But such claims are overstated. In fact, employees are more likely to view restrictions on sharing pay information with suspicion and as something driven by managerial self-interest, not the best interest of the employees.

This is borne out by research showing pay secrecy leads workers to underestimate supervisors pay (but overestimate coworkers pay).

Most employees deserve to be given more credit. The research shows they understand and accept pay differences that can be explained and justified according to work contribution and performance.

Further, studies report that greater pay transparency is associated with higher employee performance and job satisfaction.

Where to now?

While the ban on secrecy clauses is primarily aimed at reducing the gender pay gap, it could deliver positive pay outcomes for other disadvantaged employees as well.

Its a fundamental principle of economics that sharing of information contributes to more efficient markets. Removing pay secrecy therefore contributes to a more efficient labour market.

Bargaining freely with full information, employees are able to assess their employment options and make better informed choices. The decisions of individuals encourage organisations to ensure they have fair and equitable pay systems.

This should lead to greater fairness for all.





Michelle Brown is Professor, Human Resource Management, The University of Melbourne.



Leanne Griffin is a management researcher and human resource practitioner at the University of Melbourne.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
Owners of bricked phones will be envious this woman has a working Samsung phone. Photo: Shutterstock

After pushing a faulty update which "bricked" the Samsung phones of South Australian devices, new comments from the phone manufacturing giant reveal the issue may be more widespread than originally thought.

Samsung recently released its latest update (Samsung One UI 5.0 OS) enabling eligible phones an upgrade to Android 13.

Shortly after, customer reports began to surface of critical device failures once they'd installed the update, with users describing their phone as stuck in a unresponsive state displaying only a blank screen.

Other Samsung device owners detail being caught in an endless bootup loop that can't get past the Samsung logo.

After initially saying it had only received reports of this issue from customers based in South Australia, Samsung now says the issue has "primarily" affected customers in SA  indicating the phone-bricking update glitch has also occurred in other states.

"Samsung has identified a technical issue that affected a small number of customers based primarily in South Australia," a company statement read.

The company did not respond to Information Age questions about how many customers had been affected, or how widespread the problem was.

Meanwhile, first-hand accounts of this phone-crippling issue have continued to surface from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Samsung is yet to comment on the cause of this state-specific glitch, however, some tech-minded Samsung customers have speculated it may be related to SA's unique time zone.

"It seems to only be happening in SA, so I'm assuming it's the +9.5 time offset which is the issue with the UI5 update," a user speculated on Reddit.

While many of these customers have been left with an inoperable device after installing the update, Samsung has announced an additional revised firmware update which may still be weeks away from a much-needed rollout.

"Following the release and installation of Android 13 update to Samsung devices that had been on Android 11, a small number of phones were locked in 'boot mode'," said Samsung Australia.

"A revised firmware update that will not experience this issue has been developed and will start being rolled out to customers over the coming weeks," it added.

Given the nature of this issue, customers whose devices are currently boot-locked may experience difficulty independently installing Samsung's revised update.

What to do

If your device is currently locked in boot made, Samsung suggests to "visit a Samsung service centre or call our team on 1300 362 603 to have your phone assessed."

Previously, customers who contacted the phone manufacturer's support avenues were reportedly told their only option was a full factory reset.

Those who paid for this option would face the unfortunate aftereffect of losing all photos, contacts, apps and data which hadn't been backed up.

On 8 January, Samsung Australia conceded to 7NEWS.com.au customers "should not have been charged" for any repairs related to the update glitch.

The company confirmed customers who take their device to a Samsung authorised service centre "will not be charged" for any repairs relating to the issue, and promised reimbursement for those who already paid.

If they (a customer) have been previously been charged by a Samsung authorised service centre for repairs relating to this particular issue, they will be refunded for that work, a spokesperson said.

For the time being, the advice from online troubleshooting communities is to forego installation of this problematic update until Samsung issues a notification of the issue being resolved.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night the Duke of Sussex responded to backlash over what he revealed about his military career in Spare.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Prince Harry it turns out didn't actually kill 25 Taliban himself as he claimed in his book. Harry captured the 25 terrorists and then held them prisoner personally. He then spent hours whining and complaining about how life has treated him, and the Taliban grabbed his gun and killed themselves.

 The Biden Administration ignited a firestorm Tuesday when its Consumer Products Safety chief announced a ban on the future sale of all gas-powered stoves. It overlooked political realities. For this White House and the last one I think the best method for cooking is by burning classified documents.

 The Justice Department said it is reviewing classified material Biden took with him to his policy center ten years ago when he left the vice presidency. Biden could now face the same legal jeopardy Trump does for removing classified material. Like they say in Washington, payback is a Hillary Clinton.

 Mexico's security for President Biden was a worry Monday due to the civil war with the Sineola cartel. Before Joe's arrival, it took three thousand six hundred Mexican security forces all day long to detain and arrest one cocaine dealer. It shows the problems you face when you pay people by the hour.

GET ARGUS' DAILY SMILES to your inbox. Sign up for the JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

 Fox News reports Ukrainian army units are in Oklahoma learning how to operate Patriot missiles to shoot down Russian drones. Interestingly, during World War II the University of Oklahoma housed German prisoners in campus dorms. The Germans made great linebackers and how they LOVED to blitz.

 Sir Richard Branson tried to make British history with its first space launch into orbit on Monday but it failed and it fell onto the water. In retaliation North Korea fired two missiles into the ocean. Illegal immigrants in Britain gave a huge sigh of relief knowing the Tories can't send them to the moon.

 GOP House Member and serial liar George Santos pretended to be a McCarthy aide to raise campaign money over the phone. Imagine the Speaker's exasperation. Santos is proof to the GOP leadership that the world is NOT full of idiots, but they are strategically placed so that you run across one every day.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
WASHINGTON  I am engaged in reading a very fine book by my colleague Paul Kengor. It was written six years ago, so do not feel bad if you missed it. You still have time. It is called A Pope and a President. It covers the lives of John Paul II and Ronald Reagan, and, as its coverage is chronological, I just read its treatment of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This will be the umpteenth time that I have read about the assassination of JFK, and frankly I did not learn anything more than in earlier accounts. JFK was shot by a lone assailant, the despicable Lee Harvey Oswald. Other presidents have been shot by a lone assailant. In fact, Reagan and John Paul were both shot by lone assailants and fortunately survived. Yet for some reason JFK's assassination was unique. It set loose a plethora of conspiracy theories for which there are a plethora of believers, probably millions, perhaps worldwide. Why has JFK's death inspired so many conspiracy theorists? Even Abraham Lincoln, who was surely as controversial as Kennedy, had only one assailant, and his death inspired only a handful of conspiracy theories. All were pretty far-fetched, as I recall. JFK was assassinated almost 60 years ago, yet documents are still coming out related to the tragic event. In fact, last month the government released still more Kennedy documents, and their presence will undoubtedly cause still more conspiracy theories to emerge.

SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here.

I have come to the conclusion that JFK's death inspired so many conspiracy theorists because of the bungling of the Warren Commission and of the nation's liberals in general. Liberals dominated the commission, and they also dominated the news coverage of the event. People like Chief Justice Earl Warren and journalists like the New York Times columnist James Reston had always been suspicious of Americans living in the South, the Midwest, and the far West. The fact that the event took place in Dallas further alarmed these East Coast popinjays. They feared that once the red-blooded Americanos focused on Oswald's links to the Soviet Union, there would be no stopping those ruffians as they edged toward war with Russia. Even the Russians feared it. The result was all kinds of confusion from people such as Warren, Reston, and, of course, the Russians.

Kengor in A Pope and a President asserts: "With a more-than-receptive audience on the American left, the Soviets wasted no time doing what they did best: concocting disinformation. If the American left was looking for conservative culprits in the Kennedy killing, the Kremlin was more than willing to conjure them up." Kengor quotes KGB officer Oleg Kalugin, speaking years later, rendering a long list of lies about the assassination that ends with Kalugin saying, "In the end, our campaign succeeded."

Yet the American Left also contributed to the confusion. The same afternoon of the assassination, the eventual eponym of the Warren Report, Earl Warren, blamed JFK's death on "the hatred and bitterness that has been injected into the life of our nation by bigots."

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And forget not thenDemocratic Sen. Mike Mansfield at the president's funeral attributing the shooting to "bigotry, hatred, and prejudice." Moreover, the media had a role in the confusion. On the first page of the New York Times, the celebrated Reston "lamented the violent streak' and strain of madness' plaguing America, which he placed at the feet of extremists on the right.'" Nowhere in his column did he mention that Oswald was a communist.

So, in the end, the Soviets and the American liberals both sought the same goal. They sought to confuse the American public. Neither the Soviets nor the American liberals wanted the public to know the true nature of Lee Harvey Oswald. He was a communist. Both stand with Oleg Kalugin in saying, "In the end, our campaign succeeded."

Glory to Ukraine!

(COMMENT, BELOW)
CHARLESTON  The Tarble Arts Center at Eastern Illinois University has announced its upcoming events and exhibitions.

Artist-in Residence

For the Tarble's 2023 residency, Chris Carl of Studio Land Arts will develop a large-scale land art project for the Tarble, one which will officially break ground later in the year.

Carl will work closely with graduate students in EIU's art department, the Tarble's undergraduate staff, and other on- and off-campus partners to turn one of the Tarble galleries into an active studio, which visitors can observe during open hours through Jan. 28.

Art Speaks! with Ben Gould

Exhibiting artist Ben Gould will give an online evening presentation on his visual art practice from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. All are welcome to join via Zoom at eiu.zoom.us

Born in Grass Valley, California in 1993, Gould was raised in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in a Gold Rush-era town, between decommissioned mines and the Yuba River. He has held performances at unique sites such as salt flats in Death Valley, a limestone cave in Kansas City, a bunker in the Marin Headlands, a canal in Amsterdam, a moving vessel on the Chicago River, and Charleston Stone Company in Ashmore.

Noontime Talk: James Haddon on the work of Cole Lu

Digital media technology major, artist, and Tarble staff member James Haddon will host a conversational gallery talk about works on view in the "To Bear the Mark of Time" exhibit by artist Cole Lu from noon-1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. This event is free and open to the public

For more information about these events, call 217-581-2787 or email tarble@eiu.edu.
MATTOON  The Mattoon school district's current health and sex education curriculum is set to remain unchanged, without modifications recommended by its advisory groups.

The Mattoon school board formed a Health & Sex Education Advisory Team last year to review this curriculum in light of new state and federal sex education standards. The team and the districts Curriculum Coordinating Committee subsequently recommended, in a Dec. 13 presentation, keeping the current curriculum with some changes and not adopting those new standards.

Tuesday evening, the school board voted 6-1 on board President Michelle Skinlo's motion to leave the districts current health and sex education curriculum unchanged.

Skinlo said she voted "no" in April to possibly changing the district's curriculum and still feels that it should be retained as is after reviewing the recommendations. She and other board members thanked the advisory team and curriculum committee for their efforts.

"I appreciate that the committee did what we asked them to," said Vice President Gary Kepley. "I appreciate everything you have done."

Skinlo, Kepley and fellow board members John Hedges, Heidi Larson, Ashli Overton, and Dale Righter voted "yes" to this motion. Board member Erika Weaver voted "no." She said the board should take into account that the advisory team represented the diverse perspectives of many different groups within the community, including healthcare professionals.

Proposed modifications included that education about sexually transmitted diseases happen before the end of seventh grade and that trained professionals be contracted to provide consistent sex ed-related instruction at the high school instead of district employees. Larson suggested Tuesday night that the district should provide additional training for teachers who provide this instruction.

The advisory team also had recommended that puberty education begin in third grade, with instruction by a trained professional, due to an increasing number of girls experiencing this body change then.

"The fact of the matter is that we have third-grade girls in our district who are going through puberty and who have no idea what is going on because, unfortunately not every kid has the blessing of having parents who will talk about puberty or bodily changes to you or the financial ability to get a physical done every year," said Aydin Tariq, student representative to the curriculum committee.

Tariq said this committee and the advisory team believe in the current curriculum and recommended few changes, adding that parents would continue to have the ability to opt out their children from this curriculum. Tariq said he has talked to many students in his role on the committee and found them to be supportive of the proposed changes.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act into law in August 2021, making Illinois the first state to formally pass legislation codifying new national standards developed by the SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change nonprofit based in New York City.

Opponents have raised concerns with various aspects of those standards, including provisions for education about gender nonconformity to start in fifth grade. Proponents have said the standards account for modern gender identity issues and offer education aimed at keeping children safe from abuse.

Community member Dan Haifley said at Tuesday's meeting that changing the district's curriculum even a little to match the national rhetoric of the new standards would be "borrowing language from activists."

"What our children learn, especially when they are young, will permanently impact who they are," said community member Angela Hampton. She added that aligning with any part of the new standards would lead to the district "morally aligning or at the very least not contradicting" those standards.

Comprehensive sex education matters. Here's what the data shows Comprehensive sex education matters. Here's what the data shows States without mandated HIV/STI education have higher rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea States that stress abstinence in sex education have higher teen birth rates States not requiring medically accurate sex and HIV/STI education are more likely to have some form of abortion ban Sex and HIV/STI education in many states perpetuates derogatory attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community Interested in exploring the state-level data yourself?
TOLEDO  X Ring Custom owner Dave Clark has built up his store's stock with a wide variety of firearms and supplies for customers in the area and online over 22 years in business.

However, Clark said a new bill signed by Gov. JB Pritzker banning the sale of high-power assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles and ammunition, and large-capacity magazines has banned $750,000 worth of merchandise from his Cumberland County store.

"It's almost half of what we would normally have on sale here, over half the guns," Clark said Wednesday. "(The new law) will put me put of business unless we get lawsuits against it and an injunction."

The store owner said he did not see much of a sales uptick before the governor's signing but he has needed to turn down more than half a dozen potential sales since then.

Clark said his understanding of the new law is that his only option for selling his now banned merchandise is to sell to dealers out of state and that he only has 60 days to do this. However, Clark said he is still studying this more than 100 page document.

In the meantime, Clark said he is optimistic that lawsuits filed by various firearms rights advocacy groups will result in an injunction on the new law.

"They are ready to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary," Clark said. He added that the new restrictions will likely be the main topic of a Guns Save Life meeting on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 12 in Charleston.

The bill that Pritzker signed Tuesday night as a public safety measure also has banned the distribution and manufacture of the affected firearms and supplies in Illinois.

Im signing this legislation tonight so that it can take immediate effect and we can end the sale of these weapons of war as soon as possible, Pritzker said.

The Bullet Trap owner Dan Cooley and his staff at this Macon store spent much of Wednesday looking at recent orders and contacting customers who had already ordered and paid for guns that are banned under the legislation.

Customers whose background checks are underway or, in some cases, have come back, will not be able to pick up their guns, and the inventory that falls under the new law had to be put away and can't be sold.

We're in the process of notifying customers that have bought guns for refunds, Cooley said. Guns have been here for delivery that we can't go ahead and transfer, so it's created a huge problem for us. We've pulled our guns down that don't meet the requirements for the new bill, as well as the magazines on the wall over there. We're just trying to get up to speed as to what this bill's real affect is.

And because the law went into effect immediately, he added, dealers had no opportunity to make arrangements.

I encourage everyone to go out and contribute to their favorite organization for gun rights, Cooley said. Links to Illinois chapters of gun rights organizations are on his store's Facebook page, he added. It's important that we fight this bill, and it's already in motion. There will be an injunction filed some time next week, hopefully.

If an injunction is filed, Cooley said dealers will be able to transfer guns already sold to customers while the case makes its way through the courts.

One of the key sticking points in drafting the new law concerned a requirement that people who currently own such weapons register them with the Illinois State Police.

Those individuals would be required to disclose the make, model and serial number of the specified weapons to obtain a special endorsement on their Firearm Owners Identification, or FOID card. The House had included that in the bill it passed shortly after midnight Friday morning, but an early draft of a Senate plan reportedly proposed dropping it.

The final version of the bill, contained in a package of amendments to House Bill 5471, includes the requirement but extends the deadline for compliance to Jan. 1, 2024, instead of 180 days after the governor signs the bill into law, as the House had proposed.

The Senate bill also clarifies that any device that makes a semi-automatic weapon fire more rapidly  whether it converts the weapon into a fully automatic one or merely increases the rate of fire  will be illegal. And it defines large-capacity magazines as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds for a long gun or 15 rounds for a handgun.

Additional information provided by Capitol News Illinois.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term Jesse White.JPG JB Piitzker 13 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 12 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 11 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 10 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 9 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 7 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 5 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 3 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 2 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 1 010923.JPG Juliana Stratton 1 010923.JPG Stratton 2 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 1 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 2 010923.JPG Michael Frerichs 010923.JPG 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball Tiffany Mathis 1 011023.JPG dance gov 7 010923.JPG dance gov 13 010923.JPG dance gov 12 010923.JPG dance gov 11 010923.JPG dance gov 10 010923.JPG dance gov 9 010923.JPG dance gov 8 010923.JPG
Dennis Sampson started writing poetry in his late teenage years but said he was about 25 when he wrote his first decent poem.

I stayed at it, Sampson said on a recent rainy day from the front porch of his Winston-Salem home in the company of various animals.

Now, at 73, he has released his ninth book of poetry titled What More Could the Universe Want.

While some of the poems in his new book were written within the past five years, others were created 20 years ago. Poems include The Russian, about a reading given by poet Joseph Brodsky to graduate students at the University of Alabama, Those Beautiful People in The Room and The Signature of Francisco Goya in the Corner of Saturn Eating His Son.

Ive always been a little surprised by how little interest people have in seeing themselves in this vast universe  small people on a small planet with all of their concerns, their joys, their hatreds, Sampson said referring to the title of his latest book.

But (when) you put it in a different perspective, its not just Winston-Salem. Its not just North Carolina. Its not just America. Its not just the World. Its the universe. I think if we could see ourselves from a perspective of another galaxy, wed be kinder to one another and more humble.

His other volumes of poetry are The Double Genesis, Forgiveness, Constant Longing, Needlegrass, For my Father Falling Asleep at Saint Marys Hospital, Within the Shadow of a Man, The Lunatic in the Trees and Selected Poems.

Sampson said his poems are clear.

I dont try to be obtuse or complex, he said. One of my greatest strengths is I like to include images, particularly from the natural world in my poems.

Sampson is already writing poems for a book he has yet to publish. He said he has moved in a different direction in his writing over the years.

The poems that I am writing now are much more conversational and much more intimate than my previous poems, he said. They almost exclusively revolve around my being here in this house with the squirrels and chipmunks and the cardinals.

Sampson is the recipient of grants from The Virginia Council on the Arts and The North Carolina Arts Council, and his poems have appeared in such magazines as The American Scholar, The Ohio Review and The Hudson Review.

Sampson was born in South Dakota and moved to Winston-Salem in 2000.

He has taught at several colleges, including Sweet Briar College in Virginia, UNC Wilmington and Wake Forest University.

Sampson did his undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota and received a master of fine arts degree from the University of Iowa.

Q: How would you describe your writing?

Answer: If a poem of mine is not what someone once referred to as an upwelling of the unconscious then it is usually for me a waste of effort to proceed. That upwelling normally results in what is referred to as a lyric poem it is relatively short, concise, with an aggressive forward momentum. I dont write in rhyme, and my writing does not abide by any specific meter. Instead, my shorter lyric poems try to do a couple of things I believe: to be clear without coming across as slight and simpleminded and to come up with a few inevitable words.

The Russian writer of the last century Isaac Babel once said, One word in the wrong place will ruin the most beautiful thought. That is a high bar, I realize. Other than lyrics, I write narrative poems that tell stories or are perhaps a little anecdotal in nature.

My books are meant to be read from beginning to end. The poems in my books are not put together haphazardly. I have always believed that the last poem in a book should be the book itself. That is what I try to do.

Q: How have you evolved as an author?

Answer: When I entered college many moons ago, I could barely write a complete sentence, and now I am bringing out my ninth book of poems, What More Could the Universe Want. That is quite an evolution of spirit, I would say. I have tried to write my poems without sacrificing the beauty of the human voice and without hindering the momentum of the lines. More personally, the various ambitions I had as a young poet have largely fallen away. For example, I no longer seriously entertain the idea of winning the Nobel Prize in literature (ha ha). My ambitions are more modest now.

Q: Who has influenced your writing?

Answer: My mother was a voracious reader of decent literature  no romance novels and the like  and would sit in her recliner by the living room window with Hemingways A Farewell to Arms or Faulkners Light in August in her lap. My father was a musician who probably never read a book of fiction in his life. I put a photograph of him taken by my mother along the Alabama coastline when the two of them were snowbirding on one of the covers of my books, and he looked at himself there, then said to my mother, Gee whiz Lu, I wish I had worn another hat. But his trills on his clarinet in his den  they found their way into the way I put a sentence together in my poems, I think. My teacher in college, Dave Evans, played no small part in my development as a poet. Among many other things, Dave showed me why concision and the image are so crucial to the success of a good poem.

An image is important because it asks readers to be involved in a book. They can see what you are saying.

Q: What is your biggest challenge?

Answer: I came across long ago a line that has stayed with me all of these years: It is the supreme task of the artist to simply endure. When the saxophonist John Coltrane died at 39, everyone was saying what a shame it was that he died so young, whereas an old jazz musician said more wisely that Coltrane had made his statement.

The challenge is, if you are in it for the long haul, to make your statement as artfully as you are able then let the chips fall where they will.

Q: What does writing do for you?

Answer: Good art, poems, paintings, music and stories make me feel less alone in the world. I used to work in a meatpacking plant in Sioux City, Iowa, and would memorize favorite poems so that I could say them over and over to myself while cutting beef. It sustained me. I probably know a hundred poems by heart  that in a nutshell is what art has meant and continues to mean to me.

Q: Any advice for other writers?

Answer: If you dont read modern and contemporary poems, then you might as well just forget it. If you want to get something off your chest, forget it as well. But if you do read and want to write your own poems, take energy from what you have read, imitate even, and seek the opinion of those who are willing to tell you the truth. One bee sting lasts longer than a whole jar of honey but I have learned just as much from those bee stings as I have from hearing what is good in my work.

I think if we could see ourselves from a perspective of another galaxy, wed be kinder to one another and more humble. Winston-Salem poet Dennis Sampson
A parent is facing a criminal charge after he was accused of bringing a handgun to Mocksville Elementary School on Wednesday, authorities said.

Robert B. Roberts, 34, of Willhaven Drive, Mocksville, is charged with felony possession of a weapon on educational property, the Davie County Sheriff's Office said.

Roberts was released from custody after he posted a $45,000 bond, the sheriff's office said.

The parent, who was carrying a handgun on his belt under his jacket, told a school staff member that he had a gun, the sheriff's office said. The staff member then asked the parent to leave and notified a school resource officer at 8:20 a.m.

The man was leaving the school when the school resource officer, who is a Davie County sheriff's deputy, was notified.

The parent didn't make any threats, and there was no immediate danger, the sheriff's office said.

Roberts was later arrested at his home without incident, the sheriff's office said. Deputies seized a Glock handgun at the home.
Two Surry County people are facing charges in connection with the desecration of two Confederate gravesites in the Lowgap area, authorities said Wednesday.

Travis William Barker, 37, of Barker Hollow Lane in Lowgap and Tina Louise Lowe, 44, of Sunshine Lane in Lowgap are charged with disturbing a casket and grave marker, the Surry County Sheriffs Office said.

Barker and Lowe were taken to the Surry County Jail with Barkers bond set at $10,000, and Lowes bond set at $5,000, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office received a call at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7 about someone desecrating two gravesites at 218 Hanner Way in the Lowgap area in northwestern Surry County, the agency said.

The caller indicated that two Confederate gravesites had been damaged in the incident.

A deputy arrived on the scene and investigated the incident, the sheriffs office said. The deputy found the desecrated gravesites and the tools used to damage the sites.

The cemetery is located 1/4-mile into a wooded area.

Investigators linked Barker and Lowe to the December incident, the sheriffs office said.
Officials at Winston-Salem State University have determined that the proper procedures were followed during a Dec. 14 incident in which campus police arrested a WSSU student in a classroom after an argument erupted between the student and her professor about an assignment.

Students in the classroom recorded the arrest and shared it on social media, where it went viral and got local and national coverage, including on CNN. The student, Leilla Hamoud, 20, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on Jan. 25.

Haley Gingles, chief marketing and communications officer at WSSU, said WSSU administrators reviewed the incident and found that proper procedures were followed.

The incident is now in the hands of the Forsyth County District Attorneys office, Gingles said.

Gingles said that Hamoud is still a student and Villagomez remains employed at the university, where she teaches in the history department. She said that disciplinary actions fall under privacy laws and cannot be shared publicly.

On Wednesday, a group of WSSU students and others marched on campus to Carolina Hall, where the incident happened, and held a rally in support of Hamoud. Hamoud was at the rally but declined to comment afterward.

We just came out here to bring awareness to it and to stand in solidarity with her and to let her know we have her back and that she has a village that cares, said Frankie Gist, a community activist and founder of H.O.P.E. Dealers Outreach.

We just want them to know that we will not tolerate an abuse of power, Gist said. He said this was not about race (Hamoud is Black and the professor, Cynthia Villagomez, identifies as white, according to state election records).

What were saying is that was an abuse of power and that she (Villagomez) as a professor could have stopped that from happening over just a disagreement among an educator and a student, he said.

Hamoud provided a statement to WXII-TV in which she said that the incident was not about race but about abuse of power.

Gingles said that university officials support students rights to peacefully protest.

We teach our students to ask questions and discuss opposing ideas, she said in a statement. We encourage freedom of speech and want our students voices to be heard.

Campus police arrested Hamoud just around 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 at Carolina Hall on the schools campus. On a now-deleted video on Instagram, Hamoud said she and Villagomez got into an argument over an essay she had written for a group assignment, and that Villagomez yelled at her. Hamoud said she yelled back at Villagomez.

Villagomez never called campus police. Gingles said another faculty member called campus police after several faculty members heard the commotion and tried unsuccessfully to de-escalate the situation.

Hamoud said in the Instagram video that Villagomez gave Hamoud a choice  either apologize to her or leave the classroom. Hamoud said she refused, and soon after, two campus police officers placed her under arrest.

At the start of the video of the arrest, Hamoud is on top of a desk while two campus police officers attempt to arrest her. She says, Youre hurting me really badly, bro! Another student says, Why are yall standing there letting this happen.

Hamoud, as she is placed under arrest, yells at the professor, telling her she hates her.

Youre the worst teacher ever, Hamoud says in the video. Youre getting me taken out of here in handcuffs because I wont apologize? Because I wont apologize? You started yelling at me. You asked me about my paper. Youre a terrible teacher.

In another video, Villagomez is heard telling students in the classroom to calm down and said she didnt yell at Hamoud but only raised her voice to be heard. One of the students in the videos complains that Villagomez claims she loves Black students at WSSU, a historically Black university, but isnt showing that love in this incident.

Chancellor Elwood Robinson issued a statement the day after the incident, saying that he understood that the situation has caused a great deal of trauma to those involved and our campus community at large. He also said he knows the weaponization of police is a prevalent problem in our community, but added that is not what happened in this incident.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Wednesday that China's optimization of its pandemic control policies will give new momentum to tourism growth in Cambodia and the rest of the world.

"On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Tourism, I would like to welcome the return of Chinese tourists to Cambodia," he told Xinhua.

"As we all know, China was the most important outbound tourism market for the world, so China's resumption of outbound tourism is very beneficial not only to Cambodia, but also to the whole world," he said.

Khon said the Southeast Asian nation is ready to welcome Chinese people, tourists and investors, saying they have significantly contributed to the kingdom's socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

"After China's reopening on January 8, we hope that Cambodia will attract at least one million Chinese tourists in 2023," he said, noting that Cambodia received only 110,000 Chinese tourists in 2022.

As the Chinese Spring Festival draws near, the minister expressed his hope that more Chinese tourists will spend their holidays in Cambodia on the occasion.

Cambodia received 2.36 million Chinese tourists in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era in 2019, generating about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Khon said the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia is expected to reach the pre-pandemic level in 2024.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, agreed that China's resumption of outbound tourism would drive global tourism growth including Cambodia in the post-pandemic era.

"It's not only Cambodia, but also the world is waiting for the return of the Chinese tourists to their countries," he told Xinhua.

Sinan said China is one of the main sources of tourists to Cambodia, pointing out that the presence of Chinese tourists has greatly contributed to the development of tourism in the kingdom.

"We are ready to welcome and we are quite busy these few weeks to redesign package tours and to redesign services for Chinese tourists, so it is very good news for all of us," he said.

Sinan said Cambodia is a popular destination for both Chinese holiday makers and investors, given the historical and close relationship between the two countries.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in a public speech earlier this month that the presence of Chinese tourists is vital to the country's tourism and economic growth and that the country will not follow some other nations in imposing COVID-19 related restrictions on Chinese tourists' arrivals.

Tourism is one of the four major pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. In the pre-pandemic era, the country registered 6.6 million international tourists in 2019, generating 4.92 billion U.S. dollars in revenue that contributed 12.1 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Cambodia is famous for its three world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province.

Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces. 
Make government worse

So the first priority for the new Republican-led House was to defund the IRS (House Republicans approve rules package, Jan. 10).

Everyone who has a problem with the IRS this year, just remember: This is what Republicans wanted. This is what they work for: to make government worse.

Lonnie Kirkman

Winston-Salem

Non-scandal

About the latest Biden non-scandal, its not a crime to accidentally take government documents home. If upon learning that you have them, you return them, like President Bidens lawyers did, there is no crime.

That is not what former President Trump did. If he had simply returned everything when first asked, there would be no story and no crime. Hes probably going to go to prison or at least will pay a hefty fine for stealing government property and lying about it in an attempt to keep it.

I swear, Republicans are working so hard to come up with some way to say, Bidens just as bad as Trump! Thats like comparing apples to aardvarks. They ought to just stick to criticizing Bidens border policy, but no, thats not enough.

Greg Tabbott

Winston-Salem

McCarthys begging

One week after the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Kevin McCarthy said, The president bears responsibility for Wednesdays attack on Congress by mob rioters.  He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. A couple of weeks later McCarthy went to Mar-A-Lago to beg forgiveness from the now-disgraced ex-President Trump.

McCarthys begging paid off and Trump helped him become the new speaker of the House. Soon after being elected speaker, McCarthy told reporters, I do want to especially thank President Trump.  I dont think anybody should doubt his influence. He was with me from the beginning  he was all in.

I point out these quotes because I feel it shows that McCarthy, just like Trump, has no moral compass. The new speaker will do and say anything that will promote his power. Bowing down to Trump and agreeing to every demand made on him by 20 far-right extremists in order to gain their vote for speaker illustrates McCarthys lack of core values.

McCarthy will be the weakest speaker of the House in modern history. He will be controlled by his far-right base and as a result the country will suffer. This extremist base, some of whom are being investigated for their role in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, could bring our country to its knees if they refuse to provide crucial votes to fund the government.

Rudy Diamond

Lewisville

Bad communications

In response to Duke Energy attempting to explain away the communication difficulties over Christmas weekend (Duke Energy officials discuss outages, Jan. 6), a phone call I received from the company on Dec. 29, 2022, might explain why communication was so bad. I received a call (which I did not answer) from an unknown number in Poland! A message was left: Thank you for choosing Duke Energy.

Well, since Duke Energy has a monopoly on providing electric service, I really do not have an opportunity to choose. Duke Energy makes a tidy profit off all of us who choose to use it, but it chooses to use an offshore company to provide some of its communications.

If I had another option, I would not do business with a local company that does not support its customers by hiring locally.

Julia Donaghy

Winston-Salem

Afraid

Republicans shouldnt be afraid of the IRS if they havent done anything wrong.

Fred Mellon

Winston-Salem
When Bob Rauner joined the Lincoln Board of Education in 2019, his experience in health care soon came in handy.

First, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Lincoln Public Schools to close classrooms in March 2020 as the board and district officials navigated the unknown. Then in the fall, LPS -- like all districts in Nebraska -- had to figure out how to reopen safely.

Rauner, a local physician and the president of Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln, worked with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Public Health to put together recommendations for schools to do so.

"I think having someone who was an M.D. ... but (who) also served on a school board and was literally in the midst of these discussions, I think that helped a lot," said Rauner, who also began providing regular pandemic updates to the school board.

Three years later, Rauner wants to revisit other ideas  from addressing issues with state testing to lengthening the elementary school day  that were essentially put on the back burner during the pandemic.

Rauner recently filed for reelection to the school board representing District 6, which covers portions of central and east Lincoln.

Annie Mumgaard, who represents District 4 in north Lincoln, also announced she will run for a third term, submitting her paperwork Wednesday.

Rauner, the chief medical officer of OneHealth Nebraska, was first elected to the board in 2019. In an interview with the Journal Star, he laid out a number of his priorities including fixing the Nebraska Department of Education's state assessment model, which he says merely shows "where the rich and poor kids are."

"At the end of the day, it doesn't really tell me as a school board member much about our school district," said Rauner, who explained his concerns on his YouTube channel, which became a popular source of information for many during the pandemic.

He said using an assessment like the MAP Growth test -- which LPS already administers -- to measure students' academic progress over the school year would be more beneficial to teachers. The state should also look toward outlier schools that outperform their socio-economic strata, he added.

Rauner is also interested in exploring ways the district can trim health insurance costs as well as lengthen the elementary school day, an issue he ran on in 2019.

"Our elementary school day is too tight, too overscheduled," he said. "And it's why we can't put the recommended amount of P.E. time in our schedule."

Mumgaard, a virtual learning educator for the University of Nebraska State Museum, was first elected to the school board in 2015.

An LPS parent who has one child in high school, Mumgaard said while the decision to run again took some thought, she believes she has more to give to the community.

"I believe that I bring steady and positive leadership and also I bring the lived experiences of an LPS parent, and those things are necessary for us to keep moving forward," she said.

During her time on the board, Mumgaard -- who grew up in her district -- has emerged as a strong voice for educational equity, something she hopes to continue to advance if reelected.

Mumgaard said the district is doing "some great things" with its All Means All equity action plan, which lays out steps to close disparities based on race, but wants to find what works  and what doesn't  and address that through policy and the budget.

She also pointed to the need to use data to improve the district's school resource officer program. Mumgaard and fellow board member Barb Baier have raised concerns about disparities in juvenile referrals in the past.

Looking at how LPS can become more environmentally sustainable amid a changing climate is also another priority.

Rauner, who first ran for the officially nonpartisan school board as a Democrat, is now registered as an independent while Mumgaard is a registered Democrat. Both serve on the Nebraska Association of School Board's board of directors.

Connie Duncan, the only other incumbent up for election this spring, already announced in October she would not seek reelection in District 2. Instead, Duncan is backing Piyush Srivastav, a Lincoln businessman who intends to run for her seat.

No other candidates have filed in the three races. The city primary is April 4 with the top two vote-getters in each district advancing to the May 2 election.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.

The broadened spending authority for the previously approved pandemic aid was one of many of provisions wrapped into a recently enacted $1.7 trillion spending bill for the federal government's 2023 budget year. It comes after city, county and state officials lobbied for more than a year for greater flexibility in how they can use a $350 billion pool of aid approved by President Joe Biden and the Democratic-led Congress in March 2021.

The American Rescue Plan act included federal aid for all levels of government  from states and territories down to tiny towns and villages  that was intended to help cover the costs of responding to COVID-19, shore up government finances and invest in longer-term projects to strengthen communities.

Though the program had considerable flexibility as originally implemented by the U.S. Treasury Department, some uses for the money remained limited. The newly expanded spending options are expected to take effect by late February, after the Treasury releases updated guidance.

I think it supercharges the ARPA dollars to be as productive as possible said Brittney Kohler, legislative director for transportation and infrastructure at the National League of Cities. She added: "We see this as a really valuable tool to make the most of every federal dollar.

Under the revised spending rules, states and local governments could use their federal pandemic relief funds to provide the local matching amount necessary to draw down additional federal grants for road and transportation projects, including some funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by Biden in November 2021.

Governments will be allowed to use up to $10 million or 30% of their American Rescue Plan allotment, whichever is greater, for such transportation infrastructure.

There is no cap on how much of their allotment can go toward natural disaster relief, such as temporary housing, food and financial assistance.

Governments already can receive disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The process at FEMA can be time-consuming and a little burdensome, said Susan Frederick, senior federal affairs counsel at the National Conference of State Legislatures. This would be funding that would be readily available to the states in a more immediate fashion than having to go through all the hoops.

About 25% of counties across the U.S. currently have federally declared disasters, said Mark Ritacco, chief government affairs office at the National Association of Counties.

A natural disaster could have been worse due to the countys focus on the COVID-19 pandemic," if it diverted local funds that otherwise could have been spent to mitigate disasters, Ritacco said.

The greater flexibility will primarily benefit larger governments that received more than $10 million under the American Rescue Plan. That's because a Treasury Department rule released one year ago allowed all governments to assume up to $10 million of pandemic-related revenue losses, qualifying an equal amount to be spent on general government services that could be construed to include roads or disaster relief.

States, territories and the District of Columbia had budgeted 71% of their federal pandemic relief allotments as of Sept. 30, according to an Associated Press analysis of data available through the Treasury Department.

A total of 1,850 local governments that received at least $10 million had complied with Treasury reporting requirements; they had budgeted 53% of their pandemic relief allotments as of Sept. 30.

Governments have until the end of 2024 to obligate the federal pandemic relief funds for projects and until the end of 2026 to spend it.

Officials are unlikely to do a major overhaul of their already planned spending as a result of the new law. But the additional flexibility creates an opportunity for cities to move money around in their budgets" to meet federal spending deadlines, said Michael Wallace, legislative director for housing, community and economic development at the National League of Cities.

How federal COVID-19 educational aid was awarded to every state How federal COVID-19 educational aid was awarded to every state The present concern now is whether the need will outlast the funds Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
Rep. Mike Flood was appointed Wednesday to serve on the House Financial Services Committee as a Republican majority member in the new House of Representatives.

"Banking, finance and insurance are key job creators across the 1st Congressional District," the Republican congressman noted.

"There's important work to be done on this committee to grow and protect the economic well-being and freedom of Americans as our country's financial system evolves in a digital economy," he said.

Flood was elected to a full two-year House term in November after winning a special election in June to fill the remaining six months of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's term. The 1st District includes Lincoln.

"I look forward to collaborating with Chairman (Patrick) McHenry and Nebraska's banking and insurance sectors on a diverse set of priorities ranging from digital asset regulation to the encroachment of ESG," Flood said.

ESG refers to environmental, social and governance investing.

McHenry said Flood's "work to support small businesses and increase access to capital make him a valuable addition to our already dynamic team."

The committee has jurisdiction over banking, capital markets, housing, insurance, international finance, money and credit, and urban development.

"From oversight of the Biden administration to enhancing capital formation opportunities to developing clear rules of the road for digital assets, we have a lot of work to do," McHenry said.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
RACINE  A Racine inmate allegedly exposed himself to other inmates and spat on an officer.

Prakash B. Patel, 24, of the 1500 block of Deane Boulevard, was charged with two felony counts of bail jumping, a felony count of throw or discharge bodily fluids at public safety worker, two misdemeanor counts of bail jumping and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

According to a criminal complaint:

On Friday, deputies from the Racine County Sheriffs Department moved Patel into another cell at the Racine County Jail because he was being disruptive and exposing himself to other inmates.

Patel was moved and the cell bars were closed. He then spat at the deputies and struck one in the left cheek and left arm. He spat another time but did not hit any of the deputies.

Patel was given a $300 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Monday. A preliminary hearing is on Jan. 25 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show.
A recently implemented rule barring licensed professionals from attempting to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity through whats known as conversion therapy has been struck down by a GOP-led legislative committee.

Following roughly four hours of testimony Thursday, with the majority of those speaking in opposition to the use of conversion therapy, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted 6-4 along party lines to strike the rule, which went into effect in December and defines intervention by a marriage and family therapist, counselor and social worker to try to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity as unprofessional conduct.

The Republican co-chairs of the committee said several times during Thursdays meeting that the discussion was not about the controversial and scientifically discredited practice of conversion therapy, but whether the the state Department of Safety and Professional Services or the counselors examining board are allowed to implement the rule under state law.

The committees mission today is to decide whether the board overstepped its legislative authority, said Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, co-chairman of the committee. It isnt to sit here and debate and decide if conversion therapy is good or bad or indifferent. That belongs before a legislative committee.

Just because you say were not doing what were about to do doesnt mean youre not doing it, which is legalizing conversion therapy, Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, said.

Based on a process launched in 2018 under former GOP Gov. Scott Walkers administration, the DSPS board that licenses marriage and family therapists, counselors and social workers developed a rule in 2020 that includes a provision prohibiting licensed professionals from practicing conversion therapy.

In 2021, the rules committee introduced a bill to block the rule. The Republican-led Assembly and Senate placed that bill in committee, temporarily blocking the rule for the rest of the Legislatures two-year session and preventing it from getting to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who would have been able to veto it. Previous bills seeking to prohibit conversion therapy have failed to gain any traction in the GOP-led chambers.

The DSPS boards original rule went back into effect last month after the conclusion of the previous legislative session, prompting Thursdays vote.

Tammy Scheidegger, an associate professor with Mount Mary Universitys professional counseling program, said any licensed professional who practices conversion therapy is acting unethically and engaging in harm to their clients. Suspending the rule, she said, would be reckless and harmful.

What were speaking about here is understanding that all members of mental health professions need to bracket their own viewpoints, opinions, all of those things, in order to work competently with the clients that we serve, she said. Were not there to tell a client do anything, to not do anything. Were there to sit with them and help them make decisions for themselves.

Julaine Appling, president of the conservative organization Wisconsin Family Action, said the rule must be suspended as it infringes on the free speech and religious rights of counselors and therapists who provide conversion therapy.

They arent trying to pray away the gay, Appling said while taking questions from Democratic members of the committee. They are trying to talk to them from a viewpoint that you disagree with. That doesnt make it torture.

While the rule pertained to any therapist, conversion therapy for minors has been banned in more than a dozen Wisconsin cities, including Milwaukee, Madison, Sun Prairie, West Allis, Shorewood, Cudahy, Glendale, Racine, Sheboygan, Appleton, Eau Claire and Superior. At least 20 states and the District of Columbia have also banned the practice with minors.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, calls conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, dangerous and discredited and it has been rejected by mainstream medical and mental health organizations for decades. Both the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have also denounced conversion therapy.

There is no professional medical or therapy or counseling association, especially that provides medical insurance-reimbursed service, that supports that practice, said Brian Michel, chief operating office with the Mental Health America of Wisconsin.
1. Yes. Having a community member interview panel is an excellent opportunity for input.

2. Yes. Its good that the city will allow residents to meet the finalist at a reception.

3. No. The city should have conducted a public survey early in the process, as KISD is doing.

4. No. Residents should be able to meet candidates before a lone finalist is chosen.

5. Unsure. Its hard to know how to gauge the proper level of public involvement.

Vote

View Results
HAMPTON, VA- The Golden Flashes head to the historic Virginia Duals this weekend, wrestling a pair of duals on Friday and Saturday.

Kent State will take on Campbell and South Dakota State on Friday then face off against Virginia and Navy on Saturday. The Flashes and Camels will start at 11:30 a.m. on Friday while the nightcap will be at 2:30 on Friday against the Jackrabbits. On Saturday, the Flashes will face Virginia at 1 p.m. and will have a quick turnaround as they will take on the Midshipmen at 2:30.

The Flashes return to the Hampton Duals for the 20th time in school history. They have been a mainstay at the Duals, appearing every season dating back to the 2005-06 season. Kent State ranks fourth all time in wins at the Duals, recording 41 through 19 trips to Hampton including the 2012 college title.

In the opening dual, it will be the first time the Flashes take on the Camels since 2018 and they are 4-1 all time against them. The Camels lone win came at the 2017 Virginia Duals. The Camels have a trio of wrestlers ranked in the Wrestle State top-40 including Anthony Molton at 125 pounds, Dom Zaccone at 133, Caleb Hopkins at 184 and Taye Ghadiali at 285. The matchup to watch will be at 125 pounds as Molton and Jake Ferri are each ranked in the top-40.

The Jackrabbits and Flashes have met twice all-time, most recently at the Huskie Duals in DeKalb back in 2021. Friday will be the "rubber match" between the teams as they split the previous two meetings. They come in ranked 17th by Wrestle Stat and have five wrestlers inside the Wrestle Stat top-20. Topping that list is junior Tanner Cook, who is ranked 10th by Wrestle Stat at 165 pounds and is 9-2 overall. His projected match with Enrique Munguia will be one to watch.

Saturday will start off with the Virginia Cavaliers. The Flashes are 6-5 all time against Virginia and have met three previous times at the Virginia Duals, most recently in 2020. Virginia has a pair of wrestlers ranked 13th overall by Wrestle Stat, Justin McCoy at 165 pounds and Neil Antrassian at 184 pounds. McCoy against Munguia will be one to watch, as will Kody Komara against Jarod Verkleeren at 149 pounds. The two have faced off twice in their collegiate careers and Komara will look to even the score from a setback earlier this year at the Mountaineer Invite.

The Duals wrap up with the Flashes taking on Navy on Saturday afternoon. The Flashes and Midshipmen often face each other in a tournament setting at the Navy Classic, but have met only four times in traditional duals with Kent State owning a 3-1 advantage. The Naval Academy has three top-40 wrestlers, led by heavyweight Grady Griess who is 12th in the latest Wrestle Stat ranking. The match to watch for will again be at 165 pounds. Enrique Munguia captured the title at the Navy Classic with a 6-4 win over Navy's Val Park and the two are slated to meet again on Saturday.

The Virginia Duals will be streamed via Flo Wrestling and live stats will be available through Track Wrestling. Fans can find all information to follow along as well as ticket information on the Kent State wrestling schedule page.

The Flashes projected lineup is below. Kent State will enter the heart of the conference schedule following the Duals, first up is a trip to Buffalo to wrestle the Bulls. The dual is set for Sunday, February 22nd with a 2 p.m. scheduled start time.

125 Jake Ferri

133 Brendon Fenton

141 Louis Newell

149 Kody Komara

157 Ethan Barr or Keegan Knapp

165 Enrique Munguia

174 Ashton Breen or Michael Ferree

184 Tyler Bates

197 Blake Schaffer
by Semih Salihoglu, Jan 12th, 2023

What Every Competent GDBMS Should Do

(aka The Goals & Vision of Kuzu)

As a co-implementor of the Kuzu GDBMS and a professor at University of Waterloo, I have been thinking of GDBMSs day in and day out for many years now. After years of understanding and publishing on the architectural principles of graph data management (1, 2, 3, 4), we decided to develop Kuzu as a state-of-the-art modern embeddable GDBMS. This post covers my broad opinions on GDBMSs, and the feature set they should optimize for and why. In doing so, it also gives an overall vision of Kuzu!

Tldr: The key takeaways are: Overview of GDBMSs : GDBMSs are relational in their cores but offer an elegant graph model to model application data and SQL-like query languages with elegant graph-specific syntax. Many applications, e.g., in fraud detection, recommendations, personalization, etc. benefit from such modeling and query language features.

: GDBMSs are relational in their cores but offer an elegant graph model to model application data and SQL-like query languages with elegant graph-specific syntax. Many applications, e.g., in fraud detection, recommendations, personalization, etc. benefit from such modeling and query language features. Key Feature Set of GDBMSs : Despite being relational, GDBMSs optimize (or at least they should!) for a distinct set of features/use cases that RDBMSs do not traditionally optimize for: (i) pre-defined/pointer-based joins; (ii) growing many-to-many joins; (iii) recursive joins; (iv) schema querying; (v) efficient storage of semi-structured data and URIs. GDBMSs that want to be competitive in terms of performance need to perfect this feature set and thats exactly what Kuzu aims to do!

: Despite being relational, GDBMSs optimize (or at least they should!) for a distinct set of features/use cases that RDBMSs do not traditionally optimize for: (i) pre-defined/pointer-based joins; (ii) growing many-to-many joins; (iii) recursive joins; (iv) schema querying; (v) efficient storage of semi-structured data and URIs. GDBMSs that want to be competitive in terms of performance need to perfect this feature set and thats exactly what Kuzu aims to do! Kuzu as the GDBMS for Graph Data Science: One example application domain the Kuzu team is excited about is to be a usable, efficient, and scalable GDBMS of graph data science in the Python graph analytics ecosystem. Here we are looking at how DuckDB revolutionized tabular data science and want to repeat it in graph data science!

This week, I presented Kuzu to the database community at the CIDR 2023 conference in Amsterdam. For those who are not familiar with academic database conferences, CIDR brings together work from academia and industry to discuss recent research on systems aspects of database technology. Our paper was about Kuzus goals and vision and its core query processor design for evaluating complex growing joins. We intentionally targeted CIDR for our paper because of its systems focus and we thought many system gurus would be there: the attendees included creators of MonetDB, Vectorwise, DuckDB, Snowflake, Databricks, amongst others. It also meant a lot to share our ambitious goal of developing a usable GDBMS from an academic setting in this CIDR because it was organized locally by CWI. The late Martin Kersten founded the CWI database group and was a pioneer of this style of research projects and his successors are continuing this tradition very successfully today. CWI has created many successful DBMSs, including MonetDB (Martins legacy), Vectorwise, and most recently DuckDB. People paid their respects to Martin during an emotional memorial on the first night of the conference. As a surprise, MemGraph co-founder and CTO Marko Budiselic was also there (it was his first CIDR)! Marko is an extremely friendly and humble person you should meet and it was great to share our insights about where GDBMSs make a difference in enterprise applications.

I want to start a 3-part blog post to cover the contents of our CIDR paper in a less academic language:

Post 1: Kuzus goals and vision as a system

Post 2: Factorization technique for compression

Post 3: Worst-case optimal join algorithms

In this Post 1, I discuss the following: (i) an overview of GDBMSs. (ii) the features GDBMSs should optimize for and why; and (iii) an example application domain (graph data science!) we are immediately targeting with Kuzu. (ii) and (iii) should give you a good idea about the current goals and vision of Kuzu. If you know GDBMSs well, you should skip over (i).

Overview of GDBMSs and a Bit of History

In one sentence, GDBMSs are read-optimized analytical DBMSs for modeling and querying application data as a graph. As a consequence they are optimized for fast querying of node and relationship records. Modern GDBMSs, such as Neo4j, Tigergraph, MemGraph, or Kuzu, adopt the property graph data model (or its variants), where you can model your records as a set of labeled nodes and edges/relationships, and key-value properties on these relationships. When I say GDBMSs in this post, I specifically refer to the systems that adopt this model but I will also discuss RDF systems (aka triplestores) here and there, which are also DBMSs that adopt a graph-based model.

Heres a side comment that I have to make because Im a professor and professors are always ready to profess. DBMSs based on graph models are anything but new. They have existed even before the relational model: DBMS die-hards love remembering that the IDS system from 1960s was based on the network model, which is is just another term for graph. IDS was lead by the amazing Charlie Bachmann (1, 2, 3), whose photo is shown on the left and who is credited for inventing DBMSs. If you click on this 1962 ad of the IDS system, you will see a graph of node and edge records. Note 1960s are pre-relational times. Ever since, every decade has seen a surge of DBMSs that adopted a graph-based model with mixed levels of adoption success: hierarchical model, XML, and RDF are examples. In my view, current property GDBMSs is the most generic and suitable to model a very broad range of application data out of these. So they probably established themselves most successfully out of these. There is a very fundamental reason why graph-based DBMSs have always existed and will always exist: graphs and tables are the two most natural and generic abstract data structures to model application data. Its no surprise they were the first two proposed data models when the field of DBMSs were born and both have existed ever since and will continue to exist.

Back to property GDBMSs. How about their query languages? They support SQL-like high-level query languages with several graph-specific syntax. I call them graph-specific SQL. Lets look at a query snippet. Assume this is on a database that models a set of financial accounts and money transfers between accounts:

MATCH (a:Account)-[e:Transfer]->(b:Account) WHERE a.name = 'Alice' RETURN b.ID

This is a query expressed in Cypher. Instead of a SELECT/FROM/WHERE, you are looking at MATCH/WHERE/RETURN. If intelligent Martians saw Cypher and SQL, their immediate reaction would not be to notice the minor syntactic differences but instead the fundamental similarities: their clauses describe joins, filters, projections, group by and aggregates, and other relational operations that process sets of tuples. There is of course syntactic differences that are important. Query languages of GDBMSs adopt graph-specific syntax that are often very elegant to express several computations. For example, the arrow syntax ((a)-[e]->(b)) in Cypher describes joins between node records. This is much more elegant than listing names of tables that model node records in a FROM clause, with a complex WHERE clause. Much more importantly, they adopt a very elegant and direct syntax, such as the Kleene star *, to express recursive queries. Expressing recursive computations with vanilla SQL is objectively harder. Ill come to recursive queries later.

Now get ready for a blasphemous observation: GDBMSs are relational at their cores!. Well, OK anyone who has studied the principles of DBMSs knows there is nothing blasphemous here because GDBMSs actually have to be relational because of this simple fact: the only known practical way to implement declarative high-level query languages is to compile them to relational operators that take in and output sets of tuples. Type Explain to any of your queries in your favorite GDBMs (or RDF system) and look at their query plans and you will see joins, scans, filters, projections, group bys, unions, intersections, etc. You might see some graph-specific operators but they will also be processing sets of tuples. That was the primary observation of Ted Codd when he proposed that data management should be done by systems implementing relational operators that process sets of tuples.

But dont worry, I do love GDBMSs and you should too! The fact that at their cores GDBMSs are relational doesnt mean they dont offer value beyond RDBMSs. DBMSs are very complex software systems and they make a ton of design tradeoffs in terms of what they optimize for. There is a very distinctive set of technical features that GDBMSs should optimize for and excel in, where RDBMSs and SQL traditionally dont. This feature set is exactly what Kuzu aims to perfect over time, which is what I hope to articulate in this post. In short: GDBMSs do offer a ton of value if they are architected correctly and every software engineer should know about GDBMSs.

Features Every Competent GDBMS Should Optimize For

Here is a list of features that differentiate GDBMSs from RDBMSs and GDBMS should highly optimize for and support.

Feature 1: Pre-defined/pointer-based Joins

This is perhaps the most ubiquitously adopted technique in GDBMSs that is ubiquitously missing in RDBMSs. Although GDBMSs can join arbitrary node records with each other, most common user queries in GDBMSs join node records with their neighbors. A GDBMS knows about these neighbor node records because they are predefined to the system as relationships. So GDBMSs universally exploit this and optimize for these types of joins. For example, almost universally they all create a join index (aka an adjacency list index). Heres a demonstrative example showing a forward, i.e., from src to dst, join index:

Note that the join index does not store the actual data values, which are strings (e.g., Ali, Noura, etc.) in the example. Instead, it stores dense system level node record IDs. As a result, GDBMSs can be fast on these joins because they can use: (1) the join index; and (2) dense integer IDs to joins (instead of, say running string equality conditions).

Feature 2: Many-to-many Growing Joins

In many application data stored on GDBMSs, node records have many-to-many relationships with each other. Think of any data as a graph, say a network of financial transactions or who bought which items or who is friends with whom. In many of these datasets, an entity/node connects with many other nodes. In addition, many of the killer apps of GDBMSs search for complex patterns on these relationships. A classic example we like using is a Twitter friend recommendation engine that is looking for diamond patterns to implement the following rule: If a user A follows two users B and C, who both follow D, recommend D to A. This is the pattern:

The whitepapers of existing GDBMSs are full of these patterns, e.g., branching trees, money laundering circles, cliques of customers who buy similar items, etc. These correspond to complex many-to-many joins, which by their nature are growing. If on average each of your nodes connect with k other nodes and you have t many relationships in the pattern you are searching, you are asking a system to search through k^t many possible combinations and guess what: exponential functions are scary. We have been advocating the integration of 2 specific techniques into the query processors of GDBMSs for several years now: (i) factorization; and (ii) worst-case optimal joins. Both of these techniques are specifically designed for many-to-many growing joins and we have integrated them in Kuzu. Stay tuned for for my next two posts on this.

Feature 3: Recursive Join Queries

This is probably the most obvious feature where GDBMSs should excel in. First, objectively the query languages of GDBMSs have much better support for recursive join queries than SQL. Consider this query on our previous financial transaction network example: Give me all direct or indirect money flows into Alices account from Canada. Now look at this elegant way to ask this in Cypher using the Kleene star *:

MATCH (a:Account)-[:Transfer*]->(b:Account) WHERE a.country = 'Canada' and b.name = 'Alice' RETURN a.ID

Similar to regexes, * represents possible 1 or more repetitions of the Transfer edge in the join. So the join could be a direct join between (a) and (b) or a 2-hop one, or a 3-hop one etc. You can do this with SQL of course, but its objectively harder. Recursion has been an afterthought when standardizing SQL. It came 20 years after SQL standardization started and is really a hack. In contrast, recursion has been first-class citizen feature in every graph-based DBMSs query language. This distinction is even much more visible if you want to do other graph-specific recursive computation, such as finding shortest paths. In Kuzu, we are starting to work on implementing and optimizing recursive query support and we hope to have first a basic version and then optimized versions that hopefully works very well and contributes to the principles of how these queries should be evaluated.

Feature 4: Schema Querying

Another important feature of GDBMSs that cannot be done in RDBMSs is that the query languages allow querying the schema of a database in addition to the data in the database. Suppose in a modified financial transaction network, there are three relationship types: Wire, Deposit, and ETransfer and you you wanted to search for a path where the first edge and the second edge types are different. Note that the predicate is on the schema, specifically on the type of the nodes/relations. You can write the following query:

MATCH (a:Account)-[e1]->(b:Account)-[e2]->(c:Account) WHERE type(e1) != type(e2) RETURN *

Something akin to this cannot directly be done in SQL. One would have to write a query that unions many sub-queries: one that joins node records over Wire and then Deposit, another on Wire and ETransfer, another on Deposit and then Wire etc. This will be messy. The ability to not specify a label on relationships, specifically on e1 and e2, is an elegant way to effectively express such unions of join queries. It says: join a and b nodes over every possible relationship. The type() function on these variables allows doing querying over the schema.

Feature 5: Semi-structured Data and URI-heavy Datasets (e.g., Knowledge Graphs)

An important application domain of GDBMSs is knowledge graphs. This term means different things in different contexts and Ill take it to refer to highly heterogenous datasets that are often naturally modeled as RDF triples. Again, I dont want to go into the details of this model but I assume many readers will already be familiar with RDF. RDF is a simple data model where data is represented as (subject, predicate, object) triples that represent facts about a domain. A great application is when modeling and querying encyclopedic facts, such as those extracted from Wikipedia data. For example, the following triple stores the fact that Justin Trudeau is married to Sophie Trudeau: (http://dbpedia.org/resource/Justin_Trudeau, http://dbpedia.org/ontology/spouse, http://dbpedia.org/resource/Sophie_Gregoire_Trudeau). There are 2 immediate challenges for a DBMS to manage such data:

Structuring such datasets is very difficult. Structuring here refers to designing a relational schema for the data. Entities can have many types, e.g., Justin Trudeau is both a rdf:type http://dbpedia.org/ontology/Person as well as http://dbpedia.org/ontology/Politician. Further, within a single type, entities can have many different and distinct properties, so good luck coming up with and maintaining a relational schema for all that. This is a direct result of the overly ambitious domain the dataset is modeling: all encyclopedic human knowledge! You need a data model that allows flexibility in what can be associated with entities and their types. Those long strings used to identify entities, e.g., Justin Trudea, are called URIs (for universal resource identifiers), and queries will frequently access and specify them. So systems should be competent in handling those.

GDBMSs tend to support semi-structured schemas and certainly RDF systems have good techniques to handle URIs. These applications are directly in the realm of graph-based DBMSs. Currently, they are directly targeted by RDF systems but Im convinced GDBMSs should also implement techniques to efficiently support them.

Final note on the above feature set: I referred to several classic applications but many other applications require and benefit from the above feature set. One can think of the dataset and workloads of these applications as the beyond relational/SQL datasets/workloads, which often require modeling and querying in a graph-based DBMS, and we want Kuzu to excel in and represent the state-of-art in this feature set!

Kuzu as a GDBMS for Graph Data Science Pipelines

Finally, let me tell you a little bit about a particular application domain we are currently excited about and we want to see Kuzu used in: graph data science in the python ecosystem! This figure from my CIDR slides describes this vision pictorially:

Suppose you are building a graph analytics, machine learning, or visualization pipeline from raw record files on disk. You will want to model your raw records as nodes and edges, clean them, extract features, query them, transform them, and then you will extract data to an upstream python library, such as Pytorch Geometric, DGL, NetworkX or a graph visualization library. You might even want a pipeline that extracts regular tables from your graphs to a tabular data science library, such as NumPy, since the outputs of queries in Cypher are tables of records. We want people to use Kuzu as an embeddable library in their Python scripts, to do their modeling, querying, feature extraction, cleaning, and other transformations, all by benefiting from a high-level query language and state-of-art graph data management techniques that we are implementing. This is exactly what DuckDB did for tabular data science/analytics. We are looking at DuckDB here and want to fill the same gap for graph data science/analytics! We are currently understanding the ecosystem better and appreciate feedback and suggestions for features we should implement to enable your workloads.

OK, this is it for now. In the next two blog posts, I will discuss factorization and worst-case optimal join algorithms and describe some of the principles that we adopted in Kuzus query processor. Until then, happy new years from the cold but cozy winter of  and pip install kuzu!
Ulta, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Sierra and Five Below are the five retailers expected to open by Thanksgiving in the former Shopko department store at 9366 Hwy. 16 in Onalaska, a developer involved in the project told the La Crosse Tribune.

Three of those stores will move from nearby locations  Ulta from Valley View Mall in La Crosse and T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods from the Crosseroads Center in Onalaska. Sierra and Five Below will be new to the area.

T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Sierra are all part of The TJX Companies Inc., which describes itself as the leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer. Sierra sells outdoor recreation, fitness and adventure gear and apparel, as well as footwear, clothing and home decor.

Ulta sells beauty products, and Five Below mostly sells items priced at $1 to $5.

The Shopko store in Onalaska closed in 2019 when the chain filed for bankruptcy and closed all of its remaining locations.

The Onalaska building has been purchased by DD71, LLC, a Michigan-based corporation, from Paradise Wisconsin Properties, LLC, for about $4.35 million, according to La Crosse County property records. The sale was completed Dec. 30.

DD71, LLC is a subsidiary of Agree Realty Corp., a publicly traded real estate investment trust that says as of Dec. 31, it owned and operated a portfolio of 1,839 properties, located in all 48 continental states. Agree Realty is based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Cory Presnick, a principal with Miami, Florida, based CORTA Development, said Wednesday that his firm is assisting the propertys new owner by getting the building redeveloped and delivering tenants.

Well try to start doing some demolition inside the building probably in mid- to late February, Presnick said. Everybodys to open ahead of Thanksgiving, he said of the five retail tenants.

The building will be remodeled and enlarged, creating five stores for the five retailers.

COLLECTION: Good morning photos of the day Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Strolling swans Eagle watch First robin of spring? Opossum passing by Eagles at sundset Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Snowy skyline Towering Spring rain drop The end of ice fishing season Arcadia flyer Bridge sunset A foggy morning hello Spring rain drop End of ice fishing is a drag Spring snow HARBORMASTER CAPPED Hitting the open water Bikes for everyone Helping our neighbors HyVee work continues PICTURE OF THE DAY PICTURE OF THE DAY: Spring migration A tradition unlike any other... Feeling squirrelly Elm tree flowers Sitting on the dock of the bay A holiday hunt Colorful sunset A nice day for a walk A beautiful sunset Tulip blooms Sunrise in the neighborhood A great day for reflection Enjoying the breeze Right on the river Morning visitor Beautiful blossoms A patriotic pair A trip to the Capitol Misty Mississippi Mallard on the march A balancing act Apple blossoms Flowering Crab trees River overflow Flag Day next week Ready to go for a spin Riverside sunset Doggone beautiful The cat-bird seat La Crosse River at Veterans Memorial Park bike bridge in Riverside Park French Island fiery sunset Cass Street Bridge from Riverside Park End of the Day Holding it together A flower named Sue Hanging out at Goose Island Beautiful day Riding in style On parade at Catfish Days A sun-dappled cemetery lane Pecking away Bunny meets world Cranes by the creek River at Veterans Memorial Park The cat-bird seat Fingers in the fog Dragonfly on the line Breakfast at the birdhouse Spreading her wings Relaxing in the park A view from the stage The Quenten Brown Band Rocking out in Arcadia Viceroy butterfly Dog or lion? Pure Water Days, Chippewa Falls Visiting in style Pedaling is for the birds Working on the new Fire House Dockwork Hurling in the park Swimming swans Hibiscus bloom 'The Remainders' rock the stage Land of milk and honey? French Island dining Anything for a free meal A babbling creek Finches munch on cones Stunning sunset Pucker up Chowing down Hibiscus bloom
The businesses in those communities were drop-off points for people to donate their old eyeglasses to the project. As of Dec. 22, 2022, the Viroqua Lions had collected and donated 6,000 eyeglasses to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in Rosholt, Wisconsin, where they were recycled and distributed to people who were in need of eyeglasses. The eyeglasses were collected in 19 months.
Dino Paielli was, literally, born into the family bakery business.

And after a century of turning out breads, rolls, cakes, pies and cookies, Paiellis Bakery celebrates its 100th anniversary on Saturday.

Ive been here my whole life, Paielli said, recalling how he was born 90 years ago above his parents bakery.

Paielli, who still comes to work, marvels at all the changes in the bakery business.

Back in the 1950s, we had no machines, he said while chatting in the bakerys breakroom Monday morning. We had a small place, and we had to do the work all by hand.

His father, Sante, moved and expanded the operation in the 1950s.

My dad didnt like that he didnt have his own place, Dino Paielli said. So, in 1950, he bought the land and built this bakery. We opened our doors here in 1956.

With 5,000 square feet, the bakery  now a mainstay on the corner of 60th Street and 39th Avenue  added a big oven so we could make more, and better, products, Paielli said. (That oven is still at the bakery, which now covers 20,000 square feet.)

Adding the big oven was just one of the many additions and expansions to the bakery over the past 100 years.

A lot of automation is how Mark Paielli, Dinos son, describes the changes in the business.

He and his brother, Dave, have both been at the bakery for close to half a century, continuing the family legacy.

New products

If you visited Paiellis Bakery in the 1950s, Dino Paielli recalled, we made five bread items, plus a few cakes and pies, and no doughnuts. Those sweets developed over the years. (No Kringles then, either. Those ovals, too, came later.)

Today, a big seller is the bakerys signature Cyclops doughnut.

The doughnut  named for the one-eyed giant Cyclops in Greek mythology  comes covered in chocolate and packed with a rich creamy filling (the eye) in the middle.

Theres no question the Cyclops is a favorite, but its origins remain shrouded in mystery.

Anne Wasilevich, who worked at Paiellis during from 1975 to 77 during high school, said at a bakery reunion in August that our group of workers invented the Cyclops doughnut.

We had a big tub of white frosting, she said, and we put it into the center of the doughnut to enjoy in the breakroom.

However, Mark Paielli recalls two brothers who worked at the bakery coming back from a trip Up North and telling us about a doughnut they had seen there, called a Honeymooner, with frosting in the hole.

Dave Paielli also looks for doughnut ideas when he travels.

I like to go into little bakeries, he said, and see what they have.

He recalls seeing a stop-and-go variation of the Cyclops in Florida, with red and/or green frosting in the eye of the doughnut. Hence, the stop-and-go name, referring to traffic lights.

However the Cyclops came to be, it has since cemented its status at Paiellis.

As for Dino Paielli, hes partial to our hard-crust rolls and bread. And I love our one-pound sliced Italian bread. It fits into the toaster just right. We even used to say our bakery was the toast of the town.

Constantly changing

To keep customers coming back, the bakery adapts to changing tastes, Dave Paielli said. We dont make as much of the old favorites, like Easter breads and stollen, because the younger generation doesnt want it. Grab-and-go is really what younger people want now.

Adapting to change, the Paiellis said, is the key to surviving in a competitive business.

Were learning new things all the time, said Mark Paielli, who sits on the board of directors for a bakery co-op group based in Appleton.

It all goes back to our customers, Dino Paielli said. We try to never say no to a request. If we get calls for a different product, we try to develop it.

A huge part of the business is one the customers at the front counter never see.

We had two restaurant accounts in 1951, Dino Paielli said. That has really developed. Our wholesale business, supplying restaurants, is different from what you see in our bakery and at the grocery stores.

Looking ahead

A huge part of their success, all three Paiellis agree, is the bakerys employees.

We work side-by-side with our employees, Dino said. A lot of them are still here after 30, 40 or 50 years, but others have gone on to start their own businesses. They learned how to work here.

Mark recalls being mentored by my dad and Bob Santelli, who was a baker at Paiellis for more than 44 years.

Mark and Dave Paielli are continuing a tradition started by Dino and his late brother, Dominic, who worked side by side for 45 years.

We talked things over and made decisions together, Dino said of running a business with his brother.

However, Dino said the bakery really owes its existence to his mother, Matilda.

We wouldnt be here if she didnt know how to run the business, he recalled. When my dad was very ill in 1941, she kept everything going. She was the key.

As for Dino Paielli, over the decades he learned every job and worked every shift here.

Marks daughter, Nicole, works in the bakery office, and Dave, too, has children.

So ... is the next generation in place?

All three men hope the family bakery keeps going for the next century.

And if co-founder Sante Paielli walked into the business today, with its 70-some employees and huge ovens and freezers (not to mention the array of doughnuts and Kringles), he would likely sigh and utter his signature phrase: I never saw such a thing.
A 32-year-old Rochester, Minnesota, man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal gun possession.

Rayshawn Earl Motley pleaded guilty Sept. 20, 2022, to felon in possession of a firearm. He received the sentence Wednesday from U.S. District Court Judge William Conley.

According to the federal prosecutors, police stopped a car that Motley was driving June 21, 2021, in La Crosse. After noticing an odor of marijuana inside the vehicle, officers searched the car and reportedly found a loaded Smith & Wesson .380 handgun hidden in the center console. While Motley denied knowing about the handgun, a lab analysis determined his DNA was on it.

In 2012 Motley was convicted of felony drug trafficking in Rochester and was sentenced to prison. Motley also has pending drug trafficking charges in St. Louis County, Minnesota.

Conley, who referenced Motleys drug history during sentencing, ordered three years of supervised release to follow the prison term.

The charge against Motley was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case was handled by assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.

This prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice program that works with state and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

COLLECTION: Good morning photos of the day Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Strolling swans Eagle watch First robin of spring? Opossum passing by Eagles at sundset Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Snowy skyline Towering Spring rain drop The end of ice fishing season Arcadia flyer Bridge sunset A foggy morning hello Spring rain drop End of ice fishing is a drag Spring snow HARBORMASTER CAPPED Hitting the open water Bikes for everyone Helping our neighbors HyVee work continues PICTURE OF THE DAY PICTURE OF THE DAY: Spring migration A tradition unlike any other... Feeling squirrelly Elm tree flowers Sitting on the dock of the bay A holiday hunt Colorful sunset A nice day for a walk A beautiful sunset Tulip blooms Sunrise in the neighborhood A great day for reflection Enjoying the breeze Right on the river Morning visitor Beautiful blossoms A patriotic pair A trip to the Capitol Misty Mississippi Mallard on the march A balancing act Apple blossoms Flowering Crab trees River overflow Flag Day next week Ready to go for a spin Riverside sunset Doggone beautiful The cat-bird seat La Crosse River at Veterans Memorial Park bike bridge in Riverside Park French Island fiery sunset Cass Street Bridge from Riverside Park End of the Day Holding it together A flower named Sue Hanging out at Goose Island Beautiful day Riding in style On parade at Catfish Days A sun-dappled cemetery lane Pecking away Bunny meets world Cranes by the creek River at Veterans Memorial Park The cat-bird seat Fingers in the fog Dragonfly on the line Breakfast at the birdhouse Spreading her wings Relaxing in the park A view from the stage The Quenten Brown Band Rocking out in Arcadia Viceroy butterfly Dog or lion? Pure Water Days, Chippewa Falls Visiting in style Pedaling is for the birds Working on the new Fire House Dockwork Hurling in the park Swimming swans Hibiscus bloom 'The Remainders' rock the stage Land of milk and honey? French Island dining Anything for a free meal A babbling creek Finches munch on cones Stunning sunset Pucker up Chowing down Hibiscus bloom
For Bridget Todd-Robbins, being an advocate of social and racial justice is what fills her bucket, she said, referring to a popular metaphor about the positive attitudes and actions one can impart on another.

It keeps her motivated in her career, to be an upstanding member of the community and to better the lives of youth in La Crosse.

Todd-Robbins, recipient of the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, is being honored for her work in youth support and dedication to racial and social justice in the community.

She has spent the past seven years as the administrator of the program System of Care. The program is unique in that her role is a partnership between La Crosse Countys Human Services Department and the School District of La Crosse. On a day-to-day basis, Todd-Robbins is out in the community, visiting schools and meeting with the students she serves.

The uniqueness of my position allows me to not be owned by any one system, which I think puts me at an advantage when it comes to the boots on the ground work, Todd-Robbins said.

When she heard she would be receiving the annual local award, Todd-Robbins said she was initially feeling humbled and a bit unworthy. She hopes the award helps bring recognition to the justice issues this community faces and the work that is being done.

I dont think anyone does this work with the possibility of being acknowledged or awarded, she said. After I sat with it for a minute, I just realized what an amazing opportunity to give voice to some of the racial and social justice issues that our community faces.

Todd-Robbins position and the System of Care was created due to a high juvenile arrest rate in the county and a disproportionate number of minority students coming into contact with law enforcement. She works with a multidisciplinary team to help end the school to prison pipeline.

The program has already witnessed successes. Since 2017, there has been a 50% reduction in referrals to Youth Justice and specifically, a 37% reduction of Black youth referrals.

Students are referred to Todd-Robbins who provides support: both emotional and physical, whether its advocating for a students schedule change, dropping off a bus pass or sitting and listening to a student.

Every day I get the opportunity to interact with youth and families in our community. I spend countless hours at kitchen tables or porches or living rooms, getting to know families and really understanding all of the barriers that they face on a daily basis, Todd-Robbins said.

For many of the youth who are referred to me, its rooted in basic needs not being met, behaviors are rooted in a sense of not feeling like they belong in our schools or in our community, she said.

Recently, Todd-Robbins was able to help six students enroll in drivers education  a mandatory and costly program for students who want to get a drivers license. Todd-Robbins said that most of her work is like this: filling an urgent need for students who are at a disadvantage due to their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Diana DiazGranados, project coordinator of Better Together La Crosse, has worked with Todd-Robbins for many years to coordinate youth services across both organizations.

DiazGranados said that Todd-Robbins is often going above and beyond for the students she serves, coordinating camping trips, field trips to art museums and recently a trip to the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis.

Bridget just stands out as someone in our community that has such passion for uplifting youth and families in general, but specifically our youth of color and families of color, said DiazGranados.

Living values through work

Much of Todd-Robbins work revolves around building trusting relationships with the students and families to identify those needs. As a white woman, she recognizes how difficult it can be for the students and parents of color to put their trust in her.

I feel incredibly lucky that families and youth trust me with their stories and allow me to advocate for them. I know how difficult it is to put that trust into me, she said. I value that and I take care of that.

Todd-Robbins attributes her ability to build those relationships on being authentic and genuine when building connections. Additionally, she is the mother of two biracial children, and doesnt shy away from uncomfortable conversations about race, justice and holding people accountable.

Bridget draws on her personal experience of raising children of color and of directly confronting racism in her daily life, taking on difficult conversations and interactions with grace, but without fear, said Catherine Kolkmeier, executive director of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium. Kolkmeier has worked with Todd-Robbins in a variety of programs for many years.

She routinely uses these experiences to educate others on how to develop the skills to talk with those who may have discriminatory or racist views, Kolkmeier concluded.

Todd-Robbins morals and value system have led her to this type of work. She lives her life with integrity and puts her service over herself at times. It wasnt until she worked in adult community corrections where she said she had her a-ha moment.

One day, I was walking into our lobby and its filled with black men. Im looking around going, how did this happen? Were a predominantly white community. But were arresting black men in particular at a significantly higher rate than white men, she said.

At the time, she had been working with Thomas Harris, assistant director of Multicultural Student Services at UW-La Crosse, who introduced Todd-Robbins to her first white privilege conference. The conference started her journey of understanding privilege, implicit bias, understanding truth, history and policies  where they came from and why they were created.

That learning ultimately led her to the position at System of Care. Todd-Robbins knew that she wanted to work with kids and young adults to start removing the systemic barriers that Black and brown students face in the education system.

I talk a lot about how my bucket gets filled, Todd-Robbins said. When Im in a school hallway and a student runs up and gives me a hug or I get the fist pump or theyre requesting to talk to me. I think thats just amazing, that Ive been able to build those connections.

Reaching community

Outside of her work in System of Care, Todd-Robbins founded the Moms Support Group in La Crosse.

The group started meeting about five years ago and its one of Todd-Robbins proudest achievements. As a mom of two biracial kids, she finds comfort in her support group and feels rejuvenated after their meetings to continue her commitment to racial justice work.

Richelle Brunn, a member of the group, said that Todd-Robbins has championed for many members of the group to join opportunities in the community, be it in the school district or other local groups.

I cant even begin to tell you the amount of love that you feel when you are part of the moms group, Brunn said. [Bridget] is a great sister to a lot of us, and I really admire that in her, that she allows us to be family.

Brunn said that Todd-Robbins is an inspiration and has created an amazing support system for moms in La Crosse.

Martin Luther King Jr., whom the award is in memory of, was also a tireless, nonviolent fighter for racial justice and civil rights. Todd-Robbins tries to encompass that tireless effort to keep racial and social justice at the forefront and not just when a horrible event happens, but to ensure that we incite that slow and steady fight against some of these systemic issues.

Many of Todd-Robbins colleagues and peers believe she is both an ally and a fighter in the pursuit of racial justice.

I have long admired Bridget for her determination, her commitment to her community, and for her tenacity in her efforts to change minds, one at a time. She is inspiring in her tenacity and sets an example for others to follow, and Ive learned so much working with her, said Kolkmeier.

Todd-Robbins hopes that this award shows people that there is a place for everyone in the work for social and racial justice.

Everyone has a role in this work, Todd-Robbins said. I hope that this really inspires everyone to reach out, build those connections, be willing to be uncomfortable and really help build this really loving community.

The 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Viterbo University. It will also be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/viterboethics. The featured keynote speaker is Andre Johnson, an associate professor of rhetoric and media studies in the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis. Johnson is an award-winning author, scholar and researcher.(tncms-asset)8cb14424-bde3-5550-af5b-cfc3dcdf2afe[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)d25125e7-d9e9-5c89-9894-6c4413aff769[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)a6a492d7-1eae-5804-a1f1-d8fa9626aef1[2](/tncms-asset)
Like many high schoolers, NaZiah McLaurin loves fashion, social media and learning how to drive. But NaZiah is also known for speaking up when she sees someone wronged, giving back to the community and being a leader.

The Logan High School sophomore is being honored with the 2023 Lynda Blackmon Lowery High School Leadership Award for her work as a member of various community groups, being a student leader and advocate.

NaZiah is involved in the groups Leaders Igniting Transformation and Ujima Circle, a youth program facilitated by Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.).

When she found out she would be receiving this award, NaZiah thought: oh my God, thats actually really cool to be recognized for something like that. I didnt think what I was doing was making that big of a difference.

Im very proud of her. Ever since she was a little girl, she would challenge ideas in an articulate and respectful way, said Carlisha McLaurin, NaZiahs mother. She will definitely challenge you to do whats right and shell stand up to speak out about any injustice.

LIT organizes young people around building political power for social, racial and economic justice. NaZiah said they work on get out the vote campaigns and phone banking to encourage people to vote.

Ujima, which means collective work and responsibility and is the third principle of Kwanzaa, is a youth development program that works with Black youth to create a safe space and community for youth to gain confidence, knowledge, and skills around identity, racial trauma, advocacy, mental health and relationship development.

Part of the program includes mentoring elementary school students. NaZiah uses the skills that she learns in Ujima Circles to serve as a mentor to two students at Northside Elementary.

I just feel happy to be able to help, NaZiah said. I feel excited, just like really excited, to go out there and be a part of change.

A couple weeks before Christmas, NaZiah was given a $100 gift card to Walmart. Instead of spending it on herself, NaZiah used the money to help a classmate who was struggling to afford household supplies and holiday gifts.

I love that she focuses on community, Carlisha said. I was very proud of her on Christmas, she was like my classmate is really struggling and I want to spend my money to get him some things.

NaZiah has also been advocating to improve her school. Just last October, she spoke to the school board about adding more mental health resources and diversifying the staff.

I see myself as the person who doesnt mind speaking up, NaZiah said.

NaZiah has been an active community member her whole life. In 2021, her family moved to La Crosse from Louisiana. Down south, NaZiah participated in Girl Scouts, student council and was runner up for Student of the Year twice.

After high school, NaZiah wants to attend college at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). She has lots of potential ideas for her future including being a real estate agent, flipping houses or being a fashion influencer.

Im just so proud of her, Carlisha said. Weve had a lot of obstacles since we moved here. But her ability to overcome and still remain focused on school and not let the things that could break you break her.

The 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Viterbo University. It will also be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/viterboethics. The featured keynote speaker is Andre Johnson, an associate professor of rhetoric and media studies in the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis. Johnson is an award-winning author, scholar and researcher.

Photos: 2022 Logan High School commencement
On this version of Hot off the Wire:

 Two New York City hospitals have reached a tentative contract agreement with thousands of striking nurses, ending a walkout that disrupted patient care. The deal will see nurses return to work Thursday.

 President Joe Bidens legal team has discovered additional documents containing classification markings. A person who spoke to the AP Wednesday on condition of anonymity says the legal team found the additional material at a second location.

 Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed.

 Joseph Eskenazi, the oldest living survivor of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, celebrated his upcoming 105th birthday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

 A guitar virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of blues, jazz and rock n roll, Jeff Beck has died. He was 78.

 In sports, the Nuggets and Celtics improved their win streaks, a career night in college ball, and the Ravens are keeping an eye on Lamar Jackson.

From the original version of Hot off the Wire:

 Local Republican leaders in New York are calling for the immediate resignation of their new GOP congressman George Santos. Santos is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family heritage.

 Planes were stuck on the ground for hours across the United States on Wednesday, leading to thousands of canceled and delayed flights after a government system used to give pilots safety and other information broke down overnight.

 Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been released from a hospital in Buffalo after his doctors said they completed a series of tests a little over a week after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati.

 The first lady's office says Jill Biden's surgery to remove a potentially cancerous lesion above her right eye is proceeding well and as expected.

 Around 25,000 U.K. ambulance workers have gone on strike as they walked out for the second time since December in an ongoing dispute with the government over pay.

 Russia will send up a new capsule next month to bring back three space station astronauts whose original ride home was damaged. The switch in capsules means the two Russians and one American will remain several extra months at the International Space Station.

 House Republicans have opened their long-promised investigation into President Joe Biden and his family. They are wielding the power of their majority to demand information from the Treasury Department and former Twitter executives as they lay the groundwork for public hearings.

 Harvey Weinstein is asking New Yorks highest court to overturn his 2020 rape conviction, arguing that the judge betrayed his right to a fair trial by succumbing to the pressure of the #MeToo movement.

 The Supreme Court is allowing New York to continue to enforce for now a sweeping new law banning guns from sensitive places such as schools, playgrounds and Times Square and increasing training requirements.
After months of meetings, a bipartisan group of legislators is finalizing several measures designed to increase employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions.

Among the measures under consideration by the legislative study committee seeking to increase job access to criminally convicted people are bills to establish a job hotline for employers interested in hiring people with convictions and to expand early release programs for inmates who complete an employment readiness training program.

The committee, which includes lawmakers and offender advocates, began working last summer as its chair, Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, highlighted the potential for hiring people with criminal convictions to help address statewide labor shortages.

In an interview, Felzkowski noted the employment barriers for criminally convicted people.

You miss two weeks of high school when youre a kid and it seems like you dont even know whats going on in the world anymore, she said. So now take me out of the world for a year, two years, five years, 10 years, 20 years. When (you) walk out that door ... you have generalizations, but its very hard to know where to go and what to do.

A third preliminary measure would require the Department of Corrections to create a community reentry center program and contract organizations to operate at least one center, where people released from prison would have access to a broad array of services pertaining to health, finances, housing, employment and more.

Another measure would require the DOC to include rental readiness training in pre-release programming in prisons, including a certification for people who complete that training. It would authorize the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to administer a bond program to fund repairs for property damages caused by the certificate holder. That measure would also include a provision providing landlords immunity from civil liability for death or injury caused by the certificate-holding tenant.

What were doing here is the tip of the iceberg, Felzkowski said, adding that Wisconsin has very antiquated ways of how we handle our criminal justice system compared to other states.

The bills, which are not yet finalized, are being written by Legislative Reference Bureau staff at the direction of the legislators and other committee members. Felzkowski said the measures will probably not be introduced formally until around April or May.

The governor supports the committees efforts and looks forward to their continued work in close consultation and collaboration with the Department of Corrections to ensure any legislation offered by the committee provides the staffing and resources necessary to implement their recommendations, Gov. Tony Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in a statement.

Spokespeople for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, did not respond to requests for comment on whether they would support the measures.

A top priority

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pointed to the states workforce shortage issue as one of the top priorities in the upcoming legislative session and biennial budget process.

Eighty-five percent of employers are struggling to hire workers, according to the Wisconsin Employer Survey conducted this summer by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Among employers facing those challenges, 45% cited a lack of qualified applicants and 36% cited labor shortages for the ongoing hiring difficulties.

At the same time, theres a high percentage of people with criminal convictions who dont have jobs. The U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Statistics found in 2021 that 33% of people released from prison in 2010 didnt become employed in the four years following their release.

But the stigma of having a criminal record combined with lower education levels typical among ex-offenders makes joining the labor force particularly difficult, a report by the Brookings Institution states.

Employing people with criminal convictions could not only address the states labor shortage but also reduce recidivism. Researchers in the Netherlands found that about 26% of employed ex-prisoners committed a new crime within six months following their release, compared with 37% for unemployed ex-prisoners.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Everett Mitchell and his ex-wife are downplaying an accusation that he sexually assaulted her in 2007, something he says is false and she says is immaterial.

The accusation, by Mitchells ex-wife, Merrin Guice Gill, surfaced as part of a custody dispute over their daughter in 2010. Mitchell, a liberal who is now a Dane County circuit judge, was never charged with any wrongdoing, and an attorney appointed to look out for the daughters best interests was unable to substantiate the allegation.

In a joint statement, Mitchell and Guice Gill said theyre proud of who they are as co-parents and said they handled themselves as best they could during this difficult period in our marriage.

We ask that the media and the other campaigns avoid engaging in unfair and misleading attacks, they wrote. We ask that everyone prioritize the privacy and well-being of our child.

In a separate interview, Guice Gill declined to speak about the alleged assault, again citing her daughters privacy.

The history of our divorce is not related to his run for office, she said.

The Wisconsin State Journal does not typically name victims of sexual abuse. In this case, Guice Gill released a joint statement with Mitchell using her name, spoke with the State Journal and addressed abuse in a magazine article.

Amid a bitter custody battle in 2010, Guice Gill provided documents in Dane County court showing she had told a police officer and a therapist that Mitchell assaulted her in the middle of the night in July 2007. She told her therapist the incident happened after he gave her a sleeping pill.

Separately, without naming Mitchell, Guice Gill also wrote a 2009 article in LGBTQ magazine Our Lives suggesting her husband emotionally abused her. In the column, she said the abuse continued to the point that she checked herself into a hospital to get away from him.

Those documents resurfaced after an episode in September 2010 when Guice Gill had custody of their daughter over a long weekend in September and, according to court files, was fully responsible for transportation during that time but did not return their daughter to Madison and instead enrolled her in a school in Ohio.

Mitchell responded by going to Ohio twice to locate his daughter, filing a police report in Madison and a motion alleging Guice Gill was not abiding by a court order to return their daughter after that long weekend, court records show.

After that incident, a Dane County judge granted Mitchell sole custody of their daughter, pending future action by the court. (Later, through a court-appointed attorney looking out for their daughters interests, Mitchell and Guice Gill would agree to share custody.)

Assertions denied

Mitchell  one of four candidates seeking to replace conservative Justice Patience Roggensack on the Wisconsin Supreme Court  said the allegations, first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, are false.

At the time Guice Gill made the allegation, Mitchell said, she was still dealing with the death of her sister, who was killed by a drunken driver in March 2007.

There were no allegations that she ever raised to anybody in Madison related to any kind of abuse until after her sister got killed and after her mental health was compromised, he said.

At the end of the day, this was a difficult time with mental health issues across the board, Guice Gill said.

In an interview, Mitchell noted he maintained sole custody or shared custody of his daughter throughout the court proceedings.

As a father, especially as a Black father, I was focused on protecting my daughter and raising her, including sending her to college, so she didnt have to grow up in a way I did, without a father present, he said.

Four in race

Mitchell is seeking a 10-year term on the states highest court. He is facing off against another liberal, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz, and two conservative candidates: former state Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly and Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow.

Mitchell serves as the presiding judge of Dane Countys juvenile division. He also oversees Dane Countys High Risk Drug Court program, which provides connections to treatment and mental health services to adults with substance abuse problems who are facing criminal charges.

The race will decide the courts ideological balance, making it a top priority for both parties as the Democratic governors office and Republican-controlled Legislature continually clash over policy, often giving the court the final say.
Some of the last individuals to interact with Julie Jensen before her death in 1998 spoke about her personality and love of family during the second day of the jury re-trial against Mark Jensen Thursday morning.

Mark Jensen, who was convicted in February 2008 for the murder of his 40-year-old wife inside their Carol Beach home in Pleasant Prairie, is standing trial again in Kenosha County Circuit Court after years of appeals and battles in state and federal courts.

A Kenosha County judge vacated his conviction in April 2021 after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Jensen deserved a new trial. The court found that a letter his wife wrote incriminating him in the event something should happen to her could not be used by the prosecution as it was in the first trial. In early 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court helped pave the way for the new trial when it declined to hear an appeal of the Wisconsin Supreme Courts ruling.

The so-called letter from the grave in which Julie Jensen wrote that if anything happens to me that her husband would be my first suspect will not be allowed into evidence during this lengthy trial. The high-profile case has sparked headlines across the nation.

Mark Jensen, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in his wifes death, remains in custody on a $1.2 million cash bond in Kenosha County. He faces life in prison.

Mark Jensen, according to prosecutors, killed his wife over three days in early December 1998 by poisoning her with ethylene glycol, more commonly known as antifreeze, and then suffocating her while she lay in bed dying and gasping for air in order to be with a mistress. They also allege the former stockbroker killed Julie Jensen out of anger over a previous affair she had with a co-worker, along with other marriage issues.

They also allege he searched the internet for ways to make her death look like a suicide and terrorized her for years with strategically placed pornography, emails and phone calls.

Mark Jensen, however, has maintained his innocence for decades. His attorneys have argued Julie Jensen was deeply depressed and died by suicide after framing her husband for her death.

The original prosecutor, Robert Jambois, a former Kenosha County District attorney, is back as a special prosecutor before Judge Anthony Milisauskas, now the third Kenosha County Circuit Court judge to preside over the matter.

Mark Jensen is represented by a team of defense attorneys led by Bridget Krause.

Witness testmony

Multiple witnesses for the state testified Thursday.

Eric Schoor, the best friend of the Jensens oldest son David Jensen, said he would hang out at the Jensen household every other Wednesday after school.

Schoor said David Jensen was normally a very positive and energetic kid but in the days before his mothers death he seemed grave and worried.

At the time, Schoor said David Jensen told him that his mother was sick and his father declined to take her to the hospital for care. Schoor said David Jensen mimicked his mothers strained breathing for him while at school in the days before her death.

Schoor, who had also known Julie Jensen for years through his relationship with her son, said she was normally a very positive and upbeat person and a committed parent. He said she was an involved parent who often cooked for them.

Schoors mother, Laura Schoor, expressed similar sentiments Thursday, calling Julie Jensen very kind and positive.

Angela Martinelli, a friend and neighbor of Julie Jensen, also said she believed Julie Jensen was an excellent mother. Martinelli said she last interacted with Julie Jensen on Nov. 20, 1998, when they went out for lunch at a local diner with their young sons. She said the they discussed their plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

I didnt have any concerns (about Julie Jensen), Martinelli said, adding her friend was always very soft spoken.

Joseph Mangi, a longtime Kenosha Unified School District educator and administrator, also testified Thursday.

Mangi, a former principal of Bradford High School, testified that he interviewed Julie Jensen for a part-time office secretary position in the weeks before her death.

Mangi said she appeared very professional and was easy to talk to.

Mangi said he decided to offer her the job at Bradford, one of Kenosha Countys largest schools, because she loved working with kids and of her previous experience volunteering at her oldest sons elementary school in the district.

However, when he attempted to contact Julie Jensen with the good news in the week ending Nov. 30 he was unable to reach her, he said.

Mangi said he called the Jensen home during normal business hours and believed Mark Jensen answered the phone. When he asked to speak with his wife Mark Jensen said something Mangi said he found disturbing.

His response was shes asleep and shes going to be asleep for a long time, and he laughed, Mangi said. It was disconcerting.

A day or two later, Mangi learned she had died.

Something wasnt right, Mangi added.

Video testimony

Video testimony from the first trial some 15 years ago from Tadeusz Wojt, a neighbor and confidant of Julie Jensen, was played for the jury Thursday on televisions in court. Wojt was unable to testify in person.

Wojt testified Julie Jensen often confided in him about how she feared Mark Jensen in the days before her death. He said Julie Jensen she wouldnt leave because of the kids even though he offered her a place to stay away from her husband and she had a vehicle.

She was really scared, he said. She didnt know where to go, where to turn.

At times, Tadeusz Wojt said Julie Jensen seemed unsure if her husband was playing with her mentally.

Testimony from Tadeusz Wojts now-deceased wife, Margaret Wojt, was played for the jury Wednesday evening.

Margaret Wojt said she found Mark Jensens conduct off-putting in the days following his wifes death.

Your wife just died yesterday, why are you so happy? she said.

There are 78 names of the prosecutions witness list. There are 33 on the defendants witness list.

Forensic pathologist testifies

Dr. Michael Chambliss, a highly experienced forensic pathologist, testified Thursday evening about the state of Julie Jensens dead body.

Chambliss, who conducted the autopsy of Julie Jensen the afternoon of Dec. 4, 1998, said the manner of death was homicide. Chambliss said the cause of death was asphyxiation with the ethylene glycol found in her system as a contributing factor.

Although she had no broken bones in her nose or head, the cartilage of Julie Jensens nose was pushed off to one side of her face. Chambliss called her nose distorted as if was had been positioning into something long enough."

The examination into Julie Jensens internal organs and rib cage also showed evidence of hemorrhages, he testified.

Prosecutors allege Mark Jensen turned Julie Jensen over in their bed and shoved her face into a pillow and suffocated her.

Photos shown to the jury included Julie Jensen turned over and dead in her bed, her distorted face and nose, and autopsy photos of her ribs and heart.

Opening statements Wednesday

On Wednesday, both the prosecution and defense presented opening arguments before the jury of nine men and seven women. The trial is expected to last about five weeks and into February.

The prosecutions opening statement lasted about an hour and was presented by Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeil. She opened with a photo on television monitors of Julie Jensen with her two young sons.

In this case the evidence youre going to hear is that the defendant murdered his wife with ethylene glycol, that this was not Julie Jensen ingesting that substance to commit suicide, McNeill said.

Youre going to hear that evidence about the ethylene glycol in Julie Jensens blood and in her stomach, and other evidence of that poisoning in her system. You may even see some photos from the autopsy showing evidence from the inside of her body.

McNeil said the poison causes a slow and painful death because it destroys ones kidneys.

Mackenzie Renner presented opening statements on behalf of the defense.

Renner said Mark Jensen was a distraught mess of a man in the moments after he found his wife dead with snot bubbling up and trouble standing.

Renner said the Jensens were just like every other family that faced hardships.

Renner also called Julie Jensen an unreliable narrator and said Julie Jensen said disturbing and inconsistent things to acquaintances before her death about Mark Jensen.

Julie Jensen took her own life. The evidence will show as much, Renner said. Mr. Jensen is not a murderer.

Photos: Mark Jensen trial JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 JENSEN DAY 4 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 3 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 MARK JENSEN DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 2 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1 JENSEN TRIAL DAY 1
The jury re-trial of Mark D. Jensen, the Pleasant Prairie man accused of poisoning and suffocating his wife to death in 1998, began Wednesday morning with opening statements from the prosecution and defense.

MARK JENSEN DAY 3 Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeill gives the states opening statement while projecting an image of the late Julie Jensen behind her durin

Opening statements in the high-profile trial began after the jury, made up of nine men and seven women who were selected after two days of questioning, was sworn in.

Mark Jensen, who was convicted in February 2008 of the murder of 40-year-old Julie Jensen inside their Carol Beach home, is standing trial again in Kenosha County Circuit Court after years of appeals and battles in state and federal courts.

Mark Jensen, now 63, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, and he remains in custody on a $1.2 million cash bond in Kenosha. He faces life in prison.

An early 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling paved the way for this trial, expected to last about five weeks. The nations highest court declined to hear the case after an appeal of a Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruling that Mark Jensen should receive a new trial without a letter used as evidence in the first trial.

Mark Jensen, according to prosecutors, killed his wife by poisoning her with ethylene glycol, more commonly known as antifreeze, and then suffocating her while she lay in bed dying in order to be with a mistress, and out of anger over a previous affair. They also allege he searched the internet for ways to make her death look like a suicide and terrorized her for years.

In 2008, Mark Jensen was convicted on evidence that included a letter Julie Jensen wrote before her death and gave to a neighbor. In it, she wrote that if anything happens to me that her husband would be my first suspect, among other things.

The letter was revealed after her death. The so-called letter from the grave will not be allowed into evidence during this trial.

Mark Jensen has maintained his innocence for decades. His attorneys have argued Julie Jensen was depressed and died by suicide after framing her husband for her death. In court Wednesday, Mark Jensen wore a dark suit. His mother sat behind him in the gallery.

The original prosecutor, Robert Jambois, a former Kenosha County District attorney, is back as a special prosecutor before Judge Anthony Milisauskas, now the third Kenosha County Circuit Court judge to preside over the matter.

Mark Jensen is represented by a team of defense attorneys led by Bridget Krause.

The prosecutions opening statement lasted about an hour and was presented by Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeil. She opened with a photo on television monitors of Julie Jensen with her two young sons.

McNeil said Julie Jensens family was everything to her and she did not die by suicide.

In this case the evidence youre going to hear is that the defendant murdered his wife with ethylene glycol, that this was not Julie Jensen ingesting that substance to commit suicide, McNeill said.

Youre going to hear that evidence about the ethylene glycol in Julie Jensens blood and in her stomach, and other evidence of that poisoning in her system. You may even see some photos from the autopsy showing evidence from the inside of her body.

McNeil said the poison causes a slow and painful death because it destroys ones kidneys.

McNeil also detailed some evidence that the state will present to the jury, including internet searches, emails and medical examiner reports.

Although Julie Jensen had an affair during their marriage with a co-worker, McNeil said she immediately regretted it but that Mark Jensen never forgave her for it.

The affair, according to McNeil, sparked a campaign of covert harassment against Julie Jensen by Mark Jensen in the years before her death. McNeil said Mark Jensen targeted his wife with pornographic images of males placed on their property, fake and harassing phone calls and disturbing emails.

These days we have a word for it, McNeil said. We call it gaslighting.

McNeil also said Julie Jensen stuck with Mark Jensen for the sake of the boys.

Mackenzie Renner presented opening statements on behalf of the defense.

Renner said Jensen was a distraught mess of a man in the moments after he found his wife dead with snot bubbling up and trouble standing.

Renner said the Jensens were just like every other family that faced hardships.

Renner also called Julie Jensen an unreliable narrator and said Julie Jensen said disturbing and inconsistent things to acquaintances before her death about Mark Jensen.

Julie Jensen took her own life. The evidence will show as much, Renner said. Mr. Jensen is not a murderer.

The first witness questioned after opening statements was Ruth Vorwald, a close friend Julie Jensen and who lived near the Jensen family.

On the day of her death Vorwald said she wondered how is this possible? and believed that Julie Jensen was not suicidal.

When she spoke with Mark Jensen that day and asked what happened to her close friend, Vorwald said Mark Jensen had no emotion.

Vorwald also said Mark Jensen acted as if he was at a cocktail party during his wifes wake because he was laughing and chatting with people during the visitation.

I was watching him to see how he was behaving, she said.
This article appears in the January 13, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this article]

JANUARY 14 SYMPOSIUM

Non-Violence or Non-Existence

Jan. 7The Schiller Institute has released the following invitation to its online January 14 symposium, Resurrect the True Mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Stop NATOs World War, and Dismantle the JFK International Assassination Bureau, now scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The speakers are to include Ray McGovern, former senior analyst, U.S. Central intelligence Agency (CIA) and founding member, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS); Garland Nixon, a long-time political analyst on radio and television; and Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and leader of the Schiller Institute and others.

View full size

USIA

The Schiller Institute, in accordance with its campaign to promote discussion about the principles necessary for the establishment of a new international security and development architecture, will convene a symposium Saturday, January 14. That symposium will explore how to resurrect the mission of nonviolence or non-existence to stop thermonuclear war, a mission of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy, and President John F. Kennedy.

Dr. King became, in the last year of his life, and in the face of clear personal risk, an uncompromising opponent, not only of thermonuclear war, but of modern warfare in any form. In his Christmas message of 1967, he said plainly:

Wisdom born of experience should tell us that war is obsolete. There may have been a time when war served as a negative good by preventing the spread and growth of an evil force, but the very destructive power of modern weapons of warfare eliminates even the possibility that war may any longer serve as a negative good. And so, if we assume that life is worth living, if we assume that mankind has a right to survive, then we must find an alternative to war.

It would be tragic indeed if the United States, whose last several presidential administrations, going back to at least the time of President George W. Bush, have explicitly rejected Dr. Kings ideas, including his creative nonviolent direct action in the realm of foreign policy, would now go unchallenged, when that was exactly what King demanded be done in 1967. Rather, it is the duty of all who would follow what King actually said and taught, to now rise in full troubling opposition to the Anglo-American doctrine of foreign policy through warfare now promulgated in the trans-Atlantic nations. This is especially true as that criminal force doctrine, masquerading as the rule of law, pertains to the present NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

Dr. Kings formulation, that the choice is no longer between violence and non-violence; the choice is now between non-violence and non-existence, echoed the words of Pope Paul VI at the United Nations in 1965: No more war!! War never again!! They also echoed President John F. Kennedys admonition that mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind. That formulation was accompanied by action proposals for joint work with Americas mortal enemy the Soviet Union, particularly in the realm of space, in Kennedys September 20, 1963, speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In this symposium, however, we particularly wish to look at the international forces of violence that have been used to decapitate nations and institutions whose leaders have stood up not only in opposition to lethal, destructive policies, but in favor of economic development as the only sure path to peace. Recent revelations in the United States concerning the possible involvement of certain intelligence institutions in the assassination of President Kennedy, as well as the dissatisfaction of the King family with the official explanation of the MLK assassination, make this a particularly timely occasion to investigate these concerns.

Finally, it should be noted that Dr. King, not an economist, but a drum major for justice, insisted that the plight of the poor had to be put at the center of politics, that people come first. He insisted, against the advice of his advisers, to conduct his 1968 Poor Peoples Campaign simultaneously with his assault on the war in Vietnam, in order to dramatize his assertion that national budgets are moral documents, and that the wealth of nations should be spent on improving the general welfare, not the accuracy of weapons of mass destruction.

The Schiller Institutes Ten Principles for a New International Security and Development Architecture are a precise articulation of that aspect of Kings great vision, which has been generally either disregarded, or little noted. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would not only have opposed the war in Europe; he would have proposed an alternative. We can honor his vision of humanity by doing no less.
Century-Old British and Japanese Empire Alliance Makes Comeback

Jan. 11, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)After one hundred years of dormancy, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has been resurrected to be aimed at a new target: China. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in London as part of a tour that includes stops in Paris, Rome, Ottawa and Washington ahead of the May 19-21 G7 summit hosted by Japan, signed a new military cooperation agreement with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The agreement, called a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), allows both countries to deploy forces on each others soil. The agreement, touted as the most significant defense pact between London and Tokyo in more than a century, will rapidly accelerate already growing defense and security cooperation between the two monarchies amid rising concerns over Chinas military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, reported the Japan Times. Sunaks office said the agreement will be put before their parliaments in the coming weeks.

The RAA signing will be seen as yet another example of Tokyos interest in cementing ever-closer security ties with a variety of partner countries amid growing Sino-U.S. tensions, the Times said.

In a statement this morning, hours before Sunak met with Kishida, 10 Downing St. said that the RAA will also cement the U.K.s commitment to Indo-Pacific security, allowing both forces to plan and deliver larger-scale, more complex military exercises and deployments. It added that the U.K. will be the first European country to have a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, the most important defense treaty between the U.K. and Japan since 1902.

In the past 12 months, we have written the next chapter of the relationship between the U.K. and Japanaccelerating, building and deepening our ties. We have so much in common: a shared outlook on the world, a shared understanding of the threats and challenges we face, and a shared ambition to use our place in the world for global good, ensuring our countries prosper for generations to come,

Sunak said.

This Reciprocal Access Agreement is hugely significant for both our nationsit cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security, accelerate our defense cooperation and drive innovation that creates highly skilled jobs. In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we navigate the unprecedented global challenges of our time.

The reference to the 1902-1922 Anglo-Japanese Alliance is not insignificant. That treaty, along with British Imperial alliances with France and Russia that followed, helped to set the conditions for three wars, the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War, World War I and World War II.
A Chinese supplier of electronic equipment to both Apple and Samsung plans a big investment in two factories in Vietnam.

Reuters news service spoke to two people who know about the deal.

The reports say BOE Technology Group plans to invest up to $400 million.

The plan suggests that U.S company Apple and Taiwans Foxconn are trying to make changes to how their parts are supplied. The changes could mean that some electronic parts production would be moved out of China to Vietnam, as U.S. and other companies try to reduce their dependence on Chinese manufacturers.

Political tensions between China and the United States may have influenced the changes. Production delays from Chinas severe COVID-19 measures also may have played a part.

BOE, which is in Beijing, is in talks to pay for the use of land in northern Vietnam. It also aims to expand its small factories in the south. Those factories currently supply television screens to South Koreas Samsung and LG Electronics. That information comes from people who did not want to be identified because the negotiations are secret.

BOE chose not to comment on the issue.

Northern Vietnam has gained notable investments in recent years from electronics companies. It has become a center for manufacturing smartphones, computers and cameras. That includes products for Apple and Samsung.

Hon Hai Precision Industry, the trading name for Taiwans Foxconn, and Chinas Luxshare Precision Industry also make or plan to make laptop and tablet computers there.

One person told Reuters that BOE plans to rent 100 hectares and use 20 percent of it to build a factory for making remote control systems. The cost would be $150 million. The rest would be for displays. The goal is to have the developments in place by 2025.

One person involved said BOE plans to make higher-level technology such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens at the factory.

Apple included BOE on its list of 2021 manufacturing partners. It uses OLED screens for its latest iPhone smartphones.

Kuo Ming-chi is an expert at TF International Securities, a financial services company in Hong Kong. He said BOE is Chinas biggest display maker and aims to become Apples largest supplier of displays for new iPhones by 2024.

However, Bloomberg news reported recently that Apple plans to start making its own screens by next year.

Apple chose not to provide a comment to Reuters reporters.

But a person involved in the deal said BOEs Vietnam plan is not completely aimed at supplying Apple. BOE is also a supplier to Samsung, the worlds largest smartphone maker. Samsung currently produces half its smartphones in Vietnam. LG also has operations in the country and plans new investments.

Im Mario Ritter Jr.

Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted this report for VOA Learning English from a Reuters report.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

rent v. paying money to use property that belongs to someone else

remote control adj. describing a device that can control another from a distance

display n. (industrial) an electronic device that shows pictures, images and video

light-emitting diode n. (technology) a fully electronic device that can give out light

screen n. an electronic device that can show pictures and images

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Messaging service WhatsApp has added support for a tool to help users stay online when governments block the internet.

The company  owned by Facebooks parent Meta  recently announced it would let users connect to WhatsApp through proxy servers.

A proxy acts as a bridge to connect users to the internet through servers in other places. Proxy servers can be set up by individuals or organizations around the world. The proxy system can permit people to be online even when governments have restricted or cut off internet services in their area.

In its announcement, WhatsApp said the proxy tool represents an effort to put the power into peoples hands to connect to its service if the internet is blocked or restricted.

The company said proxy support was launched for WhatsApp users all over the world. In its statement, however, WhatsApp identified Iran as a nation where the government has been blocking the internet for months. Such actions deny peoples human rights and cut people off from receiving urgent help, WhatsApp said.

Irans government has a history of cutting internet and messaging services.

In 2018, Iranian officials ordered internet service providers to block messaging service Telegram. At the time, Iran had an estimated 40 million Telegram users, nearly half the countrys population.

The banning of Telegram came as widespread demonstrations took place in many Iranian cities to protest government economic policies.

In recent months, Iran has seen widespread demonstrations in the countrys Kurdistan province and in major cities. The protests began following the death of a 22-year-old woman who died while in police detention. The woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested by officers of Irans morality police.

The morality police oversee the enforcement of Irans restrictions on behavior and clothing in public. Amini was arrested for violating the countrys Islamic dress rules.

Iran blocked WhatsApp, as well as Meta-owned service Instagram, as unrest broke out over the protests related to Aminis death.

The company said using a proxy server would not change the high level of privacy and security that WhatsApp provides. For example, it said all personal messages sent over the service will still be protected by end-to-end encryption. Encryption is a process that turns information or data into a form of code in order to hide the information.

WhatsApp provides step-by-step instructions for users wishing to use a proxy server. The company also created a guide for volunteers and organizations who want to set up proxy servers for users.

Some users in countries facing government interference use virtual private networks (VPNs) to connect to the internet. A VPN uses software to link to private computer networks in other areas to make it appear that a device or computer is operating in another country.

There are some similarities between VPNs and proxy servers. But one difference is that, in addition to hiding where users are operating from, VPNs also encrypt a users internet data.

In September, WhatsApp competitor Signal announced it was offering proxy server support so users in Iran could use that service.

In a report issued in June, the United Nations Human Rights Office said it had documented 931 internet shutdowns in 74 countries between 2016 and 2021. Shutdowns are powerful markers of sharply deteriorating human rights situations, the report said.

The U.N. also noted that internet blockages carry major economic costs across many industries. Economic harms caused by shutdowns, the report said, are felt over long periods of time, greatly exacerbating pre-existing social and economic inequalities.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from WhatsApp and Reuters.

Quiz - WhatsApp Adds Proxy Support to Keep Users Online When Internet Is Blocked Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

proxy  n. something used to replace something else

province  n. a large area some countries are divided into because of the kind of government they have

code  n. a set of letters, numbers or signs that are used instead of ordinary words to keep a message secret

deteriorate  v. to become worse

exacerbate  v. to make something worse

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COZAD  The discussion at the latest Community Chat at the Wilson Public Library centered around the lack of child care options and how it is impacting economic development in the 100th Meridian community.

Wilson Public Library Director Laurie Yocom said before the event on Wednesday, Jan. 11, that during the librarys recent accreditation process they learned from the community that residents did not always have accurate timely facts about what was going on in the community.

To help address this, the library reached out to city leaders in Cozad to speak on current issues and where residents could offer their thoughts and opinions.

The Community Chats in January were conducted by Jen McKeone, Executive Director of the Cozad Development Corporation. She spoke about the pressing need for child care in the community and its wider impacts.

McKeone said the need for child care has been a burning topic, recently, but issues surrounding child care reach all the way back when she was on a board in Gothenburg 25 years ago.

There are a myriad of issues, including the lack of child care options for parents, providers are being paid minimum wage but are expected to prepare children for the rigors of public education, so staffing is hard to find.

According to Child Care in State Economic update from 2019, there has been a 20 percent decrease in family child care homes since 2010, resulting in fewer choices, including lower costing options, for families.

One idea is for providers to charge more for their care, but the issue is that most families are already paying an inordinate amount of their income for child care.

Even before the pandemic, the annual cost of child care for families was $12,480 in 2018, over 20 percent of the household income, according to the state report.

McKeone said currently there are 30 children, including 12 infants, that are on waiting lists to access child care in Cozad.

The result for families that cannot access regular and reliable child care is absenteeism from work or having to stop working all together to care for their children. McKeone said that is when the lack of child care becomes an economic development issue.

McKeone listed numerous examples of how the lack of child care has impacted businesses in the 100th Meridian. Cozad Community Hospital has had difficulty recruiting people to town, the former Cozad Superintendent had to take her grandson to Gothenburg to access child care and a woman drove over an hour and 15 minutes each day taking children to providers in Cozad and Gothenburg.

McKeone said if a child from Cozad is taken to child care in Lexington, Gothenburg or another community, when they start school, they will more than likely choose to option into that school.

According to a 2022 study by the Nebraska Public Power District on the economic impact of inadequate child care in Dawson County, the cost of the lack of child care to families is $5.2 million, this includes foregoing work, remaining part time, absenteeism and turnover.

This also has an impact on county businesses, according to the same study; the cost to employers is $2.6 million. McKeone said it limits the ability of businesses to attract talent and families to the area and hampers peoples options to enter the workforce.

The CDC held their own survey about child care earlier this year and it found 82 percent of families with child care said it was, extremely or somewhat difficult to find arrangements for their children. Half of those were happy with the service but the other half said they are not satisfied, saying it was the only service available.

McKeone used the example of a three legged stool to describe the situation in communities, on one hand is the number of businesses a community can support, next is the amenities in the town, child care included and the final is housing. When one lacks, it affects all of the others.

The issue is multifaceted with no simple answer to fix it. However, McKeone said it is imperative to support the existing child care providers in Cozad as losing any of them would further decrease capacity. It is also apparent that child care capacity needs to be increased in the community by adding more in-home day cares or perhaps another child care center.

McKeone noted how more pressing the situation would be if Cozad Community Schools did not offer the After Zone program that hosts an average of 120 students each day after school.

When asked about her vision, if resources were not an issue, McKeone said she would want to expand child care capacity through a new child care center and more in-home daycares, enough to care for 120 children and be able to pay staff above minimum wage while not adding to the cost for families.

At the moment, the CDC is working with the willing, those who want to help expand child care. A number of individuals are forming a steering committee regarding child care and plan to write letters of support for those who wish to expand capacity.

McKeone said while the issue is daunting, the Cozad community shows up when there is a problem and works together to solve issues.
LEXINGTON  The Lexington High School 2021-22 journalism class and sponsor Erica Brockmoller qualified as one of 44 national Pacemaker finalists through the National Scholastic Press Association for their yearbook, Note to Self.

National Scholastic Press Association, based and incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit educational association, provides journalism education services to students, teachers, media advisers and others throughout the United States and in other countries.

LHS journalism teacher Erica Brockmoller said the 2021-22 yearbook received a number of allocates, including a Cornhusker award from the Nebraska High School Press Association.

The yearbook was also judged by the NSPA in the Pacemaker competition, which recognized 44 national finalists for excellence.

The Pacemaker is the associations preeminent award, Executive Director Laura Widmer said. NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.

The yearbooks selected as Pacemaker finalists represent strong visual and verbal storytelling. The judges were highly selective selecting approximately 20 percent of the entries, associate director Gary Lundgren said.

Two teams of three judges devoted three days to the judging and studied every entry, discussing its strengths. The status of each entry was agreed upon by at least two of the three judges.

When the process was completed, 44 finalists were named representing the top 15 percent of all entries. In April, 19 yearbooks earn Pacemaker awards  representing the top six percent.

Of the 44 finalists, eight are from junior/high and middle schools with 36 from high schools.

Yearbooks from 15 states earned Pacemaker-finalist status. Texas set the pace with eight finalists, followed by Florida with six and Kansas with five. Lexington was the only school in the state of Nebraska to qualify.

Pacemaker finalists will be honored and will receive plaques during the opening ceremony of the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in San Francisco, Calif.

Brockmoller will attend the convention in the spring to learn who the final Pacemaker winners will be.

Brockmoller said, I am really proud of the students and the work and creativity they put into authentically telling the stories of the students. She also noted she is glad there were students willing to share their stories with the yearbook.

The Lexington administration has also been a supporter of the students because they practice sound journalism, Brockmoller said.

When asked about when she learned of the nomination, Brockmoller said a friend at another school reached out to her and said they were a finalist, adding, With you!

Brockmoller said to even be named a finalist is an honor as the yearbooks are considered the elite.

The staff for the 2021-22 yearbook included: Michelle Ruiz-Garcia, Estevan Quintero, Liah Haines, Vanessa Cardiel-Diaz, Alexsandra Guevara-Andrade, Daisy Gomez, Sarah Treffer, Yasmin Gallegos-Carranza, Ashley Chiguil, Barwoqo Moulid, Makayla Adams, Natalie Galvan, Brooklyn Lul, Miranda Gomez, Amira Mohamed, Daisy Lopez-Lopez, Selin Avalos-Rodriguez, Jayda Ehlers, Ashley Andrade, Kyleigh Southepmany, Tzintly Angulo, Clara Ramirez-Reyes, Rydni Ringenberg.
Anat Scolnicov (University of Winchester) has posted Constitutional Transplantation and the Israeli Constitution (Oxford Handbook of the Israeli Constitution (Aharon Barak, Barak Medina and Yaniv Roznai, eds., Oxford University Press) Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

This chapter examines some unique aspects of Israeli constitutional transplantations. It argues that judicial transplants played a crucial role in determining the constitutional status of the Basic Laws. It also shows that an embryonic transplant of the unconstitutional amendment doctrine has been entertained in Israeli law.

Beyond Israeli law, an examination of the characteristics of Israels constitutional transplants can contribute to wider understanding of the nature of constitutional transplantations as a global, inter-cultural phenomenon, a sharing and spreading of ideas.

This chapter will show that transplantation can be a result of the cumulative effect of transplanting actions by legislators, judges and even lawyers, and that a transplanting action need not be intentional to have the effect of a constitutional transplantation. It argues that establishment of religious courts and religious law in state law are constitutional transplantations. Lastly, it shows that transplantation can be a legitimating tool, used either genuinely or selectively, to lend credibility to a constitutional provision.
Awi Sushi, on the 500 block of State Street, like a lot of sushi restaurants these days, offers an overwhelming selection of sushi rolls.

Who has the patience to read through nearly 100 of them?

I went for my standby spicy tuna roll, and gave my 17-year-old daughter and her friend the task of picking any others that looked promising.

Another given was to try Awis salmon sashimi, or sliced raw fish ($1.50 per slice), which was fine, but not as thick and silky as it is at some other sushi spots. My daughter had no complaints, though. We ordered four slices, which were small, for a total of $6.

All three starters we ordered worked out well. The eight tender shumai ($3.99), or steamed shrimp dumplings, were delicious, with sweet mayo on the side.

I was the only one who liked the tuna tataki ($8.99), five slices of torched tuna, each with a slice of jalapeno and a subtle Japanese dressing. The torching wasnt real obvious, either. The fish just tasted a step removed from raw.

Co-owner Dawt Cuai, who is from Myanmar, had trouble explaining how the tuna was torched.

The big discovery was the reasonably priced sashimi salad ($6.99), with iceberg lettuce and raw tuna, white tuna and salmon cut into cubes. It was like a Cobb salad in that its ingredients were arranged in separate sections: bright red tomato, cucumbers, ripe avocado, seaweed salad and crunchy tempura balls.

Cuai said she makes the exceptional chunky ginger dressing that came on the side.

Back to the rolls: The biggest disappointment was the spicy tuna roll ($4.99) because it included small slices of cucumber. Ive never seen cucumber added to a spicy tuna roll, and it adulterated it. Cuai said all of her rolls listed under regular, like this one, have cucumber. Another issue was that the fish didnt have much spicy mayo mixed in, but still had a nice amount of spice.

The California roll ($4.99), meanwhile, was excellent with the crab meat mixed with enough mayo. It also had avocado and cucumber. Likewise, the Philadelphia roll ($4.99) with salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and avocado, was hard to beat.

From a higher class of rolls, called special rolls type 1, we tried the UCCS roll ($9.99), named for University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the college in the town where the original Awi opened.

This large roll had salmon, cream cheese and cucumber inside, and snapper and avocado outside. It was camouflaged by tempura crunch and white and orange sauces that had little flavor. My daughter disagreed and loved everything about it. The menu mentioned a spicy mayo, but I didnt pick up on that.

One level up, special rolls type 2, the Samurai ($10.99) was a better choice for me, with tuna, salmon, whitefish, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado, sauce and more crunchy tempura bits. It had only six pieces, where the others had eight.

There are specialty rolls called Stinky and Naked Stinky that both have shrimp tempura, imitation crab and crunch, but vary in some other ingredients. Nothing in either of them would lead to a bad smell, but as I asked Cuai, who would order them?

Cuai said the names were her brothers idea and she didnt know his reasoning. She surprised me when she said that theyre both very popular.

Awi Sushi opened in what was briefly Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli. The front room where customers order makes it seem like a small takeout spot, but theres an attractive dining room hidden next door and a more casual space in the back with leather couches and lounge chairs.

The main dining room features tall, glossy brown tables, each with a bamboo plant. Most of the stools dont have backs. Pop music played over the sound system.

I ordered online, but ate some of the food in the restaurant when I went to pick it up. The friendly woman who handed me my order offered me water and brought out a huge glass with ice and lemon.

Another thing I appreciated is that all of the containers were labeled with marker, which was helpful.

Cuai, 30, who goes by Elsi, opened the Madison restaurant Dec. 6 with the restaurants namesake, her brother, Roland Biak Nun Awi, and her husband, Van Bawi.

Her brother has two Awi restaurants in Colorado Springs. Madison is the third, and Awi was in town for its first week to get it going.

Cuai came to the United States in 2009 and lived in Indiana and Kentucky before coming to Madison three years ago. She had a franchise called FujiSan Sushi, which operated in UW-Madison food halls and markets. She said shes not running it now to concentrate on the new restaurant.

She and her husband have been working with sushi for 10 years, she said.

That experience shows at Awi.

Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Awi Sushi Location: 511 State St. Phone: 608-405-3032 Website: theawisushi.com Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Prices: Appetizers $2.99 to $8.99, soup $1.99, salads $3.99 to $6.99, rolls $3.99 to $19.99, rice bowls $8.99 and $9.99, kids $6.99 Noise level: Medium, for music Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Only in front counter area. Stairs inside to dining room. Outdoor dining: Possibly in the future Delivery: Through third-party apps Online ordering: Yes Drinks: No alcohol yet Gluten-free: Most of menu Vegetarian offerings: Some options. Can create own rolls. Kids menu: Yes Reservations: Yes Parking: Street and nearby ramp Service: Excellent Bottom line: Reasonably priced, friendly option for good sushi near UW-Madison campus.
Administrators from One City Schools and the Madison School District worked with state officials Wednesday to unravel the financial implications of the unexpected midyear suspension of One Citys high school programming.

Citing staff shortages, the One City charter school announced last week it was abruptly suspending its ninth and 10th grades, forcing 62 students to find other schools. The Madison School District opened emergency enrollment to accept the 51 students who live in the Madison attendance area, but its not a given that those students will enroll in Madison public schools.

So far, only about a dozen of the soon-to-be former One City students have enrolled in the Madison School District, according to district spokesperson Tim LeMonds, and the district is in contact with the other families who also are expected to enroll.

The 11 One City high-schoolers not living in the Madison School District are spread across the Marshall, Sun Prairie, Verona, Middleton-Cross Plains and Monticello school districts.

The question now at hand  who gets what state funding for the students leaving One City  is complicated by a scheduling quirk.

One City plans to shutter its high school classes on Jan. 20, to coincide with the end of the second quarter.

But thats one week after the statewide enrollment count that partly determines funding for schools. That means if all of the One City students who intend to enroll in the Madison School District arent there by Friday, the district could miss out on some state funding for those students, even though the district would be educating them mere days after the deadline.

The situation is fluid, with a lot of moving parts, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction spokesperson Chris Bucher said.

A lot of state funding that Wisconsin schools receive each year depends on enrollment.

But public school districts and independent charter schools use enrollment differently to calculate funding.

Fall and winter

There are two enrollment counts a year: One on the third Friday in September, and another on the second Friday in January, which is this week.

Independent charter schools like One City receive four payments from the state throughout the fiscal year based on that years enrollment.

These funds are the primary source of state aid for independent charter schools, Bucher said, and are based on a rate set by the state (this years is $9,264 per student) multiplied by how many students are enrolled.

If a student is enrolled in the charter school on the first enrollment count day, but not on the second, that school would only receive half of the payment per student, or $4,632 in this case.

But school districts use the average enrollment data from the previous three years to determine their general aid, not just current year enrollment data. So, the impact of Fridays enrollment count will play out over the next few years.

Therefore, Bucher said, its difficult to speculate on the financial impact of the One City situation.

Caires stance

One City founder and CEO Kaleem Caire said in an opinion piece penned to the Cap Times on Wednesday that the charter school will not count the ninth- and 10th-graders in its count this Friday.

We could do this, but we wont, he said.

One City officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Wisconsin State Journal about the financial impact of this closure.

The DPI offers flexibility for districts when there is no school on an enrollment count day, like for a snow day or other unforeseen circumstances, according to its website. Its unclear if there are exceptions for other events, but when asked if Madison would receive any leeway because of the One City closure, Bucher said our pupil count guidance remains the same. A pupil can only be counted if they meet the statutory guidelines.

Because One City doesnt plan to count these students any longer, the charter schools funding is likely to drop by about $287,184.

Not so simple

But because the funding calculation for public school districts and charter schools isnt identical, its not as simple as DPI cutting Madison a check next week for that amount. Instead, this addition of more students would likely be seen down the road with Madison not having to share as much of its general aid with the charter.

Details on the financial impacts for MMSD as a result of One Citys closure have yet to be determined, LeMonds said.

Its also not set in stone where the dozens of students shut out of One City will go to school next, either, making it hard to predict which way the funding will stretch.

All this to say: The financial picture for this situation is still fuzzy.

Students could theoretically enroll in MMSD or another Dane County district. They could theoretically enroll into another [independent charter school], or a private school, or open enroll out to another district. They could also home school, Bucher said. We do not have a clear picture of this and possible financial impacts until the headcount is run and the reported information is certified and considered final.

Close One City Early Learning Kaleem Caire, founder, president and CEO, at the preschool center on Thursday in Madison. Teacher Carol Spoehr plays with children at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Derrick Smith, One City Start-Up manager, talks with Claudia Pogreba in a classroom at the center. A child plays with blocks at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Children play as Ald. Shiva Bidar watches at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Teacher Carol Spoehr reads to a child at the One City Early Learning preschool center on Thursday. Teachers Bryce Pickett and Carol Spoehr help children get into their coats before going outside to play. One City Early Learning preschool center is temporarily located at the Foundation of Life Church on Badger Road while its permanent location is being renovated. Teacher Bryce Pickett plays with children at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Photos: A first look at One City Early Learning center Kaleem Caire, 44, opened the doors to One City Early Learning on Sept. 8 at its temporary location at Fountain of Life Family Worship Center, 633 W. Badger Road. Next January, the preschool will move to its permanent location at 2012 Fisher St. The school is focused on reaching children who live on the south side, many of whom live in poverty. One City Early Learning Kaleem Caire, founder, president and CEO, at the preschool center on Thursday in Madison. Teacher Carol Spoehr plays with children at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Derrick Smith, One City Start-Up manager, talks with Claudia Pogreba in a classroom at the center. A child plays with blocks at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Children play as Ald. Shiva Bidar watches at the One City Early Learning preschool center. Teacher Carol Spoehr reads to a child at the One City Early Learning preschool center on Thursday. Teachers Bryce Pickett and Carol Spoehr help children get into their coats before going outside to play. One City Early Learning preschool center is temporarily located at the Foundation of Life Church on Badger Road while its permanent location is being renovated. Teacher Bryce Pickett plays with children at the One City Early Learning preschool center.
A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit by Adams Outdoor Advertising that claimed the city of Madisons sign ordinance is unconstitutional.

The city and Adams have been battling in court over the citys sign ordinances for decades, with the newly decided federal lawsuit filed in 2017. Adams owns and operates many billboards in Wisconsin, including about 90 in Madison.

Adams federal lawsuit began as a sweeping First Amendment challenge to the citys sign ordinance under a legal standard set in a previous U.S. Supreme Court case involving another municipality. It also challenged the citys distinction between on- and off-premises signs as well as regulation of digital signs.

In April 2017, Adams submitted 26 applications to the city seeking to modify or replace existing billboards, including raising the height of structures and installing digital sign faces. In June 2017, then-city zoning administrator Matthew Tucker denied 25 of the 26 permits, citing ordinance provisions the proposed modifications would violate. The next month, Adams filed the lawsuit in federal court.

In April 2020, a federal judge dismissed the challenge, saying theres no constitutional problem with Madisons sign ordinance. Whether the Capitol Square should look like Times Square is a decision that Madison city government is entitled to make, U.S. District Judge James Peterson said at the time.

Adams appealed that decision.

Now, on Jan. 4, in a 16-page decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, upheld the federal district courts dismissal of Adams claims.

The city is pleased with this outcome, Assistant City Attorney Lara Mainella said. It supports and reinforces our understanding of the law. The city has always been careful to enact and enforce its sign regulations in a way that honors the First Amendment speech rights of those who wish to display signs in our city.

Adams is disappointed by the courts decision and is currently evaluating next steps, said Julie Johnson, Adams general manager for Wisconsin.

Comprehensive ordinance

The city long ago adopted a sign control ordinance that comprehensively regulates billboards to promote traffic safety and aesthetics.

In 1989, the city amended the ordinance to ban the construction of new advertising signs with existing billboards subject to strict size, height, setback and other restrictions, and amended the ordinance again in 2009 to prohibit digital displays. In 2017, it amended the definition of advertising sign to remove earlier references to non-commercial speech.

In response to the 1989 amendments, Adams sued the city in state court on multiple arguments, including First Amendment and equal protection grounds. The case settled by a stipulated judgment in 1993.

Adams, which has gone to court against Madison, Fitchburg and Dane County over the placement of its billboards around the area, argued in the federal lawsuit that Madisons ordinance is unconstitutional because it imposes unreasonable restrictions on existing off-premises advertising signs  commercial signs advertising a product or service located on another property  in the city but doesnt ban or impose the same restrictions on on-premises signs and other types, such as real estate, political or construction signs.

In the recent decision, the 7th Circuit ruled that Adams could not sue the city over most of the sign ordinance because it had previously sued the city on essentially the same grounds in 1989 and is therefore barred by a legal concept that prohibits an entity from suing again for the same thing, Mainella said.

Also, the 7th Circuit upheld the citys authority to regulate and ban new off-premises billboards as well as Madisons authority to regulate digital technology in signs, Mainella said.

The ruling, she said, relies on a recent U.S. Supreme Court case, Reagan National Advertising of Austin Inc. vs. City of Austin, that clarified the legal standard for reviewing challenges to billboard regulations. That decision erased legal uncertainty caused by a previous case, Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, which sparked a lot of litigation about government regulation of speech, especially on signs, Mainella said.

The firm of Boardman and Clark served as lead attorney representing the city in the litigation.

The citys insurer pays the legal fees in this type of case, but the city had to pay $300,000 toward the defense and dedicate significant staff resources to responding, Mainella said.
DENVER  Javier Guillen just wanted to get to the United States as he endured a three-month trek from Venezuela, hiking through Central American jungles and spending four days clinging to the roof of a Mexican train known as the beast to avoid police and kidnappers.

But when he finally arrived in El Paso, Texas, last week, the 32-year-old settled on a new destination, only one relatively cheap bus ride away  Denver, an additional 680 miles north from the border.

Its the easiest place, closest to Texas, and there are people wholl help immigrants here, Guillen said before making his way to one of a network of shelters the city has scrambled to set up.

Over the past month, nearly 4,000 immigrants, almost all Venezuelans, have arrived unannounced in icy Denver, with nowhere to stay and sometimes dressed in nothing more than T-shirts and flip-flops. The influx took city officials by surprise as they grappled with a spate of winter storms that plunged temperatures to record lows and disrupted transit out of the area.

When they appealed to the state to open new shelters, Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who had allocated $4 million to help care for the migrants, arranged for those who wanted to travel onward to go by bus to Chicago and New York. That led New York Mayor Eric Adams, also a Democrat, who had already warned his city was being overwhelmed by new migrants, to complain about the transfers from Denver.

The situation illustrates how record numbers crossing the southern border are reverberating northward to cities like Denver, New York and Washington that have long been destinations for immigrants  but not busloads of them showing up all at once, straight from the border and with no resources.

They are getting a taste of what border cities have been facing, said Julia Gelatt, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. The fact that people are showing up in groups with a need for basic services really is new for northern cities.

In some instances, Republican governors  primarily Texas Gov. Greg Abbott  have tried to drive home that message by transporting immigrants straight from the border to New York or near Vice President Kamala Harris' Washington residence in the nation's capital. Last year Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also sent some to the resort island of Martha's Vineyard.

It's not clear precisely how Denver became a new destination for Venezuelans fleeing their country's economic and political chaos. Advocates had detected small numbers arriving from the border earlier in 2022 and warned the route was becoming increasingly popular.

Then, last fall, many traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border in hopes the Biden administration would end a pandemic regulation that lets the country automatically return asylum seekers to Mexico. Instead, President Joe Biden added Venezuelans to the nationalities covered by the rule in October. Venezuelan crossings dropped at the border, but then something changed in Denver.

Whatever the trigger, the number of migrants arriving in the city spiked dramatically in December to sometimes 200 a day, just as a bitter winter freeze and record low temperatures swept through. The storms snarled roads out of the city and canceled several scheduled bus trips to points east, stranding many in a city already struggling to shelter its homeless population.

In response, Denver converted three recreation centers into emergency shelters for migrants and paid for families with children to stay at hotels, allocating $3 million to deal with the influx. It reassigned workers to process the new arrivals, assign them to shelters and help them get on buses. Residents donated piles of winter clothing.

Cities and states are ill-equipped to deal with this, Mayor Michael Hancock said in an interview. Whether you're on the border or in Denver, Colorado, cities are not set up for this.

Amelia Iraheta, a city public health employee reassigned to work with the migrants, said one man reported walking from the border and arrived with a broken foot. One woman, who reached Denver barefoot, still had her feet covered with cactus spines after walking through the borderland desert. Most wore just the clothes on their back  woefully insufficient for the subzero temperatures.

Coming into Denver in the peak of winter, conditions were not exactly what I think they had been expecting, Iraheta said.

Most weren't intending to stay long. The city and state say about 70% of the more than 3,800 migrants who've come to Denver since they began tracking on Dec. 9 planned to go elsewhere ultimately. More than 1,600, the city says, already left town.

The city has set a 14-day limit on stays in the emergency shelters and is talking to other agencies and nonprofits about opening longer-term facilities. It's unclear how Biden's new immigration policy, which opens an additional 30,000 monthly slots for asylum applicants from Venezuela and three other Latin American nations, will affect the flow into Denver.

I really think this is not a flash in the pan, said Jennifer Piper of the American Friends Service Committee, which has worked with the city and several nonprofits to help the migrants. Denver is now on that route, and I don't think that will shift for at least the next 5-6 months.
Some of the last individuals to interact with Julie Jensen before her death in 1998 spoke about her personality and love of family during the fourth day of the jury re-trial against Mark Jensen Thursday morning.

Mark Jensen, who was convicted in February 2008 for the murder of his 40-year-old wife inside their Carol Beach home in Pleasant Prairie, is standing trial again in Kenosha County Circuit Court after years of appeals and battles in state and federal courts.

A Kenosha County judge vacated his conviction in April 2021 after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Jensen deserved a new trial. The court found that a letter his wife wrote incriminating him in the event something should happen to her could not be used by the prosecution as it was in the first trial. In early 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court helped pave the way for the new trial when it declined to hear an appeal of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling.

The so-called "letter from the grave" in which Julie Jensen wrote that if anything happens to me that her husband would be my first suspect" will not be allowed into evidence during this lengthy trial. The high-profile case has sparked headlines across the nation.

Mark Jensen, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in his wifes death, remains in custody on a $1.2 million cash bond in Kenosha County. He faces life in prison.

Mark Jensen, according to prosecutors, killed his wife over three days in early December 1998 by poisoning her with ethylene glycol, more commonly known as antifreeze, and then suffocating her while she lay in bed dying and gasping for air in order to be with a mistress. They also allege he killed Julie Jensen out of anger over a previous affair she had with a co-worker, along with other marriage issues.

They also allege he searched the internet for ways to make her death look like a suicide and terrorized her for years with strategically placed pornography, emails and phone calls.

Mark Jensen, however, has maintained his innocence for decades. His attorneys have argued Julie Jensen was deeply depressed and died by suicide after framing her husband for her death.

The original prosecutor, Robert Jambois, a former Kenosha County District attorney, is back as a special prosecutor before Judge Anthony Milisauskas, now the third Kenosha County Circuit Court judge to preside over the matter.

Mark Jensen is represented by a team of defense attorneys led by Bridget Krause.

Witness testmony

Multiple witnesses for the state testified Thursday.

Eric Schoor, the best friend of the Jensen's oldest son David Jensen, said he would hang out at the Jensen household every other Wednesday after school.

Schoor said David Jensen was normally a "very positive and energetic kid" but in the days before his mother's death he seemed "grave" and "worried."

Schoor said David Jensen told him that his mother was sick and his father declined to take her to the hospital for care. Schoor said David Jensen mimicked his mother's strained breathing for him while at school in the days before her death.

Schoor, who had also known Julie Jensen for years through his relationship with her son, said she was normally a "very positive" and "upbeat" person and a committed parent. He said she was an involved parent who often cooked for them.

Schoor's mother, Laura Schoor, expressed similar sentiments Thursday, calling Julie Jensen "very kind" and "positive."

Angela Martinelli, a friend and neighbor of Julie Jensen, also said she believed Julie Jensen was an "excellent mother." Martinelli said she last interacted with Julie Jensen on Nov. 20, 1998, when they went out for lunch at a local diner with their young sons. She said the they discussed their plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

"I didn't have any concerns (about Julie Jensen)," Martinelli said, adding her friend was always "very soft spoken."

Joseph Mangi, a longtime Kenosha Unified School District educator and administrator, also testified Thursday.

Mangi, a former principal of Bradford High School, testified that he interviewed Julie Jensen for a part-time office secretary position in the weeks before her death.

Mangi said she appeared "very professional" and was "easy to talk to."

Mangi said he decided to offer her the job at Bradford, one of Kenosha County's largest schools, because she "loved working with kids" and of her previous experience volunteering at her oldest son's elementary school in the district.

However, when he attempted to contact Julie Jensen with the good news in the week ending Nov. 30 he was unable to reach her, he said.

Mangi said he called the Jensen home during normal business hours and believed Mark Jensen answered the phone. When he asked to speak with his wife Mark Jensen said something Mangi said he found disturbing.

"His response was she's asleep and she's going to be asleep for a long time, and he laughed," Mangi said. "It was disconcerting."

A day or two later, Mangi learned she had died.

"Something wasn't right," Mangi added.

Video testimony

Video testimony from the first trial some 15 years ago from Tadeusz Wojt, a neighbor and confidant of Julie Jensen, was played for the jury Thursday on televisions in court. Wojt was unable to testify in person.

Wojt testified Julie Jensen often confided in him about how she feared Mark Jensen in the days before her death. He said Julie Jensen she "wouldn't leave because of the kids" even though he offered her a place to stay away from her husband and she had a vehicle.

"She was really scared," he said. "She didn't know where to go, where to turn."

At times, Tadeusz Wojt said Julie Jensen seemed unsure if her husband was "playing with her mentally."

Testimony from Tadeusz Wojt's now-deceased wife, Margaret Wojt, was played for the jury Wednesday evening.

Margaret Wojt said she found Mark Jensen's conduct off-putting in the days following his wife's death.

"Your wife just died yesterday, why are you so happy?" she said.

There are 78 names of the prosecution's witness list. There are 33 on the defendant's witness list.

Opening statements Wednesday

On Wednesday, both the prosecution and defense presented opening arguments before the jury of nine men and seven women. The trial is expected to last about five weeks and into February.

The prosecutions opening statement lasted about an hour and was presented by Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeil. She opened with a photo on television monitors of Julie Jensen with her two young sons.

In this case the evidence youre going to hear is that the defendant murdered his wife with ethylene glycol, that this was not Julie Jensen ingesting that substance to commit suicide, McNeill said.

Youre going to hear that evidence about the ethylene glycol in Julie Jensens blood and in her stomach, and other evidence of that poisoning in her system. You may even see some photos from the autopsy showing evidence from the inside of her body.

McNeil said the poison causes a slow and painful death because it destroys ones kidneys.

Mackenzie Renner presented opening statements on behalf of the defense.

Renner said Mark Jensen was a distraught mess of a man in the moments after he found his wife dead with snot bubbling up and trouble standing.

Renner said the Jensens were just like every other family that faced hardships.

Renner also called Julie Jensen an unreliable narrator and said Julie Jensen said disturbing and inconsistent things to acquaintances before her death about Mark Jensen.

Julie Jensen took her own life. The evidence will show as much, Renner said. "Mr. Jensen is not a murderer.

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Kevin McCarthys epic struggle to become speaker of the House produced a lot of memorable images, but the most unforgettable was probably of Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., being physically restrained from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., after Gaetz ensured McCarthys 14th failure to get the gavel.

The significance of the near-altercation is that it had next to nothing to do with conventional ideological differences. Rogers is a very conservative Republican. Gaetz is a cable news popinjay who happens to be in Congress.

Indeed, the relentless torrent of never-in-doubt-but-often-in-error commentary last week exposed the poverty of our political vocabulary. While its true that 19 of the original 20 anti-McCarthy Republicans were members of the House Freedom Caucus (or were endorsed by its campaign arm in the midterms), the majority of the roughly 50 HFC members sided with McCarthy, R-California. You might not have known this amid all of the establishment vs. Freedom Caucus punditry.

Similarly, the holdouts were routinely called ultra-conservatives or hard-line conservatives as if their opposition was driven by a deeper, more sincere commitment to conservative principles. But is anti-McCarthy Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., really more conservative than pro-McCarthy loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.? Do either of them qualify as meaningfully principled at all?

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the rebels first choice for speaker among the anti-McCarthy forces, was a steadfast supporter of  Kevin McCarthy.

Even such non-ideological shorthand as pro-Trump and anti-Trump clarifies little. McCarthy has played Renfield to Trumps Dracula for years now, but so did most of the folks on the Never Kevin roster. During the Trump years, Rogers voted with the president more than Gaetz, himself a thorough Trump sycophant.

One source of this confusion stems from the widespread, cockamamie delusion in certain quarters of the right that being part of the establishment is code for moderate, sell-out or RINO. Another magnet next to the compass for would-be navigators of the political landscape is the notion that Donald Trump is not now and has never been part of the Republican establishment, a view that seems to be counterintuitively held most adamantly by people who insist the GOP is forevermore Trumps party.

Among the many problems at play here is that it is very difficult to have serious conversations about serious things if we dont have accurate labels for the things were talking about. As George Orwell observed, language becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.

One way out of this morass is to talk less about ideology and more about factions. To the extent they ever existed, the days of the GOPs ideological coherence are over. Just look around. According to the old standards, defeated Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming was a fairly orthodox conservative, but shes now a pariah for being a member of the anti-Trump faction. For years, opposition to abortion was a defining criterion for being politically conservative. Trump is now blaming that position for the GOPs midterm losses. Defense spending, long a conservative litmus test, fully emerged last week as an intra-Republican fault line.

The chaos isnt confined to Congress. Fox News brahmins were all over the place last week, with Sean Hannity carrying water for McCarthy while Tucker Carlson hurled epithets at the pro-McCarthy camp, including at colleagues.

The advantage of the term faction is that its inherently non-ideological. The Founders anticipated that factional conflict would define our politics, and it has. But for most of our history, those factions often had less to do with clear ideological disputes than regional, economic or cultural conflicts.

The challenge with mothballing ideological language in describing todays GOP is that it makes the comfortable right-left, us-vs.-them verbiage that rules everything from fundraising to punditry obsolete.

Some factions today do have ideological flavors like nationalism, populism or foreign policy non-interventionism. But what fuels  and funds  them is a cultivated radicalism and contrived hostility to an establishment that barely exists beyond the formal powers of leadership. If anyone in power amounts to the establishment then, sure, McCarthy and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, the Senate minority leader, are the establishment.

The question for Republican leaders is whether they will be able to forge a governing faction, particularly in a climate where Democrats have every incentive to let Republicans feast on each other, and the conservative base values opposition for its own sake. Thanks to the GOPs tiny majority, last weeks rebels have learned the power of faction. Whether the majority can exert similar power remains to be seen.
BURLEY  Cassia County commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday to deliberate on ordinance changes that brought strong opposition from ranchers and animal agriculture producers during a Monday hearing.

The meeting will be held at the Cassia County Courthouse, 1459 Overland Ave., in Burley in the commissioners chambers. It is open to the public.

The amendments are for zoning and subdivision changes, repealing language authorizing the zoning administrator to interpret a zoning chart for uses not specifically listed. Also, uses not listed on the zoning chart would not be eligible for special-use permits and acres used in animal unit density calculations for permits would require irrigable acres in any zone.

Several dozen farmers and ranchers voiced their opposition to the changes at Mondays Board of Commissioners hearing.

No one testified in favor of the changes.

During the Monday hearing, Matt Thompson, an agricultural tech engineer from Twin Falls said many of the ranchers in opposition were clients of his.

The proposed language was very ambiguous, Thompson said and he thought the commissioners had made decisions about the issues behind closed doors.

Several people testifying asked the commission to form a subcommittee to study the issue before implementing any changes that would have a wide impact on the agricultural community.

Immediately after the hearing the commissioners neither deliberated nor made a decision on whether to approve the changes.

We are going to take it under advisement, review it and see where it goes, Cassia County Board Chairman Leonard Beck said.

Don Pickett with Pickett Ranch & Sheep Co. of Oakley, who is also an attorney, said the right to farm is permitted under Idaho law and he questioned whether the commissioners were overstepping their authority.

The commissioners, Pickett said, dont have the right to deny any land owner the full and complete use of agricultural land for the production of any agricultural product, even if that use is not in the zoning chart.

It is a natural right, he said, which is an inalienable right and the county doesnt have the authority to take that right away.

This feels like a political attack on the agricultural community, Pickett said.

David Heida with MillenKamp East Valley Cattle, which employs 500 people, said the countys comprehensive plan states the importance of agriculture and recognizes it as the backbone of the countys economy.

Heida testified against the ordinance changes that state acres used in animal unit density calculations shall be irrigable acres in any permitted zone and proof must be provided.

He said nutrient management regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Agriculture. Water, he said, is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Neither should be regulated by the county commissioners.

If the commissioners are changing ordinances over water concerns they are operating on misguided authority, he said.

The commissioners should allow farmers to use their land however it is best for them, he said.

No one testified either for or against any of the other sections in the proposed changes that dealt with subdivision ordinances.

Thursdays agenda also includes an executive session cited under several codes and a discussion of building needs for a proposed new county building, among other issues.
Editors note: This column ran Nov. 17, 2016, in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com.

Twin Falls founder I.B. Perrine visited Thomas A. Edison in November 1912 at his factory in Orange, New Jersey, to see the two electric rail cars Edison was manufacturing for Twin Falls.

Accompanying Perrine was Captain the Honorable Lyulph Gilchrist Stanley Ogilvy, DSO, a decorated officer in the British cavalry and agricultural reporter for the Denver Post. Known as Lord Ogilvy, the Scot was awarded the Distinguished Service Order by King Edward VII in 1902 for his service in Boer War in South Africa, where he was wounded in action.

Ogilvys and Perrines visit with Edison was documented in the Dec. 12, 1912, edition of the Twin Falls Weekly News.

Ogilvy seemed less impressed with the electric storage battery rail cars, the first to be used west of New York, he said, than he was with Edisons phonograph, which Edison was fine-tuning during their visit.

Ogilvy described Edison as the hardest working man in the United States, who had cots placed on every floor of his factory so he could take short naps during his 18-hour work days.

Constantly (Edison) was awakened to bear the work of the new phonograph so that it should be a commercial possibility and be produced not only to work perfectly... but also last indefinitely, he wrote.

Several weeks later, Edison sent a new phonograph to Perrine as a Christmas present.

The Edison phonograph is on display at the Twin Falls County Historical Museum.
Twin Falls suffered one of the worst kinds of loss Tuesday, the sudden death of a child.

There are few, if any words, to appropriately capture such trauma. Its much more than painful. Tragic isnt enough. Even heartbreaking falls short.

Officials at Twin Falls High School on Wednesday had the harrowing chore of notifying students and beginning the first wave of support. While some students will likely cope with their feelings and emotions in hours or days, others may need weeks, months or longer.

It may be especially rough for the segment of the student population who began hearing rumors of a death by suicide Tuesday afternoon but were helpless to prevent it. One member of this board has a daughter at the high school who said the students name was circulating among some classmates in the hallways and classrooms.

Those rumors, sadly, became reality in an evening email from the Twin Falls School District to families who have students at the high school. The district confirmed the students sudden death, detailed its response plan, offered counseling services, encouraged parents to talk to their children and monitor their social media accounts for deep emotions, and asked for privacy.

Since the news of the death, the school has implemented a crisis response plan to help students and staff members respond. We will be communicating with all TFHS students at school tomorrow morning so that they hear this news from a trusted adult and so that we can quickly connect them with support if needed, the district said in the email.

The Times-News chose to respond with decency and respect, not get ahead of the school districts efforts to best implement its crisis response plan to care for its students. Our children. This was not a moment to use the worst hours in the lives of one family in our community as a means to generate clicks on a website, feed into social media speculation, or write three or four paragraphs reciting the districts well-intentioned email.

We would hope other news organizations would also look inward in such times of grief and instead seek opportunities to be part of the solution by investing in reporting efforts that aim to educate and raise awareness.

What warning signs should we be looking for? How can we best talk to our children about sudden loss? What do we do if our children wont talk to us about it? And how can we help each other navigate our own emotions?

Thats why the Times-News spent Wednesday talking with crisis responders, advocates and the school district to responsibly report about the complexities of youth mental health.

There is help out there  including the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, which went live last July after the Idaho Legislature approved a resolution supporting its creation in 2021 and followed with an additional $4.4 million in one-time funding the next year. The lifeline is free, confidential and staffed 24 hours by trained crisis responders who answer every call and text message.

Anybody can call or text  no matter your age or where you live, 988 Director Lee Flinn told us.

The sudden death of anybody is tragic, jolting. When that loss is a young person, a child who has yet to scratch the surface of his or her full potential in this world, its all the more agonizing.

It also represents an opportunity for community to rally together  for families to help other families, for friends to check on their friends, for churches to offer Gods grace and deliverance.

We send our prayers and condolences to the family and friends of this student gone too soon. Our thoughts, too, are with school district employees, teachers, administrators and other staff during this difficult time.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little kicked off the 2023 legislative session this week with a strange proclamation. He actually wants to put Idaho First.

It only took him four years and an easy reelection campaign to prioritize his own states interests over  I dont know, Oregon? Washington?

I guess its better late than never, but given Littles reluctance to bring bold improvements to the lives of average Idahoans until he is forced to, color me skeptical that he will actually put Idahoans first.

Im hopeful though, because the people of Idaho have taken charge of their own destiny when their governor and state legislators have refused to.

The highlight of Littles State of the State address was, of course, a little bit of old news. Idaho will invest $410 million in public schools and job training programs. Its about time.

This is the biggest step Idaho has taken in recent memory to bring capitalism and opportunity back to our great state. Its the biggest policy initiative since Medicaid Expansion and it will  hopefully  benefit working Idahoans and their children from Sandpoint to Idaho Falls.

The thing this education initiative and Medicaid Expansion have in common is you. The people of Idaho made both of those things happen. You did it by putting both issues on a statewide ballot and forcing lawmakers like Little to act.

When you put Idaho and Idahoans first ahead of out-of-state interests, you forced Little to sign Medicaid Expansion into law, and now, embark on an ambitious education policy which will benefit all Idahoans.

Among the goals of Idahos Education initiative is to make starting teacher pay is among the highest in the nation  top 10 is the aim.

According to Little, that amounts to an average pay raise of $6,300 for Idaho public school teachers. In a state with among the lowest wages and per capita wealth, thats nothing to sneeze at. God knows, Idahos teachers are long overdue for such a pay bump.

Having talked about education issues with literally hundreds of Idahoans over the last five years, I can tell you teacher pay is top of mind for a lot of parents. They understand that Idaho has lost way too many educators over the years to states with better pay and benefits. Its good to know Governor Little finally got the message.

Littles new Idaho First idea also includes investments in infrastructure. This has to be music to the ears of Magic Valley residents  especially farmers  who have suffered from substandard roads and bridges for years. The region could also use improvements in broadband capacity.

What Little didnt tell you is that Idaho will get a boost in infrastructure dollars from the bipartisan federal Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress in 2021. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Idaho is expected to receive $2.2 billion over five years for highways and bridges and $355 million for clean water projects.

So, when it comes to infrastructure, Idaho First kicks in after the feds have taken action first.

Again, better late than never. Infrastructure improvements benefit all Idahoans and Idaho businesses. I just wish our elected state leaders didnt have to wait around for the feds to take the initiative.

I am optimistic about Idahos future in a way that I havent been before. Not because our governor finally wants to put our state first, but because the people of Idaho continue to fight for our neighbors, our communities and our state. Two of the biggest policy initiatives of our generation came from you and your voices. Youve been putting Idaho First for years.

Its a tough job, but somebody has to do it if our state leaders wont.

When a governor has to remind you hes putting you first, it would be reasonable for you to be suspicious. That being said, so long as the people of Idaho are around to make sure Little keeps his promise, I feel some semblance of confidence.
Finally, after a 50-year effort, four massive dams on the Klamath River in northern California and Oregon will start coming down this July.

For the Yurok, Karuk, Hoopa, Shasta and Klamath tribes living along this river since time immemorial, theres much to celebrate. They have long fought for the lives of the salmon that are harmed by these dams, and for their right to fish for them.

Even PacifiCorp, which marketed the electricity of the four hydroelectric-producing dams, will also have something to cheer about. PacifiCorp, which is owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, wont have pricey fish ladders to install and its share of the cost of dam removal has been passed to ratepayers in both states.

Environmentalists are also hailing this latest victory for river-renewal, based on the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986. The law ordered operators of most federal dams to provide passages for fish so they could swim upstream to spawn.

For California and Oregon officials, along with farmers and others who had reached an agreement as far back in 2008, the dam removals signal that this long and emotional fight is finally over. And why has there been a settlement after all this time? A short answer is the growing reality of the Wests increasing aridity.

In 2001, yet another dry year in the upper Klamath, farmers woke up to find their headgates for irrigation water locked. It was done to preserve flows for endangered salmon, but for outraged farmers it meant their crops were ruined and they lost anywhere from $27 million to $47 million. Death threats followed, along with shootings and even a farmers cavalry charge.

The newly elected Bush administration reacted by making sure the farmers got their water, though this triggered one of the largest salmon die-offs in history. The Klamath Tribes were infuriated.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission started tackling the issue in 2007 by ordering PacifiCorp to install fish ladders on its four, fish-killing dams. After electric rates soared 1,000%, that left everybody mad and set the stage for a deal.

In a turnaround for the Bush administration, a pact was almost reached in 2008, when Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who had stubbornly opposed breaching dams, persuaded Oregon Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reach an agreement.

The deal had something for everyone: The Klamath Tribes, with senior water rights, subordinated those rights for a large grant to purchase land. The federal government paid half the cost of removing the dams, and the state of California paid the other half.

Then a stumbling block intruded: Powerful Republicans opposed dam removal and the legislation that would have put the agreement into effect.

But negotiations continued, this time without the federal government picking up any of the costs. As 2022 ended, California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, PacifiCorp, the Tribes and others to celebrate the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions approval of the dams coming down.

When they hold the big celebration this summer as the dams crumple, I hope people remember the courageous role of former Interior Secretary Kempthorne, who broke the impasse over the dams back in 2008.

When the very first American dam was destroyed, in 1999, I was in Augusta, Maine, to help celebrate. After the Edwards Dam was breached, the Kennebec River ran free for the first time since the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne walked its banks 160 years before. On the south side of the river stood residents whose ancestors worked in the mills the dam had powered. Many were crying. It reminded me that change is never easy.

And in 2012, I celebrated with others when the first of two dams on western Washingtons Elwha River was breached. In both places, and as is true for most of the 1,200 dams that have been removed since then, rivers have quickly returned to life.

I look forward to seeing that same amazing burst of renewal after the four lower Snake River dams finally come down.
Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced Wednesday they have begun handing heavy weapons as a key part of the agreement signed with the government in Addis Ababa late last year, marking the end of a two-year conflict.

Getachew Reda, the spokesman of the rebels, tweeted that an African Union monitoring team confirmed the handover.

He also expressed hope it would go a long way in expediting the full implementation of the agreement.

The TPLF and the Ethiopian central government signed a deal on November 2 to put an end to a two-year conflict. The deal also includes disarming rebel forces, restoring federal authority in Tigray and reopening access and communications to the region, which has been cut off since mid-2021.

The rebels also seek the withdrawal of troops from neighboring Eritrea, which has fought alongside Ethiopian forces but was not a party to the agreement.

The war broke out in November 2020 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reportedly deployed the army to arrest Tigrayan leaders who had been challenging his authority for months and whom he accused of attacking federal military bases.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study from the School of Nursing and Midwifery has found that factors influencing a clinician's decision to perform a cesarean-section on a first-time mother, are complex and multifactorial.

More than one third of first-time mothers are giving birth by cesarean section (CS) in the Republic of Ireland despite evidence suggesting no additional benefits to mothers and babies. There has been a steady rise (over 30% increase), year on year, in cesarean birth rates, over the last decade.

A new study from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College has found that factors that influence a clinician's decision to perform a CS on a first-time mother, are complex and multifactorial. Researchers found that decisions are driven by a clinician's fear of adverse outcomes and subsequent litigation, personal preference, and their threshold to intervene and the culture of practice within the system, and finally by organizational guidelines and policies. The study is published in the current edition of the journal PLOS One.

The team conducted one-to-one interviews with 20 obstetricians and 15 midwives who were involved in the decision-making process for CS in three maternity units in the Republic of Ireland.

Three interrelated themes emerged: "a fear factor," "clinician driven factors" and "a system perspective." Findings suggested that decisions to perform CS are based on clinicians' perceived fear, personal beliefs, and organizational factors. A deep insight into these factors will help clinicians identify and evaluate modifiable factors in practice to avoid excess CSs. This may ultimately help develop practical approaches to reduce the number of CSs safely and effectively.

Key findings

Factors that influence clinicians' decision-making are driven by their fear of adverse outcomes and subsequent litigation, personal preference, and their threshold to intervene and the culture of practice within the system, and organizational guidelines and policies.

Flexible criteria and ambiguity in inducing labor are major contributing factors to the rising rates of CS.

Women's requests may not be major factor influencing the decision-making for CS for first-time mothers.

Looking ahead, researchers are hopeful these findings will help clinicians reflect on their decision-making practices to look for factors that can be modified to stop the rise of CSs. Furthermore, as the study outcomes are derived from the decision-makers' perspective, researchers are optimistic that the findings will help develop practical strategies to reduce any unnecessary CSs safely.

Sunita Panda, assistant professor in midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and lead author of the study said, "Becoming a mother is a unique part of a woman's life and most women wish for a natural birth with a sense of achievement. However, the steady rising rates of cesarean section has become a growing concern with more than one-third of mothers giving birth to their first babies by cesarean section. It is crucial and timely to understand the factors that influence the decision-making and take action to stop the rising rates of cesarean sections safely and effectively."

Professor Maeve Eogan, obstetrician and gynecologist, Rotunda Hospital said, "This paper contributes to knowledge around decision-making in obstetrics and midwifery. As other papers have identified, many variables, including important human factors, influence these decisions and it is important to integrate these findings in obstetric, midwifery and service user education, as well as in-service development."

Dr. Krysia Lynch, maternity care expert and chair AIMS Ireland said, "This is an incredibly important piece of research informing both policy makers and service users as to why our cesarean birth rates are so high and rapidly climbing. The most recent maternity safety statements available for 2022 show five of our units with a first-time mother cesarean birth rate of over 50% with another three having a rate of over 40%. These rates are perhaps partially informed by our equally high induction of labor rates. Service users expect that our high cesarean rates reflect evidence-based practice and absolute need, this research paper has clearly shown that this is not the case.

"This research also highlights the lack of partnership between providers and service users and indicates that the pregnant person is not at the center of their care. AIMS Ireland would urge policy makers and those involved in implementing the National Maternity Strategy to take immediate action to curb our ever-increasing cesarean birth rate before it accelerates out of all control."

More information: Sunita Panda et al, Clinicians' views of factors influencing decision-making for CS for first-time mothersA qualitative descriptive study, PLOS ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279403 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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The researchers found that a higher percentage of synapses disappeared after fear extinction in engram cells, or memory-encoded neurons, as opposed to non-engram cells. Credit: Hye Yoon Park, University of Minnesota

A University of Minnesota Twin Cities researcher is part of an international team that has used imaging technology to show, for the first time, the creation and elimination of synapses between neurons in the brains of live mice.

The research provides insight into what happens when memories are created and forgotten and could help scientists better understand and treat conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study is published in Current Biology.

"Researchers have been wondering what happens to the synapses that form after we have a fearful experience," said Hye Yoon Park, co-lead author of the study and an associate professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

"Previously, researchers were able to detect these synapses in mice only after they sacrificed the mouse, which made it difficult to track those synapses over time. But now, we've made it possible to image the synapses in a live mouse brain over several days, so we can better understand what happens to them long-term. It's the first time this has been done in a live mouse brain, so that's pretty exciting news in this field."

This study builds upon Park's previous research, which leveraged her lab's expertise in imaging to visualize nerve cells, or neurons, and mRNA molecules associated with memory in the brains of live mice.

Now, the researchers have added more detail by imaging the synapses, or connections, between the neurons. On average, each neuron in the brain has around 7,000 synaptic connections with other neurons, which allow the cells to pass signals to each other and drive cognitive functions like learning and memory.

The University of Minnesota team collaborated with researchers at Seoul National University in Korea who developed a technology called eGRASP to detect synapses in the brain. Combined with Park's imaging techniques, the researchers were able to see the dynamics of synapses in a live mouse brain both while it was remembering a fearful experience and while it was experiencing "memory extinction," or fear memory suppression.

"There are two different hypotheses about this in the neuroscience field," Park explained. "When memory extinction happens, some people believed the synapses that develop during fear conditioning may disappear, also called the 'unlearning' of pre-acquired memories. Others thought that they were still there, but maybe another set of synapses formed to show that the mouse has now learned the environment is safe again, which is referred to as 'new learning' about the contingency."

The researchers' data supported the unlearning hypothesis. They found that some of the new synapses formed during a fearful experience were eliminated over the course of the memory extinction process. These findings could help scientists better understand brain activity in patients with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

More information: Chaery Lee et al, Hippocampal engram networks for fear memory recruit new synapses and modify pre-existing synapses in vivo, Current Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.038 Journal information: Current Biology
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Structural equation model 2 predicting psychiatric outcomes from abuse (excluding emotional abuse) and neglect (excluding emotional neglect) experiences after controlling for age of diagnosis, gender, and caregiver education. Credit: Child Maltreatment (2022). DOI: 10.1177/10775595221134248

Emotional maltreatment, also known as psychological violence, is difficult to recognize and record both in research and in practice. That is why researchers at the Leipzig University Faculty of Medicine carried out a highly elaborate study on the psychological effects that abuse, neglect and emotional maltreatment have on children and adolescents. Examples of emotional abuse include when parents subject their children to extreme humiliation, threaten to put them in a home, or blame them for their own psychological distress or suicidal thoughts.

Physical violence between parents observed by children also plays a crucial role. "Our study findings clearly show that emotional maltreatment is not only a very common form of maltreatment, but also one with psychiatric consequences that are similar to or even more severe than other forms of maltreatment," explains study leader and last author Dr. Lars White, research group leader at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at Leipzig University Hospital.

In their study of 778 children, the Leipzig researchers, together with researchers from other German universities, found that 80 percent of the children and adolescents who reported having been maltreated had also experienced emotional maltreatment. This makes emotional maltreatment the most common form of child abuse.

In addition, the researchers were able to show that, of all forms of maltreatment, emotional maltreatment had the strongest effects on the psyche of the children and adolescents, even in comparison with forms of maltreatment that normally receive much more attention, such as physical abuse. In younger children between the ages of three and eight, emotional maltreatment led primarily to behavioral problems, while in older children it was more likely to lead to depression and anxiety disorders.

The results have been published in the journal Child Maltreatment.

Study supported by youth welfare offices

Family data was collected by means of extensive interviews. In addition, the researchers analyzed files from youth welfare offices for evidence of maltreatment experiences. The sample consisted of 306 children and adolescents with, and 472 participants without, an experience of maltreatment. Among other sources, they were recruited via the residents' registration offices, day-care centers, child and youth psychiatry centers, and youth welfare offices in the cities of Leipzig and Munich.

"We are particularly grateful for the support of the youth welfare offices because this enabled us to recruit families for the study who have had extremely difficult experiences and who are otherwise difficult to reach for research projects," comments Dr. Jan Keil, lead author of the study and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine.

The findings illustrate that the risk of developing psychiatric disorders after maltreatment is already increased in early and middle childhood, which underlines the need for early intervention.

"We show that the form of emotional maltreatment, which includes emotional neglect of children, must be understood as a dimension of its own. There should be a greater focus on it both in research and in treatment, for example by pediatricians," says Dr. Franziska Schlensog-Schuster, lead author of the study, most recently a senior physician at Leipzig University Hospital and now head physician at the Universitare Psychiatrische Dienste (UPD) in Bern, Switzerland.

As regards the everyday lives of families, psychologist Dr. White explains, "We need to educate parents so that they take the child's perspective more often. As recently as 30 years ago, the commonly held view was that children should be left to cry and that what they experience in childhood they forget anyway. But increasingly, there is a complete shift in attitudes and an appreciation that we need to reach out to the youngest children when they are showing difficult emotions, such as being angry or sad."

More information: Franziska Schlensog-Schuster et al, From Maltreatment to Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: The Relevance of Emotional Maltreatment, Child Maltreatment (2022). DOI: 10.1177/10775595221134248
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Graphical Abstract. Credit: Cell Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111742

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers have identified the sequence of molecular interactions that could be key to stopping the spread of cancer cells. Currently, there is no reliable therapeutic approach to prevent metastasis, the leading cause of death from solid cancerous tumors. Published in Cell Reports, this work is the first to uncover the link between two important groups of molecules that regulate cell-to-cell communication within tumors to increase cancer cell migration and metastasis.

The complexity of cancer causes many challenges for researchers, oncologists and patients. "Cancer is not a single cell, single protein or single treatment disease. It is a complex process, which is why there is still so much that we do not understand. Cancer metastasis is the cause of approximately 90% of all cancer death, and the challenge is that we still do not understand the biological mechanisms that cause metastasis," said Besim Ogretmen, Ph.D., the SmartState Endowed Chair in Lipidomics and Drug Discovery.

To develop novel treatment approaches against cancer, Ogretmen's laboratory studies how sphingolipids, a class of fatty molecules, function in cancer cells. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is the central lipid in most sphingolipid chemical reactions. Ogretmen, an expert in sphingolipid biology, has published multiple studies demonstrating the functions of S1P in cancer development and progression.

The idea that led to this novel discovery was developed during a casual brainstorming discussion with colleague Carl Atkinson, Ph.D., a former researcher at MUSC and an expert in the field of complement biology.

"Sphingolipid signaling and complement signaling have similarities and both function in cancer. We asked each other whether we could see if there is any crosstalk between sphingolipid signaling and complement signaling, and we didn't find anything in the literature. This led to us starting this project to answer the currently unanswered questions," Ogretmen said.

The complement system is a part of the immune system that can destroy pathogens and helps the body to heal after an injury or infection. However, research from the past five years has revealed that some tumors can turn on the complement system, resulting in improved tumor cell survival and metastasis.

Understanding the back-and-forth communication between biological systems, not just single molecules, is the future of understanding cancer and improving therapies because biological systems within the body are intertwined. Ogretmen's group, with the close collaborations of Atkinson and Hollings researcher Stephen Tomlinson, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and immunology and complement expert, aimed to understand how two critical systemsS1P and complementare linked and how they coordinate cancer metastasis. While most researchers look at a single cancer type, this work is unique because the findings apply to many types of solid tumors.

Through a series of elegant experiments, the researchers demonstrated a new biological mechanism that regulates how cancer cells talk to each other to develop a more aggressive cancer. High levels of S1P inside the cancer cells activate a complement molecule called C3, leading to the formation of an inflammation-promoting complex called the inflammasome. This sequence of events and inflammasome activity drive the spread of cancer cells.

This study was the first to show that the C3 molecule can be activated inside cancer cells. "This work is a big deal in terms of what can be gained from it in the future. We showed new binding and introduced new concepts that can be used to develop new therapies," Ogretmen said.

To ensure that this finding was relevant in human cancer, they first looked at tissue samples from patients with metastatic breast cancer. They found that levels of the key molecules, such as C3 and inflammasome markers, were higher in the cancerous tissue than in normal breast tissue. More broadly, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database showed that higher-than-normal levels of the key molecules are associated with poor survival of patients in most types of solid tumors.

"The TCGA database results support the clinical relevance of the link that we found between sphingolipids and complement signaling," said Alhaji (AJ) Janneh, a graduate student in Ogretmen's lab and lead author on this publication. "If you can really understand the signaling mechanisms that make a tumor metastasize, then it is more easily treated. As we gain more understanding, I think we'll have better solutions to stop cancer metastasis."

Janneh moved to the U.S. from Sierra Leone in 2012 to follow his passion for discovery. "I always want to know the answers to everything. That's what drives me to scienceI want to find out the problem and try to solve it. One of the reasons why I joined Ogretmen's lab was because of the freedom that you have for expressing your curiosity and testing your ideas in the lab. Ogretmen does an excellent job of allowing us to think for ourselves and implement our ideas," Janneh said.

Ogretmen has mentored over 20 graduate students at MUSC, which he said has been very rewarding. "When graduate students first come in, they're logically not as skilled as some experienced postdocs or research fellows. There is a huge development for students, as a person as well as a scientist, that is very noticeable over the course of their training. My goal is to show them how a professional research lab should work, and my hope is that I can teach them good lab culture so they can continue to contribute to science as independent researchers," Ogretmen said.

Ogretmen's experience and Janneh's drive allowed them to discover that blocking different parts of the metastasis-promoting S1P-C3 system with chemical inhibitors can reduce metastasis in a mouse model of aggressive melanoma. They continue to test different inhibitors, sometimes in combination with immunotherapies, to determine the best way to inhibit metastasis across multiple types of solid tumors. "Many of the inhibitors we are testing are commercially available for other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. This treatment approach is unique in cancer, as we are combining existing inhibitors in a new way to stop metastasis," Ogretmen said.

The research team is already working on its next publication, which takes a deeper dive into the precise mechanisms of how the inflammasome complex is activated. Understanding how this process occurs at the molecular level will give the team more ideas on targeting this very intricate mechanism involving many different metabolic and signaling molecules. These ongoing studies will provide a wealth of knowledge about the biology behind tumor-cell metastasis and inform future treatment strategies.

More information: Alhaji H. Janneh et al, Crosstalk between pro-survival sphingolipid metabolism and complement signaling induces inflammasome-mediated tumor metastasis, Cell Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111742 Journal information: Cell Reports
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Tobacco hornworm caterpillars (Manduca sexta). Credit: Dr. Anton Windfelder, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology

Rats and mice have been the backbone of biomedical research for decadesincluding research to understand cancer and pioneer new treatments.

New drug compounds are tested for safety and effectiveness in animal models before being approved for clinical trials in humans.

But scientists at research institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Sloan Kettering Institute are working to develop nonmammalian alternatives that could reduce the number of rodents used in biomedical researcha positive result in its own right, and one that could also lower costs and accelerate results.

Radiologist and nuclear medicine physician Jan Grimm, MD, Ph.D., recently co-authored a Nature Communications paper with collaborators from several universities in Germany and Switzerland that demonstrated caterpillars could be used as an alternative to rodent models to study gut inflammationa risk factor for developing colorectal cancer.

Here, Dr. Grimm discusses the research and its significance.

Why caterpillars?

Our research used the larvae of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) because they have a high degree of similarity to the human gut structure and physiologywhat scientists call a high degree of evolutionary conservation.

Tobacco hornworm caterpillars are large enough to be imaged with the same instruments used for human patients.

Caterpillars are basically just one long bowel, so they made a great model for studying inflammatory bowel disease.

Tobacco hornworm caterpillars (Manduca sexta) in an MRI scanner. Credit: Anton Windfelder, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology

And since some 75% of the known human disease-causing genes have counterparts in insects, these models could be helpful in future preclinical research in other diseases including cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and infection.

Unlike nematodes, which are roundworms used in research that are about the length of a staple, tobacco hornwormswhich are actually caterpillarsare about the size of an adult's finger. So they're large enough to use with medical imaging scans, like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. You can easily see the inflammation in the bowel.

What other advantages do caterpillars have over traditional mammalian models?

Everyone wants to reduce the number of animalsespecially mammalsused in research, replace them with alternatives, and refine their use to limit the amount of distress they experience. Scientists call this the Three Rs.

As such, there are a lot of standards and policies that have been developed around the use of animals in research and their care. Starting a new experiment in a mouse model, just even trying another drug combination, can take several months to add it to a protocol and get it approved.

Since caterpillars are invertebrates, one faces less administrative burden. One can just design the experiment and then do it, significantly speeding up the research. The caterpillars are happy in a plexiglass container with some fresh leaves and wet paper towels. This allows us to test out new hypotheses quite rapidly.

Plus, mammals are very slow-growing and expensive to house compared with invertebrates. So these experiments can be done at a lot less cost.

How did this collaboration start?

I saw the paper's lead author, biologist Anton Windfelder, Ph.D., from the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology in Giessen, Germany, give a talk on the topic at a Radiological Society of North America meeting. I asked him a couple of questions after his presentation, and then met with him afterward. I thought it was a really exciting idea and opportunity to collaborate.

Then, just before COVID-19 hit, Dr. Windfelder came to New York for a visit and we started working together. He taught us how to handle the caterpillars, how to feed them, how to induce inflammation with a bacterial mixture. We provided use of our imaging resources and analysis. And the rest is history and now a nice publication.

More information: Anton G. Windfelder et al, High-throughput screening of caterpillars as a platform to study hostmicrobe interactions and enteric immunity, Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34865-7 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new research study has found that banning menthol cigarettes does not lead more smokers to purchase menthols from illicit sources, contradicting claims made by the tobacco industry that the proposed ban of menthol cigarettes in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will lead to a significant increase in illicit cigarettes.

Researchers at the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project at the University of Waterloo evaluated the impact of federal and provincial menthol cigarette bans in Canada by surveying smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes before and after Canada's menthol ban.

Smokers were asked whether their usual cigarette brand was menthol-flavored and to report their last brand purchased. Those who were still smoking after the menthol ban were also asked where they last purchased their cigarettes.

Results showed that after the ban, there was no significant change in the purchase of cigarettes from First Nations reserves, the main source of illicit cigarettes in Canada.

"The tobacco industry has a long history of claiming that policies to reduce smoking will lead to substantial increases in illicit trade," said Dr. Janet Chung-Hall, a research scientist for ITC and lead author of the new study. "We can add the Canadian menthol ban to the long list of effective policies, such as graphic warnings and plain packaging, whose evaluation disproved the scare tactics by industryshowing that illicit trade did not, in fact, increase."

A 2022 study that combined the ITC Project data with data from a comparable Ontario evaluation study showed that the Canadian menthol ban led to an increase of 7.3 percent in quitting among menthol smokers above that of non-menthol smokers. Projecting this effect to the U.S., whose Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed its own menthol ban, the ITC researchers estimate that a U.S. menthol ban would lead 1.33 million smokers to quit.

"Our previous research from Canada and the Netherlands showed that a menthol cigarette ban leads to significant reductions in smoking," said Dr. Geoffrey Fong, principal investigator of the ITC Project and professor of psychology and public health sciences at Waterloo. "These findings combine to provide powerful evidence in support of FDA's proposed menthol ban."

Smoking is still the number-one preventable cause of disease and death around the world. Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, have long called for banning menthol in cigarettes because they promote smoking. Canada was one of the first countries to ban menthol cigarettes, with more than 30 countries implementing similar bans to date.

The study appears in the journal Tobacco Control.

More information: Janet Chung-Hall et al, Illicit cigarette purchasing after implementation of menthol cigarette bans in Canada: findings from the 20162018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys, Tobacco Control (2023). DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057697 Journal information: Tobacco Control
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The new equation provides more accurate predictions than the conventional FDA equation. The FDA equation with Fg estimated assuming Fa = 1 underpredicts the area under the curve ratio (AUCR), which represents the drug-drug interaction mediated by CYP enzyme induction, for numerous drug pairs (grey dots). On the other hand, the new equation with re-estimated Fg predicts the AUCR within two-fold errors for nearly double the number of drug pairs than the conventional FDA equation. Solid and dashed lines are the line of precise prediction and two-fold error, respectively. Credit: Institute for Basic Science

Drugs absorbed into the body are metabolized and thus removed by enzymes in several organs like the liver. The clearance rates of drugs can be increased by other drugs that increase the level of enzymes in the body. This dramatically decreases the concentration of a drug, reducing its efficacy and often leading to its failure. Therefore, accurately predicting the clearance rate in the presence of drugdrug interaction is critical in new drug development and prescription.

In terms of metabolism, drugdrug interaction is a phenomenon in which two or more drugs are taken togetherone drug changes the metabolism of another drug to promote or inhibit its excretion from the body. As a result, it increases the toxicity of medicines or causes loss of efficacy.

To indirectly evaluate drugdrug interactions, pharmaceutical scientists have relied on the 110-year-old Michaelis-Menten (MM) model, which describes the reaction rate of enzymes. Although the MM equation has been one of the most widely used equations in biochemistry (it has appeared in more than 220,000 published papers), it has a fundamental limit.

The MM equation is accurate only when the concentration of the enzyme that metabolizes the drug is much lower than its MM constant (K m ). Furthermore, when the enzyme concentration is increased by drugdrug interaction, the MM equation is expected to be extremely inaccurate.

Notably, the Food and Drug Administration published a guidance in 2020 that includes an equation based on this model to predict the change in drug clearance. However, the accuracy of the equation has been highly unsatisfactoryonly 38% of the predictions had less than two-fold errors. To resolve this, scientifically unjustified artificial constants have been incorporated into the equation to improve its prediction. Professor Chae Jung-woo said, "This is comparable to epicyclic orbits having to be introduced to explain the motion of the planets using the now-defunct Ptolemaic theory."

The conventional equation recommended by the FDA guidance (upper) and the newly derived equation (lower) for predicting drug-drug interaction. The FDA guidance has recommended the upper equation for predicting the drug-drug interaction mediated by enzyme induction. However, due to its low accuracy, artificial constants have been used to calibrate the equation. To address this issue, the scientists identified the major cause of the inaccuracy of the conventional equation and derived a new equation based on rigorous mathematical theory. Credit: Institute for Basic Science

A joint research team composed of mathematicians from the Biomedical Mathematics Group within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and pharmacological scientists from the Chungnam National University reported that they identified the major causes of the FDA-recommended equation's inaccuracies and presented solutions.

When estimating the gut bioavailability (F g ), which is the key parameter of the equation, the fraction absorbed from the gut lumen (F a ) is usually assumed to be one. However, many experiments have shown that F a is less than one, obviously since it can't be expected that all of the orally taken drugs to be completely absorbed by the intestines. To solve this problem, the research team used an "estimated F a " value based on factors such as the drug's transit time, intestine radius, and permeability values and used it to re-calculate F g .

Also, the team used an alternative model they derived in a previous study from 2020, which can more accurately predict the drug metabolism rate regardless of the enzyme concentration, unlike the MM equation. Combining these changes, the modified equation with re-calculated F g had a dramatically increased accuracy of about 80%, up from 38%.

"Such drastic improvement in drugdrug interaction prediction accuracy is expected to greatly contribute to increasing the success rate of new drug development and drug efficacy in clinical practice. As the results of this study were published in the top clinical pharmacology journal, it is expected that the FDA guidance will be revised according to the results of this study," said Professor Kim Jae Kyoung from the IBS Biomedical Mathematics Group.

The paper is published in the journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of collaborative research between research groups in vastly different disciplines, in a field that is as dynamic as drug interactions.

"Collaboration between various disciplines, especially convergence research with mathematics, which is a basic science, reminded me of a proverb; going alone goes fast, but going together goes far," said Professor Kim Sang Kyum.

More information: NgocAnh Thi Vu et al, Beyond the MichaelisMenten : Accurate Prediction of Drug Interactions through Cytochrome P450 3A4 Induction, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2022). DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2824
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Hypothesis: some circRNAs mobilize within the motor neuron to the NMJ/muscle during the progression of ALS. Credit: 2022 Tsitsipatis et al.

A new research paper was published in Aging, entitled, "Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs."

Circular RNAs are abundant, covalently closed transcripts that arise in cells through back-splicing and display distinct expression patterns across cells and developmental stages. While their functions are largely unknown, their intrinsic stability has made them valuable biomarkers in many diseases.

In this new study, researchers from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center set out to examine circRNA patterns in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By RNA-sequencing analysis, the researchers first identified circRNAs and linear RNAs that were differentially abundant in skeletal muscle biopsies from ALS compared to normal individuals.

"By RT-qPCR analysis, we confirmed that 8 circRNAs were significantly elevated and 10 were significantly reduced in ALS, while the linear mRNA counterparts, arising from shared precursor RNAs, generally did not change," state the authors.

Several of these circRNAs were also differentially abundant in motor neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) bearing ALS mutations, and across different disease stages in skeletal muscle from a mouse model of ALS (SOD1G93A). Interestingly, a subset of the circRNAs significantly elevated in ALS muscle biopsies were significantly reduced in the spinal cord samples from ALS patients and ALS (SOD1G93A) mice. In sum, the researchers identified differentially abundant circRNAs in ALS-relevant tissues (muscle and spinal cord) that could inform about neuromuscular molecular programs in ALS and guide the development of therapies.

The researchers conclude, "As our studies advance, we will investigate the function of the most promising and abundant circRNAs, among the 18 circRNAs reported here. We are especially interested in those that appeared to be specific for ALS, as they may help to characterize disease-associated molecular pathways that could be targeted therapeutically."

More information: Dimitrios Tsitsipatis et al, Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs, Aging (2022). DOI: 10.18632/aging.204450

Provided by Impact Journals LLC
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Now it's "longer COVID." New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 30% of long COVID sufferers have had symptoms for more than two years. New cases of long COVID are also increasing just as the new "Kraken" XBB1.5 subvariant looks set to sweep the U.K.

The latest government bulletin paints a grim picture for long COVID sufferers. It shows 30% of people with long COVID symptoms have had them for over two years. New cases of long COVID are also rising and these could be fueled by the arrival of the super-transmissible COVID "Kraken" XBB1.5 subvariant, warns a leading testing expert.

Dr. Quinton Fivelman Ph.D., chief scientific officer at London Medical Laboratory, says, "The latest ONS report on the prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus infection makes stark reading: 2.1 million Brits are now suffering from long COVID, and 30% of those have now been battling these symptoms for over two years. We are looking at a chronic condition that we could term 'longer COVID.'

"Long COVID continues to ruin lives. 1.6 million people in the U.K. say it adversely impacts on their day-to-day activities. Fatigue continues to be the most common self-reported symptom of long COVID (71%), followed by difficulty concentrating (49%), shortness of breath (47%) and muscle ache (46%).

"The growing number of people suffering from 'longer COVID' shouldn't mask the fact that many brand-new cases of long COVID are still being reported. It's quite wrong to believe long COVID was mainly caused by earlier variants of the virus and that new cases of the supposedly 'milder' omicron variants don't trigger long COVID symptoms. In fact, 37% of all current cases have developed during this latest omicron phase of the pandemic. In all, 9% of current long COVID sufferers first had (or suspected they had) COVID-19 less than 12 weeks previously.

"It's not hard to conclude that the higher the number of new COVID cases, the greater the likelihood of increased long COVID cases. With that in mind, we should be concerned about the number of people contracting the latest COVID XBB1.5 subvariant, known in the U.S. as 'Kraken.' It is named after the sea monster from Scandinavian folklore and has not been given a Greek letter, as it is a subvariant.

"Epidemiologists believe XBB1.5 is the result of two different strains of BA2 omicron subvariants merging togetherit's what is termed a 'recombinant subvariant.' It's most likely caused by a person catching two different strains of COVID at the same time. It was first detected in New York in November and is now spreading rapidly both in the U.S. and the U.K.

"The problem is that this latest version, while not appearing to have any more harmful initial symptoms than previous subvariants, does have a growth advantage, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In other words, it seems to be more easily transmissible. In fact, the U.S. epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding says that XBB1.5 is both more immune evasive and better at infecting than previous subvariants. The issue could be that the greater the number of new COVID cases, the greater the chance of new long COVID symptoms.

"One final concern is that new COVID cases emanating from China may prove resistant to current vaccines. Last week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) called for expedited sequencing. That involves rapid testing to establish which COVID variant is present for new arrivals from China who are then hospitalized with COVID. The UKHSA warns: 'The lack of timely and adequate genomic data from China limits our understanding of China's variant profile, making it difficult to categorically assess the public health risk to the U.K.'

"However, if new sub-lineages or variants emerged that could evade the immune response of highly vaccinated individuals then they could pose a threat if they were successful enough to outcompete other variants and spread internationally."

The best way to guard against catching new COVID variants and developing long COVID symptoms is by being fully vaccinated.

Provided by London Medical Laboratory
Permanent Representative of Belarus L.Belskaya meets the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

On January 12, 2023 the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN Office at Geneva, Larysa Belskaya, met with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the long-term constructive and fruitful nature of cooperation between Belarus and UNHCR, and also discussed possible directions for its further development in the context of the largest refugees crisis in Europe and a significant increase of requests for refugee status or temporary protection in our country.

F.Grandi confirmed the readiness of the UNHCR to expand cooperation with Belarus on a wide range of topical issues and support the efforts of the Belarusian authorities to ensure proper reception and integration of refugees. He highly appreciated the support provided by Belarus to Ukrainian refugees.

During the conversation, special attention was paid to the Belarus priorities, including: strengthening the capacity of specialized ministries in the field of migration and reception of refugees; improving national system for monitoring the procedure for granting refugee status; modernisation of asylum registration system, and adaptation the database of their countries of origin. The parties expressed mutual interest in resuming the UNHCR educational project for representatives of law enforcement agencies on the basis of he the International Training Center on migration and countering-human trafficking in Minsk.

The Belarusian diplomat and the UN High Commissioner noted the shared approach to the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, including with regard to the situation on the border between Belarus and the EU countries. They stressed the counterproductive and discriminated nature of building walls, denying refugees and asylum seekers access to the territory, as well as inadmissibility of ill-treatment and violent expulsion of such people.

The interlocutors highlighted the importance of resuming a civilized trans-border cooperation and coordinated efforts in order to find effective solutions to the refugee problems and saving their lives as a top priority.

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Slate magazine recently picked the best true-crime podcasts, books and movies available in 2022, and Jule Banvilles An Absurd Result made the cut.

Banville, an associate professor at the University of Montana, teaches audio, reporting and writing courses at the School of Journalism and advises the Montana Kaimin student newspaper. Slate highlighted her seven-episode podcast in a list of media that thoroughly depict crime without exploiting victims and their families.

An Absurd Result explores the fallout from a 1987 assault on an 8-year-old girl in Billings. The story explores how the discovery of DNA affected this case.

Its wonderful to see An Absurd Result receive this sort of attention, Banville said. Meeting the rape survivor at the center of this story and hearing what she has to say about everything thats happened to her  it was the most important reporting Ive done in my career. Im really honored to be in a list like this, and I hope it will help more people get to know Linda.

Linda Glantz chose to be identified and speak openly in the podcast.

Slate wrote of the podcast: Banville, an independent producer and journalism professor at the University of Montana, gave this story the space and time it needed, gorgeous (but not flowery) writing combined with impressive shoe-leather reporting. She left no stone unturned. Her storytelling skills combined with sweeping fact-finding reveal the heartbreaking hypocrisy of our justice system and the repeated failings of law enforcement toward both victims and the accused.

An Absurd Result can be found online at absurdresultpodcast.com. Banville also created the podcast Last Best Stories, which ran from 2015-2018 and consists of sound-rich features from Montana. Both can be found on most podcast services.

Before she began teaching, Banville worked for newspapers, public radio and ran the editorial for a website covering the Rocky Mountain West. She was the assistant managing editor at Washington City Paper, the alternative newsweekly serving the District of Columbia. Banville was a daily news reporter at the Erie Times-News in Pennsylvania for a decade. She also worked as a radio producer for WNYC, the New York NPR station, as part of the original staff that launched The Next Big Thing.

At UM, where shes taught full time since 2012, she said shes most proud of the amazing, creative, diverse audio stories her students have produced over the years. Dozens of their stories are archived at the Public Radio Exchange, PRX.org, under the title University of Montana Journalism.
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation earlier this month launched the Native Woman Program for Montana Indigenous students.

The program will award up to 60 education grants to women 25 and older attending tribal colleges in Montana.

The individual $2,500 grants are unrestricted and will be awarded directly to students, allowing them to use the funding in whatever way is most needed to reach graduation.

Ahwahnee Williams of Ronan is a current Rankin Foundation Scholar and the Native woman program coordinator. Shes also a student at Salish Kootenai College working toward a bachelor's degree in Tribal historic preservation.

Women students who are 25 and older are often juggling family, work and school, Williams said. The wonderful thing about a Rankin Foundation Scholar Grant is that recipients can use it in any way they need, such as child care, housing, transportation, technology, books or other living expenses.

Jeannette Rankin was elected by Montanans as the first woman to serve in U.S. Congress. President of the Rankin Foundation Michele Ozumba said Rankin strongly believed in the need for recognition and education of First Americans.

This program furthers her legacy while providing a significant boost to Indigenous women students who have started their journey, she said.

The Rankin Foundation is accepting applications for the Native Woman Program at rankinfoundation.org. Indigenous students who identify as women or nonbinary and are over the age of 25 by June 1, 2023 and can show proof of tribal affiliation and enrollment at a Montana tribal college are eligible to apply.

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis through May 2023.

Montana is home to seven of the nations 37 tribal colleges and universities  more than any other state. In 2018, Montana tribal colleges, which offer affordable education opportunities, collectively served 2,400 students, according to a Montana Budget and Policy Center report.

Founded in 1976, the Rankin Foundation is a national organization that aims to transform futures through education. It has awarded more than $4 million to women students nationwide.
Western Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke will serve the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, making him the state's first congressman to do so in nearly two decades.

The Appropriations Committee regulates federal spending in the House. That power of the purse makes it one of four Class A committees whose membership was announced before Class B appointments this session. The last Montanan selected for Appropriations was Republican Denny Rehberg in the 2000s. Rehberg's committee advancement preceded a U.S. Senate candidacy in 2012.

After the selection, Zinke said he expects Appropriations to be a position of power for House Republicans still limited by Democratic control of the Senate and the presidency.

"Quite frankly, the next two years, there's not going to be a lot of policy. Most of what Congress, a Republican Congress, can do is shed light on investigations, and then use the power of the purse to mitigate the damage that the Biden administration is doing," Zinke said.

Zinke said he plans to use the appropriations process to limit the government's ability to enforce regulations viewed by conservatives as detrimental to Montana's economy, specifically agriculture, energy and federal land management.

The goal will be to produce a budget within the federal fiscal year, by way of deliberative committee work in order to avoid the last-second late-December omnibus spending bills that have become the norm for funding the government, Zinke said.

Passing a budget on deadline is a tall order, the federal fiscal year ends in September. The last time Congress passed all of its major spending bills on time was September 1996.

"For Montana, the power of the purse is, I think, important because we've witnessed some recent rules, Waters of the U.S., a lot of rules punishing the energy industry, the cattle industry . . . What Congress can do is defund those rules. When I say defund, I mean so they can't enforce, can't collect the data. It puts them at a stop," Zinke said.

Waters of the United States is a rule within the Clean Water Act that establishes how the federal government regulates water quality on drainages, including upper tributaries and wetlands. Montana farm groups have been at odds with water quality laws for the previous two decades because of the way water law affects land for crops and livestock, while conservationist turn to "WOTUS" to preserve water safety in the smallest stream to the largest bays.

Zinke's selection to Appropriations came as onlookers eyed Class A committee appointments to see whether holdouts in the Republican struggle to appoint Rep. Kevin McCarthy speaker would be rewarded for flipping.

Zinke wasn't among the 20 Republicans opposed to the California Republican House speaker. Eastern Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale was among the 20 and finished the five-day voting standoff having never voted for McCarthy. Two members of the "never Kevin" faction who flipped  Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde and Texas Rep. Michael Cloudwere selected for Appropriations.

Zinke was also recognized as Montana's senior representative.

Don't expect an announcement in the near future on whether or not he'll run for U.S. Senate, Zinke said. Work on Appropriations will come first.

"What I'm going to do through this year is just put my head down . . . When we pass a budget and get that across, and we're successful, then I'll look at it. Obviously, that's a long conversation with my wife," Zinke said.

The Appropriations Committee is one of four power committees in U.S. House. Twelve subcommittees split oversight of the federal departments and agencies. Subcommittee chairmen are known as cardinals.

Rehberg served on Appropriations from 2005 through 2012. In his final term, Rehberg was appointed Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies.

The other three power committees are Ways and Means, Financial Service, Energy and Commerce,

Republicans in the 118th Congress are not the first majority to call for passing a federal budget by the end of the federal fiscal year. Not doing so leads to short-term continuing resolutions to keep government running beyond its expired budget and ultimately omnibus spending bills, which logroll multiple appropriations together and present them to Congress for passage on a single vote.

In reality, its the passing of a federal budget by deadline that's abnormal. The Pew Research Center points out that Congress has only managed four times to pass its required appropriations by September's end dating back to 1974, which is start of the budgeting as prescribed by the Congressional Budget Act.
Montana elder care is in crisis. However, we disagree on the solution presented in the Dec. 28 guest column from several Montana county commissioners entitled Fix reimbursement rate for Montana nursing homes. The column stated that Montanas elder care economy is broken, and to fix it the Legislature must boost Medicaid reimbursement rates. Independence has always been a core belief of Montanans, and failing to support our home- and community-based services would be a travesty.

Medicaid reimbursement rates fall dramatically short of what is needed, but only addressing facility reimbursement rates disregards our critical in-home care and independent-living services. The column states that in-home care is very expensive and rarely covered by private insurance or Medicaid. While it is true that private insurance rarely covers these expenses, it is not correct to say that Medicaid does not cover them. Not only does Montana Medicaid cover care at home but the average cost of home- and community-based services is significantly less than institutional care. Genworth.com cites the national median cost of in-home care to be $5,339 per month. The home care services provided by Ability Montana, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities, seniors and veterans in southwest Montana, average $1,200 per month. When compared to the current Montana Medicaid reimbursement of about $6,500 a month for nursing home care, its clear who the economic winner is.

As many Montana families know, the decision of how to best care for their loved ones is not all about money.

The freedom to choose our outcomes and determine our futures is precious and shouldnt be handed to what are often for-profit institutions, where profit is the singular corporate motivation and adequate standards of care are not achieved. Surveys of seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, which comprise a full 34.8% of the states population, affirm what Montanans have long known: People want to remain in their homes. An overwhelming number of our elders have decided that their homes are where they belong and where they want to receive their care. Moreover, the column did not address that persons with a disability, seniors and veterans have the RIGHT to choose where and how they live out their lives. Federal regulation (79 FR 2947) and a Supreme Court decision (Olmstead v. LC, 1999) dictate that home and community-based services are the first and preferred choice for long-term care, echoing the common sentiment of Montanans.

Medicaid reimbursement rates are a problem, but the bigger problem is the preference of our state government for funding institutional care. Better options are available. Not surprisingly, the care provided in the home is superior as are the outcomes for self-directed in-home services when the individual chooses who will give their care. These community-based options that keep Montanans in their homes have been shown to result in greater levels of health and longer life expectancy, allowing our elders to be present for their families growth and prosperity. Montanas seniors, disabled and veterans all want the option to live and age in the comfort and security of the homes they spent their lives building.

We urge Gov. Greg Gianforte and members of the 2023 Montana Legislature to reimburse Medicaid services at the rates recommended in the study that they commissioned and make the reasonable move toward supporting the expansion of home and community-based services as the option most desired by Montanans and the most fiscally responsible use of Montana taxpayer monies.
MUSCATINE  With double digits below zero reported over the Christmas weekend, Muscatine Power and Water reports the MISO grid saw rolling blackouts in New England and Tennessee, but the Muscatine power grid weathered the storm.

Ryan Streck, director of MPW utility service delivery, commented the Muscatine grid remained running thanks to strong efforts from its workers.

Throughout the MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) grid, about 106,000 megawatts was used  about 6,000 more than expected. As a way of comparison, Streck explained that Muscatine uses a peak load of about 140 megawatts daily. He said the shortage throughout the grid was the equivalent of more than 40 Muscatines.

The whole footprint was just short a whole bunch of energy, he said. I dont think there was a single cause. The forecast was off, and at the same time a lot of generators were struggling to keep from freezing up because it had been cold for so many days in a row. Locally, our team was scrambling to keep our generators running.

MISO oversees the power grid for a 15 state region in the Midwest. MISO faces an increasing energy supply shortfall in periods of high demand, such as extreme weather, because it isnt replacing retiring coal and natural gas plants with enough new energy sources. Over the summer of 2022, MISO warned there could be possible rolling blackouts if there was an energy supply shortfall.

In Muscatine, the cold weather dropped to minus 5 with wind chill getting down to minus 30. MPW had realized the winter storm was heading for the area and had overestimated the amount of energy that would be needed, as well as a local customer being down for separate issues.

We were part of the solution because we had over-forecast, he said. At the same time our units were running better than they were scheduled. We were in a really good place during the event. As always, we were part of a larger system, and if they call for load shed at some point, we would participate in that program.

While he said predicting what will happen for the remainder of the winter would be difficult, but he said the utility would continue operating as best it can.

MPW is well positioned to provide the power that our city needs, he said. With every one of these events we learn more.

Blackouts occur when the demand for electricity is higher than the electricity generated and all other energy management options have been exhausted. Rolling blackouts are a controlled way to avert strain on the system, which can cause a total blackout and electrical system damage. While MPW is producing enough electricity for its service area, the potential problem could come from areas not producing enough electricity. Streck said the entire grid is linked and an electrical emergency in one area causes an electrical emergency throughout the grid.

Streck said if MPW is informed of the need, it will open a circuit breaker at a substation that will take an area out of service. If this is required, the power outage would last only about an hour before power is restored to that substation and a different one is taken out of service for an hour. The goal is for no single area to go without power for a long time. He also said the plan for this contingency is regularly worked on and there is a list of important areas in Muscatine, such as the Muscatine County 911 Center/Muscatine County Emergency Management or water well fields, which would be the very last places power would be cut to.

Streck explained throughout the system the price of megawatts goes up to signal a shortage to warn users to conserve power usage. He said as the weekend went on, the power usage dropped as businesses closed for Christmas. He also said that customers can save on energy simply by using items that take energy at times which are not where energy is in peak demand, usually 4 to 9 p.m.
WASHINGTON  Hillary Clinton's presidential dreams were undermined by her use of a private email server that included classified information.

Donald Trump has risked criminal charges by refusing to return top-secret records to the government after leaving the White House.

And now misplaced files with classified markings has led to another investigation that's causing a political and legal headache for President Joe Biden.

The three situations are far from equivalent. But taken together, they represent a remarkable stretch in which document management has been a recurring source of controversy at the highest levels of American politics.

For some, it's a warning about clumsiness or hubris when it comes to handling official secrets. For others, it's a reminder that the federal government has built an unwieldy  and perhaps unmanageable  system for storing and protecting classified information.

"Mistakes happen, and it's so easy to grab a stack of documents from your desk as you're leaving your office, and you don't realize there's a classified document among those files," said Mark Zaid, a lawyer who works on national security issues. "You just didn't hear about it, for whatever reason."

Now Americans are hearing about it all the time. Political talk shows have been clogged with conversations about which papers were stashed in which box in which closet. Voters are getting schooled in intelligence jargon like TS/SCI, HUMINT and damage assessments.

Clinton's email server was a dominant storyline of her presidential campaign, and the criminal investigation into Trump has clouded his hopes of returning to the White House.

Biden is facing scrutiny of his own after documents with classified markings were found at a former office in Washington and his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Republicans who recently took control of the House are preparing to investigate, and Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to in the Biden case, following a similar step he took with Trump in November.

"Investigations can quickly spiral," said Alex Conant, a Republican political consultant. "For the Biden administration, having a prosecutor digging into these documents, you never know where that might lead."

With overlapping investigations underway, there may be no end in sight for daily discussions of filing cabinets, storage rules and concerns about national security risks.

"The American people are very well aware of issues involving classified documents in part because we've been talking about them for almost eight years," said Alex Conant, a Republican political consultant.

That's when a House Republican committee investigating the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, discovered that Clinton had used a private email account while serving as secretary of state. The revelation led to a federal investigation that didn't result in any charges, but 110 emails out of 30,000 that were turned over to the government were determined to have had classified information.

Trump, who pummeled Clinton over her handling of the emails, won the election and swiftly demonstrated carelessness with secrets. He memorably discussed sensitive intelligence with the Russian ambassador to the United States, leading to concerns that he may have jeopardized a source who helped foil terrorist plots.

After disputing the results of his election defeat, Trump left office in haphazard fashion, and he brought boxes of government documents with him to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort. Some of them were turned over to the National Archives, which is responsible for presidential records, but he refused to provide others.

Eventually the Justice Department, fearing that national security secrets were at risk, obtained a search warrant and found more top secret documents at the resort.

A special counsel was appointed to determine whether any criminal charges should be filed in the case or a separate investigation into Trump's attempts to cling to power on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Larry Pfeiffer, a former intelligence official, said the situation with Trump's documents is far different than ones he encountered while working in government.

During the time that Pfeiffer was CIA chief of staff, classified files turned up in the wrong place in presidential libraries a handful of times, he said.

"It just happens," said Pfeiffer, now director of the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy and International Security at George Mason University. "Mistakes get made, and stuff gets found."

He said that seems more likely to be the case regarding the documents with classified markings that were found at an office used by Biden at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement after his term as vice president ended.

Biden's personal lawyers discovered the documents and contacted the White House counsel's office, and the National Archives picked up the records the next day.

The situation appears like "an average, run-of-the-mill mistake" that's "being handled in a by-the-book, textbook fashion," Pfeiffer said.

However, he said it would be wise for the government to review its practices for managing documents during transitions between administrations. It's been six years since Biden left the vice president's office, meaning classified records have been in the wrong place for a long time.

"That's not a good thing, no matter how anyone is playing it," he said.

Timeline: Key dates in the investigation into Trump's Mar-a-Lago docs Jan. 20, 2021 May 2021 December 2021 NARA "continued to make requests" for records it believed to be missing for several months, according to the affidavit. Around late December 2021, a Trump representative informed the agency that an additional 12 boxes of records that should have been turned over had been found at the former president's Mar-a-Lago club and residence and were ready to be retrieved. Jan. 18, 2022 NARA received 15 boxes of presidential records that had been stored at Mar-a-Lago  14 of which, it would later be revealed, contained classified documents. The documents were found mixed in with an assortment of other material, including newspapers, magazines, photos and personal correspondence. In total, the boxes were found to contain 184 documents with classified markings, including 67 marked confidential, 92 secret and 25 top secret. Agents who inspected the boxes also found special markings suggesting they included information from highly sensitive human sources or the collection of electronic "signals" authorized by a court under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Feb. 9, 2022 Feb. 18, 2022 Feb. 19, 2022 NARA revealed in a letter to a congressional oversight committee that classified information was found in the 15 recovered boxes and confirmed the Justice Department referral. Trump's Save America PAC released another statement insisting, "The National Archives did not 'find' anything," but "were given, upon request, Presidential Records in an ordinary and routine process to ensure the preservation of my legacy and in accordance with the Presidential Records Act." April 12, 2022 NARA informed Trump of its intent to provide the documents to the FBI, at the request of the Justice Department. A Trump representative requested an extension until April 29. April 29, 2022 May 10, 2022 NARA informed Trump's lawyers that it would provide the FBI access to the records as soon as May 12. May 11, 2022 The Justice Department issued a subpoena for additional records. June 3, 2022 June 8, 2022 The Justice Department sent a letter to Trump's lawyer requesting that the storage room be secured, and that "all of the boxes that were moved from the White House to Mar-a-Lago (along with any other items in that room) be preserved in that room in their current condition until farther notice." Aug. 5, 2022 Aug. 8, 2022 Aug. 12, 2022 Aug. 26, 2022 Aug. 30, 2022
By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman

This weekend is shaping up as a quiet one on the U.S. horse racing front. Only one graded stakes is on the agenda, and there aren't any Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers to be found.

So why don't we take a trip to Tampa Bay Downs to handicap the $125,000 Pasco S.? The seven-furlong sprint for three-year-olds isn't the richest or most prestigious race on the Saturday calendar, but it's churned out a surprising number of quality horses since its inaugural running in 1999.

Need some examples? In 2009, Pasco 1-2 finishers Musket Man and General Quarters went on to finish third and tenth in the Kentucky Derby (G1); Musket Man also ran third in the Preakness S. (G1) while General Quarters won multiple Grade 1 races during a productive career. Kentucky Derby starters Prospective (2012), Harry's Holiday (2014), and Win Win Win (2019) have also started in the Pasco, as did Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) runner-up World of Trouble.

Six horses have entered the 2023 Pasco, with #4 Champions Dream (6-5) the clear favorite on the morning line. The son of Justify is easily the most accomplished horse in the Pasco field, having parlayed a gate-to-wire debut victory at Saratoga into a fifth-place finish in the Champagne S. (G1) and a tenacious victory in the Nashua S. (G3).

But is Champions Dream unbeatable in the Pasco? Not necessarily. He was beaten by a wide margin in the Champagne, and his Nashua effort wasn't the fastest on the clock. Racing over a sloppy track, Champions Dream benefited from closing ground into :28.01 final quarter-mile to win the one-mile heat by three-quarters of a length in 1:39.17. Runner-up Full Moon Madness subsequently finished fourth by nine lengths in the Heft S. at Laurel Park, while third-place finisher Prove Right returned to finish last of seven (beaten 32 lengths) in the Remsen S. (G2).

Champions Dream is eligible to improve while cutting back to seven furlongs (the distance of his debut win) and adding Lasix for the Pasco, but at 6-5, I'm not sure he's the best play. I would rather throw my support behind #3 Handsome Playboy (7-2).

Handsome Playboy has tackled several different race conditions during his brief career. He debuted in a one-mile maiden special weight over the Monmouth Park turf course and employed pace-tracking tactics to romp home on top by four lengths. Then he cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs and switched to Tapeta for the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile S. at Presque Isle Downs, where he misfired and finished fifth.

But Handsome Playboy has gotten back on track since switching to dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. Overlooked at odds of 33-1 in the six-furlong Inaugural S., Handsome Playboy fought on gamely from a pace-tracking position to finish second against a deep field. The winner, Super Chow, had previously won the Bowman Mill S. and subsequently added the Limehouse S. to his decorated resume, while third-place finisher Dreaming of Kona returned to upset the Mucho Macho Man S.

Handsome Playboy likewise returned to win his next start, employing his trademark pace-tracking tactics to dominate a $75,000 allowance optional claimer sprinting six furlongs at Tampa by 4 1/4 lengths. With Brisnet Speed ratings of 90 and 80 under his belt, Handsome Playboy is already fast enough to challenge Champions Dream for victory, and his recent experience sprinting over the Tampa main track should serve him well.

There are a couple of other positive factors in Handsome Playboy's favor. He has tactical speed but isn't a need-the-lead type, so he figures to work out a favorable trip under hot jockey Pablo Morales, who has gone 19-for-80 (24%) at Tampa since Dec. 1. And Handsome Playboy is trained by Gerald Bennett, whose record at Tampa during the same timeframe stands at 14-for-42 (33%). If Handsome Playboy's 7-2 morning line odds hold up (and I have my doubts), he'll be one of my best plays of the weekend.

#5 Armstrong (6-1), winner of the Clarendon S. sprinting over the Woodbine Tapeta track last month, is a logical choice for inclusion in exacta and trifecta tickets. I also recommend supporting #1 Shaq Diesel (10-1), who won two straight sprints at Gulfstream (earning Brisnet Speed ratings of 82 and 90) prior to finishing fourth in the Inaugural. Given how strong the Inaugural turned out to be, Shaq Diesel won't need much improvement (or any improvement at all) to challenge for a top-three finish in the Pasco.

Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the Pasco Stakes?

*****

Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contest pagethere's a new challenge every week! (Please note: older contest entries can be found here.)

J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite.
Theres no doubt that the world of white wine has been changing over the last decade or so. New varieties, often from lesser known growing areas, are blossoming in the market and consumers are enjoying the ever expanding choices, stylistic offerings and ability explore beyond the well-known staples.

I love white wines. They offer an expansive range of flavors, structures, versatility and appeal that (in my opinion) even exceeds what their red siblings present. But, I am also dubious about the outliers such as orange wine and the catch-all natural wine category when applied to whites and their overall effect in the market.

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White wines are like a Queen on the chessboard as they can move in many directions and capture a broad range of attention. The Chardonnays of Burgundy are an ultimate expression of power and elegance. The delicacy of a fine dry German Riesling or a chilled Vinho Verde from Portugal are welcome delights with cheese or a first course. The intrigue of fresh pitted fruits in a Loire Vouvray or delicate herbal note of a Sancerre, spice of an Alsatian Gewurztraminer and charm of an Argentinian Torrontes will spike the curiosity of any wine lover.

Italy has long been known as a bastion of reds, but its whites are now coming on stage as equal partners. Pinot Grigio has long been a leader and is now joined on the international platform with Vermentino, Arneis, Verdicchio, Pecorino, Gavi, Greco di Tufo and many others, along with the newly rediscovered Timorasso from Piedmont.

France has a long history of holding its treasured whites from Burgundy, Rhone and Champagne as equals with its famed reds. Spain is realizing that whites are important members of their vinous family and have now officially recognized them in the Rioja. The New World has long held white wines as noble additions to their portfolios, and California leads the way with a broad range of Old World varieties in the forefront.

When we think about whites, the dry styles may be among the first that come to mind. However, lets not forget the sweet splendor of Bordeauxs Sauternes, Germanys late-harvest Rieslings, Italys Vin Santos and more. If fortified styles appeal to you, look for White Port, Madeira and Sherry.

Whether spring, summer fall or winter, whites always have a prominent role at our table. Seasonal dishes may dictate the course(s) best suited for their welcome and engaging brightness, delicacy and refined fruit-driven personalities, but their presence is always a welcome addition.

Versatility is the key when thinking about white wine as the options are endless. However, todays market has also seen the expansion of the relatively new category of orange wines that have found a welcoming audience. While these wines may appeal to many (mostly the younger female demographic) they have yet to prove their resilience and food compatibility in an ever-changing wine market.

White wines are traditionally produced by first pressing the berries and immediately drawing the juice off the skins to ferment on its own. In contrast, when producing a red wine, the berries are placed in the fermentation vessel while fermentation proceeds with the juice in contact with the skins to extract tannin, color, flavor, etc. When fermentation is completed, the juice is drawn off the skins and transferred to barrel or another vessel for aging.

When whites are produced in this traditional method, we see wines of varying shades of pale golden hues, aromatic notes typical of the variety and growing area, purity and brightness on the palate and a captivating flair on the finish. However, when white berries are handled as reds and fermented on their skins (as with orange wines), a very different result occurs.

Orange wines display a far deeper color (i.e. the name), less fruit and delicacy on the nose and more density on the palate and finish. This aromatic/flavor profile lies somewhere in no mans land between the delights of a white and the depth and character of a red. The length of time the juice and skins remain in contact with each other will determine the depth of color extracted and the weight on the palate.

Wine has been an age-old companion to food at the dinner table since its beginnings 7,000 years ago, Im not sure where the orange category fits into this role. Perhaps it is more conducive to the cocktail category as its most visible presence appears at the restaurants bar as a wine-by-the-glass selection.

Last week, I opened an Albarino from its native home in the Rias Baixas area of northwest Spain. I have enjoyed wines from this producer and have lately noted a deep golden color rather than a lighter more inviting hue of past vintages. On first view, I thought the bottle may be oxidized, but I did not detect any adverse notes on the nose. On the palate, it seemed heavier with less inviting brightness and minerality than Ive always expected and admired from the variety.

After dismissing oxidation as the reason for its dull light amber color and noting the weight and odd nature on the palate, I can only attribute these observations to extended skin contact during fermentation. There may be a place for this style in the market, but why isnt the style or production method acknowledged on the label? While this wine was not offensive in any way, it did not make it to a second glass and had no relation to my experience with Albarino, especially from Rias Baixas.

If a wine is packaged in a flint (clear) bottle, then the buyer has a clue of what to expect by its color alone. But, when packaged in an amber or green-toned bottle (as this wine and many whites are today), there is no indication of its intended style.

The natural wine movement is an attempted throw-back to the techniques of wine production from the ancient past with no advanced technology or additions of any kind including sulfites to inhibit oxidation. It is based on organic farming and a hands-off approach in the winery. The natural movement has gained popularity in Italy and other Old World countries and will be on display at the Slow Wine conference coming to San Francisco in March.

In concept, the model of natural wine production is laudable, but looking back through the centuries, wines made in this fashion were mostly unstable and did not withstand the rigors of travel or shipping. Wines were produced for current drinking at or near their point of origin and not to withstand even short term aging.

Since natural wine production eschews the addition of sulfur and the use of filtration in the process, oxidation is common and most wines appear cloudy with a hint of spritz from incomplete fermentations. While much of this is hidden in natural red wines, the deeper amber tones, off flavors and murkiness is readily obvious in whites.

Lovers of natural wines willingly accept the altered aromatics and flavors of oxidation, telltale spritz and cloudy appearance as part of the total experience. However, those not expecting these characteristics when pulling the cork, may view them as flaws.
The road of life of Artsakh has been closed for a month already. On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijani pseudo-environmentalists, among whom the world press identified employees of Azerbaijani state agencies and special services, blocked the Lachin corridor, controlled by Russian peacekeepers, which connects Artsakh with Armenia and the world. 120,000 inhabitants of Artsakh appeared in blockade. The authorities of the republic introduced a system of food stamps. Power cuts have occurred in Artsakh because of an accident on the only high-voltage power line. Azerbaijanis block access of Artsakh specialists to the breakdown site; rolling blackouts have been introduced in the republic.

Azerbaijani blockade resulted to a humanitarian catastrophe

The Azerbaijani operations resulted in a humanitarian crisis for the 120 thousand inhabitants of Artsakh, of which 30 thousand are children. 1,100 citizens, 270 of whom are minors, can't return home because of the blocked road. 11 children are in the neonatal department and resuscitation department of the children's hospital, 9 adult patients are in the resuscitation department, 4 of them are in extremely serious condition; 114 babies have already been born under the blockade.

To date, due to the termination of scheduled operations in all medical institutions of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh more than 370 citizens are deprived of the opportunity to operate on health grounds. Until today, 16 patients have been moved to Armenia through the mediation and with the accompaniment of the ICRC in order to receive appropriate treatment. In Artsakh all planned operations have been temporarily suspended.

690 small and medium-sized enterprises (14.7 per cent of the total) have ceased their activities owing to their inability to operate under the blockade. Because of the difficult economic situation, at least 3,200 people have lost their jobs.

More than 12,000 tons of essential goods would have been delivered to Artsakh if not for the blockade, during which the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping contingent have delivered only a fraction.

Every day more than 400 tons of food and medicines cannot be delivered from Armenia to Artsakh. The complete transport blockade threatens a shortage of food, medicines and fuel.

In the evening of December 19, it became known that one of the patients of Stepanakert hospital died. Because of the road blockade by the Azerbaijanis, he could not be transported to Yerevan. Another patient in need of urgent heart surgery was allowed to be transported by an ambulance escorted by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Russian peacekeeping troops and the police.

On December 24, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross transported a 4-month-old baby in serious condition from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. The ICRC vehicles that went to Armenia for the baby will soon return to Karabakh with medical supplies.

According to Zara Amatuni, responsible for the communication programs of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia, during the entire blockade until January 7, more than 10 tons of medicine, baby food and hygiene products were brought from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh with the Red Cross mediation (10 tons were brought by an ICRC truck on December 25), only once food products were sent.

On January 3, the Artsakh authorities ordered to proportionally distribute products from the state reserve to the stores, and it was decided to limit the work of public catering due to the lack of food and the need to save energy.

Because of the food shortage caused by the blockade, pre-schools and all-day schools were closed. Because of the worsening food shortage under the blockade, 41 kindergartens, 56 preschool groups and 20 all-day schools were closed.

6,828 children can no longer attend kindergartens, pre-schools and all-day schools, being deprived of adequate care, food and education.

On 10 January, the only high-voltage power line feeding Artsakh from Armenia had an accident. Because of the destructive position of the Azerbaijani side it's impossible to organize emergency recovery work in this section, in connection with what it was decided to carry out energy supply of the republic at the expense of local stations, with appropriate restrictions. Based on the situation, fan outages have been carried out in the republic since January 10.

Under conditions of cold winter weather and heavy snowfall, regular and widespread power cuts further deepen the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the blockade. As a consequence, tens of thousands of people face additional and substantial difficulties and hardships related to heating and other necessities of life

The first steps in the blockade of the Lachin corridor

In the morning of December 3, Artsakh information center informed that a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothes blocked the Stepanakert-Goris highway at the Shushi-Karin crossroads explaining their step with environmental reasons.

"It is obvious that with this step Azerbaijan resorts to provocation in order to cut the land communication between Armenia and Artsakh and to subject the peaceful population to psychological terror. The command of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh has been duly informed about the incident. Authorized state bodies of Artsakh are taking all possible measures to settle the situation," the statement noted.

After three-hour negotiations the road was opened.

Azerbaijanis said that they tried to travel to Nagorno-Karabakh to investigate reports of what they said was illegal mining. However, this blockage was removed within hours. Officials from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology, the State Property Service under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy and AzerGold held discussions with the Russian peacekeeping contingent commanders at their headquarters in Stepanakert. Azerbaijani officials said they had reached an agreement with Russian peacekeepers to allow officials into the Russian-controlled sector of Karabakh to discuss environmental monitoring.

Already on December 10 Artsakh Information Center issued a statement regarding the situation with the Drmbon and Kashen mines: "On December 10 the Azerbaijani side planned to visit the Drmbon and Kashen mines on the basis of the letter that had been sent in advance to the command of Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in the Republic of Artsakh to monitor the Martakert region mines. A one-time visit to the aforementioned mines for inspection was permitted by the command of the peacekeeping troops on the instructions of their superiors. Taking into account that the proposed plan was not coordinated with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh and the organization operating the mines, on-site employees of the mining organization and residents of nearby settlements spontaneously blocked the entry of the abovementioned group to the territory of the mines.

Blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: pseudo-ecologists with political slogans

On the morning of December 12, the Lachin corridor was blocked by people claiming to be environmentalists and who came with Azerbaijani flags. In their opinion, with the connivance of Russian peacekeepers, Armenians in Karabakh are illegally extracting resources and harming the ecology in the region. After an environmental monitoring group was prevented from entering Karabakh territory, the protesters put up a tent camp and blocked the road. Negotiations with Azerbaijanis mediated by Russian peacekeepers to open the Stepanakert-Goris road failed.

At the time, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev called them "civil society activists. However, some of the protesters were recognized as people associated with government agencies. Mahsati Huseynova, a member of the Public Council under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology, posted posts from the site of the rally as a participant. Environmental slogans were quickly replaced by political ones: "Karabakh is Azerbaijan!", "The best soldier is an Azerbaijani soldier!" And the fur coats on a number of protesters only increased doubts that they were really concerned about environmental issues.

In fact, the Azerbaijani "environmental activists" were in the Lachin corridor with the permission of official Baku, otherwise they could not have reached the corridor - they would have been detained at checkpoints on the way.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the threat of a food and humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and stressed that the situation violates the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, according to which the Lachin corridor is under the control of Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of movement through it. The blocking of the corridor has also led to a blockade of the Karabakh villages of Mets Shen, Hin Shen, Yeghtsaoh and Lisagor. As a result, no food and other essential goods are delivered to these settlements.

Russian peacekeepers did not seem to know how to deal with the militant protesters blocking the road, whose actions were covered by the pro-government Azerbaijani media. In some cases the protesters and reporters were easily overpowered by the peacekeepers, in others they lost patience and attacked them. At the same time, as international condemnation of the blockade grew, Azerbaijan tried to shift the blame onto Russian peacekeepers. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that it was Russian peacekeepers, not them, who blocked the road. At the same time, Azerbaijani protesters said they were ready to let the Armenians through, but that the Russians and the de facto leadership of Karabakh were preventing this. Russian peacekeepers refused to meet Azerbaijani demands to be allowed into Nagorno-Karabakh and blocked traffic to the site of the protests in an attempt to stop the clashes.

A month since the blockade of Artsakh and the reaction of the international community: UN Security Council meeting

On December 14, the U.S. and France called on Azerbaijan to open the corridor without preconditions in order to respect the rights of the residents living there. On the eve the Parliament of the Netherlands adopted a document submitted by a number of factions in connection with Azerbaijan's closure. The document also said that Russian peacekeepers do not intervene in the area and that this situation threatens to create a humanitarian emergency for the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Canadian Foreign Ministry called on the Azerbaijani authorities to unblock the Lachin corridor and ensure freedom of movement. The Cypriot Foreign Ministry also called on Azerbaijan to open the Lachin road.

The UN Secretary General called on the parties to "de-escalate tensions and ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor in accordance with previous agreements.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that "it is unacceptable to create difficulties for the lives of civilians," and called the accusations against Russian peacekeepers "unacceptable and counterproductive."

Freedom House issued a statement: 'We are concerned about the information that Azerbaijan has once again stopped supplying gas to Nagorno-Karabakh. In the end, we call on the countries of the OSCE Minsk Group and the parties to the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement to take the necessary steps to ensure the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, including freedom of movement.'

Pope Francis called for the resolution of the conflict situation around the Lachin corridor linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh.

Some 30 MEPs appealed to Charles Michel and Josep Borrel in connection with the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On December 20, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting at Armenia's request. The overwhelming majority of the meeting participants demanded that Azerbaijan unblock the road. So the U.S. and France called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade. Russia expressed hope that the movement of vehicles through the Lachin corridor would be fully restored in the near future. However, in the end, the UN Security Council statement on the Lachin corridor failed to be adopted. According to First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky, this allegedly happened because of the dishonest actions of France, which was preparing it.

On December 22, it became known that official Yerevan refused to participate in the trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan scheduled for December 23 in connection with the blocking of the Lachin corridor.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic said that those responsible for maintaining public order and security in the Lachin corridor should take all necessary measures to restore traffic along the road as a matter of urgency.


Newspaper: Karabakh soldiers who showed necessary resistance to Azerbaijan military are rewarded

Armenia FM, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office tete-a-tete kicks off (PHOTOS)

Mher Grigoryan, Todd Robinson exchange views on ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia

Armenia FM to Derek Hogan: Provocation near Tegh village was another manifestation of Azerbaijan aggressive policy

US State Department on Armenias Tegh village incident: Use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable

MFA: France deeply concerned about violence that took place near Tegh village of Armenia

Legal entity from Armenia on list of those subject to US export restrictions

Russia MOD: 4 ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh

EU monitoring mission in Armenia not present in the area when Azerbaijan attacked

Armenia National Security Service Border Guard Troops commander dismissed

Armenia MOD: Tegh village incident that led to undesirable consequences was due to deployment adjustment

Mayor of Frances Lyon expresses unconditional support to people of Karabakh

Pashinyan: Armenian side had recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Criminal proceedings launched into Armenia soldiers being killed, wounded by Azerbaijan near Tegh village

Chairman-in-Office: OSCE supports continuation of Armenia-Azerbaijan direct contacts

MFA: Russia asked Armenia to explain information about participating in joint military exercises with NATO

Zakharova does not disclose details of Russian, Turkish FMs talks on Armenia-Turkey relations

Russia MFA spox: CSTO mission deployment details can be talked about when Armenia is ready

Zakharova: Russia favors complete unblocking of Lachin corridor

Russia MFA: Other players engagement will lead to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations destabilization

EU calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to intensify border delimitation talks, until then to respect 1991 line

Russia MFA spox: Yerevan, Baku accepted proposal to hold another bilateral talks

Pallone: This is another senseless provocation from Azerbaijani forces against Armenia

Zakharova: Russia Border Guard Service, army took measures to de-escalate situation near Armenias Tegh village

Armenia deputy defense minister on possible Azerbaijan provocations again: Nothing can be ruled out

Armenia MP: Azerbaijanis demanded not to do engineering work, our soldiers responded, battle started from that

Marukyan: This is continuation of attacks carried out against Armenia in May and November 2021, in September 2022

About 100 killed in airstrikes in rural Myanmar

Criminal proceedings to be launched against Armenia opposition MP Mher Sahakyan

Armenia MP: Army corps commander was there, talks were to be held but Azerbaijan resorted to provocation

Mher Grigoryan, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State discuss security issues in Armenia, region

Parliament observes minute of silence in memory of Armenia soldiers who died yesterday

Newspaper: How Europe reacts to yesterday's provocation by Azerbaijanis?

Anahit Manasyan is elected Armenia ombudsperson

Armenia MOD: No significant ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan recorded at night

MOD: 3 of wounded Armenia soldiers in satisfactory condition, other 3 in moderate, severe, critical condition

RA MOD announces names of soldiers killed by Azerbaijani Armed Forces

As of 10:15 p.m., the situation on the frontline is relatively stable. RA Ministry of Defense

The destruction of Artsakh and Syunik is a key issue for Turkey and Azerbaijan. David Babayan

Suren Papikyan interrupts his working visit and returns to Armenia

Azerbaijans provocation is another encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. MFA

Azerbaijan MOD publicizes data on own losses during latest Baku provocation

Russia MOD: 2 ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh

The reason for Azerbaijan's aggression is not being sanctioned by the international community. Edmon Marukyan

Four Armenian soldiers killed, six wounded because of Azerbaijani provocation. MOD

Video shows how Azerbaijani soldiers approach and open fire at Armenian soldiers

Armenia National Assembly cancels special session

Legislature deputy speaker on Azerbaijani infiltration into Armenia: Not case where accountability is implied

Azerbaijanis opened fire in direction of Sotk

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan army continues provocation, uses mortars

Azerbaijani shooting resumes in direction of Armenias Tegh village

Haykakan Zhamanak: Armenia Special Army Corps commander wounded in skirmish

MOD: Armenian side has casualties and wounded, according to preliminary data

Shots fired at Tegh village area, Armenia has casualty

Armenia parliament vice-speaker: Turkey border shall be open for 3rd countries citizens at summers beginning

Armenia lawmaker: Azerbaijan has violated mutual understanding on Karabakh issue

Sargis Khandanyan: Armenia does not play football on CSTO issue

Armenia Prosecutor General submits petition to parliament for consent to prosecute opposition MP

Ruling force MP: Before sending mission, CSTO must record Armenia territorys occupation

Photo traps of Armenias Khosrov Forest State Reserve capture grizzly bear again

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Sharm El Sheikh-Yerevan flight that landed in Turkey arrives in Armenia capital

Bortnikov: Terrorists want to destabilize the situation in Caucasus

15 more people from Karabakh transferred to Armenia medical centers, 10 patients return

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Armenia defense minister visits NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (PHOTOS)

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Karabakh authorities send proposal to hold meeting to Azerbaijani side

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Woman who threw umbrella at Armenia PM is released from custody

Turkey FM: We coordinate every step with Armenia with Azerbaijan

Woman detained after throwing umbrella at PM Pashinyan in Armenia village

Tokayev: Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan-Armenia relations normalization process

Aliyev: Work on peace treaty with Armenia not going very smoothly

Turkey FM: It would have been difficult for Azerbaijan to take Karabakh if we had not manufactured UAVs

Yerevan subway resumes normal operations

Shamkhani: Any geographical change in South Caucasus will play into hands of enemies of regional security, stability

Politico: EU mission in Armenia may cast shadow over Azerbaijan-EU natural gas deal

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The political tension and growing uncertainty over the unresolved Karabakh conflict dominated the events in Armenia, a Human Rights Watch report said.

The authorities undertook ambitious judicial, police and constitutional reforms. Human rights problems included abuse by law enforcement, interference with freedom of assembly, domestic violence, discrimination against people with disabilities, and violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The ceasefire brokered by Russia was violated several times when Azerbaijan invaded Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The political opposition blamed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, held ongoing protests and demanded his resignation.

Armenian authorities reported that the fighting temporarily displaced more than 7,600 civilians, mostly women and children, from three Armenian regions bordering Azerbaijan and damaged or destroyed numerous residences. Sporadic instances of military action continued to threaten the safety and livelihoods of civilians living in Nagorno-Karabakh villages and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

The Russian-brokered ceasefire of 2020 was violated several times due to Azerbaijani incursions into Armenia. Sporadic instances of military action continued to threaten the safety and livelihoods of civilians living in Nagorno-Karabakh villages and in several surrounding areas, as well as along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Armenian authorities reported that hostilities in September 2022 killed at least three civilians and temporarily displaced more than 7,600 civilians, mostly women and children, from three Armenian districts bordering Azerbaijan and damaged or destroyed numerous dwellings. Three Armenian civilians were also killed in previous incidents related to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

A video confirmed by HRW shows the extrajudicial execution of at least seven Armenian soldiers, apparently by Azerbaijani forces, during the fighting in September 2022.

According to Armenian lawyers, at least 30 Armenian POWs and three civilians remain in Azerbaijani custody. Azerbaijani authorities do not recognize them as prisoners of war.

According to the Office of the Ombudsman, 303 people, both civilians and military, are missing as of late. Lawyers and human rights groups in Armenia claim that some of them were last seen alive in Azerbaijani captivity.
The European Union's ban on Russian oil and the West's $60-a-barrel price ceiling are costing the Kremlin more than $170 million a day, according to the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research, Insider reported.

The Finland-based think tank estimates that Russia's crude oil exports fell 12 percent in December. The country's crude oil revenues fell 32%, largely because of the latest round of Western sanctions. Last month, the EU officially banned offshore oil imports from Russia and imposed a $60 price cap on Russian oil. The sanctions prevent Russia from using Western transportation and insurance services when moving its oil through world markets.

These restrictions prevent sales of one of Russia's most lucrative export commodities. Bloomberg reported that the country lost $15 million in revenue from oil exports in the last week of 2022, with only China, India and Turkey among the few remaining buyers.

They demanded higher discounts on Russian oil at the established price ceiling. Russia's flagship oil product is currently trading well below the $60 price ceiling.

CREA estimates that impediments related to energy sanctions are costing Russia $170 million a day. Losses could even rise to 280 million euros, or $300 million a day, by Feb. 5, when the EU is expected to ban Russian petroleum products.
The reaction by the authorities and the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) regarding the solution to the situation created in Artsakh should be asymmetric. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government.

"The developments of recent years, their deep meanings and reasons must be faced with the aspect that our assessments of the situations must be fact-based. In this regard, first of all, it is necessary to avoid political statements that make the situation even more impasse because statements that are not accompanied by clear ideas of reaching the end point are of no use," he said.

The PM stressed that a political conversation should begin between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, and the latters authorities should not allow anyone to accuse them of disrupting a constructive conversation or making such a conversation impossible.

"The closure of the Lachin corridor [by Azerbaijan] is a provocation, the ultimate goal of which is a new military escalation, and steps that are desirable for those developing the military escalation scenario should not be taken. One of the goals of provocation and escalation is to hide the obvious need for political and official dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert and push it out of the agenda. No actions should be taken that contribute to the solution of this provocative problem," Pashinyan emphasized.

On the other hand, according to the premier, Armenia diplomatic corps, all agencies and circles with foreign ties should redouble their efforts to increase the international visibility of the current humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and make it a subject of discussion in various instances.

"In this sense, a huge amount of work has been done, but more is needed," Pashinyan added.

"The working group established in Armenia to assist the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in the management of the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh should continue to take possible measures to resolve the emerging urgent matters," the Armenian PM said.
Azerbaijan presents new demands to Armenia ahead of the anniversary of the Armenian pogroms in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.

This time, these demands are noted in the statement of the recently appeared organization called "Community of Western Azerbaijan" and were published by the Azerbaijani mass media.

"Western Azerbaijan" is the entire territory of modern-day Armenia claimed by the Azerbaijani side, not limited to Zangezur. At the very beginning of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijanis living in Armenia sold or exchanged their houses and apartments, seized their property, and left for their historical homeland.

Hundreds of thousands of Armenians living in Azerbaijan, however, were massacred, the survivors left the country without belongings or warm clothes. Azerbaijanis occupied the apartments of Armenians in Baku and other Azerbaijani cities.

And now Azerbaijanis are making demands to Armenia; moreover, on the eve of the anniversary of the Armenian pogroms in Baku.

The essence of the aforesaid statement written on many pages is that they "demand the government of Armenia to create conditions, within the framework of the international process, for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from their homes [in Armenia] and to ensure their individual and collective rights after returning there."

The Azerbaijani side appeals to the right enshrined in several international acts, and asks the UN member states and other relevant organizations to "show assistance for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis deported from the current territory of Armenia."

To note, any process of return of displaced persons and refugees should be reciprocal. Thus, as the aggressor, Azerbaijan is the first to either ensure the safe return of hundreds of thousands of Armenians to Azerbaijanalthough it is unlikely that any Armenian would want to return to Azerbaijan after all that has occurredor to pay for moral and material damages.
At its Cabinet meeting Thursday, the Armenian government approved the proposal to sign the agreement between Armenia and Georgia on visa-free travel for their citizens.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan said that building special relations with Georgia is a priority for Armenia, and that this is reflected in the Armenian government's program, too.

"Georgia is also one of the favorite places for business and leisure visits for our citizens. In 2019, 1 million 365 thousand RA [(Republic of Armenia)] citizens visited Georgia," Mirzoyan added.

There is a visa-free travel regime for Armenian and Georgian nationals between.

"On March 3, 2020, the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia signed a memorandum of intent on facilitating the movement of citizens [of the two countries]. The parties have expressed their intention to conclude a new agreement. Work has been done, and now there is a draft of the [Armenian] government's decision on this agreement," the FM added.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, for his part, noted as follows: "This agreement is about the fact that from now on the citizens of Armenia and Georgia can cross the border [of their countries] [just] with an ID card; that is, they will not need a passport [anymore]."

Pashinyan said that today they are waiting for a Georgian delegation, led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, to arrive in Armenia. The regular meeting of the Armenian and Georgian intergovernmental commission of will take place in Yerevan. And Pashinyan expressed hope that the aforesaid agreement will be signed within the framework of this meeting.
The blockade of the Artsakh Republic and its 120-thousand population that has been continuing for a month by Azerbaijan is the largest-scale attack on the people of Artsakh since the end of the 44-day war, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"On December 12, 2022, the Azerbaijani authorities, in flagrant violation of the provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, blocked the Lachin corridor connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world.

As a result, the lack of basic necessities, medicine, food and fuel is worsening day by day in the republic. In order to intensify the destructive effect of the blockade Azerbaijan cut off gas supply to Artsakh, which was coming from Armenia through the territory occupied by Azerbaijan. Subsequently, the gas supply was restored, but on 9 January 2023 electricity from Armenia was cut off due to a breakdown of the only high-voltage line from Goris to Stepanakert, which also passes through Azerbaijani occupied territory. Up to this day, Azerbaijan has deliberately obstructed the emergency recovery work, which demonstrates the premeditated nature of its actions. Azerbaijan's actions have thus placed Artsakh, with its 120,000-strong population, on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Blockade of Artsakh is a direct continuation of the military aggression against the Republic of Artsakh and its people, unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2020 with the direct involvement of Turkey and terrorist organizations from the Middle East. Having failed to expel the people of Artsakh from their homeland by military means, Azerbaijan, more than two years after the ceasefire, continues to make successive attempts to achieve its criminal goals by less obvious, but no less inhumane methods.

The combination of the steps taken by Azerbaijan and the official statements of its high leadership, revealing Baku's real intentions, indicates that the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh is yet another tool in the policy of Azerbaijan aimed at the annihilation of the people of Artsakh. By intentionally creating unbearable living conditions, Azerbaijan pursues the goal of destroying the community and unity of the people of Artsakh by forcing them to alienate themselves from their historic homeland and to refuse to realize their collective rights. Azerbaijan's actions are undoubtedly a continuation of its genocidal policy.

We urge the community of states, acting both individually and through international organizations, to take all necessary measures to immediately prevent the genocidal activities that Azerbaijan is systematically perpetrating against the people of Artsakh, in an atmosphere of total impunity, pursuant to the universal commitment to the protection of human rights and the prevention of genocide crimes.

The international community has all the necessary tools and every legal basis to interfere in the situation in Artsakh, which is worsening day by day. In the conditions of an imminent disaster the inaction of the international community is unacceptable, also because it is seen by the Azerbaijani authorities as a tacit encouragement of their criminal actions," the statement says.
Russia continues to work for the full unblocking of the Lachin corridor in accordance with the statement of the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 9, 2022, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"The Russian Ministry of Defense and the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent are taking consistent steps to de-escalate the situation. It is necessary to find a solution acceptable to all sides. Columns with humanitarian aid are currently passing along the corridor. I would like to note once again that we regard as unacceptable public outbursts and provocations against Russian peacekeepers. They are the guarantors of peace in this region. Such actions can do considerable harm to the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process," she said.

Zakharova also touched on the UN Security Council's draft statement on Lachin corridor, which was never adopted. She noted that detailed explanations were given by Russia's permanent representative to the UN. "It was noted that despite our constructive attitude, the French authors of the document ignored most of the Russian proposals. Our Western colleagues did not find the courage even to simply lay out the facts in the text. In particular, to mention the statements by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, which are the foundation of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization. In any case, we are determined to engage not in populism, but in substantive work to resolve the situation around the Lachin corridor," she said.

"As for the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, we consistently support the activities of the specialized bilateral commission. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to its work, including through the provision of cartographic materials. Progress in this direction will allow us to effectively solve the disputed issues on the ground, and the relevant trilateral group, co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of the three countries, is dealing with the unblocking of transport communications in the region. Under its aegis serious preparatory work has been done, additional joint efforts are required to translate them into practice," the MFA noted.
We do everything as mediators, unbiased and sincerely wishing normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She once again recalled Moscow's proposal to hold a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers last December. "The leaders of the two countries agreed, but it was the Armenian leadership that canceled the arrival of Armenian foreign ministers at the last moment. This prevented the discussion not only of the peace treaty, but also of other pressing problems... If our Armenian partners are really interested in the solution of these problems through the comprehensive implementation of trilateral agreements at the highest level, then, instead of being scholastic, we must continue working together... Joint work is two key words... The Russian proposal to provide a platform for the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, as I said, is still in force. Our mediation possibilities are always at the disposal of the parties," she noted.

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman once again touched on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's controversial statements at a January 10 press conference.

"We see discrepancies in (Yerevan's) position not only on one occasion or nuance, but there are several occasions and topics, and these are serious topics. And we see differences in the assessments of serious issues, not only for Armenia, but also for regional security. Our job is not only to comment publicly at the microphone, but we are in contact with the parties around the clock, and we are trying to clarify also through bilateral channels with the Armenian side and relevant officials what is their position.

"Because there are issues of principle and consequently the position should be formulated ... maybe with some amplitude, with some reservations, but it should be formulated without changing its fundamentals... There is a lot of uncertainty in the campaigns of the Armenian side. And perhaps when there will be some clarification of these approaches, then much will become clear to everyone. And we will have opportunities to answer practical questions rather than clarify what should be stated as a principled position. Everything is unclear a lot, but that's not up to us, that's up there."

"This is obvious. If there are agreements, they are either respected or not respected, but then we must say that the approaches have changed. And you also have to tell your own people about it honestly, publicly, and first of all... Of course diplomacy is an interesting thing, it implies different methods and techniques. But once again, there are questions of principle, it is not a question of tactics, strategy, etc., it is a question of the principle formulation of the state position," she said.
We expect Russia's more active political participation, said Minister of State of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Vardanyan on Thursday.

He pointed to the unacceptable behavior of so-called Azerbaijani "environmentalists" towards peacekeepers, mockery and provocations to use force.

"We understand the difficult situation, which is not solved by force. We have high expectations from Russia, which has its function in all this, that it will take a more active part in resolving this issue. 120,000 people are in a state of humanitarian crisis. It is not a question of peacekeepers, but rather a question of Moscow and Yerevan," Vardanyan added.

The official recalled that the peacekeepers have a limited mandate and are small in number. "We must do everything to change the situation. Increase the number of weapons and solve the issue of long-term stay. We will do everything to make the peacekeepers feel good here, that they are needed, that Armenians are there for them. Stop attacking the peacekeepers! You are thereby helping the Azerbaijanis. What are you trying to achieve? Criticism? There will be none. Without peacekeepers there would be no us," Vardanyan noted.

According to him, Russian peacekeepers are the only deterrent force, and their presence is the only guarantor even in such a limited form and with a limited mandate. "Not even having the right to use force when the so-called activists are blocking the road," the state minister concluded.




The Minister of State of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is not participating in the negotiations. Ruben Vardanyan stated this Thursday during the Stepanakert-Yerevan live televised videoconference on the topic of "One month of Artsakh blockade," and referring to the talks on the ending Azerbaijans ongoing blockade of Artsakh.

He explained that the Artsakh authorities collaborate with the Russian peacekeepers on the ground.

"I have no information about the negotiations," added Vardanyan.

At the same time, the state minister assured that he has no information about the ongoing processes at the UN either.

Vardanyan expressed a conviction that the current situation is unacceptable either for Armenia or for the Armenian diaspora.

"We are working with Yeghishe Kirakosyan, representative of the Armenian Prime Minister's Office for International Legal Affairs, and Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Working groups have been created, but how effective they are is another question," the Artsakh state minister said.

He expressed his belief that international attention to the aforesaid crisis should increase, and the Armenian diaspora can help the international community in delivering truthful information and putting pressure on Azerbaijan.

"Armenians must show that Azerbaijan's behavior towards civilians, including children, will be unacceptable to the civilized world. But before demanding a response from the international community, it is very important to clearly form our point of view. Otherwise, we will constantly try to adapt to the demands presented from outside", concluded the Minister of State of Artsakh.
It is not within the competence of the Secretariat, as a working body of CSTO, to comment on the statements of the members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan noted.

Asked that CSTO Secretariat commented on the issue of the cancellation of military exercises on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the spokesman noted: "First of all, we want to note that the competence of the Secretariat, as a working body of CSTO, does not include commenting statements of the members of the CSTO Collective Security Treaty Organization, the highest body of the Organization."

"CSTO member states do not expect any understanding of their actions and decisions from the Secretariat.

"The tasks of the Secretariat are clearly defined in the statutory documents of the Organization. The Secretariat is a working body to provide organizational, informational, analytical and advisory support to the activities of the bodies of the Organization.

"We urge the newly appointed Secretary General of the Organization to conduct a scrupulous verification of the fact of the Secretariat's comments in order to prevent a repetition of this kind," he said.




A report on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations in 2022 will be presented at PACE Winter Session.

The winter session of PACE will be held in Strasbourg from 23 to 27 January.

According to the report published on PACE's official website, the PACE will examine tensions between the two countries.

"The rapporteurs on Armenia (Mr Kimmo Kiljunen, Finland, SOC, and Ms Boriana Aberg, Sweden, EPP/CD) and on Azerbaijan (Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, United Kingdom, EC/DA, and Ms Lise Christoffersen, Norway, SOC) continued to follow closely the developments concerning relations between the two countries including regarding (the question of) Nagorno Karabakh," the report authors note.

PACE also provided a list of events in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations in 2022:

On January 11, 2022, hostilities resumed on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, in which three Armenians and one Azerbaijani soldier were reportedly killed.

The implementation of the trilateral statements of January 11, 2021 and November 9-10, 2020 was called into question. At the same time, the official mediation mechanism, the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, the U.S. and France, seemed to have reached an impasse. As a result, parallel mediation efforts were undertaken by Russia, the European Union, and the United States.

Online talks between Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev took place on February 4.

The talks were attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel to facilitate peace talks.

On March 8, a pipeline supplying gas from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh was damaged in a section located in the territory under Azerbaijani control after the war of 2020.

This led to a cut in gas supplies to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan did not allow Armenia access to the damaged section of the pipeline and, after 10 days of negotiations, repaired the pipeline itself. A week later, on March 24, the ceasefire in the region was broken when Azerbaijani forces advanced into the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers.

On 8 April and 23 May, two further meetings between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinian were held in Brussels, in the presence of European Council President Charles Michel.

A bilateral commission on border delineation and demarcation was set up, but no concrete results have been achieved.

On July 30, cease-fire violations were reported in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and on the internationally recognized border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On August 2, a Russian peacekeeping mission confirmed that Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire several times.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of trilateral statements. Azerbaijan demanded the full withdrawal of Armenian forces from Nagorno-Karabakh; completion of a corridor under its control to link mainland Azerbaijan to the Nakhichevan enclave; and construction of a new road to replace the Lachin corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

A fourth meeting between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinian was held in Brussels on August 31, mediated by the president of the European Council.

Some progress was made, as it was agreed to discuss the text of a peace treaty within a month; to resolve humanitarian issues; to hold a border delimitation commission meeting in Brussels in November; and to unblock transportation routes.

On September 12, 13 and 14, 2022, new large-scale hostilities began along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Azerbaijani armed forces conducted an offensive across the border and advanced into internationally recognized Armenian territory, including artillery strikes and the use of drones, striking targets on Armenian territory, while claiming that the clashes began after "large-scale provocations" from the Armenian side.

A ceasefire agreement was reached, but it was the most serious escalation since 2020; 200 Armenian soldiers and 80 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed, and more than 7,500 Armenian civilians were forced to flee their homes.

On October 6 and 7, a two-round meeting between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan was held in Prague, mediated by the European Union and France.

A statement was adopted in which, for the first time, Azerbaijan and Armenia mutually recognized each other's territorial integrity. It was decided that a European Union civilian mission would patrol the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for two months to help reduce tensions and assist the Border Delimitation Commission.

On October 10, at the initiative of the Monitoring Committee, the Assembly held a debate on current issues on military action between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including strikes on populated areas and civilian infrastructure.

On October 13, the co-rapporteurs on Armenia issued a statement calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately withdraw troops from all parts of Armenian territory and release prisoners of war under their control.

On November 1, Presidents Putin and Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan held their fourth trilateral meeting in Sochi.

In a final trilateral statement, Armenia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from the use or threat of force and agreed to discuss and resolve all problematic issues exclusively on the basis of mutual recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, in accordance with the UN Charter and the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.
Armenian Foreign Ministry states that Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev finally made frank statements regarding the so-called corridor, stating that the claims voiced concerning the trilateral statement of November 9 have nothing in common with the trilateral one, spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vahan Hunanyan told Armenpress that there is only one corridor mentioned in the statement - the Lachin corridor which has been illegally blocked by Azerbaijan for more than a month.

- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Azerbaijani media that all those who do not want to live in Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani citizens can leave, because the way to leave is open for them. How would you comment on this?



- With this statement, the President of Azerbaijan is involuntarily admitting that Azerbaijan, in blatant violation of its international obligations under the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, for over a month keeps 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh in a blockade and deliberately drags Nagorno Karabakh into a humanitarian disaster. Azerbaijan recognizes that the ultimate goal of these actions is to subject Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, depriving the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh of the opportunity to live in their homeland. Under these circumstances, we urge the international partners concerned to oblige Azerbaijan to end the blockade of the Lachin corridor and to take clear actions to save the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from an imminent disaster. The people of Nagorno Karabakh cannot be deprived of their natural right to have and to live in their homeland.



- In the same interview the President of Azerbaijan once again talked about the so-called "Zangezur corridor" and admitted that there is no such term in the trilateral statement of 9 November. At this he threatened that "there will be a corridor no matter what Armenia wants or not". What can you say about it?



- Armenia has repeatedly stated that it is interested in the opening of all transport and economic infrastructures in the region in accordance with the statement of November 9. We are ready to realize this within the framework of national legislation as soon as possible, within the framework of agreements reached on the preservation of sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries over the roads. At the same time, Armenia will never agree to grant an extraterritorial corridor.



It is welcomed that the Azerbaijani leadership is finally stating frankly that the claims made about the so-called corridor have nothing to do with the trilateral statement of November 9. The statement only mentions the Lachin corridor, which has been illegally blocked by Azerbaijan for more than a month. Threats to open the corridor by force once again clearly demonstrate Azerbaijan's violation of the principle of non-use of force or threat of force, which plays a key role in international law, as well as official Baku's absolute disrespect for the agreements reached with the participation of international mediators. Once again we have to state that the actions, belligerent rhetoric and maximalist approaches of the Azerbaijani leadership seriously threaten the possibility of achieving peace and stability in the South Caucasus.



Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the EU observer mission in the interview and expressed his dissatisfaction with the possibility of deploying a new observer mission to Armenia.



First of all, we would like to stress that Armenia highly appreciates the role of the EU observation mission in strengthening of stability and security in the region and prevention of new aggressions against Armenia which ended on December 19, 2022. We have also expressed readiness to continue our mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU in the context of the implementation of the new EU observer mission in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. We do not understand the discontent of the President of Azerbaijan. After all, again, we are talking about the possibility of a mission on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Apparently, the Azerbaijani side is afraid that the new EU mission will be an obstacle for launching a new aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the danger of which is still very high.



- Does this mean that the negotiations can be considered completed?



No, we submitted our proposals on the settlement of relations with Azerbaijan in December 2022, or as they say, the draft of the peace treaty, and now we are waiting for their response.
YEREVAN.  Past daily of Armenia writes: The previous day, [PM] Nikol Pashinyan held a press conference. It is noteworthy that [Azerbaijani president] Ilham Aliyev also held a press conference on the same day.

Political scientist Yervand Bozoyan believes that Aliyev's statements were a logical continuation of Pashinyan's statements.

"It was symbolic that they held a press conference on the same day. The impression was that they have a common coordinator that coordinates their press conferences. But the most interesting [thing] was that in all senses, including regarding the future fate of Armenia, Aliyev's messages were not contradicting Pashinyan's statements," said the political scientist in an interview with Past.

As for the closure of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan for more than a month now, in Bozoyans view, the current situation was caused by the conduct of Nikol Pashinyan.

"Maybe he wouldn't want it to be like that, but it turned out that way because when the illiterate street people come to power, that's what happens. The Armenian people should know that they are paying the price for their decision."

The political scientist notes that in the Madrid Principles presented by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group until now, later in the negotiations on the Kazan agreement and during all discussions, the following provision was made: the issues, so to speak, of the status of NK [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] and the Lachin corridor connecting NK with Armenia will be left for future discussion.

"Also with the November 9[, 2020 trilateral] agreement, it was on the basis of that content that the RF [(Russian Federation)] was able to assume the obligation to oversee the Lachin corridor. And what happened next? Then Nikol Pashinyan, in fact, changed the whole logic. First, on the western platform, he began to announce that the NK should discuss what status it should have within Azerbaijan. In the spring of last year, he announced that we need to lower the bar a little in the matter of the status of Artsakh, and then in Prague he in fact officially confirmed what he said," Yervand Bozoyan noted.
Emorys King Week is a series of programs to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.

"[S]ay that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace, I was a drum major for righteousness and all of the shallow things will not matter."

Martin Luther King Jr. preached these words on Feb. 4,1968, from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In The Drum Major Instinct, King reflected on what he wanted his legacy to be just two months before he died. From Jan. 15-22, all of Emory is invited to engage in similar reflection during the annual King Week celebration.

This year, the theme for King Week at Emory aligns with the King Centers theme, which is It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems. Kings youngest daughter, Bernice, is an alumna of Emorys Candler School of Theology and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Through a series of lectures, panel discussions and worship services, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to reflect on how they can be drum majors for justice on campus and beyond.

The continuing work of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion will require all of us to participate, says Carol Henderson, Emorys chief diversity officer, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and one of the King Week coordinating co-chairs. I want people to think about how they can become a part of the movement to transform Emory into a more inclusive campus community. All of us cant do everything, but all of us can do something. What is your I in the word community?

Emorys Day On

On Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the entire community is invited to participate in Emorys Day On, which includes a dozen volunteer service projects across metro Atlanta. Sponsored by the Center for Civic and Community Engagement, projects are scheduled from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Faculty, staff and students are invited to sign up to volunteer by Jan. 15.

This years projects include everything from supporting those living with disabilities to outdoor maintenance and cleanup at local trails and parks. New this year, students will have the chance to visit the King Center and help organize and sort donations. Johannes Kleiner, director of student-led community engagement in the Center for Civic and Community Engagement, hopes people will take the opportunity to continue Kings work.

Early on, MLK Day became a holiday that combines remembrance and service, says Kleiner. As King said, anybody can serve, and the work in racial justice, addressing inequalities, class, poverty and workers rights in the U.S. is not finished. We are the people called to do the work and who can do the work.

Emorys Day On will start at 11 a.m. in the Student Center multipurpose room for a kickoff event with food, t-shirts and speeches as well as check-in for specific trips. To secure a spot and to learn more, sign up on the Open Emory website.

Words that inspire

In addition to the service projects, King Week will include sermons, film screenings and discussions. From student debates to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards, there is something for every age group and interest.

On Jan. 15 at 11 a.m., the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life will host its annual King Sunday Worship Service in Cannon Chapel. This year, Rev. Tolton Pace 00C 02PH will deliver the sermon. An engaged Emory alumnus, Pace recently completed a two-year term as co-president of the Caucus of Emory Black Alumni, and he previously served as Emory Colleges assistant dean of admission and director of multicultural recruitment. He currently serves as manager of strategic partnerships and grant programs for the Home Depot Foundation, where he leads philanthropic strategy and investments in Atlanta and across the country.

We are delighted that our MLK Sunday preacher this year is Rev. Tolton Pace, who has put his values in action in religious, business and community spaces, says Rev. Greg McGonigle, dean of religious life and university chaplain. In addition to being an active alumni leader, as a student he was a member of Emorys Voices of Inner Strength gospel choir. This King Sunday we will also celebrate a new endowment for the choir, which has been supporting racial justice, spirituality and music at Emory for decades.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m., the Department of African American Studies will host an event, Call My Lawyer: Fred Gray and Civil Rights Lawyering in the African American Freedom Struggle. Gray first gained national recognition in 1955 when he represented Rosa Parks after her arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus. The incident sparked the Montgomery bus boycott ,and Gray went on to serve as Kings first civil rights attorney. He also served as counsel in preserving and protecting the rights of individuals involved in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. In July 2022, President Joe Biden awarded him the Medal of Freedom.

Oxford College will also host its annual celebration on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Old Church. The celebration will feature Marla Frederick, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture at Candler School of Theology, as the keynote speaker. Frederick researches the sustainability of African American religious institutions in the U.S. The event will also include remarks from student leaders as well as performances by Oxappella (Oxford's a cappella group), a string quartet and the Newton County Martin Luther King Jr. Interdenominational Choir. This event is free and open to the public.

Wade Manora Jr., director of student diversity, equity and inclusion at Oxford, says he hopes the King Week events will encourage students to adopt Kings approach of collaborating with people from different backgrounds to create positive change they want to see in the campus environment.

I believe that Dr. Kings legacy and teachings will always be something remarkable to learn from no matter the year and as long as any form of injustice or inequality exists, says Manora. It is my hope that students can learn how to harness their voices and energy toward worthy causes like Dr. King did. He was in his mid-20s when he embarked on something that changed the world.

For a full list of King Week events, view the website.

Events at Morehouse This year, members of the Emory community will have a special opportunity to visit Morehouse College and view the King Collection at the Woodruff Library on the Atlanta University Center campus. Thursday, Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m.: Morehouse King Collection Lecture and Conversation, moderated by national political commentator Bakari T. Sellers Monday, Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m.: Morehouse College King Collection Viewing of Documents, marking the 60thanniversary of the March on Washington For more information, contact Jordan Ross.

All photos from the Bob Fitch Photography Archive, Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries.
The high cost of being sick has always gnawed at Emory cardiologist Azizul Hoque, MD.

Growing up in Bangladesh, he says, Ive seen some people who were very dear to me and badly needed care but could not afford treatment. It cemented in my mind the career goal of becoming a physician and doing something to help.

When he moved to the Midwest as a postdoctoral fellow at University of Iowa Cardiovascular Center in 1992, he remembers the shock of realizing that patients in the American health care system faced a different kind of financial burden from the other places he had lived  including the former Soviet Union, where he went to medical school.

In European countries, theres guaranteed health care for the general population. Its a guaranteed right. People dont have to worry about getting care if they lose their job, he said. Unfortunately, health care is still a privilege here.

In a career spanning several continents and just as many advanced degrees, Hoque has made it his life mission to bring as much care to as many people as possible, on a pay scale they can afford. When not practicing cardiology or teaching as a distinguished physician and assistant professor at Emory, for instance, hes leading a telemedicine health care project in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, one of the worlds most crowded cities.

Fluent in Bengali, Russian and English, Hoque studied medicine in Moscow, at the Russian Medical Academy (formerly known as Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute). He graduated from medical school in 1986, just three years before the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolically heralded the end of the Cold War. It was a prime chance to witness history firsthand, during that important time of glasnost, perestroika and shifting geopolitical possibilities under the late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Outside of his studies, he also enjoyed immersing himself in Russias rich literary history  reading Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Pushkin, whose work spoke to intermingling themes of power, empathy and ethics.

He completed his residency at the Medical College of Georgia and a Fellowship at University of Louisville before joining Emory in 2008, where he has leaned into a passion for teaching cardiology students at the very beginning of their careers. The educational focus of Emory Healthcare and its connection to the School of Medicine is one of the aspects he loves most.

Hoques health care work in Dhaka began in 2014, when he started the telemedicine project in a free health clinic in Kallyanpur, one of the largest slums in the country and home to at least 10,000 people. That clinic was inaugurated by the U.S. Ambassador in Dhaka, Dan Mozena. Hoque supervised the telemedicine program for five years, visiting with patients for one hour every week. He still sees patients once a month through the virtual service and, when he goes back to visit, hell always spend one day in the clinic. He also has focused on helping to train medical students and cardiology fellows on the ground in Dhaka.

In 2017, here in metro Atlanta, he assisted with launching a clinic for people without health insurance in Gwinnett County: the Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA), located on Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Sponsored by the state of Georgia, BMANA has served hundreds of uninsured patients during the past five years. Even during the pandemic, the clinic continued operations virtually.

Despite the busy schedule that these extra projects add to his time as a physician, Hoque says the benefit of engaging with different populations with the goal of fostering communal health is tangible. My philosophy is that giving always makes you feel better.
The two-day Global Investors Summit (GIS) organised by the Madhya Pradesh government began on Wednesday at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore. This is the seventh edition of GIS, and the state government has high hopes from business houses to invest in Madhya Pradesh. Addressing a gathering of 431 delegates from 84 countries, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that industrialists have become familiar with the environment prepared for industries in the state. Chouhan said that the seventh edition of GIS will prove to be a milestone for the state's $550 billion economy. He was referring to the aim of making the state's economy grow from $150 billion to $550 billion by 2026. "The Global Investor Summit (GIS) is global in the true sense as representatives of 82 countries are participating and there are 10 partner countries involved. The President of two countries, several foreign ministers, finance ministers, and mineral ministers of different countries will be participating in the summit. Many international industries and trade organisations also participating in it," Chouhan said. Chouhan said that over 5,000 industrialists and 70 big industrial houses are participating in the summit. "There is immense enthusiasm for investment in Madhya Pradesh, not only among the domestic investors, but investors from across the world. When Indore's super corridor and roads were discussed, I used to compare them with America. Today, representatives of many countries are watching the work done in the basic areas, including cleanliness. Continuous work is being done for greenery and environment protection," he said. Chouhan also assured the investors, saying that the demand for land will be fulfilled on priority. "There is sufficient availability of land in the state. The work of providing it for the establishment of industrial units will be done on priority. About two acres of land are available in the land bank created for Madhya Pradesh industries," he said. --IANS pd/arm ( 328 Words) 2023-01-11-23:02:04 (IANS)
According to The Verge, the new 'Discretionary Time Off' policy will apply to all employees on the pay role.

"How, when, and where we do our jobs has dramatically changed. And as we've transformed, modernizing our vacation policy to a more flexible model was a natural next step," according to an internal email to employees.

However, hourly workers at the tech giant will not get unlimited time off, nor will employees outside the US.

The changes in vacation policy will begin on January 16,

Even new Microsoft employees don't need to wait to accrue vacation time anymore, according to the report.

"Microsoft will offer 10 corporate holidays, leaves of absence, sick and mental health time off, and time away for jury duty or bereavement alongside this new unlimited time off policy," it added.

Those with unused vacation balance will get a one-time payout in April.

The workers outside the US will keep their current vacation benefits because of different laws and regulations in their countries.

Some other companies like Salesforce, Oracle and Netflix also offer same unlimited time off policies for employees.

--IANS na/

( 215 Words)

2023-01-12-19:08:03 (IANS)
Bollywood diva Malaika Arora, on Thursday, took to her social media and praised her boyfriend Arjun Kapoor's upcoming film 'Kuttey'. Taking to Instagram, Malaika shared a picture on her story which she captioned, "Wat a cracker of a film N fab performances. Watch it in a cinema near you." Her boyfriend, Arjun shared the picture on his Instagram story and wrote, "My biggest cheerleader." Malaika and Arjun have been dating for quite some time now. However, it was not until a couple of years ago that both decided to make their relationship public. Even after all the social media trolling because of the 12-year age gap between them, Malaika and Arjun never fail to shower on each other on social media. 'Kuttey' marks the directorial debut of Vishal Bhardwaj's son Aasman Bhardwaj. It stars Arjun Kapoor, Tabu, Radhika Madan, Konkona Sensharma, and Naseeruddin Shah and is all set to hit the theatres on January 13, 2023. On receiving overwhelming responses over the trailer, Arjun earlier said, "It is really encouraging to see that people, media and the industry has loved the trailer of Kuttey and is excited to see me in this film. I have realised that people want to see me push myself to deliver a credible performance. It happened with me in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and I can see the same love coming back to me again with Kuttey trailer." Meanwhile, Arjun will also be seen in an upcoming thriller film 'The Ladykiller' alongside Bhumi Pednekar and an untitled romantic comedy film opposite Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh in his kitty. (ANI)
The raids were conducted in Seraikela Kharsawan and Ranchi, one location in Bihar's Munger district, and one location in West Bengal's Purulia district.

A police party was attacked by CPI-Maoist cadres at Kukru Haat in Saraikela-Kherswan on June 14, 2019, and 5 personnel killed and their arms and ammunition looted.

The case was initially registered on June 15, 2019 at Tiruldih police station, Jharkhand and the probe taken over by the NIA on December 9, 2020.

"During the course of investigations, it surfaced that the suspected persons are members of CPI-Maoist, a proscribed terrorist organisation, and were working as Over Ground Workers. They are suspected to be involved in providing arms ammunition, explosive material and other logistic support to the armed cadres of CPI-Maoist. It was also revealed during investigations that they were part of criminal conspiracy hatched by the armed cadres of CPI-Maoist for commission of the instant crime," an official said.

During the searches, digital devices and various incriminating documents have been recovered and seized.

Further investigations in the matter are on.

--IANS atk/vd

( 225 Words)

2023-01-11-23:12:03 (IANS)
The delegation urged for the immediate constitution of the Mhadei Water Management Authority as given in the award and also urged for the withdrawal approval given to Karnataka's detailed project report (DPR) for the disputed Kalsa-Bhanduri dam project.

Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi river in Goa and Mahadayi in Karnataka, is considered as a lifeline in the northern parts of Goa. It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji in Goa, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra.

While the river runs 28.8 km in Karnataka, it is over 50 km in length in the state of Goa. Goa, Karnataka are battling out a two-decade-long dispute over the sharing of the Mhadei waters. (ANI)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by saying that Santro Ravi, the alleged kingpin of human trafficking who is in a centre stage nowadays for his alleged proximities with the BJP leaders, wrote a cover letter to police claiming himself as BJP leader. "Santro Ravi, who has been in the news for a few days, has written a cover letter in the police station as an active worker of BJP. Earlier, a person named Jagdish filed a complaint against Santro Ravi at the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police station in Bengaluru for transfer fraud. In return, Santro Ravi, wrote a cover letter to police, claiming himself as an active worker of the BJP in it," Kumaraswamy told reporters here, adding that Santro Ravi also bragged himself of a rejig of the police officers and mentioned the names of police officers he had transferred in the cover letter. The former Chief Minister also read the said letter here on the spot. "What does this indicate? He attended the police station in connection with a case and has written such a cover letter," Kumaraswamy said. "I have worked as a BJP worker for three-four years. I have associations with MLAs and ministers of our party. So I have transferred many officers," Kumaraswamy quoted Santro Ravi as saying in the cover letter. Sharpening his attack further at the ruling party, Kumaraswamy said, that BJP is spoiling the sanctity of the saffron colour by muffling sacred saffron cloth on the shoulders of people like Santro Ravi, Silent Sunil, Fighter Ravi. The Congress Party slammed BJP saying that Santro Ravi alias KS Manjunath is closely linked with the BJP. "Posting a photo of State Education Minister B C Nagesh along with 'Santro Ravi', Karnataka Congress, in Kannada, on its official Twitter handle said, "All the ministers of BJP are closely related to Santro Ravi in a prostitution racket, transfer racket. Is the Minister of Education B C Nagesh also a beneficiary of his racket? BJP government? Is the government controlled by pimps? How many more brokers are there for the Commission government." Earlier this month, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai dismissed the opposition's claim of a state minister's alleged proximity with Santro Ravi and said that a probe into the matter would unravel the links. "A probe into the alleged proximities of Santro Ravi will reveal true colours and there is no question of shielding anyone," Bommai told reporters in Musuru. The Chief Minister said he has instructed the Mysuru police to strictly investigate the case as there are many complaints against Ravi. "My wish is that truth must come out," he added. It is said that he is a highly connected person and the police will find out his past and would take strict legal action against him, Bommai said. (ANI)
Days ahead of chicken appearing in the midday meal of West Bengal school students, children in a Birbhum school experienced the horror and health implication of consuming lentils from a pan that also cooked a small snake with it. Several students of Mandalpur Primary School in Dheka area of the Mayureshwar II block were hospitalised on Monday afternoon after consuming their midday meal provided by the government. All the students were immediately rushed to the Rampurhat Medical College Hospital. All were later discharged The officials said that around 20 of the total 53 students present in the school at the time ate the mid-day meal. The horror came to the fore after a school staff who cooked the mid-day meal claimed that a snake was found in one of the containers that contained the lentils. "All the children were immediately rushed to the Rampurhat Medical College Hospital after they fell ill," the staff said. "Two women were cooking. Chameli Bagdi was serving the food. She saw a snake while serving lentils. One or two of them had just put it in their mouth. After they saw the snake, everyone was asked to stop eating," headmaster Nimai Chandra Dey said. As the news spread, the villagers gathered at the school and vandalized the headmaster''s car. "The guardians gheraoed the headmaster of the school and vandalised his two-wheeler," Personnel from the Mayureshwar police station said. "We rushed to the spot and rescued the headmaster," the police said. Primary Education Board Chairman Praloy Naik went to review the health of the students at the Rampurhat Medical College Hospital. He said, "It happened in Mandalpur Primary School. There has been negligence and the cooks who are serving and cooking food should be more aware and alert. All the students were taken to a hospital. I also went to the hospital and talked to the parents. Students are fine now." (ANI)
However, Railway sources added that no train diversions were reported.

Meanwhile, the severe cold wave continued to grip the entire north Indian belt, with Delhi's Safdarjung recording a minimum temperature of 9.3C while Palam recorded a minimum of 9.6C, at 8.30 am. Visibility in the Palam area was recorded at 500 metres while at Safdarjung, it was 200 metres, as per data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The national capital, which has been grappling with some of the coldest days in its history over the last week, woke up to another cold and foggy Thursday.

Dense to very dense fog was observed over parts of Punjab, Northwest Rajasthan, Jammu division, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tripura.

"Due to the current Western Disturbances and consequent stronger surface winds, Fog conditions have significantly improved over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and West UP. Although Dense to Very Dense Fog cover continues over East UP and Bihar," tweeted the India Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under worsening air quality as the overall AQI breached the "very poor" category, at 312.

On Monday, the AAP government in the national capital imposed a temporary ban on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers till January 12.

The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered as good, from 100 to 200 is moderate, 200 to 300 is poor, 300 to 400 very poor and 400 to 500 or above is considered severe. (ANI)
Veteran Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday refuted Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's claim "parliament is supreme". "The Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is wrong when he says that Parliament is supreme. It is the Constitution that is supreme. The "basic structure" doctrine was evolved in order to prevent a majoritarian-driven assault on the foundational principles of the Constitution," Chidambaram tweeted. The Congress leader's statement follows Dhankar's Wednesday remark when the Rajya Sabha Chairman said the power of parliament to amend the Constitution is not subject to any other authority, but the "lifeline" of democracy. The remarks were made by the Vice President at the 83rd All India Presiding Officers Conference in Jaipur "The essence of democracy lies in the prevalence of the mandate of the people and securing their welfare. The power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution and deal with legislation is not subject to any other authority. This is the lifeline of a democracy. I am sure this will engage your thoughtful consideration," the Vice President said. On Thursday Chidambaram also said in his tweet: "Suppose Parliament, by a majority, voted to convert the parliamentary system into a Presidential system. Or repeal the State List in Schedule VII and take away the exclusive legislative powers of the States. Would such amendments be valid?" Chidambaram argued that after the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act was struck down, nothing prevented the Government from introducing a new Bill. He said: "The striking down of one Act does not mean that the "basic structure" doctrine is wrong." "In fact, the Hon'ble Chairman's views should warn every Constitution-loving citizen to be alert to the dangers ahead," Chidambaram tweeted. "In a democratic society, 'the basic' of any 'basic structure' has to be the supremacy of mandate of people. Thus, the primacy and sovereignty of Parliament and legislature are inviolable," Dhankar said on Wednesday. All constitutional institutions the Judiciary, the Executive, and the legislature are required to confine to their respective domains and conform to the highest standard of propriety and decorum, Dhankar added. Dhankhar was expressing his concerns over the increasing instances of disruptions in Parliament and Legislatures, and he urged the representatives to be conscious of the expectations and aspirations of the people. (ANI)
The injured woman, identified as Asha More, was crossing the road when the bus ran over her.

As per the CCTV footage, two women were crossing the road when suddenly a TMT (Thane municipal transport) bus came from the other side and hit the woman.

This accident happened when the bus driver was trying to take a turn to another route.

The women came under the back wheel of the bus and her leg was crushed. As soon as the bus driver noticed this incident, he stopped the bus immediately.

The injured woman was immediately rushed to JJ Hospital of Mumbai for treatment.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The soldiers walked several kilometres through snowfall on Wednesday evening to reach the woman and bring her to a hospital, an official statement said.

"The soldiers conducted the emergency evacuation from Chautali village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Boniyar tehsil. The team shifted her to the primary health care (PHC) centre in Boniyar despite difficult road conditions," the statement said.

The rescue was carried out in the face of a blizzard-like situation, the Chinar Corps said. Mohd Hafi's wife Mishra Begum was evacuated from Chautali village of Boniyar Tehsil to Primary Health Centre Boniyar, they added.

"On 11 Jan at 18:30 hrs, the Indian Army detachment at Paro, received a distress call from the remote border village of Chautali, requesting urgent medical assistance for a woman with severe abdominal pain," the army statement said.

After walking for a considerable distance from the location of their Detachment in Boniyar Tehsil, the Indian Army soldiers, located the house of the patient, in near blizzard-like conditions.

The soldiers lifted the pregnant woman on a stretcher and walked back to their detachment, where first aid was provided.

A vehicle was promptly arranged to evacuate the patient to PHC, Boniyar, they said.

"For swift action and timely assistance, the family and locals expressed gratitude towards the army, civil administration and PHC Boniyar," the army added. (ANI)
A lawyer on Thursday mentioned before the Supreme Court a petition challenging the caste census in Bihar. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud tagged the petition with another similar plea. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court agreed to give an urgent hearing to the petition challenging Bihar Government's notification for conducting the Caste Census in the state. One of the petitions was moved in the top court recently by a social worker Akhilesh Kumar through Advocates Barun Kumar Sinha and Abhishek, who, in his petition, said, "That the cause of action arose on/from the impugned Notification dated 06.06.2022 issued by Deputy Secretary, Government of Bihar, whereby decision of the Government to conduct caste census has been communicated to the media and public at large." The petitioner Akhilesh Kumar through his advocates Barun Kumar Sinha and Abhishek had said that the decision of the State of Bihar is illegal, arbitrary, irrational, unconstitutional and without the authority of law. According to the petitioner's submission, there are more than 200 castes in Bihar, which are classified as General Category, OBC (Other Backward Class), EBC (Economically Backward Class), Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. As per the plea, in the state of Bihar, there are 113 castes which are known as OBC and EBC, eight castes are included in the category of Upper Caste, there are about 22 sub-castes which are included in the Scheduled Caste category and there are about 29 Sub Castes which are included in the scheduled category. "The impugned Notification accords differential treatment without intelligible differentia to illegal decision of State of Bihar is illegal, arbitrary irrational and unconstitutional," the petitioner Akhilesh Kumar said, urging the top court to issue a direction for quashing the impugned Notification dated January 6, 2022, and asked to direct the authority concerned to refrain from conducting the caste census as it is against the basic structure of the Constitution of India. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday adopted a resolution in the Assembly on the Sethusamudram project. "If the Sethusamudram project is accomplished, more than 50,000 people would get employment. This was pointed out by our former CM Kalaignar Karunanidhi," the DMK president said. Calling out attempts to scuttle the project, Stalin said, "Sethusamudram is Anna and Kalaingar's dream project. Under the BJP government, only one waterway of the Sethusamudram project has been planned so far. The Prime Minister at the time (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) allocated funds for developing this waterway. It is only because of political reasons that the BJP opposed the Sethusamudram project. Then CM Jayalalitha was in favour of the Sethusamudram project but, all of a sudden, she, too, changed her stand and filed a case against the project." While the CM accused the BJP of attempts to scuttle the project, BJP MLA Nayinar Nagendharan spoke in favour of the Sethisamudram project, saying, "We worship Ramar (Lord Ram). There should not be any damage to Ramar Bridge as Lord Ram had set foot in it. We support this resolution." "The Union Government has already shared details of where and how the Sethusamudram project could be implemented in Parliament. We never said the project cannot be implemented. I would be happy if the Sethusamudram project is implemented as I belong to the south of Tamil Nadu," the BJP leader said. "We worship Ramar. If the project can be implemented without damaging the Ramar bridge, we are ready and willing to support it. We also have to factor in the environmental fallout, if any, while implementing this project," added Nagendharan. Meanwhile, the AIADMK leader Pollachi Jeyaraman said, "It pains us as the Assembly resolution mentions Ramar as a fictional character. There are as many as 100 crore devout followers of Lord Ram. We request that this reference be expunged from the draft statement of the resolution. Ramar is Avathara Purushar." A grand waterway project straddling India and Sri Lanka, the Sethusamudram project proposes connect the Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar. The project is seen as key to bringing economic prosperity to the state and the country. Commissioned in 2005, the project came to halt in light of protests by rightwing groups claiming that the project may harm the 'Ram Setu' bridge, which is believed to have been built by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lanka. Environmentalists and activists, too, protested against the project claiming it might pose a potential threat to the environment in Rameswaram, the southernmost tip of the country. In the resolution, the DMK government had promised to complete the project while campaigning for the 2021 Assembly elections. (ANI)
BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana on Thursday slammed Aam Aadmi Party and its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly using public money to 'advertise' itself in other states. In a tweet, with which he tagged a personal video, Khurana said, "The Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) has sent a recovery notice of Rs 163.63 crore to the Delhi government AAP and its convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The amount is a sheer betrayal of the trust of the people here. You [Arvind Kejriwal] advertise, but who gives money for that? It is the hard-earned income of the Delhiites, is it the justice?" He further tweeted, "This is the same case where you gave money to your advocates to fight your case and now with this act, you have openly violated a Supreme Court directive and advertised your party (at the expense of public money) in other regions of the country, in a clear violation of the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court." In the personal video, the BJP's Delhi spokesperson said the AAP should deposit the said amount to the Delhi government as early as possible and should also "apologise to the country". "I would also request L-G VK Saxena to issue a guideline so that such instances do not repeat in the future," he added. The letter issued by DIP has asked the AAP for the reimbursement of the amount of Rs 163,61,88,265 (updated with the penal interest as on date December 28, 2022) incurred on advertisements found in violation of the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The Delhi government's Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) on Wednesday issued the recovery notice, to the AAP which it said had violated the guidelines on political advertisements issued by the Supreme Court and cost the State exchequer. "...the main purpose and objective of the guidelines framed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India was to prevent misuse of Government funds for the projection of image of the politician or the political party in power. Since the same has happened even after the judgement, the only way it could be reminded is to make the political party, the main beneficiary in the process of violation to pay for the expenditure incurred by the Government. The Committee directs the Government of NCT of Delhi to assess the expenditure incurred by it in issuing advertisements (i) outside the territory of Delhi on the occasion of various anniversaries (ii) on those advertisements/advertorials in which the name of Aam Aadmi Party is mentioned (iii) on those advertisements publicized the views of the Chief Minister on the incidents that took place in other States, and (iv) on those advertisements which targeted the opposition. The Committee further directs the Government of NCT of Delhi to get the entire expenditure so incurred on the above mentioned category of advertisements reimbursed to the State exchequer from the Aam Aadmi Party,..." the notice read. According to sources, if the AAP fails to make the payment, legal action, including sealing of the office of the AAP and attachment of the properties of the party shall be initiated. (ANI)
He also said that certain parts of Ramcharitmanas propagate discrimination again certain castes.

On whether he would apologise for his statement as the Opposition BJP has demanded, he said it is the saffron which should apologise for not being aware of facts.

Addressing students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University on Wednesday, he claimed that the 'Ramcharitmanas' and 'Manusmriti' divide the society.

"Why was there was resistance to the Ramcharitmanas? It says people from lower castes could be as dangerous as snakes after receiving education," the minister said on Tuesday.

He has said revered Hindu texts like Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are against Dalits, other backward classes and women receiving education.

"Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by saffron ideologue Guru Golwalkar spread hatred. Love, not hatred, makes the country great," added Chandrashekhar.

Earlier this month, Kerala Minister and Communist leader MB Rajesh made a similar statement about Manusmriti claiming that it advocates a 'cruel' caste system.

Speaking at a programme of Varkala Sivagiri Mutt, Rajesh had said, "If Kerala has an acharya, it's Sree Narayana guru and not Adi Shankaracharya." (ANI)
Former Bihar chief minister Sushil Modi has lashed out at the "insensitive" Mahagathbandhan government a day after the midnight violence in the Buxar district of the state in which a large group of farmers clashed with police who alleged that the police had assaulted villagers during a raid. Condemning the incident, the BJP leader also called for an immediate suspension of the policemen involved in the incident. The BJP leader alleged that the police barged into farmers' houses and assaulted them. "They are farmers, not criminals. Maybe they clashed with the police but barging into their homes and beating them up brutally at midnight is very condemnable. Even the video of the incident has gone viral now," Sushil Modi told ANI. "Such policemen need not only be transferred but they need to be sacked immediately," the former Bihar chief minister said. "Police should not have taken any action with a sense of revenge," Modi said. He alleged that police barged into the houses of the farmers in Bihar's Buxar at midnight and beat up the farmers, their children and women. The BJP leader appealed to the agitating farmers to not to resort to violence else, he said it would become easy for the government to crush them. "The farmers were demanding that they should be given compensation for their land not at the rate of 2013 but at the rate of 2022. BJP is standing with the farmers. I also talked to the CMD of the corporation last night. He said that we are ready to give what the state government asked for," Modi said. "The Deputy CM and the CM of the state say that they don't even know when the students and farmers were being lathi-charged. What kind of government is this, what an insensitive government...? They do not know what the issue is, the agitation has been going on for three months, and dozens of meetings were held, why do they want to pay 2013 rates in 2022, and that too when the electricity development corporation is ready to pay? Why does the Bihar government doesn't cooperate? The demand of the farmers is absolutely justified," the BJP leader said. Modi said that an investigation should be launched and police personnel involved in the incident should be dismissed from service. A farmers' protest in Buxar's Chausa area on Wednesday turned violent as villagers attacked the power plant and also torched the police vehicles, after the midnight "police crackdown" on their stir. The Buxar Police allegedly attacked the homes of protesting farmers in the middle of the night while they were sleeping and dozens of villagers including women were injured. The police brutality was captured in the CCTV footage. For over two months, farmers are on protest demanding better rates for their land being acquired by a state-run power company in the district's Chausa block. Police vehicles were vandalized and set on fire. The gate of the power plant was also set on fire, police said. The police tried to disperse the crowd by firing in the air. The entire area had been turned into a police camp. Stone pelting took place from both sides. Earlier on Tuesday, the farmers demonstrated at the plant's main gate. After which the police allegedly entered their houses last night in Badarpur village of Mufsil police station area and beat them up. (ANI)
A team of experts from the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gujarat's Gandhinagar on Thursday visited the national capital's Sultanpuri as part of the ongoing investigation into the Kanjhawala hit-and-drag case, the Delhi Police said, adding that a 'dummies' were being used to recreate the crime scene. The five-membered team of NFSU involves professors and forensic experts. According to the police, the forensic experts visited the crime spot on the request of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Outer Delhi, Harendra K Singh. The incident on January 1, New Year's day, in which 20-year-old Anjali Sing, who was riding a scooter, was found dead on the street, with her clothes torn off, after being allegedly hit and dragged by a car driven by five youths in Outer Delhi's Khanjawala area. A total of seven persons, including the five occupants of the car, have been arrested in connection with the case. Delhi Police scanned through footage of more than 300 CCTVs from the Kanjhawala and Sultanpuri areas to establish the sequence of events in the case. Earlier, Anjali's maternal uncle claimed, that her friend Nidhi, an eyewitness in the case who claimed earlier that Ajali was drunk on the day of the incident, was part of a larger conspiracy in the matter. "Nidhi surfaced all of a sudden after Anjali's last rites were performed. Why is it that the thought of reporting the incident to the police or us never crossed her mind? She claimed she was scared at the time. Is she not scared anymore? There is a conspiracy and she is a part of it," Anjali's maternal uncle told ANI earlier. He said Anjali never touched alcohol, a claim corroborated by her mother as well. "My niece did not have a drink. If she was drunk that night of the incident, as Nidhi has claimed, the post-mortem report would have mentioned it. So, either the post-mortem report is false or Nidhi lied," he said. The Delhi Police earlier said that examining the CCTV footage helped them trace Nidhi and record her statement. She claimed to be riding pillion on Anjali's scooter at the time of the incident. A total of 18 teams of the Delhi Police are part of the ongoing probe in the case. (ANI)
Suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma, whose comments over Prophet Mohammad led to a controversy, and triggered violent protests has now been granted an arms license, a Delhi Police official said on Thursday. Sharma claimed that she had been receiving a lot of death threats in person as well as over social media and had therefore applied for a gun license permitting her to carry a gun with her for her personal safety An officer from Delhi Police has confirmed that Sharma has been given the arms license that allows her to carry a gun for self-protection. Sharma was suspended in June last year as the spokesperson for BJP after her remarks on a television show led to widespread uproar followed by violent protests in several parts of India demanding action against her. Protestors said that the BJP leader's remarks about Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam, were in bad taste. There was also a diplomatic row with several Islamic countries like Iran and Qatar condemning her remarks. The suspended BJP leader had withdrawn her remarks and said her comments were not to hurt anybody's religious feelings even as she was removed from the position of BJP spokesperson in June 2022 and suspended from the party. The Supreme Court in its July 2022 order held Sharma responsible for igniting emotions in the country and said she was "single-handedly responsible for what was happening in the country at that time." Later, in August, taking note of the threats received by Sharma, the Supreme Court clubbed all cases against her so that she does not have to travel to all states where cases against her are going on. Sharma, following her suspension in June last year, has not been active on social media and kept a low profile. (ANI)
Minor cracks were observed in several buildings of the Indian Army after the Joshimath land subsidence and soldiers have been temporarily relocated, said Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Thursday. Addressing the annual Army Day press conference, General Pande said, "25-28 buildings (of Army) have developed minor cracks and the soldiers have been temporarily relocated. If needed they will be permanently relocated to Auli." Despite the ongoing crisis, the Army chief affirmed that the army's accessibility to the forward areas has not been affected. "As far as the bypass road (in Joshimath, Uttarakhand) is concerned, the work has been temporarily halted. But our accessibility to forward areas and operational readiness has not been affected," Army Chief said. General Pande also said that the army is working towards providing all possible assistance to the local administration regarding the crisis. Earlier today, the Uttarakhand state government announced a relief package of Rs 45 crore to families in Joshimath, where large cracks appeared in homes and on roads. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the relief package has been released for nearly 3,000 families affected by gradual land subsidence in the Himalayan state. "For the time being, interim assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh per family is being given. An advance amount of Rs 1 lakh has been given to the affected land owners or families due to landslides in the affected area before the permanent settlement displacement policy is prepared," Dhami told reporters. The Chief Minister also announced that Rs 50,000 has been given by the state disaster authority to each family as a non-adjustable one-time special grant for the transportation of goods and immediate needs of their buildings. Due to landslides in the Joshimath city area, over 720 buildings have been identified that developed cracks. Residents, as a part of the rehabilitation, have been moved to safer places even as geologists and experts scramble to ascertain the reasons for subsidence in the ecologically fragile region. Officials have stopped construction projects in the region and the government formed a committee to look into the incident and the situation arising out of the sudden crisis. Dhami has instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure speedy assistance to people affected by the sinking of their town and will hold a meeting with army officers and ITBP officers for the transparent distribution of interim package to families affected by landslides and to determine the rate of rehabilitation package. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that he will take a decision on whether to join Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra after discussing the "invitation" with his party. Yadav said that he has got an invitation from the grand old party to join the yatra. "Congress' invitation has come. I will discuss with the party and then decide," Akhilesh said addressing a press conference on Thursday. Meanwhile, hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over the launch of the world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas and the inauguration of a Tent City, Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's only motive is to earn money by converting religious places into a tourist spot. "People used to attain spiritual knowledge in Varanasi in the last phase of their lives, but BJP is making this arrangement for earning money by promoting tourism. What are the Nishads who steer boats there getting out of it," Yadav said adding that only the big industrialists and other traders will get facilities? He also swiped at the BJP government over its Ganga Action Plan and said that the government failed to clean "maa Ganga". "Thousands of crores of rupees have been cleaned but not Maa Ganga," SP Chief said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the world's longest river cruise Ganga Vilas between Varanasi-Dibrugarh on January 13. Besides, prime minister Modi will also inaugurate the Tent City at Varanasi and lay the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore via videoconferencing, Prime Minister's Office said in a release on Wednesday. Speaking on the Global Investors Meet being organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in February, Yadav asked what incentives are being given to bring more investments. Terming the summit as nothing but preparation for the next elections to betray the people of the state, Yadav further said, "I saw in Kannauj that the government has also included the industries of the industrialists in the Investors Summit. Where the government is talking about investment, why doesn't it tell about the earlier investor summits? The government is only eyeing the next elections?" Yadav also launched a twelve-page calendar featuring the chief ideologues of socialism. The calendar has been dedicated to the party's patron, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav. Events related to the life of Mulayam Singh Yadav have been compiled with photographs. The calendar is of 12 pages and has been designed by Uday Pratap Singh and Deepak Kabir. Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away on October 10, last year at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. He was 82. (ANI)
The Uttarakhand government on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that the Centre and State government are taking all possible steps with regard to the Joshimath land subsidence crisis, including deployment of NDRF teams and providing rehabilitation packages to the affected people. The counsel said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the state NDRF team have been deployed and have relocated residents to special rehabilitation centres with necessary kits. The bench comprised Justice Satish Chander Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad. The state government counsel also informed that a similar matter is also pending before the Supreme Court. "NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed and necessary committees have been formed to look into the rehabilitation and relocation matter. Work is being done on ground and we have managed to relocate affected people," the counsel told the judges. After noting down the submissions, the Delhi High court deferred the matter for February 3, 2023. The High Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for direction to the Centre to constitute a high power joint committee in the chairmanship of retired Justice of High Court to look into the sinking of Joshimath in Uttarakhand. The plea sought direction to constitute a committee and representatives of all relevant ministries to work for the rehabilitation of people from the affected areas of Joshimath. The petitioner Rohit Rohit Dandriyal, a practising lawyer stated that the construction activity done in the town of Joshimath in past years worked as a catalyst in the present scenario. Through these activities, the respondents violated the fundament right of the people right of the residents of the area. The plea further stated that at present the authorities have to provide modern amenable living facilities to the citizens. "It is pertinent for the Union of India to take cognizance of the plight of the people of people Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and take note to provide the citizens with basic facilities important to lead a dignified and respectable life," as per the plea. Life in the hill town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand has been disrupted in the last few days as residents took to the streets to demand action for the cracks that have developed in their houses. "In one of the strangest phenomena to strike the holy town nestled in the serene hills of Chamoli at a height of 6,000 ft, houses started developing cracks and damages since 2021, leaving residents anxious and worried. Since the first reports of the cracks in 2021 after landslides in Chamoli, over 570 houses have sustained damages or cracks as residents experienced seismic tremors repeatedly in the subsequent years," stated the plea. Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath, is a city and a municipal board in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand. Located at a height of 6150 feet (1875 m), it is a gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centres like Badrinath. "It is home to one of the four cardinal pithas established by Adi Shankara. Since 7 February 2021, the area was severely affected by the 2021 Uttarakhand flood and its aftermath," the plea further read. (ANI)
The passenger, identified as Rishi Shyam, was later handed over to AIU/Customs officials for further action.

According to an official release from the CISF, the accused was kept under electronic as well as physical surveillance.

During surveillance, it was observed that he picked some item from the floor and put it in his bag.

After keeping the item in his bag, he tried to frequently change his location. On strong suspicion, the passenger was intercepted by intelligence staff for questioning.

On tactfully questioning, the passenger accepted the presence of gold (yellow metal) in the pouch which he had received from an International passenger, who passed the item to him by throwing it over the glass sheet used to bifurcate Domestic and International boarding gates area, as per an official release from the CISF.

Earlier on January 6, altogether six kg of heroin and cocaine worth over Rs 47 crore were seized in two separate cases at the Mumbai airport, customs officials said.

Heroin was concealed in documents folder covers whereas cocaine was in clothes buttons, the officials said.

4.47 kg heroin valued at Rs 31.29 Cr and 1.596 kg cocaine valued at Rs 15.96 cr were seized in the two separate cases. (ANI)
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) on Thursday exposed six YouTube channels for "working in a coordinated manner and spreading false information" about the government, elections, proceedings in the Supreme Court and Parliament of India, the president and the prime minister. Last December, the Centre flagged three channels peddling fake news. In an official statement, the Press Information Bureau (PIB)'s Fact Check Unit pointed to six channels on YouTube -- Nation TV, Samvaad TV, Sarokar Bharat, Nation 24, Swarnim Bharat and Samvaad Samachar -- - which were using fake, clickbait and sensational thumbnails and images of television news anchors to mislead viewers into believing that the news shared by them was authentic. These YouTube channels are part of a fake news economy that thrives on the monetization of fake news, the I&B ministry said in the official release. These channels have 20 lakh subscribers and their videos have been watched over 51 crore times, the release said. The PIb's Fact Check Unit released six separate Twitter threads having over 100 fact-checks to counter the fake news spread by these channels. This is the second such action from the Unit under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting where entire channels have been busted. For an instance, the PIBFactCheck handle tweeted about Samvaad TV, "YouTube channel 'Samvaad TV' with over 10 lakh subscribers was found to be propagating #FakeNews about the Government of India and making false claims about the statements of the Union Ministers." The fact-checking team of the nodal agency communicates to the media on behalf of the Government of India. It works to identify fake news doing rounds on social media and the channels associated with them to warn people against believing them. (ANI)
The Delhi Police exhumed the body of an allegedly murdered 54-year-old woman from a graveyard in Nangloi in the national capital on Wednesday. The Police have arrested three persons in the case. Identified as Meena, the woman was a micro-financer who lent money on interest to small vendors, hawkers and drivers stated the police. The police affirmed that Meena was reported missing in the Mangolpuri police station on January 2, after which the police lodged a missing complaint under section 365 of the Indian Penal Code on Saturday and took up the investigation as her phone was found switched off and nothing was disclosed through the CCTV footage as well. The accused identified as Naveen, a tailor and Mobin, an auto driver, were close associates of the woman and had known her for at least 5-6 years according to the police. They even came to the police station along with family members to file the missing report, as confirmed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harendra Kumar Singh. According to him and the woman's family, the accused allegedly murdered her as she was consistently asking them to repay their previous loans before lending them any money. "During the investigation, we found the location of the last two callers was the same as that of the victim. On this basis, Mobin S/o Majhar was enquired but nothing worked out. It was then when another suspect Naveen-- who had earlier moved a bail application in this regard joined the investigation yesterday evening and confessed his involvement in Meena's murder," the police said. The DCP claimed, "During the interrogation, we found that the woman was last seen with the two accused, Mobin and Naveen. They allegedly killed the woman by suffocating her by putting a pillow on her face. Post the murder, the accused went through the area to dispose of the body. Mobin, who lives in Nangloi knew there was a graveyard in that area. They buried the body there." "We have also arrested the caretaker of the graveyard because usually there are no burials at night, yet he allowed them to bury the body. He also took a bribe of Rs 5,000 and didn't register their name in the record. We have arrested three people in this matter and detained one person. We'll arrest him later while the investigation is underway. Following the due procedure, we exhumed the woman's body in the presence of SDM and sent it for post-mortem in the mortuary," added Singh. "The accused Mobin rides an auto, Rehan is a barber while Naveen is a tailor. The fourth person is the caretaker who also helped the accused to bury the body," said Singh. The DCP informed that the Delhi Police deployed four inspectors for the investigation of the case who was accompanied by a team of 10 members each since the CCTV footage of the entire West Delhi was investigated. They also deployed a separate team for local intelligence. Three teams were involved in the electronic surveillance. The body has been sent for post-mortem today and any angle of sexual assault would be investigated, stated Singh. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the development works of the Chitrakoot division with the MPs and MLAs on Thursday as part of the ongoing assessment series. In this meeting, the Chief Minister gathered information from MPs and MLAs from Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur and Chitrakoot districts, about the development projects going on in their areas. He later issued necessary guidelines for them to follow. Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit, which will be held from February 10 to 12, Aditynath urged the MPs and MLAs in the state to inform entrepreneurs about the industrial policies of the government. He also directed them to inspect development projects and pay attention to their quality. Speaking about attracting investors in the said districts, the BJP leader said, "Religious tourism is being encouraged here. World-class infrastructure has been developed. Every district is full of opportunities for industrial development. There is a sufficient land bank. Public representatives should introduce their specialities to the country and the world." The state government claimed that thousands of farmers in Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Banda are benefiting directly from the completion of the long-pending Arjun Sahayak project. "Pure drinking water is also being made available. This project is going to bring a significant change in the lives of the people of Bundelkhand," affirmed the CM. Adityanath suggested the MPs and MLAs to make better use of technology. "Today, social media has emerged as the best medium of communication. All MPs and MLAs should use this platform. Public welfare schemes, industrial policies, and employment-oriented programs of the central and state governments should be presented positively on social media platforms. This platform is extremely useful for communicating and engaging with the public," said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister spoke about managing the destitute cows in the state and asserted, "For the protection of destitute cows, three schemes are going on at the state government level for the construction of destitute cow-shelter sites, Sahbhagita Yojana, and providing cows to malnourished families. Elite families should be encouraged to rear cows as well. The cooperation of every public representative is necessary for destitute cattle management." (ANI)
A Special CBI Court has issued notice to to Guwahati Airport for presenting CCTV footage over plea filed by former INX Media co-founder Indrani Mukerjea in which she claimed that a lawyer had seen a girl at Guwahati Airport who resembles her daughter Sheena Bora. CBI also filed a reply before Special CBI Court on Indrani Mukerjea's application and said her claim doesn't need to be investigated as Sheena Bora is already dead and there is clear evidence of it. The agency said that approver in the case Shyamvar Rai has also given a statement. The Special Court issued a notice to Guwahati Airport and asked them to present before it CCTV footage of the day when lawyer Saveena Bedi had claimed to have seen a girl looking like Sheena Bora. The next date of hearing in the case is February 2. The court had last week asked CBI to file its reply on an application filed by Indrani Mukerjea. The application said that passenger details and the CCTV footage of the Guwahati Airport should be preserved and investigated to ascertain if the girl seen by the lawyer at Guwahati Airport is Sheena Bora or not. The court had asked the CBI to file a reply on Indrani Mukerjea 's plea before the next date of the hearing on January 12. Indrani Mukerjea is facing murder charges for allegedly murdering her daughter Sheena Bora in April 2012. Her former husbands Peter Mukerjea, Sanjiv Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai are also co-accused in the case. With the application filed in special CBI court on Friday, Indrani Mukerjea has also filed an affidavit of lawyer Sabeena Bedi Sachar who claims to have seen a woman resembling Sheena Bora at Guwahati airport and has a video. Speaking to ANI, advocate Saveena Bedi Sachar had said she had sent the video to Indrani Mukerjea. "On January 5, 2023, when I was en route to Mumbai from Guwahati Airport, I saw a woman who I believe resembled Sheena Bora. As a lawyer, I want to further confirm the same," she said. "Although I have been a legal advisor to INX Media Pvt Ltd and knew Sheena since 2007, for reconfirming the thing, I requested my colleague to take a video of mine along with that woman in the background. I shared the video with Indrani Mukherjea who also felt the woman looks similar to Sheena Bora," she said. Sachar said an application was then filed and her affidavit has been attached. "Mukherjea prayed to the court to direct the CBI to access the CCTV footage and passenger details from Guwahati Airport to investigate the matter to ascertain the identity of the woman," she said. This is not the first time when Indrani Mukerjea has claimed that Sheena Bora is alive . Earlier, Indrani Mukerjea had told the court that she had reason to believe that Bora is alive as a policewoman had told her in Byculla prison that she had seen her in Srinagar in 2021 but CBI had refused to believe Indrani's claim. The trial is underway with 69 witnesses including Sheena Bora's boyfriend and Indrani's step son Rahul Mukerjea having deposed before the special CBI court so far. (ANI)
The national capital recorded five new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, according to a health bulletin by the Delhi government, pushing the total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi to 23. One person also recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours and no deaths were recorded. A total of 3,017 tests were conducted across Delhi in the last 24 hours. A total of 622 people were administered Covid-19 vaccines in the last 24 hours, with 94 persons being administered the first dose, 121 administered 2nd dose and 407 administered the precautionary dose. Only one Covid-19 positive patient is presently in hospital. No deaths were reported. The total number of active cases in India on Thursday stands at 2,309, according to data from the Union Home Ministry with 197 new cases detected in the last 24 hours. A total of 1,89,724 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and 61,680 new vaccine doses were administered. Preparedness across the country is high as India faces a possible fourth wave of Covid-19. Recently there has been a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in India with the new variant BF.7. Vigilance has been increased across Indian airports to detect incoming passengers of Covid-19. The Union Health Ministry has been keeping a close watch on the Covid-19 situation in India. On Wednesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that over 200 air passengers were found COVID-positive with BF.7 variant during the random sampling at the airports. He said that more than 15 lakh air passengers were screened for Covid-19. "Till today, more than 15 lakh air passengers screened for Covid19. Of which more than 200 passengers were found Covid positive; their samples sent for genome sequencing showed that the BF.7 variant was found in many passengers. Our vaccines are effective against this variant," Union Health Minister had said. (ANI)
The three accused have been identified as Goshala Shankar (22), Taketi Chandu and Peddada Raj Kumar (19).

Officials said they were caught from an underpass near the railway level crossing in the Kancharapalem area of Visakhapatnam.

Vande Bharat Express train arrived in the city on Wednesday evening.

The stone-pelting incident was reported around 5:30 pm. Unidentified persons allegedly pelted stones on the train.

When the RPF tried to chase them, they fled from the spot. However, one of the accused left his shoe.

A joint team of RPF, GRP and City Police was formed to nab the accused. They were able to identify the accused using the CCTV footage.

Officials said that the accused, Goshala Shankar (22) is a suspected cheater. Four cases are registered against him at the Kancharapalem police station.

During the interrogation, he confessed to the crime and said that he threw stones as a brat under the influence of alcohol.

The second accused, Taketi Chandu was earlier involved in the GRP PS murder case. The third accused Peddada Raj Kumar has been a resident of Pedanadupur, they said. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said that the investments in the state have been much higher under the Congress government than they were under the Bharatiya Janata Party rule. Talking to reporters, here at the helipad in Raipur, Baghel said that he has returned for the Bhent Mulaqat program. He also remembered Swami Vivekanand on his birth anniversary and talked about his association with the state. "Today is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. He had a special association with Raipur, as after Kolkata, he spent most part of his life here. Our government has also decided to make a memorial at the place of his residence," he said. Responding to BJP leader Brijmohan Agarwal's allegations of an "emergency" situation in the state, Baghel alleged that those who speak against BJP are raided by the central agencies. "Is anyone able to say a word about the "emergency-type" situation in the country? If someone speaks against BJP, he becomes anti-Hindu, if someone speaks against the central government, he becomes anti-National. Brijmohan Ji is getting to speak here, but many even don't get that. Those who say, their houses are raided by the central agencies. On being asked about the allegations of no investment in the state in the last four years, the Chhattisgarh CM accused BJP of "lying". "Under the BJP rule, the investment in the state was Rs 1,553 crores and Rs 1,014 crores in 2017 and 2018. After our government came, the investment has been Rs 73,567 crore in 2020, Rs 16,492 crore in 2021 and Rs 2,753 crore in 2022. All of this is government data, which shows how many "lies" are spoken by BJP leaders," he said. He was also asked about no cabinet minister from Chhattisgarh being in the central government since BJP came to power. "We want that Chhattisgarh also gets representation in the cabinet. There used to be cabinet ministers from the state during the Congress rule, but no cabinet minister has come during the BJP rule," he added. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh registered two new Covid positive cases on Thursday, taking the number of active cases in the state to 19, according to the state health department. Both cases were reported from the Bilaspur district. Five patients also recovered from the disease on Thursday. Although two patients have been detected with Covid-19, none has been hospitalised, said the state health department in a statement. However, one patient has been discharged from the hospital in the past 24 hours with only one presently hospitalised. No deaths were reported. The total number of active cases in India on Thursday stands at 2,309, according to data from the Union Home Ministry with 197 new cases being detected in the last 24 hours. A total of 1,89,724 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and 61,680 new doses of vaccine were administered. Preparedness across the country is high as India faces a possible fourth wave of Covid-19. Recently there has been a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in India with the new variant BF.7. Vigilance has been increased across Indian airports to detect incoming passengers of Covid-19. The Union Health Ministry has been keeping a close watch on the Covid-19 situation in India. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said that over 200 air passengers were found COVID-positive with BF.7 variant during the random sampling at the airports. He said that more than 15 lakh air passengers were screened for Covid-19. "Till today, more than 15 lakh air passengers screened for Covid19. Of which more than 200 passengers were found Covid positive; their samples sent for genome sequencing showed that the BF.7 variant was found in many passengers. Our vaccines are effective against this variant," the Union Minister had said. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Tourism attracted the attention of investors on the first day of the Global Investor Summit (GIS) being held in the cleanest city of India, Indore. The two-day program of the seventh edition of GIS is being organised at Brilliant Convention Centre in the city from Wednesday. According to a release, the Tourism was one of the important sessions which took the attention of probable investors. The session was held on the theme 'How to Leverage Tourism Sector for a Future-Ready Madhya Pradesh'. It witnessed participation from various Central and State government officials, industry captains and all major travel tourism fraternities and various other stakeholders. During the session, Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Culture, Sheo Shekhar Shukla gave a detailed presentation on vivid Investment opportunities in the Tourism sector and ensured a promising future in the State. He also highlighted tourism's policies for investments in hotels and resorts, film & wellness and various incentives for constructing hotels and other developments such as PPP projects. MP Tourism Minister Usha Thakur also shared key information about major and upcoming tourist destinations in the state on the occasion. The major Highlight of the session was Project Cheetah as Cheetahs have been recently introduced to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the eight Cheetahs brought from Namibia at the park on the occasion of his birthday on September 17. The release further reads that the Department of Tourism is doing Comprehensive Master Planning for tourism zones, Private and Government land parcels for hospitality infrastructure with Tourist Facilitation Centre/ Interpretation Centre/ other Amenities. Special early bird incentives to investors will be offered. (ANI)
For the first-time health has been linked with development in India under a holistic approach undertaken by the Centre, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday. "More than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) operationalized, providing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities," he said while chairing the eighth meeting of Mission Steering Group (MSG) of National Health Mission (NHM), here. More than 135 crore footfalls registered at the AB-HWCs since 2018, he informed. "India can have its own Healthcare Model, aligned to its regional requirements, and local strengths and challenges, " Mandaviya said in the meeting. Highlighting the achievements under NHM, Dr Mandaviya stated that "Exceeding the target of 1.50 lakh Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) by 31 December 2022, more than 1.54 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been transformed as AB-HWCs." AB-HWCs are providing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to the communities. As many as 12 health services packages are available free-of-charge," he informed. "Moving with the philosophy of Antyodaya, the Government aspires to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare services to each individual in every corner of the country," he emphasized. Commending the progress under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, the Union Health Minister emphasized on the need to eradicate TB by 2025 as per the prime minister's vision. Several suggestions were also offered including on the approach to the elimination of diseases like cervical cancer, increasing the number of AB-HWCs under Medical Colleges, the need for a more detailed analysis of the urban health sector, and enhancing synergy between Centre and States for timely matching fund allocation from the latter. He said that the decisions taken in MSG meeting will help in giving impetus to the delivery of healthcare services at all three levels of healthcare - primary, secondary and tertiary. Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, and Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog were also present in the meeting. The MSG is the apex decision-making body of NHM that takes decisions on policies and program implementation under the Mission. Secretaries of Ministries of Government of India including MoHFW, AYUSH, School Education & Literacy and senior officers from WCD, Tribal Affairs, Finance & Expenditure, Panchayati Raj, Health Secretaries of State Governments and eminent public health professionals also attended the meeting. (ANI)
Sharing the information here today, a Haryana Police spokesperson informed that the arrested accused were identified as Bandhan Sharma and Aman Sonkar alias Bond, both residents of Ambala Cantt.

"Two illegal country-made pistols and one cartridge were seized from Bandhan Sharma while 5 country-made pistols along with 4 cartridges from Aman. Both were arrested in separate cases by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team," he said.

The police got secret input that two men involved in heinous crimes were roaming along with illegal weapons. After receiving the information, police teams were formed and accused were arrested and the illegal weapons were taken under possession.

It was found that both the accused are wanted in an attempt to murder case lodged in Ambala Cantt police station. It was also revealed that eight cases were registered against Aman in different police stations. (ANI)
Following a controversial statement by Bihar education minister Chandrashekher Yadav, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided to burn his effigy across the state on Friday for hurting the sentiments of Hindus. VHP national president Dr RN Singh said that the Bihar education minister has given the statement due to his appeasement politics. "He has given the statement to please a particular community and give a message to them that he can talk against Hindus without any problem. The minister should apologize for his statement. The state government should sack a senseless education minister," Singh said. "VHP will burn the effigy of the Bihar education minister in Patna and the entire state to make people aware about how educated he is," Singh added. VHP Bihar president Kameshwar Chaupal said: "When Hindu culture was under threat, the Hindu community had saved their culture through Ramcharitmanas in the entire world. Ramcharitmanas is showing the light to people who are disappointed and depressed. Why is the Bihar education minister not understanding how Shri Ram ate the "Joothe Ber" of Mata Shabri. He has also given the status of his brother Bharat to Nishadh Raj. Ramcharitmanas is like a sea and the Bihar education minister is picking snails at its cost." "Ramcharitmanas would not be understood by everyone. Only a knowledgeable person can understand it," Chaupal said. On Wednesday evening, Bihar education minister Chandrashekher Yadav claimed that Manu Smriti in the first era, Ramcharitmanas in the second era and MS Golwalkar's "Bunch of Thoughts" spread hatred in the third era in society. --IANS ajk/bg ( 273 Words) 2023-01-12-20:10:04 (IANS)
A range of issues including G7/G20 collaboration, LiFE, Marine and Plastic Waste and COP-27 were discussed in a bilateral meeting on Thursday which was held here between Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Akihiro Nishimura, the Japanese Minister of Environment. Yadav acknowledged and appreciated the efforts made by Japan in bringing new technologies to India. He stressed that India and Japan may explore strengthening bilateral cooperation especially on circular economy and resource efficiency, low carbon technology, green hydrogen among others. Speaking on this occasion Bhupender Yadav said that it is a coincidence that both Japan and India have taken over Presidencies of the G7 and G20 respectively, and this presents an opportunity for both countries to set the agendas and priorities for shaping the future of the world towards "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth, One Family, One Future", which also is the theme of India's G20 Presidency. Yadav further added that during India's G-20 Presidency, LiFE is one of the important priorities for all the working groups cutting across many ministries and departments. He also sought support of Japan for India's G-20 Presidency, and also assured India's support for Japan's G-7 Presidency. Addressing the 1st India - Japan Environment week, Yadav stated that to build a better world and a better future leaving no one behind, "we should promote just and equitable growth for all in the world, in a sustainable, holistic, responsible, and inclusive manner". Highlighting the importance of LiFE for tackling the environmental challenges and the crises of climate change, pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, Yadav said Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Yadav said the need of the hour is to orient industrial development towards sustainable production and to be a tool for nudging sustainable consumption. Concluding the meeting, both countries also agreed to further promote cooperation between the two countries as well as to work together in multilateral frameworks. --IANS kvm/pgh ( 356 Words) 2023-01-12-21:00:02 (IANS)
The successor firms of the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Indian government never suggested at the time of settlement that it was inadequate and also cited one of the conspiracy theories involving then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The firm's counsel emphasised that the depreciation of the rupee since 1989 cannot become a ground to seek a top-up of compensation now for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing successor firms of the UCC, submitted before a bench a five-judge bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul that at the time of the settlement (of 1989), the Indian government never said it was inadequate. He submitted before a bench - also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S. Oka, Vikram Nath, and J.K. Maheshwari - that there are affidavits starting from 1995 and ending as late as 2011, where the Indian government has opposed every single attempt to suggest that the settlement is inadequate. During the hearing, Salve also cited several conspiracy theories connected with the case. He said in one of the theories it was claimed the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had met Warren Anderson in a hotel in Paris before the settlement, and added that Anderson had by then retired as the UCC Chairperson. He argued that depreciation of the rupee since 1989 cannot become a ground to seek a top-up of compensation now for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims. After hearing detailed arguments in the matter, the top court reserved its verdict on Centre's curative petition seeking an additional Rs 7,844 crore from the successor firms of UCC for extending greater compensation to the victims. Salve said they are arguing the settlement has become inadequate because the rupee depreciated but it cannot be ground for top-up compensation now. He pointed out that the settlement of USD 470 million was due to an order passed by a district judge in 1987. He submitted that nothing has been ever suggested by the Central government or anybody else that the UCC offered more in any negotiation on a settlement than what was accepted between the parties. The apex court also heard submissions from senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Karuna Nundy, representing the intervenors. Earlier, the top court had grilled the Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the Centre, on how the government could file a curative petition without filing the review. It told the AG that the Central government was not prohibited from granting relief to the Bhopal gas tragedy victims, and it cannot absolve from itself from the welfare state principle by saying, "I will take it from them (successor firms of Union Carbide Corporation), as and when taken from them, I will pay". --IANS ss/vd ( 475 Words) 2023-01-12-21:08:06 (IANS)
Amino acids make up millions of proteins that drive the chemical gears of life, including essential bodily functions in animals. Because of amino acids' relationship to living things scientists are eager to understand the origins of these molecules. After all, amino acids may have helped spawn life on Earth after being delivered here about 4 billion years ago by pieces of asteroids or comets. But if so, were amino acids produced inside asteroids or comets? Or did life's raw ingredients come intact from the interstellar molecular cloud of ice, gas, and dust that formed our solar system and countless others? If amino acids formed in our solar system, then life could be unique here. But if they came from an interstellar cloud, these precursors to life could have spread to other solar systems, as well. Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, sought to explore how amino acids and amines -- their chemical cousins -- may have formed by simulating a mini, cosmic evolution in the lab. The researchers made ices like those found in interstellar clouds, blasted them with radiation, and then exposed the leftover material, which included amines and amino acids, to water and heat to replicate the conditions they would have experienced inside asteroids. "The important take-away is that the building blocks of life have a strong link not only to processes in the asteroid, but also to those of the parent interstellar cloud," said Danna Qasim, who worked on this experiment while she was a postdoctoral fellow at NASA Goddard from 2020 to 2022. Qasim now is a research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio and lead author of a study published on January 9 in the journal ACS Earth and Space Chemistry. For their study, Qasim and her colleagues made ices out of molecules that telescopes have commonly detected in interstellar clouds, such as water, methanol, carbon dioxide and ammonia. Then, using a Van de Graaff particle accelerator at Goddard, they zapped the ices with high-energy protons to mimic the cosmic radiation the ices would have experienced in a molecular cloud. The radiation process broke apart simple molecules. Those molecules recombined into more complex amines and amino acids, such as ethylamine and glycine. The amino acids were left in gooey residues. "We expect that these residues from the interstellar cloud are transferred to the protoplanetary disk that creates a solar system, including asteroids," Qasim said. Asteroid simulations came next. By submerging the residues in tubes of water and heating them to different temperatures and for varying durations, scientists replicated the conditions inside some asteroids billions of years ago, called 'aqueous alteration'. Later, they analysed the effects these warm, watery conditions had on the molecules. They found that the types of amines and amino acids created in laboratory interstellar ices, and their proportions, stayed constant regardless of asteroid conditions. This implies that amines and amino acids can stay intact as they migrate from the interstellar cloud to an asteroid. But each molecule reacted differently to asteroid-like conditions depending on how much heat the researchers applied and for how long. Glycine levels doubled after 7 days of asteroid simulations, for example, while ethylamine levels barely budged. Many other scientists have created interstellar ices and plied them with radiation. Like the Goddard team, they've also found that this process creates amines and amino acids. But the set of compounds produced in labs doesn't match the set detected in meteorites. Meteorites are pieces of asteroids and, perhaps, comets that scientists can find on Earth's surface and probe in the lab. Qasim and her colleagues wanted to investigating this discrepancy, so they designed an experiment -- the first one to add asteroid simulations to the ice experiment. The process began with an idea by Christopher Materese, a Goddard research scientist who was principal investigator of this project. Materese wondered whether asteroid conditions were the missing link between lab-made interstellar ice and meteorite compositions. "Laboratory experiments focused solely on ice irradiation are not fully capturing the reality of the chemistry experienced by these compounds," Materese said, adding, "So part of the goal of this work was to see if we can close that gap." The research team has not yet closed the gap. They found that even after simulating asteroid conditions, the amines and amino acids they produced still didn't match those in meteorites. This could be happening for a variety of reasons. One has to do with possible contamination. Because meteorites fall through Earth's atmosphere and spend some time on the surface before they're scooped up, it's possible that their chemical makeup changes and don't perfectly reflect the asteroids they came from. But scientists will be able to address this issue with pristine samples of asteroid Bennu, currently being ferried by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to Earth for a Sept. 24, 2023, delivery to the surface. Scientists also will improve their ice experiments after NASA's James Webb Space Telescope returns detailed information about the types of ices that make up interstellar molecular clouds. "We are not nearly at the end of this work yet, we still have more to do," Materese said. (ANI)
Protesters who had staged a sit-in blocked roads in South Waziristan on Tuesday after talks between their leaders and local administration failed to yield positive results, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported. The protest sit-in in the South Waziristan district headquarters, Wana, entered the fifth day on Tuesday. The sit-in has been organised by Waziristan Aman Olasi Pasoon (Waziristan peace public movement) to demand that the government restore peace in the district, frequently hit by militant attacks. The protestors after the failure of negotiations, erected barricades on roads to disrupt traffic as more than 8,000 shops in Wana Bazaar remained closed. Imran Mukhlis, a leader of Waziristan Aman Olasi Pasoon, while speaking at a press conference said that negotiations with the administration continued since the sit-in started five days ago, but the talks did not yield any results. "We are giving a message to the international human rights organisations that we are seeking peace in our country," he said as quoted by Dawn newspaper. He, however, said that the government did not bother listening to their demands. "We are begging for peace from the state institutions. We want peace and better law and order in the region," Mukhlis added. He said that several talks with the administration had ended without giving any results. He said that the administration had accepted some of the protesters' demands, including also involving the FC along with the police for patrol duty, speeding up work on the construction of police stations, and setting up new police posts, reported Dawn. "Despite lengthy consultations with the officials, the negotiating committee of the Waziristan Aman Olasi Pasoon believes that the civil administration is unable to use its constitutional and legal powers to meet the demands of tribal people," Mukhlis said as quoted by Dawn. Recently, media reported that the large-scale protest against the recent wave of terrorism and lawlessness in the restive South Waziristan in northwest Pakistan continues to occur as protesters blocked the Wana-Razmak road to all traffic for the second day. Residents of the South Waziristan region staged massive protests in the tribal district and chanted slogans against a surge in terrorism in the tribal district, The News International newspaper reported. The protests took place at Rustam Bazaar in Wana. The protesters included people from various political parties like the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP), National Democratic Movement (NDM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP). Additionally, civil society organisations, lawyers, traders and the general public also joined the rally to show their support. The protesters carried banners and placards and demanded the government play its role in maintaining law and order in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly in the merged tribal districts. The protests come amid a surge in militancy across Pakistan after Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its ceasefire agreement with the government on November 28 last year and ordered its militants to stage attacks across the country. The year 2022 ended with the deadliest month for Pakistan's security personnel in over a decade, said an Islamabad-based think tank as it pointed to the emergence of TTP as the biggest threat to the country. (ANI)
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India and US are looking to carve out bilateral solutions to the several longstanding World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes between the two countries. Piyush Goyal made these comments after the conclusion of the 13th India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) with his US counterpart United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai in Washington. "There was a very robust discussion amongst the officials and today at the ministerial levels at finding solutions to the several WTO disputes that have been going on for several years between US-India. These outstanding issues are areas where both countries have had some wins and some losses," Goyal said during a press conference in Washington. The Commerce Minister is on an official visit to New York and Washington DC from January 9-11 to participate in India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF). His visit included delegation-level talks and a one-to-one meeting with USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai. Addressing the press briefing here, Goyal said that both countries have directed their officials to engage "very aggressively" over the next two or three months to find a bilateral settlement of the WTO issues, demonstrating the trust between the two countries "We have directed our officials to engage very aggressively over the next two or three months to see if we can find a bilateral settlement of the WTO issues demonstrating the trust between the two countries and we hope for some satisfactory outcomes," he added. Since both countries relaunched the Trade Policy Forum in a new form with renewed vigor in November 2021, India-US have seen this becoming a very robust and outcome-oriented discussion on several issues of mutual interest, Goyal said. "The Trade Policy Forum truly is one platform where we have free and frank discussions on a plethora of issues. Some predefined on the table and many which emerged from the discussions," he said. "This kind of friendly atmosphere in which India and the US can discuss issues of mutual interest and at times issues that cause concern on either side of countries --- discuss in an open atmosphere in a very transparent manner and that the beauty of Trade Policy Forum," he added. In an earlier release, Commerce Ministry said both India and USA are natural partners and have trade complementarities, long-standing strategic and economic relationships, people to people contact, and both are vibrant democracies too. The two countries are also collaborating under the QUAD, I2U2 (India-Israel/ UAE-USA) and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework). Regular exchanges at the leadership-level have been an integral element of the expanding bilateral engagement. The outcomes emerging from these visits have been instrumental in further strengthening the multifaceted ties between the two countries. The 12th TPF Ministerial meeting was held on November 23, 2021, after a gap of four years in New Delhi. Working groups were re-activated after the last ministerial. TPF is a platform for continuous engagement between two countries in the area of trade and to further the trade and investment relations between the two countries. Both countries are looking forward to the meeting and confident of making progress on the trade issues. The TPF is chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister from the Indian side and USTR from the US side. (ANI)
Chinese President Xi Jinping described his tenure in power as the "new ear" wherein he will embark on a national exercise to discipline the communist party and its units for better governance, Singapore-based online news portal The Singapore Post reported. Jinping in January second week, addressed the plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. Xi, during the session, pointed out that discipline is the "rule" for governing the party. He said that it is standard for party members to restrain their behavior. The president proposed placing discipline in a more prominent position, and that "strict requirements must be implemented in the entire process of party rule formulation, party discipline education, and discipline enforcement supervision", according to The Singapore Post. According to the new Communist Party rulebook, every member must be aware of the Party Constitution. They should study the Party Constitution and abide by it. A recent Chinese state media report, as quoted by The Singapore Post, said that party members shout "get into the habit of working and living in a supervised and restrained environment". Despite the election of Jinping for an unprecedented third term, the CCP continues to face leadership challenges such as the test of long-term rule, reform and modernisation, revival of the market economy and of the external environment, according to di Valerio Fabbri writing in Geopolitica.Info. The primary cause behind the loss of faith in Xi's leadership as well as that of the CCP by the Chinese masses is attributed to passive corruption, the party's authoritarian style of working, and the separation of government from the masses. According to Liu Haixing, deputy director of the Central National Security Commission office, who recently wrote an article in People's Daily on national security issues and was quoted by Fabbri in Geopolitica.Info, the national challenges facing the communist government are bound to create new problems in future. The media recently reported that China, under Chairman Xi Jinping, thought it was wiser than anyone else. In fact, instead of wisdom, it turned out that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under Xi was pursuing nothing other than obstinate exceptionalism, believing it could do what no other nation on Earth could achieve. Where others failed, Xi and his apparatchiks thought China could beat the coronavirus with the advantages of "socialism with Chinese characteristics" alone. Thus, for three long years, China invested heavily in an intolerant policy of zero COVID, locking down whole cities at a time. It also created an enormous army of white-suited and masked minions who tested, bullied, and strutted about the country to impose the emperor's will, said media reports. (ANI)
India has bigger ambitions in doing trade with the US than securing a free trade deal, said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday as he laid emphasis on greater market access, ease of doing business, and a larger footprint for trade and investment between the two countries. Goyal made these remarks after convening the 13th meeting of the US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington. "We are looking at much much bigger ambitions in our trade with the US. While of course, we are doing free trade deals we've concluded and entered into force free trade deals with Australia and UAE. They're in active dialogue with the UK with Canada with Israel with EU," Goyal said during a press conference in Washington. Union Commerce Minister stated that the US is currently not looking at any free trade deal with any country as a matter of their political policy. "So I think that's not something that's on the table. So rather than that we are focusing on greater market access. We are focusing on ease of doing business between the two countries," he added. Goyal said that India is looking at bilaterally in a much larger footprint for trade and investment and business, adding that the small military deals have lost relevance today. Answering a question on the possible revival of India's GSP status which was removed by the Trump administration, the minister said, "I think in terms of GSP I have not heard any significant clamor from Indian industry to focus our energies on the GSP issue I have resumed today with my counterparts." Goyal said the GSP issue is not something that was on a high-priority list and trade between the two countries continues to expand very rapidly. "I have placed on record our requested GSP should be restored. But I can assure you the trade between the two countries continues to expand very rapidly," he added. In March 2019, then-US President Donald Trump terminated India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the key GSP trade programme. The meeting between Goyal and US Trade Representative Tai provided the two ministers with the opportunity to review the work that has taken place, since the re-launch of the TPF in November 2021, under the Forum's working groups, and to provide their guidance on priorities to pursue as part of the TPF's 2023 work program. At the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers issued a Joint Statement reflecting the results of the discussion. "In her remarks during the TPF meeting, Ambassador Tai emphasized that the TPF is contributing directly to the strength of U.S.-India bilateral relations by providing a structure for constructive dialogue on trade policy matters," the US Commerce Department said in a statement. She noted the tremendous potential for growth between our economies, and the equally significant potential to ensure that bilateral trade brings a positive impact to working people in both countries. She also highlighted the commitment of both US President Joe Biden and herself to ensure that bilateral trade dialogue contributes directly to helping the United States and India respond to shared challenges in the global economy. Ambassador Tai also highlighted the creation of a new TPF Working Group on Resilient Trade. She expressed her appreciation to Minister Goyal and his colleagues for their contributions to the TPF in general, and to today's ministerial meeting specifically. (ANI)